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Chinese VP welcomes global businesses to invest in China

Xinhua) 08:07, April 14, 2025

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng interacts with the representative of an exhibiting company before attending the launch event for the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo and "Shopping in China" series in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Sunday welcomed global businesses to invest and thrive in China, as the country, with a population of over 1.4 billion, boasts vast market potential and robust momentum for consumption upgrades.

Han made the remarks when talking with the heads of exhibiting companies in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, before attending the launch event for the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo and "Shopping in China" series.

Han encouraged global companies to make good use of the expo to expand brand influence, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and achieve mutual benefits.

Some 1,000 people, including representatives from government agencies, exhibitors, purchasing firms and diplomatic envoys to China, attended the event.

The expo, co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Hainan provincial government, is the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region.

Themed "share open opportunities, co-create a better life," this year's expo runs from April 13 to 18, attracting over 1,700 enterprises and more than 4,100 brands from more than 70 countries and regions.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attends the launch event for the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo and "Shopping in China" series in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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The 20th Chinese medical team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) provided free clinical services to residents at the main square of Kalkara, southeastern Malta, on Sunday.

During the event, the medical team offered a range of services including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, cupping therapy, traditional massage, personalized health consultations, and distributed free medical supplies to attendees.

Lora Busuttil, 73, described the free clinic service as a "good" experience. Suffering from knee pain, she expressed appreciation for the helpful advice offered by the Chinese doctors. "I will apply the plaster they gave me on my knee," she said.

"I feel much better," said Iris Magro, 63, after receiving a traditional massage for neck discomfort. It was her first time trying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and she told Xinhua she plans to visit the MRCTCM for further massage treatments.

Joe Cuschieri, 76, underwent a blood sugar check and received cupping and massage therapy for his neck pain. He also expressed interest in visiting the MRCTCM to seek continued treatment for his neck and back issues.

"I am very grateful that we could collaborate with the Chinese medical team to offer free clinical services to our residents," Kalkara Mayor Wayne Aquilina told Xinhua. He noted that the event attracted strong interest from locals, many of whom were keen to learn more about TCM.

"We're looking forward to more collaborations," Aquilina added, expressing hope that the Chinese medical team will continue offering health consultations, particularly for elderly residents in Kalkara.

The MRCTCM was established by the Chinese and Maltese governments in 1994. To date, 20 Chinese medical teams comprising over 100 doctors, have provided TCM treatments to approximately 250,000 Maltese patients.
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ASUS, the Taiwanese technology brand, expands its PC offerings with new desktop options in India with the launch of the V500 Mini Tower and S501 Small Form Factor desktop.

The V500 mini tower is crafted for both home and everyday use, delivering top-tier performance in a compact form. With up to the latest Core i7 13620H processor option, it offers best-in-class cost-to-performance value. The machine offers dual RAM and M.2 SSD slots for ample memory and storage expansion of up to 64GB and 2 TB, respectively. Built to last, it features military-grade durability and enterprise-grade components for reliable, long-term use.

The ASUS S501 is a Small Form Factor (SFF) ideal for users seeking powerful performance in a space-saving design. With an 8.6L chassis and tool-free design, it ensures easy upgrades and maintenance. Here too you can find upgrade options for both RAM & M.2 SSD of up to 64GB and 2 TB, respectively. Solid capacitors, 80 PLUS Bronze power efficiency for the PSU, and versatile connectivity make it a smart choice for modern workspaces.

Top Breaking News Of The Day

These desktops reflect ASUSs commitment to innovation and quality, offering thoughtfully engineered solutions that enhance everyday productivity. Both models will be available starting April 14 across ASUS Exclusive Stores, Amazon, Flipkart, ASUS E-shop, and authorized retail outlets in India.

ASUS V500 Mini Tower will be available at a starting price INR 34,990 and ASUS S501 Small Form Factor will be available starting at INR 42,990. The models will be available in Inkwell Gray color.

ASUS V500 Mini Tower

Powerful Performance in a Compact Form

Powered by up to Intel Core i7-13620H with 10 cores and 16 threads, the V500 handles multitasking and regular household workloads with ease. It ships with 8GB DDR5 RAM, expandable up to 64GB.

Fast and Reliable Storage

The 512GB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD ensures ultra-fast boot times, responsive performance, and ample space for everyday storage needs and it can be further upgraded thanks to 2 M.2 NVMe slots.

Advanced Connectivity Options

Equipped with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and a wide range of I/O ports, the V500 supports seamless connectivity for all modern devices and peripherals. You also get a Type-C port on the front.

Sleek and Space-Saving Design

Housed in a compact 15L mini tower form factor, the V500 optimizes desk space without compromising on performance. Its sleek, modern design blends seamlessly into any workspace, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Optimized for Productivity

Pre-installed with Windows 11 Home, the V500 Mini Tower is productivity-ready, with the option to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for business users.

Efficient Power Consumption with 80 PLUS Bronze Certification

The V500 stands out with its 80 PLUS Bronze certified 180W power supply, delivering up to 85% energy efficiency minimizing energy waste and supporting greener computing experience.

Built for the long term

Engineered with military-grade durability and tested for extreme conditions, the V500 is built to withstand daily wear and shipping stresses.

Specifications

Top KSPs  V500 Mini Tower Up to Intel Core i7-13620H Processor Upgradable up to 64GB DDR5 RAM 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 180W power supply (80+ Bronze) High Definition 7.1 Channel Audio

Model Name ASUS V500 Mini Tower (V500MV-13620H006WS) OS Windows 11 Home (ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business) Processor Intel Core i7-13620H Processor 2.4 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 4.9 GHz, 10 cores, 16 Threads) Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Storage 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD (upgradable up to 2TB) Memory 8GB DDR5 SO-DIMM (Upgradable to 64GB) I/O Ports (Front) 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A I/O Ports (Rear) 1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet 1x HDMI 1.4 1x Display Port 1.4 1x 7.1 channel audio (3 ports) 1x Kensington lock 4x USB 2.0 Type-A Connectivity Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth 5.4 Wireless Card

ASUS S501 Small Form Factor

Robust Performance for Every Task

Powered by up to Intel Core i5-14500 with 14 cores and 20 threads, the S501SER delivers efficient performance for multitasking and daily workloads. It comes with 8GB DDR5 RAM, expandable up to 64GB, and up to Intel UHD Graphics 770 for smooth visuals.

High-Speed Storage

A 512GB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD ensures fast boot times, swift app launches, and ample space for essential files. The storage can also be expanded up to 2TB via the two M.2 SSD slots.

Next-Level Connectivity

With Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and a full suite of I/O ports including USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI, VGA, and 7.1 channel audio, the S501SER supports seamless, flexible connectivity. Its 180W 80+ Bronze power supply offers energy-efficient, reliable performance.

Productivity-Ready System

Pre-loaded with Windows 11 Home, the S501SER offers a sleek, intuitive interface to boost efficiency. ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business users seeking enhanced security and management tools tailored to professional demands.

Specifications

Top KSPs  S501 Small Form Factor Intel Core i5-14500 Processor Upgradable up to 64GB DDR5 RAM 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 180W power supply (80+ Bronze) High Definition 7.1 Channel Audio

Model Name ASUS S501 Small Form Factor (S501SER-514500007WS) OS Windows 11 Home  ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business Processor Intel Core i5-14500 Processor 2.6GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.0GHz, 14 cores, 20 Threads) Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 770 Storage 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD (Expandable up to 2TB) Memory 8GB DDR5 U-DIMM (Expandable up to 64GB) I/O Ports (Front) 1x Headphone 1x 3.5 mm combo audio jack (Mic in or Headphone out) 2x USB 2.0 Type-A 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A I/O Ports (Rear) 1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet 1x HDMI 1.4 1x VGA Port 1x 7.1 channel audio (3 ports) 1x Kensington lock 1x Padlock loop 2x USB 2.0 Type-A 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Card

Price & Availability 
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Dreaming of going on vacation but not sure where to go? Increasingly the answerand how to get there, what to eat and where to staywill come from advanced AI, rather than your old-school travel agent.

Startup Mindtrip's generative AI can craft a tailor-made itinerary in seconds from a simple text prompt, with suggestions for hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and activities.

After picking out their favorite options, travelers can have every step of the trip reserved in the appor on partner websites that open directly to the relevant page.

"Instead of going to Google and you do one search, and then you do another... you can actually just get into everything," Mindtrip chief executive Andy Moss said.

Similar tourism-focused startups include Vacay, while others like Navan are taking on the business travel market.

Generative AI heavyweights like Google with its Gemini chatbot, OpenAI with Operator or Anthropic with Claude are also heavily marketing holiday planning.

Existing mainstays of the online travel market are adapting.

Expedia launched an assistant, Romie, last year that can help with some reservation stepsmostly used for group trips. Its rival Booking.com introduced Smart Filter, which allows users to request specific recommendationssuch as an Amsterdam hotel room with canal views.

"It's early days, but we do believe agentic (AI) will allow us to deliver unique value," Booking.com's chief technology officer Rob Francis told AFP.

French giant Club Med has a WhatsApp chatbot on offer that lets customers ask practical questions, chairman Henri Giscard d'Estaing told AFP.

"When it was a human answering, it took an average of one and a half hours" to hear back, he noted.

Real-time changes

The transformation of travel booking is "capitalizing on the fact that people want more personalized experiences," said Jukka Laitamaki, a New York University professor specializing in the travel sector.

He notes that AI already does much more than simply streamlining the booking process.

"Whatever real-time changes may happen... you don't have to call anybody, you can just put it into the system" to have your itinerary instantly updated, Laitamaki added.

However, "widespread adoption will be slow," said Eva Stewart of consultancy GSIQ.

"The travel and tourism industry is mostly made up of small and medium-sized businessesindependent hotels, tour operators, and regional agenciesthat lack the infrastructure for large-scale AI integration," she said.

Startups may be leading the way for now, but Stewart predicted that major legacy players online could make a comeback powered by their "vast resources and technical capabilities."

"They have their customer base," Laitamaki said. "That's an advantage."

As for the human travel agents, their best chance for survival may lie in catering to people who can afford more for the personal touch.

"I don't think this is going to make an impact on ultra luxury travel," with the wealthy preferring to deal with a person, researcher Laitamaki said.

But "everything down from there" is likely to be affected.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

We live in an era of immense uncertainty. Tensions between great powers are rising, authoritarianism is spreading, while democracy declines and ongoing wars could broaden into wider conflicts.

To make informed decisions in turbulent times, governments rely on their intelligence agencies to address a wide range of questions often fraught with uncertainty, incomplete evidence, complex arguments and subtle inferences.

Having enough people with the right skills and training is essential. Intelligence analysts need to be rigorous, insightful, imaginative and able to make nuanced assessments based on incomplete evidence.

In an interview I recorded with Andrew Shearer, the Director General of National Intelligence, he said that they need people who are both "perfectionists in the sense that they don't want to miss the one vital clue" but are also "comfortable with ambiguity" and able to operate "usefully within the bounds of that doubt."

This is of course, very challenging, even for the people carefully selected to work in intelligence agencies.

Some national security experts think that Australia is "not generating enough workers with the necessary skills."

So we have devised a survey to understand why applications may be falling and what skills people think they need to apply (more on how you can participate later).

Constructing complex arguments and evaluating sources

After the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission in the US, major reforms have taken place to improve the rigor of analytic assessments.

The US intelligence community now has analytic tradecraft standards that its assessments should adhere to.

A sample of their assessments is evaluated each year to check how well their agencies do on these standards. These internal evaluations found that "clear and logical argumentation" is a "difficult standard to meet" and is one with the most room for improvement.

However, this is not a criticism of the analysts. For one thing, the data isn't made public and no comparison has been made with other groups of society.

I would guess that the argumentation skills of experienced intelligence analysts would be well above average, seeing that they spend much of their working day constructing complex arguments and evaluating sources.

Types of reasoning used by analysts

But more importantly, you don't need to read too many declassified or unclassified intelligence assessments to realize how difficult it is to answer many of the questions intelligence analysts are required to address.

For example, analysts frequently need to compare explanations for circumstantial evidence, as was the case when estimating how likely it was that Osama bin Laden was hiding in the Abbottabad compound and not someone else, like a criminal on the run.

This abductive reasoning is commonplace but poorly understood.

Or what is the best approach to approximate the strategic reasoning of state actors, as we need to when considering Xi Jinping's intentions regarding Taiwan?

Often, the literature focuses on common fallacies used in these types of arguments but does not provide prescriptive theories on how to do it well.

For example, many people will have heard that a correlation by itself does not imply causation, but far fewer people understand what sort of argument is needed to support a causal claim.

Furthermore, while logical reasoning and critical thinkingwhich are "central" to the job of intelligence analysisare skills where the right sort of training can be extremely beneficial, it is also difficult and time-consuming.

Research my colleagues and I conducted for the US Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) suggests that a technique called computer-assisted argument mapping is one of the most effective ways of improving critical thinking skills in university students, and works just as well for intelligence analysts.

And while I teach argument mapping several times a year in Canberra, this is just a drop in the ocean toward providing analysts in our National Intelligence Community with this state-of-the-art training.

Recruiting analysts

From a national security perspective, it would probably be better if we had more Australians applying for roles in our National Intelligence Community, because a greater pool of applicants to draw from would make it easier to get the right mix of skills, experience and perspectives.

More people are needed for the expanding forms of intelligence, like cyber-intelligence and open source intelligence (OSINT).

But at the same time, human intelligence (HUMINT) is as important as it has ever been, along with the people skills required to manage agents and interpret their information.

In Australia, there is some concern about recruitment rates at the agencies that make up the National Intelligence Community (NIC).

The terms of reference for the Australian Government's 2024 Independent Intelligence Review stated that it would consider "Whether workforce decisions by the NIC at both the agency and community levels reflect a sufficiently strategic response to current and future workforce challenges  and offer options if recruitment targets cannot be met."

Ten of the 63 recommendations of the publicly released version of the report concerned "collective action on people and skills," which focused on how to improve recruitment.

People might not apply because they don't know what skills intelligence agencies are looking for, because job ads refer to sensitive skills and knowledge that can't be explained or only in very vague and generic terms.

Intelligence agencies seem to agree with this and are starting to explain their mission more to students and the public.

The Director-General of National Intelligence provides some good insights into the nature of the job, and he makes the point that they are looking for people with a wide range of skills and experience.

However, it would be good to know more about what people think working as an intelligence analyst is like, how well they understand analytical reasoning and what factors people consider when contemplating a career in intelligence analysis.

So, my colleagues and I have designed a survey to help with these two related questions:

How do people go about evaluating analytic arguments? What do people think intelligence analysts do?

A better understanding of how people evaluate analytical reasoning will help develop more efficient ways of teaching critical thinking skills.

The intelligence review noted the importance of shared foundation training that helps "generate common standards and platforms for analytical tradecraft," and this research, like previous research done at the University of Melbourne, could be used to inform training on understanding the common standards for evaluating analytic reasoning.

If you would like to help out with this research, the survey is for Australians over 18 years old and takes about 90 minutes to complete.

It will be followed up with a webinar that will explain the results of the research and cover a couple of the Structured Analytic Techniques I've developed for the Intelligence Community.

You never know, you might pick up some of the "analytic tradecraft" that Andrew Shearer says his analysts use "to pierce the fog of uncertainty and help illuminate at least the outlines of what's really happening."
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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg attends the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Social media juggernaut Meta stands trial on Monday facing serious US government allegations that it abused its market power to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp before they could become competitors.

By moving forward, the trial in a Washington federal court dashes the hopes of Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg that the return of Donald Trump to the White House would see the government let up on the enforcement of antitrust law against Big Tech.

The Meta case is being made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the powerful US consumer protection agency, and could see the owner of Facebook forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, which have grown into global powerhouses since their buyout.

The trial will be run and decided by Judge James Boasberg, who is also presiding over a high-profile case involving White House orders to deport Venezuelans using wartime law.

The case against Meta was originally filed in December 2020, during the first Trump administration, and all eyes were on whether he would ask the FTC to stand down.

Zuckerberg, the world's third-richest person, has made repeated visits to the White House as he tries to persuade the US leader to choose settlement instead of fighting the trial, a decision that would be extraordinary at this late stage.

FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson played down such a possibility, telling The Verge, "I'd be very surprised if anything like that ever happened."

As part of his lobbying efforts, Zuckerberg contributed to Trump's inauguration fund and overhauled content moderation policies. He also purchased a $23 million mansion in Washington in what was seen as a bid to spend more time close to the center of political power.

"It would be borderline scandalous if Zuckerberg went to the White House and wound up with a settlement," Jonathan Kanter, an antitrust enforcer under the Biden administration, told CNBC.

The Meta lawsuit represents just one of five major tech antitrust actions recently initiated by the US government.

Google is facing two cases and was found guilty of search-market dominance abuse last August, while Apple and Amazon are also heading to court.

Zuckerberg, his former lieutenant Sheryl Sandberg, and a long line of executives from rival companies will be taking the stand over a trial expected to last at least eight weeks.

Central to the case is Facebook's 2012 billion-dollar purchase of Instagramthen a small but promising photo-sharing app that now boasts 2 billion active users.

An email from Zuckerberg cited by the FTC showed him depicting Instagram's emergence as "really scary," adding that is "why we might want to consider paying a lot of money for this."

The FTC argues Meta's $19 billion WhatsApp acquisition in 2014 followed the same pattern, with Zuckerberg fearing the messaging app could either transform into a social network or be purchased by a competitor.

Meta's defense attorneys will argue that its substantial investments transformed these acquisitions into the blockbusters they are today.

They will also highlight that Meta's apps are free for users and face fierce competition.

The FTC argues that Meta's monopoly power is demonstrated by a severely downgraded user experiencewith too many ads and product changes that users have no choice but to tolerate.

Defining the market

A key courtroom battleground will be how FTC defines Meta's market.

The US government argues that Facebook and Instagram are dominant players in apps that provide a way to connect with family and friends, a category that does not include TikTok and YouTube.

But Meta disagrees. "The evidence at trial will show what every 17-year-old in the world knows: Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp compete with Chinese-owned TikTok, YouTube, X, iMessage and many others," a spokesperson said.

"The bigger that Meta can make the relevant market... the more likely it is to defeat the FTC's case," said lawyer Brendan Benedict on Substack.

 2025 AFP
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CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury

Nvidia announced Monday that it will produce its artificial intelligence super computers in the United States for the first time.

The tech giant said it has commissioned more than one million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test its specialized Blackwell chips in Arizona and AI supercomputers in Texaspart of an investment the company said will produce up to half a trillion dollars of AI infrastructure in the next four years.

"The engines of the world's AI infrastructure are being built in the United States for the first time," Nvidia founder Jensen Huang said in a statement. "Adding American manufacturing helps us better meet the incredible and growing demand for AI chips and supercomputers, strengthens our supply chain and boosts our resiliency."

Nvidia's announcement comes as the Trump administration has said that tariff exemptions on electronics like smartphones and laptops are only a temporary reprieve until officials develop a new tariff approach specific to the semiconductor industry.

White House officials, including President Donald Trump himself, spent Sunday downplaying the significance of exemptions that lessen but won't eliminate the effect of U.S. tariffs on imports of popular consumer devices and their key components.

"They're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs but they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two," U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday.

Nvidia said in a post on its website that it has started Blackwell production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. chip plants in Phoenix. The Santa Clara, California-based chip company is also building supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texaswith Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas.

Nvidia's AI super computers will serve as the engines for AI factories, "a new type of data center created for the sole purpose of processing artificial intelligence," the company said, adding that manufacturing in the U.S. will create "hundreds of thousands of jobs and drive trillions of dollars in economic security over the coming decades."

Mass production at both plants is expected to ramp up in the next 12-15 months, Nvidia said. The company also plans on partnering with Taiwan-based company SPIL and Amkor for "packaging and testing operations" in Arizona.

In a statement Monday, the White House called Nvidia's move "the Trump Effect in action."

Trump "has made U.S.-based chips manufacturing a priority as part of his relentless pursuit of an American manufacturing renaissance, and it's paying offwith trillions of dollars in new investments secured in the tech sector alone," the White House said.

Earlier this year, Trump announced a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, was tasked with building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House.

The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The edible robotic cake is the result of a collaboration between researchers from EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne), the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) and pastry chefs and food scientists from EHL in Lausanne. It is part of the RoboFood project, funded by the EU and coordinated by EPFL, aiming to develop a new generation of edible robots and intelligent food. Credit: EPFL/IIT/EHL

RoboCake is ready. This edible robotic cake is the result of a collaboration between researchers from EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne), the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) and pastry chefs and food scientists from EHL in Lausanne.

It takes the form of a robotic wedding cake, decorated with two gummy robotic bears and edible dark chocolate batteries that power the candles. The project was unveiled at the Swiss Pavilion of the Expo 2025 Osaka through captivating video and images.

The idea of creating edible robots or foods that behave like robots may seem weird, but it is a real challenge that the scientific community is tackling. An international research group is working on this as part of the RoboFood project. It aims to develop a new generation of edible robots and intelligent food.

The RoboCake is an edible robotic cake. It takes the form of a robotic wedding cake, decorated with two gummy robotic bears and edible dark chocolate batteries that power the candles. The project was unveiled at the Swiss Pavilion of the Expo 2025 Osaka through captivating video and images. Credit: EPFL/IIT/EHL

"Robotics and food are two separate worlds," says Dario Floreano, head of the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (LIS) at EPFL and coordinator of the RoboFood project. "However, merging them offers many advantages, particularly in terms of limiting electronic waste and food waste."

Other applications in the fields of emergency nutrition and health are being considered by scientists. "Edible robots could be used to deliver food to endangered areas, to deliver medicines in innovative ways to people who have difficulty swallowing or to animals, or even to monitor food and its freshness using sensors that can be eaten."

Illustrating robotic food research

Creating edible robots also offers brand new culinary experiences. The RoboCake is an innovative way of illustrating the progress made by the RoboFood project.

The RoboCake features two completely edible robotic teddy bears, created by the LIS at EPFL. "They are made from gelatin, syrup and colorants," explains Bokeon Kwak, a researcher at LIS. "They are animated by an internal pneumatic system: when air is injected through dedicated pathways, their heads and arms move."

These dancing bears, which taste like soft sweet pomegranate gummies, are not the only special features of the cake. IIT researchers, coordinated by Mario Caironi, have developed the first edible rechargeable battery, made of vitamin B2, quercetin, activated carbon and chocolate, for the gourmet touch.

"These batteries, safe for consumption, can be used to light the LED candles on the cake," explains Valerio Galli, a Ph.D. student at IIT. "The first flavor you get when you eat them is dark chocolate, followed by a surprising tangy kick, due to the edible electrolyte inside, which lasts a few seconds." These batteries represent a potential solution to reducing electronic waste, which reaches 40 million tonnes per year.

IIT researchers, coordinated by Mario Caironi, have developed the first edible rechargeable battery, made of vitamin B2, quercetin, activated carbon and chocolate, for the gourmet touch. Credit: IIT/EPFL/EHL

The RoboCake features two completely edible robotic teddy bears, created by the LIS at EPFL. They are made from gelatin, syrup and colorants and are animated by an internal pneumatic system: when air is injected through dedicated pathways, their heads and arms move. Credit: EPFL/IIT/EHL

The icing on the cake

To make these innovations appetizing and safe to eat, the engineers teamed up with food experts and pastry chefs from EHL.

"Our challenge was to find the best way to showcase the innovations of our two partners, EPFL and IIT, by adding what we do best: indulgence. This is how the RoboCake was born, a true event pastry cake, meeting the challenge of combining technique, electronics, and taste," says Julien Boutonnet, EHL Senior Lecturer Practical Arts and France's top distinction, the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) award for pastry and candymaking.

"This interdisciplinary collaboration paves the way for interactive and delicious gastronomic experiences reminding us that food is a precious resource and possibly reducing overeating," says Floreano.
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Iran said on Sunday that its indirect negotiations with the United States held in Oman were focused solely on Tehran's nuclear program and the removal of U.S. sanctions, ruling out any discussion of other issues.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television that Iran's stance in the talks remained unchanged, centering on lifting sanctions and preserving its nuclear rights.

The talks, held on Saturday between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, were conducted through intermediaries.

Baghaei added that Iran remained committed to preserving its nuclear infrastructure and achievements, while also demonstrating its willingness to engage in dialogue to assure the international community of the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

"Iran considers itself obligated to use all legal and diplomatic tools to safeguard its legitimate rights as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a signatory to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards agreements," he said.

Speaking to reporters in Muscat after the meeting, Araghchi described the first round of talks as "constructive" and held in a "calm and respectful atmosphere."

"No inappropriate language was used, and both sides showed commitment to pursuing the negotiations from an equal footing toward a mutually beneficial agreement," he said.

He added that a second round of talks was scheduled for the following Saturday, likely at a different venue.

The Muscat discussions followed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement in March that he had sent a letter to Iranian leaders via the United Arab Emirates proposing nuclear talks.

Iran later confirmed receiving the letter and expressed openness to indirect engagement.

Iran signed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with six world powers, namely, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Washington unilaterally withdrew from the pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Tehran to scale back its nuclear commitments.

Efforts to revive the deal have so far failed to make significant progress.
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People welcome General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam.

In a written statement upon his arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Xi said he was very pleased to start his fourth state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.

On behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and people, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to the brotherly CPV, the Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese people.

Noting that this year marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPV, the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South, Xi said the CPV has united and led the Vietnamese people in steadfast pursuit of realizing the two goals set for the centenary of the party and the country, respectively.

Xi added that the Chinese side is pleased to see that living standards in Vietnam have steadily improved, Vietnam's global and regional influence has continued to grow, and the country has made notable progress in advancing its socialist industrialization and modernization drive.

Xi expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee led by To Lam, Vietnam will surely pursue the socialist path suited to its national conditions, fulfill the tasks set forth by the 13th National Congress of the CPV, set the stage for the 14th National Congress, and continue to break new ground for the development of its party and the country.

Xi noted that as socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, China and Vietnam have formed a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

During the arduous years of striving for national independence and liberation, the two sides fought shoulder to shoulder and supported each other, forging a profound friendship featuring "comrades and brothers," said Xi.

In exploring a socialist path suited to their respective national conditions, the two sides have learned from each other, advanced hand in hand, and jointly demonstrated to the world the bright prospects of the socialist system, he said.

The Chinese president recalled that during his state visit to Vietnam in 2023, the two sides announced the building of a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, marking a new stage in the relations between the two parties and countries.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam, and is the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, bringing new opportunities for advancing the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, he noted.

Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with Vietnam to stay true to their original aspiration of friendship, remain committed to their shared mission, seize the opportunities of the times, and carry out cooperation at a higher level, across a broader scope and at greater depth to better benefit the two peoples and contribute more to the region and the world, said Xi.

Xi said that he looks forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with Vietnamese leaders on issues concerning ties between the two parties and countries that have a global impact, determine future direction, and possess strategic significance, as well as on international and regional issues of common concern.

The Chinese leader added that he also expects to take his visit as an opportunity to work with the Vietnamese side to draw up a new blueprint for the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

Xi said he wished Vietnam prosperity and strength, and its people happiness and well-being.

May the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam be passed down from generation to generation, and may the efforts to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance yield new and greater achievements, Xi said.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. [Photo/Xinhua]
Kimberly Aiken is living her dream as she works for the sustainable development of the Arctic region, including the protection of the environment, economy and health of indigenous people and Arctic inhabitants.

Australia, Norway and Germany are among the places the Orangeburg native has lived and worked as she has crisscrossed the globe.

She now lives in Quebec City in Canada as the first communications officer for the Arctic Council Sustainable Development Working Group Secretariat based in the city where she lives.

When I embarked on this polar career of mine, it has taken me to some very interesting places. I have met a lot of wonderful and interesting people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities and cultures and indigenous people from all walks of life, Aiken said.

My role as the first-ever communications officer with the Artic Council Sustainable Development Working Group is to manage website content, social media platforms, develop effective communication tools and promote the activities and products of the Arctic Council Sustainable Development Working Group, she said.

Established in 1996, the Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum that promotes cooperation among the eight Arctic States of Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States on issues related to the environment, sustainable development and scientific cooperation.

The Sustainable Development Working Group is one of six Arctic Council working groups. It is tasked with protecting and improving the environment, the economy and social and human conditions and health of indigenous communities and inhabitants throughout the Arctic, Aiken said.

She said her work is making a significant impact by amplifying the issues of the Arctic region and the need to address them.

My work and that of my colleagues enhances the visibility of the diverse cultures, identities, traditional knowledge and languages of Arctic indigenous people and sustainability issues in the Arctic on a global scale, Aiken said.

She continued, I believe that the work that I do with the Sustainable Development Working Group is also helping to bring more attention to pressing Arctic issues.  A lot of my work in trying to make such a great impact is done by amplifying the voice of Arctic indigenous people, Arctic youth and local communities.

Aiken said she works to showcase SDWG projects and foster engagement through accessible and compelling storytelling content that she puts across digital platforms.

I think my communications work brings a greater understanding of Arctic challenges and solutions. . As an example of my work, I did social media content for World Suicide Prevention Day. I emphasized a Sustainable Development Working Group project called Local2Global, she said.

The Local2Global project focuses on facilitating international collaboration and connections to prevent suicide and support the mental well-being of Arctic youth and communities, especially indigenous people.

This project highlights the importance of community-based approaches to mental health and suicide prevention in Arctic communities, Aiken said.

She said the work she does is not done single-handedly but includes help from her Arctic Council and SDWG colleagues, along with other Arctic Council representatives and indigenous people who make up the SDWG.

(That) helps to ensure that key messages about Arctic communities and indigenous people and climate resilience and sustainable development are accurately reflected and reach a broad audience, Aiken said.

The 38-year-old, who became the Arctic Council SDWGs first communications officer in 2024, fondly reflects on the contributions of African Americans who came before her.

Barbara Hillary, the first African American woman to conquer the North and South poles, and Matthew Henson, who was the African American to reach and stand on the North Pole, are among them.

In 2016, it became a pursuit of a dream for me to work for the Arctic Council. ... I feel like Ive arrived, like Ive come full circle today as an employee of the Arctic Council (SDWG), Aiken said.

Its an immensely profound and deeply fulfilling experience for me to not only be associated with pioneers and trailblazers before me past and present, but to follow in their footsteps and be inspired by the things that they have done, she said.

Aiken also reflects on the impact her hometown of Orangeburg has had in shaping her into the professional she has become. Aiken is the youngest daughter of Marvin and Sandra Aiken of St. Matthews and the granddaughter of Jessie B. Brigman of Orangeburg.

Orangeburg, South Carolina has a history of historical awareness and activism for the rights and betterment of Black Americans. My formative years were spent being educated by some of the strongest, intellectually grounded Black women and men at Felton Laboratory School, Aiken said.

She continued, Being immersed in an educational environment that was rooted in Black excellence, leadership and cultural pride gave me such a strong foundation of confidence, purpose and drive.

Aiken is grateful for her journey and the blessings she has found through it.

I was a legal secretary for eight years in New York City, where I lived for 15 years. ... I just decided to step away from that work and do something that, for me, is kind of almost larger than life. Its something much bigger than myself, she said.

I wanted to pursue and become part of a different community, to step in a space where I felt more self-gratification for what I do when I wake up and when I put my head on the pillow at night, Aiken said.
COLUMBIA  South Carolina's elected treasurer is asking the state's highest court to stop a hearing later this month to start the process of removing him from office over a $1.8 billion accounting error that has plagued the state for nearly a decade.

The Republican-dominated South Carolina Senate has set a April 21 date for a hearing on Treasurer Curtis Loftis saying the Republican in charge of the state's bank accounts willfully neglected his duty. It cited one part of the state constitution.

Treasurer Curtis Loftis said in a state Supreme Court filing late Thursday that instead the only legal way to remove him from office is a different section of the constitution which requires impeachment like the U.S. government. That process has to start in the House and would involve proceedings similar to a trial.

The $1.8 billion did not exist as cash but showed up on the books as the state shifted accounting systems in the 2010s. Senators said Loftis did not tell them about the mistakes as required by law.

Supreme Court showdown

Loftis said a Supreme Court ruling is needed to clarify if the Senate can use its process, where there are no witnesses called, to overturn the results of his last election in 2022. Loftis is serving his fourth term.

"The people of South Carolina deserve a process that upholds the law and the democratic principles they have entrusted to us," Loftis said in a statement.

The Republican leadership of the Senate has not responded to the court filing. But they have said before that both methods of removing someone from office are valid or they wouldn't be in the constitution.

Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access.

If at least two-thirds of the Senate votes to remove Loftis later this month, then the process moves on to the House where a two-thirds vote would also be needed.

Time could become an issue, whether the hearing is delayed or not. The General Assembly's 2025 session ends on May 8 and no arrangements have been made to let lawmakers come back and hear the matter. Also no Republican leaders in the House have come out to forcefully call for the treasurer's removal.

A statewide office holder has never been removed in this way in South Carolina's more than two centuries as a U.S. state.

Problems with the Senate hearing

A lawyer for Loftis wrote the Senate earlier this week to detail problems she has with the hearing from having less than three weeks to prepare to not putting the senators presenting the case against Loftis under oath and not allowing Loftis' lawyers to ask them questions.

The Senate will meet at noon on April 21 for the hearing. The two Republican senators leading the investigation, Sens. Larry Grooms and Stephen Goldfinch, will get 90 minutes to present their case against Loftis. The treasurer's team will get three hours to answer and then the senators will get 30 minutes to rebut.

The rest of the Senate will then get 10 minutes each to ask any questions of the presenting senators or Loftis' team.

Loftis' attorney Deborah Barbier said in her letter she didn't understand why she only had 19 days to prepare for a hearing that would remove from office a man who won nearly 80% of the vote in 2022 and didn't have a Democrat run against him.

"It would be far more appropriate to leave this decision to the South Carolina electorate in November of 2026," Barbier wrote.

Investigation in money that didn't exist

A 49-page report released last month on the accounting error said South Carolina's books have been inaccurate for 10 years and continue to not be corrected. The state paid millions of dollars to forensic accountants who eventually determined the missing money was not cash the state never spent, but instead was a series of errors in balancing books and shifting accounts from one system to another that were never reconciled.

The problems started as the state changed computer systems in the 2010s. When the process was finished, workers couldn't figure out why the books were more than $1 billion out of whack.

The error came to light after Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom resigned in March 2023 over a different accounting mistake and his replacement reported the mystery account.

The report said Loftis not only ignored or failed to find mistakes made by his office but also rejected or slowed down attempts to independently investigate the problem.

A Senate subcommittee has held hearings to question Loftis under oath. They have been contentious. Loftis has slammed papers, accused senators of a witch hunt and threatened to get up and leave.
(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).
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.
WASHINGTON  A long sliver of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border that President Donald Trump is turning over to the Department of Defense would be controlled by the Army as part of a base, which could allow troops to detain any trespassers, including migrants, U.S. officials told The Associated Press.

The transfer of that border zone to military control  and making it part of an Army installation  is an attempt by the Trump administration to get around a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from being used in domestic law enforcement on American soil.

But if the troops are providing security for land that is part of an Army base, they can perform that function. However, at least one presidential powers expert said the move is likely to be challenged in the courts.

The officials said the issue is still under review in the Pentagon, but even as any legal review goes on, the administrations intent is to have troops detain migrants at the border.

The corridor, known as the Roosevelt Reservation, is a 60-foot-wide federal buffer zone that ribbons along the border from New Mexico to California, except where it encounters tribal or privately owned land.

It had been run by the Interior Department until Trump directed control be transferred to the Defense Department in a presidential memo released Friday night.

For the next 45 days, the Defense Department will test taking control of a section of the Roosevelt Reservation in New Mexico, east of Fort Huachuca, one of the U.S. officials said. During that period, the Army will put up additional fencing and signs warning people not to trespass.

The executive order also allows the military free access to national forests, national parks and other federal lands adjacent to the border, said Myles Traphagen, borderlands program coordinator in Tucson for The Wildlands Network.

For years people have been talking about the militarization of the border. Now its official. It has arrived, Traphagen said.

He noted that an existing federal law also allows up to 5,000 acres of federal land to be transferred to the military for any single defense project without congressional approval. The new executive order says the secretary of defense may set aside some land near the border as National Defense Areas.

People not authorized to be in that area could be arrested by the Armys security forces, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

Any migrants in the country illegally who are detained by military personnel on those lands would be turned over to local civilian law enforcement agencies, the officials said.

It was not clear if the added land would require the military to deploy additional forces to the border. There are about 7,100 active duty troops under federal control currently assigned to the border and about 4,600 National Guard troops under state control.

Troops are prohibited from conducting civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil under the Posse Comitatus Act. An exception known as the military purpose doctrine allows it in some cases  but would not apply here and would likely be challenged in the courts, said Elizabeth Goitein, an expert on presidential emergency powers at the Brennan Center for Justice.

Thats because even though troops would be on land designated as an Army installation, they would have to prove that their primary mission there was not to conduct border security and law enforcement  and the whole point of Trumps order transferring the Roosevelt Reservation to the militarys control is to secure the border, she said.

The military purpose doctrine only applies if the law enforcement aspect is incidental, Goitein said. Does this (area) have a military purpose that has nothing to do with enforcing customs and security at the border?
PHOENIX  A Saudi-owned alfalfa farm wants a judge to toss a bid by Arizonas attorney general to halt its pumping of groundwater, saying the states action is illegal.

In new filings in Maricopa County Superior Court, lawyers for Fondomonte Arizona point out the state is alleging the company has created a nuisance with the amount it is pumping. Attorney General Kris Mayes claim is based on the legal theory that the amount being withdrawn fits the definition of nuisance by draining water that others who live in the area need.

Fondomontes lawyers are telling Judge Scott Minter that ignores a state law saying agricultural operations conducted with good practices are presumed to be reasonable and do not constitute a nuisance unless the agricultural operation has a substantial adverse effect on the public health and safety.

Mayes, in her original lawsuit filed last year, alleged Fondomontes operation is affecting public health and safety.

That, by itself, may not be legally sufficient, however. Fondomontes attorneys then cite another section of the law that says agricultural operations that conform to federal, state and local regulations are presumed to be good agricultural practice and not adversely affecting the public health and safety.

Attorneys for the farm have a list of other arguments they want the judge to consider, ranging from claims that others in the basin also are responsible for reducing the groundwater levels, to saying the state knew about Fondomontes actions and acquiesced to them.

This new filing is the latest in what has become a multi-year dispute over pumping in the area.

The state previously canceled land leases it had with Fondomonte, which grows alfalfa to feed dairy cattle in the Middle East. It operates in Arizona, at least in part, because Saudi law forbids such water-intensive farming.

The company continues to farm on other private lands in Arizona.

And the outcome of this case  and whether a judge accepts the nuisance theory  could affect whether the state files similar claims against Riverview Dairy, which bought more than 50,000 acres of land to farm near Willcox to grow alfalfa.

Whats behind the lawsuit is a gap in state water laws.

The 1980 Groundwater Code created specific active management areas where pumping is supposed to be limited. There also are some irrigation non-expansion areas.

Everything else, though, is pretty much unregulated. In fact, state law says property owners can withdraw and use groundwater for reasonable and beneficial use.

Mayes, in filing suit, is not contesting all that.

Instead, she is using the theory that something otherwise legal can be a nuisance. She contends that data compiled by hydrologists hired by her office proves the pumping by Fondomonte has dried up nearby wells and resulted in subsidence of the land around Vicksburg in La Paz County.

Mayes also contends the excessive pumping is threatening sediment buildup that reduces water quality and damages appliances, pumps and pipes.

No company has the right to endanger an entire communitys health and safety for its own gain, the attorney general said when filing suit.

However, there really is no legal precedent to Mayes claim that the nuisance law applies.

The closest was when the attorney general went to court in a separate case over a companys plan to mine rock and gravel on a 25-acre parcel it owned in a neighborhood in a rural area near Chino Valley.

Mayes got a preliminary injunction. But there never was a final ruling on whether the mine was a nuisance, or, more to the point, whether the nuisance law applies: The lawsuit went away after the company abandoned its plan when someone else bought the property.

Now Mayes hopes to get Minter to accept her legal arguments against Fondomonte, order the company to curtail its pumping and require it to establish a fund to deal with the damages.

To buttress her arguments that the nuisance laws apply, the attorney general contends the excessive pumping is injurious to health and indecent because it interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property in a community or neighborhood. Fondomontes lawyers, in their response, deny that outright.

To the extent there are damages from pumping, the company has responses. For example, they say any damages were caused or contributed to by the state and its agents, or other companies or local governments over which Fondomonte has no control or right of control. What that means, the attorneys argue, is if a court finds there are damages to the state, the amount of any financial award it owes should be reduced  or even eliminated  because of those unspecified acts by others.

No date has been set for a hearing.
Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Reporter Follow Randy Krehbiel 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

Altogether now: Oklahoma's all-Republican delegation joined the chorus that narrowly passed the GOP's "budget blueprint," setting up a budget reconciliation process unimpeded by the Senate's filibuster rules.

It is time for us to act so that we can get on with the real work, 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern said on the House floor before the 216-214 vote.

Hern said Democrat arguments against the measure are "an abuse of the facts."

Thanks to President Trump, Republicans have this rare opportunity to utilize every lever of the federal government to enact historic legislation that helps Americans and moves our country forward, Hern said in a statement after the vote.

This is what the American people voted for in November. They want Congress to deliver on the America First agenda. The hard part is still ahead of us: crafting the specific policies to both enact President Trumps agenda and cut wasteful and fraudulent spending across the government. Im ready to roll my sleeves up and get to work!

Hern and other Republicans are keen on extending the 2017 tax cuts that are due to expire at the end of this year. Failure to do so would increase taxes, but doing so would be expected to add $4 trillion to the national debt over 10 years, according to Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation.

Some Republicans, especially in the House, have vowed to cut spending enough to offset all or most of the tax cuts, but skeptics say that will be difficult to do without inflicting pain on most Americans.

Last November, the American people overwhelmingly voted for a secure border, American energy dominance, investment in the defense of America, a more efficient federal government, and an extension of the Trump Tax Cuts," Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole said in a press release. "Through the passage of this budget resolution, we will now be able to begin the drafting stage in order to deliver on these promises, he said in a press release.

My fellow House Republicans and I are working to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," said 5th District Congresswoman Stephanie Bice. "Americans are counting on us to deliver results, and we need to get this done.

Hannity hootenanny: U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin was among several Senate Republicans helping Fox News host Sean Hannity recap President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office.

According to The Washington Post, the discussion was important in Trump's decision to suspend most of the tariffs he had imposed less than a week earlier.

It is unclear what part, if any, Mullin played in the matter.

During the program, Mullin said Democrats are "lying" about Republican plans to cut Social Security. Whether they are seems to depend on one's definition of "cuts."

In any event, Mullin acknowledged that Republicans are feeling the heat.

The American people are starting to believe it, because (Democrats) say it so much," Mullin said. "At the same time, they're saying we're going to cut taxes for billionaires and millionaires and President Trump's friends, when all we're doing is extending the current tax code.  The Democrats, they can't run on any of their policies, but they're running on lies.

According to projections, if nothing changes, Social Security will run out of reserves in 2033, triggering automatic 30% benefit reductions.

Mixed message: Mullin took some flak for suggesting  jokingly, he said later  that guns might be the best way to handle reporters whom politicians don't like.

Mullin was wiling away one the Senate's interminable "vote-a-ramas" by making and sharing a series of short, entertaining videos about points of interest in the U.S. Capitol. One of his stops was a staircase where, in 1890, newsman Charles Kincaid fatally shot former Congressman John Taulbee of Kentucky.

Theres a lot we could say about reporters and the stories they write, but I bet theyd write a lot less false stories, or as President Trump says, fake news, if we could handle our differences that way, Mullin concluded.

Taulbee, it seems, had been after the much smaller Kincaid since 1887, when Kincaid published an apparently factual story about the married Taulbee carrying on with a female federal employee.

Taulbee lost his wife and his seat in Congress after the story was published but found a new life as a lobbyist.

According to testimony, Taulbee had threatened and assaulted Kincaid on several occasions. Kincaide finally shot Taulbee, claiming self defense, and was acquitted.

Many people seem to have been offended by Mullin's remarks but missed the facts that 1, Kincaide's story was apparently true and therefore not "false"; 2, the reporter shot the politician, not the other way around; and 3, the reporter was acquitted.

So, arguably, the real message of the story was that abused reporters are justified in shooting belligerent politicians.

Trackdown: U.S. Sen. James Lankford told Newsmax he warned Senate Democrats that the phone app used by the Biden administration to register asylum seekers would be turned against them.

"This is something I kept ringing the bell on for years to the Biden administration, telling my Democratic colleagues, you've set up an app that's literally going to allow President Trump to be able to grab all these folks up and identify exactly where they are," Lankford said.

Dismissed: The Federal Election Commission tossed a complaint by 2024 Republican 3rd Congressional District candidate Robin Carder of Sand Springs.

Carder challenged incumbent Frank Lucas' campaign expenses related to attendance at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Sunday shows: U.S. Sen. James Lankford is to appear on Fox News Sunday.

Dots 'n dashes: Oklahoma's House delegation was also unanimous in its support of the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote but which critics say could exclude up to 20 million U.S. citizens otherwise qualified to vote.  Lankford reintroduced legislation specifying that tax exempt status could not be considered federal financial assistance for regulatory purposes.  Lankford also sponsored legislation to allow Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to be used for long-term electrical grid improvements.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this post may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

New documentary series, Our Medicine, takes viewers behind the frontline of Australias strained medical services, shining an important light on First Nations professionals working to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities.

The six-part observational series premieres is narrated by Leah Purcell AM (The Drovers Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, High Country), profiling First Nations doctors, nurses, paramedics, traditional healers and other medical professionals, following their day-to-day challenges as they support patients on their journey through the system.

NITVs Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis, said: This important series celebrates and showcases the incredible skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander frontline health practitioners across the country, who are blazing a trail for young people.

NITV is incredibly proud to support this imperative documentary series from Karla Hart Enterprises and Periscope Pictures, building on the Our brand which highlights Black excellence in emergency professions.

Directors Karla Hart and Kimberley Benjamin, said: It was a privilege to see firsthand the incredible impact that First Nations peoples are making to our health across the Country when filming this series. These professionals are doing life-changing work in their fields of expertise, using their knowledge of culture, language and kinship to create better outcomes, safer spaces and to encourage our people not to fear the health system, which is saving lives by closing in on the catastrophic gaps in health and improving life outcomes for First Nations peoples.

We are well-aware of the health disparities that exist with our mob, however, Our Medicine doesnt focus on those statistics but instead speaks contextually from a strength-based lens, through the work of our medical participants. We hope Our Medicine inspires more mob to become health professionals, more engagement in bush and spiritual healing and a greater acknowledgment of the heroes working in these spaces.

Screen Australia First Nations Development and Investment Manager, Jorjia Gillis, said: This powerful series offers a nuanced perspective from First Nations peoples experiences with medical services, as both patients and practitioners, revealing the systemic challenges they face and resilience they embody. By highlighting the importance of having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners working with both modern and traditional forms of healing, Ive no doubt this documentary will make a big impact.

Screenwest CEO, Rikki Lea Bestall, said: Our Medicine provides wonderful, yet confronting insight into the daily challenges faced by First Nations health workers and their dogged commitment to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.

Western Australia has an incredible pool of First Nations screen talent and Screenwest is pleased to support their work to tell these vital stories in the hope that it effects change in their communities and for generations to come.

We look forward to supporting more of these impactful First Nations screen projects in the future.

Life expectancy for First Nations peoples in Australia is approximately eight years lower than that of non-Indigenous Australians[1], largely due to a higher incidence of chronic, respiratory, heart and kidney diseases, as well as diabetes. Our Medicine tackles this difficult but critically important subject matter through the eyes of First Nations medical professionals working in some of the busiest hospitals and areas in Australia.

With incredible access to major hospitals and organisations including Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) Queensland, Queensland Ambulance Service, Cairns Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Jalngangurru Healing in Western Australia, NSW Justice Health, Our Medicine offers an extensive look at Australias busy health systems across metropolitan, regional and remote areas.

Following the groundbreaking 2021 documentary Our Law, and NITVs recent two-season series of the same name, which explored the relationship between police and First Nations peoples in remote communities across Australia, Our Medicine continues to champion powerful First Nations frontline storytelling, sharing the stories of the incredible people doing life-changing work in their fields.

The series is directed by Broome-based Kimberley Benjamin (Warm Props) and co-directed by Karla Hart (Yokayi Footy, Family Rules). Our Medicine is produced by Karla Hart Enterprises and Periscope Pictures.

Our Medicine is a Karla Hart Enterprises and Periscope Pictures production for NITV, with principal production funding from Screen Australias First Nations Department and NITV, financed with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund.

Thursday 29 May at 7.30pm on NITV and SBS, with weekly double episodes.
NBCUniversal International Networks & DTC has promoted Caroline Cleland to Vice President for Asia Pacific.

In this newly-created role, she will oversee Programming, Acquisitions, Commercial, Marketing, Creative and Production for both linear channels and direct-to-consumer businesses.

Cleland takes on this position following Chris Taylors appointment to Managing Director, APAC, TV Distribution and International Networks & DTC.

Having joined the company in 2008, Cleland has held a variety of roles, most recently as Programming and Acquisitions Senior Director across channel brands including Bravo, Universal TV, Oxygen True Crime, DreamWorks, Peacock-branded Hub and Studio Universal. She was instrumental in the channel launches of 13th Street (2009), SYFY and Universal TV (2014), free-to-air channel Bravo in New Zealand (2016), BSVOD channel Oxygen (2019), DreamWorks in Australia (2021), 7Bravo in Australia (2023) and Peacock-branded Hub on JioStar India (2023).

She also launched Studio Universal in the Philippines followed by Taiwan and Indonesia. Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Cleland held programing roles with Optus Television, Movie Network and Crown Media.

Chris Taylor has also promoted Simon Hebblewhite to Senior Director, Finance and Jane McLaren to Director, PR and Communications to drive corporate and consumer communications strategy across APAC.

Cleland remains based in the companys Sydney office.
Veteran WA broadcaster Peter Waltham, who had a long media career across Seven News and Nine News, has died, aged 83.

The West Australian reports he had been unwell prior to his death from cancer on Saturday.

Walthams career spanned seven decades.

He was one of the original newsreaders at Channel 7 Perth in 1966, later moving to Nine and spending more than 25 years at Curtin Radio before his death. He even got a jingle when he was poached by Nine.

During his long career, he covered two Olympic Games, relayed news of the Moon landing and interviewed titans of politics such as prime minister Robert Menzies and presented on Telethon.

State Opposition Leader, Basil Zempilas, said, He was the one who gave me a spark going into news. I was told that if you wanted someone who could ad lib with no preparation time, Peter Waltham was as good as you could get.

Its very sad news, he was a trailblazer of that generation.

For the past 25 years, he found a home at Curtin FM Radio. Curtin University said, To Curtin FM listeners, Peter was more than a presenter  he was a comforting voice, a companion through the decades and a link to cherished memories. To us, he was a mentor and a friend.

On behalf of Curtin FM and Curtin University, we extend our deepest condolences to Peters family, friends, colleagues and listeners.
HA NOI  Entering the new trading week, Viet Nams stock market is facing both renewed optimism and lingering risks from global economic and geopolitical tensions.

While analysts foresee the potential for further recovery, they advise investors to exercise caution and focus on stocks with solid fundamentals and lower sensitivity to external shocks.

inh Quang Hinh, head of Macro-economics and Market Strategy at VNDIRECT Securities, said the market is currently in the process of seeking equilibrium after a volatile period. He identified the 1,2401,260 range as a key resistance zone that could test the strength of the current rebound.

Investors should not rush," Hinh advised.

"Preference should be given to sectors less affected by trade tensions and those benefiting from fiscal and monetary support such as banking, residential real estate, retail, power and public investment.

He also noted several factors that could underpin the market in the near term, including the VN-Indexs attractive valuation (P/E below 12), potentially positive Q1 2025 earnings reports, the rollout of the long-awaited KRX trading system, and stable credit growth.

Particularly encouraging is the State Bank of Viet Nams recently announced VN500 trillion credit package aimed at supporting infrastructure and digital investment.

Phan Tan Nhat, head of Analysis at the SaigonHanoi Securities (SHS), said the VN-Index has short-term support in the 1,2001,210 zone, while strong resistance is seen at 1,250 points.

Given the sharp recovery and rising liquidity following the tariff-related sell-off, Nhat suggested this could be an opportunity to rebalance portfolios towards leading companies with long-term growth potential.

However, he also cautioned against complacency, citing the unresolved nature of the ongoing USChina trade tensions. Although the US has temporarily suspended tariff measures on over 75 countries including Viet Nam, negotiations remain fragile.

The risks are still present, and the market needs time to fully digest these developments, he said.

The domestic market had a roller-coaster week, beginning with two sessions of steep declines as trade war fears intensified. The VN-Index dipped as low as 1,073.6 points before staging a strong rebound, driven by the news that the US would delay tariff enforcement.

By the end of the week, the VN-Index had gained 0.97 per cent to close at 1,222.46, firmly above the key psychological threshold of 1,200 points.

The VN30 Index, which tracks the 30 largest listed companies, rose by a more substantial 2.3 per cent to 1,309.94, signalling strong support from large-cap stocks.

Thursdays session was particularly noteworthy, with the index surging more than 70 points as investor sentiment turned bullish and numerous sectors saw limit-up gains.

Still, analysts agree that the market requires more time to establish a clearer medium-term trend.

In terms of capital flows, foreign investors continued to offload holdings, posting a net sell value of VN1.3 trillion (US$50.5 million) on the HoSE.

The outflows were concentrated in export-driven and FDI-related sectors such as industrial parks, seafood, textiles, logistics, agriculture and oil and gas all of which are more vulnerable to tariff risks.

In contrast, sectors including technology, real estate, banking and construction showed stronger recoveries, suggesting a partial shift in investor positioning towards domestic demand and infrastructure-driven growth.  VNS
HA NOI  Over the past few years, Viet Nams stock market has seen a notable decline in large-scale Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), raising concerns about the development of the capital market.

The primary reason for this downturn appears to be the countrys stringent listing requirements, which, while aimed at maintaining market stability and protecting investors, have also made it difficult for companies, especially in the technology sector, to go public, said experts.

At a recent financial conference in HCM City, Don Lam, CEO of VinaCapital, highlighted the clear reduction in IPO activity in Viet Nam.

According to Lam, IPO values have only ranged between US$15 million and $70 million annually since 2019. This marks a significant drop from the robust years before, where IPO values ranged from $500 million to $2.6 billion.

The scarcity of major IPOs has had a noticeable impact on Viet Nams stock market, leading to declining interest from foreign investors.

Currently, foreign trading accounts represent just 0.5 per cent of total accounts, with foreign participation steadily diminishing, he added.

Further data from FiinGroup reinforces this concerning trend.

In 2018, international investors accounted for 30 per cent of the domestic markets total stock transactions. By 2022, this figure had plummeted to just 14.8 per cent. This percentage is alarmingly low compared to other ASEAN-5 markets, where foreign investors account for over 40 per cent of total transactions.

Experts said that the absence of high-quality IPOs has made Viet Nams stock market less attractive to major international investors, contributing to the stagnation of the VN-Index over the past two decades.

While other regional markets have evolved, Viet Nam has struggled to maintain momentum in its equity markets.

The absence of tech IPOs

One of the most striking aspects of the countrys IPO drought is the lack of technology companies making their public debut.

On another conference about the matter held in Ha Noi, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, CEO of SSI Asset Management (SSIAM), pointed out that Viet Nam has not witnessed any significant tech IPOs in the past decade. Even during the countrys IPO boom between 2017 and 2019, the technology sector remained absent from the public markets.

This is in sharp contrast to Indonesia, where tech unicorns like GoTo Group and Bukalapak successfully listed, raising billions of dollars and strengthening their positions in the global market.

Anh stressed that with international investors, there was a clear willingness to invest in promising technology companies in Viet Nam. However, the paradox lies in the fact that there are currently no suitable firms available for investment.

Among the VN30, which represents the top 30 companies in terms of market capitalisation on the stock market, there is only one technology name, FPT Corporation, and its market cap makes up only 5 per cent of the VN30.

While FPT is indeed a standout performer, it has no remaining capacity for foreign investment. "As a result, despite the interest from foreign investors in Viet Nam's technology sector, we have no viable options to present to them," Ngoc Anh said, reflecting the current reality.

Stringent listing requirements

Many Vietnamese start-ups have grown rapidly in recent years, but some have considered listing on foreign exchanges, bypassing Viet Nams markets entirely.

A representative from a securities firm explained that when unicorns or companies nearing unicorn status approach them for fundraising advice, they frequently ask, "Can we secure capital in foreign markets?" rather than questioning, "Can we raise funds and list in the Vietnamese market?"

"Almost no companies set goals or have confidence that they can successfully raise funds and list within Viet Nam," the representative noted.

One notable case is Tiki Global, established in 2021 in Singapore, which then acquired 90.5 per cent of Ti Ki Co., Ltd., the operator of the Tiki e-commerce platform in Viet Nam.

In mid-2020, Tiki's CEO expressed hopes that the Government would ease listing requirements for retail technology companies. Unfortunately, Tiki ultimately had to go abroad to secure its listing and raise funds.

Prior to Tiki, several other start-ups adopted similar strategies by setting up holding companies overseas, often in Singapore or Hong Kong, before reinvesting in their domestic counterparts. Companies like Base, Coc Coc and Topica exemplify this trend. Presently, high-potential start-ups such as MoMo, VNPay and Sky Mavis have been unable to list in Viet Nam and are consequently seeking to raise capital from private investment funds or are opting to register abroad.

Domestic companies, particularly in the technology sector, hesitate to entertain the idea of conducting an IPO on their home ground due to the current regulatory framework, which is perceived as challenging and fraught with technical barriers that are difficult to navigate.

According to the regulations outlined in the Securities Law, companies aiming to conduct an IPO to list on the stock exchange must be profitable for two consecutive years leading up to the IPO and must not have accumulated losses by the time of the public offering, said Dr Tran Van, former deputy head of the Finance and Budget Committee.

However, it is often difficult for technology companies to avoid accumulated losses, as they operate under a distinctive model that necessitates substantial capital investment from the outset to drive technological innovation, expand their user base and develop operational infrastructure, he added.

The Country Director for Viet Nam at Warburg Pincus, Minh o, pointed out that for technology start-ups, their future is not determined by cumulative losses at the time they seek to raise capital.

Even if they show losses, investors may still recognise their significant growth potential. For instance, one of the rare technology unicorns in Viet Nam has strong financial indicators but still reported losses in its early stages due to considerable investments in technological infrastructure and market expansion.

This reality leaves these companies with limited opportunities to go public in Viet Nam.

As a result, many experts are advocating for a relaxation or adjustment of the listing requirements on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange or the Ha Noi Stock Exchange to be more flexible.

Such changes would not only provide Vietnamese fintech companies with the opportunity to conduct an IPO at home but also reinforce the country's position as an emerging technology hub in the region, they said.  BIZHUB/VNS
HA NOI  Domestic car production surged as Viet Nam emerged as a new auto manufacturing hub for international brands, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Automobile output in Viet Nam rose sharply in the first months of 2025, compared to the same period last year, as many global carmakers selected the country as a destination for new manufacturing facilities.

In early 2025, Viet Nams automotive industry recorded strong momentum.

According to GSO data, 36,700 vehicles were manufactured in March alone. Total output for the first quarter of 2025 reached approximately 106,400 units  an increase of 81.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, nearly doubling year-on-year growth.

Earlier, domestic automobile production had slowed slightly in February due to the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which caused a temporary dip in both supply and demand.

Sales figures from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) showed that by the end of February, 40,499 vehicles had been sold in Viet Nam. This included 20,187 domestically assembled units  up 23 per cent year-on-year  and 20,312 imported vehicles, marking a 41 per cent increase.

VinFast, the countrys leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, reported nearly 23,000 EVs sold domestically during the first two months of 2025. The company remains one of the few car manufacturers with an entire assembly line at a local facility in Viet Nam.

In recent decades, Viet Nam has been home to manufacturing plants for several major auto brands, including Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, Kia, Mazda, Wuling and Suzuki, as well as luxury marques such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Czech automaker Skoda recently inaugurated its factory in Quang Ninh Province, with the Skoda Kushaq being the first model produced at the facility.

Chinese brands Omoda and Jaecoo, both part of Chery Group, are also set to begin production in Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Geely and Lynk & Co, in partnership with Vietnamese conglomerate Tasco, prepared to break ground on a new plant. Chery identified Viet Nam and Malaysia as key locations in its global manufacturing network, positioning Viet Nam as its primary production hub in Southeast Asia.

In October 2024, Hyundai Thanh Cong exported its fourth batch of Hyundai Palisade SUVs to Thailand, bringing the total number of units delivered to that market to 110.

Prior to Hyundais efforts, local manufacturers such as VinFast and Thaco had already begun exporting vehicles to countries in Southeast Asia, and entered markets across the Pacific, including the United States and Canada.  VNS
CA MAU  In the face of the US announcing higher tariff on Vietnamese goods, including seafood products, Ca Mau Province has proactively reviewed and assessed the impact of the levy on this industry, ensuring that the production chain, especially shrimp exports, is not disrupted.

The US has been one of the major export markets of the country in general and Ca Mau in particular. Last year, the province's export turnover to the US market reached US$76.8 million, accounting for 6.07 per cent of the province's export turnover.

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the province's total seafood export turnover reached $295 million, up 9 per cent over the same period last year. The province has five enterprises that export to the US market, with a turnover of $12.9 million, accounting for 4.36 per cent of the province's export turnover.

Immediately after the US announced the tariff rate on imported goods from Viet Nam, Vietnamese businesses did not dare to offer prices or sign sales contracts, and stopped exporting goods to US customers.

As a result, the price of raw shrimp immediately dropped sharply.

According to reports from some businesses and authorities, the reason for the price drop is that shrimp farmers know about the US tariff rate and fear that shrimp prices will drop, so many farmers have decided to harvest early and sell to businesses.

This leads to businesses being overloaded in production and storage.

To regulate the amount of imported goods, businesses are forced to reduce their purchasing prices. When businesses reduce their purchasing prices, farmers become more worried and harvest more massively, leading to a rapid decrease in prices.

From the above negative causes and solutions, it can be seen that if there are no timely measures, the shrimp industry of the province will be broken, and the damage to farmers and businesses will be huge.

On April 9, US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause in implementing the new tariffs on Vietnamese goods.

Solutions to avoid disruption of the production chain

Currently, the Vietnamese Government has been actively negotiating with the US to reduce the tariff rate. Viet Nam's goal is to reduce the tariff rate on goods between the two sides to zero.

However, if the worst case scenario of stopping shrimp exports to the US market occurs, shrimp output of Ca Mau enterprises will be affected and will need to find new markets.

The provincial People's Committee believes that if businesses actively seek new markets and negotiations between the Vietnamese and US governments result in lower tariff rates, the impact on shrimp production will not be significant.

Therefore, farmers and businesses should not panic and worry unnecessarily.

To minimise negative impacts, stabilise production, processing and consumption markets of the province's seafood industry, the provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and the Ca Mau Seafood Processing and Export Association to continuously update the situation, closely monitor new developments in tariffs and related policies to promptly report to the provincial People's Committee.

Relevant agencies will also monitor and grasp the difficulties and problems of businesses and farmers in production to promptly consider, resolve or propose to competent authorities timely measures.

These agencies also need to urgently provide updated information to farmers, and support and encourage farmers to avoid massive harvesting and selling to businesses.

Seafood processing and exporting enterprises in the province have been recommended to ensure the purchase of raw shrimp for farmers to stabilise production and avoid uncontrolled price drops.

The province will support and encourage businesses to boost exports to other traditional markets such as the EU, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Australia.

To expand the market, businesses need to actively participate in the trade promotion activities of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the province.

In addition, the province will also propose that the Government have policies to support farmers and businesses to overcome difficulties, including proposing capital support packages so that businesses can purchase raw materials for production in case the US still does not change the announced tariff rate.

On April 2, US President Trump has announced a 46 per cent reciprocal tariff on certain goods imported from Viet Nam, the second highest among all exporting countries to the US.

Viet Nam is one of the USs key trade partners, with its exports to the market reaching around $124 billion in 2023. Major industries, including textiles, footwear, furniture, electronic components and seafood, will be significantly impacted if the 46 per cent tariff is implemented. VNS
HA NOI  An Asia-Viet Nam business dialogue has been held in Italian city of Genoa, focusing on opportunities for economic, cultural and innovation cooperation between Liguria region and Viet Nam.

Jointly organised by Liguria International, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (ICHAM), and the Asian Economic and Cultural Council, the April 11 event brought together over 50 representatives from Italian organisations, companies and institutions, highlighting Viet Nam's importance as Italy's main trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The dialogue featured expert insights into regional trade dynamics, real-world business case studies, and analysis of Viet Nams fast-evolving key sectors - from manufacturing to technological innovation - amid shifting global trends.

In his opening remarks, Carlo Golda, President of Liguria International, underscored the strategic value of deepening relations with Southeast Asia, especially Viet Nam, given Ligurias strengths in maritime trade, logistics and manufacturing.

Genoa Deputy Mayor Mario Mascia, responsible for economic development, highlighted recent advances in Viet Nam-Liguria cooperation, notably through port development missions.

Honorary Consul Sandra Scagliotti emphasised the growing importance of cultural diplomacy and academic exchange in reinforcing bilateral relations, while Fulvio Albano, Chairman of the Asia Economic Cultural Council, encouraged viewing Viet Nam as both a trade partner and a strategic gateway into ASEAN markets.

ICHAM President Michele DErcole provided updates on preparations for Italy Expo 2025 in HCM City and urged Ligurian companies to seize the opportunity to connect with Vietnamese markets.

Joining the event virtually from Shanghai, Lorenzo Riccardi, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, identified Viet Nam as a vital hub in Italian companies' Asia-focused growth strategies.

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Italy Duong Phuong Thao delivered an overview of Viet Nams dynamic economy, citing its impressive post-war development and sustained growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlighted Viet Nams network of 17 free trade agreements - covering markets that account for 60 per cent of global GDP - with the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) offering especially strong potential for Italian businesses.

Thao introduced key infrastructure projects such as the North-South Expressway, new international airports, seaports and 5G telecom networks and invited Ligurian companies to take part in Viet Nam International Sourcing 2025, scheduled to take place on September 4-6 in HCM City and Italy Expo a Nang, which is expected to be the largest Italian trade fair ever in Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has underscored the need to improve processes, streamline procedures and capitalise on financial resources to support national development.

Son, who is also head of the national steering committee for ODA and concessional loans, made the remark while chairing a meeting of the committee on April 13, saying key priority is to accelerate the projects and ensure the effective use of capital.

Enhancing effectiveness of capital utilisation

According to the Deputy PM, accelerating the disbursement of public investment capital, including ODA and concessional loans, is crucial for unlocking development resources. In order to sustain high economic growth in the coming years, effective use of ODA is essential.

However, ODA disbursement remains sluggish. Between 2021 and 2024, the annual average disbursement rate was just 52 per cent. In the first four months of 2025, the rate was only 4.6 per cent, significantly lower than the national average disbursement rate for public investment of approximately 8 per cent during the first quarter. The Governments task forces, assigned to inspect and expedite public investment disbursement across ministries, sectors and localities, have identified numerous shortcomings in the management and implementation of ODA and concessional loan-funded projects, largely due to subjective causes.

While recognising that domestic resources are strategic and fundamental, the Deputy PM stressed the vital role of mobilising external resources, especially in sectors where Viet Nam lacks technological capacity. He noted that ODA had played an important role in supporting Viet Nams development, including helping the country achieve several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of schedule.

He affirmed that going forward, Viet Nam would focus on projects with substantial ODA funding, high concessionality, short implementation periods and reduced administrative procedures, especially in infrastructure (railways, aviation) and climate change adaptation. He also called for the preparation of several key projects to initiate direct engagement with international partners.

Son requested the Ministry of Finance to incorporate feedback, review and update reports in preparation for a meeting with foreign donors in early May. He instructed the ministry to coordinate with relevant agencies to submit a proposal to the Prime Minister to consolidate the steering committee by April 18.

The ministry was also tasked with finalising legal documents to address institutional bottlenecks, including drafting a new decree to replace the existing ones on ODA and concessional loan management, to be submitted to the Government by April 30 under fast-track procedures.

The Ministry of Finance was also assigned to take the lead in proposing amendments to relevant laws, such as the Law on Public Investment, the Law on State Budget, and the Law on Public Debt Management. These proposed changes must be detailed and designed to resolve difficulties in existing projects.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to review current procedural obstacles and propose amendments to several articles of the Law on International Treaties, aiming to simplify procedures, particularly in the signing of international agreements related to ODA and concessional loans.

Slow disbursement due to multiple obstacles and inconsistencies

Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong reported that the total amount of ODA and concessional loans committed for the 2021-2024 period was roughly US$3.32 billion. In 2025, the Ministry of Finance had actively pursued new loan negotiations and agreements. In the first four months alone, negotiations were completed for five projects worth a total of $413.84 million, and three framework agreements with Germany, Austria and Spain for the 20252030 period were signed.

To date, consensus has been reached with development partners to sign loan agreements for 23 projects and one budget support loan from the Government of Japan, with a total projected value of approximately $1.47 billion for 2025, according to the ministry.

Regarding disbursement, between 2021 and 2024, VN64.33 trillion out of VN131 trillion of planned capital was disbursed (excluding Ministry of National Defence data). By the end of March, foreign capital disbursement stood at VN294 billion, or 1.26 per cent of the annual plan. As of April 30, it is estimated to reach VN1.07 trillion, equivalent to 4.6 per cent of the annual target, not including rolled-over capital from the previous year.

The Deputy Minister outlined several challenges, including legal inconsistencies; discrepancies between Vietnamese regulations and donor procedures; and overlapping and lengthy negotiation processes, especially due to provisions in the Law on International Treaties. Other issues include asset collateral requirements for public non-business units and lending limits for individual clients of financial institutions.

ODA and concessional loan-funded projects must comply with both Vietnamese laws and donor regulations, which often differ and lack harmonisation. In addition, the preparation of investment projects by managing authorities has been slow, with prolonged administrative procedures, delays in budget allocation and site clearance, and limitations in the capacity and resources of project management units and implementing agencies.

At the meeting, ministries, sectors and localities reviewed their recent performance in managing and utilising ODA and concessional loans. They proposed institutional reforms, capital allocation strategies, and disbursement measures; identified existing challenges and root causes; and outlined responsibilities and solutions.  VNS
By ZHONG NAN

The economic and trade ties between China and Viet Nam are expected to rise to a new level, driven by the two countries' highly complementary trade structures, Viet Nam's modernisation drive and the growing influence of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, according to market watchers and exporters.

Amid rising protectionism and unilateral challenges, China and Vietnam are pressing ahead with industrial upgrading and digital transformation, positioning themselves to tap into new growth opportunities across key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green energy, smart logistics, e-commerce and regional supply chain integration, they said.

United by common aspirations for sustainable growth and economic resilience, the two countries are on track to forge even deeper and more dynamic economic ties in the years to come, said Wan Zhe, a professor specialising in regional economic development at Beijing Normal University.

Bilateral business relations have witnessed remarkable progress, especially in recent years, with Viet Nam introducing key national strategies such as the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030, vision towards 2050; the National Strategy on R&D and Application of Artificial Intelligence; and the National Strategy for 4th Industrial Revolution.

Wan said that these forward-looking initiatives have significantly enhanced Vietnam's appeal as a destination for investment and innovation, attracting a substantial influx of Chinese and foreign capital and technologies over the past several years.

"This growing synergy has laid a strong foundation for deeper economic and technological collaboration between the two countries," she added.

Viet Nam has become a key overseas investment destination for China. In 2024, from January to August, Chinese companies invested $1.97 billion in the Southeast Asian country, maintaining a rapid rate of growth, according to the latest data released by China's Ministry of Commerce.

Benefiting from a booming intermediate goods trade, the rising freight volume on the China-Viet Nam Railway and substantial gains resulting from the RCEP and the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Viet Nam trade surged 14.6 percent year-on-year to 1.85 trillion yuan ($254.05 billion) in 2024, statistics from China's General Administration of Customs showed.

This momentum continued in the first two months of this year, with the value of bilateral trade rising 8.2 per cent on an annual basis to 270.96 billion yuan, customs data showed.

China's exports to Viet Nam include machinery, telecommunication equipment, electronic components, industrial raw materials, trains, ships, trucks, household appliances and construction materials.

In addition to agricultural and aquatic products such as seafood, fruits, coffee and rice, Vietnam's exports to China include smartphones, computers, rubber, footwear, garments and furniture.

In the medium to long term, China and Viet Nam are more likely to deepen industrial complementarity and division of labor rather than engage in direct competition, said Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, which is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.

"This is because both countries are at different stages of development and have distinct strengths," said Gao, adding China leads in high-end manufacturing and technological capabilities, while Viet Nam offers advantages in assembly industries and young and high-quality workers.

On top of this, free trade deals with various economies, such as the EU (European Union)-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, have opened up opportunities, he added.

Echoing that sentiment, Lan Qingxin, a professor specialising in cross-border investment studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that compared with other Southeast Asian countries as well as India and Mexico, Vietnam holds a competitive edge and market potential due to its proximity to China and its friendly foreign investment policies.

This complementary dynamic fosters a win-win partnership, reinforcing the depth and resilience of China-Viet Nam economic ties, said Lan.

Ningbo Dafa Chemical Fiber Co, a textile and chemical raw materials manufacturer in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has been actively exploring new possibilities in the Vietnamese market.

"Vietnam has a well-developed furniture manufacturing industry, which drives strong demand for textile yarns and synthetic fiber materials. Our products are mainly used for furniture padding and bedding production," said Wang Ling, the company's sales director.

Ningbo Dafa's exports to Viet Nam grew by 10.3 percent year-on-year to 20.64 million yuan in the first two months of this year, according to Ningbo Customs. CHINA DAILY
HA NOI  On April 14, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Dukgeun co-chaired the 14th meeting of the Viet NamSouth Korea Joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Energy Cooperation, along with the 8th meeting of the Joint Committee on Implementation of the Viet NamKorea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA), held in Ha Noi.

During the session, both ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made over the past year, particularly since the 13th meeting, and acknowledged that bilateral trade in 2024 reached approximately US$81.5 billion, up 7.3 per cent compared to 2023.

Amid global economic challenges driven by protectionism and trade tensions, both sides agreed that enhancing bilateral trade cooperation would help alleviate difficulties for businesses in both countries.

The two ministers committed to further promoting the roles of the Korea Plus in Viet Nam and Viet Nam Plus in South Korea task forces to support enterprises, stimulate investment, and propose new cooperation initiatives. Both sides also agreed to effectively implement the Action Plan toward a more balanced bilateral trade volume of $150 billion by 2030, and to boost dialogue in distribution and logistics.

In the industrial sector, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the effective operation of the Viet NamSouth Korea Centre for Technology Cooperation on Critical Mineral Supply Chains, established under a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2023.

Medium- and long-term cooperation in materials and components will be promoted through phase two of the Viet Nam Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea project (VITASK 2). South Korea also pledged support for Viet Nam in shipbuilding workforce training, job placement, and in drafting the Law on Industrial Development.

On energy cooperation, the two sides discussed and reached consensus on collaboration in electricity, oil and gas, LNG, nuclear power, and clean energy. Viet Nam welcomed South Korean investment in LNG and oil and gas projects, provided investments are effective, mutually beneficial, and in compliance with Vietnamese law. Viet Nam also expressed interest in South Koreas co-firing ammonia technology currently under trial, suggesting future joint studies for application in Viet Nam.

At the 8th VKFTA implementation meeting, both parties acknowledged the significant contributions of the agreement over the past decade in boosting trade and investment. The ministers agreed to deepen cooperation in customs procedures and rules of origin, trade defence measures, food safety and plant and animal quarantine, and in addressing technical barriers to help businesses fully capitalise on VKFTA benefits.

Concluding the session, the two ministers signed three key documents: the minutes of the 14th Joint Committee meeting; a joint statement from the 8th VKFTA Implementation Committee meeting; and the Action Plan to realise the $150 billion trade target.

Additionally, they witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding: one between the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (under Viet Nams Ministry of Industry and Trade) and the Nuclear Industry Policy Bureau (under South Koreas Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) on cooperation in nuclear energy; and another between EVNNPT and KEPCO on electricity transmission collaboration.  VNS
Phuong Mai

HCM CITY  A collection of art works, from paintings to sculptures, by 143 artists of HCM City is on display at the Fine Arts Museum to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 19752025).

The exhibition, organised by the city's Fine Arts Association, has the theme of "50 Years of Reunification  Building and Developing HCM City".

It features 22 sculptures and 121 paintings and graphic works by the associations members, including veteran painters Bui Quang Anh and Quach Phong, in different materials, styles and sizes.

The works are of various materials such as lacquer, oil on canvas, acrylic, wood, and metal. They are presented in realism, romanticism, impressionism, abstract, semi-abstract, and metaphor.

All the exhibits highlight topics about building, developing and protecting the country, boosting science and technology, and strengthening healthcare and education and national security.

They also depict President Ho Chi Minh, the artists memories of the city on the historic day 50 years ago, and HCM City as a civilised, modern, dynamic and creative city. Love and family are mentioned as well.

This exhibition has several large-scale works, showing the artists talent and skills and their passion and enthusiasm for the topic about the celebration of 50 years of national reunification, Nguyen Xuan Tien, chairman of the association, said.

"All the works reflect the artists love for the country, society and family that help viewers understand more about the building and development of the city over the past 50 years, and guide people to peace, truth, goodness and beauty."

Nguyen Thao Nguyen, a viewer from Thu uc City, expressed her excitement about the exhibition, saying, This exhibition is huge. Im impressed with the large-scale lacquer paintings. They are carefully made and reflect heroic moments of the country and the dynamic and modern development of HCM City.

The association received more than 300 entries for the exhibition. Many of them are the result of field trips to a Nang, the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, Phu Quoc, and HCM City in 2024.

The first prize was granted to metal sculpture at Thep (The Land of Steel) by Tran Viet Ha depicting Cu Chi, a strong guerrilla base right on the suburb of Sai Gon,

The second prize was presented to a large-scale lacquer painting Public Meeting Welcoming the Establishment of Military Management Committee in HCM City by 85-year-old painter Bui Quang Anh.

Painter Nguyen Trung Tin, head of the exhibitions arts council, said the association received many excellent works, particularly large-scale lacquer paintings.

However, Tin expected to see more young artists in the exhibition, encouraging them to join previous generations in reflecting on the countrys situation.

The exhibition is open to the public until May 2. The museum is at 97A Pho uc Chinh Street in District 1.

In addition, a photo book featuring art works from the exhibition will soon be released.  VNS
HCM CITY  A series of activities to celebrate Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day (April 21) will be held across HCM City from April 19-21.

The celebration, organised by the Department of Culture and Sports, is one of the citys events to mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975  2025).

The programme will include a major book fair at the Paris Square and Book Street on Nguyen Van Binh Street in District 1.

The fair will attract the citys major publishers and book distributors such as HCM City Book Distribution Corporation (FAHASA), Tre (Youth) Publishing House, Phuong Nam Books, and HCM City General Publishing House.

They will introduce around 20,000 book titles by Vietnamese and foreign authors on various topics, including books celebrating the 50 years of national reunification.

The highlight of the fair will be a showcase of different editions of the book uong Kach Menh (The Revolutionary Path), one of five literary works and writings by President Ho Chi Minh recognised as national treasures.

The book features a collection of lectures by Nguyen Ai Quoc (a pseudonym of President Ho) at training classes for cadres of the Viet Nam Revolutionary Youth League held in Guangzhou, China, during 1925-1927.

The work was compiled and published by the Publicity Department of the United League of Oppressed Peoples in 1927. Since then, it has been continuously published by the National Politics Truth Publishing House and widely distributed to a large readership.

The fair will also offer 18 book introductions and discussions about promoting reading culture, enhancing digital transformation in the publishing sector, and selling books on e-commerce platforms.

The programme will include a special exhibition showcasing publications and documents related to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in April 1975, leading to the fall of the Sai Gon regime and the country's reunification.

A collection of postal stamps related to the campaign will be displayed as well.

The fair will set up spaces for movies and music, a kids' zone, and a book station to serve visitors.

In addition, the city will hold several book introductions and talks at Thu uc City Book Street as well as at cultural houses and schools in 21 districts to encourage the reading habit among the community.  VNS
PARIS  Three unique plays and musicals based on Vietnamese mythology and history have been presented to the French public to mark the half-century France-Viet Nam diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Viet Nam.

The two musicals, titled Con Rong Vang (The Golden Dragon) and Nguoi anh Ca Trong Tach Tra (The Fisherman at the Bottom of the Teacup), are based on ancient Vietnamese legends. They are resulted from the collaboration between the French-Vietnamese playwright, poet and director Olivier Dhenin Huu and the talented composer Benjamin Attahir.

The Golden Dragon tells the story of a Chinese man who came to Annam in search of a Golden Dragon at the bottom of a lake, believing that if he could place his father's bones in the dragon's mouth, he would become king.

A young fisherman accepts this mission but substitutes the bones for his own father's bones in the dragon's mouth instead of the Chinese man's. This fisherman later becomes Emperor inh Tien Hoang.

The Fisherman at the Bottom of the Teacup is the tragic story of Truong Chi, an ugly fisherman with an enchanting voice who charms Princess My Nuong. However, when they meet, the princess is terrified of his appearance. Heartbroken, Truong Chi dies and transforms into a pearl. When this pearl is carved into the shape of a teacup and given to the princess, the image of the fisherman appears with his sweet voice. Moved and repentant, My Nuong sheds tears into the cup, making it disappear and thus freeing Truong Chi's soul.

Olivier Dhenin Huu was inspired by traditional Vietnamese theatre, particularly hat boi (Vietnamese Opera) and cai luong (reformed theatre). He also drew on Eastern performing arts that influenced Western directors such as Edward Gordon Craig, Antonin Artaud and Bertolt Brecht.

The original play Partition Vietnamienne (A divided Vietnamese) is a historical story about the division of the country, the fragmentation of Vietnamese memory, culture, and identity - especially for Vietnamese expats and their descendants.

The play tells the story of Antonin, researching his family history through scattered fragments: old photographs, his grandmother's stories, pages from history books and more. He attempts to piece these fragments together to form a complete picture of his origins and identity.

Director Olivier Dhenin Huu said he was emotional seeing audiences reaction:

When I saw the viewers shed tears, or came to shake my hand and tell me they can see themselves in my story, I felt like I did the right thing," Olivier said.

"Many Vietnamese expats told me they can see their story on my stage. This means a lot to me. VNS
HAVANA  Nicaragua has made its debut at the Viet Nam International Travel Mart (VITM Hanoi 2025), introducing a fresh image as a green tourism destination to the Vietnamese market.

Representing Latin America, Nicaragua highlighted its natural reserves, with over half of its territory designated as protected areas and four UNESCO biosphere reserves.

According to Mara Stotti, Deputy Director of the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute, the country offers unique experiences such as volcano expeditions and pristine Caribbean beaches, aiming to attract Vietnamese travellers who love nature and adventure. She noted that Nicaragua has already welcomed its first Vietnamese visitors, receiving highly positive feedback.

Following a strong post-pandemic recovery driven by product diversification, Nicaragua sees Viet Nam as a promising new market in its 2025 tourism growth strategy.

At its colourful booth, Nicaragua showcased 12 signature tour routes, including volcano trails across Chinandega, Leon, and Masaya provinces, cultural heritage tours in Granada and Leon, and beach escapes along the Caribbean coast.

The country hopes its participation at VITM Ha Noi, which runs through April 12, will boost its presence in Vietnam and position it as a high-quality destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is inherited from the two countries distinctive revolutionary traditions, based on strong political mutual trust, and rooted in fruitful cooperation, wrote General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping.

The following is the full text of his article, published on Nhan Dan (People) newspaper.

Building on Past Achievements and Making New Advances In Pursuit of Shared Goals

H.E. Xi Jinping

General Secretary of the Central Committee

Of the Communist Party of China

And President of the Peoples Republic of China

For Nhan Dan of Viet Nam

Late spring is full of vitality. As China and Viet Nam celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, I will soon pay a state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and Vietnamese President Comrade Luong Cuong.

This will be my fourth visit to this beautiful country since I became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the Peoples Republic of China. I look forward to renewing friendship with Vietnamese leaders, discussing ways of boosting cooperation, and drawing up a new blueprint for the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future in the new era.

China and Viet Nam are friendly socialist neighbors sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests. The profound friendship between the two parties and two peoples, forged decades ago, has grown stronger as we explore a socialist path suited to our respective national conditions and advance our respective modernisation drive.

Building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of our two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity of our region and beyond. It conforms with the trend of history. And it is the choice by our peoples.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is inherited from our distinctive revolutionary traditions. During modern times, pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the Third Worlds victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Viet Nam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Viet Nam.

Chairman Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yanan, Chongqing, Kunming and Guilin. China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese peoples War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Viet Nams just War Against US Aggression to Save the Nation.

This well-known line, The friendship between Viet Nam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers, is etched on our shared revolutionary memory.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is based on strong political mutual trust. In recent years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders and I have visited each other many times, steering the course for building a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future. Our two parties and two countries have kept close high-level engagement. Mechanisms such as the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, the party-to-party theoretical symposium, the border defense friendship exchange, and the conference on crime control between the two public security ministries are functioning smoothly.

High-level mechanisms including the joint committee between the National Peoples Congress of China and the National Assembly of Viet Nam have been established. The 3+3 strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security between our two countries has been held successfully.

China and Viet Nam hold similar positions on many regional and international issues and have engaged in close coordination on them.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is rooted in our fruitful cooperation. China and Viet Nam have pursued closer cooperation on industrial and supply chains amid a sluggish global economic recovery.

China has been Viet Nams biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row, with total bilateral trade exceeding US$260 billion in 2024.

More and more quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as durian and coconut are available to Chinese consumers. Railway connectivity and the smart port development project are being steadily advanced. Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Viet Nam. The Cat Linh-Ha ong metro line built by a Chinese Company makes public transport in Ha Noi more convenient. Contributing to each others success and pursuing common development, China and Viet Nam have set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is advanced by close people-to-people exchanges. Over the years, we have seen ever more people-to-people exchanges that foster increasingly closer ties between Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. Chinese tourists made more than 3.7 million visits to Viet Nam in 2024.

With the official launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cross-border tourism cooperation zone and the opening of several cross-border road trip routes, visiting two countries in a single day has become possible.

Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Viet Nam are learning Chinese. Many Vietnamese songs are now on hot search lists on social media in China, and many Chinese diners relish pho and other Vietnamese delicacies.

Today, global, epoch-making and historical changes are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent transformation.

Despite the headwinds of mounting unilateralism and protectionism, the Chinese economy expanded by five percent in 2024, contributing around 30 percent to the global economy. It remains a key engine of the world economy.

Chinas new energy sector, artificial intelligence and animated films have come into global spotlight. China will continue to provide more opportunities to the world with its high-standard opening up and contribute to the development of all countries with its high-quality development.

Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development. At a new starting point toward revitalization of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbors. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asias modernisation.

China is going all out to build a great modern socialist country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by pursuing Chinese modernisation. Viet Nam will usher in a new epoch of national development toward the two goals set for the centenary of the Party and the country respectively.

China always gives Viet Nam high priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. Our two countries should strengthen our efforts on all fronts to build the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

We should deepen strategic mutual trust and advance the socialist cause. The two sides should act on the guidance of the leaders. The China-Viet Nam steering committee for bilateral cooperation should coordinate our interactions more effectively to boost party, government, military, law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly tackle external risks and challenges, and uphold political security. China is ready to enhance exchanges of governance practices with Viet Nam, explore and enrich together socialist theory and practices, and promote the steady development of the two countries socialist cause.

We should continue win-win cooperation and deliver more benefit to our two peoples. We should create greater synergy between our development strategies, implement well the cooperation plan between the two governments on synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and build more platforms for economic and technological cooperation. China stands ready to advance cooperation with Viet Nam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Viet Nam and the smart port. China welcomes more quality Vietnamese products in the Chinese market, and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Viet Nam. Our two countries should step up cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and expand cooperation in emerging areas, such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development, to create more benefits for the two peoples.

We should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between our peoples. This year is the China- Viet Nam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and we should use this opportunity to promote people-to-people exchanges in diverse forms. China welcomes Vietnamese visitors to travel across China, and encourages Chinese tourists to visit scenic sites in Viet Nam. Our two countries should carry out more activities that will bring our two peoples together such as the friendly meeting between youth and festive events in border areas. We should further tap into our revolutionary resources, and tell stories of friendship that resonate with our two peoples, so as to pass on the baton of China-Viet Nam friendship from generation to generation.

We should enhance multilateral collaboration and promote Asias prosperity and revitalisation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Our two countries should firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important that we pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative. It is also important that we promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries. Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and an open and cooperative international environment. We should strengthen co-ordination in mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation and Lancang-Mekong co-operation, so as to ensure more stability for a changing and turbulent world and inject more positive energy in it.

We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region. The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation. The two sides should implement the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two parties and the two countries. We should make good use of the maritime negotiation mechanism so as to properly mange maritime differences, expand maritime cooperation, and build up conditions for the final resolution of the disputes. We should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. We should be impervious to all interference, bridge differences and expand common ground, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Standing at this new starting point of history, China is ready to work with Viet Nam to build on past achievements, write a new chapter in building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind. VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and China are two close neighbours, connected by mountains and rivers, and the people of the two countries have shared many similarities in culture and customs, and together cultivated a long-standing traditional friendship that has lasted for thousands of years, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam To Lamhas written in an article.

The following is a translation of the article which was published on the Peoples Daily of China.

JOINING HANDS TO OPEN A NEW ERA OF DEVELOPMENT OF VIET NAM-CHINA FRIENDSHIP

To Lam,

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam

At the invitation of mine and President Luong Cuong of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, comrade Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, will pay a state visit to Viet Nam from April 14-15, 2025, in the year when the people of the two countries joyfully celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and China (January 18, 1950 - 2025) and the Year of Viet Nam-China Humanistic Exchange.

This is comrade Xi Jinping's fourth visit to Viet Nam since he assumed the responsibility of Party General Secretary and President of China, and also his second visit to Viet Nam in the 13th-term National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and the 20th-term National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

As the Supreme Leader of the Communist Party of China and the People's Republic of China who has visited Viet Nam the most in history, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping is a sincere comrade and a close friend of Viet Nam.

The Party, State and people of Viet Nam warmly welcome and believe that the visit will definitely be a great success, making a great and important contribution to strongly promoting the tradition of friendship and opening a new era of development in Viet Nam - China relations.

I - Viet Nam - China relations: History of close friendship, comprehensive cooperation achievements

Viet Nam and China are two close neighbours, connected by mountains and rivers, the people of the two countries have shared many similarities in culture and customs, and together cultivated a long-standing traditional friendship that has lasted for thousands of years.

In the revolutionary journey that was closely linked from the beginning with countless difficulties, generations of leaders of the two Parties and two countries, directly President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong, have constantly worked hard to cultivate "the close relationship between Viet Nam and China, both comrades and brothers".

During many years of revolutionary activities in China, President Ho Chi Minh always received precious sentiments and enthusiastic help from the Chinese communists and people. Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese communists also actively participated in the revolutionary movement in China.

The history of standing shoulder to shoulder and sharing joys and sorrows between the revolutionary predecessors of the two countries was a shining example in the revolutionary struggle movement of the world proletariat, laying a solid foundation for the future friendship between Viet Nam and China.

On the basis of the reliable relationship between the two Communist Parties, on January 18, 1950, shortly after its establishment, the People's Republic of China became the first country in the world to officially establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam).

Viet Nam was also the first Southeast Asian country to officially establish diplomatic relations with China. This was a brilliant historical milestone, opening a new era for the Viet Nam - China friendship.

Under the guidance of the two Communist Parties, the people of the two countries gave each other sincere and wholehearted help and support, contributing to the victory and success of the national liberation revolution and the cause of national construction and development in the direction of socialism in each country.

Over the past 75 years, peace, friendship and development co-operation have always been the main stream in the relationship between the two countries, because the two Parties and the two countries share an unchanging common perception that the stable, sustainable and long-term development of the Viet Nam -China friendship and co-operation is a fundamental and long-term interest, an earnest aspiration for generations of the two peoples for peace and friendship, of great significance to the revolutionary cause in each country, in line with the great trend of the times of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperous development.

In the overall foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, the Party and State of Viet Nam have always persistently and consistently given top priority to and determined to work with the Party and State of China to develop the Comprehensive Strategic Co-operative Partnership, the Viet Nam -China Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, for the happiness of the people of the two countries, for the cause of peace and progress of all mankind.

The Vietnamese people will never forget the great and effective assistance of the Chinese people in historical periods.

Viet Nam always considers China's prosperous development as an opportunity for itself, and is pleased and appreciates China's affirmation of prioritising the development of relations with Vietnam in its neighbourhood diplomacy and considers this a strategic choice of both countries.

From those important common perceptions, the Viet Nam - China relationship in recent years has been continuously promoted to new heights, achieving many important and comprehensive achievements and marks in all fields. Senior leaders of the two Parties and the two countries have maintained regular strategic exchanges in many flexible forms, promptly making important decisions to orient and shape the continuous development of the Viet Nam - China relationship to become more substantive and effective.

Most recently, the two countries agreed to elevate the relationship to a Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance during the historic visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary and President Xi Jinping (December 2023).

Along with that, diverse exchange and cooperation mechanisms across channels and in all fields, from central to local levels, as well as cooperation in international multilateral forums and institutions, have also seen increasingly substantive developments, contributing to enriching and deepening the content of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership framework.

Economic and trade relations have continuously developed strongly, bringing many practical benefits to the people of the two countries.

Over the past three decades, bilateral trade turnover has grown by more than 6,400 times, reaching a new peak, exceeding US$200 billion in 2024.

Viet Nam has maintained its position as China's largest trading partner in ASEAN, emerging to become China's 4th largest trading partner in the world, while China is Viet Nam's largest trading partner.

To date, China has become the 3rd largest foreign investor in Viet Nam, leading in the number of new investment projects.

The fields of people-to-people exchange, culture, education, and tourism between the two countries have achieved many encouraging results, are increasingly vibrant, and have become new bright spots contributing to consolidating a more solid social foundation for Viet Nam -China relations.

It can be said that the friendship between the people of the two countries is increasingly close, as the image that General Secretary and President Xi Jinping once summarised very concisely is "small streams flowing forever, converging into a large river of friendly exchange between the two countries".

The two sides have satisfactorily resolved many issues left over from history, and agreed to persistently and properly handle and actively resolve disagreements through peaceful measures on the basis of mutual understanding and respect, in accordance with international law.

For the relations between the two Parties and two countries to develop well and comprehensively as they are today, the most important lesson is the sincerity, trust and mutual understanding between the two socialist neighbouring countries under the leadership of the Communist Parties, deeply rooted in the tradition of humanity and respect for human relations of the two peoples; the intellectual vision, determination and action of generations of leaders of the two Parties and two countries; and the joint efforts and participation of the political systems and people of the two countries. The Party, State and People of Viet Nam respect and appreciate the sentiments, enthusiasm and especially important great contributions of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to the Viet Nam - China relationship over the past many years.

II. Vision for a new era of development: For the happiness of the peoples of both countries, and for the cause of peace and progress of humanity.

The world is undergoing profound, fundamental changes of epochal nature, with deep transformations in every aspect under the impact of major shifts in politics, economy, culture, society, and science and technology.

The period from now until 2030, with a longer-term vision toward 2045 and even 2050, the mid-point of the 21st century -- key milestones tied to the revolutionary causes of the two Parties and the two countries -- will be the most crucial period for shaping a new world order. It will open up great opportunities, while also posing significant challenges for nations.

For Viet Nam, this is a period of important strategic opportunity, a decisive sprint stage to usher in a new era of national development and to fulfill President Ho Chi Minhs aspiration of building a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Viet Nam, making a worthy contribution to the revolutionary cause of the world.

For China, this is a pivotal period and a stepping stone in realising its second centenary goal, building the People's Republic of China into a modern socialist power that is prosperous, strong, democratic, civilised, harmonious, and beautiful.

The context requires both countries to adopt an international vision and national actions to fully seize strategic opportunities, turn challenges into opportunities, and build a prosperous future for both nations.

We have enough solid foundation and confidence to realise the long-term development goals of each country, and now is a favourable time for the two Parties and two countries to jointly set forth a vision for a new era of Viet Nam - China relations, for the happiness of the peoples of both nations, and for the cause of peace and progress of humanity. Specifically as follows:

First, maintaining strategic exchanges and advancing political trust. This is the most important issue and the foundation for the successful implementation of programmes, plans, and agreements between the two sides, ensuring a political basis for the relations between the two Parties and countries to grow in a right and healthy direction.

Both sides should continue to effectively implement existing mechanisms for high-level exchanges and contacts, while closely and harmoniously combining Party, State, and people-to-people diplomacy.

It is also important to further improve the effectiveness and elevate cooperation in the fields of foreign affairs, national defence, and security, and between sectors, agencies, and localities of the two countries.

Second, strengthening practical cooperation across various fields and creating new growth drivers.

Viet Nam is always ready to join hands with China to make bilateral cooperation more substantive, intensive, balanced, and sustainable, becoming a model of sincere and effective cooperation between neighboring socialist and developing countries, better serving the interests of their people.

The two sides should work together to explore new forms of cooperation aligned with the key priorities in each countrys socio-economic development strategy, focus on implementing major projects that will serve as new symbols of Viet Nam - China cooperation, with the highest priority given to the development of three standard-gauge railway lines connecting the two countries in strategic infrastructure connectivity.

Co-operation should be expanded in the areas where China has strengths and Viet Nam has demand, such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and high-quality human resource training, to create new highlights in bilateral cooperation in line with global development trends.

Third, further strengthening the favourable social foundation for Viet Nam - China relations.

In our phone talks earlier this year, Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and I jointly announced the launch of the 2025 Year of Viet Nam - China Humanistic Exchange.

This is a most timely opportunity to promote people-to-people exchanges and enhance public communication about the friendship between the two Parties, the countries, and their peoples; to foster practical cooperation in culture, tourism, education, and training; and to make good use of red historical sites that carry revolutionary significance in both Viet Nam and China, and to inspire pride and strengthen the confidence of people from all walks of life in the socialist path chosen by our two Parties and peoples, and in the long-standing Viet Nam - China friendship.

In this effort, major press and media agencies in both countries play an important role in enhancing mutual affection and understanding between the two peoples, tightening the bond between the two nations, and contributing to the promotion of cooperation, friendship, and mutual benefit.

Fourth, working together to build a peaceful and stable environment for the new era and the new stage of development in each country.

The continuous promotion of a sound, healthy Viet Nam - China relationship, along with joint efforts to properly manage and resolve differences based on high-level common perceptions, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, serves as an important stabilising factor amid the current complex and unpredictable regional and international situation.

This approach aligns with the long-standing traditions and earnest shared aspirations of both peoples for peace, friendship, cooperation, and the sustainable development and prosperity of each nation.

During his state visit to Viet Nam in December 2023, Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping profoundly summarised: "Both China and Viet Nam are responsible members of the international community. The two countries should become core forces in advancing the cause of human progress."

Building on the 75-year tradition of friendly relations, with many cultural similarities and shared interests in peace and development for the peoples of both nations, the two Parties and countries are confident and determined to advance the glorious and great cause, to continue deepening our Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, and promoting the building of a Viet Nam -China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, developing quickly and sustainably; and to successfully build socialism in each country, and firmly step into a new era of development.

The success of the friendship between our two Parties and two countries not only brings happiness and serves the best interests of our peoples but also makes increasingly practical and responsible contributions to peace, stability, social progress, and the prosperous development of nations in the region and around the world.  VNA/VNS
BEIJING  The state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping from April 14-15 once again demonstrates China's strong commitment to promoting the building of the Viet Nam -China community with a shared future, as well as their valuable traditional friendship described as both comrades and brothers", said Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC).

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in Beijing ahead of the visit, Shi said that China and Viet Nam are good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners. The two countries share geographic proximity with mountains and rivers connected. In recent years, high-ranking leaders of the two countries have maintained regular exchanges.

The top Chinese leader's visit to Viet Nam is an important follow-up to his historic visit in December 2023, and the visit to China by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam in August 2024.

This year marks the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Viet Nam and is designated as the Year of Viet Nam - China Humanistic Exchange, as well as the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan.

Currently, China is comprehensively promoting the great national rejuvenation process through Chinese-style modernisation, while Viet Nam is also accelerating its industrialisation and modernisation process.

The building of socialism in both China and Viet Nam is at a crucial stage. Under the strategic planning and direct promotion by high-level leaders of both Parties and countries, the comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Viet Nam has achieved significant results, with many notable features.

The close coordination and multilateral cooperation not only benefit the two Parties, two countries, and their people, but also bring stability and certainty to a world full of fluctuations and uncertainties.

Shi believes that through this visit, the high-ranking leaders of the two countries, from a high-level and long-term strategic vision, will set out new directions for the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Viet Nam; strengthen the traditional friendship between China and Viet Nam, enhance mutual strategic trust, and focus on key areas and directions to build a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance; promote the relationship between the two Parties and two countries to new heights, and together advance stability and prosperity of the region as well as peace, development and progress of humanity.

Regarding the prospects for the two countries cooperation in the coming time, Shi noted that in recent years, economic and trade cooperation between China and Viet Nam has continued to reach new heights. China has been Viet Nam's largest trading partner since 2004, and Viet Nam has been China's largest trading partner in ASEAN since 2016.

The bilateral trade volume has exceeded US$200 billion for four consecutive years. According to Chinese Customs data, in 2024, two-way trade reached $260.65 billion, an increase of 13.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Of this, China's exports amounted to $161.89 billion, up $17.7 year-on-year; imports reached $98.76 billion, up 7.2 per cent year-on-year. China is the largest export market for Vietnamese agricultural products, accounting for 65.2 per cent of Viet Nam's total fruit and vegetable exports.

Viet Nam has established official export channels for 14 key agricultural products to the Chinese market, including durian, bird's nest, sweet potatoes, dragon fruit, lychee, rambutan, mango, jackfruit, watermelon, and bananas. These products account for about one-fifth of China's total agricultural imports from ASEAN. High-quality agricultural products from Viet Nam are widely favoured by Chinese consumers. Viet Nam is also an important destination for Chinese foreign investment. In 2024, direct investment from Chinese enterprises in Viet Nam exceeded $2.5 billion, maintaining a rapid growth rate.

Shi said that China and Viet Nam each have unique advantages for economic development, complementing each other strongly and having great potential for economic and trade cooperation. With the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and the upgrade of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), economic and trade cooperation between the two countries will have many more development opportunities.

The scholar said that in the future, the two countries need to further strengthen the strategic development connection, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, continue to expand bilateral trade and investment, actively build pilot cross-border economic cooperation zones, and jointly establish safe and stable industrial and supply chains, while further enhancing the level of trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.

Both sides should continue to effectively implement the "Belt and Road" initiative and the "Two Corridors, One Belt" framework, strengthen policy coordination, and innovate co-operation models. In addition to accelerating "hard connectivity" in infrastructure such as railways, highways, and border facilities, both sides should also enhance "soft connectivity" like smart customs; promote the integrated development of cross-border e-commerce and traditional domestic industries; strengthen cooperation in areas such as digital transformation, online tourism, smart cities, and artificial intelligence (AI); and further explore cooperation potential in digital economy.

Moreover, Viet Nam has developed a national green growth strategy. By incorporating regulations and cooperative content related to green economy in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, the scope and prospects for cooperation between China and Viet Nam in fields like clean energy, new energy-fueled vehicles, environmental governance, green transition, and green finance are also very promising.

Regarding cultural exchanges, Shi noted that both sides need to seize the opportunity of the Year of Viet Nam - China Humanistic Exchange and the ASEAN - China Cultural Exchange Year to continuously strengthen the friendship between the people of the two countries.

They should actively explore deeper educational cooperation, expand international student exchanges; promote cooperation in vocational education, education-industry integration, teacher training and development, and digital education; enhance cultural exchanges, improve cultural understanding through joint art performances, exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage, and joint broadcasting of films and television works; expand tourism cooperation, encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Viet Nam, and support increasing flights between the two countries; optimise cross-border tourism routes, promote distinctive tourism products to each other, and attract two-way tourist flows; and enhance youth exchanges to strengthen understanding and friendship between young generations through various youth dialogue and exchange activities, while promoting the inheritance of the traditional friendship between China and Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  The state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping is expected to create a new development steps in Viet Nam-China relations, said Nguyen Vinh Quang, Vice President of the Viet Nam - China Friendship Association.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter ahead of the visit, Quang said that in history and in recent years, all visits by the highest leaders of China to Viet Nam have been of important significance.

This year holds particular importance, as the two countries are celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations, and leaders of the two countries designated 2025 as the Year of Viet Nam - China Humanistic Exchange.

Therefore, Xis visit is even more meaningful, marking the beginning of a series of upcoming exchanges. This is also his first official overseas trip in 2025, indicating that China places great importance on this event.

It is expected that through this visit, the leaders of both countries will exchange ideas and reach new common perceptions, taking the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Specifically, the two sides are expected to reach several agreements on economic and trade cooperation, investment, and further facilitate the flow of goods, helping to narrow the trade balance gap between the two countries.

I also hope that the issue of infrastructure between the two countries will be addressed this time, leading to agreements that facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods to China, especially agricultural and aquatic products, Quang said.

Regrading the two countries agreement on building the Viet Nam - China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, Quang said that over the past year, the agreement has had a profound impact on the perceptions of the leaders and people of both countries, creating a positive momentum to promote the development of the bilateral relations.

The most noticeable change is the increase in trust and affection between the two nations. There is greater trust in society, among leaders, and within ministries, sectors, and businesses of both countries.

Last year, businesses from both sides demonstrated increased confidence in each other, and economic and trade cooperation developed impressively. In 2024, trade turnover exceeded US$200 billion according to Vietnamese statistics and US$260 billion according to Chinese data.

Viet Nam remains the largest trading partner in ASEAN and the fourth-largest trading partner of China globally. China is the largest market for Viet Nam 's agro-forestry-aquatic product exports, providing tangible benefits to millions of Vietnamese farmers.

Emphasising the role of people-to-people exchanges in promoting the two countries relations, Quang said that Viet Nam and China have a relationship spanning thousands of years based on the relations between their people, with a clear cultural exchange. Over the past 75 years, this exchange has fostered an increasingly close and robust relationship between the two countries. The friendship can only be built on the basis of mutual understanding and empathy. To foster mutual understanding, people-to-people exchanges must be enhanced.

Quang said that during Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's visit to Viet Nam in 2023, leaders of both countries discussed and proposed the "six major orientations to promote the stronger development of the bilateral relations. The orientations refer to how to establish higher and more solid political trust between the two countries.

To solidify relations, the first priority is political trust, followed by cooperation in security and defence, as well as more substantive and effective economic and trade partnerships, ultimately creating a stronger social foundation - a more solid foundation of public support.

Therefore, people-to-people exchanges, particularly exchanges between mass organisations and among youths from the two countries need to be strengthened to achieve this goal, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Viet Nam from April 14-15.

The visit is made at the invitations of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong.

The top leader of China will be accompanied by Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the committees Secretariat and Chief of the committees Office; Wang Yi, Politburo member, Director of the Office of the CPC Central Committees Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wang Xiaohong, Minister of Public Security; Liu Jianchao, head of the CPC Central Committees International Liaison Commission; Dong Jun, Minister of National Defence; and other officials.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh, the visit holds great significance and importance for the two countries relationship.

This is Xi's first overseas visit in 2025, his fourth visit to Viet Nam as China's top leader, and the second within his current term.

It demonstrates the high regard that the Chinese Party and State, as well as the leader personally, place on strengthening the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and China.

The trip takes place at a pivotal moment for both Parties, both countries, and for their relations. The bilateral relations have maintained a strong and positive momentum, with many notable highlights in cooperation across all fields. Both nations are actively implementing activities to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the Viet NamChina Year of Humanistic Exchange this year.

Therefore, the visit serves as an opportunity for the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries to further engage in in-depth strategic discussions, assess the bilateral relations, particularly the outcomes achieved in implementing high-level agreements, and identify major directions and key measures to develop the bilateral relationship in a more stable, substantive, and effective manner in the time ahead.

Within the framework of the trip, the top Chinese leader will hold talks and meetings with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. VNS
Viet Nam News reporter Khanh Duong speaks to YB Dato Sri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Malaysian Prime Ministers Department (Law and Institutional Reform), on the prospects of legal cooperation between the two countries while Malaysia takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship.

What are the purposes of your visit to Viet Nam from April 10 to 11?

I am honoured to be in Viet Nam today. For many years, Malaysia and Viet Nam have continued to build a strong relationship through mutual legal cooperation and assistance. My visit is driven by the prospects of deeper collaboration in the realm of law.

During my visit, I spoke to the Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh on legal cooperation between Malaysia and Viet Nam with a focus on regional dispute resolution and shared legislative priorities.

I also used this opportunity to discuss Malaysias agenda on law and international commercial arbitration and mediation reforms for ASEAN in 2025, of which Malaysia is the current Chair.

The overarching goal is to advance international legal frameworks and regulatory standards that benefit both countries and bolster ASEAN unity.

I strongly believe that collaboration is essential to ensuring a cohesive approach to law, justice and reform. By working together, we are better equipped to tackle cross-border challenges and attract regional investment.

Accordingly, the primary focus of my visit is for the consensus of the Joint Statement by ASEAN Law Forums on International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Development and the participation of Viet Nam in the ASEAN Law Forum 2025, which is taking place from August 19 to 21 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Joint Statement will be released on the last day of the Forum, August 21, hopefully in the presence of the Honourable Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Anwar Ibrahim and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

These initiatives are part of Malaysias efforts to strengthen its position as a preferred hub for international arbitration and foster collaboration among ASEAN Law and Justice Ministers on this pressing issue.

Apart from the International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Development initiative, Malaysia would also like to invite Viet Nam to participate in the upcoming ASEAN Convention on Legal Aid for Children set to be held this year in Desaru, Johor.

What common legal issues do Viet Nam and Malaysia share? What do you expect for the future of legal cooperation between the two countries?

I think one of the most obvious challenges is from the angle of cross border insolvency, because it involves bankruptcy legal proceedings.

Another common challenge is cybersecurity, including online fraud and sexual offences against children. Addressing these issues will require legal corporations to work together.

Viet Nam and Malaysia have good prospects for deeper collaboration in the realm of law. A strong partnership already exists through mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, anti-corruption efforts, maritime law enforcement and ongoing ASEAN initiatives to foster legal cooperation on trade, cybersecurity and the digital economy.

By continuing to strengthen legal cooperation, our countries can continue to advance our shared interests in maintaining regional stability, promoting economic integration and advancing sustainable development goals.

Which areas of cooperation should Viet Nam and Malaysia prioritise amid the volatility of global trade policies, particularly from a legal perspective and in terms of protecting businesses?

Viet Nam and Malaysia have built a steady and proud partnership since 1973, expanding cooperation across trade, security, education and regional diplomacy.

Viet Nam is now Malaysias fourth-largest trade partner within ASEAN, while Malaysia ranks as Viet Nams second-largest trade partner and third-largest ASEAN investor.

Two-way trade rose to US$18 billion, up from nearly $13 billion in 2023, benefitting key sectors including manufacturing, energy and agriculture. Malaysia also remains one of the top foreign investors in Viet Nam, particularly among ASEAN countries.

The two countries therefore already cooperate closely on legal matters, including mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, anti-corruption, maritime law enforcement and wider ASEAN efforts around trade law, cybersecurity and the digital economy.

Continued growth of legal cooperation will help both our countries pursue shared goals around regional stability, economic integration and sustainable development.

How can both countries lead the way in transforming ASEAN into a more legally integrated and resilient economic bloc?

A strong legal framework is essential for sustainable economic development. One of our goals is to boost the regions appeal as an arbitral destination.

We want to build a model that strengthens regional cooperation, builds more efficient pathways for resolving commercial disputes, increases access to justice and boosts investor confidence in ASEANs legal frameworks to drive even greater economic growth.

Achieving this objective will depend on robust multilateral partnerships across ASEAN member states alongside the collaboration of government authorities, arbitration bodies, legal experts and industry stakeholders. Together, we can lay the groundwork for a more unified and effective approach to dispute resolution.

As part of our Chairmanship, Malaysia aims to position the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kuala Lumpur as a regional and a global arbitral institution to capture the opportunities arising from the shift of the economic centre of gravity from the West to the East. While Paris and London will undoubtedly maintain their prominence, there is a clear need for alternative arbitration centres within the Global South and particularly in Southeast Asia.

In keeping with the spirit of innovation, and as we navigate an increasingly dynamic global environment, it is essential to embrace new innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) in arbitration. The integration of AI holds significant potential to enhance efficiency, lower costs and simplify the complexities of commercial arbitration and mediation.

However, it is equally important to ensure that the use of AI upholds the core values of integrity, impartiality and fairness that underpin effective alternative dispute resolution.

With the above in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all my fellow ASEAN counterparts to explore avenues for regional cooperation in developing an AI roadmap for alternative dispute resolution. This will ensure that innovation serves our shared principles and strengthens the regions standing in global arbitration practices.

With the latest wave of US tariffs affecting regional supply chains, how does Malaysia view the role of legal cooperation in mitigating potential trade disruptions within ASEAN?

Trade disruptions like these reveal that legal certainty should act as a critical buffer to the economic uncertainty at this juncture. While trade policy itself is not within my portfolio, my focus is ensuring that Malaysias and ASEAN's legal cooperation is strong enough to project stability  especially when markets are unpredictable.

This is where we need to accelerate the legal cooperation within ASEAN. Whether it's cross-border insolvency, contract enforcement or alternative dispute resolution, the goal is a legal ecosystem that inspires investor confidence, even in turbulent times. The upcoming ASEAN Law Forum 2025 will be central to advancing this conversation.

As the current Chair of ASEAN, were also working to raise the bar for regional arbitration standards. The aim is to show that ASEAN  and Malaysia  can set the benchmark for dispute settlement, not just for its members, but for the global community, especially in this era of global fragmentation. VNS
HA NOI  Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China, arrived in Ha Noi at noon on Monday, beginning his two-day state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong.

This is the fourth state visit to Viet Nam by Xi Jinping in his capacity as General Secretary and President of China, and his second visit to Viet Nam within the same term.

Welcoming the Chinese leader at the Noi Bai International Airport were State President Luong Cuong; Tran Cam Tu, Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat; Le Hoai Trung, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Central Committee Office; Tran Sy Thanh, member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee; Nguyen Minh Vu, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Pham Thanh Binh, Ambassador of Viet Nam to China.

Xi is accompanied by Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the committees Secretariat and Chief of the committees Office; Wang Yi, Politburo member, Director of the Office of the CPC Central Committees Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wang Xiaohong, Minister of Public Security; Liu Jianchao, head of the CPC Central Committees International Liaison Commission; Dong Jun, Minister of National Defence; and other officials.

The welcome ceremony for the Chinese top leader and high-level delegation at Noi Bai International Airport featured a vibrant performance by 200 artists from a traditional art ensemble, along with welcome dances by 54 young people dressed in traditional costumes representing Viet Nams ethnic groups.

A large number of Vietnamese citizens, Chinese nationals in Viet Nam, and staff of the Chinese Embassy in Viet Nam were also present at the airport for the welcome ceremony, waving flags of both countries and banners celebrating the traditional friendship between the two nations.

The visit takes place in a special context as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (January 18, 1950-2025). It is expected to further promote and deepen the Viet NamChina Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Viet NamChina Community with a Shared Future that carries strategic significance, elevating bilateral relations to a new height.

Since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in 2008, especially following recent historic mutual visits by top leaders of the two Parties and countries, bilateral relations have witnessed strong, comprehensive, and exceptional development in various aspects.

The two Parties and nations have consistently strived to cultivate bilateral ties, deepen and elevate the partnership. Both sides have outlined the direction of six major orientations which include higher political trust; more substantive defense-security cooperation; deeper practical cooperation; stronger social foundation; closer multilateral coordination; and better management and resolution of differences.

Taking place less than a year after Party General Secretary To Lams state visit to China in August 2024, this visit by Chinas top leader is a major political and diplomatic event for both Parties and nations.

In addition to the strategic significance and long-term impact on Viet NamChina relations as both countries enter a new era of development, the visit carries symbolic and practical importance, sustaining the momentum of positive development across all levels, sectors, and communities, and fostering a vibrant, effective, and meaningful cooperative atmosphere.

During the visit, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping is scheduled to hold important talks and meetings with Party General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Government has proposed granting the Prime Minister authority to approve nuclear power plant investment proposals, which currently come under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly (NA), in a draft revision of the Atomic Energy Law. This significant shift is among several updates presented during the 44th session of the NA Standing Committee on April 14, at which the revised legislation was discussed.

Presenting the bill, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung said the law was drafted to align with four major policy directions previously endorsed by the Government. These include promoting the development and socialisation of atomic energy applications, ensuring radiation and nuclear safety and security, decentralising state management and enhancing nuclear inspection efforts. It also outlines measures for radioactive waste management as well as responses to radiation and nuclear incidents, and clarifies civil liability for nuclear damages.

The revised law introduces new provisions to advance the digital transformation in radiation safety and nuclear applications, strengthens oversight of radioactive and nuclear materials, and expands Government responsibilities in this area. Notably, the draft stipulates that radiation sources and nuclear materials must be secured in accordance with their level of risk and requires institutions to establish and maintain a robust security culture.

Revisions to the law will also enhance accountability for nuclear facility operators and introduce stricter requirements for the design, construction and technical evaluation of nuclear power plants. These provisions aim to align with the Construction Law, the Ordinance on Protection of Critical National Security Infrastructure and international standards, such as those set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Specific exceptions are also made for the special development needs of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

The draft law proposes the elimination of 25 administrative procedures, representing a 32.9 per cent reduction, to simplify implementation. Administrative details will be specified by Government decree, rather than within the law itself. Provisions regarding national councils on nuclear development, nuclear safety and dedicated nuclear science and technology funds have been removed from the draft.

The most notable and potentially controversial proposal is to transfer authority for nuclear power plant investment decisions from the National Assembly to the Prime Minister. This decentralisation move, justified on grounds of efficiency, has sparked debate. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung acknowledged concerns and said the Government would clarify the legal basis. He suggested a tiered approach, allowing the Prime Minister to approve small- and medium-scale projects, while large-scale projects over 2,000MW would still require NA approval.

In its preliminary review, the NA's Standing Committee on Science, Technology and Environment agreed with the need for the revised law and supported most proposed changes. However, Committee Chair Le Quang Huy cautioned against permitting individuals and private organisations to establish radiation facilities, especially those producing or processing radioactive materials, due to safety concerns.

Huy also recommended adding provisions requiring foreign-designed nuclear plants and research reactors to be evaluated and approved by their originating countrys nuclear regulatory bodies, while accounting for Viet Nams specific safety and security conditions. For domestically designed reactors, the law should include requirements consistent with IAEA safety and security standards, Huy stated. Furthermore, the definition of 'proven technologies' used in the draft must be clarified, especially regarding which authority verifies these technologies.

The revised Atomic Energy Law is scheduled for discussion at the NAs ninth session, opening on May 5. The outcome of the debate could reshape the future governance of nuclear energy in Viet Nam and determine how the country positions itself in the global energy transition.  VNS
HA NOI  China is ready to work with Viet Nam to ever cherish the bilateral long-standing friendship and common mission, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping.

The top Chinese leader made the statement right after arriving at the Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi on Monday noon, beginning his two-day state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) respectfully introduces a translation of the statement:

It gives me great pleasure to begin my fourth state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Comrade To Lam and President of Viet Nam Comrade Luong Cuong. Upon my arrival in Ha Noi, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people, warm greetings and best wishes to the brotherly CPV, Vietnamese government and Vietnamese people.

This year marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPV, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam (which is now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam), and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South. The CPV is rallying and leading the Vietnamese people to march toward the Two Centenary Goals of the Party and the country. Viet Nam is achieving a steady rise in peoples living standards, greater international and regional influence, and encouraging results in its socialist industrialisation and modernisation drive. The Chinese side is truly delighted to see all of this. I believe that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by Comrade To Lam, Viet Nam will surely advance along the socialist path suited to its national conditions, accomplish all tasks set at the 13th CPV National Congress, prepare for a successful 14th CPV National Congress, and break new ground in the cause of the Party and the country.

China and Viet Nam are socialist neighbours connected by mountains and rivers, and we are a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. In our tumultuous struggle for national independence and liberation, our two sides fought shoulder to shoulder, supported each other, and formed a deep friendship between not just two brothers, but also two comrades. In the course of seeking the socialist path suited to our national conditions, our two sides learn from each other and forge ahead hand in hand, demonstrating to the world the bright prospects of the socialist system. During my state visit to Viet Nam in 2023, the two sides announced that we would build a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. That decision steered the relations between our two parties and two countries into a new phase.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Viet Nam diplomatic ties and the China-Viet Nam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which bring new opportunities to the building of the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future. Standing at this new starting point, China is ready to work with Viet Nam to ever cherish our long-standing friendship and common mission, seize the opportunities of the times, carry out cooperation against higher standards, in more areas and in greater depth, and deliver more benefits to our two peoples, the region and the world at large. During this visit, I will have in-depth exchanges of views with Vietnamese leaders and comrades on overarching and strategic issues critical to the direction of the relations between our two parties and countries and on international and regional issues of mutual interest, and we will jointly draw up a new blueprint for building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future.

May Viet Nam enjoy prosperity and its people happiness!

May the China-Viet Nam traditional friendship be passed from generation to generation and the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance make new and greater progress!  VNS
A NANG  The Filipino Coast Guard ship, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), and its 84-member crew, led by Colonel Eleizer Gonzales Ibarientos, began a goodwill visit to the central city of a Nang starting Monday.

During their four-day visit, the crew members will take part in some joint-exercise programmes in rescue and search at sea, some training sessions on how to tackle maritime fires, alongside some more relaxed sporting activities with the Vietnamese Coast Guard forces Zone 2.

The ship is the first to visit since the Philippines coast guard forces signed a Memorandum of Understanding with their Vietnamese counterpart last year. It underscores both sides commitment to enhancing mutual understanding, trust and coordination in maritime law enforcement.

Forces from the Philippines coast guard will also meet the citys Peoples Committee sometime during the four days.

In 2024, the Vietnamese Coast Guard ship, 8002, paid an official visit to Manila as part of a friendship exchange programme.

Viet Nam and the Philippines will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership ties of the two countries in 2025.

a Nang is home to eight investment projects from the Philippines, worth a total of US$11 million, the city reported.

Since 2023, Cebu Pacific Air has operated the Manila-a Nang air route, with three flights per week.

The connections will be expanded with Philippines Airlines planning to start flights between Manila and a Nang with seven flights a week from July 1, according to the a Nang International Terminal company (AHT).  VNS
China urges U.S. to cancel "reciprocal tariffs": commerce ministry

Xinhua) 08:08, April 14, 2025

BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. side should completely cancel the wrong practice of "reciprocal tariffs" and return to the right path of resolving differences through mutual respect and equal dialogue, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday.

The U.S. side has released a memorandum exempting certain products such as computers, smartphones, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and integrated circuits from "reciprocal tariffs." China is assessing the related impact of this move, a spokesperson with the ministry said.

It should be noted that this is a small step for the U.S. side to correct its wrong practice of unilateral "reciprocal tariffs," which hasn't solved the United States' problems but seriously undermined the international economic and trade order, disrupted the normal production and operation of enterprises, and affected people's daily consumption, the spokesperson said.

China's position on China-U.S. economic and trade relations is consistent, the spokesperson said, adding that there is no winner in a trade war and no way out for protectionism.

China urges the U.S. side to take seriously the rational voices of the international community and domestic parties, and take a big step forward in correcting wrongdoings, the spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
HA NOI  The official visit to Viet Nam by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his wife, is expected to create fresh impetus to develop the Viet NamEthiopia relationship more intensively, extensively and practically, said a diplomat.

At the invitation of PM Pham Minh Chinh, the Ethiopian Prime Minister will be on an official visit to Viet Nam until April 17, during which he will also attend the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent in Africa, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Tanzania Vu Thanh Huyen, who is concurrently in charge of Ethiopia, said the visit was expected to accelerate negotiations on key agreements in such areas as trade, investment, aviation, science and technology, agriculture and cybersecurity. It also aimed to enhance Viet Nam's presence and image across Africa, particularly in Ethiopia.

She noted that the visit would come as the two countries were preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026 (December 23, 19762026). This would mark a significant milestone, demonstrating mutual respect for the traditional friendship and cooperation cultivated over nearly five decades. It also reflected both countries strategic vision and aspirations to advance the bilateral ties in a new stage of development.

Notably, the combination of the bilateral visit with the participation in the P4G Summit underscored Ethiopias recognition of Viet Nam's growing role in multilateral frameworks, and its desire to cooperate with Viet Nam on global initiatives addressing climate change, green growth, innovation and sustainable development. This also vividly illustrated the two countries proactive, responsible and cooperative spirit in advancing common international interests.

During the visit, PM Abiy Ahmed will meet with Viet Nam's senior leaders to discuss the bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. He is also expected to participate in the P4G Summit and engage with the Vietnamese business community to promote economic and trade cooperation.

Commenting on nearly half a century of Viet NamEthiopia relations, Huyen noted that political ties between the two countries had always remained positive, with mutual support in regional and global forums.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, in the past three years, bilateral trade had averaged around US$1015 million annually. Last year, two-way trade turnover reached $13.1 million, with Viet Nam's exports accounting for $7.11 million and imports $6.06 million. Although the trade volume remained modest, the potential for economic collaboration was substantial. Viet Nam exported agricultural products, consumer goods, and industrial items such as machinery, equipment, fibres and chemicals to Ethiopia. In return, Ethiopia exported coffee, spices and minerals to Viet Nam, including textile materials and leather products.

According to the ambassador, Viet Nam and Ethiopia are both rapidly developing nations with a shared commitment to innovation, green transition, and digital transformation as key drivers of sustainable economic growth.

To support each other in achieving these objectives, the two countries can implement a range of concrete measures. Viet Nam, with its accumulated experience in green transition and digital transformation as well as innovation, particularly in the fields of agriculture and information technology, can share its knowledge and best practices for Ethiopia to adapt to its local conditions.

Strengthening collaboration in research and development, especially in green industries, renewable energy and digital technology, will not only contribute to sustainable solutions but also generate employment opportunities in both countries. In addition, Viet Nam can support Ethiopia in developing a skilled workforce by offering training programmes and scholarships, particularly in high potential sectors such as information technology, modern agriculture and environmentally-friendly industries.

Investment opportunities in renewable energy, high-tech agriculture and green industries can also be further explored, establishing a solid foundation for long-term cooperation between the two nations.  VNS
HA NOI  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam hosted an official welcome ceremony for General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi on Monday afternoon, with the highest protocol reserved for a head of state.

Welcoming the top Chinese leader at the ceremony were high-ranking officials of Viet Nam, including Tran Cam Tu, Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee (PCC)s Secretariat; Le Minh Hung, Politburo member, Secretary of the PCC, and Chairman of the PCCs Organisation Commission; Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the PCC and Chairman of its Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation; o Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the PCC and President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee; and General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Minister of National Defence; General Luong Tam Quang, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security; Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the PCC and Chief of the PCC Office; Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the PCC and Chairman of its Commission for Polices and Strategies; Vo Thi Anh Xuan, member of the PCC and Vice State President; Bui Thanh Son, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Tran Quang Phuong, member of the PCC, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Viet Nam-China Frienship Parliamentary Group, among others.

Following the official welcome ceremony, Party General Secretary To Lam held talks with Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping.

The top Chinese leaders state visit is a significant political and diplomatic event for both Parties and countries, carrying strategic importance and long-term impact on the development of the bilateral relations, especially as both nations are entering a new era of development.

Notably, the trip takes place during the Viet Nam-China Year of Humanistic Exchanges in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations (19502025).

Since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in 2008, especially following the historic visits by top leaders of the two Parties and countries in recent years, the bilateral relations have seen strong, comprehensive, and remarkable progress across various fields.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Viet Nam - China Youth Forum took place in Ha Noi on Monday, offering a valuable platform for delegates from both countries to share experiences and discuss key priorities in youth education.

The forum also focused on the role and responsibilities of Vietnamese and Chinese youth in steadfastly upholding and creatively applying the path of national independence associated with socialism in the present context.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, emphasised that youth in both nations are entrusted with a historic mission in an era marked by uncertainty and unprecedented transformations. As opportunities and challenges become increasingly intertwined, he urged young people to be more dynamic and committed than ever in contributing to national development.

To meet todays urgent and evolving demands, Thao stressed the need for every young individual and youth organisation to boldly reform their approaches and working styles. In this endeavour, Vietnamese and Chinese youth continue to stand side by side, exchanging effective practices, practical models, and innovative ideas. This cooperation, he said, plays a vital role in deepening the long-standing Viet NamChina friendship, which has often been described as a bond of both comrades and brothers.

Highlighting the power of cultural exchange in building a shared community, Shen Peng Ming from Guangxi Television Station noted that the foundation of Viet NamChina friendship lies with the people and its future rests with the younger generation.

In the face of global uncertainties, and under the leadership of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam To Lam, youth from both countries are stepping confidently onto the world stage together.

Shen shared lively examples of cultural exchange, from the viral popularity of Vietnamese durian cakes paired with Guangxi-style snail noodles, to the growing presence of Viet Nam's G7 coffee in the hands of young Chinese consumers. These trends, he said, are vivid proof that cultural interactions can transcend differences and foster mutual understanding. Such exchange is further reflected in the blending of Viet Nam's ao dai and Chinas qipao, the revival of ancient ong Son drum motifs in contemporary design, and cross-cultural creativity in the age of artificial intelligence.

In his closing speech, Bui Quang Huy, First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, emphasised a unifying message that resonated throughout the event: the importance of remaining steadfast and innovative in following the socialist path under the wise leadership of the Communist Parties of both countries.

The forum reaffirmed the crucial role of youth as a dynamic social force that leads in innovation, embraces national responsibilities, and serves as a reliable reserve for the Party. Youth are not only the future, he said, but also a vital driving force for sustainable development in both Viet Nam and China.  VNS
HA NOI  The National Assembly (NA) is preparing for a constitutional amendment process, described as a 'critical and complex' task linked to the countrys ongoing efforts to streamline its political apparatus, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man said on Monday.

Speaking at the 44th session of the NAs Standing Committee, Man emphasised that the 2013 Constitution's revision would involve a vast workload and the coordination of multiple institutions. The proposed changes aimed to support a broader policy of consolidating and reorganising Viet Nams political structures.

The session would review proposals to amend certain articles of the 2013 Constitution, establish a drafting committee, and conduct a month-long public consultation. Man stressed that this legislative agenda would mark the largest undertaking since the current term began.

According to the legislative schedule, lawmakers will deliberate and vote on 30 laws and seven resolutions, while also giving feedback on six additional draft laws. Some of these will follow the existing legislative process under the 2015 Law on Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents, while others will proceed under newly revised procedures set out in the 2025 amendment.

"Whether the responsibility lies with the Standing Committee, or proposing agencies, all stakeholders must coordinate closely and ensure high consensus before presenting drafts to the NA for approval," Man said.

As Viet Nam prepares to merge provincial-level units and dissolve district-level entities, the constitutional amendments are expected to play a central role in enabling structural reforms.

Man acknowledged the process would have significant implications for the governance and leadership functions of the Communist Party and the Government.

Despite the urgency, Man criticised delays in submitting supporting materials, particularly for economic and fiscal matters. He urged the Government to expedite documentation and align with the sessions schedule to avoid bottlenecks.

The Standing Committee is also tasked with finalising resolutions on restructuring commune-level units and will review provincial-level merger proposals, provided the Government submits them in time.

Central authorities have endorsed a plan to reduce the number of communes nationwide by about two-thirds.

In a warning against overloading the session, Man advised postponing less urgent items unrelated to institutional reform, science, or innovation. He also called on the Government to promptly issue guidance for laws already passed to ensure swift implementation.

The current session is seen as a 'final sprint' ahead of the 9th NA session. Man urged agencies to finalise documents promptly after each agenda item and align with the 11th Central Committees resolutions to ensure timely distribution to deputies.

Citizen feedback has been actively collected through outreach efforts. Duong Thanh Binh, Head of the Standing Committee's Ombudsman Commission, reported that 2,033 public petitions were submitted, of which 96.1 per cent had received responses.

In a report in March, Binh said voters were largely supportive of the proposed administrative reforms and commended socio-economic progress in the first quarter of 2025.

However, public concerns persist over misinformation on social media about the restructuring, rising fire incidents, unauthorised medical practices and a growing measles outbreak.

Additionally, recent US tariff hikes on Vietnamese exports raised fears over employment and domestic production. Binh urged the Government to enhance communication on restructuring efforts and continue economic dialogue with the US to mitigate trade impacts.

Man praised government agencies for timely responses to voter petitions ahead of the 8th session and urged further improvements in responsiveness and transparency. He called for stronger inter-agency coordination and deeper analysis of unresolved citizen concerns, including the review of outdated legal texts.

The Committees session will run in two phases, from now until April 17 and April 22 to 28.  VNS
HA NOI  Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his spouse Zinash Tayachew arrived in Ha Noi on Monday afternoon, beginning their four-day official visit to Viet Nam and attendance at the fourth Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse.

PM Abiy Ahmed Ali and his entourage were welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang and Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania and Ethiopia Vu Thanh Huyen.

Viet Nam and Ethiopia established diplomatic relations on February 23, 1976, and are moving toward the 50th founding anniversary of their ties in 2026. The two countries enjoy a longstanding friendship and regularly support each other at multilateral forums.

This is the first official visit to Viet Nam by a high-ranking Ethiopian leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976. It is also the first high-level delegation exchange between Viet Nam and Ethiopia in seven years.

In his previous meetings with Vietnamese leaders, the Ethiopian PM always affirmed that his country attaches importance to and wishes to strengthen relations with Viet Nam.

The Communist Party of Viet Nam maintains good relations with Ethiopias Prosperity Party (the ruling party) and previously with the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (19882019). High-ranking leaders of the two Parties frequently exchange greetings and congratulations on the occasion of each other's congresses. The two sides consistently support one another at multilateral forums and international organisations.

In terms of economy, trade and investment, Ethiopia has recognised Viet Nam as a market economy since 2014. Two-way trade in the past four years has stood at US$10-15 million. MK Group, the only Vietnamese enterprise with a joint venture in smart card production in Ethiopia with a capital contribution of 60 per cent, is promoting cooperation in the field of cyber security and information security serving defence purposes.  VNS
HA NOI  o Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF), received in Ha Noi on Monday a delegation from the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), led by First Secretary of its Central Committee A Dong.

Chien praised the outcomes of the ongoing 24th Viet Nam-China youth friendship meeting in Viet Nam and affirmed that, in his current capacity, he would do his utmost to support bilateral youth cooperation.

He recommended that in the time ahead, the two communist youth unions be at the core of efforts to nurture the countries traditional friendship among the younger generations via experiential activities and exchanges at "red addresses" and joint visits to each others historical sites, thereby boosting communications on the enduring bilateral ties. The official also encouraged increased educational exchange between Vietnamese and Chinese students.

Chien expressed his delight at the growing traditional friendship between the two countries, especially following the state visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam in August 2024, the third state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping in December 2023, and his fourth state visit to Viet Nam on April 14-15.

He noted that the two countries are navigating a world marked by rapid and unpredictable changes. Party General Secretary To Lam and his Chinese guest Xi Jinping, during this April 14-15 visit, are expected to share high-level common perceptions regarding global, regional, and national developments. On that foundation, Chien said the youth of both countries should be at the forefront of implementing major policies and cooperative efforts to ensure the sides resilience and progress amid global uncertainty.

For his part, A Dong affirmed that the two top leaders highly value the role of youth friendship exchanges and the 24th meeting is a concrete step in realising their common perceptions.

He commended Viet Nams achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party, led by General Secretary Lam, taking into account the countrys thriving economy, societal stability, and dynamic youth population.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the 24th meeting, A Dong shared that the Vietnamese and Chinese youth delegations held a forum and agreed to further uphold bilateral traditional friendship, promote the role of youth in each countrys modernisation efforts, and work together to build the Viet Nam-China community with a shared future.  VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State consistently regard the development of relations with China as an objective necessity, a strategic choice and a top priority in Viet Nams foreign policy.

He made the remarks on Monday while holding talks with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee and President of China, Xi Jinping. The talks followed the official welcome ceremony for the top Chinese leader. This two-day trip marks President Xis fourth visit to Viet Nam as Chinas top Party and State leader and his second during his current term.

Lam extended a warm welcome to the Chinese leader and the high-level Chinese delegation on their State visit, which coincides with the Viet NamChina Year of People-to-People Exchanges and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. He expressed confidence that the visit would become a new milestone in the history of bilateral ties, helping to further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and promoting the building of a Viet NamChina community with a shared future of strategic significance.

Xi expressed his pleasure at returning to Viet Nam, noting that choosing Viet Nam as the first destination of his overseas visits in 2025 underscored the high regard the Chinese Party and State place on ChinaViet Nam relations, as well as the profound friendship between the two nations.

He affirmed Chinas readiness to engage in in-depth discussions on strengthening traditional ties, charting a strategic vision for building a ChinaViet Nam community with a shared future under the 'six priorities' framework [higher political trust, more practical and deeper defence - security cooperation, more substantive and deeper cooperation, more solid social foundation, closer multilateral coordination, and better control and settlement of differences], and working together to contribute to peace and development within the global community.

As comrades and brothers on the path of socialist modernisation, China and Viet Nam must strengthen solidarity and cooperation, advance together, strive for the well-being of their peoples and make greater contributions to the progress of humanity, Xi said.

Xi praised Viet Nam's achievements in recent years, noting that under the leadership of the Vietnamese Party and State, the country had achieved significant successes through the oi Moi (Renewal) process and steadily enhanced its international standing.

He highly valued the bold and effective reforms implemented by the Vietnamese Party and State, expressing confidence that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, headed by General Secretary To Lam, the Vietnamese people would successfully achieve their development goals and lead the nation into a new era.

He also shared that China had recently convened a central conference on neighbourhood diplomacy, where the vision of building 'five major homes' of peace, tranquillity, prosperity, beauty and friendship with neighbouring countries was affirmed. This vision is based on the principles of harmony, mutual security, shared prosperity and sincere, inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The top Chinese leader reiterated that China would steadfastly pursue a policy of friendship with Viet Nam, consistently regarding Viet Nam as a top priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and would firmly support Viet Nams prosperity and the happiness of its people.

At the talks, the two leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on the situations in their respective parties and countries, bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They agreed that ties between the two Parties and countries had made substantial progress in recent years under the 'six priorities' framework. High-level and multi-tiered strategic exchanges had intensified, while practical cooperation across sectors had yielded tangible results, particularly in economic and trade growth.

The foundation of friendship had been further solidified, with notable achievements in tourism, education, culture and local-to-local exchanges. Both sides also cooperated effectively within multilateral frameworks and maintained open, sincere dialogues to manage outstanding issues.

Looking ahead, both leaders agreed to continue regular high-level exchanges and to elevate the strategic dialogue mechanisms between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Public Security, to the ministerial level. They also committed to strengthening practical cooperation across all sectors, including the establishment of an inter-governmental railway cooperation committee to promote rail connectivity.

The two sides will jointly organise activities to celebrate the Viet NamChina Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2025, further strengthen public support for the relationship, enhance multilateral coordination and manage differences in a constructive and appropriate manner.

During high-level talks, General Secretary Lam proposed that Viet Nam and China maintain regular strategic exchanges and strengthen cooperation between the two Parties and across key sectors, particularly diplomacy, defence and security.

He emphasised the importance of promoting strategic transportation infrastructure connectivity and called for preferential access to concessional loans, technology transfer and human resource training. Both sides should exert their utmost efforts to ensure the timely implementation of the Lao Cai  Ha Noi  Hai Phong railway project, he said.

The Vietnamese leader also proposed that digital transformation and sciencetechnology cooperation be made a new highlight in Viet NamChina relations. He encouraged both countries to strengthen collaboration in critical technological sectors, promote more balanced trade and attract high-quality Chinese investments into Viet Nam. He stressed the need to prioritise landmark and model projects, and expressed hope that China would support major cities including Ha Noi in tackling urban air pollution challenges.

Lam further called for strengthening the social foundation of bilateral ties by enhancing public awareness and education, particularly among the younger generation, about the long-standing friendship between the two countries. He suggested organising a theoretical seminar between the two Parties this year and expanding education cooperation, especially in training high-quality human resources across all fields, including basic sciences and emerging strategic technologies.

In response, General Secretary and President Xi called for deepening mutual strategic trust and intensifying exchanges on governance experience. Xi emphasised the importance of aligning Chinas Belt and Road Initiative with Viet Nams 'Two Corridors, One Belt' framework, and said China was ready to welcome more Vietnamese goods into its vast market and to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Viet Nam.

He highlighted the need for stronger cooperation in industrial and supply chains, and for expanded collaboration in cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, semiconductors, green development and the transformation of scientific and technological innovations into productive capacity.

Xi also advocated for more diverse and vibrant people-to-people exchanges, including cultural and friendship activities that tell compelling stories of Viet NamChina friendship. He announced that over the next three years, China will invite Vietnamese youth to join the 'Red Journey' study programme on the revolutionary histories of both countries.

On cooperation in multilateral forums, Xi expressed support for stronger judicial and law enforcement collaboration between the two countries within the LancangMekong Cooperation framework.

The two top leaders agreed to instruct their respective ministries and sectors to actively seek effective ways to properly handle differences and promote cooperation in line with the new stage of Viet NamChina relations. They reaffirmed their commitment to resolving disputes on the basis of international law, strictly adhering to the consensus between ASEAN and China on the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea [called the East Sea in Viet Nam] (DOC), and working toward an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Following the talks, the two leaders reviewed and were briefed on 45 cooperation agreements signed across various fields between Party agencies, ministries, sectors and localities of both countries.

On the same day, Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and attended a state banquet hosted in his honour by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the state visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping in Ha Noi on Monday, hailing it as the most important high-level engagement in bilateral ties this year.

PM Chinh expressed appreciation for Xis four visits to Viet Nam in his capacity as Party General Secretary and President of China, believing that this historic milestone will provide strategic direction and fresh impetus to further foster ties between the two Parties and countries.

He congratulated China on achieving its first centenary goal, highlighting the countrys rapid post-COVID recovery, substantial contributions to global economic growth and breakthroughs in key technologies. He voiced confidence that the Chinese Party, State, and people will successfully realise their second centenary goal.

Highlighting Viet Nams recent socio-economic progress, PM Chinh reaffirmed the nations commitment to its three strategic breakthroughs and strategic quartet approach, which prioritise advancements in sci-tech, a lean and efficient administrative system, private sector growth, and an independent, self-reliant, globally integrated economy.

Viet Nam consistently considers the development of relations with China an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority, he said, adding that Viet Nam is determined to advance the building of a Viet NamChina community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

To nurture bilateral ties, PM Chinh proposed strengthening political trust to guide overall relations, maintaining regular exchanges between top Party and State leaders, and institutionalising contacts between the two PMs. He advocated for enhanced national defence-security cooperation as a cornerstone of the relationship and called for mutual support within multilateral frameworks.

He urged both nations to enhance the quality and effectiveness of practical cooperation, particularly in railway development, prioritising credit arrangements, technology transfer, and workforce training. He proposed the early signing of an ODA loan agreement to commence construction of the Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong railway in 2025, alongside advancing other key routes such as ong ang-Ha Noi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong. He also called for balanced and sustainable trade growth, urging China to facilitate greater market access for Vietnamese agricultural products and other goods.

The leader called for an accelerated partnership in developing new productive forces, with a primary focus on sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation. He stressed the importance of launching large-scale, symbolic projects in Viet Nam, creating new benchmarks in environmental and financial cooperation, deepening collaboration in culture, education, tourism, and aviation, while enhancing exchanges and coordination within multilateral frameworks.

PM Chinh also proposed the two sides continuing to build a boderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and maintain peace and stability at sea, creating a favourable environment for the development of each country. He emphasised the need to adhere to high-level common perceptions, effectively manage and appropriately resolve disagreements in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect, in accordance with international law, including the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Xi expressed his joy to choose Viet Nam as the first destination for his overseas visit in 2025, saying that this decision fully demonstrates the high regard the Chinese Party and Government for the China-Viet Nam relations and the friendship between the two countries' people.

Showing his impression of the strong momentum of Viet Nam's oi moi (renewal) process, Xi congratulated Viet Nam on its significant achievements in socio-economic development, particularly its high and stable economic growth. He also wished Viet Nam success in organising the 14th National Party Congress, ushering the country into an era of prosperity and growth.

The Chinese leader affirmed that the Party and Government of China are committed to a friendship policy towards Viet Nam, and always consider Viet Nam a priority in their neighbouring diplomacy. He reiterated China's firm support for Viet Nam's path of socialism, tailored to its specific circumstances, stating that China stands ready to work with Viet Nam to build a community with a shared future between the two countries, guided by the six major orientations, contributing to the advancement of humanity.

He expressed his pleasure at the positive results achieved during his talks with Viet Nam's Party General Secretary To Lam, noting that the two sides also signed over 40 cooperation agreements, covering substantial and comprehensive areas, which generated many fruitful outcomes for the visit.

Xi praised PM Chinh for his important contributions to promoting cooperation across areas between the two countries.

He highly valued Chinhs proposals for strengthening relations between the two parties and countries, expressing his hope that the two sides will make full use of existing exchange mechanisms, especially the Steering Committee for bilateral cooperation; collaboration in the party, government, and parliament channels, as well as among key ministries such as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Public Security.

The two sides should seize development opportunities in science and technology, leverage the geographical proximity between the two countries to tap into economic cooperation potential, and actively promote railway cooperation mechanism.

Xi affirmed that China is willing to expand the import of Vietnamese agricultural products and encourage Chinese enterprises to increase high-quality investment in Viet Nam.

He suggested the two sides effectively organise activities within the framework of the Year of China-Viet Nam Humanistic Exchange 2025, launch tourism routes, and strengthen cooperation in education and healthcare to bring tangible benefits to the two nations people.

He also called on relevant ministries and sectors of the two countries to actively implement cooperation projects, properly manage differences based on high-level common perceptions, and promote cooperation at sea, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the region and the world.  VNS
HA NOI  Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man on April 14 met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping, who is paying a state visit to Viet Nam from April 14-15.

During the meeting, the top legislator stressed that Viet Nam and China are close neighbours, bound by a longstanding traditional friendship that has been nurtured over generations by the leaders and people of both nations.

He said Xis fourth state visit to Viet Nam in his capacity as the top leader of the Chinese Party and State not only underscores the importance attached to the two countries comprehensive cooperation, but also marks a significant milestone, opening up a new phase in strengthening and developing the bilateral relationship of being both comrades and brothers.

Man expressed his satisfaction with the broad achievements and key common perceptions reached during the high-level talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and the top leader of China. He particularly noted their strategic consensus and comprehensive orientations for deepening the Viet Nam  China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and building the Viet Nam  China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. He affirmed that the Vietnamese NA stands ready to collaborate closely with the National Peoples Congress of China (NPC) to strengthen the role of the two legislative bodies in translating these common perceptions into reality.

The Chinese leader responded by noting his engagements with General Secretary Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. He expressed his delight at witnessing the remarkable progress Viet Nam has made in nearly four decades of its oi moi (renewal) process and remarked on the solid foundation underpinning the friendship between the two parties and nations.

Xi observed that both countries are entering critical phases in their respective national development strategies. He stressed the need to intensify efforts in building the Viet Nam  China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, injecting fresh momentum and stability into global development.

The Vietnamese leader further asserted that cooperation between the NA and NPC has become a key pillar in the bilateral relationship, offering a strong foundation for its sustainable development. He praised the parliamentary channel for its role in promoting strategic dialogue and experience sharing in terms of legislative, inspection and decision-making matters involving major national issues, therefore helping reinforce political trust and facilitate practical cooperation initiatives between the two nations.

Regarding future cooperation, NA Chairman Man emphasised that the legislative bodies play an increasingly important role in each countrys socialism building and socio-economic development.

He stated that the Vietnamese NA will continue working closely with the NPC through mechanisms such as high-level delegation exchanges, specialised committees, parliamentary friendship groups, and multilateral parliamentary forums. These efforts aim to improve national governance and serve as a vital bridge, bringing the voices of the two peoples closer together, thereby strengthening the social foundation of the Viet NamChina relationship.

The Chinese leader agreed on the need to enhance exchanges via Party, the NPC/National Assembly, and the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference/Viet Nam Fatherland Front channels. He stressed the importance of sharing legislative experience and jointly building a robust legal framework for major cooperation projects, including the construction of three standard-gauge railway lines connecting the two countries.

He expressed his desire for greater experience exchanges between the specialised bodies of the two legislatures in building a socialist rule-of-law state and developing whole-process peoples democracy. He also called for increased thematic legal exchanges, joint efforts to uphold the tradition of cooperation between the two Parties, and stronger people-to-people ties.

Xi also advocated for enhanced multilateral cooperation and effective management of differences at sea to continuously consolidate and advance the friendly neighbourliness, helping promote the ChinaViet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Expressing support for Mans proposals, Xi affirmed Chinas full backing for stronger exchanges and cooperation between the NPCs and the Vietnamese NA. He also welcomed Chairman Man to visit China to further deepen legislative ties.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese leaders have sent letters of congratulations and bouquets to the Lao and Cambodian sides on the occasion of the traditional Bun Pi May festival in Laos and the Chol Chhnam Thmey festival in Cambodia.

Party General Secretary To Lam extended his greetings to Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, and Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

State President Luong Cuong also sent New Year wishes to Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent congratulations to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man extended greetings to Lao NA Chairman Xaysomphone Phomvihane, and Cambodian Senate President Samdech Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, and National Assembly President Samdech Moha Rotsaphea Thipadei Khuon Sudary.

In their letters, the Vietnamese leaders congratulated Laos on its achievements over the past year and expressed confidence in the countrys continued progress.

They affirmed Viet Nams commitment to further strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, contributing to peace and development in the region and the world.

They also praised Cambodias development achievements in the face of challenges and expressed belief in the countrys future. The Vietnamese leaders highlighted the significance of recent high-level meetings between the two sides, as well as the trilateral meeting of the Vietnamese, Cambodian and Lao Party leaders held in February 2025. They expressed hope that the positive outcomes of these meetings would be translated into concrete actions, deepening the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between the nations.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent a congratulatory letter to Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Acting Head of the Lao Party Central Committees External Relations Commission Bounleua Phandanouvong, as well as Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Head of the CPPs External Relations Commission Prak Sokhonn.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed that salaries for civil servants should be based on job positions, calculated using the average pay in the private sector, in a move aimed at improving livelihoods and retaining talent in the public sector.

The salary framework should be benchmarked against average wages in the private sector.

This is essential to ensure that officials and civil servants can work with peace of mind, and it would help prevent negative practices, combat corruption and curb the brain drain, the ministry said.

In a report compiling international best practices to support the revision of Viet Nams Law on Cadres and Civil Servants, the ministry has made several recommendations, with remuneration being a key focus.

The report said many countries design salary structures for public servants comprising base salary, bonuses and various allowances such as for travel, accommodation or hardship zones, without including separate allowances for official positions since pay is determined by job roles.

Salaries are typically calculated based on the national average income, particularly referencing private sector standards.

The ministry cited China as an example, where civil servants are paid fully and on time.

They also receive regional and hardship allowances, housing support, healthcare subsidies and end-of-year bonuses for outstanding performances.

In Japan, the National Personnel Authority researches and proposes salary frameworks aligned with job classification and the country's economic context. The proposals are submitted to Parliament and the Cabinet for approval.

The framework includes criteria for salary increases (such as years of service, job difficulty and performance), job classification, overtime and holiday pay, and allowances for hazardous or specialist work. Adjustments of salary and bonus levels will be made based on family dependents, part-time status, necessary equipment for civil servants' lives and other job positions with special working conditions.

The salary structure is shaped by living costs, private sector wage levels and other relevant conditions. The National Personnel Authority establishes detailed pay scales and bands for each job type.

In Thailand, meanwhile, the salary structure includes salaries, allowances, annual bonuses (based on performance until retirement or resignation) and pensions in its civil service pay structure. Position-based allowances are excluded from bonus and pension calculations. Civil servants who demonstrate integrity, discipline and effectiveness may be recommended for pay increases by their supervisors.

In the United States, performance-based pay and incentive bonuses are central to the civil service remuneration system. Pay rises depend on job performance rather than seniority. Equal pay is mandated for work of equal value, taking into account national, regional and private sector benchmarks. High-performing employees are recognised through targeted incentives.

In France, civil servants receive base pay along with allowances for housing and family circumstances. Bonuses and additional allowances are granted according to official regulations. Family-related allowances are based on the number of dependents under a civil servants care.

In New Zealand, the average monthly salary for civil servants ranges at NZ$1,333-4,191 (US$768-2,417), including benefits such as housing and transport. Salaries are determined by experience and educational qualifications.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Education and Training is currently seeking public feedback on a proposal to end tuition fees for children attending public kindergartens, primary, secondary and high schools.

The initiative is outlined in a draft resolution of the National Assembly, aiming to waive tuition fees across all levels of public general education, from preschool to upper secondary.

According to the proposal, the State budget would be used to subsidise tuition fees for preschool children and high school students attending public kindergartens and general education schools, public continuing education centres and other public institutions, implementing the general education curriculum that are self-financing their regular and investment expenditures.

The State budget would also be used to support tuition fees for preschool children and high school students attending non-public kindergartens and general education schools, including private and semi-public institutions, that deliver the national general education curriculum.

The maximum tuition support would be based on the ceiling level of fees applicable to public institutions that have not yet achieved full financial autonomy, as determined annually by the provincial Peoples Councils.

The ministry has proposed the new tuition exemption policy be implemented from the 202526 academic year.

The ministry explained that the draft resolution aims to establish a unified 'no tuition fees' policy across public general education institutions, including preschools, lower and upper secondary schools and reaffirm the existing no-fee policy for public primary education, ensuring that learners, at all levels in public schools, are not required to pay tuition.

Currently, under the 2019 Law on Education, only five-year-old children in public preschool, primary pupils and secondary students in public schools are legally exempt from tuition fees.

The ministry said the policy would directly benefit citizens by easing financial burdens, especially for those in difficult economic circumstances.

The savings on tuition could stimulate consumer spending on other goods and services, while also fostering public trust in the Government and the Party.

The estimated increase in State expenditure resulting from the proposed policy is VN8.2 trillion (US$316 million).

According to the ministrys analysis, based on 202324 academic year data, Viet Nam currently has approximately 23.2 million students.

Of these, 21.5 million attend public schools (93 per cent) and 1.7 million are enrolled in non-public institutions (7 per cent).

A breakdown by education level shows 4.8 million preschool children (3.8 million in public, one million in private), 8.8 million primary school pupils, 6.5 million lower secondary students and 2.99 million upper secondary students.

The ministry calculated funding needs based on the minimum tuition thresholds set in Decrees No. 81/2021/N-CP and No. 97/2023/N-CP.

Accordingly, the total annual budget required to cover tuition waivers for students in public institutions and to provide financial support for those in private schools delivering the national general education curriculum is estimated to be around VN30 trillion ($1.15 billion).

Currently, the State budget allocation to maintain tuition exemptions for five-year-old pre-schoolers, primary pupils and lower secondary students is at VN22.5 trillion ($867 million) annually.

Thus, the additional budget needed to implement the full tuition-free policy, as proposed in the National Assembly resolution, would amount to VN8.2 trillion ($316 million).  VNS
HCM CITY Representatives from 18 German universities visited Viet Nam last week for a series of higher education networking events in Ha Noi and HCM City.

The delegation, invited by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), met with representatives from 25 Vietnamese universities, exploring new ways to enhance academic collaboration and reinforce existing partnerships.

The initiative comes as both countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The visit also included two major education fairs, where German institutions engaged directly with Vietnamese students, offering insights into academic and student life in Germany. According to DAAD, more than 2,000 students attended the events.

Viet Nam and Germany have long been close partners in academic cooperation. Nearly 200 joint programmes connect German and Vietnamese universities, and over 7,000 Vietnamese students are pursuing degrees in Germany.

At receptions held during the visit, German Ambassador to Viet Nam Helga Margarete Barth and Deputy Consul General in HCM City Christopher Scholl reaffirmed Germanys commitment to expanding academic cooperation with Viet Nam.

The Director General of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Education and Training, Nguyen Thu Thuy, emphasised the importance of international partnerships for advancing Viet Nams higher education and scientific research.

She described Germany as a "key partner" in these efforts.

Germany is home to more than 400,000 international students and over 75,000 researchers, positioning itself as a global hub for academic exchange and DAAD plays a central role in fostering these international ties.  VNS
More than 5,000 members of the armed forces participated in the first full-scale rehearsal of the military parade, preparing for the 50th anniversary of the National Reunification on April 30 in Ho Chi Minh City
As part of that of push, FECON Corporation and Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) have signed an MoU for a comprehensive strategic partnership to develop key infrastructure.

The MoU, signed on April 10, will strengthen bilateral cooperation in strategic infrastructure fields, while opening a new phase of development between the two sides through optimising shared resources and exploiting business opportunities in the Vietnamese and international markets.

FECON and PowerChina will cooperate in key areas including urban railways, high-speed railways, urban development following the transit-oriented development model, sea reclamation ventures, seaports, and logistics. The two sides will partner in energy infrastructure such as liquefied natural gas, nuclear power, offshore wind power, and large-scale pumped energy in the Vietnamese market and others in the region.

Pham Viet Khoa, chairman of the Board of Directors of FECON Corporation, said, "This deal marks an important step in implementing Vietnam's key national projects, serving the nation's sustainable development goals. Leveraging our strengths in science and technology, personnel, and local understanding, we are committed to accompanying PowerChina in implementing projects effectively within the cooperation framework."

PowerChina is an integrated construction group that provides services related to investment and financing, planning and design, engineering and construction, equipment manufacturing, and operation management for clean and low-carbon infrastructure construction. In the transport sector, PowerChina has constructed railways around the world with a total length exceeding 2000km.

FECON consistent with sustainability journey All FECON projects have contributed to gearing Vietnamese infrastructure towards sustainable development.

Top Chinese leaders Vietnam visit hoped to promote bilateral relations to new heights: Scholar Shi believes that through this visit, the high-ranking leaders of the two countries, from a high-level and long-term strategic vision, will set out new directions for the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Vietnam.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Chairman of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) He Dongfeng in Hanoi on April 14. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) cooperate with and support Vietnam in developing the aviation industry, as well as in exploiting and developing aerospace, while receiving its Chairman He Dongfeng in Hanoi on April 14.

Welcoming He and leaders of COMAC on their working trip to Vietnam, coinciding with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam, PM Chinh said that during the top Chinese leaders ongoing visit to Vietnam, the two sides will discuss many important issues for the future development of the two countries and their relations, and at the same time, sign many important documents, including cooperation in the aviation sector.

The PM said that the Party and State of Vietnam always encourage major enterprises, representing high levels of science and technology of China, to participate in new investment projects and expand investments in the fields of road, railway and aviation infrastructure in Vietnam. On that basis, the Vietnamese Government and relevant ministries and sectors are ready to facilitate airlines in the process of organising and exploiting flights between Vietnam and other countries, contributing to trade, tourism, and socio-economic development.

Appreciating and congratulating COMACs achievements, PM Chinh said although the corporation was established not long ago, it has developed rapidly, becoming a large aircraft manufacturing group in China.

The PM believed that after each working session with leaders of COMAC, the aviation cooperation between COMAC and Vietnamese partners would have better results. He suggested that along with cooperation in leasing and hire-purchase of aircraft, COMAC cooperates with Vietnamese partners to invest in aircraft maintenance and repair centres in Vietnam.

Analysing the development trends in today's world, as well as the aviation market in the region and the world, the government leader recommended that, with the tradition of good relations of "both comrades and brothers", "mountains connect mountains, rivers connect rivers" between Vietnam and China, COMAC cooperates and supports Vietnamese partners to develop aircraft fleets and expand flight routes; moving towards the production of components, manufacturing of aircraft, development of the aviation industry ecosystem, aviation economy, training of high-quality human resources and exploitation of Vietnam's aerospace, thus helping to develop the Vietnam-China relationship more substantially, effectively and intensively.

Sincerely thanking PM Chinh for his reception, He highly appreciated the Vietnamese leaders important contributions to fostering the Vietnam - China relationship, and facilitating COMAC's relations with Vietnamese partners, especially in perfecting the legal framework, creating conditions for COMAC's aircraft to be exploited in Vietnam.

Highly agreeing with PM Chinh's assessment of new development trends in the world, the COMAC Chairman expressed his joy at witnessing the vitality, openness, tolerance and the atmosphere of striving to rise up taking place throughout Vietnam under the leadership of the Party and the administration of the Government, believing that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnam has been great and will become even greater.

Sharing about the formation and development process of COMAC, He said that from the beginning, after only 17 years, COMAC has become a major aircraft manufacturer, supplying for many partners around the world.

Agreeing with the PMs opinions, the COMAC Chairman hopes that the Vietnamese leader will regularly pay attention, support and direct Vietnamese partners to expand the scale of cooperation with COMAC, not only developing air transport but also aiming to develop the aviation industry in Vietnam.

Top leader of China to pay state visit to Vietnam The visit will be made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong.

Top Chinese leader begins state visit to Vietnam This is Xi's fourth state visit to Vietnam as China's top leader, and the second within his current term. It demonstrates the high regard that the Chinese Party and State, as well as the leader personally, place on strengthening the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China.
Binh Duong People's Council approved the master plan for Bac Tan Uyen 1 Industrial Park (IP) at a meeting on April 11. THACO's VND 26 trillion (over $1 billion) development will specialise in mechanical manufacturing.

The IP will span the Binh My and Tan Lap communes, Bac Tan Uyen district, and Hoi Nghia ward, Tan Uyen city.

Once completed and put into operation, the park is expected to generate 32,000 jobs, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

The park is designed to optimise supply chains through local sourcing, lower logistics costs, and guaranteed material availability. In addition, the venture is expected to improve collaboration opportunities for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

While largely catering to the automotive industry, the IP will also serve various other industries.

At the meeting, Binh Duong People's Council also approved other important resolutions, such as the mobilisation of resources for the implementation of Urban Railway Line No.1 from Binh Duong New City to Suoi Tien, Ho Chi Minh City, and a road along the Saigon River from National Highway No.13 (near Vinh Binh Canal) to Vinh Phu 40 street.

The province has also approved the task of general planning for the new Tan Lap and Binh My urban areas in Bac Tan Uyen district until 2040.

Binh Duong entices major investments in early 2025 The southern province of Binh Duong, dubbed Vietnams industrial hub, has enticed major investments worth $1.7 billion since the start of 2025.

Japan's Tokyu Group proposes light rail transit in Binh Duong Japan's Tokyu Group has proposed a feasibility study for a light rail transit in Thu Dau Mot city, Binh Duong province.
State President Luong Cuong (R) welcomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping at the Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi on April 14 noon, beginning his two-day state visit to Vietnam.

The visit is made at the invitations of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong.

Welcoming the Chinese leader at the Noi Bai International Airport were State President Luong Cuong; Tran Cam Tu, Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat; Le Hoai Trung, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Central Committee Office; Tran Sy Thanh, member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee; Nguyen Minh Vu, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Pham Thanh Binh, Ambassador of Vietnam to China.

Xi is accompanied by Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the committees Secretariat and Chief of the committees Office; Wang Yi, Politburo member, Director of the Office of the CPC Central Committees Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wang Xiaohong, Minister of Public Security; Liu Jianchao, head of the CPC Central Committees International Liaison Commission; Dong Jun, Minister of National Defence; and other officials.

The Chinese leader and his entourage were greeted at the airport with exciting drum performances by 200 artists, along with dance performances by 54 young girls dressed in the traditional costumes of 54 ethnic groups across Vietnam.

A large number of Vietnamese people, Chinese nationals in Vietnam, and officials and staff members of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam held flags of the two countries and banners expressing the traditional bilateral friendship, warmly welcoming the Chinese delegation.

This is Xi's fourth state visit to Vietnam as China's top leader, and the second within his current term. It demonstrates the high regard that the Chinese Party and State, as well as the leader personally, place on strengthening the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China.

The visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 - January 18, 2025). This visit contributes to promoting and deepening the framework of the Vietnam - China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Vietnam - China Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, thus bringing the bilateral relationship to a new height.

Since the two countries established the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in 2008, especially after the historic mutual visits of the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries in recent years, the bilateral relationship has made strong, comprehensive and remarkable development steps in many fields. The two Parties and two countries always strive to foster the bilateral ties, continue to deepen and elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, and build a "Vietnam-China Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance". The two countries have set out the "six major orientations, including higher political trust; more practical defence-security cooperation; deeper practical cooperation; more solid social foundation; closer multilateral coordination; and better control and settlement of disagreements. The two sides assessed that the bilateral relationship is now at its most profound, comprehensive and substantive level ever.

Taking place less than a year after the State visit to China by Party General Secretary To Lam, the ongoing State visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping is an important foreign political event of the two Parties and two countries, with strategic significance and long-term impact on the development of Vietnam-China relations as both countries are entering a new era, the new era of development. The visit is of important significance and symbolic for the bilateral relationship, thereby continuing to maintain the positive development trend, spreading strongly to all levels, sectors, and people, creating a vibrant, effective, and practical atmosphere of cooperation.

It is expected that within the framework of the visit, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping will have important talks and meetings with Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man. They will engage in-depth discussions on strengthening and deepening the bilateral relations, including promoting the tradition of regular high-level exchanges, further consolidating political trust, promoting the effective implementation of high-level common perceptions and signed agreements, expanding and improving the effectiveness and quality of cooperation areas in the direction of "six major orientations", thus deepening practical cooperation and achieving many practical results and new highlights.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam (left) and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping. (Photo: VNA)

Beijing  The state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping from April 14-15 once again demonstrates China's strong commitment to promoting the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future, as well as their valuable traditional friendship described as both comrades and brothers", said Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC).

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in Beijing ahead the visit, Shi said that China and Vietnam are good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners. The two countries share geographic proximity with mountains and rivers connected. In recent years, high-ranking leaders of the two countries have maintained regular exchanges.

The top Chinese leader's visit to Vietnam is an important follow-up to his historic visit in December 2023, and the visit to China by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam in August 2024.

This year marks the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam and is designated as the Year of Vietnam - China Humanistic Exchange, as well as the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan.

Currently, China is comprehensively promoting the great national rejuvenation process through Chinese-style modernisation, while Vietnam is also accelerating its industrialisation and modernisation process.

The building of socialism in both China and Vietnam is at a crucial stage. Under the strategic planning and direct promotion by high-level leaders of both Parties and countries, the comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Vietnam has achieved significant results, with many notable features. The close coordination and multilateral cooperation not only benefit the two Parties, two countries, and their people, but also bring stability and certainty to a world full of fluctuations and uncertainties.

Shi believes that through this visit, the high-ranking leaders of the two countries, from a high-level and long-term strategic vision, will set out new directions for the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Vietnam; strengthen the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam, enhance mutual strategic trust, and focus on key areas and directions to build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance; promote the relationship between the two Parties and two countries to new heights, and together advance stability and prosperity of the region as well as peace, development and progress of humanity.

Regarding the prospects for the two countries cooperation in the coming time, Shi noted that in recent years, economic and trade cooperation between China and Vietnam has continued to reach new heights. China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner since 2004, and Vietnam has been China's largest trading partner in ASEAN since 2016.

The bilateral trade volume has exceeded 200 billion USD for four consecutive years. According to Chinese Customs data, in 2024, two-way trade reached 260.65 billion USD, an increase of 13.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. Of this, China's exports amounted to 161.89 billion USD, up 17.7 per cent year-on-year; imports reached 98.76 billion USD, up 7.2 per cent year-on-year. China is the largest export market for Vietnamese agricultural products, accounting for 65.2 per cent of Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable exports. Vietnam has established official export channels for 14 key agricultural products to the Chinese market, including durian, bird's nest, sweet potatoes, dragon fruit, lychee, rambutan, mango, jackfruit, watermelon, and bananas. These products account for about one-fifth of China's total agricultural imports from ASEAN. High-quality agricultural products from Vietnam are widely favoured by Chinese consumers. Vietnam is also an important destination for Chinese foreign investment. In 2024, direct investment from Chinese enterprises in Vietnam exceeded 2.5 billion USD, maintaining a rapid growth rate.

Shi said that China and Vietnam each have unique advantages for economic development, complementing each other strongly and having great potential for economic and trade cooperation. With the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and the upgrade of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), economic and trade cooperation between the two countries will have many more development opportunities.

The scholar said that in the future, the two countries need to further strengthen the strategic development connection, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, continue to expand bilateral trade and investment, actively build pilot cross-border economic cooperation zones, and jointly establish safe and stable industrial and supply chains, while further enhancing the level of trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.

Both sides should continue to effectively implement the "Belt and Road" initiative and the "Two Corridors, One Belt" framework, strengthen policy coordination, and innovate cooperation models. In addition to accelerating "hard connectivity" in infrastructure such as railways, highways, and border facilities, both sides should also enhance "soft connectivity" like smart customs; promote the integrated development of cross-border e-commerce and traditional domestic industries; strengthen cooperation in areas such as digital transformation, online tourism, smart cities, and artificial intelligence (AI); and further explore cooperation potential in digital economy. Moreover, Vietnam has developed a national green growth strategy. By incorporating regulations and cooperative content related to green economy in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, the scope and prospects for cooperation between China and Vietnam in fields like clean energy, new energy-fueled vehicles, environmental governance, green transition, and green finance are also very promising.

Regarding cultural exchanges, Shi noted that both sides need to seize the opportunity of the Year of Vietnam-China Humanistic Exchange and the ASEAN  China Cultural Exchange Year to continuously strengthen the friendship between the people of the two countries. They should actively explore deeper educational cooperation, expand international student exchanges; promote cooperation in vocational education, education-industry integration, teacher training and development, and digital education; enhance cultural exchanges, improve cultural understanding through joint art performances, exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage, and joint broadcasting of films and television works; expand tourism cooperation, encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Vietnam, and support increasing flights between the two countries; optimise cross-border tourism routes, promote distinctive tourism products to each other, and attract two-way tourist flows; and enhance youth exchanges to strengthen understanding and friendship between young generations through various youth dialogue and exchange activities, while promoting the inheritance of the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam.
Russian Defence Ministry reports on the progress of the special military operation (13 April 2025)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces in Belgorod direction engaged units of two mechanised brigades, a coastal defence brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and four territorial defence brigades close to Turya, Miropolskoye, Novodmitrovka, Prokhody, and Petrushevka (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, the Russian Armed Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade close to Karasevka and Shuby (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armoured personnel carrier, a motor vehicle, three field artillery guns, a UK-made 128-mm RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launcher, a counter-fire station, and an electronic warfare station. Three enemy ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian units hit five mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, a jaeger brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades close to Kupyansk, Radkovka, Petropavlovka, Borovaya, Novaya Kruglyakovka, Novoyegorovka (Kharkov region), Redkodub, Yampol, Kirovsk (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and the Serebryansky forestry.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 260 troops, seven pickup trucks, and seven artillery guns. Three Zakhist and Kvertus electronic warfare stations and an ammunition depot were eliminated.

The Yug Group of Forces units improved the tactical situation. Russian troops damaged manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, a regiment of unmanned aerial systems of the AFU, a territorial defence brigade, a national guard brigade, and the Azov special forces brigade near Dronovka, Novaya Poltavka, Zarya, Kalinovo, Chasov Yar, Kleban-Byk, and Katerinovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 295 troops, 17 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns. One ammunition depot and one fuel depot were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Yelizavetovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Russian troops engaged four mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, a Jaeger brigade, an unmanned aerial vehicles brigade, an assault regiment of the AFU, a marine brigade, and three national guard brigades close to Novoekonomicheskoye, Zverevo, Kotlino, Udachnoye, Alekseyevka, Novopavlovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Novosergeyevka, Mirolyubovka, and Preobrazhenka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 435 troops, two Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, seven pick-up trucks, and eight field artillery guns including a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defences. Russian forces hit manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade of the AFU, a marine brigade, and three territorial defence brigades close to Bogatyr, Novopol, Aleksandropol, Karl Marks, Burlatskoye, Shevchenko, Otradnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Filiya (Dnepropetrovsk region), and Gulyaypole (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 130 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, one motor vehicle, and two field artillery guns, including one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system. One electronic warfare station was eliminated.

The Dnepr Group of Forces units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian units engaged three mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade, and two coastal defence brigades of the AFU near Novodanilovka, Pavlovka, Novoandreyevka (Zaporozhye region), Sadovoye, Nikolskoye, and Antonovka (Kherson region).

Up to 70 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, and two ammunition depots have been neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the infrastructure of the military airfield, the location of the ammunition and armament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a training center for pilots of unmanned aerial vehicles, the location of tactical missiles as well as temporary deployment areas of the Ukrainian armed forces and mercenaries in 141 area.

Russian air defence units have shot down an F-16 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, eight JDAM guided bombs, seven U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 207 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 661 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 51,335 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,817 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,535 MLRS combat vehicles, 23,556 field artillery guns and mortars, and 34,048 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

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This article is old - Published: Monday, Apr 14th, 2025

Wrexham.com has invited the four North Wales Members of the Senedd to write a monthly column with updates on their work. You can find their updates  along with contributions from the local MPs and MSs  here.

In this months column, Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd Sam Rowlands writes:

One of the things that makes Wrexham a great place to live, work and play is the array of businesses that contribute to the local area

That includes the hospitality sector, with hard-working people running pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants and more to provide quality food and drink and give people a place to relax and enjoy themselves.

This can be a difficult thing to do, particularly in the current economic climate with many businesses around the country going bust  so my hat really is off to the dedicated people who are giving it a go and making things happen.

As one example, it was good to see Humble & Whole opening its doors in Rossett recently after going through months of renovations.

They are a bakery, coffee house and pantry who provide locally-sourced goods including, of course, cakes and pastries!

These local businesses are not just there to provide a service, though. Often, they are at the core of their communities and provide immense social benefits.

I read recently about a man named Brian Allman, a 79-year old man who was robbed and had his money stolen.

This was a traumatic incident. When they heard about the ordeal, patrons of the Black Lion pub in Buckley had a whip-round for Brian, raising 80. This shows that people still look out for each other, and that community bonds are still strong. Well done to the Black Lion.

Those are just two examples of local businesses who are doing good work in a variety of different ways, and long may it continue.

To be honest, I could fill dozens of articles with examples of great local businesses and I would need a much longer word count!

Those places dont just provide a sense of community and provide a great service, they offer job opportunities to local people and stimulate local economies which is essential to increase prosperity.

There are plenty of people out there who are entrepreneurial and are able to establish a business and get things moving. There are many more who would like to do that, but are daunted by the challenge.

Its clear to me that much more support is needed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wrexham and beyond. The Welsh Government down in Cardiff has lots of levers to help (or hinder) businesses in Wales.

In my view, Welsh Labour simply arent doing enough to support our SMEs. For example, business rates in Wales are the highest in Great Britain, which makes the climate much more difficult for businesses. This contributes to a wider economy where wages are lower. Indeed, Welsh workers have the lightest pay packets on average anywhere in the United Kingdom, coming in below England, Scotland and Northern Ireland at 34,303.

Its not only the Labour-run Welsh Government that have created a harsh environment for businesses. The British Government, led by Labour since last year, has made a number of drastic decisions that will stymie Welsh businesses.

As one example, they have hiked National Insurance employer contributions which will be calamitous for so many small and medium-sized businesses across the United Kingdom. Many are already teetering on the edge, and are now being slapped with an extra tax by Labour.

Many firms will now be unable to hire additional people or increase wages, or even have to let existing workers go because Labours Jobs Tax has made running a business so expensive. That will have an outsized impact on businesses in Wales, where wages are lower and the outlook for business is bleaker than in other parts of Britain.

As the Welsh Conservative spokesman for Finance matters, I am determined to see a Wales where businesses and the people who work for them can prosper. We want Wales to be the best place for SMEs anywhere in the UK, with an economic climate where people feel confident in taking that next step and setting up their own business.

That will mean more people being employed in good jobs and more money in local peoples pockets.

Humble & Whole and the Black Lion have shown what can be done, along with many similar pubs, restaurants, cafes and more across Wrexham. I want more people to have the chance to do the same.

So, Id encourage you all to get out and support these local businesses, who are often run by dedicated individuals from the local community. If you can, its important to support them and help them flourish for years to come.

If youd like to drop me a line, then you can do so via sam.rowlands@senedd.wales
Wrexham Council warned over fairness of hybrid working policy

This article is old - Published: Monday, Apr 14th, 2025

Wrexham Council has been warned that its new hybrid policy for staff must be fair or staff may leave after initial recommendations were put before scrutiny.

Leader of the Labour group Cllr Dana Davies addressed Wrexham County Borough Councils Customers, Performance, Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee and warned officers and councillors that they must not have double standards for staff and elected members.

The initial draft report  compiled from responses to a staff survey last month -showed a clear preference for council staff to work three days in the office and two days remotely  a 60/40 hybrid working pattern.

But staff were only given two choices  60/40 or 80/20  one day remote. As a result there was a significant amount of feedback outlining a 50/50 split or full flexibility with managers discretion.

Meanwhile elected members are able to work remotely with more freedom.

Cllr Davies, who is not member of the committee, warned that retaining the trust of employees was vital and fairness was at the heart of that.

Elected members are making the decision on how staff are potentially going to work, she said. We need to be acting fairly.

If we as elected members can hybrid work  half your committee is on screen at the moment  why are we restricting our staff to 60/40? Potentially we can have elected members working 100% of the time at home.

How fair is that? We need to look at ourselves.

The consultation, which ran through February and March, saw around 900 eligible staff respond  46%. Not every role within the council is sutable for hybrid working.

HR business partner for Wrexham Council Andrea Stevenson said that the recommendation of a 60/40 split would include additional flexibility depending on the job requirements.

The 60/40 model represents the average that we currently work with here in Wrexham, she said. We wrote the consultation document in such a way so we had something to consult staff on.

We would expect this to be a guideline not a rule  a framework for managers to manage staff in line with.

Wrexham council has allowed staff to work in a hybrid fashion since Covid, but until now had not fully formalised a policy around it.

Coedpoeth Cllr Anthony Wedlake said he was concerned that by being too prescriptive, Wrexham may see staff leave for jobs in the private sector which offer higher pay and similar flexibility.

Local authorities are not the best payers in most areas, he said. The ability to attract people based on flexibility is a gamechanger when you cant compete on price.

There seems to be an agenda from some politicians to get public employees back into the office which is massively unhelpful. 

It was a concern shared by Cllr Davies, who added: Were a service-based sector and were reliant on the goodwill of our staff.

We cant deliver for the people of Wrexham without our staff. This consultation shows we need to listen to them and we also need to trust them.

Ms Stevenson said that the consultation did indicate a risk staff may leave if a new hybrid working policy proved restrictive.

What we see from our data is that flexibility is appreciated, she said. With regard recruitment and retention people did indicate they may rethink their position if that flexibility changes.

Deputy chairman of the committee Cllr Jerry Wellens urged officers to reflect the passion of the respondents in their report to executive board, who will decide on the introduction of the policy in the coming months.

Can you make sure in the final report that that level of passion and detail is reflected because it stood out for me, he said. It shows how important this is for people, through parenthood, gender rights in the workplace, recruitment and retention.

This is a real watershed for this council. This committee has considered issues around office accommodation and recruitment and retention in the past. Hybrid working was stated as one of the pillars of both of those things.

By Alec Doyle  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Wrexham Lager Beer Co announces expansion into Northern Ireland

This article is old - Published: Monday, Apr 14th, 2025

The Wrexham Lager Beer Co has announced its expansion into Northern Ireland thanks to a new partnership with drinks wholesaler Anzac Drinks.

Servicing the on and off trade in Northern Ireland, the deal will see Wrexham Lager and Wrexham Export available in 440ml can format.

The new listing follows Wrexham Lager Beer Cos recent successful expansion into the Hungarian, US, Australian and Scandinavian markets over the past 12 months, as well as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds becoming new co-owners of the company alongside the Roberts family.

James Wright CEO of The Wrexham Lager Beer Co said Expanding into Northern Ireland is another exciting achievement for the Wrexham Lager Beer Co, and our new partnership with Anzac Drinks opens the door to a vibrant new market for us to build momentum in.

Its another great opportunity to introduce our award-winning lagers to drinkers who value quality, craftsmanship, and authenticity.

Our expansion into Northern Ireland is the first of many exciting developments we have in the pipeline for 2025.

The Wrexham Lager Beer Co produces high-quality lager beer made with the finest ingredients, using a unique original recipe that is over 140 years old and still to this day follows those traditional Bavarian methods of its founders.
In a recent Facebook post, the Riverside Farmers Market shared the difficult news that Nevadas WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) has been defunded for the 2025 season.

The post says the program, which helped families access fresh, healthy food at local markets, has been described as a crucial lifelinealongside others like SNAP, EBT, and SFNPfor many in the community.

Market organizers emphasized the personal impact of the cut, noting they see and serve these families every week.

Despite the setback, the market reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the community.

Additionally, they say that due to the Ninja Run event, they will have special market hours this Sunday; they will be from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.
The Nevada Secretary of States Office is reporting on voter roll cleanup efforts following the 2024 General Election, including the cancellation of more than 160,000 voter registrations, and the inactivation of more than 37,000 voters.

The Secretary of States Office takes the transparency, security and accessibility of our elections very seriously, and is focused on supporting the counties efforts to clean the voter rolls, said Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar. The implementation of our statewide voter registration and elections management system will continue strengthening our ability to streamline list maintenance processes and provide data to the public.

In accordance with state and federal law, county election officials across Nevadas 17 counties are sending out notices so that voters can confirm or update their address, or inform the county that they have moved or would like to have their voter registration canceled.

In total, counties have canceled 162,519 voters and inactivated 37,749 voters, as of April 10th, 2025.

Examples of Notices Sent to Voters:

* Undeliverable Mail Ballot: When a county election official sends an active registered voter a mail ballot, and it gets returned as undeliverable, the county will move forward with sending a notice to that address to confirm the voter no longer lives there. If the county election office does not receive any contact from the voter, they can then inactivate them.

An example of a notice a county may send out due to an undeliverable mail ballot can be viewed here.

* Change of Address: Notices may be sent to voters addresses that are flagged as part of the National Change of Address program, used by the United States Postal Service to update mailing addresses.

* Voter Inactivity: Notices may be sent to voters who have not voted or contacted their county election official for a specified period of time, in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act.

How can voters help?

The Secretary of States Office encourages voters to help keep the voter rolls clean by checking their voter registration information on VOTE.NV.gov. You can update your address, political party and other information to ensure your information is up to date. The Office also encourages voters to provide their phone number and/or email address to receive critical information from their local election officials as the 2026 election cycle approaches.

What does it mean to be an active, inactive, or canceled voter?

* An active registered voter includes any voter who is legally eligible to vote and has registered with their county election official.

All active registered voters in Nevada receive mail-in ballots for each election unless they opt out of receiving a mail in ballot.

* An inactive registered voter includes any voter whose address is identified as potentially no longer valid. A county will send a notice to the voters address on record, and if they dont receive contact from the voter, they will move them to inactive status.

Inactive registered voters do not receive mail-in ballots for any election, but they remain on the voter rolls for a prescribed amount of time, per the NVRA, and are still eligible to vote.

If voters do not respond and do not vote for two federal general elections in a row, their registrations may be canceled

* A canceled voter is a voter who has been removed from the voter rolls. This can occur when a voter is identified as deceased, if a voter cancels their own registration, and through the NVRA and notice processes done by the counties to routinely update the voter rolls.

If your voter registration was canceled due to a felony conviction, your right to vote is immediately restored upon your release from prison. Learn more here.

Your voter registration can be reviewed, updated or canceled at any time on VOTE.NV.gov. Should there be any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Elections division at 775-687-8683 or email us at nvelect@sos.nv.gov.

Learn more about list maintenance efforts and guidance here.

(Secretary of State's Office contributed to this report.)
The Tahoe Knight Monsters have clinched their spot in the Kelly Cup playoffs; with last night's finale of the regular season, the playoffs are closing in.

Today, the Knight Monsters released their schedule for round one of the Kelly Cup playoffs, as they face the Wichita Thunder.

The series will start in Wichita, Kansas for two games, then head to the Tahoe Blue Event Center for the next three games - game five only if necessary.

If the series does stretch to a game six and seven, those will be back in Wichita.

The full playoff schedule is:

Game 1: Saturday, April 19: at Wichita, 4:05 p.m.

Game 2: Sunday, April 20: at Wichita, TBD

Game 3: Wednesday, April 23: at Tahoe, 7:00 p.m.

Game 4: Friday, April 25: at Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.

Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday, April 26: at Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.

Game 6 (if necessary): Tuesday, April 29: at Wichita, 5:05 p.m.

Game 7 (if necessary): Wednesday, April 30: at Wichita, 5:05 p.m.

Tickets for round one of the Kelly Cup playoffs are available on the Tahoe Knight Monsters website.
For the third year in a row, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is hosting its Movers for Moms donation drive to support women receiving help from the Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC).

Running from April 14 through May 5, the campaign aims to collect 3,500 full-sized hygiene products, personal care items, and non-perishable foods through donation bins placed across Reno.

Collection sites:

Bone-ito

Burn Boot Camp

GES, a Geotechnical Engineering Company (internal employee collection only)

Greater Nevada Credit Union  5 locations

Heritage Bank  5 locations

Metcalf Builders

NV Energy (internal employee collection only)

Orangetheory Fitness  3 locations

Post Consumer Brands (internal employee collection only)

Reno Running Company  3 locations

Reno Sport And Spine  3 locations

Summit Funding

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

Necessary items for donation include (New & Full Sized):

Shampoo & Conditioner

Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

Body Wash, Loofahs & Lotion

Deodorant

Sunscreen & Lip Balm

Easy Grab-and-Go, Non-Perishable Food

Movers for Moms is a special and unique way for us to give back to our community, said Alexis Riggs, franchisee of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. Its been rewarding to work with the team at the Domestic Violence Resource Center for the last three years on this collection drive.

Their work is amazing and this effort truly helps to improve lives, and that just feels good. We look forward to organizing this drive each year and to partner with other local businesses. Seeing survivors grow and thrive is why we do what we do.

Last year, the drive collected over 2,200 items. This year, the goal is even bigger.

The DVRC has been serving domestic violence survivors for over 48 years, and relies on donations like these to help clients rebuild.

Ten million people are victims of domestic violence each year, and domestic violence hotlines receive 20,000 calls every day, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

One in four women may encounter domestic violence at some point in their lives, according to statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

In support of the Domestic Violence Resource Center, the Northern Nevada moving firm is collaborating with nearby companies once more this year.

Donation drives help meet basic needs so that survivors can focus on their healing and building a violence-free future, said Kristen Kennedy, executive director of the DVRC. We are grateful to Two Men and A Truck Reno and all of the businesses who are supporting survivors through this drive.

For more information, visit the Movers for Moms website.
Once upon a time in this country, choosing not to eat meat meant resigning yourself to a life of mushy grains, bland health foods, and sproutsso many sprouts.

So, when Greens came along in 1979, not long after the farm-to-table movement began taking shape, it wasnt just a revelationthe restaurant was the vanguard of a plant-based eating revolution.

Executive chef Katie Reicher wasnt even born when Greens opened in a defunct army facility on the San Francisco waterfront. When she got there on an externship during her studies at the Culinary Institute of America in 2015, Fort Mason still had the deserted look of, well, a defunct army facility.

Greens Restaurant executive chef, Katie Reicher (Erin Scott)

I was 21, knew nobody in the city, walking into this warehouse that was Fort Mason, says Reicher. [I remember thinking] this restaurants fake, Im gonna die here. But as soon as I opened the door, I was like oh my gosh, this beautiful gem. Everybody was so nice and the house was packed.

That summer was all it took for the young chef to fall in love: with Greens, with San Francisco, with her future husband even, whom she met her second week in town. When Reicher completed her final year at culinary school, she immediately returned. Greens is the only restaurant shes ever worked forand shes risen through the ranks so quickly, from line cook to sous chef to executive chef in just five years, its head-spinning.

Now, after leading the restaurant for an additional five years, Reicher is releasing her first cookbook, Seasons of Greens , on April 22nd.

Seasons of Greens is a compendium of more than 125 of Reichers dishes, brought to life with gorgeous photography by Erin Scott. The recipes are wide-ranging, inspired by culinary traditions from near and far.

Greens has a history of supporting a world-based cuisine but before I took over, it was very limitedit was very subtle and very much interpreted back through a California lens, says Reicher. Since taking the top job, the chef has expanded the global reach of the menu, and thats reflected in the books pages.

Burrata toasts with balsamic cherries from 'Seasons of Greens' (Erin Scott)

Like choosing among children, its impossible for Reicher to pick a favorite recipe from the collection, but a few stand out in her mind. One, is the root vegetable biryani, an Indian-inspired rice dish made with turnip, sweet potato, celeriac, saffron, and cashews.

On my menu, I have what I call menu slots. Theres always a pasta, always a pizza, always some kind of stewand we have a slot we call the wild card, where you can kind of do whatever you want, Reicher explains. The biryani came about after months of Im going to throw this recipe out. I was really struggling. But it came on the menu and I almost couldnt take it off because it was so popular. Theres a lot of love behind that recipeand its also very easy to make.

Half Ukrainian American, half Italian American, Reicher also feels a connection to the cookbooks pierogies (with peas and feta), which she grew up making, and its manicotti with broccoli and bechamel, a dish her paternal grandmother used to make thats similar to cannaloni but made with crepes.

Including them in the book was really special, says Reicher. I also really love the pasta with the wild mushrooms and the chili crip on top [the caramelized mushroom & onion pasta]. I love all the pastas. Im a pasta girly.

Writing the cookbook was a lifelong dream for Reicherback before I even wanted to be a chef I was writing menus, she saysbut its just one of many things at Greens of which she is proud. At the top of the list is the restaurants healthy work culture. While some of her peers in the Bay Area struggle to hold on to staff, its been years since the chef has had to post an ad for employment.

Celery and peanut noodle salad from 'Seasons of Greens' (Erin Scott)

Theres a lot of brothers, sons, cousins, sisters that work here, she says. People just bring in their family because its a great place to work and they know theyll be treated right. Thats a big reason I stayed as long as I have, and will continue to stay.

Another point of pride is the restaurants guest chef dinner series, which invites well-known local chefs to showcase their cuisine through a vegetarian lens, Reicher explains. It helps some chefs reach parts of the community they havent been able tolike Brandon Jew of Mr. Jiusin such a way that [diners] would feel like they are getting the full experience. The guest chef dinner series will return a little later this year.

Greens has come a long way in the five years Ive been running it, but there are always more things to explore and dishes to try, Reicher says. In other words, the wunderkind is just getting started.

As for the cookbook, the chef hopes it will help to introduce new audiences to Greens. Available now for preorder , Reicher will be discussing the book and signing copies at events next week: at Omnivore Books at its official release party on April 22nd, at Neon on April 23rd, and at a special Seasons of Greens Spring Supper at the restaurant on April 24th. Shell make additional book tour stops in California through June.

// Greens is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30am to 2:30pm, for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 2:30pm, and for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm to 9pm; 2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Center Bldg. A (Marina), greenstrestaurant.com
Melinda French Gates, 60, has had a remarkable life  from her early days working as a computer scientist and manager at Microsoft back when women were rare in the field, to marrying the companys cofounder, Bill Gates, and later joining him to helm the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the philanthropic powerhouse focused on global health that they launched in 2000.

But, like anyones life, hers has been marked by sometimes difficult changes. She decided to end her marriage, leading to her divorce from Bill in 2021; and last year she left their foundation to target her efforts toward the cause closest to her heart: improving womens health, power and well-being in the U.S. and across the globe. Shes pledged a whopping $2 billion to help do so.

Members only

Now a grandma and an empty nester (she has three adult children and two young granddaughters), Gates has come out with The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward (April 22), a book thats part memoir and part inspirational guide, highlighting seven pivotal moments in her life and the wisdom she gained from each.

The message to readers? That change is inevitable. The good news, Gates writes, is that these moments of transition can be important opportunities for discovery and growth  in part because they demand often difficult, but ultimately incredibly valuable, inner work.

Melinda Gates (then French) with her parents, Ray and Elaine French, on commencement day at Duke University in May 1987, when she received an MBA from Dukes Fuqua School of Business. She earned a bachelors degree from Duke in computer science and economics in 1986. Courtesy Gates Archive

Thoughtful and reflective, she quotes poems, describes how her beloved friends keep her grounded, and how meditation helped her learn to hear and listen to her inner voice during tough transitions.

Gates talked to AARP from her home in Seattle about the book, leaving the foundation (and Bill), being a grandmother, and more.

What inspired you to write this book now?

I was lucky enough to be asked to do the Stanford [University] commencement speech last June, and when I met with the class presidents to get their input on what theyd want me to talk about in the speech, they said, We feel like so many of our peers here are on one track. Theyre studying one field, or theyre getting a degree in something and thinking theyre just going to keep going on that track, maybe for 20 years. Could you talk a little bit about leaving some opening for change? And I thought, Oh, I definitely have something to say about that. So I did the speech, and then I realized there was a lot more I wanted to say on the subject.

Melinda Gates with students at the Ludzi Girls Secondary School in Malawi in 2023. Amal Clooney and Michelle Obama joined her on a mission to end child marriage in that country. Courtesy The Obama Foundation

What is the big takeaway from your book?

The real point of the book is that we should stop in what I call that clearing between when you leave one thing  whether its college or a career or somebody passes away  and jumping to the next activity or event or job. Theres a huge amount to learn in that wide-open space. Listen to your inner voice during that time. Surround yourself with other people who are living their values and who you can have a trusted relationship with, because theyll also help you find your inner voice and nurture it.
Advanced Large Scale Oxide Gold Project - Maricunga Gold Belt, Chile Binding Option Agreement to Purchase 100%



Pantanillo Advanced Large Scale Oxide Gold Project - Maricunga Gold Belt

Sydney, April 14, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Flagship Minerals Limited ( ASX:FLG ) is pleased to advise that it has entered into a binding Option Agreement to Purchase 100% of the Pantanillo Gold Project. Pantanillo is an advanced gold exploration project located in the Maricunga Gold Belt in Northern Chile (see Figures 1 and 2*), it hosts a 47.4Mt @ 0.69g/t Au for 1.05Moz Au qualifying foreign estimate (QFE), with approximately 98% of the QFE amenable to heap leach processing.





HIGHLIGHTS



- Flagship Minerals secures the Pantanillo Gold Project in northern Chile



- Pantanillo hosts 47.4Mt @ 0.69g/t Au for 1.05Moz Au - QFE of mineralisation



- QFE is supported by NI 43-101 and 20,531m of DDH and RC drilling



- Pantanillo is located in Chile's prolific Maricunga Gold Belt, one of Chile's leading gold provinces



- Gold majors Barrick, Newmont, Kinross, Goldfields and others active in the region



- Gold production in the Belt is derived from open cut mines and heap leach processing



- Pantanillo is at the centre of the Belt, which is ~200km long and hosts >65Moz Au QFE1



- Pantanillo mineralisation open down dip and along strike, QFE1 is 0.5km2 of 110km2 concession area



- Hochschild's Volcan Au project with >11Moz Au QFE1 is situated ~10km to the northwest



- Rio2's Fenix Au project with >5.7Moz Au QFE1 ~40km to the north under construction



Flagship Minerals' Managing Director, Paul Lock, commented:



"Securing the Pantanillo Gold Project marks an important milestone, hosting a qualifying foreign estimate of 47.4Mt @ 0.69g/t Au for 1.05Moz Au that is amenable to open cut mining and heap leach processing, the project provides Flagship a material gold inventory and leapfrogs the company several steps closer to feasibility and production.



Pantanillo is well situated, in the centre of the prolific Maricunga Gold Belt (MGB) and sitting adjacent to several substantial projects, including Newmont-Barrick's 27Moz Au Norte Abierto gold project ~40km to the southwest, Kinross' 10.7Moz Au Maricunga gold project ~25km to the west, Hochschild's 11Moz Au Volcan gold project ~10km to the northwest, and Rio2's 5.7Moz Au Fenix gold project ~40km to the north.



What attracts Flagship to Pantanillo? It is the advanced stage of the project, the production history of the MGB, the presence of multiple tier 1 gold producers nearby, and the demonstrated low production costs of oxide gold projects in the MGB, the most recent example with a market capitalisation of ~CAD325 million being TSX listed RIO2's Fenix Gold Project ( CVE:RIO ) currently under construction, with a 0.48g/t Au head grade, an AISC of $1,237/oz Au, and an initial capital requirement of ~US$117m. Pantanillo is de-risked from an exploration perspective, it has all the merits of a strategically well situated project, it has the potential to be low cost from a capital intensity and opex perspective, and it positions Flagship very well in the current gold price environment.



Pantanillo's 1.05Moz Au mineralisation is classed as a qualifying foreign estimate (QFE) as it has not been prepared in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) guidelines but instead has been prepared in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) standards and the National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), the latter being a Canadian securities regulatory instrument that governs the manner that TSX listed companies can disclose mining-related information in Canada."



Overview



The Pantanillo Gold Project (Pantanillo) is located approximately 125 km due east of the city of Copiapo, Chile, in the prolific Maricunga Gold Belt (MGB). The MGB is characterized by epithermal gold +/- silver and porphyry gold +/- copper deposits that are Oligocene - Miocene in age and often associated with extinct strata-volcanoes.



The MGB hosts over 65Moz of gold resources including several world-class multi-million-ounce gold deposits such as the Salares Norte, La Coipa, Fenix, Marte-Lobo, La Pepa, and Abierto Norte deposits. Major gold companies Newmont, Barrick, Kinross and GoldFields are active in the region along with a host of other companies, small and large, private and public (See Figures 1 and 2, and Appendix 2*).



The Exploitation Concessions for the Pantanillo project cover an area of approximately 110km2. The project is devoid of vegetation and occurs at elevations of 4000-4600m. Access to, and throughout the project area is considered excellent. The nearest major centre is the mining city of Copiapo which has a population of roughly 175,000. The city is located approximately 215km by road to the west of the project. Copiapo has excellent services and infrastructure with multiple daily flights to and from Santiago.



The Pantanillo Gold Project marks an important milestone for Flagship, being situated in a prolific gold belt and surrounded by tier 1 gold producers, and hosting a qualifying foreign estimate of 47.4Mt @ 0.69g/t Au for 1.05Moz Au that is amenable to open cut mining and heap leach processing, the project positions Flagship to advance rapidly through to feasibility and thereafter production in a strong gold price market environment.



*To view the full announcement, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/8LF3MA1C





About Flagship Minerals Ltd





Flagship Minerals Ltd's (ASX:FLG) strategy is to secure and develop projects which it believes will position the Company as a low-cost producer of Copper and Lithium, metals that matter. Specifically, Flagship Minerals seeks to secure low capital intensity projects in low-cost jurisdictions and infrastructure rich settings, projects which are positioned for high margin outcomes, and projects which are proximal to industry, chemical processing, and manufacturing.

Related Companies
By John M. Bremen, Managing Director and Chief Innovation & Acceleration Officer at WTW Cybersecurity threats and AI remain at the center of director concerns around technology. In WTWs November 2024 Emerging and Interconnected Risks Survey, executives worldwide listed AI and cyber risk as the top two out of 752 emerging risks. Additionally, WTWs 2025 Directors' and Officers' Risk Survey reports data loss and cyberattacks are both within the top three risks. Dynamic and responsible governance models for AI

As covered in AI requires dynamic governance to seize opportunities and manage risks, effective leaders have shifted from traditional risk management protocols to more dynamic and responsible governance models for managing AIs growth across industries and applications, and adhering to their values. Classical rules-based governance structures and processes often fail to address AIs unique challenges and opportunities and cannot keep pace with rapid advancements. Effective leaders adopt guiding principle-based governance practices that allow their organizations to benefit from AI technologies while reducing risks and increasing trust and accountability. What is responsible AI?

Effective leaders employ responsible AI  the process of developing and operating AI systems that align with organizational purpose and values while achieving desired business impact. Responsible AI governance models are flexible and responsive and include mechanisms for regular updates, feedback loops and continuous improvement. These models enable leaders to design governance practices specifically addressing AI, adapt to internal and external changes and remain effective and relevant in both the short and long term. Recently, at an AI roundtable in London hosted by TWIN Global, professor and corporate director Dr. Helmuth Ludwig shared insights from his research conducted in partnership with professor Dr. Benjamin van Giffen regarding board effectiveness in governing AI. Ludwig and van Giffen reported that although AI is top of mind even for nontechnical business executives and board members, most boards struggle to understand both the implications of AI for their businesses and their role in governing it. The authors identified four categories of board-level AI governance issues and examples of effective practices for each. Categories of AI governance Strategy and organizational competitiveness Effective boards recognize AI as a strategic enabler and differentiator that influences an organizations competitive position and business model. These boards adopt two key practices: First, they ensure that AI is reflected in business strategy, for example, addressing how AI is impacting business decisions and priorities, as well as the execution of those priorities. Second, they incorporate AI into the boards annual strategy meeting, including internal and external views, ensuring systematic, board-level discussions about AI. Capital allocation Effective boards govern capital allocation decisions related to AI by promoting experimentation with AI, securing investment for platforms and tools, and enhancing AI capabilities through external partnerships and potential mergers and acquisitions. They use the annual budgeting process to secure investment in both foundational and differentiated AI capabilities across the company and support external AI partnerships and M&A. AI risks

Effective boards treat AI risk oversight as a key board duty. They discuss updates in AI technology developments and applications that are relevant to their business strategy and its execution. They review publicly available cases of AI bias and discrimination that occur even at highly advanced technology companies. They recognize how AI introduces new risks and adds complexity to risk management protocols. Effective boards actively ensure the implementation of processes that manage AI risks. They focus on ethical and reputational risks arising from the use of AI, data risks, and legal and regulatory risks. They invite AI risk experts to present at board or audit/risk committee meetings and integrate AI into enterprise risk management activities. AI technology competence

Effective boards focus on the technology competence of both the board and the executive management team. To ensure competent engagement in critical AI governance decisions, effective directors require at least a foundational level of AI competency, if not more. This may mean expanding the role of board committees (such as setting up technology and innovation committees). Effective boards make certain that the CEO and executive management are ready to execute the companys AI agenda and assess AI competencies in succession planning and CEO search criteria. Effective boards assess whether their directors are ready for AI, and they seize a moment of impact to transition from merely acknowledging AIs importance to actively discussing it and initiating board-level AI governance.
Mehul Choksi Nabbed in Belgium: Is India's Most Wanted Fugitive Finally Coming Home? 2

Absconding billionaire Mehul Choksi, a prime accused in the 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been arrested in Belgium following a formal extradition request from Indian authorities. The arrest, which took place on Saturday, marks a major breakthrough in the high-profile banking scam that rocked India in 2018.

Choksi, who fled India in 2018 and was living in Antigua, was recently traced to Belgium under the pretext of seeking medical treatment. Following the withdrawal of his Interpol Red Notice, Indian agencies have been pursuing his extradition through diplomatic and legal channels.

Sources confirm that at least two open-ended arrest warrants issued by a special Mumbai court in 2018 and 2021 were submitted to Belgian authorities as part of the ongoing extradition effort. Indian agencies are now preparing formal documentation to counter any bail plea Choksi might file on health grounds.

Alongside his nephew Nirav Modi, Choksi is accused of orchestrating a massive bank fraud through his firm Gitanjali Gems, allegedly in collusion with corrupt bank officials. According to investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), they fraudulently obtained 165 Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and 58 Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) from PNBs Brady House branch in Mumbai without proper documentation or margin.

These fraudulent LoUs enabled Choksis companies to secure massive credit from international branches of several Indian banks, including SBI Frankfurt, Axis Bank Hong Kong, and Canara Bank Manama, among others. When his companies failed to repay, PNB was forced to settle over 6,344 crore, including interest, to these banks.

The CBI has filed two charge sheets and the ED three prosecution complaints against Choksi. Assets worth 2,565.90 crore have been attached and are now approved for monetization by the court.

Meanwhile, Nirav Modi continues to remain lodged in a UK prison since 2019, contesting extradition to India in the same case. With Choksis arrest, pressure mounts on the Indian government to bring both fugitives to justice and recover public funds lost in one of the countrys largest banking scams.
A Mobile woman is in critical condition at a local hospital after being shot by her husband in an attempted murder suicide, according to Mobile County Sheriffs.

On April 12, at approximately 12:20 p.m., the Mobile County Sheriffs Office was dispatched to 4630 Glenwood Court in Wilmer, a recent release said.

The caller, a family member, said Maria Caamano was shot by her husband, Refugio Caamano-Lopez.

Deputies found Refugio in the back bedroom with an apparent gunshot wound to the center of his forehead, according to the release.

Maria was taken to a hospital and Refugio was pronounced dead at the scene.

A family member told MCSO detectives during interviews that they heard Maria screaming and ran to her trailer to help.

Maria told the family member that her husband had shot her, according to the MCSO.

The investigation showed that Maria was shot by her husband, the release says.

After shooting Maria, he turned the gun on himself.
A north Alabama teen has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 39-year-old pedestrian.

Grant A. Beverly, 18, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death, Alabama State Troopers announced Monday.

Killed was Jeremy D. Dempsey of New Market.

The crash happened at 1:05 a.m. on Monday, April 7.

Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said Beverly was driving an Infinity G37 when he struck Dempsey and then left the scene.

The wreck happened on Winchester Road near County Lake Road, about four miles north of Huntsville in Madison County.

Beverly was taken into custody later that day and booked into the Madison County Jail. He is out of jail on $5,000 bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

Dempsey left behind a son and a stepson, according to his obituary.

Jeremy was very creative, from detailed drawing to his eclectic taste in music, the obituary reads. We all have memories that we will forever cherish.
A 17-year-old from Wisconsin is accused of killing his parents as part of an extremist plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, authorities said.

Nikita Casap, 17, is charged with conspiracy, presidential assassination and weapons of mass destruction in federal court and two counts of homicide, two counts of hiding a corpse, two counts of theft, driving a vehicle without consent and misappropriate ID information in Waukesha County Court.

Casaps attorneys did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on Sunday, April 13.

Newly unsealed court documents say Casap killed his mother and stepfather as part of a plot with others to assassinate Trump and begin a political revolution.

On Feb. 28, authorities responded to a home in Waukesha for a welfare check, according to an affidavit.

A relative told police she was unable to reach Donald Mayer and his wife Tatiana Casap and learned that Nikita Casap had not been to school in two weeks, the court record said.

Deputies went to the home, but no one answered. They then learned Mayer had not been to work in weeks, according to the court records. When deputies went inside the home through the garage, they found Tatiana Casap dead covered in blankets, according to court records.

Investigators then found Mayer dead from gunshot wounds and covered in blankets in a first-floor office, the affidavit said.

Officials believe the two were killed on Feb. 11.

Officials said Nikita Casap was living with his parents bodies for 12 days, WISN reported. During that time, he was communicating with his school, Mayers job and family members from his parents accounts, court records said, according to the outlet.

The night of Feb. 28, police in Wakeeney, Kansas, located Mayers vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Nikita Casap was arrested and police found a gun, ammunition, U.S. currency and Euros inside the car, according to the court document.

Assassination plot

Officials said Nikita Casap killed his parents in an effort to gain the financial means necessary to carry out his assassination plot on Trump.

Investigators found message conversations between Nikita Casap and others where he discussed being affiliated with the Order of Nine Angles, a network of individuals holding neo-Nazi racially motivated extremist views, according to the affidavit.

Nikita Casap talked about a manifesto, which authorities later found images of, court records said.

The three-page manifesto talked about the white race surviving, and Trump and the vice presidents deaths causing chaos, according to the affidavit.

Investigators also found a message conversation between Nikita Casap and a Ukrainian phone number, the court document said.

Nikita Casap asks How long will I need to hide before I will be moved to Ukraine? and he talks about learning Russian and having a normal job and normal life in Ukraine, the affidavit said.

In another message conversation with the username @AngelOfDeath Nikita Casap discussed a drone that would drop a bomb with nuts, bolts and needles and payment for it, according to the court records.

Nikita Casap is being held on a $1 million bond.

________

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As other states push back against federal anti-DEI orders, Alabama officials say they plan to comply with a Trump administration request to prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion programs in local schools.

The Education Department asked states this month to sign new assurances related to civil rights compliance. The April 3 letter asks superintendents to certify that K-12 schools have ended illegal diversity, equity and inclusion practices that advantage ones race over another.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey said the federal request wouldnt change anything in local schools. But officials are still weighing out the details before they sign any assurances.

All of these things, were going to work our way through, Mackey told state board members at a work session April 10. But we are going to be very clear that as long as we are here together, the constitutional civil rights of every child in Alabama will be protected, period.

We want every kid to be able to go to school, be treated fairly at school and so on. But the intricacies of how that is done and documenting it, well work through the lawyers.

A judge has extended the deadline to comply from April 14 to April 24 following a recent lawsuit from the National Education Association.

Alabama already has its own anti-DEI law on the books, following a 2021 state board of education policy to end so-called critical race theory in K-12 schools. The law, which is being challenged in federal court, prohibits state-funded DEI offices and certain programming and training in state institutions.

While Mackey said the federal order itself does not threaten federal funding, the guidance follows a February Dear Colleague letter that says institutions may lose funds if they continue to use DEI or other race-conscious practices pertaining to scholarships, discipline policies, graduation ceremonies, other student support and academic programs.

The Trump administration has already frozen a number of federal grants that it claimed promoted diversity, equity and inclusion programs or practices. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is also one of dozens of universities under federal investigation for a doctoral program aimed at underrepresented students.

Weve read it every way you can read it, backwards and forwards, and we dont think it affects any of our schools at all, because we dont use race-based decisions for admissions, Mackey said.

Mackey said the state was prepared to submit a plan last week, but then received a new email from the department with some conflicting information. He is talking with other state chiefs to work through any concerns and plans to have an answer by the new deadline.

We want all of our legal team to agree, he said. We want the attorney generals legal team to agree, and the governors legal team to agree, and all of those lawyers are looking at all of these things.

State education officials in Colorado, California and New York, among others, have refused to sign the guidance, saying that they have already signed Title IV assurances. Just last week, 16 other states sued over the ESSER freezes, saying the department could jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars in spending.

Alabama hasnt always complied with federal guidance. Three years ago, state officials refused to sign a new Title IX rule from the Biden administration that aimed to provide new protections to LGBTQ students.

The state was one of 20 to sue the department over the order, which would have required schools to respect students pronouns and provide accommodations for transgender students. The Supreme Court issued a stay, allowing states in the suit to ignore the rule while others had to comply.

Mackey said he expects to see a similar pattern play out over the next few years.

There are going to be some states that dont implement this, I can bet, and theyre going to also sue, and we could end up getting a split decision here, he said. But I probably shouldnt get too much deeper into that until our AG weighs in on it.
The federal government has cut nearly $9 million in funding for a rural Alabama school district and a program for struggling readers, state leaders said.

In late March, the Education Department abruptly rescinded previously approved COVID relief spending extensions, saying districts had ample time to spend the money.

Alabama education officials said the department pulled $4 million in unspent funds directed toward a tornado-stricken school district, Selma City Schools, as well as $5 million in additional funding for a statewide reading program.

The move is the latest in a series of efforts to minimize what the Trump administration has called wasteful government spending. Last week, more than a dozen states sued over the order, which they said could threaten hundreds of millions of dollars in funding meant for academic recovery.

Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey plans to submit an appeal to reconsider funding the two projects, but expects that request to take a while.

When the letter came and said, Were freezing all the money, obviously theres more panic, he said at a work session April 10. But there is a process to get the money  so we can reapply, basically appeal to get the money back, and were in that process now.

Spending down COVID funds

During the pandemic, schools received a historic infusion of federal funds meant to help with safe reopening and academic recovery. The Biden administration administered the last batch of funds, called ESSER III, in the spring of 2021. Leaders had until September 2024 to allocate the money, which then had to be spent by the end of December 2024.

However, some districts were able to apply for late liquidation, Mackey said, meaning they had until March of 2026 to spend the money. He said Selma City Schools is the only local school district that still has money in its account, which will fund an ongoing construction project.

The money was part of a $22 million effort to revamp an old school that had long standing air quality issues, but officials had to delay the project due to supply chain issues. Making matters worse, in the middle of the remodel, a tornado that ripped through the community demolished a nearby school where students had been temporarily housed.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell took to social media earlier this month, saying she would help the state with an appeal.

This would put Selma in a tough spot, Sewell said, noting that nine out of 10 of the districts schools are in economically disadvantaged areas. This is particularly troubling when were talking about helping our children succeed and reach their God-given potential.

Selmas new superintendent, who started work this week, told AL.com the district is hopeful that the decision will be appealed, and the funds will be made available.

Mackey said Selma still has about $4 million in their account that needs to be spent down.

The state department has another $5 million or so in unspent teacher training funds that it hopes to be able to use on a middle school reading program. Gov. Kay Ivey has budgeted $10 million for the program so far.

I think we have really good justification, because its very clear that these middle school students were in primary grades the year that COVID hit, he said. And they continue to struggle, not just in Alabama but in the rest of the country, and we can show that they are struggling. Thats why we need to continue to invest in their reading skills.

Nationwide, some states could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in money meant for schools. Mississippi has about $100 million that is still on the table, and Kentucky has about $300 million left over, Mackey said. He said he expects the department to see a lot of appeals, and he wants to make sure the state takes its time to bulletproof their application before he turns it in to the federal government.

Kudos to our districts that spent their money down, but we are going to try to get the last little bit, and I believe we have really good projects that will qualify under the guidance that the Secretary has put out.
New music from country music icon Patsy Cline has been released more than 60 years after her death. Getty Images

Never-heard before music from Patsy Cline was released on Saturday.

According to PEOPLE, a limited-edition two-LP set of new recordings is now available. The full collection, Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963), is also set to be released as a two-CD set, which is the same day that the digital download will be available.

There are 48 tracks, all live performances, and they will feature 15 never-released songs. Included in the release are new renditions of Crazy, I Fall to Pieces and Walkin After Midnight.

Its a dream come true, Cline discographer George Hewitt said, per PEOPLE.

Cline was just 30-years-old when she died in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee on March 5, 1963.

A lot of people  when you lose someone  you dont have all these different avenues to remember them, Clines daughter, Julie Fudge, said. The fact that its been more than 60 years and to still have her in our lives every day is quite an accomplishment. Its been a blessing.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
.@lukebryan and @ToddGraves picked up a shift today at Raising Canes to kick off their $1 million donation to @brightforbrett! pic.twitter.com/PKJEC6dbDa  Raising Cane's (@raisingcanes) April 10, 2025

Country music star Luke Bryan gave customers of a Nashville Raising Canes a treat last week when they found the American Idol judge working behind the counter.

Bryan and owner Todd Graves embarked on a shift on April 8 for a good cause. The shift was to mark the start of a $1 million commitment the restaurant chain has made to The Brett Boyer Foundation  a charity Bryan and his wife, Caroline Bryan, co-founded in honor of their late niece, Sadie Brett Boyer.

The Brett Boyer Foundation is a family charity and Ive watched this Foundation grow over the years from support of people like Todd, Bryan told Parade. CHD doesnt get talked about enough and the fact that Bretts name lives on and is doing so much good for kids who need it helps us make sure no kid ever receives a diagnosis like Bretts again. We know 36 kids alive today because of The Brett Boyer Foundation and we want to see that number grow to thousands in the future.

Were so thankful to Todd and Raising Canes for such a generous donation.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
A suspect has been charged in the double homicide of a man and woman killed in a hail of gunfire at a southwest Birmingham home last year.

Jamil Carillo-Jemison, 23, is charged with capital murder in the slayings of Kayla Warren, 28, and Na Bryan Adams, 20.

Carillo-Jemison was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Saturday. He remains held without bond.

Multiple shots rang out just after 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, at a house in the 700 block of 30th Street S.W.

When West Precinct officers arrived at the home, they found Warren, a rapper that went by the professional name 205KayWay, shot on the front porch of a friends home.

Kayla Warren, 28, was shot to death Aug. 21, 2024, in Birmingham. (Contributed)

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed her to UAB Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 10:54 p.m.

Police learned Adams had been driven by private vehicle to Princeton Baptist Medical Center. He was then transferred to UAB because of the severity of injuries.

He died the following day.

A group of people were gathered at the home when the suspect opened fire.

The gunfire also damaged the house next door where a 66-year-old narrowly escaped being shot.

Na'Bryan Adams (Contributed)

Birminghams Crime Reduction Team took Carillo-Jemison into custody Thursday, April 10, in the 1900 block of Princeton Court. He was held in the Birmingham City Jail until Saturday, when the capital murder was issued.

The suspect was booked into the county jail just before 3 p.m. Saturday.

A motive has not been disclosed.

The Birmingham Police Department this year has solved 13 previously unsolved 2024 homicide cases and one unsolved homicide case from 2023. A total of 24 arrests have been made for murder or capital murder since the beginning of 2025.
A sign greets people to Fowl River Court in South Mobile County, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

The Fowl River cuts through west Mobile County like a living postcard - an astonishing diversity of marine life that for generations has served as a quiet retreat for residents drawn to its slow, scenic charm.

But the tranquility is being threatened, residents say.

A proposed landfill just miles from the rivers edge has ignited a firestorm of opposition from locals who say the development could wreck the watershed and endanger the delicate balance of its ecosystem.

Designed to hold construction and demolition debris, and not household garbage, the landfill is being pitched as low impact.

Residents arent buying it.

We dont need this, said Ted Lathan, a longtime resident along Fowl River. Fowl River is pristine.

Lathan was one of dozens who packed into a tense public hearing Monday at Government Plaza. He and other opponents urged the Mobile County Commission to reject the plan.

The landfill would span 62 acres on a former dirt pit near Theodore, roughly 17 miles south of downtown Mobile.

Landfill plan, concerns

Scott Hutchinson, vice president of engineering with Goodwyn Mills Cawood, speaks during the Mobile County Commission on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Government Plaza in downtown Mobile, Ala. John SHarp

Scott Hutchinson, vice president of engineering with Goodwyn Mills Cawood and representative of the property owner and developer, Jeremy Hunt, told commissioners that the landfill wasnt intended to be for household waste. He vowed it would not smell, or store hazardous materials.

He also said that county regulations prevent the landfill from going vertical, meaning the landfills owner  TIGS Holdings LLCwould not be allowed to add to the landfill that would make it visible outside the propertys boundaries.

Were not allowed to make a mountain out of waste, Hutchinson said. Were only allowed to come back up to the pre-dirt pit grades.

Hutchinson also said that Hunt vowed to commit $500,000 toward paving the dirt road leading to the proposed landfill site.

Some residents expressed concerns over the lack of a requirement for TIGS Holdings to conduct groundwater monitoring. Some of the residents within the watershed described themselves as volunteer water monitors, who have routinely overseen the quality of the watershed for years.

Groundwater runoff was also a concern. The lack of a groundwater monitoring plan by TIGS Holdings was also another worry residents cited. Hutchinson said that the company would be willing to monitor groundwater if the county required it.

This proposed landfill drains into Fowl River, which drains into sensitive watershed areas, said Richard Becker, a resident along Fowl River since 1999. It affects everyone who lives in the watershed, the schools, the daycare centers and subdivisions.

Other residents said the addition of a landfill to accept construction and demolition debris was not in alignment with watershed management plans and with the Mobile County solid waste management plan.

Residents said the county approved, in 2015, an expansion of the nearby Esfeller C&D Landfill and that it now provides the county with over 170 years of landfill capacity.

There is no need for another landfill, said Kirk Wilson of Theodore. We have ample, even excessive, capacity.

Ken Rice, who also lives along Fowl River, said the projects main intention was to make money for the developer at the expense of residents of Mobile County.

We want to protect our waters, he said. We want to enjoy them. We want them to go on in the future.

Countys actions

Mobile County Commissioner Randall Deuitt speaks to a constituent during the commission's meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Government Plaza in downtown Mobile, Ala. John Sharp

The public hearing represented the first step in a process that is likely to go on for the next month. The landfill proposal will next be heard at 10 a.m. on April 23, before the Mobile County Solid Waste Disposal Authority. The authority will then provide a recommendation that will return back to the Mobile County Commission for further consideration at the groups May 12 meeting.

Commissioner Randall Dueitt, who represents the area, said he doesnt have a position on the landfill. He said he wants to wait on the authority to provide a recommendation first, while also gathering more information from the countys staff.

Dueitt said he was concerned about the proposal after reading the number of emails opposing it.

Ultimately, though, my decision is based on facts that come to me from the Solid Waste Authority and the professionals who work in the county as well, Dueitt said.

Hutchinson said he wasnt surprised to see people vocalize their opposition, adding that landfills, very rarely, have a big crowd in favor of them.

If the commission approves the landfill, the next step is for its permit to go before the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for consideration. If the majority of the commission denies it, then the permit is dead, Hutchinson said.

Sam St. John, a Fowl River resident, hopes the project doesnt advance beyond the commission, and he urged them to vote against it.

Landfills have every chemical in them that you know  thats the real problem, he said, then directing his final statements to the commission. You can prevent it and please help us prevent this landfill.
Alabama's "God Bless America" vehicle tag is still available through county offices. State of Alabama

Alabamians can still get the popular God Bless America vehicle tag.

The Alabama Department of Revenue has announced that the tags design has been renewed.

As spokesman Frank Miles explained, state law mandates that all vehicle tags expire after five years.

The design of the tag remains unchanged.

The department made sure to deliver plenty of copies last summer to offices around the state, according to state officials.

However, a new metal plate should be issued at the time of your tags renewal.

Personalized license plates and additional plate orders may also be ordered.

Anyone with questions should contact the Motor Vehicle Division at (334) 242-9000 if you have any questions.
Lawyers for the Department of Homeland Security told a judge on Monday they are currently not able to provide evidence showing Alireza Doroudi is a national security concern.

Doroudi, a University of Alabama doctoral student originally from Iran, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at his Tuscaloosa apartment around 3 a.m. on March 25.

He was first held at the Pickens County Jail and then transferred to federal custody in Jena, La.

Doroudi appeared in court in a blue government issued jump suit. He did not speak except to answer when the judge asked his name, if he spoke English -- though his primary language is Farsi -- and to acknowledge that he had his attorney present.

Following his arrest, the Department of Homeland Security put out at a statement alleging that Doroudi was a national security concern.

ICE HSI made this arrest in accordance with the State Departments revocation of Doroudis student visa. This individual posed significant national security concerns, a DHS spokesperson has previously said.

In a bond hearing on Monday, immigration Judge Maithe Gonzalez asked if the department had any evidence to support their claim and an attorney responding saying, only what was in the article.

Doroudis attorney, David Rozas, said in a previous statement to AL.com he was unaware of any allegations concerning significant national security issues.

He has not been arrested for any crime, nor has he participated in any anti-government protests, the statement from Rozas said. He is legally present in the U.S., pursuing his American dream by working towards his doctorate in mechanical engineering.

During Mondays hearing, Rozas added that Doroudis student visa was still active and therefore he could still remain in the country as a student even if his F-1 visa was revoked.

According to ICEs website, an individual can, stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status.

Rozas added that a teacher from the University of Alabama was prepared to testify to Doroudis legal status during the hearing.

However, Gonzalez ordered both Rozas and DHS to provide additional evidence for their arguments by Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Gonzalez set another hearing on the matter for Thursday at 3 p.m.

Sama Bajgani, Doroudis fiancee, previously posted on Facebook how the traumatizing arrest has impacted both of their lives and pushed her past her limits.

These past few days have been some of the hardest and most overwhelming Ive ever experienced, Bajgani wrote in an April 7 post.

Ive spent countless hours on the phone with Alireza, trying to make sure he has everything he needs and that he feels heard and understood.
On Palm Sunday, April 13, the Titusville Memorial Marker Committee along with St. Paul Lutheran Church dedicated a marker honoring a white pastor who played a key role in the civil rights movement in Birmingham and Selma. The Rev. Joseph W. Ellwanger, one of the few white Southern ministers who supported the civil rights movement and helped plan the Birmingham demonstrations in 1963, was honored with a historical marker in front of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 132 Sixth Ave. South. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) ggarrison@al.com

On Palm Sunday, April 13, the Titusville Memorial Marker Committee along with St. Paul Lutheran Church dedicated a marker honoring a white pastor who played a key role in the civil rights movement in Birmingham and Selma.

The Rev. Joseph W. Ellwanger, one of the few white Southern ministers who supported the civil rights movement and helped plan the Birmingham demonstrations in 1963, was honored with a historical marker in front of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 132 Sixth Ave. South.

Ellwanger, a native of Selma, was best known for leading a group of 72 white protesters in a march to the Dallas County Courthouse in Selma on March 6, 1965, one day before the Bloody Sunday march that paved the way for the Voting Rights Act.

On Palm Sunday, April 13, the Titusville Memorial Marker Committee along with St. Paul Lutheran Church dedicated a marker honoring a white pastor who played a key role in the civil rights movement in Birmingham and Selma. St. Paul Lutheran

His group was met by a hostile mob and a deputy sheriff, who read a telegram from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod district president in New Orleans. The telegram said that Ellwangers actions did not represent the Lutheran Church.

Ellwanger replied that the theology of the Scripture and the church called him to action. No episodes of violence erupted, as happened the memorable next day, but a large group of Alabama whites had made a significant demonstration, taking a stand on behalf of the civil rights movement.

During the civil rights years, the congregation did clearly identify with the changes that were taking place, Ellwanger said in a previous interview with The Birmingham News. This gave them a sense of being a part of the making of history.

On Palm Sunday, April 13, the Titusville Memorial Marker Committee along with St. Paul Lutheran Church dedicated a marker honoring a white pastor who played a key role in the civil rights movement in Birmingham and Selma. The Rev. Joseph W. Ellwanger, one of the few white Southern ministers who supported the civil rights movement and helped plan the Birmingham demonstrations in 1963, was honored with a historical marker in front of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 132 Sixth Ave. South. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) ggarrison@al.com

Ellwanger served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Titusville from 1958 through 1967 and was the only white pastor included in civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther Kings early strategy meetings at the Gaston Motel in 1963. King included him in a group with about 15 black pastors that met with President Lyndon B. Johnson after the Selma-to-Montgomery march.

I had clearly shown my identification with and support for the movement, Ellwanger said.

Ellwanger, 91, now lives in Milwaukee. In 2008, Ellwanger received the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

The historical marker is in front of the church that faces onto Sixth Avenue South, a few blocks from the entrance of Elmwood Cemetery.
After weeks of dealing with the chaos of spring break in Panama City Beach  which included at least two incidents of gunfire  the citys police chief on Sunday said something has to change.

Panama City Beach can no longer be a spring break town, Chief J.R. Talamantez said in an open letter posted on Facebook. That time is over.

Every year we try to manage it, and every year it brings more challenges, he wrote. Im not willing to risk the safety of our city to hold onto something that no longer works.

Talamantez started by thanking those who he said did things the right way.

To the future doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and leaders who came here for a break, youre appreciated, he said. You made memories, enjoyed the beach, and showed respect. Most of you went home without problems, and thats exactly how it should be.

But others, he said, went to bring trouble.

If you came with guns, bad intentions, and no respect for this city, we saw you, he said. You thought you could blend in and get away with it. You were wrong. Our officers were ready, and many of you ended up in handcuffs.

Some of you fired shots over petty arguments and social media drama. And when the cuffs went on, the tough act disappeared, Talamantez said. Our officers didnt see hardened criminals. They saw scared kids crying in the interview room. TikTok doesnt show that part, but our body cameras do.

Shots rang out in PCBs popular Pier Park March 29, injuring three young victims from Alabama. Their identities have not been released, but authorities said they all sustained non-life-threatening injuries and all have been released from the hospital.

Three Dothan teens have been charged in connection with that incident. Talamantez said the shooting was the result of rival gangs in Dothan.

Im not going to mention the gangs names because they dont even deserve to have their stupid names mentioned in this forum, Talamantez previously said.

Those charged in the Pier Park shooting are Kevin Tyrone Moore, 18, Jamarion Lamont Lil Poop Baker, 15, and Avaughn Brown, 17.

We believe Mr. Moore fired an AR-15-style rifle in a crowd, almost killing the individuals we identified as victims, Talamantez said.

Then, on Thursday, April 3, gunfire erupted outside Hammerhead Freds on Thomas Drive.

Talamantez said there was an event taking place there when a rumor surfaced that someone had a gun inside the business.

This resulted in a bunch of scared children fleeing from the location, the chief said.

There is no evidence right now showing there was a gun inside the business, but it did result in a mass exodus.

As everybody was fleeing, the chief said, 18-year-old Isaiah McKenzie decided to add to the environment by taking his weapon, placing it outside the car, and firing four shots in the air.

McKenzie, also of Dothan, was quickly taken into custody.

He did this within feet of some police officers, Talamantez said. The only explanation he provided was, I dont know why I did it. Maybe I wanted to scare the crowd. Thats the mentality weve been dealing with these past couple of weeks.

Other Florida spring break destinations have cracked down after problems came with spring break tourists in recent years.

Miami Beach broke up with spring break in 2024.

Officials there this year announced they were bringing back enhanced security measures for practically the entire month of March, including parking restrictions and increased fees for nonresidents, The Associated Press reported.

The new rules were introduced after three consecutive years of spring break violence. The city now warns visitors to expect curfews, bag searches at the beach, early beach closures, DUI checkpoints and arrests for drug possession and violence.

The Panama City Beach police chief said Sunday that in the coming weeks, police will be having serious discussions with stakeholders and city leadership about the future of the spring break season.

Im confident they share this same concern, Talamantez said. No plan will fix this overnight, but we have to start somewhere. And we have to start now.

Law enforcement officers, he said, should not be expected to shoulder the burden of an event that no longer aligns with the values or vision of the community.

Its unfair to continue placing that weight on the backs of the men and women who serve and protect this city every day, Talamantez said.

Panama City Beach is a safe, family-focused community, he said. Weve worked too hard to build that, and I wont let a group of criminals destroy it.

To the good visitors, youll always be welcome. To the idiots, go somewhere else.
Jurors are set to begin deliberations today in the trial of Demarcus Chandler who is charged with capital murder-for-hire in the the 2020 shooting death of his 24-year-old girlfriend.

Prosecutor contended Chandler, who has a lengthy criminal history and is locked up in state prison on parole violations from previous crimes, hired 28-year-old Solomon Minatee III to kill Raven Swain..

Chandler, they say, allegedly orchestrated the murder, because he believed she had ripped him off while he was in prison.

Moments after Swain was killed in Birminghams Underwood Park, authorities said Chandler posted this to Facebook: God forgive. Papa dont.

Additionally, testimony showed that on the day that Swain was killed, Minatee sent Chandler a message with a screenshot shot of his Cash App. Then, less than an hour after Swain was killed, Minatee sent Chandler a message saying, Bruh, we need the money. The work is done.

Chandlers attorneys from the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office claimed Swains family never liked her dating Chandler and quickly named him to police as the likely person who would want Swain dead with no proof of his involvement.

Demarcus Chandler did not kill anyone, said public defender Blair Shores. Someone else did."

The trial began one week ago today, and jurors heard from more than 30 witnesses and saw more than 200 pieces of evidence.

Chandler exercises his right to not take the stand during the trial, and the defense team did not put on any witnesses.

Minatee has not yet gone to trial.

The deadly shooting happened shortly after 7 p.m. on Tuesay, July 28, 2020, in Underwood Park on Birminghams Southside.

Swain, who worked at UAB Hospital, was found unresponsive in her Hyundai Sonata, which had rolled into foliage after she was shot.

She was slumped over in the drivers seat leaning toward the passengers seat.

Her car doors were locked, and she had been shot under the left arm, with the bullets penetrating her heart and lung.Swain was pronounced dead on the scene.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Street presided over the trial.

Deputy District Attorneys Charissa Henrichs, Isabella Colombo and Neal Zarzour are prosecuting.

Chandler is represented by the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office. His defense is led by Shores.

Birmingham police Sgt. John Osborne was the lead detective.

Detectives recovered Swains cell phone from her vehicle after her death.

The Alabama Department of Corrections, at the request of police, searched Chandlers cell and recovered a contraband cell phone there as well.

After obtaining search warrants for the phones and examining them, police said, they found multiple phone calls in the minutes before and after Swains death to one number that they later determined to be a cell phone used by Minatee.

Technology also placed that phone to have been in the area of Underwood Park at the time of Swains killing.

Testimony showed that Chandler texted Minatee at 6:46 p.m. saying, Im on the phone with Raven.

At 6:57 p.m., Chandler texted Minatee, Ill call you when she pulls up.

Then, at 7:02 p.m., Chandler texted Minatee, She out there.

Chandler is also facing a conspiracy to commit murder charge after the home of an Alabama Department of Corrections lieutenant was shot up last August. The lieutenant, at the direction of Birmingham homicide investigators, was the one who found the contraband phone in Chandlers prison cell that prosecutors say was used to orchestrate Swains murder.

Testimony throughout the week showed Chandler believed that Swain had taken $8,000 from him, and thrown his dope out of a window. The two had a tumultuous, toxic relationship, prosesuctors said, that clearly met the criteria for the cycle of domestic violence.

If somebody crosses this defendant, in his mind they must pay a price, Zarzour said Monday in closing arguments.

Raven Swain paid the ultimate price, Zarzour said. All because God forgive but Papa dont.

Zarzour explained to jurors that in a capital murder-for-hire case, the person who ordered the murder is as equally responsible as the person who pulled the trigger.

You cant just said, I cant be guilty because I didnt pull the trigger. It doesnt work that way, Zarzour said.

The defendant doesnt get to do everything he did to arrange Ravens murder and then hide behind the fact that he wasnt there, he said.

Testimony and evidence, much through text messages between Chandler and Swain and Chandler and Minatee showed that Chandler sent Swain to Underwood Park that night under the guise that she was doing a drug deal at his direction.

Raven had no idea she was being directed to her death, Zarzour said. He walked her right into it.

Chandlers defense attorney claims that Minatee alone is responsible for Swains death, and say she was killed while she was doing a drug deal with Minatee.

Zarzour told jurors they would have to have their heads in the sand to believe that.

Solomon Minatee had not motive to kill Raven Swain, Zarzour said. He didnt know her. She didnt know him.

Only one man had the motive to murder Raven Swain, he said.

Shores, in his closing arguments said prosecutors had not met the states burden to prove Chandler is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The states case is a bunch of hot air, he said, likening it to a hot air balloon. The case gets bigger but theres no weight.

There was no proof, he said, that Chandler hired Minatee to kill Swain, and said prosecutors showed no evidence that Minatee was ever paid to do so.

They only have assumptions, Shores said. There are no bank recores. There is not evidence of an explicit agreement to kill.

Its hard to understand how Demarcus is controlling all of this from 70 miles away, Shores said.

Prosecutors said proof of payment is not required to convict.

He didnt pay him, prosecutor Henrichs said. He ghosted him. Its still capital murder.

At the time of Swains death, Chandler was still awaiting trial on felony charges of domestic violence strangulation/suffocation in which Swain was the victim.

Swain had also in 2019 sought a protection from abuse order against Chandler, citing multiple examples of violence including pistol-whipping and shots fired at her car. That request was ultimately dismissed.

Swains mother, Lolita Braxton, testified at trial shots had been fired outside her home as Chandler was leaving and, in another incident, shots had been fired into her home, grazing Swains 13-year-old sister.

In some of the text messages shown in court, Swain and Chandler were telling each other they loved each other.

Others were more hostile, with one text from Chandler to Swain saying, Ho, Ima try calling one more time and if you dont pick up, oh well.

Another said, Bitch, call me now.

There were several messages from Chandler that indicated his intent to kill her, Henrichs said.

In one message, Henrichs said, Chandler told Swain, Play with me little girl and go get you some life insurance.

In a Facebook message to someone else, Henrichs said, Chandler wrote to that person, This ho going to make me kill her.

Prosecutors also said Chandlers calls to Swains family members and friends in the moments after she was killed proved his involvement.

To Swains mother, Chandler said, Are you looking for Raven?

To Swains best friend, Henrichs said, Chandler wrote, Bitch, you need to get up. Your best friend is in Southtown dead.

How the hell would he know that? Henrichs said. He knew it because he set it up.

Because of Chandlers calls to family and friends, she said, the family arrived at the crime scene at almost the same time as police.

Its horrific that he called them, she said. He had to inflict as much pain and terror as possible.

He took great pleasure in making sure, Henrichs said, that he had something to do with it.
If youre a state politics junkie, listen to todays podcast episode to prep for the home stretch of the legislative session.

The rest of todays report is beneath.

Did you move recently?

You may have recently received a notice from the Alabama Secretary of States office because it thinks you may have moved.

AL.coms Mike Cason reports that nearly a half million Alabamians did receive that notice.

It asks those who received the notices to respond within 90 days. Otherwise, you could have to update your registration and, after the 2028 general election, have it canceled.

The state is trying to identify voters who have moved out of state and those who have moved into an area where theyd use a different voting place. Its another way to try to maintain accurate voter rolls.

The system theyre using identifies possible movers through the post offices National Change of Address file as well as the credit bureau Experians TrueTrace system.

Some groups have criticized the use of the Experian database because, they say, there are multiple reasons that addresses there may not jibe with your actual current address.

The secretary of states office provided links to a study from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission on the use of Experian and other counties and states that also use that database.

A tarmac layover

Surely somebody in our audience has been stuck in Montgomery longer than you intended. Maybe there was gridlock on I-85. Maybe the Biscuits went extras at Riverwalk Stadium.

Turns out, it couldve been worse.

You couldve been one of the 300-some-odd Delta passengers who had to spend this past Thursday night on the Montgomery Regional tarmac.

AL.coms Heather Gann reports that Two flights from Mexico -- one from Cabo San Lucas and one from Mexico City -- were on their way to a layover in Atlanta when weather forced them to be diverted to Montgomery.

Complicating their evening was that Montgomery doesnt have customs. Which means the passengers couldnt exit the plane. For hours.

After 5 a.m. Friday, arrangements were made to bring the passengers into the airport, under guard until they were able to finally depart later that morning.

Too much DEI, says DOJ

The U.S. Department of Justice is backing off a settlement with the state of Alabama over sewage issues in Lowndes County, reports AL.coms Margaret Kates.

The sewage and septic problems in the area made big news in recent years as a combination of factors made solutions difficult and expensive -- and led to some residents straight-piping their waste into their yards.

The EPA launched investigations into wastewater in Alabamas Black Belt and whether civil-rights violations were occurring. In 2023, the DOJ and Alabama Department of Public Health reached an agreement in the case: The DOJ would suspend the investigation, and the state would make significant changes including the suspension of criminal penalties for those below-code solutions.

The DOJ ended the agreement in a release that said, The DOJ will no longer push environmental justice as viewed through a distorting, DEI lens.

From a statement by the Alabama Department of Public Health: The installation of sanitation systems and related infrastructure is outside the authority or responsibilities conferred upon ADPH by state law. Nonetheless, ADPH will continue working with subgrantees on installation of septic systems as contemplated by the Interim Resolution Agreement until appropriated funding expires. After that time, ADPH will support and be available to provide technical assistance to other organizations that may choose to engage in this work.

Cool product

The trade association Manufacture Alabama has named its coolest thing made in Alabama for 2025, reports AL.coms John R. Roby, and the honoree is Boeings Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seeker.

Thats a component that allows Patriot interceptors to identify, track and put down threats such as enemy aircraft or ballistic or cruise missiles.

One big house

A home in Birminghams Shoal Creek area is on the market for $92 a square foot.

Before you drop everything and drive over, though, you need to know how many square feet were talking about.

AL.coms Amber Sutton reports that the home is Alabamas largest -- and 44th largest in the U.S. -- coming in at 54,000 square feet. The total asking price is a mere $5 million.

There are a 25-person theater, a 10-car garage, a wine cellar, 12 grand fireplaces, 15 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms. Although, if you buy it, you still can be in only one room at a time.

Alabama News Quiz results/answers

Overall results:

Five out of 5: 19.0%

Four out of 5: 36.8%

Three out of 5: 26.9%

Two out of 5: 11.6%

One out of 5: 5.4%

None out of 5: 0.4%

Which of these Alabama brands recently sold a significant part of its business?

Buffalo Rock (CORRECT) 75.6%

Conecuh Sausage 13.6%

Vulcan Materials 10.3%

Fly High Worm Farm 0.4%

Three Alabama state lawmakers got a surprise this week when they checked their mail to find this.

Pornographic images (CORRECT) 90.1%

A cash solicitation request from USAID 5.4%

Surrendered Glock switches 3.7%

Tickets to a Jason Isbell concert 0.8%

Recent data indicate that Mountain Brook easily has the highest typical home prices in the state at more than $900,000. Whos in a distant second place?

Orange Beach (CORRECT) 65.7%

Vestavia Hills 24.0%

Equality 9.9%

Ozark 0.4%

An actor from Birmingham recently had a birthday that we mentioned on the show. In which one of the following did an Alabama native play Trapper John McIntyre?

M*A*S*H the series (CORRECT) 58.3%

M*A*S*H the movie 20.2%

Trapper John, M.D. 19.0%

Ghosts of Mississippi 2.5%

As per usual in the Springtime, the weather has been as fickle as an equity fund. Try to remember a full week ago to Thursday, April 3. The weather in Montgomery did what?

Tied the record high for April 3 (CORRECT) 61.6%

Tied the highest single-day rainfall in April 22.3%

Tied the record low for April 3 15.7%

Caused mosquitoes to migrate to Greenland 0.4%

Born on This Date

In 1938, pay-equality activist Lilly Ledbetter of Possum Trot.

The podcast
Trumps team still wont say whether it will return mistakenly deported man, despite Supreme Court decision. In this photo, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, speaks during a news conference at CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file) AP

The Trump administration said Sunday that it is not required to engage El Salvadors government in efforts to facilitate the return of a Maryland man mistakenly deported to a notorious prison there, striking a defiant tone in responding to a federal judges order that plans be made to bring him back to the United States.

Federal officials said Sunday that the high courts ruling required only that they remove any domestic obstacles that would otherwise impede the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

The administration also argued that Abrego Garcia is no longer eligible for the protection from deportation that should have prevented him from being sent to El Salvador in the first place, according to records filed Sunday evening in U.S. District Court in Maryland.

His lawyers could not immediately be reached for comment.

On Saturday, they argued that the government should face contempt of court for failing to lay out its actions to repatriate Abrego Garcia after the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the administration must facilitate his return.

The Trump administration said Sunday that it had no updates on those efforts, according to a letter to the court Sunday evening.

While noting that the president of El Salvador is currently in the United States and will be meeting with President Donald Trump, Justice Department officials wrote, the federal courts have no authority to direct the Executive Branch to conduct foreign relations in a particular way, or engage with a foreign sovereign in a given manner.

Any further order from the court would interfere with ongoing diplomatic discussions, the officials argued.

Moreover, the government argued that facilitate means only allowing an alien to enter the United States, not removing him from the custody of another country. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis initially ruled that the Trump administration must effectuate Abrego Garcias return; the Supreme Court said that part of her order was unclear and might overstep the judiciarys power.

The underlying issue here is the Supreme Court left enough room for the government to argue that they were complying with the order without necessarily following the spirit of the Supreme Courts ruling, said Muzaffar Chishti, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute.

If [the judge] says the government is not complying sufficiently, then that will go again on appeal to the Fourth Circuit and  the Supreme Court.

At the same time as the Justice Department told the court that it was complying with the courts orders, Immigration and Customs Enforcement argued to the court that Abrego Garcia no longer qualifies for protection from deportation because he is alleged to be a member of a Salvadoran gang.

Abrego Garcia, who has never been arrested or accused of a crime, denies any such affiliation.

In 2019, Abrego Garcia was detained by police in Prince Georges County outside a Home Depot with several other men and asked about a murder.

He repeatedly denied being in a gang or having knowledge of any crime. He was subsequently put into immigration proceedings, where officials argued he was an active member of a New York-based MS-13 clique based on his Chicago Bulls gear and the word of a confidential informant.

A U.S. immigration judge ultimately released him and shielded him from deportation to El Salvador because he likely faced persecution there by local gangs that terrorized his family. The Trump administration did not appeal that decision.

While acknowledging that he should not have been removed to El Salvador because of the immigration judges ruling, Evan C. Katz of ICE wrote that Abrego Garcia is no longer eligible for withholding of removal because of his membership in MS-13 which is now a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Xinis has already declared that there is no evidence Abrego Garcia is a gang member, noting in an earlier ruling that he has never lived in New York.

The judge had previously lambasted a government lawyer who couldnt explain what, if anything, the administration had done to arrange for Abrego Garcia return.

Where is he and under whose authority? she asked in a Maryland courtroom Friday.

That is extremely troubling, she said.

His location at the mega-prison was confirmed in a Justice Department filing the following day.
A measles sign is seen at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Feb. 25, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (Associated Press) AP

U.S. measles cases topped 700 as of Friday, capping a week in which Indiana joined five others states with active outbreaks, Texas grew by another 60 cases and a third measles-related death was made public.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed in a televised Cabinet meeting Thursday that measles cases were plateauing nationally, but the virus continues to spread mostly in people who are unvaccinated and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention redeployed a team to West Texas.

The U.S. has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024, and Texas is reporting the majority of them with 541.

Texas cases include two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children who died from measles-related illnesses near the epicenter of the outbreak in rural West Texas, which led Kennedy to visit the community Sunday. The third person who died was an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated.

Other states with active outbreaks  defined as three or more cases  include New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio and Oklahoma.

The multistate outbreak confirms health experts fears that the virus will take hold in other U.S. communities with low vaccination rates and that the spread could stretch on for a year. The World Health Organization has said cases in Mexico are linked to the Texas outbreak.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus thats airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

Heres what else you need to know about measles in the U.S.

How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico?

Texas outbreak began in late January. State health officials said Friday there were 36 new cases of measles since Tuesday, bringing the total to 541 across 22 counties  most of them in West Texas. A total of 56 Texans have been hospitalized throughout the outbreak.

Of the confirmed cases, state health officials estimated Friday that about 5% are actively infectious.

Sixty-five percent of Texas cases are in Gaines County, population 22,892, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has logged 355 cases since late January  just over 1% of the countys residents.

Last weeks death in Texas was an 8-year-old child, according to Kennedy. Health officials in Texas said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of what the childs doctor described as measles pulmonary failure. A child died of measles in Texas in late February  Kennedy said age 6.

New Mexico announced two new cases Friday, bringing the states total to 58. State health officials say the cases are linked to Texas outbreak based on genetic testing. Most are in Lea County, where two people have been hospitalized, two are in Eddy County and one is in Chaves County.

New Mexico reported its first measles-related death in an adult on March 6.

How many cases are there in Kansas?

Kansas has 32 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state, health officials announced Wednesday. Two of the counties, Finney and Ford, are new on the list and are major population centers in that part of the state. Haskell County has the most with eight cases, Stevens County has seven, Kiowa County has six, and the rest have five or fewer.

The states first reported case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks based on genetic testing, a state health department spokesperson said. But health officials have not determined how the person was exposed.

How many cases are there in Oklahoma?

Cases in Oklahoma increased by two Friday to 12 total: nine confirmed and three probable cases. The first two probable cases were associated with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks, the state health department said.

A state health department spokesperson said measles exposures were confirmed in Tulsa and Rogers counties, but wouldnt say which counties had cases.

How many cases are there in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 20 measles cases in the state as of Thursday: 11 in Ashtabula County near Cleveland, seven in Knox County and one each in Allen and Holmes counties.

Ohio is not including nonresidents in its count, a state health department spokesperson told The Associated Press. The Knox County outbreak in east-central Ohio has infected a total 14 people, according to a news release from the county health department, but seven of them do not live in Ohio. In 2022, a measles outbreak in central Ohio sickened 85.

The outbreak in Ashtabula County started with an unvaccinated adult who had interacted with someone who had traveled internationally.

How many cases are there in Indiana?

Indiana confirmed six connected cases of measles in Allen County in the northeast part of the state  four are unvaccinated minors and two are adults whose vaccination status is unknown.

The cases have no known link to other outbreaks, the Allen County Department of Health said Wednesday. The first case was confirmed Monday.

Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. The agency counted seven clusters that qualified as outbreaks in 2025 as of Friday.

In the U.S., cases and outbreaks are frequently traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. It can then spread, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles. So far in 2025, the CDCs count is 712.

Do you need an MMR booster?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

People at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak, said Scott Weaver with the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.

Adults with presumptive evidence of immunity generally dont need measles shots now, the CDC said. Criteria include written documentation of adequate vaccination earlier in life, lab confirmation of past infection or being born before 1957, when most people were likely to be infected naturally.

A doctor can order a lab test called an MMR titer to check your levels of measles antibodies, but experts dont always recommend it and health insurance plans may not cover it.

Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says.

People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s dont need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from killed virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said. That also includes people who dont know which type they got.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

How can you treat measles?

Theres no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

Why do vaccination rates matter?

In communities with high vaccination rates  above 95%  diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called herd immunity.

But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.

The U.S. saw a rise in measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in Chicago that sickened more than 60.

By DEVI SHASTRI AP Health Writer

AP Science Writer Laura Ungar contributed to this report.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Boogieman, K-9 dog of former Oneonta police officer who has filed a lawsuit for wrongful termination (GoFundMe)

A former Oneonta police officer is now looking to sue the city and police chief, alleging that he was wrongfully fired after a fellow officer accidentally shot him during a shootout two years ago.

Ryan Pinyan was an experienced K-9 officer and patrolman at the time of his injury.

On a November morning in 2023, police were dispatched to Sand Valley Road on reports of a suspicious person. Upon approach, the suspect fled into the nearby woods, where a shootout ensued.

AL.coms reports of the incident from the time detail that the suspect was eventually killed in the gunfight, but this wasnt the only casualty.

Court documents also detail that one of the officers for the city of Oneonta ... inadvertently shot Ryan Pinyan in his right leg from behind which resulted in Plaintiff Pinyan spending seven days in the Intensive Care Unit at UAB.

Police did not initially disclose who shot Pinyan during the exchange of gunfire with the suspect.

Pinyan spent an extended period in the hospital, dealt with multiple surgeries and received workers compensation, according to court records.

Filed on Feb. 28, Pinyans attorneys submitted a complaint to the Blount County Circuit Court seeking damages for his wrongful termination. The document names the City of Oneonta, Oneonta Police Chief Charles Clifton, and three unnamed individuals as defendants.

More recent court records show that the city has motioned for the case to be transferred to federal court.

The court case documents claim that months after the shooting, on his way to be a witness in a grand jury hearing in Blount County, Pinyan was stopped by Oneonta Police Chief Charles Clifton.

The documents then detail that Pinyan was forced to sign a stack of workers compensation checks, acknowledge his Garrity rights, and was then questioned concerning his relationship with certain single women and certain married women and appeared to be trying to allege that plaintiff Pinyan had mistreated them or had some type of relationship with them.

Garrity rights protect public employees from being compelled to incriminate themselves in internal investigations.

Pinyan was then terminated from his position, in violation of due process, his lawsuit claims. Pinyan lost his car, weapon and badge without any clarification on what he did wrong, according to the lawsuit.

Pinyan and other tenured public employees are legally entitled to written or oral notices of the reason they are disciplined, the lawsuit claims.

The court documents detail the effects of the wrongful termination. Pinyans constitutional rights to due process were violated, he incurred mental anguish and had financial, and emotional harm as a direct result of the actions of the defendants and its agents.

The lawsuit also asks that Pinyan receive the money he personally raised for his K-9 dogs treatment, that he be reinstated to his prior position, and other damages.

Pinyan had been allowed to keep the dog after he was fired but not the money he had raised for the dogs treatment.

His K-9, Boogieman, was injured in an on-duty incident, according to the still-listed GoFundMe. According to the court records, Pinyan personally raised over $10,000 for Boogiemans treatment but was not allowed to keep any of it following his termination.

Requests from AL.com for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation reviews and reports on the shooting incident were deferred to the Blount DAs office. The DAs office deferred to the Blount Circuit Court Clerks Office who have yet to respond to the request for further information.

Attempts to reach lawyers for both Pinyan and the City of Oneonta have been unsuccessful.
Northrop Grumman has doubled its Huntsville-area space devoted to building the brains of a next-generation air defense system to protect U.S. forces and allies around the world.

The defense giant opened its $20 million Enhanced Production and Integration Center (EPIC) on One Aviation Way west of Huntsville International Airport on Monday. The facility spans 175,500 square feet  about 4 roofed acres  including manufacturing, production, classified testing and office space.

Inside, some of Northrop Grummans 3,000 local workers will produce and install the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), the U.S. Armys newest command and control solution for multiple air and missile defense platforms.

The new EPIC facility nearly doubles the size of the companys existing manufacturing space in the Huntsville area, according to company officials.

This facility will allow us to accelerate the delivery of critical air and missile defense capabilities to the U.S. and our allies  and represents our continued dedication and partnership to the Huntsville community, said Ben Davies, corporate vice president and president of the Northrop Grumman Defense Systems sector.

IBCS will gradually replace the command-and-control systems for existing air and missile defense platforms, including Patriot, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD). The Army selected Northrop Grumman as prime contractor in 2010, and the system was authorized for full production in 2023.

All of that production and integration into end items like the Engagement Operations Center (EOC) S-280 Shelter and the Integrated Fire Control Network (IFCN) Relay will take place in Huntsville.

This is an epic day for an epic company with an epic workforce in an epic community, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said, playing off the facilitys acronym, to loud cheers.

IBCS is already being deployed to Army units in Europe, South Korea and Guam, and is being fielded by Polands armed forces.

The facility is coming online at a time when air and missile defense is getting more attention than it has in a generation. Early in his second term, President Donald Trump called for improved missile defense  with a strong focus on space-based detection and intervention. Later dubbed Golden Dome, the project is likely to lead to more work and contracting dollars for north Alabama, AL.com has reported.

Rep. Dale Strong, the Republican who represents the 5th District that includes Huntsville and EPIC, said he sees a lot of potential for IBCS to play a role in Golden Dome.

In my meeting with the president and vice president in the Oval Office just a matter of days ago, our conversation was about the capabilities right here in north Alabama, he said.

Army Col. Chris Hill, Project Manager for the Integrated Fires Mission Command (IFMC) Project Office, called the opening of EPIC, a big deal. IBCS, he said, is revolutionizing air and missile defense for U.S. forces and allies, and agreed that it would likely play a role in Golden Dome.

Your efforts resonate beyond these walls, directly protecting our servicemembers and allies worldwide, he said Monday, speaking to workers gathered in the cavernous production space. As a native Alabamian myself, I am very proud to know our state is leading the charge on the most impactful modernization to air defense in 40 years.

Northrop Grumman's 175,500 square-foot production and integration facility in Huntsville includes dual overhead cranes and a modular power bus system, adding flexibility to the production floor. John R. Roby

Bill Lamb, who runs the ICBS operating unit for Northrop Grumman, said the systems benefits include its modularity and how it will simplify training for future warfighters.

Whats really powerful about IBCS and what makes it transformational is it can not only integrate U.S. Army systems but can do that with other types of airborne platforms, with the Navy  in the future a soldier that comes into Army air defense will train on just one command and control system, he said.

Jackson McAnally, who leads Northrop Grummans operations project management team at EPIC, said the companys other work on the initial production contract for IBCS was done at the companys other Madison facility, and will wrap in mid-May. Full-rate production contract work will then be shifted to the EPIC facility.

Everything here is at least two times bigger than what we had in the previous facility, he said Monday, pointing out dual overhead cranes and a modular power bus system that adds flexibility to the production floor. Having those capabilities  is going to be a tremendous improvement for us.
This is a guest opinion column

As a healthcare journalist and advocate with Inside Medicine, where our mission is to unite patients, physicians, and communities through shared local healthcare information, we are deeply concerned about the amount of time kids spend on their devices. If you are a parent like me, odds are that you have thought about the role technology plays in your childs life. I often find myself asking: how should I manage screen use with my children? Is what I am doing ok? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to that question.

On the one hand, phones and other devices mean that children can play educational games or watch a show while I have a little peace and quiet to get some things done. These obvious upsides also come with potential downsides. The fact is that there is content online that can present real risks for children. It is difficult for parents to even know where to start when it comes to keeping our children safe from those threats.

Of course, parents here in Alabama are not the only ones struggling to raise their children in the digital age. It is a challenge facing families across the country. However, with more parents than ever voicing their concerns about the need for more protection, lawmakers in other states have taken actions that could serve as a model for our own elected leaders.

That is why the App Store Accountability Act, a bill introduced in the State House by Representatives Sells, Mooney, Stadthagen, and Bracy, is a crucial step forward in protecting parental rights in the digital world. The bill would require app store providers to verify the age of users, link minor accounts to parent accounts, and secure parental approval before children and teens can download new apps. In an era where kids are spending an unprecedented amount of time on their devices, this bill provides a necessary safeguard to ensure parents have the tools to enforce household rules and protect their children from harmful content.

A new poll reveals overwhelming support among Alabama voters for requiring app stores to obtain parental approval before allowing children and teens to download apps  the aim of legislation currently being fast-tracked in both chambers of the Alabama Legislature.

A survey of 600 likely Alabama voters, commissioned by the Alabama Policy Institute (API) and conducted by research firm Cygnal, found that 83% of voters support requiring app stores to implement a parental approval system. That level of support spans political lines, with 89% of Republicans, 75% of Democrats and Independents, and more importantly 83% of Alabama parents backing the idea.

It is encouraging to see that legislators are recognizing the challenges parents face in managing their childrens digital access and are considering a streamlined solution where app download approval is granted in one place rather than separately for each app.

Every parent wants to protect their child from online dangers, and I appreciate that lawmakers are trying to give parents tools to keep kids safe. I encourage our lawmakers to continue prioritizing child safety online through measures like age verification requirements and collaborating with parents to keep kids safe online with smart, targeted solutions.

Kelly Reese is a mom, healthcare journalist and founder of Inside Medicine.
President Donald Trump s top advisers and Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, said Monday that they had no basis for the small Central American nation to return a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there last month.

Trump administration officials emphasized that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a notorious gang prison in El Salvador, was a citizen of that country and that U.S. has no say in his future. And Bukele, who has been a vital partner for the Trump administration in its deportation efforts, said of course Im not going to release him back to U.S. soil.

The question is preposterous, Bukele said. I dont have the power to return him to the United States.

Should El Salvador want to return Abrego Garcia, the U.S. would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane, Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

But she added: He was illegally in our country.

The meeting came as El Salvador has been a critical linchpin of the U.S. administrations mass deportation operation.

Since March, El Salvador has accepted from the U.S. more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants  whom Trump administration officials have accused of gang activity and violent crimes  and placed them inside the countrys notorious maximum-security gang prison just outside of the capital, San Salvador. It is also holding Abrego Garcia, who has not been returned to the U.S., despite court orders to do so.

That has made Bukele, who remains extremely popular in El Salvador due in part to the crackdown on the countrys powerful street gangs, a vital ally for the Trump administration, which has offered little evidence for its claims that the Venezuelan immigrants were in fact gang members, nor has it released names of those deported.

Asked whether he has any concerns about the prison there where deportees are being held, Trump told reporters early Sunday that Bukele was doing a fantastic job.

Hes taking care of a lot of problems that we have that we really wouldnt be able to take care of from cost standpoint, Trump said. And hes doing really, hes been amazing. We have some very bad people in that prison. People that should have never been allowed into our country.

Since Secretary of State Marco Rubios visit in February, Bukele  whose government has arrested more than 84,000 people as part of his three-year crackdown on gangs  has made it clear hes ready to help the Trump administration with its deportation ambitions.

Bukele struck a deal under which the U.S. will pay about $6 million for El Salvador to imprison the Venezuelan immigrants for a year. When a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to turn around a flight carrying the immigrants already en route to El Salvador, Bukele wrote on social media: Oopsie ... too late.

Though other judges had ruled against the Trump administration, this month the Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to use the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th century wartime law, to deport the immigrants. The justices did insist that the immigrants get a court hearing before being removed from the U.S. Over the weekend, 10 more people who the administration claims are members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs arrived in El Salvador, Rubio said Sunday.

Weve also found cooperation in other countries that are willing to take some of these people, some very dangerous criminals, Rubio said during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Bukele, Rubio added, has really been a good friend to the United States in that regard. These are some of the worst people youll ever encounter.

Trump has said openly that he would also favor El Salvador taking American citizens who have committed violent crimes, although he added, Id only do according to the law. It is unclear how lawful U.S. citizens could be deported elsewhere. Leavitt said such citizens would be heinous, violent criminals who have broken our nations laws repeatedly.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has called for the administration to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia, who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation to his native country over fears of gang persecution. Leavitt said the administrations job is to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, but Trump indicated later Friday that he would return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. if the high courts justices said to bring him back.

I have great respect for the Supreme Court, Trump told reporters traveling on Air Force One. Government lawyers indicated in a legal filing Saturday that Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador but did not detail what, if any, steps the administration is taking to return him to the U.S. In its required daily status update on Sunday, the government essentially stated that it had nothing to add beyond Saturdays filing.

While Bukeles crackdown on gangs has popular support, the country has lived under a state of emergency that suspends some basic rights for three years. He built the massive prison, located just outside San Salvador in the town of Tecoluca, to hold those accused of gang affiliation under his crackdown.

Part of his offer to receive the Venezuelans there was that the U.S. also send back some Salvadoran gang leaders. In February, his ambassador to the U.S., Milena Mayorga, said on a radio program that having gang leaders face justice in El Salvador was an issue of honor.

Bukele could also seek relief from the 10% tariff recently imposed by Trump, using the argument that it weakens the economy Bukele is trying to bolster.

Cesar Rios, director of the El Salvador Immigrant Agenda Association, said its crucial that (the visit) isnt limited to diplomatic gestures, but rather translates to concrete actions that benefit Salvadorans abroad and at home.

Populists who have successfully crafted their images through media, Bukele and Trump hail from different generations but display similar tendencies in how they relate to the press, political opposition and justice systems in their respective countries.

Bukele came to power in the middle of Trumps first term and had a straightforward relationship with the U.S. leader. Trump was most concerned with immigration and, under Bukele, the number of Salvadorans heading for the U.S. border declined.

Bukeles relationship with the U.S. grew more complicated at the start of the Biden administration, which was openly critical of some of his antidemocratic actions. Trump has also shown some irritation with Bukele in the past, accusing El Salvador of lowering its crime rate by sending people to the U.S.

Hes just, were working with our people that are causing problems and crime, Trump said of Bukele at a campaign rally last year. Hes not working with them. Hes dumping them in the United States and their crime rate, their murder rate, is down 72%.

Just before Bukeles arrival in Washington, the State Department updated its travel advisory for El Salvador to Level 1, which is for countries that are considered the safest to visit for U.S. citizens. The advisory notes that gang activity, and the accompanying murders and other violent crimes, has declined in the past three years.
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, escorted by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., walk out to the presidential limousine, as they depart the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, enroute to the Capitol. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

Donald Trump not only received a clean bill of health during his physical exam, but the president claimed he also scored the highest mark on a cognitive test while bashing his predecessor.

Trump was remarking on illegal immigration during a White House visit Monday by El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele when he veered into the results of his cognitive test.

We have millions of people that should not be in this country, that are dangerous ... theyve been allowed to come into our country from other countries that were very smart.

When they heard that this very low IQ president -- and by the way I took my cognitive exam as part of my physical exam, and I got the highest mark, Trump told reporters, referring to President Joe Biden.

And one of the doctors said, sir, Ive never seen anyone get that kind of a -- that was the highest mark. ..., Trump continued.

The president, 78, said his exam at Walter Reed Medical Center was conducted over five to six hours. He claimed not too many presidents underwent a cognitive test.

I said, Let me be the only one to take one, but Ive actually taken them three times already, said Trump, who previously praised his prior performances on cognitive exams.

I like taking them because theyre not too tough for me to take, he said.

On Sunday, the White House released a memo on the medical tests from the White House physician, who indicated that Trump remains in excellent health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.

It came out perfecto, so youve got me for a little longer, Trump said.
Trust me, Im a doctor is a humorous expression that suggests ones opinion should be accepted without question, regardless of whether the person offering the opinion has actual medical expertise or experience.

The assumption is that physicians are knowledgeable, competent, and trustworthy. At one time, few would have questioned that assumption.

Image via Grok

In 2013, Rasmussen Reports surveyed American adults and discovered that a significant majority , specifically 81%, trusted their doctor.

Four years later in 2017, that number was even higher, with 93% of patients trusting their regular doctor.

A funny thing happened in late 2019 and early 2020. In late 2019, almost no one had ever heard of COVID, coronavirus, or Wuhan.

The World Military Games were held, of all places, in Wuhan, China, in October 2019. A Department of Defense report from 2022 suggested that seven military members might have become infected with COVID-19.

We are only hearing about this now, two and a half years later. Apparently, this report was concealed among the Epstein files or Hunter Bidens and Anthony Weiners laptops. However, the Biden administration covered up this report, just as they obscured their bosss mental state and cognitive decline for four years.

Lies and coverups are a great way to destroy trust.

Dr. Anthony Fauci and his cabal lied to the public about the origins of COVID with their nonsensical proximal origin theory.

Why? To discredit President Donald Trump, who blamed China, and to conceal their illegal gain-of-function research.

Additionally, it may have been to maintain and protect money flow from China to the pharma-industrial complex.

This is one reason why trust in doctors and the medical profession has declined sharply over the past five years. You dont have to take my word for it; I live and work in this new world of dwindling trust and observe it all around me.

The Journal of the American Medical Association conducted a survey of nearly half a million American adults across all 50 states and found, The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a continuing decrease in trust in physicians and hospitals, which may necessitate strategies to rebuild that trust to achieve public health priorities.

The Wall Street Journal, taking a break from criticizing President Trump over immigration and tariffs, noticed the declining trust in doctors. This past February, they published an article questioning, Why we dont trust doctors like we used to.

They referenced a Gallup survey that stated, Americans ratings of US professions stay historically low.

In other words, its not only doctors who are held in low esteem but much of the administrative class as well.

Interestingly, another group of healthcare professionals topped the list, Three in four Americans consider nurses highly honest and ethical, making them the most trusted of 23 professions rated in Gallups annual measurement. Those surveyed must have missed the incessant TikTok videos of nurses dancing in ICUs during COVID.

And to no surprise for anyone engaged in politics and the news, The least trusted professions, with more than half of U.S. adults saying their ethics are low or very low, are lobbyists, members of Congress and TV reporters.

But its doctors falling most rapidly from grace, About 53% of those polled in 2024 gave a high or very high rating to medical doctors, down from 67% in 2021. Its the biggest drop among 23 professions ranked by Gallup in that period.

There are many reasons. The WSJ offered a partial explanation:

People are increasingly wary of a healthcare system that is supposed to make them feel better but instead leaves them stressed and frustrated. And while much ire is directed at insurance and pharmaceutical companies, doctors are the front face of the system and are losing the publics confidence, as well.

However, they overlooked the elephant that entered the room in late 2019, an elephant named COVID.

Consider the business and school lockdowns that closed churches while allowing strip clubs and liquor stores to remain open. It was illegal to surf alone in the Pacific Ocean, yet thousands marching together on city streets in the name of BLM or Antifa were considered perfectly safe and healthy.

Masks were deemed ineffective at protecting against tiny viruses until they were mandated as effective and lifesaving. As Dr. Anthony Fauci acknowledged, social distancing was arbitrary; It sort of just appeared. Hows that for science? As Gomer Pyle would say, Shazam, shazam!

The vaccines proved to be neither safe nor effective. Otherwise, we wouldn't be hearing about sudden deaths, blood clots, or myocarditis. Additionally, those vaccinated and boosted would not continue to contract COVID. Or as a Cleveland Clinic study found, the chance of getting COVID increased with an increasing number of vaccine doses and boosters.

Children lost years of education and social interaction to avoid catching a viral illness that posed virtually no risk of death to children. Jobs, businesses, and livelihoods were devastated due to political motivations rather than medical science. What impact does this have on trust in the medical system?

The U.S. healthcare system is failing Americans. The Commonwealth Fund reports, The US spends the most on healthcare but has the worst health outcomes among high-income countries. In most businesses, this would signal a death knell.

Then, there is the dysfunctional medical payment system, a combination of government and corporate control, which separates patients as consumers from physicians and hospitals as providers.

The Medicare fee schedule, which serves as the basis for all third-party insurance payments, will reduce reimbursement by 3% in 2025. This marks the fifth consecutive year of payment reductions, even as the cost of providing care continues to rise.

Physicians are compelled to see more patients throughout their workday, which results in spending less time with each individual and longer waits for appointments or to see the doctor during a brief office visit.

Patients are understandably frustrated and now see a doctors visit similar to a DMV trip.

The loss of trust extends beyond doctors; it includes the entire healthcare system, encompassing government-run health agencies and insurance companies.

The public has been overwhelmed by a continuous influx of misinformation, especially concerning the COVID pandemic, and has encountered censorship for asking questions or expressing complaints. Americans have been made to believe that our healthcare system is the best.

Although the system may benefit certain patients in particular situations, we fail spectacularly on a population level. Practicing medicine is no longer a calling or profession; instead, it has become a people-facing service trade influenced by price controls and an increasing number of rules and regulations.

Any private sector business operating in such a manner would quickly go out of business.

Trust lost is difficult to regain. Through transparency and disclosure, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. may step in the right direction.

However, the basic structure of the healthcare delivery system is deeply flawed, and elected officials have no interest in undertaking the major reforms necessary to right the ship.

Healthcare spending in the U.S. exceeds $5 trillion, accounting for 18% of GDP, and continues to grow each year. Meanwhile, life expectancy in the U.S. is declining , and chronic diseases are on the rise.

Physicians who observe and voice any concerns may face censorship or threats to their medical licenses or employment. I experienced such backlash from the medical-industrial complex during the pandemic.

Clearly, what we are doing is not working, yet we are following the definition of insanity -- doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.

It's no surprise that fewer Americans trust the healthcare system. The phrase Trust me, Im a doctor is fading into obscurity like another ridiculous saying from the past: More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette.

We must be able to trust our doctors with our lives and well-being. Can we still do that?

Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph, and Email brianjoondeph@gmail.com.
The debate over birthright citizenship has a long history. Thanks to President Trump, the issue is again crying out for reconsideration. Although birthright citizenship contrasts with citizenship by naturalization, the factors influencing past and current policy decisions for each remain similar. Resolution of the issues is now made necessary because of the issuance of the Presidents Executive Order No. 14,160. Proper resolution requires re-examination of the historical truth as to what Congress intended to do and how Congress implemented that intent

The debate arose primarily because of a difference in birthright citizenship wording in the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the birthright citizenship wording in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The citizenship wording in the Civil Rights Act of 1866, was enacted by the 39th Congress on April 9, 1866, and reads: all persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power, excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States... Congress intentionally used the not subject to any foreign power wording to deny birthright citizenship to citizens of foreign countries. Foreign citizens (for birthright citizenship purposes) were deemed to have unacceptable loyalty, allegiance, and duties to other nations and, further, such other nations would have power over such persons in conflict with the power that the United States would have over its citizens and in conflict with the obligations and duties of U.S. citizens. The 39th Congress determined to add further strength to the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 by immediately incorporating the statutory provisions into a proposed new amendment to the Constitution. To that end, a citizenship clause was added to the proposed 14th Amendment. That Citizenship Clause was proposed to the 39th Congress on June 16, 1866, a mere 68 days after enactment of the citizenship clause in the Civil Rights Act of 1866: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

Legislative history of the Senate clearly indicates that use of the word jurisdiction in the Citizenship Clause was intended to produce and was believed would produce the same result as the citizenship wording in the Civil Rights Act of 1866. At that time, Sen. Jacob Howard, who introduced the language of the jurisdiction clause, confirmed that the language in the Citizenship Clause referring to jurisdiction was: ...simply declaratory of what was already the law of the land. (i.e. was already expressed in the not subject to any foreign power clause in the Civil Rights Act of 1866).

Senator Lyman Trumbull, concurring with Howard, declared:

That means subject to the complete jurisdiction thereof... Not owing allegiance to anybody else. That is what it means... It cannot be said of any (person) who owes allegiance, partial allegiance if you please, to some other Government that he is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States...

Subsequent to adoption of the 14th Amendment, and in furtherance of the consistent intent and meaning of the two citizenship clauses, Congress actually removed any doubt as to congressional intent and the conditions for receipt of birthright citizenship when, on May 3, 1870, it dispositively reenacted all provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, including the not subject to any foreign power citizenship clause. (See Section 18 of the Enforcement Act of 1870.)

Nonetheless, a faction of American citizens, some claiming to be experts, assert that the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment provides automatic U.S. citizenship to any person born in the United States. First, the faction asserts that each such child born meets the jurisdiction requirements of the 14th Amendment since the child at birth is subject to U.S. jurisdiction in connection with miscellaneous laws binding on all occupants, such as laws prohibiting shoplifting and jaywalking. Second, the faction asserts that the child at birth meets all citizenship requirements regardless of whether one or both of the childs parents are citizens of a foreign country, whether the child or one or more of the childs parents are permanent U.S. residents, temporary visitors, or U.S. green card holders, whether one or more of the childs parents unlawfully entered the U.S., or whether one or more of the childs parents had committed or been convicted of a crime before or after entry into the U.S.

These assertions/interpretations/claims can instantly be recognized as in conflict with U.S. law and policies. Why?

As detailed above, those assertions do not meet the requirements for and conditions to birthright citizenship established in the Civil Rights of 1866, the 14th Amendment, and the Enforcement Act of 1870. The Constitution is to be interpreted to the extent reasonable in a manner giving effect to all its parts and in a manner to avoid conflict or repugnancy with what was intended by its authors. It is therefore appropriate that the Citizenship Clause be interpreted so that it does not circumvent, impede, disrupt, or conflict with other citizenship laws, immigration laws, and the established rules, regulations, and policies of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Such rules include, but are not limited to, eligibility requirements that the person (a) be of good moral character (certainly not one being raised as part of a family violating U.S. immigration law), (b) demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution, (c) be able to read, write , and speak basic English, (d) have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government, and (e) take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

No compelling explanation has been issued by any court or otherwise as to why the 39th Congress would enact a law denying natural-born citizenship to a person subject to a foreign power (a non-citizen) and then 56 days later propose a law to the extreme contrary.

The definition of the word jurisdiction per Lexis-Nexis is: both the authority or power of the court to determine a dispute between parties. When a child is born in the United States, courts in the United States have no such judicial authority or power over the child, since there is then no existing dispute to be adjudicated. There is no case or controversy.

How should appellate courts and the Supreme Court rule in the current citizenship cases? First, because Trump is likely to prevail on the merits, the Supreme Court should vacate the temporary nationwide injunction preventing implementation and enforcement of the Executive Order. Second, the Supreme Court (reversing the much-disputed Wong Kim Ark decision) should hold that the citizenship jurisdiction wording in Article 1, Section 1 of the 14th amendment has the same meaning as the no foreign power clause in the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as initially enacted and as re-enacted in the Enforcement Act of 1870. Only then will automatic birthright citizenship be denied to children born to citizens of foreign countries, to persons whose allegiance, loyalty, and duty are to countries or ideologies inconsistent with the principles on which America is founded, to foreign persons who have entered for temporary educational, work, or vacation purposes, to foreign persons taking advantage of the so-called birth-trade, and to foreign persons who have illegally entered the United States or have committed other crimes.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
While the focus of the Trump administration has been on seizing control of the Panama Canal from China, another port on the Pacific Ocean side of South America, CopiaPort-E in Chile, billed as the Rotterdam of the Pacific, demands President Trumps attention. The World Bank, UNESCO, and the Chinese Communist Party had long planned for CopiaPort-Es 8-kilometer-long natural breakwater peninsula to be the landing pad for Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in South America. If the Trump administration acts fast, President Trump can block the final step in Chinas BRI expansion plans in South America before China finalizes the deal.

A group of three holding companies and one operating company (three Chilean and one Panama organized) own approximately 850 square miles (220,000) hectares of real estate on which the port will be developed, including all rights to intellectual property, programs, contracts, use and regulatory licenses, and trade secrets. St. Matthew Assurance Ltd., a part of the Cotswold Group of Companies, has established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chinese Representatives to purchase equity and the rights to develop the CopiaPort-E Super Port project. St. Matthew Assurance Company, the ultimate owner, is an insurance company owned, organized, and operating under the laws of the Chiricahua Apache (CAMB) Nation and is benefiting from the CAMB Nations sovereign Indigenous status and protections provided by the U.S. domestic and international law, including the Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The planned Copiaport-E location. YouTube screen grab.

Since the trade war with the PRC began over the Panama Canal, an intensive effort has been underway for China to own, control, and establish trade routes across the Pacific to the West coast of South America to allow for direct access to their food, gas, and mineral supplies. The Cotswold Group of Companies, based in the Caribbean, also has ongoing talks with various influential people and decision-makers in the Trump Administration. Todd Callender, Esq. is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cotswold Group and lead author of my newest book, published on April 4, Disease X and Military Martial Law: Defeating the Globalist Plan to Depopulate the World and Enslave the Remnant.

Generative AI notes that the CopiaPort-E project is part of the larger Hacienda Castilla property, the largest private property in Chile, located in the Atacama Region, in northern Chile, near Copiapo. The Hacienda Castilla website, in turn, notes that CopiaPort-E envisions becoming the leading hub port of Pacific South America, offering world-class infrastructure and services that Unlock the full potential of the regions agricultural and industrial production.

CopiaPort-E is a 30-meter natural deep-water port with no dredging necessary to accommodate dockside Chinamax-sized vessels. These vessels can accommodate 800 percent more cargo than current shipping on the East Coast of South America. Designed to operate as a bi-oceanic port, Chinamax vessels will save an estimated 15 days of sailing time by departing CopiaPort-E directly for Asia, compared to transversing the Atlantic route, departing from the Rosario-Buenos Aires ports on the Atlantic Ocean side of South America, passing through the Panama Canal to reach Asia.

Access to CopiaPort-E also aims to draw Argentinas growing agribusiness, which is transported by truck, through two low-gradient border passes between Chile and Argentina. CopiaPort-E has upside potential to be the perfect geographical position to serve as a liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal and provide supply and support missions to Antarctica. Todd Callender and the St. Matthew Assurance Team have produced two short videos: one on Hacienda Castilla and the other on the CopiaPort-E Project.

On his way to the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024, Xi Jinping met with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte to officially open Chancay, a new $3.6 billion port in Peru in which Chinas state-owned shipping giant China Ocean Shipping Group (Cosco) purchased a 60 percent stake for $1.6 billion, giving Cosco the company exclusive use of the port for 60 years. With the port located only 50 miles north of Lima, China plans to use it to ship the Peruvian and Chilean lithium and copper needed to build electric vehicles and data centers, furthering Chinas ambitions to monopolize world rare earth minerals and metal supplies. China has acquired equity interests in 129 port projects around the globe, with a concentration in the Global South and at least one port in every continent except Antarctica.

Chile is currently the worlds largest producer and exporter of copper and boasts an enormous, newly discovered Lithium deposit in the same area as the port. On April 7, 2025, Reuters reported that as Chile revs up lithium plans, Indigenous people demand more control to ensure environmental concerns, including water supply safeguards, are respected. The involvement of the indigenous tribes in lithium production is another reason Chile can promote CopiaPort-E as an ECO-port designed to ensure the Atacama Regions development respects international treaties on indigenous rights.

As Trumps historic first 100 days in office are about to conclude, the administration must not let the opportunity to acquire the rights to CopiaPort-E fall through the cracks. With Secretary of Defense Hegseth in Panama and Secretary of State Rubio concerned about concluding negotiations with Russia over Ukraine, the chance for the U.S. to wrest a strategically important port opportunity from China in the Western Hemisphere must not be overlooked.

GodsFiveStones.com is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 foundation created by Jerome R. Corsi, Ph.D., and Karladine Graves, M.D., managed by Capstone Legacy Foundation. As reported on GodsFiveStones.com, Andrew Paquette, Ph.D., has discovered cryptographic algorithms in the State Board of Elections voter registration databases in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, and Oklahoma.
The ink was barely dry on the Supreme Courts 5-4 decision lifting the stay on deportations under the Alien Enemies Act when the legacy media began breathlessly quoting Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissentin apocalyptic tones.

Her warning? That under the Courts logic, an American citizen could be deportedstripped of rights, booted from the country, exiled without due process, never to return.

Cue the headlines. Cue the hashtags. Cue the hair-on-fire social media engagement from people who havent read the statute, the ruling, or a single line of immigration law in their lives.

One not-so-insignificant problem here is that her argument is legally incoherent, constitutionally unserious, and factually implausible. More than a few logical fallacies are also greasing this rabbit holes tunnel into Abaddon.

But thats par for the course these daysespecially when the audience isnt fellow jurists but cable news anchors and social media bots.

Lets be clear: the Alien Enemies Act applies to aliens, not citizens. The text refers explicitly to subjects of a foreign nation. It has nevernot once in over 225 years of existencebeen applied to a U.S. citizen. This isnt a gray area. Its not ambiguous.

Its a fundamental category error that wouldnt pass a first-year law school exam.

Even worse, it wasnt just madeit was practically shouted from the rooftop of the Supreme Court Building, seemingly to inflame and distort rather than interpret and clarify.

And it did precisely that. And thats the real danger here: not that Americans might suddenly be deported under the Alien Enemies Act, but that the public is being misled about what the law says.

Sotomayors dissent also trots out the banner of due process. But here again, the analysis collapses. Due process means precisely thatyou receive the process you are due. Under the AEA, that process isand always has beenlimited.

In Ludecke v. Watkins (1948), the Supreme Court held that judicial review of AEA deportations is narrow. It may include habeas corpus, but even that is tightly constrained. The statute was crafted for exigent national securitynot as a tabula rasa for district court judges eager to play policymaker with a gavel.

American citizens, by contrast, are not subject to the AEA at all. Why? Because they are not aliens. Simple stuff and Im no justice of the Supreme Court. It is the bedrock premise of the entire statute. To suggest otherwise is to collapse the distinction between citizen and non-citizen, between sovereignty and abstraction.

But this dissent wasnt written for the U.S. Reports. It was written for amplification. For outrage. For engagement. This was fearmongering dressed in black robes, force-feeding talking points to trolling social media bots and breathing the sanctified air of MSNBC studios at 30 Rockor wherever they broadcast from these days.

Or, to borrow Justice Jacksons own termwho joined Justice Sotomayorit was fly-by-night jurisprudence. Slapdash brummagem.

And the press took the bait. Could YOU be deported under Trumps immigration plan became the subtext of the coverage as if the Court had greenlit some constitutional dystopia. But thats not analysisits political fan fiction.

Meanwhile, the real work of procedural sabotage rolls on. Within days of the ruling, the ACLU filed a class action habeas petition in the Southern District of New Yorknot just on behalf of individual Venezuelan nationals but seeking recognition of a nationwide class.

If granted, a single district judge in Manhattan could block enforcement of the AEA across the country, regardless of venue, standing, or national interest. Its not about redressits about control. Call it Rule 23 meets the Resistance.

Say what you will about Ruth Bader Ginsburgshe had sharp clerks, a command of the law, and a discipline that kept her grounded in legal reasoning, even when writing from the Left.

By contrast, Sotomayor increasingly produces dissents that read like activist press releases stapled to a Bluebook. Sotomayor is no RBG, and based on this latest effort, she may need better clerks.

The Alien Enemies Act remains good law. It gives the presidentnot the judiciarydiscretion to remove hostile foreign nationals during times of national peril.

That authority is not limited to declared wars. The statute also applies when a foreign government perpetrates or threatens an invasion or predatory incursionlanguage that covers a wider range of irregular or asymmetric threats.

That authority has never extended to American citizens, and no serious jurist would argue that it shouldthough one dissent, it seems, would like you to imagine that danger lurking in some penumbra.

But the facts of the case before the Court werent the point. This dissent was about fogging the battlefield, confusing the public, and distorting the stakes.

It cant change the law. But it can poison the discourse.

Image: YouTube video screen grab.
Stephen Green posted about CBSs very woke take on child sacrifice at a Teotihuacan altar in whats now Guatemala: It was a gentle, nuanced thing, non-violent, and spiritual. Yeah, right. But we must admit something right now: Our child-sacrifice culture is infinitely worse.

The cool thing is that another bit of archaeology has emerged from the Latin American jungle. I find it endlessly fascinating how the Earth still hides so many secrets about our past. As CBS reports, the Teotihuacan altarthat is, an altar to what became one of the central Aztec godsemerged in Tikal National Park in Guatemala:

Edwin Roman, who leads the South Tikal Archaeological Project within the park, said the discovery shows the sociopolitical and cultural interaction between the Maya of Tikal and Teotihuacan's elite between 300 and 500 A.D. Roman said the discovery also reinforces the idea that Tikal was a cosmopolitan center at that time, a place where people visited from other cultures, affirming its importance as a center of cultural convergence.

Image: YouTube screen grab.

Whats archaeologically mysterious is how this altar appeared there, given that the Aztec culture, which elevated the Teotihuacan worship to extreme and blood heights, came along about 900 years after the altar.

Oh, theres one other thing about the newly discovered temple, and thats the fact that it was used primarily for killing children:

Lorena Paiz, the archaeologist who led the discovery, said that the Teotihuacan altar was believed to have been used for sacrifices, especially of children. The remains of three children not older than 4 years were found on three sides of the altar, Paiz told The Associated Press.

Fear not, though. This wasnt some nasty, pedophile child murder stuff. Instead, it was death with dignity for the greater good:

Maria Belen Mendez, an archaeologist who was not involved with the project, said the discovery confirms that there has been an interconnection between both cultures and what their relationships with their gods and celestial bodies was like. We see how the issue of sacrifice exists in both cultures [Mayan and Aztec]. It was a practice; its not that they were violent, it was their way of connecting with the celestial bodies, she said.

Stephen Green correctly calls out Mendez for that statement:

Well, yeah  it is that they were violent. If Teotihuacan culture was anything like the Aztecs, who followed in their bloody footsteps, they carved the still-beating hearts out of children under the age of four. But no matter how the Teotihuacan did it, their way of connecting with the celestial bodies was a murderous business.

However, heres a thought that ought to embarrass us all. In a way, Mendez has a point.

The children sacrificed at that altar werent slaughtered willy-nilly. Instead, they were a gift from the people to their gods. The relatively small number of children who died at that altar were unwittingly performing a service for the entire community by protecting them from the arbitrary and capricious nature of pagan deities who, unless placated, would wreak havoc on an insufficiently respectful and generous community.

In America, abortionwhich we were once assured would be safe, legal, and rarehas resulted in the deaths of roughly 65 million children. Significantly, abortion is no longer to protect women from death, abuse, or becoming a pathetic societal outcast. Instead, it is for the womans convenience to allow her to finish her education, hold on to her career, dump her boyfriend, or just have consequence-free sex.

In 2004, one womans narrative led to a very famous essay. She explained to the author that when she discovered she would have triplets, she thought to herself, Ill have to start shopping only at Costco and buying big jars of mayonnaise. That thought was a death sentence for two of the triplets.

Eighteen years later, an abortion activist named Sarah Lopez testified before Congress that Having an abortion was the easiest decision Ive ever made. It was transformative, it was liberating, it was an act of self-love.

House Oversight Democrat abortion witness:



"My abortion was the best decision I ever made. It was an act of self love." pic.twitter.com/f35DJ7RNuk  Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 13, 2022

What Lopez said (and the Shout Your Abortion crowd would echo) is incredibly profound...in a bad way. While people once sacrificed babies to placate the gods, women now do so to benefit and transform themselves. They are the new gods and, with 65 million dead babies, infinitely more bloodthirsty than the old ones could ever dream of being.

So, before we sneer at those long-ago Teotihuacan worshippers, we need to remember that we are worse, both in motive and sheer numbers.
Victor Davis Hanson among others has been wondering aloud and in print why, if tariffs are bad, do so many countries have them on U.S. products? He is right -- tariffs are bad in that like any tax on a market they reduce trade and people trade with each other because both sides expect to benefit, and often, each side of a trade does gain. Or, as has been said about protection in general, it is when you do to yourself in peacetime what your enemies would do to you in wartime.

As an aside, if you tax anything, you get less of it. Government must raise funds via taxation even if the U.S. government raises too much money and wastes lot of it. If you raise funds taxing markets or exchange with tariffs or sales taxes, you reduce trade domestic or international. If you tax income, then you reduce income generation or work, investment in tools, and business formation. A case can be made for taxing markets rather than income, but that is an issue for another discussion.

Since tariffs reduce mutual benefit or the gains of each party on each side of trade, why do so many countries have them? Why have tariffs been so attractive to Democrat and Republic presidents alike? Part of the answer is that in any country there are people who will benefit from a tariff, even if society as a whole will lose.

The producers of a product, including both owners and workers, in protected industries gain, again even if society loses. So, producers often lobby governments to impose tariffs to protect their industry.

Thus, weak politicians around the world buckle under to groups that benefit from tariffs, hoping to get them as political allies and gain their votes in elections. These are concentrated benefits that only a few obtain, but the few really notice their gains. Sure, there are costs for society, but these costs are spread over many more people and the weak politician hopes they will not be felt as much nor cost them many, if any, votes.

Of course, in Donald Trump the U.S. has anything but a weak politician. So, what is he doing? He has said at various times he favors free trade, but that trade now is anything but free for U.S. goods. What he may be doing is providing cover for weak politicians around the globe. Mark Carney, the new prime minister of Canada, has not been able to stand up to the Canadian dairy farmers lobby, but he may well have to now, faced with the Trump tariffs. And he can say to the Canadian dairy farmers, Dont blame me, its that Trump guy.

Over the next few months lots of weak politicians around the world may be forced to stand up to various tariff pressure groups in their countries, saying, Its not me, but that Trump guy. If this comes to pass, President Trump may become the greatest free trader in world history. And if that comes to pass, as usual, he will get little to no credit for it.

James L. Swofford is a Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics, Finance and Real Estate at the University of South Alabama.

Image: Pixabay
We took one for the team by reading Particles of Truth: A Story of Discovery, Controversy, and the Fight for Healthy Air, by C. Arden Pope III, Douglas W. Dockery, so you wont have to suffer through it.

The book has twelve chapters plus references and index. It is written by academics from Brigham Young and Harvard University. The publisher, MIT Press, describes the book as A compelling, real-life account of how scientists uncovered air pollution's deadly impact on human health -- and the contentious battles to use key scientific evidence in the critical fight for clean air.

One gets a quick sense of the books nonsense by reading the three-page Forward by infamous email-deleting Gina McCarthy, former Obama-appointed administrator of the EPA. She states Arden Pope and Doug Dockery are unsung heroes in the field of air pollution. Hardly true, but anyhow.

This is not quite a bad as another infamous former Obama-appointed EPA administrator, Lisa Jackson, stating in a 2011 congressional hearing If we could reduce particulate matter [in air] to healthy levels it would have the same impact as finding a cure for cancer in our country.

The books chapters explore multifaceted aspects of air quality, from health effects to economic repercussions to environmental justice (a term to be taken with a bucket of salt). It purports to present a strong case that small particles in air (particulate matter PM2.5), substantially affect public health. The book also explores the intense efforts of others to discredit and cast doubt on their science (we are on that team).

The book sees Pope/Dockery taking a celebratory stance on their (junk science) contributions towards air quality improvements. They posit that these advancements have significantly mitigated (fake) health effects associated with air quality. They note (page 156) life expectancy reductions from air pollution are comparable with cigarette smoking. In the junk science world, anything is possible.

In stark contrast, the 2016 Scare Pollution. Why and How to Fix the EPA by Steve Milloy and the 2021 National Association of Scholars (NAS) Shifting Sands report burrowed into EPA bureaucratic malfeasance and academic junk science dangers of trust the science small particle health effects research.

This research is rooted in bad science, including potential data manipulation (p-hacking) and false creation of convenient hypotheses post-analysis (HARKing). The NAS report also highlighted the replication crisis in academic research, including small particle health effects research.

A troubling number of academic research claims fail to withstand further scrutiny. In short, this research is false. For small particles, this controversy can be traced back to influential studies by Dockery (in 1993) and Pope (in 1995).

The discourse about small particles causing health impacts is highly debatable. The debate is of two narratives: one asserting there are impacts and another questioning validity of these claims.

Substantial economic implications are tied to this debate. Americans annually pay at least $14,000 in hidden regulatory costs per household, or roughly $1.9 trillion overall. Much of this is from air quality regulations.

There is sufficient evidence that current public health policies and regulations for small particles in air are not grounded in reliable science. Yet what has unfolded is a bureaucratic policy disaster with annual trillion-dollar regulatory costs being footed by American taxpayers and dubious public health benefits to show for it.

Lets face it, air quality has been trending healthy for decades in America. It is the methods that academics like Pope/Dockery use to study air quality impacts that are unhealthy (and a work of art).

S. Stanley Young, Ph.D. is the CEO of CGStat in Raleigh, North Carolina and is director of the National Association of Scholars Shifting Sands Project. Warren Kindzierski, Ph.D. is a retired college professor (public health) in St Albert, Alberta.

Image: MIT Press
Of the many grave issues that daily confront our nation, the single most urgent for resolution is whether Iran gets the bomb. Dealing with that murderous regime is a challenge for which no one in the American government, from the President on down, has an adequate experiential grounding.

The great challenge of dealing with Iran is coming to grips with the mindset of its leaders, who love death more than life. The leadership of Iran fervently believes:

1) Iran has a mandatory religious duty to destroy Israel and the USA.

2) In pursuit of this duty, there is no prohibition against lying, cheating, and deceit.

3) Entering into an anti-nuclear treaty with the USA would violate Irans religious duty to destroy the USA unless that treaty were a mere ruse to facilitate that destruction.

There can be no doubt that Iran would incinerate us if only it could acquire the means. And we must remind ourselves that Iran does not have to develop nuclear weapons. It could purchase warheads from Russia and missiles from North Korea if it could finance the purchase.

Image by AI.

President Trump seems to understand the problem, having pretty clearly threatened Iran with war. The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is in sync with the President, having refused to rule out war with Iran. We should also note with approval the buildup of the US B-2 Spirit bomber force in Diego Garcia.

But there is nevertheless a serious cause for alarm. Its true that, as NBC News reports,

Iran and the U.S. met on Saturday and have agreed to resume talks on nuclear issues and sanctions next week, the White House said. In a statement released after the talks concluded earlier in the day, the White House described the discussions as positive and constructive, a sentiment echoed by Irans foreign ministry.

Say what? They are negotiating what? They are negotiating what the BBC describes, on Irans part, as a deal to limit, but not dismantle, its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

So, the US is going to purchase promises from Iran? Will the purchase price be just what Iran needs to buy warheads from Russia and missiles from North Korea? What if Iran were to promise on a stack of Korans to abstain from the use of nuclear weapons? Would we dare believe that? Why are the words Peace in our time ringing through my mind?

President Trump on Wednesday repeated his threat to use military force if Iran did not agree to end its nuclear program. Trump set the two-month deadline in a letter last month to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Does this mean that a mere promise to end its nuclear program will stave off American military force?

Most frightening is this report:

Iran is considering proposing during talks with the U.S. that the two countries work on an interim nuclear agreement before pursuing negotiations over a comprehensive deal, a European diplomat and a source familiar with the issue told Axios.

Right. Iran needs more time...more time to prepare the bomb.

In this state of affairs, we are presented with the critical need to answer a burning question. The burning question for us to answer is this: Given the history, posture, and mindset of Iran, exactly what do we require to be secure in our beds at night?

Specifically, can we be secure with anything less than a military occupation of Iran?
As you may remember, President Trump promised to close the border and deport illegal immigrants. Guess what? He is carrying through with his promises. First, the border is closed and deportations are underway. Second, as he told us, the U.S. armed forces would actually protect our border for a change.

This week, we learned that the troops are on the border. This is the story:

President Trump authorized the U.S. military to take jurisdiction over a strip of public land at the border that spans three states, a key step toward having U.S. troops play a larger role enforcing immigration laws at the southern border. In a presidential memorandum released Friday evening, Trump ordered the Defense Department to have authority over the Roosevelt Reservation, among other public lands. American-Indian reservations are exempt from the order. Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats, Trumps order read. 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.

Anybody disagree with that? The military presence sends a message both ways on the border. Up north, U.S. voters are seeing the urgency behind this. The open border has promoted human trafficking and emboldened the cartels in Mexico. Down south, the message is that the U.S. military will protect the border from criminal elements profiting from all this.

Good moves, and keep it going.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
DOGE, which is popular with the public, is all about slimming down the size of government.

But that is not a concept for Whoopi Goldberg, who's calling for higher taxes to keep the government obese and overfed.

According to the Daily Caller:

The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg, a multimillionaire, told Americans on Thursday that they need to suck it up and pay a little more taxes. Goldberg called on Americans to pay more taxes to help pay for schools and other essentials, despite claiming that Americans are also struggling with everything on a day to day basis. The co-hosts net worth is estimated to be $60 million as of April 2025. A 90-day pause doesnt mean anything to anyone because people, as you said, are struggling with everyone that theyre living with on a day to day basis. Now you know what were fighting against, Goldberg said. But I also believe that its very important to remind people that now is the time for each and every one of us to suck it up and make sure that we know what we need to take care of. If youre in an area where the school district is losing, then you got to pay a little more taxes and you gotta help the schools out. If youre finding that your libraries are falling apart, you have to give more. This is where we come in. We cannot depend on [President Donald Trumps administration]. This is us. Because we all thought theyre talking about somebody else, no, theyve been talking about us the whole time and when I say us, I mean all of us.

Pay more. And more. And more. Pay your "fair share." That has been the Democrat message for the last 25 years. It's always higher and higher taxes, to keep the government expanding.

Whoopi Goldberg says Americans need to be paying more taxes.



Isnt it interesting how generous Hollywood liberals are with other peoples money?



Whoopi is free to donate to US Government if she likes. She can just write a check or give electronically.pic.twitter.com/AlzSq4udMM  Paul A. Szypula  (@Bubblebathgirl) April 10, 2025

And rather than focus on cutting waste and fraud, as President Trump's DOGE team is doing, Goldberg looks at the cutbacks recommended as the immediate destruction of schools and essential services because there must not be a such thing as wasteful spending if the government is doing it.

Most of the rest of us can see that if we'd like to keep schools and infrastructure in place, the best thing would be to cut the waste, fraud and abuse so that those useful things can flourish.

Instead, Goldberg is calling for tax hikes, the better to deprive the little guy of more income and expand the government to an appealing level of obesity. That in turn will crush the economy further with DEI, transgender propaganda and other useless trash, making us pay for things we don't want.

If that's the best the Democrats have -- and Goldberg is considered something of a voice of reason among Democrats -- it looks like they still haven't learned any lessons from 2024. It's a whole new world out there with President Trump's re-election. But stupid is as stupid does.

Image: Screen shot from X video
Given the current economic climate, many of us are tightening our belts. And not buying things that we dont absolutely need. However, something that everyone will need at some point is a new phone. Because we rely so heavily on them. And OnePlus has decided to discount its 13R smartphone, making it an absolute steal  now just $499.

This deal positions the OnePlus 13R as a compelling alternative in the midrange smartphone market, especially when compared to competitors like the Google Pixel 9a at $499 and the iPhone 16e at $599.

The OnePlus 13R boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals. Its powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, ensuring robust performance for multitasking and demanding applications. Additionally, the device features a 6,000mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging (included in the box), allowing for rapid power replenishment.

While the Pixel 9a offers a clean Android experience with Googles software optimizations and the iPhone 16e provides seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, the OnePlus 13R stands out by offering flagship-level specifications at a more accessible price point. For users seeking high performance and value, the OnePlus 13R is a noteworthy option.

This deal wont last long, so youll want to act quickly. The OnePlus 13R does also work on all three carriers here in the US, however you wont get Verizons fastest 5G, as this does not support mmWave.

Buy at OnePlus
Budget smartphones and tablets will no longer come with just 16GB of storage. Google is raising the minimum requirement for flash storage on Android devices, in order for these devices to pass its certification program for Google Mobile Services. Devices must ship with at least 32GB of storage, starting with Android 15. With 75% of that storage being allocated to the data partition  the partition that actually stores user date.

The last time Google changed this requirement was just two years ago, with Android 13, where it jumped from 8GB to 16GB. And now, all budget devices must have at least 32GB of storage. Its a good move, but with all of the AI features that Google is adding, the minimum should definitely be at least 64GB.

Its important to note that Gogole cant legally prevent manufactures from building smartphones with less than 32GB of storage, as long as they use the open source version of Android. Since AOSPs licensing terms do not allow for such restrictions. However, Google can enforce this requirement on companies that are looking to ship Android devices with Google services included (also known as GMS).

Improving the minimum storage should improve user experience

By making this change, Google is hoping that it will help improve user experience on low-end Android devices. Which are actually some of the more popular Android devices on the market.

Moving the minimum storage requirement to 32GB means that there will be more space for apps, games, photos and much more. But on the flip side, this change does not mean that youll see faster storage speeds. Thats typically the other issue with low-end devices. Low storage, and slow storage speeds. Making opening apps and saving things, a pain.

The new GMS requirements, which is a confidential document, also include all cellular devices to include an option to share their emergency contacts data with the systems Emergency Location Service during emergency calls. New chipsets also have to support Vulkan 1.3 or higher, and comply with the Android Baseline 2022 profile and Vulkan Profile for Android 15.

Finally, Google has also increased the minimum RAM requirement with Android 15. While OEMs must have at least 2GB of RAM for GMS certification, if the device has 2GB or 3GB of RAM, it has to use low RAM optimizations. If theres 4GB of RAM, this becomes optional.
Summary: Google and Samsung are teaming up on a new pair of XR smart glasses, rumored to launch in 2026, featuring built-in translation, object recognition, and memory-assisted search. Demonstrated at TED2025, the glasses blend Meta Ray-Ban-style features with a built-in display and may run Android XR, the platform co-developed by both companies.

After debuting Android XR late last year, along with Samsungs Project Moohan headset, it appears that this partnership between Samsung and Google is getting even better. Google is now rumored to be launching its own pair of XR Glasses, made by Samsung, next year.

In December, the two companies unveiled images of the smart glasses that were under development at its XR Unlock event. Googles vice president in charge of AR and XR, Shahram Izadi recently wore the prototype of these smart glasses, as well as demonstrating some of its features, at the TED2025 conference.

Izadi used the glasses to perform a few different tasks. This included translation, scanning a book using the cameras that are built-in, as well as helping the user find their keys thanks to a feature called Memory. These appear to be very similar to the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, however they do also sport a display for the wearer to see and get information visually.

The Korea Economic Daily is reporting that this prototype is a Samsung-made pair of glasses, and that its slated to launch in 2026.

This is part of Google and Samsungs Android XR partnership

Last year, Google debuted Android XR. This is a platform that was jointly developed with Samsung and designed to be an open, unified platform for XR headsets and glasses. Samsung also showed off its own headset, which weve now seen a handful of times at different events. But still have very little details on.

The thought of having a pair of Android XR glasses from Google is pretty exciting. As someone that has a pair of the Meta Ray-Ban glasses, having something similar with the power of Google Assistant and/or Gemini, would be an absolute game-changer.
Summary: Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter (now X) and original founder of the Bluesky project, believes that the US should delete all IP law, a statement supported by Elon Musk, current owner of X. More people joined the conversation, including dissenting voices.

Intellectual property seems to be the eternal topic of debate in the artificial intelligence sector. The nature of AI systems requires collecting as much data as possible from the internet, but content creators (such as publishers and artists) want compensation for this. Now, Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk are advocating for deleting the current IP or copyright law to set more permissive conditions.

Copyright and artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence companies operate in a gray area when it comes to copyright. They argue that training AI models falls under the fair use doctrine. This is because, ultimately, these platforms dont just replicate the original content per se. Fair use allows for copyrighted content if used transformatively. In other words, the output must be something new and not a simple carbon copy of the source material.

On the other hand, content creators claim that there is no fair use and that current copyright laws should apply. There is still no clear legislation on the matter, with artists hoping for a resounding victory in court that could serve as a precedent for future lawsuits against AI companies. However, that has not yet happened.

Delete all IP law, says Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk supports

Amid this situation, the controversial figure of Jack Dorsey emerges. Dorsey was a co-founder of Twitter and started the Bluesky project. However, he left the board of directors of the latter, disliking the direction it was taking. In a recent post on X/Twitter, he stated, Delete all IP law, to which Elon Musk, current owner of X, responded, I agree.

Some prominent figures in the tech industry have made similar suggestions in the recent past. Until now, the idea has come primarily from the artificial intelligence industry. In March, OpenAI proposed to the US government a deregulation that would allow AI companies to freely use content available on the internet to train their models.

Elon Musk has also been vocal in the past about his stance on copyright. He once told Jay Leno that patents are for the weak. He also gave the example of one of his companies, Tesla. Musk allowed competitors to freely use his electric car patents in good faith. Meanwhile, Dorsey has supported open-source initiatives for decentralized social platforms.

More industry figures joined the conversation, such as tech investor Chris Messina, who said that Dorsey has a point, because Automated IP fines/3-strike rules for AI infringement may become the substitute for putting poor people in jail for cannabis possession.

Returning to Dorsey, he added that there are much greater models to pay creators and that the current ones take way too much from them and only rent-seek.

Some voices against

There were also voices against this position. Attorney Nicole Shanahan first responded NO, adding that the IP law is the only thing separating human creations from AI creations. To this, Dorsey responded, creativity is what currently separates us, and the current system is limiting that, and putting the payments disbursement into the hands of gatekeepers who arent paying out fairly.

Ed Newton-Rex of the NGO Fairly Trained said, Tech execs declaring all-out war on creators who dont want their lifes work pillaged for profit. Writer Lincoln Michel stated, none of Jack or Elons companies would exist without IP law. They just hate artists, he added.
Summary: The FTC is taking Meta to trial over its WhatsApp and Instagram acquisitions. The government body called them killer acquisitions that crushed competition. A court ruling against Meta could force the company to sell both platforms and dismantle its empire.

Meta (when it was known as Facebook back then) was huge and dominated the social media space even before it acquired WhatsApp and Instagram more than a decade ago. However, its safe to say that those acquisitions further cemented the companys position in the market. But now it looks like Meta could be forced to sell off its acquisitions.

A deal that never should have happened

The US Federal Trade Commission is targeting those deals in a landmark antitrust lawsuit. The FTC is calling them killer acquisitions because they effectively killed off competition before it could thrive. The US government now argues that it should never have approved those billion-dollar deals over a decade ago.

If the court agrees with this sentiment, Meta faces the possibility of a breakup. The results of the trial could force Meta to sell both Instagram and WhatsApp. It will also rip apart the Meta empire and wipe out hundreds of billions in market value in the process. In a statement issued to the BBC, a Meta spokesperson said, More than 10 years after the FTC reviewed and cleared our acquisitions, the commissions action in this case sends the message that no deal is ever truly final.

According to experts, Meta will likely argue that Instagram users now have a better experience since it acquired the platform. However, Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a professor of antitrust at Vanderbilt Law School, thinks the FTC will counter this by saying that the acquisition of Instagram is to neutralize a rising competitive threat to Facebook.

Allensworth says that emails sent by Mark Zuckerberg, Metas CEO, could offer the most convincing evidence. He said its better to buy than to compete. Its hard to get more literal than that.

Potential Trump intervention

However, according to the Wall Street Journal, Zuckerberg has lobbied US President Donald Trump in person to drop the case against the company.

So, will this ultimately lead to Meta being forced to sell off WhatsApp and Instagram? Some analysts on Wall Street dont think so. Some believe that this will probably lead to a settlement and are hopeful Trump will influence the outcome. Speaking to Bloomberg, Shweta Khajuria, an analyst at Wolfe Research LLC, said, I dont think investors are bracing for a breakup. A settlement would be a more favorable outcome than stretching this out, which leaves an overhang on the stock.
Summary: Samsung has kept its promise by making Good Lock, the module-based customization app, available globally through the Galaxy Store. However, its still pending its arrival on the Google Play Store, which the company also promised.

Good Lock is one of the best exclusive apps for Galaxy devices. It unlocks a world of customization possibilities for your compatible phone. It even enables additional features that arent available out of the box, such as certain camera app options. Now, Good Lock is finally available globally for all eligible devices.

Good Lock is now available globally for Galaxy mobile device users

In January, Samsung confirmed that it would expand the availability of Good Lock. The app was only available through the Galaxy Store, and some countries were left out of the supported list. The firm had promised that Good Lock would arrive on the Play Store sometime this year and that it would expand its availability to more regions with One UI 7. Now, the company is keeping its word regarding the apps global availability. However, its not yet available on the Play Store, although that should change soon.

Samsungs initial statement suggested that the global availability of Good Lock was dependent on One UI 7, but thats not actually the case. You dont need to have the Android 15-based update on your device to download the app. Perhaps Samsung initially planned this, but the delay of One UI 7 has forced them to be laxer with the requirements.

Be that as it may, the customization app is now available for many more people. SamMobile was able to confirm that users in Romania can now download Good Lock. Previously, the app wasnt officially available in that country. Similar situations are occurring around the world, which is great news for Galaxy fans.

What it is

Good Lock is an app that unlocks many possibilities on your Galaxy devices. It offers both more customization options and more functions for your handset. New features are unlocked through so-called modules. You can download, enable, or disable these modules at your convenience. Its a useful way to include new features to suit the users taste without overloading the base OS.
Summary: At the end of the first quarter, Samsung still holds the majority of the smartphone market, however its lead is getting smaller and smaller. Xiaomi and vivo saw huge gains in the quarter, as well as Apple  thanks to the iPhone 16e launch.

Counterpoint has released its global smartphone market share data for the first quarter of 2025. And its not good news for Samsung. According to Counterpoint, Samsungs number of shipped units dropped by 5% year-over-year. This is compared to the first quarter of 2024, so its essentially comparing the Galaxy S24 launch versus the Galaxy S25 launch. The good news is, Samsung only lost two percentage points in overall market share.

This brings Samsung and Apple even closer in terms of market share. Apple currently has 19% for Q1, with Samsung at 18% and Xiaomi at 14%. Further back are Vivo and OPPO at 8% each. Apple, Xiaomi, and Vivo all saw more shipments in Q1 2025, while OPPO dropped by 1% with Samsungs drop. Every other OEM is included in the Others, which did increase by 6% in unit shipments.

For Apple, it looks like the iPhone 16e helped push up its market share, though it does still sit at 19%, despite shipping more units this past quarter. On the contrary, the Galaxy S25 series didnt do as well for Samsung as the Galaxy S24 series did last year, causing Samsung to drop its shipments. Xiaomi and vivo both had pretty big smartphone launches in the first quarter, though, vivos were more mid-range phones, while Xiaomi launched its 15 series at and ahead of MWC in early March.

Xiaomi is continuing to grow thanks to expansion and EVs

Counterpoint noted in its report that Xiaomi, continuing its strong sales momentum, gained market share, helped not only by expansion into new markets but also by significant growth in the domestic market, where the brand is enjoying a bigger and more premium brand presence thanks to its successful foray into electric vehicles.

Vivo is also the fastest-growing top-five brand right now, actually jumping into the top five this time around. Vivos success is being attributed to its high exposure to the buoyant China market as well as its expansion into emerging markets.

HONOR, Huawei, and Motorola are also growing quickly

The firm also noted that HONOR, Huawei and Motorola are growing quite quickly, despite being outside of the top five brands. Huawei was the biggest OEM in China in Q1, while HONOR and Motorola showed high growth in multiple markets. Counterpoint also noted that new technologies like GenAI and foldable will continue, but OEMs need to carefully monitor demand going forward. This could be a reason why OnePlus decided to skip launching any foldable devices in 2025.

There are some interesting names missing from this list and report. Counterpoint did not mention Google or Pixel at all, nor did they mention OnePlus or realme. All of which seem to be doing pretty well, on all accounts. However, they are all much smaller then the other names mentioned here. Google seems to have given up its market share gains it picked up with the Pixel 9 series, and the Pixel 9a didnt go on sale until Q2 on April 10. That could change when Counterpoint releases its Q2 numbers.
Summary: Vivo has confirmed the chip, battery, and display specs of the X200 Ultra ahead of April 21 launch. The Snapdragon 8 Elite will fuel the phone, as expected. A 2K Zeiss Master Color display will be used, along with a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. A 6,000mAh battery was also confirmed, along with 90W wired and 40W wireless charging.

Vivos new flagship X200 Ultra is in the pipeline and will be unveiled on April 21. We already have a hands-on video and some details about the handset. However, it seems the Chinese tech giant is not stopping there and is now detailing the smartphones chip, battery, and display specs.

Vivo reveals X200 Ultras chip, battery, and display specs

The Vivo X200 Ultra will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Furthermore, the company will include its in-house VS1 and V3+ chips to process images and videos captured with the device successfully.

The company says the smartphone will have a 2K Zeiss Master Color panel. A 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor will be integrated under the display for security. Additionally, the product will be protected with Armor Glass technology.

The handset will be powered by a 6,000mAh battery that supports 90W wired charging and 40W wireless charging. Considering its predecessor had a 5,500mAh unit, there are no significant improvements in battery capacity or charging speeds.

The device is said to support bypass charging, which allows it to draw power directly from the adapter without charging the battery. This helps prevent the battery from overheating during long gaming sessions, keeping the temperature under control and avoiding issues such as performance throttling.

The smartphone is going to be a photography beast

The Vivo X200 Ultra, like its predecessors, will attract attention with its cameras. The device will feature a 50 MP 1/1.28-inch main camera, a 50 MP 1/1.28-inch ultrawide camera, and a 200 MP 1/1.4-inch periscope telephoto sensor.

All of these will be housed in a gigantic camera module. However, it seems that the high-end camera experience the device offers wont be limited to these cameras.

The Chinese brand will include a photography kit for the device, similar to what Xiaomi offers. This accessory will connect to the phone via USB-C and also function as a 2,300mAh power bank.

This kit will be sold separately from the standard package. It is said to come with an integrated stand and a dedicated video recording button. Vivos Product VP Huang Tao also mentioned that the accessory includes a hidden feature, although he hasnt disclosed what it is yet.

The company previously confirmed the Vivo X200 Ultras color lineup. The smartphone will be available in Black, Red, and White/Silver color variants.
Aimee Lou Wood has criticised a Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked her appearance, calling it mean and unfunny.

The White Lotus star, 31, used an Instagram story to address the sketch in which SNL cast member Sarah Sherman impersonated her, using a British accent and exaggerated prosthetic teeth.

Whilst in honest mode  I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny, she wrote, but said she might delete the post later.

Sarah Sherman (Alamy/PA)

SNL has since apologised for the sketch, Wood added.

Wood plays Chelsea in the third series of Mike Whites drama The White Lotus, which follows the lives of guests and staff at a luxury resort in Thailand as dark secrets are revealed and tensions rise over the course of the holiday.

The sketch, titled White Potus, saw characters replaced by depictions of Donald Trump and his inner circle.

In later posts, the actress, who has also starred in Sex Education and Toxic Town, said: Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago. Yes, take the piss for sure  thats what the show is about  but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?

She added: On a positive note, everyone is agreeing with me about it so Im glad I said something instead of going in on myself.

Wood shared supportive messages from fans, including one that read: Dont delete it. It was mean, and saying it out loud removes their power.

Youre unreal in every way, I have a big gap in my teeth and an overbite and youve genuinely made me feel so much better about myself.

Aimee Lou Wood (fifth from the right) with the cast of the third series of The White Lotus (Alamy/PA)

In a recent GQ Hype interview, Wood said the conversation around her appearance made her a bit sad as she was not getting to talk about my work.

On Instagram, she also addressed confusion over the interview, clarifying that her comments about feeling ugly stemmed from her own insecurities, not from anything said by HBO.

In the interview, Wood explained how White was said to have fought to cast her which had made her feel insecure.

That was my own paranoid thought, she said.

Nobody at HBO would say that. My point in the article was about how our minds play tricks on us. Please read carefully before getting angry for me.

HBO has been nothing but super supportive.

In another story, Wood added: So, to conclude todays rant: HBO  kind and supportive and never wronged me and so leave them alone. SNL  mean.
Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, appears to have won his company a temporary reprieve from Donald Trumps trade war - Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg

Tariffs were supposed to bring manufacturing back into the American heartlands. They would create hundreds of thousands of skilled, well-paid jobs. And they would bring down the trade deficit at the same time as making the country more secure.

It is possible, at least if you think hard enough, to come up with a few rational arguments for Donald Trumps imposition of tariffs on everything imported into the United States. There is, however, a major flaw in the plan.

Apple, Americas most successful company, cant afford to manufacture in its home country, and neither can many other companies at the top end of the market  and you cant make America great again by destroying your most successful businesses.

As Trump, and his counterpart in Beijing, Xi Jinping, raised the tariff stakes last week we ended up with what amounted to a total embargo on trade between the worlds two largest economies.

At least as of Monday afternoon, Trump had imposed a 145pc tariff on everything China ships across the Pacific, while the slightly calmer Xi stuck with 120pc on American goods sold into China, on the grounds that there was not much point in going higher, since the levy was so punishing that raising it no longer made any difference anyway.

That will affect businesses right across the US, of course. But none more so than Apple.

Ever since the launch of the iPhone, by far the worlds most successful consumer product, the majority of the gadgets have been manufactured in China, and especially the newer, higher-priced models where Apple makes most of its money.

As the chief executive Tim Cook never tires of patiently explaining, that is partly about price, but it is just as much about quality, speed and reliability. China has become the manufacturing hub of choice because that is where the work can be done.

Sure, it could move production to Texas, Florida or California. But it is a lot easier in theory than it is in practice.

According to an analysis by Dan Ives, of Wedbush Securities, an iPhone that costs $1,000 (758) now would go up in price to at least $3,000 if it was made in the US. Almost as seriously, it would be at least 2028 before the required volumes could be delivered.

Given that the American market accounts for a fifth of all iPhone sales, and is by far the companys biggest market, that would have a crippling effect.

It is not hard to understand why $500bn has been wiped off the value of Apple alone since Trump started unveiling his trade strategy, if that is not too grand a word for the often baffling announcements from the White House, on liberation day.

Tim Cook, and the Apple lobbying machine, appear to have won themselves a temporary reprieve.

Over the weekend, the president suspended the tariffs on smartphones, along with some semiconductors, although by the opening of the week that was only for a month, which wont be nearly enough time to replace the Chinese supply chain. But the threat of tariffs, prices rises, and delivery delays still hangs over Apple, and it will do so for many months to come.

In effect, the most successful company in the US, or the world, come to think of it, will be badly damaged by the policy, and, in the most extreme version of events, could be completely destroyed.

The impact of tariffs on Apple perfectly illustrates the wider problem with Trumps rushed policy-making.

There is a case to be made for higher levies on imports. America needs to rebuild its industrial base, it cant always be reliant on its main geopolitical adversary for a vast range of tech and consumer goods, and it needs to bring production back onshore.

Joe Biden was trying to do all that with his huge range of subsidies, especially for microchips, and now Trump is pursuing the same goals, but with tariffs as the main tool instead. It has become the new consensus in American economic policy, and, whoever is in charge, it is likely to stay in place. The rest of the world will just have to get used to it.

The trouble is, the tariffs have been poorly designed, poorly planned and poorly executed.

First they should have been announced a long way in advance so that companies had the time to reconfigure their supply chains.

If it will take Apple until 2028 to build the manufacturing capacity in the US, which sounds about right, why not wait until then before the tariff is introduced?

If it will triple the cost of an iPhone, why not phase the tariff in gradually so that the market has time to adjust? Perhaps most of all, talk to industries first to figure out what the impact might be instead of raising the tariffs overnight, and then suspending them after some frantic lobbying from a series of bewildered chief executives.

It remains to be seen whether Apple can build the factories it will need in the US. As an insurance policy, at least, it will have to try. It cant risk going through another week with huge tariffs hanging over it.

But the important point is this. Tariffs may be a good idea. Or they may be a terrible one. We can all debate that. But either way they have to be implemented seriously, cautiously and carefully.

Americas most successful company has just shown us how much damage a badly designed tariff can do  and that is not going to help the American economy.
A prayer card portraying Josemaria Escriva, the controversial Spanish priest who founded Opus Dei in 1928. Photograph: AP

The first item Opus Dei gave 12-year-old Andrea Martinez was a pink dress. The second was a schedule that detailed every task for every minute of her day. Then, when she was 16, she was given a cilice  a spiked metal chain to wear around her thigh  and a whip.

In the late 1980s, Opus Dei, a secretive and ultra-conservative Catholic organisation, promised Martinez an escape from a life of poverty in rural Argentina. By attending one of their schools, they said, she would receive an education and opportunities.

They told me I would study and progress. I thought with an education that later I would be able to help my family, says Martinez, 50.

But I became like a slave. They treated me like a slave, without any capacity to think or act or do.

Opus Dei (Latin for "Work of God") is an influential organisation within the Catholic church, made up of several thousand priests and about 90,000 lay members in 90 countries, roughly a third of whom are celibate.

It was founded in 1928 by the Spanish priest Josemaria Escriva, who believed that everyday life, as well as rituals such as prayer, could be sanctifying. Many members of Opus Dei hold powerful positions in the Vatican and it enjoyed the strong support of the controversial wartime pope Pius XII and Pope John Paul II, who made Escriva a saint in 2002.

Escrivas connections to Gen Francisco Francos fascist regime in Spain; Opus Deis links with Latin American military dictatorships, such as that of the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet; its theologically conservative stance against the Catholic churchs doctrinal modernisation during the 1960s; and its influence in business and education have made it a controversial institution. As the church's only personal prelature, Opus Dei has a certain autonomy within the Catholic hierarchy and is seen by many as a church within a church.

It has also been criticised for its allegedly secretive nature, aggressive recruitment methods, repressive approach to sexuality (including encouraging self-mortification with the cilice and whips), and ban on many books. It strongly opposes a range of reproductive health services, including contraception and abortion.

Oren Gruenbaum

Martinez, along with dozens of other women in Argentina, has accused Opus Dei  which has a presence in more than 70 countries but is strongest in Spain, Italy and Latin America  of coercing them as children and adolescents into a life of domestic servitude.

They say they were forced into working up to 12-hour days, cooking and cleaning for the elite members, without pay.

The women also say they faced extreme control, their letters were censored, and they were banned from reading anything but childrens books or religious texts. When they eventually escaped, the women say they were left without money, clothes or qualifications.

They said there was no other option for me  I was too poor, I had no man to marry; if I didnt join, my family would be condemned to hell Andrea Martinez

After a two-year investigation, Argentinian federal prosecutors have taken on their case, accusing senior leaders of Opus Dei in South America of overseeing the exploitation and trafficking of girls, adolescents and women between 1972 and 2015. The prosecutors report is now before a judge, who will decide whether to proceed to trial.

Opus Dei has categorically denied the accusations and says they have been taken completely out of context.

The prosecutors have alleged that Opus Dei (Work of God in Latin) established a structure dedicated to recruiting girls from poor rural families, which they said took advantage of their extreme vulnerability.

In 1979, members of Opus Dei visited Claudia Carreros family and gave the then 13-year-old a prayer card of Josemaria Escriva, the organisations founder, who was canonised in 2002. We led a quiet, religious life, she says. My father was a labourer and my mother a housewife.

They tried to keep them like little children. They justify all of this by saying that it is a decision from God Sebastian Sal

Opus Dei said that if I came to the school, I would learn about hotel management and that I would get to travel. I was excited, but they did not take me there to study, she says, but to work.

The school Martinez was sent to was several hours from her parents house. She remembers being put to work the day she arrived, along with dozens of other children. My mother left and I was given my schedule.

We worked nine hours a day, seven days a week, washing the clothes and preparing the food of senior male members. We only had three hours of school a day.

The organisation succeeded, the women say, because the girls were kept isolated and docile, allowed only one phone call and letter home a month.

From the very beginning, I was told that I couldnt say anything about Opus Dei, or what was happening, to my parents. We were told, always, to be obedient and docile, she says.

They would only send my letters if they thought what I had written was acceptable. I was cut off from the outside world, she adds.

Sebastian Sal, the womens lawyer, alleges that the vocational schools were a seedbed for Opus Dei. They tried to keep them like little children, Sal says. They justify all of this by saying that it is a decision from God.

After four years at the school, Martinez says she was forced to become a numerary assistant  essentially, Opus Deis domestic servants, who had to devote themselves to cooking and cleaning for the senior members and priests, while living a life of celibacy.

Despite wanting to study psychology, she says she was told that: There was no other option for me, that I was too poor, that I had no man to marry; that if I didnt join, my family would be condemned to hell.

Afterwards, Martinez says her work increased to upwards of 12 hours a day, and she was given a cilice to wear around her upper thigh for two hours a day as a penance, and a small whip made of rope with which to flagellate herself while praying.

The only texts we were allowed to read were childrens books or religious studies. There was no more school. I was trapped, she says.

At 17, Carrero says, they also put pressure on her to become a numerary assistant: They said that I had nobody to marry, that this was my destiny.

Every detail of her life was controlled, she says, from her clothes to visiting her parents. I was not allowed to spend Christmas with my family or attend my grandmothers funeral. Often, they denied our requests, telling us to offer it up as a sacrifice to God. They hid behind God to use us.

Carrero, like the other women, says she was regularly moved between residences, which she believes was to prevent them forming strong friendships. I was moved many times from cities to cities, countries to countries  Paraguay, Uruguay  with no choice, she says.

Martinez says she spent 10 years with Opus Dei before escaping. When she left, she had only 10 pesos (equivalent to a few dollars), no normal clothes and discovered that the educational certificates she had been issued by Opus Dei were not recognised.

I had never received a salary. I didnt know how to use money, how to speak to people. I was 23 but acted like a child of 12, she says.

Argentinian prosecutors have alleged that at least 43 women, most of them girls and adolescents, were subjected to living conditions comparable to servitude and trapped in a cycle of exploitation and abuse.

There was a complete lack of fair pay and basic rights, all under the pretext of dedication and spiritual salvation, say the prosecutors, who have requested that four former heads of Opus Dei in Argentina be summoned for questioning.

In a statement on its website, Opus Dei has said the schools were approved by the Argentinian authorities and that allegations that the girls were coerced into joining the organisation on promises of education are false and misleading.

It said the spiritual vocation of numerary assistant was freely chosen, that there was no barrier to leaving and that numerary auxiliaries must reaffirm their desire to be a member multiple times over several years. It also claims that the women received remuneration for their work.

Related: Adopted by their parents enemies: tracing the stolen children of Argentinas dirty war

The women have criticised the Catholic organisations response. They are demanding financial compensation, an acknowledgment of their suffering and a formal apology. We want Opus Dei to accept what they have done and recognise its impact, says Martinez.

Today, Martinez is studying psychology, while Delgado has recently completed secondary school, only 40 years late, she says.

Carrero has married and has a teenage daughter. She says meeting the other 42 women has brought her peace. At last, she says, I am free.
The victims had been swimming near Round Hill creek inlet at Seventeen Seventy

A British father and son have drowned after being swept out to sea during a family holiday in Australia.

The bodies of a 46-year-old man and 17-year-old boy, who have not been named, were discovered on Sunday afternoon in choppy waters off the coast of Seventeen Seventy, a small beach town in central Queensland.

Another man, a 37-year-old local resident, was found with life-threatening injuries and airlifted to hospital for treatment. It is believed he injured his head after jumping into the ocean to help them.

Rescuers flew a helicopter around the towns rocky headlands, searching for the tourists for more than an hour in what they described as a difficult mission.

Crews spotted the pair in separate locations and pulled them from the water, but they could not be revived.

The father and son had been visiting the area on holidays from Wales, local media reported.

Emergency crews were first called to reports they were in trouble near waters close to a popular camping site and walking trails at around 2pm local time.

While swimming is popular at protected beaches near to the headland, water can gush at speeds when the tide changes.

Difficult rescue mission

Residents said they had personally been deterred from swimming on Sunday afternoon because of strong winds, describing conditions as choppy and scary.

Sundays mission was a difficult one, a spokesman for the Rescue 300 helicopter said on Sunday.

Multiple crews were tasked to the scene, including CapRescue.

Despite the best efforts of all involved, two people tragically lost their lives.

They added: Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident.

Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Wayne Mellock, a local surf shop owner, said the local community was devastated at the deaths.

Situations like this are absolutely horrific, he told ABC news. Our hearts go out to the families... and also the other man that was tragically hurt.

Known for its pristine beaches and proximity to the southern Great Barrier Reef, Seventeen Seventy is a popular holiday destination, particularly in the run-up to Easter.

We have a very huge amount of international tourists in our town, Mr Mellock said.They love our beaches because weve got the best beaches in the world  but unfortunately they dont realise how quickly things can change in the ocean.
Court

Last month, Liam Matthews was found guilty of stabbing a man to death, committing the horrifying attack on the very same day he left prison. He had been released early after serving just three months inside.

This is galling enough, but the failure of our system goes far deeper. His short sentence resulted from a violent assault in which Liam had held aloft a metal spike, whilst stamping his victims head repeatedly into a concrete floor. For risking brain damage, permanent disfigurement, and even death, he received under two years in prison, and was released just three months later.

The facts of this case are so remarkable, so dreadful, we may want to think of it as unusual. Unfortunately, it is not. Unjustifiable short sentences define our justice system. While the Ministry of Justices own figures show just 10 per cent of criminals commit over half of all crime  these career criminals routinely avoid prison or face shamefully short sentences.

Daniel Challacombe was convicted of beating his girlfriend. He had a history of assault, bodily harm and harassment  a total of 11 previous convictions. Daniel also had multiple restraining orders which he had breached a great many times. The sentence for beating his girlfriend? Just nine weeks.

Ross Philippart had 50 prior convictions. He committed a spree of thefts while on bail, including stealing from a charity box a woman had collected for food for her children. He was given six months, out in three.

Most criminals now enjoy early release. When they are given these short sentences, the reality is that the time they serve is shorter still. Many serve only 40 per cent of their sentence  the most violent still enjoy a discount of around 30 per cent. This is, of course, if they go to prison at all. Career criminals with more than 50 previous offences are three times more likely to avoid prison today than they were in 2007.

Conditions inside jails have degraded to the point of crisis, with full-to-bursting cells and a lack of qualified staff (exacerbated by poor security, as the horrific recent attack on three prison officers by convicted terrorist Hashem Abedi has reminded us) creating a worrying trend where criminals exit prison far more dangerous than they were when they entered.

We have become softer on crime over time. Worse still, an increased number of cases are falling apart before trial as more and more victims face multiple years of delays before their case is heard.

The court backlog grows by several hundred cases a month. More than 73,000 of our most serious criminal cases are now languishing in this backlog. At the same time, on any given working day, up to a third of our crown courts are shut. Criminals are now taking advantage: where they once were pleading guilty, they now wait out their victims, hoping the stress of delays discourages them from continuing. As a result, weve seen disastrously low conviction rates across the country.

These basic failures in our system have accrued for nearly two decades. Our court system has atrophied, left forgotten by successive governments. Criminals receive short sentences driven by ideological judges, worsened by a governmental dereliction of duty in the construction of prisons.

Under New Labour more than 23,000 prison places were added. Under the previous Conservative governments  across 14 years  that number was only around 500. At the same time, they increased our population by several million through immigration. Starmer has chosen to continue this failure. Rather than build new prisons or designate emergency prisons, Labour has taken the dangerous option of early release.

The solution here is not complex, but it does require bold action  and a government willing to carry it out. It means designating areas as emergency prisons to increase capacity. It means fast-tracking the construction of prisons, and funding courts across the country.

It also means forcing courts to stay open for longer, ensuring judges must give longer sentences to career criminals, and finally place protection of the public at the centre of criminal justice once again.

The British public is extremely clear: it considers criminal justice to be one of the central roles of government, asking for it to be funded to the level of second or third highest priority (after healthcare, and tying with education). The reality is that justice is shamefully underfunded, shamefully ignored and that most politicians simply do not seem to care about crime at all.

There is no other justification for these short sentences, massive court backlogs and early releases. There is no other justification for a failure to build prisons while increasing the population by several million  nor any justification for refusing to designate emergency prisons and instead to unleash violent criminals back on to Britains streets.

These problems are deep, but they are fixable  we just need a government that actually wants to do so.
The gap in economic performance and well-being indicators between Ireland and Northern Ireland is widening, a report has found.

The research found that Ireland is outperforming Northern Ireland in most areas, including labour market trends, living standards, economic structures, education, health and overall well-being.

New research, published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and commissioned as part of the Institutes research programme with the Shared Island Unit, Department of the Taoiseach, provides a high-level comparison of the economies of Ireland and Northern Ireland in recent years.

The research recognises that the economies north and south on the island are distinct in important structural respects.

Northern Ireland is part of the wider UK economy, with significant implications for trade and public policy.

Ireland, on the other hand, is a national-level economy and an EU member state, so direct comparisons between the two will not always be on a like-for-like basis.

Nevertheless, the research provides a range of insights on the relative performance of both economies over recent years.

The report found that Irelands population is growing faster than Northern Irelands, largely due to strong net migration in recent years.

This has resulted in Ireland having a younger population, with a lower old-age dependency rate.

There have also been shifts in the labour market over time.

Labour market participation in Ireland has increased significantly since 2010, widening the gap with Northern Ireland.

In 2022, the participation rate of those aged 16 to 64 was 76.8% in Ireland compared with 72.4% north of the border.

Employment rates in Ireland overtook Northern Ireland in the period after the financial crisis, reflecting Irelands strong recovery.

But due to the Irish economys highly open nature, the countrys labour market is more volatile than Northern Irelands, and experiences larger swings in unemployment, migration, and NEET (not in employment, education, or training) rates.

Turning to living standards and income, the report found widening gaps in all commonly used measures of living standards and these gaps favour Ireland.

It focuses on reliable measures of living standards that are not distorted by globalisation effects, which is important for Ireland.

Household disposable income in Ireland is 18.3% higher than in Northern Ireland and the gap has widened over time.

Irelands Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in 2022 was 57% higher than Northern Irelands Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, reflecting stronger economic growth.

In terms of wages, the data show a positive gap favouring Ireland, with hourly earnings 36% higher than in Northern Ireland in 2022.

While Great Britain remains Northern Irelands largest trading partner, the norths trade with Great Britain has declined since 2015, while trade with Ireland has increased.

On a per capita basis, Northern Ireland residents pay significantly lower personal income tax than those in Ireland, which is 2,980 euro in Northern Ireland compared with 6,725 euro per capita in Ireland.

Corporate tax receipts per capita in Ireland, which is sitting at 5,760 euro, are more than five times those in Northern Ireland, reflecting the dominance of multinationals.

Ireland allocates a higher share of government expenditure to health, with 26.3% in Ireland compared with 17.3% in Northern Ireland in 2022/23, and education, with 10.7% in Ireland compared with 9.5% in Northern Ireland in the same period.

Northern Ireland has a higher share of pubic sector employment, while employment in Ireland is more heavily concentrated in high-value-added sectors such as ICT and financial services.

Manufacturing in Ireland accounts for 44% of gross value added, more than 2.5 times Northern Irelands share.

Labour productivity in Northern Ireland lags behind that of Ireland in most sectors.

The report found that Northern Ireland is more productive in construction, and agriculture, and forestry and fishing.

Labour productivity in Ireland is more than 2.5 times compared with north of the border, with the gap particularly influenced by the role of foreign-owned firms in Ireland.

Across all age-groups in 2022, education enrolment rates are higher in Ireland than in Northern Ireland.

The report shows that some 71% of 15 to 19-year-olds in Northern Ireland are in education compared with 94% in Ireland, a gap of more than 20 percentage points.

Early-school-leaving rates have dropped in Ireland, from 5% to 2.7% between 2018 and 2022, but increased in Northern Ireland, from 9.4% to 10% between 2018 and 2022.

Overall, early-school-leaving rates are three times higher in Northern Ireland than in Ireland.

Inpatient and outpatient waiting lists were similar for those waiting between zero and six months for treatment in 2024, but the rates for longer durations are much higher in Northern Ireland.

Some 86 per 1,000 people in Northern Ireland are on waiting lists for 18-plus months, compared with 12 per 1,000 in Ireland.

Life expectancy is an important indicator that tends to encapsulate the impacts of multiple well-being determinants across a range of areas including income levels, educational attainment and access to health services.

In 2021, life expectancy for children aged below one in Ireland was 82.4 years compared with 80.4 years in Northern Ireland, a gap of two years.

As was the case with many other key metrics, the gap between Ireland and Northern Ireland in life expectancy has also been widening over recent years.

Adele Bergin, an author of the report and an associate research professor at the ESRI, said: Ireland has experienced stronger economic growth, higher wages, and higher living standards in recent years.

The gap in economic performance and well-being indicators between Ireland and Northern Ireland is widening.

Seamus McGuinness, an author of the report and a research professor at the ESRI, said: The report provides a contemporary analysis of relative economic performance of both economies and allows for differences, in both the levels and evolution of key performance metrics, between Ireland and Northern Ireland to be better understood.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the Irish government will assess and absorb the report.

Asked for his reaction to the report, Mr Martin said: It illustrates similarities, complementarities, difference, and we just should take the material as it is.

I think the Northern Ireland Executive will take the material in terms of its plans for economic development in the north and so forth.

We, likewise, will assess it and absorb it.

But I think its good work by the ESRI and theres pluses and minuses within the report, some of it is not a surprise, but I think some of it, insofar as it applies to the post-Brexit era, is interesting in terms of the exports and imports both ways.

But suffice to say, the British market is still extremely important, and I think the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain is very important, north-south is very important.

That tripartite relationship is key, and research of this kind shines a light, and also indicates where we can co-operate and work together to deal with the challenges facing citizens.
Former Tory MP among 15 facing charges related to gambling on election date

Former Conservative MP Craig Williams is among 15 people who have been charged after bets were placed on the timing of the 2024 general election, the Gambling Commission has revealed.

Williams was among a number of people linked to the Conservative Party reported to have made bets on the election date, which was called by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak.

The former Montgomeryshire MP  who was a senior aide to Mr Sunak  admitted at the time to having a flutter on the election date just days before it was announced in May last year.

Among others facing charges are Russell George, the Tory Senedd member for Montgomeryshire, and Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the party.

Current Tory staff members facing charges are being suspended with immediate effect, the party said.

Meanwhile, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said George has been suspended from the Conservative group in the Senedd, which he described as a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process.

The investigation, which began in June 2024 as the election campaign took place, focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information  specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date  to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets, according to the Gambling Commission.

Such actions would be considered a criminal offence under the Gambling Act 2005.

Alongside Williams, George and Mason, those facing charges included Laura Saunders, 37, of Bristol, who was Conservative candidate for Bristol North West at the election.

The Gambling Commission has today charged 15 people over alleged cheating related to bets on the 2024 General Election. Read the full statement  https://t.co/OypC0kVsMf pic.twitter.com/d7cdfVaHF6  Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) April 14, 2025

Others named listed by the commission include: Simon Chatfield, 51, of Farnham, Surrey, a former chief marketing officer for the Conservative Party; Amy Hind, 34, of Loughton, Essex; Anthony Hind, 36, of Loughton, Essex; a former police officer named Jeremy Hunt, 55, of Horley, Surrey; Thomas James, 38, of Brecon; Charlotte Lang, 36, of Brixton, south London; Anthony Lee, 47, of Bristol; Iain Makepeace, 47, of Newcastle upon Tyne; Paul Place, 53, of Hammersmith, west London; James Ward, 40, of Leytonstone, east London; and Jacob Willmer, 39, of Richmond, south-west London.

A Tory Party spokesman said: The Conservative Party believes that those working in politics must act with integrity. Current members of staff who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect.

These incidents took place in May last year. Our party is now under new leadership and we are co-operating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently.

Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves said: This is a very serious development. The British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law.

Kemi Badenoch must make crystal clear that anyone found guilty of using insider information to cheat the system to try to enrich themselves has no place in the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.

Labour is turning the page on 14 years of Conservative chaos and scandal and were turning our country round through our Plan for Change. Only Labour can be trusted to deliver security for working people and the renewal Britain needs.
The 30-kilowatt laser weapon, known as Sahastra Shakti, can burn through targets at the speed of light - DRDO

India has developed a Star Wars-like laser gun, which it tested on Sunday by shooting down a swarm of drones several kilometres away.

The 30-kilowatt laser weapon, known as Sahastra Shakti, burns through targets at the speed of light after initially detecting them by radar, according to Indian officials.

The launch marks the countrys foray into the next generation of weaponry, using lasers to strike targets.

The machine was unveiled at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool city, in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation, which led the trial, said the weapon first picked up and tracked seven swarm drones at a range of 3.5km (2.17 miles), before locking on and destroying them.

It then knocked out a fixed-wing drone at an even greater range.

[The laser] defeated a fixed-wing UAV and swarm drones successfully, causing structural damage and disabling the surveillance sensors, said Samir Kamat, the organisations chairman.

The launch of the laser weapon puts India in the same league as the United States, Russia, China and Israel - DRDO

India has ramped up military spending in recent years amid rising tensions with China at the border and the ongoing threat of conflict with neighbouring Pakistan.

In February, India proposed defence spending of 6.81 trillion rupees (60 billion) for the 2025-26 fiscal year, up 9.5 per cent from the previous years initial estimates.

The launch of laser weapons puts it in the same league as the United States, Russia, China and Israel.

This is just the beginning of the journey. We are working on a number of technologies that will give us Star Wars capability. What you saw today was one of the components of Star Wars technologies, said Mr Kamat.

Unlike traditional kinetic weapons, laser weapons are cheaper, faster and more precise, making them particularly effective in attacking drones and incoming munitions.

The 30-kilowatt laser weapon detects targets using a radar before shooting them down

The Sahastra Shakti  which translates to a thousand power  consists of six high energy lasers of 5KW each that converge into one beam to hit the target at 30KW. It is deployed across two 4x4 vehicles, one that targets and tracks the threat, and the other carrying the machinery that fires the beam.

This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition, while also lowering the risk of collateral damage, said Mr Kamat.

The cost of firing it for a few seconds is equivalent to the cost of a couple of litres of petrol. Therefore, it has the potential to be a long-term and low-cost alternative to defeat the target.

Officials say the plan is to further develop the weapon so it can fire multiple beams, allowing it to destroy swarms of drones.
Katy Perry is undertaking final preparations before she joins an all-female crew on a Blue Origin space flight.

The US pop star will join five other women for the first female-only mission in more than six decades.

The crew  made up of Perry, former Nasa rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and journalist Lauren Sanchez  managed to get in some last-minute astronaut lessons in Texas on Sunday, according to photos shared online by BlueOrigin.

Perry also shared some snaps of her own, vowing to put the ass in astronaut in the coming hours in a post with Ms Sanchez.

The two can be seen clad in blue jumpsuits, especially made by Ms Sanchez for the mission.

The US-based journalist told the New York Times earlier in the week that her jumpsuit design manages to bring a little spice to space while also being shaped to the female form.

Earlier on Sunday, Perry said she had been given confirmation that her journey on board the rocket on April 14 was written in the stars.

In a video posted to Instagram, she said she is always looking for little confirmations from the heavens, from my guides, from my angels, from my higher self.

When Im looking for it, its pretty loud, she added.

During her Texan space training this week, Perry said she had noticed two unexpected coincidences linked to nicknames her mother calls her.

She said: When I was invited to come on this voyage, I looked up the capsule. On the very front of it is the outline in the shape of a feather and when I saw that it was like a total confirmation because my mum has always called me feather.

And so Im in space training today and theres a lot to digest. Were almost finished with the day and they showed us the capsule and we run simulations in another capsule and tested the noise and what to expect and all these different things and they reveal the capsule name.

The capsules name is Tortoise. A wave, just the most energetic wave, just shot through my body. And I was like What? This capsules name is Tortoise?

My mum calls me two nicknames  feather and tortoise. What are the chances that Im going to space on a rocket in a capsule with my symbol, the feather, called Tortoise?

She added: There are no coincidences, and Im just so grateful for these confirmations and so grateful that I feel like something bigger than me is steering the ship.

It will be the 11th human flight for the Blue Origin programme, which has taken passengers, including the companys billionaire founder Jeff Bezos, to space since 2021.

Ms Sanchez said the mission is about inspiring others to dream big and praised the women on board as incredible storytellers.

Earlier in the week, Perry told the Associated Press that she plans to go boldly where other women have rarely gone before.

I am talking to myself every day and going Youre brave, youre bold, you are doing this for the next generation to inspire so many different people but especially young girls to go, Ill go to space in the future. No limitations, she said.

She added: Im really excited about the engineering of it all. Im excited to learn more about STEM and just the math about what it takes to accomplish this type of thing.

Blue Origin Flight NS-31 is the first launch with an all-female crew since Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkovas solo space flight in 1963.

The Bezos-funded rocket is set for lift-off on April 14 at 8.30am local time, or 2.30pm BST.

The craft will then fly through space for around four minutes before floating back down to Earth, with the entire journey taking a little over 10 minutes.
Its always the sweetest puppers who end up staying at the shelter the longest. Take one pup who is patiently waiting for his forever home  even though all of his other siblings have already been adopted. He needs a home too! Which is why the Humane Society of Central Illinois shared a video of the adorable pooch.

Who could say no to this face?! Its almost impossible to believe that the dog has been left to languish in the shelter. But sadly its true.

The Humane Society of Central Illinois is surely taking good care of the pupper, but nothing can replace the love of a permanent home. In the clip they shared, the dog looks so incredibly friendly. Hes a lover! For the right person, were sure hed be the perfect pet.

The dog mightve been left all by his lonesome, but his spirit hasnt been broken yet.

Related: Sad Dog Who's 'Shut Down' at Shelter Is 'So Excited to Experience Love Again'

POV: youre the only sibling left who hasnt been adopted yet, the videos caption reads.

So many people in the comments section were hoping that the dog would find someone to take him home  fast.

Illinois friends check out Conway. Come meet him, fall in love and take him home, wrote one person.

What a cutie!!! He seems calm and those are the eyes of a faithful companion, chimed in someone else.

Poor baby. Somebody adopt him, hes the only sibling left in the shelter, added a third commenter.

While one commenter pointed something totally cool out: He looks like WISHBONE from my favorite kid show growing up!

Adopting From the Humane Society of Central Illinois

The cool thing is, Conway can get saved, today! Yep, anyone can head over to the Humane Society of Central Illinois website and fill out an adoption form. Which means that this sweet boy can get the family he lost!

If you or someone you know is ready to open your home to a dog, consider Conway! The dog is ready for an adventure mate. If you think thats you, dont wait! Every day that goes by is an eternity for a shelter dog. Conway deserves the best.

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.
A UK trade minister has urged Hong Kong authorities to explain the deeply concerning decision to hold and turn away a Liberal Democrat MP, as she tried to visit her baby grandson.

On a visit to China, Douglas Alexander has demanded that interlocutors explain why Wera Hobhouse was blocked from entering the Chinese region, and a Government spokesperson warned the incident risked to further undermine Hong Kongs international reputation.

Ms Hobhouse, the MP for Bath, earlier said she feared a hidden blacklist might exist, and suggested the UK risked falling into the arms of false friends without scrutiny of Londons relationship with Beijing.

Mr Alexander raised the Governments immediate and deep concern during a visit to mainland China and Hong Kong.

Minister Alexander raised our concerns and demanded an explanation with senior Chinese and Hong Kong interlocutors, including Hong Kongs chief secretary for administration, to understand why the Hong Kong authorities refused access to a British MP.

It is deeply concerning that a UK MP was refused permission to enter Hong Kong last week.

Unjustified restrictions on the freedom of movement for UK citizens into Hong Kong only serves to further undermine Hong Kongs international reputation and the important people-to-people connections between the UK and Hong Kong.

Wera Hobhouse said she feared a hidden blacklist might exist (Jonathan Brady/PA)

As the Foreign Secretary (David Lammy) has made clear and Minister Alexander relayed in person, it would be unacceptable for any MP to be denied entry for simply expressing their views.

The Hong Kong government said it would not comment on individual cases but that its immigration officers are duty-bound to question those arriving on the purpose of any visit.

The person concerned knows best what he or she has done. It will be unhelpful to the persons case if the person refuses to answer questions put to him or her for that purpose, it said in a statement.

It also said that Chief Secretary Eric Chan discussed the matter with the Mr Alexander.

A spokesperson for Ms Hobhouse said she fully answered all questions at immigration.

Wera answered fully all the questions she was asked, and was compliant with officials through the whole ordeal. Its concerning that the Chinese authorities are trying to cast doubt on her faithful account, they said.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey called for the Chinese ambassador to the UK to be summoned to provide a clear and comprehensive account of why his party colleague was refused entry.

These statements today from the Chinese authorities suggest that, despite ministers best efforts, no explanation for the appalling treatment of my colleague and friend Wera Hobhouse is going to be forthcoming. We cannot simply let this slide.

Ms Hobhouse travelled to Hong Kong on Thursday to visit her son, who has lived there since 2019, and new grandson.

She was detained at the airport, questioned and then put back on a flight to the UK.

Ms Hobhouse is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), which scrutinises British and Chinese relations.

Speaking to LBC, she said that while some MPs had been banned from entering China, her experience came as a real shock.

She added: There must be some sort of hidden blacklist and this is of course why people want to get to the bottom of it.

We want to know, and this is where me and the Foreign Office should really ask the ambassador and the Chinese authorities to give us an explanation.

Ms Hobhouse later continued: China is not a strategic ally, in fact in some cases it could be argued its the opposite. And theyre not a democracy, the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) are only interested to expand their influence over countries like the UK. We should be pretty clear eyed about that.

She said: There is such a thing as a UK-China audit, where we should really look at the risks to some of our strategic national interests, and make sure that we are not in some sort (of a) way, falling into the arms of false friends.
China's Hainan FTP brings about broader opportunities through high-level opening up

Xinhua) 08:10, April 14, 2025

HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- At the Yiling Life Care Center in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, patients are seen undergoing rehabilitation exercises under the guidance of therapists in a spacious, bright hall.

In an equipment room, Damien Meunier, from France, is intently calibrating a therapy device, adjusting parameters and components with focused precision.

Meunier first visited China in 2019 as a tourist and was soon drawn to the unique opportunities emerging in Hainan's healthcare sector amid the rapidly developing Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). In 2021, he joined Yiling Life Care Center as a medical equipment engineer, based in Boao Township in south China's Hainan Province.

"The Hainan FTP is the ideal place for my career development," said Meunier. "It combines opening-up policies, innovation, and exceptional life quality."

As China's only "medical special zone," the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, established in 2013, was granted special policy support that allow eligible pharmaceuticals and medical devices, licensed abroad but not yet available domestically, to be used for patients through streamlined procedures.

An aerial drone photo taken on April 3, 2020 shows a view of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

The pilot zone is the epitome of Hainan's role as a gateway for global openness.

In April 2018, China announced a decision to develop Hainan into a pilot free trade zone while gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of an FTP with Chinese characteristics. In June 2020, a master plan was rolled out to build the island into a globally influential and high-level FTP by the middle of the century.

Seven years on, Hainan has built a policy framework centered on "free and convenient trade, investment, cross-border capital flows, personnel mobility and transportation, and the safe and orderly flow of data," and an FTP system underpinned by features like zero tariffs, low tax rates, and simplified tax systems.

Amid global headwinds against globalization, the Hainan FTP stands as China's testament to unwavering openness.

Official statistics show that by the end of 2024, the province was home to 9,979 foreign-funded enterprises, with 77.3 percent established after June 2020. The number of countries and regions investing in Hainan has jumped from 43 in 2018 to 174 today.

As an important part of the Hainan FTP construction, Hainan has adopted a variety of measures to optimize its business environment to facilitate free and convenient trade and investment.

An inbound aircraft is under maintenance at a one-stop aircraft maintenance base in Hainan Free Trade Port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

"In alignment with the world's highest standards of openness, Hainan has formulated and implemented a series of opening-up measures to create a 'foreign investor-friendly' business environment," said Wang Xuehao, deputy head of the Hainan Provincial Department of Business Environment Development. "The measures include expanding the scale of innovative development in trade of goods, promoting two-way investment, and fostering cross-border industrial chain cooperation."

In the Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Hainan GoldMax Dairy Co., Ltd. has established an industrial park spanning over 50,000 square meters, integrating offshore duty-free retail, e-commerce, general trade and cross-border supplied materials processing, reflecting the company's strong confidence in the potential of the Hainan FTP.

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2024 shows a view of the Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Chengmai County, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

"The Hainan Free Trade Port has provided us with vast development space and opportunities and helped us bring high-quality products to China and beyond," said Wu Suguo, CEO of the dairy company.

By the end of this year, the free trade port will officially begin independent customs operations, which will be "a form of openness on a larger scale," said Zhao Jinping, a member of the Expert Advisory Committee for the Construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. "It means the connectivity between the Hainan Free Trade Port and the rest of the world will become even smoother."

Currently, all 31 port infrastructure projects needed for independent customs operations have been completed, laying a solid foundation for efficient flow and supervision of goods and personnel.

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 11, 2025 shows a view of the Yangpu International Container Port in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Meanwhile, as the Hainan FTP begins independent customs operations by the year end, its preferential policies such as "zero tariffs, low tax rates, and simplified tax systems" will be implemented more comprehensively and meticulously. A series of core free trade port policies are also expected to be accelerated for full implementation.

According to Meunier, once the Hainan FTP begins independent customs operations, the advantages will become more evident in areas such as imported equipment, cutting-edge technologies, and international tourism. "I look forward to the future of the Hainan FTP."

(Reporting by Zhong Qun, Wu Maohui, Qiang Lijing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Migration minister Seema Malhotra (red jacket) attended a roundtable session in Manchester on Saturday to launch the support fund. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

A 1.5m fund has been launched to encourage people affected by the Windrush scandal to come forward to seek compensation, as ministers finally acknowledge that many victims have felt too nervous to engage with officials from the Home Office.

Since the compensation fund was launched in 2019 it has been the subject of intense criticism over long processing delays, low offers of payment, and the lack of legal aid for claimants. There has also been unease over the original decision to hand the administration of the scheme to officials from the department that was responsible for the scandal.

Related: I didnt trust the system: lasting trauma of Windrush victim barred from UK for 10 years

The minister for migration and citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said officials now recognised that some of those affected by the Home Office debacle, which classified thousands of legal UK residents as immigration offenders, had felt unwilling to engage with the department following the scandal. That led to some choosing not to make compensation claims.

The new fund would help people who may also still feel wary about contacting the Home Office to request documentation to show their immigration status is in order.

People are very fearful about coming forward to the status schemes or the compensation scheme, because of the traumatising nature of their experiences, so that it still feels too raw to be able to approach the Home Office, Malhotra said.

She was speaking after a roundtable event in Manchester on Friday with victims, and community leaders who have been assisting with the complex compensation process, so far mostly for free. The fund, which will be released over three years, will help subsidise some of the cost of that work.

Related: Home Office spent 22,000 on failed attempt to stop Windrush report release

Its a real imperative that we reach out to those who have lost all their trust in the Home Office, to make sure that they understand the Home Office is serious about righting these wrongs and making sure that we tackle all the barriers that are stopping people coming forward, Malhotra said.

The launch was the latest in a three-pronged reset of the Home Offices response to the scandal, which triggered catastrophic consequences for many of those affected, some of whom were sacked from their jobs, evicted from their homes, or lost access to benefits and NHS healthcare. A smaller number of people were arrested, detained and deported.

In the autumn the home secretary re-established a Windrush unit, dedicated to making sure officials learned long-term lessons from their mistakes. The unit had been shut down by the then home secretary, Suella Braverman, in 2023, a move widely seen as premature because the departmental reforms promised by successive home secretaries had yet to be implemented.

The Home Office is recruiting an independent Windrush commissioner, who will scrutinise its progress towards resolving outstanding issues, to ensure the scandal cannot be repeated.

Campaigners have asked for the compensation scheme to be taken away from the Home Office and given to an independent organisation, although officials say such a move would cause new delays six years after its launch. Requests for legal aid have been denied. Community advocates told the minister that assisting with a claim could take more than 20 hours of staff time, and expressed doubt about how much extra work could be paid for by the fund.

Malhotra, who has participated in 15 Windrush-related events since taking office and four in the past week, was met warmly, with advocates saying they were cautiously hopeful about the governments commitment to improving its response. Delays in processing claims have been falling; two years ago there was a backlog of 2,500 claims being processed and this had dropped to 582 in February. Since 2019 the Home Office has paid out about 108m in compensation across 3,155 Windrush claims.

Malhotra said the process of learning the lessons of Windrush needed to lead to wider work on tackling barriers to opportunity. She promised to address wider injustices experienced by the Windrush generation, in education, health and housing, as part of a commitment to improve the governments response to the scandal. The Windrush unit would work with the governments new race equality engagement group to look at wider inequalities, she said.
The decision has been taken to send in troops to tackle the Birmingham bin crisis - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

While the Armed Forces are renowned for fighting wars, another key string in the militarys bow is its contribution to resilience.

When a request known as military aid to the civilian authorities (Maca) comes in from any government department, the Ministry of Defence will assess whether it meets the criteria. If it does, the Armed Forces will help.

A key principle that must be met is whether there is a threat to life.

However, as The Telegraph revealed on Sunday, the decision to send in troops to tackle the Birmingham bin crisis after Angela Rayners department submitted a Maca request for help has left a sour taste in many mouths.

By calling on the military to sort out a problem that Ms Rayner, the Housing Secretary, failed to resolve when she met union chiefs last week, it suggests that the Government has failed.

Labour cannot use central government funding to fix the problem because it would be deemed too toxic to do so, which means it will instead rely on the military, which routinely  and uncomplainingly  answers the call to help whenever it comes.

The Armed Forces are often called in for niche support, such as assisting the police with explosive ordnance disposal or providing specialist aerial imagery. They also support major events, with thousands of troops backing police during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the 2012 London Olympics.

Involvement in industrial action is not unprecedented, with almost 250 military fuel tanker drivers mucking in during a 2021 national shortage of HGV drivers.

After the July 7 bombings, the MoD provided logistical and technical support in London, while the Cumbria floods of 2009 saw search and rescue helicopters locating stranded civilians.

In 2014, the military assisted with flood defences across the country in a response led by Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, who would go on to become head of the Army.

More than 3,500 service personnel were involved in rescuing those whose homes were hit by flooding, as well as constructing metal barriers to divert the flow of rivers.

But it is the Covid pandemic that has stayed most prominently in public minds, as tens of thousands of personnel were drafted in for more than 400 Maca requests when the NHS became overwhelmed.

The military has previously assisted with flood defences across the country - WPA Pool/Getty Images

It is with this in mind that MPs and defence sources have questioned the decision to bring in troops to sort out a bin crisis they believe should have been resolved by Ms Rayner and the unions.

However, with the unions unequivocal that the deal backed by the Deputy Prime Minister will not be accepted, many have questioned Labours ability to solve the dispute and asked where it can go next.

One source accused Ms Rayner of floundering, adding that the union is adamant, and they are Labours paymaster. The source was clear that the Army cannot be relied on indefinitely.

Sir Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, told The Telegraph that it was a scandal to involve the military, adding that the Army should not have been enlisted to sort out Birmingham city councils mess.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, accused Labour of complete failure to deal with the unions.

He told The Telegraph: The reality is the councils, with the Government, should have found an alternative way to clear the bins. Its not beyond the wit of man to solve this rather than bring in soldiers.

If they asked for volunteers in the area, gave them the vehicles and paid them the wages, I believe you would get them. Had they done this early they would have brought Unite to the table. Instead, they will cave to the unions but the Army, cant be there all the time. They cant hang around being the bin cleaners.

Sir Iain added: It is a very bad use of the Army and as someone who served in the Army when the Green Goddess strikes were under way when firefighters were striking, the Army cant be the go-to all the time.

Less than a year after Labour get into power, they already have to use emergency procedures because the trade unions are saying up yours. This is not a lasting solution, and its bad for the Army.

A defence source familiar with Maca operations said conversations ensuring all options had been exhausted would have taken place before the MoD agreed to deploy service personnel to help with the Birmingham bin crisis.

However, if further requests came into Standing Joint Command (UK), he warned against what would be damaging images of soldiers clearing litter at a time where the military is fighting a crisis of recruitment and retention.

Its one thing to help out with floods or fires, backfill for armed police in terrorist situations, or a Covid situation, its another thing where servicemen and women are being asked to do someones job in a local dispute where arguably lives are not at risk, said the source.

However, the source explained that they understood the rationale of calling on the Armed Forces in this scenario, adding: The military plans for everything  we have some very expert individuals who can go somewhere and see the wood for the trees.

The expertise offered is from people who do it all the time  they look at resources available and know what can be achieved, and with what capabilities  rather than those who dont practise planning on a daily basis.
Computed tomography scans use multiple X-rays to build an internal picture of the body - JohnnyGreig

Computed tomography scans  also known as CT, or Cat, scans  may be causing one in 20 cancers, a study has found.

About five million of the scans, which use X-rays to create detailed internal pictures of the body, are carried out each year on the NHS. But new research from the University of California (UC) suggests they could lead to lung, breast and other cancers, with a tenfold increased risk for babies.

Modelling showed that nearly 103,000 cancers were expected from the 93 million CT scans that were performed in 2023 in the US  about three to four times more than previous assessments.

If the same rates were extrapolated to Britain, it would suggest that hundreds of cancers were being triggered by the scans.

CT can save lives, but its potential harms are often overlooked, said Dr Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a radiologist and professor of epidemiology at UC San Francisco.

Our estimates put CT on par with other significant risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and excess body weight. Reducing the number of scans and reducing doses per scan would save lives.

CT scans are used to diagnose a range of conditions including broken bones, tumours, internal bleeding and cardiovascular problems. But ionising radiation can damage DNA and trigger disease.

For the new study, researchers analysed 93 million exams from 61.5 million patients in the US to calculate how often cancer developed.

They found that in adults, scans of the abdomen and pelvis were likely to cause the most problems, while in children the biggest risk came from CTs of the head.

Cancers predicted to arise from the excess radiation included lung, colon, leukaemia, bladder, breast, and thyroid.

The risks were highest among those who underwent CT when they were less than one year old.

Focusing on risk alone is not helpful

Researchers warned that medics should think twice before giving scans for more trivial conditions such as upper respiratory infections or headaches, and should make people aware of the dangers when discussing treatment.

However, British experts said that the benefits from CT scans were likely to outweigh the risks.

Lynda Johnson, professional officer for clinical imaging and radiation protection at the Society of Radiographers, said: Accurate communication around the benefits and risks of CT is essential to protect the public from harm.

Focusing on risk alone is not helpful and, in some cases, might prevent a person from attending a scan that could provide early diagnosis of cancer.

Anyone undergoing a CT scan must be provided with balanced, accurate and relevant information to enable them to understand what it means to them as an individual in terms of their diagnosis, treatment and potential long-term care.

Experts also pointed out that CT scan rates are much higher in the US than in the UK, where imaging is used more conservatively and with stricter clinical justification.

Use the lowest dose possible

Dr Doreen Lau, a lecturer in inflammation, ageing and cancer biology at Brunel University of London, said: The findings dont mean that people should avoid CT scans when recommended by a doctor.

In most cases, the benefit of detecting or ruling out serious illness far outweighs the very small risk of harm. What this research highlights is the need to minimise unnecessary imaging and use the lowest dose possible, particularly in settings where CT usage is high.

Where appropriate, clinicians may also consider alternative imaging methods that do not involve ionising radiation, such as MRI or ultrasound  especially for younger patients, or when repeat imaging is anticipated.

Stephen Duffy, emeritus professor of cancer screening at Queen Mary University of London, added: I would say to patients that if you are recommended to have a CT scan, it would be wise to do so.

The research was published in the journal Jama Internal Medicine.
Henry Cookson, the British explorer, was a guide on a charity expedition to the North Pole with Prince Harry - Champion News

A British explorer who guided Prince Harry to the North Pole is locked in a 1 million court battle over a cancelled expedition to the wreck of the Titanic on the OceanGate Titan submersible.

Henry Cookson is facing legal action from Karen Lo, the heiress to a Hong Kong soy milk fortune, who is claiming she should have been refunded for the Titanic trip she paid for but never took.

Ms Lo paid Mr Cooksons company 680,000 for the dive in 2017, but it was cancelled a year later after the vessel was damaged by lightning. Ms Lo was instead offered a priority place on a future expedition.

But she never took the trip because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Titan vessel then imploded during a dive to the wreck in June 2023, killing all five passengers including Stockton Rush, the OceanGate founder, and causing the companys operations to cease.

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters

Ms Lo is now suing Henry Cookson Adventures, a Holland Park-based travel company specialising in trips for high net-worth individuals, claiming it is responsible for refunding her for the trip.

Mr Cooksons company is fighting the claim, saying the heiress knew there were no refunds when she paid for the trip, and that she had a chance to go on the expedition later but never did.

Ms Lo has a reported net worth of $1 billion. Her wealth comes from Vitasoy, a soya milk and drinks company founded by her grandfather Dr Lo Kwee-seon, which has a reported global turnover of $1 billion and more than 7,000 employees.

She attracted headlines in 2018 when she bought Stings New York apartment for $50 million and again in 2023 when she sued a gallery owner for 500,000 over the alleged non-delivery of a Banksy painting she had bought.

Karen Lo is demanding a refund for the Titanic trip she paid for but never took - Champion News

On his companys website, Mr Cookson, a former safari guide and polar explorer, describes how he used his experience guiding horseback safaris in Kenya and in polar exploration, including a mission to the North Pole with Prince Harry, to set up the ultra high-end adventure travel company Cookson Adventures.

Papers lodged with Londons High Court describe how Mr Cookson had previously been on friendly personal terms with Ms Lo, even attending her wedding, and had organised trips worth tens of millions of US dollars for her and her guests.

Having paid about 670,000 for the trip in May 2018, an email was sent by Cookson Adventures to Ms Lo explaining that the mission had been cancelled because the Titan craft had been struck by lightning and its electronic systems damaged.

Jack Harding, her barrister, states in court papers: The defendant agreed to organise and supply a two-week expedition for the claimant and 17 others to visit the wreck of the Titanic between 30th June and 14th July 2018.

The defendants supplier for the expedition was OceanGate, a company which, at the material time, specialised in the provision of crewed submersibles for tourism, research and exploration.

The contract provided clients with 100 per cent credit toward 2019 Titanic dives or any other expedition offered by OceanGate due to the cancellation, but OceanGate did not carry out any further dives to the Titanic wreck in 2019 or 2020, he said.

The claimant, through her agents and legal representatives, subsequently requested repayment of the sums paid under the contract. The defendant has refused to refund any of the claimants money.

Ms Los lawyer said she wanted her 670,000 returned, plus interest at 8 per cent from May 2018, taking the total claim to more than 1 million.

However, Henk Soede, the lawyer representing Mr Cooksons company, denied they owed the heiress a penny.

Prince Harry with Mr Cookson on the island of Spitsbergen before setting off to walk to the North Pole - David Cheskin/PA Wire

At no stage did the defendant agree to organise and supply an expedition for the claimant and her guests to visit the wreck of the Titanic, the lawyer states, insisting that Mr Cooksons company instead had an affiliate agreement to be a booking agent for some of the planned trips, with OceanGate remaining the organiser.

The contract had also contained a no-refund clause, with the agreement being that a credit towards a future voyage with priority booking rights be provided instead if the mission did not go ahead for technical reasons.

The lawyer states that while no dives took place in 2019 and Covid restrictions stopped any missions in 2020, dives took place in 2021 and 2022, which Ms Lo could have joined using her credit, prior to the final mission in 2023.

The case, unless settled, will come before a judge in court at a later date.
Motorists have faced delays on some routes over the Easter weekend. (Stock image: PA) (Ben Whitley, PA Images)

Easter getaways have been beset by disruption for some, thanks to major rail engineering works, strike action and heavy traffic across the Bank Holiday weekend.

More than 300 engineering projects were set to be carried out by Network Rail across Britain between Good Friday and Easter Monday, prompting warnings for passengers to check their journeys in advance.

That included routes serving London Euston - the UKs 10th busiest railway station - where no trains ran to or from Milton Keynes on Saturday and Sunday due to work to renew overhead electric lines and improve drainage.

A reduced timetable is in place on Easter Monday, and services on the West Coast Main Line are beginning and ending at Carlisle until Monday, with replacement buses covering northern stations.

Helen Hamlin, Network Rails director of system operations, said Easter presented a key opportunity to carry out works because passenger numbers are lower and the double bank holiday allows more time for upgrades.

Some local authorities are deploying traffic control measures to reduce congestion. (PA) (Justin Kase z12z)

On the roads, a crash on the M1 in Hertfordshire on Friday led to delays of up to an hour and five miles of congestion, National Highways said.

National Highways has lifted roadworks from more than 1,100 miles of motorway and major A roads, with 97.5% of its network now free of traffic cones.

The AA previously predicted that almost 20 million people were expected to hit the road on Good Friday alone, with 18.5 million on Easter Saturday and 18.2 million on both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Traffic hotspots were expected on the M6 in Birmingham and near Blackpool, the south and western M25, the M5 at Bristol and the A303 in Wiltshire.

RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson warned of the potential for big jams, saying: Its vital to plan ahead and be prepared for trips to take longer because of the wet weather and the expected getaway congestion.

Delays for people travelling abroad

Some 2.2 million people were expected to head abroad this weekend, travel association Abta said, with Good Friday anticipated to be the busiest day for outbound travel.

A total of 11,282 flights were scheduled to leave UK airports over the four-day period, with popular destinations including Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca, aviation analytics firm Cirium said.

At Gatwick Airport, more than 100 members of the Unite union who work for ground handling firm Red Handling were expected to strike across the weekend in a dispute over pensions and pay.

Red Handling Strike



This Easter, while many plan getaways, @unitetheunion members at Red Handling are taking a stand for fair treatment.



Facing unpaid pensions, delayed wages and insufficient rest, theyve had enough.



Stay tuned for more updates.#JobsPayConditionspic.twitter.com/qpQBCzn8zw  Unite South East (@unite_southeast) April 18, 2025

They include baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers for airlines including Norwegian and Delta.

Queues also formed at the Port of Dover on Friday morning as many people sought to get away for the long weekend. In a post on X, the port warned of extended processing times at Border Control with around a 40-minute wait both before the border and at the P&O Ferries check-in.

Where has the worst traffic been?

Transport analytics company Inrix predicted delays on motorways including the M25 and M6 on various days across the weekend, as well as the A303 in Wiltshire and the M5 southbound from Bristol.

Earlier the AA advised motorists to prepare for congestion around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes such as the M6 at Birmingham and around the Blackpool area, the south and western section of the M25 between the M23 and M40.

Large queues were expected at the Port of Dover in Kent. (Alamy) (Steve Vidler)

National Highways deployed the traffic management system Operation Brock in Kent ahead of the Easter getaway period to try and avoid major backlogs. The scheme involves narrow lanes and a reduced 50mph speed limit.

It is designed to manage traffic flows on the M20 motorway in the event of delays at Channel ports, which are seeing high demand from holidaymakers.

Operation Brock is in place on a 13-mile stretch of the motorway between Junction 8 for Maidstone and Junction 9 for Ashford.

Lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are being directed to follow signs to join a specific lane at Junction 8.

All other traffic for the coast crosses over to enter the contraflow on the London-bound carriageway.

Where have drivers been going?

Tourism authority VisitEngland said around 10.6 million British adults were planning to take a holiday in the UK over the bank holiday period, providing an estimated 3.9 billion boost to the economy.

A further 3.4 million people were undecided about whether to book an overnight domestic Easter trip, with the most common reasons being waiting to see what the weather will be and if they can afford it.

VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much-needed cash flow after the lean winter months, so its encouraging to see many of us are planning a holiday at home.

Mallorca is one of the most popular destinations for Brits during Easter. (Getty) (Andrew Fox via Getty Images)

Aviation analytics company Cirium said 11,282 flights were scheduled to depart UK airports between Good Friday and Easter Monday.

That is 6% more than last years Easter but remains 4% down from Easter 2019.

The most common international destinations for UK departures this Easter are Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca.

Tips for handling long journeys and busy roads

"Drivers shouldnt expect to escape the queues if they dont plan the best time to set off," said the RAC's Alice Simpson.

Its always best to travel as early as possible in the morning or later in the day when most of the traffic has eased, especially if headed to popular holiday destinations such as the West Country, Scotland or Wales.

AA patrol of the year Shaun Jones advised drivers to carry out simple checks such as ensuring tyres are properly inflated, and levels of oil and coolant are correct.

He said: With so many people planning to travel this Easter, it is crucial to ensure your vehicle is in top condition.

It is also worth making sure you have enough water and maybe a snack if you're going to be stuck in traffic for a long time.

It is also worth planning ahead, several apps nowadays can give detailed reports on traffic and planning alternate routes could save a lot of time.

Jones said: "Drivers can check for congestion and plan their route using the AA Routeplanner on the AA app. The app now has a fuel finder feature which allows drivers to compare fuel prices at local filling stations, and locate EV chargers along their route."
Eirian Edwards (left) and Robert Lankester believe burying cables is a very viable alternative to pylons - Dimitris Legakis/Athena Picture Agency

Farmers in rural Wales are fighting Ed Milibands nationwide pylon rollout by refusing to let an energy company onto their land.

Campaigners against the Energy Secretarys plans say that landowners are willing to face criminal charges for blocking access to Green Gen Cymru (GGC), adding they are not going to mess about.

GGC wants to build a 60-mile-long network using 108ft tall pylons through the world class scenery of the Tywi and Teifi valleys to connect onshore wind farm projects to the National Grid.

But the project has met widespread opposition from residents, who say that Mr Milibands only legacy as Energy Secretary is going to be destroying the British countryside.

The strong resistance could prove a stumbling block for the Labour ministers plans to build hundreds of pylons across the country in his net zero push.

Mr Miliband wants to make the energy grid carbon neutral by the end of the decade with new pylons, wind turbines and solar panels. In 2024 he vowed to take on the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists to achieve those aims.

But he faces opposition across the UK, including a 114-mile pylon and cable scheme from Norwich to Tilbury, with more projects planned in Yorkshire and Northumberland.

More than 100 affected landowners in rural Wales have been refusing access to their land for surveying, unless underground cables are seriously considered.

Bullying GGC then selected more than a dozen to be dragged to court on civil grounds after it applied for warrants to access private land.

If warrants are issued, continuing to deny the company access would become a criminal matter and could land them a fine and criminal record.

The Telegraph went to visit some of those who were hauled to court in Carmarthenshire.

Wynne Jenkins said he had reluctantly agreed to grant GGCs surveyors access to his land after being bullied into signing a licence agreement.

The 71-year-old, who has lived in Llanarthney his whole life, said he couldnt risk 50,000 of legal fees and worried about the effect potential criminal charges could have on his business.

The transport boss, who rents out two fields, said: You dont want to be in front of the commissioner with a criminal record.

We were screwed into [agreeing].

More than 100 affected landowners in rural Wales have been refusing access to their land for surveying - Dimitris Legakis/Athena Picture Agency

Despite the intimidation displayed at Llanelli magistrates court, other farmers have vowed not to back down, after their cases were adjourned having successfully appealed to have them heard in Welsh.

Resident Glenn Edgeworth, 69, said the plans were a disaster for the area, adding: Ed Milibands legacy is going to be destroying the countryside.

They want people to buy into all this green stuff but they dont say lets investigate, they are blinkered and saying lets do pylons.

The retired banker, who moved to the area nearly four years ago, said: Everyday I look around and think what stunning countryside.

The thought people are going to ruin it is heartbreaking when theres an alternative.

Robert Lankester, 66, and Eirian Edwards, 59, are both leading members of Llandovery Pylon Community Action Group and said there was a very viable alternative to pylons.

They claim that cable ploughing is a cost comparative method which would be a win win for all parties.

Mr Edwards, who runs an animal feed business, claimed GGC had shown typical corporate bully-boy tactics after arriving with six lawyers despite being up against landowners who had never been to court.

It is intimidating, he said.

A campaign sign outside a plot of land where, according to plans, a pylon will be built in Llandovery - Dimitris Legakis/Athena Picture Agency

The group are keen to preserve the unspoilt part of Wales in what is an area of world class scenery  recently proven by the Heart of Wales Line being included in National Geographics list of best train trips in the world.

Ann Davies, Plaid Cymru MP for Caerfyrddin, attended the court hearings alongside 80 protesters carrying placards for what she described as a David vs Goliath battle.

A tenant farmer herself on the affected land, she said the company  which was recently told its plans would cause mass social unrest  had a history of intimidation after targeting vulnerable residents in 2023.

Of the recent court cases, she said: They took people to court they thought they could get away with.

The whole process was theatre, show and intimidation. I just find it disgusting.

On the potential escalation from civil to criminal, she added: The feeling is we are not going to mess about.

Even if warrants were issued for GGC in the adjourned cases, I dont think they are going to let them onto their land.

The view from Cynghordy viaduct towards Llandovery, where residents say pylons would ruin the countryside - Dimitris Legakis/Athena Picture Agency

The results in rural Wales could act as test cases for several proposed pylon networks across the country for Mr Miliband.

In March, the Government said residents who live near newly installed pylons will be compensated with 250 a year off their energy  a measure Mr Lankester branded an absolute joke given the accompanying devaluation of properties.

All the way up the valley, people are incensed by this, he added.

The retired headteacher said: They have picked the wrong place to fight this battle; and it does feel like they want a battle.

When push comes to shove, people will be out on the street.

The campaigners said they had tried to engage with GGC but claim that the company has refused to discuss the undergrounding of cables, which goes against Welsh government policy.

Landowners of five more farms are due in court on Monday for refusing access for the Towy Teifi line.

GGC said it was pleased to reach agreements with the majority of landowners facing court on Monday.

We want to work constructively and cooperatively with landowners to reach agreements without the need for legal proceedings, as we have been doing for more than two years, a spokesman said.



Legal action is not our chosen route.

Building this infrastructure is critical to meeting the challenges of the climate emergency, building a robust and reliable green energy network, and giving everyone in Wales a share in a cleaner future.
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

A valiant and brave teenager was praised by a coroner on Monday after he tried to save his father from drowning on holiday in Tenerife.

Stephen Howd, 57, who had recently been appointed a judge, died off the coast of Santa Cruz when sea conditions changed while he was swimming with his son in April 2023.

The father of three, from Farnham, Surrey, bought a holiday home in Spain in 2006 and had enjoyed the water in the area many times, an inquest heard.

Mr Howd got into difficulty near Buenavista del Norte, a spot popular with people who liked jumping off a rocky outcrop into the sea.

Mr Howds last words were: This is getting dangerous, Im getting tired. He was unable to get out of the water and struck his head on rocks.

His son William, was then 16 and taking a break from studying for his GCSEs, went into the dangerous water to try to bring his father back. He could not prevent him from drowning.

Father and son got into difficulty

Nicola Murphy, Mr Howds ex-partner and mother to his children, said in a statement: They jumped in and were enjoying themselves until the sea conditions changed, the sea became rough and the conditions of the water became difficult to swim against.

She said bystanders saw the father and son get into difficulty, and made a makeshift rope to pull them back to the rocks from which they had jumped. William, who is now 18, was able to get out using this rope, but his father was not.

The Winchester inquest heard that Mr Howd hit his head against the rocks, causing an injury which the coroner said might have contributed to his death.

Ms Murphys statement continued: William then jumped back in and swam out to his father... William described his father as being slumped down and face down in the water.

Jason Pegg, coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, summarising Ms Murphys statement, said: William attempted to pull himself and his father up the staircase to get him back up to the ledge, but a large wave hit and pulled Stephen out of Williams grasp and back out to sea again, where he remained until emergency services arrived.

Incredibly unlucky

The Spanish emergency services tried to revive Mr Howd, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Giving evidence in person at the inquest, Constance Ridge, Mr Dowds daughter, said that her father was just incredibly unlucky that day.

She said: He was, I would have thought, quite a strong swimmer as well  he did swimming recreationally, it was one of the things he did to stay fit.

Offering his sympathies to Mr Dowds loved ones, the coroner said: I specifically give my condolences to William, who was present during this dreadful incident.

In my view, it was very much a valiant and brave attempt by him [to save his father].

Mr Pegg said that heart disease contributed to Mr Howds death but was not the cause. The coroner concluded that Mr Dowd drowned and that his cause of death was misadventure.

The hearing was told Mr Howd attended Winchester College as a young man and studied physics at Oxford University, before obtaining the prestigious Queen Mothers Scholarship, given to outstanding candidates, to study law at that university.

He was appointed a judge shortly before he died and his daughter told the inquest that he had been looking forward to the challenge. He lived on Echo Barn Lane in Surrey, where houses cost more than 1m on average.
Police faced allegations of 'two-tier policing' relating to the response to riots across the country following the Southport knife attack. (Getty) (Carl Court via Getty Images)

The response by police to riots last summer was entirely appropriate, despite claims of "two-tier policing", a report by MPs has found.

The report from the Home Affairs Committee found there was no evidence of two-tier policing in officers handling of the levels of violence and criminality during the period, which followed the murder of three girls in Southport, and branded the claims as disgraceful.

Riots broke out after Axel Rudakubana stabbed 11 children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 29 July, killing Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine. He has now been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 52 years.

In the aftermath of the attack, riots broke out in towns and cities across the UK, with mosques, community centres and libraries attacked, as well as hotels housing asylum seekers.

The police response to the riots prompted some, including Nigel Farage, far-right leader Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk, to accuse forces, and the government, of "two-tier policing" - something police chiefs and ministers denied.

Now, the Home Affairs Committee has published a new report, finding that there was no evidence that those involved in the riots were policed more strongly than previous protesters.

MPs said: This was not protest. Those participating in disorder were not policed more strongly because of their supposed political views but because they were throwing missiles, assaulting police officers and committing arson.

It was disgraceful to see the police officers who bore the brunt of this violence being undermined by baseless claims of two-tier policing.

Why were there allegations of two-tier policing and who propagated it?

Critics suggested that the police response to the riots in summer 2024 was significantly different to the approach adopted in May 2020 when Black Lives Matter protests were held in the UK as part of an international response following the murder of George Floyd in the US.

Nigel Farage was one figure who drew the comparison. In a post on X following riots in the wake of the Southport attack, he claimed the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 had left an impression of 'two-tier policing'.

Parliament must be recalled for a proper debate. pic.twitter.com/OrQa7o38a1  Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) August 5, 2024

Tommy Robinson also contributed to the narrative, sharing social media posts using the phrase, including one video of a Greater Manchester Police senior officer to which he added: "No two tier policing?".

His post also tagged Elon Musk, who weighed in on the debate writing several posts on social media referring to two-tier policing, and using the hashtage #twotierKeir as part of a war of words with the Prime Minister. In another post, he asked Starmer: "why aren't all communities protected in Britain?".

But the government and senior police figures rejected the claims.

Dame Priti Patel said there was a "stark difference" between the protests around Black Lives Matter - cited by Farage - and the riots of summer 2024.

At the time she told Times Radio: "What we saw during the pandemic, we saw protest. We believe in free speech. We saw protests that were being policed.

"What we're seeing right now is thuggery and disorder and criminality. There is a complete distinction between the two."

Neil Basu, former head of Counter Terrorism Policing for the UK, dubbed the claims a "very dangerous rhetoric".

Facts and figures on the disorder from the report

According to a document in the Commons library on the policing response to the 2024 riots, between 30 July and 7 August 2024, an estimated 29 anti-immigration demonstrations and riots took place across 27 towns and cities in the UK.

It said: "This was the most significant disorder in the UK since the 2011 riots, in which at least 4,000 people were arrested (within one month of the event) and 1,984 prosecuted (within two months)."

The Home Affairs Committee report said that by 22 January this year, 1,804 arrests had been made and there were 1,072 charges from the disorder, with the majority for serious public order offences.

In total, 246 events of protests, counter-protests and incidents of disorder took place, including 88 seen as significant with many resulting in disorder, it added.

The report said some 44,438 public order police officer shifts were worked to cover the national response to the disorder between 1 and 18 August, while 302 officers were injured including up to 69 who were taken to hospital.

The disorder is estimated to have cost police forces more than 28 million.

What else does the MPs report say?

The committee urged the government to release funding to forces to cover costs from the disorder, as well as calling for it to focus on a strategy for retaining police officers, alongside recruitment, after staff during the riots worked for long hours with many suffering injury and trauma.

The report said: Police forces did their best to ameliorate the impact on officers but it is clear that the disorder has had a detrimental effect at a time when many officers were already struggling with heavy workloads, fatigue and stress.

MPs also found shortfalls in national policing structures that hindered the response to the disorder, and meant forces were not always able to access support they needed.

The riots sparked a huge police response across the country. (Alamy) (Terry Waller)

It agreed with a report from His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that said police forces should have better anticipated the risk of disorder in general, and that it should not have been taken for granted that planned protests following the Southport disorder would remain peaceful.

It found there were gaps in intelligence linked to social media and the dark web and highlighted that the criminal justice system has failed to keep pace with the social media age, which created an information vacuum that allowed disinformation to flourish in the wake of the Southport murders, which prompted speculation that the perpetrator was an asylum seeker, contributing to the ensuing disorder.

MPs said the Crown Prosecution Service and Merseyside Police were ultimately limited on what they could publish about the then unnamed suspect, Axel Rudakubana, by the Contempt of Court Act 1981, which prevents the publication of information that could prejudice criminal proceedings.

They welcomed a review into the law by the Law Commission, which published a consultation paper last month to consider whether there should be contempt of court liability for those who risk prejudicing a criminal trial by releasing information in the interests of public safety or national security.

The committee also recommended a boosted ability for police to monitor and respond to social media at a national level.

A Home Office spokesperson said: It is always important that we always learn lessons, and we are working closely with policing to improve national decision making, and to ensure that officers get the support they need to keep our streets safe.

We also agree social media has put well-established principles around how we communicate after attacks like this under strain, and we must be able to tackle misinformation head on. That is why we have asked the Law Commission to carry out a review into the rules around Contempt of Court as soon as possible.
A man reads a local newspaper with a front-page file photo showing Vietnamese leader, To Lam, shaking hands with Chinese president, Xi Jinping (R), ahead of Xi's visit to Vietnam on Monday. Photograph: Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, warned there would be no winners in a trade war and that protectionism leads nowhere, as he began a three-nation trip to south-east Asia, starting in Vietnam on Monday.

Xis tour, which started in Hanoi, also includes rare visits to Malaysia and Cambodia and will seek to strengthen ties with Chinas closest neighbours amid a trade war that has sent shock waves through global markets.

Writing in an article published in Vietnams Nhan Dan newspaper on Monday, Xi urged Vietnam to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment, Beijings Xinhua news agency said.

He added that a trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.

It is expected Xis visit will seek to present China as a reliable partner, in contrast to Washington, which imposed  then suspended  tariffs of more than 40% on some countries in south-east Asia, an export-reliant region.

Officials in Vietnam, a manufacturing powerhouse, were shocked when the country was hit with a tariff of 46%, even after various efforts to appease the Trump administration. The tariff, which has been paused, threatens to devastate the countrys ambitious economic growth plan.

Xis visit was reportedly planned prior to Trumps tariff announcement. During meetings Vietnam and China will sign about 40 agreements across different sectors, Vietnams deputy prime minister, Bui Thanh Son, said on Saturday. It is expected this will include cooperation to develop Vietnams railway network.

Related: How Trump tariffs could push Vietnam into the arms of China

Vietnams leader, To Lam, wrote in an article published in state media on Monday that Hanoi wanted to boost cooperation in defence, security and infrastructure, especially on rail links.

Xis visit will probably form part of an effort to prevent economic encirclement by the US and in the region, said Dr Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at the Vietnam studies programme of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, who cited reports that Washington would prioritise trade negotiations with countries such as Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and India.

For Vietnam, Giang added, Xis visit presented a risk and an opportunity.

Vietnam, and many other south-east Asian countries, are trying to maintain a delicate balancing act between the US and China. The US is Vietnams main export market, with US exports accounting for 30% of Vietnams GDP. However, China is Vietnams top import source, which it relies on for raw materials and other supplies that will be used to produce exports destined for the US.

Vietnam has traditionally sought to avoid taking sides between the US and China and will want to avoid antagonising either party, especially as it tries to persuade Washington to lower tariffs.

Vietnam is vulnerable to Washingtons tariffs because its trade surplus with the US has grown rapidly over recent years to more than $123bn (94bn), fuelled in part by companies relocating production to Vietnam to avoid tariffs imposed on China by the last Trump administration.

Hanoi is preparing to crack down on Chinese goods being shipped from its territory to the US, in an effort to appease Washington, according to a Reuters report, and to tighten controls on sensitive exports to China. It has also made other concessions, including offering to remove all tariffs on US imports and promising to buy more US goods.

Cambodia and Malaysia, which face tariffs of 49% and 24% respectively, are also seeking to negotiate with Donald Trump, while China has previously vowed to fight until the end if the US continued to escalate the trade war.

Hanoi will want to avoid being seen as moving too close to Beijing during Xis visit, given the tension between China and Washington, said Giang, but he added that China may be able to offer a life-saving opportunity for Vietnamese economy  at least in the short run.

This could include a commitment from China not to export its excess capacity to Vietnam. Across many south-east Asian countries there is concern that tariffs imposed on China by the US will worsen a problem of cheap Chinese goods overwhelming domestic industries. China could also increase its imports from south-east Asia, including in areas such as agriculture.

A willingness to pursue peaceful solutions to the dispute in the South China Sea, where Beijing and several south-east Asian countries have overlapping claims, would also improve perceptions of China in the region, added Giang.

Now we are viewing the US as a global disruptor  that presents China a golden opportunity to be a responsible stakeholder in the region. And if they can do so, I think more and more south-east Asian countries will eventually move closer to China, Giang said.
Vanessa Brown was held by police for nearly eight hours after confiscating her childrens iPads

I have lost track of the number of times I have stomped downstairs, unplugged the PlayStation, collected up any device I can see and bundled everything into a drawer, declaring that my children will not have access to them for the rest of the day/week/month/term due to the intolerable aggro they cause, especially now, during the school holidays.

My youngest son recently spent at least an hour searching for the old iPhone he uses to listen to music before we eventually discovered it in a bag where Id put it last time I did a device confiscation session. This follows one of my most pleasing memories of recent years, which was the time when my husband and I banned all screens  including the TV  for the entirety of the summer term after a particularly egregious fight between my two elder sons. After the initial outrage, and once they realised we werent going to back down, all three of my children got on with it  and there was far less bickering and much more contented playing that summer than any other in living memory. My conclusion: taking away screens when your children are being horrible works, even if youre only banning them for 24 hours.

So I was horrified to hear about what happened to Vanessa Brown last month. In March, Ms Brown, 50, was arrested on suspicion of theft and then detained, searched and banged up by Surrey Police for nearly eight hours after she took her daughters iPads away in an effort to get her 16-year-old eldest daughter to focus on revision. She went to visit her mother in Cobham for a coffee, took the tablets with her and a couple of hours later had the plod knocking on the door to conduct a welfare check, before arresting her. There but for the grace of God, etc.

Surrey Police has since apologised, and acknowledged its error.

Yet this is not the first time police have massively overreached into somebodys private life lately: just weeks ago, a couple in Hertfordshire were arrested after complaining about the recruitment process for a new headteacher at their childrens primary school in a class WhatsApp group. Last year, the Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson was investigated by Essex Police over a social media post; they later dropped the investigation. Meanwhile, police take up to 28 hours to respond to actual burglaries, with an average wait time of nine hours and eight minutes and response times delayed by 25 per cent on the previous year, according to the most recent data from 2022/23.

In a truly Kafkaesque twist, four of the most senior policemen in England have just called for children under 16 to be banned from social media to protect them from the online violence, misogyny and extremism that is fuelling and enabling crime. Take away the devices that give access to these platforms however, and it appears you might get arrested. Huh?

Every parent I know grapples with the screen dichotomy of modern life. On the one hand, modern mobile technology is a useful tool: in phones, tablets and laptops we can access almost any information we need at the click of a button; we can connect to people around the world; we can listen to music, learn a language, practise for a test or heck, even  as I am doing right now on a train  write a newspaper column.

On the other, mobile technology  and what it facilitates  is like crack for young developing minds. Limiting it is a no-brainer. A lot of parents go to desperate lengths to do this: confiscating devices like I did (and do); locking phones and tablets away in drawers; holding off as long as they can before giving their child a smartphone (my 14-year old still doesnt have one  an increasing source of tension in our house). The TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp went one further a couple of years ago and smashed her childrens iPads after they broke her rules about screen time.

And yet all we get from on high are hysterical responses to a TV drama that the PM keeps calling a documentary and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson calling for more male teachers to fix all of societys problems while seemingly unwilling to confront the deeper questions of why nobody  male or female  wants to go into teaching in the first place. The only thing they wont actually do is ban smartphones in schools  something that the leader of the countrys largest teaching union called for this month  or devote grown-up, level-headed time and resources to analysing the real dangers of new tech on our childrens brains. In a public health campaign, for example, that might help parents come up with a rational plan as to how to manage the tightrope walk of preparing our children sensibly for the adult world while not letting them run riot online.

Instead, this Government recently watered down a private members Bill that sought to introduce tougher controls on smartphone and social media use by children, and continues to prevaricate on an outright school phone ban.

Grappling with this stuff is hard. It requires nuance and thought and time. And it shouldnt be just the Governments responsibility either  as parents we also need to learn to say no.

But when we do, we need backup, not arresting.
The Fair Tax Foundation said the big six US tech firms had had hardwired tax avoidance into their business models. Photograph: AP

The big American tech firms known as the Silicon Six have been accused of paying almost $278bn (211bn) less corporate income tax in the past decade compared with the statutory rate for US companies making the same profits.

Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Netflix, Apple and Microsoft generated $11tn of revenue and $2.5tn of profits over the past 10 years.

Yet they paid an average 18.8% in combined national and federal corporation taxes, compared with an average 29.7% in the US, according to the Fair Tax Foundation (FTF), which said the Silicon Six had hardwired tax avoidance into their business models.

Analysis by the not-for-profit organisation found that if one-off repatriation tax payments in the US connected to historical tax avoidance were excluded, the average corporate income tax contribution of the six firms fell to 16.1% over the past decade.

The companies had also inflated their stated tax payments by $82bn over the same period by including contingencies for tax they did not expect to pay, the report claimed.

Paul Monaghan, the chief executive of the FTF, said: Our analysis would indicate that tax avoidance continues to be hardwired into corporate structures. The Silicon Sixs corporate income tax contributions are, in percentage terms, way below what sectors such as banking and energy are paying in many parts of the world.

Monaghan pointed to aggressive tax practices such as the contingency tax positions, while the companies also exerted enormous political influence as well as economic power, spending millions of dollars on lobbying governments.

The report comes as the US tech companies influence has been highlighted by the presence of their bosses including Amazons Jeff Bezos, Apples Tim Cook and Metas Mark Zuckerberg at Donald Trumps second inauguration.

A significant tax cut for such companies has reportedly been at the heart of discussions with the UK in its attempts to secure lower tariffs on its products exported to the US.

Monaghan said that much of the Silicon Sixs overseas revenue was subject to low-level rates of corporate income tax in the US via a tax break for foreign-derived intangible income. FTF said overseas sales were also subject to lower rates of income tax because of a combination of lower profit margins and booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.

Netflix had the lowest rate of tax actually paid compared with profit booked, at 14.7%, while Microsoft paid 20.4%. FTF said Amazon had the worst tax conduct based on the factors such as the total amount of tax paid and obvious profit shifting  such as booking a sizeable portion of its UK income in low-tax Luxembourg. However, Amazons corporate tax rate was 19.6%, well ahead of Netflix, Meta (15.4%) and Apple (18.4%).

A spokesperson for Amazon said its UK retail revenues, associated expenses, profits and taxes were recorded in the UK, and reported and paid directly to HM Revenue and Customs.

They said: Governments write the tax laws and Amazon is doing the very thing these laws encourage companies to do  paying all taxes due while also investing billions in creating jobs and infrastructure. Since 2010, we have invested more than $1.2tn in the US and over 250bn [215bn] in Europe. Coupled with low margins, this investment will naturally result in a lower cash tax rate, particularly when measured as a percentage of revenue.

A spokesperson for Meta said: We follow international and local tax rules, ensuring that we pay all taxes required in each of the countries where we operate.

A Netflix spokesperson said: Governments determine tax rules and rates  and companies comply with them. Netflix complies with the relevant tax rules and regulations in every country in which we operate.

Microsoft, Alphabet and Apple were all approached for comment.
Private schools and parents of their pupils are suing the Government by alleging that the introduction of VAT on tuition fees are discriminatory - Guy Bell/Alamy Live News

The Government has been accused of opportunism over its attempt to exclude a crucial piece of evidence in a major lawsuit against its VAT policy on private school fees.

Private schools and parents whose children attend them are suing the Government over the tax raid and argued at a three-day hearing earlier this month that the policy was discriminatory.

On Monday, the court reconvened following an 11th-hour bid by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, to strike down some of the evidence that the claimants relied on.

In written submissions to the court, the Speaker argued that lawyers could not depend on a National Audit Office (NAO) report published last October that accused the Government of failing pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

The claimants had said that the NAO report highlighted the dire state of the Send system and that it proved special needs pupils would be disproportionately impacted if they were forced out of private schools by the VAT policy.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has struck down a report that the claimants rely on for their case at the last minute - House of Commons

Jeremy Hyam KC, representing two privately educated children with special educational needs, told the High Court on Monday that at around 9am on the third day of the hearing earlier this month the Speaker for the first time suggested the claimants use of this material may be prevented by parliamentary privilege.

Mr Hyam said: Having not taken issue with any of the evidence that has been served ... it is really extraordinary now to find us in a position where after I made submissions using the NAO report ... that the report should be withdrawn from consideration by the court in its entirety on the grounds of parliamentary privilege.

The barrister added: The facts contained in the report are not in dispute. That makes the defendants position as it appears...to be an opportunistic one.

In response, Sarah Hannett KC, representing the Treasury and Department for Education, said it was regrettable that it was not raised earlier.

Mr Justice Chamberlain, one of three judges presiding over the case, also appeared to suggest that the intervention should have been made sooner.

He told the High Court that it was unsatisfactory at this point in the proceedings to dispute crucial evidence because the claimants could have relied on other reports if someone had said this at an earlier stage.

The NAO is the independent public spending watchdog in the UK. It supports Parliament in holding the Government to account by scrutinising public spending, but must lay its reports in Parliament before publishing them externally.

David Manknell KC, acting for the Speaker, argued in written submissions that reports produced by the NAO and similar bodies could not be used without impermissibly questioning or impeaching Parliamentary proceedings.

Lord David Pannick KC, representing a group of children and their parents, described the Speakers approach as artificial and unprincipled.

He added in written submissions: The consequence of the Speakers narrow contention is that the courts would be deprived of centrally relevant material only because it was not created solely in connection with the impugned legislation.

The Government is being sued over its decision to apply 20 per cent VAT to private school fees for the first time, in a tax raid which came into force on Jan 1.

Three separate challenges were heard together in the High Court between April 1 and April 3, with more than a dozen families used as case studies to highlight the alleged unfairness of the policy.

The claimants are seeking a declaration of incompatibility under human rights laws. Although this would not overturn the VAT policy in itself, it could force the Government to take a second look at the tax raid or hand out exemptions.

The judicial review was heard by Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain. The three judges are expected to issue a single written judgement at a later date, which will also address the issues raised by the Speaker.
Sting has praised the young actor who played Katie Leonard in Adolescence and the choir who covered his song, saying they created something beautiful.

The 73-year old former frontman of The Police shared the post on Monday with a video from the hit Netflix drama about a teenage boy who is accused of killing a girl from his school, examining so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture.

In the clip, a choir can be heard singing his song Fragile over the closing scene of episode two, with the vocal performed by Emilia Holliday, the 14-year old actor who plays Katie  the character who is tragically murdered in the show, and a choir who are from the same school that the episode was filmed in.

Posting on Instagram, Sting said: The reaction to the cover of my song, Fragile, in the new Netflix series Adolescence has been fantastic.

Its always interesting for me to hear one of my songs through someone elses lens. A great cover can reveal things about a song that I didnt originally see and give a song a new life.

Emilia Holliday and the students of the Minsthorpe Community College Choir are incredibly talented. Together they have created something beautiful.

The series stars This Is England actor Stephen Graham, who plays Eddie Miller  the father of 13-year-old Jamie played by newcomer Owen Cooper.

It has since prompted a national conversation about online safety, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosting a roundtable discussion in March with the creators of the show, writer Jack Thorne and producer Jo Johnson, alongside representatives from the NSPCC and Childrens Society.

Sting, also known as Gordon Sumner, was the lead vocalist and bassist in The Police who formed in 1977, until they split up in the 80s where he went on to have a solo career.

He is best known for the hit songs Fields Of Gold, Every Breath You Take, Roxanne and Message in a Bottle.
People run for their lives after the Rapid Support Forces attacked Zamzam camp, killing at least 200 people. Photograph: Courtesy of North Darfur Observatory For Human Rights

Sudans information blackout has left relatives of those in Sudans Zamzam camp for those displaced by the war struggling for news of their safety after it was overrun by militiamen at the weekend.

As leaders across the globe prepared to meet for peace talks in London to pressure the backers of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army to agree a ceasefire, the RSF launched a deadly assault, seizing Zamzam after weeks of tightening its siege.

The UNs migration agency, the IOM, said between 60,000 and 80,000 households had been displaced from Zamzam following the attacks. The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said its team at Tawila, another displacement camp near El Fasher in Darfur, had seen about 10,000 people arrive in 48 hours suffering from dehydration and exhaustion.

Campaigners said the dearth of information on the violence, which has reportedly killed hundreds of civilians, highlighted the need for the London talks to prioritise restoring communications to allow communities under attack to warn each other, to give better access to healthcare and to facilitate human rights documentation.

Altahir Hashim, whose family was living in Zamzam, said: Zamzam as an IDP [internally displaced persons] camp no longer exists. The RSF has completely overrun the camp  killing, raping, burning and committing all kinds of atrocities. The communications are really bad and I havent been able to speak to my family.

On Friday, nine medical workers from the aid organisation Relief International were killed when the RSF raided Zamzam, while the Sudanese American Physicians Association (Sapa), said the manager of a childrens health centre was also killed.

For two decades Zamzam has hosted people displaced during the 2000s in attacks by the army and the Janjaweed militias  who were later formalised into the RSF  but its population has grown to about 700,000 during the current civil war as people have fled other parts of the Darfur region.

Hashim is part of a group of Darfuris abroad who have raised funds to buy and airdrop satellite phones into Darfur as well as walkie-talkies to allow local communication during emergencies.

He said the communications blackout also made it difficult for people to receive money sent from relatives abroad through mobile banking systems.

The limited information that has emerged from Zamzam has often relied on satellite communications  whether through imagery, phones or the Starlink service, which uses satellites rather than land-based communication towers to provide internet.

But these services can be unreliable and are costly, meaning that while they are used by some activists in Darfur, others remain unable to be contacted.

One video shared by the group North Darfur Observatory for Human Rights showed people fleeing Zamzam with their belongings strapped to camels and donkeys.

Often the main source of information from Darfur has come from videos recorded by RSF fighters themselves of the atrocities and some have emerged showing their fighters entering Zamzam on pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns with burning buildings in the background.

Shayna Lewis, from the US-based organisation Preventing & Ending Mass Atrocities (Paema).We have reports of civilians being hunted and executed in the streets of Zamzam, but we are unable to consistently communicate with people as the networks are off and the internet can only be accessed through Starlink access points. Starlink access is sporadic, expensive and can be turned off by the belligerents at will.

Related: More than 200 civilians killed as Sudans RSF attacks Darfur displacement camps

Paema said the talks in London should prioritise restoring communications as a way to quickly relieve suffering in Sudan.

Sapa, which operates medical facilities in El Fasher, said the last message it received from its teams in Zamzam on Sunday afternoon was: Zamzam under the control of the RSF.

Khalid Mishain, of the Sudanese human rights group Youth Citizens Observers Network, said they had lost contact with their observers in the area since the attack. He said the communications blackout had been a impediment to human rights documentation throughout the conflict.

People have to write the information down, keep it with them and then secretly move to areas where there is communications and send it to us, said Mishain.

We have civilians suffering and no one knows about it, and those who report on it have to risk their life because of the communications blackout.
A Ukrainian aid worker walks by a burned car in front of damaged building at the site of a missile attack in Sumy - AFP

Donald Trump has blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for allowing the war with Russia to begin in a fresh swipe at the Ukrainian president.

Mr Trump said his Ukrainian counterpart and Joe Biden, the former US president, did an absolutely horrible job of preventing the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow and called for an end to the war fast.

The US president told his followers on Truth Social: President Zelenskyy and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin. There were so many ways of preventing it from ever starting. But that is the past. Now we have to get it to STOP, AND FAST.

His comments come a month after the two leaders clashed in a televised shouting match in the Oval Office.

The extraordinary row left the prospects of a peace deal hanging by a thread after Mr Trump told Mr Zelensky to come back when youre ready for peace and threatened to withdraw US military aid unless Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire.

Relations have since improved, but overnight Mr Trump appeared to defend Vladimir Putin for a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, which killed 34 people and injured 100 more, saying he believed it was a mistake.

08:13 PM BST

Thats it for today

Thanks for following todays live blog. Here is a wrap of all the main events:

Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the US president to visit his country to better understand the devastation wrought by Russias invasion.

Germany is willing to send its Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, its chancellor-in-waiting has said.

Ukraine is prepared to buy 10 US-made Patriot air defence systems at a cost of $15 billion (11.34 billion), Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

Donald Trump has defended Vladimir Putin over Russias deadly attack on Sumy on Palm Sunday, saying it was a mistake.

Donald Trump has questioned Volodymyr Zelenskys competency, suggesting Ukraine started a war against an enemy thats 20 times its size.

The US president said Vladimir Putin was not an angel for the part he has played in Russias war with Ukraine but stressed the invasion would never have happened under his leadership.

You can find more of our Ukraine coverage here.

06:14 PM BST

Politicians in Ukraine

Lib Dem politicians Danny Chambers, Angus MacDonald, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Labours Paul Sweeney are pictured with members of the Ukrainian armed forces - Alex Cole-Hamilton/PA

Robert Kilgour, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, delivers ambulances to Ukraine in what he says was a humbling experience - Alex Cole-Hamilton/PA

05:15 PM BST

Putin is no angel, says Trump

Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin was not an angel for the part he has played in Russias war with Ukraine but stressed the invasion would never have happened under his leadership.

He told reporters in the Oval Office: You take a look at Putin. Im not saying anybodys an angel. But I will tell you I went four years and it wasnt even a question, he would never  and I told him, dont do it, youre not going to do it.

And it [Ukraine] was the apple of his eye but there was no way that he would have done it.

He continued: Thats a war that should never have been allowed to start. Biden could have stopped it and Zelensky could have stopped it and Putin should never have started it. Everybodys to blame.

05:05 PM BST

Trump: Ukraine started war against country 20 times its size

Donald Trump has questioned Volodymyr Zelenskys competency, suggesting Ukraine started a war against Russia thats 20 times its size.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said: The mistake was letting the war happen, if Biden were competent, and if Zelensky were competent, and I dont know that he is, we had a rough session with this guy [Zelensky].

He just kept asking for more and more that war should have never been allowed to happen. That war, I went four years and Putin wouldnt even bring it up. And as soon as the election was rigged, and I wasnt here, that war started. There was no way that war should have been allowed to happen, and Biden should have stopped it.

Asked if he spoke to the Ukrainian about his offer to purchase more Patriot missiles, he added: Listen, when you start a war, you got to know that you can win the war, right? You dont start a war against somebody thats 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles.

05:03 PM BST

Kyiv kicks back at Russian military parade

Ukraine has reportedly invited EU officials to visit Kyiv on May 9, the same day as Russias annual Victory Day parade in Moscow.

Andrii Sybiha, Ukraines foreign minister, said the gesture is intended to show unity and resolve in the face of the biggest aggression in Europe, according to Politico.

Russias May 9 display marks the Soviet Unions victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 and is often a show of the countrys military might, with large-scale armed forces parades and veterans turning out in force.

04:10 PM BST

Four killed in Kharkiv

On the battlefront, Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region of east Ukraine killed four residents on Monday, local officials said.

Moscows forces have gained ground in the Kharkiv region, home to Ukraines second largest city, which was also targeted in overnight Russian drone attacks.

The head of the region said Russian forces had shelled the town of Kupiansk, a rail hub that was captured by Russian forces in 2022 and then liberated.

Governor Oleg Synegubov said: A 68-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman died as a result of artillery shelling,

He added in a social media post that a 77-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man were also killed by Russian rockets.

A Ukrainian soldier prepares artillery in Kharkiv amid intense Russian strikes on the region that killed four on Monday - Anadolu

04:04 PM BST

Putin mocking Trumps peace efforts with Palm Sunday attack

Vladimir Putin was mocking Donald Trumps attempt to broker peace in Ukraine with a ballistic missile strike that killed dozens of people in Sumy on Palm Sunday, EU foreign ministers said.

Radoslaw Sikorski, the Polish foreign minister, said at a meeting of his European counterparts in Luxembourg: I hope that President Trump, the US administration, sees that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill, and I hope the right decisions are taken.

Kestutis Budrys, Lithuanias foreign minister, told reporters: This is once again a humiliation to everyone who puts in diplomatic efforts to stop this war and achieve at least a ceasefire for negotiations to begin.

Latvias foreign minister rejected Mr Trumps suggestion that Russia had made a mistake when it hit the northeastern Ukrainian city, killing 34 and injuring 100 more.

The Russians knew what they were doing, Baiba Braze said. There is no way they can say this was just a mistake.

04:04 PM BST

In full: Donald Trumps Truth Social post

Posting on his Truth Social account, Donald Trump, the US president, said: The War between Russia and Ukraine is Bidens war, not mine. I just got here, and for four years during my term, had no problem in preventing it from happening.

President Putin, and everyone else, respected your President! I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS WAR, BUT AM WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO STOP.

If the 2020 Presidential Election was not RIGGED, and it was, in so many ways, that horrible War would never have happened. President Zelenskyy and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin.

There were so many ways of preventing it from ever starting. But that is the past. Now we have to get it to STOP, AND FAST. SO SAD!

02:40 PM BST

Eyewitness account of the Sumy strike

An eyewitness to the Palm Sunday strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy described the moment two Iskander-M missiles struck.

A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses, she said, struggling to speak.

Some 34 people were killed in the attack, including two children, according to Ukraines emergency services.

People reportedly ran for cover amid burning cars and the wreckage of a trolleybus.

The dead were covered in silver sheets as rescuers worked through the rubble in search of survivors.

02:30 PM BST

Germany risks escalating conflict with Taurus missiles, warns Kremlin

The Kremlin has warned Germany against supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, claiming incoming chancellor Friedrich Merzs proposal risked escalating the three-year conflict.

The air-launched missile, jointly developed by Germany and Sweden, can reach targets up to 500 kilometres (311 miles) away.

Olaf Scholz, the outgoing chancellor, had ruled out sending them to Kyiv, but Mr Merz said on Sunday that he was open to the idea provided Germany was in agreement with its European partners.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said of Merz: He is agitating on the side of toughening his position and in favour of various steps that can  and will  inevitably lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine situation.

He added: Unfortunately, European capitals are really not inclined to look for ways of reaching peace talks, they are rather inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war.

02:24 PM BST

Pictured: The latest Ukrainian innovations

A manufacturer demonstrates a Ukrainian-made drone at a defence innovation exhibition at an undisclosed location in the country on Friday - Efrem Lukatsky/AP

A Ukrainian-produced unmanned ground vehicle is unveiled to military clients at a defence innovation exhibition - AP/Efrem Lukatsky

02:20 PM BST

Russia accuses Ukraine of using civilians as human shield

Moscow has accused Kyiv of using civilians as a human shield after a missile strike targeting Ukrainian army commanders on Palm Sunday killed at least 34 people.

The Russian defence ministry said its army launched two ballistic Iskander-M missiles at the place of a meeting of command staff in Sumy, claiming that it had killed 60 Ukrainian soldiers.

The strikes hit the centre of the northeastern city on Sunday morning, triggering outrage in Kyiv and among its allies.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, told reporters: Our army hits only military and military-related targets.

He added: The Kyiv regime continues to use the Ukrainian population as a human shield, placing military facilities and holding events with the participation of soldiers in the centre of a densely populated city.

02:15 PM BST

Trump defends Putin over deadly Sumy attack

Credit: Reuters

Donald Trump has defended Vladimir Putin over Russias deadly attack on Sumy on Palm Sunday, saying it was a mistake.

The US president told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday evening: I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing.

Asked to clarify what he meant by a mistake, Mr Trump said that they made a mistake... youre gonna ask them  without specifying who or what he meant.

The Sumy strike killed 34 people and injured 100 more. Ukrainian media reported that it occurred while a number of soldiers gathered for a nearby military awards ceremony.

It is the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week, following a deadly missile strike on Volodymyr Zelenskys home town of Kryvyi Rih on April 4 that killed 20 people, including nine children.

The attack came two days after Mr Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia to meet Putin and push for an end to the war.

01:15 PM BST

Ukrainian commanders meeting was target of Sumy strike

A Ukrainian military commanders meeting was the target of a deadly Russian strike on the city of Sumy, the Kremlin has said.

The Russian defence ministry said the attack involving two Iskander-M missiles was aimed at a Ukrainian armed forces command staff meeting in northeastern Ukraine on Palm Sunday.

Yuriy Yula, a Ukrainian colonel and the deputy commander of the 26th artillery brigade, was killed in the strike, Berdychiv city council reported.

According to Ukrainian officials, some 34 were killed and a further 100 injured in the strike. Volodymyr Zelensky said 38 people remain in hospital, including nine children.

The Russian defence ministry has claimed 60 servicemen were killed in the attack, however.

12:49 PM BST

EU chief condemns criminal Sumy strike

The head of the European Council has condemned Russias attack on the city of Sumy as criminal.

Antonio Costa said the strike, which killed 34 people and injured 100 more in the northeastern Ukrainian city, showed Russia was enacting a campaign of violence.

The EU chief wrote on X: Im outraged by Russias criminal missile attack on the city centre of Sumy.

Russia continues its campaign of violence, showing once again that this war exists and endures only because Russia chooses so.

He called for those responsible for the strike to be held accountable and said the European Union offered its full support to the Ukrainian people.

12:39 PM BST

Ukraine ready to buy 10 Patriot systems from US

Ukraine is prepared to buy 10 US-made Patriot air defence systems at a cost of $15 billion (11.34 billion), Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The Ukrainian president told CBS he first discussed the offer with the Biden administration before raising it again with Donald Trump in the hopes the systems could provide an initial line of defence against Russian drone and missile attacks.

Mr Zelensky said: There is the Patriot system, and you have many of them. You also have production capacity. There are a few steps to protect Ukraine.

He added: Thats $15 billion. We are ready to pay it. We will find the money and pay for everything.

12:17 PM BST

Russia claims Sumy strike was military target

The Kremlin, when asked this morning about an attack on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy, said that Russia only strikes military or military-related targets.

Ukraine said on Sunday that two Russian ballistic missiles killed 34 people and wounded 117 in Sumy.

Smoke rises in the aftermath of a Russian drone strike on the city of Sumy - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

12:06 PM BST

Hungary will oppose EU training mission inside Ukraine

Hungary will not agree to any part of the European Unions military training mission to take place inside Ukraine, as that could risk an escalation of war, the countrys foreign minister has said.

Budapest will also oppose any sanctions on Russian energy imports, Peter Szijjarto added in a press conference broadcast on his Facebook from Luxemburg after a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

11:22 AM BST

Russia suffers 138,000 casualties this year, says UK intelligence

Russia has suffered a 138,000 casualties in its war against Ukraine this year, according to the a UK intelligence report.

The report also found that Russia had lost more than 920,000 over the course of the war so far, which started in February 2022.

Russian forces are likely attempting to rebuild frontline momentum following a period of lower attacks on the opening months of the year, the report stated.

10:49 AM BST

Putin will decide whether to extend energy ceasefire, says Kremlin

Vladimir Putin will be the one to decide whether a 30-day energy ceasefire with Ukraine is extended, the Kremlin has said.

The moratorium was essentially not observed by the Ukrainian side, Dmitry Peskov, Putins spokesman, claimed. Therefore, of course, these 30 days will need to be analysed.

Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of carrying out eight attacks on energy infrastructure in the last 24 hours, without providing evidence.

Both sides have accused each other of breaking the US-brokered deal.

10:38 AM BST

Pictured: Firefighters tackle blaze in Odesa

Ukrainian firefighters working at the site of a drone attack on a storage building in Odesa - Shutterstock

10:29 AM BST

Ukraines recruitment struggles continue

Ukraine has struggled to recruit young soldiers, despite launching a programme dedicated to enlisting those between 18 and 24.

Pavlo Palisa, the deputy head of Volodymyr Zelenskys office, said less than 500 contracts had been signed as a result of the programme, which was launched in February.

Those who sign up will be given more than 18,000 up front, before taking a monthly salary of around 2,200, in addition to a 0pc mortgage, free education and healthcare.

Asked about why recruitment numbers are low, Mr Palisa said: Sometimes parents have an influence. Somewhere, they thought that peace was about to come, and they no longer need to. There are many reasons. We are studying them to draw conclusions.

10:12 AM BST

Germany ready to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

Germany is willing to send its Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, its chancellor-in-waiting has said.

Friedrich Merz said Kyiv needed to get ahead in the conflict after dozens were killed in Russias Palm Sunday attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which he denounced as a serious war crime.

Asked if he would agree to Ukraines repeated plea for Germanys long-range missiles, Mr Merz said he would do so if it were done in conjunction with allies, some of whom are already providing similar long-range weapons.

Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles, the conservative leader said on Sunday. The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it anyway.

This must be jointly agreed. And if its agreed, then Germany should take part, he added.

09:40 AM BST

Palm Sunday attack humiliating for Trump

Lithuanias foreign minister said Vladimir Putins Palm Sunday missile attack was a humiliation for Donald Trumps attempts to broker peace in Ukraine.

Arriving at an EU foreign affairs meeting, Kestutis Budrys told reporters: This is once again a humiliation to everyone who puts in diplomatic efforts to stop this war and achieve at least a ceasefire for negotiations to begin.

Putin once again is challenging everyone, and especially those who are dedicating their time for good reason.

Mr Budrys said he would push for the European Union to agree to a 17th round of sanctions against Moscows economy, including targeting LNG exports, its nuclear industry and the shadow fleet of oil tankers.

Lithuanias foreign minister Kestutis Budrys speaks to the media during a European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg City - Shutterstock

09:25 AM BST

Trump isnt ending the war in Ukraine, hes prolonging it

On the American presidential campaign trail, Donald Trump boasted more than once that he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours, writes Lisa Haseldine.

Nearly three months into his second term, that clearly hasnt happened. By March, as the scale of the challenge dawned on them, the tune coming from his administration quietly changed: meeting with delegations from Moscow and Kyiv in the Middle East, Trumps representatives declared they were optimistic that a truce now could materialise in weeks.

The White House was reportedly aiming to get a peace deal signed by Easter. For Trump, a vain man with a weak spot for pomp and ceremony, the symbolism of such an achievement would be very neat indeed  and perhaps, he may have hoped, bring the Nobel peace prize he dreams of that little bit closer.

This year, the celebration of Easter coincides in both the Western and Orthodox Christian church calendars; Easter Sunday will also mark exactly three months since Trump returned to the White House. Ending the war between Russia and Ukraine in this way would clearly have been a major win for the President.

But, with less than a week to go, we already know Trumps ambition for an Easter peace deal was little more than wishful thinking.

08:53 AM BST

Watch: Russian drone attack strikes Odesa

Seven people were injured in a Russian drone attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa that also damaged several homes and a medical facility late on Sunday, Ukrainian authorities have said.

A 53-year-old man was injured in the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region in heavy artillery shelling by Russia, Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, said on Telegram.

Credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Hennadii Trukhanov via Telegram

08:34 AM BST

German Leopard 2 tanks flop on battlefield in Ukraine

Germanys prized Leopard 2 tanks are failing on the battlefield in Ukraine, according to an assessment by its defence ministry, writes Aaron Burnett.

In a classified transcript of a meeting between a German defence attache stationed in Kyiv and about 200 Bundeswehr soldiers, the diplomat revealed the difficulties Ukrainians are facing in operating the heavy weaponry.

Eighteen of the Bundeswehrs mainstay Leopard 2 tanks made their way to Ukraine in 2023 after months of foot-dragging by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and a full-on national public debate about whether Berlin should send heavy weapons to Ukraine.

Mr Scholz finally agreed to do so after the Biden administration agreed to send Abrams tanks and public sentiment in Germany began to shift in Ukraines favour.

But for all the fanfare, Ukrainian soldiers are finding the Leopard 2 has limited use, says the transcript, which was obtained by three German media outlets.

Some of the problems have to do with the way warfare itself is changing.

08:01 AM BST

Putin mocking Trumps goodwill, Poland says

Vladimir Putin is mocking Donald Trumps goodwill by continuing to step up attacks on Ukraine, Polands foreign minister has said.

Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russias mocking answer, Radoslaw Sikorski said on arrival at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

I hope that President Trump and the US administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken.

07:42 AM BST

Russias attacks spark petrol station fire in Ukraine, officials say

Overnight attacks by Russia sparked a fire at a petrol station in Zaporizhzhia, injured at least eight people and damaged houses across the southeastern part of Ukraine, regional officials have said.

No one was injured in the petrol station fire that followed a drone attack on the region, Ivan Fedorov, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, said in a post on Telegram. He posted a photo of large flames consuming a structure at night.

It was not immediately clear whether the petrol station in Zaporizhzhia was a target of the attack or whether the fire was sparked by falling debris from a destroyed drone.

07:24 AM BST

How Trumps statement compares to other world leaders

Speaking to reporters on Air Force one last night, Donald Trump said Russia had make a mistake by firing two ballistic missiles at Sumy, northern Ukraine, before saying Kyiv should never have been sent military aid by Joe Biden, his predecessor.

The statement was markedly different in tone to the comments made by European leaders, including Germanys chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, who called it a war crime.

It was a perfidious act.. and it is a serious war crime, deliberate and intended, the conservative politician said.

Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of blatant disregard of human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.

Sir Keir Starmer said he was appalled at Russias horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy.

Donald Trump speaks to members of the media onboard Air Force One - REUTERS

07:15 AM BST

EU calls for maximum pressure on Russia after Sumy strike

The EUs top diplomat has called for Russia to be put under maximum pressure to end its war in Ukraine, a day after a missile strike on Sumy that killed 34 people.

I think we have to put the pressure, the maximum pressure, on Russia to really end this war, because it takes two to want peace, Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign policy chief, told reporters as she arrived at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

All those who want the killing to stop should put the maximum pressure, she said.

07:03 AM BST

Zelensky urges Trump to visit Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the US president to visit his country to better understand the devastation wrought by Russias invasion.

Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead, the Ukrainian leader said in an interview broadcast on US network CBS.

Police and rescue workers operate at the site of a Russian ballistic missile strike on the city centre - Global Images Ukraine

06:54 AM BST

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Well bring you the latest news and analysis throughout the day.
Trump on tariffs

The American economist Thomas Sowell once wrote: People will forgive you for being wrong, but they will never forgive you for being right  especially if events prove you right while proving them wrong.

So it seems with President Trump. He has been proven right about pretty much everything and now he is trying to do something about it, the elite is howling with indiscriminate outrage.

It turns out that the Paris Climate Accords led to unilateral economic disarmament in the West, especially in Britain; that China has proved to be a malevolent force and is now eating our lunch; that the overly draconian Covid lockdowns were a mistake; that the swamp or deep state  call it what you will  is a real threat and was subverting democracy; and that mass migration has been an economic and cultural disaster.

Trump is right that towns and cities have been hollowed out, on both sides of the Atlantic: places like Ohio and Scunthorpe have suffered, with closed industries leaving dilapidated town centres and a trail of social and drug problems in their wake.

This is not a new challenge. I spent my primary school years in the 1980s in Paisley. Its disused cotton mills pointed to the towns better days. But it has become all encompassing. Its actually worse here than in America  with sky-high energy prices and a refusal to permit fracking making it hard for the remaining British manufacturers to survive.

This was demonstrated by Saturdays dash by MPs to Parliament to back what was tantamount to steel nationalisation  engendered by China and net zero, for which MPs had enthusiastically legislated. As they congratulated themselves for turning up to work on a weekend, few of them seemed prepared to do any deep thinking about why we were in this mess in the first place.

The entire Western establishment cant bear to admit how wrong they have got it  and that their self-serving Davos groupthink has left our countries in a terrible state.

Bill Clinton allowed China to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on developing country terms. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, supported by Ed Miliband, outsourced huge powers to unelected officials while expanding the state and embedding human rights laws, climate change targets and DEI ideology.

The Conservative government under David Cameron and George Osborne declared a golden era with China. The unelected officials at the Bank of England printed money, fuelling yet more state spending. Michael Gove cosied up to Greta Thunberg, promoted net zero and lobbied for tougher Covid lockdowns. Boris Johnson presided over a wave of mass migration. These tendencies were replicated across the West  epitomised by Canadas Mark Carney, the ultimate Davos creature, sliding from failure at the Bank of England to becoming the unelected prime minister of Canada.

Yet to read the commentary from most of the British media and establishment, youd think that these people were geniuses and Trump an idiot. Even Nigel Farage said Trump was trying to do too much too soon with his tariffs policy.

Yet it has to be understood that Trump is fighting a very influential groupthink advanced by people who will fight to the death not to harm their vested interests. Powerful market players are not always neutral. They do very well out of the status quo.

BlackRocks chief executive, Larry Fink, calling a recession now when he was seemingly reluctant to do so while the Democrats were in power is a case in point.

I know only too well how policies can be traduced and the markets weaponised against people who are trying to change things. The 2022 Mini-Budget was a sensible package of tax freezes, spending restraint and supply-side measures, including fracking, which would have generated economic growth (and was smaller in scale than fiscal announcements before or since).

A huge amount of hysteria was generated, making it very difficult to get messages across. Ultimately, Conservative-in-name-only MPs, the economic establishment and their allies in the media contributed to so much turbulence that the policies could not be implemented. I was blamed for failures that were actually the Bank of Englands: it has since admitted that two-thirds of the market movement was its responsibility.

The idea that spending more time rolling the pitch to introduce things gradually would have helped is a nonsense. The environment facing disruptors is not one of ignorance; it is one of hostility on the part of those who have an interest in your failing. Any slowing of the pace simply gives opponents more time to organise and you are restricted and then crushed by internal and external opposition.

The only viable strategy is the one that Trump is employing of flooding the zone  of using shock and awe to challenge opponents and upend the status quo. Those wanting serious change must understand we are in a fight with an unelected establishment that will do all it can to stop change happening.

Trump is right that China has cheated in international trade and that the EU and many others have acted in a protectionist way while preaching the values of free trade. His shock tactics have brought countries to the table. China is finally facing serious action after years of a dysfunctional WTO failing to do anything. Other players are being forced to choose between China and the US. If he had allowed the West to continue on its current trajectory, we would have likely seen increased industrial dominance by China and existential threats to our security.

Britains interests are not automatically aligned with the United States. We should be putting our interests first. Obviously we cannot single-handedly take on China and disrupt the global trading system. But we can get fracking, cut regulations, abolish the Human Rights Act and get on with deporting illegal immigrants. President Trump is standing up for the people of America; we should start standing up for the people of Britain.

The British establishment and the countrys current political leadership are failing to do so. Many of them dont even want to talk about what is happening. So rather than placing all their ire on Donald Trump, those who have run this country into the ground for the past 40 years need to look closer to home.
The UK has paid the second instalment of a 2.26 billion loan to Ukraine financed with the profits of seized Russian assets as the Defence Secretary said the war was at a critical moment.

A 752 million payment was sent to Ukraine on Monday through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme, the Treasury said.

The first payment was made on March 6 and the final one will follow in 2026.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: 2025 is the critical year for Ukraine and this is the critical moment.

This new tranche of funds is part of our 4.5 billion of military support this year  more than ever before  and will be used to buy urgently needed air defence, artillery and parts to help repair vehicles and equipment to get them back into the fight.

US President Donald Trump, whose administration continues to seek a peace deal, said on Monday that he was working diligently to end the fighting and suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had allowed the war to break out.

President Zelensky and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin, he posted on his Truth Social platform.

There were so many ways of preventing it from ever starting. But that is the past. Now we have to get it to STOP, AND FAST. SO SAD!

A Russian missile attack on Sumy in Ukraine, as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killed at least 34 people and injured 119 others (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Moscow has already rejected a US-backed proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and has appeared to drag its feet on implementing a more limited truce in the Black Sea, saying some of the sanctions on Russia should be lifted first.

US envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia again on Friday to press the Kremlin to accept a truce.

Meanwhile, the fighting continues.

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraines Sumy as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 and injuring 119 others.

Moscow said it was targeting a gathering of Ukrainian troops with the strikes.

Mr Zelensky called for tangible sanctions in response.

Germanys chancellor-designate, Friedrich Merz, has described the Sumy attack as a serious war crime, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he was appalled by the attack.
Last summers riots prompted many people to attend counter-protests. Photograph: Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock

Last summers riots, which took place after the murder of three girls at a Southport dance class, led to a deterioration in the mental health of asylum seekers, with many becoming fearful of walking down the street in case they were targeted by far-right protesters, according to a report.

The report from the Mental Health Foundation, published on Tuesday, identified a decline in the mental health of asylum seekers as a result of the civil unrest and attacks on hotels, compared with the state of their mental health when they published a similar report in February 2024.

Mark Rowland, the chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: One key development since our last report has been that the racist riots of summer 2024 had a terrible impact on the mental health of many people seeking asylum in UK. Some people told us they were scared to leave their accommodation, risking increased isolation, and others said they feared theyd be attacked walking down the street just because of the colour of their skin.

He added: The climate of hostility has increased, especially on social media which played a key role in escalating tensions. Disinformation and racist rhetoric have surged, especially on platforms like X, with some of those who spoke to us reflecting theyd see hate within minutes of logging on to the website. More action needs to be taken by the UK government to stem the impact of disinformation and hate both online and offline.

The report also called for asylum seekers to have the right to work in any job if the Home Office has not processed their claim within six months, arguing that this would not only boost asylum seekers mental health but also increase tax revenue for the Treasury. The data is based on calculations by the Institute of Economic and Social Research.

According to the figures, allowing asylum seekers to work after six months would save the country 4.4bn in government expenditure, grow the economy by 1bn, increase tax revenue by 880m, reduce the mental health impacts of worklessness and destitution on asylum seekers, promote better integration, and reduce dependence on taxpayer support.

The report warned that preventing asylum seekers from getting jobs was leading to workless stagnation. It echoes the Lift The Ban campaign, a coalition of more than 300 charities, trades unions, businesses, faith groups and thinktanks, which have urged the government to allow asylum seekers to work in a broader range of industries.

Under the current rules, only some asylum seekers who are qualified in shortage occupations can apply for jobs if their asylum claim has not been determined after a year. In practice this system bars many from working.

Rowland added: Giving asylum seekers the right to work is a no-brainer. Everyone  from asylum seekers, to businesses, to the government, to the NHS, to our communities  benefits when asylum seekers are given the ability to support themselves. The current system, which is both harmful and expensive, cannot continue as it is.

The foundation, which supports asylum seekers and refugees with their mental health, through programmes across the UK, also highlighted in the report the acute poverty faced by asylum seekers who sometimes have to make a choice between skipping meals or paying the bus fare for a vital appointment.

Some felt the words asylum seeker stigmatised them. One child told researchers she hid the fact that she was an asylum seeker from her school friends for fear of being excluded by them if she told them about her immigration status.

A Home Office spokesperson said: While the wellbeing of those in the asylum system is important, we remain determined to continue cracking down on anyone working illegally in the UK, and we certainly have no intention of creating a fast-track process so that people who come to the UK outside the established work visa rules are simply allowed to ignore them.
Owen Ray, a student at Miami University in Ohio. Photograph: Courtesy of the Ray family

Two American college students traveling for spring break were arrested in Copenhagen, charged with assault, and held in a Danish prison for two weeks following an alleged dispute with an Uber driver, Danish police said.

The family of Owen Ray, a 19-year-old studying at Miami University in Ohio, said he and an unnamed friend have been forced to forfeit their passports and remain in the country.

Ray and his friend were visiting Denmark in March when they entered the wrong address for their destination on the Uber app, his family and attorney said.

Related: I was a British tourist trying to leave America. Then I was detained, shackled and sent to an immigration detention centre

An altercation allegedly occurred when the driver refused to take them to the alternate destination, and the two students exited the car, they said. They said the driver threatened the boys and assaulted Ray.

A scuffle ensued, culminating in the boys fleeing due to fear. This is all captured via the Ubers dash cam video, which is now part of the legal proceedings in Denmark, according to Erin Pelton, a PR manager representing Rays family.

The two students were detained at Copenhagen airport the next day while trying to return home to the US, she said. Danish police confirmed that two US citizens were charged with common assault.

A Copenhagen police spokesperson told multiple outlets: The Copenhagen Police can confirm, that on March 31, two American citizens were arrested in Copenhagen, and on March 31 they were brought before the court charged with common assault.

They were sentenced to 10 days pre-trial detention. This verdict has since extended until April 24.

Ray has been released from a Danish prison but authorities will not allow him to return to the US, his family said on Monday. The status of the other student is unclear.

We are relieved that Owen has been released from a Danish prison following the unprovoked assault he and his friend suffered at the hands of an Uber driver on March 31, a statement by Rays parents, Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, said.

However, we remain deeply concerned that Danish authorities have confiscated his passport and will not allow him to return to the United States  something we understand is unusual in Danish court proceedings.

The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay.

Related: US citizen detained in Afghanistan by Taliban released to Qatari embassy

The US state department said it is aware of the situation and is providing the citizens with consular assistance. The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad, it said.

A spokesperson for Uber told outlets that the company take reports of violence very seriously. Any additional questions about the investigation should be directed to the Danish police, the statement added.

The arrests took place amid heightened political tensions between Denmark and the US over ownership of Greenland. Relations between the two traditionally close Nato allies have soured since Donald Trumps repeated threats to acquire Greenland, a resource-rich, semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Tariffs imposed by the US risk causing a recession, Scotlands First Minister has said.

John Swinney warned of the economic impact of the policy decisions taken by the Trump administration, saying it would likely cause damage if the Scottish Government fails to take action, but insisted that the time is right for Scotland to become an independent country.

The US President imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on all goods exported from the UK, along with the 25% global levy on car exports, but has since announced a 90 day delay to the plans.

At a press conference on Monday, the First Minister was asked if there would be a recession in the next 12 months.

John Swinney spoke at a press conference in Bute House, Edinburgh (Jeff Mitchell/PA)

The honest answer to that is that I dont know, he said.

But I think theres a risk of it and thats why Im setting out the steps that Im taking today, because I want to make sure were as front-footed as we can be to resist that eventuality.

I cant say to you with certainty it will happen, but I think theres a risk it might and, therefore, weve got to be on the front foot to resist that.

The First Minister added that a recession is more likely than it was before the tariff announcement was made.

But asked if the turmoil would make him drop his push for Scottish independence, the First Minister took the opposite position, citing potential closer relations with the EU and enhanced economic powers.

I believe the time is right for that (independence), because it is so important that we have the economic scope and powers to act in the interest of the people of Scotland, he said.

Mr Swinney called a press conference on Monday morning, bringing forward the announcement of his legislative agenda to next month to allow for a full year of delivery before the next Holyrood election.

The programme for government  usually announced in the first week after the summer recess  will be laid out to Holyrood on May 6, laying out the blueprint for the final 12 months of the parliamentary term.

There is a need to challenge ourselves on policy to make sure the policy interventions that we take are commensurate with the scale of the challenges that we now face, he said.

Thats essentially the work that the Scottish Government is going to do to make sure that we have a programme for government that is doing the two things that I said it will do.

It will focus on delivering for the people of Scotland and it will focus on delivering hope for the people of Scotland and thats got to be the core of the programme that we bring.

The announcements coming will not require a fundamental realignment of the budget, the First Minister said, claiming there was sufficient scope for cash which has not yet been allocated to fund new initiatives.

Scottish Conservative finance spokesperson Craig Hoy said: It defies all logic that John Swinney wants to compound the global economic turbulence thats currently buffeting Scotland by once again pushing for independence.

Tearing Scotland out of the UK would be an act of economic self-harm at any time, but doing so now, when the world economy is facing extreme pressure, would be utterly reckless.

The Scottish Greens called for climate action to be key to the next programme for government.

Scottish Green co-Leader Lorna Slater said: The First Minister has promised a year of delivery, and our climate has to be at the heart of it.

With bills soaring and stretching households and families to their limits, it is vital that we move away from fossil fuels and support people in making green choices.

That means acting to cut the eye-watering prices that people are being forced to pay for public transport, and providing far more support for green energy and insulating homes.

The First Minister also urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to abandon her fiscal rules in response to instability, but Scottish Labour finance spokesman Michael Marra warned such a move would result in economic chaos.

For years, fiscal incompetence has been SNP practice and now it appears to be official policy.

An end to any kind of fiscal rule promises economic chaos and vast interest rate rises hitting growth and hammering mortgage rates.

Liz Truss showed us that working people pay the price when governments gamble with our economy, but the SNP wants to do the same again.

The SNP simply cannot be trusted with your money.

While Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the SNP has been promising jam tomorrow since taking office in 2007.

People wont believe that another year will see the SNP succeed where theyve failed for so long, he added.
Samantha Davis, the actress and wife of Warwick Davis, died after suffering a cardiac arrest hours before a hospital was planning to discharge her, an inquest has found.

Ms Davis died aged 53 at University College Hospital in London on March 24 last year, and her inquest was held at Inner West London Coroners Court on Monday.

Senior Coroner for Inner West London, Professor Fiona Wilcox, concluded that Ms Davis died of arrhythmic cardiac arrest following complications of essential surgical treatment and from achondroplasia complicated by spinal cord compression.

Ms Davis had been admitted to hospital on February 7 following a sudden loss of mobility in her lower limbs after a disc prolapse, and she underwent a thoracotomy operation  a surgical procedure where the chest wall is opened  on February 20.

Her condition improved following a further thoracotomy on March 14 and the University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street was planning to discharge her, the inquest heard.

However, Ms Davis went into cardiac arrest at 11.25pm on March 23 and was pronounced dead at 0.28am on March 24 following a failed attempt to resuscitate her.

Giving her findings, Prof Wilcox said: I am satisfied that the medical cause of death should be arrhythmic cardiac arrest and complications following left thoracotomies.

In my view, the stress of everything together has precipitated this arrhythmic cardiac arrest in a lady who was not known to have any previous arrhythmia problems.

Prof Wilcox said Ms Davis had achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder which results in dwarfism, that was complicated by very severe spinal problems requiring multiple surgeries from 2016.

The coroner said: In my view, if this compression hadnt occurred, Ms Davis simply wouldnt have been so unwell.

She wouldnt have needed two lots of major surgeries.

Discussing the care she received in hospital, Prof Wilcox said: I have found nothing but excellent care being delivered to this lady and all of her complications were appropriately managed.

It is frankly heartbreaking that the surgery itself was successful only for complications to arise and to cause her death.

David Lawrence, a cardiothoracic surgeon at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), said Ms Davis condition was progressing well and she had a surgical chest drain removed on March 19 and a final drain removed on March 23.

Samantha Davis died on March 24 last year (PA)

Giving evidence, Mr Lawrence said: Very sadly, on the night this happened the original plan had been that she would be discharged home the following day.

We had good evidence that this patient had a chest x-ray that was acceptable, very stable observations and this patient did not bleed during the day.

Mr Lawrence said he did not believe the hospital would have done anything differently, adding that Ms Davis was a delightful lady.

Jillian Hartin, lead nurse for patient emergency response and resuscitation at UCLH, said staff reported being out of their comfort zone in relation to Ms Daviss cardiac arrest.

Giving evidence, she told the inquest: This is a rare event at Westmoreland Street. Since 2020 weve only had 14 arrests in five years.

William Chapman, representing the Davis family, asked Ms Hartin: Does it surprise you that resuscitation failed given that the team were on the scene quickly?

Ms Hartin replied: No, because I think everyone thinks resuscitation works because of television representation of it in dramas.

Ms Hartin added that the survival rate for non-shockable rhythms was not good.

She said staff had been chatting to Ms Davis and expecting her to go home, adding: I wouldnt expect them to be anything other than out of their comfort zone.

Following a post-mortem examination conducted on April 5 2024, pathologist Dr John Firth gave Ms Daviss cause of death as being due to complications of a left hemothorax, a blood collection in her lungs, following thoracotomy surgery.

Samantha and Warwick Davis in 2015 (Alamy/PA)

Giving evidence to the inquest, Dr Firth said there was a significant amount of blood in Ms Daviss left pleural cavity around the lungs, adding it was unlikely to have been caused by CPR.

Dr Firth said he saw no evidence that the removal of the surgical drain caused a traumatic bleed.

UCLH consultant anesthetist Dr Katharine Hunt told the inquest Ms Davis did not have a normal chest following spinal surgery and thoracotomy.

Giving evidence, Dr Hunt said CPR could cause extensive damage to tissues within the thoracic cavity, adding that Ms Davis had undergone very prolonged CPR.

Mr Chapman said Ms Davis had phoned her family at 10pm on March 23 and complained of chest pain.

He added that the family believed she had suffered a similar episode the last time she had a surgical drain removed, and also raised concern about an intense physio session conducted hours before her death.

Mr Chapman said it was not ideal Ms Daviss treatment was split between UCLH centres at Westmoreland Street in Marylebone and Queen Square.

Together with her husband, Ms Davis co-founded the charity Little People UK in 2012 to help individuals with dwarfism and their families.

The pair starred together in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, where Ms Davis played a goblin.

Mr Davis, known for his roles in Star Wars and the Harry Potter films, dedicated his Bafta film fellowship award to Ms Davis during an emotional tribute at the ceremony in February.

He said life has been pretty tough since she died, and she was always so supportive of my career, encouraging me to grab every opportunity with both hands.

The couple met during the filming of 1988 fantasy movie Willow, in which he had a starring role as the hero Willow Ufgood. They married in 1991 and have two children.
Two college students, both United States citizens, have been released from a Danish jail nearly two weeks after they were detained while visiting Copenhagen on their spring break, police said Monday.

Owen Ray, a 19-year-old studying at Miami University of Ohio, and his unnamed friend were detained at Copenhagen Airport on April 1 over an alleged dispute with an Uber driver the night prior, Jordan Finfer, a U.S.-based attorney for Ray's family, told ABC News.

They were released from jail on Monday, Copenhagen police confirmed to ABC News. They remain in Denmark, with Ray's family saying that Danish authorities took their passports.

"We are relieved that Owen has been released from a Danish prison following the unprovoked assault he and his friend suffered at the hands of an Uber driver on March 31," his parents, Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, said in a statement. "The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay.

MORE: Judge rules Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported

In an account relayed to Finfer, who then shared the details with ABC News, Ray said he and a friend were in an Uber on March 31 when they realized they had entered the wrong address for their destination -- and the driver allegedly refused to take them anywhere else.

All parties -- Ray, the friend and the Uber driver -- eventually got out of the car, and an altercation then allegedly occurred, Finfer said, based on Ray's account.

Finfer says Ray told him the driver kicked Ray in the groin, and in response, Ray pushed him away and the driver fell, the attorney recounted, adding that Ray and his friend then ran away.

The two students were detained at Copenhagen Airport the next day while trying to return home, Finfer told ABC News. Local police detained them after deeming them "flight risks," claiming they were planning to run from the incident, he said.

Andy and Sara Buchen-Ray said their son and his friend "did nothing to instigate the attack."

"We urge the Danish authorities to recognize Owen's innocence and release him immediately," they said. "Our family is heartbroken, and we want our son home to celebrate Easter with us this week."

PHOTO: Owen Ray speaks with 'Good Morning America' from Denmark, April 14, 2025. (ABC News)

Copenhagen police said the two students were charged with common assault.

They were initially sentenced to 10 days pre-trial detention, which was subsequently extended until April 24, a Copenhagen police spokesperson said prior to the students' release.

MORE: University of Alabama graduate student detained by ICE, school says

An Uber spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News on Sunday that the "safety of everyone who uses the Uber app is a top priority, and we take reports of violence very seriously."

"Any additional questions about the investigation should be directed to the Danish police," the statement added.

The U.S. State Department provided a statement on Sunday saying, "We are aware of media reports of two U.S. citizens detained in Denmark. Staff at our embassy in Copenhagen are providing consular assistance," according to Chicago-based ABC affiliate WLS.

"The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad," it continued. "Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment."

ABC News' Benjamin Siu contributed to this report.

2 college students released from jail in Denmark after alleged altercation with Uber driver originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post; RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Christian Glass, left, and Andrew Buen

A Colorado sheriff's deputy was sentenced to three years in prison after he was convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the 2022 shooting death of a man who called 911 while experiencing a mental health crisis.

Andrew Buen, a former deputy with the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, was sentenced by a judge on Monday, April 14, according to The New York Times, CBS News and Colorado Community Media.

Early on the morning of June 10, 2022, Christian Glass, 22, called 911 after his car got stuck in an embankment near Silver Plume, Colo.

Glass' family has said he was suffering a mental health crisis at the time, CBS reported.

Glass, the Times reported, citing a 911 call, at one point told a dispatcher that he feared "skinwalkers" and that he was afraid to get out of the car.

After he refused to leave his car for more than an hour, police broke Glass' window, at which point he grabbed a knife he had inside, CBS reported.

Glass was then tased before Buen shot him five times, the outlet reported.

Buen was first tried in 2024, and found guilty of reckless endangerment, but the jury deadlocked on a charge of second-degree murder, the Times reported.

In a second trial in February, Buen was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide, the outlets reported.

Following Buen's initial indictment, the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said it had terminated him.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

"I wish I could take it all back," Buen said in court, according to CBS.

The outlet reported that Glass' family had settled a $19 million lawsuit with local authorities.

"The fact that he was taken off in an orange suit, handcuffed, is important," Glass' mother, Sally Glass, told the Times. "Money doesnt bring Christian back. Quite frankly, him going to prison doesnt bring Christian back.

Read the original article on People
Robert Ten Eycks Skin Side Up, Sebastian McKinnons The Stolen Child and Richard Raaphorsts Children of the Moor look like three potential standouts at this years Frontieres Platform in Cannes which bids fair to prove one of the festivals highest-caliber project showcases.

Described as Drag Queen Horror and boasting a heart-in-the-mouth promo, Skin Side Up marks the directorial feature debut of Australian Ten Eyck who as Lazy Susan won RuPauls Drag Race Down Under Season 4.

More from Variety

Visually gorgeous, shot in lush British Columbia forests, as well as Iceland and France from last October to this July, The Stolen Child weighs in as the biggest title at this years Platform, a Tolkien-esque dark fantasy which is the only Platform title to have been picked up by a sale agent: Germanys Picture Tree Intl.

Children of the Moor marks one of the latest projects from the Netherlands Richard Raaphorst, best known for the celebrated XYZ Films-sold 2013 horror action Frankensteins Army. In Children of the Moor, again its the creature designs and practical FX  the children, corpse white, fly infested and a bloated-mushroom headed leader  which stand out.

With key dates over May 17-18, and split between Proof of Concept projects and a Buyers Showcase of titles in post-production, the Frontieres Platform also serves as testament to the growth of genre as it is ever more embraced by the film community worldwide.

Presented by Canadas Fantasia International Film Festival and Cannes Marche du Film, the Frontieres Platform program received over 100 submissions this year, compared to 82 in 2024, said Annick Mahnert, Frontieres executive director.

We have more and more companies that never came in the past now writing to me to ask: How do we participate in the Platform or Can we come to Montreal?

That can be put down to companies need to look for international financing, the emergence of genre as a U.S. theatrical market phenomenon and recognition of Frontieres curation, choosing solid titles supported by reputable producers.

Companies behind titles this year include, for example, Federation Spain, part of Federation Studios, and headed by Juan Sola, whose credits include Liam Neeson-starrer Retribution, which produces Proof of Concept Who Knows?with Corte y Confeccion de Peliculas, behind Canneseries winner Perfect Life.

A spicy mixture of bodies, food, lust and death, said writer-director Marc Schieer, Taste of Heaven is from Germanys Outside the Club, founded by Tobias Lohf and Marc Schieer, behind the Grimme Award winning Wishlist, pilot episodes of ARD Mediathek hit Almania and third German Amazon Original Trunk.

Skin Side Up is produced by Cellophane Studios and Iris Arc Pictures, whose founder Lauren Simpson produced Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism, which won an Audience Choice Award at the Sitges Festival in 2023 before a global theatrical run and streaming releases.

McKinnons Five Knights Productions partners on The Stolen Child with Quebecs Metafilms, behind Matthew Rankins Universal Language a Varietys Critics Pick, and Tara Cowell Plain at Cowpi Media who has produced or directed over 65 films.

This years Platform also underscores genres constant renovation with new concepts  drag queen horror, imaginary friend horror in Henrys Ebb  and new sources of Platform titles, such as from Malaysia (Baran) and Cyprus (Motherwitch).

Theres not too many Malaysian genre films. So when we got the submission, we were really happy. Its like a high quality movie made in Malaysia which is folklore horror while looking like a ghost story, Mahnert said. Ive never seen a gothic horror story based on mythology from Cyprus and Ancestral Beasts is one of the few Cree projects weve received.

The real reason for genres popularity, however, may be its resourcefulness. Genre offers possibilities to filmmakers to tell their stories, whether mental illness, via folklore, or cultural clashes, said Mahnert.

Baran turns on intergenerational abuse, Henrys Ebb on how children process trauma, says director Thomas Mendolia . Feed addresses the real-life horror of breastfeeding, Turn It Up! and Taste of Heaven turn on the obsession with success, and Who Knows? on the malaise of Millennials. Motherwitch is multi-faceted, explained scribe-helmer Minos Papas. It is a fairy tale about parenthood, mourning, and how we attempt to overcome grief and loss. The film paints a magical story of creativity vs anger, while exploring the fragile creative child within us all, he said.

All in all, the Platform is a rich panorama.

A drill-down on individual titles:

BUYERS SHOWCASE

Baran (Inheritance), Joel Soh (Malaysia)

A haunting tale of familial reckoning, this Malaysian entry follows a son returning home to face the demon kept by his father. A fusion of generational trauma and supernatural horror from Sohs BlackFlag Sdn. Bhd, behind Polis Evo, a local smash hit action comedy film franchise. Baran: Inheritance draws a chilling parallel between the folklore of Djinn-inheritance and the terrifying traits we inherit from our parents, says Soh.

Baran (Inheritance)

Bloodsucker, Kasper Juhl (Denmark)

Vampirism becomes a metaphor for loss of identity and control in this psychological descent into darkness. Prolific Danish auteur Kasper Juhl, three times nominated for Denmarks Robert Awards, delivers an unflinching, hyper-realistic, blood-soaked portrait of transformation as recorded by his chortling friend Danihjel on amateurish vidcam. With Bloodsucker, the goal is to create the darkest, most brutal vampire film, and at the same time tell a deeply emotional story about the chaos of life and the allure of the forbidden, says Juhl.

Bloodsucker

Henrys Ebb, Thomas Mendolia(U.S.)

A southern-set, coming-of-age fable in the tradition of Stand By Me but with genre, Henrys Ebb, Mendolias feature debut after hit Fantasia short Mr. Thisforthat, blends childhood imagination with genre, as a boys imaginary friend turns sinister. Up-and-coming Kingston Southwick (Presumed Innocent) and Banks Repeta (Armageddon Time) star. Ford Films produces. What sets Henrys Ebb apart is its grounded perspective and emotional realism, says Mendolia.

Henrys Ebb

Motherwitch, Minos Papas (Cyprus, Northern Macedonia, U.S.)

Billed as Cypriot Gothic, Papas third feature, set in 1882 Cyprus, a grieving painter and mother resurrects more than just memories in this folkloric nightmare. Motherwitch is a captivating folk horror story based on never-before-seen Cypriot folklore, told in a Gothic fairy tale style, says Constantinos Nikiforou at Cyprus Caretta Films which produces with North Macedonias Focus Pocus and Cyprian Films New York.

Motherwitch

The Stolen Child, Sebastian McKinnon (Canada)

An epic fantasy unfolding in war-torn realms and Faerie kingdoms, McKinnons feature mixes Tolkien-esque scope with Stalker eeriness and poetic gravitas, often borrowing from W.B. Yeats as a heroic journey unfolds made by four heroes  the Poet, Knight, Horse and Fae Princess  to restore peace. My aim was to find the balance between minimal arthouse and epic quest films, with an authentic depiction of Celtic Faerie folklore that will resonate with a global audience, offering something beautiful, lyrical, daring and unseen, says McKinnon.

Turn It Up!, Samuel Scott (Canada)

This genre-bending, punk rock sci-fi comedy about a struggling band caught in a sonic conspiracy throws in mad scientists, exploding heads, and alternate dimensions for a heady hit of cinematic mayhem. A love letter to indie music and indie horror, it captures the strange paradox of chasing art while the universe unravels. Play the Riff. Face the Void, say producers Liv Collins and Jesse Thomas Cook whose Collingwood Film Company made Fantasia 2022 title Cult Hero, nabbing six Canadian Screen Award nominations.

Turn It Up!

PROOF OF CONCEPT

Ancestral Beasts, Tim Riedel (Canada)

A troubled Indigenous woman returns to her homeland to rid herself of the figurative monster sabotaging her life, only to unleash a real ancestral monster. The second feature from Canadian writer-director-producer Riedel (Jackstones), based on personal experience as the son of an Indigenous (Red River Metis) woman taken from her family as a child as part of the 60s Scoop. Later in life, she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder as a result of the trauma she endured, he told Variety.

Ancestral Beasts

Children of the Moor, Richard Raaphorst (Netherlands, U.K.)

A family moves to a rural farmhouse, its teen daughter discovering the land is haunted by the spirits of children murdered there long ago. Our short Gnomes was really well received by audiences around the world, and perfectly encapsulates our approach: Crazy, slightly surreal, hand-made filmmaking with a distinct tone and a wild aesthetic, said Mad Scientists Movement producer Marijn van der Ploeg.

Children of the Moor

Feed, (Nancy Urich, Canada)

To be directed by Nancy Urich, a producer at Nova Scotias Cut/Off/Tail Pictures, behind 2017s The Crescent, bowing at Torontos Midnight Madness and sci-fi thriller feature Tin Can, premiering at Sitges, both helmed by company partner Seth A. Smith. Here, a sore breast-feeding mother is offered a cream by an old lady, whose origins are horrific. We are taking this real life horror fuel and adding folklore creature elements and other fun 80s/90s horror inspirations. We just want to have fun, O.K.? said Ulrich.

Feed

Light Years, (Vergard Dahle, Norway)

An astronaut in space grasps at fractured memories, realising he has a daughter he never knew existed. Co-writer director Dahles first feature, backed by the Norwegian Film Institute. Light Years expands Nordic Noir into a rarely explored sci-fi realm, merging dark psychological depth with a character-driven, artistically ambitious story that demands attention but rewards it with an immersive, emotional experience, Dahle told Variety.

Light Years

Skin Side Up, (Robert Ten Eyck, Australia)

Performing at an unsettling remote hen party, drag queen Bertha Woodhouse plays a game of affirmations with the just four party guests. She receives an anonymous note: I dont know who these people are. HELP. Packing style and what looks like an entirely relatable central role of Bertha, a deeply human story about identity, control and survival, Ten Eyck told Variety.

Skin Side Up

Taste of Heaven, (Marc Schieer, Germany)

A horror-laced psychological thriller. Aspiring chef Joline dreams of creating her culinary masterpiece at renowned fusion restaurant Heaven; desire and pleasure turn her strange relationship with boss Mrs. Su into psychosexual power play; Joline realizes too late shes the final missing ingredient on the menu. Culinary mastery becomes a battleground for identity, obsession, and the pursuit of artistic perfection, says producer Lohf.

Taste of Heaven

Who Knows? (Carlo Padila, Spain)

Co-written, directed by Padial (Dr Portuondo), social satire and also dark comedy and psychological horror, loosely adapting Guy de Maupassants Qui Sait?, a recently separated illustrator furnishes his apartment buying second-hand pieces from an unsettling seller. Carlo Padial combines absurd humor with unsettling social satire, blending everyday lives of Millennials living in Barcelona with surrealism and online conspiracies, says exec producer Maria Rocher.

Who Knows?

Best of Variety

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Cruise passengers, at least some of them, have made breaking certain rules a sort of tradition. Some of those choices can be dangerous.

Sneaking candles onboard or bringing an illicit item like an iron or a teapot can literally put other passengers at risk. You may find a way to get an illegal power strip with a surge protector in your room, but the fire that might cause is certainly not worth the risk.

Related: A way too early review of MSC World America

Carnival Cruise Line has recently cracked down on various illegal substances. It's using drug-sniffing dogs on shore and on some ships in order to catch people who bring canabbis onboard. Being caught with illegal drugs will get you thrown off and maybe even banned for life.

The cruise line has also recently begun enforcement in another area where people have traditionally broken the rules, and Carnival is showing very little tolerance.

Doug Parker has the full story on Cruise News Today.

Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

Carnival cracks down on sneaky passengers

Transcript:

From MSC Cruises Private Island, Ocean Key, this is cruise news today with Doug Parker on location.

Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Friday, April 11.

We will ban you.

Carnival Cruise Line is warning guests not to smuggle alcohol on board.

Brand Ambassador John Heald says that the company is aware of common tricks, including disguised containers, and has stepped up enforcement. Those caught could face a permanent ban from Carnival Cruise Line.

Heald spoke of a recent case where guests posted their smuggling attempts on social media, making it even easier for Carnival to catch them.

While guests can bring one sealed 750 milliliter bottle of wine or champagne at embarkation, all other alcohol is prohibited and will be confiscated. Carnival requests that guests follow the rules or risk losing their cruising privilege.

Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.

Princess Cruises shares new ship news; Disney plans drydock

And Princess Cruises has shared new construction photos of its upcoming ship, Star Princess, now being built at Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy. Set to debut this fall, the LNG-powered ship is the second in the Sphere class. It comes in at 178,000 gross registered tons.

The ship will sail two cruises from Barcelona before crossing the Atlantic to Port Everglades. From there, Star Princess begins Caribbean itineraries and then starts sailing Alaska next summer.

And Disney Cruise Line has announced a drydock for the Disney Fantasy happening this fall.

The ship will be out of service from late September until early November, following its European season. Updates will mirror recent renovations on the Disney Dream, including a new poolside Ramones Cantina, enhancements to Senses Spa, and a Sorcerer Mickey-themed tower suite. The cruise line also added a Hercules-inspired concierge lounge and a revamped teen area.

And the photo of the week comes from Nida of Norwegian Aqua, arriving in New York City on a rainy morning here. Thank you so much for sending this in. You can send yours in to photos@cruiseradio.net. All photos are subject to broadcast.

If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@cruiseradio.net.

Here at MSC's Ocean Key Marine Reserve, [we've] got the beautiful MSC World America behind us and the Lighthouse Bar right here behind us as well, or to my other side, whatever I'm trying to say.

I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great weekend.

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(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)

Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Cate Blanchett said she is "serious about giving up acting" because she wants to pursue other things in life

The Oscar winner said "it's been a long time" for her to be comfortable with being photographed

Blanchett admitted she has "spent a lifetime getting comfortable with the feeling of being uncomfortable"

Cate Blanchett is possibly eyeing her exit from Hollywood.

In an upcoming issue of Radio Times (via The Standard), the Black Bag actress, 55, revealed why aspects of fame make her uncomfortable and how she could see herself living a life off the big screen.

"My family roll their eyes every time I say it, but I mean it: I am serious about giving up acting, Blanchett said. "[There are] a lot of things I want to do with my life."

While the actress didn't give a specific time frame of when she'd leave acting, she explained how she dislikes seeing headlines following interviews or being photographed.

"When you go on a talk show, or even here now, and then you see soundbites of things youve said, pulled out and italicized, they sound really loud. Im not that person," Blanchett said. "I make more sense in motion  its been a long time to remotely get comfortable with the idea of being photographed."

Related: Cate Blanchett Says Women Had a 5-Year 'Shelf Life' in Hollywood When She Began as an Actress

Claudette Barius/Focus Features Cate Blanchett in 'Black Bag'

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"Ive always felt like Im on the periphery of things, so Im always surprised when I belong anywhere. I go with curiosity into whatever environment that Im in, not expecting to be accepted or welcomed," the Lord of the Rings star also said of her experience being a celebrity.

"Ive spent a lifetime getting comfortable with the feeling of being uncomfortable," she added.

The actress recently addressed ageism and sexism in Hollywood, recalling in an interview with Business Insider that "the shelf life of actresses when I first came on the scene was about five years." As for now, Blanchett believes there's been a necessary, and thankful, shift in representation.

Related: Cate Blanchett Reveals Why She Only Has 1 Photo from Her Wedding

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Cate Blanchett

"I think that female producers have more agency," said Blanchett. "There's more females in the writing room, and the more diverse the industry is at base level, when things are developed, the more exciting it is for audiences."

While "there's ageism and sexism in every industry," the actress told Business Insider of Hollywood in particular, "I just think that we're a very public-facing industry."



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WASHINGTON  As he prepared to take office for a second time, Donald Trump made it clear to his economic team that his tariffs needed to be imposed quickly.

One candidate for a top position suggested to him during the transition that it might be a better idea to move more deliberately. He didnt get the job, a person briefed on the matter said.

He [Trump] was not very sympathetic to those advising a go-slow approach, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The president is in a hurry. Executive orders, tariffs, mass firings  all are happening at a speed that has made it hard for the nation to keep up. And tough for Trump to carry out.

The chaotic start of his presidency has been characterized by a rash of reversals and retreats as he hastens to execute his agenda while his party controls both houses of Congress and his political capital is at its peak.

His advisers are well aware of a looming deadline: the midterm congressional elections a year and a half from now. If Republicans lose control of Congress, the Trump presidency could well be over for practical purposes. Democratic majorities would surely block any ambitious legislative initiatives, and, armed with subpoena power, they could paralyze the back half of his presidency through investigative hearings.

Donald Trump in the Oval Office on April 9.

Trump has hindsight from the first term that if he doesnt get things done now, he wont ever get them done, John McLaughlin, a Trump pollster, said in an interview. And he realizes, too, from his first term that if he doesnt get things done and he loses the House and the Senate in the midterms, hell get impeached again."

Investors and everyday Americans alike seem anxious about whats to come. A closely watched consumer confidence report from the University of Michigan found that sentiment this month had fallen 11% from March and 34% from a year before. The share of consumers who believe that unemployment will rise over the next year is at its highest level since 2009, during the global financial crisis.

Another measure that tracks expectations of how markets will fluctuate over the coming month  dubbed the fear or panic index  reached its highest point last week since the Covid-19 pandemic.

'Move fast and break things'

A cost of moving so fast has been collective confusion over what Trump has done thus far and whether his actions have actually stuck.

The administrations aggressive effort to deport undocumented immigrants deemed threats to the country has collided with court rulings that insist on due process.

By its own admission, the administration mistakenly deported a Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to a notorious prison in El Salvador in its haste to rid the United States of alleged Venezuelan gang members. The Supreme Court ruled last week that the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return.

Guards lead a man Jennifer Vasquez Sura identified as her husband, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, through the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador.

Under billionaire mogul Elon Musk, the administration has moved swiftly to shrink the government, firing thousands of probationary employees and others deemed expendable. The effort has upended the lives of government workers whove abruptly found themselves out of jobs  or rehired later, in some cases.

The Trump administration has full authority to downsize the pool of probationary employees. No judge has said otherwise. Its how the administration has gone about it that has confounded the judiciary.

Move fast and break things, U.S. District Judge James Bredar said at a hearing in Maryland about the governments attempts to fire workers across the country. Move fast, fine. Break things? If that involves breaking the law, then that becomes problematic.

A typical reduction-in-force calls for ranking personnel based on factors that include job performance and military service. Once that review is finished, employees are supposed to get 60 days notice. The process normally takes about a year. At some agencies, it was compressed into a weekend, with employees learning of their dismissals through mass emails.

A byproduct of the downsizing is disruption in government services that many Americans take for granted.

At the Social Security Administration, the agency that provides benefits to nearly 70 million people each month, more than 28% of customers got busy signals when they phoned in March  up from 1.5% from the month before. Only 39% managed to reach agents by phone last month, compared with 71% last May.

Our worst enemies could not design a better way to harm our government than what is going on right now, said Max Stier, founding president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit organization that aims to make government more effective.

Trumps tariff policy is now something of a Red Rover game, with Trump inviting scores of countries that had been hit with tariffs to come over and negotiate trade deals he finds palatable. He set a 90-day reduction in tariffs he announced this month while the talks unfold.

Watching from up north, Canada was confused about Trumps abrupt announcement and struggled to sort out which tariffs still applied, a Canadian official told NBC News.

As far as Canada is concerned, it wasnt entirely clear to us exactly which of the tariffs he had put on and which were taken off, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. There were competing explanations as to what was happening. It would appear that the steel and aluminum tariffs are still on, which is very expensive for us and for the Americans.

Theres no real method to it, and theres no geopolitical connection," the official added. "Its all quite strange.

New trade agreements take time. In Trumps first term, it took years for him to implement a trade deal with just two countries, Mexico and Canada.

Lengthy negotiations with European and Asian trading partners could prolong the uncertainty over tariffs that tend to raise consumer prices. And failure to reach a deal could trigger more of the stock market declines that caused 401(k) retirement savings to plummet this month.

China is an even tougher proposition. Trump went ahead with tariffs on China last week, opting to raise them to 145%. China retaliated in kind, touching off a trade war with no end in sight.

Another puzzling development came this weekend. Late Friday, the Trump administration sent a notice that appeared to withhold tariffs on laptops, smartphones and other tech products made in China, making them more affordable. But on Sunday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said those items would be covered in an upcoming round of tariffs.

Bob Davis, a journalist who co-wrote a history of Trumps first trade war with China in the book Superpower Showdown, said that in the first term, the talks with China proceeded in a more orderly fashion than is happening now.

Back then, there were public hearings to ensure that American firms didnt get hurt by tariffs more than China. While Trump made the final decisions, he followed the advice of seasoned trade officials like Robert Lighthizer, Davis said.

This time, Davis continued, Trump imposed enormous tariffs and left no time to negotiate and no process for U.S. firms to argue that they would be hurt more by U.S. tariffs than China or other trading partners.

Asked for comment, Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, said: The only interest guiding President Trumps decision making is the best interest of the American people. President Trump hiked tariffs on China and paused other reciprocal tariffs for 90 days after he and his economic team received good-faith commitments from a majority of our trading partners willing to strike favorable trade deals.

"The Trump administration remains committed to using every tool at our disposal to address the national emergency posed by chronic trade deficits  including both tariffs and negotiations," he added.

Waiting for clarity

Mark Overbay and his wife are founders of Big Spoon Roasters, a small-batch food business in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The company employs 15 people full time and makes specialty nut butters: cashew butter with coconut nectar, carrot cake almond and walnut butter, and almond butter with wildflower honey, among them.

Because certain spices and cashews arent grown in the United States, Overbay gets them primarily from Vietnam and other countries. And because the glass jars he needs to package his products arent made in the United States, he gets them from China. Trumps tariffs threaten to raise his costs.

Theres no magic switch we can flip that will bring to life this dormant American glass container industry that just doesnt exist, he said in an interview.

After Trump announced the tariffs on what he called Liberation Day, April 2, some suppliers that import cashews sent notifications that theyd be raising prices. Whats more, Overbay said, the back-and-forth announcements on tariffs have made it hard to for him to give retailers the required notice of any price or specification changes in the product.

If we change jars or size of anything that changes the customer experience, they need notice, Overbay said. So were constantly behind, trying to keep up with the tariff news. Its hard to follow.

We would love to see more clarity around the long-term plan in terms of how this is going to help American businesses of all sizes, he continued. A lot of communities depend on the kind of stability and predictability and reliability that consumers need in order to plan their budgets and shop for goods and service. Whats the long-term plan that will secure economic stability and protect American small business in relation to these tariffs?

So much to explain

Every president has a preferred method of communicating complex policy. During the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt helped restore confidence in the U.S. economy through fireside chats that went out over the radio.

John F. Kennedy used a televised Oval Office address to warn Americans of the mortal threat posed by Russias installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba. Barack Obama preferred set speeches that may have been nuanced and analytical to a fault.

Trump largely speaks to the country through all-caps social media posts that go viral and freewheeling exchanges with the news media. No one can argue that his methods helped him win the nation's highest office. But at this moment, hes attempting so much so quickly that he's testing the limits of what a distracted American public can absorb.

A scorecard of Trump's first 100 days shows that he's trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, strike a deal with Iran over its nuclear weapons program, rebuild the American manufacturing base, acquire Canada and Greenland, avenge the mistreatment he believes he was shown subjected to during his first term and turn the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into a high-end resort destination.

All at once.

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance tour the U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base on March 28 in Greenland.

"The challenge that Trump has is thats hes trying to solve so many important issues all at once, and a lot of them are very difficult," said McLaughlin, the Trump pollster. "Theyre hard, and they take time."

That having been said, Trump wouldn't want to scale back his ambitions.

"Thats not his personality," McLaughlin said. "Thats not his nature."
SAN JOSE (Reuters) -Costa Rican officials awarded kickbacks to a top government ally using funds from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), prosecutors alleged on Monday, filing charges against the president and a top minister.

The attorney general's office said that a former presidential adviser, Federico Cruz, was paid $32,000 to buy a house through funds awarded by the CABEI.

The CABEI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cruz is already under criminal investigation, prosecutors said, along with the head of a communications firm contracted by the Costa Rican government, which allegedly led the dealings.

Reuters was not able to immediately contact Cruz for comment.

According to investigators, officials held several meetings at the presidential palace to hash out the deal.

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and Culture Minister Jorge Rodriguez, who previously acted as communication minister, face between two to eight years in prison if convicted, prosecutors added.

The president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Alvaro Murillo and Kylie Madry; Editing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell)
Izabella Loving

Police say that Izabella Loving, 5, of Nevada, was locked in a makeshift box, kicked by her father, Nicholas, 35, and severely beaten before she was found dead on April 3

Izabella died at 2 a.m. on April 3 but her parents allegedly waited 5 hours to call 911

Nicholas is being held on $1 million cash bond and her mother, Andrea, has not been charged criminally

A 5-year-old Nevada girl who was severely beaten and forced to sleep in a locked 5-by-5-foot makeshift box was found dead in early April  and now, authorities say, her father is charged in connection with her death.

Nicholas Loving, 35, of Cold Springs, was arrested on April 3 and charged with child abuse causing substantial bodily harm in connection with the death of his daughter, Izabella Loving, according to a statement from the Washoe County Sheriffs Office.

He is being held on a $1 million cash bond, online jail records show.

Nicholas allegedly waited five hours to call 911 when Izabella was found unresponsive on April 3, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by KOLO, the Reno Gazette Journal and News4.

Andrea has not been charged with a crime but allegedly said, I should go to jail for not helping her and Nick should go to jail for killing her, according to the affidavit.

At 6:50 a.m. on April 3, Washoe County Sheriffs Office deputies were called to the familys home about a report of an unresponsive child, according to the statement from the sheriffs office.

The child was pronounced dead by emergency responders when they arrived on the scene.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Izabella was found in an upstairs bedroom lying next to a tiny mattress with no bed frame.

Izabella showed many signs of trauma on her face, hips, pelvis, arms and genitals, and had 10 injuries on her face including a black eye and a gash over her eye, the affidavit alleges.

Izabella had been coughing up blood and mucus for ten days before she died, the affidavit says.

On her last night alive, Nicholas took Izabella's temperature, which he said was 96 or 97 degrees, gave her a bath before putting her to bed in a 5-by-5-foot box with a lock on it, the affidavit alleges, KOLO reports.

Nicholas admitted that they would sometimes keep Izabella in a small, make-shift cubby in the girls room, sometimes as punishment, the affidavit alleges. The affidavit states the couple's other two daughters slept in a "nice, Queen-sized bed."

At about midnight, one of the couple's other two daughters woke up the parents saying Izabella was throwing up, the affidavit alleges.

At about 2 a.m., she stopped breathing, but her parents allegedly waited to call 911, according to the affidavit.

Andrea allegedly told detectives Nicholas wouldnt let her call 911.

She said he wanted to bury the little girls body in their backyard and then run to his parents house in Virginia, the affidavit alleges.



Nicholas allegedly blamed Andrea for not calling 911 at 2 a.m., according to the affidavit.

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Ultimately, they decided to remove Izabella from the cubby, drag her and her bed across the room and stage it there, go with the story of them finding her at around 7 a.m., the affidavit alleges. They came up with explanations of her injuries, being that she fell multiple times or was hit with toys.

Nicholas said Izabella had injured herself, sometimes by falling, and that one of the other children had hit her with a plastic bat, the affidavit alleges.

But Andrea told detectives she recently saw Nicholas kick Izabella in the genitals, the affidavit claims.

It is unclear whether Nicholas has retained an attorney. Andrea has not been charged with a crime.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Universal; John Shearer/WireImage Nicky Katt in 1993's Dazed and Confused; Nicky Katt on Feb. 28, 2008

Nicky Katt's death was first reported on Saturday, April 12

He appeared in dozens of movies and television series during his 38-year acting career and last held an onscreen role in 2018

"Nicky was an absolute joy on and off the camera," filmmaker Robert Rodriguez wrote on Instagram in a tribute to the late actor

Nicky Katt's cause of death has been announced.

The actor, known for movies like Dazed and Confused, Full Frontal and Behind the Candelabra, died by suicide in his Los Angeles-area home, it was confirmed on Monday, April 15. He was 54.

"Nicky Katt has been identified and a manner of death has been established," an L.A. Police Department spokesperson said in in a statement. "He died by suicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner."

Katt's death was first reported on Saturday, April 12.

Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2025

Gary Miller/FilmMagic Nicky Katt on March 7, 2013

Katt is credited with 75 acting roles between 1980 and 2018. He is perhaps best known for his appearance in 1993's Dazed and Confused, in which he played the character Clint Bruno, who memorably gets into a fight with Adam Goldberg's character Mike Newhouse.



Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In addition to that movie, notable films and television series Katt appeared in include Sister Act, Friends, A Time to Kill, Rules of Engagement, Insomnia, Boston Public, Secondhand Lions, School of Rock and The Dark Knight, among others. Katt last appeared onscreen in a 2018 episode of the Hulu series Casual.



Robert Rodriguez, the filmmaker who worked with Katt on movies like Planet Terror, was among Hollywood figures who paid tribute to Katt following the news of his death.



SGranitz/WireImage Nicky Katt

"Hed come in incredibly prepared for a role with costumes and props. Hed come full of inventive and creative ideas that would make his characters pop off the screen and consistently have an audience howling," Rodriguez wrote in an Instagram post he shared on Sunday, April 13. "Hed deliver lines that would constantly sound as unexpected as an ad lib, yet it was the text. And if he did adlib, it was always gold. Even his physical comedy and timing was truly on another level. Nicky was an absolute joy on and off the camera. A true artist. A friend."

"Its very sad to lose Nicky Katt. But I can only be grateful I got to know him, work with him, and watch him create his own truly original brand of magic that will live forever in his favorite medium," Rodriguez added in that statement.



If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.



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Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa addresses supporters after early returns show him in the lead in the presidential election runoff at his family home in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

QUITO, Ecuador (AP)  Ecuadorian voters weary of crime reelected President Daniel Noboa, a conservative young millionaire with a divisive no-holds-barred crimefighting record, by a wide margin Sunday, but his opponent vowed to seek a recount over what she described as grotesque electoral fraud.

Figures released by Ecuadors National Electoral Council showed Noboa receiving 55.8% of the vote with more than 92% of ballots counted, while leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez earned 44%. Council president Diana Atamaint said those results showed an irreversible trend in favor of Noboa.

The win gives Noboa four years to fulfill the promises he first made in 2023, when he stunned voters by winning a snap election and a 16-month presidency despite his limited political experience.

Ecuador is changing... and that path will mean our children will live better lives than we did, Noboa told supporters during a brief speech in which he also criticized his opponent's fraud allegations.

I find it embarrassing that with an 11- or 12-point difference, they come out to question the will of the Ecuadorians, Noboa added. Ecuadorians have already spoken, now we have to get to work.

Noboa, heir to a fortune built on the banana trade, is expected to continue applying some of his no-holds-barred crimefighting strategies that part of the electorate finds appealing but which have tested the limits of laws and norms of governing.

Gonzalezs defeat marks the third consecutive time that the party of Rafael Correa, the countrys most influential president this century, failed to return to the presidency. She told supporters that her campaign does not recognize the results presented by the (National Electoral Council), arguing among other issues that pre-election polls showed her ahead of Noboa.

The candidates advanced to Sundays contest after getting the most votes in Februarys first-round election. Noboa led Gonzalez by about 17,000 votes that time.

No. 1 concern among voters was violence

Voters were primarily worried about the violence that transformed the country, starting in 2021  a spike in crime tied to the trafficking of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru.

Both candidates promised tough-on-crime policies, better equipment for law enforcement and international help to fight drug cartels and local criminal groups.

My vote is clear, said Irene Valdez, a retiree who voted for Noboa. I want to continue living in freedom.

College student Martin Constante had a different view.

I think Luisa is going to change things because Noboa has been very authoritarian, Constante, 19, said near a voting center in Quito, the capital. Our country needs a lot of changes.

Much of Gonzalez's support comes from people who long for the low crime and unemployment rates of Correas presidency but gloss over his authoritarian tendencies, the huge debt he ran up and the corruption-related sentence handed down to him in absentia in 2020.

More than 13 million people were eligible to vote, which is mandatory for adults up to the age of 65. It is optional for people aged 16 and 17 and over 65. Failure to vote results in a $46 fine.

Electoral authorities reported voter participation of more than 80%.

The most important thing is that a comfortable result gives peace of mind to the country because it avoids a political confrontation, or even worse, a violent one due to accusations of fraud, said Grace Jaramillo, an Andean region expert and professor at the University of British Columbia. Noboas victory is clear, and that also reassures the international community in the face of a wave of uncertainty.

Several arrests over ballot anomalies

Atamaint said several people, including voters and poll workers, were arrested over ballot anomalies. She said some cases involved double voting and others stemmed from reports of counterfeit, pre-marked ballots.

Atamaint added that 17 people were caught taking photos of their ballots, which the National Electoral Council banned for this election citing reports of voter coercion by criminal groups. The violation comes with a maximum fine of $32,000.

Many Ecuadorians used their vote to express rejection of a candidate and not necessarily to endorse the candidate they voted for.

Ecuador is polarized, which is a sign of rejection of the past, but also of the recent policies of the Noboa administration, political analyst Oswaldo Landazuri said, adding that the expected tight result could become a major problem for the country if one candidate does not recognize the other as the winner.

In 2023, Noboa and Gonzalez were largely unknown to most voters as they sought the presidency for the first time. They were first-term lawmakers in May 2023, when then-President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly, shortening his own mandate as a result and triggering that years snap election.

Noboa heir to a fortune built on bananas

Noboas first foray into politics was his stint as a lawmaker. An heir to a fortune built on the banana trade, Noboa opened an event organizing company when he was 18 and then joined his fathers Noboa Corp., where he held management positions in the shipping, logistics and commercial areas.

Gonzalez, 47, held various government jobs during the presidency of Correa, who led Ecuador from 2007 through 2017 with free-spending socially conservative policies and grew increasingly authoritarian in his last years as president.

Noboa, 37, declared Ecuador to be in a state of internal armed conflict in January 2024, allowing him to deploy thousands of soldiers to the streets to combat gangs and to charge people with terrorism counts for alleged ties to organized crime groups.

Under his watch, the homicide rate dropped from 46.18 per 100,000 people in 2023, to 38.76 per 100,000 people in 2024. But despite the decrease, the rate remained far higher than the 6.85 homicides per 100,000 people seen in 2019.

Some of Noboas heavy-handed crime-fighting tactics have come under scrutiny for testing the limits of laws and norms of governing. He has also been criticized for allegations of electoral irregularities he made after Februarys vote.

Following the first-round election, Noboa said there had been many irregularities and that in certain provinces there were things that didnt add up. He provided no further details or evidence. Electoral observers from the Organization of American States and the European Union ruled out fraud.

As Gonzalez walked through the streets of Canuto, a town in the coastal province of Manabi where she grew up, to reach her voting center, supporters shouted Luisa is the people."

We have all united to rewrite the history of Ecuador, she told people Sunday before denouncing reports of attempts to plant marked ballots with her name.

___

Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.
Vietnams General Secretary of the Communist Party, To Lam (center), and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) review the guard of honor during a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on April 14, 2025. (Luong Thai LinhAFP/Getty Images)

China President Xi Jinping arrived in Vietnam on Monday, the first stop in a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia meant to tighten Beijings relationship with regional partners in the face of massive U.S. tariffs.

The trip, which covers Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, is Xis first overseas trip of the year, and comes amid the backdrop of extreme global economic uncertainty as U.S. President Donald Trumps tariffs roil markets and threaten to rewire the global supply chain.

On April 2, Trump unveiled his reciprocal tariffs on what he called Liberation Day. The harshest tariffs were reserved for China and several export-reliant countries in Southeast Asia with sizable trade surpluses with the U.S.

These tariffs, except for those on China, have been paused for 90 days, save for a baseline 10% tariff on all U.S.-bound exports. The U.S. has also exempted a range of electronic products including smartphones from tariffs, though Trump and other administration officials suggest that its a temporary reprieve and that such goods will be taxed under new semiconductor-focused taxes.

No one wins a trade war

Ahead of Xis arrival in Vietnam, the countrys Nhan Dan newspaper published an article that quoted Chinas president calling on the two countries to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system. The piece also contained Beijings oft-repeated assertion that no one wins a trade war.

Vietnam and China will likely sign as many as 40 agreements in multiple sectors during Xis visit, according to Bui Thanh Son, the Southeast Asian countrys deputy prime minister.

Southeast Asia isnt the only region Xi is courting. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made a trip to Beijing last week. During his visit, Xi said China and the EU should jointly oppose unilateral acts of bullying, according to Xinhua.

Trade wars arent goodthe world needs China and the U.S. to talk, Sanchez said during his visit. (The U.S. appeared unhappy with Sanchezs suggestion that the EU and China should grow closer, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying doing so was akin to cutting your own throat.)

Senior EU leaders will also travel to Beijing in late July, the South China Morning Post reported before the weekend.

Tricky diplomacy

China is the largest trading partner for many Southeast Asian economies. But several countries in the region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, have capitalized from manufacturers shifting their plants away from China. Electronics, apparel, and other U.S.-bound exports have helped spur economic growth throughout the region.

Many Southeast Asian governments hope to negotiate with the Trump administration to preserve their access to the U.S. market. Vietnam has offered to buy more U.S. goods and cut tariffs on U.S. imports. Reuters reports that the country is also considering tightening its oversight on the origins of goods and materials to ensure companies from China dont use the Southeast Asian country to avoid tariffs.

Cambodia has also offered to cut tariffs on U.S. imports down to 5%.

Even Malaysia, which touts its nonaligned status, is sending a delegation to Washington to negotiate a deal. The trip is expected to happen by the end of this month.

Both Vietnam and Malaysia export more to the U.S. than they do to China. Vietnam exported $61.2 billion worth of goods to China compared with $136.6 billion to the U.S. last year; Malaysia exported about $41 billion to China and $44 billion to the U.S. over the same period.

Economists warn that Southeast Asian countries might be wary of becoming a dumping ground for cheap Chinese exports, no longer bound for the U.S. That sets up a diplomatically tricky visit for the leader of the worlds second-largest economy. Xi returns to China Friday, after visiting Cambodia.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Volusia County Jail Kymberlee Schopper

A woman from Florida has been arrested for allegedly selling human remains.

According to Fox 35 Orlando, ABC Action News and WESH 2, Kymberlee Schopper was charged after reportedly purchasing and offering to sell human bones on Facebook Marketplace.

Fox 35 Orlando reports that the 52-year-old faces charges of trading in human tissue.

Per the outlet, the Orange City Police Department received a report on Dec. 21, 2023, that a business in the area, which was identified as Wicked Wonderland, was trying to sell human bones.

The report also featured pictures from the businesss Facebook page, which advertised a slew of human bones.

According to ABC Action News and Wesh 2, Schopper co-founded the website with Ashley Lelesi.

A description on the company's website says, "Meet the wicked women behind Wonderland. A mother and daughter team who revel in the madness of the strange and unusual; the dark and macabre."

"Having both come from a medical background we have a passion for sharing our knowledge and expertise in the preservation and exploration of anatomy and pathology of all organic beings," their description continues.

Getty Stock image of police tape

The summary of the company's goals concludes with, "Furthermore, we incorporate our spiritual beliefs and practices into all of our work, ensuring that every ethically sourced specimen is handled with the utmost care and respect. Much Love ~ Kym and Ash."

PEOPLE reached out to the Orange City Police Department and Wicked Wonderland for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

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.

Outlets report that authorities found five types of human bones put up for sale on the website, including two human skull fragments for $90, a human clavicle and scapula for $90, a human rib for $35, a human vertebrae for $35 and a partial human skull for $600.

The remains are reportedly being used as evidence and have been sent to the Medical Examiner's Office for testing.

Getty The hand and forearm of a replica skeleton (stock image)

According to Fox 35 Orlando, officers spoke to one of the store owners, who told them that they were unaware it was illegal to sell human bones in Florida, adding that they had been trading the items for years.

"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 read, per the outlet. "She described the bones as genuine human remains and delicate in nature."

Officials then said they met the store owner, Schopper, who claimed the bones were "educational models," which under state law would protect their sale.

However, per the outlet, authorities stated it was likely that the cranium and the skull fragment were archaeological finds, with one bone likely to be over 100 years old and another likely to be more than 500 years old.

Schopper was reportedly arrested on Thursday, April 10, and released the following day from the Volusia County Jail on a bond of $7,500. The investigation is still ongoing as of the time of publication.



Read the original article on People
By Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - Seven Republican U.S. senators have sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, urging him to scrap a Biden administration rule restricting global access to AI chips before it kicks in next month.

The letter, signed by senators Pete Ricketts, Tommy Tuberville and Thom Tillis, argues that the AI diffusion rule will damage U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence and calls for "immediate action" to halt it before it takes effect on May 15. The letter, whose contents were made public on Monday, was sent on Friday.

"Every day this rule remains in place, American companies face mounting uncertainty, stalled investments, and the risk of losing critical global partnerships that cannot be easily regained," said the letter, which was also signed by senators Markwayne Mullin, Ted Budd, Roger Wicker and Eric Schmitt.

"We urge you to withdraw this rule and propose an alternative that is effective in preventing Communist China from capturing the world market in leading technology without compromising American advantages," the lawmakers wrote.

The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the letter is a sign of lingering divisions within the Republican Party between those hoping to relax global restrictions on U.S. AI chip shipments and hardliners who prioritize the danger that China might access the prized technology.

The letter says the structure of the rule, which splits countries into three tiers, puts only 18 nations in a group with the easiest access to American technology, and adds that they must comply with burdensome regulations. It also points out that partners and allies like Israel are excluded from the top tier.

The letter notes that the vast majority of countries fall into the second tier, which it says "face arbitrary purchase limits and a cumbersome licensing process." Tier 3 countries, including China, are already "rightly restricted," it says.

It would be difficult for U.S. companies to comply with the constraints, the senators wrote, and even harder for the U.S. government to enforce.

The restrictions also would incentivize buyers, especially in Tier 2 countries, to turn to China's "unregulated cheap substitutes," the letter says.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Matthew Lewis)
Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) on Sunday criticized President Trumps approach to tariffs, saying the chaos and confusion caused by his strategy have not helped anyone.

In an interview on NewsNations The Hill Sunday, the Rhode Island Democrat urged his GOP colleagues to speak up against the tariffs.

I wish that Republican colleagues in both chambers would speak up and make sure that President Trump hears that the chaos and confusion of this past week has hurt the American people, Amo said, noting consumer confidence has plummeted amid the back-and-forth in recent weeks.

His call for bipartisan pushback on the presidents disruptive trade policies was echoed on Sunday by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Amo pointed to a remarkable moment this past week, when U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer learned, as he was testifying before Congress on Wednesday, that Trump had announced a 90-day pause on the reciprocal higher tariffs, leaving the baseline 10 percent tariff in place.

So this, you know, boatload of chaos and confusion isnt good for anybody, and, in fact, is erratic and hurts all of the people across this country, he added.

Amo said tariffs can be a useful tool, but only when used in a strategic way, adding, What we have seen from President Trump is devoid of strategy.

It can help, but when you have a toolbox and youre working on a project, you use your tools wisely, and thats what I would advise. And I hope my Republican colleagues speak up and let President Trump know that its unacceptable.

Democrats in the Senate are seeking to force a vote on a resolution that would terminate the emergency that Trump declared and reverse Trumps tariffs of 10 percent on all imported goods and 145 percent on Chinese-made goods.

Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)  both members of the Senate Finance Committee  have co-sponsored a bill that would reaffirm the role of Congress in setting and approving trade policy.

Amo said Democrats are united against Trumps tariffs, even if there is some variation in their support for tariffs generally.

I dont think theres a disagreement amongst Democrats across what President Trump has done, which is brought forth chaos, wrought more fear, and driven our economy into a ditch, which has been the pattern over these past 80 days.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man charged in connection with an arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros home over the weekend allegedly climbed the residence's fence, used a hammer to break a window and threw Molotov cocktails in to start the blaze, prosecutors revealed.

Cody A. Balmer, 38, was charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and other counts in connection with the early Sunday morning attack, the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office announced Monday.

The arson attack lasted for several minutes. Shapiro and first lady Lori Shapiro, as well as other guests and staff, were inside the Harrisburg residence when the fire erupted around 2 a.m. No one was injured in the fire, and the governor's family was safely evacuated. However, prosecutors said the residence sustained "substantial damage."

Balmer, of Harrisburg, turned himself into the Pennsylvania State Police on Sunday and admitted to "harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro."

When asked during a police interview what he would have done if Shapiro found him inside the residence, "he advised he would have beaten him with his hammer," the probable cause affidavit said.

Damage at the governor's residence in Harrisburg, Pa.

The attack

Balmer was caught on security cameras both within and outside the residence, officials said. He was seen wearing a black "snap-on" jacket, black boots and carrying a bag.

Video surveillance footage showed the suspect climbing over an exterior fence of Shapiro's residence, approaching the piano room windows on the south side of the home and breaking an exterior window with a hammer, the criminal affidavit said. He then threw a Molotov cocktail inside through the broken glass. Shortly after, flames were seen in the interior of the home, the probable cause affidavit said.

Balmer then moved to an adjacent window, broke the glass and entered the home through the broken window, the affidavit said. Once inside, he deployed a second incendiary device in the dining room that spurred another fire.

The affidavit states that Balmer then moved toward the dining room exit. Surveillance footage showed him wearing two different colored gloves  one orange and one yellow. He was seen kicking the dining room door open and exiting the residence. He left the property in the same direction he entered, climbing back over the perimeter fence, running through a parking lot and then fleeing the residence in a southeast direction, the affidavit said.

Josh Shapiro surveys damage at the governor's residence.

Investigators found two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline in the dining room of the residence.

Investigators also collected videos from privately owned security cameras and found that the suspect had fled east on Peffer Street. A sweep of Peffer Street led investigators to locate the gloves that matched the suspects in a trash can. The gloves had a strong smell of gasoline emanating from them, the criminal affidavit said.

Shapiro, who is Jewish, had shared Passover well-wishes online Saturday evening just hours before the attack.

He condemned the attack in a Sunday press conference, saying, "This kind of violence is not OK  I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It is not OK and it has to stop."

Turning himself in

Pennsylvania State Police in Harrisburg were contacted by a woman who said she was the ex-paramour of Balmer. She said Balmer confessed to the act and "wanted her to call police to turn him in," the affidavit said.

A short time later, Balmer approached a Pennsylvania State Police trooper at the department headquarters. He said he was "responsible" for the fire in the governors residence and "wished to turn himself in." He was transported to the Pennsylvania State Police office in Harrisburg, where he was interviewed, the affidavit said.

During the interview, he confessed his ill feelings toward Shapiro.

Shapiro's family safely evacuated the residence.

He told investigators that he removed gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into beer bottles he found at his home, then walked for an hour to the governors residence with the intention of throwing the homemade Molotov cocktails into the home.

He admitted that he scaled the perimeter fence, broke two windows with a hammer and threw the Molotov cocktails inside. Balmer said after leaving the governor's residence, he returned to his own home and removed the clothes he wore during the attack, the affidavit said.

Troopers responded to his home and seized the "snap-on" jacket, a black bag and a small sledgehammer, "which were identical to those observed in the surveillance at the Governors residence," the affidavit said.

Fire damage inside the governor's residence.

Balmer also told investigators that he was aware his actions would result in "negative consequences" and knew it was possible that Shapiro and others were home at the time and that they could have been harmed, according to the affidavit.

Balmer was transported to Dauphin County Prison for arraignment. According to his court docket, he is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Pennsylvania state police said Monday that Balmer was transported to a hospital, and is receiving treatment "due to a medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest." Its not clear what caused him to be hospitalized.

Suspect appeared to be critical of the government online

Balmer worked as a mechanic. Kindermans Auto Repair, an auto repair shop in Harrisburg, wrote on Facebook on Sunday that he was a former employee at the shop.

Balmers social media presence suggests he held staunch anti-government views. He often posted memes urging people to "become ungovernable" and reposted an artwork of a Molotov cocktail in 2022 with the slogan "Be the light you want to see in the world."

He posted negative content about then-President Joe Biden and seemed to reject Bidens 2020 presidential win. He shared posts on Facebook criticizing Biden during his term, including a picture with the text "Joe Biden owes me 2 grand" and a post that said "Biden supporters shouldnt exist."

He also shared a meme in 2020 that argued that both Democrats and Republicans "would rather argue with other than work to solve the problems we are facing." It's not clear what his political affiliation is.

Balmer has faced criminal charges before.

He previously pleaded guilty to forgery and theft in 2015 and again to forgery in 2016 in Pennsylvania, court records show. He was also charged with assault in 2023 in a case that is still open.

President Donald Trump briefly spoke on the attack from the White House on Monday, where he said the suspect was "probably just a wack job."

"The attacker was not a fan of Trump. I understand, just from what I read and from what Ive been told, the attacker basically wasnt a fan of anybody," Trump said. "Certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen."

Former President Joe Biden said on X Monday: "Jill and I are disgusted by the attack on the Shapiro family and their home during the first night of Passover. We are relieved that they are safe and grateful to the first responders. There is no place for this type of evil in America, and as I told the Governor yesterday, we must stand united against hatred and violence."




By Vitalii Hnidyi and Max Hunder

SUMY, Ukraine/KYIV (Reuters) -Two Russian ballistic missiles slammed into the heart of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday, killing 34 people and wounding 117 in the deadliest strike on Ukraine this year, officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy demanded a tough international response against Moscow over the attack, which came with U.S. President Donald Trump's push to rapidly end the war struggling to make a breakthrough.

Dead bodies were strewn on the ground in the middle of a city street near a destroyed bus and burnt-out cars in a video posted by Zelenskiy on social media.

"Only scoundrels can act like this. Taking the lives of ordinary people," he said, noting that the attack had come on Palm Sunday when some people were going to church.

"You know, the people who are fighting against us always say that they are Orthodox (Christian) believers, that they believe in God, but we have experienced first-hand terrorism today. I have no words," said 27-year old PhD student Yevhen, a local resident who declined to give his surname.

The leaders of Britain, Germany and Italy condemned the attack.

"These attacks show just what Russia's supposed readiness for peace is worth," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on social media.

Russian authorities did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Russia denies targeting civilians but thousands have been killed and injured in its invasion of Ukraine.

It followed a missile strike in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskiy's hometown and far from the ground war's front lines in the east and south, earlier this month that killed 20 people, including nine children.

Sumy, with a population of around a quarter of a million and located just over 25 km (15 miles) from the Russian border, became a garrison city when Kyiv's forces launched an incursion into Russia last August that has since been largely repelled.

Sumy's acting mayor, Artem Kobzar, announced three days of mourning for the victims starting from Monday.

The people who were caught in Sunday's strike were out on the street or inside cars, public transport and buildings when the missiles hit, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"Deliberate destruction of civilians on an important church feast day," he wrote.

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said the missiles contained cluster munitions. "The Russians are doing this to kill as many civilians as possible," he said.

Maryana Bezuhla, an outspoken Ukrainian lawmaker known for her sharp public criticism of military commanders, suggested on the Telegram app that the attack had taken place due to information about a gathering of soldiers leaking out.

Reuters was not able to verify that information, and Bezuhla did not post evidence.

Local resident Pavriz Manakhov told Reuters that he had not seen soldiers in the area.

"We live in the city centre, there is no military base, there are no soldiers here."

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently holds nearly 20% of the neighbouring country's territory in the east and south. Russian forces have been slowly advancing in the east.

'SO-CALLED DIPLOMACY'

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv was "sharing detailed information about this war crime with all of our partners and international institutions".

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, which Ukraine officially joined this year, is conducting investigations into high-profile cases of alleged war crimes in the conflict.

Andriy Kovalenko, a security official who runs Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation, noted that the strike came after a visit to Russia by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff for talks with top officials including President Vladimir Putin.

"Russia is building all this so-called diplomacy ... around strikes on civilians," he wrote on Telegram.

Under Trump's administration, U.S. officials have held separate rounds of talks with Kremlin and Kyiv officials to try to move towards a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.

Ukraine and Russia agreed to pause strikes on each other's energy facilities last month, but both sides have repeatedly accused each other of breaking the moratorium.

Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, held talks with Putin on Friday in St. Petersburg on the search for a Ukraine peace deal. Trump told Russia to "get moving".

In the aftermath of Sunday's Sumy strike, Zelenskiy called on the United States and Europe to respond robustly to what he described as Russian terrorism.

"Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs," he wrote.

Russia's defence ministry accused Ukraine on Saturday of having carried out five attacks on Russian energy infrastructure over the previous day in what it called a violation of the U.S.-brokered moratorium on such strikes.

(Writing by Max Hunder; editing by David Goodman, Giles Elgood, Tom Balmforth, Mark Heinrich and David Evans)
The 38-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan was getting ready for his 4 a.m. shift as a wheelchair assistant at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport when he checked his email. He found a notification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"It is time for you to leave the United States," the first sentence of the notification said.

The notification, which had arrived at 10:49 p.m. the night before, said that under the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security, the man's parole allowing him to live in the U.S. was being terminated in seven days and he should leave the country.

"If you do not depart the United Stated 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 notification warned.

In this screenshot, an apparent message from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declares that the person receiving the message has had their humanitarian parole revoked and has seven days to voluntarily leave the U.S. or face "law enforcement actions."

Work permits obtained through parole status also would be terminated, the notification said.

The man, whose name is Hekmatullah Quvanch, said he was terrified by the notification.

"I am worried, scared and confused," Quvanch said through an interpreter.

Quvanch is one of scores, and perhaps hundreds, of asylum seekers living in Arizona who received similar notifications from the Department of Homeland Security on April 10 and 11 after being paroled into the U.S. through the CBP One app during the Biden administration, according to immigration lawyers and refugee resettlement groups.

Starting in 2023, the Biden administration allowed migrants to request appointments through the CBP One app at legal border crossings as part of an effort to discourage illegal crossings and bring order to the asylum crisis at the southern border.

President Donald Trump frequently criticized the app, saying it facilitated the abuse of the asylum system by migrants and smugglers.

Roughly 900,000 migrants were paroled into the U.S. through the use of the CBP One app, which Trump ended on his first day in office. The Trump administration has since renamed the app CBP Home and is instructing migrants living in the U.S. to use it to self-deport.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed April 11 that the parole termination notifications had been sent out.

"CBP has issued notices terminating parole for individuals who do not have lawful status to remain. This process is not limited to CBP One users and does not currently apply to those paroled under programs like U4U and OAW," the statement said.

UFU and OAW are programs created under the Biden administration to allow asylum seekers fleeing the war in Ukraine and Afghans who assisted the U.S. military to enter the U.S.

Migrants react to parole termination notifications

The Arizona Refugee Center in Mesa was contacted either in person or by phone on April 11 by more than 60 immigrants who had received the parole termination notifications, said Julianna Larsen, the center's founder.

The immigrants were from a range of countries, Larsen said, including Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico and Afghanistan.

Quvanch came into the center in person, Larsen said. He has applied for asylum and his case is pending in immigration court. The notification only applies to migrants who have not applied for asylum or other deportation protections while under parole status, and therefore Quvanch should not have to leave, she said.

She believes the Department of Homeland Security notifications were intended to create confusion and chaos that would scare migrants into self-deporting as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda.

"It's fear," Larsen said.

Migrants with only parole status who lose their work permits and their jobs would "have no choice but to leave" and return to their countries, where many could face danger, Larsen said.

The loss of migrants would also hurt employers who rely on them, as well as the economy, she said.

Asylum seekers don't have to leave, attorney says

Most immigrants granted parole to enter the U.S. already have applied for asylum, another form of deportation protection, said Delia Salvatierra, a Phoenix immigration lawyer.

They don't have to leave while their cases are pending, she said. Still, the parole termination notifications are scaring immigrants who were granted parole to pursue immigration cases in the U.S., Salvatierra said.

She received a call April 11 from a man from Mexico who had fled to the U.S. after cartels tried to recruit his son. She said he was afraid he would have to leave the U.S. and return to Mexico after receiving the parole termination notification.

But Salvatierra said immigrants who have applied for asylum or other deportation protection while under parole status don't have to leave while their cases are pending.

"Just because the current administration wants them to leave doesn't mean that they have to leave if they have a pending court hearing or a pending matter that is being adjudicated by 'U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' or the Department of Justice through the immigration courts," she said.

She said those who received work permits through parole status, however, could be left without legal work authorization for months if they hadn't already applied for work permits tied to their asylum cases.

Former journalist fled after Taliban takeover

Quvanch said he fled Afghanistan after the Taliban retook power in 2021 and quickly imposed an extremist ideology. As a government worker and journalist, Quvanch said he feared for his life and his family's under the Taliban's repressive regime.

After traveling to Mexico, Quvanch said he arrived at the port of entry near San Diego in January 2024 with his wife and three young daughters. He was granted parole to enter the U.S. and temporarily live in this country to seek asylum or other form of immigration relief.

After receiving a work permit, he got a job as a wheelchair assistant at the airport.

He and his wife also have a 4-month-old baby born in the U.S., making her a citizen of this country. He said he can't go back to Afghanistan while the Taliban remains in control.

If he does, he said, his life will be in danger, and his four daughters will have no future because under the Taliban, girls are banned from receiving secondary education.

Larsen said Quvanch told her he still showed up to his job despite the shock of receiving the parole termination notification.

Quvanch told her one of his customers gave him a $100 tip.

"It was a bright spot that showed him a lot of people care," Larsen said.

Republic reporters Stephanie Murray and Raphael Romero Ruiz contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why are migrants in Arizona receiving government notices to 'leave'?
A senior State Department official who masterminded the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has left his role after less than three months, a U.S. official said.

Pete Marocco had been serving as the State Departments director of the Office of Foreign Assistance since January and as deputy administrator of USAID led the mission to shut the agency down. Previously responsible for distributing foreign aid to impoverished countries, USAID has seen 83 percent of its funding to overseas projects canceled since Trumps inauguration in a move that has provoked widespread outrage.

"Pete was brought to State with a big mission to conduct an exhaustive review of every dollar spent on foreign assistance, a senior administration official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. He conducted that historic task and exposed egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars. "We all expect big things are in store for Pete on his next mission.

Pete Marocco, then deputy administrator-designate at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), arrives to meet with members of Congress to discuss foreign assistance on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 5 2025 (Kent Nishimura/Reuters)

Behind the scenes, Marocco is said to have clashed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the extent of the cuts being made, leading to tensions within the department.

The Wall Street Journal reports that it was not Maroccos choice to leave and that he was informed about it during a White House meeting late last week at which he was asked to turn in his laptop and agency badge. Sources told Reuters that Marocco may have been pushed out, but declined to give further explanation.

As recently as Thursday, he held a "listening session" at the State Department with nearly two dozen experts to discuss the future of foreign assistance and seek input, according to a source familiar with the event.

His alleged clashes with Rubio reportedly centred around DOGEs efforts to slash federal expenditure, with the former pushing for deeper, far-reaching cuts while the secretary sought to keep as many life-saving initiatives as possible.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran with a masters degree in international humanitarian law from the University of Oxford, Marocco also served in the first Trump administration in a number of roles, including at the State Department and USAID, as well as the Pentagon and the Commerce Department.

Millions of people around the world have been hit by the end of USAID, critics warn (Getty Images)

Hawaii Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, the ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, reacted to the development by claiming that Marocco had only succeeded in bringing chaos to the State Department.

Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, of Hawaii, said, "Marocco's tenure brought chaos to USAID, reckless and unlawful policy to the State Department, and dismantled long-standing U.S. foreign policy.

"His actions deprived millions of people around the world of life-saving aid and jeopardized U.S. credibility with our partners. But with his exit, serious questions still remain about the influence he leaves behind," Schatz said in a statement.

On Monday, the department is scheduled to deliver a reorganization plan to the Office of Management and Budget, explaining how it intends to fold what remains of USAID into its infrastructure.

We are reorienting our foreign assistance programs to align directly with what is best for the United States and our citizens, Rubio said in a statement announcing further cutbacks at USAID last month.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell and Hatem Khaled

CAIRO/JERUSALEM/GAZA (Reuters) - The latest round of talks in Cairo to restore the defunct Gaza ceasefire and free Israeli hostages ended with no apparent breakthrough, Palestinian and Egyptian sources said on Monday.

The sources said Hamas had stuck to its position that any agreement must lead to an end to the war in Gaza.

Israel, which restarted its military campaign in Gaza last month after a ceasefire agreed in January unravelled, has said it will not end the war until Hamas is stamped out. The militant group has ruled out any proposal that it lay down its arms.

But despite that fundamental disagreement, the sources said a Hamas delegation led by the group's Gaza Chief Khalil Al-Hayya had shown some flexibility over how many hostages it could free in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel should a truce be extended.

An Egyptian source told Reuters the latest proposal to extend the truce would see Hamas free an increased number of hostages. Israeli minister Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, told Army Radio on Monday that Israel was seeking the release of around 10 hostages, raised from previous Hamas consent to free five.

Hamas has asked for more time to respond to the latest proposal, the Egyptian source said.

"Hamas has no problem, but it wants guarantees Israel agrees to begin the talks on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement" leading to an end to the war, the Egyptian source said.

AIRSTRIKES

Hamas militants freed 33 Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire which began in January. But the second phase, which was meant to begin at the start of March and lead to the end of the war, was never launched.

Since restarting their military campaign last month, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,500 Palestinians, many of them civilians, and uprooted hundreds of thousands, seizing swathes of territory and imposing a total blockade on all supplies to the entire enclave.

Meanwhile, 59 Israeli hostages remain in the hands of the militants. Israel believes up to 24 of them are alive.

Palestinians say the wave of Israeli attacks since the collapse of the ceasefire has been among the deadliest and most intense of the war, hitting an exhausted population surviving in the enclave's ruins.

In Jabalia, a community on Gaza's northern edge, rescue workers in orange vests were trying to smash through concrete with a sledgehammer to recover bodies buried underneath a building that collapsed in an Israeli strike.

Feet and a hand of one person could be seen under a concrete slab. Men carried a body wrapped in a blanket. Workers at the scene said as many as 25 people had been killed.

The Israeli military said it had struck there against militants planning an ambush.

In Khan Younis in the south, a camp of makeshift tents had been shredded into piles of debris by an airstrike. Families had returned to poke through the rubbish in search of belongings.

"We used to live in houses. They were destroyed. Now, our tents have been destroyed too. We don't know where to stay," said Ismail al-Raqab, who returned to the area after his family fled the raid before dawn.

EGYPT'S SISI MEETS QATARI EMIR

The leaders of the two Arab countries that have led the ceasefire mediation efforts, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, met in Doha on Sunday. The Egyptian source said Sisi had called for additional international guarantees for a truce agreement, beyond those provided by Egypt and Qatar themselves.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has backed Israel's decision to resume its campaign and called for the Palestinian population of Gaza to leave the territory, said last week that progress was being made in returning the hostages.

The war was triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 50,900 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities.

(Additional reporting by Ahmed Shalaby in Cairo, Mahmoud Issa and Hatem Khaled in Gaza; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by James Mackenzie and Peter Graff)
A quick two-question survey could help doctors spot physical inactivity and prevent chronic disease, researchers say. (CREDIT: Science Photo Library)

At your next doctors visit, one simple question could reveal more about your long-term health than a blood pressure check or a temperature reading. It takes less than 30 seconds, but your answer could point to your risk for nearly 20 chronic diseases. That question? How much do you exercise each week?

A new study led by researchers at the University of Iowa has brought fresh attention to something many health care systems overlookyour level of physical activity. Their findings show that not asking this question could mean missing an important chance to spot health problems early.

Why Physical Activity Matters More Than You Might Think

Physical inactivity has long been known to raise the risk of early death and several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart problems, certain cancers, and respiratory illnesses. But many clinics still dont ask patients how much they move during the week. This study shows that skipping that step might be a big mistake.

Lucas Carr, University of Iowa. (CREDIT: University of Iowa)

Over a five-year period, researchers looked at more than 7,000 patients who visited a major medical center in Iowa for annual wellness exams. As part of their check-ups, these patients were asked to fill out a short survey on a tablet. The questions were simple: How many days a week do you engage in moderate to vigorous activity, like brisk walking? And for how many minutes?

Patients who reported at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per weekthe amount recommended by public health expertswere found to have a lower risk for 19 different chronic diseases. These included heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and lung issues. In contrast, people who said they exercised very little or not at all were much more likely to suffer from these conditions.

This two-question survey typically takes fewer than 30 seconds for a patient to complete, so it doesnt interfere with their visit, says Lucas Carr, the studys lead author. But it can tell us a whole lot about that patients overall health.

A Simple Screen with Big Impact

The tool used in the study is called the Exercise Vital Sign survey. While its name might sound complex, the idea behind it is easy to grasp. The goal is to treat physical activity as a basic health measure, just like blood pressure or weight.

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Even though the benefits of regular activity are well-known, most hospitals in the U.S. dont ask about it during checkups. In fact, no hospital system in the Midwest had done so before this study. Carr and his team wanted to change that by showing how much value this small step could bring to patient care.

To see how effective the survey was, researchers compared the health records of those who filled out the questionnaire with over 33,000 patients who were not given the survey. Those who completed it were found to be in better overall health and were more likely to engage in healthy habits. They were also younger on average.

We believe this finding is a result of those patients who take the time to come in for annual wellness exams also are taking more time to engage in healthy behaviors, such as being physically active, Carr explains.

But the researchers say the survey can do more than just identify people who are already healthyit can help doctors catch problems early in those who arent.

Distribution of activity level among 7,261 patients who were screened with the Exercise Vital Sign at a at a large midwestern university hospital, 20172022. (CREDIT: Lucas Carr)

What Happens After the Questions?

Identifying a problem is only useful if theres a plan to fix it. Thats why the researchers suggest giving patients who report low levels of activity some extra help. This might include referrals to fitness classes, exercise prescriptions, or meetings with community health specialists who can help people build healthier routines.

In our health care environment, there's no easy pathway for a doctor to be reimbursed for helping patients become more physically active, Carr says. And so, for these patients, many of whom report insufficient activity, we need options to easily connect them with supportive services.

This support could be key in turning around health outcomes for thousands of people. By catching inactivity early, doctors can work with patients before diseases like diabetes or heart disease take hold.

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Encouraging Signs from Insurance Providers

In a related study, Carrs team looked at what happens when doctors bill for giving exercise advice to patients. The results were promising. About 95% of those claims were reimbursed by insurance providers. This shows that not only is physical activity counseling valuable, but its also supported financiallysomething that often influences how services are delivered in clinics.

Our findings suggest the recommended physical activity billing codes are reimbursed at a high rate, Carr says. Which reinforces the idea to make physical activity surveys and counseling services available.

This adds a strong financial reason for health systems to adopt the survey. With reimbursement likely, clinics can start offering these services without worrying about the cost.

Examples of Physical Activity. (CREDIT: Lucas Carr)

Expanding the Effort

The study took place between November 2017 and December 2022, with patients from a large health care center in Iowa. Carr worked with several partners, including Britt Marcussen, a family medicine physician, and Cole Chapman, a pharmacy professor who helped analyze the data. The study, published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease, supports the idea that even brief conversations about exercise can lead to meaningful changes in care.

This research is a call to action. If health systems start asking simple questions about exercise, they could prevent serious diseases, save money, and improve the lives of patients. And with tools like the Exercise Vital Sign survey available, theres no good reason not to start now.

Carr and his team hope their work will lead more hospitals to include physical activity checks in routine visits. We need to think of physical activity like any other vital sign, he says. It gives us a powerful snapshot of someones current and future health.

Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News.

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After a few tragic, high-profile aviation safety incidents this year, travelers are understandably concerned about the safety of flying.

It feels like every day, theres another story of a plane crash to capture our attention, but is this really a more dangerous time in the sky, or are we just noticing it more?

In just the last week, we saw a fatal crash of a tour helicopter in New York, a small plane that crashed in Florida, and two commercial jets that clipped wings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Data from the National Transportation Safety Board shows that overall, aviation accidents were down from 2023 to 2024, and so far, 2025 does not seem especially remarkable for the overall number of incidents.

Of course, 2025 also had the first major commercial plane crash in the U.S. in nearly 16 years, but thats a statistical outlier. Almost all of the recorded incidents involve small, private aircraft, and have little bearing on the travel habits of the general population.

Learn more about the data behind crashes by clicking here.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why not all aviation incidents need to worry travelers
A New York Police Department scuba team looks for debris, Friday, April 11, 2025, where a sightseeing helicopter crashed a day earlier into the Hudson River in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

NEW YORK (AP)  The Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday that the helicopter tour company whose sightseeing chopper broke apart in flight and crashed in New York, killing the pilot and a family of five visitors from Spain, is shutting down operations immediately.

The FAA, in a statement posted on X, also said it would launch an immediate review of New York Helicopter Tours' operating license and safety record.

The move came hours after New York Sen. Chuck Schumer had called on federal authorities to revoke the operating permits of New York Helicopter Tours.

The company's sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair and plunged into the Hudson River Thursday, killing the tourists from Spain and the pilot, a Navy SEAL veteran.

At a news conference Sunday, before the announcement by the FAA, Schumer said the company should be required to halt all flights as the National Transportation Safety Board investigates the deadly crash.

The Senate Democrat minority leader also called on the Federal Aviation Administration to ramp up safety inspections for other helicopter tour companies, accusing them of cutting corners and putting profits over people.

The victims included passengers Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. The pilot was Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran who received his commercial pilots license in 2023.

One of the things we can do to honor those lives and try to save others is to make sure it doesnt happen again, Schumer said. We know there is one thing for sure about New York Citys helicopter tour companies: they have a deadly track record.

Thursday's crash has renewed safety concerns about New York's sightseeing excursions, a popular tourist draw that whisks passengers high above the city, offering soaring views of the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center and other landmarks.

In the last two decades, five helicopters on commercial sightseeing flights have fallen into the Hudson and East rivers as a result of mechanical failures, pilot errors or collisions, killing 20 people.

The president of New York Helicopter Tours, Michael Roth, did not respond to phone and email inquiries. The company said in a statement published on its website that it was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

In response to Schumer's calls for more oversight, an industry group, Eastern Region Helicopter Council, said Manhattans sightseeing choppers "already operate under the most stringent of regulations.

We stand ready to work with leaders on finding ways to ensure the safety and preservation of our businesses and aviation community, the group said.

Critics of the industry have long sought to limit or entirely ban nonessential helicopter flights from taking off above the city, though they have had limited success. After New York City capped the number of flights that could take off from Manhattan heliports at 30,000 annually in 2016, many companies moved operations to New Jersey.

Two years later, in 2018, five people died when a helicopter offering open door flights crashed in the East River after a passengers restraint tether snagged on a fuel switch, stopping the engine.

The cause of Thursdays crash is not yet determined. According to Schumer, rescue divers were continuing to search for the helicopter's main rotor and assembly gear box, which would give clues about what happened.
Getty

A Cuban woman was sentenced last week to seven and a half years in prison for her role in a migrant smuggling operation that left 16 people dead, including several children.

Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, 25, pleaded guilty on Jan. 21 to charges connected to the smuggling scheme, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Dominguez-Nieves entered the United States illegally in October 2022, federal prosecutors said. A month later, she and a second suspect arranged to illegally smuggle 18 Cuban migrants by boat into the United States. (The second suspect has not been arrested.)

Dominguez-Nieves collected over $11,500 from family members of the migrants before the trip, according to authorities.

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The small fishing boat left Cuba and headed toward South Florida on Nov. 16, 2024 with 18 migrants on board. About 30 miles into the trip, the boat sank, killing 16 people, many of whom were children, federal prosecutors said.

Three of the migrants bodies washed up in Monroe County, Fla., authorities said. According to the two survivors, the boat was too small for the amount of people it carried and did not contain lifejackets.

The survivors told federal prosecutors that the boat captain did not seem to know what he was doing.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom imposed a 90-month sentence  a sentence higher than the recommended by the advisory federal sentencing guidelines  because of the severity of the offense, prosecutors said in their statement.



Read the original article on People
Courtesy of Dan Dennison, Senior Communications Manager, DLNR and Julia Parish, Manager, Oahu Invasive Species Committee

A Honolulu attorney was being investigated on accusations of bringing pregnant women to Hawaii as part of an alleged adoption scheme. The proceedings were halted after the attorneys status as a lawyer was rendered inactive due to an unspecified illness.

Last month, the Hawaii Supreme Court put Laurie Loomis on inactive status due to incapacity, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

The court cited a Supreme Court rule requiring the suspension of any attorney facing disciplinary proceedings who is suffering from a mental or physical illness, or because of the use of drugs or an intoxicant, and is unable to adequately practice law.

Loomis, through her attorneys, did not oppose the courts order to transfer her to inactive status, according to a statement of no opposition sent to the U.S. District Court in Hawaii.

Loomis had previously faced disciplinary measures after an investigation by Hawaiis Office of Disciplinary Counsel  the states lawyer oversight agency  alleged she violated 20 professional conduct rules.

The petition, which was obtained by PEOPLE, alleged she was involved in a scheme to fly pregnant women from the Marshall Islands  a remote Pacific island nation  to Hawaii to give birth and place their children for adoption.

The petition further alleged that Loomis paid mothers from the Marshall Islands for their babies, paid a handler to assist the women upon arrival in Hawaii  all while taking a large cut of the money herself.

Loomis would allegedly charge $53,422 for each adoption, according to the petition  $20,000 of which would go to herself and legal fees and another $6,500 of which went to her alleged handler.

The petition further alleged that Loomis typically paid the birth mothers $8,500 to reimburse living expenses. During the time period in question, Loomis allegedly paid her law office $944,125 in retainers and cost reimbursement, according to the petition.

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The petition accuses Loomis of violating numerous provisions of the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct, including a rule that states a lawyer should not charge an unreasonable amount for expenses and another that states it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct which involves dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

An investigation published by the Honolulu Civil Beat first reported on Loomis alleged adoption business, which led the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to look into the scheme.

According to the Civil Beat, people in the Marshall Islands have a tradition of informal child-sharing, where children may live with relatives or friends temporarily before returning to their birth parents. Many of the mothers involved in the adoption scheme allegedly didnt understand the permanent nature of a U.S. adoption until it was too late.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has temporarily paused any proceedings involved with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel petition while Loomis is on inactive status, but cited a rule that mentions they can continue to proceed with the investigation against her.

Loomis' attorney did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Read the original article on People
Courtesy of TANNER FLETCHER

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Michael and Parker in matrimony. Yes, you heard that correctly. Following the finale walk down the aisle of Tanner Fletchers debut bridal show, the final two models paused in front of an officiant, and a real wedding was suddenly underway.

The couple, dressed in full still-on-the-runway Tanner Fletcher looks, met on Tinder 11 years ago. After exchanging heartfelt vows, a wave of oohs, aahs, and sniffles rolled through the pews. In that moment, the Tanner Fletchers Wedding Made Me Cry-branded tissues we received at the door made perfect sense.

Courtesy of TANNER FLETCHER

The show was appropriately staged in St. Pauls German Evangelical Church in Chelsea in New York City. Admiring the original stained glass and vaulted wooden ceilings, a guest next to me pondered how one books a church for a fashion show. Turns out, actually getting married does the trick!

Beyond the surprise nuptialsand a live choir that capped off the ceremony with a rendition of Going to the Chapelthe brand's community was clearly present. Multiple real-life couples walked, and model Faith Vaughn, who you might not recognize without her Woe makeup from Severance, also made a runway appearance.

The collection presented a refreshing and well-tailored break to the standard swaths of white fabric that usually define bridal fashion. Created by CFDA darlings Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell, the brand dealt a delicate touch to each of its designs. Genderless at its core, every look could be paired with another cohesively, no matter which way you shuffled the collection.

Courtesy of TANNER FLETCHER

No gown felt too constrained. Silky boho and Victorian brides beamed with smiles down the aisle as the dresses cascaded around them. The suits were the biggest crowd pleaser; one finely crafted ensemble made entirely of sequin toile elicited another round of audible reactions from the crowd. As emotional as weddings may be, the design duo reminded us that they can also be fun, with a Hitched T-shirt paired with high-waisted acid wash jeans and an untucked tux that fell over white boxer shorts.

Tanner Fletcher isnt the first brand wedding to take place this year. In January, during Milan Mens Fashion Week, Jordan Bowen and Luca Marchetto of the brand JordanLuca also surprised guests with runway nuptials. They say in fashion that three makes a trend. I wonder what romantic surprise designers are planning next.

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"At the end of life, it doesn't matter who you are or how much money you have." (Courtesy of Suzanne O'Brien)

Suzanne OBrien has had a unique window into the psyche of the dying.

She has been at the bedside of over 1,000 people globally in their last moments of lifefrom her home in the U.S. to Thailand and Zimbabwe. OBrien, a registered nurse, had an impulse to move into hospice care over two decades ago and has since worked as an oncology nurse and a death doula, supporting those at the end of life emotionally and physically by helping them work through their own grief.

OBriens recent book, The Good Death, aims to normalize the realities of death and the need to plan for the end. The book also shares pearls of wisdom from OBriens patients and many common threads shared by people who are dyingmany of whom have spiritual aha moments about their lives that can teach us all something, she says.

They started talking about the same things, OBrien tells Fortune. Because at the end of life, it doesn't matter who you are or how much money you have. None of that showed up. It was all about what they learned, what they regretted, what they didn't do, and what they were too afraid to do.

In an interview with Fortune, OBrien elaborates on three significant regrets her patients have had at the end of lifeand how these revelations have shaped how she leads her own.

I didnt live my purpose.

At the end of life, many people share what they didnt do but knew they always wanted to do, OBrien says.

We all are here for a purpose, and we all have gifts, and when we don't share them and act upon those, that's where the huge regret comes, OBrien says. Not dipping into the unknown or trying something new is a factor of having an abundance mindset, she says.

When we consider our time sacred and limited, we are less afraid to take action on something that may excite us. One of the things we dont know is how many days we have, she says. When you get that feeling, or you have something that you want to do, don't let your ego, the fear part of you, shut it down.

This doesnt mean people must enter an existential crisis about their purpose. Think about an untapped goal and make incremental changes in its direction. If you did one thing every day towards an aligned goal that you want to do, in a month, you'd have 30 things done, OBrien says.

I didn't allow myself to be loved as fully, and I didn't love others unconditionally.

Many people at the end of life regret not being vulnerable enough to let themselves be loved and give love. They often share that they could not reach a level of forgiveness with someone else or themselves, OBrien says. Its essential to extend ourselves grace, know when to take ownership, and release guilt, she says. OBrien encourages patients to envision the time theyre struggling to let go of and ask themselves if they did what they could in the moment with the information and resources they had.

When you're carrying around baggage, it's keeping you stuck, she says. We have things that happen to us, and if we can't resolve them, if we're holding on to anger or resentment, or we think that something that we went through is going to dictate the rest of our lives, forgiveness is the transformational tool.

Finding a way to work through emotional issues and relational difficulties throughout life can help people build more authentic connections, OBrien says. Don't get to the end of life to find the grace for yourself, she says, and hone in on the lessons a regret brought instead.

Therapy and mindfulness are common tools to work through resentment and help build deeper connections.

I didnt appreciate the now

People on their deathbed recognize lifes finality and, sometimes for the first time, the small gifts it brings that can often go underappreciated.

Researchers have studied this recognition and referenced it in the science of mindfulness and awe, which illustrates that appreciating the present moment and being aware of our surroundings can calm the mind and body.

Its not missing the moments that are in every single day, the moments of joy and gratitude  the birds singing outside, going for a walk in the park, or being able to be in this incredible city that is so energetic, OBrien says.

This curiosity and presence can help people live authentically and lean into experiences that spark joy.

I completely changed my life when I started working at the end of it, OBrien says. Our mind keeps us stuck. It's like our own little prison if we allow it.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
A Walmart employee in Georgia, who is suspected of fatally shooting two of his colleagues and injuring a third, died of his injuries on April 13, authorities said.

Dwayne Eduh, a 24-year-old Walmart employee, is suspected to have fatally shot co-workers Khalaf Barksdale, 21, and Akeela Clarke, 19 at a Walmart store in Covington, about 35 miles east of Atlanta, around 1:30 a.m. on April 11, the Newton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Ryan Bradley, 29, was also injured in the incident but was in stable condition, authorities said.

Authorities said the suspect "retrieved a firearm from outside the building," returned inside and fatally shot Barksdale. He then shot and critically injured a second male co-worker, identified as Bradley, before going to a nearby residence, where he forced his way in and fatally shot Clarke.

Suspect fled out of state

Eduh then fled towards South Carolina, and a standoff ensued with the Aiken County Sheriffs Office and South Carolina State Troopers near Aiken, about 2 hours east of Covington. Eduh then shot himself and was transported in critical condition to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries on April 13, Newton County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Caitlin Jett told USA TODAY April 14.

"This remains an active and ongoing investigation," the sheriff's office said in a April 11 news release.

While a motive is also not yet known, the sheriff's office said the "suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew."

The Walmart store was closed for business at the time of the shooting, with only employees present inside, authorities said. It remained closed the day after, according to a Facebook post by the sheriff's office.

'No place for violence,' says Walmart

Walmart said in a statement the company was "heartbroken" over the incident.

"Theres no place for violence in our stores," Walmart said in a statement to USA TODAY on April 14. "Were focused on taking care of our associates and supporting law enforcement with their investigation."

Loved ones remember victims

A GoFundMe account set up by Clarke's family, requesting donations for her memorial services, described Akeela as "one of the most vibrant and joyful individuals you could ever meet."

The family said their loved one "was taken from us in a tragic and wrongful manner due to yet another senseless act of gun violence."

Friends and family of the victim also gathered near her home on April 13 to release 19 balloons in honor of the 19-year-old, who aspired to become a labor and delivery nurse, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

Barksdale was remembered as "a beloved coworker and friend," in his obituary, which said his death "has sent shockwaves through the Covington community" and "left his family and friends heartbroken."

This story contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know are at risk of suicide, please contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Walmart shooting: Man suspected of killing 2 co-workers, injuring 1
Credit: YouTube / The White House

Donald Trump and his cabinet tore into a CNN anchor in a tense Oval Office showdown after she asked about a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador.

The president, El Salvadors leader, and members of his top team including Pam Bondi, Stephen Miller and Marco Rubio insisted there were no plans to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States.

The married father from Baltimore, Maryland, who is a Salvadorian national, was removed in error under the Alien Enemies Act.

A court has since ordered Mr Abrego Garcia be returned to the United States.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador - Abrego Garcia Family/via REUTERS

El Salvador has accepted more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants accused of violent crimes and held them in the countrys notorious maximum-security gang prison, CECOT after the crackdown was implemented in March.

During an Oval Office meeting with Nayib Bukele, the countrys president, on Monday, Kaitlan Collins, CNNs chief White House correspondent, asked if Mr Abrego Garcia could be returned with the help of El Salvador.

Branding the question preposterous, Mr Bukele shot back: How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I dont have the power to return him to the United States.

Mr Trump referred questions about Mr Abrego Garcia to Attorney General Ms Bondi, who said he was illegally in the US and that a judge had previously ruled he was a member of the MS-13 gang.

She added: He had been illegally in our country and in 2019, two courts, an immigration court and an appellate immigration court ruled that he was a member of MS-13, and he was illegally in our country right now.

Abrego Garcia denies being MS-13 member

In a 2019 immigration hearing, a judge denied Mr Abrego Garcia bond, partly because he was suspected to be a member of MS-13.

Court filings state an ICE informant at the time had said he was an active part of the criminal gang, however it is not clear if a judge ever officially ruled this was the case.

Mr Abrego Garcia denies that he is a member, while the federal district court held on April 6 found the government offered no evidence linking Abrego Garcia to MS-13 or to any terrorist activity.

Stephen Miller followed Ms Bondi with a further scathing response to Collins question.

Stephen Miller reponds to Kaitlan Collins question - Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

Hes a citizen of El Salvador... its very arrogant, even for American media to suggest that we would even tell El Salvador how to handle their own citizens as a starting point as two immigration courts found that he was a member of MS-13.

Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, added: I dont understand what the confusion is.

The individual is a citizen of El Salvador. He was illegally in the United States and was returned to his country, that is where [we] deport people to, back to their country of origin.

Mr Bukele has become a vital ally for the Trump administration, striking a deal with Mr Trump under which the US will pay around $6 million to El Salvador to imprison the men for one year.

When a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to turn around a flight carrying the immigrants already en route to El Salvador, Mr Bukele wrote on social media: Oopsie ... too late.

Mr Trump and Mr Bukele appeared to strike up something of a bromance as they chatted through a number of subjects, including whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in womens sports.

Nayib Bukele and Mr Trump speak in the Oval Office - Ken Cedeno/ 2025 Bloomberg Finance LP

Mr Trump said there are people in the US who fight to the death to allow transgender athletes to play, to which Mr Bukele added: Were big on protecting women.

Gesturing to three female members of cabinet joining the El Salvador president, Mr Trump said it was very impressive to have so many women.

The Salvadorian leader joked the women were not DEI hires, before Mr Trump clarified: This isnt the first time weve had women, but weve never had three of them, right here.

Mr Trump also told Mr Bukele that he would be in favour of El Salvador taking American citizens who have committed violent crimes, although he added: Id only do [it] according to the law.

Just before Mr Bukeles arrival in Washington, the State Department updated its travel advisory for El Salvador to Level 1, which is for countries that are considered the safest to visit.

The advisory notes that gang activity, and the accompanying murders and other violent crimes, has declined in the past three years.

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Getty Images / InStyle

It doesnt get more American than a pair of jeans. During the California Gold Rush, Levi Strauss made more money selling denim than even the luckiest of 49ers got prospecting for gold, and almost a century later, Old Hollywood stars like James Dean and Marlon Brando cemented jeans as not just a workwear staple, but the U.S. fashion statement.

Today, however, this American fashion icon is, like most other clothing, produced and worn around the world. According to the American Apparel & Footwear Associations 2024 report, 97 percent of apparel is made abroad, which means the tariff policy announced by President Trump last month will impact not just cars and cell phones, but almost every type of consumer good, including the trendiest low-rise flares. Tariffs are essentially a hefty tax on imports (a cost which, though paid by the importer, is often passed on to consumers), so this new policy will make shopping for clothes more expensive, too.

Getty Images / InStyle

In fact, the AAFA estimates that the effective tariff rate on the fashion industry is, on average, five times higher than on all other U.S. imports. Look at China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, three countries where more than half of our clothes are produced, reports Axios: Theyre facing tariffs as high as 125 percent as of April 14. Plus, clothing production is far more complicated than a simple drop ship from overseas. A single garment takes a journey around the world long before it lands at your door via FedEx, making the effect of tariffs, even with the recently announced 90-day pause for certain countries, exceedingly complicated.

Getty Images / InStyle

Take a pair of AYR jeans, for example. While theyre designed, cut, and sewn in California, components from all over the world come together to make that happen. Denim made in Turkey and labels made in Vietnam could face 10 percent and 46 percent baseline tariffs, respectively, after the three-month pause. Hardware imported from China (a country for which tariffs were not paused) is subject to a tax of 125 percent today.

Tariffs have an immediate and devastating impact on the apparel industry, says Maggie Winter, CEO of AYR, citing the wide range of the company's fabric sources. We are somewhat fortunate in that most of our product is produced in the USA, but we are still affected. The company works with silk from Asia, pima cotton from Peru, Irish linen, and merino poplin that's only manufactured by one mill in Italy," making the production of fashion from an American company far more global than one might expect.

Getty Images / InStyle

Every fashion supply chain will be affected, and the frequently changing tariff policies certainly arent helping brands sort through the upheaval and find solutions. We are fortunate to have a long-term

trusted American production partner. We are lucky that we only distribute domestically, and that we sell direct-to-consumer. We are somewhat insulated from the chaos, but we certainly feel it, says Winter. Everyone in the apparel industry has been immediately impacted, to some degree. Despite the uncertainty, AYR is focused on delivering the same quality and pricing to their loyal fans: "We remain committed to creating the best comfort, style, and value in today's premium denim market."

In fact, independent brands will be most affected by the administrations new tariff policy. Small and medium-sized businesses will be disproportionately affected by tariffs, with many saying they will have to raise prices, says the National Retail Federation in a recent report. Unable to absorb the cost of increased tariffs, small business retailers would be forced to pass those additional costs along to their customers in the form of higher prices.

How the industry will adapt to tariffs still remains to be seen, but unfortunately, its small businesses, American designers, and shoppers who will likely pay the price.



Read the original article on InStyle
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Is Being in an Intimateless Marriage Common?

This article was reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA.

So, here you are, asking a question you never thought youd ask in those early days of marital bliss: My wife has no desire for intimacy. What can I do?

Its common to jump to the worst conclusions  to think shes fallen out of love with you and in love with the delivery guy. But heres the thing: A womans libido can fluctuate for various reasons that have little to do with you.

In the same vein, a marriage can change over time, making adaptability a love language you should learn to master.

If youve been in a rut lately, keep reading to find out what may be causing your wifes low drive and explore tips on how to get your intimate life back on track.

This may seem obvious, but intimate health is key to overall health  one key, at least. Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that fulfilling intimate experiences contribute to better physical and mental health, even in older age.

PeopleImages / iStock

Intimate Satisfaction and Relationship Quality

Intimacy is just as important to your relationship quality. In a study of 237 partnered young adults, intimate satisfaction was the most critical predictor of relationship satisfaction in men and women.

However, for some women, a sense of closeness (emotional intimacy) was even more important than intimate satisfaction if they were living with their partners.

Despite how crucial intimacy is to relationship quality, many long-term couples struggle with a lack of intimacy. In a survey of nearly 18,000 U.S. adults, 15 percent of married couples reported that they hadnt had intimacy in the previous year. And around 13 percent said they hadnt had intimacy in the last five years.

Just because something is common doesnt mean it has to stay that way. If your wifes lack of intimate interest is causing distress in your relationship, you need to talk about it.

In the next section, well discuss what might be causing your wifes lack of desire and how you can help.

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My Wife Is Never In the Mood Anymore  Whats Going On?

Was it something you said? Was it something you didnt say? Does she love somebody else?

When your wife doesnt want to have intimacy with you anymore, the voice inside your head can get pretty insecure. Its true that relationship issues can play a role in your wifes lack of desire, but sometimes, its not even about you.

Keep scrolling for insight into what might be going on.

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Dysfunction vs. Normal Variations

Hypoactive intimate desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common female intimate dysfunction, though it can also happen in men. It involves a persistent lack of intimate desire and intimate fantasies, which results in distress for the individual and her partner.

Though this disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), its a controversial topic. Whats considered normal can vary among people and cultures, but some critics think pathologizing such variations can lead to unnecessary treatments and shame.

Its also essential to know your wifes intimate response cycle may shift over time  in which case you may have to learn how to shift your approach.

For instance, a woman might not have an intimate dysfunction in the following scenarios:

She has little or no spontaneous desire but does experience responsive desire (i.e., she may not feel a spontaneous urge to have intimacy, but she can become aroused when presented with the right context, like foreplay or emotional connection).

She experiences spontaneous or responsive desire but doesnt want to have intimacy as much as her partner (i.e., mismatched libidos).

When trying to figure out why your wife has a lower drive than she used to (or maybe just a lower drive than you do), it can help to recognize that this shift might actually be normal. It also may be temporary.

DepositPhotos.com

Mental Health Issues

Mental illness is the most critical risk factor for womens dysfunction, including low desire and arousal disorders.

Mental health issues that may cause a lack of intimate interest include:

Depression

Anxiety

Stress

Low self-esteem

Poor body image

Intimate trauma

Even women with chronic medical conditions that affect the vascular pathways of desire (like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or renal failure) are more likely to experience dysfunction as a result of the mental effects linked to these diseases.

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Medication Side Effects

Some medications might cause low desire as a side effect, including those prescribed for some of the mental health issues listed above.

Medications known to cause intimate side effects include:

Antidepressants

Blood pressure medications

Chemotherapy drugs

Epilepsy drugs

Migraine medications

Recreational drugs, including alcohol and nicotine

Its never a good idea to stop taking medication without talking to a healthcare professional. So if your wife thinks she might be experiencing side effects affecting her libido, she should let her provider know.

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Menopause

Reproductive hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone are vital for intimate function. Menopause throws all these hormones out of whack.

Menopause is when a womans ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, and she stops having menstrual periods. The transition into menopause (perimenopause) typically happens between ages 45 and 55, but it can be earlier or later for some women.

The hormonal changes menopause brings can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms like low libido, hot flashes, poor sleep, vaginal dryness, and irritability.

If your wife is of menopausal age, her gynecologist should be able to help her devise a treatment plan to fit her individual needs. This may include a combination of hormonal medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Prostock-Studio / istockphoto

Relationship Issues

Relationship issues like unresolved conflicts, parenting disagreements, infidelity, and lack of intimacy could also contribute to your wifes low drive.

In a study of postmenopausal women with low libido, one major factor was their partners ED.

Women explained to researchers that if their partner couldnt maintain an arousal long enough for them to reach climax, they began to view intimacy as less satisfying and wouldnt look forward to having it in the future.

The women also found that when their partners were defensive or frustrated due to their ED symptoms. This also made intimacy less satisfying, and their interest declined.

This isnt to point fingers or say the man in the relationship is to blame  only to paint a full picture of what could be going on.

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My Wife Has No Drive. What Can I Do?

If youre the kind of guy who likes to fix things, you should know this section wont advise you to try to fix your wifes drive.

However, there are ways you can improve or expand your approach to intimacy and communication with your partner. And this can have a positive impact on your wifes drive.

Heres what you can do if your wife has no desire for intimacy.

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Communicate

Intimacy begins with emotional intimacy. Have you talked about your intimate needs with your partner?

Research shows that couples with intimate problems like low desire have more intimate communication issues than couples without intimate problems. And one of the main ways women resolve conflict related to mismatched libidos is by talking about intimacy.

If youre having trouble getting your partner to talk or knowing the right language to use, seeking out an intimacy therapist or enrolling in couples counseling might help.

A lack of intimate interest doesnt necessarily mean a lack of interest in you and your needs. You might just need to talk it out.

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Bring Back Date Night

Its common for people in long-term relationships not to have as much intimacy as they did in the beginning. Its also common for romantic gestures like date night to decline.

Is there a connection? Maybe.

According to a survey of 2,000 heterosexual men and women conducted by the University of Virginia, 52 percent said they never go out on date nights with their spouses or only went on date nights a few times a year. And 48 percent reported they had date nights once or twice a month or more.

Of the couples who went on regular date nights, 68 percent of wives and 67 percent of husbands were happy with their intimate relationship and reported greater communication and commitment to their partners. In couples that didnt have regular date nights, only 47 percent of husbands and 47 percent of wives said they were intimately satisfied.

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Explore New Fantasies and Kinks

This is where intimate communication is important yet again. Studies show that talking about intimacy can improve desire by revealing how partners differ in their intimate preferences and how intimate preferences can change over time.

You may have thought you knew your wifes turn-ons like the back of your hand, but its totally healthy and normal for these turn-ons to evolve.

Its also common for women to keep new intimate fantasies from their partners if they arent used to talking about their intimacy needs or havent done so in a while.

Diamond Dogs / iStock

Dont Skip Preplay

We mentioned that some women dont have a spontaneous urge to have intimacy but can become aroused in the right context. This doesnt mean pressuring your wife to have intimacy if she doesnt feel like it. But it could mean taking time for a preamble will work in your favor.

Preplay is any type of activity that sets the stage for intimacy. It increases desire and arousal by enhancing emotional intimacy and helps your partner become sufficiently lubricated (although investing in a good personal lubricant works wonders too).

There are no rules for what constitutes preplay, but here are some ideas:

Kissing and cuddling

Mutual "solo time"

Oral

Roleplay

Massage

Watching porn together

Texting

Exploring erogenous zones

Using toys

Foreplay is a great way to heat things up. Check out these other ways to initiate intimacy with your partner.

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Make Lifestyle Changes Together

When life gets busy, self-care can easily take a backseat. Maybe you and your wife cope with lifes stressors by drinking too much, staying up late worrying, or overworking.

Working together to improve your lifestyle habits can positively impact your general well-being and intimate health.

Healthy lifestyle changes can include things like:

Working out together

Booking that long overdue vacation

Cooking healthy meals at home

Making a pact to turn off screens well before bed

Divvying up household chores and errands

Cutting back on excessive drinking or smoking

Start with one or two things, and go from there.

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Confront Your Own Intimate Problems

We mentioned earlier that one common complaint of women with low libido is their husbands ED issues. Another dysfunction that may contribute is PE.

If youre struggling with dysfunction, it might be time to confront these issues head-on.

Treatments for ED include oral medications like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).

If youre looking for something more discreet, there are also chewable ED meds containing the same active ingredients as drugs like Viagra and Cialis. These medications help to increase blood flow to the penis by widening blood vessels.

For those struggling with PE, healthcare providers might prescribe drugs like sertraline (Zoloft) off-label. Or you can try desensitizing sprays, wipes, or condoms containing topical anesthetics to prolong intimacy.

ED and PE are extremely common conditions, but we know it can be challenging to admit youre dealing with a problem like this. If you can use support, schedule an online consultation with a healthcare provider today.

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My Wife Has No Libido: A Final Word

If your wife is showing little to no interest in intimacy, you might initially think youre doing something wrong. This isnt always the case.

If your wife has no desire for intimacy and youre at a loss for what to do, remember:

A loss of desire can be related to various mental and physical conditions. Hormonal imbalances, stress, medication side effects, and menopause are a few potential reasons your wife may have a lower drive than she used to.

A low drive doesnt always indicate dysfunction. Its normal in long-term relationships to have less intimacy than in the early days. Its also normal for your wifes intimate needs and response cycle to shift.

There are things you can do to help get your intimate life back on track. If youre trying to revive your relationship intimacy, try talking about your desires, bring back date night, explore fantasies together, and consider confronting your own intimate problems.

Want more ideas on how to improve your intimate life? Check out these techniques to make intimacy better for her and explore these tips for better intimacy.

This article originally appeared on hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Kat Abughazaleh and Jake Rakov are among a crop of young challengers starting Democratic primary campaigns against a handful of veteran members of Congress.

As Democratic voters say their party needs to change and young voters grow more skeptical of traditional party politics, a crop of candidates in their 20s and 30s is stepping in to challenge older Democrats for their seats in Congress.

The primary challengers stepping up against veteran Democrats in recent months are emphasizing young-voter issues and railing against the ways they feel the Democratic Party has failed  from how its pushed back on President Donald Trumps early actions to addressing the rising cost of living.

Saikat Chakrabarti, a 39-year-old former chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, launched a bid in early February for Rep. Nancy Pelosis House seat in California. Last month, 26-year-old social media star Kat Abughazaleh jumped into the race for veteran Illinois Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowskys seat. Since then, a handful of other new faces have entered the midterm arena against entrenched incumbents, with Jake Rakov, 37, challenging his old boss, Rep. Brad Sherman, in California and George Hornedo, 34, launching a challenge against nine-term Rep. Andre Carson in Indianas 7th District.

The local calls for change come as the party reached an all-time low in popularity in the most recent national NBC News poll, with almost two-thirds of Democrats saying they want congressional Democrats to fight rather than compromise, even at the risk of not getting things done.

Young Democratic voters interviewed by NBC News echoed these views, saying theyre disappointed by a lack of action from Democrats. Some said they see the partys messaging as redundant and think party leaders arent representing the issues affecting younger generations, with the rising cost of living getting frequent mention.

Theyre not listening to what their voters want, and its just backfiring on them, said Sean Connor, a college student from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Connor said he sees a lack of real leadership from Democrats but noted efforts from Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders to rally anti-Trump crowds as successful in mobilizing voters.

Besides AOC, theres not a lot of young people in Congress to feel represented, Connor said. I feel like the people controlling my life and controlling our government, theyre decades behind what we really need.

Darcy McMillan, a 25-year-old nursing student from Raleigh, North Carolina, said her ideal candidate would be someone younger who understands what normal people are going through, which she said is a divergence from the representatives shes seen in Congress.

A lot of them are so out of touch, or 80 years old, said McMillan. So someone whos younger, empathetic, has lived lives similar enough to us that they get it. Because I dont feel like I can relate to a lot of representatives.

They keep saying, We hear you, we see you, said Rebecca, a 24-year-old voter from East Brunswick, New Jersey, who declined to share her last name. But I havent seen them condemn what Trump is doing, and the fact that his policies are making it more expensive to live in the United States. I havent seen anyone say, This is what were planning to do or bring up instead.

From California to Illinois, the batch of young Democratic candidates running primary challenges are focusing their criticism on where they think Democrats have abandoned voters or blocked change, often pointing to congressional seniority  an asset in the Capitol, where it comes with better committee assignments and more clout  as a weakness when it comes to representing the current issues facing their districts.

Youll see people like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Sherman have been there for decades, who are still operating at the speed of 1996, said Rakov, who is running to represent Californias 32nd District, encompassing Malibu and the Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Rakov, who was a staffer for Sherman in 2017, said after Trump took office in January, he saw Sherman making TV appearances using similar messaging and doing the exact same thing as he did in Trumps first term. He said thats when he knew he had to run.

I was like, This is exactly whats wrong with the Democratic Party, Rakov said. If we keep going down this road, its gotten us Trump twice. I dont want to think about what its going to get us next time if we dont change route.

Rakov said Democrats are currently flat-footed in their approach to voters and are failing to match the energy and anger from their base as constituents are negatively impacted by the Trump administration. He said he thinks Democrats have gotten stuck in their talking points instead of having candid conversations with constituents about the issues affecting them, and he charged Sherman with being absent from his district in recent months.

Rakov said his challenge to Sherman isnt based on ideological or even generational differences.

Theres nothing about an age, Rakov said. This isnt a generational argument, but this is about needing to actually get new energy and new voices into Congress on a regular basis. Congress was never meant to be a career.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., at a news conference at the Capitol on Thursday.

In a statement to NBC News, a spokesperson for Shermans campaign committee pointed to the numerous challengers hes faced through the years, saying Rakov was the first who has never voted in Shermans district prior to announcing his candidacy.

Rakov has not identified any single one of Congressman Shermans thousands of votes that he disagrees with, the statement said. So at least there is an important aspect of the job that he believes Sherman has performed flawlessly.

Rakov pushed back against the statement, saying hes lived and voted in Los Angeles for many years of his life, having moved with his husband to the 32nd District earlier this year. And he said in an email that Sherman's "own social media" hasn't shown him "here since February  even through Congress had an 11 day recess last month."

Abughazaleh, who is running to represent Illinois 9th District, said she got sick of waiting around and for someone to do what I thought should happen.

Born to a Palestinian immigrant father and raised by Republican parents, Abughazaleh built a following through rapid-response videos for Media Matters and other organizations, arguing against right-wing narratives to hundreds of thousands of online followers.

I think a lot of people assume this is going to be a purely digital campaign, said Abughazaleh, who noted shes currently the only person managing her social media. But its actually the opposite. We want to build a deeply on-the-ground campaign focused on mutual aid, direct action, and meeting people where they are.

Shes launching her campaign in a district she didnt grow up in, hasnt voted in and only moved to last year  which has already become a point of contention for some Democrats opposed to her candidacy.

Abughazaleh pushes back on that framing, saying, I would say I have the same right to run as everyone else. This is a district thats a quarter foreign-born. It has multiple colleges, tons of people from out of state.  I did not expect to, but I moved here last year  and I really love living here.

Schakowsky  an 80-year-old progressive stalwart who has represented the district since 1999, before Abughazaleh was born  hasnt yet announced whether shell run again but said in a statement to NBC News that she has always encouraged more participation in the democratic process.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Jan. 22.

Ill be deciding on my plans soon, Schakowsky added, but if I do indeed decide to retire, there are dozens of talented leaders, advocates, and organizers in the 9th Congressional District who know our community and who are ready to lead the charge as we fight back against the extreme MAGA regime and Trumps shameful policies.

Abughazaleh maintains she isnt launching a campaign against Schakowsky  at least not yet. She called Schakowsky historically one of the most progressive members of Congress, but added a lot of us  are worried about older people staying in office for longer periods of time.

Asked if Schakowskys age played a role in her decision, Abughazaleh said, I mean, it didnt not.
Ericsson has promoted Ludvig Landgren to head of Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ) after working for the vendor for close to 25 years.

Relocating to Sydney from Singapore for the role, Landgren will move from his current position of Ericssons lead for its cloud, software and services and enterprise unit for Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, which he has held for the past five years.

In this previous role, he worked with service providers in A/NZ on driving digital transformation, automation and 5G monetisation.

Meanwhile, his new position will see him work alongside the companys local team, partners and customers to unleash the next wave of mobile innovation, for the benefit of consumers and enterprises, Landgren said.

Ludvig is a seasoned telecommunications executive with a deep understanding of the Australian and New Zealand markets, said Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India head of market area Andres Vicente.

He brings valuable insight into how our customers, partners and government stakeholders can unlock the full potential of 5G  as a platform for innovation and a driver of tangible business outcomes. I am confident that under Ludvigs leadership, we will strengthen our position and accelerate 5G value creation for our customers across Australia and New Zealand.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The police denied permission for the Palm Sunday initiative that had been held for years, gathering thousands of faithful, for reasons of public order. The Catholic association protests in the metropolis where BJP nationalists have recently returned to government: Other communities and political groups are allowed processions and gatherings: the authorities must guarantee respect for religious freedom and equality.

Delhi (AsiaNews) - The Delhi police have denied permission for a Via Crucis procession to be held on Palm Sunday from Saint Mary's Church to the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The local government of the Indian capital - which a few months ago returned to the hands of the Hindu nationalists of the BJP - cited security reasons as the justification, forcing the rite to be held inside the church. Obeying the decision, the cathedral's parish priest, Fr Francis Swaminathan, recalled that in the last 15 years a Way of the Cross had been held regularly in Delhi, attended by about 2,000 faithful, but he also added that permission had been denied in a similar way years ago.

In a statement released yesterday, the Catholic Association of the Archdiocese of Delhi (CAAD) expressed deep shock and anguish at the police refusal to authorise the procession on the grounds of public order and traffic. This reason is difficult to accept, especially when other communities and political groups are routinely granted permission for processions and gatherings, even during peak hours on working days. Christians now wonder if their constitutional right to religious freedom is equally respected.

For over a decade, the CAAD statement continues, the annual Way of the Cross has been conducted with the utmost discipline, peace and full cooperation with the authorities. There has never been a report of traffic disruption or public order problems related to our event. The denial of this year's permit seems to us to be biased and unjust, and casts a shadow over the principles of equal treatment and religious freedom.

The Christians of Delhi - and of all India - have always been a peaceful and law-abiding community, concludes the Catholic association. We appeal to the authorities to act with judgement and to guarantee justice and equality. We ask that these actions do not create a sense of exclusion or doubt in the minds of minorities who contribute positively and peacefully to the fabric of the nation.
Pope Francis has approved the promulgation of the decree on a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Kerala nun, foundress of the Teresian Carmelite Sisters. Father Lanciotti, killed in Brazil in 2001, the first martyr of the 21st century, will also be blessed. Antonio Gaudi, the architect of the Sagrada Familia, was declared venerable.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  India will soon have a new blessed. In an audience granted today to Card Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis authorised the promulgation of some new decrees, including one concerning a miracle that occurred through the intercession of Mother Eliswa of the Blessed Virgin Mary, born Eliswa Vakayil (1831-1913), a religious sister who lived in Kerala, foundress of the order of the Teresian Carmelite Sisters.

The path to beatification is open for her, as it is for the Italian priest Fr Nazareno Lanciotti (1940-2001), a fidei donum missionary killed in 2001 in Sao Paulo in Brazil for his work against drug traffickers.

The promulgation of the decree on Fr Lanciottis martyrdom is particularly poignant since he is the first martyr killed in the 21st century, a theme very dear to Pope Francis who wanted a day dedicated to new martyrs in the Jubilee 2025, on 9 May.

The future Indian blessed, Eliswa Vakayil, was born on 15 October 1831 in Ochanthuruth, Ernakulam, a district in modern-day Kerala, into a wealthy and very religious family of landowners.

At 16, she was married to Vatharu Vakayil, a wealthy businessman from Koonammavu, with whom she had a daughter in 1851. Widowed the following year, she chose a life of prayer and solitude, marked by frequent participation in the sacraments and care for the poor, living in a simple hut.

In 1862, guided by the Italian Discalced Carmelite Fr Leopoldo Beccaro, she founded the first local Congregation in Kerala, the Third Order of Discalced Carmelite Nuns (TODC), which later became the Teresian Carmelite Sisters.

The life of the new religious family combined contemplation with active life in educating and training poor and orphaned girls, helping the abandoned and the neediest.

The first three women, linked to the Church of the Latin rite, were joined by other women of the Syro-Malabar rite and for the first 20 years the congregation developed with two rites.

Only after Leo XIII's decision to erect the first Syro-Malabar vicariates that two independent religious institutes of women were created: the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC) of the Latin rite and the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) of the Syro-Malabar rite.

Under these circumstances, Mother Eliswa founded a new Latin rite convent in Varapuzha, where she spent the last 23 years of her life, until her death on 18 July 1913.

"With her activity," writes the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, "she contributed to the human and intellectual promotion of women in the complex social and religious context of India at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The miracle attributed to her is also touching: healing a little girl with a cleft lip, a disease diagnosed in 2005 in the fetal phase at the thirty-fourth week of pregnancy by two ultrasound scans conducted at the Lourdes Hospital in Ernakulam.

At the invitation of a nun, the family entrusted themselves to the intercession of Mother Eliswa and a few days later, the baby was born healthy in a caesarean section.

It is worth mentioning that one of the decrees of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints whose promulgation was approved today by Pope Francis, involves the heroic virtues of the great Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926), an artistic genius with a deep religious sensitivity, a visionary, author of the monumental church of the Sagrada Famiglia in Barcelona.

For the Catholic Church, for whom he now becomes venerable, he was a convinced and practising Christian, diligent in the sacraments, who offered to God the fruits of his work understood as a mission to make people know God and bring them closer to him, turning art into a hymn of praise to the Lord.
by Melani Manel Perera

Sri Lankan authorities have announced plans to improve early treatment for autistic children, who number at least 9,000 according to the latest data. Plans include setting up model kindergartens, creating teacher training programmes, and implementing a single preschool education policy. For Minister Paulraj, active monitoring can provide autistic children with equal opportunities toward a healthy developmental path.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  The Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women and Children met last week in parliament, chaired by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj.

During the meeting, officials with the Ministry of Education noted that a noticeable increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism in Sri Lanka. According to statistics, over 9,000 children have been identified so far.

Overall, early diagnosis remains inadequate. In fact, many children continue to suffer from various disabilities," Minister Paulraj said. Children with autism should be identified during their early developmental stages, and only through early diagnosis can they be guided toward a healthy developmental path," she added.

This requires an active monitoring mechanism from birth, starting with the supervision of midwives working in public health facilities. To this end, Minister Paulraj noted that plans are in the works to establish three model kindergartens in specific regions for children with autism.

Creating a committee to implement this initiative to guide the children through appropriate developmental stages was also proposed.

In addition, teachers would be provided with the necessary knowledge and develop the required attitude to treat children with disabilities on par with other children. According to Education Ministry officials, future teachers undergo a six-month training programme on how to handle children with disabilities in environments that are more familiar and less institutional.

Officials from the Department of Probation and Child Care Services also explained that since children can only be placed under probationary care only via a judicial process, judges must be educated to understand the importance of providing care for such children within their family setting rather than institutionalising them.

Minister Paulraj, who chairs the committee, also mentioned steps that are being taken to unify preschools operating in different frameworks into a single, countrywide standardised system.

Officials also informed the committee that Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Children are developing a joint policy on preschool education.
Despite criticism from several international organisations, Pakistan launched the second phase of its forced repatriation plan for Afghan refugees, which began in 2023. The lives of Afghan human rights activists and members of the former pro-Western regime are at risk. For Pakistani authorities, expulsions are a way to pressure the Taliban, accused of supporting terrorist groups operating in Pakistan.

Islamabad (AsiaNews)  About 45,000 Afghan refugees have been repatriated from Pakistan, some by force, since the start of April, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported. This follows Pakistans decision to resume its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), launched at the end of 2023, and now in its second phase.

In early March, the Pakistani government announced plans to repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC) holders who had not left the country voluntarily by 1 April. Pakistan is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees, but accepts the presence of the UNHCR on its territory.

Pakistani authorities introduced the ACC in 2017 to keep track of Afghans in the country. An estimated 800,000 Afghans with this type of document have already been forced to leave; however, many Afghan refugees are also holders of Proof of Registration (PoR), a card issued in collaboration with UNHCR that should guarantee them the right to legally reside in Pakistan.

Despite this, Afghans with such proof of residence have also been sent back to Afghanistan and human rights advocates have complained that in some Pakistani provinces, police are conducting raids looking for Afghan nationals.

An estimated three million Afghans live in Pakistan, 1.3 million with a regular permit. According to UNHCR data, more than 8,900 Afghans had already returned to Afghanistan as of 31 March, even though their safety is at risk under the Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021.

Activists and members of the previous Afghan government supported by the US-led Western coalition fear that they will be persecuted or killed upon their return to Afghanistan.

During the first ten days of April 2025 the deportation rate is higher (31%) than the first ten days of November 2023 (6%) which marked the start of the IFRP phase 1, the UNHCR reported. In the first five days of April, more arrests and detentions took place (1,655) than in any other month of 2025, the organisation's latest report added.

In total, between September 2023, when the repatriation programme was first launched, and February 2025, at least 844,499 Afghan nationals returned to Afghanistan.

UNHCR also notes that 78 per cent of the people it provides aid to are women and children. On the Afghan side, the UN agency explained that it provides money to all those in possession of some type of humanitarian protection document to cope with the difficulties related to returning home, in some cases after many years of residence in Pakistan.

Many refugees have reported that they do not have a home and sufficient financial resources to provide for their families.

Since 15 September 2023, some 120,300 people returning from Pakistan have been provided with cash assistance in Kabul, Kandahar and Jalalabad encashment centres, including over 77,400 PoR cardholders. Out of those, some 2.4% are individuals with disabilities and over 3,300 PoR card holders, UNHCR slip holders and Asylum certificate holders were deported, the UNHCR report reads.

Recently, the United States, which is progressively normalising relations with the Taliban, revoked the so-called temporary protected status granted to 14,600 Afghan refugees who fled the country after 2021.

After Kabul fell to the Taliban, tens of thousands of Afghans were evacuated to third countries awaiting relocation, 25,000 in Pakistan.

The Taliban government has so far responded to the question in a limited way. Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi recently visited a refugee camp in Khas Kunar, a district in Kunar province, where 382 plots of land were distributed to returning refugees.

A temporary refugee camp has also been set up in Laghman province, but following the return to power of the Taliban, Afghanistan has faced a very serious humanitarian crisis.

The UN estimates that about 20 million people, almost half of the population, live below the poverty line, while the Taliban have progressively limited civil rights, especially those of women, who are not allowed to travel alone, work in contact with the public, or attend high school.

About four million Afghans found refuge in Pakistan since the 1980s; however, after the Taliban returned to power, relations between Kabul and Islamabad have become more complicated.

Pakistan accuses the Taliban of supporting terrorist groups that carry out attacks against Pakistani security forces (most notably the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), formally separate but ideologically close to their Afghan "cousins").

Driving refugees home seems to be an attempt to put pressure on Taliban authorities, despite several humanitarian organisations saying that the repatriations are worsening Afghanistans humanitarian crisis.

(Photo: UNHCR)
This is the Chinese presidents second trip to Vietnam in less than 18 months to reboot strategic cooperation with the communist country to deal with US tariffs. The visit is part of a regional tour that includes Malaysia and Cambodia. Meanwhile, Cambodia sent Taiwanese citizens to China accused of working in online scam centres.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies)  China and Vietnam today signed almost 40 cooperation agreements whose details have not yet been released, but which will probably concern trade between the two communist countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi today to reboot economic cooperation and counter tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. This is Xis second visit to Vietnam in less than 18 months and the first diplomatic mission of the year for the Chinese leader, who will also visit Malaysia and Cambodia.

Phnom Penh is already preparing for the arrival of the Chinese president. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry today announced that Cambodia arrested 180 Taiwanese suspected of involvement in online scam centres in the Southeast Asian country.

Cambodia, under pressure from China, did not provide a list of our countrys nationals or the total number deported, and the ministry not only continues to urge Cambodia to provide the list as soon as possible, but also expresses its serious concern and protest, it said.

Neither Phnom Penh nor Beijing has issued any statements on the matter.

"Trade wars and tariff wars have no winners, and protectionism has no way out," Xi writes in an article published by Nhan Dan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam, ahead of his visit.

We must firmly defend the multilateral trading system, firmly maintain the stability of global production and supply chains, and firmly maintain an open and cooperative international environment, he added.

In an article published in the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, the countrys paramount leader, said that the close relations between the two countries is based on mutual trust, sincerity, and mutual understanding.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong met his Chinese counterpart at Hanoi airport, a gesture usually reserved for VIPs. Later, during a meeting with To Lam, Xi mentioned the historical ties between the two nations.

China is Vietnam's main trading partner, while the Southeast Asian country depends most of all on China for imports.

To bypass the tariffs imposed on China during Trump's first term, several Chinese companies (and others) moved production of goods intended for export to Vietnam.

China is Vietnams main supplier of raw materials, while Hanoi had so far managed to exploit tensions with the United States to turn itself into a regional manufacturing hub.

By 2024, despite some friction, mainly related to disputes in the South China Sea, bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$ 260 billion. In the first quarter of 2025, China was Vietnam second-largest direct investor with US$ 1.2 billion.

During the meeting with To Lam, Xi expressed his willingness to expand cooperation on 5G and artificial intelligence, announcing three possible railway projects in the north of the country, near the border.

For his part, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with He Dongfeng, chairman of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), to whom he proposed an increase in investment in the country and collaboration on the purchase of new aircraft.

Meanwhile, Vietnam  whose main export market remains the United States  has sought to boost agricultural export to China to reduce economic risks arising from chaotic US policies.

The Trump administration imposed a 46 per cent tariff on Vietnamese exports, which Hanoi is trying to negotiate downwards, making further concessions to Washington, while China faces 145 per cent tariffs, to which it has responded with reciprocal tariffs.
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14 April 2025 17:41 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The Baku Military Court continued proceedings today in the trial of Armenian nationals accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the occupation of Azerbaijans sovereign territories.

According to Azernews, the court examined key evidence collected during the initial investigation, including on-site inspection protocols, photographic materials, witness and victim testimonies, and statements from ethnic Armenian individuals who were interrogated as suspects in the early 1990s. Expert assessments were also disclosed in court.

State Prosecutor Vusal Aliyev, a senior aide to the Prosecutor General, stated that in response to mass unrest in Khojaly, Shusha, and Khankendi, a criminal case was initiated on September 19, 1988, by USSR Deputy Prosecutor General A.I. Nikolayev under relevant articles of the Azerbaijani SSR Criminal Code. The investigation was assigned to a special group of the Soviet Prosecutor's Office.

During the session, the testimony of Artur Abramyan, former driver of Murad Petrosyan, was read aloud. Abramyan testified that Petrosyan met with Robert Kocharyan at the Khankendi City Council office. Kocharyan, described as the top aide to Council Chairman Maksim Babayan, reportedly played a key role in orchestrating armed separatist activities alongside Babayan and Henrik Pogosyan, head of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Regions Communist Party Committee.

According to Abramyan, these figures gathered commanders of Armenian militant groups and declared their intent to separate the region from the Azerbaijani SSR and join it to Armenia, mobilizing all forces to forcibly expel Azerbaijanis.

In a separate account, Abramyan said that in January 1991, a man named Akop informed them of a failed assassination attempt on Khankendi Police Chief Yuri Kovalyov, allegedly carried out under Petrosyans orders by Akop and two others, Armen and Samvelall reportedly armed by Petrosyan.

He also testified that weapons were delivered from Yerevan by order of Vazgen Sargsyan, then Commander of the Armenian national armed forces. These arms were transported via helicopters to key cities, including Askeran, where they were distributed among local Armenian militant units.

In another incident, two Armenian fighters, Ashot and Gago, allegedly planted explosives near the Shusha-Khankendi road in October 1989 in an attempt to target a civilian bus. Due to a delay, a KamAZ truck was instead damaged by the explosion.

The trial continues against Armenian nationals accused of launching and supporting an aggressive war, committing war crimes, genocide, terrorism, financing terrorism, unlawful seizure of power, and other serious offenses during Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.
14 April 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The past week was filled with several noteworthy events, particularly for the region. One significant occasion was the international forum titled Facing the New World Order, which took place at ADA, where Azerbaijan conveyed important messages to the world. Additionally, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Turkiye, the competitive efforts of Turkish states to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, there was another important moment that occurred towards the end of March, which I believe has been overlooked.

A preparatory meeting of foreign ministers on March 27 has set the stage for a significant recalibration of interregional ties. The declaration adopted following the meeting presents a forward-looking agenda, one that touches nearly every strategic sector  from economic growth and energy security to humanitarian cooperation and regional stability. On April 4, a declaration on the outcomes of the European UnionCentral Asia Summit held in Samarkand was adopted. The document reflects the intention to elevate cooperation between the two regions to the level of strategic partnership, both on regional and global scales. The parties also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in this direction in recent times.

The document also states that the participants of the meeting are committed to cooperation with UN member states based on the principles of peace, security, international law, respect for internationally recognized borders, democracy, adherence to the UN Charter, and respect for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

While the document itself only briefly mentions the South Caucasus  describing it as "peaceful" and essential to the regions logistics chain  this single word may carry more weight than it seems. The fact remains: Azerbaijan has positioned itself as the central actor in EU-South Caucasus connectivity and as a bridge to Central Asia.

This emerging dynamic was underscored by President Ilham Aliyev during his remarks at the recent ADA University international forum, Facing the New World Order. He emphasized that Azerbaijan "has always played a very active role in cooperation between countries of the Turkic world," and reaffirmed the countrys deep-rooted historical, cultural, and linguistic ties with Central Asian states. We want to see the Organization of Turkic States more consolidated and more result-oriented. For that purpose, Azerbaijan is doing its utmost, he said.

Aliyevs statement reflects Bakus growing role in regional diplomacy, energy supply, and transport development  all of which are critical to the EUs long-term ambitions in Eurasia. The declarations support for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and a proposed investment package of up to $10 billion by the EU and its financial institutions shows Europes resolve to forge new eastward connections that bypass Russia. These efforts cannot succeed without stable, reliable partners  and this is where Azerbaijans strategic value becomes irreplaceable.

Azerbaijan has historically been a leader in this regard, as it has played a significant unifying role between Central Asia and Turkiye. The government consistently works to strengthen the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Despite being mentioned just once, the South Caucasus' contribution to regional trade and uninterrupted logistics is woven into every pillar of this EUCentral Asia strategy. Current reliance on Georgian infrastructure may dominate short-term planning, but in the longer term, projects like the North-South Corridor and the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, could redefine the transport architecture of the region. Perhaps one note is also that Azerbaijan and Georgia play a pivotal role not only in these transit projects but also in Green Corridor initiatives.

Germanys emerging leadership in Central Asia, as the only EU country hosting summits in a regional format, further reflects the blocs intention to deepen ties  a trend that Azerbaijan is well-positioned to support. Notably, Azerbaijans inclusion in the Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Leaders and Georgias diplomatic push across the region demonstrate the South Caucasus growing involvement in Eurasian processes.

Moreover, with the EU openly prioritizing critical raw materials and energy diversification  especially as it distances itself from Russian imports  Azerbaijan's existing partnerships and infrastructure offer both a strategic and secure alternative. The Southern Gas Corridor, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and Caspian Sea logistics capacity remain vital pillars for EU connectivity with Central Asia.

In short, the EUs vision of deeper cooperation with Central Asia cannot be separated from its relationship with Azerbaijan. The subtle yet significant inclusion of the "peaceful South Caucasus" in the declaration may be a diplomatic understatement  but in geopolitical terms, it is an unmistakable nod to Bakus pivotal role in shaping the future of intercontinental cooperation.
14 April 2025 20:10 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

On April 4, a declaration on the outcomes of the European UnionCentral Asia Summit held in Samarkand was adopted. The document reflects the intention to elevate cooperation between the two regions to the level of strategic partnership, both on regional and global scales. The parties also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in this direction in recent times. The document also states that the participants of the meeting are committed to cooperation with UN member states based on the principles of peace, security, international law, respect for internationally recognized borders, democracy, adherence to the UN Charter, and respect for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The summit may not have mentioned Cyprus by name, but its implications on the Northern Cyprus issue are unmistakable. Wrapped within broad affirmations of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the joint declaration indirectly echoed the EU's longstanding stance on the islands division  a stance rooted in UN resolutions 541 and 550, which label Turkiye as an occupying force and recognize only the Republic of Cyprus as legitimate.

The four Central Asian states  Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan  endorsed this language despite their close ties with Turkiye. These states are not only members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), but also growing participants in Brussels evolving Eurasian vision. The move follows a subtle but clear pattern observed earlier this year, when several Central Asian nations began accrediting ambassadors to Greece and Cyprus  an act that, while diplomatic, carries symbolic weight in favor of the EU narrative.

Earlier signs of this alignment were already visible. Over the past year, several Central Asian states began appointing ambassadors to Greece and the Republic of Cyprus  both strong backers of the EU position on the Cyprus dispute. For Brussels, which makes decisions by consensus, Cypruss red lines become EU red lines. It is highly likely that European diplomats, particularly from Nicosia, ensured the Cyprus-related language found its way into the declaration.

Well, in reality, this could have been avoided. The Central Asian members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) could have balanced their statements, just as the CSTO did by not participating in the summit. But their decision not to do so speaks volumes  perhaps more about growing EU influence in the region than a change in allegiance.

This leaves Turkiye and Azerbaijan with a dilemma  but also an opportunity. This moment calls for strategic recalibration. Rather than protest directly to the EU, which already sees Cyprus as a red line, diplomatic pressure and engagement must be redirected internally. The Central Asian OTS members, who now find themselves balancing Brussels interests with Ankaras, are in a delicate position. Here, Azerbaijans deep diplomatic experience, especially in navigating the EU's policy, could prove invaluable in guiding its Turkic allies through nuanced, long-term negotiations.

What can Turkiye and Azerbaijan do next?

While some may interpret this episode as a crack in the unity of the Turkic world, its more accurately a stress test. Integration processes are inevitably exposed to external geopolitical shocks. But moments like these help identify weak links, highlight communication gaps, and create incentives for stronger institutional coordination. This should be considered as more of a test of unity, not a rupture

Azerbaijan is well-positioned to mediate  not only as Turkiyes closest ally but also as a trusted partner to the Central Asian states. With Baku set to host the upcoming OTS summit and assume chairmanship, its leadership will be essential in managing both fallout and forward momentum. Well, the OTS is a consortium of sovereign states with shared heritage but individual priorities; it is not a hierarchy  it is a voluntary integration platform. Perhaps there is no certain leader within the OTS  only aligned interests that must be carefully managed through diplomacy.

That said, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) issue wont disappear. While full OTS membership for the TRNC may remain shelved for now and may also be in the near future, the goal remains the same. The TRNC continues to function under Turkiyes protection, and no amount of declarations will change that reality.

For now, the key task lies in defending the principle that strategic solidarity in the Turkic world must be safeguarded from outside pressure. The coming summit in Baku will be watched closely, not just for symbolism, but for strategic signals. Turkiye and Azerbaijan will continue advocating for the TRNCs future within the OTS. And the EU  no matter how skillful its diplomacy  must reckon with the resilience of a region that refuses to fracture under geopolitical strain. The path forward for the Turkic world runs through unity, nuance, and a shared understanding of sovereignty  one that includes, not excludes, Northern Cyprus.
14 April 2025 16:58 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Some 36 US congressmen sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling on him to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Azerbaijani officials in connection with the trial of 23 Armenian separatists whose hands are smeared with the blood of innocent civilians in Garabagh. The letter insolently calls the trial a sham trial and arrogantly emphasizes that these sanctions are an important tool of pressure to release prisoners of war and deter further aggression against Armenia, which reflects the decadence of the American political system.

First of all, the trial is currently in progress, and attempting to influence it is neither legally nor ethically appropriate. If the detainees are truly innocent, then why are the Armenian lobbies and their American mouthpieces running around like headless chickens in a panic?

Secondly, it reveals that Americans do not give a damn about the legal systems of other countries. They have their own 'truth' and do not bother themselves with the realities or perspectives of others. For example, the congressmen in question claim that the Armenian separatistswho invaded 20 percent of Azerbaijans territory, forcibly displaced the population, killed tens of thousands of civilians, and committed acts of rape, torture, and lootingare prisoners of war who cannot be punished.

In addition, political opportunists who try to dismiss the court proceedings are claiming that their rights are being violated. However, just by looking at the testimonies and witness statements given in court over the past 10 days, one can see that these so-called victims  who are actually war criminals  could not only receive prison sentences, but even be sentenced to death. Lets look at the strict laws of the United States. If an Armenian had committed the same crimes in the USA, that person would at the very least face life imprisonment, and in the worst case, be sentenced to death by electric chair or lethal injection.

When a group of individuals, regardless of their ethnicity, are arrested on the territory of another state for terrorism, illegal armament, and supporting mass separatism against a nation, what do you think their punishment should be? Azerbaijan is undoubtedly approaching this matter within the framework of the law  not because these individuals are Armenian, but because of the gravity of their crimes.

Besides that, these 23 Armenian separatists were not ordinary individuals; they held key positions such as the so-called president, prime minister, foreign minister, and other high-ranking posts. Yet today, their advocates in the US Congress are demanding their release. To top it all off, it seems that these congressmen have forgotten American history as well.

To recall, the United States did not accept the Confederacy when the Southern states attempted to secede, leading to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. Even after 164 years, it is still considered inappropriate to raise the Confederate flag in America. So, the United States can resort to arms when its sovereignty is challenged, but Azerbaijan cannot?

When the Soviet Union deployed missiles in Cuba in the 1960s, the world came to the brink of nuclear war. Two independent countriesthe Soviet Union and Cubahad struck a deal that didnt directly threaten the United States at the time but had the potential to do so. Yet, America made it clear it would not tolerate any action, even a theoretical one, that could challenge its sovereignty. But now, those same voices insist that Azerbaijan must release the butchers of breast-sucking babies.

For example, a few days ago, the Baku Military Court heard Ramiz Adigozalov as a witness and as an affected party. He said that on the night of March 23-24, 1990, Armenians killed his 39-day-old baby Hafiz Adigozalov, his wife Aliya Adigozalova, and other relatives by arson.

Meanwhile, the blatant double standards displayed by certain US congressmen are both troubling and unjust. While the United States reserves the right to defend its sovereignty through war and sanctions, it seeks to deny Azerbaijan that same right when confronting war crimes committed on its soil. The attempt to interfere in an ongoing legal process and portray war criminals as victims reflects a deep hypocrisy and disregard for justice. The pain of victims like Ramiz Adigozalov cannot be ignored or minimized. True justice demands consistency, not selective morality shaped by lobbying power and political expediency. Azerbaijan deserves the same respect.

Congresss approach once again proves that a fraudster never changes. It turns out President Donald Trump was right in his comments about Congress  its still not a place where truly intelligent and just politicians can be found, aside from a very few exceptions. If things continue this way, the United States will need at least another hundred years to find leaders capable of restoring justice  and doing so without relying on Congress.
14 April 2025 15:16 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Trade relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom have experienced remarkable growth in the first two months of 2025, Azernews reports.

According to official figures, the total volume of trade turnover between the two countries increased by 5.4 times compared to the same period last year, surpassing $214.9 million.

The growth was driven primarily by a significant rise in exports from Azerbaijan to the UK, which soared to $73.8 million, marking a 64-fold increase year-on-year. At the same time, imports from the UK to Azerbaijan reached $141.1 million, showing a 3.6-fold rise.

As a result, the share of the UK in Azerbaijan's total trade turnover rose to 2.41% in JanuaryFebruary 2025up 1.86 percentage points from the previous yearreflecting strengthening bilateral economic ties.
14 April 2025 14:18 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Ganja State National Drama Theater has hosted a seminar entitled "Acting: the Journey of a Hero with a Thousand Masks" of the "Theater: from Generation to Generation" project as part of the "Mdniyyt ruzgar" events series, organized by the Culture Ministry's Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center of Culture (MEMIM), Azernews reports.

The Acting Director of the Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center of Culture (MEMIM) Vugar Humbatov spoke about the projects implemented for the development of theatrical art, the important role of the theater in the process of people's self-awareness, enrichment of their spirituality and culture, as well as the significance of such events for capital and regional theaters.

Guests of the seminar, moderated by theater critic Daglar Yusif, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Nuraddin Mehdikhanli told the youth about the secrets of acting, love for the Motherland and art, communication between the actor and the audience, and the position of the actor in the theater.

The event was met with interest by the theater groups of Ganja, as well as representatives of the theater arts and theater lovers from nearby regions.

The goal of the seminars organized within the framework of the "Theater from Generation to Generation" project is to contribute to the development of the national theater by creating a platform of ideas and sharing experiences between generations, as well as forming an active creative environment by applying modern international trends, increasing interest in the field and involving young people in the process.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
14 April 2025 15:23 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A book exhibition has been opened at the Azerbaijan National Library on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the birth of Professor Maryam Alizadeh, Azernews reports.

The week-long exhibition will showcase the books of Honored Art Worker, Professor Maryam Alizadeh, works she reviewed, edited and wrote forewords to, literature about her life and work, and articles published in periodicals.

Maryam Alizadeh is the author of valuable books such as "Theater: Watch and Magic", "Unforgettable Stage Masters", "Synonym of Joy", "Colors of the Fourth Dimension", "The 21st Century World Theater Process and Contemporary Goals and Tasks of Azerbaijani National Theater Art (Issues of Tradition and Innovation in Modern Theater)", "On the Question of Modern Theater", "Inside It..." and other articles. He was awarded the "Golden Dervish", "Humay", "Jafar Jabbarli" awards and the TURKSOY award, and was awarded the "Artist" medal of the Union of Theater Figures of Azerbaijan. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts.

With over 5 million books, manuscripts, and maps, the Azerbaijan National Library is considered one of the largest libraries in the Caucasus region. Since 1939, the library has borne the name of the eminent playwright Mirza Fatali Akhundov.

The library has an extensive collection of literature in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, and other languages. It has collected and preserved national editions, works of Azerbaijani and foreign authors about Azerbaijan published abroad.

The National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, visited the National Library four times in 1995-1997 and donated nearly 300 books from his personal library.

In 2004, the Mirza Fatali Akhundov Library was granted the status of a national library by the decision of Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers.

The building of the library is no less impressive. The library's faade is decorated with the statues of eminent poets and writers like Nizami Ganjavi, Mahsati Ganjavi, Uzeyir Hajibayli, Shota Rustaveli, Alexander Pushkin and many others.

The scope of the library's activities is constantly expanding. In 2005, on the basis of legal copies received from publishing houses and printing companies, the library published the yearbook "Books of Azerbaijan" for 1990, 1991, 2000, and 2001.

Over the past years, the National Library has signed a memorandum on bilateral mutual cooperation with about 80 libraries.

In 2021, the Culture Ministry and Mirza Fatali Akhundov Library launched a joint campaign, "Let's go to Garabagh with a book", to restore libraries in the Garabagh region.

A large number of books were donated to the Garabagh Book Fund by a number of international organizations working in the field of culture, Turkic-speaking countries, famous foreign and local authors, publishers, and print houses.
14 April 2025 10:23 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

At a conference dedicated to Heydar Aliyev and Sovereign Azerbaijan, held in Khankendi, Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev announced that Garabakh University is set to expand significantly, with ten faculties planned for future development, Azernews reports.

The event was part of a broader series of initiatives linked to President Ilham Aliyevs decree declaring 2025 as the "Year of Constitution and Sovereignty" in Azerbaijan.

Minister Amrullayev revealed that by 2030, two specialized faculties will be established beyond the Khankendi campus: the Faculty of Music will be located in Shusha, and the Faculty of Agriculture will be based in Khojaly.

In his speech, the minister expressed particular gratitude to the universitys students, emphasizing their vital role in the institutions growth:

The essence of Garabagh University lies in its students. They play a major role in the universitys development. Their determination and achievements are driving the university forward, and they deserve our heartfelt thanks, said Amrullayev.

The remarks highlight a strong commitment to both educational decentralization and the empowerment of youth as key pillars in the reconstruction and future of the Karabakh region.
14 April 2025 10:26 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), on April 14, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, progress and achievements in Azerbaijan under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership were highlighted, particularly regarding efforts to improve labor conditions, employment opportunities, and the social welfare of the population.

President Ilham Aliyev recalled the complete destruction of infrastructure during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. He emphasized that, alongside reconstruction in the liberated areas, providing employment for returning residents is a top priority. The President underscored the importance of cooperation with the ILO in addressing this challenge.

Houngbo expressed his gratitude for the meeting and noted the successful implementation of two decent work programs between Azerbaijan and the ILO. He stated that the draft "Decent Work Country Program for 2025-2029" is in progress.

Gilbert Houngbo touched upon the importance of studying Azerbaijan's DOST concept model and emphasized the importance of sharing experience regarding reforms implemented in the social sphere.

He noted that effective discussions on just transition were held as part of COP29 and specifically highlighted the establishment of the Regional Working Group for Europe and Central Asia as a key outcome.

Gilbert Houngbo affirmed the ILO's commitment to supporting Azerbaijan's development priorities in the social sphere.
14 April 2025 12:03 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

In the aftermath of deadly mine explosions in Azerbaijans Agdam and Jabrayil regions on April 67, Azerbaijani diaspora organizations across Europe have launched protests condemning Armenias continued mine terrorism, Azernews reports, citing the State Committee for Work with Diaspora.

The diaspora activists sent formal protest letters to major international organizations, including the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European Union External Action Service (EEAS), the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and prominent NGOs such as the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), Amnesty International (Germany), and Human Rights Watch (European Representative). Leading media outletssuch as BBC, Deutsche Welle, France 24, Al Jazeera English, and The Guardianalso received the letters.

In their appeals, the Azerbaijani communities expressed deep concern over the ongoing threat posed by mines in Azerbaijans liberated territories. The letters stressed that Armenias refusal to hand over complete minefield maps continues to put innocent lives at risk. The protestors condemned the international silence and urged global institutions to address the humanitarian crisis stemming from Armenias actions.

Since the end of the Second Garabagh War in November 2020, 393 Azerbaijanis have been killed or injured due to mine explosions. Diaspora representatives highlighted this figure to underline the urgent need for accountability and international legal action.

The protests were actively supported by numerous diaspora organizations including the Prague Azerbaijani Culture House, Hungarian Azerbaijan House, Azerbaijani Society in Barcelona, Bremen Azerbaijani Culture House, European Azerbaijan Center, and others. These groups collectively urged the international community not to ignore Armenia's military provocations and to take concrete steps toward ensuring peace and security in the region.
14 April 2025 14:55 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

An educational seminar focused on the fight against corruption and the protection of human rights in law enforcement was held at the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the professionalism, legal knowledge, and practical skills of internal affairs personnel, the event brought together leadership from district and city police departments. The seminar was jointly conducted by a subject lecturer and a representative of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The session, titled Fighting against corruption. Protection of human rights in police activities, requirements of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and international normative legal acts in this area, featured Muqalib Mahmudov, Head of the Legal Education Sector of the Ombudsmans Office.

Mahmudov presented a comprehensive overview of the states initiatives in promoting and safeguarding human rights, with emphasis on the reforms under the National Action Program on Increasing the Efficiency of the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms and the National Action Plan for Strengthening the Fight against Corruption (20222026). He also outlined the Ombudsman Offices contributions in this area.

The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage in dialogue and seek clarification on key topics of interest.
14 April 2025 14:29 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Mircea Abrudea, the Acting Chairman of the Senate of Romania, who is currently on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Victory Park in Baku on April 14, Azernews reports.

A guard of honor was organized in honor of the distinguished guest.

During his visit, Abrudea laid a wreath at the Victory Monument to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the Patriotic War.

He was then given detailed information about Victory Park, which was established to honor the heroism of the Azerbaijani people and the historic victory they achieved. The park also serves to commemorate the martyrs and preserve their bright memory for future generations.
14 April 2025 15:42 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

A high-level delegation from the Republic of Turkiye's Kayseri province is currently visiting Azerbaijan. The delegation includes city officials, mayors, rectors of higher education institutions, leaders of political parties Kayseri branches, and members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly elected from Kayseri, Azernews reports.

The delegation has visited Khankendi, Garabagh University, and the town of Khojaly as part of their official program.

The guests were welcomed by representatives of the Presidential Special Envoys Office based in Khankendi.

During their visit, the delegation observed ongoing reconstruction efforts in the city, beginning with a tour of Victory Square. They then proceeded to Garabagh University, where they held a meeting with students.

Later, the delegation traveled to Khojaly District to get acquainted with the construction and restoration work being carried out in the area.

It is worth noting that a sister city agreement has been signed between Shusha, Azerbaijans cultural capital, and Kayseri, one of Turkiyes most historic cities.
14 April 2025 17:07 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Between April 7 and 13, a total of 12 anti-tank mines, 86 anti-personnel mines, and 224 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) were discovered and neutralized in Azerbaijans liberated territories.

According to Azernews, the figures were released in the weekly report by the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), which oversees humanitarian demining operations across the previously occupied regions.

The report states that 1,245.5 hectares of land were cleared of mines and explosive remnants during the specified period, marking continued progress in efforts to make the region safe for resettlement and development.

Following the Garabagh conflict, large areas of Azerbaijani territory were left heavily contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), posing a significant threat to civilians and hindering reconstruction efforts. The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) was tasked with leading humanitarian demining operations across the liberated regions, including Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Kalbajar. Supported by international partners, ANAMAs work is critical for enabling the safe return of displaced populations and rebuilding infrastructure. Despite ongoing progress, the presence of hidden explosives continues to claim lives and delay development, making mine clearance a national priority for post-conflict recovery and regional reintegration.
14 April 2025 16:55 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Reports circulated by Armenia alleging that Azerbaijani forces shelled a cultural center in the direction of the Khanazakh settlement are completely false and aimed at spreading disinformation, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijans Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry firmly rejected the claims, stating that no shots were fired by Azerbaijani units in the reported area.

We once again emphasize that the Azerbaijani Army does not target civilians or civilian infrastructure, the statement said.

Military officials stressed that the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan respond only to provocations from Armenian units that fire upon Azerbaijani positions.

The opposing side is deliberately disseminating misinformation to mislead the international community and cover up its own provocationsparticularly the repeated shelling of our positions from various directions in recent days, the Ministry noted.
14 April 2025 17:25 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Political consultations have been held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Lithuania, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It was noted that the political consultations were led by Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev from the Azerbaijani side and Deputy Foreign Minister Julius Pranevicius from the Lithuanian side.

The statement also mentioned that Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Lithuanias Deputy Foreign Minister Julius Pranevicius. During the meeting, bilateral and multilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania, as well as regional and international issues, were discussed.

The sides noted the great potential for cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy security, and humanitarian affairs. The importance of the political consultation mechanism in discussing issues arising from this potential was emphasized. The significance of strengthening cooperation within multilateral platforms was also underlined.

Bayramov provided detailed information about the current situation and realities in the region during the post-conflict period, efforts to combat landmine threats, and the progress of the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Challenges hindering the advancement of peace and normalization were highlighted, including the ongoing territorial claims against Azerbaijan in Armenia's constitution and legal acts, Armenias rapid militarization, and the continued existence of the OSCE Minsk Group and related structures from the former conflict.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.
15 April 2025 00:18 (UTC+04:00)

The open court hearing in the criminal case involving citizens of the Republic of Armenia  including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others  continued on April 14. They are accused of committing numerous crimes against peace and humanity, including war crimes, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power resulting from Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports that the session took place at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev and with the participation of Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge: Gunel Samedova). Each defendant was provided with an interpreter and defense attorneys.

The accused, their lawyers, some of the victims, their legal representatives, and state prosecutors were present at the hearing.

During the trial, Vusal Aliyev, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, presented documents collected during the preliminary investigation concerning Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani territories. These included inspection reports of crime scenes, photographic evidence, witness testimonies, and expert opinions about ethnic Armenian individuals interrogated as suspects in the 1990s.

It was emphasized that on September 19, 1988, the Soviet Prosecutors Office launched a criminal case based on the Azerbaijani Criminal Code regarding crimes committed by Armenians in Khojaly, Shusha, and Khankendi, and assigned the investigation to a special Soviet team.

According to testimony from Artur Abramyan, several Armenian leaders  including Arkadi Manucharyan, Zori Balayan, Henrik Poghosyan, and others  led rallies in Karabakh. Murad Petrosyan and Serzh Sargsyan were involved in arming illegal Armenian militias.

Financial support for these groups came from Yerevan, coordinated by Vazgen Manukyan (Deputy Chairman of the Armenian Supreme Council), with funds being distributed by Robert Kocharyan in Azerbaijani territories. Murad Petrosyan reportedly ordered the destruction of a bridge over the Khalfali River on the Shusha-Khankendi road.

Samvel Babayan, former "Defense Minister" and "Security Council Secretary" of the former regime in the occupied territories, confirmed during his interrogation in 19901991 that Samvel Bagmanyan, under the command of Murad Petrosyan, was responsible for bombing a civilian bus on the Yevlakh-Lachin road in April 1991.

Another witness, Yuriy Jahangiryan, stated that Robert Kocharyan, who worked as a party organizer at the Karabakh Silk Plant, actively spread ethnic hatred against Azerbaijanis through the nationalist group "Krunk."

The trial then proceeded with state prosecutors questioning the defendants.

Arkadi Ghukasyan requested additional time to respond to questions, which was granted by the presiding judge.

Arayik Harutyunyan, when questioned, acknowledged the involvement of figures such as Kocharyan, Petrosyan, and Manucharyan in organizing demonstrations and movements during the occupation. He recalled Azerbaijanis leaving their homes in Khankendi and remembered the bridge bombing. While he had heard of killings, arson, and looting, he claimed to be unaware of the scale of violence.

Harutyunyan admitted to killings, stating: Yes, there were many murders, even among Armenians. The violence wasn't only directed at Azerbaijanis  internal conflicts among Armenians also led to killings, including high-ranking officials. He named Valeri Grigoryan, who was allegedly killed after visiting Baku, possibly due to political rivalry.

He also discussed the 2000 assassination attempt by Samvel Babayan against Arkadi Ghukasyan and explained that he had no close ties with Murad Petrosyan, despite previously offering condolences upon Petrosyans death.

Levon Mnatsakanyan also confirmed hearing about the bridge explosion but denied knowing or associating with Murad Petrosyan, noting Petrosyan supported protesters in 2020 in Khankendi.

Further questions were directed by Prosecutor Terana Mammadova to Bako Sahakyan and David Ishkhanyan. Sahakyan condemned the bridge bombing, while Ishkhanyan claimed he was unaware of the event until the court proceedings.

The court reviewed documentation and testimonies related to the Baghanis-Ayrim incident and announced the next hearing for April 17.

It is worth noting that 15 Armenian-origin individuals are being prosecuted for crimes such as planning and conducting an aggressive war, genocide, mass killings, slavery, forced displacement, persecution, unlawful imprisonment, torture, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the illegal formation of armed groups. Among those charged are Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Vazgen Manukyan, and other high-profile Armenian figures and military commanders.
14 April 2025 11:45 (UTC+04:00)

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14 April 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Global efforts to fight severe malnutrition are in jeopardy as critical fundingespecially from the United Statesrapidly declines, international aid groups warn.

This financial crisis threatens the lives of millions of children, potentially leading to a surge in child mortality if emergency support isnt secured.

Adeline Lescanne, head of the French company Nutriset, which produces Plumpy'Nuta vital peanut-based therapeutic foodrevealed that thousands of orders have been canceled after a steep funding cut from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Plumpy'Nut has been a key treatment for acute malnutrition since 1999, and Nutriset supplies around half of the global demand.

UNICEF warns that without swift action, more than 2.4 million children may lose access to this crucial nutritional aid by the end of 2025. Current stockpiles are dwindling, and over 2,300 clinics and 28,000 mobile units may shut down or drastically reduce services.

The U.S. plays a pivotal role in global aid. In 2024 alone, it contributed 33% of the World Food Programmes budget, 16% of UNICEFs, and 14% of the World Health Organizations, making it the largest single donor.

Action Against Hungers spokesperson Lea Follet said the group has been forced to suspend treatment for malnourished children due to the funding gap, despite aiding over 229,000 children under five just last year.

Other NGOs like Solidarites International have also been forced to halt programs in countries such as Mozambique and Yemen, with many more preparing for reductions as funding dries up.

While the World Bank has said $13 billion annually is needed for a decade to truly tackle malnutrition, a recent summit in Paris only garnered $27.55 billion in pledges over four yearsfalling far short of whats needed.

Photo credit: UNICEF
14 April 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Irans foreign ministry confirmed Sunday that its upcoming discussions with the United States, scheduled for next weekend, will remain indirect and mediated by Oman, focusing exclusively on nuclear issues and sanctions relief.

The announcement follows a first round of high-level indirect talks held Saturday in Muscat between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff  the most significant IranU.S. nuclear contact since the 2015 deal unraveled.

Both sides agreed to reconvene in a week.

"Talks will continue to be indirect, and Oman will remain the mediator," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on state television. He emphasized that the agenda is limited to nuclear matters and sanctions, stressing that Iran will not engage on any other topics with the U.S.

While analysts had predicted Washington might push to include Irans ballistic missile program and support for regional armed groups in the talks, Tehran firmly rejected any expansion of the scope.

The previous nuclear agreement, signed in 2015 between Iran and major world powers, collapsed after former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions. Iran initially stayed in compliance but began reducing its commitments a year later.

Iran maintains that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

Saturdays talks came after Trump reportedly sent a letter to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing a desire for negotiations but also warning of possible military action if Tehran refused.

Both Washington and Tehran described Saturday's talks as constructive. While most of the dialogue was mediated, Araghchi and Witkoff reportedly spoke directly for a few minutes.

The next round of talks is expected to take place on Saturday, April 19, potentially in Europe, according to Irans IRNA news agency.
14 April 2025 21:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The European Union (EU) has expressed its intention to expand multilateral cooperation with the island nation of Mauritius, located in East Africa, Azernews reports.

This announcement was made by the EU Ambassador to Mauritius, Oskar Benedikt, during the first-ever EUMauritius Partnership Dialogue.

We are committed to strengthening our cooperation, particularly in key areas such as democracy, finance, climate change, the preservation of Mauritius natural resources, as well as the development of the blue and circular economy, trade, and investment. Additionally, we are ready to work together in the fields of innovation, education, and academic exchange  including through university partnerships  to help integrate Mauritius into international research and innovation networks, the European diplomat emphasized.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to intensify efforts to conclude negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (DCEPA) by 2025.

"Mauritius acknowledged the progress made and called for greater flexibility in the path toward signing what could become the EUs first modern and comprehensive free trade agreement with sub-Saharan Africa," the EU stated in its official summary of the dialogue.

In addition, Mauritius reaffirmed its support for granting the African Union permanent membership in the G20, and emphasized the need for a more active dialogue with the EU on global financial governance and the long-discussed reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Mauritius, despite its small size, has become a key player in African diplomacy thanks to its political stability, vibrant financial sector, and strategic position in the Indian Ocean. It ranks among the highest in Africa for governance and ease of doing business  making it a valuable partner for the EU in promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development.
14 April 2025 23:25 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye on Tuesday and Wednesday will host a meeting to discuss the issue of Black Sea security after a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, the Defense Ministry said, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.

The meeting at Naval Forces Headquarters in the capital Ankara, attended by foreign countries military representatives, will discuss naval military planning to maintain a peaceful environment in the Black Sea, the ministry said in a Sunday statement.

Without specifying which countries would attend, the ministry said there will be no Russian officials among foreign military representatives.

Turkiye is continuing its efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022.

Ankara has urged Kyiv and Moscow to end the fighting through negotiations, with Turkiye ready for any initiative, including mediation, to lay the groundwork for peace.

Turkiye first hosted a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers in the Mediterranean city of Antalya in March 2022.

Those efforts led to the landmark Black Sea grain deal in 2022, but Moscow did not extend the agreement after July 2023, citing restrictions on Russian grain exports.
China pavilion opens at Osaka Expo

Xinhua) 08:30, April 14, 2025

A visitor tours the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

OSAKA, Japan, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll.

Around 300 guests attended the opening event.

In his speech, Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, emphasized China's strong support for Japan in hosting the Expo.

He expressed the hope that the pavilion's exhibitions would present an image of a confident and open China, leaving a memorable mark on the Expo and contributing to a more equal and inclusive global future.

Bureau International des Expositions Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes spoke highly of China's participation in world expos, noting that visitors to the China pavilion will be able to experience the country's cultural heritage, ancient wisdom, and modern innovations.

Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo Chairperson Masakazu Tokura stressed the importance of Japan-China relations, hoping that Expo 2025 would serve as a launchpad for future-oriented international cooperation.

The opening ceremony also featured a traditional lion dance and a performance of the dance drama "The Crested Ibis," both warmly received by the audience.

Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters.

Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development."

The pavilion features three sections to showcase China's traditional ecological wisdom, modern green development initiatives, and its vision of global cooperation in fostering a sustainable future.

Highlights include side-by-side displays of lunar soil samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions, the "Jiaolong" deep-sea submersible experience capsule and next-generation humanoid robots.

A robot greets guests outside the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

A visitor tours the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

People visit the "Jiaolong" deep-sea submersible experience capsule in the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

A visitor tours the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

A visitor tours the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

People visit a souvenir shop of the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

A visitors looks at lunar soil samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions in the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

A visitor tours the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

A visitor tours the China Pavilion using a mixed reality (MR) device at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

This photo taken on April 13, 2025 shows the lunar soil sample collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission displayed in the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

People visit the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, addresses the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao addresses the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Visitors line up to enter the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025. The China Pavilion officially opened on Sunday at the Osaka Expo, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, which is designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy scrolls, the pavilion's architectural design embodies the theme of "Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature -- Future Society of Green Development." Osaka Expo 2025 will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, covers approximately 3,500 square meters. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A popular Londonderry restaurant has announced its closure after just one year of trading, citing rising costs.

Social Studio, located on Bishop Street, took to social media to confirm it had ceased operations and urged the community to support local businesses. They also said the decision to close their doors was not easy.

The restaurant was owned by Lauren McDonagh, a former Miss Ireland.

"This isn't one of our usual posts but one that we unfortunately need to make, the restaurant, which combined fine dining with staple dishes, said on social media.

Due to the rising costs of goods, electric, wages etc, Social Studio will unfortunately be closing. This is not a decision that was made lightly, in fact quite the opposite. We have put our hearts and souls into Social Studio for the past year and l've crossed paths with many wonderful people.

According to its posts, the eatery opened its doors last year but explained that the timing wasnt right.

Social Studio Restaurant in Derry.

News Catch Up - Monday 14th April

I want to thank everyone that came to visit and our wonderful staff but for me right now, it just wasn't the right timing unfortunately. I've had to put things into perspective and this resulted in coming to the conclusion of closing Social Studio, they added.

Hospitality is a tough industry, one that I can say l've tried, but now that this book is closed, I want to urge anyone to support local and small businesses where and when possible. It might not be a big deal to you but it's a game changer for them.

Social Studio has asked those with vouchers for their restaurant to please email info@socialstudiorestaurant.com so the team can inform customers further.

The restaurant's closure comes months after another Derry hotspot closed its doors.

Molly Malone's Restaurant took to social media in January to share that it was its final food service as it has become "unsustainable" to continue running the restaurant.
PRM say over 40 new jobs will be created

PRM are building a 15m new facility at their Lisburn Headquarters.

A Northern Ireland sales and distribution company has announced a 15m investment and expansion that will see more than 40 new jobs created.

PRM Group, which transports chilled and frozen foods, has announced plans to build a new facility at its Lisburn headquarters, for which it has received planning permission.

The firm, which has been in business since 1988, delivers over 300,000 cases of food every week and has locations in Lisburn, Dublin, Derry and Dromore, Co Down.

It delivers brands including Miller, Ferrero, Clandeboye Estate Yogurt and Cookstown to retailers such as Tesco, Dunnes and Marks & Spencer.

PRM say over 40 new jobs will be created

The new facility at its Lisburn base will add 40 new roles to the 250 people already on the firms payroll, and the company says there will be additional roles to follow once the site becomes fully operational.

The company says that opportunities for its business have grown since Brexit and the Windsor Framework came into effect.

PRM Founders Philip Morrow (CEO) and Lynne Morrow (Company Director)

Philip Morrow, CEO and founder of PRM, said: "Our expansion is proof of the hard work and dedication of our team and the strong relationships we have built as a trusted partner with our suppliers and customers over our three and a half decades in business.

We are not just a distribution company, we offer a complete suite of services under one roof, making it easier for brands to access the all-Ireland market.

This type of holistic service has become highly sought after in the post-Brexit and Windsor Framework environment, and our strategic location enables us to support our partners perfectly.

These new and significant investment plans reflect not only the demand in what we offer but demonstrate our confidence in the future and our commitment to providing clarity and confidence in the complex, fast-moving world of food retail."

PRM are building a 15m new facility at their Lisburn Headquarters.

News Catch Up - Monday 14th April

Company director Lynne Morrow added: "For over 35 years PRM Group has quietly built a strong client base, representing some of the biggest brands in the chilled and frozen foods market.

Last year alone, we delivered 16 million cases of products across the island of Ireland and made 25,000 customer deliveries.

With significant investments in technology, vehicles and our people, I believe it's time to highlight who we are and what we do.

More importantly, we want to showcase the exciting career opportunities we offer in the thriving world of the FMCG industry. We have an exciting future ahead of us.
Kate Kerrigan is a New York Times best-selling author whos currently touring the UK and Ireland with her one-woman show Am I Irish Yet?, which explores her identity as a second-generation Irishwoman who grew up in Thatchers Britain and moved to small-town Ireland.

Kerrigan is the nom de plume of Morag Prunty, who left school at 15, trained as a hairdresser, and broke into magazine journalism when she was still a teenager. She went on to become editor of magazines such as Just Seventeen, More!, and Irish Tatler. The writer lives in Killala, Co Mayo, with her artist husband Niall Kerrigan. For tickets to Kerrigans show, go to katekerrigan.ie.
Northern Ireland

Heroic NI firefighter who pulled driver from burning car seconds before it exploded to receive one of UK's highest bravery honours
A dog that has been housed in kennels for months after he was deemed a dangerous breed last Christmas is expected to have his case heard next month.

Max the stray has been on death row at kennels, due to the relatively new Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).

Under the UK law, a Pit Bull is a banned dog, which could result in the animal being put down.

Two Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) wardens and an expert assessor from Merseyside Met Police previously identified him as a Pit Bull type breed.

However, a fourth assessor, whose appointment was agreed between the local authority and the USPCA, concluded overall that Max is not a Pit Bull Terrier Type.

An activism group that has been campaigning for Max to be saved from being put down, revealed that the court case is now scheduled for May, but a date still needs to be confirmed.

The case is understood to be handled in two parts, which include campaigners application to challenge the councils determination of Maxs breed type.

The council currently claim Max is a Pit Bull Type dog, a social media page for the Mercy for Max group stated.

"However, Maxs prospective owner is challenging this outcome. We understand the council will contest our standing, maintaining that Maxs owner does not have the right to challenge their determination.

The second part of the court case will relate to the councils application, which is seeking the courts acceptance that Max is a Pit Bull Type dog, and  based on their own conclusion that he presents no risk to public safety  they are asking for him to be allowed to live under the Exemption Scheme.

A Mercy for Max spokesperson added: While exemption is, on the surface, a positive step, weve always said this should be our last resort. It should only be considered after a full and transparent examination of all the evidence, carried out properly through the courts.

In both scenarios, Maxs new owner will play a central role  whether Max is ultimately classified as a Non-Type dog or a dog of Pit Bull Type.

Ultimately, the preliminary hearing on Maxs breed type will shape our next steps.

Over 13,600 people have now signed an online petition Mercy for Max to save the dog with almost 300 people turning out in a public protest at the council HQ at Lagan Valley Island in January.

More than 10,500 has also been raised on a GoFundMe page Save Max from Euthanasia, as campaigners began to raise money for any legal costs in the fight to save Max.

The council has said that because Max has been assessed as a Pit Bull Terrier Type, it would be illegal for the Council to place him in a foster home.

Due to public interest, LCCC has a website page dedicated to Maxs case.

On the page, the council states: The Council is actively pursuing a resolution through the courts, aiming to secure a positive outcome for Max while complying with legal requirements.

As with any legal process, it is difficult to determine a definitive timeline. The timeframe is dependent on court proceedings, which are beyond the Councils control. A recent adjournment of the case was made by the court and was not due to any action or request from the Council.

All parties are committed to ensuring that the court process is followed appropriately, with the aim of securing a resolution that prioritises Maxs welfare.
Land on a popular Co Fermanagh island has gone on the market for over 300,000.

Devenish Island, located around a couple of miles north of Enniskillens town centre, now has 107 acres of land up for sale for starting offers of 325,000.

Its being marketed via estate agents Osborne King, part of the Savills Group.

The sale listing also includes substantial shore land acreage at the nearby Dead Mans Lane.

The isolated Devenish Island hosts an early Christian monastery and round tower and is recognised as one of Northern Irelands primary monastic sites, with historical structures dating back to the sixth century.

However, the monastic site covering 13.8 acres is not for sale and will remain under the lease of the Department for Communities (DfC) for the next decade at least, at an annual rent of 2,700 per annum exclusive.

Devenish Island (Image: Osbourne King)

A description by Osborne King states that this is a unique opportunity to acquire lands at Devenish Island, situated on Lower Lough Erne, and approximately 53 acres of agricultural lands at Dead Mans Lane, off Irvinestown Road, Trory, Enniskillen.

The proposed lands are currently all primarily used for agricultural purposes and grazing.

For the area spanning approximately 53 acres at Dead Mans Lane, selling agents will accept offers in excess of 525,000.

Those seeking the two lots can purchase them together for 850,000 or more.

Devenish Island (Image: Osbourne King)

As the most popular attraction on Lough Erne, Devenish Island draws visitors from far and wide.

Last summer, then Infrastructure Minister John ODowd opened a new 300,000 jetty on Devenish Island so that Waterways Ireland could extend the islands east jetty by 60 metres, doubling mooring capacity at the heritage site from six to 12 vessels.

Devenish Island can be accessed via the public jetties controlled by Waterways Ireland.

Throughout the summer, visitors to Devenish Island can also be met by members of The Devenish Island Ambassador programme.

The initiative offers free guided tours by local ambassadors for people arriving on the Co Fermanagh island between 11am and 6pm.

Overseen by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and supported by DfCs Historic Environment Division, the programme is designed to improve visitor experience and provide a deeper, more meaningful connection to the island.
Thieving care worker who falsified job reference is barred from the profession

Multiple acts of dishonesty result in serial shoplifter from Co Antrim being struck off register

Brendan Dickey has been issued with a removal order by a NI Social Care Council

Stephen Gordon Mon 14 Apr 2025 at 07:00

A Co Antrim care worker exposed as a serial shoplifter and motoring offender has been barred from the profession.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he hopes the pharma and semiconductors manufacturing sectors will form part of the negotiations between the European Union and the US (Niall Carson/PA)

Irish premier Micheal Martin said he hopes the pharmaceutical and semiconductors manufacturing sectors will form part of negotiations between the European Union and the US.

Almost a week after US President Donald Trump announced he would be pausing his tariffs for 90 days, the EU is hoping to negotiate a trade deal with Washington before the deadline runs out.

Mr Trump said he was suspending the so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, however his 10% rate is still in effect across the globe.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that the trading relationship between the EU and the US is the largest in the world (Niall Carson/PA)

Speaking in Cork on Monday, Mr Martin said the tariffs have brought a lot of uncertainty.

The US has yet to announce plans to slap tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector, which is a particular concern for the Irish economy as it accounts for a significant amount of exports to the US.

Pharmaceuticals are currently exempt from the 20% tariffs but the US administration has previously said it would consider taxing such imports.

There is an opportunity now for negotiation and I would hope, in that opportunity, that the sectoral issues in pharma and also in semiconductors would form part of that, the Fianna Fail leader added.

In other words, that it would form part of the wider negotiation and the European Commission is also of that mindset, so that they would have a comprehensive settlement between the European Union and the United States.

It is the largest trading relationship in the world, hugely impactful and it is important that we dont end up in a situation where undue harm would be caused to people or indeed to the world economy or those specifics sectors.

Medicine is key to life and tariffs will increase the costs and thats the key point, both in America and around the world.

There are issues that the US has legitimately raised. Its our view in Ireland that the European Commission is willing to engage in discussions and negotiation with the US to get a reasonable settlement that is sustainable for our respective economies and the people that we represent.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she raised the tariffs issue during their meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday in Belfast.

She called on the Labour MP to lessen the administrative burden on businesses.

Ms McDonald said: We also, of course, discuss the ongoing issues around tariffs and the uncertain trading dynamic across the world, but as it applies to the island of Ireland.

We are very keen to protect the Ireland economy, to protect jobs and livelihoods, to protect the prospect of further investment across the island of Ireland, north and south.

We have, of course, raised with the Secretary of State, in particular, the need to lessen the administrative burden and red tape when it comes to the reimbursement schemes that are provided for.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said it was his impression that the US was now interested in negotiating but warned that it would be foolish not to prepare for an environment in which tariffs persist.

Mr Harris, who was in Luxembourg for a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers, said it was now time to get down to business.

Asked whether he believed the US would do a deal to the benefit of EU exporters or if Irish businesses should prepare for 10% tariffs beyond the 90-day pause, he told reporters: Well wed be foolish not to prepare for an environment in which tariffs persist.

And certainly the Irish Government is, of course, preparing for that and all of the various eventualities and outcomes.

But whilst preparing for the worst, we need to continue to try and help to bring about the best, and thats why I very much welcome that Commissioner Sefcovic is in Washington today and is engaging with his counterparts and interlocutors there.

He added: Its now time to get serious. Its time to get down to business.

The European Union and Ireland has approached this period in a calm way, in a measured way. We want to do business. We want to buy more things from the United States. We want them to buy more things from us.

Were open for business. We want to protect and enhance the relationship, but we also stand ready to act if our economy and our jobs and our investment are threatened too  I certainly hope thats not what it comes to.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said no one wins in a trade war as he kicked off a diplomatic tour of south-east Asia, presenting China as a force for stability in contrast with Donald Trumps latest moves on tariffs,

Although the US president has paused some tariffs, he has kept 145% duties on China, the worlds second-largest economy.

There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war, Mr Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media.

President Donald Trump speaks at a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House (Pool via AP)

Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and co-operative international environment.

Mr Xis visit lets China show south-east Asia it is a responsible superpower, in contrast with the US under Mr Trump, said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.

While Mr Trump has said he respects Mr Xi, he interpreted the meeting between the two Asian leaders as a sign they were attempting to put the US at a disadvantage on trade.

Talking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said China and Vietnam were trying to figure out how do we screw the United States of America.

Mr Xi was greeted on the tarmac in Hanoi by Vietnams President Luong Cuong at the start of his two-day visit, a mark of honour not often given to visitors, said Nguyen Thanh Trung, a professor of Vietnamese studies at Fulbright University Vietnam.

The Chinese leader is undertaking a number of engagements in Vietnam (Pool via AP)

Students of a drum art group performed as women waved the red and yellow Chinese and Communist Party flags.

The trip has become significant because of the tariff fight between China and the US, and offers a path for Beijing to shore up its alliances and find solutions for the high trade barrier the US has imposed.

Mr Xi met Vietnams Communist Party general secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two sides signed a series of memorandums in areas including strengthening co-operation in supply chains, railway development and environmental protection, according to Associated Press footage of the signed documents.

Mr Xi met Vietnams Communist Party General Secretary To Lam (Pool Photo via AP)

Nhan Dan, the official mouthpiece of Vietnams Communist Party, said China and Vietnam will speed up an 8 billion dollar (6 billion) railway project connecting the two countries in a deal that was approved in February.

The timing of the visit sends a strong political message that south-east Asia is important to China, said Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank.

She said that given the severity of Mr Trumps tariffs and despite the 90-day pause, south-east Asian nations were anxious that the tariffs could complicate their development.

Vietnam is experienced at balancing its relations with Washington and Beijing. It is run under a communist, one-party system like China but has had a strong relationship with the US.

In 2023, it was the only country that received then US president Joe Biden and Mr Xi. That year it also upgraded the US to its highest diplomatic level, the same as China and Russia.

After Vietnam, Mr Xi is expected to go to Malaysia and Cambodia.
Donald Trumps top advisers and the president of El Salvador have said they have no basis for the Central American nation to return a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there last month.

Trump administration officials emphasised that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a notorious gang prison in El Salvador, was a citizen of that country and that the US has no say in his future.

President Nayib Bukele, who has been a vital partner for the Trump administration in its deportation efforts, said of course Im not going to release Mr Abrego Garcia back to US soil.

The question is preposterous, Mr Bukele said. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I dont have the power to return him to the United States.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia (CASA/AP)

Should El Salvador want to return Mr Abrego Garcia, the US would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane, US attorney general Pam Bondi said.

But first and foremost, he was illegally in our country, and he had been illegally in our country, she said. Thats up to El Salvador if they want to return him. Thats not up to us.

The refusal of both countries to allow the return of Mr Abrego Garcia, who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation over fears of gang persecution, is intensifying the battle over his future.

It has also played out in contentious court filings, with repeated refusals from the government to tell a judge what it plans to do, if anything, to repatriate him.

The judge handling the case, Paula Xinis, is considering whether to grant a request from the mans legal team to compel the government to explain why it should not be held in contempt.

El Salvador has been a critical part of the US administrations mass deportation operation.

Since March, El Salvador has accepted from the US more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants  whom Trump administration officials have accused of gang activity and violent crimes  and placed them in the countrys notorious maximum-security gang prison just outside the capital, San Salvador.

It is also holding Mr Abrego Garcia, who has not been returned to the US despite court orders to do so.

That has made Mr Bukele, who remains extremely popular in El Salvador due in part to the crackdown on the countrys powerful street gangs, a vital ally for the Trump administration, which has offered little evidence for its claims that the Venezuelan immigrants were gang members.

Asked whether he had any concerns about the prison where deportees are being held, Mr Trump told reporters early on Sunday that Mr Bukele was doing a fantastic job.

Donald Trump with Nayib Bukele (Alex Brandon/AP)

I want to just say hello to the people of El Salvador and say they have one hell of a president, Mr Trump said as he greeted Mr Bukele

Hes taking care of a lot of problems that we have that we really wouldnt be able to take care of from cost standpoint, the US president added.

Hes been amazing. We have some very bad people in that prison. People that should have never been allowed into our country.

Since US secretary of state Marco Rubios visit in February, Mr Bukele  whose government has arrested more than 84,000 people as part of his three-year crackdown on gangs  has made it clear he is ready to help the Trump administration with its deportation ambitions.

He struck a deal under which the US will pay about 6 million dollars (4.5 million) for El Salvador to imprison the Venezuelan immigrants for a year. When a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to turn around a flight carrying the immigrants already en route to El Salvador, Mr Bukele wrote on social media: Oopsie  too late.

Though other judges had ruled against the Trump administration, this month the Supreme Court cleared the way for the president to use the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th century wartime law, to deport the immigrants.

The justices did insist that the immigrants get a court hearing before being removed from the US. Over the weekend, 10 more people who the administration claims are members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs arrived in El Salvador, Mr Rubio said.

Weve also found co-operation in other countries that are willing to take some of these people, some very dangerous criminals, he said during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Marco Rubio (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

He added that Mr Bukele has really been a good friend to the United States in that regard. These are some of the worst people youll ever encounter.

Democrats have raised alarm about the treatment of Mr Abrego Garcia and other migrants who may be wrongfully detained in El Salvador.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland is pushing for a meeting with Mr Bukele while he is in Washington to discuss Mr Abrego Garcias potential return, and Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the administration to release Mr Abrego Garcia and others with no credible criminal record who were deported to the maximum-security prison.

Disregarding the rule of law, ignoring unanimous rulings by the Supreme Court and subjecting individuals to detention and deportation without due process makes us less safe as a country, Ms Shaheen said.

Mr Trump has said he would also favour El Salvador taking US citizens who have committed violent crimes, although he added: Id only do according to the law.

It is unclear how lawful US citizens could be deported elsewhere. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said such citizens would be heinous, violent criminals who have broken our nations laws repeatedly.

The Supreme Court has called for the administration to facilitate the return of Mr Abrego Garcia, who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation to his native country over fears of gang persecution.

Ms Leavitt said the administrations job is to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, but Mr Trump indicated later on Friday that he would return Mr Abrego Garcia to the US if the high courts justices said to bring him back.

I have great respect for the Supreme Court, he told reporters. Government lawyers indicated in a legal filing on Saturday that Mr Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador but did not detail what, if any, steps the administration is taking to return him to the US.
Members of a Palestinian charity organisation linked to Hamas were killed in an Israeli army strike on the car they were travelling in, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Sunday (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A wave of Israeli strikes across Gaza on Sunday hit a hospital and other sites, killing at least 21 people, including children, as Israel vowed to expand its security presence in the small coastal strip.

The pre-dawn strike on Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was the latest of several attacks on northern Gazas last major hospital providing critical health care.

Hospital director Dr Fadel Naim said the emergency room, pharmacy and surrounding buildings were severely damaged, affecting more than 100 patients and dozens of staff.

The outpatient and laboratory wards of the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hospital are seen after being hit by an Israeli army strike late Saturday (AP/Jehad Alshrafi)

One patient, a girl, died during the evacuation following an Israeli warning because staff were unable to provide urgent care, Gazas Health Ministry said. Israel said it struck a Hamas command and control centre at the hospital, without providing evidence. Hamas denied the allegations.

Al-Ahli Hospital is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which condemned the attack, saying in a statement it happened on Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus entry into Jerusalem, and worshippers in Gaza City marked it in a church whose gilded trim and intact walls were a contrast to the widespread debris elsewhere.

Associated Press video showed the hospitals caved-in roof surrounded by rubble. The health ministrys director general, Dr Munir al-Boursh, said patients had been carried outside in beds and slept in the streets.

Nothing was left safe inside the hospital, or all over Gaza, said Mohammad Abu Nasser, an injured man who sat on his bed outdoors and looked at the destruction.

The health ministry said the hospital was temporarily out of service and patients were transferred to other hospitals in Gaza City.

The aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians called it the fifth attack on Al-Ahli since the war began.

Hospitals have special protection under international law.

Palestinians pray over the bodies of Abdullah Habbash, along with the bodies of six brothers from the Abu Mahadi family (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Israel has besieged and raided them, some several times, and struck multiple while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters.

Last month, Israel struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest in southern Gaza, killing two people and causing a large fire, the health ministry said. The facility had been overwhelmed when Israel ended a two-month ceasefire last month with a surprise wave of airstrikes.

Hours later, on Sunday, a strike on a car in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza killed at least seven people, including six brothers, according to staff at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies.

The youngest brother was 10.

Their father, Ibrahim Abu Mahadi, said his sons worked for a charity that distributes food to Palestinians. For what sin were they killed? he said.

An airstrike on Sunday afternoon hit a house in the urban Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing at least seven people including two women, according to the Indonesian hospital.

A pregnant woman was rescued from the rubble. Alaa Manoun later wept after learning her youngest daughter had died, along with her husband and her mother. Two other daughters, ages four and seven, were injured.

We dont know whose body is this and whose body is that, said a neighbour, Abdallah Dardouna.

There is no resistance, there is no Qassam, no Hamas, there is no one here. Its only civilians here.

Another strike in Deir al-Balah hit a municipal building and killed at least three people, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. In Khan Younis, a strike killed at least three people, according to staff at Nasser Hospital.

Israels military said in a statement it had struck over 90 militant targets over the past 48 hours, including command and control centres, tunnels and weapons.

Alaa Manoun, who is seven months pregnant, was rescued from her familys home after it was struck by an Israeli army attack that killed at least seven people (AP/Jehad Alshrafi)

The military also said it had intercepted a projectile fired from Gaza.

The war started when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during an October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel and took 250 people captive.

Many were eventually freed in ceasefire deals.

Israeli authorities have vowed to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, 24 believed to be alive, and accept new ceasefire terms.

It cut off all supplies to Gaza more than a month ago.
Vaisakhi marks the start of the Sikh New Year (AP)

Thousands of Sikhs have arrived in Pakistan to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year.

The event is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India.

This year, Pakistani authorities granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years.

Thousands of Sikhs have arrived in Pakistan for the festival (AP)

Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship.

The main Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak, was born.

Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is located some 46 miles west of Lahore.

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Rinko Kaur travelled from Indias western Gujarat state, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She said she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan.

Ms Kaur said: My family warned me about going  and said I should be with a group to be safe.

But she said the people have been welcoming.

Pilgrims arrived at the shrine of Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib (AP)

I saw people coming out of their houses, waving as a welcome gesture. We feel as if we are celebrities. Ms Kaur plans to visit other Sikh holy sites in Pakistan in the coming days.

Many Sikh holy sites are located in Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into separate nations in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Vaisakhi was a time of great joy for farmers.

The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites communities, Mr Sharif added.
The former mayor of Istanbuls detention sparked a wave of protests (AP)

Judicial officials have rejected an appeal seeking the release of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu from jail pending the outcome of his corruption trial, the countrys state-run news agency reported.

Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and a key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogans more than two-decade rule, was detained on March 19 and formally jailed on corruption charges four days later.

His arrest is widely perceived to be politically motivated, aiming to sideline a major rival ahead of presidential elections, which currently are scheduled for 2028 but could take place earlier.

The mayors arrest and subsequent removal from office has triggered the largest wave of anti-government protests in Turkey in more than a decade.

The government insists that the judiciary operates independently and without political interference.

On Monday, the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance ruled to reject the appeals made by Imamoglus lawyers, deciding that his detention would continue, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Lawyers representing the mayor had argued that the investigation into Imamoglu was allegedly conducted in violation of legal standards. They are expected to renew the appeals request.

The court also rejected appeals requests for Murat Ongun  the chairman of a media company affiliated with the Istanbul municipality and close Imamoglu aide  and other suspects who were arrested on corruption charges alongside the mayor, the agency said.

A lawyer representing Imamoglu could not confirm the report, saying the decision had not been formally communicated to him.
We've got potential for a museum that would be a magnet for thousands of people drawn to NI

Most of us agree the idea of a Troubles museum has merit... consensus on how and where to do it is harder to find

The former Maze Prison

Ivan Little Mon 14 Apr 2025 at 14:00

We were, said our guide, standing in the very place where Irish history changed for ever. And just beside us last week in Dublins Kilmainham Gaol two wooden crosses marked the actual spots where leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916 were shot dead by firing squads.
Joe Lynskey was murdered by his IRA colleagues in 1972, he is one of the disappeared - his body secretly buriedRemains found in a County Monaghan grave were thought to belong to him  but the DNA says noThe finding leaves a new mystery - who was the extra body in the plot?

Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac: 'Bodies will never be found, IRA source admits

A body was taken from a family plot in Annyalla (Co. Monaghan) in November last year when the grave was found to contain one more person than it should have.

Hopes were very high that Joe Lynskey, shot by the IRA in 1972, had finally been found.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains said a formal process would establish the identity of all of the bodies found in the grave.

But the DNA confirmed that the extra body did not belong to Joe Lynskey and it didnt belong to the Comiskey family, to whom the plot belonged.

Gardai are now trying to establish who it is.

Why was it thought that it was Joe Lynskey, who could this person have been, and what are republican sources saying about this?

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraphs security correspondent, Allison Morris.
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.
A small plane is reported to have crashed in Copake, N.Y., with two people on board
Eagle Archives, July 2, 1957: The Marauders drum and bugle corps will be absent from the 1957 Fourth of July Parade after a split with the Pittsfield Firemens Association, which demanded the return of all instruments amid tensions over name changes and sponsorship.


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Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has met with the board of Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) in the wake of the child spine surgeries controversy.

The health watchdogs report into the experimental use of non-medical grade springs in three child spine surgeries at CHI Temple Street was published last week.

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The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) report said the use of the springs was wrong and highlighted failures around governance, communication, consent and safeguards.

The chairman of CHIs board, Dr Jim Browne, resigned hours after the report was published, while Taoiseach Micheal Martin said sacking the rest of the board would further weaken governance.

A spokesman for the health minister said she spoke to the board about the recent Hiqa report on Monday.

Ms Carroll MacNeill outlined her expectation that CHI will work with the HSE and her department to ensure that the recommendations are implemented in full, as quickly as possible.

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She also made clear that Hiqas independent review showed what happened was wrong and should not have been allowed to happen.

She said these children were not protected from the risk of harm as they should have been, and that she expects an update on the implementation of the recommendations on April 25th.

The minister also discussed her concern at the length of time children are waiting for spinal surgery.

The opening of the long-awaited 2.2 billion National Childrens Hospital was also discussed.

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The minister made clear that CHI needs to do everything in its power to ensure that the hospital is opened as safely and quickly as possible.

Ms Carroll MacNeill is due to meet the CHI board again on April 28th.
The government has a clear intention to dismantle provisions of the triple lock, the Sinn Fein leader said, after it was confirmed that Ireland will join an alliance of European nations that shares intelligence on potential threats in EU sea waters.

Tanaiste Simon Harris announced on Monday that he has approved plans to join the Common Information Sharing Environment to allow for more effective operations at sea and deal with maritime threats.

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Tanaiste Simon Harris has approved plans to join the Common Information Sharing Environment (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Fine Gael leader, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he is confident of the benefits of joining the alliance.

CISE shares maritime surveillance information among EU and EEA countries, and aims to respond to threats at sea, including physical and cyber-attacks on infrastructure and drug trafficking.

It allows agencies from different countries to share data securely.

Mary Lou McDonald said she is deeply concerned by the governments direction of travel.

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She said Sinn Fein will go toe-to-toe in defending the triple lock.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Tanaiste and Taoiseach will face questions over the decision (Gareth Chaney/PA)

Speaking in Belfast on Monday, Ms McDonald called on the Tanaiste to provide clarity as to the mechanics of the alliance and the extent of information exchanged.

I absolutely accept that we have an issue around the surveillance of our seas, she added.

There is no question about that. Very disgracefully, successive governments have allowed that to slip. We need active surveillance of our seas, and thats a very important element, by the way, of protecting our position as a non-aligned and a military neutral.

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I want to hear more about this arrangement. The Dail isnt in session for the next couple of weeks, but I have no doubt that the Tanaiste will face, and the Taoiseach will face, questioning on these matters, and they have to set out very clearly for the Irish people what is envisaged, what commitments will be made.

Let me say this, anything that impinges on our status, on our role as non-aligned, as military neutrals, cannot and should not be countenanced.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he hopes the pharmaceutical and semiconductors manufacturing sectors will form part of negotiations between the European Union and the US.

Almost a week after US President Donald Trump announced he would be pausing his tariffs for 90 days, the EU is hoping to negotiate a trade deal with Washington before the deadline runs out.

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Mr Trump said he was suspending the so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, however his 10 per cent rate is still in effect across the globe.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that the trading relationship between the EU and the US is the largest in the world (Niall Carson/PA)

Speaking in Cork on Monday, Mr Martin said the tariffs have brought a lot of uncertainty.

The US has yet to announce plans to slap tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector, which is a particular concern for the Irish economy as it accounts for a significant amount of exports to the US.

Pharmaceuticals are currently exempt from the 20 per cent tariffs but the US administration has previously said it would consider taxing such imports.

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There is an opportunity now for negotiation and I would hope, in that opportunity, that the sectoral issues in pharma and also in semiconductors would form part of that, the Fianna Fail leader added.

In other words, that it would form part of the wider negotiation and the European Commission is also of that mindset, so that they would have a comprehensive settlement between the European Union and the United States.

It is the largest trading relationship in the world, hugely impactful and it is important that we dont end up in a situation where undue harm would be caused to people or indeed to the world economy or those specifics sectors.

Medicine is key to life and tariffs will increase the costs and thats the key point, both in America and around the world.

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There are issues that the US has legitimately raised. Its our view in Ireland that the European Commission is willing to engage in discussions and negotiation with the US to get a reasonable settlement that is sustainable for our respective economies and the people that we represent.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she raised the tariffs issue during their meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday in Belfast.

She called on the Labour MP to lessen the administrative burden on businesses.

Ms McDonald said: We also, of course, discuss the ongoing issues around tariffs and the uncertain trading dynamic across the world, but as it applies to the island of Ireland.

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We are very keen to protect the Ireland economy, to protect jobs and livelihoods, to protect the prospect of further investment across the island of Ireland, north and south.

We have, of course, raised with the Secretary of State, in particular, the need to lessen the administrative burden and red tape when it comes to the reimbursement schemes that are provided for.
Rory McIlroy's Masters win dominates Irish front pages on Monday.

The Irish Times lead with stories about the EU and US meeting for talks amid rising trade uncertainty, Rory McIlroy completing the Grand Slam after his Masters win in Augusta, and Ireland joining a European maritime security network.

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The Irish Examiner lead with stories about prison staff being at high risk due to overcrowding, Russian missiles killing 32 people on their way to church in Ukraine, Ireland joining an alliance of nations that shares intelligence and information on potential threats in EU sea waters, and Apple seeking 300 parking spaces, citing concerns about poor public transport and delays to major transport projects.

The Echo lead with a story about Cork businesses being confident about increasing their profits and adding to their workforces despite global uncertainty prompted by Donald Trump's tariffs, alongside a story about 32 families in Cork receiving notification that their child's past hip surgery was under review.

The Irish Independent lead with a story about experts from key state agencies being redeployed from their day jobs to try and help the government unblock major infrastructure projects that were stalled.

The Herald lead with a story about an ongoing feud in Limerick city being linked to shots being fired at a house and the firebombing of a car.

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The Irish Daily Mail lead with Rory McIlroy's Masters win and a story about Ireland joining a new European naval alliance, which is causing concern over neutrality.

The Belfast Telegraph and Irish Daily Star both lead with Rory McIlroy's Masters win in Augusta.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said no one wins in a trade war as he kicked off a diplomatic tour of south-east Asia, presenting China as a force for stability in contrast with Donald Trumps latest moves on tariffs,

Although the US president has paused some tariffs, he has kept 145% duties on China, the worlds second-largest economy.

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There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war, Mr Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media.



President Donald Trump speaks at a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House (Pool via AP)

Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and co-operative international environment.

Mr Xis visit lets China show south-east Asia it is a responsible superpower, in contrast with the US under Mr Trump, said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.

While Mr Trump has said he respects Mr Xi, he interpreted the meeting between the two Asian leaders as a sign they were attempting to put the US at a disadvantage on trade.

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Talking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said China and Vietnam were trying to figure out how do we screw the United States of America.

Mr Xi was greeted on the tarmac in Hanoi by Vietnams President Luong Cuong at the start of his two-day visit, a mark of honour not often given to visitors, said Nguyen Thanh Trung, a professor of Vietnamese studies at Fulbright University Vietnam.



The Chinese leader is undertaking a number of engagements in Vietnam (Pool via AP)

Students of a drum art group performed as women waved the red and yellow Chinese and Communist Party flags.

The trip has become significant because of the tariff fight between China and the US, and offers a path for Beijing to shore up its alliances and find solutions for the high trade barrier the US has imposed.

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Mr Xi met Vietnams Communist Party general secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two sides signed a series of memorandums in areas including strengthening co-operation in supply chains, railway development and environmental protection, according to Associated Press footage of the signed documents.



Mr Xi met Vietnams Communist Party General Secretary To Lam (Pool Photo via AP)

Nhan Dan, the official mouthpiece of Vietnams Communist Party, said China and Vietnam will speed up an 8 billion dollar (6 billion) railway project connecting the two countries in a deal that was approved in February.

The timing of the visit sends a strong political message that south-east Asia is important to China, said Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank.

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She said that given the severity of Mr Trumps tariffs and despite the 90-day pause, south-east Asian nations were anxious that the tariffs could complicate their development.

Vietnam is experienced at balancing its relations with Washington and Beijing. It is run under a communist, one-party system like China but has had a strong relationship with the US.

In 2023, it was the only country that received then US president Joe Biden and Mr Xi. That year it also upgraded the US to its highest diplomatic level, the same as China and Russia.

After Vietnam, Mr Xi is expected to go to Malaysia and Cambodia.
Ecuador has re-elected president Daniel Noboa, a conservative millionaire with a divisive no-holds-barred crime-fighting record.

His opponent, leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez, vowed to seek a recount over what she described as grotesque electoral fraud.

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Figures released by Ecuadors National Electoral Council show Mr Noboa received 55.8% of the vote with more than 90% of ballots counted, while Ms Gonzalez earned 44%.

Ecuadors top electoral authority, Diana Atamaint, on national television, said those results showed an irreversible trend in favour of Mr Noboa.



Presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez addresses supporters as early returns show president Daniel Noboa in the lead in the presidential election run-off (Dolores Ochoa/AP)

The win gives Mr Noboa four years to fulfill the promises he first made in 2023, when he stunned voters by winning a snap election and a 16-month presidency despite his limited political experience.

More than 13 million people were eligible to vote in the South American country, where voting is mandatory.

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Ms Gonzalezs defeat marks the third consecutive time that the party of Rafael Correa, the countrys most influential president this century, failed to return to the presidency.

Mr Noboa, heir to a fortune built on the banana trade, is expected to continue applying some of his no-holds-barred crimefighting strategies that part of the electorate finds appealing but which have tested the limits of laws and norms of governing.



Supporters of president Daniel Noboa celebrate early returns showing him in the lead in the presidential election run-off (Carlos Noriega/AP

Ms Gonzalez on Sunday told supporters her campaign does not recognise the results presented by the (National Electoral Council), arguing, among other issues, that pre-election polls showed her ahead of Mr Noboa.

The candidates advanced to Sundays contest after getting the most votes in Februarys first-round election.

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Mr Noboa led Ms Gonzalez by about 17,000 votes.

Voters were primarily worried about the violence that transformed the country, starting in 2021, a spike in crime tied to the trafficking of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru.

Both candidates promised tough-on-crime policies, better equipment for law enforcement and international help to fight drug cartels and local criminal groups.
European officials have condemned Russias deadly missile attack on Ukraines Sumy that killed and wounded scores of people, accusing Moscow of committing war crimes and demonstrating disregard for Washington-led efforts to end the war.

Ukrainian officials said two ballistic missiles hit the heart of Sumy, a city about 18 miles away from Ukraines border with Russia, as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 and injuring 117 others.

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It is the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week.





Today, many world leaders, diplomats, and ordinary people with big hearts expressed their condolences to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. They condemned the Russian strike. I thank everyone who remembers that wars end when the crimes of war are not forgotten  and when the pic.twitter.com/uFmfU6j5cU  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 13, 2025

Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski, whose country holds the European Unions rotating presidency, said that the recent attacks are Russias mocking answer to Kyivs agreement to a ceasefire proposed by the US administration over a month ago.

I hope that President Trump, the US administration, see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill, and I hope the right decisions are taken, Mr Sikorski told reporters in Luxembourg, where EU foreign ministers met.

His Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen noted that the attack on Sumy came shortly after US President Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in St Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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She said it demonstrates that Russia shows full disregard for the peace process, but also that Russia has zero regard for human life.



The Russian attack hit the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday (AP)

Lithuanias foreign minister Kestutis Budrys said the Russian strike used cluster munitions to target civilians in what he called a war crime by definition.

Frances top diplomat Jean-Noel Barrot said the attack shows that Mr Putin has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire.

He must therefore be forced to do so, and thats why Im calling on the European Union to take the toughest sanctions against Russia to suffocate its economy and prevent it from fuelling its war effort.

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The EU has imposed 16 rounds of sanctions on Russia and is working on a 17th package, but the measures are getting harder to agree on as they also affect European economies.

Germanys chancellor-designate, Friedrich Merz, described the Sumy attack as a serious war crime.





I'm appalled at Russias horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy and my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time.



President Zelenskyy has shown his commitment to peace.



Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 13, 2025

Mr Merz said that, three days after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was in Moscow, Russia attacked a childrens hospital in Kyiv.

Evidently, he (Mr Putin) interprets our readiness to speak to him not as a serious offer to make peace possible, but as weakness, Mr Merz said in an appearance on ARD television.

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The German leader made clear that he stands by his past calls to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, something that outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused to do.

He said that the Ukrainian military needs to be able to get ahead of the situation and that any delivery of long-range missiles must be done in consultation with European partners.

Two children were killed and 15 others were wounded in the attack, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service.



Mr Zelensky said of the Russian attackers: Only filthy scum can act like this (AP)

Only filthy scum can act like this  taking the lives of ordinary people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on social media, adding that the first strike hit city university buildings, while the second exploded above street level.

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The head of the Ukrainian Presidents office, Andriy Yermak, said cluster munitions were used to kill as many people as possible. The Associated Press was unable to verify that claim.

The attack on Sumy followed a deadly April 4 missile strike on Mr Zelenskys hometown of Kryvyi Rih that killed some 20 people, including nine children.

Mr Zelensky called for a global response to the attack. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. Whats needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves, he said.

After being asked about the attack, Mr Trump said on Sunday evening that he was trying to get the war stopped.

I think it was terrible and I was told they made a mistake, but I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing, he told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington.

He did not clarify whether he was saying the attack was unintentional.
Hamas is sending a delegation to Qatar to continue indirect ceasefire talks with Israel over the war in Gaza, an official has said.

The move came as the territorys Health Ministry said 38 people had been confirmed killed over the past day.

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The Hamas official said teams have been discussing terms for a new ceasefire agreement over recent days in Cairo, including a proposal that Hamas frees eight to 10 hostages held in Gaza.

But the official said a major sticking point remained over whether the war would end as part of any new deal.



A protest in Tel Aviv, Israel, demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

The talks in Qatar are meant to take place later this week or next, the official said.

Officials from Israel and Qatar had no immediate comment.

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Israel and Hamas agreed a ceasefire in January that lasted eight weeks before Israel resumed the war last month.

The initial ceasefire agreement was meant to bring the sides towards negotiating an end to the war, something Israel has resisted doing because it wants to defeat Hamas first.

Since the ceasefire fell apart last month, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza and forces have also seized stretches of the coastal enclave in a bid to increase pressure on Hamas to agree to a deal more aligned with Israels terms.

On Monday, the United Nations humanitarian office warned that the situation in Gaza is likely to be the worst since Israel launched its retaliation to Hamass attacks 18 months ago, pointing to the Israeli ban on all supplies entering the Gaza Strip since March 2.

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UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters: No fuel has come in, no food has come in, no medicine has come in.

The war started when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during an attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023, and took 250 people captive.

Many were freed in ceasefire deals and 59 remain in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to still be alive.



The Al-Ahli Hospital was targeted by an Israeli army strike late on Saturday (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels retaliatory offensive, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count but says more than half of the dead have been women and children.

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The Health Ministry said on Monday that 38 bodies had been taken to hospitals across the territory over the past 24 hours. It said more than 1,600 people had been killed since the ceasefire collapsed.

Also on Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that a Palestinian medic was detained during an Israeli military operation in which troops killed 15 first responders in the Gaza Strip.

It was the first confirmation of the medics whereabouts since the March 23 attack in southern Gaza.

The Red Cross said it has not been granted access to visit him.

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The Israeli military initially said troops had opened fire on vehicles that raised suspicion because they were travelling without lights on. It later backtracked after video emerged showing clearly marked ambulances travelling with their sirens flashing before the shooting.

The military said it killed nine militants travelling in the ambulances, without providing evidence. It named one of the militants, but the name did not match those of any of the paramedics, and no other bodies are known to have been recovered.

The military says it is investigating further.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, a conservative young millionaire, held the lead in early returns from Sundays presidential run-off election.

Results from the National Electoral Council gave Mr Noboa 56.8% of the vote with about 55% of the ballots counted, while leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez had 43.2% of support in an election in which voters sought solutions to the extortions, killings, kidnappings and other crimes that became part of everyday life as the country emerged from the pandemic.

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Women line up to vote in the presidential election run-off in Latacunga, Ecuador (Dolores Ochoa/AP)

Voting is mandatory in Ecuador.

Electoral authorities reported more than 80% of voter participation during Sundays election.

It was the second presidential run-off election in less than two years in Ecuador. Voters chose Mr Noboa over Ms Gonzalez in the run-off of a snap election in October 2023.

The candidates advanced to Sundays contest after getting the most votes in Februarys first-round election.

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Mr Noboa won 44.17% of the votes while Ms Gonzalez garnered 44%. About 17,000 votes separated them.

Polls closed at 5pm local time.
A man who authorities said scaled an iron security fence, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governors mansion and set a fire is in custody in hospital after an unrelated medical event, officers said.

Cody Balmer told police he had planned to beat governor Josh Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, according to court documents. He was being treated in hospital and officers said that was not connected to this incident or his arrest.

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Balmers mother told the Associated Press on Monday that she had tried in recent days to get him assistance for mental health issues, but nobody would help. She said her son has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.



Josh Shapiro at a press conference (Marc Levy/AP)

He wasnt taking his medicine, and thats all I want to say, Christie Balmer said at the family home in Harrisburg.

The fire caused significant damage and forced Mr Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building early on Sunday.

The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said. He estimated the damage could be in the millions of dollars.

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Balmer, who was arrested later in the day, faces charges including attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, authorities said.

He had walked an hour from his home to the governors residence, and during a police interview he admitted to harbouring hatred towards Governor Shapiro, according to a police affidavit, but it did not explain why.

Afterwards, he returned home where police said they later found clothing he had worn at the time and a small sledgehammer.

Mr Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover at the residence on Saturday and were awakened by state police pounding on their doors at about 2am on Sunday.

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They fled and firefighters extinguished the fire, officials said. No one was injured.

At a Sunday evening news conference in front of the badly damaged south wing of the governors residence, Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris identified the man in custody as Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg.



Charred wood trim and brick at the Pennsylvania governors official residence (Marc Levy/AP)

Balmer turned himself in after confessing to his ex-paramour and asking her to call police, which she did, the affidavit said. Authorities had initially said he was being taken to Dauphin County Prison, but did not say whether he has a lawyer.

Authorities did not disclose the mans motive, but an emotional Mr Shapiro, who is viewed as a potential White House contender for the Democratic Party in 2028, said he is unbowed.

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He said that if Balmer was trying to stop him from doing his job, then he will work harder, and he added that Balmer will not stop him from observing his faith.

When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover and the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt to freedom, Mr Shapiro said.

I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.

Authorities said the suspect climbed a nearly 7ft iron security fence surrounding the property, eluded officers who became aware of the breach and forcibly entered the residence before setting it on fire.

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He used beer bottles filled to make petrol bombs, documents say,



The fire was set while Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside (Commonwealth Media Services/AP)

Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens said Balmer appeared to have carefully planned the attack, adding that he was inside the residence for about a minute before he escaped. He was later arrested in the area.

Balmer has faced criminal charges over the past decade including simple assault, theft and forgery, according to online criminal court records.

Mr Shapiro said the fire was set in the room where he and his family celebrated Passover with a Seder with members of Harrisburgs Jewish community on Saturday night.

We dont know the persons specific motive yet, he told the news conference. But we do know a few truths.

First: This type of violence is not OK. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society. And I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another or one particular person or another. It is not OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Balmer did not appear to be a fan of his either.

The attacker basically wasnt a fan of anybody, he said. And certainly, a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.
Thousands of Sikhs have arrived in Pakistan to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year.

The event is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India.

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This year, Pakistani authorities granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years.



Thousands of Sikhs have arrived in Pakistan for the festival (AP)

Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship.

The main Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak, was born.

Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is located some 46 miles west of Lahore.

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Rinko Kaur travelled from Indias western Gujarat state, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She said she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan.

Ms Kaur said: My family warned me about going  and said I should be with a group to be safe.

But she said the people have been welcoming.



Pilgrims arrived at the shrine of Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib (AP)

I saw people coming out of their houses, waving as a welcome gesture. We feel as if we are celebrities. Ms Kaur plans to visit other Sikh holy sites in Pakistan in the coming days.

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Many Sikh holy sites are located in Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into separate nations in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Vaisakhi was a time of great joy for farmers.

The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites communities, Mr Sharif added.
The death toll in the Russian missile strike on Ukrainian city Sumy on Palm Sunday has reached 34.

Local officials said two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the city at around 10.30am local time as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday.

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Images from the scene showed lines of black body bags lying on the side of the road, while more bodies wrapped in foil blankets lay among the debris. A further 117 people were wounded, including 15 children.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack accusing Russia of blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts.

Asking about the attack, US President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday evening that the missiles strikes may have been a mistake.

I think it was terrible and I was told they made a mistake, but I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing, he told reporters on Air Force One as he returned to Washington. He did not clarify whether he was saying the attack was unintentional.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to the reporters on board Air Force One (Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron said the strike undermines Washington-led peace talks between the two sides.

He said: Everyone knows: This war was initiated by Russia alone, and today it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it  with blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.

Video footage also showed fire crews as they fought to extinguish the shells of burnt-out cars among the rubble from damaged buildings.

The attack on Sumy is the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week, following a deadly missile strike on Mr Zelenskys hometown of Kryvyi Rih on April 4 that killed some 20 people, including nine children.

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The strike targeted the centre of Sumy on Sunday morning (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed rescue efforts are ongoing and he said dozens had been killed in the double missile attack.

According to preliminary information, dozens of civilians were killed and wounded, he said.

Only filthy scum can act like this  taking the lives of ordinary people.

In a statement on social media, he said the first strike hit buildings belonging to a city university, while the second exploded above street level.

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Mr Zelensky called for a global response to the attack, adding: Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. Whats needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves.



The city centre in the aftermath of Russias missile attack that killed at least 34 civilians in Sumy, Ukraine (AP)

Elsewhere in Ukraine, a 62-year-old woman was killed in Russian shelling on the city of Kherson, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

The mayor of the city of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, said a Russian strike had hit a kindergarten, shattering windows and damaging the buildings facade. No casualties were reported.

It comes less than a day after Russia and Ukraines top diplomats accused each other of violating a tentative US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the three-year war.

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The two countries foreign ministers spoke at separate events at the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a day after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace prospects.

The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Moscow would provide the US, Turkey and international bodies with a list of Kyivs attacks during the past three weeks.

His Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, fiercely contested that claim, saying on Saturday that Russia had launched almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 (exploding) drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, mostly at civilians, since agreeing to the limited pause on strikes.
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Review Eating outElsternwick The Melbourne chocolate shop using AI to design astronaut bunnies This Easter Alessandro Luppolo embarked on a space odyssey to create egg-shaped rockets and oversized bonbon moons. Dani Valent April 14, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 11 Alessandro Luppolo. Penny Stephens 2 / 11 A bonbon moon for Easter. Penny Stephens 3 / 11 Luppolos bonbon display. Penny Stephens 4 / 11 Astronaut bunny. Penny Stephens 5 / 11 Rocket eggs. Penny Stephens 6 / 11 Astronaut bunnies. Penny Stephens 7 / 11 Luppolo makes all his chocolates from scratch. PENNY STEPHENS 8 / 11 Inside the moon bonbon. Penny Stephens 9 / 11 Chocolate cookies. Penny Stephens 10 / 11 Alessandro Luppolo. Penny Stephens 11 / 11 Luppolo working with his 3D printer. Penny Stephens Previous Slide Next Slide Cafe$$$$ Are you going to have an artificial intelligence Easter? Yes, if you get your chocolate eggs from Alessandro Luppolo, the New York-trained, Attica-alumni chocolatier with his own bean-to-bar production kitchen in an old millinery studio. In February, Luppolo opened his small Elsternwick kitchen as a shop, too, with a couple of tables where you can sit for rich, smooth, dairy-free hot chocolate, lavish choc-chip cookies and bonbons both classic (hello, hazelnut) and wild (ooh, beetroot and pumpkin praline). A bonbon moon for Easter. Penny Stephens

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The Italian-born chef wanted to do something special for Easter, and dreamed up an outer space theme: an egg-shaped rocket, astronaut bunny, and oversized bonbon moon. The next step was working with AI engines ChatGPT and Grok on the visuals. He sent the concepts to a designer in Hong Kong, 3D-printed the finished model in his Melbourne workspace, then crafted compostable plastic moulds for setting the chocolate. The result: an AI-generated Easter. The finished treat is the last step in a chocolate odyssey that is rarely considered when filling a basket with Easter eggs. In fact, the main aim of Luppolos enterprise is to draw attention to the complex chocolate supply chain. Space eggs and astronaut bunnies. Penny Stephens The story starts in countries such as Ivory Coast and Indonesia, where cacao pods grow from tree trunks. After harvesting, cacao beans are extracted, fermented and dried, then shipped around the world. Luppolos recent parcels have come from Papua New Guinea and Ecuador. He roasts, winnows (shells), conches (grinds) and tempers (melts and cools) this variable natural product to get it to the point at which most patissiers and chocolatiers begin. I was a pastry chef for years and no one talked about where chocolate came from, or how its made, Luppolo told me. The more customers know about a product, the more theyll appreciate and pay for it, or at least thats the hope.

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Luppolo working with his 3D printer. Penny Stephens He sells single-origin chocolate bars which showcase a region: theyre the serious part of the business. The bonbons and Easter ranges are fun, creative areas where Luppolo injects some of his old pastry chef flair. The earthy, spiced beetroot and pumpkin concoction is inspired by Aussie fondness for beetroot in a burger: if beetroot can go there, why not here? Another with pineapple and rosemary cleverly combines tropical and temperate. An apricot truffle with olive oil emulsion is based on a fruit dessert Luppolo invented at the Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong. Alessandro Luppolo. Penny Stephens Walking into the store is a special experience, like stumbling into an artisans workshop: its more of a mini-factory than cafe. There are only a handful of places in Melbourne that turn cocoa beans into finished chocolate, connecting local consumers with farflung farmers and their stories. You dont even need to fly a space egg to find them. Three more bean-to-bar chocolatiers to try Ratio Cocoa Roasters Engaging with the chocolate-making process is easy here, as the cafe has its own glass-walled factory where all the action (and magic) happens. You can also book in for a tour or amp up your expertise with a truffle-making class. Cafe visitors can indulge in brownie flights. Hey, theyre educational! 186 Sydney Road, Brunswick, ratiococoa.com.au Atypic Chocolate Sourcing from the Pacific Islands, this bean-to-bar made-in-Melbourne chocolate brand does single-origin blocks as well as seductive variations like caramelised white chocolate and the suddenly ubiquitous (and delicious) Dubai chocolate. Stall 88A, South Melbourne Market, South Melbourne, atypic-chocolate.com.au Hunted & Gathered I love the packaging, the variety, the ethical sourcing and  above all  the outstanding chocolate. Favourite bars include the milk chocolate and brown butter, and the peanut butter, but the fennel seed is a go-to when I want to feel highbrow. 68 Gwynne Street, Cremorne, huntedandgathered.com.au
East meets West in Lawrence Xus designs for Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines, which made its debut during Paris Fashion Week in 2017. When waiting at the boarding gate, stewardesses will be wearing cheongsam, coats, hairpins, beret-style hats, and high heels to show their full respect to passengers, Xu said at the launch. The cheongsam-inspired dresses feature a print of the mythical roc bird, referencing planes in flight, and are teamed with muted grey jackets with contemporary lines. Male crew are given grey double-breasted coats that would look equally at home in any finance district. 3. Braniff Airlines, Emilio Pucci, 1965

Cabin crew model 1960s Pucci uniforms in front of Lockheeds supersonic transport mock-up. Credit: Getty Images The psychedelic uniforms of the Braniff Airlines flight crew by Emilio Pucci in 1965 were stylish and fashion forward but did little to dispel the coffee, tea or me stereotype of cabin crew. Under the guidance of marketing guru Mary Wells Lawrence, the inspiration for Mad Mens Peggy Olson, the colourful uniforms for the Texas-based airline turned the economy aisle into a runway. Lawrence devised a layering concept known as the Air Strip, allowing staff to remove pieces as the flight progressed to its destination. Rain domes  to protect hairdos from rain and wind on the tarmac  lasted only one month as part of the uniform as there was nowhere to store them on board.

The uniforms were more successful than the airline, which was grounded in 1982, with vintage Pucci pieces frequently selling for more than $1000 on eBay. 4. Qantas, Emilio Pucci, 1974 Emilio Pucci reveals his Qantas uniforms on the cover of the airlines magazine in 1974. They remained in use until 1985. Following his success with Braniff, Qantas commissioned Pucci to design its cabin crew uniforms in 1974. The striptease layering of the Braniff uniforms was abandoned in favour of a vivid floral print, jersey shirt dress, light enough to be washed in a hotel basin for staff on a short layover.

Men were given boxy block colour jackets, denoting their rank, which were voluminous enough to store cartons of duty-free cigarettes, with lapels competing with the planes wingspan. Unfortunately, the womens uniform was the only one to make the cut for the Jenny the Jetsetting Qantas Air Hostess Doll released in 1974. 5. Air France, Cristobal Balenciaga, 1968 The Air France summer and winter uniforms for flight attendants designed by Cristobal Balenciaga in 1968. The Air France uniforms by Cristobal Balenciaga marked the only time the revered couturier stooped to design ready-to-wear pieces.

In 1968, Balenciaga closed his couture house after creating a sleek uniform for the female cabin crew that would probably win the Fashions on the Field competition at the Melbourne Cup if worn today. The uniform came in a winter style with a high-waisted jacket with four patch pockets, and a navy-blue-and-white scarf that could be knotted to hold hats in place. The skirt featured kangaroo pockets and was worn above knee-high boots, but the summer collection was the real standout. In sky-blue or pale pink, the summer uniform featured a short-sleeved, double-breasted cropped jacket with an asymmetric fastening, and prim navy-blue hatters bow beneath a Peter Pan collar. This is what the schoolgirl Madeleine would have worn once she graduated from the convent. 6. Virgin Atlantic, Vivienne Westwood, 2014

Television personality Michelle Visage (second from left) at the launch of Virgin Atlantics gender-neutral uniform policy in 2022, wearing the Vivienne Westwood designs. The late Dame Vivienne Westwoods fondness for flounces, bare bottoms and a ribald sexuality in her designs seemed to make her an unlikely choice to upgrade Virgin Atlantics uniforms in 2014. She was the natural choice to redesign the uniform across all areas of our business, said a statement from the airline. Firstly because original design and sustainability are vital to both Virgin Atlantic and Vivienne Westwood. Westwoods signature details are present with the frill blouse taken from her Red Label spring/summer 2005 collection, pencil skirts with a back pleat, and red jackets with nipped waists. Three-piece suits in deep burgundy and grey, worn over a white shirt with wide collar, were originally the choice for men. In 2022, the airline launched a gender-free approach to dressing, with staff able to choose any pieces from the range to reflect their identity. Following the announcement, staff on a flight to Qatar were instructed to dress according to traditional gender norms.

7. Alaska Airlines, Luly Yang, 2018 The Alaska Airlines uniform by Luly Yang, unveiled in 2018. The first time I flew Alaska Airlines, I was captivated by a flight attendants dreamcatcher earrings and devastated to find out that they werent part of the uniforms. A quick trip to the cockpit alleviated my disappointment. Seattle-based designer Luly Yangs uniforms for the airline, unveiled in 2018, are mostly unremarkable but the pilots leather jackets inject some Top Gun cool into the skies. Lets hope the jackets remain as Yang designs the airlines new uniforms following its merging with Hawaiian Airlines.
The Scarborough venue where two bouncers were allegedly caught on camera assaulting a man they were trying to evict off the dance floor, has said the men in question will not be returning to work there.

Enver Ibrahimovic, 37 and Nezir Ibrahimovic, 32, were arrested on Sunday after an alleged altercation at the Lookout Bar just after 8.15pm.

The brothers were working as security guards, but employed by a third party as contractors.

Hours after they were released on bail, the management team at The Lookout told WAtoday the men will not be returning to work at the venue.
Washington: The US is edging closer to a constitutional crisis over a man wrongly deported to a notorious Salvadorean prison, with the Trump administration resisting a Supreme Court order to facilitate the mans return.

Both Trump and El Salvadors President, Nayib Bukele  who has called himself the worlds coolest dictator  dug in against the court order during Bukeles official visit to the White House on Monday (Tuesday AEST).

Donald Trump meets El Salvadors President, Nayib Bukele, in the Oval Office. Credit: AP

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an undocumented Salvadorean national living in Maryland, was removed last month on one of three deportation flights at the centre of a high-profile court challenge to the Trump administrations use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members.

Garcia was technically not deported under that law. The government alleges he is a member of the gang MS-13, now designated a foreign terrorist organisation, although he has not been convicted of any such crimes. He was given protected immigration status in 2019, and lawyers for the government admit he was deported after an administrative error.
Commercial lending has traditionally been a less explored space for brokers, who currently originate only around 30% of commercial loans compared to over 74% of residential loans. Its an untapped opportunity for brokers, said Ben Mckell (pictured right), head of commercial lending at Brighten.
Kenneth Fox

Residential burglaries dropped by 75 per cent between winter 2024/2025 compared to winter 2014/ 2015.

New figures from the gardai show residential burglaries represents an average of approximately 17 burglaries per day across the 26 counties, or less than one residential burglary per day per county.

In the 10 years of Operation Thor, recorded residential burglaries during the winter phase (October  March) have dropped by 75 per cent.

Just over 3,000 residential burglaries were reported in the 2024/2025 winter phase compared to over 12,000 residential burglaries reported in the 2014/ 2015 winter phase.

Q4 2024 recorded residential burglaries -10 per cent compared to Q4 2023, -3.5 per cent compared to Q1 2024.

December 2024 saw the lowest level of recorded residential burglary in December in five years.

Q1 2025 recorded residential burglaries -16 per cent compared to Q4 2024, -19 per cent compared to Q1 2024.

March 2025 saw the lowest level of recorded residential burglary since 2021.

Gardai said during the 24/25 winter phase under Operation Thor:

Over 900 arrests were made for incidents linked to Operation Thor, including burglary, aggravated burglary, or possession of an article.

Over 2,000 charges linked to Operation Thor under that criteria were made,

There were significant operational successes during the 24/25 Winter Phase against high-profile and prolific offenders.

They arrested three males in November 2024 following the interception of a vehicle in Kildare, high high-powered blue BMW, amongst other vehicles and items seized.

Three males (1 juvenile) were arrested in December 2024 following the interception of a vehicle in Kildare, high high-powered Audi S1 car and other items were seized.

They arrested a man in Cork, December 2024, two males in Kerry were arrested in January 2025, a male was arrested in Limerick in February 2025, and a male was arrested in Tipperary during the same month

Three separate incidents involved the arrest of three males, five males and two males (all juveniles) in March 2025, stolen cars were recovered in two operations.

Speaking about the figures, Detective Chief Superintendent Boland, GNDOCB said, "An Garda Siochana understands and recognises the deeply traumatic impact on any person when their home or business premises are burgled.

"The violation of a persons home is the ultimate invasion of privacy and oftentimes, even if nothing of sentimental or monetary value is taken, the place never feels comfortable to a victim again.

"An Garda Siochana recognises the long-lasting impact any burglary has not just on the victim but on communities, both rural and urban.

"An Garda Siochanas message is that we are here to help, we are here to protect and we continue to arrest and charge those involved in these insidious crimes.
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GICAS Timegtane cement plant in the Adrar region, Algeria, returned to production after a prolonged stoppage. Line 1, with a capacity of 1Mta, resumed operations on 12 April and a second line is expected to be commissioned soon.

Line 2 will have a production capacity of 1.5Mta, taking the plants total capacity to 2.5Mta.

The start-up was welcomed by the Minister of Industry, Sifi Ghrieb, who highlighted the efforts made by the GICA group and its partner public companies under conditions described as "difficult" and "complex. The plant was resumed operations in less than a month, a technical and logistical feat that the Minister attributes to the firm commitment of the country's senior authorities to reactivate this industrial entity in the service of national development.

The Timegtane cement plant was part of an initial partnership between STG Sidi Moussa and China-based CTIEC Beijing, but is now owned by the Algerian state. Inaugurated in 2017, the plant represents an investment of DZD21bn (US$159.5m).
The Salvation Army of Cleveland is inviting the community to a three-day series of Easter events designed to celebrate the hope, unity and sacrificial love at the heart of the Gospel message. Held from Wednesday through Friday, this revival will feature outreach, fellowship and worship experiences that meet people where they arewhether in a local park, around a shared table or within a sacred chapel.April 16  Family Outreach in the ParkTheme: New Life for All Ages- Deer Park, 475 17th St.NW in Cleveland- 5:30-7:30 p.m.The revival kicks off with a Family Night Outreach at Deer Park. This free, family-friendly event is designed to bless and engage local families, especially those who may not regularly attend church. Highlights include: A free cookout with hot dogs, chips and drinks; A community Easter egg hunt for children of all ages; Craft stations with meaningful Easter-themed keepsakes; and A short, family-focused skit or devotional about the resurrection.This event is about sharing Gods love in a joyful, approachable way, said Sgt. Ruth Forgey, corps administrator for The Salvation Army in Cleveland. We want families to feel welcomed, encouraged and introduced to the hope of Easter.April 17  Ecumenical Seder MealTheme: The Table of Unity and Remembrance- Grace Community Church, 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW in Cleveland- 6:30 p.mOn Maundy Thursday, all are invited to an Ecumenical Seder Meal hosted at Grace Community Church. This traditional Passover meal will include a full dinner and Christian reflections highlighting Christ as our Passover Lamb. Guests from across denominations will be guided through the symbolic elements of the Seder while enjoying fellowship and meaningful scripture readings.This evening reminds us that while our traditions may differ, our unity in Christ is greater, said Sgt. Forgey. We remember the Exodus, the Last Supper and the promise of salvationtogether.April 18  Good Friday ServiceTheme: The Cross: Loves Greatest Sacrifice- The Salvation Army Chapel, 437 Inman St. W. in Cleveland- 6 p.m.The revival concludes with a solemn Good Friday service at The Salvation Army Chapel. This reflective gathering will include: Passion Week scripture readings; Worship music that prepares hearts for Easter; A message centered on Christs sacrificial love; and Time for prayer and personal reflection.This is the night we pause to remember the depth of Jesus love for us, said Sgt. Forgey. Its a powerful lead-up to Resurrection Sunday."One revivalthree powerful nights," officials said. "From joyful outreach to meaningful reflection, this three-day journey is designed to touch hearts and point people to the true meaning of Easter. All events are free and open to the public."The Salvation Army of Cleveland invites your participation, prayers and presence as we celebrate the risen Christ and seek to make this Easter Week a time of revival, relationship-building and rejoicing."For more information, call 423-308-3467.
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The sky's the limit for Xinjiang herder chasing lifelong dream of flight

Xinhua) 08:43, April 14, 2025

URUMQI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Mirbek Terebek, 23, has lived a nomadic life since he was a child, traveling on horseback throughout the year in search of water and pastures for his family's livestock.

But the Kazak herder, who never even saw a plane when he was little, has since explored the world beyond the grasslands of his youth and become a helicopter pilot at a popular tourist destination in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Wearing his pilot's uniform and a headset, Mirbek Terebek skillfully steers a helicopter over the Narat tourism site in the region's Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, allowing tourists to experience the site's beauty.

From the cockpit, he introduces Xinjiang's magnificent landscapes to tourists and recounts his personal journey to becoming a pilot.

"Planes have captivated me since childhood, making flying my lifelong dream. And today, that dream has come true," he said.

In 2002, Mirbek Terebek was born into a herding family in northern Xinjiang's Altay Prefecture. His mother told him that when he was little, he would beam with pleasure whenever he saw a certain plane model.

"There was a pile of toys, but I only wanted that model. Perhaps it was the beginning of my dreams," he said.

When he was growing up, he never saw a real plane, and he never imagined he would become a pilot in the future. However, things began to take a favorable turn for him thanks to diversified education opportunities and his family's support.

After graduating from a technical college in 2018, he returned to his hometown to work as a ground crew member at a small airport in a scenic area. Each day, he watched planes take off and land, and the roaring sound of the engines rekindled his dream of flying, intensifying his desire to obtain a pilot's license.

"My parents have never been on a plane. When I told them that I wanted to learn how to operate a helicopter, they were taken aback," he said, adding that to persuade his parents to allow him to follow his dream, he told them all about helicopters and discussed the prospects of tourism development in Xinjiang with them.

Luckily, Mirbek Terebek's parents were soon convinced. In 2023, he began his formal training under Qu Jingwei, a flight instructor at Xinjiang Narat Yubo General Aviation Co., Ltd., which also carries out rescue operations, aerial seeding and other tasks.

However, the learning process was challenging. On April 1, 2023, Mirbek Terebek took to the skies for the first time. Upon stepping into the cockpit, he was so nervous that he broke into a sweat and momentarily forgot what to do.

Undeterred, he sought guidance from Qu and dedicated his time to studying the training materials, focusing on everything from the joystick to various instrument parameters. After more than a year of intensive study and practice, he earned both his private and commercial helicopter pilot's licenses.

Qu said that Xinjiang's low-altitude economy is developing rapidly, and that his company had needed a helicopter pilot at the time. He therefore extended an invitation to Mirbek Terebek after he completed his training.

During last year's tourist season, Mirbek Terebek piloted a helicopter and carried tourists from around the world, offering them aerial views of the Narat grasslands. While navigating the aircraft, he also takes on the role of tour guide, narrating Xinjiang's rich culture and speaking about his own experiences.

Xinjiang's tourism revenue jumped by 21 percent to over 359 billion yuan (about 49.8 billion U.S. dollars) last year with more than 300 million tourist visits received.

"The new tourist season is just around the corner, and we are undergoing targeted training to better ensure the safety of our flights," he said, adding that he plans to bring his parents along for a ride in his helicopter to see Narat this summer.

"My parents tell everyone that I'm a pilot now," he said.

Since obtaining his pilot's licenses, Mirbek Terebek has accumulated over 440 flight hours and has a new goal: "In the future, I want to get my flight instructor's license, train apprentices and help more children from pastoral areas -- like me -- soar in the sky."

China's low-altitude economy, comprising both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, has been gaining momentum, prompting the National Development and Reform Commission to establish a dedicated department in 2024 to support its growth.

The scale of China's low-altitude economy exceeded 500 billion yuan in 2023 and is expected to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030, according to data released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A 12-year-old girl named Viktoriya living in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, stands in front of a bombed-out building. | Screenshot: YouTube/ UNICEF Ukraine

A coalition of faith groups, including the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, has urged Russia to return nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children taken since the onset of its invasion of Ukraine.

The initiative was led by Myal Greene, president of World Relief, an evangelical humanitarian organization associated with the National Association of Evangelicals.

The letter was signed by several prominent figures, including NAE President Walter Kim, Institute on Religion and Democracy President Mark Tooley, former Obama-era Ambassador Susan Jacobs, Sharon Willis of Our Daily Bread Ministries, Travis Weber of the Family Research Council, Daniel Darling of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Rev. Rona Tyndall of the United Church of Christ.

In a letter sent to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week, the coalition addressed reports that Russian forces had abducted these children since they invaded the Eastern European nation in 2022.

The letter emphasizes, These children, ranging in age from four months to 17 years old, have been subjected to political re-education, military training, and forced assimilation into Russian society. It further states, Many have been placed in Russian families, illegally adopted, and had their birth certificates altered to erase their Ukrainian identities. The Russian government has denied Ukrainian children access to their families, subjected them to physical abuse, and failed to provide them with adequate food and care.

The groups implored the Trump administration to prioritize the return of these children in ongoing peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, stating, No peace deal should be finalized until Ukraines children are returned home. They added, We urge you, as leaders of the free world, to ensure that Ukraines children are returned home without precondition in advance of peace talks.

Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, conveyed to Baptist Press that Christians are compelled to speak out on behalf of the vulnerable, here and abroad, and that includes calling out the grave injustice facing Ukraines children.

He added, The forced deportation and abuse of over 19,000 children is evil and a violation of their inherent dignity and rights. We must not allow these children to be used as pawns in geopolitical negotiations.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, justifying the action by claiming to support a pro-Russian independence movement in the eastern part of the country. Last month, Trump reported having secured a 30-day ceasefire, limited to not attacking energy infrastructure, indicating that he had a very good phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Salem Ochidi

Fulani terrorists killed more than 60 Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria. The attacks targeted seven Christian communities in Bokkos County, including Hurti village, where over 40 Christians lost their lives.

Community leader Maren Aradong explained, More than 1,000 Christians were displaced [in Hurti] during the attacks, and 383 houses were destroyed by these bandits, as reported by the Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

He recounted that the assaults began on April 2 around 3 p.m. when armed Muslim Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities on motorcycles. The attackers not only killed residents but also destroyed food stores and looted other items.

Farmasum Fuddang, chairman of the Bokkos Community Development Council, stated that 21 Christians were initially killed on April 2, and by the following day, an additional 40 were slaughtered, raising the death toll to more than 60 Christians killed during the two days of onslaught against our communities. He noted that the attacks specifically targeted Christian communities in Ruwi, Mangor, Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai.

An attack in Ruwi village led to the deaths of 11 Christians attending a wake for a deceased community member, with 10 more killed the following morning.

Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang told Arise News that the incidents in Bokkos constituted genocide. He highlighted that such attacks often occur at the beginning of the farming season, followed by a pause while Christian farmers cultivate their land, only to resume during harvest time.

Mutfwang stated that predominantly Christian farmers are being driven from their lands for three to five years of occupation by predominantly Muslim Fulanis, suggesting that the motives behind the attacks are land acquisition.

Military spokesman Maj. Samson Zakhom confirmed that the villages attacked included Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Tadai, and Hurti. On April 3, clearance operations were conducted at Hurti, where troops engaged militants hiding in the mountainous region. The ensuing confrontation resulted in the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, six rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and four motorcycles. The troops are continuing efforts to neutralize the remaining militants still at large in the area, Zakhom stated.

Amnesty International has since called on the Nigerian government to address the killings in Plateau State and demanded justice for the victims, labeling the attacks a pattern of mass killings and government inaction in central Nigeria.

The organization's statement noted that the villages of Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai have been repeatedly targeted. Apart from killing people, the attackers are also razing entire villages, deliberately destroying homes and farms, Amnesty reported.

According to their investigations, at least 1,336 people were killed in Plateau State between December 2023 and February 2024, with Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas being the worst affected.

Open Doors' 2025 World Watch List identified Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places on earth for Christians, noting that of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide during the reporting period, 3,100 (69 percent) were in Nigeria.
Home News 12 anti-Israel protesters charged with felonies for vandalism at Stanford

Twelve protesters have been charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy for occupying and damaging a Stanford University building last June. The demonstrators, aged between 19 and 32, barricaded themselves inside the university presidents office, causing significant destruction, prosecutors said.

The Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office announced this week that those charged face counts of felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to trespass, The Associated Press reported. They are scheduled for arraignment later this month at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.

Prosecutors stated the protesters cellphones contained messages coordinating the occupation, including a do-it-yourself occupation guide. They added that demonstrators wore masks, and at least one person broke a window to gain entry into the building.

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The incident, which occurred on June 5, 2024  the last day of spring classes  began around dawn and lasted about three hours. Inside the building, protesters spray-painted walls, broke furniture and windows, disabled security cameras and splattered a red liquid described as fake blood on various items.

Authorities estimate the resulting damage to be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

During the occupation, protesters renamed the building Dr. Adnans Office, referring to Palestinian doctor Adnan Al-Bursh, who died in an Israeli prison after prolonged detention, according to Reuters. Outside the building, other protesters linked arms, chanting Palestine will be free, we will free Palestine.

Initially, Stanford University reported that 13 individuals had been arrested during the protest. Among them was a student journalist who authorities determined didn't participate in the vandalism and thus wasn't charged. Stanford also noted at the time that a police officer was injured.

The identities of those charged have not been publicly disclosed.

The day after these charges, an immigration judge ruled that Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who prominently participated in demonstrations against Israels military actions in Gaza in response to Hamas' atrocities, could be deported from the United States. The judge determined there was clear and convincing evidence he posed a national security risk.

The Trump administration has moved 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 administration previously threatened to withhold federal funding also from Stanford over allegations its administration inadequately addressed antisemitism and intimidation against Jewish students.

According to a count by the AP, at least 86 incidents of campus activism related to the Hamas-Israel conflict last spring resulted in arrests at protests on college campuses across the U.S.
Home News Famous Christian artists revive third century hymn ahead of Easter

Famous Christian artists Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding have revived a third century hymn discovered on ancient Egyptian papyrus, releasing a contemporary version of the song ahead of Easter.

Titled The First Hymn Project, the song debuted globally last Friday, with an accompanying documentary featuring scholarly insights to stream starting on Monday, according to Baptist Press.

The hymn, dating back to roughly 250 AD, was discovered a century ago among ruins in Egypt and preserved at Oxford University. Its resurrection began when John Dickson, the Jean Kvamme distinguished professor of Biblical Studies and Public Christianity at Wheaton College, recognized its historical and theological significance for contemporary Christians.

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Dickson realized the hymn was notable for clearly articulating the concept of the Trinity long before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which scholars regard as a significant milestone in formalizing the doctrine.

Its clear evidence that Christians were singing their Trinitarian beliefs from an early period, Dickson was quoted as saying.

About one-fifth of the hymns original text and melody was missing from the papyrus. However, the surviving fragments revealed profound lyrics, celebrating God as the only giver of all good gifts, a phrase that directly contrasted similar descriptions used by pagans for Zeus.

Faced with the task of adapting the hymn for modern worship, Dickson collaborated with artists Tomlin and Fielding. Tomlin, described by Time magazine as potentially the worlds most frequently sung artist, joined Fielding, a Grammy-winning songwriter known for popular worship songs like What A Beautiful Name and Mighty to Save.

The artists combined Dicksons translation of the original Greek text with a modern reinterpretation of the ancient melody.

We knew that for the song to work well in a contemporary church setting, we would need to reinterpret the music, in particular, the melody, Fielding was quoted as saying.

The final recording begins with a segment performed by an Egyptian Coptic Christian.

Dickson explained that the original melody was likely a popular tune familiar to third century pagans, possibly even used in songs worshiping false gods such as Zeus. This choice made the hymn distinctly provocative at the time.

If youre a believer in Zeus, this is very confronting, Dickson pointed out, noting how the lyrics boldly positioned the Christian God as superior.

For Fielding, bringing this ancient hymn to contemporary audiences was among the most intriguing projects he had undertaken. I had no idea that such a significant discovery lay quietly in England, Fielding shared.

He recognized the projects potential to connect modern worshipers directly with the experiences of early Christians who maintained their faith despite persecution.

The original Greek hymn comprised around 35 words, translated by Dickson as: Let all be silent, the shining stars not sound forth, all rushing rivers be stilled as we sing our hymn to the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, as all powers cry out in answer, Amen, Amen, might, praise and glory forever to our God, the only giver of all good gifts. Amen. Amen, according to The News-Enterprise.

The collaboration also features a documentary offering deeper insights from theologians and scholars. Special screenings and concerts are scheduled at Biola University in La Mirada, California, on Monday and at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

Fielding said he was particularly inspired by the unwavering faith of third century Christians reflected in the hymn. He noted how they maintained their praise for God despite significant persecution and uncertainty about their future.
Home News GoFundMe removes fundraiser for woman who assaulted pro-life activist on camera

The New York woman who punched a pro-life activist in the face during a street interview raised over $8,000 on GoFundMe to pay for legal fees before the crowdfunding platform took her campaign down for violating its terms of service.

A GoFundMe spokesperson told The Christian Post that a fundraiser for Brianna J. Rivers was removed for violating its terms of service, and the platform has refunded everyone who gave money to the campaign.

Police arrested the 30-year-old Rivers on Thursday after a video of her striking pro-life activist Savannah Craven Antao went viral. On April 3, Craven Antao asked Rivers questions about abortion and Planned Parenthood while filming man-on-the-street style interviews in Harlem for the pro-life activist organization Live Action.

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Rivers is facing one count of second-degree assault, sources from the New York Police Department told The New York Post last week. Rivers started a GoFundMe to pay for legal expenses, which reportedly raised around $8,695.

At the time of reporting, the link directing potential donors to Rivers fundraising page no longer works.

According to the rules outlined on GoFundMes terms page, an individual cannot use the platform to raise money for the legal defense of financial and violent crimes, including those related to money laundering, murder, robbery, assault, battery, sex crimes or crimes against minors.

Rivers posted her reaction to the fundraisers removal in a Friday Facebook post, accusing Craven Antao of inciting her Klan to report her GoFundMe page. She also revealed that she lost her job and claimed that Craven Antaos trolls have taken this too far.

This matter is suppose to be dealt with in court but this woman has been stalking my social media platforms to continue antagonizing and harassing me, Rivers wrote. Its one thing to be upset about what was done but cyber bullying , stalking, doxxing, are all very uncalled for.

In an April 5 Facebook post, Rivers addressed the incident with Craven Antao, stating that she wanted to sincerely apologize. She also claimed that the pro-life advocate is only telling one side of the story.

I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse, Rivers wrote. She knows the truth and she needs to release the footage in its entirety. Savannah is a professional antagonist not a reporter and the truth will be told.

Rivers did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment.

On April 6, Live Action posted the uncut version of the interview on its YouTube page. The video footage shows that the conversation between Rivers and Craven Antao began on a friendly note, with the former even complimenting the latter.

The interaction grew heated as Craven Antao asked questions about Planned Parenthood receiving taxpayer funding, with the advocate citing data that shows the health services the corporation provides have decreased over the years while abortions have increased.

On the topic of abortion, Rivers claimed that she supports safe abortions, and Craven Antao asked how abortion can be safe if a baby dies as a result. Rivers argued that its only an embryo that doesnt have limbs or the ability to feel pain, to which the pro-life advocate noted that some people are born paralyzed or without limbs.

Several times throughout the interview, Rivers brought up the possibility of a child in the foster care system suffering from abuse as a reason for abortion. At one point, Craven Antao asked if children in foster care should be killed, and Rivers replied, Why not?

I need to know the percentage of people who take children from foster care and abuse them and molest them, who make them like personal slaves, the New York woman argued. I need statistics before you come to me talking about pro-life.

Near the end of the interview, Rivers accused the pro-life activist of not understanding the magnitude of having a child.

Im not the one who admitted they would be OK with killing babies in foster care and killing children that had been abused, Craven Antao replied.

As the pro-life advocate started to say something else, Rivers punched the 23-year-old in the face. A photo shared on Craven Antaos Instagram page after the assault shows blood streaming down the advocates face. The pro-life activist stated in the post that she went to the hospital after the attack.

In a statement to Live Action News following the assault, the advocates husband, Henry Antao, said that Rivers became aggressive and violent upon learning Savannahs pro-life stance. Henry Antao stated that he intervened to defend his wife from further harm and that the pair immediately called the police to report the assault.

We are pro-life activists because ending abortion and protecting babies from the violence that Planned Parenthood commits is the most important issue of our lifetime, Henry Antao stated.
Home News Judge won't ban immigration raids on churches, sides with Trump

A federal judge will allow the Trump administration to conduct immigration enforcement raids at churches, ruling against religious groups who argue that it conflicts with their religious freedom.

Judge Dabney Friedrich of the U.S. District Court in Washington rejected a request for a preliminary injunction by more than two dozen Christian and Jewish organizations, stating that only a small number of immigration actions actually occurred at or around religious sites since President Donald Trump took office in January.

The evidence presented did not demonstrate "that places of worship are being singled out as special targets," she stated in a 17-page ruling.

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"Since the policy rescission took effect over 10 weeks ago, only one enforcement action has taken place at the hundreds of plaintiffs' member congregations," Friedrich, appointed to the federal bench by President Trump during his initial term, wrote.

"The plaintiffs can point to only three instances since January 20, 2025, where any immigration enforcement action has taken place in or near any place of worship anywhere in the country, even under the current administration's more vigorous immigration priorities and increased."

The religious groups argued that the policy infringes upon their First Amendment rights and discourages attendance at religious services.

Since Trump returned to office in January, attendance at many congregations has reportedly dropped significantly, with some experiencing double-digit declines.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs claimed that fear of immigration enforcement actions at churches is keeping congregants away.

Judge Friedrich found insufficient evidence linking the attendance drops directly to enforcement actions at houses of worship, stating that congregants appeared more concerned about encountering immigration officials in their neighborhoods generally rather than at religious sites specifically.

According to the judge, reversing the church-specific policy alone would not necessarily prompt immigrants to return to worship services.

The contested policy emerged on Jan. 20, Trump's first day back in office, overturning a Department of Homeland Security policy enacted in 2011 during the Obama administration that prevented ICE and CBP from enforcing immigration law in "sensitive" areas, including schools and churches.

Previously, DHS policy significantly restricted immigration enforcement operations in "protected areas," including houses of worship. Under the revised policy, field agents can now carry out enforcement activities at churches using "common sense" and "discretion" without needing approval from supervisors.

"We remain gravely concerned about the impacts of this policy and are committed to protecting foundational rights enshrined in the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act," said Lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Kelsi Corkran, in a statement shared with The Associated Press.

The legal challenge to the policy remains ongoing. The lawsuit cited specific instances of enforcement, including the arrest of an immigrant at a church in Georgia and a search conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a church-operated daycare center in the same state.

Plaintiffs also provided examples where immigration officials reportedly conducted surveillance near religious institutions, photographing individuals waiting in line for food distribution.

"An immigration enforcement action during worship services, ministry work, or other congregational activities would be devastating to their religious practice," read the suit. "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."

Christian entities among the plaintiffs included the Mennonite Church, USA, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Episcopal Church, the Disciples of Christ, Church of the Brethren, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and regional bodies of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.

Other plaintiffs include the Latino Christian National Network, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the North Carolina Council of Churches, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

On Thursday, another federal judge permitted the administration to proceed with plans requiring undocumented individuals to register with authorities. Simultaneously, however, the Supreme Court directed the administration to facilitate the return of a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador.

Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress and several advocacy groups continue to back a bill to prevent immigration enforcement measures in houses of worship and schools.

Rep. Jesus Garcia of Illinois, Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut re-introduced the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act earlier this year.

Previously introduced in 2023, the proposed legislation bars immigration enforcement within 1,000 feet of a "sensitive location" save for "exigent circumstances," such as "the targeted arrest of a terrorist suspect, an individual who poses a clear threat to national security, or an individual who poses an extraordinary danger to public safety."
Home News Charity faces backlash for describing Easter as pagan holiday in kids' book

A British heritage charity has come under criticism after describing Easter as a pagan holiday in a childrens booklet. English Heritage distributed the booklet at several historic sites, drawing accusations of whitewashing one of the holiest days for Christians by ignoring its Christian origins.

The booklet, part of an Easter Adventure Quest designed for children visiting English Heritage sites like Whitby Abbey, Dover Castle and Down House, describes Easter as a spring celebration named after the pagan goddess Eostre, The Telegraph reported.

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 states.

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The booklet also mentions traditional pagan activities, including dancing around bonfires and decorating homes with flowers.

English Heritage faced criticism because the booklet and related materials made no mention of Christianity or the religious significance of Easter, which commemorates the death and Resurrection of Christ.

Visitors expressed concern that the omission neglected the essential Christian context, particularly given the events historical religious significance, according to the Telegraph.

One visitor, identified as Phil, chairman of governors at a Catholic primary school in Kent, noted the absence of Christian references in the material, remarking that Christianity had been completely whitewashed out of the story.

Phil said he felt compelled to explain the goddess Eostre to his 7-year-old son himself.

Historian Giles Udy argued that the omission reflected a troubling trend against Christianity by official organizations in the U.K. He compared it to historical attempts to suppress Christianity under Soviet regimes, which promoted militant atheism.

Julie McNamee, who also visited English Heritage sites, was quoted as saying that that although she is not Christian, any educational material for children should at least mention the Christian Easter story.

English Heritage sought to explain the omission by stating that the booklet was part of an educational series aimed at children and that they extensively cover Easters diverse historical and cultural traditions across their various educational materials and website content.

In one write-up, the English Heritage website describes Easter as the most important date in the religious calendar since the very earliest days of Christianity. Another explains the historical determination of Easters date at the Synod of Whitby in 664 AD.

The charitys Facebook page describes how the Easter egg hunt originated in 16th century Germany through Protestant reformer Martin Luther. According to the account, Luther organized egg hunts for his congregation as a symbolic gesture referring to the biblical story of Christs resurrection, where women discovered the empty tomb.

The discrepancy between the events printed material and other resources provided by English Heritage contributed significantly to the public backlash.
Home News 'Dangerous precedent': Christian college opposes Colorado bill that would punish 'biblical convictions' Parents may face losing custody for opposing their child's push to identify as trans

A think tank at a Christian college in Colorado is calling on the states Democrat-controlled Senate to reject legislation that could remove trans-identified children from their parents custody if they oppose trans medicalization, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent by punishing those who live out their biblical convictions.



Known as the Kelly Loving Act, the bill would add considerations for judges to review when determining child custody, including parents using a childs birth name instead of their new, self-declared name and misgendering among several other trans-related topics to review.

In a statement provided to The Christian Post, the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University condemned House Bill 25-1312, a bill passed by the Democrat-controlled Colorado House of Representatives. The think tank also urged the Colorado Senate to reject the legislation. HB25-1312 sets a dangerous precedent by punishing those who live out their biblical convictions, said Greg Schaller, director of the Centennial Institute.

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Religious freedom doesnt end when someone disagrees with Scripture. The sacred rights of conscience, which is fundamental to the United States Constitution, guarantees that the state cannot interfere with the rights of parents to raise their children in a manner consistent with their faith, Schaller said.

He added, A government that claims to care for children while silencing parents and faith communities is not protecting liberty  it is directly violating it. Our laws must reflect eternal truth; not passing ideologies.

Approved by the Colorado House in a 38-20 vote, House Bill 25-1312 defines Coercive control as a pattern of threatening, humiliating, or intimidating actions, including assaults or other abuse, that is used to harm, punish, or frighten an individual. The measure lists deadnaming or misgendering as examples of actions that amount to coercive control.

The legislation also defines deadnaming as to purposefully, and with the intent to disregard the individuals gender identity or gender expression, refer to an individual by their birth name rather than their chosen name. It identifies misgendering as to purposefully, and with the intent to disregard the individuals gender identity or gender expression, refer to an individual using an honorific or pronoun that conflicts with the individuals gender identity or gender expression.

The measure instructs courts in the state to determine the allocation of parental responsibilities, including parenting time and decision-making responsibilities, in accordance with the best interests of the child, giving paramount consideration to the childs safety and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the child. Courts are asked to take into consideration, Any report related to domestic violence or coercive control when making such a decision.

It is against the public policy of this state for the law of another state to authorize or require a state agency to remove a child from the childs parent or guardian because the parent or guardian assisted the child in obtaining gender-affirming health-care service, the bill states.

What the bill refers to as gender-affirming healthcare involves procedures performed on individuals who experience gender dysphoria, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries consisting of the mutilation of healthy body parts, such as a double mastectomy, hysterectomy and castration. Concerns about the long-term impact of these life-altering procedures have led more than two dozen states to ban minors from obtaining some or all of them.

Another section of the legislation implements requirements for school dress codes, stating that any dress code or uniform requirement implemented by a school board must not create or enforce any rules based on gender, and must allow each student to abide by any variation of the dress code.

The bill also establishes a new requirement for places of public accommodation, prohibiting it as a discriminatory practice and unlawful to, with specific intent to discriminate, publish materials that deadname or misgender an individual.

The fate of House Bill 25-1312 now rests in the hands of the state Senate.
Home News French Catholic Church to baptize over 10K adults on Easter; 45% increase over last year

Frances Roman Catholic Church is scheduled to baptize more than 10,000 adults on Easter Sunday, the highest number of new members reported in over 20 years.

The Catholic Church in France recently reported that 10,384 adults will be baptized on Easter night, along with approximately 7,400 individuals aged 11 to 17.

This marks a 45% increase in adult catechumens compared to last year, and is the largest reported number since 2002, when the Catholic Church created the annual survey.

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The report also noted an apparent rise in the growing, and now majority, proportion of young people among all catechumens.

Among newly baptized adults, the 18-25-year-old group, made up of students and young professionals, now represents 42% of catechumens, and has therefore surpassed the 26-40-year-old group, stated the report, as rendered by Google translate.

The number of adolescent catechumens has increased sharply again this year. We are seeing a 33% increase in the dioceses for which we have figures for the two consecutive years of 2024 and 2025.

Last month, the French Catholic weekly Famille Chretienne reported an apparent surge in attendance for Ash Wednesday services at the start of Lent, which is the liturgical calendar season before Easter.

We shattered attendance records, said Father Benoist de Sinety, parish priest of St. Eubert Church in Lille, in comments given to Famille Chretienne.

Across the three Masses we offered, we had larger congregations than ever before. Nearly a thousand faithful gathered at Saint-Maurice Church in the evening  many of them young people attending for the first time.

France has had a long, complicated history with Catholicism. For centuries, it was a bulwark of the Church, providing large numbers of soldiers for the Crusades and constructing many notable churches.

However, beginning with the violent secularism of the French Revolution in 1789, the nation has also made the occasional effort to limit Catholic influence on politics and society.

Last December, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened after more than five years of being closed due to a severe fire in April 2019 that destroyed much of the interior.

Many public officials and world leaders attended the opening, with French President Emmanuel Macron having championed efforts to have the national symbol rebuilt in five years.

The restoration of the cathedral involved more than $888 million (846 million) being donated by approximately 340,000 supporters from around 150 countries.

"You have transformed ashes into art," Macron told those present for a tour of the completed cathedral last November. The blaze at Notre Dame was a national wound, and you have been its remedy through will, through work, through commitment.
Home News 'Stunning victory for sanity': Australian judge rules against puberty blockers for 12-year-old boy

An Australian judge has ruled against a mother who saught to put her 12-year-old son on puberty blockers to stunt his development so he could attempt to look more like a girl and has granted custody of the boy to his father.

One activist has called the decision a stunning victory for sanity in Australia.

Judge Andrew Strum did not rule out permitting the child to transition once they were older but said that they were too young to fully comprehend the implications of such a life-changing decision.

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In his ruling, Strum wrote, This is a case about a child, and a relatively young one at that; not one about the cause of transgender people.

He added in the ruling: As this child grows, develops and matures, and explores and experiences life, the child might, with the related benefits of the passage of time and the acquisition of balanced understanding, come to identify as a transgender female and might elect to undergo some form of medical treatment, to affirm and/or align with that [self-professed] identity. But, similarly, with those benefits, the child might not do so, and for a variety of reasons.

At this stage in the childs life, all options should be left open, without any unacceptable risk of harm to the child.

the judge took particular exception to so-called evidence presented by experts speaking in support of the mothers position that gender identity is a purely internal matter which is completely unaffected by external influence.

Associated Professor L an anonymous witness and allegedly one of Australias leading child gender experts, was described by the judge as giving statements that were misleading or omitted findings/material that detracted from [their] opinion contrary to the obligations as an expert witness.

Strum noted, The mother, in cross-examination, rejected even the possibility that external factors or influence might have any role to play in the childs gender identity."

He said that neither of the experts who submitted evidence "were able to point to any empirical or substantive basis for their opinion but, rather, only to anecdotal reports from transigender [identified] adults about their experience of their gender identity.

The judges decision was at least partially informed by the Cass Review, conducted in Britain, which is highly critical of an affirming approach to transitioning children and the use of drugs such as puberty blockers.

He also found that the mother had attempted to use the childs apparent gender fluidity as a tool to damage the childs relationship with their father. He further said that medical treatment should be determined by the best interests of the child, rather than be determined by ideological concerns.

The ruling was welcomed by Chris Elston, also known as Billboard Chris, whose activism has brought him into conflict with pro-trans activists and the Australian courts.

Writing on X, Elston said, The gender clinic, an expert witness, the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health, and a previous judge who tried to downplay the Cass Review have all been severely rebuked in a stunning victory for sanity in Australia.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
New U.S. Ambassador For Religious Freedom, U.S. Drops In World Happiness Rank, More Men Are Turning To The Bible

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:54 06:54

Top headlines for Monday, April 14, 2025

We discuss President Donald Trump's recent nomination of a former congressional leader and pastor as the U.S. ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, a pivotal role in promoting global religious liberties. Then, we shift to Finland, the newly anointed happiest country in the world according to the annual World Happiness Report by the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Plus, we delve into the surprising resurgence of Bible engagement in the U.S., with nearly 10 million more Americans connecting with the Scriptures compared to past years. Join us as we unpack these stories and their broader implications.

00:11 Trump nominates former pastor for top religious freedom post

01:01 Kansas legislature overrides veto of religious freedom bill

01:52 Supreme Court orders return of deported El Salvadoran national

02:42 US drops to its lowest ranking in Happiness Report

03:35 France could recognize Palestinian state in coming months: Macron

04:22 More men turning to the Bible across every generation

05:10 Amy Grant fights to save church founded by great-grandfather
Home Opinion Its time America held Azerbaijan accountable for its torture of Christians

A young man was recently beaten and thrown down a flight of steps for bringing his Bible to school. The story of Vusal, a Christian high school student in Azerbaijan, is a harrowing reminder of the dangers faced by religious minorities in the country.



Vusal was brutally beaten by classmates for bringing a Bible to school, an act that led to his spine being severely injured after being thrown down the stairs. The Bible he carried was torn apart in front of him, and now he lies in critical condition in a hospital, struggling to breathe. This incident reflects a broader pattern of religious intolerance and violence in Azerbaijan, where Christians are increasingly marginalized, attacked, and silenced, often with the complicity or neglect of state authorities.

Rising religious violence in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has witnessed a sharp increase in religious persecution over recent years. Christians face discrimination in employment, social ostracism, and physical violence. The governments secular Muslim stance often devolves into outright repression of religious practices. In 2023 alone, reports documented alarming levels of violence against Christians and other religious minorities. For example, satellite imagery revealed the destruction of Armenian Christian sites in Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan's military takeover of the region. Churches, cemeteries, and schools were deliberately damaged or destroyed, underscoring the regime's systematic targeting of religious heritage.

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Statistics show that violence against Christians escalated sharply between 2024 and 2025, with incidents like the destruction of Christian buildings increasing from three cases to seven within a year. Additionally, thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes due to faith-related persecution. The government also imposes strict controls on religious activities through intrusive laws that require registration for congregations  an often-unattainable hurdle for minority groups.

Azerbaijans designation as a country of particular concern

In May 2024, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) designated Azerbaijan as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) for its egregious violations of religious freedom. This designation is reserved for nations where governments engage in or tolerate severe religious persecution. USCIRF highlighted Azerbaijan's alarming trend of arrests based on religion or belief and documented cases where detainees were tortured or threatened with sexual violence to extract false confessions.

The CPC status comes after years of monitoring by USCIRF, which noted consistent repression against both Christians and Muslims. For example, Shia Muslims have been targeted for alleged connections to Iran, facing harassment, detention, and imprisonment under vague accusations of extremism. Meanwhile, Protestant Christians and Jehovahs Witnesses continue to struggle for legal recognition amid government refusals to register non-Muslim communities. This year, USCRIF failed to designate them a CPC, giving them a lower designation of Special Watch List Country. Practically speaking, the country remains a growing concern regarding its escalating attacks on Christian freedoms.

Broader implications

Azerbaijans authoritarian regime under President Ilham Aliyev has cultivated an environment where religious freedom is systematically suppressed. Despite claims by Azerbaijani lobbyists that the nation is an exemplar of tolerance, international watchdogs like Freedom House consistently rank it among the worst violators of political rights and civil liberties. The destruction of Armenian Christian landmarks and forced displacement of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh further highlights the regime's disregard for religious diversity.

The CPC designation by USCIRF could lead to diplomatic actions such as sanctions or other measures aimed at pressuring Azerbaijan to improve its human rights record. However, meaningful change may remain elusive without sustained international advocacy.

Conclusion

Vusals tragic ordeal is emblematic of the broader plight faced by Christians in Azerbaijan  a community enduring increasing hostility amid rising radicalization and state complicity. With Azerbaijan now officially recognized as a Country of Particular Concern for its severe violations of religious freedom, global attention must remain focused on ensuring accountability and advocating for the rights of all religious minorities within its borders.
Home Opinion The New Age mov't is infiltrating your church

I'm spiritual, but not religious.

Perhaps youve come across this widely known saying before. It conveys an individuals preference for personal mystical experiences over formal doctrines and practices. The expression gained popularity during the New Age movement, which, in most peoples minds, reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s with bestselling books like Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

It might be tempting to believe that the New Age vanished after this cultural high-water mark. But thats a dramatic misreading of the past. Instead, the New Age has become Americas default religion. A 2022 poll by YouGov.org revealed that 87% of Americans believe in at least one teaching of New Age spirituality, and nearly half believe in five or more.

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As recent years have shown, the less Evangelicals recognize a threat, the more it seems to tighten its grip on them. In my view, the lives of many Evangelicals reveal that they, too, embrace the spiritual but not religious mindset. These beliefs havent just stolen into the pews  theyve taken root in the pulpit as well.



The long road

I spent two decades in the New Age before coming to Christ. I visited more than 30 countries around the world seeking God. Or so I thought.

I participated in ayahuasca retreats deep in the Peruvian jungles and explored sacred geometry during workshops nestled in Bali's hills. My journey also took me to massive Hindu festivals in India, attended by millions, and to Buddhist meditation mats in the mountains of Kashmir. Blending Jungian transpersonal psychotherapy with past-life regression, tarot readings, psychedelics, Reiki, and other practices paints a vivid picture of the person I used to be.

What drew me away from those beliefs was the undeniable presence of evil, which I glimpsed in small but striking ways during my travels, particularly in less-developed countries. Yet, in a worldview where all is One (monism) or all is God (pantheism), I found no solid basis to label the wickedness I personally encountered as truly wrong.

Consider: if good and evil are equally God, by what standard can we judge whether an action is one or the other? This leads to troubling moral waters. Do these principles also mean industrial waste is God? How about slavery, the gulags, or genocide? I found such ideas revolting, and literally unconscionable.

Worse still, no one in the New Age community would discuss this problem with me. For instance, as an extreme example, Id challenge fellow seekers to tell an imaginary sex-trafficked child that her grim fate was simply her karma. This hypothetical scenario, though consistent with the logical outcome of the concept of karma, abruptly ended many conversations. Few of us in the New Age had considered the trajectory of our theological presuppositions.



A homecoming

In February 2020, COVID madness descended over the world Id just returned from exploring. With surging global fear in view, I concluded that any notion of God that couldnt account for evil was no notion of God at all. That would be like a model of Earth and the Solar System that explained daylight but not nighttime.

After nearly two decades of spiritual seeking Id come up fruitless. Having exhausted other answers, I was ready for my first work of Christian apologetics: NT Wrights Simply Christian.

In the book, Wright explains how a great wave of evil was preparing to crash over Jesus as He hung on the cross. But through Christs death and resurrection, He drove back the wave of evil forever.

The real enemy, after all, was not Rome, but the powers of evil that stood behind human arrogance and violence, powers of evil with which Israels leaders had fatally colluded. It was time for the evil which had dogged Jesus footsteps throughout his career  the shrieking maniacs, the conspiring Herodians, the carping Pharisees, the plotting chief priests, the betrayer among his own disciples, the whispering voices within his own soul  to gather into one great tidal wave of evil that would crash with full force over his head ... In meeting the fate which was rushing towards him, he would be the place where heaven and earth met, as he hung suspended between the two. He would be the place where Gods future arrived in the present, with the kingdom of God celebrating its triumph over the kingdoms of the world by refusing to join in their spiral of violence (Simply Christian, NT Wright).

Something clicked.

After that, I read CS Lewis Mere Christianity  the only other Christian book I knew of  and The Screwtape Letters. Confronted by the luminous words of Lewis, the last defenses surrounding my heart collapsed. I was captured by the truth.

I wasted no time taking the next step. I immediately asked some Christian friends to baptize me, which they did several weeks later in the Spokane River, on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend 2020. These were the same friends who gave me Simply Christian in the first place. Id met them in August 2015 at the 80,000-person pagan Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. Theyd been running an underground Christian ministry there for more than a decade.

Today, five years after reading Wright, Im a Confessional, Calvinistic, and Covenantal member in good standing of a Reformed Presbyterian church. God is truly great!



Lies and truth

But something unexpected happened to me on the way to Westminster.

For 20 years, I explored the New Age, searching for truth, but came up empty-handed. That hollow world is filled with broken people clinging to spiritual crutches that buckle under the mounting pressure of their burdened consciences. New Agers dive into self-denying Eastern meditations, Law of Attraction workshops, and trendy practices that chase spiritual highs through emotional outbursts or, increasingly, psychedelic substances. With enough money, time, and effort, relief is possible  but regeneration? Never. All the trauma healing I pursued only sharpened my flaws, tightening the grip of my demons: spiritual ambition and lust. (They call it reclaiming your authenticity, if you want the technical jargon.)

But then, in an astonishingly short time, Christ set me free from it all. And He did so for the low, low price of ... free. No expensive trainings, workshops, or seminars required. The church membership class that introduced me to the doctrines of grace was free. My friends in Idaho gave me a study Bible as a gift. The Holy Spirit took it from there, guiding me with gentleness, care, and boundless grace through intense waves of confession and repentance.



New age infiltration

So, you can imagine my shock to be a Prodigal Son, returning home to my Fathers house, only to discover my siblings feeding from the pigs trough!

For example, Ive been astounded to see the angry reaction from Christians on X when I question the Hindu practice of yoga. Enthusiasts say its just stretching, that they enjoy the exercise, or that its permissible as a meat sacrificed to idols issue (ref. 1 Cor 8) and that I should just lighten up.

The word yoga is based on the Sanskrit term yuj meaning yoke, as in to yokeor become one withthe Divine. Every entry-level yoga teacher training explains how different poses are devoted to Hindu demons. Popular sequences like sun salutations express embodied devotion to a solar deity. Many yoga classrooms have idols of the Hindu false god Shiva and end their classes with chants of the so-called sacred syllable OM after concluding with Shavasana, or corpse pose. And advanced contortionistic postures are even used to awaken the serpent energy known as Kundalini. This same secret energy, said to be coiled at the base of the spine near the genitals, is also used in sexually driven conjuring rituals, aka sex magic.

So no, its not just stretching.

Cancelling the Enneagram

I was further floored to discover the popularity of the Enneagram with Christians in positions of power. Russell Moore claims to be an Enneagram Type 4 and spoke at the 2023 Gospel for the Enneagram Summit. Andy Stanley discussed the Enneagram on his leadership podcast saying, It helped me tremendously. Even N.T. Wright uncritically referenced the Enneagram on his own website, in a discussion about the Psalms.

Little do Christians know that even in New Age circles, that personality test was considered woo-woo!

The Enneagram was introduced to the West in the 1920s by a Russian mystic named G.I. Gurdjieff, who taught a system of awakening to higher consciousness he called The Fourth Way. Gurdjieffs work became foundational to the Human Potential movement, which formed a major artery of the New Age.

Much could be said of Gurdjieff and his propensity for drunkenness, violence, and abuse of his pupils, which he claimed helped them awaken. But as Margaret Croydon sums up on the Gurdjieff International website:

Finally, [Gurdjieff] was the first thinker in the West to believe in the evolution of mans being through work on oneself  an evolution which, for him, was related to the evolution of the cosmos. As above, so below, he said.

Spiritual evolution through self-work along with the occult saying, as above, so below, are pillars of the New Age.



No quarter for false teaching

Yoga and the Enneagram are two examples of New Age contamination Ive seen in Evangelical circles, but I could name more. It seems that every day Americans arent the only ones who are spiritual but not religious. Many professing Christians are, as well.

Christians should know better. But at the encouragement of respected leaders theyve adopted the same practices I fled from. Theyre trading the rich, saving discipleship of historic Christianity for empty spiritual dead ends.

The difference is stark: One offers endless seeking without finding; the other offers Christ, who finds us (Matt. 15:24). One requires constant payments for diminishing returns; the other gives in abundance what money cant buy (Jn. 7:38). One collapsed under the weight of evil. The other explained and defeated evil forever:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

When Christ warned about the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13-14), He wasn't just speaking about moral standards. He was also referencing how the exclusive claims of faith in Him stand against the global array of spiritual, but not religious options.

So, my question for the Evangelicals church today isn't whether we're spiritual  it's whether we have the courage to be distinctively Christian. Have we invited the same spirits I fled from into our sanctuaries, wrapped in Christian language and excuses?

The New Age hasn't disappeared; it's been baptized. And until we recognize this infiltration for what it is, we'll be offering brothers and sisters stones instead of bread, serpents instead of fish, and death instead of life eternal.
Home Opinion Why Trumps plan for Gaza is the right (and only) solution

If youve just arrived on Earth from Planet Zorb and are watching the mainstream news networks, youre likely thinking, Why is this Israel bombing and killing innocent children and families in a place called Gaza?

Thats certainly what many Americans and others are fed daily by the likes of CNN, BBC, and MSNBC. One poll last year revealed 35% of Americans believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza  an opinion fueled by newscasts repeatedly showing the devastation caused by Israels counter-offensive against Hamas terrorists.

The reality, however, is that Gaza is a terrorist incubator.

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It is infested with murderous, hate-driven fanatics whose sole aim is to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Israel simply has no choice other than to flush out or eliminate Hamas before the terrorists strike again as they did on October 7, 2023, murdering more than 1,200 Israelis and taking 240 civilians hostage.

The Palestinian citizens of Gaza collectively are not innocent victims in this war. On October 7, Hamas and the people of Gaza effectively declared war on Israel. During the recent theater of selective Israeli hostages being paraded prior to their release, thousands of Gazan civilians were clearly supporting and cheering the terrorists. These are the same terrorists who slaughtered babies, raped young women, and burned whole families alive on October 7.

Palestinian loathing of the Jewish State of Israel runs deep. Former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat vowed to produce a generation of suicide bombers and terrorists. The Gazans have educated their children from the youngest age to hate Israel and, by extension, to hate America. Theyve been programmed to hate, if you will, and thats why theyre so vehemently violent.

Is there any hope, then?

Its obvious that the so-called Two-State Solution  Israel co-existing alongside a Palestinian state  is dead. Israel simply cannot trust such a lethal and hostile neighbor on its border. As President Trump has proposed, the only workable and permanent solution is for the Gazan people to be relocated to other countries in the region, places where theyre able to assimilate and rebuild their lives. Its even possible that the Israeli government would be prepared to grant Hamas safe passage out of Gaza in return for the remaining Israeli hostages, both alive and dead.

Just recently, the Israeli security cabinet approved the voluntary transfer for Gaza residents who express interest in moving to third countries, in accordance with Israeli and international law, and following the vision of US President Donald Trump.

In a recent poll, more than half of Gazans said theyd consider leaving Gaza if offered the opportunity to start over in a different place. Unsurprisingly, though, the idea has been met with scorn and horror by most of the Trump-hating world whove poured derision on his vision to turn Gaza into a Middle Eastern Riviera.

But as weve all seen, Gaza is currently a total disaster zone, described by the United Nations as uninhabitable. Meanwhile, the Israeli people  whose plight is essentially ignored by the mainstream media  continue to suffer because of terrorist activity. Something has to give  and soon.

As a matter of national security, I fully expect Israel to take control of Gaza. Its clear from Israels ramped-up ground offensive in recent days that its intention is to occupy and resettle Gaza whatever the cost. Israel, I believe, will likely create a security zone in Gaza so that the territory can be safely repopulated by Israelis.

The clock is ticking. Israels patience is wearing ultra-thin. Emboldened by the staunch support of the Trump administration, the Israeli government is more determined than ever to cleanse its borders and neighboring territories  including Gaza  of all Iran-backed terror threats. Never again will Israel allow its enemies to launch an October 7-scale attack on its citizens. Therefore, it simply cannot tolerate hostile actors on its doorstep.

Think of it like this: there are 330 million Arabs surrounding Israel, which has a population of roughly 9.5 million, the size of New Jersey. Its like the entire US ganged up against New Jersey. This is precisely why Israel has to act preemptively and strike first to defend itself and ensure terrorists dont have the capacity to obliterate the worlds only Jewish homeland.

Trump has stated that the Gazans must go someplace else. The question is, where?

Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have stated they dont want to absorb two million Gazan refugees. In their view, if they were to absorb them, theyd be giving up what they think is an important political chess piece.

For decades, the Egyptians, Jordanians and others have prevented the Palestinians from assimilating in their countries. Why? They want to use them as pawns to pressure Israel to take in millions of hostile refugees  with the aim of destroying Israel from within.

Jordan, especially, doesnt want Gazas refugees, because the ruling clan fears the influx of a million or more Palestinians could weaken its grip on power. But I believe the Gazan population ultimately will have to be largely resettled there, because of their historical connections with Jordan. Its the logical place for them to go.

Buckle up. The Gaza dilemma is about to blow wide open.
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Charities should avoid being distracted by culture wars, outgoing Charity Commission chair Orlando Fraser has said in one of his final interviews before leaving his role .

Fraser, who is stepping down on 25 April, told the Times that the commission gets a lot of complaints about charities wokery but these usually fall outside of its regulatory remit.

But if a charity decides its not so much a charity but an engine for social progress, we can step in, he is quoted as saying.

Rainbow lanyards for National Trust employees is not something we would intervene on.

But trustees have to consider their charitys reputation and be careful. If they go too far, they could find they lose support. Museums and galleries need to think about their labelling.

Charities would do best to avoid being distracted by the culture wars, calm down and focus on sticking to their core purposes.

Meanwhile, the commission has defended Frasers interim replacement, Mark Simms, after the Daily Mail published an article accusing him of partisanship.

Politicisation of charities

Fraser, who has been the commissions chair since 2022, told the newspaper his most challenging task had been to control the politicisation of charities.

When I arrived, there was a lot of uncertainty and argument about overt political campaigning. I decided to set clear boundaries, he is quoted as saying.

Political campaigning can happen in furtherance of your services, but it must be done in a measured, respectful way, not like the aggression you see in politics.

That seems to have dialled down the temperature and halved complaints.

In his interview, Fraser was asked whether arts organisations should focus on correcting past evils such as slavery among their original donors.

It all depends on how it is done. I dont think most people are anti-British or anti-our past history, he is quoted as saying.

I went out with some of our aid charities to Romania and I saw a great pride in what this country does in international aid.

Interim chair criticised for old social media posts

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported yesterday that P3 Charity chief executive Simms previously posted about politicians on social media, including praise for Labour MP Jess Phillips and criticism of former prime minister Boris Johnson.

The article includes a comment from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who said: When weve got charities accused of links to the Iranian regime and spreading extremism, the work of the Charity Commission must be beyond reproach.

In response, the commission stated that Simms made the standard declarations during his appointment, which included that he had no significant political activity in the past five years.

A spokesperson for the regulator told Civil Society: The Charity Commission is fair, balanced and independent in its regulation of charities.

Mark has been a member of the board for two years and has a very clear understanding of the role and its responsibilities.

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Sense International appoints CEO

Disability charity Sense International has appointed its first distinct chief executive, Kavita Prasad, after previously sharing a CEO with parent organisation, Sense.

The reorganisation of its leadership structure follows the departure of Sense and Sense International CEO Richard Kramer at the beginning of the year, and subsequent appointment of James Watson-O'Neill as Sense CEO in February.

Prasad has served as director of Sense International since 2022, having previously served as CEO of DeafKidz International and SoundSeekers, as well as disability advisor to the UN Palestine Refugee Agency.

New CEO for Royal Society of Biology

The Royal Society of Biology has appointed Doug Brown as its new CEO, effective 1 September 2025.

Brown is currently CEO of the British Society for Immunology (one of the RSBs member organisations), a position he has held since 2018, and a trustee of the Association of Medical Research Charities.

He will succeed Mark Downs, who has been the RSBs CEO for the last 16 years and is now retiring.

MCS Foundation welcomes CEO

Sustainability charity MCS Foundation has appointed Garry Felgate as its new CEO.

Felgate will be the first chief executive of the MCS Group, leading both the charity and the MCS Service Company.

He will replace interim CEO David Cowdrey, who took over from Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay, who stepped down to successfully campaign to be an MP last year.

Felgate has over three decades of senior leadership experience across the private sector and civil society, and in government advisory roles both as an executive and board member.

Friends of the Earth announces chief executive

Environmental organisation Friends of the Earth has selected War on Wants executive director Asad Rehman as its next chief executive.

Rehman will start in the post in August 2025, taking over from interim chief executive Jamie Peters.

He is returning to Friends of the Earth having previously spent 11 years at the organisation, where he was its head of international campaigning

Prior to that, Rehman worked as a senior campaigner on the groups rights and justice, and corporate and trade, strands of work.

The process of appointing Asad Rehmans successor as executive director of War on Want is underway.

New chair for Refugee Campaign Alliance

Refugee Campaign Alliance, an alliance of charities including Save the Children, Oxfam, Stonewall and British Red Cross, has appointed Eleanor Harrison as its chair.

Harrison, who was recently appointed as the Fairtrade Foundation CEO, previously worked to support asylum seekers and refugees in programme delivery at the Refugee Council, as interim CEO of Safe Passage International and as trustee of Refugee Rights Europe.

She takes up the role as the recently tabled border security, asylum and immigration bill  which the group has campaigned against  makes its way through parliament.

Community Integrated Care appoints chair

Mandy Wearne has been appointed as the chair of Community Integrated Care.

Wearne has been serving as interim chair for the charity since March 2024, following the departure of Libby Raper, who led the board for five years.

Wearne first joined Community Integrated Care in June 2021 and also currently serves as a non-executive director at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

New director of finance and technology for Magic Breakfast

Magic Breakfast, which works to provide free breakfasts for children in schools across England, has appointed Stuart Fox as its new director of finance and technology.

Fox moves to Magic Breakfast from RNIB, where he was the chief financial officer, and will begin work on 16 June.

He said: Magic Breakfast is already making a huge impact, and it will be an honour to contribute my skills and experience to help drive that forward.

Its also an exciting moment to join, with school breakfast being both on the political agenda, and the value of Magic Breakfasts work understood by parents, teachers and schools.

DFN Project SEARCH appoints director of programmes

Amy Mitchell has been appointed as the director of programmes at learning disability charity, DFN Project SEARCH, effective from 28 April.

Mitchells most recent role was as chief impact officer at national education charity, Teach First.

I am delighted to join DFN Project SEARCH, an organisation that is making a real difference in the lives of young people with a learning disability and/or who are autistic, she said.

There is no doubt that the provision of a safe place to learn, alongside great education, a focus on skills acquisition and exceptional internship opportunities is a winning formula to unleash the potential of young people everywhere.

Addressing educational inequity has always been at the heart of my career and I look forward to continuing that with my colleagues at DFN Project SEARCH.

Accountancy charity appoints board of trustees

Charity the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has appointed a trustee board under inaugural chair Stephen Hillier.

Its trustee board comprises 11 non-executive directors who collectively bring senior regulatory, governance, finance, business strategy and social mobility experience.

Richard Collins has been appointed chair of AATs professional regulation and standards compliance board and Julie Swan appointed chair of its awarding organisation compliance board.

New trustees for the Childrens Hospital Charity

The Childrens Hospital Charity in Sheffield has appointed five new trustees to its board.

The individuals appointed to the new team of trustees are Adam Gillett, Charlotte Acevedo, Louise Lumley, Matt Currie, and Peter Hartland.

Its new trustees will bring the board to a total of 12 members.

New trustee at EngineeringUK

Alex King has been appointed as a new trustee at young peoples engineering education charity, EngineeringUK.

As a surveyor at regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), King oversees aircraft engineering organisations and licensed personnel.

He also serves on the CAAs shadow board, is a governor with a local primary school and a mentor with the Social Mobility Foundation.

King said: "Im honoured to join EngineeringUK as a trustee. Their commitment to inspiring the next generation of young people into engineering and technology careers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, aligns closely with my own values.

Animal welfare charity appoints seven new trustees

Global animal welfare charity, the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), has announced that it has appointed seven new trustees to its board.

The new trustees will bring additional expertise and experience to the organisation, contributing to the ongoing development of SPANAs work. In addition to their board role, they will play key positions within the boards sub-committees.

The new trustees are Phil Alvey; Leah Wanjiku Kihara; Samantha Bunis; David Mole; Gayle Hallowell; Dr Mwenda Mbaka, and Barry Topham. Their professional experience spans the health; finance; fundraising and marketing sectors.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,




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One of my students recently requested an interview with a scientist at one of Americas national labs about the scientists published research. Normally, such a request might spark an offer of a brief interview, or at least a note begging off for lack of time. But the response to my student, Sofia Alvarado, was differentand ominous.

Im sorry it has taken me a little bit to respond to your inquiry, the scientist wrote. I had to forward it to our media office to get guidance from them. Unfortunately, due to the current administrations executive orders on climate change, I am not able to talk to you about this article.

Getting stiffed by sources is nothing new for student journalists. Mine often struggle to reach the three sources I require for most of their stories, especially when that story is a class project with no guarantee of publication. But thats I wont talk to you. This was I cant.

How can I hope to train the next generation of journalists if their sources are too afraid to talk to them? Especially scientists, who Ive always found to be approachable and enthusiastic about being able to tell a curious reporter about their work. They dedicate their careers to endeavors that may seem arcane to outsiders, and many of them know that a reporter can translate their work for a general audience.

In just a couple of months, however, the Trump administration has put that partnership at risk. The new administration is trying to censor topics from the national conversation on many fronts, including bans on hundreds of words from government websitesfrom climate science to diversity and equity. The administration is also slashing funding for research that crosses its fuzzy lines of prohibition, and its point man on health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is muddying the waters on accepted science, like vaccine safety and even the value of fluoridation. Many researchers say they are now working under a climate of fear, according to a recent open letter, with some removing their names from publications out of concern about losing their jobs or funding.

The fear about speaking openly is not limited to hard sciences. Here in Texas, the legislature has banned diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, in hiring and admissions at the college level, and vocal members of the legislature want to extend that ban into classroom discussion of these topics. Another of my students, Oliver Engel, recently interviewed a professor on the topic of teaching, who mentioned that she uses a diverse range of course materials so that a broad array of students might find something in the readings that connects to them. As soon as she said that, he told me, she immediately asked me to take it off the record and requested that I do everything I could to avoid including the word diverse/diversity in the storyeven though the word was in a context completely outside of the realm of DEI. Another interview source he spoke with referred to a diverse group of languages when discussing artificial intelligence. After saying the phrase, Oliver said, she also backtracked and mentioned that she would prefer a different word be used in its place. This anxiety about the use of a single innocuous word put Oliver in a bind. I dont want to perpetuate the political narrative that diversity is a dirty word, but I also have to think about protecting my sources and their employment, he said.

Of course, silence from sources isnt unique to student reporters. Businesses and politicians have always tried to shape their own narratives and freeze out the pressalthough it seems to be getting worse. The White House has driven this disdain for the press, with spokespeople who are unlikely to comment or to find new ways to be obnoxious about it. In response to a New York Times reporters request for comment last month about the possibility of shutting down vital observations of carbon dioxide levels at the Mauna Loa Observatory, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to comment, writing in an email, As a matter of policy, we do not respond to reporters with pronouns in their bios. In this, the White House may be taking its cues from Elon Musk, who, after buying Twitter in 2023, set the companys public relations email address to auto-respond to press inquiries with a poop emoji. (That policy ended the same year; in response to a request for clarification, John Stoll, a spokesman for X, the current name of the company, told me via email, Poop emojis are only by request now .)

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So maybe I am preparing my students for reporting in the real world after all. Im telling them to fight the silence by doing what we journalists know how to do: to be politely persistent and to keep going after those sources, to broaden their search and, as I say in class, bring the butterthat is, to butter people up a little. In a broader sense, I am trying to get my students ready for a tumultuous journalism environmentwhich also includes the collapse of advertising, the ailing newspaper business, and the rise of well-funded propaganda outlets.

I started teaching journalism at the University of Texas at Austin four years ago, after nearly forty years as a reporter at the Times, the Washington Post, and other publications. My last beat at the Times was climate change, and one of my courses helps students climb the learning curves of science and policy to cover the environment, climate change, and other intimidating topics, and to find ways to write stories that connect with readers on a personal level. I wasnt expecting to be teaching them forbidden knowledge. After all, the science is clear, even if the politics is murky. These pressures add to the burdens for those who want to learn the craft of journalism. Isnt having to learn AP style hard enough?

Still, Ive got a feeling my students will rise to these challenges. During a recent Zoom visit with my class, Dana Hull of Bloomberg said being shunned by Tesla, the core of her beat, made her work harder but also better. Many large corporations have big PR teams who field inquiries from reporters, dole out exclusive interviews with executives or hand out news under embargo, she told me in a follow-up email. But Tesla disbanded its communication team in late 2019. Thats meant that the beat reporters who cover Tesla have to dig harder to find stories, and the documents that support them. Hull has unearthed some great scoops, including a recent story about Musk secretly building a gigantic battery to feed power into the Texas grid.

This I know: These students are smart. They are remarkably resilient. They got through COVID. They are dealing with the chaos of the Trump administration. They are interested in understanding and dealing with crises like climate change that affect us all. They give me hope.
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Last week, a federal judge ordered the White House to end its ban on the Associated Press, which has (mostly) stopped the news agency from covering the Oval Office and similar settings, over the agencys refusal to rebrand the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in line with President Trumps wishes. The judge said that the AP was not entitled to special access, but does have a constitutional right to equal treatment: 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, he wrote. The Constitution requires no less. If the ruling was, perhaps, surprising (as I noted in this newsletter two weeks ago, the judge had reportedly sounded skeptical of the APs case during a key hearing), it was certainly embraced as a much-needed winfor the AP, of course, but also for a wider industry under political attack. For The Guardians Margaret Sullivan, the ruling suggested that, in Trumps America, standing up for ones principles may not be just a gesture made in vain. For the ex-CNN anchor Jim Acosta, it was evidence of the fact that our courts can work, and of his proposition that folks need to have some semblance of hope that the guardrails of our democracy will hold.

In my newsletter two weeks ago, I wrote about the hearing in the APs case alongside a range of contemporaneous developments that, together, constituted a real-time test of the new administrations power to bring the press to heel and the power of the press to fight back. I wrote that the APs case and related dynamicsnot only the reported attitude of the judge, but fears that other reporters on the White House beat, and the Correspondents Association that represents them, werent standing up to Trump with sufficient strengthdid not augur particularly well, and noted other stories that ranged from the dispiriting to the horrifying, including the announcement of a Federal Communications Commission probe of ABC and its owner, Disney, over their supposedly insidious diversity policies, and plainclothes immigration officials snatching a foreign student at Tufts University off the street, seemingly over an op-ed about Israel that she coauthored in the student paper. I also, however, noted other stories about the new administration and the media that appeared to be more hopefulnot least the early legal victories that appeared to stall official efforts to gut the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America and other broadcasters.

Last weeks AP ruling appeared to push that story, too, to the hopeful side of the ledger. But the story of the Tufts student, Rumeysa Ozturk, if anything got bleaker last week: on Thursday, she detailed, via a court filing, how she feared that the people who swept her off the street intended to kill her, as well as troubling information about the conditions of her detention; then, yesterday, the Washington Post reported that Ozturk was detained despite a State Department office having found that there were no grounds to do so. Yesterday also brought a bleak story involving the FCC: in a post on social media, Trump chastised reporting that hed just seen on 60 Minutes and called on the FCC to impose the maximum fines and punishment for supposed illegal behavior at CBS (which Trump was already targeting via an Orwellian lawsuit). In recent days, there have been new sources of bleakness, too, not least Trumps signing of memos directing the government to investigate officials who crossed him in his first term; this wasnt first and foremost an attack on press freedom, but, as CNNs Brian Stelter noted, it was inextricably linked to the media, not least since one of the targets, Miles Taylor, is an author who came to prominence after writing an (initially anonymous) New York Times op-ed that detailed a quiet internal resistance to Trump back in 2018. (We interviewed Taylor as a media figure in 2023.) Even the prior glimmers of hope are flickering. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, one of the broadcasters under the purview of USAGM, is still fighting to get the agency to actually disburse funds that looked like they would be restored amid a legal fight. On Saturday, another, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, announced a drastic reduction in staffing as USAGM continues to withhold its funding.

Even the story of the AP ruling was complicated. The judge in the case paused the implementation of his order for five days, in part to give the White House time to appeal, which it duly indicated it would; in the hours after the ruling, AP staffers attempted to join Trumps motorcade with the press pool and were again turned away, while at least some media-watchers suggested the White House might ultimately succeed in weaseling its way around the ruling. Yesterday, it finally took effect; the AP has apparently not been included in todays press pool, either, and it remains to be seen whether the agency will be admitted to any events today or be barred again. The latter appears to be the nub of the issue. (The judge didnt rule that the AP has to be part of the pool, just that they cant be excluded from everything for viewpoint reasons, the Posts Jeremy Barr explained last night. But, I think if theyre rejected when trying to attend larger events at the White House tomorrow that would likely be in violation.) But the fact that officials are now picking who gets to be in the pool on a given day is itself a Trump 2.0era break with the past, when the WHCA used to choose. And there were further indications last week that the relationship between the White House and the mainstream press corps is in a bad place. Oliver Darcy reported, in Status, that the press shop failed to send two reports produced by the pool to a mailing list, apparently because it didnt like the contents. (The White House denied this; the WHCA also distributes such reports to its members.) And reports emerged that senior officials are refusing to respond to emailed questions from reporters who list their pronouns in the signature line, on the grounds that they clearly dont care about biological reality or truth and therefore cannot be trusted to write an honest story, Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, told the Times.

In a broader sense, the APs legal victory put me in mind of a similar episode involving Acosta, then of CNN, during Trumps first term, when press officials tried to take away his credentials but backed down after a court ordered them restored, essentially on due-process grounds. This, too, was cast as an important win for press freedom, but I wrote at the time that it rang hollowyes, Acosta had won, and yes, this was important, but at the same time the White House had succeeded in ginning up a fake controversy that publicized its anti-media sentiment and distracted, at least in some small way, from any number of other, more important stories. I stand by this analysis seven years latereven if what strikes me most now is just how far weve moved beyond these sorts of concerns, which have come to feel priced-in; ordinary, even. These days, were in a very different place. (Acosta is, too: he left CNN earlier this year after the network reportedly tried to move him to a graveyard shift, a move that sparked concerns of appeasement given his history as a Trump antagonist.)

If, in my newsletter two weeks ago, I noted that the recent tug-of-war between Trump and the press had shown how reports of our impotence might be exaggerated, or at least premature, last weeks developments perhaps cast into sharper relief than ever what were up against, despite the APs win. And yet I think the key takeawaythat the press is vulnerable to Trumps attacks, but that this doesnt make it powerless to fight backstill holds. The APs win underscores the fact, despite the caveats. Indeed, the requisite metaphor here perhaps isnt a tug-of-war but several going on at once, each against a formidable adversary, but each involving shifts back and forward in position and momentum.

We cant know yet who will win in each case, but in the meantime, another point I made two weeks ago bears repeating: that, at least implicitly, Trumps attacks on the press can be interpreted as a recognition of the presss power to amplify messages that the administration doesnt like (the name Gulf of Mexico, for starters), and that it thus seems perverse, not to mention dangerous, to concede our own powerlessness, at least rhetorically. Last week, the editorial board of the Times made a similar case, writing that the most likely path to American autocracy depends on not only a power-hungry president but also the voluntary capitulation of a cowed civil society, and on the mistaken belief that a president is invincible when he in fact faces real constraints on his power. The editorial was about universities and law firmstwo other institutions in the administrations crosshairs right nowbut the same words apply to the defense of press freedom. Acosta channeled something like this idea as he quit CNN in January: Dont give in to the lies, he said. Dont give in to fear. Hold on to the truth. And hope. He has since set up on Substack, where he has found a big audience and continued to cover the news (including last weeks AP verdict).

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Last week also served up reminders that those covering Trump do not, just for the sake of it, amplify messages that he doesnt likean obvious point to note in condemning his censorial behavior, but also one that speaks to its hypocrisy, perhaps even irrationality. On Wednesday, Eric Lee, a photojournalist at the Times, showed what access to the Oval Office can bring when he snapped an extraordinary photo of Gretchen Whitmerthe Democratic governor of Michigan, who was at the White House to discuss military funding and storm relief but was unexpectedly wheeled out in front of the press as Trump signed his memos targeting Taylor and othersappearing to cover her face with documents so as to hide from the cameras. The photo arguably played into media discussions that redounded to Trumps advantage, distracting, at least to some extent, from the sharp threat posed by the memos themselves while shifting the focus, in places, to the 2028 presidential race, in which Whitmer is expected to be a contender; in any case, it was an instantly iconic visual representation of top Democrats perceived present flailing, captured by a well-placed independent observer. This sort of access, of course, has been at the heart of the APs recent legal challenge. During a hearing, Evan Vucci, an AP photojournalist, told the court that being in the room is vitally importantand that being shut out of it kills us.

I noted this quote in my newsletter two weeks ago, as well as the fact that the APs lawyer held up a campaign book that Trump produced last year, the cover of which used Vuccis iconic image of Trumps raised fist and blood-spattered face following an assassination attempt against him; the photo, I wrote, was evidence that journalists can still go where others cant and capture scenes that drive the agenda, at least among political elites. Id made that point before with regard to Vuccis photo and now feel compelled to make it againon Friday, the White House moved an official portrait of Barack Obama and replaced it with a work clearly modeled on Vuccis image. At times, the medias use of the image has been criticized as complacenteven complicitby observers who see in it a visual monument to Trumps power and virility. Maybe so. But given who took it, its status as a recurring motif of this moment can be seen as proof of the medias power, too.



Other notable stories:

In 2022, a court in New York heard a libel claim that Sarah Palin, the Republican politician, brought against the Times over a 2017 editorial that appeared to wrongly accuse her of inciting a mass shooting. (Caleb Pershan covered the case for CJR at the time.) Jed Rakoff, the judge in the case, dismissed Palins claim while the jury was still deliberating, ruling that she had failed to meet the high bar of proof required under existing US libel precedent; Rakoff meant to let the jury finish talking, but several members learned of his decision via push notifications on their phones, and an appeals court later cited this fact as it ordered a retrial in the case. That proceeding is slated to start today, with jury selection. Rakoff is once again set to preside; NPRs David Folkenflik has a preview of the trial and the stakes.

Last week, Gannett, the largest newspaper chain in the US, told staffers that it will no longer publish demographic and diversity data about its workforce and also revamped its corporate site to remove mentions of diversity, Nieman Labs Hanaa Tameez reports. A spokesperson told Tameez that Gannett was adapting to the evolving regulatory environment, then specified, when asked for clarification, that it was referring to a Trump executive order taking aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in both the public and private sectors; the company didnt say whether it had had direct contact with the administration. Gannett said that it remains committed to treating all our employees with respect and ensuring a culture of belonging.

And Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prizewinning Peruvian writer, has died. He was eighty-nine. Vargas Llosa was known for his novels, but he began his career as a night reporterchronicling an underworld of dive bars, crime and prostitution, per the Timesand later experienced a journalistic rebirth as an influential columnist for the Spanish newspaper El Pais, where he pushed free-market ideas, among other things. A critic once described him as a columnist of unparalleled stature in the Hispanic world, with eyes and ears everywhere and a voice as loud as thunder.
The U.S. Department of Labor reached an agreement with a Jamesport, Missouri roofing contractor after a federal investigation determined he violated federal laws, resulting in a teen workers fatal fall in March 2023.

The departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that John Troyer, owner of Troyer Construction LLP, which operates as Troyer Roofing & Coatings, failed to provide workers with required fall protection.

A separate investigation reportedly found the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by employing minors illegally in roofing work.

Under the agreement, Troyer must pay $290,000, which includes $156,259 in OSHA penalties, $15,000 in child labor penalties and $118,741 in criminal fines to the U.S. Department of Justice. The company must also enroll in Missouris On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program.
All sense of survivors guilt was fleeting for those residents whose homes remained standing after wildfires ripped through the Los Angeles area three months ago.

Many worried that smoke from the Eaton wildfire that destroyed more than 9,000 structures and killed 18 people may have carried toxins, including lead, asbestos and heavy metals, into their homes. But they struggled to convince their insurers to test their properties to ensure it was safe to return.

Nicole Maccalla, a data scientist, said embers burned more than half of her roof, several windows and eaves were damaged, and her house in Altadena was left filled with ash, debris, soot and damaged appliances. She said her insurance adjuster said USAA would pay for contamination testing, but after choosing a company and coming back with the results, her claim was rejected. The adjuster said the company only covered testing in homes with major damage.

Every single item is a battle, said Maccalla. Its denials and appeals and denials and appeals, and you wait weeks and weeks and weeks for responses.

Crowdsourcing Contamination Data

Maccalla and others banded together as Eaton Fire Residents United, sharing indoor environmental testing data and compiling the results in an online map. Of 81 homes tested so far for lead, all show elevated levels, according to the group.

Ive already had multiple people reach out and say: Thank you for publishing this map  because my insurance company has changed their mind and approved testing,' said Maccalla, who helped design the data collection to verify results and maintain privacy.

Many homeowners paid privately for the testing after their insurance companies refused, revealing gaps in coverage. The group hopes the data will help residents who cant afford it to convince their insurers to cover testing and remediation.

If I can prove my community is not fit for human habitation then maybe I can show my home wont be, said Jane Lawton Potelle, founder of Eaton Fire Residents United.

Its not easy to understand how and when it is safe to return home, Potelle said. The fine print of insurance policies can be frustrating and confusing, and the government has not stepped in to help.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it has no plans to conduct widespread environmental testing. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is tracking environmental testing largely by academic researchers and a handful from government agencies, but most studies assess outdoor contamination.

Toxic Air and Limited Coverage

Reports from other urban wildfires, in which building materials, appliances, cars and more burn at incredibly high temperatures, show increased levels of heavy metals including lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzene that are tied to negative health risks. But insurance companies havent standardized testing for those contaminants.

Home insurance broadly covers fire damage, but there is a growing dispute over what damage must be covered when flames dont torch the property.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara released a bulletin in March that put the onus on companies to properly investigate reported smoke damage, saying they cannot deny such claims without investigating thoroughly, including paying for professional testing as warranted. But many residents have been left to fight for coverage anyway.

Janet Ruiz, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute that represents many major insurance companies, said its hard to compare neighbors because every claim is unique due to each homes physical structure, actual damage and defined insurance coverage limits.

It can vary and insurance companies are sensitive to what the claim is, Ruiz said. You have to work with your insurance companies and be reasonable about what may have happened.

Dave Jones, director of the Climate Risk Initiative at University of California, Berkeley, and former state insurance commissioner, said testing should be covered even though some insurance companies disagree.

Its perfectly reasonable for people to have some kind of environmental test done so that their home is safe and their property is safe, Jones said. Were talking about very catastrophically high temperature fires where all sorts of materials are melted and some of them become toxic.

State Plan Struggles

The states insurer of last resort, known as the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, has been scrutinized for years over how it handles smoke damage claims. A 2017 change to the FAIR Plan limited coverage to permanent physical changes, meaning smoke damage must be visible or detectable without lab testing for claims to be approved. State officials said that threshold was too high and illegal, and ordered a change.

Dylan Schaffer, an attorney leading a class action lawsuit challenging FAIR Plans threshold, said he was surprised private carriers are disputing similar fire damage claims.

The damage is not due to smoke, the damage is contamination from fire, Schaffer said. They make it complicated because it saves them money.

Meanwhile, Altadena residents on the FAIR Plan say their claims are still being denied. Jones believes the debate will only end when lawmakers take action.

FAIR Plan spokeswoman Hilary McLean declined to comment on the ongoing litigation and individual cases, but said the FAIR Plan pays all covered claims based on the adjusters recommendations.

Our policy, like many others, requires direct physical loss for there to be coverage, McLean said.

Worries Over Kids Safety

Potelle said the first inkling that her house might be toxic came after meeting with her AAA insurance adjuster in the days after the fire. Even though she had worn a mask, her chest still ached and her voice rasped, and she wondered whether her home was safe for her 11-year-old.

Stephanie Wilcox said her toddlers pediatrician recommended testing their home. Her Farmers Insurance policy includes coverage for lead and asbestos in addition to her wildfire coverage, but after multiple denials, she paid out of pocket.

After the initial inspection, (Farmers) had told us remediation would cost about $12,000 and that it would be habitable, like we could move back in tomorrow, she said. But now theres no way.

She plans to ask for a new estimate including lead abatement and other costs, citing the results.

Similarly, Zach Bailey asked in late January for contamination testing. The house he shares with his wife and toddler sits in an island of largely spared homes among blocks wiped out by the fire. After months of denials, State Farm agreed to pay for lead and asbestos testing because the remediation company cited federal worker safety regulations.

It shouldnt have been that hard, he said.

It feels like the insurance companies should have a playbook at this point, he said. They should have a process to keep people safe because this isnt the first disaster like this.

Photo: Eaton fire survivor Dr. Nicole Maccalla, a data scientist and a lead investigator, checks the interior of her home after cleaning and repairs were performed to her smoke damaged residency in Altadena, Calif., on Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Jim Cramer says it is time to act on Apple 's two-day rally after President Donald Trump threw American tech firms a trade tariff lifeline. Shares of the iPhone maker rose 4% on Monday  back over a $3 trillion market cap  after guidance went out late Friday that Trump exempted smartphones, computers, and other electronics from his steep "reciprocal" tariffs. That edict included most of the 145% levies on Chinese imports. The 20% fentanyl-related tariff that Trump put on China will remain. Club stock Apple rose 4% during Friday's regular session. "Sell some. Keep a lot," Jim said on Monday's Morning Meeting. "Have some optionality here." Jim was amplifying what he wrote in his Sunday column that it would be prudent to trim our Apple position "into strength" on Monday. We would have made that small sale for the Club if not restricted. We last trimmed Apple during morning trading on Dec. 26, the day of its last record-high close, when the position was getting too big in the portfolio after a strong 2024. While still down 18% in 2025, Apple did turn in a weekly gain following Wednesday's 15% rally on Trump holding these "reciprocal" tariffs at 10% for 90 days while turning up the heat on China. "I am adamant we are too big" on Apple, Jim said Monday. He emphasized that taking some profits now while the stock is getting a bounce makes sense and protects against further downside. Jim is worried that Apple's rally may be short-lived, given the number of trade policy changes the president has made in the past two weeks. Case in point: Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick signaled on Sunday that the electronics exemptions might be temporary. "Trim some Apple potentially into strength, just to take some chips off the table after a big rebound off the bottom," Jeff Marks, the Investing Club's director of portfolio analysis, said Monday. Apple has gained nearly 20% since its 2025 low of $172 on April 8. The stock, however, was still more than 20% below its December record-high close of $259. AAPL YTD mountain Apple (AAPL) year-to-date performance While Apple has tried to show the Trump administration that it's prioritizing investments in the United States, it doesn't look like it has been enough. The company said in February that it plans to pour $500 billion within the next four years into the U.S. But we think management will need to make more serious strides to get Trump off its back. "There's a certain sense in the White House that Apple hasn't really spent as much from the last time [the company] said it would do in America," Jim said Monday during "Squawk on the Street. "That's because these new plans are not shovel-ready," Jim added. Perhaps, Apple should take a page out of Club holding Nvidia 's playbook. On Monday, Nvidia unveiled plans to build some of its AI supercomputers entirely in the United States. The company forecasted that it will produce up to $500 billion of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the country as well within the next four years. In fact, Nvidia also said its Blackwell AI chips have started production in Phoenix at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing plants. Overall, it's clear to us that Apple is not out of the woods yet. It needs to find a solution quickly because its exposure to China is massive. The company manufactures the majority of its products in China, which is also Apple's second-largest market by sales. This is still the case even as management tries to diversify its revenue and supply chain by expanding into emerging economies like India and Vietnam. However, those countries will be subject to much higher so-called reciprocal tariffs in less than 90 days, barring any trade deals. Corners of Wall Street echoed our concerns about Apple's rally too. JPMorgan analysts lowered their price target to $245 from $270 Monday, arguing that while the exemptions announced late Friday will bolster sentiment in the near term, there are still some key concerns regarding the stock. "Exemptions are a relief, but complete relief might be temporary," the analysts, who reiterated their buy-equivalent rating on shares, said. Additionally, they said that mounting economic uncertainty from an all-out global trade war can weigh on iPhone sales regardless. "Pullback in consumer spending on account of the slower macro is likely to influence revenues despite the exemptions driving more confidence in gross margin sustainability," the analysts wrote in their Monday note to clients. To be sure, not everyone on the Street was hesitant about the stock. On Sunday, Apple shares were upgraded at KeyBanc to a hold-equivalent rating from a sell. The analysts described the news as "probably the best case scenario we can think of for AAPL, which makes it unlikely that our prior downside PT would be achieved, and takes a big risk off the table." (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AAPL, NVDA. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Asia-Pacific markets climbed Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump paused tariffs on some consumer electronics, boosting risk sentiment.

Hong Kong stocks led gains in the region, with the Hang Seng Index ending the day 2.4% higher at 21,417.40 to and Hang Seng Tech Index moving up 2.34% to 5,015.12.

Mainland China's CSI 300 rose 0.23% to close at 3,759.14.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 ended the day 1.18% higher at 33,982.36%, while the broader Topix index rose 0.88% to 2,488.51.

In South Korea, the Kospi index added 0.95% to close at 2,455.89, while the small-cap Kosdaq advanced 1.92% to 708.98.

Meanwhile, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 increased 1.34% to close at 7,748.60.

Indian markets were closed for a public holiday.

Trump exempted smartphones and computers as well as other devices and components such as semiconductors from his new "reciprocal" tariffs, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance issued late Friday.

However, Trump and U.S.' Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested Sunday that the exemptions were not permanent, stirring up more uncertainty.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that these products were still "subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff 'bucket.'"

Several countries in the region are also preparing for trade negotiations with the U.S. this week.

Trump is engaging in negotiations with countries including Vietnam, India, South Korea and Japan, and is prioritizing existing trading partners that are strategic to countering China, according to two people close to the White House, reports from Politico show.

Japan's top trade representative Akazawa Ryosei is slated to visit the U.S. this week for talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to local broadcaster NHK.
As uncertainty around President Donald Trump's tariff plan hangs over markets, investors should consider snapping up shares of Cheniere Energy , according to G Squared Private Wealth's Victoria Greene. The firm's chief investment officer joined CNBC's " Power Lunch " on Monday to offer her view on the energy play, along with two other names she thinks investors should be watching amid market volatility. Here's what Greene said during the segment. Cheniere Energy Greene thinks natural gas play Cheniere would be the "biggest primary beneficiary" of any deals that emerge from the tariff debacle. "If you're in a trade argument with the United States and you need to now import something, what is the easiest thing for you to make a deal to import? Natural gas," she said. Moving past the potential future tariff developments, Greene also pointed to the success of the company's Corpus Christi Stage 3 Liquefaction Project, which started producing liquefied natural gas in December 2024. The first LNG cargo from the project was produced in February this year. "They are long-term contracts, fixed-rate contracts and they continue to grow production. Just absolutely love this stock," she said. Shares of the company have risen more than 9% over the past week and more than 17% over the past six months, outpacing the broader market. Novo Nordisk U.S.-traded shares of Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk have been hit hard this year, falling more than 23% in 2025. The stock has also plummeted nearly 45% over the past six months. "I think they're getting caught up in the panic on European pharmaceuticals," Greene said, noting the insulation provided by its U.S. headquarters being in New Jersey and large-scale manufacturing facility being in North Carolina. "I look at this as they're a little bit safer from tariffs even if they are Danish and we are in a little bit of a kerfuffle over Greenland with the Danes, but they're a great company," the investor added. "I see the growth as very, very intact." Welltower Even as Welltower , a real estate investment trust that specializes in senior housing, has risen more than 15% this year, Greene thinks there could still be more room to grow. "You have this silver tsunami happening," she said. "As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the number of caregivers that can actually give care are continuing to decline. So, we're seeing huge growth and opportunity even for this real estate stock." Greene noted that she anticipates the company is going to grow its net operating income by 15% to 20% in the future. "They're growing rent and they're controlling costs, and we see this though as an expanding sector," the investor remarked. "We want to be in senior living, and they are by far and away the best senior living stock." Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited!
A screen showing the Shanghai composite index (top), Shenzhen component index (C) and Beijing stock exchange 50 index (bottom) in Jing'an district in Shanghai on April 9, 2025.

Chinese bourses have set daily restrictions on net share sales by hedge funds and large retail investors, four sources said 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 authorized 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 stabilize 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 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 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.
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An Apple store at Manhattan Village, on April 8, 2025 in Manhattan Beach, California, U.S. Jay L Clendenin | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Taken from CNBCs Daily Open, our international markets newsletter  Subscribe today

On late Friday, the Trump administration welcomed the weekend in the best way: by announcing that electronics  such as smartphones, computers and semiconductors  will be temporarily exempted from his so-called 'reciprocal' tariffs, including the baseline 10% rate on all countries. That means such products imported from China will apparently not be subjected to the 125% tariff U.S. President Donald Trump slapped on Beijing (a 20% tariff will remain). Apple CEO Tim Cook must be heaving a sigh of relief: The Cupertino-based company manufactures around 80% of iPads and more than half of Mac computers in China, according to an estimate from Evercore ISI. The news is also a relief for consumers, who desperately need an uplift in mood, based on the findings of the University of Michigan's latest survey. After all, it's not just corporations and importers that are affected by tariffs. Laptop prices have already shot up, according to disgruntled comments on Reddit. The Nintendo Switch 2 preorder was postponed. Perhaps even Trump is keeping in mind the famous Wall Street adage: Don't bet against the U.S. consumer.

What you need to know today

And finally...

Dado Ruvic | Reuters

China urges Trump to correct mistakes and heed 'rational voices' on reciprocal tariffs China's Commerce Ministry called the U.S. tariff exemptions a "small step" and urged U.S. President Donald Trump to "completely abolish" the reciprocal tariffs, which include a 145% duty on imports from China. "We urge the U.S. to heed the rational voices of the international community and domestic parties, take a big stride in correcting its mistakes, completely abolish the wrongful action of 'reciprocal tariffs,'" the ministry said in an online statement, according to a CNBC translation. The recent exemptions of tariffs on imports of tech products are being presented domestically as Trump is backing down and further evidence that Chinese supply chains are not easily replaceable by U.S. companies.
Baby boomers and first-time travelers appear to be driving a so-called "coolcations" trend, shunning Europe's peak summer hotspots in favor of cooler climes  such as the Nordic and Baltic countries. Extreme summer heat, combined with cost and overcrowding concerns, are affecting where people choose to go on vacation. For some, the appeal of booking a trip to Mediterranean destinations like Italy, Greece and Spain in July and August has lost its shine. Instead, a growing wave of holidaymakers appears to be prioritizing summer trips to northern Europe to escape the blistering heat. "If you go back to post-pandemic, 2022 and even into the summer of 2023, we saw southern Europe just be rife with popularity," Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton told CNBC over video call. "It felt like everyone just had to go back to the Mediterranean, to Italy, to Greece, to Spain, because they hadn't had the opportunity for a couple of years to be able to do that. What happened was, it was crowded, it was often expensive, and you were seeing various natural challenges happen  often as a result of climate change," Thornton said. "What we have seen in reverse is in 2024 and now into 2025, the demand for people wanting to travel in the peak of summer, in July and August, to what would traditionally be cooler northern European destinations," he added.

The secluded bay of Kvalvika on the Lofoten archipelago in northern Norway in the Norwegian Sea. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

For its U.K. customers, Thornton said Intrepid Travel had seen a 50% increase in travel bookings to Iceland, Estonia and Scandinavia for the July-August period, while bookings to southern Europe shifted to shoulder seasons. Intrepid Travel's bookings to Italy in April through June and September-October jumped 16%, while Greece bookings over the same respective periods rose by 37%. Bookings to southern Europe for July-August, however, were down 15%, Thornton said, adding that he expects this trend to persist in the coming years. "The days of the summer holiday to southern Europe seem as if they might be numbered," Thornton said.

'A conscious decision'

Notably, the two biggest drivers of this year's coolcation trend were baby boomers  born between 1946 and 1964  and first-time travelers aged 18 to 35-years-old, Intrepid Travel's Thornton said. "The growth is very much coming from baby boomers in their 50s and 60s. So, kids have left home, mortgage is paid off, more free time to go out and see the world and perhaps less affected by cost-of-living pressures," Thornton said. "The second group is actually at the opposite end of the scale, which is first-time travelers. So, for these people, they are young in their career, often driven by experiences over possessions and the reality of home ownership  is less relevant or maybe less achievable."

A firefighter gestures as he coordinates the fight against a wildfire in Grammatikos region in Attica on August 12, 2024. Aris Oikonomou | Afp | Getty Images

Rome, Barcelona and Athens typically feature among Europe's most popular summer destinations. But sweltering conditions in southern Europe have hit the summer travel season hard. Last year, Europe endured its warmest summer on record, and campaigners have warned that record-breaking heat in March could fuel the conditions for harsher heat waves and wildfires over the coming months.

Jenny Southan, CEO of Globetrender, the world's leading travel trend forecasting agency, said she expects the coolcation trend to intensify as the effects of climate change worsen and become more unpredictable. "The trend for 'coolcations' reflects a conscious decision by a growing portion of consumers to avoid the most intense summer heat and wildfires that are occurring in certain parts of the world on an annual basis," Southan told CNBC. "Rather than shun hotspots in the Med completely, for example, they are travelling in spring and autumn, whereas in July and August, they opt for places such as Norway and Finland that are more temperate," she added.

Who are the winners of this trend?

For northern European countries such as Sweden and Estonia, the burgeoning coolcations trend represents an economic opportunity. A spokesperson at the marketing firm Visit Sweden said that, while coolcations might be considered "a new driving force," it remains difficult to say whether they are the primary reason for any upswing in tourism. "There are many driving forces in play when deciding on holiday type and holiday destination. We don't have exact numbers on the size of the trend or where they come from. The trend, if it continues, is still at an early stage," Visit Sweden said.

The sun is no longer a thing to worship. Jenny Southan CEO of Globetrender

For its part, Estonia's Tourist Board said it "certainly welcomes" a growing desire among holidaymakers to pursue cooler climes. "We see this as more of a long-term trend, as other factors as well as temperature are also likely to affect consumer behavior, such as overtourism in some popular resorts and the growing desire to escape to more peaceful locations and reconnect with nature," Anneli Lepp, director of Estonia's Tourist Board, told CNBC. Lepp said she doesn't expect to see a mass movement of travelers seeking a traditional sunbathing beach vacation to book a trip to Estonia, noting that the Baltic country "tends to attract those seeking more active, hiking and outdoor adventurers."

Deserted wooden jetty on a sunny day in the province of Smaland in Sweden. Dutchscenery | Istock | Getty Images
Indeed, around three-fourths of CEOs surveyed said tariffs would hurt their businesses in 2025. About two-thirds said they did not support Trump's proposed levies, many of which are currently on pause.

Chief Executive's data underscores the growing concern within corporate America around the future of the U.S. economy. Fears about a forthcoming recession hit a boiling point in the last two weeks, as President Donald Trump's on-again-off-again tariff policy ratcheted up volatility in financial markets and stirred panic among some consumers.

Of the more than 300 CEOs polled in April, 62% said they forecasted a recession or other economic downturn in the next six months, according to Chief Executive, an industry group that runs the survey. That's up from 48% who said the same in March.

A growing majority of America's top executives now expects the U.S. economy to enter a recession in the near future, according to a survey released Monday.

The monthly survey, which has run since 2002, includes several data points that paint a concerning picture of how America's foremost business leaders view the economy.

An index of CEOs' views on current business conditions tumbled 9% in April, continuing its decline after plunging 20% in the prior month. The measure now sits at its lowest level since the early months of the pandemic in 2020.

When forecasting business conditions a year out, CEOs held their view steady from March. Still, these readings were the lowest since late 2012 and have tanked around 29% from the end of 2024.

The survey found that more than four out of five chief executives project costs spiking this year, which is no surprise given the ongoing negotiations over import taxes between the White House and foreign countries. Around half forecast their percentage increases in expenses to be in the double digits.

In this vein, just 37% said they believe their companies' profits will increase. That's a steep drop from the 76% who gave this response in January.

To be sure, Chief Executive's data set included a few bright spots. Slightly over half of respondents said they foresee business conditions bettering over the next year, an increase from the 39% share seen a month earlier.

Many CEO may be getting some tariff relief as well. Trump late Friday announced that smartphones and PCs would be exempt from duties, though Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that these exemptions would be temporary.

Chief Executive's data comes as U.S. business leaders have started flashing warning signs on the country's economic future.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said Friday that he expects earnings estimates for S&P 500 firms to fall due to the uncertainty around Trump's levies. Also on Friday, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned that the U.S. economy may have already weakened to the point of growth coming in negative.

"I think we're very close, if not in, a recession now," Fink said on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street."
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash, at the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, U.S., as seen from Newport, New Jersey, April 10, 2025.

The company that operated the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River in New York last week, killing all six people on board, will shut down immediately, the Federal Aviation Administration said late Sunday.

New York Helicopter Tours is "shutting down their operations immediately," the FAA said in a statement on X, adding that it would launch a review of the company's license and safety records.

The company is already subject to an investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board, which said on Saturday that the helicopter was not fitted with any flight recorders or on-board cameras.

A family of five visiting from Spain including three children  plus the pilot  were killed when the helicopter plunged into the river on Thursday.

They were Agustin Escobar, 49 and Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. The pilot, 36-year-old Seankese Johnson, was a U.S. Navy veteran who qualified as a commercial pilot in 2023 with more than 800 hours' flying time.

The company's website was still online early Monday and has for several days displayed a message to say it is "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."
Every minute of each day, 16,000 videos are uploaded to TikTok, 138.9 million reels are played on Instagram and Facebook and more than 3 million views are generated on YouTube worldwide, according to 2024 data collected by Domo. Domo, a business intelligence platform, has released a "Data Never Sleeps" report every year since 2013. The report breaks down how much data is created online each minute, and shows that as the internet population keeps rising, the amount of data users are engaging with follows suit. All of that raises an interesting question: Are we consuming too much content? Yes, and it's overwhelming us, says psychologist Gloria Mark. "When we're overwhelmed with processing so much information, our cognitive resources drain. When they drain, our mind gets fatigued," she tells CNBC Make It. Mark is also a Chancellor's professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine. "There's a part of the mind that's called executive function, and that has the job of keeping us on track. It helps us with decision making, filtering out distractions and sticking to goals. When the mind gets fatigued, executive function just can't do its job."

The type of content you consume matters

Content is an overarching word to describe anything that is created and shared with an audience. This includes art, books, reels on social media and pictures posted to Instagram. Creating and sharing information isn't novel, Mark notes, but "what is new is the fact that we have access to this content anywhere, anytime." There's also the matter of the type of content people interact with online. Mark places content in two categories: Short-form vs. long-form , based on the length of the information being shared

, based on the length of the information being shared Deep vs. shallow, based on how much the content encourages you to think and engage with it Short-form, shallow content is what people are mainly consuming when they are mindlessly scrolling on social media. "A lot of things on social media and things we find in short-form content are designed to shock us or to appeal to very basic emotions, like surprise or anger or [humor]," Mark says. "These basic emotions keep us on a superficial level when we're looking at this information, as opposed to if you pick up a book or you read a long-form article, then you have time to deliberate and you have time to do deeper processing of it." While mindless scrolling for a few minutes every now and then is harmless, "the problem is we can't pull ourselves out," Mark says. And overconsumption of short-form, shallow content is shortening our attention spans. Mark has been studying attention spans since 2004 and, through her research, has discovered that people's attention when looking at a screen went from an average of two and half minutes in 2004 to an average of 47 seconds in 2016  which is roughly the length of most videos circulating on social media.

Mindless scrolling makes people less interested in reading books

"When you get into this habit of consuming short-form and shallow content, it's really hard to pull out and take a deep dive into consuming books or long-form articles. I've heard this from so many people," Mark says. Mark offers up some tips for how to spend more time engaging with longer form content: Setting aside time for reading and consumption of information that makes you think

Choosing books or articles that you can get immersed in

Reading hard copies to avoid getting distracted by your phone In your pockets of free time, say on the train, instead of reaching for your phone, "try saying hello to someone," Mark says. And when boredom strikes elsewhere, she suggests you meditate or take a walk outside.

Starting is always the hardest part. But once you start, you start building a habit. Maria Paula Colmenares
After almost five years as a CEO and more than 16 years of C-suite experience, Zig Serafin says he's cracked the code to becoming highly successful.

The key, he says, is to balance "having your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground." In other words, you need to be practical enough to handle the responsibilities, challenges and unexpected setbacks of your everyday job while continually pushing toward an ambitious big-picture dream.

"You've got to be willing to pay attention to where the big picture is going," says Serafin, who's helmed experience management company Qualtrics since July 2020. "[Simultaneously], you've got to deliver. You've got to get stuff done today."

Great leaders and employees understand the importance of both, Serafin says. On the flipside, a boss who constantly introduces new initiatives without addressing burnout or workload concerns  or a worker who never shows much ambition  may not curry much favor within their organization.

These kinds of professionals "won't be around very long," says Serafin. "Good luck."

Balancing vision with execution means staying flexible and purposeful, adds Rupal Patel, an ex-CIA agent turned CEO and leadership expert.

"I often say to people, it's important to know the what, but to be a little bit open and agnostic about the how and the when," Patel says. "Yes, you need to set the intention of where you're going, the vision, the big picture, etc. But, once you start getting into the execution of it, things might shift a little bit."
Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Goldman Sachs  The investment bank gained nearly 2% after reporting a top- and bottom-line beat in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs posted earnings of $14.12 per share, while analysts had called for $12.35, according to LSEG. Revenue of $15.06 billion also beat consensus expectations for $14.81 billion. Pfizer  Shares were down slightly in the premarket after the company said it would halt development of its daily weight loss pill. This comes after a patient experienced a liver injury possibly caused by the drug during a trial. Apple  The iPhone maker popped more than 5% Monday morning after President Donald Trump announced smartphones, among other electronics, would be exempt from reciprocal tariffs, at least temporarily . Chipmakers  Semiconductor stocks broadly rose after Trump excluded them from his reciprocal tariffs. Nvidia climbed 3%, while Advanced Micro Devices and Super Micro Computer jumped around 4% and 5%, respectively. Best Buy  The electronics retailer soared nearly 9%, making it one of the biggest S & P 500 winners Monday during premarket trading. Shares advanced on the back of the White House's exemption of electronic goods from its reciprocal tariffs. Dell  The electronics stock rose nearly 6% after the Trump administration confirmed at least a temporary rollback of some of the tariffs on technology imports from China. Intel  The chipmaker jumped 4% after announcing it will sell its majority stake in Altera to private equity firm Silver Lake.  CNBC's Jesse Pound contributed reporting.
A few stocks in the S & P 500 are headed toward a worrisome chart pattern as rising trade tensions put pressure on global markets Walt Disney and Bank of America are among the names about to form a "death cross," a chart pattern that forms when a stock's 50-day moving average falls below its downward-trending 200-day moving average. This pattern signals that a stock's momentum is weakening and could dip even further. This comes during a period of extreme volatility for the market, which has experienced a deep sell-off after President Donald Trump's April 2 tariff announcement and ensuing on-and-off tariff policies. CNBC Pro screened for names that are drawing closer to a death cross. Take a look at the stocks below: Walt Disney Walt Disney's 50-day moving average was just a few points above its 200-day counterpart of 100.79 coming into Monday's session. Shares have been under pressure, losing 24% this year. Bernstein last week reiterated Disney at an outperform rating. It also noted that, although "near-term concerns are likely to linger," the company can achieve longer-term growth in its parks business and see share price upside over the next year. "Disney is a complex story with constantly moving parts - Linear/Sports, Parks, and Streaming - each with significant gravity and complexity," analyst Laurent Yoon said in an April 10 note to clients. "Intensifying macro fears have amplified concerns about Parks, which is undoubtedly sensitive to overall health of the economy, as well as potential incremental pressure on Linear advertising revenue." Bank of America Bank of America's 50-day moving average is teetering right above its 200-day moving average of 42.53. Its shares have plunged nearly 16.7% year to date amid broader market losses. Morgan Stanley analyst Betsy Graseck upgraded the stock to overweight from equal weight last week, highlighting an attractive valuation and potential growth in net interest margins ahead. Bank of America reports earnings Tuesday before the bell. Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines had its 50-day moving average just above its 200-day moving average, putting it on the verge of forming the dreaded death cross pattern. The stock has lost about 14.2% this month and more than 33% this year, making it one of the worst performers of the list. The company on Wednesday cut its growth plans and said it will not expand flying in the second half of the year due to lackluster bookings amid the Trump administration's shifting trade policies. Delta last month lowered its first-quarter forecast due to weak bookings. Tesla's bearish pattern While not quite a death cross, Tesla's 50-day moving average did break below its 200-day counterpart, possibility pointing to more losses ahead. This move does not qualify as a death cross because Tesla's 200-day average is still ascending. Shares are down more than 38% this year, the biggest drop among megacap tech stocks. Several firms are sticking by the stock for the long run, however. Deutsche Bank on Monday reiterated its buy rating on Tesla and said it views the company as a winner in embodied artificial intelligence. Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited!
A surge in commodity prices has analysts speculating on whether we could be in the throes of a super-cycle as trade developments and supply and demand shocks are expected to boost the rally in the market. Global markets have been gripped by volatility over the past week, with investors on tenterhooks as U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out, then suspended, his so-called reciprocal tariffs. As Sino-U.S. trade tensions reached boiling point this week, global markets resumed sell-offs that had already seen major indexes hit multi-year lows and trillions of dollars of value wiped off tech megacaps. Philippe Gijsels, chief strategy officer at BNP Paribas Fortis, told CNBC he already believed a commodities super-cycle was beginning before the election  but Trump's return to the Oval Office, and his subsequent raft of tariffs, have bolstered his view. A commodities super-cycle is a term used to describe a prolonged period of price rises that go beyond what is considered normal. One past super-cycle occurred in the mid-2000s , peaking in 2008 as China's role in commodity markets expanded. Gijsels said, however, that the next super-cycle could be the biggest in living memory. The strategy officer, who studied historic economic trends for his book "The New World Economy in 5 Trends," said the current macroeconomic backdrop suggested supply and demand shocks were likely to influence commodity prices for as long as a decade. "Metal shocks," he argued, would soon come into play, putting the price of some metals on an upward trajectory. "This is an environment where you need gold, because gold is a real asset. You need silver. You need copper," he said. Gijsels sees spot gold hitting $4,000 an ounce within the next couple of years. Typically seen as a safe haven asset in times of economic or geopolitical uncertainty, gold succumbed to the aftershock of Trump's policy seesawing in recent days before rallying 1.7% to around $3,228 an ounce on Friday morning. Meanwhile, Gijsels expects silver , which he says has "badly lagged," will jump around 59% from Friday's spot price. He predicts copper could double or triple in price. Front-month contracts for copper, widely seen as a bellwether for the shape of the global economy, were trading 3% higher at $4.64 per pound in New York on Friday morning. "In the short term we see some pressure on copper and silver," Gijsels said. "Copper is cyclical and will suffer from fears that the tariffs will create a serious economic slowdown, especially in China which is still a big user of the red metal." Despite market jitters around a possible trade war, Gijsels added that he saw conditions for these commodities remaining "very favorable." "I would see every pullback as a nice entry point," he said. "I am still bullish on all three of them. They will go way higher than most people will be willing to believe." Global trade war Not all commodities will surge, Gijsels conceded, naming cobalt and nickel among those which are unlikely to see a significant rise in value. However, he expects soft commodities including coffee and cocoa to move higher. "They're going to go higher because of climate change," Gijsels told CNBC. "If you look at cocoa, 51% [is produced in the] Ivory Coast alone, so you're very vulnerable in your supply. [And] longer term, soft commodities are going to go up because you have a population that is increasing as well." Pat Kennedy, co-founder of AllSource Investments, said most companies would be unable to absorb the increased costs arising from Trump's "staggering" tariffs and retaliatory measures from China and potentially others. "Before the manufacturing lines are the actual materials/commodities that go into making products," he told CNBC. "The price of those commodities will need to increase drastically to keep up with a global trade war." "The current tariff threat is not going away any time soon, meaning the repricing of key commodities will need to continually be revised upward to keep up with the ongoing escalations in this global trade war," Kennedy said. Kennedy's view is that a swathe of assets "will need to continually be revised upward" as a result of Trump's trade policies. Those include steel , aluminum , rare earths, agricultural products, organic chemicals and textile materials. "We'll witness the immediate effects of these price hikes in electronics like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets," he said. "Additionally, clothing, toys, and groceries will also be affected. As for the potential 'upside' we can expect from these commodity prices, we should consider the level of tariffs imposed on the countries from which they originate  The hope is that the entire amount of tariffs won't be passed on to consumers, but at least half of that amount would be a reasonable assumption." In a note on Thursday, analysts at BMI said the intensifying U.S.-China trade war was continuing to create challenges for the commodities demand outlook. However, they still expect certain commodities to rally this year. BMI sees coffee and corn prices rising by 3.2% and 3.4% this year respectively, while they predict copper prices will surge 7.9% by the end of the year and tin to notch a 5.8% gain. Gold, its analysts predict, will jump 29.7% through 2025. However, Andre Castro Silva, a professor of economics at Nova School of Business and Economics, told CNBC he was sceptical about a trade war benefiting commodities. "A tariff usually hurts only the country that imposes it and would not change international commodity prices, [but] the difference is the magnitude of the change and the signal that the U.S. doesn't value international trade anymore," he told CNBC via email. "This change increases the risk of a recession. A global recession decreases the prices of all commodities. Commodities related to construction, such as copper, would have a stronger decrease." He acknowledged that market instability  like the shockwaves sent through equity markets in recent weeks  can increase demand for commodities. "However, this movement is likely not be enough to counter a decrease in prices. The effect of a global recession is stronger," Silva said.
A woman stands with a coffee and looks at her phone on U.K. high street.

British retailers have warned that Chinese companies risk flooding the U.K. with low cost goods as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs choke off access to the world's largest consumer market.

The British Retail Consortium said domestic firms had raised alarm about cheaper goods being "rerouted" away from the U.S. and toward other markets in the wake of Trump's 145% tariffs on China, along with the closure of a key tax loophole for low-cost imports.

"Retailers are very concerned about the risk of some lower quality goods being rerouted from the US to Europe as a result of the tariffs," Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the BRC, said in a statement.

Analysts flagged that risk was especially pronounced among Chinese producers selling via online marketplaces such as Amazon, Shein and Temu.

"The likes of Shein and Temu, I guess there is a risk that they choose to direct exports over to Europe away from the U.S. and that pressures pricing, particularly for discount retailers and retailers at the lower end," Richard Chamberlain, head of European consumer discretionary equity research at RBC, told CNBC's "Street Signs Europe" on Monday.

Chamberlain added that this could hit lower cost British and European firms like clothing giant Primark and household goods store B&M. Primark declined to comment on the matter, while B&M did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Pump jacks are seen in oilfields along Highway 33, known as the Petroleum Highway, west of Buttonwillow, Kern County, California, on April 9, 2025.

U.S. crude oil prices held steady Monday after OPEC cuts its demand growth forecast for this year on President Donald Trump's tariffs.

U.S. crude oil rose 3 cents to close at $61.53 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent gained 12 cents to settle at $64.88 per barrel.

OPEC now sees demand for crude growing by 1.3 million barrels per day this year and next year, down about 150,000 barrels per day from its previous estimates, according to the cartel's monthly report.

Oil prices rose nearly 2% earlier in the session on Trump's decision to exempt key tech products such as smartphones from his tariffs on China. The president has slapped 145% tariffs on China, while hitting pause on higher duties for most other countries for the next 90 days to allow negotiations.

Prices found some support after U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday that Trump could stop Iran's oil exports if a deal was not reached on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The U.S. and Iran held talks in Oman on Saturday and will meet again on April 19.

U.S. crude is down more than 14% and Brent has fallen more than 13% since April 2 when Trump announced his sweeping tariff plans. Prices are also under pressure from the decision by OPEC+ to accelerate production starting in May.

"It's a double whammy for the oil market right now," Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNBC's "The Exchange" on Monday.

Goldman Sachs sees West Texas Intermediate and Brent averaging $59 and $63 per barrel, respectively, through the rest of the year, according a note published Sunday.
Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Monday's key moments. 1. Markets are starting the week on a higher note Monday, following a strong Friday and a positive week for equities. Monday's advance comes on the heels of White House issuing guidance late Friday evening exempting smartphones, computers and other major technological devices from the 125% reciprocal tariffs implemented on imports from China. However, the 20% fentanyl-related tariffs imposed back in February and March are still in play. The news came as a sigh of relief for Club stocks Apple and Nvidia . But Jim Cramer said that "it's not an opportunity to buy" because the industry is not out of the woods yet. The Trump administration has said it is planning sector-specific tariffs that will include those products. Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note has retreated a bit after trading north of 4.5% on Friday. 2. Portfolio stock DuPont was upgraded to an overweight buy rating from sector weight by analysts at KeyBanc. The stock has been hit hard due to the U.S.-China trade war, with Beijing launching a questionable investigation into the company over antimonopoly laws. Analysts at Key view DuPont as a "high-quality name" that can grow its profitability while carrying a strong balance sheet, which should enable it to withstand potential economic downturns. "I was so glad to see that," Jim said of the upgrade. DuPont, which is in the process of spinning off its large electronics division into a standalone company, could be a "beneficiary of some of the tariff relief that we saw over the weekend," said Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club. KeyBanc's new price target on DuPont is $81 a share. 3. The Federal Trade Commission's antitrust case against Club name Meta started on Monday. The trial could result in the parent company of Facebook needing to divest from its other popular social media and messaging platforms, Instagram and WhatsApp. "I think that will go nowhere," said Jim of the trial and those potential remedies. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on Amazon to $245 a share from $280. Analysts also lowered their 2026 earnings per share estimates by 10% on the heels of several factors including the impact of tariffs. Amazon's stock is down roughly 16% year to date. 4. Stocks covered in Monday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: General Motors , Pfizer , and Intel . (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long APPL, DD, NVDA, AMZN, META . See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
This combination of pictures created on April 09, 2025 shows 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 speaking to AFP during an interview at the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein | Amer Hilabi | AFP | Getty Images

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Talks between U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and Iran's government on a potential renewed nuclear agreement began on a positive note over the weekend, representatives of both countries said, despite enduring sticking points and a lack of clarity on the specific conditions held by each side. Notably, there was more optimism toward a deal and overall communication between the longtime adversaries. Delegates from the U.S. and Iran agreed to hold more talks next week in Rome, while Iran's Foreign Affairs Ministry described the negotiations of Saturday as having taken place in a "constructive atmosphere and based on mutual respect." This highlights the gaping difference between the Biden administration's attempts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and the position that the Trump administration finds itself in today: one with dramatically changed advantages for Washington and a much weaker and more vulnerable Iran. "The Iranians are, I think, a little bit more desperate than they were in 2022, and they are faced with a very weak economy," Gregory Brew, senior analyst on Iran and energy at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, told CNBC. "Iran's regional position has been significantly weakened. They're concerned about how much more stress that they can handle  their internal position, the situation of internal discontent is likely only to get worse. So they do have an interest in obtaining a deal sooner rather than later, and Trump is giving them  or potentially giving them  an opportunity to obtain such a deal." Biden was also constrained by public opinion, Brew noted, risking criticism of appearing "soft" on Iran. Trump doesn't face those same limitations, he said  the president is already seen as an Iran hawk and re-implemented "maximum pressure" sanctions on the country soon after entering office.

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Iran's economy has deteriorated dramatically in the years since Trump in 2018 withdrew the U.S. from the multicountry deal, formally titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the JCPOA. The agreement was brokered in 2015 along with Russia, China, the EU and U.K. under the Obama administration to curb and stringently monitor Iran's nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief. Already facing several years of protests, significantly weakened currency, and a cost-of-living crisis for Iranians, the Islamic Republic was hit with the hammer blow of losing its main ally in the Middle East last year, when the Assad regime collapsed in Syria. Tehran's arch-enemy Israel meanwhile killed most of the senior leadership of Hezbollah, Iran's proxy in Lebanon. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was formerly staunchly opposed to negotiations with the U.S., but senior Iranian government officials reportedly launched a coordinated effort to change his mind, framing the decision as critical to the regime's survival.

What kind of a 'nuclear program' are we talking about?

Trump has made is abundantly clear that he will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran. Recent years have raised the stakes: in the time since Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, Iran has been enriching and stockpiling uranium at its highest levels ever, prompting the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, to issue numerous warnings. "Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to this level, raising significant concerns over potential weapons development," a U.N. news release from March 3 read. Tehran insists that its program is for civilian energy purposes only, but Iran's nuclear enrichment has reached 60% purity, according to the IAEA  dramatically higher than the enrichment limit posited in the 2015 nuclear deal, and a short technical step from the weapons-grade purity level of 90%. Trump has repeatedly warned of a U.S. military response if Iran doesn't change course to Washington's satisfaction. "I would like a deal done with Iran on non-nuclear. I would prefer that to bombing the hell out of it," the American president said in early February in an interview with the New York Post.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards AFP | Getty Images

That pressure has clearly had an impact on Tehran's willingness to come to the table, says Ryan Bohl, senior Middle East and North Africa analyst at the RANE Network. "I think the Iranians are eager to develop a workable framework that will allow extended negotiations that would forestall military action that President Trump certainly has suggested could come in just a few months," Bohl said. "Moreover," he added, "the Iranian economy could use any suggestion of relief to improve conditions on the ground, which would in turn improve public support for the Islamic Republic."

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President Xi Jinpings first overseas trip of the year was meant to showcase Chinas clout in the region. Now, President Donald Trumps tariff threats have turned it into a push to keep Southeast Asian leaders from cutting deals at Beijings expense.Xi is heading to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia from Monday, just days after Trump raised tariffs on China but gave everyone else a 90-day pause. In doing so, Trump is seeking to punish Beijing for retaliating, while enticing the smaller Asian economies to offer concessions to stave off drastic duty hikes.Xi will doubtless find a more receptive audience than he would have without the tariffs, said Gregory Poling, who directs the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Vietnam and Cambodia at least will ignore any Chinese pleas to hang tough and not make concessions with the United States.The Chinese leader will likely present China as a more stable partner than the US under Trump, whose shifting tariff policies have rattled markets. His visit also highlights the tricky position Southeast Asian nations face. Theyve become key routes for Chinese exports to reach the US since Trumps tariffs in his first term. Now, as they seek exemptions from the latest duties, theyre also worried cheap Chinese goods could be redirected into their own markets.In an article published in the Vietnamese newspaper Nhan Dan on Monday, Xi repeated his criticism of protectionism, saying China and Vietnam should jointly safeguard the multilateral trade system and stable supply chains.There are no winners in trade wars or tariff wars, and protectionism leads nowhere, Xi wrote. He said China is ready to advance three cross-border railway lines in Vietnams north and welcomes more Vietnamese exports to the country and cooperation in 5G, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.The Trump administration has signaled its terms as Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia actively seek to negotiate. His trade adviser Peter Navarro said countries must stop allowing China to evade US tariffs by trans-shipping exports through your countries in an article to the Financial Times, naming Vietnam and Cambodia as examples.The demand places Chinas neighbors in a precarious position: cut off a lucrative business channel with their largest trading partner, or face crippling US tariffs  46% for Vietnam, 24% for Malaysia and 49% for Cambodia. There are signs that some are already budging, with Vietnam taking steps to crack down on origin of goods fraud, a move widely seen as a response to US concerns about Chinese transshipment abuses.Xi Jinping will arrive here pushing on an open door, Zachary Abuza, professor at the US National War College in Washington, said during an interview in Phnom Penh, citing the regional supply chains reliance on China and Beijings permanent diplomatic presence as key factors.As much as they can, the countries are likely to avoid picking a side in the US-China rivalry, a calculation thats both political and economic in nature.In Hanoi, distrust of China runs deep over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but the economy remains dependent on Chinese components and raw materials.As Xi travels to Kuala Lumpur, he encounters a similar trade terrain. Malaysia exported $44 billion worth of goods to the US last year, slightly more than the $41 billion to China.The country has asserted its neutrality amid intensifying tensions between the US and China. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is dispatching officials to Washington seeking tariff relief, but simultaneously courts deeper ties with Beijing.The final stop in Cambodia represents Xis safest harbor. Prime Minister Hun Manets government, having inherited his fathers pro-China stance, depends heavily on Chinese investment for ambitious infrastructure projects, including a new international airport in Phnom Penh expected to open in June and the strategic Funan Techno Canal.Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute in Phnom Penh, said that when it comes to the US and China, Cambodias biggest concern is the rising competition between the superpowers and fallout from retaliation.Cambodia and China are closely connected economies, he said on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in southern Chinas Hainan Island in March. If the US continues to see China and other trading partners as competitors, it could have cascading effects on Cambodian export sectors, including manufacturing.With Beijing unlikely to compromise on territorial matters, promises of greater investment and trade cooperation are likely incentives it can offer to shore up ties.Last August, Xi promised to expand Chinas Belt and Road Initiative in a meeting with Vietnams Communist Party chief To Lam in Beijing. Lam asked Xi for technological support and investment in transport infrastructure.When Chinese Premier Li Qiang last visited Malaysia, in June, the two countries pledged to deepen economic ties and advance construction of major projects such as the East Coast Rail Link, a $10.6 billion project.As Cambodias largest creditor, China can probably count on the country to maintain close ties despite Trumps threats. The gutting of USAID also created a convenient opening for Beijing, which has supported literacy and nutrition initiatives for children after the US abandoned similar efforts.On trade, Beijing could potentially offer its neighbors greater access to the Chinese market, although its unclear what trade barriers it could lower or remove.Last year, Xi cut tariffs for 33 low-income African nations during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which was held in Beijing. Cambodia already effectively enjoys that privilege, and its very unlikely wealthier Malaysia or Vietnam would qualify, according to Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project.The bigger problem for a lot of these poorer countries is not the duties but the so-called non-tariff barriers that make it difficult to export to China, he said. China understandably has very high sanitary requirements for food and agriculture products that many of these poor countries struggle to afford the equipment and inspections to meet.The Chinese leaders Southeast Asian tour forms part of a broader counteroffensive against Trumps isolation strategy. As American tariffs threaten to reconfigure global trade, Beijing has intensified outreach to the European Union, whose relations with Washington have frayed.EU leaders plan to travel to Beijing in July for a summit with Xi, Bloomberg News reported earlier. The Europeans willingness to make the trip  despite protocol suggesting the location should rotate to Brussels  signals their eagerness to engage China as a hedge against Trumps unpredictability.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, completing his third visit to China in two years, praised the relationship Friday, calling Beijing a partner of the EU.This diplomatic maneuvering unfolds against economic headwinds in China, whose export sectors  responsible for a third of growth last year  may take a significant hit from US tariffs on most goods exceeding 145%. Persistent deflationary pressures and a property sector crisis continue to weigh on growth, limiting Xis ability to entice trade partners with sweeteners.For Southeast Asian nations, the economic stakes could hardly be higher. Trumps tariff pause offers temporary breathing room but demands a near-impossible choice.The tariff reprieve gives the countries merely a stay of execution, said Abuza of US National War College in Washington. Theyre still on death row.
When you put together a cast, you always run the risk that someones going to end up doing something inappropriate, or will be exposed as having already done something inappropriate. Itll bring shame upon you all. For example, maybe one actor will post something telling everyone to vote, but theyll remain vague on whom to vote for, and the public will get angry with them. Boy would that be embarrassing.

Or maybe theyll take a knife out and kill someone. Like the actors in such productions as...

5 Felon Don't Miss Val Kilmer died this month, so maybe youll find yourself digging though some of his lesser-known movies, such as 2008s Felon. Kilmer plays the cellmate of our main character, played by Stephen Dorff, who goes to prison for killing a burglar. During the first prison scene, youll see the unnamed character on the left of the shot below, played by Clifton Bloomfield. A couple years before they shot this movie, Bloomfield strangled some guy in his apartment and then strangled an 81-year-old woman in her home. Sony Thats murder. Accidentally killing an intruder, like Dorffs character did, is not. Oh, you might think. So, they featured actual prisoners in this prison movie. Thats kind of interesting. But thats not what happened. Bloomfield wasnt a prisoner. He was an actor, like all the actors in the movie. He landed the part of an extra by falsely claiming hed been an extra on Breaking Bad, and no one involved with the movie realized he was a murderer. When he was done filming, Bloomfield broke into another home and killed two people there, which officially earned him the title of serial killer. Then he broke into yet another home, this time with a specific victim in mind, and he killed the guy he found in there, shooting him in the neck. This victim actually wasnt the planned target, but Bloomfield did manage to kill someone, so it wasnt a total waste of a visit. This final murder got Bloomfield caught, and he wound up with five life sentences. Advertisement

4 The Exorcist This next movie presented the situation we teased with the last story: A production filmed someone with no acting experience in their natural environment, and thats why it unwittingly captured a murderer. But for The Exorcist, the location in question wasnt a prison, where you might expect someone spotted at random to be a killer. It was a hospital. Director William Friedkin first scouted NYUs Tisch Hospital in hopes of filming his movies angiogram there, and he ended up casting the facilitys actual medical personnel. Performing the fake angiogram on Linda Blair is real radiographer Paul Bateson, who gets a bunch of lines in the scene. In 1977, four years after the film came out, Bateson left a gay bar one night with a man named Addison Verrill. He went home with him, hit him on the head with a frying pan and stabbed him to death. Someone (possibly Bateson himself) now called a reporter investigating the crime, and later, with police now monitoring the line, someone else called and identified Bateson as the killer. Advertisement Advertisement He went to prison for 24 years for the murder. Prosecutors also tried to link him to five other murders of gay men in the area, but as creepy as it would to say he was a serial killer in addition to simply being a murderer, there was no evidence of that. So, instead, know that there were merely a large number of murders at the time, with police lacking even the slightest lead about who was responsible. There  thats much less creepy.

3 Jeopardy! Given the number of contestants on Jeopardy! over the years, one of them had to end up being a murderer. Frankly, wed be surprised unless at least two future murderers appeared on the show just last week. But you might think that winners of the show are marginally less likely than the average person to ever kill someone and have money as the motive, because they have marginally more money than the average person. In 1989, Paul Curry won Jeopardy! twice, taking home $24,000, and he met his wife Linda that same year. He still went on to murder her for her $1 million life insurance policy. He needed a bit of extra money because he was supporting two secret additional families that he had thanks to previous marriages. Advertisement NBC Linda had been one of three competitors. He killed Linda in 1994 by injecting nicotine into an IV bag during a hospital stay. It took another 20 years to convict him for the crime, because thats how long it took authorities to really answer, Who is Paul Curry?

2 The 40-Year-Old Virgin The 40-Year Old Virgin contained one actor who creeped people out, to the point that studio execs previewing the footage thought he looked like a serial killer. Thanks to everything that followed this movie, were sure youll recognize this mans name. It was Steve Carell. The movie also featured a man named Shelley Malil. Advertisement Advertisement Universal Pictures Hes on the left, unlike that sinister figure in the center. In August 2008, Malil stabbed his girlfriend 23 times. Relationship experts say that even one stabbing is a red flag, and 23 of them definitely qualifies as attempted murder. He stabbed her with both a knife and a broken wine bottle and then tried to smother her with a pillow. In his defense, he was drunk. Its not much of a defense, but he did put that forward as one when arguing for parole a decade later.
What characters should have received their own Seinfeld spin-offs?

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld had the correct answer: none. Jason Alexander, who played George Constanza for the sitcoms entire run, had other ideas. In a 2016 appearance on the Id1ot w/Chris Hardwick podcast, as reported by SlashFilm, Alexander floated two pitches that he believed could have been the next Frasier. Both premises sound like they would have been the next Joey.

First up? The number one that I thought, through the roof, wouldve been the four parents down at the condo in Florida. That wouldve been unbelievable, Alexander gushed. I dont think (NBC) ever looked at it.

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The likely reason the network never considered the idea: All four parents were insufferable. Jerrys dad, Morty, was such a blowhard that he got impeached as president of a condo association. His mom, Helen, is a shoplifter who refuses to step foot in a natural body of water. And the elder Seinfelds are charmers compared to Frank and Estelle Costanza, a couple who never had a conversation that they couldnt scream.

Individually, the characters are hilarious counterpunches to Seinfelds straightman Jerry. But as series leads? Who was the audience supposed to root for? It would be exhausting. It would be like being in an asylum, said one Redditor in a r/Seinfeld thread discussing the idea.

Larry David probably thought, who wants to watch cranky old people yelling all the time? wrote another fan. Then he thought of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Alexanders second idea had a slightly better chance of becoming reality. If they had made a legal comedy, with (Kramers lawyer Jackie Chiles) as the centerpiece, that would be absolute gold.

Terrible. First of all, Jackie Chiles was a funny-ish parody of O.J. Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran, a reference that would have aged like milk left out on the counter. Second, like Estelle Costanza, a loud, overbearing character is funny as a jolt of comic energy but taxing and tiresome as the shows main engine.

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You know who disagreed? Actor Phil Morris, who yearned to continue playing Chiles in a Seinfeld spin-off. Morris was actively developing the new sitcom for NBC, reported the Chicago Tribune, a legal comedy featuring a very austere white law firm where sparks will fly.

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Thats weird, considering David and Seinfeld have consistently affirmed that Seinfeld would have no spin-offs. Even weirder? Representatives for NBC claimed to have no knowledge of Morris plans. This is the first were hearing about it, an NBC spokeswoman told The San Francisco Chronicle. Its news to the network.

Morris said on BET that Seinfeld was behind the idea, allegedly telling him, Hes a killer character. Go on and become a big TV star, according to SlashFilm. But Seinfelds supposed endorsement flies in the face of his no spin-offs mantra.

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Like Jackie Chiles, it sounds like Morris was stretching the truth to win the case for his own show. It didnt work, leaving Morris to reprise the character for pretzel commercials. Hey, a paychecks a paycheck.
Rob McElhenney may not be a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but, today, on his 48th birthday, McElhenney has finally joined the even-more-exclusive ranks of the Background Actors in The Proposal Club.

This year, McElhenneys birthday comes at an unfortunate time for the beloved Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator and Wrexham A.F.C. co-owner. His second acclaimed comedy series, Mythic Quest, just got canned by AppleTV+, which will stream the revised Season Four/series finale of Mythic Quest this Wednesday before its a sudden game over for the workplace comedy. Over the past year, McElhenney has restarted work on his flagship franchise Always Sunny ahead of its Season 17 premiere, he flew out to the set of Deadpool & Wolverine to appear in a single scene underneath heavy costuming that would have obscured his face, and then learned that his professional, creative and life partner Ryan Reynolds cut him out of said blockbuster film after all theyd been through.

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During this strange time for his spurned friend, Reynolds is resolved to make McElhenneys 48th birthday bash one for the ages  and one that will extend his friends IMDb page by about a dozen credits. Earlier today, Reynolds posted his half-happy birthday, half-apology message to McElhenney in the form of a hilarious Twitter video wherein some talented editor inserted clips of McElhenney from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia into several non-Marvel-property films starring Reynolds, with the subtext of the mashup being, Can I offer a role in R.I.P.D. in this trying time?

Sure, McElhenney making masterfully edited appearances in all the non-blockbusters from Reynolds long career in the movie business probably isnt going to make up for the fact that his friend cut him from a billion-dollar movie, and, yeah a spot in Red Notice doesnt dampen the sting of Mythic Quests cancellation. However, in Reynolds long-standing tradition of commissioning comical and public birthday videos for his best bud, the above mashup, scored to a mournful version of the song You Will Be Found from the musical Dear Evan Hanson, must at least crack a smile on McElhenneys chiseled, scruffy face. And since McElhenney will never have to put on that TVA suit again, thats a smile Reynolds will be happy to see.

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Still, during a time in McElhenneys career when he just lost a significant revenue stream in Mythic Quest, it seems like a missed opportunity that Reynolds didnt properly monetize this years birthday wish  who didnt love buying a Titanic-themed tote bag bearing McElhenneys splendorous chest hair after his 47th birthday video?
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Former Tory chancellor George Osborne is on manoeuvres. Again.

He plotted to make David Cameron Tory leader and prime minister. He then expected to succeed him until the Brexit referendum changed everything.

Since leaving politics Osborne has married again, started a second family, launched a successful podcast and become chair of the British Museum. Yet he is still politically hungry.

He is being talked of as a Tory contender for Mayor of London. The contest in 2028 could take place when Labours popularity is at an all time low and Sir Sadiq Khan cant seriously plan to run for a fourth time.

Osborne was born and brought up in London so thinks he is the man for the job.

Former home secretary James Cleverly may also throw his hat in the ring, as will Nadhim Zahawi, who was Chancellor for two months.

Former Conservative chancellor George Osborne remains politically hungry, Andrew Pierce writes

The recall of parliament on Saturday was most inconvenient for Sir Keir Starmer.

His beloved Arsenal were playing at home at 5.30pm and he will not have wanted to miss his free seat in the Directors Box.

After the announcement last week of more bobbies on the beat, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham hailed the new-look local police force.

This is the same Burnham who was Labour mayor when Greater Manchester Police were put into special measures for two years in 2020 because of their rank incompetence.

A Fabricated hairdo?

ITV's Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls is firmly on wig-watch, as shown by his comments about former Tory MP Michael Fabricant

Is it a wig or is it a mane of blonde hair?

ITVs Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls, talking about former Tory MP Michael Fabricant entering the Celebrity Big Brother house, said: Wig-watch! Michael Fabricant.

'Everybody in politics believes its not a wig because weve been told so many times. But look at it. It walks like a wig and barks like a wig... It looks like a rat to me.

Cruel but true.

Lib Dem peer Lord Scriven made a nuisance of himself in a brief debate about Church chancel repairs.

Scriven, a hot-to-trot atheist, said the C of E bishops should be slung out of the legislature.

A Lords watcher points out: Scriven is not so different from the prelates. Like them he never wears a tie.

'And he has such a priggish, holier-than-thou attitude that some peers call him Bishop Scriven.

Dont mention the word austerity in the presence of Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

At a meeting this month of the Fire Brigades Union parliamentary group, the union general secretary Steve Wright was attacking a return to Tory austerity when a Labour MP piped up from the room. You cant call it that. Rachel has banned us from using it.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy had a tantrum over two Labour MPs being barred from Israel. He has a short memory.

In 2008, home secretary Jacqui Smith barred an Israeli politician from the UK, but junior minister Lammy never raised a word of protest.

Malfoy loses his magic

Star of TV series The White Lotus and Labour supporter Jason Isaacs wonders if celebrity endorsements help his party.

Isaacs, who also played Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, says he was told by a senior party figure: It doesnt make any difference at all and it might even affect us negatively.

It certainly didnt help when then-leader Ed Miliband wheeled out loathsome Russell Brand  whos now been charged with rape and sexual assault  on the eve of the 2015 election.

Andrew.pierce@dailymail.co.uk
Upset by unfounded reports that his party is fielding a disproportionate number of candidates with unsavoury pasts in next months local elections, Reform UKs chief vetting officer, hotelier Norman Bates, has vowed to tighten up procedures.

I am delighted to say we now have the most stringent vetting system of all the major parties, Mr Bates tells me when I visit him at his boutique hotel, which gained a five-star review on TripAdvisor (A truly memorable stay. Well worth splashing out for, N.B.)

Mr Bates has complete contempt for a report suggesting his partys candidate for Barking Central, Agatha Trunchbull, has a past history of cruelty towards children.

Nothing could be further from the truth, he tells me, as I follow him up the staircase towards his mothers quarters. Miss Trunchbull is not only a hugely popular headmistress of many years standing, but also a distinguished Olympic shot-putter. We are proud to have a woman of such distinction in our party.

Two days ago, Miss Trunchbull expressed profound regret for a social media message, posted in a moment of madness, in which she described children in her constituency as festering pustules of malignant ooze.

She has since deleted this post, claiming that it was taken out of context. She has replaced it with a message celebrating the sheer energy and creativity of our fabulous local kids.

Her position on the partys Education Committee is likely to be challenged by local philanthropist and entrepreneur Mr Fagin, whose CV boasts many years of experience in the field of child protection.

Another Reform UK candidate, Ms Cruella de Vil, last week apologised unreservedly for condemning the RSPCA as a terrorist organisation hell-bent on depriving human beings of their rights. This followed an RSPCA investigation into her affairs, after a lorry-load of designer polka dot coats was spotted leaving The De Vil Home for Pre-Loved Dalmatians.

Reforms leader, Nigel Farage, has been photographed smiling alongside many of his partys candidates

Senior Reform Party spokesman Lee Anderson said the best dalmatian is a dead dalmatian, before adding, thats not what I meant and you know it isnt. Youve misquoted me'

Trying to clear up the matter, senior Reform Party spokesman Lee Anderson said the best dalmatian is a dead dalmatian, before adding, thats not what I meant and you know it isnt. Youve misquoted me. The fact is, dalmatians are among my very best coats, I mean, friends.

Reforms leader, Nigel Farage, has been photographed smiling alongside many of his partys candidates, including stalwarts Harry Flashman, Professor Moriarty and Captain Hook.

Heres the thing. Captain Hook enjoyed a very, very distinguished career in the merchant navy. By working his socks off, he brought peace and tranquillity to our high seas.

Listen, Hooky believes in British values such as maintaining a tight ship, and if that takes a few miscreants being made to walk the plank at knifepoint, well, Im all right with that.

Mr Bates is particularly pleased with Reform UKs renewed emphasis on Health. His colleague Mildred Ratched is to take overall responsibility for the partys new S&N (Stuff and Nonsense) Committee.

Too many patients are ending up in corridors. Lets save the NHS literally billions of pounds a year by abolishing corridors.

Nurse Ratched recently called for the abolition of all hospitals, to be replaced by American-style shopping malls. Have you noticed just how many people in our hospitals are ill or decrepit? What kind of message is this sending to the world?

She later amended the post saying she had posted it in a terrible rush. Far from wanting an end to all hospitals, I aim to ensure theres one hospital for every single British citizen. We will require all developers to install a waiting room and a surgery in every new home.

Reform UKs Head of Building and Development, Mr Wolf, who changed his name to Big Bad Wolf, was required to step down, after being secretly recorded threatening three little pigs.

Huffing and puffing and blowing houses down has never been part of our official policy, explains Mr Bates, before guiding me towards his hotels new power-showers.
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It can be second nature to spritz with perfume before boarding a plane, but it can also be harmful to fellow passengers if it's an offensive scent.

More frequent flyers are wearing strong scents that can be distracting or even allergy-inducing on flights - with some people comparing these smells to farting on a plane or having bad body odor.

Cult classic Baccarat Rouge 540, Ariana Grande Cloud, and Burberry Her all blew up on TikTok and have legions of devoted followers, but they can disrupt other travelers.

Overly sweet scents can be headache-inducing when in small, enclosed spaces.

One massive no-no is applying perfume mid-flight. While a travel bottle might seem like the best way to get through TSA, avoid temptation to spritz yourself while at the airport. What's a delectable scent to you could be quite cloying to your travel partners.

To scent or not to scent has become a massive hot topic on social media, where passengers are often complaining about all kinds of wild airplane etiquette.

One frequent flyer took to Reddit to question the etiquette behind wearing perfume while flying, writing that they were 'flying back home from vacation' when it was brought to their attention 'that wearing fragrance on an airplane is not considerate due to it being an in closed space and might not smell nice for others' along with causing headaches.

'In a plane where there is no escape I think it's an asthma/allergy/migraine trigger and it's best practice not to use fragrance intentionally,' one Reddit user warned - however other people were quick to say they refused to be shamed for their traveling perfume use.

To find out the correct etiquette behind loading up on a scent before boarding, FEMAIL reached out to a fragrance expert.

It can be second nature to spritz with perfume before boarding a plane, but it can also be harmful to fellow passengers if it's an offensive scent (stock photo)

More frequent flyers are wearing strong scents that can be distracting or even allergy-inducing on flights (stock photo)

Reddit users shared the fragrances they can't stand in the air, including Mugler's Alien ($150), which they thought was simply too strong and lasted too long

Commenters were quick to share the fragrances they can't stand in the air, including Mugler's Alien, which they thought was simply too strong and lasted too long, and Penhaligon's, is a longtime favorite of the royal family.

Some said they'd prefer a fragrance to other airplane odors, with one writing, 'I prefer any perfume over stinky feet, sweaty armpits and flatulence.'

'I think it's best to be considerate and err on the side of caution when wearing fragrances on a plane,' Dossier's Head of the Creative Lab, Ines Guien, advised.

Dossier Fougere Oud Inspired by Tom Ford's beloved Oud Wood but for a mere fraction of the price, this unisex scent commands attention with its natural, warm, and woody medley of rosewood, tobacco, pink pepper, coriander, oud, patchouli, and tonka bean, among others. It's no wonder it's been dubbed the 'caviar of fragrances.' Shop Dossier Fruity Honey Bright and uplifting, Fruity Honey is modeled after Jo Malone's famed Nectarine Blossom and Honey scent. It brings those vivacious peachy notes to the mix coupled with the warmth of honey and a bit of zesty blackcurrant and vetiver to shake things up. The result is a gorgeous scent that's as good (and long-lasting) as the real thing. Shop Dossier Musky Green Tea All the magnetic appeal of Creed  for massively less! Formulated after the legendary brand's equally iconic Silver Mountain Water, this scent is crisp and compelling. The unisex melange of green tea, neroli, petitgrain, and blackcurrant come together seamlessly, yielding an absolutely refreshing scent that is inoffensive and flight-friendly. Shop

'When flying I would avoid anything too strong like Oud that may irritate those around you,' Ines, who's based in New York, continued, referencing the polarizing fragrance often used for incense.

Oud is a resinous wood from the Aquilaria tree that becomes infected with a specific mold and results in a dark, aromatic wood known for its unique scent.

While the scent is wildly popular and found in perfumes including Dossier's Fougere Oud, Tom Ford's Oud Wood, and Kayali's Ougasm Vanilla, it can still be divisive.

'Try to stick to lighter, fresher scents as these tend to be universally liked. Ultimately wear what makes you comfortable and stay true to yourself, while being considerate of your fellow flyers,' the VP of Operations added. Dossier's Fruit Honey and Musky Green Tea are known for being softer.

'Musks, or skin scents are great for situations like these where you want to add a touch of perfume without it being overwhelming,' Ines said, since they won't typically disturb other travelers.

'Try to stick to lighter, fresher scents as these tend to be universally liked. Ultimately wear what makes you comfortable and stay true to yourself, while being considerate of your fellow flyers,' Dossier's Head of the Creative Lab, Ines Guien, advised

Beauty brand Ceremonia makes a light guava hair mist that has been a massive hit with shoppers

The expert also suggested trying a lightly scented hair perfume or lotion instead.

Beauty brand Ceremonia makes a light guava hair mist that has been a massive hit with shoppers and sold out on Sephora.

Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava People are so obsessed with this juicy scent that it keeps selling out! And for good reason, as it hits all the right notes and wraps you up in tropical goodness. With notes of guava, lemon, peach, jasmine petals, and brown sugar, it's truly addictive from the first spritz and so lovely you'll want to wear it nonstop. Shop This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon Napping on the plane? This will help you drift off with its gentle scent that won't disturb anyone in your vicinity. Notes of lavender and chamomile are relaxing, working their aromatherapeutic powers while drenching skin in a nourishing and super-hydrating blend of shea butter and oils of camelia and sativa. Shop

For those who want a body lotion that does double duty, This Works offers a lavender and chamomile deep sleep night cream that will send wearers into a slumber during a red eye flight.

It might be tempting to try a spritz of a high-end perfume while in a duty-free store, but wash it off after if you don't want to offend your delicately-nosed neighbors.

'Given the close quarters on a plane, I would also advise against spraying while you're on the plane,' Ines said.

'If you must wear fragrance while traveling, make sure to spritz your perfume before boarding while at home or in the airport bathroom.'
For a woman who talks about 'elevating' everyday life and puts flower sprinkles on everything it is a surprisingly drab 'Global HQ.'

This is 6061 West Sunset Boulevard, the unassuming and surprisingly modest 'home' of Meghan Markle's 'As Ever' brand.

The address is printed on the back of Meghan's products including her Hibiscus and Mint herbal teas and wildflower honey.

The products - launched with much fanfare earlier this month - say on the label 'Manufactured For: As Ever Enterprises, LLC, 6061 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

But anyone visiting the address hoping for a bit of Hollywood glamour and glitz will be sorely disappointed.

The grey three-story office building appears to be attached to a Netflix studio lot and is at the less-salubrious end of Sunset Boulevard next to a sleazy-looking motel.

There is a homeless encampment just a few hundred feet away.

'It's not at all what you would expect,' one woman who was walking past the building said yesterday.

For a woman who talks about 'elevating' everyday life and puts flower sprinkles on everything it is a surprisingly drab 'Global HQ' for Meghan Markle's 'As Ever' brand

This is 6061 West Sunset Boulevard, the unassuming and surprisingly modest 'home' of Meghan Markle's 'As Ever' brand

'You would think a real-life duchess would make her global headquarters in a more glamorous part of town. It's a drab and shabby building. Quite a sad-looking place.

'Her products sound so fancy but the building her company is based in is about as basic as it gets.'

Meghan lives with Prince Harry in a pounds 11.5 million 16-bathroom mansion in the millionaire's enclave of Montecito, a two-and-a-half hour drive from her Hollywood address.

It is likely the office is merely an official mailing address for As Ever Enterprises.

When the Daily Mail visited there was no sign of anyone entering or leaving the building.

The front door appeared to be locked and a glance inside the windows showed only bare shelves.

The products - launched with much fanfare earlier this month - say on the label 'Manufactured For: As Ever Enterprises, LLC, 6061 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028

The grey three-story office building appears to be attached to a Netflix studio lot and is at the less-salubrious end of Sunset Boulevard next to a sleazy-looking motel

At the Netflix studio lot next door a worker said he had no idea what the 6061 building housed.

In an interview with Fortune magazine this week Meghan explained she wanted her new business venture to be 'high-low' saying: 'I wanted to create products that look more prestige but are more accessible and affordable.

'I think during any time of recession people still want to find creature comforts, items that can bring them joy.'

The duchess has previously spoken about 'elevating the everyday into the exceptional' and 'mimicking the magic of Montecito.'

Yet when it comes to her company's office it seems drab and depressing is the aesthetic she is going for.
M&S is launching its own 'Dubai-style' chocolate - and the new treat is a variation of its Big Daddy bar that was hugely popular with shoppers last year.

The chocolate first gained notoriety in 2024 when Dubai-based chocolatier Sarah Hamouda, inspired by her pregnancy cravings, began inventing filled chocolate bars to satisfy her sweet tooth.

It is made from milk chocolate filled with a sweet cream, made from tahini paste, finely chopped kadayif (a pastry made from shredded filo dough) and the key ingredient - pistachios.

Hamouda launched her brand Fix Dessert Chocolatier in 2021, later inventing the pistachio cream and filo-pastry filled pudding which went on to land global acclaim after TikTok Maria Vehera posted a video sampling the treat in all its crunchy glory.

Vehera's original video triggered a global obsession, as thousands began posting ASMR videos sinking their teeth into the thick chocolate bars, leaving a flurry of salivating foodies desperate to sample it for themselves.

On TikTok alone, billions have searched for the cocoa treat with hundreds sharing recipes and offering their thoughts on the viral bar.

And brands from across the globe have leapt on the trend, with the likes of Nestle, Lidl and Lindt having rushed to made their own versions.

And now M&S is about to launch its new bar, a twist on its popular Big Daddy bar, which was hugely popular with shoppers last year. It is an addition to the range, and is not replacing the original. The new bar is called the Big Daddy Pistachio.

M&S is launching its highly-anticipated Big Daddy Pistachio bar in its Foodhalls across the UK on April 23

Like the original Big Daddy bar, the new version features milk chocolate, sweet and salty caramel, and biscuit crumb.

The Big Daddy Bar is described by the retailer as a 'chunky chocolate bar [that] combines creamy milk and rich dark chocolate with a satisfying centre of peanut butter and roasted peanut pieces, capped with a layer of soft caramel'.

But in a twist, the new bar features a pistachio layer, which boasts pistachio creme, roasted pistachios, and white chocolate.

Describing the bar on its website, M&S said: 'The wait is over. Introducing our viral Big Daddy bar, now in an irresistible pistachio flavour. Featuring our signature rich, creamy milk chocolate layered with gooey sweet and salty caramel, now filled with a chunky pistachio layer with roasted pistachios, velvety pistachio creme, and a light, crunchy biscuit crumb.

'After our Big Daddy Bar was named the UK's answer to Dubai chocolate last summer, everyone's going to be talking about this epic upgraded version. Get your hands on one in store from 23 April.'

According to the upmarket retailer, its anticipated Big Daddy Pistachio bar took nine months 'to ensure absolute perfection'.

Kathryn Turner, M&S director of product development, said: 'We've seen the pistachio trend explode in the past few months, both on restaurant menus and on social media, so it's a real focus for us as one of our top flavour trends this year.

'For example, our new Collection Pistachio & Milk Chocolate Egg was flying off the shelves well over a month before Easter, while shoppers were snapping up 5,000 jars a day of our top-quality Collection Pistachio Creme when it launched - that's 7 jars every minute.

'In fact the pistachio creme has been so popular that we're now bringing it back all year round!'

Earlier this month, it was reported that British shoppers had gone into a frenzy over the launch of Dubai chocolate at UK supermarkets, with some queuing up to get their hands on the sweet treat.

The retailer spent nine months developing the bar, saying it took so long so they could ensure it was 'absolute perfection'

Supermarkets reported seeing a rush on Brits trying to get their hands on the bar, with some even limiting customers to only buying two bars each.

Bingbing, an influencer from London, revealed she headed to her local Lidl at 7.30am on a Saturday morning, to discover a queue outside.

Once inside, she said she couldn't find the chocolate, and had to ask for it from a worker who kept it behind the till.

'I can't believe we woke up at 7:30 on a Saturday to queue, but it seems like other people had the same idea,' she explained.

'We arrived around 7.55 and there were about 30 people outside already for the 8am opening.'

Waitrose added the popular Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate to selected stores in March, and started limiting the amount of bars every customer could buy.

M&S has created a new version of its original Big Daddy bar (pictured) however, the new product will not replace the original, it is an addition to the range

The chocolate became the store's fastest-selling confectionery product.

Speaking at the end of March, a spokesman for Waitrose told The Grocer that the limit was introduced to regulate stock levels of the 10 bars.

A representative said: 'Due to the incredible popularity of this product, we want to make sure that as many customers as possible have the opportunity to try it.'

The flavour has proven popular with chocolate lovers in the UK after videos were share of it on TikTok, with stores such as Lidl and Morrisons also selling the delicious treat.

M&S will launch its Big Daddy Pistachio bar in its Foodhalls from April 23. It will cost 8.50 for a 280g bar.
I have always found it awkward to socialise, especially with women. As if every interaction is a test that I dont know the rules for.

The small talk, the perplexing subtext, the insidious judgment  I went to an event not long ago that I didnt realise was a ladies-only night and had a thoroughly terrible time.

So not for a moment did I take for granted my best friend when I had her, all through my 20s and into my early 30s.

It took me until university to find a fellow human I actually took pleasure in spending time with. When I lost her to the winds of change not long after she got married, it was the worst break-up Ive ever had, far eclipsing all the men who have torn at my heart.

Compared to romantic relationships, no one places sufficient importance on friendships, as far as Im concerned, especially given that they are key to a long and happy life.

Dan Buettner, the journalist who has dedicated his career to Blue Zones, the five pockets of the world where inhabitants live the longest, has found that one of the main lifestyle aspects they all have in common is putting a strong emphasis on social ties.

My dedication to Claire* was arguably too strong. She would probably say it led to our downfall. And over time, it never dwindled.

Even now, seven years after our last WhatsApp message, she still pops into my head on a daily basis. She is, and will always be, the one that got away.

It took a cancer scare for Annabel Fenwick Elliott to finally contact the friend who ended their relationship via text many years ago

It took a case of suspected cancer for me finally to contact her this year. Somewhat melodramatically, I spotted a dodgy-looking mark on my big toe over Christmas, which Dr Google convinced me was a melanoma.

I was lying awake one night fretting over my impending death, and noticed that one of my most fervent wishes was that I could see Claire again before I kicked the bucket.

It was a harmless freckle, thankfully, not toe cancer, but I did have a lifes too short moment and decided I was not going to wait for a terminal diagnosis to do what Id wanted to do for so long. And so, with my heart thumping in my ears, I started typing her an email . . .

Claire was the only female friend Id ever found happiness with, despite years of trying.

At school, I took the quest for a BFF hugely seriously, regularly auditioning for the part myself with whomever I most idolised at the time. Sometimes I was in favour for a while, but it never went the distance.

It has since been confirmed that I have severe ADHD and high-functioning autism, which could explain a few things.

But meeting Claire, who happened to be a few doors down from me in halls during our first year of university in Bristol, felt like coming home after a long day out in the cold, kicking off my boots and collapsing into a beanbag by the fire. For the first time, I was relaxed in the company of a stranger.

On the surface, were very different. Shes blonde, bubbly, wholesome and charming. Im impulsive, sardonic and solitary. But for whatever reason, we adored and understood each other, and quickly became inseparable.

There was nothing we couldnt say to the other; no joke too controversial, no confession too shameful, no inkling too weird.

In social scenarios, we could read each others minds. I could decode her micro-expressions and knew her inner monologue like a script.

We were always armed with exactly the right thing to say to one another for any given situation. Id never known someone like I knew Claire. And it was so refreshingly easy.

There is perhaps no decade more formative than ones 20s, and Claire was my closest companion throughout, as we raced through fledgling jobs in London, questionable boyfriends and raucous travels across Europe and the US.

Even when, in my mid-20s, I moved to New York on a whim and ended up staying for five years, we remained close. But as we entered our 30s, and I returned to London, our paths diverged.

Many women  and a surprising number of men  got in touch with me after reading them to share similar tales of friendships lost, writes Annabel (pictured)

Friends, from left, Kate, Laurie and Jaclyn in TV's The White Lotus. In the final episode the women finally realise their friendship was the single most important thing in their lives  more than money, men and career

I wish I could say that Claire getting married didnt spell the end of our friendship  I loved her fiance, after all, and boyfriends had never got in our way before  but its hard to dispute the evidence.

The day she got engaged, tensions emerged. It wasnt that I was jealous, being in no way ready back then to settle down myself. On the contrary, we had always been each others greatest cheerleaders. I wanted happiness for her.

What I did not want was for the old adage weddings are like funerals for friendship to turn out to be true. But alas it was.

I felt gutted like a fish when she told me she didnt want me as her maid of honour (something we had long fantasised about) because it was too American as a tradition.

Instead, I was one of the bridesmaids. I still organised her hen party and decorated the wedding suite but she didnt want me to give the speech Id been writing in my head for years  and that stung.

Afterwards, I hated that I wasnt invited to dinner parties on account of being the only single one. I tallied each unreturned call or cancelled catch-up and added them to my deeply unhelpful scorecard of transgressions, as if it were a game.

The last straw came when my ex-boyfriend died of a brain tumour aged 31.

Claire and I had lived with him at university and we both had much affection for him. It didnt help that my mental health was dreadful at the time, nor that I was in the grip of a drinking problem.

Claire promised that shed take me to the funeral  but then cancelled on the morning over a work meeting she organised last-minute.

It was a gargantuan blow to me. I sobbed all the way through the service, got roaring drunk and sent her a barrage of messages when I got home about what a bad friend she had become.

I did not expect it to be the last time we would speak. But Claire had had enough. Id become too needy, too histrionic and too heavy a cloud to have around. With the benefit of hindsight, it was inevitable.

I imagine if wed survived until the point at which she had children while I was still going off the rails, our friendship would have imploded then. She likely saw that coming so got off the train before a bigger crash.

So that was it. She said she hoped I would find happiness but that our friendship was over  by text.

For me, it was a bizarrely abrupt end to more than a decade of close kinship. For her, we had probably been dead in the water for a while.

Furious, I blocked her on social media, took down the framed photos I had of us on the wall and stowed the bracelet she had given me in an attic box, among the graveyard of other trinkets and keepsakes from relationships past.

I have often wondered if she did the same. Her house in London was full of sentimental gifts from me, and her scrapbooks littered with the same photos.

Did she cut me out of her wedding pictures? Surely she didnt still want my face on her mantelpiece. But its hard to delete someone who is so deeply embedded in your history.

Along with everyone else, Ive been glued to The White Lotus, finding the story of the three female friends, and their simmering resentments and jealousies, particularly poignant.

Tears filled my eyes at the final episode when the women finally realised that their friendship was the single most important thing in their lives  more than money, men and career. They shared a last supper on holiday and revealed their deep love for one another. It hit hard.

In the years that followed my fallout with Claire, I mostly looked back in anger. At her, for letting me down when I needed her most. At myself, for having been such a mess and for losing the most meaningful friend I ever had.

Occasionally, in an act of pure self-sabotage, I would look her up online and feel sad and resentful.

We had blocked each other, so I learned only vague details from her public profiles  a new job on LinkedIn and the like.

Sometimes, I would find our old messages on WhatsApp to see her latest profile photo, which filled up with children over time, just to find out what she looked like (radiant and happy, always). A few times, I typed out a message to her only to delete it.

Annabel sent a lengthy email to Claire in which she apologised for her part in how things played out and said that she hoped she hadn't been annoyed by the articles she'd written about the end of their friendship

I did write about the demise of our friendship several times for the national Press (never disclosing her real name) and spoke about it on the radio. Twice, the articles went viral. It was surely impossible that she wouldnt have seen or at the very least heard about them.

Many women  and a surprising number of men  got in touch with me after reading them to share similar tales of friendships lost.

The one person who I hoped most would contact me was Claire. She never did.

It was only after finding happiness myself that my feelings about Claire shifted. Being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 34, and being medicated for it, then this year, aged 38, with autism was transformative.

It explained the chaotic nature of my life all the way from childhood, and genuinely changed the way I operated and lived my life.

For the first time, I managed to hold down a job I loved as a writer. I solved my drinking problem. I met my husband  a German pilot  ending a long spell of deeply unsuitable flings, and had our son, who is now two.

We moved to Iceland, then Mauritius, and will next be settling in the Italian countryside. Im launching a business and, for the most part, Im unrecognisable today in terms of my stability.

And with that comes a new understanding of why Claire might have wanted to cut ties. I feel a fair amount of compassion for the person I was back then, but I no longer blame Claire for not wanting to deal with me.

When she crosses my mind now, I think of her with fondness instead of disdain. Shes still a ghost, but a friendly one. I know what shed make of certain people I come across, or of events in the news. I can laugh again at our old jokes.

But it was the cancer scare that drove me to write to her. In a lengthy email, I apologised for my part in how things played out, and said I hoped she hadnt been annoyed by the articles I wrote.

I told her that I still think about her and that I miss her. And I wished her well  without the expectation of a reply.

For more than a week, I didnt get one. Perhaps she had changed her email address, I reasoned. Or maybe she genuinely never wanted to speak to me again.

But just as I had given up hope of ever closing that tatty old loop that had been bothering me for seven years, her name slotted into the top of my inbox. I felt sick. Was I about to read a detailed character assassination? Had I enraged her by even daring to get in touch?

And then, on reading it, I felt elated. As if someone had just given me a key to the exit door out of purgatory.

My husband, who has never even met Claire but nevertheless understood the gravity of the situation, picked me up and spun me around with glee.

I wont intrude upon her privacy by going into the details of her response, except to report that, yes, she still thinks about me and it was a relief for her, too, finally to converse with me.

We wrote back and forth a few times with our news, resurrecting lingo we hadnt used in years and it felt, just briefly, like nothing had changed since our glory days.

In fact, Id put it up there with the giddiness of getting a job I really wanted. Or winning a large sum of cash. And theres science behind that.

According to behavioural economist Nattavudh Powdthavee, increasing your social involvement can have the same positive impact on your life satisfaction as receiving a salary increase of more than 100,000.

Friendship has a measurable result on health, too. Researchers at Brigham Young University report that people with stronger social relationships have a 50 per cent greater chance of surviving longer than those who dont.

I am not naive enough to think that Claire and I will be running off into the sunset together. Although our lives have dovetailed back into sync on paper (were both parents), we will remain apart after my move to Italy.

She happens, coincidentally, to live close to my mother in the English countryside, so next time I visit, nothing would make me happier than to see her in the flesh again, and for our children to play together, just as we always imagined they would when we were mapping out our futures at university. Whether shed agree to that, I dont know, and it would undoubtedly be nerve-racking too.

As for me, I still shy away from socialising, and Ive never met anyone who compares to Claire. But I have a wonderful family and am deeply content, as I always have been, in the company of all our animals: currently three cats, a dog and two chickens.

Some of us enjoy a large number of relationships, both romantic and platonic, in our lifetime, and others, myself included, are lucky to find a small handful. I will forever wish I hadnt lost Claire, but at least now, for the first time since we fell out, it no longer feels like an open wound.

Is that the end of our story? Only time will tell.

* Names have been changed.
After 25 years living among the beautiful people of Sydney's eastern suburbs, I'm packing my bags. I've bought a one-way ticket. I'm gone.

Now, I'm going to sound painfully old by saying this, but I will anyway: Bondi has changed over the last quarter of a century - and not for the better.

Yes, I'm sure my younger, perkier neighbours will tell me the area is just as perfect as it ever was and that I am the one who has aged.

But I simply disagree. Yes, I'm not in my twenties anymore and certainly my outlook on life has evolved in my thirties, forties and now as a woman in her fifties.

But Bondi has changed. And with the wisdom of years spent overlooking that glorious beach every morning, I can say that with authority.

The era of sleepy surfers meandering on the prom saying 'g'day', kids dipping at the skate ramp before the school bell, Monday night crab racing at BB's, the bustling Beach Road Hotel full of cheering locals watching footy games... is dead.

Bondi has become Disneyland for influencers and fake wellness warriors. A place where weekend queues for overpriced bacon and eggs can go for hours, and a sea of 21-year-old models clad in P.E Nation clog up the footpath at 5am.

Hall Street, once thriving with local shops and cafes, is now one big construction zone, with hi-vis-clad tradies, cranes, chicken shops and high rises pumping up the prices and driving away the people that made Bondi, well, Bondi.

After 25 years living among the beautiful people of Sydney's eastern suburbs, I'm packing my bags. I've bought a one-way ticket. I'm gone, writes Mail+ columnist Amanda Goff

A local lamented Bondi had become the new Gold Coast, tacky and vacuous, with rushed-up apartment buildings with thin walls, faux marble splashbacks and multimillion-dollar price tags.

And then there's me, and women of my generation.

At 51, I feel like I've officially aged out of Bondi, where the only wrinkles that are allowed are on the collective uniform of overpriced white linen pants.

It feels like Bondi is a no-go zone for Gen X.

You have bikini-clad Gen Z and glued-to-their-phones millennials, then you skip a generation straight to the perma-tanned baby boomers sitting on $4million homes.

I look around and wonder what the hell happened to my little village I first discovered as a wide-eyed British expat back in the year 2000.

What was once my coastal idyll has now become a swell of irritating 'content makers', reality stars, D-listers staging pap shoots, Pip Edwards wannabes, OnlyFans models barely out of private school, and the self-obsessed nose-ringed yogis who litter the streets with vapes, s*** furniture and condom wrappers.

It's no longer a community; it's a catwalk. And I am done.

Amanda, seen in the eastern suburbs in October 2018, is waving goodbye to the coastal suburb she has called home since the year 2000

I've matured, and don't I know it. Men my age look through me now, drooling over girls in Shein G-string bikinis. The only dates I get asked on are by boys with MILF fetishes who were barely out of nappies when I was in my thirties.

Melbourne has been calling my name for decades and I'm off. I've found a beautiful unit with a large balcony and underground parking. It's a two bedder right in the heart of the hustle and bustle of South Yarra  and less than half what I pay in Bondi.

Fancy that. I can live in a nice place and have money left over to buy nice things.

Now I'm surrounded by a classy, more sophisticated crowd. A bit older and more creative, they thrive on deeper connections, not calorie-deficit lifestyles, protein shakes and collagen powder.

Melbourne doesn't care much for reality stars or influencers pretending to journal while hogging seats at a cafe; it's too busy being naturally cool, a city with depth and soul, espresso bars tucked in art-covered laneways, candlelit bistros and bustling bars that are open until the wee hours. There are no lockout laws in this state.

A city where you can afford to live in a good area, where it doesn't care you're not 25, and where a good coat turns more heads than white gym shorts with a scrunch bum.

And let's talk about the men: the dating scene is a breath of fresh air. Victorian men aren't desperate Peter Pans. They actually engage in the art of conversation. I've found being older isn't a turn-off here - sometimes it's preferred. The only thing a woman my age has to compete with is the MCG. I've had men approach me on Chapel Street, smile and say hello, even ask me for coffee (and coffee means coffee, not 'I'll come over to yours when I've finished at the gym'.)

But, oh, the weather, the weather! Won't you miss the weather?

At 51, I've feel like I've aged out of Bondi, where the only wrinkles allowed are on the collective uniform of overpriced white linen pants (stock image of beachgoer at Bondi in July 2021)

I look around and wonder what the hell happened to my little village I first discovered as a wide-eyed British expat back in the year 2000 (stock image of beachgoers at Bondi in July 2021)

A local lamented Bondi had become the new Gold Coast, tacky and vacuous, with rushed-up apartment buildings with thin walls, faux marble splashbacks and multimillion price tags

No, the sun gives me pigmentation and I am sick to the back teeth of my ceiling leaking in the constant rain. Melbourne, by contrast, has seasons (and it actually rains less). Plus, isn't there's something comforting about slipping into a nice coat and walking by the Yarra River?

So, in short, why am I leaving? Because I'm not ashamed of growing older, but I am not prepared to live in a city that tries to convince me on a daily basis that I should be.

I don't need a new serum or another round of surgery to fit in. I don't need to punish myself at the gym just to compete with women who have youth on their side. And I certainly don't need to upgrade my activewear four times a year.

I've grown up, and I'm moving to where I am embraced and accepted, not excluded.

And I hate to say this - and I've left it to the absolute bitter end to make this point... but I'm not the only one who should be packing their bags.

There are so many women (and men) my age who are breaking their backs every day trying to keep up with a neighbourhood that considers 30 'over the hill'.

You know who they are - I daren't say their names for fear of the pitchforks coming out, but you might call them 'the usual suspects'.

The Newsreader. The Ex-Beauty Queen. The Designer. The Tabloid Favourite. The Radio Star. The Former Playboy. The Party Girl.

The list goes on and on and on.

Maybe they enjoy seeing their crush waltz into the gym at 6am holding hands with a 20-year-old. Perhaps the novelty of paying a 'healer' $150 to sit in a tub of iced water hasn't worn off yet. Maybe they just really, really, really like the weather.

But for me, I'm done.

Thanks for the memories, Bondi, but it's time to say goodbye.
The original makers of the viral Dubai chocolate have hit out at dupes on the market, labelling cheap supermarket copies 'frustrating'.

Can't Get Knafeh of It, by FIX Chocolatier has been sold in the UAE since 2022, by British couple Yezen Alani and his wife Sarah Hamouda.

They created the recipe when Sarah was pregnant, and began selling it for 15.

But last year, the treat found worldwide fame after being shared on TikTok, with people flying from all over the world to get their hands on the pistachio and knafeh treat.

Now, dozens of supermarkets and chocolate brands have made their own version of the 'Dubai chocolate' laving Sarah and Yezen reeling.

Speaking to the BBC, Yezen said that the dupes are 'very frustrating because people are trying knockoffs, which damages our brand'.

The couple, who moved to Dubai 10 years ago, had employed just one person to make up to seven orders a day of the chocolate bar.

But since the appetite for the bar has grown, so has their business and they now employ 50 people and make up 500 orders a day.

Can't Get Knafeh of It, by FIX Chocolatier is only available in the UAE and frenzy for the 15-bar is so intense that owners Yezen Alani and his wife Sarah Hamouda onyl sell the bar twice a day

The bar went viral after Maria Vehera shared a video of herself sinking her teeth into the sweet treat, oozing with gooey green filling made from sweet filo and pistachio

The sweet treat has become so popular that FIX only sells the bar for two hours a day to keep up with orders and customers can only purchase the 15-treat via a specific app.

Each bar is hand-finished and the owners explained that it's a very intensive process.

It's the crunchy filling that has made the bar so popular with users taking to social media to share videos of themselves slowly biting in to the thick chocolate which has a loud crack when broken.

With people desperate to get their hands on the exclusive bar, supermarkets have filled the void, producing their own versions of the knafeh-inspired confectionery.

Nestle, Lidl and Lindt having rushed to made their own versions while, Selfridges have had their shelves cleared after fans flocked to the department store in a desperate bid to score the crunchy treat, where prices range from 5 to 27.

So popular are the chocolate bars that a number of sellers had their entire stock sold almost instantly, with a Lindt version having cleared within just 72 minutes on TikTok shop.

But Dubai chocolate doesn't come cheap, with even affordable options such as those available from Lidl, selling for 3.44 for just 122g of product.

Waitrose have been forced to impose a two-bar limit on choppers and Home bargains has also recently jumped on the bandwagon.

Nestle, Lidl and Lindt having rushed to made their own versions while, Selfridges have had their shelves cleared after fans flocked to the department store

Even M&S has got in on the trend and has launched its own 'Dubai-style' chocolate.

But the supermarket's latest sweet offering is a variation of its Big Daddy bar that was hugely popular with shoppers last year.

Like the original Big Daddy bar, the new version features milk chocolate, sweet and salty caramel, and biscuit crumb.

The Big Daddy Bar is described by the retailer as a 'chunky chocolate bar [that] combines creamy milk and rich dark chocolate with a satisfying centre of peanut butter and roasted peanut pieces, capped with a layer of soft caramel'.

The frenzy for the bar filled with knafeh, a sweet spun pastry, pistachio and tahini and covered in indulgent milk chocolate was first sparked by a video of a woman sinking her teeth into the sweet treat, oozing with the gooey green filling.

And just 18 months later the bar has seemingly taken over the internet.

But now the makers behind the sensation have complained about its viral success and slammed supermarkets and other brands for making dupes of their expensive and exclusive treat.

But in a twist, the new bar features a pistachio layer, which boasts pistachio creme, roasted pistachios, and white chocolate.

While UK brands are making their own version of the chocolate bar, the FIX chocolatier owners explain there is a key difference between their luxury dessert and dupes.

The FIX bar should be kept in the fridge and has a short expiry date while UK versions are designed to have a longer shelf life.

They added that they offer a luxury product and they're committed to continuing to make it.

Yezen told the BBC: 'It's all handmade, every single design is done by hand.

'We use premium ingredients and the process is not like making other bars - you've got the baking, moulding the chocolate to the design and with the filling itself, even the pistachios are hand-picked and processed'.
On the latest episode of the 'Life of Bryony' podcast, best-selling author Abigail Dean discussed her battle with anorexia which cast a shadow over her adolescence.

Dean, 37, who grew up in Derbyshire, had a successful career as a tech lawyer for Google before penning her first novel, 'Girl A', released with much acclaim in 2021.

She has since gone on to author three other books, most recently 'The Death of Us', which came out this year.

Asked by Mail columnist Bryony Gordon why many of Dean's protagonists struggle with their mental health, the author discussed her teenage battle with anorexia, which led to a prolonged stay in a Priory rehabilitation hospital when she was just 17.

'I was in the Priory with anorexia,' Dean revealed.

'As with a lot of mental health conditions, it doesn't make you a person who is easy to love.

'I would lie, manipulate, and shut people out to feed my illness. It's so difficult to hang on to a person like that  people are sent away and that's exactly what the illness wants.'

Priory hospitals have an international reputation due to the number of celebrities seeking treatment there. Dean attended a center in Cheshire, Manchester.

She described her experience at The Priory as 'pretty grim' but views it now as a necessary step towards her ultimate recovery.

On the latest episode of the 'Life of Bryony' podcast, best-selling author Abigail Dean discussed her battle with anorexia. Listen here

Abigail Dean: 'With mental illness, the idea of having to work to escape from it is very frightening.' Listen here

'My stay was about six to eight months or so, during my A-Level years. It came about because the consensus of medical professionals and everyone around me was that I wasn't getting better on my own. An assessment I strongly agree with.

'It was miserable, very lonely  made worse by being in an adult ward at 17. I was incredibly frightened because it didn't necessarily mean I would get better.

'With mental illness, the idea of having to work to escape from it is very frightening.'

She remembered that schoolwork was a solace during her recuperation, with the future novelist's head of English visiting her in hospital to keep her abreast of her studies.

'Schoolwork brought a kind of normality', Dean explained.

'I would be revising Geography, learning about volcanoes or population densities in the break room between meals - which was a strange mix of worlds.

'The world of normality alongside these extreme difficulties: you're sort of wondering, how did I end up here?

'But it did give me a massive impetus to keep getting better.

'My Head of English would come every week and teach me in the hospital. He would bring his notes, and we'd go through them. What an incredible act of kindness.

'There's a flip side to these terrible things happening to you: you meet some incredible people and have these moments of light.'

The author said that the turning point for her came when began viewing her illness as a barrier to an exciting future.

'I saw two possible lives for myself: one life lived in an institution, with great scrutiny on my behavior enjoying very little, as I was thinking only about food.

'Or another life where I would go to university, where I would work and write and be with my friends. Where I could go on nights out and fall in love.

'Really, that's the choice. Being in hospital put that choice in very stark and brutal contrast.'

Listen to the full Life of Bryony now, wherever you get your podcasts. Author Abigail Dean discusses her past life as a lawyer, how she balanced work with writing, and what her creative process looks like.
The four enjoyed VIP treatment at the Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are often pictured enjoying the nightlife of Mayfair clubs.

But the royal sisters took a break from the London scene to head to Bahrain this weekend alongside their husbands.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi shared a sweet snap of his wife Beatrice, 36.

The new mother, who shared last month how she cried 'tears of relief' after her daughter Athena Rose Elizabeth was born pre-term, looked elegant in a khaki green and white 260 Sezane dress.

Meanwhile Eugenie, 35, laughed arm in arm with her husband Jack Brooksbank, 38, as they stood on the track.

Beatrice added a pair of gold Mary Jane ballet flats to her chic ensemble and finished off her look with a tan cross-body bag and wore her red hair loose.

Meanwhile Edoardo, 41, appeared pleased to be at the sporting event alongside his wife as he beamed in to the camera, wearing a pair of cream chinos, blue shirt and brown suede loaders.

Eugenie donned a black summer dress with a thigh-high split for the outing, opting for a casual trainer and a black and tan woven bag.

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 41, shared a sweet snap of his wife Princess Beatrice, 36, to his Instagram on Monday as the couple continued to enjoy the FI Grand Prix

And the property developer also made sure to get a snap of his sister in law Princess Eugenie, 35, too as she laughed alongside her husband Jack Brooksbank, 38

She swept her red back from her face and grinned as she posed with her husband of seven years.

Meanwhile Jack wore a navy suit and white shirt and held a pair of sunglasses as he laughed in the picture.

Yesterday, the group was spotted in the paddock during the race at the Bahrain International Circuit chatting and laughing in the sunshine.

The outing comes after Beatrice revealed she cried 'tears of relief' after her daughter Athena Rose Elizabeth was born early in a rare update about her second pregnancy.

The King's niece and her husband welcomed the newest addition to their family in January, when baby Athena was born several weeks premature.

Last month Beatrice opened up about her pregnancy journey after she was informed the family needed to prepare for an early birth, in a poignant first-person essay for Vogue.

'What I learnt in this process has been humbling: understanding so much more about our remarkable human bodies, but also, more than anything, what we dont know,' Beatrice wrote.

The royal said she endured many sleepless nights in the run-up to Athena's birth, worrying about her well-being and fretting over the aspects she couldn't control.

Princess Beatirce, 36, looked elegant in a khaki green and white 260 Sezane dress, gold Mary Jane ballet flats while Eugenie donned a black dress and accessorized with a tan wicker bag

Yesterday the group was spotted in the paddock during the race at the Bahrain International Circuit chatting and laughing in the sunshine with Mike Tindall chatting animatedly behind

The royal swept her red hair back off her face and wore several rings and appeared to enjoy her time at the sporting event

The outing comes after Beatrice revealed she cried 'tears of relief' after her daughter Athena Rose Elizabeth was born early in a rare update about her second pregnancy

When her second daughter arrived healthy on January 22, 'a few weeks before her due date,' Beatrice was overwhelmed by how 'tiny' Athena was - comparing the size of her feet to the 'paws' on a stuffed toy.

'She was so tiny it took more than a few weeks for the tears of relief to dry and for life with our healthy baby to feel real,' the mother-of-two explained.

'Her feet were so small  almost the same size as the paws on one of my older daughters soft bunnies.'

The essay was accompanied by a new photograph of Beatrice cradling Athena protectively in her arms, with the newborn draped in a soft pink blanket.

Another picture showed Edoardo holding Athena while gazing down at her face lovingly.

Athena is the third child in the Mapelli Mozzi brood alongside Beatrice's three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Wolfie, eight, from Edo's relationship with Dara Huang. Princess Beatrice often describes Wolfie as her 'bonus' child.

She also confirmed that Athena is 'now doing really well' while expressing her determination to 'help others find answers' to questions about the complications of pre-term pregnancies in her new role as patron of Borne - a UK charity on a mission to end premature birth.
Abs, 25, met the headteacher on a night out in Leeds

A 25-year-old woman who is dating the 52-year-old headteacher from beloved Channel 4 show Educating Yorkshire has revealed how she met her partner - and how soon after dating they moved in together.

Jonny Mitchell was the headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury when he appeared on the award-winning Channel 4 show more than a decade ago.

At the time he lived with his with Lisa and their three their three daughters, Ella, Lydia and Celia, and became an unlikely heartthrob.

He now appears to have separated from his wife and has moved on with a 25-year-old woman named Abs, who has shared a glimpse into their relationship on TikTok.

The couple have maintained their relationship is 'completely normal' and that they have 'so much in common', despite the significant age gap.

Using the social media handle, abs_mxo, the blogger, from Nottingham revealed how sparks flew after the pair met on a night out in Leeds.

Sharing the story on TikTok, Abs said: 'We met on a night out. I was in a bar, he was in a bar and then I went over to order a drink. I was with my friends and he was with his and then I spilt a drink on him by accident and then we just got talking from there.'

From there, the two exchanged number and decided to 'go on a few dates'.

Educating Yorkshire headteacher Jonny Mitchell has revealed how he met his girlfriend, who is 27 years his junior

Mr Mitchell, who is based in Leeds, visited Abs several times at her home in Nottingham, where the pair would spend 'a few nights' together at a time.

As they began to grow closer, Abs quickly decided to move in with Mr Mitchell at his home in Yorkshire.

The 25-year-old clarified that she had not been a student of Mr Mitchell's, despite suspicious viewers wondering if this is how they met.

'I've been asked so many times "was I one of Jonny's students?",' she said, laughing to the camera before confirming that she had attended a different school in Nottingham.

Despite the difference in age, Abs maintained that the two 'have so much in common' and that they 'have such a laugh'.

'It feels like such a normal relationship,' she said.

'I think people assume because you're in an age gap relationship that you're not going to have anything in common and that we just sit in silence but no, it's not like that.'

She said that her parents don't mind about the relationship since she isn't underage.

'People ask if my parents approve. I mean, I'm 25 so I don't need their approval but they like him and get along with him.'

The 25-year-old clarified that she had not been a student of Mr Mitchell's, despite suspicious viewers wondering if this is how they met

Mr Mitchell was the headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury when he appeared on the award-winning Channel 4 show, Educating Yorkshire more than a decade ago (pictured on Educating Yorkshire)

Abs also said that she wasn't interested in having children and that wasn't on the cards for the couple.

'I don't care what other people think,' she said, adding that it was 'easy' to regard online hate.

'Other people's opinions are irrelevant to me. They're allowed their opinion, that's okay. But it does not affect me, like, it does not matter.'

'I think as long as you're happy, that should be the main thing.

Elsewhere, she said that money is no object in their relationship, despite many online assuming Abs is only with Mr Mitchell for his cash.

'People comment all the time like "sugar daddy" or say he pays for everything which isn't the case, we split. If he pays for something, I'll buy something and we do split the bills.'

'Just because you're in an age gap relationship doesn't mean that he pays for everything. With someone that might be the case which is completely fine, that's their life, that's why they want to do.

'Everyone is different and there are different circumstances and there are different situations for people, not everything is the same.

At the time he lived with his with Lisa and their three their three daughters, Ella, Lydia and Celia, and became an unlikely heartthrob

Abby, who regularly posts lifestyle blogs on the app, told viewers that she and her boyfriend 'both work in a professional job'

'He does buy me things but just as I buy him things,' she pressed.

Abby, who regularly posts lifestyle blogs on the app, told viewers that she and her boyfriend 'both work in a professional jobs'.

The couple, who 'don't care what people think', maintain that they have supported each other 'through thick and thin'.

'We're both extremely happy,' she said.

It is not clear how long the pair have been two have been an item - though they live together and are often seen jetting off on glamorous holidays to expensive destinations such as Dubai

As of 2014, the headteacher was still living with his wife and three children in Pontefract.

Mr Mitchell stole the nation's hearts when he appeared in the eight-part documentary in 2013.

The show first broadcast more than a decade ago and was based on the same format as the BAFTA Award winning series, Educating Essex, which came out in 2011.

The series followed pupils and staff at Thornhill Community Academy, a secondary school in Yorkshire, receiving rave reviews across the board and scoring fans across the world.

Mr Mitchell was loved by viewers as he was students. Two years after the show ended in 2015, in went on to take a role as headteacher at Co-op Academy in Leeds, where he stayed for a number of years.

Later, the 52-year-old became the headteacher of Netherwood Academy in Wombwell in Barnsley.

After taking on the new position in Barnsley, Jonny said he was still 'proud' of his contributions in Educating Yorkshire.

He told Barnsley Chronicle in 2020: 'The series is very much part of Thornhill and theres a legacy there. The whole franchise did a great deal for the teaching profession. It opened the publics eyes to something theyd only experienced 25 or 30 years ago.'
Lauren Sanchez, Katy Perry and Gayle King will blast off into space today as a part of a historical all-female space mission - but photos of the crew posted online have users declaring the mission a 'joke.'

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin flight - which has NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, astronaut and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn also on board - will see the women soaring off to space for 11-minutes.

However, pictures of the crew, posing in custom-made space suits designed by Sanchez, have prompted some to question if their preparation for lift off involved more photoshop than physics.

'Wow. That's a lot of photoshop and filters... I guess there's only so much make up and filler can do,' one user wrote sarcastically.

They continued, snarking: 'Blue Origin is starting to be a joke, too bad.'

Another sarcastically wrote: 'This photo needs more Botox and face filters.'

'DEI: Who is ready to watch a gaggle of dolled-up damsels, largely untethered from practical skill or sweat-earned expertise, lounge in the space pod sipping stardust, while the invisible hands of competent men labor endlessly to ensure everything works flawlessly, and that the ladies aren't incinerated in a fiery catastrophe,' ranted another.

Others responded to a photo of the crew posing at the company's launch site in West Texas, sharing their skepticism over the legitimacy of the image.

Lauren Sanchez , Katy Perry and Gayle King will blast off into space today as a part of a historical all-female space mission - but photos of the crew posted online have users declaring the mission a 'joke'

'Something about the photo feels off, parts of it looked like they have been photoshopped in,' one person wrote.

'Yeah if you looks closely around the edges they all seem to be airbrushed,' chimed in another.

Another user noted the flaw, writing: 'Let's photoshop everyone together from separate pictures and then make it look like they are posing on the loading bridge.'

During their 11-minute flight, the New Shepard capsule will reach an altitude of 62 miles (100km) and cross the Karman Line, often used as the boundary of space.

As the capsule enters freefall, the crew will be treated to three to four minutes of weightlessness as they leave their seats to take in the magnificent view.

Their journey will be powered by a reusable rocket which will push the capsule into space before detaching and gently guiding itself back to Earth.

This week Sanchez told The New York Times of designing the blue suits, explaining she wanted to 'reimagine the flight suit.'

'Usually, you know, these suits are made for a man,' she explained. 'Then they get tailored to fit a woman.'

The 55-year-old declared: 'I think the suits are elegant but they also bring a little spice to space.'

Others responded to a photo of the crew posing at the company's launch site in West Texas , sharing their skepticism over the legitimacy of the image

However, a picture of the crew, posing in custom-made space suits designed by Sancehz, has people questioning if their preparation for lift off involved more photoshop than physics

The journalist got in touch with Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim five months ago, who are the co-founders of the brand Monse and also the creative directors of Oscar de la Renta and made her 2024 Met Gala outfit.

They agreed to help her with the space suit designs.

The entire crew spoke to Elle Magazine in a joint interview, revealing they'll be have their hair and makeup done for the flight - along with heir sleek space suits.

'Who would not get glam before the flight?' Sanchez quipped, while Perry declared: 'Space is going to finally be glam.'

'Let me tell you something. If I could take glam up 'ith me, I would do that. We are going to put the 'ass' in astronaut,' the popstar added.

Since 2021, Blue Origin has carried a total of 52 people to the edge of space on 10 human flights. Bezos himself was part of the crew on Blue Origin's first.
Chinese culture fair hosted in Cameroon for upcoming Chinese Language Day

Xinhua) 08:55, April 14, 2025

A teacher guides participants in guessing the meaning of oracle bone scripts at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts sing a Chinese song together at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts experience Chinese tea art at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts make printing blocks for calligraphy rubbing at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

This photo taken on April 12, 2025 shows a display of calligraphy rubbings at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II, in Soa, Cameroon.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts experience Chinese paper cutting at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A Harvard University doctor has issued an urgent warning after revealing the common daily habit that is 'ruining' your brain.

Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, regularly shares his experience and knowledge with his 500,700 followers on TikTok.

He recently revealed the shocking impact not brushing your teeth before bed has  not only for our mouths but for our hearts, too.

Now, the 42-year-old has also shared the shocking effects of scrolling on our phones all day.

And it could be 'ruining' our brains.

In a clip, that has racked up 30,000 views and hundreds of likes, he explained three points.

'Constant phone use floods your brain with dopamine, making it crave quick rewards,' the doctor, from California, said.

'This can make it harder to focus on tasks like reading or problem solving, which do not offer instant gratification.'

Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, went viral after issuing an urgent PSA about the effects 'doom scrolling' has on our brains

The second reason is that social media use disrupts oxytocin, the hormone related to feeling connected.

He continued: 'Instead of boosting feelings of closeness, scrolling through perfect images of others' lives can leave you feeling anxious and lonely.'

Dr. Sethi's final point is that overuse of screens leads to mental fatigue.

He added: 'The constant dopamine rush wears your brain out.

'To reset, engage in offline activities like exercise or spending time with friends.

'And to feel more focused and less stressed.'

Users have flocked to the comments to share their reactions.

'Very hard to focus on this video, I literally swiped,' one user said, followed by three laughing emojis.

He recently revealed the shocking impact not brushing your teeth before bed has  not only for our mouths but for our hearts, too

Someone else commented: 'That's how I found you, and I like your advice.'

'Makes a video on a scrolling platform,' another user said, to which Dr. Sethi replied: 'Touche.'

In another video, Dr. Sethi revealed just how dangerous wearing shoes indoors can be.

'This is because shoes can carry various toxins,' Dr. Sethi, from California, said.

'Including pesticides, chemicals, viruses and bacteria, [as well as] heavy metals like lead.'

The doctor referred back to research that shows 96 percent of shoe soles carry fecal bacteria, including E. coli.

He continued: 'This can lead to severe gut infections and UTIs.

'This is especially concerning in homes with crawling children, who have a habit of putting everything in their mouths.'

To minimize the risks, he strongly urged people to remove their shoes before entering any home.
Not so long ago, when a woman looked in the mirror and felt in need of a little anti-ageing advice, she'd turn to the French.

No-one had better skin or a foxier figure than a Parisian mid-lifer, after all. Lapping up every detail of the French 50-something's beauty regime, British women in particular have traditionally regarded their stylish counterparts across the Channel with envy and admiration.

But could the anti-ageing crown at last be changing hands and to a rather unlikely nation?

The latest 'It Girl' in Sydney, isn't a 25-year-old social media influencer, nor a Married At First Sight reality TV star, but a 50-year-old museum finance analyst called Maria Sprem. She's constantly top of the guest list for new restaurant and bar openings and features in the society pages  often because of the younger men she's been spotted with.

A Kendall Jenner lookalike (but two decades her senior), Sprem is the poster girl for a new cohort of Aussie women who are very visibly defying the passing of the years  and the hot year-round sun.

You won't know their names individually, but collectively they are having a 'moment'. Women such as 50-year-old Jackie 'O' Henderson, Aussie TV and radio presenter and single mother-of-one, who counts Gwyneth Paltrow among her business contacts and looks like a woman at least 20 years younger. Or actress and TV host Sonia Kruger, who presents Australia's version of Strictly Come Dancing and turns 60 this year  but appears no older than 40.

Likewise, cancer survivor, entrepreneur and star of The Real Housewives of Sydney, Sally Obermeder, 51, becomes more youthful looking by the day. As does news anchor Angela Cox, who's in her late 40s and surfs at Bondi Beach most mornings before helming the nightly bulletin.

Then there are a host of women in the public eye in their 40s who equally fascinate with their first-flush-of-youth appearance: former Home and Away star Sharni Vinson, 41; Melbourne WAG and mother of four Bec Judd, 42; Melbourne TV and radio host and single mother-of-three Carrie Bickmore, 44; and former Miss Australia, model and single mother-of-one Laura Csortan, 48, who arguably looks even better than in her beauty pageant days.

Museum finance analyst Maria Sprem, 50, is the latest 'It Girl' in Sydney

Australian women, such as actress and TV host Sonia Kruger, 59, are having a 'moment'

Despite being set to turn 60 later this year, Ms Kruger looks no older than 40

So how has a country better known for its beer and BBQ culture than its beauty industry become such an inspiration for older women?

It's no coincidence that the rise of the hot Aussie mid-lifer comes at a time when women increasingly prize lithe, toned physiques into their 50s and beyond. It's much easier to acquire and maintain the Davina McCall body in a sporty, outdoor culture, of course. And as Maria says, when more skin is on show, there's more pressure not to let yourself go.

Salads, fish, fresh fruit and gallons of hydrating water keep women in shape because there's no hiding in a shapeless winter coat. In the more tropical regions, most don't even own one.

Maria 'loathes the gym', but often takes an hour-long walk to work at the Powerhouse Museum where she works and does it again on the way home. 'I slept over at a friend's house near the beach recently and when we got up to see the sunrise at Bondi Beach, there were so many women exercising and swimming.'

Where British mums look forward to early evening 'wine o'clock', in Australia you're more likely to find women in their 40s and 50s swimming in the sea after work or taking on a gruelling group-training challenge.

Hot right now is Bondi's Body by Berner, which offers Pilates, yoga, meditation and breathwork in a chic designer studio.

Like the French, the new Aussie mid-lifer is rarely under-groomed. 'I put on the same make-up when to go to the corner shop as I do for a night at a hot new bar,' laughs Maria.

But it's not all discipline and hard work.

Former Miss Australia, model and single mother of one Laura Csortan, 48, arguably looks better than during her beauty pageant days

Radio host and single mother-of-three Carrie Bickmore looks much younger than her 44 years

'I'd say it's 60 per cent attitude and 40 per cent effort. I love tequila and I often sleep in my make-up. I don't move in my sleep so sometimes it looks even better when I've slept in it.'

It's no surprise that she has Botox twice a year and though she loves to sunbathe  she calls herself a 'tanorexic'  is always religious about protecting her face. 'I've worked hard to get rid of age spots,' she says, singing the praises of Blemish + Age Defence Serum by SkinCeuticals.

And here lies the real paradox of the Aussie super-agers. In 2017, a study in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology found that Australian women tended to age faster than women in other countries, with 'more severe facial lines and higher rates of facial change'. The obvious reason was the sun  the No.1 factor in an aged appearance and, in a cloudless southern-hemisphere climate, impossible to avoid.

Yet it's precisely these sorts of studies that have now encouraged Australians to take skin protection more seriously than ever. While she loves tanning her body, Maria wears La Roche-Posay Anthelios Pigment Correct SPF 50 on her face every day, topping up throughout the day with Anessa SPF50 spray.

A few years ago she noticed age spots and pigmentation developing, but says she's managed to get rid of the damage with consistent use of SkinCeuticals' Blemish + Age Defence.

The women in the vanguard of the country's de-aging revolution are serious about beauty regimes in general. Maria hasn't hit menopause yet but keeps her skin glowing with another SkinCeuticals product, P-TIOX wrinkle-modulating peptide serum. She uses an eye cream and hyaluronic acid serum from the brand Immortal Skin. Though she's not keen on fillers and her full lips are all her own, she does give the illusion of having thicker hair with clip-in hair pieces. Eyelash extensions and acrylic nails are also part of her regular grooming routine.

As for fake tanning products, she's tried them all. Bali Body, Tanologist and The Quick Flick's Quick Glow are her favourites.

The outdoor lifestyle means it's easier to stay trim, but you do have to work at it. Maria is a fan of intermittent fasting, though knows others who microdose on Ozempic, and doesn't eat between 10pm and midday when she has a bowl of high-fibre oats. In the afternoon she'll have a fruit and a nut bar, and dinner is always a big salad made with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrot, edamame and brown rice topped with chicken or prawns cooked in her air fryer.

Former Home and Away star Sharni Vinson, 41

Ms Vinson is one of several Aussies in their 40s who impress with their flush-of-youth appearance

'I don't have big meals and I rarely eat pasta, but I'm always nibbling on something.' As for supplements, she's taken two 500mg chewable vitamin C tablets for the last five years to improve her immunity and skin health. As she says: 'It acts as a powerful anti-oxidant that can help combat free radicals, stimulate collagen production, reduce hyperpigmentation, protect against sun damage and promote greater radiance.'

She's also a fan of the kitchen disco, and regularly dances with two kilo weights in each hand to her favourite Cher songs.

But it's not just her lifestyle that keeps her young. Her life stage feels youthful too. Single and child-free, she has a social life as busy and vibrant as it was in her 20s. Meeting new people and dating new men are major anti-ageing tactics, she thinks. In fact: 'The older I'm becoming the younger the men are getting.'

Her last long relationship was with a man 13 years her junior, and, while holidaying in Paris last year, she had a fling with a 22-year-old. 'I'm always honest about my age but he didn't believe I was 50, so I had to show him my ID. His jaw hit the floor.'

Apart from the obvious benefits, she enjoys the energy of younger men and feels she's more in tune with them.

'I'm not interested in older men because I don't want to be controlled. Younger men have less baggage and they're more fun. Being with younger men keeps me young.'

It hasn't always been this way, however. One of eight children born to Croatian parents who moved to Australia before she was born, Maria is not short on life experience.

'I got married at 20 to a man who was very controlling, and we divorced when I was 23,' she reveals. 'Then I married again at 30. I always wanted children and thought I'd be like my mum and be the housewife at home.

'We were trying to have a family but at 35 we found out that he couldn't have children and that ruined our marriage because he didn't deal with it very well.'

At 36, she went through a mid-life crisis of sorts. Distressed by the thought of being childless and with little ambition at work, she went travelling for six months with her younger sister Natalija. As she was saying goodbye to friends with children, many told her they were envious.

'It was such a sobering moment when I realised that everyone wants what they haven't got. I realised I was going to be OK without children and that I needed to be grateful for what I did have. That's when I started enjoying life.'

It's a lesson and an attitude that keeps you young, she says  but it was the loss of her older sister two years ago that crystallised her view that life is for living, not disappointments or regrets. 'Ljubica's life was the polar opposite of mine. She was married for 30 years and had two beautiful boys but passed away just six months after she turned 50.

'I'm now at the point in my life that she never got to live, and I really do feel like I'm honouring her and making the most out of my life. I've stopped being in bad relationships and I'm happily single because I'd rather be on my own than with someone who's not helping me be the best I can be.

'Younger women come up to me and say they can't believe that I'm 50 and it gives them hope. You don't have to feel scared about getting older because if you set your mind to it and you want to achieve something, you can do it.'

Her younger sister Natalija now lives in Paris, and Maria admits to learning much from the French attitude and the confidence of Frenchwomen.

'They don't care what people think of them  they're just happy in themselves.'

These days, freedom, happiness and kindness are her motivators.

'I love that quote, 'If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely'. It's so true. It doesn't matter how attractive you are on the outside, if you're not a nice person, that attractiveness will fade very quickly.'
Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, the second cousin of King Charles III, has welcomed her second child.

The 34-year-old equestrian and psychotherapist, who is the daughter of George Mountbatten, Marquess of Milford Haven, and Sarah Walker, took to Instagram to reveal she's had a baby boy - and shared his unique and meaningful name.

She posted a series of sweet photographs, including one of the newborn wrapped up in a knitted jumper, a cloud-print beanie and tiny mittens, under a cosy blanket.

She also revealed that she'd called her newborn Auberon, or Albie for short.

Tatiana also shared several photographs of her eldest child Elodie, who she and husband Alexander 'Alick' Dru welcomed in September 2023, and her family enjoying the start of spring in the countryside.

The final photo in her set was of her holding both Elodie and Albie close as they cuddled on a sofa, Tatiana smiling at the camera and appearing radiant.

In another picture, she simply showed his tiny hand holding one of her fingers.

She wrote in the caption: 'March might just have been the best month of my life.

Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, the second cousin of King Charles III, has welcomed her second child

Lady Tatiana Mountbatten's family has grown after the arrival of her second child, Auberon, whose big sister Elodie is 'slowly getting used to him'

'We've been in the country for a month, Auberon (Albie) has been really wonderful to look after.

'His big sister has adored being outside all day every day and is slowly getting used to him.

'We've played, rested, nourished, slept a little, loved a lot and enjoyed every minute of the glorious spring weather.'

However, the time had come for the family to head back to London, Tatiana said.

'Now it's time to head back to London, to return to normal - or discover what our new normal looks like, and slowly find our stride again.

'Unbelievably grateful.'

Friends and family congratulated the family on their newest arrival, including Ella Mountbatten, daughter of Lord Ivar Mountbatten.

In a comment on the post, she wished Tatiana ahead of her birthday on April 16 and wrote: 'My new little cuz Albie, he's the sweetest Tats, congratulations and happy birthday for Wednesday.'

Tatiana declared March as her favourite month as she and her family spent time with their new addition as spring began

Tatiana, who is the daughter of King Charles's cousin, penned a lengthy caption alongside her post

Tatiana and Alick married in 2022 at Winchester Cathedral (pictured together at Royal Ascot in 2021)

Tatiana also appeared eager to show Albie the reins of her beloved horses and to get him a pony of his own in the near future.

In reply to a fellow equestrian who asked when the royal would be buying him his first pony, Tatiana replied with an enthusiastic 'soon!'.

Another commenter wondered about the origins of Albie's name. Tatiana clarified that Auberon is Alick's family name, as his father is Auberon Alexander Bernard Dru.

In October, Tatiana revealed she was expecting her second child in a post showing off her growing bump at the time in a form-fitting jersey jumpsuit by Max Mara.

At the time, she shared a photograph of herself proudly cradling her pregnant belly while at an event hosted by the Italian designer and wrote in the caption: 'A private preview of my growing bump maxmara exquisite new collection.'

She and Alick had welcomed their first child Elodie in September 2023. She previously revealed that the couple did not know the gender of the baby and were keeping it a 'surprise on the day'.

Tatiana and Alick married at Winchester Cathedral in July 2022. The bride wore an elegant gown by British designer Suzanne Neville that included a bespoke three metre train with embroidery from her mother's wedding gown.

Tatiana is the second cousin once removed of King Charles, and the eldest child of George Mountbatten and his first wife Sarah Georgina Walker.

Her younger brother is Henry David Louis Mountbatten, Earl of Medina, while her stepbrother is Harry Wentworth-Stanley, the husband of Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas.

Alick, an entrepreneur who studied in Eton, is the son of Auberon Alexander Bernard Dru and Catherine Margaret Norden.

His father, known as Bernard, is the son of Major Alexander Dru and Gabriel Mary Hermione Herbert, and is a descendent of both John Vesey, 4th Viscount de Vesci, and Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon.
A doctor has shared why he would never go on a cruise - encouraging anyone looking to book a vacation on the sea to be careful.

Dr. Rubin, a pediatrician who often shares information about allergies and how to combat them, posted a recent TikTok clip detailing why he won't be boarding a cruise.

'Here's why you're not gonna see me on a cruise ship anytime soon, and I encourage people to consider this before they book a cruise,' he urged in the video.

Dr. Rubin then spoke about the cuts made to federal agencies recently, and how that has impacted overall health and safety checks on the ships.

'Well one of [the cuts] is to the CDC's vessel sanitation program, which conducts health inspections on cruise ships at least twice a year and they trace outbreaks to help reduce the chances of more people getting sick,' he explained.

Dr. Rubin continued saying there has already been 12 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year alone, in comparison to eight last year.

'These cuts make no sense because its not funded by taxpayer dollars,' he continued.

'Then cruise ships pay for these health inspections so it's not like we're saving any money from the taxpayers perspective,' the medical professional insisted, before declaring: 'This makes absolutely no sense.'

Dr. Rubin (pictured) a pediatrician who often shares information about allergies and how to combat them, posted a recent TikTok clip detailing why he won't be boarding a cruise

The response to Dr. Rubin's video was divided, with some accusing him of 'fear mongering.'

'We cruise every year and just went in mid February, which is prime time for norovirus. We were on Carnival's biggest ship and were fine,' one user responded.

'I'm a travel agent and you're fine,' declared another.

Other users agreed wtih Dr. Rubin's assessment.

'I'm anti-cruise even in normal times. Ships are just one giant Petri dish and it's a hard pass for me,' one user wrote.

'They call Norovirus "cruise ship virus" for a reason,' someone else chimed in.

'I caught covid on last one. Never again,' swore another.

In March, a contagious virus outbreak on the the Coral Princess cruise ship left dozens of passengers and crew ill and in isolation during their nearly three-week-long voyage.

Rubin the spoke about the cuts made to federal agencies recently, and how that has affected the overall health on the ships (stock image)

The ship set sail from California on February 21, with 69 of the over 1,000 passengers and 13 of the 895 crew members struck down by norovirus.

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The ship was travelling from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, calling at ports along the west coast of Mexico before travelling through the Panama canal into the Caribbean.

According to the CDC, this is the second outbreak of the virus on the cruise liner this year after the Coral Princess reported cases back in January.

Passengers and workers who were struck down were isolated to try and contain the outbreak, public areas were thoroughly disinfected, The New York Post reported.

Last year, was the worst year ever for stomach flu outbreaks on cruise ships in the US.

According to the CDC, there were 16 outbreaks in 2024.

A staggering five of those incidents took place in December 2024 alone - causing 890 cases.

The last time there were that many outbreaks in one year was in 2012.
In 2020, Amanda Gruendell gave birth via a womb that wasnt always hers.

The uterus came from a dead woman she never met and, miraculously, it carried life once more.

Gruendell told the Daily Mail she decided on this extreme transplant procedure after all her other attempts at motherhood came up short.

She is now one of only a few people on Earth to have delivered a child from a transplanted womb, and what once might have sounded like science fiction can now lead to the phenomenal birth of a breathing, crying, baby girl.

After Gruendell wasn't able to conceive naturally - she had a rare condition which prevented her womb from developing properly while in utero herself - she and her ex-husband explored adoption and surrogacy.

Neither avenue to parenthood worked out for the couple, with one adoption falling through just before they were due to pick up their child.

All of this put a strain on the couple's marriage and the pair divorced in 2016.

It was then that one of Gruendell's friends suggested she sign up for an experimental uterus transplant with the Cleveland Clinic. The trial later led to the first birth via uterine transplant in North America in 2019 - that mother was in her mid-20s.

Amanda Gruendell, 41, from Utah, is pictured above with her daughter Grace following the uterus transplant

Gruendell 'jumped at the chance' and in January 2020, after a battery of tests and a temporary trial suspension, she received the implant. She was 33.

While the procedure is becoming more widespread  a woman in the UK delivered a child via a transplanted uterus in February  a womb transplant was still considered experimental at the time.

But, she was willing to take on the risks.

Gruendell, now 37, told the Daily Mail she had wanted a child for as long as she could remember.

'When my brother was born, I was about eight, and I just wanted to be so involved with him,' she recalled. 'I just knew from then that being a mother was what I wanted to do.'

Gruendell is one of 3,700 women in the US who don't have a womb due to a rare condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome.

The Syracuse, Utah, native was given the earth shattering diagnosis at 16 years old when she hadn't yet started menstruating.

Once accepted into the Cleveland Clinic trial, she was slated to receive a womb from an unnamed donor who died before turning 40 and had previously given birth.

It took 14 hours for doctors to complete the implant surgery where they attached the donor uterus to Gruendell's blood vessels.

As part of the procedure, a small part of the donor's vaginal tissue was sewn to Gruendell's vagina - a step doctors call a 'major technical challenge' - to ensure the uterus attached properly to the recipient's cervix and vagina.

Gruendell was also put on a cocktail of 10 immunosuppressant drugs to stop her body from rejecting the new organ.

Her ovaries worked perfectly - they develop from different cells than the uterus - which opened the door to in vitro fertilization (IVF), where eggs are fertilized in a lab and then transplanted into a uterus.

Even still, despite the transplant operation being a success, doctors said there was only a 50 percent chance IVF would result in a pregnancy for Gruendell and her new husband John.

Since then, a 2022 study from JAMA Surgery, found that out of 33 people who received a donor uterus in the US, 19 had delivered at least one child.

She is pictured above while pregnant. She said it was amazing to feel her daughter kicking and she even felt contractions too before the C-section

While some hopeful parents try several times to conceive through IVF, Gruendell got pregnant after the first embryo created using Amanda's egg and John's sperm was implanted.

Thirty-seven weeks later, she gave birth via cesarean section to her daughter, Grace.

Both Gruendell and Dr. Uma Perni, a member of this transplant team, said there is nothing unusual about uterine transplant pregnancies compared to someone born with a uterus. The mother of one said the nine months passed largely without issue.

She told the Daily Mail she experienced severe bleeding at week 16, which led to a night spent in the emergency room, and that she had a pain in her abdomen doctors think may have been linked to a rib.

Neither incident was caused by her new womb.

'The most remarkable thing about these pregnancies, including Amanda's, is how unremarkable they are,' Dr. Perni told the Daily Mail.

When Grace was born, Gruendell said, 'I just grabbed her when the doctors came to show me.'

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'The doctors weren't quite ready for that, and they had to take her away again for a minute, but I was just so happy when I held her,' she said recounting the memory. 'The moment I heard that cry, it was the best moment of my life.'

Gruendell was one of 10 patients on the trial, eight of whom received transplants. The remaining two rejected the new organ, but neither died as a result of the complication.

Four of the women - including Gruendell - had live births after their transplants. Two others did not get pregnant, though their transplants were successful.

Grundell told the Daily Mail she recognizes that every operation comes with risks. 'For me, the pros outweighed the cons with a uterus transplant.

'I wanted the ability to have a baby kick inside me, and I wanted to be able to experience what it was like to give birth and to have that bond with the child.

Grace, now a healthy and boisterous four-year-old, has medically progressed well since being born. The family just celebrated her birthday on March 22.

'She loves learning,' Gruendell said, calling out her daughter's affection for school, numbers and reading.

'She wants us to read all the books all day long, every day, all day, she got interested in Barbies this year, too, and balance bikes, playing outside with friends.'

Grace is pictured above after birth. Gruendell said she grabbed her baby when doctors showed her

Gruendell is pictured above with her husband John and daughter Grace. John also has two other children

Gruendell pictured above during her pregnancy after the womb transfer

Gruendell has been trying for a second child since Grace was born, and has now undergone four additional cycles of IVF.

The first ended in a miscarriage, and the second was thwarted by an improperly thawed embryo. She had a fourth embryo implanted on Wednesday and is hoping this one will take.

Gruendell says she'll try twice more, adding she still has a positive mindset because, now, she has a daughter.

After her final round of IVF, doctors will remove the transplanted uterus.

While there's no time limit for how long the organ can be implanted, doctors will remove it if the patient is no longer looking to conceive or if the accompanying medications start to cause kidney damage. The latter is possible with immunosuppressant drugs and would be viewed as potentially life threatening.

Since beginning the trial, Gruendell has had to remain on medications including immunosuppressants prednisone (which she said caused weight gain), tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil.

She said the drugs have weakened her immune system, which has left her susceptible to the frequent exposure to illness that often comes with having a toddler in the house.

She is also taking antibiotics regularly to fight infections, and needs to closely watch her salt intake to hopefully prevent kidney damage.

Gruendell said the procedure was 'absolutely' worth it for other women who are struggling to have children.

'Every day, every milestone, every fit, all of the things that I get to experience now. It was all worth it for this bundle of joy that I get to enjoy,' she said.
Patients with the deadliest type of skin cancer will be given fast-tracked access to a 'revolutionary' cancer vaccine on the NHS.

The needle-free injection, given for up to two years, is custom-built for people to stop their melanoma returning  which experts believe will herald a new era in fighting the disease.

It works by boosting the immune system's response helping it to 'attack' cancer cells to prevent them from coming back.

It marks an expansion of NHS England's cancer vaccine launch pad programme, which has already allowed hundreds of patients to receive a bowel cancer vaccine in the last year.

The health service now plans to provide up to 10,000 patients in England with personalised cancer treatments by 2030 through this scheme.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today said the move was 'nothing short of life saving' and that more world-leading research developments would soon be created.

Known as iSCIB1+ (Immunobody), it uses a highly pressurised stream of liquid to administer the vaccine into the skin or muscle.

It targets proteins that are specific to melanoma tumours, flagging them to the immune system, which then seeks out, attacks and destroys the cancer cells.

The needle-free injection, given for up to two years, is custom-built for people to stop their cancer returning. Pictured, one bowel cancer patient receiving the bowel cancer vaccine last year

Currently, around half of patients with melanoma  the UK's fifth most common cancer  respond to immunotherapy.

But those who do not are at higher risk of their cancer getting worse.

It is hoped that the vaccine trial, developed with UK life sciences company Scancell, will improve the body's response to this treatment.

Advanced melanoma patients will need a blood test to determine their tissue type before taking part in the trial.

Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS National clinical director for cancer, said: 'Skin cancer can have a devastating impact.

'We know that cancer vaccines have the potential to revolutionise cancer care for patients in this country and across the world  and to save more lives.'

He added: 'People with advanced cancer have little time to lose, and that's why a platform which rapidly identifies the trials suitable for them is so important.

'And by enabling more patients to access trials more quickly across England, we can build up the kind of evidence base that leads to breakthroughs which could stop cancer in its tracks, not only for patients on the NHS but worldwide.'

Signs of skin cancer range from innocuous to obvious, but experts warn that treating cases early is key to making sure they do not spread or further develop

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Sir Keir also said he was taking steps to fast-track clinical trials and 'cut red tape for researchers'.

He added: 'This kind of innovation is nothing short of life-saving and I want to see more of these world-leading treatments being developed in the UK.'

Paul Thomas, 63, was diagnosed with advanced skin cancer in 2017.

The disease returned after treatment, but after taking part in the SCOPE skin cancer vaccine trial last year, his prognosis has improved.

Thomas, a grandfather of four from Hampshire, said: 'I feel so lucky to be put on the trial.

'Thankfully I was still quite fit and since I've been on it, my tumours have all shrunk. Every time I go for a scan they seem to be shrinking, which is really exciting.

'I'm really hoping for total eradication of my cancer, as opposed to being put in remission and I'm feeling optimistic.'

Around 15,000 Brits and 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma each year. It is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.

Last month comedian Katherine Ryan revealed she had received a second skin cancer diagnosis. She said a doctor had initially dismissed her concerns, but tests showed that the mole was 'early melanoma'

Last month comedian Katherine Ryan revealed she had received a second skin cancer diagnosis.

Speaking on her podcast and social media, the Canadian star confirmed she had recently had a cancerous mole on her arm removed, and would have another procedure to ensure it is all gone.

She also said a doctor had initially dismissed her concerns, but tests showed that the mole was 'early melanoma'.

The incidence in Britain has risen faster than any other common cancer.

Increased UV exposure from the sun or tanning beds, has been blamed for the increase.

The disease occurs after the DNA in skin cells is damaged, triggering mutations that become cancerous.

Despite huge strides forward in treatment that has seen survival leap from less than 50 per cent to more than 90 per cent in the past decade, it still kills more than 2,000 people a year.

Melanoma is often fast growing and can quickly burrow through the skin and into the blood vessels beneath.

Once the cancer cells get into the bloodstream, the disease can spread throughout the body.
When Carla Sobrinis daughter Emilia failed her newborn hearing test, she had no idea that a virus shed unknowingly caught from her older child during pregnancy was to blame.

By five weeks old, Emilia had failed a further two hearing tests  and a cheek swab showed she was positive for the common but little-known cytomegalovirus (CMV).

If a woman contracts CMV for the first time during pregnancy, it can cause deafness (through damage to the hair cells in the inner ear), blindness, brain damage and developmental delays and possibly autism in her baby in the womb.

Emilia now wears hearing aids  and when a blood sample taken during Carlas first antenatal appointment at eight weeks was later tested, it showed recent antibodies to CMV, suggesting she had indeed contracted it early in pregnancy.

Yet if this blood sample had been tested for CMV at the time, Carla could have been given antiviral medication which reduces the risk of passing on the infection to the developing baby.

It was the worst day of my life when we found out Id contracted CMV in the first trimester, says Carla, 38, who lives in north London with her husband Francesco, 49, who works in marketing, and their children, Leonardo, four, and Emilia, three.

Carla had never heard of the virus. Nor had she had any health problems during her pregnancy  I couldnt remember feeling unwell and no one ever mentioned CMV in antenatal appointments, says Carla, a director at an architecture firm.

CMV, which is one of the herpes simplex group of viruses (also responsible for cold sores) is usually harmless in adults and children, causing no symptoms (though some develop flu-like signs). However, there is a risk to babies within the first trimester, as their immune systems are not yet developed.

Carla Sobrini with her husband Francesco, son Leonardo and daughter Emilia - who was born with cytomegalovirus, leaving her with severe hearing loss

Its transmitted via bodily fluids such as saliva and urine, and is mainly passed on by young children, due to poorer hygiene.

Carla believes she caught the virus from Leonardo, a baby while she was pregnant with Emilia.

She recalls: I sucked Leonardos dummy, I used his cutlery, and I changed his nappies without washing my hands. They are things I could have easily avoided if Id known about CMV.

Around one in 200 babies in the UK is born with CMV and while most wont have any symptoms, for around one in 1,000  roughly 900 children each year  the impact is severe, says Lucy Liang, chair of the board of trustees at the charity CMV Action.

Yet despite being more common than Downs syndrome, spina bifida or cystic fibrosis, CMV remains relatively unknown.

There is no CMV screening for mothers during pregnancy, or as part of a newborn health check. The case against it has been concern that it would identify babies with CMV who would not have long-term problems as a result, but who could be put on antiviral treatment unnecessarily.

But we support CMV screening for all newborns, says Ms Liang. In the UK, 25 per cent of preventable childhood hearing loss is caused by CMV. But sadly CMV screening, even after a failed hearing test, still isnt always standard practice.

A study published in JAMA Paediatrics in January found that when newborns in Canada were routinely tested for CMV (as part of the existing heel-prick blood test), many whod been infected were identified, so were able to be treated and undergo monitoring by audiologists.

Lucy Liang, chair of the board of trustees at the charity CMV Action, says the impact of the virus is severe for around 900 children a year

Carla believes she caught the virus from Leonardo, a baby while she was pregnant with Emilia

If antivirals are given within the first month of life it can prevent hearing loss from progressing.

Treatment is critically important because the longer you can delay hearing loss, the better the brain is able to perceive sound, explains Paul Griffiths, an emeritus professor of virology at University College London.

The hearing loss can be progressive. So if a child then becomes profoundly deaf and needs a cochlear implant [where electrodes are threaded into the cochlea, in the inner ear, to do the job of the damaged hair cells], their brain can still receive those signals and they can hear normally. But they need two years with their brain processing some sound in order to do this.

Antiviral treatment doesnt have much benefit if taken after becoming one month old, he adds.

In 2023, guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended that all pregnant women should be told about the risks of CMV infection at their first antenatal appointment.

However, we still see significant gaps in healthcare training and awareness, and many families only hear about CMV after a diagnosis, says Ms Liang.

Professor Hermione Lyall, a consultant in paediatric infectious diseases at St Marys Hospital in London, adds: Its frustrating that women arent warned about CMV  especially when they are told to avoid cat litter due to the risk of toxoplasmosis infection, for example, or soft cheese in case its contaminated with Listeria bacteria.

Yet there are only a handful of babies affected by those things yearly in the UK.

If pregnant women knew about CMV, she adds, and took steps to prevent catching it  such as not kissing their toddlers on the lips, washing their hands after changing nappies and not finishing off their childrens food  it would reduce the risk to babies altogether.

And if they do catch CMV, having antiviral treatment during early pregnancy could be effective  but without routinely screening pregnant women, its difficult to know who has been infected because they usually wont have symptoms, or symptoms could be caused by another virus such as a common cold, says Professor Griffiths.

In some countries, such as France, expectant mothers have monthly serology tests (which test CMV antibodies) until the 20th week of their pregnancy.

This is the best way to reduce the risk of transmission, says Professor Lyall.

Newly-pregnant women could order a serology kit online, or ask their GP for one to identify their risk of transmitting the virus, she adds.

CMV affects entire families lives, says Ms Liang. Parents tell us how terrifying it is not knowing if, or when, their child might lose their hearing or show signs of developmental delay.

Nancy Taylor, 35, a personal assistant from Chelmsford in Essex, knows this all too well.

Her son Otis, now one, was born with CMV after she caught it from her daughter Ava, four. An MRI of Otiss brain after birth showed mild inflammation and Nancy and her husband Alex, 30, an insurance broker, were told he might have learning challenges or develop autism.

Otis was given antiviral medication at nearly four weeks old.

Its a waiting game, says Nancy. His hearing and development so far are fine, but hes not out of the woods yet. Developmental delay usually manifests by age five or six.

Im teaching Otis sign language because I know of children born with CMV who suddenly lost their hearing aged four, says Nancy.

Meanwhile, Emilia has worn hearing aids in both ears since she was two months old  but her deafness has gradually got worse as more of the delicate hairs in the cochlea that relay sound waves have been affected and shes on the verge of needing a cochlear implant.

What makes matters worse is that there were missed opportunities to diagnose Emilia sooner.

At birth, for example, her face was covered in small red spots, known as petechiae  a common sign of CMV in babies  and instead of being tested for CMV after failing one hearing test, Emilia was only tested after failing three.

This meant she was seven weeks old when she started the antiviral treatment, past the point when its most effective.

Our world exploded when we were told Emilia had CMV, says Carla. It felt like I was drowning.

After that, everything she did was a question mark  was this normal or damage caused by CMV? When she started hitting her milestones, such as crawling or laughing for the first time, we started to relax. But this could have all been avoided if women were warned of the risks  we have a right to know.

For more information visit cmvaction.org.uk
There was widespread disgust when a Chinese restaurant was exposed for serving street pigeon in place of roasted duck earlier this month.

But just how much of a risk do shocking practices like these pose to the publicand could the same thing happen here in the UK?

Horrific footage taken inside Madrid's Jin Gu Chinese revealed plucked and cooked pigeons and strips of gnarled meat hanging from clothes horses.

Local media also reported other unsanitary conditions at Madrid's Jin Gu Chinese, including 300kg of rotten food, cockroaches and rat traps scattered across the floor.

The restaurant boasted excellent reviews, but customers reported feeling unwell after leavingand complaints led to a major police investigation.

The horrific truth was uncovered during a raid on the premises on March 25.

In the UK, consuming street pigeons is illegal, as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects wild birds, their nests, and eggs.

And, while it is legal to eat some species if they were killed under a license, they cannot be sold for human consumptionwith the exception of wood pigeon.

There was widespread disgust when a Chinese restaurant was exposed for serving street pigeon in place of roasted duck earlier this month

The incident raised the question of just how much risk shocking practices like these pose to the publicand whether the same thing could happen here in the UK

Horrific footage taken inside the eatery during a police raid revealed plucked and cooked pigeons and strips of gnarled meat hanging from clothes horses

Regardless of legal status, eating street pigeon is widely discouraged, due to serious health concerns.

The main worry, say experts, is that the birds could be carrying bacteria and fungi that can result in life-threatening illnesses.

According to expert pest control company Integrum Services, street pigeons can carry up to 60 different infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

The British Pest Control Association adds that 49 percent of street pigeons are likely to carry a disease which can be passed onto humans.

Not only are feral pigeons carriers of pathogens, Integrum Services says, but also parasites which carry their own bacteria and spread disease.

The most common culprits include E.coli, salmonella and psittacosis.

Whilst most cases of E.coli and salmonella infections, which cause stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, are not life-threatening, psittacosis can be fatal.

Once transmitted to humans, psittacosiscommonly referred to as ornithosescan lead to respiratory complications.

Local media also reported other unsanitary conditions at Madrid's Jin Gu Chinese, including 300kg of rotten food, cockroaches and rat traps scattered across the floor

The restaurant boasted excellent reviews, but customers reported feeling unwell after leavingand complaints led to a police investigation

Symptoms include a high temperature, difficulty breathing, blurred vision and coughing up blood.

In more extreme cases, infections caused by the bacteria can lead to severe pneumonia and respiratory failure, especially when untreated in elderly or immunocompromised individuals.

Left untreated, The UK Health Security Agency warns psittacosis can also cause inflammation of the brain, heart or liver.

Whilst the thought of eating feral pigeons is enough to turn most people's stomachs, consuming this off-menu substitute won't necessarily result in food poisoning.

According to the pest management company, the primary method of transmission from bird to human is via their droppingseither via inhalation of contaminated particles or through direct contact.

When pigeon droppings dry up, they turn to dust particles which become airborne.

Once these contaminated particles reach the lungs, they are then absorbed into the bloodstream, causing infection and disease.

This is not to say, however, that humans cannot consume pigeon under any circumstances.

The British Pest Control Association adds that 49 percent of street pigeons are likely to carry a disease which can be passed onto humans

In the UK, consuming street pigeons is illegal, as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects wild birds, their nests, and eggs

In fact, Squab, the meat from younger pigeons, has been described by Food & Wine as 'the tastiest bird you can legally eat'.

According to Chef Christopher Kostow, from the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, there is nothing like grilled squab.

But he is doubtful that pigeon will become a widely appreciated delicacy anytime soon: 'At the end of the day, it is pigeon.

'People see pigeons rooting around the garbage cans, so I doubt it,' he told Food & Wine.

The Jin Gu restaurant, in the Usera district of the Spanish capital, was raided on March 25 by police, who made sickening discoveries.

Shocking footage taken inside the restaurant by officers showed a bag full of dirtied meat, and bowls of plucked and cooked street pigeons.

Local media also reported that the restaurant had eight faulty freezers filled with bags of unlabelled and undated meat and fish, cockroaches in the kitchen, as well as a litany of rat traps across the floor.

The Chinese restaurant also held several prohibited and illegal items, including sea cucumbers, which are protected by strict marine laws.

The restaurant was ordered to close and its owner is being investigated for alleged public health crimes.

The raid came after it was revealed Beach Blanket Babylon, a Notting Hill restaurant frequented by Royals, Rita Ora and Selena Gomez, has been shut down after a disgusting discovery in the food.

The food served by the posh West London restaurant was contaminated with mouse droppings.

Following this failure to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, Kensington and Chelsea Council officers filed legal action against business operators Robert Kenneth Newmark and Conor George Thomson-Moore.

The pair have since admitted serious food offences, pleading guilty to four charges at City of London Magistrates Court earlier this month.

The charges against Mr Newmark have now been dropped.

Kensington and Chelsea Council officers inspected the restaurant in September 2022 and found a serious mice infestation, cockroaches and rats.

Excrement was also found around the premises, as well as food contaminated with mice faeces and packets of till white seeds, cocoa powder and flaked almonds gnawed by mice.
Reality star Khloe Kardashian appeared at Mondays Blue Origin launch to cheer on the all-female crew heading to the edge of Earths atmosphere, and fans were quick to speculate about possible plastic surgery.

The Kardashians star has long been rumored to undergo regular rounds of filler in her lips and her cheeks and went public about the latter after the removal of a tumor that left a noticeable indentation.

But her lips appeared especially plump on Monday, leading plastic surgeons to believe she recently underwent a fresh round of fillers and Botox (though she has previously admitted to trying Botox at least once).

Chris Bustamante, an aesthetic nurse practitioner based in New York City specializing in fillers, Botox, and other injectables, told DailyMail.com that celebrities usually see the best in aesthetics. So, she's likely treated with a multi-modality approach.

Meaning, Botox for the upper and lower face, global optimization with filler to enhance her profile and give her lips a little extra volume.

Kardashian finally confessed to undergoing a nose job in 2021 after years of speculation from fans about her ever-evolving appearance.

She has attributed her wrinkle-free, pore-less visage to a combination of non-invasive treatments, skincare, and lifestyle habits rather than major surgical procedures.

With the exception of cheek filler after tumor removal surgery, she has never confirmed other procedures that fans have long suspected her of getting, including cheek implants, jawline and lip filler, a breast augmentation, and a Brazilian butt lift.

Dr David Shokrian, a prominent plastic surgeon in New York City, noted that she has likely had a more filler in her lip than usual. 'Her upper lip appears a plumper

Khloe Kardashian most likely also gets facials involving lasers and [radio frequency] microneedling to keep her skin looking tight, clear, and smooth, Dr Bustamante added.

RF microneedling and laser therapies boost the production of wrinkle-obscuring collagen and improve skin texture and firmness.

Some have also posited that Kardashian has received regular injections of filler in her lips, which typically consists of hyaluronic acid.

Dr David Shokrian, a prominent plastic surgeon in New York City, told DailyMail.com: I think shes had a little more filler in her lip than usual. Her upper lip appears a plumper.

Her lips first appeared larger in 2015, and fans often speculate that Kardashian is a frequent recipient of lip filler.

The reality star, though, insists that she overlines her lips with lipliner to make them appear fuller, echoing the response that her younger sister Kylie Jenner gave fans years ago.

Dr Diana Ponsky, a Cleveland, Ohio-based plastic surgeon, said: Her lips appear enhancedlikely with filler, though its subtle and well done.

Her front teeth are more visible than usual, which could suggest an upper lip lift, but thats speculative.

Dr Ponsky added that her whole face, not just her upper lip, appears lifted, giving her a sculpted and snatched jawline.

Dr Diana Ponsky, a Cleveland, Ohio-based plastic surgeon, said that her whole face, not just her upper lip, appears lifted, giving her a sculpted and snatched jawline

That could be her natural anatomy, or she may have had a mini lift or even a deep plane lower face and neck lift, she said.

A deep plane facelift is more advanced than a traditional facelift and involves lifting and repositioning deep layers of facial tissue. This method avoids the dreaded artificial pulled look of some traditional facelifts.

Dr Shokrian echoed that sentiment, adding that she likely underwent a facelift after losing weight, which typically leaves faces saggier and laxer than before: I think what essentially happened is she lost all the weight and def needed to have skin pulled back and the underlying structures lifted.

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Kardashian is a fan of laser resurfacing treatments, which involve shooting the face with concentrated beams of light to remove the top layer of the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving the skins texture while reducing wrinkles.

She has also used microneedling to keep fine lines at bay. The non-invasive procedure uses tiny, sterile needles to create controlled micro-punctures in the skin to stimulate natural collagen and elastin production, which leaves her with a smoother, firmer complexion.

Dr Shokrian said: A lot of times we combine both. We do a round of microneedling to start, and then we go over that with the low-intensity laser.

So used in conjunction it really helps do some wonders as well as the skin and pores and that kinds of things.

Kardashian attented the launch with her mother Kris Jenner to suppore the all-female crew

The reality star, pictured in 2007 (left), 2022 (center) and 2023 (right), has become known for her shrinking frame and rounded curves in recent years

And while Kardashian has shunned Botox  a neurotoxin that restricts muscle movement in the face  Dr Shokrian said this could have been a case of clever semantics.

He said: While she maybe doesnt use Botox, theres like half a dozen other products that are all botulinum toxin derivatives. Theyre not called Botox, which is patented and trademarked, but any kind of botulinum alternative, theyre all the same thing.

Nothing can replace Botox, he added. Microneedling does not stop the muscle from moving. The laser doesnt stop muscles from moving. Fillers do nothing to stop muscles from moving.

Kardashian attended the launch with her mother Kris Jenner.

She told the Blue Origin media team: 'It's incredible. It takes your breath away. And I feel like I have all this adrenaline, and I'm just standing here.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Kardashian's team for comment.
The dent to the luxury sector caused by Donald Trump's tariffs will today be exposed by handbags to champagne giant LVMH.

The French group, which has Moet, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy among its brands, will report on trading for the first three months of the year.

Its shares are down 9 per cent since the President announced a frenzy of global tariffs.

Trump tariffs wearing thin: LVMH has has Moet, Louis Vuitton (modelled by Karlie Kloss, above) and Givenchy among its brands

HSBC analysts expect the group to post a 1 per cent rise in sales to 18.3billion thanks to higher prices negating a fall in volume.

They said: 'We are expecting, quite literally, fewer champagne bottles to be popped this year.'
Blavod Black Vodka will return to the North American market after its London-based owner Distil found a new distributor for the brand.

Coronavirus curbs forced AIM-listed Distil's previous US distribution partner to withdraw, thereby cutting off imports of Blavod to the country.

Distil, which also makes Red Leg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin, told investors on Monday a new deal with AIKO Importers would give it access to an 'extensive distribution network' across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, and 'strong retail relationships' with major accounts such as Costco.

The agreement comes in the wake of new tariffs on all US imports, which will see British drinks companies forced to pay so-called 'baseline' levies of 10 per cent.

Distil executive chairman Don Goulding said the group is working on the assumption that tariffs will 'remain in place for the foreseeable future', but added he sees levies as 'manageable' at 'current levels'.

Coronavirus curbs forced AIM-listed Distil's previous US distribution partner to withdraw, thereby cutting off imports of Blavod to the country.

He said Distil, which expects to recommence US shipments of Blavod Black Vodka from the end of June, would see 'benefit across the supply chain' should tariffs be lifted.

Distil shares were up 32.9 per cent to 0.093p in early trading, taking 2025 losses to 28.5 per cent.

Having initially benefitted from at-home drinking during the Covid-era lockdowns, Distil has since seen sales soften significantly.

Distil annual revenues have fallen from a 2021 peak of 3.6million to a low of 1.3million in 2023, though sales improved to 1.5million last year.

And the group's share price has collapsed almost 98 per cent form an April 2021 peak of 3.05p to just 0.072p as of market close on Friday.

However, they were handed gains of more than 75 per cent earlier this month after former ITM Power boss Dr Graham Cooley took a stake in the business.

Goulding said: 'Unlocking distribution for Blavod in the US marks an important moment and growth opportunity for the brand which has enjoyed success in this market in the past.'

By volume, vodka represents the biggest spirit category in the US, which is one of the biggest spirits markets globally, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Goudling added: 'We've been inundated with requests for the product from customers and consumers, demonstrating strong awareness and demand.

'We believe this to be good time to drive forward, and we're excited to working closely with the Aiko team to build back this distribution.'
Belgian insurance giant Ageas has agreed to buy Esure in a 1.3billion deal that will create the UK's third-largest personal lines insurer.

Ageas said the takeover would broaden its European presence and target customer demographics, and bolster its presence in the UK price-comparison website market.

The deal is expected to boost revenues to 3.25billion by 2028.

It plans to fund the deal, which is expected to close in the second half of this year, through a mix of surplus cash and newly issued debt or equity.

Once that happens, the business expects to generate more than 100million in annual pre-tax cost savings and an 'unlevered' return on investment exceeding 12 per cent.

Esure was founded in 2000 as a joint venture between the Halifax bank and serial entrepreneur Sir Peter Wood, who also started Direct Line, the UK's first-ever telephone-only insurer.

Takeover: Ageas has agreed to buy Esure from Bain Capital in a 1.3billion deal

The Surrey-based group became known during the first decade for its 'Calm Down Dear' advertisements starring film director Michael Winner.

It later established the women-focused brand Sheila's Wheels and acquired price comparison site Gocompare, which it subsequently demerged.

Esure went public on the London Stock Exchange in 2013 before delisting five years later, when private equity giant Bain Capital bought the business for 1.2billion.

Wood, who runs investment vehicle SPWOne, reportedly earned 200million from the company's listing and 360million from the Bain sale.

Ant Middle, chief executive of Ageas UK, said Esure's takeover 'aligns perfectly' with the Brussels-based firm's strategy.

He added: 'As demand for motor and home insurance grows, Ageas will be perfectly positioned to gain market share and become the insurer of choice for our existing and new customers.'

Due to record home policy demand, Esure's total policies increased by 2.9 per cent to over 2.1 million, while its turnover grew by 14 per cent to 1.1billion.

Combined with lower claims frequencies and higher average written premiums, this helped it swing from a 16.7million trading loss in 2023 to a 126.8million profit last year.

Dean Standing, chief revenue officer at data intelligence group Sagacity, believes Ageas' pursuit of Esure is 'all about customer growth.

He added: 'As a digital-first insurer, you assume Esure has clean and accurate data, but stitching that together with Ageas' won't be easy.

'Differences in data structures, processes and compliance can quickly create headaches. Esure's customers will want clarity on how it will affect them, their policies, their cover and their data.'
My boyfriend and I are in the process of buying our first home. We found a flat on the top floor of a two-storey maisonette that we fell in love with, but now our solicitor has uncovered some serious concerns.

First, the property is held under a maisonette lease. This is where an imaginary horizontal line is drawn between the ceiling of the ground floor flat and the floor of the first floor flat.

The ground floor flat is responsible for upkeep of everything below that line and we would be responsible for everything above that line. It means we will be solely responsible for the roof, which could result in high costs in the future.

The second issue is the buildings insurance. The two flats share the freehold of the building, but instead of one insurance policy to cover the whole building, both have to insure their flats independently according to the lease.

What happens if the co-freeholder fails to insure their property - then it may not be possible to rebuild the entire building in the event of loss or damage?

Buyers' remorse: Although our reader has fallen in love with the property, their lawyer has pointed out three issues that mean they're now debating pulling out of the purchase

The final issue is that the other freeholder who lives on the ground floor is refusing to sign the TR1 transfer document. This must be signed by both freeholders, according to our lawyer.

The owner of the ground flat is refusing because he is accusing the top floor flat of breaching the lease by ripping up carpets and reverting to solid wood flooring. The seller has begun court proceedings against the fellow freeholder.

Because we wanted to wait until after these court proceedings to complete our purchase, the seller and their estate agent are now re-marketing the property.

They are trying to sell just the leasehold, and keep the freehold, to get round the issue.

Should we proceed given all of the issues uncovered?

Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: Buying a home is often thwarted by challenges like the ones you've experienced.

This is even more the case when buying a flat, many of which can come with outdated and impractical leases.

While buying share of freehold is often seen as preferable to leasehold, it can result in just as many issues.

While there is no third-party freeholder to answer to, and the service charge is often cheaper or non-existent, you are sharing the title and responsibility with your neighbours. This means there is arguably a greater chance of dispute.

Solicitors will always caution against anything they perceive to be a potential problem in future - but a good one should also be able to come up with solutions.

You are right to highlight the legal dispute and the refusal by the co-freeholder to sign the TR1 form as the biggest red flag.

The TR1 form is a legal document required to transfer entire ownership from one party to another. As the seller shares the freehold with the owner of the flat below, both need to sign this to officially transfer the property.

Through the roof: The buyers will become solely responsible for the roof of the building which their lawyer says could become very expensive

Legal concerns aside, you also have to think how this could impact your own enjoyment of the property and its future saleability.

The last thing you want is to be trapped with a home that nobody wants to buy.

That said, if the dispute with the co-freeholder can be sorted and the leases changed to allow one insurance policy for the whole building - as opposed to two - then there is no reason why you still can't buy this property.

The seller's decision to re-sell the flat as leasehold and retain the freehold is unlikely to work, as they will still be legally obliged to disclose the dispute with their fellow freeholder to any buyer.

For expert advice, we spoke to Chun Wong, head of dispute resolution at Hodge Jones & Allen, Mike Hansom, consultant for property litigation at BLB Solicitors and Paula Higgins, chief executive and founder of HomeOwners Alliance.

Is the roof liability a red flag?

Paula Higgins, chief executive and founder of HomeOwners Alliance

Paula Higgins replies: The roof liability issue presents a substantial financial risk.

Roof repairs and replacements can cost between 100 to 1395 per square metre as this depends on the type of roof.

If you do proceed, you should definitely commission a building survey to look at the condition of the roof.

What about the separate building insurance policies?

Mike Hansom replies: If the other flat owner fails to insure, you may not recover the value of your lost asset in the event of a claim.

Should they just buy the leasehold for now?

Chun Wong replies: Buying a leasehold without the freehold is also not ideal. In this situation, the other leaseholder would have a share of the freehold, but you wouldn't, resulting in an imbalance of power.

If, after consideration, you would like to take the risk and buy the leasehold, then it is advisable to get the best insurance. This should include legal expense, which provides cover if issues arise in the future that require legal intervention.

Mike Hansom adds: The solution proposed by the seller means you might never own a share of the freehold.

Initially at least, you will not have a say in management decisions, but your seller may lose interest in trying to resolve the problems when there is no financial incentive for them to do so.

What about the dispute with the co-freeholder?

Chun Wong, head of dispute resolution at Hodge Jones & Allen

Chun Wong replies: If there is a dispute with the co-freeholder when you come to sell the leasehold flat, this must be disclosed as part of the conveyancing forms, which could then deter potential buyers.

Problems between leaseholders or freeholders are exacerbated when there are only two flats in a block and the parties can become entrenched without the intervention of court proceedings.

You also have to think carefully about living in a property with acrimonious or at least strained relations with your neighbour, fellow leaseholder, and freeholder.

Paula Higgins adds: The neighbor dispute is particularly worrying. Living next to an unreasonable fellow leaseholder can turn your dream home into a daily nightmare.

These situations rarely improve over time and can seriously impact your quality of life and mental health.

Mike Hansom adds: The lease problems can work as long as the lessees or freeholders work together. But where they do not, the imperfect documentation provides many ways for you to fall out.

For example, it sounds as though all freehold decisions must be unanimous or else there is an impasse.

These are all ifs and buts; the disagreement may be purely personal, and the neighbour will be fine with you.

However, this is a considerable risk. Once you buy it, you will be burdened for many years if things go wrong.

Will the seller be able to re-sell it to someone else?

Mike Hansom, a consultant for property litigation at BLB Solicitors

Mike Hansom replies: Unsurprisingly, properties burdened with a dispute are often unsellable.

The standard conveyancing Property Information Form asks questions about disputes, so any buyer will likely be notified.

Chun Wong adds: The fact that they are willing to transfer the freehold at no additional cost may indicate their desperation to sell, given the historic problems with the other freeholder.

They must disclose the current dispute to any new buyer unless it has been resolved by the time of the sale.

A new buyer will also expect to see standard forms completed by the freeholders, and again if the other freeholder is being difficult and not cooperating, this is likely to delay the process of a potential sale.

Should they still buy it?

Paula Higgins replies: I understand you've fallen in love with this flat, but I'm concerned about the number of significant issues that have emerged during the legal process and the fact that the neighbour refuses to sign the TR1.

I'd strongly encourage you to consider whether this is the right property for you.

Your lawyers aren't flagging these problems to be difficult - they're highlighting genuine risks that could affect your wellbeing and finances for years to come.

While walking away might feel painful after investing time and money, it may save you from years of stress, conflict, and unexpected costs.

Many buyers who walk away from problematic properties later express relief rather than regret.

Remember that the right property shouldn't come with this many red flags before you've even moved in. Your lawyers are on your side - they want to protect you from making a potentially costly mistake.

Mike Hansom replies: Your lawyer is right to be sounding alarm bells. A home should be a sanctuary from which we escape the stresses of our lives, but it sounds like this property could be the source of considerable stress.

In purely financial terms, you face a significant risk of litigation costs  which could be considerable- to resolve this and future disputes.

Regrettably, my advice is to withdraw from the purchase.

Even disregarding the stress of living in a property burdened with a dispute, it could cost you a fortune in legal costs.

You will also likely experience problems trying to sell when the time comes.
The Krays victims have been left furious as fawning photos show the brothers' fans gathering at the gangster brothers' graves, leaving flower tributes and even describing the visit as a 'pilgrimage'.

Ronnie and Reggie Kray ruled the East End with a ruthless regime of murder, armed robbery, arson, protection rackets and beatings.

But alongside the violence they rubbed shoulders with celebrities and politicians, and films about their lives have faced criticism for glamorising their gangster lifestyles.

The man who handed the brutal pair over to the police - and was himself raped by Ronnie - has branded their fandom 'sickening' as he recalled the horror of being part of their gang.

Men's mental health charities have compared the idolisation of the crime kingpins to the way troubled children now view Andrew Tate - a trend dramatised in the Netflix series Adolescence.

Photos taken at the twins' graves show men and women grinning as they pose with the black marble headstone, etched with the gangsters' faces.

The plot at Chingford Mount Cemetery, North London, is frequently decked out with flowers and booze - including, in one photo, 19 Crimes wine.

Bobby Teale, who was raped by Ronnie while part of their 'firm' and went on to inform on the twins, says the fans are 'literally clueless' and that the Krays were 'terrible people'.

After they were locked up for the murders of George Cornell and Jack 'the Hat' McVitie Bobby was forced into self-imposed exile in America for 40 years, fearing backlash from their hardened followers.

And his brothers David and Alfie - both of whom stood up in court and bravely looked the Krays in the eyes as they recounted their sins - said they were 'absolute psychopaths'.

Ronnie and Reggie Kray (pictured in 1966) ruled the East End with a ruthless regime of murder, armed robbery, arson, protection rackets and beatings

Photos taken at the twins' graves show men and women grinning as they pose with the black marble headstone, etched with the gangsters' faces

Bobby Teale, who informed on the twins, says the fans are 'literally clueless' and that the Krays were 'terrible people'. His brothers Alfie and David called them 'absolute psychopaths'. Pictured: Bobby, Alfie and David Teale, from left to right

A one-time flatmate of Reggie, Bobby's evidence was critical in jailing the pair for two counts of murder.

Now 83, he told MailOnline: 'They were domestic terrorists. They did harm to anyone they felt like.

'They're actually imbalanced - but as soon as you name yourself as being the one that said it, then the very people who idolise these lunatics attack you. They haven't got a clue.

'Seeing people idolising them, it's the most sickening thing I could believe. When I was gone for 40 years from England I could not believe when I came back how these people were idolised.'

In a horrifying account of his time with the Krays, Bobby remembered children being beaten up and Ronnie threatening his 11-year-old brother with rape as they ruled London with fear.

He went to the police after the murder of Cornell, when Ronnie, Reggie and their henchmen took over his younger brother Davids flat, effectively holding his wife and young children as hostages.

Bobby made an excuse to leave and ran to inform, hoping police would raid the house. But instead they used him as a spy, sending him back to the flat to build a daring surveillance operation.

He built up a friendship with Reggie after - both recently divorced - they moved into a bachelor pad together, and he was forced to dodge his violent brother as Ronnie became suspicious of their close bond.

A one-time flatmate of Reggie, 'supergrass' Bobby's evidence was critical in jailing the pair for two counts of murder. Pictured: Bobby, David and Alfie Teale

Twin brothers and organised crime bosses Ronnie and Reggie Kray in Cedra Court, off Cazenove Road in northeast London in 1964

One man travelled to the cemetery with his dog 'Bronson' to 'pay their respects', while a woman said she had travelled from Newcastle to see the twins' resting place

One tagged their caption 'rest in peace', while a second said they had been to pay their respects before going back 'up North'

He now believes playing stupid helped save his life - he persuaded Ronnie he wasn't clever enough to be a mole.

Speaking about the terrifying life within the Krays gang, he continued: 'I felt sorry for them. There wasn't an ounce of hate for them but I knew they had to be stopped. What do they say - evil will prosper if good people do nothing.

'They would only do stuff like a coward or bully would do. They made sure that they never did it when they knew they were outnumbered.

'Ronnie kept screaming at him, "Reggie, you've got to kill someone. You wouldn't believe how good it is."

'Of course, who was the highest on the list? Only because we were really good mates - me!

'It was obvious what someone had to do and I realised everyone was terrified, but no one was gonna do it. I didn't do it to be any hero - I did it because I knew I was going to be done in anyway.

'I thought I'm gonna die, but at least I saved my family. I felt a little bit like a young guy going to the Second World War.

'Would I do it again? Yeah, I'd like to say there's nothing that would stop me from doing it again.'

A couple said they had travelled from Manchester to 'pay my respects' while another man grinned as he posed with their headstone

Two further men posed behind the graves after travelling to 'pay their respects' - with one saying: 'Love them or hate them it was some life they lead back in the day'

One man said he had visited the graves for historical purposes despite admitting that they were 'a bit dodgy', while a second said they would visit Amy Winehouse's next

People visiting the murderers' graves in North London boast on social media about travelling nearly 200 miles to visit their heroes.

Some recount sneaking onto the grounds after it had closed as they desperately try and see the graves while others describe spending their own birthdays at the plot.

One said that they were 'very humbled' at the site while another said it was a 'dream' of theirs to visit.

David Teale, now 82, said: 'It was fear - they were bullies. The greatest thing about us, our story, is that we stood up in the Old Bailey and faced them and called them murderers, bullies and violent, horrible people.

'Everyone said it after the twins were dead, we said it before and to their faces. No one likes a bully and I'm proud we did it. Everyone was against us and now they're all on our side.

'But others have made them legends - how can you make serial killers legends?

'If they had gone round to their mums and dads and took their mum's and dad's business off them I think they would be different.

'That's exactly what happened to us. They just took anything they wanted. They used us, abused us and confused us all the time. They were just out-and-out thugs.

Frances Shae toasting to future happiness with the Kray twins, after her marriage to Reggie Kray in 1965

'It was a terrifying and a bullying time. They ruined my life and Alfie's too.

'At the trial I looked over at Ronnie, the Colonel, because I had something personal because he raped me years ago, and I said: "The truth hurts Ron, doesn't it."

'Alfie was the bravest out of us all. Their defence slung everything on us, said we were three no-good people, but Alfie took the brunt of it. He was the head of the family and he got us out of it.

'History has got to be put right. They're not martyrs.'

Alfie Teale, now 85, met the Krays after being introduced by a friend when they had visited one of the brothers' nightclubs for a drink.

But when he let slip that his parents ran a nightclub in Islington the Krays started to become regulars there - gradually forcing the family out and taking it over.

Street traders by day, Alfie and David went on to become errand boys for the twins, taking their beloved mother out shopping and picking up suits.

Alfie said: 'When I first met them Ronnie was sitting there and you'd never believe what it was like - everyone was bowing to him, it was like soldiers.

East End gangsters the Kray twins, Ronnie (left) and Reggie training at Klein's Gym

'The reason they were frightened of him was because if he looked at you funny, or you looked at him funny, you was in trouble.

'Reggie was an absolute psychopath, same as his brother.

'In court I was four foot away from. I could have put my arm out and he could have shook my hand. They just couldn't believe it.'

When Ronnie Kray died thousands lined the streets to pay their respects and police outriders lead the route.

The funeral of the murderer, who died 30 years ago this year, involved traffic controls, huge crowds of onlookers, ostentatious floral tributes and high-profile attendees - including Reggie, who was allowed out on day release.

East End girl Barbara Windsor, who had been a long-time supporter and friend of the Krays, sent flowers after saying her attendance would be a media circus.

But men's mental health charities are now warning that the power the twins held over the East End is similar to the influence now held by the likes of Andrew Tate over young men - shockingly dramatised in Netflix hit series Adolescence.

Laurence Johns, from The Mankind Project UK, had himself grown up in the thrall of the Krays, after his dad worked as a lackey for the twins in his teens.

When Ronnie Kray died thousands lined the streets to pay their respects and police outriders lead the route

He said: 'Where other people may have got the stories of Robin Hood I got the Krays. I think a lot of people gloss over reality - but they weren't nice people.

'Growing up in that world, it was very much about hierarchy and power and fear. I personally found it exhausting.

'When we're young, we have no choice but to build our psychology, our framework for life, around identity.

'We have to choose something to identify with because we don't have enough lived experience to have our own values, language, understand the cultural codes, all of those things.

'If you're somehow seeking for identity, you don't feel powerful, you don't feel respected and you look around and you find a couple of characters like the Krays, that's very attractive for a young man.

'It's not a crisis in masculiuty - it's a crisis in society where a lopt of people are feeling disempowered, men and women.

'They're feeling scared for their future and and they're comparing themselves to impossible characters. So of course, that's creating a sense of fear - and when anyone is fearful and desperate, they're in a corner, and we know any animal in a corner is a dangerous animal.'
A pilot who was suspended after refusing to fly a plane while he was tired said airlines are putting profit over safety.

Mike Simkins was working as a senior captain for Thomas Cook Airlines when he refused to fly a plane carrying more than 200 people on account of his lack of sleep.

He had worked over the maximum duty period of 12-and-a-half-hours - a metric which is in place to reduce the risks associated with fatigue in pilots.

After a string of early starts and a flight which took longer than the maximum duty period, he said he would not be able to fly the following day.

Despite this being the first time he had refused a duty in his 16 years at the company, he was suspended in May 2014.

More than a decade and a successful employment tribunal later, he hopes to raise awareness of major failings in the aviation industry.

The 64-year-old, who now works as a flight safety specialist, told MailOnline: For an industry that states safety is its number one priority, this is not the case.

There is a phrase called tombstone safety which means nothing will happen until there is an accident. I think this is the case for the aviation industry.'

Mike Simkins was working as a senior captain for Thomas Cook Airlines when he refused to fly a plane carrying more than 200 people on account of his lack of sleep

Despite this being the first time he had refused a duty in his 16 years at the company, he was suspended in May 2014. Mr Simkins is pictured with air crew in Rome

Mike claimed nobody would take notice of the issues he raised, such as airlines exceeding the maximum duty period and pilot fatigue, until he published his first book (pictured)

In a study of major aviation accidents from 2001 to 2012 it was found that 23 per cent of accidents were attributed to fatigue  two per cent more than in 1980.

The study also found that up to 91 per cent of commercial airline pilots admitted to feeling fatigued regularly while flying.

Thomas Cooks fatigue monitoring software showed that because of the run of duties Mr Simkins had done, if he had flown his flight he would have landed at the end of his duty with a predicted performance loss that would have been similar to being four times over the legal alcohol limit for flying.

After winning the employment tribunal in January 2016, Mr Simkins turned to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which regulates airlines.

He claimed nobody would take notice of the issues he raised, such as airlines exceeding the maximum duty period and pilot fatigue, until he published his first book.

He said: 'Now I am the person pilots come to because they don't trust the aviation industry.

'It's a ridiculous state of affairs when pilots can't trust those who are supposed to hold the airlines to account.

'The reality of the state of the industry is, if you watch any expose documentary about aviation, you'll find there are pilots willing to talk, but they'll always do it anonymously.

Mr Simkins said: 'My story is one that the aviation establishment don't want telling and that pilots and cabin crew are too frightened to tell.' His book is pictured

'Pilots know full well they won't get any support from the CAA if they stand up like I did and say it's not safe to fly.

'They'll end up like a situation like I'm in. At the end of the day, I stood my ground.

'Yes, it meant I'll no longer fly, but now I get to work with airlines who actively want my input to make them safer.'

This comes as last year MailOnline reported a Batik Air plane in Indonesia went off track on it's flight path after both the pilot and the co-pilot fell asleep for nearly half an hour.

It was reported that one of the pilots had not rested adequately the night before the flight.

About half an hour after the plane took off, the captain asked permission from his second-in-command to rest for a while and he said yes.

The co-pilot took over command of the aircraft but then fell asleep himself.

Mr Simkins said airlines not caring enough about pilot safety has a huge knock on effect on passengers.

Mr Simkins said airlines not caring enough about pilot safety has a huge knock on effect on passengers. Pictured: A Thomas Cook plane flying over Greenland

'There's no doubt flying is the safest form of transport,' Mr Simkins said.

'That is because of the structures that have been put in place over the last 50 to 60 years, and so for several years that structure has been pretty solid.

'But if you imagine a Jenga tower, the airlines are taking away blocks to cut costs, such as increasing the number of hours pilots can fly and cutting staff.

'That's been happening for years and years and the tower is starting to collapse.

'You can see this in the number of accidents happening in the past few months.

'These incidents have been happening for several years now but they've been getting away with it.

'There are hundreds of cases of pilots falling asleep in the cockpit but they aren't publicised.

'My story is one that the aviation establishment don't want telling and that pilots and cabin crew are too frightened to tell.'

This comes at a challenging time for the industry as low-cost airline Ryanair has slashed its passenger forecast once again, blaming aircraft delivery delays from Boeing.

In November Rachel Reeves confirmed in her Budget that the government would hike air passenger duty by 2 to 16 for the standard rate or 32 for a return journey between two airports within the UK.

As air travel is made more expensive it is likely airlines will attempt to cut costs in other areas.

Thomas Cook Airlines collapsed in 2019.
TRIGGER WARNING: CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

The largest sex abuse case in history - against the Boy Scouts of America on behalf of its thousands of young victims - continues to meander through the legal system.

But a new book reveals publicly for the first time the letters that expose the heartbreaking reality: that no amount of money will ever replace what these men - many now in their 80s and 90s - have lost.

In On My Honor: The Secret History of the Boy Scouts of America, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kim Christensen details a compilation of heartbreak and human wreckage strewn across generations and all 50 states.

The letters, from some of the 82,209 claimants, were addressed to Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein, recounting the impact the appalling abuse at the hands of trusted Scout leaders - when they were as young as six or seven - had on their lives.

'I will go to my grave without ever being loved or hugged,' says one.

'I am a devastated human being,' says another.

Many had silently shouldered the weight of their abuse since it had occurred, writes Christensen, unable or unwilling to share their experiences or seek the help they needed.

For these men, writing their letter to the court had been the first time theyd told another soul about what had been inflicted on them.

'I will go to my grave without ever being loved or hugged,' wrote one former Scout

One man recounted being raped six times AFTER his mom and dad had refused to believe that his troop leader had sexually assaulted him on a camping trip

'I remember vividly the smell in his basement... sweat, dirty feet, and a putrid kind of sex smell'

Others had come forward immediately, only to be accused by their parents of lying or told to keep quiet and never again speak of what had happened to them: One recounted being raped six times AFTER his mom and dad had refused to believe that his troop leader had sexually assaulted him on a camping trip.

Many told a similar story of parents who had sided with the voice of authority rather than their own children.

One was driven to attempt suicide, after his stepfather resorted to violence to fix what he saw as his son acting out following his repeated rapes by his Scout leader.

With nowhere to turn, writes Christensen, the boy climbed to the roof of his schools auditorium and jumped off, slamming onto the pavement three stories below.

There I was, a 13-year-old trying to end my life, the man writes. When I arrived at the hospital the priest from my church gave me my last rites then I died.

The doctors brought me back twice that day. I had survived 28 broken bones. I lost half of my shredded left lung. I was in a halo for eight months and a cervical collar for a year and all that time I was still being abused by my trusted Scout leader.

He wasnt the only victim who attempted - or at least considered - ending his own life. There were others who turned their anger towards their abusers.

Writes Christensen: One recalled getting a gun and plotting to shoot the Scout leader who was molesting him but ultimately couldnt pull the trigger.

Another fantasized about slaying the man who had abused him in 1968, shortly after he had finished third grade and joined the Scouts more than 50 years later, his long-festering anger emanated from a particularly disturbing letter to the judge in which he wished his abuser a long and miserable life.

His letter continues: If I ever was to cross paths with him I would have no problem pulling my pocket knife out and stabbing him in the head. While Im cutting his throat, I would be reminding him who I was and why Im killing him.

He adds: Your Honor, I would have no problem cutting his head off and putting it on the hood of my car with a sign saying this man ruined my trust, ruined my life.

'He gave me drugs and alcohol. I woke up in the bedroom of his house being violently raped'

The 114-year-old Boy Scouts of America declared bankruptcy following the case

'The pain has never fully gone away... if it was up to me the BSA would be shut down and cast into the fiery pits of hell'

'I figure once this is done, I will tell [my wife] everything, and only have to discuss this once more in my life'

The $2.46billion settlement, which went into effect in 2023, makes this the largest child sex abuse case in US history. But ongoing appeals mean settlements have still be paid to some victims.

I am 85 years old and do not have much time, one rape survivor writes to the judge. I would like to see justice done before I pass on.

Another man, who had been repeatedly raped by a Scout leader in the 1960s, says he will not accept any of the blood money from the courts, pledging instead to give his share to the childrens camp where he volunteers.

Several letters were sent from prison - their writers questioning whether the traumatic experiences they were subjected to as young boys had led to future crimes of abuse against young boys.

They talk about feeling intense anger, pain, humiliation, disappointment, regret, despair, shame and guilt, writes Christensen, all while ripping the scabs off their struggles with trust issues, panic attacks, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide attempts, sexual dysfunction, failed relationships, divorce, broken families, lost careers.

They wonder if their abuse led to their being gay or to their homophobia or both, or if it is what caused them to become child molesters themselves. They fear for their own childrens well-being.

One letter reads: I will never forget the pain in my heart the day one of my grown sons came to me and asked me why I didnt love him enough to have shown him affection, tell him I love him and spend time with him as a child.

He didnt know I didnt let him sit on my lap, or give him a bath, or play with him much because I was afraid that somehow, sometime, if I let this innocent activity happen, I might be triggered to recreate the abuse I had experienced.

All the letters are heavily redacted, removing the writers names as well as any other identifying information, and the more graphic descriptions of abuse.

But the impact remains clear - their lives were forever changed.

He threatened that if I told anyone ever that he would kill me and my mom, one writes. I was a little boy. I didnt want my mom to be hurt or murdered.

Another victim was told by his abuser that he would kill his brother and parents if he spoke out. He told me I better not quit coming to Boy Scouts because my parents would ask questions.

That mans abuse continued for another three years, and extended to one of the boys friends.

We never told anyone about what he did to us, he writes - adding that it had led to a lifetime of substance abuse and emotional problems.

Both my parents have passed away and I never told them why I was the way I was I am 56 years old now and have spent my whole life by myself.

The mans friend died of brain cancer and took his secret to his grave.

At least one letter shed new light on a sexual abuse case whose full scope had not been previously disclosed, writes Christensen, even though it had played out in criminal courts and in the news media'.

'My mom was driving up the parking lot, back of the church... as I was pulling my shorts up'

'To this day I'll never forget what his couch looked like, or what it felt like'

Many letters described parents siding with the voice of authority rather than their own children

He threatened that if I told anyone ever that he would kill me and my mom, one writes. I was a little boy. I didnt want my mom to be hurt or murdered'. A file photo of a Boy Scout

David MacDonald Rankin, a Scout leader in Maryland, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1988 for molesting boys in his care.

But in a letter from one his his victims, who asked that none of the excruciating details of his abuse be redacted, it was claimed Rankins crimes were even more far-reaching than first thought.

The true extent of the abuse has never come to light, he writes. More boys were involved, and more incidents of sexual abuse occurred. It wasn't a handful of times. It was a repeated pattern over a couple of years with eight to 10 different Scouts, likely more.

If I personally suffered 50 to 70 incidents over a nine-month period, he continues, based on what I heard from other boys its possible to estimate the incidents of sexual abuse numbered between 300 and 500 times, maybe more.

Rankin died in 2014, but the boys who had suffered at his twisted hands still live under a death sentence.

Scars from the sexual abuse are open wounds that are part of me, he writes - describing feelings of anger and helplessness, of being ruined and beyond help, hopeless, dead inside, misconfigured into someone I didnt want to be against my own volition, lost in a thousand-mile stare like a shell-shocked soldier.

Now Ive reached middle age, I realize Ive dealt with the demons for 35 years and they are not going away.'

Kim Christensen spent more than 40 years writing for newspapers, capping his career as an investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times. He shared two Pulitzer Prizes, at the Oregonian in 2001 and at the Orange County Register in 1996, for investigations of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and of fertility fraud at University of California, Irvine. Christensen died in April 2024 and is survived by his wife, Christina, a former newspaper and magazine editor, and two children.

Excerpted from On My Honor: The Secret History of the Boy Scouts of America. Copyright  2025 by Kim Christensen. Reprinted with permission of Grand Central Publishing. All rights reserved. Some letters have been edited for clarity.
An independent candidate tipped to unseat Labor minister Chris Bowen at the election claims he can not remember criticising the installation of an 'unsightly' safety guardrail after four children were killed in the Oatlands tragedy.

IT millionaire and former Liberal Party executive Matthew Camenzuli fired off an email to Parramatta Council after three siblings and a cousin aged between eight and 13 were killed while walking down a street in Oatlands, in Sydney's north-west, on February 1, 2020.

In a message sent two months following the tragedy, Mr Camenzuli slammed a 100m-long guardrail being installed on his Oatlands street to belatedly improve road safety as 'unsightly and jarring'.

Antony Abdallah, 13, his sisters Angelina, 12 and Sienna, 8, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11 were killed by drunk driver Samuel William Davidson on the same stretch of road.

Five years on, Mr Camenzuli is regarded as a serious threat to defeat Mr Bowen in the race for the outer western Sydney seat of McMahon at the May 3 election.

A surprise survey by Compass polling showed the businessman ahead 41 per cent to 19 per cent among local voters.

When Daily Mail Australia asked Mr Camenzuli if he still stood by his position on the guardrail - the subject of widespread publicity at the time - he claimed he didn't know what we were talking about.

'I don't know what it is that you're talking about in particular to a complaint or a defence or anything like that,' he said. 'I don't think that's right.'

Danny and Leila Abdallah lost three of their children - Antony, 13 and sisters Angelina, 12, and Sienna, eight - plus their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, when a drunk driver ploughed into them in Oatlands, north-west Sydney, in 2020

Matthew Camenzuli (pictured), an IT millionaire and former Liberal NSW state executive who is standing as an independent in the working class western Sydney seat of McMahon, is being talked up as a serious rival to the Energy Minister Chris Bowen

In 2020, he opposed a 100-metre guardrail that was installed on his Oatlands street after drunk and high driver Samuel William Davidson ploughed into a group of children walking along a footpath in February of that year (pictured: tributes laid at the crash site)

However, a short time later, the IT boss - who was booted out of the Liberal Party after unsuccessfully suing Scott Morrison in 2022 - recalled that he had pushed for a roundabout to improve safety on the street.

Mr Camenzuli, who lived opposite the tragic scene, wrote an email to council less than two months after the tragedy calling for the safety feature's removal.

'The guardrail is entirely unnecessary for the most part of its span; the road is straight, the rail is unsightly and jarring,' he wrote, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

He worried that the lack of consultation would set a 'dangerous precedent' and reportedly stood by the comments.

At the time, local councillor Pierre Esber told Daily Mail Australia that the rail was erected because they 'don't want another tragedy like this to ever happen again'.

Mr Camenzuli's position was firmly opposed by the families of the victims, who supported the safety measure, telling the paper they 'never want anyone to have to endure our suffering, losing children in the way we did'.

'There should be no debate about installing any safety measures that ensure all children remain safe,' the statement said.

'We will always support any road safety initiative that further protects our community and in particular innocent children.'

A permanent memorial to the victims was unveiled at the scene of the crash in January 2024 and the guardrail remains in place.

Above is the car in question that killed four children on February 1, 2020

Samuel William Davidson, the driver, was found to be both drunk and high at the time of the accident

The guardrail in question - which remains in place

Mr Camenzuli told Daily Mail Australia he is friends with the Abdallahs.

'There was a lot of grief - everybody's grieving - we are very good friends, the Abdallahs and myself,' he said.

Pressed further on the Abdallahs' criticism at the time, he said: 'Mate, that's ehmthat was As I've said to you, we'rethere's not, I don't think there's anything to be said about that, mate.

'That's that. I've told you what I've got to say.'

Mr Camenzuli then insisted he had supported additional safety measures on the street, but not a guardrail.

'I advocated in actual fact for a roundabout which was built, which has actually calmed the traffic,' he added.

'My intent was to actually calm the traffic and make the road safer. That was the point.

'There were people from the council at the time that made fun of the suggestion and then they built the roundabout because it was the right strategy.

'It came from a place of trying of trying to do good, mate.'

The Abdallah family and Bridget Sakr, Veronique's mother, were contacted by this publication about Mr Camenzuli's candidacy for next month's election and made no comment.

The federal seat of McMahon has always been held by Mr Bowen since it was created in 2010.

Mr Camenzuli's no-nonsense policies, including reducing the cost of groceries and installing a Musk-inspired 'Department of Government Efficiency' to cut government waste has broad appeal

Federal minister Chris Bowen (pictured on Monday) remains confident that he will retain his seat, despite a new poll revealing otherwise

He received almost 48 per cent of the primary vote at the 2022 election and 59.5 per cent after preference distribution, but the shock new poll had him on less than half that.

A Compass poll conducted last weekend shows Mr Bowen on just 19 per cent, far behind Mr Camenzuli, who was polling at 41 per cent.

Even more astonishing was that Mr Bowen in not only trailing Mr Camenzuli, but that he was also behind the Liberal candidate Carmen Lazar who polled at 20 per cent.

If that polling plays out on election day, Ms Lazar's preferences - which would likely heavily flow toward the independent - would see Mr Camenzuli win comfortably.

Mr Camenzuli's no-nonsense policies, including reducing the cost of groceries and installing a Musk-inspired 'Department of Government Efficiency' to cut government waste has broad appeal, sometimes in surprising quarters.

The ex-Liberal Party member has been supported at some campaign events by former One Nation candidate for the NSW Parliament, Steven Tripp.

Despite being a Labor stronghold, McMahon is home to a multicultural population where many constituents hold conservative social views.

Constituents rejected both the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in 2023 and the same-sex marriage plebiscite in 2017.

Labor and Mr Bowen backed both same-sex marriage and the Voice to Parliament.

Mr Bowen's portfolio of Climate Change and Energy has also diminished his popularity in a battler electorate where soaring energy prices have hit hard.

Such rebuttals of Labor's fashionable policies across the struggling mortgage belt has led the Liberal Party to target western Sydney seats as a potential path to power.

Making matters even more complicated for Labor in McMahon is that Ms Lazar is a former Labor councillor who fell out with Mr Bowen when he backed another candidate for the state seat of Fairfield at the 2023 election.

However, Mr Bowen is confident he will retain his seat, reminding The Australian that Mr Camenzuli is a former a Liberal Party member while Ms Lazar is a former Labor member turned Liberal.

'I'm the only one with consistency,' he said.

A permanent memorial to the victims was unveiled at the scene of the crash in January 2024 and the guardrail remains in place

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who campaigned in the McMahon electorate on Wednesday, was asked if his policy of cutting migration could stop the Liberals from making gains in western Sydney, which has a huge migrant community.

He replied that Ms Lazar's family, who are Assyrian, showed how migrants were an asset to Australia.

'I've said repeatedly that we are a great beneficiary of the migration program in our country,' he said.

'Look at Carmen's family story, look at many other candidates that we have running at this election, people who have worked hard.

'People... have come here since the Second World War period, people who have started with nothing, amassed a fortune, or people who have come here as builders and bricklayers and tilers and the rest of it.

'We are a net beneficiary of that, but the concentration, at the moment, is on how can our migration program work best for us?'

Mr Camenzuli has been hard at work campaigning on cost of living issues.

Although he was tight-lipped about how much he has spent on the campaign so far, he did admit 'it hasn't been as much as what I spent on suing ScoMo yet'.

Mr Camenzuli unsuccessfully sued former Prime Minister Scott Morrison over factional preselection processes at the last election.

After he lost, he was booted out of the party. It was estimated at the time that the court loss could cost him between $500,000 and $1 million.

'I'm just a guy from Western Sydney who wants to see a better Australia,' he said.

'I've been blessed. I've done well. But there's no point having things if the people around you don't, and for me it's about lifting Australia and giving back to the nation that I love in the area that I grew up.'

Mr Camenzuli does not live in McMahon itself, but in Oatlands about 25 minutes away.
An alleged Hamas-supporting Channel migrant said to have called for 'death to all Jews' has appeared in court.

Abu Wadee is accused of arriving in the UK without a valid entry clearance, and appeared at Canterbury Crown Court this morning for a short administrative hearing.

The defendant, said to be a Palestinian national also known as Mosab Abdulkarim al-Gassas, is suspected of being one of the 235 migrants picked up on four small boats in the English Channel on March 6.

He was arrested by Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers at an asylum hotel in Manchester three days later after the Mail on Sunday shed light on the 33-year-old's antisemitic social media posts, images of him holding guns, and his apparent links to Palestinian extremists.

Wadee sat in the glass-panelled dock in Canterbury today, wearing a dark grey prison-issue jumper and holding a cardboard folder apparently containing Home Office documents, flanked by two security guards.

He appeared to wince at various points throughout the five-minute hearing, and spoke only to confirm his name, aided by an Arabic interpreter.

Wadee was remanded back into custody by the judge, Her Honour Judge Sarah Counsell.

He will next appear at the same court on Thursday, when he is due to enter a plea, while the judge will also consider an application for him to be released on bail.

Abu Wadee, 33, was arrested by Immigration Enforcement officers on suspicion of entering the UK illegally

The migrant has filmed himself chanting about killing Jews

Wadee's social media is replete with pictures of him posing with a Kalashnikov, an artillery shell and a menacing posse of masked men

He last appeared in court four weeks ago, when he told magistrates in Manchester he was 'frightened' and 'confused'.

Then, prosecutor Robin Lynch Mr Lynch said Wadee had left Palestine in 2022, applying for asylum in Greece, Germany and Belgium  with the latter refusing on the grounds he had applied in other countries.

When interviewed, Wadee said he had paid 1,500 euros (1,300) for a place on a small boat to cross the Channel, the court heard.

Details of Wadee's 'significant hate speech', including calling for 'the death of Jews' on social media were spelt out by the prosecutor, along with his 'support for Hamas'.

Applying for bail at the time, Wadee  who was not legally represented - said: 'If you grant me bail I promise that I will appear for any appointment you want me to come to.

'The situation in the cell is very difficult especially during Ramadan.'

But District Judge Jane Hamilton said there were 'substantial grounds to believe you would fail to surrender'.

Before being handcuffed and led to the cells, Wadee said: 'I will die in prison.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism says that Wadee can be seen in this image posing with slingshot for hurling rocks

Wadee, seen wearing a Palestinian flag headband, chants his desire is to 'die for Allah'

'I'm a victim of Hamas  I'm wanted by Hamas, I have evidence of it.'

The Home Office's own guidelines effectively prevent people being sent back to war-ravaged Gaza, raising concerns Wadee will be allowed to stay in Britain.

Wadee charted his journey across Europe to his 170,000 TikTok followers, with some videos being viewed more than 2.5 million times. His account was 'banned' after he arrived in the UK.

He had also uploaded a video of himself and others on a dinghy in the Channel being approached by a Border Force boat, with the caption: 'Thank God, we arrived in Britain.'

But his account on the social media platform was taken down and listed as 'banned' after an investigation unearthed his extremist history.

It included images of him brandishing assault rifles, and another in which he appeared to hold a tear-gas canister in his mouth during apparent clashes at the border with Israel.

When interviewed, slightly-built Wadee said he had funded his journey across the Channel 'through working', prosecutor Mr Lynch told magistrates last month.

He also described how Wadee had shared 'significant hate speech calling for the death of Jews' as well as 'support for Hamas' and 'pictures of him with various military weapons'.

District Judge Hamilton said: 'Having heard a little of the circumstances of the case and the fact that the hotel has withdrawn your accommodation, I feel there are substantial grounds to believe you would fail to surrender.'

The offence with which he's been charged carries a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment.
Podcasting queen Megyn Kelly gave the Daily Mail an exclusive update on her health, after revealing a doctor's shock diagnosis that she may be suffering from a side-effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Kelly, host of the 'Megyn Kelly Show,' said that she continues to cope with the unspecified autoimmune condition, calling the situation 'f*****g annoying.'

'I just had my annual physical and it's still testing positive for autoimmune,' the conservative media personality, 54, exclusively told the Daily Mail. 'I really, really regret having gotten the vaccine.'

Kelly, who recently launched a new podcast network called MK Media, said she received two Pfizer jabs in 2020 and then an additional booster at the recommendation of her doctors.

She lamented that she felt compelled to take the shots because it was difficult going out during the pandemic in New York City, where she lived at the time, without proof of vaccination.

'You could get the fake cards, but it was hard. I didn't know how to do it,' said Kelly, who was 50 when she was first immunized against COVID. 'So, I trusted my doctors and I did it.'

Kelly, who first announced her vaccine complications on an episode of her podcast in February, said that within months of getting the booster shot, she tested positive for an autoimmune condition.

Her rheumatologist reportedly speculated the malady could have been a result of Kelly receiving multiple jabs and then contracting COVID.

Podcasting queen Megyn Kelly gave the Daily Mail an exclusive update on her health, after revealing a doctor's shock diagnosis that she may be suffering from a side-effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.

'You could get the fake cards, but it was hard. I didn't know how to do it,' said Kelly, who was 50 when she was first immunized against COVID. 'So, I trusted my doctors and I did it.'

'I said [to the rheumatologist], "could it be that I had the third shot - and then within a month of it, got the Omicron version,"' Kelly recalled. 'And she said, "yes."'

'It's an unfortunate thing. You can't undo the past,' Kelly said, conceding that there have been 'worse' outcomes experienced by other people.

'But we were lied to,' she continued, criticizing the establishment for not warning the public about potential risks. 'It was not an informed assumption of the risk.'

Severe side-effects attributed to the COVID vaccine have been documented, such as allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. The Centers for Disease Control has also noted other complications, such as myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, or pericarditis, inflammation of the heart lining, as well as an autoimmune disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which affects the nerves.

Of course, the COVID vaccine has also been credited with saving millions of lives globally. But there are growing, yet-unanswered questions over whether the vaccine should have been pushed so aggressively on young and healthy individuals, who were not at particular risk to adverse outcomes from the COVID virus.

Early-stage research out of Yale University also suggested a link between mRNA immunization and 'post-vaccination syndrome,' (PVS) which could cause exercise intolerance, insomnia, brain fog and dizziness. The study, published as a pre-print in February, reported that PVS could potentially contribute to autoimmunity or tissue damage  and even reawake the dormant Epstein-Barr virus in the body.

'There's no question people have been hurt and even killed,' claimed Kelly. 'I, for one, have learned a ton, but remain pissed off about how the whole thing was handled.'

Dr. Aseem Malhotra - a cardiologist, who has faced backlash for his vaccine skepticism, previously told the Daily Mail that he was diagnosed with psoriasis, speculating that it was linked to the COVID jab. He praised Kelly in February for bringing her health scare to light on her podcast  on which he also appeared.

'The fact that one of the United States' most popular public figures only just opened up about being vaccine-injured, feeling safe to discuss it with a doctor who understands the situation, suggests that many, perhaps millions of Americans are suffering in silence,' he said.

After the success of 'The Megyn Kelly Podcast,' Kelly launched her latest venture last month - MK Media, a video and audio podcast network.

Among the first three hosts to join her network is the Daily Mail's columnist Maureen Callahan, who Kelly lauded as 'clever.' She championed Callahan's 'unique' perspectives, calling her 'a cultural maven.'

'There's just no one better,' Kelly previously said. 'God help you if she turns her pen against you -- it's going to be so fun for the rest of us, though.'

Callahan will host a show titled, 'The Nerve' which will launch this month.
The Young Nationals have been called out for making what appears to be an embarrassing election gaffe by responding to its own social media post while pretending to be a supportive new voter.

The youth division of the National Party of Australia took to Facebook on Saturday to post pictures of Nationals leader David Littleproud on the campaign trail with younger members in Bathurst, NSW.

'With three weeks to go, we're out in force across Calare,' the post read, referencing the name of the local electorate.

However the attempt to drum up enthusiasm for the party backfired, as Facebook users noticed something odd in the comments on the post.

The Young Nationals Facebook account, the same one that had uploaded the post, commented: 'Thank you Young Nationals, I'm new to the area and you have my vote.'

Users said it appeared the social media team behind Young Nationals had forgotten to switch Facebook accounts before posting the comment.

One voter wrote: 'Forgetting to swap accounts again?'

'Commenting on your own post before switching to one of your fake accounts while complaining about the lack of integrity in politics is exactly the type of own goal hypocrisy we've all come to expect from the Young Nationals,' another said.

Voters were quick to spot a hilarious mistake (pictured)

A third joked: 'Thank you my area. I'm Young Nationals and my vote you have.'

However others speculated that the post could have been a joke at the expense of local MP Andrew Gee, who was elected under the Nationals banner but quit the party in 2022 and is running again as an independent.

In March, a comment on Mr Gee's Facebook page purported to be from a voter 'new to the area' which praised him as a 'good guy', but actually came from Mr Gee's own account.

'Thank you Andrew Gee MP I am new to the area and have received texts from the Nationals and seen nasty ads in the paper from the Teal mob, it has helped me see who is the good guy,' it read.

Mr Gee later blamed the mistake on a 'new and inexperienced member of the campaign team'.

Whether this latest occurrence on the Young Nationals page was an embarrassing mistake, or a way of mocking Mr Gee, it was seized upon by NSW Young Labor.

'Fantastic. Great move. Well done Young Nationals,' the Young Labor Facebook account said.

That response was a nod to another similar gaffe in 2019 in which the now shadow treasurer Angus Taylor praised himself on his Facebook account.

Mr Taylor wrote: 'Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus,' in response to his own campaign announcement.
A Ukrainian prisoner of war who was held captive in Russian jail for 1,000 days has revealed how he survived the constant hunger and endless beatings.

Journalist Oleksandr Gudilin was captured by Russian soldiers on April 12, 2022 during the siege of Mariupol.

The three month-long siege began on February 24 of that year and led to the death of a reported 25,000 Ukrainian civilians.

The 34-year-old was taken from his hometown by Russian soldiers and spent 1,000 days inside the horrors of the Russian penal system.

Since Mariupol remains under Russian occupation, Gudilin is currently based in Vinnytsia in central Ukraine while he undergoes rehab.

But the traumas of his imprisonment remain with him.

'There are periods of time that my memory has completely blanked out, and I don't understand why,' he told The Times.

'But there are also other times, often moments of extreme stress or emotion, that my memory has recorded with vivid precision.'

Oleksandr Gudilin, 34, a journalist from Mariupol, joined Ukraine's Territorial Defence Forces six months before Russia launched its full invasion of the country

Gudilin (right) was captured by Russian soldiers on April 12, 2022 during the siege of Mariupol. Pictured here after his release

Gudilin recalled listening to Russian guards beating prisoners with their fists or metal pipes, knowing that at some point it would be his turn.

One commandant would endlessly play the Russian pop song Forever Young, Forever Drunk while he pondered which of the prisoners to hit next.

There was also the ever-present hunger. At one point in his detainment he awoke from a dream of his favourite foods, devastated to realise it was all a mirage.

Gudilin was working in Mariupol as a journalist when Russia invaded their neighbours on 24 February, 2022, but had signed up for the Territorial Defence Forces six months earlier.

After been woken to the sound of Russian artillery shells, he packed his bag and headed to the HQ of his reservist unit.

His role was to help guard critical infrastructure and military sites but as the Russians closed in they found themselves drawn into the main fighting between the two professional armies.

Ukrainian forces were eventually pushed back to Mariupol's vast steelworks, where Gudilin joined men at the Illich plant, who would face wave after wave of enemy combatants.

Gudilin says he felt 'incredible euphoria' at the end of each day having survived but had an ominous sense that eventually his luck would run out.

Gudilin (centre) in camo fatigues on a bus with other soldiers holding up flags in the country's national colours of blue and yellow

Following two failed attempts to break out of the facility, on April 12 the 1,200 soldiers defending Illich were ordered to surrender.

The Ukrainian soldiers were transported to a Russian military base in Sartana, on the outskirts of Mariupol and Gudilin said he quickly realised 'there would be no Geneva Convention.'

Gudilin was then subjected to what he jokingly referred to as 'a tour of the Russian Federation', being shuttled to a new location every few weeks - with beatings a daily ritual in all of them and violence towards POW simply a 'matter of course'.

After a year of perpetual movement he was eventually transferred to a prison in Horlivka, in the occupied Donetsk region, where he would see out the rest of his imprisonment.

On December 30 last year he was part of a prison swap that saw more than 150 combatants from both sides exchanged.

As the two sets of soldiers drifted past one another, Gudilin said there was 'no hatred' only curiosity about which side was in a worse state.

But as he spotted crowds waving Ukraine's signature blue and yellow flags, he struggled to feel emotion having learnt to suppress it to survive amid the cruelty of his Russian guards.

While the Trump administration remains gung-ho about the possibility of a ceasefire, Gudilin is profoundly sceptical and believes Ukraine should continue fighting.

'No truce with Russia is possible because Russia never follows the conditions of any agreements,' he said.

'They will only use this time to gain more power and come back again later.'

Readjustment to daily life has been a challenge for Gudilin in Vinnytsia, where he knows few people other than his parents.

But he takes comfort in the fact that he is now 'responsible for myself again'.

He added: 'I can now do all the things that I would think about when I was imprisoned, silly things like being able to read a book and jot down my favourite quotes. It may be small, but that's freedom.'
A doctor has been hit with more than a dozen charges after being accused of sexually touching two of his patients.

The 42-year-old man was arrested at a home on Gunsynd Avenue at Casula, in western Sydney, on Sunday.

It came after detectives launched an investigation last month into the allegations of sex-related offences.

He was taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with aggravated sexual assault - victim under authority of offender - and 13 counts of aggravated sexual touching.

Police allege that between February 2024 and March 2025, a 45-year-old man was indecently assaulted during multiple consultations at medical centres in Auburn and Narellan.

A 47-year-old man was allegedly assaulted during a consultation at a medical centre in Auburn.

The doctor was refused bail to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Monday.

The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Hopes of a tariff climbdown by Donald Trump were dashed again last night after one of his top advisers said exempted tech firms will be whacked with levies within months.

The US President made an extraordinary U-turn over the weekend by declaring that smartphones, computers and other electronic devices will be exempted from tariffs, including the 145 per cent he had charged on China imports.

But in another chaotic development, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said the goods were likely to be hit soon.

He added: 'What he's doing is he's saying they're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs. But they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two.

'We need our medicines and we need semiconductors and our electronics to be built in America.'

And in a post on his Truth Social platform last night, Mr Trump said semiconductors, computers and smartphones from China will still be subject to 20 per cent tariffs.

He said no-one was getting 'off the hook' for unfair trade.

Mr Trump's tariff announcements have triggered chaos on the stock markets as countries and investors react to mixed signals from the White House.

Donald Trump's (pictured) tariff announcements have triggered chaos on the stock markets as countries and investors react to mixed signals from the White House

Mr Trump said semiconductors, computers and smartphones from China will still be subject to 20 per cent tariffs

In another chaotic development, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick (pictured) said the goods were likely to be hit soon

The President continues to face calls from leading supporters and donors to reverse his policy amid fears of another major Wall Street sell-off this week.

Financier Bill Ackman called for a 90-day pause on the heaviest tariffs on China, urging Mr Trump to offer a reprieve to smaller businesses.

The billionaire hedge fund manager said: 'The problem is that there remain millions of small and medium-sized US businesses that suffer from an ability to adapt to the tariffs on China overnight.'

A pause would 'achieve the same objective in causing US businesses to relocate their supply chains from China without the disruption and risk to these businesses in the short term', Mr Ackman added.

Temporarily reducing tariffs from 145 per cent to 10 per cent would allow time to negotiate a deal with China, he argued.

Meanwhile, China amped up pressure on the President to 'completely cancel' the tariffs.

In the UK, Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that the tariffs will have a 'profound' impact, saying she is 'under no illusion about the difficulties that lie ahead'.

She told The Observer that the UK will argue for a 'more balanced global economic and trading system' that 'recognises the benefits of free trade', in an effective rejection of Mr Trump's protectionism.

Financier Bill Ackman (pictured) called for a 90-day pause on the heaviest tariffs on China, urging Mr Trump to offer a reprieve to smaller businesses

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) warned that the tariffs will have a 'profound' impact, saying she is 'under no illusion about the difficulties that lie ahead'

She stressed she wants 'an ambitious new relationship with the EU' as well as closer links with countries such as India.

The Government has said import levies on 89 products such as pine nuts and plywood will be temporarily suspended, saving UK businesses at least 17 million a year.

The White House said: 'President Trump has made it clear America cannot rely on China to manufacture critical technologies such as semiconductors, chips, smartphones and laptops.

'At the direction of the President, these companies are hustling to onshore their manufacturing in the United States as soon as possible.'

Downing Street signalled its relief when the President's 'Liberation Day' assault was originally mounted.

The UK was targeted with only the 'baseline' 10 per cent  as well as the worldwide 25 per cent charge on imports of cars, steel and aluminium.

However, last week Mr Trump postponed much tougher 'reciprocal' levies on the EU and a swathe of other trading partners as stock markets went into freefall.

This has left the UK's position looking less attractive than some other countries.
German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has said Russia has committed a 'serious war crime' after at least 34 people were killed and dozens were injured in a missile strike in Ukraine.

The city of Sumy was attacked on Sunday at around 10.15am local time, or 8.15am BST, as worshippers gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killing more than 30 people and injuring 117 others - including children.

Germany's incoming chancellor told broadcaster ARD: 'It was a perfidious act... and it is a serious war crime, deliberate and intended.'

He continued: 'There are two waves of attacks and the second arrived as emergency workers were taking care of the victims.'

He added: 'That is the response, that is what Putin does to those who talk with him of a ceasefire.'

Merz, from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and set to lead the new coalition government, finished: 'Our willingness to discuss with him is interpreted not as a serious offer to make peace but as weakness.'

Two Russian ballistic missiles slammed into the centre of the northern city this morning, even though there are no military facilities anywhere near the target area.

Footage of the blast showed bodies lying in the street and cars and buses ablaze. A mother was seen comforting her daughter, who had been injured by shrapnel.

German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz (pictured) has said Russia committed a 'serious war crime' with a missile strike in Ukraine today that killed at least 34 people, including children

The city of Sumy was attacked today (pictured) at around 10.15am local time, or 8.15am BST, as worshippers gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday

Merz added: 'That is the response, that is what Putin does to those who talk with him of a ceasefire'. Pictured: Russian president Vladimir Putin

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has since urged allies to put more pressure on Russia to agree a ceasefire.

The attack, which took place just over a month after Russia refused a 30-day ceasefire offer, was condemned by Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders.

In a sign that US patience with Russia could be wearing thin, Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump's envoy to Ukraine, said the attack 'crosses any line of decency'.

It was also condemned by the US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink. Her social media post criticising Russia's actions, including its apparent use of cluster munitions designed to cause more casualties, could put her on a collision course with the White House, as Mr Trump has been reluctant to criticise Russia publicly.

Following the missile strike, Mr Zelensky said: 'Only scoundrels can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people. And this on a day when people go to church  Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem.

'Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.

'Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs.'

Local reports said at least two children were among the dead, while more than 100 people are said to have been injured, including 11 children. Sir Keir said: 'I'm appalled at Russia's horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy. President Zelensky has shown his commitment to peace. Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.'

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) has since urged allies to put more pressure on Russia to agree a ceasefire

The attack, which took place just over a month after Russia refused a 30-day ceasefire offer, was condemned by Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders. Pictured: Destruction in Sumy following Sunday's missile attack

In a sign that US patience with Russia could be wearing thin, Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump 's envoy to Ukraine, said the attack 'crosses any line of decency'. Pictured: Residents are evacuated from a destroyed bus in Sumy

Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of the rocket strike in Sumy

Searchers clear the rubble following the missile attack in the Ukrainian city

A man cries as he leans on the bus that was hit by a Russian missile in Sumy

A baseball cap with the Ukrainian flag on it lying at the site of the missile strike

An emergency worker rests amid the rescue operation in the Ukrainian city of Sumy

Rubble and destruction following the Russian missile strike, that killed at least 34 people

A rescue worker walks past the remains of a burned car after the deadly missile strike on Ukraine

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said: 'The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday.' French president Emmanuel Macron said: 'Today it is clear Russia alone chooses to continue this war with blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.

'Strong measures are needed to impose a ceasefire on Russia.'

The attack came just two days after Putin met US peace envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg to discuss a truce. After the talks Mr Trump insisted negotiations with Russia were 'going fine'. But based on its actions on Sunday, Russia does not appear to be inclined to end the conflict.

Since Ukraine offered a ceasefire a month ago, Russia has continued its aerial assault of civilian areas and energy infrastructure.

In that time, Putin has demanded conditions and given excuses as to why Moscow cannot agree a peace deal.

Most victims of the latest attack were on the streets celebrating Palm Sunday when the missiles struck at around 10.30am. One of the warheads hit a university building next to a church.

Mr Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, suggested Russia's motive was to 'kill as many civilians as possible'.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and now holds about 20 per cent of the country's territory in the east and south.

Russian forces have been slowly advancing in the east recently.
A Kansas City Chief's fan who was wrongly accused of being the gunman at the Super Bowl Parade in 2024 has tragically been found dead.

Denton Loudermill Jr, 49, was found dead on Friday morning by his family, Attorney Arthur Benson confirmed to Fox4.

No cause of death is yet known, the outlet reported.

Another of his attorneys LaRonna Lassiter Saunders said in a statement to Fox 4: 'It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mr. Loudermill's passing.

'More details will be provided in time, but for now, we ask that you honor the family's need for privacy as they come together to grieve this tremendous loss.'

Loudermill was accused in 2024 of being the shooter at a deadly Chiefs Super Bowl rally on February 14 last year.

The parade descended into chaos when two teenagers fired into the crowd, injuring 22 and killing one.

However, it was a post on X by Republican Rep. Tim Burchett that falsely identified Loudermill as the shooter.

Denton Loudermill Jr (pictured) was found dead on Friday morning by his family

A picture emerged of Loudermill in handcuffs on the sidewalk. Burchett's post labelled him an 'illegal alien' followed by accusations across the internet that he was involved in the deadly shooting

A mother of two was killed and 22 people were injured by gunfire after shots erupted amid the throng of fans gathered at a rally outside Union Station in a parade through the city

A picture emerged of Loudermill in handcuffs on the sidewalk, and Burchett's post labelled him an 'illegal alien' followed by accusations across the internet that he was involved in the deadly shooting.

Loudermill's lawyer, however, said that his run-in with the police was related to intoxication and not leaving the crime scene. He was released without a citation.

At the time Loudermill told KMBC: 'I just want to clear my name, that I had nothing to do with anything.'

'I was just hoping to enjoy myself like everyone else,' he added.

But Burchett's post, Loudermill claimed, resulted in death threats and mental distress like anxiety, agitation and sleep disruption.

He filed a lawsuit against the Republican rep, seeking $75,000 in damages, but it was dismissed in September by a federal judge.

It was cited that the case was tossed due to jurisdiction issues. Loudermill, from Olathe, had filed the suit in Kansas, rather than Missouri, where the lawmakers were from, Fox 4 reported.

His lawsuit claimed that he froze upon hearing the gunfire and stood in the middle of the terrifying eruption of chaos.

Loudermill's lawyer, however, said that his run-in with the police was related to intoxication and not leaving the crime scene. He was released without a citation

His attorney LaRonna Lassiter Saunders (pictured bottom left) said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mr. Loudermill's passing'

Saunders said: 'Mr. Denton had several drinks, but so did a half million other people, including some of the Chiefs players. It's not a crime. It doesn't make you a mass shooter'

He stood in the spot for so long that police had begun to tape off the crime scene, and as he tried to walk away police said he was moving 'too slow.'

Officers placed him in cuffs and sat him on the curb, which is where the photo originated and was further shared online.

At the time Saunders said: 'Mr. Denton had several drinks, but so did a half million other people, including some of the Chiefs players. It's not a crime. It doesn't make you a mass shooter.'

'Mr. Denton has received death threats over a lie, over misinformation,' she said. 'He didn't do anything wrong. He did not commit a crime.

'So please, run, tell that. Get the truth out there. Help us clear his name. Help us save his life.'

Benson told the outlet that despite his passing, litigation will continue on his behalf.

Saunders statement furthered: '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 couldn't be bothered to verify the truth before destroying a man's life.'

'If you thought we were determined before, you haven't seen anything yet!'

Fans were seen scrambling from the scene as the shots rang out shortly after players left the stage

The shooting outside Union Station occurred despite the presence of more than 800 police officers who were in the building and surrounding area

Several people were seen being wheeled away in a stretcher in the aftermath of the mass shooting

The shooting outside Union Station occurred despite the presence of more than 800 police officers who were in the building and surrounding area, including on top of nearby structures, said Mayor Quinton Lucas.

A mother of two was killed and 22 people were injured by gunfire after shots erupted amid the throng of fans gathered at a rally outside Union Station in a parade through the city. Victims ranged from ages 8 to 47, with half under 16.

The slain woman was identified by radio station KKFI-FM as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of 'Taste of Tejano.'

Lopez-Galvan, whose DJ name was 'Lisa G,' was an extrovert and devoted mother from a prominent Latino family in the area, said Rosa Izurieta and Martha Ramirez, two childhood friends who worked with her at a staffing company.

Local Democrat Manny Abarca who was a friend of Lopez-Galvan's spoke about her impact in an interview with TalkTV's Jeremy Kyle and Rosie Wright on Talk Today.

'Its a tragic situation. I was there with my six-year-old daughter, Camilla and we went from catching confetti to hiding in a bathroom, not knowing what our fate may be. Unfortunately, this is the state of large events like this in America.'
Criminals are going months without being tagged as prisons face a backlog after Labour's early release scheme, it was reported tonight.

One burglar was found to have waited 78 days to be given his GPS tag, despite the Government saying all 3,100 prisoners let out under the scheme last year were tagged within 53 days.

In October, soon after prisoners were released to ease overcrowded jails, the tagging backlog had reached 4,726 cases, according to freedom of information requests.

Officials said this figure was not reflective of the 'much lower' daily average.

An investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches also found that a murderer had been walking around untagged for at least two months after he said his legs were too swollen to fit the monitor.

And another criminal allegedly removed her tag to party on holiday and boasted to her 200,000 TikTok followers, having failed to respond to visits.

Criminals are going months without being tagged as prisons face a backlog after Labour's early release scheme, it was reported tonight. Pictured above are prisoner released from HM Prison Brixton in London last year

One burglar was found to have waited 78 days to be given his GPS tag, despite the Government saying all 3,100 prisoners let out under the scheme last year were tagged within 53 days (stock)

Serco boss Anthony Kirby (pictured) said: 'We acknowledge the responsibility we have to get it right. We are tagging a record number of people'

The discoveries were made on Teesside  which has the highest violent crime rate across the country  by an undercover reporter who infiltrated the Electronic Monitoring Service (EMS).

In one video she filmed, a trainer said outsourcing giant Serco  EMS's management who were awarded a 51million-a-year contract with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) last May  were 'cutting corners at every possible point', although this was denied by officials.

The reporter, Lucy Richards, said 'criminals were running the show' because they could simply decide not to answer the door. Serco said it raised a breach if it could not tag an offender after two visits to their address, in line with the Ministry of Justice's policy.

Josh Babarinde, a Liberal Democrat MP, told The Times the system was 'a complete failure' and that he would push the justice committee to launch an inquiry.

The MoJ said Serco's performance had been 'unacceptable', adding: 'We will hold Serco to account with financial penalties should our expectations not be met.'

Serco boss Anthony Kirby said:

Serco is proud of the work we have been doing for the last 10 months in providing the Electronic Monitoring Service for the Ministry of Justice.

We inherited a significant backlog of untagged prisoners, record numbers of people being monitored in the community and the introduction of two prisoner early release schemes to address challenges with prison overcrowding.

Despite these challenges, we fully acknowledge the responsibility we have to get it right and are committed to protecting public safety. Serco has invested heavily in this contract and has not made a penny in profit to date.

We are tagging a record number of people and by the end of last year our performance had improved and it was publicly recognised to be at an acceptable level. Importantly, despite challenges with tag supply, which is not Sercos responsibility, our performance continues to improve this year, and we are determined that it will continue to do so, and at pace.

Our colleagues perform a challenging role with dedication and professionalism. At the same time, we expect the highest standards of behaviour from our people.

Serco has always been open and transparent with the MoJ and the Cabinet Office regarding our performance under this contract. This is an important principle for Serco, and we will not compromise on those standards and our values.

Undercover: The Great Tagging Scandal: Dispatches, is available to watch and stream on Channel 4 from 9pm on April 14.
Shocking video captured the moment two violent customers savagely attacked their waitress over a $50 bill at a Chicago Mexican restaurant.

A server at El Taco Azteca in Pilsen, a Chicago neighborhood, was tackled, punched and kicked by two women on April 4 around 8 pm.

The patrons allegedly came to the restaurant to complain about their meal - which they had ordered to go and nearly finished - and demanded a refund.

When the 23-year-old waitress politely denied their request, the women broke into their vicious outburst.

As depicted in the jaw-dropping surveillance footage, one of the women, wearing a black shirt, started throwing napkins from the bar and knocking down decorations.

The waitress walked over and tried to get the guest to stop wrecking the restaurant when the other woman, wearing a blue jacket, slapped her across the face.

Soon the unruly customers grabbed her and started pummeling her - beating the victim for several minutes during their rage-filled fit.

The two identified women piled on top of the waitress after shoving her to the ground.

A server at El Taco Azteca in Pilsen, a Lower West Side Chicago neighborhood, was tackled, punched and kicked by two women on April 4 around 8 pm

The two identified women piled on top of the waitress after they brought her to the ground

As the women relentlessly continued their attack, they were seen dragging the waitress by her hair. They repeatedly kneed her in the face and stepped on her head.

A male employee tried to intervene, but his efforts to diffuse the situation were unsuccessful.

Another man was seen standing in the background calling the police.

Finally, the restaurant's manager Martha Garcia busted through the doors and charged at the women.

'I came in when I heard what was going on, and I was able to pull off one of her attackers,' Martha told NBC Chicago.

'When I finally got them separated, one of them then turned to me and started swinging.'

After several more seconds of injuring the server, they were escorted out of the restaurant, leaving behind a mess of fallen chairs.

One of them threw something at the waitress as they walked out the door.

El Taco Azteca owner Carlos Garcia (pictured) said he 'felt rage' about the incident because it was over a $50 bill

A male employee tried to intervene, but his efforts to diffuse the situation were unsuccessful

The police were called several times as the chaos unfolded, but they reportedly did not arrive until after the women left the scene.

The victim was left with a broken pinky, scratches on her face and bruises all over her body. She has only been working at the restaurant for about five months, FOX 32 reported.

Meanwhile, the culprits have still not been identified.

'I feel rage, primarily because something like this has never happened, and for it to be over $50 just doesnt make any sense,' El Taco Azteca owner Carlos Garcia told NBC Chicago.

The restaurant shared an update on the server's health on Friday, calling the incident 'deeply upsetting.'

According to the message, the injured employee has been doing better and El Taco Azteca covered her medical expenses.

'The safety and well-being of our staff and customers remain our top priority. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel safe, respected and valued,' the post reads.

'There has to be accountability. We cannot normalize this level of violence anywhere,' Byron Sigcho-Lopez or the Chicago Police Department told the Chicago Tribune.

The attackers have not been identified. The restaurant and police are asking for the community's help in finding them

The vicious melee went on for about three minutes before the manager was able to get the women to leave

The restaurant shared an update on the server's health on Friday, calling the incident 'deeply upsetting'

'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.'

A GoFundMe was created by one of the server's friends for additional support for her recovery.

According to the fundraising page, which has raised about $375 of its $2,500 goal, the waitress works two jobs and is just a month away from graduating college.

'Shes a hard-working woman who was just doing her job. She needs this job and the money,' Martha described her to the Chicago Tribune.
Peter Dutton has been trying to distance himself from Donald Trump amid the backlash to US tariffs, but Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is making that difficult.

A photo of Senator Price wearing a 'Make America Great Again' hat has surfaced after she evoked Trump's signature line over the weekend.

The senator used a localised version of the phrase when she addressed a bowling club in Perth on Saturday, saying the Coalition would 'Make Australia Great Again'.

This was at odds with the Coalition's efforts on the campaign trail to distance itself from the US President after he imposed tariffs on Australian exports and his local popularity took a dive.

The NT senator then claimed she did not recall using the line, saying 'If I said that, I didn't even realise I said that, but no, I'm an Australian and I want to ensure that we get Australia back on track'.

Labor MP Jason Clare said the Coalition 'just want to import US polices and US slogans to Australia' and posted the clip of Senator Price saying 'make Australia great again' to social media.

'The only thing (Senator Price) didn't have today was the (Make America Great Again) hat,' Labor's campaign spokesman said.

But the MAGA hat soon emerged, with a photo of the senator wearing one while standing beside a man in a MAGA Santa hat, while someone also held a doll of Mr Trump wearing the famous hat.

A photo of Coalition Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price wearing a 'Make America Great Again' (pictured) hat has surfaced after she evoked the phrase over the weekend

US President Donald Trump (right) is pictured with a supporter wearing a Make America Great Again hat

A spokeswoman for Nationals leader David Littleproud said Senator Price 'inadvertently made these comments (which evoked the US President).

'It's nothing about trying to channel Trump at all,' she told Weekend Today, adding that Labor was running a 'smear' campaign over 'a slip of the tongue'.

Senator Price, who led the Coalition's campaign against an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, accused the media of being obsessive.

'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.

She said the Opposition wants to win the May 3 federal election to 'ensure that we get Australia back on track'.

Throughout the election campaign, Labor has repeatedly tried to link the Coalition to the Trump administration, comparing Peter Dutton's vow to slash the public service with what is happening in the US under the Department of Government Efficiency, which was previously led by billionaire Elon Musk.

In January, Senator Price, who is the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, was also given the portfolio of 'government efficiency', echoing the name of the new US department.

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 he wins power.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton is pictured with Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price

At Labor's campaign launch on Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 'our plan to build Australia's future is not (about) borrowing ideologies or copying policies from anywhere else, or anyone else'.

Mr Dutton said he would rather 'deal with the reality for people' in Australia rather than focus on a non-existent relationship between himself and Mr 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.'

Senator Price and the Coalition campaign have been contacted for comment.
A shipment of coal needed to save Scunthorpe's blast furnaces was still stuck on a boat last night  24 hours after the Government took control of British Steel.

Ministers were told to 'get on with it' after it emerged the 55,000-ton delivery from Japan, which arrived at a port in Lincolnshire on Thursday, had not yet been paid for.

Rail operators had even drawn up timetables for two freight trains to run yesterday between Immingham Port on the Humber Estuary and Scunthorpe Steelworks, but the cargo was not unloaded.

A Downing Street source said government officials were 'on site and talking to local management about a plan' for the coking coal to be delivered.

Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'What is the Government doing?

'Ministers said they needed the recall of Parliament to pass emergency legislation to keep the steelworks running but now they don't act like it's an emergency.'

A shipment of coal needed to save Scunthorpe's blast furnaces was still stuck on a boat last night  24 hours after the Government took control of British Steel. Pictured: File photo of British Steel's Scunthorpe plant

Yesterday, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds (pictured) told the BBC he could not discuss 'the commercial aspect of supply'

Ministers were told to 'get on with it' after it emerged the 55,000-ton delivery from Japan , which arrived at a port in Lincolnshire on Thursday, had not yet been paid for. Pictured: File photo

Steelworks insiders said on Wednesday there were 48 hours of coal supplies left and the site needed them 'to allow it to keep going'.

Officials said that before the Government's intervention to take control, British Steel's Chinese owners Jingye were selling off raw materials and not ordering more.

It has since been reported Scunthorpe's two blast furnaces could continue running until May. However, this may involve one being kept warm until it can be restarted.

Yesterday, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC he could not discuss 'the commercial aspect of supply'.

There were also reports that the Royal Navy had been put 'on alert' to escort vital shipments to the Scunthorpe plant. The Navy, however, denied this.
A real estate agent has been slammed a landlord client for suggesting they impose a big hike in the rental price for their property.

A screenshot of the email was shared to Reddit and showed the real estate agent suggesting the landlord hike the rent for their property north of Brisbane by 30-40 per cent.

'Hoping to have a chat in the coming days about the possibility of increasing the rent on your property when the lease comes around again soon, once the current tenants have given notice to depart due to change in work location,' it read.

'Prefer to do this on the phone, however we propose increasing and listing rent from current $550 pw to $720-$780 pw in line with other rentals in Bracken Ridge and surrounds with comparable amenities to your property.'

The landlord hit back at the suggestion, explaining the real estate agent 'should know better'.

'Not happy with the idea at all,' they wrote back.

'There is a crisis and you and your mob should know better than anyone. There is no need to raise the rent by $200 or more when people are struggling enough as it is.

'We are not in it for the money unlike the office you sit in to line your bosses' pockets at the expense of struggling families.'

The email from the real estate agent suggested a major rent increase

The landords weren't happy with the rent suggestion desptie the fact they'd make more money

The landlord made it clear that they would not not take the real estate agent's advice and wanted to keep it at $550.

'The rent will not be increasing, happy where it is and if the price is "too cheap", well maybe it will give a struggling family a much deserved break,' they said.

Social media users seethed at the real estate agent.

'Saw this on a Facebook page I follow,' one wrote.

'Just goes to show its not solely landlords to blame for increases. Real estate agencies need to be burnt to the ground.'

'Can confirm that property managers will tell landlords that their property is worth more and to increase the rent,' another said.

'I worked in two different offices and saw this quite a bit.'

'Was a landlord and the property manager was basically advocating for a rent rise almost every quarter,' a third said.

Porperty Central's Ashley McAdam said they didn't pressure landlords to increase rent but simply gave advice based on the market

'We put it up once in several years (we had a good tenant).'

'As a landlord, the peace of mind in having a good tenant was way more important than a few bucks, not to mention I slept easier at night. The capital gain on the property was the main value for us anyway.'

Ashley McAdam, a real estate agent at Property Central, weighed in on the matter.

She told Daily Mail Australia her agency did not pressure landlords into increasing rents, but simply made them aware of what they could receive in rental income.

'It all goes with the market. We can't make suggestions on increasing the rent to anything that's anything above the current market,' Ms McAdam said.

'We don't try to pressure landlords. Ultimately, it's their decision, but we do make suggestions and sometimes landlords don't want to increase.

'We tell them that it's helping them at the moment but it may be the opposite.

'If you don't do, say, a $20 increase this year, then in a couple of years' time you might have to increase it by $60 or $70 and then it may be more difficult for that tenant to adjust to that.'

Weekly rents in Brisbane rose five per cent in 2024 while regional Queensland prices spiked 8.6 per cent, making it the most expensive regional area in the country to rent.
The extraordinary survival story of Valerie the dachshund, lost alone in the Australian wilderness for 500 days, could soon have a happy ending as the search narrows in on a small patch of bushland.

Valerie got lost when she ran away from her owner's campsite in November 2023 and has showed amazing survival instincts ever since, with rescuers drawn in by sightings and the sound of her bark.

Her incredible survival story has made headlines around the world, most recently in The New York Times, with the headline: 'Dachshund Lost on Australian Island Is Still Alive, but Elusive.'

The story also reached the UK, where The Independent reported 'Miniature dachshund spotted alive 16 months after being lost in wilderness: Impossible to catch.'

Rescuers have used satellites, traps, and night vision cameras in a high-tech effort to reunite the short-haired black-and-tan dachshund with her still hopeful owners.

Valerie vanished after bolting out of her pen during a camping trip at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island off the South Australian coast.

Despite searching for five days in the dense bushland, her devastated owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, finally returned to their home in Albury, NSW, without her.

Last month, the search received a major boost, as Valerie was caught on camera for the first time since her disappearance, roughly 14km from the original campsite.

Valerie the dachshund (pictured) has been missing for over 500 days

Valerie was caught on camera in a post shared on April 3

The footage was shared by Kangala Wildlife Rescue, who confirmed 'based on first-hand accounts and video evidence, we now know that Valerie is alive.'

They added: 'She runs at the first sign of humans or vehicles, and despite the best efforts of dedicated Island locals, Valerie has been impossible to catch.'

The elaborate rescue mission is being led by Kangala Wildlife Rescue Director Jared Karran.

Mr Karran and his wife Lisa have dedicated hours to the search, setting up an array of strategic traps in hopes of securing Valerie.

The traps have featured roast chickens, Valerie's favourite brand of dog food and even sardines, placed into bait boxes and monitored by night vision cameras.

Lisa and fellow volunteer Emily have shared a fresh update on the Kangala Wildlife Rescue Facebook page, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the mission to rescue the pooch.

The dense bushland where Valerie was last seen is teeming with native wildlife, making the task of capturing her even more complex.

Their carefully placed traps often attract curious possums, wallabies, and kangaroos instead.

Valerie's owners Josh Fishlock (left) and Georgia Gardner (right)

'All these guys are coming into the trap so we have to be strategic,' Lisa explained. Each trap is closely monitored by cameras.

Initially, the team relied on a 4G internet connection to stream footage, but the patchy signal resulted in low-quality images and frequent dropouts.

To overcome the connectivity issues in the remote area, the team borrowed a Starlink satellite dish developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Now, with high-speed Wi-Fi powering their surveillance network, the team can keep a constant, clear watch on the area, staying alert for any sign of Valerie.

The rescue team has narrowed Valerie's location to a 200-square-metre area, where she's been heard barking.

So eagerly sought are sightings, that Kangala Wildlife Rescue has dubbed her 'the dachshund version of Bigfoot.'

Valerie's small size, speed, and sharp canine instincts have helped her survive in the wild, but those same traits have made her too difficult to catch.

'She's still in that survival mode,' says Lisa. 'To be able to survive in these conditions is absolutely incredible.'

Valerie's small size and speed have made her difficult to catch

Valerie has returned to the trap several times, but each time, no one was monitoring it, giving her the chance to slip away yet again.

Mr Karran admits the search has taken a toll. 'It keeps me up at night, thinking about what she's going to be like,' he told the Sunday Times.

'But she keeps coming back to the area where she knows people have been, which is a really good sign for when she comes home.'

With the story making international news, he says there is more pressure to get hold of Valerie before something goes wrong.

'We feel like the world is watching,' he said.

'This does put the pressure on. We want to provide everyone with a happy ending.'
The grieving sister of a young Irish art student who was brutally murdered 20 years ago has revealed for the first time the grotesque and chilling details of the killing - as she makes an emotional plea for justice.

Pam O'Loughlin says her 'gentle and free-spirited' sister, Emer O'Loughlin, was decapitated and had her ribs broken before her body was discovered in a blazing caravan in County Clare in April 2005 - facts that were kept from the family for nearly two decades.

Now, on the 20th anniversary of Emer's murder, her family is demanding answers - and calling for a fresh investigation into what they claim was a deeply flawed police probe that allowed the chief suspect to vanish and evade justice.

'Emer was decapitated and she had her ribs broken by her murderer. How she died was brutal. She must have suffered terribly,' Pam told the Sunday Independent.

Emer, just 23, had been living with her boyfriend in a caravan on his family's land in Ballybornagh near Tubber, Co Clare, with dreams of building a home and pursuing her passion for art.

On the morning of April 8, 2005, she reportedly went to a neighbour's caravan to charge her phone but never returned.

That neighbour was John Griffin, who has been the chief suspect ever since and who disappeared shortly after Emer's body was found in the burnt-out shell of his caravan.

Griffin, also known by the nickname 'Fozzie', has been on the run for 20 years, and is currently on Interpol's most-wanted list.

A post-mortem examination at the time did not indicate a cause of death. But following pressure from Emer O'Loughlin's family, in 2010 her remains were exhumed and a re-examination found she died violently before the fire. Pictured, Ms O'Loughlin

Ms O'Loughlin, 23, had been living in a neighbouring caravan with her boyfriend Shane Bowe in Ballybornagh, Co. Clare. It is believed she visited John Griffin's (pictured) home to charge her mobile phone following an electrical problem at her own residence

Initially, investigators were unable to determine how Emer had died. Her remains were so badly burned that even her gender was uncertain.

It wasn't until a second post-mortem - following her exhumation in 2010 - that experts revealed she had died before the fire.

Yet, chillingly, her family say they were only told the true extent of her injuries four months ago.

She had been decapitated and her ribs crushed - injuries inflicted by a sharp weapon, according to forensic anthropologists.

'I only found out about these injuries four months ago. This is always a difficult time of year. But this anniversary has been the toughest. It feels different.'

John Griffin, the man Gardai believe may hold vital information, vanished shortly after Emer's death.

Days later, he was spotted at the ancient cliff fort of Dun Aonghasa on Inis Mor, threatening to throw himself off the edge while throwing rocks at anyone who came near.

Gardai in riot gear were flown in, and lifeboats were deployed below the cliffs. He was talked down and taken to a psychiatric hospital but just five days later, he shaved his dreadlocks and beard, signed himself out, and disappeared again.

Griffin's clothes were found at the same cliff, sparking suspicions he had faked his death.

Despite intensive searches, he has never been found. Investigators believe he fled Ireland with assistance, and he was reportedly traced to a drug rehab centre in Scotland but had vanished by the time Gardai caught up.

Pam has now spoken out to say the original investigation was riddled with errors  and is calling for an independent inquiry into the case.

'We've been entirely let down by the garda investigation. John Griffin was able to get away. That should not have been allowed to happen.'

Mr Griffin, 56, from Galway city, was placed on Interpol's most wanted list in connection with the killing. But the chief suspect attempted to fake his suicide before fleeing Ireland. Despite extensive searches, gardai have never found him. Pictured, Ms O'Loughlin

The suspect had a tattoo in the throat area, described as an Egyptian 'eye of Horus', pictured

Emer O'Loughlin's mutilated and charred body was discovered in John Griffin's burnt-out mobile home on April 8, 2005. Pictured, Emer O'Loughlin

Pam says she still doesn't know how thoroughly gardai questioned him before his disappearance. 'She died in his caravan. It was Interpol who released Griffin's image, not the gardai. Why wasn't her death treated with more suspicion from the start?'

A knife was reportedly found in a stove in the caravan  a chilling detail that Pam says was known early on, but seemingly not taken seriously.

Despite early questions around Griffin, gardai did not circulate his photo until long after he vanished  and even then, Pam says, they bungled basic facts.

'They got his tattoos wrong when they eventually released his description. Why were there so many mistakes?'

Pam believes Griffin could be living off-grid in Europe, under the radar.

Pam runs a 'Justice for Emer O'Loughlin' Facebook page, where she receives tip-offs every year from people who think they've seen Griffin. Each one is passed on to the authorities.

'Our family, we all cope in different way. It's taken its toll on us all. Our lives, jobs, relationships. The truth is I've allowed this to take over my life. But I'll keep pushing for leads. It's all encompassing.'

A spokesman for the gardai responded: 'An Garda Siochana does not comment on remarks by third parties. An Garda Siochana continues to be available to and engage with the family of Emer O'Loughlin.

'The murder remains a live and ongoing investigation under the direction of a senior investigating officer. An Garda Siochana continues to follow up on information received and all lines of inquiry in relation to the case.

'Just this week, An Garda Siochana issued a renewed appeal to the public for information in relation to this investigation In particular, investigating gardai are requesting public assistance with efforts to trace John Griffin, formerly of the Mervue area of Galway city. Gardai believe that John Griffin may have information that will assist them and are eager to interview him.'
New government plans will make it a crime for hidden cameras to to be installed or adapted, with prosecutions possible even where no photo is taken.

Voyeuristic equipment disguised as pens, buttons, water bottles or other camouflaged objects will become illegal if used to take intimate photos of people without consent.

It comes amid an increase in reports from female swimmers of having been secretly recorded while in mixed-sex changing rooms, The Times revealed.

The victims and female violence minister Alex Davies-Jones said women and girls are being 'humiliated and degraded for the sick pleasure of certain men'.

She promised to tighten regulations in order to better protect female victims of voyeurism.

The government crackdown follows the high-profile case of French woman Gisele Pelicot, whose husband Dominique was found guilty of drugging his wife and facilitating her rape by dozens of men.

French police became aware of the case after a security guard caught him 'upskirting' women at a supermarket - placing a camera so that it records intimate footage up a skirt.

This prompted authorities to search his phone, where evidence of his obscene crimes was found.

Minister for Victims & Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones (pictured) pledged to tighten regulations

The new rules will make it an offence to take an intimate image without consent in any situation (File photo)

Dominique Pelicot, husband of Gisele (pictured) was found guilty of facilitating her repeated rape after he was caught upskirting women in a supermarket

Ms Davies-Jones said: 'The use of smartphones and availability of pinhole cameras has made it easier than ever to carry out such activities.'

She added that these violations have a lasting impact on victims.

The new measures will form part of the government's new Crime and Policing Bill.

Reports of exposure and voyeurism, which are recorded jointly, reached 15,075 in September last year - a 17 per cent increase from the year before and more than double the figure in 2008, according to the latest data.

Sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent is already a crime.

However, it is currently only illegal to take such an image if sexual gratification is the main intention.

If the perpetrator is acting with the aim of embarrassing someone, they cannot be prosecuted.

The new rules will make it an offence to take an intimate image without consent in any situation.

It will also become illegal to install, adapt, prepare or maintain equipment with the intention of taking intimate photographs, even if none are taken.
A jaw-dropping photo has emerged of a suspected terrorist accused of torching the Governor's Mansion where Democrat Josh Shapiro lives with his family.

Cody Balmer, 38, is expected to face charges of attempted murder, terrorism and aggravated arson after Shapiro's home was set alight overnight as he and his family slept.

An extraordinary photo of Balmer clutching a gun and pointing it down the lens of his camera has now emerged, DailyMail.com can reveal.

In the photo, Balmer is relaxing on a couch with the gun covering half his face.

Balmer's social media profile is littered with political commentary and criticism about American institutions.

The 38-year-old Harrisburg father had made chilling posts about former president Joe Biden and his supporters, arguing that they 'shouldn't exist' and even suggesting Biden was going to be killed.

'Biden supporters shouldn't exist,' he wrote in one post dated January 2021.

'RIP Joe Biden... whoops that's in May. #notmypresident,' another read, while another added that 'knowing is half the battle... the other half is extreme violence.'

An extraordinary photo of Balmer clutching a gun and pointing it down the lens of his camera has now emerged, DailyMail.com can reveal

Extraordinary photos show the sheer extent of the damage to the Governor's Mansion, which has housed Pennsylvania's leaders since the building was completed in 1968

While the toll of the attack could have been far worse, the shocking images show the charred remnants of the once-stunning rooms

Balmer had separately noted during Biden's presidential term that gas was cheaper under President Donald Trump. He insisted at the time he did 'not play favorites especially since they all suck.'

Now, authorities in Pennsylvania are preparing a criminal complaint to level serious charges against him.

He allegedly scaled a fence to break into the grounds of the property, carrying with him homemade incendiary devices.

Extraordinary photos show the sheer extent of the damage to Shapiro's home.

Fire crews were dispatched to Democrat Shapiro's home in Harrisburg around 2am Sunday, the town's Fire Chief Brian Enterline said.

Everyone inside the home was in a separate part of the residence when the flames broke out and were able to evacuate safely.

While the toll of the attack could have been far worse, the shocking images show the charred remnants of the once-stunning rooms.

The living areas and common spaces have been left blackened with ash and soot with what's left of the furniture scattered haphazardly around the rooms.

Cody Balmer, 38, is expected to face charges of attempted murder, terrorism and aggravated arson after Shapiro's home was set alight overnight as he and his family slept

Balmer's social media profile also offers an insight into his state of mind. The 38-year-old Harrisburg father had made chilling posts about former president Joe Biden and his supporters, arguing that they 'shouldn't exist' and even suggesting Biden was going to be killed

Shapiro, his wife Lori and their four children (pictured) were in the home at the time of the blaze

A significant portion of the estate was damaged from the fire, which broke out just hours after Shapiro posted a picture of his family celebrating Passover.

It is unclear if this was an act of hate targeting Shapiro over his politics or religion.

State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer 'clearly had a plan' going into the late-night attack.

'He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry,' Bivens said.

Shapiro, who shares four children with his wife Lori, shared a post to X about the startling incident.

'Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg.

'The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police.

'Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family  and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.'

Pictured: A burnt out couch inside Shapiro's mansion

Governor Shapiro's mansion was torched to a crisp

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's mansion (pictured) was torched by an arsonist overnight

The investigation into the terrifying blaze remains ongoing, but authorities have confirmed it was caused by an act of arson

Photos showed damage caused to the mansion as thick plumes of black smoke were seen flowing out of the home.

The fire also left portions of the home charred from the flames as firefighters were seen trying to calm the blaze.

Investigators are offering a $10,000 for any tips that lead to the arsonist responsible.

Shapiro and his wife share four children together - Sophia, Jonah, Max and Reuben.

Sophie and Jonah are legal adults, while Max and Reuben are minors. It is unclear if the two eldest were in the home at the time of the blaze.

Just before the fire started, Shapiro, who is Jewish, offered Passover wishes on X, saying: 'From the Shapiro family's Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!'

The 29,000 square-foot mansion was built in 1968 and has served as the residence to eight governors and their families prior to Shapiro.

The property has flooded several times in the past, including during Hurricane Agnes in 1972 when then-Governor Milton Shapp resided there with his wife Muriel.

It then underwent 'extensive repairs' before flooding again in 2011 during Tropical Storm Lee.

Shapiro has served as the Governor of Pennsylvania since 2023. He previously worked as the attorney general for the Keystone State from 2017-2023.

He is viewed as a possible contender for the 2028 presidential race.

Many had hoped he would have been Kamala Harris' running mate in the previous election.
Greater Manchester Police has been criticised for a diversity drive that a whistleblower has said encourages those with no GCSEs and little English to apply.

A former police recruiter from one of Britain's biggest police forces has said its 'Positive Action Team' was told to go out in public to recruit people, regardless of language ability or qualifications.

They told TalkTV: 'It didn't matter if they couldn't speak English or had never sat an exam - it was all about getting ticks in boxes.

'If you got 40 names in a day, the bosses would say, "Great!"'

The team, they added - which had around five or six full-time staff - 'would focus on heavily Muslim communities across Manchester'.

Staff were not explicitly directed to target Muslim people - but the whistleblower said 'it was obvious from where we were sent'.

They added: 'We were told: "Get down to Lidl in Rusholme today and get as many details as you can".'

The force would also host workshops at the weekend to give candidates from an ethnic minority background help with applications - but 'only a very, very slim number' of those who signed up after outreach made it, the whistleblower added.

Greater Manchester Police has been criticised for a diversity drive that a whistleblower has said encourages those with no GCSEs and little English to apply. Pictured: File photo

They told TalkTV: 'It didn't matter if they couldn't speak English or had never sat an exam - it was all about getting ticks in boxes'. Pictured: File photo

Of new Greater Manchester Police (GMP) recruits, 47 per cent are women and 15.9 per cent are from diverse ethnic communities, according to a force report from 2022.

It is understood that the recruitment drives outside supermarkets stopped around a year ago.

GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson has previously said: 'Positive action here extends to proactively reaching out to groups and encouraging them to join. But we have single windows.

'Everybodys entitled to apply at the same time. Theyre all put through the same process. We choose the best people. And that is that.'

It comes after West Yorkshire Police (WYP) announced last week it would temporarily block white British candidates from applying to join its police constable entry programme.

Former officers said 'under-represented groups' are being permitted to apply early, while submissions from white Britons are 'hidden'.

WYP has said the policies are in place to make sure 'diverse communities' are represented by the officers serving them, The Telegraph reports.

But former members of the force have accused it of effectively running a 'hidden' recruitment policy that targets certain groups.

A whistleblower heavily involved in sifting job applications for recruits claimed he raised concerns over the policy but was warned not to interfere.

He also said black and far east Asian candidates were considered among the particularly under-represented and given a 'gold' ranking, whereas those of south-east Asian origin made it to the silver tier.
A customer who erupted into a foul-mouthed tirade at a barber because he was unhappy with his haircut has been slammed by online commenters.

In a video shared to TikTok, the man is heard berating a barber at 3Kings Barbers in Three Kings in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Maori man spewed a racial slur at the Indian barber and demanded a refund for his haircut.

The footage showed the barber serving another client while trying to call the police as the man continued to hurl abuse at him.

'What were you f***ing saying to me?' the man yelled.

'Go on, call the cops. All I asked for was a refund you dumb c***'.

The man accused the barber of giving him a bad haircut 'on purpose', then mocked his way of speaking.

He then claimed his sister was a professional hairdresser for 17 years.

A New Zealand customer (pictured, filmed himself unloading at a barber

'Then why did you come here for?' the barber shot back.

The man continues his verbal spray and claims the barber would amount to nothing and that he should not be in New Zealand.

'Don't try to f*** me up. This is my whenua (land),' the man yelled.

'Give me my money back if you don't want to fix it.... take our money and f***ing rip us off.'

The man followed the barber around the shop and tried for a second time to get a refund for his haircut.

However, the barber firmly refused to give him his money back, which angered the man who replied with a racial slur.

As the man left the barber shop he physically threatened the barber, claiming he would 'knock him out'.

Social media users were appalled at the man's behaviour, with many defending the barber.

The video, which was shared to TikTok, showed the barber (pictured) trying to serve another customer as he called the police while the man hurled racial abuse at him

'So I'm Maori... but this Maori dude is a different kettle of fish. we don't want him,' one commented.

'It's your choice to walk into a barbershop knowing it's not gonna be perfect depending on who the hairstylist is,' a second wrote.

'The racial abuse is so wrong and so is the "my land" card.'

A third chimed: 'Just write a review on Google. Tell every one you know about the bad hair cut. Never go back there again. Put it down to a bad purchase and walk away.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted 3Kings Barbers for comment.
Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi was 'silent and grinning' as he stabbed and scalded three prison officers.

Two of the officers sustained life-threatening injuries after they were attacked at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

Abedi had hoarded sachets of butter before and then melted them down to scald a female prison officer.

Two male guards were also stabbed with makeshift knives after they were ambushed in the kitchen of a separation unit.

Abedi had made the two 30cm knives out of cooking trays and wrapped kitchen towels around them for handles.

Sources told The Sun that it was a miracle they survived.

The terrorist had previously launched a brutal attack at a prison - and was snapped grinning before hand.

It is believed other extremists helped him plot the most recent attack. Last night Abedi was moved to another jail to keep him away from them, it is understood.

A source said it was not just an assault but a 'terrorist attack' within the prison, adding it was clearly pre-meditated and planned.

Hashem Abdedi - smirking before he attacked prison guards at HMP Belmarsh in 2020

Abedi 'attacked three prison officers with cooking oil and makeshift weapons', according to the Prison Officers' Association (POA).

The female warder, in her 30s, was discharged from hospital the same day.

Her two male colleagues, one in his 30s, the other aged around 60, suffered life-threatening injuries.

The older guard was stabbed in the neck once and the other officer was stabbed five times in the back and suffered a punctured lung.

A source said: 'Abedi was completely silent and grinning as he carried out the attack.

'There is no doubt he wanted to kill and it is miraculous they all survived. But he was acting like a silent assassin.

'Prison staff think Abedi collected loads of sachets of butter or margarine, hid them and used dozens to make the hot oil.'

The source added that olive oil is not given out to prisoners due to the risk of an attack, but officers do not monitor how many sachets of butter are given out.

They said that 'all hell broke loose' following the vicious assault and the officer who was stabbed in the neck was seen walking down a corridor, holding his wound as blood was pouring out.

A prison van and two police cars were seen leaving Frankland last night. It is understood Abedi was being relocated to another prison.

Salman Abedi, left, with his brothers Hashem (centre) and Ismail

This picture shows police interviewing Hashem following the horrific 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack

Around six guards are believed to have led Abedi to the van for transfer to HMP Full Sutton in York, which has its own close supervision centre unit.

A source said the separation unit, where Abedi was being held in Frankland, usually houses only extremist inmates who often speak to each other in Arabic.

They said most officers are locals, who would not realise if the inmates were planning the attack right in front of them.

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.

Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association (POA), told BBC Breakfast this morning that the two prison officers who remain in hospital following an attack at HMP Frankland in County Durham have 'stabilised'.

'Two are still in hospital with serious injuries, but I'm glad to report they've stabilised,' he said.

'A third member of staff was discharged yesterday.'

All three staff members also suffered burns and scalds.

Salman Abedi, Hashem's brother, at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017

A picture of the scene following the Manchester Arena bombing

He added authorities needed to take a 'long, hard look' at how regimes are handled in separation centres following an attack on prison officers at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

'I am appalled that these offenders in a separation centre are allowed the same privileges as normal location prisoners,' he said.

'A separation centre is there for a reason. All we need to do with those types of prisoners is give them their basic entitlements.

'Separation centres should be for control and containment.'

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: 'The appalling attack on prison officers by one of the terrorists involved in the Manchester Arena bombing is extremely concerning.

'My thoughts are with the officers affected. This deeply serious security failure must be a turning point.'

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.

Abedi was jailed for life in August 2020 and until now had been serving his sentenced at the category A HMP Frankland.

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

The 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017

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.
The Donald Trump aide who spearheaded the take down of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been cut from the State Department.

Pete Marocco, who led the dismantlement of 83 percent of all US foreign aid programs and was appointed the head of the Inter-American Foundation, has allegedly left the department amid clashes with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

'Pete was brought to State with a big mission - to conduct an exhaustive review of every dollar spent on foreign assistance,' a senior administration official said.

'He conducted that historic task and exposed egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars. We all expect big things are in store for Pete on his next mission.'

Another government official reportedly implied it was not Marocco's decision to leave the department and he learned he was being axed last week.

They would not give any further clarification on the nature of his departure.

He and Rubio had conflicting ideas about how foreign cuts should be executed, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Over the course of a 90-day review of assistance programs, Marocco was reportedly in favor of more extensive cuts, while Rubio fought to keep life-saving efforts intact.

On Thursday, he held a 'listening session' with experts at the State Department to discuss the future of America's foreign aid programs.

Pete Marocco (pictured), who led the dismantlement of 83 percent of all US foreign aid programs and was appointed the head of the Inter-American Foundation, has left the State Department

DOGE's dismantlement of the USAID sparked outrage and protests from Elon Musk's critics (pictured: demonstrators during a 'Hands Off' protest outside of the USAID office on April 5)

Marocco returned to the State Department as the director of foreign assistance less than a month ago after serving as the deputy administrator of USAID as it was dismantled.

The Trump administration has slashed about 90 percent of the USAID's foreign contracts, the Associated Press reported.

'I am going to return to my post as the Director of Foreign Assistance to bring value back to the American people,' he wrote in an email obtained by Reuters.

It is unclear if Marocco is completely leaving the State Department or being moved to a different position.

Hawaiian Democratic Senator Brian Schatz said: 'Marocco's tenure brought chaos to USAID, reckless and unlawful policy to the State Department, and dismantled long-standing US foreign policy.'

The Trump loyalist was appointed the only employee of the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) in February after Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) eviscerated the entire agency.

The IAF is a government agency that supports Latin American and Caribbean groups, according to its website.

He first assumed the role of the only board member, but soon declared himself the foundation's president and CEO.

Marocco cut all of the grants IAF was providing except for one, according to the Associated Press.

The headcount at the independent federal agency prior to DOGE's interference was 48, and the average employee salary was $131,000 each year, according to Elon Musk's department.

Marocco allegedly clashed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (pictured) over how to execute foreign aid cuts

The Trump administration slashed about 90 percent of the USAID's foreign contracts (pictured: demonstrators outside of the USAID office on April 5)

'The Inter-American Foundation, an agency whose primary action was to issue federal grants ($60million budget), has been reduced to its statutory minimum (1 active employee),' DOGE posted to its X account.

The cuts to the agency were made in response to Trump's February 19 executive order to reduce the roles of the IAF, the Presidio Trust, the US African Development Foundation and the US Institute of Peace.

A federal judge ruled on April 4 the Trump administration had no authority to tear the IAF apart and remove its president Sara Aviel, according to the Associated Press.

Aviel has sued the Trump administration following her and her employees' removals.

US District Judge Loren AliKhan said: 'Because neither President Trump nor Mr. Marocco had the authority to fire her from her position as the president of the IAF, Ms. Aviel is likely to succeed on the merits of her case.'

She determined that all of Marocco's actions at the IAF did not have any legitimate legal effect.

AliKhan also barred the White House from reinstating Marocco as an IAF board member unless he gets confirmed by the senate.

The cuts were made in accordance with an executive order President Donald Trump (pictured) signed last month to reduce the roles of the Inter-American Foundation, the Presidio Trust, the US African Development Foundation and the US Institute of Peace

Elon Musk's (pictured) Department of Government Efficiency completely eviscerated the Inter-American Foundation

Congressional Democrats as well as the agency's former board chairman have also accused Trump of overstepping its authority by attempting to shut down the agency without Congressional approval.

'Only an act of Congress - not an executive action - can dissolve or eliminate the IAF,' Congress members Joaquin Castro, Cory Booker, Tim Kaine and Debbie Wasserman Schultz wrote in a letter to the White House at the time.

'Any attempt to unilaterally dismantle the Foundation through executive action violates the law and exceed the constitutional limits of executive authority.'
The British Museum must not succumb to pressure to return the Benin Bronzes to Africa, as the case for their restitution is 'weak', Sir Trevor Phillips has said.

The former head of the Racial Equality Commission said in a report that claims for the artefacts' return 'vary greatly in legitimacy' due to 'highly disputed' historical and political arguments, The Telegraph reported.

The sculptures were crafted in Nigeria in the 1500s and stolen by British troops 300 years later.

In 2022, Oxbridge and Cambridge universities approved the return of more than 200 of their Benin Bronzes, part of a collection of some 5,000 plaques and sculptures.

And the museum has since been under pressure to do the same.

Sir Trevor's co-written report, titled Principles of Restitution, said the people of Benin traded slaves with Portuguese merchants in exchange for the brass used in many of the artefacts.

And the slaves' descendants, many of whom reside in the UK and US, also have a cultural claim to the sculptures, the report said.

However, it is believed that their return to indigenous peoples might hold more merit.

Former politician Sir Trevor Phillips (pictured) has said the case for the return of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria is weak

A man views examples of Benin bronzes which, together with collections such as the Elgin Marbles, are the subject of talks of their return to countries of origin

An artefact belonging to the Benin Bronze collection is displayed in London in 2022

'The case for accepting the claim for restitution of the Benin Bronzes is weak,' the report found.

'The risk the bronzes might be damaged or confined to a private collection is too great to justify return.'

The report said a legal loophole might see the Elgin Marbles - a collection of ancient Greek marble structures stolen from Athens by British nobility, now also residing in the British Museum - returned to Greece.

Museums may return artefacts if there appears to be a 'moral obligation' to do so.

But when considering such calls for restitution, the report says, the significance of the object to the institution in which it resides must be considered.

Also to be taken into account is the artefact's public accessibility and location where it provides most educational benefit.

'Discussions about restitution often imply a moral judgement - the claim an item was unfairly taken and that it has a rightful owner,' the report reads.

'Such claims are increasingly political, contested by nations, political parties and campaign groups who have different perspectives on history, its interpretation and how those living today should engage with it.'
A Michelin-starred Indian restaurant beloved by royalty and celebrities alike is on the brink of closure after nearly a century  and all because of a space smaller than a box room.

Veeraswamy, hailed as the oldest restaurant of its type in the UK, has served up its acclaimed curries just steps from Piccadilly Circus since 1926.

It's played host to everyone from Princess Anne to Lord David Cameron and even King Abdullah of Jordan.

But now, its future hangs in the balance thanks to a row with the King's property portfolio, the Crown Estate, which owns the building in which the restaurant is based.

The lease on its iconic Victory House premises is set to expire in June and the Crown Estate has told the owners it won't be renewed.

Restaurant boss Ranjit Mathrani, 81, says he was blindsided by the decision, especially after being asked just the year before if he wanted to expand into more space in the building.

He said the decision came completely 'out of the blue'.

The property managers claim they need the space to upgrade the office entrance for the upper floors of the building, which have been empty since a flood late last year.

Owners Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi Veeraswamy Restaurant is oldest Indian restaurant in the country

Veeraswamy, hailed as the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK, has served up its acclaimed curries just steps from Piccadilly Circus since 1926

The interior of the Veeraswamy Restaurant 1926/1927

Executive Chef Uday Salumkhe. The restaurant has played host to everyone from Princess Anne to Lord David Cameron and even King Abdullah of Jordan

They argue the entire premises needs a full revamp and that Veeraswamy's entrance area is in the way and knocking through it would give them an extra 11 sq metres.

Without its own entrance, there can be no restaurant and so, as part of the renovation works, the space currently occupied by Veeraswamy will be converted into brand new offices - demand for which has increased rapidly in the West End since the pandemic.

But Mathrani isn't convinced.

He says they refused to allow the restaurant to continue trading until a new site could be found - a move that may force its doors to close, potentially leaving loyal staff redundant and customers heartbroken.

While the Crown Estate insists there's no alternative entrance for the restaurant due to restrictions on the listed building, Mathrani says other options were never seriously considered.

He told The Times: 'They don't care a bugger for history. Had they wanted to, they could've easily put the [office] reception on the first floor. If they'd have asked us to match the [office] rent, I would have.'

Now locked in a legal fight to extend the lease, Mathrani is warning that Veeraswamy may only be able to keep serving diners for another year  if that.

Butlers and kitchen staff of the Veeraswamy Restaurant 1927

Edward Palmer, founder of the restaurant. Now locked in a legal fight to extend the lease, Mathrani is warning that Veeraswamy may only be able to keep serving diners for another year  if that

Veeraswamy's Indian Restaurant Regent Street 1963.

'We're open to moving, because we accept the inevitability that, sooner or later, they will be able to turf us out.

'Ideally, if they're being reasonable people, we need two years to find a site [and fit it out], but that is not currently something they're willing to do.'

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Crown Estate said: 'We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House.

'This includes a major upgrade to the offices and improving the entrance to make it more accessible.

'Due to the limited options available in this listed building we need to remove the entrance to the restaurant, which means we will not be able to offer Veeraswamy an extension when their lease expires.'
A bakery on Sydney's upper north shore has seen a surge in business after one of its cakes went viral on Chinese social media.

Du Plessy Pralin & Otello, located in West Pymble, now draws crowds daily, with queues out the door as customers rush to try the trending dessert.

The buzz began when a Chinese vlogger visited the award-winning Gumnut Patisserie in the Southern Highlands.

While returning to Sydney, he sat next to an older Australian woman who he offered some cake to.

She was not particularly impressed with the cake, and told him about a hidden gem bakery she had been visiting for decades.

Encouraged by his followers, the creator met up with the woman again, this time to visit the West Pymble bakery together.

When the bakery owner learned the vlogger had travelled so far to try their cake, he gave it to him for free.

The dessert, a chocolate mousse cake topped with delicate artwork of birds, has since gone viral, particularly among Chinese international students.

Du Plessy Pralin & Otello in West Pymble has been owned by Adams family since 1961

The cake has been nicknamed 'old baby cake' by Chinese social media users

Officially named Japonaise, the cake features two layers of almond and hazelnut meringue with a light mousse of dark chocolate.

On Chinese social media, it's been nicknamed the 'old baby cake', a playful reference to the Australian woman featured in the viral video.

The cake comes in four sizes, extra small for $50, small for $58, medium for $68, and large for $75.

Bakery owner Paul Adam, along with his family and staff, have been working overtime ever since the cake went viral, even doing overnight shifts to meet the now skyrocketing demand.

They once produced 100 of the cakes per week, but that has now surged to 150 a day.

The cake's popularity has grown so much that shortages are expected once the owners busy themselves with making Easter chocolates.

The video creator, who revisited the bakery, spoke with the 64-year-old Paul and credited the video's success not only to the cake but also to Paul's 'generosity,' noting that he gave him a free cake.

Owner Paul Adam (pictured) has taken up overnight shifts to meet demand

Comments on the video have been largely positive, many praising the heartwarming story, though some were confused by the nickname 'old baby cake.'

'Old baby' is a wild compliment,' one person joked.

Others jumped in to defend Gumnut Patisserie, with one user saying their triple chocolate mousse cake was 'pretty damn delicious.'

Du Pressy Pralin & Otello first opened in 1961 and was founded by Paul's parents, Marcel and Martha.
It's only week three of the election campaign and Greens leader Adam Bandt has already announced plans to twist the arm of a future Labor minority government.

The Greens will insist on free university and TAFE for any Australians wanting it, at an estimated cost of nearly $50billion across the budget forward estimates.

That's $50billion over a four-year period. Assuming it continues beyond that timeframe, the costs only continue to rise and rise.

The Greens have already said all existing university debts should also be forgiven, trumping Labor's policy of relieving 20 per cent of HECS debts if re-elected.

That will push the national debt up by a further $70billion.

The fiscal recklessness is breathtaking.

The cost of Greens policies at this election only grows from there when you look at its plans for housing, welfare increases and extra health spending, including universal dental care.

All of us would love to support such ideas if we had a money tree in the national backyard to pay for it all.

Greens leader Adam Bandt (centre) seems to think he has leverage in the event of a future Labor minority government. He could be in for a rude awakening, writes Peter van Onselen

But the Greens know they can present as all caring without ever having to take responsibility for what they propose.

They won't form government with the low levels of support they get, so they won't ever have to take responsibility for the national finances the way major parties in government are required to.

The threat by Bandt insisting Labor enact such policies if it wants to govern in minority with Greens support is utterly hollow.

What's the alternative for the Greens? To back a Peter Dutton-led Coalition government?

That's never going to happen so Labor can ignore any Greens demands confident that retribution won't follow.

So Bandt and his team can demand whatever they want from a future minority Labor government, but the minor party has no leverage.

Bandt knows that, of course.

His real aim is to make the announcements in the hope that enough younger Australians vote Greens on the misunderstanding that the minor party has the leverage to make its policies happen.

The Greens know they can present as all caring without ever having to take responsibility for what they propose. Their promise of free education is a perfect example of this (stock image)

The Greens claim they can pay for their various big-spending policy ideas by bumping up corporate taxes, wealth taxes, inheritance taxes and higher TPP income bracket taxes, while also cutting capital gains tax and negative gearing concessions.

While there is always room for debate about reconfiguring the tax system via wider reform, doing all of the above, as the Greens argue for, will sap national productivity and reduce economic growth.

It would likely also result in the best and brightest of earners moving elsewhere in pursuit of more favourable tax arrangements.

Anthony Albanese knows full well he can tell Bandt and the Greens where to go. What else are they going to do - back a Peter Dutton-led Coalition government?

So-called 'brain drain nations' that turn to socialist policies often suffer from this.

The irony is that, if their attacks on wealth and higher incomes were ever to become law, the same young people the Greens want to have free university education would thereafter move abroad with their debt-free qualifications to avoid the economic downsides that would inevitably follow.

But that's all hypothetical really because the Greens' education policy is, quite simply, the stuff of fantasy.

It won't be adopted by a minority Labor government because Anthony Albanese knows he can tell the Greens where to go - safe in the knowledge that Bandt and co. have nowhere else to turn.
Virginia Giuffre has made a fresh series of garbled posts on Instagram in her first update since claiming to be on her deathbed with only four days left to live.

Giuffre, 41, who was trafficked by the late American paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as a teenager, sparked a media firestorm two weeks ago when she said she was dying.

She posted a pic of her in a hospital bed looking bruised and claimed her car had been hit by a bus at 110km/h, and said she was fatally ill with kidney failure.

However Western Australia Police later dismissed the collision with the bus as 'minor' and said no-one had been hurt in the incident, an hour north of Perth.

Now she has returned to social media with new posts on Instagram stories to her 21,000 followers, but creating new intrigue by their confusing contents.

Giuffre initially shared a YouTube link to the chart-topping break up song by Australian artist Gotye, Somebody That I Used To Know.

That post was quickly followed by a second story which had no title, photo or sound.

The second post, just a black screen, was then made into a 'highlight,' on her feed accompanied by the broken heart emoji as its title. There was no further clue to the meaning or context for the posts.

Virginia Giuffre has returned to Instagram exactly two weeks after posting the now infamous battered and bruised bus crash selfie from her hospital bed.

Giuffre has claimed she was sexually abused by Prince Andrew at the behest of Epstein's associate, jailed British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, when she was just 17.

Taking to the stories feature on the social media app, Giuffre initially shared a Youtube link to the chart-topping break up song by Australian artist Gotye 'Somebody that I use to know.'

Giuffre has claimed she was sexually abused by Prince Andrew at the behest of Epstein's associate, jailed British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, when she was just 17.

The Duke of York has denied the allegation, as has Maxwell - who is a convicted sex offender - while Epstein died in a New York prison in 2019.

After settling the matter out of court in 2023, for an undisclosed amount rumoured to be in the millions, Giuffre has lived a fairly quiet life with her husband Robert and their three children.

But on March 30, Giuffre, nee Roberts, posted a photograph on Instagram from her hospital bed stating doctors had told her she had just four days left to live.

She said her car had been hit by a school bus travelling at 110km/h and the accident, near her sprawling farm house north of Perth, had left her with kidney failure.

The photograph showed discolouration to Giuffre's face and chest which has been described as severe bruising.

However, Daily Mail Australia subsequently spoke to the bus driver Ross Munns and multiple eye witnesses to the crash who confirmed it was a 'minor bump.'

Daily Mail Australia also revealed Giuffre had been listed to face court ten days before the crash over the alleged breach of the family violence restraining order.

On April 7 she was discharged from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth after a week-long stay and chose to slip out the backdoor rather than face waiting media.

Having recently separated after 22 years of marriage they no longer live together at their lavish $1.9million mansion in a Perth beachside suburb .

On April 7 she was discharged from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth after a week-long stay and chose to slip out the backdoor rather than face waiting media.

She was listed to face Joondalup Magistrates Court on April 9 on a domestic violence charge but was not required to appear in person and stayed away.

The following day she was spotted by Daily Mail Australia photographer where she flipped her middle finger as her brother Danny Wilson drove off in the $150,000 Chevrolet Silverado they were traveling in.

According to her father Sky Roberts, his daughter is going through a 'messy' divorce and no longer lives with Robert, her husband of 22 years, at their $1.9million beachside mansion in Perth.

Musician Gotye has previously revealed that his famous break up song, featuring in her latest Instagram post, is about his ex-girlfriend.

'It wasn't a nasty breakup, but it was messy in the sense that we hurt each other more than we needed to because it wasn't a clean break,' he said.

'I guess it's closest to what the chorus is about.'

The Giuffres now appear to be locked in a messy tug of love over their two sons and one daughter.

Having recently separated after 22 years of marriage they no longer live together at their lavish $1.9million mansion in a Perth beachside suburb.

Two days before the car crash, on March 22, Giuffre posted a sun-dappled picture of her children on a beach, accompanied by an apparent desperate plea to see them.

'My beautiful babies have no clue how much I love them and they're being poisoned with lies,' she posted.

'I miss them so very much. I have been through hell and back in my 41 years but this is incredibly hurting me worse than anything else.

'Hurt me, abuse me but don't take my babies. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.'

In the post from her hospital bed a week later, Giuffre said: 'I've gone into kidney renal failure, they've given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology.'

'I'm ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.'

Two days after that post, Western Australia Police revealed Giuffre was a passenger in a car involved in a 'minor collision' with a bus in Neergabby, 80km north of Perth, on March 24 and no-one had been injured.
The tour company behind a horror helicopter crash in the Hudson River which left six dead has shut down immediately as the lead authority reveals it is investigating the operator's license and safety record.

Spanish tourist Agustin Escobar, 49, along with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10 were all tragically killed on Thursday when the helicopter they were riding in fell from the sky and crashed into the iconic New York river.

Pilot Sean Johnson, a 36-year-old Navy veteran who has been flying commercial since 2023, also died in the tragedy.

The Federal Aviation Administration revealed on Sunday that they would investigate the operator's license and safety record.

'New York Helicopter Tours  the company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson earlier this week  is shutting down their operations immediately,' the FAA said on Sunday night.

'Additionally, the FAA will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator's license and safety record.

'Safety is the FAA's number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public.'

The chopper involved in Thursday's crash was a N216MH Bell 206L-4 which had been leased from Louisiana-based company Meridian Helicopters.

Spanish tourist Agustin Escobar, 49, along with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10 were all tragically killed on Thursday when the helicopter they were riding in fell from the sky and crashed into the iconic New York river

Horrified onlookers in New York and New Jersey watched as the aircraft, operated by local tour company New York Helicopter Charters, split apart in the sky and spiraled into the river

In 2013, one of the tour company's helicopters was forced to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River after it lost power in eerily similar circumstances to Thursday's tragedy.

A family of four tourists from Sweden had been taking a sightseeing tour in a Bell 206 helicopter that had also taken off near Wall Street.

The pilot was forced to land in the water and deploy inflatable pontoons to keep the aircraft upright.

All four passengers were taken to hospital at the time, but there were no serious injuries.

At the time of the crash, company owner Michael Roth told the Wall Street Journal he had 'no clue why we lost power', adding that the helicopter underwent daily routine inspections.

Just two years later in 2015, another aircraft crashed after it began spinning out of control while hovering 20 feet off the ground.

The pilot reported putting the helicopter down for a 'hard landing' and an investigation into the problem was launched.

It was determined the same helicopter - a Bell 206 model that had been leased from Meridian Helicopters - had been involved in a hard landing in Chile five years prior.

The Federal Aviation Administration revealed on Sunday that they would investigate the operator's license and safety record

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deemed the drive shaft of the aircraft 'unairworthy.'

And in court documents seen by DailyMail.com, New York Helicopter Charter has faced financial difficulties in recent years, filing for bankruptcy in 2019 amid changes to air traffic policies in New York City which impacted the business.

The filing states that companies had been ordered to stick to certain routes and flying schedules, unable to operate on Sundays due to complaints about noise.

The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1,000 feet.

Prior to the revelation that the company would immediately cease operations, Senator Chuck Schumer called on the authority to ramp up safety inspections.

He accused helicopter tour companies broadly of 'cutting corners and putting profits over people.'

'One of the things we can do to honor those lives and try to save others is to make sure it doesn't happen again,' Schumer said.

'We know there is one thing for sure about New York City's helicopter tour companies: they have a deadly track record.'

In the 2013 incident (pictured), a family of four tourists from Sweden had been taking a sightseeing tour in a Bell 206 helicopter that had also taken off near Wall Street

The chopper involved in Thursday's crash was a N216MH Bell 206L-4 which had been leased from Louisiana-based company Meridian Helicopters

The doomed helicopter was being flown by 36-year-old Sean Johnson (pictured) - a Navy SEAL veteran - when in suddenly split apart in the sky

Data from the FAA suggested the ill-fated aircraft experienced a mechanical issue, particularly with its transmission assembly, back in September 2024.

Built in 2004, the chopper had flown more than 12,000 hours before needing repairs.

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.

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'.

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.
A worker has been injured after he fell through a deck at a construction site in Sydney's north-west.

The young man, in his 20s, fell three metres before impaling himself on his buttocks at Talavera Road at Macquarie Park shortly before 11am on Monday.

It remans unclear what the worker landed on.

Emergency services found the man fully alert and conscious with non-life-threatening injuries.

Paramedics rushed the worker to Royal North Shore Hospital.

The construction site is understood to be for the 'La Vera' apartment project being built by Urban Property Group.

SafeWork New South Wales is now investigating the matter, telling Daily Mail Australia 'SafeWork NSW has been notified of an incident that occurred just before 11am today at Macquarie Park involving the fall of a construction worker.'

'SafeWork NSW is continuing its inquiries and no further comment is available at this time.' they added.

A man in his 20s has fallen three metres and impaled himself on his buttocks

Emergency service workers remain on the scene in Macquarie Park in Sydney

Urban Property Group has been approached for comment by the Daily Mail Australia.
A depraved cruise ship worker molested a US tourist after luring her in with a bizarre 'birthday cake' before using a staff swipe card to sneak into her cabin.

Filipino-born Fernando Saises, 46, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne County Court on Monday to committing an act of indecency.

The former 20-year Princess Cruise Lines veteran was the stateroom steward on the Royal Princess when he molested the 61-year-old American woman on her birthday in March last year.

The steward initially targeted his victim with the promise of a 'surprise' he had for her birthday.

A few days later, while the ship was in international waters between Australia and New Zealand, the victim returned to her cabin to find a 'birthday cake made of towels' and a card which said: 'Happy Birthday From Fernando!'

Saises then used his staff swipe card to enter the victim's cabin just minutes later.

The court heard Saises grabbed the victim's face with both hands and stuck his tongue in her mouth.

The victim begged Saises to stop and attempted to fend him off but instead he put his hands over the back of her head and molested her.

Cruise creep Fernando Saises, 46, was handed a suspended jail term on Monday after pleading guilty in the Melbourne County Court to committing an act of indecency

Saises left the victim this 'birthday cake made of towels' and a card which said: 'Happy Birthday From Fernando!'

Saises left the room but soon returned to continue his attack.

He knelt in front of the victim while she sat trembling on her bed, grabbed her face with both hands and ran his tongue over it.

Saises then ran his hands down her face along her cheeks and onto her neck, and used both hands to touch the rest of her body.

Saises also put his hands on her hip and backside and put his face into her breasts and pulled her close to him.

The victim stood up and attempted to push her attacker away but Saises wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up off the ground.

Saises squeezed her so hard that she felt her back crack, the court was told.

The victim also recalled she felt Saises was sexually aroused when he pressed into her stomach and groin while he squeezed her.

The court heard the victim became 'hysterical' and demanded she be let go so Saises 'slammed her down'.

Saises molested the US tourist while onboard the Royal Princess (pictured)

Saises, who currently lives in Deer Park in Melbourne's northwest, was convicted and handed a six-month suspended jail term

Saises also ordered his victim to 'lower her voice or she would get him fired'.

He then smacked the frightened victim's backside.

The victim again begged Saises, a father of two to leave, telling the sex attacker that she was married.

He replied that he was married as well, and that he 'liked older women' and 'thought she was attractive'.

The victim told Saises her friends were nearby but the sinister creep pulled out a device which showed the location of where people were on the ship.

Saises then snarled at his victim, telling her that he 'knew where her friends were'.

The victim told Saises she was 'scared' and again begged him to leave her cabin and he eventually did but only after claiming he received a call from another guest.

The victim took this opportunity to flee her cabin via the balcony and seek the help of friends who were in the neighbouring cabin.

She found safety then reported the sexual assault to ship security who investigated and interviewed Saises.

Saises told security he touched the victim but 'not in a sexual manner'.

During the recorded interview, Saises claimed he gave the victim a 'hug' then 'they talked and hugged again'.

Saises claimed the victim 'used to hug him all the time' but he admitted entering the US tourist's room 'without asking permission' and he 'kissed her on the neck but did not touch her in any other way'.

Saises was handed to police after the Royal Princess, a $735million ship with the capacity to host 3,560 passengers, docked in Melbourne on March 13 last year.

Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police boarded the ship and collected evidence including swipe card records, the victim's dress, CCTV and the ship's log.

CCTV and swipe card evidence proved Saises had been in and out of the victim's room over a 25-minute period.

Police also photographed the creepy towel cake.

Saises gave a largely 'no comment' interview to police said his the footage of his interview with ship security was 'quite a saviour for me'.

The criminal prosecution was initially tricky due to the Royal Princess being in international waters at the time of the assault.

The Royal Princess was docked in Sydney over the weekend

It was deemed Victoria would prosecute Saises because the Royal Princess docked in Melbourne after the incident was reported.

However, Saises was prosecuted under ACT law due to the ship's proximity to Jervis Bay which allowed for the Victorian judge to impose a suspended sentence.

The victim told the court Saises' molestation left her with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder which has cost her 'thousands' to treat.

The victim also said she fears she will never travel so far from home again and her future birthdays will spark traumatic memories of the sexual assault.

'(On my next birthday) all I could feel was the trauma I suffered from his assault on me last year,' the victim said.

Melbourne County Court Judge Daniel Holding said the victim' life had been 'greatly affected'.

He also called Saises' offending 'serious and troubling'.

'(You offended) to gratify your sexual desires without any consideration of the wellbeing of your victim,' Judge Holding said.

'Your conduct was nothing short of disgraceful.'

Saises attempted to flee media outside court

Judge Holding also lashed Saises for using his staff swipe card to gain entry to the victim's room and 'taking advantage' of his position of trust'.

'People who travel on cruise ships are entitled to know the staff who have access to their cabins are trustworthy,' he said.

'(Your offending) has affected the ability of your victim to enjoy her travels.'

The court heard Saises joined Princess Cruise Lines in 2006 and rose to the 'esteemed' position of stateroom steward in 2015.

A Princess Cruise Lines letter tendered to the court stated Saises had 'maintained company and performance expectations'.

'(Your career) it's all just thrown away out of a crazy act of lust (but) the prosecution rightly pointed out you were only able to commit this offence because of your employment,' Judge Holding said.

'Clearly your reputation is now in tatters.'

Judge Holding said Saises' doomed cruise ship career and the fact he spent three days in custody beneath Melbourne Magistrates' Court were reasons not to jail him further.

Saises, who currently lives in Deer Park in Melbourne's north-west, was convicted and handed a six-month suspended jail term.

He was also fined $1,000 and must be of good behaviour for three years.
A Turkish student who was detained by ICE and had her US visa revoked has no known connections to antisemitism or terrorism, a State Department memo has revealed.

Rumeysa Ozturk, a graduate student at Tufts University in Massachusetts, was swarmed by plain-clothed federal agents and taken into custody on March 25.

The 30-year-old was accused of 'engaging in activities in support of Hamas,' a Palestinian group recognized by the US government as a terrorist group.

She was hauled to a hell-hole Louisiana immigration detention center as one of hundreds of students facing the same fate, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed.

But an internal memo from the State Department that was described to The Washington Post states the agency found no evidence of Ozturk being linked to Hamas or antisemitism.

The notice, reportedly written by an office of the State Department, was issued days before her dramatic arrest, which was caught on surveillance video that sparked outrage.

The State Department told the outlet they 'do not comment on ongoing or pending litigation.'

In a previous memo from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official Andre Watson to State Department official John Armstrong obtained by The Post, the agencies claimed they had reasonable grounds to believe she was a threat to the US.

Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, (pictured) detailed the hellish conditions inside the infamous Louisiana immigration detention center she is being held at

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (pictured) announced that Ozturk's visa had been revoked, saying at a press conference that she was one of several hundred students facing the same fate

It was reportedly claimed that Ozturk 'engaged in anti-Israel activism in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israelis on October 7, 2023.'

Based on the information brought to light by the recently unveiled memo, the DHS and the State Department could not back the stance that she was a threat.

They had even looked her up in various US government databases, which allegedly emphasized the fact that her past was clean.

However, the department did say she could potentially be deported under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows for visas to be taken away based on the secretary of state's judgement.

A document dated March 21 states this discretionary authority is what was 'approved' for Ozturk's visa removal, The Post reported.

The DHS declined The Post's request for comment.

Ozturk was one of four students last March who co-authored an op-ed piece in The Tufts Daily, the college's student newspaper.

The piece criticized the university's response to its community union Senate passing resolutions demanding that Tufts 'acknowledge the Palestinian genocide,' disclose its investments and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel.

It said: 'These resolutions were the product of meaningful debate by the Senate and represent a sincere effort to hold Israel accountable for clear violations of international law.'

Ozturk, who is from Turkey and currently studying at Tufts University in Massachusetts, was swarmed by a group of individuals in March (pictured: Ozturk being taken away by federal agents)

Ozturk (pictured) alleged once she was put in the Louisiana facility, she was not allowed to go outside during the first week and had limited access to food and supplies

The piece added that the university's response to the resolutions 'has been wholly inadequate and dismissive of the Senate, the collective voice of the student body.'

When she was detained, Ozturk had been on her to meet her friends for iftar, a meal to break her Ramadan fast.

'I felt very scared and concerned as the men surrounded me and grabbed my phone from me,' Ozurk said in a statement, according to CBS.

At one point, she claimed she was 'sure they were going to kill me.'

In a statement at the time, ICE wrote: 'Rumesya Ozturk is a Turkish national and Tufts University graduate student, granted the privilege to be in this country on a visa.

'DHS and ICE investigations found Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization that relishes the killing of Americans.

'A visa is a privilege not a right. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be terminated. This is commonsense security.'

Rubio announced her visa had been taken away a few days later. Despite his aggressive deportation efforts, a Boston judge pushed back and said the student could not be sent out of America yet.

When she was detained, Ozturk had been on her to meet her friends for iftar, a meal to break her Ramadan fast (pictured: Ozturk being detained)

Judge Denise Casper ruled she 'shall not be removed from the United States until' she decided what state has jurisdiction to rule over Ozturk's controversial arrest.

Rubio said has no hesitations detaining student activists - even if they have not broken the law.

He claimed these activists lied on their visa applications because they support Hamas.

'If you lie to us and get a visa and then enter the United States, and with that visa participate in that sort of activity, were going to take away your visa,' he said.

In recent court filings, Ozturk claimed her detention violated her constitutional rights and she has been living in inhumane conditions.

Ozturk alleged once she was put in the Louisiana facility, she was locked up inside for first week and had limited access to food and supplies for two weeks.

'When they do the inmate count we are threatened to not leave our beds or we will lose privileges, which means that we are often stuck waiting in our beds for hours,' she said.

A hearing for Ozturk's case is scheduled for Monday in Vermont. Her attorneys have argued her deportation would violate her First Amendment rights.
READ MORE: Major update in hunt for missing dad on the run with his three kids

A massive police operation in New Zealand has sparked online speculation that a father who has been on the run for three years with his children had been cornered.

Armed police were called to a Waitete Road property in Te Kuiti, in New Zealand's North Island, about 6.45pm on Sunday.

Authorities blocked off roads and deployed a police helicopter following reports shots had been fired and a man was threatening to harm himself with a weapon.

Officers from the Armed Offender Squad attended the scene and were able to negotiate with the man, who was safely taken into custody at about 1.15am.

The police response triggered dozens of locals to speculate on social media that fugitive father Tom Phillips had been spotted again in Te Kuiti.

There is a warrant out for Phillips' arrest, with the father facing charges for an aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and unlawful possession of a firearm after he allegedly robbed a bank in Te Kuiti.

'Is Tom Phillips in town cos there are cops everywhere,' one person posted to a Te Kuiti Facebook group.

'Probably Tom in town again,' another local said.

Locals believed the police helicopter and armed officers in Te Kuiti were part of a police operation to catch fugitive father-of-three Tom Phillips

Phillips (pictured) has been missing with his children Jayda, 11, Ember, 9, and Maverick, 10, since December 2021 after leaving his family farm in Marokopa.

A third added: 'If he was in town, there would be no cops. They can't really be that incompetent to have not caught him by now if they were actually looking.'

Phillips has been missing with his children Jayda, 11, Ember, 9, and Maverick, 10, since December 2021 after leaving his family farm in Marokopa.

In February, police received a call from a member of the public after they spotted a group of four people dressed in camouflage clothing, sitting near the intersection of Tikitiki Road and Mapara North Road on State Highway 4, south of Te Kuiti.

'The group was comprised of an adult, believed to be a man, and three other people, two of which were described as children,' police said at the time.

'Police are now working to establish whether this is a credible sighting and are working to rule out other possible scenarios.

'A number of enquiries have been carried out over the past two days as we work to confirm the identity of the group.'

Before February, the last 'credible' sighting of the foursome was in bushland west of Coutts Road in Marokopa in October.

Phillips and the three children were spotted walking through farmland by a pair of pig hunters, who filmed the encounter. The pair noticed Phillips had a gun and called the police.

The last credible sighting of Phillips and his children was in bushland west of Coutts Road in Marokopa in October last year

Police alleged Phillips was seen on November 2, 2023, on CCTV after an attempted burglary

'This is the first time all three of the children have been sighted, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring for the children's wider family,' police said at the time.

Following the sighting, police conducted a three-day search of the area, including the use of a military helicopter, but nothing was found.

Phillips and his family also had a house in Otorohanga, less than 20km from Te Kuiti.

Phillips first vanished with his three kids on September 11, 2021, before returning home three weeks later.

On December 9, a warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to appear before court.

Before the sighting last year, police alleged Phillips was seen on November 2, 2023, on CCTV after an attempted burglary.

Security footage showed a masked pair, believed to be Phillips and one of his children, smashing the front glass of a shop then running after the alarm was set off.

He is also accused of robbing a bank and shooting at a supermarket worker in Te Kuiti in May 2023.

Phillips, who is wanted over an alleged armed robbery, was also believed to be spotted at Bunnings in October, last year

In October, the children's mother Cat claimed she saw Phillips at a Bunnings as she walked past a ute in the carpark (pictured)

In October, the children's mother Cat claimed she saw Phillips at a Bunnings as she walked past a ute in the carpark.

She claimed the ute belonged to an associate of Phillips and was only reported stolen after she saw him.

In a video message last year, the children's mother Cat said: 'I am standing here before you today begging you for your help to bring my babies home.

'They are just innocent children, they do not deserve to be treated this way. They do not deserve the life that is being provided to them right now.'

Cat has accused Phillips of using their children as 'pawns in his game'.

Police believe his main motive for taking the kids into the bush was the fact he no longer had legal custody.

Custody now sits with Oranga Tamariki, a government department in New Zealand responsible for the wellbeing of children, and they have made arrangements for when the children are located as to where they will go.
A judge has revealed the terrifying epidemic of unexpected pizza deliveries to US judges' homes across the country amid their war with Trump as he battles his executive orders through court.

US District Court Judge Esther Salas labeled the deliveries an 'intimidation tactic' on Friday after a slew of judges faced Trump's wrath after they blocked his executive orders.

'I found out about it on Tuesday night, and we had already known about hundreds of pizzas that had been going out to judges all over this country,' she told MSNBC.

Salas said the deliveries were meant as a threat.

'The point is, someone wants that judge, someone wants those judges to know, "I know where you live,"' she said.

Not only were the pizzas being delivered to the judges' homes, but also to the homes of their children, Salas added.

'So now, "We know where you live and we know where your children live,"' she continued.

The pizzas were not only mere intimidation tactics, but they also served as a cruel reminder of heartache for Salas, whose son was killed by a man posing as a FedEx driver in 2020.

US District Court Judge Esther Salas labeled the pizza deliveries to judges across the nation as an 'intimidation tactic' on Friday after a slew of judges faced Trump's wrath after they blocked his executive orders

Donald Trump has bashed the judges who have blocked some of his orders in court, including notably Judge Boasberg who blocked deportations of gang members

The pizza deliveries were also sent to some the judges' houses under Judge Salas' dead son's name and she added: 'What does that say to these judges? it says, "I know where you live, I know where your kids live, and do you wanna end up like Judge Salas"

'I was told that the second pizza that arrived at this judges house was sent by my son, Daniel Anderl,' she said. 'My baby boy who we lost on July 19, 2020.'

'Well, they're not done yet because just this week, we now have six pizzas that have been delivered to judges and their kids, and the sender on that pizza is my son, my murdered sons name is now being attached, weaponized... against these judicial officers,' Salas said.

'What does that say to these judges? it says, "I know where you live, I know where your kids live, and do you wanna end up like Judge Salas?",' she continued.

'"Do you wanna end up like her son?" These are unprecedented attacks on judicial officers, they come in the form of pizzas being delivered at 10 something at night,' she said.

'One of my colleagues, two cars rolled up after 10.30 in the night, and his family was already sleeping,' she said.

'We have to do something,' she said. 'These are attacks.'

Salas said that the attacks are just one of the many methods used recently.

'Some of our members of congress calling for our impeachment because we're doing our jobs, members of this administration calling us "rouge," calling us "crazy leftist-unconstitutional judges", or coming in the forms of these acts of intimidation,' Salas listed.

Salas said the deliveries were meant as a threat. 'The point is, someone wants that judge, someone wants those judges to know, "I know where you live,"' she said

'"Do you wanna end up like her son?" These are unprecedented attacks on judicial officers, they come in the form of pizzas being delivered at 10 something at night,' Salas said. Pictured: Judge Salas and her son, Daniel, who was shot by a man posing as a FedEx driver in 2020

'As troubling as it is, the men and women that took an oath and wear the robe will continue to do our jobs because we know that justice requires that we do so,' she continued.

'But we need our leaders - whether republicans, democrats, independents - to stand up for justice, to stand up to these attacks.'

She further called on political leaders to demonstrate that they 'believe in democracy above all else.'

'We are looking to shine light on this issue, not heat,' she said. 'We are all Americans here...'

The troubling 'intimidation tactics' come as judges across the country have been facing Trump's wrath as they block his executive orders.

One such judge, James Boasberg, has been a target of the President's fury after Boasberg blocked his deportation flights of illegal immigrant gang members in March.

The move led Trump to label Boesberg as 'disgraceful' and accused him of trying to 'usurp the power of the presidency.'

''How disgraceful is it that 'Judge' James Boasberg has just been given a fourth "Trump Case," something which is, statistically, IMPOSSIBLE,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Judge James Boasberg, has been a target of the President's fury after Boasberg blocked his deportation flights of illegal immigrant gang members in March

''How disgraceful is it that 'Judge' James Boasberg has just been given a fourth "Trump Case," something which is, statistically, IMPOSSIBLE,' Trump wrote on Truth Social

Trump says that there is 'no way for a Republican, especially a TRUMP REPUBLICAN, to win before' Boasberg.

'Boasberg, who is the Chief Judge of the D.C. District Court, seems to be grabbing the "Trump Cases" all to himself, even though it is not supposed to happen that way,' Trump added.

Many republicans have argued that the Obama picked judge be impeached.

The attack even led Trump pick Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to defend Boasberg.

'For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,' Roberts said in a curt statement issued by the Supreme Court. 'The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.'

By that, Roberts meant that if the Trump administration has a problem with a judge's ruling, it should appeal and fight the issue in court  rather than savage a Senate-confirmed judge in public.

Boasberg is not the only judge to oppose Trump's executive orders, as many across the country continue to block or extend blocks on them.

Baltimore Judge Brendan Hurson extended a nationwide block earlier this month on Trump's order to halt federal funding for healthcare providers offering gender-affirming health care for transgender people under 19.

Judge Loren L. AliKhan, in the nation's capital, also extended an order in February to pause a sweeping plan to freeze potentially trillions in federal spending

Rhode Island Judge John McConnell ordered earlier this month that the Trump administration had violated a court order by halting Federal Emergency Management Agency's disbursement of millions of dollars in grant funding to states

Judge Brendan Hurson extended a nationwide block earlier this month on Trump's order to halt federal funding for healthcare providers offering gender-affirming health care for transgender people under 19

Judge Loren L. AliKhan, in the nation's capital, also extended an order in February to pause a sweeping plan to freeze potentially trillions in federal spending.

Boston Judge Indira Talwani said she will block Trump's administration from revoking the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.

Talwani said the decision to cut short a two-year parole granted to the migrants under former President Joe Biden's administration was based on an incorrect reading of the law.

Judges in New York and Texas dealt a blow to Trump's deportation efforts earlier this week, as the administration attempted to deport more alleged gang members.

Rhode Island Judge John McConnell ordered earlier this month that the Trump administration had violated a court order by halting Federal Emergency Management Agency's disbursement of millions of dollars in grant funding to states.

As many other judges continue to object and block certain orders from the President, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to curtail the ability of judges to issue nationwide blocks.

The House voted 219-213 in favor of the No Rogue Rulings Act, a bill that top Republican lawmakers have called a priority after numerous judges ruled against Trump's executive orders and policies used to implement his immigration crackdown and government downsizing initiatives.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where it will need to secure 60 votes to become law.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has touted it as an alternative to calls by some of Trump's allies in the chamber to impeach judges who block the Republican president's agenda

'The whole idea of suddenly blocking nationwide injunctions because Donald Trump is losing every single day in court, defeats the whole concept of the rule of law,' said top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jamie Raskin

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has touted it as an alternative to calls by some of Trump's allies in the chamber to impeach judges who block the Republican president's agenda.

'No one single activist judge should be able to issue a nationwide injunction to stop a president's policies,' Johnson told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

But the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jamie Raskin said the bill would 'defeat the whole concept of the rule of law.'

'The whole idea of suddenly blocking nationwide injunctions because Donald Trump is losing every single day in court, defeats the whole concept of the rule of law,' he said.
A Pilates instructor has shocked the internet after she revealed how much she makes after just a few days of intensive training.

The Brisbane trainer revealed she generally made between $1,500 and $2,000 a week as a Pilates instructor, without going anywhere near a university.

She revealed she had been holding Pilates courses - which focus on building core strength through low impact exercise - for six months after an easy introduction.

'I did my course through Move Pilates Academy, which was four days of intensive training, a lot of online learning, some assessments and then observations,' she told jobs app Getahead.

'I love seeing people progress and work hard. Everyone comes in and they do their best. They absolutely kill it.

'I love all my clients. It's just a really rewarding job.'

Her story was published on Getahead's Instagram account and many were shocked by her wage and her apparent ease at breaking into the industry.

A pilates instructor revealed how much she earned by teaching 30 classes a week

'That's probably the best ROI [return on investment] of any job path I've heard. Crazy,' one wrote.

'Four days training to make 2k a week,' another said.

Some asked how many classes would she have to teach to make $2,000 a week and she said she was teaching about 30 classes to secure her wage.

Another Pilates instructor chimed in and said the pay differed depending where in Australia a teacher was based.

'Wow go girl! I'd just like to point out the pay is slightly higher in Brisbane than Melbourne,' the second instructor revealed.

'For example, the average is $50 per hour down here so to make that much you would kill yourself teaching 40 classes a week.'

Pilates is a type of mind-body exercise developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates. Millions globally take classes every week.

Pilates uses a combination of around 50 repetitive exercises to spur muscle exertion.

Pilates is practiced by millions around the world

Each exercise flows from the 'five essentials' which are: breath, cervical alignment, rib and scapular stabilisation, pelvic mobility, and utilisation of the of the abdominals.

According to Unite Health pilates teachers earn between $35 and $70 an hour.

Despite the good pay and short education time, the Brisbane instructor said her job wasn't a walk in the park and was 'definitely a lot harder' than people think.

'Especially at the moment in social media, it is very glamorised being a Pilates instructor but it's a very mentally tolling job because you basically have to put on a performance every class no matter how you are feeling,' she said.

'I think you have to have the right mentality and the right personality for it.'

To become a certified Pilates instructor in Australia, you must complete a teacher training course.

Most courses charge $1,800  or less than a week's wage for the Brisbane Pilates instructor.
The distraught family of a nine-year-old boy who tragically died after being accidentally shot on a family weekend away have shared a heartfelt tribute.

Mohamed Fattah known as 'Moey' and 'Hamad,' was shot dead when a gun allegedly being held by a teenager unexpectedly fired in what police believe was a tragic accident.

In an outpouring of grief one family member remembered him as his 'favourite cousin,' who he will 'miss so much.'

'Why does it have to happen to him? He is still so little,' he posted on social media.

'I miss you so much. You were like a little brother to me. When I found out, I fell down crying. I couldn't get up.

'I didn't believe it was real and when they pronounced him dead I couldn't stop crying.'

The Sydney school boy was accidentally shot in the neck on a farm at Windellama, near Goulburn, at about 11.20am on Sunday.

Paramedics rushed to the scene, but despite their best efforts, he could not be saved.

Mohamed Fattah know as 'Hamad,' was shot dead after a gun being held by a relative unexpectedly fired in what police believe was a tragic accident

In an outpouring of grief one family member remembered him as his 'favourite cousin,' who he will 'miss so much'

Mohamed Fattah has died after he was accidentally shot at a rural property near Goulburn on Sunday (pictured)

A 33-year-old man and a teenage boy have since been charged with firearm offences over the incident.

Both were taken to Goulburn police station on Sunday.

The teenager was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and granted conditional bail to appear before the children's court on May 16.

The man was charged with allowing an unauthorised person to possess a firearm and not keep a firearm safely, and will appear before Goulburn Local Court on May 14.

The family had been staying on his grandfather's property for a boys' weekend when the tragedy occurred.

Moey's mother, Mariam, remembered her 'very cheeky son' who frequently featured him in social media videos for the family's convenience store in Western Sydney.

She told the Daily Telegraph: 'I just want people to know it can happen to anyone, so hold your loved ones close.

'It was a tragic accident  he was loved by everyone, he was a very cheeky, happy boy.'

A crime scene was set up in the wake of the tragic incident

In one of the store's videos, Moey showed of the shop's array of drinks and told followers: 'Feeling thirsty guys?

'I've got two new, straight from Japan Fanta! This is peach flavour, this is grape!'

The family are originally from Sydney and had bought the property five years ago as a weekender, according to shocked neighbours.

It's understood the family had just arrived at the farm for the start of the school holidays.

Police spent much of the afternoon at the scene conducting inquiries as livestock wandered around the property.

Shocked neighbours recalled hearing a single shot being fired, which they described as being unusual for the middle of the day.

Goulburn state MP Wendy Tuckerman described the incident as 'an absolute terrible tragedy' as she expressed her condolences to the boy's family.

Police (pictured at the scene) are treating the incident as a tragic accident

Police believe the boy died when a gun being held by a teenager unexpectedly fired

'My thanks to those police officers and emergency services who attended the scene,' the MP said.

According to the 2021 census, Windellama has a population of 413 which consists of 100 families and 316 private dwellings.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Hundreds of anglers have turned out to support a group of teenagers and replace their damaged equipment after video of them being harassed by adults while fishing went viral.

The footage, posted to Facebook by one of the boys' parents, showed four adults shouting at the teens as they fished at West Lakes in Adelaide's west.

At one point, a man was seen grabbing their belongings and throwing a bag to the ground.

'You're ruining the environment, we'll ruin your things,' one woman yelled. 'You ruin our things, we ruin your things.'

The adults had accused the boys of trespassing during the verbal onslaught.

'You're not supposed to be on that island,' one said, threatening to call the police and contact their schools.

'Where does it say that, miss?' one of the boys calmly responded.

'You know you're not allowed on the island, you've all been told,' another woman insisted. 'Don't come back. You shouldn't have come.'

The boys were gifted new equipment by RecFish SA to replace their damaged gear

Hundreds have rallied around the young fishers after they were yelled at by a group of adults

The adults in the video have since faced a furious backlash for their aggressive reaction.

In a show of support for the youngsters, the government-recognised peak body for recreational fishing in South Australia RecFish SA organised a group fishing event at the same spot

RecFish said the clash was 'horrendous' and stressed: 'Fishing in this area is not illegal.

'However, council have not confirmed it will stay this way. It's time for South Australians to come together in a positive way - by fishing together.

'360,000 South Aussies fish, that's one in four people!'

The event was hailed as a 'booming success', with hundreds of people showing up to cast a line in solidarity with the boys.

Recfish shared photos of the day and said it showed the 'true South Aussie Spirit shining through, and getting around these kids through recreational fishing.'

All of the boys attended the event, and were gifted brand new fishing gear, to replace what was damaged during the incident.

RecFish SA bought them new Catana rods and Shimano Reels, worth $150 each.

A group of adults came up to the boys and were filmed screaming expletives at them

South Australia Police are still investigating the incident that happened at West Lakes

One of the young fishers Bailey Garland told 7NEWS Adelaide: 'If [the adults] didn't want us fishing they could have called the police to come and handle it.

'But they tried to handle it and didn't do very well.'

SA Police are still investigating the matter.
President Trump has gone nuclear in a furious attack on CBS over recent reports about his policies on Ukraine and the proposed annexation of Greenland.

In a Sunday night spray on Truth Social, Trump demanded the network 'lose their license' for what he describes as repeated instances of bias against him and his administration.

'They are not a ''News Show,'' but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as ''News,'' and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing,' he wrote.

'CBS is out of control, at levels never seen before, and they should pay a big price for this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'

On Sunday night, 60 Minutes aired an interview reporter Scott Pelley conducted with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month.

Zelensky said he has '100 percent' hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, and invited Trump to his visit his country to see the damage of the war.

Also on Sunday, correspondent Jon Wertheim reported from Greenland on what locals think about Trump's proposal to annex the island.

Trump hit back, saying the war in Ukraine 'would never have happened if the 2020 Election had not been RIGGED, in other words, if I were President'.

President Trump has gone nuclear in a furious attack on CBS over recent reports about his policies on Ukraine and the proposed annexation of Greenland

On Sunday night, 60 Minutes (pictured) aired an interview reporter Scott Pelley conducted with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month

And responding to the story on Greenland, he simply said it 'cast our Country, as led by me, falsely, inaccurately and fraudulently'.

It emerged last week that Trump is considering offering every resident of Greenland an annual cash payout as part of his campaign to win over the island.

His administration moved forward on a formal plan to acquire the Arctic island from Denmark, the New York Times reported, outlining the public relations campaign and other incentives the White House is considering.

One of those options is replacing the $600million (456million) in subsidies that Denmark gives the island with an annual payment of about $10,000 per Greenlander. Denmark insists the island is not for sale and cannot be annexed.

In the 60 Minutes interview from Sunday, locals maintained they are not for sale and do not want to become part of the US.

Trump also touched upon his $20billion lawsuit against 60 Minutes for how it edited an interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris last autumn.

The president claims it was edited in a way to make Harris look good, something the newscast denies.

The edited version made Harris appear more coherent and succinct, chopping waffling answers on Ukraine's right to join NATO, the Israel-Palestine conflict and her refusal to comment on 'hypothetical' questions about China.

Zelensky said he has '100 percent' hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine , and invited Trump to his visit his country to see the damage of the war

While all of Greenland's political parties are in favour of independence, none of them support the idea of joining the United States

In a Sunday night spray on Truth Social, Trump demanded the network 'lose their license' for what he describes as repeated instances of bias against him and his administration

There are ongoing reports that Trump's lawyers and CBS' parent company are involved in settlement talks.

'I am so honored to be suing 60 Minutes, CBS Fake News, and Paramount, over their fraudulent, beyond recognition, reporting,' he wrote.

'They did everything possible to illegally elect Kamala, including completely and corruptly changing major answers to interview questions, but it just didn't work for them.'

He called on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to impose maximum fines and punishment 'for their unlawful and illegal behavior'.
Chicago has cancelled its Cinco de Mayo Parade, held annually in the sanctuary city, over fears of ICE raids.

Organizers announced on Thursday that the parade, which was set to be held on the Southwest Side of the city next month, has been cancelled as Trump's war on illegal immigrants has sparked fear across the country.

'Our people are scared,' said Hector Escobar, President of the Casa Puebla & Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce.

Escobar told ABC 7: 'See, some of them, they don't even want to go to work and some of them, they've taken a high risk. And definitely, it's not much to celebrate.'

The fifth of May festivities originally celebrated the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Activists then later rediscovered the holiday and transformed its meaning into a day of ethnic pride, and now it resonates with many as a celebration of Mexican American culture.

Chicago became a target of the Trump Administration very early on in the President's second term.

Soon after Inauguration Day, the sanctuary city saw one of the first big raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Organizers of Chicago's Cinco de Mayo Parade next month announced on Thursday that the parade is cancelled as Trump's war on illegal immigrants has caused fear across the country

Efforts to deport illegal immigrants crawled their way from the city into the suburbs and has left many concerned for their safety. 'We don't want to have any confrontation or having people taken away from the festival, from the parade to custody,' Escobar said

'Our people are scared,' said Hector Escobar, President of the Casa Puebla & Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce. The fifth of May celebrates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 and now resonates as a celebration of Mexican American culture

Efforts to deport illegal immigrants crawled their way from the city into the suburbs and left many concerned.

'We don't want to have any confrontation or having people taken away from the festival, from the parade to custody,' Escobar told the outlet.

'We could have done it with the 50% of the sponsorship, which is great, but it's not, again, about money. It's just more about safety,' he continued.

This isn't the first time the parade needed to be cancelled, after it wasn't held from 2018 to 2022 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Disagreements between organizers and city officials equally impacted the parade.

Last year, gang violence ended up resulting in multiple arrests as conflict broke out and the parade was forced to reroute.

'At this point, we don't know what is going to happen next year,' Escobar said.

They are hoping that the parade can go ahead next year but are prepared to cancel should the deportation efforts remain rampant or increase.

This isn't the first time the parade needed to be cancelled, after it wasn't held from 2018 to 2022 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Disagreements between organizers and city officials equally impacted the parade

Chicago became a target of the Trump Administration very early on in the President's war on migrants. Soon after Inauguration Day, the sanctuary city saw one of the first big raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Trump's 'border czar' Tom Homan revealed in December that Chicago would be one of the first cities hit by the ICE raids.

Homan, the former acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first term, laid out his plans to remove migrants who illegally crossed the southern border.

'Chicago is in trouble because your mayor sucks and your governor sucks,' Homan told the crowd at the Northwest Side GOP holiday party where attendees included Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Homan also warned Johnson, who had vowed to fight the Trump administration's deportation plan, not to 'impede' his efforts.

'If he doesn't want to help, get the hell out of the way,' Homan said.

'If he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien - I will prosecute him.'

'My goal is to enforce the law, but if you put yourself in that position, it may happen,' the border czar said at the time. 'But there's no plan in this administration right now to separate families.'

'However, we're going to enforce the law. So, if you put yourself in that position, it's on you,' he said, declaring that parents of Dreamers - the children of migrants born in the United States - have two options.

Trump's 'border czar' Tom Homan revealed in December that Chicago would be one of the first cities hit by the ICE raids

'You can either take a child home with your or they just stay here,' Homan said. 'But you don't get a pass.'

He also said those who do not qualify for asylum through the courts system would be ordered to be deported.

'If we don't, what the hell are we doing? Shut down immigration court?' he asked, rhetorically.

'There's no more consequences. We have to remove them if the law requires.'

Many factories, warehouses and grocery stores were seen eerily quiet in January amid fears of deportations.

Only 10 out of the usually 40 to 50 migrant workers attended their shifts at a factory in Joliet, Illinois, in late January, as six federal agencies swept the Greater Chicago area for 'potentially dangerous criminal aliens'.

Locals claimed a Home Depot parking lot that is normally packed with day laborers seeking work was 'eerily quiet' with men standing around.

Sunday mass at Chicago's St. Agnes of Bohemia Catholic Church was also unusually empty at the time, parishioners claimed, likely because the Trump Administration relaxed rules governing enforcement actions at 'sensitive' locations such as schools, churches and workplaces.

Social media is flooding with reports of empty factory parking lots, doctor's office waiting rooms, grocers and big box stores, such as Walmart, in wake of Trump's mass deportation efforts.

Just in the first few weeks of the efforts, the administration reported a staggering 6,000 deported migrants.
Children's home bosses have been told not to call residents boys or girls in case it offends transgender residents.

The Care Inspectorate said staff at children's homes in Scotland should always use 'gender-inclusive language'.

In an inclusion guide released last week, it said the phrase 'come on boys and girls' did not pass as 'good LGBT practice' and should be replaced by 'come on everybody'.

The guidance was published to 'enhance the inclusion' of transgender and non-binary youngsters during their time in care, The Telegraph first reported.

The guidance reportedly states: 'Try to create an environment that feels safe to explore identity, and enables young people to change their mind in future if they wish to do so.'

The guide also suggests that staff should 'provide opportunities for young people to say their pronouns, for example by staff introducing themselves with their own pronouns'.

Lord Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, claimed the Care Inspectorate was 'telling carers to affirm the delusions of children'.

'If I was a gender-confused adolescent in care, I'd want to speak to someone who could give me some sensible, practical advice, the kind of advice a loving parent would give,' he said.

Children's home bosses have been told not to call residents boys or girls in case it offends transgender residents (Stock photo)

Former senior police officer Cathy Larkman has been critical of the Care Inspectorate's gender policy for looked-after children

'Ie "Don't embark on an irreversible medical pathway until you've really had a chance to think this through".'

It comes after the Care Inspectorate was slammed for saying girls in care should be allowed to share a bedroom with boys who are transgender.

Former senior police officer Cathy Larkman last month criticised the Care Inspectorate after it said looked-after transgender children 'should not be made to use the toilet or bedroom of their sex assigned at birth'.

Ms Larkman, national policing lead for the Women's Rights Network, said: 'I don't normally call for anyone to lose their jobs, but everyone involved in this decision should be removed.

'They aren't fit for their role.'

Regarding the new guide, a spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: 'This guidance was developed following requests from services for children and young people for guidance to help them support transgender, including non-binary, young people in their services.

'Every day, the staff of these services must, and do, find ways of helping all young people to feel supported, loved, valued and respected.

'We expect all services to develop inclusive culture and practice which creates a safe space and takes appropriate account of the wishes, rights and needs of all young people.

'We have a duty to support services to ensure high-quality care for all those experiencing care. We have based this document on a range of legislation and current good practice guidance, referred to throughout and detailed in the 'useful references' section at the end.'
Donald Trump has claimed that Russia 'made a mistake' with its devastating ballistic missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which left dozens dead and more than 100 people injured.

'I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing,' Trump told reporters on board Air Force One while headed back to Washington.

Asked to clarify what he meant by a 'mistake,' Trump said that 'they made a mistake... you're gonna ask them' - without specifying who or what he meant.

Russia staged a barbaric double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine on Sunday hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 34 people, including two children, and wounding 117, including 15 children.

The dead and wounded - covered in blood - lay in the streets of the city centre after two massive explosions rocked the city, with video showing fireballs erupting in busy civilian areas.

President Trump's National Security Council (NSC) had earlier Sunday called the Russian strike 'a clear and stark reminder' of why his efforts to 'try and end this terrible war comes at a crucial time.'

Neither Trump nor the White House named Moscow as the perpetrator of the attack, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier offered condolences to the 'victims of today's horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy.'

'Only completely deranged scum can do something like this,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated last night.

Speaking in a US television interview broadcast yesterday, he urged President Trump to visit his country to better understand the devastation wrought by Russia's invasion.

Pictures show destroyed buildings and burned out civilian cars at the site of a Russian ballistic missile strike on the city centre, killing many civilians on April 13, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine

A man cries as he leans on the bus that was hit by a Russian missile on Sumy, Ukraine

Bodies of people killed in a Russian ballistic missile strike lie covered with emergency blankets at the strike site on April 13, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine

This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on April 13, 2025, shows a Ukrainian rescuer working at the site of a missile attack in Sumy

'Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,' he said according to a transcript of an interview to be broadcast on CBS.

The channel aired an interview conducted by reporter Scott Pelley with Zelensky on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month.

Zelensky said he has '100 percent' hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, and warned that 'if we do not stand firm, he will advance further.'

'It is not just idle speculation; the threat is real. Putin's ultimate goal is to revive the Russian empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection. Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,' he said.

He added: 'There won't be a safe place, there won't be a safe place for (anyone).'

Following its broadcast, Trump hit back against CBS on Truth Social, saying the war in Ukraine 'would never have happened if the 2020 Election had not been RIGGED, in other words, if I were President.'

The Sumy strike came two days after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and push Trump's efforts to end the war.

Trump earlier said the visit by his envoy Steve Witkoff to see Putin in Moscow showed that the peace efforts 'might be going OK - and you're going to be finding out pretty soon.'

But Poland's foreign minister declared today that Putin is 'mocking' Donald Trump's goodwill by continuing to attack Ukraine.

'Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago,' Radoslaw Sikorsk told a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

'The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russia's mocking answer. I hope that President Trump and the US administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken.'

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, during the flight from Palm Beach to Joint Base Andrews, as he returns to the White House

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) decorating a wounded Ukrainian serviceman as he visits a medical facility where wounded defenders are being treated in Kryvyi Rig on April 11

The Kremlin said Monday that Russia's army targets only military sites, a day after a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed 34 people and wounded dozens more.

'Our army hits only military and military-related targets,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing when asked about the strike and comments by US President Donald Trump that Russia might have 'made a mistake'.

Speaking in his evening address on Sunday night, Zelensky stressed that the attack was on civilians and had occurred on Palm Sunday, a major Christian feast.

Photos too graphic for MailOnline to publish showed the trolley bus burning with victims inside.

At least one child was a victim of the horrific new strike on a city marking the Sunday before Easter.

At least one car was ablaze with people trapped inside.

The Congress Centre in Sumy - part of the city's university - was hit in one of the most shocking strikes of the three-year war.

The dead were seen covered in silver sheets at the scene of the strike where rescuers worked through the rubble of a building near a destroyed trolleybus.

Zelensky said eight of the 68 injured in hospitals were in serious condition.

'In addition to the university, the strike damaged five apartment buildings, cafes, shops, and the district court. In total, the Russian attack damaged 20 buildings,' said Zelensky.

Russia staged a barbaric new double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine today hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 21 people and leaving dozens more injured

At least one child was a victim of the horrific new strike on a city marking the Sunday before Easter

The mayor of Sumy said 'more than 20 deaths' were already clear, as the emergency services continued to work

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was 'deeply alarmed and shocked' by the strike, which highlighted a 'devastating pattern of similar assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns in recent weeks,' his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said: 'The Russians hit the city of Sumy with missiles, killing civilians.'

The office of the Sumy mayor said there were 'many dead'.

Acting mayor Artem Kobzar said: 'On this bright day of Palm Sunday, our community suffered a terrible tragedy.

'The enemy launched a missile strike on civilians. Unfortunately, more than 20 deaths are already known'

Zelensky said: 'A terrible strike by Russian ballistic missiles on Sumy.

'Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street...

'And this is on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem.

The office of the Sumy mayor said there were 'many dead'

Zelensky pleaded for a 'tough reaction from the world'

'According to preliminary data, we are talking about dozens of dead and wounded civilians. Only a scoundrel can act like this.

'Taking the lives of ordinary people. My condolences to the relatives and friends. A rescue operation is underway now. All necessary services are working.'

Zelensky pleaded for a 'tough reaction from the world'.

He said: 'The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants an end to this war and murders.

'Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.

'Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. We need the kind of attitude towards Russia that a terrorist deserves. Thank you to everyone who is with Ukraine and helps us protect life.'

The head of Ukraine's GUR military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Telegram that Russia had used two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles on Sumy.

One witness told AFP she heard two explosions.

'A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses,' she said, struggling to speak.

Sumy declared three days of mourning.

It was the second Russian attack this month to cause a large civilian death toll. An attack on Zelensky's home city of Kryvi Rig killed at least 18 people, including nine children.

Zelensky called on the United States and Europe to give a 'strong response' to Russia, adding: 'Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs.'

Trump has previously voiced anger at Moscow for 'bombing like crazy' in Ukraine.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said the strike showed Russia's 'blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump'.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'appalled' by the attack, which Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni described as a 'cowardly' act by Russia.

Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz described it as 'a serious war crime, deliberate and intended'.

Staging an attack on Palm Sunday outraged several leaders.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, said: 'Sumy. Day off. A major religious holiday for Ukrainians is Palm Sunday.'

The Palm Sunday massacre in a region close to the border between the countries left people screaming in terror with scenes from Armageddon

It was 'a barbaric attack, made even more vile as people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday,' European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

'The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday,' said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Moscow has refused a US-proposed unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.

Authorities in Sumy published footage of bodies in the street and people running for safety, with cars on fire and wounded civilians on the ground.

Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine in recent weeks, stepping up its all-out invasion that has gone on for more than three years.

Sumy has been under increasing pressure since Moscow pushed back many of Ukraine's troops from its Kursk region inside Russia, across the border.

Kyiv has warned for weeks that Moscow could mount an offensive on the city.

Russia launched its invasion partially through the Sumy region and briefly occupied parts of it before being pushed back by Ukrainian forces.

On Sunday, Russia said it captured another village in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region.
A young man has tragically drowned and another is fighting for life after they were pulled from the water at a popular beach.

Emergency services were called to Shoal Bay's Zenith Beach, 220km north of Sydney, about 2.45pm on Monday following reports of two swimmers struggling in the water.

It's understood the Nepalese nationals got into trouble in the surf after losing their footing.

Friends and fellow beachgoers rushed to their rescue and pulled the pair to shore.

Members of the public and police performed CPR on both men until paramedics arrived.

One of the men, 24, was unable to be revived at the scene.

The second man, 25, was treated at the scene and rushed to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Photos of the scene showed a large crowd gathered near the water as a rescue helicopter approached.

Emergency services were called to Zenith Beach (pictured) in Shoal Bay after two distressed swimmers were pulled from the water

One swimmer died at the scene while the other remains in a critical condition. Pictured are emergency responders at the scene

Surf Life Saving NSW state duty officer Glen Dunkley was among the first to arrive at the scene.

'The conditions today weren't big, but there was a number of rips in the area that unless people are aware of those, they look like safe places to swim,' he told the ABC.

'Unfortunately, in this case, the people were knocked off their feet, from what we understand, and became stuck in that water and were unable to make their way to shore.'

Zenith Beach is south of Tomaree Head  the southern headland of Port Stephens.

It's a local favourite for photographers and nature lovers.

Zenith Beach is not patrolled, prompting a warning from authorities.

'If people do choose to go to unpatrolled locations, we can't ensure their safety,' Mr Dunkley said.

A report will be prepared from the corner.

Two distressed swimmers were pulled from the ocean by their friends with witnesses performing CPR until paramedics arrived
A street art exhibition backed by Banksy has been shut after vandals wrote an anti-King message on the building.

The exhibition called the Long Dark Tunnel was closed on Thursday after graffiti stating 'f*** the King' appeared.

It was shut less than a week after opening by Arts Arkade, the gallery that put on the exhibition at a Crown Estate property.

Workers in hi-vis Crown Estate tabards tore down the agreed promotional poster from the building yards from Piccadilly Circus.

The Crown Estate is a 15.5 billion property portfolio held by the monarch, which generates a large proportion of the King's wealth.

On the week the show opened a graffiti artist known as 10Foot guest-edited the Big Issue, which featured Banksy interviewing one of the exhibition's artists.

After the show was shut, 10Foot said: 'It's the same old story.

'We're treated as antisocial idiots and they won't engage in dialogue with us when we do something widely recognised as positive.

The exhibition called the Long Dark Tunnel was closed on Thursday after graffiti stating 'f*** the King' appeared

The exhibition was shut less than a week after opening by Arts Arkade, the gallery that put on the exhibition at a Crown Estate property

The Crown Estate is a 15.5 billion property portfolio held by the monarch, which generates a large proportion of the King's wealth

'Getting bullied by the powerful really makes you feel like a fox being chased by the hunt.

'We threw everything at this show with nothing but good, generative intention. People have come from all over the country in their hundreds. We raised hundreds of thousands for homeless people.

'But when someone's written 'f*** the King' in the middle of the night we've been told we're a risk and they have pulled the plug. They could clean it off but instead they'd prefer to throw us under the bus.'

10Foot whose name is Sam Moore was jailed in 2010 for causing more than 100,000 of damage.

In 2023, MailOnlline unmasked Mr Moore as the artist, revealing that he is the middle-class son of a respected NHS doctor who enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the countryside.

The artists claim there was no warning that the show would be shut.

After the promotional poster was torn down smaller posters appeared with the artists' tags above red Latin script reading graf scriptores decollabuntur  meaning graffiti artists 'will be decapitated'.

An assessment document created by Arts Arkade included concerns expressed by the Crown Estate, Westminster council and the Heart of London Business Association.

On the week the show opened a graffiti artist known as 10Foot guest-edited the Big Issue, which featured Banksy interviewing one of the exhibition's artists

Workers in hi-vis Crown Estate tabards tore down the agreed promotional poster from the building yards from Piccadilly Circus

An assessment document created by Arts Arkade included concerns expressed by the Crown Estate, Westminster council and the Heart of London Business Association

It detailed fears that potential copycats could appear and 'protests' were flagged - it also stated that the walls had been vandalised out of hours.

Arts Arkade said on Instagram: 'Following serious incidents of vandalism and criminal damage to [our] and some of our neighbours' buildings, we have regretfully taken the decision to close the Long Dark Tunnel exhibition earlier than scheduled.

'The criminal damage we've experienced is totally unacceptable and is not a matter we take lightly.'

The Crown Estate has been contacted for comment.
A 62-year-old man reported missing at Tinaroo Dam in Yungaburra, south of Cairns, on April 13 has been found dead following a large-scale search.

Emergency services were alerted around 3:30pm on Sunday after the man failed to resurface while swimming out to assist two children on kayaks.

Despite immediate efforts, he could not be located, prompting a large-scale search operation.

The search continued until approximately 8:00pm last night and resumed at first light this morning.

Resources deployed included police on foot, Cairns Water Police, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, the Queensland Police Dive Squad, QGAIR Rescue 510 helicopter, and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Swift Water Rescue crews.

Police have confirmed the mans death is not being treated as suspicious.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Support services have been made available to the mans family during this difficult time.

The body of a man has been found at Tinaroo Dam after he went missing
Ministers refused to guarantee furnaces will keep running at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant today despite the government taking control.

Treasury minister James Murray confirmed that a shipment of coal needed to maintain operations is at docks in Lincolnshire.

But he dodged on when they would be transferred the 25 miles to the site, amid a scramble to secure more raw materials for the process.

Once blast furnaces go out and cool they are impractical to restart.

The government is being urged to 'get on with it' after it emerged the 55,000-ton delivery from Japan, which arrived on Thursday, had not yet been paid for.

Rail operators drew up timetables for two freight trains to run yesterday between Immingham Port on the Humber Estuary and Scunthorpe Steelworks, but the cargo was not unloaded.

Treasury minister James Murray confirmed that a shipment of coal needed to maintain operations at British Steel's Scunthorpe site is at docks in Lincolnshire

Ministers refused to guarantee furnaces will keep running at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant today despite the government taking control

A Downing Street source said government officials were 'on site and talking to local management about a plan' for the coking coal to be delivered.

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Mr Murray said Government staff had been at the plant in North Lincolnshire since Saturday - when Parliament passed emergency legislation to direct operations.

'Their role is to make sure we do everything we can to make sure we get those raw materials to the blast furnaces in time and to make sure they continue operating,' he said.

Mr Murray would not guarantee the furnaces will continue running, claiming the plant's Chinese owners, Jingye, had 'accelerated' the shut down of one furnace.

He said: 'The raw materials, the shipments have arrived, they're in the UK, they're nearby. There were questions about getting them into the blast furnaces, that is what the officials are focused on right now.'

He added: 'We know that the Government needed to do everything possible on Saturday to protect the future of steelmaking in the UK.

'We're not just going to step aside and let the industry fail with the blast furnaces closing. We've been negotiating in good faith with Jingye but when it became clear they were accelerating the plans to close the blast furnaces, we had to step in.'

The Chinese foreign ministry warned the UK against 'politicising' trade matters.

'Both sides should discuss and solve the difficulties encountered by the current operation of British Steel on the basis of the principle of mutual benefit,' spokesman Lin Jian said.

A separate statement issued by the Chinese embassy said: 'We have urged the British side to act in accordance with the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination and to make sure the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese company be protected.'

The statement added: 'It is an objective fact that British steel companies have generally encountered difficulties in recent years...

'It is hoped that the British government will actively seek negotiation with the relevant Chinese company to find a solution acceptable to all parties.'

The shipment of coal needed to save Scunthorpe's blast furnaces is still thought to be stuck on a boat at the docks.

However, Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB union national officer, said she is 'wholly reassured' that the coking coal will be 'paid for and unloaded over the next couple of days' at Immingham Bulk Terminal.

She told BBC Breakfast: 'I spoke to British Steel late yesterday evening and was wholly reassured, actually.

'I've (been) told that the coke that's at Immingham Bulk Terminal will be paid for and unloaded over the next couple of days and that Government are working at pace to secure the rest of the raw materials that are currently on the ocean.'

A shipment of coal needed to save Scunthorpe's blast furnaces was still stuck on a boat last night. File photo of the plant

Gareth Stace, head of the UK Steel industry body, said Parliament had given British Steel 'breathing space while a long-term situation for the site's operations is found'.

'The next and most immediate step is securing the iron ore and coking coal needed to keep the furnaces operating,' he said.

'If the furnaces cool down, it is virtually impossible for them to be restarted. We applaud the herculean efforts of officials and British Steel staff to secure these supplies.

'Dozens of other steel companies have offered assistance and materials, demonstrating that, at times of crisis, the sector comes together as one. The success of our steel industry sits above any individual business.'

Steelworks insiders said on Wednesday there were 48 hours of coal supplies left and the site needed them 'to allow it to keep going'.

Officials said that before the Government's intervention to take control, British Steel's Chinese owners Jingye were selling off raw materials and not ordering more.

It has since been reported Scunthorpe's two blast furnaces could continue running until May. However, this may involve one being kept warm until it can be restarted.

Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'What is the Government doing?

'Ministers said they needed the recall of Parliament to pass emergency legislation to keep the steelworks running but now they don't act like it's an emergency.'
Germany's Leopard 2 tanks are said to have been a failure on the frontline in Ukraine and Kyiv's soldiers prefer using German tanks from the 1960s, according to a damning assessment by Ukraine's military.

Ukrainian soldiers also named a string of other high-end German military equipment, including howitzers and air defence systems, that they said were too fragile to function properly on the battlefield.

The shocking revelation was made by the Deputy Military Attache at the German Embassy in Kyiv, who in January met with 200 German army soldiers at a military base in Saxony to provide them with feedback from their Ukrainian counterparts.

German media outlet Sueddeutsche Zeitung obtained a copy of the lecture transcript and discovered that Ukrainian soldiers were dissatisfied with much of the state-of-the-art German kit they were afforded.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shipped 18 of Germany's Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in 2023 after allies, including the US and UK, agreed to send their Abrams and Challenger 2 tanks.

Berlin has since become one of the foremost providers of military aid to Kyiv, but Ukrainian soldiers say that 60-year-old German tanks have proven more capable in fighting Russia's forces than their modern replacements.

'Hardly any large German piece of equipment is fully suitable for war,' the document concluded.

The feedback said the Leopard 2A6 - pride of place in Germany's lineup of modern war machines - was too complex and expensive to repair, and almost impossible to repair in the field if it sustained damage near or on the frontlines.

The Leopard 2's predecessor, which entered service in 1965, is considered more reliable, while Ukrainian soldiers reported that Germany's Gepard anti-aircraft tank - a derivative of the Leopard 1 that began service in 1976 - is 'the most popular, most efficient, and most reliable weapon system' Berlin has provided to Kyiv.

German servicemen participate in drills with their main battle tank, the Leopard 2

Ukrainian soldiers repair a Leopard 2 tank in Zaporizhzhya region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Ukrainian soldiers are said to be frustrated at the performance of the Leopard 2

Ukrainian army from the 43rd Heavy Artillery Brigade fire the German howitzer Panzerhaubitze 2000

Ukrainians are said to prefer German tanks that are 60 years old as they are more reliable and easy to repair

'Too expensive' and 'hard to repair' were the central complaints in Ukrainian feedback regarding modern German weapons systems.

Another German product, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, reportedly suffered from such a 'high technical vulnerability' that its 'combat capability is seriously questioned'.

Having delivered the Ukrainian feedback to the German troops in Saxony, the defence attache ultimately concluded: 'Complicated equipment remains unused... The operational value of ultra-modern and complex large-scale equipment is low if troops cannot carry out repairs on site.'

Managing Director of the European Resilience Initiative Centre Sergej Sumlenny explained why the Leopard 2 appears to be struggling in Ukraine, despite being considered as one of the world's top-line battle tanks.

'They were designed by a generation of German manufacturers that hadn't seen war, and so tended to overcomplicate the system.

'Older systems, designed in the 1960s by those who actually saw war, are far more useful on the battlefield but have weaker armour,' Sumlenny told The Telegraph.

'Leopard 2s were also not designed for the Ukrainian battlefield. They function well when they have good air support, but Ukraine is short on this.'

Such revelations will be unwelcome news for the new German government, particularly after Parliament passed a measure tabled by Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merzto lift Germany's so-called 'debt brake' and boost defence spending.

Merz has said the government will ramp up defence spending 'significantly' over the next four years to meet NATO targets for troops and weapons.

Germany will introduce a new military service, for now on a voluntary basis, after suspending conscription in 2011, the readiness of forces will be stepped up, and they will be fully equipped with weapons and other equipment.

Within the first six months in office, the coalition will pass a law to speed up defence procurement and simplify procedures.

The German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, which entered service in the 1970s, is among the favourite pieces of German military kit for Ukrainian soldiers

The Gepard antiaircraft tank of the German armed forces Bundeswehr fires during a demonstration at the exercise area of Munster about 80 km south east of Hamburg, Germany, June 20, 2007

Germany's moves reflect a wider sentiment across the continent that defence spending and procurement must be made a priority as the European Union prepares for a scenario in which the bloc comes under attack from Russia and must respond without support from the United States.

Under its ReArm Europe plan, the EU is looking to boost military spending by 800 billion euros ($876 billion) over the next four years, loosening fiscal rules on defence investment and joint borrowing for large defence projects against the EU budget.

But ministers are also considering a plan set forth by the Bruegel think tank which advocates for the creation of a specialist fund called the European Defence Mechanism (EDM).

Bruegel said the EDM fund could focus on the manufacture and procurement of 'strategic enablers' - costly military infrastructure and equipment armies need to operate - now often provided by the United States.

These include joint command and control systems, satellite-based intelligence and communication and development of expensive new weapon systems such as fifth- or sixth-generation fighter jet.

It also includes integrated weapon systems needed by multiple countries like strategic air defence, strategic large-scale air transport and maritime logistics, missiles and nuclear deterrence.

The EDM would also promote a single European market for defence equipment to lower costs, pool resources and improve interoperability.

Defence production in the 27-nation EU is currently highly fragmented with at least seven different types of tanks, nine types of self-propelled howitzers and seven types of infantry fighting vehicles.

This has caused problems for Ukrainian units who have complained that ammunition for Western military equipment is not interchangeable, dramatically reducing frontline capabilities and increasing costs to replace munitions.
Employees at a Spanish nursery who were arrested over alleged child abuse forced victims to eat and choked them, a whistleblower has revealed.

Authorities have already opened an investigation into the case, which happened at the Cascanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid.

Now Nicole - a student who took the footage of the horrific incidents, which included a toddler being slammed against a wall - has revealed the full extent of the abuse.

At first, nothing seemed unusual, but the ex-employees - all of whom are under investigation - showed their true colours at lunchtime.

'Before entering the dining room, the children would start crying, they would do many ugly things to them,' she told Spanish outlet Antena 3.

'They would force them to eat, they would choke them, they would grab them.

'They threatened one-year-olds that they were going to eat food off the floor.'

The shocking video, which was sent to her mother Carol before being forwarded to the media and police, has left parents and authorities demanding answers from the nursery.

Nicole - a student who secretly filmed the horrific incidents, which included a toddler being slammed against a wall - has now revealed the full extent of the abuse

'Before entering the dining room, the children would start crying, they would do many ugly things to them,' she said

Four Spanish nursery workers have been arrested after one woman was caught on camera abusing a toddler

The footage was secretly filmed by a student on a work placement at the Cascanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid

It shows a female staff member grabbing a young toddler and slamming him against a wall as she squeezes his face.

'Don't spit out your food!' she screams at him, as the terrified young child cries in despair.

'I'm so sick of you,' she continues to say.

The woman repeatedly pushes the tot's head against the wall, before she turns him around and pins him down on to her lap and begins to force-feed him.

'If you spit it out I will put it back in,' she tells the child, before saying: 'If you vomit, you are f***ed.'

Even more disturbingly, another member of staff can be seen in the background, unfazed by the cruel treatment.

Spanish police have arrested two employees for the alleged abuse of a child, while two others have been arrested for failing to report the appalling incident, a police spokesman said.

The daycare centre has since been shut, with a group of parents gathering outside last Friday to protest.

The nursery worker filmed slamming toddler against wall moans about losing her job in foul-mouthed rant after being released from custody

The Cascanueces nursery, which is still closed after the incident

One horrified mother called Nancy told Spanish news outlet Antena 3 she has not been able to sleep and cannot help but imagine what awful treatment her 18-month-daughter might have endured.

'Everything we've seen is engraved in my mind,' she said.

Nancy also revealed that her toddler had recently experienced a sudden loss in appetite, and said that after seeing the shocking footage of a child being force fed, she now understands why her daughter might have been refusing to eat.

However, one of the women involved in the horrific case seemed to show no remorse as she appeared in court last 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.'
Lanzarote's resorts and roads have been submerged by floodwater after the holiday hotspot was hit by an enormous storm.

Shocking footage emerging from tourists across the island show brown muddy waters sweeping through the streets, leaving vehicles and properties unreachable.

Some hotels were left without power as services across the island were affected following the torrential rainfall, which one British tourist described as feeling like 'Armageddon'.

Citizens and holidaymakers were forced to wade through the streets which became deep, fast-flowing rivers, while others took shelter on balconies and higher land.

Chain barriers were hung at the entrance of the Hotel Beatriz Costa and Spa in Teguise, Las Palmas, deterring visitors from stepping out into the dirty floodwaters.

In one clip, taken by a tourist staying at the four-star hotel, grey skies were seen looming over nearby mountains as the rain lashed down onto deckchairs.

The accommodation's swimming pool had completely overflown, leaving the draining system struggling to clear away the excess water.

The torrential rain forced local officials to call a state of emergency which was in place until 7am local time on Sunday morning.

But holidaymakers have been warned they should expect rain, isolated storms, and snowfall across the main mountain ranges in the coming days.

In one clip, taken by a tourist staying at the four-star hotel, grey skies were seen looming over nearby mountains as the rain lashed down onto deckchairs

Some hotels were left without power as services across the island were affected following the torrential rainfall

The pool in the Hotel Beatriz Costa and Spa in Teguise, Las Palmas, was left completely overflown by the floods

Local excursion center employees attempted to rescue their equipment from the disaster flooding

In some spots, around 60 litres of water fell on each square metre during the two-hour storm on Saturday afternoon.

Mike Hallet, 53, a British tourist in Lanzarote, told Metro: 'The motorways were flooded, water was coming off embankments like full blown waterfalls.

'It was proper full on. I've never seen water like it. I'm amazed no one was killed.

'It felt like Armageddon.'

The city of Arrecife, on the island's south, was hit particularly hard by the extreme weather - locals were met by the stench of untreated sewage caused by flooding overwhelming the drainage system.

Also badly affected were the towns of Tahiche, Costa Teguise, Guatiza and Nazaret.

Emergency services were called to 152 incidents in Costa Teguise on Saturday evening, and a further 70 in Arrecife, according to local media reports.

In urgent advice, the Foreign Office said: 'Services across the island are affected, some hotels are currently without power. Some roads are currently affected by mud.

'If you are in Lanzarote or travelling to Lanzarote, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates'.

Spain's meteorological service issued weather warnings for many areas of the country from Sunday to Tuesday, including storms in the northeast, rain in the Balearic islands and wind in parts of both the north and south coast.

Temperatures will drop in most places, the AEMET said, except along the Cantabrian coast. From Tuesday to Wednesday, a wave of icy air will sweep across Spain, sending temperatures tumbling and even bringing snow to higher ground.

Snowfall could hit areas as low as 900 metres above sea level, especially in mountain regions, while rain and thunderstorms continue across much of the country.

Spanish news outlet Ultimas Noticias Canarias also took to X to share distressing footage of how the flooding had affected an animal shelter

Several animals including dogs and cats were seen cowered in their cages which were left sinking in the brown water

The streets on the island were turned into a deep, fast-flowing rivers that left cars on them impossible to reach and homes lining them completely soaked through

In some spots, around 60 litres of water fell on each square metre during the two-hour storm

The torrential rain, left by an enormous storm on Saturday afternoon, forced local officials to call a state of emergency which was in place until 7am local time Sunday morning

Shocking footage has revealed Lanzarote submerged under water after the holiday hotspot was hit with a two-hour deluge

Two flights from Manchester, two from Gatwick, two from Bristol and others from Cardiff, Stansted, Birmingham, Bournemouth and Dublin had to be diverted to Fuerteventura due to low visibility prior to the weekend, local Canary Islands media reported.

In another video uploaded on to social media showed local excursion center employees attempting to rescue their equipment from the disaster flooding while holidaymakers walked through the filthy water in flipflops.

Locals donning plastic raincoats took to using shovels in an attempt to scoop the water from their shopfronts into the roads which were already submerged in the deluge.

Spanish news outlet Ultimas Noticias Canarias also took to X to share distressing footage of how the flooding had affected an animal shelter.

Several animals including dogs and cats were seen cowered in their cages which were left sinking in the brown water.

'Sara Animal Shelter, with numerous dogs and cats in her care at #Lanzarote, is asking for help after the #inundaciones incidents this Saturday,' it wrote.

'When the caretakers arrived, many of the animals were scared and wet in their cages and shelters'.

Lanzarote has since been taking on a huge cleanup operation with locals and resort worker rallying to drain the water and clear away the mud.

But somehow, other parts of the island were completely dry.

Despite this, officials warned locals and tourists alike to take precautions and to avoid unnecessary journeys.

It comes weeks after the Spanish holiday hotspot of Malaga turned white after a freak winter storm covered parts of the region in a blanket of hail and snow.

Striking images and footage showed streets submerged in floodwater and heavy hail crashing down from grey skies.

Giant hailstorms were seen hitting cars and leaving the roads covered in white icy rocks in the town of Alhaurin el Grande.

Large hail also fell in areas such as Campanillas, Puerto de la Torre and Teatinos after Spain's national weather agency Aemet had extended a yellow warning for heavy rain and hail.

Torcal de Antequera, a popular tourist destination, also experienced the heavy snowfall, which made for spectacular scenes.
Buckingham Palace is on red alert over fears Prince Harry could be writing a second book over his legal battle for security, sources say.

The Duke of Sussex last week attended a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, where he claimed the removal of his security in the UK was a ploy to 'trap' him in the Royal Family.

And after the two-day proceedings were over, Harry said his 'worst fears had been confirmed' by secret evidence heard at the hearing.

The Prince was left shocked after his taxpayer-funded police protection was removed once he and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, announced they were moving to the US and stepping back from royal public engagements.

The Duke also spoke of his hurt at the treatment he and Meghan had received and implied it would be difficult to heal the divide.

Speaking outside the court, Harry said he and his wife thought a life of their own away from the Royals would help improve relations with the family.

But in the aftermath of the hearing, Royal sources say they are growing increasingly concerned over the Duke's next move if ruling goes against him.

A Buckingham Palace insider told The Sun: 'There's a lot of worry that Harry could tell all in a book deal or even follow Meghan's lead and make a podcast.

The Duke of Sussex last week attended a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London , where he claimed the removal of his security in the UK was a ploy to 'trap' him in the Royal Family

The Prince was left shocked after his taxpayer-funded police protection was removed once he and Meghan Markle announced they were moving to the US and stepping back from royal public engagements

In the aftermath of the dramatic hearing, Royal sources say they are growing increasingly concerned over the Duke's next move if the hearing goes against him, sparking fears that he could be writing a sequel to Spare

'He's hinted he has discovered secrets during the hearings, particularly regarding the treatment of him and Meghan, that would shock us all.

'It is a veiled threat essentially that he will tell all if it doesn't go the way he wants it to.'

The couple saw the removal of their police protection as a way of trying to strongarm them into returning to the UK - since they felt that without security, visiting Britain would paint a target on their back.

Harry took the decision to take legal action against the Government to have his official security reinstated.

The Duke said that the case was even more significant than his legal battles against the tabloid press that he once called his 'life's work'.

Speaking last week, Harry said what he had experienced during the legal process had crossed a line - and suggested he was upset with elements of the evidence that had been heard behind closed doors in court.

Harry took the decision to take legal action against the Government to have his official security reinstated

The Prince told The Telegraph: 'People would be shocked by what's being held back.' He added that his 'worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that's really sad'.

As legal proceedings came to a close, Harry said he was 'exhausted' and 'overwhelmed' by the case.

Even if Harry wins the appeal, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee may not be compelled to grant the Sussexes their wish to restore their security.

The Duke said he was 'driven by exposing injustice' and would continue to fight regardless of the outcome.

But he was accused of hypocrisy after meeting dozens of wounded soldiers in Ukraine last week despite claiming he and his family cannot be safe in Britain without taxpayer-funded police bodyguards.

An insider told MailOnline that it is '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.

The Duke was accused of hypocrisy after meeting dozens of wounded soldiers in Ukraine last week despite claiming he and his family cannot be safe in Britain without taxpayer-funded police bodyguards

Harry talking with Olga Rudneva (right) during a visit to the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, Ukraine on April 10, 2025, where he toured the centre and met with patients and medical professionals

However, a source close to Harry has claimed that the level of protection on his Ukrainian trip was better than what he receives in the UK.

'He can go to Ukraine - a country with an active warzone - because he has a robust security detail, one that he does not have in his home country', they said.

MailOnline reported last week that Prince Harry did not make arrangements to see his father, King Charles, after flying into the UK for the legal hearing.

The Duke of Sussex landed from Los Angeles last Sunday but his father spent the weekend at Highgrove, his private Gloucestershire home, resting ahead of this weeks busy State Visit to Italy.

The Duke of Sussex claimed he was singled out for inferior treatment when the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) stripped him of his top-level security in February 2020, following 'Megxit'.

But Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Home Office, has said it had discretion to strip his guaranteed full time police security without consulting the Risk Management Board (RMB) quango.

MailOnline reported last week that Prince Harry did not see his father, King Charles, after flying into the UK for the legal hearing

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex the day before 'Megxit' - the couple's decision to step down as senior royals - was announced in 2020

RMB risk analysis is the usual approach in usual cases, he told the High Court earlier this week.

But there is nothing about the appellants [Prince Harrys] announcement in January 2020 that he was to step back from his role in the Royal family, and spend most of the time abroad, that was usual.

Prince Harry's lawyer Shaheed Fatima KC insisted that Ravec failed to follow its own guidelines and should have commissioned an assessment of the Duke's security needs from the Risk Management Board (RMB).

Ms Fatima said: 'The appellant [the Duke of Sussex] does not accept that bespoke means better  in fact, in his position, it means he has been singled out for different, inferior treatment.'

She added that the judge who previously ruled Ravec had acted correctly was mistaken.

The 'Royal Bombshell' edition of the Daily Mail which broke news of the couple's dramatic decision

But barrister Sir James, speaking for the Home Secretary, told the High Court that his extremely unusual withdrawal from Royal duties changed everything.

He said it was hard to imagine someone more experienced and better placed than the chair of Ravec to make a bespoke decision about how the Dukes security arrangements should change to accommodate the unique and unusual circumstances of the appellant [Prince Harry].

And Sir James denied the Duke was treated unfairly and said: He was not being singled out - on the contrary, the process being adopted had positive advantages for him.

MailOnline has approached both Prince Harry's representatives and Buckingham Palace for comment.
A row has exploded between a housing developer and a local businessman over a two-brick high 'dwarf wall'.

Lioncourt Homes, which is building a 70-home estate in Hempsted, Gloucester, says it needs to rip down the wall - which is barely 20cm tall - to create an emergency access route in line with its planning permission.

But Roger White has thrown a spanner into the works by claiming the two-brick high barrier sits on a 10,000 plot land he inherited when his father died in 1997.

He alleges he is being 'bullied' by the company, which did not offer to buy the land before work began, and that it now wants to 'bulldoze' the tiny ankle-high structure.

The businessman claims he was sent a cease-and-desist letter, in which Lioncourt Homes said he had 'no entitlement to a ransom' over the wall.

A furious Mr White said: 'My father always said to me "keep an eye on it" and occasionally I would check on it and see that nothing had changed for years.

'About a month ago I noticed there was a development going on and there was a concrete fence and it was all opened up.

'I went online and I found the actual planning permission itself which stated that because of potential flooding in the lane entrance, planning authorities required that there would be an emergency access put in for emergency vehicles.

Businessman Roger White has hit out and claimed a two-brick high 'dwarf wall' is his

The IT worker says he owns the land the wall is on but claims developers are trying to 'bulldoze' it without buying the wall from him

'That emergency access was going to be across my land and obviously across my dwarf wall.'

He added: 'I contacted Lioncourt Homes and said 'you don't realise I own this' and they came back and confirmed in writing that it was my dwarf wall.

'But they are saying that either the dwarf wall is adopted highway or it is their dwarf wall - which clearly isn't.'

Lioncourt claims it has documents from 1964 which show it owns the wall, the BBC reports.

But Mr White has insisted he has records from 1971 which he claims proves the micro wall belongs to him.

Responding to the developer's cease and desist letter, Mr White's solicitors said it is for Lioncourt Homes to prove the wall is within its property and if it forms part of the public road.

Mr White said: 'The dwarf wall is in my name and correctly registered in the land registry - it is the most peculiar situation.

'I don't understand how we can get to the point of 70 houses being built and nobody has actually looked into this before.

'Lioncourt Homes have said to me in writing that they intend to get on with the work to put the entrance in and completely ignore my rights.'

Mr White says he inherited the small plot of land from his father in 1971

But Lioncourt Homes, which is building a 70-home estate in Hempsted, Gloucester, has disputed this and told him it needs to be torn down to create an emergency access to the estate

Pictured is the new estate, left, and the current housing development, right. Both are separated by the 'dwarf wall'

The two-brick high structure is barely 20cm tall but is at the centre of a major planning row

Mr White said Lioncourt just wants to 'bulldoze' the wall and 'get on with the work'.

'It certainly starts to feel like it is the big developer bullying a small businessman because they just seem to be adamant,' he added.

'If they need to demolish the wall they need to buy the wall.'

Mr White's father Ernie was a local estate agent in Gloucester, and he purchased a number of 'ransom strips' as potential investments.

He said: 'My dad left me this dwarf wall for a reason.'

A Lioncourt Homes spokesman said: 'Works required to implement our planning permission is in land wholly owned by Lioncourt Homes or is in adopted highway land, no third-party land is required.'

A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council said: 'We consider that the legal boundary of Lioncourt's land directly adjoins the public road of Honeythorn Close. Legal boundaries have no physical width (regardless of the physical boundary's appearance) and the highway status takes precedence over whoever owns the ground beneath it.

'Therefore, the council considers that the works to create the emergency vehicle access as required by planning can be lawfully implemented.'
Parts of the Chinese state could be classed as an 'enhanced' threat by the government amid a rising backlash over chaos at British Steel.

Elements suspected of interference in the UK might be included on the top tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) - although China as a whole would not be in the category.

The prospect emerged amid fears that the Beijing-backed owners of British Steel tried to 'sabotage' furnaces to make the UK more reliant on imports.

Ministers have admitted there will be a 'high trust bar' for Chinese firms to be allowed access to core parts of the economy in future.

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Treasury minister James Murray insisted China is not a 'hostile state'.

He denied Beijing is in the same class as Russia and Iran - the two countries that have so far been placed on the enhanced tier of FIRS.

Elements suspected of interference in the UK might be included on the top tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) - although China as a whole would not be in the category. Pictured, Xi Jinping addresses the National People's Congress

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Treasury minister James Murray insisted China is not a 'hostile state'

That means from July 1 - when the register takes effect - anyone working for those nations in the UK will face prison if they do not declare what they are doing.

Mr Murray told LBC: 'China's not a hostile state but China is a country with whom we have a large important relationship.

'We need to be pragmatic about it and understand that we have different ways of interacting with China in different areas of our relationship.

'China's the second-biggest economy in the world, fourth-biggest trading partner for the UK, there are 450,000 jobs in Britain that depend on exports to China, so we need to engage with them.

'But I think if you look at what's happened in recent years under the previous government, it either arguably was too naive and too 'not eyes open' under (Lord) Cameron and (George) Osborne, and more recently in the latter days of the previous government, there was no engagement at all.

'And I think neither of those are quite the right approach. We need to be cool-headed and clear-eyed and pragmatic about this, and realise there areas where we're going to co-operate, some where we're going to compete and others where we'll challenge.'

It was revealed last month that terrorism law watchdog Jonathan Hall KC has been tasked with drawing up a new procedure to allow the proscription of state-linked organisations.

Ministers have admitted there will be a 'high trust bar' for Chinese firms to be allowed access to core parts of the economy in future. Pictured, Keir Starmer with steel workers

Mr Hall's work is intended to provide 'more flexibility than is offered under the existing powers'.

According to the Guardian, the government is looking at placing elements of the Chinese state in the enhanced category. They include the Ministry of State Security, the United Front Work Department, and the People's Liberation Army.

MPs have criticised the government for failing to take the threat of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seriously, amid human rights abuses and sanctions on senior UK politicians.
A British groom-to-be has died in front of his father and friends while celebrating his stag do in Benidorm after he collapsed at a bar.

The father-of-one, 29, from Halifax, was enjoying drinks at the Funky Flamingo bar on March 22 when tragedy struck, sparking a major response from emergency services.

Bar manager Gaston Luciano told MailOnline how the Briton fell backwards off a bar stool and hit his head.

He said: 'I was doing CPR with the help of another customer, he was responsive for around 60 seconds and then there was nothing. We tried for around 15 minutes before the ambulance arrived, then they took over and worked on him for another 45.

'They gave him a shot of adrenaline and connected him to a machine, they did everything they could, it was so sad.

'His friends were in shock for the first minute or so and then it hit them what was happening, they were emotional and crying.'

Gaston said he spoke with the young man's father, who told him the family were from Halifax and that he had a son.

He added: 'The guy and his fiance were due to get married in May, he was so young.

'The father said he had already had a heart attack in England five years ago when he was 24.'

The father-of-one, 29, from Halifax, was enjoying drinks at the Funky Flamingo bar on March 22 when tragedy struck, sparking a major response from emergency services

An ambulance is seen outside the Funky Flamingo bar after the fall

Argentinian father-of-two Gaston said he has been working in Benidorm since he was 16.

He said: 'This was not my first time dealing with something like this. When people come here they forget everything, they drink a lot, take a lot of substances and can get carried away, they need to try and avoid that.'

There is no suggestion the Briton who died had consumed narcotics.

Holidaymaker Tracey Pilling happened to be walking by the bar when the incident unfolded.

She told MailOnline: 'There were loads of people outside, we were just passing by, but there were several police cars and two ambulances it was very sad.

'We moved on as we felt it was inappropriate to stand and watch, but we were told his friends were all standing outside.'

Tracey said she was searching the internet the next day to see if there were any reported updates.

'We were obviously upset by the news and hoping for a better outcome,' she said.

The Briton had posted on a Benidorm forum asking if the groom had survived, telling the group how a patron at the bar performed CPR until the paramedics arrived.

One witness replied: 'It was such a horrible and tragic thing to witness, I've never seen anything like it!

'I can't stop thinking about him and his wife-to-be, and I'm sure his friends and family said he had a young boy, may he rest in peace.'

A TikToker who happened to be passing the bar at the time of the incident thought a serious crime had taken place after seeing the road closed off and multiple police cars and ambulances.

Unaware of the tragedy unfolding, he captioned the video: 'Be careful in Benidorm! Lots of police, road closed, and ambulances everywhere hope everyone is okay!'

He tells his followers: 'You know something major is going in the 'Dorm when they've shut the road off and they've got two ambulances, police cars holy moly.'

He then gets closer to the bar and sees people crowding around outside.

'What the smokes is going on? There's even more police there must be some form of accident, I hope they're okay it doesn't look very good at all, not very good at all in fact.'

An employee at Funky Flamingo said: 'The man had a heart attack and fell to the floor and hit his head hard.

'He started bleeding a lot from the head. They tried to resuscitate him with CPR while the ambulance was coming, but it was unsuccessful.

'When the ambulance arrived he was already dead. So sad, he was only 28 or 29, on his stag party with his father and friends. Supposed to get married in May.'

An FCDO Spokesperson told the MailOnline: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain.'

The National Police told the Spanish Eye: 'We can confirm that a man suffered some type of medical problem and died at the scene.'

A TikToker who happened to be passing the bar at the time of the incident thought a serious crime had taken place after seeing the road closed off and multiple police cars and ambulances

The national police told the Spanish Eye: 'We can confirm that a man suffered some type of medical problem and died at the scene. He was treated by those present at the premises and then by the paramedics who responded to the call. The medical causes of the death are unknown.'

It came just days before Welsh engineer Jason Taylor vanished from Alicante airport on March 29, also during a stag do trip to Benidorm.

His disappearance grabbed headlines around the world and saw friends and relatives fly out to find him. After three days, he was spotted walking near a beach with his suitcase and was reunited with his family, although mystery still surrounds the case.

While Spanish reports claim he was found by an influencer, his family insisted 'they are lying', as they asked people to 'ignore the rumours that will be going around.'

He vanished from Alicante-Elche airport at around 8.30am on Saturday, March 29, after enjoying a stag do with his friends in Benidorm.

The engineer was spotted on CCTV exiting the building after he left his group behind to fix an issue with his boarding pass.

The case was widely shared on social media, including TikTok pages dedicated to 'true crime'.

More than three days after vanishing into thin air, he was found a few kilometres east of the airport's main terminal.

Respected local newspaper Informacion.es claimed Jason was spotted by an influencer wandering on a path near Urbanova beach, wheeling his suitcase.

The unnamed influencer had seen Jason's face in the news and informed the family of his whereabouts, the report claimed.

The family is then said to have relayed the information to Spain's National Police, who picked up Jason and brought him to the airport.

But Jason's brother-in-law, Aaron Davies, cast doubt on this version of events.

He told the Spanish Eye: 'No influencer found him, someone is trying to reap fame and be sick in the head, they are lying.'

Davies did not offer an alternative version of how his sister's husband was found.

He added: 'No one cares. He's been found safe, story finished. Plenty of rumours are going to go around, ignore them.'

When asked what happened and whether Jason was okay, his wife Maria Taylor was similarly tight-lipped.

She simply said: 'It's all good. He's coming home. That's it.'

The National Police did not confirm either version of events when asked how Jason was found, but said he was located in 'good health'.

The force told MailOnline: 'Jason was found near Alicante Airport. His family took him in. He was in good health. We cannot share more information.'
A billionaire soy milk heiress is suing Prince Harry's former North Pole guide for 1m over a cancelled expedition to the Titanic on the doomed Titan submersible.

Super-rich Karen Lo is demanding a refund from adventurer Henry Cookson over the scrubbed underwater voyage to the cruise liner's Atlantic wreck site.

Mr Cookson, a former safari guide and polar explorer, runs Cookson's Adventures, an ultra-luxury adventure travel firm specialising in bespoke trips for the world's global elite to far flung and otherwise inaccessible spots, often costing millions.

Wealthy heiress Ms Lo paid Mr Cookson's firm 680,000 in 2017 to go on the once-in-a-lifetime excursion on board the OceanGate Titan submersible, a court heard.

But the 2018 dive was axed after the vessel was damaged by lightning, with Ms Lo being offered a priority place on a future dive instead.

However, she never got her trip after Covid intervened and the Titan then imploded during a doomed dive to the wreck in June 2023, killing all five passengers, including OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, and causing the company's operations to cease.

Ms Lo is now suing Holland Park-based Henry Cookson Adventures Ltd, claiming the firm is responsible for refunding her for the Titanic trip she paid for but never took.

But Mr Cookson's company is fighting the claim, saying the heiress knew there were no refunds when she put her money down, and that she had a chance to go on the expedition later but never did.

Super-rich Karen Lo (pictured) is demanding a refund from adventurer Henry Cookson over the scrubbed underwater voyage to the infamous wreck site.

Mr Cookson, a former safari guide and polar explorer, runs Cookson's Adventures, an ultra-luxury adventure travel firm specialising in bespoke trips. He took Prince Harry to the North Pole in 2011 (the pair are pictured together on the trIp)

Wealthy heiress Ms Lo paid his Mr Cookson's 680,000 in 2017 to go on the once-in-a-lifetime trip on board the OceanGate Titan (pictured) submersible - which imploded in June 2023

Hong Kong-based Ms Lo has a reported net worth of $1bn. Her wealth comes from Vitasoy, a soymilk and drinks giant founded by her grandfather Dr Lo Kwee-seong, which has a global turnover of about $1bn and more than 7,000 staff.

She hit the headlines in 2018 when she bought Sting's New York apartment for $50m and again in 2023 when she sued a gallery owner for 500,000 over alleged non-delivery of a Banksy painting she had bought.

On his firm's website, Mr Cookson describes how he used his experience guiding horseback safaris in Kenya and in polar exploration, including a mission to the Pole with Prince Harry and the Walking With The Wounded charity, to set up his company.

'It's these expeditions that served as inspiration in founding Cookson Adventures, bringing the same standards of ground-breaking excellence to the world of private travel. That's whether working with remote tribes in Africa or organising Alaska's most complex charter operations,' the website says.

Papers lodged with London's High Court describe how Mr Cookson had previously been 'on friendly personal terms' with Ms Lo, even attending her wedding, and had organised trips worth 'tens of millions of US dollars' for her and her guests.

Her barrister Jack Harding states in court papers: 'The defendant agreed to organise and supply a two-week expedition for the claimant and 17 others to visit the wreck of the Titanic between June 30 and July 14 2018.

'The defendant's supplier for the expedition was OceanGate, a company which, at the material time, specialised in the provision of crewed submersibles for tourism, research and exploration.'

Having paid around 670,000 up front for the trip in May 2018, an email was sent by Cookson Adventure to Ms Lo explaining the mission had been cancelled because the Titan craft had been struck by lightning and its electronic systems damaged.

The contract 'provided "clients" with 100 per cent credit toward 2019 Titanic dives or any other expedition offered by OceanGate' due to the cancellation, but 'OceanGate did not carry out any further dives to the Titanic wreck in 2019 or 2020,' he said.

Mr Cookson, a former safari guide and polar explorer, now runs Cookson's Adventures, an ultra-luxury adventure travel firm specialising in trips for the super rich

The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 during a doomed trip across the Atlantic to New York

Pictured is the wreck of the Titan which Ms Lo had been due to visit in 2018

'The claimant, through her agents and legal representatives, subsequently requested repayment of the sums paid under the contract. The defendant has refused to refund any of the claimant's money.'

Ms Lo is suing under the Package Travel Regulations 1992, arguing it was an express or implied term of the contract that the dive would take place within a 'reasonable time.'

'In repudiatory breach of the aforementioned express and/or implied terms, the Titanic Expedition did not take place in 2018 or at all,' he says.

'As a result of the defendant's breach of contract, the claimant was entitled to and did elect to treat the contract as at an end.

'As a result of the matters set out above, the claimant seeks damages for her wasted expenditure in entering into a contract which was never performed.

'The defendant was enriched, at the expense of the claimant, by the payment and receipt of her money. It is irrelevant that the defendant may have subsequently passed some or all of the money to its own supplier.

'The claimant did not receive any benefit from the money that she paid to the claimant and/or the defendant did not provide any service of benefit to the claimant.'

Ms Lo's lawyer says she wants her 670,000 back, plus interest at eight per cent from May 2018, taking the total claimed to more than 1million.

Mr Cookson (pictured far right) joined a trip to the North Pole with Prince Harry (pictured second from left) in 2011

However, Henk Soede, representing Mr Cookson's company, denies they owe the heiress a penny.

'She was introduced to Mr Cookson through a personal friend in 2011-12 and has been using the defendant's services since then, in every case for exclusive unique and tailor-made trips at very high cost,' he says.

'For example, in 2018/19, after the postponed dive voyage to which this claim relates, the defendant arranged and the claimant paid in full for a multi-million dollar trip to the Antarctic on three yachts, including the super-yacht purchased in the name of the claimant the year previously, with twin helicopters and two submersibles, for a total of 13 guests and four nannies.

'The claimant's annual budget with the defendant ran into tens of millions of US dollars.

'The claimant and Mr Cookson were on friendly personal terms and Mr Cookson had attended her wedding in Rome and accompanied a number of her friends who traveled with the couple to Egypt as part of their honeymoon.

Pictured is debris from the wreck of the Titan submersible which imploded in June 2023

'At no stage did the defendant agree to 'organise and supply' an expedition for the claimant and her guests to visit the wreck of The Titanic,' the lawyer states, insisting that Mr Cookson's company instead had an 'affiliate agreement' to be a booking agent for some of the planned trips, with OceanGate remaining the 'organiser'.

The contract had also contained a 'no-refund clause', with the agreement being that a credit towards a future voyage with priority booking rights be provided instead if the mission did not go ahead for technical reasons.

'The defendant disputes this claim because, in outline, the Package Travel Regulations 1992 do not apply because the holiday was neither sold nor offered to be sold in the UK,' he says.

'Alternatively, even if the regulations did apply, the claimant would not be entitled to a refund as the package was not cancelled but only postponed, in accordance with the agreed terms.

'Nor in any event would the defendant be liable to refund monies paid to it, which, as the claimant was well aware, had been passed on to the party providing the voyage, which was also, if the regulations applied, the organiser.

'The claimant did not take up the credit within a reasonable time and thereby waived or lost her entitlement. Further, by notifying the defendant that she did not intend on using the credit in the future, the claimant terminated the contract and/or cancelled the voyage.

Ms Lo paid 670,000 to go on the Titan (pictured) and visit the Titanic wreck but she was never able to make the trip and is now demanding a refund

'Alternatively, the contract was in any event frustrated as a result of the complete loss of the dive vessel in 2023 and the resulting cessation of the provider's trading activities.'

The lawyer states that while no dives took place in 2019 and Covid restrictions stopped any missions in 2020, dives did happen in 2021 and 2022 which Ms Lo could have joined using her credit, prior to the ill-fated final mission in 2023.

'At all material times, OceanGate acknowledged that the defendant was entitled to a credit for un-taken 2018 missions,' he says.

'However, the claimant made clear that she did not want to use her credit in 2019 or at any time in the future.'

Her solicitors had instead demanded a refund in June 2019, he said.

The case, unless settled, will come before a judge in court at a later date.

The Titan submersible was the first privately-owned submersible with a claimed maximum depth of 4,000 metres and the first completed crewed submersible with a hull constructed of titanium and carbon fibre composite materials.

After testing with dives to its maximum intended depth in 2018 and 2019, the original composite hull of Titan developed fatigue damage and was replaced by 2021.

In that year, OceanGate began transporting paying customers to the wreck of the Titanic, completing several dives to the wreck site in 2021 and 2022.

During the submersible's first 2023 expedition, it imploded during the crew's descent to the wreckage of Titanic, about 320 nautical miles (590 km) south-southeast off the coast of Newfoundland.

The submersible was carrying tourists Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, crew member and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGate founder and the vessel's pilot, Stockton Rush.
French influencers are advising young people on how to get sacked in order to claim benefits and take advantage of the country's generous welfare system.

Videos suggesting young staff arrive late to work and 'be the worst colleague possible' have racked up millions of views as authorities continue to battle with a 7.3 per cent unemployment rate.

Under France's unemployment benefit, called chomage, the state pays employees who lose their job up to 75 per cent of their previous salary for up to 18 months. To be eligible, employees must have been sacked.

Laurene Levy, who quit her role to become a full-time 'militant for wellbeing at work', tells her followers that 'work in France doesn't pay'.

Her TikTok account, which has 357,000 followers, is full of 'rants about today's working world'.

Levy notes to her predominantly Gen-Z audience that if you have been sacked for serious misconduct you can claim unemployment benefits 'like anyone else'.

While she insists she has never encouraged people not to work, Levy said critics should 'go and work as a dish washer in a restaurant' before taking aim at her attitude.

But she isn't the only influencer encouraging young French people to exploit the system.

Laurene Levy, who quit her role to become a full-time 'militant for wellbeing at work', tells her followers that 'work in France doesn't pay'

Her TikTok account, which has 357,000 followers, is full of 'rants about today's working world'

Levy said critics should 'go and work as a dish washer in a restaurant' before taking aim at her attitude

Social media platforms are full of content creators suggesting arriving late at work to claim benefits, timing your claim so you can use benefits to fund a holiday and shopping around with state officials until you are happy with the monthly payment they offer.

Another TikToker, Celia, was succinct when giving her own tips.

She said: '1. Be late all the time.

'2. Be unprofessional and unwilling; 3. Be the worst colleague possible; 4. When you are summoned to a meeting to discuss being fired, dont go.'

The video, which has been viewed 144,000 times, concludes with: 'The unemployment benefit is yours.'

Fellow content creator Aly Sonne Desiree claimed in a TikTok clip viewed 120,000 times that she had initially been told she was entitled to 1,200 per month in chomage based on her most recent job in France.

But after asking for her higher Luxembourg salary to be used, she was then offered a monthly sum of 1,800.

She told viewers: 'So please guys - dont hesitate to exercise your right to choose, at the jobcentre.

'Its a rip-off if not.'

Another TikToker, Celia, told viewers to 'be late all the time' to get sacked

Her other advice included being unprofessional and unwilling, and 'the worst colleague possible'

France has struggled with mass unemployment since the oil crisis of the 1970s, wit the rate never dropping below seven per cent since 1977.

French unemployment peaked at over 10 per cent between 2012 and 2016, but has been falling since then, hitting a historic low of 7.1 per cent in 2022 before hovering around the current rate.

But last year the number of people signed up forchomage grew by about 100,000, to 6.26 million, with largest rise among under-25s.

The 2023 Employment survey from INSEE, the national statistics bureau of France, shows that 17.2 per cent of benefit claimants are between the ages of 15 and 24.

The figure for 25-49 year olds is 6.7 per cent, and just 5.1 per cent for the over-50s.

Pierre Lellouche, a minister under former President Nicolas Sarkozy, told The Times: 'These are the consequences of [French President Emmanuel] Macron. Macron plus Covid.

'Were a country that has completely stopped working.

'There is no one left to work in France.

Pierre Lellouche, a minister under former President Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured), said: 'There is no one left to work in France'

Lellouche blamed Macron and the COVID-19 pandemic for the unemployment rate

'Restaurants in tourist areas are closed in August because no one wants to work.

'Finding a young person today, how is it? You cant find anyone. People are used to staying at home and receiving benefits.'

Britain has seen a similar spike in online benefit 'advisors'.

Influencers reveal specific buzzwords to use in applications, provide template claims and give guidance on how not to fall for 'trick' questions during interviews.

Whitney Ainscough tells her combined following of 954,000 people how to exploit the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to max out their payments, claim Motability cars and even get free phones.

Her weekly DWP payment peaked at 1,151 a week across housing benefit, child and adult allowances and additional child benefits.

She came off of Universal Credit in November 2023 as her income from her social media activity grew too large for her to keep the entitlement.

Supporting People UK, which has over 18,000 followers on TikTok, regularly gives advice on what to do when applying for Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

YouTuber Charlie Anderson uploaded a clip entitled Unlock The Secret Steps For WINNING Your PIP Claims - Step By Step Guide' which went viral.

In the video Anderson, who has a chronic illness herself, claims to have a '100% success rate' at 'winning PIP' claims, appeals and reviews.

Whitney Ainscough of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who earns 4,000 a month on TikTok

Ainscough also brags about her Mobility car - since replaced with a flash Range Rover - and gives tips on how to get freebies from JobCentres

She said: 'My channel is getting more and more views and every day I'm getting emails from people desperate for help.

'The whole process sucks but what's clear is there's no training so today, this is critical, I would not win PIP claims if I didn't go through this information - it's the behind-the-scenes PIP scoring points.'

A DWP spokesperson previously said: 'While we cannot comment on specific cases, any support provided is vetted by trained staff to ensure it is appropriate and proportionate.

'We recognise that the benefits system needs reform which is why we are expecting to publish major proposals to reform health and disability benefits this Spring, so those who can work, do work, and those who need support get it in a way that's fair on the taxpayer.'
A British father and son have reportedly died after drowning while swimming at a popular tourist beach in Australia.

Three people were reportedly swept out to sea on Sunday afternoon at Round Hill Head in Seventeen Seventy, Queensland, sparking a major emergency service response with a CapRescue helicopter deployed.

A 46-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were retrieved from the water but declared dead, police said.

A third man, a 37-year-old from Monto, Queensland, was rescued and airlifted to Bundaberg Hospital for treatment.

'Sunday's mission was a difficult one,' CapRescue said on their social media.

'Despite the best efforts of all involved, two people tragically lost their lives.

'Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident.'

Police confirmed the pair were visiting from the UK and said a report would be prepared for the coroner, as per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), while 7News reported they were father and son.

Local media reported the duo had been visiting the area while on holiday from Wales.

Three people were reportedly swept out to sea on Sunday afternoon at Round Hill Head at 1770 in Queensland, sparking a major emergency service response with a CapRescue helicopter deployed

A 46-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, believed to be father and son were retrieved from the water but declared dead, police said. A 37-year-old from Monto, Queensland, was rescued and airlifted to Bundaberg Hospital for treatment

A worker at one of the restaurants bordering the beach said she watched the ordeal unfold from the bar. 'Three to four police cars showed up,' she told The Courier Mail. The woman said a helicopter circled the area and two ambulances also appeared at the site of the incident. Surf Life Saving Queensland's regional operations manager for Wide Bay and Capricornia, Darren Everard, said the deaths were 'an absolute tragedy' amid the school holidays. 'We're not sure whether the third person jumped into the water trying to perform a rescue,' he told ABC News. Local surf shop owner Wayne Mellock said the community was devastated. 'Situations like this are absolutely horrific,' he told the news outlet. A search and rescue operation is underway to locate a man missing from Tinaroo Dam in Yungaburra, Queensland, since yesterday.

Police divers have joined the search at Tinaroo Dam in Yungaburra after authorities were called to the dam at 3.30pm on Sunday.

The children made it safely to shore.

Water police, a rescue helicopter, swift water crews and on-foot police are all part of the operation that resumed on Monday morning.

Support services have been offered to the man's family, police said.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
The FTSE 100 joined global stock markets clawing back ground today after Donald Trump's latest extraordinary tariffs climbdown.

The blue chip index was up more than 2 per cent following the US President exempting iPhones, computers and other electronic devices from tariffs.

That includes the 145 per cent levies he had slapped on China imports, encouraging investors in firms such as Apple and Nvidia.

However, the optimism has been tempered by Mr Trump and US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick both suggesting the reprieve might not last.

'They're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs but they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two,' Mr Lutnick told ABC on Sunday.

Mr Trump posted on social media that there was no 'exception' because the goods are 'just moving to a different' bucket.

He said they will still face a 20 per cent tariff as part of his administration's move to punish China for its role in fentanyl trafficking.

The FTSE 100 was up nearly 2 per cent in early trading following the Donald Trump exempting iPhones, computers and other electronic devices from tariffs

Despite the FTSE 100 rising back above 8,100 this morning, it remains well below the level before Mr Trump's so-called 'Liberation Day'

The White House has already delayed the implementation of punitive 'reciprocal' tariffs on a swathe of trading partners, although the 'baseline' 10 per cent charge has been kept along with 25 per cent on imports of cars, steel and aluminium.

Despite the FTSE rising back above 8,100, it remains well below the level before Mr Trump's so-called 'Liberation Day'.

The bewildering changes have left the UK's position looking relatively less attractive than other countries.

Cars are among Britain's main goods exports to America, while the ailing steel industry also relies on the route.

Meanwhile, hopes have been fading that Keir Starmer can strike a wider Transatlantic trade deal to get rid of all tariffs.

The PM had hinted at concessions on a digital services tax, but Trump advisers have suggested there is little chance of a complete exemption from levies.

Markets in Asia rebounded overnight, with Japan's Nikkei 225 rising 1.2 per cent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rising 2.2 per cent.

Germany's Dax index rose 1.9 per cent in early trades, while France's Cac 40 was up 1.8 per cent.

Richard Hunter, an analyst at Interactive Investor, said UK markets have lately been 'ever subject to changing conditions which has seen any initial strength dissipating over recent trading sessions as new global developments emerge'.

Nonetheless, the FTSE's spike 'shows some evidence of continued interest in the UK as an investment destination amid the turmoil elsewhere'.

Early gains in the UK included companies with more exposure to China, such as Prudential and Standard Chartered, which saw 3 per cent and 3.5 per cent increases in share price, respectively.

Barclays, which has significant US exposure, also surged 4 per cent in early trading.

China's commerce ministry in a Sunday statement welcomed the shift on electronics as a small step, but reiterated calls for the US to cancel the rest of its tariffs.

Investors will next turn to the opening bell on Wall Street this afternoon, after the tariff turmoil battered the stocks of tech's 'Magnificent Seven' last week.

At one point the combined value of Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, Google parent Alphabet and Facebook parent Meta had plunged by $2.1trillion, or 14 per cent, from April 2.

When he paused the tariffs apart from on China on Wednesday, the lost value in those companies was pared to $644billion, a 4 per cent decline.
A jihadi terrorist jailed for plotting to bomb the Stock Exchange has been recalled to prison for a fourth time for breaching his bail conditions - but is still going to be given a fifth chance of freedom, MailOnline can reveal.

Mohammed Chowdhury and later London Bridge attacker Usman Khan were among nine members of an al Qaida-inspired group sentenced in 2012 for plotting to bomb the financial centre and build a terrorist training camp in Pakistan.

Chowdhury, 35, was a key member of one of three gangs of extremists based around Stoke-on-Trent, Cardiff and London arrested in a huge police and security service operation designed to thwart an attack.

A hand-written target list discovered at his home gave the names and addresses of then London mayor Boris Johnson, two rabbis, the US embassy and the Stock Exchange.

The conspiracy was stopped by undercover anti-terror police before firm dates could be set for attacks.

Chowdhury was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in 2012 after being described as the 'lynchpin' of the group who plotted to plant a pipe bomb in the toilets of the London Stock Exchange.

Woolwich Crown Court was told that he also spoke about carrying out a 'Mumbai-style' attack at the Houses of Parliament or the London Eye.

The terrorist, from east London, was jailed alongside his co-conspirator Khan, 28, who went on to kill Jack Merritt, 25, and 23-year-old Saskia Jones at Fishmongers' Hall in central London in November 2019.

Mohammed Chowdhury (pictured) has been recalled to prison for a fifth time, MailOnline can reveal

Chowdhury, 35, was a key member of one of three gangs of extremists based around Stoke-on-Trent, Cardiff and London arrested in a huge police and security service operation designed to thwart an attack

Chowdhury was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in 2012 after being described as the 'lynchpin' of the group who plotted to plant a pipe bomb in the toilets of the London Stock Exchange

Chowdhury was also handed a nine-month consecutive sentence in December 2015 after he was convicted of violent disorder in prison.

Despite his record, Chowdhury was automatically released at the half-way point in his sentence in January 2018 in accordance with the law at the time.

MailOnline can reveal that he has subsequently been recalled three times - with one being rescinded as 'not justified' - before his latest recall in May 2024.

For the fourth recall, it is not known what he did to breach his licence conditions.

Under parole rules, MailOnline understands that Chowdhury will have another parole hearing in June. It will consider whether it was right to recall him.

It can decide to free him again or ensure he stays behind bars. If it rejects the appeal, Chowdhury will have to wait two years before a new parole appeal.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Mohammed Chowdhury and is scheduled to take place in June 2025.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.

Chowdhury and three others pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism by planning to plant a bomb in the toilets of the London Stock Exchange

Woolwich Crown Court was told that he also spoke about carrying out a 'Mumbai-style' attack at the Houses of Parliament or the London Eye

'The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

The new parole hearing will consider the comments made about Chowdhury in his previous appearances before the Parole Board before making a decision on whether he can be released again.

In March 2023, the parole hearing for this third recall to prison, the Board said that he had 'managed to move away from extremism' and was suitable for release on licence.

It wrote: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending and time on licence, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Mr Chowdhury had managed to move away from extremism. It determined that he was suitable for release.'

His release was approved on conditions including living at a designated address, observing strict curfews and submitting to enhanced monitoring including GPS tagging, polygraph testing and measures to manage desistance from extremist behaviour.

He was told he must also comply with limits to his contacts and activities, as well as restrictions on the use of electronic technology.

Chowdhury was first released on January 25 2018 but was recalled to prison around six months later on July 19. He was released for a second time on October 3 that year on the direction of the then justice secretary when it was determined the recall was not justified.

Chowdhury was again recalled on November 15 but re-released on June 25 2019 at the direction of the Parole Board after an oral hearing.

He was then recalled a third time on July 17 2019 due to concerns about his behaviour.

London Bridge killer Usman Khan (pictured) was in the same group as Chowdhury in 2021, before he killed two people less than a year after being released from prison

The Parole Board said there had been 'no evidence to suggest he had committed further offences' but 'given the circumstances, the panel found the decision to recall him to custody at this time had been appropriate'.

Despite concerns about his behaviour including violence since he was last recalled, the panel said he had been 'helped with his mental health and he has been compliant with prescribed medication'.

'A professional assessment determined that Mr Chowdhury had since fully recovered,' the board said.

'The panel noted that the evidence before it demonstrated that Mr Chowdhury's level of engagement and intent to engage in terrorist activity is now low, and that this would be unlikely to change providing his mental health remains stable.'

In oral evidence, the panel was told there was no evidence of any return to extremist behaviour and no further security concerns had been identified in prison.

The panel said Chowdhury had undertaken programmes 'to address the underlying causes of extremist offending and ways of disengaging', along with working with 'professionals to better understand his faith.'

Chowdhury was part of a terrorist network, which also involved cells around the country who were planning to attack the London Stock Exchange.

Bugs hidden in their cars and other covert recording techniques allowed MI5 to listen in on many of their conversations after the three cells met up in Cwn Carn Country Park in Newport, Wales, in 2010.

Chowdhury and three others pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism by planning to plant a bomb in the toilets of the London Stock Exchange.

They were Gurukanth Desai, 30 at the time, from Cardiff, jailed for 12 years, Abdul Miah, then 25, from Cardiff, sentenced to 16 years and 10 months, and Shah Rahman, 28, also from London, who got 12 years.

Rahman was re-released in February 2025 after being recalled to jail.
A Reform UK candidate called for the hanging of Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance and described a golliwog toy as 'so cute', it has emerged.

Adele Taggart, who is hoping to be elected to Durham County Council on 1 May, is the latest Reform candidate to face scrutiny over their past social media comments.

In one post - as revealed by the 'Reform UK Party Exposed' account on X and reported by The Times - she commented on a news article picturing Sir Chris and Lord Vallance.

'These two want stringing up. Blood on their hands,' she said of the two scientific experts, who helped lead the Government's response to the Covid pandemic.

In another post, Ms Taggart was revealed to have commented in a discussion about golliwog dolls.

After one user said 'colour didn't enter my mind' in reference to the toys, Ms Taggart replied: 'My golly had a little waistcoat too, he was so cute.'

Golliwogs were once popular children's soft toys but are widely considered a racist caricature of black people.

The posts piled pressure on Reform over their vetting of party candidates ahead of next month's local elections in England.

Adele Taggart, who is hoping to be elected to Durham County Council on 1 May, is the latest Reform UK candidate to face scrutiny over their past social media comments

In one post - as revealed by the 'Reform UK Party Exposed' account on X - Ms Taggart commented on a news article picturing Sir Chris Whitty and Lord Vallance

In another post, Ms Taggart was revealed to have commented in a discussion about golliwog dolls

Earlier this month, Reform was forced to suspend Stephen Hartley - a candidate for Oxfordshire County Council - after he was revealed to have praised Jimmy Savile.

He described the notorious paedophile as a 'working class hero', an 'innocent man' and a 'scapegoat'.

Meanwhile, a Reform candidate in Lancashire was revealed to have accused the late Queen Elizabeth II of 'scrounging'.

And a party candidate in Shropshire was shown to have called for a statue of far-right thug Tommy Robinson 'in every town square'.

Reform faced a series of scandals over their candidates for last year's general election, after which Mr Farage promised to overhaul the party's vetting procedures.

A Tory source said: 'Nigel Farage claimed Reform's vetting was to a standard never done before.

'But clearly this promise, just like all the rest, wasn't worth the paper it was written on.'

A Reform spokesman said the party would not be commenting on the posts by Ms Taggart.
A lesbian couple from Albania have won an asylum claim to stay in Britain after arguing people in their home country are violently homophobic.

Lawyers representing the women said that although being gay is no longer illegal in the Balkan state the 'populace' of the country is 'conservative' and 'male dominated'.

The women claimed to have been trafficked after being 'abducted by masked men, sexually assaulted by multiple men and subjected to physical and verbal abuse on account of their sexual orientation', a court heard.

The couple said this happened after they were 'observed kissing by their traffickers which resulted in them being captured, detained and assaulted' - and that this is why it would be too dangerous for them to be deported back home.

However, the Home Office argued what happened to the women should 'not be a reflection of what the whole of Albania looks like' - as even in 'tolerant' countries like the UK, there are 'hate crimes'.

But, this was rejected by a judge who has now ruled the women can stay in Britain on human rights grounds, as they are 'at risk of potential discrimination' if they go back.

The Upper-tier Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber heard the couple - who have not been named - are from the rural Shkoder area of North Albania.

Lawyers representing them said while their relationship 'is not outlawed', it is 'the view of the populace that is important'.

Two Albanian lesbians can stay in Britain after arguing people in their home country are homophobic. Pictured is the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber

They argued there was a 'causal link' between their sexual orientation and relationship, and the fact they were trafficked.

It was said victims of trafficking in Albania are 'blamed and stigmatised' which may hinder their chances at finding employment.

Lawyers said the women have 'no confidence' in the system which exists in the country and 'it is difficult to see how they could be safely returned to Albania'.

And, they said while the women were 'highly qualified' and 'educated', they have no connection to their family and are at risk of suicide as a result of what they experienced in Albania.

But lawyers representing the Home Office argued it is 'not against the law in Albania to be gay and there are measures to protect individuals who belong to these communities to reach out to the police'.

And they said what happened to the couple should 'not be a reflection of what the whole of Albania looks like'.

It was argued that 'in countries which are more tolerant you still get hate crime even in the UK'.

They said the women 'are able to work, have some form of education and can mitigate being trafficked as support and medication would be there for them'.

The Home Office had fought the asylum application by the Albanian couple (file image)

Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge Rebecca Chapman referred to Albanian country policy information which said it is a 'patriarchal, conservative society in which homophobic attitudes still exist, particularly in rural areas'.

It was said members of the LGBTQ community face difficulties accessing education, employment, housing, healthcare and goods and services due to 'prevailing negative attitudes' in society.

The judge upheld their asylum claim.

She said the women could not be expected to relocation elsewhere in Albania, as it is a small country which is 'slightly larger than Wales with a population of only 2.8-3 million people'.

She said: 'Considering all the factors holistically I find that there is a real risk that the [women] would be subjected to discriminatory measures on account of being former victims of trafficking and lesbians in a same sex relationship.

'I find that they would be at risk of potential discrimination by both state and non-state actors.'

The judge continued: 'I find that the [women] would be at risk of persecution from the same men who subjected them to previous persecution on the basis of their sexual orientation if they returned to their home area of Shkoder.

'I accept both [women] have had the benefit of an education which would assist them to some extent in finding employment.

'However, I have to balance the fact that against that they could well be subjected to discrimination in seeking employment on the basis of their sexual orientation.

'Both [women] are from the same area of Shkoder in Northern Albania, which is a part of the country with traditional, patriarchal views.

'They remain young women.

'I find the fact that they are in a same sex relationship would potentially exacerbate the risk of persecution for that reason.

Judge Chapman said the women have a 'well-founded fear of persecution' n Albania on account of their membership of two particular social groups - former victims of trafficking and lesbians.

Homosexual activity was decriminalised in Albania in 1995.

In 2010, Albania adopted a non-discrimination law - that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

While same-sex relationships are legal, same-sex marriage or civil unions are not recognised in Albania.
Executives at an FTSE giant have started offering free lunches on Fridays in a bid to lure its workers back into the office.

WPP's team is expected to come into the office at least four days a week starting from April 1.

The new rules require employees to travel in at least two Fridays a month, with the company rolling out a free-lunch Friday in the hopes of appealing to staff, The Times first reported.

The advertising giant's decision to enforce the rule has been slammed by some employees, who launched an online petition protesting the rules.

Employees working at WPP headquarters in London had previously only been required to go into the office three days a week.

In an email written to everyone at the company in January, chief executive Mark Read said he believed 'we do our best work when we are together in person'.

Do YOU work at WPP? Get in touch with katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk

WPP's team is expected to come into the office at least four days a week starting from this month. Pictured: WPP Rose Court in London

The advertising giant's decision to enforce the rule has been slammed by some employees, who launched an online petition protesting the rules (Stock photo)

He added: 'It's easier to learn from each other, it's a better way to mentor colleagues starting out in the industry, and it helps us win pitches as a truly integrated team.'

WPP - with a 110,000-strong global workforce - became the latest employer to move away from the pandemic-era of working, as companies across the UK continue to crack down on working from home.

WPP bosses said data from across its agencies had shown higher levels of office attendance resulted in 'stronger employee engagement, improved client survey scores and better financial performance'.

But the company said it would not be returning to pre-pandemic ways of working and individual agencies within the group had been permitted to set their own policies for flexible working.

The company also said it takes individual circumstances into account, with a formal approval process for exceptions to the new rules.

Mr Read said: 'For all our technological sophistication, we remain a people business. Across everything we do, our success still relies on the fundamentals of human connection, creativity and relationships.

In an email written to everyone at the company in January, chief executive Mark Read said he believed 'we do our best work when we are together in person'

WPP became the latest employer to move away from the pandemic-era of working, as companies across the UK continue to crack down on working from home (Stock photo)

'More of our clients are moving in this direction [working in the office] and expecting it of the teams who work with them.'

Earlier this month, City AM revealed two of WPP's flagship advertising agencies have been unable to introduce the company's full return-to-office plans due to an insufficient number of desks.

Both Ogilvy and Grey's London offices were unable to rearrange their offices before the policy began on April 1.

WPP has two London sites at the Sea Containers building and Rose Court, but is preparing to open new London offices on the site of the former Financial Times building by Southwark Bridge.

When approached by MailOnline, WPP confirmed they have introduced complimentary lunches on Fridays to enhance the experience of coming into work for employees.
A horse statue proposed to celebrate Appleby's gypsy fair has been refused planning permission because it may cause 'anxiety and distress' to locals.

Blacksmith Jake Bowers had lodged an application to install the sculpture on the banks of the River Eden in the leafy town of Appleby, Cumbria, as a 'gesture of inclusion'.

But officials canned the proposals, saying it could upset residents of the picturesque market town and encourage 'antisocial behaviour' during the yearly fair which sees thousands of travellers take over its streets.

Mr Bowers created the statue, which measures 2.1m by 3.5m, with galvanised steel and had hoped to place it next to the river where many horses are washed during the event.

However the application, which was sent to Westmorland and Furness Council in February, was further rejected by its planning officer who said it would also compete with nearby historic buildings.

The report written by Aneena Cheriyan said: 'A large number of residents expressed concerns about amenity and social impact.

'The sculpture's association with the Appleby Horse Fair was cited as a source of emotional discomfort and division for some members of the community, with references to anxiety, antisocial behaviour, and distress experienced during the annual event.

'Some objectors expressed concern that the sculpture would extend that symbolic presence year-round in a space currently valued for its neutrality and quiet recreational use.'

A horse statue proposed to celebrate Appleby's gypsy fair has been refused planning permission because it may cause 'anxiety and distress' to locals

Blacksmith Jake Bowers created the statue, which measures 2.1m by 3.5m, with galvanised steel

But planners canned the proposals, saying the sculpture may upset residents and encourage 'antisocial behaviour' during the huge yearly fair which sees thousands of travellers take over the streets

Ms Cheriyan added that locals has suffered 'deeply personal and emotionally distressing experiences during previous fairs', and said this had to be taken into account when assessing the plans.

The planning officer also said the statue being installed could change the way Appleby was viewed by outsiders.

She said: 'While individual incidents or allegations fall outside the scope of planning, these submissions highlight the perceived emotional and symbolic impact of the proposal on residents' relationship with this public space.

'Such perceptions, even if not measurable in physical terms, are relevant to the planning consideration of amenity and social cohesion, which requires developments to create "safe, inclusive and accessible places" that promote "a high standard of amenity for existing and future users".

'The proposal, by creating a strong cultural statement within a shared and sensitive space, has the potential to alter the way the area is used and perceived.

Ms Cheriyan added that locals has suffered 'deeply personal and emotionally distressing experiences during previous fairs', and said this had to be taken into account when assessing the plans

The planning officer also said that the statue being installed could change the way Appleby (above) was viewed by outsiders

Officials said the sculpture may upset residents and encourage 'antisocial behaviour' during the huge yearly fair which sees thousands of travellers take over the streets

'The result, for some, could be a diminished sense of belonging or comfort in a space that has previously served as neutral ground for all members of the community.'

The Appleby Horse Fair takes place over a week in June and usually attracts up to 10,000 Roma and travellers as well as hundreds of horsedrawn cars and 30,000 visitors.

The horses are washed and ridden in the River Eden in a tradition that has its origins in the 18th century.

In a statement submitted to the council, creator Jake Bowers said 'very little tangible evidence exists of the central importance of the Fair to the town and its Gypsy and Traveller visitors.

'As a permanent fixture in the life of the town and the culture of Gypsies and Travellers, the Gypsy and Traveller community would like to donate a public sculpture to the town of Appleby to make this crucial part of the town's intangible heritage more tangible and visible.'

The Appleby Horse Fair takes place over a week in June and usually attracts up to 10,000 Roma and travellers as well as hundreds of horsedrawn cars and 30,000 visitors

The horses are washed and ridden in the River Eden in a tradition that has its origins in the 18th century

Mr Bowers had hoped to place the statue next to the river where many horses are washed during the event

Appleby Town Council supported the proposal, as did many of those living in the town, with 163 letters of support and 72 objections.

Cllr Andy Connell gave his blessing, but adding: 'Local responses will inevitably reflect the extent to which individual residents enjoy, tolerate or resent this undoubtedly disruptive occasion.'

Planners confirmed they considered the proposal as 'culturally significant, both artistically and symbolically', adding: 'a large number of supportive comments have identified the sculpture as a gesture of inclusion, recognition, and heritage preservation.

'The commemorative intention behind the application is therefore fully acknowledged and respected.'

But they also warned that because of the statue's size and shiny nature it would compete with views of nearby heritage assets including the Grade I listed Church of St Lawrence and St Lawrence's Bridge.

The stallion statue is part of a series of sculptures to be erected across Britain, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.

It is not known whether the applicants will move the sculpture's location and reapply.

MailOnline has approached Westmorland and Furness Council for comment.
Tories voiced fury today after an anti-Brexit protester was cleared of flouting a police ban on playing deafening music outside Parliament.

Steve Bray, 56, routinely uses speakers to blare out versions of songs including The Muppet Show theme and Darth Vader's march in Westminster.

He intersperses the musical offering by shouting anti-Conservative insults through a microphone.

Police approached Mr Bray on the traffic island at around 11.20am on March 20 - minutes before Rishi Sunak arrived ahead of Prime Minister's Questions.

They handed him a map and a notice that warned he is prohibited from using speakers in the controlled area under a by-law, City of London Magistrates' Court heard.

The music resumed intermittently and shortly after 12.33pm officers seized the speakers, his trial was told.

Mr Bray, from Port Talbot, South Wales, who represented himself, denied the charge and told a previous hearing that playing music was part of his 'fundamental right to protest' and that they were played 'sporadically', rather than all day.

Mr Bray was found not guilty of failing without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction given under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 're prohibited activities in Parliament Square' at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Handing down his judgement, Deputy District Judge Anthony Woodcock said how the campaigner chooses to express his views 'is a matter for him' and added: 'Lampooning the Government through satire is a long tradition in this country.'

Stop Brexit Man Steve Bray pictured jumping for joy outside Westminster Magistrates' Court after being cleared of flouting a police ban when he played anti-Conservative and anti-Brexit edits of The Muppet Show and Darth Vader's theme outside Parliament on March 20, 2024

Mr Bray pictured on March 20, 2024, in Parliament Square as police attempted to seize his speaker

Mr Bray pictured throwing up a peace sign and holding an anti-Brexit sign outside court today

'He believes his is an important message to disseminate. He needs the volume that he uses the get the message across from Parliament Street to the Palace of Westminster.'

Judge Woodcock continued: 'He says that his strategy needs pictures of him in the media and he's spent many hours campaigning and has never been arrested, his relations with police are generally good.'

'His equipment operates on battery-power and is limited,' the judge added.

Of the issues Mr Bray protests about, the judge continued: 'He is described, virtually, accused of being 'fixated' - he's entitled to be.

'How he chooses to express those views is a matter for him,' Mr Woodcock said, citing Mr Bray's right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

'Lampooning the Government through satire is a long tradition in this country,' the judge added.

Asked about the ruling on Talk TV, Tory frontbencher Kevin Hollinrake said: 'I hang my head in horror.

'I have no problem with anybody protesting, Steve or anybody else, but if you're a tourist coming to Central London, you're going to see the most iconic building, one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and you stand there and they've got these huge speakers at the end of Whitehall it is obtrusive, it is unsettling, and it just is an embarrassment.

'We brought in laws to stop this kind of stuff. If the courts won't enforce it, we need to go back to the courts again and make sure they do.'

After the verdict, the defendant, wearing a blue and white short-sleeved shirt looked at his supporters in the public gallery, one of whom gave him a thumbs up.

The Muppets and Darth Vader themes were used 'as the prime minister came in, which is what we always did for Rishi - apparently he's a Star Wars fan', Mr Bray had previously told the court.

Mr Bray had told police their map, illustrating where he could not use the speakers, was incorrect.

Police pictured talking to Stop Brexit Man on March 20 last year when he played anti-Brexit songs during PMQs

Mr Bray pictured arriving at City of London Magistrates Court on April 10 after he pleaded not guilty

Mr Bray, from Port Talbot, South Wales, who represented himself, denied the charge and told a previous hearing that playing music was part of his 'fundamental right to protest' and that they were played 'sporadically', rather than all day (Pictured outside City of London Magistrates Court on April 10)

Body-worn footage featured Mr Bray, wearing a yellow and blue top hat, repeatedly telling police 'you've got the wrong map'.

He said it was outdated and officers would learn that by asking someone higher up in the chain of command.

When told he was not allowed to play there, Mr Bray stuck his fingers in his ears and said: 'No it's not, it's not, not here - it's not wrong here', the court heard.

'I know what I can't do', he said, suggesting officers stick it 'where the sun don't shine' before lighting a cigarette and looking away.

Of this interaction, the judge said of Mr Bray: 'Had he bothered to look at the map rather than passing it back to the officer, he would've seen that he was in the controlled area.'

He added that the activist should 'reflect with some shame with the way he behaved towards each officer'.

Of the incident on March 20 last year and Mr Bray's previous actions, the judge said: 'It was a peaceful demonstration, it was never violent and had never been in the past.'

Several witnesses described to the court the negative impact of Mr Bray's music, heard as high as the sixth floor in nearby buildings, after which the defendant apologised.

Mr Bray played anti-Conservative and anti-Brexit edits of The Muppet Show and Darth Vader's theme outside Parliament (Pictured on March 20, 2024)

Of the incident on March 20 last year and Mr Bray's previous actions, the judge said: 'It was a peaceful demonstration, it was never violent and had never been in the past'

Several witnesses described to the court the negative impact of Mr Bray's music, heard as high as the sixth floor in nearby buildings, after which the defendant apologised

Of the suggestion that Mr Bray's actions intimidated those who work in Westminster, Mr Woodcock said: 'I cannot take the suggestions of intimidation seriously, it's not clear what dates they're referring to, they're irrelevant to the charge.'

Mr Bray is known for playing music in protest around Westminster, including D:Ream's Things Can Only Get Better at the gates of Downing Street when Mr Sunak announced the general election in the pouring rain last May.

Speaking outside the court after the verdict, Mr Bray said: 'Today is a very important day, not just for us as protesters, but for everybody's freedom of expression and their right to protest, regardless what side of the fence you're on, whatever your protest is, this is a victory for you.'

Asked whether he will continue playing music to convey his message outside Parliament, the activist said he planned to 'carry on as we are'.

'We're not going to make any more noise. It's going to be the same level,' he added.
Hamas will release all the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a 'serious prisoner swap' and a full military withdrawal from Gaza, a senior official has said.

The militant group is currently engaged in negotiations in Cairo with mediators from Egypt and Qatar after January's ceasefire collapsed.

While there was no breakthrough earlier today, according to Palestinian and Egyptian sources, Hamas figures have made their demands clear as the conflict continues to devastate the besieged territory.

Taher al-Nunu, a senior official, said: 'We are ready to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a serious prisoner swap deal, an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the entry of humanitarian aid.

'The issue is not the number of captives but rather that the occupation is reneging on its commitments, blocking the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and continuing the war.

'Hamas has therefore stressed the need for guarantees to compel the occupation [Israel] to uphold the agreement.'

But he said Hamas would not disarm, despite it being a key condition for Israeli negotiators.

Earlier today a new proposal put to the group suggested the group release 10 of the estimated 24 remaining living hostages currently held in Gaza in exchange for a guarantee that Israel would enter negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire.

Hamas figures have made their demands clear as the conflict continues to devastate the besieged territory

The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19 and included multiple hostage-prisoner exchanges, lasted just two months before Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza

Earlier today a new proposal put to the group suggested the group release 10 of the estimated 24 remaining living hostages currently held in Gaza in exchange for a guarantee that Israel would enter negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire

The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19 and included multiple hostage-prisoner exchanges, lasted just two months before Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza.

After the first phase of the ceasefire ended in early March, Israel imposed a complete blockade of all humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Just over two weeks later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas's refusal to release half its remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire extension was the reason Israel resumed its assult.

They have said they will not end the war until Hamas is stamped out.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said the estimated number of deaths since March 18 has now exceeded 1,570. Rescuers said this includes hundreds of children.

Earlier today in Cairo, talks broke down over the militant group's refusal to disband or lay down arms.

However, the Hamas delegation is reportedly willing to free an increased number of hostages in exchange for an extended truce.

An Egyptian source told Reuters: 'Hamas has no problem, but it wants guarantees Israel agrees to begin the talks on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement' leading to an end to the war.

Palestinians inspect the destruction at the Deir el-Balah municipality headquarters due to Israeli strikes in the central Gaza Strip on April 13

Civil defense teams and residents of the region carry out search and rescue operations in the rubble of the Menon family's apartment building, targeted in an Israeli attack in the Jabalia Refugee Camp

Today German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Monday called for an urgent cessation of hostilities as she described the situation in Gaza as 'catastrophic'.

She added: 'Words cannot describe the humanitarian suffering of the people in Gaza. We urgently need to return to a ceasefire, so that all hostages can finally be released and so that two million Palestinians, who yearn to finally be able to live in dignity, can move forward together.'

Foreign Ministers in the EU are set to meet Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa today, with Baerbock insisting that the Palestinian Authority - and not Hamas - should take responsibility for Gaza after the war.

'Today's meeting with the Palestinian Authority is absolutely vital, also from a European perspective, to make it clear that people can only live in dignity and freedom in the Middle East  particularly Israelis and Palestinians  if security is guaranteed for both sides, and that means a Gaza without Hamas structures,' she said.

Netanyahu told the parents of hostage Eitan Mor that his government is working on a deal to bring back 10 of the remaining captives last night.

It came after Hamas published a three-minute clip showing the last surviving Israeli-American hostage held in Gaza, Edan Alexander.

The soldier, who was abducted during the October 7 attack on Israel, appears to be speaking under duress as he accuses the 'disgusting'. government of 'deserting' him.'

The video was released hours after Defence Minister Israel Katz announced military control of what it called the new 'Morag axis' corridor of land between the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis.

Hamas have published a three-minute clip showing the last surviving Israeli-American hostage held in Gaza, Edan Alexander

Netanyahu told the parents of hostage Eitan Mor that his government is working on a deal to bring back 10 of the remaining captives last night amid pressure on the Israeli leader

Katz also outlined plans to expand Israel's ongoing offensive across much of the territory.

In a separate statement earlier Saturday, Hamas said Israel's Gaza operations endangered not only Palestinian civilians but also the remaining hostages.

The offensive not only 'kills defenceless civilians but also makes the fate of the occupation's prisoners (hostages) uncertain', Hamas said.

During their October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian militants took 251 hostages.

The overall death toll in Gaza from Israel's assault is now over 50,000.
The Australian War Memorial has lodged a complaint with the ABC after its leading current affairs program gave the 'false impression' that construction noise drowned out the Last Post.

Director Matt Anderson PSM has expressed his disappointment regarding 'the misrepresentation of staff and activities' aired on a Four Corners episode about the memorial museum aired on March 10.

The 'Sacrifice' episode focused on controversial upgrades being made to the Canberra memorial under a $500million plan by former prime minister Scott Morrison.

ABC reporter Mark Willacy told viewers the site had 'become a battleground fought over by those who want it to expand and evolve, and by those who warn that it's being turned into a half-a-billion-dollar military theme park that celebrates, rather than commemorates war.'

A clip from the episode played sound from the Last Post Ceremony held at 4.30pm daily to farewell guests before cutting to b-roll of construction work.

As viewers are confronted with the noisy machinery, the Last Post continued to play in the background.

'This place of commemoration is also a construction site,' Willacy said.

Mr Anderson claimed there was no construction noise when the ABC filmed the Last Post, nor during the daily ceremony and has since lodged a written complaint with ABC chairman Kim Williams.

The Australian War Memorial lodged a complaint with the ABC over a recent Four Corners episode. Pictured are visitors attending the daily Last Post ceremony

The episode played the Last Post in the background while showing construction (pictured)

'There was no construction teams working on the day the Last Post Ceremony was filmed by Four Corners as it was Remembrance Day,' Mr Anderson told Daily Mail Australia on Monday night.

'The Australian War Memorial has had a stop work order since 2020 to prevent construction noise from disrupting commemorative ceremonies including the daily Last Post Ceremony.'

He added the construction noise complaint was 'one of several complaints we have asked to be investigated' by the ABC.

Four Corners crews were granted access to film at the war memorial over several months but filmed the Last Post scenes on November 11, 2024.

The national broadcaster stands by 'this important piece of public interest reporting by Mark Willacy and the Four Corners team.'

'There is no implication in the program that the ceremony and the construction are occurring simultaneously,' an ABC spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'There is a clear break in scene between the ceremony and the footage of the construction site.

'Both the ceremony and the Last Post are presented respectfully and in context.'

The memorial has lodged a complaint with ABC chairman Kim Williams (pictured) 'regarding the misrepresentation of staff and activities'

The war memorial has ordered for construction to be halted during the Last Post Ceremony

It's the second time in recent years the ABC has been accused of editing footage to vilify a military institution.

It comes after it's own Media Watch program confirmed accusations aired by Channel Seven that a story by Willacy aired misleading audio alongside helmet cam footage while reporting on Special Forces Commander Heston Russell in 2022.

An audio expert claimed the sound of at least five gunshots were added to the footage to make it appear as though Australian soldiers were repeatedly firing at villagers rather than issuing a single warning shot.

The footage in question allegedly showed Australian Defence Force soldiers, including Mr Russell, shooting at unarmed civilians in Afghanistan from a helicopter in 2012.

The ABC stands by its Four Corners investigation on the Australian War Memorial (pictured)

Former special forces commando Heston Russell (pictured) previously appeared in doctored footage from the ABC

During the disturbing video, six gunshots could be heard. Channel Seven's Spotlight alleged five of those shots were added by ABC News during post-production.

Mr Russell successfully sued the ABC last year for defamation in relation to the articles by Willacy.

The footage has since been removed from the ABC website, citing an 'editing error'.

ABC News at the time told Media Watch it 'has no evidence that reporter Mark Willacy directed anyone to change the audio on the (helicopter) video and to imply otherwise is false'.

'Mark Willacy categorically denies any allegation that he directed or authorised any change to the audio in his story,' it said.
An immigration lawyer received an email informing her she is being deported from the US despite being born in Massachusetts.

American citizen Nicole Micheroni was stunned when she opened the letter from the Department of Homeland Security on Friday morning.

The Newton-born attorney initially assumed the email titled, 'Notification of Termination of Parole' was for one of her clients.

'DHS is terminating your parole,' the email obtained by the Boston Globe read. 'Do not attempt to remain in the United States  the federal government will find you.'

'It took me a couple of minutes to realize it was sent to me, instead of someone I represent,' Micheroni said.

The DHS has since confirmed the email was sent in error.

'I never took DHS's scary-sounding notice that I had 7 days to leave the country too seriously, because it was obviously some kind of mistake,' Micheroni added. 'But what about the people the emails were actually aimed at?'

The email was one of many sent as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation plans, according to Sarah Sherman-Stokes, associate director of the Immigrants' Rights and Human Trafficking Clinic at Boston University School of Law.

Immigration lawyer Nicole Micheroni received an email informing her she is being deported by the states despite being born in Massachusetts

Micheroni was stunned when she opened the letter from the Department of Homeland Security on Friday morning

She said the letters were predominantly sent to asylum seekers who were using the Biden-era CPB one app which allowed them to schedule hearings and appointments.

President Trump immediately axed the program upon taking office, leaving thousands of people scrambling for legal ways to pursue their asylum claims.

The DHS has since said that more emails may have been incorrectly sent to US citizens if their details were used on CPB one applications.

'[Customs and Border Protection] is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis,' the statement said.

But Micheroni said she is still perplexed over how she ended up receiving the email.

'The system doesn't let you include an attorney's contact info, so we still have no idea how I ended up on the list,' she added.

'CBP One was converted to "CBP Home," an app that "helps" immigrants "self-deport".

'Revocation of parole isn't the same as a deportation order and this email does not initiate deportation proceedings.

The email was one of many sent as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation plans

Micheroni says the now defunct CPB One app, which asylum seekers used to schedule immigration hearings, did not have a section for attorneys' contact details leaving her confused over how she was sent the message

'Anyone who has received this may still have options and should talk to an immigration lawyer now.'

As part of the migration crackdown, the Trump administration had sought to deport hundreds of thousands of people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela by ending legal humanitarian protections granted under Biden.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said more than 500,000 people from the four countries would be given until April 24 to leave.

However, the initiative suffered a setback last week after a judge blocked the order.

During a hearing, US District Judge Indira Talwani repeatedly questioned the government's assertion that it could end humanitarian parole for the four nationalities.

She argued that immigrants in the program who are here legally now face an option of 'fleeing the country' or staying and 'risk losing everything.'

'The nub of the problem here is that the secretary, in cutting short the parole period afforded to these individuals, has to have a reasoned decision,' Talwani said, adding that the explanation for ending the program was 'based on an incorrect reading of the law.'

'There was a deal and now that deal has been undercut,' she said later in the hearing.

DHS previously stated that the recent deportation push does not extend to Ukrainian and Afghan war refugees who have been granted a temporary special status.
China has warned on 'discrimination' against the firm that owns British Steel after ministers moved to seize control.

Beijing urged the UK not to 'politicise' the situation amid a desperate scramble to keep furnaces running at the Scunthorpe plant.

Jingye has been accused of forcing the government to pass emergency legislation by 'accelerating' a shutdown, with suggestions negotiations had not been in 'good faith'. Once blast furnaces go out and cool they are impractical to restart.

No10 said this morning it is now 'confident' that raw materials such as coking coal can be secured, hours after Treasury minister James Murray refused to guarantee that was the case.

A shipment needed to maintain operations has been at docks in Lincolnshire for days, but has yet to be moved the 25 miles to the site after behind-the-scenes wrangling.

Deputy PM Angela Rayner said the government had paid for the supplies, and more are en route.

The PM's official spokesman said: 'We are now confident in securing supply of materials.'

Ministers refused to guarantee furnaces will keep running at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant today despite the government taking control

Treasury minister James Murray confirmed that a shipment of coal needed to maintain operations at British Steel's Scunthorpe site is at docks in Lincolnshire

The spokesman added: 'Obviously we will be working with the management to identify further raw materials needed to keep a steady pipeline, and to keep the furnaces burning.

'I'm not going to get ahead of what comes next, but we'll obviously now work on the issues of ownership.'

He said there are two ships carrying materials docked at Immingham port, with 'a third ship which is currently on route off the coast of Africa, which will be making its way to to the UK'.

Downing Street would not say whether money had been exchanged for the materials, and said they would reach the plant in the 'coming days'.

The government has been urged to 'get on with it' after it emerged the 55,000-ton delivery from Japan, which arrived on Thursday, had not yet been paid for.

Rail operators drew up timetables for two freight trains to run yesterday between Immingham Port on the Humber Estuary and Scunthorpe Steelworks, but the cargo was not unloaded.

The Chinese foreign ministry warned the UK against 'politicising' trade matters.

'Both sides should discuss and solve the difficulties encountered by the current operation of British Steel on the basis of the principle of mutual benefit,' spokesman Lin Jian said.

A separate statement issued by the Chinese embassy said: 'We have urged the British side to act in accordance with the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination and to make sure the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese company be protected.'

The statement added: 'It is an objective fact that British steel companies have generally encountered difficulties in recent years...

'It is hoped that the British government will actively seek negotiation with the relevant Chinese company to find a solution acceptable to all parties.'

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Mr Murray said Government staff had been at the plant in North Lincolnshire since Saturday - when Parliament passed emergency legislation to direct operations.

'Their role is to make sure we do everything we can to make sure we get those raw materials to the blast furnaces in time and to make sure they continue operating,' he said.

Mr Murray would not guarantee the furnaces will continue running, claiming the plant's Chinese owners, Jingye, had 'accelerated' the shut down of one furnace.

He said: 'The raw materials, the shipments have arrived, they're in the UK, they're nearby. There were questions about getting them into the blast furnaces, that is what the officials are focused on right now.'

He added: 'We know that the Government needed to do everything possible on Saturday to protect the future of steelmaking in the UK.

'We're not just going to step aside and let the industry fail with the blast furnaces closing. We've been negotiating in good faith with Jingye but when it became clear they were accelerating the plans to close the blast furnaces, we had to step in.'

However, Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB union national officer, said she is 'wholly reassured' that the coking coal will be 'paid for and unloaded over the next couple of days' at Immingham Bulk Terminal.

She told BBC Breakfast: 'I spoke to British Steel late yesterday evening and was wholly reassured, actually.

'I've (been) told that the coke that's at Immingham Bulk Terminal will be paid for and unloaded over the next couple of days and that Government are working at pace to secure the rest of the raw materials that are currently on the ocean.'

A shipment of coal needed to save Scunthorpe's blast furnaces was still stuck on a boat last night. File photo of the plant

Gareth Stace, head of the UK Steel industry body, said Parliament had given British Steel 'breathing space while a long-term situation for the site's operations is found'.

'The next and most immediate step is securing the iron ore and coking coal needed to keep the furnaces operating,' he said.

'If the furnaces cool down, it is virtually impossible for them to be restarted. We applaud the herculean efforts of officials and British Steel staff to secure these supplies.

'Dozens of other steel companies have offered assistance and materials, demonstrating that, at times of crisis, the sector comes together as one. The success of our steel industry sits above any individual business.'

Steelworks insiders said on Wednesday there were 48 hours of coal supplies left and the site needed them 'to allow it to keep going'.

Officials said that before the Government's intervention to take control, British Steel's Chinese owners Jingye were selling off raw materials and not ordering more.

It has since been reported Scunthorpe's two blast furnaces could continue running until May. However, this may involve one being kept warm until it can be restarted.

Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'What is the Government doing?

'Ministers said they needed the recall of Parliament to pass emergency legislation to keep the steelworks running but now they don't act like it's an emergency.'
A coroner has issued a warning after a dying man was sent a taxi to take him to hospital hours after calling for an ambulance.

Guy Davies said Andrew Waters was 'denied' the opportunity of 'lifesaving treatment' and died as a result of 'systemic failures'.

His comments came after an inquest was told the 56-year-old waited hours for an ambulance before the service ordered a cab to take him to hospital.

The taxi driver who took Mr Waters to the emergency department in Cornwall had not been told his passenger was having a heart attack, it is understood.

Mr Waters went into cardiac arrest 'immediately' after arriving at the hospital and his condition became 'unsurvivable'.

In light of his passing, Mr Davies - Assistant Coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly - has issued a warning to the Department of Health and Social Care highlighting several 'matters of concern'.

The coroner said significant handover delays means ambulances are 'tied up' at hospitals, leading to an 'increased risk in mortality' for patients in the community waiting for emergency services.

Mr Waters' family called 999 at 2.37am on May 24 last year, the inquest heard.

Andrew Waters arrived at Royal Cornwall Hospital (pictured) three hours after the first 999 call was made

The coroner said at this time, he was exhibiting 'clear symptoms of a heart attack'.

The service allocated a category 2 priority - which has a target response time of 18 minutes on average - but there were 'no ambulances available to respond'.

At 4.40am, the ambulance service despatched a taxi which collected Mr Waters and took him to the Royal Cornwall Hospital [RCHT].

He arrived at 5.37am, three hours after the first call was made.

Mr Waters went into cardiac arrest almost immediately after arrival at the RCHT Emergency Department, the inquest heard.

Despite emergency heart surgery, the medical team were unable to save his life.

The coroner said his heart condition was treatable but the impact of the cardiac arrest meant it became 'unsurvivable'.

'The ambulance delay denied Andrew the opportunity of potentially lifesaving treatment,' Mr Davies said.

'Andrew died from an undiagnosed and treatable heart condition, following an ambulance delay attributable to a systemic failure related to the whole system of health and social care.

'The ambulance delay was possibly causative of death in that it denied Andrew potentially lifesaving treatment.'

In light of his passing, Mr Davies has issued a prevention of future deaths report to the Department of Health and Social Care detailing several 'matters of concern'.

Mr Waters went into cardiac arrest almost immediately after arrival at the RCHT Emergency Department, the inquest heard

He said there were 'significant handover delays' on May 23 and 24.

He said at the time of the 999 call, there were seven ambulances delayed at the hospital due to an inability to handover their patients to the hospital emergency department.

The coroner added: 'In Andrew's case the unavailability of ambulance resources meant that the South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) had to resort to sending a taxi to try and get Andrew to hospital in time.

'The taxi driver was not informed that the ride was for a patient having a heart attack.

'Nevertheless, the taxi driver made every effort to get Andrew to hospital as quickly as lawfully possible.'

The coroner said the national target for ambulances to handover patients to hospital is within 15 minutes of arrival.

However, he said on the night Mr Waters was taken to hospital, the average handover time per patient was 50 minutes, 20 seconds per patient.

Mr Davies said: 'Data indicates the picture has not improved.

'Significant average handover delays at RCHT were recorded for every month of 2025 to date.

'This is a picture reflected across the south west and indeed nationally.

'The average handover delays conceal spikes such as that which led to the long delay in this case.

'Such long delays increase the risk of mortality.'

The coroner said the emergency department was 'crowded' on the day Mr Waters attended hospital with patients accommodated on trolleys in corridors, in the waiting room, or inside the ambulance.

He said emergency departments have a target for 95 per cent of patients to be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

Mr Davies said on the day of Mr Waters' death, the hospital 'failed to meet' this target for the 'majority of patients'.

Moreover, he said there was 'insufficient social care provision'.

He said many hospital beds were taken up by patients who are 'medically optimised but cannot be discharged due to lack of onward care support'.

The coroner noted that on the day Mr Waters visited the hospital, 20 per cent of the patients were in this category.

Summarising his 'matters of concern', he said: 'Significant handover delays leading to ambulance resources being tied up at hospital with increased risk in mortality for patients in the community waiting for emergency ambulances.

'[Emergency Department] crowding leading to increased risk in mortality for patients being held in ambulances and corridors and being delayed from receiving surgery or specialist treatment on wards.

'Insufficient social care provision leading to large numbers of patients in hospital who are otherwise fit for discharge, thereby impeding patient flow through hospital.'

The department of health and social care has 56 days to respond to Mr Davies' comments.
A convicted murderer has been killed by another prisoner in another jail security failure just a day after three prison officers were brutally attacked.

John Mansfield, who was jailed for life in 2007 for the drug-fuelled murder of his neighbour Ann Alfanso, 63, was attacked inside HMP Whitemoor, Cambs on Sunday.

Mansfield, who had 75 previous convictions, was murdered in the prison's close supervision centre, where inmates are supposed to be closely monitored.

It comes just a day after three prison officers were doused with boiling hot oil and stabbed with makeshift weapons in a similar unit.

In a separate attack on Saturday, Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi attacked three prison officers inside a separation centre in HMP Frankland, Co Durham.

In the latest incident, Mansfield, 63, was attacked by a fellow prisoner and died despite the efforts of prison staff.

Experts are now warning of a 'collapse in security' in the jails housing Britain's most dangerous criminals.

John Mansfield was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court for the brutal murder of Ann Alfanso, 63, of Whalley Range

Ann Alfanso was found dead in her home after Mansfield stabbed her almost 100 times

Professor Ian Acheson, a former prison governor who has advised the Government on extremism in jails, said: 'Two violent incidents over the weekend at our highest security prisons have lifted the lid on a collapse of security and safety for both staff and prisoners.

'This is completely unacceptable. But it is also becoming normalised. HMP Whitemoor, a modern, purpose built maximum security prison was described in 2023 by the Chief Inspector as the 'filthiest' prison he had ever inspected.

'If you can't get the bins emptied in these places you can be sure everything else is going wrong too.'

A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mansfield, a prison service official said.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'Police are investigating the death of prisoner John Mansfield at HMP Whitemoor on Sunday, April 13. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.'

Mansfield, originally from Manchester, had been told he was unlikely to ever be released from prison following his 2014 attack on John Orme, a convicted rapist behind held at HMP Full Sutton, near York.

Then aged 52, Mansfield was said to have walked up to Orme in his cell and told him 'I have a present for you' before slashing him seven times with a broken plate in a row over a cooking pot.

The attack severed his victim's artery leaving him requiring 22 stitches.

Mansfield received a second life sentence in 2014 for the attack.

It was the second time he had been convicted of a prison attack.

In 2011 he was convicted of wounding a man he hated with a chair leg inside Manchester's Strangeways Prison.

Sentencing him to a second life term in 2014, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, said: 'This was a pre-planned and calculating attack on a fellow inmate. You would have carried on had you not been prevented.

'I doubt very much it will ever be safe to release you. I have no doubt you are a very dangerous criminal who regards violence as the norm, who has no hesitation but to kill when necessary.

'You killed an old lady. Now you have convictions for two violent offences in prison. I have every reason to believe it will never be safe to release you. You are a violent and very dangerous man who poses a considerable threat to the public.'

Mansfield claimed he could not remember stabbing his first victim when he was first captured.

Ann Alfanso was found dead in her home in May Road, Whalley Range, Manchester in 2006.

She had been stabbed about 20 times in the head and neck.

John Mansfield, who was jailed for life in 2007 for the drug-fuelled murder of his neighbour Ann Alfanso, 63, was attacked inside HMP Whitemoor (pictured)

HMP Whitemoor, a maximum security prison for men in Category A and B, in March, Cambridgeshire

A post-mortem examination found she had a total of 97 wounds, bruises and cuts on her body as a result of the attack.

Mansfield admitted her murder which police believe he carried out for a 'pocketful of change'.

Det Insp Steve Eckerlsey said at the time: 'The murder of this woman was shocking enough in its violence and cowardice, but for her murderer to repeatedly state that he couldn't even remember stabbing her almost 100 times is even more astonishing.

'Ann was an easy target as she wasn't able to move very quickly and had to have home help, as her neighbour Mansfield knew only too well.

'He has admitted that he used to talk to Ann, and even do some shopping for her occasionally.

'We will never know or understand what made him turn from a seemingly helpful neighbour into a savage killer that day.

'It would appear the only thing Mansfield got out of murdering Ann was a pocketful of small change.

'His actions that day were totally senseless and inhuman, but he knew exactly what he was doing.'
Four masked men who abducted a Tennessee pastor at gunpoint in South Africa held his wife then released her before speeding off with the churchman.

The gunmen snatched Josh Sullivan, 45, while he was delivering a sermon in front of around 30 people including his horrified wife and children.

The horrific incident unfolded at the Fellowship Baptist church in Motherwell Township, Gqeberha, on Thursday evening, and the pastor has not been seen since.

Chilling new details have emerged about how the suspects appeared to know Sullivan by name, and threatened his wife before abducting him in front of his family.

'They knew his name,' the family's spokesperson who also works as a pastor in the area, Reverend Jeremy Hall, told Times Live.

'The men came into the church and initially held Meagan and walked her towards the door before saying, "Josh, is this your wife?"

'They then pushed her to the ground and took Josh before driving off in his vehicle.

'The car was found a few kilometers away shortly afterwards.'

Four masked men who abducted American pastor Josh Sullivan (pictured center-left) at in South Africa also pushed his wife to the ground before they sped off with the churchman

Chilling new details have emerged about how the suspects appeared to know Sullivan by name, and threatened his wife before abducting him in front of his family

An American pastor, identified by local media as 45-year-old Josh Sullivan, was abducted by masked gunmen as he was preaching a sermon before a congregation in South Africa 's Eastern Cape province

Hall said Sullivan's wife and children escaped unharmed. He believes they are holding Sullivan for ransom of an unknown amount - but no demand has been issued.

The gunmen also stole two cellphones from members of the congregation. Police have launched an investigation into abduction and armed robbery.

'It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church,' police told CBS News previously.

'They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene.'

On Saturday, Sullivan's wife, Meagan, issued a statement through a family spokesperson, saying: 'I just want to say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers.

'We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home.'

The church wrote in a statement: 'He was kidnapped at gunpoint. Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa.'

Police confirmed that Sullivan's stolen vehicle, a silver Toyota FourRunner, was found abandoned in Motherwell shortly after the abduction.

'Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa,' the church wrote in a statement. 'He was kidnapped at gunpoint by six men during their church service this evening.' Pictured: Pastor Josh Sullivan (left) with his wife, Meagan, and their children

On Saturday, Sullivan's wife, Meagan (left), issued a statement through a family spokesperson, saying, 'I just want to say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers. We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home'

The investigation has since been taken over by the Anti-Gang Unit and South African authorities have opened a case in the Motherwell precinct.

Captain Andre Beetge, a police spokesperson, stated that if a ransom is demanded, the case will be handed over to the Hawks, a specialized unit tasked with investigating organized crime, corruption and serious offenses.

'Hawks officials are following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the suspects,' Lt. Col. Avele Fumba, a Hawks spokesperson, told the BBC.

'As far as we know, no ransom has been demanded.'

Beetge encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.

According to the Fellowship Baptist Church blog, Sullivan, along with his wife Meagan and their children, arrived in South Africa in November 2018 to establish the Motherwell branch.

On his blog, Sullivan described himself as a 'church-planting missionary' who hoped to soon complete language school and reach out to the Xhosa-speaking community.

Sullivan had been a staff member at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, since February 2012.

As the search for Sullivan (left) continues, his supporters have flooded the church's website and social media platforms with messages of hope and prayer

Tonya Rinker, a woman from Maryville, Tennessee, who identified herself as Sullivan's mother, expressed her heartbreak on Facebook, asking for continued prayers for her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

She also noted that the US embassy in South Africa is involved in the search.

As the search for Sullivan continues, his supporters have flooded the church's website and social media platforms with messages of hope and prayer.

'We are now praying that you delivered from these evil men,' a poster named Richard Stockton said on the church website.

'Praying the Holy Spirit well work on their hearts and be saved. And release you!!!'

Kody Moore, another supporter, described Josh as a 'faithful brother doing much to make Christ known in Africa,' adding, 'Please pray for Josh's safe return and for his family during this incredibly difficult time. May Christ be glorified.'
Sir Keir Starmer is being warned at least 80 Labour MPs are at risk of losing their seats over the Government's welfare cuts.

Those opposed to the squeeze on benefits are using an analysis of data to highlight the 'real electoral risk' of the Prime Minister's actions.

The analysis suggests there are more than 80 Labour MPs with a majority smaller than the number of disabled people in their seats who might see their benefits cut.

They include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, and education minister Nia Griffith.

The data, from the Disability Poverty Campaign Group, is being shared between MPs as Sir Keir faces a mounting revolt over welfare cuts, The Guardian reported.

Last month, ministers set out their plans to narrow access to disability and incapacity benefits - such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - in a bid to tackle Britain's ballooning welfare bill.

The Government's own analysis, carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions, found that 3.2million families will be worse off due to the welfare changes.

Left-wing MPs were outraged by the cuts and warned they would cause increased levels of poverty across Britain.

Sir Keir Starmer is being warned at least 80 Labour MPs are at risk of losing their seats over the Government's welfare cuts

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood are among Labour MPs with a majority smaller than the number of people in their seats who might see their benefits cut

Sir Keir has been told he faces a sizeable rebellion among Labour MPs when the House of Commons votes on the measures in the coming weeks.

Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East and a former shadow employment minister, is among those to have been sent the Disability Poverty Campaign Group data.

He said: 'The Government's welfare reforms disproportionately hit constituents who can least afford it and that is particularly so in the constituencies of many Labour MPs. It poses a real electoral risk.

'We know people on low incomes spend the money they take home in their local communities, so this policy is sucking money out of our local towns.

'The Government should prioritise its anti-poverty strategy before rushing decisions to reform welfare which harm those in need.'

Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole, said: 'It is quite clear from the recent polling by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that the majority of people who voted Labour in 2024 believe the proposed changes to disability benefits are wrong.

'It's not only morally wrong to target the poor, it's also electorally foolish. The Government needs to withdraw the green paper and go back to the drawing board.'

The data showed even some Labour MPs with healthy majorities could be at risk.

In Easington, where Grahame Morris has a majority of more than 6,000 votes over Reform UK, there are more than 12,600 PIP claimants.

In Huddersfield, Harpreet Uppal has a majority of more than 4,500 over the Greens, but there are 9,387 PIP claimants.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: 'We have been clear that protecting people in need is a principle we will never compromise on.

'The social security system will always be there for those with severe health conditions, and we will introduce a new premium for those who will never be able to work.

'Our reforms will unlock work for sick and disabled people who can and want to be in employment - backed by a 1 billion support offer to guarantee tailored help into work - ensuring they are supported to live with dignity and independence, whilst making sure that everyone who can realise the benefits of work is expected and supported to do so.'
Russell Brand's planned lecture on the dangers of 'cancel culture' and censorship in Florida has been postponed.

The British comedian was charged with rape and sexual assault by the Met Police earlier this month after an 18-month investigation.

But he had still been due to appear at the New College of Florida on a panel about free speech and cancel culture.

Now officials at the institution say logistical issues and the 'current media climate' have prompted them to reschedule, according to reports.

In an email sent to students last week from the New College's communications department, staff said they had 'mutually agreed' to shift the event with Brand's team.

'This decision follows changes in event logistics, including the unavailability of the previously planned venue, the Sarasota Opera House,' they added.

'As a result, the event had been moved to a smaller on-campus theater with no tickets available for general access.

'In conversation with Russell Brand's team, all parties have mutually agreed to shift the event to a future date that allows for broader access and public engagement. While the conversation remains important, and possibly never more relevant, it is clear the current media climate is a distraction from the deeper purpose of the eventto explore free speech and civil discourse through open dialogue.'

Brand had been due to appear at the New College of Florida on a panel about free speech and cancel culture

The British comedian was charged with rape and sexual assault by the Met Police earlier this month after an 18-month investigation

The New College's Director of Public Policy Events, Alexandra Nicole Islas, said: 'At New College, we remain committed to creating spaces for honest and often challenging conversations. Free speech is not a performanceit's a principle.

'While we continue to support the intention behind this event, we also recognize that timing and context matter.

NEW COLLEGE'S EMAIL TO STUDENTS Dear New College of Florida Students, Faculty, and Staff, 'New College of Florida and the Socratic Stage series have made the decision to reschedule Thinking Without Permission: A Conversation with Russell Brand on Free Speech, Censorship, and Cultural Power to a later date. 'This decision follows changes in event logistics, including the unavailability of the previously planned venue, the Sarasota Opera House. As a result, the event had been moved to a smaller on-campus theater with no tickets available for general access. 'In conversation with Russell Brand's team, all parties have mutually agreed to shift the event to a future date that allows for broader access and public engagement. While the conversation remains important, and possibly never more relevant, it is clear the current media climate is a distraction from the deeper purpose of the eventto explore free speech and civil discourse through open dialogue. STATEMENT FROM DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY EVENTS, ALEXANDRA NICOLE ISLAS: 'At New College, we remain committed to creating spaces for honest and often challenging conversations. Free speech is not a performanceit's a principle. While we continue to support the intention behind this event, we also recognize that timing and context matter. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Brand to campus at a future date under conditions that allow for thoughtful and topical engagement from both the public and our academic community.' Details about the rescheduled event will be shared via official New College communication channels. Sincerely, New College of Florida Office of Public Policy Events' Advertisement

'We look forward to welcoming Mr Brand to campus at a future date under conditions that allow for thoughtful and topical engagement from both the public and our academic community.'

No new date has been set and the email did not mention any refunds or payment reissues for ticket holders, according to the Herald-Tribune.

The New College has undergone a conservative transformation since being subject to a 2023 takeover aiming to reverse its previous reputation as a liberal arts school.

The institution was targeted by Florida state governor Ron DeSantis, whose allies now dominate the board of trustees.

Staff at the New College said their new Socratic Stage Dialogue Series 'fosters open discourse and critical thinking by featuring thought leaders who challenge ideas and inspire meaningful conversation'.

Islas added that Brand's 'fearless questioning of power, engagement with cultural issues, and commitment to free speech align with our mission to explore complex topics without limitation'.

He was set to be interviewed by New College President Richard Corcoran after Sarasota Film Festival Chair Mark Famiglio dropped out.

Bill Rosenberg, head of the Novo Collegian Alliance, which formed in response to the school's political restructuring, told the radio station WMNF: 'The idea that he would be a suitable, you know, selection for a talk  it just boggles the mind in a lot of ways.

'And yet, it doesn't because it's very much the playbook under the Corcoran administration  it has been since the takeover.

'Choose your speakers carefully, and don't make them fit a political ideology, and a vision that your trying to create of New College, which is 180 degrees off what the original founders goals and missions of the college were'

Two weeks ago, the campus hosted Desantis and border czar Tom Homan for an immigration policy panel.

During the event, protestors gathered outside the Sainer Pavilion, citing concerns about political indoctrination and misinformation.

On April 4 Brand was charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault between 1999 and 2005.

After the announcement, he said in a new video posted on social media: 'What I never was, was a rapist. I've never engaged in non-consensual activity.'

He added: 'I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that.'

The institution was targeted by Florida state governor Ron DeSantis, who's allies now dominate the board of trustees

The New College has sought to undergo a conservative transformation since being subject to a 2023 takeover aiming to reverse its previous reputation as a liberal arts school

Two weeks ago, the campus hosted Desantis and border czar Tom Homan for an immigration policy panel, prompting protests

Brand has been told to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 2 May, but has continued to make media appearances and statements.

Yesterday he admitted he needed help from Jesus to prevent him from looking at women at his yoga class.

'I practice yoga in a secular way, never letting our Lord and Saviour more than a moment away from my thoughts,' he told conservative musician Ted Nugent.

'And Lord alone knows in a yoga class you need Jesus Christ with you, right front and center.

'It's a primarily female activity - I'll leave it there.'
The White House on Monday fired back at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he accused Vice President JD Vance of 'justifying' the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

'The Vice President has repeatedly said that this war was not justified to begin with and is the product of Joe Bidens weakness and incompetence,' Taylor Van Kirk, the press secretary to the vice president told DailyMail.com in reaction to Zelensky's statement

During an interview with CBS 60 Minutes on Sunday evening, Zelensky accused Vance and Trump of creating an 'altered reality' surrounding the events that triggered the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and took a shot at the vice president.

'It seems to me that the Vice President is somehow justifying Putin's actions,' Zelensky said.

But the vice president's office suggested that Zelensky's comments were not helpful as he faces additional aggression from Russia.

'Instead of mischaracterizing Vice President Vance's rhetoric, President Zelensky should be focused on bringing this conflict to a peaceful conclusion. His comments are counterproductive to the goal of achieving peace for his country,' Van Kirk noted.

Zelensky's comment is the latest of criticism he has aimed at the vice president.

It comes weeks after he was scolded by both Trump and Vance in the Oval Office for his belligerent behavior despite significant military aid and funding from the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine

US President Donald Trump, alongside Vice President JD Vance (C) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) in the Oval Office

Discussing that encounter, the Ukrainian president insisted that Ukraine was the 'victim' of the war, and that Putin was the aggressor.

'I tried to explain, "You can't look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim. The Russians are the aggressor, and we are the victim,"' he said.

He accused Trump and Vance of parroting talking points from Russia in their ongoing effort to end the war.

'It's a shift in tone, a shift in reality, really yes, a shift in reality, and I don't want to engage in the altered reality that is being presented to me,' Zelensky said.

Zelensky's comments on 60 Minutes reflect little change in his attitude with Trump and Vance since their dramatic meeting in the Oval Office in February.

Trump blamed former President Joe Biden on Monday for allowing the war between Russia and Ukraine start in the first place.

'I had nothing to do with this war, but am working diligently to get the death and destruction to stop,' Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.

'President Zelenskyy and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin,' he continued. 'There were so many ways of preventing it from ever starting. But that is the past. Now we have to get it to stop, and fast. So sad!'

Hostilities continue in Ukraine as a Russian cluster bomb hit civilians gathering for a church service on Palm Sunday.

Trump reacted to the attacks while speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, and revealed that he believed the attack to be a 'mistake' by the Russians.

'I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing,' he said.

Gen. Keith Kellogg, the president's Ukrainian envoy, was more forceful in condemning the attack.

'Todays Palm Sunday attack by Russian forces on civilian targets in Sumy crosses any line of decency,' he said in a statement on Sunday. 'There are scores of civilian dead and wounded. As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong. It is why President Trump is working hard to end this war.'

Vance clashed with Zelensky during the Oval Office meeting in which he defended President Trump's attempt to end the war using diplomacy with Russia.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks at the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting with officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

'Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,' Vance said after Zelensky repeatedly interrupted and disputed statements made by Trump about the war.

Vance publicly criticized Zelensky for failing to thank the American people and Trump for trying to end the war.

'Just say thank you,' Vance said. 'Accept that there are disagreements and let's go litigate those disagreements rather than trying to fight it out in the American media when you're wrong. We know that you're wrong.'

Vance also criticized Zelensky after the meeting in an interview with DailyMail.com, suggesting that he was getting bad advice.

'The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president's mind by badmouthing him in public media...everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,' he said.
BBC Radio Fours Today presenter Nick Robinson appeared to poke fun at Meghan Markle during Monday morning's live show.

Explaining that celebrities including American TV host Gayle King and American pop star Katy Perry were leading the space trip with Jeff Bezos's rocket company Blue Origin, the veteran Radio Four journalist said: 'Surely Meghan Markle's got to be on the next one [rocket].

On finding out that Ms King was a friend of the Duchess of Sussex, 43, Robinson said: Ah, it's only a matter of time.'

Robinson was laughing with his co-host Johnny Diamond and guests Professor Catherine Heymans, astronomer royal for Scotland, and Kate Maltby, columnist and critic, who discussed Whats the point? of the space exhibition.

The BBC presenter seemed to be taking a dig at Meghans penchant for trying new projects. She has recently been flogging 20 jars of jam which has received much backlash.

Irish TV and radio presenter Vogue Williams last month tore into the Duchess of Sussex, despite her connections to the Royal Family as her husband, Spencer Matthews, is brother-in-law to the Princess of Waless sister, Pippa.

Nick Robinson joked that Meghan would be on Jeff Bezos' next Blue Origin mission while discussing the first all-female flight

The Duchess of Sussex has recently launched a host of business projects including Netflix series With Love, Meghan (pictured) which was commissioned for a second season

Vogue, 39, called out Meghans new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan and said: I saw a bit where she was making her kids a rainbow platter of fruit.

First of all, I thought I was doing well mixing Rice Krispies and Cheerios - like, you can have two cereals in one! And she's there like... did you see the rainbow [platter]? I personally like that, but who does that?'

Vogue was dishing out her views on the former Suits star's Netflix series on a new episode of her podcast, My Therapist Ghosted Me, at one point co-host Joanne McNally said of Meghan's outfit: 'I can't bear a jumper round the shoulders,' to which Vogue responded, laughing: 'Yeah, yeah - it's disgusting.'

Katherine Ryan publicly laid into Meghan - after previously defending her - in the wake of her new Netflix series.

'I liked Meghan Markle. I was rooting for Meghan Markle... though she is very Hollywood - even for me - and I don't like that in people,' she admitted.

Vogue Williams (left) with husband Spencer Matthews and the Princess of Wales's sister, Pippa. Vogue is among those to have criticised Meghan's new show

'I see now, and maybe it's just the projects she's choosing, it does feel like she has lied about whether she knew who Prince Harry was, and these details about her childhood change and don't add up.'

Robinsons comments come as the Mail on Sunday revealed that Robinson, 61, had fallen out with the co-presenter, Emma Barnett, who lodged a complaint about him and called him overbearing.

Last month, it was reported that the two journalists had not appeared together on the show for 90 days, sparking rumours of clashing egos and making life difficult for the producers.

Insiders said the matter was resolved with no action taken and there had been no suggestion Nick had done anything wrong.

It comes as Katherine Ryan publicly laid into Meghan - after previously defending her - in the wake of her new Netflix series (Katherine pictured in February)

They blamed the 'inevitable stresses and strains caused by the pairing of two strong characters' and said the pair had experienced the sort of misunderstanding common between colleagues  but that in this case it had been blown out of proportion.

One source said: 'Emma made a complaint about Nick,' adding that tensions have persisted so much that they 'can't be on together as she finds him overbearing'.

However, other sources at the BBC played down the claims and denied there had been any 'formal' complaint.
Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of using civilians as 'human shields' after Sunday's missile attack hit a meeting of army commanders in Sumy which killed at least 34 people.

The strike was one of the deadliest in recent months and drew condemnation from leaders around the world, with Russia now suggesting Germany is 'escalating' the already volatile situation by arming Kyiv.

Russia staged a barbaric double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine on Palm Sunday hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 34 people, including two children, and wounding 117, including 15 children.

The strikes hit the centre of Sumy triggering outrage in Kyiv and among its allies. 'Only completely deranged scum can do something like this,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Kremlin rejected that its army had targeted civilians or a residential area. 'Our army hits only military and military-related targets,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the strike and Trump's comments.

The army appeared to concede that there were civilian casualties, though placed the blame on Ukraine.

'The Kyiv regime continues to use the Ukrainian population as a human shield, placing military facilities and holding events with the participation of soldiers in the centre of a densely populated city,' the defence ministry said.

It comes as the Kremlin on Monday warned Germany against supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal risked escalating the three-year conflict.

Russia on Sunday staged a barbaric double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine on Sunday hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 34 people, including two children, and wounding 117, including 15 children

This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on April 13, 2025, shows a Ukrainian rescuer working at the site of a missile attack in Sumy

Pictures show destroyed buildings and burned out civilian cars at the site of a Russian ballistic missile strike on the city centre, killing many civilians on April 13, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine

The Kremlin on Monday warned Germany against supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz's (pictured) proposal risked escalating the three-year conflict

A Taurus (Target Adaptive Unitary and dispensor Robotic Ubiquity System) KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missile, on display during the press presentation at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, on June 3, 2024

The air-launched missile, jointly developed by Germany and Sweden, can reach targets up to 500km away.

Outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz had ruled out sending them to Kyiv, but Merz said on Sunday he was open to the idea provided Germany had agreed with its European partners.

'He is agitating on the side of toughening his position and in favour of various steps that can - and will - inevitably lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine situation,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of Merz.

'Unfortunately, European capitals are really not inclined to look for ways of reaching peace talks, they are rather inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war,' Peskov added.

Russia has long criticised Western countries for supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine, arguing Kyiv uses them to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

Both the United States and the UK have supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Following Sunday's attack, Donald Trump has claimed that Russia 'made a mistake' with its devastating strike.

'I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing,' Trump told reporters on board Air Force One while headed back to Washington.

Asked to clarify what he meant by a 'mistake,' Trump said that 'they made a mistake... you're gonna ask them' - without specifying who or what he meant.

The dead and wounded - covered in blood - lay in the streets of the city centre on Sunday after the two massive explosions rocked the city, with video showing fireballs erupting in busy civilian areas.

President Trump's National Security Council (NSC) had earlier Sunday called the Russian strike 'a clear and stark reminder' of why his efforts to 'try and end this terrible war comes at a crucial time.'

Following Sunday's attack, Donald Trump has claimed that Russia 'made a mistake' with its devastating strike

Russia staged a barbaric new double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine today hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 21 people and leaving dozens more injured

Bodies of people killed in a Russian ballistic missile strike lie covered with emergency blankets at the strike site on April 13, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine

Neither Trump nor the White House named Moscow as the perpetrator of the attack, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier offered condolences to the 'victims of today's horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy.'

Speaking in a US television interview broadcast yesterday, Volodymyr Zelensky urged President Trump to visit his country to better understand the devastation wrought by Russia's invasion.

'Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,' he said according to a transcript of an interview to be broadcast on CBS.

The channel aired an interview conducted by reporter Scott Pelley with Zelensky on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month.

Zelensky said he has '100 percent' hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, and warned that 'if we do not stand firm, he will advance further.'

'It is not just idle speculation; the threat is real. Putin's ultimate goal is to revive the Russian empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection. Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,' he said.

He added: 'There won't be a safe place, there won't be a safe place for (anyone).'

Following its broadcast, Trump hit back against CBS on Truth Social, saying the war in Ukraine 'would never have happened if the 2020 Election had not been RIGGED, in other words, if I were President.'

The Sumy strike came two days after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and push Trump's efforts to end the war.

Trump earlier said the visit by his envoy Steve Witkoff to see Putin in Moscow showed that the peace efforts 'might be going OK - and you're going to be finding out pretty soon.'

But Poland's foreign minister declared today that Putin is 'mocking' Donald Trump's goodwill by continuing to attack Ukraine.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) decorating a wounded Ukrainian serviceman as he visits a medical facility where wounded defenders are being treated in Kryvyi Rig on April 11

A man cries as he leans on the bus that was hit by a Russian missile on Sumy, Ukraine

'Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago,' Radoslaw Sikorsk told a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

'The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russia's mocking answer. I hope that President Trump and the US administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken.'

The Kremlin said Monday that Russia's army targets only military sites, a day after a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed 34 people and wounded dozens more.

'Our army hits only military and military-related targets,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing when asked about the strike and comments by US President Donald Trump that Russia might have 'made a mistake'.

Speaking in his evening address on Sunday night, Zelensky stressed that the attack was on civilians and had occurred on Palm Sunday, a major Christian feast.

Photos too graphic for MailOnline to publish showed the trolley bus burning with victims inside.

At least one child was a victim of the horrific new strike on a city marking the Sunday before Easter.

At least one car was ablaze with people trapped inside.

The Congress Centre in Sumy - part of the city's university - was hit in one of the most shocking strikes of the three-year war.

The dead were seen covered in silver sheets at the scene of the strike where rescuers worked through the rubble of a building near a destroyed trolleybus.

At least one child was a victim of the horrific new strike on a city marking the Sunday before Easter

The mayor of Sumy said 'more than 20 deaths' were already clear, as the emergency services continued to work

Zelensky said eight of the 68 injured in hospitals were in serious condition.

'In addition to the university, the strike damaged five apartment buildings, cafes, shops, and the district court. In total, the Russian attack damaged 20 buildings,' said Zelensky.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was 'deeply alarmed and shocked' by the strike, which highlighted a 'devastating pattern of similar assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns in recent weeks,' his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said: 'The Russians hit the city of Sumy with missiles, killing civilians.'

The office of the Sumy mayor said there were 'many dead'.

Acting mayor Artem Kobzar said: 'On this bright day of Palm Sunday, our community suffered a terrible tragedy.

'The enemy launched a missile strike on civilians. Unfortunately, more than 20 deaths are already known'

Zelensky said: 'A terrible strike by Russian ballistic missiles on Sumy.

'Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street...

'And this is on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem.

'According to preliminary data, we are talking about dozens of dead and wounded civilians. Only a scoundrel can act like this.

'Taking the lives of ordinary people. My condolences to the relatives and friends. A rescue operation is underway now. All necessary services are working.'

Zelensky pleaded for a 'tough reaction from the world'.

The office of the Sumy mayor said there were 'many dead'

Zelensky pleaded for a 'tough reaction from the world'

He said: 'The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants an end to this war and murders.

'Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.

'Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. We need the kind of attitude towards Russia that a terrorist deserves. Thank you to everyone who is with Ukraine and helps us protect life.'

The head of Ukraine's GUR military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Telegram that Russia had used two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles on Sumy.

One witness told AFP she heard two explosions.

'A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses,' she said, struggling to speak.

Sumy declared three days of mourning.

It was the second Russian attack this month to cause a large civilian death toll. An attack on Zelensky's home city of Kryvi Rig killed at least 18 people, including nine children.

Zelensky called on the United States and Europe to give a 'strong response' to Russia, adding: 'Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs.'

Trump has previously voiced anger at Moscow for 'bombing like crazy' in Ukraine.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said the strike showed Russia's 'blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump'.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'appalled' by the attack, which Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni described as a 'cowardly' act by Russia.

Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz described it as 'a serious war crime, deliberate and intended'.

Staging an attack on Palm Sunday outraged several leaders.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, said: 'Sumy. Day off. A major religious holiday for Ukrainians is Palm Sunday.'

The Palm Sunday massacre in a region close to the border between the countries left people screaming in terror with scenes from Armageddon

It was 'a barbaric attack, made even more vile as people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday,' European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

'The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday,' said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Moscow has refused a US-proposed unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.

Authorities in Sumy published footage of bodies in the street and people running for safety, with cars on fire and wounded civilians on the ground.

Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine in recent weeks, stepping up its all-out invasion that has gone on for more than three years.

Sumy has been under increasing pressure since Moscow pushed back many of Ukraine's troops from its Kursk region inside Russia, across the border.

Kyiv has warned for weeks that Moscow could mount an offensive on the city.

Russia launched its invasion partially through the Sumy region and briefly occupied parts of it before being pushed back by Ukrainian forces.

On Sunday, Russia said it captured another village in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region.
CNN has been blasted for an 'insensitive' segment in which a former New York Times reporter described accused murderer Luigi Mangione as a 'morally good man'.

Influencer Taylor Lorenz defended the suspected killer's legions of adoring, and predominantly female, fans during an interview with network host Donie O'Sullivan.

Mangione, 26, is on trial over the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, in December last year.

The killing sparked a debate about the predatory nature of the US healthcare industry after prosecutors revealed Mangione had allegedly carried out the execution in protest.

The suspected killer has since been inundated with fan mail and become the subject of memes and even merchandise lauding his alleged actions.

'You're gonna see women especially that feel like, 'oh my God, here's this man who's a revolutionary, who's famous, who's handsome, who's young, who's smart, he's a person that seems like this morally good man,' which is hard to find,' Lorenz said as she attempted to explain Mangione's appeal.

O'Sullivan was seen chuckling in agreement before asking Lorenz about her response to those condemning the legions of cheerleaders who have shown up to his court hearings so far.

'It's hilarious to see these millionaire media pundits on TV clutching their pearls about someone stanning (supporting) a murderer when this is the United States of America  as if we don't lionize criminals,' the ex-Washington Post journalist said.

Former New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz has been slammed for referring to Luigi Mangione as a 'morally good man'

Mangione, 26, is on trial over the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompso n, 50, in December last year

'As if we don't stan murderers of all sorts. We give them Netflix shows.'

However, her comments sparked a furious backlash against her and the network.

'This is insane, what a complete idiot she is,' one person wrote.

'CNN is a bad joke of a new org and Lorenz is a nut job. She said Mangione is a 'morally good man' which is absurd, as he killed a man in cold blood,' another said.

'The more I think about the Donnie O'Sullivan interview with Taylor Lorenz the more astonished I am that they were laughing when talking about a guy who shot a man in the back in cold blood,' a third person fumed.

Thompson was gunned down in the early hours of December 4 2024 as he was walking to a conference at the New York Hilton Midtown. He left behind two teenage sons.

Mangione was arrested in a McDonald's in Pennsylvania after a multi-day manhunt for the suspect.

He denies the charges, and say he was ensnared by police who tricked him into giving his DNA.

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead in Manhattan in December

Mangione's support since he allegedly murdered the healthcare CEO has been fierce, including one mystery donor who left the largest fund donation yet of $36,500

Despite the cold-blooded nature of the crime, hoards of fans have flocked to Mangione's defense and even set up a fund to cover his fees.

Ahead of the accused killer's 27th birthday, his supporters are urging people to

Luigi Mangione fans have organized a 'special' donation fund for the accused CEO shooter's 27th birthday donate $27 as a 'nice surprise and gift from us to him.'

Their goal is to take his controversial fundraising total from $745,000 where it currently stands, to $1million.

His fans range from those who think he is innocent, to those who believe he's guilty and love him for it.

The fundraising effort is the latest in a series of unhinged and unbridled support for the defendant.

The public gushing began when Luigi was named as the suspect and his mugshot went viral, with many fawning over his good looks.

Since then, fans have made art depicting him as 'Saint' Mangione.

The accused 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 'wack' an insurance company CEO, according to court filings.

He was shipped back from Pennsylvania to the Big Apple for the murder trial.
Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan migrant gang considered so dangerous by the US government that its members are now classified as terrorists, has been linked to a horrific case where a Washington woman was tortured with a power drill.

Two men charged with the victim's kidnapping and attempted murder used the power drill on the woman's hand to force her to turn over financial information, authorities in the Seattle area allege.

At least one of the men is a suspected member of Tren de Aragua, or TdA, according to KOMO-TV.

TdA's confirmed presence in the Evergreen State means the Venezuelan criminal organization has now spread to at least 25 states - half of the country.

As the Daily Mail reported, law enforcement arrested suspected TdA members in Maine- 2,000 miles away from the southern border- earlier this month.

After crossing into the country through the US-Mexico in 2022 amid a historic wave of migration during the Biden years, TdA members spread to all corners of the US, unleashing a wave of crime in American cities.

TdA members have been accused of murder, rape, cop beatings and pimping out children in the US.

The Daily Mail became the first news organization in the US to report on the South American syndicate in October 2023- breaking the news that Venezuelans worst criminals were headed to a city near you.

Tren de Aragua's confirmed presence in the Evergreen State means the Venezuelan criminal organization has now spread to at least 25 states - half of the country

The unnamed victim in Washington, 58, was ambushed by the men at a Burien apartment complex as she was returning home from work Jan. 21 around 10 p.m.

However, Kevin Daniel Sanabria Ojeda, 24, and Alexander Moises Arnaez-Gutierrez, 25, have just been charged last week in the crime.

At gunpoint, the woman was forced into another car by the men, prosecutors claim so they could get access to her purse, credit cards, jewelry and $20,000 worth of gold she was carrying.

'They used a power drill to drill into (the victims) hand to get access to her cell phone and bank accounts,' investigators from the King County Sheriffs Office wrote in an arrest report.

'They then threatened her by telling her they were going to kill her, kill her family, feed her to the bears and dump her body far away.'

The woman was then driven Kittitas County and left for dead on the side of I-90 highway.

'They shot her on a mountain pass and left her for dead,' the arrest report obtained by the TV station states.

'(Victim)stated she ducked and was struck in the shoulder. (Victim) believes the suspect thought he had hit her in the head, so she yelled and played dead. Once the suspects left the area, (victim) climbed over what was later described as a jersey barrier and flagged down a passerby.'

The unidentified victim was kidnapped from the Park Des Moines Apartments in Burien, Washington

Two of the 19 individuals arrested during the Oct. 19 raid at the Palatia Apartments in San Antonio where authorities say Tren de Aragua had been operating

The woman waited until she was sure the men had drove off and was able to flag someone down to seek help.

Despite the crime happening in late January, the men were on the run for some time after.

With the help of the FBI, local cops tracked Sanabria down in Illinois the week after the kidnapping.

Investigator say he was driving a car that matched the car use to abduct the woman in Seattle.

The victim's stolen jewelry was found inside the motel where Sanabria was staying after he was taken into custody.

'Post Miranda (rights), Sanabria stated that he participated in the kidnapping, vehicle theft, robbery and killing of the "lady" known investigators as (victim),' the arrest report states.

Arnaez-Gutierrez was on the run for months until he was finally taken in during a traffic stop by Mercer Island Police in Washington last week.

More than 200 Venezuelan men accused of having ties to TdA have been deported from the US to a supermax prison in El Salvador by President Donald Trump.

Trump has been able to deport accused members of TdA without having to prove their gang affiliation by invoking the Alien Enemies Act-- a wartime law that suspends due process for Venezuelans.

The constitutionality of Trump's use of the law is currently under review by US courts.
A YouTube star who was part of a tween 'Squad' of content creators has lashed out at his own mother in response to the new shocking Netflix documentary 'Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing.'

The documentary chronicles the allegations against Tiffany Smith, a mother and manager who oversaw the youngsters' online careers. She is accused of masterminding the group to boost her daughter Piper Rockelle's profile.

She is accused of sexually and physically abusing the kids - claims she denies.

Among those interviewed in Netflix's documentary is Johna Ramirez, whose son Jentzen, now 18, is among kids who formed part of the group.

But in a blistering response, Jentzen took to his own YouTube channel on Sunday to defend Tiffany - also known as the 'Madame of YouTube' and bash his ow mother.

'Alright guys, it's time I share my side of the story. I never wanted any of this to be online, but with everything going on, and the hate that my family was receiving, I can't say nothing anymore,' Jentzen said.

He said his mother 'was the one who first took things public' with his family after she said her son's involvement in the group 'pitted her against Smith as well as her own family,' according to the Atavist Magazine.

After stating that he never gave Netflix permission to use his name or anything about his involvement in the group in the series, Jentzen said 'Tiffany did not manipulate me.'

Jentzen Ramirez was a member of Piper Rockelle's tween 'Squad' of content creators. In a recent YouTube video, he lashed out at his mother while defending Tiffany Smith - Piper's mother who's been accused of abuse against children

Jentzen said his mother Johna Rameriez, who is featured in the documentary, lied when she said that Tiffany 'manipulated' him into thinking she was stealing money from her own son

'I haven't talked to Tiffany in a very long time and she certainly didn't push me to make the decisions that I made in the past either.'

Despite his clear stance on the matter, Jentzen said he is 'not trying to discredit anyone who is a victim of sexual assault in any way, shape or form.'

'I feel for all of those people,' he added before moving on to address the claims his mother made in the series about Tiffany 'manipulating' him into thinking she was stealing money from him.

'In the documentary, my mom and Jennifer said that Tiffany manipulated me into thinking that my mom was stealing my money,' he said of Johna and Jennifer Bryant - the mother of another squad member Walker Bryant.

'Tiffany never did that. I didn't need anyone to manipulate me because it was the truth,' he added.

Jentzen explained that early in his career his mother would help him film and edit his videos, but once his channel and online presence really took off, Johna started to take his money without his consent.

'She signed legal documents without my knowledge or my consent to where she owned 50 percent of my company,' he said as he showed the paperwork related to his claim.

He also displayed a series of bank statements that showed his mother allegedly transferring up to $15,000 from his account to hers.

The documentary has sparked a lot of controversy as Tiffany was seen kissing a 17-year-old transgender boy in never before seen footage

The new Netflix documentary 'Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing,' peels back the curtain on Piper's friend group who later accused her mother Tiffany Smith (pictured), now 44, of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse

Tiffany was sued by 11 members in January 2022 for encouraging them to be 'sexy' and subjecting them to 'harassment, molestation, and abuse,' according to the complaint

'These are the bank statements of my mom taking my money. I was hurt by it, I worked hard for my money, and it would just get taken away,' he continued.

Jentzen said his mother continued to take his money from him even after his parents got divorced.

'And after all that, since my mom still had control over all my assets, she went behind my back again and created another bank account where she would transfer my money from YouTube and brand deals into it,' he said, adding that she amassed more than $100,000.

'I saw it with my own eyes on her laptop and I never saw it again.'

Jentzen said his mother would even go as far as turning down brand deals for him because 'she was afraid' she wouldn't be able to get her hands on the money he earned.

'So, when you hear people in the documentary say they were exploited, this is where I was financially exploited by my own mother - not by anyone else,' Jentzen said.

Toward the end of his revealing video, Jentzen made it clear he wanted no part in the documentary.

'They never had my permission to use my likeness or image and they did not pay me,' he stated, adding that he never signed a release form, but he never signed it.

Tiffany is the mother of YouTuber and influencer Piper Rockelle (pictured)

'And they did it anyway, and they did not have my permission.'

Jentzen said he specifically did not agree with how the streaming platform 'portrayed the events, especially relating to my mom.'

In the end, he said he 'majorly disagrees with Tiffany's actions,' but they have not been in contact since he left the squad.

'Tiffany is not the reason I don't have a relationship with my mother. My mother is the reason why I don't have a relationship with my mother, because of her actions,' he said.

The documentary has sparked a lot of controversy as Tiffany was seen kissing a 17-year-old transgender boy in never before seen footage.

The series included an interview with Raegan Beast (real name Raegan Fingles), who was 17 when Tiffany kissed him during a livestream.

The Maryland native, now 25, said he was first introduced to her and Piper by his manager Matt Dugan, who suggested they make content together.

'There was multiple things dealing with my transition that [Tiffany] was very curious of,' Raegan said. 'Just multiple questions about my transitioning and my body that were very hinted at being sexual, a little inappropriate.'

In October 2024, Smith settled the $22 million lawsuit for $1.85 million. She has publicly denied all allegations against her and has not been criminally charged. (Pictured: Her daughter Piper)

In 2017, Raegan was at Tiffany's house in Los Angeles' Hollywood Boulevard to 'do content together' and she allegedly gave him alcohol from 'her cabinet' while he and Piper started livestreaming on the app YouNow.

'We were on my livestream, just sipping, reading comments, having a good time,' Raegan recalled. 'I definitely get drunk, Tiffany's drunk.'

At one point, Tiffany joined the livestream and began 'touching' Raegan and 'pulling on my shirt, pulling on my collar, and saying that I was sexy, saying that I was hot', he revealed. 'Then the kiss happened.'

Tiffany was sued by 11 members in January 2022 for encouraging them to be 'sexy' and subjecting them to 'harassment, molestation, and abuse,' according to the complaint.

In October 2024, Smith settled the $22 million lawsuit for $1.85 million. She has publicly denied all allegations against her and has not been criminally charged.
President Donald Trump has issued an ominous new justification for his tariff hikes, saying more products need to be made in the United States so it is prepared in case of 'war.'

Trump has sparked fears of a recession with his crackdown on foreign imports which is part of a campaign to ramp up domestic manufacturing and have more goods made in America.

In his latest explanation of the tariff policy he suggested it was necessary to deal with any future war. Trump made the comments on Air Force One on Sunday while talking about possible pharmaceutical tariffs.

He said: 'We're going to have our drugs made in the United States so that in case of war, in case of whatever, we're not relying on China and various other countries, which is not a good idea.'

As Trump left open the possibility of more tariffs to come, Chinese President Xi Jinping had his own words of warning as he gave a statement in Vietnam during a tour of Southeast Asia tour.

'There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war,' Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media.

'Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment.'

He added: 'Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.'

President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night

Xi is making the trip to shore up alliances and find solutions for the trade war with Trump. After Vietnam, the Chinese president is expected to go to Malaysia and then Cambodia.

China has been a top target for the White House.

Trump put a 90-day pause on many of his on-again, off-again reciprocal tariffs but left in place a 145 per cent import tax on goods from China.

In response, Beijing suspended exports of certain rare earth minerals and magnets that are crucial for the world's car, semiconductor and aerospace industries.

The move could impact American factories across the country, particularly in the auto industry. Many of the minerals make up components of a vehicle's motor.

Trump's top economic adviser said China's action was 'concerning.'

'They're concerning. And we're thinking about all the options right now,' Kevin Hassett said outside of the White House.

'Rare earths are a part of lots of the economy. It's a little bit of the value add to the US economy, but a crucial part of the value added.'

He said the administration was helping small businesses that relied on supplies out of China find alternative resources.

The officials understand 'their concerns and are thinking about how best to address them, including by finding other suppliers that are not on the current list that China is on,' he said.

Until 2023, China produced 99 per cent of the world's supply of heavy rare earth metals.

China also produces 90 percent of the world's nearly 200,000 tons a year of rare earth magnets, which are far more powerful than conventional iron magnets.

'The White House is concerned about China. Period,' Hassett noted.

And there may be more tariffs to come.

Trump said on Sunday that semiconductor tariffs will 'take place in the very near future,' but expressed some 'flexibility' regarding tariffs on products such as iPhones and tablets.

'The tariffs will be in place in the not-too-distant future,' he said.

The U.S. markets opened slightly higher Monday off the news that smartphones, computers, memory chips and several other categories of products will be exempt from tariffs.

Trump, however, warned they might still be targeted although he said he will be 'flexible' on the matter.

'That's going to be announced very soon, and we'll be discussing it, but we'll also talk to companies. You know, you have to show a certain flexibility. Nobody should be so rigid.'

Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a tour of Southeast Asia

Door frames are seen inside the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) facility in Montgomery, Alabama

Meanwhile there is growing concern in corporate America about the volatility the tariff war is causing in the global stock markets.

A majority of America's top business executives are worried the country could enter a recession soon, a new survey found.

In a poll of more than 300 CEOs conducted in April, 62 percent said they see a recession or other economic downturn in the next six months, according to Chief Executive, an industry group that runs the survey. That's up from 48 percent who said the same in March.

'Right now, we are at a decision-making point and very close to a recession,' Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's largest hedge funds, told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.

'And I'm worried about something worse than a recession if this isn't handled well.'
Cancer care in the UK is at breaking point and lagging behind other countries because of gross mismanagement, experts warn.

Delayed cancer treatment has become the deadly norm and no improvements will be made without radical change, the leading doctors say.

Writing in medical journal The Lancet Oncology, they criticise the Labour government for continuing to consult on changes rather than delivering them.

Health secretary Wes Streeting launched a consultation on a new National Cancer Plan earlier this year, inviting people to contribute their thoughts.

But this followed a similar call for evidence on a ten-year cancer plan by the then health secretary Sajid Javid in February 2022.

Mark Lawler, professor of Digital Health at Queens University Belfast and lead author, said: We cannot continually consult our way out of a crisis  the evidence we and others have provided is irrefutable.

We have more than enough data intelligence  what we need to do is act on this evidence as a matter of urgency.

At the turn of the century, Denmark had worse cancer outcomes than the UK.

Mark Lawler, professor of Digital Health at Queens University Belfast (left) and Professor Pat Price, from Imperial College London, who is chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK (right)

But by prioritising cancer at the very top of the Danish health agenda, they now have among the best improvements in cancer outcomes in Europe. We need to do a Denmark.

If we dont act urgently and boldly follow the data, well forgo our precious opportunity and remain rock-bottom in the competition against cancer, our deadly enemy.

The article makes a number of recommendations to improve cancer outcomes and boost quality of life for patients.

This includes the appointment of an independent National Cancer Director and an office of support to take data-driven actions across the UK.

Previous studies also show the UK has fewer doctors, nurses and vital diagnostic machines per person than many other developed nations.

Professor Lawler said: The urgency is clear: in my mind, we are already in the midst of a cancer crisis, precipitated by 14 years of gross mismanagement of cancer by the previous administration and the collateral impact of Covid and national lockdowns on cancer services and cancer patients.

Now, more than ever, we must learn from each other, acknowledge the scale of the challenge, and implement data-driven solutions and achieve efficiencies, some of which may be contentious in the short term, but are essential for long-term cancer control within financial constraints.

Among the issues highlighted is the recent decision by Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting to abolish NHS England, which the authors said marks a seismic shift in UK healthcare governance.

The authors warn that the greatest risk lies in reactive, short-term, ill-informed decision-making by the Government, which they state could further reduce UK cancer survival rates, deepen health inequalities and escalate inefficiencies.

The latest NHS England figures, published last week, show 33 per cent of patients had waited more than 62 days in February from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer.

Professor Pat Price, from Imperial College London, who is chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK, said: Delayed cancer treatment has become the deadly norm in this country, and we wont reverse it unless we commit to doing things differently.

If we keep doing the same things, with the same voices in the room, were going to continue to face some of the worst cancer outcomes in Europe.

In the massively overlooked area of radiotherapy cancer care, for example, nearly two-thirds of cancer patients are waiting too long for their cancer treatment.

Too often, we see cancer policy take a tunnel-vision approach, only focusing on areas like early diagnosis and completely overlooking the fact that we need to actually treat patients if we want to improve survival.

'The international environment, domestic funding pressures and a lack of policy priority to take the action needed could eclipse attempts to reverse the poor cancer outcomes the country faces.

'If we want to stop cancer patients in this country from dying needlessly, the promised cancer plan has to be radical. It needs to be data-driven.

The Daily Mail is campaigning for a national prostate cancer screening programme to end needless deaths from the disease

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is shown a CT scanner during a visit to North Bristol Community Diagnostic Centre in February 2025

'And it needs to ensure that, if money is tight, were spending it on the things that are proven to improve cancer outcomes.

The intervention comes as the Mail is campaigning for a national prostate cancer screening programme to end needless deaths from the disease.

Professor Richard Sullivan, director of the Institute for Cancer Policy, Kings College London, said: We need to get real.

The evidence is irrefutable  we need to recognise the impact that the global insecurity we are currently experiencing will have on health systems.

If defence spending goes up, as it certainly will, health expenditure will suffer. And the recent bombardment with tariffs from the new US government will only make matters worse.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'This government inherited a broken NHS where too many cancer patients are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment.

'We are determined to drive down waiting times and our Plan for Change is already getting patients seen and treated faster, with 80,000 more diagnosed or ruled out with cancer between July and January.

'The NHS exceeded its faster diagnosis cancer target for the first time in February amid record demand  almost four fifths of people received a definitive cancer diagnosis or all clear within four weeks

'This is just the start: our National Cancer Plan will set out further how we will improve cancer care to bring this countrys cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.'
A three-year-old girl was fatally shot on the eve of her birthday while her mother was home making the final preparations for a party she will never celebrate.

Hellen Silva went out for a walk with a family member Saturday in the Brazilian city of Recife when four hooded gunmen opened fire on a rival in front of a bar and shot the innocent girl.

A family of member told Brazilian news outlet G1 that the suspect held their fire and ran up a staircase where their target had fled through.

A video filmed by a bystander showed Silva's cousin holding her in her arms before she was rushed to Restauracao Hospital, where she died Sunday evening.

The local medical examiner's office turned Silva's body over to her mother, Elaine Santos, on Monday morning.

A funeral service and burial was scheduled for later in the day.

Santos told Diario de Pernambuco newspaper that she wanted Silva not to birthday party props because she wanted to keep it a secret.

'I asked my niece to go down with her, so she wouldn't see the bags and the sweets, to trick her,' she recalled, '... because kids are always on top of things, wanting to touch everything.'

Hellen Silva died Sunday, on her fourth birthday, just one day after she was shot in the head by gunmen who were attempting to murder a rival outside a bar in Recife, Brazil

Still image from a video show Hellen Silva in the arms of her cousin moments before she was shot in the head

Silva was playing with children near the bar when multiple shots were fired, alarming Santos.

As I was, in my nightclothes, I ran downstairs,' the distraught mother said. 'Everyone had already helped her and the police had taken her to the hospital.'

The gunshot wound caused Silva's brain to lose brain mass.

'The doctor contacted me and said he couldn't perform surgery at that moment because she was losing a lot of blood and her blood pressure was very low,' Santos said.

'He said he would keep her under observation to see if she returned to normal, to perform the surgery, because if she did so at that moment she would die.'

Little Hellen Silva died Sunday, the same day she was expecting to celebrate her fourth birthday

A family member said the four gunmen stopped shooting at their target once they noticed they had mistakenly shot Hellen Silva

Silva's senseless murder left a irreparable void in her home.

'My house is empty. I don't even know what else to do with my life,' Santos said. 'I have another 11-year-old daughter, but no one will replace her.'

No arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon.

'A police investigation has been opened and further information may be made available after the facts have been fully elucidated,' The Pernambuco Civil Police said in a statement.
Former Labour Minister Tulip Siddiq faces an Interpol Red Notice for her arrest and extradition if she fails to attend a court hearing in Bangladesh this month over corruption charges.

An arrest warrant was issued for the Hampstead and Highgate MP in Dhaka on Sunday and she has been given until April 27th to face court and seek bail.

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) told the Daily Mail it will request assistance from Interpol if she does not appear.

It comes after Ms Siddiq broke cover today and claimed she is the victim of a politically motivated smear campaign.

The former City Minister is accused of pressuring her aunt Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh, to allocate three plots of land for the MP's mother, elder brother and younger sister, all of whom are based in the UK.

The three plots of land were in an exclusive residential development in the north-west of the capital called Purbachal New Town Project.

Former Labour Minister Tulip Siddiq faces an Interpol Red Notice for her arrest and extradition if she fails to attend a court hearing in Bangladesh this month over corruption charges

It comes after Ms Siddiq broke cover today and claimed she is the victim of a politically motivated smear campaign

The court has already issued an arrest warrant against Ms Siddiq's aunt, Sheikh Hasina Wazed (pictured), 77 - the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh - on Thursday on the same corruption investigation

A court issued an arrest warrant against Ms Siddiq after the ACC submitted a criminal charge sheet against the Labour MP last week.

Bangladeshi authorities have threatened her with an Interpol Red Notice, a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition, if she fails to attend a court hearing in Dhaka.

Now, if the accused Ms. Siddiq does not turn up and surrender before the court, ACC will follow the global practice of taking assistance from Interpol through Bangladesh Police and Ministry of Home, a senior ACC official said.

Britain has been a very respected member of Interpol since 1928. Because of non-appearance, the accused would be treated as [a] criminal absconder. Bangladesh, also a member of Interpol, will ask to issue a red alert.

The responsibility of the host country of the criminal absconder is to make sure that the accused is arrested and extradited following standard legal procedures.

Tulip Siddiq's lawyers have been formally asked to fight for their clients in the appropriate court of Bangladesh.

The UK lists Bangladesh as a 2B extradition country which means ministers and judges must be presented with clear evidence before a decision is taken.

Ms Siddiq has accused the ACC of trying to harass her. I cant dignify this politically motivated smear campaign with any comment. she told Sky News outside her home today.

There is no evidence Ive done anything wrong.

Yesterday, Judge Mohamed Jakir Hossain, sitting at the Senior Special Judges' Court in Dhaka accepted the charge sheet against Ms Siddiq, and issued the arrest warrant against her, as she was deemed a fugitive from the court.

If she does not appear in court on or before April 27th, a trial can start in absentia.

At the same hearing, the court issued arrest warrants against Ms Siddiq's mother, Rehana, 69, her elder brother Radwan, 44, and younger sister, Azmina, 34, on charges of acquiring plots of land illegally.

Ms Siddiq and her family deny the claims.

The ACC alleges that after the Labour MP's pressure, Hasina allocated one plot of land each to Ms Siddiq's mother and siblings in the Purbachal New Town Project, a 6,213-acre residential development in the north-east of the capital.

In total, 16 individuals have had charge sheets submitted against them for corruption relating to the Purbachal project, including six members of Hasina and Ms Siddiq's family.

Last month, Ms Siddiq's lawyers sent a letter to the ACC accusing it of launching 'targeted and baseless' investigations into her, claiming the corruption allegations against their client are 'false and vexatious.'

Ms Siddiq resigned as City Minister in January, a month after the Daily Mail revealed that the ACC had launched its corruption probe into her, accusing her and her family members of embezzling up to 3.9billion from a Russian-built nuclear power plant in Bangladesh

The arrest warrant came after Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted a criminal charge sheet against the Labour MP last week

Ms Siddiq, who denies the claims made against her, has accused the ACC of trying to harass her

But last week, the head of the ACC, Abdul Momen, said that the Commission will not exchange letters with Ms Siddiq, but let the court deal with the case.

He said: 'Exchanging letters cannot take the place of a proper court process.

'A full charge sheet has been prepared after a detailed review of documents. The matter now rests with the court. If she fails to appear after a warrant is issued, she will be treated as a criminal absconder.'

Ms Siddiq resigned as City Minister in January, a month after the Daily Mail revealed that the ACC had launched its corruption probe into her, accusing her and her family members of embezzling up to 3.9billion from a Russian-built nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. Ms Siddiq strongly denies the claims.

It then emerged that Ms Siddiq lived in flats in London that were gifted by British political allies of her aunt, Hasina.

An official inquiry into the controversy found that Ms Siddiq may have misled the public when she told the Mail on Sunday in 2022 that a flat owned by her in London's King's Cross was bought for her by her parents.

She later admitted it was in fact a gift by a property developer linked to her dictator aunt.

After her resignation as a Minister, the ACC launched the Purbachal investigation, and another probe regarding a flat she owned in Dhaka since 2002.

Ms Siddiq claimed she transferred ownership of the flat to her sister in 2015, shortly after becoming an MP.

But the ACC claims she did not transfer the flat legally, but merely created a fake transfer document without actually changing the deed to the property.

Last month, inquiries by the Mail on Sunday at the Dhaka Sub Registry Office  Bangladesh's equivalent of Land Registry  showed Ms Siddiq was still the owner.

An official inquiry into the controversy found that Ms Siddiq may have misled the public when she told the Mail on Sunday in 2022 that a flat owned by her in London's King's Cross was bought for her by her parents. She is pictured with Kier Starmer in 2015

However, the Labour MP told the MoS she transferred the flat 'legally and legitimately' to her sister under Bangladeshi law.

Ms Siddiq's lawyers said yesterday: 'The ACC has made various allegations against Ms Siddiq through the media in the last few months. The allegations are completely false and have been dealt with in writing by Ms Siddiq's lawyers.

'The ACC has not responded to Ms Siddiq or put any allegations to her directly or through her lawyers. Ms Siddiq knows nothing about a hearing in Dhaka relating to her and she has no knowledge of any arrest warrant that is said to have been issued.

'To be clear, there is no basis at all for any charges to be made against her, and there is absolutely no truth in any allegation that she received a plot of land in Dhaka through illegal means.

'She has never had a plot of land in Bangladesh, and she has never influenced any allocation of plots of land to her family members or anyone else.

'No evidence has been provided by the ACC to support this or any other allegation made against Ms Siddiq, and it is clear to us that the charges are politically motivated.'
A business tycoon has secured a legal gagging order against a social media influencer accused of a 1million blackmail attempt over explicit photos of him.

The man, who cannot be identified, is a devout muslim and widower who brought the latest stage of his bid to prevent the woman from revealing intimate images at the Royal Courts of Justice in London earlier this month.

Following that hearing, which was held behind closed doors, a High Court judge has now ordered that an injunction first made last month should be continued against the influencer and that she must hand over any explicit images of him to his lawyers.

Judge Aidan Eardley KC also ordered her to delete four social media posts which he found contained sensitive information about the man's health and sex life and look 'strongly like conduct that is calculated to cause (him) alarm and distress'.

The wealthy businessman alleges the influencer, who he had a fling with starting in 2022, shared intimate photos on a social media platform and took secret footage of him naked.

He also claimed she emailed images and false allegations about him to some of his relatives and business associates, and made various financial demands.

The woman, who represented herself at the private hearing, claims the pair were married in an Islamic ceremony in 2023  which the businessman denies, saying that a photograph she provided as 'evidence' of this was taken at a business dinner in a Chinese restaurant.

He claimed that instances where he had sent messages to her sisters referring to himself as her husband were done at her request to 'avoid embarrassment' and he 'hesitantly' agreed to do so.

The man - who cannot be identified - is a devout muslim and widower who brought the latest stage of his bid to prevent the woman from revealing intimate images at the Royal Courts of Justice in London earlier this month

She also alleged the man knowingly infected her with an STD, which she claimed to have reported to police, and denied her communications amounted to blackmail.

However, in his ruling the judge said the businessman appears to have a 'strong case' that the woman created evidence of the marriage in order to get money from him.

Regarding the allegation of infecting her with an STD, the judge found there was 'no evidence to support this at all', and he also concluded it was likely she had engaged in blackmail.

Judge Eardley said: 'I have indulged the defendant by setting out her case on the alleged marriage at some length.

'Ultimately however, I do not see how it is likely to assist her, even if that case is accepted at trial.

'It would still not justify the publication of the highly sensitive and private matters that the claimant seeks to protect.

'Moreover, as the evidence presently stands, the claimant would appear to have a strong case that the 'marriage' was in fact a contrivance of the defendant's own making and that thereafter she busied herself with creating apparently credible evidence of it  in order to exert financial leverage over him in due course.

The gagging order injunction has been granted at the High Court in central London (pictured)

'In short, it is likely on present evidence that, in this and other respects, the defendant has engaged in blackmail, and that her article 10 rights (to freedom of expression) at trial will attract little or no weight.'

The judge refused to deal with applications by the woman for a declaration recognising the alleged marriage, compensation for personal injury and emotional distress and an order that the man be referred for criminal investigation.

He said it was 'inappropriate and impossible' to deal with these matters at the hearing and that she was free to contact police herself, as she claims to have done already.

The tycoon, a UK citizen who is chairman of a large group of firms trading globally and has homes in the UK and Asia, was previously granted an interim injunction against the woman.

The pair became involved romantically in 2022 and the businessman considered the relationship 'casual'.

He gave her money and presents during the relationship, but did not inform his family about it.

The tycoon alleges that the woman, who lives in London, began to make financial demands following an argument, and that he was 'distraught' after she posted a photo of him on her bed on social media despite him paying her 5,000.

He claims she took the post down after he paid a further 10,000, and she told him her account had been hacked and she was not responsible for the post.

She increased her demands to 1million on New Year's Eve last year, following this up with a blackmail threat over the phone a few days later, he alleges.

The businessman claims she reduced the amount she wanted but continued to demand payment and eventually copied in relatives and associates on an email, prompting him to bring the legal action against her.

The man was given a deadline of May 5 to serve his privacy claim against the woman.
A young mother allegedly left her toddler daughter to drown in her upturned car after she drunkenly crashed it into a canal before fleeing and having a bath.

Juliette Acosta, 26, is charged with murder among other counts after her daughter Reagan Herrin, 4, was killed on March 8.

Police alleged she was swerving her Subaru SUV all over the road, sideswiping a pole then driving up an embankment and into the irrigation canal about 11pm.

Her uncle heard the crash in Hickman, near Modesto, California, and rescued Acosta from the car but wasn't able to get the little girl, who was trapped in her car seat.

Acosta fled the scene and went to a hotel room, where she was found 'taking a bath' while her 'daughter remained in peril at the crash scene', police alleged.

Reagan was eventually pulled from the car by a California Highway Patrol officer with help from Acosta's uncle, who had clambered on to of the car.

Juliette Acosta, 26, (third from left, holding Reagan) is charged with murder among other counts after her daughter

Reagan Herrin, 4, was killed on March 8 when the car she was in crashed into a canal

She was rushed to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto but did not survive.

Acosta was initially charged with felony DUI after she allegedly was found to be three times over the blood alcohol limit, and released on bail.

She is now also charged with murder, vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and permitting a child to suffer under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death.

Acosta was re-arrested and is being held without bail. She faces life in prison if convicted of all charges.

Her father Clifford Acosta was detained on suspicion of aiding her after the fact.

Family and friends of Reagan's father Gage Herrin set up a fundraiser for her funeral expenses, making it bluntly clear it was 'in no way affiliated with the Acosta family'.

'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,' it read.

Police alleged she was swerving her Subaru SUV all over the road, sideswiping a pole then driving up an embankment and into the irrigation canal about 11pm

Acosta was re-arrested and is being held without bail. She faces life in prison if convicted of all charges

Acosta's mother Kari Hicks Acosta shared her excitement in 2020 in the leadup to the birth of Reagan- who would be her first grandchild.

She posted a photo of her four daughters with Acosta heavily pregnant, and replied to a friend remarking that the next photo would have five girls instead.

'Shes due July fifth but were pretty certain shell deliver early. We are so excited!' Kari replied.
The arsonist who torched Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's mansion has revealed he would have hit him with a hammer if they crossed paths.

Cody Balmer, 38, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and terrorism over the shocking incident early on Sunday morning.

Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said Balmer hammered his way into the Harrisburg, PA property while Shapiro and his family slept inside, before launching Molotov Cocktails through two windows.

Fire crews rushed to the three-story Georgian home around 2am. Luckily, everyone inside was in a separate part of the property and managed to safely evacuate.

But the incident could have taken a deadly turn if Balmer had come across the Democratic Party governor during his bloodthirsty rampage.

According to the police affidavit seen by DailyMail.com, Balmer told police he 'would have beaten him with a hammer' if they had crossed paths.

'During his interview, Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro,' the affidavit reads - though it's unclear whether this is on political or other grounds.

Balmer launched his attack on the mansion, located at 2035 North Front Street, after managing to scale a seven-foot fence protecting the property.

The arsonist who torched Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's mansion has revealed he would have hit him with a hammer if they crossed paths in the home. (Pictured: the aftermath)

Cody Balmer, 38, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and terrorism over the shocking incident in Harrisburg, PA early on Sunday morning

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and some members of his family were sleeping inside the mansion on the night Balmer launched Molotov Cocktails through two windows

Shapiro was sleeping inside, alongside his wife Lori Shapiro. 'Additional guests and staff members' were also in bed at the time, according to police.

Cops said video surveillance footage from security cameras both inside and outside the residence showed Balmer 'climbing over an exterior perimeter fence' before smashing his way inside using a hammer.

'The defendant approached the piano room windows on the south side of the Governor's Resident and proceeded to break an exterior window,' the affidavit reads.

'The defendant then threw an incendiary device into the residence through the broken window'.

Balmer went on to break an adjacent window and entered the burning building via this cavity, before 'deploying an incendiary device in the dining room'.

Police said he wore all-black apart from two different colored gloves - one orange and one yellow - which were later found in trash cans on nearby Peffer Street.

He also donned a 'Snap-On jacket with distinctive shoulder patches', which Pennsylvania State Police later found in his home in Penbrook Borough along with a gasoline container.

The affidavit reveals that Balmer's ex-girlfriend, who is not named, turned him in initially on his request, before he turned up at the police station himself.

A shocking photograph (shown above) of Balmer clutching a gun and pointing it down the lens of his camera has also been unearthed since. He handed himself in to police later on Sunday

Balmer, from Harrisburg, told cops he removed gasoline from a lawnmower and poured it into Heineken bottles, which he used to fire-bomb the mansion.

Photographs show the luxury mansion was badly damaged by the fire, with several rooms reduced to blackened husks with all possessions inside torched to the ground.

Surviving pieces of furniture in the impacted areas included a chandelier, a badly-charred sofa, and several coffee tables in the once-stunning interior.

A shocking photograph of Balmer clutching a gun and pointing it down the lens of his camera has also been unearthed since.

Balmer's social media profile is littered with political commentary and criticism about American institutions.

He previously made chilling posts about former president Joe Biden and his supporters, going as far as suggesting the former president was going to be killed.

'Biden supporters shouldn't exist,' he wrote in one post dated January 2021.

'RIP Joe Biden... whoops that's in May. #notmypresident,' another read, while another added that 'knowing is half the battle... the other half is extreme violence.'

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's mansion (pictured) was torched over the weekend

Shocking images show the charred remnants of the once-stunning rooms in the mansion

Shapiro shared a statement via X about the shocking incident.

'Last night at about 2am, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governors Residence in Harrisburg,' he wrote on Sunday.

'The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police.

'Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities.

'Last night, they did so for our family  and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.'

Shapiro and his wife share four children together - Sophia, Jonah, Max and Reuben.

Sophie and Jonah are legal adults, while Max and Reuben are minors. It is unclear if the two eldest were in the home at the time of the blaze.

Surviving pieces of furniture in the impacted areas included a chandelier, a badly-charred couch, and several coffee tables in the once-stunning interior

Governor Shapiro's mansion was torched to a crisp, as shocking photographs illustrate

Just before the fire started, Shapiro, who is Jewish, offered Passover wishes on X, saying: 'From the Shapiro familys Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!'

The 29,000 square-foot mansion was built in 1968 and has served as the residence to eight governors and their families prior to Shapiro.

The property has flooded several times in the past, including during Hurricane Agnes in 1972 when then-Governor Milton Shapp resided there with his wife Muriel.

It then underwent 'extensive repairs' before flooding again in 2011 during Tropical Storm Lee.

Shapiro has served as the Governor of Pennsylvania since 2023. He previously worked as the attorney general for the Keystone State from 2017-2023.

He is viewed as a possible contender for the 2028 presidential race, after being eyed as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris in the previous election.
A teen who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old boy at a Texas track meet had his $1million bond reduced to $250,000 on Monday.

Anthony, 17, was in court as he faces a first-degree murder charge for the killing of Austin Metcalf, who died in his twin brother Hunter's arms after being stabbed in the heart earlier this month.

When he posts bond, the accused killer will have to wear an ankle monitor and cannot leave his parent's home without permission from Judge Angela Tucker.

His lawyer said he expects him to post bond later on Monday.

The teen wore a gold jumpsuit, handcuffs and chains as he watched defense lawyers had asked for the bond to be lowered to $150,000 citing his age and lack of criminal history.

Prosecutors had asked Anthony's father, Andrew Anthony, why he could not use the more than $400,000 in donated funds for his son's defense to pay the original $1million bond.

Andrew Anthony told the court that he has no access to the donated funds and could not afford to pay a $1million bond, as reported by CBS 11 News' JD Miles. Anthony's lawyers also said the money was not for bail and instead should be used for a legal defense.

Anthony's father was also questioned in court over an incident in the teen's high school back in February that involved an altercation 'assault.'

It's not clear whether Anthony was an aggressor, victim or witness in the incident, which was handled internally by Frisco's independent school district.

Karmelo Anthony's bond was reduced from $1million to $250,000 on Monday

Austin Metcalf died in his twin brother's arms after he was stabbed in the heart in Frisco, Texas

The killing happened at the the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco

The defense also questioned Anthony's father and mother, who said their son is an A student and captain of the football and track teams at his high school.

Anthony was described as the oldest of three children who had never been arrested before Metcalf's murder.

He was the captain of his football and track teams at school and worked at Foot Locker, as well as a second job at a H-E-B supermarket prior to the stabbing.

Metcalf's killing has divided the Frisco community and nation at large; Judge Tucker said 'they've never had the security issues they've faced with this case,' according to Fox 4.

A spokesman for the Anthony family was previously forced to deny that the accused killer had been bullied by Austin before the fatal confrontation at the match. The two boys had never met one another prior to the horrific stabbing.

Just before his bond hearing on Monday, Anthony's family retained Mike Howard, a Dallas criminal defense attorney.

His former lawyers, Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole., confirmed to WFAA Saturday that they will no longer be representing Anthony while the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN) - a non-profit supporting the teen - announced the legal change.

An arrest report says a confrontation between the two star football players began when Metcalf told Anthony he was sitting under another team's pop-up tent and told him to move, as reported by NBC DFW.

When he posts bond, the accused killer will have to wear an ankle monitor and cannot leave his parent's home without permission from a judge

Austin's twin brother Hunter held him in his arms and tried to stop the bleeding after the stabbing on Wednesday

The two students from different high schools began fighting before Karmelo unzipped his bag and reached in, telling Austin: 'Touch me and see what happens.'

The report says Austin then 'grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out ... a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest.'

Anthony eportedly ran away before being arrested by responding officers.

He had apparently told a school resource officer: 'I was protecting myself,' and, 'He put his hands on me.'
Gaza's Al-Ahli hospital forced to cease operations after Israeli airstrike

Xinhua) 08:57, April 14, 2025

A Palestinian checks the damage at a building inside the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 13, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA/JERUSALEM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli airstrike hit the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City early Sunday, damaging key medical infrastructure and forcing the facility to shut down, according to Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted "a Hamas command and control center" located within the hospital compound. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) stated that Hamas operatives have been using the facility to coordinate attacks.

A medical staff member told Xinhua anonymously that the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning shortly before the strike. The attack struck the hospital's surgical operations department and an oxygen generation unit, inflicting severe damage across multiple sections of the facility.

"The two targeted departments were destroyed, and the hospital can no longer operate," the staff member said, adding that the facility had been sheltering patients, injured civilians, and hundreds of displaced residents before the strike.

Munir al-Barsh, director general of Health Services in Gaza, described a chaotic evacuation conducted under ongoing bombardment. He said a child being moved from the premises died during the process. Witnesses reported that the evacuation took place amid smoke, fire, and falling debris.

The Israeli military stated that it employed precision-guided munitions and conducted aerial surveillance ahead of the strike to reduce the risk to civilians and medical staff. It added that prior warnings had been issued in the area.

The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza condemned the strike, calling it a "war crime" and accusing Israel and the United States of bearing responsibility. It claimed the attack was part of a broader campaign against Gaza's healthcare sector. Local health authorities also appealed to international organizations to safeguard medical facilities and personnel.

Meanwhile, the health authorities in Gaza reported on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, has reached 50,944, with 116,156 wounded. They noted 11 deaths and 111 injuries in the past 24 hours, adding that rescue efforts continue to be hampered by ongoing hostilities.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Germany will not accept more than 100,000 asylum seekers a year due to schools and hospitals becoming 'overwhelmed', its incoming chancellor has vowed.

Friedrich Merz, the head of the Christian Democrats (CDU) who will be sworn in next month, said immigration figures 'need to significantly' come down below six figures amid pressure on public services and towns.

Despite a fall in asylum applications by almost a third last year, Germany is still the most popular European destination for migrants, with 235,925 initial applications made.

The CDU leader's aim would mean claims would need to fall by another 56 per cent to fall below 100,000.

Merz is under intense political pressure to slash migrant arrivals further after the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party came second in February's elections.

'Our position is that these figures need to significantly come down,' he told Caren Miosga, a German talk show.

'It can no longer be a six-digit figure  towns, communities, schools, hospitals and infrastructure are overwhelmed.'

He added: 'There has been a lot of change in Europe. Many attempts [at change] failed in Germany however in recent years. Going forward, this will no longer be the case.'

Merz is under intense political pressure to slash migrant arrivals further after the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party came second in February's elections

He said immigration figures 'need to significantly' come down below six figures amid pressure on public services and towns

Last week Merz announced that the CDU had agreed a coalition deal with the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD).

The partnership would involve a tougher migration policy, including plans to end the path to German citizenship after three years of residency.

Under the new rules, migrants will only be eligible for naturalization after five years of successful integration.

At a joint press conference in Berlin, he said: 'We will embark on a new course in migration policy.

'We will better organize and manage, with the aim of largely ending irregular migration.

'There will be controls at national borders and also returns of asylum seekers at the border. We will intensify deportations, end voluntary admission programs, and suspend family reunification.'

Other policies planned include increasing the capacity for detaining migrants pending deportation, the suspension of family reunification for migrants for two years, and expanding the list of of safe countries that migrants can be sent back to to include Algeria, India, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Germany recorded a net migration rate of around 400,000 people in 2024, and is focused on attracting skilled workers, such as IT professionals from Asia.

Last week Merz announced that the CDU had agreed a coalition deal with the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD)

The new coalition government will introduce a tougher migration policy, Merz vowed

The AfD won 152 seats and more than 10million votes on an anti-migrant policy ticket, but they are seen as controversial by many German voters

Merkel said she 'could not remain silent' while an anti-immigration motion was passed with the support for the AfD in February

Last week a CDU MP who negotiated the coalition deal said Germany may resort to triggering emergency clause Article 72, to turn back refugees from land borders.

Gunter Krings, who represents North Rhine-Westphalia, said: 'More than four million asylum seekers and war refugees came to Germany in the last decade, our capacities to integrate so many people into our society are exhausted, our public order and internal security severely affected.'

The CDU became the largest party in the Bundestag in February after winning 208 seats.

They received 14million votes - less than four million more than the AfD, who won 152 seats on an anti-migrant policy ticket.

Alice Weidel, the AfD leader, has described the coalition deal a 'capitulation document' and accused Mr Merz of reneging on campaign promises.

Meanwhile, former Chancellor Angela Merkel said she 'could not remain silent' while an anti-immigration motion was passed with the support for the AfD in February.

Merz had previously said that the CDU would never rely on far-right votes.
Donald Trump has blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for the Ukraine-Russia war just a day after a Russian missile strike in Sumy killed 34 people.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US President claimed he prevented the war from happening during his four year term, pinning the chaos on the former president Joe Biden.

'The War between Russia and Ukraine is Bidens war, not mine. I just got here, and for four years during my term, had no problem in preventing it from happening,' he wrote.

'President Putin, and everyone else, respected your President! I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS WAR, BUT AM WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO STOP.

'If the 2020 Presidential Election was not RIGGED, and it was, in so many ways, that horrible War would never have happened. President Zelenskyy and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin.

'There were so many ways of preventing it from ever starting. But that is the past. Now we have to get it to STOP, AND FAST. SO SAD!'

It comes after Zelensky took a swipe at Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their 'altered reality' surrounding the events that triggered the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

'It seems to me that the Vice President is somehow justifying Putin's actions,' Zelensky said during an with CBS 60 Minutes on Sunday.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US President claimed he prevented the war from happening during his four year term, pinning the chaos on the former president Joe Biden

Zelensky took a swipe at Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their 'altered reality' surrounding the events that triggered the Russian invasion in Ukraine

The Ukrainian president insisted that Ukraine was the 'victim' of the war, and that Putin was the aggressor.

'I tried to explain, "You can't look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim. The Russians are the aggressor, and we are the victim,"' he said.

He accused Trump and Vance of parroting talking points from Russia in their ongoing effort to end the war.

'It's a shift in tone, a shift in reality, really yes, a shift in reality, and I don't want to engage in the altered reality that is being presented to me,' Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of using civilians as 'human shields' after Sunday's missile attack hit a meeting of army commanders in Sumy which killed at least 34 people.

The strike was one of the deadliest in recent months and drew condemnation from leaders around the world, with Russia now suggesting Germany is 'escalating' the already volatile situation by arming Kyiv.

Russia staged a barbaric double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine on Palm Sunday hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 34 people, including two children, and wounding 117, including 15 children.

The strikes hit the centre of Sumy triggering outrage in Kyiv and among its allies. 'Only completely deranged scum can do something like this,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Kremlin rejected that its army had targeted civilians or a residential area. 'Our army hits only military and military-related targets,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the strike and Trump's comments.

The army appeared to concede that there were civilian casualties, though placed the blame on Ukraine.

'The Kyiv regime continues to use the Ukrainian population as a human shield, placing military facilities and holding events with the participation of soldiers in the centre of a densely populated city,' the defence ministry said.

It comes as the Kremlin on Monday warned Germany against supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal risked escalating the three-year conflict.

Russia on Sunday staged a barbaric double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine on Sunday hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 34 people, including two children, and wounding 117, including 15 children

This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on April 13, 2025, shows a Ukrainian rescuer working at the site of a missile attack in Sumy

Pictures show destroyed buildings and burned out civilian cars at the site of a Russian ballistic missile strike on the city centre, killing many civilians on April 13, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine

The Kremlin on Monday warned Germany against supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz's (pictured) proposal risked escalating the three-year conflict

A Taurus (Target Adaptive Unitary and dispensor Robotic Ubiquity System) KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missile, on display during the press presentation at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, on June 3, 2024

The air-launched missile, jointly developed by Germany and Sweden, can reach targets up to 500km away.

Outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz had ruled out sending them to Kyiv, but Merz said on Sunday he was open to the idea provided Germany had agreed with its European partners.

'He is agitating on the side of toughening his position and in favour of various steps that can - and will - inevitably lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine situation,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of Merz.

'Unfortunately, European capitals are really not inclined to look for ways of reaching peace talks, they are rather inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war,' Peskov added.

Russia has long criticised Western countries for supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine, arguing Kyiv uses them to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

Both the United States and the UK have supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Following Sunday's attack, Donald Trump has claimed that Russia 'made a mistake' with its devastating strike.

'I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing,' Trump told reporters on board Air Force One while headed back to Washington.

Asked to clarify what he meant by a 'mistake,' Trump said that 'they made a mistake... you're gonna ask them' - without specifying who or what he meant.

The dead and wounded - covered in blood - lay in the streets of the city centre on Sunday after the two massive explosions rocked the city, with video showing fireballs erupting in busy civilian areas.

President Trump's National Security Council (NSC) had earlier Sunday called the Russian strike 'a clear and stark reminder' of why his efforts to 'try and end this terrible war comes at a crucial time.'

Following Sunday's attack, Donald Trump has claimed that Russia 'made a mistake' with its devastating strike

Russia staged a barbaric new double Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine today hitting a trolley bus, killing at least 21 people and leaving dozens more injured

Bodies of people killed in a Russian ballistic missile strike lie covered with emergency blankets at the strike site on April 13, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine

Neither Trump nor the White House named Moscow as the perpetrator of the attack, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier offered condolences to the 'victims of today's horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy.'

Speaking in a US television interview broadcast yesterday, Volodymyr Zelensky urged President Trump to visit his country to better understand the devastation wrought by Russia's invasion.

'Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,' he said according to a transcript of an interview to be broadcast on CBS.

The channel aired an interview conducted by reporter Scott Pelley with Zelensky on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month.

Zelensky said he has '100 percent' hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, and warned that 'if we do not stand firm, he will advance further.'

'It is not just idle speculation; the threat is real. Putin's ultimate goal is to revive the Russian empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection. Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,' he said.

He added: 'There won't be a safe place, there won't be a safe place for (anyone).'

Following its broadcast, Trump hit back against CBS on Truth Social, saying the war in Ukraine 'would never have happened if the 2020 Election had not been RIGGED, in other words, if I were President.'

The Sumy strike came two days after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and push Trump's efforts to end the war.

Trump earlier said the visit by his envoy Steve Witkoff to see Putin in Moscow showed that the peace efforts 'might be going OK - and you're going to be finding out pretty soon.'

But Poland's foreign minister declared today that Putin is 'mocking' Donald Trump's goodwill by continuing to attack Ukraine.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) decorating a wounded Ukrainian serviceman as he visits a medical facility where wounded defenders are being treated in Kryvyi Rig on April 11

A man cries as he leans on the bus that was hit by a Russian missile on Sumy, Ukraine

'Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago,' Radoslaw Sikorsk told a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

'The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russia's mocking answer. I hope that President Trump and the US administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken.'

The Kremlin said Monday that Russia's army targets only military sites, a day after a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed 34 people and wounded dozens more.

'Our army hits only military and military-related targets,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing when asked about the strike and comments by US President Donald Trump that Russia might have 'made a mistake'.

Speaking in his evening address on Sunday night, Zelensky stressed that the attack was on civilians and had occurred on Palm Sunday, a major Christian feast.

Photos too graphic for MailOnline to publish showed the trolley bus burning with victims inside.

At least one child was a victim of the horrific new strike on a city marking the Sunday before Easter.

At least one car was ablaze with people trapped inside.

The Congress Centre in Sumy - part of the city's university - was hit in one of the most shocking strikes of the three-year war.

The dead were seen covered in silver sheets at the scene of the strike where rescuers worked through the rubble of a building near a destroyed trolleybus.

At least one child was a victim of the horrific new strike on a city marking the Sunday before Easter

The mayor of Sumy said 'more than 20 deaths' were already clear, as the emergency services continued to work

Zelensky said eight of the 68 injured in hospitals were in serious condition.

'In addition to the university, the strike damaged five apartment buildings, cafes, shops, and the district court. In total, the Russian attack damaged 20 buildings,' said Zelensky.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was 'deeply alarmed and shocked' by the strike, which highlighted a 'devastating pattern of similar assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns in recent weeks,' his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said: 'The Russians hit the city of Sumy with missiles, killing civilians.'

The office of the Sumy mayor said there were 'many dead'.

Acting mayor Artem Kobzar said: 'On this bright day of Palm Sunday, our community suffered a terrible tragedy.

'The enemy launched a missile strike on civilians. Unfortunately, more than 20 deaths are already known'

Zelensky said: 'A terrible strike by Russian ballistic missiles on Sumy.

'Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street...

'And this is on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem.

'According to preliminary data, we are talking about dozens of dead and wounded civilians. Only a scoundrel can act like this.

'Taking the lives of ordinary people. My condolences to the relatives and friends. A rescue operation is underway now. All necessary services are working.'

Zelensky pleaded for a 'tough reaction from the world'.

The office of the Sumy mayor said there were 'many dead'

Zelensky pleaded for a 'tough reaction from the world'

He said: 'The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants an end to this war and murders.

'Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.

'Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. We need the kind of attitude towards Russia that a terrorist deserves. Thank you to everyone who is with Ukraine and helps us protect life.'

The head of Ukraine's GUR military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Telegram that Russia had used two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles on Sumy.

One witness told AFP she heard two explosions.

'A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses,' she said, struggling to speak.

Sumy declared three days of mourning.

It was the second Russian attack this month to cause a large civilian death toll. An attack on Zelensky's home city of Kryvi Rig killed at least 18 people, including nine children.

Zelensky called on the United States and Europe to give a 'strong response' to Russia, adding: 'Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs.'

Trump has previously voiced anger at Moscow for 'bombing like crazy' in Ukraine.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said the strike showed Russia's 'blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump'.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'appalled' by the attack, which Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni described as a 'cowardly' act by Russia.

Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz described it as 'a serious war crime, deliberate and intended'.

Staging an attack on Palm Sunday outraged several leaders.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, said: 'Sumy. Day off. A major religious holiday for Ukrainians is Palm Sunday.'

The Palm Sunday massacre in a region close to the border between the countries left people screaming in terror with scenes from Armageddon

It was 'a barbaric attack, made even more vile as people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday,' European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

'The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday,' said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Moscow has refused a US-proposed unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.

Authorities in Sumy published footage of bodies in the street and people running for safety, with cars on fire and wounded civilians on the ground.

Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine in recent weeks, stepping up its all-out invasion that has gone on for more than three years.

Sumy has been under increasing pressure since Moscow pushed back many of Ukraine's troops from its Kursk region inside Russia, across the border.

Kyiv has warned for weeks that Moscow could mount an offensive on the city.

Russia launched its invasion partially through the Sumy region and briefly occupied parts of it before being pushed back by Ukrainian forces.

On Sunday, Russia said it captured another village in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region.
Beloved Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa has died 'peacefully' at the age of 89.

The Nobel literature laureate passed away in the nation's capital of Lima on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones.

'His departure will sadden his relatives, his friends and his readers around the world,' read a letter signed by his children Alvaro, Gonzalo and Morgana, and posted by Alvaro on X.

'But we hope that they will find comfort, as we do, in the fact that he enjoyed a long, adventurous and fruitful life, and leaves behind him a body of work that will outlive him.'

Vargas Llosa was best known for his books 'The Time of the Hero' (La Ciudad y los Perros) and 'Feast of the Goat,' as well as his stance against Latin American dictators in later life.

The author's lawyer and close friend, Enrique Ghersi, confirmed the death to The Associated Press and recalled the writer's last birthday on March 28 at the home of his daughter, Morgana.

'He spent it happy; his close friends surrounded him, he ate his cake, we joked that day that there were still 89 more years to go, he had a long, fruitful, and free life,' Ghersi said.

Among those leading tributes to the visionary author were King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, where the writer spent long periods of his life.

Beloved Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa has died at the age of 89

He was awarded a Nobel prize for literature in 2010, with the committee commending his, 'cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individuals resistance, revolt, and defeat.

'The Olympus of universal literature has opened its doors to Mario Vargas Llosa,' the royal couple said.

He became a member of the Royal Spanish Academy in 1994 and held visiting professor and resident writer posts in more than a dozen colleges and universities across the world.

Vargas Llosa was born March 28, 1936, in Perus southern city of Arequipa, high in the Andes at the foot of the Misti volcano.

His father, Ernesto Vargas Maldonado, left the family before he was born.

To avoid public scandal, his mother, Dora Llosa Ureta, took her child to Bolivia, where her father was the Peruvian consul in Cochabamba.

He published his first collection of stories 'The Cubs and Other Stories' (Los Jefes) in 1959.

But he burst onto the literary stage in 1963 with his groundbreaking debut, 'The Time of the Hero,' a novel that drew on his experiences at a Peruvian military academy and angered the country's military.

A thousand copies were burned by military authorities, with some generals calling the book false and Vargas Llosa a communist.

That, and subsequent novels such as 'Conversation in the Cathedral,' (Conversacion en la Catedral) in 1969, quickly established Vargas Llosa as one of the leaders of the so-called 'Boom,' or new wave of Latin American writers of the 1960s and 1970s, alongside Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Carlos Fuentes.

The Nobel literature laureate passed away in Lima on Sunday surrounded by loved ones

Vargas Llosa was best known for his books 'The Time of the Hero' (La Ciudad y los Perros) and 'Feast of the Goat,' as well as the myriad prizes he won during his career

Vargas Llosa started writing early, and at 15 was a part-time crime reporter for La Cronica newspaper.

According to his official website, other jobs he had included revising names on cemetery tombs in Peru, working as a teacher in the Berlitz school in Paris and briefly on the Spanish desk at Agence France-Presse in Paris.

He continued publishing articles in the press for most of his life, most notably in a twice-monthly political opinion column titled 'Piedra de Toque' (Touchstones) that was printed in several newspapers.

Vargas Llosa came to be a fierce defender of personal and economic liberties, gradually edging away from his communism-linked past, and regularly attacked Latin American leftist leaders he viewed as dictators.

Although an early supporter of the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro, he later grew disillusioned and denounced Castro's Cuba. By 1980, he said he no longer believed in socialism as a solution for developing nations.

In a famous incident in Mexico City in 1976, Vargas Llosa punched fellow Nobel Prize winner and ex-friend Garcia Marquez, whom he later ridiculed as 'Castro's courtesan.'

It was never clear whether the fight was over politics or a personal dispute, as neither writer ever wanted to discuss it publicly.

Vargas Llosa drew much of his inspiration from his Peruvian homeland, but preferred to live abroad, residing for spells each year in Madrid, New York and Paris.

Aitana (R) and Julio (back), grandchildren of late Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, arrive at their grandfather's apartment

His remains will be cremated and there wont be any public ceremony

He was awarded a Nobel prize for literature in 2010, with the committee commending his, 'cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individuals resistance, revolt, and defeat.'

Vargas Llosa had a colorful personal life and married his first wife after meeting her in a communist cell

The author met Bolivian Juila Urquidi, his uncle's sister-in-law and the two eloped and married when she was 33 and he was in his teens.

In 1965, he married his first cousin, Patricia Llosa, 10 years his junior, and together they had three children.

They divorced 50 years later, and he started a relationship with Spanish society figure Isabel Preysler, former wife of singer Julio Iglesias and mother of singer Enrique Iglesias. They separated in 2022.

He is survived by his three children. Their letter announcing his death said his remains will be cremated and there wont be any public ceremony.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
As many Americans stampede to stores, panic-buying cheap Chinese products while they're available, Mark Andol can put up his Thorogood boots (stitched in Wisconsin), crack open a Yuengling (brewed in Philadelphia) and smile.

For over a decade, Andol, 58, has been Mr Made In America.

The gregarious welder from upstate New York was pushed down this path almost 20 years ago, when a Chinese competitor lured away half his business overnight.

He was making a living fabricating steel posts that went inside plastic fencing, high risers and decks.

But when his main client found a business in China that could go in for fractions of his costs  he was left without work.

You'd think that would make a man bitter. But it's not the case with Andol.

'It's not an anti-Chinese thing, or a red or blue thing  it's a red, white and blue thing,' he tells the Daily Mail. 'It's truly my passion.'

And now, amid President Donald Trump's escalating tariff war with levies on Chinese imports rise to 145 percent, Andol takes immense pride in his place as the nation's greatest champion of US-made goods  a man who puts his money where his mouth is and is now one of the only retailers in the United States that sells 100% American made goods.

Mark Andol (pictured) has earned the title of Mr. Made In America with his unmatched dedication to items made in the US.

The Buffalo-based Made In America store (pictured) meticulously vets each product on its shelves to ensure it is entirely produced in the US.

Though, he admits, 'It's not been easy.'

Andol wakes up every morning in this Buffalo, New York, log cabin which he built himself in 1999, using US-grown cedar.

After rising from a bed made with American Blossom sheets from Georgia, beneath a Country Cottons throw from North Carolina (he rests his head on a South Carolina-made Harris pillow), Andol showers with Dr Squatch soap from California.

Breakfast is baked on Lodge cast iron cookware from Tennessee, and it is eaten with Rada cutlery from Iowa. Perhaps he'll have some honey, gifted from his neighbor's hive.

Andol dresses in All American Company jeans from Ohio  Levi's and Wrangler have long been made in Asia. His feet are clad in Wisconsin's Wigwam socks; he favors Bayside t-shirts and hoodies, from California.

He drives to work in a Ford, explaining: 'I've always liked them.' But perhaps that's where the wheels of the all-American dream come off.

Despite being an American company, and assembling most models in the US, Ford sources 65 percent of its component parts from outside the US or even Canada, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found.

And Andol uses an iPhone, made in China with components from over 40 countries  although he notes the Gorilla Glass screen is by New York-based Corning.

All of his electrical goods are made elsewhere: the United States no longer produces plugs, batteries or incandescent lightbulbs. Ultimately, unless you embrace the idea of living by candlelight and cooking over an open fire, a true all-American existence is impossible.

'My mother is 87; she worked at Fisher-Price toys until they went overseas,' Andol says. 'My dad worked at Bethlehem Steel, and plenty of tools were made there. Back then we could make a coffee pot. Now America has been to the moon but we can't make a toaster.'

The shelves are brimming with items that boast 'Made in America' status - and the storefront has even become a tourist hotspot.

Andol (left) founded his Made In America store 'for country, for soldier, for American worker, and for our children's future.'

Andol said customers are shocked when the America-made goods aren't significantly more expensive than those that are imported.

In 2010, Andol founded his Made In America store 'for country, for soldier, for American worker, and for our children's future.'

Based on the outskirts of Buffalo, he has just welcomed his 1,500th tour bus, and, with business booming, hopes to get 500 more buses this year.

One group came from as far afield as San Diego  a 2,500-mile drive.

'I have a little speech I give the tour buses on arrival,' he says. 'I tell them: did you know that half of all American flags are made overseas? Can we all agree that the American flag should be made in America? And then they usually cheer.'

A father of four, Andol says his youngest child, daughter Jess, was seven when he opened the store, and used to wind him up by declaring loudly in front of customers: 'That's made in China.'

Now, he says, his children  all teenagers and young adults  'put up with me.' They support his crusade, he adds, and try to buy Made in America as much as they can. But few can match his dedication.

Andol rigorously investigates his 15,000 products, insisting on three letters confirming authenticity, and dropping those who move manufacturing afield.

He did at one point carry coffee from Hawaii  the only US state where the beans will grow  but says sourcing is problematic.

'We had a tea bag, but they changed to overseas manufacturing and we threw them out. Coffee is really hard. Cocoa bean is still a problem.

The store sells nothing with batteries or requiring electricity, as they require foreign-made components.

'I've had manufacturers change screws in their products to be in my store,' he says, adding that people are surprised his goods are not significantly more expensive than imported ones.

Andol mostly relies on goods made in America to survive - from his Georgia-produced bed linens and Tennessee-made cookware to his Ohio-manufactured denim and Wisconsin-made socks.

'I've had manufacturers change screws in their products to be in my store,' Andol says.

His Western New York brick and mortar has become a tourism hotspot, and Andol has welcomed 1,500 buses thus far.

His margins, however, are less.

'We can compete,' he says. 'A lot can be made here. The chip factories for tech are coming. And there's no reason, for electrics, that we can't do the injection molding and plastics  we're very good at that.'

Andol is adamant that America needs to bring pride back to manufacturing and reinstall woodwork and metalwork facilities in schools.

'We have a worker shortage,' he says. 'I'm big on giving kids a purpose. I work with schools to provide internships: we had eight interns learning to weld in the month of March, and they loved it. It really opened their eyes.

'My top guys make $38 an hour and could walk away from this job and be hired tomorrow, there's such a demand. The real problem is that America has got lazy and selfish.'

Andol hopes the US will return to the traditional ways of buying well-made tools and household items that last a lifetime, handing them down through generations.

'It's counterintuitive for someone who owns a store to say this, but people should buy less,' he says, when asked how the US can ever replace the tsunami of Chinese-made products washing up on American shores.

'I don't think we need half the things we buy. But what we do need should be made, as much as possible, in America.'
Raw materials needed to keep Scunthorpes blast furnaces going  including a huge shipment of coal  have now been paid for, Angela Rayner confirmed today.

The Deputy Prime Minister made the announcement on a visit to the huge site this afternoon, in the wake of the governments takeover from Chinese owner Jingye.

Ms Rayner declared the countrys last blast furnaces were crucial to the British steel industry and said: We're confident that we've got the raw materials and these furnaces will continue to be fired, and that was really important for the future of British Steel, and the Government stepped in and took the action that was necessary.

Yes, there's more that we need to do over the next coming months and years, but this was a crucial step forward for British Steel in the UK."

Pushed on whether the Government had paid for the materials, she added: We've got the raw materials they've been paid for, and we're confident that the furnaces will continue to fire.

Ms Rayner could provide no further details of when the 55,000-tonne shipment of coking coal  on a ship which docked at the nearby port of Immingham on Thursday  would be unloaded and delivered.

Entrance to the Scunthorpe steelworks in Lincolnshire

Angela Rayner at Scunthorpe Steelworks where she announced supplies have been paid for

It is likely to be moved by rail from Immingham into the steelworks coal handling facility.

Ms Rayners announcement came after it emerged there was less than a month left to prevent supplies running out.

Union officials said remaining coking coal and iron ore supplies at the site in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, would only last until early May.

There was chance to buy another fortnight using a Salamander tap on one of the furnaces - in which a hole is made to drain liquid metal but it is then kept warm, so it could be restarted.

If had supplies run out, the furnaces would die down making them very difficult to restart.

Earlier today, supply trains began rumbling into the site bringing coking coal and iron ore from existing stockpiles.

Meanwhile, dozens of businesses, including Tata and Rainham Steel, rallied to help British Steel with offers of managerial support and raw materials.

Scunthorpe steelworks, home to Britain's last two blast furnaces, which were under threat

Alun Davies, national secretary of the Community steelworkers union, arriving for talks at Scunthorpe yesterday, said this morning: There are enough raw materials to last until May 9 under normal operations or May 23 if Bess (one of the two furnaces) is tapped.

We are confident British Steel and the government are working to get the raw materials in.

Andy Prendergast, national secretary at the GMB union, said: We're confident that the deal being done with the raw materials, and the steps being taken will get there on time, and ultimately that has the potential to preserve the future for the plant.

Asked about an expected timeline for getting the material in, Mr Prendergast said: We're being told it's going to come in good time, so we're... hopeful that it's the next 48 hours but we haven't had confirmation of that.

Remaining coal stocks at Scunthorpe steelworks where supplies have dropped critically low

I think for us the key thing is that we keep this plant going and keep (UK) virgin steel-making capacity.

There was excitement outside the steelworks this morning as a train with over 20 iron ore trucks arrived at the plant shortly before 11.30am, followed by a train of coking coal, both from Immingham Port on the Humber Estuary.

But a source stressed the wagons were moving existing stockpiles  and that talks were continuing to secure fresh supplies.

The boat carrying 55,000 tonnes of coking coal from Japan, worth around 7m, arrived at Immingham, 25 miles from Scunthorpe, on Thursday but unloading was held up amid negotiations over payment.

The government moved to reassure unions representing 3,000 staff at the steelworks, with Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray saying: The raw materials, the shipments have arrived, they're in the UK, they're nearby.

Mr Murray, speaking to Times Radio, said: There were questions about getting them (the supplies) into the furnaces, that is what the officials are focused on right now.

But the minister refused to guarantee the furnaces will continue running, claiming the plant's Chinese owners, Jingye, accelerated the shutdown of one furnace.

A second boat of coal is thought to be arriving at Immingham later this week.

The blast furnaces and iron ore stock yard (background) at the British Steel site in Scunthorpe

The government faced criticism over the time taken to unload coal from the boat, with ex-Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith urging them: For Gods sake, get on with it.

Earlier today, British Steel announced the appointment of long-term British Steet managers, Allan Bell as new interim Chief Executive Officer and Lisa Coulson as interim Chief Commercial Officer.

The appointments, signed off by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, will ensure consistent and professional leadership.
President Donald Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele led a united defense in the Oval Office on Monday as they defended keeping a Maryland man in a notorious megaprison after the Supreme Court ordered his return to the U.S.

Bukele argued he couldn't return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old father of three who was mistakenly deported along with dozens of other migrants on March 15, to America.

Trump and his lieutenants doubled down on their decision, calling Garcia an 'illegal alien' and gang member who was rightfully kicked out of the country.

Backing the presidents up was Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff who has waged a personal war against illegal migrants.

Even members of the Cabinet jumped in to make the case against Garcia.

As journalists questioned Garcia's incarceration, Miller held court, standing behind a sofa in the Oval Office as the two presidents, Vice President J.D. Vance and a slew of cabinet officials sat in silence, listening to him.

'So with respect to you,' Miller snapped, '[Garcia's] a citizen of El Salvador. So it's very arrogant, even for American media to suggest that we would even tell El Salvador how to handle their own citizens.'

President Donald Trump meets with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele (left) in the Oval Office as Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi sit and listen

Miller accused Garcia of being a member of MS-13, which Trump has declared a foreign terrorist organization.

Garcia had denied being a member of the gang. He has no criminal record in the U.S.

But Miller argued Garcia's membership 'meant that he was no longer eligible under federal law ... for any form of immigration relief in the United States, so he had a deportation order that was valid, which meant that under our law, he's not even allowed to be present in the United States, and had to be returned because of the foreign terrorist designation.'

The Supreme Court ordered the White House to find a way to return Garcia to the United States.

But El Salvador's president said he could be of no help.

'How can I return him to the United States?,' Bukele said. 'I smuggle him into the United States or what do I do? Of course, I'm not going to do it. The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I don't have the power to return him to the United States.'

Trump supported Bukele's claim and went further, lobbying the El Salvadorian leader to take more migrants and build more prisons hold them.

'I just asked the president, you know, it's this massive complex that he built, a jail complex. I said, 'Can you build some more of them, please?'' Trump said.

He asked Bukele to take 'as many as we can get out of our country that were allowed in here by incompetent Joe Biden, through open borders -- open borders.'

The president said he wants to deport 'as many as possible' to El Salvador.

Bukele, who calls himself the world's 'coolest dictator,' reassured Trump that he is 'eager to help.'

Trump expressed his gratitude.

'You are helping us out, and we appreciate it,' he said.

The two presidents have bonded and get along well. Earlier this year, they struck a deal where El Salvador to accept more than 200 Venezuelans deported from the United States since Trump's inauguration in January.

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old father of three who lived in Maryland and was deported to El Salvador

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller defended the two presidents

Secretary of State Marco Rubio (center) and Attorney General Pam Bondi (right) also defended the decision to keep Garcia incarcarated

But Garcia's case has captured national attention and highlighted the administration's efforts to remove illegal migrants from the country using the Alien Enemies Act.

The battle is now being fought out in the courts.

The Trump administration is fighting hard against the Supreme Court's order to find a way to have Garcia returned to American soil.

The Justice Department, in its latest filing, argued the courts lack the ability to dictate steps that the White House should take in the matter.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, who joined Trump and Bukele in their Oval Office meeting, said the decision was in El Salvador's hands.

'That's up to El Salvador if they want to return him. That's not up to us,' Bondi said. 'The Supreme Court rul, President, that if El Salvador wants to return him ... we would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane.'

Garcia remains at the CECOT prison in El Salvador as the legal back-and-forth plays out.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was also in the Oval Office, backed Bondi, saying the administration was not bound to follow court orders.

'No court in the United States has a right to conduct the foreign policy of the United States,' he said.

'I don't understand what the confusion is,' Rubio added. 'This individual is a citizen of El Salvador. He was illegally in the United States and was returned to his country.'

Alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the MS-13 gang, recently deported by the U.S. government, look on from inside a jail at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, in Tecoluca, El Salvador

Earlier Monday, Miller claimed Garcia was legally removed from the United States.

'No one was mistakenly sent anywhere,' he told reporters at the White House ahead of Bukele's arrival. 'The only mistake that was made is a lawyer put an incorrect line in a legal filing that's since been relieved of doing it.'

Miller also argued Garcia is an 'illegal alien.'

'He is El Salvador. He is an illegal alien. He was deported to El Salvador,' he said. 'I would welcome anyone here to tell me what country they think we should be sending El Salvador illegal aliens to.'

Garcia is a Salvadoran citizen who has lived in Maryland for almost 15 years. While he initially entered the U.S. illegally, a federal judge in 2019 granted him protection from being deported, due to concerns for his safety if he were to return to El Salvador.

The Trump administration has held firm about Garcia's deportation, insisting it was legal and he was a criminal.

Last week a Justice Department attorney described Garcia's deportation as a mistake, or an 'administrative error.' That lawyer was later placed on administrative leave.

In addition to defending the Garcia case, both Trump and Miller indicated there are many more deportations to come.

'There's no upper limit to the agreement we're going to continue to send foreign terrorist aliens to El Salvador, as well as to many other counties,' Miller said.

And when asked about a report the administration wanted to deport a million people, Miller responded: 'More than that.'

And Trump indicated he was open to sending Americans convicted of violent crimes to the notorious El Salvadorian prison, which is heavily overcrowded and faces allegations of human rights abuse.

'I'm all for it,' Trump said, adding that the attorney general was studying the idea.

'If it's a homegrown criminal, I have no problem, no,' he said, adding: 'I'm talking about really bad people.'

Before the formal sitdown in the Oval Office began, El Salvadoran television captured Trump giving Bukele a tour of the room and asking him to build five more prisons.

'Home-growns are next. The home-growns. You gotta build about five more places. It's not big enough,' Trump told him.
The tour company whose helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, killing a family of five and the pilot, has a history of safety problems.

New York Helicopter was flying the family on a sightseeing trip over the city on Thursday when the aircraft suddenly fell from the sky.

Spanish tourists Agustin Escober, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4, were all killed.

The pilot, Navy SEAL veteran Sean Johnson, 36, also died in the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration suspended the company's operation and will investigate the operator's license and safety record.

New York Helicopter has been operating for decades, but has struggled with safety issues and financial problems.

There was a close call in 2013, when a helicopter suddenly lost power in midair and the pilot maneuvered it to a safe landing on pontoons in the Hudson.

Over the past eight years, the company has been through a bankruptcy. It also faces ongoing lawsuits over alleged debts.

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 doomed helicopter was being flown by 36-year-old Sean Johnson (pictured) - a Navy SEAL veteran - when in suddenly split apart in the sky

New York Helicopter was sued for over $1.4 million in January by a company that claimed it wasn't being paid for a leased chopper.

A cash-advance lender sued in February, saying the helicopter firm had blocked repayments on a weeks-old loan and owed over $83,000. New York Helicopter hasn't yet filed a response in either case.

The business said it was profoundly saddened by the crash and referred any media inquiries to investigators.

'The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew has always been the cornerstone of our operations,' it added.

Michael Roth founded it in the 1990s and still runs the firm, which is also known as New York Helicopter Charter Inc, and New York Helicopter Tours LLC.

One of few firms with a license allowing it to fly close to major New York City landmarks, it also offers shuttles to airports and charter flights for executives and others.

The airspace around Manhattan is busy, tricky and sometimes deadly. More than three dozen people have perished in tours and other helicopter crashes in NYC in the last half-century.

Just weeks ago, a $90 million settlement ended a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by relatives of one of five passengers killed in a 2018 sightseeing-helicopter crash operated by a different company.

Mayor Eric Adams noted in TV interviews on Friday that thousands of flights a year operate safely from the lower Manhattan heliport where Thursday's tour took off.

Asked whether he had any specific concerns about New York Helicopter, he said only that investigators were looking into what happened. He won't stop flights over the city operated by other companies.

New York Helicopter's website claimed an 'industry-leading safety record,' but its history is far from spotless.

The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the 2013 power failure partly to an 'improper maintenance decision' about an oil pressure issue.

A family of four tourists from Sweden were taking a sightseeing tour in a Bell 206 helicopter that had also taken off near Wall Street.

The pilot was forced to land in the water and deploy inflatable pontoons to keep the aircraft upright.

All four passengers were taken to hospital at the time, but there were no serious injuries.

There was a close call in 2013, when a helicopter suddenly lost power in midair and the pilot maneuvered it to a safe landing on pontoons in the Hudson

All four passengers were taken to hospital at the time, but there were no serious injuries

Two years later, a New York Helicopter craft went into a spin while hovering about 20ft off a helipad, landing hard but safely with just the pilot aboard.

The investigation determined the same helicopter - a Bell 206 model leased from Meridian Helicopters - had been involved in a hard landing in Chile in 2010.

The helicopter was found to have a drive shaft of the aircraft that the NTSB described 'unairworthy' that was hidden in a 'deliberate concealment and reuse'.

The NTSB blamed an unknown person who had painted over a bad part, which was marked as faulty, so no one would know.

New York Helicopter had recently leased the aircraft from Meridian Helicopters, a Louisiana company that had just bought it and told investigators it arrived with a fresh coat of paint.

Meridian also owned the Bell206L-4 LongRanger IV aircraft that crashed into the Hudson on Thursday.

Michael Roth founded it in the 1990s and still runs the firm, which is also known as New York Helicopter Charter Inc, and New York Helicopter Tours LLC

Horrified onlookers in New York and New Jersey watched as the aircraft, operated by local tour company New York Helicopter Charters, split apart in the sky and spiraled into the river

New York Helicopter hit financial trouble after New York City halved tour helicopter traffic in 2017, according to filings in the company's 2019 bankruptcy case.

As flights were cut down but Manhattan landing fees rose, the company saw revenue fall from $4.5 million in 2017 to $3.9 million in 2018, according to its bankruptcy papers. New York Helicopter said it slashed its staff from 30 employees to 13.

By 2019, it listed $6 million in assets and $1.6 million in liabilities, including hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt for landing fees and repair bills.

The business emerged from bankruptcy in 2022 but apparently continued to face financial headwinds.

Last June, the company filed a lawsuit over what it called an 'unconscionable' loan it got in 2018 from another cash-advance lender.

The helicopter company dropped the case this month. It is unclear from court records whether there was any financial or other settlement, and a lawyer who represented the company declined to comment.
At least 85 Muslim graves, including those of dozens of babies, were damaged by vandals at a cemetery in Hertfordshire.

The vandalism was discovered at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford on Sunday morning, with police launching an investigation.

Dozens of grave markers were discovered destroyed or damaged at the cemetery in Three Rivers - all within the Muslim portion of the cemetery.

A large number of the damaged graves are believed to be the resting place of babies and young children, with many snapped in half or cracked.

Officers attended on Sunday morning and and remained on site carrying out enquiries.

Abbas Merali, Conservative councillor for Moor Park and Eastbury, posted upsetting images of baby's grave markers strewn across the floor.

Carpenters Lane Cemetery is a multi faith site that was opened in 1954. No upright memorials are allowed, only approved bronze resin plaques which are set into the ground.

The cemetery has a Muslim area set aside to cater for the area's large Muslim population.

North Watford councillor Asif Khan surveys the damage done to the Muslim portion of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford - including grave markers belonging to babies

In a post on Facebook Mr Khan said he was 'heartbroken and outraged' by the vandalism on the Muslim baby and child section of the cemetery

Dozens of grave markers were discovered destroyed or damaged at the cemetery in Three Rivers - all within the Muslim portion of the cemetery

In 2021, 44.4% of people in Watford described themselves as Christian while 13.0% were Muslim, up from 9.9% the decade before.

The leader of Brent Council, councillor Muhammed Butt, shared a statement on the desecration, describing it as an 'Islamophobic hate crime.'

He said up to 100 graves may have been targeted.

'Our thoughts are with the families of those whose graves were desecrated, I cannot imagine how they must be feeling at this moment,' he said.

'This is a very serious incident, and we continue to work closely with Hertfordshire Police to inform family members and bring the perpetrators to justice.

'I encourage anyone who thinks they have information that will help the investigation to call the Police on 101.

'It looks as though Muslim graves have been targeted, in what appears to be an Islamophobic hate crime.

'There is absolutely no place for hate or discrimination of any kind anywhere, but particularly in London - a city where everyone is welcome and our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

A large number of the damaged graves are believed to be the resting place of babies and young children, with many snapped in half or cracked

A grave marker pulled out of the ground by vandals at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford

Grave markers bearing the names of the deceased lie flat on the ground, with police in attendance as they investigate the desecration of the cemetery

'We will reinstate the damaged name plaques and return Carpenders Park Lawn cemetery to a peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible, once the Police have finished their investigation.'

The council said it understood the vandalism happened on Saturday.

Brent Council has been working with the police over the weekend to make sure everyone who needs to be is contacted and that work will continue today.

They added that Hertfordshire Police was treating it as a hate crime and additional security may be added in the coming days.

Wadi Funeralcare was first alerted to the destruction by a family whose loved one was buried in the cemetery and whose burial they had recently overseen.

A spokesperson for the North West London-based company said: 'We are heartbroken and outraged by the recent desecration of the Muslim burial section at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery.

'Reports indicate that children's grave plaques were destroyed, and some graves were subjected to unspeakable acts of disrespect.

'These heinous actions have caused immense pain to grieving families and our broader community.

A shot showing one of the grave markers pulled out of the ground and left strewn face-down on the grass

'We call upon Brent Council, which manages Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and to implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The sanctity of our loved ones' resting places must be preserved.

'We urge members of our community to join us in demanding accountability and justice.

'This incident has deeply shaken our community, but the swift response and shared outrage remind us of the strength we have when we stand together.'

Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, from the Local Policing Command, said: 'This is an abhorrent incident and one that will understandably spark an emotive reaction in the community.

'We are continuing to work closely with our local community leaders and our partners at Brent Council, which owns the site, to identify those families who have been affected but we appreciate that this will take some time.

'At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to the nature of this incident and in the coming days we will continue to engage with our Muslim communities to provide support and reassurance.

'We're also working with specialist officers in the constabulary to ensure we remain sensitive and respectful to the needs of the communities involved.

'In addition, specialist officers will be attending Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery to provide crime prevention advice.

Carpenters Lane Cemetery is a multi faith site that was opened in 1954. No upright memorials are allowed, only approved bronze resin plaques which are set into the ground - those damaged in the targeted attack on the graveyard's Muslim section

'They are also planning to attend other cemeteries and community venues in the area to offer further reassurance and advice.'

The force has set up a special operation as it delves into who could be responsible, called Operation Lunate.

Ch Supt Simpson added: 'Our team of detectives and investigators will continue to work very hard and quickly to ascertain the circumstances of this incident, but we are appealing to anyone who has information to please contact police as soon as possible.'

He said: 'I am devastated to report the distressing news that graves within the Muslim burial section of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery have been vandalised.

'Reports confirm that plaques on children's graves were destroyed, and other graves were subjected to shameful acts of vandalism.

'These abhorrent actions have caused immense anguish to grieving families and profound hurt across our community.

'My thoughts go out to those families who have been impacted by this barbaric act.

'I have spoken directly with the Superintendent Sally Phillips of Hertfordshire Police, who confirmed that this is being treated as a serious and targeted act of vandalism.

'A full investigation is now underway. I will be following up with the Hertfordshire Police team and our MP @gaganmohindra to ensure no stones are left unturned.

'Please remain vigilant when visiting Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, and report any concerns or unusual activity to the authorities.

'At this time, we should stand together to ensure that such an act never happens again.'

Anyone who believes their loved one's grave may have been affected is asked to email Detective Sergeant Anna Cornish on anna.cornish@herts.police.uk directly with the reference 'Op Lunate' and include their contact details.
A surveillance video captured the moment a teenage assassin fired into a party in Brazil, killing a girl and a woman.

The disturbing video showed the 15-year-old boy riding up to a property in the midwest town of Ceilandia Sunday night.

The suspect could be seen nearly falling off his bicycle when he suddenly fired into the crowd.

Esthella de Oliveira, 3, was sitting on her 55-year-old grandfathers lap when they were both struck.

De Oliveira was rushed to Taguatinga Regional Hospital, where she died.

Juliana da Silva, 39, was also shot and pronounced dead Monday.

De Oliveiras grandfather, a 39-year-old man and another male, whose age is unknown, remained hospitalized Monday.

Authorities arrested the teen killer at a nearby restaurant moments after the shooting.

A teenager approached a home in Ceilandia, Brazil, where a party was taking place and opened fire, killing two people, including a three-year-old girl, and wounding three people on Sunday

Three-year-old Esthella de Oliveira was sitting on the lap of her grandfather when she was shot and killed Sunday in Ceilandia, Brazil

Juliana da Silva was one of two people who were shot and killed at a party in Brazil on Sunday. The suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was hired by one of the guests to kill a person they had fought at the event

The Federal District Military Police recovered the gun used by a 15-year-old boy to kill two people, including a three-year-old girl at a party in Ceilandia, Brazil on Sunday

He was found hiding under a counter, where he tried to conceal the murder weapon.

The young boy confessed to the Federal District Military Police that he carried out the shooting by himself.

He told investigators that he was attempting to gun down a local drug dealer, who had assaulted him earlier during the week.

He claimed that the dealer was charging him for drugs that had been lost and threatened to harm his family.

Notwithstanding, investigators discovered that two men fought at the party and that one of them abandoned the event to contract the teenager.
Hungary has banned public events by LGBTQ+ communities, a decision that legal scholars and critics call another step toward authoritarianism by the populist government.

The amendment to Hungary's constitution, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Ahead of the vote - the final step for the amendment - opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage.

Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together.

The amendment declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble.

Hungary's contentious 'child protection' legislation prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors aged under 18.

The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBTQ+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands annually.

That law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events - such as Budapest Pride - and can come with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (420).

Hungary has banned public events by LGBTQ+ communities, a decision that legal scholars and critics call another step toward authoritarianism by the populist government (file image of a Pride parade in Budapest in 2019)

The amendment to Hungary's constitution, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban (pictured attending the vote)

A protester carries a smoke flare during a demonstration after the Hungarian parliament voted on constitutional amendments targeting the LGBTQ community, on the Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, April 14, 2025

David Bed, a lawmaker with the opposition Momentum party who participated in the attempted blockade, said before the vote that Orban and Fidesz for the past 15 years 'have been dismantling democracy and the rule of law, and in the past two or three months, we see that this process has been sped up.'

He said as elections approach in 2026 and Orban's party lags in the polls behind a popular new challenger from the opposition, 'they will do everything in their power to stay in power.'

Opposition lawmakers used air horns to disrupt the vote, which continued after a few moments.

Hungary's government has campaigned against LGBTQ+ communities in recent years, and argues its 'child protection' policies, which forbid the availability to minors of any material that mentions homosexuality, are needed to protect children from what it calls 'woke ideology' and 'gender madness.'

Critics say the measures do little to protect children and are being used to distract from more serious problems facing the country and mobilize Orban's right-wing base ahead of elections.

'This whole endeavor which we see launched by the government, it has nothing to do with children's rights,' said Danel Dobrentey, a lawyer with the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, calling it 'pure propaganda.'

The new amendment also states that the constitution recognizes two sexes, male and female, an expansion of an earlier amendment that prohibits same-sex adoption by stating that a mother is a woman and a father is a man.

Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together

People kiss during a demonstration outside the Hungarian parliament on the day it votes on constitutional amendments targeting the LGBTQ community, in Budapest, Hungary, April 14, 2025

A protester carries a smoke flare during a demonstration after the Hungarian parliament voted on constitutional amendments targeting the LGBTQ community, in Budapest, Hungary, April 14, 2025

The declaration provides a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of transgender people, as well as ignoring the existence of intersex individuals who are born with sexual characteristics that do not align with binary conceptions of male and female.

In a statement on Monday, government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote that the change is 'not an attack on individual self-expression, but a clarification that legal norms are based on biological reality.'

Dobrentey, the lawyer, said it was 'a clear message' for transgender and intersex people: 'It is definitely and purely and strictly about humiliating people and excluding them, not just from the national community, but even from the community of human beings.'

The amendment is the 15th to Hungary's constitution since Orban's party unilaterally authored and approved it in 2011.

Adam Remport, a lawyer with the HCLU, said that while Hungary has used facial recognition tools since 2015 to assist police in criminal investigations and finding missing persons, the recent law allows the technology to be used in a much broader and problematic manner.

That includes for monitoring and deterring political protests.

'One of the most fundamental problems is its invasiveness, just the sheer scale of the intrusion that happens when you apply mass surveillance to a crowd,' Remport said.

'More salient in this case is the effect on the freedom of assembly, specifically the chilling effect that arises when people are scared to go out and show their political or ideological beliefs for fear of being persecuted,' he added.

A banner that reads 'you can ban us, but you can't ban the truth' is displayed at the Hungarian parliament, as it votes on constitutional amendments targeting LGBTQ community, in Budapest, Hungary, April 14, 2025

Protesters attend a demonstration outside the Hungarian parliament on the day it votes on constitutional amendments targeting the LGBTQ community, in Budapest, Hungary, April 14, 2025

The amendment passed Monday also allows for Hungarians who hold dual citizenship in a non-European Economic Area country to have their citizenship suspended for up to 10 years if they are deemed to pose a threat to public order, public security or national security.

Hungary has taken steps in recent months to protect its national sovereignty from what it claims are foreign efforts to influence its politics or even topple Orban's government.

The self-described 'illiberal' leader has accelerated his longstanding efforts to crack down on critics such as media outlets and groups devoted to civil rights and anti-corruption, which he says have undermined Hungary's sovereignty by receiving financial assistance from international donors.

In a speech laden with conspiracy theories in March, Orban compared people who work for such groups to insects, and pledged to 'eliminate the entire shadow army' of foreign-funded 'politicians, judges, journalists, pseudo-NGOs and political activists.'
Police have rushed to UnitedHealthcare's Minnesota headquarters - four months after Luigi Mangione allegedly killed the insurance giant's CEO in New York City.

'There is currently a large police presence at the United Healthcare campus. We are monitoring the situation,' Minnetonka Police wrote on X at 12.22pm on Monday.

Around an hour later, they added that a suspect had been detained 'without incident'.

'There is no threat to the public. We are continuing to clear the scene at this time,' Minnetonka Police wrote.

DailyMail.com has contacted the department for more information.

UnitedHealthcare is America's biggest health insurer, covering more than 49 million people. It is headquartered at 9700 Health Care Lane on the outskirts of Minneapolis.

Police records obtained by KSTP show that Minnetonka Police stationed an officer at the site as they heightened security in the days after Mangione, 26, allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 4.

The Ivy League graduate has been imprisoned at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9.

Police have rushed to United Healthcare's Minnesota HQ (pictured) - just four months after Luigi Mangione allegedly murdered the insurance giant's CEO in New York City

Mangione, 26, is facing state and federal murder charges for allegedly gunning down United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside of the Midtown Hilton hotel in Manhattan

The Ivy League graduate is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson (pictured) outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced earlier this month that she has directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty against the alleged assassin.

It is the first time the Justice Department has sought to bring the death penalty since President Donald Trump returned to office in January with a vow to resume federal executions after they were halted under the previous administration.

'Luigi Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson  an innocent man and father of two young children  was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,' Bondi said in a statement.

She described Thompson's killing as 'an act of political violence.'

Mangione's lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said that in seeking the death penalty 'the Justice Department has moved from the dysfunctional to the barbaric.'

Mangione 'is caught in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors, except the trophy is a young man's life,' Friedman Agnifilo said in a statement, vowing to fight all charges against him.

The killing and ensuing five-day manhunt leading to Mangione's arrest rattled the business community, with some health insurers hastily switching to remote work or online shareholder meetings.

It also galvanized health insurance critics  some of whom have rallied around Mangione as a stand-in for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind.

Police say the words 'delay,' 'deny' and 'depose' were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.

This is all I got. UnitedHealtcare Campus in Minnetonka. pic.twitter.com/DZtdgiEhkz  Kalliope (@kalliope813) April 14, 2025

Police have rushed to United Healthcare's Minnesota HQ, as shown above, just four months after Luigi Mangione allegedly murdered the insurance giant's CEO in New York City

Mangione has been accused of shooting Brian Thompson at point-blank range in New York

The suspect was picked up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side

Mangione's federal charges include murder through use of a firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.

The state charges carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to a state indictment and has not yet been required to enter a plea on the federal charges.

Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state case expected to go to trial first. It wasn't immediately clear if Bondi's announcement will change the order.

Mangione was arrested December 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City and whisked to Manhattan by plane and helicopter.

Police said Mangione had a 9mm handgun that matched the one used in the shooting and other items including a notebook in which they say he expressed hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives.

Among the entries, prosecutors said, was one from August 2024 that said 'the target is insurance' because 'it checks every box' and one from October that describes an intent to 'wack' an insurance company CEO.

UnitedHealthcare has said Mangione has never been a client of theirs.
Greek authorities are investigating the death of a three-year-old British boy found drowned in the swimming pool of a holiday villa.

The toddler had just arrived for a holiday with his parents and extended family at the luxury villa on the island of Zante which is popular with British tourists.

Local authorities said the family were getting ready to go out for dinner when they suddenly noticed the little boy had vanished.

A search of the villa where they were staying in at Tsilivi was quickly launched and the boy was found unconscious in the pool.

Paramedics were called to the villa and the boy was transferred to Zante's main hospital where he was declared dead.

Local media said the boy had been found by his grandfather and prosecutors have opened an investigation into the exact circumstances of what happened.

A police official confirmed the incident had happened to MailOnline but added he was not authorised to disclose any further details.

A website for the 2,000-a-week four-bedroom villa where the family was staying describes it as a 'true gem' that is 'tucked away in a completely private location'.

The toddler had just arrived for a holiday with his parents and extended family at the luxury villa on the island of Zante which is popular with British tourists (File image: Tsilivi Beach)

A website for the 2,000-a-week four-bedroom villa where the family was staying describes it as a completely private 'true gem'(File image)

It adds how the property 'nestled in secluded oasis, our villa offers the perfect escape for those seeking tranquillity and natural beauty'.

It goes on to say: 'Our villa is a true gem, tucked away in a completely private location. As you step onto our property, you'll be greeted by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature.

'The centrepiece of our villa is the sparkling private pool, inviting you to take a refreshing dip or simply lounge in the sun, surrounded by swaying trees and the scent of Mediterranean blossoms.'

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: 'We are providing consular support to the family of a British child who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.'
A pub landlord who fell ill on holiday in Benidorm says he is being held hostage in a Spanish hospital as his insurer refused to pay a 60,000 bill after hed had a glass of wine with dinner.

Robert Atkinson, 67, had been enjoying a final meal with his wife Carol, 64, during their holiday to the popular Mediterranean resort when his legs suddenly gave way beneath him.

Robert - known to friends as 'Benidorm Bob' because of his fondness for holidaying there - managed to crawl to bed with the help of his mobility scooter and Carol - but woke up the next morning unable to move from the waist down.

Doctors at the hospital discovered a small tumour had weakened his spine and caused a vertebra to collapse, leaving him unable to walk.

But just a day after his emergency spinal surgery, the couple were told their travel insurer Zurich wouldnt pay up - because of traces of alcohol in his blood.

To make matters worse, the family then found out Mr Atkinson had unknowingly been taken to a private hospital in a private ambulance which the insurance did not cover, leaving them with a huge bill.

His stepdaughter Amanda Liddle claims the couples insurance company, Zurich Insurance, have washed their hands of the situation and are refusing to cover any costs.

She told MailOnline: The insurance company has washed its hands of it now because he had been at a private hospital.

Robert Atkinson, 67, had been enjoying a final meal during a Benidorm holiday when his legs suddenly gave way beneath him

Doctors at the hospital discovered a small tumour had weakened his spine and caused a vertebra to collapse, leaving him unable to walk

The keen rugby supporter, who often helps out his local Acorn Rugby Team in York, remains in the intensive care unit and is still unable to walk

They also said he had alcohol in his system but they were on holiday in Benidorm. It is not as if he was excessively drunk

They had been out for a meal before their flight home the next day and had shared a bottle of wine. Its not like that would affect his spine.

'The insurance company has really got them held hostage, as does the hospital.'

Mr Atkinson, who remains unable to walk, is now stuck with his wife in the Spanish hospital with a medical bill that is continuing to grow as they wait for a fit to fly letter.

His family have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his insurance costs and bring him back home.

Ms Liddle added: It is very scary what happened and is a complete tragedy in itself. But what has made matters worse is that when the hotel rang for an ambulance they automatically called a private service that took Robert to a private hospital.

The insurance wont cover operations in a private hospital but no one was aware of this and unfortunately due to the severity of the injury, he had to go through with the operation then and there.

It was only the next day, however, that they discovered they were in a private hospital when the insurance company said it would not cover the costs.

Mr Atkinson, who remains unable to walk, is now stuck with his wife Carol in the Spanish hospital with a medical bill that is continuing to grow as they wait for a fit to fly letter

Mr Atkinson, known as Benidorm Bob to many due to his frequent trips to the Alicante region, has now been in the hospital for more than a week since his operation on April 6. He is pictured with his wife Carol

His family have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his insurance costs and bring him back home

Mr Atkinson has now been in the hospital for more than a week since his operation on April 6.

He is awaiting a fit to fly certificate from the Spanish doctors and his medical records to take back to the UK.

Ms Liddle, who works in a housing charity, added: It is all very, very scary. Bob is in a lot of pain and highly frustrated.

Everyone just wants to get him back to the UK so he can be treated closer to home.

My mum is very stressed with it all. She doesnt speak Spanish and is having to use Google Translate to speak to doctors. It is very difficult for her being on her own out there but we are trying to support her from the UK as best we can.

She is so worried about everything - not just about the health of my stepfather but the monetary side of things and how they are going to pay the bill. It is a huge concern.

The insurance maintains that because Mr Atkinson, who runs The King William Pub in York, was treated in a private hospital, was taking medication not listed on insurance form and had traces of alcohol in his system, it does not have to cover the costs.

The keen rugby supporter, who often helps out his local Acorn Rugby Team in York, remains in the intensive care unit and is still unable to walk.

MailOnline has contacted Zurich Insurance for comment.
President Donald Trump suggested Monday that the attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro home wasn't due to the Democrat's political leanings - with Trump pointing out that the attacker didn't like him either.

'The attacker was not a fan of Trump, I understand,' Trump told reporters, saying he didn't know what the suspect's motive was. 'Just from what I read and what I've been told,' the president explained.

Trump was asked about the early Sunday alleged arson at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion as he hosted El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office.

'The attacker basically wasn't a fan of anybody, probably just a wack job, and certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.'

The suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, expressed general anti-government sentiment on his social media pages, posting memes that urged people to 'become ungovernable.'

He posted negative comments about Democratic President Joe Biden's 2020 election win, seemingly rejecting that it was legitimate.

At the same time, he shared a meme in 2020 blasting both Democrats and Republicans saying the two parties 'would rather argue with other than work to solve the problems we are facing.'

In June 2022, Balmer reposted a meme suggesting he was a fan of Kanye West's foray into politics.

President Donald Trump suggested Monday that the attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro home wasn't due to the Democrat's political leanings - with Trump pointing out that the attacker didn't like him either

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police are photographed in the Pennsylvania governor's mansion on Sunday surveying the damage

'Every time I stop to get gas, I personally feel that we should have taken our chances with Kanye,' the meme said.

The booking photo for 38-year-old Cody Balmer, who turned himself in Sunday for setting fires in the Pennsylvania governor's mansion, targeting Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro

Rapper Kanye West ran for president in 2020, receiving around 70,000 votes.

More recently the rapper has expressed anti-Semitic views and spent time with far-right personalities, including Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.

Also in 2022 Balmer reposted artwork of a Molotov cocktail with the slogan: 'Be the light you want to see in the world.'

The suspect allegedly used two beer bottles filled with gasoline to make homemade Molotov cocktails to light fire to Shapiro's Harrisburg mansion, the official property where Pennsylvania governors reside.

Balmer turned himself into Pennsylvania State Police on Sunday telling officers he was 'harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro.'

Additionally, according to the police affidavit seen by DailyMail.com, Balmer told police he 'would have beaten him with a hammer' if they had crossed paths.

The Jewish holiday of Passover started this weekend and Shapiro is Jewish, leaving some wondering if Balmer was expressing anti-Semitic views.

Damage to the rooms in shown in a Pennsylvania State Policy photo after Cody Balmer allegedly threw two homemade Molotov cocktails made from gasoline inside beer bottles into the Harrisburg residence of Gov. Josh Shapiro early Sunday morning

Balmer had worked as an auto mechanic and faced criminal charges in the past.

He pleaded guilty to forgery and theft in 2015 and again to forgery in 2016.

Balmer was also charged with assault in 2023 in a case that is still open.

Biden, a political ally of Shapiro's, said in a post on X Monday: 'Jill and I are disgusted by the attack on the Shapiro family and their home during the first night of Passover.'

'We are relieved that they are safe and grateful to the first responders,' Biden said.

'There is no place for this type of evil in America, and as I told the Governor yesterday, we must stand united against hatred and violence,' the former president said.
Sir Lindsay Hoyles foreign travel expenses have surged past 300,000 after more than 25,000 was spent on his latest long-haul jaunt.

The Commons Speaker racked up the bill on a trip to Malaysia in February, as he looks to expand the centuries-old job into a full-blown diplomatic role.

The taxpayer was billed 23,264 for business class flights and 1,163 for hotels for him and two staff. A further 418 was splashed on meals and subsistence and nearly 300 on taxis and other ground transportation.

It was his second-most expensive trip and comes despite a growing backlash about the lavish scale of his travel expenses.

Only a trip to the Australian capital Canberra, in January 2023, was more expensive (40,599).

It means that, since becoming Speaker in November 2019, Sir Lindsay has splashed 324,874 on 25 non-regular foreign trips.

The vast bulk of this - more than 250,000 - has been spent over the last two and a half years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, when travel was largely grounded.

John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Clearly weeks of dreadful headlines hasnt deterred Sir Lindsay from tapping up taxpayers to fund his life of luxury.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has come under fire for being the best travelled Commons Speaker in history, racking up expenses bills of more than 250,000 in little over two years

Sir Lindsay said his trip to Malaysia, where he met his counterpart Johari bin Abdul, was worth 25,000-worth of taxpayers' cash because it helped to 'further parliamentary relations'

Sir Lindsay also met with officials in Sarawak, a province on the island of Borneo, where he said Britain was hoping to 'cooperate with Sarawak in various fields especially related to renewable energy such as green energy and hydrogen'

The Speaker clearly has a wildly outsized view of his role, which should be focused on acting as the presiding officer of the House of Commons.

His role as ambassador for the institution is important for visiting dignitaries, but this does not require the four seasons foreign diplomacy for which he is now known.

MPs should be making it clear to him that they expect a significant reining in of foreign travel and significant reductions in cost when travel is genuinely necessary.

Last month the Mail revealed how Sir Lindsay had splurged over 250,000 on foreign jaunts since October 2022.

He racked up a bill of more than 180,000 on first and business class plane tickets alone because he wont fly economy, with thousands more spent on chauffeur-driven cars, stays at luxury five-star resorts and swanky restaurants.

Several of the taxpayer-funded bills appeared to have little to do with his role, including giving speeches at the University of Gibraltar - where he is Chancellor - and the University of California.

His latest trip to Malaysia was to the capital Kuala Lumpur to visit the countrys Parliament and the province of Sarawak on the nearby paradise island of Borneo to hold meetings with local officials.

According to official records, the trip was to further parliamentary relations and to fulfil an invitation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia and the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Sir Lindsay also met with officials in Sarawak, a province on the island of Borneo, during his latest jaunt

Sir Lindsay told of his delight in an unearthed video clip at being back in Malaysia in February, when he racked up a 25,000 expenses bill

Sir Lindsay also visited the Sarawak province on the island of Borneo during his visit, known for its lush beaches and dense rainforest

Sir Lindsay did not meet the Malaysian PM during the trip. But he did hold meetings with his Malaysian counterpart, the countrys law minister, senior Malaysian MPs and UK business figures based there.

He also met the premier and Speaker for Sarawaks Parliament.

In a video clip of him speaking at an undisclosed location during the trip, Sir Lindsay said: What a wonderful visit its been.

The fact I came here and have been to the Parliament, meeting both speakers, meeting the chairs of the [Malaysian Parliament] select committees, talking about democracy.

And thats what matters about my role and the Speakers role here, and how we can share the best information by working together.

He added: Ive got to say what a fantastic visit weve had, going up to Sarawak.

And Ive got to say that was brilliant.

In an interview this month while visiting Ukraine, Sir Lindsay tried to justify his lavish travel expenses by claiming it was part of efforts to speak truth to power to the Chinese and to Russia.

But critics point out that this is traditionally the job of ministers and diplomats and that his role is mostly to sit in a chair and keep quiet.

A spokesman for Sir Lindsay last night said: The Speaker visited Malaysia in February to further strengthen the ties between the two Commonwealth nations...and [it] was an opportunity to share best practice on parliamentary governance - including Malaysias recent introduction of PMQs - and the functioning of select committees in how they scrutinise the work of government.
Detectives are probing two more fire attacks feared to be linked to a wave of gangland violence sweeping Scotland.

The latest incidents come just days after a 72-year-old woman and 12-year-old boy were caught up in the spate of targeted attacks, with the pair suffering significant injuries.

Two men had forced their way into a property in Milton, Glasgow, before assaulting the two, Police Scotland said, in an incident investigators described as cowardly.

Detectives are now hunting those behind the attack, which happened just after midnight on Saturday, as well as those behind a spate of firebombings the latest targets of which were hit in the early hours of Monday (APRIL 14).

In shocking footage of the attacks in Bishopbriggs, one figure is seen pouring what appears to be a flammable liquid over the front of a home and then another approaches the door and sets it alight.

Officers said it had been called to two addresses in the Dunbartonshire town and the blazes were extinguished. They said there was no reports of injuries.

The blazes in Colston Drive and John Marshall Drive, which are being treated as deliberate, are the latest in the wave of attacks feared to be linked to the underworld.

Six other properties have been targeted in attacks in the west of Scotland, with those incidents coming in quick succession between April 3 and April 8.

Detectives are investigating whether simultaneous fire-raising attacks on two houses in Bishopbriggs are connected to recent gangland violence

Footage posted online of one of the deliberate fire raising attacks

The fire attacks and the serious assault are all being treated as potentially linked, Police Scotland said yesterday.

Officers are now examining security camera footage and going door-to-door in a bid to catch those responsible.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said: While we believe these attacks to be targeted attacks, I want to make it clear this violence will not be tolerated and we are following a number of lines of inquiry.

To attack an elderly lady and a child is simply cowardly - no one should be made to feel unsafe in their own home.

We are aware that videos of some of these fires have been posted online.

The publicising and glamorising these despicable and dangerous acts is abhorrent.

I would appeal for anyone who knows who is responsible to come forward, even anonymously, and bring this behaviour to an end.

We are using every resource at our disposal to trace those responsible for this despicable act as quickly as possible.

The attack on Saturday saw two men force their way into a home in Egilsay Crescent, Milton, at around 12.10am, before attacking the elderly woman and young boy.

They were taken to hospital for treatment.

The suspects have been described as two teenage males who were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

Officers said a dark large family-style or SUV-type car was seen in the area around the time of the incident, and police want to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle.

The violence originally started in the east of the country, but has since spread west.

Mr Ferry said arrests have already been made in connection with incidents in the East and arrests will continue over the coming days.
This is the moment two bungling thieves are caught on CCTV stealing 100 worth of Eater eggs from Tesco before getting trapped in the supermarket.

Jordon King, 28, was jailed for stealing five Easter eggs from the shop on February 27.

He admitted three counts of shop theft at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 28.

CCTV footage shows the crook enter Tesco Express on Alfreton Road, Radford, Nottinghamshire, with an accomplice.

Police are still searching for the man who was caught on camera assisting King.

The thief is seen grabbing Easter eggs off the shelves before trying to run out the store with his arms full of chocolate goodies.

The greedy crook tried to force open the glass door which had been locked by security staff.

Eventually King places the six eggs on the floor while his fellow thief barges the door off its hinges and squeezes himself outside.

Jordon King (right) found himself stuck inside the supermarket as he tried to escape with the Easter eggs

He pleaded guilty to three counts of shop theft and was jailed for eight weeks

CCTV footage shows King picking up the Easter eggs, worth 100 from the supermarket shelves

He then lifts the broken door up to allow King to escape with the stolen eggs.

Police discovered King had raided several supermarkets in Radford between February 27 and March 27.

As well as stealing Easter eggs, he also stole nappies and washing pods during his month-long crime spree.

King was identified from CCTV and arrested by officers from the Radford neighbourhood policing team after a tip-off from the public.

He also pleaded guilty to resisting an officer when he was arrested on the morning of March 27.

King, of no fixed address, further admitted to causing criminal damage to the Tesco Express.

Jordon King seen holding the five Easter eggs in his hand before he tried to make his getaway

Hi accomplice ran into the door and managed to knock it off its hinges to allow the pair to escape

King has been ordered to pay back the cost of the items stolen.

Nottinghamshire Police are still hunting for King's accomplice.

Sergeant Matthew Leask, of Radford's neighbourhood policing team, said: 'Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and can have a significant impact on retailers both financially and emotionally.

'We take shoplifting very seriously and I am pleased we have been able to get a repeat offender like King off the streets.'
Two teenage girls have been arrested after a middle-aged man was found in the street with 'life-changing injuries'.

The 19-year-old duo were arrested on suspicion of attacking a man in his 40s, who detectives have not yet named, at around 4.30am today.

Police were called to an address in Luton in the early hours of today following an abandoned 999 phone call.

The force is now appealing for witnesses to come forward, as officers remain at the scene.

The two girls, who were at the address when the authorities arrived, are currently in police custody.

Police were called to an address in Luton (above) in the early hours of today following an abandoned 999 phone call

The force is now appealing for witnesses to come forward, as officers remain at the scene

A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: 'We are appealing for witnesses after officers attended an address in Foxglove Way, Luton, following an abandoned call around 4.30am today.

'Police arrived to find a man aged in his 40s outside the address. He was taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries.

'Two women aged 19 years, who were also at the address, were arrested and taken into custody. Officers currently remain at the scene.'

Detective Inspector Jon Wheeler from Bedfordshire Police's Emerald team said, 'Our officers arrived at the scene of this incident to find a man who has suffered life-changing injuries.

'Anyone who may have heard or seen something can get in touch via 101 quoting reference number 40 or Op Horning. You can also report information to us via our website Home | Bedfordshire Police.'
A lipstick-wearing New Mexico man has been arrested in connection with a string of arson attacks on Tesla vehicles and GOP headquarters.

Jamison Wagner, 40, torched cars at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom and set a doorway alight at the Republican Party of New Mexico offices, prosecutors said.

He used homemade napalm devices topped with distinctive lids which were later recovered following a search of his home, court documents state.

Wagner is also accused of daubing the showroom and six vehicles in swastika symbols and graffiti, which read 'Die Elon,' 'Tesla Nazi Inc,' and 'Die Tesla Nazi' among others phrases.

Wagner was arrested after he left a trail of clues behind at the scene which matched objects seized during a raid on his home, according to to prosecutors

These included remnants of homemade incendiary devices, graffiti spray paint and a stencil bearing the phrase 'ICE = KKK', the same words which had been emblazoned on the Republican party offices.

Investigators noted that several glass jars used for the improvised napalm materials found at the crime scenes contained a hand hand-written capital 'I' or 'H' letter their lids.

They stated that similar lids and jars were found at Wagner's home.

Jamison Wagner, 40, has been arrested in connection with a string of arson attacks on Tesla vehicles and GOP headquarters

Wagner is charged with two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives

Investigators claim Wagner used homemade napalm devices topped with distinctive lids which they say they recovered from his home

The February 9 arsonist left graffiti on the Tesla showroom and several of the cars

Wagner is charged with two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for Wednesday.

If convicted of the current charges, he faces between five and twenty years in prison as to each count.

'Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence,' Attorney General Pamela Bondi said.

'We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.'

The first incident took place at the Tesla showroom on February 9 and left two vehicles damaged, according to the court documents.

Surveillance video captured the suspect on scene, and he was observed as a tall, light-skinned individual, possibly over 6 feet tall, wearing black clothing and a mask and carrying a white box.

On March 30, a second arson attack took place at the Republican Party headquarters leaving the front entryway significantly damaged.

At the scene, investigators collected shattered glass and metal lids from what appeared to be two to three separate glass containers.

A doorway was also set alight at the Republican Party of New Mexico offices on March 30

Prosecutors say they recovered these stencils from Wagner's home. The phrase matches graffiti spray painted on the GOP HQ

A surveillance grab of an arsonist who investigators say is Jamison Wagner

Two of the lids bore a handwritten capital 'I' or 'H,' similar in appearance to the letter found on the lid of the glass container at the Tesla scene, prosecutors said.

Surveillance footage also captured the suspect parked up in a white sedan prior to the blaze, which matches Wagner's white 2015 Hyundai Accent, according to prosecutors.

'A single individual exited the vehicle, approached the RPNM headquarters, and a flash of light was recorded,' the DOJ said.

Anti-Elon Musk demonstrations have erupted across the US with protesters attacking Tesla showrooms with guns and Molotov cocktails.

Last month dozens of fired-up crowds assembled outside Tesla stores across the country to protest against Musk's efforts to slash government spending and enact reforms.

Demonstrations also erupted in London, Portugal, Malaysia and Iceland.

Roughly 250 activists were gathered outside a showroom in New York City, holding anti-Musk placards that read 'Block Facism Now and 'Musk Must Go' as they shouted 'Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!'

The DOGE head and Tesla boss has since said anyone caught vandalizing the vehicles will be treated as terrorists.

Investigators caught the suspect approaching the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom and claim the description matches Wagner's appearance

If convicted of the current charges, he faces between five and twenty years in prison as to each count

'Hurling firebombs is not political protest,' said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

'It is a dangerous felony that we will prosecute to the maximum extent.

'The impressive work by law enforcement in New Mexico sends a clear message to perpetrators of all of the shameful attacks on Tesla facilities and political establishments: we are coming for you, you can't hide, and you will do serious jail time to pay for your crimes.'
A Columbia University graduate who organized pro-Palestine protests has been detained by ICE agents after turning up for his US citizenship interview.

Video shows the moment Palestinian refugee Mohsen Mahdawi was escorted out of an immigration processing building in Vermont in handcuffs on Monday.

Mahdawi made two peace signs with his hands as officers walked him away from the USCIS Burlington Field Office into a police cruiser.

He has filed a habeas corpus petition against the deportation attempt, which says he is a 'lawful permanent resident of the US' who has held a green card for 10 years.

Mahdawi grew up in a West Bank refugee camp, and his attorneys have said that if he is deported he will face 'harassment, detention and torture' in his home country.

The legal document also accuses President Donald Trump's administration of violating his First Amendment rights via the 'retaliatory and targeted detention' and attempt to remove him from the country.

At Columbia University, where he is due to graduate next month, he was an 'outspoken critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza', his petition says.

In 2023, he co-founded the university's Palestinian Student Union, which 'serves to engage with and celebrate Palestinian culture, history, and identity', along with fellow student Mahmoud Khalil, who was recently deported after a tense court battle.

Mahdawi grew up in a West Bank refugee camp, and his attorneys have said that if he is deported he will face 'harassment, detention and torture' in his home country. He was previously profiled by CBS show 60 Minutes in December 2023, as shown above

Video shows the moment Palestinian refugee Mohsen Mahdawi was escorted out of an immigration processing building in Vermont in handcuffs on Monday

Mahdawi made two peace signs with his hands as officers walked him away from the USCIS Burlington Field Office into a police cruiser

The duo organized several protests, but Mahdawi stepped back from the demonstrations in March 2024, according to his petition.

In December 2023, Mahdawi spoke with CBS show 60 Minutes. He told interviewers that 'as a child, he watched an Israeli soldier shoot and kill his best friend in the West Bank,' his petition said.

'Mr. Mahdawi is fearful that, if he loses his lawful permanent resident status and he is removed to the West Bank, he will experience the same harassment, detention, and torture that his family has experienced, and would be in even more danger in light of the campaigns that have targeted and spread lies about him,' his attorneys wrote.

During his 60 Minutes interview, he said he 'could not believe what he was seeing' when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and that he was worried about the 'huge level of revenge' Israel would wreak on his home country.

Mahdawi also condemned anti-Semitic remarks made by one person at the protests on the Columbia University campus who shouted 'death to Jews'.

'I was shocked,' Mahdawi said. 'I walked directly to the person and told him, you don't represent us, because this is not something that we agree with'.

'To be anti-Semitic is unjust and the fight for the freedom of Palestine and the fight against anti-Semitism go hand in hand, because injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,' he added.

According to his habeas corpus petition, Mahdawi was born and raised in a refugee camp in Palestine's West Bank, where he lived until he moved to the US in 2014.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University graduate who organized peaceful pro-Palestine protests, has been detained by ICE agents during his US citizenship interview

Mahdawi grew up in a West Bank refugee camp, and his attorneys have said that if he is deported he will face 'harassment, detention and torture' in his home country

Mahdawi has completed his undergraduate degree at Columbia University and is due to graduate in May 2025.

He plans to return to the university this fall to complete a master's in International Affairs at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs.

His petition says the Department of Homeland Security, led by Marco Rubio, is using the same provision to deport Mahdawi as was used against Khalil.

A judge recently ruled that Khalil, 30, who was born in a Syrian refugee camp to Palestinian parents, could be deported

Rubio said Khalil should be removed because his presence in the US has 'potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences,' citing a 1952 law called the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Mahdawi's fate now hangs in a similar balance.

His lawsuit says that he transferred to Columbia after studying computer science for two years at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

The document says that he was also the president of the Columbia University Buddhist Association for two years, adding that he 'believes in non-violence and empathy as a central tenet of his religion'.
A man charged with murder over the disappearance of Samantha Murphy, 51, has been taken by police into a section of bushland where she was last seen alive.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, was taken from prison under heavy police guard late last year, and is expected to be taken out again soon.

Ms Murphy, a mother-of-three, went missing around the Canadian Forest in Ballarat, Victoria, on February 4, 2024 but search efforts have failed to uncover a body.

Stephenson has denied any involvement in Ms Murphys death and pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him.

The Herald Sun said taking Stephenson out of prison to aid police would have required special approval from the senior chiefs at Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria.

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Stephenson knows the whereabouts of her body or that he was involved in her alleged murder.

Ms Murphy left her home on Eureka Street to go for a run on the morning of her disappearance.

Despite extensive searches in the surrounding bushland, involving hundreds of police officers, SES workers and volunteers, her body has never been found.

A man charged with murder over the disappearance of Samantha Murphy has been taken by cops into bushland where she was last seen alive

Patrick Orren Stephenson was first taken from prison under heavy police guard late last year, and is expected to be taken out again

On May 29, Ms Murphy's wallet containing ID cards and her mobile phone were found on the bank of a dam.

The phone was probably thrown into the dam, but a dry period in the area meant the water receded and what could be a vital clue was exposed on the bank.

The police have not revealed what data, if any, they were able to extract from the phone, or if the find has brought them any closer to finding Ms Murphy's body.

Just over a month after Ms Murphy disappeared, Stephenson was charged with murder.

Stephenson is the son of former Richmond and Geelong AFL player Orren Stephenson and is not known to the Murphy family.

Melbourne-based lawyer Paul Galbally from Galbally & O'Bryan, one of Australia's top criminal lawyers, has reportedly been hired by Stephenson to head his defence case.

Dr Xanthe Mallett, a forensic criminologist at the University of Newcastle, said the cicumstances of the case resonated with so many, creating the high degree of public curiosity.

Police search bushland in Buninyong on March 20, 2024

'My first thought when I saw that Samantha had vanished, was that could be any one of us doing very normal things, going about their life and yet she's been allegedly the victim of a violent crime,' she said.

'So many women could imagine being her, they could sympathise.'

Dr Mallett said the ongoing search for Ms Murphy's body was vital both for the evidence it could yield in terms of manner of death and DNA, and to give closure to the family.

'Not only for the family's benefit, although they do desperately need to know where she is, they need to return to them, but that Samantha's body will also be a primary source of information for them, and so they will very much need that for the investigation,' Dr Mallett said.

She said cases can proceed and convictions can be secured even on a 'no body' basis, so police would be looking to all of the accused's movements and people he may have spoken with.

The investigation into Ms Murphy's disappearance continues.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A Tennessee family managed to save their home from biblical floods by building their own levee around the property.

The Humphrey family home in Ridgely - about three hours outside of Nashville - was seen untouched by brown, murky flood water on April 8 after severe rainfall trapped more than 100 people in the area.

Miraculously, the large home was still standing, as incredible aerial images posted to Facebook showed it sitting alone in the middle of a disaster zone while other neighborhoods and properties were completely submerged.

It is unclear exactly how they constructed the levee system or when they installed it, but the structure certainly appeared to do its job.

The family has reportedly been perfecting the man-made levee for years, according to several locals who know them well.

Although the family has not publicly stated that it was their doing, many applauded them for their effective work.

'That's the Humphrey's. They've done this several times before,' one commented.

'My brothers did that Tucker and Justin Humphreys they ain't play around,' said another.

A Tennessee family build their own levee system to protect their home in Ridgely from the catastrophic flooding last week

The large home was still standing, as incredible aerial images posted to Facebook showed it standing alone in the middle of a disaster zone while other neighborhoods and properties were completely submerged

Someone else said: 'Country folks can survive,' while another echoed their statement and added: 'They need to be giving everyone flood tips for sure.'

'Today's world could learn so much from this family. They are the definition of "adapt and overcome",' a user said.

Another local suggested that the brothers worked to protect their mother Amy's home from the flood.

'Amy's sons Tucker and Justin have been working non stop to keep their mamma's house from getting water in it. Precious family! Prayers,' they wrote.

Someone said: 'They do this anytime flooding gets bad. Its awesome.'

Seismic rainstorms hit the state last week as mandatory evacuations were put in place to save residents.

Assistant Chief Hunter Long with the Bogota Fire Department told WREG his own home took a beating from the harsh weather.

'The floor was caving in on a house, so we put our boat back in the water and went to that house retrieved that gentleman and his dog.'

The outlet said 120 families were affected by the flooding, which stemmed from backwater from the Mississippi Rivers and the Obion.

120 families were affected by the flooding, which stemmed from backwater from the Mississippi Rivers and the Obion

Residents were shocked to experience such extreme weather, as one local said a storm like this hadn't happened in decades.

'It has never gotten across the road like it has this time in more than 30 years I've lived in Bogota,' Larry Wiggins said.

He said his home was the 'first' to get flooded because it's 'the lowest one in Bogota.'

'And the water will actually come up in my yard and then everybody will look and say 'It's time to prepare for a flood, Larry's getting flooded',' he continued.

At least 21 people died in the series of fatal storms that consumed the Midwest last week.

In addition to heavy rain, some areas, including Kentucky, Mississippi, and even parts of Tennessee, also experienced tornadoes and high winds

Some residents were told to evacuate their homes immediately, while others had to be rescued by emergency personnel on rafts.

A total of 10 deaths were confirmed by the Tennessee health department that were caused from the dangerous weather.
Donald Trump's list of demands for elite universities has been rejected by Harvard, setting up a showdown between America's wealthiest university and the leader of the free world.

Harvard announced Monday that it won't comply with the demands from the Trump administration as part of its campaign against antisemitism, which could put almost $9 billion in funding at risk.

The school came under great scrutiny over campus antisemitism in response to Israel's war against Hamas, forcing then-President Claudine Gay to resign amid mounting pressure from forces outside the university.

Current Harvard President Alan Garber, in a letter to the Harvard community Monday, said the demands violated the university's First Amendment rights and 'exceeds the statutory limits of the governments authority under Title VI,' which prohibits discrimination against students based on their race, color or national origin.

'No government - regardless of which party is in power - should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,' Garber wrote, adding that the university had taken extensive reforms to address antisemitism.

'These ends will not be achieved by assertions of power, unmoored from the law, to control teaching and learning at Harvard and to dictate how we operate,' he wrote.

'The work of addressing our shortcomings, fulfilling our commitments, and embodying our values is ours to define and undertake as a community.'

A spokesperson for the White House told DailyMail.com that Harvard's funding is now at risk.

Donald Trump's (pictured) list of demands for elite universities has been rejected by Harvard, setting up a showdown between America's wealthiest university and the leader of the free world

Harvard announced Monday that it won't comply with the demands from the Trump administration as part of its campaign against antisemitism, which could put almost $9 billion in funding at risk

'President Trump is working to Make Higher Education Great Again by ending unchecked anti-Semitism and ensuring federal taxpayer dollars do not fund Harvard's support of dangerous racial discrimination or racially motivated violence,' Harrison Fields said.

'Harvard or any institution that wishes to violate Title VI is, by law, not eligible for federal funding.'

In a letter to Harvard Friday, the administration called for broad government and leadership reforms, a requirement that Harvard institute what it calls 'merit-based' admissions and hiring policies as well as conduct an audit of the study body, faculty and leadership on their views about diversity.

The demands, which are an update from an earlier letter, also call for a ban on face masks - which appeared to target pro-Palestinian protesters.

They also pressure the university to stop recognizing or funding 'any student group or club that endorses or promotes criminal activity, illegal violence, or illegal harassment.'

The demands on Harvard are part of a broader push of using taxpayer dollars to pressure major academic institutions to comply with President Donald Trumps political agenda and to influence campus policy.

The administration has also argued that universities allowed what it considered to be antisemitism to go unchecked at campus protests last year against Israel's war in Gaza; the schools deny it.

Harvard is one of several Ivy League schools targeted in a pressure campaign by the administration, which also has paused federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, and Princeton to force compliance with its agenda.

However, Harvard - which holds the largest university endowment in the world - appears to be prepared to stand its ground against the Trump administration.

Current Harvard President Alan Garber, in a letter to the Harvard community Monday, said the demands violated the university's First Amendment rights and 'exceeds the statutory limits of the governments authority under Title VI'

Part of the letter written to Harvard demanding change on campus antisemitism

The letter written by university President Alan Garber in response

The demand letter is similar to the one that prompted changes at Columbia University under the threat of billions of dollars in cuts.

The Trump administration demands prompted a group of alumni to write to university leaders calling for it to 'legally contest and refuse to comply with unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and university self-governance.'

'Harvard stood up today for the integrity, values, and freedoms that serve as the foundation of higher education,' said Anurima Bhargava, one of the alumni behind the letter. 'Harvard reminded the world that learning, innovation and transformative growth will not yield to bullying and authoritarian whims.'

It also sparked a protest over the weekend from members of the Harvard community and from residents of Cambridge and a lawsuit from the American Association of University Professors on Friday challenging the cuts.

In their lawsuit, plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration has failed to follow steps required under Title VI before it starts cutting funds, and giving notice of the cuts to both the university and Congress.

'These sweeping yet indeterminate demands are not remedies targeting the causes of any determination of noncompliance with federal law. Instead, 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,' plaintiffs wrote.

The position stands in stark contrast to their Ivy League siblings at Columbia, who caved to Trump weeks ago.

The Trump administration pulled the grants and other federal funding, and had threatened to cut more, over the university's handling of rampant protests against Israel.

Hundreds of demonstrators gather on Cambridge Common during a rally at the historic park in Cambridge

A student protester stands in front of the statue of John Harvard, the first major benefactor of Harvard College, draped in the Palestinian flag, at an encampment of students protesting against the war in Gaza

Those protests led to ICE detaining activist Columbia grad student Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a legal resident in the US.

The policy changes, detailed in a letter sent by the university's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, came one week after the Trump administration ordered the Ivy League school to enact reforms or lose all federal funding.

In her letter, Armstrong said the university would immediately appoint a senior vice provost to conduct a thorough review of the portfolio of its regional studies programs, 'starting immediately with the Middle East.'

Columbia will also revamp its long-standing disciplinary process and bar protests inside academic buildings. Students will not be permitted to wear face masks on campus 'for the purposes of concealing one's identity.'

An exception would be made for people wearing them for health reasons.

In an effort to expand 'intellectual diversity' within the university, Columbia will also appoint new faculty members to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies department.

It will also adopt a new definition of antisemitism and expand programming in its Tel Aviv Center, a research hub based in Israel.

The White House has labeled the protests antisemitic, a label rejected by those who participated in the student-led demonstrations.

A message seeking comment was left with a spokesperson for the Education Department.

As a 'precondition' for restoring funding, federal officials demanded that the university to place its Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies Department under 'academic receivership for a minimum of five years.'

They also told the university to ban masks on campus, adopt a new definition of antisemitism, abolish its current process for disciplining students and deliver a plan to 'reform undergraduate admissions, international recruiting, and graduate admissions practices.'

Historians had described the order as an unprecedented intrusion on university rights long treated by the Supreme Court as an extension of the First Amendment.
A pilot said to be a 'master manipulator' allegedly strangled his wife then used her phone to send messages before faking her fatal lawnmower accident, a judge has heard.

Air force pilot Robert John Crawford, 47, was arrested and charged on October 10, 2024 with murder and interfering with a corpse.

His wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford was found dead at a rural Upper Lockyer property, west of Brisbane, in the early hours of July 30, 2024.

Robert Crawford applied for bail on Monday in Queensland Supreme Court, with his defence barrister Saul Holt telling Justice Frances Williams the prosecution's case was 'very weak'.

Mr Holt said there was no conclusive evidence to support the prosecution's claim Robert Crawford strangled Frances Crawford in a state of 'murderous rage'.

The prosecution had claimed Frances Crawford was strangled in her home's ensuite bathroom, leaving behind her blood and that of her husband.

Crown prosecutor Chris Cook said Frances Crawford was carried outside and placed at the scene of a ride-on lawnmower accident at the bottom of a retaining wall.

Mr Cook said the forensic report favoured strangulation as the cause of death rather than pressure from the lawnmower's steering wheel.

Air force pilot Robert John Crawford, 47, was arrested and charged on October 10, 2024 with murder and interfering with a corpse

'She was conscious and actively resisting, not falling off the back of a lawnmower,' Mr Cook said.

He said Robert Crawford was a master manipulator who had caused his wife to seek a protective order from police as she 'felt very unsafe'.

Mr Cook said people close to Robert Crawford had provided statements he was 'really good at manipulating people and painting himself as the victim'.

Justice Williams was shown text messages exchanged on the couple's phones.

Mr Holt said the messages showed Frances Crawford wanted to move the lawnmower away from the water sprinklers but Robert Crawford was unable to do it himself.

A message sent at 11.21pm to Robert Crawford's phone stated 'hey are you going to put the mower away soon?'

Mr Cook said a jury could accept Crawford had already strangled his wife by that stage and he was sending messages from her phone to himself.

'This allows him an extended amount of time to manipulate the scene because he doesn't call the police until several hours later.'

His wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford was found dead at a rural Upper Lockyer property, west of Brisbane , in the early hours of July 30, 2024

Crawford called triple zero at 3.37am, saying he had discovered his wife's body.

Mr Cook said Crawford's statement about his wife going out to move the lawnmower at such an hour was fanciful.

'This is a middle-aged woman going out in the middle of the night with no jacket in a very cold winter. Her family said she would not do that,' Mr Cook said.

Mr Holt said his client offered a $250,000 surety and to wear a GPS tracker while on bail.

'He has no criminal record ... he is highly motivated to defend the case rather than run away from it,' the barrister said.

Justice Williams said she would reserve her decision on bail to a later date.

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The body of an elderly man has been found in a Sydney river after he accidentally ran over his wife while trying to park at a popular fishing spot, before driving into the water.

Emergency services were called to Manns Point at Greenwich at about 4.15pm on Monday following reports a car had accelerated through a car park, struck a woman, ploughed through a fence and then entered the Parramatta River.

Witnesses said the couple had just arrived at the fishing spot and the woman exited the car while the man parked. It is understood he put his foot on the accelerator by accident.

Officers from North Shore Police Area Command, along with Marine Area Command and Fire and Rescue NSW attended the scene and a 74-year-old woman was rescued from the water.

Police said two witnesses swam out and helped the woman onto a NSW Maritime vessel, with one Good Samaritan jumping five metres from a ledge into the water.

The woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said following an intensive search operation, the body of the 86-year-old man was recovered from the river about 6.30pm Monday.

A crime scene was established, and detectives commenced an investigation into the incident.

The body of an elderly man has been found in the Parramatta River after he accidentally ran over his wife while trying to park at a popular fishing spot, before driving into the water

Emergency services remained at the scene on Monday night after the car crashed through a fence and ended up in the river

Police are also working to recover the vehicle for a forensic examination.

Photos from the scene on Monday showed only a small fence blocked the car park from a sharp drop into the water.

An abandoned esky and fishing rod was on a park bench metres away from the broken fence.

The depth of the river made the search effort difficult, with the car coming to rest 10m underwater.

Rescuers were also hampered by strong currents in the Parramatta River, which is the main tributary of Sydney Harbour.

'The vehicle was bobbing but has completely sunk in the harbour... you cannot see it from the shoreline or above,' Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
BBC bosses were once forced to call security on leading dramatist Stephen Poliakoff when he got into a blazing row with an executive, after the Corporation said he would need to submit any future projects for approval.

And it seems the screenwriter is still butting heads with the organisation.

He has now launched an attack against the national broadcaster, accusing it of betraying British audiences by prioritising collaborations with US streaming giants rather than nurturing homegrown talent.

'It's a very disturbing situation at the BBC,' he tells me at an art event in London.

'They are dependent on co-production with [companies] like HBO and Netflix. The BBC's drama output has shrunk incredibly and that's just on air  they used to have drama on four nights a week.'

Poliakoff, 72, whose award-winning dramas include The Lost Prince and Gideon's Daughter, adds: 'The British audience always want a high percentage of homegrown material. If everything's reliant on American-made shows, that won't satisfy them.

'They're being betrayed as I think the audience is still very hungry for British surprises.'

Poliakoff is particularly scathing of the 'Kafkaesque committees' at the Corporation, and says he hopes that they will stop stifling creativity and 'micromanaging' talent.

Leading dramatist Stephen Poliakoff (pictured) was told by the BBC he would need to submit any future projects for approval

BBC bosses were once forced to call security on Poliakoff when he got into a blazing row with an executive

'When it comes to drama, they need to trust talent and trust authored work, and not try to research what they think the audience will want because that never works,' he says.

'That also goes with the streamers, because they are led by algorithms, by market research. That ends in an awful lot of flops for them.

'An enormous amount of money can't be wasted.'

While the director believes television is far from dead, he is now working on his first theatrical work in almost 15 years.

'I'm trying to go back to the theatre, which I haven't done for a while, so I'm just finishing a play. That's probably the next thing,' he tells me.

Eamonn's right-hand girl ties knot

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes may have been absent from his co-star Ellie Costello's wedding at the weekend, but it's clear she holds him dear.

'I love working with Eamonn, I grew up watching him on telly, so to be sat alongside him is a pinch-myself moment,' she tells me.

The breakfast TV star, 31, wore an ivory Meshki mini dress as she exchanged vows with Gerard Durkan, a construction manager, at Chelsea Old Town Hall.

She says: 'We had the most beautiful, intimate civil ceremony with our families. We're now looking forward to our religious wedding in the summer in the south of France.'

News broadcaster Ellie Costello and her new husband Gerard Durkan stop for a kiss as they leave Chelsea Town Hall in London following their wedding this weekend

When in Rome...

When in Rome, don't do as David Lammy did with King Charles. I hear that's the sentiment among Palace courtiers, who have been left aghast at the way the Foreign Secretary embraced the King during his state visit to Italy last week.

Lammy was spotted grasping the monarch's forearm at an art museum, with a source telling me: 'He has put his foot in it, or more accurately, his hand.

'He grasped the royal paw and placed his other hand on Charles's forearm. Such touchy-squeezy behaviour is much frowned upon.'

King Charles and David Lammy attend a Clean Power for Growth roundtable during a visit to the Mattatoio in Rome last week

Heard it on the vine

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine isn't the only member of his family to have had a nasty run-in with the taxman.

He reveals that one of his youngest relations was hit with a 50,000 tax bill after she set up a business on TikTok illegally.

The unnamed teenager started selling items on the social media platform, despite it banning under-18s from doing so, and made a huge profit.

'[Her] jewellery business went completely gangbusters,' says Vine. 'Then TikTok worked out she was only 14 and shut her account.'

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine isn't the only member of his family to have had a nasty run-in with the taxman

Georgia May keeps Aimee Lou smiling

White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood's teeth were ridiculed on US sketch show Saturday Night Live over the weekend  with the actress labelling the comments 'mean and unfunny'.

Despite the parody, Ms Wood, 31, revealed that she has maintained her self-confidence thanks to Sir Mick Jagger's daughter Georgia May, the former face of Rimmel London.

'When she did 'get the London look', she had gap teeth, and that was a huge moment,' Ms Wood says of the model. 'I thought, no, I am going to get red lipstick on and draw attention to it.'
Do our spirits live on after death? For most people, the question doesn't seem to require much soul-searching.

A colossal 83 per cent of adults in the US believe that human souls exist, according to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Centre.

Many religions believe that, when we die, our immortal souls survive or are reincarnated.

While there has never been a scientific consensus, the debate is ongoing. And, to the surprise of some, many scientists and philosophers argue that there is evidence souls could exist beyond our flesh and bones.

In February Dr Stuart Hameroff, an anesthesiologist and professor at the University of Arizona, said a study that showed the brain activity of patients being taken off life support could be proof of 'the soul leaving the body'.

But what do others make of this eternal conundrum? The Daily Mail breaks down what four pioneers think about this age-old question.

Dr Mario Beauregard, neuroscientist

Dr Mario Beauregard argues for the existence of a soul in his book, The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist's Case For The Existence Of The Soul

Dr Mario Beauregard, a neuroscientist affiliated with the University of Arizona, tackles the question in his book, The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist's Case For The Existence Of The Soul.

The work is based on 2006 research he carried out on nuns from the Carmelite order of Roman Catholicism.

His team studied different regions of the nuns' brains when they were asked to relive a 'mystical experience' when they felt a sense of union with God while having an MRI.

When Dr Beauregard asked the nuns to concentrate on these moments, he discovered that about a dozen different regions of their brains became more active.

One area of the brain that showed activity was the caudate nucleus, a C-shaped structure deep inside the brain, which is thought to be associated with positive feelings such as happiness.

There was also an increase in certain types of electrical impulse activity associated with deep sleep and meditation.

Based on the results, Dr Beauregard wrote that religious experiences cannot be explained by simple neurological functioning. He believes these experiences have a non-material origin, which alludes to a soul.

Professor Charles Tart, psychologist

Psychologist Charles Tart, who died earlier this month, carried out pioneering work on near-death and out-of-body experiences

Professor Charles Tart, who died last month, was a psychologist and expert in psychic and paranormal phenomena. He carried out pioneering work on near-death and out-of-body experiences.

His belief in the paranormal, including telepathy and psychic healing, led him to write the book The Secret Science Of The Soul.

In parapsychology, scientists study what is often thought of as 'pseudoscience', including extrasensory perception (ESP) such as telepathy and clairvoyance. It also includes the study of psychokinesis, the ability to move things with your mind, and survival after death.

Professor Tart studied these phenomena extensively, despite acknowledging that most scientists felt skeptical.

'Because of confusion between science and scientism, many people react negatively to the idea of scientific investigation of near-death experiences,' he wrote.

'Genuine science can contribute a great deal to understanding near-death experiences and helping experiencers integrate their experiences with everyday life.'

In 1968, Professor Tart conducted an out-of-body experience test with a volunteer who was attached to an EEG machine, which records electrical activity in the brain. The subject was asleep at the time and a five-digit code was displayed on a shelf above her that she could not see.

On the fourth night of the experiment, she had an out-of-body experience and reported seeing the number to researchers, despite it being impossible to view from where she was sleeping.

Researchers in the field believe out-of-body experiences and parapsychological phenomena are signs that a person has a soul which is separate from their physical body.

Professor Thomas Nagel, philosopher

Thomas Nagel, professor of philosophy and law emeritus at New York University, believes science does not fully explain human consciousness

Thomas Nagel is a professor of philosophy and law emeritus at New York University. He has argued in support of souls by saying that science does not fully explain human consciousness.

He believes physics alone cannot capture the human mind and has criticized explanations of consciousness that focus solely on the brain.

He has argued that humans' physical and mental realms are different - and so purely physical theories on the origins of life, such as Darwinian evolution, cannot be accurate.

And, since there are parts of living things that are not physical, physics cannot fully explain living beings.

'Each of our lives is a part of the lengthy process of the universe gradually waking up and becoming aware of itself,' he says.

He has argued for 'panpsychism', the idea that there are not just physical particles in the world but also mind-like elements of consciousness.

In 'panpsychism', even inanimate objects possess consciousness. Everything has a mind outside of its physical state.

Professor Nagel adds: 'The existence of consciousness seems to imply the physical description of the universe, in spite of its richness and explanatory power, is only part of the truth, and that the natural order is far less austere than it would be if physics and chemistry account for everything.'

Dr Jeffrey Schwartz, psychiatrist

Psychiatrist Jeffrey Schwartz is a psychiatrist who argues human beings are not simply what is inside their physical brain

Dr Jeffrey Schwartz is a psychiatrist and researcher who argues that human beings are not just made up of their bodies and brains.

Dr Schwartz studies neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to change and adapt. He has suggested that because the brain can change its own form - for example, when we change our habits - we must be made up of more than our physical state.

Dr Schwartz has used scans to demonstrate how people can reshape their own brains, from obsessive-compulsive disorder sufferers to stroke victims.

But he claims that the human brain is different to the human mind.

For example, an obsession might come from the brain - but the mind does not want that obsession.

In his book Brain Lock, Dr Schwartz writes that a person's will is more powerful than their brain, and so they can remove unwanted thoughts from their brain using their will.

This is in opposition to the 'materialist' view that nothing exists beyond our flesh.

For Dr Schwartz, a person is more than his or her body and brain. This means another element could exist - such as their spirit or soul.

The counter-argument

David Kyle Johnson, a professor of philosophy at King's College Wilkes Barre in Pennsylvania, recalls the story of a young railway foreman from the 1800s in his book Do Souls Exist?

Phineas Gage was the victim of a horrendous railway accident in 1848 when an iron bar pierced his skull. Though he survived the incident, it changed his personality. He went from being a respectable man to one with a reputation for carelessness and abusing women.

'Gages case challenged the classic soul hypothesis because physical damage cannot change ones personality if personality is housed in a non-physical thing like the soul - yet in his case it undeniably did,' writes Kyle Johnson.

He explains that, although we do not know everything about how brains work, there is plenty of evidence for the functions it controls.

'Everything that was once the purview of the soul - emotions, language, decisions, sensation, memories, personality - is now known to be the purview of the brain.

'Neuroscience has shown that there is nothing left for the soul to do and thus no reason to suppose that it exists.'
Lauren Sanchez's journey into space on fiance Jeff Bezos's rocket is raising health concerns due to her alleged cosmetic enhancements.

Sanchez, 55, and five other women, including popstar Katy Perry, 40, are set to take off from Blue Origin's Texas spaceport Monday at 9:30am ET in a historic all-female spaceflight on board the New Shepard rocket.

The crew will spend only three minutes in zero gravity, but the short stay in a low-pressure environment has left doctors wondering how Sanchez's reported plastic surgery and cosmetic tweaks might be affected.

Although Sanchez has not confirmed it, there has been widespread speculation that she has breast implants. Plastic surgeons have also told DailyMail.com that there's reason to believe she has received Botox, lip fillers, and possibly a facelift.

One doctor expressed some concern about Monday's spaceflight, more because of the extreme stress during takeoff than the limited time in zero gravity.

Dr Stanton Gerson, who researches the impact of deep space on cells, told DailyMail.com: 'The rocket launch I would have more concern about in the launch.

'You go at about 6,000 mph and that can cause shear stress and may cause something to shift.'

Shearing stress refers to forces that cause parts of a material to slide past each other in opposite directions. In the context of plastic surgery items like lip fillers or breast implants during an astronaut's launch into space, shearing stress could occur due to the intense acceleration and vibrations that place while blasting off.

Launching into space alongside Sanchez will be CBS co-host Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyne, filmmaker Kieranne Flynn, NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and popstar Katy Perry.

Sanchez, engaged to be married to Jeff Bezos, has allegedly had a number of cosmetic procedures done in recent months, according to plastic surgeons

Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft takes passengers into space for approximately 3 minutes before returning to Earth

Even without going into space, there have been cases where women have reported experiencing strange sensations of tightness in their augmented breasts while flying at high altitudes.

A 2013 study revealed that the cause for this discomfort was 'peri-implant gas,' which was triggering a phenomenon similar to decompression sickness.

Since that study, however, breast augmentation surgery has seen several advancements to increase its safety, aesthetics, durability - which could soon be put to the test during Monday's flight.

The 2013 study was conducted by Dr John Lewin, associate professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at Yale.

His findings hinged on pressure changes causing gas to collect in the spaces between older implants and the woman's breast tissue, amplified by high-altitude travel in commercial planes.

Modern implants, using cohesive gels and stronger shells, are less likely to create or sustain such spaces due to their ability to stick better to the body and stay in place more securely.

However, no studies have directly revisited the peri-implant gas phenomenon.

While breast implants have come a long way in terms of their safety over the last decade, procedures like lip filling, facelifts, and Botox may still be a cause for concern.

In zero gravity, bodily fluids shift toward the head, causing facial puffiness. This could alter how Botox or lip fillers settle or appear.

'This is a curious item and the truth is that we have no idea what might happen,' Dr Gerson admitted.

Dr Timothy Katzen, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who has handled hundreds of patients over his more than 25 years of practice, addressed concerns about the stability of cosmetic enhancements in extreme conditions, such as those faced by astronauts during spaceflight.

'Filler is solid and in the skin, in the soft tissue, it's not a liquid like silicone,' he explained. 'I think this would make it unlikely that it would move.'

To clarify, Dr Katzen is referring to dermal fillers, typically hyaluronic acid-based gels used for procedures like lip or cheek fillers, which have a thick, durable texture that helps them stay in place within the soft tissue.

In contrast, liquid silicone was once used as injectable silicone for similar cosmetic procedures but has now been largely abandoned due to its tendency to move and cause complications.

Unlike fillers, liquid silicone's fluidity increases its risk of shifting under stress, such as the high G-forces (3-8 Gs) experienced during a rocket launch.

Plastic surgeons continue to suspect that Sanchez has received the more stable dermal fillers in a recent months, after her head-turning appearance at President Trump's inauguration in January.

In terms of what the brief spaceflight might do, however, Dr Katzen added that 'I wouldn't expect it to have much of an effect.'

Cosmetic surgeon Giselle Prado-Wright, MD, MBA, believes there's no cause for concern when it comes to plastic surgery patients blasting off into space.

'Dermal fillers are designed to integrate seamlessly into your natural tissue over time. Once healed, they move and behave just like your own soft tissue,' the medical director for Exert BodySculpt told DailyMail.com

'Astronauts in the past haven't shown changes in facial structure after space travel, and we wouldn't expect any difference here either,' she added.

Perry addressed her own rumors of undergoing plastic surgery in 2018, saying that she has only received laser treatments and 'got [filler] injections under my eyes for the hollowing  which I'd recommend for everyone who wants a solution for their dark circles.'

DailyMail.com reached out to both Sanchez and Blue Origin for comment regarding the potential health concerns surrounding Monday's launch but did not receive a reply.

Buckling up alongside Sanchez will be CBS co-host Gayle King, 70, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyne, 33, filmmaker Kieranne Flynn, 57, NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, 38, and Perry.

Sanchez and the rest of the crew received their updated spacesuits this weekend

6 women make up the passenger list for Monday's Blue Origin spaceflight, making it the first all-female spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova's solo mission in 1963

Doctors are uncertain about what could happen to a person who has had several cosmetic procedures when they launch into space

Lauren Sanchez, 55, is believed to have undergone a facelift as well as Botox around her mouth and in her cheeks

The experts explained there are certain physiological changes that do take place when anyone goes into space - and they may actually be beneficial for plastic surgery patients.

In the case of facelifts, these procedures counter the gravity-driven sagging that comes with age.

In microgravity, however, less sagging occurs. So, the results of a facelift might actually appear more pronounced while in space.

Meanwhile, the lack of gravity during spaceflight could make breast implants shift slightly and appear more spherical due to the reduced downward pull.

Normally, gravity influences how a woman's implants settle after surgery.

For people who have received Botox injections, the fluid shift toward the head in zero gravity can alter how Botox appears, potentially making wrinkles even less noticeable temporarily due to the natural facial swelling in space.

That being said, the multi-million-dollar flight will only throw Sanchez and her famous crewmates' features out of proportion for a mere 180 seconds before the rocket returns to Earth.
Archaeologists have unearthed a 'major' Egyptian town that was likely constructed by Akhenaten, father of the famous Tutankhamun.

The settlement, founded as far back as the 18th Dynasty (c. 15501292 BC), is located at Kom el-Nugus, the historic site near Alexandria in northern Egypt.

Following excavations, experts from France have found jugs, bowls and the foundations of a 'monumental calcarenite building', likely a temple.

They think the town could have been the location of a huge wine-making operation that used Akhenaten's daughter (and Tutankhamun's sister) in its branding.

Tutankhamun became pharaoh at eight or nine years of age following the reign of his dad Akhenaten and the short reigns of Akhenaten's successors Smenkhkare and Neferneferuaten.

Known as King Tut, Tutankhamun famously reversed his fathers worship of Aten the sun god and brought Egypt back to its polytheistic roots.

The ancient family have a strong link to this 'large' and 'unexpected' town, a mudbrick settlement first discovered north of Lake Mariout.

Until now, it was thought to have only been occupied only from the Greek Hellenistic period onwards  but the new findings reveal the true story.

The newly-discovered Egyptian settlement pictured in this annotated view from the south-east

Block depicting Ra-Horakhty (God of the rising sun) from the temple dedicated to Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II

The name of this Egyptian settlement at Kom el-Nugus has yet to be identified, but this could be revealed in future excavations.

Study author Sylvain Dhennin, an archaeologist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), said it's not clear exactly how big this town was.

'The quality of the remains, their planned organization around a street, could suggest a fairly large-scale occupation,' she told Live Science.

Kom el-Nugus, which was first excavated in 2013, is about 27 miles (43 km) west of Alexandria, on a rock ridge between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariout.

The newly-found ancient Egyptian settlement at the site could date back as far as the 18th Dynasty (c. 15501292 BC), as indicated by surviving artefacts.

For example, an amphora  a distinctive storage vessel with an oval body, narrow cylindrical neck and two handles  has a stamp bearing the name of Meritaten.

This Egyptian royal woman is thought to have been the sister or half-sister of Tutankhamun and the daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti.

Due to the presence of this branded jug, Ms Dhennin speculates that there was a wine production facility at the site that was dedicated to the princess.

The function of the building as a temple is suggested by its proportions. Pictured, the retaining wall and plunder trenches, viewed from the north-east

Akhenaten, king (c. 135336 BC) of ancient Egypt of the 18th dynasty, established a new cult dedicated to the Aton, the sun's disk. He was father of Tutankhamun. Pictured, statue of Akhenaten at the Egyptian Museum

What is Kom el-Nugus? First excavated in 2013, Kom el-Nugus is an archaeological site located in northern Egypt. Initially, it was believed that the site was first settled during the Hellenistic period (around 332-31 BC). However, new excavations reveal evidence of an earlier settlement dating back to the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt (c. 15501069 BC). Advertisement

Meritaten's name means 'she who is beloved of Aten' in reference to the sun-deity whom her father, Akhenaten, worshipped.

Also found were several blocks from a temple dedicated to Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, who ruled between 1279-1213 BC under the 19th Dynasty.

All that remains of this building is its footprint on the bedrock, a few foundation elements and a portion of a 'dromos', an entrance passage.

'The monumental building was almost entirely dismantled, probably in successive waves from the Imperial period (30 BCAD 476) onwards,' said Ms Dhennin.

According to the academic, who is leading excavations at the site into this spring, it could have been a 'seasonal or intermittent settlement' military point.

'There was a temple, built by King Ramses II, as well as private funerary chapels, which mention military personnel,' she said.

'If the settlement was indeed military in nature, it's possible that there was also a fortified wall and administrative buildings.'

Two former buildings at the site are linked to a street that slopes slightly to the south, with a water-collecting system to drain surface water and protect the bases of the walls.

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Although he only ruled for 10 years, Tutankhamun is one of the best known Ancient Egyptian pharaohs due to the fabulous treasures discovered when British archaeologist Howard Carter opened his tomb in 1922. Pictured, replica of king Tutankhamun's mask

Much work remains to be done at Kom el-Nugus, by extending the excavations. Shown here is a general plan of the excavation

The new findings, published in the journal Antiquity, is contributing to a 're-evaluation of the ancient history of northern Egypt'.

'Discovery of well-preserved levels and structures is bringing new dimensions to this New Kingdom settlement,' Ms Dhennin says in her paper.

'Much work remains to be done at Kom el-Nugus, by extending the excavations.

'At present, the finds do not allow us to give an adequate characterisation of the occupation.

'Further work is needed to shed light on the New Kingdom history of the Mediterranean coast.'
When it comes to delicious wines, countries like South Africa, France, and New Zealand might spring to mind.

But there's good news for people living here in the UK, as more homegrown wine could be on its way - thanks to climate change.

According to a new report, higher temperatures will provide perfect conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon further north.

In the UK, Cabernet Sauv could be grown as far as Hull in Yorkshire by 2100, as well as all over the Midlands, East Anglia, south Wales and south England, and over more of northern Europe too.

Scientists think that as the climate warms, more of the UK will offer ideal growing conditions for the grape, which thrives in hot, sunny climates.

However, Scotland will still be too cold for Cabernet Sauv even by 2100, while much of Mediterranean Europe will be too hot.

The first annual Fine Wines and Restaurants Market Monitor report, from consultancy firm Bain & Company, shows that 'climate change is redrawing the wine map'.

'Cabernet Sauvignon will be viable at more northern latitudes by the end of the century,' it says.

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Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular grapes in the world for the wine industry, but generally conditions are too cold in the UK for the variety to thrive (file photo)

Although it's one of the one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon isn't commonly grown in Britain.

In fact, currently Cabernet Sauvignon is only grown in southeastern England  already recognised as one of the UK's best grape-growing regions generally.

By 2100, Cabernet Sauvignon could potentially be grown as far north as Hull  although Scotland will remain too cold for the grape.

According to the report, it's not just England and Wales that will benefit, but also Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania and Latvia among those

In 2025, there are regions of Europe which successfully grow Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in 2025  such as northern Spain and southern France.

But these regions will become simply too hot by 2100, meaning Cabernet Sauvignon yields from these countries will likely fall compared with now.

'If the climate challenge is not addressed Cabernet Sauvignon, once exclusive to southern Europe, may thrive in central and northern regions by 2100,' the report says.

'To adapt, the industry must invest in policy reforms, agricultural technology, and collaborative solutions to ensure a sustainable future.'

These maps show the European regions suitable for growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at present (left) and in 2100 (right). Note the loss of suitable regions in Spain, France and Italy, while more of the UK and other countries including Germany, Belgium and Poland will gain suitable growth conditions for the grape

Global warming will deal a devastating blow to vineyards in California, the south of France, northern Spain and Italy, a prior analysis found

UK is getting better for grape-growing UK conditions are projected to resemble those seen most recently in famous sparkling and still wine producing regions of France (Champagne and Burgundy) and Germany (Baden). Since the 1980s, there has already been a warming of over 1.8F (1C) during the growing season in much of south-east and eastern England. 'This warming has underpinned the rapid expansion of the UK viticulture sector and its current focus on growing grape varieties for sparkling wine,' a 2022 study in OENO One found. Meanwhile, areas in England and Wales are projected to become warmer by 2040 by up to a further 2.5F (1.4C) during the growing season. Advertisement

Already, the UK's wine industry is seeing the benefits of warmer conditions  one of the very few perks of climate change.

In the last few years, the most successful type of English wine has proved to be sparkling, and this is partly because of the chalk limestone soils of Sussex and Kent, which are similar to the soils of northern France.

But sparkling also mostly uses three grape varieties  Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier  that grow better in warmer temperatures and don't need to ripen for as long to produce a high-quality sparkling wine.

'We've seen a rapid transition to these varieties over the last 10-15 years, partly because the warming climate suits them,' Steve Dorling, a professor of meteorology at University of East Anglia, told MailOnline.

Also, longer periods of warmth in the upcoming years will suit the creation of still wines as well, because still wines require grapes that have ripened for longer periods of time.

Rising temperatures will also suit the growth of varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon and more disease-resistant varieties, which are hardly grown in the UK at present.

Before 2004, the dominant grape varieties grown in the UK were cooler-climate tolerant varieties including Reichensteiner, which is mainly grown in Germany.

According to an analysis last year, some of the world's most celebrated wine-growing regions could become unsuitable for vineyards if global temperatures increase beyond 2C by the end of the century.

Already, the UK's wine industry is seeing the benefits of warmer conditions  one of the very few perks of climate change. Chapel Down, a successful English winery, has vineyards located in the Kent countryside (pictured)

In the last two decades, the growth in UK vineyard numbers has occurred, alongside an increase in growing season temperatures. This graph from the study shows UK vineyard numbers, total hectarage and national wine yield between 2004 and 2021

Up to 90 per cent of winegrowing regions in Spain, Italy, Greece and southern California could lose their ability to grow grapes by 2100.

So although British wine could be a more commercial prospect than ever before, the global wine industry as a whole could be plunged into a crisis.

Also, climate change could impair wine quality by changing the aroma profile  with more overripe and cooked fruit aromas replacing fresh fruit aromas  and causing excessive alcohol levels and increased pH.

The area of the UK able to grow wine has already expanded by around 400 per cent between 2004 and 2021, it added.
Blue Origin has shared the first look of its all-women crew floating in zero gravity.

The crew, which included popstar Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos' fiancee, were seen turning upside down in the capsule as they marveled at the moon.

The six women spent three minutes in zero gravity during the 11-minute mission that launched Monday at 9:30am ET from West Texas.

Perry showed off the daisy she brought with her in honor of her daughter and NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe held up a patch representing the Bahamas.

The footage captured filmmaker Kieranne Flynn staring out the window at a Earth stunningly glowing in the blackness of space and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyne was seen smiling as she floated in weightlessness.

While they were all smiles inside the capsule, screams were heard as they rocketed to space aboard the New Shepard rocket and again during the 'soft' landing back on the ground.

Bezos, however, hit some turbulence while greeting the returning crew as he tripped in a ditch while rushing to open the capsule door.

After their safe return, Perry led the celebration, getting down on the ground and kissing the Texas dirt. Several of her crewmates did the same.

Katy Perry and the rest of the crew were turned upside down in zero gravity

The crew, which included Lauren Sanchez (pictured), Jeff Bezos' fiancee, were seen tumbling around the capsule as they marveled at the moon

The crew spent just three minutes in zero gravity during the 11-minute mission that launched Monday at 9:30am ET from West Texas

A recovery team was quickly dispatched to the capsule to release Perry and company following their historic space flight.

Sanchez hugged Bezos as she emerged from the capsule and quickly ran to her family.

Perry held up a daisy flower as soon as she stepped out of the capsule and later explained how she was overwhelmed by emotion during the trip.

'It is the highest high,' Perry said, 'and it is surrender to the unknown, trust.  I couldn't recommend this experience more.'

'Daisies are common flowers, but they grow through any condition... They are resilient. They are powerful. They are strong,' the popstar continued.

Perry sang 'What a Wonderful World' while in the space capsule.

'It's not about singing my songs. It's about a collective energy in there. It's about us. It's about making space for future women and taking up space and belonging,' she said in a post-flight interview.

'And it's about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth.'

Footage from inside the capsule captured the crew's hair floating in weightlessness as they marveled at teh views of space

The footage captured filmmaker Kieranne Flynn staring out the window at a Earth stunningly glowing in the blackness of space

Jeff Bezos posed with the 6 women who completed the first all-female space mission since 1963 shortly after their return to Earth Monday

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos had a painful moment as he rushed to open the New Shepard capsule door Monday, tripping and falling face-first at the landing site

Members of the Blue Origin flight exited the New Shepard spacecraft Monday and began kissing the dirt following their safe return

Katy Perry was one of the first to exit the New Shepard spacecraft and immediately kissed the dirt at the Texas landing site

CBS co-host Gayle King was seen kissing the ground at the West Texas landing site following the successful Blue Origin space mission

King was openly nervous about Monday's mission, but found the space was 'quiet and peaceful.'

While she can claim 'astronaut' status, King said: 'I still can't accept that word.'

A star-studded crowd watched nervously as the craft blasted into space, including Oprah who was in tears as she watched King, her best friend, go on the sub-orbital flight.

The Kardashian family were also in attendance, who joked about taking their reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians to space.

Khloe Kardashian told the Blue Origin media team: 'It's incredible. It takes your breath away. And I feel like I have all this adrenaline, and I'm just standing here.'

Famous TV host Oprah Winfrey was seen crying as her longtime friend Gayle King took part in the 11-minute Blue Origin spaceflight

Just before the launch, Bezos was heard saying 'When you get back, I want to hear how it has changed you. I love you all.'

During liftoff, the rocket's single BE-3PM engine fired and began blasting the crew into space at 9:30am ET.

Burning a mixture of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, the engine generates around 50,000 kg of force while producing nothing but water vapor.

Within minutes, the rocket hit speeds exceeding 2,000 miles per hour - over twice the speed of sound.

The forces on both the capsule and the crew will be intense as the rocket hits its point of maximum stress, known as Max-Q in aerospace engineering.

According to Blue Origin, Perry and her fellow astronauts experienced three times the force of gravity as the booster accelerates.

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos was seen watching the rocket carrying his fiancee into space Monday morning in West Texas

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launched on time at 9:30am ET Monday morning, launching 6 women into space on the 11-minute flight

After traveling through space for approximately 3 minutes, the New Shephard capsule landed safely a few miles from the launch site in Texas

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp shared a picture of the women with himself and Bezos after the six-woman crew landed in the New Shepard capsule.

The flight marked the 11th crewed mission of its New Shepard capsule and means now both Bezos and Sanchez have travelled to space.

The capsule landed just a few miles from the launch point safely, returning the group after a successful flight just after 9:40am ET.

It's the first all-female space mission since Russia's Valentina Tereshkova embarked on a solo spaceflight in 1963.

For Blue Origin, which has been been conducting commercial space launches since 2015, Monday's flight was the 31st mission for the New Shepard vehicle.

Despite all the fanfare on Monday, the mission had its detractors, including Hollywood actress Olivia Munn who blasted it during an appearance on Today With Jenna And Friends earlier this month.

Both Munn and Jenna began the conversation as they pointed out the group's recent cover for Elle and Olivia started to offer her thoughts before stopping herself.

She then questioned, 'What are they doing? Like why? You know what I mean?' - which got a few chuckles from the live audience.

'I know that this is probably not the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now.'

Although Sanchez has not confirmed it, there has been widespread speculation that she has breast implants. Plastic surgeons have also told DailyMail.com that there's reason to believe she has received Botox, lip fillers, and possibly a facelift.

This recently raised questions as to whether space travel, zero gravity, of other unknown factors may negatively impact these cosmetic procedures or even cause health risks for the astronauts.

One doctor expressed some concern about Monday's spaceflight, more because of the extreme stress during takeoff than the limited time in zero gravity.

Dr Stanton Gerson, who researches the impact of deep space on cells, told DailyMail.com: 'The rocket launch I would have more concern about in the launch.

'You go at about 6,000 mph and that can cause shear stress and may cause something to shift.'

Despite the concerns, it appeared that all six women were in good health after their flight and did not show any ill effects of their brief time in zero gravity.
A Kansas City Chief's fan, who was wrongly accused of being a gunman at the Super Bowl Parade in 2024, has tragically been found dead.

Denton Loudermill Jr, 49, was found dead on Friday morning by his family, attorney Arthur Benson confirmed to Fox4.

No cause of death is yet known, the outlet reported.

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Deceased: Denton Loudermill Jr, 49, was found dead by his family on Friday morning

Arrested: Loudermill was seen in handcuffs on the sidewalk at the Super Bowl Parade in 2024, but he was never charged after one person was shot dead and over 20 others injured

Another of his attorneys LaRonna Lassiter Saunders said in a statement to Fox 4: 'It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mr Loudermill's passing.

'More details will be provided in time but, for now, we ask that you honor the family's need for privacy as they come together to grieve this tremendous loss.'

At the Chiefs Super Bowl rally on February 14 last year, Loudermill was accused of being the shooter when the parade descended into chaos as two teenagers fired into the crowd, injuring 22 and killing one.

However, a post on X by Republican Rep Tim Burchett falsely identified Loudermill as the shooter.

Chaos: A mother of two was the person shot dead at the 2024 parade outside Union Station

A photo emerged of Loudermill in handcuffs on the sidewalk, and Burchett's post labelled him an 'illegal alien' followed by the shooter accusations.

Loudermill's lawyer, however, said that his run-in with the police was related to intoxication and not leaving the crime scene.

Loudermill was released without a citation.

Unrelated: Loudermill's lawyer said his run-in with the police was related to intoxication and not leaving the crime scene

Sad news: His attorney LaRonna Lassiter Saunders (left) said , 'It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mr Loudermill's passing'

At the time, Loudermill told KMBC: 'I just want to clear my name, that I had nothing to do with anything.'

'I was just hoping to enjoy myself like everyone else.'

But Burchett's post, Loudermill claimed, resulted in him receiving death threats and suffering mental distress.

He filed a lawsuit against Burchett, seeking $75,000 in damages, but it was dismissed in September by a federal judge.

It was cited that the case was tossed out due to jurisdiction issues.

Loudermill, from Olathe, had filed the suit in Kansas rather than Missouri, where the lawmakers were from, Fox 4 reported.

His lawsuit claimed that he froze upon hearing the gunfire and stood in the middle of the terrifying eruption of chaos.

Expectations: At the time, Loudermill told KMBC, 'I just want to clear my name, that I had nothing to do with anything - I was just hoping to enjoy myself like everyone else'

Attorney Saunders said: 'Mr Loudermill had several drinks, but so did a half million other people, including some of the Chiefs players. It's not a crime. It doesn't make you a mass shooter.

'[He] has received death threats over a lie, over misinformation. He didn't do anything wrong. He did not commit a crime. So please, run, tell that. Get the truth out there. Help us clear his name. Help us save his life.'

Attorney Benson told the outlet that despite Loudermill's passing, litigation would continue on his behalf.

Saunders' statement continued: '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 couldn't be bothered to verify the truth before destroying a man's life.'

'If you thought we were determined before, you haven't seen anything yet!'

Shots fired: Fans were seen scrambling from the scene as gunfire rang out shortly after the Chiefs players left the stage

Scramble: The shooting outside Union Station occurred despite the presence of over 800 police officers who were in the building and surrounding area
Jacob Elordi has claimed that Adolescence star Owen Cooper was 'intimidating' on the set of the new Wuthering Heights adaptation.

The Australian actor, 27, is taking on the iconic role of Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's adaptation, where he is joined by Cooper as his younger self.

Cooper shot to fame last month in the Netflix hit Adolescence, where he played the role of 13-year-old Jamie Miller - who is accused of the murder of a female classmate.

Cast: Jacob Elordi is seen filming on April 1 with Margot Robbie (right)

Big break: Owen Cooper played the role of 13-year-old Jamie Miller in Adolescence

He was then asked how he found filming Wuthering Heights, to which he said: 'It was beautiful. It was amazing. It's a truly epic romance and Emerald Fennel is a genius.'

In Emily Bronte's classic novel, the brooding central character of Heathcliff is described as a 'dark-skinned gypsy' with 'black eyes'.

Yet exclusive pictures revealed on Sunday showed Elordi in the role for the first time - and it appears to have reimagined him in a rather different light.

There has already been controversy over the casting of heartthrob Elordi, known for his role in the darkly comic Saltburn, because critics claim he is not 'racially ambiguous' enough.

One of literature's greatest male characters, Heathcliff is later described in the novel as 'a little Lascar', a 19th century term for an Indian sailor.

These pictures, which show Elordi on set alongside his co-star, Barbie's Margot Robbie, certainly appear to show him looking more rugged and swarthy than usual.

Dressed in a long black coat, gold-buttoned waistcoat and with longer hair and sideburns, the actor also revealed a hooped earring for the production.

When he smiled, he flashed a gold tooth.

Robbie, 34, who plays Catherine Earnshaw, or Cathy, was dressed in a voluminous black gown with black veil during filming on Tuesday for what appeared to be a funeral scene.

Tooth: Actor Jacob Elordi (above) in the role for the new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights
A breathtaking oceanfront retreat on Oahu's North Shore has just hit the market for almost $10million.

The rare listing is the ultimate Hawaiian retreat for beachfront living, offering buyers the opportunity to own a slice of tropical paradise - and it's on the same island where the Obamas also have a home.

The fully renovated property on Crozier Drive in Waialua, Oahu combines luxury living and pristine natural beauty, as listing agent Noel Shaw of Hawaii Life described the rare piece of untouched beauty a rare gem.

Paradise: An idyllic oceanfront retreat sitting right on a beach lined with palm trees and clear waters has hit the market for $10million

'There are very few spaces in Hawaii that still feel undiscovered,' Shaw told Mansion Global.

'You can walk that beach and still feel like it was 100 years ago, yet you are just 40 to 45 minutes from Honolulu. Hawaii has so much been discovered, but not here.'

The property underwent an extensive renovation in 2020 and 2021 that transformed it into what Shaw describes as essentially 'a brand-new house'.

'It's so rare for Hawaii to get this level of quality. It's like a brand-new house,' she said.

Renovation: The home was 'renovated down to the studs' and aside from the roof and the deck, everything is new, the listing agent revealed

Piece of heaven: The listing is the ultimate Hawaiian retreat for beachfront living, offering buyers the rare opportunity to own a slice of tropical paradise

Style: The fully renovated property on Crozier Drive in Waialua combines luxury living and pristine natural beauty

The main residence offers two bedrooms on the ground floor, while the primary suite occupies the entire upper level.

This property also includes not one but two private decks offering breathtaking panoramic views of both the mountains and ocean  perfect for watching Hawaii's legendary sunrises and sunsets.

The stunning beachfront property boasts the ultimate luxury of privacy, with a secluded stretch of white sand beach that remains uncrowded throughout the year.

Hidden gem: Listing agent Noel Shaw said this kind of property was increasingly difficult to find in Hawaii

Elegance: Upon entering through double front doors, visitors are immediately greeted by an open-plan living

Serenity: The windows offer picture-perfect views of the lush lawn, pristine white-sand beach, and the Pacific Ocean

Kitchen area: There is impeccable attention to detail throughout the property, with European cabinetry, luxurious hardwood floors, and a state-of-the-art kitchen

While the North Shore is world-famous for its massive waves that attract professional surfers from around the globe, this particular property offers the best of both worlds thanks to its unique location.

'The North Shore of Oahu has the biggest waves in the world but because of a barrier reef near the house, you can swim and snorkel 12 months of the year,' Shaw said. 'You get to be near the action but still swim safely.'

She added: 'You see sea turtles there all the time. Stroll beachfront with your morning coffee from the covered lanai of this turn-key oceanfront estate and onto a lush lawn, dotted with palm trees and framed by the Pacific stretching out before you.'

So much space: The sprawling property encompasses 4,730 square feet of living space, with a total of four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and one partial bathroom

All the amenities: The property comes fully furnished, as the new owners can arrive and immediately begin living their Hawaiian dream

Guests: It also includes a guest apartment situated above the four-car garage.

The listing added: 'This is a rare find in Hawaii, satisfying those desiring a fresh, barefoot luxury, resort-style home.

'The vaulted plantation-style ceilings, hardwood floors, & neutral colors throughout lend an air of laid-back glamor to this North Shore property.

'All the famed activities of Oahu's North Shore are right out your backdoor including vibrant reefs for snorkeling, Silva's Channels and Glass Doors surf spots, and miles of white sandy beach for beach walks, snorkeling, kayaking & paddle boarding.'

Famous neighbors: Barack and Michelle Obama's home butts directly onto Waimanalo Beach in Oahu and overlooks the ancient Pahonu Pond

Last month exclusive, DailyMail.com aerial photos revealed the lavish three-acre estate of the Obamas on Oahu.

It is valued by the local tax assessor at over $18million, comprising three properties with a combined 11 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, two pools and two Jacuzzis.
Looking for a leisurely way to explore the world without having to step foot on a plane?

Well, if you have three months to spare and you happen to have 112,900 lying around, then this epic rail journey might be just the ticket.

New tour operator, Adventures By Train, has announced a flagship tour that will take passengers around the world in 100 days.

The first departure is scheduled for March 17, 2026, and is now available for bookings for the general price of 112,900 per ticket.

However, only twelve people will be able to join the inaugural journey, so adventurers need to be quick to secure a spot.

Those who book as a couple will get a significantly cheaper ticket, priced at 89,950 each, reports Time Out.

During the whirlwind trip, billed as a flight-free global voyage using only trains and cruises, passengers will visit dozens of UNESCO World Heritage sites across three continents.

The world tour departs from London St Pancras railway station, and will travel through 14 countries, including: France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, Canada and the US.

New tour operator, Adventures By Train, has announced a flagship tour that will take passengers around the world in 100 days

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Travellers will ride first class on iconic rail routes, including European sleeper trains through the Swiss and Austrian Alps, China's high-speed rail to the city of Xian and the legendary California Zephyr Amtrak route round the Rocky Mountains.

Adventures By Train director Jim Louth said the trip 'provides the perfect mix of world-class rail travel with hand-picked immersive experiences in optimum comfort.'

The 100-day itinerary will see passengers taking part in unique, curated cultural experiences and feasting in Michelin-starred restaurants across the globe.

From wine tastings in Georgia, to traditional tea ceremonies in Tokyo, to a walking tour of the UNESCO-protected city of Khiva in Uzbekistan, there will be plenty of exciting activities and awe-inspiring wonders to keep you on your toes.

But the global odyssey isn't strictly limited to rail routes, as passengers will sail the North Pacific on a 23-day voyage from Tokyo to Vancouver, as well as a seven-night transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Additionally, passengers will board a 24 to 30 hour cruise from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, and an overnight one from Shanghai to Osaka.

After a long day of travelling and touring, sleep-starved adventurers will be able to recharge in style in a number of historic and five-star hotels, including Istanbul's Pera Palace, The Langham in New York and the Shangri-La in Vancouver.

Passengers are advised to pack light, though the company will allot $100 (78) per person per hotel for laundry services.

During the whirlwind trip, passengers will visit dozens of UNESCO World Heritage sites across three continents (pictured: Banff National Park, Canada)

The 100-day itinerary will see passengers partaking in unique, curated cultural experiences and feasting in Michelin-starred restaurants across the globe (pictured: Mount Fuji, Japan)

Travellers will ride first class on iconic rail routes, including European sleeper trains through the Swiss and Austrian Alps and China's high-speed rail to Xian (pictured: Beijing)

Meanwhile, a couple have said they plan to spend the next 15 years living on an all-around-the world cruise as they escape soaring bills at home.

Lanette and Johan Canen, both 55, are six months into the cruise and said it was a 'no brainer' for them to live out their retirement on the never-ending Villa Vie Odyssey ship.

The cruise is a residential style luxury around-the-world voyage, stopping at 425 ports in 147 countries across three and a half years - and their rent guarantees them a room for 15 years.

The pair had already been living in Hawaii for ten years and 'thought we'd die happy there' - but after they went on a cruise holiday they came across the Odyssey and were 'hooked'.

Johan told Mail Online: 'We had a rented cars business which we sold to be able to afford our cabin.

'People think we're ultra rich for being able to do this, but it's cheaper than our rent and living costs in Hawaii. This is for normal people.'
A survey has revealed the cheapest and most expensive cities in which to be an expat, with a top holiday destination ranking as the most affordable.

The results come from a survey run by the expat network InterNations, which asked those living abroad to rate their lives based on key personal-finance factors.

Expats were asked about the general cost of living in their new home, their satisfaction with their financial situation and whether their disposable income was enough to 'lead a comfortable life'.

Find out where the most affordable city to live as an expat is and where you might want to avoid...

The cheapest cities for expats

Valencia

Valencia, on Spain's sunny Costa Blanca coastline, is officially the cheapest city to live in as an expat.

Over three quarters (77 per cent) of expats living there are satisfied with their financial situation, much higher than the global average of 54 per cent.

Valencia, on Spain's Costa Blanca coastline, is officially the cheapest city to live in as an expat

And more than six in ten (61 per cent) say their disposable income is 'more than enough' to lead a comfortable life, significantly higher than the global average of 41 per cent.

An American expat tells InterNations: 'I like that I don't have to worry about my cost of living, whether housing or healthcare.'

Panama City

The capital of Panama, Panama City, is second on the list. More than three quarters (76 per cent) of expats living there are are satisfied with their financial situation.

Disposable income tends to stretch a long way in Panama, with more than nine in ten expats (91 per cent) saying they have enough to lead a comfortable life.

It's also a popular retirement destination, with 10 per cent of expats saying they moved to Panama City to enjoy their golden years.

A Jamaican expat tells InterNations: 'I like the peaceful, affordable life.'

The capital of Panama, Panama City, is second on the list. More than three quarters (76 per cent) of expats living there are are satisfied with their financial situation

Malaga

Spain rounds off the top three, with coastal city Malaga also among the cheapest destinations in which to be an expat.

More than seven in ten (72 per cent) expats are happy with the city's cost of living.

And 38 per cent describe themselves as 'completely satisfied' with their financial situation.

Spain rounds off the top three, with coastal city Malaga also among the cheapest destinations to live in as an expat

The priciest cities for expats

Vancouver

At the other end of the scale, Vancouver ranks as the most unaffordable city to live in as an expat.

Nearly nine in ten (88 per cent) expats feel Vancouver is too expensive, with 65 per cent saying their disposable income is not enough to lead a comfortable life.

Just under half (48 per cent) of expats think the cost of living in the Canadian city is 'very bad'.

One Turkish expat tells InterNations: 'Life is expensive, especially housing. You need extra money to socialise.'

Vancouver ranks as the most unaffordable city to be an expat

Toronto

Another Canadian city is the second priciest city to live in as an expat. More than half (53 per cent) of expats living in Toronto aren't happy with their financial situation.

Around four in five (81 per cent) foreign residents think the city is too expensive.

A Spanish expat tells the survey: 'Cost of living is crazy expensive. Going out for a meal or drinks feels like a luxury. Overall, it's impossible for me to have the same social lifestyle I had in Germany or Spain.'

More than half (56 per cent) of those surveyed say their disposable income isn't enough to lead a comfortable life.

More than half (53 per cent) of expats living in Toronto aren't happy with their financial situation

London

London ranks as the third most expensive city for expats, with seven in ten (70 per cent) people describing the Big Smoke's cost of living as too high.

Close to two in five (39 per cent) are unhappy with their personal financial situation in London.

Just under half (46 per cent) say their disposable income isn't enough to lead a comfortable life.

An American expat tells InterNations: 'I wish our salaries matched the cost of living.'

London ranks as the third most expensive city for expats, with seven in ten (70 per cent) describing the Big Smoke's cost of living as too high

THE WORLD'S CHEAPEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES TO BE AN EXPAT 1. Valencia 2. Panama City 3. Malaga 4. Mexico City 5. Bangkok 6. Alicante 7. Kuala Lumpiur 8. Ras al Khaimah 9. Warsaw 10. Vienna 11. Muscat 12. Riyadh 13. Madrid 14. Tokyo 15. Nairobi 16. Prague 17. Lisbon 18. Dusseldorf 19. Hong Kong 20. Brussels 21. Budapest 22. Jeddah 23. Frankfurt 24. Abu Dhabi 25. Cologne 26. Zurich 27. Barcelona 28. Berlin 29. Basel 30. The Hague 31. Rome 32. Copenhagen 33. Doha 34. Melbourne 35. Stockholm 36. Dubai 37. Hamburg 38. Luxembourg City 39. Amsterdam 40. Istanbul 41. Geneva 42. Sydney 43. Milan 44. Paris 45. New York 46. Auckland 47. Singapore 48. Munich 49. Oslo 50. Dubin 51. London 52. Toronto 53. Vancouver Source: InterNations Advertisement

Dublin also ranks among the most expensive cities in which to be an expat, landing just outside the top three.

Oslo, Munich, Singapore, Auckland, New York and Paris are also tough on foreign residents' wallets.

On the flipside, three Spanish cities make the top ten cheapest spots with Alicante joining Valencia and Malaga at the top of the table.

Mexico City, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ras Al Khaimah, Warsaw and Vienna are also good choices for expats looking for an affordable cost of living.
A tropical Caribbean island loved by Princess Diana is preparing itself for a massive influx of Royal fans.

Nevis, known for its stunning beaches and lush landscapes, is on the brink of a tourism revolution after a substantial airport expansion that will allow direct flights from the USA was given the go ahead earlier this year.

The existing runway cannot accommodate larger planes that most major airlines fly - meaning international tourists have to fly to neighbouring islands and then travel across which puts some off.

Currently, flights from North America or the UK often connect through San Juan, Puerto Rico, or Antigua.

Alternatively, you can fly to St. Kitts and then take a ferry to Nevis.

But this is all set to change when the expansion is complete - ushering in a new period of growth for the island.

Mark Brantley, Nevis' premier, said: 'We are proud of our rich history and the fact we were the destination of choice for Princess Diana.

'We look forward to welcoming more visitors and fans of the British Royal Family from the UK and further afield to experience everything our island has to offer.'

Nevis, known for its stunning beaches and lush landscapes, is on the brink of a tourism revolution after a substantial airport expansion that will allow direct flights from the USA was given the go ahead earlier this year. Pictured is Princess Diana in the sea in Nevis in 1993

Mark Brantley, Nevis' premier, said: 'We are proud of our rich history and the fact we were the destination of choice for Princess Diana.' Above Diana is pictured on the beach with Princes William and Harry

Mr Brantley hopes that increased private and commercial jet traffic continue to contribute to Nevis' economy (pictured)

Speaking about the recent investment Nevis has received, he said: 'Our beautiful island continues to strive forwards.

'Although our recent progress has been very positive, we are constantly on the lookout for major foreign investment which takes our island to the next level.

'Enhancing our airport infrastructure is central to our goal to become a regional Caribbean leader. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to our unique body of land.'

Mr Brantley hopes that increased private and commercial jet traffic continue to contribute to the island's economy.

'Hopefully we can get American Airlines to come direct from Miami and we can get regional traffic coming into our airport. That's the ambition at this point.'

It is likely that the greater ease of access will attract Royal fans in their droves to see the Montpelier Plantation Estate where Diana stayed with Princes William and Harry as well as other attractions they visited.

The island has been etched in Royal watchers' folklore since Diana sought solace from the intense scrutiny of Royal life in 1993.

She enjoyed unforgettable moments with the princes - away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi - as speculation about the state of her marriage to Prince Charles swirled.

It is likely that the greater ease of access will attract Royal fans in their droves to see the Montpelier Plantation Estate where Diana stayed with Princes William and Harry as well as other attractions they visited

Charlestown, the island's capital, is home to multiple Georgian-style buildings and may become a UNESCO World Heritage Site

They announced that their marriage was over around six months after the trip.

At the time Nevis - called 'Queen of the Caribees' due to its thriving sugar economy in previous centuries - was relatively unknown as a tourist destination despite its idyllic beaches, beautiful scenery and picturesque towns and cities.

Charlestown, the island's capital, is home to multiple Georgian-style buildings and may become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's also famous for being the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

More recently it became famous as the destination for Royalty - with William and Harry both visiting the island as adults.

But the childhood visit with their mother remains its most famous Royal visit.

It is something to this day that is fondly remembered by locals who saw them on the beaches or enjoying a meal in a restaurant.

This welcoming nature has not changed and its 13,000 residents have always prided themselves on providing visitors with the 'Old Caribbean' culture of traditional lifestyles, customs, and practices that pre-date mass tourism.

Nevis' 13,000 residents have always prided themselves on providing visitors with the 'Old Caribbean' culture of traditional lifestyles, customs, and practices that pre-date mass tourism

'It's a Nevisian thing,' Mr Brantley said. 'When people come to Nevis, they truly get what we are all about. As Premier, it is my responsibility to continue delivering for all Nevisians.

'Tourism is central to our economy, but we are also undertaking major initiatives to diversify (our economy) and make it more resilient to any external shocks. Major foreign investment remains critical to our efforts.'

An exact date for when the airport will be ready has yet to be announced.

But tourists will no doubt look to take advantage of Nevis' increased accessibility.
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Love Triangle Australia's first Couple's Party has well and truly kicked off - and already the bombshells are dropping like flies.

But no one could prepare themselves for an off-camera confession that would blow one couple's relationship out of the water and into the frying pan.

Following their first date in episode 2, Payton and Jordan were taking things at a slow pace, with the 25-year-old business owner slowly warming up to her match despite his numerous no-nos that had us placing a question mark next to his name (seriously, what grown man doesn't know how to cook?).

However, Jordan's red flags only seemed more vibrant at the Couple's Party after he told multiple participants that he and Payton were in the 'friend zone' - a revelation Payton seemed blissfully unaware of.

And then, the controversial reality star unleashed off-camera in a vile rant.

'F*** you man, you know I'm not attracted to that,' Jordan could be heard telling a co-star.

Following their first date in episode 2, Payton and Jordan were taking things at a slow pace in their relationship, with the 25-year-old business owner slowly warming up to her match

Jordan's red flags only seemed to get redder at the Couple's Party after he told multiple participants that he and Payton were in the 'friend zone' - a fact that Payton seemed blissfully unaware of

He proceeded to go on an offensive tirade, seemingly claiming that Payton was not what he had expected physically.

'I asked for small, tanned, ethnic... She is the complete opposite in every single thing.'

Jordan gave Married At First Sight's Tim Gromie a run for his money as he continued with his derogatory comments.

'I'm not gonna f***ing date her. It's bulls**t,' he went on.

'Literally, any other girl here I would be into.'

The reality star's bombshell revelations went on as he expressed his concerns over looking like a 'd***' if he goes through with the relationship.

'If I f***ed her or whatever then I'm like even more of a f***wit.'

'Like there's just no way I'm not looking like an a**hole after this, dude.'

Jordan proceeded to go on a racist, offensive tirade, claiming that Payton was not what he had expected physically

'Literally, any other girl here I would be into,' he said off-camera

The brutal confession came just minutes after Jordan had publicly told Payton that 'the door was open' for the pair to progress romantically.

But Payton must've sensed the contradictions in the air, expressing concern that Jordan was 'hiding something'.

'There's half of me that wants to believe him because we have built a friendship,' she told the cameras.

'But then, there's another half of me that's also like, he has been hiding something, he's been withholding some form of the truth.'

Elsewhere in the heated episode, things between ex-MAFS groom Mike Gunner and his new love match Melinda exploded harder than Mike's spray tan circa 2019.

The 50-year-old former Married At First Sight groom joined the third season of Stan's steamy dating experiment Love Triangle, but let's just say his comeback isn't quite the redemption arc he was banking on.

From the moment he walked in, Mike looked like a man hoping nobody clocked his reality resume. Spoiler alert: we all did. And so did his match, 41-year-old Melinda  a queen who clearly doesn't suffer from fools or faux celebrity status.

The drama kicked off the morning of the very first Couple's Party, but by then the real party  the drama one  had already popped off the night before.

'I'd rather sh*t in my hands and clap than get to know him better,' she told producers. Honestly? Shakespeare could never

'What happened last night? Well it was a sh*t show,' Melinda deadpans to producers, sipping tea so scalding it probably melted her lip gloss.

Here's what went down: Mike walked in on a producer sitting on Melinda's bed. Late at night. Door closed. Now, was it innocent? Absolutely. Was Mike spiralling into a jealous fit faster than you can say 'roll the tapes'? Also yes.

'There was a guy in your bedroom who should not have been there,' Mike huffs, still clutching his pride like it's 2019 again and he's giving relationship advice no one asked for.

Melinda, staying calm but clearly over it, tries to explain the crew member was just doing a welfare check. But Mike isn't buying it  and Melinda? She's done. Like send the Uber done.

'I'd rather sh*t in my hands and clap than get to know him better,' she tells producers. Honestly? Shakespeare could never.

In the morning, Melinda makes the noble attempt to clear the air  but the moment Mike starts getting defensive and saying he's always honest on camera because the 'audience trusts him,' she drops the reality TV nuke.

'So, I really hate to say this,' she begins, pausing with the precision of a woman who knows she's about to end a man's whole career, 'but you're nowhere near as relevant as you think you are. You are a 50-year-old washed up reality TV star.'

BOOM.

Mike walked in on a producer sitting on Melinda's bed. Late at night. Door closed. Now, was it innocent? Absolutely. Was Mike spiralling into a jealous fit faster than you can say 'roll the tapes'? Also yes

Somewhere, his MAFS bride ex Heidi Latcham just cackled from her marble bathtub.

Mike, ever the optimist, suggests they try and keep things civil for the party. Sweetie, this isn't a Bunnings sausage sizzle  civility left the chat the minute Melinda said 'washed up.'

So as the Couple's Party looms, the real question isn't 'will they make it work?' It's 'how long before Melinda drops her next one-liner and turns this series into her personal roast comedy hour?'

Mike might've hoped for a comeback but what he got was a televised takedown. And we're not mad about it.

Watch brand new episodes of Love Triangle every Sunday, only on Stan.
The Last Of Us, season two (Sky Atlantic)

Rating:

Human society could collapse, and zombies might roam the land, but one glimmer of civilisation will never be extinguished. You'll always be able to see a therapist.

'How does that make you feel?' the analyst will ask, as hordes of the slavering undead advance to feast on your entrails.

The last words you might ever hear, before they begin to devour you, will be: 'Same time next week? Oh, and I've emailed you my bill.'

As the hilariously bad post-apocalypse drama The Last Of Us returned, Joel (Pedro Pascal) was seeing a psychotherapist to help him 'process the trauma' of surviving a zombie pandemic.

Some mysterious virus has swept the planet, turning people into brain-dead flesh-eating monsters.

Human society could collapse, and zombies might roam the land, but one glimmer of civilisation will never be extinguished. You'll always be able to see a therapist

'How does that make you feel?' the analyst will ask, as hordes of the slavering undead advance to feast on your entrails

As the hilariously bad post-apocalypse drama The Last Of Us returned, Joel (Pedro Pascal, pictured) was seeing a psychotherapist to help him 'process the trauma' of surviving a zombie pandemic

Joel has dispatched legions of them, including his shrink's own husband, which does give a slightly awkward spin to his talking-cure.

'I resent you for it,' psychoanalyst Gail (Catherine O'Hara) tells him. 'No... I hate you.'

You'd think that might count as a conflict of interest, but apparently not.

The Last Of Us is based on a video game, and it shows. Action sequences are a dizzying blur, as though you're watching the screen while a teenager jiggles and waggles the PlayStation handset.

The rest is horribly static. Characters stand in groups, only their heads moving, as they talk back and forth.

They look two-dimensional, with a narrow range of expressions, reciting dialogue that consists entirely of cliches.

This is the inevitable consequence of an entire generation growing up glued to Super Mario or Assassin's Creed, never looking at ordinary telly.

The basic skills of visual storytelling are already being lost, and it will only get worse now that today's youngsters watch nothing but TikTok.

In the first series, Joel was trying to keep his 14-year-old ward Ellie (Bella Ramsey) safe.

As it turned out, he didn't need to bother, because she's immune to the virus, no matter how many infected zombies bite her.

Bella isn't traumatised by the violence. Living in the frozen wilds of Wyoming, she passes the days hunting virus victims with a sniper's rifle.

Her favourite thrill, though, is to stab them repeatedly in the neck with a hunting knife. She's a nice girl.

Because Western civilisation has disintegrated, there are no cars or phones. Luckily, this is America, so there's an unlimited supply of old guns.

In the first series, Joel was trying to keep his 14-year-old ward Ellie (Bella Ramsey, pictured left) safe

As it turned out, he didn't need to bother, because she's immune to the virus, no matter how many infected zombies bite her

Bella isn't traumatised by the violence. Living in the frozen wilds of Wyoming, she passes the days hunting virus victims with a sniper's rifle

Everyone reverts to frontier fashions, with ten-gallon hats and spurs. And they all get a free horse, which is a useful perk.

I have a theory that Americans are obsessed with zombies because they secretly miss the days before General Custer, when any man with an urge for genocidal slaughter could saddle up and shoot as many Injuns as he fancied.

This is no longer socially acceptable, so they fantasise about blasting the walking dead instead.

No matter how many zombies she butchers, Bella is moody. This is because she's 19 and has just realised she's a lesbian. A good therapist will help her process that.

The Last Of Us airs on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK.
Chris Hughes' brother gave a four-word verdict on the former Love Island star tickling his housemate JoJo Siwa's back on Celebrity Big Brother on Sunday.

Fans were left very confused after watching the 32-year-old giving the Dance Moms legend, 21, back scratches while in bed.

The moment left those watching at home wondering what is going on between the pair considering Chris is single, and JoJo is in a relationship with girlfriend Kath Ebbs.

During Monday's episode of Lorraine, stand-in host Kate Garraway, 57, asked Chris' brother Ben what he thinks about their friendship.

Ben told Kate: 'I actually think they've formed a great friendship due to the fact that Chris stood up for JoJo.

'I think JoJo is in a solid relationship. Chris will know that. I just think that they've got each others backs.

Chris Hughes' brother gives his four-word verdict on Celebrity Big Brother star tickling JoJo Siwa's back after fans go wild for 'flirting'

Fans were left very confused after watching the 32-year-old giving the Dance Moms legend, 21, back scratches while in bed

Chris and JoJo have grown very close since entering the Celebrity Big Brother house last week

'But theres so many older members of the house there, I think that theyre a couple of the youngest, they've stood up for each other most of the first week.

Admitting their chemistry came naturally, he added: 'Theyve bonded really well.

'[They've] got a good friendship and will probably come away from the house as well. Itll be nice to see.'

On Sunday night viewers saw the pair smile as they laid in bed together.

Some fans felt that the cosiness between the pair was inappropriate given JoJo's relationship status, but others suggested that it is Chris who may want to cross the platonic boundary.

Evicted housemate Michael Fabricant then claimed on Sunday's Late And Live that he believes there is chemistry between Chris and JoJo.

Host Will Best was quick to quash the possibility of a mutual connection, instead theorising that Chris may have one-sided feelings for JoJo.

Last week Chris also stood up for JoJo after Mickey Rourke made some inappropriate comments towards her.

JoJo pictured with her girlfriend Kath Ebbs at the Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Beverley Hills last month

Elsewhere in the chat with Kate, the two spoke about how Chris handled himself in a blazing row with Mickey.

The Hollywood actor, 72, was thrown out of the ITV house on Saturday after exploding into a foul-mouthed rant amid an altercation Chris.

Ben said: 'I thought it handled it quite well.

'He didn't retaliate.

'I think he actually he [Mickey] got into character a little too well.

'He might be trying out Pirates of the Caribbean or something along those lines.

'I think he handled it quite well. Danny got involved, Chris in previously episodes has stuck up for JoJo.

'Which I do think anyone in that situation would have stuck up for her as well.'

Chris shot to fame on Love Island in 2017 and has dated the likes of Jesy Nelson and Olivia Attwood.

Meanwhile JoJo is best known for being on Dance Moms with her mum, Jessalynn Siwa.

Watch Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player
Family and crime collide in this hard-hitting US drama

Year: 2006-2008

Certificate: 18

Watch now on Paramount+

What happens when a pair of brothers find themselves on opposite sides of the law, both fighting for control over the same town? That's the question at the heart of this three-season drama which pits rising politician Tommy Cafee (Jason Clarke) against his gangster brother Michael (Jason Isaacs) when the latter returns to the town of Providence, in Rhode Island, after seven years away.

Brooding and exciting, Brotherhood has some of the feel of Martin Scorsese's The Departed in its parallel tales of violent life in and out of the Irish mob, but it's the dynamic between the brothers that really brings this to life. British actor Isaacs is fantastic as the bruised and charismatic Michael, a mobster who truly believes the town would be better off under his control. (Three series)
The dating life of a Jewish woman in New Zealand

Year: 2022

Certificate: 15

Watch now on ITVX

This Kiwi comedy is a fun, frank and fruity look at the messy ups and downs of Jewish dating life in New Zealand. If you saw Emma Seligman's 2020 film Shiva Baby or enjoyed Rose Matafeo's series Starstruck (iPlayer), this could be your next modern dating fix.

Lulu (played by the show's creator Simone Nathan) lives in Auckland, a part of the world where more people identity as Jedi than they do Jewish. That explains why she's been secretly dating a gentile. Outside of her dating life, Lulu is the kind of modern woman who has an Amy Schumer feel to her - she's a loveable train wreck in other words. There's the usual pressure from her parents to marry a 'nice Jewish boy' - her dad urges her to 'date pork but marry kosher', but Lulu has big decisions ahead of her. (Five episodes)
Beloved radio and television presenter Peter Waltham has died. He was 83.

Beginning his career in the 1960s, the broadcasting veteran was one of the first newsreaders at Channel Seven Perth.

His long and storied career also saw stints at Channel Nine as well as 25 years as a presenter on Curtin Radio.

Peter was also a regular fixture on Channel Seven's long-running Telethon.

Tributes have flooded in for the beloved newsman, with former Seven presenter and current State Opposition Leader, Basil Zempilas hailing Peter as a 'trailblazer.'

'There was an aura about him as a news presenter,' he told the West Australian.

Beloved radio and television presenter Peter Waltham has died aged 83

'He was the one who gave me a spark going into news. I was told that if you wanted someone who could ad lib with no preparation time, Peter Waltham was as good as you could get.

'It's very sad news, he was a trailblazer of that generation.'

Curtin FM, which is owned an operated by Curtin University, also remembered Peter as a 'cherished colleague.'

'Curtin FM 100.1 and Curtin University are deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Waltham  a cherished colleague, friend and veteran broadcaster who made an extraordinary contribution to Western Australia's media landscape,' they said in a statement shared to Facebook on Sunday.

'For the past 25 years, Peter found a home at Curtin FM Radio, presenting the much-loved Down Memory Lane and Mornings programs  bringing music, stories and warmth to generations of loyal listeners,' the statement continued.

'Peter was widely recognised across the state - not just for his on-air presence, but for his genuine interest in people.'

He was also remembered as an affable presenter who always had time for his listeners.

'He never rushed past a fan, always willing to stop, have a chat and share a story. That easy rapport and steady presence made him a mate to many.

Beginning his career in the 1960's the broadcasting veteran was one of the first newsreaders at Channel 7 Perth

His long and storied career also saw stints at Channel 9 as well as 25 years as a presenter on Curtin Radio. Peter was also a regular fixture on Channel Seven's long-running Telethon

'To Curtin FM listeners, Peter was more than a presenter  he was a comforting voice, a companion through the decades and a link to cherished memories. To us, he was a mentor and a friend.'

The announcement was met with an outpouring of condolences from listeners with many sharing their own recollections of the beloved presenter

Fellow Curtin Radio presenter Jamie Mercanti said that Peter was a 'true legend.'

'No words, but many emotions,' he commented.

'Mostly, my immense gratitude for Peter's support and camaraderie since October 2022 when I started at Curtin Radio.'

Jamie's expansive tribute continued: 'My deepest sympathy to Peter's family, friends, supporters and those that appreciated his unique ability to be a highly effective communicator.

'I am abundantly aware of the magnitude of Peter's career in the media and the honour of being in the presence of a true legend.'

One fan also commented: 'A true gentleman and a wonderful human being. Will be missed by many.'

Tributes have flooded in for the beloved newsman, with former Seven presenter and current State Opposition Leader, Basil Zempilas hailing Peter as a 'trailblazer'

Summing up the sentiment of many, another offered: 'I've listened to Peter's news reading on Channel 7 for a very long time since my Uni days and to his 9 to midday program with his beautiful selection of songs for a long time.

'May you rest in peace, Peter. You will be sadly missed.'

Facebook account Lost Perth also paid tribute to Peter, remembering him as 'a trusted face in our living rooms and a warm, steady voice on our radios.'

'Peter had a way of making you feel seen, remembered, and part of something bigger. His gift wasn't just in broadcasting  it was in connection. He told our stories, played our songs, and reminded us where we came from,' they wrote.

'Around the state, Peter was known for his humility, humour, and kindness. He had time for everyone  never too busy for a smile, a yarn, or a quiet word of encouragement.

'He made you feel like a mate, whether he knew you for five minutes or fifty years.'
Sarah Michelle Gellar shared a touching tribute to her late BFF Shannen Doherty on Saturday in honor of what would've marked her 54th birthday.

The former child star - who was hoping to 'squeeze out another three to five years' - tragically passed away on July 13 following an eight-year battle with metastatic Stage 4 breast cancer.

'For as long as I can remember, we have celebrated our birthdays together @theshando,' Sarah - who turns 48 this Monday - wrote on Instagram.

'This year I will keep that tradition, and celebrate you. I am so glad we were all together on this day last year, not knowing it would be the last like this. Happy Birthday Shannen.'

Gellar included never-before-seen footage of Shannen beaming on her 53rd birthday a year ago as her friends serenaded her inside a kitchen.

'And Sarah Michelle Gellar!' Doherty interrupted the song, pointing to her famous friend.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (R) shared a touching tribute to her late BFF Shannen Doherty (L) on Saturday in honor of what would've marked her 54th birthday

After blowing out the candles on one cake, the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum had the Dexter: Original Sin actress blow out the candles on one of her two remaining cakes.

Shannen and Sarah impressively maintained their close friendship ever since meeting in the nineties while shooting their respective shows on The WB - Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed.

Gellar's post received supportive comments from her former Buffy the Vampire Slayer leading man David Boreanaz, RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, and RuPaul's Drag Race #16 alum Amanda Tori Meating.

Doherty's former Charmed co-star Rose McGowan reposted a fan's happy birthday post via Instastory and wrote: 'You are missed, you are loved @theshando.'

the Let's Be Clear podcaster's former Beverly Hills, 90210 castmate Tori Spelling Instastoried a nineties-era snap of them holding hands captioned: 'Happy Earth birthday. I miss you Shan. I love you. I hope my power makes you proud.'

'Forever friends,' Tori captioned a second snap featuring their co-star Brian Austin Green.

The Heathers alum - who underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and more chemotherapy - is survived by her mother Rosa Doherty and beloved pet German Shepherd Bowie.

Shannen's final screen role was portraying Vivian opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in James Cullen Bressack's spy thriller Darkness of Man, which was released VOD on May 21 in the States and June 10 on DVD in the UK.

The former child star - who was hoping to 'squeeze out another three to five years' - tragically passed away on July 13 following an eight-year battle with metastatic Stage 4 breast cancer (pictured June 23)

Sarah - who turns 48 this Monday - wrote on Instagram: 'For as long as I can remember, we have celebrated our birthdays together @theshando. This year I will keep that tradition, and celebrate you. I am so glad we were all together on this day last year, not knowing it would be the last like this. Happy Birthday Shannen'

Gellar included never-before-seen footage of Shannen beaming on her 53rd birthday a year ago as her friends serenaded her inside a kitchen

'And Sarah Michelle Gellar!' Doherty interrupted the song, pointing to her famous friend

After blowing out the candles on one cake, the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum had the Dexter: Original Sin actress blow out the candles on one of her two remaining cakes

Shannen and Sarah impressively maintained their close friendship ever since meeting in the nineties while shooting their respective shows on The WB - Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed

Gellar's post received a supportive comment from her former Buffy the Vampire Slayer leading man David Boreanaz

RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage gushed: 'Happy birthday to both of you beauties!'

RuPaul's Drag Race #16 alum Amanda Tori Meating wrote: 'Happy birthday to both of you!'

Doherty's former Charmed co-star Rose McGowan reposted a fan's happy birthday post via Instastory and wrote: 'You are missed, you are loved @theshando'

The Let's Be Clear podcaster's former Beverly Hills, 90210 castmate Tori Spelling (L) Instastoried a nineties-era snap of them holding hands captioned: 'Happy Earth birthday. I miss you Shan. I love you. I hope my power makes you proud'
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Ryan Gallagher and Emily Seebohm have fuelled rumours of a split.

The couple, who became engaged in December 2022, have unfollowed each other on Instagram.

Ryan, 36, who starred in the 2018 season of Married At First Sight, has also seemingly removed Emily, 32, from his feed.

Emily's last appearance on Ryan's grid, at the time of publishing, was more than two years ago.

The post was a screenshot of the pair's appearance on The Challenge Australia.

Even more telling, Ryan had also apparently removed a snapshot showing he and Emily with their newborn Sampson

Ryan Gallagher and Emily Seebohm have fuelled rumours of a split. The couple, who became engaged in December 2022, have unfollowed each other on Instagram. Both pictured

The photo captured the couple nestled together on a hospital bed, with their peacefully slumbering baby cradled in his father's embrace.

Ryan's most recent appearance on Emily's feed meanwhile, came over the Christmas season when she shared a photo that showed she, Ryan and Sampson happily posing with Santa Claus.

The Olympic swimmer also sparked rumours of a split on her most recent Instagram photo.

The image showed Emily and Sampson enjoying a mum and son day out at Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld.

However, eagle-eyed followers were quick to point out that Emily was not wearing her engagement ring in the photo.

'Where's Ryan?' one follower asked to which another replied: 'That's true. I hope they are okay.'

Another chimed in with: 'No Ryan and no ring. I hope it doesn't mean anything.'

Emily also shared a clip, last month, that showed her happily playing with Sampson.

Ryan, who starred in the 2018 season of Married At First Sight, has scrubbed Emily from his feed

Emily's most recent appearance in Ryan's feed, at the time of publishing, was more than two years ago. The post was a screenshot of the pair's appearance on The Challenge Australia

Even more telling, Ryan had also apparently removed a snapshot showing he and Emily with their newborn, Sampson

Emily's ring was also absent in this clip, further fuelling rumours of a split between the couple.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Ryan and Emily for comment.

They became engaged in December 2022, a mere four months after their initial meeting while filming The Challenge Australia.

However, they opted to keep their engagement under wraps until March.

'We just wanted to live in our own little bubble, we just wanted that for us and our families,' Emily told the Daily Telegraph.

Ryan proposed to her next to a dam on his farm near Goulburn, NSW, with a trilogy diamond ring from Goulburn's Zantis Jewellers.

Speaking to Stellar in February, Emily revealed the couple were in no rush to marry, but could elope at any time.

'I feel like sometimes we talk about it and say maybe we should elope or we'll go to the Town Hall and just get it done,' Emily said.

Ryan's most recent appearance on Emily's feed meanwhile came over the Christmas season when she shared a photo that showed she, Ryan and Sampson happily posing with Santa Claus

The Olympic swimmer also sparked rumours of a split on her most recent Instagram photo

Eagle-eyed followers were quick to point out that Emily was not wearing her engagement ring in the photo

Emily also shared a clip, last month, that showed her happily playing with Sampson. Emily's ring was also absent in this clip, further fuelling rumours of a split between the couple

'If weddings weren't so expensive or take so long to plan, we would have done it. It's probably an after Paris [Olympics] thing.'

Subsequently, they revealed their pregnancy in July 2023 through an endearing social media video, accompanied by the caption 'Weve had a little bump in the road.'

The three-time Olympic gold medalist recently revealed the struggles of her pregnancy during the annual GlamouRossi Long Lunch in Brisbane.

According to The Courier Mail, she claimed the nine months had been 'awful.'

'I just call myself Shrek these days,' she joked, before complaining specifically about swollen feet.

Ryan rose to fame on season five of Married At First Sight when he was paired with controversial series 'villain' Davina Rankin.

Davina was portrayed in the series as having an affair with Dean Wells, who was paired with Tracey Jewell.

She bore the brunt of ire from MAFS viewers while Ryan engendered sympathy, becoming an instant fan favourite.

Emily, who made her Olympic debut at the age of 16 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, failed to qualify for Paris in the 100m and 200m backstroke.
Gabby Allen displayed her gym-honed physique in a very skimpy bikini as she modelled her outfit of the day in an Instagram post on Sunday.

The Love Island winner, 33, looked out of this world in the tiny two-piece as she flaunted her jaw-dropping abs.

Gabby looked happier than ever on her lavish trip away in Dubai as she continued to soak up the sun.

Making a brief appearance at the end of the video, Casey O'Gorman walked in on her shot to give her a kiss.

Gabby recently clarified her relationship status on her Instagram stories after speculation about her jetting off alone.

She quipped: 'Side note: Yes believe it or not, a girl can go on holiday with her family without it meaning her and her fella have ended... he's flying out on Sunday to see me.'

Gabby Allen, 33, displayed her gym-honed physique in a very skimpy bikini as she modelled her outfit of the day in an Instagram post on Sunday

The Love Island winner looked out of this world in the tiny two-piece as she flaunted her jaw-dropping abs

Gabby and new partner Casey, 28, won Love Island All Stars earlier this year.

The couple bagged the whopping 50,000 prize in a dramatic conclusion over long-time frontrunners Grace Jackson and Luca Bish.

Casey finally got his happy ending with blonde bombshell Gabby after appearing on the show three times previously.

The couple had flown under the radar in the lead up to the finale, with bookmakers never placing them as favourites to clinch the 50,000 prize.

Nonetheless, they managed to storm to victory during the live final - pipping longtime frontrunners Luca and Grace to the post while Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Curtis Pritchard finished in third.

Some even questioned if the result was rigged, with Gabby and Casey having been devoid of public sentiment online - SlotsCalendar's data revealed that only six percent of tweets about the couple since they paired up had been positive.

While social media users were baffled at the result, it has resulted in bookmakers paying out thousands, because of a third of the stakes were placed on the underdogs.

William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps told MailOnline: 'Gabby and Caseys Love Island All Stars victory last night may have appeared a shock on paper, but the result ended up being a big loser for us.'

Making a brief appearance at the end of the video, Casey O'Gorman walked in on her shot to give her a kiss

Gabby and Casey, 28, won Love Island All Stars earlier this year

It comes just after Gabby shared another update from her holiday to Dubai on Wednesday

He continued: 'The couple accounted for over a third (35 percent) of stakes throughout the series.

'While the pair started out as an unlikely 10/1 towards the end of January, our punters appeared to have their heads turned in early February and their price dropped to as low as 4/7 at one point  the shortest odds offered at any stage of the series.

'Gabby and Casey entered last nights finale as 6/4 second favourites but proved to be the real bombshells of the series, stealing the crown from Luca and Grace (1/2).'

For weeks, season eight's Luca, 25, and season 11 star Grace, 26, had been the bookies' frontrunners to win the show - garnering a strong online fanbase.
John Travolta remembered his late son Jett Travolta on what would've been his 33rd birthday on Sunday.

The 71-year-old movie star - who boasts 15.2M social media followers - captioned a rare father-son snap: 'Happy birthday Jett - I miss you so much! Love you forever!'

Last year, John gushed that 'not a day goes by where you're not with me.'

Travolta and his late wife Kelly Preston's eldest child tragically died in 2009, at age 16, during a family getaway to the Bahamas.

Jett - who had autism, asthma, and Kawasaki Syndrome - was said to have suffered a seizure and hit his head in a bathtub inside the Old Bahama Bay Hotel.

'[It was] the worst thing that's ever happened in my life,' the two-time Oscar nominee recalled to Barry Norman in 2014.

John Travolta remembered his late son Jett Travolta on what would've been his 33rd birthday on Sunday

The 71-year-old movie star captioned a rare father-son snap: 'Happy birthday Jett - I miss you so much! Love you forever!'

'The truth is, I didn't know if I was going to make it. Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better...

'I will forever be grateful to Scientology for supporting me for two years solid, I mean Monday through Sunday. They didn't take a day off, working through different angles of the techniques to get through grief and loss, and to make me feel that finally I could get through a day.'

Preston reportedly blamed household cleaners, fertilizers, and pesticides as the cause of Jett's autism spectrum disorder and lobbied for better labeling on chemicals.

The Jerry Maguire actress tragically passed away herself, at age 57, in 2020 following a secret two-year battle with breast cancer.

During their 29-year marriage, Kelly also welcomed their 25-year-old daughter Ella Bleu and 14-year-old son Benjamin.

John will soon fly to Canada to begin filming his role as real-life Chicago mobster Johnny Roselli in Roland Joffe's upcoming thriller about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy - according to Deadline.

November 1963 will also feature Robert Carlyle, Mandy Patinkin, and Dermot Mulroney.

Travolta shot his last three films with disgraced director Randall Emmett - Cash Out, Cash Out: High Rollers, and the upcoming Cash Out 3 as the professional thief Mason Goddard.

In 2022, the 54-year-old filmmaker - who fathered a child with Vanderpump Rules alum Lala Kent - was hit with a myriad of disturbing allegations from abusing past assistants to offering roles in exchange for sex, which he denied.

The Emmy-winning producer is best known for his roles in Carrie (1976), Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), Urban Cowboy (1980), Blow Out (1981), Look Who's Talking (1989), Pulp Fiction (1994), Get Shorty (1995), Face/Off (1997), and Hairspray (2007).

Last year, John gushed that 'not a day goes by where you're not with me'

Travolta and his late wife Kelly Preston's (R, pictured in 1997) eldest child tragically died in 2009, at age 16, during a family getaway to the Bahamas

Jett - who had autism, asthma, and Kawasaki Syndrome - was said to have suffered a seizure and hit his head in a bathtub inside the Old Bahama Bay Hotel

The two-time Oscar nominee recalled to Barry Norman in 2014: '[It was] the worst thing that's ever happened in my life. The truth is, I didn't know if I was going to make it. Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better' (pictured in 2008)

The Jerry Maguire actress tragically passed away herself, at age 57, in 2020 (pictured) following a secret two-year battle with breast cancer

During their 29-year marriage, Kelly also welcomed their 25-year-old daughter Ella Bleu (L, pictured January 1) and 14-year-old son Benjamin (M)

John will soon fly to Canada to begin filming his role as real-life Chicago mobster Johnny Roselli (pictured in 1975) in Roland Joffe's upcoming thriller about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy

November 1963 will also feature (from L-R) Dermot Mulroney, Robert Carlyle, and Mandy Patinkin
Terri Irwin has weighed in on son Robert's recent internet-breaking photoshoot.

The 21-year-old wildlife warrior set pulses racing earlier this month after posing in a series of steamy snaps promoting Aussie underwear brand Bonds in the US.

Now the Irwin matriarch, 60, has given her opinion on her son's modelling debut, according to New Idea.

The publication reported that a source close to Terri said that she was 'a little surprised' by Robert's decision to strip off for the shoot.

The source also claimed that Teri 'voiced her concerns' over the sultry snaps as they did not align with the Irwin family's carefully curated family friendly brand.

The source added that Robert's success alongside Julia Morris on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! had given him more leeway to make decisions about the direction of his career.

Terri Irwin (pictured) has weighed in on son Robert's recent internet-breaking photoshoot

'Terri couldn't be prouder of the success Robert's made of his co-hosting role on I'm A Celebrity, so that's given Robert some clout when it comes to branching out in another direction on his own,' the source said.

They added that Terri eventually came around, after Robert explained that linking two well-known Aussie brands such as Bonds and the Irwins was a 'no-brainer'.

'He felt that linking two iconic Australian names - Bonds and the Irwins - was a no-brainer and so, Terri's gone with it.'

While the Irwins tight-knit bond has been celebrated for years, friends close to Robert believe its time for him to assert his independence and focus on creating a life of his own.

'The Irwin clan live under the same roof... It's not healthy for Robert to live under the same roof as his entire family,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia in January.

Robert is rumoured to be dating Charlotte Briggs, a former staff member of Australia Zoo, since November 2024.

Sources tell Daily Mail Australia the television star is waiting for his mum to approve of his new 'squeeze' before going public with the relationship.

'Terri wants Robert to focus on his career and she isn't ready to have him tied up in a family like Bindi.'

The 21-year-old wildlife warrior set pulses racing earlier this month after posing in a series of steamy snaps promoting Aussie underwear brand Bonds in the US

New Idea reported that a source close to Terri said that she was 'a little surprised' by Robert's decision to strip off for the shoot

Following Robert's Bonds shoot he took to Instagram again last week to share more pulse-raising images of his buff physique.

He was seen striking a pose that would not look out of place in a body-building competition as he showed off his rippling muscles.

Videos showed Robert's workout routine, which include chin-ups, lifting sandbags, and lifting weights.

He also shared images from the Bonds shoot as well as some other pics showing off his toned torso.

Captioning the series of images, Robert said that health and fitness had always been priorities in his life.

'Wellness and fitness have always been a big part of my life, and one of the things that got me excited to be part of my recent Bond's shoot was that it gave me a real goal to strive toward,' he said.

'I wanted to feel my best to represent Australia! Life is so busy right now, but there is never a perfect time to get into better shape (and I'm not just talking physical shape!!!).'

Continuing the expansive post, Robert had some sage words of advice for followers looking to start their own fitness journey.

'Terri couldn't be prouder of the success Robert's made of his co-hosting role on I'm A Celebrity, so that's given Robert some clout when it comes to branching out in another direction on his own,' the source said

'He felt that linking two iconic Australian names - Bonds and the Irwins - was a no-brainer and so, Terri's gone with it,' they added

'There isn't one single formula to follow. I reckon the most important thing is not to compare yourself to anyone else, just keep trying to be the best version of YOU,' he said.

'Listen to your body, keep moving and improving. Treat your whole body, inside and out with kindness, focus on good nutrition and apply a healthy amount of discipline.

'It has done wonders for my mind, and given me that extra lightness in my step.'

The post was met with a flurry of comments from friends, fans and followers, with many gushing over the wildlife warrior's appearance.

'What a great day to have eyes,' one cheeky fan offered while another chimed in with a similar: 'Robert stop. We can't take it any more.'

A third summed up the sentiment of many with: 'So gorgeous, so inspiring, such a great influence. He makes dad proud every day. Great job!'

The swooning didn't stop there, either, with another smitten fan offering: 'Robert Irwin is responsible for a global dehydration issue. Because we are THIRSTY'.
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Jackie 'O' Henderson has broken her since after her former colleague Paola Cracknell died suddenly at age 39.

Paola worked as a senior producer and lead talent booker for The Kyle & Jackie O Show from January 2006 to May 2010.

Jackie, 50, has joined a raft of tributes from friends, industry peers and public figures, taking to Instagram on Monday to offer her condolences.

The radio queen shared a photo that showed Paola sitting in the 2Day FM studio with a bouquet of flowers on the desk in front of her.

Captioning the image, Jacqui said that, while heartbroken, she was glad that the pair had managed to 'reconnect' before Paola's death.

'Beautiful P. I'm so thankful we reconnected just a few months ago in such a meaningful way,' Jacqui wrote.

Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) has broken her since after her former colleague Paola Cracknell died suddenly at age 39

'You were the sweetest soul, so kind, generous and full of love.'

Jackie rounded out her heartfelt tribute with: 'We'll all miss you deeply. I hope you've found the peace and happiness your soul deserves.'

Paola's passing was announced via a statement on her Instagram account on April 10.

'Though this is hard to share, we know the impact P had. We are incredibly sad to share that our beautiful girl has passed on,' the statement read.

'Anyone who knew Paola knows how special she was, an extraordinary person with a heart beyond words. We are heartbroken and are finding our way through the grief, as we ask for time while we process.'

Loved ones are now planning a memorial in Sydney on Tuesday, April 15.

'We would love for you to join us in honouring and remembering our beautiful Paola  a soul so full of love, light, and joy,' a follow-up post said.

Paola's estranged husband, music executive Govind Sandhu, paid tribute to her in a moving Instagram post, sharing a gallery of special moments from their eight-year relationship.

Jackie, 50, has joined a raft of tributes from friends, industry peers and public figures, taking to Instagram on Monday to offer her condolences

'Beautiful P. I'm so thankful we reconnected just a few months ago in such a meaningful way,' Jacqui wrote. 'You were the sweetest soul, so kind, generous and full of love'

'My darling P. We all are so heartbroken, devastated and still can't believe this is real. The pain & loss we are feeling is nothing like we have experienced before,' he began.

'You will always be the greatest of all time, the top of my pyramid and my soulmate. Eight years together and five years married gave us the most epic core memories.'

He described their relationship as full of joy, travel and creativity: 'We travelled the world, lived, worked, drove to work and went to work lunch together for yearsthese are my happiest memories.'

The couple had separated before Govind's stage-four Non Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosis but she helped him in his battle.

'Even though we separated well before my diagnosis we remained close, you were my biggest supporter, always there for me and that meant the world to me.'

He continued: 'You were my support system as we navigated the loss of my father in 2020 I'm so sorry for getting sick, I know it weighed so heavily on you.'

'You were a force like no other. One of one who left the most remarkable imprint on the world & those around you. We are all going to miss you so much forever. I promise to honour you for the rest of my life I love you so much, rest in peace our darling P.'

Paola's death has sent shockwaves through the creative and media industries, with her long and decorated career earning her admiration globally.

Paola worked as a senior producer and lead talent booker for The Kyle & Jackie O Show from January 2006 to May 2010

Jackie has joined a raft of Paola's friends, industry peers and public figures offering their condolences

Paola's passing was announced via a statement on her Instagram account on April 10

According to her LinkedIn profile, she most recently held senior roles at INVNT Group, serving as Senior Director of Marketing at INVNT.ATOM and Director of Strategic Partnerships  APAC. Prior to that, she led culture partnerships for Red Bull in Austria and was Head of Client Service at media agency Initiative.

She worked as a senior producer and lead talent booker for The Kyle and Jackie 'O' show from January 2006 to May 2010.

She was widely regarded as a trailblazer in brand storytelling, innovation, and cultural marketing, known for her bold creative vision and magnetic energy.

Friends, industry peers and public figures have taken to social media to share their grief and memories of Paola, using the hashtag #Forever_Paola.

Lisa Veronica of pop duo The Veronicas wrote: 'I love you Paola I will cherish every second I got to be back in your beautiful presence again. A soul sister who made life so beautiful. Rest easy babygirl. And into the next.'

Radio presenter Justin Hill commented: 'So sorry to hear this. Sending love to you all.'

Music executive Dave Simon added: 'Nooo, P. Heartbreaking to hear.'

Publicist Charlie Boyce said: 'Heartbreaking. All my love to those that loved her. Beautiful and vibrant xx.'

Paola's estranged husband, music executive Govind Sandhu, paid tribute to her in a moving Instagram post, sharing a gallery of special moments from their eight-year relationship

She was widely regarded as a trailblazer in brand storytelling, innovation, and cultural marketing, known for her bold creative vision and magnetic energy. (Paola pictured second from right, alongside Samantha Wills, Matt Dillon and Danielle Cox)

Raul Gonzales added: 'Such devastating news to hear. Sending love and prayers.'

Former friend Danielle Cox left a deeply personal tribute, recalling their early days together: 'My first roommate coming to Sydney at 19! One of my first friends in a new city, then workmates later on Party nights, going to live band shows together, and you being a cheerleader from the sidelines like you always were for people.'

She continued: 'I was meaning to call and I hate that I didn't. Thinking we had all the time in the world. You are so loved and so admired P.'

The celebration of Paola's life will take place at Wisteria Room, Centennial Homestead, with loved ones encouraged to bring photos and memories to share in a special memory book.

'We have felt so deeply the love from every part of P's world, and we would be so grateful to share this time with you,' the post read.

'If you have any special memories you'd like to share, we will have a memory book on the day  a space to hold and treasure these moments for the family forever.'
Kelly Brook stunned in a skimpy patterned bikini as she shared throwback holiday pictures of her incredibly fresh-faced lookalike mother on Monday.

The model and actress, 45, shared an album of throwback snaps from a 2008 mother-daughter Thailand holiday on Instagram.

In the pictures, Kelly stunned as she flaunted her petite physique in a ray of skimpy beach wear.

And Kelly's mother, Sandra, 63, proved good looks run in the family as she showcased her youthful appearance.

Kelly flexed her biceps in one playful snap as she posed in a blue bikini in front of a lavish pool.

Kelly and Sandra looked incredible as they also shared a sweet candle-lit dinner on the beach.

Kelly Brook, 45, stunned in a skimpy patterned bikini as she shared throwback holiday pictures of herself on Instagram on Monday

Kelly's mother, Sandra, 63, proved good looks run in the family as she showcased her youthful appearance

The model and actress looked fresh-faced in pictures from her throwback post

The pair looked the double of one another as they stepped out in similar floral dresses and sipped on coconut drinks.

To caption the album, she penned: '2008 White Lotus Holiday Edition with my Mama!!! Bangkok - Phuket - Krabi I just dont think we are meant to live an uncomfortable life'

Her throwback snaps come as she revealed she had made her mind up on whether she wants to have children or not, after an 'honest' admission from her grandma.

In an interview with The Mirror, Kelly revealed that she asked her grandma if she had any regrets in life - and was shocked by her frank answer, when she responded that her biggest one was having children.

She admitted: 'I wasn't expecting it, but she definitely said it! I think she felt that having children had taken up a lot of her life.

'I thought, 'What an absolutely honest, incredible answer,' and I think I needed to hear it.

'I was about 36 at the time and thinking, 'God, am I ever going to have children? If so, maybe I should just get on with it now?'

'Then I thought, 'Actually, I don't think I want them,' and hearing that somebody had regrets, and that I might not regret not having children, made me feel really happy about my choice.'

Kelly looked incredible in a range of holiday snaps as she showed off her holiday wardrobe

Kelly and Sandra looked incredible in summer dresses as they also shared a sweet candle-lit dinner on the beach

The pair looked the double of one another as they stepped out in similar floral dresses and sipped on coconut drinks

To caption the album, she penned: '2008 White Lotus Holiday Edition with my Mama!!! Bangkok - Phuket - Krabi I just dont think we are meant to live an uncomfortable life'

Her throwback snaps come as she revealed she had made her mind up on whether she wants to have children or not, after an 'honest' admission from her grandma

In an interview with The Mirror, Kelly revealed that she asked her grandma if she had any regrets in life - and was shocked by her frank answer, when she responded that her biggest one was having children

Kelly reflected on how not having children leaves her life more open to different possibilities and used being able to move between LA and the UK as an example.

It comes after the Loose Women star opened up about her 'traumatic and devastating' miscarriages in previous relationships.

She revealed that her and her husband Jeremy Parisi are 'childless by choice' as she spoke about their marriage.

Kelly revealed she looks at her and Jeremy's 'beautiful life' and how they aren't 'burdened' by the turmoil of trying to have children.

However she got candid about her experience in previous relationships, as she revealed the trauma of going through IVF or experiencing miscarriages.

'I am actually childless by choice at the moment, it's not something that we have considered and I don't think that should be a taboo,' she told The Sun on Sunday.

'I have been through pregnancies and miscarriages and I know how traumatic and devastating they are on you and on your relationship, I have been down that road with previous partners and it is a lot.

'I look at the beautiful life we have and how we don't have the burden of that.'

Kelly said that while she sees how much happiness children bring her family, she also sees the stress that comes with.

Kelly revealed that she asked her grandma if she had any regrets in life and she responded that her biggest one was having children (Kelly pictured with husband Jeremy)

She admitted: 'I wasn't expecting it, but she definitely said it! I think she felt that having children had taken up a lot of her life'

And while her and Jeremy love family time and caring for their dog, travel is a huge part of their lives and having children is not on their list of priorities.

However at the time Kelly admitted that she wasn't completely closed off to being a mum in the future - something she was yet to discuss with her husband.

The couple revealed they want to become TV's new power couple and believe their constant bickering makes them more 'relatable.'

Kelly criticised duos who force their on-screen relationship and 'portray an unrealistic dynamic' to audiences.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the former actress insists she and Frenchman Jeremy, who she married in 2022, aren't trying to be 'perfect', which sets them apart from existing TV partnerships.

After competing on BBC show Celebrity Race Across the World, Kelly says viewers were given an introduction to Jeremy, who spoke no English when he first moved to the UK.

Then, they starred in La Vita Italiana, a three-part mini-series filmed for ITV's This Morning, which saw Kelly adapt to life at Jeremy's family home and farm in Arpino.

And Kelly hopes the show will be commissioned for a bigger project as the couple sets their sights on a semipermanent move to rural Italy.

She said: 'We're just a normal couple. We're not trying to be the perfect couple like a lot of TV duos try and portray an unrealistic dynamic.

'But with us, we argue, and we get on and we love each other, we're normal and relatable because we're just like any other couple. It seems that during Race Across the World that's how people saw us. It's just who we are.'

It comes after the Loose Women star opened up about her 'traumatic and devastating' miscarriages in previous relationships

She revealed that her and her husband Jeremy Parisi are 'childless by choice' as she spoke about their marriage

Kelly said that while she sees how much happiness children bring her family, she also sees the stress that comes with it

Kelly fell for Jeremy after she reached out to him directly on Instagram and the pair connected over their mutual love of martial arts and fitness training.

During the early days of their romance, Jeremy spoke very little English, with French and Italian being his primary languages.

The radio host took on the role of translator and admits she can still speak on Jeremy's behalf even now he's fluent in English.

She said: 'I know people think I talk over Jeremy all the time. That's because I talk too much and when Jeremy first moved to the UK, he didn't speak any English, so I became so used to talking for him and I've just not got out the habit of it.'
Saturday Night Live have reportedly issued an apology to Aimee Lou Wood after she slammed a 'mean' sketch that mocked her teeth.

On Sunday night, The White Lotus star shared a series of posts condemning the sketch show after Sarah Sherman wore huge prosthetic teeth while parodying Aimee.

In response to being mocked on the show, the Sex Education star, 31, took to her Instagram Story to slam SNL and address rumours about HBO.

After the actress went viral for her takedown of the 'mean and unfunny' skit, she claimed that SNL had reached out to extend an olive branch.

Alongside a selfie distorted to make her eyes and mouth larger, she penned: 'I've had apologies from SNL'.

In the sketch, named The White Potus, it imagined the Trump family and various political figures on holiday at the famous retreat.

Saturday Night Live have reportedly issued an apology to Aimee Lou Wood after she slammed a 'mean' sketch that mocked her teeth

On Sunday night, The White Lotus star shared a series of posts condemning the sketch show after Sarah Sherman (pictured) wore huge prosthetic teeth while parodying Aimee

After the actress went viral for her takedown of the 'mean and unfunny' skit, she claimed that SNL had reached out to extend an olive branch

Walton Goggins' character Rick was reimagined as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who was seen on a rambling rant debating they take 'all the fluoride out of the water'.

The camera then cut to Aimee's character Chelsea - played by Sarah - with exaggerated buck teeth, who exclaimed: 'Fluoride? What's that?'

In response, Aimee took aim at the 'cheap' joke, as she wrote: 'Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago. Yes, take the p**s for sure - that's what the show is about- but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?'

She also shared messages of support from her followers and sister Emily, admitting she'd received 'thousands' of messages backing her up.

Aimee continued: 'Last thing I'll say on the matter. I am not thin skinned. I actually love being taken the p**s out of when it's clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth not bad teeth.

'I don't mind caricature - I understand that's what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/ Chelsea was the only one punched down On... Okay end of.'

To conclude, she shared a comment from a fan that read: 'It was a sharp and funny skit until it suddenly took a screeching turn into 1970's misogyny', she added: 'This sums up my view'.

Earlier in the day, Aimee shared more thoughts on the matter, admitting: 'Whilst in honest mode - I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny,' she told her followers.

After noting she was feeling 'righteous' but 'might delete' her post later, fans encouraged her not to remove it.

'Don't delete it, one comment read. 'It was mean and unfunny and saying it out loud removes their power.

In the sketch, the camera cut to Aimee's character Chelsea - played by Sarah - with exaggerated buck teeth, who exclaimed: 'Fluoride? What's that?'

In response, Aimee took aim at the 'cheap' joke, as she wrote: 'Yes, take the p**s for sure - that's what the show is about- but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?'

She also shared messages of support from her followers who had reached out to share their thoughts on the sketch and said they'd been inspired by the actress

The Sex Education actress revealed she'd had 'thousands' of messages supporting her

She also shared a sweet post from her little sister Emily who shared a selfie of the pair

To conclude she lashed out once more at her 'misogynistic' portrayal in the skit

'You're unreal in every way, I have a big gap in my teeth and an overbite and you've genuinely made me feel so much better about myself.

'I was going to spend thousands on fixing it all which I'm not doing now because I look at you and think how gorgeous you look so why not try and apply that logic to myself,' they concluded.

Another commenter wrote, 'I agree- everyone else in that parody was a political figure who was being mocked.

'The only character who wasn't political was Chelsea, and they were clearly just taking the piss out of your appearance/accent, which is extremely c***y and uncalled for.'

Earlier, she clarified that 'nobody at HBO called' her 'ugly.'

'That was my own paranoid thought' she explained, referring to a recent interview, which she says was misconstrued.

The star continued: 'Nobody at HBO would say that. My point in the article was about how our mind plays tricks on us. Please read carefully before getting angry for me.'

'So to conclude today's rant: @hbo - kind and supportive and never wronged me so leave them alone. @nbcsnl - mean.'

MailOnline has contacted NBC for comment.

Earlier in the day, Aimee shared more thoughts on the matter, as she slammed SNL and addressed rumours about HBO

She insisted HBO had been 'super supportive' but she was suffering from 'imposter syndrome'

In a recent interview with British GQ, Aimee explained that White Lotus creator Mike White had to 'fight' to cast her, which made her feel insecure.

She continued: 'When someone (not a producer) told me Mike fought for me it was said in a nice way.

'I just spiraled about it because of my own imposter syndrome. That was my point. Just really wanted to clear that up because hbo have been nothing but super supportive.

In the GQ article, Aimee dove into the insecurity, saying, 'My little head goes: "HBO didnt want me. And I know why HBO didnt want me, its because Im ugly."'

'Mike had to say, "Please let me have the ugly girl!" That was the thing that was in my head,' she continued.

Elsewhere in the interview, Aimee spoke about the interest in her natural overbite and gapped buck teeth, which she worried had progressed to the point that it was stealing attention from her performance.

She worried that her teeth were now seen by some White Lotus fans as something 'goofy' that she hadn't yet had 'fixed.'

'It makes me really happy that its symbolizing rebellion and freedom, but theres a limit,' she said.

In a series of slides the British actress wrote her sentiment over the photos

'The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I'm not getting to talk about my work.

'They think its nice because theyre not criticizing,' she said of those focused on her smile, before pausing and suggesting that the whole discussion might be tied in with sexism.

'And, I have to go there I dont know if it was a man would we be talking about it this much? Its still going on about a womans appearance,' she added.

Aimee has been praised online for leaving her buck teeth natural, instead of caving into the artificial beauty standards of Hollywood.

During an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, the actress marveled: 'I cant believe the impact my teeth are having. Americans cant get over them.

'Even the way White Lotus fans are talking about me and my teeth  that I dont have veneers or Botox  it feels a bit rebellious.'
Sophie Monk has touched down in Sydney after a harrowing holiday in Thailand, where she found herself caught up in a terrifying 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

The 45-year-old TV star was spotted arriving at Sydney Airport on Monday with her husband Joshua Gross, looking stylish yet relaxed as she wheeled a luggage trolley piled high with suitcases through the arrivals terminal.

Sophie showed off her gym-honed figure in a fitted white scoop-neck top paired with figure-hugging grey leggings and chunky white sneakers.

She added a cropped white cardigan with red, green and black stripes on the sleeves for a pop of colour.

Her signature blonde locks were styled in soft waves and she appeared makeup-free, flaunting her natural beauty.

Later, Sophie swapped her cardigan for an oversized denim jacket as she made left the airport alongside Joshua, who kept it casual in a white polo shirt, matching cap and dark sunglasses.

Sophie Monk has touched down in Sydney after a harrowing holiday in Thailand where she found herself caught up in a terrifying 7.7 magnitude earthquake

The TV star was spotted arriving at Sydney Airport on Monday with her husband Joshua Gross, looking stylish yet relaxed as she wheeled a luggage trolley piled high with suitcases through the arrivals terminal

The couple appeared to have travelled light, carrying three suitcases each.

At one point, the couple were seen stopping by a McDonald's inside the terminal for a quick bite before heading home to recover from the emotional whirlwind of their trip.

The sighting comes just days after Sophie revealed she had endured a deeply distressing ordeal while staying in Bangkok during the earthquake that rocked parts of Thailand and Myanmar late last month.

Sharing a raw video to Instagram, Sophie recalled the terrifying moment the quake struck while she was staying on the 52nd floor of a Bangkok hotel.

'I have never experienced anything like this. I was just in the scariest earthquake ever,' she told followers, visibly shaken in the clip taken from the street moments after fleeing the building.

'The whole building was going side to side. We were crawling on our tummies. It was so full-on,' she added.

'We ran down the emergency stairs and made it out. Whoathat'll get your heart racing. I don't want to be in that sucker again!'

Sophie later posted a calming update from a local massage parlour, showing a Thai woman massaging her feet as she tried to decompress from the ordeal.

Later, Sophie swapped her cardigan for an oversized denim jacket as she made her way through the airport alongside Joshua, who kept it casual in a white polo shirt, matching cap and dark sunglasses

At one point, the couple were seen stopping by a McDonald's inside the terminal for a quick bite before heading home to recover from the emotional whirlwind of their trip

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit around 1:30pm local time, triggering chaos across high-rise buildings in central Bangkok.

A second tremor measuring 6.4 struck just 12 minutes later.

Thai officials declared a state of emergency as buildings swayed, metro services were suspended, and residents flooded the streets in panic.

Aussie embassies across the region were placed on high alert.

A DFAT spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that they are 'monitoring the humanitarian situation closely' and urged Australians needing emergency consular assistance to contact their 24-hour hotline.
Mario Ernesto Sanchez has died aged 78 after suffering from a 'long and painful illness'.

The Cuban actor passed away on Sunday morning, his assistant confirmed.

A statement to South Florida newspaper, Diario Las Americas, read: 'Mario Ernesto Sanchez died today at 3:03 am as a result of a long and painful illness.'

The actor was known for starring in Miami Vice in a recurring limo driver role and also appeared in the Only Fools And Horses Christmas special, Miami Twice.

His most recent role came in 2022, in TV series Jammerz. Prior that he starred in the HBO remake of the hit movie, Father of the Bride.

Born in San Antonio de las Vegas, Mario moved to United States aged 15 and later took up a career in acting.

Mario Ernesto Sanchez has died aged 78 after suffering from a 'long and painful illness'. The Cuban actor passed away on Sunday morning, his assistant confirmed.

The actor was known for starring in Miami Vice (pictured) in a recurring limo driver role and also appeared in the Only Fools And Horses Christmas special

He went on to land roles in Hollywood movies such as 1985's Invasion U.S.A. and The Specialist in 1994.

In 1978, the star founded Teatro Avante, a nonprofit theater organisation, focused on preserving Hispanic theater and culture.

The Latino Theater Company/LATC honoured him with the Legacy Award in 2014, an accolade for 'outstanding individuals whose lifelong commitment to Latino Theater in the United States and Latin America will have a lasting impact on the field.'

Accepting the honour, Mario said that the award means 'that we have done a lot but we have a lot more to do. Thats all it means.

'Im humbled by it but at the same time Im very proud. But I always feel we havent done enough. We still need to create more interest in the residents of Miami for theater; thats what we are still lacking.

'Dont misunderstand me, Im happy we are getting this award and it belongs to everybody who has helped Teatro Avante and the International Hispanic Theatre Festival to survive, and that includes audiences and sponsors.

'But I have to be honest, I think theres still a lot that needs to be done.'

Fans were quick to pay tribute on social media.

Mario pictured in the 1991 Only Fools and Horses Christmas special, Miami Twice

Ramon A. Sanchez penned: 'A glory of Cuba and the theater has left us: Mario Ernesto Sanchez. He is already with Lorca, Moliere, Euripides and many more greats of the theater. Rest in peace Chachito and thank you very much for your legacy.'

Actress Veronica Abruza added: 'Sad news. Goodbye Mario Ernesto Sanchez. My condolences to his beloved children, family and friends.

'I will always remember how kind you were upon my arrival in Miami; your attention, your chivalry.

I will always remember how kind you were upon my arrival in Miami; your attention, your chivalry.

'May your soul unite with the source of light and love.'

Miami Art Promotion issued a statement that read: 'The outstanding actor and director of Cuban origin Mario Ernesto Sanchez dies in Miami.

'His tireless work in the Cuban exile theater, since his early arrival in the United States, has earned him the valuable work of Teatro Avante, a group he founded, as well as the Miami International Hispanic Theater Festival, with almost 40 years of experience.

'Peace to his remains and condolences to his loved ones and friends. It also serves as a well-deserved tribute to his extensive career.'
Francine Lewis sent temperatures soaring when she showed off her ample assets in a skimpy bikini as she posed for a racy selfie during her luxurious getaway.

The English actress and model, 49, sizzled in a tiny white and red heart-print bikini displaying her surgically-enhanced assets and washboard abs.

The impressionist looked sensational as she made the most of her lavish stay at the Bahia Principe Hotel, rocking a pricy white Chanel straw hat and Louis Vuitton slippers.

It comes after the Blackpool-born said her 'libido has gone through the roof' just months after saving her marriage to her 'cheating' husband.

The Britain's Got Talent star accused her partner Joel Ryan of texting another woman during an appearance on GB News in 2022.

Francine Lewis, 49, sent temperatures soaring showing off her ample assets in a skimpy bikini as she posed for a racy selfie during her luxurious getaway on Instagram on Monday

The TV presenter looked sensational as she made the most of her lavish stay at the Bahia Principe Hotel

But now it seems all is well, with Francine admitting she was 'absolutely rampant' after returning home from a recent bootcamp at the No 1 Fitness Retreat in Norfolk.

The comedian explained: 'Bootcamp sent my libido through the roof. When I got back from No 1 Fitness Retreat I was absolutely rampant, my husband didnt know what hit him.

'I had so much more energy and I was absolutely bouncing off the walls. The whole experience has been phenomenal for my fitness and my love life.'

Francine added: 'Im approaching 50 in a couple of years but I feel like a 25-year-old at the moment.'

The admission comes after she revealed her marriage to Joel Ryan was saved following her claims that he 'cheated' on her.

Francine hit the headlines in April 2022 after accusing partner Joel of texting another woman during an appearance on GB News.

The ITV star, who tied the knot with Joel in 2005, confirmed this May that their divorce was firmly off the cards and she is 'on cloud nine'.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, Francine admitted that the scandal was actually 'the best thing to happen to her' despite at the time vowing to never go back to Joel.

It comes after the Blackpool-born said her 'libido has gone through the roof' just months after saving her marriage to her 'cheating' husband

Francine hit the headlines in April 2022 after accusing partner Joel of texting another woman but confirmed in May that their divorce was firmly off the cards and she is 'on cloud nine'

She said: 'We went through a horrible time. But looking back, it was probably the best thing that happened to me.

'I could have easily walked away but we've got something special, and that made us realise it. I know it sounds cliched, but we're stronger than ever now.

'When you've been married for a long time, I think you do become very complacent and things change. Maybe that was the case for both of us. For a good period of my life, I was just "kids, kids, kids" and maybe I wasn't putting enough effort in either.'

The comedian went onto reveal how Joel 'begged' her to forgive him and said she wasn't willing to end her marriage over a few messages.

She added: 'Joel has taken full responsibility for what happened. He was a broken man and was on the floor begging me at one point. But he's never, ever, put the blame on me.

'It wasn't an affair  I don't know if I could have forgiven him if it was, and I did think it was one at the time  but sending a message isn't enough for me to end my loving marriage. He did everything he could to win me back.'

Francine said she and Joel now enjoy frequent 'date nights' and go on 'romantic holidays together' to keep their romance alive.
NSW Police have launched an investigation into an alleged act of offensive behaviour against Celebrity Apprentice star Carla from Bankstown.

Carla  the drag alter ego of Benjahmin James  told The Daily Telegraph he was left 'very scared, shaking and crying' after two men in an SUV attempted to run him over outside his local supermarket in Bankstown on Sunday afternoon.

James, who was not dressed in character at the time, said the men screamed homophobic and fatphobic slurs as they tried to intimidate him in the car park, laughing as they accelerated their vehicle towards him.

'It wasn't so much the words that they were using and abusing me,' he said. 'It was more the fact they were trying to run me over with their car, which was not okay by any capacity.'

'They put their foot on the accelerator when I was 10 metres from them, and they literally floored it and just missed me by half a metre.'

He said that the men followed him and hurled a barrage of 'hurtful' comments before he sought refuge inside the supermarket.

NSW Police have launched an investigation into an alleged act of offensive behaviour against Celebrity Apprentice star Carla from Bankstown

Carla told The Daily Telegraph he was left 'very scared, shaking and crying' after two men in an SUV attempted to run him over outside his local supermarket in Bankstown on Sunday

James has previously said he's endured bullying throughout much of his life but admitted this experience was especially traumatic.

'I've been bullied most of my life and I know how to deal with it,' he said.

NSW Police confirmed to The Daily Telegraph they are investigating the incident.

This follows an earlier Instagram Story shared by Carla, where she claimed the men waited outside the store for 15 minutes, allegedly attempting to intimidate her further.

The beloved drag queen and mental health advocate wrote: 'Today I was targeted I was almost run over twice by two men in an SUV, as I was walking they rammed the car and missed me by about 30cm.'

Benjahmin claimed the men initially said they didn't see him but then began 'hurling homophobic and fatphobic remarks' and followed him through the car park while laughing.

'They called me 'f**got', 'fat c*nt' and much more,' he bravely wrote.

The media personality said the men even waited outside the supermarket for 'about 15 minutes' after he sought refuge inside.

In a chilling post on a pink background, the beloved drag queen and mental health advocate wrote: 'Today I was targeted I was almost run over twice by two men in an SUV, as I was walking they rammed the car and missed me by about 30cm'

'Mark my words, I will find out who you are and you will pay for this trauma,' he declared. 'I don't stand for this and when I find out who you are I will expose you.'

Benjahmin also revealed he had seen the same car 'multiple times' in his area before, adding: 'So bring it on.'

While he assured fans he was okay physically, Benjahmin admitted the ordeal had left him emotionally shaken  especially given his ongoing mental health journey.

'All of this while on my mental health journey just makes me really question society and the people in general,' he wrote.

Fans have since taken to social media to offer messages of support, with many calling on authorities to investigate the incident.

The news comes months after the social media star launched a scathing tirade against Jetstar after his flight to Sydney was cancelled.

Ben posted a gallery of photos to Instagram Stories capturing him impatiently waiting at Brisbane Airport, and added some choice words for the low-cost airline.

'Thank you Jetstar Australia for cancelling my flight 10 minutes before it was boarding and making me wait three hours till the next one,' he began.

The news comes months after the social media star launched a scathing tirade against Jetstar after his flight to Sydney was cancelled

James went on to reveal he finally boarded a plane five hours later and was not happy with the staff's reaction to the incident - or their demeanour handling his concerns or questions

'I have a gig on tonight back in Sydney [that] I'll be late for and will lose money for. It's amazing. Thank you for that!

Ben then warned the airline he would become a complaining 'Karen' if the situation was not quickly rectified.

'I've been sitting here for the last two hours waiting and if you cancel this flight I will make a video and I will become Karen from Bankstown and lose my mind,' he continued, adding, 'I will lose money for these cancelled flights.'

Ben went on to reveal he finally boarded a plane five hours later and was not happy with the staff's reaction to the incident - or their demeanour handling his concerns or questions.

'Five hours later on a plane home and @jetstaraustralia staff are so rude! You should be ashamed. Never had any issue with you EVER and now you want to be gronks?!

'Watch out, I'm making the BIGGEST complaint in the history of your existence.

'And your staff being so rude to me when asking what's happening, saying, 'Oh, we all want to go home babe'. Don't call me babe. I'm not your babe, bro. Seriously RUDE.'

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a Jetstar spokesperson said, 'A flight from Brisbane to Sydney was cancelled yesterday due to an engineering requirement, with our aircraft needing a spare part.'

Carla from Bankstown shot to fame in 2021 with her tongue-in-cheek videos where she posed as ex- NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's no-nonsense assistant

'We apologise for the inconvenience this caused and thank our customers for their patience while our teams worked hard to get everyone on their way as quickly as possible.'

'Safety is always our number one priority.'

Carla from Bankstown shot to fame in 2021 with her tongue-in-cheek videos where she posed as ex-NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's no-nonsense assistant.

In July, the celebrity drag queen posted a hilarious video to TikTok, revealing she had scored a new gig working for current NSW Premier Chris Minns.

The cheeky footage shows Carla working behind the desk at Minns' office as she takes a personal call with a friend and tells them, 'it's so boring today'.

She is then caught off guard by Minns, 43, who approaches her desk and asks her: 'What's happening? Are phone calls coming through, no one's picking up.'

'Victorian premier Dan Andrews called and said he's hotter than you, but I told him no, absolutely not,' Carla cheekily responded.
The daughter of a very famous British chef has been chosen to become the newest judge for Deliveroo's Restaurant Awards 2025.

Tilly Ramsay, the daughter of Michelin Star royalty Gordon, 23, is the newest member of the judging panel - who will be rating UK and Ireland's most-loved foodie hotspots.

The cookbook author and TikTok star makes her debut as the app's youngest ever judge in a bid to crown the 'Best Independent Restaurant' and 'Rising Star' awards.

She is set to joins a panel of industry experts including Deliveroo's CEO & Founder, Will Shu and food critic Jimi Famurewa.

In new imagery released, Tilly is captured sitting upon a teal and gold throne with embossed culinary equipment as she prepares for her role crowning the top local restaurant title.

Surrounded by a banquet of delicious Deliveroo dishes, from burgers to bagels, salads to sushi and everything in between, Tilly is seen taste-testing the dishes in practice for her newly appointed role as judge.

Tilly Ramsay (pictured), the daughter of Michelin Star royalty Gordon, 23, is the newest member of the judging panel - who will be rating UK and Ireland's most-loved foodie hotspots

Tilly has followed in the footsteps of her famous father not just by training as a chef but appearing on television shows and on social media

The aspiring chef will help crown the coveted 2025 Deliveroo Independent Restaurant of the Year title, won by Yeeros in Dublin in 2024.

Tilly - who recently graduate from the prestigious Ballymaloe culinary school - will also help juding Deliveroo's new for 2025 Rising Star Award title, one which will see her celebrating and supporting the next generation of chef talent.

On her new venture, Tilly said: 'I can't wait to take my taste buds on a tour as I rate some of the most loved local eats from around the UK and Ireland as part of the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards.

'The shortlist of restaurants looks epic and I'm excited to get stuck into deliberating the dishes for the top title, Independent Restaurant of the Year, with my co-judges.

'It's also a huge honour to be supporting the next generation of restaurateur talent as part of the Rising Star award - as a recent culinary school graduate and someone still early in my career, it feels very special to celebrate new and exceptional talent in the food industry!'

On recruiting Tilly as the newest Deliveroo Restaurant Awards judge, Will Shu, CEO & Founder at Deliveroo said: 'The Deliveroo Restaurant Awards is about championing the local restaurants who provide incredible selection and quality food in their communities.

'These restaurants are the beating heart of our towns and cities and they obsess over making sure every food delivery is a special moment for our customers - that's something worth celebrating.'

Public voting for the UK and Ireland's favourite and most loved restaurants in their local area opens from the 14th April via deliveroorestaurantawards.com and runs until the 9th of May 2025. The winners will be announced on 28th May 2025.

The cookbook author and TikTok star makes her debut as the app's youngest ever judge in a bid to crown the Best Independent Restaurant and Rising Star awards

Last year Tilly revealed her famous dad Gordon had taken her to buy her first chef's uniform and all her equipment ready to start her training (pictured together in 2023)

Last year Tilly revealed her famous dad Gordon, 58, had taken her to buy her first chef's uniform and all her equipment ready to start her training.

Sharing a snap of her donning a white chef's jacket and trying on several pairs of black clogs, Tilly gushed she was 'so excited for this next chapter'.

She wrote: 'So I went a different kind of uniform shopping yesterday.... @gordangram took me out to buy my first chef whites as I am off to culinary school this September!!

'I am so excited for this next chapter and dad and I had the most exciting day getting all my uniform and equipment. P.s I think this look is kind of a vibe'.

Culinary schools comes as the natural next step for Tilly, after she has already shown an affinity for cooking and built an impressive career as a budding chef.

Chef Gordon is well known for the likes of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Hells Kitchen, Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip and Kitchen Nightmares.

And showing the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, Tilly has starred on several cooking shows and even published her own cookbook when she was just 15.

In 2015, she bagged her own cooking show on CBBC, called Matilda And The Ramsay Bunch, following her as she whipped up dishes for her family on holiday and running until 2019.

She also appeared alongside Gordon on This Morning in a series of cooking segments called Big Chef Little Chef, and was judge on the ninth season of MasterChef Junior with her dad.

While she also competed in series two of Celebrity MasterChef Australia, finishing in second place.
A-list stars have jumped to the defence of Aimee Loud Wood after she slammed a Saturday Night Live sketch mocking her teeth and accent.

The White Lotus star, 31, branded NBC 'mean and unfunny' for their skit - which saw Sarah Sherman wear huge prosthetic teeth while parodying Aimee.

On Sunday morning, Aimee was flooded with support from thousands of followers and reportedly was later issued an apology from SNL.

Among those to leap to her defence were A-listers including Cara Delevingne, Georgia May Jagger and feminist icon Jameela Jamil.

'I hate this so much,' Jameela wrote on her Instagram Story. 'It's the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor. Our next Olivia Coleman. Hilarious, deep, vulnerable, and relentlessly loveable.

'We make fun of the assimilation of women and then mercilessly obsess over anyone with any slightly alternative features from whatever bullsh** AI standard we have allowed, as women, to take hold of this world.'

A-list stars have jumped to the defence of Aimee Loud Wood after she slammed a Saturday Night Live sketch mocking her teeth and accent (Seen in the White Lotus)

Among those to leap to her defence were A-listers including Cara Delevingne, Georgia May Jagger and feminist icon Jameela Jamil (Pictured in January)

In a second post, Jameela added: 'I also think she's so f***ing beautiful and love her face so much and wouldn't want her to look any different.'

Also sharing Aimee's Story, actress and model Cara wrote: '@aimeelouwood YOU ARE STUNNING. PERIOD.'

Cara's post was shared by model Georgia, who said: 'Agreed! @aimeelouwood is gorgeous.'

Saturday Night Live have reportedly since issued an apology to Aimee after she slammed the 'mean' sketch.

On Sunday night, Aimee shared a series of posts condemning the sketch show after its parody of her.

In response to being mocked on the show, the Sex Education star took to her Instagram Story to slam SNL and address rumours about HBO.

After the actress went viral for her takedown of the 'mean and unfunny' skit, she claimed that SNL had reached out to extend an olive branch.

Alongside a selfie distorted to make her eyes and mouth larger, she penned: 'I've had apologies from SNL'.

After the actress went viral for her takedown of the 'mean and unfunny' skit, she claimed that SNL had reached out to extend an olive branch

' I hate this so much,' Jameela wrote on her Instagram Story. 'It's the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor'

In a second post, Jameela added: 'I also think she's so f***ing beautiful and love her face so much and wouldn't want her to look any different'

In the sketch, named The White Potus, it imagined the Trump family and various political figures on holiday at the famous retreat.

Walton Goggins' character Rick was reimagined as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who was seen on a rambling rant debating they take 'all the fluoride out of the water'.

The camera then cut to Aimee's character Chelsea - played by Sarah - with exaggerated buck teeth, who exclaimed: 'Fluoride? What's that?'

In response, Aimee took aim at the 'cheap' joke, as she wrote: 'Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago. Yes, take the p**s for sure - that's what the show is about- but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?'

She also shared messages of support from her followers and sister Emily, admitting she'd received 'thousands' of messages backing her up.

Aimee continued: 'Last thing I'll say on the matter. I am not thin skinned. I actually love being taken the p**s out of when it's clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth not bad teeth.

'I don't mind caricature - I understand that's what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/ Chelsea was the only one punched down On... Okay end of.'

Also sharing Aimee's Story, actress and model Cara wrote: '@aimeelouwood YOU ARE STUNNING. PERIOD'

In response, Aimee took aim at the 'cheap' joke, as she wrote: 'Yes, take the p**s for sure - that's what the show is about- but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?'

To conclude, she shared a comment from a fan that read: 'It was a sharp and funny skit until it suddenly took a screeching turn into 1970's misogyny', she added: 'This sums up my view.'

Earlier in the day, Aimee shared more thoughts on the matter, admitting: 'Whilst in honest mode - I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny,' she told her followers.

After noting she was feeling 'righteous' but 'might delete' her post later, fans encouraged her not to remove it.

MailOnline has contacted NBC for comment.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard proudly showed off her fit postpartum figure after shedding 25 pounds, just three months after giving birth to her baby girl, Aurora.

Over the weekend, the reality star, 33, shared side-by-side photos highlighting her impressive weight loss transformation with her 876,000 Instagram followers.

In the first image, taken in January 2024, she can be seen rocking a black dress to the premiere of her Lifetime show, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.

The next picture, a recent mirror selfie, displayed the mother-of-one's slimmed-down figure as she sported a sleeveless white best, jeans and a pair of black booties.

Blanchard, who previously denied using weight-loss medications like Ozempic or Mounjaro, captioned her post: 'My 25lbs weight loss.'

In January, the Munchausen by proxy survivor insisted her figure was the result of her focus on 'getting fit by doing yoga and other exercises to help tone' her stomach.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard proudly showed off her fit postpartum figure after shedding 25 pounds, just three months after giving birth to her baby girl, Aurora

'I bought small gym equipment for my home to start getting healthy,' she revealed on Instagram. 'I never have used weight loss drugs to lose weight. I was blessed with a healthy pregnancy and gained very little during my pregnancy.'

Blanchard welcomed her daughter, with her partner Ken Urker on December 28, exactly one year after she was released from prison.

She spent her childhood posing as a wheelchair-bound invalid after mom Claudine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard shaved her head, pumped her full of drugs, and convinced the world she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

Their 'inseparable' bond ended when Gypsy burst free of her warped mom's control in 2015 by letting her besotted internet boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, creep into their Springfield, Missouri, home to stab 48-year-old Dee Dee to death.

She ultimately plead guilty to second-degree murder and spent nearly a decade locked up before she was granted early parole and released in December 2023.

While in prison, she bonded with Ken after he sent her a letter; they started corresponding and things soon turned romantic, with him proposing in 2018.

But after the Hulu show The Act - which starred Joey King as Gypsy and Patricia Arquette as her mother - premiered a few months later and put an intense spotlight on Gypsy's story, she admitted in her memoir that Ken couldn't handle all the sudden attention.

They ultimately split and she moved on with Ryan Scott Anderson, and they wed in July 2022.

Gypsy welcomed her baby girl with her partner Ken Urker on December 28, exactly one year after she was released from prison

Ryan was by her side when she was freed - but just three months later, news hit the web that they had split.

Soon after, it was reported that Gypsy had reconciled with her ex, Ken; she then revealed that they were expecting in July.

In a YouTube video at the time, Gypsy spoke about how her horrific upbringing would affect her outlook on motherhood.

'All the things that I wanted in a mother, I want to give to this baby,' she stated. 'I just want to be a good mother to my child, I want to be everything my mother wasn't.'

In a YouTube video at the time, Gypsy spoke about how her horrific upbringing would affect her outlook on motherhood

Gypsy added that the pregnancy had given her 'freedom in a way she never expected,' and a newfound peace on 'everything that has ever happened to her.'

'It doesn't matter because it all lead to me to be who I am today,' she stated. 'It all lead me to this moment right here right now.'

Gypsy previously revealed the 'backstory' behind her baby's name to People.

'Ken came up with that. There's a whole backstory to it,' she dished. 'Some people think that it's because of the Disney Princess.

'Some people think that it's because Kristy's dog is named Aurora Grace,' she said of her step-mother, adding: 'It's not because of that.'

'All the things that I wanted in a mother, I want to give to this baby,' she stated. 'I just want to be a good mother to my child, I want to be everything my mother wasn't'

Gypsy added that the pregnancy had given her 'freedom in a way she never expected,' and a newfound peace on 'everything that has ever happened to her'

Instead, Aurora was selected because of the couple's shared love of the Northern Lights.

'Back whenever Ken and I were together seven years ago, both of us have a fascination with the Northern Lights, and the proper term is the Aurora Borealis,' she said recalling her time dating Urker while imprisoned.

'I think it was maybe in 2018, we wrote each other's future kid's name on pieces of paper and Aurora is what we both picked without even knowing each other was picking it.'

Gypsy said that she reminisced over the name when she split from Ken and married her now ex-husband Ryan.

'When we had broken up [it was like], "Oh, Aurora is never going to be born." A lot of people think the origin is one thing, but they don't know that little story,' she continued.
Iconic Doctor Who star Tom Baker was seen stepping out for lunch in Rye over the weekend.

The actor, 91, left the TARDIS in 1981 after seven years portraying the Time Lord in the BBC One sci-fi show, the longest run of any actor in the role.

He is best known for having played the fourth and longest-serving incarnation of the Doctor.

He looked in great spirits as he headed to lunch with pals at the historic Mermaid Inn in Rye, East Sussex.

He is known for his booming voice, wild curls and unforgettable scarf and now, at the grand age of 91, Tom is still turning heads with his trademark warm smile.

Tom joined friends for a leisurely lunch at the picturesque Mermaid Inn before heading home.

Iconic Doctor Who star Tom Baker, 91, was seen stepping out for lunch in Rye over the weekend - where he flashed his famous smile

The actor, 91, left the TARDIS in 1981 after seven years portraying the Time Lord in the BBC One sci-fi show, the longest run of any actor in the role

Back in 2017 Tom returned as the Fourth Doctor for the first time on screen for 36 years in the finally completed 'lost' Doctor Who story, Shada (seen in 2017)

Dressed casually but comfortably, the much-loved actor appeared every bit the eccentric gentleman fans have cherished since his days in the TARDIS.

Back in 2017 Tom returned as the Fourth Doctor for the first time on screen for 36 years in the finally completed 'lost' Doctor Who story, Shada.

Tom did make an appearance in as the mysterious curator character in the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor, which was broadcast in November 2013 but in 2017 he once again donned his famous oversized striped scarf for one last outing as the Gallifreyan runaway.

Shada - written by Douglas Adams - was set to be the celebratory end to the 17th series of 'Doctor Who' but was left incomplete due to strike action at the BBC in 1979.

Producer Charles Norton was tasked by BBC Worldwide with the job of finally completing the serial and got Tom to appear in a final scene which took place in his original TARDIS from 1979 - which was sourced from the now-closed 'Doctor Who Experience'.

In the scene, Tom appeared from underneath the TARDIS controls to utter the lines from the original script on screen for the first time, saying: 'I expect that sometime in the future - in about 200 years' time - someone will meet me and say, "Is that really the Doctor? He seemed such a nice old man."'

Charles brought together all of the surviving original cast, including Daniel Hill as scientist Chris Parsons and Christopher Neame as villain Skagra, to record the necessary dialogue for his animated scenes that were required to complete the adventure.

Tom admitted he was thrilled to get the chance to be the Doctor again and finally finish Shada for the fans and as a tribute to Douglas, who passed away in May 2001 at the age of just 49.

He played The Doctor from 1974-1981

He looked in great spirits as he headed to lunch with pals at the historic Mermaid Inn in Rye, East Sussex

He is known for his booming voice, wild curls and unforgettable striped scarf which he always wore on the show

Tom joined friends for a leisurely lunch at the picturesque Mermaid Inn before heading home

Dressed casually but comfortably, the much-loved actor appeared every bit the eccentric gentleman fans have cherished since his days in the TARDIS

He was joined by pals for the lunch out

He wore a brown blazer and black waistcoat

He made his way to the car after the lunch out

Tom Baker as Doctor Who with his new assistant Lalla Ward as Romana

Tom said: 'It was a matter of regret that I couldn't finish it, I regretted it very much. There were other aspects. This was because we loved Douglas.

'Douglas was a very, very, lovable fellow ... When I was doing Doctor Who it was the realisation of all my childhood fantasies, so I took to it like a duck to water, as they say. And I still do.'

Revealing why he jumped at the chance to appear on screen as the Doctor once more, the acting legend added: 'I love doing Doctor Who because it was life to me.'

'It's an amazing thing to be in ... It probably has never left me, and that's why I can't stay away from it. It was a lovely time of my life.'

Shada is set in Cambridge and showed the Doctor, his robot dog K9 and his companion Romana team up with retired Time Lord Professor Chronotis to defeat the evil alien Skagra who is attempting to steal the secrets to the prison planet Shada.

Charles and his team - who were behind the hugely successful and critically acclaimed animation of lost Doctor Who story The Power of the Daleks and lost Dad's Army episode A Stripe For Frazer - were granted access to nearly seven hours of raw footage from the original 1979 Shada shoot.

They edited the new production from scratch with all the original film negatives re-scanned in full HD and digitally remastered.
Sami Sheen discussed her many cosmetic procedures with Bravo star Gia Giudice, 24, on her Casual Chaos podcast.

She offered more insight into why she's gone under the knife so many times after the premiere of Denise Richards and her Wild Things reignited that conversation.

'I actually just posted a TikTok because  the episode just aired where I got my nose done, and everyone was flooding my comments: "This is so sad." Im like, "Whats sad? Im happy,"' Sami, 21, said.

'I started with lip filler when I was 18. Obviously, I went to the wrong person, had to get it dissolved, start over,' Sami continued.

'Before I got my nose done, I discovered nose filler. They would fill the tip and try and make it look cuter. But the guy literally told me, "Youre going to need a rhinoplasty to get the look that you want."'

Sami admitted that the nose filler pain was 'bad' and she wants to get another breast augmentation to increase the size.

Sami Sheen discussed her many cosmetic procedures with Bravo star Gia Giudice, 23, on her Casual Chaos podcast

Gia said that Sami's procedures were all very natural looking.

'That was my goal. I just want little enhancements, but those little enhancements, theyre kind of big things,' Sami said.

She also said that she was 'really confident' before getting plastic surgery  it was just things she wanted.

'It wasnt like I needed something. I hated my nose, but I made it work,' she continued.

'I think thats such a huge thing that girls need to really be happy with themselves before they get plastic surgery or any work done, because I think insecurity comes from really deep-rooted within you.

Sami wanted listeners to know that getting work done 'isnt going to fix all your insecurities' and said it is important 'to really be confident and love yourself' before having any cometic surgery.

She remarked that she gets a lot of nasty comments about her surgeries.

'Everyone always comments like, "You need to respect yourself and be happy with yourself,"' she said. 'Im like, "Ive been happy with myself. I just finally am able to, like, get a nose job."Theres nothing wrong with wanting a little enhancement.'

She offered more insight into why she's gone under the knife so many times after the premiere of Denise Richards and her Wild Things reignited that conversation. Seen here in 2025

'I actually just posted a TikTok because  the episode just aired where I got my nose done, and everyone was flooding my comments: "This is so sad." Im like, "Whats sad? Im happy,"' Sami, 21, said

'I started with lip filler when I was 18. Obviously, I went to the wrong person, had to get it dissolved, start over,' Sami continued

'Before I got my nose done, I discovered nose filler. They would fill the tip and try and make it look cuter'

'The other day, someone was saying my forehead is too small,' Sami added. 'Im like, "OK, if I had a bigger forehead, you would say its too big."

'Like what is wrong with my forehead? Why do these people tear me to shreds for literally absolutely everything I do? Its crazy.'

Sami, the eldest daughter of Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, listed her past plastic surgery procedures in a TikTok earlier this month.

At the top of the list was lip filler, which the OnlyFans personality said she started getting at age 18 and touches up 'every year.'

The blonde beauty noted that she also over-lines her lips, calling it 'an addiction.'

Sheen also made sure to include a beauty injectable she didn't like  Botox. 'I got Botox in my forehead and I hated it,' she confessed, adding, 'I actually got it to lift my eyebrows up like this [gestures] but it did the complete opposite.'

She explained to viewers, 'I was one of the rare people... it weighed my whole face down. It looked horrible, so I let it dissolve naturally and I've never gotten it since.'

The reality television star continued, 'After that I discovered nose filler. So I did that in the tip of my nose and the bridge to try to make it more straight and lifted.'

But the guy literally told me, "Youre going to need a rhinoplasty to get the look that you want."' Sami admitted that the nose filler pain was 'bad'

Ultimately, she said the filler 'worked a tiny bit, but I just needed a rhinoplasty, so I got that done twice.'

'Next, I finally got the big procedure and I got the girls done,' she said in reference to her breast implants.

'They're finally fully dropped and settled in,' Sami continued while gesturing toward her chest.

She admitted, 'I feel like I could've gone bigger and I really wish I went bigger,' before declaring, 'When the time comes to get them redone I'm definitely going bigger.'

The most uncomfortable procedure was getting veneers, which Sami said she got done a year ago.

'That was the worst process ever. Good thing they don't need to be fixed for another 20 years,' she told her audience. 'Let's hope they last that long because I never want to experience that ever again.'

'In August I got my nose done. That's everything,' Sheen shared as a final note.
Alicia Douvall looked youthful in a series of incredible bikini shots shared to her Instagram from her holiday in the Maldives.

Now an advocate of natural anti-ageing, Alicia, 46, previously admitted to spending over 1 million on extensive plastic surgeries, including a staggering 20 boob jobs.

In the new pictures, posted on Sunday, Alicia was seen posing in a tiny blue bikini and looking wistfully out to sea as she enjoyed her holiday in the Maldives.

She showed off her enviable bottom in another snap, this time in a tiny brown bikini, as she stepped out of the water.

Alicia also gave fans a closer look at her figure in a pink bikini, after previously admitting she was never being happy with her assets after getting one boob job after another.

Alicia Douvall, 46, shared plunging bikini snaps of herself on Sunday on Instagram in an eye-popping throwback to her days as a noughties glamour model

She showed off her enviable bottom in another snap, this time in a tiny brown bikini, as she stepped out of the water

Alicia also gave fans a closer look at her figure in a pink bikini, after previously admitting she was never being happy with her assets after getting one boob job after another

The former model was first thrust into fame in the late nineties when she modelled as a Page Three girl for various tabloids (pictured in 2006)

The former model was first thrust into fame in the late nineties when she modelled as a Page Three girl for various tabloids.

Alicia was also known for her kiss-and-tells with former flames such as Simon Cowell, P Diddy, Mickey Rourke, and Dean Gaffney.

Since then, she has founded her own skincare brand, Douvalls, and has spoken out against the plastic surgeons who treated her like a 'guinea pig', encouraging her to get endless procedures like botox in a bid for perfection.

Looking back on her surgeries, Alicia said she was addicted to the procedures and was having them weekly.

She told the Mail on Sunday: 'Apart from my daughter's education, I spent nothing on anything but surgery. I ate beans on toast and never had a holiday - I even persuaded boyfriends to pay for operations.'

The turning point in Alicia's life came when was diagnosed with sepsis following various complications from her implants.

Prior to this, her daughter Georgia, 29, had begged her to stop going under the knife, but she refused to listen.

After leaving glamour modelling, Alicia founded her own skincare brand, Douvalls, and has spoken out against the plastic surgeons who she claims treated her like a 'guinea pig' (pictured in 2003)

It was only when her second daughter, Papaya, arrived, in 2011, that she knew it was time to take drastic action.

Alicia said: 'I was on anti-depressants because I was so upset about what I had done to myself, and it was my psychotherapist who suggested I might have [body] dysmorphia.

'I was sent to rehab, where they treated me like any other addict. I had a lot of psychotherapy and have had to build myself up from scratch.'

That year was also when Alicia plunged her remaining 20,000 of savings into her skincare brand, which utilises organic Argan oil, something Alicia has found incredibly useful in her natural anti-aging journey.
Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne looked very loved-up this week during their 'make or break' family holiday in Mexico.

The EastEnders star, 32, and the TOWIE alum, 33, appear to be rekindling their relationship as they couldn't keep their hands off one another while soaking up the sun in a lavish resort.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2017 and share daughters Ella, 10, and Mia, six, were thought to have called it quits last month after eight years of marriage.

They were said to be already living separately, after he 'reignited old trust issues'.

Their family getaway follows reports that the pair had enjoyed a 'secret night together' not too long ago.

On Monday the pair looked very smitten - enjoying an escape from their home in a bid to save their marriage.

Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne looked very loved-up this week during their 'make or break' family holiday in Mexico

The EastEnders star, 32, and the TOWIE alum, 33, appear to be rekindling their relationship as they couldn't keep their hands off one another while soaking up the sun in a lavish resort

The actress and Dan both appeared carefree, packing on the PDA as they were repeatedly spotted sharing passionate kisses.

They were joined by Jacqueline's mum Selina for the luxurious getaway at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Hotel in Cancun.

The soap favourite showed off her tan while sporting a purple bikini and a white bucket hat, before enjoying a plunge in the pool.

Dan looked caring as he hugged and kissed his wife.

The TOWIE hunk showed off his ripped physique and array of tattoos opting for blue beach trunks.

A sweet moment showed the proud dad capturing Jacqueline and their two daughters in a snap as the trio posed in the pool.

Amid the smitten display, fresh reports emerged that the couple's friends are not so sure that they should be giving their romance another try as they do not see Dan in Jacqueline's future.

A source revealed to OK! magazine that Dan and Jacqueline are simply trying to 'work out what's best for their children' and are not prioritising a romantic relationship at present.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2017 and share daughters Ella, 10, and Mia, six, were thought to have called it quits last month after eight years of marriage

On Monday the pair looked very smitten - enjoying an escape from their home in a bid to save their marriage

They were joined by Jacqueline's mum Selina for the luxurious getaway at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Hotel in Cancun

The soap favourite showed off her tan while sporting a purple bikini and a white bucket hat, before enjoying a plunge in the pool

Dan looked caring as he hugged and kissed his wife

The TOWIE hunk showed off his ripped physique and array of tattoos opting for blue beach trunks

A sweet moment showed the proud dad capturing Jacqueline and their two daughters as the trio posed in the pool

The insider continued: 'But they've been on such different paths and some of Jac's close friends don't see her future being with Dan. They believe they'll make excellent co-parents but they want Jac - and Dan - to be as happy as possible, and they're not convinced that means them staying together.'

MailOnline have contacted representative of Jacqueline and Dan for comment.
Fans have spotted a telling detail that they believe proves there is a feud between co-stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick.

Amazon Prime Video took to Instagram on Monday to share the poster for Another Simple Favor.

However, eagle-eyed fans realized that 36-year-old Blake's name was higher up on the promotional image than Anna's, 39, leading to numerous comments about it amid their rumored feud.

One of the top comments read: 'Why is Blake lively's name higher than Anna Kendrick's again?? [rolling on the floor while laughing emoji]'

Some believed that Blake's husband Ryan Reynolds had something to do with it as he is also involved with her ongoing legal drama with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.

'She probably did her ways having her husband involved for that,' one replied while another said: 'Ryan decided that.'

Fans have spotted a telling detail that they believe proves there is a feud between co-stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick as Amazon Prime Video took to Instagram on Monday to share the poster for Another Simple Favor

However, eagle-eyed fans realized that 36-year-old Blake's name was higher up on the promotional image than Anna's, 39, leading to numerous comments about it amid their rumored feud

Many others shared their support for Anna while trashing Blake in the process.

One commenter said: 'Anna get out of there. Go direct another movie on your own, you did so good the first time. Before she gets you.'

The comment section was not only full of detractors as some fans of the first film shared their support.

One wrote: 'this is going to be incredible omg [crying and prayer hands emojis]'

This came a month after the two stars continued to keep their distance while promoting their sequel Another Simple Favor during the SXSW Film Festival in Austin.

The Gossip Girl alum - who is rumored to have a 'secret feud' with the Twilight star - posed for a cast portrait amid the festivities, but notably did not stand near her other leading co-star.

On March 7, the pair made an appearance at the screening of the upcoming Amazon Prime Video movie - where Kendrick seemingly shaded Lively amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

In the latest group picture taken at the festival, cast member Michele Morrone and director Paul Feig could be seen posing in between Blake and Anna - who flashed cheerful smiles for the camera.

Some believed that Blake's husband Ryan Reynolds had something to do with it as he is also involved with her ongoing legal drama with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni; the couple are seen in August 2024

Many others shared their support for Anna while trashing Blake in the process

The comment section was not only full of detractors as some fans of the first film shared their support

Other co-stars that joined in on the snap were Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins and Alex Newell.

Lively donned peach-colored trousers that contained flashy, silver embellishments as well as a matching, long coat.

She additionally opted for a plain white shirt and slipped into a pair of shimmering, closed-toed heels to complete the look for the day.

Her blonde locks were parted to the side and flowed down in light waves past her shoulders. The star also held a martini-shaped purse for a unique flare to the outfit.

Kendrick was chic in a sleeveless dress with snakeskin material and a black belt was wrapped around her midriff.

The actress also donned a pair of open-toed, black heels that were secured with straps to complete her ensemble.

Blake and Anna reunited for the anticipated sequel which is slated to officially release later this year on May 1 - and is the sequel to the 2018 movie A Simple Favor.

The premise, 'Follows Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively) as they head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman,' per IMDB.

This came a month after the two stars continued to keep their distance while promoting their sequel Another Simple Favor during the SXSW Film Festival in Austin

In the latest group picture taken at the festival, cast member Michele Morrone and director Paul Feig could be seen posing in between Blake and Anna - who flashed cheerful smiles for the camera

Also on Friday, the Pitch Perfect actress seemingly shaded Lively's ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni as she evaded a question during a red carpet interview with Variety.

Blake is currently amidst an ongoing and publicized legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni - which began when she sued him for sexual assault and launching a smear campaign against her late last year in December.

It was also previously reported that Kendrick is 'upset' the lawsuit is overshadowing their upcoming sequel.

While talking to Variety, Kendrick shared a vague response when questioned about how the movie has been affected by 'everything going on in the world.'

'Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life is just gone,' the star replied, referencing to the plant-based psychedelic.

The actress then continued, 'But I've heard the movie is amazing,' before walking away.

Blake and Anna were also seen on the red carpet together on Friday, but director Paul Feig notably stood in between the pair for the photos.

The filmmaker reflected on working with both Lively and Kendrick once again following the 2018 film A Simple Favor and gushed to People that it was 'too much fun.'

On March 7, the pair made an appearance at the screening of the upcoming Amazon Prime Video movie - where Kendrick seemingly shaded Lively

It was also previously reported that Kendrick is 'upset' the lawsuit is overshadowing their upcoming sequel

Paul added, 'I mean, I had such a great experience on the first one. It always kind of stuck with me. God, I love working with the two of them, as well as the rest of the cast.'

He also revealed that he allowed the two stars to give input when it came to the production of the sequel.

Feig explained 'that's what I always do' and added, 'When I work with actors, I give them a lot of leeway. I want them to figure out what they want to wear, etc., because I was an actor, I know.

'Like if I'm just saying, "Say this. Say this the way I wrote it," I'm cutting off this huge bit of talent.'

Paul added, 'So every movie, every show I've ever done, I collaborate with them and go, "Here's the stuff," and they'll come [back with], "Oh what about this? What about this?" And that's how we work. That's how I've worked with every movie star ever.'

In regards to the second film, he explained, 'So, you know, coming up with this [sequel] just like, "We gotta get something that gives them both something great and new to do that can include the old cast but bring in a bunch of new characters."

'And I always wanted to shoot something in Capri, so it was a dream come true to get to figure that one out,' Feig further expressed.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the director also stated: 'Blake's awesome. I love Blake. I love working with Anna, I love working with Blake, and that's all I can say. She is a great collaborator. I just love working with her.'

Feig also revealed that he allowed the two stars to give input when it came to the production of the sequel; seen above on March 7

On March 7, Anna also offered a very awkward response when questioned about working with Lively once again on their sequel.

In a now-viral video shared to X, Kendrick was filmed cheerfully greeting fans outside of the event.

At one point, one asked the actress, 'What does it mean to be working with Blake again?'

Anna simply replied with, 'Oh, you know...,' and began to take selfies with others instead of further elaborating on the answer - which further fueled speculation of a feud between the two stars.

Blake was also seen mingling with fans and signing autographs in a separate video on X when she was asked a similar question - but her response was in stark contrast to Kendrick's.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , the director also stated: 'Blake's awesome. I love Blake. I love working with Anna, I love working with Blake, and that's all I can say. She is a great collaborator. I just love working with her'; seen in February in NYC

On Friday, Anna also offered a very awkward response when questioned about working with Lively once again on their sequel

'Blake, what does it mean to be back with Anna?' a fan asked as the actress was strolling by.

'Oh, it's the best! I'm so happy,' the star gushed before being guided to take additional photos during the festivities.

And while onstage inside the theater on Friday, the pair could be seen awkwardly standing next to each other as they discussed their movie.

In a video shared by Variety, Lively was filmed talking about Another Simple Favor with Anna only glancing over at her co-star only once throughout the clip.

Their joint appearance at the premiere comes amid rumors of a 'secret feud' between the pair.

It was previously reported that Kendrick is less than thrilled that Blake's legal drama with Justin Baldoni is overshadowing her film Another Simple Favor with the actress.

A source told People last month, 'The comments on Instagram have upset her, especially the ones saying fans are now refusing to watch the movie because they don't want to support Blake.'

They further explained that the Pitch Perfect star is 'not used to being caught up in any drama.'

However another insider shared, 'The film is in the early stages of planning what press will look like, and Blake and Anna will be doing some things together.'

Blake was also seen mingling with fans and signing autographs in a separate video on X when she was asked a similar question - but her response was in stark contrast to Kendrick's

It was previously reported that Kendrick is less than thrilled that Blake's legal drama with Justin Baldoni is overshadowing her film Another Simple Favor with the actress

A separate source explained to DailyMail.com, 'These movies are basically all Anna and Blake have in common. They have a working relationship, by no means a close friendship or bond.

'Last-minute talks are underway with execs as Anna would prefer to distance herself from Blake going forward.'

The insider added, 'It was originally planned that the two would do much of the promotion together. That's what the studio requested, and Anna and Blake agreed to it. But Anna could go it alone over fears she will get caught up in the drama.'

Anna and Blake are also rumored to have clashed over their billing on the sequel and Lively failing to address the effect of her lawsuit on the movie.

Also last month, a source told DailyMail.com, 'There is a gigantic pink elephant in the room that no one is acknowledging.

'The backlash to initial promo has been brutal. There are people protesting and refusing to see it.'

The insider continued, 'Blake has not addressed this. She has not called the cast to apologize. She has not done anything like that. She has stayed quiet and hidden away. She owes Anna an apology. She owes them all an apology.

A separate source explained to DailyMail.com, 'These movies are basically all Anna and Blake have in common. They have a working relationship, by no means a close friendship or bond'; seen in 2018 in NYC

'Anna is just over all of it. If Anna was in this position, she would not be letting the film take the fall for her own personal issues.'

In regards to the position of their names when it came to the billing, another source shared, 'In the original film Anna got top billing over Blake. She thought it was a no-brainer that the same would happen this time around. But Blake didn't see it that way.

'She fought, through her reps to get top billing over Anna, who refused to bow to Blake's demands. Finally, after weeks of negotiations a deal was struck between the actresses.

'They agreed on staggered billing, which meant Anna's name would read first and Blake's would be above hers but on the right-hand side. In the business that's considered equal billing,' the source explained.
Amazon MGM Studios implemented a cautionary measure before sharing the official trailer for Blake Lively's upcoming film, Another Simple Favor, on Monday.

In an attempt to seemingly protect their star from any more online hate amid her legal warfare with Justin Baldoni, Prime Video's official YouTube channel disabled comments from under the trailer.

Instead of allowing viewers to share their reactions to the teaser, social media users were met with a note that 'comments are turned off' under the video.

While sharing a poster for Another Simple Favor on Instagram, Prime Video did allow comments.

'Wowww u guys decided to leave the comments sec open!! Bold move!!!' one eagle-eyed Instagram user remarked.

Others declared they 'can no longer watch anything with Blake Lively' and advised Prime Video not to 'even bother promoting this.'

Amazon MGM Studios implemented a cautionary measure before sharing the official trailer for Blake Lively's upcoming film, Another Simple Favor, on Monday

Back in February, when Amazon MGM Studios released an earlier trailer via YouTube, the comment sectioned was also turned off by the studio.

On Lively's Instagram, she chose to limit comments on her post, which means only a selected group of people that she controls, such as the users she follows back.

This is not the first time the Gossip Girl actress has limited comments on her post while promoting the sequel to her 2018 thriller A Simple Favor.

Last month as she shared a a sneak peek of the upcoming film, she reserved the ability to comment to a small group that left overwhelmingly positive remarks about it.

The movie follows main characters Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) and Emily (Lively) 'head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman,' according to Variety.

'Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square.'

The timing is a publicity nightmare for the movie, which will no doubt be over shadowed by Blake's ongoing legal drama with her It Ends With Us co-star Baldoni.

Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her in a lawsuit filed in December while Baldoni accused Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, and publicist Leslie Sloane of defamation and extortion in a $400 million suit filed in February.

In an attempt to seemingly protect their star from any more online hate amid her legal warfare with Justin Baldoni, Prime Video's official YouTube channel disabled comments from under the trailer

Instead of allowing viewers to share their reactions to the teaser, social media users were met with a note that 'comments are turned off' under the video

Back in February, when Amazon MGM Studios released an earlier trailer via YouTube, the comment sectioned was also turned off by the studio

Baldoni has denied the allegations from Lively, while Lively, Reynolds and Sloane have denied the accusations made by Baldoni.

Baldoni's team has also released a website which includes private communications such as text messages that were included in court filings detailing his interactions with the Hollywood power couple over the making of romantic drama.

He claimed in court filings they made efforts made to usurp and undermine his input as the director of It Ends with Us.

After Prime Video released a promotional post for Another Simple Favor on February 5 - a number of commenters implicated that Lively might have tried to assert her influence over director Paul Feig, 62, over that movie, leading the filmmaker to respond to the speculation.

Amid Baldoni's claims that Lively and her inner circle used their considerable clout to commandeer changes to the script - even enlisting Taylor Swift to lean on him at one point - and re-cut the motion picture, a user asked in the comment section, 'Is it Paul Feig's cut or Blake's cut?'

Feig - whose other cinematic credits include 2011's Bridesmaids, 2016's Ghostbusters and 2024's Jackpot! - made clear he had full creative control over the film, replying, 'Its my cut. There is no other cut ... just wanted to clear that up.'

On Lively's Instagram, she chose to limit comments on her post, which means only a selected group of people that she controls, such as the users she follows back

This is not the first time the Gossip Girl actress has limited comments on her post while promoting the sequel to her 2018 thriller A Simple Favor

The sequel to A Simple Favour will begin streaming on Prime Video staring May 1

Feig in his reply heaped massive praise on Lively, who he previously worked with on 2018's A Simple Favor.

'Blake has been nothing but supportive and a dream to work with,' said the Emmy-nominated director, who has directed shows such as Arrested Development, The Office and Nurse Jackie. 'She is the best and an amazing collaborator and Im her biggest fan.'

A number of the director's fans criticized his defense of Lively, amid the allegations Baldoni made in court filings and on the website.

'Paul, I know youre gonna wanna shake off these comments as coming from a bunch of loons, but Blake and Ryan really did use their star power to bulldoze Justin,' said one user. 'It makes me really sad, and I hope you remember when you were starting off in this business.'

Others told Feig that his stellar reputation as a feted industry veteran insulated him from the strong-arming and meddling Lively allegedly subjected Baldoni to in regard to It Ends with Us's screenplay, wardrobe and editing.

While sharing a poster for Another Simple Favor on Instagram, Prime Video did allow comments





'Wowww u guys decided to leave the comments sec open!! Bold move!!!' one eagle-eyed Instagram user remarked while others declared they 'can no longer watch anything with Blake Lively'

'Youve been in the directing game for so long, so of course Blake isnt going to attempt to step on your toes,' said one user. 'She just goes for the directors that are starting off and tries to use her husband to bully them and take over.

'Shed never have the balls to do that to someone like you so of course shes "amazing, great, kind, etc."'

Said another user: 'Youre making things worse by defending Blake, you know. This just reaffirms that Blake treats powerful directors like you nicely and targets those she considers less than.'

Another echoed, 'You're probably a good guy but you're extremely lucky that you got your cut [because] Blake knew not to bully you and put you in the basement. She thought highly of you [because] you're not a nobody.

'But good luck with this show. It's dead in the water.'

Multiple commenters referenced in Feig's post Baldoni's claim made in court filings that Lively arranged for his presence to be minimized at the It Ends with Us premiere.

'Be careful you might end up in the basement in the premiere,' one user said, while another responded, 'Be careful Paul she may put you in the basement come premiere day.'

The timing is a publicity nightmare for the movie, which will no doubt be over shadowed by Blake's ongoing legal drama with her It Ends With Us co-star Baldoni (seen in March 2024)

Amid Baldoni's claims that Lively and her inner circle used their considerable clout to commandeer changes to the script - even enlisting Taylor Swift to lean on him at one point - and re-cut the motion picture, a user asked in the comment section, 'Is it Paul Feig's cut or Blake's cut?'

Amid the press tour for Another Simple Favor, the film has been hit with drama, from rumors of tension between Lively and Kendrick to Sharon Stone claiming she was cast then dropped for 'no reason at all.'

In March, the Basic Instinct icon, 67, revealed that she was 'unexpectedly' dropped from the cast.

Sharon reportedly left a now-deleted comment beneath a post from E News which analyzed Lively's alleged feud with Kendrick, 39.

'I LOVED being cast and removed from my role unexpectedly for no reason at all LOVED it [clapping emojis],' she quipped.

The shock remark came a week after the film's South By Southwest premiere was overshadowed by controversy including a protestor brandishing a 'Justice for Justin Baldoni, Blake lied' sign and a seemingly icy reunion between its female stars.

Amid the press tour for Another Simple Favor, the film has been hit with drama, from rumors of tension between Lively and Kendrick to Sharon Stone claiming she was cast then dropped for 'no reason at all' (seen on March 07, 2025)

To make matters worse, there were more excruciating moments as Blake's co-star Anna had an awkward response to a question about working with her on the film.

'Oh you know,' Anna cryptically said on the red carpet when asked what it was like to work with Blake again.

There were also no photos of Blake and Anna posing solo together, aside from a picture with their director.

Inside the event, the stars were pictured awkwardly standing next to each other, with Anna holding her head down as she listened to the Gossip Girl star speak.
Oprah Winfrey has been accused of 'fake crying' as she watched her best pal Gayle King get blasted into space.

Cameras caught Winfrey, 71, removing her sunglasses and getting emotional as her friend, 70, took off aboard Jeff Bezo's Blue Origin rocket in an all-female mission on Monday.

But several netizens expressed doubts that the tears were sincere in a series of hilarious tweets.

'oprah seeing the cameras were on her and doing a fake cry ~bit is classic oprah,' one wrote.

'Oprah fake crying like she ain't Force Gayle to do that fieldtrip,' one posted.

Another posted a famous meme of a woman sobbing on stage before flashing a sassy expression for the camera.

Oprah Winfrey has been accused of 'fake crying' as she watched her best pal Gayle King get blasted into outer space

Cameras caught Winfrey, 71, removing her sunglasses and emotional As her friend, 70, took off with the all-female crew

'Oprah with the fake crying as soon as she noticed the camera on her. #BlueOrigin,' one wrote.

A skeptical X user wrote: 'Loved how @Oprah started crying & removed her glasses when the camera pointed at her' along with a barf emoji.

'Oprah crying happy tears cause she AINT going,' another observed.

'11 minutes??? Am I missing something?! And they got Oprah standing out there pretending to cry smh good grief' one wrote.

'Tuned in for about 30 seconds, saw Oprah fake cry, then got bored and signed off,' another posted.

'Thats some crocodile tears maam,' another noted.

'I watched it..she looked and saw that the camera was on her before she screwed her face up and had tears.. like she had to make it all about her.' another posted.

At the launch site, Gayle's close friend Oprah, who was there to support her, told reporters that the trip was monumental for Gayle due to her fear of flying.

'I've never been more proud. This is bigger than just going to space for [Gayle]. Any time we're on a flight she's in someone's lap if there's the slightest bit of turbulence,' Oprah shared.

Oprah was watching the star-studded, all-female crew take a trip into space on a Blue Origin flight

But several hilarious social media users accused the media mogul of shedding fake tears once she realized the cameras had turned to her

'She has real, real, real anxiety flying. This is overcome a wall of fear, a barrier, I think it's gonna be cathartic for her.'

The six-person crew also included Jeff Bezos' fiance Lauren Sanchez, Katy Perry, film producer Kerianne Flynn, activist Amanda Nguyen, and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe.

Just days before the trip, Gayle appeared to take a brutal swipe at Jeff, revealing that she has questioned some of his recent headline-making decisions.

Gayle sat down with CBS Mornings colleague Vlad Duthiers last week, where she was asked what she would say to fierce critics who might see the flight as an ad for billionaire Jeff, 61, and his company.

She removed her sunglasses and collected herself

But netizens expressed doubts the tears were sincere

'Listen, it is troubling for me too,' she began.

'There have been some questions and some decisions that he has made that I've actually gone, "Huh?"

'But I think in this particular case, I think this is so much bigger than one man and one company.'

Gayle added: 'I've chosen to separate the two. It's not a zero-sum game.

X users accused the media mogul of 'fake crying' as her friend got blasted into space

'You can do this one the one hand, and this on the other hand. And both things can be true.'

Amazon founder Jeff has ignited controversy in recent weeks, in part due to his plans to overhaul the Washington Post's Opinion page to focus solely on support for, 'personal liberties and free markets.'

The controversial move, announced in February, was immediately met with scores of readers cancelling their subscription in protest as well as a spate of resignations.

Earlier this week, Gayle told DailyMail.com that she will be boarding the space flight with a special collection of stuffed animals for comfort.

She shared: 'I am not getting my bag together, because what do you put in a bag to go to space?

Gayle joined a six-person crew that included Jeff Bezos' fiance Lauren Sanchez, Katy Perry, film producer Kerianne Flynn, activist Amanda Nguyen, and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe

'So, I asked my daughter and my favorite grandson, "could you pick out your favorite stuffed animals for me to take into space and keep me company?" So, he's looking.'

The A-list crew travelled for 11 minutes, reaching an altitude of 62 miles (100km) and crossing the Karman Line, the official boundary of space.

Blue Origin's NS-31 mission launched from the company's Launch Site One about 30 miles north of Van Horn, Texas, at 14:30 BST (09:30) local time.

The New Shepard Rocket carried the capsule to the edge of space at nearly twice the speed of sound before detaching and allowing the crew to experience a few minutes of weightlessness.

During that period the crew capsule crossed the Karman Line, technically passing from Earth's atmosphere into space.

The capsule then made the return journey back to Earth, as the unfurling parachutes drew screams from the crew onboard.

Just 11 minutes after launch, the New Shepard capsule touched down within driving distance of the launch platform where Blue Origin and Amazon founder Jeff was present to open the hatch.
Hollywood icon Johnny Depp looks completely unrecognizable in his new role for Day Drinker - and fans have gone into overdrive over the transformation.

Lionsgate has dropped a first look image of Depp in character, with the actor now sporting silver hair, a bushy full grey beard, and piercing blue contacts.

In a first look image of Depp, 61, in character, he has undergone a massive transformation with the help of silver hair, a bushy grey heard, and blue contacts.

He wear a crisp blue suit and leans against a counter with a cocktail in hand and a pensive look on his face.

Depp, 61, fans raved about his 'silver fox' look and numerous noted the actor - who often undergoes physical transformations for his roles - looked a far cry from his usual self.

'We are entering the Silver Fox era of Johnny Depp and I am here for it,' one posted.

Hollywood icon Johnny Depp looks completely unrecognizable in his new role for Day Drinker, and fans have gone into overdrive over his transformation

Depp, pictured L in 2022, looked a far cry from his usual self in the first look photo from the Day Drinker

'Johnny Depp absolutely rocking the silver fox look during filming of Day Drinker! This movie is going to be amazing!'

'Who knew Johnny Depp would look this good with grey hair and beard....' another noted.

'He does look nice with this glow up,' another noted.

Johnny's costume also drew comparisons to the actor Jonathan Goldsmith's role of 'The Most Interesting Man In The World' from the Dos Equis commercials.

'He looks like he's playing the guy from the Dos Equis commercials... and I'm kinda here for it??' another wrote.

'Is this the story of the "Stay thirsty my friends" guy ??' another asked.

Multiple fans also said the transformation reminded them of Johnny's role of Gellert Grindelwald from the Harry Potter films.

'Grindelwald vibes,' one fan account noted with a side-by-side comparison of his two roles.

'He they never took away Grindelwald from us,' one posted.

'Grindelwald is back !' one fan quipped.

Depp indeed had fans doing double takes in his first look image; pictured last month

His costume drew comparisons to his role of Gellert Grindelwald from the Harry Potter films

Fans raved about his 'silver fox' transformation

Several said his costume reminded them of Jonathan Goldsmith's role of 'The Most Interesting Man In The World' from the Dos Equis commercials

Several gave the make-up department a shout-out

Several gave shout-outs to the makeup department.

'Makeup department over budget on making him not look like a walking corpse,' one X user posted.

'He could never play a role without the costume department doing half the work. F***ing blue contacts and a wig (laughing crying emoji). yeah okay,' another mused.

Day Drinker marks Depp's biggest-yet attempt to revive his silver screen career amid years of scandal in the wake of his contentious split from ex-wife Amber Heard.

Marc Webb directs and the film will also reunite him with Penelope Cruz in what will be their fourth film together.

Depp and Cruz have previously appeared in the films Blow (2001), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) and Murder on the Orient Express (2017).

According to IMDb, the film is about 'an enigmatic stranger forms an unlikely bond with a grieving bartender who lost her lover, their lives intertwining in unexpected ways.'

Lionsgate exec Adam Fogelson previously told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement: 'Day Drinker combines a highly commercial concept with wildly outrageous twists and turns all set in an incredible world, and there is no better filmmaker than Marc or two more perfectly cast actors than Johnny and Penelope to bring that world to life.'

Day Drinker marks Depp's biggest-yet attempt to revive his silver screen career amid years of scandal in the wake of his contentious split with Amber Heard

At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Depp spoke about how his scandalous split from Heard impacted his show business career.

'Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood?' he said. 'You'd have to not have a pulse to feel like, "No. None of this is happening. It's a weird joke." When you're asked to resign from a film you're doing because of something that is merely a function of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yes, you feel boycotted.'

Depp added, 'I don't feel boycotted by Hollywood, because I don't think about Hollywood.'

In June 2022, Depp was awarded $10.35million in a verdict delivered after his legal team successfully argued that Heard's Washington Post op-ed, in which she accused her ex-husband of domestic abuse, was defamatory.

Heard did not name Depp publicly in the piece but given their status and notoriety, it was evident who she was referencing in regard to her history of being allegedly abused.

More than 500 million people reportedly livestreamed the six-week civil defamation trial which was held at Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia in 2022.

Heard was eventually found liable in all three matters of defamation raised, while Depp was only found liable in one of three matters of defamation raised.

The jury determined that Depp's attorney had defamed Heard with a statement he made claiming she and her friends had fabricated evidence about a fight between her and her ex-husband in 2016.

She was awarded $2 million in damages. Eventually, the former couple reached a settlement on the jury awards, and Heard was only forced to pay Depp $1 million in total.

A previous libel trial, against The Sun newspaper which had called Depp a 'wife beater' in a 2018 article, ended in defeat for the Pirates of the Caribbean actor in 2020.

The article related to allegations made against Depp by Heard that he was violent towards her during their marriage - claims he strenuously denied.
Scottish radio DJ Lynne Hoggan was rushed to hospital for major surgery after suffering a 'sizeable bleed on her brain'.

Lynne presents shows on Clyde 1, Forth 1, Tay FM, Northsound 1 and MFR.

She is currently recovering in hospital after having stents put into her brain when doctors found two aneurysms and bleeds on the brain.

After surgery and having stents put in, relatives say she still has a "long way to go" in hospital while she focuses on recovering.

A statement on her Instagram from her family member read: 'Lynne still has a long way to go and will be in hospital for a while and is unable to communicate properly at the moment whilst she is recovering.

'She appreciates all the love and support and will be in touch with all the individuals who have reached out to her once she is better.

Scottish radio DJ Lynne Hoggan was rushed to hospital for major surgery after suffering a 'sizeable bleed on her brain'

Lynne presents shows on Clyde 1, Forth 1, Tay FM, Northsound 1 and MFR

'If anyone needs anything or wants me to pass anything on to Lynne, please just get in touch.'

A second update added: 'A little life update- from Lynnes sister-in-law Rachel (as instructed by Lynne herself).

'Appreciate a lot of you have been messaging Lynne and wondering where she has been lately.

'Unfortunately, a week ago, she took unwell and it turned out to be a sizeable bleed on the brain which was 2 aneurysms.

'She has now had surgery and stents put in her brain and is recovering in the best care possible.'

An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall, usually where it branches.

As blood passes through the weakened blood vessel, the blood pressure causes a small area to bulge outwards like a balloon.

Fans and friends flooded Lynne's Instagram with get well soon messages as she recovers in hospital.

She is currently recovering in hospital after having stents put into her brain when doctors found two aneurysms and bleeds on the brain

Fans and friends flooded Lynne's Instagram with get well soon messages as she recovers in hospital

Some wrote: 'Sending Lynne all of my love. I hope her recovery is speedy. Thinking of her ',

'Shocked to hear this news. (Thank you for updating Rachel.) Radio and life needs Lynne Hogan on it and in it. Praying for a full and speedy recovery. A special talent and cherished friend',

'Oh my god Im so sorry to read this. Get well soon Lynne ',

'So sorry to read this .take your time and here is to a speedy and full recovery xx',

'Oh my god, sending hugs and get well soon Lynne'.
Modern-day screen idol? Check. Female role model? Check. Super hero? Check.

Now Florence Pugh has a new string to her bow and has entered the Guinness World record books following a terrifying stunt for latest Marvel movie Thunderbolts.

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar the British star revealed she landed her latest accolade after the film saw her jump off the worlds second-tallest building  Malaysias 2,227ft Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur  on wires.

Little Women actress Florence, 29, the cover girl of glossy magazine's Mays issue, told the publication the stunt came while filming her latest action movie, out next month, in which she plays Black Widow  alias Yelena Belova.

The stunner, who wore a carefree 1,295 red and pink shirt dress from Irish designer Simone Rocha, and a pink ruffled gown from luxury Serbian brand Roksanda, said: I got to do a stunt that has never been done before'.

'My double, the female co-ordinator and I are all now Guinness World Record holders. I give so much of my body to what I do.

Florence Pugh has a new string to her bow and has entered the Guinness World record books following a terrifying stunt for latest Marvel movie Thunderbolts

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar the British star revealed she landed her latest accolade after the film saw her jump off the worlds second-tallest building

Florence revealed: : I got to do a stunt that has never been done before'

Elsewhere in the interview Oscar nominee Florence opened up about her busy schedule and plans to one day settle down.

She said: Ive worked back-to-back since I started, and Ive missed so much. Ive now come to terms with things that I dont like about myself and want to change. I dont want to have things just happen to me any more'.

However despite her being one of Hollywood's most famous faces and adored by millions, she branded herself 'tricky' to love as she opened up about her personal life.

Im more sympathetic to the people who are in love with me, because its not easy! Im tricky, Im always busy, I can never make dates'.

Adding: 'But its not good enough for me to ask someone to just to accept that. Ill just end up alone. I dont want that,I want a family.

Last year she confirmed her relationship status after sparking romance rumours with Peaky Blinders star Finn Cole.

The Don't Worry Darling actress was seen slipping out of The Perfect Couple premiere after-party as she made a quick getaway with the actor.

Confirming her loved-up status during her cover shoot with Vogue, she said: 'I am. OK, so something that I resonate with is that I believe that if magic is real, then it's falling in love.'

Little Women actress Florence, 29, the cover girl of glossy magazine's Mays issue, told the publication the stunt came while filming her latest action movie which is out next month

She said: 'My double, the female co-ordinator and I are all now Guinness World Record holders. I give so much of my body to what I do'

For the glam shoot she who wore a carefree 1,295 red and pink shirt dress from Irish designer Simone Rocha, and a pink ruffled gown from luxury Serbian brand Roksanda

Elsewhere in the interview Oscar nominee Florence opened up about her busy schedule and plans to one day settle down

Florence dove off Malaysia s 2,227ft Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur (pictured) on wires

In the movie Florence (pictured) reprises her role of Black Widow  alias Yelena Belova

Opening up about her love life, she candidly revealed that the couple are 'figuring it out' and admitted she is ready to start a family.

She added: 'We are figuring what we actually are. And I think for the first time, I'm not allowing myself to go on a roller-coaster.

'I'm allowing myself to take time to let something evolve and let it be completely real to its core, as opposed to racing into that.'

'Falling is the most amazing feeling but unfortunately if that's the only thing that you know in a relationship, then that's the thing that you chase. That's not gonna last.'

Promoting her upcoming film, We Live In Time, which also stars Andrew Garfield, Florence revealed she is now ready to focus on love and start a family.

She explained: 'I was at the right age for this movie to land. I was going through a lot of weird stuff with relationships last year and I think part of the story is to not be passive, is not to let things wash over you.

'I want to go and find love and I want to have babies.'

Prior to Finn, Florence was in a relationship with former Scrubs star Zach Braff, 49, from 2019 until their split in 2022.

Giving a rare insight into their relationship, the star explained: 'I had to be public in the past because people were bullying me and bullying my partner.

She said: Ive worked back-to-back since I started, and Ive missed so much. Ive now come to terms with things that I dont like about myself and want to change'

But despite her being one of Hollywood's most famous faces and adored by millions, she branded herself 'tricky' to love as she opened up about her personal life

Im more sympathetic to the people who are in love with me, because its not easy! Im tricky, Im always busy, I can never make dates'

Last year she confirmed her relationship status after sparking romance rumours with Peaky Blinders star Finn Cole (Finn pictured 2022)

'Mine and Zach's relationship was actually quite private until it was nasty, and I could see the toll that it was taking on him and us and our families. And that's when I spoke out.

The May issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from 17 April

'I think for anyone I'm with, I want to protect them. It's not nice knowing that people are saying the worst things I've ever read about someone that I love.

'So that was necessary. I needed to talk about it. I think any relationship in this limelight is going to be stressed.'

Florence confirmed in an interview with Harper's Bazaar in August 2022 that the pair had gone their separate ways.

She told the magazine at the time: 'We've been trying to do this separation without the world knowing, because it's been a relationship that everybody has an opinion on.

'We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we're not together. So we've done that.'

The pair later reunited during the release of their film A Good Person in 2023, with Zach explaining at the time that the pair still 'love each other' despite now only being 'friends'.

The May issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from 17 April
Trader Joes fans, rejoice: the beloved grocery chain is opening a dozen new stores across 10 states.

The first of the bunch just opened in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

More are on the way in California, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. Washington, Maryland, and D.C. are also getting new locations soon.

The expansion comes a year after Trader Joes opened 34 stores across the U.S.

The chain, known for its quirky branding and private-label products, now operates more than 600 locations nationwide.

Its snack selection has become such a hit with shoppers that the store even holds annual Consumer Choice Awards to let fans vote for their favorites.

For 2025, the Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips were the number one overall product for the third year in a row.

The latest openings are already causing a stir in local communities.

Trader Joe's recently announced 12 new stores, including its Murfreesboro, Tennessee, location that opened yesterday

In Murfreesboro, more than 500 excited shoppers attended the grand opening of Tennessees newest Trader Joes.

'Trader Joe's is one of the really good stores. It has a lot of organic stuff and a lot of cheeses and stuff like that, that other stores don't have,' shopper Tracey Thomas told News 2.

With this new location, Tennessee is now the home of seven Trader Joe's grocery stores.

'Over the last month that we've been here at the store trying to get it ready, folks have been stopping by,' said general manager Jeff Carter.

'Every time we go out to lunch, people are just so excited and welcoming us to the area.'

Hundreds of shoppers also attended the grand opening of a Trader Joe's in Seattle, Washington, today.

'The prices and deals are always good, and also all their fun items that they come out with,' shopper Josh Sheng told The Seattle Times.

Trader Joe's fan Stephanie Huang was also eager to enter the new Seattle store to snag a fan-favorite mini tote bag.

Trader Joe's gained fame on social media after the chain's mini tote bags became a must-have product

Trader Joe's currently operates over 600 stores nationwide and plans to keep expanding

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The grocery store chain's mini tote bags became a must-have item in the eyes of shoppers, especially those who are on TikTok.

The sought after bags made customers of all ages lineup before the store open to buy the product that cost between $3 and $5.

Trader Joe's went on to offer its customers insulated tote bags and stand-up collapsible tote bags for affordable prices.

Like the viral product, those bags made customers want to wait in long lines to snag a tote before selling out.

The bags have popped up on resale websites like Facebook Marketplace and eBay following the social media mayhem.

However, unlike stores, customers are selling the totes for hundreds to thousands of dollars, which Trader Joe's insisted was not their fault.

'This is done without our approval or authorization and outside the controls of our quality-minded supply chain,' they said in a statement.

'To be clear, we neither condone nor support the reselling of our products and do all we can to stop the practice.'
Dodge was about to run a television ad that said its cars are 'Built from the ground up in America.'

Not anymore.

Stellantis  the international parent company of Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler, which has its corporate HQ in the Netherlands  rewrote the script to several spots it was about to launch in the US.

The ads were part of a patriotic blitz called 'American Born.' They called Jeep 'America's most patriotic brand,' while providing a history lesson on the car's roots in World War II.

Meanwhile, Dodge and Ram ads said the cars were 'built' in America.

But Truth in Advertising, a consumer advocacy group, sent a warning to the company, arguing the language misrepresented how much of the manufacturing actually happens stateside.

'Stellantis has every right to boast of its brands' assembly plants in the United States that create American jobs and strengthen the US economy,' the organization wrote.

'But it cannot illegally embellish the amount of manufacturing that takes place domestically.'

The company, which has several final assembly plants in the US, changed a recent ad campaign

The Dodge Charger is one of the brand's most famous models

Claims about a product's 'made in America' bloodlines are heavily regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Per the commission's legal guidance, automakers can only say their cars are made in America if 'all or virtually all' of the parts are domestically manufactured.

Stellantis  which operates production facilities in Mexico, Canada, and Italy  shares several parts between vehicles in their lineup.

The Jeep Wagoneer, Jeep Wrangler, and Ram 1500 are some of the company's best-selling cars. They all have final assembly plants in the US.

The company pulled advertisements from YouTube and rejigged the script to say 'assembled.'

But some of the original versions have continued to air on TV channels like ESPN as the changes roll out.

Stellantis didn't respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Beyond its ad campaigns, it's been a rocky couple of months for the automaker.

The Jeep Wrangler has final assembly plants in the US

Carlos Tavares, Stellantis' former CEO, stepped away from the company in December

The company reported concerning sales trends before the Trump administration's tariff announcements

The company laid off 900 American workers right after the Trump administration enacted its 25 percent tariffs on all imported vehicles.

The employees, who worked at stamping and transmission lines, built parts that the company had sent to Canadian and Mexican assembly plants.

In February, the company reported its final 2024 sales numbers.

Stellantis reported a 70 percent drop in profits from the year prior.

Former CEO Carlos Tavares departed the company in December, and the company still searching for a permanent replacement.

The car company has come under attack from administration officials in the White House because of its European ownership model.

'Let's face it, it's owned by Fiat, and most of the engines that go into the cars that are assembled here are from Italy,' President Donald Trump's senior advisor on trade, Peter Navarro, said on CNN.

'I mean, that's not an American company.'
Costco's popularity is rising, and experts have revealed why.

The warehouse store chain's success mainly comes from its members-first philosophy, the success of its Kirkland brand and limits on its stock.

Experts say Costco satisfies its members with low prices and a great return policy.

Some of those low prices are on its signature Kirkland products, which account for one-third of the retailer's revenue.

And despite its popularity, Costco imposes limits on so-called stock-keeping units, or SKUs. SKUs are unique codes a retailer assigns to each of its products to track inventory.

Costco opts to have about 4,000 SKUs instead of the 30,000 carried by other retailers.

This allows it to maintain better control over price negotiations and offer members the maximum amount of value, according to The Street.

These reasons and more explain why Costco was named the top grocer in 2024's American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey.

Experts revealed that Costco destroys its rivals with its members-first philosophy, popular brand products, and SKU limitations

Costco sells scores of products at a 15 percent discount to other stores.

This helps keep customers satisfied, despite the retailer's decision to hike all membership prices.

Customers have also praised its hassle-free return policy, which allows members to return most products with no questions asked.

Other things shoppers have praised over the years about Costco are its warranties and membership benefits.

A popular option for Costco members is the food court, which offers a variety of foods like pizza, the chain's beloved $1.50 hot dog deal, and the hot turkey and provolone sandwich.

Its food court made headlines recently following its contentious beverage switch from Pepsi to Coca Cola products.

Besides food and shopping, members have the privilege of filling up their tank at Costco gas stations.

Members are also lured in by promotions on Kirkland signature products.

Costco's Kirkland brand accounted for $86 million of the retailer's 2024 revenue. One of its popular products include its seasonal Peppermint Bark

Customers have also praised Costco's hassle-free return policy, which allows members to return most products with no questions asked

Kirkland has been Costco's signature power brand since its launch in 1995.

Named after the retailer's former headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, Costco created the brand to help consolidate hundreds of products.

This decision paid off, and the brand now rakes in around $86 million of Costco's yearly revenue.

'We were kind of flying right in the face of that success story,' co-founder Jim Sinegal told the Wall Street Journal.

'It kind of simplifies things, and it certainly has told a story to our customers.'

Kirkland has grown to be one of the most well-known labels in the world and competes with brands sold at Walmart, Target, and Aldi.

Store brands often have a reputation for being cheap alternatives to brand names, but Kirkland has a reputation for being both more affordable and high in quality.

Another Kirkland win has been sticking to the same brand name across its product channels, experts say.

'Costco is leveraging the fact that their entire store and organization are a single brand,' industry expert Gary Sankary told The Street.

'Watching big boxes cycle through the process of introducing and retiring their owned brand labels every few years to convince customers that new is better, at the same time, is confusing and, in many cases, dilutes their brand.'

Experts Gary Sankary and Robert Amster explained why Costco is crushing its rivals

'The Kirkland brand quality is not by any means diluted just because it is private label,' Robert Amster, who has worked as a retail consultant and executive for over 45 years, added.

'In fact, in many cases I have experienced, the Kirkland brand product is as good or better than nationally advertised brands.'

Costco has many popular seasonal and year-round products like its Signature Coastal Cheddar Cheese and its Signature Combo Pizza.

When it comes to the brand's SKU limitations, Costco employees have said the cap helps them keep aisles maintained.

'Every SKU, except for a few, is a full pallet. We don't want to hand stack. This allows for a low-cost operation,' VP of produce Bob Huskey told The Produce News.

Besides the low costs, SKUs help improve inventory management and reduce the risk of running out of products.

Shoppers who want to see why experts believe Costco is taking down its rivals can purchase a Gold Star or Executive Membership.

Gold Star memberships start at $65 a year and the Executive Membership's yearly cost begins at $130.
People throughout Ireland are looking to the UK Government to do the right thing in setting up a public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Ms McDonald, party vice president Michelle ONeill and MP John Finucane met with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday, where the need for an investigation into the killing of the GAA official in 1997 was raised.

Ms McDonald said she urged Mr Benn to respond in a constructive way to a recent Court of Appeal judgment.

Mr Brown, 61, the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

No-one has ever been convicted of his killing.

Earlier this month, three judges at the Court of Appeal in Belfast said the Governments failure to order a public inquiry into the murder is unlawful and gave Mr Benn four weeks to reflect upon the judgment before another hearing.

The UK Government has said it will carefully consider the judgment.

Ms McDonald said the meeting with Mr Benn was very comprehensive and constructive.

She added: We covered a lot of ground with him including the need for the British Government to respond positively to the family of Sean Brown.

To respond to the latest court judgment which makes clear that there must be a public inquiry and a mechanism that is human rights, article 2 compliant to get to the truth.

We repeated the very powerful words of Bridie (Brown), his widow, who has been resolute and has been consistent over the years in seeking out the truth and justice for her late husband when she said please dont make me go to London.

I dont think anybody should underestimate just how resolute this family is and of course everyone in Ireland and further afield is now looking to the British Government to do the right thing.

Ms McDonald said the UK Government had a fairly shameful record in dealing with legacy matters over the years.

She added: We have emphasised to the Secretary of State the necessity to do the right thing, to respond in a constructive and positive way to the court ruling and to give the Brown family the process they need to find truth and to find justice.

Last week Mr Benn said he had brought the case to the Court of Appeal on the constitutional principle of who should order public inquiries.

He has said he is committed to an independent investigation into the murder of Mr Brown but has said the long-standing convention is that governments, and not courts, order public inquiries.

Mr Benn has also said he is taking steps to ensure a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), is capable of carrying out an independent and rigorous investigation into the murder.

However, the Brown family have said they do not believe the ICRIR can properly investigate the killing and have called for a public inquiry.

Last year a coroner halted an inquest into the killing, expressing concern that his ability to examine the case had been compromised by the extent of confidential state material being excluded from the proceedings on national security grounds.

Preliminary inquest proceedings had already heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents.

It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning.
Derry City and Strabane District Council has published a detailed independent analysis of the engagement that was carried out in 2023 relating to the issue of constitutional change and its implications for the council area and the North West.

The engagement was carried out following a notice of motion agreed by council and members of the public, and other stakeholders were invited to inform themselves on the issue of constitutional change and give their views, experiences and research relating to Constitutional Change and the implications for the Derry and Strabane Council area.

The engagement process was carried out over a four-month period and the results of the findings have been collated and independently analysed by Professor Mark Slevin of Ulster University, and are now available for the public to read via the Council website at  Unity-Thematic_Analysis-(1-1-2025).pdf Unity-Thematic_Analysis-(1-1-2025).pdf

A total of 242 responses were received as part of the public consultation exercise that were subsequently screened and categorised into subthemes with commentary used as supporting evidence to capture the diverse perspectives and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall exercise.

The outcome of the analysis highlighted that while there is a wide range of perspectives on constitutional change, the majority of views expressed in the survey were positive.

Professor Slevin in his report said: While most participants supported reunification as a means to promote equality, economic growth, and governance reform, other expressed concerns about economic stability, identity preservation and political instability.

Professor Slevin said the findings emphasised the need for careful planning, inclusive dialogue and a transparent process such as a Citizens Assembly, to accurately address the aspirations and fears of everyone.

He said participants in the engagement exercise stressed the need for lessons to be learned from the Brexit process and for all voices and views to be heard. He said participants were of the view that to create a fair and stable transition process, detailed planning, economic analysis and social inclusion needed to be prioritised.

The five themes identified in the analysis was  Support for Irish Unity; Economic and Infrastructural Development; Governance and Political Reform; Social Justice and Historical Grievances and Concerns and Opposition to Change.

Under the first theme of Support for Irish unity many participants expressed support for Irish unity referencing potential economic, social and cultural benefits with many viewing it as an opportunity to address inequalities that some have seen to be caused by partition.

Some participants viewed it as an opportunity to restore Irelands position within the European union and to create new and effective governance structures, with some saying it was a pathway towards fairness, equality and sovereignty, whilst highlighting the need for inclusivity and democratic planning to ensure a successful transition process.

The second theme of Economic and Infrastructural Development emerged as a very central theme in the engagement process with many participants arguing that Irish unity would go some way towards addressing economic deficiencies created by partition and the duplication of services and would improve current infrastructure and transport, attract international investment and streamline governance.

Many of the participants in the engagement process expressed their dissatisfaction with the political structure under Stormont and Westminster and were of the view that a united Ireland would provide better governance, accountability and policy-making under the third theme of Governance and Political Reform while under the Social Justice and Historical Grievances theme, the need for social justice and for historical grievances to be acknowledged, was highlighted.

Many respondents cited systematic inequalities in education, access to employment and healthcare, as well as a legacy of discrimination as issues that could be addressed as part of Constitutional Change.

Under the theme of Concerns and Opposition to Change a few respondents expressed concerns about the impact on economic stability, identity preservation and political instability.

Unionist perspectives were a recurring theme with some participants opposing change outright while others highlighting the need for inclusive planning and dialogue to address fears and opposition to any constitutional change.

Professor Slevin in his conclusion of the analysis report cautioned on the limitations of the engagement exercise saying that the sampling of those taking part was opportunistic and self-selecting and for that reason the views expressed could not be generalised to the wider population.

He said: The nature of the issued being explored may have impacted on who chose to engage with the survey, and how they answered. The study was qualitative in nature, and this means that themes can be identified but their overall significance and importance cannot be assessed.

It was agreed at the March meeting of Full Council that the results of the Engagement would be made public for the public to access via the website at  https://www.derrystrabane.com/Constitutional-Change

It was also agreed at the meeting that representative organisations would be invited to attend further meetings of the Unity Working Group, that was set up for elected members to discuss this issue, and that a third tranche of engagement with the community would be considered, subject to a further report with details and costings.
Housing Executive staff in Derry have been informed the organisation is planning to close all of its offices in the city.

The offices in question are Collon Terrace, Waterloo Place, Richmond Chambers and Waterside.

Staff from these offices will be relocated to Carlisle House in Derry city centre; The Derry News understands Housing Executive staff were not consulted prior to the internal announcement on April 9.

Speaking to The Derry News, an affected employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said the closure of all the local offices would have a devastating impact on local community and services.

On April 9, we were officially advised all of the Housing Executive offices in Derry would be closed and we would be relocated to Carlisle House - an interface area in the city centre.

Carlisle House in Derry city centre where all Housing Executive staff and services are being relocated.

They added: The Collon Terrace district office provides a front-line service for tenants in Coshquin, Ballymagroarty, Hazelbank, Galliagh, Carnhill, Shantallow, Ballynagard, Culmore and Belmont areas; there are approximately 2,500 properties are serviced that office and its staff.

It is at the heart of the community, providing vital services. The closure of this local office will have a detrimental impact on the surrounding communities, as its services include, advice on anti-social behaviour complaints; housing benefit; accounts; schemes; transfers; sign-ups; homeless cases; change of tenancies; maintenance; and universal credit

The previous removal of housing and homeless services for applicants had a negative impact because customers have had to travel to Waterloo place to avail of such services, when we should be, as it was previously, a one stop shop for all.

The area serviced by the Housing Executives Collon Terrace district office comprises vulnerable, socially deprived, ageing and Travelling communities. The relocation of the office will result in these tenants having to travel some distance, including the cost of such travel during a cost-of-living crisis, to access vital services, said the staff member.

They also pointed out that many of the affected Housing Executive customers and staff members have a range of physical disabilities.

They added: This will prove a challenge for them accessing vital services at the new location, which is also in an area with limited parking, steep inclines from Foyle Street Bus Station and only two disabled bays.

It is the belief of staff that tenants have the right to access our services in the local area hence the need for the district offices to remain open.

It is also to be noted that tenants and local community groups have not been consulted regarding the closure of the office. The mantra of the housing executive is Engaging, enabling and empowering our communities and this is not reflecting the values that the organisation claims to hold .

The reason given for this move is that the Buncrana Road has been vested for new road improvements. However, the road was vested approximately 35 years ago and there are no roadworks imminent. It is common public knowledge that any funding from Department for Infrastructure will be allocated to the forthcoming development of the A5 road to Aughnacloy, hence Buncrana Road improvements will certainly not proceed as a priority, said the Housing Executive staff member, who added that tenants from the Nationalist community would be deterred from visiting the new location.

Parking for staff will also be a major issue in the town, especially as a housing officer can be in and out a few times a day.

A Housing Executive spokesperson told The Derry News: In 2023, we committed to reviewing all our office accommodation across Northern Ireland over a 5-year period.

How our customers interact with us has changed significantly over recent years, with footfall figures falling by around 70% over 10 years.

We need to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our tenants, customers and people, while making the best use of tenant and public monies.

In June 2023 we consolidated our Lanyon and Adelaide Street offices in Belfast and we are currently finalising plans for our South Region.

We have also developed plans to consolidate our four offices in Derry into one central city centre location at Carlisle House.

We believe that Carlisle House best meets our needs, provides good access for tenants, customers and staff and enables us to bring all of our people and services together in one place within the City Centre.

A consultation exercise concerning these plans has now commenced.
A rally to protest the Department of Healths decision to remove core funding from Derrys Northlands addiction treatment centre, has been organised in the city.

The Defend Northlands rally will take place at 2.00pm on Saturday, April 19, in Waterloo Place.

Speaking ahead of the event, organiser and addiction campaigner Emmet Doyle said: The whole city has been disgusted by the decision of the Department of Health to remove core funding from Northlands, which all of us in this City know is a vital lifeline for those suffering from addiction, and their families.

The response from the powers that be has been entirely inadequate, and today we learned that the Health Department is refusing to review the decision. This is not acceptable to the people of the North West.

We will send a message to all of those who have let this service, and this city, down on Saturday. Come along, bring your friends and family - it is for us to defend our services".
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SEATTLE  The RDA Building, at 800 Maynard Ave. S. , sold last week for not quite $8.8 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Fu Quan LLC, a family group that acquired the property under a different name in 1997 for $2.8 million.





. . .
The Taoiseach and Tanaiste have paid tributes to John Mullins, following his death at the age of 57.

Mr Mullins, a Cork businessman who ran for Fine Gael in last years European elections, held roles as the former chief executive of Bord Gais, chairman of the Port of Cork, director of Pairc Ui Chaoimh and president of the Cork Chamber of Commerce.

The engineer was also the executive chairman of the Amarenco solar energy firm.

Fine Gael leader and Tanaiste Simon Harris expressed shock and deep sadness at the death of a true son of Cork.

Mr Harris said Mr Mullins entire career was motivated by a desire to do right by his native city.

In a statement, he said: It was an honour to know John, to soldier with him in politics, to canvass with him and I always found it a joy to be in his company.

John led a distinguished career including leading Bord Gais Energy through a period of great transition. John was a businessman and an entrepreneur who was experienced and motivated by ingenuity and reward of enterprise.

He added: For Fine Gael, he was a proud friend of so many and a party activist to his core. He was a former president of Young Fine Gael, a party trustee, a director of elections and more recently a European election candidate. The Fine Gael family, especially across Cork, mourns his loss today.

He was kind, witty, intelligent, fundamentally decent and someone who always wanted to do right by his community and his country. His loss is immense and will be felt deeply by so many.

I am especially thinking of his wife Siobhan and his two children Michael and Sarah as well as his parents Pat and Eileen.

Visiting Cork on Monday, Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin also said he was deeply saddened at the death of Mr Mullins.

He said he had made a most distinguished contribution to many facets of life in our country, particularly in Cork.

John was a wonderfully gregarious character who had a huge impact, particularly as chief executive of Bord Gais. He made really tremendous strides in terms of that organisation and subsequently with the Port of Cork.

Mr Martin said he often had great banter with Mr Mullins over GAA rivalries.

He added: I sympathise with the Fine Gael party. In many ways, his potential was realised in public service and in business, but he could just as easily have been realised in politics, and he had a deep and abiding interest in politics.

Youd see him at all the counts over the years, whos a great strategist, and I think all of us collectively, are shocked and saddened at his passing at such a young age  and we send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Siobhan and his family.
Former tanaiste Simon Coveney has taken up a consultant post with EY Ireland.

Mr Coveney, who retired from politics at the end of last year, will join the firms geopolitical strategy team with immediate effect.

He stepped down as deputy leader of Fine Gael in April 2024, shortly after Leo Varadkar announced he was stepping down as Taoiseach and leader of the party.

Mr Coveney, who was Irish foreign affairs minister during Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU, said he was delighted to take up the consultant position

He said: In recent times the speed and complexity of decision-making has greatly increased, and it is now imperative that organisations assess the impact of geopolitical risk on their operations in real time.

I am looking forward to working with EY clients to help them effectively identify, assess and manage political risk in a world that is changing at incredible pace.

Professional services firm EY said the geopolitical strategy unit provides a unique offering to clients across the island of Ireland at a time of heightened complexity and political risk.

EY Ireland managing partner Frank OKeeffe says, These are complex times. Businesses are increasingly focused on assessing the potential impact of global geopolitical risk on their investments, supply chains, data, strategy and other key areas of their business.

We know that Simons long and distinguished career in public service will allow us to bring even deeper insights and value to our clients as we help them to adjust in real time to a changing global marketplace and to advance no regret decisions that deliver real value.
The government has a clear intention to dismantle provisions of the triple lock, the Sinn Fein leader said, after it was confirmed that Ireland will join an alliance of European nations that shares intelligence on potential threats in EU sea waters.

Tanaiste Simon Harris announced on Monday that he has approved plans to join the Common Information Sharing Environment to allow for more effective operations at sea and deal with maritime threats.

The Fine Gael leader, who is also Irelands Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he is confident of the benefits of joining the alliance.

CISE shares maritime surveillance information among EU and EEA countries, and aims to respond to threats at sea, including physical and cyber-attacks on infrastructure and drug trafficking.

It allows agencies from different countries to share data securely.

Mary Lou McDonald said she is deeply concerned by the governments direction of travel.

She said Sinn Fein will go toe-to-toe in defending the triple lock.

Speaking in Belfast on Monday, Ms McDonald called on the Tanaiste to provide clarity as to the mechanics of the alliance and the extent of information exchanged.

I absolutely accept that we have an issue around the surveillance of our seas, she added.

There is no question about that. Very disgracefully, successive governments have allowed that to slip. We need active surveillance of our seas, and thats a very important element, by the way, of protecting our position as a non-aligned and a military neutral.

I want to hear more about this arrangement. The Dail isnt in session for the next couple of weeks, but I have no doubt that the Tanaiste will face, and the Taoiseach will face, questioning on these matters, and they have to set out very clearly for the Irish people what is envisaged, what commitments will be made.

Let me say this, anything that impinges on our status, on our role as non-aligned, as military neutrals, cannot and should not be countenanced.
People throughout Ireland are looking to the UK Government to do the right thing in setting up a public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Ms McDonald, party vice president Michelle ONeill and MP John Finucane met with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday, where the need for an investigation into the killing of the GAA official in 1997 was raised.

Ms McDonald said she urged Mr Benn to respond in a constructive way to a recent Court of Appeal judgment.

Mr Brown, 61, the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Co Londonderry, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

No-one has ever been convicted of his killing.

Earlier this month, three judges at the Court of Appeal in Belfast said the Governments failure to order a public inquiry into the murder is unlawful and gave Mr Benn four weeks to reflect upon the judgment before another hearing.

The UK Government has said it will carefully consider the judgment.

Ms McDonald said the meeting with Mr Benn was very comprehensive and constructive.

She added: We covered a lot of ground with him including the need for the British Government to respond positively to the family of Sean Brown.

To respond to the latest court judgment which makes clear that there must be a public inquiry and a mechanism that is human rights, article 2 compliant to get to the truth.

We repeated the very powerful words of Bridie (Brown), his widow, who has been resolute and has been consistent over the years in seeking out the truth and justice for her late husband when she said please dont make me go to London.

I dont think anybody should underestimate just how resolute this family is and of course everyone in Ireland and further afield is now looking to the British Government to do the right thing.

Ms McDonald said the UK Government had a fairly shameful record in dealing with legacy matters over the years.

She added: We have emphasised to the Secretary of State the necessity to do the right thing, to respond in a constructive and positive way to the court ruling and to give the Brown family the process they need to find truth and to find justice.

Last week Mr Benn said he had brought the case to the Court of Appeal on the constitutional principle of who should order public inquiries.

He has said he is committed to an independent investigation into the murder of Mr Brown but has said the long-standing convention is that governments, and not courts, order public inquiries.

Mr Benn has also said he is taking steps to ensure a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), is capable of carrying out an independent and rigorous investigation into the murder.

However, the Brown family have said they do not believe the ICRIR can properly investigate the killing and have called for a public inquiry.

Last year a coroner halted an inquest into the killing, expressing concern that his ability to examine the case had been compromised by the extent of confidential state material being excluded from the proceedings on national security grounds.

Preliminary inquest proceedings had already heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents.

It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning.
How Trump's tariffs could wreak havoc on North America's auto supply chains

Xinhua) 09:00, April 14, 2025

New vehicles are on display at a Ford dealership in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on April 3, 2025. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

The U.S. automotive market could become further fractured from other global markets.

BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Ford CEO Jim Farley warned at a recent investor conference in New York that levying steep tariffs on imported goods "would blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we've never seen."

For years, the U.S. auto supply chains have been deeply integrated with its two neighboring countries. Before a car is assembled, its parts may take multiple trips between the United States, Mexico and Canada.

U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada are driving fears of disrupted supply chains across North America and higher car prices.

"What we're seeing is a lot of cost, a lot of chaos," said Farley.

MORE U.S. CONSUMERS CAN'T AFFORD NEW CAR

In the workshop of Alian Plastics in Monterrey, northern Mexico, molten plastic from the United States is injected into the mold cavity to make plastic car parts such as headlight shells.

Felipe Villarreal, the company's general manager, told Xinhua that after the production of these plastic parts is completed, they will be shipped to the United States for component assembly and then returned to Mexico for the assembly of the whole vehicle. Finally, the vehicle will be exported to the United States.

"This process is the epitome of close collaboration across the North American automotive industry chain," Villarreal said.

"Instead of paying for materials and processing costs, companies could now be subject to tariffs of 15 to 25 percent at every step, with cumulative rates of up to 70 percent," Villarreal said.

Despite Washington's claim that added tariffs protect American-made cars, a purely American-made car simply doesn't exist. Today, automakers draw on global resources to make cars. Even Ford's F-150 pickup truck, which has remained the best-selling truck in the United States for over 40 years, gets less than half of its parts from American factories.

Ford has a Chihuahua engine plant and two stamping and assembly plants in Cautitlan and Hermosillo, Mexico, and an assembly plant in Oakville, Canada.

Last year, around 8 million cars were imported to the United States. Mexico led the pack as the top U.S. car import partner, shipping some 3 million vehicles. Canada ranked fourth, exporting some 1.1 million units to the United States.

Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group estimates that tariffs would add 2,500 to 5,000 U.S. dollars to the cheapest cars in the United States, while prices of some imported cars might go up by 20,000 dollars.

Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua that auto prices will go up by 4,000 dollars per vehicle, while many firms are expected to report low profits or losses.

The higher costs would take a toll. A decade ago, the lowest-earning 20 percent of American consumers couldn't afford a new car. Today, it's the bottom 40 percent, said Venkatesh Prasad, senior vice president of research at the Center for Automotive Research.

An aerial drone photo shows a trailer truck (lower left) transporting vehicles on a highway in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, April 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

JOB CUTS "WOULD BE INEVITABLE"

U.S. auto production has been steadily declining over the past decade. U.S. Commerce Department data shows that last year, the United States produced only 1.7 million finished vehicles, down from over 4 million in 2014.

Because the drop stems from a variety of factors, including rising costs, tougher global competition and a slow transition to electric cars, tariffs to revive domestic manufacturing are likely to backfire.

Even if global automakers shift more production to the United States under the threat of tariffs -- as Washington desires -- plenty of steel and aluminum would be needed. But the United States began imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum on March 12.

Gimme Credit's analyst Jay Cushing warns that added tariffs on steel and aluminum could increase U.S. vehicle costs by up to 1,500 dollars. The Anderson Economic Group estimates that the tariffs slapped on aluminum and steel could increase electric vehicle prices by up to 2,500 dollars.

If car prices rise further, production and job cuts in the U.S. auto industry "would be inevitable," the group said.

Flavio Volpe, president of Canada's Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, warns North America's deeply integrated auto industry could collapse.

"We all know that you can't make a car without all of the parts arriving in time, and so if you create a tariff that is at 25 percent ... somebody, either the carmaker, the parts supplier or ultimately the consumer, will have to pay," Volpe said.

Canadian auto suppliers operate 156 factories across 18 U.S. states, employing 50,000 American workers, he said. "We're American investors and American employers; don't cut off your nose to spite your face."

AUTOMAKERS STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP

As concerns over U.S. tariff policy uncertainty grow in the auto industry, both small manufacturers and global giants are crafting their "Plan B" to navigate potential disruptions and safeguard their operations.

"We are meeting to define strategies, just as we did during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discussed everything from technical stoppages to employee management in case tariff threats materialize," said Manuel Montoya, general director of the Automotive Cluster of Nuevo Leon.

General Motors CFO Paul Jacobson recently said the company is ready to adjust for short-term tariffs but will face greater challenges if tariffs remain in place longer term.

"If they become permanent, then there's a whole bunch of different things that you have to think about, in terms of where do you allocate plants, do you move plants, etc.," he said.

Typically, automakers start designing and testing next-year models early each year. However, many North American companies remain hesitant this year, with the development of 2026 models still on hold.

Tariff uncertainties are likely to delay vehicle investment, development and production decisions, according to S&P Global Mobility. The U.S. automotive market could become further fractured from other global markets.

In a global context, U.S. protectionism stands in stark contrast to the growing trend of regional cooperation, Montoya said. "We are seeing regions like Europe and Asia strengthen their value chains because it is the most efficient. Isolating oneself is a setback."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Suretank has announced the expansion of its bursary programme to include two additional bursaries to support the next generation of engineering talent. The bursary programme has now been named The Tom Moody Programme for Engineering Talent, a reflection of the legacy left by Suretanks General Manager, Tom Moody, who died earlier this year.

The expansion of the bursary programme marks Suretanks 30th anniversary in business. It follows the companys recent announcement that it is creating 80 new jobs in the Louth region. As demand for engineering talent in Ireland remains high, the programme will ensure Suretank continues to develop its own in-house engineering talent, serving a global customer base.

The companys engineering department boasts 30 engineers with expertise in mechanical, electrical and structural engineering.

The Tom Moody Programme for Engineering Talent will now become an annual partnership with Dundalk institute of Technology (DkIT).

It is designed to support engineering students in their academic journey and includes the payment of college fees and expenses, along with paid work placements throughout the year in Suretanks cutting-edge facilities in Louth. Additionally, recipients receive guided mentorship to ensure they develop the practical skills and expertise necessary to thrive in their careers.

This extension builds on the success of the companys first bursary, launched in October last year. It comes in addition to Suretanks apprenticeship programme, which last year saw one of its apprentices, Jamie Kirwan, named Apprentice of the Year Award (Electrical) at the Generation Apprenticeship Ireland Awards.

Applications are open to third-year students at Dundalk Institute of Technology studying for degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Architectural Technology.

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Dymphna Conlon, People & Organisation Development (P&OD) Manager said: "At Suretank, we are deeply committed to empowering the next generation of engineers while giving back to the community that has supported us for the last 30 years. Expanding our bursary programme reinforces our long-term investment in the local region, providing students with a valuable opportunity to gain a head start in their careers.

This initiative also honours the legacy of our colleague, Tom Moody, who was a strong believer in nurturing talent and his dedication and spirit left a lasting impact on all of us. By offering hands-on experience, mentorship, and the skills needed to succeed, these bursaries celebrate his memory in the most meaningful wayby supporting the future of engineering talent. More than just financial assistance, this is our ongoing commitment to people, progress, and the potential within our community."
The ship has sailed for water charges or privatisation of supply, but myriad problems remain with the quality and nature of water provision in Louth, the Dail has been told.

Louth Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu used some of his Leinster House speaking time last week to highlight the impact that years of what he said was underinvestment in water infrastructure is having on Dundalk and North Louth.

He said there is already an impact of residential and industrial development in Dundalk, with large companies having to develop their own capacity and water infrastructure and Louth County Council is engaging with Uisce Eireann about it.

There are also problems with wastewater systems in the Dundalk South area. Deputy O Murchu said: Recently, an Bord Pleanala refused to give permission for a development of 500 houses on the basis of the insufficient capacity.

As the Minister of State is aware, in the Haggardstown area, temporary initial water treatment systems are being installed.

It is a significant issue in the sense that it could lead to added costs for housing if developers have to pay for such systems. These are issues that need to be addressed.

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And he highlighted the flooding in parts of the Cooley peninsula and the near-flood events in Dundalk at the end of 2023, due to deficiencies in the wastewater system.

He said: This is an issue that requires to be addressed. I have raised the issue here previously in regard to Hackballscross during Storm Eowyn. It took days and weeks to deal with the issue. It always happens when the electricity is cut off that there is a logjam in the system and that must be addressed.

I have spoken many times about the brown water in Dundalk, which relates to manganese. There is a pilot scheme, and I am told there has been progress in terms of finding a solution.

I was told that this would happen in 2026. We must make sure that happens. We must also ensure that better communication takes place.
Paul OConnell returned to Cork after 35 years in the U.S to set-up his own chocolate factory. KATE RYAN visited Tory Top Chocolate to find out more about the enterprise which has opened in the heart of Cork city.

For Paul OConnell, making chocolate represents the perfect marriage of career and passion.

As the founder of Tory Top Chocolate, Irelands newest bean-to-bar chocolate maker based on Marlboro Street in Cork city, it also meant a chance to come home.

Originally from Tory Top Park in Ballyphehane and an engineer by profession, Paul left Cork for the U.S 35 years ago, working in large-scale chocolate and biopharma industries  both have more in common than might be initially thought.

As Paul says, from a process point of view, things either go in a line or round and round!

Eventually, he set up his own business designing and building machines and once more found his clientele split between biopharma and chocolate.

I was building these machines for chocolate companies, and they would send me batches of beans to test the equipment with. That was when I realised there was more to making chocolate than I had thought of before, Paul says.

From here, the engineers curiosity gave way to an all-out obsession. Any time an opportunity to travel arose, Paul sought out a cocoa plantation or a chocolate maker to keep up with his thirst for learning how to turn cacao beans into chocolate.

In the end, the decision to come home was quick and swift.

My daughter was at university, living her life, and I suddenly realised there was nothing really keeping me in the U.S. I sold my company, packed up, and came back to Cork.

Soon after, Paul acquired the building formerly home to John OFlynn & Sons Butchers, and the shop opened for business in early December, 2024.

The buildings distinctive bowed windows have been kept, but the rest of the interior has been given a glow-up that embraces a rustic artisan feel to the cafe and shop to the front.

A hand-built glass partition separates the cafe from the chocolate factory and the stainless steel roasters, winnowers, conchers and tempering machines for chocolate making.

Much of the renovation work was carried out by Paul himself  by hand - and fitted out with reclaimed materials, including old bookcases from a bookshop that once operated above, floorboards repurposed into the coffee bar, and recycled red brick for a distinctive feature wall.

The walls and floors are decorated with hand-painted art decals by Pauls sister, an artist. As if to cement the feeling of this being a family affair, Pauls nephew, Rory Nagle, is barista, social media manager and runs chocolate making workshops.

Bespoke window seating nestles into those curved windows, fitted with covers of burlap sackcloth in which cocoa beans once travelled from across the world.

Before chocolate gets to us, it starts its life as a tree. The cacao tree grows in very specific conditions usually found 10 degrees above and below the equator  a sort of cocoa belt around the globe.

It must be hot and humid, and it grows under the canopy of much larger trees. The trees flower twice a year, and as the flower dies, a seed pod develops which can be green, yellow or red in colour.

Cacao beans unloaded from a 25-kilogram bag. Picture: Larry Cummins

Inside the pod are cacao beans covered in a white tropical fruit-tasting film. The beans are scooped out and left out to sun dry and for the white goo to ferment away. Once dried, the beans are bagged and sold to chocolate makers. Now some of them are here, on Marlboro Street in Cork city.

Most of the worlds cacao is cultivated in Ghana and Cote dIvoire on Africas west coast, although it is native to Central and South America: Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico.

Paul is also sourcing beans from lesser-known areas, such as India (a burgeoning market for cacao production), Vietnam, Madagascar, and Tanzania.

Melanging is the process of grinding the cacao nibs and cane sugar with granite stone wheels until the particle size reaches about 20 microns. Picture: Larry Cummins

Each cacao region produces beans with different flavour profiles, and Pauls job  through roasting and conching  is to determine the exact set of circumstances to extract the fullest flavour and best texture to make a perfect bar of chocolate.

There are only two ingredients in our chocolate, says Paul. Cacao beans and raw cane sugar.

We dont use any dairy or flavourings which makes our chocolate suitable for vegans and those with dairy allergies, explains Paul.

By focusing just on the beans and not adding anything else, every bar of chocolate is a pure expression of the cacao itself. Its a luxury product, dark chocolate all the way, and the kind of thing thats made to be slowly savoured paired with good wine or excellent whiskey.

But dont be swayed into thinking this is all chocolate and no fun! Paul and Rory host regular chocolate-making workshops  all with a BYO policy baked into the offering.

We opened just before Christmas last year, but the workshops have been an instant hit, says Paul.

We have already had several groups come back for repeat visits. They are proving a hit with corporate groups  its a bit of fun, they learn something, and its great for team bonding.

Paul O'Connell moulds the bars after tempering, which makes the chocolate shelf stable , gives the bars a nice snap when cracked, and produces a bright sheen. Picture: Larry Cummins

Its not all work-related fun either. The workshops have proven popular with birthday groups, but places can also be booked on an individual basis or as a couple.

The workshops are two hours, from 5-7pm, which makes it a great way to kick off an evening for people. They can come here, make their chocolate and then go on and have dinner and drinks after.

We also find were getting a much younger crowd who are looking for things to do in the evening that doesnt involve going to a bar.

As well as the factory and the workshops, Tory Top Chocolate is also open during the day for top-notch coffee and signature hot chocolate, including their take on a Mexican hot chocolate flavoured with cinnamon and chilli.

Chocolate makers Paul O'Connell, proprietor and apprentice Rory Nagle at Tory Top Chocolate makers on Marlboro Street. Picture: Larry Cummins

Were a kind of chocolate cafe, I guess, says Paul, who is clearly enjoying the social aspect of running a bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the heart of the city.

Easter is just around the corner, when chocolate has its moment in the sun. This will be Tory Top Chocolates first Easter so to celebrate, as well as being open for chocolate, coffee and the usual weekly schedule of workshops, Paul and Rory are hosting two special events just for kids.

On Saturday from 12-3pm, all kids are welcome to take part in the Tory Top Chocolate Easter Egg Hunt where mini chocolate eggs will be stashed all around the shop. The event is free and open to all.

On Saturday and Easter Sunday, Tory Top Chocolate will host a one-hour Kids Chocolate Pizza workshop with freshly prepared pizza bases by Nostra ready for kids to decorate with chocolate and candies in the chocolate factory. Children must be accompanied by an adult (20 p/child, 30 p/adult), and pre-booking via the website is highly recommended.

See www.torytopchocolate.com
Thirty-two families in Cork are among those who received notification that their childs past hip surgery was under review, Childrens Health Ireland has confirmed.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip  also known as congenital dislocation of the hip  is a condition where the ball-and-socket joint of the hip does not properly form in babies and young children.

A total of 561 children nationally who had hip surgery for this procedure through Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) are currently being offered new follow-up checks after an audit, which is still under way, recommended it.

It comes as the Dail heard earlier this month that the audit of these surgeries at CHI hospitals had found that hundreds of children operated on between 2021 and 2023 did not meet the threshold for the procedure.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin told the Dail that concerns were raised about this under a protected disclosure to Childrens Health Ireland (CHI)  which is primarily funded by the HSE  in September 2023, and that the Department of Health was informed months later, in May 2024.

Sinn Fein has questioned why it took almost a year from then for parents to be formally notified that an audit into the matter is taking place.

The audit is ongoing, and was established after a concern was reported that the threshold criteria being used may have differed across CHI sites.

CHI told Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould, in response to a parliamentary question: CHI can advise that letters were issued to a total of 32 patients with an address in Cork regarding a review into hip dysplasia surgeries.

Mr Gould said that his thoughts are with the families in Cork who have received these letters in recent weeks.

They have already experienced the trauma of their child undergoing surgery, and are now left questioning whether this was necessary, he said.

That is an unimaginable position for families, and we send our solidarity to them at this extremely difficult time.

Mr Gould expressed concern that parents have only received notification of this issue in recent weeks.

He called for the scope of the review to be extended, saying: We have been contacted by parents who now have questions about consultations and operations that took place long before 2021. The scope of the review only covers two years, but this must be expanded to ensure that every possible case of unnecessary surgery is reviewed.
Fifteen new businesses have been launched in Cork following the graduation of the 2024 cohort from the New Frontiers Programme at Munster Technological University (MTU).

The programme, which is Irelands national entrepreneur development initiative, delivered by Enterprise Ireland and The Rubicon Centre, provides potential and upcoming business owners with hands-on support across three phases of the start-up journey.

This years Cork graduates successfully created a range of diverse businesses through the programme, spanning sectors such as sustainability, biotechnology, digital services, and consumer goods.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and national New Frontiers Programme manager Ciara Concannon recently joined the graduates for the launch of the businesses, both highlighting the national significance of the programme.

Mr Martin said: The New Frontiers Programme plays a pivotal role in equipping business founders with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to thrive in todays competitive landscape.

There are some tremendous new businesses and ideas [here], and we have to really double down on nurturing and supporting entrepreneurship and connecting education, research, new ideas and new businesses together.

This couldnt be more apt given the circumstances we find ourselves in globally, and the more and more entrepreneurs we create, the better for our society and economy.

Ms Concannon said: New Frontiers is a critical driver of Irelands start-up ecosystem, offering entrepreneurs not just funding, but mentorship, training, and access to invaluable networks. The success of these 15 businesses demonstrates the programmes ability to turn vision into reality.

This years graduating businesses include Triple Edge Energy Ltd, Genni, Mindful Maker, A.Chara Ltd, The Natural Veterinary Co, EcoRoots Ltd, Zhy Biotechnologies Ltd, Quartz.io, Noonans Control Method, Kookease, TowerWatch Ltd, RowTeic Ltd, AllYouKnead.ie, The Alternative Christmas Pudding and Boots2Base.
North Monastery Co-educational Secondary School has been awarded a yellow flag in recognition of intercultural and anti-racism policies.

The Cork school was recognised at the annual Yellow Flag Programme (YFP) Awards ceremony in Dublin.

The programme supports schools to challenge racism and discrimination. North Mon joins 136 primary and post-primary schools nationwide that follow the yellow flag steps to embed inclusivity, along with diversity, in practice and policy across the schools community.

One of the teachers at North Mon Claire Dunlea, described the anti-racism and inclusion policy: Our policy highlights our diversity and emphasises support for inclusion in the entire school community, Ms Dunlea said.

By bringing attention to and celebrating this diversity, through language, celebrating traditions, finding out about various cultures, religious practices, festivals and how life is lived in the 46 different countries and ethnicities that make up our school community, knowledge and respect increase and racism, discrimination and exclusion decrease.

Yellow Flag Programme national co-ordinator Sian Mooney congratulated the entire school community at North Mon. She also highlighted a survey of teachers, which showed that 81% of teachers had never attended intercultural or anti-racism training.

Ms Mooney said of the programme: Government investment is needed to support teachers in responding to racism and to equip them with specific knowledge and skills in intercultural education.

The Yellow Flag Programme Awards ceremony was opened by the Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon, who highlighted the important role that it plays.

It is crucial that we invest in programmes like the Yellow Flag, because it is an investment in a more stable and positive future socially, educationally, economically and democratically.

It is very positive to see that so much of the work to create this programme is led by the students themselves.
A Cork TD has expressed concern that Cork is reliant on second hand buses from Limerick, describing them as hand-me-downs.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has not purchased any new diesel-only buses since July 2019, and as Cork has no charging infrastructure, it cannot use electric buses.

In 2020, Cork got eight buses from Limerick, followed by 21 in 2021, three in 2022, none in 2023, and 17 in 2024, NTA data shows.

A spokesperson for the NTA said the installation is large scale construction work which requires significant portions of the relevant depot space to be freed up.

Bus Eireann only has one Cork depot at Capwell, which is currently operating above its capacity, meaning it cannot afford to lose any portion of the site to enable depot electrification works.

Instead, the NTA is funding Bus Eireann to develop a temporary bus depot in Tivoli Docks which will allow buses to move out of Capwell so it can be electrified, the spokesperson said.

The temporary depot at Tivoli had to go through a full planning process, and a full public procurement process was subsequently required to award a contract for its construction.

It is nonetheless now on course to be completed in Q1, 2026. Its completion then allows the electrification at Capwell to begin, following which electric buses can be provided for Cork operations.

Limericks depot had sufficient space available to allow some parts to be handed over to an electrification contractor, meaning a temporary depot was not required and the electrification proceeded more quickly, with 70 chargers now installed there.

These buses, which are described by deputy [Thomas] Gould as second hand and hand-me-downs, are in fact state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid double-deck buses that provide exceptional driver and passenger comfort, exceed all regulatory requirements in relation to accessibility and are outshopped in the latest Transport For Ireland colour scheme, both externally and internally.

The oldest of these buses entered service less than four years ago, with the majority of those cascading across from Limerick only having entered service during 2022.

The Sinn Fein TD said that more than 20 routes are operated by Bus Eireann in Cork City compared with just nine in Limerick City, asking: Why are we now relying on Limericks hand me downs?

It is very clear that this system wont work.
The new platform 6 at Kent Station was officially opened this morning by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, EU commissioner Michael McGrath, transport minister Darragh OBrien, minister of state at the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer, and Jim Meade, Iarnrod Eireann CEO.

The 23m project, which was funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), marks the completion of the first in a series of interrelated projects being delivered under the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme.

The programme is potentially worth over 1bn to the city, and is envisaged as ultimately facilitating a 10-minute service frequency for the Cork rail network.

The first phase of the programme incorporates the new 220-metre-long platform, together with the RRF-funded Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track and the Cork area signalling and communications upgrade projects, which are both set for completion in 2026.

This phase will deliver the network capacity to allow for significant increase in train service frequency on each of Corks three commuter lines: to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the opening of the new platform marked a significant milestone in the delivery of the largest ever investment in the Cork rail network.

It is a fundamental step in achieving not only improved rail transport capacity and frequency, but also in providing a more accessible, efficient and reliable rail service for the people of Cork, he said.

Works are also well underway on the twin tracking of the Glounthaune to Midleton line and a significant signalling upgrade - two other elements of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.

These projects, along with the new platform, will lay the foundation for further future enhancements of Cork rail services. Irelands EU commissioner, Michael McGrath, said the 23m investment, supported by the RRF would not only increase the capacity and frequency of services, but would also play a key role in creating a more sustainable and integrated transport network in Cork.

It is a testament to the crucial impact of EU funding in building greener, more resilient transport solutions that benefit communities and economies alike, he said.

Transport minister Darragh O'Brien said he was delighted to have a close-up view of the first phase of the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme.

This project will bring great benefit to the people of Cork and all who travel around this beautiful county, not only by making public transport more comfortable and efficient, but by increasing the variety of travel options available and reducing our dependency on cars, he said.

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and minister of state at the Department of Transport, said he looked forward to the completion of the next stages of the project.

As a Cork TD, I am proud of this Governments commitment to investing in the city, he said.

It is planned that services using the new platform will be introduced on a phased basis, with some Intercity and Midleton services operating to and from the platform and some through services from Midleton to Mallow introduced over the coming months.

It is envisaged that, when fully completed, the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme will support the following over the longer-term:

A turn up and ride service with up to a 10-minute frequency, delivering more capacity and a better customer experience for all rail users.

A more efficient and integrated transport network for Cork, with a multi-modal transport hub at Kent Station to promote a shift from the private car.

A more connected, sustainable and accessible rail service for rail customers through new stations, electrification of the network, and Park and Ride interchange points.

An additional fleet and fleet maintenance depot to provide the rolling stock to meet existing and future passenger demand.
A box of cans of Heineken, valued at just under 20, have cost a man who stole them on Christmas week a two-month jail term.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed that sentence on Colm Norris, 43, of no fixed address.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the theft was carried out on December 19, 2024 by the accused at Dunnes Stores in Blackpool.

He was represented in Cork District Court by solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher, who said the accused was pleading guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity.
Permission has been granted for a large scale residential development located to the north of Dunkettle House, near Glanmire.

OFlynn Construction have been granted permission for 550 homes, part of phase one of a larger project, which aims to see more than 1,000 homes developed at the site.

The 550 homes will include 394 houses - a mixture of two, three and four-bed semi-detached and terraced units - as well as 156 apartment/duplex units, a mixture of one and two bed units in ten blocks ranging in height from two to six storeys.

The proposed scheme has a slightly higher proportion of 2 and 3 bed units than that indicated in the most recent development plan for Cork city, but the applicant explained that a demographic analysis of the area showed that the catchment area is growing older.

They explained: There is a limited stock of vacant units within the catchment area. Therefore, an additional 550 no. residential units will increase the housing stock and add to the diversity in the housing options in the catchment area.

The proposed development will provide a cohesive and necessary housing mix to cater for the local population with the proposed 1 and 2 bed units supporting the concept of ageing in place by providing smaller units for people to downsize within their communities.

They will also cater for individuals and couples seeking to find their own homes as first-time buyers. The proposed 3 and 4 bed units will support people who wish to start a family.

The developer explained that additionally a high percentage of families have adult children living in the household which could be attributed to the lack of housing in the catchment area.

The plans also include a creche with capacity for 144 children and three commercial units, with a submission from Cork City Childcare highlighting the need for additional places in the area, as well as a shop, cafe and GP facility.

Works such as a new vehicular access and new pedestrian access, a pedestrian crossing and upgrades to the road markings are also included in the application, as are footpaths and cycle lanes, and the development will have both bicycle and car parking.

A multitude of assessments were carried out as part of the planning application, including a childcare demand assessment, daylight and sunlight assessment, outdoor lighting report, resource & waste management plan, tree report, road safety audit, school assessment, social infrastructure audit, site flood risk assessment and a traffic a transport assessment.

Cork city council granted permission subject to 63 conditions. The permission comes despite more than 20 objections from locals, who raised concerns about the L2998s capacity to take more traffic, noted that there was an absence of public transport serving the developments location and expressed worry about wildlife in the area.
An irate Ryanair passenger recently told a newspaper that she will never fly with the budget airline again after being forced to pay 62 (75) to take her suitcase on a flight.

Her cabin bag was slightly out of line when it was placed in the bags checker, as the wheel extended over the airlines marker.

She had to pay the airlines standard oversized baggage fee to board the flight.

After returning to the UK, the passenger complained to Ryanair about her experience but while it apologised for the inconvenience, it would not refund the excess baggage fee.

Stories like this can be found every day of the week.

Passengers complaining about the treatment they got on budget airlines, and how they had to pay extra for something they didnt agree with.

Now they swear they will never use the airline again, but I am sure many of them do, because theyre usually cheaper than the alternative.

I fly with budget airlines several times a year.

I use Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizzair because they suit my pocket, and they get me from A to B. There are some glitches from time to time, but generally speaking they fulfil my needs.

All these airlines carry out checks on hand luggage in the departure lounge, and as long as you play by the rules, theres no hassle. I know this so to make life easier, I have an appropriate cabin bag. It fits the criteria set out by the airlines, so I dont get any aggravation from the staff.

I travel light and just bring what I can fit into the bag so there isnt a problem.

I have flown with all the budget airlines and what you see is what you get. You dont get plush seating or fancy meals, but youre not paying for them either. You get a certain baggage allowance, and if you need more, you pay for it.

Most of the flights operated by these airlines are short haul anyway and not particularly expensive so I dont expect too much.

Long-haul flights are a different story. They are demanding on the body, and you pay enough for them, so I feel entitled to expect a certain degree of comfort.

There is another downside to flying with budget airlines though.

Its not unusual to encounter troublesome passengers on these flights. Noisy, drunk people making a nuisance of themselves and causing discomfort for other passengers. They can make life difficult for the cabin crew as well.

Ive been in close proximity to these idiots many times and, on one occasion, I had to remain in my seat for some considerable time after the plane landed until the police could board the aircraft and remove the clown.

Two drunk women caused mayhem on another flight I was on last year, and they too ended up in police custody and were sent back home the following day. Holiday over before it started.

There was a story recently in the Scottish media about a flight from Glasgow that had to make an emergency landing due to allegedly intoxicated women on board. It was forced to land in Italy as the pair were taken off the plane.

The EasyJet service had been flying from Scotland to Egypt last month, and the cabin crew claimed they were unable to calm the two women, who they said continued shouting and walking up and down the aeroplane despite instructions to remain in their seats. Police arrested the women.

A spokesperson for EasyJet said: EasyJets cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers are not compromised at any time.

While such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always EasyJets priority.

Are such incidents all that rare on budget airlines though?

In another case last year, a drunk passenger was removed from an EasyJet flight to Turkey amid claims she assaulted a man. A witness said the woman was intoxicated and caused disruption onboard the plane as it was about to take off.

The captain made the decision to return to the terminal, where police were waiting. The company insists that staff on-board acted appropriately.

I travelled from London Gatwick to the continent a few weeks ago with EasyJet and there were four lads in their early twenties sitting three rows behind me. They were already under the weather when they boarded the aircraft, but they got worse when they started drinking from their duty-free bottles.

A cabin crew member spotted them and took the duty-free and placed the bag in the overhead locker out of harms way. They mouthed off at her, but she handled it well.

She was calm but firm and insisted that they relax and behave themselves, but they continued to be a pain in the backside.

Theres not a lot you can do with these people when youre 30,000 feet above ground.

The right thing to do would be to maintain a register of offenders and share the list between all the airlines, and bar them from further flights or charge them double next time.

That wont happen though because GDPR would probably have an issue with it. Unruly passengers would claim their human rights were being infringed and the Gen Z kids would claim they were being denied their entitlement to be annoying.

The rest of us will just have to accept that sometimes theres a downside to flying with low budget airlines, but it wont stop us.
Olivia Kelleher

Former Bord Gais Chief Executive John Mullins, who was a native of Cork city but lived in Castlemartyr, has died.

Mr Mullins, who was in his mid fifties, was the executive chairman of Amarenco, a company which is focused on the development, financing and ownership of solar PV assets in Europe, Carribbean, Middle East and AsiaPac.

He was CEO of Bord Gais Energy (BGE) from December 2007 until the end of 2012.

During this time, BGE established a significant electricity business and developed significant renewable and conventional generation assets. He has held senior management positions with ESB, ESB International, PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK) and NTR plc.

Mr Mullins also served as Chairman of the Port of Cork Company from 2013 to 2021 and was a director of the Tyndall Institute, Supervalu Pairc Ui Chaoimh and Wisetek Solutions Limited.

Mr Mullins was a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering. He held a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the Smurfit Business School in UCD, Dublin.

John was awarded a Chevalier de la Legion dHonneur by the French Government in 2015. He received the highest civilian honour in France in recognition of his work in developing the countrys solar energy market.

He was awarded the Legion of Honour at a ceremony in the French Embassy in Dublin, by then Ambassador of France to Ireland, Jean Pierre Thebault.

Mr Mullins was also a Fine Gael candidate for the European Parliament in Ireland South last year. He polled almost 40,000 votes.

In 1994, Mr Mullins put his name forward as a Fine Gael general election candidate for Cork North-Central. He fell short of getting on the ballot by a single vote, losing out to Colm Burke, who is now a TD in the constituency.

Mr Mullins is survived by his wife Siobhan and their three children.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is "deeply saddened" at Mr Mullins' passing, calling him "someone who made such a distinguished contribution to public life, business, sport and politics.

"John was a wonderfully gregarious character who had a huge impact in Cork and across the country," the Taoiseach said in a statement.

"As chief executive of Bord Gais, John made tremendous strides in the transformation of that organisation, and subsequently guided the growth of the Port of Cork. With Amarenco Solar he was influential in advancing solar power technology in this country and internationally."

Mr Martin added that he "often enjoyed great banter with [Mr Mullins] over sporting rivalries.

"John fully realised his potential in public service and in business, but he could just as easily have realised his promise in politics with his deep and abiding interest and involvement with Fine Gael. A great strategist, you would see John at all the election counts over the years.

"So many people will be shocked and saddened at Johns passing at such a young age, and I offer our deepest sympathies to his wife Siobhan, his family and friends."

'Shock and deep sadness'

Tanaiste Simon Harris also paid tribute to John Mullins, saying he learned of his passing with "shock and deep sadness".

It was an honour to know John, to soldier with him in politics, to canvass with him and I always found it a joy to be in his company," he said.

"John led a distinguished career including leading Bord Gais Energy through a period of great transition. John was a businessman and an entrepreneur who was experienced and motivated by ingenuity and reward of enterprise.

"A GAA fan, a charity advocate, John was a true son of Cork. Whether it was through his chairmanship of the Port of Cork, his role as director of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, or his presidency of Cork Chamber of Commerce, his entire career was motivated by a desire to do right by his native city.

"For Fine Gael, he was a proud friend of so many and a party activist to his core. He was a former president of Young Fine Gael, a party trustee, a director of elections and more recently a European election candidate. The Fine Gael family, especially across Cork, mourns his loss today.

He was kind, witty, intelligent, fundamentally decent and someone who always wanted to do right by his community and his country. His loss is immense and will be felt deeply by so many.

"I am especially thinking of his wife Siobhan and his two children Michael and Sarah as well as his parents Pat and Eileen. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Eva Osborne

61 per cent of consumer complaints to the Food Safety Authority of Irelands (FSAI) advice line in 2024 related to unfit food and suspected food poisoning.

A total of 8,596 complaints and queries were handled by the FSAI advice line last year. There were 4,996 complaints from consumers in 2024, with 32 per cent of complaints relating to unfit food and 29 per cent to suspected food poisoning.

Overall, the 4,996 consumer complaints in 2024 represented a 13.7 per cent increase compared to the previous year, with 4,395 complaints.

The figures reflect an overall upwards trend over the past decade. All complaints received by the FSAI in 2024 were followed up and investigated by food inspectors throughout the country.

Unfit food, which is food that is not safe to eat, was the most frequently reported complaint in 2024. Unfit food also includes contamination with a foreign object.

Commonly reported foreign objects in food included: plastic; insects/spiders; hairs; glass; metal; and stones.

Examples of some of the complaints include a large piece of rubber in a protein bar; a dead spider in a loaf of brown bread; a piece of glass in a chicken breast; a pack of muesli full of maggots; a toothpick in a bag of chips; a metal pin in pre-packed prawns; a piece of plastic in a milkshake; a metal nail in a takeaway meal; a snail in a box of grapes; a live insect in a burrito bowl; and a large piece of metal in a chocolate biscuit.

Other complaints regarding unfit food cited undercooked meats; food served cold when it should be hot; and foods with off tastes or smells.

Food poisoning

The second most frequently reported category related to reports of suspected food poisoning making up 29 per cent of the total complaints in 2024.

This was an increase on the 23.3 per cent of food poisoning complaints in 2023.

The third most frequently reported category related to poor hygiene standards with reports of rodents spotted in businesses; staff not wearing appropriate clothing; poor personal hygiene with staff openly coughing and sneezing; staff not washing hands and handling food and money with the same gloves; excessive flies and insects spotted in food businesses; generally unclean premises; food not being stored correctly with fridges and freezers not cold enough; and food being stored in boxes on floors.

The breakdown of all complaints are as follows:

Unfit food: 1,597;

Suspect food poisoning: 1,449;

Hygiene standards: 1,289;

Labelling: 169;

Others: 156;

Allergen Information: 155;

Unregistered food business: 81.

Chief executive of FSAI, Greg Dempsey, stressed the importance of making complaints to the FSAI, so that any food safety issues can be addressed.

We welcome consumers and food businesses contacting us via our Advice Line. People reporting inappropriate and unsafe food and practices is vitally important and is an essential component, supporting the work of the food inspectorate to ensure the highest standards and quality across the food chain," he said.

"The year-on-year increase in complaints to the advice line reflects an increased awareness among consumers of the importance of food safety and also demonstrates their zero-tolerance approach when it comes to poor food safety and hygiene standards in food products and in food premises.

Food businesses have a legal obligation to provide safe food and it is vital that food businesses ensure they adhere to the legislation at all times.

"The FSAI advice line, supported by a comprehensive website and learning portal, are important resources for the food industry, and we encourage all food business operators to avail of these free and accessible tools.
(Photo:  Fellowship Baptist Church)Rev Josh Sullivan, his wife and family in South Africa.

Rev. Josh Sullivan was abducted while delivering an evening sermon at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, at around 7 p.m.

Sullivan, originally from Tennessee, was holding a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and six children, when the armed kidnappers entered, said another pastor speaking for the family, Rev. Jeremy Hall, the morning after the crime.

"They knew him by name," said Hall, quoted by The Herald newspaper. "They took him at gunpoint and forced him into his car, and drove off."

The abandoned car was recovered not far from the church.

Hall said the wife and children of the 45-year-old preacher escaped unharmed.

The Herald, a local newspaper, quoted a police spokesman saying that a ransom demand had been made for the U.S. missionary.

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department told CBS News that they were aware of the kidnapping of an American citizen in South Africa. The agency said it has no further information to share at this time.

In recent years, there has been a rise in kidnappings in South Africa, notably by criminal groups that target individuals when they believe high ransom demands can be made.

"The men came into the church and initially held Meagan and walked her towards the door before saying, "Josh is this your wife?

"They then pushed her to the ground and took Josh before driving off in his vehicle. The car was found a few kilometres (miles) away shortly afterwards," said Hall.

A multidisciplinary task force made up of different police specialized units was activated following the incident.

"The joint team is currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators. A ransom was demanded by the suspects," police confirmed, according to IOL newspapers.

The Hawks police unit encouraged anyone with knowledge of the kidnapping to step forward to assist them with the probe.

"All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality." The amount of the ransom demand at this point has not been disclosed.

Hall said the family members were still shocked by the incident as there had been no warning signs before the nighttime incident.

"We are just praying for his safe return," he said.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the 45-year-old pastor was abducted by four armed and masked men.

"They stole two cellphones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene in the pastor's vehicle.

"The silver Toyota Fortuner was recovered a short while later in Motherwell," near the city of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), a major seaport.

He said a kidnapping and armed robbery case was opened by the South African Police Service Motherwell and was being investigated by the SAPS Anti Gang Unit (AGU).

Sullivan is a "church planter missionary", a missionary specializing in establishing new churches, or planting new congregations in areas where there are few or no existing Christian communities  for the Fellowship Baptist Church.

He has been a missionary in South Africa since moving to the country with his family in November 2018 to establish a church within the Xhosa-speaking community.

Xhosa is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa and was the mother tongue of Nelson Mandela.

Sullivan arrived in South Africa with his family from Tennessee in November 2018, according to his personal website.

"We are looking to finish language school soon and plant a church to the Xhosa-speaking people," he writes on his site.

Sullivan had been on the staff at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, from February of 2012, according to the website.

"Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa," the church wrote on its Facebook page.

Sullivan writes, "Nothing that man can do is good, but with Christ at the helm man can be used to bring Glory to his name."

There were more than 17,000 kidnappings in South Africa in the 2023-2024 financial year, an 11-percent increase over the previous year, according to police statistics.

South Africa has also been plagued by escalating gun violence. Each day, 33 people are killed by guns in South Africa, according to Gun Free South Africa, a nonprofit advocating for reduced gun violence.
Meta plans to start using data collected from its users in the European Union to train its AI systems, the company announced today. Starting this week, the tech giant will begin notifying Europeans through email and its family of apps of the fact, with the message set to include an explanation of the kind of data it plans to use as part of the training. Additionally, the notification will link out to a form users can complete to opt out of the process. "We have made this objection form easy to find, read, and use, and well honor all objection forms we have already received, as well as newly submitted ones," says Meta.

The company notes it will only use data it collects from public posts and Meta AI interactions for training purposes. It won't use private messages in its training sets, nor any interactions, public or otherwise, made by users under the age of 18. As for why the company wants to start using EU data now, it claims the information will allow it to fine tune its future models to better serve Europeans.

"We believe we have a responsibility to build AI thats not just available to Europeans, but is actually built for them. Thats why its so important for our generative AI models to be trained on a variety of data so they can understand the incredible and diverse nuances and complexities that make up European communities," Meta states.

"That means everything from dialects and colloquialisms, to hyper-local knowledge and the distinct ways different countries use humor and sarcasm on our products. This is particularly important as AI models become more advanced with multi-modal functionality, which spans text, voice, video, and imagery."

Meta notes other AI companies, including Google and OpenAI, have similarly used data from European users to fine tune their own systems. Today's announcement follows the initial release of Meta's new Llama 4 models. After some early hype, the company was accused of gaming LMArena, a website where humans compare the outputs of different AI models to rank them. Researchers noticed Meta had provided an experimental version of Llama 4 to the site "optimized for conversationality.
A new documentary titled "Titanic: The Digital Resurrection" is giving people a closer look at the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic using the first-ever full-sized 3D scan of the shipwreck.

The film, which premiered on April 11 on National Geographic and is now available to stream on Hulu and Disney+, uses this digital model to uncover new facts about the ship's final hours on April 14, 1912.

The 3D scan was created by Magellan, a deep-sea investigation company. Their team used underwater robots to collect over 700,000 photos and 16 terabytes of data from the wreck, which lies 12,500 feet below the ocean's surface, People said.

The scan captured every part of the Titanic "down to the rivet," helping experts see the ship in more detail than ever before.

One major discovery from the scan was that several of the Titanic's steam boilers were dented inward.

This suggests they were still active when the ship went underwater. Analysts also found a steam valve on the back part of the ship in the open position.

This supports old stories from survivors who said engineers kept working to power the ship's lights and radio systems, giving passengers more time to get into lifeboats.

A first-of-its-kind full-size 3D rendering of the Titanic wreckage has revealed new insights about the ship's final moments. @DavidMuir shares details on the new Nat Geo special and the minute-by-minute timeline the team reconstructed. https://t.co/1dwFtiE973 pic.twitter.com/dchCm23iR2  World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) April 10, 2025

3D Scan Shows Titanic Was Torn Apart, Not Split Cleanly

"They kept the lights and the power working to the end," said Titanic expert Parks Stephenson, "to give the crew time to launch the lifeboats safely with some light instead of in absolute darkness." All 35 engineers reportedly died doing this.

Another detail uncovered by the scan is how the iceberg damaged the ship. It didn't cause one large break but instead made six small tears along the ship's side.

These were spread across six watertight sections, even though the Titanic was only designed to handle flooding in four.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Naval architect Simon Benson explained, "The difference between Titanic sinking and not sinking are down to the fine margins of holes about the size of a piece of paper."

Although the holes were small, they were enough to let water in slowly, which led to the ship eventually breaking apart and sinking.

The scan also confirmed that the ship didn't split cleanly in halfit was torn apart, damaging even the luxury first-class areas.

Researchers even matched scattered items like watches, shoes, and purses on the seafloor with the people who owned them, helping tell the personal stories of passengers.
For Immediate Release:

Monday, April 14, 2025

Ideas are worthless unless you can make them heard.

 Phil Cooke, media consultant and speaker

You were immersed in engineering or scientific matters in your engineering school or school of science.

You then work in industry or government where you want to practice engineering and science.

Somewhere along the way, hopefully early, you realize you must sell your ideas to get ahead. It comes as a shock. You thought all you needed to succeed was sound engineering or science.

Unfortunately, unless you can convey your thoughts intelligently in public, there will be a ceiling on your advancement.

Below are three reasons technical professionals need excellent public speaking skills

To Communicate Complex Ideas Clearly to Diverse Audiences

Technical professionals often work with complex systems, data, and innovations that must be communicated clearly to stakeholders, clients, or cross-functional teams who may not share the same technical background.

Public speaking skills help distill complicated information into accessible insights.

The Harvard Business Review notes that being able to explain a technical concept clearly to someone unfamiliar with it is a hallmark of leadership (Gallo, 2014).

Technical professionals must adjust their language, depth, and examples based on who theyre speaking toexecutives, customers, policymakers, or non-technical teams. This requires:

Understanding the audiences goals, concerns, and familiarity with the topic.

Highlighting relevance to their specific roles or problems.

Avoiding over-explaining to experts or under-explaining to novices.

Communication research emphasizes audience analysis as essential for clarity. When the audience feels the speaker gets them, theyre more engaged and receptive (Lucas, The Art of Public Speaking, 2020).

Ask yourself, What does this audience already know, and what do they need to know?

Start with a clear, high-level summary, then offer more technical detail only as needed.

This layered approach includes:

A plain-language big picture summary.

Progressive disclosure of complexity (e.g., through Q&A, footnotes, or deeper slides).

There are opportunities for clarification and feedback before diving deeper.

Cognitive load theory shows audiences learn more effectively when information is scaffolded in manageable steps (Sweller, 2011). Starting simple reduces overload and builds trust.

Try the ELI5 methodExplain Like Im 5as a baseline, then scale up.

Well-designed visuals can condense complex data or systems into intuitive graphics. To do this:

Use diagrams, flowcharts, and timelines instead of text-heavy slides

Apply consistent symbols and color-coding to highlight key takeaways

Avoid clutter and stick to one visual idea per slide or section.

Visuals improve retention and understanding by engaging multiple brain systems.

Studies show people remember 65% of information paired with relevant images, compared to 10% without them (Medina, Brain Rules, 2014).

Follow the 1-6-6 rule for slides1 idea, no more than 6 words per line, 6 lines max.

So, one reason technical professionals need excellent public speaking skills is to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Another is to build credibility and advance their careers.

To Build Credibility and Advance Their Careers

When technical professionals speak confidently and clearly, they demonstrate expertise, poise, and leadership potential. Public speaking enhances visibility and trust, which is essential for promotions, funding pitches, and conference presentations.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), verbal communication is consistently ranked among the top soft skills sought by employers (NACE Job Outlook Survey, 2023).

Presenting at respected conferences, panels, or webinars allows technical professionals to showcase their expertise to peers, decision-makers, and potential collaborators. Key actions include:

Submitting papers, case studies, and project findings to calls for speakers.

Using storytelling to highlight real-world applications and results.

Sharing unique insights on emerging trends, challenges, and innovations.

When professionals present in front of knowledgeable audiences, they are viewed as experts and innovators in their field. According to the Harvard Business Review, visibility in high-trust environments enhances professional credibility and opens up leadership opportunities (Ibarra & Hunter, 2007).

Technical professionals who clearly explain their work to executives, investors, or clients can influence key decisions and drive projects forward. Techniques include:

Translating metrics into business outcomes (e.g., This improved algorithm cut costs by 20%.)

Framing ideas in terms of ROI, efficiency, customer impact, or strategic advantage

Presenting confidently in internal meetings, demos, and boardrooms.

Professionals who bridge the technical and strategic divide are seen as leaders who get the big picture and are more likely to be promoted into management or advisory roles (Carnegie Mellon Career Center, 2021).

Speaking engagements, especially when paired with content (articles, videos, LinkedIn posts), help professionals craft a visible, consistent personal brand. This brand:

Signals what they stand forinnovation, reliability, problem-solving, etc.

Builds a network of followers, peers, and opportunities.

Attracts speaking invites, collaborations, and job offers.

According to executive branding expert William Arruda, consistent public visibility enhances credibility and increases opportunities: People trust experts they see and hear regularly (Ditch. Dare. Do! 2013).

So, technical professionals need excellent public speaking skills to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences, build credibility, and advance their careers.

A third reason is to influence decisions and drive innovation.

To Influence Decisions and Drive Innovation

Public speaking enables engineers, scientists, and IT professionals to advocate for their ideas, lead change, and inspire action in boardrooms or technical forums. Innovation often fails not because the idea is bad, but because its poorly communicated.

As Dr. John Kotter, a leadership and change expert at Harvard Business School, explains: Without credible communication, and a lot of it, the hearts and minds of others are never captured (Kotter, 2012).

When presenting ideas, technical professionals should connect their innovations to broader organizational goalssuch as cost savings, operational efficiency, or market advantage. This includes:

Starting with the problem or pain point the innovation solves

Clearly stating the business value of the solution in terms leadership understands (e.g., This system reduces downtime by 30%, saving $1M annually)

Anticipating objections and addressing them proactively.

Decision-makers are more likely to greenlight innovations when they see clear, relevant value. Harvard Business School professor Nancy Duarte emphasizes that compelling communicators dont just explain featuresthey articulate how ideas meet the needs of the audience (Duarte, Illuminate, 2016).

Stories humanize innovation. Technical professionals can tell compelling narratives about:

How a problem affected people or systems

What inspired a new approach or discovery

How the solution helped real users or customers.

Pairing data with storytelling makes ideas stick and elicits emotional engagementkey to gaining support from non-technical audiences.

Neuroscience research shows that storytelling activates more regions of the brain than data alone, increasing empathy and recall (Zak, 2014). It turns passive listeners into motivated allies.

Technical professionals often sit at the intersection of departmentsengineering, product, operations, and marketing. Strong public speaking skills help:

Facilitate shared understanding across disciplines

Promote innovative ideas during team briefings or project reviews

Encourage feedback and iteration that improves the final solution.

By leading inclusive conversations, speakers become catalysts for cross-functional innovation.

MIT Sloan research emphasizes that innovation thrives in environments where ideas flow freely across boundariesand communication is key to that flow (Pentland, 2012).

So, three reasons technical professionals need excellent public speaking skills is to (1) communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences, (2) build credibility and advance their careers and, (3) influence decisions and drive innovation.

Still dont think technical professionals need excellent public speaking skills?

If you dont, give it a few years of watching your peers with excellent public speaking skills passing you by.

Eventually, you will know its true.

Call to Action

Understand your audiences goals, concerns, and familiarity with your topic before you begin to create, practice, and deliver your presentation

Submit papers to the journal representing your technical area

Pair data with storytelling to make your ideas stick and elicit your audiences emotional engagement

If you cant explain it simply, you dont understand it well enough.

 Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate___________________________________

References
U.S. President Donald Trump issued an Easter week message promising "to defend the Christian faith" and championing Jesus Christs divinity and resurrection.

In a Palm Sunday proclamation, Trump said called Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the living son of God, touting his resurrection.

Trump also promised to defend Christianity.

"This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square," Trump said.

Evangelicals Christians are among Trump's most ardent supporters, backing his support for Israel and Supreme Court appointees who helped rollback federal abortion rights.

Trump's Easter pronouncement, however, doesn't outline U.S. support for Christians overseas.

Christians in countries in Pakistan, India, China as well as African countries face violence and persecution.

Here's Trump's Holy Week proclamation issued Palm Sunday.

This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square.

This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christthe living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity.

Beginning with Christs triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and culminating in the Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lords Supper, followed by Good Friday, and reaching its pinnacle in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. This week is a time of reflection for Christians to memorialize Jesus crucifixionand to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for His miraculous Resurrection from the dead.

During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation. Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins. Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darknesssignaling that death does not have the final word.

This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square.

As we focus on Christs redeeming sacrifice, we look to His love, humility, and obedienceeven in lifes most difficult and uncertain moments. This week, we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation. We pray that America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world, and we pray to achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christs eternal kingdom in Heaven.

May God bless you and your family during this special time of year and may He continue to bless the United States of America.
The Scottish Conservatives have called on the chancellor to "show some common sense" and abandon plans to implement the "cruel family farm tax".

The new warning has been issued following the release of research by CBI Economics, which surveyed over 4,000 farms and businesses across the UK.

The findings revealed that around half of farmers have either paused or cancelled investment in their businesses due to the inheritance tax proposals.

Additionally, more than a third have deferred or reduced investment, while 10% have downsized their farming operations.

The new IHT rules will see the full 100% relief from inheritance tax restricted to the first 1m of combined agricultural and business property, from April 2026.

Tim Eagle, who is Scotland's shadow rural affairs secretary, said the new figures illustrate the devastating effect that the proposed tax is already having on farm confidence, even before the it is implemented.

He warned that Scottish farmers are being hit particularly hard by a double whammy: uncertainty from the UK level and a lack of clarity from the SNP on future agri funding.

The findings of this extensive research are eye-opening and confirm what those opposed to Labours cruel family farm tax have long feared," the MSP for Highlands said.

Even before it is introduced it is putting off farmers from investing and is pushing many of them to downsize or putting plans to sell.

"The figures show the devastating impact the announcements in Rachel Reeves budget have had over the last six months on our farmers and the industry."

It comes as NFU Scotland has also issued a strong warning that UK government tax policies are jeopardising the future of farming and food production in the country.

In a formal letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the union outlined serious concerns over the fiscal measures announced in the autumn budget on 30 October.

Mr Eagle echoed this, saying that the Labour government "needs to show some common sense" in the wake of the industry's warnings and the CBI's research.

"It risks future food security, will destroy livelihoods, and have a hugely damaging effect on our rural economy," he concluded.
International sheep shearers will once again be permitted to enter the UK in 2025 under a special concession following months of industry lobbying.

This means UK contractors will regain access to a crucial pool of skilled and experienced professionals to support the shearing season.

The Minister for Migration and Citizenship approved a one-year concession for sheep shearers, covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2025.

Since 2011, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) has worked closely with the Home Office to secure this annual concession.

It allows highly skilled shearers from overseasparticularly from New Zealand and Australiato travel to the UK for a limited time to support the shearing of the national flock.

Responding to the move, Jill Hewitt, NAAC chief executive, said sheep shearing was a skilled and physical profession.

She said: "Whilst we have an excellent resource of UK shearers, NAAC contractors still rely on an input of overseas shearers to carry out an estimated 20% of UK shearing.

"This vital scheme is well-managed to ensure that professional overseas shearers can enter the UK, for a limited period, to help get the 15million sheep shorn to high standards of animal welfare."

All those entering will only be allowed to stay for a three-month maximum period. The latest expiry of leave would be 30 September 2025, after which they are required to leave.

Shearers arriving in the UK in 2025 will need to satisfy an immigration officer they are here, for a temporary period, to be employed as a sheep shearer.
Over two-thirds of farm shops and rural retailers have experienced crime in the past 12 months, alarming new research shows.

Half of farm shops have reported being targeted more than three times during that period, NFU Mutual says in its report.

And more than half of those working in rural retail have taken up security measures to better protect themselves from criminals.

Laceys Farm Shop in Buckinghamshire is among numerous farm shops across the UK that have been targeted by thieves.

Will helps manage and run the shop, which was set up in 2016 on a seventh-generation farm in the south of the county

Its a different challenge to farming. When it goes well its great  but as with any business there are challenges," he said.

The worst incident occurred in April last year, when the farm shop was broken into overnight.

Thieves smashed windows, stole cash drawers, and caused extensive damage to CCTV systems, tills, and computers.

"They knew what they were doing, said Will. They went in, smashed the window and got what they wanted.

"They knew what they were looking for, they had a plan and did it very quickly and precisely.

It left us feeling extremely frustrated and you feel vulnerable as its all on your land, your home and your livelihood.

"The yard is locked, the shop is locked, and security was in place  there was not much more we could do so its incredibly frustrating.

The 37-year-old said they have since upgraded the CCTV system, have alarms in place and a change to the gateway entrance.

Those tweaks tally with the theme across the UK as NFU Mutuals research shows that more than half of those working in rural retail have taken security measures to protect themselves.

That includes a variety of protection, with CCTV, security tagging, sensors, alarms, physical security and bodycams all used.

These preventative measures come as almost three quarters (73%) of rural retailers surveyed say they believe crime has increased over the last 12 months.

Zoe Knight, head of commercial at NFU Mutual, said there was a worrying number of rural retailers falling victim to crime.

"We would urge farm shop owners to stay vigilant to protect their stock, staff and premises," she added.

We have seen businesses make huge efforts to feel protected from crime, with both technological and physical security put in place.

Farm shops have sadly been targeted in the past due to their remote locations, so its vital owners take all preventative steps to try and deter thieves.
Cambodia's apparel exports increased by 18.69 per cent to $2.432 billion during the first quarter of 2025. Apparel exports accounted for 35.4 per cent of the country's total foreign income, which reached $6.875 billion, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

During this period, Cambodias exports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 61) totalled $1,463.159 million, marking a 16.5 per cent increase from $1,255.941 million in JanuaryMarch 2024. Similarly, exports of non-knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 62) rose by 22.0 per cent to $969.527 million, up from $794.381 million in the first quarter of 2024.

Cambodia's apparel exports rose by 18.69 per cent to $2.432 billion in JanuaryMarch, accounting for over one-third of total foreign income. Knitted and non-knitted apparel exports grew by 16.5 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively. However, monthly growth slowed in March amid global trade uncertainty. Imports of fabrics and fibres also increased significantly, reflecting continued demand.

In March 2025, Cambodia's exports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 61) amounted to $424.540 million, a 2.7 per cent increase from $413.530 million in March 2024. Likewise, exports of non-knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 62) rose by 4.4 per cent to $278.718 million, up from $267.081 million in March 2024.

As for imports, Cambodia's intake of knitted or crocheted fabrics (Chapter 60) reached $752.174 million in JanuaryMarch 2025, an increase of 24.9 per cent from $602.382 million in the same period of 2024. Imports of man-made fibres (Chapter 55) rose by 13.3 per cent to $352.238 million, compared to $310.783 million in the previous year. Imports of cotton and cotton yarn (Chapter 52) also grew by 16.8 per cent to $195.070 million, up from $167.042 million in JanuaryMarch 2024.

However, Cambodia's strong performance in the textile and garment trade weakened in the latest month. Uncertainty regarding global trade likely dented export growth in garments and textiles from the country. Export performance declined further in March following slower growth in February this year.

In 2024, the country's apparel exports surged by 24.44 per cent to $9.791 billion, comprising $6.638 billion from knitted apparel and $3.153 billion from non-knitted apparel. That same year, Cambodia imported knitted or crocheted fabrics worth $3.081 billion, man-made fibres worth $1.349 billion, and cotton and cotton yarn worth $766.003 million.

In 2023, Cambodia's apparel exports declined by 12.91 per cent to $7.87 billion, contrasting with a 12.69 per cent increase in 2022, when total exports reached $9.04 billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Three-quarters (76 per cent) of consumers say online shopping lacks excitement, and 29 per cent describe it as a chore, according to a new survey from Paris-based commerce media company Criteo.

More than half (61 per cent) of shoppers say they turn to online shopping purely for convenience, while a third (36 per cent) lament the loss of unexpected finds online, which is a key driver of retail joy, the survey revealed.

Criteo partnered with Harvard PR and market research specialist Vitreous World to poll 6,000 consumers and 600 brand leaders across the US, UK, German, French, Japanese and South Korean markets.

Seventy-six per cent of consumers say online shopping lacks excitement, and 29 per cent describe it as a 'chore', a survey of 6,000 consumers and 600 brand leaders across six nations by Criteo found. Sixty-one per cent say they turn to online shopping only for convenience, while 36 per cent lament the loss of 'unexpected finds' online. Seventy-nine per cent feel online shopping is 'lonely'.

Seventy-nine per cent of consumers feel online shopping is lonely, and 78 per cent say they are overwhelmed by too many product choices. Only 50 per cent find online shopping relaxing or enjoyable.

Thirty-nine per cent of respondents said engaging advertisements make them feel positively towards a brand. When directly engaging with a brand, 41 per cent feel excited when reading a positive review or forum discussion.

Customers want to be understood by brands also, as 43 per cent of online shoppers expect brands to use their data to create personalised experiences.

Fifty-five per cent of brand leaders believe influencers drive traffic, but only 29 per cent of consumers say influencer content makes them feel positively towards a brand. Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of consumers say visiting a brands website contributes to their excitement.

Almost all brand leaders (98 per cent) believe their discovery strategies are effective, and 80 per cent stating their approach contributes to brand growth, the Criteo survey found.

While 79 per cent of brands acknowledge that data privacy concerns hinder their ability to refine discovery strategies, almost half (43 per cent) of online shoppers are open to brands using their data when it leads to better, more personalised experiences, provided its done transparently and with trust.

More than four-in-five (83 per cent) brands say they are set to lean on AI tools to improve user experience.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) recently raised gas tariffs for new industrial units by 33 per cent despite objections from businesses and consumer rights bodies.

New industrial connections will be charged Tk 40 per cubic metreup from Tk 30. New captive users will have to pay Tk 42 per cubic metreup from Tk 31.5.

Bangladesh has raised gas tariffs for new industrial units by 33 per cent despite objections from businesses and consumer rights bodies. Existing operational units that use more than their sanctioned load will have to pay at the new rate for the excess consumption. Plants that got primary approval for connections but are yet to start operations will have to pay half of their bills at the new rate.

Existing operational units that use more than their sanctioned load will have to pay at the new rate for the excess consumption.

Plants that got primary approval for connections but are yet to start operations will have to pay 50 per cent of their bills at the existing rate and the rest of their sanctioned load at the new rate.

Gas distribution firms had proposed a 150-per cent tariff hike for new industrial units, BERC chairman Jalal Ahmed said while announcing the new rates, according to domestic media reports.

The new prices were, however, set after discussing with all stakeholders, he noted.

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh staged a human chain against the proposed hike, arguing that raising gas prices would stifle new investment, hinder job creation, disrupt exports and severely affect the economy.

Despite the country having ample gas reserves, the authorities have never taken the initiative to drill new wells and have become dependent on LNG imports that has primarily benefitted an oligarchic class, said Shawkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association.

The basis for attracting foreign investment is energy security, but how can investments be expected if gas prices are repeatedly raised, Shawkat lamented.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in a statement said the hike will significantly raise the cost of business and send a negative message to foreign investors.

The Bangladesh Chamber of Industries termed the proposal to raise gas tariffs unconstitutional, unlawful and unfair. It demanded a reduction in gas prices by curbing system losses of the distributor companies. The gas sector sees around 9.6 per cent system loss now.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
China's Commerce Ministry yesterday said the United States should completely cancel the wrong practice of reciprocal tariffs and return to resolving differences through mutual respect and equal dialogue.

Terming Washingtons recent decision to exempt certain products from reciprocal tariffs a small step to correct its wrong practice, a ministry spokesperson said China is assessing the impact of this decision.

China yesterday said the US should completely cancel the 'wrong practice of reciprocal tariffs' and return to resolving differences through mutual respect and equal dialogue. Terming Washington's decision to exempt certain products from reciprocal tariffs 'a small step' to 'correct its wrong practice', a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said China is assessing the impact of this decision.

This US decision hasn't solved its own problems, but have seriously undermined the international economic and trade order, disrupted normal production and operation of enterprises, and hit people's daily consumption, the spokesperson was cited as saying by Chinese media outlets.

China urged the United States to seriously consider the rational voices of the international community and the concerned domestic parties, and take a big step forward in correcting wrongdoings, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping today called for stronger ties with Vietnam on trade and supply chains amid disruptions caused by US tariffs, as he kicked off a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The European Union (EU) is worried that reciprocal US tariffs may lead to Chinese goods destined earlier for the United States getting redirected to the European market, according to Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, who is also in charge of the Nordic market.

The EU is closely monitoring several product categories from China, and its officials have indicated that a side effect of the high US tariffs is a surplus of Chinese production, Thuy said.

As countries unable to export to the United States look for alternative markets, the EU will be ready to defend its market, he said quoting EU officials.

The EU is worried that reciprocal US tariffs may lead to Chinese goods destined earlier for the United States getting redirected to the European market, according to Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden. There is also a risk of Chinese goods 'masking their origin' via Vietnam, and that risk is now more tangible than ever, she noted.

There is also a risk of Chinese goods masking their origin via Vietnam, and that risk is now more tangible than ever, she noted.

"If it happens, the reputation of 'Made in Vietnam' goods will suffer severe damage. Moreover, the EU may respond by intensifying inspections, tightening preferential conditions or even imposing punitive tariffs on Vietnamese products, she was quoted as saying by a domestic news outlet.

The EU had faced a similar situation in the steel industry in 2017, when the United States closed its market to Chinese steel, resulting in a surge of such products into the EU. The EU had then applied safeguard measures permitted by the World Trade Organisation.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Salman Khan has been receiving multiple death threats since last year. The actor has recently received another death threat, unknown individual sent a WhatsApp message to Mumbais Transport Department in Worli, threatening to blow up his car.







Worli Police station has registered a case against this unidentified person. The officials are currently investigating the source and the authenticity of the message.



The actor has been receiving multiple death threats. They have been directly or indirectly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Many believe that the gang is targeting the actor after learning about his alleged involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.



See Also: Salman Khan Gives A Sweet Shoutout For Sunny Deols Jaat



Last year around April, two individuals open fired outside Galaxy Apartment, Khan's Bandra home. They were later arrested in Gujarat and were believed to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Many other threats from the gang included asking for ransom.



Salman also opened up on the threats during a press meet in Mumbai, saying: Bhagwan, Allah sab unpar hai. Jitni umar likhi hai, utni likhi hai. Bas yahi hai (God and Allah are watching over. My lifespan will be as long as fate allows.Thats it)."



According to recent reports, the message contained threats to kill the actor inside his residence in Mumbai. The message also warned the actor of his car getting bombed.Worli Police station has registered a case against this unidentified person. The officials are currently investigating the source and the authenticity of the message.The actor has been receiving multiple death threats. They have been directly or indirectly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Many believe that the gang is targeting the actor after learning about his alleged involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.Last year around April, two individuals open fired outside Galaxy Apartment, Khan's Bandra home. They were later arrested in Gujarat and were believed to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Many other threats from the gang included asking for ransom.Salman also opened up on the threats during a press meet in Mumbai, saying: Bhagwan, Allah sab unpar hai. Jitni umar likhi hai, utni likhi hai. Bas yahi hai (God and Allah are watching over. My lifespan will be as long as fate allows.Thats it)."

Khan has also been seen with heightened security since last year. Be it at events or while being spotted at the airport, his security team walk alongside him. They have been with him in every location, also during his Eid party. The police offered him Y-plus security and deployed an escort vehicle to follow the actors official car, along. After politician Baba Siddique's demise, a Special Reserve Police Force (SRPF) has been stationed outside his Bandra and Panvel residences.
Nivin Pauly has officially signed on for Baby Girl, an upcoming thriller directed by Arun Varma, according to an announcement by the actor via his social media on April 14, 2025. The film recently kicked off its shoot in Thiruvananthapuram, and Nivins addition to the cast marks an exciting shift in the project. Initially, Kunchacko Boban was slated to play the lead, but due to conflicting schedules, he had to step away, making room for Nivin. The actor shared the news with his fans through an Instagram post, where he revealed a poster and wrote, 

starts rolling today!

An Intense, Emotionally Packed Ride Awaits

Nivin Pauly's Growing Range

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nivin Pauly (@nivinpaulyactor)

An All-Star Cast

Expectations Are High for Baby Girl

Baby Girl is penned by the talented Bobby and Sanjay, a duo known for their ability to weave intricate, thought-provoking narratives. The films story unfolds over just one day, a format that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Produced by Listin Stephen under the Magic Frames banner, the project kicked off with a traditional launch ceremony in early April 2025.While the films plot is being kept under wraps for now, the buzz suggests it will be a mix of suspense, emotional depth, and well-rounded character development. This marks an exciting collaboration between some of Malayalam cinemas best talents, and fans are already buzzing with excitement.Nivin Pauly's recent body of work has seen him take on a variety of roles, showcasing his range as an actor. From critically acclaimed performances to venturing into new, experimental spaces, Nivin continues to surprise and captivate his audience. With Baby Girl, he will bring his unique intensity to a role that is expected to push the limits of both his acting prowess and the audiences expectations.The supporting cast of Baby Girl also promises to deliver strong performances. Lijomol Jose, who has earned praise for her previous roles, will share the screen with rising star Sangeeth Prathap, known for his role in Premalu. Abhimanyu Thilakan, Azees Nedumangad, and Aswanth Lal will also play important roles, adding to the films already impressive ensemble.To give the film a distinct visual tone, Faiz Siddik is handling cinematography, while the score is composed by Jakes Bejoy. Editing will be done by Shyjith Kumaran, ensuring that the film will have a polished, sharp finish.With its fast-paced structure and emotionally charged story, Baby Girl is shaping up to be a film that could leave a lasting impact on Malayalam cinema. The choice to focus the narrative on a single day adds an extra layer of tension, a format that has been gaining traction in recent thriller films.As filming progresses, anticipation for the film is steadily building. With Nivin Pauly at the forefront, theres little doubt that this thriller will deliver both in terms of storytelling and performance. Fans can expect more updates and a teaser in the coming months, as the films release date approaches.
SS Rajamouli is presently in Japan to promote the Netflix documentary RRR: Behind & Beyond, which was released in cinemas with Japanese subtitles on Friday. As part of the media interaction, the filmmaker discussed various things about RRR and what went into the making. While Jr NTR appeared as Komaram Bheem, Ram Charan was seen as Alluri Seetharama Raju.





See Also: SS Rajamouli and Jr NTR mourn the loss of RRR actor Ray Stevenson



Shooting the song was easy because Tarak (NTR) looked like a man who is possessed. We all know that hes a fantastic actor but in this particular song he was at a different level shooting for the song. Every expression he gave including the minutest muscle moment on his forehead or the jaw everything was perfect. I just had to place the camera and play the song and it would come out beautifully, shared the filmmaker. Komuram Bheemudo is one of the highlights of the action entertainer. The song which was shot on Jr NTR and Ram Charan and was a blockbuster. Talking about Jr NTRs artistic aptitude during the media interaction, Rajamouli said that he wanted to give a lot of credit to choreographer Prem Rakshit for the way he composed the movements of Jr NTR in Komuram Bheemudo song. Prem did a lot of research and hard work on how Jr NTR needs to be tied with ropes, how he needs to stand, what emotions he should go through, etc.Shooting the song was easy because Tarak (NTR) looked like a man who is possessed. We all know that hes a fantastic actor but in this particular song he was at a different level shooting for the song. Every expression he gave including the minutest muscle moment on his forehead or the jaw everything was perfect. I just had to place the camera and play the song and it would come out beautifully, shared the filmmaker.

Everyone Knows Tarak Is Good, Fantastic Actor But In #KomuramBheemudo Sequence He's On Different Level AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - @ssrajamouli In Japan aAAAAiAAAA.



Goat Actor @tarak9999 AAAAAAAAAAAAaAAAAiAAAAAAAAAAAA.#RRRBehindAndBeyond pic.twitter.com/2yDLhx0Dae  Sai Mohan 'NTR' (@Sai_Mohan_999) April 13, 2025

Sung by Kaala Bhairava and composed by M M Keeravani, the song which emotes a strong patriotic feeling, is written by popular lyricist Sudhala Ashok Teja. NTR getting publicly whipped under the orders of the tyrannical British has caught the attention of everyone. The actor reportedly shot with a background crowd of 600 people under scorching heat, barefoot. He was supposed to have a lot of blood on his face and body which was done by multiple make up. And NTR reportedly wrapped up the song shooting in 15 days.




AdvanCell, a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer therapeutics, today announced $18M in Australian Federal Government Funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Frontiers Initiative for 'Defeating Prostate Cancer with Targeted Alpha Therapy'

One out of eight men develops prostate cancer. With the support from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Frontiers Initiative, the goal of the multidisciplinary multi-institutional investigator team is to transform the clinical management of prostate cancer by leveraging leading therapeutic radiopharmaceutical technology paired innovative clinical development and a deep understanding of tumour biology to improve the lives of patients with prostate cancer.

The research program is enabled by AdvanCell's proprietary (Lead-212) 212Pb alpha isotope production technology along with the delivery of a first-in-field clinical platform trial to accelerate the translation of 212Pb-based targeted alpha therapies, one of the most exciting breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

Dr. Anna Karmann MD PhD, AdvanCell Chief Medical Officer said: "On behalf of all Co-Investigators, I would like to thank the Australian Government and MRFF Frontiers Initiative committee for this prestigious award. Targeted alpha therapies are among the most promising in oncology. We believe this MRFF-funded research can be practice changing and have a lasting positive impact on the lives of patients with prostate cancer. We highly value the support and opportunity this funding provides to fast-track translation and accelerate the development of novel combination therapies in an industry-academic partnership."

AdvanCell is collaborating with world-leading experts in Australia and globally, underpinning the transformative nature of the important clinical research. The clinical PIs include internationally renowned physician scientists Prof. Louise Emmett (St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney and University of New South Wales) and Prof. Shahneen Sandhu (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne).

Prof. Louise Emmett: "This collaborative Frontiers grant gives us the tools to deeply evaluate optimal combinations with targeted alpha therapy in prostate cancer aiming for longer better lives using great technology in a smart way."

Prof. Shahneen Sandhu: "Our MRFF grant will accelerate the development of innovative targeted alpha therapy combinations designed to enhance patient care and clinical outcomes."

Scientific investigators include Prof. Richard Payne (The University of Sydney), Prof. Matt Trau, Dr. Alain Wuethrich, Dr. Kevin Koo (The University of Queensland), Dr. Scott Lovell (University of Bath), A/Prof. Serigne Lo (Melanoma Institute Australia) and Dr. Thomas Kryza and Dr. Simon Puttick (AdvanCell).

Prof. Stephen Rose, Head of Translational Medicine and Clinical Science at AdvanCell, highlighted the importance of the MRFF funding. "The MRFF funding supports Australian innovation to drive the establishment of sovereign manufacturing capabilities to accelerate clinical translation of 212Pb-targeted alpha therapy."

About AdvanCell

AdvanCell is dedicated to developing innovative cancer therapies that harness the power of targeted alpha-emitting radionuclides. By combining advanced manufacturing capabilities with cutting-edge science and clinical development capabilities, AdvanCell aims to deliver novel treatments that improve outcomes for cancer patients globally. For more information, visit www.advancell.com.au

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250413421557/en/

Contacts:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Andrew Adamovich

CEO

Email: contact@advancell.com.au

Phone: +612 8000 4199
SINGAPORE, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC Impact, the Asia-focused impact investment firm, has successfully completed the final closing of its second fund at over USD 600 million, doubling the size of Fund I. This milestone deepens the firm's commitment to addressing Asia's critical social and environmental needs through impact-driven investments.

Broader Backing Reflects Growing Alignment

ABC Impact Fund II has drawn support from a diverse group of Limited Partners, including Temasek; Temasek Trust; the Asian Development Bank (ADB); Mapletree Investments; SeaTown Holdings; a Southeast Asia sovereign wealth fund; a U.S. family office; and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. This convergence of development finance and private capital reflects a growing recognition that impact investing can address systemic issues through market-based approaches.

Benoit Valentin, Head, Impact Investing, Temasek, said, "In a rapidly changing world, we are facing increasingly complex and far-reaching social and environmental challenges. Our partnership with ABC Impact is a core pillar of Temasek's impact investing strategy, reflecting our belief that impact investing can scale capital to address the pressing issues we are facing. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable world where every generation prospers."

"The impact investment landscape in the region remains nascent, with a significant funding gap for growth-stage companies," said Jackie Surtani, ADB's Regional Director and Head of the Singapore Office. "ADB's investment in ABC Impact Fund II reflects our commitment to catalysing impact capital across Asia and the Pacific.

By supporting innovative businesses that tackle pressing social and environmental challenges, we aim to improve lives and livelihoods throughout the region."

Reinforcing a Shared Vision for Asia

Tow Heng Tan, Chairman, ABC Impact, noted, "The successful closing of Fund II underscores the trust that leading institutional investors have placed in ABC Impact's disciplined investment strategy. By welcoming external capital from the likes of Asian Development Bank, we are deepening our commitment to shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future in Asia."

"We believe capital, when directed with intent, can help shape pragmatic, market-led responses to the most urgent challenges facing our region," said David Heng, CEO of ABC Impact. "From climate resilience to inclusive finance and healthcare access, investing in these areas is both a societal imperative and a long-term business opportunity."

Advancing Impact Across Priority Sectors

Closing amid increasing climate shocks, inequality, and economic uncertainty, ABC Impact Fund II focuses on practical solutions in areas where traditional models have struggled to deliver results. Its investment strategy centers on four priority sectors: clean energy and climate resilience, inclusive finance and digital access, healthcare and education, and sustainable food systems.

Investments to date include Aye Finance in India, which provides loans to micro and small enterprises; Tekoma Energy in Japan, a renewable energy developer specializing in solar projects; and DCDC Kidney Care, one of India's largest dialysis networks delivering affordable treatment to underserved patients.

Investing Responsively in a Diverse Region

Asia's economic and demographic momentum continues to create opportunities for innovation in impact. But the region's complexity requires an investment approach that is both grounded and adaptive.

"While policy can accelerate change, it is market demand, capital flows, and competitive forces that ultimately drive adoption and scale," said David. "The businesses we invest in are not waiting for external signals-they are actively shaping the future by addressing critical needs in ways that are both impactful and financially sound."

Fund II builds on the momentum of Fund I (2019-2024), enabling ABC Impact to expand its partnerships, extend its reach across high-impact sectors, and back commercially viable solutions with the potential for long-term impact.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

Impact investing is increasingly seen not as a trade-off, but as a strategic advantage. ABC Impact's approach is rooted in the belief that financial strength and societal benefit can-and should-advance together.

"Our progress is made possible by the trust and collaboration of our investors and partners," concluded Tow. "Together, we are demonstrating that financial success and positive impact are not just compatible-they are mutually reinforcing."

END

Investor & Media Inquiries:

Jeffrey Fang

Head of Investor Relations

Jeffrey@abcimpact.com.sg

About ABC Impact

ABC Impact is a Pan-Asia impact investment firm dedicated to delivering measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside risk-adjusted financial returns through sustainable growth. With over USD 900 million in assets under management, the firm follows a disciplined, thematic strategy to invest in high-potential businesses addressing Asia's most pressing challenges.

Its portfolio spans climate and water solutions, sustainable food and agriculture, healthcare and education, and financial and digital inclusion. ABC Impact is a member of Temasek Trust Asset Management and is backed by Temasek Trust, Temasek, the Asian Development Bank, and other leading institutional investors.

As a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment and the Operating Principles for Impact Management, ABC Impact applies a rigorous, evidence-based impact measurement and management framework to ensure effectiveness and accountability. It is committed to mobilizing private capital for a more sustainable and inclusive Asia.

Visit www.abcimpact.com.sg for more information.

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The company's new image is built on the power of rare connections

CASTELVECCHIO PASCOLI, Italy, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kedrion Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical company that collects and fractionates plasma, today presents its new identity and shares the financial results of 2024. The announcement of the new Kedrion underlines the company's commitment to therapies that treat serious and debilitating conditions, and rare and ultra-rare diseases.

2024 was an important year for Kedrion, marking double-digit growth, with turnover reaching 1,578 million Euro, an increase of +10% compared to 2023. EBITDA reported increased by 28% to 232 million Euro, while adjusted EBITDA rose by 20% to 279 million Euro. Additionally, improved margins and disciplined financial management generated positive cash flow, fully funding investments and strengthening operations.

These figures reflect a strategy that has made Kedrion a company with approximately 5,200employees and a presence in over 100 countries. Kedrion's global headquarters are in Italy, and the group has affiliates in Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, Latin America, and Asia. The company operates a vast plasma collection network in the US and Europe. These plasma centers supply our fractionation facilities, supporting an extensive portfolio of 38 products, positioning the company as the fifth-largest player in the plasma-derived therapies sector.

Over the past years, Kedrion has consolidated its global leadership within the plasma-derived scenario, reinforcing its commitment to serve those with debilitating and rare conditions. The new Kedrion identity integrates all affiliates under one brand and reflects our mission to support patients ensuring better access to life-changing medicines.

The newly unveiled logo symbolizes a link and encapsulates the essence of the company: its ability to create rare connections. Kedrion fosters connections between donors, patients, scientists, caregivers and family members. This hallmark characterises every innovation, investment, and operational improvement aimed at reaching more people worldwide.

Kedrion has always been dedicated to research and innovation, in particular to find solutions for unmet medical needs. This commitment has enabled the company to provide two unique therapies worldwide for two extremely serious and rare diseases.

Today, our pipeline is expanding with new therapies in development and upcoming orphan drug applications. The company is also exploring novel proteins for rare diseases, utilizing proteomics and plasma waste fractions to pave the way for future treatments.

Kedrion's commitment to using materials previously considered waste is part of a broader approach that sees the company strongly committed to sustainability. We are advancing our Net Zero Plan to reduce our environmental footprint, and we are aligning with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which sets ambitious targets for emission reduction and climate protection.

Paolo Marcucci, Chairman of the Board of Kedrion Biopharma

"Our history dates back decades in the plasma-derived sector. The path we have traveled has been long, and today we stand as a prominent player in the industry. The achievements of 2024 represent another significant milestone along this journey, but success is measured not only by numbers; it is measured by the depth of our principles, our commitments, and our vision. Most importantly, it is reflected in the quality of relationships with the people we serve, our patients, and with whom we collaborate, donors, researchers, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups. This commitment is embodied in the new identity we present to the world today."

Ugo Di Francesco CEO of Kedrion Biopharma

"Today marks an important chapter for us. Over the past few years, Kedrion has expanded its competencies, reach, and capabilities, and we are now ready to unveil our new identity and present ourselves as one company. Every connection, from donors to patients to our employees and partners, has a lasting impact. This is what we call rare connections, and it is the value on which we have chosen to base our new identity. The year 2024 has been significant for our growth, and the coming years will be crucial to further consolidate our presence as a global biopharmaceutical company."

Our updated website kedrion.com will be live starting today at 3 PM CET. Visitors will be able to explore on the site the company's new identity and narrative.

About Kedrion Biopharma

Kedrion Biopharma collects and fractionates blood plasma to produce and distribute plasma-derived therapies for rare, ultra-rare, and debilitating conditions like Coagulation and Neurological Disorders, Immunodeficiencies, and Rh sensitization. We employ approximately 5,200 people worldwide and our industrial network includes 68 plasma collection centers in the United States and 8 in the Czech Republic, and 7 production facilities across 5 countries. We are committed to creating a world where science and care know no bounds, partnering with the medical-scientific community, institutions, patient advocacy groups, and research bodies to foster innovation and improve care. Every connection we make impacts someone, somewhere.

Forward Looking Statements

This release includes "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the securities laws and certain other jurisdictions, based on current expectations and projections about future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, risks and uncertainties related to our business, strategy, capital expenditures and our plans and objectives for future operations, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "may," "assume," "plan," "intend," "will," "should," "estimate," "risk," "target," "objectives," "outlook," "probably," "project," "seek" and similar expressions or the negatives of these expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This release does not contain all of the information that is material to an investor and is not required under the indenture dated May 3, 2023 entered into for the issuance of the 6% senior secured notes due 2029.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 14, 2025) - Bayhorse Silver Inc, (TSXV: BHS) (OTCQB: BHSIF) (FSE: 7KXN) (the "Company" or "Bayhorse") reports that has commenced drilling operations on a newly identified, readily accessible, IP target 78 m (257 ft) to the immediate east of and 57 m (188 ft) below the previously mined historic Sunshine high grade silver stope.

The first drill hole is planned to be up to 60 meters long (198 ft) and is expected to intersect the IP anomaly at a downhole depth of 25 m (83 ft). The IP target is estimated to be similar in size to the historic Sunshine, Junction and Big Dog stopes (Figure 1), where approximately 25,000 tons of direct shipping grade silver mineralization was mined from each and shipped by rail to the historic Tacoma smelter (US Metals, 1924).

Significant volumes of sulfosalts containing high grade silver, up to 240 ounces per ton, along with the critical minerals, copper, antimony and zinc, were mined from these three stopes, prior to the Bayhorse Silver Mine being closed in late 1984 due to low silver prices (<$5 per ounce) (Silver King Mines, 1984). Silver, copper, antimony and zinc mineralization both in the form of dark grey "massive" sulfosalts has been identified when repairing the collapse of the roof in main haulage way underneath the Junction stope, and in veins and stockworks west of the Big Dog stope over a strike length of between 130 - 150 m (427 - 495 ft) (National Instrument 43-101 inferred resource of 6.3 m ounces of silver at a grade of 21.65 opt (673 g/t) (Turner et al. 2018) .

The Sunshine, Junction, and Big Dog stopes which extend over a strike length of 160 m (528 ft), were up to 10 m (33 ft) wide, between 7 - 9 m (23 - 30 ft) in height, and up to 38 m (125 ft) in length.



Figure 1. IP drill target in relation to the Mine portal and historic, high-grade, mined stopes

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5015/248398_6272e73c349b885b_001full.jpg

Bayhorse CEO Graeme O'Neill comments that, "the historic mined, high silver grade Sunshine, Junction, and Big Dog stopes lie between, and on-strike with, the ready for mining, Drift and Goldilocks zones to the west, where silver grades are as high as 60 oz/t silver. Coupled with the three new, also on-strike, IP drill targets starting 78 m east of the Sunshine, and with the number of high grade historic and mine-ready pods spaced like pearls on a string together along strike, it suggests that more high-grade silver bearing zones will be discovered underground to the west."





Figure 2. Plan view of historic underground workings with the Sunshine, Junction and Big Dog stopes that lie between the ready to mine Goldilocks and Drift and the newly identified IP drill target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5015/248398_6272e73c349b885b_002full.jpg

O'Neill further comments "the silver hosting rhyolite extends across the Snake River onto our Idaho Pegasus Project 650 m (2145 ft) east of the Bayhorse Silver Mine. Here geological mapping and sampling has identified similar silver bearing sulfosalts in the rhyolite." "By extending the IP geophysical survey onto Pegasus, we will see whether similar high grade silver mineralized zones are discovered there, along with the potential for porphyry copper drill targets."

The Bayhorse exploration model holds that the rhyolite hosted silver-copper-zinc-antimony rich mineralization at the Bayhorse Silver Mine could have its source in an underlying shallow pluton that may host porphyry copper mineralization. In the Pegasus area the mineralized rhyolite and a significant VTEM anomaly lies in the State or Idaho, 1500m (5000 ft) southeast of the Bayhorse Mine workings.

Mineralized hydrothermal brecciation has been identified at both the Bayhorse Silver Mine, and the Hercules Metals Project, 44 km (27.5 miles) to the north. Mapping has identified rhyolite-hosted silver mineralization on the Pegasus ground and hydrothermal brecciation like that seen at the Bayhorse Mine is thought to be present.

This News Release has been prepared on behalf of the Bayhorse Silver Inc. Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its content. Mark Abrams, AIPG, a Qualified Person, and a Director of the Company, has prepared, supervised the preparation of, or approved the technical content of this news release.

About Bayhorse Silver Inc.

Bayhorse Silver Inc. is an exploration and production company with a 100% interest in the historic Bayhorse Silver Mine located in Oregon, USA and the Pegasus Project, in Washington County, Idaho. The Bayhorse Silver Mine and the Pegasus Project lies 44 km southwest of Hercules Metals' porphyry copper discovery. The Bayhorse Mine includes a state-of-the-art Steinert Ore-Sorting technology reducing waste rock entering the processing stream by up to 85%. The Company has created a minimum environmental impact facility capable of mining 200 tons of mineralization per day and the ability to process and supply 3,600 tons per year of silver/copper concentrate ranging between 7,500 to 15,000 g/t using standard flotation processing at its milling facility in nearby Payette County, Idaho, USA, with an offtake agreement in place with Ocean Partners UK Limited. The Company has an experienced management and technical team with extensive mining expertise in both exploration and building mines.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248398

SOURCE: Bayhorse Silver Inc.
WILMINGTON, Del., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The glove box market is propelled by increasing demand across industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, semiconductors, and nuclear research, where controlled environments are essential. Rising investments in research and development, particularly in biotechnology and nanotechnology, drives market growth. Additionally, stringent safety regulations in handling hazardous materials and chemicals boost adoption. The growing semiconductor industry, requiring ultra-clean environments, further fuels demand. Technological advancements, such as automation and integrated monitoring systems, enhance efficiency and usability. Moreover, expanding aerospace and defense applications contribute to market expansion. Emerging economies' industrialization and rising laboratory setups also provide significant growth opportunities for the market.

Allied Market Research published a report, titled, 'Glove Box Market by Equipment (Plastic Glove Box, Stainless Steel Glove Box, Acrylic Glove Box, Aluminum Glove Box, Others), by Port Configuration (Single Port Glove Box, Double Port Glove Box, Multi Port Glove Box), by End-User Industry (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, Electronics and Semiconductor, Automotive and Industrial, Research and Laboratories, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034'. According to the report, the 'glove box market' was valued at $1.8 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $3.1 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2025 to 2034.

Get a Sample Copy of this Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A46322

Prime determinants of growth

The glove box market is expected to witness notable growth owing to the increasing demand in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and growth of the semiconductor industry requiring controlled environments which is driving the demand for glove box. Moreover, advancements in automation and smart glove box technology is expected to provide lucrative opportunity for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, high initial investment and maintenance costs limits the growth of the glove box market.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $1.8 billion Market Size in 2034 $3.1 billion CAGR 5.1 % No. of Pages in Report 291 Segments Covered Equipment, Port configuration, End User and Region Drivers Increase in Demand in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Research

Rise in Awareness Over Biosafety and Stringent Laboratory Safety Standards

Rapid Growth in the Electronics Industry and Establishment of New Research Laboratories Opportunities Rise in Research and Development Facilities Restraint High Initial Investment and Maintenance Costs

Purchase This Comprehensive Report (PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/42gVRwQ

Stainless steel glove box segment dominated the market in 2024

By Equipment, stainless steel glove box segment held the highest market share in 2024 accounting for more than one-fourth of the glove box market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to its durability, corrosion resistance, suitability for hazardous material handling, and widespread use in pharmaceuticals, nuclear, and semiconductor industries. Moreover, the stainless steel glove box segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2034.

Multi port glove box segment dominated the market in 2024

By configuration, the multi port glove box segment dominated the market share in 2024 accounting for the largest share in 2024, contributing to more than two-fifths of the global glove box market revenue, due to its high operational efficiency, ability to accommodate multiple users, increased workspace, and growing demand in research and industrial applications. However, the double port glove box segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.8% from 2025 to 2034.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology segment dominated the market in 2024

By end user, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology segment held the highest market share in 2024 accounting for the largest share in 2024, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the global glove box market revenue, due to strict contamination control requirements, increasing R&D activities, rising drug development, stringent regulatory standards, and growing biopharmaceutical manufacturing demand. Moreover, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.8% from 2025 to 2034.

Get More Information Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A46322

Asia-Pacific region is expected to continue its dominance throughout forecast period

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2024, accounting for nearly half of the global glove box market revenue, owing to rapid industrialization, expanding pharmaceutical and semiconductor sectors, increasing R&D investments, stringent safety regulations, and growing demand for controlled environments. Moreover, the Asia-Pacific segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.7% from 2025 to 2034.

Players: -

Labconco Corporation

Jacomex

AMADA WELD TECH

Terra Universal. Inc

Munro Instruments Limited

Plas-Labs, Inc.

Cleatech, LLC

Etelux

Vigor Technologies (USA) Inc

Stericox India Private Limited

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global glove box market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Access Your Customized Sample Report & TOC Now: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/A46322

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the Glove Box market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the glove box market analysis from 2024 to 2034 to identify the prevailing Glove Box Market Opportunity.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the glove box market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global Glove Box Industry.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the Glove Box Industry players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global glove box market trends, Glove Box Industry key players, Containment Glove, Glove Box Market segments, application areas, and Glove box market growth strategies.

Glove Box Market Report Highlights

By Equipment

Plastic Glove Box

Stainless Steel Glove Box

Acrylic Glove Box

Aluminum Glove Box

Others

By Port Configuration

Multi Port Glove Box

Single Port Glove Box

Double Port Glove Box

By End-User Industry

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology

Electronics and Semiconductor

Automotive and Industrial

Research and Laboratories

Others

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

(U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Rest of Europe)

(UK, Germany, France, Italy, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)

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About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

Contact:

David Correa

1209 Orange Street,

Corporation Trust Center,

Wilmington,

New Castle,

Delaware 19801 USA.

Int'l: +1-503-894-6022

Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285

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help@alliedmarketresearch.com

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HEINEKEN appoints new Regional President Africa and Middle East





Amsterdam, 14 April 2025 - Heineken N.V. (HEINEKEN) today announces that it has appointed Guillaume Duverdier as Regional President Africa Middle East (AME), and member of the HEINEKEN Executive Team, as per 1 July 2025. Guillaume, currently Managing Director HEINEKEN Mexico, will succeed Roland Pirmez, who will be retiring after a successful career of 29 years within the company.

Guillaume Duverdier

Guillaume joined HEINEKEN in 2000 and has built an impressive 25-year career as a commercial leader and Managing Director across the business. He has operated in a wide range of markets differing in market archetype, size, complexity, and across multiple continents. He has been Managing Director in Tunesia, Egypt, Poland, Spain, and our largest operation globally Mexico. His track record of delivering strong business results across these varied markets is a testament to his expertise, adaptability and business acumen.



Most recently, Guillaume has served as Managing Director of HEINEKEN Mexico since January 2022, where he significantly accelerated financial results and drove impactful strategic initiatives. Under his leadership, HEINEKEN Mexico achieved outstanding business performance, with notable expansion of Six-HEINEKEN Mexico's retail chain of 17,000 stores-which is a foundation of the company's market strategy. While accelerating digital transformation in sales, he also oversaw the commissioning of the Meoqui Can Factory-the first of its kind in the HEINEKEN world-supporting HEINEKEN's vertical integration strategy and operational excellence. In terms of sustainability, HEINEKEN Mexico became the company's top performer in efficient water use, setting a benchmark across the global network.





Dolf van den Brink, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, commented: "Guillaume's successful track record of 25 years within HEINEKEN will ensure a smooth transition. His steadfast commitment to excellence, his business acumen, and his ability to lead with both heart and discipline have left an enduring legacy in every market he has worked in. I extend my thanks for his valuable contributions to our Mexico business and wish him continued success in his next chapter as a Regional President".

Roland Pirmez

Roland began his career living and working in various African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, before joining HEINEKEN in 1996 as Managing Director - Angola. From there he transitioned to Asia where he was General Manager of Thai Asia Pacific Brewery from 1998 to 2002. He then led HEINEKEN's entry into the Russian market, building the business as CEO of HEINEKEN Russia until 2008.

After Russia, Roland returned to Asia Pacific as CEO of Asia Pacific Breweries, where he played a critical role in driving HEINEKEN's business in the region. His tenure saw significant acceleration in growth, strengthening HEINEKEN APAC into a key pillar of our company's global footprint.

During his ten-year tenure as Regional President for AME, Roland led the business through major volatility, including the COVID pandemic and major currency devaluations. Under his leadership, the AME region entered a new phase with the acquisition of Distell and Namibia Breweries Limited, creating Heineken Beverages in Southern Africa in 2022, and the announcement of the first major brewery in the Gulf region through the Sirocco Joint Venture.

Roland shaped the commercial growth agenda, building multi-category portfolios for top-line growth. He pioneered digitizing the route to consumer, leading to increased market grip, consistent market share gains, and improved customer satisfaction. His ability to lead in uncertain circumstances while delivering sustained performance made him a key figure of HEINEKEN's global success.



Dolf van den Brink, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board commented: "I would like to congratulate Roland for his remarkable 29-year career at HEINEKEN. His deep expertise and unwavering passion for the business has significantly contributed to HEINEKEN's success. Roland is an exceptional team builder with a strong focus on nurturing talent. He has always relished being in the market, celebrating the joy of true togetherness. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for his valuable contributions to the business and wish him a well-deserved retirement."

- ENDS -

Press enquiries

Christiaan Prins / Marlous den Bieman

E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com

Tel: +31-20-5239-355



Investor and analyst enquiries

Tristan van Strien / Lennart Scholtus

E-mail: investors@heineken.com

Tel: +31-20-5239-590

About HEINEKEN

HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium and

non-alcoholic beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 340 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. With HEINEKEN's over 85,000 employees, we brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world. Our dream is to shape the future of beer and beyond to win the hearts of consumers. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brew a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Most recent information is available on our Company's websiteand follow us on LinkedInand Instagram.





Attachments
Regulatory News:

IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible PEA-PME), a medical technology company specializing in implants for orthopedic surgery and the distribution of advanced medical equipment, informs its shareholders that its Annual General Meeting was held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CEST at the Company's registered office, in Martillac.

The number of shares held by shareholders present, represented or having voted by mail was 93,973,249, representing a quorum of 75.20%.

All the resolutions of this Annual General Meeting were adopted. Among the resolutions adopted was the ratification of the co-optation of Ms. Nuan Ni to the Board of Directors, as director, for the remainder of her predecessor's term of office, i.e. until the end of the Annual Ordinary General Meeting called to approve the financial statements for the 2024 financial year. The shareholders also renewed the appointment of Ms. Nuan Ni and Mr. Ludovic Lastennet as Directors for a further period of three years.

The minutes of the General Meeting will be available within the legal deadlines on the Company's website: https://www.implanet-invest.com/en/assemblee-generale

Next financial press release

Revenue for the 1st half of 2025, July 8, 2025 after the stock market closes

About IMPLANET

IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery and distributes medical technology equipment. Its activities focus on an innovative solution to improve the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ), complemented by the product range of thoraco-lumbar screws, cages, and cervical plates, acquired through Orthopaedic Spine Development (OSD) in May 2021. In 2022, the Company entered into a commercial, technological, and financial partnership with Sanyou Medical, China's second-largest medical device manufacturer. As part of this strategic agreement, IMPLANET developed in 2024 the Jazz Spinal System hybrid fixation system, a unique new range featuring a comprehensive pedicle screw solution, combined with the market's most advanced braided implant technology, JAZZ. IMPLANET's orthopedic platform is built on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has received 510(k) regulatory clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CE marking in Europe, and ANVISA approval in Brazil. IMPLANET employs 46 people and generated 9.4 million in consolidated revenue in 2024. Based near Bordeaux, France, IMPLANET has operated a U.S. subsidiary in Boston since 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. For more information, visit www.Implanet.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250414517699/en/

Contacts:

IMPLANET

Ludovic Lastennet, CEO

David Dieumegard, CFO

Tel.: 05 57 99 55 55

investors@implanet.com

NEWCAP

Investor Relation

Mathilde Bohin

Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94

implanet@newcap.eu

NEWCAP

Media Relation

Arthur Rouille

Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94

implanet@newcap.eu
EQS-News: Rack Centre / Key word(s): Product Launch

Rack Centre's LGS2 12MW Data Centre, gamechanger to revolutionise Nigeria's Digital Landscape



14.04.2025 / 18:44 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





The newly commissioned LGS2 12MW IT Load Data Centre built by Rack Centre-West Africa's leading Tier III carrier and cloud neutral data centre ( https://Rack-Centre.com ), has been described as the best-in-class and a game changer that would revolutionise Nigeria's digital landscape.

The Chairman, Rack Centre, Maher Jarmakani, disclosed this during the official commissioning of the data centre held at the company's head office in Lagos on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Jarmakani noted that the commissioning of the new facility reinforces the company's commitment to innovation, reliability and security, stating that its goal of providing premium data infrastructure such as the 12MW IT load LGS2 was geared towards ensuring uninterrupted, energy-efficient, world-class services and providing scalable solutions for enterprises, cloud providers, and financial institutions.

He disclosed that the company would continue to lead and play a critical role in powering Nigeria's digital future.

"It is important to note that Rack Centre is the only data center located on Lagos Mainland, and with its proximity to critical government apparatus, this facility provides the required connectivity that makes Alausa's day-to-day communication and cloud services efficient and reliable. Rack Centre's infrastructure ensures that every byte of data moves swiftly and securely, and our role as a digital switch platform will only grow-connecting people, businesses and ideas to build a truly advanced society," he said.

In his keynote address, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube stated that the unveiling of the new 12MW LGS2 IT Load data centre, marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards a truly digital economy.

While commending the management of Rack Centre for constructing a data centre infrastructure with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, he noted that investment in such advanced technology would certainly attract investors from across the globe particularly those who see Lagos as a hub of innovation and digital transformation.

He further described the company as a trailblazer in the tech and data infrastructure space adding that this new facility represents a leap in the shared ambition to make Lagos a smart, globally competitive digital hub.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Chief Executive Officer, Rack Centre, Lars Johannisson expressed profound appreciation to the Lagos State Government for creating an enabling environment and providing the necessary support to deliver this landmark project.

Johannisson explained that the facility offers best-in-class services that meet the highest international standards, offering scalable solutions to hyperscalers, enterprises, and cloud service providers.

He described the newly commissioned facility as a significant milestone that symbolises a new chapter in Nigeria's digital transformation, shaped by technological advancement, sustainable digitisation and AI.

While acknowledging the company's transformative journey over the last 12 years, he disclosed that the company had risen from a pioneering entrepreneurial venture into a cornerstone of West Africa's digital ecosystem, thereby underlining its role in securing and enabling Nigeria's digital economy.

He further noted that with the facility now being utilised, the data centre capacity of the company would increase by eight-fold as this would consolidate its leadership as the digital infrastructure hub in sub-Saharan Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rack Centre.

Download Image 1 - https://apo-opa.co/4cwwLP2 (L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Rack Centre, Lars Johannisson; Chief Operating Officer, Rack Centre, Ezekiel Egboye; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Sam Egube; Chairman, Jagal Group, Maher Jarmakani and Sales Director, Rack Centre, Folu Aderibigbe during the official commissioning of 12MW LGS2 IT Load Data centre facility in Lagos)

Download Image 2 - https://apo-opa.co/4j7AbKC

Download Image 3 - https://apo-opa.co/4cwrC9Z

Download Image 4 - https://apo-opa.co/4lzRlT2

For Media Enquiries:

Frances Eza

Head, Marketing and Communications

Rack Centre

frances.eza@rack-centre.com

M: +234 913 931 7946

T: 021 700 5515

About Rack Centre:

Rack Centre is the leading Tier III Carrier and cloud-neutral data centre in the West African region. Established in 2012, the company focuses solely on providing best-in-class data centre colocation services and interconnection between carriers and customers. Knowing this gives customers a technically superior, physically more secure, and lower-cost environment for their information systems.

The Carrier and Cloud neutrality advantage allows customers to manage traffic to get better value, lower latency, and higher resilience. It also creates an open market for partnerships between customers, networks, cloud and content providers, the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, AF-CIX, a fast-growing IXP and managed service providers.

Rack Centre's clientele includes 70+ telecommunication carriers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), global Tier 1 networks, and pan Africa international carriers, including direct interconnections to all undersea cables serving the South Atlantic Coast of Africa, including Equiano and in the foreseeable future 2Africa and every country on the Atlantic coast of Africa.

For more information, visit https://Rack-Centre.com

14.04.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


Filming Begins This Week at the New York Stock Exchange with CFO Michael Berg and Anchor Jane King

New to The Street, the nationally recognized financial and business television platform broadcasting across FOX Business, Bloomberg Television, and its 2.4 million+ YouTube subscriber network, proudly announces a new long-form series featuring Skip Barber Racing School. This dynamic partnership includes in-depth interviews, national television exposure, targeted commercials, and digital billboard campaigns throughout New York City.

Production begins this week from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where Skip Barber Racing CFO Michael Berg will appear in an exclusive interview with financial journalist and host Jane King, sharing the story behind one of the most iconic names in American motorsports education.

This media campaign will amplify Skip Barber Racing's brand across:

Monthly broadcast interviews filmed from the NYSE

National TV commercial spots on FOX Business and Bloomberg

Extended reach across New to The Street's 2.4M+ subscriber YouTube channel

Iconic outdoor digital billboards throughout Times Square and NYC

Earned media support and social amplification across a 600,000+ financial audience

"We're excited to bring our message to a national audience through New to The Street's expansive network," said Michael Berg, CFO of Skip Barber Racing. "This series allows us to connect with motorsports fans, partners, and future students across the country."

"Skip Barber Racing is a legendary American brand built on precision, passion, and performance," said Vince Caruso, Founder and CEO of New to The Street. "This partnership showcases their story across the most respected financial media outlets and the most visible digital platforms in the world."

The Skip Barber Racing series will air as sponsored programming, beginning later this month, with segments running across Bloomberg, FOX Business, and New to The Street's growing network of over 500,000 social followers.

For media inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Monica Brennan - Media Relations

Monica@NewToTheStreet.com

SOURCE: New To The Street
Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) (the "Company" or "Bausch Health") announces today that its board of directors (the "Board") has approved the adoption of a shareholder rights plan (the "SRP") pursuant to a shareholder rights plan agreement entered into with TSX Trust Company, as rights agent, dated April 14, 2025 (the "Effective Date").

The SRP has been adopted to help ensure that all shareholders of the Company are treated fairly and equally in connection with any unsolicited take-over bid or other acquisition of control of the Company (including by way of a "creeping" take-over bid) and that the Board has the opportunity to identify, solicit, develop and negotiate value-enhancing alternatives to any unsolicited take-over bid or similar transaction. The SRP is not being adopted in response to any specific proposal or intention to acquire control of the Company, and the Board is not aware of any pending or threatened take-over bid for the Company.

Pursuant to the SRP, one right will attach to each common share of the Company outstanding as of the effective time under the SRP. Subject to the terms of the SRP, in the event that rights become exercisable under the SRP, holders of the rights (other than the acquiring person and its related parties) will be permitted to exercise their rights to purchase additional common shares of the Company at a substantial discount to the then market price of the Company's common shares. Taking up common shares pursuant to a "Permitted Bid" would not trigger the SRP.

The SRP is subject to the acceptance of the Toronto Stock Exchange and is subject to ratification by the shareholders of the Company within six months of its Effective Date. The Company will be seeking shareholder ratification of the Rights Plan on a to-be-determined date. If the SRP is not approved by the shareholders within six months of its adoption, the plan, together with the outstanding rights, will terminate and cease to be effective. The SRP is similar to shareholder rights plans adopted by other Canadian public companies and ratified by their shareholders.

A summary of the principal terms and conditions of the SRP will be set out in the Company's management information circular to be mailed to the Company's shareholders prior to the Meeting. A copy of the SRP will be available under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov/edgar.

About Bausch Health

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) is a global, diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health care outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, dentistry, aesthetics, international pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors.

Forward-Looking Statements About Bausch Health

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the words "will," "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "subject to" and variations or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the implementation of, and potential effects of implementing, the SRP, as well as acceptance of the TSX and ratification by the shareholders of the Company. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the forward-looking statement will not occur. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and reflect several material factors, expectations and assumptions. Undue reliance should not be placed on any predictions or forward-looking statements as these may be affected by, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Bausch Health's overall business, including those more fully described in Bausch Health's most recent annual and quarterly reports and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events, information or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.

Investor Contact:

Garen Sarafian

ir@bauschhealth.com

(877) 281-6642 (toll free) Media Contact:

Katie Savastano

corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com

(908) 541-3785

SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 14, 2025) - M3 Capital Corp. (TSXV: MCT.P) (the "Corporation" or "M3") announces that, further to its news releases dated October 25, 2024 and March 4, 2025, it has entered into a second amending agreement to the non-binding letter of intent ("LOI") with Trevello World Holdings Inc. ("Trevello") dated April 11, 2025 (the "Second Amending Agreement") concerning its proposed non-arm's length qualifying transaction (the "Transaction") involving a business combination with Trevello, a private company incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act ("CBCA").

Pursuant to the Second Amending Agreement, the LOI now expires on July 7, 2025, if the formal agreement has not been executed, and the Corporation and Trevello have agreed not to solicit or enter into any agreements that would reasonably be expected to interfere with or prevent the Transaction, from the time of entering into the LOI until August 28, 2025. For additional information concerning the Transaction, please see the Corporation's news release dated October 25, 2024.

About Trevello World Holdings Inc.

Founded by travel veteran Morris Chia, Trevello is a global leader in travel services, empowering travel advisors and redefining the host agency model. With a reputation for innovation and operational excellence, Trevello is the parent company of Trevello Travel Group Inc. in Canada, the country's leading host agency, and Gifted Travel Network, Inc., the premier US host agency for luxury travel advisors.

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements include execution of the formal agreement. The use of any of the words "will", "expected", "view" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Corporation's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, statements pertaining to the terms and completion of the Transaction constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statement made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, execution of a formal agreement relating to the Transaction, completion of satisfactory due diligence, Exchange acceptance, receipt of requisite regulatory approvals, and if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approvals, and any ancillary matters thereto, are 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.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248470

SOURCE: M3 Capital Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 14, 2025) - Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX: CJ) ("Cardinal" or the "Company") confirms that our April dividend of $0.06 per common share will be paid on May 15, 2025 to shareholders of record on April 30, 2025. The Board of Directors of Cardinal has declared the dividend payable in cash. This dividend has been designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes.

About Cardinal Energy Ltd.

Cardinal is a Canadian oil and natural gas company with operations focused on low decline oil in Western Canada. Cardinal differentiates itself from its peers by having the lowest decline conventional asset base in Western Canada. Cardinal has recently announced the commencement of its first thermal SAGD oil development project which will further increase the long-term sustainability of the Company.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248404

SOURCE: Cardinal Energy Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 14, 2025) - Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. (TSXV: ELE) (OTCQX: ELEMF) ("Elemental Altus" or "the Company")will release its Q4 2024 results after market close on Wednesday April 16, 2025.

An investor webcast will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, starting at 11am Eastern Time (8am Pacific Time) to discuss these results, followed by a question-and-answer session.

To register for the investor webcast, please click the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vzs5I9lARGCJntAdROF5bQ

A replay of the event will be available on the Elemental Altus website following the presentation.

Frederick Bell

CEO and Director

Elemental Altus is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: www.discoverygroup.ca or contact +1 604 646 4527.

TSXV: ELE | OTCQX: ELEMF | ISIN: CA28619K1093 | CUSIP: 28619K109

About Elemental Altus Royalties Corp.

Elemental Altus is an income generating precious metals royalty company with 10 producing royalties and a diversified portfolio of pre-production and discovery stage assets. The Company is focused on acquiring uncapped royalties and streams over producing, or near-producing, mines operated by established counterparties. The vision of Elemental Altus is to build a global gold royalty company, offering investors superior exposure to gold with reduced risk and a strong growth profile.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, (together, "forward-looking statements"), concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of the Company. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of gold; the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the realization of Mineral Reserve estimates; the Company's growth prospects; the Company's estimated 2025 revenues; and the timing and amount of estimated future production. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," "believes," "projects" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur" or "be achieved." Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, volatility in the price of gold, discrepancies between anticipated and actual production by companies in our portfolio, risks inherent in the mining industry to which the companies in our portfolio are subject, regulatory restrictions, the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the companies in our portfolio, activities by governmental authorities (including changes in taxation), currency fluctuations and the accuracy of the mineral reserves, resources and recoveries set out in the technical data published by the companies in our portfolio. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements except in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Readers are directed to the Company's Annual Information Form dated April 29, 2024, filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) for a complete list of applicable risk factors. Investors are advised that National Instrument 43-101 Standards for disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators requires that each category of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources be reported separately. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248397

SOURCE: Elemental Altus Royalties Corp.
Faume, a Paris, France-based provider of a resale platform for luxury fashion brands, raised 8M in funding.

The round was led by Amundi Private Equity Transition Juste, with participation from Daphni and Bpifrance, via its Digital Venture fund.

The company intends to use the funds to support its European expansion, particularly in the UK and Italy.

Founded in 2020 by Aymeric Dechin, Nicolas Viant, Jocelyn Kerbourch, and Lucas Patricot, Faume enables fashion brands to activate branded resale channels in 4 to 8 weeks. With no technical or logistical burden, the solution generates new revenue streams, builds loyalty, and boosts customer acquisition. Its proprietary technology and integrated operations allow brands to:

Launch resale under their own name and branding.

Deliver a customer experience.

Retain full control over pricing, image, and inventory.

Operate a circular model, embedded into their own ecosystem.

Faume works today with more than 45 brands, including Isabel Marant, Soeur, Lacoste, ba&sh, Victoria Beckham, Ami Paris, Aigle and Balzac Paris.

FinSMEs

14/04/2025


Habitual, a London, UK-based healthcare company providing weight loss solutions, raised 1M in funding.

Backers included Lexham Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the expansion of its products and services to cater to individuals on their weight loss journeys.

Led by CEO Napala Pratini, Habitual is a healthcare company that improves sustainable weight loss and long-lasting habit change. The company provides holistic weight loss and weight management solutions, including GLP-1 weight-loss medication, meal replacement shakes and soups, and personalized support to ensure lasting results for individuals aiming to reverse type 2 diabetes and address other weight-related issues. As a used NHS partner, it leverages an approach to weight management, providing weight loss solutions and personalized guidance to ensure long-lasting results.

FinSMEs

14/04/2025
In a conversation with Firstpost, Crown LNG CEO Swapan Kataria explains what India needs to do to deal with energy security challenges and how LNG can prove to be a bridge between India and the US read more

When it comes to ensuring a stable supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), India needs to maintain strong diplomatic ties with only the four largest gas suppliers, i.e. US, Qatar, Australia and Russia, said Crown LNGs CEO Swapan Kataria.

Kataria leads a company, which develops, finances, owns and operates LNG terminals in locations exposed to harsh weather conditions. Following his session at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit at Bharat Mandapam, Kataria sat down with Firstpost to speak about Crown LNGs project at Kakinada Deepsea Port in Andhra Pradesh, energy challenges India is currently facing and how LNG can prove to be a solid bridge between India and the United States.

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In February this year, Kataria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Gas Exchange (IGE) CEO Rajesh Kumar to set up an LNG terminal in Andhra Pradesh. The LNG terminal will be set up at an estimated cost of 9,000 crore. The facility is expected to meet the commercial and industrial needs in South India, Kakinada Member of Parliament T. Uday Srinivas said in a statement at that time.

More from Business How Indian fintech startups are driving Malaysias UPI-like digital payments revolution

During a conversation with Firstpost, Kataria explains how his project in the eastern port will stand against harsh weather conditions.

How energy can be a bridge between India & US

When it comes to ties between India and the US, Kataria bluntly said LNG or natural gas is something that India needs and the US has lots of it. A similar assertion was made by the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, when spoke about how the United States can be a strong LNG supplier.

They must have the oil to sell us. When they have the oil, but LNG they have. And I see a lot of increase in LNG. By the way, weve been buying 15 to 20 billion dollars of energy from them in any case in the last few years, Puri said at one of the sessions in the Rising Bharat Summit.

I think India needs a lot more gas than what we can bring to the table. And India should be looking at the United States for a partnership for gas at least. And outside of gas, I think there are other things that the US can give to India which is technology, Kataria told Firstpost. He mentioned that these patented and proprietary technologies can help in the growth and development of several industries in India.

But India has to play that role and when it comes to India, it should be a technology transfer. So India can benefit from creating that industry locally so people can develop the skill set, he added.

About the project at Kakinada Deep Seaport

When asked about the project, Kataria explained why they chose the eastern port instead of going west. He also spoke about a special technology, which Crown LNG has, called the Gravity Based Structure technology. I think when you look at the LNG market of India, you see the need to import it from different international markets. And when you import it, you have to have these regasification plants set up, which can convert that liquid molecule into gas and push it into the pipeline network of India, he explained.

So to do that, India has established various import terminals authorised by the government and licenced by the government for the next period of years. And we have one of the licences, which is on the east coast of India, which is about 7.2 million tonnes per annum. Now, why did we choose the east of India? The reason we chose the east of India is that we have a special technology, which is called the gravity-based structure technology, which is a concrete substructure that sits on the seabed offshore, does not occupy any space on land and services and operates through a hurricane or a typhoon," he added.

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Kataria mentioned that the Indian East coast has a unique geological or natural setting. It has a very low draft because five of the six major rivers of India end up in the eastern basin. So they bring a lot of silt over the years, he said. The Crown LNG CEO said he could leave the facility 20 kilometres, 30 kilometres offshore, connected through a subsea pipeline and the vessels will come and discharge at the facility offshore, avoiding the painstaking task of digging a channel for the vessels to come to land.

How to deal with turbulent weather

The east coast of India faces turbulent weather cycles. Cyclones and heavy rains often wreak havoc at the eastern ports. When asked about these challenges, Kataria explained that the gravity-based structure technology can wither the storm and maintain supplies for 365 days. He shared an interesting anecdote to state his argument.

If you imagine a boat, when the wave comes, it goes up and down with the waves. Our gravity-based structure sits on the seabed. It does not go up and down with the waves. So its like an LNG island, he said.

If you had a vessel and the wave height is more than one and a half metres for 90 or 100 days in a year, you cannot supply your customers with product 365 days. And thats the huge difference and the value that Crown brings to the table. Because Crown can operate 365 days even through turbulent weather, he added.

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Regulatory process needs to be streamlined

When asked about the energy transmission laws in India, Kataria said that in regards to LNG transmission, the regulatory process needs to be streamlined. I think when you look at energy transmission, there are two kinds of energy transmissions. One is the pipeline gas transmission. And the other one is the national grid, which moves electricity or electrons, Kataria explained.

Were not operating a power plant to send electricity. So from a gas perspective, I think I would say that the system should probably build a lot more pipelines and a lot faster. Because if they take too long to build pipelines, it creates a huge delay and running cost for projects like ours.

And that ultimately, if the project becomes more expensive, the consumer pays more money. So to have the consumer get the best value for their buck, I think it is very important to have regulatory processes streamlined, he furthered.

Need for India to be more self-reliant in what they have

During his session at the Rising Bharat Summit, Kataria pointed out that India does not have uranium, but we have thorium and explained how this resource can be capitalised. While speaking to Firstpost, he reiterated the assertion but highlighted the challenges that come with it.

I think for any country, it is very important to build things around what they can control. If we can control and if we have to do nuclear power in India, I think it makes sense if we use the raw material that is available in India than to be dependent on a foreign country. So that was my thought in saying that if India has thorium instead of uranium, then India should focus on thorium reactors. he said.

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But somebody has to spend the money to develop it. Nobody is going to just come out of sleep the next day in the morning and say I am going to spend so many billion dollars because I just feel like it. The government has to do it for the people, he added.

India has to maintain ties with 4 key players regarding LNG

While Kataria acknowledged that India has strong ties with Southeast Asian nations in the energy sector, he emphasised that in regards to gas, India needs to have strong ties with the 4 largest LNG producers. If you look at gas as LNG, the largest producers are the US, Qatar, Australia and Russia. So you dont have a list of 200 countries that you need to maintain diplomatic relationships. There are really four of them. You have to now play your diplomatic relationships in a way which are beneficial for India, he said.

When asked how India should go about it in that regard, Kataria insisted that diplomatic ties with the US and Russia will remain important to ensure an enriched supply of gas to the country. I think there is room for improvement certainly with Russia. I believe Russia cannot give as much product as India needs. India will have to buy both from Russia and the US, he said.

I think the US can give a lot more product to India than Russia. And may not be as competitive but I dont think price should be our objective. Our objective should be to buy it at any price available because we need to create an industry to give you the jobs, he furthered.

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LNG & AI

Kataria also explained how LNG can help the Artificial Intelligence sector in the long run. Lets say you wanted to do an AI data centre in India today. One of the key things that an AI data centre needs is power, it needs electricity. And it needs electricity in such a way that it should not just be switched on, switch off. It always remains on, Kataria explained.

Solar is not going to be available at night when the sun is gone to sleep. And the wind is a factor which goes up and down so you cannot guarantee that, he added. The Crown LNG CEO pointed out that there are three ways constant power supply can be guaranteed; i.e. coal, nuclear or gas.

Now nuclear is not available and coal is too carbon intensive. So the AI data centres which are controlled by these big hyperscalers which have ESG requirements, dont want to touch that, he said.

So gas becomes the right conduit for achieving those hyper-scale AI data centres in India. And thats where we got into the role because we have a licence to bring the gas in. So we can build a power plant and offer AI data centres on demand 24 hours, 365 days power, he concluded.
In the message, received on the traffic polices WhatsApp helpline on Sunday (April 13, 2025), the sender threatened to blow up the actors car and also thrash him by entering his residence, a police official said read more

The Mumbai traffic police have got a message threatening Bollywood actor Salman Khan and registered a case in this connection, officials said on Monday (April 14, 2025).

In the message, received on the traffic polices WhatsApp helpline on Sunday (April 13, 2025), the sender threatened to blow up the actors car and also thrash him by entering his residence, a police official said.

An official posted at the traffic police control room then alerted seniors about the message, based on which the Worli police here registered a case against the unidentified person under section 351(2) (3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said.

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The Mumbai traffic police have got a message threatening Bollywood actor Salman Khan and registered a case in this connection, officials said on Monday (April 14, 2025).

In the message, received on the traffic polices WhatsApp helpline on Sunday (April 13, 2025), the sender threatened to blow up the actors car and also thrash him by entering his residence, a police official said.

Salman Khan breaks silence on death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi: Bhagwan, Allah, everything is up to him

An official posted at the traffic police control room then alerted seniors about the message, based on which the Worli police here registered a case against the unidentified person under section 351(2) (3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said.

A probe is on into the case, the official added.

The traffic police helpline has received many threat messages targeting the 59-year-old actor in the recent past.

Mr. Khan had earlier received death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

While Bishnoi is lodged in Ahmedabads Sabarmati jail in cases including attempted murder and extortion, suspected members of his gang opened fire outside the actors Bandra home in April last year.

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Weeks after that, the Navi Mumbai police claimed to have uncovered a plot by the Bishnoi gang to kill Khan when he travelled to his farmhouse at Panvel near Mumbai.
Xi Jinping, who arrived in Hanoi today, is visiting Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia this week. The development comes amid the US and Beijing slapping tariffs on each other of 145 per cent and 125 per cent respectively, and Washington levying hefty tariffs on all three Southeast Asian nations. But what do we know about Xis trip? What do experts say? read more

China's President Xi Jinping is in Southeast Asia on a charm offensive. Reuters

The US-China tariff war is on.

And XI Jinping is on a tour of Southeast Asia.

The Chinese president is visiting Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia this week.

He arrived in Hanoi today.

The development comes amid the US and Beijing slapping tariffs on each other of 145 per cent and 125 per cent respectively and Washington levying hefty tariffs on all three Southeast Asian nations.

China has vowed to fight the US to the finish.

But what do we know about Xis trip? Why is everyone watching it so closely?

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Lets take a closer look:

What we know about the trip

As per CGTN, this is Xis first trip abroad in 2025.

Xi was received by Vietnams President Luong Cuong at the Noi Bai International Airport.

He is in Vietnam today and tomorrow.

He will be in Malaysia and Cambodia from Tuesday to Friday.

This is Xis fourth state trip to Vietnam  he previously visited the country in December 2023.

As per BBC, Xi will be meeting a number of top officials in Vietnam including the prime minister and general secretary.

Xi and Vietnamese officials are likely to sign around 40 agreements today.

These include some on cross-border railway connections, two Vietnamese officials told Reuters.

China has been Vietnams largest trade partner since 2004.

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

Hanoi has been Beijings biggest trading partner within Asean since 2016.

Trade between the two countries was at $260.65 billion in 2024.

It has remained over $200 billion for the past four years straight.

China has made around $2.5 billion in direct investments into Vietnam.

As per BBC, Xi will leave Vietnam after visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum  the resting place of the famed Communist leader.

Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is visiting Malaysia and Cambodia at the invite of King Sultan Ibrahim and King Norodom Sihamoni respectively.

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Xi will attend a state banquet held by King Ibrahim and meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

China has been Malaysias biggest trading partner for 16 straight years.

Malaysian officials told the Straits Times that as a result of the tariffs, they hope Xis visit will result in a deeper economic relationship with China even it its results in compromising our strategic centrality, because disrupting 40 percent of our economy is an assault on our sovereignty.

The Straits Times quoted sources as saying that the government will seek pledges that China will not flood its market with cheap goods  which could devastate local industries and businesses.

Trade between the two nations touched all-time high of $212.04 billion in 2024.

Malaysia is already moving closer and closer to China.

Ibrahim in November said, We view China not just as a leader of the East but as a voice for the Global South, one that champions the interests of the developing world.

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In Cambodia, Xi will meet Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father Hun Sen.

China has been Cambodias largest foreign investor and trading partner for years.

The two countries free trade agreement  the first ever for Cambodia  has resulted in the trade touching $15.1 billion in 2024.

Xi last visited Cambodia in 2016 and Malaysia in 2013.

Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, was quoted as saying by the website, Neighbouring countries are Chinas priority in its diplomacy, and China and Southeast Asian countries are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future.

The upcoming visits by the Chinese president bears major importance for Chinas relations with Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lin added.

It will also inject new impetus into the peace and stability of the region and even the world, Lin added.

As per BBC, Xi, prior to the trip, penned an editorial saying there are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars, and protectionism has no way out.

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Xi, in Vietnams Nhan Dhan newspaper extolled friendly socialist neighbours sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests.

He added that China should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries.

Why is everyone watching so closely?

Xis trip comes as Trump has imposed some of the highest tariffs during his Liberation Day announcements on nations in South Asia.

The US has levied tariffs of 49 per cent, 46 per cent and 24 per cent respectively on Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Experts are calling Xis trip as a charm offensive.

They say the trip comes at an absolutely crucial time for these Southeast Asian nations.

Though the reciprocal tariffs have been paused for 90 days, the base tariffs of 10 per cent remain.

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are at loggerheads over tariffs. On Wednesday, US raised Chinas tariffs to 145 per cent and Beijing retaliated with 125 per cent levies on US imports. Now, Trump has exempted smartphones, computers and some other electronic devices from reciprocal tariffs, including the levies on Chinese imports. File photo/Reuters

The fact that Xi Jinping is coming to visit these countries is very significant, Lynette Ong, professor of Chinese politics at the University of Toronto, told Bloomberg. I would read it as Xis attempt to form alliances to fight back against the United States in the trade war.

Xis trip is obviously timed to respond to Trumps decision to impose tariffs on all countries, particularly as Southeast Asia is Chinas largest trade partner, Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra, told CNA.

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Thomas Daniel, a senior fellow at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, told SCMP, Chinas response to the tariffs, especially on the value of its currency and exports, could either alleviate or aggravate the predicaments of Southeast Asia, and a display of genuine magnanimity will go a long way for Beijing.

Daniel added that Xi would be watching for overt signals of support from countries in Southeast Asia.

Daniel said the trip gave Beijing an opportunity if it understands how to leverage it.

Some agree  though they think concrete results are not in the offing.

Xis decision to make a tour of Southeast Asia is an important signal, Susannah Patton of Sydneys Lowy Institute wrote in Nikkei Asia. It suggests that China sees now as the right time to advance its interests in each of the three countries, different though they are.

Lavanya Venkateswaran, a senior economist at OCBC bank, told BBC that China will be eyeing deepening ties with these countries it has very strong links [to] in terms of both trade and foreign direct investment.

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In the ongoing trade war, it just makes sense for China to place emphasis on countries it has a good relationship with and South East Asia falls among those, Venkateswaran added.

Venkateswaran said that though South East Asia will be careful, she envisages a path towards greater cooperation.

I think its just a tour that will establish relationships and make sure that friends are friends.

Alex Holmes from the Economist Intelligence Unit called Xis expedition as a popularity drive that is likely to include promises of greater aid and financing.

With China now facing 145 per cent tariffs versus around 10 per cent for the rest of Asia, the incentive for Chinese exports to divert through third countries will be stronger than ever, he added.

Stephen Olson, a former US trade negotiator, now a visiting senior fellow at the ISEAS  Yusof Ishak Institute, said that during China will likely try to position itself as the responsible leader of the rules-based trade system while painting the US as a rogue nation intent on taking a sledgehammer to trade relationships.

A piece in The Diplomat noted, It is unclear whether any substantial agreements come out of the tour, but this is less important than its symbolism and timing, given the damage that the Beijings main geopolitical rival in Southeast Asia seems set on inflicting on itself.

It concluded that all Xi needs to do is not make any major mistakes, avoid shining the spotlight on differences and ensure economic collaboration with Southeast Asia keeps going at the same pace.
British Labour MP Tulip Siddiqs troubles have increased. A court in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for the former UK minister over corruption allegations. Siddiq has come under the scanner since her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, was deposed as Bangladesh PM last August read more

A court in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for UK MP Tulip Siddiq. File Photo/Reuters

A court in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq over corruption allegations. The South Asian countrys Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has accused her of illegally receiving a plot of land from her aunt, the former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Hampstead and Highgate MP has reportedly been named in the arrest warrant along with over 50 others. Siddiq has come under the scanner since Hasina resigned as PM and fled Bangladesh last August.

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Lets take a closer look.

The corruption charges against Tulip Siddiq

Tulip Siddiq, the former British City Minister, is facing a corruption probe in Bangladesh. There are allegations that she illegally acquired land in an upscale township near Dhaka during Hasinas regime.

According to Financial Times (FT), a Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant for Siddiq, her mother Sheikh Rehana, her aunt Hasina and other members of the family.

Bangladeshs ACC has been probing corruption charges as part of its wider investigation of Hasinas regime.

The ACC claims that Hasina and her family illegally got a half-acre plot in Purbachal, a major planned urban residential area on the outskirts of Dhaka.

As per The Guardian, Siddiq has been accused of using her political influence to convince her aunt Hasina to allocate three plots of land in the diplomatic zone of Dhaka for her mother Rehana, brother Radwan and sister Azmina, who are all based in the United Kingdom.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib issued the arrest warrant on Sunday (April 13) after considering the three separate cases filed by the ACC, reported Bangladeshs The Business Standard.

The ACC is investigating claims of embezzlement of up to 3.9 billion (Rs 44,148 crore) against Hasina and her family from infrastructure spending in Bangladesh.

Speaking to BBC earlier, ACC chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said the corruption allegations are by no means targeted and baseless and its investigation was based on documentary evidence of corruption. He said Siddiq should fight her case in Bangladesh.

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Can Bangladesh arrest a British MP?

Tulip Siddiqs lawyers have rebuffed the charges against her in Bangladesh, calling them politically motivated.

BBC reported citing the Labour MPs lawyers as saying, The allegations are completely false and have been dealt with in writing by Siddiqs lawyers.

The ACC has not responded to Siddiq or put any allegations to her directly or through her lawyers.

Siddiq knows nothing about a hearing in Dhaka relating to her and she has no knowledge of any arrest warrant that is said to have been issued. To be clear, there is no basis at all for any charges to be made against her, and there is absolutely no truth in any allegation that she received a plot of land in Dhaka through illegal means.

Her lawyers claimed the ACC has not provided any evidence to back their allegations. She has never had a plot of land in Bangladesh, and she has never influenced any allocation of plots of land to her family members or anyone else.

The UK and Bangladesh have no formal extradition treaty that allows an accused to be sent to each others country to face justice.

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Britain lists Bangladesh as a 2B extradition nation, meaning concrete evidence must be provided to ministers and judges will take a call on the extradition request.

Reacting to the arrest warrant against Siddiq, a Conservative party spokesperson said: If it is the case that [UK PM] Keir Starmers choice for anti-corruption minister is the subject of an international arrest warrant for corruption, she should immediately stand down as Labour MP.

It is shocking that Keir Starmer believes the door remains open for Ms Siddiq returning to a government position. Keir Starmer must put his close friendship and association with Ms Siddiq aside and take the action he should have months ago.

Why Tulip Siddiq resigned in the UK

Tulip Siddiq stepped down as UK PM Keir Starmers anti-corruption minister in January.

Last December, the Labour MP was named in an anti-corruption probe in Bangladesh against Hasina. Bobby Hajjaj, a political rival of the former Bangladesh PM, has accused Siddiq of brokering a deal in 2013 with Russia that exaggerated the price of a new nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.

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From front left, Tulip Siddiq, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a signing ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, January 15, 2013. File Photo/AP

Siddiqs resignation came after Starmers ethics advisers investigation into her ties to Hasinas regime.

The PMs ethics adviser Laurie Magnus said in his report at the time that he had not identified evidence of improprieties, as per BBC.

Given the nature of Ms Siddiqs ministerial responsibilities, which include the promotion of the UK financial services sector and the inherent probity of its regulatory framework as a core component of the UK economy and its growth, it is regrettable that she was not more alert to the potential reputational risks  both to her and the government  arising from her close familys association with Bangladesh, Magnus said.

Amid political pressure, Siddiq resigned as economic secretary to the Treasury, saying she had become a distraction from the governments agenda.

With inputs from agencies
Blue Origin is set to launch its all-female flight on Monday evening. The New Shepard rocket will carry Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King and three others to the Karman line, the globally recognised boundary of space. Heres what it means read more

The NS-31 mission will fly to space on a Blue Origin rocket. X/@blueorigin

Blue Origins all-female flight is set to lift off Monday (April 14) evening. American pop star Katy Perry and journalist Gayle King are among the five guests of Lauren Sanchez, journalist and Jeff Bezos fiancee, heading to the edge of space with her.

The star-studded crew will blast into space on a Blue Origin rocket  the New Shepard. The women will experience microgravity for a few seconds before returning to Earth under parachutes.

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What is the edge of space where the all-female crew will travel to? We will explain.

Whats the edge of space?

Jeff Bezos Blue Origin space company is taking six women to the edge of space and back. The NS-31 mission is touted as the first all-female crew to reach the Karman line.

This line is the globally recognised boundary of space that lies 100 kilometres above sea level. Blue Origins New Shepard flight will travel just past this altitude.

There has always been debate about defining space. In the 1900s, Hungarian physicist Theodore von Karman determined the boundary of space to be around 80 kilometers above sea level.

Today, the Karman line is set at 100 km above sea level, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describes as an imaginary boundary.

The atmosphere is indeed dynamic and fluctuates in density which makes any delimitation imprecise, a 2014 study on the definition of space said. So, the Karman line fluctuates between 84 kilometres and 100 kilometres.

The US government uses the 81-kilometre mark to define space. Nasa Mission Control puts the space boundary at 122 kilometres above Earth because that is the point at which atmospheric drag becomes noticeable, Bhavya Lal and Emily Nightingale of the Science and Technology Policy Institute wrote in a 2014 review article.

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Who is an astronaut?

It depends on who you ask. The US government awards astronaut badges to military and Nasa pilots who fly beyond 81 kilometres.

The US Federal Aviation Administration granted astronaut wings to commercial space travellers who went above 81 kilometres before doing away with the practice a few years back.

Elon Musks SpaceX has given its silver wings to nongovernment passengers who fly on its Crew Dragon capsule.

Some argue that getting into orbit should be used to define an astronaut.

However, former Nasa astronaut Terry Virts told National Geographic in 2018 that he does not agree.

If youre strapping your butt to a rocket, I think thats worth something, he said when asked about the issue. When I was an F-16 pilot, I didnt feel jealous about Cessna pilots being called pilots. I think everybodys going to know if you paid to be a passenger on a five-minute suborbital flight or if youre the commander of an interplanetary space vehicle. Those are two different things.

What to know about Blue Origin flight

The New Shepard rocket carrying six celebrities is set to launch at 7 pm IST Monday from Launch Site One on Corn Ranch, a private ranch in rural West Texas. The rocket is a 59-foot-tall suborbital flight, which operates without a pilot.

Apart from Perry, Sanchez and King, the other three crew members include Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist and the first Vietnamese woman to fly to space; film producer Kerianne Flynn; and entrepreneur and former Nasa rocket scientist Aisha Bowe.

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I am feeling so grateful and grounded and honoured to be invited and included with this incredible group of women, Perry said about the space flight, as per Associated Press.

NS-31 launch day is here!



 Live webcast: Begins at 7 a.m. CDT

 Launch window: Opens at 8:30 a.m. CDT

 https://t.co/TRUdJLGeBb pic.twitter.com/U1Pqe2LthC  Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 14, 2025

The spaceflight will last around 11 minutes. As per USA Today, the crew capsule will detach from the rocket three minutes after launch. In the fourth minute of liftoff, the capsule will reach apogee  the flight point farthest from Earth.

The passengers on the Blue Origin capsule will experience weightlessness for about three minutes when the flight reaches apogee. The capsule will then descend and land by parachute close to the launch site.

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While this flight has been billed as the first all-female crew, it is not technically so. In 1963, the Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova flew a solo mission to space.

So far, Blue Origin has flown 30 missions, 10 of which took 52 people to the edge of space.

The all-women crew flight is high stakes for Blue Origin which is engaged in a competition with Space X over commercial space launch. Elon Musks company has reported 469 launches of its Falcon 9 rocket family.

With inputs from agencies
Indians, pay attention, please. Foreign nationals staying in the US longer than 30 days must register with the government. If they fail to do so, they face fines, imprisonment and deportation. Thats not all. Those with H1-B visas and green cards must carry documentation proving their legal status at all times read more

Migrants check their phones while gathering at El Chaparral border crossing after their CBP One app asylum appointment was cancelled in Tijuana, Mexico. The US administration has enforced a rule that anyone who has lived in the US for more than 30 days has to register with the government. File photo/Reuters

The United States, under President Donald Trump, is becoming more and more hostile toward migrants. In its latest crackdown, the US Department of Homeland Security has asked foreign nationals living in the country longer than 30 days to register with the government. Failure to do so could lead to arrest.

The tightened rules were effective on April 11, after a federal judge dismissed a legal challenge against them.

Those with Green Cards and valid work visas are also advised to carry their documents at all times.

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We take a look at the rules for mandatory registration and how it will impact Indians.

What is the 30-day rule about mandatory registration?

Under the Aliens Registration Act, all foreign nationals present in the US for longer than 30 days were required to register with the federal government. Failure to comply is a crime, which is punishable by fines, imprisonment or both.

In a statement on April 11, Kristi Noem, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, said, President Trump and I have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream.

In a message posted on X, DHS warned illegal aliens to self-deport using the CBP Home app. If they do so, these immigrants can keep the money they have earned in the US and are eligible for subsidised flights.

Foreign nationals present in the U.S. longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. Failure to comply is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment. @POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem have a clear message to Illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW and self-deport. pic.twitter.com/FrsAQtUA7H  Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 12, 2025

Those staying in the US illegally for over 30 days will be apprehended by the DHS. If they stay despite a final order of removal, they have to pay a fine of $998 (Rs 85,924) per day. Those who have claimed to self-deport but didnt will be fined anywhere between $1000 (Rs 86,000) to $5000 (Rs 4.30 lakh).

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Illegal migrants who have failed to self-deport face imprisonment and will be prohibited from reentering the US through the legal immigration system, the DHS warned.

Parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that they are registered. Within 30 days of reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted.

The US Department of Homeland Security has warned that foreign nationals who fail to report to authorities on time will face fines, imprisonment, or deportation. File photo/Reuters

The US administration is demanding compliance with a rule that has been rarely enforced since World War II. It is part of the executive order, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which Trump issued on January 20, soon after taking the oath as US president.

How many people will be affected by the rule?

According to the US administration, 2.2 to 3.2 million people could be affected. Even Canadians who overstay the 30-day limit, including seasonal visitors who spend winters in states like Florida, are required to register.

What does this rule mean for Indian migrants?

The website of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) lists categories of people already registered. This includes lawful permanent residents; aliens paroled into the country under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), even if parole has expired; aliens admitted to the US as non-immigrants, Form I-94, which is the arrival-departure record card, or Form I-94w, even if the period of admission has expired.

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Aliens present in the country who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last day of arrival; aliens placed into removal proceedings by DHS; those issued an employment authorisation and those who have applied for lawful permanent residence and provided fingerprints, even if applications were denied, and those issued border crossing cards are exempted.

Indian immigrants who have entered the country legally will be covered in one of these categories.

However, those not registered included aliens who have crossed the border illegally.

In 2024, US authorities detected 90,415 Indian citizens trying to illegally enter the country, which was slightly lower than the 96,917 in 2023. Of the 90,415 that the US authorities detained, 78,312 were single adults, 11,531 were individuals in a family unit, 517 were single minors, and 55 were accompanied minors.

Demonstrators protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deportations carried out by Donald Trumps administration, in New York City, on February 13. The US president signed the executive order Protecting the American People Against Invasion, directing DHS to enforce the long-ignored Alien Registration Act on January 20. Reuters

What do the new rules say about H-1B visa and Green Card holders?

Under the new rule, visa holders (work or study), Green Card recipients, and work permit holders must carry documentation providing their legal status at all times. However, they do not have to register again.

All non-citizens 18 and older must carry documentation (registration proof) at all times. The administration has directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritise enforcement. There will be no sanctuary for noncompliance," Noem said in a statement.

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There are around 5.4 million Indians in the US, of which 220,000 are illegal immigrants.

Indian techies working in the US mostly have H1-B visas. Indian-origin tech companies make up a fifth of all H-1B visas issued in the US with Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) leading the pack, according to data from the US immigration department.

A new American citizen holds an envelope with her US citizenship certificate following a naturalisation ceremony. According to the new rules, Green Card holders are advised to carry documentation proving their legal status at all times. File photo/AFP

Indians were the second-largest group in the US to obtain a Green Card in 2024. The data from USCIS revealed that 49,700 Indians were naturalised, making up 6.1 per cent of all new citizens. This is second to Mexicans, who accounted for 13.1 per cent of new citizens.

However, with the constant crackdown and the mistaken deportations, migrants have reasons to remain anxious.

With inputs from agencies
With egg prices continuing to climb and supply chain issues lingering across the United States, families are turning to more creative and cost-effective alternatives to celebrate Easter this year. Since early 2025, bird flu has caused over 14 million egg-laying hens to be culled, triggering a shortage in the country read more

Instead of spending extra on a carton of eggs, people in US are turning to more creative and cost-effective alternatives like dyeing potatoes and marshmallows, or opting for reusable plastic eggs. Image for Representation Pixabay

Easter usually means baskets full of brightly coloured eggs, kids on egg hunts, and kitchen counters covered in dye kits. But this year, some of those familiar traditions are taking a back seat.

With egg prices continuing to climb and supply chain issues lingering across the US, many families are rethinking their holiday routines. Instead of spending extra on a carton of eggs, some are turning to more creative and cost-effective alternatives like dyeing potatoes and marshmallows, or opting for reusable plastic eggs.

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But whats behind this egg-less Easter shift? And how are families keeping the spirit of the holiday alive without them? Lets take a closer look.

Egg shortage shifting Easter traditions

For over 40 years, Youngs Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, Ohio, has been the heart of a cherished Easter tradition  a massive egg hunt featuring 10,000 hand-dyed real eggs. Each year, families from across the region would flock to the farms fields, where children eagerly searched for the vibrant treasures scattered in the grass.

The event typically draws a crowd of more than 2,000 people and costs the farm around $3,000 (Rs 2.5 lakh) in eggs alone.

But this year marks a turning point.

For the first time in its four-decade history, Youngs Easter egg hunt is switching to plastic eggs. Inside each egg? A coupon for a free carousel ride, according to a report by The New York Times.

The responses have been pretty positive, said John Young, a fourth-generation member of the family-owned business. I think people were quietly scared wed cancel the event because of egg prices currently. So theyre glad were still doing it."

For the first time in its four-decade history, Youngs Easter egg hunt is switching to plastic eggs. Image for Representation. Pixabay

The decision didnt come lightly.

Back in February, the Young family began to question whether sticking to real eggs was still practical as prices skyrocketed. But cost wasnt the only concern.

The family also worried that buying so many eggs in bulk could put pressure on already tight local supplies, potentially leaving neighbouring families without enough for their own Easter plans.

It wasnt the cost as much as it was the fear of wiping out local inventories, Young explained.

A few months ago, popular supermarkets such as Aldis, Trader Joes, and Harris Teeter had even introduced egg rationing and limited purchases as shortages intensified.

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A few months ago, popular supermarkets such as Aldis, Trader Joes, and Harris Teeter had even introduced egg rationing and limited purchases as shortages intensified. AFP

Now, the Young family has decided that they will instead spend $3,000 to donate to the funds for two local food banks. This move has been met with widespread community support, with many people appreciating the farms commitment to helping those in need during difficult times.

But what caused the egg shortage?

The main driver of the ongoing egg crisis in the US is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.

Since the virus was first detected in a commercial flock on February 8, 2022, more than 147 million birds have either died from the illness or were culled as a precautionary measure, including a staggering 108 million egg-laying hens.

According to experts interviewed by PolitiFact, once the virus is detected in a single bird, the entire flock must be culled to prevent it from spreading. While this approach protects nearby farms and the broader poultry industry, it also delivers a major blow to egg production.

In early 2025, another 14 million birds were lost to the virus in just one week, with outbreaks reported in Arizona, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, and Washington.

After a brief pause in outbreaks, the virus returned in full force in 2024. The USDA reported that nearly 17 million egg-laying hens were culled in just two months, November and December, making up nearly half of the total bird losses for the year.

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Were at a point now where were truly in a shortage, Karyn Rispoli had told The Guardian. Based on the amount of birds that we have lost in the last few months, and the hen population, there just isnt enough production to support the amount of demand that we have.

And the trend hasnt stopped. In early 2025, another 14 million birds were lost to the virus in just one week, with outbreaks reported in Arizona, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, and Washington.

Trump says egg prices have come down, but have they?

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that egg prices are finally under control.

They were going through the sky, the egg prices, he said in a recent speech. Now we have lots of eggs and theyre much cheaper, down about 59 per cent now. And theyre going down further.

But on the ground, its a different story.

In fact, egg prices in the US rose again last month. According to the latest figures, the average cost per dozen reached a new high of $6.23 (Rs 536) up from around $5.90 (Rs 507) in February and $4.95 (Rs 426) in January, reported CBC News. So while the supply might be improving slightly in some areas, the cost remains steep for everyday consumers.

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Easter without eggs? Some are making it work

In light of the shortage and rising prices, families are finding creative ways to preserve Easter traditions without relying on actual eggs.

Food blogger Lexi Harrison, who co-runs Crowded Kitchen with her mother, put her own spin on the classic peanut butter chocolate egg. Using a blend of peanut butter, almond flour, and maple syrup, she crafted egg-shaped treats and dipped them in white chocolate coloured with matcha and blue spirulina powder.

Her video featuring the pastel creations has racked up more than 64 million views across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, with over 30,000 comments.

The experience reminds people of the joyful experiences they had in their own childhoods, and people want to keep that alive, Harrison said, noting that egg-dyeing kits have actually seen a 20 per cent sales boost this year.

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Even so, Harrison admitted that eggs have been hard to come by in Michigan. More than half the time Ive been to the store in the last month, theres been no eggs, she said. Ive never really been a fan of boiled eggs.

As for John Young, the spirit of the tradition at Youngs Jersey Dairy remains strong, even if this years eggs are plastic.

Plastic eggs can be just as fun, he said. But Im hoping we can get back to the tradition next year.

With input from agencies
Christies is selling The Golconda Blue diamond at its auction for the first time. Once part of the Indian royal heritage, the 23.24-carat pear-shaped gem is the largest vivid blue diamond to ever go under the hammer. It is estimated to fetch up to Rs 430 crore read more

The Golconda Blue diamond, a 23 carat blue diamond to be offered for auction, is seen at Christie's auction house in New York City, US, April 11, 2025. Reuters

Christies is auctioning the largest vivid blue diamond to ever go under the hammer. Dubbed The Golconda Blue, it was once owned by Indian royalty.

The diamond traces its origin to the famed Golconda mines in present-day Telangana. The British auction house will present the striking blue gem at its Magnificent Jewels sale on May 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, Switzerland.

Lets take a closer look.

History of The Golconda Blue

The Golconda Blue was a part of Indias royal heritage. According to Christies, the 23.24-carat pear-shaped diamond was once owned by the Maharaja of Indore, Yeshwant Rao Holkar.

Holkar and his wife were known for their sophisticated tastes and elegant lifestyle in the 1920s and 1930s.

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In 1913, Tukoji Rao Holkar III, the father of Yeshwant Holkar and the then Indore ruler, obtained the popular Indore Pear diamonds from the French luxury jewellery and watch house, Chaumet. According to Chaumets records, he was shown two magnificent and inseparable pear-shaped diamonds of 46.70 and 46. 95 carats.

Ten years later, Tukoji commissioned Chaumet to set his pear-shaped Golconda blue diamond into a bracelet.

In 1933, Holkar appointed the Parisian jewellery house Mauboussin as his official jeweller. The French company redesigned the Indore kings royal collection and created a long flowing necklace for both the Golconda Blue and the Indore Pears.

The neckpiece was immortalised in French artist Bernard Boutet de Monvels portrait of Maharani of Indore  Sanyogita Bai Holkar  who is seen wearing the jewellery while dressed in the vogue style of the 1930s.

The Indore Pears were purchased by New York jeweller Harry Winston in 1946. He cut the diamonds to 44.14 and 46.39 carats and kept them in his personal collection, as per Phillips Auction House.

Winston acquired the 23-carat blue diamond in January 1947. Later, he set it in a brooch alongside a similar white diamond weighing 23 carats. The famed jeweller later sold the brooch to the Maharaja of Baroda.

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Winston then reacquired the brooch and resold it as a newly designed jewel, ending the blue diamonds journey with the Indian royalty.

The Golconda Blue diamond will be auctioned by Christies in May. Reuters

The Golconda Blue to be auctioned

The Golconda Blue, which is estimated to fetch $35-50 million (Rs 302-431 crore), will be sold at Christies auction for the first time. It is mounted in a contemporary ring by celebrated jewellery artist, JAR.

Exceptional noble gems of this calibre come to market once in a lifetime, Rahul Kadakia, Christies International Head of Jewelry, was quoted as saying by Forbes. With its Royal heritage, extraordinary colour, and exceptional size, The Golconda Blue is truly one of the rarest blue diamonds in the world.

While The Golconda Blue is the largest diamond to go under the hammer, it will fail to live up to the most expensive diamonds sold at auction.

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The 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue was sold for more than $57.5 million (Rs 495 crore) at Christies Geneva auction in May 2016. Currently, it is the most costly fancy vivid blue diamond to be auctioned, as per Forbes.

In April 2022, the 15.10-carat De Beers Blue was sold at Sothebys Hong Kong auction for a whopping $57.4 million (Rs 494 crore).

Other famous Golconda diamonds

The Golconda diamonds are the worlds finest transparent and rare gems.

Some of the most famous Golconda stones include the Koh-i-Noor, the Agra Diamond, the Hope Diamond at Americas Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Darya-i-Nur in Iran and The Princie Diamond.

At 45.52 carats, the Hope Diamond is the largest known fancy blue diamond.

With inputs from agencies
Satellite photos suggest that North Korea is building its biggest-ever warship at the Nampo shipyard, around 37 kilometres southwest of the capital, Pyongyang. The ship, likely a guided-missile frigate (FFG), is intended to carry missiles in vertical launch systems and hit targets on land and sea read more

The Center for Strategic and International Studies says North Korea's under-construction ship is likely a guided-missile frigate (FFG). Image courtesy: X

Is North Korea building its most advanced warship?

Thats what new satellite photos suggest.

The ship appears to be under construction at North Koreas Nampo shipyard  which is around 37 kilometres southwest of the capital Pyongyang.

But what do we know about the warship? What do experts say?

Lets take a closer look:

What do we know?

As per CNN, the pictures were taken by independent satellite providers Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs.

Korea Joongang Daily reported that the ship is under construction on a floating dry dock of around 120 metres.

It appears to be in the outfitting phase  which is the last stage before delivery.

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The images dated April 6 revealed that the ship is around 140 metres (459 feet long)  which would make it double the size of any current ship in North Koreas navy.

This would make the ship compare favourably to the US Navys Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (505 feet) and its Constellation-class frigates (496 feet)  which are currently being built.

The ship is likely a guided-missile frigate (FFG), as per the Center for Strategic and International Studies said.

Frigates are multipurpose warships equipped for air defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine missions, as per Korea Joongang Daily

The FFG is approximately 140 meters (459 feet) long, making it the largest warship manufactured in North Korea, an analysis by Joseph Bermudez Jr and Jennifer Jun at the Center for Strategic and International Studies stated.

The images dated April 6 revealed that the ship is around 140 metres (459 feet long)  which would make it double the size of any current ship in North Koreas navy. Image courtesy: X

The length of the construction hall is around 175 meters, as per 38North.org.

Since the ship is covered in camouflage, its precise details cannot be confirmed.

However, the length of the ship and the construction means the vessel is likely to have a helipad and hangar.

A crane near the ships bow suggests work is nearing completion on the anchor winch mechanism, sonar subsystem, or even a deck gun.

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CSIS experts believe the ship could be the same one that Kim Jong-un inspected in early March.

It is unclear whether the new vessel is one of the two helicopter frigates (FFH) that North Korea declared it was manufacturing to the International Maritime Organization in 2023, the CSIS report states. If the frigate is equipped with helicopters, it would only be the second time the Korean Peoples Navy has done so.

As per MSN, the North Korean Navy has around 400 patrol boats and 70 submarines.

However, many of them are in old and small.

What do experts say?

MSN quoted experts as saying the ship is intended to carry missiles in vertical launch systems.

It will be able to hit targets on land and sea.

Experts are unsurprised by the existence of the warship.

They point the finger at Russia for helping North Korea.

Kim Duk-ki, a retired South Korean admiral, told CNN that Moscow may be aiding North Korea will technology for the vessels missile systems.

But others are less concerned.

Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain and Hawaii-based analyst told the outlet that getting the hull and propulsion system right is the easy part.

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However, modern warships represent an integration challenge of communications, electronics, weapons, and both electronic and acoustic sensor technologies which is not so easily achieved, Schuster added.

Schuster said the work is likely to take over a year.

This ships construction is being delayed by the lack of the superstructure, sensor and weapons systems intended for installation, Schuster added.

But Kim offered a final word of warning.

If North Korea equips the new frigate with the hypersonic ballistic missile it claimed to have successfully tested in January, that will cause a game changing impact in the regional security, Kim told the outlet_._

With inputs from agencies
A man, accused of kidnapping and murdering a five-year-old girl in Karnataka, was killed by police on Sunday while attempting to flee. The 35-year-old, identified as Ritesh Kumar from Patna, Bihar, faced charges of murder under the Pocso Act, along with attacking and attempting to kill police officers read more

The girl was playing nearby when the accused allegedly lured her away. Screengrab/IANS

A man accused of kidnapping and killing a five-year-old girl earlier on Sunday was shot dead by the police later that evening while trying to flee in Karnataka.

The man was booked for murder under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

ALSO READ | Madhya Pradesh rape horror: The story of 5-yr-old raped, bitten by drunk teen neighbour

Notably, the police have not confirmed whether sexual assault took place. They said that a medical examination is being carried out and investigations are ongoing.

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In this report, we look at how the accused was killed, what happened to the 5-year-old girl, and what the police have said so far.

What happened?

The man has been identified as 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar, originally from Patna, Bihar.

He was charged with murder under the Pocso Act, as well as for attacking and trying to kill police officers, according to news agency PTI.

According to police, he allegedly abducted and killed the girl on Sunday morning in an area that falls under the Ashok Nagar police station in Karnataka.

#WATCH | Hubbali, Karnataka: N Shashi Kumar, Police Commissioner, Hubbali, Dharwad, says, " In the Ashok Nagar PS area, a 5-year-old girl was found in one of the abandoned buildings. She was shifted to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival...we have taken up the complaint pic.twitter.com/VfD2XUwHYa  ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025

Her body was recovered from an abandoned building later in the day, officials confirmed.

N Shashi Kumar, Police Commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad, said, Based on CCTV footage and leads from locals, the accused was taken into custody and interrogated for three to four hours. He shared very little information and failed to establish his identity conclusively. However, the CCTV footage clearly captures him committing the crime.

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He added that Kumar had not returned to his hometown for several years and had been doing odd jobs in different places.

He is believed to have arrived in Hubballi two to three months ago and was living in an abandoned house near the Tarihala underpass, the Commissioner said.

Investigators suspect the child may have been sexually assaulted before she was killed, but confirmation is awaited pending the post-mortem report, The Indian Express reported.

Police said that the man approached the girl with chocolates on Sunday morning. Her parents work as a painter and domestic help. Her mother had taken her along to the home where she was employed.

The girl was playing nearby when the accused allegedly lured her away.

When the girls disappearance came to light, her mother raised an alert. Neighbours joined in to look for her and eventually found her body in a deserted part of Adhyapaka Nagar in Hubballi.

The incident led to massive outrage in the area. Locals gathered outside Ashok Nagar police station and held a protest demanding justice.

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ALSO READ | The shocking case of Pune woman raped inside ST bus by man out on bail

The encounter

According to the commissioner, Ritesh attempted to run away after throwing stones at the police team that had taken him to the place he had been staying, intending to retrieve documents and confirm his identity.

Kumar said Ritesh gave very little information during questioning and was unable to prove his identity.

Karnataka: In Hubballi, a 35-year-old man named Ritesh Kumar from Bihar, accused of abducting, raping and murdering a 5-year-old girl, was killed in a police encounter after attempting to escape. Three police officers were injured during the incident pic.twitter.com/S3Vx73zump  IANS (@ians_india) April 13, 2025

To verify his identity and collect any documents, he was taken to his place of stay. Suddenly, he threw stones at the police vehicle and attacked the officers before trying to flee, he said.

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He continued, Our woman officer, PSI Annapurna, fired a warning shot in the air. When he did not stop, two to three rounds were fired at him. One bullet struck his leg, and another hit his back.

A separate case for attacking and attempting to murder police personnel has also been registered. Further investigation is underway.

One sub-inspector and two other officers were injured in the conflict and have been admitted to hospital.

Ritesh was taken to the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute in Hubballi, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Karnataka: Police Commissioner, N Shashi kumar says, "This morning in the Vijayanagara area, within the Ashok Nagar police station limits of Hubballi-Dharwad City Commissionerate, a four to five-year-old girl's body was found in an abandoned shed. Following verification of CCTV https://t.co/z5AvW0npVB pic.twitter.com/UMyX81syog  IANS (@ians_india) April 13, 2025

Police confirmed that they are continuing with the probe and have also dispatched a team to Patna to gather more details about his history and previous whereabouts.

He had confessed to the crime, they said.

When asked if there had been any evidence of rape or sexual assault, the Commissioner responded, There is no information as of now. The cause of death and any possible assault will be verified through further investigation.

ALSO READ | Kerala double murder: How murderer on bail returned to kill his victims husband, mother-in-law

Did the accused try to hit a woman cop?

Karnataka Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed said on Sunday that the police opened fire in self-defence after the accused allegedly tried to attack a woman officer.

He dismissed any suggestion of a lapse in law and order and said the force had responded appropriately.

The commissioner has given me the information that the accused tried to hit the lady inspector, and in self-defence, she had to fire at him. It is not a failure of law and order. Our police are competent enough to take action, so have they, he said.

With inputs from agencies

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India is one step closer to securing Mehul Choksis extradition. On Saturday (April 12), the fugitive diamond trader was arrested by the police in Belgiums Antwerp at the request of Indian agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The 65-year-old diamond trader is wanted in India in the infamous Rs 13,850-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case read more

Mehul Choksi has been detained in Belgium after India's extradition request over his role in PNB loan fraud. File image/PTI

After Tahawwur Rana, is India finally going to get its hands on Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamond trader wanted in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case? On Saturday (April 12), it seemed more plausible after the Belgian police arrested the diamond trader at the behest of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and is still in jail.

The move comes after media reports earlier confirmed that the businessman is living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a residency card there. He had moved to the European country from the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, citing medical reasons.

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India has been seeking his extradition after he, along with his nephew, jeweller Nirav Modi, fled India in January 2018 before the Punjab National Bank loan fraud case came to the limelight.

Arrest of Choksi in Belgium

At the behest of the CBI, the Belgian police arrested Choksi in Antwerp on Saturday. The arrest comes after Belgium had confirmed to India in late March that the 65-year-old diamond trader was in the country, writing in a communique that they were aware of his presence and attached great importance and attention to it.

Indian authorities had then requested their Belgian counterparts to initiate his extradition to India, Associated Times, a media outlet that focuses on the Caribbean region, said.

On his arrest on Saturday, the Belgian police referred to two open-ended arrest warrants issued against him by a Mumbai court. These were dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021.

However, Choksi is expected to seek bail and an immediate release, citing ill health and other reasons.

Punjab National Bank Scam whistleblower Hariprasad SV said that it will be very difficult for India to get Choksi back home as he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process. Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad recalled the time when Choksi succeeded in evading the process when he was caught in Dominica.

Extradition is not an easy task. Choksis wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Mallya has been doing. I dont think it is going to be easy for India to get him back, he said.

When he was caught in Antigua and other islands, he could manage to get out of it because he has a fleet of lawyers. But I wish and hope that this time, the Indian government will succeed, Hariprasad said.

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Choksi, reportedly, moved to Belgium from Antigua and Barbuda after he was granted an F Residency Card by Belgian authorities on November 15, 2023. According to the Associated Times, the diamond trader obtained the residence card by allegedly providing false declarations and forged documents to Belgian authorities. Moreover, he also failed to disclose his existing citizenship in India and Antigua.

Mehul Choksi on the run

Sixty-five-year-old diamond trader Choksi is the owner of Gitanjali Group, a retail jewellery firm with 4,000 stores in India. It is reported that Choksi, whose father and uncles were also jewellers, always wanted to be the Vijay Mallya of the diamond world.

He chased the larger-than-life image by hiring actresses and models to push his ornaments, sponsoring horse races at the turf clubs and even hiring French executives to add sheen to his sales and marketing, reported Pavan Lall for Business Standard.

In 2018, it all came crumbling down for Choksi when he was first implicated in the alleged fraud against PNB in which the CBI alleges that he and his nephew, Nirav Modi, allegedly siphoned off Rs 13,850 crore of public money using fraudulent letters of undertaking  making it one of the biggest scams in Indian banking history.

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Shortly before he was implicated in the fraud in January 2018, he and his relatives flew out of India with it later being found that he had applied for Antiguan citizenship in May 2017.

On January 15, 2018, he took the oath of allegiance to Antigua and was living there since.

Mehul Choksi in a wheelchair as he arrives to the magistrates court in Roseau, Dominica on June 4, 2021. File image/AP

However, in 2021, he went missing from Antigua and was soon found in Dominica, another Caribbean island nation. According to reports, Choksi decided to flee from Antigua to Cuba in order to avoid extradition to India. But, his plans went awry and he was captured by Dominican authorities when en route to Cuba.

Later, in 2023, he was granted residency in Belgium. In an attempt to evade Indias justice system, he then made plans to relocate to Switzerland claiming he was seeking medical treatment at Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, a well-known cancer hospital.

Mehul Choksi and the PNB scam

While famous, Mehul Choksi became a household name in India in the beginning of 2018 when the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate booked him, his nephew, Nirav Modi, and several officials of PNB for defrauding the bank to the tune Rs 13,850 crore.

It was found that they allegedly used a letter of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials of the banks Brady House branch in Mumbai. He later used it to secure overseas credit from foreign banks.

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Businessman Mehul Choksi attends the Gitanjali Lifestyle 1,000 m guinea race and Milap fashion show in Mumbai. File image/AFP

An LoU is a guarantee issued by a bank that allows the banks customer to raise short term credit from a foreign branch of another Indian bank. The fraud lies in the fact that there were no securities kept in places before the LoUs were issued to Choksis companies.

It is reported that PNB isnt the only entity to be an alleged victim of Choksi. According to media reports, Gitanjali Gems also fell behind on payments for loans obtained from ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Additionally, it was determined that Choksis jewellery store violated various FEMA regulations.

Choksi is being prosecuted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, along with various provisions related to cheating, criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code, and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

However, the PNB issue wasnt his first brush with the law. In July 2013, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in consultation with Sebi had debarred Choksi, among others, from trading, for securities market violations relating to trading in his company, reported the Indian Express.

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While India has been working hard to extradite Choksi, the jeweller through his lawyers has been arguing that he was suffering from blood cancer and unfit for travel. But, Indian officials have countered, stating that if Choksi was capable of flying from Antigua to Belgium for medical treatment, he could also return to India, where adequate care was available.

Meanwhile, his nephew, Nirav Modi, remains in a UK prison as he continues to contest extradition proceedings initiated by Indian authorities.

With inputs from agencies
A 17-year-old boy, Nikita Casap, has been arrested by federal authorities in Wisconsin for allegedly killing his parents and using their money to plot the assassination of President Donald Trump, and overthrowing the US government. Authorities found material on Casaps phone linked to The Order of Nine Anglesdescribed as a network of individuals holding neo-Nazi racially motivated extremist views read more

Nikita Casap allegedly told the classmate that he was in communication with someone in Russia and that they were working together to overthrow the US government and assassinate Trump. Image courtesy: X/ @H2BlackO, AFP

A 17-year-old boy from Wisconsin is at the centre of a terrifying double murder and an alleged conspiracy to assassinate US President Donald Trump and overthrow his government, federal authorities said in newly unsealed court documents.

The teen, identified as Nikita Casap, is accused of killing his parents in a calculated move to finance a disturbing plan that involved assassinating Trump, [bringing] in chaos, and starting a revolution, the affidavit quoted from the court document said.

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Casap has since been arrested and now faces nine serious felony charges in Wisconsin.

But who is Nikita Casap? And what exactly were the sinister plans he hoped to execute? Heres a closer look.

The shocking double homicide

The horrifying chain of events began in February 2025, when police discovered the bodies of Nikita Casaps mother, Tatiana Casap, 35, and stepfather, Donald Mayer, 51, at their home in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

According to The New York Times, Tatianas body was found buried under blankets near the kitchen, while Mayer was located in a first-floor office with a gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators believe both were shot and killed on February 11. Their severely decomposed bodies were only found nearly two weeks later, during a welfare check conducted on February 28.

Disturbing:



Nikita Casap, only 17YO, was charged with the 1st degree murder of his parents and hiding their corpses. He lived with their dead bodies for at leat 12 days. They were decomposed beyond recognition.



He killed them to get their money to further his desire to kill pic.twitter.com/d73LdR0IqR  Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) April 14, 2025

Shortly after the discovery, Mayers vehicle was reported stolen. That same evening, officers in WaKeeney, Kansas, stopped the car during a traffic checkonly to find Casap behind the wheel, as noted in the criminal complaint.

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Inside the vehicle, authorities recovered $14,000 (Rs 12.05 lakh) in hundred-dollar bills, jewellery valued at more than $14,000, and a .357 Magnum revolver registered to Casaps father.

Authorities now allege that the brutal killing of his parents was a calculated move. By eliminating them, Casap intended to steal their money and resources, giving him both the funds and freedom to pursue a disturbing plan targeting the US President.

Killing Trump would bring in chaos

As authorities dug deeper, they uncovered something even more disturbing.

According to the Waukesha County Sheriffs Office, authorities discovered disturbing material on Casaps phone linked to The Order of Nine Anglesdescribed in the federal affidavit as a network of individuals holding neo-Nazi racially motivated extremist views.

Donald Trump was surrounded by US Secret Service agents during an assassination attempt in 2024. File photo/AP

Alongside this, officers uncovered photos and messages that referred to a self-described manifesto regarding assassinating the president, making bombs, and terrorist attacks, the affidavit stated.

Among the materials seized was a three-page document in which the FBI says Casap explicitly called for the assassination of President Trump. The goal? To trigger political upheaval in the US and save the white race.

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As to why, specifically Trump, I think its pretty obvious. By getting rid of the president and perhaps the vice president, that is guaranteed to bring in some chaos, the document read, according to the affidavit.

The same document reportedly included images of Adolf Hitler, alongside chilling text: Hail Hitler Hail the white race hail victory.

Authorities also found files and messages showing Casap had researched how to turn a drone into a weaponised attack tool. The FBI believes he had already paid, at least partially, for a drone and explosives to carry out an assault.

Photos of both the front and back of Mayers credit and debit cards were also discovered, as well as login credentials to a bank account, CNN reported, citing the affidavit.

Casap later revealed he planned to befriend someone who owned a gun so he could steal it, CNN reported, citing the affidavit. He also allegedly told the classmate that he was in communication with someone in Russia and that they were working together to overthrow the US government and assassinate Trump.

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Also read: How fit is Donald Trump, Americas oldest-elected president?

Whats next?

The 17-year-old high school student now faces a total of nine felony charges in Waukesha County. These include two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of concealing a corpse, along with charges of identity theft and theft exceeding $10,000 (approximately Rs 8.6 lakh).

Casap remains in custody, with his bail set at $1 million (Rs 8.6 crore).

He appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on April 9 in connection with the murder of his parents, though he did not enter a plea at the time.

His arraignment is scheduled to take place in May, where he is expected to respond formally to the charges against him.

With input from agencies
Bangladeshi model and actress Meghna Alam has been arrested after alleging she had an affair with a Saudi diplomat. Alam claimed the diplomat, who is married, is attempting to silence her with help from the Bangladesh authorities. The manner of Alams arrest  during a 12-minute livestream on her Facebook page by people who broke down her door and seized her phone  has also spurred outrage read more

Meghna Alam, a Bangladeshi model and actress, has been detained under the Special Powers Act, 1974. Image courtesy: @HumayraAfrin1

Bangladesh has arrested a model  for threatening diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, according to several media reports.

Meghna Alam, a Bangladeshi model and actress, was arrested by the Dhaka police last week.

Alam has been detained under the Special Powers Act.

But what happened? What do we know about Alams claims?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

Alam, who won the Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020 contest and is the chairman of the Miss Bangladesh Foundation, was arrested by the police on April 9, as per Hindustan Times.

The police claimed Alam allegedly posed a threat to public safety, law, and order.

She was detained by the cops under the Special Powers Act, 1974.

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The Act, also known as the Preventive Detention Law, allows people to be held without a trial and for an indefinite period.

As per Daily Star, under Section 3(2) of the Act a district magistrate or additional district magistrate can order someone detained whose actions threaten national security, public safety, or public order, incite hatred between communities or groups, interfere with law enforcement, disrupt essential supplies or services, spread fear or alarm, or harm the countrys economic or financial interests.

The police said she was arrested for falsely accusing important individuals with an intent to threaten Bangladeshs diplomatic ties.

These important individuals are foreign nationals, AFP news agency quoted police spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman as saying.

The court has sent Alam to Kashimpur jail in Dhaka.

It ordered her detained for 30 days.

What do we know about her claims?

As per The Daily Star, Alam was arrested after alleging she had an affair with a Saudi diplomat.

She claimed the diplomat was now trying to silence her  with help from the Bangladesh authorities.

Alam prior to her arrest put up several posts on Facebook claiming that the diplomat  a married man  had an affair with her.

Those posts have now been deleted.

However, Alams father Badrul has backed up her claims.

Dawn quoted Badrul as saying she was in a relationship with the previous Saudi ambassador to Dhaka.

The ambassador and Meghna were in a relationship, and my daughter refused his marriage proposal because he already has a wife and children, he said.

Badrul said his daughter contacted the mans wife and broke off the relationship.

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I have heard that the diplomat contacted the home ministry. On Thursday night, the Detective Branch told me that the home ministry instructed law enforcers to take action under the Special Powers Act, Badrul told the Daily Star.

But thats not all.

The manner of Alams arrest has also caused controversy.

As per Hindustan Times, Alam before her arrest also appeared on a live stream on her Facebook page.

Alam alerted the viewers that some people who claimed to be policemen were at her doorstep.

The 12-minute footage shows Alam telling the men carrying firearms to leave.

She said she would go to the police station and cooperate.

The footage, which was abruptly cut off, shows these individuals breaking into Alams flat and taking her phone.

The video was also later deleted  along with Alams earlier posts.

Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallik told the Daily Star a man named Sameer was also detained in this connection.

He has reportedly been charged with blackmailing a foreign diplomat.

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Dawn quoted Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, as saying that proper procedures were not observed during Alams arrest

There are some allegations against her; however, the arrest under the Special Powers Act was not carried out properly, Nazrul said.

Her detention was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs. A high-level meeting involving senior government officials has been held in this regard. We are aware of the comments made by various human rights activists concerning the incident. The police are currently investigating the matter, Asif Nazrul added.

Nazrul however did not say the law should be abolished.

There should be no repressive laws. We can easily repeal any law if we wish. However, there are political considerations. We dont want to take such a hasty decision where a law is repealed today and political parties dont support it tomorrow, Nazrul said.

Many including Amnesty International South Asia have criticized Alams arrest.

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The draconian legislation, with vague, overbroad provisions, has historically been used to arbitrarily detain people for long periods of time, without charge, and without judicial oversight. These all constitute gross violations of due process safeguards and international human rights standards and best practices, Amnesty wrote on X.

As per media reports, Meghnas detention was shrouded in secrecy, and was allegedly carried out without a warrant, which are considered to be an alarming violation of procedural safeguards.

We call on the authorities to either charge Meghna with an internationally recognizable crime or release her. They must also end the use of and repeal the Special Powers Act.

With inputs from agencies
Medical experts have officially recognised a lesser-known diabetes, known as Type 5 diabetes. The condition is common among young, malnourished adults, with doctors estimating that there are an estimated 20-25 million people worldwide, mainly in Asia and Africa, afflicted by this form of the disease read more

Diabetes is one of the worlds leading diseases: in 2024, the number of people suffering from this condition increased to a whopping 800 million, with more than half of those aged over 30 who have the condition not receiving treatment. In fact, a study published in The Lancet last year found the global prevalence of diabetes has doubled since 1990 to 14 per cent from around seven per cent.

Now, as the world battles with diabetes, medical experts have officially recognised malnutrition-related diabetes as a distinct form of the disease, known as Type 5 diabetes.

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The move comes at the recently held International Diabetes Federations (IDF) World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.

But what exactly is Type 5 diabetes and how does it vary from the previously known Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes? Heres what we found out.

World wakes up to Type 5 diabetes

At the recently concluded World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, the International Diabetes Federation officially recognised Type 5 diabetes as a new condition. The designation stems largely from the research and advocacy of Meredith Hawkins, MD, MS, professor of medicine, the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Medicine, and founding director of the Global Diabetes Institute at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Malnutrition-related diabetes has historically been vastly under-diagnosed and poorly understood, said Dr Hawkins. The IDFs recognition of it as Type 5 diabetes is an important step toward raising awareness of a health problem that is so devastating to so many people, she added.

But what exactly is Type 5 diabetes?

It is a malnutrition-related diabetes, typically affecting lean and malnourished teenagers and young adults in low- and middle-income countries. Today, there are an estimated 20-25 million people worldwide, mainly in Asia and Africa, who are afflicted by this disease.

But, interestingly, this isnt the first time that Type 5 diabetes or malnutrition-related diabetes has been spoken of. It was first described years ago with the first cases being reported in Jamaica in 1955. At the time, malnutrition-related diabetes was defined as J-type diabetes. In 1985, the World Health Organization included it in its classification but then omitted it in 1999 due to a lack of follow-up studies and supporting evidence.

Type 5 diabetes was first described years ago with the first cases being reported in Jamaica. Representational image/Pixabay

How Type 5 diabetes varies from other diabetes

To understand how different is Type 5 diabetes from the other forms of it, lets first understand the different types of this condition.

Theres Type 1 diabetes, which is a chronic autoimmune disease where the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to a lack of insulin, which is essential for allowing glucose (sugar) to enter cells for energy.

Diabetes that is caused by obesity is known as Type 2 diabetes. Today, it accounts for the majority of diabetes cases in developing countries.

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Meanwhile, the American Diabetes Association classifies Type 3 diabetes as caused due to single genes, exocrine pancreatic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, or drug/chemical-induced diabetes. Type 4 is gestational diabetes.

According to Dr Hawkins, she first learned of malnutrition-related diabetes in 2005 while teaching at global health meetings. Doctors from various countries told me they were seeing many patients with an unusual form of diabetes, she said.

The patients were young and thin, which suggested that they had Type 1 diabetes, which can be managed with insulin injections to regulate blood sugar levels. But insulin didnt help these patients and in some cases caused dangerously low blood sugar. Nor did these patients seem to have Type 2 diabetes, which is typically associated with obesity. It was very confusing.

This led her to do further research that revealed that there were differences between Type 5 diabetes and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The studys main findings revealed that those with this form of diabetes have a profound defect in the capacity to secrete insulin, which wasnt recognised before.

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Moreover, Type 5 diabetes is seen in people with extremely low body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m2, said Dr Nihal Thomas, senior professor, department of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, Christian Medical College, Vellore, who collaborated with Dr Hawkins on studying this condition.

Medical experts have noted that those with Type 5 diabetes are insulin deficient, not insulin resistant. Representational image/Pixabay

Treating Type 5 diabetes

Dr Hawkins said, Malnutrition-related diabetes is more common than tuberculosis and nearly as common as HIV/AIDS, but the lack of an official name has hindered efforts to diagnose patients or find effective therapies.

She added that the formal recognition of Type 5 diabetes would help in battling this disease, which is often fatal.

But how do you treat Type 5 diabetes? While there arent clear guidelines, data suggests that small amounts of insulin along with oral agents may be the most effective.

Speaking to Medscape Medical News, she added, I suspect that their nutrition should include much higher amounts of protein and lower amounts of carbohydrates, plus attention to deficient micronutrients but this needs to be carefully studied now that there is global will and an official mandate from [the International Diabetes Federation] to do so.

Burden of diabetes worldwide

The identification and formal recognition of Type 5 diabetes comes at a time when the global prevalence of diabetes keeps rising. A Lancet study found that rates of diabetes in adults doubled from approximately seven per cent to about 14 per cent between 1990 and 2022.

It reported that 828 million people over the age of 18 have the condition, up approximately 630 million people over the three decades. According to experts, growing levels of obesity are fuelling an epidemic of Type 2 diabetes.

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With inputs from agencies
Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium following a request for extradition from India. Choksi was the key accused in the Rs 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case read more

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi was arrested by Belgian authorities on Saturday at the extradition request issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The infamous diamond merchant was the key accused in the Rs 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case that rocked the Indian banking institution.

Sources close to the matter told The Economic Times that Choksis arrest was based on two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai court, dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021. Earlier, Indian officials had asked Belgium to initiate extradition proceedings for the fugitive after he was located in the country.

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Sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Economic Times that Choksi was allegedly planning to move to Switzerland for medical treatment at a cancer hospital before he the arrest. The Ministry of External Affairs has yet to comment on the matter.

Choksi likely to file for bail

While the CBI sought his immediate detention, Belgian authorities sought a formal extradition request from Indian authorities. It is pertinent to note that Choksi is a resident of Antigua and was travelling to Europe to seek medical treatment.

Sources told The Economic Times that Choksi is likely to seek bail and immediate release due to ill health and other reasons. Meanwhile, Indian agencies will be working on opposing Choksis bail and seeking his extradition. CBI and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) have charged Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, with corruption and money laundering for allegedly defrauding PNB of 13,400 crore while colluding with bank officials.

In February this year, Choksi told the Mumbai court that he was suffering from blood cancer and is due to start radiation therapy, so cant travel to India to stand trial. He then filed a separate application in the special court in Belgium, claiming that he had been suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and lymphoma since 2023.

In January, news broke out that ED had zeroed in on the alleged proceeds of crime totalling nearly Rs 80 crore held abroad by Choksi. The Indian agency then reached out to several countries, asking them to monetise the assets and transfer the proceeds to India. The authorities are now seeking ways to return the money to the victims of the alleged fraud.

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According to The Economic Times, the agency identified five properties owned by Choksi and his entities in Thailand, Dubai, Japan and the US. In December last year, the ED said that it had started restoring assets worth over Rs 2,500 crore as part of its probe in the case.

In pursuance to the order, the process of handing over of assets has been initiated and properties worth more than Rs 125 crore have been handed over to the liquidator of Gitanjali Gems, the federal agency said in a statement.

With inputs from agencies.
When alive, he was kept on the margins of mainstream politics. And post-demise, there was a grand Neruvian design to confine him to being the leader of Dalits and untouchables read more

Every nation has its heroesand villains. There is nothing wrong with it. The problem begins when there is an attempt to invent greater heroism or villainy merely to highlight greater wickedness or goodness in some of the chosen ones. This phenomenon isnt just confined to Bharats ancient and mediaeval times. In the modern era, too, not long ago, those in the corridors of power seemed to believe, for instance, that Mahatma Gandhis greatness wont be substantial unless the contributions of his contemporaries on the other side of the politico-ideological divide were negated, if not totally nullified. This explains why history has been unkind to someone like Netaji Subhas Bose and Veer Savarkar.

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Ironically, the list of also-rans includes someone who is officially deified today; Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar has the maximum number of statues erected after him across the country, barring, perhaps, Mahatma Gandhi. Yet, not many would have faced the kind of calumny he encountered when he was aliveand also after he was dead.

When alive, Ambedkar was kept on the margins of mainstream politics. And post-demise, there was a grand Nehruvian design to confine him to being the leader of Dalits and untouchables. His intellectual brilliance, constitutional expertise, economic excellence, civilisational understanding and empathy for the idea of Bharat were stripped away. The Ambedkar that remainedor was allowed to remainwas merely the statues erected at all the major city squares of the country. Statues with no soul intact.

The real Ambedkar was a brilliant scholar and economistNobel laureate Amartya Sen would call him the father of my economics. Several institutions in modern India, such as the Reserve Bank of India and Central Water Commission, were the result of Ambedkars foresight. Yet, this double PhD holder from Columbia University and the London School of Economics was kept on the sidelines by the Nehruvian dispensation as a Dalit prop. This pushed him to resign from the Nehru Cabinet.

Ambedkar bemoaned in his resignation letter, Many ministers have been given two or three portfolios so that they have been overburdened I was not even appointed to be a member of the main Committees of the Cabinet such as Foreign Affairs Committee, or the Defence Committee. When the Economics Affairs Committee was formed, I expected, in view of the fact that I was primarily a student of Economics and Finance, to be appointed to this Committee. But I was left out.

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One of the finest legal minds of his time, Ambedkar believed in both the democratisation of government as well as the democratisation of society. For him, the two had to complement each other if the ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity were to work seamlessly in the country. Also, in his worldview, law and morality, constitutionalism and ethics went hand in hand. Yet, had the Congress had its way, Babasaheb wouldnt have even become a member of the Constituent Assembly. He was made to lose the elections from Bombay and had it not been for the support of Jogendra Nath Mandal, a prominent Dalit leader from undivided Bengal, the Father of the Indian Constitution wouldnt have entered the august house in the first place.

The real Ambedkar was also Bharats foremost civilisational warrior. We are often reminded of his I will not die a Hindu statement. We are often told how Ambedkar believed that no real reformation was possible in Hinduism, given its obsession with the degrading and discriminatory caste system. But we are not told about his views on other religions, especially Islam. He went to the extent of calling Islam a closed corporation as he objected to the alienating distinction it made between Muslims and non-Muslims.

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No doubt, Ambedkar didnt die as a Hindu, as he had prophesied. But contrary to what certain vested elements would want us to believe, he didnt die out of the Indic fold either. He chose Buddhism, which was deeply rooted in Bharats Sanatana ethos. Above all, Ambedkars love for the Sanatana tradition was absolute. His personal sufferings, and also the discriminations being meted out to his fellow beings in the lower castes, didnt blind him to the Sanatana realities.

Ambedkar was also an ace social anthropologist. His paper on caste at a conference in Columbia (1916) was believed to be the first serious academic study of the origins and practice of the caste system in Bharat. He used his anthropological lens to mock the Aryan invasion theory. He would have gained most from the Aryan-Dravidian divide, but he didnt give it a hoot. Whether a tribe or family was racially Aryan or Dravidian was a question which never troubled the people of India until foreign scholars came in and began to draw the line, Babasaheb wrote in a paper published in 1918. At another place, he cited several instances where the rishis of the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda wished glory to Shudras, and on several occasions, a Shudra became the king himself. He also flatly rejected the theory that the untouchables are racially different from the Aryans and the Dravidians.

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Ambedkar, born into an untouchable Mahar family in 1891, grew up facing a life of extreme poverty and discrimination. But over the years, he could not just grow over poverty and deprivation but also see through Bharatiya society in totality. After all, for every upper-caste Hindu who abused him directly or indirectly, there were people like Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the ruler of the Baroda princely state, and his second wife, a Brahmin by birth, who went out of the way to look after him. For every Parsi who berated him for his caste in Baroda, there was Naval Bhathena, another Parsi, who helped him immensely in life.

The time has come to stop seeing Ambedkar as a mere Dalit leader. He was Bharats civilisational warrior.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
India needs to employ all its elements of national power to dissuade Bangladesh from becoming a Chinese pawn or another Pakistan read more

Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has moved closer to China and Pakistan, much to the dismay of Indian interests. File image/Reuters

After the dramatic exit of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has started gravitating towards Pakistan and China, straining relations with India. A new bonhomie between Bangladesh, China and Pakistan is taking shape silently, which does not augur well for Indias strategic interests and regional stability.

As China expands its influence in the region through its Belt and Road Initiative, and as Pakistan deepens its Islamist, economic and military ties with Beijing, India finds itself in a precarious position with the possibility of a third front power play.

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Pakistan has started gaining influence in Bangladesh, nudged by the Chinese lobby deeply ingrained in Bangladeshs armed forces, bureaucracy, foreign ministry and civil society. A pro-Pakistan Islamist lobby is gaining a voice in Bangladeshs bureaucracy, civil administration, armed forces and civil society, steering the country close to Pakistan.

This has also engineered the rise of Islamist radicalism, proliferating pro-Pakistani Islamist organisations. Such a trilateral axis is most beneficial to China on another front threatening India. Close Dhaka-Islamabad ties automatically translate into Pakistan regaining its influence in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshs interim governments chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has recently gone to the extent of overtly playing the Chinese card by issuing a veiled threat to Indias northeastern states while appealing to China to extend in the region.

The reported Chinese request to develop Bangladeshs Lalmonirhat Air Base, unserviceable since World War II, into a fully functional military airfield barely 40 km from Indias Siliguri Corridor adds another thorn in the India-Bangladesh relationship. These rhetorics do not augur well for a stable South Asia and Bangladeshs long-term interests, which are bound by its geography with India.

China-Bangladesh Relations: From Connectivity to Arming for Strategic Intent

China has made a major ingress, investing nearly $40 billion in the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh, building critical infrastructure, including developing its deep-sea port in Payra, multimode connectivity and the energy sector. The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project has been significantly funded and executed by Chinese firms. Similarly, the strategically located Payra Port along the Bay of Bengal is undergoing modernisation with Chinese financing and engineering. China has reportedly expressed renewed interest in Matarbari Deep Sea Port, signalling its broader maritime ambitions.

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The economic leverage is also exploited by China, Bangladeshs largest trading partner, with bilateral trade of over $25 billion in 2023, with the balance in trade hugely in Chinas favour.

Chinas defence aid and technology transfer are also on a strong wicket, with China having supplied 78 per cent of Bangladeshs weapons and being the largest supplier of military hardware to Bangladesh. Bangladesh has acquired submarines and stealth corvettes, significantly enhancing its naval capabilities.

Besides, China has assisted in the establishment of the BNS Submarine Base near Coxs Bazar, sparking speculation about future Chinese submarine access. Beijing has also supplied surface-to-air missile systems and UAVs, further cementing bilateral defence ties. The Bangladesh Army has been trained and equipped with Chinese tanks; its navy has Chinese frigates and missile boats; and the Bangladesh Air Force flies Chinese fighter jets. The military assistance runs deep.

Perhaps most discerning is Chinas request to develop Lalmonirhat Air Base. This WWII-era airstrip, unused for decades, lies just 40 km from the Siliguri CorridorIndias strategic choke point connecting the mainland to the northeast. If developed into a modern airbase, it would enable advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) coverage over the eastern Indian theatre, permit potential forward deployment of Chinese military assets under the pretext of joint exercises and exert strategic pressure during conflicts.

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At the same time, Dhaka has quietly increased its defence cooperation with Turkey, purchasing Bayraktar TB2 drones, a move that has raised eyebrows in New Delhi.

India-Bangladesh: Between Strategic Patience and Brewing Tensions

Relations between India and Bangladesh soured post-ouster of Sheikh Haseena in August 2024. Bangladeshs interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has played the China and Pakistan card to antagonise India. The new regimes unwillingness to curb rising Islamist influence and violence against minorities has unnerved Delhi.

Indias disquiet deepened after Yunus visited Beijing, where he described Indias northeastern states as landlocked and pitched Bangladesh as a maritime gateway, suggesting Chinese involvement. To Delhi, that was more than diplomatic posturing; it was a strategic red flag which drew flak.

Delhi kept its message clear but cautious, calling for a democratic, stable, and inclusive Bangladesh and raising concerns about minority safety, illegal border crossings, rhetoric, and law and order. India has also sent a clear message by stalling major connectivity and development projects, declining a Yunus visit before Beijing, and omitting Bangladesh from key regional forums like Raisina. Yet it has also extended pragmatic cooperation, such as concessional rice exports, signalling that its doors remain open, conditionally based on its behaviour.

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Economically, Bangladesh is under stress. Upcoming Trump-era tariffs on garments and a faltering economy can make Dhaka more vulnerable. Meanwhile, India is emerging as an alternative export hub. The interim government, reportedly hosting radical Islamist elements, now faces growing instability, military tension, and accusations of drifting toward China and Pakistan.

The message from Delhi is subtle but firm: realign or risk irrelevance. India withdrew the trans-shipment facility in April 2025, granted to Bangladesh since 2018 to export goods to third countries. It comes in the wake of Bangladesh playing the China card. This Indian move will hit Bangladeshs apparel exports, already under pressure from the American tariffs that would be imposed once the 90-day pause ends.

Pakistans Role: The Invisible Hand of Destabilisation

While China uses statecraft, Pakistans ISI focuses on covert operations. The greatest threat to India is not the external domain but another internal domain front being ignited by radical Islamist forces on its northeastern borders. This threat is invisible but will have a maximum adverse impact.

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The ISI aided, armed and trained militant outfits of North East India who were provided shelter in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina had put a stop to all that by dismantling the ISI network in her country, but now under the new dispensation, it has flourished again. Radical Islamist groups in Bangladesh, especially Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and Hefazat-e-Islam, have been covertly funded and exploited by ISI operatives. The ISIs objective is clear: to surround India with hostile ideological environments and weaken its internal stability through hybrid warfare.

Indias Strategic Response: A Convergent Engagement Strategy

Bangladesh, post the change of regime, has seen the rise of radical elements and political instability, posing a significant security threat to India. It has also been exploited by China and Pakistan, especially the ISI, presenting multi-layered challenges to Indias strategic security environment. A hostile or lack of even engagement could further push Bangladesh towards China and Pakistan. Thus, it requires a strategic construct of a convergent multipronged strategy to address Bangladesh as under:

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Diplomatic Engagement: India Must Revitalise its Relationship with Bangladesh

Expedite the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement, a major sticking point in ties.

Expand Track II diplomacy through think tanks, academic exchanges, and cultural forums.

Develop people-to-people ties via tourism, business summits, and shared cultural programmes.

Military Preparedness:

Upgrade the operational readiness with a denial and domination strategy of deterrence with modern ISR, YASs systems, air defence, in-situ defensive and strike battle groups and matching logistics. Non-kinetic and non-contact capabilities need to be built.

Engage in defence diplomacy with Bangladesh. Conduct joint exercises and capacity building, particularly in the anti-terror and maritime domain, with the Bangladesh military to build trust and interoperability. Encourage defence exports to Bangladesh.

Optimise the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project to provide a strategic and economic engagement in the region.

Expedite the IndiaMyanmarThailand Trilateral Highway (IMT-TH) to establish a seamless road link between India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand. Connectivity connects.

Economic Initiatives:

Deepen trade ties with concessional tariffs and joint ventures in sectors like textiles, IT, and pharmaceuticals.

Offer alternatives to BRI through partnerships with Japan, the EU, and the US under the Blue Dot Network.

Ensure timely completion of Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) motor vehicle agreements and India-Bangladesh rail connectivity projects.

Counter-Radicalisation and Security:

Strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms with Bangladesh to monitor ISI-backed elements.

Support cyber surveillance and online radicalisation monitoring via tech cooperation.

Deploy community policing and outreach programmes in vulnerable Indian states to prevent infiltration.

Conduct covert operations to stymie ISI design, including terror funding.

International Partnerships:

Raise awareness in forums like the UN, QUAD, and G20 about Chinas military dual-use infrastructure.

Lead the formation of a South Asian Infrastructure Resilience Initiative to provide transparent financing for regional projects.

Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) operations in the Bay of Bengal to check Chinese malintent.

Conclusion

The emerging China-Bangladesh-Pakistan nexus needs to be kept under a scanner, as it can be disruptive. India will need to employ all its elements of national power to dissuade Bangladesh from becoming a Chinese pawn or another Pakistan. India must act with vision, confidence, and proactivity to safeguard the geographic and ideological integrity of the Indian state.

The author is former Director General, Mechanised Forces. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The British left India in a hurry because of Subhash Boses influence and the Indian National Army, and in this journey of independence, Moirang has earned its right to be counted as a historic place read more

The place: Silpakorn Theatre, Bangkok; the time : June 15 to 23, 1942. Rashbehari Bose was realigning the Indian Independence League with the Council of Action members led by him and four othersN Raghavan, Captain Mohan Singh, KPK Menon and Col Gillani. It was now or never, and one needed to take advantage of the Japanese belligerence. After all, just a month ago, on May 10, 1942, they had started bombing Imphal. There someone gave the idea that a gentleman was lurking somewhere in Germany and would be more than useful. The same was incorporated as point number 20 in the minutes.

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The Bangkok resolution unfortunately ran into rough weather as some insurmountable differences cropped up between Rashbehari and Mohan Singh, one of the prime members of the council and, incidentally, the founder of the Indian National Army. Netaji Bose, then in the high seas, sat alone in an U180 in the midst of yet another daring and unheard adventure.

Bose arrived in Singapore on July 2, 1943, after completing a three-month-long perilous journey from Kiel to Sabang. Two days later Rash Behari formally handed over the presidency of the IIL. The INA was revived and recharged courtesy of its charismatic leader.

Bose knew that the lack of a national army and a national government were two of the biggest hindrances in her fight for freedom. The formation of a provincial government would be the precursor to the final struggle. October 21, 1943, was the momentous occasion when the provincial government was formed.

Most pertinently, the foresight of Netaji could invoke the careful reasoning of forming a proper government before waging war. Also, an eventual setback, if any, would still ensure respectful treatment of the INA PoWs. The government, apart from its well-structured armed forces, including a womens wing, had its own bank too. Such was his rapport with the Japanese that within six months of his arrival, he and his government had started independently ruling the Andaman and Nicobar Islands alongside the Ziawadi Estate in Burma.

Field Marshal Count Terauchi, the Japanese commander-in-chief (C in C), Southeast Asia, however, didnt think too highly of the INA and certainly not battle worthy, except for some special service units and propaganda groups. With great difficulty Count Terauchi agreed on one regiment. After all, he couldnt refuse Netaji.

The command of the first division was entrusted to Md Zaman Kiani, ex 14th Punjab regiment of the British Indian Army. This division had three brigades, all guerilla regiments, named after Gandhi, Azad and Nehru, led by Inayat Jaan Kiani, Gulzara Singh and Aziz Ahmed, respectively. In September 1943, the fourth Guerrilla Brigade was formed at Taiping in Malaya out of those of the first division. It was called the Subhas Brigade, and the onus of commanding it was left to Col Shah Nawaz Khan.

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Simultaneously General Aziz Ahmed Khan was shifted to the second division, where he, along with Col G S Dhillon of the Nehru Brigade and Col N S Bhagat of the No. 5 Guerilla Regiment, was a prime mover of this fighting unit. Later a third division under General GR Nagar was also formed. All three divisions were under Col Jagannathrao Krishnarao Bhonsale, Chief of Staff, who was reporting to Commander in Chief Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. By January 1944, the first division started for Burma. The regiment consisted of three battalions led by Major PS Rathuri, Ram Singh and Padam Singh.

Lieutenant General Renya Mutaguchi, Commander of the Japanese 15th Army, finally decided on the plan of action. He called it Operation U. It had to start with his 55th div attacking the British in Arakan on February 4, 1944, as a diversion to the main offensive. The main attack to capture Imphal was launched by the 31st division led by Lt Gen Sato, the 15th division led by Lt Gen Yamauchi and the 33rd division led by Lt Gen Yanagida.

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While the Homalin Tomanthi headquarters of the 31st division was to enter Imphal from the north after capturing Kohima, the 15th division with headquarters at Thaungdut was to enter Imphal from the east from Ukhrul. The Kalimyo-based 33rd div would operate a week earlier than the two and enter Imphal via Tamu Moran and Palel in the east and Tiddim in the south.

Around two hundred INA soldiers (Bahadur Group - Special Services) attached to each division were engaged in Arakan, Manipur and Nagaland, respectively. The headquarters were remarkably strategic, with each of them facing vertically the three British divisions, the 17th, 20th and 21st Army, led by Lt Gen Cowan (HQ Tiddim), Lt Gen Gracey (HQ Kabaw Valley) and Lt Gen Roberts (HQ Imphal), respectively. The battle lines were clearly drawn. Although the INA officers were feeling hard done by the lack of Japanese cooperation, they were in amazingly high spirits.

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Thus, on February 4, 1944, as planned, Azad Hind Fauz went into action for the first time on the Arakan Mountains, and Taung Bazar was captured the same day. With the advancement of the Japanese Army into Burma, the INA had transferred its headquarters to Rangoon. Netaji had made a clarion call to all and sundry to be a part of the journey. Pamphlets were in massive distribution, and that led an inspired local movement, Praja Sammaleni, of the Manipuris to join the INA en masse.

The Bahadur Group  special services  were already in the front line with the Japanese and were attached to various Japanese units in batches of ten. The Arakan Sector was commanded by Major LS Mishra and Major Mehar Dass; the Kohima Sector, by Major Maghar Singh and Ajmer Singh; while the Imphal Sector was led by Lt Col Shaukat Ali Malik.

Sactabin in the Kaladan was captured on March 1, and four days later, Kalan was occupied. Tiddim was gone by March 7, and both Yamauchis 15th division and Satos 31st division were now across the Chindwin River. The very next day, Fort White was reduced, and the entry into India through Manipur was cleared with the fall of Lanacot on March 12. On March 18, 1944, came the news that the Kennedy Peak on the Indo-Burma Frontier bordering Ukhrul was occupied by the Subhas Brigade under Shahnawaz Khan. The next day early in the morning, they reportedly hoisted the national flag for the first time on Indian soil. Toungjam and Ukhrul gave in on the 20th and 21st of March prior to the famous battle of Shangsak on the 24th.

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Simultaneously from the east, through Moreh and Pallel, the Gandhi Brigade under Inayat Jani Kiani was also rampaging towards Imphal, prompting the transshipment of one British division from Arakan to Imphal. Moreh fell on March 31, and the very next day Kabaw and Tamu were captured.

The most potent division was the 33rd Nippon division, as they had the Subhas brigade for company. They followed the retreating 17th Division, crossed the Indian border on March 19th and then thrust deep into the southern hill ranges. They were rampaging so fast that the retreat was over by 13th April.

Prof Modhu Singh of Moirang College says in an interview to the author that two bombs were fired from the southern Khoingoujeng hills at Moirang on the evening of April 12, and a fierce encounter took place between the British and the INA soldiers at Phougakchaokhai and Tronglaobi. A large column of the British forces was seen fleeing towards Laiga stream and Chengei. The INA and the Japs were wasting no time to occupy the vacated areas. And ushering in thus the Moirang day. April 14, 1944.

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K Kanglen Singh, M Koireng Singh, L Sanaba Singh and M Mani Singh, four passionate locals, reached Tronglaobi, 4 km south of Moirang, early in the morning and started negotiating with the Indo-Japanese advance party. In spite of the scorched earth policy of the British, which included the burning of residential thatched houses by spraying oil from airplane, the outcome was sealed. The locals were celebrating the Cheiraoba, the lunar new year festival, that day, but a bigger ceremony was waiting to happen. The locals had, after all, provided food to the Indo-Japanese forces numbering about 1000 for three months.

At about 5 PM, Col Shaukat Ali Malik, Commander of the Bahadur group, Imphal Sector, hoisted the tricolour with the Springing Tiger as an emblem at the historic Moirang Kangla to mark the liberation of Moirang and its neighbouring villages. Many Japanese soldiers were witnesses to this historic event. All abandoned British arms and ammunition were collected by the locals and handed over to Col Malik.

Capt. Ito of the 33rd Japanese Mountain Gun regiment then addressed the gathering along with Col Malik, whose address in Manipuri was translated by M Koireng Singh, who later went on to become the Chief Minister of Manipur. From nearby Chamol (INA Advance base camp), a gasping Lungdam, a Kuki, with a message from Netaji, handed the message slip to Gulapchand Singh, the medical officer. The joy doubled instantly. Next, they declared Moirang as their advance headquarters at the residence of H Nilamoni Singh, INA. The thrilled locals of Moirang thus became the first liberated people of India post a proper ceremony.

Both Tengnoupal and Pallel were taken over on April 20, almost at the same time as Moirang. The divisional headquarters of the provisional government was set up at Tengnoupal, where Governor-designate Manipur, Col A C Chatterjee, resided. The joint forces kept Kohima under their control for 21 days, blocking all land traffic between Imphal and the rest of the country.

An earlier flag hoisting by Netaji took place at Port Blair on December 30, 1943, but that was without any bloodshed and fighting. The flag hoisting at Kennedy Peak lacked a proper ceremony. Moirang had both in abundance, and thats what sets it miles apart and makes it historically majestic.

This battle of Imphal/Kohima triumphed over more celebrated battles of D-Day and Waterloo and was chosen as Britains greatest battle in history in a contest organised by the National Army Museum, London.

Authentic documents from British archives declassified in 1971, having signatories such as the Viceroy Field Marshal Viscount Wavell, the C in C Sir Claude Auchinleck and other functionaries of the Intelligence Department and the then Secretary of State for India Lord Pethick Lawrence, throw light on the actual reasons for their ultimate decision to quit India at the earliest. These seminal documents belong to top British authorities who were directly involved with the final decision of the grant of independence.

The fact cant be kept under wraps for too long that the British left India in a hurry because of Boses influence and the Indian National Army. And in this journey of independence, amongst countless holy shrines, Moirang has earned its right to be counted as a significant pilgrimage centre.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
After Indias success in countering terrorism in the Kashmir Valley, Kathua is being focused deliberately by Pakistan-backed proxy elements because of a blend of geography, security asymmetries, and strategic signalling read more

Its never easy understanding the dying embers of terror, separatism or a largely neutralised proxy war. One loves to imagine that its all finally over; victory is on the cards; in fact, its already there. And then something small happens, a minor setback that refuses to become bigger; remaining small adds to its nuisance value.

The moment it becomes bigger, its easy to swat it away physically. This is not a model very far from that which has emerged in the last 18 months or so in the Jammu region and is seen to be perpetuating itself in the Kathua sub-region in recent weeks.

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This is a typical challenge of conflict termination in a hybrid scenario which most security forces around the world do not study professionally. The Israeli Defence Forces are stuck in a morass of this kind, trying to remove the dying embers in Gaza, and they keep flaring back. In such situations, small actions are always considered big. This is not easily understood or discussed, and hence it needs analysis, especially in the context of Kathua.

What has Pakistan been attempting to do in the Jammu region, especially the sub-region of Kathua? The intent, doctrine and strategy being followed need identification. Keeping the Indian Security Forces (SF) stretched and distracted is the basic intent.

Too much money, time and blood have been invested in the Jammu and Kashmir proxy war by Pakistan to allow this to languish and see India gain full internal stability, allowing progressive normalcy and growth under the current government in Delhi. With the thinning of Army presence in parts of the Jammu sector (especially after redeployment to Ladakh), Pakistan had spotted a vacuum in 2023. Its intent was to upset the force allocation and deployment of resources, particularly troops and attention, away from strategic sectors like Ladakh and Kashmir.

Gaining propaganda value and disrupting the rising morale after the abrogation of Article 370 was important for Pakistan. For that it did not need thousands of terrorists. A handful of well-trained terrorists led by a few competent regulars was sufficient to gain tactical and psychological effect.

Regular attacks in Jammu, a region largely pacified and peaceful, tended to cock a snook at India. In Kashmir its never easy for terrorists to go beyond the one-off success because of the density of troops. Hence, Jammu became the region of focus.

All this was not just to disillusion Indias audience but also to bolster morale among disillusioned separatist elements and sleeper cells. By continuing to activate the southern front, Pakistan aims to stretch the Indian counterterror grid, forcing it to cover more ground across difficult terrain.

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India did well even after some initial setbacks in the Jammu region. Redeployment was smoothly executed, as was the strengthening of the grid. The dangerous areas of Surankote, Rajouri and Kalakote were retrieved back to near normalcy and full stability, but for now the focus shifted to Kathua. The question is, why Kathua?

Kathua has been chosen very deliberately by Pakistan-backed proxy elements, and the reasons reflect a blend of geography, security asymmetries, and strategic signalling. Kathua sits at the trijunction of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. The terrain includes forests, riverine gaps, and deep nullahs, making it ideal for infiltration and concealment. Unlike the high-altitude zones in Rajouri or Kashmir, Kathuas undulating terrain is less hostile for movement and logistics.

The IB (International Border) in the Kathua sector is fenced, but fencing is not impenetrablerivers and nullahs often create gaps or make repair difficult, especially post-monsoon. Unlike the LoC areas where the Army mans the front, the IB counter-infiltration grid is much thinner, particularly in terms of response time and layered surveillance.

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Terrorists may infiltrate via Punjab (Gurdaspur-Pathankot belt) and enter Kathua, exploiting the interstate border grey zone. Kathua has large rural belts and relatively sparse settlement clusters, unlike the tighter habitation patterns in or around Jammu. This delays detection and gives infiltrators time to establish temporary safehouses or stage attacks.

The Rashtriya Rifles footprint in Kathua is virtually non-existent compared to Poonch, Rajouri, or Kupwara, making Army deployment sparse and reliant on rapid mobilisation.

Pakistans military assessment would have revealed that the proficiency of the Indian Army, the J&K Police and the CRPF is centred west and north of Jammu, where militancy and terror abounded, in the Northern Command area of responsibility.

Traditionally it has been much less to the south and east, which is anyway under the Armys Western Command, a premier force much more oriented towards conventional operations. Pakistan may have perceived Kathua as an ideal opportunity to keep the slow fire burning to create relevance for Pakistan in the Indian security matrix, without triggering massive retaliation. Negative events in and around Kathua disrupt the national highway (NH-44) and logistics arteries towards J&K and Ladakh.

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They serve to create noise far from the centre of gravity, which in Pakistans perception always revolves around Kashmirs territory and its people. It confuses media narratives and divides operational attention. A small, symbolic success in Kathua creates the illusion of a wider insurgency, something Pakistan wants to project without deploying too many resources.

Kathua has one more distinct strategic advantage for the other side: its proximity to Punjab. Pakistan may be perceiving that keeping such an area active allows it the scope to later proliferate towards J&K or Punjab, and in the extreme contingency, both states.

So, what must India do besides the routine military search and destroy operations? The situation demands a more precision-based doctrinal approach. A single commander from the Army must be appointed, and a revamped, localised Unified Command comprising officials of both Punjab and J&K needs to emerge early.

GOC 9 Corps, with a tactical headquarters at Pathankot, should be the natural choice for this, and his hands must be strengthened. Operations cannot be centred on a kills pattern; body count is irrelevant when a handful are involved. An innovative method of empowerment of locals and a very energetic outreach through a contact programme will enhance awareness.

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A welfare-oriented all-of-government programme which dovetails responsibility of the locals too is a must. Operation Sadbhavna must not be repeated in its old mould; it needs a full review but is a solid model to base our response upon.

There is a last reason for recommending the employment of the Army against a handful of terrorists which ordinarily would be assessed as within the capability of local police forces. This is the Armys launch pad too, and its also the crucial area where the logistics lifelines to J&K flow. Military security is therefore crucial. Keeping this secure may be anyones responsibility, but the Army has to keep a watch on the area and have full control over it. The latter in the modern world means control over potentially disruptive networks too.

We have done splendidly in Kashmir and parts of Jammu; theres no reason why we cannot repeat full success in Kathua.

The writer is a Member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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The proposed site falls under the jurisdiction of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), a key location that links Greater Noida with Agra read more

Foxconn is reportedly in early discussions for setting up a facility in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Image Credit: Reuters

Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn is in early discussions to acquire 300 acres of land along the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh to set up its first facility in northern India, according to people familiar with the matter.

The proposed site falls under the jurisdiction of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), a key location that links Greater Noida with Agra and provides proximity to the upcoming international airport at Jewar.

This facility has the potential to be slightly bigger than its upcoming facility in Bengaluru, which is set to become the companys second-largest globally, The Economic Times quoted a person familiar with the developments as saying. The specific products to be manufactured at the new site have not yet been finalised, and discussions with Indian authorities are ongoing.

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Economic Times cited a second person as saying that the land under consideration is close to a 50-acre site already allotted to a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn for an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) unit. That project is currently awaiting government approval.

The Indian government proposed 300 acres for a Foxconn Industrial Park project last year, the second source was quoted as saying. Discussions are at an early stage and there are no plans regarding any specific products or customers yet.

Strategic move amid global shifts

The potential expansion in Uttar Pradesh comes as Foxconn looks to diversify its global operations amid rising geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics, including tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

Foxconn already operates facilities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. It has reportedly scaled down operations in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.

Indias rising role in global supply chains is making it an attractive hub for electronics exports.

Foxconn has significantly ramped up its operations in India. The company aims to produce 25 to 30 million iPhones annually in India  more than double last years output.

During his 2023 visit to India, Foxconn Chairman Young Liu said the companys next growth phase would focus on sectors beyond smartphones, including information and communication technology, electric vehicles, energy, and digital health.

Definitely, we want to move up the value chain as much as we can in India, Liu said at the time.

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Efforts towards a new truce have stalled, reportedly over disputes regarding the number of hostages to be released by Hamas, with 58 people still held in the Palestinian territory. read more

People check the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on the Al-Ahli hospital, also known as the Baptist or Ahli Arab hospital, in Gaza City on April 13, 2025. AFP Photo

Hamas is willing to release all Israeli hostages if Israel agrees to a comprehensive prisoner exchange, ends its military campaign in Gaza and allows humanitarian aid to enter the territory, a senior Hamas official said on Monday.

The announcement followed Hamass departure from Cairo after talks with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, who are working with the US to broker a ceasefire.

We are ready for a complete exchange of captives, provided it comes with a serious agreement, an end to the aggression, a withdrawal of Israeli forces, and unrestricted aid access, said Taher al-Nunu.

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He accused Israel of stalling progress in the negotiations, saying, The issue is not how many captives we hold, but that the occupation is reneging on its promises, prolonging the conflict, and blocking the ceasefire process.

Hamas has therefore stressed the need for guarantees to compel the occupation (Israel) to uphold the agreement, he added. Israeli news website Ynet reported on Monday that a new proposal had been put to Hamas.

Under the deal, the group would release 10 living hostages in exchange for US guarantees that Israel would enter negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire. The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19 and included multiple hostage-prisoner exchanges, lasted two months before disintegrating.

Efforts to reach a new ceasefire in Gaza have broken down, reportedly due to disagreements over how many hostages Hamas would release, with 58 individuals still believed to be held in the enclave.

Highlighting the stalled negotiations, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of the captives, criticized the phased-release proposal. The phased method wastes valuable time and jeopardizes all of the hostages, the group said. We demand the only feasible and just solution: end the war and return all the hostages at once.

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Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated that the group would not give up its armsan Israeli precondition for ending the war. The weapons of the resistance are not up for negotiation, Nunu declared.

According to the Israeli military, militants initially took 251 hostages during the October 7 attack; 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 believed to be dead. Gazas health ministry reported that 1,613 Palestinians have been killed since March 18, when the last ceasefire collapsed, bringing the overall Palestinian death toll to 50,983 since the war began.

With inputs from agencies
Greeces Defense Minister Nikos Dendias signed the agreement for the 16 Exocet missiles with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, who was on a one-day visit to Athens. read more

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, front left, and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, front right, inspect the guard of honour before their meeting in Athens, Greece, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo)

Greece signed an agreement Monday with France to purchase 16 Exocet anti-ship missiles from France as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen its defenses amid heightened tensions with neighbouring Turkey.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu who was in Athens for a one-day visit, finalised the deal. However, the cost of the agreement was not disclosed.

This missile acquisition adds to Greeces growing military relationship with France, which has already seen Greece purchasing two dozen Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra-class frigates. Dendias also mentioned ongoing discussions for a fourth frigate, while France supplies Greece with NH-90 military helicopters. The two countries are also cooperating on defense innovations.

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Despite both being NATO members, Greece and Turkey have a long history of disputes over territorial boundaries in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean, which have nearly led to conflict multiple times in recent decades.

Greece does not threaten, but is threatened, Dendias said in joint statements to the press with Lecornu. The two ministers did not take questions.

After their meeting, Lecornu and Dendias visited the French frigate Alsace, which is currently docked in Greeces main port of Piraeus. Lecornu also met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Greece and France signed a defense and security cooperation deal in 2021, which includes a mutual defense clause under which each would come to the others aid in the event of an attack.

Athens has said it will spend 25 billion euros ($27 billion) over the next decade to adapt its military to evolving high-tech warfare technologies.

Speaking in Parliament earlier this month, Dendias said Greece plans to shift from traditional defense systems to a high-tech, networked strategy centered on mobile, Artificial Intelligence-powered missile systems, drone technologies, and advanced command units  reducing reliance on conventional fleets.

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Greeces modernisation drive  launched after years of defense cuts during the 20102018 financial crisis  already includes all branches of the armed forces and focuses on cooperation with France, Israel, and the United States.

With inputs from agencies
The countrys embrace of Bitcoin is in line with its commitment to sustainability. Bhutans cold climate reduces cooling needs for mining equipment, and its abundant hydropower provides a clean energy source read more

Bhutan is increasingly looking towards Bitcoin to tackle its economic woes. Source: Reuters.

Long known for measuring progress through Gross National Happiness and environmental sustainability, Bhutan is taking a major step toward financial innovation by investing heavily in Bitcoin, the worlds most popular cryptocurrency.

The Himalayan kingdom, nestled between India and China, has quietly mined millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin in recent years, leveraging its surplus hydropower to run energy-intensive supercomputers. Bhutan is among the few countries worldwide that invest in digital assets at a national level.

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Its just a simple strategic choice that many people have made and earned billions of dollars, and I think governments should do it, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay had said in an interview in March.

Bhutan, the first country to become carbon-negative, uses its excess hydropower during summer months to support Bitcoin mining. The process involves using high-powered computers to solve complex mathematical puzzles, earning digital coins in return, according to a recent report by Al Jazeera.

Facing economic challenges

Bhutans move comes amid rising economic challenges, including a shrinking tourism sector and a growing brain drain. With a gross domestic product of $3.52 billion and a youth unemployment rate of 19 per cent in 2024, the country is turning to Bitcoin as a tool to offset financial strain.

Tourism, which once accounted for a key portion of Bhutans income, was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bhutan maintains strict visitor limits to preserve its environment, charging foreign tourists $100 per day in sustainable development fees, and $15 for Indian visitors. The country, capable of hosting about 300,000 tourists annually, welcomed just 150,000 in 2024.

Meanwhile, thousands of educated Bhutanese have migrated abroad in search of better wages, including over 10 per cent of the countrys skilled population in 2022. The loss has also impacted the civil services sector, which saw nearly 1,900 resignations in the first quarter of 2023. The number dropped to 500 in the same period of 2024, following a government move to double civil servant salaries using $100 million from Bitcoin sales.

Bitcoin holdings and sustainability

While Bhutan has not officially disclosed its total cryptocurrency holdings, blockchain intelligence firm Arkham estimates the nation holds over $600 million in Bitcoin as of April 9 equivalent to about 30 per cent of its GDP. The data also suggests smaller holdings in other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum and LinqAI.

The countrys embrace of Bitcoin is in line with its commitment to sustainability, according to analysts. Bhutans cold climate reduces cooling needs for mining equipment, and its abundant hydropower provides a clean energy source.

It is important for Bhutan to capitalise on the green energy we have in terms of mining Bitcoin as a part of our investment portfolio, said Ujwal Deep Dahal, CEO of Druk Holding and Investments, the investment arm of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

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Bhutans conservative approach to foreign investment and industrialisation has limited other economic options. But Bitcoin mining offers a rare opportunity to grow the economy without compromising on environmental values.

Being a small nation makes us a smart nation this is not out of choice but out of necessity, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck said in a 2019 address. Technology is an indispensable tool that will be necessary to realise this aspiration.
The European Commission confirmed recent updates to its security protocols, saying its diplomatic service was involved in crafting the guidance. However, it declined to elaborate on the specific measures. read more

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, File Photo- Reuters

Amid escalating security concerns and deteriorating transatlantic ties, the European Commission has started issuing burner phones and basic laptops to officials traveling to the United States, a precautionary measure traditionally reserved for visits to China and Ukraine.

According to the Financial Times report, the Commissions new guidance targets senior officials attending the upcoming IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, with instructions to avoid bringing standard IT equipment due to fears of potential US surveillance.

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Officials have also been advised to switch off mobile phones at the border and use protective sleeves to guard against electronic spying, it said.

Since Donald Trump assumed the US presidency, a dramatic shift in foreign policy has emerged. His administration has reinstated hard-line trade measuressuch as imposing fresh tariffs on European Union exportswhile simultaneously extending diplomatic overtures to Moscow.

Trump has also indicated a potential scaling back of Americas traditional security commitments to Europe, marking a stark departure from previous U.S. foreign policy norms.

Despite being long-standing allies, Brussels and Washington remain locked in tense negotiations on various fronts, including trade and technology regulation.

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is currently in Washington for talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick aimed at defusing a trade conflict over American tariffs on steel and aluminium. Although Brussels has approved retaliatory measures against 21 billion worth of US goods, it has yet to enforce them.

Tensions are also high over US criticism of EU digital policies, with American officials accusing Brussels of curbing free speech and interfering in democratic processesclaims fuelled by the EUs recent decision to bar a Romanian presidential candidate who gained traction through TikTok.

US border authorities have legal powers to confiscate and search travellers electronic devices. There have been instances of European academics and researchers being denied entry due to social media posts or content on their devices critical of US policy.

Last month, a French researcher was turned away after expressing dissent over US research regulations.

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To mitigate such risks, EU officials have been instructed to use diplomatic laissez-passer documents instead of their national passports when applying for US visas.
China and Vietnam signed dozens of cooperation deals on Monday, including on production and supply chains as well as railway cooperation, as Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Southeast Asian nation read more

China and Vietnam signed dozens of cooperation deals on Monday, including on production and supply chains as well as railway cooperation, as Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Southeast Asian nation, footage of the signed documents seen by Reuters showed.

The details and content of the agreements was not disclosed, and it was unclear if they involve financial commitments.

The visit comes as Beijing, Vietnams largest trading partner and a key source of materials and equipment for its manufacturing industry, faces the threat of 145 per cent tariffs being put on its exports to the US, while Vietnam is negotiating a reduction of its own threatened US tariffs of 46 per cent.

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Other deals that could be seen in the footage include those signed between the two countries trade and defence ministries and between their chambers of commerce.

Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son said on Saturday that the two Communist-run countries were expecting to sign about 40 cooperation deals during Xis visit.

Earlier on Monday, Xi Jinping in an article posted on Vietnamese state media called for stronger ties with Vietnam on trade and supply chains.
Xis first overseas trip of the year will see him visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia as Beijing seeks to tighten regional trade ties and offset the impact of huge tariffs unleashed by his US counterpart Donald Trump read more

Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned Monday that protectionism leads nowhere and that a trade war would have no winners, state media said, as he was due to kick off a tour of Southeast Asia with a visit to Vietnam.

Xis first overseas trip of the year will see him visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia as Beijing seeks to tighten regional trade ties and offset the impact of huge tariffs unleashed by his US counterpart Donald Trump.

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He will meet his three Southeast Asian counterparts on a tour that bears major importance for the broader region, Beijing has said.

Writing in an article published Monday in Vietnams major Nhan Dan newspaper, Xi urged the two countries to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment, Beijings Xinhua News Agency said.

He also reiterated Beijings line that a trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere, the agency added.

Beijing is trying to present itself as a stable alternative to an erratic Trump, who announced  and then mostly reversed  sweeping tariffs this month that sent global markets into a tailspin.

Vietnam was Southeast Asias biggest buyer of Chinese goods, with a bill of $161.9 billion, followed by Malaysia, which imported $101.5 billion worth in 2024.

Xi will be in Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday, his first trip there since December 2023.

Vietnam has long pursued a bamboo diplomacy approach, striving to stay on good terms with both China and the United States.

The two countries have close economic ties, but Hanoi shares US concerns about Beijings increasing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea as its own, but this is disputed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Brunei.

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The Chinese leader in his Monday article insisted Beijing and Hanoi could resolve those disputes through dialogue.

We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region, Xi wrote, according to Xinhua.

With vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation.
You think you understand whats going on here. OK, we respect your position  But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead, said Zelenskyy read more

US President Donald Trump shouts at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during their interaction with the press at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2025. Reuters File

A day after Sundays ballistic missile attack killed at least 34 people in Sumy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited his American counterpart Donald Trump to visit his war-ravaged country and witness the destruction wrought by Russia.

According to a Politico report, which cited an interview on the American news program 60 Minutes, Zelenskyy was asked whether he would invite Trump to Ukraine.

His response, With pleasure.

We want you to come, he said, addressing Trump directly, to come and to see.

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You think you understand whats going on here. OK, we respect your position  But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead, Zelenskyy was quoted as saying.

Zelenskyys appeal came just hours after a Russian missile strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy left at least 34 people dead and 117 others injured as they gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday.

The attack, widely condemned by Kyivs allies, stands as one of the deadliest assaults on Ukraine so far this year.

Come, look, and then lets  lets move with a plan how to finish the war, Zelenskyy said.

You will understand with whom you have a deal. You will understand what Putin did, he added.

The visit would not be staged with actors, Zelenskyy said, adding Trump could go exactly where you want, in any city shelled by Moscow.

On Sunday, the Kremlin launched two ballistic missiles at the city of Sumy, killing dozens of civilians who had gathered to celebrate a religious holiday.

The strike followed a separate Russian missile attack earlier this month on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, which left at least 18 people dead, including nine children.

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US President Donald Trump referred to Sundays strike as a horrible accident, though he offered no evidence to support the claim.

I think it was terrible, and I was told they (Russia) made a mistake, Politico quoted Trump as saying.

But I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing, he added.

Russia has consistently targeted civilian infrastructure throughout its three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Most recently, a Russian drone strike overnight hit a medical facility in Odesa, injuring at least five people.

Efforts led by President Trump to broker an end to the conflict have largely stalled. A US-mediated 30-day partial ceasefire was repeatedly violated by the Kremlin and has since expired.

Last week, US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in another attempt to advance peace talks. However, Putin rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire, instead issuing a lengthy list of demands for concessions from Ukraine as conditions for ending the war.

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On Saturday, Trump hedged that the Ukraine-Russia talks might be OK, but added, Theres a point where you need to either put up or shut up.

It is unclear whether he was referring to Russia or Ukraine.

With inputs from agencies
Despite steep tariffs from US President Donald Trump on China, the countrys exports to the United States rose 4.5% to log a trade surplus of $27.6 billion in March, according to official data read more

A view of ships under construction at the Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu province Friday, April 11, 2025. (Photo: AP)

Chinas exports jumped 12.4 per cent in March from a year earlier as companies rushed to beat increases in US tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, the government said Monday.

Imports fell 4.3 per cent, the customs administration reported.

It said exports from the worlds second largest economy rose 5.8 per cent in the first three months of the year from a year earlier while imports sank 7 per cent.

Chinas trade surplus with the United States was $27.6 billion in March as its exports rose 4.5 per cent. It logged a surplus of $76.6 billion with the US in the first quarter of the year.

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China is facing 145 per cent tariffs on most exports to the United States as of the most recent revisions in Trumps trade policies.

However, the biggest increases in exports were to Chinas Southeast Asian neighbors, which saw exports from China jump nearly 17 per cent in March from a year earlier. Exports to Africa rose more than 11 per cent.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was traveling to Vietnam on Monday as part of a regional tour that also will take him to Malaysia and Cambodia, giving him an opportunity to firm up trade ties with other Asian countries that also are facing potentially steep tariffs, though last week Trump delayed enforcing them by 90 days.

Chinas exports to Vietnam jumped nearly 17 per cent last month from a year earlier, while its imports fell 2.7 per cent.

While Xis trip likely was planned earlier, it gained significance amid the trade war between Washington and Beijing.

A customs administration spokesperson, Lyu Daliang, said China was facing a complex and severe external situation but that the sky would not fall. He pointed to Chinas diversified export options and huge domestic market.

When asked about falling Chinese imports, he told reporters that China has been the worlds second largest importer for 16 straight years, increasing its share of global imports from about 8 per cent to 10.5 per cent.

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At present and in the future, Chinas import growth space is huge, and the large Chinese market is always a great opportunity for the world, he said.

(This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
In an Oval Office meeting, Trump praised Nayib Bukele for opening his countrys prison system to house alleged gang members and detainees Trump wants to deport, and said he would send as many people living in the US illegally to El Salvador as possible. read more

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) speaks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, April 14, 2025. AFP Photo

El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele said that he had no intention of returning a man mistakenly deported from the United States during his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Trump warmly welcomed the 43-year-old Bukele  who calls himself the worlds coolest dictator  in the Oval Office, presenting him as a key ally in his push to deport undocumented migrants.

The meeting came amid questions over a father who was erroneously deported to El Salvador and sent to the mega-prison. A US court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return.

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The Trump administration has deported hundreds of people, mostly Venezuelans, to El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, including a Maryland resident it has acknowledged deporting by mistake.

Bukele said he did not have the power to return Salvadoran Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States.

The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Bukele said, echoing the Trump administrations claim that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang.

Trump, who came into office in January promising to reform U.S. immigration policy, has found a kindred spirit for that effort in Bukele. The migrants El Salvador accepts from the U.S. are housed in a high-security prison critics say engages in human rights abuses.

Trump met Bukele at the White House to discuss further cooperation on security and migration, El Salvadors embrace of Bitcoin, and tariffs.

Trumps immigration policies focused on what he says is the threat of a gang-led crime wave in the United States, are meanwhile among his most popular, receiving much higher ratings than on the economy.

You are helping us out, and we appreciate it, 78-year-old Trump told Bukele.

Trump also reiterated that he was even considering deporting some US citizens who commit violent crimes to El Salvador, saying Im all for it and asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to look into the idea.

Administrative error

Trump and Bukele also share a taste for conservative, strongman-style politics. They spent several minutes criticizing the media and then talking about the issue of transgender athletes in womens sports.

Shortly after Trumps inauguration for a second term, Bukele made the extraordinary offer to take in prisoners from the United States, in exchange for a fee of $6 million.

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Trump took the Salvadoran leader up on his proposal, sending more than 250 migrants there  a majority of them under a rarely used wartime law dating to 1798, which stripped the deportees of due process.

Slickly produced footage of their arrival  including chained and tattooed men having their heads shaved and being frog-marched by masked guards  was widely promoted by both the Salvadoran and US governments.

The Trump administration contends that the migrants are members of criminal gangs designated by the United States as terrorist organizations, including El Salvadors MS-13 and Venezuelas Tren de Aragua.

However, relatives of several of the men contend they have no connection to organized crime and in some cases had been swept up simply because they had tattoos unrelated to any gang activity.

The expulsion to El Salvador of Abrego Garcia has set off a major legal crisis, after the Trump administration admitted he had been deported in an administrative error.

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A federal judge ordered the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the United States, but Trump officials contend he is now solely in Salvadoran custody, leaving the man in legal limbo.

Despite the partnership, El Salvador was among the dozens of US trade partners that the Trump administration slapped with 10 percent tariffs earlier this month.

The United States is the main destination for Salvadoran exports. Of the nearly $6.5 billion in goods exported from El Salvador in 2024, $2.1 billion went to the United States, including clothing, sugar and coffee, according to the central bank.

But Trump and Bukele also share a fondness for cryptocurrency, with El Salvador becoming the worlds first country to establish bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.

With inputs from agencies
The fresh aid pledge came as EU foreign ministers met Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Mustafa in Luxembourg for the first meeting of high-level dialogue between the two sides. read more

European Commissioner for Mediterranean Dubravka Suica speaks to the media in Brussels, Belgium March 17, 2025. REUTERS

The European Union on Monday announced a 1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) aid package to support the Palestinian Authority and fund projects in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, as Israel widened its military campaign in the enclave.

Dubravka Suica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, said the financial support would go hand in hand with reforms of the Palestinian Authority, which has been accused by critics of corruption and bad governance.

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Over two-thirds of the two-year package will be allocated directly to the Palestinian Authority to boost financial stability, governance and private sector development, she said.

This is about governance, economic recovery and resilience, said Suica after meeting Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Luxembourg.

Our program aims to support the Palestinian people in building a sustainable future, said EU Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica. Its about the governing capacity. Its about advancing economic recovery. Its about strengthening the resilience of the private sector.

She said, A well-functioning and reformed Palestinian Authority must play a central role in the post-conflict governance of Gaza. This is our position.

Over 576 million euros ($653 million) in grants will fund projects in several sectors across the Palestinian territories, with 82 million euros ($93 million) going to the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency.

The private sector can benefit from up to 400 million euros ($456 million) in low-cost loans from the EU, the worlds largest aid donor to the Palestinians.

Brussels  the biggest international donor to the Palestinians  said the package would include 620 million euros in grants for the Palestinian Authority.

The funds will be linked to reforms on fiscal sustainability, democratic governance, private sector development and public infrastructure and services, the EU said.

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The rest will be made up of 576 million euros in grants for projects aimed at helping economic recovery in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

A further 400 million euros in loans would come from the blocs lending arm, the European Investment Bank.

The EUs new package follows the previous three-year support plan worth 1.36 billion euros from 2021 to 2024.

Despite being a major provider of aid, the EU has struggled to exert influence in the crisis as its 27 countries frequently differ in their approach to the conflict.

With inputs from agencies
Magyar, 44, and Orban, 61, have stepped up political hostilities as the country heads for a legislative election in a years time read more

Leader of TISZA party Peter Magyar poses on stage after addressing activists and sympathisers of the Hungary's TISZA (Respect and Freedom) party during a demonstration in Budapest on April 13, 2025. AFP

Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar put European Union membership for Ukraine at the centre of his campaign against nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a major rally Sunday.

The former government official, who has emerged as the main rival to the longstanding prime minister, promised a referendum on the divisive topic as he revealed the results of a nationwide survey carried out by his party.

Magyar, 44, and Orban, 61, have stepped up political hostilities as the country heads for a legislative election in a years time. Thousands cheered Magyar in Budapest on Sunday, a day after Orbans followers held a demonstration outside the European Union offices in the Hungarian capital.

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Magyar said more than 1.1 million people, from a population of 9.6 million, had answered questions in his Voice of the Nation survey carried out over the past month by thousands of supporters.

According to videos shared on social media, some of the volunteers were attacked by followers of Orban, an outspoken critic of the EU.

The 13 questions ranged from pensions to Hungarys international challenges.

Magyars Tisza party said that 98 percent of those who answered backed Hungarys membership of the European Union, while 58 percent supported Ukraines EU membership bid.

The results show that the subject divides society and so will be put to a legally binding referendum when we take power, Magyar told the rally.

Hungary, he added, would again become a proud and trusted NATO ally and a complete part of the EU.

Tisza now poses the biggest threat to Orbans rule since he became prime minister again in 2010. Several polls have indicated that Orbans Fidesz has lost its lead over the opposition.

Orban has said that Ukraines membership of the EU would ruin the 27-nation bloc.

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The government has said it will sent out ballots next week for a non-binding poll on whether Ukraine should be allowed into the bloc. It has previously used such polls to back its anti-EU stance.

A document accompanying the ballot claimed without offering evidence that EU finance intended for Hungary would be diverted to Ukraine, that cheap labour from Ukraine would take jobs from Hungarians and that epidemics would spread because not enough Ukrainians have vaccinations.
Hungarian lawmakers overwhelmingly backed constitutional changes targeting the countrys LGBTQ community and dual nationals, the latest step to strengthen longtime nationalist PM Viktor Orbans self-styled illiberal brand of democracy read more

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for the vote by representatives of the Hungary's Parliament to approve the constitutional changes further clamping down on rights for LGBTQ people and other groups in Budapest, Hungary on April 14, 2025. AFP Photo

Hungarys parliament on Monday passed a constitutional amendment allowing the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities and dual nationals a move legal scholars and critics say marks another step toward authoritarianism by the populist government.

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in power since 2010, faces elections in 2026 with the economy struggling and a new opposition party posing the strongest challenge yet to his rule.

Passed along party lines with 140 votes in favour and 21 against, the amendment was introduced by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The amendment said that people can only be male or female- echoing moves on gender by Orbans ally, US President Donald Trump. It also elevates childrens rights to moral, physical and spiritual development above all other rights except the right to lifeeffectively limiting freedom of assembly and expression in cases involving LGBTQ+ issues.

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It also allows the temporary stripping of citizenship from some dual or multiple nationals, which could target Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros, a regular fixture of populist conspiracy theories.

Ahead of the vote  the final step for the amendment  opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage. Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together.

The amendment declares that childrens rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungarys contentious child protection legislation prohibits the depiction or promotion of homosexuality to minors aged under 18.

The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBTQ+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands annually.

That law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events  such as Budapest Pride  and can come with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546).

Critics say the proposed legal changes further erode democratic rights in the central European country, moving the EU member state even closer to the kind of authoritarianism seen under Russias President Vladimir Putin.

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You could consider this soft Putinism, Szabolcs Pek, chief analyst at the think tank Iranytu Intezet, told AFP.

People are not falling out of the window, but the government is increasingly limiting the space for opposition politicians, journalists and civil society, he said.

With inputs from agencies
There is speculation that Iran is about to hand over the embassy in Tehran to the United States as a goodwill gesture during ongoing talks read more

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei listens to the national anthem as air force officers salute during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (Photo: AP)

As the United States and Iran have started talks, there is speculation about the handover of the US embassy in Tehran.

Iranian social media has been rife with speculation that the regime is about to hand over the long-shuttered embassy to the United States. If that indeed happens, it would be a major reproachment between the two sides.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the United States and Iran have not had diplomatic relations. The regime considers the United States as the principal enemy and calls it the Great Satan. During the Islamic Revolution, followers of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini seized the embassy and took 66 Americans as hostages and held 52 of them hostages for more than a year.

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Iran and the United States held indirect talks mediated by Oman in Muscat on Saturday. They are expected to have another round of talks this Saturday. While the talks are primarily focussed on the Iranian nuclear programme as part of US President Donald Trumps efforts to secure a deal to replace the scrapped agreement reached in 2015, the talks are also expected to bring about a reset in the bilateral relationship that have long been defined by open hostility.

Is Iran handing over the embassy to US?

Activist Hassan Younesi posted on X on Sunday that he had heard some groups and organizations stationed at the embassy building  have been ordered to evacuate it, according to Iran International.

Notably, Younesis father, Ali Younesi, is a former intelligence minister.

Even though Younesi later deleted the post, the conversations did not stop among Iranians on social media.

Some users suggested that the handover could be a goodwill gesture to make way for US investments into Iran, as per Iran International.

On its part, the Iranian media did not reported much on the rumours. The outlet Rouydad24 reported that the handover would be a very meaningful step if it indeed happens.

Even though the Iranian leaders initially responded dismissively to Trumps overtures, they have now joined indirect talks and appear to be wooing him.

Last week, President Masoud Pezeshkian said there were no objections inside Iran to US investments.

The leader [Supreme Leader] has no objection to the presence of American investors in the country. We oppose their flawed policies, such as conspiracies and attempts at regime change, said Pezeshkian.
Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel-winning Peruvian novelist whose storytelling and political convictions shaped Latin-American literature, passed away at 89. His versatile personality and unique style of writing earned him internation recognition. read more

Mario Vargas Llosa, a towering Peruvian novelist, Nobel laureate and a political thinker, passed away on Sunday (April 13) in Lima surrounded by his family. With a prolific career spanning over six decades in Latin-American Literature, his death marks the end of an era that shaped global perceptions of the region through his notable work in fiction.

Mario Vargas Llosas death on Sunday was announced in a statement on social media by his children. It is with deep sorrow that we announce that our father, Mario Vargas Llosa, passed away peacefully in Lima today, surrounded by his family, wrote his eldest son Alvaro in a message also signed by his siblings Gonzalo and Morgana Vargas Llosa.

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Here are five key things to know about the legendary author whose work inspired, challenged, and left behind a powerful legacy:

Personal life and upbringing

Mario Vargas Llosa was born to a middle-class family on March 28, 1936, in Arequipa, a city located in Southern Peru. At a young 14 years of age, his father sent him to Leoncio Prado Military Academy in Lima.

His early life was marked by harsh experiences in military school, which inspired his literary debut, The Time of the Hero. However, his book elicited severe criticism due to the militarys strong presence in the political arena. Vargas Llosa claimed that the school itself burnt 1,000 copies of the novel on its grounds.

A prolific and versatile writer

Throughout his career, Vargas Llosa produced a vast body of work that spanned from novels and plays to political commentary. His writings frequently bridged the gap between art and socio-political commentary.

His ability to scrutinise modern life, the complexities of human relationships and political and social norms made him a versatile writer.

His intellectual genius and vast body of work will remain an everlasting legacy for future generations, Perus President Dina Boluarte said in a post in X.

A titan of Latin American literature

Being a key figure in the Latin American Boom a literary movement of the 1960s and 1970s he brought international recognition to life in Southern America through his books. His novels such as The Time of the Hero, Conversation in the Cathedral and the Feast of the Goat not only pushed the boundaries of narrative fiction but also challenged the prevailing political and societal norms.

Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature

In 2010, Vargas Llosa received the Nobel Prize in Literature, honouring and recognising his decades worth of work and profound contribution to literature. The award celebrated his innovative style of writing and the way his work encapsulated the tumultuous political scenarios in Latin America while also exploring human relationships.

His Nobel Prize win solidified his status as one of the leading literary voices of his generation. Judges even dubbed him a divinely gifted story-teller.

A life intertwined with politics

Beyond his literary achievements, Vargas Llosa was actively engaged in the political landscape of Latin America. He ventured into politics and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of Peru in 1990 with the center-right Frente Democratico coalition, advocating for liberal reforms.

With inputs from Reuters.
Hariprasad SV, the whistleblower in the case of Mehul Choksi, has warned that the diamantaire will try to bribe and escape justice now that he has been arrested in Belgium read more

Mehul Choksi has been detained in Belgium after India's extradition request over his role in PNB loan fraud. File image/PTI

Hariprasad SV, the whistleblower in the case of Mehul Choksi, has warned that the diamantaire is going to try to use his money to escape.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that Choksi had been arrested in Belgium at the request of the Indian government. He is an accused in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case.

Hariprasad told CNN-News 18 that while his arrest in Belgium is great news, the real justice would be his punishment upon return to India and repayment of the money that he looted.

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This is great news, finally somebody caught him in Belgium. He will try to escape from the clutches of the law, only getting him back is not sufficient, ultimately, the money looted by him from India must be returned and the people should be paid back," said Hariprasad.

Choksi cheated around 100 people, including him, according to Hariprasad.

At least 100 people got cheated by him, and I am one of those. When these things happened, I reported it to various agencies, despite there being a lot of evidence, no action was taken against him, and I dont know the reason, most people have given up," said Hariprasad.

Along with fellow accused Nirav Modi, Choksi was booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2018 for an alleged loan fraud with the PNB.

The agencies alleged that Choksi, his firm Gitanjali Gems, and others committed the offence of cheating against PNB in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the LOUs (letters of undertaking) issued and got the FLCs (foreign letter of credit) enhanced without following prescribed procedure and caused a wrongful loss to the bank".

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Hariprasad had filed a police complaint in the matter in Bengaluru in 2015. He followed up the complaint with letters to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) in 2016 in which he raised concerns about a major scam. He also wrote to agencies like the CBI, ED, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Personally, Hariprasad was cheated of nearly Rs 10 crore by Gitanjali Gems, according to Hindustan Times.
A proposed law will prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after a January 2007 cut-off date, effectively phasing out smoking for future generations read more

The Maldives will attempt to stamp out smoking across the South Asian luxury tourist archipelago this year with a ban making it illegal for anyone currently under 19 to ever buy cigarettes.

A proposed law will prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after a January 2007 cut-off date, effectively phasing out smoking for future generations.

The new legislation is set to come into force on November 1, 2025, President Mohamed Muizzus office said in a statement issued after a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

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The penalties for breaching the new law were not immediately announced but officials said they were working to amend existing tobacco control laws to bring them in line with the new legislation.

A similar law proposed in Britain is still in the legislative process, while New Zealand  the first country to enact a generational law against smoking  repealed it in November 2023, less than a year after it was introduced.

The Maldives raised the legal age for smoking from 18 to 21 in November and banned the importation of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, a policy that also applies to tourists.
Macron, in an interview with France 5 broadcast on Wednesday, said that France could take the step during a United Nations conference in New York in June, adding he hoped it would trigger a reciprocal recognition of Israel by Arab countries read more

The Palestinian foreign ministry on Monday condemned the Israeli prime ministers criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron for announcing that Paris intended to recognise a Palestinian state within months.

The ministry strongly condemns the unjustified attack and offensive remarks made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his son against President Emmanuel Macron, the Ramallah-based ministry said in a statement.

The ministry considers these statements a clear acknowledgement of Netanyahus ongoing hostility to peace based on the two-state solution, as well as a blatant rejection of international legitimacy and a persistent preference for violence and military solutions over the political path.

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Macron, in an interview with France 5 broadcast on Wednesday, said that France could take the step during a United Nations conference in New York in June, adding he hoped it would trigger a reciprocal recognition of Israel by Arab countries.

We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months, Macron said.

I will do it because I believe that at some point it will be right and because I also want to participate in a collective dynamic, which must also allow all those who defend Palestine to recognise Israel in turn, which many of them do not do.

His remarks sparked a wave of criticism from right-wing groups in France and from Netanyahu and his son, Yair Netanyahu.

Screw you! Yair Netanyahu wrote in English on X late on Saturday, while Netanyahu himself dismissed Macrons remarks.

President Macron is gravely mistaken in continuing to promote the idea of a Palestinian state in the heart of our land  a state whose sole aspiration is the destruction of Israel, Netanyahu said in a statement.

To this day, not a single figure in Hamas or the Palestinian Authority has condemned the horrors of the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, he said, referring to the October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas on Israel.

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He described it as a silence that reveals their true attitude toward the Jewish state.

We will not endanger our existence over illusions detached from reality, and we will not accept moral lectures about establishing a Palestinian state that would threaten Israels survival  especially not from those who oppose granting independence to Corsica, New Caledonia, French Guiana, and other territories, whose independence would pose no threat to France whatsoever.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised US Vice President JD Vance, accusing him of somehow justifying Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised US Vice President JD Vance, accusing him of somehow justifying Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine.

The remarks mark Zelenskyys most pointed comments toward Vance since their Oval Office spat in February.

According to a Politico report, citing an interview with the US news program 60 Minutes, Zelenskyy suggested that certain officials within the US government were being influenced by Russian disinformation, promoting a distorted narrative about the origins of the war.

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I believe, sadly, Russian narratives are prevailing in the US, he said, according to a translation of his remarks by CBS.

This speaks to the enormous influence of Russias information policy on America, on US politics and US politicians, Zelenskyy added.

Zelenskyy singled out Vance, accusing him of somehow justifying Putins actions.

I tried to explain, You cant look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim. The Russians are the aggressor, and we are the victim," he added, referring to their tense conversation at the White House in February.

During that meeting, Vice President Vance criticised President Zelenskyy as disrespectful for asserting that Moscow would not honour a negotiated ceasefire, and reprimanded him for what he perceived as a lack of gratitude for American assistance.

When Zelenskyy extended an invitation for Vance to visit Ukraine and witness the devastation caused by Russia firsthand, the vice president dismissed the offer, accusing him of organising a propaganda tour.

With inputs from agencies
The plans, which have not been previously reported, would be the first known instance of Saudi Arabia providing financing for Syria since Islamist-led rebels toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad last year read more

Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends an interview with Reuters at the presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria, on March 10, 2025. Reuters File

Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syrias debts to the World Bank, three people familiar with the matter said, paving the way for the approval of millions of dollars in grants for reconstruction and to support the countrys paralysed public sector.

The plans, which have not been previously reported, would be the first known instance of Saudi Arabia providing financing for Syria since Islamist-led rebels toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad last year.

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It may also be a sign that crucial Gulf Arab support for Syria is beginning to materialise after previous plans, including an initiative by Doha to fund salaries, were held up by uncertainty over US sanctions.

Last month, Qatar announced a plan to provide Syria with gas via Jordan to improve the nations meagre electricity supply, a move that sources told Reuters had Washingtons nod of approval.

A spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Finance told Reuters, We do not comment on speculation, but make announcements, if and when they become official.

The Saudi governments media office, a World Bank spokesperson and a Syrian government official did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Syria has around $15 million in arrears to the World Bank which must be paid off before the international financial institution can approve grants and provide other forms of assistance.

But Damascus is short of foreign currency and a previous plan to pay off the debts using assets frozen abroad did not materialize, according to two people familiar with the matter.

World Bank officials have discussed providing financing to help reconstruct the countrys power grid, heavily damaged by years of war, and also to support public sector pay, two of the sources said.

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Reuters reported on Saturday that Syria would send a high-level delegation to Washington for the yearly spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF later this month, marking the first visit by Syrian officials to the US since Assads ouster.

It is unclear whether the Syrian delegation will meet with any US officials.

Tough US sanctions imposed during Assads rule remain in place.

In January, the US issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage humanitarian aid, but this has had limited effect.

Last month the US gave Syria a list of conditions to fulfil in exchange for partial sanctions relief but the administration of US President Donald Trump has otherwise engaged little with the countrys 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 hard line stance, pointing to the new Syrian leaderships former ties to Al-Qaeda as reason to keep engagement to a minimum, according to diplomats and US sources.

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According to the United Nations, killings have occurred in two major displacement camps, including Zamzam, where the entire medical team of Relief International  the only organisation still operating a clinic  was reportedly killed read more

Sudanese paramilitary forces have killed more than 200 civilians in a series of raids on camps for displaced people and the surrounding areas near El Fasher  the last major city in the Darfur region still under the control of the Sudanese army.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) massacred at least 56 residents following two days of assaults on Um Kadadah, a town captured en route to El Fasher.

This wave of violence marks the worst bloodshed in Darfur since the outbreak of civil conflict between the army and paramilitary forces more than two years ago.

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According to the United Nations, killings have occurred in two major displacement camps, including Zamzam, where the entire medical team of Relief International  the only organisation still operating a clinic  was reportedly killed. RSF troops are believed to have begun torching structures in Zamzam on Sunday, claiming they were searching for Sudanese government fighters hiding among civilians.

The United States has condemned both sides in the conflict, accusing the RSF of genocide in Darfur and the Sudanese army of attacking civilians.

The fighting has effectively split Sudan in two, with the army controlling the north and east, and the RSF dominating much of Darfur and parts of the south.

The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced over 12 million people, and created what the International Rescue Committee has described as the largest humanitarian crisis ever recorded.

The recent massacres have increased pressure on the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, to issue a decisive response on the protection of civilians when he convenes a ministerial summit on Sudan in London on Tuesday.

The latest violence has centred on the Zamzam camp, which  along with nearby Abu Shouk camp  is home to around 700,000 people displaced by the war. Aid agencies report that shelters, markets, and healthcare facilities have been destroyed in the attacks.

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The RSF claimed the camp was being used as a base by so-called mercenary factions. However, humanitarian organisations condemned the assault as a deliberate attack on vulnerable civilians  including women, children, and the elderly  who are already suffering from famine.

The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), a Darfuri militia aligned with the national army, has been engaged in fighting the RSF near al-Fashir  about 15 km (9.3 miles) from Zamzam  with the support of other local armed groups.

Tens of thousands of camp residents have fled to al-Fashir on foot, overwhelming local shelters. Many are now sleeping outdoors without access to food, water, or medicine, according to SLA spokesperson El-Sadiq Ali El-Nour.

The city  the capital of Sudans North Darfur province  came under intense shelling and RSF ground assaults on Sunday, the SLA reported. It has since called on Sudans armed forces and allied groups for urgent military support.

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The Sudanese army maintains a base with several thousand troops in al-Fashir.

The leadership of the armed forces must act swiftly to save the lives of approximately 1.5 million people in al-Fashir, the SLA said in a statement. Darfur must not fight alone.

The RSF has denied targeting civilians and, on Saturday, accused its opponents of fabricating media reports with actors and staged scenes to incriminate them.

On Sunday, the RSF claimed it had facilitated voluntary evacuations for families fleeing al-Fashir and nearby camps, and said it welcomed the presence of humanitarian agencies to respond to the worsening conditions.

Sudans civil war erupted in April 2023, triggered by a power struggle between the army and the RSF, crushing hopes for a transition to civilian governance.

The conflict has since displaced millions and devastated entire regions, particularly Darfur, where the RSF is now fighting to hold its strongholds against the armys advances from Khartoum.
Sharaa has sought Gulf support for his country since leading a lightning offensive that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after more than a decade of civil war read more

The United Arab Emirates wants to support Syrias reconstruction, the Gulf nations president said as he met Sunday with Syrias interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, state media said.

At the meeting in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed the UAEs keenness to support Syria to confront the challenges of the transitional phase and rebuild Syria, the official WAM news agency reported.

Syrias Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who was with Sharaa on the visit, said after the meetings that significant achievements have been made today.

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In a post on the X platform, Shaibani highlighted the areas of investment, the resumption of air traffic, and the strengthening of bilateral relations in all sectors.

Sharaa has sought Gulf support for his country since leading a lightning offensive that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after more than a decade of civil war.

But days after rebels toppled Assad, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the government found the Islamist affiliation of Syrias new rulers quite worrying.

In January Sharaa spoke by phone with the UAE president about reinforcing ties, Syrias state news agency SANA said at the time.

Syrias stability and enhanced security are in the interest of the entire region, the UAE president was quoted as saying on Sunday.

He added that the Gulf country would spare no effort in providing all possible support to Syria and its brotherly people in the coming period.

Analysts have said the UAE is suspicious of Syrias new leaders, reflecting its distrust of political Islam and concerns over Turkish influence in the war-scarred country.
President Trump on Monday said he believes Iran is deliberately stalling negotiations over a nuclear agreement with the US and warned Tehran that it must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons or risk the possibility of a military strike targeting its atomic facilities read more

President Donald Trump on Monday said that he believes Iran is deliberately stalling negotiations over a nuclear agreement with the US and warned Tehran that it must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons or risk the possibility of a military strike targeting its atomic facilities.

I think theyre tapping us along, Reuters quoted Trump as telling reporters after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met in Oman on Saturday with a senior Iranian official.

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Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon, Trump said.

When asked if a potential response could include strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, The Guardian quoted Trump as saying, Of course it does.

Trump said the Iranians need to move fast to avoid a harsh response because theyre fairly close to developing a nuclear weapon.

Both Iran and the US described their recent talks in Oman on Saturday as positive and constructive. A second round of discussions is scheduled for this coming Saturday, with a source familiar with the planning indicating that the meeting will likely take place in Rome.

Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the source said the talks are intended to explore potential areas of agreement, including outlining a broad framework for a possible future deal.

During former President Joe Bidens administration, the United States and Iran engaged in indirect talks, though they yielded little to no tangible progress.

The last publicly known direct negotiations between the two countries occurred under President Barack Obama, who led efforts to secure the 2015 international nuclear agreementan accord later abandoned by President Donald Trump.

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With inputs from agencies
The G-7 advanced economies agreed an outline lending package in October 2024  before the election of Donald Trump as president changed the United States approach to the conflict  and Reeves and her Ukrainian counterpart Serhiy Marchenko finalised details of Britains contribution in March. read more

Britain sent Ukraine 752 million pounds ($990 million) to buy air defences and artillery on Monday, part of a broader 50 billion international loan program backed by frozen Russian assets, the UK government confirmed on Monday.

This funding follows a G7 agreement in October 2024 on a loan framework, finalized between Reeves and Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko in Marchbefore the U.S. election of Donald Trump, which later shifted American policy on the conflict.

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Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said, The world is shifting before our eyes, reshaped by global instabilityincluding Russias ongoing aggression in Ukraine.

Facing reduced US enthusiasm for European security guarantees, Britain announced in February plans to increase defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a long-term goal of reaching 3% after 2029.

Mondays payment to Ukraine is the second of three instalments totalling 2.26 billion pounds. The first was on March 6 and the final part will be paid next year.

Defence minister John Healey said Britain would give Ukraine 4.5 billion pounds of support this year and that the funds would be used to purchase air defences, artillery and spare parts for vehicles and other equipment.

Other British aid includes help by its defence ministry to procure radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones.

On Sunday two Russian ballistic missiles hit the centre of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy. Kyiv said the attack killed 34 people and wounded 117.

Russias defence ministry said it had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian commanding officers in the city.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the attack.

Support in Britain for Ukraines military operations remains high across the public and most major political parties.
Pete Marocco, who played a crucial role in the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has left the department this month. Insiders are speculating that he was pushed out read more

Pete Marocco, a political appointee focused on gutting USAID, departs after briefing the House Foreign Affairs Committee behind closed doors, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. AP

A key US President Donald Trump administration official reportedly left the Department of State on Sunday. Pete Marocco, who played a major role in dismantling the US Agency for International Development (USAID) left the department this month, said a US official.

The newly formed Trump administration launched a major crackdown on USAID, firing nearly all the staff of the federal agency. Not only this, billionaire Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency has slashed funding and dismissed contractors across the federal bureaucracy in what it calls an attack on wasteful spending.

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Pete was brought to state with a big mission  to conduct an exhaustive review of every dollar spent on foreign assistance. He conducted that historic task and exposed egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars, a senior administration official told Reuters on the condition of anonymity. We all expect big things are in store for Pete on his next mission, the official added.

Marocco may have been pushed out

Sources told Reuters that Marocco, the director of foreign assistance at the State Department, may have been pushed out. However, they did not provide further clarity on the matter. As per the report, Maracco was holding a listening session at the State Department with nearly two dozen experts on Thursday.

The official noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future of foreign assistance and seek input. After returning to the Department of State, less than a month ago, Marocco laid out his plan in an internal mail to his staff. I am going to return to my post as the Director of Foreign Assistance to bring value back to the American people," the Trump official wrote in the mail.

In the past, the American president has claimed without evidence that USAID was rife with fraud and run by radical left lunatics". Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk falsely accused the body of operating as a criminal organisation.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration moved to reinstate at least six recently cancelled US foreign aid programs for emergency food assistance. The move came as a quick reversal of a decision the administration made just days ago. The Trump administration has been cutting programs, restoring them and then cutting again, disrupting international humanitarian operations.

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With inputs from Reuters.
The Trump administration has deported hundreds of Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act read more

The United States has deported another ten persons it claims are gang members to El Salvador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday, a day before that countrys president is scheduled to visit the White House.

Last night, another 10 criminals from the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua Foreign Terrorist Organizations arrived in El Salvador, Rubio stated in an X post.

The cooperation between President Donald Trump and El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele has become an example for security and prosperity in our hemisphere, Rubio said.

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Trump is scheduled to visit Bukele at the White House on Monday.

Trump said on Saturday he was looking forward to meeting Bukele and praised him for taking enemy aliens from the United States. He said the two countries were working closely to eradicate terrorist organizations.

Administration officials have repeatedly made public statements alleging that detained immigrants are gang members that they have not backed up in court.

The Trump administration has deported hundreds of Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.

Lawyers and relatives of the migrants held in El Salvador say they are not gang members and had no opportunity to contest the U.S. government assertion that they were. The Trump administration says it vetted migrants to ensure they belonged to Tren de Aragua, which it labels a terrorist organization.

The deportations have been challenged in federal court. The U.S. Supreme Court said the U.S. government must give sufficient notice to immigrant detainees to allow them to contest their deportations. It did not say how those already in El Salvador could seek judicial review of their removals.
Camaraderie-plus-brotherhood: Experience China-Vietnam friendship in Ho Chi Minh's former residence

09:10, April 14, 2025 By Sheng Chuyi, Peng Yukai, Wang Yulin ( People's Daily Online

When visiting Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, Vietnam, it's impossible to not notice the striking Presidential Palace. Today though, we will be visiting a much subtler location in the square, a simple stilt house sitting next to the palace.

On Nov. 13, 2017, in front of the stilt house, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping presented 19 issues of People's Daily as a state gift to Nguyen Phu Trong, who was then general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. One of the issues published a speech by Ho Chi Minh on its front page: There is no doubt that the friendship and close tie between our two peoples are permanent and unbreakable, and cannot be undermined or obstructed by anyone.

General Secretary Xi Jinping quoted on several occasions late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh's well-known remarks, which defined China-Vietnam relations as a bond of "camaraderie plus brotherhood." Wandering in front of the stilt house, you can feel the enduring bond between the two nations. China has been committed to promoting the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. This place will continue to witness new milestones in the next chapter of China-Vietnam friendship in the new era.

(Zhang Heyun and Chen Yongjia, as interns, also contributed to this video.)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chengliang)
The Trump administration has acknowledged that Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who was living in Maryland and has had a work permit since 2019, was deported in March in violation of an immigration judges order blocking his removal to El Salvador 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

U.S. officials said in court filings on Sunday that they were not obligated to help a Maryland resident get out of prison in El Salvador after he was erroneously deported, despite a Supreme Court ruling directing the government to facilitate his return to the United States.

Attorneys for the administration of President Donald Trump said the high courts order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia meant they should remove any domestic obstacles that would otherwise impede the aliens ability to return here, not help extract him from El Salvador.

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The Trump administration has acknowledged that Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who was living in Maryland and has had a work permit since 2019, was deported in March in violation of an immigration judges order blocking his removal to El Salvador.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who is presiding over Abrego Garcias legal effort to undo his deportation, ordered the U.S. government to bring him back to the United States on April 4. The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the Trump administrations effort to overturn that ruling.

But a top U.S. immigration official said in another filing on Sunday that the order barring Abrego Garcias removal to El Salvador was no longer valid because of his membership in MS-13 which is now a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Abrego Garcias attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Saturday, the State Department said he was alive and secure in a terrorism confinement center in El Salvador, in response to Xinis order for daily updates on the Trump administrations efforts to secure his return.

Trump is due to meet El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday. Trump told reporters on Friday his administration would bring Abrego Garcia back if the Supreme Court directed it to.

The administrations lawyers urged Xinis on Sunday to deny Abrego Garcias request for more information about the governments efforts to bring him back, warning that such discovery could interfere with ongoing diplomatic discussions  particularly in the context of President Bukeles ongoing trip to the United States.

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Putin has reportedly invited the leaders of Israel, China, Brazil, Slovakia and Serbia to join the Moscow parade, according to Russian state media. The list notably excludes the United States and most EU member states read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited top European leaders to Kyiv on May 9 in a symbolic push to overshadow Russian President Vladimir Putins annual Victory Day parade in Moscow.

The overture is part of Ukraines diplomatic effort to rally support for Ukraine as it continues to endure a grinding war now in its fourth year.

Speaking at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday (April 14), Ukraines Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged his counterparts to show our unity and resolve in the face of the biggest aggression in Europe since the Second World War, POLITICO reported.

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The date, steeped in historical significance for Russia as it commemorates the end of World War II, is often used by Putin to project military strength from Red Square. This years commemorations come as Russia intensifies its offensive in eastern Ukraine and seeks to cement international backing from a group of non-Western allies.

Putin has reportedly invited the leaders of Israel, China, Brazil, Slovakia and Serbia to join the Moscow parade, according to Russian state media. The list notably excludes the United States and most EU member states.

In contrast, Zelenskyy is aiming to draw attention away from Moscow by convening his own high-level gathering. In addition to the EU invite, he is seeking to host a meeting of Ukraines so-called coalition of the willing  countries offering security guarantees  to determine a post-ceasefire framework should talks with Russia yield any breakthrough. The United States is not part of that coalition.

Two EU diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said discussions were underway for a potential visit to Kyiv by heads of state in early May, possibly including Germanys chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz.

Meanwhile, Russias war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. On Palm Sunday, a ballistic missile strike on the city of Sumy killed 34 civilians and wounded over 170  one of the deadliest attacks in recent months. The bombing drew sharp condemnation from Western leaders, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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Donald Trump, who is currently seeking to broker a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, called the strike terrible but refrained from directly criticising Russia  a pattern that has become increasingly noticeable in his handling of the conflict.
Iti doresti o presa libera si independenta, care nu da inapoi cand vine vorba de respectarea standardelor profesionale, refuza sa se lase cenzurata, sustine independenta justitiei, transparenta decizionala si valorile democratice. Alege sa o sustii.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Papua New Guinea will 'immediately' lift a ban on forest carbon credit schemes, the Pacific nation's climate minister said, opening up its vast wilderness to offset global emissions
Fri Friday

90 /65

Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 60s.
Courtesy photo

Dr. Kristy Pabilonia is an avian influenza expert at CSU in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
The Glasgow School's Bond Finance Committee will meet Thursday, April 17, 1 p.m., via Zoom. Click on the image below to view the full agenda.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/3762333305?pwd=cVlYQ2xaMnJyWDl4bjcwbjRQYm5JZz09&omn=84457546659

Meeting ID: 376 233 3305

Passcode: 994453
DPP expels ex-aide of foreign minister at center of China spying case

ROC Central News Agency

04/13/2025 10:05 PM

Taipei, April 13 (CNA) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Sunday expelled a former assistant of Joseph Wu (), Taiwan's current national security chief and former foreign minister, from the party over the former's alleged involvement in a Chinese espionage case.

The DPP's headquarters in Yilan County announced the expulsion following an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the case involving Ho Jen-chieh (), who worked for Wu during his tenure as Taiwan's top diplomat between 2018 and 2024.

Chiu Chia-chin (), head of the DPP's Yilan headquarters, said the decision was unanimous, citing Ho's alleged actions as severely damaging to the party's reputation and "running counter to the DPP's core values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."

Taipei prosecutors detained Ho on Thursday after searching his residence.

Ho's arrest adds to a growing list of individuals suspected of spying for Chinese intelligence services while working for senior DPP government officials, which has been in power since 2016.

Other suspects in the case include Wu Shang-yu (), who worked as an adviser in President Lai Ching-te's () office; Chiu Shih-yuan (), former deputy head of the DPP's Taiwan Institute of Democracy, and Huang Chu-jung (), assistant to DPP New Taipei Councilor Lee Yu-tien ().

According to the prosecutors, Huang is believed to have been recruited by Beijing's intelligence services while doing business in China.

Prosecutors allege that after returning to Taiwan, Huang started working with Ho, Wu Shang-yu and Chiu to gather confidential information about Lai and other top officials.

According to a Chinese-language Liberty Times report on Sunday, Wu first hired Ho when he began his tenure as National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general under then President Tsai Ing-wen () in May 2016.

Before recruitment, Ho cleared background and security checks conducted by the National Security Bureau and the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau.

However, as Ho was not vetted further following the initial check, he did not have permission to access more confidential information, the report said.

Ho later followed Wu to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) when Wu took up the post as the nation's top diplomat in February 2018.

According to MOFA, Ho left the job as Wu's assistant in March 2024, two months before Wu left his foreign minister post to become NSC secretary-general again under Tsai's successor, President Lai Ching-te ().

The Liberty Times quoted unnamed sources familiar with the matter as saying the case of Ho exposed a loophole in the government's background and security check system that should be addressed.

When asked for comment, MOFA told CNA on Sunday that a standard background and security check was conducted on Ho before he was hired as a contract-based assistant to then-Foreign Minister Wu.

However, Ho did not have to go through more in-depth higher-level background and security vetting, which is compulsory for all high-level diplomats, MOFA said in a statement.

MOFA added that it also conducts regular checks of all staff, including contract-based workers, in accordance with the Public Functionaries Merit Evaluation Act and related ministry regulations.

(By Joseph Yeh and Christie Chen)

Enditem/ASG

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Strengthening values-based diplomacy in times of crisis: the voice of the Council of Europe at the Antalya Forum

Council of Europe

On the occasion of his first participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset held a wide range of bilateral meetings and diplomatic exchanges focused on the major challenges facing democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Antalya, Turkiye

13 April 2025

During his visit to Antalya on 12 and 13 April 2025, Secretary General Alain Berset took part in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, organised by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This high-level annual gathering brought together over 4,000 participants - heads of state and government, ministers, leaders of international organisations, experts and civil society representatives - under the theme "Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil".

In this context, the Secretary General held several bilateral meetings, including with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, Kubanychbek Omuraliev, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim A. A. Khan, and the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt. These exchanges provided an opportunity to address topics of common interest related to the human rights situation, the preservation of democracy in the face of crises, and multilateral cooperation to address current geopolitical challenges. The Secretary General reiterated the importance of the role of the Council of Europe as a pillar of the protection of rights and freedoms in Europe, and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening international partnerships. He also published a statement on the situation in Turkiye.

The participation of the Secretary General in the Antalya Forum is part of his mandate to enhance the Council of Europe's presence on the international stage and to foster strategic dialogue with partners beyond the European continent. It reflects the Council of Europe's determination to actively contribute to a global diplomacy rooted in human rights, democracy and the rule of law - even in the most unstable contexts.

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Afghanistan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the latest executions

European External Action Service (EEAS)

13.04.2025

EEAS Press Team

The European Union condemns the public executions of four men in Nimroz, Badghis and Farah province, in Afghanistan.

The European Union, as a matter of principle, strongly opposes the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent to crime and represents an unacceptable denial of the fundamental right to life and human dignity.

The European Union calls on the Taliban to stop any future executions and instead pursue a policy towards the abolition of capital punishment.

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Jordan strongly condemns Israel's attack on Gaza's Al-Ahli hospital

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Jordan's Foreign Ministry has condemned "in the strongest terms" Israel's missile strike that hit Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, the last fully functioning medical facility there.

The strike hit the hospital early on Sunday, forcing the displacement of patients and medical staff, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.

Jordan denounced the attack as a "blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law," as well as a clear breach of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, said a statement by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah, which was carried on Sunday evening by Amman-based daily, The Jordan Times.

Qudah reaffirmed Jordan's condemnation of the continued Israeli aggression on Gaza, "the systematic targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure," and the destruction of vital facilities providing essential services to the Palestinians in Gaza.

He also condemned "Israel's use of starvation and siege as weapons to forcibly displace Palestinians," warning of the consequences of the regime's violations and their impact on regional security and stability.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry called on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities to compel Israel to immediately cease its aggression on Gaza, allow aid into the territory, and fulfill the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with East Al-Quds as its capital.

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Iran says Israel's attacks on Gaza hospitals are part of plan to eliminate Palestine

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has strongly condemned Israel's missile strike on Gaza's Al-Ahli Hospital as a "heinous crime," saying that the regime's attacks on the territory's hospitals and health centers are part of a plan to eliminate Palestine.

Two missiles hit a building inside Al-Ahli Hospital, located in Gaza City's southern Zeitoun neighborhood, early on Sunday. The Health Ministry in Gaza said the building was "completely destroyed," forcing the "displacement of patients and hospital staff."

"Attacks on health infrastructure in occupied Palestine are not only a clear violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and principles of international humanitarian laws, but also they are part of the genocide and elimination plan of Palestine," said Baqaei in a statement shared on his official Telegram page on Sunday night.

He said that supporters of the regime, especially the United States, Britain, and Germany, which provide Israel with money and weapons, are directly responsible for the crimes being committed against the Palestinian people.

The spokesperson also emphasized the need for bringing an end to the impunity enjoyed by Israel's "criminal officials", calling on international bodies, including the United Nations, to seriously react to the "heinous crime."

He further said that all governments, especially the Islamic ones, are obliged to take initiatives to stop crimes committed by Israel and bring its officials to justice.

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Wounded Gazans are dying under rubble due to Israeli blockade on machinery: Civil Defense

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

The Civil Defense in Gaza has condemned the Israeli regime for blocking the entry of life-saving heavy machinery into the enclave, leading to the deaths of wounded civilians trapped under the rubble of destroyed homes.

In a statement posted on Telegram on Sunday, the agency said, "Many wounded have died under the rubble of their homes, which the occupation destroyed over their heads without prior warning."

"Our crews were unable to save lives due to the occupation's insistence on preventing the entry of rescue equipment and heavy machinery into the Strip," the statement read.

First responders have described harrowing scenes in areas such as Shujayea, Abasan, Rafah, and Deir el-Balah, where victims could be heard pleading for help from under collapsed buildings. However, the lack of tools prevented their rescue in time.

"Now, they are nothing but missing bodies," Civil Defense added.

The Civil Defense, which has lost multiple workers in Israeli attacks, demanded accountability for the crimes. "When will the death in the Gaza Strip stop? And how long will this international failure continue?"

The condemnation comes amid widespread destruction across Gaza, with hospitals, schools, and shelters being targeted, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to medical care or emergency support.

Israeli forces continue to block essential equipment from entering Gaza, including hydraulic tools for clearing debris, heavy-duty cranes, and medical devices necessary for locating and aiding victims trapped under collapsed structures.

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Iran calls on the United Nations to use its full capacity to stop Gaza genocide

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has urged the United Nations to use its full capacity to stop Israel's genocide in Gaza and the regime's intensified attacks in the occupied West Bank.

Khatibzadeh made the remarks on Sunday in a meeting with Rosemary Anne DiCarlo, U.N. under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs . The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Turkey on April 11-13.

They discussed key regional and international developments, focusing on the Israeli regime's atrocities against Palestinians both in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Iranian official called on the senior U.N. official to use all the capacity of the world body to help stop the genocide in Gaza as well as military offensives in the West Bank.

DiCarlo said that the United Nations has already taken some measures to stop the Israeli actions, and vowed to step up efforts in that regard.

Khatibzadeh and DiCarlo also discussed the indirect talks that were held between Iran and United States, and were hosted and mediated by Oman on Saturday.

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Israel strikes Gaza's Al-Ahli Hospital; Hamas calls attack 'a war crime'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Israel has carried out a missile attack on the last functioning hospital in Gaza City, sparking condemnations from Palestinian groups, with Hamas calling the assault another war crime committed by the regime.

Two missiles hit a building inside Al-Ahli Hospital, located in Gaza City's southern Zeitoun neighborhood, early on Sunday, destroying the emergency and reception department and damaging other structures, Reuters reported.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said the building was "completely destroyed," forcing the "displacement of patients and hospital staff," according to the BBC.

The ministry denounced the airstrike, and called on international bodies to support Gaza's health sector based on international and humanitarian conventions in order to help stop Israel's attacks on medical facilities in the territory.

The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, also condemned the overnight airstrike, describing it as another war crime by the Israeli regime.

The Al-Ahli Hospital is offering services at a time when Gaza's health system has collapsed due to Israel's continuous airstrikes and blockade, Hamas said, adding that the attack on Al-Ahli Hospital adds to the long list of atrocities committed by the regime.

Another Palestinian resistance group, the Islamic Jihad, also denounced the attack as a vicious crime that was committed as part of the genocide against the Palestinian people.

The Islamic Jihad held the United States directly responsible for the attack, saying that Washington's "provocative policies" and its support for Israel encourage the regime to commit such crimes. That, coupled with the silence of the international community, has turned Gaza into a graveyard for law and humanity, the group said.

Gaza's media office condemned the attack as a heinous crime, saying that Israel has deliberately destroyed and rendered out of service 34 hospitals in Gaza as part of a systematic plan to dismantle what remains of the healthcare sector in the besieged territory.

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Yemeni armed forces shoot down 19th American drone

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 11:07 PM

The Yemeni army says it has shot down another advanced American MQ-9 drone over the country's airspace.

The UAV force of the Yemeni Armed Forces announced in a statement on Sunday the downing of the drone, which came on Sunday.

The downing, the statement said, is a response to the ongoing American aggression against Yemen and its horrific massacres against the Yemeni people.

The average unit cost of an MQ-9 is estimated at $33 million, which means the American loss from the downing of the drones in Yemen is already more than $600 million.

Earlier, Yemeni forces struck vital Israeli targets in the occupied territories. During those operations, Yemen fired two ballistic missiles, including a hypersonic one, at an Israeli military base and Ben Gurion Airport.

A Yemeni drone also hit a vital Israeli target in the occupied lands.

"By the grace of Allah, both operations have successfully achieved their objectives, shutting down Ben Gurion Airport for about an hour, causing panic and confusion among the settlers, forcing millions of them to enter shelters," the Yemeni forces said.

Yemen has vowed that operations against American and Israeli targets will continue as long as the genocide in Gaza and US aggression against Yemen persist.

"The Israeli enemy, along with the Americans, must realize that beloved Yemenits leadership, people, and armywill not back down from its steadfast position in supporting and backing the oppressed Palestinian people, nor will it abandon its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties, regardless of the repercussions and the outcomes," the Yemeni forces added.

The latest strike came shortly after the United States carried out a new wave of airstrikes targeting Yemen's central province of al-Bayda and the provinces of Sa'ada and Hudaydah.

Yemeni media reports said five airstrikes hit the vocational institute in the al-Sawma'ah district of al-Bayda province late on Saturday.

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Israeli settler attacks, displacements increase in the occupied West Bank: OCHA

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 9:09 PM

The United Nations humanitarian agency has warned about a sharp increase in the demolition of Palestinian homes by Israeli forces and violent assaults by extremist settlers across the occupied Palestinian lands.

A recent report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that at least five households in the occupied Jordan Valley have been displaced by demolitions by Israeli authorities after already being displaced by settler violence in February.

The demolition displaced five households, comprising 33 people, including 19 children and six women.

They had been forcibly displaced in early February 2025 from the Ein al Hilwa - Wadi al Faw community, also in the northern Jordan Valley, due to settler violence, it said.

The UN agency found that more than "100 structures were demolished by Israeli authorities across the West Bank since March 25.

Israel routinely demolishes Palestinian houses in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds, claiming that the structures have been built without permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. They also sometimes order Palestinian owners to demolish their own houses or pay the costs of the demolition.

Israel has already occupied thousands of dunams of Palestinian agricultural land to construct and expand new illegal settler units in various areas in the West Bank.

Elsewhere in the report, OCHA said Israeli settlers had stepped up their attacks against residents and stormed several Palestinian towns in the West Bank in recent weeks.

"Nearly half of over 40 settler attacks documented in the last two weeks affected Bedouin and herding communities," it said, adding that they included arson and break-ins.

During the same period, at least 44 settler attacks on Palestinians took place, resulting in casualties or property damage across 35 Palestinian communities.

"These attacks led to the injury of 25 Palestinians, including five children and one foreign national. Two Israeli children were also injured by Palestinians in Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians," it added.

Israeli forces have dramatically escalated their demolition campaign across the occupied West Bank, marking one of the highest recorded levels in recent years. Hundreds of Palestinian structures have been destroyed in a short span, displacing dozens of families and raising serious humanitarian and legal concerns.

The United Nations organization for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, recently warned that Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank have displaced 40,000 Palestinians and the regime is systematically annexing the territory.

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Missiles fired from Yemen triggers sirens in Israeli-occupied territories, closes Ben Gurion Airport

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 6:22 PM

Air raid sirens sounded in several areas across the Israeli-occupied territories after Yemeni Armed Forces fired two missiles toward the occupying entity amid the regime's ongoing aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli media outlets, the fresh missile attack from Yemen set off sirens in towns and cities in the center of the occupied territories, including Tel Aviv, al-Quds, and the northern West Bank.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

"The missile force of Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a specific military operation with two ballistic missiles, one of which was a hypersonic Palestine 2 missile, targeting the Sodet Micha base in the eastern part of occupied area of Ashdod," the Armed Forces said in a statement.

The statement added that the missile base was a launching pad for Jericho missiles and Arrow missile batteries.

The other missile, a Zulfiqar missile, targeted Ben Gurion Airport in the occupied Yaffa region, it said.

In addition to the missile strikes, the statement said "a vital Israeli target" in the occupied Ashkelon area was struck with a drone.

Following the attack, Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was closed due to the activation of air raid sirens, and flights were suspended.

The Israeli military confirmed that two rockets were launched from Yemen, saying "attempts were made to intercept the missiles, and the results are under review."

The latest strike came shortly after the United States carried out a new wave of airstrikes targeting Yemen's central province of al-Bayda and the provinces of Sa'ada and Hudaydah.

Yemeni media reports said five airstrikes hit the vocational institute in the al-Sawma'ah district of al-Bayda province late on Saturday.

The Yemeni missile attack also came two days after the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) announced that they had launched a drone operation targeting two Israeli military sites in the occupied Jaffa region, citing it as a direct response to the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

In response to continued Israeli aggression against Gaza and ongoing US-UK aggression against Yemen, the Yemeni Armed Forces have launched a series of attacks targeting Israeli, American, and British interests in the Red Sea and surrounding areas.

As the genocidal war against Gaza intensified, the Yemenis implemented a strategic blockade of key maritime routes, aiming to disrupt the flow of military supplies to their adversaries and exert pressure on the international community to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they will not stop their attacks until Israel's ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end.

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Many wounded civilians die under Gaza rubble due to lack of equipment: Civil Defense

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 3:30 PM

The Civil Defense Agency in Gaza has said that many of the wounded Palestinian civilians trapped under the rubble caused by Israeli strikes die due to the lack of rescue equipment.

"Many wounded have been killed under the rubble of their homes, which the occupation destroyed over their heads without prior warning," Gaza's Civil Defense Agency said in a statement on Sunday on its Telegram channel.

The relief agency said the Israeli forces do not allow rescue equipment to reach Gaza while the international community remains silent.

"Our crews were unable to save their lives due to the occupation's insistence on preventing the entry of rescue equipment and heavy machinery into the Strip, amid your disturbing silence."

The organization, which has lost many aid workers to Israeli attacks, reported that its rescue workers had come across many situations in Shujayea, Abasan, Rafah and Deir el-Balah, where they could hear wounded Palestinians calling out for help from under the rubble but were unable to get them out alive.

"Now, they are nothing but missing bodies," it said. "We still wonder: When will the death in the Gaza Strip stop? And how long will this international failure continue?"

In the meantime, in an Israeli air strike on Sunday, a vehicle was targetted in the central city of Deir el-Balah, killing seven people, including six brothers, the civil defence agency said.

Mahmud Abu Amsha, who witnessed the Israeli strike, said those killed were distributing aid to the displaced people in Gaza.

"They do not care about children or people being killed... This aid was being provided to the displaced people," Abu Amsha told AFP.

A separate Israeli air strike on Sunday heavily damaged one of the few hospitals in Gaza still operating.

The air strike on Al-Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza, also known as the Baptist or Ahli Arab Hospital, had no casualties, but it came a day after the Israeli regime forces seized a key corridor in the territory and signaled plans to expand their terror campaign.

The Israeli air strikes came as aid agencies and the United Nations warned that medicines and related supplies were rapidly running out in Gaza as casualties surged.

"The bombing led to the destruction of the surgery building and the oxygen generation station for the intensive care units," Gaza's Civil Defence said.

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'Ugliest form of genocide': Palestine condemns Israel's attack on Gaza hospital

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 3:02 PM

Palestinian authorities have sharply condemned Israel's airstrikes on the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, calling the attack "one of the ugliest form of genocide."

Gaza City's al-Ahli Hospital, a mainstay of Gaza's broken healthcare system, came under attack by an Israeli warplane early Sunday.

The attack heavily damaged the health facility. There was no report of casualties, but the Gaza health ministry said one child died during the rushed evacuation as they were unable to provide urgent care.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the attack "is a clear contempt for international law, humanitarian principles, and the global community."

The ministry said the Israeli regime has deliberately destroyed "34 hospitals in Gaza since the war began (in October 2023) and imposed starvation, thirst, and a blockade on vital medical supplies."

"This crime would not have occurred without the complicity and failure of the international community to act."

The ministry holds the UN Security Council fully responsible for its "failure to protect civilians, enforce an immediate ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors, and initiate sustainable aid and reconstruction efforts."

Israeli forces attacked the hospital only hours after the military threatened to expand its ground offensive deep into Gaza.

The regime's minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, who said that the offensive will soon "intensify and expand to other areas throughout most of Gaza," called on Palestinians to start moving westward and "evacuate the combat zones."

Gaza's civil defense agency deplored the attack on al-Ahli Hospital in a statement, saying that doctors and patients were given only about 20 minutes' warning to evacuate the building before the strike.

"The bombing led to the destruction of the surgery building and the oxygen generation station for the intensive care units."

The hospital, which is also known as the Baptist Hospital, was first hit less than two weeks into Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, when a missile hit a parking lot on the site where dozens of displaced families were sheltering.

More than 470 people were killed and hundreds of others injured back then

Hospitals, protected under international humanitarian law, have repeatedly come under attack during Israel's campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing over the past 17 months.

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Iran urges UN to employ resources to halt Israeli genocide in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 10:45 AM

Iran's deputy foreign minister has urged the United Nations to employ its full capacity to halt the genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and put an end to the violence plaguing the West Bank.

During a meeting with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo on the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey on Saturday, Saeed Khatibzadeh emphasized the urgent need for the world body's intervention to address the pressing humanitarian crises in the Palestinian territories.

Khatibzadeh appealed to the United Nations and its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to mobilize all available resources and exert pressure to end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where Palestinians face genocide, and to put a halt to the escalating violence in the West Bank.

For her part, DiCarlo pointed to the UN's measures to stop the bloody Israeli onslaught against Gaza, vowing that the world body will double down its efforts in this regard.

The Israeli military resumed its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing hundreds of people, injuring thousands of others, and shattering the fragile 2-month ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 50,944 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 116,156 individuals have been injured in the brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Elsewhere, Khatibzadeh also strongly condemned US threats of military aggression against Iran in case Tehran does not reach a deal with Washington over its civilian nuclear program.

He emphasized that such statements and threats are in clear contradiction with the UN Charter, and the UN chief is expected to condemn these unlawful statements.

The two sides also exchanged viewpoints on the indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Oman on Saturday and held talks on important regional and international developments, particularly about the unrelenting Israeli crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

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'Another war crime by fascist occupation': Hamas slams Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Hospital

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 10:07 AM

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned a devastating Israeli attack on Gaza City's al-Ahli Hospital, the last functioning medical facility in the northern Gaza Strip, calling it "yet another war crime" committed by the rogue Israeli regime.

In a statement on Sunday, hours after the attack took place, Hamas said the bombing destroyed part of the hospital, displaced patients, and wounded individuals.

Calling the attack a continuation of the "fascist" occupying regime's "long series of atrocities" in Gaza, Hamas said the Israeli military acts with impunity under "blatant US cover" and amid the inaction of international accountability bodies.

The statement questioned the silence of global institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, in the face of these "unprecedented crimes in modern history."

Hamas further held the United States "fully responsible" for the Israeli act of aggression, arguing that the attack would not have taken place without Washington's green light.

It called on the international community, especially Arab and Islamic countries, to act immediately to halt what it described as genocide in Gaza.

The group also urged people across the Arab and Islamic world, as well as global supporters, to intensify solidarity efforts and pressure Israel to stop its military campaign in the besieged territory.

Israeli forces attacked al-Ahli Hospital, also known as the Baptist or Ahli Arab hospital, early on Sunday, destroying the hospital's emergency unit, main entrance, and a critical facility housing medical oxygen for intensive care patients.

According to reports, critically ill patients were left stranded on the streets as the largest remaining functioning hospital in northern Gaza was put out of service.

Israel 'escalating criminality' with al-Ahli strikes: Islamic Jihad

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad said in a statement that the Israeli military first caused panic among patients and civilians sheltering at al-Ahli Hospital by sending them a warning before bombing them in the dark of night.

"This heinous aggression is part of a systematic series of attacks targeting hospitals, schools, shelters and tents for the displaced in Gaza, within the context of a systematic war of extermination that violates all humanitarian and moral standards," the resistance movement said.

It also held the US responsible for the assault, saying, "The international silence on Gaza is forcing it to become a graveyard for law and humanity."

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UN warns malnutrition affecting over 60,000 children under five in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 7:38 AM

The United Nations has sounded the alarm on a severe malnutrition crisis gripping the Gaza Strip, saying that it is putting the lives of more than 60,000 children under the age of five at grave risk.

Sigrid Kaag, the UN envoy for the West Asia peace process, voiced alarm over the worsening health conditions of children in Gaza and called on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the territory.

"We now know that more than 60,000 children under the age of five are suffering from malnutrition in Gaza. Each of these statistics represents a human life and a fight to survive," Kaag was quoted as saying by the Anadolu Agency.

In a flagrant violation of international law, the Israeli regime has been obstructing the entry of vital aid into the besieged territory since March 2.

The unlawful action has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region, raising serious concerns among the international community and human rights organizations regarding the well-being of those affected.

According to Kaag, humanitarian workers are facing severe shortages in provisions and equipment needed for their operations, including fuel and other supplies needed to run hospitals.

She explained that their resources have been completely depleted, resulting in a breakdown in the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

The United Nations official highlighted that under international law, the Israeli regime is legally obligated to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

She emphasized the urgent need to allow access to Gaza.

The UN official rebuked the Israeli regime officials for ordering the continuous attacks on Gaza.

She stated that the attacks not only affect the civilian population, comprised mostly of women and children, but also pose a horrific threat to humanitarian workers operating in the region.

Kaag said Israel's attacks on Gaza are horrific not only for civilians but also for international aid workers, most of them Palestinian civilians.

The Israeli regime resumed its genocidal war on Gaza on March 18, shattering the 2-month ceasefire that took hold in January.

Since the brutal Israeli onslaught started in October 2023, more than 51,900 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

ICC has charged them for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The Israeli regime also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

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Al-Ahli Hospital bombing: Israel strikes last functioning north Gaza health facility

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 6:51 AM

Israeli forces launched a devastating attack on Gaza City's al-Ahli Hospital, the last functioning medical facility in the north, destroying the hospital's emergency unit, main entrance, and a critical facility housing medical oxygen for intensive care patients.

Following the Sunday attack, critically ill patients have been left stranded on the streets as the largest remaining functioning hospital in northern Gaza is now out of service, according to reports.

Razan al-Nahhas, the emergency doctor in Gaza, said at least three people, including a 12-year-old boy with a head injury, have been reported dead following their forced evacuation from the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City.

"He was on oxygen, as were the two other patients, and the family basically walked with them to a nearby hospital, a very small facility with no capacity for the number of patients head their way. And they [the patients] arrived dead," said al-Nahhas, who is in the city of Deir el-Balah.

"There's so many patients on the streets. Some mats have been made out to Al Shifa at this point. But I can't even imagine the scene of patients and their family members scattered in the streets, trying to find their way to a place for medical care. I'm certain that many of them will not make it."

Al-Nahhas said many of those at al-Ahli have severe injuries.

"The majority of patients that are admitted to this hospital are patients that are victims of these traumatic, explosive injuries, unfortunately," she said.

These include patients with multiple amputated limbs and patients with traumatic injuries to their chest, abdomen or head, as well as "a lot of burn patients," she added.

"They're very high-risk patients that need to be closely monitored, not lying or scrambling in the streets trying to find their way to another medical facility."

This is because Israel is working under the US's diplomatic cover, with Washington blocking all international mechanisms for accountability, it added.

Authorities in Gaza also condemned the attack and said that al-Ahli Hospital was treating hundreds of patients when it was bombed.

Verified footage of the moment Israeli forces bombed al-Ahli Hospital shows a ball of fire and smoke rising in the sky as a loud explosion is heard.

It also shows displaced Palestinians, including children, fleeing in the aftermath.

Video of the aftermath of the attack shows rescue workers at the site of a bombed building at al-Ahli Hospital, looking through the rubble for survivors.

According to al-Nahhas, patients in north Gaza have nowhere to go after the Israeli attack on al-Ahli Hospital.

The Government Media Office in Gaza has published a list of 35 hospitals - including al-Ahli Hospital - that Israeli forces have attacked during the ongoing war, which began on October 7, 2023.

Throughout its devastating war, the Israeli military has systematically targeted Gaza's hospitals with impunity, repeatedly alleging that resistance fighters utilize these facilities as "command centers" despite failing to provide any evidence to support such baseless claims.

These attacks have not only severely crippled the already strained healthcare infrastructure in Gaza but also compounded the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the besieged territory, where more than 50,900 Palestinians, most of them women and children have been killed during relentless Israeli bombings.

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Resilience in the face of thirst: Trucking water in war-ravaged Gaza

By Abdelmonem Makki

13 April 2025 - In Gaza, where lack of access to water is an existential threat, Ibrahim Alloush stands out as an unsung hero, providing a lifeline to the thirsty people of the Strip.

Every day, he drives his water truck through the Strip, filling up empty tanks and vessels.

Our camera accompanied Alloush on a recent arduous mission to provide a little water to the residents of Jabalia. UN News' correspondent met Alloush in Jabalia's desalination plant, where he spends hours waiting for water.

Like everywhere else in Gaza, the desalination plant is overcrowded. As Gaza is running out of fuel, Alloush explained that 35 to 40 liters of diesel is needed every hour for the plant just to operate.

Hours spent waiting

At the plant, Ibrahim has to be patient: "We come to the desalination plant and wait about five hours for our turn to fill up. Water prices are very high due to production costs. People here in Gaza cannot afford water unless it is distributed by organizations, institutions, or initiatives.

"The cost of one cubic metre is very high because of how expensive diesel is, which is needed to operate the generators. One cubic metre of water can cost between 90 to 100 shekels, this is about 20 Jordanian dinars."

After completing his task, Ibrahim Alloush gets into his old truck, starts its engine, and sets off on a challenging journey through the devastated neighborhoods of Jabalia.

For Alloush, the struggle does not stop at the water plant. Driving through Gaza is not easy, navigating destroyed streets and surrounded by rubble, Alloush needs to reach the people waiting for him - waiting for water.

There are always people waiting for him. It is almost impossible for trucks to reach certain areas, if it were not for Mr. Alloush, these areas would basically be lacking any supply.

No life without water

'We are suffering from a major water crisis," says Ayman Kamal, a Gaza Strip resident. While some can wait half a day to fill up five or ten gallons of water only, others may not even be able to get water, as they were too far behind in line.

"Without water, there is no life...We wait for potable water that comes from distant areas, and people crowd to get their share," says another resident, Fathi al-Kahlout, as he fills his bucket.

"The blockade has caused us many problems. We hope that the world will look at us, even for one day, as it looks at other countries. Everyone in other countries lives in comfort. Why are we condemned to this fate?" asked Sameer Badr, explaining that his children spend their days going back and forth in search of water.

Worsening water crisis

The continued closure of border crossings and the ban on fuel entry is paralysing desalination plants, the closure of the main water pipelines has also led to a sharp decrease in the amount of drinking water available to residents in Gaza. The water crisis is worsening, warns Children's Fund UNICEF.

After the collapse of the ceasefire, the repair work that had been started on vital wells and water points came to a total halt, leaving many water sources either out of service or at risk of further damage.

According to UNICEF about one million people - including 400,000 children - are currently receiving a daily six-litre ration per person, a stark decrease from the previous average of 16 litres.

If fuel runs out, UNICEF warned that this amount could drop to less than four litres per day in the coming weeks, forcing families to rely on unsafe sources, significantly increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, especially among children.

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Gaza's Al-Ahli hospital forced to cease operations after Israeli airstrike

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:57, April 14, 2025

GAZA/JERUSALEM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli airstrike hit the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City early Sunday, damaging key medical infrastructure and forcing the facility to shut down, according to Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted "a Hamas command and control center" located within the hospital compound. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) stated that Hamas operatives have been using the facility to coordinate attacks.

A medical staff member told Xinhua anonymously that the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning shortly before the strike. The attack struck the hospital's surgical operations department and an oxygen generation unit, inflicting severe damage across multiple sections of the facility.

"The two targeted departments were destroyed, and the hospital can no longer operate," the staff member said, adding that the facility had been sheltering patients, injured civilians, and hundreds of displaced residents before the strike.

Munir al-Barsh, director general of Health Services in Gaza, described a chaotic evacuation conducted under ongoing bombardment. He said a child being moved from the premises died during the process. Witnesses reported that the evacuation took place amid smoke, fire, and falling debris.

The Israeli military stated that it employed precision-guided munitions and conducted aerial surveillance ahead of the strike to reduce the risk to civilians and medical staff. It added that prior warnings had been issued in the area.

The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza condemned the strike, calling it a "war crime" and accusing Israel and the United States of bearing responsibility. It claimed the attack was part of a broader campaign against Gaza's healthcare sector. Local health authorities also appealed to international organizations to safeguard medical facilities and personnel.

Meanwhile, the health authorities in Gaza reported on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, has reached 50,944, with 116,156 wounded. They noted 11 deaths and 111 injuries in the past 24 hours, adding that rescue efforts continue to be hampered by ongoing hostilities.

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War Crimes Trial Of Former Kosovo President Hits Milestone As Prosecution Rests Case

By Doruntina Baftiu April 14, 2025

PRISTINA -- For more than two years, Kosovo war crimes prosecutors have laid out evidence, questioning scores of witnesses, building their case for why former President Hashim Thaci should be convicted for his role in the killing or detention of scores of people during and after the country's war of independence.

On April 15, the trial hits a significant milestone as the prosecution rests its case, and lawyers for Thaci, and three other officials, begin arguing their defense.

The trial is the most consequential to date for the court, formally known as the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office, which is part of an international effort to account for the infighting that gripped the country during and after its war for independence in the late 1990s.

The prosecution's case has been criticized by outside observers, who say it's failed to prove Thaci shared responsibility for a "joint criminal enterprise" that targeted "collaborators" and "traitors" to "gain power" following the country's independence.

"The two most serious parts of the indictment - claiming a joint criminal enterprise and a chain of command - in our analysis, the prosecution has failed to prove such things existed in practice," Ehat Miftaraj, director of the Kosovo Institute for Justice, told RFE/RL's Kosovo Service.

The court has also faced growing pushback from the United States, which is a major financial donor of the court as well as a major supplier of legal staff.

Ric Grennell, who was special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations during President Donald Trump's first administration, has slammed Thaci's detention as a "grave injustice."

Movements Of Liberation

Years before becoming Kosovo's first post-independence prime minister, in 2008, Thaci was one of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, a militia group that waged a years-long fight to break Kosovo away from Serbia and from Yugoslavia.

In 1999, NATO bombed Yugoslav military units to halt a campaign of terror that Belgrade had launched against Kosovo.

The province declared independence from Serbia in 2008, something not recognized by Serbia to this day. The two countries have tense relations, with local ethnic enclaves clashing over municipal rules, though both have also exchanged diplomatic representatives.

In 2016, the same year Thaci was elected president, the European Union backed the creation of a hybrid court that would investigate crimes committed during and after the war, particularly by the Kosovo Liberation Army, known as the KLA. Housed at The Hague, the court staffed mainly by international judges and lawyers, but is authorized under Kosovo's constitution.

In 2020, the court indicted Thaci, and three other top KLA leaders, alleging they were responsible for helping to set up a network of 40 detention centers, where over 400 people were detained. At least 102 were killed and more than 20 others are considered missing, prosecutor charged.

Thaci, who stepped down as president after he was indicted, and his codefendants have all been held in pre-trial detention in The Hague since November 2020.

Thaci's co-defendants are Kadri Veseli, the former head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo; Rexhep Selimi, a lawmaker now affiliated with the current Prime Minister Albin Kurti; and Jakup Krasniqi, a former speaker of Kosovo's parliament.

Defense lawyers have rejected all charges, arguing that the KLA lacked an effective chain of command.

'A Grave Injustice'

Though now disbanded, the KLA remains a popular organization for many Kosovars, who credit it with the fight that led to independence. Thaci also remains a popular figure, fueling criticism in Kosovo society for the court.

The court's main European backers continue to support the proceedings. However, under the Trump administration, the United States, which is a major supplier of legal staffing to the court, has become a vocal critic.

Americans rank second after the Netherlands in terms of personnel staffing the court, and the court's vice president and its current chief prosecutor are also both U.S. citizens.

At the time Thaci was indicted, he had planned a trip to Washington D.C., and he was forced to cancel.

The prosecutor who issued the indictment was Jack Smith, who was later appointed special counsel under Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, and tasked with brought two sets of criminal charges against Trump himself.

Trump himself, and most of his Republican supporters, strenuously criticized the two criminal cases Smith brought against him, alleging they were politically motivated.

Grennell, whom Trump re-appointed as a special envoy at the beginning of his second term in January, has repeatedly called for the court's closure. In February, on Kosovo's Independence Day, he described Thaci's continued detention as a "grave injustice."

"The Europeans have failed to act against this injustice for the past 5 years," Grenell said in a now-deleted post to X. "And Kosovo's state institutions have failed to take the necessary legal actions to bring this injustice to an end - because of politics."

If the US administration were to formally call for the closure of the court, it could severely damage the process, Miftaraj said. However, he added, international backers want to see the trial completed, and he said the chances of a political decision shutting it down entirely were "small."

Miftaraj said he expects the entire process to conclude, with the court handing down a verdict, by spring of 2026.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/thaci-kosovo-war-crimes- trial-case-prosecution-rests/33383883.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 13 April 2025 - Day 1145

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to withhold the pressure of the occupation troops. The Russian enemy is most actively in the Intercession direction.

So far, there have been a total of 117 combat encounters.

Today, Russia committed one rocket and 93 aviation strikes using two rockets and 143 controlled bombs. In addition, the zombies involved 1235 kamikaze drones for strikes and carried out about five thousand shells of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian enemy twice attacked near the settlements of Vovchansk and Vovchanski farms.

Four times Russian forces tried to advance to Ukrainian positions in the Kupyans komu direction, near Petropavlivka, Nova Kruglyakivka and Zagrizovoye.

In the Lyman direction for today Ukrainian defenders repelled 20 Russian attacks in the areas of Sergiyivka, Katerynivka, Ridkoduba, Novomikhailivka, Green Valley, Grekivka, Torsky and Novoy.

There are two clashes in the area of Verkhnyokamiansky in the Siversky direction.

Currently, six Russian attacks have occurred in the Kramators komu direction. The Russian attacks in the area of casovogo yaru and predtecinogo. So far, two clashes are ongoing.

In the Toretsky direction, Ukrainian military repelled 15 Russian attacks in the areas of Toretsk, Ozaryanivka, Friendship and Leonidivka, 11 attacks stopped by the Defense Forces, four are ongoing.

In the Pokrovsky direction during this day, the Russian aggressor 38 times attacked Ukrainian positions in the areas of the settlements of Suha Balka, Tarasivka, Vodane Druge, Elizavetivka, Kotline, Novosergiivka, Bogdanivka, Andriyivka and towards the Old Nikolaivka. The six clashes are still ongoing. Russian aviation caused air strikes of kabama on new poltavka.

According to preliminary calculations, today the Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsky direction lost 196 people killed and injured. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed three mortars, eight intelligence agencies, 13 vehicles units, seven motorcycles, one self-propelled artillery rig, ten satellite terminals and two control points of the Russian occupiers. Also Ukrainian defenders struck a tank, car, cannon and armored combat vehicle of the Russian enemy.

In the Novopavlivs komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled six Russian attacks. Russian forces tried to break through near Constantinople. There's still one battle going on.

In the Gulyaipil direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks in the areas of Novopol and Privilny, Vilny Pol and Shevchenko. Aviation strikes were hit by settlements Novopil, Zelene Pole, Shevchenko, Chervone, Malinivka and Gulyaipole.

In the Orihivs komu direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled three attacks of the Russian zagarbnikiv in the areas of Stepovoye, Scherbakiv and Malih Scherbakiv. Russian forces caused air strikes in the areas of Kamiansky and Stepnogirsk.

In the pridniprovsk direction, the Russian aggressor made one unsuccessful attempt to move forward, in addition, caused an aviation strike on Ivanivka.

The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to carry out the operation in Kurshchyna, where Ukrainian troops have repelled 18 attacks of the enemy so far. Russian invaders launched 32 air strikes, using 53 controlled air bombs, and carried out 436 artillery shells, including 14 from reactive salvage systems.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces in Belgorod direction engaged units of two mechanised brigades, a coastal defence brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and four territorial defence brigades close to Turya, Miropolskoye, Novodmitrovka, Prokhody, and Petrushevka (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, the Russian Armed Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade close to Karasevka and Shuby (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armoured personnel carrier, a motor vehicle, three field artillery guns, a UK-made 128-mm RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launcher, a counter-fire station, and an electronic warfare station. Three enemy ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian units hit five mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, a jaeger brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades close to Kupyansk, Radkovka, Petropavlovka, Borovaya, Novaya Kruglyakovka, Novoyegorovka (Kharkov region), Redkodub, Yampol, Kirovsk (Donetsk People's Republic) and the Serebryansky forestry.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 260 troops, seven pickup trucks, and seven artillery guns. Three Zakhist and Kvertus electronic warfare stations and an ammunition depot were eliminated.

The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation. Russian troops damaged manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, a regiment of unmanned aerial systems of the AFU, a territorial defence brigade, a national guard brigade, and the Azov special forces brigade near Dronovka, Novaya Poltavka, Zarya, Kalinovo, Chasov Yar, Kleban-Byk, and Katerinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 295 troops, 17 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns. One ammunition depot and one fuel depot were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Yelizavetovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Russian troops engaged four mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, a Jaeger brigade, an unmanned aerial vehicles brigade, an assault regiment of the AFU, a marine brigade, and three national guard brigades close to Novoekonomicheskoye, Zverevo, Kotlino, Udachnoye, Alekseyevka, Novopavlovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Novosergeyevka, Mirolyubovka, and Preobrazhenka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 435 troops, two Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, seven pick-up trucks, and eight field artillery guns including a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defences. Russian forces hit manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade of the AFU, a marine brigade, and three territorial defence brigades close to Bogatyr, Novopol, Aleksandropol, Karl Marks, Burlatskoye, Shevchenko, Otradnoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Filiya (Dnepropetrovsk region), and Gulyaypole (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 130 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, one motor vehicle, and two field artillery guns, including one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system. One electronic warfare station was eliminated.

The Dnepr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian units engaged three mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade, and two coastal defence brigades of the AFU near Novodanilovka, Pavlovka, Novoandreyevka (Zaporozhye region), Sadovoye, Nikolskoye, and Antonovka (Kherson region).

Up to 70 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, and two ammunition depots have been neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the infrastructure of the military airfield, the location of the ammunition and armament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a training center for pilots of unmanned aerial vehicles, the location of tactical missiles as well as temporary deployment areas of the Ukrainian armed forces and mercenaries in 141 area.

Russian air defence units have shot down an F-16 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, eight JDAM guided bombs, seven U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 207 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 661 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 51,335 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,817 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,535 MLRS combat vehicles, 23,556 field artillery guns and mortars, and 34,048 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise AFU formations on the territory of Kursk region.

The Sever Group of Forces engaged units of two mechanised brigades, a tank brigade, two air assault brigades, a marine brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Gornal and Oleshnya.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and artillery strikes engaged AFU manpower and hardware close to Belovody, Gnilitsa, Loknya, Malaya Rybitsa, Marino, Miropolye, Mogritsa, Sadki, Zapselye, Yunakovka, and Yablonovka in Sumy region.

In the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 190 troops, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armoured fighting vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, three mortars, and a BM-21 Grad MLRS.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU losses amounted to more than 74,010 troops, 406 tanks, 333 infantry fighting vehicles, 302 armoured personnel carriers, 2,265 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,690 motor vehicles, 606 artillery guns, 54 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA, 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles, 123 EW stations, 18 counter-fire radars, ten air defence radars, 57 units of engineering and other materiel, including 23 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five bridge launchers, one engineering reconnaissance vehicle as well as 15 armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





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Building on Past Achievements and Making New Advances In Pursuit of Shared Goals

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: April 14, 2025 06:59

H.E. Xi Jinping

General Secretary of the Central Committee

Of the Communist Party of China

And President of the People's Republic of China

For Nhan Dan of Viet Nam

Late spring is full of vitality. As China and Viet Nam celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, I will soon pay a state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and Vietnamese President Comrade Luong Cuong. This will be my fourth visit to this beautiful country since I became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China. I look forward to renewing friendship with Vietnamese leaders, discussing ways of boosting cooperation, and drawing up a new blueprint for the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future in the new era.

China and Viet Nam are friendly socialist neighbors sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests. The profound friendship between the two parties and two peoples, forged decades ago, has grown stronger as we explore a socialist path suited to our respective national conditions and advance our respective modernization drive. Building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of our two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity of our region and beyond. It conforms with the trend of history. And it is the choice by our peoples.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is inherited from our distinctive revolutionary traditions. During modern times, pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the Third World's victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Viet Nam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Viet Nam. Chairman Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yan'an, Guilin, Chongqing and Kunming . China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese people's War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Viet Nam's just War Against U.S. Aggression to Save the Nation. This well-known line, "The friendship between Viet Nam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers," is etched on our shared revolutionary memory.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is based on strong political mutual trust. In recent years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders and I have visited each other many times, steering the course for building a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future. Our two parties and two countries have kept close high-level engagement. Mechanisms such as the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, the party-to-party theoretical symposium, the border defense friendship exchange, and the conference on crime control between the two public security ministries are functioning smoothly. High-level mechanisms including the joint committee between the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of Viet Nam have been established. The "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security between our two countries has been held successfully. China and Viet Nam hold similar positions on many regional and international issues and have engaged in close coordination on them.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is rooted in our fruitful cooperation. China and Viet Nam have pursued closer cooperation on industrial and supply chains amid a sluggish global economic recovery. China has been Viet Nam's biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row, with total bilateral trade exceeding US$260 billion in 2024. More and more quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as durian and coconut are available to Chinese consumers. Railway connectivity and the smart port development project are being steadily advanced. Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Viet Nam. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line built by a Chinese company makes public transport in Hanoi more convenient. Contributing to each other's success and pursuing common development, China and Viet Nam have set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.

The China-Viet Nam community with a shared future is advanced by close people-to-people exchanges. Over the years, we have seen ever more people-to-people exchanges that foster increasingly closer ties between Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. Chinese tourists made more than 3.7 million visits to Viet Nam in 2024. With the official launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cross-border tourism cooperation zone and the opening of several cross-border road trip routes, visiting two countries in a single day has become possible. Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Viet Nam are learning Chinese. Many Vietnamese songs are now on hot search lists on social media in China, and many Chinese diners relish pho and other Vietnamese delicacies.

Today, global, epoch-making and historical changes are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent transformation. Despite the headwinds of mounting unilateralism and protectionism, the Chinese economy expanded by five percent in 2024, contributing around 30 percent to the global economy. It remains a key engine of the world economy. China's new energy sector, artificial intelligence and animated films have come into global spotlight. China will continue to provide more opportunities to the world with its high-standard opening up and contribute to the development of all countries with its high-quality development.

Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development. At a new starting point toward revitalization of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbors. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia's modernization.

China is going all out to build a great modern socialist country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by pursuing Chinese modernization. Viet Nam will usher in a new epoch of national development toward the two goals set for the centenary of the Party and the country respectively. China always gives Viet Nam high priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. Our two countries should strengthen our efforts on all fronts to build the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

We should deepen strategic mutual trust and advance the socialist cause. The two sides should act on the guidance of the leaders. The China-Viet Nam steering committee for bilateral cooperation should coordinate our interactions more effectively to boost party, government, military, law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly tackle external risks and challenges, and uphold political security. China is ready to enhance exchanges of governance practices with Viet Nam, explore and enrich together socialist theory and practices, and promote the steady development of the two countries' socialist cause.

We should continue win-win cooperation and deliver more benefit to our two peoples. we should create greater synergy between our development strategies, implement well the cooperation plan between the two governments on synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and build more platforms for economic and technological cooperation. China stands ready to advance cooperation with Viet Nam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Viet Nam and the smart port. China welcomes more quality Vietnamese products in the Chinese market, and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Viet Nam. Our two countries should step up cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and expand cooperation in emerging areas, such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development, to create more benefits for the two peoples.

We should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between our peoples. This year is the China-Viet Nam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and we should use this opportunity to promote people-to-people exchanges in diverse forms. China welcomes Vietnamese visitors to travel across China, and encourages Chinese tourists to visit scenic sites in Viet Nam. Our two countries should carry out more activities that will bring our two peoples together such as the friendly meeting between youth and festive events in border areas. We should further tap into our revolutionary resources, and tell stories of friendship that resonate with our two peoples, so as to pass on the baton of China-Viet Nam friendship from generation to generation.

We should enhance multilateral collaboration and promote Asia's prosperity and revitalization. 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 as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Our two countries should firmly uphold the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important that we pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. It is also important that we promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries. Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and an open and cooperative international environment. We should strengthen coordination in mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation and Lancang-Mekong cooperation, so as to ensure more stability for a changing and turbulent world and inject more positive energy in it.

We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region. The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation. The two sides should implement the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two parties and the two countries. We should make good use of the maritime negotiation mechanism so as to properly manage maritime differences, expand maritime cooperation, and build up conditions for the final resolution of the disputes. We should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. We should be impervious to all interference, bridge differences and expand common ground, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Standing at this new starting point of history, China is ready to work with Viet Nam to build on past achievements, write a new chapter in building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

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DPRK Premier Inspects Various Sectors of National Economy

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 14 (KCNA) -- Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, inspected various sectors of the national economy.

The premier called upon the Kumsong Tractor Factory and the Kangso Engine Accessory Factory to further improve the machining accuracy and quality of products by actively introducing advanced science and technology and push ahead with the development and production of effective farm machines of various kinds so as to uphold with high production results the Party's idea on continuously raising the proportion of the farm work done by machines.

He acquainted himself in detail with the steel tower production process for super-high voltage transmission line and the operation of equipment at the transmission line laying station. And he underlined the need to unconditionally implement the task planned for this year by effectively utilizing the existing production capability and show special care for the employees' living in conformity with the features of the unit which has lots of itinerant work to do.

At the Pyongyang Bearing Factory, the premier called on its officials and workers to intensify the drive for increased production in the same spirit as displayed to over-fulfill the first quarterly national economic plan and further raise the actual output ratio and the quality of bearings by steadily strengthening the sci-tech force of the factory.

Visiting the State General Bureau of Design, he said that the bureau should produce more new and peculiar architectural designs symbolic of the era of great prosperity in construction by updating the design means and positively introducing advanced design methods, true to the noble intention of the Party Central Committee, and fulfill its mission as a powerful design guidance organ by improving the ability of designers and intensifying the training of talents and the guidance over design and the assessment system.

The premier visited the Unjom Farm in Singye County of North Hwanghae Province to learn in detail about the growth of earlier wheat and burley and called for reaping a good harvest in the production of early-ripening crops by manuring and tending them in a responsible way. He also called upon the agricultural guidance organs at all levels to direct efforts to the farming in intermediate and mountainous area.

Then he learned about the preparation for operating a new wheat processing factory built in the county and took such practical steps for its normal operation as the reinforcement of transport means and the improvement of employees' technical knowledge and skills.

The field consultative meetings discussed the issue of giving precedence to the supply of products under contract and materials needed for the production of farm machines and the laying of super-high voltage transmission lines and establishing a proper system to provide the workers involved in laying transmission lines with better living conditions, the issue of further strengthening the foundation for bearing production, the issue of steadily improving the design assessment work, etc. -0-

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Harbour phase of Indian Navy's maiden initiative 'Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement exercise' inaugurated by Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania & Raksha Rajya Mantri onboard INS Chennai at Dar es Salaam

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Oneness & unity of purpose key to overcome maritime challenges and ensure a peaceful & prosperous future: Shri Sanjay Seth

Posted On: 13 APR 2025 9:26PM by PIB Delhi

The harbour phase of Indian Navy's maiden initiative of Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement exercise (AIKEYME) was inaugurated by Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax and Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth onboard INS Chennai at Dar es Salaam on April 13, 2025. AIKEYME, co-hosted by India and Tanzania, involves participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa.

Raksha Rajya Mantri also joined the digital inauguration of Weapons Training Simulator facility established at Arusha and inauguration of Defence Expo. In the Defence Expo, 22 companies from India are participating with their key products on display.

In his address, Raksha Rajya Mantri emphasised on oneness, and unity of purpose to overcome the vast maritime challenges and to ensure a peaceful & prosperous future. He recalled the age-old relations between India & Africa and reiterated the principle of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Region) for further strengthening the bond with our friends in Africa.

Shri Sanjay Seth stressed on the African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together," highlighting the need for enduring partnerships in maritime security. He expressed gratitude to Tanzania for hosting AIKEYME 25, marking a significant step towards long-term collaboration.

Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania thanked India for co-hosting the Exercise and she termed the Exercise a strategic initiative to build strong maritime partnership. She underscored the necessity of a collective approach to address challenges such as piracy and trafficking.

Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax reaffirmed Tanzania's commitment to hosting future editions of AIKEYME and detailed the collaborative framework for regional maritime security, emphasizing innovation and information sharing. Her remarks firmly established that the relationship extends beyond military affairs, advocating for a broader regional cooperation.

Dignitaries present included the Chief of Defence Force, Tanzania People's Defence Force, the Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, and the High Commissioner of India to Tanzania, reinforcing the importance of bilateral defence relationships. The event was punctuated by a parade of a 50-man guard and the stirring performance of the Indian Navy Band, embodying the spirit of maritime cooperation.

Raksha Rajya Mantri also briefly interacted with the crew of participating countries of the Exercise and IOS SAGAR ship. He did a walkaround of INS Chennai. He gifted 15 sets of Parachutes, books for NDC and a Tri-Services War Gaming Simulator to Tanzania as a token of strong bonds and friendship between the two countries.

The exercise represents commitment of the participating countries to a free, open and secure Indian Ocean. A new chapter has been added today to the growing relations between India and Africa. AIKEYME 25 and IOS SAGAR symbolize a transformative journey towards enhanced multinational collaboration in securing the seas, forging connections that transcend borders.

****

VK/SR/VM/Savvy

(Release ID: 2121495)

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Top Egyptian and Kuwaiti diplomats tell Araqchi they welcome Iran-U.S. talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has held separate phone conversations with his Egyptian and Kuwaiti counterparts, discussing a first round of negotiations held between Iran and the United States on Saturday. Both top foreign diplomats welcomed the talks, expressing hope that they bear desirable results.

Araqchi, who led the negotiations with U.S. representative Steve Witkoff in Oman, spoke with Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on Sunday, according to the Telegram page of Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Abdelatty referred to Egypt's official statement that welcomed the Iran-U.S. talks, expressing hope that the negotiations will bear desirable results.

Kuwait's foreign minister, whose country officially welcomed the Oman talks as well, also hoped that the negotiations will be fruitful.

During the two phone calls, the Iranian foreign minister briefed his counterparts on Tehran's stance on the negotiations with Washington.

Araqchi's phone conversations also included discussions on other regional developments including the war in Gaza.

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Iran and the U.S. agreed on 'general framework' of talks: Foreign Ministry spokesperson

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says the talks in Muscat on Saturday were the first round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States regarding the removal of the "illegal sanctions," during which the two sides agreed on the "general framework" of future negotiations.

"We have repeatedly said and shown in practice that we have no concerns or obstacles to build trust regarding the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program," Baqaei said in an interview on Sunday.

"We have proven that in practice over the past two decades, and everyone knows what happened to that agreement, Iran fully adhered to its commitments, and ultimately the United States unilaterally withdrew from it," he said in reference to the 2015 deal that Iran had signed with the U.S. and other countries.

Baqaei pointed out that the talks on Saturday were mediated by the Omani foreign minister and involved four rounds of back-and-forth exchanges of messages, positions, and general frameworks, saying that ultimately, both sides agreed that the talks were constructive and conducted in a respectful atmosphere.

In response to a question whether the two sides expressed their conditions and demands, Baqaei said, "Yes, in principle, in any negotiation of this kind, general frameworks are exchanged in the first meeting and both sides specify in what format and under what principles they are willing to negotiate."

On Saturday, top negotiators from Iran and the U.S. exchanged the viewpoints of their respective governments on Iran's nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on the Islamic Republic through Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the Foreign Ministry said.

Following the talks, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who led the Iranian delegation, commended Oman's foreign minister for facilitating the negotiations, noting that Al Busaidi actively shuttled between the two delegations to convey their messages.

Araqchi confirmed that a second round of indirect talks with the American team would take place next week to "discuss the framework of an agreement." He added that the next round may not be held in Muscat, but Oman would remain the mediator.

"The sides demonstrated their willingness to advance the talks and reach an agreement that is mutually acceptable," Araqchi said.

The top diplomat emphasized that Iran was not seeking to waste time, but acknowledged that "negotiations will not be easy and require determination."

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World bullies own deadliest, most offensive weapons but forbid defensive arms for others: Ayatollah Khamenei

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Western powers deem themselves entitled to possess the deadliest and most offensive types of weaponry while forbidding independent nations from owning defensive arms.

In a meeting with commanders and officials from the Armed Forces on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei also said that ill-wishers were frustrated with Iran's progress in various fields, most notably in the defense sector.

"The Armed Forces are the country's shield and a refuge for the nation against any aggressor," the Leader said.

While commending the Armed Forces for their preparedness, weaponry, and organizational capabilities, Ayatollah Khamenei urged them to adopt both "software- and hardware-related measures" to effectively carry out their "national duty."

"Alongside hardware, software readiness is very important to countering hostile efforts," he said.

Referring to enemy plots against Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Islamic and independent nature of the governing system in Iran was the reason behind enemies' hostility toward the country. "What irritates the enemy is not the name 'the Islamic Republic'; rather, the will of a country to be Muslim and independent and have an identity of its own and not rely on others for its dignity is what angers them," the Leader added.

The Leader also called on the Armed Forces to maintain their "faith, courage, and trust in God" and warned that armies that lacked such characteristics have encountered failure throughout history.

He said that "of course, there are also some tangible economic difficulties that must be resolved," but they should not overshadow "the amazing progress" the country has achieved.

Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the Western media's bias against Iran, saying they report what they wish to be true as actual news. This campaign of propaganda must be confronted, he added.

At the beginning of the meeting, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, outlined the country's defense and deterrence capabilities.

"The Armed Forces are fully prepared, with the support of the nation, and will leave the enemies longing for their sinister goals," Baqeri said.

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Iran will continue indirect talks with U.S. under Oman's mediation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says Tehran has reaffirmed its commitment to indirect talks with Washington, focusing on nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions.

Iran-U.S. discussions, mediated by Oman, will based on guidelines set by senior Iranian officials, said Baqaei on Sunday.

He emphasized that the talks remain strictly centered on nuclear matters, dismissing speculation about direct negotiations.

There is no agenda beyond indirect discussions, he said, adding that Iran has declared that direct negotiations are unproductive under conditions of threats, pressure, or intimidation.

Oman will continue to serve as the intermediary, he said, adding that the location for future rounds of talks is still under consideration.

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Countries welcome Iran-U.S. talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The United States has described its indirect talks with Iran as "positive and constructive." Several other countries have also reacted positively to the Saturday talks.

The discussions, hosted and mediated by Oman, were a first round of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of the sanctions against the country. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi led the Iranian negotiating team. The U.S. side was headed by President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Following the discussions, the White House said in a statement on Saturday night that the talks were "very positive and constructive."

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 statement read.

Trump, speaking with reporters on Air Force One, said that the discussions "are going OK."

"Nothing matters until you get it done," he said while en route to Miami. "So, I don't like talking about it. But it's going OK. The Iran situation is going pretty good, I think."

Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and launched a "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic Republic, has spoken of a new agreement with Iran and resumed that campaign after returning to the White House in January this year. Trump has even threatened Iran with military action if no deal is reached, a threat strongly dismissed by Tehran.

The Saturday Iran-U.S. talks however have drawn positive reactions from countries, which come as follow:

Persian Gulf Cooperation Council

Jassim Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said that Oman's hosting of the talks reflects its wise approach to promoting dialogue and building bridges of understanding among nations.

He said that the GCC countries continuously seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts and are dedicated to offering initiatives that serve the interests of regional nations and the world.

Russia

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based International Organizations, described the outcome of the discussions as "reassuring."

"On the outcomes of today's meeting in Oman, both the Iranians and the Americans described the negotiations as positive and constructive. This is reassuring," he wrote on Telegram.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Foreign Ministry affirmed the kingdom's support for the efforts and for adopting dialogue as a means to resolve all regional and international disputes.

It expressed the country's aspiration that the outcomes of the Iranian-American talks would contribute to strengthening joint efforts to enhance security, stability, and peace in the region and the world.

Iraq

Iraq's Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the talks will lead to positive results in the near future.

The positive results of the talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will help reduce tension and build trust between the two sides, the ministry said, adding that they will also serve the interests of the people of the region, and increase security and peace.

Egypt

Cairo hoped that the indirect negotiations would initiate a new phase that would reduce tensions in the region in general and the Gaza Strip in particular.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country supports Oman's efforts and all efforts to reach political solutions through dialogue, warning that there are no military solutions to regional crises.

Kuwait

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the talks would help strengthen peace, security, and stability in the region.

In a statement, the ministry emphasized the Kuwaiti government's support and belief in the path of dialogue and diplomatic solutions to resolve issues and disputes at the regional and international levels.

Qatar

Doha also expressed satisfaction with the positive spirit and statements of both sides after the talks.

According to a statement by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, the country also praised the constructive role played by the Sultanate of Oman in this regard.

Bahrain

Bahrain said it hoped that the talks would help consolidate security, stability and peace at the regional and international levels.

It also appreciated Oman's diplomatic efforts and supporting initiatives aimed at resolving disputes and conflicts through peaceful means.

Pakistan

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said on Sunday that Pakistan welcomes the Iran-U.S. talks, and maintains that dialogue and diplomacy help promote peace and stability in the region.

While encouraging both sides to continue the path of diplomacy, he also appreciated Oman for playing "a valuable role" in facilitating and hosting these talks.

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Pakistan Welcomes Talks Between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States in the Sultanate of Oman

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pakistan welcomes the talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America that were held on 12 April 2025 in Muscat under the good offices of Oman.

Pakistan considers that dialogue and diplomacy will promote peace and stability in the region and advance the objective of resolution of differences and disputes on the basis of negotiations and mutual respect. We encourage the parties to continue to follow this path.

Pakistan commends the Sultanate of Oman for its valuable role in facilitating and hosting these talks.

Islamabad

13 April 2025

98/2025

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Iran: Indirect talks with US strictly limited to nuclear, sanctions issues

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 11:12 AM

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has emphasized that the indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, hosted by Oman on Saturday, were limited strictly to nuclear and sanctions-related issues.

"If we take the exchange of letters that initiated the process leading to the indirect talks as the basis, there was nothing in it besides the nuclear issue," Baghaei said in a televised interview on Sunday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy for Middle East affairs, led the first round of indirect talks in the Omani capital of Muscat on Saturday.

Both sides described the talks as positive and constructive, with Araghchi saying that the next round is expected to take place on April 19 at the same level.

Earlier, Tehran rejected Washington's proposal for direct negotiations over US President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign and threats of military action against the Islamic Republic.

Dismissing speculations about the possibility of direct negotiations, Baghaei said such claims are unfounded. "We have previously stated that in a climate of threats, pressure, and intimidation, direct negotiations would not be productive."

Baghaei also said that the talks will remain indirect and continue under Omani mediation, adding, however, that whether the venue is Oman or elsewhere is under discussion.

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Removal of US's oppressive sanctions one of Iranian nation's most basic rights: First VP

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 12:16 AM

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has asserted that elimination of the oppressive sanctions imposed on the Iranian people by the United States is among the nation's most fundamental rights.

Remarking on Saturday, the senior official highlighted that the Islamic Republic could not close its eyes on the US's history of non-commitment to its obligations concerning the country, but would, nevertheless, give negotiation a chance.

"We want to show that once again we are exercising patience. We do not forget the past events and the violent, bad, and wrongful actions taken against Iran and the Islamic world, but we are a nation that is open to negotiation and dialogue."

The official was referring to the United States unilateral and illegal withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a historical nuclear agreement between Iran and other countries. He was also pointing to Washington's reinstatement of its unlawful sanctions and even intensification of its coercive economic measures against the Iranian nation after ditching the deal.

The remarks came following indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Muscat, Oman, featuring Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the US's regional envoy Steve Witkoff, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi serving as the mediator.

The two sides agreed to continue discussions aiming to establish a basis for future negotiation after both described the talks as constructive.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi emphasized that Iran was giving diplomacy a sincere opportunity to address nuclear issues and the lifting of the sanctions, while noting that the Islamic Republic did not seek prolonged negotiations. 

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After First Step, Optimism Grows As US, Iran Prepare For Next Meeting

By Kian Sharifi and RFE/RL's Radio Farda April 13, 2025

Nuclear talks in Oman marked the first formal engagement between Iran and the United States in years, and though progress may have been slight, it was enough to signal a willingness to temper tensions through diplomacy rather than military action.

Iranian and US negotiators agreed on April 12 to continue their high-level talks over Tehran's nuclear program on April 19, with the venue likely moving to Europe from the Middle East.

Going into the high-stakes meeting in Oman, Washington had insisted the talks would be direct, while Tehran maintained otherwise.

In the end, there was a bit of both.

The talks were largely held indirectly, with Omani diplomats shuttling between rooms. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff briefly met at the conclusion of the talks.

"So, both sides came out with their basic requirements met," Gregory Brew, a senior Iran analyst at the New York-based Eurasia Group, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

However, he warned against overanalyzing the outcomes of the meeting, adding, "It's still not entirely clear what was achieved beyond simply establishing a basis for further discussions."

Araqchi called the brief words he had with Witkoff "diplomatic courtesy." That was enough to bring a palpable optimism to the region, already on edge with the conflict in Gaza and a regime change in Syria.

Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, which was skeptical of the 2015 nuclear deal and hailed US President Donald Trump for abrogating it in 2018, has welcomed the Oman talks. Bahrain and Qatar followed suit with their own statements of encouragement.

Tough Calls Necessary

Analysts say a deal on Iran's nuclear program is possible -- if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is willing to make difficult decisions.

Despite constitutionally holding ultimate authority over all state matters, Khamenei has developed a reputation for avoiding direct accountability.

"Khamenei still appears to be unwilling to take responsibility, as seen in his recent public comments in which he says he against talks and that negotiations can be held but he won't take responsibility for the outcomes," Fereshteh Pezeshk, an international relations analyst based in Washington, told Radio Farda.

Iran is in a precarious position. Its network of regional proxies is at its weakest, and its economy is reeling under US sanctions, with the cost of living rising and purchasing power declining.

"The domestic situation in Iran is also slightly increasing the odds of a deal," Pezeshk said.

Adding to the pressure are threats of military action from Trump if no agreement is reached. While Iranian officials publicly dismiss the possibility of war, analysts say Tehran takes the threat seriously.

The Road Ahead

Mehrzad Boroujerdi, a professor of political science at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, described the Oman meeting as "warm-up talks" during which critical topics were left untouched.

"They likely agreed on a timetable and general topics of discussion, but the important issues will come up in future talks," he told Radio Farda.

Boroujerdi added that both Tehran and Washington appeared to have "pulled back from their maximalist demands", paving the way for a workable deal.

The format of the next round of talks has not been disclosed, but critics of indirect negotiations argue that Washington must insist on direct engagement, citing previous failures of indirect diplomacy.

"The US should be making clear: if there are no direct, substantive talks in the next round, there will be no negotiation," Jason Brodsky, policy director at the nonprofit United Against Nuclear Iran, wrote on X. "This is how Tehran stalls and strings things out."

Another unresolved question is whether Trump seeks to curb Iran's nuclear program or dismantle it entirely. Tehran has firmly opposed shutting down its nuclear program but has repeatedly insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons and is willing to offer assurances.

Still, there seems to be a real willingness to strike a deal, and Iran arguably needs it more than the United States.

Reaching an agreement, however, depends on whether Iranian decision-makers "show wisdom and courage," Pezeshk said.

For now, both sides seem prepared to keep talking, but there is only so much time left.

With reporting by Golnaz Esfandiari, Reza Jamali, and Mohammad Zarghami of RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-talks-oman-trump- witkoff-khamenei-nuclear/33383762.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran Ready to Return to 2015 Nuclear Deal Enrichment Levels - But With Key Conditions for the US

Sputnik News

20250413

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iran is ready to return to the levels of uranium enrichment envisaged by the 2015 nuclear deal, subject to certain conditions from the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Iranian and European officials.

According to the newspaper, in exchange, Iran wants a rapid easing of nuclear-related sanctions from the United States, access to billions of dollars in frozen assets, and an end to US pressure on Chinese buyers of Iranian oil.

On Saturday, indirect talks were held in the Omani capital of Muscat between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special presidential envoy Steven Witkoff. According to Witkoff, the talks between Iran and the United States in Oman were positive and constructive. Araghchi also called the atmosphere of these talks constructive and calm, thanked the Omani foreign minister for his efforts in exchanging views between the Iranian and US delegations, and announced that the second round of talks between Iran and the US would be held on Saturday, April 19.

In early March, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which he said that he would prefer to conclude a deal with Tehran on the Iranian nuclear program, threatening a military response otherwise. According to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Tehran in a response letter refused the US direct talks on the nuclear program, the window for negotiations is open only with the mediation of third countries.

In 2015, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, France and Iran concluded a nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) that provided for the lifting of sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. During Trump's previous presidential term, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions against Tehran. In response, Iran announced a gradual reduction in its obligations under the agreement, abandoning, in particular, restrictions on nuclear research and the level of uranium enrichment.

US special presidential envoy Steven Witkoff did not offer Tehran to abandon its uranium enrichment program during talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman, the New York Times reported, citing a senior US official.

The talks were broad and aimed at maintaining dialogue, the focus was on preventing the country from turning its existing material into weapons, the source told the publication.

On Saturday, Araghchi and Witkoff held indirect talks in the Omani capital of Muscat. According to Witkoff, the talks between Iran and the US in Oman were positive and constructive. Araghchi also described the atmosphere of these talks as constructive and calm, thanked the Omani foreign minister for his efforts in exchanging views between the Iranian and US delegations, and announced that the second round of talks between Iran and the US would be held on Saturday, April 19.

 Sputnik

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US-Iran Talks 'Going OK' - Trump Says After Witkoff-Araghchi Meeting

Sputnik News

20250413

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said after a meeting between his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the Iran talks were going "OK," Reuters reported.

"I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done. So I don't like talking about it, but it's going OK. The Iran situation is going pretty good," Trump told reporters aboard the Air Force One en route to the UFC 314 tournament in Miami, Florida.

On Saturday, indirect talks were held in the Omani capital of Muscat between Araghchi and Witkoff. According to Witkoff, the talks between Iran and the United States in Oman were positive and constructive. Araghchi also called the atmosphere of these talks constructive and calm, thanked the Omani foreign minister for his efforts in exchanging views between the Iranian and US delegations, and announced that the second round of talks between Iran and the US would be held on Saturday, April 19.

 Sputnik

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Saudi Arabia, US to sign agreement on civil nuclear program: Energy secretary

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 13 April 2025 5:09 PM

The United States and Saudi Arabia are set to sign an agreement to cooperate on developing a civil nuclear program in the oil-rich kingdom.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who is on his first official visit to Saudi Arabia as energy secretary, made the remarks at a press conference in the capital, Riyadh, on Sunday, after meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman earlier in the day.

Wright noted that the two countries are on "a pathway" to reaching a preliminary accord to work together on developing nuclear cooperation, adding that further details on the landmark agreement would be disclosed later this year.

"For a US partnership and involvement in nuclear here, there will definitely be a 123 agreement ... there's lots of ways to structure a deal that will accomplish both the Saudi objectives and the American objectives," he said, referring to Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which outlines the process for major nuclear cooperation between Washington and other countries.

Wright further said that Saudi Arabia has yet to agree to the requirements under the act, which specifies nine non-proliferation criteria a state must meet to keep it from using the technology to develop nuclear weapons or transfer sensitive materials to others.

Saudi Arabia has long said that it would not agree to restrictions that would prevent uranium enrichment or the reprocessing of spent fuel, two technologies that can be used in the development of nuclear weapons, raising concerns among arms control experts and some members of the US Congress.

The prospective deal represents a significant shift from the strategy of former US President Joe Biden's administration, which sought to tie such an agreement to the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

That condition appears to have been dropped now, with the current negotiations focused solely on energy collaboration.

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Taiwan denies convenience stores will be used as wartime hubs

ROC Central News Agency

04/13/2025 02:39 PM

Taipei, April 13 (CNA) Taiwan's Presidential Office on Sunday denied media reports suggesting the government plans to use tens of thousands of convenience stores as "wartime hubs" in the event of a cross-strait war, saying it has no such "specific plan."

An article in the British newspaper The Guardian reported on Saturday that if domestic rail lines were shut down, airspace closed to commercial traffic, and internet and phone services disrupted during a Chinese invasion, Taiwanese people could seek help from local convenience store chains.

"If all this happened, Taiwanese residents could walk to one of the island's more than 13,000 convenience stores to pick up rations and medical supplies, delivered by the chains' own logistical transport systems," the report said, quoting four unnamed sources familiar with the discussions under the Presidential Office's Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.

"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 store's emergency hotspot," said the report.

The Guardian article said that the idea was being discussed by the committee created by President Lai Ching-te () to make Taiwanese society more resilient in the event of an attack or natural disaster.

In response to the report, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo () told CNA that the idea of turning civilian distributors into emergency hubs had been brought up by retail industry representatives during a round of meetings held by the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.

These representatives shared how they supported the public after the 921 earthquake struck central Taiwan in 1999, according to Kuo.

Kuo said that although this was useful information for the government, the Lai administration has not actually begun making the type of plans mentioned in the Guardian report and other media reports.

In fact, the government has an existing plan for setting up wartime distribution stations to distribute "strategic materials," the spokesperson said.

She also denied that Taiwan's police "will be sent to frontlines" during a Chinese invasion, as the Guardian report suggested might happen.

The Guardian said: "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 Taiwan's military and maybe police will be sent to frontlines, leaving civilian first responders in charge of care and control."

Kuo emphasized that the nation's police will be responsible for maintaining social order and logistics and safeguarding key infrastructure during wartime, but will not be sent to the frontline.

The Presidential Office formed the advisory group, Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, in June 2024.

The committee has pledged to enhance Taiwan's resilience by training civilian forces, securing strategic and critical supplies, reinforcing energy and key infrastructure, and ensuring the continued operations of medical, transportation, information and financial facilities.

The committee has so far held three rounds of meetings, most recently on March 27 during a civil defense drill in Tainan.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/cs/JT

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Cabinet delays release of NT$88 billion U.S. tariff support package details

ROC Central News Agency

04/13/2025 10:36 PM

Taipei, April 13 (CNA) The Cabinet has postponed by a week the release of details of a NT$88 billion (US$2.72 billion) support package aimed at mitigating the impact of higher U.S. tariffs on Taiwan's economy, Premier Cho Jung-tai () said.

Cho announced the delay during a meeting with edamame producers and traders in Pingtung County on Sunday, the fourth stop on his "industry listening tour."

Due to uncertainty surrounding the U.S. position, Cho said ministries and agencies need more time to finalize the package's details, including how subsidies will be allocated across various industries.

Officials in Washington and Taipei began talks via video conferencing on Friday regarding the "reciprocal tariffs" announced on April 2 by U.S. President Donald Trump, who plans to hike import duties on goods from more than 70 countries, including Taiwan.

A 10 percent global levy has been imposed on almost all goods shipped to the U.S. from April 5, but more than 70 countries were set to see the higher "reciprocal tariffs" slapped on their U.S.-bound goods from April 9, until Trump announced a 90-day pause on the higher import tax.

The "reciprocal tariffs" announced for Taiwan are set at 32 percent, higher than neighboring economies, including the 24 percent import duties set for Japan, and the 25 percent planned for South Korea.

China was the only country that saw Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" take effect on April 9 at 125 percent, on top of an existing 20 percent Trump imposed, citing fentanyl.

During the Pingtung meeting, Wei Dong-qi (), chairperson of the Taiwan Regional Association of Frozen Vegetable and Fruit Manufacturers, raised concerns about China overtaking Taiwan as Japan's top edamame supplier last year, citing local production losses caused by typhoons.

Wei said he was worried Chinese producers would further shift their focus to Japan, given the newly imposed 125 percent U.S. tariff, which could further hurt Taiwan's share in that market.

Chen Jung-hua (), head of an association of contract edamame producers, urged the government to negotiate lower rents on leased farmland and offer subsidies to offset the rising costs of fertilizer, equipment, and harvest labor.

According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, Taiwan produced 77,258 metric tons of edamame in 2024, with 45 percent exported. Japan accounted for 73 percent of the 32,654 metric tons sold overseas, followed by the United States at 19 percent.

The agency said the U.S. imports around 40,000 metric tons of frozen edamame annually, with 70 percent coming from China and 10-15 percent from Taiwan.

Despite the new tariffs, Chinese edamame could still undercut Taiwanese prices in the U.S. market due to significantly lower production costs, the agency said.

During his briefing to lawmakers on Friday, Cho said edamame was among the agricultural products most vulnerable to the 32 percent tariff. He noted that funding and special legislation for the four-year support package still require legislative approval.

(By Huang Yu-ching, Kao Hua-chien and Kay Liu)

Enditem/ASG

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/04/13



PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Apr. 12 (Sat.) to 6 a.m. Apr. 13 (Sun.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

6 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

3.Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe.

1140413_PLA activities

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Statement by the Secretary General on the situation in Turkiye

Council of Europe

Antalya, Turkiye

13 April 2025

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has made the following statement:



"I am closely following the recent events in Turkiye, including the arrest and detention of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other elected officials. These developments have triggered nationwide protests, the detention of journalists, and allegations of disproportionate use of force by law enforcement authorities. Without prejudice to pending judicial proceedings, the rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights  including freedom of expression and of the media, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to a fair trial  form the cornerstone of democratic security and are legally binding obligations for all member States.

"It is essential that these rights are respected both in law and in practice. This requires full adherence to the fundamental principles of the Convention system: the presumption of innocence, the use of pre-trial detention strictly as a measure of last resort, and the protection of political expression. The right to peaceful protest must also be fully guaranteed. Any allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement authorities must be addressed through independent and effective investigations, with full accountability ensured in accordance with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.

"It is important to note that full execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights is an unconditional legal obligation under Article 46 of the Convention. Respecting this obligation is fundamental to preserving the credibility of the Convention system and the authority of domestic institutions, both nationally and internationally.

"During my upcoming visit to Ankara, I will reiterate the importance of Turkiye honouring obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Especially in challenging times, the Council of Europe remains a key partner - offering support, legal expertise, and a framework for safeguarding democratic resilience and the rule of law. In this context, dialogue is essential, and I truly appreciate the open, frank and constructive contacts we are having with our Turkish counterparts. My presence here at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum reflects the Council of Europe's continued commitment to engagement, cooperation, multilateralism, and the values at the core of our Organisation."

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Dozens Killed In 'Horrific' Russian Missile Strike, Prompting EU, US Condemnation

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 13, 2025

Russian forces launched a missile strike on the city of Sumy that local authorities in Ukraine said left at least 34 people dead on April 13, prompting condemnation from Ukrainian leaders, the United States, and the European Union.

Ukraine's state emergency service said two children were among those killed. At least 117 people were also injured in the incident, including 15 children.

The attack was called a "blatant violation of international law" by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. "Strong measures are needed to enforce a cease-fire."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States "extends our deepest condolences to the victims of today's horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy."

"This is a tragic reminder of why President [Donald] Trump and his administration are putting so much time and effort into trying to end this war and achieve a just and durable peace," he added.

Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said the "Palm Sunday attack by Russian forces on civilian targets in Sumy crosses any line of decency."

UN chief Antonio Guterres "deeply alarmed and shocked'" by the attack in Sumy, his spokesman stated, saying it "continues a devastating pattern of similar assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns in recent weeks."

The British, French, German, and Italian leaders, among others, also quickly condemned the attack.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said police have restricted access to the affected area so that emergency services can work.

He added that a center had been set up to coordinate relief efforts and provide assistance to victims. Psychologists from the state emergency service and the police are also working on the scene.

An RFE/RL correspondent who arrived not long after the attack said it occurred "in a very crowded place -- the center of the city" at a time when many Ukrainians would have been going to church for Palm Sunday.

"People walk there with their children," Alyona Yatsyna said. "There are some cafes. All the cars on the street, including public transport -- a whole bus burned to the ground. There's a lot of destruction. A lot of people were killed."

Describing the attack as a "another war crime by Russia," the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Telegram that two Iskander-M / KN-23 ballistic missiles had been launched at Sumy from Russia's Voronezh and Kursk regions.

"It is our shared duty to ensure that no war criminal -- from those who gave the orders to those who launched the missiles -- escapes justice," he added.

Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, claimed the missiles contained cluster munitions.

"The Russians are doing this to kill as many civilians as possible," he said, according to Reuters.

Zelenskyy issued a swift condemnation of the attack, which comes after a Russian strike on the city of Kryviy Rih killed 20 people, including nine children.

"A horrific Russian ballistic missile strike on Sumy. Russian missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life -- residential buildings, educational institutions, cars on the street...." he said in a post on X that included a video of the aftermath of the incident.

"My condolences to the families and loved ones," he added. "A rescue operation is under way. All necessary services are working at the scene."

"The strike fell right on the city center. On Palm Sunday. Only a completely repulsive bastard can do this," he said in his nightly video address.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also denounced the attack.

"Heartbreaking scenes from Sumy this morning as residents gathered for Palm Sunday only to be met by Russian missiles," she said on X. "Horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people today."

Maia Sandu, the president of Ukraine's southwestern neighbor Moldova, was quick to offer her condolences, too.

"Palm Sunday is a day of peace. This morning, as people gathered to pray, Russia bombed Sumykilling and injuring civilians," she said on X. "Moldova mourns with Ukraine and urges more air defense to save lives. The aggressor must be held accountable. There is no justification for such evil."

There has been no comment yet from the Kremlin on the reported strike.

Moscow has denied allegations of deliberately striking civilian targets in Ukraine throughout the war, even though repeated attacks on hospitals, schools, energy facilities, and residential buildings have been documented throughout the conflict.

The UN reported late last month that at least 413 civilians had been killed in the conflict since the beginning of 2025. It also said that more than 2,000 people had been injured in Ukraine due to Russian aggression in the first three months of the year, an increase of 30 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

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.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said: "For the second month in a row, Russia has refused to accept the US proposal for a full cease-fire, which Ukraine unconditionally accepted on March 11. Instead, Russia ramps up its terror."

"We urge partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities and increase pressure on Moscow. Strength is the only language they can understand and the only way to put an end to the horrific terror."

In expressing "solidarity" and "unwavering commitment" to those who were killed or wounded in the Sumy attack, French President Emmanuel Macron also said "strong measures are needed to impose a cease-fire on Russia."

"Everyone knows: This war was initiated by Russia alone," he wrote on X. "And today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it -- with blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump."

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 saying it "should have never happened."

"Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING," he wrote.

In an interview broadcast on April 13 with CBS News, Zelenskyy urged Trump to visit Ukraine before any final decisions are made "to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children, destroyed or dead." The interview was conducted in Kryviy Rih following the April 4 attack there.

Elsewhere on April 13, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said it will hold a meeting on Black Sea security on April 15-16, according to TASS, although Ukrainian officials said that such a session had not yet been scheduled.

The meeting would take place in the context of a possible cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine. Military representatives from foreign countries will take part, the Russian news agency reported.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-missile-strike- sumy-kills-civilians-ukraine-missiles/33383716.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

13.04.2025 (12:05)

In violation of the Russian-American agreements to cease strikes at energy facilities for 30 days from 18 March 2025, the Kiev regime continues its daily unilateral attacks against the Russian energy infrastructure.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have attacked Russian energy facilities twice.

In Belgorod region:

On 11 April, at 19:02, as a result of the deliberate AFU shelling on the Nechaevka power facility (Rosseti Centre's branch - Belgorodenergo), wires were damaged and a 10kV high-voltage line was powered off. More than 600 household consumers were left without power in the Shebekinsky District.

On 12 April, at 10:16, as a result of the AFU shelling on the Krasnaya Yaruga power facility (Rosseti Tsentr's branch-Belgorodenergo), and a breakage of overhead cables, household consumers were left without power in Stepnoye.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russian Forces Liberate Yelizavetovka in Donetsk Region

Sputnik News

20250413

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Tsentr group of forces has taken control of the village of Yelizavetovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"Units of the Tsentr group of forces liberated the village of Yelyzavetovka in the Donetsk People's Republic as the result of active and decisive actions," the ministry said.

More statements from the Russian MoD daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:

Ukraine lost up to 310 servicemen and 18 vehicles in the Russian Yug Battlegroup's combat zone.

Ukraine lost up to 70 troops in the Russian Dnepr Battlegroup's combat zone.

Ukraine lost up to 130 soldiers in the Russian Vostok Battlegroup's combat zone.

Ukraine lost up to 260 troops in the Russian Zapad Battlegroup's combat zone.

Ukraine lost up to 90 servicemen in the Belgorod and Kharkov regions.

Russian air defences shot down one Ukrainian F-16 aircraft and 207 drones.

Among the Ukrainian losses are two Kozak armored fighting vehicles, a US-made Paladin 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer, a Polish-made Krab self-propelled gun-howitzer, as well as other units of military equipment.

 Sputnik

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I Thank Everyone Who Stands with Sumy Today, Who Supports One Another and Who Does Everything to Defend and Strengthen Ukraine and Ukrainians - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

13 April 2025 - 19:33

Dear Ukrainians!

Sumy... As of now, it is known that 34 people have been killed. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Those were two Russian ballistic missiles. The first hit a building - one of the university buildings. The second exploded right over the street. 117 people were wounded, including children - among them, a baby girl born in 2025. Doctors and all medical workers are doing everything they can to help and save as many lives as possible. I am grateful to all the emergency services who were on the scene within minutes and began rescue operations. The strike hit right in the heart of the city. On Palm Sunday. Only completely deranged scum can do something like this.

Today, many world leaders, diplomats, many ordinary people with big hearts expressed their condolences to Ukraine, to Ukrainians. They condemned the Russian strike. There are already statements from the leaders and heads of government of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Poland, the leadership of the European Union, the Baltic States - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia. I am grateful to the Prime Ministers of Croatia and Bulgaria, the President of Moldova, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, the President of Slovakia, the Prime Minister of Sweden. I am confident there will be support from many other leaders as well. I would like to thank everyone who remembers that wars end when the crimes of war are not forgotten - and when the aggressor is met with enough pressure. And that's exactly what's missing right now.

This Friday marked exactly one month since Russia spurned the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. They are not afraid. That's why they keep launching ballistic missiles. That's why there are nearly a hundred attack drones every night - most of them Shaheds - targeting ordinary Ukrainian cities. Russian assaults on the frontline continue as well. They do not stop attacking. They do not stop spreading hatred through their state propaganda. Only pressure - only decisive action - can change this. Every Russian ballistic missile, every cruise missile, every Russian Shahed, every guided bomb strikes not only our people and our communities, but also diplomacy - and the political efforts of everyone trying to end this war.

We will continue doing everything we can to protect our people and save lives. I am grateful to all the countries and leaders who are helping us. Very important this week were the decisions on new support packages for Ukraine - after the Ramstein meeting and on a bilateral basis. Ukraine will definitely endure. We will definitely provide our state, our people, with reliable security guarantees. And we definitely remember: only together are we strong enough to achieve our goals. I thank everyone who stands with Sumy today. I thank everyone who supports one another and who does everything to defend and strengthen Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Ukraine

United Nations Secretary-General

New York

13 April 2025

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General was deeply alarmed and shocked to learn of the missile attack on Sunday 13 April by the Russian armed forces on Sumy, Ukraine, which reportedly killed at least 34 people, including two children, and injured nearly 100 others.

The attack, on Palm Sunday and at the start of Holy Week, continues a devastating pattern of similar assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns in recent weeks, resulting in civilian casualties and large-scale destruction.

The Secretary-General underlines that attacks against civilians and civilian objects are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and that any such attacks, wherever they occur, must end immediately.

The Secretary-General renews his call for a durable ceasefire in Ukraine, and reiterates the UN's support to meaningful efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that fully upholds Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in line with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions.

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Ukrainian Soldiers Who Were Surrounded By Russians Held Out For 35 Freezing Days

By Borys Sachalko and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 14, 2025

A Ukrainian commander whose unit held off daily Russian assaults while trapped in freezing ruins for more than a month says his team held on by finding strength they never knew they had.

Bohdan Kushnir had intended to make a brief inspection visit of the National Police Brigade's position on Ukraine's eastern front in Toretsk. But Kushnir and six other soldiers soon found themselves under Russian fire, with exits cut off.

The Ukrainians were often close enough to their enemy to shout taunts back and forth, while comrades with surveillance drones helped out by disclosing Russian positions to the pinned-down troops.

After three weeks, three of the seven Ukrainians were wounded and some fell ill amid freezing February temperatures. Nonetheless, they managed to continue firing from a home with crumbling walls and blown-out windows and doors.

As Kushhir recalled in an interview with RFE/RL, "You have a gun in your hand, and you are trying to survive, using all your instincts to save your unit."

The Donetsk region city has been the focus of intense fighting for months, with Russians claiming control while Ukrainian forces reject the claim. The Russian forces nearby, including those fighting for control of Pokrovsk, have been beefed up, but advances have been slow and costly.

Much of Toretsk now lies in ruins, with little cover for troops engaged in intense urban combat.

Such conditions test soldiers' resolve, according to Kushnir.

"I don't consider myself a tough person, but sometimes you have to act like you never would in civilian life."

He described the Russian units trying to take over the Ukrainian position as determined, if not effective.

"It was audacious," Kushnir said. "Those weren't just some random attackers. They would start at 5 a.m., and even if they couldn't get through, they would be looking for another entry point until 5 p.m."

He managed to film close-quarters shootouts in which each side is making audible shouts at each other. And while some Russians were apparently talked into surrendering, none was willing to return to a safer position.

"The group in this video wouldn't retreat at all," Kushnir said. "They all just died there."

In early March, the Ukrainian forces were finally evacuated in armored vehicles, cheering as they rejoined their comrades to the west.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-soldiers-surrounded- toretsk-russia/33381157.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Newyork, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Best Online Pharmacies Where You Can Order Modafinil Trial Pack in 2025

How to Get Modafinil Trial Pack Online

Content promoted through the BrandingEx Solutions (support@brandingexperts.com) channel



Want to start using modafinil to boost your productivity but unsure which brand to choose? Some online vendors offer free trial packs, allowing you to test varying options before committing to a full purchase. This blog post explores the 5 best online pharmacies where you can easily order a modafinil trial pack. It also sheds light on everything you need to know about this nootropic, including its benefits, how it works, potential side effects, and whether you need a prescription to buy it.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil, often referred to as a smart drug or nootropic, was originally developed to treat sleep-related disorders like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and shift work sleep disorder (SWSD). However, many people now use it without a prescription (Rx) for its off-label benefits, such as improving focus, boosting energy, and increasing productivity [1].

One of the biggest reasons modafinil is so widely used is its ability to keep users alert without the jittery side effects often associated with caffeine or other stimulants. This makes it a favorite among students, professionals, and anyone looking to enhance mental performance.

When used responsibly, modafinil is considered safe for most people [2]. Its side effects are generally mild and tend to go away on their own without medication. Modafinil also has a low risk of dependence compared to traditional stimulants, adding to its appeal as a safe cognitive enhancer. As with any medication, its important to consult a doctor before using modafinil.

Modafinil Mechanism of Action

Modafinil works by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate wakefulness, focus, and mood. Specifically, it increases dopamine levels by preventing dopamine reuptake, which helps improve motivation and energy. It also affects norepinephrine, histamine, and orexinchemicals that play huge roles in keeping the brain alert and awake [3][4].

Unlike traditional stimulants that overstimulate the central nervous system (CNS), modafinil doesnt. Instead, it promotes a more natural state of wakefulness, which makes it less likely to cause jitteriness or crashes. This is why many people prefer it over substances like caffeine or amphetamines for staying productive.

Modafinils unique mechanism of action makes it a top choice for tasks that require intense focus, such as studying, working long hours, or engaging in creative problem-solving. However, its not meant to be used as a substitute for getting adequate rest.

Correct Dosage of Modafinil

The correct dosage of modafinil depends on users individual needs, tolerance, and the condition being treated. For most people, the standard dose is 200 mg per day. This amount is typically enough to provide the desired wakefulness and focus without causing significant side effects. However, first-time users are usually advised to start with the 100 mg dose to see how their body reacts before increasing to 200 mg if needed.

When used for cognitive enhancement or SWSD, a single tablet is to be taken about 1 hour before the start of the activity or shift. In contrast, for OSA or narcolepsy, the tablet is to be taken as early in the morning as possible [5]. Taking modafinil late in the day is discouraged, as it may interrupt nighttime sleep since its effects typically last 12+ hours. The tablet is best swallowed whole with a substantial amount of water. Consult a doctor before taking modafinil or any other smart drug.

Do You Need a Doctors Prescription for Modafinil?

Generally, a doctors prescription is needed to buy modafinil from a walk-in pharmacy. While its illegal to sell it without a prescription, it is not illegal to buy it without one. You can obtain modafinil over the counter (OTC) from certain online pharmacies operating overseas [6]. These vendors typically operate in countries with lax laws regarding the sale of this drug, and they ship discreetly to many parts of the world.

To obtain a prescription for modafinil, you need to book an appointment with a doctor who may refer you to a specialist to determine if you have a sleep disorder. The specialist (somnologist) may conduct a sleep study on you, only prescribing the medication if they confirm you have narcolepsy, SWSD, or OSA.

This entire process often takes time and effort. To skip the lengthy procedure, many people opt to purchase modafinil from online pharmacies that sell it without a prescription. While individuals with a diagnosed sleep disorder have the option of following the traditional route to get a prescription, those looking to use modafinil for cognitive enhancement dont have that option. As a result, buying the nootropic online becomes their only viable choice.

5 Best Trusted Places to Get Free Modafinil Sample Packs in 2025

If youre wondering how to get the most suitable modafinil brand for yourself without breaking the bank, the best approach is to opt for a free trial sample pack. While many online pharmacies advertise this deal, only a handful of them are legitimate and reliable. To save you time and effort, heres a carefully curated list of the 5 best places to get free modafinil trial packs in 2025.

ModafinilXL

ModafinilXL is a leading online pharmacy known for selling high-quality modafinil at the most affordable prices. By sourcing its meds directly from reputable manufacturers and skipping middlemen, it offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality.

The pharmacy ships worldwide, except to countries with strict customs regulations like Brazil, Israel, and Mexico. Buyers can choose between Registered Airmail and Express Mail Service (EMS). EMS orders to the US, UK, Europe, and Australia come with tracking and typically arrive in 712 business days, while Airmail orders take 1018 business days but dont include tracking. Domestic shipping options (UK-to-UK and US-to-US) are also available, with faster delivery times of 34 business days. For urgent orders, the vendor offers next-day delivery in select regions.

To establish trust with customers, ModafinilXL offers free trial samples of its products, allowing them to try nootropics before committing to a full purchase. Additionally, it provides a 100% money-back guarantee, ensuring buyers are refunded or receive free reshipments if their parcels are lost or held at customs. Customers can also take advantage of a 20% Bitcoin discount, receive 10 free pills with their next order, and use various coupon codes for extra savings. ModafinilXL accepts a wide range of payment options, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Zelle, Bill Pay, and cryptocurrencies.

ModafinilUSA

ModafinilUSA is a fantastic option for US-based and international buyers looking for an easy and cost-effective way to purchase modafinil or other smart pills. It offers free trial samples of ModaXL and ArmodaXL, its top products, allowing customers to test them before committing to a full order. On top of this, the pharmacy offers a 100% money-back guarantee, ensuring refunds or free reshipments if a parcel is lost or held up at customs.

In addition to this, ModafinilUSA provides several other benefits, including a 20% discount on Bitcoin payments, up to 50 extra pills for loyal buyers, and free shipping on orders worth over $170. The vendor ships both domestically and internationally. International orders typically arrive within 712 business days, while domestic shipments within the UK, USA, Australia, and Europe are faster, reaching customers in just 34 business days.

ModafinilUK

ModafinilUK is a top-rated pharmacy that offers high-quality smart drugs sourced directly from leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. It provides free trial samples for new customers and generous incentives for returning buyers, including 50 free pills, a 8 discount on orders over 80, free shipping on purchases above 150, and a 20% discount on Bitcoin payments.

Payment options include PayPal, Bitcoin, ACH transfers, Zelle, and major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Shipping is fast; domestic orders to the USA, UK, Europe, and Australia arrive in 34 business days, while international orders take 712 business days with express shipping.

ModafinilAU

ModafinilAU is a trusted vendor known for supplying premium modafinil sourced directly from reputable manufacturers. While it was started to cater to the Australian nootropic market, it has since expanded its operations, shipping to most parts of the world.

The pharmacy stands out by offering fast delivery, free trial samples, and a money-back guarantee. Customers who choose domestic shipping within Australia, the US, the UK, and the EU typically receive their orders within 34 business days, while international shipping times depend on the destination (often 712 business days).

ModafinilAU accepts multiple payment methods, including PayID, BPAY, major credit cards, and cryptocurrencies, with a 20% discount on crypto transactions. Loyal customers enjoy perks like 50 free Modafil MD pills, and orders over A$250 qualify for free shipping.

AfinilEU

AfinilEU is a reputable online pharmacy known for offering genuine nootropic brands at highly competitive prices. While many vendors charge up to 15 per pill, it starts its pricing at just under 1 per pill when buying in bulk. To build trust with customers, AfinilEU offers free trial samples, allowing new users to test its products before committing to a full purchase.

Orders are shipped via two main options: domestic shipping, which typically takes 37 working days, and international shipping, which usually delivers within 712 days. Customers also enjoy perks like a 20% discount on cryptocurrency payments, free shipping on purchases over 250, and an 8 discount on orders above 90. The pharmacy provides multiple payment options, including PayPal, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, XRP, USDT, and all major credit cards.

In Which Countries Is Modafinil Legal to Use in 2025?

Modafinil has been around for decades and is legal in most parts of the world. However, its its legality and the specific regulations vary from country to country. Here is a breakdown of modafinils legal status in 2025 across major regions:

United States: This nootropic is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the FDA. Buying or importing modafinil with no Rx is technically illegal, but it is often tolerated for personal use if purchased online from international vendors;

United Kingdom: Modafinil is legal but only approved for the treatment of narcolepsy. However, many residents order the pills for off-label uses from overseas vendors like ModafinilUK, taking advantage of a gray area;

Canada: Classified as a Schedule F prescription drug, modafinil is legal in Canada. While the country prohibits buying it without a prescription, enforcement is generally lax for small, personal-use quantities. As a result, many people order it OTC from online pharmacies without experiencing any issues with customs;

Australia: Modafinil is also legal and is classified as a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine. However, just like in all the above-mentioned countries, residents buy it from overseas vendors without any issues;

European Union: The legal status of this medication varies across different EU countries, but in most regions, its prescription-only. Overall, importing modafinil for personal use is generally tolerated in most EU countries, with reliable online pharmacies like AfinilEU offering up to 99.7% delivery success;

India: Modafinil is legal in this country and available over the counter. Because of how affordable and accessible it is, India has become a popular source for overseas vendors.

Its worth noting that modafinil is banned in Russia and cannot be imported or used legally. In Japan and China, it is strictly regulated and only available with a prescription for specific medical conditions.

What Are the Benefits of Modafinil?

Modafinil offers several benefits that make it a popular choice for enhancing productivity and focus. For starters, it has a long duration of effect, typically lasting 12+ hours, allowing users to stay alert and focused throughout the day. Unlike traditional stimulants, modafinil has a low potential for addiction, making it a safer option for long-term use. The potential is so low that researchers at Oxford and Harvard universities deemed it the worlds first safe smart drug.

Modafinil is also well-tolerated. Most users, including those taking it for the first time, typically experience minimal side effects. Whats more, the drug does not cause sudden energy crashes as its effects wear off. This ensures it provides a smoother and more natural transition to baseline energy levels.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Taking Modafinil?

While modafinil is generally well-tolerated, some users may experience mild side effects, such as headaches, nausea, insomnia, and stomach upset. These are typically temporary and often resolve as the body adjusts to the medication.

In rare cases, serious side effects can occur, such as skin rashes, breathing problems, or psychiatric symptoms like anxiety, hallucinations, or depression. If you experience any of these severe reactions, its advisable to stop taking the drug immediately and seek medical attention. Always consult a doctor before taking any nootropic [7].

Resume: So, Where to Order Free Modafinil Samples in 2025?

If youre looking to try modafinil for the first time, ordering a trial pack is the best way to test its effects without a large commitment. The 5 best online pharmacies to order modafinil trial samples in 2025 include ModafinilXL, ModafinilUSA, ModafinilAU, AfinilEU, and ModafinilUK. These vendors offer fast, discreet shipping, high-quality products sourced directly from reputable manufacturers, and top-notch customer support.

Additionally, these pharmacies have excellent verified ratings on trusted third-party review platforms like Trustpilot and Reviews.io, which speak volumes about their reliability. Regardless of where you choose to get free samples or purchase modafinil, dont forget to consult a doctor to ensure its safe and suitable for you.

References
Dublin, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Bottle Filling Stations Market by Product, Filling Mechanism, Technology, Capacity, Material, End-User Industry, Distribution Channel - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Bottle Filling Stations Market grew from USD 1.36 billion in 2024 to USD 1.46 billion in 2025. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 7.51%, reaching USD 2.10 billion by 2030.



Transformative Shifts in the Bottle Filling Stations Landscape



The market for bottle filling stations is undergoing a period of radical transformation, driven by the integration of state-of-the-art technology and an industry-wide reimagining of operational practices. Advancements in automation and sensor-based systems have not only increased the precision of filling operations but have also significantly reduced waste and enhanced overall productivity.



Technological innovations such as touch-free systems and sensor activation are reshaping the operational framework, enabling facilities to adapt rapidly in response to changing safety and efficiency demands. In parallel, the shift towards energy-efficient designs and sustainable practices reflects a broader commitment to eco-friendly operations. Modern filling stations are increasingly incorporating intelligent control systems, real-time monitoring, and predictive maintenance capabilities, which together bolster uptime and streamline production processes.



As legacy methods are gradually replaced by more agile and technologically robust solutions, manufacturers are compelled to invest in new machinery and digital infrastructure. These efforts are strategically aimed at capturing emerging market opportunities while addressing stringent regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations. The pace of transformative change in this sector confirms a bright outlook that balances traditional manufacturing expertise with new digital and automated innovations.



Key Segmentation Insights in Bottle Filling Station Market

Based on Product, market is studied across Automatic Bottle Filling Stations, Manual Bottle Filling Stations, and Semi-Automatic Bottle Filling Stations.

Based on Filling Mechanism, market is studied across Gravimetric Filling, Overflow Filling, Piston Filling, Pressure Filling, and Volumetric Filling.

Based on Technology, market is studied across Manual Operation, Sensor Activated, and Touch-Free Systems.

Based on Capacity, market is studied across Large (Above 20 Liters), Medium (5-20 Liters), and Small (Up To 5 Liters).

Based on Material, market is studied across Composite Materials, Glass, Plastic, and Stainless Steel.

Based on End-User Industry, market is studied across Educational Institutions, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare Facilities, and Residential.

Based on Distribution Channel, market is studied across Offline Sales and Online Retail.

Comprehensive Regional Insights on Bottle Filling Stations Adoption



Examining the market across various geographical territories uncovers significant regional trends that highlight both growth trajectories and regulatory influences on bottle filling stations. In the Americas, robust industrial activity and progressive manufacturing processes are fueling a steady adoption rate, while advanced research and development initiatives further promote technological integration.



The region of Europe, Middle East & Africa presents a diverse scenario where established industrial bases coexist with rapid FMCG market developments, fostering an environment ripe for both innovation and adaptation. In this context, enhanced standards and a focus on sustainable practices propel technology-driven rehabilitation of traditional processes.



Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific emerges as a rapidly expanding hub marked by high production volumes and an ever-growing emphasis on cost-effectiveness and automation. This region benefits from a combination of economic dynamism, large-scale industrial investments, and increasing consumer expenditure, setting the stage for a competitive edge in both production and technological advancements.



These regional insights provide an expansive view of how localized market conditions, regulatory frameworks, and cultural influences impact the adoption and evolution of bottle filling stations worldwide, thereby allowing industry leaders to tailor their strategies accordingly.



Key Companies Shaping the Future of Bottle Filling Stations



The market evolution in bottle filling stations is significantly influenced by a consortium of innovative companies that consistently push the envelope in technological advancements and consumer-centric solutions. Leading industry players such as Acorn Engineering Company, Apex Filling Systems, and Aquaclear Water Purifiers Private Limited are paving the way by introducing state-of-the-art equipment that elevates operational reliability. Accompanied by trailblazing innovations from Aquafil by civiq and BRITA Group, the competitive dynamics continue to intensify.



Influential names including Culligan International Group and Delabie have set industry benchmarks by integrating high precision controls and advanced digital interfaces. Companies like Elkay Manufacturing Company and Filtrine Manufacturing Company continue to leverage engineering expertise and innovative design, while FRANKE Holding AG and Global Water Solutions are known for their comprehensive service packages and after-sales support. The leadership of Haws Corporation, Maestro, and Murdock Manufacturing is bolstered by a strong commitment to continuous improvement and expansion of product lines. In addition, organizations such as Oasis Aquila, Oasis International, Sloan Valve Company, WAR Corp., Waterlogic Holdings Ltd., and Zurn Industries remain at the forefront, setting the standard for operational excellence and market responsiveness.



These key companies not only drive technological shifts within the industry but also stimulate competition and inspire emerging players to adopt best practices and innovative business models.



The report delves into recent significant developments in the Bottle Filling Stations Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include Acorn Engineering Company, Apex Filling Systems, Aquaclear Water Purifiers Private Limited, Aquafil by civiq, BRITA Group, Culligan International Group, Delabie, Elkay Manufacturing Company, Filtrine Manufacturing Company, FRANKE Holding AG, Global Water Solutions, Haws Corporation, Maestro, Murdock Manufacturing, Oasis Aquila, Oasis International, Sloan Valve Company, WAR Corp., Waterlogic Holdings Ltd., and Zurn Industries.



Actionable Recommendations for Industry Leaders to Propel Growth



Leaders in the bottle filling station market are advised to take a proactive stance by embracing innovation and adopting digital transformation strategies that can result in more efficient and sustainable operations. Investment in next-generation sensor-driven and touch-free filling stations can significantly reduce operational downtimes and streamline maintenance processes. Additionally, integrating advanced data analytics and real-time monitoring systems allows for enhanced predictive maintenance, thereby minimizing unforeseen production halts and optimizing supply chain management.



Industry stakeholders are encouraged to conduct in-depth market segmentation analysis and to target niche segments strategically. By refining product offerings according to the specific needs of various end-user groups - whether in educational, governmental, healthcare, or residential sectors - companies can build a more resilient portfolio that is adaptable to market fluctuations. Geographical expansion, especially in emerging markets, is crucial; understanding regional regulatory frameworks and consumer preferences will help tailor innovative solutions that satisfy localized demands.



Furthermore, collaborating with key technology providers and aligning business strategies with sustainability goals can offer a competitive advantage. These strategic initiatives, combined with agile operational models, are essential for driving long-term growth and ensuring market relevance in an increasingly competitive landscape.



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 191 Forecast Period 2025 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $1.46 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.5% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



1. Preface



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview



5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics

5.1.1. Drivers

5.1.1.1. Expansion of public and private infrastructure investments fuels the bottle filling station growth

5.1.1.2. Growing consumer preference for convenience boosts the bottle filling station market

5.1.1.3. Government regulations on plastic waste encourage the adoption of bottle filling stations

5.1.2. Restraints

5.1.2.1. Maintenance and after-sales service issues affecting the operational longevity of bottle filling stations

5.1.3. Opportunities

5.1.3.1. Growing concern for health and hygiene supports increased adoption of sensor-based filling stations

5.1.3.2. Partnerships between corporations and bottled water companies stimulate the market for bottle filling stations

5.1.4. Challenges

5.1.4.1. Environmental concerns around water usage efficiency and hygiene in bottle filling stations

5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis

5.2.1. Product: increasing focus on precision and hygiene boosts demand for automatic bottle filling stations

5.2.2. End-User Industry: Expanding demand for bottle filling stations across public sectors with rising government initiatives

5.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.4. PESTLE Analysis



6. Bottle Filling Stations Market, by Product

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Automatic Bottle Filling Stations

6.3. Manual Bottle Filling Stations

6.4. Semi-Automatic Bottle Filling Stations



7. Bottle Filling Stations Market, by Filling Mechanism

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Gravimetric Filling

7.3. Overflow Filling

7.4. Piston Filling

7.5. Pressure Filling

7.6. Volumetric Filling



8. Bottle Filling Stations Market, by Technology

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Manual Operation

8.3. Sensor Activated

8.4. Touch-Free Systems



9. Bottle Filling Stations Market, by Capacity

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Large (Above 20 Liters)

9.3. Medium (5-20 Liters)

9.4. Small (Up To 5 Liters)



10. Bottle Filling Stations Market, by Material

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Composite Materials

10.3. Glass

10.4. Plastic

10.5. Stainless Steel



11. Bottle Filling Stations Market, by End-User Industry

11.1. Introduction

11.2. Educational Institutions

11.3. Government & Public Sector

11.4. Healthcare Facilities

11.5. Residential



12. Bottle Filling Stations Market, by Distribution Channel

12.1. Introduction

12.2. Offline Sales

12.3. Online Retail



13. Americas Bottle Filling Stations Market



14. Asia-Pacific Bottle Filling Stations Market



15. Europe, Middle East & Africa Bottle Filling Stations Market



16. Competitive Landscape

16.1. Market Share Analysis, 2024

16.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2024

16.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis

Ideal Living's AquaTru Pro Series addresses commercial demand for sustainable and cost-effective bottle filling solutions

Public water refill stations combat single-use plastics with community partnerships and product sales

Revolutionizing hydration: How Zurn Elkay's ezH2O smart bottle filling stations are driving sustainability and operational efficiency

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kkd25z

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
BOWIE, Md., April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 118 undersigned organizations  representing people living with epilepsy; caregivers and loved ones; physicians, care providers, and epilepsy centers; epilepsy researchers; and others  are united in opposition to recent actions by the Administration and Congress to cut vital federal epilepsy programs. As the fourth most common neurological condition in the world and with nearly 3.4 million Americans living with active epilepsy, we must be doing more  not less  to understand and treat epilepsy, develop cures, improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy, and increase public awareness. We urge policymakers to reverse these cuts and ensure that fundamental epilepsy public health and research programs are maintained:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)s Epilepsy Program: At the beginning of April, Reductions in Force (RIF) notices were issued to staff within the CDCs National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Epilepsy Program. The CDC Epilepsy Program is the only public health program related explicitly to epilepsy with a national scope and community programs that examine, test, and share strategies to improve the lives of people with epilepsy and their loved ones. This critical program supports seizure recognition and first aid training, including for school personnel; research to better understand the burden and risk factors of epilepsy; self-management programs that improve the health and well-being of people with epilepsy; and Project ECHO so that epilepsy specialists can help primary care doctors in rural communities.

Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): In its final FY25 funding bill, Congress cut appropriations for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) by 57%. This has completely eliminated specific funding for research related to Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), post-traumatic epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health. The elimination of this funding will have harmful impacts and set back innovation. TBI is a leading and significant form of injury in service people, especially those in combat and training environments, and it can lead to post-traumatic epilepsy for 50% of those with severe TBI. For many years, these research programs have funded cutting-edge research to better understand and address these neurologic conditions that can affect Service Members, Veterans, and their families. These cuts must be restored to continue progress in epilepsy research.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): Within NIH, several institutes fund epilepsy-related research which has helped better understand, diagnose, and treat epilepsymost notably, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). In the past several weeks, nearly 20% of the NINDS staff have been impacted by RIFs, including people dedicated to epilepsy. Beyond a loss of expertise, we also understand that there will be significant cuts to both funding opportunities and contracts. We are extremely concerned about the impact of these cuts on current and future epilepsy research activities and know they are impeding our shared goal of curing epilepsy.

Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (ACHDNC): The ACHDNC was also terminated in early April. For more than 20 years, this committee has governed the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), which helps to ensure that newborns have access to screening, diagnosis, and intervention for serious medical conditions. Some conditions on the RUSP list can cause seizures and there are many other rare disorders that cause seizures and epilepsy in infants and children that could be added. We are extremely concerned about the impact the dissolution of the ACHDNC will have on infants, children, and their caregivers in the rare epilepsy community. The dissolution of this committee completely terminates any possibility of enhancement, expansion, and improvement of the US's ability to reduce preventable suffering and deaths of infants. We urge that it be reinstated as soon as possible.



These actions will halt progress in preventing, diagnosing, treating, curing, and managing epilepsy. These changes are happening at a time when many other significant threats are looming for people with epilepsy and their families, including possible cuts to Medicaid and the possible dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. About 40% of people with epilepsy rely on Medicaid for access to healthcare and long-term services and supports. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Education is vital to ensuring that the rights of students with disabilities are protected and enforced.

Epilepsy looks different for each person. There are many types of seizures and syndromes, and epilepsy affects people throughout their lifespan with varied causes and associated conditions. Most importantly, delayed recognition and inadequate treatment increases a persons risk of seizures, brain damage, disability, and death. Epilepsy and/or seizures impose an annual economic healthcare burden of $54 billion in the U.S. This is why epilepsy research and programs are so critical to the public health and economic health of our nation.

The epilepsy community is devastated by these cuts, and we need action now. We call on policymakers to restore funding and staffing for these vital programs. Please contact Laura Weidner, Chief Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for the Epilepsy Foundation at lweidner@efa.org or Johanna Gray, Deputy Director of the National Association of Epilepsy Centers at jgray@artemispolicygroup.com with any questions.

National and International Organizations

AHC Foundation

American Epilepsy Society

Angelman Syndrome Foundation

Angels of Epilepsy, Inc.

Autism Faith Network

CACNA1A Foundation

Child Neurology Foundation

Coalition to Cure CHD2

COMBINEDBrain Inc.

CSNK2B Foundation

CURE Epilepsy

Cure KCNH1 Foundation

CureSHANK

Danny Did Foundation

Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies Project (DEE-P Connections)

DLG4 SHINE Foundation

Doose Syndrome Epilepsy Alliance

Dravet Syndrome Foundation

Dup15q Alliance

Epilepsies Action Network (EAN)

Epilepsy Alliance America

Epilepsy Foundation of America

Epilepsy Information Service, Wake Forest School of Medicine

Epilepsy Wellness Advocates

FamilieSCN2A Foundation

Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics

GABA-A Alliance

GNB1 Advocacy Group, Inc.

GRIN2B Foundation

Hidden Truths Project

Hope for HIE

Hope for ULD

International Foundation for CDKL5 Research

International League Against Epilepsy - North America

International SCN8A Alliance

Joanna Sophia Foundation

KCNQ2 Cure Alliance

KPTN Alliance

Lightning and Love Foundation

National Association of Epilepsy Centers

NORSE Institute

Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME)

Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium

Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance

Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation

Rare Epilepsy Network (REN) Coordinating Committee

Ring14 USA

Ring20USA

Schinzel-Giedion Syndrome Foundation

STXBP1 Foundation

Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community

TESS Research Foundation

The Cute Syndrome Foundation

The Mark Shaparin Foundation

The Rory Belle Foundation

TSC Alliance

v-ATPase Alliance

State and Local Organizations

Beta Spectrin Foundation

Empowering People's Independence

EPIC LI/Epilepsy Foundation Long Island

Epilepsy Advocacy Network

Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana

Epilepsy Alliance North Carolina

Epilepsy Foundation Alabama

Epilepsy Foundation Alaska

Epilepsy Foundation Arizona

Epilepsy Foundation Arkansas

Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas

Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA

Epilepsy Foundation Florida

Epilepsy Foundation Greater Orange County

Epilepsy Foundation Indiana

Epilepsy Foundation Iowa

Epilepsy Foundation Los Angeles

Epilepsy Foundation Louisiana

Epilepsy Foundation Maryland

Epilepsy Foundation Maryland Chapter

Epilepsy Foundation Metro D.C.

Epilepsy Foundation Mississippi

Epilepsy Foundation Montana

Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska

Epilepsy Foundation Nevada

Epilepsy Foundation New England

Epilepsy Foundation New Jersey

Epilepsy Foundation New Mexico

Epilepsy Foundation North Carolina

Epilepsy Foundation North Dakota

Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut

Epilepsy Foundation of Delaware

Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago

Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho

Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana

Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota

Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas

Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California

Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York

Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County

Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee

Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia

Epilepsy Foundation of Wisconsin

Epilepsy Foundation Ohio

Epilepsy Foundation Oklahoma

Epilepsy Foundation Oregon

Epilepsy Foundation South Carolina

Epilepsy Foundation South Dakota

Epilepsy Foundation Texas

Epilepsy Foundation Utah

Epilepsy Foundation Washington

Epilepsy Foundation West Virginia

Epilepsy Services of New Jersey

Epitome of Epilepsy nonprofit organization

HardyHandz Foundation

Joey's Song

Rea of Hope for a Cure Foundation

Sociedad Puertorriquena de Epilepsia

South Carolina Advocates For Epilepsy

The Epilepsy Institute DBA the Epilepsy Foundation of Metro NY
OLATHE, Kan., April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Terracon, an employee-owned firm with a long history of providing excellence in engineering consulting services, announces it has acquired The Transtec Group (Transtec), a leading provider of innovative solutions designed to meet an array of pavement engineering needs.

With offices in Austin, Texas and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Transtec is uniquely positioned to enhance Terracons pavement engineering and management consulting services. Terracons clients will now have access to Transtecs specialized pavement engineering, research, testing, and consulting services. Transtec also developed, manufactures and sells COMMAND Center, one of the longest tenured and best recognized brands in concrete temperature and maturity monitoring. The merger gives Transtec clients access to significantly more resources throughout the U.S.

Terracon is excited to welcome the Transtec team and share their talents and expertise with our clients across the U.S. who are seeking advanced pavement engineering solutions, said Gayle Packer, Terracon chair, president, and CEO.

Transtec will immediately become part of Terracon, and the firm will operate as The Transtec Group, A Terracon Company. The transition will be seamless for clients. Transtec will be supported by nearby Terracon offices including locations in Austin, Texas, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Terracons corporate resources in the Kansas City area. Transtec is Terracons first acquisition in 2025, and its 26th acquisition since the beginning of 2017.

After 21 years of working together with matching commitments to our coworkers and clients, Transtec and Terracon saw the vision of what we could achieve together. Transtecs mission has always been to improve the state of the practice in pavement engineering. Becoming a Terracon company enables us to fulfill that mission with exponentially greater impact, said Dan Rozycki, Transtec president.

Transtec was represented by Eight Quarter Advisors (EQA) of Denver and Boston. "The combination of Terracon and Transtec will provide innovative solutions to help clients looking for advanced pavement engineering solutions, said Matt Williams, managing director at EQA. Eight Quarter Advisors is pleased to have introduced and facilitated Transtec and Terracon establishing this partnership, which will be beneficial to all their clients.



About Terracon

Terracon is an employee-owned, multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 7,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 180 locations nationwide. In 2025, we celebrate Terracons 60th anniversary with gratitude to our employees and clients and excitement for the future as Our Adventure Continues. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com.
RAMAT GAN, Israel, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small-molecule drugs for oncological and inflammatory diseases (Can-Fite or the Company), today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the purchase and sale of 2,500,000 of the Companys American Depositary Shares (ADSs), at a purchase price of $1.20 per ADS, in a registered direct offering. The offering is expected to close on or about April 15, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

The gross proceeds from the, before deducting the placement agents fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company, are expected to be $3.0 million. Can-Fite intends to use the net proceeds for funding research and development and clinical trials and for other working capital and general corporate purposes.

The ADSs offered in the registered direct offering are being offered and sold by Can-Fite pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-274316) originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on September 1, 2023 and declared effective by the SEC on September 12, 2023. The offering of the ADSs to be issued in the registered direct offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. A final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the registered direct offering will be filed with the SEC. Electronic copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained, when available, on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC at 430 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by phone at (212) 856-5711 or e-mail at placements@hcwco.com.

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 these securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF) is an advanced clinical stage drug development Company with a platform technology that is designed to address multi-billion dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, liver, and inflammatory disease. The Companys lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson recently reported topline results in a Phase III trial for psoriasis and commenced a pivotal Phase III trial. Can-Fites liver drug, Namodenoson, is being evaluated in a Phase III trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of MASH, and in a Phase IIa study in pancreatic cancer. Namodenoson has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Fast Track Designation as a second line treatment for HCC by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Namodenoson has also shown proof of concept to potentially treat other cancers including colon, prostate, and melanoma. CF602, the Companys third drug candidate, has shown efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience in over 1,600 patients in clinical studies to date. For more information please visit: www.canfite.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, about Can-Fites expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding, among other things, its product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical facts, are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as believe, expect, intend, plan, may, should or anticipate or their negatives or other variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the completion of the offerings, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offerings and the intended use of proceeds therefrom. Forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Can-Fites actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include, among other things, our market and other conditions, history of losses and needs for additional capital to fund our operations and our inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; uncertainties of cash flows and inability to meet working capital needs; the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies, clinical trials and other product candidate development efforts; our ability to advance our product candidates into clinical trials or to successfully complete our preclinical studies or clinical trials; our receipt of regulatory approvals for our product candidates, and the timing of other regulatory filings and approvals; the clinical development, commercialization and market acceptance of our product candidates; our ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and product candidates; the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; competitive companies, technologies and our industry; risks related to not satisfying the continued listing requirements of NYSE American; and statements as to the impact of the political and security situation in Israel on our business. More information on these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included from time to time in the Risk Factors section of Can-Fites Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 14, 2025 and other public reports filed with the SEC and in its periodic filings with the TASE. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Can-Fite undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.

Contact

Can-Fite BioPharma

Motti Farbstein

info@canfite.com

+972-3-9241114
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The pressure is on as XploraDEX, the groundbreaking AI-powered trading platform on the XRP Ledger, enters its final 8-day countdown before closing its $XPL presale . With excitement intensifying across the XRP communities, investors are rushing to secure their allocation before the window slams shut.





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oliver@xploradex.io

contact@xploradex.io

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London, England, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quentin Hunter Consultancy, a leader in business growth strategies, has unveiled the Growth Score Quiz, a groundbreaking tool designed to help businesses identify their growth potential and overcome obstacles. This free, personalized assessment provides entrepreneurs and business leaders with a quantifiable measure of their current growth trajectory, offering actionable insights to accelerate their success.





Business Growth Quiz - Unlock Scalable Predictable Business Growth





The Growth Score Quiz stands out with its unique features, including a personalized growth assessment that assigns a "Growth Score" to measure a business's current growth potential. It also identifies specific bottlenecks that may be hindering progress, offering data-driven insights based on proven business growth metrics and benchmarks. Participants receive immediate results, enabling them to quickly understand their growth landscape.

Designed to be valuable as a standalone tool, the Growth Score Quiz is accessible to businesses at no cost. After receiving their results, businesses can choose to utilize the insights independently or engage with growth specialists for further consultation. This follow-up offers customized growth strategies, implementation frameworks for rapid execution, expert guidance, and community support from fellow growth-minded entrepreneurs.

"The Growth Score Quiz transforms complex business growth challenges into clear, actionable pathways," says Quentin Hunter, CEO of Quentin Hunter. "By identifying specific growth obstacles and opportunities, it eliminates the guesswork from business expansion plans and provides a foundation for sustainable, profitable growth."

The target audience for the Growth Score Quiz includes small to medium-sized business owners looking to scale, marketing directors and growth teams seeking strategic direction, entrepreneurs experiencing growth plateaus, and business leaders preparing for market expansion. The tool's value proposition lies in its ability to convert complex growth challenges into straightforward, actionable strategies.

Quentin Hunter Consultancy has developed this assessment tool based on extensive real-world experience, helping businesses identify and overcome growth limitations. Unlike theoretical models, the quiz is grounded in practical, proven strategies that apply to businesses of all sizes and sectors. The growth accelerators identified in the quiz have been discovered through direct work with real-world businesses, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.

For more information on the Growth Score Quiz, visit https://quentinhunter.com/growthscore.





Quentin Hunter





About Quentin Hunter Consultancy



We Partner With 7+ Figure Brands To Help Them Grow, Scale Or Exit Their Business.







Press inquiries

Quentin Hunter Consultancy

https://www.quentinhunter.com/

Quentin Huner

info@quentinhunter.com

+44 7700 179505

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London

W4 5DL




Greenville, SC, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integrated Power Services (IPS), a leading provider of electrical, mechanical, and power management systems, has named John Burant to the position of Market General Manager for Mining. This reflects the increased focus IPS has placed on supporting customers in the mineral, mined fuel, and fertilizer markets, said John Zuleger, IPS President and CEO. Together with recent acquisitions in key mining areas, including the Western US, Canada, Illinois, Appalachian coal regions, and the Southeastern US, Burant will help IPS deliver exceptional aftermarket power management and electromechanical service solutions to improve efficiency and reliability for mining customers.

Burant joined IPS in November 2024, as Business Development Director for Mining. Prior to his joining IPS, Burant enjoyed a remarkable 37-year career largely in mining services and equipment supply. Most recently, Burant worked for Caterpillar as new product development leader for its energy transition business, which was focused on the electrification of traditionally fuel-driven mining equipment and processes. Prior to Caterpillar, Burant worked for 11 years at Flanders Inc. with roles in engineering, and product and business development, where he led the launch and business growth from the sale of numerous equipment and service innovations for markets in North America and globally. Burants career also included time in engineering with P&H/Komatsu. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelors degree in electrical engineering and received a masters in engineering management (MSEM) from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Im committed to providing unparalleled support to mining customers, said Burant. IPS has created a powerful operational network, with the largest base of engineers, electricians, and technicians. With virtually immediate access to equipment, service, and solutions, we can deliver exceptional responsiveness. This is an exciting time to be in the mining industry.

Global trade policy changes are expected to result in significant capacity expansions in mined minerals and commodities in North America. IPS is positioned to further support this critical industry, with significant acquisitions over the last three years to build a service network in proximity to all of the key mining regions in North America, added Zuleger. Operating from more than 95 locations across the U.S. and Canada, IPS provides end-to-end services for the efficient use of electricity, from substation, transformer and transmission services, standby power generation solutions, and power engineering services, to switchgear and breakers, motor control centers, drives and starters, electric motor and generator services, and pump and rotating equipment solutions.



About Integrated Power Services (IPS)

Integrated Power Services (IPS) is a leading provider of service, engineering, and remanufacturing for electrical, mechanical, and power management systems. With a focus on industry-specific expertise and a comprehensive range of capabilities, IPS supports critical infrastructure across a wide range of customers. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, IPS operates the largest network in the industry, with service and distribution centers, field offices, and strategically located warehouses across North America, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. Each IPS location is equipped to respond, rethink, and resolve complex challenges, offering access to an extensive global talent pool and resources for seamless, single-source solutions. To learn more, visit www.ips.us.

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Bangkok, Thailand, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --





BDMS Wellness Clinic, a preventive healthcare provider under Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS), has been honored with two coveted awards at the highly esteemed Healthcare Asia Awards 2025. The clinic was recognized in the categories of Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year and Health Promotion Initiative of the Year, underscoring its unwavering dedication to pioneering advancements in preventive medicine. This recognition is a testament to BDMS Wellness Clinics mission to deliver the Wellness Life Blueprint, a sustainable and transformative health model, globally through the fusion of Scientific Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine.Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited, represented the company in accepting these prestigious awards with pride and distinction during the grand ceremony held on April 10, 2025, at Renaissance Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Healthcare Asia Awards recognize outstanding healthcare providers across the Asia region for their achievements and excellence in healthcare development and services. These awards celebrate organizations that excel in areas such as treatment quality, technological innovation, service development, and advancements in healthcare systems. This year, BDMS Wellness Clinic was proudly awarded two prestigious honors: Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year and Health Promotion Initiative of the Year. These accolades reinforce the clinic's success in not only offering exceptional medical care but also in promoting sustainable, holistic health through its innovative approach to healthcare.

Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited stated, BDMS Wellness Clinic is deeply honored to receive this prestigious recognition, which serves as a strong affirmation of our unwavering commitment to delivering preventive health check-up services and promoting sustainable, long-term health for individuals around the globe. This award also stands as a powerful testament to the quality and dedication of our medical professionals and staff, who have devoted their expertise and passion to developing services that enable every individual to access high-quality, holistic healthcare. Our approach combines internationally accredited health screening technologies with the principles of Scientific Wellness, providing tailored health management plans that empower individuals to take control of their health journey and cultivate lasting well-being. This achievement further strengthens our mission to enhance the quality of life through innovative, personalized healthcare solutions.

The Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year Award and the Commitment to Delivering Sustainable Health to People Worldwide under the Concept of Longevity by Scientific Wellness Initiative

Receiving the Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year award at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2025 is a significant confirmation of BDMS Wellness Clinics success in pioneering the delivery of sustainable health worldwide. This achievement is made possible through healthcare technologies that transform health data and experiences into clear, measurable figures, backed by scientific evidence and internationally recognized standards.

With the vision of BDMS Wellness Clinic, it is understood that maintaining good health is not solely about treating illnesses or recovering from diseases (Reactive Healthcare), but about achieving a sustainable, high-quality life (Health span). In the present era, proactive health managementtaking steps to care for ones health before illness occurshas become a global trend of great significance. However, in order to effectively manage our health, it is crucial for each individual to gain a deep understanding of their own body.

In line with this vision, BDMS Wellness Clinic has introduced the Longevity by Scientific Wellness Initiative, a holistic approach to healthcare that integrates Scientific Wellness to accurately analyze the unique health needs of each individual, ensuring sustainable and effective health outcomes. The Wellness Journey of each client is meticulously tailored, beginning with an extensive health evaluation known as the "Wellness Life Blueprint," which enables a profound understanding of one's body at the cellular level. This includes assessments such as telomere length analysis to determine biological age at the cellular level, DNA and epigenetic testing to identify genetic predispositions and lifestyle-related health risks, as well as DEXA scans to measure muscle mass, body fat, and bone density. Additionally, EDIM testing is employed to detect early signs of cancer, alongside a wide range of other comprehensive health assessments. From these insights, a personalized health management plan is developed, incorporating services such as Weight Management, Personalized Vitamin regimens, Stress Management, Sleep Quality Improvement, and other health programs, all of which are carried out under the expert supervision of BDMS Wellness Clinics team of specialists in preventive medicine and interdisciplinary professionals. This individualized approach ensures that each client receives optimal care, promoting long-term health and well-being.

In addition to its holistic healthcare programs, BDMS Wellness Clinic, under the leadership of Dr.Tanupol Virunhagarun, places great emphasis on education, which is a core element of its mission to create a sustainable society of good health. BDMS Wellness Clinic is committed to providing knowledge to both clients and the broader community about self-healthcare practices. This includes participation in various seminars and the dissemination of information through BDMS Wellness Clinic's online platform, with the aim of raising awareness and empowering individuals to effectively manage their own health.

Health Promotion Initiative of the Year Award and the Redefinition of Healthcare through the Integration of Scientific Wellness and the Art of Relaxation at BDMS Wellness Clinic Sri panwa

Wellness Tourism has emerged as a critical factor, comparable to the fifth pillar, shaping the future of both the global tourism and healthcare sectors. In recognition of this growing trend, BDMS Wellness Clinic has formed a strategic partnership with Sri panwa Phuket, a renowned six-star luxury resort, to seamlessly integrate the principles of Scientific Wellness and preventive healthcare with the art of retreat. This collaboration offers a unique wellness experience that not only facilitates physical rejuvenation but also fosters long-term health, addressing the needs of modern travelers who view health management as an essential aspect of their lifestyle.

Guests at BDMS Wellness Clinic Sri panwa will indulge in a Luxury Wellness Retreat experience, beginning with a holistic health assessment to identify the true needs of their bodies and create a personalized holistic health plan. This includes tailored fitness programs led by professional trainers, mindfulness and relaxation practices through yoga, meditation, and spa treatments designed to enhance emotional and spiritual balance, all delivered with six-star luxury service. Guests can also enjoy personalized cooking classes with professional chefs from Sri panwa and vitamin therapy, all set in the serene and peaceful atmosphere of Cape Panwa.

Receiving the Health Promotion Initiative of the Year award further affirms the outstanding success of the "Luxury Wellness Retreat" program, a strategic collaboration between BDMS Wellness Clinic and Sri panwa Hotel. This initiative promotes global well-being by seamlessly integrating preventive healthcare with relaxation under the concept of Wellness Tourism. Its objective is to foster a holistic improvement in the quality of life, addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of individuals, and ultimately leading to a truly transformative experience for people worldwide.

Dr. Amp and His Commitment to Transforming Thailand into a Global Wellness Hub

As the leader of BDMS Wellness Clinic, Dr. Tanupol, or "Dr. Amp," is dedicated to positioning Thailand as a global Wellness Hub. He focuses on raising awareness and empowering individuals to manage their health effectively through the promotion of preventive healthcare approaches, while offering health services through advanced medical technology and a balanced lifestyle philosophy rooted in Lifestyle Medicine.

BDMS Wellness Clinic believes that good health is not just an individual matter, but the foundation for building a strong and sustainable society. We are committed to collaborating with all relevant sectors, joining forces as #TeamThailand, to be part of delivering happiness to people worldwide who visit Thailand, while genuinely promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being,Dr. Tanupol concluded.

# # #

About BDMS Wellness Clinic

BDMS Wellness Clinic, a pivotal entity within the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) networkThailand's leading operator of private hospitalsembodies a forward-thinking approach to healthcare, prioritizing prevention over cure. Specializing in early detection and prevention of diseases, our clinic offers a holistic suite of services, including advanced dental care and fertility treatments. Leveraging cutting-edge science and technology, BDMS Wellness Clinic not only anticipates future health challenges but also enhances the quality of life, marking its stature as Asia's premier healthcare facility dedicated to elevating both mental and physical well-being.

#BDMSWellnessClinic # #LiveLongerHealthierHappier #PreventiveMedicine #LifestyleMedicine #ScientificWellness #WellnessHubThailand

For more details:

Facebook: Facebook.com/BDMSWellnessClinic

Instagram: @BDMSWellness

Media Inquiries: Media Inquiries: Please contact Marketing and Communication Department, BDMS Wellness Clinic Co. Ltd.

Chanokphat Pawangkanan 084-703-5963 Email: chanokphat.pa@bdmswellness.com

Sasiwimol Techawanto 092-807-5893 Email: Sasiwimol.te@bdmswellness.com
Azle, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Azle, Texas -

Save Reno PC, a citizen-led Special Purpose Action Committee (SPAC) dedicated to preserving the corporate status of Reno, TX, is strongly urging voters to reject misinformation spread by proponents of disincorporation. The recent mailer circulated by the "Disincorporate the City of Reno PAC" contains multiple inaccuracies, misquotes public officials, and presents a misleading picture of the consequences residents would face should Reno cease to exist as an incorporated city. Save Reno PC stands committed to transparency and fact-based information, ensuring residents have accurate knowledge as they approach the May 3rd ballot.

Central to the disinformation campaign by disincorporation advocates is the claim of significant tax relief paired with improved county services upon disincorporation. In reality, these promises omit critical context and consequences. The mailer erroneously suggests that disincorporation would substantially reduce residents' overall tax burden. However, this claim fails to consider that any supposed short-term tax rate reductions do not account for the significant shifts in responsibility and associated costs from city governance to Parker County.

Specifically, the disincorporation mailer grossly oversimplifies county tax implications. While it mentions that county taxes cannot be raised exclusively for former city residents, it ignores the reality that absorbing Reno into county jurisdiction would inevitably strain county resources. Parker County Judge Pat Deen clarified on social media that integrating an additional 60 miles of roadway into the county's responsibility will indeed affect the county budget, potentially necessitating county-wide tax increases. Texas Tax Code Section 26.05 explicitly acknowledges that counties facing increased obligations must adjust budgets accordingly. Moreover, Judge Deen explicitly stated the county would be responsible for law enforcement coverage, creating further budgetary pressures supported by Texas Local Government Code Chapter 341.

Additionally, Judge Deen publicly addressed the issue of being misquoted in the mailer. The mailer attributed to Judge Deen a vague assurance that contingencies would be in place following disincorporation. Judge Deen's Facebook response makes it clear he was misrepresented. He expressed dissatisfaction with the removal of essential context from his comments, emphasizing the substantial impacts on county budgets, including the likelihood of county tax increases, as well as residents' loss of control over water rates should the city become disincorporated. This stark misrepresentation underscores the misleading narrative being presented by disincorporation proponents.

The assertion that disincorporation would yield better county services is also highly questionable. According to the Texas Municipal League, counties are generally limited in their ability to provide urban-level services, and city residents typically receive more immediate, responsive, and comprehensive services than their county counterparts. The county's ability to seamlessly assume responsibility for local roads, drainage, and animal control without disruption or additional cost is overstated. Save Reno PC highlights the practical challenges and delays residents would face if disincorporation passes. It would effectively create a period of uncertainty, where crucial services might not meet the expectations set by the disincorporation advocates.

Regarding water services, the mailer provides a false sense of assurance. It vaguely mentions potential interest from multiple entities in purchasing the Reno water department. This overlooks critical details, notably that privatization could lead to substantial rate hikes, over which residents would have no oversight or voice. Under Texas Water Code Chapter 13, privatized water utilities are primarily regulated by the Public Utility Commission, and residents typically have minimal direct influence over rates. Under city governance, citizens have direct input into utility rates and policies through elected representatives. Privatization removes this critical democratic control, potentially exposing residents to unchecked rate increases and profit-driven management practices detrimental to community interests.

Furthermore, claims regarding fire protection under ESD #1 also lack context. The petition to place ESD #1 on the November ballot is by no means a guaranteed or immediate solution, leaving potential gaps in reliable fire protection coverage should disincorporation occur prematurely. Fire and emergency medical responses are among the most crucial services residents rely upon, and any delay or gap in coverage poses a significant safety risk, as highlighted by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 775.

Finally, the promise of "no forced annexation" as presented by the mailer is misleading. While HB 347 indeed ended forced annexation, the mailer neglects the reality that disincorporation opens pathways for voluntary annexation influenced by external financial pressures or incentives. Thus, control over local zoning, development, and long-term community planning could become vulnerable to external interests not aligned with current residents' wishes, as emphasized by analyses conducted by the Texas Municipal League.

https://youtu.be/_CurxcU6SgU?si=8rpRZaPPTJxMl2K3&t=219

Save Reno PC remains firmly committed to factual clarity and comprehensive information for Reno's residents. The misleading mailer circulated by disincorporation proponents undermines informed voting and public trust. On May 3rd, residents have the opportunity to safeguard their city's future by voting against disincorporation and rejecting misleading propaganda in favor of continued local governance, accountability, and community control.

###

For more information about Save Reno PC, contact the company here:



Save Reno PC

Jordan Fowler

(817) 203-4837

info@saverenopc.com

Save Reno PC

1320 Arvel Circle

Azle 76020
NASSAU, Bahamas, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bahamas made a significant impact at Seatrade Cruise Global, which was held at the Miami Convention Center in Miami, Florida and concluded yesterday, 10 April. The cruise industry's flagship event attracted over 11,000 attendees, featured 600 exhibitors, representatives from more than 120 countries, over 70 cruise lines, and was the perfect stage for showcasing the latest advancements in the sector.

Leading the Bahamas delegation was The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation along with a dedicated team of key tourism stakeholders and leaders in the destination's cruise industry.

The Bahamas commanded the spotlight with an exclusive press conference hosted at The Loews Hotel, drawing top travel trade, hospitality and cruise media. DPM Cooper was joined by the Honourable Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama, Latia Duncombe, Director General, MOTIA and Mike Maura, CEO of Nassau Cruise Port, to share significant updates shaping the future of cruise tourism in the island nation.

Building on a wave of strong momentumwelcoming over 517,000 cruise visitors this past January aloneThe Bahamas is committed to sustaining cruise growth and enhancing the cruise passenger experience. DPM Cooper announced a collaborative effort between the Government of The Bahamas Nassau Cruise Port and major cruise lines to modernise port infrastructure across the archipelago. Plans include the expansion of berths, construction of new piers and improvements to passenger flow and transportation access with a progressive vision of tourism sustainability.

Among the key developments is Norwegian Cruise Lines $150 million pier at Great Stirrup Cay, The Berry Islands scheduled for completion in 2025. The new pier will accommodate two large ships simultaneously and improve access for vessels across Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' portfolio, including Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Also, the $700 million Celebration Key, Carnivals first-ever exclusive destination will open in July 2025 and will be located on the South side of Grand Bahama.

Looking ahead to Summer 2026, the north side of Half Moon Caysoon to be known as RelaxAway, Half Moon Caywill debut a new pier allowing ships to dock directly at the island for the first time. This includes Carnivals largest Excel-class ships, which will now be able to visit. The project, a partnership between Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line, will also introduce an expanded beachfront, enhanced dining venues and a collection of new bars.

In Grand Bahama, DPM Cooper highlighted the upcoming cruise port and water park development at Freeport Harboura major joint venture between Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruisesset to further elevate the island's appeal as a world-class cruise destination.

Together, these developments reflect The Bahamas bold vision for the future of cruise tourism: modern, immersive and tailored to the evolving expectations of todays global traveler.

DPM Cooper said, The media turnout at our press conference and the constant buzz surrounding The Bahamas Pavilion reflects the collective efforts of our team and partners. The Bahamas is creating a tourism product that stands out globally, and the tremendous interest and collaboration shown in our meetings reinforces our belief in the vast potential of our cruise sector.

Throughout the conference, DPM Cooper and DG Duncombe actively engaged with key cruise industry stakeholders, reinforcing strategic partnerships and forging new alliances to advance The Bahamas position as a premier cruise destination. High-level meetings were held with major players including Royal Caribbean Group, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line, RW Bimini Cruise Port, Margaritaville at Sea and Balearia Caribbean. The meetings centered on collaboration, innovation and future-forward strategies to elevate the guest experience and drive continued growth across the archipelago.

We are building on the strong momentum at Seatrade with a clear focus on innovation, sustainability, and delivering a world-class cruise experience, said DG Duncombe. With major developments advancing across multiple islands, The Bahamas continues to lead the region and shape the future of cruise tourism.

For more information on The Bahamas, visit Bahamas.com.

About The Bahamas:

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

Media Contact:



Anita Johnson-Patty

Director Global Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

Ajohnson@Bahamas.com



Bahamas USA

FINN Bahamas

Bahamasusa@finnpartners.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ba34815-32ab-4f14-a441-66d5a29292b5

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e19b5be5-64a6-432d-8622-50c78fa82c4b
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During the 47th session of the King Faisal Prize on April 14, exceptional accomplishments in the fields of cellular engineering and nanotechnology were honored. Professor Michel Sadelain was awarded the Medicine Prize for his groundbreaking contributions to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a revolutionary cancer treatment that has transformed immunotherapy and inspired advancements in regenerative medicine. Professor Sumio Iijima received the Science Prize for his pioneering discovery of carbon nanotubes, which has redefined nanotechnology and enabled innovations across materials science, electronics, and medicine.

Through innovative cellular engineering, Professor Sadelain, the founding director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, has spearheaded the development of CAR T-cell therapy, a breakthrough that has revolutionized cancer treatment. His research has led to the first FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies, offering new hope to cancer patients worldwide. "We have taken T cells, the soldiers of the immune system, and equipped them with the ability to recognize and eliminate cancer cells," Professor Sadelain stated. "This journey, from concept to clinical application, underscores the power of innovation in medicine."

Professor Sadelains impact extends beyond CAR T-cell therapy, as he continues to lead groundbreaking research in cellular therapies. With over 280 peer-reviewed papers and more than 60 patents, his work has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the Canada Gairdner Award, and the Clarivate Citation Laureate in Physiology or Medicine.

His research has played a pivotal role in transforming how the medical community perceives and approaches cancer treatment. CAR T-cell therapy works by genetically modifying a patients own T cells to express synthetic receptors that allow them to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. This innovative approach has provided unprecedented success in treating hematologic malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and large B-cell lymphomas (LBCL), where conventional treatments had previously been insufficient.

The development of this therapy required decades of persistence and refinement. Early experiments in CAR T-cell therapy faced significant hurdles, including challenges related to toxicity, the limited persistence of modified T cells in the body, and manufacturing constraints. Professor Sadelain and his team overcame these obstacles by refining receptor designs, incorporating co-stimulatory domains, and optimizing cell expansion techniques. The results led to the second-generation CAR T-cell therapy, which demonstrated greater efficacy, prolonged activity in patients, and enhanced safety.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first CAR T-cell therapy in 2017, marking a historic milestone in oncology. Since then, the technology has been further developed to target additional blood cancers and is now being explored as a potential treatment for solid tumors. Professor Sadelain's work has inspired a new wave of research into cellular immunotherapies, leading to innovations in gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR-based modifications and next-generation CAR T-cell designs that could further improve treatment outcomes.

Beyond laboratory research, Professor Sadelain has been instrumental in translating CAR T-cell technology into clinical applications. As the founding director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, he has mentored a new generation of researchers and fostered collaborations between academia and the biopharmaceutical industry. These partnerships have accelerated the development and commercialization of CAR T-cell therapies, bringing life-saving treatments to thousands of patients worldwide.

Professor Sadelains leadership extends to advocating for broader access to cellular therapies. As CAR T-cell treatments remain expensive and logistically complex, he has worked closely with policymakers and healthcare institutions to develop strategies for making these therapies more widely available. His commitment to ensuring equitable access underscores his belief that medical innovation should benefit all patients, regardless of financial or geographic barriers.

On the frontier of nanotechnology, Professor Sumio Iijima, an honorary fellow of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan, has revolutionized materials science with his discovery of carbon nanotubes. My contribution was the discovery of carbon nanotubes and the elucidation of their atomic structure. They have triggered flourishing nanoscience and nanotechnology Professor Iijima remarked. These cylindrical nanostructures exhibit extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, making them foundational to modern nanotechnology. His pioneering research has influenced fields ranging from electronics to medicine, enabling breakthroughs in drug delivery, water purification, and next-generation computing.

The discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991 marked a turning point in nanotechnology, offering materials with exceptional strength, flexibility, and conductivity. These tiny cylindrical structures, composed of rolled graphene sheets, have diameters as small as one nanometer but possess tensile strengths over 100 times greater than steel while being significantly lighter. This extraordinary combination of properties has opened the door to innovations across multiple disciplines.

One of the most transformative applications of CNTs has been in the electronics industry. Due to their remarkable electrical conductivity, CNTs have been explored as potential replacements for traditional silicon-based semiconductors, paving the way for faster and more energy-efficient transistors. Their use in flexible electronics has led to the development of bendable displays, wearable technology, and advanced sensors that can detect changes in the human body at the molecular level.

In medicine, CNTs have proven to be a game-changer in drug delivery and cancer treatment. Their nanoscale dimensions allow them to penetrate cell membranes and deliver targeted therapies directly to diseased cells, reducing side effects associated with conventional chemotherapy. Researchers have also investigated their potential for use in biosensors that detect diseases at earlier stages, offering new hope for patients with conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.

Another groundbreaking application of CNTs is in energy storage. Scientists have developed high-capacity lithium-ion batteries using CNTs as electrodes, significantly improving battery life and charging speeds. These advancements have fueled the rise of electric vehicles, enabling longer driving ranges and more efficient energy consumption. Additionally, CNT-based supercapacitors have shown promise in storing renewable energy from solar and wind power, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

Environmental sustainability has also benefited from CNT technology. Their exceptional filtration capabilities have been harnessed in water purification systems, where CNT membranes can remove pollutants, heavy metals, and even bacteria from contaminated water sources. This innovation has the potential to address global water scarcity issues and improve access to clean drinking water in developing regions.

Professor Iijimas discovery has not only reshaped scientific understanding but has also driven industrial advancements. Industries such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing have adopted CNT-reinforced materials to create lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles, reducing carbon emissions and improving performance. Similarly, the construction sector has explored CNT-infused concrete to enhance structural durability and resistance to environmental damage.

Professor Iijimas contributions have been recognized globally, with accolades including the Franklin Medal in Physics, the Balzan Prize, and the Order of Culture Merits from Japan. At the King Faisal Prize ceremony Professor Iijima remarked I received this prestigious prize as a representative of the international scientific community working on nanoscale phenomena in physics and chemistry. His seminal paper on carbon nanotubes has been cited over 58,000 times, underscoring its transformative impact on scientific research. His influence extends beyond academia, as he has mentored numerous scientists who continue to push the boundaries of nanotechnology.

In addition to honoring advancements in medicine and science, King Faisal Prize recognized the achievements of outstanding figures in Islamic Studies and Service to Islam. Professor Said Al-Said and Professor Saad Al-Rashed were jointly awarded the Islamic Studies Prize for their pioneering research in archaeology and the preservation of cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia. Professor Al-Saids extensive work in uncovering the Arabian Peninsula's historical significance and Professor Al-Rasheds groundbreaking studies on Islamic pilgrimage routes and early Islamic cities have significantly enriched our understanding of the regions history.

The Service to Islam Prize was awarded to the Tebyan Quran Project from the Liajlehum Association for Serving People with Disabilities, in recognition of its significant contributions to making the Holy Quran accessible to the deaf and hearing-impaired community. Established in 2018, the Tebyan Quran Project provides a complete Quranic interpretation in sign language, allowing individuals who are deaf or have hearing impairments to understand and reflect upon the meanings of the Holy Quran. The project utilizes an advanced electronic application featuring interactive visuals and sign language translations, making it accessible to children, students, and adults.

King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language & Literature for 2025, focused on "Studies of Identity in Arabic Literature," was withheld due to nominated works not meeting the prize criteria.

The prize ceremony was held in Riyadh under the auspices of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz represented by the Governor of Riyadh HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, in the presence of distinguished guests, and global leaders in science, medicine, and academia. The event celebrated the spirit of discovery and innovation, reinforcing the Prizes legacy as one of the most prestigious global awards recognizing excellence in intellectual and humanitarian contributions.

Since 1979, the King Faisal Prize has honored 299 laureates who have made distinguished contributions to different sciences and causes. Each laureate is awarded USD 200,000, a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a certificate inscribed with their name and a summary of their work that qualified them for the prize.

Attachments
NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O'Dwyer's has published its annual PR firm rankings, based on 2024 net fee income. Since 1970, the PR news outlet has chronicled the industrys growth through the rankings, which require firms to submit financial proofs. Founder Jack ODwyer believed the rankings contributed to the professionalism" of PR, which has helped the business earn the respect that it so richly deserved.

Public relations firms recorded a 1.5 percent drop in combined 2024 fee income to $4.7B as clients adopted a cautious approach toward spending due to economic uncertainty, ODwyers editor-in-chief Kevin McCauley observed.

For 2023, ODwyers rankings saw PR firms post a meager 1.8 percent growth due to nosediving technology spending, tumbling healthcare outlays and recession-jittery consumers.

2022 and 2021 were great years for PR with 18.2 percent and 29.7 percent increases, respectively, as the nation emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic

No. 1 ranked Edelman, which became the first billion-dollar PR firm in 2022, dropped below the $1B annual fee income mark in 2024 following a 4.9 percent drop in revenues to $986M.

JPA Health enjoyed the biggest gain among firms in the Top 25. The Washington, D.C.-based healthcare PR specialist was up 26.6 percent to $30.8M, taking the 25thspot.

The second biggest gainer in the top 25 is Hunter. Headquartered in New York City, the consumer marketing agency came in at #12, up 17 percent to $67.4M.

Technology and healthcare focused Highwire PR rounded out the leading three gainers in the top 25. The San Francisco-based agency posted a 14 percent gain to $41.3M.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Top 10 PR firms as ranked by ODwyers for 2025:

1. Edelman, New York - $986M

2. Real Chemistry, San Francisco - $665M

3. Inizio Evoke, New York - $333.4M

4. APCO, Washington, D.C. - $236.4M

5. Finn Partners, New York - $199.7M

6. Ruder Finn, New York - $189.5M

7. ICR, New York - $156.6M

8. Zeno Group, New York - $140.5M

9. Prosek, New York - $119.5M

10. Spectrum, Washington, D.C. - $83M

In addition to the overall ranking of firms, ODwyers also breaks down the top firms by PR specialties. New for 2025 is Crisis Communications and Adult Beverages/Spirits bringing total number of specialties ranked to 23.

Top firms are also identified in key regions and cities such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Based in New York City, O'Dwyer's has been covering the public relations industry for 57 years. In addition to a daily website featuring the latest public relations news, people appointments, news of accounts, bylined articles, RFP postings, jobs section and more, the company publishes a magazine seven times a year, offers a weekly e-mailed newsletter, annual printed and online public relations firms directory and a daily e-blast.

John ODwyer

Publisher

ODwyers

571/228-3040

john@odwyerpr.com
Deerfield, Illinois, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mallet and Company (Mallet), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vantage Specialty Chemicals (Vantage), has been awarded $7.25M in damages following a week-long federal jury trial in Western Pennsylvania.

The jurys verdict found that Russell T/ Bundy Associates, Inc., d/b/a Bundy Baking Solutions, the leading manufacturer of commercial baking pans in North America, had misappropriated Mallets trade secrets in launching its release agent business in 2019 through its affiliate Synova, Inc. The jury also awarded punitive damages based on a finding that the misappropriation was willful and malicious. Mallet plans to pursue injunctive relief based on the jury findings, and all other appropriate additional relief from the court.

Vantage is a leader in food process aid technology with a long history of offering a best-in-class portfolio of release agents and custom-built processing equipment. We are pleased that the jurys verdict reflects this, said Jan Tinge, Executive Vice President, Vantage Food. The jury saw the wrongdoing in this case, as well as the resulting damage to our company, and took appropriate action. We feel the verdict sends a clear message that attempts to misappropriate an innovator's trade secrets should not, and will not, be tolerated.



Mallet was acquired by Vantage in 2016, establishing the foundation for what is now the Vantage Food business. With complementary acquisitions of AMARNAKOTE water-based release agents in 2018 and Spanish oils company TEXTRON PLIMON in 2019, Vantage Food has evolved as an industry leader offering exceptional customer service and a comprehensive solutions offering of release agents, functional ingredients and equipment designed to meet the needs of commercial bakers and other food applications.

The lawsuit was held in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Mallet was represented by law firms Mayer Brown LLP and Jackson Lewis PC. The case is Mallet & Co v. Lacayo et al., case number 2:19-cv-01409.



About Vantage Food: Better Performance Made Possible

As one of the leaders in the food industry, Vantage Food provides exceptional service to our customers through comprehensive solutions offering of release agents, functional ingredients and equipment designed to meet the needs of various food applications. Vantage Food is a reliable supplier committed to quality and innovation and delivering top-notch solutions that help drive success supporting large-scale operations and small businesses alike. Vantage Food is a business unit of Vantage Specialty Chemicals. Learn more at: vantagefood.com or contact us for more information info.food@vantagegrp.com

TM  indicates a registered mark or trademark of Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., or its affiliates.

About Vantage

Vantage provides natural solutions that support our customers technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by a broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL, operates in 11 countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction. Learn more at vantagegrp.com
Lafayette, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lafayette, Colorado -

Encore Data Products has announced the addition of Timekettle earbuds to their catalog, adding to the range of audio tools available for educators and businesses. Timekettle is known for its innovative approach, and these earbuds offer real-time translation features that can handle multiple languages. This makes communication easier in diverse settings. These wireless gadgets use advanced technology to give users a smooth experience.

One key feature of Timekettle earbuds is their ability to translate conversations in real time. This feature is a game-changer for teachers and students, making communication more inclusive and effective. They support many languages, like Mandarin, Japanese, French, and Spanish, which is handy in our globalized world where interaction across cultures happens regularly. They are also designed to be simple to use, making them great for schools and other settings.

"Timekettle earbuds stand out in the market due to their advanced technology and real-time translation capabilities," said a company representative. "These devices are particularly valuable in educational settings where they can facilitate communication and understanding between students and teachers from various linguistic backgrounds. Our aim is to equip schools and businesses with tools that enhance learning and interaction in a multilingual world."

The lineup offers different models for specific needs. The W4 Pro, WT2 Edge, and M3 models each have unique features tailored to different users. The WT2 Edge is perfect for simultaneous interpretation, making it great for active conversations. Meanwhile, the M3 is for those who want a balance of style and function, with a compact design and strong performance.

What makes these earbuds special is their HybridComm technology, which uses three main engines: ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition), NLP (Natural Language Processing), and TTS (Text-to-Speech). This ensures translations are quick and accurate, easily removing language barriers. This technical innovation benefits users in schools, businesses, and personal settings.

Timekettle earbuds do more than just translate. They are also dependable for daily use, like making calls or listening to music. Their comfortable design allows for use over long periods, making them versatile for various tasks.

Encore Data Products also offers a range of AV technology and accessories, like school headsets, built to meet various educational needs. These headsets are tough and deliver excellent sound quality, adding to the wide range of audio solutions the company provides.

"Integrating Timekettle earbuds into our product offering aligns with our mission to provide innovative technological solutions that cater to the needs of schools and businesses," noted a company spokesperson. "These earbuds are a testament to our commitment to facilitating learning and communication through cutting-edge technology."

Besides the tech features, Encore Data Products provides thorough support and resources to help users get the most out of their purchases. With detailed guides and customer service, the company makes sure clients can count on their products for a seamless experience.

As technology advances, Encore Data Products stays committed to providing high-quality, reliable, and user-friendly solutions. Their work with Timekettle highlights this mission, offering advanced translation earbuds that are crucial in today's interconnected world.

For more details about Timekettle and other audio technologies, check out Encore Data Products' official website at https://www.encoredataproducts.com/ or see their collection of school headsets and other audio solutions crafted for different user needs.

Recent News: Encore Data Products Launches The Great Headphone Giveaway to Empower Education with Free Audio Solutions

###

For more information about Encore Data Products, contact the company here:



Encore Data Products

Media Relations

866-926-1669

marketing@encoredataproducts.com

https://www.encoredataproducts.com/

1729 Majestic Drive, Suite 5

Lafayette, Colorado 80026
Washtenaw Community College alumna Aisha Bowe, who launched into space with the Blue Origin New Shepard-31 mission, is pictured leading a coding class for middle school students at WCC in 2022. Photo by J.D. Scott



ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Separated by some 15 years at Washtenaw Community College, the paths of two alumni intersected today with Blue Origins launch into space.

Aisha Bowe, one of the six all-female crew members who crossed the Karman international space boundary line this morning on the New Shepard-31 mission, and Nathan Perry, a Blue Origin Launch Vehicle Test Engineer, proudly attribute the start of their extraordinary careers to their time at WCC.

Bowe studied at WCC from 2003-2005, and Perry graduated in 2020. Both transferred to the University of Michigan, where they earned bachelor of science degrees in Aerospace Engineering. Bowe also earned a masters in Space Systems Engineering.

Their achievements illustrate the transformative impacts of a community college education.

Watching todays launch filled us with immense pride and excitement, said Dr. Rose B. Bellanca, President of Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Seeing Aisha soar into space  and knowing Nathan played a vital role in keeping her and the crew safe  was like witnessing a dream realized, not just for them, but for our entire WCC community. The college enrolls more than 21,000 students and is the biggest community college transfer school to Michigan.

Aisha and Nathan are proof that you can start at a community college and go anywhere  even to the stars, Bellanca said.

WCC hosted a launch countdown for students, faculty, staff and community leaders and livestreamed the mission on monitors throughout campus. The college also helped organize promotional events at Bowes local high school and middle school.

Aisha Bowe

Bowe, who worked as a NASA rocket scientist after earning her masters degree, often recalls how her first A in a WCC pre-algebra class snowballed into one success after another. Soon, the voices that advised her to pursue a career as a cosmetologist were far behind.

Washtenaw Community College changed my life. I graduated high school feeling lost and uncertain about my future, but at WCC, the small class sizes, dedicated professors and accessible, hands-on learning environment gave me the courage to take control of my own path, Bowe said. I built the confidence and skills that set me on a trajectory from community college to NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur and  Blue Origin astronaut. Your past doesnt define your future. You do.

Bowe has dedicated her career to expanding access to education and opportunity and travels across the globe as an inspirational speaker.

After NASA, she founded STEMBoard, an Inc. 5000-recognized engineering firm, and created LINGO, a hands-on coding startup kit with the goal of equipping 1 million students with STEM skills.

Bowe frequently returns to WCC to speak and engage with students.

Last Fall she worked with Fluke Corporation to secure a significant STEM equipment donation for science labs on campus. In 2020, she endowed the Aisha R. Bowe eMpower Engineering Scholarship for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue engineering. Among Bowes numerous recognitions is the 2021 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Michigan Community College Association.

Nathan Perry

Unsure of his own career path initially, Perry stepped away after half a semester in 2012 to pursue martial arts for six years while reflecting on his goals. He re-enrolled in 2018.

With its affordable tuition, supportive environment and strong academic programs, WCC was the clear choice to build the foundation I needed to achieve my goals, he said.

Perry joined WCCs STEM Scholars program, which he said turned out to be the best decision I made in setting myself up for a successful academic path that led to a career in the space industry. Through that program, Perry and fellow scholars toured the NASA Glenn Research Facility in Ohio and explored universities around the state to make an informed decision about where to transfer.

As a Launch Vehicle Test Engineer for Blue Origin, Perry plays a critical safety role working on the crew capsule, the section at the top of the New Shepard rocket that carries scientific payloads and astronauts during launches.

About Washtenaw Community College

Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Ann Arbor, Michigan, educates students through various associate and certificate programs in areas such as liberal arts, health care, business, STEM, advanced transportation, and mobility. WCC offers accelerated and online programs to meet student needs. The college also works through community, business, and union partnerships to develop highly specialized training programs that meet the region's workforce talent needs.

For more information about Washtenaw Community College, visit www.wccnet.edu.





Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/79ff9a12-285a-423f-85f1-4f3707b1cc50

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fa988a6-9300-4663-b118-47271ba4c418
NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uptotes, a pioneering force in the realm of storage solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of its exclusive preview service in the Lower East Side, East Village, and StuyTown/Peter Cooper Village. This innovative service is designed to cater to the unique needs of busy New Yorkers, offering a seamless, door-to-door storage experience.

With the hustle and bustle of city life, finding adequate storage space can be a daunting task. Uptotes addresses this challenge by providing a concierge-style storage solution that brings convenience right to the doorstep of its clients. The service is tailored to meet the demands of urban living, ensuring that residents in these vibrant neighborhoods have access to efficient and reliable storage options.

"Our mission is to simplify the lives of New Yorkers by offering a storage solution that is both convenient and accessible," said Jason Littrell, CEO of Uptotes. "We understand the challenges of living in a bustling city, and our service is designed to alleviate the stress associated with finding and managing storage space."

Uptotes' service is characterized by its on-demand nature, allowing clients to schedule pickups and deliveries at their convenience. This flexibility ensures that storage needs are met without disrupting the busy schedules of its clientele. The companys commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in its meticulous attention to detail and personalized approach to storage management.

The limited preview launch is a testament to Uptotes' dedication to innovation and excellence. By focusing on key neighborhoods, the company aims to refine its services and gather valuable feedback from its initial users. This strategic approach will enable Uptotes to enhance its offerings and expand its reach across New York City in the near future.

Residents of the Lower East Side, East Village, and StuyTown/Peter Cooper Village are invited to experience the convenience and efficiency of Uptotes' storage solutions. As the company continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to delivering exceptional service and redefining the storage landscape for urban dwellers.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Cz86Ekom4

About Uptotes

NYC Storage Concierge. Door to door storage solution for busy New Yorkers serving Lower East Side, East Village, Stuytown, and Peter Cooper Village. Storage on demand, storage delivered.

Press inquiries

Uptotes

https://uptotes.com

Jason Littrell

uptotes@jlittrell.com

917-553-5409

97 Pitt St. NYC 10002

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/233685d9-55aa-443d-afa4-741750096d0c

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8e451bd5-feb8-4db8-b7b0-50fef335cc47
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GFG Resources Inc. (TSXV: GFG) (OTCQB: GFGSF) (GFG or the Company) announces that it has issued shares pursuant to the previously announced option agreement (the Agreement) with International Explorers and Prospectors Inc. (IEP) whereby GFG can acquire a 100% interest of the WWCC Property, located 40 kilometres east of Timmins, Ontario (see news release: GFG Finalizes WWCC Property Acquisition East of the Prolific Timmins Gold District).

Pursuant to the Agreement, GFG issued a total of 1,334,757 common shares of the Company to IEP on April 11, 2025 at a deemed value of C$0.187 per common share based on the VWAP for the five previous trading days. The common shares issued will have a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

About GFG Resources Inc.

GFG is a North American precious metals exploration company focused on district scale gold projects in tier one mining jurisdictions. The Company operates three gold projects, each hosting large and highly prospective gold properties within the prolific gold district of Timmins, Ontario, Canada. The projects have similar geological settings that host most of the gold deposits found in the Timmins Gold Camp which have produced over 70 million ounces of gold.

For further information, please contact:

Brian Skanderbeg, President & CEO

or

Marc Lepage, Vice President, Business Development

Phone: (306) 931-0930

Email: info@gfgresources.com

Website: www.gfgresources.com

Stay Connected with Us

X (Twitter): @GFGResources

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfgresources/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GFGResourcesInc/

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Companys future exploration plans with respect to its property interests and the timing thereof, the prospective nature of the projects, future price of gold, success of exploration activities and metallurgical test work, permitting time lines, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of exploration work, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate or believes, or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results, may, could, would, will, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation thereof.

All forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of gold, that the Company will receive required permits and access to surface rights, that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour, and that the political environment within Canada will continue to support the development of mining projects. In addition, the similarity or proximity of other gold deposits to the Companys projects is not necessary indicative of the geological setting, alteration and mineralization of the Goldarm Property, the Pen Gold Project and the Dore Gold Project.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of GFG to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; operating risks; accidents, labour issues and other risks of the mining industry; availability of capital, delays in obtaining government approvals or financing; and other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and the additional risks described in the Companys most recently filed annual and interim MD&A are not and should not be construed as being exhaustive.

Although GFG has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. In addition, forward-looking statements are provided solely for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof and GFG assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
Core Nickel Corp. (CSE: CNCO) ("Core Nickel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has been approved for a $300,000 grant from the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund ("MMDF") to support exploration activities on its projects in the Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba. The company has received the first $100,000 of the grant, with the remainder expected by June 2025.

Misty Urbatsch, President and CEO of Core Nickel Corp. commented, "Core Nickel sincerely appreciates the support from the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. This $300,000 non-repayable grant provides non-dilutive funding to advance our exploration efforts in the Thompson Nickel Belt and reinforces our confidence in Manitoba as a premier jurisdiction for critical mineral exploration."

The Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) is a $20M provincial fund, administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, that provides funding for northern economic development and mining projects that create Indigenous partnerships, increase local employment, and stimulate investment in Northern Manitoba (https://mmdf.ca/who-we-are/).

About Core Nickel

Core Nickel Corp. is a junior nickel exploration company that controls 100% of five projects in the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB), a prolific nickel district located in Northern Manitoba, Canada (Figure 1). The five projects consist of approximately 27,000 hectares of land that is proximal to existing infrastructure, including highways, railways, major hydroelectric transmission lines, and operating mills.

Figure 1- Core Nickel Project Location Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10145/248380_f43f22e514ab29c9_001full.jpg

Core Nickel has a large contiguous land package in the northern part of the TNB, situated approximately 15-20 km from the City of Thompson. Core Nickel's northern TNB land package consists of three projects: Mel, Hunter, and Odei River. The Mel project encompasses the Mel deposit, which is characterized by a historical mineral resource consisting of an indicated resource of 4,279,000 tons grading 0.875% Ni, plus an inferred resource of 1,010,000 tons grading 0.839% Ni, at a cut-off of 0.5% Ni.1 The target stratigraphy (Pipe Formation) that hosts the Mel deposit, and other deposits in the Thompson Nickel Belt, extend onto the Hunter and Odei River projects and drillhole intersections into the target stratigraphy on the Hunter project have successfully intersected anomalous nickel.

The Company also holds two projects in the central TNB near the community of Wabowden: Halfway Lake and Resting Lake. Both projects host the target Pipe Formation associated with known elevated nickel mineralization and are proximal to existing nickel deposits, mills, and other infrastructure.

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Caitlin Glew, P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for Core Nickel Corp., who has reviewed and approved its contents.

References

1 (n.d.). https://www.canickel.com/satellite-deposits#satellited

2 "Technical Report on the Mel Deposit, Northern Manitoba" prepared for Victory Nickel Inc., Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc., March 9, 2007

Mel Historical Mineral Resource

Core Nickel Corporation is treating the 2007 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) prepared for Victory Nickel Inc. by Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc. as a "historical mineral resource" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource. Core Nickel has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

The historical MRE summarized above has been included simply to demonstrate the mineral potential of the Mel deposit and the Mel project. Core Nickel considers the 2007 MRE to be relevant to the further development of the project; however, is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The historical MRE was calculated in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM standards at the time of publication and predates the current CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014) and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November, 2019).

To upgrade or verify the 2007 historical estimate as current, Core Nickel will need to complete a thorough review of all the 2007 historical MRE information and drill data, along with the incorporation of subsequent exploration work and results, which includes some drilling around the edges of the historical MRE subsequent to the publication of the resource. Additionally, a full review of the economic parameters utilized to determine current Reasonable Prospectus for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) would be required in order to produce a current MRE for the Property. Any future mineral resource will need to evaluate the open pit and/or underground potential taking into consideration the current cost and pricing conditions or constraints, along with continuity of the resource blocks.

Technical Disclosure

The historical results contained within this news release have been captured from Manitoba Integrated Mining and Quarrying System ("iMaQs") as available and may be incomplete or subject to minor location inaccuracies. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Misty Urbatsch"

Misty Urbatsch

CEO, President and Director

Core Nickel Corp.

Contacts:

Also find us online:

www.corenickel.com

https://x.com/CoreNickel

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.


VANCOUVER, April 14, 2025 - Orla Mining Ltd. (TSX: OLA) (NYSE: ORLA) ("Orla" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an operational update for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Camino Rojo is on track to achieve annual guidance of 110,000 to 120,000 ounces of gold following the quarter. Updated 2025 guidance, including the Musselwhite Mine, will be provided during the second quarter.

(All amounts expressed in millions of US dollars, as at March 31, 2025 and are unaudited)

First Quarter Operational Update

Total Gold Production & Sales

Q1 2025 Camino Rojo oz 29,973 Musselwhite (March only)1 oz 17,786 Total Gold Produced oz 47,759 Total Gold Sold oz 46,356





Camino Rojo, Mexico

Q1 2025 Ore Stacked tonnes 1,672,826 Stacked Ore Gold Grade g/t 0.78 Gold Produced oz 29,973 Gold Sold oz 30,512





Musselwhite, Canada

March 20251 Ore Milled tonnes 104,287 Milled Ore Gold Head Grade g/t 5.55 Gold Produced oz 17,786 Gold Sold oz 15,845

_____________________________

1 Orla completed the acquisition of Musselwhite on February 28, 2025. Operational figures are provided from March 1, 2025 onwards.

Camino Rojo Operations

During the quarter, Camino Rojo mined nearly 1.9 million tonnes of ore and 2.8 million tonnes of waste, for an implied strip ratio of 1.48. The operations achieved a daily stacking rate of 18.4 thousand tonnes per day at an average gold grade of 0.78 g/t, in line with the mine plan.

Musselwhite Operations

Orla completed the acquisition of Musselwhite on February 28, 2025, and operational figures are provided from March 1, 2025, onwards. During the month of March, Musselwhite mined 108 thousand tonnes of ore and milled 104 thousand tonnes at a mill head grade of 5.55 g/t gold. Gold recovery rates of 95.7% resulted in gold production of nearly 18,000 gold ounces.

Liquidity Position

Cash position - March 31, 2025 $184.2 million Debt ($450.0) million Net Debt2 ($265.8) million

__________________________

2 Net Cash (Debt) is a non-GAAP measure. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section of this news release for additional information.

First Quarter 2025 Conference Call

Orla expects to release its first quarter 2025 operating and financial results on Friday, May 9, 2025, and will host a conference call on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time, to provide a corporate update.

Dial-In Numbers / Webcast:

USA - Toll-Free: +1 (800) 715-9871 USA / International Toll: +1 (646) 307-1963 Canada - Toronto: +1 (647) 932-3411 Canada - Toll-Free: +1 (800) 715-9871 Conference ID: 4940392

Webcast: https://orlamining.com/investors/

Qualified Persons Statement

The scientific and technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. J. Andrew Cormier, P. Eng., Chief Operating Officer of the Company, who is the Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 standards.

About Orla Mining Ltd.

Orla's corporate strategy is to acquire, develop, and operate mineral properties where the Company's expertise can substantially increase stakeholder value. The Company has three material projects, consisting of two operating mines and one development project, all 100% owned by the Company: (1) Camino Rojo, in Zacatecas State, Mexico, an operating gold and silver open-pit and heap leach mine. The property covers over 139,000 hectares which contains a large oxide and sulphide mineral resource, (2) Musselwhite Mine, in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, an underground gold mine that has been in operation for over 25 years and produced close to 6 million ounces of gold, with a long history of resource growth and conversion, and (3) South Railroad, in Nevada, United States, a feasibility-stage, open pit, heap leach gold project located on the Carlin trend in Nevada. The technical reports for the Company's material projects are available on Orla's website at www.orlamining.com, and on SEDAR+ and EDGAR under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company has included certain performance measures in this news release which are not specified, defined, or determined under generally accepted accounting principles (in the Company's case, International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")). These are common performance measures in the gold mining industry, but because they do not have any mandated standardized definitions, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Accordingly, the Company uses such measures to provide additional information and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In this section, all currency figures in tables are in millions, except per-share and per-ounce amounts.

Net Cash (Debt)

Net cash (debt) is calculated as cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments less total debt at the end of the reporting period. This measure is used by management to measure the Company's debt leverage. The Company believes that net cash is useful in evaluating the Company's leverage and is also a key metric in determining the cost of debt.

NET CASH (DEBT) Mar 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Cash and cash equivalents $ 184.2 $ 160.8 Debt (450.0) - NET CASH (DEBT) $ (265.8) $ 160.8

Preliminary Financial Results

The financial results contained in this news release for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 are preliminary. Such results represent the most current information available to the Company's management, as the Company completes its financial procedures. The Company's audited consolidated financial statements for such period may result in material changes to the financial information contained in this news release (including by any one financial metric, or all of the financial metrics, being below or above the figures indicated) as a result of the completion of normal accounting procedures and adjustments.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the United States Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or in releases made by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, all as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding Camino Rojo being on target to achieve 2025 guidance and the Company's updated guidance for Musselwhite. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding: the future price of gold and silver; anticipated costs and the Company's ability to fund its programs; the Company's ability to carry on exploration, development, and mining activities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate the Musselwhite Mine; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; decommissioning and reclamation estimates; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services remaining as estimated; the Company's ability to secure and to meet obligations under property agreements, including the layback agreement with Fresnillo Plc; that all conditions of the Company's credit facility will be met; the timing and results of drilling programs; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates and the assumptions on which they are based; the discovery of mineral resources and mineral reserves on the Company's mineral properties; the obtaining of a subsequent agreement with Fresnillo to access the sulphide mineral resource at the Camino Rojo Project and develop the entire Camino Rojo Project mineral resources estimate; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits, including those approvals and permits required for successful project permitting, construction, and operation of projects; the timing of cash flows; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the Company's ability to operate in a safe, efficient, and effective manner; the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; and that there will be no material adverse change or disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: uncertainty and variations in the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves; risks related to the Company's indebtedness and gold prepayment; risks related to exploration, development, and operation activities; foreign country and political risks, including risks relating to foreign operations; tailings risks; reclamation costs; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain governmental permits, or non-compliance with permits; environmental and other regulatory requirements; delays in or failures to enter into a subsequent agreement with Fresnillo with respect to accessing certain additional portions of the mineral resource at the Camino Rojo Project and to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals related thereto; the mineral resource estimations for the Camino Rojo Project being only estimates and relying on certain assumptions; loss of, delays in, or failure to get access from surface rights owners; uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; water rights; risks related to natural disasters, terrorist acts, health crises, and other disruptions and dislocations; financing risks and access to additional capital; risks related to guidance estimates and uncertainties inherent in the preparation of feasibility studies; uncertainty in estimates of production, capital, and operating costs and potential production and cost overruns; the fluctuating price of gold and silver; risks related to the Cerro Quema Project; unknown liabilities in connection with acquisitions; global financial conditions; uninsured risks; climate change risks; competition from other companies and individuals; conflicts of interest; risks related to compliance with anti-corruption laws; volatility in the market price of the Company's securities; assessments by taxation authorities in multiple jurisdictions; foreign currency fluctuations; the Company's limited operating history; litigation risks; the Company's ability to identify, complete, and successfully integrate acquisitions; intervention by non-governmental organizations; outside contractor risks; risks related to historical data; the Company not having paid a dividend; risks related to the Company's foreign subsidiaries; risks related to the Company's accounting policies and internal controls; the Company's ability to satisfy the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; enforcement of civil liabilities; the Company's status as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes; information and cyber security; the Company's significant shareholders; gold industry concentration; shareholder activism; other risks associated with executing the Company's objectives and strategies; as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated March 18, 2025, which are available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Orla Mining Ltd.
VANCOUVER, April 14, 2025 - Snowline Gold Corp. (TSX-V:SGD)(OTC:SNWGF) (the "Company" or "Snowline") is pleased to announce the expansion of its management team through appointment of Victor Vdovin, MBA, P.Eng., to Vice President of Engineering along with Lauren McDougall, CPA, CMA, to Chief Financial Officer, replacing Matthew Roma who will be departing the Company on [May 4th, 2025] but will continue as consultant during a transitionary period.

Scott Berdahl, CEO & Director of Snowline stated, "On behalf of the Board of Directors and Snowline Gold, I would like to thank Matt for his years of dedicated and high-quality service to the Company. During Matt's tenure, the company has grown from a small, grassroots company to a leading junior explorer and nascent developer today. We are grateful for his efforts and wish him the very best going forward."

Mr. Berdahl continued, "I am delighted to welcome Victor and Lauren to Snowline's senior management team. "Both individuals bring a strong work ethic and highly relevant experience to Snowline at a key time for the Company, as we take big steps to rapidly and responsibly advance our flagship Valley gold deposit on our 100%-owned Rogue Project.

Management Appointments:

Victor Vdovin, VP Engineering: Mr. Vdovin brings over 20 years of relevant engineering experience to Snowline, having held advanced engineering and leadership positions with Newmont, Goldcorp and Centerra, working on projects including Penasquito, Los Filos and Kumtor. Most recently, he served as Head of Technical Services for Greece at Eldorado Gold. Mr. Vdovin is a licensed Professional Engineer through the Professional Engineers of Ontario. He holds an MSc in Applied Geotechnics from the Camborne School of Mines in Camborne, UK and an MBA from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

Lauren McDougall, Chief Financial Officer: Ms. McDougall has 15 years of experience in corporate finance roles within the mining industry. Her most recent position was CFO and Corporate Secretary of Northwest Copper Corp. commencing in 2021, following its transition from Sun Metals Corp., where she served as CFO and Corporate Secretary from 2018 to 2021. Ms. McDougall is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA). She holds a BCom in Finance and International Business from Carleton University.

STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

In addition, the Company announces the award of an aggregate of 175,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") under the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan to officers of the Company. Each RSU represents a right to receive one common share of the Company, following the vesting of such restricted share units over a three-year period.

The Company has also granted an aggregate of 300,000 stock options under the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan to offers of the Company. The options are exercisable for one share each at $8.29 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant and vesting over 2.5 years.

ABOUT ROGUE

Snowline Gold's 100%-owned Rogue Project, in Canada's Yukon Territory, covers a 60 x 30 km cluster of intrusions in the eastern Tombstone Gold Belt known as the Rogue Plutonic Complex, including the Company's flagship Valley gold deposit.

Since its launch in 2021, Snowline has progressed Valley from a greenfield prospecting discovery to a significant bulk tonnage gold resource, with 4.05 Moz gold Indicated mineral resource at 1.66 g/t Au and an additional 3.26 Moz Inferred mineral resource at 1.25 g/t Au within a pit-shell constraint. The resource estimate numbers are supported by the technical report for Rogue, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards, entitled "Rogue Gold Project: NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate," authored by Heather Burrell, P. Geo., Daniel J. Redmond, P. Geo., and Steven C. Haggarty, P. Eng., with an effective date of May 15, 2024.

Exploration of the open Valley deposit is ongoing. Valley is a reduced intrusion-related gold system (RIRGS), geologically similar to multi-million-ounce RIRGS deposits currently in production, like Kinross's Fort Knox Mine in Alaska, but with substantially higher gold grades. Gold is associated with bismuthinite and telluride minerals hosted in sheeted quartz vein arrays within and along the margins of a one-kilometer-scale, mid-Cretaceous aged Mayo-series intrusion.

The Rogue Plutonic Complex hosts multiple intrusions similar to Valley along with widespread gold anomalism in stream sediment, soil and rock samples. Elsewhere, RIRGS deposits are known to occur in clusters. For these reasons, Snowline considers the Rogue Project to have district-scale potential to host additional Valley-like gold systems.

Figure 1 - Project location map for Snowline Gold's eastern Selwyn Basin properties: Rogue, Einarson, Ursa, Cynthia and Olympus. The Valley deposit is one of a cluster of prospective reduced intrusion-related gold targets on the broader 30 x 60 km Rogue Project, within a broader emerging district almost entirely controlled by Snowline.

ABOUT SNOWLINE GOLD CORP.

Snowline Gold Corp. is a Yukon Territory focused gold exploration and development company with an eight-project portfolio covering roughly 360,000 ha (3,600 km2). The Company is advancing its Valley deposit-a large, low-strip, near surface, >1 g/t Au bulk tonnage gold system located in the eastern Yukon-while continuing regional exploration of surrounding targets on the Rogue Project and the broader district in the highly prospective yet underexplored Selwyn Basin.

Snowline's project portfolio sits within the prolific Tintina Gold Province, host to multiple million-ounce-plus gold mines and deposits across the central Yukon and Alaska. The Company's comprehensive first-mover position and extensive exploration database provide a distinct competitive advantage and a unique opportunity for investors to be part of multiple discoveries, the advancement of a significant gold deposit, and the potential creation of a new gold district.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Information in this release has been prepared under supervision of and approved by Thomas Branson, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration for Snowline Gold Corp, as Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Scott Berdahl

CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Snowline Gold Corp.

+1 778 650 5485

info@snowlinegold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the creation of a new arm of the Company, the progression of the Valley target past the exploration stage, the discovery potential within the Valley intrusion, the potential for investors to participate in multiple future discoveries, the Rogue project having district-scale prospectivity, the creation of a new gold district and the Company's plans and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Snowline Gold Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

HALIFAX, April 14, 2025 - Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV: SLVR) ("Silver Tiger" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal offering (the "Offering") of common shares of the Company (the "Shares") with a syndicate of underwriters. An aggregate of 45,455,000 Shares at a price of C$0.33 per Share for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$15,000,150 were sold. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration and development expenditures at the Company's El Tigre Project in Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The syndicate of underwriters was led by Stifel Canada and Desjardins Capital Markets, as co-lead underwriters and joint bookrunners (together, the "Co-Lead Underwriters"), and BMO Capital Markets, SCP Resource Finance LP, Ventum Financial Corp., and Canaccord Genuity Corp (together with the Co-Lead Underwriters, the "Underwriters"). The Underwriters were paid a cash commission of 6% on the gross proceeds of the Offering.

The Offering was completed by way of short form prospectus in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and outside of Canada in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act, and applicable securities laws.

About Silver Tiger and the El Tigre Historic Mine District

Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 27 years' experience discovering, financing, and building large hydrothermal gold and silver mines in Mexico. Silver Tiger's 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger.

Silver Tiger commenced work on its El Tigre Project in 2017. El Tigre intends to build an open pit and underground mine. Silver Tiger has drilled over 150,000 meters at the El Tigre Project, with 119,000 meters completed since 2020. Silver Tiger has completed several MREs, a maiden MRE in 2017 and MRE updates in 2023 and 2024. The PEA for the El Tigre open pit was released in November 2023.

The October 2024 PFS for the El Tigre open pit delivered robust economics. The PFS projects an After-Tax NPV of US$222 million at a 5% discount rate, an After-Tax IRR of 40.0%, and a payback period of 2.0 years. This open pit operation is expected to have a 10-year mine life. The El Tigre project delivers a life of mine undiscounted After-Tax Cash Flow of US$318 million, with initial capital costs of $86.8 million (including $9.3 million in contingency). Operating cash costs are projected at $973/oz AuEq and $12/oz AgEq, with AISC at $1,214/oz AuEq and $14/oz AgEq. The economics of the Project have been evaluated based on a discounted $26/oz silver price and gold price of $2,150/oz.

Silver Tiger began drilling from underground drill pads, focusing on the high-grade silver Veins, Sulphide and Shale Zones. A PEA for the permitted underground mineral resource is expected to be released in the first half of 2025.

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation - Silver Tiger's El Tigre Project

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Corporate Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Company's website at: www.silvertigermetals.com.

Qualified Person

David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Corporation, is the Qualified Person for Silver Tiger as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, the ability to convert inferred resources to indicated resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "may", "is expected to", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook" and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tiger's expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators.

SOURCE Silver Tiger Metals Inc.
KELOWNA, April 14, 2025 - Cantex Mine Development Corp. (TSXV: CD) (OTCQB: CTXDF) (the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its 100-percent-owned 14,077 hectare North Rackla claim block in the Yukon.

Dr. Charles Fipke reports

Germanium in Sphalerite Results

Cantex's directors are pleased to provide a summary of the germanium results received from the Company's Massive Sulphide project in the Yukon, Canada. Since its discovery, the Massive Sulphide project contains silver, lead and zinc values amongst the highest found in North America. More recently the presence of the key critical element germanium in elevated levels has been detected.

As first reported on February 9th of 2023, laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectroscopy (LA-ICPMS) studies of zinc sulphide grains (sphalerite) from the project identified significant enrichment of the Critical Element germanium. Additional LA-ICPMS analyses of sphalerite (reported on April 13, 2023, July 10, 2023 and February 9, 2024) confirmed the high germanium contents over 2.35 kilometres (1.5 miles) of drill tested strike length at the Main Zone and also at the adjacent GZ Zone.

At the Main Zone 595 sphalerite analyses from 97 intercepts were tested and these intercepts averaged 654 grams per ton of germanium.

In addition, 77 analyses of sphalerite from 14 intercepts at the nearby GZ zone averaged 521 grams per ton of germanium.

Germanium in Bulk Core

As first announced on March 14, 2024 Cantex identified a suitable technique for bulk analysis of germanium in core. As expected, there is a strong correlation between germanium content and zinc grade, as it is the sphalerite (zinc sulphide) grains that contain germanium. Core with higher zinc content typically has higher germanium content. The presence of galena, or other non-ore minerals in the core dilutes the sphalerite, and thus decreases the germanium content. However, in a sphalerite concentrate, the germanium grade will approach that found in the LA-ICPMS analyses: 654 g/ton in the Main Zone and 521 g/ton in the GZ Zone.

This bulk analytical method does have the advantage of being quicker, less costly, and provides a better average of thousands of sphalerite grains in a single analysis. For the 2024 drill program Cantex completed bulk germanium analyses on all mineralized intercepts (see releases of October 1, 2024 and February 12, 2025). This work has confirmed the presence of high grade silver-lead-zinc-germanium values over a drill confirmed strike length of 2.65 kilometres (1.65 miles).

Germanium Market

In recent times germanium has entered the global spotlight. This is due to the combination of its importance in the manufacture of several modern technologies, some of which have military applications, and the lack of a significant western germanium source. 76% of the world's germanium resources are located in Russia and China. 82% of refined germanium production is in China.

As a result of trade tensions, China announced export controls on germanium to the United States in August of 2023, and then a total ban on exports in December of 2024. It is unknown what additional measures China will put into place as a result of the significant increase in tensions with the US.

This leaves the West in need of alternative sources to reliably supply this critical metal, which is used in computer chips, solar panels, fiber optics and military applications such as night vision optics, etc. This is expected to become even more challenging when Teck's Red Dog Mine in Alaska, currently the most significant western source of Germanium, reaches its expected end of life in six years. The Red Dog Mine averages between 104 and 249 grams per tonne germanium.

Germanium is presently trading for US$2.11 per gram (April 12, 2025; Trading Economics; https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/germanium).

Summary

Cantex is pleased to continue to see elevated germanium contents within the silver-lead-zinc mineralization at the high-grade Massive Sulphide Project.

The germanium not only adds value to the mineralization, but importantly would provide a western source desperately needed. The strategic importance of a western source of germanium has never been greater.

Sample Preparation

The drill holes reported in this press release were drilled using HQ (63.5mm) diamond drill bits. The core was logged, marked up for sampling and then divided into equal halves using a diamond saw on site. One half of the core was left in the original core box. The other half was sampled and placed into sealed bags which were in turn placed into larger bags closed with security seals prior to being transported to the ISO 9001:2015 accredited CF Mineral Research Ltd. laboratory in Kelowna, BC.

At CF Minerals the drill core was dried prior to crushing to -10 mesh. The samples, which averaged over 3kg, were then mixed prior to splitting off 800g. The 800g splits were pulverized to -200 mesh. A 250g portion of this pulverized material was submitted for multi-element analysis at ALS Chemex in North Vancouver. Quality control procedures included running a barren sand sample through both the crusher and pulveriser between each sample to ensure no inter-sample contamination occurred. Silica blanks were inserted along with certified reference samples. These quality control samples were each inserted approximately every 20 samples.

ALS Chemex in North Vancouver assayed the samples using a four-acid digestion with an ICP-MS finish. The 48 element ME-MS61 technique was used to provide a geochemical signature of the mineralization. Where lead or zinc values exceeded one percent the Pb-OG62 or Zn-OG62 techniques were used. These have upper limits of 20% lead and 30% zinc respectively. Samples with lead and zinc values over these limits were then analyzed by titration methods Pb-VOL70 and Zn-VOL50. Where silver samples exceeded 100 g/t the Ag-OG62 technique was used which has an upper limit of 1,500 g/t. The over limit analyses contributed to delays in receiving final assay results.

For germanium analyses completed on individual sphalerite grains a piece of split core approximately 15cm in length containing sphalerite was selected and submitted to CF Mineral Research Ltd. From the selected location a piece of a thin slice of core was mounted in epoxy, polished, carbon coated and mapped using a scanning electron microscope to select sphalerites for analysis. The samples were then sent to the University of British Columbia Okanagan for germanium analysis using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICPMS). A 100 micron spot size was used and NIST610 and 612 reference materials were used as standards.

For the germanium results completed on bulk core, a portion of the remaining pulverized material from the base metal analysis was analyzed by ALS Chemex in North Vancouver, Canada. The pulverized samples were analyzed using a sodium peroxide fusion followed by an ICP Mass Spectrometer finish on a 0.2g pulverised sample.

The technical information and results reported here have been reviewed by Mr. Chad Ulansky P.Geol., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, who is responsible for the technical content of this release.

Signed,

Charles Fipke

Dr. Charles Fipke, CM

Chairman

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information set forth in this news release includes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks identified in the management discussion and analysis section of the Company's interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the respective companies undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Cantex Mine Development Corp.
Xi says China ready to advance standard-gauge railway projects with Vietnam

Xinhua) 09:32, April 14, 2025

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China stands ready to advance cooperation with Vietnam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam and the smart port.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article titled "Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals" published on Monday by the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam ahead of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Also in the article, Xi said China welcomes more quality Vietnamese products in the Chinese market and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam.

"Our two countries should step up cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development to create more benefits for the two peoples," he wrote.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Rouyn Noranda, April 14, 2025 - Granada Gold Mine Inc. (TSXV: GGM) (the "Company" or "Granada") is pleased to announce its expanded exploration focus on the Granada East Project. The potential strike length on the property is 5.5 kilometres, including the eastward extension 2.5 kilometres from the Granada Pit 1 to the historical Aukeko Shaft and a further 2 kilometres to the Austin-Rouyn Shaft.

The Aukeko Shaft was sunk on the "Auk Shear" zone in conjunction with stripping and trenching which was mapped over a one-kilometre length with an average width of 50 metres. The Auk Shear zone was the location of the Bert Vein where three bulk samples were reported to have been taken in 1938 from a trench approximately 50-to-150 metres east of the Aukeko Shaft. The bulk samples averaged a grade of 7.0 ounces gold per ton (240.0 grams per tonne) (from public files with MERN(Ministere d'Energie et Ressources Naturelles) GM52851)(News Release July 10, 2018).

The Austin Rouyn shaft, sunk to a depth of 68 metres, reported grab samples from the first level (at 36 metres) taken in 1940 and assaying up to 8.57 ounces of gold per short ton (291.4 grams per tonne) (1980, Report: GM36668).

Exploration Highlights:

Phase I - Conduct Drone Lidar survey to integrate with historic drone mag survey, property mapping and drilling

Phase II- Conduct Second round of geophysics (survey details still in discussion with geophysics company, potentially radiometric) to maximize potential drill targets for REE, Alkali Metals and Gold mineralization.

The Granada Project lies along a significant but underexplored structural corridor. To date, over 90% of exploration activity has been concentrated on the western portion of the property, while Granada East remains largely unexplored, despite historical records dating as far back as the 1920s. The renewed focus on Granada East represents a critical step forward in unlocking the full potential of the project.

About Granada East:

The Aukeko gold mine is part of the east-west trending structure on the Granada Gold Mine property. It is two kilometres east from the extended LONG Bars zone where over 160,000 metres of drilling has been undertaken to date, in addition to historical drilling from the 1990s. A further 1.9 kilometres east is the Austin-Rouyn Mine. Note that there are two cross-cutting intrusive dykes of undefined width within that strike length. The potential strike length is conceptual in nature as there has been insufficient exploration to define the full length of the mineralized material and it is uncertain if further exploration will do so.

In the late 1930s, a shaft was sunk to 13 metres and extensive trenching was undertaken on surface at the Aukeko Mine. Mapping identified several auriferous structures within a 500-metre wide, east-west trending zone with shearing, alteration, and quartz veining along with numerous porphyry intrusions.

Proposed Exploration:

Granada Gold Mine conducted a Drone Magnetic Survey in 2018, which currently covers most of the property. Building on this data, the Company plans to initiate a Phase I LiDAR survey, aimed at enhancing the structural understanding of the area. The integration of this new data with the existing magnetic survey, historic geological mapping (notably KWG, 1993), and historical drilling results will provide a robust framework for identifying high-priority exploration targets through the delineations of prominent structures.

"The opportunity to explore for high grade gold opens up a new frontier at Granada, particularly in the underexplored eastern claim block," said Frank J. Basa, President CEO. "By leveraging a combination of modern and historical data, we're positioning ourselves to make informed, high-impact exploration decisions."

In preparation for Phase II, Granada Gold will engage with a local geophysical firm to determine the most effective methods for further defining gold-bearing structures. EM/IP work will be considered as part of this ongoing evaluation. The Company's goal is to partner with strong technical collaborators to define high-potential drill targets, enhancing both the mineral and structural understanding of the Granada property and our commitment to fostering local businesses and communities.

Qualified person

The technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Matthew Halliday, P.Geo., Director of Granada Gold Mine Inc., and member of the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101.

Mineral Resource Estimate

On August 22, 2022 the Company filed an updated NI 43-101 technical report supporting the resource estimate update for the Granada Gold project (Please see July 6, 2022 news release) reporting that the Granada deposit contains an updated mineral resource, at a base case cut-off grade of 0.55 g/t Au for pit constrained mineral resources within a conceptual pit shell and at a base case cut-off grade of 2.5 g/t for underground mineral resources within reasonably mineable volumes, of 543,000 ounces of gold (8,220,000 tonnes at an average grade of 2.05 g/t Au) in the Measured and Indicated category, and 456,000 ounces of gold (3,010,000 tonnes at an average grade of 4.71 g/t Au) in the Inferred category. Please see Table 1 below for full details. Report reference: Granada Gold Project Mineral Resource Estimate Update, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada authored by Yann Camus, P.Eng. and Maxime Dupere, B.Sc, P.Geo., SGS Canada Inc. dated August 20th, 2022 and with an effective date of June 23rd, 2022.

Table 1: Mineral Resource Estimate Showing Tonnes, Average Grade, and Gold Ounces

Cut-Off (g/t Au) Classification Type Tonnes Au (g/t) Gold Ounces 0.55 / 2.5 Measured1 InPit+UG 4,900,000 1.70 269,000 Indicated InPit+UG 3,320,000 2.57 274,000 Measured & Indicated InPit+UG 8,220,000 2.05 543,000 Inferred InPit+UG 3,010,000 4.71 456,000

About Granada Gold Mine Inc.

Granada Gold Mine Inc. continues to develop and explore its 100% owned Granada Gold Property near Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and is adjacent to the prolific Cadillac Break. The Company owns 14.73 square kilometers of land in a combination of mining leases and claims. The Company is currently undergoing a large drill program with 18,000m out of 120,000m complete. The drills are currently paused to provide the technical team with the necessary time to evaluate, assimilate existing data and wait for improved market conditions.

The Granada Shear Zone and the South Shear Zone contain, based on historical detailed mapping as well as from current and historical drilling, up to twenty-two mineralized structures trending east-west over five and a half kilometers. Three of these structures were mined historically from four shafts and three open pits. Historical underground grades were 8 to 10 grams per tonne gold from two shafts down to 236 m and 498 m with open pit grades from 3.5 to 5 grams per tonne gold (43-101 reference).

The property includes the former Granada Gold underground mine which produced more than 50,000 ounces of gold at 10 grams per tonne gold in the 1930's from two shafts before a fire destroyed the surface buildings. In the 1990s, Granada Resources extracted a bulk sample (Pit #1) of 87,311 tonnes grading 5.17 g/t Au. They also extracted a bulk sample (Pit # 2) of 22,095 tonnes grading 3.46 g/t Au. Details available in 43-101 report and on Company website: https://granadagoldmine.com/

For further information, Contact:

Frank J. Basa, P.Eng. member of Professional Engineers Ontario

Chief Executive Officer

P: 416-625-2342

Or:

Wayne Cheveldayoff,

Corporate Communications

P: 416-710-2410

E: waynecheveldayoff@gmail.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information in this news release or other communications unless required by law.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
TORONTO, April 14, 2025 - Clean Energy Transition Inc. (TSXV:TRAN) ("transition.inc" or the "Company") announces that it has filed on SEDAR+ an independent Technical Report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") in support of the updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Aurora Nickel Project, located 25 kilometres southeast of Timmins, Ontario.

The Aurora Nickel Project is held by Clean Metals Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of transition.inc. The mining lease is registered to Clean Metals Inc. in the Ontario Ministry's Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS), and this ownership structure has been previously disclosed in the Company's financial filings.

As previously reported on March 6, 2025, the updated MRE outlines an Indicated Mineral Resource of 10.06 million tonnes grading 0.42% nickel across the Aurora North and Aurora South deposits. The Aurora North deposit, amenable to open pit mining, contains 8.32 Mt at 0.40% Ni, while the Aurora South deposit, anticipated to be mined using underground methods, contains 1.73 Mt at 0.51% Ni.

"We are pleased to formally file this Technical Report, which supports the strong results of the updated MRE," said Sean Samson, President and CEO. "Aurora remains an attractive low-carbon nickel opportunity, especially given its location, infrastructure advantages and scale. We believe high-quality, near-surface nickel projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions like Timmins will continue to be essential as the energy transition advances."

The Technical Report is dated April 14, 2025, with an effective date of March 3, 2025, and was prepared by Micon International Limited ("Micon").

The Technical Report is available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.transition.inc.

For context Clean Energy notes the equivalent number of Electric Vehicles in the MRE's Contained Nickel as follows:

It is estimated that the average electric vehicle battery requires ~145 pounds of nickel (Bloomberg New Energy Finance ("BNEF") estimate, for a 100kWh battery*) and based on this, the Contained Nickel in the Aurora Nickel Project's MRE, this represents the equivalent nickel which would be used in more than 705K electric vehicles. For context, this is more than 5x the total 2023 new Battery EV registrations in Canada**.

* Company estimates, based on BNEF calculations https://tinyurl.com/3xswdn8k.

** Company estimates, based on 139,501 Battery EVs registered in Canada (StatsCan) https://tinyurl.com/3z8penz7.

About Clean Energy Transition Inc.

Transition.inc is focused on opportunities to generate positive cash flow across the energy transition. The Company includes a Quartz division focused on advancing its silica/Quartz business with the Snow White Project in Ontario and the Silicon Ridge Project in Quebec. The silica in high-quality Quartz can be used to make silicon metal, a key component in solar energy panels. The Company also has a Critical Minerals division, which includes the Aurora Nickel Project in Ontario, where it is working to advance a potential low-carbon production opportunity to supply the growing North American demand for low-carbon nickel. Alongside the mining assets, transition.inc is also looking for additional opportunities, more broadly, from across the energy transition.

Qualified Persons

The Qualified Persons (QPs) for the MRE in this News Release as defined by NI 43-101, are Mr. Charley Murahwi, M.Sc., P.Geo., Pr. Sci. Nat., FAusIMM and Ms. Chitrali Sarkar, MSc. P.Geo., respectively Senior Economic Geologist and Senior Geologist at Micon. Both QPs have reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release, related to the Aurora Nickel Project updated Resource. There are no known factors that could materially affect the reliability of the MRE information verified by Mr. Murahwi and Ms. Chitrali.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in business plans and strategies, market conditions, share price, best use of available cash, the ability of the Company to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under various contractual arrangements, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, and to explore and develop its projects and for general working capital purposes, changes in economic conditions or financial markets, the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration, future prices of metals and other commodities, environmental challenges and risks, the Company's ability to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop its projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives, changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with such laws and regulations, the Company's ability to obtain required shareholder or regulatory approvals, dependence on key management personnel, natural disasters and global pandemics and general competition in the mining industry.

These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. The forward-looking information in this press release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of transition.inc based on information currently available to the Company. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Contact Information

For further information, visit www.transition.inc

Or contact: Sean Samson, President, CEO, and Director at:

Clean Energy Transition Inc.

200 - 150 King St. W.

Toronto, ON M5H 1J9

info@transition.inc

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

SOURCE: Clean Energy Transition Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
In early April, the fifth graders at West Side Elementary School in Worland, Wyo., celebrated their graduation from the schools D.A.R.E. program -- short for Drug Abuse Resistance Education -- with certificates and T-shirts. County Sheriff Deputy Colleen McClain was proud of the program. Its giving them ways to help them not do drugs, she said.Efforts like McClains have a big fan in Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who told a D.A.R.E. conference last year that he firmly believes the program saves lives. Your efforts work, he said. D.A.R.E. programs date back to the 1980s, and at one point, three-fourths of the nations school districts had them. A generation of school kids can repeat back D.A.R.E.s central message: Just say no.But theres one problem. Study after study has shown that D.A.R.E. doesnt work. Most analyses have found that it has little to no impact on reducing drug use -- and one study even showed that use increased. I dont get it, one D.A.R.E. executive director said of the findings. Its like kicking Santa Claus to me.Another favorite program, Scared Straight, which pulls at-risk kids off the streets and puts them in prison for a day, has also been found to be ineffective. The idea behind the program is to show kids what life behind bars would be like -- to, in effect, scare them straight. It seemed like such a good idea. A 1979 documentary on the program won both an Emmy and an Oscar. It spawned programs across the country, as well as a long-running television show on A&E. But despite the programs popularity, the evidence is clear: The program did prove effective -- in producing more criminals. Efforts to scare kids straight not only failed to keep them out of jail, but it also, in some cases, increased the odds theyd end up behind bars.Still, many state governments doggedly stuck with the program until the Justice Department warned they could lose federal funding if they remained committed to something that the evidence proved was ineffective. Today, South Carolina alone still has a version of a Scared Straight program.The federal Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking has been campaigning to bring more -- and better -- analysis to policy decisions. It has pointed in particular to the value of randomized controlled trials, or RCTs, where individuals are assigned to control groups to test whether a program actually works. RCTs produced the findings on D.A.R.E. and Scared Straight, and theyre widely considered the gold standard for policy analysis.But most state and local governments cant afford them: RCTs are very expensive, in large part because they require skilled analysts. As a result, many local government officials get sucked into programs backed by strong constituencies but that offer no evidence of effectiveness. These governments essentially end up pouring enormous amounts of money into programs that dont work.The GovEx center at Johns Hopkins University believes its Roadmap for Policy Change can help communities do better. The roadmap advances a viewpoint thats considered heretical in some parts of the world of analysis. It says: When you cant get rigorously tested, experimentally verified information, it is appropriate to work with what we do have.The roadmap suggests communities look to others for stories about how theyve cracked tough problems and how theyve navigated tough local political battles. GovEx certainly doesnt argue against sophisticated analysis. But it contends that cities have to start somewhere, that they dont always have the time or talent for mega-studies and that they often need to act before the big guns of policy analysis have produced big findings.For example, Kansas City, Kan., was looking for fresh ideas to address urban blight. Its local government staff fanned out across the internet and, armed with the results of Google searches, dug up efforts in other cities such as Baltimore, Mobile, Ala., Memphis and New Orleans. But after they put the results through a filter -- Did any of these ideas seem to make sense for Kansas City? -- they discovered that efforts in Chicago suggested they revisit local vacant building ordinances.Randomized controlled trials can certainly help cities stage a major breakthrough, like Denvers innovative social impact bond to attack the problem of homelessness. (See For Money or For Good?, page 52.) Thats proven a big success, and the results are backed up by an RCT. But when big problems challenge small staffs and when systematic policy analysis simply cant be done, a smart roadmap -- learning from other cities and working carefully with the evidence on hand -- may help lots of communities around the country do better. It can help them avoid the D.A.R.E. trap of chasing nifty ideas that, in practice, just dont work.
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Bogoso Prestea mine workers demand justice as promises fall apart

Emmanuel Kwame Asante Business News Apr - 13 - 2025 , 11:19

Workers at the Bogoso Prestea Mine have accused government authorities and investors of abandoning them and failing to fulfil promises made over the past year to restore the mine and secure their livelihoods.

In a press release, the workers, operating under the name Concerned Workers, said they feel deceived, disappointed and worse off than before.

According to the workers, their struggles began after the termination of FGR Bogoso Prestea Limited, the previous operator of the mine.

Following months of industrial action and petitions to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, they were assured that a new investor, Heath Goldfields Limited, would take over and revive operations.

This intervention was supported by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission, which also announced the formation of an Interim Management Committee to oversee the transition.

However, more than a year later, the workers say those efforts have amounted to nothing and the situation at the mine has deteriorated further.

Mining Lease

The release says that despite assurances, Heath Goldfields has not been issued the official mining lease for Bogoso Prestea.

This, the workers allege, was confirmed by the current Minister of Lands and Natural Resources during a meeting with local chiefs, even though the company continues to present itself publicly as the legitimate leaseholder.

The workers say this has created confusion and deepened mistrust among the workforce and the broader community.

In addition to the administrative issues, the mine is reportedly facing serious operational challenges.

The workers say illegal mining activities are rampant, gold concentrate is being stolen, and critical infrastructure, such as the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), is becoming dangerously unstable.

They argue that Heath Goldfields lacks both the technical expertise and financial capacity to manage the mine and their continued presence has only worsened conditions.

The workers also accuse union leadership of turning a blind eye to their plight.

They claim that both union leaders and officials connected to the new investor are more interested in securing management roles and profiting from the alleged illegal sale of company assets than in safeguarding the mine or protecting workers interests. This, they say, has left them feeling abandoned and vulnerable.

The situation has forced the workers to reconsider their stance on FGR/Blue Gold, the former operators.

Although the company had its challenges, the workers now believe they are better suited to manage the mine, citing their previous investments and familiarity with the sites issues.

They argue that it makes little economic sense for a new investor to take over a mine already burdened with debt and unresolved problems when that same capital could be used to build a new mine elsewhere.

Beyond the internal issues at Bogoso Prestea, the workers frustrations reflect growing tension in Ghanas mining sector, particularly regarding government oversight and investor due diligence. After the 2022 Appiatse explosion, there was a national call for reform in mining safety and accountability.

Yet, years later, mining communities like Bogoso Prestea say they are still grappling with poor working conditions, unpaid salaries and broken promises.

Urgent intervention

The workers are calling on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, local chiefs and all stakeholders to intervene urgently.

They say they have endured long enough without salaries, formal employment letters and clear leadership.

More importantly, they stress that the current state of the mine poses serious environmental and safety risks to the entire community.
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Breakthrough in cement production: Supacem discovers clinker substitute - Invests $100m in new technology

Daily Graphic Business News Apr - 14 - 2025 , 14:35

CBI Ghana Ltd., producers of Supacem Cement, have invested $100 million into LC3 technology, a key step towards using local raw materials for the production of cement in Ghana.

The new plant located in Tema, which is the worlds largest LC3 plant, provides a homegrown solution to the clinker problem by tapping into Ghana's abundant raw material resources as a substitute for imported clinker.

Speaking in an interview, the Commercial Director of Supacem, Kobby Adams, said a significant step in enabling this innovation had been the Ghana Standards Authoritys adoption of the latest LC3 standard in 2024.

This landmark achievement followed two years of collaboration between Ghanaian institutions such as KNUST (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), the University of Ghana, and Ghana's BRRI, alongside various international universities and laboratories.

This new standard, GS PAS 5:2024, paves the way for the widespread use of this more sustainable and locally sourced cement, Mr Adams said.

Cement industry

Ghana's cement industry relies heavily on imported clinker, leaving it vulnerable to foreign supply problems and volatile global markets.

Cement retailers in the country also face growing difficulties, with widespread shortages of cement brands, limiting builders access to essential materials.

Behind this disruption lies a severe shortage of clinker, a crucial raw material imported for cement production.

Mr Adams explained that the current clinker scarcity and its escalating prices stemmed from a 5.6 per cent currency depreciation between December and February and the evolving global market uncertainties, including an increase in the export prices from the Mediterranean rim, a major clinker source.

On the benefits of the new plant to Ghanaian consumers, he said by producing a significant portion of their cementitious material, Supacem would reduce the impact of clinker shortages, leading to a more reliable cement supply for Ghanaian retailers and builders.

The project, Mr Adams said, had created over 160 direct jobs through local sourcing and infrastructure development in Tema and Torgome, and empowering local women through training programmes.

While recent price adjustments have been influenced by various operational factors, a more cost-effective raw material supply chain could provide greater price stability and cement affordability. The production of LC3 significantly lowers CO (carbon dioxide) emissions compared to traditional cement production.

This supports Ghana's climate action commitments and contributes to a greener future, he said.

Investment

Supacem's investment in a world-class cement laboratory is considered essential in developing Ghanaian talent in advanced LC3 technology.

This positions Ghana at the forefront of sustainable cement production in Africa.

Mr Adams said by reducing reliance on imports and adding value to local raw materials, Supacem's project strengthened Ghana's economy and reduced its vulnerability to external economic factors.

Supacem has taken the lead in transforming Ghana's cement industry.

The company has extended its supply of locally produced LC3 raw materials to Ghacem, Ghanas largest manufacturer, he said.

This move, Mr Adams said, further reduced clinker imports and highlighted Supacem's commitment to industry-wide sustainability and building a more resilient and self-sufficient cement sector in Ghana.

Industry

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, Emmanuel Cherry, recently called for the exploration of local alternatives for clinker.

Supacem's investment, supported by the GSA's adoption of the LC3 standard, answers this call, showing the potential of Ghanaian ingenuity and resources to address critical industry needs.

Supacem's investment, supported by the Ghana Standards Authoritys adoption of the LC3 standard, appears to answer this call described by some industry experts as showing the potential of Ghanaian ingenuity and resources to address critical industry needs.

Supacem's initiative offers a tangible solution to the current cement shortage and builds a foundation for a more sustainable, self-reliant, and environmentally responsible cement industry in Ghana, an expert who declined to be named told the Daily Graphic.
Next article: Breakthrough in cement production: Supacem discovers clinker substitute - Invests $100m in new technology

We want to end the GH4 billion annual tomato import from Burkina Faso - Eric Opoku

Mohammed Ali Business News Apr - 14 - 2025 , 14:55

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has targeted to end tomato imports from Burkina Faso estimated at GH4 billion annually with the launch of the Feed Ghana programme.

According to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, the government is targeting this through a wide-range agricultural programme that also includes new irrigation projects, a soya processing plant, and a decentralised buffer stock system.

In an interview with Citi FM, on Monday, April 14 2025, Mr Opoku said the measures are part of the governments Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, which was launched by President John Dramani Mahama over the weekend.

Every year, we spend GH4 billion on the importation of tomatoes from Burkina Faso. If Burkina Faso is able to produce tomatoes, why is it that we cannot do it here in Ghana, in spite of the fertile soil that we have and all the agricultural endowment, Mr Opoku questioned.

He announced that a new vegetable production initiative, referred to as the Eurybia project, would target tomatoes, pepper, and onions.

We import onion from Niger, which is estimated around GH240 million annually. We also spend close to GH3 billion on the importation of pepper, Mr Opoku said.

He added that the government is working with a vegetable processing company to help absorb produce from local farmers.

According to the minister, eight regions have been selected for the first phase of an irrigation development plan under the Irrigation for Wealth Creation programme. This phase will cover 10,000 hectares of land.

Mr Opoku also announced a partnership between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and a private investor to establish a soya bean processing plant in the northern part of the country. The government will take a 40 percent stake in the facility.

To help address post-harvest losses and improve market access, Mr Opoku said the Ghana National Buffer Stock Company has been restructured and its operations decentralised to regional offices.

We have a team in place. The policy document was generated, and we have invited AGRA to be part of it to finalise everything for us.

The agriculture transformation plan also includes the establishment of 50 Farmer Service Centres across selected farming districts.

The first of these will be sited in the Atebubu-Amantin District, which the ministry has identified as one of the countrys leading food-producing areas.
Ivory Coast signals cocoa price hike in response to US tariffs

Reuters Business News Apr - 14 - 2025 , 18:15

Ivory Coast, the worlds largest cocoa producer, may raise cocoa prices in response to proposed US tariffs under President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration announced tariffs of 21%, the highest in West Africa, on the Ivory Coast as part of higher targeted duties on dozens of countries. Trump announced he was pausing them for 90 days.

Agriculture Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani said his country wanted Washington to reconsider the tariffs. "When you tax the product that we export to your country, we will increase the price of cocoa, and that will have a repercussion on the price to the consumer," Kouassi said.

It was not immediately clear what specific measures Kouassi was referring to. Ivory Coast does not have the ability to set the price for cocoa, which is determined by the global market.

Export taxes may be increased

However, the country could raise export taxes on cocoa to earn more revenue, making the product more expensive for consumers.

"It's the end consumer who will be harmed," Kouassi said.

Ivory Coast exports between 200,000 and 300,000 metric tonnes of cocoa to the U.S. each year, according to data from the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC).

Kouassi also said Ivory Coast would seek stronger ties with the European Union to ensure that "if our products are not accepted in the United States, the EU can recover all of them."

credit: Reuters
Galamsey: Deporting, burning, rule of law

Ace Anan Ankomah Opinion Apr - 11 - 2025 , 16:57 4 minutes read

In Ghanas fight against illegal mining (Galamsey,) public sentiment has increasingly leaned toward swift and drastic actiondeporting foreign nationals and burning excavators on sight.

But while the urgency is understandable, we must ask: are these actions consistent with the rule of law?

Deportation

Under the Immigration Act, 2000 (IA), the Interior Minister has broad discretion to issue a Deportation Order by Executive Instrument, where in the ministers opinion, a persons presence is not conducive to the public good.

This general power seems wide enough to justify removing foreign nationals involved in Galamsey.

However, the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (MMA) which is a later and more specific statute, sets out a narrower, more procedural path for deporting non-Ghanaian mining offenders.

Section 99 of the MMA imposes two conditions precedent to deportation: the individual must (i) be convicted by a court for undertaking an illegal mining operation, and (ii) serve the full sentence.

The somewhat inelegant drafting of particularly section 99(4) raises a legal dilemma: can the minister, using the general deportation powers under the IA, override the specific deportation regime under the MMA?

Can the minister deport a non-Ghanaian who is yet to be convicted, or has been convicted but is yet to be sentenced?

Even if we conclude that the MMA defers to the ministers general power under the IA to truncate sentences to deport convicts, the minister must still wait for conviction and sentencing, before deporting.

The principle that a specific law overrides a general one when both apply to the same subject suggests the MMA should take precedence in matters concerning mining offences.

Otherwise, and if the minister may deport even if a mining offence is merely suspected, we risk undermining the legislative intent behind the MMAs 2019-inserted stricter and more deliberate process.

Else, while Ghanaian Galamsey operators will serve jail terms, non-Ghanaians would simply be repatriated home to enjoy previously repatriated savings from the Galamsey, or return to Ghana with another name and by another route.

The rule of law means we must uphold the law as written, not bypass it for convenience.



Destroying excavators

Similarly, destroying equipment used in illegal miningparticularly excavatorshas sparked considerable controversy. Public support for immediate burning is strong, but the law prescribes a more structured approach.

The MMA again lays out five key steps before mining equipment may be disposed of:

i. Seize the equipment;

ii. Keep with the police;

iii. Convict the person(s) who used or provided the equipment;

iv. Court must also order forfeiture to the State; and

v. Relevant minister must allocate the equipment to a State institution.



Then, under the Public Procurement Act, 2003, the recipient State institution may declare the equipment obsolete or surplus and lawfully destroy it.

Any deviation from thisespecially burning equipment on sight without any court processesraises serious rule of law concerns.

I note the complaint that operators of excavators tend to abandon them and escape with the motherboards, rendering the excavators unmoveable.

But that should not be a problem if all excavators have registration and chassis numbers.

The current technology by which the police are able to check the insurance status of vehicles by sending SMS to a short code, could be easily deployed to ascertain and then arrest and prosecute the excavators owners.

Further, under the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations  Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (LI 2404), using such equipment without the statutorily mandated tracking device is a crime, and the equipment may be seized by the same process as under the MMA.



Recommendation: Amend or comply?

Admittedly, some of these procedures appear slow or bureaucratic in the face of Galamseys environmental degradation and widespread harm.

But our laws are designed to balance urgency with fairness, ensuring that punitive actions follow due process.

If we believe these legal safeguards are no longer fit for purpose, the appropriate response is not to ignore them, but to return to Parliament and amend the law.

Rule of law is not always popularit demands that government power be exercised according to established rules, not arbitrary decisions.

It restrains even the most well-intentioned efforts to ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done.

So, if our national consensus is to deport, deport, deport and burn, baby, burn, then lets have the courage to make those changes through lawful means.

Until then, the MMA and other existing laws remain in forceand respecting them is not optional.

It is the foundation of any just and democratic society.

The writer is a Senior Partner, Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, Accra.
Doctors remove pig kidney from Alabama woman after she lived with it for a record 130 days

Independent.co.uk International News Apr - 13 - 2025 , 12:08 3 minutes read

Towana Looney has returned home to Gadsden after undergoing surgery a week ago. She is now back on dialysis, which is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing.

Animal-to-human transplants involve organs or tissues from non-human animals to treat human medical conditions. Known as xenotransplantation, the experimental approach has the promise of significantly increasing organ supply, according to researchers.

There are critical shortages in donor organs available for transplantation in the U.S. and some groups face disparities in access. Every day, an average of 13 people in the U.S. die awaiting organ transplants, and more than 28,000 donated organs go unused each year because of system inefficiencies, according to the nonprofit United Network for Organ Sharing.

Though the outcome is not what anyone wanted, I know a lot was learned from my 130 days with a pig kidney  and that this can help and inspire many others in their journey to overcoming kidney disease, Looney said in a statement.

She thanked her doctors at New York Citys NYU Langone Health for the opportunity to be part of this incredible research.

Before Looneys transplant, only four other Americans had received genetically-altered pig organs. Two of them received hearts and the others received kidneys, but no transplant lasted longer than two months and patients who were severely ill before the surgery died. A New Hampshire man who received a pig kidney in January is doing well.

We did the safe thing, Dr. Robert Montgomery, Looneys surgeon, explained. Shes no worse off than she was before (the xenotransplant) and she would tell you shes better off because she had this 4.5-month break from dialysis.

In xenotransplantation, the risk of infection from an animal organ may be higher than the risk from a human organ, as well as the risk of organ rejection. Its also unclear if transplanted animal kidneys can do all the same things human kidneys can, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Montgomery noted that what triggered the rejection is still being investigated. Looney and her doctors agreed it would be smarter to remove the pig kidney than to try saving it.

Looney had suffered an infection linked to her prior time on dialysis and her immune-suppressing anti-rejection drugs were slightly lowered, Montgomery said. Her immune system was reactivating after the transplant at the same time. The combination of both of those factors could have damaged the new kidney, he theorized.

Looney had been on dialysis since 2016 and her body was abnormally primed to reject a human kidney. She received the transplant last November.

Montgomery said Looneys experience offers valuable insight ahead of an upcoming clinical trial.

Making xenotransplants work is going to be won with singles and doubles, not swinging for the fence every time we do one of these, he said.
Previous article: Doctors remove pig kidney from Alabama woman after she lived with it for a record 130 days

Nigerian PhD student pleads guilty to fraud in US

U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri International News Apr - 13 - 2025 , 12:00 2 minutes read

A 24-year-old Nigerian man has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to using forged documents to fraudulently secure a student visa, enrol in a PhD programme, and obtain multiple benefits, including housing, a Social Security card, and financial support.

Mercy Ojedeji admitted to submitting counterfeit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a fake English proficiency report, and a falsified resume to gain admission to the University of Missouris chemistry PhD programme in 2023. The documents also enabled him to obtain a student visa and a financial package worth over $49,000.

Ojedeji later used the student visa to apply for a Social Security card, open a bank account, and rent an apartment with assistance from his partner.

However, he failed to attend classes, take on teaching or research duties, or join a research group. He was removed from the programme in January 2024, leading to the termination of his student visa.

Despite this, he used the invalid visa to acquire a drivers licence in Missouri the following month.

U.S. authorities say Ojedeji became the focus of a wider investigation into romance fraud after postal inspectors received complaints about cash and gift cards being mailed to his partners address.

Between December 2023 and early January 2024, at least 35 packages linked to Nigerian IP addresses were delivered to the address. Investigators say more than 190 packages were sent there during his relationship with the woman.

The U.S. Attorneys Office claims that the intended financial loss could exceed $1 million, based on cash and items recovered from 17 of the seized packages. Ojedeji, however, continues to deny involvement in the romance scam itself.

He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of using fraudulent immigration documents. He faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for July 10.

The case has drawn attention in West Africa, where similar fraudulent document schemes have raised concerns about the ease with which falsified records are used to exploit foreign admissions systems. It also highlights the broader implications of cyber-enabled fraud linked to parts of the region.

The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with support from the FBI and local law enforcement.
Next article: Gov't working with IMF, World Bank to review VAT and make it simple for businesses - Ato Forson

5,000 agric graduates to be deployed under Feed Ghana programme - Minister

Mohammed Ali Apr - 14 - 2025 , 12:29 4 minutes read

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku says the government will deploy 5,000 agricultural and veterinary college graduates under the newly introduced Feed Ghana programme.

In a radio interview on Accra based Citi FM on Monday [April 14 2025], Mr Opoku said some of the graduates, who have been without jobs since 2015, will be posted to various farming areas across the country as part of the governments broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda.

We want all 5,000 of them to be part of the Feed Ghana programme so that they will be deployed to the various farms to assist our farmers to adopt modern techniques of farming, Mr Opoku stated.

He explained that the Feed Ghana programme is serving as the umbrella initiative under which different agricultural support projects will be rolled out. These include vegetable production, grain development, and poultry farming.

Mr Opoku raised concern about Ghanas growing reliance on imported food, pointing out that the country spends about GH4 billion each year on tomatoes from Burkina Faso, GH240 million on onions from Niger, and more than GH3 billion on imported pepper.

If Burkina Faso is able to produce the tomatoes, why is it that we cannot do it here in Ghana? We have the fertile soil and all the agricultural endowment, he remarked.

Read also: President Mahama launches Feed Ghana Programme

Atebubu-Amantin is the most productive agricultural district in Ghana and will be the first of 50 districts to receive a new Farmer Service Centre this 2025 - Agric Minister Eric Opoku

According to the minister, the Atebubu-Amantin District has been identified as the most productive agricultural district in the country and will be the first of 50 districts to receive a new Farmer Service Centre this year [2025].

In the centres, we are sending tractors, combined harvesters, improved seeds, fertilisers, extension officers, and water pumping machines, Mr Opoku explained. Even if farmers dont have money, the centres will provide services, and farmers can repay after harvest.

On irrigation, the minister said funding of 47 million from the European Union and the French Embassy has been secured.

The money will go into the construction of eight new dams, rehabilitation of existing ones, and the drilling of 45 mechanised boreholes, with a focus on supporting women and young farmers.

We have taken inventory of all irrigation infrastructure in the country, and as we speak, all our irrigation infrastructure are either non-functional or operating under capacity, with some even doing 10 percent of installed capacity, he disclosed.

Mr Opoku also announced that a partnership with private investors is underway to establish a soya processing plant in the northern part of the country. The move, he said, is aimed at providing a ready market for soya farmers and reducing the cost of poultry feed, which remains a major concern for local poultry producers.

To protect local supply, the government has placed a temporary ban on the export of soya beans. The restriction will remain in place until processors in Ghana have sufficient stock.

Responding to concerns about implementation, particularly given that many officials from the previous administrations Planting for Food and Jobs programme are still in place, Mr Opoku said leadership would be the deciding factor.

It takes leadership to rally people behind strategies to make them happen at all cost. If leadership decides not to be part of implementation, certainly you wont get results, he said.

He further indicated that the National Buffer Stock Company has been repositioned to buy food directly from farmers during the harvest period. These stocks will be stored and released during lean seasons to help keep food prices stable for both farmers and consumers.

Mr Opoku said that visible improvements in the poultry sector should be seen within the next three years. He encouraged the media to track the programmes progress and promised that the government would welcome such scrutiny.

He added that the full Feed Ghana programme document, which outlines specific performance targets and expected results, is available at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Binduri: Police explain how 2 policemen were shot dead by suspected robbers and their private motorcycles taken away

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Apr - 14 - 2025 , 06:28 2 minutes read

Two policemen were shot dead on Sunday [April 13, 2025,] by suspected armed robbers in Poyamirea near Binduri in the Upper East Region.

The deceased were said to be in mufti (plain clothes) and were on private motorbikes travelling from Bongo to Binduri when they were attacked, shot and killed and their motorbikes taken away.

A statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service said a manhunt operation was underway for the attackers.

The police expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families.

The statement assured the public that the perpetrators of this heinous crime would be arrested and made to face justice.

Another man killed and burnt beyond recognition

In a related development, an unidentified man was also shot dead on Sunday in Binduri by some unknown gunmen.

Subsequently, the assailants set the deceased and his motorcycle ablaze and left the scene.

Some residents discovered the charred body of the man, who had been burnt beyond recognition.

Curfew review

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior based on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council and by an Executive Instrument has reviewed the curfew hours imposed on the Binduri township and its environs from 6pm to 6 am with immediate effect.

Chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and the youth have been urged to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use of non-violent means to channel their grievances.

As a result, there is a total ban on the carrying of arms and any offensive weapon in public.

The wearing of smock is also banned. Any person found with arms is to be arrested and prosecuted.

Additionally, the movement of motorcycles, tricycles (aboboyaa), and the like are banned for both men and women and that any person found riding them will be arrested and prosecuted.
Encroachment on Sakumo Ramsar site: TDC MD proffers engineering solutions

BenjaminXornam Glover Apr - 14 - 2025 , 09:57 4 minutes read

The Managing Director of TDC Ghana Ltd, Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, has disclosed plans to convert the Sakumo Ramsar site into a recreational area.

He said the intention is not to harm the site's natural and ecological importance as a wetland, but to promote recreation and tourism, while preserving its biodiversity and ecosystem and using it as a means to curb the massive encroachment on the site.

At a press conference in Tema last Thursday, Mr Nunekpeku bemoaned the level of encroachment on the Ramsar site.

The Sakumo Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance. It covers an area of 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres) and is situated along the coastal road between Accra and Tema in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

The Ramsar site is made up of the core, buffer and transitional area. Over a period, the buffer and transitional zone have been fully encroached on, while more than half of the 1,200 acres of the core area have been encroached upon.

The lagoon itself is silted and in dire need of dredging.

Responding to a question on what can be done to protect the wetland and save it from further encroachment, Mr Nunekpeku said the TDC was putting together some drawings and would engage sister agencies such as the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and Tema West Municipal Assembly, for a lasting solution to challenges facing the Tema enclave, encroachment of the wetland and replacement of the overage central sewer lines.

"On the Ramsar site, we are looking at building a world-class canal, a canal that will start from Santor Hills right down across the motorway and continue into the sea.

This canal will be deep and wide with a good green belt by the side that can take a lot of water.

In fact, the canal will be wide enough to contain the volume of water that will be coming probably from the hills where boats or small yachts can even ride on and become like a tourist place.

This is what we normally see when we travel abroad and this is what we are trying to propose as a solution to the flooding.

"We are putting the drawings together and putting a budget to it to see how we are going to finance it, then we can now present this to the higher authority.

This can be the solution that will solve all these issues of flooding," he said.

Sewer bursts

On overage sewage lines, he said the TDC intended to work with the TMA to see how best they can replace some of the old six inches asbestos pipes, some of which have been buried in the soil for over 50 years, with pressure pipes that could carry better volumes, such as 25-inch or 30-inch pressure pipes.

While acknowledging that it was going to be an uphill task due to the possibility of demolishing people's homes, especially unauthorised extensions, he said the vision was to solve a bigger problem, adding that "this is something that needs to be done for the future to prevent sewer bursts.

"If you live in Tema, you know it's one of our biggest headaches, especially in the rainy season."

Land audit

Mr Nunekpeku said his administration had uncovered the sale of several parcels of land in Tema Community 24 to individuals associated with the name of his predecessor.

He said management had embarked on a land audit to make sure that people accounted for their stewardship.

Nothing will stop the investigations we are going to do.

The only thing that can stop it will probably be the sector minister or the President.

Apart from that, nothing is going to stop it.

We will continue to do the land audit to make sure that people account for their stewardship, he said.

Writer's email: [email protected]
Next article: 5,000 agric graduates to be deployed under Feed Ghana programme - Minister

Previous article: Health Minister Akandoh announces reduction in cost of application forms to nursing training colleges by GH50

Ghana gov't rejects Gold Fields Damang lease renewal for another 30 years

Michael Quaye Apr - 14 - 2025 , 12:31 3 minutes read

An application by Gold Fields Limited to renew the Damang Mining Lease held by its subsidiary, Abosso Goldfields Limited, for another 30 years has been rejected, a top government source has revealed.

This was corroborated in a statement released by Gold Fields Ghana Limited that the application to the Minerals Commission to extend the mining lease for the Damang Mine had been declined.

The decision not to renew the mining lease comes at a time when the existing 30-year lease granted on April 18, 1995, expires on April 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the governments mission to reset the nations economic landscape.

Gold Fields Limited is the seventh biggest producer of gold in the world, and has two operational mines in Ghana, namely the Tarkwa Mine, which is operated by Gold Fields Ghana, and the Damang Mine, which is run by Abosso Goldfields Limited.

Renowned for its rich gold deposits, the Damang Mine is poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening Ghanas economy.

The Government of Ghana held a 10 per cent share in both mines.

According to the 2024 Annual Report of the Gold Fields Group, which has mines in Canada, Australia, Peru, Chile and South Africa, the two mines in Ghana accounted for 32 per cent of the groups gold production in 2024, meaning about a third of the entire gold produced by Gold Fields worldwide comes from Ghana.

Earlier reports indicated that before mining stopped at Damang, the Ghana mines of the company contributed about 40 per cent to the group.

Abosso Mine

The Abosso Mine initially operated from 1882 until 1956.

From 1989, Ranger Exploration, initially with other partners, first examined the feasibility of re-treating tailings from the Abosso Mine, and then the northeast extension of the Banket Conglomerates towards Damang village.

Further works carried out by Ranger between 1990 and 1992 demonstrated near-surface mineralisation.

By early 1996, three million ounces of mineral resources had been estimated in the area, and a feasibility study demonstrated that open pit mining would be viable.

Although the mining lease was granted on April 18, 1995, mining at the concession commenced in August 1997, with the first gold pour in November after the construction of the Damang Mine was completed earlier that year.

Gold Fields Limited and Repadre Capital Corp., a Toronto-listed mining royalty company, signed an agreement in 2001 to buy Ranger Explorations 90 per cent interest in Damang.

IAMGold and Repadre merged to give IAMGold an 18.9 per cent interest in Damang, and Gold Fields a 71.1 per cent interest.

In 2011, Gold Fields bought out IAMGolds remaining interest in Damang, and the company now owns a 90 per cent stake, with the Government of Ghana holding the remaining 10 per cent.

According to the 2024 annual report of Gold Fields, no mineral reserves were declared at Damang, which meant there were no defined gold reserves to be mined there.

Actual mining at the mine is said to have stopped in 2023 as the company resorted to processing stockpiles.

In fact, it is stated in the Mineral Resources and Reserves Supplement to the Integrated Annual Report of 2023 that no exploration was proposed for the Damang Mine in 2024.

No reserves

The lack of reserves and the lack of funds for exploration spending for the Damang Mine appeared to suggest that the company was not interested in expanding mine life for the mine at Damang.

Additionally, the company this year intended to continue the processing of stockpiles in line with the life of the mine for at least one year.

The mine has since been considered as one that has not met the requirements and justification for an extension of lease.
Next article: Plaintiff files statement of case on Chief Justice removal case at the Supreme Court

School Feeding begins restructuring - 31-day arrears for caterers cleared

Diana Mensah Apr - 14 - 2025 , 03:39 3 minutes read

The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) Secretariat has begun a broader restructuring under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.

The reforms, the secretariat said, were to decentralise operations, enhance the quality of meals provided to schoolchildren, and ensure consistency and timeliness in caterer compensation.

The effort forms part of the governments commitment to bolster the impact of the programme, which currently serves over three million pupils across public basic schools in Ghana.

The GSFP Secretariat, under the supervision of the MoGCSP, has commenced a restructuring of the programme to fulfil the governments commitment to decentralise its operations, improve the quality of food served and ensure consistency in the payment of caterers, the secretariat said in a statement.

Disbursement

The statement further announced that the government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), had paid the 31 days arrears owed to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) for the first term of the 2024/2025 academic year.

The disbursement was confirmed in a press statement signed by the National Coordinator of the GSFP Secretariat, Hajia Fati Forgor, who thanked the government for the release of funds for the payment of the outstanding arrears.

The GSFP Secretariat extends its appreciation to the government for the timely release of funds for the payment of outstanding arrears owed to the caterers, the statement read.

The GSFP Secretariat expressed gratitude to the programmes donor partners for their support, indicating that such collaborations remained vital to the sustainability of the initiative.

We thank our donor partners for their continuous support and collaboration with the Government of Ghana to sustain the programme, it said.

Background

The government increased funding for the Ghana School Feeding Programme for the current year, with an allocation of GH1.78 billion in the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, up from GH1.2 billion in 2024.

Presenting the Budget Statement to Parliament on March 11, 2025, the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, announced an increase in the feeding grant per child from GH1.20 to GH1.60.

He explained that the increment was necessitated by rising food prices and the need to sustain the programme to ensure that pupils in public basic schools continued to receive nutritious meals.

The Ghana School Feeding Programme was launched in 2005 as a pilot initiative to provide free meals to learners in public schools.

It is managed by the GSFP Secretariat under the supervision of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, in collaboration with international partners, including the World Bank, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Partnership for Child Development (PCD), and UNICEF.

Other partners are the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Gov't working with IMF, World Bank to review VAT and make it simple for businesses - Ato Forson

Mohammed Ali Apr - 14 - 2025 , 10:35 2 minutes read

The government has started a review of Ghanas Value Added Tax (VAT) system to help address the challenges businesses face under its current structure, the Ministry of Finance has said.

The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson made this known in a Facebook post on Monday, [April 14, 2025.]

He said the process is already underway, with support from a Technical Assistance Mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) currently in the country.

According to him, the existing VAT regime is creating difficulties for businesses nationwide.

With an effective rate of 21.9 percent, considered one of the highest in Africa, compliance has become a major concern for many firms.

Dr Forson said the government is working with the IMF and the World Bank Group to carry out the review.

The goal, he noted, is to simplify the system and make it less difficult for businesses ahead of the presentation of the next national budget in November 2025.

At a recent meeting with the Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the World Bank Group, Mr Wencai Zhang, Dr Forson gave an update on the ongoing work and said steps are being taken to complete the process before the budget is laid.

A complete overhaul of the VAT system is actively under consideration, he said. The problem is known, and it is being addressed.

The review is expected to help improve tax compliance, increase revenue collection, and reduce the strain on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

During my recent meeting with Wencai Zhang, Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the World Bank Group, I provided an update on Ghanas efforts to comprehensively review our Value Added Tax (VAT) regime.



This reform is critical, as the current structure poses significant challenges for businesses across the country.



I informed Mr. Zhang that an IMF Technical Assistance Mission is currently in Ghana, working closely with us to support this important review process.



It is worth noting that Ghanas effective VAT rate, at 21.9%, possibly the highest in Africa, has contributed to compliance difficulties and operational inefficiencies.



We are fully aware of these issues, and I assured our partners that a complete overhaul of the VAT system is actively under consideration.



The government remains committed to completing this process and implementing the necessary reforms in time for the next national budget.

We are on track to deliver these changes by November.

The problem is known, and it is being addressed!
Nobody expected Samsungs One UI 7 rollout to take so long, and while certain S24 series devices across South Korea and Europe began receiving the update last week, users are now reporting that the update is no longer available to download.

Samsung seems to have pulled the firmware update from its OTA servers without explaining why. According to leakster Ice Universe, Samsung discovered several bugs on devices that got the One UI 7 update, including instances where updated phones could not be unlocked normally. SamMobile also reported a critical bug with Samsung's Secure Folder, which exposes users Gallery contents.

Samsung has now halted the One UI 7 update globally for a number of devices, including the entire Galaxy S24 series as well as the Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 foldables. This likely means that the previously shared update rollout schedule will be altered once more. Well keep an eye out for any new developments on the case and will update you accordingly.

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The Office of the Governor announced a significant benchmark toward building a new hospital in Mangilao with the formal posting of a Notice to Rezone to covert the project site from agricultural to public facilities use.

Adelup in a release Monday said rezoning is a critical early step enabling the Guam Waterworks Authority and the Guam Power Authority to proceed with major utility infrastructure improvements, including constructing a power substation, a water holding facility and new water wells.

These upgrades are essential for the future hospital campus and the growing needs of the entire Mangilao community, the news release stated.

The administration continues to move forward with the Mangilao hospital project despite a pending federal lawsuit Attorney General Douglas Moylan filed alleging illegalities in the process.

Both the governor and Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority have asked the federal court to dismiss the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, a local judge on Monday denied requests to freeze the ongoing land condemnation case brought by the government to get 42 acres of private land for the new hospital and medical complex in Mangilao.

Attorneys for the landowners argued to freeze the case while the federal lawsuit is still pending, but Superior Court Judge Elyze Iriarte denied the request.

Adelup has maintained that it can move forward with Mangilao project despite the AGs objections.

Today, our administration submitted the zoning application for the new Guam Medical Complex to the Guam Land Use Commission for its consideration and approval. This is more than just a technical step in a regulatory process. This is the first official action that will ultimately lead to the construction of a new, modern, and world-class hospital and medical complexa facility that our people deserve and have long awaited, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a statement.

She said the rezoning allows the administration to continue to move forward with smart planning and stronger infrastructure and bring improved essential services to the people.

It demonstrates our continued commitment to building a healthier, more resilient future for Guam. Once rezoned, the infrastructure work will lay the foundation for what will become Guams first modern medical campus in decades, improving access to healthcare while also driving economic activity along this major thoroughfare, which is heavily used by both residents and the military, the governor said.

This zoning application is the foundation for a comprehensive medical campus, which will include:

A new state-of-the-art hospital.

The Guam Public Health Training & Laboratory Facility, already under construction.

Facilities for medical education, diagnostics, outpatient care, and specialty services.

Forward-looking infrastructure designed to serve both the people of Guam and Micronesia.

The Mangilao Mayors Office is working to schedule the public hearings required by law.

At these hearings, community members will have the opportunity to provide public testimony on the proposed rezoning.
A procession of current and former judges, senators, governors and military officials lined up at the Guam Congress Building on Monday to pay their respects to the life and legacy of former Sen. Robert Bob Klitzkie.

Besides his two terms at the Guam Legislature, Klitzkie was a Marine, teacher, attorney, part-time Superior Court of Guam judge and government of Guam director, before his death on April 2.

Pall bearers wheeled the former senators casket into the legislative session hall on Monday morning for his state funeral.

The Guam flag draped over Klitzkies casket was raised proudly over the legislative building just a few days prior, Speaker Frank Blas Jr. said during the ceremony.

Klitzkies state funeral service came less than a week after his old colleague and fellow Republican, the late former Speaker Mark Forbes, was laid to rest, Supreme Court of Guam Associate Justice Katherine Maraman noted during her Monday morning eulogy.

51 years ago, it is possible that Bob Klitzkie and I were sitting near one another looking out at the beautiful New Mexico sky, Maraman said.

She said she couldnt recall knowing Klitzkie when they both attended the University of New Mexico School of Law in the early 1970s.

But it was Klitzkie who greeted her when she stepped off a Pan Am flight to the island in 1977, Justice Maraman said.

Klitzkie, originally from Wisconsin, had come to Guam back in 1963 and worked as a school teacher at George Washington High School before shooting off to law school in New Mexico in 1971.

Maraman on Monday said he interviewed her and gave her job at the Brooks and Klitzkie PC law firm on island, and Klitzkie and wife Lou would later have her over for Christmas.

Over these past many years, I saw Bob as an adopted son of Guam, a devoted family man, a person who thrived on good order, an educator, an attorney, someone committed to building a better government and a public servant, Maraman said.

She described him as honorable, trustworthy and hardworking.

Bob was always a Marine, Maraman said. He had a gift for creating organized systems and getting the job done.

When Klitzkie was appointed by the late former judge Paul Abbate to be the first law clerk at the Superior Court of Guam, he brought order to the clerks office, Maraman said.

However, employees remembered him more for his concern.

Hed check on every employee to make sure he or she was doing well and had the resources needed for their jobs, Maraman said.

She said that same ethic was something he had earlier, as a teacher, where he led the Guam Federation of Teachers to a union contract that would benefit both students and instructors.

He carried that concern on as a senator, drafting laws to give teachers a $500 tax rebate to cover school supplies they paid out of pocket, and notably the Every Child is Entitle to an Adequate Education Act.

Maraman called the Adequate Education Act a brilliant law that enshrined the rights of Guam students to a proper education, and made GovGuam responsible for delivering it.

Klitzkies other accomplishments included his time leading the Department of Corrections, and his involvement in laws that created the Guam Community College and separated judge salaries from political decision making, she said.

But besides his drive, he also had a sharp sense of humor, Maraman noted.

Klitzkie taught English as a second language while at George Washington High School, and managed to teach himself CHamoru, which he spoke fluently, she said.

Ai adai mate, was sometimes heard when employees here asked him to lighten up the workday by speaking in CHamoru with his British accent, Maraman recalled.

She said he and wife Lou also led numerous travel adventures, visiting all 50 states and territories, and sharing tales of taking a train across Russia, driving through Australia, and enjoying the beauty of New Zealand over the years.

It was a tradition they kept up with their kids and grandkids, Maraman added.

Bob led a wonderful life, she said. He used his intelligence, his wit and his passion to earn respect from many, the friendship of many, and the love of his many family members.

Bob would be greatly missed, along with the contributions he made to the island he loved, Maraman said.

That time has come for him to rest. So we say, Adios, my friend. May you rest in peace, she said.

The deaths of Republicans Klitzkie and former Speaker Forbes come just months after Republicans retook the legislative majority for the first time in 16 years.

On Monday, lawmakers led by Republican Sen. Sabrinas Salas Matanane presented Klitzkies family with a resolution recognizing his public service and accomplishments, and expressing condolences on behalf of the public.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Klitzkie at noon April 15 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Yigo.

The former senator is survived by his wife, Lourdes Palomo Klitzkie, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
The number of new worker barracks bed spaces approved by the government is up to 1,144 in the past eight months, with the Guam Land Use Commission approving a permit for another 200-person barracks in Tamuning-Harmon last week.

GLUC commissioners approved a permit for the new temporary workforce housing facility, which V. G. Gozum Construction plans to build behind Wendys in Tamuning. The area is zoned M-1, for light industrial use.

Here are the other temporary worker barracks approved by the GLUC since August:

A 600-person barracks in Dededo for Pacific Rim.

Another 200-person barracks for V.G. Gozum Construction in Barrigada.

A 144-person barracks for Rocky Mountain Precast in Dededo.

V.G. Gozum has about 250 to 300 employees with 200 more H-2B workers on the way, Dan Swavely, representative for the company, told the GLUC.

After the next 200 arrive, the company will petition for 200 more, Swavely told the commission.

Gozum specializes in interior and exterior paint and specialty coatings, and works on hangars at Andersen Air Force Base and other military and GovGuam projects.

Available workforce housing is a big concern for the island, the Pacific Daily News has reported. Laborers with H-2B visas are needed to complete work for the military buildup, but they need a place to stay.

Government officials have pointed to the increased population and local housing shortage as driving up costs for local renters and homebuyers, while slowing the flow of new workers to Guam.

The number of H-2B workers is still at a decades-long high, but the Guam Department of Labor reported the number of H-2B workers on island dipping to 5,119 in March, down from a peak of over 5,500 in 2024.

We still have a big gap between the number of workforce housing beds, so to speak, and the number of  H-2 workers on Guam, Swavely told the GLUC last week.

He told commissioners that, by his analysis of local workforce housing data, there are still about 300 private housing units that are being used to house H-2B workers.

So thats a gap that we are working to fill, he said.

V.G. Gozum plans to convert an old warehouse on Sgambelluri Lane in Harmon into the new barracks, and will retain use of about one-third of the property for housing, Swavely said.

The company has agreed to upgrade a 1.5-inch water line in the area to a 6-inch line, and install a fire hydrant, he said. They have also presented plans to the Department of Public Works to flare out the intersection with Route 1 and increase visibility in the area.

Barracks renewedGLUC commissioners also agreed to renew permits for two other worker barracks operated by Fargo Pacific Inc. and Reliable Builders Inc.

Fargo Pacific is permitted to build space in Tamuning for up to 648 workers, but has only built phase one of the project and is housing just 50, according to a report from the Department of Land Management.

The company maintains the extra space for flexibility, in light of uncertainty from U.S. immigration authorities, according to the report.

Fargo Pacific has operated the facility for eight years, according to project representative Kyle Borja.

At the Reliable Builders barracks in Tamuning, 125 H-2 workers are in the facility, which has space for 153.

There may be upwards of 10,000 permitted workforce housing facility slots, Greg Massey, the administrator of the Guam Department of Labors Alien Labor Processing and Certification Division, said in March.

But companies dont always use the maximum capacity they are permitted for.
Using information from a cell phone provider, searchers concentrated their efforts in waters to the west of Guam Monday as they continued looking for a 58-year-old man whose boat was reported overdue on Saturday.

Jeffery Hattoris cellular provider confirmed his phones last connection was via a tower near NCTAMS on Guams northwestern coast, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

The information indicated a fishing area likely to be in the northwest. Responders used the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System to reassess probable search zones.

The Coast Guard has been working with Guam Fire Rescue and the Navy as they look for the 14-foot skiff, Lady G.

Hattori departed Hagatna Boat Basin at 5:30 a.m. April 12 and was expected back by 4 p.m. the same day.

A Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 Knighthawk crew spotted a life ring in the search area, initially thought to be from Lady G.

Recovery by a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor revealed it belonged to the tank vessel Morning Ibis, redirecting efforts to focus on the skiffs probable drift.

Searches through the afternoon and night Sunday involved crews aboard a Navy P-8 Poseidon fixed-wing aircraft from Commander Task Force 72 (out of Misawa, Japan, an HSC-25 Knighthawk, a visiting squadron HSC-21 Seahawk and the Coast Guard boat. USCGC Oliver Henry joined the effort after recalling their crew and departing Apra Harbor at 8:28 p.m. Sunday.

After consulting family and local fishermen, the response team is adjusting the search to include additional known areas offshore, where Hattori reportedly fished.

Mondays efforts center off Ritidian Point and Guams western side. In addition to the crews and vessels participating in the search, a SafetyNet broadcast is advising commercial vessels to watch for and report any possible sightings.

Our hearts are with Mr. Hattoris family as we work to find him, Coast Guard Cmdr. Patton Epperson said. The vast ocean and dynamic currents around Guam present challenges, and we are grateful for the steadfast support of Guam Fire Rescue and the U.S. Navy, including their critical aviation assets. Were covering every probable area with precision and care.

Forecasted weather includes east winds at 15 knots, seas of 3 to 5 feet, waves of 4 feet, and scattered showers.

Anyone with information about Hattori or his vessel is urged to contact {span}Joint Rescue Sub-Center{/span} Guam at 671-355-4826 or 1-877-418-0168.
The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense, in coordination with the Port Authority of Guam, will host two Incident Command System training sessions at the Port Authoritys training room in Piti.

The courses are:

 ICS-300 Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents: 8 a .m. to 5 p.m. April 21  April 23.

 ICS-400 Advanced Incident Command System for Complex Incidents: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24  April 25.

The courses provide training for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System.

These comprehensive courses expand upon information covered in the ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses.

Topics include describing how the National Incident Management System Command and Management component supports the management of expanding incidents; the incident/event management process for supervisors and expanding incidents as prescribed by ICS; the incident management process on a simulated expanding incident; and developing an incident action plan for a simulated incident.

Attendees for the courses include emergency management personnel and partners from the government of Guam, federal, military, private and non-profit organizations.

Senior personnel who may assume a supervisory role in expanding emergency incidents and who are expected to perform in a management capacity at an incident or event would also be included

To register, contact Patrick Leon Guerrero, training and exercise program manager via email at pat.leonguerrero@ghs.guam.gov.
The Guam-CNMI Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve announced that Pacific Engineering Group & Services has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

It is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to employers who demonstrate exceptional support for their National Guard and Reserve employees.

This recognition is a milestone for the region, marking the first time in more than 10 years that a Guam-CNMI-based employer has reached finalist status.

This is a tremendous achievement not just for PEGS, but for our entire ESGR committeeespecially for our team in the CNMI, said Cathy Gogue, Guam-CNMI state chair for ESGR. Its incredibly rewarding to see the outstanding support provided by our local employers recognized on a national level.

From 1,629 nominations across the country, and among 54 state committees, only 30 finalists were selected after a rigorous review process. Of the 30 finalists, 15 employers will ultimately be chosen to receive the 2025 Freedom Award. The Department of Defense is expected to announce the final awardees in June.

Gregorio Castro, President of PEGS, expressed his gratitude for the prestigious recognition.

I am truly humbled that PEGS has been named a finalist. While I did what I did for my service member, Spc. Jamerie Paras, this nomination is a reflection of my family and the entire PEGS team who support our service members in the NMI. We wanted Jam to know how grateful we are for her service in the Army Reserve and that we are here to support her in every way we can.

PEGS is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and now joins an exclusive list of Guam employers who have reached finalist status since the awards inception in 1996. Only two other Guam-based organizations have previously made it to this level  the Judiciary of Guam in 2014 and Alpha Insurers in 2008.

This recognition highlights the role that local employers play in supporting the men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition for civilian employers who go above and beyond to support their military employees.

The ESGR Employer Support Freedom Award was established in 1996 and has recognized more than 300 employers nationwide for their exemplary support of military service members.
Growing up in Agana Heights, Anita Babauta Green used to watch The Price is Right with her mother. On Friday, the world watched as Green emerged as the big winner in CBSs iconic television game show.

When Green woke up and threw on a gray Guam T-shirt at 4 a.m. on a chilly Tuesday in January, she just thought she was going to see the show.

After a four-hour drive from San Diego with her husband, Bill, and youngest child, MG, she heard the words every The Price Is Right fan dreams of: Come on down.

We just came to watch the show, and it just kept getting better and better, Green said.

Shed received an email the night before offering tickets to a morning taping.

I love going to shows. My mom has watched that show ever since I was a little kid, she said. They said they would give us four tickets, and they had shows for the next day  6:30, 8:30, 11:30 and 2:30. We chose the 8:30 show.

Her excitement grew once they got inside the studio.

It was so loud you couldnt hear anything. They wrote your name on a big, gigantic cardboard. I wasnt paying attention until MG said, Mom, thats you! she recalled, laughing.

Green was the third contestant told to come on down at the opening of the Season 51, Episode 131, which host Drew Carey described as Payday Friday.

She made her way on stage with a $1 bid on a $920 vanity and hair tools set, with all other contestants bidding $1,000 or more.

I love you so much! she said to Carey, hugging him as he asked her how she was doing.

Im so wonderful! she answered.

When she heard she was competing for $7,500 in cash, she said, I can do that. I can do that.

The moment was surreal  especially for someone who grew up pretending to come on down with her sisters in their Agana Heights home.

We used to practice coming on down when we were little kids, she said.

Carey noticed her shirt and struck up a brief but touching exchange.

Are you from Guam? Carey asked.

I am from Guam. Born and raised, she answered with a salute. Carey gave a shout out to his Marine Corps drill instructor from Guam, and Green waved and said, Hafa Adai!

Immense pride

Remembering that moment, Green, who left the island after high school to attend college in the states, felt immense pride as she described the connection.

It was really neat that he talked about his drill sergeant from Guam, she said. That his drill sergeant must have made such a big impression on him to have him remember thatit made me proud. It made me really proud.

Green played the Hi Lo game, which features six grocery items. She correctly picked the three items  Lovebird organic grain-free cereal, Gorilla super glue and SeaPak breaded clam strips  that were more expensive than the other three  Harvest Snap baked green pea snacks, Febreze air freshener and a four-bar package of Old Spice soap.

Her next challenge was spinning the wheel to get to the Showcase Showdown. The goal was to get closest to $1 without going over.

As the biggest winner in the first half of the show, she went last behind the other two contestants. Her first competitor went over $1, but the second competitor got a respectable 75 cents.

As the wheel spun, Green said, Id like to say hi to my mother, Delfina, my mother-in-law, Janie and all, CHamoru yu! Hafa Adai for everybody on Guam and my family!

Her first spin landed on 35 cents, so she spun the wheel again and got 55 cents, for a total of 90 cents. She cheered as she realized it was enough to send her to the final competition.

She bid $23,500 on a travel showcase, with trips to Washington, D.C, Vancouver, Canada, and Tokyo. The actual price  $40,964.

Are you kidding? she said. Shed underbid by $17,464.

As she recalled the moment, and she said she felt grateful.

Thats crazy. But again, thinking in my head, you know what? This has been so great, Green said. It just has been so great to be here.

But it was about to get even better.

Her competitor bid $31,000 on a big-screen TV and popcorn cart, oven and baking package, and a Kia sedan. The actual price was $27,393. He overbid, making Green the winner.

Her total prize value: $49,384.

Just perfection

I just kept looking back at my husband and my youngest saying, can you believe this? she said. We just came to watch the show. It was great just to watch, and then icing on the cake to play a game. I dont even know what  just perfection.

The prizes have already sparked travel plans for the family  including a long-overdue trip home.

Were just putting trips on the calendar now. Were going to try to go to Tokyo, she said. And then we have a weekend at one of the hotels on Guam. So were thinking, maybe we can tie it into going to Tokyo, spend six days there, and instead of going straight home, take a little detour to Guam.

The last time Green visited Guam was in 2019 for her aunts funeral. The last time her whole family visited was in 2018 for two weeks.

Her 84-year-old mother lives with the family in San Diego, but she declined the early morning trip to Los Angeles due to the cold. Still, she was thrilled to see her daughter on her favorite show.

When she watched the show, she just was in the best mood, Green said. She was like, Thats just something.

Having her mom watching the show was a full circle moment for Green.

She would be like, Oh, thats so funny. She was laughing and she was saying, Oh my gosh, you know. And Im like, Did you hear me say, Hi to you mom? Did you see that? she said. It was so good to see her so happy that one of her kids on her favorite TV show. She was just ecstatic.

Now, Green hopes to return home again soon  this time with a win under her belt and a story Guam viewers will remember.

I mean, honestly, you just dont realize how much of an impact a little thing like that is, she said. Getting dressed at 4 in the morning, going on a whim  and now, here we are.

Season 51, Episode 131 of The Price is Right can be watched here.
At the turn of the century, the infamous Insular Cases established a legal colonial framework by which the United States used racist logic to justify colonial governance over its so-called unincorporated territories.

In 2022, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor both criticized the misguided framework of the Insular Cases, with Gorsuch declaring that [t]he Insular Cases have no foundation in the Constitution and rest instead on racial stereotypes. Sotomayor agreed that the Insular Cases were premised on beliefs both odious and wrong. If we ever hope to strike at the foundations of undemocratic rule in the Territories, we must challenge and overrule the harmful legal doctrines of the Insular Cases.

Yet the Insular Cases have defenders who argue that we shouldnt be too hasty in overruling them  what about their possible tax benefits? With Tax Day upon us, it is timely to ask: What would overruling the Insular Cases mean for federal taxes?

Some defenders of the Insular Cases argue that they allow Congress to work around constitutional limits that might otherwise prevent favorable treatment in U.S. territories. This flexibility  their argument goes  lets Congress exempt people in the territories from certain taxes  most notably federal income taxes. Thus, if the Insular Cases are overruled, they are concerned that applying the full constitution would mean automatically imposing additional federal taxes.

These concerns are misplaced  full stop. As explained in detail in our new study, Overruling the Insular Cases: What About Federal Taxes? co-authored with tax law experts Sumaya Bouadi and Alex Golubitsky, turning the page on the Insular Cases will not automatically trigger any new federal taxes in U.S. territories. Nor will it impact existing tax frameworks in the territories, the Rum Cover-Over in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Section 30 funding in Guam. So concerns about federal taxes should not be a reason to cling to the Insular Cases or the undemocratic colonial framework they established.

Before unpacking why, it is important to address the misconception that people in U.S. territories dont pay federal taxes. In fact, in 2023 residents of U.S. territories paid more than $5 billion in federal taxes, with more than $100 billion paid over the last 25 years. Further, nearly half of the population of the United States is in the same position as people in U.S. territories  paying federal payroll taxes but paying no federal income taxes.

Despite all these federal taxes, important federal social safety net programs like Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and more are often denied or only partially applied in U.S. territories. Over the years the territories have lost more money because of this federal benefits discrimination than they ever would have paid in federal income taxes. So this tax deal is no deal at all.

Shifting back to the why, it is not surprising that many folks assume overruling the Insular Cases would automatically trigger new federal taxation. After all, Downes v. Bidwell, the most prominent of the Insular Cases, held that the Uniformity Clause of the U.S. Constitution was not applicable in so-called unincorporated territories. The Uniformity Clause provides that all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. So if Downes and the Insular Cases are overruled, wouldnt federal taxes have to be uniform across all 50 states and the five territories?

It seems like that should be the result, but it is not.

The main reason for this is that Congress has far greater flexibility under the Constitution to establish federal tax policy than most people realize  whether among the 50 states or between states and territories. Simply put, according to the U.S. Supreme Court uniformity does not really mean strict uniformity. Instead, the Supreme Court has upheld differential tax treatment between people in different states on the grounds that [t]he Uniformity Clause gives Congress wide latitude in deciding what to tax and does not prohibit it from considering geographically isolated problems. When it comes to this kind of geographic discrimination by Congress  even between the states  courts are only required to apply rational basis review, the lowest standard of judicial review. The unique geographies and other factors present in U.S. territories almost certainly present a rational basis for Congress to treat people in these jurisdictions differently from those in the states.

On top of Congresss general taxing powers, the Territory Clause of the U.S. Constitution provides an independent basisseparate and apart from the Insular Casesfor Congress to treat people in U.S. territories differently when it comes to questions of federal taxation and benefits. As the Supreme Court recently held in United States v. Vaello Madero, [t]he Constitution affords Congress substantial discretion over how to structure federal tax and benefits programs for residents of the territories  all without any reliance on the Insular Cases. That is not to say this is necessarily a good thing. The United States was founded on the idea of self-determination and consent of the governed  two concepts that are entirely missing when it comes to the imposition of federal taxes and denial of federal benefits to people in U.S. territories (since they are denied both federal voting rights and self-determination).

Ultimately, the law is clear. For better or worse, Congress has broad discretion  unrelated to the Insular Cases  to treat people in territories different from each other or different from those in the 50 states. Overruling the Insular Cases would not impact the federal tax obligations or other special tax frameworks impacting those living in the U.S. territories. Fear over the imposition of new federal taxes or disrupting existing tax structures should not be a reason to perpetuate the racist colonial legal framework established by the Insular Cases.




Haiti - FLASH : Security Alert from the United States Embassy in Haiti





On Sunday April 13, 2025, the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, due to increased violence and insecurity, as well as threats and attacks against law enforcement and prisons, issued a security alert for American citizens.



Areas concerned :

Southern Coastal Zone including Tiburon, Les Anglais, and Les Cayes.

Centre Department, including Mirebalais, and Saut-dEau.

Artibonite Department including Saint-Marc, Petite-Riviere-de-lArtibonite, and Saviens.



Advice and precautionary measures to take :



 Avoid the areas.

 Do not travel to Haiti.

 Depart Haiti as soon as possible when commercial options are available if you feel safe to do so.

 Avoid crowds.

 Use extreme caution in areas where you are not known to local residents.

 Monitor local media for updates and avoid areas where violence, demonstrations, or disruptions are reported.

 Keep a low profile.

 Be aware of your surroundings.

 Be prepared to shelter in place for an extended time period.

 Avoid being outside after dark.

 Stay alert in areas frequented by foreign visitors.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Washington : Dialogue on Diaspora Electoral and Political Participation





Last week, the Embassy of Haiti in Washington, D.C. hosted a high-level dinner discussion between representatives of the Haitian diaspora and an official delegation led by Presidential Advisor Smith Augustin. The agenda included ongoing constitutional reform, the diaspora's electoral and political participation, and its role in Haiti's economic and institutional recovery.



In his address, Smith Augustin provided an overview of the situation in the country, emphasizing the urgency of breaking the cycle of violence, fragmentation, and exclusion through far-reaching structural reforms. He emphasized the need for a new political architecture "that recognizes and fully integrates the diaspora into governance mechanisms," emphasizing that "Haiti remains the only country in the region that does not guarantee political representation to its diaspora, a democratic anomaly that we must correct."



Representatives of the Haitian community expressed their desire to actively participate in the democratic process through :



- Effective voting rights;

- Official political representation;

- Increased engagement in strategic sectors of national development.



They also emphasized the urgent need for a clear, structured, and regularly communicated plan for their involvement in the democratic transition. Concrete proposals were made, such as:



- The creation of liaison units between Haitian institutions and the diaspora;

- The establishment of reliable and secure remote voting mechanisms;

- The development of an institutional status for the diaspora in the future architecture of the state.



In closing, Councilor Augustin reiterated the five priority areas of the Presidential Transitional Council : restoring security, constitutional reform, organizing credible and inclusive elections, rebuilding institutions, and civic engagement. He also emphasized the need to combat arms trafficking and ensure a safe, stable environment conducive to investment by the diaspora.



It should be noted that to date, more than 150,000 Haitian nationals in the diaspora are already registered on the electoral roll with the Embassy, a figure expected to grow as participation mechanisms are strengthened.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : CARICOM concerned about the threat of a Coup in Haiti





In a statement dated April 13, 2025, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said to be "deeply concerned" by recent reports that a coalition of criminal gangs is threatening to seize power and compel a change in the governance arrangements in Haiti at this time. This is completely unacceptable.



CARICOM strongly condemns any attempt to replace the transitional arrangements by force and violence. These arrangements were put in place by Haitian stakeholders to pave the way for free and fair elections by February 7, 2026, and to return Haiti to constitutional authority.



In view of the looming threat, CARICOM has been in consultation with Haiti and its international partners to urgently provide further security assistance to Haiti.



CARICOM salutes the efforts of the Haitian security forces and the MSS spearheaded by the Kenyans to enforce order and to protect the citizens of Haiti.



CARICOM urges the international community, including the United Nations and the Organisation of American States, to take all necessary steps to support the Haitian authorities as they address this crisis.



Following discussions between the Secretary of State and the Deputy Secretary of State with the Prime Minister of Barbados and Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mia Mottley, the United States supports the statement by CARICOM condemning any actions to destabilize Haitis Transitional Presidential Council



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44667-haiti-news-zapping.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















The US tax authorities have stored names, addresses, social security numbers and much more about American citizens in their databases  and everything is now to be transferred to centralized software from a private company. Engineers from the agency are already working on the project with representatives from the government organization DOGE and the software company Palantir. The latter was co-founded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel and is to supply the required cloud.

Anzeige

DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, was set up by Elon Musk, also a tech billionaire, and US President Donald Trump, who established the organization by decree. It aims to make the bureaucratic structures of the US state more efficient, and often to make massive cuts  The next turning point is likely to be at the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

All data to be transferred to Palantir

A spokesperson for the Treasury Department confirmed to US magazine Wired that an IRS team is already working on "streamlining the agency's systems and creating the most efficient service for American taxpayers." According to Wired information, a central application programming interface (API) is to be created for this purpose, which will bring together data from all IRS databases. This in turn is to be accessible with Palantir's Software Foundry, which is to provide a central "reading center" for all IRS systems.

This is apparently what those responsible hope to achieve: All tax data could be retrieved quickly and easily in one place. At API level, the data could then possibly even be compared with interoperable data sets from other US authorities.

Efficiency revelation or single point of failure?

On the other hand, the single point of failure that may arise with this structure seems to be no disadvantage at all  a single weak point that is enough to cause a complete system failure. Because where everything can be accessed with one API, unauthorized individuals only need to crack one API to access everything. This was recently demonstrated by security researcher Lilith Wittmann. She recently managed to access numerous data of hundreds of thousands of players via the poorly secured API of software for online casinos  ID cards, health data, bank documents and more. "It seems that other teams have always built the integration with third-party providers or for payment providers," Wittmann told heise online with regard to the software's poor authorization management.

Meanwhile, the team for the plans at the IRS is apparently made up as follows: In addition to several DOGE representatives, dozens of IRS software engineers and a handful of Palantir representatives are said to be working on the project, which was initially called a hackathon by DOGE this week, Wired had previously reported. Typically for US tech companies, this is an event where a large number of people come together to program together. The aim is for the group to create a solution to a specific problem within a specified time  often using agile development tools.

Anzeige

The magazine also learned from the DOGE team that only around 30 days are planned for the development of the API in question. The team is led by Sam Corcos, whose company is developing a health app and who previously worked as an engineer for Elon Musk at SpaceX.

Palantir is likely to be delighted with the new explosive government contract. The company has already won several others and earned billions of US dollars. Including from Germany, where the Bavarian police are already using a "cross-procedural research and analysis platform" (VeRA) based on Palantir's "Gotham" software; similar systems are also in use in Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. Palantir's products are considered reliable, but also controversial, because they attempt to penetrate as deeply as possible into as many private and state areas as possible; the implementation of the IRS plans would be a new milestone in this respect.

(nen)

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 figure marks an increase from the previous studies in 2023 and 2021. The survey, commissioned by the Helsinki Tourism Foundation, included responses from 956 residents. It found strong support for tourism development, with 71 percent in favour of attracting more visitors to the Finnish capital.

A new survey shows 78 percent of Helsinki residents feel proud of their city as a tourist destination.

Respondents cited tourisms positive impact on the economy and cultural life. Satisfaction with living in Helsinki remains stable, with 80 percent saying they enjoy living in the city. The figure is nearly unchanged since 2023.

Concerns about the negative impact of tourism remain low but have risen slightly. The share of residents reporting frequent or constant harm from tourism doubled from 5 percent in 2023 to 10 percent in 2025. Littering and cleanliness were named as the primary concerns. Crowding was mentioned less often than in earlier surveys.

Jukka Punamaki, Helsinkis special planner for tourism, said in a statement, It is good to see residents are proud of the citys appeal and liveability. At the same time, it is important that tourism development takes residents experiences and wellbeing into account.

Support for tourism has also translated into action. The number of residents willing to help and guide visitors has risen. In 2023, 73 percent said they did so gladly. That figure rose to 78 percent in the new survey.

Preferences for tourism development have shifted. In 2023, 22 percent prioritised improving cultural offerings and sightseeing. In 2025, only 9 percent did. Instead, 25 percent called for more events and activities.

Residents now see events as the most important area for development, Punamaki said. The emphasis has clearly moved from traditional sightseeing to experiences.

More than half of respondents said events increase the citys appeal and bring international exposure. Events were also seen to strengthen the economy and improve liveability. Many respondents said Helsinki should seek to host major international events more actively.

The research was conducted by Visitory Oy as a panel survey in February 2025. The initial sample was 1021 residents, but incomplete responses led to a final sample size of 956. The data was weighted to reflect the age and gender distribution of Helsinki residents aged 15 and older.

A separate part of the study focused on tourist behaviour and stay duration. It was done in cooperation with influencer Varpu Rusila, who runs the Her Finland account.

An Instagram survey conducted through her account gathered nearly 13,000 responses. Among potential visitors to Helsinki, 40 percent said they would stay three to four days. Another 22 percent planned to stay one to two days.

After participants were shown custom-made Helsinki videos and offered a downloadable guide titled 50 free things to do in Helsinki, the data changed. The guide was downloaded or saved over 4,300 times.

Follow-up questions revealed a decrease in planned short visits. One to two-day visits dropped from 22 to 15 percent. Longer stays of more than seven days increased from 21 to 28 percent.

Rusila wrote in the final report that influencing trip duration should start during the planning stage, when accommodation and activities are being selected.

Many international tourists fall for Helsinki when they are already here, but by then, extending their stay is no longer possible, Rusila stated.

The survey findings suggest that a combination of resident support, event-driven development, and targeted digital outreach can shape perceptions and travel behaviour.

HT
Yles Finnish-language TV election night broadcast on Sunday 13 April reached nearly 2.1 million viewers. The average audience was 706,000, peaking at 1.1 million at 21:00.

Finns showed strong interest in the country's first joint regional and municipal elections, with Yle reporting millions of viewers and online users engaging with its election programming and digital services.

Yle Areena, Yles website and app recorded 732,000 starts of the programme.

The Swedish-language election night broadcast on Yle Fem reached 166,000 viewers, with a peak audience of 33,000 at 21:30. On Yle Areena, the Swedish-language programme had 48,000 starts.

Yles online results service registered over 4.1 million page views during the vote count. The service provided real-time updates on vote tallies. Yles election compass tool, launched in March, also remained popular, drawing 3.5 million front page views.

Yles major election debates also attracted wide audiences. The grand debate aired on 10 April reached 1.1 million viewers. The party leader debates from 25 to 27 March averaged 921,000 viewers. The small party debate on 8 April drew 955,000 viewers. A bilingual party leader debate broadcast on 7 April by Svenska Yle reached 224,000 viewers.

Across Yles digital services, a total of 713,000 video starts were recorded for all election programming on Areena and the website. Coverage on Yle.fi and its app saw 10.2 million page views during the election period. On election day alone, there were 2.5 million visits to the Yle.fi homepage and app, with the traffic peaking at 20:00.

Live chat discussions during election broadcasts were also active. A total of 2,400 unique visitors took part in the Finnish- and Swedish-language chats during the result night programmes.

Yles coverage aimed to provide nationwide perspectives.

While headlines have been dominated by Trump and the war in Ukraine, we kept regional and municipal issues in the spotlight and encouraged broad public engagement, said Paula Pokkinen, editorial manager for elections at Yle. Im especially pleased with the content we produced from across Finland, covering topics from long school commutes for children to the entrepreneurial spirit in various regions. These elections were truly national, yet every municipality and region had its own story.

The use of Yles election compass also indicated continued demand for tools that help voters engage with politics.

HT
Preliminary figures show that 83,700 votes were rejected in the regional elections and 41,700 in the municipal contests. Both figures represent a sharp rise from previous years. In the 2022 regional elections, the number of invalid ballots was just over 7,100. In the 2021 municipal elections, 11,500 votes were disqualified.

More than 120,000 votes were disqualified in Finlands recent municipal and regional elections, with officials pointing to voter confusion and procedural mistakes as the likely cause.

According to Arto Jaaskelainen, the election director at the Ministry of Justice, there is no single explanation for the spike. It is difficult to blame the system alone, he said. Jaaskelainen noted that the occurrence of two elections simultaneously may have contributed to the problem.

In Helsinki, where only municipal elections took place, the rejection rate was just 0.7 percent. By contrast, in areas where voters received two ballotsone for the municipality and one for the regional councilthe invalidation rate in regional elections rose to 4.1 percent. The corresponding rate for municipal votes was 1.7 percent.

The disparity has raised questions about whether some voters chose to abstain from the regional vote while still participating in the municipal one. Jaaskelainen cited a historical parallel in 1996, when voters simultaneously cast ballots in municipal and European Parliament elections. That year, the rejection rate was 1.4 percent for the municipal vote and 4.9 percent for the European contest.

In the Pirkanmaa welfare region, more than 8,900 regional votes were declared invalid, compared to just 861 in 2022. In North Ostrobothnia, over 6,400 were rejected, up from 541. For the municipal vote, Tampere recorded the highest number of invalid ballots at nearly 2,200, a significant increase from 415 in 2021. Oulu followed with over 1,600 rejections, up from 367.

The Ministry of Justice believes a range of common errors contributed. Some ballots were left blank. Others were marked with drawings or messages rather than candidate numbers. Jaaskelainen said that some voters had used the opportunity to intentionally spoil their ballots. They want to make a point with their rejection, he said.

Another error involved voters mixing up candidate numbers. For example, a number meant for a regional candidate may have been written on a municipal ballot or vice versa. While the difference between handwritten numbers like 1 and 7 was not a frequent issue, some handwriting was illegible.

In Vantaa, a slower, staggered ballot system was trialled to reduce confusion. The city still recorded invalidation rates in line with national averages, suggesting the approach did not significantly affect voter accuracy.

Despite the rise in errors, the Ministry of Justice has no plans to introduce electronic voting. I dont believe it would reduce mistakes, Jaaskelainen said. People also make errors with clicking and typing. We are not moving towards electronic voting.

He added that mistakes occur in all voting systems, and confidence in paper ballots remains high. The election board is waiting for final recounts before drawing any procedural conclusions.

The Ministry has previously conducted a study on the impact of combining elections and found a recurring pattern of increased errors. The current figures reinforce that finding, with clear signs that double ballots increase the chance of mistakes and abstention from one of the votes.

HT
The digital toolkit, developed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, includes resources for managing stress, assessing recovery practices, and improving supervisory work. It has been a key part of the Mental Health at Work Programme, which aims to embed mental well-being into everyday work practices.

Thousands of Finnish workplaces have adopted practical tools to improve mental health and well-being at work, with nearly 130,000 recorded uses of the Mental Health Toolkit over the past two years.

The most-used feature was the "How are you doing?" workplace well-being test, which enables employees and teams to reflect on their current state and identify areas needing attention.

"People often talk about the mental health crisis, but this project has taken actionfocusing on teams and structures, not just individuals," said Sara Lindstrom, Project Manager for the Mental Health Toolkit.

According to data from the How is Finland doing? study, the downward trend in workplace well-being appears to have levelled off in late 2024. Absences due to mental health conditions, which had increased steadily in recent years, also stabilised during the same period.

Over 2,600 work communities and occupational health units have participated in the institutes free training and events since 2023. Ninety-eight percent of participants said they planned to apply what they learned in their workplaces.

One of the factors behind the popularity of the toolkit is its flexibility. Managers and employees are often pressed for time, and the tools have been designed for use in short, focused sessions.

"Theres rarely time for large-scale initiatives. Thats why these tools workthey can be used during routine meetings or after workplace surveys," said Pauliina Mattila-Holappa, Project Director at the institute.

Examples of implementation include a large specialist organisation using the Recovery Calculator to address issues in work-life balance and recovery, while a wellbeing services county used the Resilience Toolkit to streamline operations in one of its units.

The initiative has helped workplaces identify not only areas for improvement but also practices already working well.

"Mental well-being is part of work ability. Supporting it should be built into day-to-day managementnot treated as a separate task," said Mattila-Holappa.

The toolkits strength lies in its emphasis on community-wide practices rather than individual responsibility. According to the institute, structural and cultural changes require collective action and cooperation.

"Effective change doesnt happen at the individual level alone. These tools support dialogue and collaboration," said Lindstrom.

During the current extension of the project, the focus has been expanded to include stronger partnerships with occupational health and safety teams.

"The aim now is to develop co-operation structures so that the support for workplace well-being is comprehensive, not isolated," said Salla Toppinen-Tanner, Director at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

The Mental Health Toolkit remains freely accessible to all workplaces in Finland.

HT
The 2025 equality barometer, conducted by Teosto in cooperation with ten other industry organisations, found that 53 percent of respondents viewed the music field as equal. This marks a slight rise from 49 percent the previous year.

Finlands music industry is showing signs of progress on equality, but discrimination and inappropriate treatment continue to affect a large share of professionals, according to a new survey.

Perceptions of fairness varied by gender and position. While 60 percent of men considered the industry equal, only 41 percent of women shared that view. Overall, just 43 percent of all respondents believed that everyone has equal opportunities to succeed in the sector.

Almost 1,500 professionals responded to the survey. Many reported working in multiple roles such as performer, composer, producer or educator.

Despite the growing awareness, nearly one-third of all respondents said they had faced discrimination or inappropriate treatment in the past year. Among women, the figure rose to 42 percent, compared to 18 percent among men. One in three women reported gender-based discrimination, while only four percent of men experienced the same.

Among minority respondents, about one-third reported discrimination based on gender identity or ethnicity. Freelancers, entrepreneurs and young professionals reported the highest rates of inappropriate behaviour. Age-related discrimination peaked among those aged 25 to 34, with nearly one in four affected.

Most respondents linked discrimination to negative impacts on their careers. Over two-thirds said it had limited their professional development, networking opportunities or creative output. Some young people reported that their experiences had caused them to consider leaving the industry altogether.

The most common forms of inappropriate treatment included dismissive comments, belittling of competence and having ideas ignored or questioned. Only a third of those affected reported the incidents. Many cited a lack of appropriate channels or feared repercussions for speaking out.

"Theres clearly a gap between recognising the problem and knowing what to do about it," said Vappu Aura, Director of Communications at Teosto. "We need new, accessible reporting mechanisms."

The survey found that 93 percent of respondents consider equality an important value, and over 80 percent want to see concrete action. Key areas for improvement include clearer reporting systems, fairer hiring and mentoring practices, and reforms in training and education.

According to Aura, recent years have seen encouraging shifts. Public discussion and stronger industry guidelines have begun to make an impact.

Three-quarters of respondents said the industry welcomes diversity, and 68 percent believed that people are generally treated with respect. However, only 47 percent of women, compared to 65 percent of men, agreed with that statement.

Respondents pointed to income insecurity, short-term contracts and the concentration of decision-making power as key structural barriers. Many, especially women and non-binary people, described access to networks as critical but difficult.

Public debate, role models and outspoken individuals were listed as the most effective tools for changing attitudes. Seventy-two percent said media discussion plays a key role, followed by courageous examples (60 percent) and the promotion of role models (41 percent).

The barometer also highlighted a shortfall in education. Fewer than half of music teachers said that equality and non-discrimination are adequately covered in their curricula. The report stresses the importance of addressing these issues in education, as teachers influence the values of new generations entering the industry.

The 2025 equality barometer was carried out by Tutkimustoimisto Vastakaiku Oy and coordinated by Teosto. Partners included Gramex, Music Finland, IFPI Finland, Finnish Musicians Union and others. The results were compared with the 2024 survey and have a statistical confidence level of 95 percent, with a margin of error of 2.7 percent.

HT
Riikka Purra , chair of the Finns Party, described the outcome as ugly numbers. She said the results represented an unprecedented red shift in Finnish politics.

The party received less than 8 percent of votes in both contests. In 2021 municipal elections, the figure was 14.5 percent.

Support for the Finns Party fell sharply in Finlands 2025 municipal and regional elections.

The opposition succeeded in harnessing public dissatisfaction without offering alternatives, while blaming the government for the economic downturn, Purra told party members.

The Social Democratic Party made significant gains, winning 23 percent of the municipal vote and 22.5 percent in regional elections. In the previous municipal elections, the party received under 18 percent.

It's been 20 years since our last win, but now weve done it. This is a historic rise, Antti Lindtman, SDP chair, said to supporters on Sunday evening.

The election was the first major success under Lindtman, whose leadership had faced pressure following poor results in the presidential and European Parliament elections.

Voter turnout was low. In the municipal election, participation reached 54.2 percent. In the regional vote, turnout was 51.7 percent.

Despite leading in early counts in Helsinki, SDP was eventually overtaken by the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus). However, SDP won in Vantaa, Tampere and Turku.

Kokoomus held its ground overall but saw its long winning streak end. The party had led six consecutive national elections under Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

We promised to repair Finland, even if that requires tough decisions. Weve kept that promise, and despite criticism, our support remains, Orpo said.

Other parties showed mixed results. The Centre Party increased its vote share by 1.6 percentage points, while the Left Alliance rose by 1.3 points. The Green League's municipal support remained unchanged at around 10 percent but improved in the regional vote.

Among smaller parties, the Christian Democrats gained nearly 5 percent in the regional vote, mostly due to the success of their regional campaigns aimed at promoting responsible gambling practices. Movement Now saw its support fall to around 0.5 percent in both contests.

The most symbolic result of the night came in Turku, where SDP ended Kokoomus control for the first time since 1992.

SDP received more votes than Kokoomus in the city. The result triggered celebrations among supporters, including local chair Mari Lahti and regional leader Niina Alho.

Turku is red, Lahti told the crowd. This is an unbelievable moment.

Kokoomus first became Turkus largest party in 1976. Since then, SDP only held the top position once, in 1992. Kokoomus returned to power after that and maintained control until this election.

Current deputy mayor for education Piia Elo served as SDPs mayoral candidate. She is expected to begin negotiations for the mayoral agreement.

I didnt expect to win, Elo said. I thought we would do well based on polls and public response, but this is something else.

If negotiations succeed, Elo will become Turkus new mayor. She said leading her hometown and place of birth would be an important responsibility.

I will make sure people in Turku are doing well, she said.

SDP veteran Mika Maaskola, current chair of the city council, called the result a real and deserved win. Former party secretary Ari Korhonen credited the result to government budget cuts, particularly those led by finance minister Riikka Purra.

Aki Linden, SDPs top vote-getter in Turku, was not present at the celebrations. Linden received more votes than Prime Minister Orpo in the city.

In the surrounding areas, support for SDP also grew. In Raisio, the party's local chair Aleksi Suro, 23, and supporter Samuli Sundell, 22, joined the Turku victory party.

Raisio is red too, Suro said, as maps confirmed the party's spread across the region.

HT
Investigations by NRK and Danwatch revealed that at least seven vessels operating in the Gulf of Finland, including one named Achilles, presented fake insurance certificates issued by a company called Ro Marine.

Russian oil tankers tied to the so-called shadow fleet have sailed through NATO inspections in the Baltic Sea using forged insurance documents, with Norwegian authorities aware of the fraud but failing to notify their Nordic partners.

Norwegian authorities had been aware of the forgeries since January, but neither Finland nor Denmark were warned.

The vessel Achilles departed the Russian port of Primorsk on 12 March and passed through international inspections coordinated by Finnish and Danish officials, part of an effort to enforce sanctions and prevent unregulated transport of Russian oil. At the time, the documentation appeared legitimate.

Norwegian public broadcaster NRK later confirmed that the Achilles and dozens of other vessels were operating with falsified papers claiming insurance coverage by Ro Marine, a company not authorised to conduct such business. Norways Financial Supervisory Authority confirmed that the certificates used a forged template, included signatures from non-existent officials, and bore seals the agency has never used.

Finland only became aware of the issue on 24 March, when journalists investigating the fraud contacted the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom). The original message came from Danwatch, said Sanna Sonninen, maritime director at Traficom.

Ro Marine, which claims to be a global insurance provider for maritime freight, listed its address in the same building as the Norwegian Shipowners Association. Both claims are false. The company is not registered to operate in the insurance sector, and the address is unrelated.

According to official Norwegian business records, the current owner of Ro Marine is a Russian citizen from St Petersburg, who also serves as the companys director. NRK reports that this individual has links to other business activities in Norway. Four individualsone Russian, one Bulgarian and two Norwegiansare now under investigation on suspicion of document forgery and unauthorised business operations. The Norwegians deny wrongdoing and claim no active role in the companys current activities.

Norwegian authorities had learned of the forged documents after being contacted in September 2024 by a Ghanaian insurance employee seeking to verify the legitimacy of Ro Marine. A screenshot of the suspect document was attached to the inquiry. Norways Financial Supervisory Authority quickly determined the paper was fake and informed the Directorate for Export Control and Sanctions (DEKSA), which passed the information to the Norwegian Police Security Service. According to DEKSA, there was no protocol requiring foreign partners to be alerted.

Norways State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the failure. Our neighbouring countries should have been warned earlier. We are reviewing our procedures to understand why that did not happen, he said.

The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Committee chair, Ine Eriksen Sreide, also criticised the lapse, calling for improved coordination between ministries and agencies. She stated that preventing circumvention of sanctions requires close cooperation across multiple sectors and stronger international links, especially with Nordic allies.

Denmark also confirmed it had not been warned about the fake documents until contacted by NRK and Danwatch. Following the revelations, Danish officials requested information from Norways Ministry of Trade and Fisheries and later escalated the matter to a ministerial level discussion between Morten Bdskov, Denmarks Minister for Industry, and Marianne Sivertsen Nss, Norways Minister for Fisheries and Oceans.

The episode has led to calls for tighter enforcement of sanctions, more transparent coordination, and the reassessment of cross-border warning systems to ensure the effectiveness of maritime controls.

HT
Man gets prison time for threatening deputies with shotgun

Jeromy Swaringen

A 42-year-old Hendersonville man was sentenced to up to 6 years in prison on Thursday after a jury convicted him on a charge of felony assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, District Attorney R. Andrew Murray announced.

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Superior Court Judge William Stetzer presided over the four-day jury trial in Henderson County court and sentenced the defendant, Jeromy Swaringen, after the trial concluded.

According to the investigation and court trial records, Henderson County sheriff's deputies responded to a health and welfare check call for service to Swaringens Howard Gap Road residence during nighttime hours of Aug. 29, 2022.

According to a 911 call, a neighbor reported that she heard a female yelling for help, followed by a gunshot and then silence. When deputies reached the house, Swaringen came out onto the porch with a shotgun pointed at deputies, who took cover as best they could below the porch and behind the structural support beams.

Swaringen refused multiple demands by deputies to put the firearm down. At first, the defendant told officers they had no business being there and went back into the house. Deputies attempted to speak with the defendant's girlfriend, who had exited the residence with him. Within minutes, the defendant came back out on the porch, pointed the shotgun directly at Sgt. Carlos Montoya, who had moved to a cover position behind a parked vehicle, while screaming Kill me motherf----.

At that point, fearing for their safety, the deputies discharged multiple rounds from their weapons, striking the defendant in the shoulder. After confirming that Swaringen was down and the shotgun was not within his reach, deputies entered the porch. They administered life-saving care until EMS arrived and treated Swaringen. He was transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury to his right arm.
HE was the ultimate Bond villain, fighting against MI6, in 2021s No Time to Die and now the tables are turned as Rami Malek plays introverted CIA decoder and surveillance expert Charlie Heller in revenge thriller The Amateur (12A), released at the Regal Picturehouse in Henley today (Friday).

While he is working in America, his wife is killed in a terrorist attack in London. When his bosses refuse to get involved, he goes on a one-man mission across the globe to find those who did it.

Directed by James Hawes, who also directed the first six episodes of Slow Horses, the films cast also includes Laurence Fishburne, Julianne Nicholson and Michael Stuhlbarg. It has a running time of about two hours.

Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche star in The Return (15), a retelling of the ancient Greek poet Homers story The Odyssey by director Uberto Pasolini.

Odysseus (Fiennes), the king of Ithaca, returns home, broken by the loss of all his men in the Trojan War a decade earlier.

His wife, Penelope (Binoche), is held captive by men vying for the role of king and their sons life is threatened. Odysseus has to face the past to battle for his position. The film has a running time of about two hours.

One to One: John and Yoko (15), a documentary by Kevin Macdonald and Sam Rice-Edwards, focuses on when John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were first making New York City their home. It has a running time of one hour, 41 minutes.

One-off screenings include a rendering of the Easter story in The Chosen: The Last Supper Part 1 (12A), Andre Rieus 75th Birthday Celebration (PG) and a relaxed screening of The Stimming Pool (12A), a film created by neurodivergent filmmakers, giving their view on living in a world made for the neurotypical.

Continuing are A Minecraft Movie (PG), Mr Burton (12A) and SIX The Musical Live! (12A).
THE Kings Swan Marker has described avian influenza as becoming more of a problem than it has ever been.

David Barber leads representatives of the Crown and the Vintners and Dyers Livery Companies to carry out a census of the bird population on the River Thames every July.

Mr Barber, who lives in Ibstone and has been part of the annual survey for 32 years, said no swans on the Thames had been impacted so far but numbers were still recovering from a previous outbreak.

The first case of the latest outbreak was confirmed in England last November and now there are more than 50 cases in England.

A mandatory housing prevention zone has been established across parts of the country, which means farmers must keep poultry fenced in or indoors to prevent contact with wild birds.

Mr Barber said: I think avian influenza is becoming more of a problem than it has ever been.

We have been pretty lucky over the last few years but two years ago it did go right through the whole year. At the moment, we havent had much of an outbreak on the River Thames. Further up, there have been a couple of cases but not in our area. Naturally, we are very concerned about it because avian flu is spreading pretty badly in different areas.

Mr Barber said he hoped that the swans would be okay ahead of Henley Royal Regatta when they are moved from the Thames to Swan Support in Windsor.

He said that while the Thames area had been generally lucky with avian flu in the past, numbers were depleted following a bad bout of the disease in 2022.

He said: Two or three years ago we had quite a few swans die. At Windsor, over one weekend, we had nearly 70 swans die, which was absolutely horrendous.

The affected swans, they paddle like mad in a circle and their heads go in and out of the water and its horrific.

If we see any like that, naturally they have to be put down rapidly.

Mr Barber said that previous outbreaks of the disease were still affecting cygnet numbers today, which have decreased year on year.

He said: Last year was 84 cygnets, the year before that was 96 cygnets and before that, we were up in the 140s. So the flu has affected the population quite a lot.

As well as in birds, a number of avian influenza cases has also been confirmed in non-avian wildlife.

Last month, a case of avian influenza was found in a sheep in Yorkshire. It is thought to be the first time in the world a case of the disease has been detected in the animal. In Norfolk, more than a dozen grey seals reportedly had the disease as well as foxes in Scotland.

A person working on a farm in the West Midlands also contracted the disease.
China works with neighboring countries for better future

09:32, April 14, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily

Photo shows a view of the Malaysian branch of China's Xiamen University. (People's Daily/Yang Yi)

A central conference on work related to neighboring countries was held in Beijing from April 8 to 9. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the conference.

In his speech, Xi systematically summarized the achievements and experience of China's neighborhood work in the new era, scientifically analyzed the current situation, and outlined the goals, tasks, ideas and measures for the next phase of neighborhood work. He has called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for China's neighborhood work.

In today's increasingly complex international landscape, China will be rooted in and contribute to its neighborhood, committed to building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. China's continued engagement has brought much-needed stability and positive energy into the changing and turbulent world.

China's vast territory and long borders make its neighborhood a vital foundation for achieving national development and prosperity, a key front for safeguarding national security, a priority area in the country's overall diplomacy, and a crucial link in building a community with a shared future for humanity..

To date, China has reached common understandings on building a community with a shared future with 17 neighboring countries, signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighboring countries, worked to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the cooperation plans of ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union, and remained the largest trading partner of its 18 neighbors.

Political mutual trust and shared interests between China and its neighbors continue to deepen. China's longstanding principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy are gaining broader traction across the region. More and more, countries in the region are embracing the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness.

China has long aligned its own development with the aspirations of its neighbors, fostering shared prosperity and progress. The country's high-quality development and a favorable neighborhood environment are mutually reinforcing, creating a virtuous cycle that strengthens both China and the surrounding region.

The BRI, born in China's neighborhood and benefiting its neighbors, continues to drive regional development. The China-Europe freight train network now connects over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. Meanwhile, the China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have brought high-speed rail dreams to life for regional countries. Major projects such as the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" model between China and Malaysia have significantly boosted local economies and improved livelihoods.

Staff members work at the monitoring and services center of the Chinese-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway in Cambodia. (People's Daily/Zhao Yipu)

China's embrace of open regionalism has further advanced its approach to shared growth, offering development opportunities rooted in mutual respect and win-win cooperation. As a major trading partner and a key source of investment in the region, China has concluded the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with relevant countries, and the upgraded Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is expected to be signed within the year. Through high-quality development and high-level opening up, China continues to deliver long-term benefits to its neighbors and share the dividends of Chinese modernization.

At present, China's relations with its neighbors are in their best period in modern times. Meanwhile, they are entering a stage of deep interconnection between the regional situation and the evolution of the global landscape.

The collective rise of the Global South is becoming a major force for advancing multipolarity. China's neighborhood is home to many Global South countries. China's efforts to make innovations in regional cooperation mechanisms will galvanize greater solidarity, opening up and shared progress across the region.

China has played an active role in promoting cooperation under the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, East Asian Cooperation, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. It has initiated platforms such as the China-Central Asia Cooperation and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, while hosting the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations. Together, these efforts create a growing web of multi-layered, cross-sector cooperation - reflecting China's commitment to working with its neighbors to uphold true multilateralism.

A bullet train runs in the Yuxi section of the China-Laos Railway in southwest China's Yunnan province. (People's Daily Online/Zheng Yi)

On global issues such as climate change, cybersecurity, and sustainable development, China maintains close communication and cooperation with its neighbors, contributing "Asian strength" to the reform of the global governance system.

Together with its neighbors, China is committed to creating a better future for the region and bringing more stability and hope to the world.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Du Mingming)
Xi says China to join neighboring countries for Asia's modernization

Xinhua) 09:34, April 14, 2025

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China will deepen friendly cooperation with neighboring countries and jointly advance Asia's modernization.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article titled "Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals." The article was published on Monday by the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam ahead of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Noting that Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development, Xi said that at a new starting point toward revitalization of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

"China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighbourhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness," he wrote, adding that "we will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbours."

"Today, global, epoch-making and historical changes are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent transformation," Xi said, adding that China remains a key engine of the world economy.

"China will continue to provide more opportunities to the world with its high standard, and will contribute to the development of all countries with its high-quality development," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he and his family were forced to evacuate their official residence after a suspected arsonist set fire to the home.

The Democrat, frequently mentioned as a potential future White House candidate, said he was woken in the middle of the night by authorities banging on the door as the fire spread.

"Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished," Shapiro said in a statement on X on Sunday morning.

The governor and state authorities believe the fire was deliberately set, though no arrests have been made. Shapiro confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident.

The blaze occurred after Shapiro and his family celebrated the first night of Passover at their home in Harrisburg, the state capital.

State authorities reported that while the fire was brought under control, it caused "a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence."

According to police, Shapiro and his family were in a different section of the brick Georgian-style home when the fire was ignited.

Shapiro said the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded quickly to contain the flames, while police evacuated the governor and his family.

Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in the case.

Shapiro and his wife, Lori, have four children: Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben.

The governor was previously considered a potential running mate for former Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2024 presidential campaign. Harris ultimately chose former Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The Pennsylvania Governor's Residence, located in Harrisburg, is a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style home built in 1968. It has served as the official residence for eight governors.

Shapiro has served as Pennsylvania's governor since 2023, following his tenure as the state's attorney general.
US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Salvadoran counterpart Nayib Bukele on Monday, who has won heaping praise from Washington for partnering in its legally contested migrant crackdown.

Bukele is viewed as the Trump administration's closest ally in Latin America and enjoys broad support at home for his own strongfisted campaign against criminal groups.

Shortly after Trump's inauguration to a second term, Bukele made the extraordinary offer to take in prisoners from the United States.

Trump took the Salvadoran leader up on his proposal last month, sending over 250 migrants there in a rapid deportation blitz that came just hours after he invoked a rarely used law dating to 1798.

In El Salvador, the deportees were ushered into the notorious CECOT mega-prison, a crown jewel of Bukele's anti-gang efforts.

The Trump administration has contended that the migrants were members of criminal gangs designated by the United States as terrorist organizations, but relatives of several of the men contend they have no connection to organized crime.

One case in particular, that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, has set off a major legal row, after the Trump administration admitted he had been deported in an "administrative error."

A federal judge has ordered the government to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return to the United States, but Trump officials contend he is now solely in Salvadoran custody.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said last week that the prison partnership would feature in Trump and Bukele's discussion.

Trump wrote on social media on Saturday that "our nations are working closely together to eradicate terrorist organizations and build a future of Prosperity."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that 10 further "criminals" had arrived in El Salvador.

"The alliance between (Donald Trump) and President (Bukele) has become an example for security and prosperity in our hemisphere," he wrote on X.

Aside from political benefits for both leaders, Bukele's offer to take in deportees serves as a potential security and economic boon for him.

His government received $6 million for taking deportees, which Bukele described as "a very low fee for them, but a high one for us."

Despite the partnership, El Salvador was among the dozens of US trade partners that the Trump administration slapped with 10 percent tariffs.

The United States is the main destination for Salvadoran exports. Of the nearly $6.5 billion in goods exported from El Salvador in 2024, $2.1 billion went to the United States, including clothing, sugar and coffee, according to the central bank.

For this reason, the president of the Salvadoran Industrial Association, Jorge Arriaza, hopes Bukele's visit to the White House will provide "a little more clarity" about the tariff's implementation.

The United States is home to 2.5 million Salvadorans who are a mainstay of their native country's economy.

El Salvador received $8.5 billion in family remittances in 2024, 23 percent of the country's GDP.

In January and February, remittances grew 14 percent compared to the same period in 2024, due to fears over deportation, according to economists.
Terra and Turnberry, two of South Florida's leading real estate development firms, have secured $392 million in construction financing that will help advance the development of Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800-room, 17-story property adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center. The financing was provided by TYKO Capital, a multi-billion-dollar commercial real estate private equity and private credit investment management platform, backed by Elliott Investment Management and led by Adi Chugh. With pre-construction sitework already completed, the financing paves the way for the project's groundbreaking, with delivery slated for late 2027.

Strategically located at 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will provide seamless access to the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. With resort-style amenities, the hotel will aim to serve as Miami Beach's first major convention hotel adjacent to and connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center, enhancing the city's ability to attract major national and international clients.

Designed by Arquitectonica's Bernardo Fort-Brescia, the property will feature 12 floors of guest rooms, including 52 suites with sweeping views of Miami Beach, along with four floors of meeting and ballroom spaces that will complement the Miami Beach Convention Center's event programming. Guests will be able to enjoy a resort-style pool deck with panoramic city views, a signature restaurant, lobby lounge and bar, as well as retail space designed to activate the street-level pedestrian experience. Additionally, a climate-controlled skybridge will provide seamless access between the hotel and the Miami Beach Convention Center, enhancing connectivity and convenience for event attendees.

The financing news comes on the heels of a $75 million grant that the development was awarded through the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency in late 2024, underscoring its role as a critical economic driver for the region. The grant reflects strong public and private support for the hotel's potential to enhance Miami Beach's global competitiveness as a premier destination for meetings, conferences and events.

The development also plans to introduce new public spaces, pedestrian-friendly promenades, bike-sharing stations, and connectivity to public transit, aligning with Miami Beach's broader sustainability and resilience goals while providing access to the city's nearby Lincoln Road district.

Grand Hyatt Miami Beach has been years in the making, with plans for the hotel overwhelmingly approved by Miami Beach voters in 2018. The project is a key component of the city's efforts to transform its Convention Center District into a more dynamic, walkable and economically vibrant hub.

Hotel website
Northstar Travel Group's BTN Group announced the launch of the Business Travel Show Asia Pacific, scheduled to take place 16-17 April 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This highly anticipated event comes on the heels of Northstar Meetings Group's successful launch of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific which welcomed over 1,000 MICE industry professionals last month. Both shows, The Meetings Show Asia Pacific and Business Travel Show Asia Pacific, will be co-located in 2025 representing a major milestone for parent company Northstar Travel Group. Singapore's vibrant business ecosystem complemented with its strong accessibility, focus on innovation and sustainability, made it a clear choice when determining where to co-locate the two shows.

With a format inspired by the 30-year success of the Business Travel Show Europe, the Business Travel Show Asia Pacific promises a blend of innovation, education, and networking opportunities. The largest gathering of business travel community in Singapore will see corporate travel professionals meet with suppliers at the forefront of the industry, learn about best practices and latest technology in educational sessions, and connect with colleagues and network. The show will also feature its unique hosted buyer programme, which brings pre-qualified budget-holding top-level decision-makers to the event to pre-schedule meetings with exhibitors. This programme is a key pillar of the show's ongoing success in Europe since 2012.

The Business Travel Show Asia Pacific and The Meeting Show Asia Pacific are supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Business Travel Show Asia Pacific joins Northstar's portfolio of signature APAC events including Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) on 28-30 August 2024, WiT Singapore on 14-16 October 2024, and CruiseWorld Asia in October 2024.

This event is organized by NORTHSTAR Travel Group
UN Tourism has welcomed Vienna as the newest member of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). With this, Vienna becomes part of a global alliance of 46 destinations dedicated to monitoring tourisms economic, environmental and social impact at the destination level.

We warmly welcome Vienna to the INSTO network. By joining this global initiative This commitment to sustainability bringing value not only to individual businesses but significantly enhancing the well-being of the entire destination. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism

Through the Sustainable Tourism Observatory, Vienna fosters dialogue, innovation and collective stewardship to co-create sustainable destination development, ensuring tourism enhances the quality of life for all, while preserving Viennas unique cultural and natural resources. Norbert Kettner, CEO of Vienna Tourist Board

Viennas Strategy as a Global Benchmark

Viennas acceptance into INSTO coincides strategically with the launch of its comprehensive Visitor Economy Strategy, a model for integrating sustainability into long-term tourism planning. This holistic approach balances the needs of residents and visitors, responsibly manages natural resources, and prioritizes quality of life. Vienna explicitly recognizes that sustainable tourism involves growth that enhances rather than compromises its identity.

The establishment of the Sustainable Tourism Observatory is central to the implementation of Vienna's Visitor Economy Strategy. It directly supports the city's broader ambitions outlined in the Smart Climate City Strategy and the Vienna 2030 - Economy and Innovation location strategy. Through the Sustainable Tourism Observatory, Vienna underscores its commitment to accountability and leadership in sustainability, significantly enhancing its reputation both locally and internationally as a sustainable and innovative travel destination.

About INSTO

The International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), an initiative of UN Tourism, supports destinations in monitoring tourisms economic, environmental, and social impact. By promoting evidence-based decision-making, INSTO helps ensure tourisms long-term sustainability and resilience.

About UN Tourism

UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council takes all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly. UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The election for Secretary General will be in May 2025.
Executive Summary

Hotel loyalty programs have evolved from frequent-traveler retention tools to broad-based demand drivers. While the growth of loyalty program membership may make it harder to target the most highly valued guests, the 2024 data confirms that hotel loyalty programs remain a relatively cost-efficient way to drive occupancy.

A record 21 brand launches and partnerships in 2024 attracted new guests and a variety of new use cases, driving loyalty program membership and hotel occupancy. Membership surged 14.5% in 2024, outpacing room growth and pushing members per room up by 7.4%.

Average member contribution to occupancy rose to 52.8% but room nights per member dipped. More members are staying, but each one is staying less often, likely due to the influx of credit card members and the dilution of the traditional road warrior. The challenge is to convert these retail travelers into repeat guests.

Members are redeeming points as fast as they earn them, with liability per member falling by 5.3%. Hotels should focus on maximizing redemptions that fill shoulder seasons and drive ancillary revenue through incentives like food & beverage credits, spa perks and exclusive experiences.

Loyalty fees increased by 4.4% last year, outpacing 2.7% revenue growth, but at just $5.46 per occupied room or 1.6% of total revenues, up from 1.58% in 2023. Overall, program costs remain modest.

Membership Expansion Signals Program Vitality

Loyalty programs have evolved beyond just rewarding frequent travelers. Total members grew by 14.5% in 2024 to more than 675 million, outpacing room growth of 6.7%. Members per available room increased by 7.4% to 137, reinforcing the importance of these programs in maintaining occupancy and revenue stability.

The rapid expansion of these programs and the standardization of perks (e.g., free water, free Wi-Fi, early check in/late check out, etc.) have resulted in margin headwinds for owners but have helped maintain guest satisfaction scores since 2016, based on data from a major national hotel guest satisfaction survey.

Figure 1: Total Loyalty Program Members & Members per Room Source: Source: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham and Choice public filings.

Balanced Engagement

For the first time in years, increases in loyalty program revenues and liabilities were balanced in 2024 at 8.3% and 8.4%, respectively, reaching post-pandemic highs of $1.2 billion and $2.4 billion. However, liability per member fell by 5.3%, to $17.85, or 11.3% of ADR, down from 21.9% in 2016. This indicates that each member had a relatively small savings of pointsjust a fraction of a room nightto encourage future redemption travel.

Loyalty-Driven Occupancy Growth

Loyalty members accounted for 52.8% of occupied rooms in 2024, a 2-percentage-point increase from 2023 that far outpaced overall U.S. demand growth of 1.2%. Loyalty programs delivered 12% more room nights year-over-year despite the average room nights per member declining by 4% to 1.0 from 1.1. This shift suggests a growing proportion of members are either dormant, overlap in multiple programs, are infrequent travelers or are earning points through credit cards and partnerships rather than frequent hotel stays.

Figure 2: Loyalty Member Contribution to Occupancy Source: Source: Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt public filings.

Figure 3: Growth in Room Nights Booked by Member Source: Source: Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt public filings.

Cost vs. Benefit: A Good Deal for Owners?

According to data from CBREs Trends in the Hotel Industry, loyalty program fees grew by 4.4% in 2024, outpacing total revenue growth of 2.7%. The cost per occupied room increased slightly to $5.46, making up 1.6% of total revenue (up from 1.58% in 2023). The fee/revenue growth ratio rose to 1.6, above the pre-pandemic peak of 0.9. While costs are rising, these programs still serve as cost-effective occupancy insurance, ensuring steady room demand even during low seasons.

Figure 4: Loyalty Fee Growth Rates Outpace ADR & Total Revenue Growth in 2024 Source: Source: CBREs Trends in the Hotel Industry.

Pros & Cons

The broad base of membership diversifies demand sources, insulating against economic cycles. The lower number of room nights booked per member (1.0 vs. 1.8 in 2016) reflects the success of credit card/affiliate partnerships. The proliferation of infrequent guests may make it harder to appeal to high-value guests. Brands will need to work hard to demonstrate they can convert the one-time guest into a more frequent high-value member. The growth in credit card and program fees primarily benefits hotel owners.

Figure 5: Room Nights Booked per Member Source: Source: Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt public filings.

Whats Measured Improves

Owners, asset managers and developers should benchmark total program ROI against alternative distribution channels. By measuring the value attribution of loyalty programs, brands can demonstrate their loyalty programs ROI, owners can avoid overpaying for programs that dont outperform OTAs and investors can assess whether loyalty-driven assets deserve premium valuations.

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2023 revenue). The company has more than 130,000 employees (including Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

View source
India has received a short break on the tariff front, but the bigger picture remains complex. Earlier this month, the US administration announced a steep 26% tariff on Indian imports, sparking concerns across trade-focused sectors. Fortunately, a 90-day suspension has been granted, offering India, along with several other countries, a temporary pause and a crucial opportunity for trade discussions.

Key Indian export sectors like electronics, gems and jewelry, textiles, and auto components are watching the developments closely as these industries have strong export ties with the US. If the tariffs are enforced after the suspension period, many could face higher input costs, lower margins, and reduced global competitiveness.

Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there is an underlying opportunity. Trade experts believe this could prompt long-overdue reforms, such as streamlining Indias tariff structures, improving import policies, and increasing investments to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains. As trade talks progress over the coming weeks, the spotlight will be on how India positions itself, not just in relation to the US, but within the rapidly evolving global trade landscape.

The travel and hospitality sector in India, while not directly impacted by the tariffs, could feel the ripple effects over time. With the global economic environment in a state of flux, marked by protectionist trade policies, recessionary signals in some regions, and general uncertainty, travel demand may begin to soften. These factors can influence discretionary spending, which in turn could affect both corporate and leisure travel.

Additionally, given the global uncertainty, the anticipated sharp revival in international arrivals may take longer than expected. For now, the spotlight is likely to remain on domestic demand. Recent declines in the stock market, a slowdown in the real estate sector, and reports of deferred or moderate salary increments are weighing on the otherwise upbeat consumer sentiment. These factors could soften travel demand, particularly for summer leisure travel in the short term. As a result, hotels would need to recalibrate expectations on continued double-digit growth, which had begun to seem like the new normal.

While occupancy trends remain stable for now, a cautious and forward-looking approach is prudent. Hotels may need to re-evaluate cost structures, prioritize operational efficiency, and maintain flexibility in pricing strategies. The COVID-19 disruption had previously forced the sector to reengineer operating models and cut costs significantly. However, as the post-pandemic boom set in, some of these hard-earned efficiencies have slowly given way. This might be a timely moment to revisit those practices and reinforce cost discipline. Temporary demand moderation could also necessitate a more nuanced approach to average room rate (ARR) growth, shifting from aggressive rate hikes to smarter pricing management.

Still, this is not a moment for alarm but for attentiveness and agility. The Indian hospitality industry has shown remarkable adaptability through past disruptions, consistently bouncing back with innovation and strength. The current environment calls for measured steps and proactive planning. After all, every challenge brings with it the opportunity to rethink, reform, and reset.

The ultimate outcome of the tariff development could well position India more strongly in global trade, especially if it leads to a recalibration of India's tariffs for the US and a well-negotiated settlement. As global manufacturers look to shift operations to low-tariff regions, India could become an increasingly attractive destination, resulting in net benefits for the broader economy. For the hospitality sector, this may translate into a short-term slowdown, but the long-term outlook remains optimistic, with continued growth and stronger demand on the horizon.

Mandeep S Lamba

President (South Asia), New Delhi

+91 (124) 488 5552

HVS

View source
Navigating the Noise: What US Tariffs Could Mean for Indian Hospitality? - Image Credit HVS



Will the evolving tariff situation create turbulence for the Indian hospitality sector?

India has received a short break on the tariff front, but the bigger picture remains complex. Earlier this month, the US administration announced a steep 26% tariff on Indian imports, sparking concerns across trade-focused sectors. Fortunately, a 90-day suspension has been granted, offering India, along with several other countries, a temporary pause and a crucial opportunity for trade discussions.



Key Indian export sectors like electronics, gems and jewelry, textiles, and auto components are watching the developments closely as these industries have strong export ties with the US. If the tariffs are enforced after the suspension period, many could face higher input costs, lower margins, and reduced global competitiveness.



Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there is an underlying opportunity. Trade experts believe this could prompt long-overdue reforms, such as streamlining Indias tariff structures, improving import policies, and increasing investments to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains. As trade talks progress over the coming weeks, the spotlight will be on how India positions itself, not just in relation to the US, but within the rapidly evolving global trade landscape.



The travel and hospitality sector in India, while not directly impacted by the tariffs, could feel the ripple effects over time. With the global economic environment in a state of flux, marked by protectionist trade policies, recessionary signals in some regions, and general uncertainty, travel demand may begin to soften. These factors can influence discretionary spending, which in turn could affect both corporate and leisure travel.

Additionally, given the global uncertainty, the anticipated sharp revival in international arrivals may take longer than expected. For now, the spotlight is likely to remain on domestic demand. Recent declines in the stock market, a slowdown in the real estate sector, and reports of deferred or moderate salary increments are weighing on the otherwise upbeat consumer sentiment. These factors could soften travel demand, particularly for summer leisure travel in the short term. As a result, hotels would need to recalibrate expectations on continued double-digit growth, which had begun to seem like the new normal.



While occupancy trends remain stable for now, a cautious and forward-looking approach is prudent. Hotels may need to re-evaluate cost structures, prioritize operational efficiency, and maintain flexibility in pricing strategies. The COVID-19 disruption had previously forced the sector to reengineer operating models and cut costs significantly. However, as the post-pandemic boom set in, some of these hard-earned efficiencies have slowly given way. This might be a timely moment to revisit those practices and reinforce cost discipline. Temporary demand moderation could also necessitate a more nuanced approach to average room rate (ARR) growth, shifting from aggressive rate hikes to smarter pricing management.



Still, this is not a moment for alarm but for attentiveness and agility. The Indian hospitality industry has shown remarkable adaptability through past disruptions, consistently bouncing back with innovation and strength. The current environment calls for measured steps and proactive planning. After all, every challenge brings with it the opportunity to rethink, reform, and reset.



The ultimate outcome of the tariff development could well position India more strongly in global trade, especially if it leads to a recalibration of India's tariffs for the US and a well-negotiated settlement. As global manufacturers look to shift operations to low-tariff regions, India could become an increasingly attractive destination, resulting in net benefits for the broader economy. For the hospitality sector, this may translate into a short-term slowdown, but the long-term outlook remains optimistic, with continued growth and stronger demand on the horizon.

Mandeep S. Lamba, President  South Asia, oversees the HVS practice in South Asia. Mandeep has spent over 30 years in the hospitality industry having worked with International Hotel Companies such as Choice Hotels, IHG and Radisson Hotels before becoming President for ITC Fortune Hotels in 2001. Having successfully built the Fortune brand in Indias mid-scale hospitality sector, Mandeep ventured into an entrepreneurial stint for over 8 years, setting up JV companies with Dawnay Day Group UK and Onyx Hospitality Thailand before joining JLL in 2014, as Managing Director, Hotels & Hospitality Group  South Asia. An established industry leader, Mandeep has won several awards and recognitions for his accomplishments. Recently, he was featured in the Hotelier India Power List of the most respected hoteliers in India for the second year in a row. Contact Mandeep at +91 981 1306 161 or mlamba@hvs.com.

Dipti Mohan, Senior Manager - Research with HVS South Asia, is a seasoned knowledge professional with extensive experience in research-based content creation. She has authored several point of view documents such as thought leadership reports, expert opinion articles, white papers and research reports. Contact Dipti at dmohan@hvs.com.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

A few showers early, then clear overnight. Low around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A few showers early, then clear overnight. Low around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Artist Stephanie Syjuco To Give Plonsker Lecture

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Artist Stephanie Syjuco will be the featured speaker at the Williams College Museum of Art's annual Plonsker Family Lecture in Contemporary Art on Thursday, April 17, at 6 p.m. at the Williams Inn Ballroom.

The lecture will be preceded by a reception at the Williams Inn from 5 to 6 p.m.

According to a press release:

Stephanie Syjuco will discuss her dynamic practice spanning work in photography, sculpture, and installation, moving from handmade and craft-inspired mediums to digital editing and the excavation of archives. She has focused on how photography, in particular image-based archives, is implicated in the construction of racialized, exclusionary narratives of American history and citizenship. In this arena, her recent work has focused on the presence, absence, and framing of Filipinx and Filipinx-American experience in archives created by governments, the press, libraries, and communities. Syjuco subversively misuses the methods of cultural bureaucracy and categorization to reanimate the lives of images and the stories they depict.

"Together with students and classes, we have been pouring over the work from Stephanie Syjuco's Block Out the Sun series that recently joined WCMA's collection through the generous support of the Plonsker Family Fund for Photography," said Pamela Franks, Class of 1956 Director. "We are eager to host her as this year's distinguished speaker for the Plonsker Lecture."

Born in the Philippines in 1974, Syjuco received her MFA from Stanford University and BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship Award, a Joan Mitchell Painters and Sculptors Award, and a Tiffany Foundation Award. Her work is in numerous collections, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, The Getty Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, among others.

A long-time educator, she is an associate professor in sculpture at the University of California, Berkeley. She lives in Oakland, Calif.

The Plonsker Family Lecture Series in Contemporary Art, established in 1994 by Madeleine Plonsker, Harvey Plonsker '61 and their son, Ted Plonsker '86, examines current issues in contemporary art. Past lecturers have included artists Arthur Jafa, Kenturah Davis, Sharon Hayes, Lynda Benglis, Cara Romero, and Jessica Stockholder.

The lecture is free and open to the public.
MCLA Green Living Seminar to Feature Pollinator Habitat Presentation

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Green Living Seminar Series and the MCLA Environmental Studies Department will present Amy Meltzer of the Massachusetts Pollinator Network on April 16. Meltzer's presentation, titled "Rewilding for Pollinators: Providing Habitat for Pollinators, Birds, and Other Essential Wildlife," will focus on creating habitats for pollinators and other wildlife.

Meltzer will discuss the biodiversity crisis and the ecological relationships between native plants, insects, birds, and fungi. Her presentation will cover how ecological landscape practices can support these species, mitigate climate change, and create resilient environments.

With over a decade of experience in native plant research and cultivation, Meltzer is involved with Grow Native Massachusetts and the Research Team of Elders Climate Action. She will also discuss the Massachusetts Pollinator Network's mission and activities, as well as actions individuals and communities can take to reduce pesticide use and support pollinator health.

The seminar will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation (FCSI) Room 121 on the MCLA campus. The event is free and open to the public. Audio recordings of the presentations will be available online.

Video recordings of the lectures will be accessible on the MCLA ENVI YouTube Channel and broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community Television Channel (NBCTC) 1302 on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 4 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 p.m., Sundays at 11:30 p.m., and Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll kicks off "413 Day" at Mass MoCA on Sunday morning. Peter Tomyl, Mayor Jennifer Macksey, Kristy Edmunds, Driscoll and Tara Jacobs in 'Cultural Apothecary.' Taking a selfie with the mayor and Jacobs. PreviousNext

413 Day Brings Lt. Gov. Driscoll to North Adams



The lieutenant governor makes hearts with Director Kristy Edmunds. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll kicked off "413 Day" at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art on Sunday before heading to three more locations.

"This is what you see in the 413," she exclaimed as she opened her arms under Spencer Finch's "Cosmic Latte."

New England Public Media's "The Fabulous 413" radio show is behind 413 Day (the 13th day of the fourth month) as a way to celebrate the western end of the state. NEPM holds a free festival at CitySpace in Easthampton, where Driscoll was headed later in the afternoon. She was also to visit the state's Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls and tour the Springfield Museums.

"Our hope is that we can really have this be something that begins to send a message, people who live in 617, you're missing the boat out here, not coming to 413," Driscoll said.

Driscoll took a quick tour through several exhibits with by Director Kristy Edmunds, Mayor Jennifer Macksey, MoCA's Director of Communications Jennifer Falk and head of public initiatives Morgan Everett, Mohawk Trail Association President Peter Tomyl and Governor's Councillor Tara Jacobs, among others.

"It's always a great day to have the LG in North Adams," said Macksey. "[Gov.] Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll have been great partners to North Adams and we look forward to many, many continued efforts to get more funding in North Adams."

She made sure to ask about the proposed $100 million more in Chapter 90 funds, which is in the Legislature right now, and Tomyl piped up about the proposed passenger rail.

Jacobs' told the lieutenant governor about the city's "secret"  there's only a two-minute wait at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

"You can spend the day sitting in Boston or come out here, spend two minutes and then have a fun time," she said.

"It's amazing to celebrate 413 Day right here at Mass MoCA, which has such a rich presence," she said. "You have a feeling right away it used to be a mill, obviously it's something else now and you can see not only amazing artists but the talent that they're bringing to this part of Massachusetts."

Driscoll was given a couple of gifts, including a Mass MoCA hat that she donned for a video touting the city and the museum.

"We are here at amazing Mass MoCA. What a great place to not only enjoy an afternoon, you can enjoy a whole weekend here. There's plenty of exhibits, amazing artists and a great way to experience North Adams and all that we have here in the 413, see you soon."
Pittsfield School Committee Mulls Lukewarm FY26 Budget

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  There isn't much to be said about the district's "as good as it gets" budget for fiscal year 2026.



Officials are just glad that people won't lose their jobs.



"I'm going to say something that I know is going to get me in trouble later, but I think this is as good as it gets," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.



On Wednesday, School Committee members aired their suggestions for the $87 million budget proposal with $1,238,000 in payroll reductions expected to be made through job movement, attrition, retirements, etc.



A $3,765,084 increase from FY25, it includes an $18 million city contribution and more than $68 million of anticipated Chapter 70 funding.



"The cuts were not as great as anticipated, and that's something to be grateful for, but they will still be painful, and the area of pain I think that will be felt the most is in managing student behaviors," Sara Hathaway said.



"And I know there's an infinity of need for resources in the building to manage student behaviors. It's a problem that we're dealing with on many, many levels."

While there isn't much wiggle room with the numbers, some members feel there is a need for more communications or human resources personnel.



An investigation into alleged misconduct at Pittsfield High School will wrap up by the end of the month, if it hasn't already. Hathaway said discussions have arisen about personnel investigations taking too long in the Pittsfield Public Schools and suggested more human resource staff.



"I don't think that's the fault of our personnel department. I think it's just a matter of the staffing level that we have now," she said.



"But it would be in everybody's interest if we could expedite some of these investigations, the internal investigations that we handle, because then we won't have as many expenses under subs and it would pay off to have added administrative capacity in that department, I think, so that we can do our job more quickly, for those who are waiting for decisions."



She recognized that this is an area where "everybody would win if we could distribute the workload in a different way in that area."



Similarly, member William Garrity suggested a communications staff member, recognizing that "a lot of people are not going to agree with me on this."



"I think one of the issues that people bring up with the district is the communication aspect, I think having someone who's dedicated to a communication role in the central office would help improve some of the communication we have seen so it's not falling on the superintendent, who has to manage the situation but also communicate about it," he said.



"But I think it could also help with building more connection with the community, and I think maybe that's something we should explore."



Marchetti believes there should be some caution on any positions that are added to the district.



"If you look at last year, the amount of revenue increase: $4 million. Amount of expenses increased: $6.6 million. The sky is falling. We've got to cut $2.6 million out of a budget in order to keep going," he said.
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Cate Blanchett has said she is serious about giving up acting.

The star, 55, added she wanted to leave showbusiness as there are lots of things I want to do with my life.

Blanchett is preparing to star in her first radio drama in BBC Radio 4s The Fever.

To promote the show, she spoke to the Radio Times - and confessed she is still not totally comfortable with being a celebrity.

She said: My family roll their eyes every time I say it, but I mean it. I am serious about giving up acting. (There are) a lot of things I want to do with my life.

open image in gallery Cate Blanchett attending the 2025 Olivier Awards earlier this month (Ian West/PA) ( PA )

The Australian most recently starred in the spy thriller Black Bag (2025), and has won two Oscars for best supporting actress in The Aviator (2005) and best actress in Blue Jasmine (2013).

Speaking about her experience of being a celebrity she added: When you go on a talk show, or even here now, and then you see soundbites of things youve said, pulled out and italicised, they sound really loud. Im not that person.

I make more sense in motion  its been a long time to remotely get comfortable with the idea of being photographed.

Ive always felt like Im on the periphery of things, so Im always surprised when I belong anywhere. I go with curiosity into whatever environment that Im in, not expecting to be accepted or welcomed.

Ive spent a lifetime getting comfortable with the feeling of being uncomfortable.

Blanchett rose to fame with her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998), and has gone on to star in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy as Galadriel, and Oceans 8 (2018).

She has also featured in a wide variety of theatre productions, and was a co-director of the Sydney Theatre Company from 2008 to 2013, alongside her husband Andrew Upton, who remained in the role until 2015.

The full interview with Blanchett can be read in the Easter edition of the Radio Times out on Saturday.
I dont want to talk about it, Leni Riefenstahl used to say when she was asked about her past. The German director was happy to discuss her pioneering cinematic techniques, her trailblazing credentials and her redemptive later work with the Nuba people of Sudan. But there was one pesky subject that she preferred to give a wide berth: her role as the ultimate Nazi propagandist. Riefenstahl would go on to survive the Third Reich by nearly 60 years, dying in 2003 at the age of 101. Thats six decades of deflection, distortion and avoidance. I dont want to talk about it practically became the womans catchphrase.

If you thrill to the sight of animals being cornered and criminals run to ground, there is much to relish in Riefenstahl, Andres Veiels new documentary on the original cancelled artist. Its an exhaustive and surely definitive portrait, combing Riefenstahls personal archive, filling in the blanks, and presenting its subject warts and all. Veiel isnt remotely interested in hosting a hatchet job here. He acknowledges Riefenstahls intuitive artistry and technical prowess and shows how Olympia  her 1938 film on the Berlin Olympics  advanced the medium in leaps and bounds. But he also dismantles the great directors defence. Time and again Riefenstahl would protest that she was an artist and not a politician, that her films were pure and peace-loving affairs and that she never had much interest in Nazism anyway. The one thing she was guilty of was her complete and utter innocence.

The evidence, no surprise, tells a rather different story. History records that Riefenstahl was dazzled by Hitler and overjoyed to work as the Reichs official myth-maker. Moreover, although she claimed to have no knowledge of the Holocaust, investigators later found that she may have indirectly caused a massacre by ordering Jewish workers to be removed from a street scene she was filming. At one point in Veiels documentary, a TV interviewer asks whether its true that she used to visit the cinema with Joseph Goebbels (an estimated 10 times, according to Goebbels diary). Riefenstahl is incandescent and promptly explodes with rage. She doesnt want to talk about it.

In the best possible way, Riefenstahl is a monstrous subject. Shes unsympathetic and drags dark history behind her. Shes a fake and a liar, constantly batting up against the hard glass of reality and prone to fly off the handle whenever shes held to account. All of which is to say that shes a documentary-makers dream. Every film is a collaboration between the director and their subject. The latter provides the raw meat and draws the basic story arc. But they also leave gaps to be filled and falsehoods to unpick. Theyre telling one story and the director is telling another, and it is this tension  this friction  thats a recipe for good drama. It almost doesnt matter that Riefenstahl is long dead and cant be questioned in person by Veiel. Shes left incriminating letters, false statements and a trove of car-crash TV interviews for us all to peruse.

On balance, I prefer documentaries in which the subject doesnt want to talk than the ones in which they do. I like it when they have to be chivvied into facing inconvenient truths, or where their chatter is a distraction, or a puzzle to solve. Andrew Jareckis true-crime investigation The Jinx famously ended with its chief suspect  accused killer Robert Durst  caught on a hot mic and apparently confessing his crimes. But in films, as in life, smoking guns are a rarity. The truth is elusive; friction is a given. Most good documentaries are an ongoing squabble between two or more points of view.

Its the directors decision how much of this squabble they show. Filmmakers such as Nick Broomfield or Louis Theroux lift the bonnet and expose the engine, effectively casting themselves as co-stars in the drama. Others maintain a lower profile and like to keep the ugly negotiations backstage. The cartoonist Robert Crumb hated the idea of appearing in a documentary, but his good friend Terry Zwigoff begged and pleaded for his permission (legend has it that Zwigoff intimated that he might shoot himself if the film didnt happen). The director then whipped up a gloriously dark and twisted picture  Crumb (1994)  which painted the Crumbs as the most dysfunctional American family this side of the Mansons. The cartoonist, on seeing the finished work, was horrified.

The Oscar-winning director Errol Morris is known for his down-the-barrel interrogations of controversial US figures (Steve Bannon, Donald Rumsfeld, Holocaust-denier Fred A Leuchter). But his finest achievement remains The Thin Blue Line (1988), a forensic examination of a policemans murder in Dallas. Morriss documentary gives us not just one unsympathetic subject, but scores of them; an unstable rogues gallery of false witnesses and outright liars, casual incompetents and wall-eyed crazies. The Thin Blue Line brilliantly navigated this minefield of untruths. It identified the real killer and freed an innocent man from death row. But the dust had barely settled when the films hero  the wrongly convicted Randall Adams  promptly sued the director for the sole rights to his story. Adams wanted to tell it his way and earn some money on the side. He didnt want to be the subject of someone elses masterpiece.

Leni Riefenstahl in Riefenstahl ( Dogwoof )

Towards the end of Veiels documentary, we see Riefenstahl steeling herself for a final TV grilling. She studies her face in the mirror, checks the camera angles and prepares yet again to duck and block her way out of trouble; to present herself and her work in the most flattering light. This is about the only time in the film that I felt some sympathy for the woman, if only because its a grander, grimmer version of what we all do every day. We frame our lives as a story and cast ourselves as the hero, even when the evidence suggests otherwise. Good documentaries tell outlandish tales about unusual subjects. But the great ones, I think, spotlight a commonplace human frailty. They show us that everyone in the end behaves in much the same way, whether theyre successes or failures, Nazi sympathisers or not. We tell the truth as we see it and pray that our listeners wont interrupt. We love to talk about certain subjects. Other ones, not so much.

Riefenstahl is in cinemas from 9 May
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Aimee Lou Wood has hit out at her depiction in Saturday Night Lives White Lotus skit as unfunny and mean.

During Saturday nights episode (12 April), SNL cast members reimagined the hit HBO series The White Lotus as The White Potus, which saw Donald Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) attempt to unwind at an exotic vacation resort while secretly panicking about the future financial state of America amid to tariff policy chaos, surrounded by Ivanka (Scarlett Johansson) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (Jon Gries).

The storyline parodies that of the most recent season of The White Lotus, which sees Jason Isaacs character Timothy Ratliff consider murdering his entire family when he finds out that hes bankrupt while on holiday at the luxury Thailand resort.

The SNL skit also attempted to recreate the dynamic between Rick (Walton Goggins) and his Mancunian younger girlfriend Chelsea (Lou Wood), with RFK Jr (Jonn Hamm) rambling about fluoride in water to his confused girlfriend, played by SNL cast member Sarah Sherman, who darts off to kill and eat a monkey.

In the skit, Sherman puts on a bizarre British accent and appears to be wearing exaggerated prosthetic teeth in an attempt to parody Lou Woods appearance.

In a post shared on her Instagram Story on Sunday (13 April), Lou Wood has called the skit unfunny and mean.

Yes, take the piss for sure  thats what the show is about  but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?

Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago, she added.

open image in gallery SNLs Sarah Sherman in the White Potus skit ( NBC )

Lou Wood, who rose to prominence for her performance as Aimee Gibbs in Netflixs award-winning series Sex Education, has been the focal point of a positive conversation surrounding Hollywood beauty standards since she joined The White Lotus.

Her natural teeth have been praised as refreshing amid the perfect-looking veneers that dominate the big and small screens.

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open image in gallery Aimee Lou Wood in The White Lotus ( HBO )

Speaking to GQ Hype in a recent interview, Lou Wood said that she was happy about the conversation, but she felt as though she wasnt getting to talk about her work.

It makes me really happy that its symbolising rebellion and freedom, but theres a limit, she said.

The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I'm not getting to talk about my work. They think its nice because theyre not criticising.

And, I have to go there I dont know if it was a man, would we be talking about it this much? Its still going on about a womans appearance.

The SNL sketch has been subject to mixed reactions from viewers, with one person sharing a picture of Sherman in the scene on X/Twitter, writing: The White Potus SNL sketch was so bad and I think this was the final nail in the coffin for me.

However, others have praised it for its impressive cameos and for being one of the funniest SNL sketches in recent years.
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White Lotus star Jason Isaacs has clarified comments he made about drama on the set of the popular show.

Isaacs, 61, plays Timothy Ratliff, the patriarch of a wealthy family and father of Saxon Ratliff (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger). The new season of the dark comedy was set in another luxury hotel - this time in Thailand.

The British actor had previously described his experience working on the show as a cross between summer camp and Lord of the Flies but in a gilded cage, in an interview with Vulture.

He added there had been friendships that were made and friendships that were lost. He also called out a double standard in questioning when asked if he had used a prosthetic penis during shooting, insisting women would not be asked that question.

Mike White, the shows creator, also hit out at the shows composer, Tapia de Veer, for quitting. De Veer said: We already had our last fight forever.

Isaacs addressed these comments, which many interpreted as signalling tension or ongoing feuds on set.

Like anywhere you go for the summer, theres friendships, theres romances, theres arguments, theres cliques that form and break and reform and stuff like that. Im careful, he toldThe Happy Hour podcast. Im not stupid. I look at the internet.

He added: Nobody has the slightest clue what theyre talking about. People who think theyre onto something, and it then gets magnified because of a thousand other people. Nobody has any clue.

Isaacs described his experience working on the show as a cross between summer camp and Lord of the Flies ( HBO )

He went on to clarify his earlier comments saying: First of all, its none of your business. Im just saying it wasnt a holiday, and partly I started saying that because people think we were on a seven-month holiday, and believe me, it felt like work a lot of the time. It was insanely hot and theres all the normal social tensions you get anywhere.

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In his previous comments to Vulture, Isaacs had said: They say in the show, What happens in Thailand stays in Thailand, but theres an off-screen White Lotus as well, with fewer deaths but just as much drama.

About his statement on double standards for men, the star backtracked and told Variety: I said the wrong words in the wrong way. I used the phrase double standard, which I didnt mean at all.

At the time, Isaacs had said on CBS Mornings: I think its interesting that theres a double standard for men, but when women are naked, Margaret Qualley in The Substance, no one would dream of talking to her about her genitalia or her nipples or any of those things. So, its odd that theres a double standard.
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Saturday Night Lives Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost kicked off the latest episode with a segment mocking Donald Trumps U-turn on tariff policies.

Jost quipped that Trump had spent the past week trying to rescue the economy from the disastrous policies of whoever was president last week.

They played a supercut of Trump discussing tariffs endlessly, with Jost saying hearing the president discuss the taxation was like listening to Bubba Gump talk about shrimp.

The skit was based on Trumps partial pullback of his recent blanket tariffs policy, which has so far seen a 25 per cent tax imposed on imported vehicles that went into effect on 3 April.

Trump unveiled a raft of new tariffs after he repeatedly threatened reciprocal dollar-for-dollar tariffs on nations that levy duties on the US on a day he billed as Liberation Day.

When markets began to nosedive, Trump announced on Truth Social on Wednesday (9 April) that there would be a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs while hiking other duties on China to 125 per cent.

Co-host Michael Che parodied Trumps reaction to the tariffs fallout, in which he said Sometimes you have to take medicine, to which Che said: Yeah, but this feels like we took a whole bottle of medicine with a glass of vodka and laid in a warm bath.

Che also drew reaction from the crowd when he said: It was reported that Elon Musk personally appealed to President Trump to stop his tariff plan, and it worked! The stock market went up like this, he said, as a picture of Musk doing a Nazi salute onstage at Trumps inauguration in January appeared on screen.

open image in gallery Colin Jost mocked Trumps tariffs U-turn ( NBC )

Last nights episode also featured an Easter-themed scene, only for Donald Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) to jump in and compare himself to Jesus.

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Johnson appeared onstage in character as Trump, wearing a royal blue suit and red tie, saying: You know, many people are even calling me the Messiah  because of the mess I, ah, made out of the economy.

open image in gallery Michael Che appearing in the Weekend Update ( NBC )

Or because of my beautiful tariffs  so beautiful  they were working so well that I had to stop them, he continued.

The sketch opened with Mikey Day as Jesus, recreating the scene from the Bible in which Jesus visits the temple in Jerusalem and expels the merchants and the money changers for their actions.

James Austin Johnson then entered as Trump, saying: Remind you of anyone?

I also got rid of money last week, but instead of one temple, I did a whole country.

The skit marked the second consecutive week that SNL has mocked Trump, as Johnson appeared in last weeks episode to satirise the presidents rollout of the new policy.

open image in gallery James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump on SNL ( NBC )

We had to stop, Johnsons Trump said. But now everything is back exactly how it was, minus a few trillion dollars and an historic transfer of wealth from the middle class to my buddies.

The skit also took aim at Trumps varying embrace of religion, with Johnson saying: Today is the first day of Passover for our Jewish friends, and we call it Passover because its when we pass right over the little kosher section in the grocery store. We go straight to that Easter candy. Fish in a jar? No thanks, I want a Peep.

He added: We love Easter. We love bunny. We love hunting for eggs  just like everyones doing in the grocery store right now, because they cost a billion, trillion dollars. But I thought that was what the whole campaign was about, but I just cant crack it. Egg joke, here we go.

We are looking forward to Easter Mass, definitely, he went on. Easter Mass is always packed, right? You know, its sad. Some people only go to church on Christmas and Easter. Not me. I dont go on those days either.
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Chinese exports of a wide range of rare earth minerals and magnets, key to semiconductor and auto industries worldwide, have come to a screeching halt amid an escalating trade war with the US.

Shipments of the key minerals were suspended last week, increasing the risk of shortages for overseas companies in these industries, Reuters reported, citing sources close to Beijing.

Following president Donald Trumps imposition of steep tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing has restricted the export of seven rare earth and related materials used in the automotive, defence and energy industries.

Exporters in China are now required to apply to the ministry of commerce for licences, a process that could take anywhere from six or seven weeks to several months, according to sources.

open image in gallery A man and a woman sit on a bench facing the Yantian International Container Terminals where ships are docked beneath rows of gantry cranes ( Getty )

Overseas shipments of these key materials and magnets, essential for assembling cars, robots, and even drones and missiles, stopped on 4 April as companies began a long, uncertain wait for their government licences.

"When asked by my clients when their cargoes will be able to leave China, we give them an estimated time of 60 days, but it may actually take longer than that," one China rare earth trader told Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

China produces over 90 per cent of some of the worlds most critical rare earth minerals such as yttrium, dysprosium and terbium, and the new export restrictions sever their supply lines to users around the globe.

Industry experts are concerned that if the export halt lasts longer than two months, it could deplete existing stockpiles of these minerals built up by customers.

Mr Trump, meanwhile, doubled down on his controversial trade policy, saying on Sunday that no country, especially China, was exempt from tariffs on their exports to the US.

Nobody is getting off the hook for the unfair trade balances and non-monetary tariff barriers that other countries have used against us, especially not China, which by far, treats us the worst! Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

open image in gallery Donald Trump attends a mixed martial arts fight at UFC 314 in Miami on 12 April 2025 ( AP )

The president said he would announce the tariff rate on imported semiconductors next week, adding that there could be flexibility for some companies in the sector.

"We wanted to uncomplicate it from a lot of other companies because we want to make our chips and semiconductors and other things in our country," he said.

It remains unclear if makers of consumer products like smartphones and laptops may see exceptions.

Mr Trump said that some of these products were just being moved to a different tariff bucket.

These products are subject to the existing 20 per cent fentanyl tariffs, he said, referring to his years-long accusation of Chinese companies supplying US groups involved in the creation of synthetic opioids.

Tariff exemptions on technology are only temporary

Mr Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, explained that "a special focus type of tariff" is expected soon to cover smartphones, computers and other electronics in a month or two.

"Hes saying they are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they are included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two," Mr Lutnick told ABC News.

Democrat senator Elizabeth Warren criticised the Trump administrations latest plan, calling it a no tariff policy but only chaos and corruption.
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South Koreas ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol rejected charges of leading an insurrection as his high-profile criminal trial began in Seoul, defending his short-lived declaration of martial law as a lawful and symbolic act rather than an attempted coup.

Mr Yoon is accused of leading an insurrection by declaring martial law on 3 December, a decision that prosecutors call illegal and intended to disrupt the nations constitutional order.

The martial law declaration, which lasted around six hours before being overturned by the National Assembly, sparked mass protests and a standoff with lawmakers, ultimately leading to his impeachment and dismissal by the Constitutional Court on 4 April.

Mr Yoon, wearing a dark navy suit and red tie, arrived discreetly at the Seoul Central District Court in a black van at 9.48am, using an underground entrance at the request of his security detail.

His appearance at the trial  the first public step in what could become one of South Koreas most consequential criminal cases  was closed to photographers. The court did not allow filming either.

Prosecutors at the trial accused Mr Yoon of undermining democratic institutions and attempting to disable the countrys legislative functions by invoking martial law without legal justification.

He had made it impossible for constitutional institutions to exercise their authority based on an unlawful declaration, they charged, Reuters reported.

Mr Yoon, his nations top prosecutor before becoming president, spent about 40 minutes addressing the court, refuting the charges one by one, according to The Korea Times.

open image in gallery South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol leaves his official residence in Seoul on 11 April 2025 ( AP )

He argued the declaration was not a coup attempt, but a symbolic gesture meant to warn the public of the oppositions actions.

Martial law is not a coup detat. This was a peaceful message to the nation, he said. I knew this martial law would end within half a day, a day.

He claimed that the oppositions decision to impeach more than 20 government officials had posed a threat to governance and martial law was necessary to draw attention to what he described as legislative obstructionism. Does it make sense to accuse me of insurrection when I lifted the emergency martial law just hours after the National Assembly requested it? he asked.

Mr Yoon also denied claims that he had ordered the military to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly.

Two senior military officers, including Cho Sung Hyun from the Capital Defence Command, testified that they had been instructed by a superior to dispatch troops to drag legislators out of the parliament.

Mr Yoon rejected their allegations. He told the court he had discussed the matter with former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun but never issued an order to physically intervene in the National Assembly.

The ousted presidents lawyer, Yoon Kap Keun, argued that "if declaring emergency martial law is considered insurrection, then even efforts to protect future generations would be labeled as insurrection, which is an absurd argument. The former president never issued any orders to block the National Assembly or to unlawfully arrest or detain anyone."

open image in gallery South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol leaves the official residence in Seoul ( EPA )

Mr Yoons impeachment and trial have deepened South Koreas political polarisation, pitting his conservative supporters against liberal opposition forces.

After his removal as president, Mr Yoon has moved back into his private apartment in Seoul, not far from the courthouse where he made his reputation by securing major convictions, including of another impeached president, Park Geun Hye.

The insurrection charge, one of the most serious in South Korean criminal law, can be punished by life imprisonment or even the death penalty, although the country has not carried out an execution in decades.

Heightened security remains in place around the courthouse, with vehicle access restricted and law enforcement bracing for any unrest as the trial continues.

South Korea will now head to a snap presidential election on 3 June.

The same day as Mr Yoons court appearance, Lee Jae Myung, the opposition leader and presidential frontrunner, visited a start-up developing artificial intelligence chips, pledging to boost investment and ease regulations in the technology sector.

Meanwhile, Hong Joon Pyo, former mayor of Daegu and one-time rival of Mr Yoon in their conservative People Power Party, formally announced his intention to run for president again.

Mr Hong declared his bid for the partys nomination in a social media post, reigniting a conservative leadership contest amid a turbulent political climate.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has reportedly been detained in Belgium on an Indian extradition request for his alleged involvement in a $1.8bn (1.4bn) fraud case involving the Punjab National Bank.

The Indian government had also sent a request for Mr Choksi's extradition prior to his arrest, Reuters reported, but he was likely to challenge it on medical grounds.

Mr Choksis detention came weeks after news reports confirmed the businessman was living in Antwerp with his wife after securing a residency card in November 2023.

Punjab National Bank, Indias second-largest state-run lender, revealed in 2018 that it had discovered suspected fraud worth $1.8bn at one of its branches in Mumbai.

The bank filed a criminal complaint with the Indian central investigative agency against several entities and individuals, naming billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle and managing director of Gitanjali Gems Mr Choksi as the primary accused behind the alleged fraud.

File. Supporters of the opposition Congress party shout slogans against fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi during a protest in New Delhi on 16 February 2018 ( AFP )

Mr Choksi was arrested for illegally entering after leaving the nearby Caribbean island of Antigua, where he had been living since fleeing India.

The fugitive jeweller had left Antigua and Barbuda, where he had obtained citizenship, to seek cancer treatment and was preparing to relocate to Switzerland, according to NDTV.

Indian investigators have been trying to extradite Mr Choksi and Mr Modi since they fled the country in 2018 and question them about the bank scam.

In December 2024, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the parliament that assets valued at 246m had been recovered or liquidated to repay the debts of fugitives, including Mr Choksi.

Last week, a Pakistani-born Canadian businessman accused of helping orchestrate the 2008 attacks in Mumbai landed in Delhi after the US extradited him in the first such transfer in a terrorism case.

Tahawwur Rana, 64, a doctor-turned-businessman, was expected to face trial in a case related to the attacks that left over 160 people dead.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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Indonesia has arrested three judges who cleared a trio of oil companies of charges related to the illegal export of crude palm oil.

Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group and Permata Hijau Group were acquitted last month by a Jakarta anti-corruption court of engaging in misconduct to obtain export permits in 2022.

On Sunday night, the attorney generals office arrested the three judges who made the ruling, Reuters reported.

After questioning seven witnesses, we gathered sufficient evidence to name the three judges as suspects, Abdul Qohar, director of investigations at the office, told reporters at a press briefing on Monday.

Authorities alleged that lawyers for the oil companies paid chief judge Muhammad Arif Nuryanta of the South Jakarta district court 60bn rupiah (2.6m) to arrange for a favourable verdict.

The chief judge, in turn, paid over 756000 to the three other judges of the anti-corruption who delivered the ruling.

The bribe was given so that the judges would rule that it's not a crime," Harli Siregar, spokesperson for the attorney general's office, told Reuters.

FILE PHOTO: Workers transferring crude palm oil to tanker trucks at the Tanjung Emas seaport in Semarang ( AFP via Getty Images )

A court clerk and two lawyers have also been arrested in the case that has rocked the judiciary in the worlds largest palm oil producer.

Mr Nuryanta, who was deputy chief of the court when the ruling was made but did not hear the case directly, had been arrested earlier.

They were fully aware that the payments were intended to secure a favorable ruling, Mr Qohar said of the arrested judges, according to Jakarta Globe.

The judges stand to be suspended and fired if found guilty.

We believe that we are not guilty of the charges as our actions during that period to increase the supply of palm oil to the market, despite the additional cost incurred, was intended to help the government improve domestic supplies and reduce prices, Wilmar said on Monday.

The most beautiful place in Indonesia?

The attorney generals office started its investigation after the anti-corruption court delivered a controversial ruling on 19 March.

While the court found the three companies had exported palm oil without necessary permits, it acquitted them saying that their actions did not fall under criminal law.

Indonesia had imposed export restrictions to rein in soaring prices of local cooking oil in 2022.

Prosecutors had asked the court to impose heavy fines to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds on the oil companies.
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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.
Study reveals impact of plant phenology changes on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Xinhua) 09:39, April 14, 2025

LANZHOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have recently unveiled the impact of changes in plant phenology on the stability of the alpine meadow ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, according to Lanzhou University.

The study, which aims to explore how phenological shifts affect ecosystem stability in the region, found that the response of alpine plant phenology to nitrogen addition reduces community biomass stability in alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, according to Ma Miaojun, a professor at the College of Ecology at Lanzhou University who led the study.

Phenology is a sensitive indicator of plant responses to environmental changes, and its shifts could impact community structure and function.

Some studies have shown that nitrogen enrichment and changes in rainfall patterns are having an increasingly significant impact on the alpine grassland ecosystem of the plateau, posing a growing threat to the region's ecological security, according to Ma.

The research team set up a long-term field control experiment in a typical alpine meadow located at an altitude of 3,540 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Over four consecutive years from 2020, they monitored leaf growth and flowering phenology across 55 alpine meadow plant species.

They then analyzed the response of plant phenology to nitrogen enrichment and precipitation in alpine meadows, examining its effects on the stability of the plant community.

The findings suggest that nitrogen enrichment reduces phenological compensation, thereby threatening grassland stability, and this highlights the importance of phenological niches in understanding how grassland stability is maintained amid ongoing climate change, according to Ma.

This study provides new experimental evidence that nitrogen enrichment has a negative effect on the temporal stability of biomass in plant communities in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but not with precipitation changes.

It has disclosed the mechanism of nitrogen enrichment affecting the stability of the alpine meadow ecosystem from the perspective of alpine plant phenology.

This new study highlights that plant phenology is crucial to understanding changes in plant community stability under future climate scenarios.

The findings have been published in the journal New Phytologist.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Hungary has passed a constitutional amendment allowing authorities to ban LGBT+ public events such as Pride marches  a move seen as another step toward authoritarianism by the countrys populist government.

Opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade entrances to parliament ahead of the vote on Monday. Inside, air horns were used in an attempt to disrupt the vote.

The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBT+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands annually. It declares that childrens rights to moral and spiritual development supersede any other right, including that to peacefully assemble.

Nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, in power since 2010, faces elections in 2026 with the economy struggling and a new opposition party posing the strongest challenge yet to his rule. The constitutional amendments are part of Mr Orbans political campaign to boost his core voter base and also lure votes from the far right, some analysts said.

open image in gallery Smoke flares outside Hungarys parliament on Monday ( Reuters )

Mr Orban has pledged to crack down on foreign funding of independent media and non-governmental organisations in Hungary while scaling up his political campaign against the LGBT+ communities.

That law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events  such as Budapest Pride  and can come with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (450).

David Bedo, a legislator with the opposition Momentum Movement party who participated in the attempted blockade, said before the vote that Mr Orban and Fidesz have for the past 15 years been dismantling democracy and the rule of law, and in the past two or three months, we see that this process has been sped up.

He said that as elections approach next year and Mr Orbans party lags in the polls behind a popular new challenger from the opposition, they will do everything in their power to stay in power.

open image in gallery Protesters demonstrate outside the Hungarian parliament on Monday ( Reuters )

Hungarys government has campaigned against LGBT+ communities in recent years and argues its child protection policies, which forbid the availability to minors of any material that mentions homosexuality, are needed to protect children from what it calls woke ideology and gender madness.

This whole endeavor which we see launched by the government, it has nothing to do with childrens rights, said Daniel Dobrentey, a lawyer with the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, calling it pure propaganda.

The new amendment also states that the constitution recognizes two sexes, male and female, an expansion of an earlier amendment that prohibits same-sex adoption by stating that a mother is a woman and a father is a man.

The declaration provides a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of transgender people, as well as ignoring the existence of intersex individuals who are born with sexual characteristics that do not align with binary conceptions of male and female.

open image in gallery Viktor Orban attends the vote by representatives of the Hungary's Parliament to approve the constitutional changes ( AFP via Getty )

In a statement on Monday, a government spokesperson said the change is not an attack on individual self-expression, but a clarification that legal norms are based on biological reality.

Mr Dobrentey said it was a clear message for transgender people and purely and strictly about humiliating people and excluding them, not just from the national community, but even from the community of human beings.

The amendment is the 15th to Hungarys constitution since Mr Orbans party unilaterally authored and approved it in 2011.

Adam Remport, a lawyer with the HCLU, said that while Hungary has used facial recognition tools since 2015 to assist police in criminal investigations and finding missing persons, the recent law banning Pride allows the technology to be used in a much broader and problematic manner. That includes monitoring and deterring political protests.

open image in gallery Police officers carry a protester as demonstrators block entrances to parliament ( Reuters )

One of the most fundamental problems is its invasiveness, just the sheer scale of the intrusion that happens when you apply mass surveillance to a crowd, Remport said.

More salient in this case is the effect on the freedom of assembly, specifically the chilling effect that arises when people are scared to go out and show their political or ideological beliefs for fear of being persecuted, he added.

The amendment passed Monday also allows for Hungarians who hold dual citizenship in a non-European economic area country to have their citizenship suspended for up to 10 years if they are deemed to pose a threat to public order, public security or national security.

Hungary has taken steps in recent months to protect its national sovereignty from what it claims are foreign efforts to influence its politics or even topple Mr Orbans government.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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A judge in Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant for the British member of Parliament and former Labor Minister Tulip Siddiq, who is a niece of Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in August last year in a mass uprising that ended her 15-year rule.

The countrys official Anti-Corruption Commission has been investigating allegations against Siddiq that she and her family members, including Hasina, illegally received land in a state-owned township project near Dhaka, the capital.

Senior Special Judge of Dhaka Metropolitan Zakir Hossain passed the order on Sunday, after considering charges in three separate cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, the leading Dhaka-based Bengali-language Prothom Alo newspaper reported.

Siddiq, the Hampstead and Highgate MP, who quit as economic secretary to the Treasury in January, was named in the arrest warrant along with more than 50 others including her mother, Sheikh Rehana, and her brother, Radwan Siddiq, the newspaper reported.

Siddiq faces a number of allegations of corruption involving her family in Bangladesh, but her aunt Hasinas Bangladesh Awami League party said the charges are politically motivated to destroy the reputation of the prominent family. Hasinas father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is Bangladeshs independence leader. The country gained independence in 1971 under his leadership after a nine-month war against Pakistan.

Hasina has been in exile in India since early August.

After the ouster of Hasina on Aug. 5 last year, Siddiqs mothers home in Dhakas upscale Gulshan area was looted and vandalized, and so far no police case has been filed over the incident. Hasina accused Bangladesh's interim administration headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus of backing mobs to attack her followers across the country. The home affairs adviser says they are trying to restore order in the country.

The BBC quoted Siddiqs lawyers saying the charges against Siddiq were politically motivated.

Siddiq, who was responsible for tackling corruption in financial markets, was named in December in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh against Hasina. The investigation alleged that Siddiqs family was involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of money were said to have been embezzled.

Siddiq quit as minister in January amid controversy. She said she had been cleared of wrongdoing but that the issue was becoming a distraction from the work of the government.

Siddiq, 42, is a former local councilor who was elected lawmaker for a north London district in 2015. She was appointed to the government after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's center-left Labor Party won a landslide election victory in July last year.
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A former colleague of the prison officers who were attacked at HMP Frankland on the weekend has warned that jails are more dangerous for staff now than ever.

The ex-prison officer, who wished to remain anonymous, demanded more support for those working in a prison service that is on its knees due to overcrowding and longer sentences.

He called the attack, allegedly carried out by a notorious inmate in the County Durham prison over the weekend just the tip of the iceberg as he claimed incidents against guards go underreported. The latest government data, from April 2023 to March 2024, shows there are 114 assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners.

The three guards targeted on Saturday were allegedly attacked with hot oil and homemade weapons by Manchester bomb plotter Hashem Abedi, according to the Prison Officers Association (POA), which is the trade union that represents prison officers.

Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman said the prime minister was appalled by the attack and pledged that the government would urgently investigate what occurred. The Ministry of Justice announced there will be an independent review into the incident and that it has suspended access to kitchens in separation and close supervision units, where inmates are kept apart from the general prison population, with an internal review of their use in these settings to take place.

open image in gallery Manchester bomb plotter Hashem Abedi allegedly attacked the guards on Saturday, the trade union that represents prison officers said ( Greater Manchester Police )

In another violent prison attack at the weekend, convicted murderer John Mansfield, 63, killed at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire. A male prisoner, 44, has now been arrested on suspicion of murder following the second incident on Sunday.

Speaking to The Independent after news of the second incident broke, the anonymous former prison officer said: I dont think the public understand how dangerous it is for staff these days  its worse now than it ever was.

The guard, who has worked in various prisons across the UK over four recent years, said he had worked with the trio who were attacked at HMP Frankland over a number of years and was shocked when he found out they had been assaulted. We used to have each others back, and sit and have a laugh and a joke together, he said.

He said it was one female and two male guards who were targeted, with one allegedly cut in the throat and another scarred for life with burns. He claimed two of the three may never return to work. Assuming theyll all pull through, theyre going to be scarred for the rest of their lives, he said.

Describing how prison officers go into work every day facing the potential of an attack like that, he said: Theres no such thing as a safe jail.

open image in gallery HMP Whitemoor is a maximum security prison for men in March, Cambridgeshire ( PA Archive )

The guard said he had spoken with the members of staff who had responded to the attack. Its going to play with their heads, its going to stick with them for rest of lives, he said. Ive been there when youre cleaning a colleagues blood off the floor and not knowing whether theyre going to be okay  its horrifying.

He was referring to an incident that happened at a prison in 2022 when he was still working as a guard. He said his colleague was stabbed by a prisoner on a day when it had allegedly been noted that the wing was facing staff shortages.

I remember dragging him off the wing and screaming for help and not knowing if anyone was coming to help him  and thats the prison service now, he said.

He also described a horrible incident when he was potted, which is when prisoners throw human waste and faeces over guards, something he said was becoming more common as he was leaving the prison service.

Theres not enough support for staff across board, he said, calling for change.

He described high-security prisons like Frankland as especially problematic for staff because it is a prison full of criminals of the highest order with absolutely nothing to lose as many are serving life sentences. Prisoners are literally running the show, he said. And staff do their best to minimise activities.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the government would do whatever it took to keep staff safe and our thoughts remain with the two prison officers still in hospital as they recover.

Weve already taken immediate action to suspend access to kitchens in separation and close supervision centres, the spokesperson said. We will also launch a full independent review into how this attack was able to happen and will set out the terms and scope of this review in the coming days.
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A convicted murderer serving a life sentence behind bars has been killed by another prisoner inside a high-security jail.

It is the second breach in recent days to occur inside a British prison, after Hashem Abedi, the Manchester Arena terrorist, allegedly attacked three members of prison staff in Category A jail HMP Frankland.

John Mansfield, 63, was imprisoned in 2007 for the brutal murder of his 63-year-old neighbour Ann Alfanso, who he stabbed almost 100 times at her home in Manchester.

He received a second life sentence in 2014 after stabbing another inmate with a broken plate in a row during cooking chores.

Mansfield, who has 75 previous convictions, died after being attacked inside HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire on Sunday, 13 April. A 44-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

open image in gallery Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi attacked three prison officers on Saturday ( AP )

The incident allegedly occurred inside the prisons close supervision centre.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said officers were called at about 4.10pm on Sunday following the discovery of the body of a man in his 60s at HMP Whitemoor near March.

The spokesperson continued: A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. An investigation is ongoing.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: Police are investigating the death of prisoner John Mansfield at HMP Whitemoor on Sunday 13 April. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

According to a report in The Mirror, Mansfield had approached fellow inmate, rapist John Orme, in his cell and stabbed him seven times during the 2014 incident.

He was warned he was unlikely to ever be released, with the judge branding him a violent and very dangerous man who poses a considerable threat to the public.

The Ministry of Justice has said it will carry out a review following reports that Manchester bomb plotter Abedi attacked three prison officers with hot oil and home-made weapons.

Abedi threw hot cooking oil over three officers on Saturday before stabbing them with home-made weapons, the Prison Officers Association (POA) said.

The officers sustained life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds in the unprovoked and vicious attack in HMP Frankland, Country Durham, according to the trade union covering prison staff.

Two officers sustained severe stab wounds but are in a stable condition in hospital, its national chairman said on Sunday morning.

Announcing the review into the incident, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: There will be a full review into how this attack was able to happen, alongside the separate police inquiry.
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Beekeepers and environmentalists are growing more concerned after an unprecedented number of Asian hornets have been spotted so far this year, sparking fears of a surge in the UK population of the invasive species.

Already, the insects have decimated honey production in parts of France and Italy, as the breed is capable of killing 50 honey bees a day.

For years, experts have kept an eye on the species, but the Jersey Asian Hornet Group - leading specialists in the insects - have raised the alert as they remarked sighting 262 queen Asian hornets by 11 April - a 1,090 per cent year-on-year increase in spotting the hornet, as reported by The Observer.

Like bees, the sting of an Asian hornet can cause painful and potentially life threatening allergic reactions, but these insects also bode a wider risk to the UKs insect population.

Heres all you need to know about Asian hornets and what to do if you spot one.

What is an Asian hornet?

open image in gallery The Asian or yellow-legged hornet is a non-native predator that feeds on honeybees (Alamy/PA)

Also known as the yellow-legged hornet, these insects have caused concerns for beekeepers in the UK because they prey on a wide range of insects, including honey bees. Areas with a high density of Asian hornet nests present a risk to the surrounding area when it comes to insect diversity. They also present a health risk to those who are allergic to hornet or wasp stings.

These hornets tend to be far smaller than those found in Europe. While European hornets are between 30 and 35 mm in length, Asian hornets tend to be 25 mm long. Their abdomens are mostly black except for the fourth abdominal segment, which has a yellow band. They also have yellow legs and an orange face.

Their nests tend to be high up in trees or man made structures. As well as hunting honey bees and other insects, the hornets feed on fruits and flowers.

How did hornets get to the UK?

Asian hornets are believed to have first arrived in France in a cargo of pottery from China in 2004, by accident. They have since spread rapidly across Europe and have since been spotted in 15 different countries.

They were first spotted in the UK in 2016, in the town of Tetbury, Gloucestershire. After 10 days of intensive searching, a nest was found and destroyed.

The UK has confirmed a total of 147 sightings of the yellow-legged hornet since then, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), including a total of 110 nests which have all been destroyed.

open image in gallery Asian hornets were first spotted in the Uk in 2016, but have been spotted across Europe since 2004 ( Getty/iStock )

DEFRA added that there had only been two confirmed sightings of the yellow-legged hornet in 2025, per a report from 27 March.

What should I do if I see a hornet?

DEFRA have asked any members of the public who believe they have spotted an Asian hornet to report them to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEAH). Using a form on the UKCEAH website, people can send photos of the insect and the exact location of sighting.

There is also an Asian Hornet Watch app, where people can report any sightings of concern to the governments National Bee Unit.

The UK Non-Native Species Secretariat have warned people not to disturb an active nest in case they get hurt.
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Parents have been warned not to let their children go unsupervised on the beach after police received completely avoidable reports of missing children.

Families flocked to the beach this weekend as temperatures reached 24C in some parts of the UK on Saturday. But a police unit in Lancashire has urged parents to do this safely.

Fylde Police said officers have received several reports of missing children in the last two days, which have used a significant amount of police and coastguard resources.

The unit warned in a social media post that the beach is a very dangerous place for unsupervised children, adding: It is disappointing to see that youngsters are still regularly permitted to approach the water unsupervised.

It said: This could prove fatal, even to those who are competent swimmers. You are also risking the lives of the coastguards who would be deployed in a rescue situation.

These incidents are completely avoidable and have a detrimental impact to the service we offer, as when police officers are looking for lost children, we are unable to deal with or prevent crime.

Families have flocked to beaches across the UK in recent weeks as temperatures reached 24C. Picture: Beach at Barry Island on 5 April ( Ben Birchall/PA Wire )

The unit urged parents to follow some basic tips, including never leaving children unsupervised especially near the water, reminding children of the basic principles of stranger danger, and who to approach if they need help.

It added that parents should take a photograph of children at the start of the day so you have a clear image of each child and their clothing and asked parents to consider attaching a wristband to each child with a parents contact number but no name.

It also said families should discuss a meeting point with all members of the group in the event of any person becoming lost.
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Army specialists have been called in to help tackle the mounting piles of rubbish on Birmingham's streets amid a month-long bin strike.

The all-out strike by refuse workers  which began on 11 March as part of a dispute over pay  has seen thousands of tonnes of rubbish go uncollected in the city.

The city council declared a major incident on 31 March, citing public health concerns, as residents say they have spotted rats the size of cats scurrying through the streets in broad daylight and complained of an overwhelming stench as black bin bags pour onto the street.

open image in gallery A month-long strike by refuse workers has left thousands of tonnes of rubbish piled up on the streets of Birmingham ( PA )

The worsening situation has now prompted the government to call in military planners to help tackle the crisis.

The move will see a small number of office-based planners assigned to provide temporary logistical support for the council, rather than soldiers being deployed to collect rubbish.

A government spokesperson said: The government has already provided a number of staff to support the council with logistics and make sure the response on the ground is swift to address the associated public health risks.

In light of the ongoing public health risk, a small number of office-based military personnel with operational planning expertise have been made available to Birmingham City Council to further support in this area.

open image in gallery Birmingham City Council has already appealed for help from neighbouring authorities amid the month-long strike ( PA )

This builds on a range of measures weve supported the council on to date  including neighbouring authorities providing additional vehicles and crews, and opening household waste centres to Birmingham residents.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner urged members of the Unite union last week to accept an improved deal, while health secretary Wes Streeting said the strike had escalated way out of hand.

But the dispute has further strained relations between Labour and Unite, with the unions general secretary Sharon Graham speaking out against the constant attacks and briefings against these low-paid bin workers.

She said: It is important to reiterate the truth, as opposed to the lies being peddled in an attempt to distract.

open image in gallery A further ballot on a deal to end the strike is expected to take place on Monday ( Reuters )

This dispute is not about greed or increased pay. This dispute is about workers losing up to 8,000 of their pay  which for some is almost a quarter.

The council says only 17 workers will be affected, and they stand to lose far less than Unite has claimed.

Ms Graham added that a partial deal on pay protection for some workers had already been agreed and urged the council to accept a wider offer the union had put forward.

A further ballot on a deal to end the strike is expected to take place on Monday.
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A month-long strike by refuse workers in Birmingham has left the city grappling with mounting piles of rubbish, growing public health concerns, and a deepening political divide over who is to blame.

What began as a dispute over pay cuts has now escalated into a full-blown crisis, with the government deploying military planners to help manage the citys waste collection efforts. Meanwhile, residents report rats the size of cats, an overwhelming stench in the streets, and a lack of clarity on when the situation will end.

With a new ballot on a potential deal due this week, tensions between Birmingham City Council, the Unite union, and national government continue to rise  and now, public opinion is beginning to harden.

Some residents back the striking workers, arguing theyre fighting for fair treatment and decent pay, especially after claims that some face losses of up to 8,000 a year. Others are fed up with the disruption and question whether essential services should ever be used as bargaining chips.

Debate is also raging over whether the armys involvement is a step too far, or a necessary measure to protect public health. And as waste collection services across the UK face similar pressures, bigger questions are being asked about privatisation, council budgets, and whether our current model of public service delivery is still fit for purpose.

So, whats your view? Do you support the bin workers strike, or do you think its gone too far? Should councils be allowed to outsource these services, or is it time to bring them back in-house? And would you accept a different waste model  or even a rise in council tax  if it meant avoiding scenes like this in the future?

We want to hear from you. Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments  well feature the most compelling responses and discuss the results in the coming days.

All you have to do is sign up and register your details  then you can take part in the debate. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
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As Donald Trumps trade war continues to escalate, British businesses are choosing to stick with their Chinese manufacturers despite their profits being hit.

The US president has imposed a 145 per cent tariff on imports of Chinese goods since taking office, prompting China to vow to fight to the end in a trade war that threatens to up-end global supply chains.

But despite the uncertainty and soaring costs, some UK business owners who work with manufacturers in China have decided not to jump ship.

Jess Staron, 33, has worked with the same manufacturer since she opened her swimwear brand, Salty Bottom, in 2020.

She says despite costs going up and a planned expansion to the US being potentially thwarted by the measures, she has no plans on abandoning her partners in China.

open image in gallery Jess Staron, 33, has worked with the same manufacturer since she opened her swimwear brand, Salty Bottom, in 2020. ( Supplied )

The former accountant said the quality of goods she receives from her manufacturer - as well as their close and trusted relationship - meant she would rather risk the added costs than move production elsewhere.

I find that the manufacturers are just more technologically advanced in China, she told The Independent, adding she struggled to find another supplier who could print her hand drawn designs onto fabric.

Ive asked factories in Portugal or the UK if they could do the same, but they cant do that service or theyd have to get the fabric in from China anyway.

We spent years perfecting the size and fit of our swimwear with these manufacturers. If I were to go elsewhere it would be a massive upheaval.

The new tariffs have already impacted her business, as suppliers in China are forced to increase prices amid uncertainty.

I just had a shipment ordered [this week] and it was almost double what I usually pay, she said.

We were looking at expanding to the US, which is our second most popular market. But now that might have to be paused because, even though our product will be coming through the UK, its still counted as an import from China.

open image in gallery The new tariffs have already impacted her business, as suppliers in China are forced to increase prices amid uncertainty. ( Supplied )

Her recent visit to her manufacturer in China also impacted her decision to remain with them, after her supplier helped her through a medical emergency by translating information and remaining by her hospital bedside.

That is something you cant overlook, she said.

What are the pros and cons of businesses sticking with Chinese suppliers?

The Independents Business and Money Editor Karl Matchett answers:

Businesses sticking with suppliers in the face of tariffs makes sense to an extent, naturally dependent on the type of operations being spoken about.

On the one hand you already have trust established which might make renegotiating terms more possible, you know the timeframes to deal with in terms of future orders and, naturally, it can be more cost-effective than sourcing products from other regions.

open image in gallery The US president has imposed a 145 per cent tariff on US imports of Chinese goods since taking office, prompting China to vow to fight to the end in a trade war that threatens to up-end global supply chains. ( Getty )

But the flipside to that is the reliance on a single source of key products. It doesn't have to be tariff-related either; we've seen over the last few years that having solid supply chain options in place is key to surviving as much as thriving - canals and shipping blockages, geopolitical issues and Covid have all impacted significantly.

If a business is reliant on key parts or products arriving from a single place, it can be very harmful, very quickly if it goes wrong.

Businesses should keep in mind it doesn't always need to be their choice either - if tariffs do mean that shipping becomes cheaper or more viable to a different nation, they could find delays placed on their own orders as their suppliers look to maintain their own margins.

Having solid supply lines is always crucial, whether your business exports or not.

I wouldnt consider working anywhere else at all

British business owner Millie Modelli, 30, has decided to pause her sales in the US - which accounts for 20 per cent of her market - rather than switch suppliers after the tariff announcements.

She started her clothing brand, Millie Modelli, in 2014 and began manufacturing in China seven years ago.

I wouldnt consider working anywhere else at all - even if these tariffs are here to stay Im not going outside of China, she said.

open image in gallery British business owner Millie Modelli, 30, has decided to pause her sales in the US ( Getty Images )

They are so much more advanced. You can manufacture anywhere, but even in London the technology is not even a brush on whats available in China.

It has the biggest fabric market in the world, there is so much on offer there - everything is at your fingertips and anything is possible.

Ms Modelli also runs a second business, GI Sourcing Co, which helps other brands find reputable manufacturers in China.

She is currently in Guangzhou, China, to meet with some suppliers - and said some are finding the uncertainty sad and stressful.

They are willing to do as much as they can for their clients, she said. The trust you have to have as a clothing brand in your factory is unparalleled. You literally put your whole business on their shoulders.

The journey you go on when you produce your clothing from scratch is so long and it is so involved from both parties, that its not something youre going to switch up in a hurry.

It takes time and trust. Personally, I dont know anyone in my industry that is willing to switch factories like that - it would be desperation.
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Labour has expressed confidence that enough raw materials can be secured to keep British Steels blast furnaces running after the government seized operational control from its Chinese owners.

Ministers said British Steel's owners, China's Jingye Group, had wanted to shut the furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant after they rejected a government funding proposal, which would have forced Britain to import steel instead.

The government recalled parliament at the weekend  the first Saturday recall since the 1982 Falklands War  to give it powers to direct the company's board and workforce and order raw materials.

Jingye has not commented, but China called for fair treatment of its companies and resolution through consultation.

Experts say the dispute has risked straining ties between London and Beijing, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government had sought to improve. The talks also come at a time when nations around the world are trying to deepen trading cooperation after the US tariff shock.

open image in gallery British Steel needs to secure raw materials for its blast furnaces to prevent its Scunthorpe facility from shutting down irrevocably (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Archive )

Treasury department minister James Murray said on Monday that sufficient raw materials were in the country, calling steel production a national security matter.

The facts on the ground are very clear that if we hadn't taken the action that we did on Saturday, then the blast furnaces would be closing, he said.

The furnaces in the northeastern city of Scunthorpe need to be constantly fuelled and are losing 700,000 ($922,000) a day.

Their output is used in the rail network, construction and automotive industry. Without the plant, Britain would be reliant on imports at a time of trade wars and geopolitical instability.

The intervention at a site which employs 3,500 people and more in the supply chain prompted Britain's business minister, Jonathan Reynolds, to say on Sunday that China was no longer welcome in Britain's steel sector.

The GMB union has said it is hopeful that materials needed to keep furnaces at the Scunthorpe steel plant burning will be delivered in the next 48 hours.

GMBs national secretary Andy Prendergast said: Where we are at the moment is that were confident that the deal being done with the raw materials, and the steps being taken will get there on time, and ultimately that has the potential to preserve the future for the plant.

There still needs to be a deal to be done for the future. Whether thats our preference  which is nationalisation of what is a key national asset  or whether thats a genuine private investor whos willing to come in and put the money.

I think for us the key thing is that we keep this plant going and keep virgin steel-making capacity in the UK.

open image in gallery British Steels Scunthorpe plant in north Lincolnshire ( AFP via Getty Images )

British Steel was already struggling in an over-supplied global market before the rise in energy costs of recent years. U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent on all steel imports, taking effect in March, delivered another blow.

The Community union representing workers at the plant welcomed the government intervention, as did industry trade body UK Steel.

Closure of the furnaces would leave Britain as the only G7 wealthy nation unable to produce so-called virgin steel from iron ore, coking coal and other inputs. The government says nationalisation of the plant is now a likely option.

China's foreign ministry urged Britain on Monday to treat its firms fairly without politicising trade matters so as to protect the confidence of Chinese investors.

"Both sides should discuss and solve the difficulties encountered by the current operation of British Steel on the basis of the principle of mutual benefit," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
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Government officials and British Steel staff are in a desperate race to save its blast furnaces after what ministers believe was a plot to sabotage the Scunthorpe plant by its Chinese owners.

A crucial meeting is scheduled for Monday between the firms staff and civil servants aimed at rescuing Britains last primary steelmaking plant from permanent closure, costing thousands of jobs.

The government dramatically took control of the company on Saturday, kicking off a frantic hunt for the securing essential raw materials, including coking coal and iron ore, needed to keep the two blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant operational.

open image in gallery British Steel needs to secure raw materials for its blast furnaces to prevent its Scunthorpe facility from shutting down irrevocably ( PA )

Once the furnaces are turned off, it is practically impossible to bring them back online, and officials believe British Steels Chinese owner Jingye had been planning to let the raw materials run out in a bid to sabotage the plant, shuttering the blast furnaces and making the UK reliant on Chinese exports of so-called virgin steel.

Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, warned: It is an explicit strategy of the Chinese Communist Party to undermine the industrial base of foreign countries.

On Sunday, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Chinese firms should be barred from investing in some sectors, including those vital to national security and key infrastructure.

I wouldnt personally bring a Chinese company into our steel sector, he added, noting that British Steel fell into Chinese hands under Boris Johnson. Downing Street on Monday denied being aware of any "sabotage attempts" at the Scunthorpe steelworks.

Mr Reynolds was unable to guarantee the furnaces could be saved, but said taking over the plant had given the government a chance to save it.

Treasury minister James Murray on Monday said Jingye had behaved irresponsibly and accelerated the crisis officials are now trying to avoid.

He said civil servants on the site are trying urgently to get raw materials to the Scunthorpe steelworks to keep the blast furnaces running.

Mr Murray confirmed the materials needed at the British Steel works were in the UK, and that government staff had been at the plant in North Lincolnshire since Saturday.

Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Murray said: "Their role is to make sure we do everything we can to make sure we get those raw materials to the blast furnaces in time and to make sure they continue operating."

He refused to guarantee the furnaces will continue running, claiming the plant's Chinese owners, Jingye, had "accelerated" the shut down of one furnace.

He said: "The raw materials, the shipments have arrived, they're in the UK, they're nearby. There were questions about getting them into the blast furnaces, that is what the officials are focused on right now."

He added: "We know that the Government needed to do everything possible on Saturday to protect the future of steelmaking in the UK.

"We're not just going to step aside and let the industry fail with the blast furnaces closing. We've been negotiating in good faith with Jingye but when it became clear they were accelerating the plans to close the blast furnaces, we had to step in."

Dozens of businesses, including Tata and Rainham Steel, have rallied to help British Steel with offers of managerial support and raw materials following the Governments takeover.

Mr Reynolds said: When I said steelmaking has a future in the UK, I meant it.

Thats why weve passed these new powers to save British Steel at Scunthorpe, and thats why my team are already hard at work on the ground to keep jobs going and furnaces burning.

Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB union national officer, said she is "wholly reassured" that the coking coal bound for the furnaces at Scunthorpe will be "paid for and unloaded over the next couple of days" at Immingham Bulk Terminal as part of efforts to avert the permanent shutdown of Britain's last primary steelmaking plant.

She told BBC Breakfast: "I spoke to British Steel late yesterday evening and was wholly reassured, actually.

"I've (been) told that the coke that's at Immingham Bulk Terminal will be paid for and unloaded over the next couple of days and that Government are working at pace to secure the rest of the raw materials that are currently on the ocean."

And the national secretary of GMB said he is "hopeful" that materials needed to keep furnaces at the Scunthorpe steel plant burning will be delivered in the next 48 hours.

Andy Prendergast said: "Where we are at the moment is that we're confident that the deal being done with the raw materials, and the steps being taken will get there on time, and ultimately that has the potential to preserve the future for the plant.

"There still needs to be... a deal to be done for the future. Whether that's our preference - which is nationalisation of what is a key national asset - or whether that's a genuine private investor who's willing to come in and put the money.

"I think for us the key thing is that we keep this plant going and keep virgin steel-making capacity in the UK."

The prime ministers official spokesman said the government is "confident" it will secure the supply of materials needed to keep blast furnaces burning at the Scunthorpe steel plant.

Jingye, British Steels Chinese owners, had not only stopped ordering raw materials but had begun selling off existing supplies, sparking concerns the plant could close within days.

Officials from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), along with British Steel staff, will spend Monday working to bring nearby materials on to the site, as well as ensuring staff continue to be paid, the department said.

open image in gallery The Prime Minister took the unusual step of recalling Parliament from recess on a Saturday to pass emergency legislation allowing the Government to take control of British Steel (Peter Byrne/PA) ( PA )

The offers of support from other businesses also mean that British Steel is reassessing its options.

This includes possibly reversing Jingyes decision to take one of the blast furnaces temporarily offline as early as Monday using a salamander tap, a procedure said to be dangerous.

It came as the business secretary approved the appointment of two long-standing employees to run the business on an interim basis.

Allan Bell, currently chief commercial officer, will take over as chief executive, and current marketing director Lisa Coulson will fill his role.

The pair have worked at British Steel for 14 and 19 years respectively and were instrumental in keeping operations running under Jingyes ownership.

Mr Bell said: Our sole focus is ensuring a secure and sustainable future for British Steels production in Scunthorpe.

Our immediate priorities are securing the raw materials we need to continue blast furnace operations, ensuring we have the dedicated personnel to run those furnaces, and maintaining the highest levels of health and safety for our workforce.

Ministers remain hopeful that a private investor can be found for British Steel, with the cost of modernising the Scunthorpe plant expected to run into billions of pounds.

But over the weekend, Mr Reynolds admitted that full nationalisation remained the most likely option in the short term.
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The global stock market has begun to rebound this week, with the FTSE 100 surging, as the US drops its tariffs on certain electronics.

Londons blue-chip index surged 1.97 per cent, or 157 points to 8121, in early trades.

Investors are betting that tech groups such as Apple will benefit from a carve-out from Donald Trumps so-called reciprocal trade tariffs, which include a 145 per cent levy on Chinese imports.

But the optimism was likely tempered after White House officials spent Sunday downplaying the significance of the exemptions.

Theyre exempt from the reciprocal tariffs but theyre included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick told ABC on Sunday.

open image in gallery The Trump administration says the reprieve for tech companies are not an exception ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Trump added to the confusion hours later, saying on social media that there was no exception because the goods are just moving to a different bucket.

He said they will still face a 20 per cent tariff as part of his administrations move to punish China for its role in fentanyl trafficking.

Markets in Asia rebounded, with Japans Nikkei 225 rising 1.2 per cent, and Hong Kongs Hang Seng index rising 2.2 per cent.

Germanys Dax index rose 1.9 per cent in early trades, while Frances Cac 40 was up 1.8 per cent.

Richard Hunter, an analyst at Interactive Investor, said UK markets have lately been ever subject to changing conditions which has seen any initial strength dissipating over recent trading sessions as new global developments emerge.

Nonetheless, the FTSEs spike shows some evidence of continued interest in the UK as an investment destination amid the turmoil elsewhere.

open image in gallery The FTSE 100 rose sharply on Monday morning after the tariff exemptions (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Wire )

Early gains in the UK included companies with more exposure to China, such as Prudential and Standard Chartered, which saw 3 per cent and 3.5 per cent increases in share price, respectively.

Barclays, which has significant US exposure, also surged 4 per cent in early trading.

The Trump administration had said late on Friday that it would exclude electronics from broader so-called reciprocal tariffs, designed to keep the prices down for phones and other consumer products made abroad.

Chinas commerce ministry in a Sunday statement welcomed the change as a small step even as it called for the US to cancel the rest of its tariffs.

Sparing electronics was expected to benefit big tech companies such as Apple and Samsung and chip makers such as Nvidia.

It was the latest tariff change by the Trump administration, which has made several U-turns in its massive plan to put tariffs in place on goods from most countries.

Investors will next turn to the opening bell on Wall Street on Monday afternoon, after the tariff turmoil battered the stocks of techs Magnificent Seven last week: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, Google parent Alphabet and Facebook parent Meta.

At one point, their combined market value had plunged by 2.1 trillion dollars, or 14 per cent, from 2 April when Mr Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on a wide range of countries.

When he paused the tariffs apart from on China on Wednesday, the lost value in those companies was pared to 644 billion dollars, or a 4 per cent decline.
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A British explorer who guided Prince Harry to the North Pole is locked in a 1m court fight with a billionaire heiress over a cancelled expedition to the wreck of The Titanic on the ill-fated Titan submersible.

Henry Cookson, a former safari guide and polar explorer, now runs Cookson's Adventures, an ultra-luxury adventure travel company specialising in bespoke trips for high net-worth individuals to far flung and otherwise inaccessible spots, often costing millions.

In 2017, his company was paid 680,000 by Karen Lo, the super-rich heiress to a Hong Kong soy milk fortune, to organise a once-in-a-lifetime submarine visit to the Titanic, planned for 2018 aboard the OceanGate Titan craft.

But the 2018 dive was canceled after the vessel was damaged by lightning, with Ms Lo being offered a priority place on a future trip instead.

However she never got her trip after Covid intervened and the Titan vessel then infamously imploded during a dive to the wreck in June 2023, killing all five passengers, including OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, and causing the company's operations to cease.

open image in gallery Henry Cookson and Prince Harry on a training exercise for their North Pole trip ( PA )

Ms Lo is now suing Holland Park-based Henry Cookson Adventures Ltd, claiming the company is responsible for refunding her for the Titanic trip she paid for but never took.

But Mr Cookson's company is fighting the claim, saying the heiress knew there were no refunds when she put her money down for the Titanic trip, and that she had a chance to go on the expedition later but never did.

Ms Lo is a Hong Kong based heiress with a reported net worth of $1 billion. Her wealth comes from Vitasoy, a soymilk and drinks company founded by her grandfather Dr Lo Kwee-seong, which has a reported global turnover of $1 billion and over 7,000 employees.

She hit the headlines in 2018 when she bought Sting's New York apartment for $50m and again in 2023 when she sued a gallery owner for 500,000 over alleged non-delivery of a Banksy painting she had bought.

On his company's website, Mr Cookson describes how he used his experience guiding horseback safaris in Kenya and in polar exploration, including a mission to the Pole with Prince Harry and the Walking With The Wounded charity, to set up ultra high-end adventure travel company Cookson's Adventures.

"Its these expeditions that served as inspiration in founding Cookson Adventures, bringing the same standards of ground-breaking excellence to the world of private travel. Thats whether working with remote tribes in Africa or organising Alaskas most complex charter operations," the website states.

Papers lodged with London's High court describe how Mr Cookson had previously been "on friendly personal terms" with Ms Lo, even attending her wedding, and had organised trips worth "tens of millions of US dollars" for her and her guests.

open image in gallery This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. ( OceanGate Expeditions )

Her barrister Jack Harding states in court papers: "The defendant agreed to organise and supply a two-week expedition for the claimant and 17 others to visit the wreck of the Titanic between 30th June and 14th July 2018.

"The defendants supplier for the expedition was OceanGate, a company which, at the material time, specialised in the provision of crewed submersibles for tourism, research and exploration."

Having paid around 670,000 up front for the trip in May 2018, an email was sent by Cookson Adventure to Ms Lo explaining that the mission had been cancelled because the Titan craft had been struck by lightning and its electronic systems damaged.

The contract "provided clients with 100% credit toward 2019 Titanic dives or any other expedition offered by OceanGate" due to the cancellation, but "OceanGate did not carry out any further dives to the Titanic wreck in 2019 or 2020," he said.

"The claimant, through her agents and legal representatives, subsequently requested repayment of the sums paid under the contract. The defendant has refused to refund any of the claimants money."

open image in gallery Prince Harry on his way to set up his tent with Henry Cookson as he joins the Walking with the Wounded team who gather on the island of Spitsbergen, situated between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole for their last days of training before setting off to walk to the North Pole. 30 March 2011 ( PA )

Ms Lo is suing under the Package Travel Regulations 1992, arguing it was an express or implied term of the contract that the dive would take place within a "reasonable time."

"In repudiatory breach of the aforementioned express and/or implied terms, the Titanic Expedition did not take place in 2018 or at all," he says.

"As a result of the defendants breach of contract, the claimant was entitled to and did elect to treat the contract as at an end.

"As a result of the matters set out above, the claimant seeks damages for her wasted expenditure in entering into a contract which was never performed.

"The defendant was enriched, at the expense of the claimant, by the payment and receipt of her money. It is irrelevant that the defendant may have subsequently passed some or all of the money to its own supplier.

"The claimant did not receive any benefit from the money that she paid to the claimant and/or the defendant did not provide any service of benefit to the claimant."

Ms Lo's lawyer says she wants her 670,000 back, plus interest at 8% from May 2018, taking the total claimed over 1m.

However in the defence to the action, Henk Soede, for Mr Cookson's company, denies they owe the heiress a penny.

"She was introduced to Mr Cookson through a personal friend in 2011-12 and has been using the defendant's services since then, in every case for exclusive unique and tailor-made trips at very high cost," he says.

"For example, in 2018/19, after the postponed dive voyage to which this claim relates, the defendant arranged and the claimant paid in full for a multi-million dollar trip to the Antarctic on three yachts, including the super-yacht purchased in the name of the claimant the year previously, with twin helicopters and two submersibles, for a total of 13 guests and four nannies.

"The claimant's annual budget with the defendant ran into tens of missions of US dollars.

"The claimant and Mr Cookson were on friendly personal terms and Mr Cookson had attended her wedding in Rome and accompanied a number of her friends who traveled with the couple to Egypt as part of their honeymoon.

"At no stage did the defendant agree to 'organise and supply' an expedition for the claimant and her guests to visit the wreck of The Titanic," the lawyer states, insisting that Mr Cookson's company instead had an "affiliate agreement" to be a booking agent for some of the planned trips, with OceanGate remaining the "organiser".

The contract had also contained a no-refund clause, with the agreement being that a credit towards a future voyage with priority booking rights be provided instead if the mission did not go ahead for technical reasons.

"The defendant disputes this claim because, in outline, the Package Travel Regulations 1992 do not apply because the holiday was neither sold nor offered to be sold in the UK," he says.

"Alternatively, even if the regulations did apply, the claimant would not be entitled to a refund as the package was not cancelled but only postponed, in accordance with the agreed terms.

"Nor in any event would the defendant be liable to refund monies paid to it, which, as the claimant was well aware, had been passed on to the party providing the voyage, which was also, if the regulations applied, the organiser.

"The claimant did not take up the credit within a reasonable time and thereby waived or lost her entitlement. Further, by notifying the defendant that she did not intend on using the credit in the future, the claimant terminated the contract and/or cancelled the voyage.

"Alternatively, the contract was in any event frustrated as a result of the complete loss of the dive vessel in 2023 and the resulting cessation of the provider's trading activities."

The lawyer states that whilst no dives took place in 2019 and Covid restrictions stopped any missions in 2020, dives took place in 2021 and 2022 which Ms Lo could have joined using her credit, prior to the ill-fated final mission in 2023.

"At all material times, OceanGate acknowledged that the defendant was entitled to a credit for un-taken 2018 missions," he says.

"However, the claimant made clear that she did not want to use her credit in 2019 or at any time in the future."

Her solicitors had instead demanded a refund in June 2019, he said.

The case, unless settled, will come before a judge in court at a later date.

open image in gallery Debris from the Titan submersible, recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, is unloaded from the ship Horizon Arctic at the Canadian Coast Guard pier in St. John's, Newfoundland, Wednesday, June 28, 2023

The Titan submersible was the first privately-owned submersible with a claimed maximum depth of 4,000 metres and the first completed crewed submersible with a hull constructed of titanium and carbon fiber composite materials.

After testing with dives to its maximum intended depth in 2018 and 2019, the original composite hull of Titan developed fatigue damage and was replaced by 2021.

In that year, OceanGate began transporting paying customers to the wreck of the Titanic, completing several dives to the wreck site in 2021 and 2022.

During the submersible's first 2023 expedition, it imploded during the crew's descent to the wreckage of Titanic, about 320 nautical miles (590 km) south-southeast off the coast of Newfoundland.

The submersible was carrying tourists Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, crew member and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGate founder and the vessel's pilot, Stockton Rush.
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Librarians are facing growing calls for LGBT+ books to be removed from shelves, industry leaders have warned, as the influence of US pressure groups is felt in the UK.

Some library workers who fight back against censorship are being trolled online or even losing their jobs, according to members of the sector.

LGBT+ charity Stonewall has raised concerns after new research seen by The Independent revealed that the vast majority of book removal requests in UK school libraries have been focused on LGBT+ content.

Alice Osemans Heartstopper series about two schoolboys romantic relationship and Billys Bravery by Tom Percival about a boy who wants to dress up as superhero Nature Girl were among the titles reported to have faced calls for removal.

After interviewing 10 UK school librarians about book censorship, Alison Hicks, an associate professor in library and information studies at UCL, said: Almost all the UK attacks reported in my study centred on LGBTQ+ materials, while US attacks appear to target material related to race, ethnicity and social justice as well as LGBTQ+ issues.

open image in gallery Alice Osemans Heartstopper series about two schoolboys romantic relationship is among the titles reported to have faced challenges ( Reuters )

Her study, to be published in the School Library Association (SLA)s journal The School Librarian, suggested that US action groups are increasingly targeting UK libraries. However, the study was small, and the level of influence is currently still not clear.

Respondents revealed instances of finding propaganda from one of these groups left on her desk, being directly targeted by one of these groups, and being trolled by US pressure groups on social media, for example, when responding to free book giveaways.

Meanwhile, respondents also reported UK pupils vandalising library material, annotating library books with racist and homophobic slurs, as well as damaging posters and displays, in behaviour that Ms Hicks said she had not seen in the US, illustrating how the situations between the two countries do differ.

Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Cilip), said that although the situation here is nowhere as bad, censorship does happen and there are some deeply worrying examples of library professionals losing their jobs and being trolled online for standing up for intellectual freedom on behalf of their users.

President of Libraries Connected Ed Jewell said anecdotal evidence from his charity, which represents public libraries, showed book removal requests are on the rise. Victoria Dilly, CEO of the SLA, also said her organisation has seen an increase in member queries about censorship this year.

The majority of challenges in the UK are still launched by individuals or small groups, whereas in the US, pressure groups and government-related entities led censorship demands in 72 per cent of cases, according to data released by the American Library Association last week.

The US has an organised system of book challenging that involves bans and burnings and is spearheaded by right-wing groups. But Mr Jewell warned it is certainly possible that the scale of censorship were seeing in the US will influence the debate over here.

Last year, librarians revealed that LGBT+ books were being banned from UK schools after complaints from parents.

A six-month investigation by Index on Censorship, the results of which were shared exclusively with The Independent, found that 53 per cent of UK school librarians polled had been asked to remove literature and in more than half of those cases books were taken off shelves.

The snapshot survey found that more than two dozen librarians had experienced such censorship, with one saying they had been told to remove every book with an LGBT+ theme after a single complaint from one parent about one book.

In the wake of the latest research demonstrating the continuation of this trend, Stonewall said: It is troubling to see reports that LGBT+ books are being removed from libraries as we know that many students find great importance and reassurance in seeing themselves reflected in books and media.

Its vital that schools ensure that all young people have access to inclusive educational materials and books that represent the world we live in and the communities everyone is a part of.

Ms Hicks said attacks on books in the UK are having a huge impact, despite differences from the situation in the US, where book banning measures have been implemented in multiple states over recent years. My research demonstrates that UK school librarians are facing equivalent levels of distress and hostility in the face of book ban challenges such as these.

Mr Coiffait-Gunn warned: Perhaps more concerning is the lack of robust evidence about how widespread the issue is here; its hard to evidence what doesnt happen and which books are not available, illustrating the chilling effect of censorship.
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The families of five people murdered by Hashem Abedi in the Manchester Arena bombing say they are in disbelief he was able to attack prison officers in HMP Frankland.

Abedi, who was in a high-security unit, attacked three prison officers on Saturday by throwing hot oil at them and stabbing them with makeshift weapons, POA, the prison officers union said.

Now, the bombing victims families have expressed outrage that Abedi has been allowed to cause danger to life in a letter to justice secretary Shabana Mahmood seen by the BBC.

Abedi, who had been a long-term inmate at HMP Franklands separation centre, was jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 55 years for the murders of 22 people after helping his brother carry out the suicide bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

open image in gallery HMP Frankland, where three prison officers suffered serious injuries (Tom Wilkinson/PA) ( PA Archive )

He moved to the separation centre after carrying out an attack on prison officers in Londons MMP Belmarsh in 2020.

The families letter to Ms Mahmood says: "We are writing in absolute disbelief" that, once again, the "evil Hashem Abedi has been allowed to cause danger to life".

"As the families of Megan Hurley, Eilidh Macleod, Chloe Rutherford, Liam Curry, and Kelly Brewster, our beautiful, beloved children who were so tragically murdered along with 16 others in the Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017, we find this situation beyond comprehension."

The families explained they understood prison would mean he was confined to a cell to 23 hours a day and served meal through a hatch and added that in their view he should not be allowed any privileges.

Abedi had access to the kitchen in Franklands separation centre  one of only two centres currently in use.

Following the attack, he was moved to the separation centre at HMP Full Sutton.

Inmates of separation centres - used to house a small number of the UKs most dangerous inmates - have since been barred from using kitchens.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it will launch a full independent review into how the attack was able to happen.

In response to the letter, it said in a statement that their thoughts remain with the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and their families.

An MoJ spokesperson added in response to the kitchen ban: "The Government will do whatever it takes to keep our hardworking staff safe, and our thoughts remain with the two prison officers still in hospital as they recover.

Weve already taken immediate action to suspend access to kitchens in separation and close supervision centres.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was clear something went terribly wrong with how Abedi was handled.

His spokesman added: The prime minister is appalled by the attack that we saw at the weekend and his thoughts are with the officers involved.

Prison staff work around the clock to keep the country safe and we will never tolerate the violence that is targeted towards them.

The attack comes after Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the POA, called on the government to remove cooking facilities from separation centres.

He disagreed that offenders in these facilities should be given the same privileges as normal location prisoners.
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Police are prevented from countering misinformation by laws which are outdated in the social media age, MPs investigating last years violent anti-immigration riots have said.

Limits on disclosing details of criminal investigations "created an information vacuum that allowed disinformation to flourish" after three children were stabbed to death at a summer dance party in July, Parliament's Home Affairs Committee said.

The attack in the northern town of Southport shocked the UK last year, and saw days of violent disorder as far-right riots were sparked by online misinformation that the attacker was a Muslim migrant who had recently arrived in the country.

Crowds attacked locations linked to migrants and asylum-seekers, such as housing, mosques, libraries and community centres.

open image in gallery Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar (Merseyside Police) ( PA Media )

Attacker Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 when he carried out the rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, is the British-born son of Rwandan Christian parents. He is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 52 years for killing Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, and wounding eight other children and two adults.

Longstanding contempt-of-court rules, intended to ensure fair trials, hampered police in correcting online misinformation, and a ban on naming suspects under 18 meant the attacker's identity was withheld from the public for several days.

A tweet falsely identifying the attacker, posted on the day of the stabbings, was retweeted thousands of times and viewed by millions of people, the lawmakers said. Police did not state that the information was false until the next day, and even then did not release the attacker's name.

Conservative lawmaker Karen Bradley, who heads the Home Affairs Committee, said "bad actors sought to exploit the unspeakable tragedy that unfolded in Southport."

"By failing to disclose information to the public, false claims filled the gap and flourished online, further undermining confidence in the police and public authorities," she said. "The criminal justice system will need to ensure its approach to communication is fit for the social media age."

The committee of lawmakers from both government and opposition parties also said police struggled to monitor the sheer volume of content on social media. It called for government support "to monitor and respond to social media at a national level."

open image in gallery Disinformation after the Southport killings was said to have sparked riots across the country (Owen Humphreys/PA) ( PA Archive )

The government said it agreed that "social media has put well-established principles around how we communicate after attacks like this under strain, and we must be able to tackle misinformation head on." It has asked the Law Commission to carry out a review into contempt of court rules.

The government also has set up a public inquiry into how the system failed to stop the killer, who had been referred to the authorities multiple times over his obsession with violence.

The lawmakers' committee, which heard from police, prosecutors and experts during its inquiry, also said there was no evidence to support allegations of "two-tier policing" in Britain. Politicians and activists on the political right have argued that those arrested over the summer disorder were treated more harshly than climate change activists or Black Lives Matter protesters.

More than 1,000 people have faced criminal charges over the violence, which saw 69 police officers treated in hospitals.

"Those participating in disorder were not policed more strongly because of their supposed political views but because they were throwing missiles, assaulting police officers and committing arson," the lawmakers said. "It was disgraceful to see the police officers who bore the brunt of this violence being undermined by baseless claims of 'two-tier policing."'
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A legal campaign spearheaded by a police whistleblower and survivors of child sexual abuse aims to hold accountable those who failed to tackle grooming gangs and exploitation.

The #TheyKnew campaign seeks to raise 125,000 to investigate the actions of police forces, local authorities, and individuals across the country. The investigation will determine whether private prosecutions, civil claims, or other legal proceedings can be brought against them for past failures.

Maggie Oliver, a former police detective turned whistleblower, launched the campaign on Monday. She stated that misconduct in public office is one potential offense being considered to hold senior officials accountable who "knowingly failed in their duty to protect children" from gangs or other instances of sexual abuse. The campaign intends to explore all legal avenues to bring justice to those who were failed by the very institutions meant to protect them.

Campaigners believe that by taking action against historical wrongs, it will also help ensure nothing like this is ever allowed to happen again.

Ms Oliver told the PA news agency: I want the message to go out very clearly to senior public servants today, whether thats chief constables, heads of social services, heads of councils, politicians that if they fail to act or to do their duty to protect children, that they can be held legally accountable in the future.

Thats the only way that I believe that we will see real, meaningful change.

Ms Oliver, who resigned from Greater Manchester Police in 2012, said successive governments could not be trusted to bring real change, leaving campaigners to take matters into their own hands.

I think the country is demanding action be taken, she said.

The Government has faced pressure to act on grooming gangs and child sex abuse, and has made a series of announcements to tackle the issue since January.

Ms Oliver threatened in January that she would take Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to court unless she made urgent steps to allay widespread public concern over gangs sexually exploiting children.

The charity founder described the latest update from ministers on progress to tackle child sex abuse as empty words and more empty promises.

Recommendations from a major review into child sexual abuse hit the headlines in January after billionaire X owner Elon Musk criticised the Prime Minister and Home Office minister Jess Phillips over the UKs handling of child grooming scandals.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in attendance during UFC 314 at Kaseya CenterCampaigners seek legal action against those who failed to tackle grooming gangs ( IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect )

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) led by Professor Alexis Jay found institutional failings and tens of thousands of victims across England and Wales.

The seven-year probe made 20 recommendations in the final report published in 2022, as it described child sexual abuse as an epidemic across the two nations.

The Government has vowed to carry out recommendations, including to make it a criminal offence to obstruct someone reporting abuse, and creating a new child protection authority to improve safeguarding.

The Home Secretary has also insisted that local inquiries into grooming gangs in five towns, and possibly more, will be going ahead with a 5 million funding pot after accusations that the plans were being watered down.

A rapid national audit, led by Baroness Casey, looking at the scale of grooming gangs across the country, is also expected to report back after Easter.

But Ms Oliver said that while the new offence on reporting abuse will go some way to ensure exploitation in Rochdale, Rotherham, Telford and elsewhere will not be repeated, it will do nothing to right historical wrongs and hold those whove already failed to account.

Non-profit organisation Action for Accountability, which has launched the bid, will be working with Devonshires Solicitors to investigate claims and will bring proceedings if it finds misconduct.

Samantha Smith, a survivor of abuse in Telford, Shropshire, who is among those leading the campaign, said: I will never forget how those in power turned a blind eye while I was being groomed and abused.

I was a child begging for help.

An inquiry into abuse in Telford reported findings in 2022 that more than a thousand children were sexually exploited over at least 30 years amid shocking police and council failings.

Ms Smith added: We must demand better from those who claim to protect victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

And there must be consequences for inaction.

A survivor of abuse in Rotherham, Elizabeth Harper  not her real name  is also driving the action to hold those that failed to account.

An inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, which covered the period 1997 to 2013, made a conservative estimate that around 1,400 children were sexually exploited over 16 years.

Ms Harper said: I was also a victim of systemic failings on an industrial scale by those paid to protect us.

Things will not change until we see accountability.

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips told MPs on April 8 that all chief constables in England and Wales re-examined their investigations into gang child sexual exploitation, which resulted in no further action decisions.

She added that from April 1, victims and survivors can ask the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel to independently review cases that took place after 2013.

The #TheyKnew fundraiser is being launched on CrowdJustice to cover evidence gathering, legal advice, investigators, experts and other associated costs.

Any remaining funds will be returned to donors or donated to charity.
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As government officials and British Steel staff race to save its blast furnaces after what ministers believe was a plot to sabotage the Scunthorpe plant by its Chinese owners, there are more eyes than ever on Chinese investments in the UK.

MPs were recalled to parliament on Saturday to pass emergency legislation allowing the government to seize control of British Steel after Jingye, its Chinese owner, appeared to be gearing up to turn off the blast furnaces at the site. But British Steel isnt the only critical infrastructure in which China has a stake.

Nuclear power

The China General Nuclear Corporation (CGN) was an initial investor in the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, giving it a 33.5 per cent stake. But it halted funding in 2023 amid mounting tension between London and Beijing, meaning its one-third stake has been receding in recent years.

In 2016, CGN was charged by the US government with nuclear espionage, resulting in an employee being sentenced to two years in prison. The 17-page indictment accused the company and its employees of having unlawfully conspired to develop nuclear material in China without US approval and with the intent to secure an advantage to the Peoples Republic of China.

China was also involved in the Sizewell C nuclear power station but in 2022, the UK government forced Beijing out, spending 679m of taxpayer cash as part of an exit deal.

Heathrow airport

The China Investment Company (CIC), a state-owned investment firm with global assets worth around 1.1 trillion, has a 10 per cent stake in Heathrow airport, Britains key aviation hub. The airport is critical for the governments plan for growth after ministers approved the building of a third runway earlier this year.

Utilities

The CIC has a 10.5 per cent stake in National Grids gas distribution network after the gas and electricity company agreed to sell a majority stake in its gas pipe network in 2016. The CIC also holds an 8.7 per cent share of Thames Water.

In February, it was revealed by the Financial Times that UK security services are taking part in a review of Chinas role in UK energy infrastructure, with MI5 said to be looking at whether the use of Chinese technology  such as solar panels or industrial batteries  could pose a threat to national security.

Universities

Top British universities have received tens of millions of pounds from Chinese organisations, The Independent revealed earlier this year. Experts warn the UK is increasingly becoming a target for Beijing as it looks to increase its global influence and stifle criticism.

A series of freedom of information requests to Russell Group universities  an association of the top 24 research universities in the UK  found they received nearly 50m from Chinese sources in the past four years.

Oxford and Cambridge received the most donations, gifts, grants and research funding from Chinese sources. Oxford University brought in 24m from 2020 to 2024, while Cambridge received between 12m and 19m over the same period. This included money from Huawei Technologies and its subsidiaries to Cambridge after it was banned from involvement in Britains telecommunications infrastructure in July 2020.

Real estate

In 2022, The Guardian revealed that Beijing owns a vast network of UK real estate  controlling more than 250 properties across Britain via dozens of companies  including distribution centres that are central to the flow of food and goods across the southwest and southeast of England and the Midlands. The CIC is thought to have spent at least 580m on properties in the UK.

Telecommunications

While Chinese-owned company Huawei was initially allowed to contribute to Britains 5G network, the UK government has since banned its use and is phasing out the companys equipment over fears that use of the technology could compromise UK national security.

In 2020, the government passed a law banning British mobile providers from buying new Huawei 5G equipment and forcing them to remove all Huawei kit from their networks by 2027.
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Ministers have secured raw materials needed to keep British Steel furnaces in Scunthorpe alive amid accusations that the plants Chinese owners were poised to let it fail.

The materials  which have arrived by ship from the United States  are enough to keep the furnaces running for the coming weeks while the government scrambles to secure the long-term future of the Jingye-owned site.

A row is now raging over whether China should be banned from investing in critical British infrastructure, with senior ex-ministers saying the crisis over the plant should be a wake-up call over Beijings reach.

But China hit back on Monday, urging Britain to avoid politicising trade cooperation or linking it to security issues or risk losing the confidence of firms investing in the UK.

open image in gallery Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds ( PA )

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner visited the site on Monday to express confidence that the government will be able to keep it open.

A separate ship containing yet more coking coal and iron ore is on the way to Britain from Australia  cargo that was the subject of a legal dispute between British Steel and Jingye over the weekend that has now been resolved. The materials have been paid for using existing Department for Business and Trade (DBT) budgets.

Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: We will always act in the interest of working people and UK industry. Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and in my department, we have moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel.

New legislation passed over the weekend following an emergency Saturday sitting gave the government the power to direct the companys board and workforce, ensure they get paid, and order the raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running. It also permits the government to do these things itself if needed.

open image in gallery Angela Rayner during her visit to the British Steel site in Scunthorpe ( PA )

The government says it acted to protect 37,000 jobs in supply chains and ensure the UK maintained its capacity to produce steel.

Mr Reynolds has also confirmed the appointment of Allan Bell as interim chief executive and Lisa Coulson as interim chief commercial officer, both with immediate effect.

Once furnaces are turned off, it is extremely difficult to bring them back online. Officials believe Jingye had been planning to let the raw materials run out in a bid to sabotage the plant, shuttering the blast furnaces and making the UK reliant on Chinese exports of so-called virgin steel.

A Downing Street spokesperson accused Jingye of not acting in good faith.

Asked about claims the firm had sought to force the closure of the plant, the spokesperson said he was not aware" of any sabotage but it had become clear that the Chinese owners wanted to shut the blast furnaces, adding: That wasn't an outcome that we wanted to see ... they had decided not to order more raw materials.

China suggested its companies could be put off investing in Britain if they were not treated fairly.

At a weekly press conference in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: We hope the British government treats Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the UK fairly and justly, protects their legitimate rights and interests, and avoids politicising and over-securitising economic and trade cooperation, so as not to affect the confidence of Chinese enterprises in investing and cooperating in the UK.

Meanwhile, senior figures from Labour and the Tories have added their voices to the governments over putting security first.

open image in gallery Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith ( PA )

Prior to the issues with British Steel, there had been concerns over Chinese control of the UKs critical infrastructure and the way China almost got control of the UKs 5G network with Huawei, and tried to invest in nuclear energy. Most recently, Unite the Union questioned plans for a Chinese merger with Vodafone.

Former defence secretary Sir Gavin Williamson, who was sacked by Theresa May over his opposition to Huawei and allegations he had leaked plans to allow it to develop 5G in the UK, pointed out that steel is essential for UK defence and security.

He said: Its absolutely clear that we have to show such a level of caution allowing Chinese companies to be involved in any form of critical national infrastructure and critical industries. Quite simply, we are going to have to take moves to make sure that they are excluded from such investments in the future.

Tobias Ellwood, a former minister in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Foreign Office (FCDO), added: Its a wake-up call. It certainly is a very progressive but clandestine approach. China does this very well. It is able to usurp itself into critical national infrastructure capability, able then to turn the taps on and off as they will, blaming the economic circumstances in a particular country. But its very dangerous for Britain.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) with 40 countries in it, who has been sanctioned by Beijing, called for China to be put in the top category of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) to prevent it from investing in critical infrastructure.

He warned: China has completely subverted the World Trade Organisation rules. Of course we need to stop them investing in critical industries but we also need to prevent them from dumping large amounts of steel, electric cars and other goods on us to flood our markets and destroy our industries.

The EU has tariffs to prevent this and we need to do the same.

Meanwhile, Labour chair of the Commons trade and business committee, Liam Byrne, confirmed that his committee wants to get to the bottom of Chinese ownership of critical infrastructure in an inquiry.

And Dame Emily Thornberry, the Labour chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, added: We need to listen to security advice and let that guide us. Security first.
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The millions of benefit claimants affected by Labours planned changes to welfare will soon be able to have their say on the controversial package, but with one crucial catch: they arent allowed to talk about the planned cuts.

This is because several of the policies will not be included in the consultation, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Pathways to Work green paper reveals, prompting campaigners and charities to label the process a sham.

Amounting to 4.8 billion in welfare cuts, Labours proposed changes would scale back some of the key health-related entitlements in the UK.

The biggest cost-cutting measure in the package are the changes to the personal independence payment (PIP)  claimed by 3.6 million people  which make up 85 per cent of the savings.

Alongside this is a freeze to the rate the Universal Credit health element for existing claimants, and the move to nearly halve it for new claimants.

But neither of these measures will be included in the DWPs consultation, meaning disabled people will not be asked to discuss the changes at any of the sessions. In total, only half of the 22 policies proposed in the package will be in the scope of the conversations.

open image in gallery DWP secretary Liz Kendall announced the reforms in March ( PA )

Those interested in sharing their views have been invited to attend one of 15 in-person or online sessions which will be taking place across the UK for 12 weeks, from April to June.

Announcing the start of the consultation on Monday, social security and disability minister, Sir Stephen Timms said: We inherited a broken welfare system, which incentivises ill-health, locks people out of work and isnt fit for a future in which so many of us will face long-term health conditions.

We want a system that genuinely works for disabled people and those with health conditions, as well as the country and the economy, and we want to hear their views and voices at the heart of the new system.

I encourage people to engage so they can have their say as we listen, learn and deliver support which will help millions into work, put welfare spending on a more sustainable path, and unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.

But a coalition of 21 groups called the Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO) Forum has now written an open letter to work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall raising serious concerns with the human rights implications of the consultation process.

The letter, signed by Disability Rights UK and Amnesty International, says the DWP has clearly already decided on some of the most substantial policies in the package, going against the Cabinet Offices own rules on consultations.

It adds that it is also concerned about its delay in publishing accessible versions of the paper, as well as the possibility that MPs will be voting on the policies without being able to see an analysis of how they will help people into work.

In short, the consultation is essentially a sham  it removes our rights as Disabled people to take part in civic society, the signatories say, adding that Labour must ensure that all proposals are open to consultation and public scrutiny, and reissue consultation questions which cover all policy proposals within the paper (not just those that DWP have chosen to include).

open image in gallery Labours own assessment of the welfare reforms found that they will put 250,000 more people into poverty  including 50,000 children ( Getty )

In January, the High Court found that a consultation on changes welfare health assessments that were proposed by the previous Conservative government were unlawful due to being unfair and misleading.

In his judgement, Mr Justice Calver said the eight-week consultation was rushed and unfair, finding it failed to reflect the substantial loss of benefits many claimants would have faced as a result of the planned changes.

He added it gave the misleading impression that the plans were about supporting people into work when cutting welfare spending was likely the central basis.

Responding to the judgement at the time, Labour said it would address its shortcomings at its own consultation. However, the DPO Forum writes that it notesstriking similarities to this process in the green paper with serious concerns.

A DWP spokesperson said: We have set out a sweeping package of reforms to health and disability benefits to make urgent changes so people are genuinely supported into work, while putting the welfare system on a more sustainable footing, so that the safety net is always there to protect those who need it most.

The publication of all accessible versions triggered the start of the official consultation, providing everyone with 12 weeks to respond.

We encourage people to engage with the consultation, so a wide range of voices are reflected in the responses we receive.
Days after the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, called in the army to assist in the logistics side of the Birmingham bin strike (rather than collecting rubbish), after six weeks out, and even after an improved offer from the council, the Birmingham bin strike is to continue. The latest strike ballot is overwhelmingly  97 per cent  in favour of further industrial action. The build-up of rubbish, increasingly unsanitary conditions and the onset of warmer weather have increased the pressure on all involved to reach a settlement. Even now, it will cost 200m for a clean-up. The situation is turning critical from a public health point of view

Whose fault is the strike?

Hard to say. No one forced Unite at the point of a gun to call a strike, nor the workers to democratically vote for such a long dispute. They do, however, feel that the changes in the pay and conditions they were being asked to accept were intolerable  Unite has claimed a planned restructuring of Birminghams refuse service would see 50 workers lose 8,000 a year and about 20 lose 2,000 per annum, and put 170 jobs at stake. Now, it adds that the future of the drivers is also in jeopardy. The council denies this, saying only 17 workers would be affected and no worker needed to lose a penny. The latest offer included temporary pay protection and a compensatory lump sum for affected workers  but its not enough.

Whats behind it?

Birmingham is bust. It applied for the municipal equivalent of protective bankruptcy in 2023, as a result of which the then minister responsible appointed commissioners to take over and sort things out. The lead commissioner is Max Caller, with half a century of local government experience behind him. Like all local authorities, Birmingham has had its problems, but the immediate and principal cause of its financial stress was a back-dated equal pay claim that amounted to 760m, way beyond its resources even if it was the best-run organisation in the Western world. The costs of running the successful 2022 Commonwealth Games have also added to the strains.

Although Birmingham councillors are still running things and negotiating with Unite on the refuse workers pay, according to Sharon Graham, Caller is the power behind the throne and pulling the strings in Birmingham. He, along with the councils management and leadership, is responsible for the ongoing rubbish dispute. The commissioners and the council have had months to resolve this dispute but have singularly failed to do so. Birmingham residents need to be asking why they have to pay through the nose for this mess. They deserve better than this.

Why send the army in?

Its not that unusual for the military to find itself obliged to answer a call for military aid for civilian authorities . The most long-lasting such exercise was the deployment of British troops in Northern Ireland as law and order was breaking down in 1969, aid being quickly converted into suppressing guerrilla warfare. Less lethal but high-profile deployments include acting as firefighters, ambulance drivers and Border Force officials. However, every government has been wary of asking the soldiers to do jobs they are sometimes untrained for, unduly dangerous, or where they risk becoming politicised  scabs and strike-breakers. Now, in the middle of a challenging round of local elections, Rayner must decide whether, in effect, to break the strike by asking troops or contract labour to remove the rotting rubbish  to avoid a serious public health disaster  rats, flies, and cockroaches at large with all that implies.

Rayner wont enjoy taking on her comrades  but also cant relish the prospect of the first child to be bitten and infected by an emboldened rat.

Whos winning?

No one, except maybe some well-nourished Brummie rats.

The Conservatives are seeking to make some capital out of the mess in Labour-run Birmingham, but there are no elections there until next year (which will prove interesting) and the read-off in the other county councils more generally is weak. National issues are, as usual, more important, and the protest vote seems to be heading for Nigel Farage and Reform UK. Kemi Badenoch is having what she admits is a difficult campaign, so soon after the disaster of last years general election.

Will there be more of this?

Yes. Although not as dramatically as Birmingham, which happens to be the largest single local body outside the Greater London Authority, in the coming years, more local councils will find themselves in the hands of the commissioners and making radical cuts to jobs and services  with tough union resistance guaranteed. Rayner, herself a former trade union official, will be very busy just trying to sustain the very minimum functions of local authorities, run by all parties, that have run out of money.
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An activist known as Stop Brexit Man has been cleared of flouting a police ban after playing anti-Conservative and anti-Brexit edits of The Muppet Show and Darth Vaders theme music outside parliament.

Steve Bray, 56, was playing music on 20 March last year before the then prime minister Rishi Sunak arrived for Prime Minister's Questions.

Police had approached Mr Bray when he was standing on a traffic island at around 11.20am, and handed him a map to warn him he wasnt allowed to use his speakers in the controlled area under a by-law, the court heard.

He resumed playing the music intermittently and, over an hour later, officers seized the speakers.

The activist is known for playing music in protest around Westminster. He famously played D:Reams Things Can Only Get Better at the gates of Downing Street when Mr Sunak announced a general election in the pouring rain last May.

Mr Bray was found not guilty of failing without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction given under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 re prohibited activities in Parliament Square at Westminster Magistrates Court.

open image in gallery Steve Bray admitted to being anti-Tory as he plays music in protest around Westminster ( Getty )

Mr Bray, of Port Talbot, South Wales, represented himself in court and denied the charge. He told a previous hearing that playing music was part of his fundamental right to protest and that they were played sporadically, rather than all day.

The court previously heard that Mr Bray had told the police their map, illustrating where he could not use the speakers, was incorrect. Body-worn footage, featuring the activist, saw him telling police repeatedly that they had the wrong map.

He said it was outdated, which the officers would learn if they spoke to someone higher up the chain of command.

Deputy district judge Anthony Woodcock acknowledged that Mr Bray admitted to being anti-Tory, as he said: He believes his is an important message to disseminate.

He needs the volume that he uses the get the message across from Parliament Street to the Palace of Westminster.

open image in gallery The judge ruled: How he chooses to express those views is a matter for him ( Ben Whitley/PA Wire )

Judge Woodcock continued: He says that his strategy needs pictures of him in the media and hes spent many hours campaigning and has never been arrested; his relations with police are generally good.

His equipment operates on battery power and is limited, the judge added, as he said that Mr Bray was entitled to be fixated on the issues he protests about.

How he chooses to express those views is a matter for him, the judge said. Lampooning the government through satire is a long tradition in this country.

Mr Bray said that he used the Muppet Show and Darth Vader themes as the prime minister came in, which is what we always did for Rishi  apparently, hes a Star Wars fan.

When Mr Bray was told he was not allowed to play there, the court heard he stuck his fingers in his ears and said: No its not, its not, not here  its not wrong here.

He then told the officers: I know what I cant do, before suggesting they stick it where the sun dont shine. He then lit a cigarette and looked away.

The defendant apologised as several witnesses described to the court the negative impact of the activists music, which could be heard as high as the sixth floor in nearby buildings.

Additional reporting by PA
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The UK government has intervened to take back British Steel from its Chinese owners, in an unprecedented move which could amount to the most significant nationalisation this century.

Government ministers have accused the companys owners, Jingye, of attempting to sabotage the Scunthorpe plant by allowing it to

It is an explicit strategy of the Chinese Communist Party to undermine the industrial base of foreign countries, said Luke de Pulford, director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

The government is meeting with Jingye representatives today in a bid to save the steelmaking plant from closure.

Meanwhile, China is warning the UK against politicising British Steel, according to reports from AFP, in the midst of criticisms over Chinese ownership by business secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry, urged the British government to avoid politicising trade cooperation or linking it to security issues, so as not to impact the confidence of Chinese enterprises in going to the UK.

The drastic action taken on British Steel adds pressure to the UKs relationship with China, in particular since both invest in each others economies.

The current Trump trade war shows that China is willing to retaliate when pushed, with current tariffs on US goods escalating to 125 per cent.

British Steel and Chinese investment

In the wake of Britains emergency takeover, Mr Reynolds confirmed that there must now be a high trust bar when dealing with firms from China.

I think we have got to be clear about what is the sort of sector where, actually, we can promote and co-operate, and ones frankly where we can't, he told Sky News hosts on Sunday.

He added: I wouldn't personally bring a Chinese company into our steel sector.

Overall, Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) into the UK stood at 4.2 billion in 2023, according to government figures.

But British investment into China was actually twice as high, at 8.8 billion in the same year.

However, both economies mutual investment have gone down significantly since Covid, dropping by around a third on either end.

open image in gallery Earlier this month, shadow home secretary Chris Philp asked why the government is silent on China, saying there is no question that the country should be on an enhanced tier of the new foreign influence registration scheme. ( PA Wire )

Another point of tension is the UKs new foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS), due to come into force on 1 July.

Late last year, a new alleged spying scandal involving a Chinese individual close to Prince Andrew led to pressures for China to be classified as an enhanced risk via FIRS.

China is currently not listed alongside Russia and Iran, but some MPs and Lords have expressed concern about why China is not on the enhanced tier considering the epic threat it poses to UK security.

open image in gallery Blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant are at risk of shutting down if sufficient materials do not arrive within days. ( EPA )

Officials have alleged that the near-shutdown of Scunthorpe was part of an attempt to sabotage the UKs last remaining virgin steel plant  making the UK reliant on virgin steel from China.

China exported iron and steel products worth $288 million during 2024, according to the UN trade database.

It is unclear how much virgin steel, produced directly from iron ore and known for high strength, is manufactured in British Steels Scunthorpe plant.

China-UK trade: luxury and electronics

China is the UKs fifth largest trading partner, with total trade at 89 billion in the year up to November 2024.

But trade between the two countries has been dwindling, down by 13 per cent (13.3 billion) from the previous year.

Exports from the UK to China saw the biggest decrease last year, down by 17.4 per cent.

Around 86,900 businesses in the UK import goods from China.

The UK is highly dependent on goods from China, making up 95 per cent of all goods imported to the UK. It also buys more goods from China (53.9 billion) than it exports (19.9 billion).

The top products bought from China span across technology and electronics, including phones, electrical goods, and cars such as electrical vehicle giant BYD.

open image in gallery Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) cars are a successful export to China. The company is currently facing pressure from automotive tariffs imposed by the US, another major export destination. ( Getty )

The UK also exported billions in cars to China last year, at 4.7 billion in value; with British brands like Rolls Royce and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) big players in the luxury car market.

China have increasingly become buyers of luxury products more widely, with household names like Burberry and Charlotte Tilbury making gains in the Chinese market.

Strong ties in financial services

While UK ministers warn against Chinese companies involvement in key industries, several British companies have benefitted from providing services in China and Hong Kong.

Financial services, such as banks and investment managers, are one of the UKs biggest exports to China and Hong Kong, amounting to 4.4 billion across the two regions in the year up to November 2024.

When chancellor Rachel Reeves visited China in January, she sought deeper economic ties within financial services.

At the time, China had recently granted new commercial licences for leading UK firms like Schroders, and Aberdeen Investments (formerly abrdn).

HSBC and Standard Chartered are among two British financial companies which have had a longstanding and significant presence in China.

open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves in Shanghai, China on January 12th this year, for a key visit promising pragmatic and predictable relations. ( Kirsty OConnor/HM Treasury )

If the UK threatens Chinese investment into the UK, then British services exporting to China and Hong Kong could also face disruptions if China chooses to retaliate.

Other top services exported to China include travel (6.3 billion) and other business services (1.2 billion), while British transportation exports have jumped by 26 per cent to nearly 1 billion in the same period.
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Two U.S. college students are in jail in Denmark after allegedly getting into an altercation with an Uber driver during a spring break vacation.

Owen Ray, a 19 year-old student of Miami University in Ohio, and an unnamed friend were visiting friends in Copenhagen when the incident occurred. Danish police detained the pair at the airport on April 1 as they prepared to leave.

Rays mother Sara Buchen-Ray said she only found out what happened hours before she was due to pick him up at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Our son was supposed to come home from Copenhagen[...] I woke up to a text message that said, 'Mom, I'm in prison in Copenhagen, call the U.S. Embassy, she told ABC7 Chicago. Buchen-Ray told reporters her son and his friend are now being held in their cells 23 hours a day.

U.S.-based attorney Jordan Finfer told ABC News the pair allegedly got into a dispute with the taxi driver the night before they were due to fly home, after one of the men input the wrong destination when requesting the ride. They claim the driver refused to bring them to the correct address Finfer says and then accused them of not paying. Receipts from Rays Uber account shown in Danish court reportedly confirm payment.

Finfer alleges that when all three men got out of the car during the dispute, the driver kicked Ray in the groin. Ray retaliated by pushing the driver, causing him to fall over, Finfer further claimed.

He [Ray] is likely to be detained through the end of the month; he's never been charged, the lawyer added.

open image in gallery The two men and the Uber driver reportedly got into a heated altercation after pleading with the driver to take them somewhere else ( PA Wire )

A video showing part of the altercation was shown at a court hearing earlier this month.

The Uber driver first says he's going to call the police, and you can hear them saying we've done nothing wrong, call the police, Buchen-Ray said. They were able to get away. They went back to the hotel. They had flights to leave that next morning... booked way in advance and they were arrested at the gate.

A five-day court holiday over the Easter break could potentially push back the pairs next hearing. The Ray Family is represented by Erin Pelton, a crisis management PR who formerly worked for the Biden administration in 2021 as chief of staff for the Domestic Policy Council under Susan Rice.

The U.S. State Department told ABC Sunday: We are aware of media reports of two U.S. citizens detained in Denmark. Staff at our embassy in Copenhagen are providing consular assistance.

The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.

Uber told ABC in a statement that the safety of everyone who uses the Uber app is a top priority, and we take reports of violence very seriously.

The Independent contacted Danish authorities for comment.
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Fluoride has hit the headlines again after an SNL skit about the substance that actor Aimee Lou Wood said was mean.

During Saturday nights episode, SNL cast members reimagined the hit HBO series The White Lotus as The White Potus.

The sketch depicted Donald Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) attempting to unwind at an exotic vacation resort with Ivanka Trump (Scarlett Johansson) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (Jon Gries).

The SNL skit also attempted to recreate the dynamic between Rick (Walton Goggins) and his younger girlfriend Chelsea (Wood), with Health Secretary RFK Jr. (Jon Hamm) rambling about fluoride in water to his confused girlfriend, played by SNL cast member Sarah Sherman, who darts off to kill and eat a monkey.

Sherman is shown wearing prosthetic teeth in an apparent mimicry of Woods gap teeth.

Wood later said on social media that she felt the skit was mean and unfunny.

I am not thin-skinned. I actually love being taken the p*** out of when its clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth not bad teeth, she wrote.

She said she had since received an apology.

But what is fluoride and why is there controversy about it in the United States?

Heres what you need to know.

open image in gallery Aimee Lou Wood in The White Lotus ( HBO )

What is fluoride and why is it in water?

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in water, soil and air that has been demonstrated to prevent dental cavities, or tooth decay. It works by strengthening the tooths enamel, its hard outer surface, making it more resistant to the acid produced by bacteria that cause tooth decay. Fluoride also reverses early tooth decay by replacing and preventing loss of minerals in teeth.

Prior to the beginning of community water fluoridation, tooth decay was widespread and severe among Americans. After fluoride was added in many places to the U.S. water supply, tooth decay declined in both children and adults, and complete tooth loss in older adults became more rare, according to federal health officials.

In the early 20th century, some U.S. researchers observed that people who lived in areas where community water supplies had naturally occurring high levels of fluoride had teeth that were resistant to decay. In 1945, the Michigan city of Grand Rapids became the first to add fluoride to its water supply in a controlled manner, kicking off what was in effect a large-scale public health experiment. Data over a 15-year span showed a reduction of more than 60% in tooth decay among 30,000 school children in Grand Rapids, demonstrating fluorides protective benefits.

By the 1950s, the U.S. governments Public Health Service and the American Dental Association acknowledged the success of water fluoridation in reducing cavities. This led to the broad U.S. adoption of adding fluoride in community water supplies and eventually its inclusion in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

No federal law mandates fluoridation of water supplies. The decision to fluoridate water is typically made by municipal governments, city councils or local water authorities.

open image in gallery The decision to fluoridate water is typically made by local authorities ( AFP via Getty Images )

How widespread is fluoridation?

About 63% of all Americans have fluoride in their community water systems, according to CDC statistics as of 2022. According to the American Dental Association, the average cost per year for U.S. communities to fluoridate their water supplies ranges from 50 cents per person for large communities to $3 per person for small communities.

In most of the world, fluoride is not added to the public water supply. Some countries add fluoride to table salt. In some regions, fluoride levels in water are naturally high.

The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that drinking water levels for fluoride remain below 0.7 milligrams per liter. Levels above 1.5 mg/L are known to increase health risks such as bone fractures, thyroid disease and nervous system damage. The enforceable limit as set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is 4.0 mg/L. A federal judge in California recently ordered the EPA to strengthen its regulations.

What companies make fluoride?

Fluorosilicic acid is the compound most widely used in water systems as it yields free fluoride rapidly when mixed with water. J.R. Simplot and Nutriens PCS Phosphate Company are among companies that manufacture the product, according to the EPA.

Total U.S. domestic production of fluorosilicic acid from phosphate rock was approximately 29 million kilograms (32,000 tons) in 2019, according to EPA statistics.

What has RFK Jr. said about fluoride?

Kennedy wrote on social media in January that the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.

Kennedy has claimed in the absence of conclusive evidence that water fluoridation at U.S. levels is associated with numerous health issues including cancer.

open image in gallery Health Secretary RFK Jr. ( AP )

What do public health experts say?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called fluoridation of drinking water one of the nations top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century, noting that it effectively prevents tooth decay regardless of a persons socioeconomic status or access to care. The American Dental Association has reiterated its support for community water fluoridation to help prevent tooth decay. Studies show that community water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by more than 25% in children and adults even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources such as toothpaste, the association said.

Adding fluoride to the water supply has been a boon to the dental health of Americans, and research shows there is a very low risk of adverse consequences, according to Kellogg Schwab of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Maryland.

Not all officials agree. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who had a history of controversial public health stances during the COVID-19 pandemic, recently recommended against adding fluoride to community water supplies, citing inconclusive studies that suggest the practice poses a risk to childrens brains.

What do recent studies say?

A review published in October by the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews raised questions about the value of fluoridation of public drinking water in wealthy countries based on the findings of 157 studies.

The research suggests that given the widespread addition of fluoride to toothpaste since 1975, community water fluoridation may now have only modest benefits in reducing tooth decay and increasing cavity-free children, compared to the effects seen in earlier studies.

The review also found there is not enough evidence to determine the impact of stopping fluoridation or its effect on socioeconomic disparities in dental health.
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After surviving a hurricane and spending five years wandering, a little dog named Kingston decided to join a frat.

In 2020, Kingston, a Yorkie belonging to Lake Charles, Louisiana resident Debbie LaFleur, disappeared amidst Hurricane Laura, which tore through southwestern parts of the state , leaving wreckage in its wake.

LaFleur had Kingston for approximately six years at the time of the hurricane, she told USA TODAY, and was shocked when she returned home in the aftermath of the storm to find her little dog had gone missing.

"And so we went around the whole neighborhood. Everybody on Facebook was trying to help us locate him, but it was like, 'We're not gonna get him back,'" she told the paper.

LaFluer and her husband, Joseph, were heartbroken at the loss of their companion.

open image in gallery Debbie LaFleur and her dog, Kingston, moments after they were reunited by members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg. Kingston disappeared five years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, and traveled approximately 300 miles from his home in Lake Charles, Louisiana to reach the campus. ( screengrab/12 News Now )

Five years later, a fraternity brother at Kappa Sigma house on the University of Southern Mississippi campus left home and found Kingston hanging around outside.

"I walk outside, and there's just this Yorkie sitting there in a red T-shirt," Neal Rachal, president of the fraternity, told WDAM.

The campus is in Hattiesburg, about 300 miles away from Lake Charles.

The brothers took the dog in and named him Benji, and he became the frat dog until the brothers learned who he really was.

"The next day, our vice president went and got his chip checked, and that's when we found out that his name was actually Kingston, not Benji," Rachal said.

He added that because Kingston had been microchipped, the brothers were able to determine that the dog had been missing for half a decade.

"I walk in the house and John said, 'He's Kingston' and I was like, What are you talking about, dude?'" Rachal told USA TODAY. "And he was like 'No, Benji is Kingston. He's from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and he's been missing for five years."

During his stay with the fraternity brothers, the little Yorkie was kept plenty busy.

open image in gallery A member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity reaches out to pet Kingston, a Yorkie who disappeared from his Lake Charles home in 2020 and traveled 300 miles to eventually end up at the University of Southern Mississippi campus. Debbie LaFleur, Kingston's owner, holds the dog after the fraternity brothers arranged to reunite the two. ( screengrab/12 News Now )

"He hung out with a bunch of my pledge brothers and just guys around the house. And then whenever we had an intramural softball game, he'd come to the softball game with us. I know he went to Walmart and the local grocery store a couple of times," Rachal said. "I mean, wherever we went, he was with us."

Despite enjoying their new furry pal, the frat brothers did the right thing and called LaFleur by using information available on PetLink.

"My heart just started pounding, and I told my boss, 'I found Kingston, I found Kingston,' and we both just started yelling and screaming," she told WISN news.

A week after learning that Kingston had been found, LaFleur and her son drove more than four hours to pick him up at the university campus.

"We pulled up to the house and all the guys were outside," LaFleur said. "I was at the end of the walkway, and he was at the house, and I just said, 'Kingston, come to Mommy,' and he just took off running, which made my heart burst even more. It was wonderful, wonderful to see him."

She said after the reunion that she was so happy to have my baby back, but noted that the reunion was somewhat bittersweet.

In 2022, LaFleur's husband, Joseph, died in an accident at work. He and the little dog were inseparable, according to LaFleur. While Kingston and Joseph could not enjoy a reunion, LaFleur said she felt some connection to her late husband thanks to the Yorkies return.

"He slept on my husband every night and and he wouldn't come to me unless my husband was going to work, and then he was snuggling with me ... It was his best friend," she told the paper. "I feel like I have a piece of my husband back."
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The Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday that the helicopter tour company whose sightseeing chopper broke apart in flight and crashed in New York, killing the pilot and a family of five visitors from Spain, is shutting down operations immediately.

The FAA, in a statement posted on X, also said it would launch an immediate review of New York Helicopter Tours operating license and safety record.

The move came hours after New York Sen. Chuck Schumer had called on federal authorities to revoke the operating permits of New York Helicopter Tours.

The companys sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair and plunged into the Hudson River Thursday, killing the tourists from Spain and the pilot, a Navy SEAL veteran.

open image in gallery Flowers rest at the end of a pier, Friday, 11 April 2025, near the site where a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in Jersey City, N.J ( AP )

At a news conference Sunday, before the announcement by the FAA, Schumer said the company should be required to halt all flights as the National Transportation Safety Board investigates the deadly crash.

The Senate Democrat minority leader also called on the Federal Aviation Administration to ramp up safety inspections for other helicopter tour companies, accusing them of cutting corners and putting profits over people.

The victims included passengers Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. The pilot was Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran who received his commercial pilots license in 2023.

One of the things we can do to honor those lives and try to save others is to make sure it doesnt happen again, Schumer said. We know there is one thing for sure about New York Citys helicopter tour companies: they have a deadly track record.

Thursdays crash has renewed safety concerns about New Yorks sightseeing excursions, a popular tourist draw that whisks passengers high above the city, offering soaring views of the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center and other landmarks.

In the last two decades, five helicopters on commercial sightseeing flights have fallen into the Hudson and East rivers as a result of mechanical failures, pilot errors or collisions, killing 20 people.

The president of New York Helicopter Tours, Michael Roth, did not respond to phone and email inquiries. The company said in a statement published on its website that it was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

open image in gallery NYPD scuba Divers team search next to the site of a crashed helicopter on the Hudson River on 11 April 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey ( Getty )

In response to Schumers calls for more oversight, an industry group, Eastern Region Helicopter Council, said Manhattans sightseeing choppers already operate under the most stringent of regulations.

We stand ready to work with leaders on finding ways to ensure the safety and preservation of our businesses and aviation community, the group said.

Critics of the industry have long sought to limit or entirely ban nonessential helicopter flights from taking off above the city, though they have had limited success. After New York City capped the number of flights that could take off from Manhattan heliports at 30,000 annually in 2016, many companies moved operations to New Jersey.

Two years later, in 2018, five people died when a helicopter offering open door flights crashed in the East River after a passengers restraint tether snagged on a fuel switch, stopping the engine.

The cause of Thursdays crash is not yet determined. According to Schumer, rescue divers were continuing to search for the helicopters main rotor and assembly gear box, which would give clues about what happened.
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A man scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governor's mansion where he set a fire that left significant damage and forced Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building, authorities said on Sunday.

The man, captured later in the day, will face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, authorities said.

Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover at the residence on Saturday and were awakened by state troopers pounding on their doors at about 2 a.m. Sunday.

Firefighters extinguished the fire early Sunday morning and no injuries were reported.

A suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, 38, was arrested nearby later in the day, police said.

Authorities said they were investigating how someone was able to elude police to break into the governors residence in Harrisburg.

open image in gallery A charred piano, left, is visible inside the Pennsylvania governor's official residence after a man was arrested in the alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said the fire was a carefully planned attack but emphasized the investigation is continuing. He did not give a possible motive.

Balmer apparently scaled an iron security fence that stands around 7 feet (2.1 meters) and is monitored by security cameras, police said.

Police became aware someone had climbed over the fence and began a pursuit on the grounds but initially didn't locate anyone.

Police allege Balmer broke into the southern wing of the residence, entering a room often used to entertain crowds and display art, and set a fire using a homemade incendiary device. Police declined to elaborate on the device, but the fire left significant damage to the room, charring walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were blackened.

open image in gallery Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference at the governor's official residence about a suspected arson fire that forced him, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Balmer was inside for around a minute before he left and escaped the premises, authorities said.

Authorities said Balmer will face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault.

Balmer has faced criminal charges over the past decade including simple assault, theft and forgery, according to online court records. He drew a sentence of probation after guilty pleas to theft and forgery counts. Simple assault charges from 2023 appeared unresolved.

open image in gallery Charred wood trim and brick are visible at the Pennsylvania governor's official residence after a man was arrested in the alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Authorities did not say whether Balmer has a lawyer or where he was being held. Calls to people believed to be his relatives went unanswered or unreturned on Sunday. One recent residence listed for him in Harrisburg was condemned in 2022.

Who is Josh Shapiro?

Shapiro, 51, is the first-term governor of the nation's fifth-most populous state, a presidential battleground that has helped make him a rising star in the Democratic Party and viewed as a potential White House contender in 2028.

Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated Passover at the residence on Saturday and were awakened by state troopers pounding on their doors at about 2 a.m. Sunday.

open image in gallery Firefighters extinguish flames after an arsonist set fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence ( Capitol City Fire Photos )

Shapiro has been outspoken about his Jewish faith.

He used his first ad in his campaign for governor in 2022 to tell family stories and describe his commitment to making it home Friday night for Sabbath dinner, complete with footage of him and his children at the table.

Family and faith ground me, he said.

open image in gallery Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference at the governor's official residence about a suspected arson fire that forced him, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In stump speeches and his election-night victory speech, Shapiro regularly quoted an ancient rabbinic maxim: No one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.

Attack happened during Passover

The attack happened on the Jewish holiday of Passover, which began at sundown Saturday.

The holiday commemorates the Israelites liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, including their 40-year journey through the desert. It is one of the holiest days of the year for Jews and is celebrated with a special meal called a Seder, which includes the eating of matzah, a type of unleavened bread, and the retelling of the Exodus story.

Shapiro had celebrated with a Seder at the official residence with his family and members of the Jewish community in the same room where authorities said the fire was set.
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As uncertainty and recession fears continue to surround Donald Trumps on-again, off-again tariffs on U.S. trading partners, some financial experts are urging consumers to stock up on key goods that could become more expensive in the coming days  though they warn against the kind of fevered stockpiling that took place during the days of the Covid pandemic.

Id focus on big-ticket items. If youre planning to buy a car and prefer an imported one, expect an immediate price impact. Compare your options and check which models have been affected so you can make an informed decision, Ryan Haiss, a certified financial planner at Flynn Zito Capital Management, told MarketWatch.

The Trump administration has offered a 90-day pause on its reciprocal tariffs against many countries, though levies on China and a 25 percent import tax on foreign cars remain.

In the next six months to a year, vehicles in the U.S. could cost between $2,000 and $4,000 more due to the tariffs, Goldman Sachs estimates.

Lets not go full 2020 toilet paper crisis mode, Haiss added. No need to turn your garage into a Costco aisle, just be smart about buying what you actually use.

Others pointed to electronics as a key area of concern, given that the administration said Sunday a recently authored exemption for digital products in the tariff regime could soon come to an end.

Trump has paused some tariffs for 90 days, but levies on China and imported cars remain ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

TVs, handheld electronics, your Beats headphones  all are about to be very expensive, financial planner Scooter Thomas told Good Housekeeping.

Trump has also said new tariffs could be put on pharmaceutical goods sometime soon.

While U.S. companies may be able to blunt some price impacts by negotiating new terms with their suppliers, or by selling inventory they got into the country before the tariffs took effect, experts expect consumers to feel the pain in the coming months.

I think well really see it by the middle of the summer when people go to do back-to-school shopping, Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told The Washington Post this week.

Some buyers have already begun buying up household goods in anticipation of the tariffs, which are paid by U.S. companies, typically causing firms to raise prices on consumers to compensate.

Trump accused of market manipulation over 90-day tariff pause

"I'm buying double of whatever - beans, canned goods, flour, you name it," Thomas Jennings of New Jersey told Reuters, as he stockpiled ingredients in a Walmart Supercenter in Secaucus. "There's a recession coming and I am preparing for the worst.

There might be some benefit to buying up items that wont expire or require refrigeration  but dont panic.

Stocking up on essentials you know you will use like toilet paper or household cleaning products might make sense for some families, especially if youre able to buy in bulk at todays prices, Henry Silva, a wealth management adviser at Apollon Wealth Management, told MarketWatch. But overextending yourself and your budget or beginning to hoard items based on the fear of future cost doesnt make sense.

The tariffs are expected to function like a nearly $1,300 tax increase per U.S. household, according to the Tax Foundation.

Financial leaders have warned that Trumps tariffs not only could cause a recession in the U.S., but a full-blown reordering of the global economy.

We are having profound changes in our domestic order [...] and we're having profound changes in the world order. Such times are very much like the 1930s, hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio told NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday.

So if you take tariffs, if you take debt, if you take the rising power challenging existing power, if you take those factors and look at the factors - those changes in the orders, the systems, are very, very disruptive, he continued. How that's handled could produce something that is much worse than a recession. Or it could be handled well.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tore into Congress for being out of touch with the American people and simply unqualified for the job at hand.

The Democratic congresswoman from New York spoke to a charged crowd of more than 20,000 people alongside Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday as the pair rallied in several cities for their Fighting Oligarchy tour to protest Donald Trumps administration and billionaires influence in politics.

Ocasio-Cortez attacked Utahs Republican senators Mike Lee and John Curtis for voting to extend Trumps 2017 tax cuts while proposing $1.5 trillion in cuts to federal spending.

AOC accused Republican lawmakers of buttressing the lives of billionaires at the expense of working class Americans.

They know, Utah, that thats not what you want, she said. They know that it is deeply unpopular. They know that it hurts working families from Utah, but they know that they are not there to serve the working class.

They are there to serve themselves and the billionaires who paid them, she added.

open image in gallery AOC cried out to supporters at the Salt Lake City rally Sunday to stand up for democracy amid a fiery attack on Congress for being out of touch ( Fox )

She explained that behind the one-sided Republican agenda lies a dark blueprint for stoking deep divisions along race, identity, and culture  surmising that it was all part of a distraction policy.

Donald Trump is not an aberration, she said. He is the logical, inevitable conclusion of an American political system dominated by corporate and dark money.

She said it was necessary to defeat Trump by defeating the system that created him.

open image in gallery AOC Bernie Sanders pictured taking a selfie with supporters after a "Fighting Oligarchy" event in Los Angeles Saturday ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

AOC also addressed her own experience growing up in a working class immigrant family during the 2008 financial crisis.

When her father died of cancer, AOC said worked as a waitress to support her mother with her late fathers healthcare bills and the economic repercussions at the time.

Not a single one of them went to jail, she said while speaking about the major players of the financial crisis who managed to avoid jail time despite taking excessive financial risks and subsequently plunging the world into a global recession.

Kareem Serageldin, formerly of Credit Suisse, was the only trader to be convicted. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in 2013.

"That is the story that Republicans tell  not mine, but all of ours  when they say a waitress or a working person is unqualified to serve in Congress, she said. But the truth is, many of us are far more qualified to understand what real life is actually like than any of them ever will."

Ocasio-Cortez said her story has resonated with other working class Americans now grappling with the cost of living.

We dont have to live like this anymore, Utah. We can make a new world, a better country, where we can fight for the dignity of all people, she said.

And it looks like living wages, Utah, it looks like stable housing, Utah, it looks like guaranteed healthcare, Salt Lake City, and it looks like respect for all of our differences no matter who we are or where we come from.

The New York congresswoman will appear alongside Sanders in Nampa, Idaho, Monday for the next leg of the tour, which promotes the political mantra of Democracy over Oligarchy.

They will then continue on to California and Montana.
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Chinese factories are flooding TikTok with videos urging Americans to buy from them directly to undercut Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs.

Dozens of videos have gone viral in recent days offering buyers the chance to purchase from factories in China that claim to produce goods for high-end brands like Lululemon and Louis Vuitton, and for a fraction of the price.

In one video that has nearly 10 million views, a creator claims to be able to sell yoga pants from the same manufacturer that supplies Lululemon for $5-$6, instead of the $100 they sell for in the United States.

The material and the craftsmanship are basically the same because they come from the same production line, she says, standing in front of what appears to be a factory.

In another, a man standing on a factory floor claims to have access to manufacturers that produce Louis Vuitton bags, which he says can be sold directly to customers for $50.

But both companies deny their products are finished in China, and experts told The Independent the videos are likely an effort by counterfeit or  dupe  manufacturers to take advantage of the chaos over the tariffs to boost their sales.

They're trying to conflate the fake manufacturers in China with the real manufacturers, said Conrad Quilty-Harper, author of Dark Luxury, a newsletter about the luxury goods industry.

They're very clever with their social media, and theyre very effective at driving demand in the West, he added.

Louis Vuitton has said repeatedly that it does not manufacture products in China, and The Independent found at least one video that falsely claimed to be a Lululemon supplier.

open image in gallery A woman tries out a shoe at an Adidas sportswear store inside a shopping mall, in Beijing, Saturday, April 12, 2025. ( (AP Photo/Andy Wong) )

A spokesperson for Lululemon told The Independent that it manufactures approximately 3 percent of its finished goods in mainland China, and provides a full list of its manufacturing partners on its website .

TikTok users have reported seeing the videos appear in their feeds in recent days as the trade war between the U.S. and China continues to heat up.

Trump imposed a levy of 145 percent on all goods from China as part of a global tariff regime, but his administration has since announced that smartphones and some other electronics devices would be exempted.

China responded by placing 125 percent tariffs on American imports.

open image in gallery The videos appear to be aimed at American consumers. ( TikTok )

Many of the videos are slick, highly produced advertisements made by influencers that experts say are likely hired by the manufacturers. Others are low budget and appear to have been made on the factory floor or in a warehouse. Most provide links to the manufacturers website and instructions on how to buy.

Some of the creators have also produced videos arguing against U.S. tariffs imposed on China, suggesting the increased activity may be a response to the tariffs. Imports from China under $800 were previously exempt from tariffs, but that exemption will expire on May 2.

Still, a small number of American TikTok users welcomed the videos for revealing a hidden side of the luxury goods industry and undercutting the tariffs by cutting out U.S.-based companies.

The counterfeit market in China is the largest in the world. U.S. Customs seized counterfeit items worth some $1.8 billion in recommended retail price in 2023 .

Quilty-Harper said the counterfeit industry in China has been a concern for Western companies for years. And the enforcement of trademark and intellectual property rights internally has tended to depend on the geopolitical climate.

In the past, the Chinese authorities have been stricter on it, and sometimes they've been looser on it, and often that's to do with the relationship with the US and previous presidents, he said.

This is part of a huge geopolitical battle between America and China over intellectual property. And it's just fascinating to see this sort of propaganda fight happening on these very high-traffic TikTok videos, he added.
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New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker is calling for congressional hearings into allegations of insider trading after President Donald Trump urged people to buy stocks before he backtracked on his tariff policy.

There is enough of an offense here, theres enough smoke here that should demand congressional hearings, Booker NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday.

Last week, Democratic members of Congress began pressing for answers as to whether the president, his family, administration officials and allies had improperly traded after Trump declared this is a great time to buy following chaos in the market after his sweeping tariffs went into effect.

Hours later, Trump announced that most of the tariffs would be put on a 90-day pause, prompting the stock market to skyrocket.

When was asked if Democrats have any evidence of illicit trading, the senator didnt directly answer the question but instead criticized the Trump administration and noted that Congress needs to act on its oversight responsibilities.

These are real, legitimate, justifiable questions, said the senator. Not to have hearings, not to do any kind of oversight, undermines the faith we have in our government, undermines the trust we need in our nation right now.

Democratic Senator Cory Booker is calling for congressional hearings into possible insider trading following Trumps tariff pause ( Getty Images )

Nineteen House Democrats sent a letter last week to the top official at the Securities and Exchange Commission asking for an immediate investigation into possible insider trading and market manipulation in the time preceding Trumps tariff pause.

Two Democratic senators, Californias Adam Schiff and Arizonas Ruben Gallego, also asked the White House for answers, as well as the U.S. trade representative, regarding their concerns about possible unlawful actions connected with Trumps trade policy announcements.

A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, rejected the notion that Trump was trying to manipulate the market, according to NBC News.

It is the responsibility of the President of the United States to reassure the markets and Americans about their economic security in the face of nonstop media fearmongering, he said last week. Democrats railed against Chinas cheating for decades, and now theyre playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trumps decisive action yesterday to finally corner China.

Booker subsequently chose not to rule out a 2028 presidential campaign after his record-breaking 25-hour Senate speech, and there was speculation that hes looking ahead to the upcoming Democratic primary. He ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020 but dropped out of the race before Iowa caucuses. He endorsed former President Joe Biden.

Im focused on today and my re-election in 26, he told Meet the Press on Sunday. Ive already announced to the people of New Jersey. Im hoping theyll allow me to be their senator for another six years. And lets be clear, Im proud of the work that weve done over the last six years.
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The Trump administration slashed $2.2 billion in federal funds from Harvard on Monday after the Ivy League university defiantly refused to comply with sweeping changes demanded by the government.

The federal Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which is made up of several federal agencies including the Justice Department and Education Department, announced the freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value to Harvard University."

The task force did not specify which programs the cut grants will affect.

The Trump administration took quick action after Harvard rejected in a definitive letter a list of demands that would have required sweeping changes at the university, saying it would not allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.

In the letter to administration officials earlier in the day, lawyers for the university said the demands the government sent in early April go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration and refused to agree to the terms.

Harvard, which has the largest endowment in the world at an estimated $53.2 billion, rebuked the administrations attempt to assert control over it.

The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the governments terms as an agreement in principle, the letter stated.

Harvards president, Alan Garber, said in a statement:, No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.

Trump administration officials had demanded Harvard end all diversity, equity and inclusion policies, crack down on student protesters, limit the power of students and faculty over school leaders, cooperate with federal law enforcement like the Department of Homeland Security and more.

Harvard University said it would not meet the Trump administrations demands, believing they infringe on the rights of students ( EPA )

Professors at the school praised Garber on social media for pushing back against the administrations request.

The Trump demands were part of the administrations review of federal funding to higher education institutions. Harvard receives a total of approximately $9 billion in grants and contracts from the government, which is the schools largest source of research support.

The administration has pursued similar tactics with other Ivy Leagues, including Columbia University, Cornell University, Brown University, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Columbia University agreed to Trumps demands, winning back $400 million in funding.

The Trump administration claims its reviewing federal funding to fight antisemitism on college campuses as well as eliminating DEI programs, which officials consider discriminatory. The Trump administration has characterized anti-war protests in defense of Palestinian as antisemitic.

Among its list of demands, the Trump demanded Harvard to adopt merit-based admissions and hiring  something the school already adheres to after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action.

Garber said the school had taken steps to address antisemitism on campus and planned to do more as well. But ultimately, the administrations request extended beyond fighting antisemitism.

He warned that revoked federal funding would hurt critical research that has helped create breakthroughs in the medical, engineering and scientific fields.

Harvard remains open to dialogue about what the university has done, and is planning to do, to improve the experience of every member of its community, lawyers for the school wrote.

But Harvard is not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration.
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Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil was arrested in his apartment building, sent to a New Jersey detention center and then flown to a facility in Louisiana. Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was on her way to dinner with friends when she was arrested, moved to facilities in New Hampshire and Vermont, and then sent to another Louisiana detention center. Georgetown University Badar Khan Suri was shipped to a facility in Texas after spending three days in yet another Louisiana detention center.

A series of high-profile arrests targeting international student activists and academics for their Palestinian activism  and decisions from Donald Trumps administration to detain them hundreds of miles away in remote prisons  have renewed scrutiny into a sprawling network of facilities plagued by reports of abuse and neglect.

Fourteen of the 20 largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in the United States are in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, across the nations deportation alley. The jails  most of which are operated by private prison companies  hold thousands of people each year.

More than 7,000 people are jailed in Louisianas immigration facilities. Texas detention centers are holding more than 12,000.

I met a lot of people who are just like, I cant be here. Im willing to give up. Just deport me as fast as possible, because its so bad, according to Mary Yanik, co-director of the Immigrants Rights Law Clinic at Tulane University in New Orleans, which provides legal aid to detainees, migrant workers, children and other immigrants.

They cant stand being confined. Theyre supporting family members, and they're worried about every day that theyre in that facility, theyre not able to provide for their family, she told The Independent.

open image in gallery Mahmoud Khalil is jailed inside the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana, among several immigration detention centers operated by private prison contractors in the state ( AP )

It feels like the way the system works  locking them up so far away in a really remote area where its hard for them to get a lawyer, the courts are generally hostile, even to meritorious claims  its made so that people give up even when you know they may have the ability to stay, she said.

Government lawyers have argued in court filings that scholars were transferred to these largely rural facilities because there wasnt enough room in detention centers closer to where they were arrested.

Khan Suris lawyer said his client was sleeping on the floor in his Texas jail. He later moved to a mattress  in a common space.

Attorneys and immigrants rights advocates argue the administration appears to be forum shopping to keep these cases within the jurisdiction of conservative courts, including the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, a notoriously conservative federal appellate court in New Orleans.

ICE likes to keep people in the Fifth Circuit because they know thats the most favorable circuit for them in terms of litigation, according to Kerri Talbot, executive director of immigration advocacy group Immigration Hub. Theyre forum shopping, and its just an easier location for them, politically.

Unlike federal district judges, immigration court judges operate under the direction of the U.S. attorney general in a largely opaque system separate from federal courts.

The facilities are also hours-long drives away from cities where there is more likely to be legal counsel available to them  which is not guaranteed in immigration proceedings.

These are legal deserts, according to Jennifer Ibanez Whitlock, senior policy counsel at the National Immigration Law Center.

Theres the demoralizing aspect of being sent so far away from everything, in facilities that have long records of abuse practices and conditions, Ibanez Whitlock told The Independent. Sending these students to these facilities dramatically decreases their ability to ultimately make it through to the other side of their cases.

open image in gallery An immigration judge determined that Khalil, who has a green card, can be deported for his role supporting pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University ( REUTERS )

The cases heard in these detention centers are also less likely to result in relief. Inside the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana, where Khalil is jailed, more than 78 percent of asylum cases are rejected, compared to a national average of roughly 58 percent, according to immigration data from the nonpartisan TRAC research group.

Government orders for removal from the country are one way to push detainees to give up on their cases, Ibanez Whitlock said.

I can't tell you how many, out of all those facilities, there have been some strong, compelling asylum cases where people have just given up and taken an order because they dont want to spend another day in one of these facilities, she told The Independent. Even in the most well-run facilities, you still are putting an enormous amount of pressure on somebody to consider, is it really worth it to continue fighting my case if Im going to have to do it inside a detention facility?

Khalil is jailed with more than 1,000 people inside the facility. He is roughly 1,300 miles from New York City, where he lives with his U.S. citizen wife, who is imminently expected to give birth.

On April 11, assistant chief immigration Judge Jamee Comans determined Khalil, 30, can be deported from the United States based on the Trump administrations determination that his Palestinian advocacy poses a threat to U.S. foreign policy.

open image in gallery Geo Group is among private prison contractors running ICE facilities in Louisiana, which is currently detaining more than 7,000 immigrants in largely remote facilities hundreds of miles from urban centers ( AP )

Ozturk, 30, has repeatedly experienced asthma attacks inside the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, where she has been detained since late March. The Trump administrations only evidence against her is an op-ed she co-authored for a student newspaper that criticizes Israel for its campaign in Gaza.

Ozturk wasnt allowed to go outside during her first week at the facility, she wrote in a sworn statement to the court.

She shares a cell with 23 others. The conditions are unsanitary, unsafe, and inhumane, and doctors and nurses are rude and uncaring, she wrote. A nurse removed her hijab without asking, she said.

None of us are able to sleep through the night. They come into the cell often and walk around triggering the fluorescent lights. They shout in the cell to wake up those who work in the kitchen around 3:30 a.m.each day, she writes. If we need hygienic supplies like toilet paper, we may not get it until 18 hours later, depending on the officer.

It took at least 15 minutes for a woman to get medical attention after she fainted when she was hit in the head with a metal tray, she wrote. She said she has not been provided a prayer rug or Quran.

I pray everyday for my release so I can go back to my home and community, she wrote.

She is hoping to be released to finish her PhD program and present at a conference this spring. Shes afraid she wont be able to teach a summer class for high school students.

I want to return to Tufts to resume all of my cherished work, she wrote.

open image in gallery Tufts doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk is jailed in a Louisiana facility awaiting immigration court proceedings after the Trump administration revoked her student visa for an op-ed critical of Israel ( AP )

During the first Trump administration, ICE expanded the nations immigration detention system by more than 50 percent, with contracts for private companies to operate at least 40 new detention facilities. Companies including GEO Group, CoreCivic and LaSalle Corrections own or operate facilities jailing the majority of immigrants in detention. All but one of Louisiana's nine facilities are run by private prison firms.

The federal government receives a discount from private contractors for sending them higher numbers of detainees, creating a disturbing financial incentive to transfer more people into larger facilities, according to John Sandweg, who served as acting ICE director during Barack Obamas administration.

The Trump administration has also gutted a civil rights office tasked with investigating abuses for both immigrants and U.S. citizens in such facilities.

The Department of Homeland Securitys Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties  among the the victims of Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency  was effectively shuttered by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem last month, with its staff of roughly 150 people placed on leave, jeopardizing dozens of open cases and any efforts for detainees to report abuses against them.

Access to legal counsel for the nearly 8,000 people in Louisianas detention facilities can be enormously difficult. There are few pro-bono services, no access to the internet, and limited phone use.

Most of the practicing immigration attorneys in the state are in New Orleans. To visit detainees at the Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center, roughly 200 miles from New Orleans, Yanik and students with the Immigrants Rights Law Clinic leave by 5:30 a.m. and return as late as 10 p.m. to speak with as many people as possible.

That is a grueling schedule, if you think about the number of hours for a single visit with a client for a single court hearing, she told The Independent.

They feel forgotten. They feel like theyre screaming into a void, Yanik said.

The most common question among them is why am I here.

Theyre so disoriented by what was happening to them, and so confused. At least one person thought they were in Texas, she said. What is going on? Cant I just go home?
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A United States citizen was mistakenly looped into a Department of Homeland Security email that ordered her to self-deport from the U.S. immediately.

Nicole Micheroni, an immigration attorney and partner at the Massachusetts firm Cameron Micheroni & Silvia, was stunned by the official email Friday morning and initially believed it was intended for one of her clients.

It took me a couple of minutes to realize it was sent to me instead of someone I represent, Micheroni told the Boston Globe.

The notification was written simply in the subject line as Notification of Termination of Parole and did not state a client name or case number.

It has now materialized that the message was sent by mistake, the DHS confirmed.

The memo was genuine and is part of the fresh crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump to remove thousands of undocumented immigrants.

The measures that inadvertently targeted Micheroni are a reaction to the Biden-era reconciliation bill that granted nearly 7 million undocumented people the right to work and live temporarily in the U.S., according to Pew Research.

DHS is terminating your parole, the body of the email read.

open image in gallery Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University who entered the USA on an F-1 student visa in 2018, was controversially detained by DHS agents on a street in Massachusetts last month ( AP )

The message continued, Do not attempt to remain in the United Statesthe federal government will find you."

Micheroni, who has practiced immigration law for 12 years, told The Globe she had never before seen immigration parole terminated by email.

Last year, Micheroni and her firm helped Francisco Rodriguez Guardado, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology janitor originally from El Salvador, avoid deportation to his homeland, where he faced repeated threats to his life from organized criminal elements.

Guardado was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities in Boston in 2017 with the intent of immediately returning him to El Salvador despite the threats to his life.

Meanwhile, Micheroni said that Fridays email was not something that alarmed her personally.

Rather, she was now concerned for other immigrants who were next in line to be targeted by ICE officials.

Its meant to be an intimidation tactic to get people to leave the country, Micheroni said.

open image in gallery The White House has recently intensified its sharing of images and videos capturing detainees being transferred to a high-security mega prison in El Salvador ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

In some ways, I dont think they really care who they reach, as long as the message is being received.

In March, over 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans had their temporary legal status revoked by the Trump administration  meaning that they could now be in line for deportations this month.

It is terrifying for people to get a letter like this, Jeff Thielman, president of the International Institute of New England, a humanitarian relief service for immigrants in Massachusetts, told The Globe.

They followed all the rules, did everything they were supposed to do, reported whereabouts and location to the government, and now theyre getting punished for it, he added.

Sarah Sherman-Stokes, an associate director of the Immigrants Rights and Human Trafficking Clinic at Boston University School of Law, told The Globe that DHS appears to be clamping down on asylum seekers who used the CPB One app.

A senior DHS official said the mistake could have been caused by an asylum seeker who had included the email address in their contact information.

[Customs and Border Protection] is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis, the DHS statement to The Globe said.

The Independent contacted DHS and Nicole Micheroni for comment.
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The U.S. is perilously close to entering a formal economic recession and could well be facing something much worse on the horizon, a billionaire investing expert warned Sunday.

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, appeared on NBCs Meet the Press, where he warned that the disruptive nature of Donald Trumps tariff announcements were causing market instability and was making it difficult for both U.S. business and global trading partners to rely on the America.

A Wall Street veteran who predicted the collapse of the housing bubble in 2008 which caused a financial crisis that year, Dalio told NBCs Kristen Welker that the chance of stopping something that is much worse than a recession came down to how strategically the White House handled what the presidents advisers have explained is his end goal: a grand reorganization of the global trade structure.

We are having profound changes in our domestic order [...] and we're having profound changes in the world order. Such times are very much like the 1930s, said Dalio.

So if you take tariffs, if you take debt, if you take the rising power challenging existing power, if you take those factors and look at the factors - those changes in the orders, the systems, are very, very disruptive, he continued. How that's handled could produce something that is much worse than a recession. Or it could be handled well.

Dalio - who has a net worth of $14 billion - repeated what he has on several occasions warned: that he believes the growing US federal debt, now at more than $36 trillion, is a ticking time bomb that will hinder the U.S.s ability to spend and borrow in the future.

We have a breaking down of the monetary order, Dalio warned. We are going to change the monetary order because we cannot spend the amounts of money [we want].

open image in gallery Billionaire investor Ray Dalio speaks about recession fears on NBC's Meet the Press and said the country is seeing profound changes in our domestic order ( NBC News )

He continued: I believe that members of Congress should take the pledge, what I call the 3 percent pledge. That in one way or another, that they will get that budget deficit down to that number. If they don't, we're going to have a supply/demand problem for debt at the same time as we have these other problems. And the results of that will be worse than a normal recession.

His warnings come after days of instability on the stock market, driven by plunging tech stocks and other industries hit by the White Houses new tariffs and vexed by the constantly-changing nature of the policies themselves.

Late Friday evening, Trumps Customs and Border Protection agency issued a notice exempting smartphones, solar cells and other imports relevant to Americas tech sector from both sky-high reciprocal tariffs on China and his lower baseline tariff rate of 10 percent on all imported goods. It was a win for companies such as Apple, but one that was deadened Sunday when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned that those tariffs would be reimposed within one to two months.

It remains unclear whether the president will leave in place the remainder of his much-maligned reciprocal tariff rates against dozens of U.S. trading partners including the E.U., Japan, Canada and Mexico, or whether Trump will be talked into backing down in part or whole as he has in repeated recent instances. Trump Cabinet officials and White House advisers have been unable to give a clear answer as to whether those tariffs or the presidents across-the-board 10 percent tariff rate are simple negotiation tactics and could be rolled back, or whether they will remain in place for the duration of his term.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump holds a chart listing some of his planned reciprocal tariffs during a White House event ( Getty Images )

Other industry leaders have recognized what White House officials repeatedly claim: that the tariffs are at least semi-permanent as the president seeks to force U.S. companies and foreign investors to onshore production and manufacturing in the U.S. in order to sustainably access American markets.

What were seeing now is a structural shift, driven by policy, thats likely to be long-lasting, Felix Stellmaszek, global lead of automotive and mobility at Boston Consulting Group, told CNBC on Saturday.

This may well be the most consequential year for the auto industry in history  not just because of immediate cost pressures, but because its forcing fundamental change in how and where the industry builds.
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Fewer Republican lawmakers are holding town halls during the two-week congressional recess, weeks after the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman advised them to skip town halls or hold virtual town halls.

During the weeks when lawmakers return to their districts, its common for many to host town halls to connect with constituents and hear which issues are affecting them.

But it seems many Republicans are taking the advice of Richard Hudson, the NRCC chair, and avoiding them entirely  or at least changing their format, NBC News reported on Monday.

Hudson advised congressional Republicans to do so in March after several lawmakers faced angry constituents, protesters and hecklers at town halls.

open image in gallery Indiana constituents yelled at Rep. Victoria Spartz during a town hall last month ( REUTERS )

Republican leaders, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Policy Chairman Kevin Hern, do not have town halls scheduled.

Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Conference Chair Lisa McClain held telephone town halls before the recess.

Of the GOP reps holding town halls during the break, some will be telephone or virtual town halls, while others have restricted in-person access to prevent hecklers and protesters.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is holding an in-person town hall on April 15, but those who wish to attend must pre-register and provide a valid ID. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds is only allowing pre-registered individuals with valid ID proving they live in his district to his town hall on April 21.

Other reps, such as Tim Burchett and Chip Roy, are holding town halls during the break, but they will be virtual or by telephone.

open image in gallery North Carolina constituents confronted Rep. Chuck Edwards in a fiery town hall last month ( Getty Images )

The new precautions are part of efforts to reduce heated town halls where fiery constituents have confronted lawmakers, leading to security concerns.

Last month, Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood was booed and yelled at during a town hall, North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards was heckled by a veteran at his town hall and Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz was met with angry crowds at one of her town halls.

President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders have claimed those causing disruptions at town halls are being paid by Democrats or liberal advocacy groups.

Theres no evidence those disrupters were paid, but liberal groups have promoted GOP town halls, hoping to encourage constituents to confront their representatives over the administrations agenda.

Democrats have also been holding what they call The Peoples Town Halls in red districts. The events welcome the sitting representative to join other lawmakers and Democrats in discussions about the current administration.

Already, some constituents have attended empty-chair town halls, where they voice their concerns about the government without their representatives present.

open image in gallery Democrats have been hosting The Peoples Town Halls in lieu of some Republican reps ( REUTERS )

Many voters have been raising concerns about potential cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as well as Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency making sweeping changes to established agencies and departments.

While vulnerable Republicans continue to run scared because theyre voting to raise costs, gut Medicaid, and threaten working families livelihoods, were going to make sure voters know they dont have to wait until Election Day to hold them accountable Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the NRCC told NBC News, In a desperate attempt to distract voters from the chaos in their own party, Democrats are resorting to political theater that panders to the far-left radicals instead of addressing the concerns of everyday voters who have already rejected their out-of-touch agenda.
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Donald Trumps administration does not appear to possess any evidence backing up claims of antisemitism and support for a terrorist organization to justify the arrest of a Tufts University doctoral student who was grabbed off the streets by masked federal agents and jailed in a Louisiana detention center.

Lawyers for Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk told a federal judge in Vermont on Monday that the government is in possession of at least one memo that says Secretary of State Marco Rubio does not have sufficient grounds to revoke her visa and order her removal.

open image in gallery Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly suggested that the Trump administration based removal proceedings against Rumeysa Ozturk on more than an op-ed, but memos indicate there is no other evidence ( AFP via Getty Images )

Last year, Ozturk co-authored an op-ed in a student newspaper calling on the university to divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel in an effort to hold Israel accountable for clear violations of international law for its campaign in Gaza.

A memo from Homeland Security officials to the State Department and first reported by The Washington Post claims Ozturk engaged in anti-Israel activism in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israelis on October 7, 2023.

That language is identical to a description of Ozturk on a website run by pro-Israel activists who are identifying students and activists who oppose Israels war in Gaza for law enforcement. That group later appeared to take credit for her arrest.

Specifically, Ozturk co-authored an op-ed article that called for Tufts to disclose its investments and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel, the memo said.

Another memo from the State Department asserts that Homeland Security investigators and searches of government databases have not produced any evidence that Ozturk engaged in antisemitic activity or made public statements in support of any terrorist organization.

Trump administration officials argue Ozturk can be deported under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows for a foreigners removal if the secretary of state has reasonable grounds to believe the persons presence or activities has adverse foreign policy consequences.

The Department of Justice has not shared the memos with Ozturks lawyers, according to Jessie Rossman, who is among the ACLU attorneys representing Ozturk in courtrooms to challenge her arrest and removal.

Judge Sessions had also questioned attorneys on whether the government has supplied any evidence to back up its allegations.

The administration is relying on the unlawful use of immigration law as a cudgel to punish activists and send a clear message to other noncitizens that if you express opinions the government disagrees with you will also be punished, Rossman told District Judge William K. Sessions III on Monday.

Guilt by association by trying to tie Ozturk to other activist groups draws an eerie comparison to what the government was trying to do during the Red Scare in the 1950s, Rossman said.

open image in gallery Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University in Somerville, Massachusetts, poses in an undated photograph provided by her family and obtained by Reuters on March 29 ( via REUTERS )

Attorneys for Ozturk argue her arrest and detention are violations of her First and Fifth Amendment rights and are seeking her release, among a wave of challenges to similar arrests targeting international students for pro-Palestinian advocacy.

Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me from my commitment to advocate for the rights of youth and children, Ozturk said in a recent statement through her attorneys

Judge Sessions suggested he could order Ozturk to be moved to Vermont from the Louisiana detention center where she has been jailed since last month, after plain-clothes federal agents approached her on the street near her apartment and transferred her to a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.

The judge is likely to hold another hearing in May.

Ozturk is working towards her doctorate at the Eliot-Pearson Child Study and Human Development at Tufts Universitys Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She received her masters degree in developmental psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University, where she was a Fulbright scholar.

She has remained inside the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile despite a court order following her arrest that she cannot be moved outside the state without at least 48 hours of advance notice to the court.

Ozturk, 30, has repeatedly experienced asthma attacks inside the facility. She wasnt allowed to go outside during her first week at the facility, she wrote in a sworn statement to the court.

She shares a cell with 23 others, and the conditions are unsanitary, unsafe, and inhumane, and doctors and nurses are rude and uncaring, she wrote. A nurse removed her hijab without asking, she wrote.

I pray everyday for my release so I can go back to my home and community, she wrote. I want to return to Tufts to resume all of my cherished work.
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President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, claiming her network hates our country and personally insulting her as low-rated as she pressed both leaders on the status of a wrongly deported Maryland man.

While the president seemed to relish in bashing one of his favorite media targets in front of the populist right-wing El Salvadoran leader, Collins questions led to both Bukele and the White House refusing to commit to the safe return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national living in Maryland who was sent to El Salvadors notorious CECO prison complex last month.

Abrego Garcia, who has lived in the United States since 2011 and was granted humanitarian protections from deportation to El Salvador in 2019, has been at the center of a legal battle after the administration admitted his removal was an administrative error.

After a judge ordered earlier this month that Abrego Garcia  who is married to an American citizen and has no criminal record  must be returned, calling his removal unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled that the administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias release from the prison  adding that his removal from the United States was illegal.

President Donald Trump attacks CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. ( CNN )

During his White House sit-down with Bukele on Monday, Trump used his hostility towards CNN as something of a cudgel to deflect the issue of the Maryland fathers illegal removal to an El Salvadoran prison complex. And Bukele appeared to goad him along.

For instance, the El Salvador leader said that what Trump was doing with the border is remarkable before wondering why those numbers are not in the media, prompting Trump to quickly pounce at the opportunity to blast the media.

Well, they get out, but the fake news, you know, like CNN  CNN over here doesnt want to put them out because they dont like they dont like putting out good numbers, the president said while gesturing towards Collins. They dont like putting them out because I think they hate our country, actually. But its a shame.

Moments later, Trump turned back to Collins as she attempted to ask Bukele about Abrego Garcia  making sure to toss out a juvenile insult in the process. Lets hear this question from this very low-rated anchor at CNN, the president sneered.

Brushing off the personal pot shot, the CNN anchor and chief White House correspondent wondered if Bukele would help return the man that Trumps own administration has previously said was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. The president, however, interjected and asked Attorney General Pam Bondi and other Trump officials to weigh in on the issue first.

That's up to El Salvador if they want to return him. That's not up to us, Bondi reacted, receiving praise from Trump for doing a great job. Collins then wondered if she could get an answer from Trump on this, noting that he said a few days ago that hed abide by the Supreme Court if it ruled that someone needed to be returned, prompting yet another snide remark from Trump.

Why don't you just say, 'isn't it wonderful that we're keeping criminals out of our country?' Why cant you just say that? Trump fumed. That's why nobody watches you anymore.

White House adviser Stephen Miller would go on to defend the deportation of Abrego Garcia, accusing him of not just being an MS-13 member but also painting him as a terrorist based on the administration designating the gang as a terrorist organzation, leading Bukele to appropriate that language when Collins finally got a response from him.

Can President Bukele weigh in on this? Do you plan to return him? Collins pressed.

Are you suggesting I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? How can I return him to the United States, like I smuggle him into the United States? Of course, I'm not going to do it, Bukele replied, adding that Collins question was preposterous.

Theyd love to have a criminal, you know, released into our country, Trump added. They would love it. These are sick people.

CNN would eventually cut away from the Oval Office meeting moments later and before the leaders were finished taking questions. Before turning to CNN reporter Jeff Zeleny to discuss the breaking news and misinformation from the press gaggle, anchor Dana Bash wanted to first address Trumps comments about the network and Collins.

I just want to say, for the record, since we heard President Trump say in the Oval Office that CNN hates our country, CNN does not hate our country, Bash said. That should go without saying. Ive been here for 32 years, and I see a rhetorical device in him trying to say such a thing. That said, I want to focus on the news that we heard.
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Companies across the country are adding a surcharge to customers bills in the wake of President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs.

On April 2, Trump announced blanket tariffs of at least 10 percent on nearly every country, in what he called Liberation Day for the U.S. Then, on Wednesday he paused these tariffs for 90 days, citing Americans becoming yippy and afraid.

He only excluded China from the pause and is now engaged in a trade war with Xi Jinping as the U.S. levies 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods while Beijing has put a 125 percent retaliatory tariff in place.

Now, U.S. business owners say theyre passing along higher prices to customers as Trumps trade war with China continues and they brace for the end of the 90-day pause.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump waves as he steps off Air Force One. Some companies are a Trump tariff surcharge to their purchases, according to new reports ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Sexual wellness brand Dame has added a $5 Trump tariff surcharge to all purchases automatically, CBS News reports.

"Our whole industry is in China, so we've already seen the impact," Dame CEO Alexandra Fine told CBS.

"The intention of adding the Trump tariff surcharge as a line item at checkout was to remind people that this is an extra tax on us. I wanted people to understand why it's more expensive  that it's because of political decisions that were made," she added.

Italian footwear company Labucq is also increasing prices 10 percent next month, writing on social media the increase is necessary for the company to "remain sustainable, according to CBS News.

Ryan Babenzien, founder of shower head company Jolie Skin, similarly said in a social media post his company has to raise prices to account for Trumps insane tariffs.

"Technically WE are not raising our prices, but the Tariff will make it more expensive for American consumers to buy a Jolie," Babenzien wrote, according to Newsweek. "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 U.S. consumers."

open image in gallery The tariffs are already increasing prices for U.S. consumers ( Alamy/PA )

"While we have been planning for an increase in tariffs for about a year at Jolie, we never thought it would be this insane, he added.

Other companies are using the tariffs to draw in customers by launching pre-tariff sales. Spice company Burlap & Barrel has put on a "spring cleaning-turned-impromptu Tariff sale," marking all products down 20 percent, CBS News reports.

Meanwhile, more and more consumers arent happy with Trumps tariffs. A new CBS News/YouGov poll shows Trumps economic approval rating has dropped four points from March, with 60 percent of respondents indicating they disapprove of his tariffs.

Meanwhile, 53 percent of respondents said they felt the economy is getting worse.
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Donald Trump has repeatedly endorsed the idea of sending U.S. citizens to prisons in El Salvador, following a proposal from Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele, who is jailing dozens of deported Venezuelan immigrants in a notorious prison.

But the presidents desire is plainly illegal. There is no constitutional or statutory authority to exile citizens in foreign prisons, and banishing citizens from the country and incarcerating them abroad amounts to an unconstitutional assault on human rights, according to immigration law experts and constitutional scholars.

Trump and administration officials have not offered up any specific plans, or clarified whether he is only referring to naturalized citizens who were not born in the United States.

But Trumps suggestion that citizens can be imprisoned in foreign jails shows how absolutely critical it is for the courts to put an immediate stop to this extrajudicial imprisonment by foreign proxy, according to David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute.

U.S. citizens may not be deported to imprisonment abroad, he told NBC News. There is no authority for that in any U.S. law.

Bukele has already agreed to jail dozens of immigrants summarily removed from the United States inside a notorious prison complex that human rights groups have labeled a tropical gulag following reports of abuse, torture and lack of medical attention for inmates in densely packed cells. Inmates there face the prospect of indefinite detention.

The State Department arranged a $6 million deal with Bukele  the self-described worlds coolest dictator  to jail hundreds of immigrants removed from the United States inside the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, despite U.S. law barring financial support in the form of units of foreign security forces that face credible accusations of human rights abuses.

Inside the Oval Office alongside Bukele on April 14, Trump said homegrowns should be next.

open image in gallery Salvadoran prison guards walk alleged gang members in handcuffs through El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center after they were deported from the United States on April 12 ( via REUTERS )

The homegrowns. You gotta build about five more places, he said. Its not big enough.

I just asked the president  its this massive complex that he built, jail complex  I said, 'Can you build some more of them please? As many as we can get out of our country, Trump told reporters.

Pressed on whether that means incarcerating American citizens in El Salvador, Trump said Im all for it.

Trump said he spoke with Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine how to legally deport and incarcerate American citizens out of the country.

Id like to go a step further. I said to Pam  I dont know what the laws are, we always have to obey the laws  but we also have homegrown criminals that push people into subways, that hit elderly ladies on the back of the head with a baseball bat when theyre not looking, that are absolute monsters, Trump told reporters. Id like to include them in the group of people to get them out of the country. But youll have to be looking at the laws.

But the law is already clear, according to legal experts.

It is pretty obviously illegal and unconstitutional, according to Ilya Somin, a professor at George Mason Universitys Antonin Scalia Law School.

Its constitutionally very problematic, if not illegal, University of Virginia immigration law professor Amanda Frost told TIME. It's a baseline right of citizenship that you can remain in the country.

Its also illegal to expatriate U.S. citizens for a crime, according to Lauren-Brooke Eisen, senior director of the justice program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

In fact, U.S. citizens can only be stripped of citizenship if they knowingly perform acts resulting in a voluntary relinquishment of citizenship such as a formal renunciation of nationality in the United States during a time of war or leaving or remaining outside the United States during a time of war or national emergency to avoid military service, according to Eisen.

open image in gallery During a White House meeting with El Salvadors president Nayib Bukele on April 14, Trump said he is all for jailing American citizens in that countrys prisons ( AFP via Getty Images )

Trump administration officials have been publicly mulling whether to send Americans to El Salvadors prisons since at least February.

There are obviously legalities involved. We have a Constitution, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time. But its a very generous offer. No ones ever made an offer like that  and to outsource, at a fraction of the cost, at least some of the most dangerous and violent criminals that we have in the United States  But obviously, the administration will have to make a decision.

Bukele is undoubtedly trolling, but to emphasize again: this is so incredibly illegal that there's not even a hint of a possible way to do it under any circumstances whatsoever, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council think tank, wrote at the time. It violates international law and the U.S. constitution. Period. End of story.

Trump later said he would be fine and very happy with sending incarcerated Americans to El Salvadors jails, which Elon Musk also called a great idea. On April 6, Trump told reporters he loves the idea of jailing American wise guys in El Salvador.

"I love that," Trump said. "If we could take some of our 20-time wiseguys that push people into subways and hit people over the back of the head and then purposely run people over in cars  if he would take them, I would be honored to give them.

Courts have affirmed constitutional protections ensuring Americans cannot be stripped of their citizenship for criminal convictions, meaning incarcerated citizens cannot be kicked out of the country, whether or not theyre imprisoned.

I know of nothing that would give the president the authority to force U.S. citizens serving federal prison sentences to serve their time in a different country's prisons, law professor M. Isabel Medina with Loyola University New Orleans College of Law told The Independent earlier this year.

There is also nothing in federal law that would give the Bureau of Prisons discretion to send citizens outside of the federal corrections system.

Thus, anyone enmeshed in the federal criminal justice system  certainly including the very very bad people Trump says he would like to send to prison in El Salvador  must be housed (and cared for) by the Bureau of Prisons, according to Cornell Law School professor Michael C. Dorf.

To be sure, the statute nowhere says that the federal Bureau of Prisons must operate all of its facilities in the United States, but crucially, it must operate, manage, and regulate all prisons or other facilities that house U.S. prisoners, Dorf writes. It might, in theory, be possible for the Bureau of Prisons to operate a prison on foreign soil, but if so, it would have to be a U.S. prison operating under U.S. standards. Shipping U.S. prisoners to a prison operated by a foreign sovereign  as Trump proposes to do  would be plainly unlawful.

Even if Congress tried to rewrite federal law to hand citizens to a foreign government, constitutional safeguards would still apply, according to Dorf.

Other than the lack of statutory authority, another complication would be application of the Eighth Amendment, procedural due process, First Amendment and other constitutional protections that federal prisoners are entitled to while serving their sentences, Medina told The Independent.

Because the constitutional authority to create federal crimes lies with Congress, not the executive, and because U.S. citizens may not be deported, even if imprisoned, it would appear to be illegal for the president to do this particularly without any statutory authority, she said.

Its also a scenario that Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned about in a dissent to the courts divided ruling that partially blocked the Trump administration from summarily deporting alleged Venezuelan members of Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act without a court hearing.

The implication of the Governments position is that not only noncitizens but also United States citizens could be taken off the streets, forced onto planes, and confined to foreign prisons with no opportunity for redress, she wrote. History is no stranger to such lawless regimes, but this Nations system of laws is designed to prevent, not enable, their rise.

This story was first published on February 2 and has been updated with developments
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A declassified CIA report about an alleged UFO attack on Soviet soldiers in the dying days of the USSR has gone viral after being posted to the agencys website.

The document is a single-page summary of newspaper articles from Canadian Weekly World News and the Ukrainian paper Holos Ukrayiny dating back to March 1993, which describe a hostile encounter between the Russian Army and a flying saucer that is said to have taken place in 1989 or 1990.

The story  headlined Cosmic Revenge in the Ukrainian source and said to derive from an extensive 250-page KGB file, complete with witness testimony and documentary photographs  recounts how 25 Soviet troops were participating in training drills when a low-flying spaceship in the shape of a saucer passed over their base in Siberia.

The sighting prompted the men to react for unknown reasons by launching a surface-to-air missile at the craft, which they successfully brought down.

Five short humanoids with large heads and large black eyes emerged from the wreckage, the file reports, before fusing together into a single object: a spherical shape that emitted a sinister buzzing sound.

The sphere then burst in an explosion of brilliant white light, leaving 23 of the men turned into stone poles while the remaining two, shielded from the blast by virtue of being stood in the shade, escaped unharmed.

The bodies of the victims were reportedly recovered by the Red Army and taken to a secret research laboratory outside Moscow, where it was discovered their molecular structure was now identical to that of limestone, with the light that petrified them attributed to a source of energy not currently known to humanity.

If the KGB file corresponds to reality, this is an extremely menacing case, an unnamed CIA analyst is quoted as saying in response to the tale.

The aliens possess such weapons and technology that go beyond all our assumptions. They can stand up for themselves if attacked.

A satellite image of an an alleged UFO in the night sky ( Getty )

Ex-CIA agent Mike Baker, for one, has expressed skepticism about the encounter, which reads like a scene from a pulp science fiction novel or 1950s B-movie.

If there was an incident, regardless of the nature of the incident, I suspect that the actual report doesnt look much like what has now come out from five or six or seven iterations of what originally was [written], he told Fox News Digital.

Im sure theres something out there. I just dont think that they landed decades ago, turned Soviet soldiers into limestone, and were just now hearing about it. I dont think thats the case.

UFOs nevertheless continue to be a subject of huge fascination in the United States and around the world.

President Donald Trump said he did not believe in extraterrestrials when he appeared on Logan Pauls podcast during last years presidential campaign. However, in the first few months of his presidency, he signed an executive order demanding that all federal documents pertaining to them be declassified to expose or dispel rumors of any cover-up that may or may not have taken place.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, issued a report last year detailing the 757 tip-offs it had received from members of the public between May 2023 and June 2024 regarding unidentified and unexplained aerial phenomena, ultimately conceding that none had delivered proof of life beyond the stars.

That said, among the hundreds of misidentified balloons, birds, and satellites it received, there were also a number of episodes that defied easy explanation, including a near-miss between a commercial airliner and a mysterious object off the coast of New York.
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A 46-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy from Britain drowned after being swept into rough waters off the Queensland coast in Australia.

They were swimming at Round Hill Head in the seaside town of Seventeen Seventy on Sunday when the incident occurred.

Emergency services responded at around 2.15pm local time and deployed a rescue helicopter, but both individuals were declared dead at the scene.

Police confirmed that the man and the teenager were visiting from the UK. While their names were not released, it was understood the victims were father and son.

Authorities did not confirm if their family had been informed.

A 37-year-old Australian man from Monto, a town some 150km inland, was also swept into the sea during the incident. He was rescued and airlifted to the Bundaberg Hospital with serious head injuries. The man was later transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital.

The emergency medical service described Sundays rescue mission as difficult. Multiple crews were tasked to the scene, CapRescue was quoted as saying by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Waves roll into the Currumbin beach in Australia on 7 March 2025 ( Getty )

Darren Everard from Surf Life Saving Queensland called the drowning an absolute tragedy. The incident occurred during the local school holiday period, a time when tourist numbers usually swelled in the region, he noted.

Mr Everard said authorities were still investigating. Were not sure whether the third person jumped into the water trying to perform a rescue, he said.

He also warned of the dangers along the areas coastline, especially near creeks and rocky headlands, during high tides and strong swells. Its chaos in the water, he said, and sadly, thats where we have coastal fatalities in Australia.

Seventeen Seventy, nearly 500km north of Brisbane, and the neighbouring town of Agnes Water are known for their scenic beaches and proximity to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. The area attracts large numbers of both domestic and foreign tourists around Easter.

In spite of their popularity, only one beach in the region, at Agnes Water, is patrolled by lifeguards.

Mr Everard urged all visitors to swim only at patrolled beaches and to familiarise themselves with local conditions. Seek local knowledge, he said, but you also need to go to where those flags are.

Australian beaches plant red and yellow flags to mark safe swimming zones.

Wayne Mellock, a local surf shop owner, said the community was reeling from the tragedy. Situations like this are absolutely horrific, he told ABC News. We have a very huge amount of international tourists in our town.

Police confirmed the drownings were being treated as non-suspicious and said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
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Molotov-wielding protesters clashed with police in Athens, engulfing the area in flames at the weekend.

Footage shared on social media shows multiple burning vehicles in Exarchia, a neighourhood in the popular British tourist destination.

Fireworks and stones were also thrown at the district police station, local media reports, with parked cars and motorbikes set alight.

Athens police detained 72 people and reported one officer was injured during the turmoil, according to Greek channel EPTNews.

open image in gallery Athens has faced multiple protests on the second anniversary of a deadly rail disaster, including this outside parliament in February ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The disturbances started after a music performance in a nearby park, with the rioting extending to other streets, witnesses told the broadcaster.

According to Greek Police, a series of violent incidents took place late Saturday night in the Exarchia district.

Just before midnight, unidentified individuals launched attacks on officers stationed at the junction of Kallidromiou and E. Benaki streets, The Standard reported.

The assailants reportedly used Molotov cocktails and stones, prompting the police to respond with chemical agents.

The riots began just days after a bomb exploded near the offices of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway services operator.

open image in gallery Riot police walk in front of the headquarters of the Bank of Greece during a nationwide 24-hour strike last week ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The explosion Friday evening resulted in limited damage and no injuries. The perpetrators had forewarned of the explosion by calling two media organizations about 40 minutes before it happened.

It follows widespread public anger over a 2023 railway disaster, Greece's worst, in which 57 people were killed and dozens more injured when a freight train and a passenger train heading in opposite directions were accidentally put on the same track.

The deadly accident exposed severe deficiencies in Greece's railway system, including in safety systems, and has triggered mass protests led by relatives of the victims against the country's conservative government around the accident's second anniversary.

open image in gallery Protesters in Athens take part in rally during a nationwide 24-hour strike ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Greece has been experiencing ongoing demonstrations in the past month.

Last week, thousands of Greeks gathered in Athens to demand higher wages to cope with rising living costs and a one-day strike left ferries docked at ports, flights grounded and trains at a standstill.

The conservative government has increased the monthly minimum wage by a cumulative 35 per cent to 880 euros since 2019. But many households still struggle to make ends meet amid fast-rising food, power and housing costs, Greece's largest labour unions say.
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Greece has signed a new deal with France to purchase dozens of anti-ship missiles as it continues to procure defences amid tensions with neighbouring Turkey.

The deal for the 16 was sign Exocet missiles was signed by Greek defence minister Nikos Dendias, who agreed the deal with French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu. The politician paid a one-day vist to Athens to agree the deal, with neither disclosing the cost.

The deals marks the latest in a series of military purchases from France by Greece. The southeastern European nation has already bought two dozen Rafale warplanes and three Belharra-class frigates.

In addition, Greece has said it will buy a fourth Belharra frigate and cruise missiles from France, as part of a 25-billion-euro defence plan by 2036 to modernise its armed forces as it seeks to keep pace with its neighbour and historical rival Turkey.

open image in gallery Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, front left, and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, front right, inspect the guard of honour before their meeting in Athens ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Athens has said it will spend 25 billion euro (20.6 billion) over the next decade to adapt its military to evolving high-tech warfare technologies.

Although Nato allies, Greece and Turkey have long-standing disputes over boundaries in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean that have brought them close to war several times in recent decades.

"Greece does not threaten, but is threatened," Mr Dendias said alongside Mr Lecornu. The two ministers did not take questions.

Speaking in Parliament earlier this month, Mr Dendias said Greece plans to shift from traditional defence systems to a high-tech, networked strategy centred on mobile, Artificial Intelligence-powered missile systems, drone technologies, and advanced command units - reducing reliance on conventional fleets.

Greece's modernisation drive  launched after years of defence cuts during the 2010-2018 financial crisis  already includes all branches of the armed forces and focuses on cooperation with France, Israel, and the United States.

The country was rocked on Friday after a bomb exploded near the offices of Hellenic Train in Athens, Greeces main railway services operator. A new extremist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, as well as for the planting of another near the Labor Ministry in early February.

The explosion on Friday evening resulted in limited damage and no injuries. The perpetrators had forewarned of the explosion by calling two media organisations about 40 minutes before it happened.
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Politicians in Hungary are set to vote on new controversial laws that would see the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the country restricted. Critics have called the constitutional amendment both a crackdown on the freedoms of assembly and expression by the populist government.

The amendment would permanently codify a ban on public events held by LGBTQ+ communities  including the popular Pride event that draws thousands annually in the capital, Budapest. It is very likely to be passed next week by prime minister Viktor Orban's nationalist Fidesz party, which holds a two-thirds majority in parliament.

It will also allow gender identities to be denied on a constitutional basis, as well as the sexual characteristics of minority groups. This is alongside allowing Hungarians to have their citizenship suspended if they are deemed to pose a threat to Hungary's security or sovereignty.

open image in gallery Hungarian demonstrators protest LGBTQ+ laws in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, 25 March 2025 ( (Zoltan Mathe/AP) )

Local organisers have called the amendment fascism, while lawmakers that introduced it claim it is in the interest of protecting children. Opposition party Momentum says it will attempt to block the vote to prevent Orbans party from leading [Hungary] down the Putin road.

Here is everything you need to know about the amendment and the pushback against it:

A ban on LGBTQ+ events

The amendment, the 15th to Hungary's constitution since it was unilaterally authored and approved by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition in 2011, gives legal support to a law fast-tracked in March that made it an offense to hold or attend events that violate the country's contentious "child protection" legislation, which prohibits the "depiction or promotion" of homosexuality to minors aged under 18.

That law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify individuals that attend prohibited events  such as Budapest Pride  and can come with fines for violators of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546).

Some legal experts have argued that such a restriction on assembly rights violates Hungary's constitution. In order to bring the Pride ban in line with constitutional protections, the amendment declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any other fundamental right other than the right to life  including that to peacefully assemble.

open image in gallery Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The amendment also declares that "a person's sex at birth is a biological characteristic and can be either male or female"  an expansion of an earlier amendment that prohibits same-sex adoption by stating that a mother is a woman and a father is a man.

This declaration will provide a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of transgender people, as well as ignoring the existence of intersex individuals, who are born with atypical sexual characteristics that do not align with binary conceptions of male and female.

The human rights agency of the United Nations has written that up to 1.7% of the global population is born with intersex traits.

The amendment, as well as previous legislation targeting LGBTQ+ communities, is reminiscent of similar restrictions against sexual minorities in Russia. Orban, seen as Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally in the European Union, has in recent years prohibited same-sex adoption and banned any LGBTQ+ content including in television, films, advertisements and literature that is available to minors.

His government argues that its policies are designed to protect children from "sexual propaganda," but critics view them as part of a broader effort to scapegoat sexual minorities and mobilize his conservative base.

Citizenship could be suspended

Hungary has taken vigorous steps in recent months to protect its national sovereignty from what it claims are foreign efforts to influence its politics or even topple Orban's government.

The self-described "illiberal" leader has accelerated his longstanding efforts to crack down on critics such as media outlets and groups devoted to civil rights and anti-corruption, which he says have undermined Hungary's sovereignty by receiving financial assistance from international donors.

open image in gallery Hungarian parliament as it votes on a bill to ban the Pride march by LGBTQ+ communities and impose fines on organisers and people attending the event in Budapest, Hungary, March 18, 2025 ( REUTERS )

In a speech laden with conspiracy theories in March, Orban compared people who work for such groups to insects, and pledged to "eliminate the entire shadow army" of foreign-funded "politicians, judges, journalists, pseudo-NGOs and political activists."

As part of the government's sovereignty protection efforts, the newest constitutional amendment will make it possible to suspend the Hungarians' citizenship if they are deemed to pose a threat to public order, public security or national security.

Such suspensions would apply to Hungarian citizens who also hold citizenship of another country that is not a member of the EU or European Economic Area. Such suspensions may last for a maximum of 10 years.

'This is fascism'

The passage of the law banning Pride set off a wave of protests in Hungary with thousands taking to the streets to demand the restoration of assembly rights. Demonstrators employed the tactic of blocking bridges and major thoroughfares in Budapest, something Orban later said would be prohibited by new legislation.

Reacting to the ban on Pride, local organisers wrote: "This is not child protection, this is fascism."

On Monday, when lawmakers vote to approve the constitutional amendment, the opposition Momentum party will attempt to blockade the parliament and prevent the vote from taking place. The party accused Orban's government of being an "intimidating and cowardly power," writing on social media: "Let's collectively prevent them from leading us down the Putin road and depriving us of our freedom."

Another protest is expected after the passage of the amendment.

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a human rights group, has said the planned amendment "is a significant escalation in the Government's efforts to suppress dissent and weaken human rights protection."

The group, along with rights groups the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International and Hatter Society , have urged the European Commission to launch a procedure against Hungary's government, arguing the amendment and other recent legislation breaches EU law.
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Severe rain unleashed flash flooding in a popular Spanish holiday hotspot, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency.

Lanzarote in the Canary Islands was flooded by heavy rain which saw homes and cars inundated with floodwater in a two-hour deluge.

The towns of Costa Teguise, San Bartolome and Arrecife were worst hit, according to local authorities. The mayor of Arrecife requested the government to declare the city a disaster area.

open image in gallery Cars were forced to drive through deep flood waters ( REUTERS )

An island-wide state of emergency was declared by the Special Civil Protection and Emergency Response Plan for Flood Risk (PEINCA), though it has now been lifted.

Footage shows cars submerged on waterlogged roads, streams turned into dangerous rapids, and homeowners using buckets to bail water out of their houses after as much as 60 litres of rain fell in two hours on Saturday.

Between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday local emergency services recorded around 150 flood-related incidents across the popular holiday hotspot.

open image in gallery Hotels, homes and roads in the tourist hotspot flooded this weekend ( MIKE HALLET via REUTERS )

The Canary Islands government ended the state of emergency in Lanzarote  declared on Saturday  at 7am on Sunday.

Following the end of the flooding caused by rain on April 12 in the municipalities of Arrecife, Teguise, and San Bartolome on the island of Lanzarote, the island emergency situation has ended, it said in an update.

Authorities confirmed that there have been no reported injuries.

It will come as devasting news to British holidaymakers planning to get away for the Easter holidays.

open image in gallery The towns of Costa Teguise, San Bartolome and Arrecife were worst hit ( EPA )

The UK foreign office issued a new travel warning for Lanzarote on Sunday, which states: Heavy rainfall and flooding in Lanzarote occurred earlier today with Costa Teguise, San Bartolome, and Arrecife particularly affected.

Services across the island are affected. Some hotels are currently without power. Some roads are currently affected by mud.

If you are in Lanzarote or travelling to Lanzarote, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates.

Local authorities in Lanzarote have urged the public to avoid travelling by road unless necessary and warned against attempting to drive through water-covered streets.

open image in gallery Damaged ravines in the municipality of Teguise, Lanzarote ( EPA )

Heavy rains persisted across the Canary Islands on Sunday, particularly in Tenerife's north and urban areas, as well as eastern Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. The Canary Islands government declared a pre-alert for rain in these areas until 7am on Sunday.

A number of flights to the popular British hotspot were delayed or diverted on Thursday due to the heavy rainfall, which occurred just days after Storm Oliver passed over Lanzarote.

It is uncertain how long it will take the island to recover from the floodwater, which has severely damaged homes, roads, and transportation to and from the popular vacation spot. On Monday, footage showed residents and authorities working to clean up after the storm.

On Monday, the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) said there will be mostly cloudy skies in the north of the mountainous islands with a chance of light, occasional rain, as well as in the southern interior of Tenerife and Gran Canaria this afternoon.

It added there is a a low chance of light scattered rain in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura on Monday.
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Talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program appeared ready Monday to leave the Middle East, as an Italian source said the next round of negotiations would take place in Rome.

A source in the Italian government confirmed that the next round would take place in Rome on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they werent authorized to speak publicly.

The person's comments came as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani separately told journalists in Osaka, Japan, that the Italian government has given its OK to host the talks, Italian state broadcaster Rai reported.

Both Iranian and U.S. officials did not immediately acknowledge the venue of the second round of negotiations. However, it's likely that Oman, which hosted the first round of talks on Saturday in Muscat, would continue to mediate between the two sides.

The next round of talks will probably be held somewhere other than Oman, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told journalists on Monday in Tehran. It's not an important matter.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers David Biller in Rome and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
For a showman given to overarching high-wire performances in every theatre at home and abroad, Donald Trumps recent criticisms of Russia have been distinctly mumbled  showing he doesnt have the courage of his lack of conviction.

In his latest utterance, he appeared to be speaking on behalf of the Kremlin for the killing of 34 people, including two children, in a double missile strike on Sumy city, on Ukraines northern border with Russia.

I was told they made a mistake, he said.

One can only guess whether he made this claim after talking with Vladimir Putins officials. It seems more likely that he came up with the line to avoid further global condemnation of Russia for another war crime.

But I think its a horrible thing," the US president added, after the Palm Sunday attacks using Iskander missiles fired from Russia into the centre of the provincial capital.

open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, during Sundays flight from Palm Beach to Joint Base Andrews ( AFP/Getty )

His response to the killing and bombing since the US/Ukraine-agreed ceasefire was proposed a month ago has been, safe to say, mixed. He was silent over the death of 20 people in Kryvyi Rih a week ago.

He did hint at mild frustration last Saturday when he told reporters that talks brokered by the US with Russia and Ukraine were getting to the point where the two sides would have to put up or shut up.

The day before he said that they should get moving.

And some weeks ago, Trump went as far as to suggest that he might even impose extra sanctions on nations still importing Russian oil and other commodities if Russia continued to ignore his attempts to get a ceasefire in Ukraine.

However, one should not be misled by this performative frustration.

Since then, Russias envoy Kirill Dmitriev has been feted in Washington just as Trump unleashed his disastrous wave of tariffs on the rest of the world.

Dmitriev, the Kremlins envoy and chief of Moscows government investments, then met Steve Witkoff last Friday in St Petersburg, where Putin was once mayor.

After the Sumy atrocities, Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said he hoped that Trump would be able to see that Putin was mocking their goodwill.

Sikorski was trying to goad Trump into taking a moral stand against Russia after the US president took Moscows side in negotiations and the Kremlins bogus interpretations of the Ukraine war.

open image in gallery Rescuers fight fire after Sundays deadly attack in Sumy ( Volodymyr Zelensky/Twitter )

Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy is Russias mocking answer, Sikorski said on arrival at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.

I hope that President Trump and the US administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken.

He may be hoping in vain. Just as Volodymyr Zelenskys pleas for a visit by Trump to see the horrors of Russias invasion for himself will be in vain.

Ukraine has agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in attacks on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea but Russia has so far refused to observe it.

On Monday, Russia said its energy infrastructure had been attacked eight times overnight and that it had shot down 52 Ukrainian drones. Ukraine said Russia had fired at least 62 drones into its territory the day after the Sumy missiles.

European foreign ministers gathering in Luxembourg are clearer than ever that they need to get their countries to step into the gap that Americas president is leaving open for Russia in Ukraine.

There is also a widening understanding that while Ukraine is suffering deeply, it is not losing and that it could actually win a war against Russia if it can hold on for a year or so.

There is a forlorn hope that, as Putin ignores Trumps ceasefire efforts and appears to humiliate his envoy to Russia, the US president may lose patience and turn his wrath on the Kremlin.

But this ignores the pattern of his behaviour which has been to back Russia against Ukraine  no matter what.

Trump has agreed with Putins claim that Russia invaded Ukraine because of Kyivs intent to join Nato. This is nonsense. Russia invaded Ukraine before it tried to join Nato and Putin himself wrote of his intention to recolonise the country in a return to a Soviet-era unity.

Trump has backed Russias claims to hold onto, at the very least, the territory it has already captured, ruled out US troops supporting even a peace deal in the future, turned the intelligence-sharing spigot off and on again with Ukraine, and used military aid as a lever to force Ukraine into ceasefire talks.

The ceasefire talks have been driven by Trump and most favour Russia  not Ukraine.

He has shown no interest in Ukraines democratic future but has displayed a Putinesque passion for the nations mineral resources which he hopes to harness for profit and back-pay for Americas past support for Kyiv.

Trump has also served Russias interests by destabilising his own countrys constitutional structures, eviscerating its military and intelligence services, scuppering its relations with its closest allies, and tearing up 80 years of post-war security doctrine  oh, and threatening to invade Panama and Greenland.

Trump wants to see a Ukrainian ceasefire because Russia needs it to rebuild its forces, rearm, and return to the fight.

Small wonder he cant bring himself to even murmur a condemnation for the murder of children.
There's no soundtrack swelling in 'Warfare,' the new Alex Garland film. No emotional violin cues telling you when to cry, and definitely no slow-mo hero shots. In fact, the only music in the whole film is a blink-and-you-miss-it scene featuring a home video. That was very much the point.

Actors Michael Gandolfini, Will Poulter and Kit Connor visited Miami to exhibit the moviem after they talked to me about the experience of making it in London and seeing it with an audience for the second time. Something impactful about 'Warfare' is the lack of a score. It was a powerful choice and they loved it.

"We didn't want to guide people's emotions," Poulter told me. "You're in the middle of it, and the silencethat's the reality." Welcome to 'Warfare,', the latest film co-directed by Navy SEAL-turned-filmmaker Ray Mendoza and writer-director Garland. It's a raw, stripped-down look at war, but not the kind you've seen before. No glossy hero arcs. Just dirt, trauma, brotherhood, and a mission gone wrong.

The cast is stacked with what the internet lovingly calls "the favorite boyfriends of the moment":Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Gandolfini (The Many Saints of Newark), Kit Connor (Heartstopper), and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), among others. But 'Warfare' isn't about star powerit's about realism. And part of that realism came from casting actors who actually looked like young soldiers. "So many war movies cast 30-year-olds to play guys who are barely 20," Poulter said. "We wanted to reflect the truth of who was really there."

Shot inside a warehouse in North London, the film immerses you in the chaos of war with almost no dialogue, no score, and no escape. But off-screen? That was a different story. "We were all staying in the same hotel, and there was a lot of singing," said Connor with a grin. "It sounds cheesy, but that's where the brotherhood started." Their behind-the-scenes playlist? A mix of AC/DC, Beastie Boys, early 2000s rap, andsurprisinglyZach Bryan sing-alongs.

"We'd harmonize in the hallways," Gandolfini added. "It was a way to shake off the heaviness."

And music, ironically, becomes a powerful tool in the film's silence. That one music video scene is your only sonic breaka flash of normal life, a reminder of who these guys were before the uniforms. "Music connects us to them as people," Connor explained. "And the lack of it during combat? That's when they're soldiers. That's when they're cut off."

Mendoza, who based much of the film on his own combat experience, didn't want to make another shoot-'em-up blockbuster. Warfare is less about politics and more about consequenceswhat it feels like to carry trauma in your body, your relationships, your silence. "He wanted something veterans could show their families and say, 'This. This is what it felt like,'" Gandolfini said.

And that's the thingWarfare isn't just telling a story. It's changing how war stories are told. Gone are the days of rousing scores and cookie-cutter arcs. This is the war film of the TikTok era: raw, real, intimate. The kind that doesn't need explosions to feel explosive.

By the end of our conversation, it was clear: Warfare is more than a film. It's a reset button. It dares audiences to watch without being told how to feeland in doing so, it might just reshape the genre entirely.

Originally published on Latin Times
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The bustle of daily life in Ukraines Sumy makes it hard to believe that its people have faced a constant threat of death since Russia invaded their country three years ago.

Just days ago, Putins forces targeted the city centre in back-to-back missile strikes, killing 35 people and injuring over 100. It marked the deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians this year.

Neighbours chatted in their apartment blocks, watching children play games in the courtyards. Pausing to look up, they would see the buzzing of attack drones and the familiar sounds of Ukrainian air defences before going back to their strange routine which is quickly becoming usual.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from an explosion following a Russian drone strike on Sumy, Ukraine, 14 April 2025 ( AP )

Sumy is only 18 miles from the border of Russias Kursk region, where Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold on to the strip of territory they took in a surprise offensive last summer. Residents of the city say there has been an increase in attacks in recent weeks, but none as devastating as Sundays airstrike which targeted a busy intersection.

It came just over over a week after a separate missile strike killed 20 people on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. Russia says its forces were targeting a meeting of soldiers in the attack which killed nine children, but evidence has not been provided to support the claim.

The attacks on their cities has left many Ukrainians wondering where the next will occur and cast a shadow over the ongoing ceasefire talks being brokered by the United States. The talks have produced only muted results, as Russia insists on conditions Ukraine deems impossible and Kyiv believes Moscow's forces are gearing up for a fresh offensive.

The attack ended some lives and shattered others

To the people of Sumy, the talks seem far-removed from their daily struggles.

As some of the victims of Sunday's attack were laid to rest on Tuesday, Viktor Voitenko, 56, described how he ended up paralyzed in a hospital bed. He was working as a security guard when the second missile hit and shattered his spine. As he spoke, his wife Hanna, 40, lovingly applied his deodorant  a simple act he could no longer perform.

open image in gallery The mother of Olena Kohut, who was killed in the deadly Russian attack on Sumy, during a farewell ceremony, 15 April 2025 ( AP )

Mention of the ceasefire negotiations conjured a weary smile from her. Its empty talks. They dont move anywhere. It seems to be public relations to me, Hanna Voitenko said. Nothing happens to bring comfort to regular people.

Her husband offered his own take: They are stalling for time.

Work, errands and planned family visits brought the victims of Sundays attack to the intersection of Petropavlivska Street and the state university on Sunday morning.

Asia Pohorila, 20, was working at a cafe and thinking about whether to buy pastries after her shift when the first missile strike left her in shock and bleeding profusely from her legs. On Tuesday, the times 10:20 and "10:23" were still scrawled in marker on her thighs, noting when medics applied tourniquets to them.

A teen springs into action

Maryna Illiashenko and her 13-year old son, Kyrylo, heard the sound of that first blast ricochet across the center city as they waited for a bus.

They were headed to visit his grandmother, but the teenager was more excited about wrestling practice later that afternoon. Undeterred, they boarded the bus when it arrived a few minutes later. One stop later, the second missile crashed a few feet from from the vehicle, scorching nearby cars, burning passengers alive, killing the bus driver and causing shrapnel to rain down. Three fragments tore through Kyrylos scalp and scratched Marynas face.

Enveloped in smoke and debris, the teen leaped out of the shattered bus window and pried open the locked door from outside, saving half a dozen trapped passengers, witnesses said.

open image in gallery A woman cries during farewell ceremony of Olena Kohut, who was killed in the deadly Russian attack on Sumy, Ukraine, 15 April 2025 ( AP )

I dont want to think about this as a new type of reality for Sumy city. We can clearly see that our frontline cities are being erased, Oleh Strilka, a spokesperson for the city's State Emergency Service, said while standing outside the collapsed facade of the university building, where the second missile struck.

The most painful thing for me is our children. Why do they need to suffer? he asked. I dont want our 13-year-old kids becoming heroes.

Liudmyla Shelukhina, 70, was waiting in a neighbors house for a haircut. She was standing in line in the kitchen when the windows suddenly shattered.

She said the fridge she was next to saved her life. I would have been decapitated."

Dont be so dramatic, joked her husband, Viktor, a former soldier. Their son was hospitalized in the attack.

No relief for first responders

Rescue workers like Dmytro Shevchenko, 31, have to be prepared to head to the scene of the next attack at all times. He was among the first to arrive at the university grounds on Sunday. Most people he found were too badly injured to help, he said, wiping away tears.

He holds on to little hope that ceasefire talks will bear fruit. I just dont believe in it, he said.

The childrens hospital where Kyrylo Illiashenko is recovering bears the scars of repeated drone attacks. More than 100 windows were shattered only two weeks ago when a massive drone attack struck nearby, said Chief Dr. Ihor Zmislya.

As workers cleared rubble from the sites of the missile strikes Tuesday and Kyrylo expounded on his favorite computer games, an explosion sounded in the distance. From the teen's hospital window, plumes of smoke could be seen rising from a nearby railway line.

This is our reality, said Zmislya. It happens all the time.
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Foot and mouth disease  usually referred to by its acronym FMD  is the most feared livestock disease in the world. It can cripple the livestock sector, cause immense animal suffering, destroy farmer businesses, create food insecurity and has massive trade impacts for Australia.

Its little wonder Australian farmers, rural communities, consumers and governments reacted to the incursion and spread of FMD through Indonesia in 2022 with dread.

This high-impact livestock disease had not been on our doorstep since the 1980s. Keeping it out is a new challenge and a national priority.

What is foot and mouth disease?

This disease is caused by a viral infection.

What makes FMD virus so remarkable is its environmental resistance. It can persist on many inanimate objects, such as equipment used with livestock, peoples clothing and shoes, on the tyres of vehicles and in livestock transport.

It can also persist in livestock feed and livestock products, such as meat and hides. It can even remain infectious on the hands and within noses of those in contact with infected livestock.

open image in gallery A closed-off cattle farm in Hungary where foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed ( MTVA - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund )

This means everything associated with infected livestock can become contaminated. On the positive side, FMD is not a disease that readily infects humans, and meat and milk from infected livestock are considered safe to consume.

Still, despite human safety, countries free of FMD would not buy Australian meat or milk if we became infected because of the fear of importing the disease.

The nature of this virus is what scares agricultural industries. FMD virus could plausibly be introduced via a tourists contaminated shoes, or through smuggled meat products in a passengers bag or the mail. There is a plethora of incursion pathways.

How does FMD affect animals?

FMD affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and deer. FMD is one of the most contagious diseases known  its at least as contagious as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in some situations, for example.

The characteristic sign in FMD infected animals is blisters. These are apparent in the mouths and hooves of infected animals  especially in the soft tissue immediately above the hoof, and between the two toes that form the hoof.

Rupture of these blisters produce ulcers. FMD lesions are very painful: animals stop walking, stop eating and drool. The severity of signs vary with different strains of FMD virus and different species.

Another remarkable characteristic is that within an infected herd or flock, nearly all animals become infected and sick, yet few will die from the disease in normal circumstances. It is a high-morbidity, low-mortality disease with a massive economic impact.

Why FMD is so hard to control

FMD is globally distributed and globally feared. Infected countries are isolated from the global livestock trade.

There are a large number of FMD virus strains. This is important because one measure to prevent economic and welfare impacts is to vaccinate susceptible livestock.

However, the vaccine needs to match closely with the strain in a region that is causing FMD. Also, the protection period is generally short-lived, perhaps 12 months or less.

Maintaining high levels of vaccination and herd immunity is challenging in livestock populations, especially in developing countries. It requires an advanced system of livestock identification, and advanced vaccine manufacture and delivery infrastructure.

open image in gallery Authorities carry disinfectant liquid near a farm during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Dunakiliti, Hungary ( REUTERS )

Another problem is the host range of FMD. Besides managed livestock, in Australia FMD virus could infect feral pigs, feral goats and wild deer.

Once the infection enters these unmanaged populations, disease control becomes exponentially more difficult.

For example, we havent been able to successfully manage feral pigs, despite the massive damage they inflict to our environment, such as degrading our waterways and threatening native species.

If Australias feral population gets infected, it might mean we can never eradicate FMD, should an incursion occur.

The response

When responding to an FMD incursion in developed countries such as Australia, the goal is eradication. Based on the economic impacts of the disease, its less costly in the long run to eradicate than to live with the disease.

Perhaps the best example of such a response is when FMD entered the United Kingdom in 2001. How it entered is unknown, but a theory is that the virus entered from illegally imported infected meat fed to Northumberland pigs.

There was a delay in detection. By the time authorities recognised the problem, the infection had spread widely. The response involved identifying both infected premises and those likely to be infected because of possible contact with the virus, and then culling all livestock on those premises.

This devastated the UKs agriculture and tourism sectors, resulted in the death of more than 6.5 million livestock and cost 8 billion. The media coverage presented images of apocalyptic bonfires of burning carcasses and soldiers digging mass graves.

Even if a country demonstrates that elimination has been successful, it still wont be able to trade again for many months, as its trading partners respond. This is why its so important to get on top of any incursion rapidly.

The closest analogy to an FMD response were familiar with is the incursion of equine influenza (horse flu) in New South Wales and Queensland in 2007.

Although culling isnt part of the response for equine influenza, the bans on horse movements and equine events, the mobilisation of a large veterinary workforce, and the creation of disease zones would be repeated, with the same disruptive effect on communities.

To Australias advantage, because FMD is such a high profile and high impact disease, federal, state and territory governments have well-developed response plans and have war-gamed FMD scenarios over many decades.

And more recently, other animal pest and disease incursions such as varroa mite in honey bees and Japanese encephalitis in pig herds have helped test our response systems for an FMD incursion.

However, we shouldnt underestimate the cost and challenge of confronting this disease that has arrived just this month on our doorstep. So much depends on it.

Michael Ward is the Chair of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety at the University of Sydney.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Overnight American airstrikes killed at least six people and wounded dozens in Yemens Sanaa province, Houthi media reported on Monday.

A Yemeni news channel showed firefighters spraying water on a raging fire they said was caused by the latest airstrikes.

The Houthis, who rule much of the Arab nation, also claimed in a local news broadcast that they had shot down another American MQ-9 Reaper drone.

The US has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The Donald Trump administration last month intensified the American air campaign against Yemen, claiming it was intended to deter the Houthis from attacking shipping in the Red Sea.

The American attacks have killed dozens of civilians thus far.

The Houthis have effectively closed the Red Sea to Western shipping by attacking commercial and military vessels linked to Israel and its allies in retaliation for Israels war on Gaza.

The Yemenis had stopped the attacks after the US mediated a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas earlier this year, but renewed the campaign after Israeli forces enforced a total blockade on the supply of food aid, fuel and medicines to the besieged Palestinian territory at the start of March, ending the short-lived truce.

They have pledged to halt their military operations again if a truce was enforced in Gaza.

File. An armed man speaks on his mobile phone as he checks the wreckage of a car at the site of a reported US airstrike in Sanaa on 7 April 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

They reportedly targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two and killing four sailors, between November 2023 and January this year.

They also launched attacks on American warships.

The US military campaign against Yemen under Mr Trump appears to be more extensive, dropping bombs on cities, than the one under former president Joe Biden, which reportedly targeted Houthis personnel and missile launch sites.

The militarys Central Command, which oversees operations in the region, has launched more than 200 strikes since 15 March, according to the White House. The attacks have killed at least 120 people in the country, according to the health ministry.

Houthis fire hypersonic missiles towards Israeli military base

The Houthis separately claimed on Sunday that they had struck down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in the northwest of the country near the border with Saudi Arabia.

A military spokesperson said the US drone was targeted by "a locally manufactured missile.

The US Central Command said it was aware of "reports" of the shooting down of the drone, without elaborating any further.

The Yemenis also claimed responsibility for missiles launched towards an Israeli military base in the port city of Ashdod and the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.

Israels military said they believed the missiles were intercepted by its air defences.
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More than 50 years after the Vietnam War gripped the world's attention, the battlefields where countless lives were lost have become poignant pilgrimage sites for veterans and tourists alike.

Locations like Hamburger Hill, Hue, the Ia Drang Valley, and Khe Sanh, once synonymous with conflict and etched in the annals of history, now draw visitors seeking to understand the war's impact firsthand.

For US Army veteran Paul Hazelton, returning to Vietnam just shy of his 80th birthday was a journey through time. Revisiting places he served as a young draftee, including Hue, the former Phu Bai Combat Base, and Da Nang, evoked a stark contrast between the war-torn landscapes he remembered and the vibrant nation Vietnam has become.

"It was a war zone when I was here before," Mr Hazelton reflected, walking with his wife through the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. The city, once a hub of military activity, now pulses with commerce and industry.

"Everywhere you went it was occupied territory with our military, now you just see the hustle and bustle and the industry, and its remarkable," he said.

open image in gallery A tourist looks at a US Air Force fighter jet used during the Vietnam War, on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City ( AP )

Mr Hazelton's sentiment echoes a broader shift in the relationship between the United States and Vietnam. Decades after the war's end, the two nations have forged a new path based on trade and cooperation.

"Im just glad that were now trading and friendly with Vietnam," Mr Hazelton commented, adding, "And I think both sides are benefiting from it."

Vietnams war with the United States lasted for nearly 20 years, from November 1955 to April 1975, and resulted in the deaths of more than 58,000 Americans and many times that number of Vietnamese.

For Vietnam, it started almost immediately after the nearly decade-long fight to expel the colonial French, who were supported by Washington, which culminated with the decisive defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

The end of French Indochina meant major changes in the region, including the partitioning of Vietnam into communist North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh, and US-aligned South Vietnam.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong guerrilla troops, and the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam.

Read more: The best Vietnam holiday destinations  when to travel and where to stay

open image in gallery A tourist walks through the Dien Bien Phu Military Cemetery ( AP )

Tourism has rebounded rapidly since the Covid pandemic and is now a critical driver of Vietnams growth, the fastest in the region, accounting for roughly one in nine jobs in the country.

Vietnam had more than 17.5 million foreign visitors in 2024, close to the record 18 million set in 2019 before the pandemic.

The War Remnants Museum attracts some 500,000 visitors a year, about two-thirds of whom are foreigners. Its exhibits focus on American war crimes and atrocities like the My Lai massacre and the devastating effects of Agent Orange, a defoliant widely used during the war.

The US was to open the first exhibit of its own at the museum this year, detailing Washingtons extensive efforts to remediate wartime damage, but it is indefinitely on hold after the Trump administration slashed foreign aid.

Other wartime sites in Saigon, which was the capital of South Vietnam, include the South Vietnamese presidents Independence Palace where North Vietnamese tanks famously crashed through the gates as they took the city and the Rex Hotel where the US held press briefings derisively dubbed the Five OClock Follies for their paucity of credible information.

open image in gallery Tourists look at a mural at the Hoa Lo Prison museum in Hanoi ( AP )

On the northern outskirts of the city are the Cu Chi tunnels, an underground warren used by Viet Cong guerrillas to avoid detection from American planes and patrols, which attracts some 1.5 million people annually.

Today, visitors can climb and crawl through some of the narrow passages and take turns at a firing range shooting targets with war-era weapons like the AK-47, M-16 and the M-60 machine gun known as the pig by American troops for its bulky size and high rate of fire.

I can understand a bit better now how the war took place, how the Vietnamese people managed to fight and protect themselves, said Italian tourist Theo Buono after visiting the site while waiting for others in his tour group to finish at the firing range.

Former North Vietnamese Army artilleryman Luu Van Duc remembers the fighting at first hand but his visit to the Cu Chi tunnels with a group of other veterans provided an opportunity to see how their allies with the Viet Cong lived and fought.

open image in gallery A tourist takes photos of a mural at the Hoa Lo Prison museum in Hanoi ( AP )

Im so moved visiting the old battlefields  it was my last dying wish to be able to relive those hard but glorious days together with my comrades, the 78-year-old said.

Relics like this must be preserved so the next generations will know about their history, about the victories over much stronger enemies.

The former Demilitarized Zone where the country was split between North and South in Quang Tri province saw the heaviest fighting during the war, and drew more than 3 million visitors in 2024.

On the north side of the DMZ, visitors can walk through the labyrinthine Vinh Moc tunnel complex, where civilians took shelter from bombs that the US dropped in an effort to disrupt supplies to the North Vietnamese.

The tunnels, along with a memorial and small museum at the border, can be reached on a day trip from Hue, which typically also includes a stop at the former Khe Sanh Combat Base, the site of a fierce battle in 1968 in which both sides claimed victory.

open image in gallery The wreckage of an American tank on display at the former Khe Sanh Combat Base ( AP )

Today, Khe Sanh boasts a small museum and some of the original fortifications, along with tanks, helicopters and other equipment left by US forces after their withdrawal.

Hue itself was the scene of a major battle during the Tet Offensive in 1968, one of the longest and most intense of the war. Today, the citys ancient citadel and Imperial City, a Unesco site on the north bank of the Perfume River, still bears signs of the fierce fighting but has largely been rebuilt. West of Hue, a little off the beaten path near the border with Laos, is Hamburger Hill, the scene of a major battle in 1969.

About 500km (300 miles) to the southwest near the Cambodian border is the Ia Drang Valley, where the first major engagement between American and North Vietnamese forces was fought in 1965.

Fighting in North Vietnam was primarily an air war, and today the Hoa Lo Prison museum tells that story from the Vietnamese perspective.

Sardonically dubbed the Hanoi Hilton by inmates, the former French prison in Hanoi was used to hold American prisoners of war, primarily pilots shot down during bombing raids. Its most famous resident was the late senator John McCain after he was shot down in 1967.

It was kind of eerie but fascinating at the same time, said Olivia Wilson, a 28-year-old from New York, after a recent visit.

Its an alternative perspective on the war.
This is the moment Mickey Rourke furiously confronts his fellow Celebrity Big Brother housemate Chris Hughes, moments before he was axed from the reality show.

The Hollywood actor clashed with the Love Island contestant during a housemate task, in scenes which aired on Sundays show (13 April).

The 72-year-old was furious after claiming he was being thrown the side eye by Chris in the task.

Housemates try to diffuse the situation, before Big Brother intervened and called him to the diary room.

Big Brother told the actor his language and behaviour was "seriously unacceptable" and told him to leave the house.
Labour minister James Murray clashed with a Sky News presenter as he was grilled on the future of British Steel.

Government officials and British Steel staff are in a desperate race to save its blast furnaces after what ministers believe was a plot to sabotage the Scunthorpe plant by its Chinese owners.

The government dramatically took control of the company on Saturday, kicking off a frantic hunt for the securing essential raw materials, including coking coal and iron ore, needed to keep the two blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant operational.

Treasury minister James Murray appeared on Sky Breakfast on Monday (14 April) and confirmed the materials needed at the British Steel works were in the UK, but would not confirm where.

After pressing him over the whereabouts of the materials, Ms Boleto told Mr Murray: You know what I'm asking you - so give us an answer."
Donald Trump has said he was informed that Russias missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy was a mistake.

Two Russian ballistic missiles struck Sumy on Sunday (April 13), killing at least 34 people and wounding at least 117 in one of the wars deadliest strikes.

I think it was terrible, and I was told they made a mistake, but I think it's a horrible thing, the US president told reporters on Sunday evening.

Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a global response to the strike, which marks the second large-scale attack claiming civilian lives in just over a week.
Home economics: We rent out our late mothers Connemara home when not using it. Are we affected by the new RPZ rules?
Where Michelin-star chefs go to eat a curry: I think its some of the best food of any kind being served in Ireland right now
The State has spent nearly 270m on modular housing for nearly 2,500 Ukrainian refugees.

Integration Minister Norma Foley said the rapid-build programme is not finished, so it is not possible to fully specify a final overall programme figure.

In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, 29m was spent on modular housing for refugees. In 2023 the figure was 158.7m, and 66m was spent last year.

Building the homes is being overseen by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Integration.

The Government is also spending 15.2m on a project aimed at building modular homes for refugees even faster than the OPW.

It will bring the total spend for the programme to nearly 270m.

A spokesman for the Department of Integration said: The cost of the modular homes is higher than forecast because of the emergency nature of the pilot and complications around sites, access and works like water and utility connections.

However, the homes we now have are a state asset with a lifespan of 60 years. They are providing shelter for nearly 2,500 people fleeing war and can be used for other housing need in the future.

The figures were released to Aontu TD Peadar Toibin, who said they were yet another example of government waste.

We are very grateful to the Irish Government, to Ireland, to Irish people for that. They welcomed Ukrainians with open arms

Were told that modular housing for refugees is temporary, yet more is being spent per unit than would be needed to actually construct a house from scratch, he said. We have over 15,000 people homeless while the Government is forking out over a billion on accommodation in hotels and short-term facilities for asylum-seekers.

We have over 4,000 council houses empty, with many more vacant properties owned by the HSE and OPW.

The massive spend per modular unit is also eye-watering. The department need to ensure the taxpayer is getting value for money and an adequate number of units for the amount spent.

Ukraines ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko told the Sunday Independent: We are very grateful to the Irish Government, to Ireland, to Irish people for that.

They welcomed Ukrainians with open arms and the Irish Government has spent a lot of money. Ukrainian people have found a second home here.

Around 60,000 Ukrainian refugees still live in Ireland, the embassy estimates. That is about half the number who have come here since the outbreak of the war, which is put at 113,000.

It is believed about half of those still here are working.

Ms Gerasko estimated that 40 to 50 Ukrainian refugees are still arriving in Ireland each week.
Examining the Polish-Canadian community on the 85th anniversary of the Katyn Forest Massacres (1940) By Apolonja (Pola) Kojder and Mark Wegierski

web posted April 14, 2025 In April 1940, a series of executions of Polish citizens, including military officers, then being held in Soviet custody, took place. The term "Katyn Forest Massacres" is often used to describe these murders, which took place at a number of sites, including the Katyn Forest. Around 26,000 people were shot in total. There subsequently occurred a decades-long battle for truth about the massacres, as the Soviet leadership brazenly tried to shift the blame onto Nazi Germany. It was only when the Soviet Union fell, that the Russians officially admitted that the Soviets had carried out the massacres. In fact, a document ordering the executions, signed by the most senior Soviet leaders, was discovered in the newly-opened Soviet archives. We would like to memorialize this tragic event by commenting on the Polish-Canadian community today. Although, according to the 2016 Canada Census, there are over a million persons of Polish descent in Canada, that group has a comparatively minor impact on Canadian society, politics, and culture. Canadian Polonia (the Polish-Canadian community) seems to have a perennial misapprehension of what constitutes "objective" cultural influence and power today. They have very few active writers. The community is organizationally weak and faces a chronic lack of funding, whether from private individuals or government cultural and multicultural supports. Some types of writing have almost immediate social and political effects. There are currently no opinion-columnists on staff in the major Toronto newspapers, who could be identified as belonging to the Polish-Canadian community, nor do any such opinion-columnists in any major newspaper in the country come to mind. There are also very few authors of books by recognized publishers. What can one say when even the post of the President of the Canadian Polish Congress is a volunteer position. There are, currently, only a few M.P.s who could be identified as emphatically belonging to the Polish-Canadian community, in the Canadian Federal Parliament. One of them is Calgary-area Conservative M.P. Tom Kmiec. Also, in the Ontario Parliament, two dynamic women were elected as Progressive Conservative M.P.P.s in 2018  Kinga Surma (Etobicoke-Centre) and Natalia Kusendova (Mississauga-Centre). They were both re-elected in 2022 and 2025. In 2011-2015, there were two Polish-Canadian M.P.s from the Conservative Party, Wladyslaw Lizon (Mississauga East -- Cooksville) and Ted Opitz (Etobicoke-Centre). During the 1970s, Stanley Haidasz represented the Parkdale-High Park riding (then the Toronto-area riding with the highest proportion of persons of Polish descent) as a Liberal, being named as Minister of State for Multiculturalism (and later, Senator). His successor in the riding was the Liberal, Jesse Flis. Because of the prominence of Haidasz and Flis, Polish-Canadians tended to support the federal Liberal Party in earlier decades. After a period of high glory in the late medieval and early modern periods, Poland had endured Partition (often harsh foreign occupation under Tsarist Russia, Prussia/Germany, and the Habsburg Empire) since 1795. Independence was regained only in 1918. The Partition period was punctuated by numerous desperate uprisings. The main waves of Polish immigration to Canada could be identified as pre-World War I; interwar; post-World War II; 1956-1979; Solidarity era; and post-1989. The Polish Second Republic fell before the savage onslaught of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union (then Hitler's ally) in September 1939 (when World War II began). Betrayed by America and Britain at the Yalta Conference, Poland was assigned to the Soviet sphere of influence (to be officially called the People's Republic of Poland) -- along with the wrenching displacement of her frontiers in a westward direction. The largest group of Polish immigrants to Canada in the post-World War II period were the Polish ex-soldiers who had served in the Polish armed forces under Western Allied command. Among their greatest military achievements were the contribution of the Polish pilots to the aerial Battle of Britain in 1940; the storming by the Polish Second Corps of Monte Cassino in Italy, the "impregnable" German positions blocking the road to Rome, in 1944; and the attempt to close the Falaise Gap in Normandy by the Polish First Armoured Division, also in 1944. The Polish ex-soldiers who came directly to Canada in the late 1940s were required to work for two years on remote farms. Conditions there were sometimes none too pleasant. In consequence of the death of Stalin in 1953, the coming to power of Wladyslaw Gomulka in October 1956 essentially "polonized" the regime. The disturbances of 1968-1970 brought Edward Gierek to power, whose economic policies initiated a short period of considerable prosperity. Nevertheless, the election of the Polish Pope in 1978 galvanized the opposition, culminating in the flowering of the independent trade-union movement, Solidarity. On December 13, 1981, Communist General Jaruzelski declared martial law and attempted to crush the Solidarity movement, which went underground. Finally, the impetus of Solidarity was one of the factors that helped to initiate the massive transformations that resulted in the collapse of the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe in 1989. The Polish Third Republic was proclaimed. The arrival of Polish-Canadians increased the intra-European diversity of Canada. It could be argued that the initial definition of "multiculturalism" in Canada was mostly meant to refer to other European groups, apart from the English and French, especially Eastern and Southern Europeans. That definition has been mostly eclipsed since the 1980s, with the arrival of huge "visible minority" immigration. Apolonja (Pola) Kojder is the main author of Marynia, Don't Cry: Memoirs of Two Polish-Canadian Families (University of Toronto Press, 1995). She lives in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Mark Wegierski is a Toronto-based writer and historical researcher, published in Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen, and The Hill Times (Ottawa), among others. They were both born in Canada of Polish immigrant parents. Home
A Sligo pharmacy is to have its registration suspended by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) for one month from today after it was found guilty of misconduct for supplying prescription-only medications to customers in the absence of a registered pharmacist.
Jailed Dublin businessmans fingerprints found on cash during raid on Kinahan cartel count centre

Cartel money counter was arrested close to apartment used by the gang to plot murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan

Stephen Connolly

Patrick OConnell and Natasha Reid Mon 14 Apr 2025 at 10:53

A businessman jailed for laundering 291,000 in drug money was arrested during a raid on a Kinahan cartel count centre just a short distance from another apartment where gang members plotted the murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan.
Group to tackle barriers in delivery of housing, water supply, transport and energy

Experts from key state agencies are to be redeployed from their day jobs to try help the Government unblock major infrastructure projects.

The workers from bodies including Uisce Eireann, Eirgrid, ESB and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will be seconded to a new accelerated infrastructure taskforce to tackle barriers in the delivery of housing, water supply, transport, connectivity and energy.

It comes amid growing concern over the threat posed by US tariffs to Irelands economy and a domestic inability to get on top of the housing crisis.

Both the OECD and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council have identified Irelands infrastructure deficits as a critical issue for the country.

The new taskforce will be linked to the Department of Public Expenditure under Fianna Fail minister Jack Chambers.

Ministers believe the move is necessary to make Ireland competitive in a global economy that has been upended by Donald Trumps policies.

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. Photo: Brian Lawless

News in 90 Seconds - 14 April 2025

Mr Chambers will bring a memo to Cabinet this week to set up the external taskforce, which will report back to him in July and work with the Department of Housings new acceleration office.

The minister said the external experts had experience in the Irish economy and would hold the Government and indeed the broader system to account on actually driving this forward.

Weve provided additional staff in some of these areas, but the delivery is still too slow in too many areas, and thats why its of central importance well be delivering across those objectives, he said.

The Government is also planning to row back on a series of election promises that would have benefited workers, arguing now is a time to focus on protecting businesses and jobs.

The deadline for the introduction of the pension auto-enrolment scheme is now likely to be pushed beyond September, Mr Chambers said yesterday.

He also announced that planned minimum wage increases would be delayed to limit cost increases for employers.

Mr Chambers said the September timeline for introducing the auto-enrolment scheme would be pushed back by only a short number of months.

The Government is currently committed to replacing the national minimum wage with a national living wage from 2026, with the living wage set at 60pc of the median wage in any given year. The minimum wage is due to remain in place until the living wage is fully phased in.

Mr Chambers said the nature and scale of wage increases may now be extended over a slightly longer period.

Were considering the overall cumulative impact on costs for businesses and the competitiveness within the Irish economy, he told RTE.

The number one focus for Government is to protect jobs, to drive competitiveness, and thats why, separately, well be establishing a cost-of-business advisory forum on how to sustainably manage the overall cost for business.

Both Mr Chambers said Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary will bring an update to Government in the coming weeks on the specific timing of the rollout of pension auto-enrolment.

The auto-enrolment scheme will apply to nearly 800,000 workers aged between 23 and 60 who are in employment but not enrolled in an occupational pension scheme. The scheme aims to ensure people begin saving for their pensions earlier and are not left with just the state pension when they retire.

Mr Chambers comments come as Enterprise Minister Peter Burke is to present a memo to Cabinet this week on a 15-point action plan to support business and enhance competitiveness in the economy.

The blueprint represents the Governments short-term response to the turbulence created by the US stance on trade and tariffs.

These plans include expediting the implementation of CETA, the EU trade agreement with Canada, bringing forward Irelands National Semiconductor Strategy and the cost-of-business advisory forum.

The Government has been clear, we must control what we can control, Mr Burke said. I am determined to focus on domestic policy measures we can take in the coming weeks to make the Irish economy more competitive and we will set out some of these measures this week

He said the Government must now focus on fast-tracking infrastructure delivery in light of the potential economic turbulence we are facing.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is set to visit Conor McGregors pub on Tuesday, the MMA fighter has announced.

Mr Carlson, an American conservative political commentator who hosted Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News until 2023, will be in The Black Forge Inn, according to Conor McGregor.

The pub in Crumlin, Dublin 12, is Mr McGregor.

In a post on social media, McGregor shared that he is in The Black Forge Inn tomorrow evening, Tuesday, with Tucker Carlson.

For those who wish to drop in for a pint of Forged Irish Stout," he wrote on X.

God bless you, Ireland, I was put on this earth to serve and protect you and I will forever my days (sic), he added.

The presenter, who hosts The Tucker Carlson Show on his own Tucker Carlson Network, was fired from Fox News two years ago.

He has since interviewed many populists and right-wing figures, including US President Donald Trump, on his X channel and is a regular figure on many anti-immigration shows and news sites.

He also interviewed Vladimir Putin last year, almost two years on from Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Irish business and sporting worlds have been left reeling by the sudden death of Cork executive John Mullins (57).

Mr Mullins, executive chairman of clean energy firm Amarenco and a former European Parliament candidate for Fine Gael, died overnight after a sudden illness.

The businessman was a native of Cork city but had been living over recent years in Castlemartyr in east Cork.

Multiple tributes have been paid to Mr Mullins from Cork business and cultural groups for his vast contribution to his native county and to Irish enterprise.

Paying tribute Taoiseach Michael Martin said Mr Mullins was a wonderfully gregarious character.

Read more John Mullins career was a throwback to an era when public life spanned both commercial and civic leadership

"I am deeply saddened at the passing of John Mullins, someone who made such a distinguished contribution to public life, business, sport and politics, he said.

John was a wonderfully gregarious character who had a huge impact in Cork and across the country.

As chief executive of Bord Gais, John made tremendous strides in the transformation of that organisation, and subsequently guided the growth of the Port of Cork.

With Amarenco Solar he was influential in advancing solar power technology in this country and internationally.

John had a particular interest in sport, with his beloved Bishopstown GAA and as director of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, and I often enjoyed great banter with him over sporting rivalries.

John fully realised his potential in public service and in business, but he could just as easily have realised his promise in politics with his deep and abiding interest and involvement with Fine Gael.

A great strategist, you would see John at all the election counts over the years.

Fine Gael's John Mullins

News in 90 Seconds - 14 April 2025

So many people will be shocked and saddened at Johns passing at such a young age, and I offer our deepest sympathies to his wife Siobhan, his family and friends.

An Tanaiste Simon Harris TD also paid tribute to Mr Mullins.

The Tanaiste said: "It was with shock and deep sadness that I learned of the passing of John Mullins earlier today.

It was an honour to know John, to soldier with him in politics, to canvass with him and I always found it a joy to be in his company.

"John led a distinguished career including leading Bord Gais Energy through a period of great transition. John was a businessman and an entrepreneur who was experienced and motivated by ingenuity and reward of enterprise.

"A GAA fan, a charity advocate, John was a true son of Cork. Whether it was through his chairmanship of the Port of Cork, his role as director of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, or his presidency of Cork Chamber of Commerce, his entire career was motivated by a desire to do right by his native city.

"For Fine Gael, he was a proud friend of so many and a party activist to his core. He was a former president of Young Fine Gael, a party trustee, a director of elections and more recently a European election candidate. The Fine Gael family, especially across Cork, mourns his loss today.

He was kind, witty, intelligent, fundamentally decent and someone who always wanted to do right by his community and his country. His loss is immense and will be felt deeply by so many.

"I am especially thinking of his wife Siobhan and his two children Michael and Sarah as well as his parents Pat and Eileen. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Mr Mullins was deeply involved in Cork Chamber of Commerce, Cork GAA as well as multiple charities and cultural groups.

He served as Chamber of Commerce President in 2011.

A lifelong Gaelic games fan, Mr Mullins played a key role in helping Cork Co Board to maximise the commercial potential of its revamp of Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

He contested the 2024 European Parliament election for Fine Gael in Ireland South but failed to secure a Brussels berth.

He polled almost 40,000 votes which analysts said offered him a strong platform for future electoral challenges.

Mr Mullins' vast business, sporting and cultural connections across Cork led many to tip him as a future Fine Gael Dail challenger - though the precise constituency was unclear.

In 1994 he had sought a Fine Gael nomination for Cork North Central but narrowly missed out on being added to the Dail ticket.

He was chief executive of Bord Gais from 2007 to 2012.

Mr Mullins was also the chairman of the Port of Cork from 2013 until 2021.

He was a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering.

He has held senior management positions with ESB, ESB International, PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK) and NTR plc.

In recognition of his work to promote Franco-Irish links, Mr Mullins was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by the French Government a decade ago.

Mr Mullins is survived by his wife Siobhan and their three children.

This article was amended at 11.30am on April 14, 2025 to correct Mr Mullinss age to 57.
Tanaiste Simon Harris said Ireland will be in a stronger position in terms of information sharing

Ireland is scaling up its maritime security, with the Defence Forces set to join a European intelligence-sharing pact.

Tanaiste Simon Harris has also directed officials in the Department of Defence to expedite the purchase of sonar and radar technology to boost the protection of Irish skies and vital undersea communication and electricity cables and gas pipelines.

The move comes after a Russian spy ship passed through Irish waters last week and was monitored by the naval service after being declared a vessel of interest.

The presence of clandestine Russian vessels has caused alarm over the vulnerability of key underwater infrastructure, especially since Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Harris, who is also Defence Minister, is set to confirm today that the Irish Defence Forces will join an alliance with military and civil agencies from 10 other nations to share intelligence on threats within European waters.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said Ireland will be in a stronger position in terms of information sharing

News in 90 Seconds - 14 April 2025

The network, known as the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), will enable sharing of both classified and unclassified information between the partner groups from countries including Italy, Portugal, Spain and Finland.

CISE has been developed over the past 15 years and became operational last year to address urgent maritime threats including risks to critical infrastructure.

Plans are also in place to use it in anti-drug-trafficking operations.

The Defence Forces CISE involvement will be run from the Naval operations centre in Haulbowline, Co Cork, which will formally be designated a node  a key hub within the network.

Mr Harris has said the CISE alliance will enable Ireland to work more closely with EU counterparts to keep Irish seas safe and secure.

By signing up to this initiative, Ireland will now be in a stronger position in terms of information and intelligence-sharing when it comes to our maritime environment, he said.

If you look at the countries that we are collaborating with  the likes of Spain, France and Finland  we are all very much connected by a large sea area.

So, I think its only appropriate that there would be greater collaboration among these countries and Im very pleased as Tanaiste and Minister for Defence to ensure Ireland plays a leading role in this regard.

By signing up to this initiative, our naval base in Haulbowline will be designated as what is termed a node.

It means that we will now be part of a network that includes 11 other countries  and we will actively share information about vessels of interest and other actors that enter our seas.

I very much believe that European security is best served by working together and that very much goes to the heart of what this initiative is about.

Risks to Irish subsea infrastructure have been identified as an emerging threat in recent years with most transatlantic data communications running through Irish seas.

The Governments emergency response group has also recently conducted operational exercises to test how the State deals with a cyber attack on underwater cables as well as damage to key gas pipelines  both of which led to a greater focus on maritime security.

Improving surveillance within the maritime domain has also been identified as a national defence policy priority by the Government.

The CISE network is a voluntary system that is not enforced by legislation, with institutions joining the system, rather than a country.

It has a decentralised infrastructure, giving the groups control of the information that they share, with the intelligence not centrally stored.

CISE has also been carrying out exercises on operational scenarios countries could face.

It includes search and rescue operations, threats to sea infrastructure, and cross-agency co-operation to prevent the trafficking of multi-million-euro cocaine shipments by sea.

The European Commission has also signalled that CISE will be used to support future maritime data systems, services and sharing process.

A key aspect of this will be to support an EU-wide effort to protect critical undersea infrastructure.

Officials say that the move will support the building of a comprehensive recognised maritime picture for Ireland, by ensuring that the Defence Forces have a platform to share information with other CISE members.

The move will also allow for better monitoring and surveillance of potential threats, and abnormal behaviours that may impact critical undersea infrastructure.
Applications are now open for Multi-Media Reporters under the two-year MET programme

Applications have opened for the Mediahuis Emerging Talent (MET) Programme

The Irish Independent has today launched the latest phase of its newsroom training scheme, offering aspiring journalists a chance to kickstart their career with Irelands leading print and digital media publisher.

Mediahuis Ireland, home to the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, Belfast Telegraph and Sunday World, wants to hear from people from all backgrounds interested in joining the Mediahuis Emerging Talent (MET) programme.

The scheme is a fixed two-year trainee contract, offering the gateway to a potential career with some of the best-known media brands across the island of Ireland.

There are two places available for multi-media reporters on this years MET programme, covering news, video and audio journalism.

Best of all, you dont need to have a college degree or previous experience to apply.

Successful candidates will be given a broad range of training and on-the-job experience, mentored by some of the best journalists in the business.

Applications for this year's MET programme are now open

Speaking about the launch, Alan Steenson, Editorial Development Executive, said: Our Emerging Talent Programme has been a huge success since its launch in 2022 and were delighted to offer two new places to aspiring journalists this year.

Successful candidates will work with, and learn from, our experienced teams across news, video and audio.

We want to hear from those with a passion for journalism, regardless of background or experience, to take up this unique opportunity.

Edward McCann, Director of Publishing Operations, described the MET Programme as a vote of confidence in the future.

We want to recruit as diverse and dynamic a range of people as possible, particularly people from under-represented demographics, he said.

The MET programme is part of Mediahuis Irelands commitment to diversity and desire to make a positive contribution to people and society.

Applications are now open and will close on May 9. You can apply now at www.careers.mediahuis.ie/jobs
The deadline for the introduction of the pension auto-enrolment scheme is now likely to be pushed beyond September, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers has said.

Minimum wage increases planned by Government are also set to be delayed as part of plans aimed at supporting businesses amidst the economic uncertainty brought by US tariffs.

Mr Chambers said Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary will bring an update to Government in the coming weeks on the specific timing of the rollout of pension auto-enrolment.

Speaking to RTEs This Week, he said that while pension auto-enrolment is likely to be pushed past September, its likely to still occur in the short number of months after September.

Auto-enrolment is going to be absolutely essential to build sustainability for pensions in the long-term and the exact nature of the commencement is what Minister Calleary is currently considering and it's likely to like likely to be deferred for a very short period.

With the scheme having been deferred on previous occasions, Mr Chambers said there have been a couple of issues including large amounts of administrative work to bring people under the framework and a desire within Government to bring it in line with other projects.

We are absolutely committed to auto-enrolment. There has to be sustainability with our pension system, and we have to provide for pensions, and I think this has been a really important reform in the last two years and I expect the commencement date to be adjusted only very marginally.

This isn't something that's going to be deferred for a longer period, and its something that may be deferred for a short number of months.

The pension auto-enrolment scheme will apply to nearly 800,000 working people between 23 and 60 who are in employment but not enrolled in an occupational pension scheme.

The scheme aims to ensure people begin saving for their pensions earlier and they are not left with the State pension alone when they retire.

Workers aged between 23 and 60 will be automatically enrolled to the scheme if they are earning more than 20,000 and are not already enrolled to an occupational pension scheme.

Employee contributions will be matched by their employers and the State will also contribute an additional top-up.

Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME (Irish Small and Medium Enterprise) described the delay as a welcome development, saying: This is a recognition that businesses need help and that we need to slow down the velocity of cost increases for businesses . We are in favour of auto-enrolment but we have just seen businesses costs increase at too fast a rate in the last two years."

A spokesperson for business lobby group, IBEC (Irish Business and Employers Confederation) said that given the uncertainty in the economic outlook, it makes sense that Government should postpone any further labour costs. The spokesperson said: The postponement would also give more certainty to employers who are currently unclear on many aspects of auto-enrolment implementation.

Mr Chambers also said that planned increases to the minimum wage may be delayed

Were considering, I suppose, the overall cumulative impact on costs for businesses and the competitiveness within the Irish economy, he said.

The number one focus for Government is to protect jobs, to drive competitiveness, and thats why separately, well be establishing a cost of business advisory forum on how to sustainably manage the overall cost for business.

Within that, the Government is considering how we sequence the overall timing of the implementation for the minimum wage, and thats something that will be brought forward to Government shortly.

The Government has made a commitment to replace the national minimum wage with a national living wage, set at 60pc of the median wage, by 2026.

Mr Chambers also made clear the Government's opposition to the prospect of the EU introducing a digital services tax on US tech companies if the bloc fails to secure a negotiated agreement with president Donald Trump on tariffs.

He said if it got to the stage of a digital services tax being imposed it would mean "enormous damage" for the Irish economy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated the potential of the EU imposing a digital services tax on US tech companies if the dispute on tariffs is not resolved during the 90-day pause period. Many of those tech companies have established major operations in Ireland.

Mr Chambers stressed the Government's opposition to such an EU countermeasure.

"We've been absolutely clear about this from an Irish perspective, we did not support it in the past, and we do not support it now," he said.

"It would be hugely damaging to the Irish economy, to foreign direct investment and to future growth and investment from an Irish perspective. I think we have to be careful what we place on the table."

Mr Chambers said the European Commission's response to date had been "measured and considered" and he insisted that all the "energy and the focus" of the bloc should be on achieving an agreed position with the US.

"If this escalates to a point of a digital services tax being discussed, we're at a point of enormous damage for the Irish economy, for the European economy, much of which it would be more severe than any of the downside risks which have (already) been outlined," he said.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent which occurred during a trip to Miami by the All-Ireland-winning Armagh football squad last year.

He is due to appear at Armagh Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, on May 6.

In November last year, the Armagh GAA team travelled to Miami in Florida to celebrate the team's All-Ireland win, their first All-Ireland title in 22 years after they clinched victory over Galway at Croke Park in July.

Around 30 players, the management team, family members and other senior figures from the Armagh County Board are understood to have spent a week in Miami in the middle of November at the luxury five-star Eden Roc Miami Beach resort.

It has been alleged that an offence of sexual assault was committed.

The alleged assailant was first interviewed on a voluntary basis last December and in a statement at that time, Mr Patrick Higgins, solicitor of law firm Donnelly and Wall, said his client co-operated fully with the PSNI in the initial stages of the investigation.

The five-star Eden Roc Hotel in Miami.

News in 90 Seconds - 14 April 2025

I am shocked by the decision of the PSNI to charge my client in relation to an incident that occurred outside the jurisdiction last year, Mr Higgins said today.

In a statement released in the aftermath of the police decision to charge the man to appear in court next month, the solicitor declared said: I believe there was no necessity to arrest my client.

"A formal complaint was made to the PSNI on November 20, 2024. No contact was made between the PSNI and my client for three weeks.

"When requested he presented himself voluntarily at Banbridge Police station where he was arrested over four months ago.

The request by the PSNI to charge, I believe, is without merit and shall be challenged further down the line.

I believe the decision to charge the suspect to Court by the PSNI is influenced by the media publicity this case has attracted due to his profession and in breach of my clients right to a fair trial and in breach of his right to private and family rights.

My client maintains his innocent and has instructed me to contest the charges fully.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: A 30-year-old man was arrested on December 10, 2024 on suspicion of a number of sexual-related offences alleged to have taken place in the United States of America in November 2024.

He was later released on bail to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.

They also confirmed the man was charged today and will appear in court in May.

The spokesperson added: As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service and police will not be commenting further as criminal justice proceedings progress.
For Palm Sunday, a skeptic looks at some famous last words By Charlotte B. Cerminaro

web posted April 14, 2025 The difference between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. - Albert Einstein Today [April 13, 2025  editor's note], in several dozen countries around the world, countless people are celebrating the holiday of Palm Sunday. This day marks an important historical milestone - the Messiah's triumphal entry into Jerusalem in preparation for the festival of Passover. Based on the most widely accepted scholarly estimates this was probably the year 33 AD (CE), occurring exactly one week prior to that most profound, pivotal happening: The discovery of an empty tomb. Unfolding within that seven day interval were some of the most well-documented events in history - including the most famous and astounding last words ever uttered. Unsurprisingly, humans are often captivated by the everyday activities of unusual people, and this is especially true of events surrounding their death. Some of the greatest minds in history were also known for their simple last words, conveying ideas and wisdom that were anything but simple. Sir Isaac Newton left this world with these words: "I don't know what I may seem to the world, but as to myself, I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself now and then in finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than the ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." Similar regrets were also expressed by Leonardo da Vinci in these words widely attributed to him: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have." This sentiment reflects da Vinci's constant pursuit of perfection and dissatisfaction with his artistic endeavors. Occasionally, famous last words are memorable for their expression of personality, humor, and feelings of gratitude or awe. Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, said, "One never knows the ending. One has to die to know exactly what happens after death, although Catholics have their hopes." When a priest entered his room to hear his confession, playwright Wilson Mizner said, "Why should I talk to you? I've just been talking to your boss." The last moments and words of Steve Jobs were written by his sister in this touching eulogy: Steve's final words, hours earlier, were monosyllables, repeated three times. Before embarking, he'd looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life's partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them. Steve's last words were: "OH WOW. OH WOW. OHWOW." For thousands of years every observant Israeli made the religious pilgrimage to Jerusalem at least three times each year and Pesach (Hebrew for Passover) was the pinnacle of their religious and civil calendar. Beginning at nightfall with the first full moon after vernal equinox, the influx of visitors for this holiday started a few weeks earlier. Two thousand years ago, the city's typically crowded and bustling streets were overflowing; hundreds of thousands of visitors were waiting in expectation for Jesus' arrival. A few days later, only hours before the start of Passover, religious leaders known as Pharisees handed Jesus over to the Romans to be executed. His trial had been a sham - held secretively in the middle of night, with witnesses all offering conflicting testimony - none of their trial laws were followed. At nightfall, just as the Paschal lamb was sacrificed, Jesus uttered those unforgettable words: "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do." At the very end, after six hours of unthinkable suffering something so unexpected occurred: a sublime expression of triumph - Tetelestai - a Greek verb in the aorist tense (past, present, future, for all time) having no equivalent in any other language, roughly translated to "It is completed". The sacrificial system has been completed perfectly, once, for all time, as the ultimate innocent sacrifice was made. Sin and death have been defeated by His atonement; those famous last words are now, and forever, our own redemption. Charlotte B. Cerminaro is a Juilliard-trained classical musician and recording artist. In her free time she enjoys writing and regularly contributes to Enter Stage Right and she attained a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology. Home
Coillte Nature was acknowledged for its conservation work on Hazelwood Forest, on the shores of Lough Gill in Co Sligo (pictured)

A project run by the controversially disbanded Coillte Nature has won an award for its conservation efforts in a move described as ironic and saddening.

Hazelwood Forest in Sligo received the 2025 Native Woodland Conservation Award at an event run by the RDS in Dublin to recognise circular economy and sustainability initiatives.

Green Party senator and former junior minister for heritage, Malcolm Noonan, said the award was well deserved but it raised questions about the management of similar projects in the future.

Im delighted to see the brilliant work of Coillte Nature recognised and celebrated, he said. The Hazelwood project is highly innovative and impactful for alluvial woodland restoration, one of Irelands most vulnerable and special habitat types.

However, he added: We need to see more of this, especially as we embark on a new national Nature Restoration Plan.

Large-scale biodiversity action has never been more important and its both ironic and saddening that the model that provided this success is now being quietly wound down by Coillte.

Coillte  the semi-state forestry company and the countrys biggest landowner  set up a non-profit branch, Coillte Nature, in 2019 to focus on restoring native woodlands and creating new permanent forests as opposed to commercial forestry.

It emerged last month that it had quietly disbanded the branch earlier this year. The company said Coillte Nature was no longer needed as restoration work had been absorbed into Coillte generally.

However, staff have been redeployed to another company, Nature Trust, co-founded by Coillte and a tech entrepreneur, to sell woodland credits to companies in return for investment in restoration projects.

Opposition party politicians have expressed disquiet about the move and said they will call Coillte management to an Oireachtas committee to explain.

Hazelwood Forest is one of a number of projects Coillte Nature worked on around the country.

It covers 130 hectares on the shores of Lough Gill in Co Sligo, overlooking the famed Lake Isle of Innisfree, and suffered badly from rhododendron invasion.

The awards citation described it as a beautiful rare alluvial woodland where extensive restoration works have been undertaken over the last five years with the goals to maintain the native habitat, enhance biodiversity value, control invasive species and monitor the impact of restoration measures.
Tanaiste Simon Harris has accused the Russian government of spouting utter propaganda after the Kremlin said today that they had targeted a meeting of Ukrainian commanders in Sumy, where 34 civilians died, including children.

Moscow baselessly claimed Kyiv was using civilians as human shields, and US President Donald Trump appeared to suggest that the loss of civilian life was an accident and not intentional.

But Mr Harris said: Kremlin talking points are utter propaganda. We have two countries here, but only one is an aggressor.

Ukraine, the non-aggressor, is the victim in this conflict. It has offered to accept without condition a 30-day ceasefire to enable discussion and space around a lasting and just peace.

The other country, the aggressor, continues day in and day out to find excuses and reasons not to accept a ceasefire. It places more and more conditions in the way of a ceasefire every day, and continues attacking civilians  like we saw yesterday in Sumy, when people were heading to church on Palm Sunday.

The Kremlin can say what it wishes, he said, but the facts are very simple here, Mr Harris said as he attended a Foreign Affairs Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg, where there had been a very robust discussion when it came to Ukraine, he said.

Contributors emphasised the need to really make sure that we apply the maximum pressure to get Russia to the negotiating table.

What happened...last night was a despicable act, he added. Im very pleased that work is now at an advanced stage on a 17th package of sanctions in relation to Russia.

This is a package that needs to focus on LNG, on energy, on the Russian shadow fleet, and on tightening up any loopholes that exist. I expect that package now to be brought forward as quickly as possible.

Mr Harris said Luxembourg was hosting the first ever EU-Palestine high level political dialogue. It's something Ireland has been calling for for a very, very long time.

We've also seen the go-ahead for a package of 1.6bn euro from the European Union for Palestine. About 620m of that will be multi-annual funding for the Palestinian Authority.

I think this is absolutely essential. The Palestinian Authority is the only legitimate form of government in Palestine, he said, denying the mandate of Hamas.

The EU needs to strengthen the hand of Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah organisation, he said. We need to prepare it for the work of reconstruction, and ultimately in trying to bring about a two-state solution.

Mr Harris said he was particularly pleased that as part of that package agreed today, 82m will go to UNRWA, the UN aid agency for Palestine.

He said it was badly needed at a time when humanitarian aid cannot get into Gaza. It's now over a month since food supplies have been able to access Gaza, and this this is making a horrific humanitarian catastrophe even more difficult, adding to the suffering and misery, pain and death for civilians.

Ministers had also had a substantial discussion in relation to Africa, he said, paving the way for a meeting next month between the EU and the African Union.

We discussed in some detail the situation in Sudan, Mr Harris said. Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the fighting in Sudan, an incredibly brutal conflict that isn't really getting the attention it deserves, or requires.

There are 25m people displaced, 12m people in hunger and violence targeting specifically women and children.
Earlier, the Taoiseach said he hoped pharma and semiconductors formed part of the tariff negotiations

The threat of tariffs hasnt gone away, but still exists  and Irelands pharma industry remains under threat, the Tanaiste has warned.

Simon Harris, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said in Luxembourg: We'd be foolish not to prepare for an environment in which tariffs persist  and certainly the Government is preparing for that and all various eventualities and outcomes.

He said that Ireland stands ready to act if our economy and our jobs and investment are threatened. But we certainly hope that's not what it comes to.

Almost a week after US president Donald Trump announced he would be pausing his tariffs for 90 days, the EU is hoping to negotiate a trade deal with Washington before the deadline runs out. Mr Trump said he was suspending the so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, however his 10pc rate is still in effect across the globe.

Pharmaceuticals are currently exempt from the 20pc tariffs but the US administration has previously said it would consider taxing such imports.

The Tanaiste said that Ireland and the EU were preparing for the worst, but continuing to try to bring about the best. That's why I very much welcome that Commissioner (Maros) Sefcovic is in Washington, engaging with his counterparts and interlocutors there, he added.

Certainly, when I was in D.C., I got the very clear impression that negotiation was something that the United States was now very interested in. That's not surprising, because the European Union position and the Irish position has been clear from the start that we wanted talks ahead of tariffs.

The US decided to put tariffs ahead of talks, and we saw the turmoil and the chaos that caused, he said.

Stressing that trade between the EU and the US is worth about 1.6 trillion a year, Mr Harris added: No one can sniff at that reality.

It's now time to get serious, after the moments of chaos and the Big Reveal and all the press conferences. It's time to get down to business.

The European Union and Ireland had approached matters in a calm way, in a measured way, he said. We want to do business. We want to buy more things from the United States. We want them to buy more things from us. We're open for business.

We want to protect and enhance the relationship, but we also stand ready to act if our economy and our jobs and our investment are threatened, and I certainly hope that's not what it comes to.

Mr Harris continued: Maros Sefcovic is in Washington and those engagements are taking place. Its a really good start. We have 90 days now.

Of course, it's not perfect. The 10pc tariffs still remain in place, as does the 25pc tariff on steel, aluminium and cars.

So, it's far from ideal, but it's important that every hour of every day now is put to good use, because we've seen the turmoil of the last number of days, and that simply can't continue.

It's not the interest of any citizen on any side of the Atlantic, Mr Harris said, wishing the negotiations every success.

Earlier, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he hopes the pharmaceutical and semiconductors manufacturing sectors will form part of negotiations between the European Union and the US.

Mr Martin said Ireland fully supports the EU in its determination to negotiate with the US during president Donald Trump's 90-day 'tariff pause' in a bid to achieve a comprehensive trade deal.

Mr Martin said the pause was warmly welcomed by Ireland and he admitted it was now imperative that the 90 days be used for meaningful negotiations to avoid any threat of a damaging trade war.

Mr Martin said the tariffs have brought a lot of "uncertainty".

"This whole issue (tariffs) has been evolving," the Taoiseach said.

Mr Martin said Ireland took the view that engagement between Washington and Brussels over trade issues should be supported - and everything should be done to support a positive environment for such negotiations.

"I welcome the fact that there is a 90-day pause, although there is still a 10pc tariff and remaining tariffs on automotives and aluminium.

"But there is an opportunity now for negotiation.

"I would hope that within that opportunity that the sectoral issues in pharma - and also in semi-conductors - would form part of that.

"In other words, they would form part of the wider negotiation and the European Commission is also of that mindset.

"So we would have a comprehensive settlement between the European Union and the United States. It is the largest trading relationship in the world.

"It is hugely impactful and it is important that we dont end up with a situation where undue harm would (be) caused to people or indeed to the world economy or indeed to those specific sectors (such as pharma).

"Because medicine is (the) key to life and tariffs will increase the cost of medicines  thats the key point both in America and around the world.

"But there are issues that the US has legitimately raised. It is our view in Ireland that the European Commission is willing to engage and should engage in discussions and negotiation with the US to get a reasonable settlement that is sustainable for our respective economies and the people we represent."

Mr Martin said the issue over the claimed US trade deficit was more complex than some in Washington had claimed.

"If you factored services in, the difference between the EU and US trade is minimal in the context of a 1.7 trillion trade - about 50bn. In the context of Irish trade, we would be in deficit if you factor in services."

He also said the global economy was so integrated that tariffs would ultimately hurt everyone.

"A lot of the materials we make here in pharma go to America to enable companies to finish the product and vice versa."

"If you look at vaccines during COVID-19 there are about 50 component parts to a vaccine they were made in countries all over the world...the different components all have to come together eventually to become the medicine that people took."

"That's the complexity of the modern world and I don't think tariffs lend themselves to that complexity."
Lisa Haseldine: Despite overconfident promises, Donald Trump has made no impact on Ukraine peace deal

US presidents optimism for an Easter win fades as Vladimir Putin shows no sign of compromise

Russian president Vladimir Putin will be looking to see how much more he can squeeze out of the US: Sputnik

Lisa Haseldine Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Mon 14 Apr 2025 at 03:30

On the presidential campaign trail, Donald Trump boasted that he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. Nearly three months into his second term, that clearly hasnt happened.
Back in the late 90s when David Gray put pen to paper on the song Babylon, he probably didnt intend for the lines Let go your heart / Let go your head to be taken quite as literally as many modern-day revellers now seem to. Indeed, such was the overly rowdy atmosphere at Grays recent Dublin show that the musician felt the need to take to social media to politely scold them. He told his followers: People were just hammered, basically beautiful spring day drinking. It was so rowdy. I don't think I've ever heard the audience as, as rowdy as that, and bit outta control in a way. Depending on who you ask, live concerts have become a disruptive battleground with tension, distraction, and loud conversation taking centre stage. And what about public transport? Sporting events? And the humble cinema? Today on The Indo Daily, Irish Independent journalists and culture snobs John Meagher and Dave Hanratty ask: what's at the root of this social problem, and can it be fixed?
Identifying sites for an injection centre and 16-year-olds driving are on the agenda

The withdrawing of funding by Uisce Eireann, calls opposing a potential new prison in the city, as well as a proposal to allow 16-year-olds to drive motorised vehicles are all on the table this evening, proposed by local councillors.

1/A new motorhome aire in Cork City

Sinn Fein Councillor Ken Collins is looking for the council to look into providing an area for motorhomes and campervans in the city, specifically along the Marina. An aire with water dumping spot is currently available in Cobh for 5 a night and proves popular amongst caravanners. Since COVID, van life has become massively popular for those looking to see more of the country, and previously a site in the Marina, near Pairc Ui Chaoimh, had been used by caravanners but has since seen those banned. Collins is looking for this to be reopened as a partly dedicated campervan aire.

2/ Supervised injection centre

The issue of a supervised injection centre is not something new for Cork. Previously, Colm Burke TD had told the Irish Independent that a temporary injection centre could be brought into Cork City, given the time delays in trying to turn around the purchase and planning for a new building. Green Party Councillor Honore Kamegni has called on the council to identify and report on preferred sites for a potential infection facility in the city.

3/ Teenage drivers in the city?

A motion proposed by Fine Gael Councillor Damien Boylan would allow those aged 16 and older to drive in the city using mini cars, known as light quadricycles. Microcars like the Citroen Ami or Renault Twinzy are lighter, smaller, and have less power than your average roadcars, and in France the vehicles can be driven on a road safety certificate category of drivers licence, which is available to people 14 years or older. The motion calls on the modernisation of road traffic laws to reflect advancements in light vehicle technology and provide practical transport solutions for young people across Ireland.

4/ Cessation of Uisce Eireann funding?

A worrying motion submitted by Sinn Feins Michelle Gould is that Cork City Council would apply for national funding to ensure that there are adequate funds to increase staffing levels to maintain the citys drains and crews to prevent future flooding due to the cessation of funding from Uisce Eireann on 19th July 2025. Gould told the Irish Independent that the news that the water provider would be withdrawing their funding for the upkeep of the citys drains came at a Water Special Committee meeting, and that Uisce Eireann havent yet provided clarity on the issue. We have also contacted the provider seeking further clarity and confirmation on the withdrawal of funding.

5/ Opposing the reopening of the old Glen prison

Another motion by Michelle Gould centres around recent controversy following a suggestion by Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan to reopen the old Cork prison in the Glen, in a bid to kerb overcrowding in the new facility, which opened in 2016. Gould said that back then, commitments were given by the Government and the Irish Prison Service that the old prison would be transformed for the community. The suggestion, they say, will do nothing to help the local area, and that an alternative site should be suggested should the government wish to make more prison beds available in the city.
Spring has sprung and the Easter Bunny will be about this weekend!

Spring has sprung and all around Cork people are gearing up to enjoy one of the biggest events of the year, as the Easter Weekend approaches.

For some, its a religious holiday, marking the end of lent, and for others its an opportunity to stuff your face with chocolate!

Whatever your reasons for celebrating Easter, these events across the city and county will ensure youre doing it in style!

Easter Chocolate Workshop

For those less of green fingers but of open mouths, Fota is also hosting an Easter chocolate workshop! Home chocolat are in town for a fun, hands-on Easter chocolate workshop, where you'll learn how to create and customise your own treats using our CocoaBlox kits! And yes, chocolate eggs are definitely on the menu. Perfect for families, friends, or solo chocolate lovers looking for a unique Easter experience.

Racing Home for Easter Festival

Mallow Racecourse is always the centre-point of celebrations in North Cork, with the festival now well-established. The three day festivals runs from Saturday, April 19, to Monday, April 21, with a full race card on each day as well as music, and plenty to keep kids occupied in the marquee! A shuttle bus from the train station is also being provided to allow people to visit using public transport.

Castlemartyr Easter Orienteering Hunt

The East Cork town of Castlemartyr is doing an Easter egg hunt with a twist. On Easter Sunday at 12noon in Pigeon Wood, kids are being invited to a fun-fuelled adventure of solving clues and enjoying the great outdoors (and hopefully unearthing a couple of tasty eggs!). Organised by the Castlemartyr Community Council, admission is just 5 per family of two adults and three children and pre-booking is essential.

Easter Family Fun Day

Ballincollig Regional Park hosts a Family Fun Day, in aid of Focus Ireland, where a fun-filled day of family activities is promised. Ballincollig Regional Park will feature a thrilling egg hunt trail, a special appearance by the Easter Bunny, face painting, balloon art, games, spot prizes, tasty chocolate treats and more, all while helping to fight against homelessness.

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Brick Con

The Marina Market once again hosts Irelands largest Lego fan convention, Brick Con, on Easter Saturday and Sunday. The event features some of Ireland's largest and best custom models with over one million bricks of fun activities, workshops, competitions, special guests and more! General admission is 13 with build arenas, Master Builder competitions, a LEGO gaming area, and meet and greets!

Brick Con returns to Cork this Easter weekend at the Marina Market

Corks Many Childhoods Walking Tour

Legendary walking tour guide Ronan Leonard takes kids and parents through a walking tour of the city, specifically looking at the treats and games that children (8 to 12ish year olds ) would have had and played in different times of Cork's History. The tour, which lasts from 60 to 75 minutes, kicks off at 11.30am on Easter Sunday, involves around 2,200 steps and comes recommended from kids and parents alike!

Fota House Plant Fair

Fota Houses annual plant fair is a haven for plant lovers with numerous specialist nurseries from all over the country attending providing visitors with the opportunity to purchase unusual and special plants at competitive prices. 5 entry.

Breathwork Journey Under the Stars

For those trying to get in touch with their mindful self, the Yoga Nook dome hosts a night of breathwork, which focuses on self-healing across mental, physical, and emotional levels. The class, located inside the dome in Carrigadrohid, uses an active breathing technique called Conscious Connected Breathwork. The event will take place under the stars on Easter Saturday, and starts at 5pm.

Resurrection Passion Play and Song

And for those of you looking to reconnect with a more traditional form of spirituality, the Bible Baptist Church in Ballincollig is hosting its production of the Passion of the Christ. The church, located in the Enterprise Park in Innishmore, call it a clear telling of the true events of the personal betrayal, cruel mockery, and extreme abuse of the best Man who has ever lived. The production begins on Easter Sunday at 11am, with teas and coffees served at 10am.

Easter Hop Along

Leahys Open Farm once again hosts its annual hop along, throughout the Easter weekend, starting on Thursday and going right through to Easter Monday. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance (along with plenty of real bunnies!) to drop eggs continuously throughout the barn, meaning that no matter when you start your hunt, there will be eggs everywhere! Mom and Dad are also going to be put through their paces with Egg & Spoon races. Leahys also have their own chocolate factory which visitors can visit!
He was a champion for Cork, said Cllr Jack White as warm tributes were paid to John Mullins (57) who died overnight after a sudden illness.

Mr Mullins, executive chairman of clean energy firm Amarenco and a former European Parliament candidate for Fine Gael was a native of Cork City, but had been living in Castlemartyr in recent years.

At Mondays full council meeting, councillors from across the political spectrum paid their respects to the late Mr Mullins.

Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty said it is with a heavy heart that we have to propose a vote of sympathy to the late John Mullins on his sad and untimely passing to his wife Siobhan and family. John was a businessman who headed up Bord Gais and was chairman of the Port of Cork. He was deeply involved in all sporting life particularly GAA and horse racing. He was in Loughlinbridge only the other night to welcome home the Mullins family.

Cllr Hegarty said Mr Mullins will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing him. It is a very sad time for Fine Gael. John was a trustee of the party and was president of Young Fine Gael.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll stated that he would also like to be associated with the poignant remarks from Cllr Hegarty. To me John Mullins was a gentleman to meet at all times. It is a major shock to the community and to his family.

John was a friend of all of ours, said Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn: He was a man above politics. He is a tremendous loss to the business community. He was a man before his time. He was very involved in rural Ireland and was a larger than life person. It is very sad news.

Fine Gael councillor Jack White hailed Mr Mullins as an extraordinary man in business, sport, charity, politics and life in general. He was a good friend. His loss will be hugely felt in Cork. He was a champion for Cork. He had a vision and ambition for Cork on the national stage.

Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Mulcahy acknowledged the role Mr Mullins played in selling so many premium seats in SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh in recent years. It is a very sad morning. John loved sport in general. It is very hard to comprehend what Johns family are going through and the Castlemartyr community and the GAA club.

I can only imagine what his seat in Cliffords Bar in Castlemartyr is going to be like. It is going to be a soulless place this week, he added.

Cork Chamber also paid tribute to Mr Mullins who previously served as president with the organisation.

Rob Horgan, President of Cork Chamber, said: We are deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of John Mullins. His contribution enriched the very fabric of our region. John was a natural leader - considered and driven by purpose. His ambition was evident throughout his remarkable career. In every role, John brought strategic clarity and dedication to progress.

Mr Horgan said his legacy will live on. We are so grateful for everything John gave to Cork and Cork Chamber. His legacy will live on in the people he impacted and the values he championed.

Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber said John was a remarkable person whose warmth, intelligence and drive made a deep and lasting impression. He always gave generously of his time and his insight, striving to raise the bar for those around him. He had a natural ability to lead, to listen and to inspire. Beyond business, John brought great energy to everything he did. He had a deep love for sport, particularly Cork GAA and a strong belief in civic responsibility."

"John will be so deeply missed, by me personally, by everyone at Cork Chamber and by the many people whose lives he touched through his leadership and friendship. We are all better for having known him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, wide circle of friends and colleagues at this very sad time, he added.
The signs which have been placed on Drury Street, asking people 'Please don't sit on the curb'

New signage has appeared along Dublins Drury Street, asking people to refrain from sitting on the kerb outside shops and other businesses.

The signs, which read Please dont block this area and Please dont sit on the curb, thank you, are located on one side of the street, which has become a magnet for outdoor socialising in the good weather.

It remains unclear who erected the signage, which stretches from The Collective jewellery store, past the Heartbreak Social Club, in front of the Om Diva clothing store, and across from the bar Ciss Maddens.

Georges Street Arcade shared a photograph of the new signs with the caption: Please respect the retailers on Drury Street; it helps their business.

Other retailers on the street, such as the Irish Design Shop, have come out strongly against the amount of socialising and drinking taking place.

In a social media post, they shared a picture of Drury Street on a sunny Saturday afternoon in 2021, showing a buzzy street which wasnt completely overrun with people.

They said the recent period of fair weather had been a total nightmare as they battled with on-street drinking during sunny days, from around lunchtime at weekends and 4pm mid-week.

This is the real reason why we now close at 5pm rather than 6pm  we like to escape before the scene escalates further, they said

Are we being a total buzzkill? How are we meant to continue trading on a drinking street? Should we be looking at relocating? Wed love a few suggestions.

Closing on Saturday afternoon was a battle. It was even hard to clear drinkers from the shop windows just to get the shutter down.

Streets change, town has definitely changed. Is town solely for socialising now? Wed love to hear your thoughts, they added.

Fine Gael councillor Danny Byrne, who represents the southeast inner city, said a balance needs to be struck to allow people to enjoy themselves while also ensuring easy access for businesses in the area.

Its about trying to find the best case for each of those groups, he said.

Im conscious of the businesses, who have their costs and need to get on with their operations. Its unfair to them if their access and easement are blocked.

But at the same time, Im delighted to see people enjoying themselves out there on the rare sunshine days.

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council acknowledged that more people are visiting Drury Street to meet, dwell, and socialise, particularly during good weather.

We are mindful of the balance required between encouraging more people to come into our city centre for positive social activities, providing safe places to meet, promoting pedestrianised streets, and of course, allowing all business types to trade without undue challenges, they said.

We are now working with other agencies and stakeholders on the street itself to see how we can maintain a positive atmosphere for this street, with some structure, balance, and a shared sense of responsibility for all  both for those who use the street and the traders in this part of town.

Richard Guiney, CEO of DublinTown, which represents city centre businesses, added: The city is a shared space and, for it to work, we all need to respect each other.

We want people to enjoy their city and this means having agreed protocols that facilitates greater engagement, while respecting local businesses, residents and all people who visit the various city districts.

The volume of people visiting shows that pedestrian spaces within the city increase the citys attractiveness and create a destination.

Research shows that a wider pedestrianised area would be welcomed by Dubliners.

To make that work we need to consider the management of the area, deliveries, waste collection and access for emergency repairs and maintenance.

These are not insurmountable challenges. Where there is a will theres a way, he added.
Actor Gregory Peck in Dingle with Kate Ashe who is holding his grandson Harper, and his daughter Cecilia. "I feel drawn to Dingle, I feel a sense of coming home," he said at a gathering of his relatives from West Kerry. Photo by Kevin Coleman.

Yes, 2000 was now 25 years ago and yes, we all feel very old realising that and so what we here in The Kerryman have decided to do is to go back and see what kind of news was making the headlines 25 years ago this week and how different  more simple perhaps?  everything was back then.

So, sit back and take a trip back to week of April 14, 2000 and see what was happening in Kerry a quarter of a century ago!

Emotional home-coming as Gregory Peck meets Dingle relations:

Gregory Peck, one of the greatest film actors of all time, returned to Dingle this week and after an evening spent with his relatives there said it was like coming home.

"This has been an emotional experience not a sentimental one," stressed the 84-years-old actor as he bid farewell to a gathering of cousins at the Skellig Hotel where he had enthusiastically greeted them all, signed autographs, posed for photographs for family albums and proudly introduced everybody to his year-old grandson, Harper.

"I expect that every Irish-American coming to Ireland says visiting makes them feel good to be here. But I feel drawn to Dingle, I feel a sense of coming home. For me that is what it is. This is where my grandmother, Catherine Ashe, came from. And I look forward to coming back again."

Mr Peck, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate in literature by the National University of Ireland in Dublin at the weekend, arrived in Killarney on Sunday with his wife, Veronique, daughter Cecilia, her partner, Daniel, and their child, Harper.

The Pecks stayed at Kenmare House, the lakeside home of Mr and Mrs Denis Kelleher, but spent most of their two full days in Kerry visiting Dingle.

"Obviously, the places where we have homes are part of us, but Dingle is special to us," said Cecilia Peck. "We are grateful that it is part of our lives. It is a very special place. We feel connected to it."

Festival is broke but businesses wont pay:

Tralees business community is not giving enough support to the Festival of Kerry as it faces its worst financial crisis since it was founded, according to Tralee Chamber of Commerce President Bob Casey.

"I would think local support hasn't been the best. The Festival of Kerry is of major benefit to the town and obviously it's incumbent on the town to support it," Mr Casey told The Kerryman.

The Festival of Kerry has debts amounting to 340,000 and is seeking annual donations of 1,500 from its 'rose centres' in Ireland and abroad. However, numerous UK and European centres are threatening to withdraw from the festival over the levy because they say they can't raise the funding.

Leeds centre spokeswoman Georgina Burke suggested the centres were being asked to make up for the lack of support in Tralee.

If the Tralee centre can't sell the festival to their own businesses, how are we expected to sell it to businesses across the water? Ms Burke said.

Mr Casey said local businesses just werent putting cash back into the festival.

"Obviously if the festival cant get adequate funding, it means local businesses arent funding it, he said.

"There is no doubt who makes business from the festival, and they should be supporting it. We all gain but some more directly than others," he added.

Mr Casey suggested the festival would be getting far more support if it were starting out. "If we were trying to start from scratch to recreate it we would all be prepared to pay much more now than we are," he said.

Meanwhile, centres across the UK and Europe are still considering whether to take part in this year's festival because of the 1,500 levy.

"Centres in the UK and Europe are very worried about the 1,500 and might not take part this year," said Georgina Burke of Leeds.

The Leeds centre paid the 1,500 after serious consideration, but Ms Burke doesn't think the centre can afford it in the long run. "We don't make any profits in our centres so a figures of 1,500 is as high to us as 15,000," she said.

Although fund raising is much easier in the US where the festival has a much higher profile, the festival is barely known outside the Irish community in the UK and Europe.

"I think there is a misapprehension that the UK centres make profits We are lucky in Leeds thanks to the generosity of local businesses, 95 per cent of which are Irish," Ms Burke said.

"I think the 1,500 will create long-term difficulties. I have only been involved in the festival for four years and I don't see an easy way to get that money." she added.

Barracks not good for refugees:

Crowding asylum seekers together in an active army barracks behind high walls or in socially deprived communities will only increase their sense of isolation, a seminar on refugees and asylum seekers held in Tralee at the weekend was told.

The seminar, which was addressed by a diverse range of speakers including the Bishop of Kerry, was attended by over 100 people. Among those who spoke about the problems facing refugees and asylum seekers were representatives of KADE  Kerry Action for Development Education.

This organisation was founded in 1993 to tackle the issues of race, integration and development in the county. Chairman of KADE Paul Hanrahan told the seminar that many of the asylum seekers and refugees were suffering from a sense of being abandoned.

He said the people of Kerry must rise to the challenge of helping these people to integrate. Several speakers expressed reservations about crowding people into places such as Ballymullen army barracks, which has been earmarked for several hundred more asylum seekers.

Denis O'Reilly of the Dominican Laity said this would only create a focal point for people's tensions.

Also speaking at the seminar, Bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy said the country was facing a massive influx of foreigners of a kind it hasn't experienced since the seventeenth-century plantations.

"The numbers arriving look like increasing and, as they do, the problems, the challenges and the responsibilities facing us will also increase," Bishop Murphy said.
Reagan did not create homelessness by emptying the asylums By Thomas M. Sipos

web posted April 14, 2025 For over thirty years I've been hearing that Ronald Reagan, while governor of California (1967-75), created the homeless crisis by throwing the mentally ill out of institutions and onto the streets. Not only is this canard continually repeated, but it's grown. Recently I heard talk radio show caller complain that President Reagan created homelessness (presumably throughout America) by emptying the asylums. It's true that in 1967 California ended forced institutionalization of the mentally ill. But the 1960s progressive counter-culture, and the state legislature. had more to do with that than did Reagan. In The Fresno Bee (Sept. 15, 2022), Tom Balch writes: "The emptying of California's state mental hospitals resulted from the passage, in 1967, of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (named for the sponsors, two Democrats, one Republican). "This bill, known as LPS, was advanced in response to pressure from mental health professionals, lawyers, patient's rights advocates, and the ACLU. When fully implemented in 1972, LPS effectively ended involuntary civil confinement of mental patients in California. "The Democrat-controlled Legislature passed LPS with overwhelming majorities; the vote was 77-1 in the Assembly, and the margin was similar in the Senate. Gov. Reagan signed the bill." And so you see, the bill was passed by veto-proof majorities in a Democratic legislature. Reagan had no legal authority to stop it. Had he ignored the law once it was passed, progressives would have denounced him as "a threat to democracy." As for the cultural milieu, well, it was the Sixties, and there was "something in the air" back then. The mentally ill were romanticized as "free spirits" who marched to a different drummer. Asylums were demonized as prison camps tasked with enforcing societal conformity. For instance, in 1961, Thomas Szasz's well-received book, The Myth of Mental Illness, challenged the authority and expertise of the psychiatric profession, and the very notion of "mental illness." The film, David and Lisa (1962), depicted the romance between a young couple in an asylum. The asylum was not portrayed as evil, but neither was it helpful. Only David and Lisa's mutual love and understanding could help each other get well. A darker perspective appeared that same year in Ken Kesey's best-selling novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which portrayed forced institutionalization as inhumane. In 1963, Dale Wasserman adapted the novel into a play. The 1975 film version won five Academy Awards. This attitude toward forced institutionalization became so widespread that by the 1970s, the story of a sane person involuntarily committed to a "snake pit" asylum was a staple of horror, exploitation, and TV movies. Governor Reagan was but a small cog in a progressive, counter-cultural zeitgeist that, along with the ACLU, was combating forced institutionalization. And for better or worse, the progressives (and libertarians) won. In 1967 California ended forced institutionalization. Yes, it came with a price. Some patients never belonged in an institution. But some can't survive outside of one. They end up homeless. But you can't pin the blame entirely, or even mostly, on then Governor Reagan. Thomas M. Sipos writes satirical novels and film criticism. His website is CommunistVampires.com . Home
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has led the tributes to the late Con OLeary, an extremely popular and very successful businessman in the town, who passed away in the early hours of Sunday.

Con was a vibrant and popular personality in Killarney where he operated The Laurels on Main Street, a thriving bar and restaurant, which he inherited following the passing of his father, Thado.

The business organisation from a social perspective, The Laurels became the beating heart of the town and it was and remains a landmark at the Market Cross in the same way as Clerys clock was in the capital city.

Aside from running a fine business in the town of Killarney he also played a key role in promoting the town.

The Killarney Chamber said Cons passing really marks the end of an era as he was one of a golden age of inspirational local business people who developed and built Killarney, through hard work, bravery and great commercial flair, and helped create the wonderful tourist attraction and holiday destination it is today.

Con was very proud of Killarney and he played a very active part in progressing the town at many levels.

He was ahead of his time in many respects with the introduction by what became known as the singing lounge many years ago and The Laurels always led by example through its successes in the annual Killarney Looking Good competition.

He was a man that was never short of great ideas and his contribution to the business life of the town and as a director of Killarney Race Company was immense, the Chamber said.

The business representative organisation noted that the OLeary family has always been very supporting of the town and Cons daughter, Kate, was a very dynamic Chamber President and is still a very valued member of the executive.

The Chamber expressed deep sympathy to Cons wife, Anne, children Kate, Niall, Tara and Lorna, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters, relatives and friends as well as the dedicated staff in The Laurels
The first students on new programme to address shortage of Cognitive Behavioural Therapists at ATU Sligo.

Mental health services across Ireland are facing unprecedented strain, with rising demand for psychological support outpacing the availability of trained professionals. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, conditions such as anxiety and depression were increasing, with the World Health Organisation predicting that depression would become the leading cause of disease burden by 2030.

The pandemic has only exacerbated this crisis, particularly among young people, who have experienced heightened psychological distress and disrupted social development.

Additionally, Ireland has seen an influx of refugees fleeing conflict, many of whom have endured significant trauma. Combined with an already overstretched mental health system, these challenges have led to long waiting lists and an urgent need for trained professionals to deliver evidence-based talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP), commonly known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

CBT is recognised as the gold standard psychological treatment for conditions including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders. Both national and international guidelines, including those from NICE and the WHO, endorse its use. However, the availability of CBP-trained professionals in Ireland remains critically low.

In response, ATU, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE), launched a new Master of Health Science (MHSc) and Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy based in the universitys St Angelas campus. The initiative welcomed its first cohort of students recently and aims to increase the number of highly skilled CBP practitioners and improve access to therapy for those in need.

The shortage of CBP-trained professionals is particularly acute in the Northwest, where waiting lists for referrals remain substantial. Tomas Murphy, Area Director of Nursing for Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, and West Cavan Mental Health Services (CHO Area 1, HSE), welcomed the introduction of the programme, stating:

The introduction of this programme is a crucial step in addressing the shortage of trained CBP professionals within Ireland. The benefits of talking therapies to people who have such need is well documented and has been central to our service delivery plans for many years now. Our focus and ambition to expand these services through enhancing the skill sets of our nursing staff has been a priority for many years. It will significantly enhance service capacity and improve access to evidence-based therapy for those who need it most.

Developed at ATUs St Angelas campus in collaboration with mental health services in Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan, and South Donegal, alongside ATUs campus partners in Castlebar and Letterkenny, the programme is designed to address workforce shortages directly.

The MHSc/PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy offers:

Comprehensive theoretical training in CBT principles, approaches, and interventions.

Practical skills development, initially delivered in a campus setting.

Supervised clinical placements to provide real-world experience under the guidance of experienced therapists.

Dr Patsy McSharry based in ATUs St Angelas campus in Sligo, who led the programmes development, said:

"As part of this dynamic and enthusiastic team, it has been a privilege to lead the creation and delivery of this high-quality, forward-thinking programme. We take immense pride in what has been achieved and look forward to the impact our graduates will make in transforming mental health care across the region and beyond."

The programme is open to Mental Health Nurses and other healthcare professionals working in the field who seek to advance their expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. The first cohort of students is already contributing to local mental health services, with ATU St Angelas preparing to welcome the next intake in September 2025.

With its emphasis on equipping professionals with the necessary skills to provide evidence-based therapy, the programme represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical shortage of CBP practitioners and improving mental health services across Ireland.
The need for accurate breast screening has been raised in the Senate as a campaign gathers momentum following the passing of a much loved mother who received a clear mammogram in in 2022 but lost her life to breast cancer in August 2024.

Senator Nessa Cosgrove says all women should be clearly informed whether they have non-dense or dense breasts after a mammogram, and the consequences of this information.

Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Nessa Cosgrove highlighted the issue of dense breast tissue, and the part it plays in difficulties associated with accurate breast cancer screening.

Referring to the case of Marian Lovett, a talented and much-loved art curator and mother, who passed away last year, aged only 61, Senator Cosgrove said:

I was never lucky enough to meet Marian, who raised her family, along with her life partner Shane, in a rural part of county Sligo.

But everybody who met, or knew Marian spoke of her many, many personal qualities. People were left with the impression of a fiercely intelligent woman with a passion for social justice, she was a woman who really cared about the lives of other people.

She never put her own needs first, and, despite being a high-flyer in the art world, she never gave that impression to friends or neighbours. She was never too busy to put away her work, just to talk.

Marian was just 61 years old when, last autumn, she passed away due to breast cancer

Marian had received a clear mammogram in 2022, but just a year later was diagnosed with terminal, stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

While there was initial hope that treatment could, at least, prolong Marians time with us. It was not to be and in 2024 Marian suffered a dramatic and catastrophic health incident, as the cancer rapidly spread and took her life within the space of a couple of days.

What Marian didnt know, at the time of her mammogram, was that she had dense breast tissue.

Neither did she know that having dense breast tissue makes the screening of potential cancers through mammograms less effective.

Dense breasts are breasts which have less fatty tissue, and a greater level of fibrous and glandular tissue. They do not look, or feel different to non-dense breasts.

A self-examination, or an examination by a health-professional will not reveal whether a woman has dense breasts. A 3-D mammogram will reveal this.

If, at the time of her mammogram, Marian had been made aware of the fact that she had dense breast tissue. And had she been informed that this potentially made her clear test result less accurate, and more prone to developing breast cancer, Marian could have asked for an ultrasound or an MRI scan to confirm the clear result.

While it is fruitless to speculate, had further tests detected Marians cancer 12 months earlier, her family, her partner and two young adult children, would be in a different place now.

Senator Cosgrove went on to highlight the petition launched by Marians daughter, Martha, since she lost her mother, which aims to raise awareness and introduce mandatory notification.

Martha has inherited her mothers sense of justice and compassion, and, rather than dwelling on her own loss and grief, she has channeled her energy into highlighting the issue of dense breast tissue.

And this is not just about one woman. Dense breasts, although I had never heard of them until Martha approached me, are very common.

It is estimated that between 43 and 50% of women have dense breast tissue, and while the level of density can be genetic, it is also affected by factors such as:

Age  younger women naturally have denser breasts than older women,

Body Weight  Women with a low Body Mass Index (BMI) are more likely to have dense breasts.

Use of medication, such as HRT, can also affect breast density.

What Martha is asking for is something that is already done in every State in America, as well as across much of Australia, Canada, and several of our EU partners. That is, for information which is easily derived by the radiologist, at the time of a mammogram, be passed on to women at the time of their screening.

Women clearly need to know whether they have dense breast tissue. They also need to know the potential consequences of that information.

Over seven and a half thousand people have so far signed Marthas petition calling on the Minister for Health to introduce a Bill for mandatory breast density notification that would ensure that:

All women are clearly informed whether they have non-dense or dense breasts after a mammogram.

Clear guidance is provided on what their breast density means and any additional screening options, such as ultrasound or MRI.

GPs receive this information so they can properly advise their patients.

The Labour Party spokesperson on Community and Rural Development added:

I would like to commend Martha for her work in highlighting this truly important issue, and would ask the Minister for Health to consider drafting this legislation as a priority.

Marthas petition can be signed here: https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/mandate-breast-density-reporting-for-irish-women-now
Tributes have been paid following the death of Joe Brennan, a former Fine Gael county councillor in Tipperary.

Mr Brennan, of Breanormore, Nine-mile-House, Carrick-On-Suir, died peacefully on Saturday, April 12, in the care of the staff of St James's Hospital Dublin surrounded by his family.

Tributes were paid at Mondays meeting of Tipperary County Council, which was adjourned as a mark of respect. Mr Brennan was elected to the Fethard electoral area of South Tipperary County Council in 2009. An avid Gaelic games fan, he also served as chair of the South Tipperary GAA Board in 2011.

His widow Eadaoin and aunt Mary said they would like to thank the wonderful teams at St James's Hospital Dublin, particularly those in the Donal Hollywood Ward, who have given such wonderful care and shown us such kindness at this time. It is much appreciated.

Along with his wife and aunt, Mr Brennan is survived by children Eimear and Tiarnach, sisters Martina (Clancy), Noreen (Connolly), Denise (Hallinan) and Samantha, stepmother Margaret and extended family.

His former party colleague, South Tipperary TD Michael Murphy, paid his respects. So sorry to hear of Joes passing. Sincere condolences to Eadaoin, Eimear Tiarnach, his sisters Martina, Noreen, Denise, Samantha and all the extended family. Thinking of you at this very sad time.

Such a positive force within his community. A man of exceptional traits of character, Joe deservedly enjoyed the respect and esteem of his many friends far and wide. An honour to have served with Joe on South Tipperary County Council, may he rest in peace, said Mr Murphy.

A friend of the family wrote: Deepest sympathy to Eadaoin, Eimear, Tiarnach and the extended family. I knew Joe through the South Tipperary Community and Voluntary Forum and various committees. He was a passionate advocate for volunteering and for the importance of community and participation in policy. Along with that I remember his great storytelling and strategising and his infectious sense of humour. May he rest in peace.

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FG Cllr Marie Murphy expressed her sincere condolences to Eadaoin, Eimear and Tiarnach, on the very sad loss of their beloved Joe. My sympathies also to his sisters Martina, Noreen, Denise and Samantha, Aunt Mary and stepmother Margaret along with their families and his wide circle of friends.

I always found Joe to be a gentleman, who was devoted to his wife and children, he should have had so much to look forward to, instead life dealt him a cruel blow. I hope happy memories of Joe will bring some comfort to you all in the difficult period ahead.

Declan Rice from Kilkenny LEADER Partnership said: All of us associated with Barrow Nore Suir LEADER, and later Kilkenny LEADER Partnership  who worked with Joe were extremely sad to learn of his illness, and now his passing. He was ever an astute and loyal colleague, and a great community person. Joe will be much missed. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Mr Brennan will lie in repose in Brett's Funeral Home Mullinahone (E41EV78) on Tuesday, April 15 from 4pm to 8pm.

Requiem mass will take place on Wednesday, April 16 at 12 noon in St Mary's Church Grangemockler followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

He was pre-deceased by his parents Kathleen and Denis.
Pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Phil Murphy and Eileen McGuire. Pic: Jim Campbell

Emma and Maura Bell enjoyed the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Chloe and Hilery Mullen were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Sharon Ni Chuilinn (Chairperson Comhaltas Loch Garman) and Anne Stafford. Pic: Jim Campbell

Leslie Walker and Wendy O'Rourke pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Aileen and Esther Doyle attended the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

At the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Gabrielle Whitty and Alice Dunne. Pic: Jim Campbell

Tom and Noreen Enright were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Allanna Hammel and Anne Marie O'Byrne Hammel were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Stephanie and Robert Miller were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Karina and Eileen Daly. Pic: Jim Campbell

Shelly O'Grady, Tamara Williams O'Grady, Trish O'Grady and Seamus Williams O'Grady attended the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Larry O'Gorman and George O'Connor pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Tony Brennan and Mayor Cllr Catherine Walsh pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Joe Sheehan, Nuala Sheehan and Brian Cantwell were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Mary Nugent, Brian Flaherty, Joe McConville and Bernie McConville were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

David and Mary Maguire enjoyed the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Howard Keeley, Cllr Lisa McDonald, Chris Curtis and Aileen Donohoe enjoyed the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Deirdre Hughes and Caroline Kavanagh. Pic: Jim Campbell

Garda Inspector Graham Rowley, Cllr Bridin Murphy and Garda Superintendant Jarlath Duffy enjoyed the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Ruth Walsh, Caroline Crowe and Nicola Wildes attended the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Barbara Walsh, Paddy Berry (President of Craobh Loch Garman/Wexford Town Comhaltas), Aine Berry and James McCormack were pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Barbara Walsh and Larry O'Gorman. Pic: Jim Campbell

Leslie Hampton and Aileen O'Neill were pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Regina O'Grady, Ita Cunningham, Geraldine O'Sullivan and Joan Murphy were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Siofra Kenny, Emer Kenny, Claire Lawlor and Zoe Lawlor were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Tommy Kehoe, Damien Fitzhenry, Billy Byrne, Liam Griffin, Rory Kinsella, Larry O'Gorman, Adrian Fenlon and Cllr Garry Laffan were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Una McCusker, Labhras O Murchu (Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann) and Donald McCleam were pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Helen Tobin and John Doyle attended the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Joan Murphy, Evan O'Grady, Eleanor Browne and Fergal Murphy pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Eddie Taaffe (Wexford County Council Chief Executive and Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee), George Lawlor TD, Labhras O Murchu (Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann), Cllr Pip Breen (Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council), Attracta Ni Bhradaigh (Uachtaran Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann) and Mayor of Wexford Cllr Catherine Walsh. Pic: Jim Campbell

Mark Redmond, Clodagh Redmond and Senan Lillis were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

At the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Gavin and Lorraine Byrne. Pic: Jim Campbell

Narrator Maura Bell pictured during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Billy Quirke, Orla Quirke and Patrick Higgins were at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

At the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening were Billy Dunne, Catherine Roche, Liam Griffin, Kitty Roche and Rory Kinsella. Pic: Jim Campbell

Labhras O Murchu (Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann) speaking during the Questions & Answers Session at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Attracta Ni Bhradaigh (Uachtaran Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann) speaking during the Questions & Answers Session at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Eddie Taaffe (Wexford County Council Chief Executive and Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee) speaking during the Questions & Answers Session at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Sharon Ni Chuilinn (Chairperson Comhaltas Loch Garman) speaking during the Questions & Answers Session at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Narrator Senan Lillie pictured during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Caoimhe Moran from Tulua on harp during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Participants in the Questions & Answers Session during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Cian O'Grady from Tulua on guitar during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Tulua performing during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. ( l to r)- Caoimhe Moran, Diarmuid Murphy, Kayleigh Moran and Cian O'Grady. Pic: Jim Campbell

Caoimhe Moran from Tulua on harp during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Musicians from Ceoltoiri na Slaine pictured during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Composer Michael Rooney been introduced to the audience during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Participants in the Questions & Answers Session during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. (l to r)- Mayor of Wexford Cllr Catherine Walsh, Cllr Pip Breen (Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council), Labhras O Murchu (Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann), Attracta Ni Bhradaigh (Uachtaran Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann), Eddie Taaffe (Wexford County Council Chief Executive and Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee), Sharon Ni Chuilinn (Chairperson Comhaltas Loch Garman), Padraig O'Donoghue, Tom Doyle (Wexford Credit Union). Pic: Jim Campbell

Kayleaigh Moran from Tulua on fiddle during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Tom Doyle from Wexford Credit Union speaking during the Questions & Answers Session at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

A standing ovation for the 1996 All Ireland senior hurling team as they were individually introduced to the crowd during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Diarmuid Murphy from Tulua on flute during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Participants in the Questions & Answers Session with Tom O'Donoghue during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. (l to r)- Mayor of Wexford Cllr Catherine Walsh, Cllr Pip Breen (Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council), Labhras O Murchu (Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann), Attracta Ni Bhradaigh (Uachtaran Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann), Eddie Taaffe (Wexford County Council Chief Executive and Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee), Sharon Ni Chuilinn (Chairperson Comhaltas Loch Garman), Padraig O'Donoghue, Tom Doyle (Wexford Credit Union). Pic: Jim Campbell

Kayleaigh Moran from Tulua on fiddle during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Sean Kavanagh from Craobh Loch Garman performing during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Belle Butler from Craobh Loch Garman performing during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Cllr Pip Breen (Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council) speaking during the Questions & Answers Session at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Violinists from Ceoltoiri na Slaine pictured during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Story of Wexford told by Michael Fortune during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Aoife White Banville from Craobh Loch Garman and Roisin Wall from Bannow Comhaltas performing during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Sophie Wickham from Bannow Comhaltas performing during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Tom O'Donoghue speaking during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Tom O'Donoghue speaking during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Ceoltoiri na Slaine performing during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Given the success of last years Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, which welcomed a record-breaking 650,000 people onto the streets of Wexford in glorious sunshine, the anticipation for the massive events return this summer is through the roof.

The excitement was certainly palpable at the National Opera House on Saturday night as a large crowd gathered for the official launch of Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025, with an evening filled with wonderful traditional Irish music.

A legacy of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireanns sojourn in Wexford, teenage trad orchestra Ceoltoiri na Slaine got things under way, while there was another honour for local legend Paddy Berry, who was last year honoured by Comhaltas with a lifetime achievement award.

Saturday saw the debut of the Paddy Berry Suite  composed in honour of the Craobh Loch Garman President and the man credited with bringing the Fleadh to Wexford.

Larry O'Gorman and George O'Connor pictured at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

There was also a performance on the night by up and coming traditional Irish fusion band Tulua who have continued to thrive across Ireland and internationally since the release of their debut album No Coming, No Going in 2023.

Once again, Wexford is looking forward to hosting huge crowds from August 3 to 10 this year and the huge amount of planning required is already under way as organisers suspect that Wexford might once again break records.

Wexford is honoured and excited to host the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025, said Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee.

Kayleaigh Moran from Tulua on fiddle during the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 official launch in the National Opera House on Saturday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

"2024 was a great success thanks to the work of the many teams involved behind the scenes and for those who attended from far and wide. I would like to thank all the agencies who helped to bring the Fleadh together last year and who have reconvened to make 2025 an even bigger and better event.

"We have been back working on this since the end of last year and I am confident we can exceed expectations for this summer.

The ticket portal for this years Fleadh concerts has now officially gone live and includes concerts from the likes of Frankie Gavin and De Dannan, the National Folk Orchestra, Garadice, Shaskeen and Perfect Friction, along with many more. For more details and to buy tickets, visit fleadhcheoil.ie and keep an eye out over the coming weeks for more events.
Wexford town is to be transported to the late 1970s and the heyday of punk music on April 26 as the inaugural Wexford Punk Festival takes place in the Arts Centre. This one-day event will feature art exhibitions and displays, interviews with artists, and, of course, live music as 50 years of punk music is celebrated by those with a passion for the genre.

Punk is very much alive, said Andre Tschan who is one of the organisers of the event. From a small scene in New York and London, it became a global phenomenon and has forever permeated every facet of culture to-date. This is a one-day celebration for punks of all ages, subculture aficionados, and everyone who wants to know what all the fuss was/is about.

Beginning at midday the Wexford Arts Centre will host an exhibition of works from renowned punk artists including Swiss creatives Derek Baker (aka Dekdisaster), Martin Gossi, and Martin Wanner, and locals Pip Firman and John Holden. At 1 p.m. Punks on Parade will offer attendees a unique opportunity to hear about the early years of punk courtesy of those who were there.

A specially assembled panel will discuss their experiences of the breakout of punk and how it became a design for life for so many people.

At 2.15 p.m. local musician and author Peter Murphy presents We are Dead Stars  Punk Rock Future Shock, a celebration of the 50- year forbidden romance between punk rock and dystopian fiction. Equal parts memoir, time-travelogue and alternative history, Murphys first non-fiction work is a valentine to punk prophets and the 1980s cyberpunk and graphic novel revolutions, all the way up to the alternate realities of the 21st century.

At 3.30 p.m. an album sleeve competition takes pace with a 100 Hellfish voucher up for the grabs for the winner. This is a competition to design an unique Punk record album art on a 12x12 canvas and is managed by Hellfish Trading, Wexford town.

From 3.40  4.30 p.m. Andre Tschan will interview some of the artists involved in the event before the music starts at 5 p.m. Running until 11 p.m. this will feature Dundalk five-piece, The Gakk, who take their influences from the classic punks bands of the late 70s; The Dubtones, a three-piece from Dublin who blend their own mix of ska, punk, dub, and rock; an explosive teenage punk-inspired rock band from Enniscorthy called Recoil; Baggles & Butch, Stick N Poke, young Wexford band Offbeat, and The Zonai, a group made up of staff members from Hellfish in Wexford town.

The punk music festival features seven acts, with three young bands having their premiere, said Andre. Its an amazing and unique concentration of all things punk that looks back fondly and plots a path to the future.

Tickets for the music, beginning at 5 p.m., are 15 and can be purchased at Wexford Arts Centre. All other events are free.
A sixth class pupil has been crowned the winner of this years County Wicklow Eason Spelling Bee Final.

Clementine Kirkpatrick, who attends Wicklow Montessori Primary School, triumphed against seven other spelling enthusiasts in the County Wicklow final. She will now go forward to represent Wicklow in the Provincial Spelling Bee in May. A keen reader, Clementine is currently enjoying Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town, by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock.

The win came as double joy for her school, which cheered Lucas Tyler to the county final win in 2023. Mary Anne Harkin of St. Johns Senior National School in Arklow was last years winner.

Celebrating its 12th year, the Eason Spelling Bee is a key part of Eason's broader literacy initiative, designed to encourage and inspire children to develop their spelling and pronunciation skills.

Lisa OBrien, group head of e-commerce and marketing at Eason, said Wicklows contestants are a testament to the bright young minds of Ireland.

"We are confident that this year we will build on the success of 2024 and inspire communities to support their local schools and, especially, their spelling bees," she added.

The champions from each province will compete head-to-head in the All-Ireland Final Bee in June 2025.

The All-Ireland winning bee will secure a selection of books for their school library valued at 7,500, along with the coveted title of Eason Spelling Bee 2025 Champion. The winner will also receive a goodie bag filled with books worth 500.
English actress Florence Pugh says she does not have time to date and is sympathetic to people who are in love with her as she is tricky.

The 29-year-old, who is set to play Yelena Belova in Marvels upcoming blockbuster Thunderbolts, opened up about her busy schedule and her desire to dedicate more time to her personal life.

Pugh is best known for starring in the romance We Live In Time alongside Andrew Garfield and for playing Jean Tatlock in Oppenheimer.

Florence Pugh on the Cover of Harpers Bazaar UK May issue (Harpers Bazaar UK/Erik Madigan Heck/PA)

Speaking to Harpers Bazaar UK, Pugh said: Im more sympathetic to the people who are in love with me, because its not easy.

Im tricky  Im always busy, I can never make dates. But its not good enough for me to ask someone to just to accept that. Ill just end up alone. I dont want that  I want a family.

Ive worked back-to-back since I started, and Ive missed so much.

Ive now come to terms with things that I dont like about myself and want to change. I dont want to have things just happen to me any more.

Florence Pugh attending a photocall for Dune: Part Two (Yui Mok/PA)

Pugh previously dated American actor and filmmaker Zach Braff, best known for playing JD in the hit sitcom Scrubs, and faced online criticism for their 21-year age gap.

The actress spoke out about the scrutiny in an Instagram video posted in April 2020, saying people were hurling abuse after she shared a photograph for Braffs birthday, causing her to turn off the comment section as a result.

The Oxford-born actress recently played Princess Irulan in the science fiction film Dune: Part Two, alongside Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya.

Pugh will also reprise her role as assassin character Yelena in the upcoming Marvel movie Thunderbolts, following the characters appearances in Black Widow and Hawkeye with Hollywood actors Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

In the film, Pugh jumps off the second tallest building in the world, the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, breaking stunt records.

She said: I got to do a stunt that has never been done before. My double, the female co-ordinator and I are all now Guinness World Record holders.

I give so much of my body to what I do.

Pugh features on the cover of the May issue of Harpers Bazaar UK which is on sale from April 17 and online at www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/florence-pugh.
Former British cabinet member Tulip Siddiq has denied wrongdoing following reports Bangladeshi authorities have issued a warrant for her arrest in connection with corruption allegations.

In a statement, Ms Siddiqs lawyers said the Labour MP and former City minister had no knowledge of any warrant being issued, and described the claims against her as politically motivated.
Tanaiste describes Moscows missile attack on civilians as despicable act

Russian missiles struck the centre of a bustling Ukrainian city near the border as residents gathered for church services on Palm Sunday.

At least two children were among the 34 killed and more than 100 injured after a ballistic missile hit the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy yesterday  one of the busiest church-going days of the year  leaving scenes of devastation reminiscent of the early days of the war.
Trump Republicanism is far superior to the Bushes' Republicanism By Rachel Alexander

web posted April 14, 2025 RINOs are claiming that former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush were better Republicans and conservatives than President Donald Trump, smearing Trump as a "populist." They think they get away with it by throwing around the populist word constantly  despite the fact 99% of Trump's views align with Republican principles. I addressed his alleged populist views previously; as with many populist positions, they're really just fairly standard conservative positions nowadays: strong opposition to illegal immigration, some trade protectionism and scaling down U.S. military operations overseas. The establishment GOP points to Trump's style of talking as populist. But his speaking manner is nothing more than hyperbole, exaggerating things with a sense of humor for effect. That's not populism. Bringing the working class and blue collar folks back to the GOP wasn't populist either, it was a natural fit that the Bushes weren't effective enough to pull off. Democrats had tricked workers into thinking they were at home in that party due to the unions' claims of helping them. But the era of social media has finally exposed to everyone the massive corruption within unions, and hardworking Americans realize much of it was just a facade. And I would argue that Trump's rhetoric is evidence of how conservative he is, not how populist he is. The Bushes were much more measured, wouldn't dare to say the conservative red meat statements that Trump does. I don't think MAGA is anything more than just a return to the conservative base dominating the party, just like I didn't think the Tea Party movement was much more than that. The Tea Party movement didn't arise solely in response to Barack Obama becoming president  it was also a reaction to years of squishiness in the GOP from the Bushes. The senior Bush raised taxes despite his "No new taxes" pledge. The younger Bush massively expanded federal spending with Medicare Part D. In contrast, Trump cut taxes with the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Although the second Bush championed tax cuts and deregulation, he also launched "No Child Left Behind," the massive federal expansion of education  which Trump is now cutting by eliminating as much of the Department of Education as he can without congressional approval. In March, DOGE laid off about 2,000 of the agency's roughly 4,000 employees through firings, buyouts and early retirements. While Bush defenders claim they were more supportive of free trade than Trump due to Trump's tariffs, how can you have free trade with other countries when they won't play fairly, resulting in destroying American manufacturing and jobs? It's a myth that you can have real free trade with countries that exploit their workers. I covered why Trump's tariffs were a brilliant move recently. Trump fixed NAFTA, which had become increasingly unfair to the U.S., revising it into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2020. The new agreement had stronger labor rules, digital trade clauses and increased U.S. auto manufacturing requirements. On foreign and military policy, the younger Bush expanded intervention into the Middle East with his "War on Terror" which some consider an overall failure. In contrast, Trump kept the U.S. out of wars while leading through strength, with an America First approach that takes aggressive stances like the Soleimani strike. The Bushes were known for their globalist approach, angering many conservatives over their coziness with the Council on Foreign Relations and the United Nations. Regarding social issues, Trump has come out swinging against the woke agenda, loudly opposing men in women's spaces, and he appointed SCOTUS justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. While the Bushes pushed back somewhat against the radical LGBT agenda, they were both perceived as soft on social issues. By the time Trump came along, gay marriage had already been legalized by SCOTUS and the GOP had moved on from that particular issue, but Trump opposes the radical LGBT agenda, with conservative gays in agreement . Now, Trump does seem to have backed away slightly on the pro-life agenda, stating that he would veto a national ban (which was a throwaway line, since there is a zero percent chance Congress would ever ban it). I'm told by insiders that is a result of bad advice from advisors around him; there are still some supposed conservatives in his inner circle who are afraid of the abortion issue. But that could change before his second term is up  no one ever predicted the massive crackdown on illegal immigration that he has launched. His DOJ is now going after state and local officials who oppose his border policies. This is drastically different than during the Bush eras, when illegal immigration measures became so out of favor that as the second Bush administration ended, conservative leaders like Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, who led the biggest efforts there, were hung out to dry and even prosecuted (they were unable to get two grand juries to indict Thomas). Trump is pursuing the conservative agenda so aggressively that he even rivals President Ronald Reagan. Reagan never dared to cut spending, needing to compromise with Democrats in Congress in order to get his agenda passed. Trump, on the other hand, created DOGE to make the cuts cleverly through the executive branch instead. Reagan ushered in a guest worker program, the opposite of Trump's current policy clamping down on illegal immigration. Trump is aggressively taking on corruption in the legal system from lawfare and partisan judges. He's called to impeach some of the worst judges who are undermining his work to reform government by issuing nationwide injunctions blocking the cuts. He's even defied some of their orders, such as refusing to return planes flying criminal illegal immigrants to El Salvador when far left U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ordered him to. He's working with Congress on legislation to remove the ability of rogue federal court judges to issue nationwide injunctions. Maybe it wasn't clear to some who was more conservative between Trump and the Bushes during Trump's first term, but his second term has removed all doubt. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
US deports more people to notorious El Salvador prison despite legal fight

Federal courts have mandated the return of man sent to El Salvador mega-jail in defiance of a court order explicitly barring his removal to that country

US president Donald Trump has rolled back his tariff threat. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Josh Marcus UK Independent Mon 14 Apr 2025 at 03:30







The US has pressed ahead with the deportation of 10 more alleged Latin American gang members to El Salvador even as the administration comes under fire for defying a court order to bring back a previous deportee sent there illegally.
The Trump administration is kicking off investigations into imports of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors as part of a bid to impose tariffs on both sectors on national security grounds, notices posted to the Federal Register on Monday showed.

Tariffs on pharmaceutical exports from Ireland to the US would seriously damage Irelands economy, given more than 30bn of pharmaceuticals made such a journey in 2024, accounting for almost half of the value in exports from Ireland to the US last year.
Corporate Taxation and Compliance Regime in India

Corporate Taxation and Compliance Regime in India, the latest publication from Dezan Shira & Associates is out now and available for free download through the Asia Briefing Publication Store.

In this issue

Indias Corporate Taxation Framework

Transfer Pricing and International Taxation Strategies

Corporate Tax Compliance and Filing Requirements

Business Strategies for Tax Efficiency in India

In 2025, India continues to solidify its position as a prominent global business destination, supported by a progressively streamlined and investor-oriented corporate tax environment. The current corporate tax framework offers a comprehensive set of provisions that cater to diverse business structures, industry sectors, and operational models.

Tax compliance in India goes beyond routine filings; it requires timely audits, precise documentation, effective administration of withholding taxes, and strict adherence to statutory reporting requirements.

This edition of India Briefing Magazine, titled The Corporate Taxation and Compliance Regime in India, presents a structured analysis of the core elements shaping Indias corporate tax system. The publication aims to assist businesses in navigating from foundational tax regulations to advanced compliance methodologies and opportunities for optimizing tax efficiency.

Chapter summaries

Chapter 1 offers an in-depth overview of Indias corporate tax system, covering applicable tax rates, incentive programs, and industry-specific provisions. The countrys differentiated tax regimes for domestic and foreign entities create expanded avenues for leveraging favorable tax policies. Chapter 2 focuses on transfer pricing and international taxation, emphasizing Indias adherence to global norms, including the OECDs BEPS framework and country-by-country reporting standards. With the increasing complexity and volume of cross-border transactions, maintaining transparency and thorough documentation is essential to meet regulatory expectations. Chapter 3 outlines corporate tax compliance and filing requirements, discussing timelines for return submissions, audit obligations, digital reporting processes, and key statutory forms such as Form 3CEB. The governments emphasis on digitization and regulatory enforcement is transforming how companies manage their compliance functions. Chapter 4 highlights actionable strategies for improving tax efficiency, including the strategic utilization of tax holidays, incentive schemes, and effective business structuring for sustained growth.

Sample infographics in this publication

Adopting a proactive, well-informed approachbacked by expert insightscan substantially mitigate tax risks and enhance long-term operational resilience.

Explore the changing landscape of corporate taxation in India with this comprehensive guide. This edition of India Briefing Magazine offers key insights into income tax rates, business incentives, and compliance requirementsessential information for companies looking to enter or grow within Indias dynamic and investor-oriented regulatory framework.

For business inquiries, feel free to contact our India offices at India@dezshira.com.
Exterritorial OTT Release Date: Imagine this - you're at a consulate, your child is with you one moment, and the next, hes gone. No witnesses. No cameras. And no one believes he was even there. That's the chilling setup of Exterritorial, a fast-paced thriller that blends action with raw emotion. This heart-wrenching German film will be available to stream on Netflix from April 30, 2025.

Exterritorial will take you through a mother's worst nightmare

At the center of the story is Sara, played by Jeanne Goursaud (Barbarians). She's a former elite soldier, trying to leave behind the trauma of war and build a new life in the U.S. with her son, Joshua. But during a routine appointment at the US consulate in Frankfurt, Joshua vanishes, and whats worse, everyone around her denies he was ever there.

Sara knows what she saw. She knows he was with her. But the rules are different in a place like this. The consulate is extraterritorial, a space where German police have no authority. Sara has no time to wait for help, and no one she can trust. So she goes back to what she knows best: using her military training to survive, fight, and search.

Team behind Exterritorial

Other than Jeanne, Exterritorial also stars Dougray Scott, Lera Abova, Kayode Akinyemi, Annabelle Mandeng, Lara Babalola, Jeremy Schuetze, Samuel Tehrani, Kris Saddler and Nina Liu among others. This is directed by Christian Zubert, who also wrote the screenplay. Producer Kerstin Schmidbauer, along with Oliver Berben (Executive Producer) and Franziska Suppee, Verena Vogl, and Gotz Marx, have created a film thats as emotionally engaging as it is tense. The production was backed by Constantin Film and shot in Vienna, with support from FISAplus.

Prepare for a story thats part mystery, part action, and fully emotional. Youll find yourself rooting for Sara, questioning every character, and wondering: what would I do if I were in her shoes

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
I'm Your Mother, a brand-new stand-up special that will debut worldwide on Netflix, will mark comedian Tim Dillon's comeback to the streaming site. The unapologetically edgy Tim Dillon delivers his trademark humorous tirades in this standup, covering topics ranging from homelessness to his reasons for never leaving the British royal family. Tim Dillon: Im Your Mother will be released on 15th April 2025.

What to expect from Tim Dillon: Im Your Mother?

According to Deadline, in the new hour, Dillon tackles everything from his strange allegiance to the British royal family to exposing the oddities of the world and more without holding back. It has been called a no-holds-barred, unapologetic trip through today's insanity. It was written, directed, and performed by Dillon, who also served as executive producer alongside manager Dave Becky. It was filmed at the Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas.

Fans react to Tim Dillon: Im Your Mother snippet

The streaming platform shared a teaser a few days ago and it got people excited and some were concerned too. One wrote, Tim! Hilarious. Can't wait!. Another added, Either this is the worst part of the special and the Netflix YT guy hates Tim's guts, or this is gonna suck. I wish him well.

A third went on to add, Yes, I will watch it Tim, you legend.

Tim also runs a podcast called The Tim Dillon Show and it generates millions of views every time. He has a massive fanbase and people cant wait to witness his magic on screen.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, as well as celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
This Monday in General Hospital, viewers are in for an episode packed with tension, unexpected turns, and rising emotional stakes. From shocking betrayals to high-stakes surgeries and power struggles, the residents of Port Charles find themselves walking a thin line between loyalty and survival. Heres a detailed look at whats about to unfold.

Willows fear grows as custody war intensifies

Willow Corinthos is haunted by the fear that Carly Spencer might succeed in taking the children away. Although Drew Cain vows to stand by her, Willows trust wavers. She turns to Nina Reeves, sharing the anxiety thats been building. Pushed to a breaking point, Willow is poised to make a bold legal move  either pulling back from her plans with Drew or considering serious legal steps like a restraining order against Carly.

Trina confronts Portia as doubts surround Kais surgery

This Monday in General Hospital, viewers are in for an episode packed with tension | Credit: X

At the hospital, Trina Robinson confronts her mother, Portia, with concern over Kai Taylors upcoming operation. Although Portia remains optimistic, Trinas unease lingers, especially with Drew Cains involvement raising suspicions. Trina voices her doubts openly, questioning whether everyones intentions are as genuine as they claim.

Kristina faces a family betrayal that could break her

Elsewhere, Ric Lansing clashes with Ava Jerome, trying to break through her overconfidence regarding the blackmail plan targeting Alexis Davis. But Alexis has already moved  with Diane Millers counsel, she files legal paperwork that could have Kristina committed to a psychiatric facility. This shocking move, done out of maternal concern, blindsides Kristina and Molly, who had just begun to reconnect as sisters. Their fragile peace may now shatter under the weight of Alexis harsh decision.
Amarnath Yatra 2025 date: The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most important spiritual journeys for Hindu devotees. Every year, thousands of pilgrims from across India and the world travel to the holy Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. In this holy cave, naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam is worshipped with deep reverence. In 2025, the Amarnath Yatra registration has officially started, and all pilgrims need to register early to avoid last-minute issues.

If you're planning to join the Amarnath Yatra 2025, here is everything you need to know  from the date, cost, how to reach, registration process, dos and don'ts, and much more.

Amarnath Yatra 2025 Dates and Schedule

The Amarnath Yatra 2025 will begin on July 3, 2025 and continue till August 9, 2025. This 52-day-long spiritual journey allows pilgrims to witness the sacred ice Shivling, naturally formed inside the Amarnath Cave, located at an altitude of about 3,888 metres in the South Kashmir Himalayas.

Why You Must Register Early

Pictures of Amarnath cave | Credit: BCCL

Only 15,000 pilgrims are allowed per day to manage the crowd and ensure safety. So, Amarnath Yatra registration should be done as early as possible. It also helps in confirming your health fitness, as this is a high-altitude trek and needs preparation.

How to Register for Amarnath Yatra 2025

To participate in the Amarnath Yatra, registration is compulsory. You can do it in two ways:

Online Registration Process

Visit the official Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) website: jksasb.nic.in

website: jksasb.nic.in Click on  Online Services  and then select  Yatra Permit Registration .

 and then select  . Read the full guidelines, including dos and donts, click  I Agree  and then press  Register .

 and then press  . Fill in personal details, including name, contact info, Amarnath Yatra date, Aadhaar number, and upload your passport-size photo and Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) .

. Verify your mobile number via OTP.

You will receive a payment link to pay the registration fee (around Rs 220 per person ).

). After successful payment, download your Amarnath Yatra permit.

Offline Registration Centres

You can also register at authorised centres like Vaishnavi Dham (Jammu), Panchayat Bhawan (Delhi), or Mahajan Hall. Carry your CHC and ID proof.

Amarnath Yatra Cost in 2025

The registration cost for Amarnath Yatra 2025 is approximately Rs 220 per person, which may be revised by the authorities. Extra costs include transportation, accommodation, food, and optional helicopter services.

How to Reach Amarnath Yatra Base Camps

Getting to the base of the Amarnath Yatra can be done by air, rail, or road.

By Air: The nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport. From there, taxis and buses are available to Pahalgam (90 km) or Baltal (100 km).

The nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport. From there, taxis and buses are available to Pahalgam (90 km) or Baltal (100 km). By Train: Reach Jammu Tawi Railway Station, then take a bus/taxi to either Pahalgam or Baltal.

Reach Jammu Tawi Railway Station, then take a bus/taxi to either Pahalgam or Baltal. By Road: Roads connect major cities like Jammu, Srinagar, and Anantnag to Pahalgam and Baltal.

Amarnath Yatra 2025 Routes

There are two main routes to reach the Amarnath Cave:

1. Pahalgam Route (Traditional)

Total distance: Around 32 km

Around 32 km Suitable for moderate fitness levels

Gradual ascent through scenic forests and meadows

2. Baltal Route (Shorter but Tougher)

Total distance: Around 15 km

Around 15 km Steep and physically demanding

Popular among those who want to return the same day

Helicopter Services for Amarnath Yatra

Helicopter services are usually available for both routes:

Baltal Route: Neelgrath to Panjtarni

Neelgrath to Panjtarni Pahalgam Route: Pahalgam to Panjtarni

Pahalgam to Panjtarni From Panjtarni, its a short 6 km walk to the cave. Booking details for 2025 will be announced soon.

Amarnath Yatra 2025: Important Dos and Don'ts for Yatris

To ensure a safe and smooth journey during the Amarnath Yatra 2025, every yatri (pilgrim) must follow the official guidelines shared by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. These dos and don'ts are meant for your safety and the protection of the environment.

Dos for the Amarnath Yatra 2025

All registered yatris must collect their RFID cards from authorised centres in Jammu or Kashmir before starting the Yatra.

Keep your Aadhaar card or ID ready while collecting the RFID card.

Wear the RFID tag around your neck at all times during the journey. It helps with security and tracking.

Carry enough warm clothes as temperatures can suddenly drop below 5C in the mountains.

Pack a raincoat, umbrella, windcheater, and waterproof shoes. The weather can change quickly.

Use a waterproof bag to protect your clothes, food, and important documents.

Carry a small note with your emergency contact details and those of a fellow yatri travelling the same day.

Always bring your Yatra permit, Aadhaar card, and identity proof like a driving licence.

Don'ts for the Amarnath Yatra 2025

Without an RFID card, no yatri will be allowed to proceed on the Amarnath Yatra.

Dont ignore high-altitude sickness symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, or nausea.

Avoid alcohol, smoking, or caffeinated drinks during the pilgrimage.

Dont stand or stop at areas marked with warning signs. They are dangerous zones.

Do not wear slippers; always use proper trekking shoes with laces for safety on the steep trails.

Never try shortcuts on the route. Stick to the marked paths to avoid risks.

Dont litter or pollute. Plastic is banned in Jammu and Kashmir. Violators can be fined. Help preserve the natural beauty of the holy area.

The Amarnath Yatra 2025 offers a spiritual experience like no other. But its important to follow the rules, register in advance, and be physically prepared. Whether youre taking the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route, make sure you are ready for this sacred trek.

With the Amarnath Yatra registration now open, dont wait. Book your slot, prepare your documents, and get ready for one of Indias most divine adventures.

Happy Journey! Jai Baba Amarnath Ji!

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Happy Noboborsho 2025: Pohela Boishakh, also called the Bengali New Year, is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals among Bengali communities. Also known as Noboborsho, this day marks the beginning of a fresh year in the traditional Bengali calendar. In 2025, Pohela Boishakh falls on Tuesday, April 15, ushering in the Bengali year 1432.

Lets dive into the meaning, traditions, and most importantly, the best Bengali New Year wishes, messages, quotes, WhatsApp status, and Instagram captions to share with your loved ones!

What is Pohela Boishakh, and why is it celebrated?

Pohela Boishakh or Noboborsho means first day of the month of Boishakh, which is the first month in the Bengali calendar. The term Pohela means first and Boishakh is the first month, symbolising a new beginning.

This day is observed with prayers, cultural events, family gatherings, and delicious traditional food like panta bhaat and ilish maach. People wear new clothes, visit temples, and wish each other Subho Noboborsho (Happy New Year).

When is Pohela Boishakh 2025?

In 2025, Pohela Boishakh will be celebrated on April 15, which is a Tuesday. However, the Mesha Sankranti, which is the moment when the sun enters Aries (Mesha Rashi), will occur at 3:30 AM on April 14, 2025. This marks the astronomical transition that sets the date for Pohela Boishakh.

Where is Pohela Boishakh Celebrated?

Pohela Boishakh is widely celebrated in West Bengal, Tripura, and among Bengali communities in Assam and Bangladesh. In Assam, it coincides with Bihu, another New Year celebration that is equally rich in culture and tradition.

Happy Noboborsho 2025: Wishes, Messages & Quotes to Share on Bengali New Year

Here are best wishes, messages, quotes, and WhatsApp status ideas to share on Pohela Boishakh 2025:

Subho Noboborsho wishes, messages, WhatsApp status to share with loved ones

Wishing you a joyful Poila Boishakh 2025! May the warmth of the Bengali New Year fill your heart and brighten your life.

May this year bring you fresh hopes, big dreams, and countless chances. Shubho Noboborsho to you and your loved ones!

Happy Bengali New Year 2025! Lets celebrate the beauty of Bengali culture and the happiness of new beginnings.

As the sun rises on Pohela Boishakh, may your days be filled with light, peace, and success.

Subho Noboborsho! May every step you take lead to growth, happiness, and glory.

Wishing you a Happy Poila Baisakh! May this new year open the door to new paths and a year full of success.

Let kindness and simplicity guide your way in this fresh year. Happy Poila Boishakh to you!

Let the charm of traditions and the hope of new beginnings walk together this Noboborsho. May your journey ahead be filled with beauty.

May this Pohela Boishakh bring lasting joy and memories youll treasure forever.

As you begin a new chapter this Noboborsho, may it be written with kindness, grace, and thankfulness. Happy Bengali New Year!

Shubho Noboborsho! May the positive energy of this special day stay with you all year long.

Happy Poila Boishakh! Wishing you joyful days, peaceful nights, and a heart full of contentment.

On this special day, may your dreams take flight and your troubles fade away. Happy Pohela Boishakh to you and your family.

ay the sweetness of roshogolla and the warmth of Bengali traditions bring pure joy to your soul. Subho Noboborsho!

Here's to a new start, fresh hopes, and wonderful memories waiting to happen. Shubho Poila Baisakh!

Happy Poila Boishakh! May this beautiful occasion remind you of your roots and inspire your future.

Celebrate Pohela Boishakh with love, laughter, and cheerful moments. Sending you the best wishes for the year ahead.

Let the sound of Rabindra Sangeet and the taste of Bengali food lift your spirits. Happy Bengali New Year 2025!

Wishing you peace, good fortune, and positivity this Bengali New Year.

Subho Noboborsho! May love surround you and may success greet you at every corner.

Happy Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) greetings

Happy Pohela Boishakh! May your year ahead be filled with happiness, prosperity, and good health.

Pohela Boishakh is the time to start anew. Wishing you a year full of positivity and success.

Wishing you a beautiful Pohela Boishakh filled with joy, love, and unforgettable moments.

On this day, count your blessings and look ahead with confidence.

As the first day of the Bengali calendar unfolds, may your life be filled with love and new beginnings.

Sending you my warmest wishes on Pohela Boishakh. May the year ahead bring you success and fulfilment.

This Pohela Boishakh, may you find love, joy, and peace in every step you take. Wishing you all the best.

Wishing you a year filled with happiness, love, and success. Happy Pohela Boishakh to you and your family.

Time to turn the page and start a fresh chapter. Happy Pohela Boishakh!

Sending warm hugs and heartfelt wishes for a joyful Bengali New Year.

Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) Wishes in English

Subho Noboborsho! May this Bengali New Year bring happiness, health, and new beginnings.

Wishing you joy, love, and laughter on this beautiful day of Pohela Boishakh.

May this Noboborsho light up your life with hope and positivity.

Happy Bengali New Year! Lets start fresh with love in our hearts and smiles on our faces.

On Pohela Boishakh, may all your dreams take flight and your worries fade away.

Subho Noboborsho! May this Bengali New Year bring peace, prosperity and endless smiles to you and your family.

Wishing you a joyful Noboborsho filled with new beginnings and heartfelt memories. Happy Pohela Boishakh!

Let the colours of Boishakh paint your life with happiness and success. Happy Bengali New Year!

A fresh year, a fresh chaptermay Pohela Boishakh bless you with abundant love and laughter.

Subho Noboborsho! May your days ahead be as vibrant as the festival and as sweet as mishti doi.

Bengali New Year Messages for Family and Friends

Subho Noboborsho to you and your family! May this new year be filled with blessings and peace.

Lets celebrate Pohela Boishakh with sweets, songs, and lots of love.

May this Bengali New Year be as colourful and cheerful as your spirit.

Cheers to a fresh start and new memories. Happy Noboborsho!

Wishing you and your loved ones a year full of good health, prosperity, and happiness.

As we welcome Pohela Boishakh, lets fill our hearts with kindness and our lives with dreams that come true.

May this Noboborsho be a journey of self-growth, fresh hopes and cherished bonds. Happy Bengali New Year!

On this special day, may you find new reasons to smile and new paths to success. Subho Noboborsho!

Sending my heartfelt Pohela Boishakh message to youmay your year be peaceful and fulfilling.

Let us celebrate Noboborsho with warmth, unity, and a spirit full of gratitude for all thats ahead.

Inspirational Pohela Boishakh Quotes

Every New Year is a chance to write a new chapter. Happy Bengali New Year!

Let go of the old and embrace the newSubho Noboborsho!

May the beats of the dhak remind us that life is meant to be celebrated.

Noboborsho is not just a day; its a feeling of hope and togetherness.

Celebrate every moment, and make this Bengali New Year unforgettable.

"Every new year is a fresh bloom of hopelet Pohela Boishakh be your season of dreams."

"Noboborsho is not just a change in date; its a renewal of purpose, joy, and celebration."

"With every beat of the dhak and every spoonful of panta ilish, lets honour tradition and embrace new goals."

"Pohela Boishakh teaches us that new beginnings are always worth celebrating, no matter how small."

"In the rhythm of the festival, find the melody of peace and purposeHappy Bengali New Year!"

WhatsApp Status for Pohela Boishakh

 Subho Noboborsho! New beginnings, new hope, and new joy. 

Welcoming Bengali Year 1432 with smiles and gratitude. #PohelaBoishakh

Starting the year with love, laughter, and panta ilish! 

Let the celebration of Noboborsho light up your life! 

May this year be full of colour, happiness, and sweet surprises.

 Subho Noboborsho! Starting this Bengali New Year with gratitude in my heart.

 Let the beats of the dhak welcome a year full of joy. Happy Pohela Boishakh!

 Heres to new dreams and colourful daysWishing everyone a bright Noboborsho!

 From mishti doi to new hopescelebrating life this Pohela Boishakh!

 Lets begin 1432 with laughter, love, and light. Subho Noboborsho, everyone!

Instagram Captions for Bengali New Year 2025

Dressed up, dolled up, and ready to welcome the Bengali New Year!  #SubhoNoboborsho

New year, same vibes, and even better memories. Happy Pohela Boishakh!

Smile big, eat well, and celebrate louder! Noboborsho is here!

From mishti doi to mishti moments  Happy Bengali New Year! 

Heres to starting fresh with a heart full of hope. #BengaliNewYear

Starting the Bengali New Year with love, lights and mishti delights! #SubhoNoboborsho

New year, new vibes, old traditions. Cheers to Pohela Boishakh 2025! 

Let the colours of Boishakh brighten your soul and feed your spirit  #BengaliNewYear

From panta ilish to pandal hoppinglets celebrate Noboborsho in style!

Glowing with culture and joy. Heres to a blessed Pohela Boishakh  #HappyNoboborsho

Bengali New Year Greetings to Share

May this Pohela Boishakh bring endless joy and countless blessings.

Subho Noboborsho! May you achieve all your dreams this year.

Happy Bengali New Year! Start fresh and dream big.

May love, light, and laughter fill your life on Noboborsho.

Here's wishing you peace, happiness, and success in everything you do.

Celebrate Pohela Boishakh 2025 with Positivity and Pride

Pohela Boishakh or Noboborsho is not just about turning the calendar. Its about starting over with joy, embracing traditions, and spreading happiness. From sharing heartfelt wishes and messages to posting cheerful WhatsApp statuses and Instagram captions, this day connects hearts and cultures across the globe.

So, whether you are with family or far away, dont forget to say Subho Noboborsho and make this Bengali New Year 2025 truly memorable!

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Mario Vargas Llosa, the renowned Peruvian-Spanish writer and Nobel Prize winner, has passed away at the age of 89. His family announced the news, stating he died peacefully in Lima, surrounded by his loved ones. Vargas Llosas passing has deeply affected fans and intellectuals around the world, as he was known for his exploration of totalitarianism and his brilliant literary works.

The literary legacy lives on

Vargas Llosas novels, including Conversation in the Cathedral, The War of the End of the World, and Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter, made him one of the most influential authors of Latin American literature. The author won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010, recognized for his profound works that depicted the struggles of the individual against oppressive power structures.

Social media tributes pour in

Following his death, social media was flooded with tributes to the legendary writer. One user noted that with his passing, the golden era of Latin American literature had ended With the death of Mario Vargas Llosa, what was considered the most glorious era of Latin American literature, despite its controversies, comes to an end. In the photo: Jose Donoso, Carlos Fuentes, Mario Vargas Llosa, Julio Cortazar and Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Con la muerte de Mario Vargas Llosa, culmina lo que en Latinoamerica se considero la epoca mas gloriosa de la literatura del continente,con todo y sus polemicas.



En la foto: Jose Donoso, Carlos Fuentes, Mario Vargas Llosa, Julio Cortazar y Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Francia, 1970). pic.twitter.com/VCPk5RApmO  Dulce Maria Ramos (@DulceMRamosR) April 14, 2025

Death doesn't distress me. Man, there's something wonderful about life: if we lived forever, it would be enormously boring, mechanical. If we were eternal, it would be something terrifying. I think life is so wonderful precisely because it has an end. Mario Vargas Llosa posted another user.

La muerte a mi no me angustia. Hombre, la vida tiene eso de maravilloso: si vivieramos para siempre seria enormemente aburrida, mecanica. Si fueramos eternos seria algo espantoso. Creo que la vida es tan maravillosa precisamente porque tiene un fin.



Mario Vargas Llosa pic.twitter.com/hMSqFMWBfu  Mina (@Mina_KindOfBlue) April 14, 2025

Others shared memorable quotes from Vargas Llosa, reflecting on his thoughts about life, death, and the meaning of existence.

Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte also expressed her condolences, honoring him as a cultural icon.

Vargas Llosas best works

Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel-winning Peruvian-Spanish writer was known for his novels | Credit: X

1. The Time of the Hero

Vargas Llosa's debut novel explores life at a military academy in Peru, focusing on the rigid hierarchies and brutal environment. The book became controversial, leading to the burning of copies by academy authorities. It remains a cornerstone of his literary career.

2. Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter

This witty novel tells the story of a young man who falls in love with his older aunt-in-law while navigating his friendship with a quirky Bolivian scriptwriter. It draws inspiration from Vargas Llosas own first marriage, blending humor and personal reflection.

3. The War of the End of the World

Set in Brazil during the late 19th century, this epic novel portrays a religious leaders rise to power and the ensuing conflict between his followers and the national government. The novels rich historical backdrop and tragic themes earned it critical acclaim.

4. The Feast of the Goat

A powerful exploration of dictatorship, this novel follows the final day of Dominican Republics brutal ruler Rafael Trujillo. Vargas Llosa delves into the impact of his regime on the people, highlighting both the personal and political horrors of totalitarian rule.

5. The Bad Girl

This modern tale spans decades, following the life of Ricardo as he obsesses over a mysterious woman, Lily. Their story unfolds across various locations, with Lily constantly changing her identity, making the novel a poignant exploration of love and obsession.

Mario Vargas Llosa's passing marks the end of an era in Latin American literature. His works, which fearlessly tackled power, politics, and human resilience, continue to inspire generations of readers and writers. While his voice may have silenced, his legacy lives on through the pages of his unforgettable books.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In a heartfelt and momentous gathering held at the prestigious Marriott Goa, the much-anticipated self-help book MERAKI [Fuel for the Soul] by Dr. Josan Ranjjith was officially launched. The event marked a significant milestone in the journey of the Tamil Nadu-based author, whose work is poised to touch countless lives through its profound exploration of emotional well-being and inner transformation.

The launch ceremony was graced by a distinguished lineup of guests, including the Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pramod Sawant; Central Minister Shri Shripad Naik; and iconic actress and Member of Parliament, Hema Malini. Their presence added grace, recognition, and gravitas to an event that celebrated not just a book, but a mission to ignite purposeful living and emotional clarity in todays fast-paced world.

Renowned philanthropists, leading business personalities, spiritual leaders, wellness advocates, and members of the media also gathered to honor the launch of MERAKI, making it a truly memorable evening of inspiration, dialogue, and celebration.

About the Book: A Journey Within

MERAKI [Fuel for the Soul] is more than just a book  it is a movement. Rooted in the Greek word "Meraki," which means to do something with soul, creativity, and love, this self-help guide delves into the often-overlooked yet profoundly impactful realm of inner engineering.

Authored by Dr. Josan Ranjjith, a thought leader in emotional wellness and self-transformation, the book offers readers a powerful blend of psychological insights, soulful reflections, and actionable strategies to align the mind, body, and spirit. It invites readers to explore their emotional architecture, build resilience, and find clarity amid chaos.

The book particularly focuses on three essential pillars: Emotions, The Soul, and Self-Help, guiding individuals on a journey toward emotional balance, spiritual awakening, and personal empowerment.

"Welcome to MERAKI, a journey into understanding and transforming your inner world," says Dr. Josan Ranjjith. "As you read, may you find the guidance and inspiration to live with intention and purpose. Welcome to your path of self-discovery and transformation."

MERAKI [Fuel for the Soul] launch event

A Deeply Personal Offering

Dr. Josan Ranjjiths words are as genuine as they are transformative. In the dedication section of MERAKI, he expresses deep gratitude to the Almighty for the strength and inspiration to embark on this journey of authorship. He also pays tribute to his parents for their unwavering love and support, and to his circle of friends whose encouragement was instrumental in turning this vision into a reality.

With sincerity and humility, he shares his mission  to provide readers with a roadmap to reconnect with their inner selves, and to help them navigate life's emotional terrain with grace and purpose.

Highlights from the Launch Event

The launch event was marked by an atmosphere of introspection, celebration, and dialogue. In his address, the Hon. Chief Minister of Goa commended Dr. Ranjjith's efforts in making mental and emotional well-being more accessible through his writing.

Central Minister Shri Shripad Naik spoke on the importance of such literature in today's world, emphasizing how books like MERAKI bridge the gap between spirituality and science, offering tools that are both practical and profound.

Actress and MP Hema Malini, speaking with great warmth and admiration, applauded the author for his soulful contribution to self-help literature. We need more voices like Dr. Josan Ranjjith  voices that guide, uplift, and remind us to look within, she noted.

The evening also included readings from the book, musical interludes, and a fireside chat with the author, during which Dr. Ranjjith elaborated on his motivations, personal experiences, and the core messages behind MERAKI.

A Book for the Times

In an era marked by rapid change, emotional burnout, and increasing mental health challenges, MERAKI arrives as a beacon of hope. It encourages readers to cultivate emotional intelligence, deepen their self-awareness, and practice intentional living.

Critically acclaimed for its accessibility and depth, MERAKI is ideal for anyone seeking balance, healing, and clarity. Whether you are a student, a professional, a homemaker, or a spiritual seeker, this book offers tools that resonate across all walks of life.

About the Author

Dr. Josan Ranjjith hails from Tamil Nadu and is a rising voice in the domain of emotional wellness, personal development, and spiritual growth. With a background in behavioral sciences and a deep spiritual practice, he combines the wisdom of ancient traditions with modern psychology to help people live more meaningful and empowered lives.
Miao Sisters Festival celebrated in China's Guizhou

Xinhua) 09:51, April 14, 2025

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
South Korean actress Nana, who wowed everyone with her intense performance in Netflixs Mask Girl, is going viral, and not for the right reasons. She recently dropped a comment under a post about THE BOYZs Sunwoo, calling out the idol for what was described as rude behavior that she believed warranted a scolding.

Needless to say, the internet has thoughts. Some are backing Nana, while others are wondering why she felt the need to air it out publicly, especially when it comes to a 4th gen idol with a massive fanbase.

And, of course, because the internet never forgets, Nanas dating rumors have been pulled back into the chaos: most notably, the one involving top actor Kim Soo Hyun.

Why did Nana call out Sunwoo?

Earlier this month, a clip of THE BOYZs Sunwoo went viral on X (formerly Twitter), and it's been stirring up some drama ever since. In the video, Sunwoo is seen shouting, My AirPods! after apparently dropping them. Instead of picking them up himself, he walks away, and a security guard eventually hands them back to him.

A viral video of THE BOYZs Sunwoo: SW had dropped a pair of AirPods.He received criticism for allegedly not thanking the security guard and for not picking up the dropped item himself.

_actress & former idol Nana: Looks like he ought to be scolded

Linkhttps://t.co/pUtRs9Esjy pic.twitter.com/lFY0YZxYWO  Bee (@Beevl__) April 11, 2025

For those who may not know, in Korean culture, its considered respectful to accept something from someone, especially an elder or someone you dont know well, with both hands. The security guard used both hands to return the AirPods, but Sunwoo took them with just one.

That small gesture sparked a bigger conversation. Even though Sunwoo later clarified on a fan platform that he did thank the guard, saying, I always thank people, even when they hold the door. I say hello to everyone, including janitors. Ill be more mindful so this doesnt happen again, the moment still rubbed some people the wrong way.

One of those people was actress Nana. Mask Girl star and former After School member chimed in on a social media post to comment, Someone needs to tell him off.

And just like that, the internet split in two. Some say Nana was just being honest. Others think she was out of line.

Nana defends her comment

Nana didnt back down. In a post shared online on Sunday, she said that if she had seen Sunwoos behavior in person, she would have called him out right then and there.

Yes, it doesn't make sense to judge a person with a short video, Nana said. But I wasn't defining his character. His actions seemed very rude, and it shocked me. I felt that what he did and said was wrong, and that's why I said, 'Someone needs to tell him off.'

He shouted, 'My AirPods,' so that everyone could hear him, but he, himself, didn't move one step closer, she continued. Who was he telling to pick it up? Was he unable to move? Was he ordering the guard, for simply being a guard, who could have been years older than him? Did he need someone else to be his hands and feet? Was he telling the AirPods to walk back to him?

I watched the video over and over again. I don't know who he is, but if he were next to me, I would have said the exact same thing. 'Someone needs to tell you off' and 'Where did you learn to act like that? she said.

The internet is furious at Nana's defense

Nana's defensive comment did not go down well with many, with fans calling out the double standards in the Korean industry. Many said that while a simple miscommunication is treated as a crime, celebs, including Nana, have maintained their silence on Kim Soo Hyun's scandal, who is accused of grooming the late actress Kim Sae Ron.

youre just blindly defending a man



no. were defending someone unfairly dragged over a twisted narrative. most of us are female fans, some even stan girl groups. we know how bad the hate gets toward women. but this time, a woman was wrong. nana said she didnt know sunwoo -  jules  (@downforkyh) April 13, 2025

sunwoo too damn big to not be picking up his own airpods, but im confused why nana quick to call this out but not her friends and peers in the industry who are pedos and assaulting peoplelike girl shut tf up pic.twitter.com/MUbzd3YNIY   (@dollscupcakeria) April 11, 2025

Nana and Kim Soo Hyun's dating rumors

What's more shocking is that Nana was once rumored to be dating Kim Soo Hyun. Almost a decade ago, Nana found herself at the center of speculation after a report surfaced claiming she and Kim Soo Hyun had described each other as their ideal types in an interview.

However, Nana put the rumors to rest on Mnet's Beatles Code 3D, revealing that the gossip originated from false claims made by a reporter and that there was no truth to the alleged affair.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
In a remarkable milestone for both space exploration and women empowerment, Blue Origin successfully launched an all-female crew to the edge of space and back. Among the six women on board were global pop superstar Katy Perry and Emmy Award-winning journalist, helicopter pilot, and Jeff Bezos' fiancee, Lauren Sanchez.

The flight lifted off from West Texas early in the morning and lasted around 10 minutes, briefly crossing the Karman line  the internationally accepted boundary of space  before safely returning to Earth.

What an amazing crew! Great flight this morning. pic.twitter.com/4h5fNGpRRO  Dave Limp (@davill) April 14, 2025

A joyful return to earth

As the capsule touched down in the Texas desert, Lauren Sanchez was the first to step out, calling out for her children while Bezos greeted her with a warm hug. This landmark event also comes just two months ahead of Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' upcoming wedding in Venice.

Katy Perry followed, dramatically kissing the sandy ground in celebration, quickly joined by Gayle King in a moment that felt both joyful and symbolic.

Katy Perry seemingly kisses the ground after returning from Space. pic.twitter.com/ugi07THOjC  Pop Base (@PopBase) April 14, 2025

When asked by reporters about her experience, Lauren Sanchez reflected on how, despite being divided by state lines, they are all truly connected. She described feeling joy, calling it a mix of emotions. "It was a feeling of joy and camaraderie. A feeling of gratefulness. A feeling of 'we are doing this'."

Overcome with emotion, Sanchez burst into tears as she celebrated the achievement of the six female astronauts. "I don't even know how this is going to change me," she said.

Who all were abroad the flight?

The all-female crew of this historic Blue Origin spaceflight featured a remarkable lineup: pop star Katy Perry, TV host Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Jeff Bezos' fiancee, Lauren Sanchez.

This mission marked a groundbreaking moment in space history  the first all-female spaceflight since 1963. The last time women led a mission like this was when Valentina Tereshkova of the former Soviet Union became the first woman to travel to space, as reported by NBC News.

The Blue Origin flight crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space, taking the six women more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) above Earth in an 11-minute journey. The milestone event drew a crowd of notable guests to West Texas, including Oprah Winfrey and several women who had previously taken private spaceflights, all coming together to witness this inspiring and historic achievement.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Aimee Lou Wood, who recently garnered critical acclaim for her role as Chelsea in Mike White's The White Lotus season 3, isnt laughing at Saturday Night Lives latest attempt at parody. The British actress took to Instagram after SNL aired a sketch that not only poked fun at her White Lotus character but did so in a way that made her feel uncomfortable.

SNL mocks Aimee Lou Wood's appearance in their latest parody skit.

The sketch, aired on April 12 and titled The White POTUS, reimagined U.S. political figures as characters on The White Lotus. But while most impressions stayed political, Woods character was the only one based on a real actor. To play Chelsea's character, Sarah Sherman was seen using exaggerated prosthetic teeth and an over-the-top accent.

Sarah-as-Chelsea's brief on-screen interaction with Jon Hamm as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked intense online debate. The scene featured Kennedy discussing removing fluoride from drinking water, prompting Sherman's character Chelsea, to respond with a comedic remark about fluoride while sporting oversized, bulging front teeth.

The White Potus pic.twitter.com/PhOlMPx02y  Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) April 13, 2025

'Mean and Unfunny': Aimee Lou Wood Calls Out SNL

After catching wind of SNLs latest White Lotus parody, Aimee Lou Wood didnt stay silent. She took to Instagram to call out the sketch, describing it as mean and unfunny."

Credit: X

Im not thin-skinned, she wrote on her Instagram Stories. I actually love being taken the piss out of when its clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth.

I dont mind caricature, she said. But the rest of the skit was punching up, and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on.

At least get the accent right, seriously, she added. I respect accuracy, even if its mean.

When she first posted her reaction, she added a little disclaimer: Felt righteous, might delete later. But after her inbox was flooded with thousands of supportive messages, she stuck by her words. She even shared a few screenshots of the messages that meant the most.

Credit: Instagram

"This sums up my view," she concluded in response to a commenter who wrote, It was a sharp and funny skituntil it suddenly veered into 1970s-style misogyny.

SNL apologizes to Aimee Lou Wood

After her post went viral, she shared that SNL had apologized to her but didnt say who had reached out or what was said. NBC hasnt commented on it either.

Ive received apologies from SNL, she shared, though she didnt go into any details.

Credit: X

'Conversation about my teeth makes me sad': Aimee Lou

In a new interview with GQ on April 8, Aimee Lou Wood opened up about how peoples focus on her gap teeth is starting to get old. While she appreciates that her smile has come to stand for things like confidence and being different, she wishes the conversation stopped there, as it hinders her growth as an actress.

It makes me really happy that it's symbolizing rebellion and freedom, but there's a limit, she told the publication. The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I'm not getting to talk about my work. They think its nice because theyre not criticizing.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
US President Donald Trump seems to have no rest as he again dropped a bombshell. On Sunday, Trump announced that no country would be getting "off the hook" regarding tariffs, even though there is a 90-day pause on some of them.

The statement comes after days of the United States publishing guidance saying smartphones, computers, and other electronics were exempted from 'reciprocal tariffs.' In addition, Trump on Friday issued exemptions for Chinese-made semiconductors and electronics.

This announcement comes amid the warnings that US consumers faced skyrocketing prices for products including laptops and smartphones. Additionally, the president on Sunday noted that there was 'no tariff exception.'

Credit: X

US-China Tariff Row

Donald Trump not only announced the 'no tariff exception' but also played down any special treatment for Chinese tech products.

In the whole scenario, most countries will now face a baseline of 10 per cent tariff for the near-three-month time, excluding China, which launched a tit-for-tat escalation. The exchanges have seen US levies imposed on China rise to 145 per cent, and Beijing set a retaliatory 125 per cent tariff on US imports.

"The Fake News knows this but refuses to report it. We are taking a look at semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations," read Donald Trump's post.

President Trump says NOBODY is getting off the hook for unfair trade balances and nom monetary tariff barriers. pic.twitter.com/Hodc9myGv6  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 13, 2025





The Trump administration intends to negotiate deals

The deals are negotiable in the Trump administration, including with China, but it is not clear yet what terms Donald Trump would be willing to accept.

For instance, on Friday, Beijing's Commerce Ministry had said that the move only "represents a small step," and it stressed that Donald Trump's administration should "completely cancel" the whole tariff plan.

While the White House says that Trump remains positive about saving a deal with China, however, the US officials have made it clear that they expect Beijing to reach out first.
The Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan and his wife, Anna Lezhneva, went through a tough time lately when their youngest son, Mark, was injured in a school fire in Singapore.

After the difficult time, Kalyan was seen in complete protective parent mode as the couple returned to Hyderabad from Singapore, carrying his son in his arms. It was not it; Pawan's wife, Anna, shaved her head at Tirumala to seek blessings from Lord Venkateswara.

Now, several photos of Anna Lezhneva tonsuring her head at Tirumala have gone viral on the internet. Moreover, Pawan Kalyan of the Jana Sena Party himself shared pictures of his wife on his official X (formerly called Twitter) and mentioned that Anna donated her hair after she visited the temple.

Anna Lezhneva signed a religious declaration at the Tirumala temple

On the other hand, there are also reports that Glute Anna Lezhneva signed a religious declaration during her visit to the Tirumala temple.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Sri @PawanKalyan Garu's wife, Smt. Anna Konidala, visited Tirumala today.



She signed the declaration forms at Gayatri Sadan in the presence of @TTDevasthanams staff. pic.twitter.com/am3hxHWfHH  JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) April 13, 2025





This is a customary practice for non-Hindu devotees, and the declaration confirms the devotee's faith in Lord Venkateswara and their intent to seek blessings from the sacred Hindu god. Many devotees shave their heads at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, as it is considered one of the very special traditions at the temple.

Some devotees also do it as a promise they made to God, like, If my wish comes true, Ill offer my hair." Its their way of saying thank you for the blessings they received."

Credit: X

How did the fire break out at the River Valley area in Singapore?

The fire incident occurred at a school in the River Valley area of Singapore. The fire reportedly engulfed the second and third floors of the building.

On the other hand, a video clip from the incident has now gone viral on social media, which captured the firefighters breaking windows and assisting panicked students and staff out of smoke-filled classrooms.

A look at the viral video here:





The blaze claimed the life of one child and injured 19 others, including Mark Shankar. However, the emergency crews, including the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), immediately arrived at the location and tried to control the fire.

While, as per Singapores Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, a 10-year-old lost her life in the fire, and around 20 other children, including 15, sustained injuries.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Trigger Warning: This article contains references to murder, death, guns and crime. Readers discretion is strictly advised.

Salman Khan Fresh Death Threat: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has once again found himself at the receiving end of a serious death threat. On Monday (April 14, 2025) morning, a disturbing message was sent to the Mumbai Traffic Polices WhatsApp helpline, claiming that the actor would be killed and his car blown up with a bomb. The threat also mentioned entering his house to carry out the act.

Cops on alert following fresh death threat against Salman Khan

The message immediately set off alarm bells. Mumbai Police have filed an official complaint and are now investigating where the message came from and whos behind it. Salman lives with his family in Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, Mumbai, a place that's now no stranger to security concerns.

It was exactly a year ago on 14th April 2024 that two unknown armed men opened fire outside his home, an incident later linked to the Bishnoi gang. Since then, the actor's security has been tightened significantly, but the threats havent stopped. In fact, this is the fifth time in just two years that Salman has received threats to his life.

A quick look back at the last few concerning years for Salman Khan

This latest threat follows a series of similar incidents involving Khan. In October 2024, a message demanding Rs 5 crore was sent to the Mumbai Traffic Police's WhatsApp helpline, warning that failure to pay would result in consequences worse than the murder of Baba Siddique, a former NCP legislator and close associate of Khan. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for Siddique's murder, citing his association with Khan as the motive.

Law enforcement agencies have been actively investigating these threats. In one instance, a 20-year-old man named Mohammad Tayyab, also known as Gurfan Khan, was arrested in Noida for allegedly issuing a death threat to Khan and NCP leader Zeeshan Siddique. Additionally, a man from Jamshedpur was arrested in connection with a separate threat demanding 5 crore from Khan.

Earlier, in 2022, a threatening letter was found near Salmans home and in 2023, an email allegedly from gangster Goldy Brar threatened Khan's life. In response to these threats, authorities had back then enhanced Khan's security, assigning him Y+ security status, which includes a team of armed personnel.

High-resolution surveillance cameras with facial recognition technology were also installed around his residence to monitor any suspicious activity. A bulletproof glass ceiling has also been installed at his house very recently.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
The further strengthening of the relations in defence and strategic cooperation between Greece and France within NATO and the EU dominated a meeting between Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday, at the defence

ministry in Athens

Dendias called the meeting "fruitful and candid, in the framework of our long-standing, traditional bonds, common values, shared trust and mutual respect," saying it had reaffirmed "that Greece and France are close allies and friends and share the same perception regarding the developments in Europe and the wider region".

Referring to the bilateral agreement on strategic national relations between Greece and France, signed in 2021, on defence and security, Dendias pointed out that "Article 2 ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations, as well as our common interests."

"Greece is always certain that France will take into account in its decisions the security of Greece and the need for our country to maintain a comparative technological advantage of deterrence against the forces of revisionism. Greece does not threaten but is threatened," clarified Dendias, while adding that discussions must begin on the renewal of the Greece-France agreement.

"We already have close cooperation," he continued, "which is reflected in the acquisition of three Belharra frigates and the discussion about the acquisition of a fourth, the acquisition of Rafale [aircraft], which with their weapons are key to deterrence and defence in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean." He also emphasised that an agreement for the purchase of 16 Exocet missiles by Greece was signed after the meeting with Lecornu.

"Close cooperation in the field of innovation has begun," added Dendias, while referring to the first Greek-French symposium on innovation in defence, organised in December 2024 in Athens.

He reiterated that Greece and France participate jointly in missions and referred to Operation "Aspides" as an example, while regarding European defence cooperation and industry, he explained that "Greece appreciates France's contribution to the creation of a common European environment," in the context of reducing the EU's dependence on third parties.

Regarding funding to third parties, Dendias clarified that "we must limit funding to third parties," referring to "those who act in a manner of dubious credibility with regard to the strategic interests of our country".

He also expressed Greece's views on the draft SAFE regulation and stressed: "The security issues of all EU member-states must be fully respected. There must be clear eligibility criteria. We believe in both qualitative and quantitative criteria."

"Qualitatively," he added, "cooperation should include partners who share the principles and values of the EU and quantitatively, who meet a minimum threshold of compliance with the common foreign and security policy. I cannot understand how countries with complete divergence from the common foreign and security policy can participate in SAFE."

He also acknowledged France's efforts to strengthen European defence: "We are absolutely ready to cooperate with France on this," he said.

Dendias said that they also discussed a series of issues worldwide, such as Ukraine, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, the Middle East, but also North Africa and the Sahel.

Furthermore, Dendias informed the French minister about his recent trip to Lebanon and the Greek government's decision to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, while regarding Syria, Dendias underlined "the need to protect all ethnic and religious communities," making extensive reference to the Christian community.

On his part, Lecornu thanked Dendias for his warm welcome and stated, among others, that "the issue of maritime defence is the cornerstone" of Greek-French discussions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa.

"This is the first time in many years that we have seen the sea route experience such instability and destabilisation," Lecornu explained. "Both Greece and France are two major maritime nations," he added.

He also thanked Greece for the way it has welcomed "the entire French navy and the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle."

"The need at the political and operational level sets the tone for the industrial sector and not the other way around," Lecornu clarified. He said they had discussed the different capabilities of the two countries, including the Mirage and the Rafale aircraft but also the entire Navy.

He also referred to the cooperation between Greece and France in the Red Sea, while making special mention of the weapons given to Ukraine. Regarding electronic warfare, he said that "we examined the needs" while clarifying that there is a "common desire to move forward with the issue of the fourth frigate (Belharra)".

Lecornu also said that "on the strength of Greece's decisions" France might ask Naval Group to complete the order within Greece, talking about a possible Naval subsidiary within the country in collaboration with local actors and working primarily with Skaramangas Shipyards.

He said this would be very important for local jobs but also "a very important issue for the integrity and sovereignty of the country, as well as a point of assurance for the military leadership, which will have a local reference point, a local interlocutor."

"We will continue," he clarified, "to work together on a set of munitions," while also referring to the agreement with MBDA for Exocet missiles, adding that "ships and planes must carry the corresponding equipment."

"France must also renew its own equipment," he said, while adding that "there is nothing final at the moment," and that he himself was working in this direction.

Lecornu clarified that the goal is to increase the number of ships in the French navy, while noting that this raises production issues, "since the greater the demand, the greater the production of equipment and ammunition must be."

"We must see together how this future production will be carried out and what degree of autonomy we want to achieve, and therefore in this context our cooperation is the cornerstone," the French minister underlined.

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Greece is expected to experience mild spring weather during Holy Week, with clear skies and rising temperatures giving way to scattered rain and strong winds later in the week, according to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service.

On Holy Monday, much of the country will have clear skies with some clouds.

Light rain is possible in the Ionian Islands, Epirus, and Macedonia

in the morning, with a chance of renewed showers in the northwest late at night

Visibility will be locally limited, especially in western and northern inland areas. Winds will blow from the south at 3 to 4 Beaufort, and from the north in the Aegean Sea at 4 to 5 Beaufort, reaching 6 in southeastern parts by midday.

Temperatures are expected to rise slightly, reaching 17 to 18 degrees Celsius in the north and up to 20 degrees elsewhere.

Conditions on Holy Tuesday will be similar, with clouds and localized rain over the Ionian islands and mainland regions, particularly the west, central, and northern parts of the country.

The rest of Greece will remain mostly sunny with occasional cloud cover. Visibility will again be limited in the north during the evening.

Winds in the west will shift to southeasterly at 3 to 5 Beaufort, increasing to 6 or 7 in the Ionian Sea. In the east, northern winds will prevail at 3 to 5 Beaufort.

No significant temperature change is expected.

By Holy Wednesday, more pronounced cloud cover will move into western Greece, with light rain. Elsewhere, conditions will remain mostly sunny with minor fluctuations. Meteorological conditions will favor the transport of African dust, especially in western regions.

Winds in the Ionian Sea may reach up to 8 Beaufort, while the Aegean Sea will see northern winds at up to 5 Beaufort. A slight increase in temperature is forecast.

Holy Thursday will bring more widespread cloud cover, with occasional rain in the west and isolated thunderstorms likely in the Ionian Sea by nightfall. African dust is expected to continue affecting western areas.

Easterly and southeasterly winds in the west will peak at 7 to 8 Beaufort, weakening later in the evening as they shift to southerly. In the east, winds will blow from the northeast at 3 to 5 Beaufort, increasing to 6 in the northern Aegean Sea.

Temperatures will rise slightly again.

The forecast suggests a warm and mostly dry start to the Easter period. Still, travelers and holidaymakers should be prepared for changing conditions and increased dust levels later in the week.

   iefimerida.gr
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni is on an official visit to China in order to expand cultural cooperation between the two countries and to attend the inauguration of the exhibition "Daedalus, Legends of Crete", organized by the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion in cooperation with the Palace Museum in Beijing,

on the occasion of the Chinese museum's centennial.

According to a Ministry of Culture statement, Mendoni held a work meeting with Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), under which is the Chinese School of Classical Studies in Athens, overseen by the Culture Ministry. The two officials discussed the start of the School's activities, in the framework of the regulations of archaeological law, with a special mention of the first international conference held by the School on the study of Homeric epics. This latter had been attended by the Greek Culture Ministry's Secretary General and the vice president of CASS, Peng Jinhui.

Among other meetings to discuss collaborations between Greece and China, Mendoni also held a work meeting in Xi'an -the first city on the ancient silk road path - with alternate governor of Shaanxi region, Xu Mingfei, responsible for issues of culture and cultural heritage. The Greek minister also paid a visit to Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, listed on UNESCO's catalog of World Heritage sites and known for the impressive Clay Army. At the archaeological area of Taiping Heritage Site, Mendoni spoke with excavation director Han Jianhua.

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Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid a visit on Holy Monday to the western suburb of Athens, Aghia Varvara, and said "the best is yet to come" during chats with the residents, in the context of his visit to the university student Dormitory of the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece, in the company of Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece.

At the dormitory that houses 70 students from Greece and abroad who study

at church schools or elsewhere, Mitsotakis praised the archbishop for the facility, and reiterated that his government was the one to significantly increase the rent subsidy for university students. The government is also "planning the renovation of student dormitories, which, truth be told, are not in very good shape ."Building dormitories

Mitsotakis acknowledged that the government should do more about housing students, and said he had discussed it frequently with Education & Religions Minister Sophia Zacharaki - who was present at the visit - and committed before the archbishop "to work jointly so that the footprint of the Church in this critical sector is strengthened even more. We have extensively discussed the possibility of utilizing land you have availalbe in various areas of Athens, in which a similar facility could be relatively easily be built so that it could significantly increase the Church of Greece's ability to host young people who really need it."

In this context, Archbishop Hieronymos announced that the Church of Greece is building a new dormitory on Alexandras Avenue, with foundation work beginning within May.

PM Mitsotakis also referred to private donors who helped in the renovation of existing facilities, mentioning Celia Kritharioti and Nikos Tsakos, and calling on people close to the Church to also support it in this direction. He said the government had doubled the funding for the Apostolic Ministry, and said that "all together - private individuals and the state - we can unite to help the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens."

According to government sources, the prime minister was given a tour of the Dormitory and spoke with students who sang hymns and traditional songs.

Both the premier and the archbishop referred to the government's decision to provide a supplement to people aged 18-65 with hearing problems. Hieronymos in particular welcomed the announcement and result, saying, "I have worked close to these people since I was 25 and I know what it means to have a housheld with three or four people with hearing and speaking disabilities, what expenses they have, and what difficulties in communication. Occasionally they felt bitter, that they were treated unfairly. I conveyed this to the government, ministries, ministers. It reached the prime minister. I convey the appreciation of those people whose bonus is a good bonus, for the duration of their lives, not just for one year, two years, and so on."

The prime minister said the archbishop was "among the first who made me personally awared of the injustice, which was at last corrected today."

Patriarchates abroad

Government sources said that in the context of their talk, they also highlighted the recent government decision to provide 600 positions for clerics at the oldest patriarchates and Mt Sinai Monastery. "It is the first time the state has taken a very bold decision to provide 600 openings for clerics for the oldest historic patriarchates and for Mt Sinai Monastery as well," said Mitsotakis. Particularly for he latter, since Mt Sinai's "legal status has been defined at last, so that we may support the Church of Greece and the Apostolic Ministry practically in the great work you are carrying out in difficult areas of our planet, especially in Africa."

Concluding his visit at Aghia Varvara after leaving the Dormitory, PM Mitsotakis told residents of the town, "We are going strong, we are taking the country ahead despite difficulties. Let me wish you a heartfelt Happy Easter

   iefimerida.gr
Mitsotakis acknowledged the volatility of the current era but pushed back against the notion that globalization is in terminal decline.

Just under two kilometers from the ruins of the ancient Oracle of Delphi, once the spiritual center of classical Greece, the 10th Delphi Economic Forum unfolded this past week in the mountain town of Delphi, drawing over 1,000 participants from

70 countries to the Amalia Hotel . Against the backdrop of sweeping geopolitical shifts and economic volatility, the event gathered politicians, diplomats, analysts, academics, business leaders, and journalists for four days of intense discussion on the challenges redefining our world

This years theme, Reallocations, captured the sense of flux dominating global affairs. With international markets still feeling the aftershocks of protectionist trade policies and a reshuffling of alliances, speakers approached the uncertainty with realism andoccasionallyprophetic tones. No one attempted to channel the ancient Pythia, but in a world where yesterdays certainties are routinely overturned, many were willing to venture predictions.

In a conversation with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, American geopolitical thinker Robert D. Kaplan cited a famous quote from Lenin: There are decades when nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen. Kaplan argued that the world hasnt seen such concentrated change in over 80 years. Mitsotakis acknowledged the volatility of the current era but pushed back against the notion that globalization is in terminal decline. Dismantling the vast and intricate web of global supply chains, he noted, is not easily done. "Its too early to declare the end of globalization," he said.

Elsewhere, Financial Times columnist Martin Wolf raised the possibility of a strategic realignment in Europe. In a dialogue with Greek journalist Alexis Papachelas, Wolf hypothesized that if Europeans come to see the United States as an unreliable partner, they may begin looking toward other global powers, such as China. He added, however, that we are not yet at that turning point.

Security concerns and the specter of historical repetition were also on the agenda. American political scientist Alexander Cooley asked whether the current moment more closely resembles 1989the end of the Cold Waror 1939, on the brink of global conflict. Austrian diplomat Thomas Mayr-Harting suggested it might be closer to the interwar years, while American analyst Ian Lesser was more specific, placing us somewhere between 1929 and 1939. "Were seeing economic warfare used strategically, and a rise in economic nationalism," he said.

While the forum covered a wide range of themesartificial intelligence, justice systems, climate change, healthcare digitalization, energy security, and Greek-Turkish relationsTrumps political future remained the most talked-about elephant in the room.

#ENGLISH_EDITION #DELPHI_FORUM
A little-known militant group calling itself Revolutionary Class Self-Defense has claimed responsibility through a detailed, multi-page manifesto.

Greek counterterrorism authorities are intensifying investigations following a bombing outside the Athens headquarters of Hellenic Train, the countrys primary railway operator.

The attack, which took place

on Syngrou Avenue , has been described as a meticulously executed operation, though investigators believe the perpetrators may have made crucial missteps that could aid the investigation.

A little-known militant group calling itself Revolutionary Class Self-Defense has claimed responsibility through a detailed, multi-page manifesto. In their statement, the group directly links the attack to last years Tempi train disaster, which killed 57 people and sparked mass protests across Greece. The manifesto accuses the government of a deliberate cover-up and assumes what the group describes as the political responsibility for the tragedy. The bombing, they say, was not aimed at causing casualties, but at delivering a symbolic blow.

Greek authorities are now poring over surveillance footage from the surrounding area. They have narrowed their investigation to two individuals seen near the scene. One suspect, whose face was concealed by a hood, is believed to have planted the bomb inside a backpack near the companys offices. A second man, caught on camera speaking on a mobile phone, joined him shortly afterward. Importantly, the second suspect made no attempt to cover his face, offering investigators a clearer image to work from.

Authorities believe they are close to identifying at least one of the suspects. Footage shows the man with the backpack walking along Syngrou Avenue shortly before the explosion. Investigators have noted his distinctive gait and estimate that he is around 30 years old with possible links to anarchist networks.

Police believe the suspects may have operated out of a temporary base nearbypossibly an apartment rented through a short-term leasing platform. They are also analyzing phone data in the hope of identifying calls made shortly before and after the bombing. One of the suspects appears to have made a phone call approximately 40 minutes before the group contacted media outlets to issue a warning about the device, allowing time for the area to be evacuated. No injuries were reported, though the blast caused significant damage to the building.

This bombing closely resembles a previous attack that took place in February 2024 outside the Greek Ministry of Labor. In both incidents, advance warnings were issued, and the explosive devices were powerful but designed not to cause fatalities. Authorities believe that the bomb used in the Hellenic Train attack was about a third as strong as the one deployed outside the ministry.

In its manifesto, Revolutionary Class Self-Defense contextualized its actions within a broader campaign against state authority and economic injustice. Beyond the Tempi disaster, the group cited concerns about labor rights, workplace fatalities, and what it described as the ongoing failures of Greeces railway infrastructure. The document ends with a reference to a previous explosion in the Athens neighborhood of Ampelokipoi in October 2024, suggesting a pattern of coordinated actions.

The emergence of this group is being taken seriously by Greek authorities, who are treating it as a potential sign of renewed domestic terrorism. While Revolutionary Class Self-Defense shares ideological roots with older organizationssuch as the Revolutionary Self-Defense group dismantled by police in 2019it appears to represent a new generation of militants. The group's rhetoric has shifted to emphasize modern issues such as economic inequality, high living costs, and disillusionment with institutional politics. It explicitly rejects traditional left-wing parties and electoral politics, positioning itself as a revolutionary force outside the bounds of democratic systems.

For years, domestic terrorism in Greece had largely subsided, due in part to successful police operations and the fragmentation of militant groups. However, authorities believe the events of 2023 and 2024including failed parcel bomb attempts and now two high-profile bombingscould signal the beginning of a new cycle of violence. They are investigating whether experienced figures from older groups may be mentoring newer recruits, sharing expertise in bomb-making and operational tactics.

#ENGLISH_EDITION #GREECE #HELLENIC_TRAIN
Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot be the partys presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Monday, George, who is also a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, emphasized that the party must respect its internal rotational zoning agreement, which stipulates power rotation between the North and South every eight years.

Atiku cant be the PDP presidential candidate in 2027. Our internal zoning policy makes it compulsory to be eight years for the South and North.

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If Atiku emerges as the PDP candidate in 2027 by any means, the party will collapse, he stated.

Georges remarks come amid heightened political activity and speculation about alliances ahead of the next presidential contest.

In recent days, Atiku Abubakar has been at the centre of a new opposition movement, joining forces with Labour Partys Peter Obi and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai to form a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

However, the move has not been welcomed by all within the PDP. On the same day as Georges remarks, the PDP Governors Forum distanced itself from the Atiku-led coalition, signaling possible fractures within the opposition ranks.

George warned that violating the zoning formula would not only undermine party unity but could also alienate Southern stakeholders who feel sidelined by continued northern dominance in party politics.

The internal debate over zoning is expected to shape the PDPs strategy in the months leading to the next election, especially as talks of mergers and coalitions continue to gain momentum.
A Chief Magistrate in the Rivers State, Ejike King George, has resigned from service, citing difficult working environment under new leadership of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).

He also described the development as a quasi-military administration to oversee the affairs of the oil rich state.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that President Bola Tinubu in March, 2025, announced the declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, citing security concerns and political unrest between Governor Sim Fubara and the states House of Assembly.

Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast suspended Governor Fubara, his Deputy Ngozi Nma and the states lawmakers for six months.

The President subsequently appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibas, as the sole administrator of the State.

READ MORE: Bring Back Our Fubara  Women Protest Emergency Rule In Rivers

Meanwhile, in a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, George expressed discontent over the direction of the states governance, stating that it was alien and antithetical to the values of the legal profession.

The letter reads: This present is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State.

This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern state like ours.

Milord will agree with me that this type of governance system is not only alien but also runs antithetical to our hallowed profession as legal practitioners and adjudicators.

Having put in a whopping 16 (sixteen) out of my 22 (twenty-two) years of legal practice into this Judiciary as Magistrate under successive democratic administrations, I find it difficult to work with the current setting, as doing so would amount to a tacit and naive acquiescence.

Thanks Milord, for the opportunity to serve.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubus re-election in 2027.

Mr. Umahi also added that Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State will spend eight years in power.

The Minister made this known on Sunday during the launch of second phase construction of Kaduna-Abuja-Kano road project

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He also faulted opposition coalition, stressing that they should be constructive and not destructive.

He said: I want to assure you, my dear governor, Uba Sani, that Im also a prophet. It was only David in the Bible that was prophet and a preacher, and God has told me that you will do 8 years, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu will do 8 years.

The voice of God is the voice of men, but let me advice the so-called coalition and opposition, when you are in opposition, you are doing constructive opposition not destructive ones.

READ MORE: APC Not Worried With Atiku, Others Coalition Visit To Buhari, Their Plans To Unseat Tinubu In 2027 Will Fail  Ganduje

You have to provide alternatives to what you are criticizing, talk is cheap and the work is very easy when you are not the one doing it.

Opposition is to provide alternatives. I have never seen any opposition providing an alternative to anything; but I want to thank the president and financial institutions  just a few days ago said the reforms of Mr President are working.

They said the Nigerian financial issue is upgraded and the World Bank said so. So, who is the opposition that darkens counsel without knowledge.

Nigeria is working and the worst is over, God is with us and he will take us to the promise land.
Senator Abdulhamid Malam Madori has publicly endorsed Governor Umar Namadi for a second term re-election for Jigawa state, applauding the governors performance in his first tenure and declaring his full support for his re-election bid in Jigawa for 2027.

Speaking on the political direction of Jigawa State on Monday ahead of the next gubernatorial election, Malam Madori, said there was no justification for anyone to challenge Governor Namadi at the polls, given his achievements so far.

The present Governor, Umar Namadi, has done well in his first tenure, therefore no need for anybody to think of challenging him in the 2027 election, the senator stated.

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Governor Namadi deserves to serve his second term come 2027 because of his outstanding performance.

He further declared that the governorship seat in the state is not open, urging political actors within and outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to throw their weight behind the incumbent governor.

However, despite the senators endorsement, reports suggest that at least six politicians both from the APC and opposition parties are already strategizing ahead of the 2027 race.

While Malam Madoris declaration could influence the political atmosphere, the final outcome will ultimately depend on party dynamics and the choices of Jigawa voters.
Peter Obi, the Labour Partys presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, recently addressed the cancellation of his scheduled visit to Benue State.

In a statement issued on Monday, Obi shed light on the events surrounding the unexpected halt of his trip, which was part of his ongoing efforts to engage with communities, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs), and promote health and education.

The visit to Benue, planned for Monday, April 14, was meant to complement his earlier stop in Plateau State, where he had successfully engaged with victims at the Bokkos IDP camp.

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However, despite efforts to notify the Benue State government, Obi faced multiple challenges in establishing communication with the states leadership.

His attempts to connect with the Governor were unsuccessful, and after a series of unreturned calls, Obi was left in the dark about the status of his visit.

While enroute to Makurdi, Obis security team intercepted a press statement issued by the Benue State Government, which canceled his visit.

The statement contained details that Obi had earlier shared with the states security operatives.

Despite the setback, Obi emphasised that the purpose of his visit was purely humanitarian, focusing on supporting vulnerable Nigerians, including through visits to IDP camps, nursing schools, and development projects in the state.

Obi stated, The statement outlined precisely the itinerary I had earlier shared with both the ADC and security operatives in Benue through my own security team.

He further expressed his disappointment with the political implications surrounding his visit, adding,

This is deeply troubling. I have always been committed to supporting Nigerians, especially in times of crisis, and will not be deterred by political machinations.

Obi concluded by reiterating his commitment to humanitarian causes, noting, The people in need must remain our primary focus, and my efforts will continue, regardless of the political challenges we face.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the state government of plotting to attack its members by using impersonators dressed as police officers.

The party made these allegations in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, on Sunday in Osogbo.

According to the APC, the state government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, intends to deploy individuals disguised as police officers to disrupt market activities and harm local government officials who are aligned with the APC.

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This move, the party claims, is part of a broader strategy by the state government to prevent the return of the partys reinstated local government executives.

The APC pointed out that since the Court of Appeal in Akure reinstated the elected local government officials on February 10, 2025, the state government has resorted to various tactics to prevent them from assuming office.

The party alleged that the state government plans to use Niger Delta militants and hoodlums from the South-West, dressed in police uniforms, to create chaos in the markets.

This would, according to the APC, wrongly implicate the party for any resulting violence or disorder.

It is unfortunate that Governor Adeleke has refused to accept that the APC chairmen and councillors, reinstated by the court, are legally empowered to administer local government affairs, including market supervision, the statement read.

The party also criticized Governor Adeleke for not seeking redress at the Supreme Court if he disagreed with the Court of Appeals ruling, accusing him of resorting to unlawful tactics.

The APC warned that it would resist any attempt to obstruct its reinstated officials and called on law enforcement to prevent further political tensions in the state.
Three suspected armed robbers were arrested on Sunday by the Oyo State Police Command in connection to the hijacking of a truck carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirits, often known as petrol, on the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road.

Adewale Osifeso, the state Police Public Relations Officer in Ibadan, stated in a release that the recovered product is owned by NIPCO Petroleum Nigeria Limited.

He identified the suspects as Oyekunle Olaoluwa, 35; Akanji Ladele (real name undisclosed), 51; and Basiru Azeez, 30, who was the mastermind behind the hijack and subsequent diversion.

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READ MORE: Newborn Dumped In Carton Near Poultry Farm In Abuja

The PPRO further stated, On April 5, 2025, at approximately 1:00 am, the commands monitoring unit received actionable intelligence regarding a hijacking incident involving a DAF truck with registration number Adamawa YLA 575 ZY on the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan road. Preliminary investigations indicated the involvement of an armed group equipped with sophisticated firearms.

In response to this intelligence, specialized operatives from the commands monitoring unit were swiftly activated to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Their efforts led to the discovery of the hijacked truck at Lincoln Filling station, Odo-Ona Kekere, Ibadan, where the suspects were in the process of siphoning the PMS.

Osifeso explained that in the course of preliminary investigations, the suspects revealed that the hijacked truck was handed over to them by a third individual named Femi, who allegedly orchestrated the hijacking with the help of his accomplices.

This revelation led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Basiru Azeez, 30, a pivotal figure in the operation who has since confessed to his role in orchestrating the hijacking and provided details on how the truck was diverted after the crime, he added.

The police assured the public that they would continue their investigation with diligence, aiming to dismantle the criminal network and ensure that everyone involved is held responsible for their actions.

The PPRO urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the local police, stressing that their active involvement is crucial to the commands collective efforts in combating crime.
Controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was charged by the Kwara State Police Command on Monday at an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Notably, Portable was arrested on Saturday by the Kwara State Police in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following a petition from fuji musician Saheed Osupa Akorede.

As confirmed in a police statement, Portable was arraigned before the court, with Hon. Sunday Adeniyi presiding.

According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), Osupa accused Portable of criminal defamation, criminal intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.

READ MORE: Kwara Police Confirm Arrest Of Portable Over Alleged Defamation Against Saheed Osupa

Osupa accused Portable of using live stream videos to verbally abuse him, claiming that the defendant (Portable) tarnished his image by alleging that he had removed his music from platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, which could have been generating income for him.

The police prosecutor, Abubakar Issa, requested the court to remand Portable in a correctional facility until the police investigation into the matter is concluded.

However, Portables counsel, Barr. Adebayo Issac, urged the court to disregard the prosecutors request, arguing that the police could have kept the defendant in custody until their investigation was completed.

He informed the court that his client had been granted administrative bail by the police on Sunday, stressing that Portable is a public figure with a traceable address and would make himself available for trial if granted bail.

Adebayo based his argument on Section 172 (1) and Section 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice System, stating that a careful consideration of these legal provisions would guide the court in granting Portable bail.

In his brief ruling, the presiding judge, Hon. Sunday Adeniyi, granted Portable bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties. One of the sureties must be the chairman of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

The judge then adjourned the case to April 30, 2025.
Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), a prominent Nollywood actor, has voiced his discomfort with being called a legend, dismissing the title as a scam.

In a conversation on Curiosity Made Me Ask, posted on YouTube Sunday, RMD shared that he doesnt embrace the legend label, believing that it is misleading.

He feels that actors like Olu Jacobs and Pete Edochie truly deserve such recognition and doesnt see himself in the same light just yet.

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READ MORE: My Father Had Five Wives, Having Just One Feels Unfair  RMD

RMD further stated that being called a legend implies hes nearing the end of his career.

I think all those legend things are a scam. I have my legends like uncle Olu Jacobs, uncle Peter, those are our ancestors, our legends, RMD explained.

I was still watching him when he was saying Ribena children are healthy children. So I dont subscribe to that. I think it is a scam when they call me legend because they are trying to relegate me to that neighbourhood of retired people or should be nearing retirement. So, no, I dont subscribe to it.

Born on July 6, 1961, in Aladja, Udu Kingdom, Delta State, RMD completed his primary and secondary education in Warri before studying Theater Arts at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

With over three decades in the Nigerian film industry, RMD is one of the most influential figures in Nollywood.

Watch him speak below
Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala has accused lawmaker representing Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume of planning to join opposition ahead of 2027 general election.

Mr. Bwala noted that ruling All Progressives Congress should be not be surprised when the lawmaker join strong opposition members like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and El Rufai.

Speaking on Channel Television show on Sunday, the former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party added that the Senator Ndumes spirit and soul are already with the political enemies of the APC.

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READ MORE: Many APC Members Feel Abandoned By Tinubus Government  Ali Ndume

He said: Let me tell you today and I want everybody to hear, especially the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje. Senator Ali Ndumes spirit and soul are with the coalition; it is his body that is in APC. He is already going.

It is better the way (Nasir) el-Rufai did: just say I am leaving. Youd give more honour and credit to el-Rufai that he didnt feel he could stay and be a snitch.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that ever since the day President Tinubu forwarded a controversial tax reform bill to the Senate, Senator Ndume has been a frontline critic for the current administration.

The Borno lawmaker believe that the legislation was created to destroy northerners and enrich South West.

He has also accused Tinubu of nepotism, saying that the current administration has been neglecting northerners in power sharing in the countrys affairs.
Special Adviser to President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has insisted that President Bola Tinubus visitation to France has no connection with health challenge as claimed by opposition.

Mr. Bwala led this out on Sunday, during an interview with Channels Television.

He emphasized that President Tinubu departed Nigeria to France on the 2nd of April, 2025 on working visit and not to treat himself.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Mr. Bwalas statement is coming following a claim made by a controversial human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, saying that the Presidents trip to France was for medical attention.

He said: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fled Nigeria again to France, for medical care, although some liars in his office claim he is on a working visit.

It is troubling to know that approximately 200 million Nigerians may be repeatedly subjected to misinformation disseminated daily, and they, in turn, do nothing to liberate themselves.

Reacting to Sowores claim, Bwala said that there was no iota of truth in the statement.

READ MORE: Tinubu Visited New York, Qatar, France To Lie About Removing Petrol Subsidy  Atiku

He said: The presidents trips to France are not related to medical. Have you not seen him receiving people?

I mean, there has been information about him receiving people.

The president did not go to see a doctor. He was on a working visit and we have been publishing his activities.
No fewer than two travellers have been killed, and 23 others injured in a road accident which occurred in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

It was gathered that the bus, which was conveying 25 people, including children, on Monday, lost control and collided with another vehicle while navigating a sharp bend at high speed.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the victims were rushed to David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, by locals within the community.

In a statement on Monday by Public Relations Officer DUFUTH, Agwu Nwogo, stated that victims who were indigenes of Ebonyi state residing in Imo state were travelling back to their station after a burial ceremony at Okporike, Abakaliki, when the tragic incident occurred and were rushed to the hospital for expert management.

Nwogo noted that the hospital activated the emergency response protocols to provide care to the victims of the road accident.

He said: Two passengers, a nine month old baby girl and an adult female, lost their lives at the scene and were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.

READ MORE: Pregnant Woman, Five Others Killed, Properties Destroyed In Ebonyi Land Dispute

The remaining 23 passengers sustained serious injuries, ranging from crush hand injuries, fractures, lacerations, and severe traumatic brain injuries.

As of today, 18 patients, including the driver, are receiving treatment at DUFUTHs Accident and Emergency department, Surgery Ward, and Intensive Care Unit.

Four patients with minor injuries were stabilized and discharged after receiving treatment.

However, an 11-month old child who sustained severe traumatic brain injury remains in critical condition and is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where she is being supported by an artificial respirator due to failing respiration.

The hospital management has expressed sadness over the incident and assured the public that everything possible is being done to ensure the injured receive the best medical care.
Governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party have dismissed any possibility of a merger or coalition with other political parties in 2027 general elections.

The major opposition partys governors made it known in a communique issued at the end of the forums meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday.

Chairman of the Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, read the communique and clarified that PDP remains open to welcoming individuals, parties, and groups committed to rescuing Nigeria and promoting good governance,

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The forum also expressed deep concern over the escalating security crisis across Nigeria, citing recent attacks in several states.

The Communique partly reads: However, the PDP, as a major opposition party, welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.

READ MORE: Atikus Aide Slams PDP Govs Associating With Wike, Says Theyre Traitors

The Forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba on the issue of the National Secretary of the party, but in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment, Forum resolved to recommend that the Deputy Secretary acts as National Secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a Substantive Secretary from the South East Zone by INEC at its next meeting.

The Forum reasserts our collective determination to avert a rape of our constitutional democracy hence the decision of approaching the Supreme Court to give a clear-cut verdict on the interpretation of the provisions of the law on the declaration of State of Emergency in any state.

The Forum restates its solidarity with the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on the ordeal into which his state and people are being plunged by the declaration of a state of emergency. And we reiterate our commitment to stand with him till the end.
The Education Departments financial aid apparatus is cracking after the Trump administration imposed sweeping staff cuts, with some fearing that further deterioration could make it harder for students to secure the money they need to attend college.

After the cuts were implemented a month ago, calls have started to go unanswered, as have some emails and the systems that disburse student loans and grants are plagued with outages that are taking longer than usual to fix. College and university aid officers are reporting disruptions that are slowing down their ability to calculate financial aid offers and get timely answers about everything from adding academic programs to remaining eligible to receive federal aid.

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Technical glitches are not unusual for the various platforms the government uses to manage federal financial aid dollars, but the frequency and duration are concerning, said Charles R. Mayfield, director of financial assistance at Northwest Missouri State University.

 READ MORE: Trump signed an order to begin eliminating the Department of Education. Heres what could happen next.

Earlier this month, it took his team members almost a day to log in to the Student Aid Internet Gateway, a portal the Education Department uses to send colleges electronic files, including processed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms needed to make financial aid offers. They learned they were not alone, after posing questions about the outage on an email group run by the Federal Student Aid office. There, colleges nationwide complained of having similar problems accessing student records and of getting a boilerplate message from the help desk confirming the problems but providing no other information.

Days later, it happened again.

 READ MORE: The Department of Education just laid off half its staff. How will that affect local schools?

Mayfield said team members spent a few hours trying before they were able to access the portal. Other systems, he said, have also become increasingly difficult to access, including a database that houses student loan information, and another that handles the origination and disbursement of loans, and the Pell Grant for undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

The consistency and stability of these systems are a growing concern, Mayfield said. Its not a major delay by itself, but still it means it will take longer for us to process a students FAFSA record, loan record or Pell award.

The Education Department oversees the $1.6 trillion student loan program - its single biggest financial responsibility - and it runs the Pell Grant program for low-income college students.

 READ MORE: Federal education department office in Philadelphia is among seven to be shut nationally

Education Department spokesperson Madi Biedermann said there have been no prolonged outages in the past 60 days but didnt clarify what is considered prolonged.

When significant issues arise within federal student aid systems that affect multiple users, the department acts swiftly to resolve them, communicates promptly with financial aid partners, and implements system adjustments as needed, she said.

The Trump administration laid off more than 1,300 employees at the Education Department in early March, including tech staffers who routinely identified and fixed glitches and outages. The departure of those workers has slowed the response time and coordination needed to resolve problems, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Even though some of those tech staffers have been reinstated, these people said there arent enough workers to mitigate problems and manage the departments sprawling infrastructure. Current and former Education Department employees say the disruptions are only the beginning and are likely to get worse for colleges, students and borrowers.

We will see issues wherein these complex, intertwined technology systems cannot be adequately managed because so many of the people experienced in identifying and resolving incidents will have left, Colleen Campbell, who resigned as executive director of the Office of Loan Portfolio Management, said in testimony for a lawsuit seeking to block the department layoffs. This puts critical functions, like the FAFSA, aid disbursement, and loan repayment at risk.

Because of the troubled rollout of the 2024-25 FAFSA, which was riddled with technical errors and delays, financial aid officers at colleges worry the staffing cuts could throw the application process back into chaos. When online access to the form went in and out for four hours the day after the layoffs, some took it as a harbinger of things to come. But since that incident, there havent been any major FAFSA disruptions.

There is a little trepidation, said Paula Carpenter, director of financial aid at Jefferson College in Missouri. We have this new era of change and uncertainty thats kind of putting us back in flux as we were over the past couple of years.

With layoffs and resignations, the office that oversees federal student aid lost nearly half of its staff - people who made sure schools comply with the rules to receive aid, people who kept an eye on college finances and people who monitored the contractors managing the governments $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio. In their absence, some college aid officers say its been harder to get ahold of anyone to answer questions or offer guidance.

Michelle Brown at the Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences in Upstate New York has been waiting five weeks for confirmation that FSAs School Eligibility and Oversight group received her response to an audit finding. She worries that missing the deadline could put the school at risk of losing eligibility for financial aid, which would be devastating to students who need federal dollars to afford college.

The number of federal workers in the oversight group, which monitors colleges participating in the student aid programs, dropped from 142 unionized employees to 35, with all but two of its eight regional offices closed.

Browns case manager was among those in the shuttered New York office who were laid off, according to union records. But she had no idea and kept sending emails that never bounced back. She tried the email address the department set up to field questions and got an automated message saying her case would be reviewed by the next available person and warning to expect delays.

We beat the deadline for submitting our response by several weeks because we want to be in compliance, but our case manager is gone, and no one is helping, Brown said. I dont want this to jeopardize our students access to financial aid.

Two former employees said that before the staffing cuts, the oversight group had a backlog of 1,600 applications from colleges trying to become or remain eligible to participate in the aid program. If colleges are not approved to receive federal financial aid, their students cannot use federal loans and grants to cover their costs. Another arm of the group, which analyzes schools finances, had a backlog of 800 cases, according to the testimony of Chris Miller, who ran the Atlanta division that closed.

The Education Department did not respond to questions about how it will address the backlog with a diminished staff. In a letter to education groups on March 14, James Bergeron, acting undersecretary for the Education Department, said program reviews, participation agreements and other important functions handled by the regional offices and staff are being transferred to other offices and experts.

Karen McCarthy, vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said there were long-standing concerns about inadequate staffing in the oversight group that have been compounded by the spate of cuts.

Even before all of this happened, going back years, decisions and approvals were taking longer than ideal for schools, and were kind of unpredictable, McCarthy said. I dont expect that, at least in the near term, will get better and may possibly get worse.
Quinta Brunson poses for a portrait to promote "Abbott Elementary" during Comic-Con International on July 27, 2024, in San Diego. Read more

Quinta Brunson is heading back to Saturday Night Live.

The Abbott Elementary creator and star  and proud West Philly native  will host the May 3 episode of NBCs long-running sketch comedy series, with first-time musical guest Benson Boone.

Its Brunsons second time hosting SNL, following her 2023 debut, where she wasted no time taking a playful jab at sitcom tropes. I have a show called Abbott Elementary, and its kind of unique. Its a network show, like, say, Friends. Except instead of being about a group of friends, its about a group of teachers. And instead of New York, its in Philadelphia. And instead of not having Black people, it does.

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She also gave a heartfelt shoutout to her mother, former Philadelphia kindergarten teacher Norma Jean Brunson, who inspired her Emmy-winning role as Janine Teagues. And in a moment that felt more moving than sketchy, she was surprised by a video message from Barack Obama, praising her mom and teachers everywhere.

Brunson made history in 2024 as the first Black woman in more than 40 years to win the Emmy for best actress in a comedy. Shes also become a fixture in Philly headlines, whether its for her love of public schoolteachers, the citys influence on Abbott, or her very on-brand jokes about New York pizza.

The May 3 appearance comes just a few weeks after Abbott Elementarys season finale airs on April 16  an episode partially filmed at Philadelphias Please Touch Museum. It marked only the second time the series has shot scenes in the city.

While her first SNL appearance didnt lean too heavily into Philly references  aside from a brief nod to Bill Cosby  this return offers another opportunity to bring some local flair to the stage. Maybe a Wawa sketch. Maybe a Gritty cameo. The city can dream.

Whatevers in store, Philly will be watching.

Quinta Brunson on SNL

 Saturday Night Live

 Saturday, May 3,  11:30 p.m. ET

 Airs on NBC and streams live on Peacock with subscription. Episodes are available to stream on demand the next day.
Justin Veasey, operating partner, poses at the bar inside SIN, a clubby steakhouse inside the first floor of The Beverly apartment complex on 2nd Street in Northern Liberties. The 'vibe dining' establishment abruptly closed during the second week of April 2025. Read more

Pour one out for vibe dining in Philadelphia.

SIN, the Northern Liberties steakhouse that coined the term, closed Thursday to make way for a new concept set to open at the end of April, operating partner Justin Veasey told The Inquirer.

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Opened in November 2023 by real estate developer and club-stauraunt enthusiast Justin Veasey alongside business partners Mike Connors and William Muhr Jr., SIN  which stands for Steak Italian Nightlife  operated for just under a year-and-a-half on the ground floor of The Beverly, an apartment building across from The Piazza on 2nd Street.

The restaurants unique value proposition was simple: SIN was a steakhouse but also a vibe, complete with a DJ but no dance floor. Its tableside cacio e pepe service, moody interiors, and extravagant brunch bottle service made SIN a destination for aspiring social media influencers. Critics panned the steakhouse for being not even that fun ... a boring restaurant that wishes it were anywhere but Philly. (Its website cited New York, Miami, and Las Vegas as inspirations.)

 READ MORE: From 2023: SIN (as in Steak Italian Nightlife) hopes to bring vibe dining to Philly

Veasey said SINs upscale offerings were not a fit for a neighborhood lined with gastropubs, unassuming bars, and Mexican restaurants. SINs location will be turned over to another restaurateur at the end of the month who will open another location of a popular existing Philadelphia restaurant, Veasey said. He declined to share the name of the restaurateur or the concept, citing a nondisclosure agreement.

During the week, it was hard to get clientele in there, Veasey said. SIN didnt produce as much revenue as I had projected, so instead of it going downwards and having to lose money just to keep it afloat, I switched it up.

A vibe undone by a leaky soda gun

When three Inquirer reporters showed up at 7:45 p.m. Friday for a belated birthday reservation, SINs doors were locked and the lights were off, leaving the group outside in the rain as calls to SIN returned a busy signal and Instagram DMs went unanswered.

Other potential patrons appear to have found themselves in similar predicaments, ready to catch a vibe that no longer existed.

Booked here for my bday dinner, reservations were for 8 p.m. on Saturday 4/12. Arrived to the restaurant and it was closed, DOORS LOCKED!, One Instagram user commented under a video of a chef plating crispy brussels sprouts. Never experienced nothing like that in my life and especially not on my birthday.

My friends went out of their way to book a reservation for my BIRTHDAY dinner on 4/10 .... just for my friend to arrive to locked doors and no one answering the phones in the POURING RAIN!!!! commented another. No cancellation email no Instagram post nothing!!!! So unprofessional!!!

Veasey said the decision to shut SIN down two days earlier than expected on Thursday was separate from the impending switchover. A leaky soda gun had flooded the bar, triggering a series of plumbing issues.

We were going to call to cancel peoples reservations, but we didnt get around to it, Veasey said. SINs Resy account has since been taken down.

Philadelphias vibe dining scene has had a tough few weeks after the Glu Hospitality restaurant group announced it was shutting down in March amid legal battles and probes from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board over unpaid wages and issues with alcohol permits.

 READ MORE: The once-high-flying restaurant group Glu Hospitality has shut down amid wage-theft allegations and lawsuits

Glu operated Figo  a clubby Italian restaurant across the street from SIN in the Piazza complex known for its espresso martini tower and Eagles day parties  as well as Chika, a late night ramen bar in Center City that was themed after the move Blade Runner. Both closed earlier this year after the Inquirer reported that Figo had been using an off-premises catering permit to illegally serve alcohol since its October 2021 opening and that Chika had been slinging cocktails since its liquor license expired on Oct. 31, 2024.

I dont want the story to be that SIN failed. I could pay that rent for the whole 10 years ... We didnt run out of money, Veasey said. We just had to think about what would fit the neighborhood.
Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia, the largest independent cardiology group in the region, has joined Cardiovascular Logistics, a national practice based in Louisiana, the two companies announced Monday.

Cardiology Consultants, known as CCP, is the fifth physician group to join Cardiovascular Logistics (CVL) since it was formed in early 2023. The addition of CCPs 90 cardiologists and 50 advanced practice clinicians in Southeastern Pennsylvania will give Cardiovascular Logistics 440 providers.

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Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Were proud to join forces with CVL and to be part of a platform that puts patients and quality care first while investing in innovation, Mark Victor, a cardiologist who is also CCPs chief executive, said in a news release.

This partnership allows us to preserve our independence while gaining access to the resources and infrastructure needed to grow and continue leading the field of cardiovascular medicine, he said.

Victor said in an interview Sunday that CCP started with four cardiologists in the 1990s and wanted to keep growing. The group looked at 11 cardiology companies before deciding to join Cardiovascular Logistics. We thought we were the most closely aligned, Victor said.

Victor now becomes president of the Mid-Atlantic region of Cardiovascular Logistics. CCP is keeping its name. The practice has 30 locations locally.

Lee Equity Partners, a New York investment firm, and Cardiovascular Institute of the South, which is based in Houma, La., started Cardiovascular Logistics in Feb. 2023. The practice is majority-owned by physicians, Victor said.

David Konur, CVLs chief executive, said in an interview last year on the Cardiac Wire Show that the company had rejected many of the practices it had looked at as potential partners during its first year.

The Philadelphia group, which CVL described as the largest independent cardiology group in the nation, had what the company is looking for.

CCP is a clinical and operational leader in its region, and our partnership reflects a shared commitment to fundamentally changing how cardiovascular care is delivered in the United States, Konur said.

CVL noted that Cardiology Consultants was involved in advance payment models that stress quality of care instead of the volume of procedures that can be billed and emphasizes timely access to appointments.

Victor told a story about friend who tried this month to get a cardiology appointment for a type of atrial fibrillation with one of the big academic health systems in the Philadelphia area. They offered him one in mid-August, Victor said, noting that he felt the concern required more urgent medical attention.

If you can wait till August, chances are you dont need a cardiologist or you may be in the ER long before August, he said.
Jackie Robinson, an instructor at the Energy Coordinating Agency, a nonprofit focused in part on energy equity, teaches a class at the facility on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. The ECA could lose $20 million in federal funding. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti) Read more

Pennsylvania and New Jersey face termination of over $70 million worth in grants supporting climate and environmental justice initiatives.

The list of grants, provided to Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D, Del.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D, R.I.), is part of the latest round of government spending cuts led by President Donald Trumps administration.

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Twelve grants in Pennsylvania and nine grants in New Jersey, with about $66 million in unpaid funding, could be impacted.

The largest grant in Pennsylvania, awarded in January 2025, provides $20 million in funds to establish a Grays Ferry Community Resilience Hub. The hubs mission is to address the environmental and socio-economic challenges facing the South Philadelphia neighborhood.

Pittsburgh Conservation Corps faces cuts to a grant with $3.6 million in unpaid funds. The grant money supports an urban wood reuse program in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, which recruits and trains people from systematically under-resourced backgrounds.

A New Jersey-based grant with about $1 million in outstanding funding, is also facing possible elimination. The grant money funds projects to plant native species and host educational workshops for youth living in neighborhoods with poor air quality.

Democrats call the cuts illegal, while a spokesperson for the EPA said potential cuts are part of standard reprioritization of funding with a new presidential administration.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has used unprecedented access to federal systems to identify and target thousands of federal grants, contracts, and leases for termination. Many of its actions to curtail federal spending have been challenged in court.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is tracking the impact locally in an effort to help readers better understand how government funding is being cut or threatened.
Wadie Longmore, 30, of Olney, Pa., applied to every table offering jobs and is looking at a hiring to be a lifeguard at the job fair at Mander Playground in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Read more

After having recently lost his job, Andre Wright, 45, couldnt contain his excitement when he heard about Philadelphia Parks and Recreations third annual job and resource fair.

He was one of about 200 people gathered at Mander Playground Saturday looking for seasonal, full-time, and part-time jobs, including lifeguard, pool maintenance, urban park ranger, and other positions.

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As a former behavioral health technician, Wright thinks his skills could help Philadelphias youth.

I am hoping to find a job where I can connect with young people and build a level of trust to where we could correct some of the things that were seeing, Wright said.

Marissa Washington, first deputy commissioner of Parks and Recreation, said the job fair was a way to offer just that, opportunities that keep the community connected.

Were not just promoting our positions but were offering other resources to the community, Washington said.

Inside the North Philadelphia building, a semicircle of tables from multiple Parks & Rec programs, the City of Philadelphia Office of Human Resources, State Rep. Roni Green, and the Dell Music Center welcomed attendees.

A city worker was available to take in information on behalf of private partners, including Ritas Water Ice and Scotlandyard Security Services, but the true stars of the fair were the lifeguard and urban park ranger positions.

There was little relief for urban park ranger supervisor Renee Adderly, who faced a steady line of people inquiring about the jobs. She said that was a bit of a surprise, considering the recent park ranger firings at the federal level.

A lot of funding has been taken from the park system regarding replenishing some trees or things like that, Adderly said. I thought it may scare them off.

She received six applications within the first hours of the fair.

Interested and unafraid, Jordan Youkanavitch, 24, applied to work on park ranger security.

I grew up in Philly, Im used to all the crazy stuff, Youkanavitch said. I just want to try to make the city right, help out the best I can.

Despite having lost his manufacturing job two weeks ago, Youkanavitch wasnt scared about the state of the economy and trusted the city would not be hiring if it couldnt provide some sense of stability.

We cant predict the future, Washington said.

We have opportunities that are guaranteed for folks right now for our summer programming, when you think about other jobs for other departments and agencies, those kinds of permanent positions, thats something that would go through the Office of Human Resources, she added.

Representatives from the Office of Human Resources declined to answer questions on-site. But, for many, a stable summer job is more than enough.

Kelsi Burris, 17, and her brother Silek Burris, 16, convinced their mother, Ziekestia Burris, to bring them to the fair in search of a temporary job.

I need something to do in the summer instead of just sitting in the house all day, Kelsi Burris said. Honestly, I just like money, her brother chimed in.

The pair signed up for the lifeguard training program.

For Will Coleman, a city water safety instructor, Philadelphia needs as many lifeguards as it can get.

With dozens of pools all over the city, we need lifeguards to fill those positions, Coleman said, adding they were looking to fill about 400 lifeguard spots.

According to Washington, 63 pools will open this summer, as some are still under construction, some of them still need work.

In the quest to get more lifeguards, the city is offering a $1,000 hiring bonus to anyone who signs up before Tuesday, Coleman said, and $500 for applicants received by May 15.

It would be beneficial to them and beneficial to their community if we could fill those pools for the summertime, Coleman said.
April 14, 2025: Restored Depression-era classic green and white subway tiles greet train passengers in the former Ghost Station as PATCOs Franklin Square is back online for the first time in almost 50 years. Read more

Ive been working in Philadelphia for four decades now, but like the majority of train riders here, Ive only known the PATCO Franklin Square subway stop as a Ghost Station.

Until this month.

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Like many passengers I have peered out the window trying to shield my eyes from the train cabins bright interior lights to better see as we zoomed past the darkened station.

Sometimes Id catch a glimpse of a worker, but mostly if anything, all I ever saw was equipment being stored on the platform.

Then a few years ago, as they started the $29.3 million renovations, I could see it getting brighter, and even the original Depression-era classic green and white subway tiles starting to shine.

I was only there vicariously (I cant get ALL the fun assignments!) when it re-opened on April 3rd, as colleagues Thomas Fitzgerald and Monica Herndon reported on the first passengers to disembark at the station in more than 45 years.

I did get to visit a few days later, buying a one-way ticket at the kiosk, but not going anywhere. I wandered back and forth between the east and westbound platforms making after photos to go with the older images provided by PATCO.

Ive done before/after combos before, but this was the first time, working with business editor Erica Palan, I ever did a slider.

 READ MORE: Franklin Square Station: before and after

Previously when doing similar combos I would make prints of the before photos as reference to line up with the current scene.

This time around I sent the older photos to my phone so I could compare them instantly, toggling between them and one Id just made. When I was happy with how they registered, I would make the picture with my real camera.

So why the tree in the middle of the headhouse photo? if you didnt already, go back and look at the sliders.

Since 1998 a black-and-white photo has appeared every Monday in staff photographer Tom Gralishs Scene Through the Lens photo column in the print editions of The Inquirers local news section. Here are the most recent, in color:
At left is former Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan, the Democratic challenger for district attorney, during a campaign event in April. At right is District Attorney Larry Krasner during a campaign event in February. Read more

The contest to be Philadelphias top prosecutor had the potential to be defined by wild cards as a half-dozen people considered challenging the controversial incumbent and rumors swirled of potential interference from out-of-town billionaires.

But with just five weeks until the May 20 primary election, the race is shaping up to be incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasners to lose.

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The two-term progressive prosecutor has just one Democratic challenger, former Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan, and no Republican is running. Theres been no sign of big money flowing in from out of town to support or oppose Krasner.

And this week, Krasners campaign set expectations high, releasing a poll it commissioned that shows him leading Dugan among likely Democratic primary voters by 37 percentage points. Its so far the only polling of the race that has been made public.

From the Krasner campaigns perspective, the survey of 500 people shows flashes of 2021, when he faced a well-funded and tougher-on-crime challenger in former prosecutor Carlos Vega. Krasner didnt have the backing of the citys Democratic Party and faced an angry police union that vehemently opposed him, leading many to believe he could be unseated.

Krasner won that primary in a landslide, dealing a 30-point blow to his opponent.

This time around, there are additional factors that would seem to benefit Krasner. The city last year saw a historic decline in homicides. The police union hasnt made an endorsement. Much of the political attention this spring is on President Donald Trump, whom Krasner has for years vocally opposed.

Dugans camp says its far too early to count him out.

Hes taking a different approach than Vega did and presenting himself as a candidate who can balance criminal justice reform with tougher prosecution, leaning on his record as a judge overseeing programs that diverted people accused of low-level crimes out of the system.

With that framing, Dugan has showed signs of being able to pick off votes from what was once Krasners coalition. He notably won an endorsement from the citys 8th Democratic Ward in Center City, one of the most voter-rich in Philadelphia, which had previously backed Krasner.

 READ MORE: Unions are fueling Patrick Dugans campaign for Philly DA as he far out-raises incumbent Larry Krasner

He also has in his corner the powerful and deep-pocketed Philadelphia Building Trades and Construction Council, an umbrella organization of dozens of unions that has poured money into Dugans campaign  leading him to post far stronger fundraising numbers than Krasner. The group, which has thousands of members, is also planning a get-out-the-vote operation ahead of election day.

The question is whether any of that can penetrate with voters in the final weeks of the campaign, given Krasners name recognition advantage. Neither candidate is yet running advertisements on television, which is generally considered one of the most effective ways to reach voters.

Krasners campaign manager Josh Uretsky said their strategy is working.

Overwhelming majorities of Philadelphias Democratic voters want a fighter as district attorney, he said in a statement. Our campaign is resonating across Philadelphia because voters trust Larry.

But Dugans campaign panned Krasners polling and said there are signs of tangible Krasner fatigue, like Democratic wards and unions backing Dugan.

You can make an early internal poll say whatever you want it to say, the campaign said in a statement, but the facts are that Larry Krasner has failed to show voters why he deserves a third term as district attorney.

Krasner is confident in his strategy and his base

Since launching his campaign in February, Krasner has attempted to nationalize the race, incorporating Trump into his pitch and framing himself as a democracy advocate who will fight for communities he says are marginalized by Republicans, like immigrants and LGBTQ people.

Krasner has at times used inflammatory language when talking about his GOP opponents. Hes described the Trump administrations immigration crackdown as Nazi stuff. And in an interview last month with the magazine City & State Pennsylvania, Krasner said: Right-wing Republican MAGA people ... are bullies who need to be punched in the face as hard as possible.

Krasners strategy and tone has drawn criticism from Dugan and his supporters, who say the election should be about safety in Philadelphia, not national politics. Dugan says that he also opposes Trump, but that Krasners brash attitude isnt helpful to securing justice in Philadelphia and has led to poor relationships with other city leaders.

Were not running against Donald Trump, Dugan said during a community forum last month. Were running against each other.

 READ MORE: Philly labor unions are split over who they want to be district attorney

But Krasners backers say its his fighting energy that keeps them coming back.

Robert Saleem Holbrook, a progressive activist and executive director of the prison abolition group Straight Ahead, said he rejects Dugan, who says often that he would play nicer in the sandbox than Krasner.

Nice guys dont get s done in Philadelphia, Holbrook said. In the political climate we are in right now, we dont want nice guys. We dont want someone playing nice in the sandbox. We want someone upending the sandbox.

Krasners campaign believes the poll it commissioned supports his strategy. The survey was conducted by Washington, D.C.-based Lake Research Partners, which polled likely Democratic primary voters in Philadelphia late last month. It found that voters leaned harder toward Krasner once they were presented with his campaigns anti-Trump messaging.

Even without receiving any information about the candidates, Krasner led Dugan in the poll 58% to 21%, with 19% of voters undecided. The margin was higher among Black voters, who preferred Krasner by 51 percentage points.

Celinda Lake, president of the polling firm and a national political strategist, said Democrats nationally are frustrated and perceive that their own party is not adequately standing up to Trump, making it a moment ripe for Krasners style.

She added that her survey shows a majority of Philadelphia voters gave Krasner positive marks for job performance.

Voters are ornery as sin right now, and people just dont have positive job performances, Lake said. Its really, really rare right now for an officeholder to have that kind of favorable job performance, because people are just mad at everybody.

How Dugan is trying to pick off votes

Where there are cracks in Krasners coalition, Dugan is looking to capitalize.

One way is to fight for endorsements in all of Philadelphias 66 Democratic wards. The party voted earlier this year to not endorse either candidate, leaving it up to individual, geographically based wards to decide whether they want to back Krasner, Dugan, or no one.

A ward endorsement can be meaningful, especially in off-year primaries when voter turnout is expected to be relatively low. Endorsed candidates win the backing of the partys foot soldiers, and their names appear on sample ballots that are handed to voters on election day.

Dugans name will be on the samples across the western end of Center City this year, where the 8th Democratic Ward voted to endorse him, despite backing Krasner in 2017 and 2021.

Ward leader Elaine Petrossian said both candidates spoke to committee people in the ward and answered their questions about a range of topics. The committee then reconvened and discussed everything from mass incarceration to retail theft to what she called core competencies in the office.

Ultimately, they landed on Dugan. She said the outcome wasnt a rejection of criminal justice reform, but of the false binary that reform cant go hand-in-hand with strong prosecution.

We want to be able to have a city thats a leader in criminal justice reform and fair and equitable prosecution, she said. And we also want it to be a city that is safe and that people feel is peaceful so that the city can thrive.

Dugan said it was a sign that voters are ready to try a different way forward.

Hes banking on that being the case in other neighborhoods across the city. Dugan is especially likely to win support in his political home base in Northeast Philadelphia, where voters in general lean more conservative and where there is a concentration of police officers whose union has in the past opposed Krasner.

The Northeast is also home to more Republicans than elsewhere in the city, and some have suggested that GOP voters could be an unlikely source boosting Dugan.

He may be helped in the messaging war by Republicans who strongly oppose Krasner. State Rep. Martina White, a Northeast Philadelphia Republican, recently posted a digital advertisement slamming Krasners call for Republicans to be punched in the face, calling it just another example of alarming and irresponsible behavior from the tolerant left.

And during a recent news conference, a union leader backing Dugan said he was encouraging his Republican members to switch their party affiliation so they could vote for Dugan in the Democratic primary.

Dugan said hell take the votes.

Everybody in the city of Philadelphia is affected by crime, he said. Frankly, I want votes from every walk of life in the city of Philadelphia.
Caphe Roasters plans to use this former roller rink for its expansion at 3419-23 Kensington Ave. Read more

Caphe Roasters is planning a major expansion into a former roller rink at 3419-23 Kensington Ave., across the street from its original cafe.

The lauded Kensington-based Vietnamese coffee shop and delicatessen, which also roasts its own coffee, is currently open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The new location would host a brewery with expanded dining options and later hours, as well as a takeout window.

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While maintaining its focus on Vietnamese cuisine, the expanded cafe will also invite immigrant chefs from different Southeast Asian backgrounds to experiment.

We have a limited number of items on our [current cafes] menu, but in this new place well be able to be more creative and have more flexibility to incorporate all these different flavors, said Raymond John, one of the co-founders of Caphe. It will still be grounded in what makes this place special, and then were going to add a little bit more.

John declined to comment further on his plans for the brewery, saying only that more information would be available later in the year.

The new location would also host a larger coffee roastery, as Caphe has outgrown its current 200-square-foot operation. Johns business partner and co-founder, Thu Pham, began roasting beans for Vietnamese coffee even before the cafe opened in 2021.

Our current space is a little small, so were limited by the amount of space that we have available to roast coffee and to sell it to our different wholesale partners across the country, John said. The new building will afford us more space to expand.

Caphe is partnering with Shift Capital on the expansion plans. The Kensington-based developer owns the building at 3400 J St. that hosts the original cafe and purchased 3423 Kensington Ave. in 2017.

The 10,000-square-foot building sits alongside SEPTAs Market-Frankford Line and historically hosted a movie theater but is well-loved locally for its more recent use as a roller rink and banquet hall.

John, Pham, and their team presented the expansion proposal to the Harrowgate Civic Association last week in advance of a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing.

City records show permits for a sit-down restaurant and artisan industrial space were issued on Jan. 21, but the project needs zoning relief for an array of issues. Those include the takeout window but also the creation of a brewery, which requires light industrial zoning beyond the current commercial designation.

After the Caphe teams presentation, the Harrowgate Civic Association voted unanimously to support the effort.

Ive been doing zoning and land use for over a decade, and Ive never had an RCO meeting that ended in applause, said Rachael Pritzker, Caphes zoning lawyer. It was an ode to Raymond and his team and how theyve taken it upon themselves to be part of the community in Kensington.

Further government action will be required beyond the zoning board hearing, scheduled for July. Sidewalk seating, planters, and wider ramps to allow kegs to be rolled in and out of the building will require approval from City Council.

Shift Capital expects to begin construction in June or July. The process will probably take a year.

Since opening its restaurant and coffee shop in 2021, Caphe Roasters has received national accolades including being a semifinalist in the 2025 James Beard awards and recognition from the New York Times as one of the 25 best restaurants in Philadelphia this year.

Part of Caphes business model is that a percent of the profits are donated to 12 Plus, an educational-equity nonprofit that John founded and leads, which helps students pursue college and career opportunities after high school. Caphe hires students who participate in 12 Plus, as well as Kensington residents and other graduates of the Philadelphia School District.

Usually breweries are synonymous with gentrification and pushback, said Brian Murray, CEO of Shift Capital, of Caphes success at the neighborhood zoning meeting. But they were so well received because of how they have built relationships with everyone who was in that room, either on the nonprofit side or the coffee shop side.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps top advisers and Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, said Monday that they have no basis for the small Central American nation to return a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there last month. Bukele called the idea preposterous even though the U.S. Supreme Court has called on the administration to facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcias return.

Trump administration officials emphasized that Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a notorious gang prison in El Salvador, was a citizen of that country and that the U.S. has no say in his future. And Bukele, who has been a vital partner for the Trump administration in its deportation efforts, said of course he would not release him back to U.S. soil.

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The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Bukele, seated alongside Trump, told reporters in the Oval Office Monday. I dont have the power to return him to the United States.

Should El Salvador want to return Abrego Garcia, the U.S. would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane, Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

But first and foremost, he was illegally in our country, and he had been illegally in our country, she said. Thats up to El Salvador if they want to return him. Thats not up to us.

The refusal of both countries to allow the return of Abrego Garcia, who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation over fears of gang persecution, is intensifying the battle over the Maryland residents future. It has also played out in contentious court filings, with repeated refusals from the government to tell a judge what it plans to do, if anything, to repatriate him.

The judge handling the case, Paula Xinis, is now considering whether to grant a request from the mans legal team to compel the government to explain why it should not be held in contempt.

The fight over Abrego Garcia also underscores how critical El Salvador has been as a linchpin of the U.S. administrations mass deportation operation.

How Bukele is helping with Trumps immigration crackdown

Since March, El Salvador has accepted from the U.S. more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants  whom Trump administration officials have accused of gang activity and violent crimes  and placed them inside the countrys maximum-security gang prison just outside of the capital, San Salvador. That prison is part of Bukeles broader effort to crack down on the countrys powerful street gangs, which has put 84,000 people behind bars and made Bukele extremely popular at home.

I want to just say hello to the people of El Salvador and say they have one hell of a president, Trump said as he greeted Bukele, who was wearing a black mock turtleneck sans tie.

Bukele struck a deal under which the U.S. will pay about $6 million for El Salvador to imprison the Venezuelan immigrants for a year.

But Democrats have raised alarm about the treatment of Abrego Garcia and other migrants who may be wrongfully detained in El Salvador. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland is pushing for a meeting with Bukele while he is in Washington to discuss Abrego Garcias potential return, and New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the administration to release Abrego Garcia and others with no credible criminal record who were deported to the maximum-security prison.

Disregarding the rule of law, ignoring unanimous rulings by the Supreme Court and subjecting individuals to detention and deportation without due process makes us less safe as a country, Shaheen said.

Though other judges had ruled against the Trump administration, this month the Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to use the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th century wartime law, to deport the immigrants. The justices did insist that the immigrants get a court hearing before being removed from the U.S. Over the weekend, 10 more people who the administration claims are members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs arrived in El Salvador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday.

Trump wants to expand his deportation plans

The president has said openly that he would also favor El Salvador taking custody of American citizens who have committed violent crimes, a view he repeated Monday.

We have bad ones too, and Im all for it because we can do things with the president for less money and have great security, Trump said during the meeting. And we have a huge prison population. It is unclear how lawful U.S. citizens could be deported elsewhere in the world.

Before the press entered the Oval Office, Trump said in a video posted on social media by Bukele that he wanted to send homegrowns to be incarcerated in El Salvador, and added that youve got to build five more places, suggesting Bukele doesnt have enough prison capacity for all of the U.S. citizens that Trump would like to send there.

The high court weighs in, and the administration response

The Supreme Court has called for the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia.

Trump indicated over the weekend that he would return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. if the high courts justices said to bring him back, saying I have great respect for the Supreme Court. But the tone from top administration officials was sharply different on Monday,

Hes a citizen of El Salvador, said Stephen Miller, a White House deputy chief of staff. So its very arrogant, even for American media, to suggest that we would even tell El Salvador how to handle their own citizens.

Bondi asserted that two immigration court judges  who are under Justice Department purview  found that Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, although the mans attorneys say the government has provided no evidence that he was affiliated with MS-13 or any other gang. The allegation is based on a confidential informants claim in 2019 that Abrego Garcia was a member of a chapter in New York, where he has never lived.

How Bukele is viewed back home

While Bukeles crackdown on gangs has popular support, the country has lived under a state of emergency that suspends some basic rights for three years. He built the massive prison, located just outside San Salvador in the town of Tecoluca, to hold those accused of gang affiliation under his crackdown.

Part of his offer to receive the Venezuelans there was that the U.S. also send back some Salvadoran gang leaders. In February, his ambassador to the U.S., Milena Mayorga, said on a radio program that having gang leaders face justice in El Salvador was an issue of honor.

Populists who have successfully crafted their images through media, Bukele and Trump are of different generations but display similar tendencies in how they relate to the press, political opposition and justice systems in their respective countries.

The Trump-Bukele relationship

Bukele came to power in the middle of Trumps first term and had a straightforward relationship with the U.S. leader. Trump was most concerned with immigration and, under Bukele, the number of Salvadorans heading for the U.S. border declined.

Bukeles relationship with the U.S. grew more complicated at the start of the Biden administration, which was openly critical of some of his antidemocratic actions. Trump has also shown some irritation with Bukele in the past, accusing El Salvador of lowering its crime rate by sending people to the U.S.

Hes just, were working with our people that are causing problems and crime, Trump said of Bukele at a campaign rally last year. Hes not working with them. Hes dumping them in the United States and their crime rate, their murder rate, is down 72%.

Just before Bukeles arrival in Washington, the State Department updated its travel advisory for El Salvador to Level 1, which is for countries that are considered the safest to visit for U.S. citizens. The advisory notes that gang activity, and the accompanying murders and other violent crimes, has declined in the past three years.
Ziolkowski takes over from Craig Elliot, interim head of the Australia business since December 2024. The release said Elliot continues at Canopius as head of casualty for ANZ and will also take on the newly created role of head of distribution for ANZ.
On the regulatory front, changes both overseas and within Australia are reshaping risk exposure. US debates over Section 230 and the European Unions Digital Services Act are shifting expectations for platform accountability. Locally, the federal government is considering new rules on content moderation, AI oversight, and data governance.
This scholarship offers a pathway into professional development that would have otherwise been impossible for me to access, he said. Growing up on the North East coast of Tasmania, opportunities to broaden ones horizons are often limited. With this scholarship, Ill be able to succeed in perhaps one of my most unlikely dreams of going to Harvard. Furthermore, the professional development I aim to attend will connect with my university studies, deepening my understanding of how to create supportive learning environments.
Justice Elizabeth Welch concurred in the judgment only, arguing that the court should have applied the reasoning from Andary v USAA Casualty Insurance Co, a 2023 decision she authored. In Andary, the court held that no-fault rights vest at the time of the accident. Welch agreed that Spine Specialists could not benefit from the tolling provision but disagreed with the majority's reasoning, which she found inconsistent with Andary. Justice Kimberly Thomas did not participate because the case was submitted before she joined the court.
Rather than taking their profits and reinvesting them to grow their surplus, so they could pay claims when a rainy day came or expand their capacity to sell more insurance, they seemed to be pulling a lot of money out of the company through various methods. One of those was through affiliated companies.
The acquisition is part of Gallaghers broader strategy to expand its property and casualty operations and increase its presence in sectors such as management liability, construction and real estate. Woodruff Sawyer will operate under Gallaghers US retail property and casualty brokerage division. Its chief executive officer, Andy Barrengos, will report to Peter Doyle, who leads that unit.
The IIA cited a previous case in Washington state, where a temporary ban on the use of credit scores led to premium increases for more than 60% of drivers, according to an AM Best report. The ban was later struck down by courts, but the IIA argues similar action in Illinois could result in comparable outcomes.
U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley rejected the preemption defense. Citing both FEMAs official guidance and persuasive authority from the Fifth Circuits decision in Campo v. Allstate Ins. Co., the court found that claims against an insurance agent arising out of the procurement or renewal of coverageincluding negligence or failure to act within a grace periodare not preempted. FEMAs own bulletin states that agent-related procurement disputes are distinct from those involving a Write-Your-Own (WYO) insurer and are therefore not subject to the federal preemption clause. As a result, the court denied the motion to dismiss on preemption grounds for all counts.
Alongside HB 1302, lawmakers are also reviewing a separate proposalHouse Bill 1182which would impose new disclosure and notification requirements on insurers using wildfire risk models in underwriting. If passed, HB 1182 would mandate greater transparency from insurers about their use of catastrophe models, risk scores, and other tools used to assess wildfire exposure when determining coverage eligibility and premiums.
The dispute stemmed from an April 2013 explosion at Exxons Beaumont, Texas refinery during a maintenance project. Exxon had contracted Brock Services, Ltd. to provide scaffolding services. Under the service agreement, Brock was identified as an independent contractor and was required to obtain insurance coverage, including workers compensation, employers liability, and commercial general liability (CGL) policies naming Exxon as an additional insured. However, the contract also gave Exxon the option to procure those coverages on Brocks behalf, which it did through an Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP). Exxon procured workers compensation and employers liability policies covering Brock and its employees and deducted the insurance cost from payments made to Brock.
In its analysis, the appellate court also noted that Naymola had failed to plead or prove why he could not obtain the information in the Edwards case, nor had he explained why depositions were necessary before filing a new lawsuit. The court concluded that the burden and expense of pre-suit discovery were not justified under the rule and directed the trial court to vacate its order. The writ would issue only if the trial court failed to comply.
When Siino failed to pay the January 2018 premium, Foresters sent a letter dated February 26, 2018, informing her that her policy had lapsed. The letter also stated that she had 30 days to reinstate the policy by paying the overdue premium. However, because her address had not been updated, she never received the letter and made no payment.
The Court remanded the case to the circuit court to determine whether Farmers had, in fact, used language that was approved by the director at the time the policy was issued. While the notice closely tracked the 1993 bulletin, that document had been withdrawn. However, the record also showed that DCBS approved Farmers form in 2016after the lawsuit was filedwhen the agency began requiring submission of ORS 746.290(2) notices through the form pre-approval process. The Court declined to rule on the legal significance of the 2003 withdrawal or the 2016 approval, noting that those questions had not been fully briefed.
The 17% interim rate request, which was revised from an initial 21.8%, is now under consideration by Administrative Law Judge Karl-Fredric Seligman, who will issue a recommendation to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. As part of discussions with regulators, State Farm agreed to pause policy non-renewals through the end of 2025. Its parent company also committed to a $400 million capital contribution, the report said.
A fire that raced through a southern New Jersey neighborhood, killing two young sisters and burning six homes, apparently started in a duplex where the girls family lived, authorities said Friday.

The cause of the fire in Millville remains under investigation but does not appear to be suspicious, city Fire Chief John Wettstein said.

The childrens father was injured in the blaze, which took several hours to bring under control after first being reported around 11 p.m. Wednesday. Two houses had already been engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and the blaze soon spread to a third. The heat was so intense that it melted part of a fire truck and a parked car.

Firefighters initial efforts were hampered because a nearby hydrant wasnt working, Wettstein said. Crews had to run about 800 feet (about 240 meters) of hose to another hydrant and nearly that length to a third to combat the blaze, which burned for several hours before it was brought under control.

The bodies of the girls, ages 8 and 10, were found Thursday afternoon amid the rubble, city officials said. Their names have not been released. Their father was being treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. His name also hasnt been released

About two dozen residents were displaced by the fire. One woman said she and her three young children safely escaped their burning home because the blaze awoke her boyfriend, who was able to get them to safety.

Millville is around 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Atlantic City.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New Jersey
New York Attorney General Letitia James urged lawmakers on Thursday to pass legislation to create a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, arguing that digital asset investors urgently need stronger protections.

In a letter to top congressional leadership, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, James said that lawmakers should require crypto companies to register with a federal regulatory agency and set minimum listing standards for crypto tokens.

James letter comes as Congress appears likely to pass a bill creating stablecoin rules for the first time. Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually a 1:1 dollar peg, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds between other crypto tokens like bitcoin and ether.

In her letter, James said that lawmakers should require stablecoin issuers to have a U.S. presence, and to deposit U.S. Treasuries and other cash equivalents in American banks.

The digital asset industry has seen growing influence in Washington after spending more than $119 million backing pro-crypto congressional candidates in last years elections.

President Donald Trump has sought to broadly overhaul U.S. cryptocurrency policies after courting cash from the sector during his presidential campaign.

Bo Hines, who leads Trumps Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, said last month that the White House wants a stablecoin bill passed before August.

Countless New Yorkers invest in cryptocurrency and digital assets, and more must be done to protect them and their money, said James. Thousands of investors in New York and across the country have lost millions of dollars to cryptocurrency scams and fraud that could be prevented with stronger federal regulations.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in New YorkEditing by Marguerita Choy)

Topics Legislation New York
Morocco s social security agency said troves of data were stolen from its systems in a cyberattack this week that resulted in personal information being leaked on the messaging app Telegram.

The North African kingdoms social security fund administers pensions and insurance benefits to millions of private sector workers, from assembly line laborers to corporate executives. It said in a statement Wednesday that preliminary investigations suggest the leak resulted from hackers bypassing its security systems.

The agency did not say who was thought to be responsible for the leak while also claiming that many of the documents posted were misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete.

The hackers who posted the documents on Telegram said the attack was in response to alleged Moroccan harassment of Algeria on social media platforms, pledging additional cyberattacks if Algerian sites were targeted.

Moroccan media have attributed the attack to Algerian hackers, describing it as an episode in a larger cyberwar between the two countries.

Relations between Algeria and Morocco have recently deteriorated to historic lows. The countries have withdrawn their ambassadors, closed their embassies and respective airspaces. Algerias support for the Polisario Front, a pro-independence movement fighting Morocco over the disputed Western Sahara, is among the roots of the tensions.

Some of the leaked information touches on deeply sensitive issues in Morocco. Among the leaked documents is salary information that, if accurate, would reflect vast inequalities that continue to plague Morocco despite its strides in economic development. The trove includes unverified financial data on executives of state-owned companies, political parties, figures associated with the royal familys holding company and charity fund, and the Israeli liaison office in Rabat.

Moroccos National Commission for the Protection of Personal Data said on Thursday that it stood ready to investigate complaints from people targeted in the leak.

Mustapha Baitas, Moroccos government spokesperson, linked the attack to what he said was growing support for Morocco in the conflict from the international community  something he said disturbs the enemies of our country to the point of attempting to harm it through these hostile actions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week said he supported Moroccos plan for the disputed territory, a statement Algeria criticized on Thursday.

During his first term in office, President Donald Trump shifted Washingtons longstanding position in 2020 to back Moroccos sovereignty over the territory. President Joe Bidens administration neither reversed nor openly supported the policy.
Federal regulators have ordered the operator of the Keystone Pipeline to take several corrective actions after a rupture caused 147,000 gallons of oil to spill onto farmland in North Dakota, and the company said its goal is to resume deliveries to refineries on Tuesday.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration directed South Bow to submit the failed section of pipe to a third-party lab for mechanical and metallurgical testing, the agency said in a statement Friday.

The company must also conduct and submit a root cause analysis of Tuesdays failure and review all in-line inspection reports from the past 10 years to identify anomalies that may be present in the failed pipe, adjacent joints, or anywhere else on the system, the agency added.

PHMSA has already secured the operators full cooperation and written commitment to take any steps necessary to repair the line and identify the cause of the failure, acting Administrator Ben Kochman said in the statement. Multiple PHMSA investigators are on the ground in North Dakota and in the operators control room facility in Calgary working to determine the cause of the accident.

The order also requires an evaulation of the pipelines special permit, which allows the line to operate at higher-than-normal pressures, to determine if new or modified conditions are necessary.

South Bow is still investigating the cause of the spill along the Keystone Pipeline near Fort Ransom, North Dakota, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Fargo. The spill from the underground pipeline released an estimated 3,500 barrels, or 147,000 gallons of crude oil onto farmland. Workers have already recovered thousands of gallons of the oil.

The affected pipeline segment cannot be restarted until the federal agency gives the operator permission. South Bow said in an update Saturday that its aiming to restore service and energy deliveries by Tuesday as it carries out the order.

South Bow also said its response and recovery efforts were continuing. The company said its crews were preparing to repair and replace of the affected section of pipe. It also said crews were onsite with vacuum trucks and other cleanup equipment, and that their work would continue over the weekend, too.

The company also said it would restrict operating pressures on the Canadian sections of Keystone, as agreed to with Canadian energy regulators.

The 2,689-mile (4,327 kilometers) pipeline stretches from Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas. The spill has raised concerns about the impacts of a prolonged shutdown on energy prices, particularly for gasoline and diesel.

Our primary focus remains on the safety of onsite personnel and mitigating risk to the environment, South Bow said. We are committed to the community surrounding Fort Ransom and will continue clean-up activities until the site is fully remediated.
Susman Godfrey is the latest major law firm to take the Trump administration to court over an executive order aimed at its attorneys.

Susman on Friday filed a suit to challenge President Donald Trumps April 9 order, arguing that he violated the constitution by targeting the firm for its work in court. The firm asked a federal judge in Washington to freeze the order, which restricts lawyers access to government buildings and directs agencies to terminate federal contracts with Susman clients.

The President is abusing the powers of his office to wield the might of the Executive Branch in retaliation against organizations and people that he dislikes, the firm said in the complaint. Nothing in our Constitution or laws grants a President such power; to the contrary, the specific provisions and overall design of our Constitution were adopted in large measure to ensure that presidents cannot exercise arbitrary, absolute power in the way that the President seeks to do in these Executive Orders.

Representatives for the White House didnt immediately respond a request for comment.

The suit makes Susman the fourth major law firm to challenge Trump over executive orders against them, which also strip lawyers of security clearances. It comes as a growing list of corporate firmsincluding Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkinsstrike preemptive deals with the president, pledging a total of $940 million in free legal services to stay out of the bulls eye.

Houston-founded Susmans lawyers represented Dominion Voting Systems Inc. in a defamation lawsuit against Fox Corp., which ended with the company agreeing to pay a $787.5 million settlement. The case was based on the networks reporting tying Dominions voting machines to conspiracy theories about a stolen 2020 election. Susman is pursuing a similar suit against Trump advocate Mike Lindell, the chief executive officer of MyPillow.

Susman spearheads efforts to weaponize the American legal system and degrade the quality of American elections, Trump said in the executive order.

Three other law firmsPerkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHalealready secured court rulings temporarily blocking much of the orders against them. Those firms were targeted for their ties to lawyers who investigated Trump or worked on cases against him.

Covington & Burling was the first Big Law firm targeted by the president, who issued a memorandum stripping partner Peter Koskis security clearances because of his representation of former special counsel Jack Smith.

Susman is known for high stakes court fights for a wide range of clients. The firm often takes those cases on contingency fee arrangements, meaning its compensation depends largely on the outcome.

The firm, like the others suing Trump, detailed the potential harm posed by the order.

All told, at least a third of the Firms current active matters require Susman Godfrey lawyers to appear before federal courts or interact with federal agencies in some capacity, the firm said in the complaint. And through its defamatory allegations against the Firm, the Order seeks to warn or drive clients away from engaging the Firms services. 

Simply put, the Order endeavors to foreclose the Firm from practicing lawfor the perceived transgression of undertaking representations with which the President disagrees, Susman said.

Donald Verrilli, who served as solicitor general in the Obama administration, is representing Susman. Verrillis firm, Munger Tolles & Olson, has emerged as a leading critic of Trumps executive orders. Munger lawyers organized an amicus brief on behalf of more than 500 law firms in support of Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale.

This goes far beyond law firms and lawyers, Susman Godfrey said in a statement. Today it is our firm under attack, but tomorrow it could be any of us. As officers of the court, we are duty-bound to take on this fight against the illegal executive order.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits
The cybersecurity industry has gone mostly quiet after President Donald Trump took action against one of its prominent members.

Trump on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of security clearances of SentinelOne executives and employees, part of a campaign to use the might of the U.S. government to crush his political opponents.

SentinelOnes offense was hiring former Trump appointee Chris Krebs as chief intelligence and public policy officer. Krebs served as the first director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the U.S. civilian cyber defense agency, but he enraged Trump in November 2020 by refusing to endorse the bogus claim that Democrat Joe Biden stole the presidential election. The move led to Trump firing him over Twitter.

In a White House memo explaining the move, Trump accused Krebs, a Republican, of having suppressed conservative viewpoints. The memo provided no evidence and did not explain why SentinelOne had anything to do with the matter. CISA referred questions to the White House, which did not return an email seeking comment.

Krebs refusal to back Trumps false election claims made him a hero in Washington cyber circles. Following a 2021 appearance at an information security conference, organizers handed Krebs a flight jacket bearing the words, FIRED BY TWEET.

Krebs speech was followed by applause then, but Reuters found little sign of industry support for Krebs or SentinelOne as they face Trump now.

Katie Moussouris, founder of Luta Security, said she doubted the industry would publicly back SentinelOne given the White Houses actions.

I dont think its feasible for cybersecurity companies to have a broader response on this, she said. The risk is just too high.

Reuters contacted 33 of the largest U.S. cybersecurity companies, including tech companies and professional services firms with large cybersecurity practices, and three industry groups, for comment on Trumps action against SentinelOne.

Only one offered comment on Trumps action. The rest declined, did not respond or did not answer questions.

Microsoft, where Krebs worked as a director between 2014 and 2017, according to Krebs LinkedIn profile, was one of 11 companies that declined to comment on Trumps move against SentinelOne. Rubrik, which formerly had Krebs as part of an advisory board, said only that the board had been inactive since 2023, but did not address questions about Krebs or SentinelOne.

Twenty-four other businesses and trade groups did not respond to requests for comment. Among them was CrowdStrike, whose work defending the Democratic National Committee from Russian hackers in 2016 has long made it the object of conspiracy theories spread by Trump and others.

The National Cybersecurity Alliance, where Krebs briefly served as vice chair before joining CISA, did not return emails. The Cloud Security Alliance, of which SentinelOne is a member, declined comment.

The only group to comment on SentinelOnes situation was the Washington-based Cyber Threat Alliance, whose president described the White House memo ordering the restrictions on SentinelOne as carrying numerous falsehoods.

Targeting a company because the president does not like someone in the company is an example of the very weaponization of the federal government the memo claims to be combating, president Michael Daniel said.

In a statement on Wednesday, SentinelOne said it did not expect the restrictions to materially affect its business. Nevertheless, its share price dropped 7% on Thursday, sliding more sharply than its cyber peers.

A cybersecurity executive told Reuters that by going after someone as high-profile as his own former CISA chief, Trump was cowing the industry into silence.

If they are willing to crush Krebs, what do you think theyll do to me or others like me? he said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

Krebs did not respond to requests for comment, but reposted on social media a statement he issued shortly after he was fired in 2020: Honored to serve. We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomorrow.

Topics Cyber
A 62-year-old Houston resident has admitted to laundering proceeds from a large-scale bank fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

William Mills admitted that from 2014 to 2023, he conspired with others in a bank fraud scheme involving dozens of loans totaling at least $35 million in fraudulent loan proceeds.

As part of the plea, Mills acknowledged opening and maintaining shell companies and bank accounts to collect money from the scheme. He then laundered the fraud proceeds by wiring them to bank accounts other co-conspirators controlled.

Mills and others accomplished the bank fraud by preparing loan applications that contained false and fraudulent information and documents, including fake equipment sales invoices, income tax returns and financial and bank statements.

U.S. District Keith Ellison will impose sentencing June 27. At that time, Mills faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine or twice the amount involved in the transaction.

He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Two other Houston residents charged in the case, Jeremiah Almaguer, 45, Bun Khath, 44, both of Houston, previously pleaded guilty to money laundering in the same scheme and are awaiting sentencing. Another Houston resident charged in the case  Hugo Villanueva, 70,  is considered a fugitive, and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.

Source: U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Texas
MIAMI (AP)  A South Florida art dealer and another man face charges involving the sale of fake Andy Warhol artworks, authorities said.

Leslie Roberts, 62, of Miami, and Carlos Miguel Rodriguez Melendez, 37, of Sunny Isles, were arrested Wednesday and made their initial appearances in Miami federal court, according to court records.

Defense attorney Nayib Hassan, who represents Rodriguez Melendez, said his client maintains his innocence and looks forward to presenting the full facts in a court of law. Roberts defense attorney and Miami Fine Art Gallery didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment about the charges.

According to the indictment, Roberts, the owner of Miami Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove, fraudulently represented art as original pieces created by renowned artist Andy Warhol. Prosecutors said Roberts falsely claimed to victims that he acquired the artwork directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and provided fake and fraudulent invoices to the victims.

Roberts also transferred at least $240,000 in wire fraud proceeds from his Miami Fine Art Gallery bank account to a personal bank account, the indictment said.

Rodriguez Melendez falsely claimed to work for a New York-based auction company to fraudulently authenticate the artwork, concealing that the artwork was fake, investigators said.

Roberts is charged with participating in a conspiracy to sell forged art using fake and fraudulent invoices and authentications, and Rodriguez Melendez is charged with participating in the wire fraud conspiracy. They have been released on bond, with an arraignment hearing scheduled for April 21.

If convicted, Roberts faces up to 30 years in prison and Rodriguez Melendez faces 20.

Another South Florida art dealer was sentenced in 2023 to two years and three months in federal prison for selling fake Warhols. Daniel Elie Bouaziz, who owned two galleries in Palm Beach County, had pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering, while prosecutors agreed to drop 16 other counts related to fraud and embezzlement.

Warhol was an American visual artist and filmmaker most associated with the pop art movement of the 1960s.

Artwork: Self-Portraits by Andy Warhol, 1967. Photo Taken January 25 2010 at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in California.
COVINGTON, Ga. (AP)  A Walmart employee shot and killed a co-worker inside a Georgia store and critically wounded another worker outside early Friday while the business was closed to the public, authorities said. After leaving the store, the gunman forced his way into a nearby home nearby and fatally shot a female acquaintance, the Newton County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew, the sheriffs office said.

Six people were injured, three of them seriously, when a man drove a car into a thrift store in Naples, Florida, last week. The Collier County Sheriffs office said Donald Peyton-Lee Russell Jr., 42, of Naples, was charged with intentionally driving his Honda automobile into the storefront, according to local news reports . The store is St. Matthews House Boutique Thrift Store, and the incident happened about 10:40 Thursday morning. An employee of the store was one who received severe injuries . It was not clear if the driver knew the victims or why he crashed into the store. Its the latest incident of workplace violence in the United States, where deaths and injuries from work incidents may be on the rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reported that homicides at work rose almost 9% from 2021 to 2022. A number of incidents in recent years have led to protracted court battles over whether the injured employee was due workers compensation benefits , or if an incident was personal in nature.

Employees were working inside the Walmart Supercenter in the Covington area, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Atlanta, when the shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m., the sheriffs office said.

The suspect was later apprehended in Aiken, South Carolina, Newton County sheriffs Sgt. Jack Redlinger said in a briefing near the Georgia Walmart. Aiken is near the Georgia-South Carolina line, just east of Augusta, Georgia.

The sheriffs department identified the victims as acquaintances of the suspect but did not immediately release more details of the shootings. The worker who was wounded was in critical condition at a hospital Friday morning, authorities said.

Before any of the shootings began, the suspect who was working inside the Walmart left the store and went outside to retrieve a gun and then returned and opened fire, the sheriffs office said.

After the suspect fled Georgia toward South Carolina, Flock Safety surveillance cameras were used to track his vehicle, Redlinger said. The cameras can identify and track vehicles by license plate, type, color and other details and alert law enforcement when they are spotted.

Were heartbroken by whats happened, Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart said in a statement.

Theres no place for violence in our stores, the company said. Were focused on taking care of our associates and supporting law enforcement with their investigation.

Photo: (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Topics Florida Personal Auto Georgia
Higginbotham, one of the largest insurance agencies headquartered in Texas, has expanded its footprint in the Southeast by adding agencies in Georgia and Tennessee.

The firm announced that Tidwell & Hilburn Insurance in Macon has become the 11th Higginbotham office in Georgia. Coleman Cole Tidwell Jr. is president and Rusty Hilburn is vice president.

Tidwell said that the agency, with deep local experience, wanted to make two producers minority owners of the firm, but the process proved to be challenging.

As we studied various options it became clear that partnering with an established firm that already had an employee equity process in place would provide the structure that we needed, Tidwell said in a news release.

In Tennessee, Higginbotham added Thompson & Smith Insurance agency in Jackson to the lineup this month, the company said. Chuck Thompson is CEO and Roger Smith is president of the agency.

The agency offers personal and commercial coverage, including workers compensation insurance.

Topics Agencies Georgia Tennessee
If you are wondering where the fine weather has gone, I have taken it on holidays with me for what is a well-deserved break.

We went to Paris in April over the last number of years, but this year, we decided to head for a warmer climate, feet up on a sun lounger sipping on a cocktail.

We booked the holiday in early January so that we would have something to look forward to when times were busy during the spring.

Dare I say the drop of rain was badly wanted at home anyway.

It was all systems go on the farm before we jetted off.

I often think it is easier to get all the work done before a holiday than face a hectic workload on return, and once we come home, we head straight to Emerald Expo in Virginia with the show team.

All the silage fields have received their top-up of nitrogen, looking at current growth rates, we will most likely add a few more fields to our first cut, grass always seems to come under pressure in late May but we have the safety net of having a reseed due back into grazing and its is nearly easier to manage a tight grazing platform in late May than a grazing platform with too much grass.

Our contractors were also in spraying 42 acres for docks to clean up the silage ground.

Its easier to spray them now before they go to seed, and they can drown out a lot of grass in a silage crop. More than anything, docks are unsightly, bloody things.

When I see a heavy silage crop awash with docks, it somewhat compares to going out for dinner and not realising there was cow dung on the back of my jumper.

It is so much easier to get the contractors in to do spraying; their sprayer can hold enough to cover 21 acres, and Colin has great knowledge of sprays so he understands the correct mix rates of each product and has great attention to detail.

He also knows the entire farm, so it is easy to explain which fields need to be sprayed.

With calm winds and the spraying being done in the evening, hopefully, it will be effective, and silage swards will be clean in May.

A first for the farm this week was growing maize. We purchased maize from our contractor Niall Canty last autumn.

It was super feeding, and I feel it really stood to the cows this spring. They are peaking on milk really well and they have a super shine on their backs and have put on tremendous condition over the spring.

I can honestly say I have never seen the herd look so well this early in the year.

Niall has a lot of knowledge about growing maize so it is a simple enough task for us to grow it here, the 10-acre field received 3,000 gallons of slurry to the acre prior to ploughing, it then received a compound fertiliser and a top up of potash as we are always trying to improve potash levels on the farm.

The seed variety we chose was Saxon, which was recommended to us by Goldcrop. It is the highest-yielding variety and has superb early vigour.

Niall set all the maize under plastic, which we supplied ourselves.

The plastic is costly, but given we are setting early, it is crucial, so hopefully, the cost will be overridden by earlier harvesting and increased yield.

Niall will be contract growing more maize for us as well; we plan to calve more cows along with all the heifers in January 2026, so the extra volume of quality feed will be welcome.

With most of the calves now having left the farm, it is quite easy to take a holiday as we will simply be tipping away at showing until first-cut silage comes along.

The week has also been busy for Becky as she had her leaving certificate oral exams, which also coincided with her 18th birthday.

It is amazing how fast life passes you by; she was one of the first babies born in the Cork University Maternity Hospital.

It seems like only yesterday and certainly not 18 years ago. It was a big decision to allow her to switch to remote access study for the leaving certificate, but I am so glad we took that step.

It has allowed her to pursue her passion for showing dairy cows; she certainly wouldnt have won back-to-back Sheri Martin showmanship titles at IDW in Australia had she been going to conventional secondary school.

It is a huge achievement for her to have juggled both over the last two years, so I am immensely proud that she has gotten to the stage where she is sitting the exams.

Her former school, Coachford College, kindly agreed to let her sit her exams there, so at least the surroundings are familiar for her.

The last big job of the week before winding down for a little break was our second milk recording of the year with Munster Bovine.

It is great to have two early milk recordings to get a good handle on any SCC issues.

Our bulk tank's SCC is fine and hasnt raised any issues, but one high SCC cow could inflict a lot of cross contamination and do harm to other cows.

Our milk recorder, Denis, is always very accommodating, even though he has been busy lambing his own sheep lately.

We will do four more milk recordings during the year, two of which will be held in the autumn to get a clear picture of cows prior to dry off.

Within 24 hours of spraying, it looks like our docks have taken a little holiday as well, all shriveled up and hardly noticeable in the fields, but no doubt they will be back full of energy sometime in the future.
We last heard from the journalist Carole Cadwalladr in the 10-part series Sergei & The Westminster Spy Ring, about an alleged secret spy ring operating at the very heart of the British political system, earlier this year. Having concluded at the start of March, she has since narrated a new show for BBC Sounds, the 10-part series Stalked.

Cadwalladr is the ex-step mum of her co-host Hannah Mossman Moore, who is in her mid-20s in 2015 and working at London Fashion Week, networking around the room to make contact with international buyers. She sees a friend - the male equivalent of an IT girl - who was there with someone she didnt recognise.

In his late 40s, early 50s, this man is dressed well and talks up his connections. At this stage, with previous series like Sweet Bobby and Can I Tell You a Secret? echoing in our ears, the listeners alarm bells might well be ringing. A series of emails follow, the man even inviting Mossman Moore to a hair salon.

He asks for a selfie which she sends, to which he replies, Who needs sleep when you look this beautiful? The man believed in her, she says, and wanted to be her mentor.

Hannah Mossman Moore.

As their relationship grows over the following years, his phone is allegedly hacked and Mossman Moore is inundated with a series of messages from his supposed girlfriend and others.

The soundscape is superb, the swell of voices almost cacophonous in the listeners ears as worrying emails and contacts start piling up for Mossman Moore, and people claim they have taken control of her online reputation. She says they took her 20s from her.

Its a familiar pattern - the police are called, they do an investigation, but the case is closed amid little evidence. The hope that I felt was what was keeping me going, and then you hear that the case is closed and that hope comes crashing down, says Hannah.

The horror doesnt end anytime soon - by episode five, Cadwalladr and Hannah are asking if the latter is being surveilled. Episode eight, Alice, is a standalone episode as Mossman Moore meets with the parents of a former schoolmate who was subjected to stalking by her ex-boyfriend.

Its a horrifying 36 minutes, as Alice, almost apologetically, calls the police to report the mans increasingly worrying behaviour and harassment. The what-ifs linger as a 45-second 999 call confirms the worst. The man, a soldier, murdered Alice.

Stalkeds first episode was released at the beginning of February, and as Mossman Moores story has been told, the latter episodes of the series deal with the fallout and seek to tie up loose ends. The final episode of Stalked, one of the most powerful series this year, is released on Tuesday, April 15.
In Graydon Carters cracking memoir, When The Going Was Good  about the mad excesses of journalism before the money ran out  the former Vanity Fair editor describes growing up in 1950s suburban Canada.

Childhood was not the spectator sport is it today, he writes, adding that 50s-era parents were largely submarine parents: there, but not really in evidence.

Although a sporty kid, his parents never stood on the sidelines cheering him on like it was the cup final at Wembley: I didnt hold it against them. Nobodys parents came to watch their kids.

Today, parenting culture has become something altogether more co-dependent. Instead of it being a straightforward one-way dependence  your kid depends on you to stay alive  the dynamic has become psychologically enmeshed. Kids have become the source of adult purpose, validation, status, raison detre.

Thats a lot of pressure for a child, but if your entire life does not revolve around them, youre a terrible parent.

Their victories and losses are your victories and losses  no matter how tiny, no matter how fleeting. Every moment is about making memories, so get your phone out.

You can see this in action on any sports sideline  a gaggle of uncoordinated nine-year-olds kicking a ball around a lumpy field being cheered and shouted at with a fervour youd normally see in premier league relegation zone managers.

The school reports of six-year-olds being scrutinised by anxious parents like they were final year med results. School friendships being micro-managed, curated, and controlled with UN levels of peace-keeping.

Forget helicopters  these days, parents hover like drones. Obsession with every aspect of kids lives  diet, allergies, neurology, sleep patterns, friendships, grades, athletic prowess, social cachet, strengths and weaknesses, development.

We write parenting books for each other about how to guide teens through romance, the very idea no doubt making teens everywhere scream, run away, throw up; we inflict our own dietary orthorexia on them (is it organic?); we plan and schedule every minute of their lives, feeling like failures if they are not time-tabled from 7am to 7pm.

We post it all online, sharenting, comparenting, overparenting, driving ourselves  and more importantly, our kids collectively around the bend.

How about we back TF off? This is not just about putting crash helmets on tricycling toddlers, or worrying about anaphylactic shock if they sit next to a peanut. Its about creating generations who cannot think for themselves, act for themselves, decide for themselves, fend for themselves.

Kids need to be able to fend. How else can they grow into functioning, functional humans?

Let us try, then, to be more submarine. To lurk in the background unseen, ready to break cover only when needed. That is, when they need us, not when we need them to need us.

Lets allow our kids to fall over, fall out, fail, fuck up  and to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, keep going.

They are obviously central to our lives, but they should not be our obsession, our only focus, or our sole hobby. Nobody wants that.
Two years ago, the inspector of prisons, Mark Kelly, told the then government that the prison population  which had just exceeded 4,900  was many hundred in excess of the number that could be safely held in prison.

Two months later, in May 2023, he sent an immediate action notification to then justice minister Helen McEntee over overcrowding and degrading conditions at Cloverhill Remand Prison.

Mr Kelly said there was at least one serious in-cell assault during their inspection.

In his annual report for 2023  sent to the Department of Justice in March 2024, and published last February  the inspector urged the government to impose an enforceable ceiling on the number prisons could hold.

The Prison Officers Association has regularly raised the looming overcrowding crisis, telling the Irish Examiner in March 2024 that it was a ticking timebomb.

When numbers passed the 5,000 landmark that June, Prison Officers Association deputy general secretary Gabriel Keaveney slammed the lack of planning by the Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service (IPS).

Mr Keaveney said he had warned Ms McEntee there would be trouble in prisons and huge conflict between inmates.

With the courts largely closing during the summer, numbers plateaued, before breaching the 5,100 mark in November. It fell over the Christmas period, during court holidays, and slowly grew again in January, topping 5,100 again in early February of this year.

It is in the two months since then that numbers have risen sharply and quickly. By the end of February, it crossed 5,200. Then, a month later, surged passed 5,300.

During the first 10 days of April it has nearly hit 5,400  sitting at 5,393 last Thursday.

If the current rate continues in the next court session [after the Easter court holidays], we could be heading towards 6,000, one experienced prison source said.

Last February, the Irish Examiner reported that there was a 25% rise in the number of prisoners being disciplined over disorder  including physical assaults  in the last two years.

The number of incidents increased by over 2,000 cases between 2023 and 2025. The prisons with the biggest rise in incidents were Mountjoy Male Prison (+69%), Limerick Male Prison (+43%) and Cork Prison(+39%).

Near-fatal assault

The figures emerged at the same time that a prison officer in Mountjoy was slashed across the face by an inmate in an incident that colleagues and management believe could easily have been fatal.

The new justice minister, Jim OCallaghan, did visit Cloverhill Prison last October. His visit sparked some hope that action might be taken.

He has inherited the problem and he cant go to [finance minister] Paschal Donohoe and demand 200m to build a prison, another source said.

The Irish Prison Service and prison governors have been trying to carve out extra spaces from anywhere they can.

An estimated 128 spaces were created in 2024 and 131 more are planned for 2025  but there is a limit.

Mr Kelly said: The overcrowding crisis that has now engulfed the Irish Prison Service can only be resolved by courageous action at political level, including agreeing to impose an enforceable ceiling on the number of people who can be safely held in each prison.

It is no longer credible to respond to these concerns with rote answers referencing future increases in the capacity of the prison estate

He added: "No comparable jurisdiction has ever succeeded in building itself out of overcrowding.

'Must accept into custody'

Now, The Irish Prison Service has a statement on its website in the section providing daily custody figures, the first sentence of which sums up their situation: The Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the courts.

It said that one option was temporary release. The figures show how this number has increased  from 348 on April 10, 2023, to 546 on the same date in 2024, and to 601 on April 10, 2025.

The Irish Prison Service said the Government has made significant capital funding available, with 300 additional spaces introduced in recent years.

In its statement, the Department of Justice said: The Government is acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons and has committed to increasing capacity of our prisons by 1,5000 under the programme for government. This work has already commenced.

It added: An increase of 79m (18%) was secured in Budget 2025 towards a total of 525m in funding to increase prison capacity and tackle overcrowding.

"The Irish Prison Service capital budget is 53m in 2025, an increase of 22.5m on the original 2024 allocation, focused on bringing additional prison spaces into the system.

It said the Government was committed to implementing policies to increase the use of community sanctions, reduce offending, divert people away from the criminal justice system, and provide effective rehabilitation.
A mother who spearheaded a campaign to increase places at an over-subscribed special school said she was devastated to learn her son is still without a place for September.

Rebecca Meehan said she was gobsmacked to learn via WhatsApp that offers for additional places at St Johns Special School in Dungarvan, Waterford, had been sent out on Friday.

Over the past three months, Ms Meehan  whose five-year-old son Jay is autistic and pre-verbal  has been highlighting the need for additional places at the school.

Having previously been so over-subscribed it operated a lottery draw to allocate places, the school was granted two new modular classrooms for the upcoming school year following a campaign hard fought by parents.

Its just devastating, Ms Meehan said.

It's like deja vu, just earthshaking all over again, that my son has been rejected again and turned away from his education that is his right

She cant make sense of the decision, she added. Jay has no school place for September, he has nowhere else to go. Weve been given no information.

St Johns Special School takes students from Dungarvan, West Waterford, Cork, and South Tipperary.

Waiting list

After it saw its applications triple this year, 20 children were placed on a waiting list for places for this September.

As well as numerous appearances in the media, Ms Meehan has organised several protests locally and attended national protests to highlight the lack of special school places in her area.

Last month, she met with education minister Helen McEntee to highlight Jays case.

She shook my hand and told me that my son was going to be in that school in September, Ms Meehan said.

Im going to hold her to that promise

Ms Meehan said she has been left with no other option now but to consider taking legal action to ensure her child receives a place.

I dont know why they are not willing to help my son, because Im not stopping until he gets in," she said.

They are playing God with my sons education, and his life. This is his life were talking about and this is the second time [hes been rejected.]

For 12 weeks Ive been working tireless at this, and for them to not even reference the parents in their announcement of this. Only for the parents, and me leading this campaign, this wouldnt be happening. It's just devastating honestly.

Rebecca Meehan at the protest in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, for a school place for her son Jay. Picture: Patrick Browne

A spokesperson for St Johns Special School said it does not comment on individual cases.

In a statement, the spokesperson said the school is now in a position to offer additional places following discussions with officials from the Department of Education, its board of management, and the board of management of St Marys Catholic Primary School.

As there was no room for further expansion on its present site, the adjourning St Marys is to transfer ownership of a part of their school grounds to St Johns. The two schools share a patron, Bishop Alphonus Cullinan.

Modular units

The Department of Education has also agreed to provide two specially designed modular units consisting of two special education classrooms with quiet spaces and a multi-activity area, the spokesperson confirmed.

St Johns is unique as a special school as it offers education to all children with special educational need regardless of diagnosis, the spokesperson added.

The school traditionally had two classes for children with severe/profound intellectual disability and the rest of the classes were for children in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability.

With the addition of the new class spaces, the school is able to go from two to three classes for the severe to profound and add an additional class for children in the mild to moderate range of functioning.

Rebecca Meehan with her son Jay at the protest in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, in February. Local families were calling for more places to be provided to children. Picture: Patrick Browne

Over the past few days, the principal of the school has been offering places to those next in line on the waitlists for the new school spaces, given that a severe to profound class will be opened together with a mild to moderate class. She will continue to offer places as/if places are declined," the spokesperson said.

The chair of the schools board of management, John Lawless, said: This development will somewhat ease the pressure on special education places locally, although Im conscious that it will not solve the longer-term problem."

This is not just a local problem but its the same all around the country. There is an exponential rise in the numbers of children with a diagnosis of special need

Without strategic planning and major investment, we will continue to face a crisis. Exasperated parents face a scramble for places every year.

The school said it acknowledges the work of the community at large in gaining momentum behind the expansion project and, in particular, the individuals who brought the crisis of lack of special school places to the fore not just locally but nationally.

It is unfortunate that at the end of this there are still children on the waitlist.
Planning and environment enforcement teams will inspect rubble at a demolished building in Cork on Monday, after GAA games were cancelled during the weekend amid concerns by locals that it could contain asbestos.

The demolition of an old piggery building in Grenagh over the weekend led to the cancellation of GAA games in the neighbouring pitch on Sunday, while the local playground was also empty.

Locals concerned that there could be asbestos in the building contacted local representatives in the area, who in turn made contact with Cork County Council.

Politicians are to meet with officials of Cork County Council on Monday in relation to the site. It is understood that the site was recently sold.

While the building was demolished, the rubble remained on the site on Sunday evening.

Asbestos is a substance which has been linked to the development of diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is often present in buildings constructed before 2000. The Health and Safety Authority has produced guidance on management of the substance.

It is understood that the Health and Safety Authority has been notified about concerns.

The Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, said that a number of events  including a juvenile GAA game  were cancelled on Sunday because of local residentss concerns.

He said: I became aware of it on Saturday evening. It is an old piggery which is at the back of Grenagh, very close to the village.

Local meeting

It is located close to the playground and GAA pitch. Residents are expected to hold a meeting to highlight concerns about the demolition.

Councillor Liam Madden said it is hoped that any issues and concerns can be addressed in the coming days.

Mr Madden said: My understanding is that nothing has been taken out of it yet, but unfortunately it is all demolished.

He acknowledged the concerns of locals, highlighting that the playground was unused on Sunday because of its proximity to the site.

He said that two cake sales for different groups in the village were postponed, and added: The uncertainty needs to be taken out of this. People are very alarmed.

He added: "The site needs to be closed immediately, and nothing taken out of there under any circumstances, as it needs to be inspected. There are a lot of people with houses there and there is the school as well in a very strong community. If I was living there, I would be very concerned. There are a lot of unanswered questions.

Fianna Fails Padraig OSullivan said locals have concerns given the proximity of the site to the village, the GAA club, and playground.
Ireland would be "foolish" not to prepare for US tariffs remaining in place, the Tanaiste has said.

Simon Harris welcomed negotiations between the EU and US, but said Ireland must be ready for all eventualities.

Whilst preparing for the worst, we need to continue and try help to bring about the best," he said.

Mr Harris said he got the impression when he was in Washington last week that the US was very interested in reaching a deal with the EU.

He added the 10% baseline tariff and 20% EU tariffs had caused turmoil and chaos over the past week.

Despite this, Mr Harris said both the EU and Ireland were open for business and willing to buy more US goods.

We want to buy more things from the United States, we want them to buy more things from us, he added.

But we also stand ready to act if our economy and our jobs and our investment are threatened too. We certainly hope thats not what it comes to.

The Tanaiste said the 90 day-tariff reprieve was not perfect, given the 10% baseline tariff now imposed as well as 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars.

Its far from ideal, but its important that every hour of every day is now put to good use, because weve seen the turmoil of the last number of days and that simply cant continue.

Its not in the interest of any citizen on any side of the Atlantic Ocean.
The EU has proposed increasing its financial support to the Palestinian Authority by 1.6bn over the next three years.

EU foreign ministers examined the funding package at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas confirming the funding.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said it is absolutely essential to provide the Palestinian Authority with further funding, saying it is the only legitimate form of government in Palestine.

We need to strengthen it and we need to prepare it for the work that needs to take place in terms of reconstruction and, ultimately, trying to bring about a two-State solution, Mr Harris said.

Mr Harris said 82m is due to go to UNRWA, the UN agency responsible for aid to Palestine.

He said the funding is badly needed at present, given the blockages for humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.

Its now over a month since food supplies have been able to access Gaza, and this is making a horrific humanitarian catastrophe even more difficult.

The suffering and the misery, the pain and the death for civilians all the more worse.

Ms Kallas said the situation in Gaza remains grave, while calling for negotiations to resume on a further ceasefire.

The humanitarian aid we are giving to Gaza and Palestinians, it should not be politicised. What it means is that it has to reach the people who are in need, Ms Kallas said.

Israel has the right to defend itself, but its current actions go beyond proportionate self-defence.

Meanwhile, Mr Harris also addressed ongoing discussions between the EU and US to prevent a trade war breaking out.

Wed be foolish not to prepare for an environment in which tariffs persist and certainly the Irish Government is, of course, preparing for that and all of the various eventualities and outcomes, Mr Harris said.

But whilst preparing for the worst, we need to continue and try help to bring about the best.

Mr Harris said he got the impression when he was in Washington last week that the US is very interested in reaching a deal with the EU.

He added 20% EU tariffs had caused turmoil and chaos over the last week.

Despite this, Mr Harris said both the EU and Ireland are open for business and willing to buy more US goods.

But we also stand ready to act if our economy and our jobs and our investment are threatened too.
A middle-aged man entered his ex-partners bedroom and attacked her violently as their two infant children tried their best to prevent this from happening between their mum and dad.

Judge Sinead Behan was "gobsmacked" at Cork Circuit Appeals Court to hear the man, who appealed the five-month sentence imposed on him at the district court on the charge of assault causing harm, asking for the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the violent incident occurred at around 11.30pm on March 18, 2023, when the womans ex-partner entered her home and came into her bedroom.

He started poking and punching her a number of times in the ribs. She briefly lost consciousness, Sgt Kelleher said.

Her two infant children intervened and tried to protect their mother from this attack. They were trying to stop the assault, the sergeant said.

Eventually, she managed to break free from her ex-partner but he followed her down the stairs, pulled her by the hair to the floor and he then left the house. The injured party contacted her friend and ultimately the gardai were alerted.

Barrister Alan ODwyer appealed the case on behalf of the accused at Cork Circuit Appeals Court.

It was very out of character for him. He and his former partner have a civil relationship now and they get on with each other.

It is no excuse but he was drinking heavily on the night. There was a barring order in place at the time. They are not living in the same house now.

He has apologised to his former partner. He has apologised to his children. He was drinking heavily and was not in the right frame of mind on the night, Mr ODwyer said.

Judge Sinead Behan said: He assaulted this woman. Mr ODwyer said: He realised the next morning what he had done and was utterly ashamed and embarrassed.

Judge Behan said: This is way beyond embarrassment. There are two kids who saw this in their home. Mr ODwyer said the appellant was asking for a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act.

Judge Behan expressed her shock at this application even being made. This is utterly so far from how serious this case is.

I am gobsmacked. He is not at the races at all.

"Two children were witnesses to this. This is absolutely not a Probation Act matter, the judge said.

Initially, the judge remanded the appellant in custody while other cases were going ahead in the appeal court.

However, at the end of the sitting, Judge Behan released him from custody and adjourned the matter until May 30 to hear about the relationship at that stage and for him to engage with services.

Mr ODwyer said the accused hoped that the five-month prison sentence could be suspended.
A planning application for more than 500 new homes on the outskirts of Cork has been given the green light by City Hall, paving the way for the first phase of a major new housing scheme to the east of the city.

OFlynn Group lodged the plans in November for the 550-home development on the site near the Dunkettle Interchange it has owned since 2003.

On the planning application, the location is listed as to the north of Dunkettle House, which is just south-east of Glanmire.

The proposed scheme includes 394 homes in a mix of two-, three- and four-bed semi-detached and townhouse or terraced units, 156 apartment and duplex units, in a mix of one- and two-bed units in 10 blocks ranging in height from two to six storeys.

A creche and neighbourhood centre were also proposed.

At time the application was lodged, OFlynn Group indicated this was just the first phase of a larger development, with plans being advanced for a further application for 500 more homes on the site.

Developer Michael OFlynn said Monday: This approval marks a major step forward in realising our long-held vision for Dunkettle. We are pleased to now have the opportunity to bring much-needed homes to an area that has long been recognised as a key urban expansion area of Glanmire for growth, while also delivering high-quality community amenities and infrastructure improvements.

The strategic location of the Dunkettle site provides excellent access to major transport links, enhancing connectivity to Cork City and surrounding areas. We are proud of our track record in delivering high-quality residential developments and look forward to bringing this same standard of modern housing to life in Dunkettle.

Mr OFlynn said a key feature of the Dunkettle development was the inclusion of extensive community open spaces, carefully designed to promote social interaction and wellbeing.

It said the project also included plans to extend the active travel network in Glanmire and Tivoli, enhancing connectivity to vital local amenities such as the greenway and cycleway, and supporting more sustainable modes of transport.

Previous attempts to build in the area failed despite the Dunkettle lands identified as a key area for potential growth.

An Bord Pleanala rejected two separate planning applications from the O'Flynn Group in 2004 and 2005, despite approval from Cork County Council at a time when it was within the jurisdiction of the county, citing concerns around an inadequate road network in the area at the time.

However, once the Dunkettle interchange project was complete, the firm reactivated its residential plans for the site.

The planning application for the 550 homes received multiple submissions, with locals raising concerns about the development, with the impact on traffic and issues around public transport cited.

The infrastructure in the area has not been developed to facilitate a development of this nature, including roads and public transport, one wrote, adding additional traffic would cause further congestion and delays.

Despite these concerns, Cork City Council has granted planning permission for the development, with 63 conditions attached.

OFlynn Group added the site would complement the now-substantially completed nearby Ballinglanna development.

Once completed, it said Ballinglanna would provide more than 610 homes, including a mix of detached and semi-detached houses, townhouses, duplexes, apartments, and a village centre.
A five-year-old boy who was injured by a cow on his familys farm on Sunday remains seriously ill in hospital on Monday.

The little boy was rushed to Cork University Hospital following the incident on Sunday evening in Minane Bridge in south Cork.

He was assessed at CUH and it is understood that he has been transferred to a Dublin hospital for treatment.

Members of his family found the boy injured after tea time on Sunday evening and raised the alarm with the emergency services.

The boy was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital. It is believed that the boy received a kick from the animal.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has said it was not made aware of the incident.

Earlier this year, the authority launched a livestock awareness campaign during calving season, highlighting that 36 of the 171 fatalities on Irish farms over the past decade involved livestock.

Some 13 of those were in the last five years, with three of those taking place in 2024. According to the HSA, 70% of livestock-related deaths since 2020 have involved people in the over 65-year age category.

The authority highlighted that many farmers suffer serious or fatal injuries while attending cows at calving time. According to Teagasc, the national research and development body, livestock accounts for around 20% of all farm fatalities.

The greatest risk comes when animals are being moved, separated, or released, the body said. The most typical injuries from livestock are crushing, goring, and kicking.
The President joined political leaders from across the island of Ireland in hailing Rory McIlroys US Masters triumph at Augusta.

Michael D Higgins said McIlroys thrilling victory, which finally secured him a career Grand Slam of major victories, was a truly outstanding achievement.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill said the Holywood golfers incredible triumph placed him among the sports greatest.

This is a huge moment in sporting history, and one that has filled everyone back home with great pride and that will undoubtedly inspire future generations to chase their dreams, she posted on X.

Enjoy the well-deserved celebrations, Rory!

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was absolutely delighted for McIlroy.

This is an incredible achievement and he truly has made Northern Ireland proud of the international stage, she posted.

The way he held his nerve to win it and finally get the green jacket, and to complete the career Grand Slam is remarkable.

Ms Little-Pengelly said she was already looking forward to seeing McIlroy on home fairways in the summer when the Open Championship returns to Northern Ireland.

The reception when he steps onto the first tee at Royal Portrush in July will be incredible, she said.

Hopefully he can give the home fans plenty to cheer as he bids to win a second Open Championship.

The UK's Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn also offered his huge congratulations to McIlroy.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin described the win as epic.

The Green Jacket is yours Rory McIlroy, the Taoiseach posted on X.

A finish for the ages at Augusta to win The Masters and complete a richly-deserved career Grand Slam. Epic achievement by one of golfs greatest talents.

Tanaiste Simon Harris also posted his congratulations.

A first Masters and a career Grand Slam means he joins some of the very greatest to have ever played the game, he said.

A proud day for him, his family and for Ireland.
An equitable and just transition for our homes and buildings can unleash multiple benefits for Irelands energy system, its environment and people, especially the most vulnerable. Renovating our buildings is a critical step toward achieving climate obligations, tackling energy poverty, creating green jobs, and fostering healthier and more resilient communities.

Since 2021, the amount of households in Ireland that were unable to keep their homes warm has more than doubled, increasing from 3.4% in 2021 to 7.2% in 2023, which roughly means over 180,000 more people in Ireland fell into energy poverty over the last three years.

This increase is largely due to inflation and volatile energy prices, and particularly our reliance on gas for electricity generation. But the biggest contributing factor is Irelands housing crisis which has led to rising house prices and rents for over a decade.

For instance, in Dublin, the average standardized monthly rent is now 2,102, double what it was a decade ago. As more and more potential first-time buyers are locked out of the housing market, they are pushed towards living in rental accommodation, where tenants have no control over renovating, insulating or upgrading the heating installations.

In fact, 30% of people in Ireland now live in a home they do not own. But in the bigger cities, the proportion of tenants is significantly higher than owners.

Recognising the landlord-tenant dilemma

The latest report from the Economic and Social Research Institute on the investment requirements for energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector is eye opening.

Around 7bn to 8bn will be needed to bring all Irish homes towards a building energy rating (BER) of at least a B2 standard. This investment gap will need to be largely bridged by landlords, but this leads to a split-incentive situation known as the landlord-tenant dilemma.

This is a dilemma not only exclusive to Ireland, but also across Europe. Landlords have little incentive to retrofit the homes they are letting as they will have to incur the cost while not receiving the direct benefits. Yet, without the right incentives for landlords, it is the tenants who are left living in colder, damp accommodation while paying the high energy bills.

Building on existing frameworks such as the Climate Action Plan and the EU Energy Performance Buildings Directive homes can certainly help, but addressing this dilemma directly will require tailored policy measures that are aimed at landlords and tenants.

Solutions exist

A significant part of the solution involves ramping up existing efforts when it comes to renovating and phasing out fossil fuel-based installations in buildings throughout the building stock, even if they do not specifically address the rental sector.

Yet, to directly address this dilemma between landlords and tenants, policymakers and governments need to develop new measures tailored to address the specific challenges faced by landlords and tenants to ensure affordable housing as well as to avoid displacement and gentrification. Any solution towards renovating the rental sector must ensure that strong social safeguards are in place to shield tenants from higher housing costs that may follow renovations.

In Germany, for example, existing law allows landlords to pass on renovation costs by as much as 8% per year following renovation works, be they energy renovations or not. Instead, any potential rent increases need to be balanced with a reduction in energy costs for the tenants to prevent further financial stress.

In France, property owners of G- and F- energy rated buildings are banned since 2023 from increasing the rent between two lettings without undertaking energy renovations. This ensures that tenants are not left paying higher rents and higher energy bills.

As of now, no such rental ceilings exist in Ireland to protect tenants who live in energy-poor accommodation from rising energy costs and rents. In terms of the EU policy framework, as part of the revised EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) legislation, Ireland and all EU states have committed to taking national measures to reduce the average energy use of residential buildings by 16% by 2030 and 20-22% by 2035.

The re-cast EPBD also signals a complete phase out of fossil-fuel boilers by 2040. It is left to the discretion of Member States, including Ireland, to introduce measures to achieve these targets and plan the phase-out through National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs).

This provides the government with an opportunity to introduce minimum energy performance requirements for the energy-poor residential properties, particularly for rental accommodation, and include planned policies and measures to ensure that the decarbonisation of heating and cooling in buildings happens by 2040 in an holistic, inclusive and integrated way. In fact, the previous Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and Green Party government have already made commitments in their Housing for All strategy to introduce minimum BERs in the private rental sector starting in 2025.

The new Government also needs to initiate an early and ambitious public participation process to elaborate its NBRP draft, which must be finalised by the end of 2025 as part of the adopted text of the revised EPBD.

In this planning process the Government needs to engage with stakeholders early and broadly, inviting participation from different sectors, including local governments, civil society organisations, community representatives, building professionals, trade unions and vulnerable groups and also tenants associations. Their insights are invaluable for identifying needs, challenges, and opportunities.

Renters in Ireland, particularly younger generations and low-income households, are feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living and housing crises. Helping them lower their energy bills while ensuring they are not burdened from extra costs can provide some much-needed financial relief and help them put away their money for their dream of owning a home one day. The government now has a major opportunity and responsibility to ensure decent, affordable and fossil-free homes for all, including renters, while also bringing Ireland closer to achieving its climate objectives.
Tech giant Apple arrived in Cork in 1980, setting up its fledgling Irish operation with a single manufacturing facility and 60 staff in what was then an unemployment blackspot.

Today, it is the citys largest private employer, with a total staff headcount edging towards 5,350 and its sprawling Hollyhill campus, on a ridge overlooking the city, is a dominant feature on the landscape.

It reflects in many ways the companys incredible trajectory of growth and expansion at Hollyhill over the last four and a half decades.

That growth and expansion has been facilitated by the state and by local government, which has included the relocation of residents of a Traveller halting site next door to a purpose-built housing scheme nearby, the construction of a new road around the campus, and the sale of two strategic landbanks to facilitate future expansion.

In return, the company has continued to expand and create thousands of new jobs.

But that phenomenal growth over the years has brought its own problems.

Apple has previously flagged with government its concerns about housing supply and the impact that has had on its staff.

It is now highlighting how delays with the delivery of planned public transport services, and of strategic road and active travel infrastructure, is affecting it.

Employee numbers to increase by more than 1,000

Its latest expansion, the construction of the so-called HH5 building, will boost employment on campus by over 1,000 when it opens later this year.

Documents submitted as part of its planning application for 285 additional car park spaces lay bare the challenges faced by staff commuting to the hilltop site, especially given the lack of dedicated bus and bike infrastructure, and the unreliability of the existing bus service.

The documents also set out the massive efforts Apple has gone to to promote sustainable travel, including investing significantly in a major mobility management plan, and in the construction of a mobility hub.

But despite all of its efforts, it says there is a limit to what it can achieve and says the lack of appropriate transport infrastructure which BusConnects and the proposed Cork Northern Distributor Multi Mode Route will deliver presents a barrier to further improvements in the modal spilt  how staff travel to its site  in the short term.

Until these barriers are overcome the applicants require a parking provision to serve the HH5 building which is in accordance with the revised parking standards in the Cork City Development Plan, it says.

Apple has more than 2,500 car parking spaces on its site but heavily promotes sustainable transport options.

It operates its own shuttle bus service on three routes, from Ballincollig, Douglas, and the train station, carrying 500 employees a day on its busiest days.

Apple has more than 2,500 car parking spaces on its site but heavily promotes sustainable transport options. File picture: Dan Linehan

It has developed a commute app for the service which also provides real time information on the public bus service.

It has an agreement with the Cork Connect bus service that enables Apple employee travel from the city to Hollyhill free of charge.

It has built a commute hub on campus to encourage staff to use active travel modes or public transport, with secure covered parking for 170 regular bikes, 60 e-bikes, and 20 scooters.

The hub has real time information panels on bus timetables, it has showers, changing rooms, drying rooms, storage lockers, a bike repair and wash station and charging points for e-bikes and e-scooters.

It provides a free bike maintenance scheme, servicing about 80 bikes a month and its entrance foyer provides shelter for people waiting for a bus or taxi.

The campus has about 150 to 180 active car-poolers with a dedicated internal communication channel called Slack to connect employees travelling on the same routes at the same times.

There are 186 electric vehicle charging ports on the campus, with Apple investing significantly in a dedicated power substation to support the infrastructure, which has capacity for expansion.

App to track EV charging with waitlist function

The company has also developed a dedicated app that allows employees track vehicle charging progress, with a waitlist function built in that enables employees to reserve a space for electric vehicle charging during busy times.

Despite all of this, it says it needs the additional parking.

It argues that a variation to maximum parking standards in the 2022-2028 city development plan, and which was introduced in 2023 to reflect delays in delivery of BusConnects infrastructure and new services, it should be permitted to build one car parking space per 50sq m of development in this part of the city.

Whilst 144 spaces are currently under construction as part of the ACCE Hollyhill 5 planning approval process, the applicant now intends to apply for the shortfall of 285 spaces that are within the updated maximum car parking standards through this planning submission, one document says.

The additional spaces are requested to provide short-medium term resilience and mitigate anticipated delays to the planned public transport and road network improvements ahead of the opening of the Hollyhill 5 building in mid-2025.

In the longer term, there may be scope to repurpose these spaces to higher-value uses that support the expansion of the Apple campus  once the planned key upgrades to Corks transport network are delivered.

It says while the original BusConnects timeline envisaged roll-out of infrastructure and services from 2024, that roll-out has been delayed to 2025 or 2026.

The delays in the rollout of BusConnects has resulted in additional Apple Shuttle services being required to address ongoing issues in journey time reliability.

The shuttle and existing public transport services will not address a shortfall in public transport connectivity for a sizeable number of employees that live outside of Cork City and suburban areas served by bus/shuttle that will need to be accommodated by the private car wither as drivers or passengers, it says.

It points out that the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) proposed six park and ride facilities, including at Dunkettle and Blarney/Stoneview, connected by high-quality public transport services to key destinations.

Computer-generated image of one of the eight new train stations at Blackpool taken from the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy document.

To date, none of these park and ride proposals have been delivered despite the establishment of a dedicated park and ride office in the NTA, it says.

But it also says there is scope to gradually reduce car-parking availability at the Hollyhill campus over time after 2030, stressing that this potential future reduction relies on the delivery of public infrastructure including all the BusConnects Cork elements to ensure reliable bus journey times, a new train station at Blackpool/Kilbarry, with its associated interchange, the full implementation of the Cork Cycle Network alongside the NTAs CycleConnects programme, a public e-bike system and other micromobility such as e-scooters, and more sustainable and affordable housing development in accessible areas.
A man has been arrested and will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism and attempted arson after an early morning fire that badly damaged the Pennsylvania governors mansion and forced Governor Josh Shapiro and his family to flee.

Mr Shapiro and his family were evacuated overnight from the official governors residence in Harrisburg after someone set fire to the building.
A wave of Israeli strikes across Gaza on Sunday hit a hospital and other sites, killing at least 21 people, including children, as Israel vowed to expand its security presence in the small coastal strip.

The pre-dawn strike on Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was the latest of several attacks on northern Gazas last major hospital providing critical health care.

Hospital director Dr Fadel Naim said the emergency room, pharmacy and surrounding buildings were severely damaged, affecting more than 100 patients and dozens of staff.

The outpatient and laboratory wards of the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hospital are seen after being hit by an Israeli army strike late Saturday (AP/Jehad Alshrafi)

One patient, a girl, died during the evacuation following an Israeli warning because staff were unable to provide urgent care, Gazas Health Ministry said. Israel said it struck a Hamas command and control centre at the hospital, without providing evidence. Hamas denied the allegations.

Al-Ahli Hospital is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which condemned the attack, saying in a statement it happened on Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus entry into Jerusalem, and worshippers in Gaza City marked it in a church whose gilded trim and intact walls were a contrast to the widespread debris elsewhere.

Associated Press video showed the hospitals caved-in roof surrounded by rubble. The health ministrys director general, Dr Munir al-Boursh, said patients had been carried outside in beds and slept in the streets.

Nothing was left safe inside the hospital, or all over Gaza, said Mohammad Abu Nasser, an injured man who sat on his bed outdoors and looked at the destruction.

The health ministry said the hospital was temporarily out of service and patients were transferred to other hospitals in Gaza City.

The aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians called it the fifth attack on Al-Ahli since the war began.

Hospitals have special protection under international law.

Palestinians pray over the bodies of Abdullah Habbash, along with the bodies of six brothers from the Abu Mahadi family (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Israel has besieged and raided them, some several times, and struck multiple while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters.

Last month, Israel struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest in southern Gaza, killing two people and causing a large fire, the health ministry said. The facility had been overwhelmed when Israel ended a two-month ceasefire last month with a surprise wave of airstrikes.

Hours later, on Sunday, a strike on a car in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza killed at least seven people, including six brothers, according to staff at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies.

The youngest brother was 10.

Their father, Ibrahim Abu Mahadi, said his sons worked for a charity that distributes food to Palestinians. For what sin were they killed? he said.

An airstrike on Sunday afternoon hit a house in the urban Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing at least seven people including two women, according to the Indonesian hospital.

A pregnant woman was rescued from the rubble. Alaa Manoun later wept after learning her youngest daughter had died, along with her husband and her mother. Two other daughters, ages four and seven, were injured.

We dont know whose body is this and whose body is that, said a neighbour, Abdallah Dardouna.

There is no resistance, there is no Qassam, no Hamas, there is no one here. Its only civilians here.

Another strike in Deir al-Balah hit a municipal building and killed at least three people, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. In Khan Younis, a strike killed at least three people, according to staff at Nasser Hospital.

Israels military said in a statement it had struck over 90 militant targets over the past 48 hours, including command and control centres, tunnels and weapons.

Alaa Manoun, who is seven months pregnant, was rescued from her familys home after it was struck by an Israeli army attack that killed at least seven people (AP/Jehad Alshrafi)

The military also said it had intercepted a projectile fired from Gaza.

The war started when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during an October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel and took 250 people captive.

Many were eventually freed in ceasefire deals.

Israeli authorities have vowed to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, 24 believed to be alive, and accept new ceasefire terms.

It cut off all supplies to Gaza more than a month ago.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, a conservative young millionaire, held the lead in early returns from Sundays presidential run-off election.

Results from the National Electoral Council gave Mr Noboa 56.8% of the vote with about 55% of the ballots counted, while leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez had 43.2% of support in an election in which voters sought solutions to the extortions, killings, kidnappings and other crimes that became part of everyday life as the country emerged from the pandemic.

Women line up to vote in the presidential election run-off in Latacunga, Ecuador (Dolores Ochoa/AP)

Voting is mandatory in Ecuador.

Electoral authorities reported more than 80% of voter participation during Sundays election.

It was the second presidential run-off election in less than two years in Ecuador. Voters chose Mr Noboa over Ms Gonzalez in the run-off of a snap election in October 2023.

The candidates advanced to Sundays contest after getting the most votes in Februarys first-round election.

Mr Noboa won 44.17% of the votes while Ms Gonzalez garnered 44%. About 17,000 votes separated them.

Polls closed at 5pm local time.
Ecuador has re-elected president Daniel Noboa, a conservative millionaire with a divisive no-holds-barred crime-fighting record.

His opponent, leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez, vowed to seek a recount over what she described as grotesque electoral fraud.

Figures released by Ecuadors National Electoral Council show Mr Noboa received 55.8% of the vote with more than 90% of ballots counted, while Ms Gonzalez earned 44%.

Ecuadors top electoral authority, Diana Atamaint, on national television, said those results showed an irreversible trend in favour of Mr Noboa.

Presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez addresses supporters as early returns show president Daniel Noboa in the lead in the presidential election run-off (Dolores Ochoa/AP)

The win gives Mr Noboa four years to fulfill the promises he first made in 2023, when he stunned voters by winning a snap election and a 16-month presidency despite his limited political experience.

More than 13 million people were eligible to vote in the South American country, where voting is mandatory.

Ms Gonzalezs defeat marks the third consecutive time that the party of Rafael Correa, the countrys most influential president this century, failed to return to the presidency.

Mr Noboa, heir to a fortune built on the banana trade, is expected to continue applying some of his no-holds-barred crimefighting strategies that part of the electorate finds appealing but which have tested the limits of laws and norms of governing.

Supporters of president Daniel Noboa celebrate early returns showing him in the lead in the presidential election run-off (Carlos Noriega/AP

Ms Gonzalez on Sunday told supporters her campaign does not recognise the results presented by the (National Electoral Council), arguing, among other issues, that pre-election polls showed her ahead of Mr Noboa.

The candidates advanced to Sundays contest after getting the most votes in Februarys first-round election.

Mr Noboa led Ms Gonzalez by about 17,000 votes.

Voters were primarily worried about the violence that transformed the country, starting in 2021, a spike in crime tied to the trafficking of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru.

Both candidates promised tough-on-crime policies, better equipment for law enforcement and international help to fight drug cartels and local criminal groups.
US President Donald Trump bitterly attacked 60 Minutes shortly after the CBS programme broadcast stories on Ukraine and Greenland.

He said the network was out of control and should pay a big price for going after him on Sunday.

Almost every week, 60 Minutes  mentions the name TRUMP in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekends BROADCAST tops them all, the president said on his Truth Social platform.

He called on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr to impose maximum fines and punishment for their unlawful and illegal behaviour.

The network had no immediate comment.

President Donald Trump talks to reporters on board Air Force One on the way to Palm Beach International Airport (Pool via AP)

Mr Trump has an ongoing $20bn lawsuit against 60 Minutes for how it edited an interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris last fall.

The president claims it was edited in a way to make Ms Harris look good, something the newscast denies.

But there are ongoing reports that Mr Trumps lawyers and CBS parent company are involved in settlement talks.

Mr Carr and the FCC have launched a parallel investigation of CBS News about the same case, one of several that it has undergone that also involve ABC News, NBC, PBS, NPR and the Walt Disney Co.

Despite the legal battle, 60 Minutes has been unstinting in its coverage of Mr Trumps administration since he took office for a second term, particularly correspondent Scott Pelley.

Almost every week, 60 Minutes ... mentions the name TRUMP in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekend's BROADCAST tops them all.

He travelled to Ukraine to conduct an interview with that countrys president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month.

In the interview broadcast on Sunday, Mr Zelensky said he has 100% hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, and invited Mr Trump to visit his country to see what has been done.

Also on Sunday, correspondent Jon Wertheim reported from Greenland on what some people in that nation are saying about Mr Trumps desire to take control.

In his social media message, Mr Trump said 60 Minutes was no longer a news show but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as News, and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing.
Russia has claimed its deadly missile attack on Ukraines Sumy that killed and wounded scores of people including children had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian troops, as European leaders condemned the assault as a war crime.

Ukrainian officials said two ballistic missiles struck the heart of Sumy, a city about 18 miles away from Ukraines border with Russia, as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killing at least 34, including two children, and injuring 119 others.

It is the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week.

Today, many world leaders, diplomats, and ordinary people with big hearts expressed their condolences to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. They condemned the Russian strike. I thank everyone who remembers that wars end when the crimes of war are not forgotten  and when the pic.twitter.com/uFmfU6j5cU  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 13, 2025

When questioned about the incident, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russias forces only strike military targets.

The defence ministry in Moscow added that the strike had targeted a gathering of senior military officers, and accused Kyiv of using civilians as shields by holding military meetings in the city centre.

The ministry also claimed to have killed more than 60 troops. Russia gave no evidence to back its claims.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a global response to the attack, saying the first strike hit university buildings while the second exploded above street level.

He wrote on social media: Only real pressure on Russia can stop this. We need tangible sanctions against those sectors that finance the Russian killing machine.

The strike led to devastating scenes in Sumy (AP)

Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski, whose country holds the European Unions rotating presidency, said that the recent attacks are Russias mocking answer to Kyivs agreement to a ceasefire proposed by the US administration over a month ago.

I hope that President Trump, the US administration, see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill, and I hope the right decisions are taken, Mr Sikorski told reporters in Luxembourg, where EU foreign ministers met.

His Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen noted that the attack on Sumy came shortly after US President Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in St Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

She said it demonstrates that Russia shows full disregard for the peace process, but also that Russia has zero regard for human life.

The Russian attack hit the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday (AP)

Lithuanias foreign minister Kestutis Budrys said the Russian strike used cluster munitions to target civilians in what he called a war crime by definition.

Frances top diplomat Jean-Noel Barrot said the attack shows that Mr Putin has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire.

He must therefore be forced to do so, and thats why Im calling on the European Union to take the toughest sanctions against Russia to suffocate its economy and prevent it from fuelling its war effort.

The EU has imposed 16 rounds of sanctions on Russia and is working on a 17th package, but the measures are getting harder to agree on as they also affect European economies.

Germanys chancellor-designate, Friedrich Merz, described the Sumy attack as a serious war crime.

I'm appalled at Russias horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy and my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time.



President Zelenskyy has shown his commitment to peace.



Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 13, 2025

Mr Merz said that, three days after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was in Moscow, Russia attacked a childrens hospital in Kyiv.

Evidently, he (Mr Putin) interprets our readiness to speak to him not as a serious offer to make peace possible, but as weakness, Mr Merz said in an appearance on ARD television.

The German leader made clear that he stands by his past calls to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, something that outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused to do.

He said that the Ukrainian military needs to be able to get ahead of the situation and that any delivery of long-range missiles must be done in consultation with European partners.

Two children were killed and 15 others were wounded in the attack, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service.

Mr Zelensky said of the Russian attackers: Only filthy scum can act like this (AP)

Only filthy scum can act like this  taking the lives of ordinary people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on social media, adding that the first strike hit city university buildings, while the second exploded above street level.

The head of the Ukrainian Presidents office, Andriy Yermak, said cluster munitions were used to kill as many people as possible. The Associated Press was unable to verify that claim.

The attack on Sumy followed a deadly April 4 missile strike on Mr Zelenskys hometown of Kryvyi Rih that killed some 20 people, including nine children.

Mr Zelensky called for a global response to the attack. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. Whats needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves, he said.

After being asked about the attack, Mr Trump said on Sunday evening that he was trying to get the war stopped.

I think it was terrible and I was told they made a mistake, but I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing, he told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington.

He did not clarify whether he was saying the attack was unintentional.

Late on Sunday, Russian exploding drones attacked Odesa, injuring eight people. Regional head Oleh Kiper said a medical facility was among the buildings damaged.

Russia fired a total of 62 Shahed drones over Ukraine from Sunday night into Monday morning, Ukraines air force said, adding that 40 were destroyed and 11 others jammed.
A man who authorities said scaled an iron security fence, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governors mansion and set a fire is in custody in hospital after an unrelated medical event, officers said.

Cody Balmer told police he had planned to beat governor Josh Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, according to court documents. He was being treated in hospital and officers said that was not connected to this incident or his arrest.

Balmers mother told the Associated Press on Monday that she had tried in recent days to get him assistance for mental health issues, but nobody would help. She said her son has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Josh Shapiro at a press conference (Marc Levy/AP)

He wasnt taking his medicine, and thats all I want to say, Christie Balmer said at the family home in Harrisburg.

The fire caused significant damage and forced Mr Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building early on Sunday.

Balmer, who was arrested later in the day, faces charges including attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, authorities said.

He had walked an hour from his home to the governors residence, and during a police interview he admitted to harbouring hatred towards Governor Shapiro, according to a police affidavit, but it did not explain why.

Mr Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover at the residence on Saturday and were awakened by state police pounding on their doors at about 2am on Sunday.

They fled and firefighters extinguished the fire, officials said. No one was injured.

At a Sunday evening news conference in front of the badly damaged south wing of the governors residence, Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris identified the man in custody as Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg.

Charred wood trim and brick at the Pennsylvania governors official residence (Marc Levy/AP)

Balmer turned himself in after confessing to his ex-paramour, the affidavit said. Authorities had initially said he was being taken to Dauphin County Prison, but did not say whether he has a lawyer.

Authorities did not disclose the mans motive, but an emotional Mr Shapiro, who is viewed as a potential White House contender for the Democratic Party in 2028, said he is unbowed.

He said that if Balmer was trying to stop him from doing his job, then he will work harder, and he added that Balmer will not stop him from observing his faith.

When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover and the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt to freedom, Mr Shapiro said.

I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.

Authorities said the suspect climbed a nearly 7ft iron security fence surrounding the property, eluded officers who became aware of the breach and forcibly entered the residence before setting it on fire.

He used beer bottles filled to make petrol bombs, documents say,

The fire was set while Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside (Commonwealth Media Services/AP)

Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens said Balmer appeared to have carefully planned the attack, adding that he was inside the residence for about a minute before he escaped. He was later arrested in the area.

Balmer has faced criminal charges over the past decade including simple assault, theft and forgery, according to online criminal court records.

Mr Shapiro said the fire was set in the room where he and his family celebrated Passover with a Seder with members of Harrisburgs Jewish community on Saturday night.

We dont know the persons specific motive yet, he told the news conference. But we do know a few truths.

First: This type of violence is not OK. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society. And I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another or one particular person or another. It is not OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.
Donald Trumps top advisers and the president of El Salvador have said they have no basis for the Central American nation to return a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there last month.

Trump administration officials emphasised that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a notorious gang prison in El Salvador, was a citizen of that country and that the US has no say in his future.

President Nayib Bukele, who has been a vital partner for the Trump administration in its deportation efforts, said of course Im not going to release Mr Abrego Garcia back to US soil.

The question is preposterous, Mr Bukele said. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I dont have the power to return him to the United States.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia (CASA/AP)

Should El Salvador want to return Mr Abrego Garcia, the US would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane, US attorney general Pam Bondi said.

But first and foremost, he was illegally in our country, and he had been illegally in our country, she said. Thats up to El Salvador if they want to return him. Thats not up to us.

El Salvador has been a critical part of the US administrations mass deportation operation.

Since March, El Salvador has accepted from the US more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants  whom Trump administration officials have accused of gang activity and violent crimes  and placed them in the countrys notorious maximum-security gang prison just outside the capital, San Salvador.

It is also holding Mr Abrego Garcia, who has not been returned to the US despite court orders to do so.

That has made Mr Bukele, who remains extremely popular in El Salvador due in part to the crackdown on the countrys powerful street gangs, a vital ally for the Trump administration, which has offered little evidence for its claims that the Venezuelan immigrants were gang members.

Asked whether he had any concerns about the prison where deportees are being held, Mr Trump told reporters early on Sunday that Mr Bukele was doing a fantastic job.

Donald Trump with Nayib Bukele (Alex Brandon/AP)

I want to just say hello to the people of El Salvador and say they have one hell of a president, Mr Trump said as he greeted Mr Bukele

Hes taking care of a lot of problems that we have that we really wouldnt be able to take care of from cost standpoint, the US president added.

Hes been amazing. We have some very bad people in that prison. People that should have never been allowed into our country.

Since US secretary of state Marco Rubios visit in February, Mr Bukele  whose government has arrested more than 84,000 people as part of his three-year crackdown on gangs  has made it clear he is ready to help the Trump administration with its deportation ambitions.

He struck a deal under which the US will pay about 6 million dollars (4.5 million) for El Salvador to imprison the Venezuelan immigrants for a year. When a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to turn around a flight carrying the immigrants already en route to El Salvador, Mr Bukele wrote on social media: Oopsie  too late.

Though other judges had ruled against the Trump administration, this month the Supreme Court cleared the way for the president to use the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th century wartime law, to deport the immigrants.

The justices did insist that the immigrants get a court hearing before being removed from the US. Over the weekend, 10 more people who the administration claims are members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs arrived in El Salvador, Mr Rubio said.

Weve also found co-operation in other countries that are willing to take some of these people, some very dangerous criminals, he said during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Marco Rubio (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

He added that Mr Bukele has really been a good friend to the United States in that regard. These are some of the worst people youll ever encounter.

Mr Trump has said he would also favour El Salvador taking US citizens who have committed violent crimes, although he added: Id only do according to the law.

It is unclear how lawful US citizens could be deported elsewhere. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said such citizens would be heinous, violent criminals who have broken our nations laws repeatedly.

The Supreme Court has called for the administration to facilitate the return of Mr Abrego Garcia, who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation to his native country over fears of gang persecution.

Ms Leavitt said the administrations job is to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, but Mr Trump indicated later on Friday that he would return Mr Abrego Garcia to the US if the high courts justices said to bring him back.

I have great respect for the Supreme Court, he told reporters. Government lawyers indicated in a legal filing on Saturday that Mr Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador but did not detail what, if any, steps the administration is taking to return him to the US.
Nigerias president has said at least 40 people were killed when Muslim gunmen, believed to be herders, attacked a Christian farming community in the north-central part of the country.

President Bola Tinubu also said he has ordered an investigation over the late Sunday night attack on the Zike community, extending his condolences to the victims and their families.

I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts, he said in a statement late on Monday.

Amnesty International said the victims, who included children and the elderly, were taken by surprise and could not flee from the gunmen.

Such attacks have become common in this part of Africas most populous country, where gunmen  typically herders from the Fulani, a Muslim tribe  exploit security lapses to launch deadly raids on farmers in a fight over land resources.

According to Andy Yakubu, a local resident, gunmen in Sunday nights attack also destroyed and looted homes in the Zike community, in the Bassa area of Plateau state.

Mr Yakubu said he saw bodies after the attack and that the number of dead could exceed 50. No one has been arrested so far, he added.

The Fulani have been accused of carrying out mass killings across the north west and central regions, where the decades-long conflict over access to land and water has worsened the sectarian division between Christians and Muslims.

Amnesty says that between December 2023 and February 2024, 1,336 people were killed in Plateau state  an indication that the measures taken by Mr Tinubus administration to curb the violence are not working.

Samuel Jugo, spokesman of the Irigwe Development Association, an ethnic organisation in the Bassa area, said in a statement on Monday that at least 75 people of the Irigwe, a Christian ethnic group, have been killed since December.

He said that despite deployment of additional security forces to the area, violence still occurs and described the latest assault as very provocative, vexing and undeserving.

In May last year, armed men attacked remote villages in Plateau, killing at least 40 people during a late-night raid.

The violence over land resources in north-central Nigeria is separate from the battles with Boko Haram, Nigerias homegrown jihadis who took up arms in 2009 to fight western education and impose their radical version of Islamic law.

That conflict, now Africas longest struggle with militancy, has also spilled into Nigerias northern neighbours.
Chinese senior legislator visits South Korea

Xinhua) 10:04, April 14, 2025

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
China and Vietnam Forge Agreements as Xi Cautions Against the Dangers of Protectionism

China and Vietnam have signed a multitude of cooperation agreements, further solidifying the relationship between the two communist-led nations after Chinese leader Xi Jinping cautioned that protectionism leads nowhere and that a trade war would yield no winners.

Mr. Xi is currently in Vietnam for the initial phase of a Southeast Asia tour, as Beijing aims to position itself as a stable alternative to the unpredictable US President Donald Trump, who recently announcedthen largely reversedsignificant tariffs this month.

The Chinese president received a warm welcome in Hanoi, featuring a 21-cannon salute, a guard of honor, and rows of flag-waving children at the presidential palace, before engaging in discussions with Vietnams leading officials, including General Secretary To Lam.

The two neighboring nations formalized approximately 40 cooperation agreements. While specific details have yet to be disclosed, it was anticipated before the visit that agreements would emerge in sectors such as trade and aviation.

Although reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam and several other countries are currently on hold, China still grapples with significant levies and is striving to strengthen regional trade connections to mitigate their effects during Mr. Xis first international trip of the year.

People enthusiastically wave Chinese and Vietnamese flags as the aircraft carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives.

Mr. Xi is set to stay in Vietnam today and tomorrow, after which he will proceed to Malaysia and Cambodia on a tour deemed of major importance for the wider region, as stated by Beijing.

During his meeting with Mr. Lam, Mr. Xi expressed that Vietnam and China are standing at a turning point in history and should advance together hand in hand.

Mr. Xi also emphasized the necessity for both countries to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, ensure stable global industrial and supply chains, and foster an open and cooperative international environment.

In an article published in Vietnams prominent state-run Nhan Dan newspaper, he reiterated that a trade war and tariff war will yield no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.

Vietnams top leader, Mr. Lam, stated in an article on the governments news portal that his country is always prepared to collaborate with China to make the cooperation between our countries more substantive, profound, balanced, and sustainable.

Bamboo diplomacy

In 2024, Vietnam emerged as Southeast Asias largest buyer of Chinese goods, with a total expenditure of $161.9 billion, followed by Malaysia, which imported Chinese goods worth $101.5 billion.

Strengthening ties with Southeast Asian neighbors could also help mitigate the repercussions of a more closed-off United States, which was the largest single recipient of Chinese goods last year.

This marks Mr. Xis first visit to Vietnam since December 2023.

China and Vietnam, both governed by communist parties, already uphold a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is the highest diplomatic status recognized by Hanoi.

Vietnam has long adhered to a bamboo diplomacy strategyaiming to maintain amicable relations with both China and the United States.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for a two-day state visit to Vietnam.

The two nations enjoy close economic ties; however, Hanoi harbors US concerns regarding Beijings rising assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

China asserts claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, but these claims are contested by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Read more:

Analysis: Is Trump already living in Chinas world?

In his article, the Chinese leader insisted that Beijing and Hanoi could address these disputes through dialogue.

We should effectively manage our differences and uphold peace and stability in our region, Mr. Xi wrote.

With foresight, we are entirely capable of satisfactorily resolving maritime issues through consultation and negotiation, he stated.

Vietnams Mr. Lam highlighted in his article on the government news portal that joint endeavors to manage and satisfactorily resolve disagreements serve as an important stabilizing element in the current complex and unpredictable international and regional landscape.

Following his visit to Vietnam, Mr. Xi will head to Malaysia from tomorrow to Thursday.

Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil remarked that Mr. Xis visit is part of the governments efforts to foster improved trade relations with various countries, including China.

On Thursday, Mr. Xi will then travel to Cambodia, one of Chinas staunchest allies in Southeast Asia, where Beijing has expanded its influence in recent years.
The helicopter that went down in New York Citys Hudson River on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of all six individuals on board, including three children, did not have flight recorders, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The NTSB reported late Saturday that no video or camera recorders had been retrieved from the Bell 206 helicopter, and none of the onboard equipment recorded any information useful for the investigation.

Divers from the NYPD are continuing their search for various helicopter components, including the main rotor, gearbox, tail rotor, and tail boom, as stated by the safety agency.

On the previous day, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that New York Helicopter Tours, the company involved in the crash, would be suspending its operations immediately.

The FAA confirmed that the company would halt operations right away.

The FAA further stated that it was analyzing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide and plans to hold a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss its findings.

New York Helicopter Tours indicated on its website that it is directing all inquiries for comments to the FAA and NTSB.

The aircraft, which carried a senior executive from Siemens AG, his wife, and their three children, had its last major inspection on March 1 and had completed seven tour flights prior to the crash, according to federal investigators.

Divers managed to recover the victims, along with the pilot, from the submerged helicopter. Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining two succumbed to their injuries later at nearby hospitals.

Read more: Six fatalities reported after helicopter crash in New Yorks Hudson River

Among the parts that have been retrieved and sent to NTSB laboratories in Washington for examination are the cockpit, cabin, horizontal stabiliser finlets, vertical fin, and a section of the tail boom, as per the NTSB update.

Investigators are also analyzing two similar helicopters in connection with the investigation and have met with representatives from New York Helicopter Charter, the operator of the crashed helicopter, to review operational records, policies and procedures, safety management systems, and the pilots qualifications, the agency said.

The helicopter departed from a downtown pad around 3 PM local time (8 PM Irish time) on Thursday, traveling north along the Hudson River, as shared by New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

After reaching the George Washington Bridge, it made a turn south but crashed shortly afterward, hitting the water upside down near Lower Manhattan, just off Jersey City, around 3:15 PM local time.
Ireland is preparing to join an alliance of European nations focused on sharing intelligence regarding potential threats in EU waters.

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has granted the Defence Forces the authority to officially join the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), enhancing the countrys maritime surveillance capabilities.

The CISE is a voluntary, decentralized network that facilitates the sharing of maritime surveillance data among EU and EEA countries and agencies.

This initiative allows various authorities, including coast guards, naval services, and customs, to securely communicate their data in real-time.

According to Tanaiste Simon Harris, the decision to join does not undermine Irish neutrality.

The European Commission oversees the initiative and encourages all EU member states to participate.

Participants maintain control over their data and determine what information to share.

Each member connects through a CISE node, which serves as a secure gateway for information exchange.

The Irish node will be operated by the Naval Service from Haulbowline in County Cork.

Mr. Harris described this connection with other European nations as a common sense measure.

He emphasized that this move is a crucial component for Irelands first national maritime security strategy, which is currently under development.

A new maritime security unit was established at the Department of Defence at the beginning of the year to explore ways to address maritime threats and risks to Ireland.

As Ireland monitors an extensive maritime area with limited resources, there are concerns about the surveillance and potential sabotage of critical infrastructure.

The Viktor Leonov CCB-175, a Russian Navy intelligence-gathering vessel, has previously been spotted off the coast of Havana, Cuba.

In recent months, Russian intelligence-gathering ships have hovered near undersea cables and operated close to Irish waters with ambiguous intentions, at times without transponders.

When questioned about how this alliance could have provided assistance last week when the Defence Forces shadowed a Russian surveillance vessel in Irelands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Minister for Defence noted that the CISE will establish a more structured footing for information sharing with partners.

It means you have the option to exchange information with those ten other countries vessels of interest can swiftly move from one countrys sea area to another, Mr. Harris explained.

We are all aware of the growing presence of vessels of interest, and its critical that we share information in a timely manner, he added.

Michael Murphy, a former lieutenant colonel and deputy director of military intelligence at the Irish Defence Forces, expressed concerns regarding how this might impact Irelands neutrality.

One issue is that we could be sharing intelligence about activities in our waters with foreign forces regarding Russian vessels or other non-NATO ships, which could imply taking a side by passing information, he stated.

Thus, were collecting information, turning it into intelligence, and passing it on to foreign forces [with] limited ability to act ourselves, as we currently only have one available ship, Mr. Murphy said.

Mark Price, co-founder of the Irish Neutrality League, believes this alliance is not genuinely international and primarily represents Western powers.

Ships are entitled to navigate through our EEZ. This reflects our governments efforts to instill a sense of alarm that may push Irish citizens to wish for military and security alliances, he remarked.

Mr. Harris maintained that this initiative does not compromise Irish neutrality.

He clarified that it is focused on security and is not about joining any military alliance.

This is a voluntary information-sharing alliance Much of this already happens informally, and this effort is aimed at formalizing that, he added.

He reiterated that it is up to the Defence Forces to determine what information to share, just as it is up to other defence forces to decide what they share in return.

The European Commission has also indicated that the CISE will support future maritime data systems, services, and sharing processes.

It has identified CISE as part of the Integrated Surveillance Mechanism for Submarine Cables, which is proposed to support an EU-wide initiative to safeguard critical undersea infrastructure.

The European Commission has spearheaded the development of CISE over the past 15 years, with it becoming fully operational in 2024.
Pope Francis surprised Catholic worshippers with an unplanned tour of St Peters Square following a Palm Sunday Mass, despite medical advice for him to avoid crowds while recovering from pneumonia.

For the second consecutive Sunday, after the longest hospital stay of his papacy, the 88-year-old pontiff emerged from his Vatican quarters, distributing sweets to children and shaking hands as he made his way around the Vatican landmark.

Seated in his wheelchair, the Argentine appeared to be in relatively good spirits, notably without the nasal cannulaa plastic tube used to assist his breathing during recovery.

Since leaving the hospital, the pope has made several outings despite his doctors recommendations to rest, with these surprise visits not included in any official Vatican schedule.

Pope Francis has made several public appearances since being released from the hospital.

After a planned meeting with King Charles III was initially called off due to his health concerns, Francis later privately welcomed the British monarch and Camilla, the Queen Consort, on Wednesday.

The extent of his involvement in the upcoming Easter celebrations the most sacred time in the Christian calendarremains to be clarified by the Holy See.

During his Angelus prayer, issued by the Vatican, the pontiff expressed gratitude for the prayers of the faithful and reiterated his customary appeal for world peace.
The head of the World Health Organization has reported that a child lost their life due to disruption of care from Israeli strikes on a hospital in Gaza.

According to medics, two Israeli missiles struck a building within Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, leading to the destruction of the emergency and reception department as well as damage to other structures.

The pre-dawn assault devastated the emergency room and other facilities at the hospital, confirmed the WHO, following an evacuation warning issued by Israel.

One patient, a girl, died during the evacuation as medical staff were unable to provide urgent care, as stated by the WHO, citing the hospitals director.

He mentioned that the hospital cannot accept new patients until repairs are completed.

Hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law. Attacks on healthcare must cease, he emphasized.

Once again we reiterate: patients, healthcare workers, and hospitals must be safeguarded. The aid blockade should be lifted. We need a ceasefire, Mr. Tedros stated in a post on X.

The hospital, managed by the Diocese of Jerusalem, condemned the attack in a statement, noting it occurred on Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian calendar.

Health officials at the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital evacuated patients from the building after receiving a phone call from someone identifying as Israeli security shortly before the strike.

The Israeli military claimed in a statement it had taken measures to minimize civilian harm prior to striking the compound, which it asserted was being used by Hamas militants for planning attacks.

Hamas condemned what it characterized as a savage crime perpetrated by Israel with blatant U.S. complicity, dismissing the assertion that the facility had military uses.

A man walks through the rubble in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.

The hospital, an institution of the Anglican Church and significant medical facility, has been rendered inoperable, according to Gazas health authorities.

Hundreds of patients and injured individuals had to be evacuated in the middle of the night, and many are now left on the streets without medical care, placing their lives at risk, stated Khalil Al-Deqran, spokesperson for the ministry.

The strikes coincided with Hamas leaders initiating new talks in Cairo, aiming to salvage a stalled ceasefire agreement with Israel, as Egypt, Qatar, and the United States intensified efforts to reconcile the two sides.

Images displayed considerable devastation within and around the hospital compounds church.

Patients, relatives, and healthcare personnel evacuated the Al-Ahli hospital hurriedly following the militarys warning.

Many found themselves stranded in the adjacent streets.

Naela Imad, 42, had been sheltering at the hospital but was forced to flee the complex.

Just as we reached the hospital gate, they bombed it. It was a massive explosion, she recounted.

Now, my children and I are on the street. Weve been displaced more than 20 times. The hospital was our last refuge.

Qatar, which previously mediated a fragile ceasefire between the opposing forces that collapsed last month, also denounced the strike as a heinous crime.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin expressed his shock at the strike on the hospital in Gaza.

This is part of a broader and deeply unacceptable trend in modern warfare.

The wanton killing and targeting of civilians must come to an end, he remarked.

At least 30 Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli strikes.

Additional strikes in the enclave resulted in at least 30 Palestinian fatalities, including the head of a police station in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza, as reported by Hamas and health authorities.

Six brothers were killed when an Israeli strike targeted their vehicle in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, according to medics.

The conflict in Gaza was ignited by Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals taken hostage, based on Israeli reports.

Since that event, more than 50,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the Israeli offensive, as per local health authorities.

Much of Gaza lies in ruins, and a significant portion of its population has been displaced.

The remains of 15 emergency and aid workers from the Red Crescent, the Civil Emergency Service, and the UN were discovered in a mass grave in southern Gaza in March.

Aid worker missing after a deadly attack on colleagues is detained by Israel, according to the ICRC.

Meanwhile, a member of the Palestinian Red Crescent who went missing in March, when 15 humanitarian workers were fatally shot by Israeli fire, is currently held by Israeli authorities, as per the rescue service and the Red Cross.

Hisham Mhana, spokesperson for the ICRC in Gaza, confirmed that it had received reports indicating that paramedic Assad Al-Nsasrah of the Palestine Red Crescent Society is being held in an Israeli detention facility.

Mr. Mhana noted that the ICRC has not been granted access to Mr. Nsasrah, who had been declared missing until now, and has also been unable to visit any Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails since October 7, 2023.

In a post on X, the PRCS called for the immediate release of Mr. Nsasrah, stating he was forcibly abducted while fulfilling humanitarian duties.

Urgent: We have been informed by the International Committee of the Red Cross that PRCS medic Assad Al-Nsasrah is being held by the Israeli occupation authorities. His fate had remained unknown since he was targeted along with other PRCS medics in #Rafah.We call on the pic.twitter.com/l0oOxujS8G

 PRCS (@PalestineRCS) April 13, 2025

The statement added that Mr. Nsasrah and his colleagues came under heavy gunfire, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals in a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

In March, the bodies of 15 emergency and aid workers from the Red Crescent, Civil Emergency Service, and the UN were found in a mass grave in southern Gaza.

The UN and the Red Crescent accused Israeli forces of killing them while they were dispatched in response to reports of injuries from Israeli airstrikes.

The Israeli military asserted that a thorough investigation into the incident is underway and that it would only share further details upon completion of the investigation.

It stated that a preliminary inquiry suggested that the troops opened fire due to a perceived threat following a previous encounter in the area, and that six of the individuals killed were identified as Hamas militants.

The Israeli military has not provided evidence of how it concluded that the six were Hamas members, and the Islamist faction has denied the allegation.

The only known survivor of the incident, PRCS paramedic Munther Abed, reported that soldiers opened fire on clearly marked emergency response vehicles.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

Read more: Dublin Archbishop angered over Israeli attack on Gaza hospital
Zelensky Calls on Trump to Witness the Devastation of the Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on US President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine in order to witness firsthand the devastation caused by Russias invasion.

Before making any decisions or entering into negotiations, please come and see the people, the civilians, the warriors, the hospitals, the churches, and the children who have been destroyed or killed, he stated during an interview with CBS 60 Minutes.

A visit to Ukraine, he mentioned, would help Mr. Trump understand what (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin has done.

You will recognize with whom you are dealing, Mr. Zelensky further emphasized.

Ukrainian rescue teams are searching through the debris left by a missile attack in Sumy.

At that time, Mr. Vance accused Ukraine of conducting propaganda tours with foreign leaders to garner support.

Mr. Zelensky firmly denied this claim and told CBS that if Mr. Trump decides to come to Ukraine, we will not stage anything. It wont be a performance.

You can visit any location you prefer, in any city that has endured attacks, he added.

Mr. Trump is advocating for a swift resolution to the over three-year conflict, while the United States has been engaging in direct talks with Russia despite its ongoing assaults on Ukraine.

The United States has also conversed with Ukrainian officials regarding a potential truce, as European nations consider a military deployment to support any ceasefire in Ukraine.

Ukraine has previously agreed to a US-suggested unconditional ceasefire, but Russia has rejected it.

Putin cannot be trusted. I have told President Trump that many times. So when you ask why the ceasefire is not effective  this is the reason, Mr. Zelensky stated.

Read more: 34 people killed, 117 injured in Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy

Putin has never wanted the war to end. He has never wanted us to be independent. His goal is to completely destroy us  our sovereignty and our people, he added.

Mr. Zelensky spoke to CBS on Friday in his hometown, Kryvyi Rih, where a Russian strike earlier this month resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals, including nine children.

As discussions continue regarding an end to the conflict, Mr. Zelensky asserted that a just peace would involve preserving our sovereignty and our independence, and he vowed to eventually reclaim any territory currently occupied by Russia.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin never wanted an end to the war.

We will take back what is ours, no matter the cost, because we never lost it  the Russians seized it from us, he stated.

This statement follows a recent incident where two Russian ballistic missiles struck the center of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy, resulting in 34 fatalities and injuring 117 people in the deadliest attack on Ukraine this year, according to officials.

Mr. Zelensky has called for a strong international response against Russia due to the attack, which coincides with Mr. Trumps efforts to quickly end the war facing challenges in making progress.

Leaders from Britain, Germany, and Italy have condemned the assault.

These attacks illustrate just how much Russias supposed willingness for peace is worth, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remarked on social media.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed condolences for the victims in a statement, noting that the attack serves as a tragic reminder of why President Trump and his Administration are dedicating so much effort to try to end this war.

During Mr. Trumps administration, US officials have engaged in separate discussions with both Kremlin and Ukrainian officials to advance toward a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
Pacifism in Islam  University of Manchester. Juan Coles remarks at their conference.

The Islamic Peace Studies Initiative

Juan Cole and Samer Ali have directed the Islamic Peace Studies Initiative at the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies in the International Institute of the University of Michigan from 2016. The initiative sought to stimulate thinking and writing on the intersection of Peace Studies as an academic field with Islamic Studies, an intersection that our literature search suggested was all too rare. Other religions, including Christianity and Buddhism, were much better represented in the Peace Studies field. The Initiative led to two courses at the University of Michigan, two conferences, and two books  a monograph by Cole on the Prophet Muhammad and an edited book out of the conferences, edited by Cole. This paper will discuss the project and its major findings.



The Islamic Peace Studies Initiative: Juan Cole

Transcript of Juan Coles remarks, computer-generated at YouTube and cleaned up by ChatGPT. Caveat emptor.

Juan Cole: So  Id like to talk a little bit about the Islamic Peace Studies Initiative at the University of Michigan.

This is an initiative that was begun by myself and Samer Ali at the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies in 2016. The context of it, of course, had been the long years of the U.S. so-called War on Terror  the dramatic events of al-Qaeda, and then the rise of ISIL. Samer and I felt that Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies were being securitized in unfortunate ways.

Without wanting to deny that extremism exists  and has been a significant factor  we felt the emphasis on extremism was out of proportion to the reality. When one looks at the entirety of the Muslim world, other things have been going on  and have been going on for 1,400 years  which were being ignored.

So we proposed to our [University of Michigan] International Institute an Islamic Peace Studies Initiative to promote academic research on this subject  and to promote the professionalization and recognition of this subfield.

We did a literature search in Index Islamicus using the Boolean search terms Islam and peace  and we came up with about 77 articles. Index Islamicus tries to index everything written in European languages about Islam since 1500. There are thousands and thousands of entries  so even if the search was in some way inadequate, or there were other search terms that might have been more fruitful  we can see that this is a neglected subject in European-language research.

As far as I can tell, the International Journal of Peace Studies, which is the foremost journal in the field  at George Mason University  seems to have published few or no articles on Islam. Perhaps some articles set in Muslim societies  but not on Islam per se.

In contrast to this dearth of work on Islam and peace, peace studies itself  as an academic field  has become well established over the years. In some ways, it began in 1955, when Johan Galtung became the chair in peace studies at the University of Oslo. By now, there are 150 colleges and universities just in the United States that offer courses in the area of peace studies.

Peace studies is very broadly conceived and diverse  theres political philosophy of peace, security studies, practical conflict resolution. The religious dimension of peace studies has been important  many peace studies programs are housed at denominational institutions. The Kroc Institute for Peace Studies at Notre Dame is one example. Haverford, and traditionally Mennonite and Quaker peace church institutions, often have peace studies as well. Secular institutions also participate.

Theres been a fair amount of work on peace and Christianity  peace and Buddhism  so religion as a dimension of this subject is well recognized. But again  not, on the whole, with regard to Islam.

We received funding from the International Institute  they were very kind  and we moved forward with our first Peace in Islam, Islam in Peace conference in Ann Arbor in March of 2017. I wont read the whole program, but Ill share the participants so that you can get an idea of the diversity of topics and people represented.

I should mention that I was concerned the subject should be treated in the context of the global Muslim world. Africa, for instance, has been an important site for peace studies within Islam  and it was well represented [Rudoph Ware, Lamin Sanneh, Abdullahi An-Naim.]

We did not want to make the mistake of essentializing  saying that Sufism is always about peace. Because of course, there has been militant Sufism  but we did include a paper on that. On the other hand, Sherman Jackson gave us a paper on the fundamentalist turn toward peace in Egypt after the 1990s. We also looked at Salafism and the early Salafis  we argued they should be read in this context.

We did receive some critiques  some nervousness was expressed by invitees. Some turned us down, unsure of what we were about. My guess is that the U.S. governments CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) program  under Homeland Security  has gotten a bad name in the American Muslim community as being Islamophobic or a brainwashing operation. We had  and have  nothing to do with CVE. Weve not taken money from the U.S. government.

Still, I suspect that nervousness around CVE made people a bit suspicious about why we were focusing on this subject.

Abdullahi An-Naim, who gave the keynote at our first conference, also included some critiques  he worried it might become paternalistic  white people showing Muslims how to make peace, and so forth. I hope you can see from our invite list that this was not our intention  we wanted scholars of Muslim heritage to be prominently represented in this project. We aimed for a good mix of people  and as we conceived the project, it was an intellectual and academic program.

We certainly had no intention of trying to train peace negotiators or anything of that sort.

In spring of 2019, we held a second conference  this time, less sociological and more focused on the inner life of Islam and Muslims, looking at peace and serenity as values. Again, we aimed for a diverse set of respondents. Our keynote that year was Dr. Irfan Omar of Marquette University.

Ultimately, these two conferences  along with our other activities  culminated in the book Peace Movements in Islam, published in December 2021 by I.B. Tauris (Bloomsbury), who I believe may be represented at your conference.



Peace Movements in Islam: History, Religion, and Politics, edited by Juan Cole. IB Tauris/ Bloomsbury, 2021. Click here to buy.

The referees for the book  we received three long referee reports  were very enthusiastic. One said the book could be potentially field-forming.

I know there are other teams and scholars working on this subject throughout the world. Asma Afsaruddin at Indiana University Bloomington has been one  and she kindly contributed a chapter to our book. There are others as well. There have been a few other such anthologies  for example, one around 2010 by Douglas Johnston with the U.S. Institute of Peace. So its not unprecedented  I dont want to make undue claims for our project.

But I do think it may be the first thoroughgoing project of this sort to result in a book that is theorizing the possibility of a subfield of Islamic peace studies.

Many of our contributors were of Muslim heritage, and we tried to address a wide range of phenomena  Senegal is there, Bosnia is there, India is there, and so on.

I included a paper of my own  looking at peace verses in the Quran. These verses are numerous  and I believe theyve been under-theorized in the field. I used many of these in my own 2018 monograph, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace Amid the Clash of Empires  but there I used them in writing the biography of the Prophet. In the paper for the book, I focused specifically on the Quran itself, trying to do a more analytical study.

As Abd al-Haqq rightly said  you can let the Quran comment on itself  and I tried to look at how the verses interplay with one another. I argue that peace, conciliation, and peacemaking are absolutely central to the Quran. Even in the Medinan period  where you have what I consider to be just war verses  the emphasis on ultimate conciliation continues in that period as well.

So  thank you for letting me give this little overview of our project and of the book that resulted.

-

PS: The initiative ran 2016-2022.

PPS see also Juan Cole, The Great Sufi Qushayri on Responding to Evil with the Greatest Good.
Written by Walid El Houri

( Global Voices )  The bodies of 15 Palestinian rescue workers were recently discovered in Gaza, showing signs of execution-style killings. According to doctors on the ground, the workers were found with gunshot wounds to the head and their hands tied  disturbing indicators of extrajudicial execution. This massacre is the latest in a series of targeted attacks against medical personnel during Israels ongoing war on Gaza, and a devastating marker of its disregard for international law with thousands of healthcare workers killed and hundreds abducted by Israel amid reports of torture.

A video found on the phone of one of the paramedics found in the mass grave shows their last moments and was presented to the United Nations Security Council.

The incident highlights not only a pattern of violence against healthcare workers and hospitals but also the near-total absence of accountability for Israels conduct in Gaza, where the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that acts of genocide are plausible. These systematic attacks violate core principles of international humanitarian law and reflect an increasingly normalized assault on the right to health in war.

A global trend of escalating violence

In recent years, the targeting of healthcare workers, hospitals, and health infrastructure in conflict zones has escalated alarmingly, particularly in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. Nowhere has this been more devastating than in Gaza, where the systematic destruction of the healthcare system by Israel has reached unprecedented levels. By early 2024, over 761 incidents of violence against Palestinian healthcare had been recorded  equivalent to the total number of attacks in Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo combined.

The 2023 report by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition documented a 25 percent rise in assaults on healthcare facilities and personnel globally, making it the worst year on record. These included bombings, looting, and killings that paralyzed healthcare systems and left civilians without essential care. The report found that nearly half of these incidents were attributed to state forces. It identified clear patterns of violence against healthcare in places like Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and, critically, in Gaza.

Conflicts where violence against healthcare becomes a consistent pattern frequently start with extreme levels of violence against the health system, the report noted. In 2023, this trend was particularly stark in Manipur (India), Sudan, and Gaza.

Israels war on Gaza: Healthcare under siege

Israels bombardment and siege of Gaza have not only devastated homes and infrastructure but systematically dismantled its healthcare system. Hospitals and clinics have been bombed, medical convoys attacked, and healthcare workers abducted and killed. The Kamal Adwan Hospital, for example, was targeted in repeated airstrikes, and its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, remains in Israeli custody where he has reportedly been mistreated. Al Shifa hospital, Gazas largest medical complex, was also attacked and destroyed, with an investigation by Forensic Architecture revealing mass graves in the hospital grounds.

By February 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that every hospital in Gaza was either damaged, destroyed, or rendered inoperable due to fuel shortages and attacks. The WHO had already documented 427 attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank by November 30, 2023, resulting in 566 deaths and 758 injuries.

Dozens of videos filmed by Israeli soldiers demolishing hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure have circulated online. One recent example is the destruction of the Turkish Friendship Hospital.

In March 2025, a UN investigation concluded that Israels destruction of reproductive healthcare facilities in Gaza  targeting maternity wards, IVF clinics, and restricting access to essential care  amounted to genocidal acts. The report detailed how these deliberate attacks, along with restrictions on food and medical supplies, have partly destroyed the reproductive capacity of Palestinians in Gaza.

Israeli attacks on healthcare in Lebanon

Israels attacks on healthcare have extended beyond Palestines borders. During its attacks on Lebanon, from October 2023 to October 2024, Israel bombed 37 health facilities and killed 70 health professionals. By November 1, 2024, the toll had risen to 178 healthcare workers killed and 292 injured. A total of 243 ambulances, 84 clinics, and 40 hospitals were affected by Israeli attacks.

The WHO has noted that nearly half of the healthcare attacks in Lebanon resulted in fatal outcomes, making it the most deadly conflict for health workers globally in terms of mortality rate per incident.



Hospital, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / ChatGPT, 2025

The sheer scale of these attacks has prompted international legal responses. In December 2023, South Africa filed a case at the ICJ accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Numerous countries from the global majority have joined the suit. In 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Despite these moves, Israel has faced no sanctions or meaningful accountability from its Western allies. This impunity stands in stark contrast to the legal obligations of states under international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention.

A broader pattern: Attacks on healthcare in Sudan, Syria, and Yemen

In Sudan, the ongoing conflict has led to significant damage to healthcare infrastructure. In the first 500 days of the civil war, nearly half of the hospitals in Khartoum were damaged, severely impacting medical care. A report documented damage to 41 of the 87 hospitals in Khartoum, violating international humanitarian law and pushing the already fragile health system to the brink of collapse, with 70 percent of health facilities inoperable in affected states.

An UntoldMag investigation revealed systematic attacks on hospitals in Al Fasher, targeting medical professionals and further decimating Sudans healthcare infrastructure.

Sudan has since lodged a case at the ICJ against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing it of breaching the genocide convention by funding and arming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebel group in Sudans ongoing war. Sudan alleges the UAE supported the RSF in committing genocide, murder, rape, and other human rights violations.

In Syria, the decade-long war has also witnessed extensive targeting of healthcare facilities and personnel, leaving the country with a battered and overwhelmed health system. In 2021, a report by the International Rescue Committee showed some of the devastating losses and attacks on healthcare in the country. Of the people surveyed in the report, 56 percent said they would be afraid to live near health facilities because they are targets.

In Yemen, the protracted conflict has led to numerous attacks on healthcare facilities by the Saudi-led coalition, further deteriorating the already fragile health system. The destruction of hospitals and clinics has left millions without access to essential medical services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate Saudi Arabia and the UAE have conducted over 130 attacks on hospitals and healthcare infrastructure, violating international humanitarian law.

The collapse of a legal and moral order

This increasing normalization of attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel reflects a crisis in the post-WWII world order, with international law, institutions, and protections under an unprecedented attack.

Protections enshrined in international law  particularly the Geneva Conventions  are routinely flouted, especially by powerful states and their allies. While legal mechanisms like the ICJ and ICC offer glimmers of hope, they remain toothless without enforcement mechanisms and political will.

The ICC and ICJ cases, along with reactions from Western countries, highlight the lack of accountability for perpetrators. Without sanctions, legal action, and the end of political shielding for countries like Israel, the erosion of norms protecting civilians in conflict will continue  and with it, the further collapse of the fragile systems meant to protect life in times of war.

An emotional speech by pediatric intensive care doctor Tanya Haj-Hassan, who has worked in Gaza, reflects the dangers of normalizing attacks on hospitals and medical workers.

The normalization of attacks on healthcare is a direct consequence of this impunity. It reflects not only a collapse in global governance but a dangerous redefinition of what is permissible in war. As long as perpetrators face no consequences, hospitals will continue to be bombed, doctors will be treated as combatants, and the right to health will remain one of wars earliest casualties.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 14, 2025) - Altamira Gold Corp. (TSXV: ALTA) (FSE: T6UP) (OTC Pink: EQTRF) ("Altamira" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the results of ongoing exploration for district-scale porphyry-related gold mineralization in close proximity to the Cajueiro Central Mineral Resource (previously reported under NI 43-101).

Highlights:

A new target has been defined at Serafim, located 2km east of the existing Mineral Resource where rock chip sampling identified a hydrothermal breccia containing clasts of veined porphyry intrusive. This included a grab rock sample+ of 5.6 g/t gold.

At Tavares Norte, a grab rock sample+ returned an assay of 7.8 g/t gold with all ten rock chip samples averaging 3.2g/t gold and with all samples recording greater than 1g/t gold. A 50-metre trench outlined three mineralized intervals within which 31m averages greater than 0.25g/t gold (peak value 1m @ 6.5 g/t gold), with the mineralization open at both ends of the trench.

Trenching at the Guillermo prospect has returned two intervals defining future drill targets within quartz veined and altered volcanic host rocks, with a coherent interval of 35m @ 0.5 g/t gold.

CEO Mike Bennett commented; "Our ongoing field program of soil sampling, mapping and drone magnetics, continues to successfully define new targets. Our recent discovery of further evidence of porphyry-related gold mineralization at Serafim, brings the current inventory of new drill target areas in the Cajueiro project, outside our two main mineralized centres, to eight. This latest discovery remains at a very early stage but is a very positive indicator and supports our thesis that the district-scale gold occurrences, identified to date over an east-west distance of 14km, are most likely part of the same porphyry-related mineralizing event within this expanding gold district. The results from Tavares Norte and Guillermo also define drill targets on extensive zones of surface gold mineralization."

+ by their nature, grab samples are not representative of the bulk metal content of a mineralized zone.

CAJUEIRO PROJECT

The Cajueiro project is located approximately 75km NW of the town of Alta Floresta in the state of Mato Grosso (Figure 1) in central western Brazil. The project is easily accessible by road, lies on open farmland and has grid power and a local water supply. Cajueiro is the most advanced of three key projects that Altamira controls in the region, the other two being Apiacas and Santa Helena (Figure1).

Figure 1: Location of the Cajueiro, Apiacas and Santa Helena projects.

The Cajueiro Central project has current NI 43-101 resources* of 5.66Mt @ 1.02 g/t gold for a total of 185,000 oz in the Indicated Resource category and 12.66Mt @ 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 515,000 oz in the Inferred Resource category (estimated using a gold price of US$1,500/oz).

Reconnaissance drilling at the Maria Bonita target, located 7km west of the Cajueiro Central Mineral Resource, identified the first porphyry-hosted gold discovery at Cajueiro and returned gold values up to 146m @ 1g/t gold (from 23 metres depth) (see press release dated May 22, 2024).

A program of mapping, soil sampling and proprietary drone magnetics continues to develop new targets in the Cajueiro district (Figure 2). An east-west corridor of intrusive-related prospects, lies between major structures that were later reactivated and intruded by regional-scale gabbro dykes that extend over tens of kilometres.

Within this corridor, there are five prospects from Novo Sonho in the west to Guillermo in the east, over a distance of 12 km (Figure 2). To the south of this corridor, lies the Cajueiro Mineral Resource and two active prospects at Espirro and Serafim.

*NI 43-101 Technical Report, Cajueiro Project, Mineral Resource Estimate: Global Resource Engineering, Denver Colorado USA, 10th October 2019; Authors K. Gunesch, PE; H. Samari, QP-MMSA; T. Harvey, QP-MMSA

Figure 2: Cajueiro district targets (yellow labels) and their position in relation to the defined Mineral Resource at Cajueiro Central (white labels for sub-sectors). An alignment of six of the targets occur in close spatial association to a pronounced east-west fault corridor marked by later gabbroic dykes.

At Mombaque, two trenches have been excavated and sampled, totalling 380m. The underlying rocks are sericite altered tuffs, interpreted as overlying a mineralizing felsic intrusive at shallow depth. Results are pending.

The Tavares Norte prospect is located 1km NW of the central resource area. The current soil anomaly extends for some 1300 metres x 1800 metres and small felsic intrusives are interpreted to underlie the soil anomaly. Surface rock chip grab sampling+ across the prospect returned an average grade of 3.2g/t gold from ten samples with a highest value of 7.8 g/t gold. A single trench was excavated alongside a dirt road traversing the anomaly in a north-east direction in the eastern sector of the prospect and returned three intervals of interest; 23m @ 0.25 g/t gold, 2m @ 3.27 g/t gold and 6m @ 0.38 g/t gold (see Table 1).

From To Interval (m) g/t gold Comment 0 23 23 0.25 interval open to north 27 29 2 3.27 44 50 6 0.38 interval open to south

Table 1: Tavares Norte trench results, based on 1 metre sample intervals.

At Morro Verde, located 1000m north of the central resource area, 8 additional grab rock chip samples+ returned an average of 0.28 g/t gold, with a peak value of 0.71g/t gold and all samples returning greater than 0.1 g/t gold. A single drill hole completed in 2017, (see press release dated August 1, 2017) intersected 65m of intrusive breccia containing dominantly volcanic wall-rock clasts.

Figure 3: Drillhole CJO-98, Morro Verde intrusive breccia.

Trenching at Guillermo has defined two zones of interest for drill testing. The rocks exposed in the trenches are felsic volcanics intruded by small stocks or dykes of altered and veined felsic igneous rocks (see press release dated December 11, 2024).

Results received to date include 35m @ 0.45 g/t gold, 7m @ 0.22 g/t gold and 7.6m @ 0.41 g/t gold (see Table 2). These results demonstrate that the intrusive rocks carry anomalous gold and warrant drill testing to confirm the subsurface continuity and grade trend of the trench intervals.

Trench Length From To Interval Grade Peak assay (m) (m) (m) (m) Au g/t Au g/t TCGLO-0001 170 99 134 35 0.45 0.47 TCGLO-0003 147 64 71 7 0.22 0.79 TCGLO-0006 100 49.2 56.8 7.6 0.41 0.98

Table 2: Guillermo trench results, based on 1 metre sample intervals.

Soil sample and drone magnetic results are pending over parts of the grid. In a similar manner to the Maria Bonita area, mineralized porphyry intrusives are cut by later, barren phases of the inferred same felsic intrusive suite. Dating studies are ongoing to better interpret the age relationships.

Grab sampling+ of float breccia boulders at the Serafim prospect returned one sample containing 5.57 g/t gold. This sample is a breccia containing clasts of quartz veined porphyry intrusive which are interpreted to have been derived from the roof zone of a porphyry intrusive (Figure 4).

+ By their nature, grab samples are not representative of the bulk metal content of a mineralized zone.

Figure 4: Clasts from surface rock chip sample in Serafim hydrothermal breccia

Figure 5: Silicified hydrothermal breccia from Serafim containing 0.2g/t gold

These new results underline the emerging context of a set of porphyry-related gold occurrences within a defined structural corridor that shows evidence of at least four episodes of multiphase intrusive activity, pointing to a deep and reactivated set of structurally controlled magma conduits.

These favourable structural settings, with positive gold in soil and rock sampling, now provide a set of targets for scout drilling to extend the inventory of mineralization outside the Cajueiro Central Mineral Resource and the Maria Bonita discovery.

Qualified Person

Guillermo Hughes, FAIG and M AusIMM., a consultant to the Company as well as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Altamira Gold Corp.

The Company is focused on the exploration and development of gold and copper projects within western central Brazil, strategically advancing six projects spanning over 100,000 hectares within the prolific Juruena Gold Belt-an area that has historically yielded 6 million ounces of placer gold**. Leading the portfolio is the Cajueiro project, a highly prospective asset with an NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate of 185,000 ounces of gold in the Indicated category (5.66Mt @ 1.02 g/t) and an additional 515,000 ounces in the Inferred category (12.66Mt @ 1.26 g/t).

Ongoing exploration and fieldwork at Cajueiro indicate the presence of multiple porphyry gold systems, reinforcing its potential for district-scale development. These hard-rock gold sources align with historical alluvial gold production, highlighting the region's exceptional gold endowment and scalability. With a rich geological setting and a track record of significant discoveries, the Company is well-positioned to unlock further value across its expansive land package.

** Juliani, C. et al ; Gold in Paleoproterozoic (2.1 to 1.77 Ga) Continental Magmatic Arcs at the Tapajos and Juruena Mineral Provinces (Amazonian Craton,Brazil): A New Frontier for the Exploration of Epithermal-Porphyry and Related Deposits. Minerals 2021, 11, 714. https://doi.org/10.3390/min11070714

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the extension of the Warrants. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Notes

Gold analysis has been conducted by SGS method FAA505 (fire assay of 50g charge), with higher grade samples checked by FAA525. Analytical quality is monitored by certified references and blanks. Until dispatch, samples are stored under the supervision the Company's exploration office. The samples are couriered to the assay laboratory using a commercial contractor. Pulps are returned to the Company and archived. Drill holes results are quoted as down-hole length weighted intersections.

* NI 43-101 Technical Report, Cajueiro Project, Mineral Resource Estimate: Global Resource Engineering, Denver Colorado USA, October 10, 2019; Authors K. Gunesch, PE; H. Samari, QP-MMSA; T. Harvey, QP-MMSA
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patagonia Gold Corp. (Patagonia or the Company) (TSXV: PGDC) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated March 14, 2025, it has entered into an investment agreement (the Investment Agreement) with Black River Mine Inc. (the Investor) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Patagonia Gold Canada Inc. (PG Canada), pursuant to which the Investor has agreed to invest up to US$40 million (the Financing) to support the development of Patagonias flagship Calcatreu Project (the Project) in Rio Negro, Argentina.

Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, the Investor will acquire up to 40 million preferred shares (Preferred Shares) of PG Canada, which holds the Project through Minera Calcatreu SAU (the Operator). The Preferred Shares will be issued at a price of US$1.00 per share, resulting in total gross proceeds of US$40 million.

Investment Structure and Governance

The Investor is a newly formed corporation comprised of a consortium of investors and controlled by Carlos J. Miguens (the Lead Investor). A copy of the Investment Agreement, including the form of shareholders agreement that will be entered into on closing of the Financing and govern the affairs of PG Canada (the Shareholders Agreement and together with the Investment Agreement, the Agreements), will be filed under the Companys issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Agreements provide the Investor with certain rights, so long as it retains ownership of all of the Preferred Shares. These rights include:

Board Representation: The ability to nominate one of the three directors of PG Canada.

Future Investment Rights: The right to participate in new issuances of preferred shares or other equity securities by PG Canada, subject to the Agreements terms.

Preferred Share Ownership: The Investor will receive Preferred Shares representing 40% of the PG Canada share structure. As a result, Patagonia will continue to control the Project through its resulting 60% interest in PG Canada.

In addition, the Investor will be entitled to receive distributions on the Preferred Shares in the following order of priority (the Distribution Policy), which Distribution Policy will be set out in the Shareholders Agreement:

Preferred Distributions: The Investor will receive 80% of the Available Cash (as defined below) until it has received an amount equal to US$40 million (the  Preferred Distribution Amount ), with the Company receiving the remaining 20%.

), with the Company receiving the remaining 20%. Catch-Up Distributions: After the Investor has received the Preferred Distribution Amount, the Company will receive 100% of the Available Cash until it has received an amount equal to US$60 million (the  Catch-Up Distribution Amount ), with the Investor not receiving any of the Available Cash.

), with the Investor not receiving any of the Available Cash. Pro Rata Distributions: After the Company has received the Catch-Up Distribution Amount, the Company will receive 60% of the Available Cash and the Investor will receive the remaining 40% of the Available Cash.

Accordingly, the resulting interest held by each of the Company and the Investor in the Projects revenues, respectively, will follow the Pro Rata Distribution percentages above.

For purposes of the Distribution Policy, Available Cash is the Distributable Cash (as defined below) that is available for distribution to the shareholders of PG Canada in accordance with the Distribution Policy, after payment of all expenses of PG Canada. The Operator will distribute to PG Canada all of the Operators cash that is available for distribution after payment of all expenses of the Operator, including the servicing and repayment of the loan that the Operator expects to receive in order to fund the development of the Project (with the proceeds of the Financing being used as security for such loan), less limited reserves for sustaining capital (the Distributable Cash).

Proceeds from the Financing will be used solely for funding the development of the Project and to pay fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Financing.

Completion of the Financing remains subject to customary conditions including but not limited to: (i) shareholder approval pursuant to MI 61-101 (as defined below); and (ii) final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV).

The Lead Investor is a related party of the Company (as he has ownership and control over 200,717,161 common shares, representing 43.2% of the 465,051,490 common shares of the Company currently outstanding) and he is expected to be the controlling shareholder of the Investor. Accordingly, the Financing will be a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). Since the Lead Investors participation in the Financing will exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization (calculated in accordance with MI 61-101), the Company will seek shareholder approval in accordance with MI 61-101 at a special meeting of shareholders (the Meeting) to be held on May 20, 2025. The Company will be exempt from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation in connection with the Lead Investors participation in the Financing in reliance of Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101. Further details regarding the Financing will be provided in the management information circular (the Circular) being prepared in connection with the Meeting. The Circular, once mailed to the Companys shareholders, will be filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Details of the Project

The Project is the Companys flagship project located near the southern border of Rio Negro, approximately 85 kilometres south of the town of Ing Jacobacci.

The Company acquired the Project from Pan American Silver in 2018 and since then has been dedicated to obtaining the permits to advance the Project to production. In November 2024, the Company was notified by the local Provincial authorities that the final permit to proceed with construction and development of the Project had been granted (please see November 7, 2024 news release on https://patagoniagold.com/investors/news-releases/).

The Project has approximately 746,000 contained AuEq (gold equivalent) ounces of measured and indicated mineral resource category and 390,000 contained AuEq ounces of Inferred Mineral Resources as disclosed in the Technical Report (as defined below).

Qualified Persons Statement

Donald J. Birak, an independent consulting geologist, Registered Member of SME, Fellow of AusIMM, and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

Additional information about the Project and the mineral resources referred to in this news release are available in the technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report, Mineral Resource Estimate, Calcatreu Gold-Silver Project, Rio Negro Province, Argentina, dated effective December 31, 2018 (the Technical Report), which is available under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Patagonia Gold

Patagonia Gold Corp. is a South America focused, publicly traded, mining company listed on the TSXV. The Company seeks to grow shareholder value through exploration and development of gold and silver projects in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The Company is primarily focused on the Calcatreu project in Rio Negro and the development of the Cap-Oeste underground project. Patagonia, indirectly through its subsidiaries or under option agreements, has mineral rights to over 400 properties in several provinces of Argentina and is one of the largest landholders in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina.

For more information, please contact:

Christopher van Tienhoven, Chief Executive Officer

Patagonia Gold Corp.

T: +54 11 5278 6950

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to, the proposed advancement of the Project; the completion of the Financing; entering into the Shareholders Agreement; the participation of the Lead Investor in the Financing; the receipt of shareholder and TSXV approval; the availability of the Circular and the date of the Meeting; the availability of Distributable Cash; the intended use of proceeds from the Financing; the advancement and development of gold and silver projects in the Patagonia region of Argentina, and the anticipated growth in shareholder value. Wherever possible, words such as may, will, should, could, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict or potential or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company advises that it does not have defined mineral reserves and it has not based its decision to advance development of the Project on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
VANCOUVER, BC, April 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Orla Mining Ltd. (TSX: OLA) (NYSE: ORLA) ("Orla" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an operational update for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Camino Rojo is on track to achieve annual guidance of 110,000 to 120,000 ounces of gold following the quarter. Updated 2025 guidance, including the Musselwhite Mine, will be provided during the second quarter.

(All amounts expressed in millions of US dollars, as at March 31, 2025 and are unaudited)

First Quarter Operational Update

Total Gold Production & Sales Q1 2025 Camino Rojo oz 29,973 Musselwhite (March only)1 oz 17,786 Total Gold Produced oz 47,759 Total Gold Sold oz 46,356 Camino Rojo, Mexico Q1 2025 Ore Stacked tonnes 1,672,826 Stacked Ore Gold Grade g/t 0.78 Gold Produced oz 29,973 Gold Sold oz 30,512 Musselwhite, Canada March 20251 Ore Milled tonnes 104,287 Milled Ore Gold Head Grade g/t 5.55 Gold Produced oz 17,786 Gold Sold oz 15,845

1 Orla completed the acquisition of Musselwhite on February 28, 2025. Operational figures are provided from March 1, 2025 onwards.

Camino Rojo Operations

During the quarter, Camino Rojo mined nearly 1.9 million tonnes of ore and 2.8 million tonnes of waste, for an implied strip ratio of 1.48. The operations achieved a daily stacking rate of 18.4 thousand tonnes per day at an average gold grade of 0.78 g/t, in line with the mine plan.

Musselwhite Operations

Orla completed the acquisition of Musselwhite on February 28, 2025, and operational figures are provided from March 1, 2025, onwards. During the month of March, Musselwhite mined 108 thousand tonnes of ore and milled 104 thousand tonnes at a mill head grade of 5.55 g/t gold. Gold recovery rates of 95.7% resulted in gold production of nearly 18,000 gold ounces.

Liquidity Position

Cash position  March 31, 2025 $184.2 million Debt ($450.0) million Net Debt2 ($265.8) million

2 Net Cash (Debt) is a non-GAAP measure. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section of this news release for additional information.

First Quarter 2025 Conference Call

Orla expects to release its first quarter 2025 operating and financial results on Friday, May 9, 2025, and will host a conference call on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time, to provide a corporate update.

Dial-In Numbers / Webcast:

USA - Toll-Free: +1 (800) 715-9871 USA / International Toll: +1 (646) 307-1963 Canada  Toronto: +1 (647) 932-3411 Canada - Toll-Free: +1 (800) 715-9871 Conference ID: 4940392

Webcast: https://orlamining.com/investors/

Qualified Persons Statement

The scientific and technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. J. Andrew Cormier, P. Eng., Chief Operating Officer of the Company, who is the Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 standards.

About Orla Mining Ltd.

Orla's corporate strategy is to acquire, develop, and operate mineral properties where the Company's expertise can substantially increase stakeholder value. The Company has three material projects, consisting of two operating mines and one development project, all 100% owned by the Company: (1) Camino Rojo, in Zacatecas State, Mexico, an operating gold and silver open-pit and heap leach mine. The property covers over 139,000 hectares which contains a large oxide and sulphide mineral resource, (2) Musselwhite Mine, in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, an underground gold mine that has been in operation for over 25 years and produced close to 6 million ounces of gold, with a long history of resource growth and conversion, and (3) South Railroad, in Nevada, United States, a feasibility-stage, open pit, heap leach gold project located on the Carlin trend in Nevada. The technical reports for the Company's material projects are available on Orla's website at www.orlamining.com, and on SEDAR+ and EDGAR under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company has included certain performance measures in this news release which are not specified, defined, or determined under generally accepted accounting principles (in the Company's case, International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")). These are common performance measures in the gold mining industry, but because they do not have any mandated standardized definitions, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Accordingly, the Company uses such measures to provide additional information and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In this section, all currency figures in tables are in millions, except per-share and per-ounce amounts.

Net Cash (Debt)

Net cash (debt) is calculated as cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments less total debt at the end of the reporting period. This measure is used by management to measure the Company's debt leverage. The Company believes that net cash is useful in evaluating the Company's leverage and is also a key metric in determining the cost of debt.

NET CASH (DEBT) Mar 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Cash and cash equivalents $ 184.2 $ 160.8 Debt (450.0)  NET CASH (DEBT) $ (265.8) $ 160.8

Preliminary Financial Results

The financial results contained in this news release for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 are preliminary. Such results represent the most current information available to the Company's management, as the Company completes its financial procedures. The Company's audited consolidated financial statements for such period may result in material changes to the financial information contained in this news release (including by any one financial metric, or all of the financial metrics, being below or above the figures indicated) as a result of the completion of normal accounting procedures and adjustments.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the United States Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or in releases made by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, all as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding Camino Rojo being on target to achieve 2025 guidance and the Company's updated guidance for Musselwhite. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding: the future price of gold and silver; anticipated costs and the Company's ability to fund its programs; the Company's ability to carry on exploration, development, and mining activities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate the Musselwhite Mine; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; decommissioning and reclamation estimates; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services remaining as estimated; the Company's ability to secure and to meet obligations under property agreements, including the layback agreement with Fresnillo plc; that all conditions of the Company's credit facility will be met; the timing and results of drilling programs; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates and the assumptions on which they are based; the discovery of mineral resources and mineral reserves on the Company's mineral properties; the obtaining of a subsequent agreement with Fresnillo to access the sulphide mineral resource at the Camino Rojo Project and develop the entire Camino Rojo Project mineral resources estimate; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits, including those approvals and permits required for successful project permitting, construction, and operation of projects; the timing of cash flows; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the Company's ability to operate in a safe, efficient, and effective manner; the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; and that there will be no material adverse change or disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: uncertainty and variations in the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves; risks related to the Company's indebtedness and gold prepayment; risks related to exploration, development, and operation activities; foreign country and political risks, including risks relating to foreign operations; tailings risks; reclamation costs; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain governmental permits, or non-compliance with permits; environmental and other regulatory requirements; delays in or failures to enter into a subsequent agreement with Fresnillo with respect to accessing certain additional portions of the mineral resource at the Camino Rojo Project and to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals related thereto; the mineral resource estimations for the Camino Rojo Project being only estimates and relying on certain assumptions; loss of, delays in, or failure to get access from surface rights owners; uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; water rights; risks related to natural disasters, terrorist acts, health crises, and other disruptions and dislocations; financing risks and access to additional capital; risks related to guidance estimates and uncertainties inherent in the preparation of feasibility studies; uncertainty in estimates of production, capital, and operating costs and potential production and cost overruns; the fluctuating price of gold and silver; risks related to the Cerro Quema Project; unknown liabilities in connection with acquisitions; global financial conditions; uninsured risks; climate change risks; competition from other companies and individuals; conflicts of interest; risks related to compliance with anti-corruption laws; volatility in the market price of the Company's securities; assessments by taxation authorities in multiple jurisdictions; foreign currency fluctuations; the Company's limited operating history; litigation risks; the Company's ability to identify, complete, and successfully integrate acquisitions; intervention by non-governmental organizations; outside contractor risks; risks related to historical data; the Company not having paid a dividend; risks related to the Company's foreign subsidiaries; risks related to the Company's accounting policies and internal controls; the Company's ability to satisfy the requirements of SarbanesOxley Act of 2002; enforcement of civil liabilities; the Company's status as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes; information and cyber security; the Company's significant shareholders; gold industry concentration; shareholder activism; other risks associated with executing the Company's objectives and strategies; as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated March 18, 2025, which are available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 14, 2025) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC Pink: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 31,250,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.072 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,250,000.00 (the "Offering").

A portion of the Units to be issued under the Offering, representing $1,690,000 will be held pursuant to a sharing agreement entered into with an institutional investor, Sorbie Bornholm LP ("Sorbie") and the Company (the "Sharing Agreement"). The Sharing Agreement provides that the Company's economic interest will be determined in 12 monthly settlement tranches as measured against the Benchmark Price (as defined herein). If, at the time of settlement, the Settlement Price (determined monthly based on a volume-weighted average price for 20 trading days prior to the settlement date) (the "Settlement Price") exceeds the benchmark price of $0.1182 (the "Benchmark Price"), the Company shall receive more than 100% of the monthly settlement due, on a pro-rata basis. There is no upper limit placed on the additional proceeds receivable by the Company as part of the monthly settlements. If, at the time of settlement, the Settlement Price is below the Benchmark Price of $0.1182, the Company will receive less than 100% of the monthly settlement due on a pro-rata basis. In no event will a decline in the Settlement Price of the Units result in an increase in the number of Units being issued to Sorbie.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to continue to maximize its exploration program throughout its extensive flagship Arapaima Lithium Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil's Lithium Valley, and for general working capital requirements and other corporate purposes.

The Company will engage in further fundraising efforts in order to maximize investment in the Units and to attempt to fully subscribe the Offering.

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.14 per Common Share for a period of thirty-six months following the closing date of the Offering.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec, and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). Because the Offering is being completed pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, the securities issued in the Offering will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.sparkenergyminerals.co. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The Units issued to Sorbie will be subject to the terms of an escrow agreement. The Company will receive $140,833.33 per month from the closing date of the Offering over the next 12 months. Sorbie will receive a corporate finance fee of $111,000, payable via the issuance of 1,541,667 Units on the terms noted above.

Eugene Hodgson, Chief Executive Officer of Spark commented: "We are very pleased to have secured this strategic investment from an international institutional investor, which we view as a strong vote of confidence in Spark Energy's long-term vision and growth potential. This financing provides us with the capital necessary to accelerate the exploration of our Arapaima Lithium project in Brazil's Lithium Valley and continue advancing our position in the global battery metals space."

Whitney Kofford, Managing Director of Sorbie commented: "We are pleased to announce our partnership with Spark Energy Minerals Inc. at such a crucial juncture in their growth. Our investment reflects confidence in Spark's leadership, vision, and the strategic importance of their Lithium exploration projects in Brazil. We are proud to provide Spark with the kind of flexible, supportive capital that helps unlock long-term value - not only for shareholders but for the critical global battery mineral supply chains."

The closing date of the Offering is expected to occur on or about April 30, 2025, or such earlier or later date or dates as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referenced in this press release, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Spark Energy Minerals Inc.

Spark Energy Minerals, Inc. is a Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of battery metals and mineral assets, with a particular emphasis on its substantial interests in Brazil. The Company's flagship project is the Arapaima Lithium project spanning 64,359 hectares in Brazil's renowned Lithium Valley, one of the most prolific mining regions in the world. This region is rapidly gaining global recognition for its vast deposits of lithium and rare earth minerals, positioning Brazil as a critical player in the global energy transition.

About Sorbie Bornholm LP

Sorbie Bornholm LP is a global investment firm that provides funding for ongoing business objectives to listed micro, small and mid-cap growth companies. We focus on public equity investments in companies that are looking to expand - and on management teams with a clear growth strategy. Our extensive experience allows us to invest in most industries - and to focus on providing supportive, longer-term capital that rewards company growth.

Since 2000, Sorbie Bornholm LP founder Greg Kofford has perfected the "Sorbie-Strategy", utilizing a Sharing Agreement that supports management and rewards growth. This unique approach has now been used in over 70 investments - with many of those resulting in the companies receiving more cash than the original offering proceeds, without having to issue any additional shares.

Sorbie Bornholm's core values drive who we are and how we invest. We are committed to developing long-term relationships with select listed public companies and their brokers & advisers. We focus on providing supportive, longer-term capital that rewards growth. We invest to make a difference, to become a valued partner and to be a shareholder of choice. It's important to us that we succeed together.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," "anticipates," and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. In addition, it should be noted that rock, soil and stream sediment samples are inherently selective samples and may not represent the true underlying mineralization. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Further information regarding the uncertainties and risks can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Spark Energy with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC, April 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQB: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its regional drill program at its 100%-owned Atlanta Gold Mine Project along the prolific Battle Mountain Trend, 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.

To date, the Company has completed 88 widely spaced reverse circulation ("RC") holes, totaling 21,300 metres, focused along the margins of the Atlanta caldera over an 18km2 area. Drilling has occurred at the 12 preliminary targets released on September 17, 2024, and October 3, 2024, which were largely based on geophysical anomalies. Through drilling, these targets have evolved into three major exploration areas  Atlanta South (that includes the South Quartzite Ridge Target), Atlanta North, and Silver Park (Figure 1). Two RC drills are currently operating onsite, with one dedicated to testing early-stage targets at Atlanta North and Silver Park while the other rig concentrates on testing prospective host rocks beneath the quartzite cap at Atlanta South. The Company is waiting on assays for several key holes and expects to provide an initial release on Phase III drill results in the coming weeks. Drilling at Atlanta North and Silver Park has progressed faster than expected, while drilling at Atlanta South has been slower than expected due to challenges drilling through the Eureka Quartzite. As a result of initial findings of the ongoing drilling, the Company is pleased to announce an increase of its Phase III drill program from 20,000m to 30,000m.

Target Areas

Atlanta South , formerly known as the South Quartzite Ridge Target, starts at the southern end of the Atlanta resource area at highlight hole AT24HG-41 (6.28 g/t Au over 54.9m , released July 23, 2024 ) and trends southward for 2.5km. This large target area coincides with a prominent north-south ridge capped by Eureka Quartzite that is underlain by Pogonip limestone. Numerous dikes and sills intrude the Pogonip and Eureka Quartzite along the ridge crest, which coincides with the southern extension of the West Atlanta Fault and other faults associated with gold mineralization within the resource area. Geophysical signatures that led to the discovery of AT24HG-41 show similar patterns of a low-resistivity horizon beneath the highly resistive quartzite. This low resistivity horizon constitutes the Company's primary target at Atlanta South, where potential is seen for mineralization hosted within intrusions and the surrounding Pogonip. The Lower Ordovician Pogonip Formation is an important gold host in Nevada including at Nevada Gold Mines' Long Canyon Mine (1.98 Moz Au 1 endowment) and at I-80 Gold's Archimedes and Ruby Hill deposits (combined 5.39 Moz Au 2 endowment) in the Eureka District. Past operators from Kinross to Goldfields also recognized the potential for Au mineralization hosted in the Pogonip at Atlanta but focused their drilling on strong soil anomalies west of Atlanta South. Geophysical surveys conducted by Nevada King reveal the presence of several potential intrusive bodies occurring in the Pogonip, but further east under the quartzite cap at Atlanta South.



Drilling at Atlanta South has progressed slower than expected initially due to constraints accessing the most prospective areas atop the ridge, followed by challenges drilling through the Eureka Quartzite. These hurdles have been overcome and the Company recently completed the first hole ever drilled from the crest of Atlanta Peak.





, formerly known as the South Quartzite Ridge Target, starts at the southern end of the resource area at highlight hole AT24HG-41 (6.28 g/t Au over , released ) and trends southward for 2.5km. This large target area coincides with a prominent north-south ridge capped by Eureka Quartzite that is underlain by Pogonip limestone. Numerous dikes and sills intrude the Pogonip and Eureka Quartzite along the ridge crest, which coincides with the southern extension of the West Atlanta Fault and other faults associated with gold mineralization within the resource area. Geophysical signatures that led to the discovery of AT24HG-41 show similar patterns of a low-resistivity horizon beneath the highly resistive quartzite. This low resistivity horizon constitutes the Company's primary target at Atlanta South, where potential is seen for mineralization hosted within intrusions and the surrounding Pogonip. The Lower Ordovician Pogonip Formation is an important gold host in including at Nevada Gold Mines' Long Canyon Mine (1.98 endowment) and at I-80 Gold's Archimedes and deposits (combined 5.39 endowment) in the Eureka District. Past operators from to Goldfields also recognized the potential for Au mineralization hosted in the Pogonip at but focused their drilling on strong soil anomalies west of Atlanta South. Geophysical surveys conducted by reveal the presence of several potential intrusive bodies occurring in the Pogonip, but further east under the quartzite cap at Atlanta South. Drilling at Atlanta South has progressed slower than expected initially due to constraints accessing the most prospective areas atop the ridge, followed by challenges drilling through the Eureka Quartzite. These hurdles have been overcome and the Company recently completed the first hole ever drilled from the crest of Atlanta Peak. The Silver Park Target is an arcuate shaped zone that follows the margin between the northern boundary of the Ryan Springs Caldera and the southern boundary of the Atlanta Caldera. It is centred on the high-grade historic Silver Park Mine that operated from the late 1800s until the turn of the century. Historical production figures are unknown; however, historical reports state that small batches of processed ore had head grades exceeding 2,600 oz/t Ag. The open pit and underground workings occur within an elevated horst block of Silurian-age Laketown Dolomite that is flanked to the east and west by north-south trending faults. The adjacent, down-dropped grabens flanking the Silver Park horst show similar geological structures to the Atlanta resource area. The large rhyolite intrusive domes exhibit strong surface geochemical anomalies with elevated Au, Ag, and As, along with weak Mo and Sb. This is where numerous rock chip samples exceeding 1 g/t Au and running as high as 4.58 g/t Au occur along major structures with silica breccia outcrops and alteration at surface. Historical drilling in this area yielded encouraging results; however, it was limited to the mine area itself and did not venture out into the surrounding intrusive dominated, down-dropped grabens that have become evident with geophysics.





is an arcuate shaped zone that follows the margin between the northern boundary of the Ryan Springs Caldera and the southern boundary of the Atlanta Caldera. It is centred on the high-grade historic Silver Park Mine that operated from the late 1800s until the turn of the century. Historical production figures are unknown; however, historical reports state that small batches of processed ore had head grades exceeding 2,600 oz/t Ag. The open pit and underground workings occur within an elevated horst block of Silurian-age Laketown Dolomite that is flanked to the east and west by north-south trending faults. The adjacent, down-dropped grabens flanking the Silver Park horst show similar geological structures to the resource area. The large rhyolite intrusive domes exhibit strong surface geochemical anomalies with elevated Au, Ag, and As, along with weak Mo and Sb. This is where numerous rock chip samples exceeding 1 g/t Au and running as high as 4.58 g/t Au occur along major structures with silica breccia outcrops and alteration at surface. Historical drilling in this area yielded encouraging results; however, it was limited to the mine area itself and did not venture out into the surrounding intrusive dominated, down-dropped grabens that have become evident with geophysics. Atlanta North extends 4.5km northward from the Atlanta resource area along the northerly-trending West Atlanta Fault, which controls much of the gold mineralization within the Atlanta resource area. Prospective targets along Atlanta North are dolomite hosted and form a prominent ridge immediately north of the Atlanta resource. Outcrops of brecciated and silicified dolomite occur along the eastern flank of this ridge where surface rock samples returned consistently anomalous gold and arsenic values. This area has not been previously drill-tested, and Nevada King is currently drilling at the far northern end of the target zone where rock chip samples grade as high as 0.84 g/t Au in silicified dolomite containing very fine-grained sulfides. Interpretation of geophysical data indicates steeply dipping, northerly trending structures and potential intrusive plumes associated with alteration and anomalous geochemistry seen in outcrop, thus indicating a geologic setting favorable for mineralization.

QA/QC Protocols

All RC samples from the Atlanta Project are split at the drill site and placed in cloth and plastic bags utilizing a nominal 2kg sample weight. CRF standards, blanks, and duplicates are inserted into the sample stream on-site on a one-in-twenty sample basis, meaning all three inserts are included in each 20-sample group. Samples are shipped by a local contractor in large sample shipping crates directly to American Assay Lab in Reno, Nevada, with full custody being maintained at all times. At American Assay Lab, samples were weighted then crushed to 75% passing 2mm and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns in order to produce a 300g pulverized split. Prepared samples are initially run using a four acid + boric acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-OES analysis. Gold assays are initially run using 30-gram samples by lead fire assay with an OES finish to a 0.003 ppm detection limit, with samples greater than 10 ppm finished gravimetrically. Every sample is also run through a cyanide leach for gold with an ICP-OES finish. The QA/QC procedure involves regular submission of Certified Analytical Standards and property-specific duplicates.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

1Sourced from Nevada Division of Minerals (NDOM) website and I-80 Gold's 2021 NI 43-101 report. 1,516,507 Moz Au production + 3,874,000 Moz Au indicated = 5,390,507 Moz Au endowment. 2Sourced from Nevada Division of Minerals (NDOM) website and Berrick's 2023 Q4 results released February 14th, 2024. 1,168,694 Moz Au production + 820,000 oz M&I = 1,988,694 Moz Au endowment.

About Nevada King Gold Corp.



Nevada King is focused on advancing and growing its 100% owned, past producing, 120km2 Atlanta Gold Mine project located along the Battle Mountain trend in southeast Nevada. The project hosts an NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained oxide resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t) based on historical drilling, and does not include any of the 100,000m+ of drilling completed by Nevada King. See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine Resource Category Tonnes (000s) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au (Oz) Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag (Oz) Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000

Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.
TORONTO, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talisker Resources Ltd. (Talisker or the Company) (TSX: TSK, OTCQX: TSKFF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. (Red Cloud) as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the Agents), in connection with a best-efforts private placement for the sale of up to 10,000,000 units of the Company (the Units) at a price of $0.50 per Unit (the Offering Price) for gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000 (the Offering). All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.75 for a period of 36 months after the Closing Date (as defined below).

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106  Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106), the Units that may be sold under the Offering (the LIFE Units) will be offered for sale to purchasers in all of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec (the Canadian Selling Jurisdictions) pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106. The Unit Shares and Warrant Shares underlying the LIFE Units are expected to be immediately freely tradeable under applicable Canadian securities legislation if sold to purchasers resident in the Canadian Selling Jurisdictions.

All other Units sold under the Offering (the Non-LIFE Units) may be issued to: (i) purchasers resident in Canada pursuant to the accredited investor and minimum amount investment exemptions under NI 45-106, and (ii) purchasers outside of Canada, including to purchasers resident in the United States pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Unit Shares and Warrant Shares issuable from the sale of any Non-LIFE Units to Canadian purchasers will be subject to a hold period in Canada ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the Closing Date. Purchasers are advised to consult their own legal advisors in this regard.

There is an offering document (the Offering Document) related to the LIFE Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Companys website at https://taliskerresources.com. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about April 29, 2025, or such other date within 45 days from the date hereof as is mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Agents (the Closing Date) and is subject to customary conditions including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the continued advancement of the Companys flagship Bralorne Gold Project in British Columbia, as well as for general corporate purposes and working capital.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

For further information, please contact:

Terry Harbort

President and CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+1 416 357 0227

About Talisker Resources Ltd.

Talisker (taliskerresources.com) is a junior resource company involved in the exploration and development of gold projects in British Columbia, Canada. Taliskers flagship asset is the high-grade, fully permitted Bralorne Gold Project where the Company is currently transitioning into underground production at the Mustang Mine. Talisker projects also include the Ladner Gold Project, an advanced stage project with significant exploration potential from an historical high-grade producing gold mine and the Spences Bridge Project where the Company has a significant landholding in the emerging Spences Bridge Gold Belt, and several other early-stage Greenfields projects.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Taliskers current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Offering, total proceeds and available funds, use of proceeds, approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Closing Date. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Talisker. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Taliskers management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Talisker is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Vancouver, B.C.  April 14, 2025  TheNewswire - Norsemont Mining Inc., (CSE: NOM, OTCQB: NRRSF, FWB: LXZ1) (Norsemont or the Company) is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2,184,000 indicated gold equivalent ounces and 557,000 inferred gold equivalent ounces for its Choquelimpie Gold-Silver-Copper Project (Choquelimpie or the Project), located in the Province of Parinacota, Region XV, Northern Chile. Norsemont holds a 100% ownership interest in the Project, through its wholly owned Chilean subsidiary, Sociedad Contractual Minera Vilacollo, (SCMV). The updated estimate reflects updated drilling results which continue to demonstrate the significant upside potential for the Project.

Highlights of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate:

Indicated Resources: 81,888,000 tonnes with grades of 0.83 AuEq, containing 1,731,000 ounces of gold at 0.66 g/t, 33,233,000 ounces of silver at 12.62 g/t and 50,867,000 pounds of copper at .04%.

Inferred Resources: 25,267,000 tonnes with grades of 0.69 AuEq, containing 446,000 ounces of gold .55 g/t, 7,219,000 ounces of silver at 8.89 g/t and 19,104,000 pounds of copper at .04%.

The updated MRE is based on 3,144 meters of additional drilling completed in 2021 and includes updated geological modeling and re-interpretations of several oxidation zones throughout the mineral deposit.

This updated Mineral Resource Estimate of 2,184,000 indicated and 557,000 inferred gold equivalent ounces marks a significant milestone for Norsemont and provides a strong foundation as we advance Choquelimpie toward development, said Marc Levy, President and CEO. The additional drilling and geological modeling increase our confidence in the resource and support our belief in Choquelimpies significant upside potential. We look forward to progressing toward a preliminary economic assessment and further exploration to grow this resource base.

Choquelimpie Project Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate Effective Date March 31, 2025

Oxide Mineralization Classification K tonnes Au g/t K Oz Au Ag g/t K Oz Ag Cu % K Cu Lbs. Au Eq Au Eq Oz Indicated 23,755 0.57 434 13.25 10,118 0 0 0.72 547,000 Inferred 695 0.31 7 5.73 128 0 0 0.38 8,000 Sulfide Mineralization Indicated 58,133 0.69 1,297 12.37 23,115 0.04 50,867 0.88 1,637,000 Inferred 24,572 0.56 439 8.98 7,091 0.04 19,104 0.69 549,000 Total Mineralization Indicated 81,888 0.66 1,731 12.62 33,233 0.04 50,867 0.83 2,184,000 Inferred 25,267 0.55 446 8.89 7,219 0.04 19,104 0.69 557,000

Notes:

Scott Wilson, CPG, President of RDA is responsible for this mineral resource estimate and is an independent Qualified Person as such term is defined by NI 43-101. The Mineral Resources, effective date March 31, 2025, are reported at an in-situ cut-off grade of 0.17 g/t Au for Oxide, 0.18 g/t Au for Mixed which is included in the tabulation of oxide in the above table and 0.28 g/t Au for Sulfide mineralization. The cutoff grades have been derived US$2,500/oz, a silver price of US$28.0/oz and a copper price of US$4.00/lb. and suitable benchmarked technical and economic parameters for open pit mining (mining = US$3.50, processing = US$11.0 for crushing and leaching of oxides and US$20 for milling of sulfides). Metal recoveries are assumed to be Oxide Crush/Leach 80%Au, 45%Ag, 0%Cu; Mixed Crush/Leach 75% Au, 25%Ag, 0%Cu; Sulfide Milling 90%Au, 80%Ag and 75% Cu. Metal Equivalent ounces are calculated using the formula: Au Eq Oz = AU Oz + (OzAg*AgPrice/AUPrice)+(CuGrade*CuPrice/AuPrice) Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Gold, silver, lead and copper assays were capped where appropriate. Given historical production, it is the companys opinion that all the elements included in the metal equivalents calculation have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold. All gures rounded to reect the relative accuracy of the estimates.

Next Steps

Norsemont plans to conduct additional drilling into oxide and sulfide zones to expand and upgrade the current resource. Metallurgical testing and economic studies are also planned as part of the Companys broader efforts to advance the Project toward a Preliminary Economic Assessment.

Qualified Person

Mr. Scott E. Wilson, CPG, President of Resource Development Associates Inc., is an independent consulting geologist and the Qualified Person under NI 43-101 responsible for the updated MRE. Mr. Wilson has over 35 years of experience in resource estimation and due diligence evaluations and is a Registered Member (4025107RM) of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc.

Mr. Wilson has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. A NI 43-101 compliant technical report supporting the MRE will be filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Norsemonts website at www.norsemont.com within 45 days of the issuance of this news release.

About Norsemont Mining Inc.

The Norsemont team comprises experienced natural resource professionals focused on growing shareholder value and developing its flagship project through to bankable feasibility. Norsemont Mining owns a 100% interest in the Choquelimpie gold-silver-copper project in northern Chile, a previously permitted gold and silver mine with significant exploration upside. Choquelimpie has over 1,710 drill holes, with significant existing infrastructure, including roads, power, water, camp and a 3,000-tonne-per-day mill. Norsemont is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development, leveraging modern exploration techniques to unlock further value for all stakeholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

NORSEMONT MINING INC.

Marc Levy

CEO & Chairman

Investor Relations:

Paul Searle (778) 240-7724

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or the anticipated performance of Norsemont and reflect managements current expectations or beliefs regarding such future events and performance. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the potential advancement and development of Choquelimpie; the Companys plans to undertake additional drilling, metallurgical testing, and economic studies; the potential to expand or upgrade current mineral resources; and the future preparation and filing of a Preliminary Economic Assessment or other technical studies. Forward-looking statements also include statements regarding the overall potential of the Project and the Companys ability to create shareholder value through exploration and development.

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 risks include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals in Chile; changes in laws, regulations, and government practices in Chile and other jurisdictions; market conditions; commodity price volatility; availability of financing; environmental and community risks; and reliance on key personnel and third-party contractors.

Although the Company believes the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding the Companys expected plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.

Cautionary Statement on Mineral Resources

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. In particular, the quantity and grade of reported inferred mineral resources are uncertain in nature and there is insufficient exploration to define these inferred mineral resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource in all cases. It is uncertain in all cases whether further exploration will result in upgrading the inferred mineral resources to an indicated or measured mineral resource category.
WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Honey Badger Silver Inc. (TSXV:TUF) (OTCQB:HBEIF) ("Honey Badger" or the "Company") announces that Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol will be stepping down as the Company's CEO, effective today. Chad Williams, the Company's Chairman, will change his role to Executive Chairman and Interim CEO. Dusty will remain a Director of the Company and will be retained as an advisor on technical matters.

Honey Badger's Executive Chairman, Chad Williams, commented, "The Company thanks Dusty for his efforts and commitment during this time of transition and growth of Honey Badger. He will continue to serve an important function as the Company's senior technical advisor. As a large shareholder of Honey Badger, and a strong believer in the outlook for the price of silver, I am committed to the success of this Company. We own 100% of 7 high-quality silver mineral assets located in favorable locations. We acquired these assets at very attractive prices while other silver companies were essentially dormant during a period of lower silver prices. Our projects represent much higher value than what is being represented in our current share price. It's up to me, and Honey Badger in general, to surface that value."

Chad Williams has an extensive background in capital markets and business management. He is the founder and Chairman of Red Cloud Mining Capital, Inc. He was one of the founders of both Agilith Capital Inc. and Westwind Capital Inc., as well as the former CEO of Victoria Gold Corp. (he departed in 2011) and former Head of Mining Investment Banking at Blackmont Capital Inc. Prior to these positions, Mr. Williams was a top-ranked mining analyst at TD Bank and other Canadian brokerage firms in Toronto. Mr. Williams is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, having received a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Master of Business Administration from McGill University.

About Honey Badger Silver Inc.

Honey Badger Silver is a silver company. The company is led by a highly experienced leadership team with a track record of value creation backed by a skilled technical team. Our projects are located in areas with a long history of mining, including the Sunrise Lake project with a historic resource of 12.8 Moz of silver (and 201.3 million pounds of zinc) Indicated and 13.9 Moz of silver (and 247.8 million pounds of zinc) Inferred (1)(3) located in the Northwest Territories and the Plata high grade silver project located 165 km east of Yukon's prolific Keno Hill and adjacent to Snowline Gold's Rogue discovery. The Company's Clear Lake Project in the Yukon Territory has a historic resource of 5.5 Moz of silver and 1.3 billion pounds of zinc (2)(3). The Company also has a significant land holding at the Nanisivik Mine Area located in Nunavut, Canada that produced over 20 Moz of silver between 1976 and 2002 (2,3). A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the foregoing historical resources as current mineral resources and the Company is not treating the estimates as current mineral resources. The historical resource estimates are provided solely for the purpose as an indication of the volume of mineralization that could be present. Additional work, including verification drilling / sampling, will be required to verify any of the historical estimates as a current mineral resources.

(1) Sunrise Lake 2003 RPA historic resource: Indicated 1.522 million tonnes grading 262 grams/tonne silver, 6.0% zinc, 2.4% lead, 0.08% copper, and 0.67 grams/tonne gold and Inferred 2.555 million tonnes grading 169 grams/tonne silver, 4.4% zinc, 1.9% lead, 0.07% copper, and 0.51 grams/tonne gold.

(2) Clear Lake 2010 SRK historic Resource: Inferred 7.76 million tonnes grading 22 grams/tonne silver, 7.6% zinc, and 1.08% lead.

(3) Geological Survey of Canada, 2002-C22, "Structural and Stratigraphic Controls on Zn-Pb-Ag Mineralization at the Nanisivik Mississippi Valley type Deposit, Northern Baffin Island, Nunavut; by Patterson and Powis."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Chad Williams, Executive Chairman

For more information please visit our website www.honeybadgersilver.com or contact Mrs. Sonya Pekar for Investor Relations | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +1 (647) 498-8244.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such assumptions and estimates were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Honey Badger to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Such factors include, but are not limited to, risks relating to capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; changes in equity markets; inflation; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry; and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Honey Badger's issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
MONTREAL, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Metals Incorporated (the Company or "Osisko Metals") (TSX-V: OM; OTCQX: OMZNF; FRANKFURT: 0B51) is pleased to announce initial drilling results from the 2025 drilling program at the Gaspe Copper Project, located in the Gaspe Peninsula of Eastern Quebec. Results for five holes are reported below, collared at the southern margin of the mineralized deposit as defined in the 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE, see attached map and November 14, 2024 news release).

Highlights (see Table 1 below):

Drill hole 30-1059 intersected 300.0 metres grading 0.39% Cu and 3.17 g/t Ag within the 2024 MRE model where there was limited historical data.

within the 2024 MRE model where there was limited historical data. Drill hole 30-1060 intersected 220.5 metres grading 0.29% Cu and 2.09 g/t Ag within the 2024 MRE model, as well as 211.0 metres grading 0.42% Cu and 2.27 g/t Ag at depth below the 2024 MRE model, extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 598 metres.

within the 2024 MRE model, as well as at depth below the 2024 MRE model, extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 598 metres. Drill hole 30-1063 intersected 109.5 metres grading 0.32% Cu and 2.52 g/t Ag within the 2024 MRE model, as well as 61.5 metres grading 0.33% Cu and 2.60 g/t Ag, and 43.5 metres grading 0.48% Cu and 3.20 g/t Ag at depth below the 2024 MRE model, extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 678 metres.

within the 2024 MRE model, as well as at depth below the 2024 MRE model, extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 678 metres. Drill hole 30-1069 intersected 237.0 metres grading 0.32% Cu and 2.46 g/t Ag within the 2024 MRE model, as well as 148.8 metres grading 0.63% Cu and 4.40 g/t Ag at depth below the 2024 MRE model, extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 528 metres.

within the 2024 MRE model, as well as at depth below the 2024 MRE model, extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 528 metres. Drill hole 30-947, an un-assayed historical hole located 110 metres south of the 2024 MRE model, was stockpiled on site and the core recovered and assayed, yielding five significant intersections, including 82.0 metres grading 0.31% Cu and 2.55 g/t Ag. These results indicate that the deposit is open to the south.

Robert Wares, Osisko Metals CEO, commented: We are very pleased with these new drill results at Gaspe, which have exceeded our expectations. All holes intersected significant disseminated mineralization within the volume of the 2024 MRE model, and new mineralization has been added at depth well below the base of the 2024 MRE model, which was constrained to the lower contact of the C Zone skarn horizon. Drill core from historical hole 30-947 was also recovered and assayed, yielding positive results and indicating that the deposit extends laterally 110 metres south of the 2024 MRE model and remains open in that direction. This is an excellent start to the 2025 drill program, and we look forward to a regular flow of results from our 110,000-metre program as we confirm our large existing copper resource, and aim to expand it at depth, to the south and to the west towards Needle Mountain.

Table 1: Drill Hole Mineralized Intervals; intersections indicated in bold occur outside the November 2024 MRE model. See attached map for drill hole locations.

DDH No.



From To Intersection Cu Ag Mo (m) (m) (m) % g/t % 30-0947 41.0 106.0 65.0 0.17 1.49 <0.005 And 159.5 194.0 34.5 0.30 2.13 <0.005 And 229.0 311.0 82.0 0.31 2.55 <0.005 And 408.0 444.9 36.9 0.34 2.98 0.010 And 485.5 533.5 48.0 0.33 2.85 <0.005 30-1059 8.0 308.0 300.0 0.39 3.17 <0.005 And 501.0 535.0 34.0 0.28 2.33 <0.005 30-1060 26.0 246.5 220.5 0.29 2.09 <0.005 And 387.0 598.0 211.0 0.42 2.27 0.009 30-1063 86.0 155.0 69.0 0.56 3.30 <0.005 (including) 114.2 120.6 6.4 3.19 16.8 <0.005 And 192.0 301.5 109.5 0.32 2.52 0.019 And 490.5 552.0 61.5 0.33 2.60 0.011 And 634.5 678.0 43.5 0.48 3.20 <0.005 30-1069 30.0 267.0 237.0 0.32 2.46 <0.005 (including) 252.0 264.0 12.0 1.46 9.76 <0.005 And 303.0 342.0 39.0 0.81 6.85 <0.005 And 374.7 528.5 148.8 0.63 4.40 <0.005 (including) 442.5 482.2 39.7 1.21 8.18 <0.005

All drill holes were drilled sub-vertically into the Gaspe Copper altered calcareous stratigraphy that dips 20 to 25 degrees to the north; true widths are estimated at 90-92% of reported widths. The L1 (C Zone) the L2 (E Zone) skarn/marble horizons were intersected in all holes, as well as intervening porcellanites (potassic-altered hornfels) that host the bulk of the disseminated copper mineralization.

Mineralization occurs as disseminations and veinlets of chalcopyrite and is mostly stratigraphically controlled in the area of Needle Mountain, Needle East and Copper Brook. As expected, no significant molybdenum mineralization was encountered in porcellanites in the latter areas, but high grades (up to 0.4% Mo) were locally obtained in both the C Zone and E Zone skarns. The bulk of the molybdenum mineralization occurs in the stockworks further north at Copper Mountain, where true porphyry copper-style stockwork mineralization occurs, forming a distinct secondary mineralized zone that is characterized by widespread, continuous copper-molybdenum mineralization radiating from the central source of hydrothermal fluids, i.e. the Copper Mountain porphyry intrusion. At least five vein/stockwork mineralizing events have been recognized at Copper Mountain, which overprint earlier skarn/porcellanite-hosted mineralization throughout the Gaspe Copper system. The 2022 to 2024 Osisko Metals drill programs were focused on defining open-pit resources within the Copper Mountain stockwork mineralization, leading to the May 2024 MRE (see May 6, 2024 press release). Extending the resource model south of Copper Mountain into the poorly-drilled primary skarn/porcellanite portion of the system subsequently led to a significantly increased resource, mostly in the Inferred category (see November 14, 2024 press release).

The 2025 drill program is primarily designed to convert the November 2024 MRE to Measured and Indicated categories, as well as test the expansion of the system deeper into the stratigraphy and laterally to the south and southwest towards Needle East and Needle Mountain respectively.

Qualified Person

Mr. Bernard-Olivier Martel, P. Geo., an independent consultant, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical data reported in this news release and he is a Professional Geologist registered in the Province of Quebec.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Mineralized intervals reported herein are calculated using an average 0.12% copper lower cutoff over contiguous 20-metre intersections (shorter intervals as the case may be at the upper and lower limits of reported intervals).

Osisko Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC program for core handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses, including insertion of blanks and standards in the sample stream. Drill core is securely transported to its core processing facility on site, where it is logged, cut and sampled. Samples selected for assay are sealed and shipped to ALS Canada Ltd.s preparation facility in Sudbury. Pulps are analyzed at the ALS Canada Ltd. facility in North Vancouver, BC. All samples are analyzed by four acid digestion followed by both ICP-AES and ICP-MS for copper, molybdenum and silver.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals sector, with a focus on copper and zinc. The Company acquired a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper mine from Glencore Canada Corporation in July 2023. The Gaspe Copper mine is located near Murdochville in Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula. The Company is currently focused on resource expansion of the Gaspe Copper system, with current Indicated Mineral Resources of 824 Mt grading 0.34% CuEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 670 Mt grading 0.38% CuEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals' November 14, 2024 news release entitled "Osisko Metals Announces Significant Increase in Mineral Resource at Gaspe Copper". Gaspe Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.

In addition to the Gaspe Copper project, the Company is working with Appian Capital Advisory LLP through the Pine Point Mining Limited joint venture to advance one of Canada's largest past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point project, located in the Northwest Territories. The current mineral resource estimate for the Pine Point project consists of Indicated Mineral Resources of 49.5 Mt at 5.52% ZnEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 8.3 Mt at 5.64% ZnEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals' June 25, 2024 news release entitled "Osisko Metals releases Pine Point mineral resource estimate: 49.5 million tonnes of indicated resources at 5.52% ZnEq". The Pine Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, close to infrastructure, with paved road access, an electrical substation and 100 kilometers of viable haul roads.

For further information on this news release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Don Njegovan, President Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "potential", "feasibility", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the tax treatment of the FT Units; the timing of incurring the Qualifying Expenditures and the renunciation of the Qualifying Expenditures; the ability to advance Gaspe Copper to a construction decision (if at all); the ability to increase the Company's trading liquidity and enhance its capital markets presence; the potential re-rating of the Company; the ability for the Company to unlock the full potential of its assets and achieve success; the ability for the Company to create value for its shareholders; the advancement of the Pine Point project; the anticipated resource expansion of the Gaspe Copper system and Gaspe Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: the ability of exploration results, including drilling, to accurately predict mineralization; errors in geological modelling; insufficient data; equity and debt capital markets; future spot prices of copper and zinc; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company's public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Metals' issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
JUSTICE INFO: What political factors explain the coincidence of these two announcements, the State's decision to assume responsibility for compensating the victims of the Conakry stadium massacre in 2009, and the pardon of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara?

KABINET FOFANA: Indeed, the pardon came on the heels of the announcement that a process would be set up to compensate the victims of 28 September, which was one of the recommendations of the courts ruling. I think that first of all, there was a desire to respond to a strong demand made by civil parties, but also by the judges. I think that the President of the transition [General Mamadi Doumbouya, in power in Guinea since a coup d'etat in 2021] wanted to kill two birds with one stone, even if this naturally raised questions about the validity of the pardon, since, as far as the lawyers and other human rights organisations are concerned, an appeal is currently being lodged against the first instance judgment.

Are there political overtones behind this? Yes, of course. Both the victims and those who support Captain Dadis are important public opinion. Whatever is said, Captain Dadis remains the most important political figure in Forested Guinea [the south-eastern region of Guinea]. It is therefore quite possible that electoral, even political, overtones could explain these two decisions, particularly the one pardoning Captain Moussa Dadis Camara.

What electoral deadlines lie ahead for Mamadi Doumbouya and what alliance is he trying to build to support his expected candidacy? What does the Dadis Camara card represent in the current context that would justify his pardon and release?

Today, it is increasingly clear that General Mamadi Doumbouya will run [in the presidential election promised for 2025]. A large coalition of political parties has formed and is calling for him to be a candidate. Captain Dadis is an extremely important figure. This remains to be seen, but his pardon would be a motivating factor in voting among the Forested Guinea's electorate or among those who are sympathetic to him. It should be pointed out that Forested Guinea is not a fixed electorate, but a very fragmented one, due to sometimes very ethnic considerations, since this part of Guinea is made up of many ethnic groups. And we know that leaders are often formed on the basis of such considerations. So we'll see whether the pardon of Captain Dadis will crystallize the electorate, if President Mamadi Doumbouya runs.

You mentioned ethnic groups. What is the weight of the Foresters in the army and on the current political scene?

On the political scene, Forested Guinea is a very important electorate. In fact, it is the electorate that, in addition to Maritime Guinea, has become a kind of kingmaker in recent years. It's a kind of swing state, as we would say in the United States. As far as the army is concerned, the foresters make up a large part of the Grande Muette [the army], and the proportion of young people from this region in the army increased when Captain Dadis came to power in 2008.

Is it conceivable that the seven other people convicted in the 28 September trial [Moussa Tiegboro Camara, Aboubacar Diakite known as Toumba, Marcel Guilavogui, Claude Pivi, Blaise Goumou, Mamadou Aliou Keita, Paul Mansa Guilavogui] could also benefit from a presidential pardon?

Yes and no. Public opinion is saying that there has been preferential treatment. So I think there is a strong possibility that Toumba [Aboubacar Diakite, Dadis Camara's former aide-de-camp and head of the presidential guard at the time of the massacre] and others will be pardoned. But will this happen automatically? By releasing them all today, we must avoid trampling the whole point of trying these massacres.

We mustn't forget that the primary objective is to judge an event that has been described as a crime against humanity and that has aroused a great deal of interest. For the first time, a national court was able to try a case of such magnitude. I think we have to be careful not to trivialize these massacres, because they represent a dark chapter in our country's history.

The case of Colonel Pivi [former Minister of Presidential Security at the time of the massacre] is a very specific one. But in terms of importance, the captain [Dadis Camara] carries more weight. That's why I'm not very sure that pardons are going to be granted at the drop of a hat. I think it's a risk that the authorities, or rather the president of the transition who is the one pardoning people, would not take.

The Guinean organisation of defence of human rights (OGDH) said it was outraged by the pardon, especially as the appeal procedure had not even been completed. It is an attack on the honour and dignity of the victims, they said, as well as a violation of the most basic principles of proper administration of justice. How can President Doumbouya manage the contradiction between supporting and funding a historic trial and what the opposition National Front for the Defence of the Constitution has described as cynical political manipulation?

There is an outcry that puts into perspective the difficulty of understanding the President's pardon of Captain Dadis. Like the OGDH, you have the United Nations, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), etc.: all these organisations remain indignant today. For them, there is a bitter taste that this pardon has come on the heels of a historic trial hailed by international public opinion.

This is where there is still a lot to be done in terms of education. That's why I don't think other pardons should be granted in the same breath, because that would exacerbate the outcry. One wouldn't want to take the risk of further aggravating these claims, when one knows that the judgement in the 28 September massacre trial was a positive step for the Conakry regime, and one that was hailed internationally. I think there is a need for education so that one does not once again drain of all its sap a historic trial that has been hailed by the entire international community.

Is this pardon the programmed end of the criminal justice process in favour of national reconciliation and payment to the victims?

We are now faced with a situation where we told ourselves that's it, we've judged the case, and then a pardon intervened in the meantime, which has, let's say, put a bit of a damper on the judicial machinery. But will that be the end of it? Are we going to end up with a form of transitional justice or national reconciliation, after having served, or rather exhausted, all the legal avenues available in this area? This is something that we will have to observe, that we will have to follow, to see what kind of turn this extremely important case for Guinea will take.
Russia said Monday that its missiles hit a meeting of Ukrainian army commanders in Sumy, accusing Ukraine of using civilians as a "human shield" while Kyiv said the attack Sunday killed at least 35 people in one of the deadliest strikes of the entire war.

Russia's attack drew condemnation and accusations of "war crimes" from leaders around the world, though US President Donald Trump -- who is pushing for a ceasefire -- called it a "horrible thing" and suggested Russia had "made a mistake".

Commenting on the strike for the first time after more than 24 hours, Russia's defence ministry said its army launched two ballistic Iskander-M missiles at "the place of a meeting of command staff", claiming that it had killed 60 Ukrainian soldiers.

The Kremlin denied that its army had targeted civilians or that there had been any kind of "mistake".

"Our army hits only military and military-related targets," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the strike and Trump's comments.

- 'Shock, incomprehension' -

A day after the strike, workers were digging in the late afternoon sun through the rubble of a destroyed university building, next to which people had come to lay flowers.

"We used to walk here all the time," said 32-year-old Igor Koloshchuk, who came to the makeshift memorial with his wife Tetyana.

"We came to pay our respects," she said, adding she felt "shock, incomprehension, and probably hatred."

Sumy residents have already got used to explosions from the near-daily Russian attacks, said the 31-year-old kindergarten teacher.

"But when such tragedies happen, it's impossible to get used to it."

Russia's defence ministry appeared to concede there were civilian casualties, but placed the blame on Ukraine.

"The Kyiv regime continues to use the Ukrainian population as a human shield, placing military facilities and holding events with the participation of soldiers in the centre of a densely populated city," the ministry said.

Russia has made similar accusations since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

There is widespread evidence that Russia's missiles and drones have slammed into apartment blocks, hospitals, schools, train stations and other civilian areas in the three-year war.

Even conservative independent estimates say thousands of civilians, including hundreds of children, have been killed in the conflict.

"Only completely deranged scum can do something like this," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday after the strikes on Sumy.

- 'War crime' -

Ukrainian prosecutors said the attack killed 35 people, including two boys aged 11 and 17, and injured 117 people.

One witness told AFP she heard the two explosions.

"A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses," she said, struggling to speak.

People ran for cover amid burning cars and the dead were seen covered in silver sheets at the scene, where rescuers worked through the rubble of a building near a destroyed trolleybus.

Kyiv said the attacks showed that Russia had no intention of halting its invasion, after Russian President Vladimir Putin last month rejected a US call for a full and unconditional ceasefire.

The strike on Sumy came less than 48 hours after Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Putin in Saint Petersburg.

The Kremlin on Monday called the meeting "extremely helpful and very effective", without elaborating on the discussions.

Ukraine's European allies meanwhile have condemned the Russian attack on Sumy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled", and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni called it a "cowardly" act by Russia.

France's foreign ministry said Monday that the attack -- along with one earlier this month that killed nine children and nine adults in Kryvyi Rig -- constituted "war crimes".

Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz on Sunday described the attack as "a serious war crime, deliberate and intended".

- 'Further escalation' -

The Kremlin on Monday criticised Merz for saying he was open to supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles.

"He is agitating on the side of toughening his position and in favour of various steps that can -- and will -- inevitably lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine situation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Unfortunately, European capitals are really not inclined to look for ways of reaching peace talks, they are rather inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war," Peskov added.

On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social he was "working diligently" to stop the war, while accusing Zelensky of "allowing" it to start.

Separate Russian strikes on the northeastern region of Kharkiv killed four elderly residents, local officials said Monday.

Moscow has stepped up its pressure on the regions of Sumy and Kharkiv this year, and Ukraine's army leaders have warned of a fresh offensive in the area.

Russia has pushed Ukraine out of all but 50 square kilometres of its western Kursk region, which borders Ukraine's Sumy region, according to an AFP analysis of Institute for the Study of War data.

Moscow's army has also captured several border settlements and controls around 95 square kilometres in the Sumy region -- up from virtually nothing at the start of 2025.
Google has announced a new artificial intelligence (AI) model that will help scientists study how dolphins communicate.

Dolphin conversations may be decoded through Google's new AI model DolphinGemma

The tech giant collaborated with Georgia Tech and the field research of the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP) to build the new machine-learning tool DolphinGemma, which is "trained to learn the structure of dolphin vocalizations and generate novel dolphin-like sound sequences".

Google hopes DolphinGemma will help "understand the structure and potential meaning within these natural sound sequences" used by the animals, and will analyse sounds such as whistles, squawks and clicks from dolphins in different contexts.

The AI model uses Googles SoundStream tokeniser, which represents different dolphin sounds that will be processed by a model architecture suited for complex sequences.

Google says DolphinGemma can run directly on Google Pixel phones used by the WDP, and is based on the same technology that is used in the companys AI model Gemini.

As well as DolphinGemma, the WDP has also developed the Cetacean Hearing Augmentation Telemetry (CHAT) system in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, which will be used to establish a simpler, shared vocabulary between dolphins.

The concept begins by linking unique, synthetic whistles - developed by CHAT and different from natural dolphin sounds - to specific objects the dolphins enjoy, such as sargassum, seagrass, or scarves used by the researchers.

By first demonstrating the system through human interaction, the team hopes the dolphins natural curiosity will lead them to imitate the whistles to request these items.

Over time, as researchers gain a better understanding of the dolphins natural vocalisations, those sounds can also be incorporated into the system.
A year after actress Kim Ji Won was noticeably excluded from the Best Actress shortlist at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, a judge's recent remarks have reignited controversy surrounding the snub.

Jeong Deok Hyeon, a pop culture critic and one of the seven judges on the 2024 Baeksang panel for television, explained the reasoning behind Kim Ji Won's omission despite the massive popularity of Queen of Tears, which aired early last year.

"In Queen of Tears, people were saying, 'Huh? Kim Ji Won didn't even get nominated?' ... Do you know why that happened?"

Jeong said during an interview posted to social media on March 29.

(Mar 29, 2025) Jeong Deok Hyeon, a pop-culture critic and one of the seven judges for the Baeksang Art Awards 2024 in TV category, revealed the reason behind the issue of Kim Jiwon not being nominated for the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards on Mogu 



JDH: Actually, that... pic.twitter.com/7xR41nAQb4   (@kim_gwnii) April 11, 2025

(Mar 29, 2025) Jeong Deok Hyeon, a pop-culture critic and one of the seven judges for the Baeksang Art Awards 2024 in TV category, revealed the reason behind the issue of Kim Jiwon not being nominated for the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards on Mogu 



JDH: Actually, that... pic.twitter.com/7xR41nAQb4   (@kim_gwnii) April 11, 2025

"When the first round of judging started, it starts pretty early. Queen of Tears hadn't even begun airing yet. So there was a lot of debate over whether to include it or not."

Jeong claimed the drama barely made the eligibility cutoff and said judges had limited footage to review during early evaluations.

"At the point we were watching it, Kim Soo Hyun's performance stood out clearly, but Kim Ji Won hadn't really shined yet on the video," Jeong said.

"That's why she didn't make it into the nominations and actually, we explained all this to Kim Ji Won's agency and the actress also heard it and accepted it all."

Jeong added, "The public doesn't know, though, so they just criticize us. 'How could they do that?!' ... But awards like this, honestly, there's a bit of luck involved."

The remarks sparked backlash online, with fans accusing the Baeksang committee of inconsistency and gender bias.

Critics pointed out that if Queen of Tears was not fully eligible due to limited episodes aired at the time, Kim Soo Hyun, who played the male lead, should not have been nominated either.

"Shouldn't have nominated the actor then," one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "This is just an excuse for the misogynistic industry that favors men."

Another fan wrote, "Misogyny at its finest. When it comes to women, they said it's all about luck."

The 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards took place during the airing of Queen of Tears, which went on to achieve record-breaking viewership, surpassing a 20 percent rating  a feat rarely seen in recent years.

Despite the show's success and Kim Ji Won's widely praised performance, the actress did not receive a nomination for her role.

Some social media users referenced a broader trend of female talent being overlooked during award seasons, citing other perceived snubs in past years, including actresses Han Hyo Joo, Kim Tae Ri and Shin Hye Sun.

As the debate continues, fans continue to celebrate Kim Ji Won's performance in Queen of Tears, calling it one of the most memorable portrayals in recent K-drama history  regardless of awards recognition.

The Baeksang Arts Awards has not yet issued an official response to the renewed criticism.
Aimee Lou Wood has slammed the "mean" and "unfunny" impersonation of her on 'Saturday Night Live'.

Aimee Lou Wood has slammed Saturday Night Live

The weekly sketch show broadcast a 'White Lotus' parody centred around US President Donald Trump called 'White Potus' on Saturday (12.04.25), with Sarah Sherman sporting prosthetic teeth to mimic the British actress, and Aimee - who played Chelsea in the latest series of the anthology satire - was less than impressed.

She wrote on her Instagram Story on Sunday (13.04.25): "I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny.

"Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago.

"Yes, take the p*** for sure  that's what the show is about  but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?"

Aimee made her comments while also clarifying her own recent remarks about being worried HBO didn't "want" her for 'The White Lotus' because of her "ugly" looks.

She wrote: "Nobody at HBO called me ugly!! Jeez, as if! I clearly say that was my own paranoid thought.

"Nobody at HBO would say that. My point in the article was how our [brains] play tricks on us. Please read carefully before getting angry at me.

When someone (not a producer) told me Mike fought for me it was said in a nice way. I just spiralled about it because of my own imposer syndrome. That was my point.

"Just want to clear that up because HBO have been nothing but super supportive.

"So to conclude todays rant @hbo kind and supportive and never wronged me so leave them alone [cry laughing emoji] @nbcsnl  mean.(sic)"

Aimee then thanked her followers for sending her messages of support.

She wrote: "On a positive note everyone is agreeing with me about it so Im glad I said something instead of going in on myself."

The 31-year-old star shared a number of the comments she'd received that criticised 'SNL's depiction of her.

She added: "Omg Ive got THOUSANDS of messages in agreement with me since posting that. Thanks guys. Glad I said something.(sic)"

And Aimee later revealed 'Saturday Night Live' had been in contact with her, though she didn't specify who from the show.

She wrote: "I've had apologies from SNL.

The 'Sex Education' star recently expressed her frustration at how much focus the prominent gap in her teeth has received.

She told GQ Hype: "It makes me really happy that its symbolising rebellion and freedom, but theres a limit.

"The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I'm not getting to talk about my work. They think its nice because theyre not criticising.

And, I have to go there I dont know if it was a man would we be talking about it this much? Its still going on about a womans appearance.






Monday, April 14, 2025 - Three people died on the spot and nine others seriously injured following an early morning road accident at Manguo along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

The incident occurred at the same location where five people lost their lives in a similar crash just days earlier.

Limuru OCPD Mary Gachie confirmed the incident and said the accident involved a matatu and a lorry, which collided head-on.

The force of the impact caused the lorry to overturn, trapping several passengers inside its cabin.

The drivers side of the matatu was also severely damaged, indicating a high-impact collision.

Residents were the first to respond, working to rescue those trapped in the wreckage as traffic built up along the highway.

Emergency responders later arrived to manage the scene and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

See photos of the accident.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, April 14, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was reportedly scheduled to appear for an interview on Ramogi FM last Friday, to shed light on the mysterious death of the late military boss, General Francis Ogolla.

According to Francis Gaitho, a renowned social media personality and political activist, Gachaguas interview was canceled at the last minute.

Royal Media Services boss, SK Macharia, who has turned into a Government apologist after his friend, Raila Odinga, signed a pact with Ruto, is believed to have canceled Gachaguas interview.

It is alleged that Ogollas official military chopper was assigned to Farouk Kibet and Dennis Itumbi on the day he died in a crash.

Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, has challenged a report released by the Government explaining the circumstances that led to Ogollas death, calling for a further probe.

Speaking on Sunday during a church service at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Mwingi Town, Kitui, Kalonzo called for a thorough inquiry by the parliamentary group to cast more light.

What has happened is whitewashing the situation. No Kenyan will believe that story; the only way to believe the story is through an independent inquiry. General Ogolla was taken out, said Kalonzo.

Kalonzo hinted at a dirty trick, citing Ogollas political involvement in the 2022 General Elections that might have led to his death.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, April 14, 2025 - In a scene straight out of an action movie, a dramatic video of a man clinging to a helicopter carrying comedian Oga Obinna has sent social media into a farenzy.

The now-viral footage shows the unidentified man sprinting toward the chopper, ignoring repeated security warnings before grabbing onto the landing skids just as the aircraft lifted off.

It was only the quick thinking of Obinna and his co-passenger, businessman Bruno that averted potential disaster.

MIGORI KOMANDO! Sasa huyu angeumia wangesema tumemsacrifice!" Obinna shared on his social media.

He was so keen to hang on. Security removed him, and he came back.

Luckily, he hanged on the side myself and Business Man Bruno were seated, and we saw him.

Pilot hakukuwa amemuona hata! We shukishad him safely kwa shamba ya wenyewe hapo mbele, akarudi amebebwa kichampe.

The daring but dangerous act has earned the man a nickname, Migori James Bond, drawing comparisons to the infamous 2016 Bungoma incident involving Saleh Wanjala, who clung onto a chopper for 2 kilometers before jumping off.

While the internet has turned it into comic gold, the incident also raises serious questions about crowd control and security at high-profile events.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, April 13, 2025 - The family of Benedict Kabiru, the Kenyan police officer who went missing in Haiti three weeks ago, is accusing the Government of keeping them in the dark.

Speaking to the media, the family said that they have been left to pursue officials for information, with no clear communication from the National Police Service or the Ministry of Interior.

Daniel Ndungu, the family spokesperson, said their calls are not picked up, and whenever they visit the National Police Service headquarters, they go back home frustrated.

We are in distress. It is us who are making follow-ups, not the government. Our calls are not picked, and even when we go to their offices, nothing comes out of it, Ndungu said.

Last week, the family had been summoned for a counselling session and a brief meeting at Vigilance House.

They were all ready to go to the planned meeting, but it was cancelled at the last minute.

We were given the contact of the Director of Operations of the National Police Service. He told us they were planning counselling for the family. I kept trying to follow up, but most of the time, he was not picking up my calls.

When he finally did, he said we should get ready on a Wednesday, and they would send a car to take us to the headquarters.

We prepared ourselves, but on the very day, he called to cancel. Since then, we have heard nothing, Ndungu lamented.

Kabiru went missing after they were ambushed by a gang in the gang-ravaged Caribbean nation during the peace-keeping mission.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, April 14, 2025 - On Sunday, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki joined leaders and small-scale traders, among them Mama Mboga and Boda Boda riders for a Women and Youth economic empowerment engagement in Kiambu County, where he chased away journalists.

In a video going around on social media, Kindiki is seen ordering the journalists to switch off the cameras before he donated some money that the President had sent him to.

Zimeni hizo camera saa imekishwa, Kindiki, who appears to be drunk with power, was heard saying in a commanding voice.

He went ahead and announced that the President had sent him to the forum with Ksh 3 million.

The crowd erupted in joy after Kindiki handed over Rutos donation.

Watch the video.

Zimeni Hizo Camera!! KINDIKI turns into a dictator and chases away the media while announcing RUTOs donation in Kiambu pic.twitter.com/V9XNzz8Y4H  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) April 14, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Brittany Cartwright can't forgive Jax Taylor for refusing to move out of their home for months after they split.

Brittany Cartwright is back in her home

The reality stars separated in February 2024 and Brittany has slammed Jax for causing further distress and upheaval by ignoring her pleas to vacate the Los Angeles abode so she could stay there with their four-year-old son Cruz, who has autism and saw his home as his "safe space".

She told People magazine: Jax would not leave for seven months, while I had to move to different rental houses. I even said that he could move into the rental houses that I paid for. He still wouldnt do it. No matter what.

I didnt know if I was going to get a chance to come back here.

I went looking for houses, and I did all these different things. But I wanted to be here. I feel like I made this house a home. Cruz was born here. This is his house. He's got his pool outside; he's got his swing set. He's got his playroom. He's got everything here.

Ill never forgive him for doing that to us. When you're dealing with a child with autism, we shouldn't be the ones moving around. That should have never happened. But thats just how Jax is.

Jax finally moved out when he bought a new property but Brittany suspects he only did so in order to avoid looking bad on their reality show 'The Valley'.

She said: "I think, eventually, when the cameras got turned on, he realised, Oh God, everybody's going to see that I made her move out of the house.

"That's probably the only reason he finally moved out, I'm not even going to lie.

And now Brittany and Cruz are back in the house, she insisted they are "not going anywhere" now.

She said: "Im not putting her for sale. This is my house. I'm proud of myself, that I could do it by myself. I'm a girl from Kentucky, and I never even thought I would have a house like this.

"He don't help me, at all. Let me make that clear. He does not help me at all, with any of my bills. So I'm just proud of myself that I'm able to do it."
A KILDARE man on the sex offenders register was given a 12-month probation bond for failing to inform the authorities of taking a four-day weekend away in England.

The man appeared at a recent sitting of Naas District Court behind closed doors charged with a single breach of the register rules after failing to notify the gardai.

However, his solicitor Tim Kennelly claimed it was an inadvertent mistake because there has been a change in the legislation since his release.

If hes out of the jurisdiction, he should have given notification, but he didnt, said Mr Kennelly.

Detective Sergeant Michael Murphy gave details of why the man was on the register after he was convicted in 2015 on four counts of defilement of a child under 15.

Was it a boy or a girl? asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.

A girl, said DS Murphy in evidence.

He was sentenced to eight years, seven years, seven years, and six years concurrent.

He pleaded guilty in the circuit court, was convicted in 2015 and put on the register.

The Act changed in 2023, where mandatory notification went from seven days to three.

Went to England

He went to England for four days and never notified, he said.

Never any other difficulties? asked the judge.

No, judge, said DS Murphy.

He went to the UK and came back? asked Judge Zaidan.

Yes, judge, his monitor notified us, confirmed DS Murphy.

He didnt try to hide? asked the nudge.

No, said the garda.

It was explained that he didnt think he understood, he added.

So not deliberate? asked the judge.

Definitely not, said DG Murphy.

Judge Zaidan ruled as outlined, but any breach of the law in the next year will see the man liable for his outstanding sentence.
By Cate McCurry and Rebecca Black, PA

The government has a clear intention to dismantle provisions of the triple lock, the Sinn Fein leader said, after it was confirmed that Ireland will join an alliance of European nations that shares intelligence on potential threats in EU sea waters.

Tanaiste Simon Harris announced on Monday that he has approved plans to join the Common Information Sharing Environment to allow for more effective operations at sea and deal with maritime threats.

Tanaiste Simon Harris has approved plans to join the Common Information Sharing Environment (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Fine Gael leader, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he is confident of the benefits of joining the alliance.

CISE shares maritime surveillance information among EU and EEA countries, and aims to respond to threats at sea, including physical and cyber-attacks on infrastructure and drug trafficking.

It allows agencies from different countries to share data securely.

Mary Lou McDonald said she is deeply concerned by the governments direction of travel.

She said Sinn Fein will go toe-to-toe in defending the triple lock.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Tanaiste and Taoiseach will face questions over the decision (Gareth Chaney/PA)

Speaking in Belfast on Monday, Ms McDonald called on the Tanaiste to provide clarity as to the mechanics of the alliance and the extent of information exchanged.

I absolutely accept that we have an issue around the surveillance of our seas, she added.

There is no question about that. Very disgracefully, successive governments have allowed that to slip. We need active surveillance of our seas, and thats a very important element, by the way, of protecting our position as a non-aligned and a military neutral.

I want to hear more about this arrangement. The Dail isnt in session for the next couple of weeks, but I have no doubt that the Tanaiste will face, and the Taoiseach will face, questioning on these matters, and they have to set out very clearly for the Irish people what is envisaged, what commitments will be made.

Let me say this, anything that impinges on our status, on our role as non-aligned, as military neutrals, cannot and should not be countenanced.
CASTLEDERMOT Daffodil Day collections raised almost 5,000 on Friday 28 March in aid of The Irish Cancer Society, with some contributions still to come.

Collection co-ordinator Ann Glynn (Castledermot ICA Guild) would like to thank her local ICA colleagues and friends who volunteered their services for the day in aid of this worthy cause.

Special thanks as well as Teach Diarmada for providing a room and the use of the kitchen for welcome refreshments.

Ann also thanks Horans, Behans and Raths stores for their help and contributions.

Castledermot ICA Guild celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. New members are always welcome.
A Kilkenny mother whose daughter was born with a rare genetic condition has written and illustrated a childrens book to help celebrate difference.

Sarah Gannon, an occupational therapist living in County Kilkenny drew inspiration for her book, Just See Me: seeing beyond difference, from her seven-year-old daughter Ciara who has CHARGE Syndrome and is deafblind.

Mrs Gannon, 39, who has more than 17 years experience of working with children with disabilities, said she wanted to write the book to educate people and encourage them to see beyond differences.

READ NEXT: Massive new development expected to be 'hugely significant' for Kilkenny

CHARGE syndrome has lots of different areas of difference, my daughter has got a visual and a hearing impairment, so shes deafblind and shes other bits going on with that, like a cleft lip and palate, Mrs Gannon told the PA news agency.

She also has cardiac issues and is fed via peg tube. Shes got autism and shes got an intellectual disability.

Despite her medical needs, Mrs Gannon said Ciara is a regular little girl who wants to play and engage with other children.

In her career, Mrs Gannon has always been passionate about encouraging inclusion and reducing discrimination against children and adults with disabilities.

Since having Ciara, she said she has felt compelled to try to reduce peoples fear of disability.

The book is just a little poem about seeing beyond her differences and seeing her for her strengths and her abilities and her potential, she said.

The illustrations are brightly coloured and hopefully interesting to kids with visual and hearing impairments.

Mrs Gannon says all proceeds from the book will go towards the Anne Sullivan Foundation, Irelands national charity which supports people who are deafblind.

The new author, who also has a four-year-old son named David, said the experience of having a sibling with additional needs has made him incredibly compassionate.

The two of them are mad about each other. He is her biggest advocate, she said.

Hes very compassionate and sweet with her.

Siblings of kids with additional needs, theyre amazingly resilient, because they have to be, theyre amazingly compassionate.

Mrs Gannon stressed the importance of linking up with other parents in the same position as she reflected on her experience as a parent of a child with a disability.

It can be very isolating and very lonely as a parent of a child with additional needs because you feel like youre the only one in that boat, she said.

You have to become the expert in your own child, particularly when theres a rare condition.

You have to educate the educators and the professionals because theyve probably never heard of it.

Other people dont get it, really, they dont, and thats partially what the book is trying to do, help them get it a bit more.

Ciara celebrated her seventh birthday on Sunday and Mrs Gannon said she and husband Ian are feeling optimistic about their daughters future.

READ ALSO: Expect delays on busy Kilkenny City street all this week!

Wed be quite sad around her birthday usually because, of course, its a reminder of where she should be as a seven-year-old and where shes not. And that can be tricky sometimes, she said.

But this year, for the first year, were feeling more optimistic and hopeful as shes made huge gains in the last year, and a lot of that is thanks to school.

Her communication and speech is really improving and shes very happy with life.

Just See Me: seeing beyond difference by Sarah Gannon is available now, published by Austin Macauley.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
The 'Dementia Bus' rolled into Kikenny on Wednesday and Thursday (April 9-10) at St Gabriels Ward, located on the grounds of St Canices Hospital.

The bus includes specialised equipment that allows users to better understand the complexities of dementia, through the use of a virtual reality headset as a centerpiece.

READ NEXT: First patients arrive to 'impressive' new Kilkenny facility run by the HSE

By wearing the specialised equipment, cognitive and sensory impairments associated with dementia are simulated for the participants.

It is designed as a first-hand and practical contemplation of the difficulties individuals with dementia face, including disorientation, confusion, and memory loss.

An eight minute immersive experience is followed by a 75 minute comprehensive training session.

Speaking at the event was Sinead Long (Senior Occupational Therapist, Psychiatry of Later Life Team, HSE), who works with those who have dementia and who may experience challenges with sensory integration and processing, impacting emotions, daily functioning, and how those with dementia experience the world around them.

"This can sometimes lead to challenging behaviours often seen in people with dementia," she said.

"The virtual dementia tour is a sensory distortion programme designed to provide a greater understanding and insight into some of the behaviours, emotions and needs of those that live with dementia.

"Empathetic care and learning how to create a positive environment for those with dementia is aided by this opportunity to walk in their shoes, to experience for a few minutes what they experience every day.

"This has the ability to promote care standards, which in turn may lead to less distressing situations for the person experiencing the effects of dementia, and thereby improve the way they are cared for in our mental health and other healthcare services."

READ NEXT: Massive new development expected to be 'hugely significant' for Kilkenny

BACKGROUND

Colleagues from across HSE disciplines have participated in a virtual dementia training programme, in which participants are enabled to simulate the cognitive and sensory impairments associated with dementia.

Initially developed in the US, the virtual dementia experience is provided throughout the UK and Ireland by Training 2 Care (a British based company) with the aid of an especially modified bus.

Two days of training for HSE staff and some carers of relatives of service users experiencing dementia was organised by the Occupational Therapy Department of the Psychiatry of Later Life team and the Multidisciplinary in St Gabriels Ward, Kilkenny.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Much-loved Kilkenny community man Benny McDonagh passed away on Sunday as he was 'listening to his favourite music and surrounded by his favourite people'.

In May 2024, Benny (who was preparing to contest the local elections in the Piltown Municipal District for the Green Party) was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

His life and the lives of those in his family were turned upside down by the diagnosis, but Benny's community and wider circle of friends and loved ones ensured that they rallied around him in his most difficult times.

We're very sad to hear today of the passing of Benny McDonagh, who ran for the Party in the 2024 local elections. His warmth and decency will be remembered fondly by all in in the Carlow-Kilkenny Greens and wider party.https://t.co/CnayAoPJrL pic.twitter.com/5YqI6xtr7U  Green Party Ireland (@greenparty_ie) April 14, 2025

Green Party Ireland have expressed their sadness "to hear today of the passing of Benny McDonagh, who ran for the Party in the 2024 local elections."

"His warmth and decency will be remembered fondly by all in in the Carlow-Kilkenny Greens and wider party," they added.

READ NEXT: Driver involved in Kilkenny collision left gardai with 'no choice'

Benny is loved and missed by his wife Kiri, children Dubhaltach and partner Charmaine, Amber-Pixie and Caleb, granddaughter Orcah, father Ben, sisters Martina, Fiona & Niamh, nieces, nephews, outlaws, inlaws and all who loved him.

He is predeceased by his mother Delia.

Benny will be arriving at St Marys Church, Kells, County Kilkenny (R95 V184) via his residence on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) for service at 11am. Followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Codladh Samh Benny

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Jeff Goldblum took singing lessons throughout his career after his school music teacher declared he had a "limited range".

Jeff Goldblum has taken steps to improve his voice over the years

The 72-year-old Hollywood actor has made huge efforts to improve his voice for both his film and music work after being sent home from school with a note that criticised his vocal abilities.

He told The Telegraph newspaper: "Singing is not something that came so naturally. I have a vague memory of being in a choir at school, and they sent me home with a note saying his range is unusually limited."

He went on to reveal he's even started learning opera to keep his voice nimble.

Goldblum is a keen musician as well as an actor and has released three studio albums with his The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra band - and he admits there's something special about performing music in front of an audience.

He added to the publication: "Storytelling of all kinds: acting, yes, but music  boy oh boy!  can open up areas, not only in the way its received, but in the deliverer, the way it can hit all of us, you know, it is mysterious and fantastical and magical.

"And its so much more than: 'Hey, you got a good review or an award', or somebody said something nice about you, or, you know, your mom is clapping. Its the chance to connect. Thats the real git."

It comes after Goldblum admitted he's kids aren't particularly impressed by his movies.

The Wicked actor  who has Charlie, nine, and River, seven, with wife Emilie  has let his boys see a number of his film projects, but he still doesn't know if they made a big impression.

He told Big Issue magazine: I dont know how impressed they were with anything. I showed them Jurassic Park.

We took them to the movie theatre for Wicked. They were on set when I was making it, met [Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande], who were wonderful to them, along with Jon M. Chu.

They saw Thor Ragnarok, I think they got a kick out of the Grand Master in that. They happened to see an episode or two of Kaos where I play Zeus.

"There is some complicated, disturbing material in there, but they liked it. They pride themselves on being able to take any kind of dark or violent or scary thing. But, you know, well see. I havent shown them The Fly yet."
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

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Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low 72F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

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Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 72F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Warwick Davis wifes cause of death has been revealed as arrhythmic cardiac arrest.

Warwick Davis wifes cause of death has been revealed as arrhythmic cardiac arrest

Samantha Davis died aged 53 on 24 March, 2024, and an inquest on Monday (14.04.25) at Inner West London Coroners Court heard the actress  who had the achondroplasia form of dwarfism  underwent a thoracic discectomy at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London on 20 February 2024 and passed away following complications linked to her spinal surgery.

The procedure, intended to address semi-paralysis in her legs, involved cutting through her ribs and deflating a lung.

Post-surgery, she suffered a haemothorax, leading to the drainage of approximately one litre of fluid. She was then transferred to University College London Hospital for observation.

After a second haemothorax in March, Samantha showed signs of improvement and was scheduled for discharge on 24 March.

However, she went into cardiac arrest shortly before midnight on 23 March and was pronounced dead in the early hours of the following day. Resuscitation efforts lasted 53 minutes.

Pathologist Dr John Firth attributed her death to a left haemothorax resulting from surgical complications, noting the presence of over 700ml of blood and clots.

However, some medical professionals offered differing opinions.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Mr David Lawrence stated a chest x-ray taken the day before her death appeared satisfactory and suggested that the bleeding was more likely caused by CPR.

Consultant spinal surgeon Mr Adrian Casey, who performed the discectomy, remarked such blood loss was unlikely to cause death and described the cause as somewhat unexplained.

Dr Katherine Hunt, UCLHs clinical lead for resuscitation, said Samanthas bleed was more likely a result of CPR and identified signs of an abnormal heart rhythm on the defibrillator rhythm strip.

Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox concluded the actress passed away from arrhythmic cardiac arrest following complications from spinal surgical treatment.

She stated: On the balance of probabilities, the stress of her surgeries and the complications that arose precipitated the arrhythmia.

Professor Wilcox emphasised Samantha received nothing but excellent care and added: All of her complications were appropriately managed. Its heartbreaking that the surgery was successful only for complications to arise and cause her death."

Warwick, 55, and his family, represented by medical negligence lawyers, attended the inquest seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding Samanthas death.

In a statement released through their solicitors, the family expressed hope the inquest would provide them with answers and thanked everyone for their kindness and well-wishes.

Samantha, who co-founded the charity Little People UK in 2012, met Warwick in 1988 on the set of the film Willow.

They married in 1991 and had two children, Annabelle, 27, and 21-year-old Harrison.

The couple experienced the loss of two sons  Lloyd, who died at nine days old in 1991, and George, who was lost during pregnancy.
Iran's foreign ministry said Sunday that talks with the United States slated for next weekend will remain "indirect" with Omani mediation, and focused solely on the nuclear issue and lifting of sanctions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held talks Saturday in Muscat, marking the highest-level Iran-US nuclear negotiations since the collapse of a 2015 accord.

They agreed to meet again in seven days.

"Negotiations will continue to be indirect. Oman will remain the mediator, but we are discussing the location of future negotiations," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in an interview with state TV.

He said the talks would only focus on "the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions," and that Iran "will not have any talks with the American side on any other issue."

Analysts had said the US would push to include on the agenda discussions over Iran's ballistic missile programme along with Tehran's support for the "axis of resistance" -- a network of militant groups opposed to Israel.

Tehran has, however, maintained it will talk only about its nuclear programme.

Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers during his first term as US president.

Saturday's rare negotiations came weeks after Trump sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging nuclear talks while warning of possible military action if Iran refuses.

Iran and the US separately described Saturday's discussions as "constructive".

Iran said the talks were held indirectly with Oman's foreign minister acting as intermediary.

The negotiators, Araghchi and Witkoff, spoke directly for "a few minutes" after the talks, Tehran's foreign ministry said.

Another round of talks will be held on Saturday, April 19.

Asked about the talks, Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One: "I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done."

The process took place in a "friendly atmosphere", Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said.

Iran, reeling from 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.

On Sunday, Iranian media largely welcomed the rare talks as a "decisive turning point" in relations between the longtime foes.

Iran's conservative Javan daily praised the US for "not seeking to expand the negotiations to non-nuclear issues".

The government-sponsored newspaper, Iran, described the discussions as "constructive and respectful," quoting Araghchi.

Meanwhile, the reformist Shargh newspaper said it was a "decisive turning point" in Iran-US relations.

The hardline Kayhan newspaper, which was largely sceptical in the days leading up to the talks, lamented that Iran does not have a "plan B" while there was "no clear prospect for an agreement with Donald Trump."

It, however, lauded the fact that the American side did not bring up "the dismantling of nuclear facilities" and "the possibility of a military attack" during the discussions.

Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations since shortly after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Western-backed shah.

Iran has been wary about engaging in talks with the United States, often citing previous experience and undermined trust.

After pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal Trump reimposed sweeping economic sanctions against Iran.

Tehran continued to adhere to the agreement for a year after Washington's pullout but later began rolling back its own commitments.

Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated from the home.
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Investigators have revealed that the man who attempted to ignite the residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during the weekend was motivated largely by financial issues. They are digging into records to check whether 38-year-old Cody Balmer was experiencing financial problems, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News' affiliate in Philadelphia.

Balmer used Molotov cocktails to start the fire, the criminal complaint against him detailed. He threw them inside the mansion after breaking a window with a hammer. He also planned to use the tool to beat Shapiro, authorities said.

A mechanic, Balmer turned himself in outside Pennsylvania State Police headquarters. He admitted to "harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro," police said. He added that he "removed gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into Heineken bottles he found at his residence" to make the explosive cocktails.

Balmer then walked an hour to the residence to carry out the plan. He then scaled a perimeter fence before throwing the cocktails inside, admitting "it was a possibility that people could be injured by his actions."

Shapiro addressed the incident on Sunday, saying the attack was "not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." "This kind of violence has become far too common in our society, and it has to stop," he added.

Last night at the Governors Residence, we experienced an attack not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.



This kind of violence has become far too common in our society, and it has to stop. pic.twitter.com/5HP5JSvgfc  Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025

"We do know that this attack was targeted... this type of violence is not okay," added Shapiro, who hours before had celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday Passover with his family. "And I don't give a damn if it's coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another," he added.

Shapiro addressed the possibility that the attack had to do with his religion, saying: "If he was trying to terrorize my family, my friends... hear me on this, we celebrated our faith proudly, no one will deter me from celebrating my faith openly and proudly." However, the primary motive at the moment is financial-related. Officials confirmed the fire caused "a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence."

Originally published on Latin Times
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Interview: China's neighborhood diplomacy gains popularity in Central Asia, says Kazakh media veteran

Xinhua) 10:09, April 14, 2025

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A Wisconsin teen allegedly murdered his parents as part of a plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to the FBI.

Nikita Casap, 17, allegedly murdered his mother and stepfather and then stayed in the home for nearly two weeks until school officials called police for a wellness check, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The FBI, in an affidavit quoted by the newspaper, says the motive for the crime was to gain independence to kill the president.

"The killing of his parents appeared to be an effort to obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary to carry out his plan," the newspaper quoted the FBI affidavit.

In February, Casap shot his mother, Tatiana, and his stepfather, Donald Mayer. The teen then stayed in the house with the couple's decomposing bodies for nearly two weeks before leaving with $14,000, passports and the family dog, the Associated Press reported.

According to the AP, Casap planned the murder and even shared his plans with others through a messaging app, including a Russian speaker. He also wrote a 3-page manifesto that praised Adolf Hitler.

"Casap appears to have written a manifesto calling for the assassination of the President of the United States. He was in touch with other parties about his plan to kill the President and overthrow the government of the United States," the AP quoted a search warrant.

Casap apparently messaged people after the deaths of his parents, including school officials. "Due to unfortunate circumstances, I will be out for another week," a text to Mayer's boss read. Eventually, Casap took off, and police found the bodies after school officials became concerned.

Casap was eventually arrested in Kansas and is now being held on $1 million bond, the AP reported. He faces several charges including first-degree murder and theft.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Eva Osborne

There are concerns that banning some people from running to become the directly elected mayor of Dublin will only strengthen their views.

The Government is said to be reconsidering plans for the capital to follow Limerick's example, allowing citizens to directly choose their leader.

Some politicians have told the Sunday Times there is a fear someone like Conor McGregor could win, if it was put to a public vote.

Speaking on Newstalk, Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, Eoin OMalley, said you have to let people have their say, even if you do not like the result.

"It ends up proving the other side's point, you know, they'll kinda say: 'They won't let me run'," he said.

"And so it gives ammunition to what are essentially extremist politicians.

"So I think it would be better if in this case if the government, and if governments generally, just trusted the public. Because the public probably usually get it right."
Gordon Deegan

A High Court judge has warned that the costs system "should not be viewed as a complete gravy train" and that the system is already seriously imbalanced against private sector developers.

Mr Justice Richard Humphreys - who presides over the Planning and Environment Division of the High Court - made his comments in a costs judgement concerning a case where he has already ruled that an An Bord Pleanala report error about a Leisler bat located in a barn outside Ennis is not sufficient to halt contentious plans for a new 200MW 1.2 billion data centre campus.

In April 2024, An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for Art Data Centres Ltd comprising six data halls covering 145 acres of lands adjacent to the Tulla Rd on the eastern outskirts of Ennis near Junction 13 on the M18 motorway connecting Galway to Limerick.

However, opponents of the data centre, Colin Doyle, Friends of the Irish Environment CLG, Futureproof Clare, Martin Knox and Christine Sharp sought a High Court judicial review of the appeals board permission.

Last October, An Bord Pleanala conceded the objectors claim for quashing the boards data centre planning permission where they admitted that the Board erred in law in failing to consider adequately the environmental effects of the proposed development on bat fauna.

However, Art Data Centres Ltd are contesting the appeals boards High Court judicial review concession to the objectors.

Art Data Centres Ltd was last month successful in the first part of their challenge when dismissing the objectors' grounds over the Leisler Bat, Mr Justice Humphreys described the appeals board inspectors error about the bat on page 74 of the inspector's report as harmless.

Now in a costs ruling concerning the Leisler Bat module of High Court action, Mr Justice Humphreys has ruled that he would make no order for costs for the applicants meaning that they will have to pay their own costs for that module.

Mr Justice Humphreys stated that the losing side implausibly asked that their costs be reserved instead of being the subject of no order.

He said that one of the reasons put forward was that the objectors to the data centre might succeed on a second strand of their High Court judicial review challenge on the issue of a derogation licence.

In his costs ruling, Mr Justice Humphreys said: Theres no point reserving the losing applicants costs because there is nothing to discuss  they lost. So they arent going to be getting their costs of the issue on which they lost.

He remarked: No order as to costs for losers is merely a bracing Autumn breeze, not a Baltic Winter blizzard.

He said that we are here because the objectors to the data centre proposed a spurious point that the permission should be quashed because of failure to take into account a bat roost, even though all potential roosts had already been accounted for, and then made a spurious objection to no order as to their costs of the losing point.

He further added whats notable about the textbook applicant rhetoric which is by no means confined to these applicants  is that when there is any suggestion of no order as to costs, the response is dumbfounded condemnation of a punitive order.

He said: This is obvious nonsense to anyone outside the bubble of likeminded free-riding applicants.

He said: The court isnt punishing these applicants for making losing points  all I am doing right now is saying that they wont be getting their costs of doing so.

Mr Justice Humphreys said: Overall we cant lose sight of the fact that the costs system is already seriously imbalanced against opposing parties and particularly private sector developers who have to pay all of their own costs as they go with minimal meaningful comeback against applicants who lose in whole or in part.

He said: The system should not be viewed as a complete gravy train whereby any attempt to consider mitigation of complete and total costs in favour of an applicant is castigated as being unfair, inequitable and a breach of domestic, European and international law.

Mr Justice Humphreys said that for a court to succumb to that unfounded rhetoric would be to inadvertently render the system even more one-sided and imbalanced against opposing parties (developers) than it already is.
GARDAI seized a car from a food delivery driver in Laois for a litany of traffic offences today.

The driver was a learner permit holder with no insurance, tax or NCT and the car had a severely bald tyre.

The motorist also had no L plates and was not accompanied by a qualified driver.

Portarlington and Mountmellick gardai were out on patrol when they stopped and seized the Vokswagen (pictured) in Portarlington.

Posting a photo on the An Garda Siochana Laois Offaly social media page, gardai said the vehicle was being driven without insurance while 'out delivering food in the locality'.

They said: The driver of the vehicle was also a learner permit holder and driving without a full licence driver or L plates.

'There was a severely bald tyre on the vehicle, as well as no tax or NCT.

Fines and summonses for a court appearance will follow.
NATIONAL Irish Farmers Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman returned to official duties this week, following successful surgery to remove a pancreatic tumour.

The Laois man is delighted and relieved to have received the all clear, since undergoing the operation in February.

In an interview with Midlands 103, he said his consultants last words to him following the good news were, You won the Lotto!

The Ballinakill farmer, a native of Spink, feels very fortunate as he was attending his GP for other medical checks when the tumour was discovered. Following surgery, it was confirmed that the tumour was not cancerous.

Absence from duty was typically brief for the hard-working farm leader, who manages 130 acres in Ballinakill as well as overseeing the biggest farming organisation in the country.

His last official function was the IFA AGM in February, before he prepared for his hospital stay and allowed himself some recovery time with his wife Kay and son Tom. All were delighted when he got the all clear two weeks ago.

The IFA president looked fit and healthy today when he met with French ambassador to Ireland Celine Place, as part of the ongoing Mercosur talks.
A peaceful protest against the war in Palestine took place in Portlaoise, last Saturday. The protest took place outside the local library. The event was organized as part of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Similar actions were held across Ireland and Northern Ireland, with more peaceful demonstrations planned in the coming days throughout the country.
James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Triple lock changes in spotlight

The Government has a clear intention to dismantle provisions of the triple lock, the Sinn Fein leader said, after it was confirmed that Ireland will join an alliance of European nations that shares intelligence on potential threats in EU sea waters.

Tanaiste Simon Harris announced on Monday that he has approved plans to join the Common Information Sharing Environment to allow for more effective operations at sea and deal with maritime threats.

The Fine Gael leader, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he is confident of the benefits of joining the alliance.

CISE shares maritime surveillance information among EU and EEA countries, and aims to respond to threats at sea, including physical and cyber-attacks on infrastructure and drug trafficking.

It allows agencies from different countries to share data securely.

Mary Lou McDonald said she is deeply concerned by the Governments direction of travel.

She said Sinn Fein will go toe-to-toe in defending the triple lock.

Speaking in Belfast on Monday, Ms McDonald called on the Tanaiste to provide clarity as to the mechanics of the alliance and the extent of information exchanged.

I absolutely accept that we have an issue around the surveillance of our seas, she added.

There is no question about that. Very disgracefully, successive governments have allowed that to slip. We need active surveillance of our seas, and thats a very important element, by the way, of protecting our position as a non-aligned and a military neutral.

I want to hear more about this arrangement. The Dail isnt in session for the next couple of weeks, but I have no doubt that the Tanaiste will face, and the Taoiseach will face, questioning on these matters, and they have to set out very clearly for the Irish people what is envisaged, what commitments will be made.

Let me say this, anything that impinges on our status, on our role as non-aligned, as military neutrals, cannot and should not be countenanced.

The Government has insisted changes to the triple lock will not affect Ireland's neutrality.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie on Sunday, Minister of State Neale Richmond said: "Irelands triple lock mechanism for deploying troops abroad is an archaic tool that is hindering our ability to be a global force for good whilst surrendering our sovereign decision making to the veto powers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

"Given a UN mandate can be vetoed by any of the five permanent security council members, we are effectively giving the likes of Russia and China and a veto of where and when we send our own troops."

Mr Richmond added: "Irelands military neutrality is completely unaffected by any proposed changes to the triple lock, it is perverse to equate being able to participate in more peacekeeping missions as undermining our long held tradition of military neutrality.

"As it stands, Ireland could not send 13 members of our defence forces to Ukraine to help train Ukrainians on land mine removal, the very same land mines that are killing and maiming so many."

Trump mentions Ireland again while discussing pharmaceutical tariffs

US president Donald Trump has said he is considering imposing tariffs on pharmaceutical imports in the "not too distant future".

Speaking in the Oval Office, he suggested they would be similar to the 25 per cent rate imposed on the motor industry and steel and aluminium.

Mr Trump referenced Ireland and China as countries which produce drugs and said it is time America started doing so.

He claimed companies are investing trillions of dollars in the US since his tariff announcements, without providing specific figures.

"We don't make our own drugs, our own pharmaceuticals anymore. The drug companies are in Ireland and theyre in lots of other places  China.

"All I have to do is impose a tariff.Were going to be doing that.

He added: "I have a timeline, yeah... in the not too distant future. We're doing it because we want to make our own drugs, we want our own steel and aluminium, lumber, other things, and they're all coming in."

Mr Trump has mentioned US pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland on several occasions.

Abroad

In the UK, Rishi Sunak's closest parliamentary aide when he was prime minister has been charged along with 14 others with election betting offences.

Donald Trumps top advisers and the president of El Salvador have said they have no basis for the Central American nation to return a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there last month.

On Monday, Mr Trump also suggested that he might temporarily exempt the motor industry from tariffs he previously imposed on the sector, to give car makers time to adjust their supply chains.
On 13 April a US Department of State official confirmed that, a man mistakenly deported by the US government to a mega jail in El Salvador, is alive and secure.

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Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has a celebrity fan and is very flattered. She even lightly blushed when a journalist asked her about American actress Fran Drescher's public request to meet her in person.

During a morning press conference earlier in the week, Sheinbaum was asked by a reporter about receiving praise from public figures like Drescher.

The Mexican president responded, "First, I want to thank her for wanting to meet me, and second, not to let it get to my head because that doesn't help anything."

She continued, "What's truly important is the people, there's a lot of people behind this. That's where the strength comes from. It's not about the president. It's about this transformation movement, which has been important not only in our country but is now being recognized around the world. It's the people of Mexico who give it strength, and that's something to be proud of."

Estoy muy impresionado de la inteligencia y calidad humana de @FranDrescher, a quien recibimos con gran carino y reconocimiento en la @EmbamexEUA. Con gran emocion, me compartio la admiracion y aprecio que siente por la cultura mexicana y por #Mexico.



Ella, ademas de ser una pic.twitter.com/UbOk3xvlEW  Esteban Moctezuma Barragan (@emoctezumab) April 10, 2025

The question was raised in the wake of the American actress' visit to Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, the Mexican Ambassador to the United States, a day earlier.

The ambassador posted a photo with her on social media and relayed that Drescher was an admirer of Sheinbaum's and wanted to meet her to discuss working together on certain political issues.

Moctezuma wrote, "I am impressed with the intelligence and humanity of Fran Drescher, whom we deeply welcomed at the [embassy]. With great passion, she shared her admiration for Mexican culture and for the country itself... She expressed to me that she shares many views with our first female president [Sheinbaum], whom she wishes to meet personally to express her admiration and interest in working together on women's rights and environmental issues.

Her public admiration for President Sheinbaum is not Drescher's first foray into the political sphere.

She is currently the president of SAG-AFTRA, the world's largest labor union representing entertainers, and led the union during the five-month actor's strike that began in July of 2023.

In 2008, she was appointed Public Diplomacy Envoy for Women's Health Issues by George W. Bush and has been vocal in her endorsement of Democratic candidates in U.S. elections.

Originally published in The Latin Times
A tree landed on a passing car Sunday, April 13, 2025 along Route 22 in Bethlehem Township with the occupants narrowly escaping serious injury, state police said. Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

A tree landed on a passing car Sunday afternoon along Route 22 in Bethlehem Township with the occupants narrowly escaping serious injury, state police said.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Nathan Branosky, a spokesman for the Troop M barracks, told lehighvalleylive.com the incident began just before 3 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the highway.

The 2013 Kia Optima was being driven by a 22-year-old man from Boiling Springs, Cumberland County. The driver and his passenger, a 21-year-old man from Carlisle, Cumberland County, were wearing seat belts at the time of impact, Branosky said.

The men escaped serious injury, he said.

The tree blocked the westbound lanes of travel, shutting down a portion of Route 22 around the crash scene for about a half hour.

Pennsylvania State Police in Belfast are handling the investigation.

A tree landed on a passing car Sunday, April 13, 2025 along Route 22 in Bethlehem Township with the occupants narrowly escaping serious injury, state police said. Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Farming mad tractor expert Tilly Doyle has the welly to go all the way and win The Laois Rose 2025 this weekend.

The Ballybrittas 20 year old is one of the 17 young women taking part in the Laois Rose Selection Night.

Tilly whose parents are originally from Dublin, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live about herself.

"I was born and raised in Laois. I dont come from a farming background, but Ive always had a strong interest in agriculture.

"That passion led me to Gurteen Agricultural College, where I spent two years studying and earned my Level 5 and 6 qualifications in Dairy Management.

"My time at Gurteen gave me hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the industry. Now, a bit of a change from working with the cows, Im now working in parts as the only female in the garage in Templetouhy Farm Machinery here in Emo.

"I will continue to build my knowledge and enjoy helping customers find the right solutions for their farming needs," she said.

The Laois Rose Selection Night takes place in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Friday, April 18. The winner will take part in the televised International Rose of Tralee in Kerry this August.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live is the proud Media Sponsor for the Laois Rose Selection.
An airline cabin crew supervisor in Laois is ready to fly high at the Laois Rose Selection Night this Good Friday.

Rachel O'Meara who is sponsored by WR Shaw in Rosenallis, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live all about herself.

"Im 23 years old and living in Clonaslee. I am a Supervising Cabin Crew based in Dublin and I have been with the airline for 3 years now.

"For me theres no such thing as too much travel as I love to adventure on my days off. My favourite destination is definitely Agadir in Morocco but I love anywhere that I get to experience new cultures and traditions.

WATCH: Meet eight of the Laois Rose entrants

"I also love photography and luckily most places I go to are very picturesque so I get to feed my love of travel and photography simultaneously," Rachel said.

The Laois Rose Selection Night takes place in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Friday, April 18. The winner will take part in the televised International Rose of Tralee in Kerry this August.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live is the proud Media Sponsor for the Laois Rose Selection.
A Laois artist will have her art instillation on permanent display in St James' hospital, Dublin.

Portlaoise artist Aileen Donovan's original painting 'She Sells Sanctuary' will take up residence in St James from April 15.

Ms Donovan is known for taking part in Sky Arts 'Landscape Artist of the Year' in 2023.

"My original painting, "She Sells Sanctuary", is a half mannequin mounted on a 5ft x 5ft piece of plywood," Ms Donovan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"This was painted over 4 years ago as part of an exhibition called 'Collective Thoughts' with the Laois Arthouse Collective" which was in Dunamaise Arts Centre.

Pictured: 'She Sells Sanctuary' by Aileen Donovan

"This piece symbolises the mother figure, who is on the go, pulled in all directions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, hence the dark and light either side. I also made the sun/moon majestic like as a kind of crown, I suppose," Ms Donovan said.

"The roots are emerging from the bellybutton and going all directions as in busy, on the go. The reason I am highlighting this piece is after 4 years, it's heading to its new permanent home," she explained.

"It's heading to St James's Hospital, Dublin on permanent display alongside its extensive art collection. I always knew I wanted to donate this piece as its a symbolic mother figure.

"I had no idea where until last September. I spent a week studying in The Mercer Institute for Sucessful Aging (MISA) at St James's as part of my NCAD course and could not help but notice and admire their extensive art collection," the Portlaoise woman said.

Pictured: Aileen Donovan and one of her stunning artworks in 2023

"The Hospital is full of art and its a credit to them. I knew this was the right place for my piece and made enquiries if they would like it.

"It's not the most obvious choice for a piece of art but I've always liked it and knew it was never going to hang on someone's mantlepiece. She Sells Sanctuary (named after the Cult song, a huge favourite of mine) starts her journey to Dublin in the morning," she said.

"I head up on Tuesday morning to help choose its setting, and then it's being unveiled on the 9th of May which is International Nurses Day at 3.30 in the hospital.

I have to give a little speech on the day explaining the piece and how she came about. I am delighted she is finally heading somewhere that she is appreciated and its such a brilliant, suitable setting for her. Happy Days indeed!" she said.

This is Ms Donovan's 4th art piece on public display.

"There is a very small piece entitled Rewind the Film in the County Council Offices. It was part of an exhibition called In Trust, In Gratitude, In Hope at the Arthouse Stradbally as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations," Ms Donovan explained.

"I participated 2 years ago in the Creat8ve Ireland Artist in the community on a historic project with Dysart Conservation Group."

Ms Donovan has painted a 5ft painting of Dysart Church and Graveyard that is on permanent display in Rathneska GAA Clubhouse, along with 'The Gate to Heaven' at the Famine Graveyard in Abbeyleix.
Laois Republicans are hosting two Easter 1916 commemorations while Sinn Fein is moving on from a Mountmellick martyr executed during the 1798 rebellion.

2025 marks the first year since Brian Stanley's acrimonious split from the party over disciplinary issues that led to a national focus on Laois Sinn Fein.

Part of the continuing fallout from the row will be in evidence over Easter when two commemorations will be held by both sides to mark the 1916 Rebellion. Sinn Fein's rebuild in Laois will also see them reorganising in Mountmellick where it lost several members who left with Dep Stanley. The party is also renaming its branch in the town.

Mary Haughton is the Secretary of its revamped Mountmellick Cumman. She issued a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live about its 1916 event.

"The Laois Sinn Fein Party are pleased to announce that our newly renamed and rejuvenated Brownie Gorman  Patrick Phelan Cumann, Mountmellick, is hosting the annual Easter Rising Commemoration.

"The event will comprise a parade, led by the Portlaoise Accordion band, starting from The Square and parading to the 1798 monument in Wolfe Tone St.

"Guest speaker will be our very own Senator Maria McCormack, fresh from a very strong election campaign and result. Orations will be given, and the reading of the Irish Proclamation, along with the customary laying of wreaths at the monument.

"The event is open to all, and we would love to see the people of Mountmellick and surrounding areas come and join us in commemorating the heroes of the 1916 Rising who gave their lives for our freedom and shaped Ireland into the Republic we now have today. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: 1798 Memorial in Mountmellick.

"Proceedings commence at the town square in Mountmellick at 1pm," she said.

The Mountmellick Sinn Fein Cumann was previously named in honour of Willie Brock from Mountmellick who was aged 18 when hung for his part in the 1798 uprising against British rule in Ireland. Laois Sinn Fein Chairman Aaron Kelly explained why the branch has been renamed.

"The reason that the Cumann selected these names was because they wanted to include the areas and remember the volunteers of Clonaslee, Rosenalis, and Mountmellick townlands collectively.

"Patrick Phelan was a Mountmellick native who was shot by Free State Forces on 2nd August 1922 in Clonaslee. Patrick was from Wolfe Tone Street. He was a member of the North Offaly Brigade of the Anti-Treay IRA when he was killed in Brittas, Clonaslee beside the castle, on 9 August 1922 during the Civil War. A monument was erected by Laois Sinn Fein at the place where he was shot in 2008.

"Joe 'Brownie' Gorman was a volunteer from Rosenalis originally. He was involved in the Battle of Capard at the Pigott Mansion where he guided a column of 18 to 20 men to safety following an attack by the Free State Forces. He suffered many injuries including being shot in the hip, head and arm by the Free State at various attacks around Laois. He ended up with a plate in his head as a result. On one occasion, he was received bad injuries as a result of gunshots and had to attend Portlaoise hospital where he remained under guard for a few weeks. To escape, he placed a dummy in his bed, dressed as a nurse and made his escape in disguise," said Mr Kelly.

Meanwhile, Dep Stanley who rebranded as an Independent Republican has announced a 1916 event near Portlaoise.

He says 'Independent Republicans Laois' will hold a 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration on Easter Sunday April 20 at The Heath. They will assemble at The Heath NS (R32 XW40) at 11.30 am, where we will then parade to the nearby Republican monument.

"All are welcome to attend," said Dep Stanley.
The excitement continues to build as the Timahoe Heritage Festival unveil some of the incredible experiences already confirmed for this years festival, taking place May 31 to June 1 in the heart of Co. Laois.

"This years event is shaping up to be our biggest and most immersive yet, with a dazzling lineup of historical re-enactors, hands-on workshops, thrilling combat displays, and fascinating living history encampments," event organisers revealed.

"And remember  many of the warriors, craftspeople, and performers youll meet are seasoned film and television extras, having appeared in productions such as Vikings, Valhalla, Game of Thrones, and How to Train Your Dragon!" organisers announced.

Pictured: Timahoe Heritage Festival. Pic: THF Facebook

Heres just a taste of what you can expect:

Fragarach Armoured Combat return with their crowd-favourite, full-contact medieval battles.

Golden Ravens  local Viking warriors ready for action!

Ulfhednar Hird Ireland  Polish fight & living history group, with several film and TV veterans.

Dubh Linn Ostmen  a Dublin-based Viking and living history group.

Magnus Viking Association  Living History Group from the Ballydugan Medieval Settlement

Prepare for the Defenders of the Tower Bridge battle to kick things off in the main arena  a dramatic fight to protect the heritage centre bridge from Viking invaders!



Also featuring:

Fully armoured combat displays

Public Viking silly games in the village

Viking court drama  with audience participation

Living History & Viking Camp Life

Paul Kavanaghs Viking Ship Display, plus talks on Viking shipbuilding techniques

Raven Haven Averies  birds of prey as seen on the big screen, in productions such as Vikings, and Game Of Thrones, with live demos

Monks of Timahoe  a nod to Timahoe's ecclesiastical roots, and Timahoes founding saint, Mochua

St. Mochua Tree Carving by Evgeny Chubatyy, who will return with more live wood sculpture in 2025

Fossey Church Mass  a special heritage mass at the 16th-century church on Friday, May 30th @ 7:30 PM, honouring our spiritual past

Workshops, Demonstrations & Heritage Crafts

Jaqui Wright  historical pottery demonstrations and workshops

Drop Dead Threads  finger braiding demonstrations

Ewka  medieval herbalist giving talks and displays

Rick Fontes, live blacksmithing demonstration

Medieval Cooking Display  A culinary treat from days of yore

Fergal Ryan from Willow and Sword, traditional basketry

Pint of Plane (Eoin Reardon)  traditional woodworking using reclaimed timber

Fiach Rua Timbercraft  axe work, timber hewing, ogham and rune carvin

Timahoe Heritage Run (5K Road Race) on May 31, beginning at 11am with a 10am registration at Timahoe Heritage Centre, or online HERE.

Timahoe Male Choir, fresh from their appearance at Electric Picnic and the NYC St. Patricks Day Parade Alice Laffin, local musician.

More music acts to be announced!

The Viking Village  A living history look at Viking/Gael life

Kids vs. Vikings mock battles, preceded by Viking Training For Kids

Living History displays throughout the village

Big Dig, Coin Striking, and Bead-Making Workshops (Free for kids, booking details coming soon)

Art & Craft Fair  11 AM both days  limited trading spots still available! APPLY HERE

Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Car Run Stopover on Saturday, May 31st, featuring over 100 vintage and classic cars

Archery Sessions with Durlas Eile Archers

Dunamaise Beekeepers Get up close with bees and learn all about them from the experts

Heritage Talks and guided discussions

Adults: 5

Children: FREE

Parking: FREE

Dog-friendly festival! Please keep pets leashed and tidy up after them.

"With so much more still to be announced, Timahoe Heritage Festival 2025 is set to be an unforgettable celebration of our shared past, full of thrills, culture, laughter, and learning," organisers raved.

For more on Laois festivals this summer, keep an eye on the Leinster Express/Laois Live website!
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Irish Farmer's Association (IFA) President, Laois man Francie Gorman, has returned to work following the removal of a pancreatic tumour.

Mr Gorman has taken some time to recover from his recent surgery, involving the removal of a tumour from his pancreas.

The IFA President was happy to report that the tumour was not cancerous.

The farmer had attended the IFA AGM in February, which was his last official function before he stepped away to recuperate. Mr Gorman revealed that he had the surgery in late March, and received the news that the tumour was not cancerous two weeks ago.

IFA President Laois man Francie Gorman. Picture by Denis Byrne

The beef and sheep farmer was first elected to head the IFA in December 2023, and took up the Chair in January 2024.

This morning, Mr Gorman met with French ambassador to Ireland on the EU Mercosur trade agreement. This has been his first appearance since his health scare.

It has been a memorable year for the Ballinakill farmer, who was awarded a civic reception by Laois County Council in November to honour his many achievements.
The Naas Library and Cultural Centre will be hosting a special event to celebrate director Walter Hills 1984 musical action film Streets of Fire.

Set in a dystopian metropolis, rock star Ellen Aim (Diane Lane) is kidnapped by a biker gang known as The Bombers, headed by evil Raven Shaddock (Willem Dafoe).

READ NEXT PICTURES: Wild scenes as Rory McIlroy's hometown club erupts for Masters celebrations

Aims ex- boyfriend Tom Cody (Michael Pare) takes charge in bringing Aim out of the clutches of the terrorising gang and back to the stage where she belongs. The film features a rousing rock n roll soundtrack with music by Ry Cooder, Jim Steinman, Tom Petty and The Blasters.

Attending the screening will be two special guests: Wayne Byrne, a film historian and author of the acclaimed book Walter Hill: The Cinema of a Hollywood Maverick, and director (and Film Ireland writer) Paul Farren. These Hill experts will discuss the director, the film, and its legacy.

Author Byrne says, Im looking forward to discussing Streets of Fire. Its one of my favourites and it was quite a thrill to document it in my book with Walter himself and with various cast members and producers.

It was its 40th anniversary recently and deserves to be seen again in such a great setting as the library, which was itself a cinema going back a hundred years, so there is great cinematic history there.

Its a very underrated movie and kind of got lost among other high-profile blockbusters that came out in 1984. But it has become a cult film over time and here we are screening and discussing it forty years later to hopefully an audience of old fans and potential new ones. It should be an enjoyable evening.

The screening will take place in Naas Library and Cultural Centre on Thursday April 17 at 6.30pm. The event is not ticketed, seats are assigned first-come first-served. For further information, contact at naaslib@kildarecoco.ie or on 045 980795
Kildare's Kate Tone, a 6th class pupil from Scoil Eoin Phoil in Leixlip, recently embarked on an exciting trip to Brussels after being named as a winner of an essay competition organised by Midlands North West MEP, Nina Carberry.

The competition, which was open to 5th and 6th class students across the 15 counties of the Midlands North West constituency, challenged students to explore the question: If you were an MEP, what would you do to make your community the best place to live for everyone? Kates thoughtful and inspiring essay earned her the top prize, a visit to the European Parliament in Brussels.

During her trip, Kate had the opportunity to meet with MEP Carberry, who praised her creative vision and insightful ideas on community improvement and local development.

Kate also received a guided tour of the European Parliament, where she gained a first-hand understanding of how EU policies are shaped and how decisions made in Brussels have a direct impact on communities back home in Ireland.

The visit offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day work of MEPs, the legislative process, and the critical role that citizens, especially young people, play in European democracy.

READ NEXT: Some train services in Kildare over two hours late due to 'incident on line'
A pilot scheme to test smart crosswalks in the Athy Municipal District (MD) was suggested by a local councillor.

Fianna Fail Cllr Brian Dooley made the suggestion at the latest MD meeting today (April 14). He appeared at the meeting by virtual means.

For his motion, Cllr Dooley requested for Kildare County Council (KCC) to install "smart crosswalks in the town of Athy in areas where there are large numbers of pedestrians crossing busy roads / streets, ideally at the Railway Station, the back square to the Shackleton Museum, Leinster Street and Woodstock Street".

His motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Veralouise Behan.

In response, KCC told Cllr Dooley via its report at the meeting that there are currently no resources for the provision of pedestrian crossings in the county.

Cllr Brian Dooley, Fianna Fail. Photo credit: fiannafail.ie

"The request has been added to a list of similar requests that shall be examined if resources become available," KCC explained. "It should be noted that any proposed pedestrian crossing infrastructure must comply with current Irish regulations / guidelines."

Cllr Dooley in turn told KCC that he understood that it had a lack of funding available at present.

However, he reiterated that smart cross walks "are an excellent feature".

Cllr Dooley also asked: "Could we look at getting a costing [for this project] and possibly [implement] a pilot scheme?"

He then asked the other councillors who were present for their support regarding the potential implementation of a pilot scheme, possibly in "a region within Athy or Castledermot".

"Let's be first movers on this," Cllr Dooley added.

Cllr Veralouise Behan also told KCC: "Brian is right, it sends a message of safety out to pedestrians."

SIMILAR MOTION

Cllr Dooley also submitted a separate motion at the meeting which also referred to smart crosswalks.

He motioned for KCC to place speed ramps "along the road beside Castledermot GAA", and to provide "a raised pedestrian crossing and flashing amber / traffic or smart crosswalks".

This motion was also seconded by Cllr Behan.

Echoing its other report, KCC once again told Cllr Dooley that there are currently no resources for the provision of pedestrian crossings in the county.

"The request has been added to a list of similar requests that shall be examined if resources become available," KCC added.

Cllr Dooley replied that he noted KCC's response.

READ NEXT: Kildare people asked for views on new public park beside River Liffey
Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has said he will put a parliamentary question to the Minister for Special Needs Education regarding the possibility of establishing a special education school in Leitrim.

His comments came after Fianna Fail Senator Joe Flaherty claimed in the Seanad last week that the lack of such a school is placing significant pressure on special education services in surrounding counties.

This is putting additional and major pressure on Longford, Sligo, and the adjoining counties because people from Leitrim have no option but to try to access services in those counties," said Senator Flaherty. He was adamant that providing this service in Leitrim would ease the bottlenecks.

The national shortage of spaces for children with special educational needs has become a contentious issue in recent months. Groups of parents struggling to secure placements for their children have even resorted to sleeping outside Leinster House in protest.

The Government has said it is committed to providing around 400 new special classes and 300 additional special school placesamounting to approximately 2,700 placements in the coming year. Of these, 369 have already been sanctioned.

In February, it was announced that six new special education classes would be established across Leitrim and Sligo for the 2025/2026 academic year. However, only one of these was designated for Leitrim.

Leitrim currently has 32 special education classes across 14 primary and secondary schools. Deputy Frank Feighan has stated that he would support the creation of a dedicated special school in the county.

I intend to submit a parliamentary question initially to see what plans the Minister has within his department for such a school, and whether there is any existing school or campus in County Leitrim that may be suitableor if a standalone school would be required, he said.

I will access the information and clarification from there in order to lobby within Government to ensure this much-needed school is provided, he added.

READ MORE: Beware of scams when selling your phone, Leitrim Gardai warn
Leitrim influencer James Doyle reports receiving threats, harassment, and abuse since participating in a protest advocating for stricter online hate speech laws last month.

In a TikTok post over the weekend, Doyle stated, In the last week, I have received death threats, been harassed, had people attempt to jeopardize my employment, and, to be honest, had individuals try to ruin my lifeall because I believe there is a serious problem with bigotry in Ireland.

The TikTok star, who gained prominence in 2021, joined a protest organized by LadBible. The demonstration called for Ireland to implement online hate speech laws that would offer enhanced protections for users and enforce consequences for violators.

Doyle expressed, I think that racists, homophobes, misogynists, and bigots of all kinds should face consequences for their actions, which I didn't think was a very controversial stance. Obviously, that's not the case, as many are criticizing me.

While incitement to hatred and hate speech have been criminalized since the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, the enforcement and clarity of these laws have been subjects of debate. Similar discussions are ongoing in countries like Canada and the UK, where opponents fear that vaguely defined laws might infringe on freedom of speech.

Doyle countered, If you think that having hate speech laws is a violation of your freedom of speech, and the things you want to say would violate such laws, then your opinion is bigoted and harmful. I have never had an opinion that I wanted to express online publicly that I think would get me in trouble if there were hate speech laws.

He further clarified, Protesting against hate speech isnt protesting against freedom of speech. Everyone deserves an opinion, but if your opinion is to hate someone based on stereotypes motivated by their appearance, then that's terrible, and you are a terrible person.

Doyle added, I think anyone in Ireland has the right not to be treated like a monster because they don't look like 90% of the population.

In late 2024, the previous government introduced legislation aimed at combating hate speech, protecting individuals from abuse based on characteristics such as race, color, nationality, religion, national or ethnic origin, descent, disability, gender, sex characteristics, and sexual orientation.

This included increased prison sentences for certain crimes, where proven to be motivated by hatred, or where hatred was demonstrated.

However, in September 2024, Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced that the government would drop plans to introduce hate speech laws, citing a lack of consensus. The decision was met with criticism from various quarters, including human rights organizations and political figures. 

The previous Prohibition of the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 was criticized for its limited effectiveness, with only about 50 prosecutions in the over 30 years since its enactment. The Act criminalizes communications intended or likely to incite hatred against groups based on race, color, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, membership of the Traveller community, or sexual orientation. 

Ireland has faced criticism from international bodies, including the Council of Europe, for lacking specific statutory provisions for hate-aggravated offenses. The absence of comprehensive hate crime legislation has been a point of contention, especially in the context of increasing reports of hate-motivated incidents.

READ MORE: Beware of scams when selling your phone, Leitrim Gardai warn
Getting ready to travel 10,000 kilometres to visit Leitrim, the county of his ancestors, Dara Mac Raghnail outlines the motivations behind his planned journey.

Emerging from the warm waters of My Khe Beach in Da Nang, Vietnam, I squinted against the midday sun as a nearby Irish bar draped green, white, and orange bunting in preparation for St. Patricks Day. The tricolor fluttered against a backdrop of motorbikes, street vendors, and swaying palm trees, an oddly familiar sight in such an unfamiliar setting. It stirred something in me, a quiet pull toward home, or at least the idea of it.

Having traveled the world for the better part of a decade, Ive encountered the Irish diaspora in all corners. From open-plan offices in London skyscrapers to roadside cafes in Vietnam to beach bars in Thailand. No matter where we are, we Irish (born, bred, or so-called plastic Paddys) keep strong ties to our homeland.

As someone with the surname Mac Raghnaill, tied to County Leitrim, Ive noticed that people abroad recognize it as distinctly Irish, sparking conversations wherever I go.

Ive met countless people whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were Irish. Each story of leaving Ireland is a tale of uncertainty, bravery, and resilience, driven by economic necessity. Despite these shared histories, I find myself reflecting not only on the migration out of Ireland but also on movement within the country itself.

Though Im a Meath man myself, my paternal roots lie in County Leitrim. This makes me curious about the internal migration often overlooked within Ireland. The name Mac Raghnaill (or its anglicized form, Reynolds) is rare in Dublin or Meath, and everyone Ive met so far with that name has been family.

Its this rarity that compels me to search for more of my distant relatives, prompting a journey back to my ancestral homeland, County Leitrim.

On the banks of Lough Rinn, we once had a castle until the Brits ousted us roughly 400 years ago. Now, Im an economic refugee of sorts, priced out of Ireland and opting for a modest life in Southeast Asia.

Ive not explored my roots in Ireland beyond vague family stories, and given Irelands poor historical records, its hard to trace my ancestry beyond the 1870s. I have no idea when my ancestors migrated from County Leitrim to Dublin or if it was just one young lad in search of work, dreaming of returning someday but never doing so.

One conversation stands out with a third-generation Irishman, Rory, in a bar in Vietnam.

He and his parents were born and bred in North England, but his family has a tradition of giving their children Irish names, and he knows every lyric of The Wild Rover. Yet, despite this, he has never been to Ireland and confessed to me that he doesnt particularly feel a connection to the place.

Listening to him, I realised that, despite my strong ties to Ireland as a whole, I share a similar detachment when it comes to County Leitrim. Having never been to Leitrim myself, I dont particularly feel a connection either. But perhaps thats because Ive never set foot in the Wild Rose County.

Kurt Cobain once called other Cobains in the phone book because of how rare the name was in the U.S. He eventually spoke to one, who told him that the family name came from County Cork. Later, when he played a gig in Cork City, he recalled feeling an unexpected sense of belonging.

I cant help but wonder if Ill experience that same feeling when I finally set foot in my familys home county.With that thought in mind, Im booking my tickets to Leitrim from Southeast Asia, 10,000 kilometers away. Like the second- and third-generation Irish returning from England, youll soon hear my Leinster brogue wandering the lanes of Leitrim in the months to come.

Dara Mac Raghnaill holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from DCU and an MPhil from Trinity College Dublin. Living abroad since 2017, he writes about culture and lifestyle, comparing life in Ireland to his experiences overseas.

READ MORE: Local TD seeks answers on Special School for Leitrim amid rising regional pressure
The latest beneficiaries of the project, Gender Ministry officials and administrators of schools at the ceremony over the weekend.
If there is anything that your government must not compromise, it is the issue of the rule of law, Kanubah said. Respect for and adherence to the rule of law is essentially critical to keeping the peace and ensuring the development of our country. Lets respect the rule of law, and lets use the rule of law to fight corruption.
Lets be clear  the project Mo Ali is bragging about was made possible because of the $30 million we secured. The pipes hes talking about, including the upgrade from 36-inch to 48-inch, are part of that funding, Hilton stated. The contract for that work was signed under our administration.
A New Dawn for Press Freedom: President Boakai Charts Vision for Media and Democracy in Liberia
THE GOODNESS of a Limerick priest will continue to shine brightly over his parish for decades to come after his untimely passing.

Fr Leo McDonnell, late of St Johns Cathedral and St Michaels Church, Denmark Street, Limerick city, passed away in the wonderful care of Milford Care Centre on Saturday.

Three years ago, Fr Leo commissioned the repair of a unique golden monument depicting Archangel Michael atop St Michaels Church. It was one of many acts of kindness.

The statue was first unveiled on September 29, 1881 and was almost beyond repair but thanks to Fr Leos foresight it will continue to light up the night sky above the city (pictured below).

Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy led the tributes, saying Fr Leo was much loved, as seen by the great outpouring of support and prayer he received in his recent weeks of illness.

If its true that you die as you live, we can say that Fr Leo lived with great trust in Gods ways and providence.

He certainly showed that in his acceptance of death, once he was told he had only a short time to live. Fr Leo exhibited what Teresa of Lisieux calls confidence in Gods love, with a child-like faith and trust that remains an example for us, said Bishop Leahy.

Reposing at St Johns Cathedral this Monday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm. Requiem Mass on Tuesday at noon with burial afterwards in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery.

Predeceased by his parents Dr Leo and Margaret and sisters Moira (Fitzgerald) and Leonie (MacCarvill) and brother Charlie.

Sadly missed by his loving brother-in-law David, nephews, nieces, Bishop Brendan Leahy and the priests of the diocese, his cousin Fr Luke Macnamara, Glenstal Abbey, extended family and a wide circle of friends.

Fr Leo, of Barrington Street, Limerick city was the youngest of Dr Leo McDonnell and Margaret Nicholas four children.

As a child he would accompany his father to St Johns Hospital when his father, an ear, nose, throat (ENT) and eye surgeon, would go to visit patients.

Fr Macnamara said Fr Leo always remembered the care and honour his father showed to all, irrespective of status or wealth.

The death of his father when he was only 11-years-old had a profound impact on Leo. He and his next youngest sister Moira developed a closeness through those years that would endure their whole lives and continued with Moiras family.

He started his working life in the catering industry spending many years in the Trust Forte Hotels in the UK where he made many life-long friends. Returning to Ireland he worked for a short time in Ryan hotels, said Fr Macnamara.

Fr Leo had a near-death experience when he wrote off his car in a serious accident outside Gort but miraculously suffered only a broken nose.

Shortly afterwards and following the death of his mother, he entered seminary in Thurles in 1987 for Limerick Diocese. In those days, 36-year-old was considered a late vocation, said Fr Macnamara.

He embraced seminary life and was thankful for his years of formation. Ordained in 1993, he spent a year in Salthill, then Our Lady of the Rosary, followed by Abbeyfeale and Templeglantine.

Fr Leo remarked that his principal teachers of theology were the faithful who he met every day in his ministry. What he learned in textbooks in Thurles came to life in his pastoral encounters. Fr Leo sensed that his life was guided by divine providence.

The observing of his fathers care for his patients and the early experience of bereavement as a child equipped him with a sensitivity to the needs of others, particularly when accompanying families at funerals. The sense of Gods guiding hand in his life only increased when he came to live at the Cathedral presbytery and serve in both the Cathedral and also St Michaels as parish priest.

During this time, he often found himself walking the same corridors in St Johns Hospital where his father Leo and grandfather Charlie both worked for many years. Leo had a profound sense of continuing in their ministry of service in his duties as chaplain. It was also here in the Cathedral pastoral unit that he conducted very many funerals and found time for every family, said Fr Macnamara.

READ MORE: Young musician honoured as Limerick Person of the Month for his extraordinary talent

From his catering days, Fr Leo developed many skills, organisational and culinary which he put to use in his various postings. He was a great host, had a very understated manner, was never boasting of his achievements and always sought to recognise the good in others.

Fr Leo took such great joy when he learned of a parishioners recovery from illness or of a young person who turned their life around. He was a true pastor.

He took great joy in the recent restoration and illumination of the St Michael the Archangel statue on the roof of St Michaels church. This is more than the repair of a statue  it links Limerick city with a series of prominent sites linked with St Michael, running from Skellig Michael through St Michaels mount in Cornwall, Mont Saint Michel off Normandy through others in Italy and Greece to Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.

This line represents the sword of St Michael which provides protection and places of prayer where God is felt to be close. This protection and patronage of St Michael now extends to Limerick city, said Fr Macnamara.

Fr Leo (above left) was profoundly thankful for the prayers of so many in his final illness, especially Bishop Leahy, his brother priests, parishioners, family, and many friends.

He was convinced that the fruit of those prayers bestowed upon him peace and acceptance. He died peacefully in the presence of family members at Milford Hospice on Saturday, April 12, the eve of Palm Sunday. The prayers of this Holy week remind us of Gods great love for us  in which Leo trusted to the end, said Fr Macnamara.

May he rest in peace.
TRAINER Paddy Twomey saddled the exciting Catalina Delcarpio to win the opening 10-furlong fillies maiden at Leopardstown on Wednesday last. In the colours of owner Robert Moran, the Billy Lee-ridden 11/4 chance picked up in fine style to lead over a furlong from the finish and she raced right away to score by four and a half lengths from the Joseph O'Brien-trained 4/1 shot Tswalu.

Later on the card, Shanagolden jockey Chris Hayes took the seven-furlong handicap on the S And S Partnership-owned Are You In Or Out. The Paul Stafford-trained 5/1 shot battled well from the furlong-pole to score by half a length from the Paul Flynn-trained Browned Off.

Cian Quirke rode the first two winners in front of 14,000 student racegoers at Limerick on Thursday and he shared his success with trainer Andy Slattery and Aengus King. He teamed up with Slattery to take the opening four-year-old fillies maiden hurdle on the 7/2 chance Preparations. She made all the running on her jumping debut to score by two lengths from Joseph O'Briens 4/11 favourite Janes Harbour.

The King-trained Midnight Eagle completed the jockeys double when winning the two-mile handicap hurdle in the trainers own colours. An 18/1 chance, the five-year-old gained the advantage before the final hurdle to win by two and a half lengths from Philip Rothwells 5/2 favourite Cramers Valley.

There was local success as the Gary Noonan-ridden Carrigg Island took the two-mile five-furlong maiden hurdle for Athea trainer Eoin McCarthy. Leading before the second-last hurdle on the Matthew OConnor-owned 66/1 chance, Noonan got the five-year-old home by three lengths from Pat Foleys 4/7 favourite Mashalla Habibi.

The smart One Look made a winning return to action to take the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes for Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee and Paddy Twomey at the Curragh on Saturday.

Owned by the Connolly Racing Syndicate, the four-year-old was always up with the pace and she led inside the final furlong to beat Aidan O'Briens 7/1 shot Ecstatic by a length and three-parts on her first start since September of last year.

Upcoming Fixtures

Gowran Park  Wednesday, April 16 (First race 1.57pm)

Clonmel  Thursday, April 17 (First race 4.20pm)

Cork  Saturday, April 19 (First race 1.25pm)

Fairyhouse  Saturday, April 19 (First race 2.10pm)

Cork  Sunday, April 20 (First race 1.12pm)

Fairyhouse  Sunday, April 20 (First race 1.22pm)
A COUNCILLOR has raised what hes described as a ludicrous situation where there are no lollipop men and women at a school along the busy N21.

Fine Gaels Liam Galvin said at Templeglantine National School, children face stepping out onto the road with no support.

A national primary route where there are children from the age of five years disembarking from buses, getting out of cars and going onto busy carriageways, he said.

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Cllr Galvin also highlighted instances at other schools in west Limerick where teachers need to be present morning and evening to ensure their students get across the road safely due to a lack of infrastructure.

He has called on the Department of Education to fund all safety measures needed, for example crossings, lighting, speed ramps, signage, plus parking.

The Abbeyfeale man did this through a notice of motion, which secured unanimous support at the March council meeting.

As sure as night follows day, there will be an accident at one of those locations, and well be looking at each other asking why did we not put down crossings, why didn't we do traffic lights, why didn't we do signage or ramps for the sake of a few quid?
A YOUNG boy from Limerick has been named Limerick Person of the Month for his extraordinary musical talents.

Christopher Culhane is nine years old and was born blind. A talented musician, he plays the button accordion, drums and piano, but excels at the latter, with his proud mum Monika saying he has an ear for melodies.

Having been awarded a gold medal in his first piano recital exam earlier this year, Christopher is a practising pianist at Croagh School of Music.

He has embarked on his musical journey with an admirable start, having been awarded a gold medal for his Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) exam performance.

Living outside of Askeaton with his mum Monika, dad Pat and three siblings, Lucas, age 11, Nico, age seven, and Marcus, age four, Christopher attends primary school in Foynes and loves to do things with his hands - especially Lego, playing piano and particularly, drums.

READ ALSO: Limerick students scoop top prize for futuristic eco-village project

We are so so proud, Monika said upon accepting the Limerick Person of the Month award this Monday afternoon with Christopher at the Clayton Hotel, Limerick city. Christopher, a Manchester City fan, added that he is so so happy.

I met with Limerick Person of the Month, a young talented musician Christopher Culhane, from just outside Askeaton, and his mother Monika.

Christopher, who is blind, won a gold medal in one of his piano exams and plays at Croagh School of Music

Read more @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/bMZvsTl6gE  Faye Dorgan (@Dorgan_Faye) April 14, 2025

He got a little toy piano for Christmas 2017 and started with piano and button accordion lessons in January 2022 in Croagh, Christophers mum Monika said.

We are so happy for him. It is great for him to have something that he achieved and worked really hard on, practising songs and that. Its fantastic. He goes from himself to play and he enjoys it, he loves it.

With the RIAM achievement now under his belt, Monika said she hopes that he continues to pursue music throughout his life.

He loves practical stuff, building things, as well as science and technology. He picks up music very good, he hears melodies and tunes and takes it away. I hope he continues.

Earlier this year, Croagh School of Music congratulated Christopher for winning the gold medal on Facebook, saying: A massive congratulations to our student Christopher on receiving a gold medal in his Royal Irish Academy of Music piano recital exam!

Completing ones first recital is an important milestone in every young musicians life and we are honoured to be a part of this moment.

This is an amazing achievement and we are both proud and excited to see what the future holds for this brilliant young musician!

Garnering much attention online, the post with Christopher holding his certificate and gold medal got hundreds of likes, with many people congratulating the star and wishing him well.

Limerick Person of the Month is sponsored by the Limerick Leader, Southern Media and the Clayton Hotel.
PLANNERS have ordered developers to conduct a bat survey if they want to progress plans to build a complex providing 1,400 student beds.

As revealed by Limerick Live, Groody Developments are seeking the go-ahead for a purpose-built student accommodation scheme on land fronting Groody Road and Dublin Road in Castletroy.

Towering up between five and eight storeys, it would bring a total of 1,400 bed spaces, plus a library, a student union, a laundry room and two canteens.

Council planners, who are deliberating on the development, have put in a request for further information from the developer.

READ MORE: Upgrades to travel infrastructure are on route to Limerick

As part of this, they are looking for an assessment of the bat use of the site and the potential impacts on habitats or roost features on or within the zone of influence of the development."

As such a bat activity survey of the site and a roost survey of any features within the zone of influence of the proposal must be conducted, planners have stated in a letter to the developers representatives.

The application will not progress through council until this information comes.

Separately, Environmental Trust Ireland has written to the council urging it to refuse planning permission.

The group, whose president is city centre solicitor Michelle Hayes, stated the proposed development displays a complete disregard for biodiversity loss and ecological crisis.

The environmental group added the development site has links to the Shannon Estuary and contains areas of protected species such as otters, swans, bars, lamprey and Atlantic salmon.

They said the applicant had not carried out an otter, amphibian or swan survey.

They also said no study has been done on how it could impact the Groody River Basin.

Concern from Environmental Trust Ireland was expressed over traffic congestion.

This was reflected in a submission from three residents associations based in estates neighbouring the site who teamed up to write to council.

Caislean na hAbhann, Bru na Grudan and Curragh Birin residents groups have said they want the plans to reflect "a more realistic number of beds".

They've also asked the developer to acknowledge the impact the number of beds will have on traffic and parking in the surrounding estates.

"Reduce the number of beds, increase the number of car spaces provided and include part of the plans to allow for a slip road," they suggest.

Last year, a survey carried out by University of Limerick's student union UL Life revealed more than 35% of its members were being forced to commute long distances to Limerick, as well as stay in hotels, sleep in their cars, or reside in emergency accommodation due to a lack of housing.
STUDENTS should complete a media literacy course as part of the curriculum to persuade them to question everything they read, hear and see.

Thats one of the recommendations of the Citizens Parliament, which is meeting in Limerick and proposing ways to future-proof media and democracy here, in Ireland and across Europe.

Members of the 20-strong group have been meeting on Saturdays through March and April.

READ MORE: Man arrested in Limerick by gardai targeting organised crime group behind burglary spree

Last weekend, they heard from Limerick Leader managing editor Aine Fitzgerald in Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Live95FMs radio station director and presenter Joe Nash.

Then they met local politicians over lunch at Bobby Byrnes Pub in the city.

In this number were local TD Willie ODea.

He was joined by Limerick councillors Peter Doyle and Sean Hartigan.

Citizens Parliament members have been debating the difficulties and obstacles journalists face.

They have also weighed up how people now receive and engage with news.

Arising from this came recommendations to make to those in power so that they can improve the flow of useful and truthful information to the public.

The Citizens Parliament has called for the Department of Finance to bring in tax credits for journalists.

In effect, this would cut the income tax journalists pay.

Other resolutions include providing better protection for journalists going about their daily work.

Reform is also called for around defamation laws.

In legal terms, defamation is a false statement that damages a person's reputation, be it written or spoken.

The Citizens Parliament is to meet on two more occasions.

Following this, their recommendations will be presented to politicians at local, national and European Union level.
RECORDS of the boys from Artane industrial School who weaved new careers in a huge woolen mill in Sixmilebridge, and revealing new collections on milling down the centuries in Clare, will feature in the Shannon Archaeological & Historical Society (SAHS) monthly lecture.

Executive Clare librarian, Michael Talty, will give his talk on Milling in Clare: Some New Discoveries, to members of Shannon Archaeological & Historical Society in Treacys Oakwood Hotel at 8pm, on Wednesday, April 16.

Collections with a wide range of information on milling: including worker lists, account books, and local, national, and international correspondence, as well as collections with oral and folklore content, now being examined in detail by Clare Libraries and have already made an impact.

The Local Studies Library and Archives have recently amalgamated, and we are in the process of appraising and listing collections which have been held for some time, but which until now have had relatively little work done on them, Mr Talty explained.

In the course of this work, we have turned up some interesting collections and documents which throw a new light on milling in Clare.

We have been giving some talks on what we found and last year we went up to Ennistymon to take photographs of ODwyers Woolen Mills and people came forward with legal documents relating to a case and detail plans showing the scale of the mill. Things like that show in a place not as developed as say Limerick or Cork you can still have quite a large industrial set-up in the 1870s, he revealed.

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We are also gathering data on mills in Clare, beginning with a study of place names in Clare - to find how many have connections to milling. I will discuss how these materials can help us better understand the level of milling, and the relationships which existed between the producers and customers, and between landlords and businessmen, he added.

Alongside this archival work, Local Studies has begun gathering data on industrial activity in Clare, particularly focusing on mills and milling. An examination of placenames of townlands and localities shows a prominent level of milling activity in the medieval and early modern period, this project is only beginning as many locality names have not been recorded yet.

There is also a wealth of material relevant to the history of milling in Clare held in the national Archives. Of particular interest are the records of the Artane Boys School, which had a close relationship to the Flynn Woolen mills in Sixmilebridge, the executive librarian added.

There are a lot of people who came down from Artane Industrial School and learned a trade in Flynns Woolen Mills. I would say it was pretty tough for them, but it seems that a lot stuck with it when they were adults. Many of them married into the area and a lot stayed on and got a trade out of it, he revealed.

Collections recently donated into the Libraries and Archives include Caheraderry/Ardlahoon; Leconfield Estate papers; Caherlooskaun Tuck and Grist Mill Account Books as well as ODwyers Woollen Factory in Ennistymon. Several traditional music audio collections also have clips of musicians and the audience talking and Mr Talty will also talk about information gained on milling in Miltown Malbay from some of these recordings.

The lecture is free to members of SAHS and is also available on Zoom, while entry is 5 for non-members.
(Bloomberg) -- Barclays Plc is seeking to block more than 3.5 million ($4.6 million) in deferred payments to a former senior banker after he retired from the lender and then took up a job at a hedge fund.

Kamal Sandhu and Barclays traded London lawsuits in a legal spat that started after he joined US hedge fund Point72 Asset Management. Sandhu, who was head of credit trading for central, eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, left Barclays in May 2023 to look after his ill son but started work at the hedge fund months later when the health care costs soared, according to court filings.

Sandhu was owed deferred payments between 2024 and 2027 as part of his retirement deal, according to his lawyers. The terms also specified he wasnt permitted to take up a role at a likely competitor after retirement.

The unvested deferred remuneration lapsed once Sandhu started working as a portfolio manager at Point72, the banks lawyers said. The bank denied Sandhu was misled. Yet Sandus lawyers argued in court filings that his role at the hedge fund was entirely different from his work in Barclays and that Point72 does not compete with the bank.

After 14 years at Barclays, Sandhu left following an outstanding performance in 2022 when his desk generated $300 million and he personally made $120 million for the bank. This was despite the challenging conditions at home where his son could scream in pain for as much as eight hours a day, his lawyers said.

Sandhu and Barclays spokespeople declined to comment on the ongoing case.

The bankers unvested shares and cash awards would have lapsed if hed resigned and Sandhu was treated more favorably with career retirement, Barclays argued in court filings.

Sandhu first sued the bank at a London employment tribunal last year seeking the unpaid amount. Barclays filed a lawsuit against Sandhu in the High Court arguing that the tribunal didnt have jurisdiction to hear the case. It has asked a judge to declare that Sandhu failed to comply with retirement conditions and is not entitled to the payments.

Sandhu and Barclays accused each other of jurisdiction shopping, which means taking the case to a forum where litigants see better chances of success.

Barclays is trying to drive up Sandhus legal costs and discourage him from pursuing his entitlements, Sandhus lawyers said. The bank wants to gain tactical advantages, primarily of a financial nature, against the defendant, the father of a severely disabled child, his lawyers said.

The allegation that the claimants are jurisdiction shopping, when in fact it was the defendant who was doing so, and further that they are doing so for an improper purpose, are without merit, the banks lawyers said.

Point72 is not a party in the case and not accused of any wrongdoing.

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Centrica Plc hasnt started refilling the UKs biggest gas storage facility in the North Sea, potentially leaving the nation without reserves for next winter.

The company usually starts to inject fuel into the Rough facility by this time of year, ready for next winter, according to UK grid data compiled by Bloomberg. The site is old, needs to be upgraded and is operating at reduced capacity. That makes it unprofitable, according to Centrica.

Centricas decision not to start rebuilding inventories coincides with questions over the future of Rough, which partially returned to operations in 2022 when the loss of Russian gas supply pushed European prices to record levels. Centrica Chief Executive Chris OShea in February promised an update on the operation in the coming months. The company declined to comment further on its plans for Rough when contacted Monday.

The owner of British Gas has said it could invest 2 billion to upgrade the site to include hydrogen but is seeking support from the government through a price cap and floor mechanism. Centrica previously sought government help for Rough before its decision to close the facility in 2017. For now, withdrawals of gas from the facility off the east coast of England continue.

If Rough were to close, it would leave the UK more exposed to global price volatility and imports of LNG. The facility can currently hold enough gas for six days of average consumption or just under four peak winter days.

As we see our domestic supply ever dwindle and support pulled back we come more reliant on LNG imports in particularly to meet industrial demand, said Nick Campbell, a managing director at Inspired Plc, a consultancy. Therefore we are at the whims of international pricing.

OShea has previously said that Rough would have saved UK consumers around 5 billion in the two years of the energy crisis if it had been operating at full capacity in that period.

Centrica expects a loss of between 50 million and 100 million this year, Chief Financial Officer Russell OBrien said on the companys last earnings call.

With assistance from Anna Shiryaevskaya and Elena Mazneva.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- The European Central Bank has all but shut down a regulatory loophole heralded as a potential catalyst for a deal wave in asset management.

The ECBs supervisory arm recently opposed the application of an accounting treatment known as Danish Compromise in two takeovers pursued by euro area banks. That has put its use in doubt for similar transactions.

The negative opinions may act as a slowing factor in M&A interest in the sector, ING Groep NV analyst Suvi Platerink Kosonen said in a note on Monday.

The ECBs stance puts a damper on expectations that the regulation, designed to reduce the capital burden on banks that diversify by adding insurance operations, could be used to spur purchases of investment firms or wealth managers. BNP Paribas SAs last year tried to apply the rule in a big deal, by agreeing to buy Axa SAs asset manager through its insurance unit.

But the French bank said on Monday that the ECB has recently expressed opposition to the plan. The announcement came shortly after Italian lender Banco BPM SpA said it had been informed of the central banks negative stance on applying the Danish Compromise in asset management deals.

Banco BPM and BNP Paribas both indicated that the ECBs negative view doesnt constitute a final decision, with Banco BPM adding in its March 26 release that its in ongoing discussions with the ECB. The Italian bank also said that the final decision lies with another regulator, the European Banking Authority.

When the capital rule was first agreed in 2012 under the Danish presidency of the EU Council, the idea was to make it less burdensome for banks to diversify into insurance, which is tightly regulated. To that end, banks only have to partially include insurance businesses when calculating their total capital requirements, making it financially more attractive to own them.

Initially a temporary fix, the Danish Compromise became permanent this year.

BNP Paribas and Banco BPM have recently sought to apply the rule in proposed takeovers of asset management firms. By conducting the deals through their insurance units, they sought to reduce the impact on their regulatory capital.

Making the Danish Compromise permanent would open new and wider M&A frontiers for banks, Mediobanca SpA analysts Andrea Filtri said in a note in September, shortly after BNP Paribas had unveiled its plan to buy Axa Investment Managers.

Negative View

The ECBs negative view on the transactions seems to have come as a surprise to BNP Paribas and Banco BPM, with the French lender issuing a statement on Monday that pared back its return expectations from the Axa IM deal in that scenario.

As for Banco BPM, Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Castagna said just a few days before the ECB signaled its opposition to using the Danish Compromise that he was certain the regulator would approve the structure.

The Danish Compromise is intended to be applied to the insurance sector and not to, for example, asset management undertakings, ECB banking supervisory head Claudia Buch said in a Bloomberg News interview last week.

BNP Paribas and Banco BPM have each said theyll continue to pursue the deals even if they cant achieve the favorable capital treatment. In BNP Paribas case, that could increase the hit to a capital metric known as CET1 ratio by about 10 basis points to around 35 basis points, it said.

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Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, began a courtroom battle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday (April 14). The antitrust trial, which could potentially lead to the breakup of Mark Zuckerbergs tech empire, marks the most significant legal challenge Meta has faced in its 20-year history.

Opening arguments begin - Day 1 FTC accuses Meta of anti-competitive conduct The FTC alleges that Meta has abused its dominant position in the social media market by acquiring potential rivals Instagram and WhatsApp, effectively stifling competition and consolidating power.

Theres nothing wrong with Meta innovating, said Daniel Matheson, the FTCs lead attorney in his opening statements for the agency. Its what happened next that is a problem.

The FTC argues that Metas strategy was to "eliminate immediate threats" by purchasing rising competitors rather than out-innovating them. The agency is seeking to force Meta to divest both platforms and to provide advance notice for future acquisitions.

Meta defends its acquisitions In response, Meta, the Facebook parent company, rejected the allegations of monopoly power. Attorney Mark Hansen, representing Meta, emphasised that both Instagram and WhatsApp flourished under the companys stewardship.

The two apps have grown substantially under Metas ownership, Hansen said. There is no evidence that Meta is a monopoly.

He added that Meta offers its services for free, challenging the FTCs monopoly argument: How can the FTC maintain this monopolization case when it has never charged users a cent?

The future of Meta is at sake Should the FTC win, Meta could be ordered to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, which are critical revenue generators for the company. The trials outcome could set a precedent for how aggressively the US government can regulate Big Tech mergers going forward.

Key witnesses and timeline The trial, presided over by US District Judge James Boasberg, is expected to last several weeks. Key personalities expected to testify include:

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO and founder

Sheryl Sandberg, former Meta COO

Mike Schroepfer, former CTO

Kevin Systrom, Instagram co-founder

Executives from rival social media companies

Opening arguments concluded on Monday morning, with witness testimony set to begin in the afternoon.

What is the case about? The FTC first filed suit against Meta in 2020, during Donald Trumps presidency. In 2021, Judge Boasberg initially dismissed the case, citing a lack of sufficient evidence. However, the FTC later submitted an amended complaint, which was allowed to proceed, leading to Mondays trial start.
New Delhi, Apr 14 (PTI) Asserting that there is "limitless headroom for entrepreneurs", Prashanth Prakash, partner at Accel says the venture capital firm will use its recently announced USD 650 million fund over the next two-three years to back start-ups focused on AI and tech-led industrialisation.

The company is eyeing 20-25 start-up investments this year as it mounts an aggressive push to tap into India's growing innovation landscape.

"If you're a start-up entrepreneur, there's no better time to begin. The number of sectors that start-ups are impacting is also 10-fold...it is more multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral," Prakash told PTI in an interview.

"There are a lot of opportunities for founders who have the capability to imagine and envision what products India and the world need. There is limitless headroom for entrepreneurs," he said.

While US tariff impact remains uncertain, India does have a strong potential to position itself as a global hub for IP-led innovation and high-value manufacturing, particularly in sectors like defence, EVs, aerospace and energy, Prakash noted.

It can do so by building on the strength of its vast pool of talent, start-up agility, and growing ability to plug into global supply chains through innovation and strategic collaborations, he added.

According to the entrepreneur, philanthropist and venture capitalist, who was among the Padma Shri awardees announced earlier this year, Indian start-ups have matured post-Covid and are striking a stronger balance between growth and profitability.

Prakash said he is upbeat about the potential of startups, particularly in AI, tech-led industrialisation as well as Indian ventures driving smart innovation in areas such as sustainability, EVs, aerospace and space tech.

He said there is a strong early-stage investment activity, with plenty of available capital, including funding from Indian family offices -- entities that manage the investments of high networth families -- that are now viewing start-ups as a lucrative asset class. Overall, the ecosystem has matured into a more stable, healthier environment with better alignment between founders and investors.

"We have come to a very nice sweet spot in the ecosystem where entrepreneurs understand how and what to build and investors also know what they are looking for, and there's enough of a matchmaking that is happening in terms of this opportunity," Prakash said.

Entrepreneurs as well as investors have identified the right module for India and the right type of start-up that can be built for India.

"We recently closed a USD 650 million fund. And we are very actively deploying the fund... we typically do 15-25 investments a year, and our expectation is that we will do 20-25 investments this year in the three areas of AI, tech-led industrialisation, and 'Bharat' (start-ups catering to the top 30 per cent of households in India's tier 2 plus regions)," he said.

"The deployment of the USD 650 million war chest would happen over a period of next two-three years," he added.

With a solid track record of 16 years in India and Southeast Asia, Accel has been partnering with companies that have reimagined industries ranging from e-commerce and SaaS to manufacturing. It has made substantial investments in companies across sectors like Amagi, Acko, BlackBuck, BlueStone, BrowserStack, Cult.fit, Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, Urban Company and Zetwerk.

In Prakash's view, the Padma Award honour in the Trade and Industry category in many ways marks the coming of age of the start-up ecosystem itself. He sees it as a recognition of start-ups' power and capability to transform the Indian economy.

The Accel partner said the start-up ecosystem has evolved dramatically and bumper IPOs by ventures going public have ensured mass participation in start-up phenomenon. Moreover, the start-up ecosystem is expanding beyond urban centres, going deeper into tier 2 and 3 cities and making entrepreneurship a pan-India movement.

"The next decade holds even greater promise, with start-ups set to impact a wider range of sectors, playing a key role in nation-building."

AI's potential to transform and disrupt enterprises is throwing up massive opportunities, Prakash stressed.

"I believe that enterprises have been watching and wanting to adopt AI, but I don't think they've been able to really take full advantage of it. And that's where the Indian ecosystem, through our capabilities to build applications on foundational models, will be a huge area that Accel and other investors will look at," he said.

Deep-tech-led industrialisation, he said, is another promising area to watch out for. Many start-up founders no longer feel "intimidated" about setting up manufacturing capability, or building real products.

" AI for industrialisation, or AI plus physical asset based manufacturing... is going to help the country in a lot of import substitution. And once you kind of leverage that for import substitution and build for the nation, the ability for us to build frugally and with a very low-cost base in India will help us plug into this new multipolar complex supply chain which is emerging from in the US and everywhere," Prakash said.

He appealed to Indian tech entrepreneurs to grab the opportunity to plug into such value chains, combining their deep understanding of AI, of new age manufacturing and leveraging IP.

Citing the defence ecosystem as one of the key opportunities, he urged start-ups to leverage iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and similar programmes, and investors to back innovations in this category.

"In electric vehicles, can we manufacture the components that can plug into the EV ecosystem? Is that going to happen only from China? No, it is not only BYD that is going to supply everything to the rest of the world. They, of course, have a lead in battery and do that, but there are many other components that go into an EV supply chain and that we see as something entrepreneurs here building," he said.

Prakash is bullish on this industrialisation potential, and on start-ups playing a key role in areas of sustainable products, products for EV, products for aerospace, space tech and defence.

In the last two years alone, Accel has invested in over 27 AI start-ups in India or founded by Indian-origin entrepreneurs.

In recent years, it has launched some key initiatives to make a founder's journey as frictionless as possible and fuel the ecosystem's growth.
New Delhi, Apr 14 (PTI) India's seafood exporters are preparing to ship 35,000-40,000 tonnes of shrimp to the United States with orders remaining stable after US President Donald Trump paused a planned 26 per cent reciprocal tariff, reducing the duty to 10 per cent, industry officials said on Monday.

"There is a lot of relief now as we are at par with other exporters to the US. Now the shipments that were held back will be processed," Seafood Exporters Association of India Secretary General K N Raghavan told PTI.

About 2,000 containers of shrimp that had been delayed are now being readied for export following Trump's April 9 decision to pause the higher tariffs just one week after announcing them on April 2, he said.

The temporary reprieve maintains a 10 per cent blanket tariff on all countries except China, which faces a 145 per cent duty.

Currently, Indian shrimp exports to the US face an effective customs duty of 17.7 per cent, including 5.7 per cent in countervailing duties and 1.8 per cent in anti-dumping duty.

Industry sources explained that Indian exporters typically bear tariff costs under delivery duty-paid arrangements, meaning previously contracted shipments would have faced significant additional expenses under the higher tariff.

"The 90-day pause provides exporters the opportunity to fulfil these orders without the extra cost," an industry representative said.

The association reported no drop in orders from the United States, which remains India's largest shrimp market both in volume and value. India exported shrimp worth USD 2.7 billion to the US in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
A resort in Jaipur has filed an FIR against Ritesh Agarwal-owned OYO after receiving GST notices worth crores, alleging that the travel booking platform had provided incorrect information that resulted in the notices.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the FIR was filed on basis of a complaint by Madan Jain at the Ashok Nagar police station of Jaipur. Jain, who is associated with Samskara Resorts, said his hotel was served a show cause notice of 2.66 crore from the GST (Goods and Service Tax) office.

Livemint could not independently verify the report at the time of writing the article and has reached out to OYO seeking comments. The story will be updated immediately after getting a response.

What does the FIR against OYO say? Lodging the FIR, Madan Jain of Samskara Resorts alleged to show an inflated annual turn-over, thousands of fake bookings were shown in the name of Samskara resort, reported The Indian Express.

It further details that the resort offers its services via online booking as well as walk-in.

As part of their online bookings, Samskara had signed an agreement with OYO on April 18, 2019, for 12 months.

Jain alleged in the FIR that OYO instead showed bookings in Samskara for financial years 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21.

The FIR further claims that April 18, 2019 and April 20, 2020, Samskara Resorts did a business of 10.95 lakh from OYO, GST of which it had paid to the travel aggregator at that time.

However, OYO has reportedly shown it has done a business of 22.22 crore with Samskara, prompting GST officials to send a show cause notice of 2.66 crore as well as penalties.

Ritesh Agarwal named in FIR? As per the report, the FIR names Ritesh Agarwal, founder and Group CEO as part of the complaint. Oravel Stays Private Limited or OYO, as well as other people, have been named in the FIR for cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and criminal conspiracy under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the report mentioned.
Mumbai, Apr 14 (PTI) Abhishek Lodha-led Macrotech Developers has resolved trademark and brand dispute with House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), formed by his younger brother.

Macrotech Developers will continue to use 'Lodha' brand while the younger brother will continue to operate under 'House of Abhinandan Lodha' brand, as per the agreements between the two brothers under the guidance of their parents.

Abhishek and Abhinandan will not have any claims against each other.

In January, Macrotech Developers filed a suit in the Bombay High Court against HoABL for infringement of its trademarks and sought appropriate injunctions, reliefs, and damages.

Macrotech Developers and HoABL announced that they have resolved the dispute over the use of Lodha brand, through separate statements but with similar words.

"In a significant development, the Lodha brothers -- elder brother, Abhishek Lodha and younger brother, Abhinandan Lodha -- and the companies led by them, have amicably resolved all outstanding disputes under the guidance of their parents," the statement said.

As per the agreement, listed entity Macrotech Developers Ltd is the owner of and has the exclusive right to use, the brand names 'Lodha' and 'Lodha Group'.

Abhinandan Lodha is the owner of, and has the exclusive right to use the brand name 'House of Abhinandan Lodha'.

"Lodha Group' and 'House of Abhinandan Lodha' have no connection with each other. Both entities will communicate this widely," as per the statement.

Abhinandan Lodha has no rights or claims in Lodha Group or Macrotech Developers or other businesses of Abhishek.

Similarly, Abhishek has no rights or claims in HoABL or other businesses of Abhinandan.

"Both Abhishek and Abhinandan express their heartfelt gratitude to Justice R V Raveendran (Retd.), whose guidance in the mediation process was invaluable. The family is grateful to the Justice Arif Doctor for encouraging them to follow the process of mediation," the statement said.
After three months of mediation, real estate developers and brothers Abhishek and Abhinandan Lodha said on Monday that they have amicably resolved all outstanding disputes between their respective companies, with the guidance of their parents.

As part of the settlement, Macrotech Developers Ltd, led by Abhishek Lodha, will retain exclusive ownership and usage rights of the brand names Lodha and Lodha Group. His younger brother Abhinandan Lodha will exclusively own and use the brand name House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), the companies said in a joint statement.

Lodha Group and HoABL operate independently and have no affiliation with each other.

Read this | Macrotech Developers accuses House of Abhinandan Lodha of forgery

Mondays statement clarified that Abhinandan Lodha has no rights or claims in Lodha Group, Macrotech Developers, or any of Abhisheks other businesses. Similarly, Abhishek Lodha has no rights or claims in HoABL or any businesses owned by Abhinandan.

Both Abhishek and Abhinandan express their heartfelt gratitude to Justice R.V. Raveendran (Retd.), whose guidance during the mediation process was invaluable. The family is also grateful to Justice Arif Doctor for encouraging them to pursue mediation, the statement added. They extend their sincere appreciation to all family elders and well-wishers who offered counsel and support throughout the resolution process.

Macrotech Developers is one of Indias leading real estate firms, known for selling properties under the Lodha brand.

The House of Abhinandan Lodha, a privately held company under Lodha Ventures, was established in 2021the same year Macrotech went public. The firm has developed land in Maharashtra, Goa, and Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

Origin of the dispute The dispute dates back to 2015, when the Lodha brothers decided to part ways.

Abhinandan went on to establish HoABL, while Abhishek continued to manage the familys real estate business through Macrotech Developers. Their separation was formalized through a family settlement agreement in March 2017, which granted Abhishek control over the real estate business.

The agreement specified that all intellectual property, including trademarks related to real estate, would remain with Macrotech, and included a non-compete clause barring Abhinandan from engaging in real estate in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area for five years and in Greater London for specific periods.

Also read | Lodha vs Lodha: Why family names as brand names are always tough to disentangle

A new agreement signed in December 2023 reaffirmed restrictions on using names similar to or containing the 'Lodha' brandincluding terms like Lodha Ventures.
(Bloomberg) -- LVMH sales fell at the start of the year as wealthy shoppers reined in purchases of pricey handbags as threats of a trade war roiled financial markets.

Revenue at the French luxury groups fashion and leather goods division, its largest unit, fell 5% in the first quarter on an organic basis, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE said in a statement Monday. Analysts had expected a drop of 0.55%.

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH is the first European luxury group to release first-quarter results. The company, headed by billionaire Bernard Arnault, is generally considered a bellwether for the industry because it sells a wide range of high-end goods, from Christian Dior jackets to Tiffany engagement rings, Tag Heuer watches and Dom Perignon Champagne.

The luxury market has been struggling to emerge from a period of sluggish growth caused in part by Chinese shoppers reining in high-end purchases. The industrys outlook has grown even murkier since US President Donald Trump this month slapped 10% tariffs on imports from the European Union for 90 days, after threatening even higher levies.

The trade turmoil sent European shares tumbling in recent weeks. LVMH is down 17% so far this year.

Analysts and investors will scrutinize what new Chief Financial Officer Cecile Cabanis says about tariffs, China and the current state of luxury demand during a conference call after the results. Her predecessor, Jean-Jacques Guiony, moved in February to oversee the companys struggling wines and spirits division, which is suffering from tariffs imposed by China on its Hennessy Cognac.

Later this week, Moncler SpA, the maker of expensive ski jackets, and Birkin-bag maker Hermes International SCA will report sales, while LVMHs Arnault is expected to speak at the annual shareholders meeting Thursday.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Mark Zuckerberg is facing one of the most major lawsuits on Monday, as a high-stakes trial at a US court against him began on April 14. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has alleged that Zuckerberg's Meta bought Instagram and WhatsApp in an unlawful move. If the Meta CEO fails to win the antitrust case, the company could be forced to break itself up and sell Instagram and WhatsApp.

Mark Zuckerberg vs FTC As the trial began in Washington on Monday, an FTC attorney alleged Facebook parent Meta Platforms bought up nascent rivals Instagram and WhatsApp after its attempts to compete had failed, reported Reuters.

FTC attorney Daniel Matheson said that the unlawful strategy established entry barriers that for more than a decade protected Meta's dominance.

He argued that the buying of WhatsApp and Instagram left consumers without a reasonable alternatives they can turn to.

The case, filed during President Donald Trump's first term, claims Meta bought the companies a decade ago to eliminate competition among social media platforms where users connect with friends and family.

The case poses a potential threat to Meta, which by some estimates earns about half of its US advertising revenue from Instagram, while testing the new Trump administration's promises to take on Big Tech, as per Reuters.

Will Mark Zuckerberg sell Instagram, WhatsApp? According to a report by BBC, Meta is confident that it will win the case and may argue that Instagram's user experience became better since it took over.

However, if the judge sides with the FTC and the government at large, Mark Zuckerberg could be forced to break up with Instagram and WhatsApp, and other companies will be put on notice.

However, a CNN report says if Donald Trump, who has over the years improved his relationship with Zuckerberg, decides to enter the room, things could take a different turn.

Reports by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal on April 2 say that Zuckerberg has been trying to persuade Trump into resolving the FTC case. The report came on the same day the Meta owner was spotted at the White House.

Also Read | Zuckerberg tries to enlist Trump in fight against Meta EU ruling

Also Read | Meta betrayed US to woo China, Mark Zuckerberg wanted XI to name his first child

Remember how Mark Zuckerberg started cozying up to Trump as Meta donated $1 million to his inauguration? Well now Zuckerberg is trying to cash in  reportedly lobbying Trump to settle the FTCs antitrust lawsuit against Meta. This is why you always follow the money, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich wrote on X.

Meta Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Newstead called the case weak and a deterrent to tech investment.
MUMBAI : US-based customer engagement platform MoEngage is in talks to raise $150-180 million from new and existing investors and has appointed Avendus to help with the mandate, two people familiar with the matter told Mint .

The round, which will value the company at $800-850 million, is a mix of primary and secondary transactions," one of two people cited above said.

MoEngage and Avendus did not immediately respond to Mints requests for a comment.

In 2022, the company raised $77 million in a Series E funding round led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and B Capital at a valuation of $700 million, as per data from market intelligence provider Tracxn.

Other existing investors including Steadview Capital, Multiples Alternate Asset Management, Eight Roads Ventures, and Matrix Partners India also participated in the funding round. To date, the company has raised over $181 million across 9 rounds.

Global growth push

Moengage outlined plans to use the funds towards deepening its presence in US, Europe, Asia, and Middle East markets and also expand into newer markets such as Latin America and Australia. A part of the funds was also dedicated towards exploring strategic acquisitions to extend its capabilities, MoEngage said at the time.

Broadly, greater access to domestic capital and rising ease of doing business are prompting many new software-as-a-service (SaaS) startups to house their operations in India.

MoEngage, which is reportedly looking to reverse flip its domicile to India, according to Moneycontrol, joins a growing list of other startups such as PhonePe, Razorpay, PineLabs, and Groww that have explored similar moves.

Some of the companys earlier investors may also exit their stake in part or full as Goldman Sachs looks to pump $35-50 million via a secondary transaction, according to a report by Economic Times last year.

To be clear, shareholders in a secondary transaction sell their stakes to other existing or new investors, and no new capital is injected into the company. Secondary transactions generally take place at a discount to the primary shares.

Also read: Mint Explainer: Why Razorpay and Cashfree are ditching Juspay, and what it means for the fintech sector

Founded by Yashwanth Kumar and Raviteja Dodda in 2014, MoEngage began with the intention of building a customer engagement platform that is backed by a comprehensive artificial intelligence engine. The company has a presence in about 13 countries and claims to have served more than 1200 brands including Ola, ShareChat, Bigbasket, Flipkart and Vedantu, according to its official website.

MoEngage competes with other startups such as Clevertap and Capillary in India.

In October, Avendus highlighted that the global SaaS market size stands at $275 billion with ~45% of the contribution coming from the US and ~5% from India. The investment bank estimated that the Indian SaaS market is estimated to grow at ~33% CAGR over the next 4 years, with a growing number of companies emerging across various verticals and horizontals.

While a few have recently gone public, such as RateGain, Zaggle, and Unicommerce, many private players, including Zoho, Amagi, Shiprocket, Whatfix, Perfios, Darwinbox, Juspay, MoEngage, and Capillary Technologies, are showing promising trends, Avendus said in the report.

Also read: KKR, Partners Group to lead Darwinbox funding round
BENGALURU : Tata Consultancy Services Ltd says sharing the productivity savings from using Generative AI tools with its clients leads to some business loss, but this decline should be offset by more tech spending, which should eventually translate to more business for the countrys largest information technology services firm.

Significantly, the Mumbai-based company said that spending on Gen AI-related projects is in addition to the outsourcing budgets, which should assuage investors' concerns about whether the new technology was leading Fortune 500 companies to slash their tech spending.

Depending on the kind of programme, we share the productivity gains with customers," said K. Krithivasan, chief executive officer of TCS, in an interview on Friday. So yes, there is a net revenue reduction. (But) Clients see the savings and give more (volume of) work. So TCS remains in a very strong position."

Leveraging AI, we are willing to cannibalise. Sometimes willingness to cannibalise is a strength," said Krithivasan.

Also Read: Companies expected to increase Gen AI investments by half this year

Homegrown IT services firms' current model involves deploying an army of engineers to do mundane and commoditized work. Under the billing model, more engineers translate to more money.

The rise of Gen AI implies that intelligent algorithms, fed with data on companies' internal processes, can do the repetitive work. Using more Gen AI tools helps clients save on costs and generates less revenue for firms like TCS.

According to Krithivasan, this predicament about whether to let go of some business is not a concern.

"AI creates a need to create more software. So, while the cost of writing a unit of code may come down, the overall pie (of work) will increase. This is our assumption," said Krithivasan, who took over as the boss in June 2023.

Impact of GenAI on business

"So far, we have not heard from our customers that this is the saving from Gen AI, and I will only plough back so much. The spending does not come only from the CIO (chief information officer) but also from CMOs and other CXOs inside companies. All this is new money. So at the enterprise level, we believe that it (GenAI) will be more accretive and not deflationary," said Krithivasan when asked about the impact of GenAI on TCSs business in the next 12-24 months.

The countrys $283 billion IT services industry faces two challenges. First is the structural risk posed by the rise of GenAI adoption. Additionally, macroeconomic uncertainty, primarily because of the US administrations flip-flop on tariffs, comes with the risk of a global economic slowdown.

That will be bad news.

Last week, TCS reported its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings, which were hobbled by macroeconomic uncertainty. Management said they have seen some companies in the auto and retail sector defer starting new tech projects.

TCS reported 3.8% revenue growth to end the year with $30.18 billion in revenue. Profitability slipped 30 basis points to 24.3%.

TCS and its smaller peers like Infosys Ltd and HCL Technologies Ltd do not quantify related to Gen AI, including revenue or orders. In contrast, Accenture Plc, which follows a September-August fiscal year, secured Gen AI bookings worth $1.4 billion or 6.7% of order book in the quarter-ended February 2024. In the same quarter, Accenture got revenues of $600 million from Gen AI projects. Since September 2023, when Accenture first started sharing metrics on GenAI, the company has won $5.6 billion in orders in GenAI.

Tech disruption

For this reason, a few analysts have questioned how the Big Five of Indian IT will win in this wave of technology disruption.

Inherently, new technologies tend to be deflationary, a headwind for incumbents and an opportunity for challengers. Additionally, the difference in technology expertise (skill + scale) narrows down in new technologies aiding challengers. It will be difficult for TCS to aggressively incorporate gen AI into its services portfolio, given the larger size relative to challengers who can better afford to cannibalize existing revenue to get a bigger portion of the pie from incumbents," Kawaljeet Saluja, Sathishkumar S., and Vamshi Krishna wrote in a note dated 11 April.

TCS is experiencing incremental traction in genAI deals, according to management. Moreover, on the supply side, TCS indicated AI is not hurting or replacing traditional headcount growth and increased proportions of hiring are for AI-led opportunities," Keith Bachman wrote in a note dated 10 April.

Im confident that the uncertainty will be short-lived," said Krithivasan, reaffirming that he expects TCS to grow faster in the current fiscal than last year.

Key takeaways
Impact investment firm Omnivore is considering investments in animal health, bioinformatics, precision fermentation, and another deal in material science, a top official said.

The firm plans to close between four and six deals this year, of which two will be in the life sciences space. I would love to do a life sciences deal related to animal science. It's a sector ripe for disruption and has great challenges. The sector has strong economics and good margins, said Mark Kahn, managing partner at Omnivore.

The firm is also planning a couple of exits this year from its second fund. Omnivore is currently in talks with some of the founders of its portfolio companies and bankers about creating an exit strategy. This year, we expect to try to get a decent chunk of our capital back, said Abhilash Sethi, the firm's investment director.

Omnivore focuses on agritech, foodtech and climate-smart investing. Founded by Kahn and Jinesh Shah, the firm has been around since 2010. Since then, Omnivore has funded over 40 companies and currently manages $295 million across two active funds.

In FY25, the firm made nine investments, four of which were new in companies like Sid's Farm, Scimplify, Cornext, and Two Point O Capital. The rest were follow-on investments.

Currently, the firm has set its sights on broadening the network of deep science startups while also deepening its investment pipeline.

As it stands, several startups in the deep-science sector spend a few years being incubated in government-run accelerators at institutions like the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the Bangalore Bioinnovation Center, Venture Center in Pune, and the IKP Knowledge Park in Hyderabad.

Up and running These places allow startups to access non-dilutive capital, such as research grants, to build a viable product and find a path to monetisation. When these startups start looking to raise money, they've been around for three to five years.

By the time you're investing, you're doing diligence on something real, with real commercial traction, real pilots, and real IP, Kahn said.

However, private capital remains missing. That's despite the sector raising $1.9 billion between 2020 and 2024, according to a joint report by Omnivore, Nucleate, a non-profit for biotech leaders and IndieBio, a New York-based deeptech fund. Even then, its not enough since the sector is still playing catch up when it comes to its funding environment.

What is missing now is a pre-seed cheque writer that is comfortable coming in very, very early. Maybe not alongside the earliest grants given by the government, but when it starts moving towards commercialisation, said Kahn.

Biopharma and medical biotech startups have been the primary funding recipients in the last five years, according to the report. Generalist funds saw significant participation, indicating that the space is seeing growing interest from VCs who haven't invested in it previously.

However, the deep science sector needs an inflection point for meaningful and consistent investments in space. A couple of things need to happen for that.

One is that global venture capital must look beyond the US and Israel, where the life sciences sector is robust. We need to get India on the global radar for life sciences, said Kahn.

Indias biotech system Secondly, the sector needs to see a huge exit event to accelerate investment from both global and Indian VCs. When people see that, it will unlock a lot of capital in the sector and accelerate how much capital comes in. Right now is the educational part of the story, Kahn said.

This is why Omnivore has partnered with Nucleate and IndieBio to launch Biowave, a yearly event to accelerate investment and innovation in India's biotech ecosystem.

I think there's a significant capital unlock just through awareness, Kahn said, emphasising that he hopes that through the event, the deep science sector will finally see a lot more growth stage funding, as opposed to just seed.
Donald Trump has taken centre stage since he took over for the second time as the US President, a development that has affected almost all nations around the world. His most recent mega move has been imposing a slew of tariffs on 184 countries, including China, India, Vietnam, EU nations and more. Amid Donald Trump's policy announcement, a 2011 interview of late Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Charlie Munger's take on him is going viral.

What did Charlie Munger say about Donald Trump? In a now-viral interview, Charlie Munger was asked about his take on Donald Trump, who had not yet entered the White House.

I'm interested in your take when it comes to politics and the economy on Donald Trump. Trump has been all over the media saying he is a hugely successful businessman and would know how to run this country better than it's being run now. He told me that many of the leaders we have right now in government aren't very smart. Would Donald Trump make a strong president? the interviewer asked Charlie Munger.

To this, the late ace investor said the last person that he would want as the US President was Donald Trump. The Republican leader first took over as US President in 2016, and then made a comeback in 2024.

Watch the video here:

Well, he might be quite decisive. But, do I consider Donald Trump an ideal decision maker or a manager of anything? And the answer is no. The last person, almost, I'd want to be president of The United States is Donald Trump, he said.

When asked why, Charlie Munger said that Trump had qualities that made him unsuitable to hold the post.

Well, I think he has qualities that make him unsuitable for the office, he said.

Speaking about the qualities, Munger said, Vainglory, puffery to a large extent. I could go on and on.

He had reiterated his sentiments in 2016, just before Donald Trump became President for the first time.

My attitude is that anybody who makes money running a casino is not morally qualified, he said.

Charlie Munger shifted views on Donald Trump In 2017, however, the opinion of Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman and Warren Buffett's business partner about Donald Trump made a U-turn.

Once critical, Munger had said Trump was not wrong on everything.
Delhi-based businessman Varun Ghai recently shared a real-life incident about the challenges faced by many small business owners. Ghai runs a baby clothing brand called Mama and Peaches.

The entrepreneur posted an Instagram video explaining how a customer from Delhis posh Lodhi Road tried to cheat him of 5,000. The customer lives in a 50-crore bungalow, as per Ghai.

According to Ghai, the woman placed an order with his company but sent an edited screenshot to show a fake payment. She lived in a bungalow worth 50 crore but still tried to avoid paying 5,000. Ghai was surprised and wondered why someone from such a rich area would do this.

When Ghai caught the fake payment, the customer first denied editing the screenshot. Later, she even claimed that she had never received the order. Things worsened when she began calling Ghai and his team thieves.

However, Ghai handled the matter smartly. Instead of arguing, he called the woman directly and politely said he would like to visit her and apologise in person. His idea was simple: to make her feel guilty without blaming her.

As they say, guilty is self-accused, he says in the video.

Also Read | Class 7 student assaults teacher with iron rod after caught cheating in exam

Within 10 minutes of that call, the customer suddenly found the missing package and completed the payment. The surprising part is that after this incident, the same woman became a regular customer of Mama and Peaches. She has placed eight more orders since then.

Sharing his learning from the incident, Ghai said, Being calm is the most underrated superpower. He believes handling difficult situations peacefully helps maintain balance and shows strength.

Lose your temper In times of conflict, staying calm can make all the difference. As a founder, youll face daily challenges, and with time, youll truly understand the value of this principle. Thats why, in Punjabi, we say, 'Garmi Khaadi, Maal Paraya,' meaning, 'Lose your temper, lose your advantage', Ghai remembers his fathers advice to end the video.

It's a reminder that maintaining composure is key to navigating tough situations and preserving your edge, adds the entrepreneur.

His Instagram post has received appreciation from many users, with people praising his patience and clever handling of the problem.
Mumbai: In the next six months, if everything goes to plan, the Mumbai-based $365 billion Tata group may well get its first publicly traded financial services company.

In a newspaper advertisement last Monday, Tata Capital said that it has filed its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to float its maiden public issue. The filing was made through the confidential route in which no details of the proposed issue are disclosed to the public.

Reports in newspapers suggested the public offer of shares could be worth 15,000 18,000 crore, making it one of the largest in the financial services industry and only the third IPO of any Tata company in the last 25 years. The two others are Tata Consultancy Services in 2003 and Tata Technologies in 2023.

Right away, the timing to list appears to be in response to a central bank stipulation in September 2022 that needed companies like Tata Capital to list on stock exchanges. Based on the scale of operations, the central bank had classified non-bank finance companies on different levels and made listing of the large and systemically important ones mandatory within three years or September 2025. Tata Capital was classified as an upper-layer finance company, requiring it to be listed within that time frame.

For equity investors and the stock market, the Tata move may appear to have come a little late in the day. Banking and financial services companies account for a fifth of Nifty 50 companies and 26% of its market capitalization. Seven out of the top 20 most valued companies in the Nifty are either banks or financial services companies. Tata contemporariesother large business houses like the Aditya Birla group, Reliance, Mahindras or the south-based Murugappa grouphave all taken the lead and listed their finance companies and benefited from the valuation growth in the sector in recent years.

The late move is also marked with a bit of irony. Historically, the Tata group was one of the earliest to have had an interest in banking and financial servicesthe nationalized Central Bank of India had its roots in Tata Bank while New Indian Assurance, started in 1919, was owned by the group. Subsequently, when foreign capital was allowed in the domestic insurance business, Tata invested in two insurance joint ventures in the 90s and operated two non-banking finance businesses including a listed entity until 2003.

Says Ajay Garg, managing director of investment banking firm Equirus Capital: The addition of Tatas to the roster of financial sector firms in the country is a big event. You can expect them to set benchmarks in corporate governance in the industry but it remains to be seen if they can innovate enough to stand out in the hyper-competitive industsry."

The Tata group did not respond to clarifications sought by Mint.

Always in focus

To be sure, finance was always a key area of business and investment for the group though Tata Capital flew under the radar for two reasonsthe company did not grow as fast as its competitors and being unlisted, there werent many disclosures it needed to make to regulatory authorities.

The groups first non-banking company, Tata Finance, was incorporated in 1984 and subsequently listed. It aimed to be a full-fledged financial services company with merchant banking and broking licenses. Investors highly sought after its fixed deposits as it was a rare firm that emerged from a mid-90s meltdown in non-banking financial services businesses that took down several firms like the Arvind-owned Anagram and the Cipla-owned Alpic. Tata Finance was itself dissolved and merged into Tata Motors in 2003 after a subsidiary companys investments in stock markets wiped out its capital. In effect, this is the second attempt of the Tatas to build the business.

After a brief hiatus, the current iteration of the financial services business started in 2007, just before the Lehman-induced global financial crisis rocked the markets. Tata Capital would become the new vehicle of the groups ambitions in finance and it deputed Praveen Kadle, till then the chief finance officer of Tata Motors, to head the business. Kadle was instrumental in putting right the automakers finances post its massive loss of 500 crore in FY01 and resolving the problems created in Tata Finance.

View Full Image A file photo of Praveen Kadle. (Mint)

It was not the best of beginnings. The financial services business required capital but the Tata group was in a debt crisis as it required huge amounts of cash to pay for its acquisitions of UK-based Jaguar Land Rover and steel company Corus Plc. In its early years, Tata Capital extended loans to several infrastructure companies that went bad. In his letter to the directors of Tata Sons in October 2016, ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry wrote: Tata Capital had a book that required significant clean up on account of bad loans to the infrastructure sector. All of this resulted in Tata Capital having to recognize the abnormal size of NPAs (non-performing assets)."

Says Nirmalaya Kumar, Lee Kong Chian professor of marketing in Singapore and ex-confidante of Mistry: In our Strategy 2025 document that was prepared in 2015, we had envisioned the finance business to be one of the most important growth areas for the Tata group for the next decade. Its importance was ahead of even the consumer business where the group had begun investing heavily."

The immediate fallout of lack of capital was that Tata Capital never expanded its portfolio in the more profitable retail lending business, which was seeing a big spike after the biggest player in the business, ICICI Bank, reduced its exposure to unsecured loans. A big chunk of its customers was from the extended Tata ecosystem of dealers and associates, according to a Crisil rating report.

In 2015, the Tata group was staring at several impairments in its telecom business. Nobody then paid much attention to the financial services business which is known to be a cash guzzler. Given the issues with the core businesses, retail lending was not even under consideration," Kumar says.

In its early years, Tata Capital extended loans to several infrastructure companies that went bad. In his letter to directors of Tata Sons in October 2016, ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry wrote: this resulted in Tata Capital having to recognize abnormal size of NPAs.

All this meant Tata Capitals business growth lagged behind as compared to its competitors. In FY17, Bajaj Finance had assets worth 42,755 crore and posted net profits of 12,644 crore while Tata Capitals consolidated assets stood at 37,269 crore and profits at 1,247 crore.

There were also other tricky issues that needed to be resolved. In the legal battle between Mistry and Ratan Tata, who took over the helm of the group again, a 200 crore loan given by Tata Capital to Siva Industries became a contentious issue. Siva Industries defaulted on the loan and its promoter C. Sivasankaran was considered a close ally of Tata. Until his sudden ouster from the board, Mistry neither wrote off the loan nor did he give additional capital to Tata Capital which ended up stymying its growth.

A makeover

The fortunes of Tata Capital slowly began to change after Mistrys successor, N. Chandrasekaran, took over as group chairman in February 2017.

In July 2017, Chandrasekaran hired Saurabh Agrawal, an investment banker and the head of strategy at rival Aditya Birla group as Tata Sons chief financial officer. Under Agrawals watch, the Birla group had listed their finance arm and expanded into several retail businesses like lending and wealth management. Agrawal joined the board of directors at Tata Capital and in doing so, Chandrasekaran may well have scripted a new game plan for the groups financial services ambition.

Incidentally, Kadle was retiring in March 2018 and that gave the new management space to think afresh about their goals. Tata Capital picked an ex-ICICI Bank senior executive, Rajiv Sabharwal, to helm the company. Our brief was simple: grow twice as fast as the industry and build a credible retail franchise," a former Tata Capital executive, who didnt want to be identified, says.

The business portfolio also needed an overhaul. Under Kadle, Tata Capital did wholesale, corporate lending and rural lending.

Sabharwals brief, however, was to steer Tata Capital away from high volume, low margin wholesale and corporate finance to the fast-growing retail space and to lend more unsecured loans to increase profitability. With returns proportional to risk, unsecured loans attracted more interest than corporate loans leading to better profitability. The strategy was a no-brainer.

Critically, money also started flowing into the company quickly. In July 2018, Tata Sons wrote a cheque of 1,250 crore and one more of a similar amount in March 2019. A Crisil rating note, appraising a subsidiary companys bank loan facility, said that it drew confidence from the fact that Tata Sons was bringing in as much capital in FY19 as it did since its inception. Tata Sons had infused 2,800 crore in Tata Capital from 2007-18.

The clean-up started with business lines like infrastructure and agri loans being shut while new lines like housing finance and loans to clean tech were made focus areas.

It was not an easy path as there were already several established players in the retail space. Within housing finance, we focused on loans for buying low-cost homes as it came with lower delinquencies. We got it wrong a couple of times but we will now rank among the top three in the space," Tata Capitals former executive, quoted above, says.

In FY24, the companys loan disbursements crossed 1 trillion annually and retail and SME constituted 85% of its 1.5 trillion book. Though it also distributes mutual funds, it hasnt been able to grow this business as the company hasnt been able to make much headway in digital sales.

As a prelude to its listing, Tata Motor Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, has been merged with Tata Capital. This has been done to put all the finance businesses of the company under one entity. Incidentally, the legacy of Tata Motor Finance began with the merger of Tata Finance into Tata Motors in 2003.

As of FY24, Tata Motor Finances accumulated losses to be carried forward totalled 1,135 crore. It will now be transferred to Tata Capital. Since the merger was effective in the current financial year, the draft prospectus is likely to contain details of any impairment.

One of many

When the Tatas began their financial services business in the 80s, it was among the early birds in the sector dominated by mostly unregulated chit-fund companies and public sector banks. But today it faces big competition from not just established private sector finance firms like Bajaj Finance and Murugappa groups Cholamandalam Finance but also from private sector banks like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, which use their wide distribution to push for retail loans. Besides, the playfield today has a swathe of fintech startups that can upend micro markets through faster access to credit.

Says Garg: Banks have an inherent advantage with their low cost of funds from retail deposits and therefore they will set profitability benchmarks that Tata will have to beat."

On its part, Tata Capital has sought to keep itself as different from the pack as possible. In its annual report, the company says that it is one of the top-three diversified financial services firms in the country and 92% of its over 700 branch offices are in non-metros. And that 83% of its 4.5 million customers in FY24 are from non-metros, too.

Tata Capital also oversees five private equity funds in its portfolio four domestic and one overseas fund that have investments spread across sectors like healthcare and capital innovations. Its net non-performing assets in the year at 0.4% is better than large competitors like Cholamandalam Finance and LIC Housing Finance.

The company has added microfinance to its portfolio during the year, spreading its arm in almost every important gamut of financing in the country. Says a senior board member of a Tata group company who didnt want to be identified: Large conglomerates like Tata, Aditya Birla and Reliance want banking licences and perhaps, that idea still lingers on even though the RBI has paid put to those thoughts, at least for now."

Meanwhile, Tata Capital going public could bring heft to the non-banking sector. It is common knowledge that RBI meted out a step motherly treatment to the sector for its lack of systems and processes. The arrival of a Tata company in the scene is expected to change that.

If the Tatas call upon the RBI, they will certainly get a hearing. That in itself will be a big change for the sector as a whole," a retired deputy governor from the central bank says. He didnt want to be identified.
New Delhi: Ola Electric Mobility Ltd, Indias electric two-wheeler market leader, was unable to generate invoices for more than half of the vehicles it claims to have sold in February due to issues with two registration agencies.

Issuing invoices is key to concluding the sale of a product and its delivery as per the countrys taxation laws, and the non-issuance may impact Ola Electric's revenue booking from these vehicles when it declares its March quarter and fiscal FY25 earnings.

In February, the company said in a communication to the Union roads ministry that it received confirmed orders for 25,207 vehicles in February, which was sharply above the number shown by government registration portal Vahan.

Following a query from the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), the company replied on 7 April that it generated invoices for about 9,206 vehicles during the month. Further, in a clarification to the exchanges on 8 April, the company said 90% of the orders, or 22,686 vehicles, were fully paid for by customers at the time of placing the orders. That leaves a gap of about 13,500 vehicles for which invoices were not generated.

Also read | Ola Electric says it has enough service centres. Govt isn't buying that

Mint has reviewed the private communications between Ola Electric and the road ministry, as well as the companys exchange filings over the past month.

In a statement to Mint on 12 April, a company spokesperson highlighted that its usual delivery timeline was affected by the transition of the registration process to in-house teams.

Our standard vehicle delivery timelines have ranged between 1 to 2 weeks from the date of purchase, depending on the customers location and choice of vehicle. Invoices are generated upon vehicle availability, followed by registration and delivery," the spokesperson said, adding that revenue is only recognized when vehicle registration and delivery are completed.

The development comes in the backdrop of Ola Electric steadily losing ground to rivals in recent months, especially Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company, which have been quick off the blocks with new products and offerings.

Read this | Inside Ola Electrics showdown with registration agencies

In March, data from FADA (Federation of Automobile Dealers associations) showed Bajaj Auto in pole position in retail sales of electric two-wheelers, with TVS Motor in second place and Ola, third. To be sure, Ola led the pack overall in FY25 with retail sales of 344,009 units and a market share of 29.9%, down from its FY24 market share of 34.79%.

The invoice requirement

Invoices, apart from being a record of sale for companies to book revenue, are also a formal record for goods and services tax (GST) purposes. Typically, an invoice contains the details of the customer, the GST amount, the GST number, and the details of the product being sold.

Experts and industry voices said that usually, there isnt such a huge gap in the generation of invoices and the total sales in a month.

Invoice for a sale is given immediately or within a few hours. In some cases, it might take a day or two but there isnt a very long delay," an executive at a two-wheeler maker said on the condition of anonymity.

Gaurav Makhijani, associate partner and head of tax (North India and Gujarat) at tax consulting firm Roedl & Partner India, pointed out that in case of direct-to-consumer businesses, invoices are usually generated immediately upon making sales.

Also read | Ola Electrics scooter deliveries hit as it renegotiates contracts with vehicle registration agencies to cut costs

As per GST law, invoices are mandatorily required to be issued before the movement of goods starts or before the delivery of the goods to the customer," Makhijani added. There could be some instances where booking with advance is done prior to the delivery."

How events unfolded

The issue over Ola Electrics sales data began when the company reported a huge gap in its Vahan portal registrations and total sales in February. The portal showed about 8,600 vehicles registered by Ola Electric in February, but the company claimed in a statement to exchanges to have sold more than 25,000 vehicles in the month.

Ola told the exchanges that renegotiations with two agencies, Rosmerta Digital Services Pvt. Ltd and Shimnit India Pvt. Ltd, led to a disruption in the registration process.

The roads ministry took note of the gap in the sales and registration data and wrote to the company on 18 March asking for the details of the number of vehicles manufactured, sold and registered in February.

The company replied on 21 March that it received confirmed orders for 25,207 vehicles in February. Notably, these confirmed orders included 1,395 orders for its new motorcycle Roadster X, whose first model was rolled out from its factory on 11 April.

Read this | Weeks after raising funds, Zypp joins Ola Electric in laying off employees

Finding the information provided by the company inadequate, the ministry wrote another letter on 31 March, asking the company to give the number of vehicles it sold and invoiced in February, to which Ola Electric replied that it had invoiced 9,206 orders in February. Of these orders, Ola in its reply to the ministry said that about 7,820 vehicles were delivered to customers till 3 April.

For at least 15% of the total invoiced vehicles in February, the delivery time stretched for more than a month. The company attributed the gap in invoices to the hit to its production process.

It is important to note that our routine registration process was disrupted during February due to a transition of the process in-house. This impacted registrations and deliveries and, consequently, the production of vehicles during the month," Olas spokesperson said.

Generally, invoice in sales of vehicles contains a vehicle identification number (VIN), which is a unique character code assigned to every vehicle by the manufacturer.

As per Olas reply to the government, it manufactured 15,533 vehicles in February.

Since the beginning of the registration saga in February, Ola Electrics share price has declined by over 17% as against a 6% fall in the BSE Auto index.

And read | Ola Electric may lose subsidy benefit if e-scooter registration delays spill over to FY26
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that no country would be getting "off the hook" when it comes to tariffs, even though theres a 90-day pause on some of them.

The shocking statement comes days after the United States published a guidance saying smartphones, computers and other electronics were exempted from the reciprocal tariffs.

In addition to the general reprieve for other countries, Trump on Friday issued exemptions for Chinese-made semiconductors and electronics, amid warnings that US consumers faced skyrocketing prices for products such as smartphones and laptops.

On Sunday, however, in a long post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that there was no tariff exception. He also played down any special treatment for Chinese tech products.

Read the full post here NOBODY is getting "off the hook" for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers, that other Countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst! There was no Tariff "exception" announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff "bucket."

The Fake News knows this, but refuses to report it. We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations. What has been exposed is that we need to make products in the United States, and that we will not be held hostage by other Countries, especially hostile trading Nations like China, which will do everything within its power to disrespect the American People.

We also cannot let them continue to abuse us on Trade, like they have for decades, THOSE DAYS ARE OVER! The Golden Age of America, which includes the upcoming Tax and Regulation Cuts, a substantial amount of which was just approved by the House and Senate, will mean more and better paying Jobs, making products in our Nation, and treating other Countries, in particular China, the same way they have treated us.

The bottom line is that our Country will be bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

US-China tariff row Most nations will now face a baseline 10 per cent tariff for the near-three-month periodexcept China, which launched a tit-for-tat escalation. The exchanges have seen US levies imposed on China rise to 145 per cent and Beijing setting a retaliatory 125 per cent band on US imports.

Trump's administration has said it intends to negotiate trade deals, including with China, but it is not clear what terms the president would be willing to accept.

Earlier, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said Friday's move only "represents a small step" and insisted that the Donald Trump administration should "completely cancel" the whole tariff strategy. Meanwhile, the White House says Trump remains optimistic about securing a deal with China, although US officials have made it clear they expect Beijing to reach out first.
European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday, April 14, that the bloc would hold off on planned tariffs on US goods to give negotiations a chance after US President Donald Trump's U-turn on massive duties.

The 27-nation bloc had approved its first measures targeting US products in retaliation for duties on steel and aluminium exports. It had yet to announce a response to Trump's universal tariffs -- which he has now paused for 90 days.

"While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our member states, we will put them on hold for 90 days," the European Commission president said in a statement. If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in, said the EU President.

EU counter-tariffs on US The EU measures approved Wednesday target more than 20 billion euros worth of US products, including soybeans, motorcycles and beauty products. The bloc is still working on responding to Trump's universal tariffs -which hit the EU at a rate of 20 per cent -and the ones imposed on the auto sector, and Leyen stressed that "preparatory work on countermeasures continues".

"All options remain on the table," she said. Brussels has made it clear however it would prefer to avoid retaliation. In an earlier statement, the commission chief welcomed Trump's decision to pause his planned tariffs as an "important step towards stabilising the global economy".

Clear, predictable conditions are essential for functioning trade and supply chains. Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers. Thats why Ive consistently advocated for a zero-for-zero tariff between the EU and the US. EU is committed to constructive negotiations with the US, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade, she said on April 10.

European markets European shares jumped on Thursday last week, with most indexes recording their biggest one-day gains since 2022. Trump's pause on reciprocal tariffs for trading partners prompted a huge relief rally following a brutal selloff.

Punishing tariffs on dozens of countries was suspended less than 24 hours after they kicked in. In response, the European Union on Thursday paused its own countermeasures against around 21 billion euros worth of US imports.
India will start sector-specific trade discussions with the US on Monday, according to a New Delhi official, with the South Asian nation looking to nail down key details within six weeks.

Virtual talks will begin this week, a senior official aware of the developments told Bloomberg News. By end of May, both sides aim to have clarity on the sectors where they have room for concessions, the official added, asking not to be identified in line with protocol. The development was first reported by local Indian media on Monday.

Trade Deal a Priority During Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the White House in February, India and the US had said they plan to conclude the first tranche of the trade deal by fall. Despite that, Donald Trump hit India with 26% reciprocal tariffs on April 2, before announcing a 90-day reprieve for most nations.

According to the Indian official, New Delhi is not overtly worried about the reciprocal tariffs, and said that sealing a trade deal with the South Asian nation is a priority for Washington as well. Both sides are working on setting realistic targets, the official added.

The commerce ministry in India did not respond to a request for comment.

Last week, India had said it can reach a provisional trade agreement with the Trump administration in 90 days if the offers are mutually beneficial.

New Delhi has already overhauled its tariff regime over the last few weeks, reducing import duties on some 8,500 industrial items, including on prominent American goods like bourbon whiskey and high-end motorcycles made by Harley-Davidson Inc., satisfying a longtime grievance of the US president. Officials are also considering US demands to reduce import tariffs on American farm products, Bloomberg News has reported, although agriculture is a politically-sensitive issue in India.

Also Read | Heres savvy advice on what to do with tech stocks now
Superstar Salman Khan is seemingly taking the feedback in stride as he returns to working on himself after Sikandar's lukewarm performance. On Monday, he treated his fans on social media with a photo of himself from the gym. Salman has an in-house gym at his Galaxy apartment, as confirmed by his trainer to Live Mint earlier.

His post arrived amid fresh threats received by him.

Salman Khan hits gym In the photo, Salman Khan flexed his chiselled biceps while doing leg curls on a machine. He wore a sleeveless black vest, giving a better view of his beefed-up look.

Sharing the post, Salman thanked everyone. He wrote in the caption: Thank u for the motivation.

Soon after he shared the post, Ranveer Singh rushed to the comment section to cheer for him. He wrote, HARD HARD. Varun Dhawan dropped multiple fire emojis.

Wondering about Salman Khan's gym routine? Read here.

Salman Khan receives new threat On Sunday, Salman Khan once again received a death threat. Worli Traffic Control Room's WhatsApp number received a threatening message for the actor wherein it said that the actor would be killed at his home and an explosion would take place in his vehicle, as per Mumbai Police.

Worli Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified individual and launched an investigation.

"The number was traced to belong to a 26-year-old man in a village near Vadodara in Gujarat. The man has been sent a notice for investigation. He has been asked to appear before Worli Police within 2-3 days. It is also being claimed that the man is mentally unstable and is under treatment. The matter is being investigated by Worli Police," said officials.

Meanwhile, the security has been increased outside actor Salman's residence after a death threat. Recently, a bullet-proof glass wall was installed, removing his open balcony to ensure safety.

However, this is not the first death threat that the actor has received lately.

Salman Khan criticised for Sikandar On the other hand, Salman faced criticism over his latest release Sikandar. The film had a good opening, however, it wasn't close to the usual business made by his previous hit films like the Tiger franchise, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Sultan, Kick and more. The film continued its run in theatres but kept falling with each day.

Despite crossing the 100 crore mark in India, the film is not expected to hit 150 crore in its lifetime run.
America needs its allies and partners for what is shaping up as a protracted contest for geopolitical primacy now that President Trump has unleashed a trade war against China. They are in no rush to take sides.

Some 70 countries currently negotiating tariff relief with the U.S. should approach China as a group" together with Washington, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week. Other U.S. officials suggested joint efforts to starve China of modern technologies and trade opportunities.

The problem is, many European and Asian partners arent sure to what extent they are still allied with Washington. Trumps initial Liberation Day" order, after all, slapped them with sky-high tariffs that made no distinction between long-term adversaries and faithful allies.

The shock from this attack, partially reversed only as a result of a U.S. market rout, with additional exceptions quietly adopted on Friday, has added to months of concerns about how much Trumps America can be relied upon in an increasingly brutal world. That is especially so now that Trump has linked trade concessions to security cooperation.

Trump had outraged European leaders even before the new tariffs, with his embrace of Russia and arm-twisting of Ukraine, his claims on Greenland and Canada, and his description of the European Union as an organization designed to screw us." Even after the partial suspension, these tariffs on the EU amount to $59 billion a year, said French President Emmanuel Macron. That is just below the $66.5 billion in U.S. military assistance to Ukraine over more than three years of war.

Friends and allies and foes are being treated the same, with no respect, and everything has become a zero-sum game," said Jeppe Kofod, a former foreign minister of Denmark, which is refusing Trumps demands to surrender Greenland. Its crazy time."

Instead of hewing closer to Washingtons line, voices are growing in Europe for a reversal of the EUs China policy, which has increasingly aligned itself with American moves to deny China modern technologies and investment opportunities.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, spoke with Chinese Premier Li Qiang shortly after Trumps tariffs were imposed, and an EU-China summit is being planned for July. Meanwhile, the EU and China last week agreed to restart talks to settle a dispute over Chinese electric-vehicle imports, which the bloc hit with tariffs a few months ago.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, ahead of his visit to Beijing on Friday, called for Europe to review its relationship with China as it adapts to the new reality. His statement provoked a rebuke from Bessent, who warned that cooperating with Beijing would be cutting your own throat."

Chinese leader Xi Jinping had a different reaction as he welcomed Sanchez. Europe and China, he said, must jointly safeguard economic globalization and the international trade environment, and jointly resist unilateral and bullying actions."

While Europe hopes China could help blunt an expansionist Russia, Asia-Pacific partners including Japan, South Korea and Australia worry first about Beijings intentions to dominate the region. Dependent on America for their security, these countries are also more reluctant to openly criticize the Trump administration.

But they, too, are adjusting to a situation where American friendship can no longer be taken for granted.

Now is actually the worst time to be a U.S. ally, because Trump and his people think that the allies have been ripping them off more than the adversaries," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. The U.S. will get away with this in the short term, countries will have to concede. But in the medium and longer term, its alienating itself from its partner countries. Trump is giving China a golden opportunity."

Even for countries such as Australia, so close to the U.S. culturally and politically, the bond is becoming more transactional.

The relationship between America and its allies has been disrupted by America," said Australias former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who led his country during Trumps first term. But while we may not share values in the way we did because of Mr. Trumps stated change, we will continue to share interests. So its too early to call an end to the American alliance system."

Stock prices in Australia last week reflect the turmoil that U.S. tariffs caused in global markets.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns that Trump is alienating American allies. They need the United States of America and our business model and our markets to survive, and the president is using that leverage to our advantage," she said.

Government officials in Asia and beyond fear that the new U.S.-China trade war has the potential to escalate and make a direct military confrontation between the two superpowers more likely.

With the China-U.S. competition, the economic links had been a stabilizer in an increasingly fraught relationship," said Robert Ward, Japan chair at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. There was an understanding that these two countries had a symbiotic relationship. That is now upended."

Not everyone is convinced that the U.S., especially if it continues dismantling its own network of alliances, will ultimately gain the upper hand. By backing down on his initial tariffs, Trump has already shown that he is susceptible to market movements, and there will be more domestic pressure ahead of midterm elections next year, said Ettore Sequi, a former Italian ambassador to Beijing.

Being an autocracy, China, however, can ask the Chinese to make sacrifices for a sufficiently long period of time, something that democracies cant," he said. There is an asymmetry of time here."

Most countries today have China, not the U.S., as their biggest trade partner. The value of Australias exports to the U.S., for example, is only 15% of its exports to China. That connecting tissue will be hard, if not impossible, to unravel to please a U.S. administration that changes its policies almost daily. The U.S. is building walls and China is building bridges," said Shen Shiwei, founder of the China Briefing newsletter and a fellow at the Zhejiang Normal University.

Trump has questioned the value of alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and defense treaties in Asia. These allies, however, are crucial for the projection of American powernot just through offering their territory for bases, but also through cooperation on issues such as technology transfers that prevent China from gaining the military edge.

Thousands of soldiers from Europe, Canada and Australia were killed or maimed in Americas wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in the past quarter-century, and Washingtons casual refusal to take that debt into account would inevitably contribute to allies calculations on whether to join the U.S. in future conflicts.

America is defecting from a system that has worked pretty well for everybody, and particularly well for U.S. allies," said Jeremy Shapiro, research director at the European Council on Foreign Relations and a former American diplomat. And I think that as a result they cease being U.S. allies, and that means that all the things that we were getting from them because they were part of the system, we wont get anymore."

Shipping containers in Shenzhen, China. Most countries have China as their biggest trade partner.

Unlike Washington, China isnt asking countries to choose their camp. No country is stupid. They are always hedging. The idea that countries have to pick sides between China and the U.S. is totally wrong, it will never happen," said retired Peoples Liberation Army senior colonel Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University in Beijing. People nowadays are picking sides by issues, not by countries."

European relations with China were poisoned over the past three years by Beijings support for Russia, which wouldnt have been able to prosecute its war on Ukraine without Chinese diplomatic and economic backing. While that assistance continues, on the diplomatic front something unthinkable happened in recent months: Russia and the U.S. voted against a United Nations resolution on Ukraine, while China abstained and criticized Washington for excluding Europe from peace negotiations.

As the post-World War II rules-based order morphs into empires with spheres of influence, Europe must balance against both Russia and Americaand only China could provide that counterweight, said Bernard Guetta, a French member of the European Parliament. Even a full-blown political alliance between Europe and Beijing could emerge over time if the U.S. doesnt change its course, he said.

A Chinese question exists now because the new U.S. administration not only hasnt made a single friendly gesture toward the EU, but has only made unpleasant and unsettling ones," said Guetta, a critic of the Chinese Communist Party. This doesnt mean that we suddenly have to praise the Chinese regime. But there are historical precedentsRoosevelt and Churchill once relied on Stalin, and that doesnt mean that they converted to Communism."

Other European politicians are more cautious, saying the deterioration in China-Europe relations was primarily caused not by American pressure but by Beijings behavior, which isnt getting any better.

Tension with the U.S. doesnt mean that we must immediately lean on China," said Nicolas Zippelius, a German parliament member from CDU, the dominant party in the incoming government. The preferred solution should be to diversify trade with like-minded countries such as Japan or Persian Gulf states, he said.

This is going to be very tough," he conceded.

Write to Yaroslav Trofimov at yaroslav.trofimov@wsj.com
For over a decade, brands were told to stand for something bigger than the products they sell. Climate change, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, mental healththe nobler the cause, the louder the marketing push. But in 2025, that formula may be wearing thin.

Purpose-led advertising, once seen as bold and progressive, is increasingly being met with indifferenceor worse, mockery. Especially from Gen Z informed, cynical, and always onlinewho no longer take brands at face value. Theyre not just watching ads, theyre interrogating them. And when the message doesnt match the behaviour, they call it out, screenshot it, and scroll on.

Theres a sameness thats crept in," says a senior creative director. You can almost guess the storyboarda woman is wronged, the brand steps in, theres a heart-tugging voiceover, and then a logo fades in with a hashtag."

What once felt bold now feels lazy. Familiar. Skippable.

Read more: FMCG's Q4 woes: Why India's consumer goods giants are expecting a dull quarter

Rohit Malkani, chief creative officer at Saatchi & Saatchi India, calls it what it iscreative fatigue. Its been around far too long to be called a trend. At a recent international awards jury, we were actually briefed to bring the focus back to product and business."

But the problem isnt just repetition. Its a widening gap between what brands say and what they actually do. Ive seen campaigns get shelved for budget reasons and then rehashed for another categoryregardless of fit," Malkani says. Ask yourself: if I had done this for any other brand, would it still work? If yes, then it wasnt grounded in brand DNA."

That lack of alignment is what todays consumers pick up on instantly. The audience is tuned in. The sharp ones dig deeper, look beyond the ad, and leave breadcrumbs in the comments," says Harikrishnan Pillai, CEO and co-founder of digital ad agency TheSmallBigIdea. Theyre not just listeningtheyre watching. And theyre your loudest watchdogs."

Purpose = Marketing strategy for all

For Pillai, the challenge isnt whether purpose works, but when and how its delivered. In a world ruled by short-form content, brands need to earn the right to say something meaningful. Early on, the goal isnt to communicate purposeits about discovery," he explains. Lighter content isnt a compromise; its a strategic entry point."

This raises a critical point: not all brands are built to lead social conversations. And not all should, either.

Purpose is not about storytellingits story-doing," says a CMO at an FMCG firm. It has to be tangible. And it has to align with your brands stature and relevance in the consumers life."

He adds that brands often confuse corporate ESG (environmental, social and governance) positioning with consumer-facing messaging. Theres a big difference between what a company tells investors and what a brand tells customers. Just because you have a corporate purpose doesnt mean every ad needs to carry a cause."

Read more: Social media ad targeting could face a public rebellion any moment now

Some of this disconnect comes down to scale and category. Google can talk about digital equity. But a small-town detergent brand may not have the credibilityand thats okay. You have to ask: am I a high-involvement brand? Do people even want to have this conversation with me?"

Instead of trying to matter" all the time, many brands are returning to fundamentalsproduct truth, cultural resonance, and humour. Not as fallback, but as the more honest route.

Humour never really went away," says Malkani. Product-first advertising has always rung cash registers. Its about execution  the insight you tap into, the culture you draw from."

Fevicol thrives on this approach. Netflix India leans into wit and memes over messaging. D2C brands like BlissClub and Bombay Shaving Company build voice around behind-the-scenes reels, low-fi content and irreverence.

Pillai puts it bluntly: Go full Himesh Reshammiyaalliteration, rhyme, rhythm. Make your brand the hook. Keep it short, wild, unforgettable."

Still, when done right, purpose-driven work delivers impactand longevity.

Malkani highlights Michelob Ultras Contract for Change"which backed organic farming with legal contracts. Its easy to talk about inclusive prosperity," he says. Walking the talk with legal backing? Thats brave."

Closer home, he credits Whispers Missing Chapter"a menstrual education campaign built over two years. A stellar, sensitive piece. Seamlessly tied to the brand."

Read more: Creative agencies must kill the nostalgia: FCBs Dheeraj Sinha

Even Colgates Smile Out Loudpromoting oral health via stories of confidencestruck the right tone. Britannias child nutrition campaign, too, stayed light and hopeful without sounding preachy.

What ties these together isnt the causeits the credibility. They werent chasing moments. They were grounded in purpose, delivered with restraint, and backed by action.

And thats what audiences respect now. The performative stuff? It gets skipped in seconds.

Because in 2025, where attention is earned in milliseconds, the most radical thing a brand can do is to just tell the truth. Sell the product. Dont overreach. Dont pretend. When ads start to preach, audiences start to scroll.
Mumbai: In a world where advertising often tries to go bigbig causes, big celebrities, big messagesHDFC Mutual Funds latest film Hum Sab Investors Hain chooses a quieter route. Created by Publicis India, the ad is part of the long-running Zindagi Ke Liye SIP campaign and is aimed at first-time or hesitant investors. But it doesn't look or feel like a finance ad. And that's precisely the point.

The film draws a simple, relatable parallel between the emotional investments people make in their loved ones and the financial discipline of SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans). Through the life journey of a young girlfrom the day shes brought home from the hospital to her teenage yearswe see how parents, grandparents, teachers and others contribute consistently to her growth. Each of these moments is positioned as a kind of investment," reframing SIPs as an extension of how we already live.

A narrative that doesnt push

Theres no rush to explain returns or product benefits. The ad doesnt tell you why to investit shows you that you already are.

Read more: Creative agencies must kill the nostalgia: FCBs Dheeraj Sinha

Its a soft, observational insight that makes the financial message feel natural, not bolted on.

What also helps is the films visual tonalitywarm, lived-in, and deliberately slow-paced. Theres no flash or heavy editing. The storytelling is allowed to breathe.

Thats becoming a rarity in a category often pressured to educate while entertaining.

Publicis India's creative call

We wanted to show that investing isnt just about money; its something we all do through daily actions and decisions," said Oindrila Roy, managing director at Publicis India. That idea forms the emotional spine of the ad and shapes its creative restraint. The team stayed clear of adding voiceovers or statistics, relying instead on a single storyline and ambient music to do the lifting.

Aman Mannan, national creative director at Publicis India, described the brief as an extension of a universal truth: It takes a village to raise a child." With that as the foundation, the metaphor for financial investment feels both unforced and convincing.

Financial ads, reimagined

Theres been a noticeable shift in BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) advertising in recent yearsfrom hard-sell to human-first. Brands are increasingly trying to build emotional bridges with audiences who may still find finance intimidating. In that context, Hum Sab Investors Hain aligns well, but it avoids the cliches often seen in the genre.

Read more: Social media ad targeting could face a public rebellion any moment now

Theres no aspirational overload, no polished boardroom scene, no advice-giving elder. Instead, we get a familiar middle-class worlda family, a child, a homeand a series of everyday efforts that add up to a future. The message: youve already got the mindset. Now bring it to your money.

Final impression

This film doesnt try to impress. It tries to connect. And in doing so, it stands outnot through noise, but through clarity. In a landscape filled with louder campaigns, Hum Sab Investors Hain makes its point by trusting the viewer to feel rather than be told.

Its a reminder that good advertising doesnt always need to sell hard. Sometimes, it just needs to show something trueand get out of the way.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries cut its forecast for oil demand growth just days after a surprise decision to boost output, citing the impact of U.S. tariffs on the global economy and crude consumption.

The Vienna-based cartel now expects demand to rise by 1.3 million barrels a day this year and 1.28 million barrels a day the next, compared with previous projections of 1.45 million barrels and 1.43 million barrels a day, respectively.

Oil demand is forecast to be supported by strong air travel demand and healthy road mobility," it said on Monday. However, this forecast is subject to uncertainties surrounding global economic developments amid the new trade tariffs announced by the U.S."

In midday trading in Europe, Brent crude, the international energy benchmark, was around $65 a barrel, while the U.S. oil gauge West Texas Intermediate traded around $62 a barrel.

Oil prices plummeted to a four-year low last week as fears of a tariff-induced recession swept through global markets, triggering a broad selloff in risk assets and raising concerns over the crude demand outlook.

Meanwhile, OPEC and its allieswhich pump more than half of the worlds crude oilunexpectedly decided to increase supply by 411,000 barrels a day in May, the equivalent of three monthly hikes under its previous plans. The move further dragged on tariff-hit crude prices, fueling worries over a global supply surplus.

The cartels oil demand forecast remains notably more optimistic than others in the industry, with the International Energy Agency currently estimating this years growth at 1.03 million barrels a day.

U.S. President Trumps sweeping tariff policies are also weighing on the global economy, prompting OPEC to revise its growth forecast for this year and next to 3% and 3.1%, down from previous projections of 3.1% and 3.2%.

Global economic growth began in 2025 with strong fundamentals and resilience across major economies," the cartel said. However, recent developments in global trade relations have shifted the outlook and introduced new uncertainties amid a rising escalation in tariffs between the U.S. and China."

Economic growth in the U.S. is now seen at 2.1% in 2025 from 2.4% previously, and at 2.2% in 2026. The eurozones economy is forecast to grow by 0.8% and 1.1% in the same periods.

In March, overall OPEC crude-oil production dipped by 78,000 barrels a day to 26.78 million barrels a day. The total production of countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperationor DoC, the cartels formal name for OPEC+fell by 37,000 barrels a day to 41.02 million barrels a day last month.

However, OPEC and its allies have been struggling with compliance issues as countries like Kazakhstan and the UAE have repeatedly failed to meet their production targets. Kazakhstan output rose by 37,000 barrels a day to 1.85 million barrels a day last month.

OPEC also revised its forecast for supply growth from countries not participating in the DoC, lowering its estimates to 900,000 million barrels a day for both 2025 and 2026, saying the U.S., Brazil, Canada and Argentina are expected to drive the increase.

Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com
Stock Split 2025: Gensol Engineering will remain in focus on Tuesday, April 15, as the company has declared a stock split in the 1:10 ratio.

In an exchange filing on Saturday, the company shared the revised proceedings of its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on April 12, 2025. During the meeting, the Chairman informed that resolutions were placed before the members for approval.

Gensol Engineering Stock Split Resolution Details The resolution at the Extraordinary General meeting pertains to the sub-division of equity shares from the face value of  10/- per share to 1/- per share.

Among other resolutions to be proposed is the issue of securities on a preferential basis to members of the promoter group category of the company

While the first proposal for a stock split is ordinary, the second proposal is a special proposal.

However, commenting on the approval status for the resolutions, Gensol Engineering in its release also said that the result is awaited from the Scrutinizer.

Gensol Engineering share price movement Gensol Engineering share price has seen a sharp decline in the recent past and has remained in focus on multiple rating downgrades. Gensol Engineering's share price, which was trading at close to 740 levels at the start of February, has seen a sharp correction. Gensol Engineering's share price is now trading at 133 levels. Gensol Engineering share price closed at 133.20 on the BSE on Friday, hitting the 5% lower circuit. On the National Stock Exchange, the Gensol Engineering Share price also ended in a lower circuit at 132.66.

Gensol Engineering: Other Developments Among other developments, a ground-mounted solar power plant in Panchet, Dhanbad district, Jharkhand, was recently ceremoniously put into service by Gensol Engineering Limited, one of the companies involved in India's renewable energy industry.

Given the site's geological constraints, the plant, which was built under a 40 crore EPC contract, offers Gensol a comprehensive edge in designing intricate solar arrays.
The Indian stock market is poised for a strong rally, with small-caps and mid-cap stocks expected to see reversal of underperformance compared to large-caps, suggesting a broad-based market strength, according to Emkay Global Financial Services.

The brokerage firm has reaffirmed its bullish outlook on Indian equities, maintaining a Nifty 50 target of 26,000 for March 2026, citing a combination of improving global cues, accommodative domestic policies, and bottoming-out earnings estimates as key factors supporting its positive stance.

One of the pivotal global developments boosting sentiment is the recent 90-day pause on US tariffs. Emkay believes this move significantly reduces the risk of a deep recession in the US and lessens the potential for financial market disruption. The brokerage also foresees a rebound in commodity prices and a wave of bilateral trade agreements that could buffer global economic momentum from geopolitical uncertainties.

Domestic Tailwinds: RBIs Supportive Stance and Sectoral Drivers On the domestic front, the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) dovish tone is expected to provide a boost to consumption recovery, even as government capital expenditure might slow. Emkay anticipates the power sector to emerge as a key growth driver.

Additionally, a soft landing in the US economy is expected to benefit India's technology sector, supporting both employment and discretionary spending.

Emkay continues to project a FY26 Nifty EPS of 1,156, suggesting stable earnings trajectory in the medium term.

Mixed Q4 Results 2025, But Green Shoots Emerge The Q4 results season for FY25 is expected to present a mixed picture. Topline growth for Emkays coverage universe stood at a modest 2.1% year-on-year (YoY), while profit after tax (PAT) declined by 7.2%  dragged down by margin pressures and a high base in the Energy segment.

However, when Energy and a few outliers are excluded, the picture improves: revenues grew 7.5% and PAT increased 10.8% YoY. Margins (Nifty ex-BFSI) are expected to improve by 71 basis points to 20.1%, led by Telecom, Healthcare, and Materials. On the other hand, Consumer Discretionary and Energy are likely to post a weak quarter.

Also Read | ICICI Securities recommends THESE four metal stocks to buy before Q4 results

Valuations and Market Rotation: A Case for Broad-Based Rally One of the most compelling factors supporting Emkays optimism is the recent correction in valuations. The median price-to-earnings ratio of the BSE 500 has dropped 21% over the past six months. With earnings stabilizing, Emkay sees scope for a stock market rally and anticipates a reversal of underperformance in Smallcap and Midcap (SMID) stocks relative to large-caps  setting the stage for a more broad-based market uptrend.

Portfolio Strategy: Bullish on Technology, Materials; Exit FMCG Reflecting the shift in market dynamics, Emkay Global has made significant changes to its model portfolio. The firm has turned overweight (OW) on Technology, viewing the recent correction as a buying opportunity. Materials has also been upgraded to OW, driven by expectations of a commodity price rebound. Tata Steel has been added to capture this thematic play.

Consumer Discretionary, including the auto sector, remains Emkays highest conviction overweight. However, the firm has made a bold move by exiting FMCG entirely, citing structural headwinds and a potential derating in a high-beta market environment. Financials remain underweight (UW), as the firm continues to see valuations as stretched relative to growth expectations.

New additions to the Emkay Globals model portfolio include Tata Steel and Wipro, while National Aluminium, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Dabur India, and Godrej Consumer Products have been dropped.
The arrest of absconding jeweller Mehul Choksi in Belgium over the weekend has brought the spotlight back on the 14,000-crore scam that hit Punjab National Bank (PNB) back in 2018. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is a key accused in one of the largest financial frauds in Indian banking history, which they pulled off with the help of a few corrupt PNB employees.

The scam, which came to light in early 2018, not only shocked the country but also spelt trouble for PNB shareholders, who lost almost 50% of their share price value in a matter of five months. And the impact still lingers, with the stock unable to recover to the pre-fraud levels.

Also Read | Choksi arrested in Belgium: How PNB scam accused evaded capture for years

What was the PNB scam? The scam was carried out between 2014 and 2017, came to light in 2018 when the bank reported that fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) worth over 13,000 crore had been issued from its Brady House branch in Mumbai. These LoUs were used to get loans from overseas banks for companies owned by Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksisuch as Gitanjali Gems, Diamond R US, Solar Exports, and Stellar Diamonds. Later, these companies were found to be fake or shell firms.

However, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksey had fled the country before the fraud came to light. In March 2018, a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Mehul Choksi and others involved. Since then, Mehul Choksi has evaded arrest, only to be nabbed by the Belgian authorities on Saturday, April 12.

How did PNB shares react to the scam? The PNB scam was first officially reported by the lender in mid-February 2018, after which the stock was caught in a downward spiral. From trading at around 160 on February 14, PNB stock price hit the sub- 100 level by the end of the month, its lowest level since June 2016. Within a month of the scam coming to light, the stock had erased 40% of its value, and within six months, nearly 55%. Almost two years later, in February 2020, the stock was trading sub- 50.

Even today, the stock is still unable to recover to the same levels. As of the last trading price close, PNB shares were at 96.02 apiece.

How did PNB scam hit the PSU bank's financials? The ripple effect of the scam was also felt on the bank's books, as the lender reported a net loss of 13,417 crore, the biggest ever by an Indian lender, according to a Reuters report, for the March 2018 quarter. This was also a significant decline from the 261.90 crore profit in the same quarter the previous year. The lender set aside a higher-than-required 7178 crore in the three months to March 31, 2018, or half of the total 14,357 crore it owes other banks for the illegal guarantees. That led to a more than tripling of its total provisions from a year earlier to 20353 crore, according to a Reuters report.

It was only by the December 2018 quarter that PNB reported a profit of 247 crore, marking its first profit since the fraud incident.

What's the way ahead for PNB shares? Seven years on, analysts are largely bullish on PNB shares. According to Trendlyne, out of 16 analysts covering the stock, nine have buy ratings and four have sell calls.

Recently, in a note to investors, brokerage InCred assigned an ADD rating to PNB, citing potential upsides from the recovery of written-off accounts and optionality from tax rate reductions.

Last month brokerage Ventura Securities also initiated coverage on the stock with a 'BUY' rating.

"Recapitalized in FY19 and FY20, PNB strengthened its financial foundation, enabling sustained growth. Since then, it has consistently outperformed key metrics, showcasing strong business expansion, improved asset quality, and higher profitability. With a disciplined risk management approach, the bank has effectively reduced NPAs while maintaining a healthy PCR," said Ventura in a note.

From FY24-27, PNB's net advances are projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5% from 934,413 crore to 1,439,205 crore, while deposits are expected to rise at a CAGR of 12.4% from 1,369,713 crore to 1,944,872 crore. Asset quality is expected to remain strong, with GNPA at 3.0% and NNPA at 0.3%, backed by disciplined underwriting and recovery efforts, according to Ventura.

"We initiate coverage with a BUY for a SOTP-based price target of 161 (1.0X FY27 P/Adj.BV)," it said, signaling a 68% rise over the next eighteen months. It highlighted slower-than-expected growth and potential deterioration in assets as key risks to upside.
F&O ban list: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) banned trading in four stocks on Tuesday, April15, in the futures and options (F&O) segment, as these exceeded 95 per cent of the market-wide position limit (MWPL).

However, the stocks will be available for trading in the cash market.

The NSE updates the list of securities in the F&O ban for trade every day.

F&O ban list today Birlasoft Ltd, Hindustan Copper Ltd, Manappuram Finance Ltd, andNational Aluminium Co Ltdare the four stocks on the NSE's F&O ban list on April15.

The National Stock Exchange said the derivative contracts in this stock crossed 95 per cent of the market-wide position limit and have been placed in the stock exchange's ban period.

All clients/members shall trade in the derivative contracts of said security only to decrease their positions through offsetting positions. Any increase in open positions shall attract appropriate penal and disciplinary action, the NSE statement said.

No new positions are allowed when the stock exchanges place F&O contracts in a particular stock in the ban period.

On April 11, benchmark Sensex surged by 1,310 points while Nifty closed above 22,900 level on gains in banking, oil and metal shares as investors rejoiced the 90-day suspension of additional import duties by the US.

Defying a bearish trend in world markets, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex jumped 1,310.11 points or 1.77 per cent to settle at 75,157.26. During the day, it soared 1,620.18 points or 2.19 per cent to 75,467.33.

The NSE Nifty surged 429.40 points or 1.92 per cent to 22,828.55. In intra-day trade, the benchmark rallied 524.75 points or 2.34 per cent to 22,923.90.

The US announced suspension of additional tariffs on India for 90 days until July 9 this year, according to the White House executive orders. On April 2, US President Donald Trump slapped universal duties on about 60 countries exporting goods to America and additional steep levies on countries like India, potentially impacting sales of products from shrimp to steel in the world's biggest economy.
The Indian stock market remained highly volatile amid the ongoing trade tensions between US and China, triggered by President Donald Trump's tariff policies. The trade war between the US, the worlds largest consumer, and exporting nations is poised to create a consumer shock in the US, while producing countries are subjected to supply glut. Analysts expect this will likely trigger a deflationary environment globally, persisting until a new economic realignment takes place.

In this context, brokerage firm Ventura Securities believes India, with its consumption-driven economy, is expected to remain a relatively insulated and safer market amidst the global turmoil. Considering this outlook, the brokerage firm has identified 10 stocks to buy that it believes will help investors build a resilient and bullet-proof portfolio.

HDFC Bank | Buy | Target Price:  2,350 Ventura Securities initiates coverage on HDFC Bank shares with a Buy rating and a SOTP target price of 2,350 (2.8X FY27E P/BV), over the next 24 months.

With merger blues behind, there is visibility on recovery of metrics to pre-merger levels. Over FY24-FY27E, HDFC Bank is expected to deliver strong financial growth, with AUM and deposits growing significantly, while improving asset quality and profitability, the brokerage firm said.

Fino Payments Bank | Buy | Target Price:  856 Fino Payments Bank is poised to revolutionize banking and transform Indias financial landscape, said the brokerage firm. It initiates coverage on Fino Payments Bank shares with a Buy rating and a target price of 856 (2.8X FY27E P/E), representing an upside of a massive 310% from Fridays closing price over the next 24 months.

Bajaj Finance | Buy | Target Price:  10,205 According to analysts, Bajaj Finance is on a resilient growth path amidst credit cost pressures. The brokerage recommends Buy rating and Bajaj Finance share price target of 10,205 per share.

Also Read | Experts recommend these 10 stocks to buy amid bull trend on D-street

Adani Power | Buy | Target Price:  806 Adani Power is Indias largest private pure-play thermal power producer, is strategically positioned with robust capacity expansion plans to address this critical demand. The brokerage firm recommends a Buy rating on the Adani group stock. It has revised upward the DCF based Adani Power share price target to 806 (13.8X FY27 EV/EBITDA).

Trent | Buy | Target Price:  6,300 Trent is a proxy for Indias consumption story, said the brokerage firm. Trent is India's leading fashion retailer primarily operating through two formats, Westside (mid-premium) and Zudio (fast-fashion), along with other brands and JVs. The broking house has a Buy call on Trent shares, with a target price of 6,300 (140X FY27 P/E).

Nippon Life India AMC | Buy | Target Price:  694 Ventura Securities expects Nippon Life India AMCs revenues, EBITDA and net profit to grow at a CAGR of 26%, 29% and 18% over FY24-27. EBITDA margin is expected to improve by 500 bps to 65%. Net margin is projected to decline by 1,200 bps to 55%, as FY24 saw a sharp increase in net gains on investments due to strong market performance. ROE is expected to improve by 1300 bps to 41%.

It initiated coverage on Nippon Life India stock with a Buy call for a target price of 694 (24.2x FY27 P/E).

Indraprastha Gas | Buy | Target Price:  257 IGLs overall volumes are expected to reach 5310 mmscm (11.4% CAGR) by FY27E. Over the same period, the brokerage firm expects IGLs revenues to grow at a CAGR of 19.2% to reach 23,951 crore by FY27E.

It recommends a Buy rating for IGL shares with a target price of 257 (7.3X EV/EBITDA FY27).

Krsnaa Diagnostics | Buy | Target Price:  1,741 Given the leading position of Krsnaa Diagnostics as diagnostics service provider, strong revenue outlook driven by ongoing capex and scope for profit margin expansion, the brokerage firm remains positive on the Krsnaa Diagnostics stock. It initiates coverage with a Buy rating and a target price of 1,741 (14X FY27 P/E).

PN Gadgil Jewellers | Buy | Target Price:  768 PN Gadgil Jewellers is poised for further expansion with plans for more stores in India and internationally. Overall, PN Gadgil Jewellers is focused on leveraging its heritage, expanding its retail footprint, and enhancing its online presence to capitalize on the growing demand in Indias jewellery market, the brokerage firm noted.

It recommends a Buy call with a target price of 768 (48X P/E FY25).

NBCC India | Buy | Target Price:  93 NBCCs revenue, EBITDA, and Net Profit are expected to grow at a YoY rate of 13%, 15%, and 18%, respectively by FY25E. EBITDA and Net margins are projected to remain flat at 5.0% and 4.1%, respectively. Whereas return ratios  RoE and RoIC  are anticipated to improve by 80 bps to 20.6% and 60 bps to 32.4% by FY25E, said the brokerage firm.

It recommends Buy call on NBCC shares with a target price of 93 (50x FY25E P/E).
Stocks to avoid this week: After an unexpected policy shift in Trump's tariffs last week, the Indian stock market experienced strong buying on Friday. This rally is expected to continue on Tuesday when the NSE and BSE resume trade activity after the extended weekend due to the stock market holiday falling for Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti on Monday. However, market experts believe one should maximise one's return in this uptrend, suggesting avoiding realty stocks. This suggestion is because TCS Q4 results in 2025 were announced last week.

According to stock market experts, in Q4 results 2025, TCS has signalled delayed wage hikes for its employees in FY26 as it navigates a period of demand uncertainty sparked by the global trade war. Experts said that the Indian IT major extending employees' wage hike means an expected slowdown in business. So, waiting for other IT giant's Q4FY25 results becomes essential. IT majors Wipro and Infosys will declare their Q4 results this week. If they also signal the possible slowdown symptoms either in earnings or guidance, the market would start discounting the possible slowdown. In that case, realty stocks will be the major casualty in the rate-sensitive segment.

Why wait for Wipro and Infosys Q4 results? Speaking on the key takeaways from the TCS Q4 results in 2025, Sandeep Pandey, Founder of Basav Capital, said, "TCS has signalled delayed wage hikes for its employees in FY26, which means the Indian IT major, which is home to over six lakh employees is not sure about the global economic outlook. In other words, the Tata Group's IT major is expecting a slowdown in the global economy due to the uncertainty caused by the US President Donald Trump's tariffs."

Advising investors to avoid realty stocks in the current stock market rebound, Sandeep Pandey said, "If some other IT companies signal about the global economic slowdown, then rat sensitive stocks would come under the sell-off pressure and realty stocks will be the first major casualty. Therefore, one should wait for the Q4 results 2025 of other IT majors like Wipro, Infosys, HCL Technologies, etc. Wipro and Infosys will be declaring their Q4 earnings this week. So, it's better to wait for their Q4FY25 earnings and avoid taking any position in realty stocks before that."

Highlighting the impact of the slowdown on Dalal Street, Avinash Gorakshkar, Head of Research at Profitmart Securities, said, "If Wirpo and Infosys signals about the slowdown potential in the global economy, then the market would try to discount the slowdown impact in upcoming sessions. In that case, rate-sensitive segments like realty, auto, consumer durables, etc., would come under sell-off stress. So, investors are advised to look at other segments like pharma, textile, agriculture, etc., instead of these high-risk segments."

Q4 results 2025 next week Among IT majors, Wipro has informed the Indian stock market exchanges that its board of directors will consider and approve the unaudited Q4 results 2025 in its meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Indian IT major has announced a press conference in this regard at 4:15 PM on Thursday.

Likewise, Wipor has informed the Indian exchanges that the company's Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 16 April 2025, to consider and approve the company's unaudited financial results for the January to March 2025 quarter.

TCS Q4 results 2025 TCS has signalled delayed wage hikes for its employees in FY26 as it navigates a period of demand uncertainty sparked by the global trade war.

The IT bellwether, which has an employee count of 6,07,979 as of March 2025, said it would give wage hikes in the latter part of the year once there is clarity and the global outlook improves.

We will decide during the year when to make the wage hike, said Milind Lakkad, chief human resources officer of TCS, in a post-earnings press conference. He also denied giving details on the percentage of hikes employees can expect.
Shares of Tata Power, a leading integrated power company and a part of the Tata Group, will be in focus on Tuesday, April 15, as the company reaches a 10.9 GW capacity after signing a PPA with NTPC Limited for a 200 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy Project.

The company informed investors through an exchange filing on April 14 that its subsidiary, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NTPC Limited (NTPC), India's largest integrated power company, to develop a 200 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) Project.

Also Read | 25GW of renewable energy capacity installed in FY25: Pralhad Joshi

"The project, spread across multiple locations in India, is set to be completed within 24 months and is expected to generate approximately 1,300 million units (MUs) of electricity annually, mitigating over 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The project was won by TPREL based on competitive bidding and will consist of solar, wind, and BESS technologies. A key feature of this initiative is the commitment to a 4-hour peak power supply, ensuring at least 90% availability during peak demand hours to support the growing energy needs of distribution companies," the company said in its regulatory filing.

Also Read | Hindustan Power bags 425 MWp solar power project from UPPCL

With this project, the company's total renewable utility capacity has reached 10.9 GW. Currently, 5.5 GW of this capacity is operational, comprising 4.5 GW of solar and 1 GW of wind energy. Additionally, the company stated that 5.4 GW is under various stages of implementation, evenly split between 2.7 GW of solar and 2.7 GW of wind projects. These ongoing projects are expected to be completed in phases over the next 6 to 24 months in a staggered manner, according to the company.

Recent Developments In its April 7 filing, the company announced that it has received approval from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) to install a 100 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Mumbai over the next two years.

According to the company, this will enable a swift recovery of power supply to critical infrastructure, including the metro, hospitals, airports, and data centers, in the event of grid disturbances. The entire 100 MW system will be installed across 10 strategically located sites, especially near load centers across Mumbai Distribution, and will be centrally monitored and controlled from Tata Powers Power System Control Center (PSCC).

Last month, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited and the Andhra Pradesh Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop up to 7,000 MW of renewable energy projects. The estimated investment in these projects is approximately 49,000 crore, making it one of the largest renewable energy investments in the state.

In late February 2025, TP Solar Limited, Tata Powers solar manufacturing arm, won a 632 crore contract from Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) for the supply of 292.5 MWp DCR Solar Modules.
Dividend Stocks: Vedanta, Hindustan Zinc, Coal India, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) are the five large-cap stocks with the highest dividend yields over the last one year, according to Axis Securities.

Significance of Dividend Yield A financial statistic called the dividend yield illustrates how much a business distributes in dividends annually in relation to the price of its stock. A dividend yield of three to five percent or higher is regarded as good.

But the state of the market also plays a role. One of the key elements that investors take into account when purchasing dividend-paying equities is the dividend yield.

Top large-cap dividend stocks According to a report by Axis Securities, these are the top five large-cap stocks with the highest dividend yields in the last one-year period. Take a look:

1. Vedanta with a dividend yield of 12% leads the table of large-cap stocks with the highest dividend yield. The total dividend declared for FY 2024-25 currently stands at 43.5/- per equity share on the face value of 1/- per equity share.

On December 16, 2024, the company declared its fourth interim dividend of 8.50 per equity share for FY 202425, based on a face value of 1 per share. The record date for this dividend was December 12, 2024. Earlier, the company had declared an interim dividend of 20.00 per share with a record date of September 10, 2024. In August 2024, it paid an interim dividend of 4.00 per share. Prior to that, it also paid an interim dividend of 11.00 per share, with a record date of May 25, 2024.

2. Hindustan Zinc, a subsidiary of Vedanta, has rewarded investors with a dividend yield of 7%. The dividend paid by Hindustan Zinc during the past 12 months stands at 29.

3. Coal India's dividend yield of 7% is comparable to Hindustan Zinc's. Coal India has paid a dividend of 26.35 during the last 12 months.

4. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is also not far behind, having a dividend yield of 6%. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has paid a dividend of 13.5 per equity share during the last 12 months.

5. Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) has given a dividend yield of 6% during the last 12 months. Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) has paid a dividend of 15.5 per equity share during the last 12 months.
What is this book really about? This is perhaps a strange thing to ask at the beginning of a book review. This, however, is exactly the question I was left with after reading Keshav Chandras When Turquoise Waters turned Dark, which the cover describes as An Illustrated History of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

This is a large-format coffee-table book richly illustrated and lavishly produced, but little to no thought seems to have been given to the purpose of the book, who the readers could be or even why certain photographs were chosen. The inside flap copy explains: Crafted with stunning photography and presented with a meticulously researched narrative, this book is an immersive exploration of the islands past". Compare this with Chandras own lines in the Authors Note: I came here almost a year and a half ago. As anyone visiting these islands would be, I was deeply struck by their beauty. Gratefully, I decided to cobble up a few interesting anecdotes from its history and put them next to amazing landscapes of the island."

Interesting facts cobbled together quickly surely dont make for a meticulous historical account. This, in fact, is just the book you would give to a student as an exemplar of how a history should not be writtenvirtually no references or citations, incorrect dates, facts and interpretations, mobilising concepts at a time they did not exist (eg. Sanskritisation that was made popular in the 1950s by Indian sociologist M.N. Srinivas but the book mentions this in the context of convicts living in the island a century earlier), contradictory claims, and last but not the least, poorly written. The photographs are beautiful but are poorly credited or not credited at all. In the Authors Note, Chandra thanks the Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) for the photos of tribals", but we dont know which pictures actually are from AAJVS or the names of the individuals who took them on behalf of AAJVS. The captions lack detail, or worse, a deeply problematic colonial gaze comes shining through when describing the tribal people, the original inhabitants of the islands. They become mere objects with almost no identity leave alone agency. The book seeks to censure colonialist and imperialist tendencies to amass territory by erasing the rights of the original inhabitants even as it does exactly the same thing.

View Full Image 'When Turquoise Waters Turned Dark', By Keshav Chandra, Penguin Studio, 248 pages,  2,599.

For instance, the double spread on pages 176-177 has a photograph of three bare-bodied men wearing shorts with the caption, Great Andamanese Dance (mostly forgotten now)". There are no details of the individuals dancing the forgotten dance, just as there is no date, no location and no name of the photographer. There is no explanation of what is meant by forgotten". Forgotten by whom? Maybe we forgot, and not the men in the picture, but then we dont know who they are.

On another double spread, pages 184-185, is the caption An onge lady ready to welcome guests". It is astonishing that the author and the publisher are able to claim that she is ready to welcome guests". I would just as well interpret the look on the unnamed Onge womans face as disgust at seeing these guests" in her home. And again, it is missing the photographers name, location or date.

The author of the book, Keshav Chandra, is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and was the chief secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from August 2022 to October 2024. His position of privilege gives him access to places and information that others would not have. An illustration of this untrammeled access is the photograph (pages 144-145) of the lighthouse at Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India. This is an iconic landmark, access to which is difficult for a common Indian citizen. Chandras photograph is taken from the air and he gets an unprecedented vantage point and the luxury to frame the subject with a symmetry that is perfect.

There is also a larger context here, and a little chronology is very much in place.

Chandra joined the island administration as chief secretary in mid-2022 and has overseen what is without doubt the largest colonisation plan for these islands in post-colonial India, the Great Nicobar Island Development Project, which was launched in 2021. This is a 81,000 crore mega-infrastructure project for the island, the centrepiece of which is a trans-shipment port at Galathea Bay, one of the northern Indian Oceans more important nesting sites of the Giant Leatherback sea turtle, a creature that has been around since the time of the dinosaurs.

Other components of the project include a power plant, an airport complex and a greenfield township and tourism project. Put together, the project threatens to wipe out 160 sq. km of the most pristine and biodiversity-rich tropical forests we have in India.

Importantly, it will seriously threaten the two tribal communities for whom the island is homethe Great Nicobarese and the Shompen, the latter a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), with an estimated population of only about 250 individuals. This plan seeks to bring 350,000 people to this island from the outside in the next 30 years, an ingress that will sound the cultural and physical death knell for these indigenous communities.

This is the dark story of contemporary colonisation, capture of the land and resources of indigenous communities, and of complete disregard for human/tribal rights, biodiversity and ecology unfolding even as we speak. Its all very well to write about the British as colonisers but can we turn the gaze and ask some questions about ourselves as well?

View Full Image A representational illustration of a tribe dancing. (istockphoto)

The book does not have any discussion on what has happened to the islands forests and its indigenous peoples in post-colonial India. It also does not address the criticism from environmentalists and anthropologists that the Great Nicobar Island Development Project will be deeply detrimental to biodiversity as well as indigenous peoples rights. Remember that, as reported in The Hindustan Times in May 2023 by Jayashree Nandi, common citizens were being denied access to Great Nicobar unofficially and illegallyeven as the administration was facilitating the project.

This book is done and Chandra was transferred to Delhi in December 2024. He might, however, want to come back 20 years later, around the time he retires, and write another account of the period in the islands that he oversaw. He might want to do another book on a Great Nicobar Island that will then be nothing like it is today; for one the view from above will be a drastically different one. That sequel could well have the same title, When Turquoise Waters turned Dark. Only there will be no European coloniser to put the blame on then.

Pankaj Sekhsaria is author/editor of five books on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the latest being The Great Nicobar Betrayal published in 2024.
The greatest white wine commune on earth." So did Clive Coates MW describe the 230-hectare commune of Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy. Winemakers able to make wine on this slice of land, a heartbeat away from Beaune, Burgundys wine capital, regard themselves as inheritors of a rare legacy. And so it is with Olivier Leflaive, a name widely recognized in the region.

The story began when Olivier Leflaive, scion of the multi-generational Leflaive wine family, returned to Burgundy after a stint in Paris to join the family business at Domaine Leflaive. In 1984, he decided to set up an eponymous negociant (merchant) house, Maison Olivier Leflaive and buy-in grapes from other select vineyards even as he developed his own. Today, his wines represent 82 different Burgundy climats or land parcels, and over 100 hectares of vines, including 26 of his own, concentrated around Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Meursault. The focus is on whites.

Though officially retired, Olivier Leflaive remains very much connected to the business, making surprise appearances to interact with visitors to his cellars, much to their delight. The maison opened a 4-star boutique hotel in 2007, the Olivier Leflaive Hotel, run by his daughter Julie. Housed within a 17th century building overlooking the peaceful town square, the hotel forms the star attraction for visitors to the tiny town of Puligny-Montrachet, population 400.

Puligny-Montrachet is a 12-minute drive from Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. The Leflaive wines are served at the hotels pair of restaurantsthe fine-dining Restaurant Klima helmed by chef Lionel Freitas, and the more relaxed casual Bistro de lOlivier that abuts a gleaming marble-topped green and gold Art Deco style bar. While the exterior of the hotel is old and historic, no expense has been spared to create a luxurious ambience within the 17 rooms. Julie Leflaive who has played a decisive role in designing the interiors, has chosen to keep the decor eclectic, predominantly Art Deco that was beloved of her grandmother for its timeless style," while adding a sprinkling of contemporary and retro touches.

Each room is named after a different family member, Julie explains. The modern Signature Olivier Leflaive suite done in turquoise green his favourite colourwith discreet velvet and gold accents and dotted with memorabilia from his personal collectiona guitar, hats, vinyl records and photographs from his youth. Room Nicole is named after Nicole Vallee, who married Claude Leflaive in 1717, the first woman in the family to bring vineyards as part of her dowry. You can feel the familys presence in every room," she says. This is deliberately done to echo Burgundys long tradition of family-run and owned estates, where winemaking tradition is handed down from one generation to the next  Julie herself is a 19th generation Leflaive. In Burgundy we are very clan-like, and we want it to continue this way. We are proud of Burgundys heritage of transition, savoir faire and passionate protection of its terroir.

Also read: Where to sip on the James Bond Martini

Burgundy wines are not just considered among the worldsbest but increasingly command eye-wateringly high prices. Burgundy is a very small region compared to Bordeaux, Champagne, Alsace or the Loire," Julie explains. This makes the wines rarer, and drives up prices and resulting demand. Also, over the last 15 years, harvest sizes have decreased due to climate change and weather-related events, resulting in less wines produced in this already small area. Finally, the rising fame of Burgundys wines and constantly improving quality of the winemaking has added to the increase.

View Full Image Julie and Olivier Leflaive.

It follows that pioneers in premium wine production might lead in wine tourism. My father was the first producer in France to start wine tourism as we know itin 1997, he created the concept of a tasting table or table dhote where guests were guided by the sommelier and Olivier himself. Guests had the option of buying the wines after the tasting." This won them the first-ever award from the Chambre dAgriculture and Atout France in 2009. More recently, Olivier Leflaive was awarded a special jury award for pioneering oenotourism in 2019 from the Terre de vin les Trophees de l Oenotourisme. This had a massive effect on Burgundy tourism as we became a point of reference for other producers in Burgundy."

Their oenotourism offerings include interaction with the domaines sommeliers not only in the restaurant but also the vineyards. The vineyard tour includes a 1.5 hour walk through the vineyards, and an explanation of Burgundys unique pyramid classification system. To understand the importance of Burgundy, it is important to understand its terroir  the minerality that runs though our wine comes from the soils," Julie explains, Our clay and limestone soils are layered like mille feuille, imparting a special taste to our wines."

Another major draw is their famous wine bike tour through the Puligny-Montrachet vineyards on a large custom-made e-bike featuring a wine bar  the guests get to taste a selection of Olivier Leflaive wines while basking in the sunshine. The feeling of being surrounded by nature in the vineyards makes you feel alive like nothing else," she says. Hotel guests can also picnic in the vineyards, carrying hampers of food prepared by the chef and a bottle of Leflaive wine in their bicycle baskets. For the less outdoorsy is the weekend cellar tour option. Guests have often been surprised to find the convivial Olivier Leflaive and his brother Patrick present  they love chatting with visitors.

The hotels relaxed Le Bistro dOlivier serves a seasonal and frequently-changing menu of French classics, while the elegant Restaurant Klima has a walled glass cellar filled with wines. Matthieu, one of the four Leflaive sommeliers, pours three wines from the Olivier Leflaive portfolio. The first, the Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Les Setilles 2020 offers a fresh and fruity nose leading to a creamy palate. About 20% grapes are from the cooler Hautes Cotes area, giving a fresh mouthfeel, with the rest from vineyards situated below the super-premium Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet vineyards. About 65% of the wine is barrel-fermented and lees-aged for richness and elegance.

The second wine is the approachable Olivier Leflaive Saint-Romain 2020, from a Cote de Beaune village located at a height of 400m, imparting a fresh fruit-driven profile to the wine. It boasts of layered citrus and green apple flavours. Finally, I taste the Olivier Leflaive Volnay 1er Cru 2019, Clos des Angles from Volnay, the village famous for its elegant reds. Vinified in 30% new oak, its displays violets and black cherries with silken tannins. The weighty livre des carte or wine list goes beyond Burgundy to include wines from many other wine regions. How many wines on the list? I ask Julie. A lot," she smiles.

Ruma Singh is a Bengaluru-based wine and travel writer.
Category III alternate investment funds (AIF), which were established as an investment category in 2012, continue to be entangled in tax issues.

Though it is the second largest among AIF categories, with 1.29 trillion of investor funds raised so far, the tax rules for such funds are not clear.

Unlike other investment products, which clearly fall under a specified tax regime, category III AIF does not have a well-defined tax framework yet. These AIFs are mostly set up as trusts and therefore get taxed under trust rules," explained Tushar Sachade, partner at Price Waterhouse & Co. LLP.

Here is a look at some of these tax issues and issues that already affect investors post-tax returns due to the lack of an investor-level tax regime.

View Full Image Mint

No pass-through status

Category III AIFs do not have a pass-through status, which means that all taxes are levied at the fund level rather than the investor level.

As mentioned earlier, category III AIFs are set up as trusts. Hence, the various rules that govern the tax treatment of trusts also apply to category III AIFs. There is also some haziness with the court ruling that these AIFs can be treated as determinate trusts. At the same time, the strict interpretation of tax rules implies that the open-ended structure of category III AIF is indeterminate.

More on that later.

Returning to the lack of pass-through status, why is this an issue for investors?

The investor may not always benefit from the long-term tax rate on capital gains (12.5% on listed stocks) despite holding the fund for more than a year, which is the threshold period to be eligible for long-term capital gains. Simply because the investor's own holding period doesn't matter due to the lack of pass-through, but the fund's holding period is the deciding factor.

For example, if the fund buys and sells a stock within a year, any gains from the stock will be taxed at a 20% short-term capital gains (STCG) tax rate. This will impact the fund's NAV (net asset value) and, thereby, the investors exposure to it. An investor holding the fund for more than one year will also be impacted by the same STCG rate.

Similarly, any gains from the derivatives strategies are treated as business income, and the fund is taxed at the maximum marginal rate of 39%. It is possible that the investors own slab rate is lower, but as the fund will be taxed at the maximum marginal rate, the investor will, by default, get taxed at the same rate.

The investor cant benefit from the set-off or carry-forward of losses. As the losses are booked at the fund level, the capital losses (if any) are not available to the investor," pointed out Nalin Moniz, chief executive officer at Ionic Asset Management.

Also Read: Who can avail the indexation benefit on property sale and is it even worth it?



Similarly, capital losses on other investments are not available for set off against the gains on category III AIF investments.

With other investments, an investor can book capital losses and use them to set off gains from other investments  stocks, real estate, bonds, etc.  and then pay taxes on the net capital gains after these deductions. The unabsorbed losses  when capital loss is more than capital gain  can be carried forward for eight subsequent financial years; after the year in which the capital loss is originally incurred.

Trusts

The issue is not so much that the AIFs are set up as trusts for operational ease as the lack of clear tax rules for category III AIFs.

Mutual funds (MFs) are also set up as trusts, but they have a well-defined tax framework, wherein no taxes are payable by the mutual fund on the transfer of underlying securities (as the income earned by MF houses is exempt from tax) and taxes are paid by the investors at the time of transfer of MF units, depending upon the holding period of the said units by each investor," pointed out Riaz Thingna, partner at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP.

The first level of uncertainty comes from whether an open-ended category III AIF should be considered a determinate or indeterminate trust. According to the legal definition of determinate trust, the trust is determinate if the beneficiaries are named in the trust deed, and the share of the beneficiaries is also prescribed in the trust deed at the time of formation," pointed out Sachade of Price Waterhouse.

However, past court rulings have stated that a trust can be considered determinate as long as the beneficiary and their percentage share can be identified at any time. Advance Authority of Rulings (AAR) made this observation in 1996.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued a circular in 2014, restating the original definition of a determinate trust. However, the Karnataka High Court ruling in 2017 again held the view of AAR. More recently, Madras High Court held the same view in an order issued in 2020.

AIFs rely on these past court rulings, and the industry practice considers AIF a determinate trust.

The determinate trust rules state that it needs to be taxed at the same rate as the beneficiary would be taxed on their income. So, if it is capital gains income, the capital gains tax rates apply. The only condition is that if the fund has business income, i.e. income from derivatives strategy, the maximum marginal tax rate of 39% applies.

For indeterminate trusts, all categories of income are taxed at the maximum marginal tax rate of 39%.

There is also a risk of double taxation as the units are now classified as separate security under SCRA  Securities Contracts Regulation Act," said Sachade. The Finance Bill 2021 included AIF units as securities.

So, this has created another grey area on whether an investor can be taxed on capital gains on redeeming units after the fund has already been taxed on capital gains on underlying securities.

Industry seeks clarity

As an industry, we have been seeking clarity on these things  clarity on considering cat III AIFs as determinate trusts, once it is determinate clarity on maximum marginal rate and special rates. It should also be clarified that there will not be double taxation if the tax has already been levied at the fund level," said Rahul Shah, executive vice president of the industry body  Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA). Special rates refer to capital gains tax rates  short-term capital gains tax rate of 20% and long-term capital gains tax rate of 12.5%.

We have also been seeking pass-through status so that taxation is at investor-level," he added.

Just to reiterate, the industry is not seeking tax concessions; it is asking for clarity and the appropriate amount of taxes being recovered from the right beneficiaries," Sachade said.

Industry participants feel regulatory certainty will drive the industrys next growth phase. Clarity on the various tax issues and more regulatory certainty will also encourage more innovation in the AIF category, attract global investors, and lead to more job-creation and development for the industry," said Vaibhav Sanghavi, chief executive officer of ASK Hedge Solutions.

Key takeaways
Commuters in Bengaluru were left frustrated on Monday morning as Namma Metro trains operated at 10-minute intervals during peak hours, leading to severe overcrowding and chaos at major stations across the city. Multiple videos from Majestic, Magadi Road, and other key stations surfaced on social media, capturing packed platforms and commuters struggling to squeeze into already overcrowded trains. The abrupt reduction in train frequency triggered widespread anger, particularly among daily office commuters.

Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan called out the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for the disruption. Unacceptable mismanagement at Majestic Metro Station this morning. Reducing train frequency to 10 minutes during peak hours, assuming everyone has a holiday, created absolute chaos, he posted on X. BMRCL must plan better in such cases and restore normal frequency immediately.

How did social media react?

Commuters across Bengaluru took to social media to express their frustration after being caught in Monday mornings metro chaos. 30+ minutes at Majestic! It is outrageous. And a huge fare hike recently for this pathetic service! one user wrote. Another complained, I was there even after 10 minutes, but the train that arrived was already full. No room to get in.

Numerous users criticized BMRCLs planning and crowd management, warning that such poor handling of peak-hour rush could potentially lead to dangerous stampede-like situations.

BMRCL thinks everyone has a holiday... Majestic will have a stampede one of these days and only BMRCL will be to blame. No queue, no rulesfree for all today, one post read.
Ran-Veer: Brave on the battlefield, YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia posted on his Instagram account on, sharing a plethoora of images and videos. Allahbadia, also goes by the name BeerBiceps has teased a re-birth after he got embroiled in controversy for a joke on Smay Raina's India's Got Latent show. Notably, Ranveer Allahbadia has also been skipping several summons by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell.

Sharing his childhood images, among others, Ranveer Allahadia wrote on his Instagram post, Note to this guy : Life is a storm. Enjoy the ups. Learn from the downs. Take care of people who stand alongside you. Grow after every setback. Live every chapter like the lion you are  Never. Back. Down.

Also Read | Ranveer Allahbadia non-cooperative: Maharashtra Cyber Cell mulls legal action

Check Ranveer Allahbadia's Post Here

On 12 April, it was reported that Ranveer Allahbadia has been accused of non-cooperation by the Maharashtra cyber cell in connection with the investigation into the controversy surrounding his comments on the show India's Got Latent. According to reports, the YouTuber was issued summons by the Cyber Cell, however, Allahbadia has not responded, leading the authorities to consider legal action for their lack of cooperation.

According to a report by IndiaTV, the Maharashtra Cyer Cell had issued summons to Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, and Apoorva Mukhija along with Ranveer Allahbadia.

India's Got Latent Controversy: Recap The India's Got Latent controversy began after Ranveer Allahbadia made an offensive joke during the show, asking a contestant a provocative question involving parents and sex.

The remark sparked widespread outrage, leading to multiple FIRs and investigations by both Maharashtra and Assam police.

Despite admitting to making a mistake and submitting a written apology, Ranveer Allahbadia has faced significant backlash, including interim protection from arrest granted by the Supreme Court.

Ranveer Allahbadia Announces Rebirth Ranveer Allahbadia, the host of The Ranveer Show, has announced his comeback to podcasting after a tumultuous hiatus. The controversy surrounding his appearance on India's Got Latent had left fans and critics alike wondering if the curtains had closed on his illustrious career.

However, in true phoenix-like fashion, Ranveer Allahbadia emerged from the ashes, promising a "new blessed chapter" in his life and a more responsible approach to content creation.

Also Read | Ranveer Allahbadia summoned by Maharashtra Cyber Cell, to appear on Feb 24
Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: The Delhi government will organise a 15-day event in schools as part of celebration on the occasion of 135th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, CM Rekha Gupta announced. She said numerous initiatives will be taken to make new generation understand Ambedkar's idols.

While flagging off a walkathon from the Delhi legislative assembly on Sunday in honour of Dr Ambedkar, according to HT, Gupta said, Delhi will now celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti as a 15 days event and not just a single-day celebration. Schools will host special assembly sessions on Baba Saheb Ambedkars life and ideals. There will be programs to educate and inspire students, and awareness drives in academic institutions to promote social inclusion, justice, and equality.

She mentioned lessons from Dr Ambedkars life will be included into the curriculum and students will provide floral tributes to him during school assemblies.

The event saw attendance from hundreds of school children and social organisations, comprising cabinet ministers Ashish Sood and Ravindra Indraj Singh.

Education minister Ashish Sood on Ambedkar Jayanti Delhi Education minister Ashish Sood said that Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) commitment to social justice and the Constitution is already known, stating, In line with this commitment, the concept of Panch Teerth (five sacred sites) was established across the country. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, similar programs are being organised in the capitals of various states across India.

Sood slams Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) We dont believe in marketing of centers of faith and reverence which the previous government did. People have punished them for what they did. Ambedkar ji is the architect of Constitution and hero of the country, Sood hit out at the previous government led by AAP.

Also Read | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces stricter pollution control measures
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary.

He posted on X," On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realizing the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of a self-reliant and developed India.

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution and the first Law Minister of Independent India. Ambedkar Jayanti 2025 falls on April 14 and is also called Equality Day as he spent most of his lifelong efforts to champion the rights of women, labourers, and marginalised communities in India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Bhimrao Ambedkar Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, who laid the foundation of social revolution on the basis of education, equality and justice, remained committed to the rights of the deprived throughout his life. By drafting the Constitution based on equality, freedom and fraternity, he provided a strong foundation to India's great democratic heritage, Amit Shah said.

"Babasaheb's thoughts towards building a just and egalitarian society inspire all of us even today. I pay my heartfelt tributes to Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the great architect of the Constitution and a symbol of self-respect for millions of countrymen, on his birth anniversary," he added.

Minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary Kiren Rijiju took to X to share a video of a house where Babasahed lived. My tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr. BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. This video was taken when I visited the house where Babasaheb lived while studying Law in London. Now, this house has been bought and converted as #Ambedkar Memorial House, he said.

President Droupadi Murmu pays tribute to Bhimrao Ambedkar President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Bhimrao Ambedkar's statue at Prerna Sthal in Parliament premises. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, several Union Ministers, and leaders from the Congress Party joined her.

Leader of the Opoosition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi pays to Bhimrao Ambedkar He posted, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. His struggle and contribution for strengthening the democracy of the country, for equal rights of every Indian, for participation of every section, will always guide us in the fight to protect the Constitution.

Preparations in Uttar Pradesh In Varanasi, Ghazipur, Chandauli, cleanliness drives took place in numerous village panchayats and wards. A statewide campaign witnessed widespread attendance from employees, public representatives, government officials and the general public.

Agra division held cleanliness drives, comprising repairs to fountains and lighting. Cleanliness drives were also conducted at various locations in both urban and rural areas. The Municipal Corporation cleaned the statue of Baba Saheb at Kachheri Square in Jhansi. In Etah, and Gorakhpur, statues of Baba Saheb and other great men were cleaned, with lighting arrangements made.

The Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation emphasised on Ambedkar Park and other key areas. A division-wide cleanliness programme was organised for the Prayagraj division, with numerous events in Prayagraj city and extensive participation from BJP councillors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on Monday on the occasion of traditional new years in different parts of the country. He wished on the occasions of Bohag Bihu, Puthandu, Vishu, which are celebrated in Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, respectively.

May the coming year mark the fulfilment of all your dreams. May there be happiness, harmony and prosperity all over, he said on Odia New Year.

PM Modi posted on Puthandu, May this new year usher in prosperity, good health and happiness. May everyone be blessed with good health.

As a new year dawns, may it fill everyone's lives with renewed hope, peace and abundant joy. May it bring fresh beginnings and lot of success, PM Modi said while wishing Vishu.
China remains a magnet for foreign investment

10:14, April 14, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily

AstraZeneca will establish its sixth global strategic R&D center at BioPark in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA). Photo shows a view of BioPark. (Photo from the WeChat official account of the Administrative Committee of Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area)

As the global economy wades through uncertainty and sluggish recovery, China is projecting a rare image: stability. With a combination of pro-business policies, a steadily improving business environment, and long-term social stability, the country continues to offer a fertile ground for foreign investors seeking development in the long run.

In a world where access to large, integrated market has become an increasingly scarce commodity, China stands apart. The nation's sheer demographic weight - over 1.4 billion people, including more than 400 million middle-income earners - offers multinationals an unmatched consumer base. With 180 million business entities and a unified national market, it remains the world's most promising arenas for consumption upgrades, providing a "golden track" for foreign investors to gain a competitive edge.

That promise was on full display during this year's Spring Festival holiday. Sales of key retail and catering enterprises climbed 4.1 percent year on year, while domestic tourism jumped 5.9 percent. From bustling cinemas to booming demand for ice and snow tourism, cultural travel, and trade-in programs, Chinese consumers are spending with renewed confidence.

To further stoke this momentum, China has released a new plan on special initiatives to boost consumption. The plan is composed of 30 policies across eight sections, aimed at encouraging consumption, upgrading economic structure, and driving high-quality development.

Vehicles are exhibited at a car exposition held in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan province, March 23, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Lan Feng)

As Hamid R. Moghadam, chairman and CEO of Prologis, noted, the rising demand from Chinese consumers represents a tremendous growth opportunity that continues to drive his company's expansion in the country.

But China's appeal is not solely about its market size. At the heart of its high-quality development lies a commitment to innovation - a powerful engine for foreign enterprises looking to deepen their presence. With a commitment to high-quality development, China is accelerating green, digital and smart transformation, which, coupled with the country's sophisticated industrial ecosystem, provides the best testing ground for the latest outcomes of technological revolution and industrial upgrading.

Recent high-profile events have put this innovation agenda in the spotlight. The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 was held under carbon-neutral protocols, while the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum showcased a range of cutting-edge technologies, including heavy-lift coaxial twin-rotor unmanned helicopters and optical quantum computers.

Global observers now routinely recognize the country as a hub for innovation, applauding its investments in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and new consumption models. Increasingly, multinationals are establishing R&D centers and innovation hubs across the country, drawn by a unique convergence of technology, talent, and market advantages - an ecosystem that facilitates mutual success.

That confidence is translating into concrete commitments. America's Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) is building an intercontinental transfer hub in Shanghai. Siemens Heaththineers, a German health technology company, has broken ground on a new manufacturing and research facility to produce high-end medical equipment in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province. British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced a $2.5 billion investment to establish a global strategic R&D center in Beijing, its sixth worldwide.

Robots perform at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in south China's Hainan province, March 25. (People's Daily Online/Meng Zhongde)

These moves reflect a broader trend captured in recent business sentiment surveys. According to the 2025 China Business Climate Survey Report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, nearly 70 percent of surveyed U.S. consumer firms plan to increase their investments in China this year.

The Business Confidence Survey Report for 2024/25 released by the German Chamber of Commerce in China revealed that 92 percent of German firms intend to continue their operations in the country, while 51 percent plan to boost their investment in the next two years.

Statistics from China's Ministry of Commerce show that in January alone, foreign investments from the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the Netherlands in China surged by 324 percent, 104 percent, and 76 percent, respectively.

Even as geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds cloud global forecasts, the prevailing consensus among investors is that China still matters - and increasingly so. Its vast market, resilient economy, and enduring vitality continue to attract foreign capital and long-term commitment.

In the eyes of many international executives, China is more than an investment destination; it is a strategic partner in future growth. As the country deepens its commitment to openness, innovation, and global cooperation, it is cultivating not only stability but the promise of shared prosperity - a fertile ground poised to yield even greater returns for global enterprises.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The Miami-Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus announced the launch of a new billboard campaign in Florida criticizing Cuban-American Republican politicians, accusing them of betraying immigrant communities and the American Dream.

The sign will go up on the Palmetto Expressway between Doral and Hialeah, targeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Congressmembers Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos Gimenez, and Mario Diaz-Balart.

The billboard will feature the word "Traitors" in bold letters alongside the phrases "To Immigrants, To Miami-Dade, To The American Dream" and images of the four politicians, as The Miami Herald reports.

More than half a million people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela face potential deportation as the administration moves to terminate programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole. The Miami-Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus has condemned the four politicians for not standing up for immigrant rights and for enabling the Trump administration's aggressive deportation tactics.

Abel S. Delgado, president of the Caucus, shared his comments on the importance of the billboard through a statement through the Caucus' X account:

"Marco Rubio, Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos Gimenez and Mario Diaz-Balart have turned their backs on us. Rather than standing up for our families, they've stood silently while immigrant communities are targeted, detained, and deported. They've forgotten where they come from but we haven't"

#Internacional | "Traidores": Democratas de Miami-Dade arremeten contra el secretario Marco Rubio y congresistas republicanos



El Caucus Hispano Democrata del Condado Miami-Dade esta llevando su campana contra los republicanos cubanoamericanos de la Florida a la carretera.



Una... pic.twitter.com/noPGMsARya  El Universal (@ElUniversal) April 5, 2025

The Miami-Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus is using the billboard as the first step in a broader campaign to mobilize voters and hold these elected officials accountable for what they say is Republicans' treason to the state's large Latino population. "We will not be quiet," added Delgado. "We will not let them hide behind pretend patriotic speeches while our families are ripped apart."

The campaign comes amid growing political tension in Florida, particularly among the state's Hispanic community. Although some Latino voters, especially those from South Florida, continue to support President Trump's immigration policies, many Venezuelan immigrants who previously supported Trump feel betrayed after the administration revoked their TPS protections, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.

In response to the campaign, Salazar told The Miami Herald that the criticism is "cheap Castro-style propaganda," claiming she has fought more than anyone else for the rights of Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans fleeing dictatorship.

Originally published on Latin Times
New Delhi: With the world's lowest organ donation rate, the health ministry has warned hospitals to issue timely and transparent reports of deaths to their respective state authorities or face penalties, including licence cancellation.

The direction follows persistent non-compliance by hospitals which have failed to submit detailed reports to the government on the number of deceased donors, names and nationality of recipients, and in which city and hospital the organs are being transplanted.

The directive concerns brain stem death (BSD), the term used for natural deaths. Indians are notoriously diffident about organ donation  their own and families'  because of cultural reasons and a general lack of awareness.

It is thought that organs from each deceased person can save up to eight lives.

Also read | Organ donations may not remain just a family affair for much longer

Officials familiar with the matter said that many hospitals based in South India are not following government rules, prompting the Centre to take action against them.

Hospitals will be penalized if they fail to comply with the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA).

People aware of the matter said that organ transplants are happening but on the sly. "When every transplant is registered on the government platform, it will automatically increase the numbers. The suspicion is about any commercial dealing, which obviously, hospitals will not report."

What are BSD cases?

Brain Stem death is recognized as legal death in India under Transplantation of THOTA. After a doctor declares brain stem death case, a deceased donor can save up to eight lives by donating kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas and intestine. Additionally, many types of tissues such as cornea, skin, heart valves, and bones can be donated.

"It is a matter of serious concern that many registered hospitals have persistently failed to submit the daily and monthly data on organ transplantation activities and register transplantations on the National Transplant Registry and mandatory reporting of Brain Stem Death cases," Dr Anil Kumar, Director, National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization, in a letter to all the State/UT governments, reviewed by Mint.

It directly impacts our collective efforts to enhance organ donation rate in India, which currently remains alarmingly low at less than One donor per million population annually," said Dr Kumar said.

The central government has urged state governments to push hospitals within their jurisdictions to rigorously monitor and certify brain death cases, and submit a monthly proforma on BSD cases to the relevant state agency for onward transfer to the central government by 7th of every month.

Hospitals may attract show cause notice or license cancellation

We are not getting patient-wise record from the states. Who are the donors and recipients of a particular organ? For instance, states share consolidated figures on the number of kidney and liver transplants. But this is not enough, and this data has a lot of gaps as they are not sharing the details of the patient. So, we have empowered the state government to take strict action against hospitals for not adhering to the government directions. The state government may issue show cause notice to the hospitals and further warn them for license cancellation in case of non-adherence," said the official aware of the matter requesting anonymity.

Also read | Worried over low organ donation rate, health ministry instructs states to monitor brain-dead cases

We will allow the government to keep a close surveillance on the organ donation in Inia and strictly prohibits any kind of commercial dealings," the official added.

Under the relevant sections of the THOTA Act, hospitals are required to identity each potential brain stem death cases, admitted in the ICU and educate family members about organ donation before the heart stops.

Last year, 861 deceased organ donors were registered, out of which 2410 organ transplantation took place. Queries sent to the health ministry remained unanswered till press time.
Fresh clashes broke out in West Bengal on Monday over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) clashed with police at Bhangar in South 24 Paraganas.

The clashes erupted at the Basanti Highway in South 24 Paraganas when police stopped ISF supporters from heading towards Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata to attend an anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act rally, according to a report by Anandabazar Patrika.

The protesters reportedly blocked the Basanti Highway against the police's decision to not let them pass and participate in the rally, addressed by party leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique.

As per sources quoted by PTI, the rallyists were stopped near Bhojerhat on the Basanti Highway, where a large number of ISF workers had gathered from Bhangar as well as neighbouring areas such as Minakhan and Sandeshkhali.

The clashes broke out when the rallyists, mostly belonging to the minority community, tried to break the barricades and police retaliated, raising the tension.

Some police vehicles were set on fire by the protesters and a few police personnel were injured when the agitators attacked the law enforcers, a senior police officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

Visuals of Muslim protesters clashing with police over Waqf (Amendment) Act are circulating on social media.

Following the clashes with police, the ISF supporters started to block the roads, leading to traffic jams on the Basanti Highway, Anandabazar Patrika reported.

ISF worker, police personnel injured Eyewitnesses quoted by PTI said police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters, as the rally at Ramlila Ground didn't have proper police permission. This resulted in a head injury of one of the ISF workers.

The clashes also resulted in eight police personnel being injured.

A large police force, including senior officers, was deployed to bring the situation under control. A high alert was sounded in the nearby areas. The protesters were later dispersed.

Plea in SC over Murshidabad violence A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the violence that erupted during a protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the West Bengal's Murshidabad district.

The manner in which the protests turned violent so swiftly, especially targeting the Hindu community, shows foul play and suggests a planned conspiracy, particularly in a state where political murder has long been used as a tool to attain political goals, it said.

The violence in the Murshidabad district against the amendment to the Waqf Act has left at least three people dead. Central forces have been deployed in several areas following the Calcutta High Court order.
Belgian police have arrested Indian fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, reports said on Monday, April 14. Choksi was reportedly arrested on Saturday, April 12.

Choksi, 65, wanted in India in connection with a 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud, has been evading authorities since 2018.

Also Read | Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium as India pushes for extradition

After the Interpol Red Notice against Choksi was revoked in March 2023, Indian investigation agencies  the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)  renewed efforts to extradite him from Belgium.

The Belgian government had earlier this year confirmed Choksi and his wife had relocated from Antigua to Belgium.

India-Belgium Extradition Treaty In March 2020, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the signing and ratification of the extradition treaty between India and Belgium.

Both countries agreed to extradite to the other any person found in their territory who is accused or convicted of an extraditable offence in the territory of the other country.

The treaty allows extradition on the basis of dual criminality, including for financial crimes. This means that an individual can be extradited only if the offence is punishable in both the countries.

"An extraditable offence means an offence punishable under the laws of both the parties (read countries) with imprisonment for a period of one year or more severe punishment. Where extradition is sought in respect of a convicted person, the duration of the sentence remaining to be served must be at least six months at the time of making the request. Offences relating to taxation, or revenue or is one of a fiscal character also fall within the scope of this Treaty," the government said in a press release in 2020.

Extradition is discretionary The India- Belgium extradition treaty allows the transfer of fugitives accused of serious crimes such as murder, rape, manslaughter, bigamy, forgery, counterfeiting, embezzlement, and fraud. However, extradition of nationals is discretionary. The nationality will be determined at the time the offence was committed.

The treaty has some conditions, though. Extradition can only be granted if the alleged offence is considered a crime under the laws of both countries. The agreement says that India or Belgium are not obligated to extradite their own nationals, whether by birth or naturalisation, under any circumstances.

"Provided that the surrender shall be, made only when, in the case of a person accused, the Commission of the crime shall, be, so established as that the laws of the country where the fugitive or person accused shall be found would justify his apprehension and commitment for trial if the crime had been there committed, and in the case of a person alleged to have been convicted, on, such evidence as, according to the laws of the country where he is found, would prove that he had been convicted," the treaty reads.

The new Extradition Treaty, ratified in March 2020, replaced the pre-Independence Extradition Treaty between Great Britain and Belgium of 1901, which was made applicable to India through the exchange of Letters in 1958. Due to the present procedural requirements and the fact that only a limited number of offences are listed under the pre-Independence Treaty, the old treaty had become obsolete.

Can the extradition be refused? Under the Treaty, extradition shall be refused if:

The offence involved is a political offence. However, the Treaty specifies certain offences which will not be considered political offences.

The offence for which extradition is requested is a military offence.

The request for prosecution has been made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing the person on account of his race, sex, religion, nationality or political opinion.

The prosecution of enforcement of sentence has become time-barred. Extradition not an easy task, says whistle-blower PNB scam whistle-blower Hariprasad SV said it would be very difficult for India to get Choksi back home as he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process. Hariprasad recalled the time when Choksi succeeded in evading the process when he was caught in Dominica.

"Extradition is not an easy task. Choksi's wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Maliya has been doing. I don't think it is going to be easy for India to get him back," he told news agency ANI.

On July 26, 2016, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Hari Prasad had written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), raising concerns about a potential large-scale scam. In his communication, Prasad pointed out that the balance sheets contained clear indicators that something was amiss.

What's the case? Choksi, the absconding diamond trader and the owner of Gitanjali Group, a retail jewellery firm in India, is wanted in India in connection with a 13,500-crore PNB bank loan fraud case.

Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused in the PNB scam. The duo allegedly defrauded the bank of more than 13,500 crore.

Choksi, Modi, their family members and employees, bank officials and others were booked by the ED and CBI in 2018 for perpetrating the alleged fraud in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai.

Choksi, through his firm Gitanjali Gems and others, is alleged to have cheated the bank in collusion with certain officials by fraudulently obtaining Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and enhancing Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) without following proper procedures, causing financial losses to the bank.

So far, the ED has filed three charge sheets against Choksi, while the CBI has also submitted similar charges.

From Antigua to Antwerp Choksi was previously believed to have lived in Antigua and Barbuda before travelling to Belgium.

Choksi's nephew, Nirav Modi, lodged in a London jail, is contesting his extradition to India after repeated denial of bail by courts. In May 2021, Choksi went missing from Antigua but was traced and returned to it later.

Earlier, reports from Antiguan media suggested that Mehul and Preeti Choksi are considering settling in Geneva. Earlier this year, Choksi's legal counsel informed a special court in Mumbai that he is currently in Antwerp, Belgium, undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

Two weeks ago, Mehul Choksi and his wife, Preeti, obtained F-Residency cards in Belgium. Preeti, a Belgian citizen, has family ties in the country, as does Choksi's extended family.
Fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested by Belgium's Law Enforcement authorities, acting on the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

According to ANI citing sources, Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. Sources further stated that preparations were being made for his extradition to India.

Also Read: PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium on extradition request from India

However, Choksi is currently preparing for a legal battle. His defence team plans to move for bail, claiming that it will oppose his extradition. The legal team states that Choksi has strong reasons to challenge the extradition request, citing his health condition, among other arguments.

Here is a complete timeline of PNB fraud and Mehul Choksi 20142017: Fraud Unfolds Mehul Choksi, owner of the Gitanjali Group, allegedly conspired with Punjab National Bank (PNB) officials and associates to fraudulently obtain Letters of Undertaking (LOUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) without following the banks prescribed procedures

These instruments were used to raise credit from overseas banks, resulting in a wrongful loss of 6,097.63 crore to PNB. This was part of a broader 13,850 crore scam involving Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, marking one of Indias biggest banking frauds to date.

2017: Citizenship acquired Anticipating legal trouble, Mehul Choksi acquired citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda under its Citizenship by Investment Program. This move gave him a legal foothold in a country without an active extradition treaty with India, raising concerns about his intent to evade justice.

January 2, 2018: Choksi fled On the eve of the scandal breaking in India, Choksi fled the country, initially flying to the United States before eventually settling in Antigua. The timing of his departurejust days before the scam surfacedadded to the controversy and suspicion surrounding the case.

2018: Case registered The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered formal cases against Choksi, Nirav Modi, and others in 2018. Over time, the ED conducted searches at more than 136 locations across India, seizing jewellery and valuables worth 597.75 crore linked to Choksis Gitanjali Group.

In total, assets worth 2,565.90 croreincluding immovable properties in India and overseas, bank accounts, vehicles, a factory, shares of listed companies, and jewellerywere attached or seized in the case. Three Prosecution Complaints have been filed by the ED so far.

May 2019: Nirav Modi Arrested in London Nirav Modi, Choksis nephew and co-accused in the scam, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London in May 2019. Despite a prolonged legal battle, he has exhausted all legal avenues to challenge his extradition and continues to remain in UK custody, awaiting transfer to India.

2021: Choksis Arrest in Dominica In 2021, Choksi was detained in Dominica, allegedly while attempting to flee to Cuba by boat. His lawyers claimed he was abducted from Antigua and forcibly taken to Dominica. India formally sought his extradition, but Dominican authorities eventually deported him back to Antigua, rejecting Indias legal representation in court.

March 2023: Interpol Red Notice revoked In a major blow to Indias efforts, Interpol revoked the Red Notice against Mehul Choksi in March 2023, citing concerns about fair trial rights and possible political motivations. This complicated extradition efforts, as many countries rely on Red Notices to detain fugitives.

Early 2024: Blood cancer claims and relocation Earlier in 2024, Choksis legal team informed a special court in Mumbai that he was now in Antwerp, Belgium, undergoing treatment for blood cancer. Around the same time, he and his wife Preeti relocated from Antigua to Belgium, likely due to better medical facilities and to solidify their legal presence in Europe.

March 2024: Residency secured in Belgium Just two weeks before his arrest in April 2025, Mehul and Preeti Choksi obtained an F Residency Card in Belgium. Preeti, a Belgian citizen, and Choksi both have extended family ties in the country, which reportedly helped in securing their legal residency amid increasing pressure from Indian agencies.

April 2025: Choksi Detained in Belgium In a major breakthrough, Mehul Choksi was detained in Belgium following a renewed extradition request by the CBI and ED. Though Interpol had earlier withdrawn the Red Notice, Indian agencies pursued legal alternatives, which ultimately led to his arrest.

Choksis legal team claims he has strong reasons to challenge the extradition request, citing health conditions.

Choksi is currently in custody, and efforts are underway to bring him back to India to stand trial in the multi-crore banking fraud case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union government is working towards a quick extradition of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi after his arrest by Belgium police on Saturday, April 12. The government of Belgium confirmed that India had requested PNB scam-accused extradition.

Choksi, 65, wanted in India in connection with a 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud, has been evading authorities since 2018.

Also Read | Choksi arrested in Belgium: How PNB scam accused evaded capture for years

Government sources told NDTV that a request to deport Choksi to India has been made. The government will use every legal tool available to bring him back.

The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice said that Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, April 12, 2025. "He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured. The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi," it said.

If Choksion the run since 2018is brought back to India, he will be the second high-profile extradition this year, after terrorist Tahawwur Rana, a 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused, was extradited from the US last week.

The government will use every legal tool available to bring him back.

Choksi is expected to resort to legal means to defy extradition. This may include a request for bail, citing his age and medical condition. Choski is a cancer patient.

My client is not a flight risk. He is extremely sick and is undergoing treatment for cancer, Choski's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, told reporters after the arrest. Choksi and his wife, Preeti Choksi, a Belgian citizen, had been living in Antwerp after he obtained a 'residency card'.

What's the case? Choksi, the absconding diamond trader and the owner of Gitanjali Group is wanted in India in connection with a 13,500-crore PNB bank loan fraud case. Along with his nephew Nirav Modi, Choksi is accused in the PNB scam. The duo allegedly defrauded the bank of more than 13,500 crore.

Choksi, Modi, their family members and employees, bank officials and others were booked by the ED and CBI in 2018 for perpetrating the alleged fraud in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai.

So far, the ED has filed three charge sheets against Choksi, while the CBI has also submitted similar charges.

Choksi was previously believed to have lived in Antigua and Barbuda before travelling to Belgium. Choksi's nephew, Nirav Modi, lodged in a London jail, is contesting his extradition to India after repeated denial of bail by courts.

In May 2021, Choksi went missing from Antigua but was traced and returned to it later.
Salman Khan Death Threats: Mumbai Police have registered an FIR after receiving a death threat against actor Salman Khan on the Worli Traffic Control Room's WhatsApp number. The message warned of killing the actor at his home and planting a bomb in his vehicle. Investigators traced the sender to a 26-year-old man from a village near Vadodara, Gujarat. The suspect, reportedly mentally unstable and undergoing treatment, has been issued a notice to appear before the Worli Police within 2-3 days.

The police are continuing their investigation into the matter. Salman Khan has been on the hit list of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, with multiple threats received in recent months. Enhanced security measures have been implemented for the actor following these incidents.

Also Read | Security heightened outside Salman Khans house after death threat against him

An unidentified person has threatened to blow up actor Salman Khan's car with a bomb and assault the Y-Plus-protectee by entering his residence, prompting the Mumbai Police to tighten security and register a case.

The unidentified person sent the message to the Mumbai Traffic Police's WhatsApp helpline on Sunday morning, officials said on Monday. The sender threatened to blow up Khan's car and assault him at his residence, according to a police official.

Police in Worli registered a case against the unidentified individual under Section 351(2)(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. An investigation has been launched.

In response to the threat, police have tightened security outside Khan's residence in Bandra and intensified patrolling in the area.

Notably, two motorbike-borne individuals had opened fire outside Khan's residence a year ago in April, firing four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, where the actor resides.

Khan previously faced threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which warned him of consequences if he did not apologise to the Bishnoi community over the alleged killing of a blackbuck. Following these threats, Mumbai police provided him with Y-Plus security.

Also Read | Salman Khan effortlessly climbs tree, shuts down trolls for questioning his fitness
Actor Salman Khan has received a fresh death threat via WhatsApp. The threatening message, sent to Mumbais Transport Department helpline number, warned of thrashing Salman Khan after entering his Bandra home and blowing up his car. It is not yet known if a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang sent the threat message.

An official posted at the traffic police control room then alerted seniors about the message, based on which the Worli Police registered a case against the unidentified person. A case has been registered under section 351(2) (3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

An investigation has been initiated.

Salman Khan has received multiple death threats, mainly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, in connection with the killing of two blackbucks. The blackbuck holds sacred importance for the Bishnoi community.

While Lawrence Bishnoi is lodged in Ahmedabads Sabarmati jail in cases including attempted murder and extortion, suspected members of his gang opened fire outside the actors Bandra home in April last year.

On April 14, 2024, two men on a bike shot at the actor's apartment in upscale Bandra and several rounds in the air. A bullet-proof glass panel was recently installed outside the balcony of Salman Khan's Bandra flat.

Following the firing outside his home, Salman Khan's security was heightened. Cops were stationed outside his residence after Baba Siddique was shot dead by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in an apparent warning to the actor.
Ousted former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the current interim caretaker government in the country, saying if you play with fire, it will burn you too. The deposed ex-PM was warning against threats to ban her age-old Awami League party.

Addressing her supporters on Sunday, Hasina accused Professor Muhammad Yunus of erasing Bangladesh's history, especially those linked to the Awami League's contribution to the country's freedom struggle.

Hasina slams Yunus Their (the interim government) audacity astonishes me, she said in a virtual address to party workers and supporters from India, where she now lives after fleeing Bangladesh in August last year after her nearly 16-year-long Awami League government was toppled in a student-led uprising steered by Students Against Discrimination (SAD). The SAD has been demanding a ban on the Awami League.

The Yunus administration has disbanded Awami Leagues student wing, Chhatra League.

Hasina said the Awami League was established in 1948 in then-Pakistan to wage a campaign to ensure people's rights in then-East Pakistan and the independence struggle. This campaign eventually led to the 1971 Liberation War under the stewardship of its founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The name of the country where they now live is also given by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. He had united the people of Bengal using Awami Leagues organisational structure and made the country independent; nobody must forget this fact, she said.

Hasina questions ban Hasina, 77, questioned what rights those demanding the ban have and said Yunus himself was a fascist because of his ruthless actions on workers, teachers, students and others who were trying to wage a campaign for their rightful demands.

The demand for Awami Leagues ban, however, did not get any positive response from its arch-rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of ex-premier Khaleda Zia and most other political groups.

Some extreme right-wing groups vowed to disband it and bury the countrys original 1972 Constitution, calling it a Mujibist charter.

According to a UN rights office report, some 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15, 2024 in actions by police and pro-government political elements like Chhatra League and later in retaliatory violence on law enforcement personnel and people linked to the past regime.

But we have to make the calculation now: how many people were killed in their list of martyrs and how many beyond that list they have killed among Awami League activists, policemen, members of the minority community, workers, students and teachers, Hasina said.

She said the calculation would find that the list on the other side was heavier.

Today, if someone is found to have any link to Chhatra League, his or her certificate is being cancelled while they are not being allowed to study. So, who is the autocrat, fascist and who should be banned in this country, she said.
Telangana on Monday became the first state in the country to implement Scheduled Castes (SC) categorisation. Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said a government order had been issued to this effect.

The order implements the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act 2025. The Congress government in the state issued a gazette notification with April 14, 2025 as the appointed day for sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SC) into three groups.

Also Read | Daripalli Ramaiah dies at 87 - All you need to know about the Padma Shri awardee

"The following Act of the Telangana Legislature received the assent of the Governor of Telangana on 8, April 2025 and the said assent is hereby first published on the 14th April 2025 in the Telangana Gazette for general information," the GO said.

GO issued on Ambedkar Jayanti The issuance of GO coincided with the Ambedkar Jayanti  the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution. The Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025 was passed in the assembly last month.

The Telangana government had earlier appointed a commission headed by retired High Court judge Justice Shameem Akther on SC sub-categorisation, which made recommendations that the 59 Scheduled Caste (SC) communities be divided into three groups  I, II, and III for the total reservations of 15 per cent in government jobs and education.

What are the categories? According to the notification, Scheduled Castes in the state will be divided into three categories  Group I, II and III.

Group I: As many as 15 sub-castes categorised as most backward have been classified as Group-I with 1 per cent reservation. These groups constitute just 0.5 per cent of the population, but the government decided to provide them with 1 per cent reservation with a view to provide educational and employment opportunities to the most backward among the SCs.

Group II: As many as 18 sub-castes of the total 59 which received marginal benefits have been placed under Group-II with 9 per cent reservation.

Group III: Similarly, 26 sub-castes that were relatively better placed in Group III in terms of opportunities with 5 per cent reservation.

Also Read | After Telangana, Caste Census report submitted to Karnataka cabinet

Minister Reddy, who headed a sub-committee on SC Categorisation, said the first copy of the GO was given to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on the morning of April 14.

"From today, from this moment, SC categorisation will be implemented in Telangana in employment and education. We have issued a GO to that extent and gave the first copy to the CM," he told reporters.

Who will it benefit? Minister Reddy said if the SC population goes up in the 2026 census, the reservations for it will go up accordingly.

Recruitment to government jobs would forthwith be based on the categorisation of the SC communities, and the youth from these communities were exhorted to avail the opportunity, the minister said, adding the categorisation would not be applicable to the vacancies already notified, the minister said.

Minister for Health C Damodar Rajanarsimha who co-chaired the sub-committee on SC Categorisation said 33 of the 59 sub-castes were continuing in the same group in which they were placed in the past and there was shuffling of only 26 sub-castes constituting 3.43 per cent of SC population.

The Supreme Court Verdict of 2024 The SC sub-classification policy has constitutional backing.

The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on August 1 last year, upheld the constitutionality of sub-classifying the SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to grant separate quotas for the most marginalised groups within these communities.

A seven-judge Constitution bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud ruled on whether sub-classification of SCs and STs is permissible for the purpose of reservation.

The ruling had consequences for states, such as Telangana, which wanted to give wider protection to some castes that are underrepresented despite reservation compared to the so-called dominant scheduled castes. The court also held that historical and empirical evidence indicates that Scheduled castes are not a homogenous class.

Address historical inequities: Experts The Congress government took into consideration the contents of the Supreme Courts verdict, empirical data, social, economic, educational, employment and political status of the SC communities in the categorisation of SCs into three groups for implementation of the rule of reservation.

Experts said that the state's decision to sub-classify 59 Scheduled Castes (SCs) into three groups marks a pivotal moment in Indias affirmative action discourse.

The purpose of the decision, it seems, is to address the historical inequities within marginalised groups so that the benefit of reservation should not be monopolised by certain categories within a particular caste group, Prof Afroz Alam, head of the Department of Political Science, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad told Mint.

Political Motives The move has a political motive too. Alam said that the Congress government led by CM Reddy has been trying to consolidate Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and SC voter blocs ahead of local body elections in the state. The OBCs and SCs comprise 70 per cent of Telanganas electorate.

Telangana also recently decided to raise the OBC quota to 42 per cent. This move, however, challenges the Supreme Courts 50 per cent quota cap established in the Indra Sawhney verdict (1992), reaffirmed in 2021 when the Maratha quota law was struck down.

Also Read | AI influence on Lok Sabha election 2024 campaign revealed

Rahul Gandhi has been talking about the removal of 50 per cent cap on reservation. At the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of oppostion in the LoK Sabha, said that the Congress party will demolish the wall that is restricting reservation to 50 per cent for the SCs, the STs and the OBCs while pushing for a caste census across the country.

The larger national aim Clearly, at the national level, the Telangana case is a model for the Congress party which is trying to rebrand itself as the party favouring emperical social justice and highlighting the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) reluctance to release caste census data, according to Prof Alam.

Telangana is the first state in India to implement the revolutionary decision of SC sub-categorisation. We are all proud to have made history. On the highly auspicious day of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar, the Telangana state government paid the best tribute by bringing into force a great act of social justice, addressing a long overdue demand for classification of SC sub-castes," Telangana CM wrote on X on Monday.

(With agency inputs)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a fresh spell of heat waves in various states, according to an official release.

Heatwave conditions: West Rajasthan is expected to experience heatwave conditions at isolated/places on April 14 and 15, with severe heatwave conditions anticipated in many parts from April 16 to 18. The intensity of the heat will remain high, and isolated pockets of West Rajasthan will continue to face extreme conditions on April 19.

Heatwave conditions are also likely to affect several other regions. These include:

Telangana on April 14.

West Madhya Pradesh from April 15 to 19.

Gujarat from April 15 to 17.

Punjab and Haryana from April 16 to 18.

East Rajasthan from April 16 to 19.

Heavy rainfall in THESE states IMD also informed that an Upper Air Cyclonic Circulation is currently located over South Assam, with another situated over central parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam at lower tropospheric levels, IMD said in an official release.

These systems are expected to bring the following weather conditions over the coming days:

Northeast and Adjoining East India For the next five days, scattered to fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall is expected, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (with speeds of 40-50 km/h). The weather systems will continue to affect Northeast India and the adjoining regions, leading to significant rainfall and stormy conditions.

Central India and Maharashtra Isolated to scattered rainfall, with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (speed of 40-50 km/h), is likely on April 14 over the plains of Central India and Maharashtra. These areas should be prepared for stormy conditions, which could cause disruptions.

Heavy Rainfall Heavy rainfall is expected in several regions. Assam & Meghalaya will see heavy rainfall from 14th to 16th April.

Similarly, Odisha is expected to experience heavy rainfall on 15th and 16th April. IMD said these areas should prepare for potentially heavy downpours, which could lead to localised flooding and other weather-related impacts.

Isolated Hailstorms Jharkhand will experience hailstorms on 14th and 15th April. Residents in these regions should be cautious of sudden weather changes, including hail, which may cause damage to crops and vehicles.

Northeast India and adjoining regions will experience significant rainfall and stormy conditions.

Scattered to fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (speed of 30-40 km/h), is likely in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, North Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema, and Telangana during the next 5 days.
Absconding jeweller Mehul Choksi was arrested by Belgium authorities on Saturday, April 12, following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies for his involvement in over 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case. Mehul Choksi is likely to challenge his extradition to India on medical grounds.

An extradition request was moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the second prime accused in the PNB scam case when the diamantaire was found to be living in Antwerp city of Belgium in 2024.

The police cited two open-ended arrest warrants  dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021  issued against Mehul Choksi by a Mumbai court as a basis of his arrest. He is currently held in a jail.

Why did Mehul Choksi flee India? Mehul Choksi fled India with his nephew Nirav Modi in January 2018 weeks before the PNB scam came to light. He initially traveled to the United States, later surfaced in Antigua, and eventually ended up in Belgium as Indian authorities pursued his extradition. He had acquired the citizenship of Antigua in 2017.

Reports also suggested he was planning a move to Geneva in Switzerland from Belgium.

Mehul Choksi had taken citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 and a complaint against him was filed weeks before in 2016.

In 2018, the proceedings to locate the fugitive began and extradition request was sent to the Antiguan authorities after credible information that he was residing in the Caribbean nation.

He then challenged the extradition request, citing poor prison conditions in India and claiming he was the target of a political conspiracy.

In 2021, he went missing from Antigua but was later discovered in Dominica, another Caribbean island nation. He was traced following a yellow notice by the Interpol. The CBI was then informed of his location.

A CBI team also left for Dominica to get him back in India but a high court of the country sent him to Antigua.

Also Read | Mehul Choksis first photo from Dominica under police custody

In February 2025, a Mumbai court was informed that Mehul Choksi was in Belgium for medical treatment of suspected blood cancer.

Two weeks ago, Mehul Choksi and his wife, Preeti, obtained F-Residency cards in Belgium. Preeti, a Belgian citizen, has family ties in the country, as does Choksi's extended family.

This further complicated matters for India, as neither Belgium nor India is obligated to extradite its own citizens. Moreover, extradition would only be possible if the alleged offences are recognized as crimes under the laws of both countries, according to the extradition treaty between the two countries.

The residency also grants Mehul Choksi the freedom to travel between European countries.

I did not flee India: Mehul Choksi In May 2024, Mehul Choksi had told a special court that he did not flee India to avoid criminal prosecution in the PNB scam case nor is he refusing to return to the country, while arguing that he cannot be declared a fugitive economic offender.

The reason he gave was his passport was suspended by the Indian authorities, making it impossible for him to return and these were reasons beyond his control.

It is the specific case of the present applicant [Mehul Choksi] that he has neither left India to avoid criminal prosecution nor is he refusing to return to India to face criminal prosecution, but has been unable to return due to reasons beyond his control, his plea to the special PMLA court said.
Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium following a request from Indian authorities in connection with the 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case. The arrest, which took place on Sunday, has set the stage for a key legal battle in Belgian courts, with India pressing for his extradition, reported News 18.

Sources in the Indian government confirmed on Monday that a multi-agency team is set to visit Belgium ahead of Choksis bail hearing, which is expected to be held next week. Officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been reportedly shortlisted to visit Belgium. They will complete documentation and coordinate with the Belgian government to execute the extradition procedure.

The CBI had issued a formal extradition request after locating Choksi in Belgium earlier this year. He had been granted residency in the country in November 2023.

Also Read | This is what Mehul Choksi plans to do next as India prepares for extradition

The arrest was based on two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai courtdated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of defrauding PNB through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking, causing a massive loss to the Indian banking system. He has already been declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by Indian authorities.

Bail application to be filed on medical grounds Choksis legal team is now preparing to challenge both the arrest and the extradition. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, told CNN-News18 that a bail application would be filed on medical grounds, as Choksi is reportedly undergoing treatment for cancer. Aggarwal also indicated that the legal challenge would include human rights concerns, citing alleged poor prison conditions in India.

Also Read | Mehul Choksi extradition: Govt to use every legal tool to bring him back

Referencing the recent UK High Court ruling in the Sanjay Bhandari case, Aggarwal said, Generally, there are two grounds this is a political case, and the human rights of the client will be affected. The London court had denied Indias extradition request for Bhandari due to the risk of extortion and violence in Indian prisons, particularly at Tihar Jail.
A short video posted on X has sent social media into overdrive after claiming that Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru had removed Hindi from its digital display boards, retaining only Kannada and English.

The caption read: Hindi is removed in digital display boards of Kempegowda International airport in Bengaluru. Kannada & English. #Kannadigas are resisting Hindi imposition. This is a really good development! #StopHindiImposition #TwoLanguagePolicy. (sic)

The post quickly racked up views and likes, becoming a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over language policy in Karnataka. Supporters praised the move as a step toward linguistic self-respect, but others fiercely criticized it as narrow-minded and exclusionary.

One angry commenter fired back: Do you think only those who know English and Kannada visit Bengaluru? Not having Hindi at metro station is understandable, but it has to be there at airport and railway station. (sic)

Another took a sarcastic swipe, saying: Stop using currency notes. After all they have Hindi on them so prominently. Airports around the world use signage in world languages not just their local languages to welcome visitors. You want to go opposite. (sic)

Also Read | Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin ups the ante on language row, slams Hindi imposition

A third added: Quite a myopic and ill thought step. Do only Kannadigas use the airport? Why remove a language spoken in most parts of the country? Is English the new national language now? (sic)

The controversy reignited a long-standing push by pro-Kannada groups to promote regional language usage in Karnataka. Over the years, there have been reports of harassment of non-Kannada speakers  including auto drivers refusing passengers, vandalized English signs, and shops allegedly overcharging Hindi speakers.

Amid the escalating debate, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) issued a clarification.

According to The Financial Express, a BIAL spokesperson said:

Also Read | Hindi imposition row: Puducherry govt orders shops to display names in Tamil

There has been no change in our flight information display system. In line with established practices, the displays continue to feature English and Kannada to effectively assist passengers. Additionally, the wayfinding signages throughout the terminals are displayed in English, Kannada and Hindi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, April 14, targeted Congress for opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, accusing the party of spreading votebank ka virus. The prime minister also criticized the misuse of Waqf properties, claiming that large tracts of land that could have benefitted the poor and Pasmanda Muslims had instead fallen into the hands of land mafias.

Speaking in Hisar of Haryana, PM Modi said, There are lakhs of hectares of land in the name of Waqf. This land should have benefited the poor. This land, this property, should have been used for the welfare of the poor, helpless women and children. And if it had been used honestly, my young Muslim boys wouldnt have had to spend their lives fixing cycle punctures. But on land mafia benefitted from these properties.

The loot of the poor will stop with this amended Waqf law. Under the new Waqf law, land or property belonging to any Adivasi cannot be touched by the Waqf Board...Poor Muslims and Pasmanda Muslims will get their rights. This is real social justice, PM Modi said.

Speaking on the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, PM Modi also accused the Congress of humiliating the social reformer and trying to erase his memory, noting that historically Congress fought elections against him.

Congress has become the destroyer of Constitutions. Dr BR Ambedkar wanted to bring in equality, but Congress spread the virus of vote bank politics. Babasaheb wanted every poor, every backward to be able to live with dignity and with their head held high, to have dreams and complete them, PM Modi said.

He added, We should not forget what Congress did to Babasaheb. Congress humiliated him while he was alive. They made him lose elections twice. Congress even tried to erase his memory. Congress also tried to destroy Baba Saheb's ideas forever. Dr Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, but Congress has become the destroyer of the Constitution.
The city of Chennai is alive with celebration today as residents mark Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, with vibrant traditions and family gatherings. Falling on the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai, the festival signifies renewal, hope, and the start of a new journey.

In observance of the occasion, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a state holiday, prompting questions about what remains open and closed. As people partake in cultural festivities and rituals, several government offices, banks, and educational institutions will remain shut for the day. However, essential services and many commercial establishments are expected to operate as usual, catering to the festive crowds.

Puthandu is not only a day of spiritual reflection but also one of community celebration, as families come together to share traditional meals, exchange greetings, and visit temples to seek blessings for the year ahead.

Whats Open and Closed in Chennai on Puthandu

As Puthandu is observed as a public holiday across Tamil Nadu, several services and institutions in Chennai are operating on a modified schedule or remain closed for the day:

- Schools and Colleges: All educational institutions are closed today in observance of the Tamil New Year.

- Banks: Public and private sector banks are shut for the holiday.

- Government Offices: State government offices remain closed.

- Markets and Shops: While major markets are observing a holiday, local shops and small businesses may operate on limited hours depending on demand.

- Public Transport: The Chennai Metro and MTC buses are running on a reduced, holiday schedule.

- Private Offices: Many private sector offices are closed, though essential services such as healthcare and emergency operations continue to function.

Residents are advised to plan accordingly and check with individual establishments for specific operating hours.



Chennai Celebrates Puthandu with Safety Measures

As Puthandu festivities unfold across Chennai, city authorities have stepped up security to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration. The Chennai Police have deployed over 19,000 personnel across key areas, including temples, markets, and public spaces, to manage crowds and maintain law and order.
Mehul Choksi, one of the key accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, was arrested by Belgium authorities on Saturday, April 12, acting on India's extradition request. While India moves to fast-track his extradition, Mehul Choksi's legal team has started preparations to fight a legal battle and seek his release on health grounds.

Mehul Choksi is reportedly undergoing a cancer treatment.

The fugitive diamantaire's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, said in a statement that Mehul Choksi's will soon requesting that he be moved out of prison, citing his poor health.

He is not a flight risk at all, his lawyer argues.

Also Read | Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium  How PNB scam accused evaded capture for years

My client, Mehul Choksi, has been arrested in Belgium, and at the moment, he is in custody. We will be starting the process of filing an appeal against this, and then, as a process of appeal, we will be requesting that he be pulled out of prison. The major ground for the plea is his ill health and that he is undergoing cancer treatment, he said.

His lawyer added that the legal team would file the appeal that Mehul Choksi should be permitted to defend himself. He said their legal defense would be that this is a political case and the human condition [in Indian prisons] was not good.

He added, There is no push. It is a process. Non-bailable warrants have been issued against him since 2018. It is a prerequisite for extradition that there has to be an open-ended, non-bailable warrant. Earlier, they tried to pick him up from Dominica, where they failed. So then, by the Dominican court order, my client was getting his treatment in Antigua."

"For his medical treatment, he had to go to Belgium, and he has been there getting his treatment for the cancer. Whenever for any country, there is an extradition request made by another country wherein they have a treaty. First of all, the person has to be arrested, then the person has to show that he's got community ties, and then we have to show that he is not a flight risk and that there is a medical condition. So that's the only ground.

Mehul Choksi is wanted in India for 13,000 crore PNB scam.
Meghan Markle sent a gift box from her new brand As Ever to King Charles III at Clarence House, London. UK royal correspondent Neil Sean claimed it in a recent report.

Per Neil Sean, the news is coming from "a very well-placed source. He calls it a "gifted idea from Prince Harrys wife, once nicknamed "Tungsten". The moniker reportedly came from none other than King Charles, who called his daughter-in-law so for her resilience.

The gift box reportedly included jams, honey, crepe mix and other items. It is said to be a sweet gesture from Meghan Markle, who holds the king in high regard. However, this claim is yet to be officially confirmed.

Royal experts believe this may be Meghans way of rebuilding ties with the royal family after her and Prince Harrys exit in 2020.

Experts feel that, if this news is true, it shows Meghans efforts to reconnect with King Charles. It may ease tensions between Prince Harry, Prince William and the King. Small gestures like this, they say, may help in healing relationships.

"I understand how she may not feel respected still, but tiny gestures like this are her way of showing compassion for what the king is going through and helping to rebuild bridges between Prince William, Prince Harry and the king," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.

This comes at a time when King Charles is undergoing cancer treatment. He earlier celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with Queen Camilla.

Meghan Markles products were sold out within an hour of launch. The Duchess of Sussex has already sent these As Ever gift boxes to friends and celebrities like Kris Jenner and Zoe Saldana.

Clarence House has not confirmed receiving the gift box. No comment has come from Meghans team either.

King Charles likely to appreciate Meghan's gesture British broadcaster Helena Chard added that King Charles might appreciate such a thoughtful gesture. The monarch is known for loving high-quality food. The timing, during his wedding anniversary and health challenges, makes it even more special.

Though the truth behind the gift box remains unconfirmed, this news has sparked huge interest among royal followers and the public. Many see it as a possible step towards peace and better family relations within the royal household.

The interest in Meghan Markle on Google India was high on April 14-15:
The US, Europe, Canada were recently abuzz with protests against Tesla with hundreds of people protesting outside Tesla stores on Saturday, "World Day Against Elon Musk", denouncing the billionaire entrepreneur. The Tesla boss has now responded to the same.

Elon Musk came up with an epic reply for one of the protest signs, which recently went viral on X (formerly Twitter). The post read: Send Elon Musk to Mars.

Im trying, Im trying, replied the Tesla boss with laughter emojis.

Tesla protests Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Tesla stores in Manhattan, New York, to denounce Elon Musk.

Holding signs with slogans like "Musk is stealing our money" and "Reclaim our country," the demonstration remained largely peaceful, despite recent incidents of Tesla vandalism that US officials have condemned as acts of terrorism, reported The Independent.

Elon Musk's Mars mission As per reports, the Tesla protests stemmed from anger over Elon Musk's slashing of the federal government. Evident from protest signs such as Send Musk to Mars, people also took a jab at Elon Musk's Mars mission.

Elon Musk recently revealed his plans to send Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots to Mars aboard SpaceXs Starship rocket by the end of 2026.

The announcement, made via a post on X, marks the first public confirmation of integrating Teslas advanced robotics into a Martian mission.

Starship will hopefully depart for Mars at the end of next year with Optimus explorer robots! Elon Musk wrote on X, hinting at a groundbreaking fusion of AI, robotics, and space travel.

Salman Rushdie wants Elon Musk to go to Mars It is not just the Tesla protesters. Earlier, British-Indian author Salman Rushdie, during an interview, had openly expressed his discontent and dislike for billionaire Elon Musk.

Speaking about Elon Musk's Mars expedition, Salman Rushdie said that Musk had mentioned that it would take seven years to get to Mars. Seven years have already passed, and I really want him to leave, said Rushdie.
A 30-year-old influencer became the talk of the town after she generated $4 million ( 36.1 crore) in sales with her hair oil brand, which is rooted in ancient Indian traditions.

Erim Kaur, a London based entrepreneur founded ByErim in 2019  a luxury haircare brand known for its flagship hair growth oil containing eight pure oils, including Amla, Argan, Coconut, and Castor oil.

Six years since its launch, the luxury hair oil brand has earned $4.2 million ( 361,552,182.60) CNBC Make It reported.

How the brand became popular Erim Kaur pinned the popularity of her hair growth oil on her emotionally invested followers. As per CNBC Make It, she has over 700,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok combined.

After gaining 100,000 followers in 2019, Kaur decided to turn her social media presence into a business opportunity. She launched ByErim as a tribute to both her mother and grandmother, while also tapping into the rising popularity of beauty and wellness trends on social media.

Influencers cast a very wide net, but the problem is when youre trying to reach people who dont already follow you, youre alienating the people that do. So, I was very focused on my followers. Theyre focused on me, Kaur told CNBC Make It.

What made the entrepreneur built the brand In her interview with CNBC Make It, Erim Kaur recalled how her mother's hair inspired her to craft the hair oil. She was only eight when her mother died of breast cancer, and a memory she always cherished was her mothers long hair.

Also Read | Marico founder Harsh Mariwal gives 3 key advices for entrepreneurs

I really wanted to emulate the way that my mother looked. It was scary to see her lose the identifying part of what people saw as something that contributes so heavily to her beauty," the London based entrepreneur told CNBC Make It.

The entrepreneur's turning point Kaur shared a heartfelt memory of her father, who was just 29 when he took her to the barber for a haircut after her mother passed away. I didnt even know how to tie my hair. She died before she taught me, Kaur recalled.
United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed openess to negotiations with Xi Jinping, over a dozen times, since he began his tariff war, to no direct response from the Chinese president.

Instead, while China's commerce ministry addresses Donald Trump's moves, Xi Jinping has reached out to Europe, neighbours South Korea and Japan, and Southeast Asia advocating for direct trade deals that would remove a flaky or on-again, off-again US from trade equations.

Instead of being lured into talks with threats, China seems determined to prove it can survive Donald Trump's grandstanding longer that the US, as per a Bloomberg report.

Negotiations Between US and China Remote, Says Report With mutual tariffs between the US and China each reaching 125 per cent, (Donald Trump did announce temporary exemption for some electronics), China has said it won't match any more tariff hikes by the US, calling it economically meaningless, but reiterated it would fight to the end.

Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics told Bloomberg that China matching US tariffs shows they are in no rush to negotiate with the Trump administration and are likely looking for more than a pause. China has emphasised dialogue on equal basis and with mutual respect, while matching US tariffs, while Donald Trump keeps upping the ante that could put $690 billion worth of trade in the line of fire.

Christopher Beddor, deputy China research director at Gavekal Dragonomics told Bloomberg that China can't get a consistent set of demands from the Trump administration, which makes it hard to negotiate as the other side wont say what they want, and the demands are constantly shifting.

Donald Trump Optimistic? Calls Xi Jinping Friend Donald Trump has notably repeated that his tariffs would bring China to the negotiating table. As per reports he remains optimistic, bragging about countries dying to make a deal, and over the past week claiming Xi Jinping is a friend he has great respect for.

China also wants to make a deal, badly, but they dont know how to get it started. We are waiting for their call. It will happen! Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social last week.

Trump administration officials are equally keen. Top economic adviser Kevin Hassett said its only a matter of time China bends to extreme pressure from the tariffs.

Also Read | US allies are sitting out Trumps trade war with China

What Has Xi Jinping Said on US Tariffs? Xi Jinping on April 11, made his first public acknowledgement of the US tariffs, saying China is unafraid of unjust suppression and will be focused on its own path. The statement led to speculations that China will not negotiate, but instead use this opportunity to cut the US dominance in global trade agreements.

Zhang Yuyan, director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences criticised the US' policy on China as who-loses more thinking where greater loss to the rival compared to self, is seen as an acceptable outcome.

Is Xi Jinping Successfully Sidelining US, Donald Trump on Global Stage? While the outcomes remain to be seen, Xi Jinping has been actively advocating for trade deals that discount the US for mutual benefits.

During his meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on April 11, Xi Jinping called for the 27-member European Union to jointly resist the unilateral bullying by the US, fulfil their international responsibilities, and work together to safeguard economic globalisation and the international trading environment, as per a PTI report.

There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation. China and the EU are firm supporters of economic globalisation and free trade, Xi Jinping said in Spain.

Xi Jinping is also scheduled to meet top EU officials in July. While the agenda and other details are not out, if Donald Trump's tariff assault continues, speculations suggest the trade topic would be high priority.

On April 14 he began his tour to Southeast Asia, which will cover Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Vietnam is his first stop, and economists feel that the ASEAN country, reeling under Donald Trump's tariffs, would now be more receptive to Xi Jinping, as they seek more stable partnerships.

Gregory Poling, who directs the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told Bloomberg, Xi will doubtless find a more receptive audience than he would have without the tariffs. Xi Jinping during his visit, may try to sweeten the trade and investments pot, without big compromises on territory disputes.

Sources told Reuters that China has also directed government officials to reach out and encourage other countries to push back against Donald Trump's tariffs. US allies, such as the EU, Japan and South Korea, have been contacted, two sources said.

China has also sent formal letters to government officials of other countries pressured by Donald Trump to engage in trade negotiations, and the need for multipolarity, the report added, citing four sources. Some G20 countries have also been tapped for a joint declaration backing a multilateral trading system, an EU diplomat told Reuters.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese and South Korean embassies in Washington DC did not immediately respond to Reuters' queries, as per the report.

Also Read | Indigo says all flights shifted to T1 at Delhi airport from tomorrow. Details

Does China Hold The Trump Cards? According to a report by The Conversation, China holds a number of strategic tools for retaliation against the US. It dominates the global rare earth supply chain (72 per cent of US imports) and can target US' agricultural export (takes 10 per cent of poultry exports, and nearly 50 per cent of soybean exports), besides dealing major blows to tech giants such as Apple Inc., Nvidia and Dell Technologies, among others that are cripplingly reliant on Chinese manufacturing.

Beijing believes all this can be used as a source of leverage against the Trump administration and has a strategic opportunity to displace American hegemony.

Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia Pacific economist at Natixis told Bloomberg, China still has a lot of leverage, a lot. More so because the US economy wont do well, especially in the second half of the year so the leverage might actually increase rather than decrease. As the below meme illustrates:
New York City has officially declared April 14 as Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day to honor the 135th birth anniversary of the architect of India's Constitution and a global symbol of social justice.

Mayor Eric Adams made the announcement, recognising Ambedkars legacy as an economist, political leader, and relentless advocate for equality.

Generations of people from around the world have crossed oceans seeking new possibilities in New York City, Adams said in the declaration.

Over time, their contributions have transformed into a vibrant history of bolstering our neighborhoods and enhancing our citys rich cultural tapestry.

Legacy of social justice and reform Adams lauded Ambedkar for challenging caste discrimination and working to uplift marginalized communities.

Ambedkar opposed caste discrimination and worked to protect farmers and tenants in India, the mayor noted.

After experiencing severe caste discrimination in his youth, he spent the rest of his life fighting for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

He also highlighted Ambedkars enduring call to action: His message, educate, agitate, organize, became central to his movement.

Renewing commitment to egalitarian ideals The mayor emphasised New York Citys shared commitment to Ambedkars ideals.

As part of that promise, we must renew our commitment to these ideals every day. I applaud those associated with todays event for their efforts to honor Dr. Ambedkars rich legacy of egalitarianism, Adams said.

India hails global recognition Indias Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar welcomed the move.

This unprecedented honor of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar, the vocal voice of civil rights across the seven seas is a symbol of pride for all the countrymen, Kumar said, noting the recognition comes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India observes 135th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar India has observed the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar on Monday (April 14) to honor the legacy of one of India's most influential politicians, jurists, and social reformers.

Dr. Ambedkar dedicated his life to fighting against social discrimination and worked tirelessly to secure equal rights for women, laborers, and marginalised communities. His vision laid the foundation for a just and inclusive society, with the Constitution of India serving as a testament to his work, as he played a pivotal role in drafting it.

Ambedkar Jayanti: A celebration of equality and justice Ambedkar Jayanti, also known as Equality Day, commemorates Dr. Ambedkars invaluable contributions to social justice and the rule of law. The day is a reminder of his enduring commitment to creating a society based on the principles of equality, justice, and dignity for all. In recognition of his lasting influence, April 14th, 2025, has been declared a public holiday across India, allowing citizens to reflect on his monumental impact.

The significance of this day goes beyond remembering Dr. Ambedkars legacy; it serves as a call to uphold the ideals of social justice and equality that he championed throughout his life.

From Mhow to Manhattan Dr. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, India. A scholar with a PhD in economics from Columbia University and a DSc from the London School of Economics, he later led the committee that drafted the Constitution of India.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele rejected calls on Monday (April 14) to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador last month.

El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele firmly rejected the idea of sending Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States. The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Bukele said, seated next to President Trump in the Oval Office. I dont have the power to return him to the United States.

Bukeles comments came in response to questions regarding the US Supreme Courts ruling and the US governments requests for Garcias repatriation.

Trump Administration's stance on the deportation Trump administration officials insisted that Garcia, who was sent to a notorious gang prison in El Salvador, is a citizen of El Salvador. As a result, the US has no say in his future. Despite the US Supreme Courts directive for the administration to "facilitate" Garcias return, Trump officials maintain that the deportees future rests solely with El Salvador.

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, "First and foremost, he was illegally in our country, and he had been illegally in our country. Thats up to El Salvador if they want to return him. Thats not up to us."

The refusal to return Garcia has become a major point of contention between the two nations, with the situation playing out in the US courts.

The Supreme Courts role in the case The US Supreme Court recently ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate the return of Garcia, an issue that has intensified the legal and diplomatic battle.

The Supreme Court has called for us to facilitate [Garcias return], meaning provide a plane, Bondi added, emphasising that the administration will support El Salvadors decision if the country chooses to repatriate Garcia.

Trump and Bukele's strong partnership President Trump, in his remarks, once again praised President Bukele, referring to him as "one hell of a president." Trump and Bukele have formed a strong partnership, particularly in terms of deportation agreements. Since March, El Salvador has accepted over 200 Venezuelan immigrants accused of gang activity and violent crimes, placing them into the countrys maximum-security gang prison.

Trump reiterated his support for Bukeles tough stance on crime. We have bad ones too, and Im all for it because we can do things with the president for less money and have great security, Trump said, referring to possible future cooperation on criminal deportations.

Deportation of other immigrants The US has been deporting individuals it accuses of gang membership, such as MS-13 members, to El Salvador, where they are imprisoned in high-security facilities. As part of the deal, the US government has agreed to pay approximately $6 million for El Salvador to house these immigrants for one year.

El Salvadors tough approach to gang violence, led by President Bukele, has made the country a key player in the Trump administrations immigration and security efforts.

Trump also mentioned that he would be willing to send homegrown hardened criminals who are US citizens to El Salvador for incarceration, suggesting that Bukele should build five more prisons to accommodate them.

Also Read | Trump blames Biden for Ukraine war, claims he prevented it during his first term
US President Donald Trump in a recent post on Truth Social, placed the blame for the ongoing war in Ukraine squarely on the shoulders of former President Joe Biden, claiming that the conflict would not have occurred if he were still in office. Trump wrote, "The War between Russia and Ukraine is Bidens war, not mine. I just got here, and for four years during my term, had no problem in preventing it from happening."

Accusations against Biden and Zelenskyy Trump blamed both Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for their handling of the situation. President Zelenskyy and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin, Trump said, emphasising that there were many ways the war could have been avoided.

2020 Election In his post, Trump also continued his claims about the 2020 Presidential Election, alleging that if it had not been "rigged," the war in Ukraine would never have happened. He wrote, "If the 2020 Presidential Election was not RIGGED, and it was, in so many ways, that horrible War would never have happened."
New York Helicopter Tours, the operator of the helicopter that crashed into New York City's Hudson River on Thursday, April 10, killing a Spanish family of five and the pilot, is shutting down immediately, according to the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA announced Sunday that New York Helicopter Tours, which operated the Bell 206 chopper, is shutting down their operations immediately. The agency also said it would begin an immediate review of the company's license and safety record.

Also Read | US news: Plane with 2 people on board crashes in muddy field in upstate New York

New York Helicopter Tours is "shutting down their operations immediately," the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement posted on social media platform X on Sunday.

"The FAA will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator's license and safety record," the aviation regulator said.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the helicopter crash, which occurred during a sightseeing flight over Manhattan.

In the tragic incident, a senior business executive, his wife and three children were killed along with the pilot when the chopper operated by New York Helicopter Tours malfunctioned and plunged into the Hudson River shortly after take off.

The operator described the tour as the "ultimate sightseeing tour of New York City."

Jersey City officials told AFP that the possible causes of the crash include a drone collision, bird strike or mechanical failure.

Also Read | Helicopter company in deadly NYC crash had faced debt lawsuits

No flight recorder On Saturday, the NTSB saidthe helicopter did not have any flight recorders, and no video or data recording equipment had captured the incident.

Investigators said NYPD divers are continuing to search for parts of the helicopter, including the main rotor, gearbox, tail rotor and the tail boom.

A video circulating on social media appears to show the fuselage apparently detaching from the rotor mid-air.

The crash has ignited concerns over aviation safety in the US, coming just months after a string of deadly crashes, including the collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington in January that claimed 67 lives.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a strong statement reinforcing the countrys stance on visa enforcement and national security, declared, "Visiting America is not an entitlement. It is a privilege extended to those who respect our laws and values.

In an opinion piece published by Fox News, Rubio underscored that US visas are a privilege, not a rightand that privilege can and will be revoked if abused.

Visa laws grounded in national security Rubio highlighted the foundational role of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in determining who can enter the United States. The law specifically bars foreign nationals who endorse or support terrorist activity, including affiliations with designated groups like Hamas, from obtaining a US visa.

The INA gives us broad authority to revoke visas, he explained, noting that this legal power is vital to safeguarding Americans and lawful visitors. He emphasised that anyone violating US laws or engaging in suspicious behavior risks having their visa withdrawn.

Continuous security vetting Rubio made clear that visa screening doesnt end once entry is granted. U.S. visa holders should know in no uncertain terms that the US governments rigorous security vetting does not end once a visa is granted, he wrote.

He described ongoing coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other law enforcement agencies to continuously monitor visa holders for criminal activity, national security threats, or violations such as overstaying or illegal work.

Post-October 7 incidents fuel tighter scrutiny Referencing the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on Israel, Rubio criticized some foreign students in the US who engaged in antisemitic protests and campus disruptions afterward. These foreigners shut down college campuses for American citizens, harassed Jewish students, blocked highways, and stormed buildings, he said.

No tolerance for terror supporters Rubio affirmed his support for President Trumps zero-tolerance policy on foreign nationals who support terrorism or threaten US security. He reaffirmed the administrations stance that First Amendment rights do not shield non-citizens engaging in support of designated terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hizballah, or the Houthis.

National security is top priority Our first responsibility is to keep the American public safe, Rubio said, making it clear that under his leadership, the State Department will act swiftly to revoke visas or deny entry whenever necessary.
Various social media posts and videos claim that Chinese companies are selling cheaper productsincluding brands like Lululemon, Fila, and Under Armourdirectly to US customers amid the ongoing trade war.

One user wrote that their feed is suddenly flooded with Chinese manufacturers trying to sell products directly to American consumers. The user pointed out that even after adding import tariffs and shipping costs, the prices remain significantly lower than those of similar products sold by American companies.

We are not winning this trade war, lmao, the user quipped.

Also Read | US exempts THESE 20 items from Trump tariffs amid trade war | Check full list

In another video, a TikTok influencer claimed that some of Lululemons yoga wear is produced by suppliers based in Xianglong, China.

According to the influencer, factories like Xianglong Clothing and Hung Oisun Clothing, located in Yiwu, manufacture apparel for Lululemon and popular brands like Fila and Under Armour.

The influencer pointed out that big brands like Lululemon sell a pair of leggings for up to $100. However, the same products from these factories can cost as little as $5-$6.

According to Reuters, Chinese companies selling on Amazon are planning to increase prices for US customers or leave the US market. This comes after US President Donald Trump announced a big rise in tariffs on Chinese goods.

Trump said tariffs would increase from 104 per cent to 125 per cent. This move has increased tensions between China and the US, the worlds two largest economies.

US customers react Meanwhile, US customers have shared their take on this.

We can buy sowing machines here. The difference is that we will automate. We can live without Temu and Shien. The quality will be better, wrote a Twitter (now X) user.

I dont think anyone was ever under the impression that big brands arent making 70% margins or higher. You are paying for the convenience and the brand recognition. Providing a direct line will definitely be of impact it all depends on whether they are able to market correctly (sic), another user posted.

One user commented, If you're not building your own clothing brand amid this turmoil, are you even hustling?
The deadliest missile strike on Ukraine this year pushed up the civilian death toll from Russias invasion and widened divisions between the U.S. and Kyivs allies over President Trumps strategy for ending the war.

Ukraine and European countries said the latest Russian missile strike, which killed 34 and left more than 100 injured in the city of Sumy on Sunday, showed Russian President Vladimir Putin wasnt interested in a cease-fire.

Frances foreign minister called for increased sanctions on Moscow following the attack. Friedrich Merz, Germanys incoming chancellor, called the strike a serious war crime" and said he was open to equipping Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles.

Putin evidently interprets our willingness to talk with him not as a serious offer to make peace, but as weakness," Merz told German public broadcaster ARD on Sunday.

Trump, meanwhile, described the strike late Sunday as a horrible thing," adding: I was told [Russia] made a mistake." Asked by a reporter whether he believed the strike was unintentional, he said: They made a mistake. Look, youre going to ask them. This is Bidens war. This is not my war."

Trump reiterated his assertion that the war wouldnt have started if he had been president and that he was trying to put an end to it to save lives.

Russian officials said it was a strike on a military target.

The reaction to the attack highlights the growing chasm between the U.S. and its European allies over the war. European leaders have said Ukraines military should be bolstered to strengthen Kyivs hand in peace talks. Merz said Sunday that he was open to providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Trump had pledged to end the war in 24 hours during his presidential campaign, and has instigated the first direct talks between Washington and Moscow since the start of full invasion in 2022, but efforts so far have yielded scarce results. Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional cease-fire, but Russia has demanded sweeping concessions including territory, political control over Kyiv and limits on its neighbors military.

Ukraine has said that Russia is regularly violating its pledge to Trump to halt strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Russia has accused Kyiv of doing the same. Moscow has demanded an easing of financial sanctions in return for a cease-fire in the Black Sea that Ukraine has agreed to.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said further sanctions should be levied on Russia to force it to halt its invasionsomething Trump has given little sign he is willing to do.

Senior Trump administration officials, including his envoy, Steve Witkoff, have repeated Russias version of the war and declined to criticize Putin.

The Russian missile strike in Sumy, Ukraine, killed 34 and left more than 100 injured.

In an interview with CBS, broadcast Sunday, Zelensky reiterated concerns that Russian disinformation was prevailing in the U.S. and called on Trump to visit Ukraine.

We want you to come and to see," Zelensky said. Please, before any kind of decisions, any kinds of formats of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, childrendestroyed or dead."

The Russian strike on Sunday was the deadliest this year, leaving bodies lying in busy central streets of northern Sumy where people had been celebrating Palm Sunday. Ukraine said it hit university and residential buildings, cars and streets. The attack followed another strike in central Kryviy Rih this month that killed 19, including nine children.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had struck a meeting of Ukrainian military commanders in Sumy with two ballistic missiles, killing more than 60 service members. Asked about the strike Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: Our armed forces strike only military and military-related targets."

Zelensky said Monday that 38 people wounded in the Sumy strike remained in medical facilities, including 11 seriously injured. He said that in April alone Russia had launched nearly 2,800 aerial bombs, 1,400 explosive drones and 60 missiles against Ukraine.

Russia carried out airstrikes across Ukraine early Monday, injuring seven with drones in the southern port city of Odesa, Zelensky said.

The United Nations in February put the civilian death toll of the three-year war at nearly 13,000, noting that those were verified deaths and that the real total was likely much higher.

Write to James Marson at james.marson@wsj.com
Pop star Katy Perry and CBS anchor Gayle King are preparing to journey to space alongside Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezoss fiancee, on an upcoming all-female Blue Origin spaceflight.

As reported by Bloomberg, Blue Origin revealed in a blog post on Thursday the names of the six women who will be aboard the next mission of its New Shepard rocket.

Joining the crew are producer Kerianne Flynn, Aisha Bowe  a former NASA engineer and the CEO of STEMBoard  and Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics researcher and prominent advocate for survivors of sexual assault.

Take a look at the all-women crew: Aisha Bowe: A former NASA rocket scientist and aerospace engineer, Aisha is also the founder and CEO of STEMBoard, a tech company that promotes STEM education, as reported by Sky News.

Amanda Nguyen: A bioastronautics research scientist, Amanda contributed to NASAs final shuttle mission, STS-135. Shes also a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, recognized globally for her advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and her leadership in civil rights, as reported by Sky News.

Katy Perry: The world-renowned pop star and philanthropist, known for her advocacy for social causes, Perry sees this flight as a symbol of progress for women in space and beyond.

Gayle King: An Emmy-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, Gayle is celebrated for her authenticity, journalistic integrity, and powerful storytelling. Her presence adds cultural depth to this momentous journey.

Lauren Sanchez: A licensed pilot, award-winning journalist, and the fiancee of Jeff Bezos, Lauren is leading this mission. In an interview with Elle, she said she selected her fellow crew members because theyve each proven the ability to inspire others.

Kerianne Flynn: An American film producer with experience in independent cinema, Kerianne also had a successful career in fashion. As a longtime friend of Sanchez, she brings creative vision and a deep appreciation for storytelling to the crew.

Sanchez initially revealed her intention to fly to space with an all-female crew aboard Blue Origins New Shepard rocket during a 2023 interview with Vogue. She described the group as extraordinary women who are paving the way for women.

The New Shepard rocket, developed by Blue Origin, is built to carry paying passengers on a brief journey to the edge of space, offering a short experience of weightlessness during an approximately 11-minute flight.

Women in space Blue Origin has been sending tourists on brief spaceflights since 2021, starting with a high-profile inaugural launch that included founder Jeff Bezos and his brother, AP reported.

The upcoming mission will mark the companys 11th human spaceflight. While some participants paid significant amounts for the experience, others received complimentary seats. Blue Origin has not disclosed who is covering the cost of Mondays flight.

The mission has faced some criticism, most notably from actor Olivia Munn, who questioned the financial and media focus surrounding the launch.

Katy Perry sees this flight as a symbol of progress for women in space and beyond.

However, Katy Perry sees the all-female crew  the first since Valentina Tereshkovas solo flight in 1963  as a moment of historic significance. To date, only about 14% of space travelers have been women, AP reported.
Last Thursday a special plane landed in the technical area of the Indira Gandhi International Airport at Palam Airport in New Delhi. It was quite special, as its passengers included elite commandos, officers of the Indian intelligence apparatus, and a most-wanted" criminalTahawwur Hussain Rana, the man who had played a pivotal role in planning and orchestrating the Mumbai terror attack of 26 November 2008. Pakistans intelligence agency ISI, which uses terror as a force multiplier, and its protege Lashkar-e-Taiba had assigned the job to Rana. This was why he visited India on 20 and 21 November 2008, days before the attack. He finalized routes and targets of the attack during the visit aided by his accomplice David Coleman Headley.

This terror attack, the biggest on Indian soil, claimed the lives of 15 police personnel, two NSG commandos, and 157 civilians. It left at least another 300 people injured. Ten Pakistan-trained terrorists kept Mumbai under siege for 72 hours. The mayhem they unleashed sent shock waves through the financial capital of India, and riled every Indian at home and abroad. The lives of Indians, besides citizens from 24 other nations, were in peril.

A combination of exemplary courage and sheer luck helped the police capture Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, whose questioning unravelled the involvement of ISI and the conspiracy behind the attack, which had a tremendous impact on our international image and economic activity. International tourists cancelled visits, hotels remained deserted even in peak travel season, and air travel to Mumbai slumped. India had never seen anything quite like that, which makes Ranas extradition so critical. It sends the message that India is not a weak nation. We never forget or forgive our enemies.

A lot of water has flown under the bridge between Kasabs hanging and Ranas extradition. A few weeks ago, Abdul Rehman, a key handler of these attackers and close aide of Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead in Pakistan by unknown gunmenone of many such incidents involving those who cast an evil eye on India.

Getting Rana, a Canadian citizen settled in the US, was not easy. Under US law, no foreign agency could directly move US courts to seek extradition of a US national. It has to present its case and evidence to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Our government agencies succeeded in presenting a watertight case with clinching evidence that convinced not only the FBI but top courts in the US, too. Now Indian agencies will extract important information from Rana that may help thwart future attacks on Indian soil or Indian interests globally.

Ranas extradition isnt just a success of our legal and security experts but also our diplomatic channels and their tireless efforts. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was heavily invested in the efforts to extradite Rana. On 13 February, US president Donald Trump publicly announced in the presence of Prime Minister Modi that he would extradite Rana to India.

Its clear that since Modi has assumed power, the Centre has directed much of its resources, energy, and focus on dealing with internal and external security challenges.

I had once asked Manmohan Singhhe was the prime minister of India thenwhat were the key security concerns India faced. Singh said Maoist-led left wing extremism (LWE) was one. Today Maoist-LWE is on the retreat. According to home minister Amit Shah, the most affected" Naxal districts were now restricted to just six. The Dandkaranya corridor that Maoists so assiduously created over the decades stands demolished. Last year alone security forces eliminated 290 Maoists and arrested another 1,090. Another 881 surrendered. The home minister is personally overseeing the operations and extensive efforts are on to rehabilitate surrendered Maoists.

Kashmir needs a special mention here. Bloodshed has declined significantly in the valley. When Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated, doomsayers warned the public would come out on the streets in anger and that the situation would deteriorate to the point of no return. They were proven wrong. The law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved, dealing a body blow to Pakistans plans against India and convinced the world that the picture given of Kashmir and its residents was fabricated.

Peaceful elections in these regions have again proved that in a democracy its the ballot, not the bullet that determines outcomes. From Sukma to Srinagar the message is loud and clear.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.
In 2026, India is supposed to go through a delimitation exercise to re-allocate seats in the Lok Sabha . It was originally mandated to take place every 10 years, after every census, to account for population changes arising from state-to-state differences in fertility rates and migration .

However, the political implications of delimitation are so serious that it became, like a caste census (last undertaken in 1931), the third rail of Indian politics. You touch it, you die. As a result, the delimitation exercise has not been carried out for over five decades. Now, after two generations of massive demographic changes from natural increase and migration, the associated political problems have become even more intractable.

To uphold the core democratic principle of equal representation, each seat in the Lok Sabha is constitutionally mandated to represent roughly the same number of people. Therefore, the number of Lok Sabha seats from a given state should be proportional to its population. But, as is well known, the Total Fertility Rates (TFR) in south and north Indian states have followed very different trajectories over the past half century.

A TFR of 2.1 represents replacement level fertility, meaning a population is producing just enough offspring to replace itself; neither more, nor less. All South Indian statesKerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnatakahave a TFR well below 2.1, whereas the levels are considerably higher in several large northern states like Bihar (TFR: 3) and Uttar Pradesh (TFR: 2.4).

These gaps were even larger in earlier decades. In 2001, Kerala had a TFR of 1.7, when UP had 4.4 and Bihar 4.5. In 2011 (when Indias last census was undertaken), these states had TFRs of 1.6, 3.6 and 4.2, respectively. As a result, the representation gap between the states of north and south India has been growing for decades.

Today, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Bihar represents about 3.2 million people, whereas a Kerala MP represents about 1.75 million people. One could argue that the people of Kerala have almost twice as much voice in the Lok Sabha as the people of Bihar. The obvious problemthe one that is frequently heard in the media and makes delimitation necessaryis unequal representation.

But just as important a problem may be one of amplified majoritarianism in oversized constituencies. To explain, let us begin with the question of how many people an MP should represent? Bihars average of 3.2 million is larger than the entire population of many countries: 62 of the 195 countries of the world, i.e., including Namibia, Lithuania and Qatar. Indias average of 2.6 million is larger than the entire populations of Botswana, Slovenia, Kosovo and 54 other countries.

What is the right number for adequate representation? India, with over 1.4 billion people, has 543 MPs. China, which is not a multi-party democracy, has almost 3,000 people to represent a population roughly Indias size. Each member represents less than half a million people in China (also true of Bangladesh). The next closest to Indias 2.6 million average per parliamentarian is the US at round 730,000. Australia, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Germany and many other countries are below 150,000. In the UK, Sri Lanka, Ghana and most Latin American countries, the average is below 100,000.

Also Read: Let fiscal federalism and economic freedom drive prosperity in times of a trade war

It may not be possible to settle on a perfect number for how many people a parliamentarian should represent, but this is for sure: 2.6 million is much too high. How can we expect a single person to be the voice of so many people and safeguard their interests ? This question takes on greater urgency when we consider the diversity of faith, language, caste and class in any group in India that has as many as 2.5 to 3 million people.

What can be done about this? The most obvious possibility is to increase the number of MPs. If we choose a representation density similar to the US (which is the second-densest after India), the Lok Sabha would have close to 2,000 MPs. A density similar to China would require about 3,000 MPs. Aside from the practical difficulties of seating so many people and running Parliament with some degree of civility and order, this would be quite a remarkable social and political experiment.

There is little doubt that this larger number would lead to better representation of smaller and more marginalized groupswhich would be the purpose of having smaller and more coherent constituencies. A group that comprises 20% of a 2.6 million constituency could never win.

But such a group, if geographically clustered (as minority groups often are), could be 50% of one of the three constituencies that would be created in a tripled parliament. Even if small and marginalized groups are unable to win many more seats in such a system, they would have a bigger voice and greater influence in the seats where they would now have stronger demographic presence; instead of being an ignorable 10% of a 2.6-million seat, they could be a vocal 30% of one of the seats.

Take for example the Kolkata Uttar constituency in West Bengal. It includes large clusters of Hindu Bengalis in the north and Muslim Bengalis and non-Bengali speaking migrants in its southern and eastern parts. The seat has been won by a Bengali Brahmin member of the Trinamool Congress in the last four Lok Sabha elections. If this seat were split into three, depending on how the boundaries are drawn, at least one would be won by the BJP, probably by a non-Bengali speaker.

Similar realignments would take place across the country. In many instances, a BJP seat would splinter into other parties like the Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Akali Dal and so on.

The political ramifications of such a change could be momentous. So much so that it would become yet another third rail of politics in India. For that reason, it is hard to imagine that this idea will gain traction. Therefore, the problem of overlarge constituencies that amplify majoritarianism and diminish the voices of marginalized groups will continue to remain a serious shortcoming of Indian democracy.

The author is a professor of geography, environment and urban studies and director of global studies at Temple University.
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - As Sudans devastating war enters its third year, UN rights investigators are warning that its darkest chapters may still lie ahead, following the massacre of more than 100 people at displacement camps in Darfur over the weekend
The latent centralizing tendencies of central governments keep flexing their sinews, much to the detriment of Indias organic economic growth impulses. Indias Supreme Court recently ruled that 10 bills passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly, which Governor R.N. Ravi had denied assent to and kept on hold for prolonged periods, must be deemed to have been passed. The apex court also found the governors reservation of those bills for the Presidents consideration, even after the state legislature had reaffirmed its support for them, to be illegal, erroneous in law" and thus liable to be set aside."

In a more telling commentary, the bench observed: the Governor must be conscious to not create roadblocks or chokehold the State Legislature in order to thwart and trade the will of the people for a political edge." The courts judgement, which the bench directed be despatched to all high courts and principal secretaries of governors in all states, is now likely to be used as a legal precedent.

Central governments have often used the governors office to settle political scores in opposition-ruled states. The protracted head-butting between the governors of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala and the elected assemblies of these states has been quite unseemly. Broadly speaking, such a disposition flies in the face of the Constitutions federal structure. As another example, take the central governments recent levy of a special additional excise duty on petro-products. To be paid by oil companies, it is in a category of indirect taxes that do not have to be shared with states.

Also Read: Let fiscal federalism and economic freedom drive prosperity in times of a trade war

New Delhis propensity to centralize is most noticeable in the area of fiscal federalism. Under all political dispensations, central governments have contrived to raise additional revenue without having to share it with states. The cess-and-surcharge regime has been roundly criticized by successive Finance Commissions, but has survived and thrived under all governments.

The countrys current ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had promised cooperative federalism and raised hopes when it assumed power in 2014; more than a decade later, this seems like a distant dream. Unfortunately, the slow-burn erosion of fiscal federalism has a direct adverse impact on the growth potential of the Indian economy.

Uneven gross domestic product (GDP) expansion, evident in weak job creation and shrunken real wages, has apparently forced both the Centre and states to resort to massive cash transfers, subsidies and loan write-offs.

The general elections of 2024, followed by a spate of state elections, resulted in states holding off their budgeted capital expenditure, which has a considerable multiplier effect on GDP growth.

Second, the Reserve Bank of Indias latest annual study of state finances notes that an overload of central schemes has reduced state flexibility, cramping budgetary space for state-specific spending by states.

Third, the nations changed fiscal architecture has left Indian states with very little discretion in raising revenue or planning expenditure, forcing them to over-extend themselves.

The ill effects of all this end up punishing ordinary citizens. The 15th Finance Commission, instead of fixing aberrations, erred on the side of overt centralization. Hopefully, the 16th will forsake political fidelity in favour of pragmatic federalism. The Indian economy deserves as much.
Imagine a nation suspended in twilight: not immersed in darkness, nor risen fully into daylight, but shimmering on the edge of both. Thats India today: neither a traditional power nor a passive player , neither fully aligned nor completely detached. It stands on the threshold of transformationwhat anthropologists call liminality, the space between what was and what will be.

Coined by Arnold van Gennep in 1909, liminality describes a transitional phase, or a passage between identities. India, in 2025, embodies this concept geopolitically, economically and strategically. It is both rising and restrained, global and grounded. Far from a weakness, it may be Indias most powerful asset in a fractured world.

Geopolitically, India walks a tightrope between power blocs. It is part of the Quad with the US, Japan and Australia, but buys oil from Russia. It has deep ties with the West, yet engages with China, hosting dialogues and managing crises in Ladakh. This is not confusion; it is deliberate calibration.

Indias regional role is equally nuanced. It towers over South Asia economically, with a $3.9 trillion GDP, yet remains bogged down by border tensions and neighbourhood instability. In the Indo-Pacific, it plays sentinelshadowing Chinese survey ships near the Andamans while deepening ties with Southeast Asian partners.

This liminality also lets India shape the Global Souths voice. Its push to include the African Union in the G20 in 2023 wasnt symbolic, but strategic. It signals that India sees itself not merely as an emerging power but as a bridge between the worlds divides: North and South, East and West.

Economically, Indias dualities are stark. It is home to world-class innovation as well as rural stagnation. Despite the size of its economy, its per capita GDP remains under $3,000. It exports $77.5 billion worth of goods to the US but also runs an $85 billion trade deficit with China.

Economic liminality extends to trade strategy. India exited the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in 2019 to protect local industries, its average tariffs are among the worlds highest and it courts foreign capital but restricts market access. India is neither fully open nor isolationistdeliberately so. The challenge is to lead the China plus one shift.

Strategically, India operates with power and restraint. Its defence budget exceeds $78 billion. Its modernizing its navy, co-developing jet engines with the US, and maintaining military ties with Russia. Yet, it projects no doctrine of dominance and avoids entangling alliances. Its doctrine is pragmatic autonomy. In 2018, it bought Russias S-400 missile system despite US objections. It is ready to build a stable relationship with China, based on mutual respect and sensitivity. It builds capacity without overreach.

In the Indian Ocean region, India has increased strategic aid; $4 billion to Sri Lanka in 2022, expanded trade with Bangladesh and infrastructure diplomacy in the Maldives were efforts to balance Chinas Belt and Road push. Indias Indo-Pacific role encapsulates this liminal posture. Its both a core security actor and a regional power. It commands sea lanes near Malacca but remains constrained by continental frictions. Its power lies in being flexible, not rigid.

This balance between independence and engagement is often mistaken for hesitation. But it is, in fact, a strategy. Strategic autonomy is Indias chosen patha policy rooted in its Cold War non-alignment and reinvented for a multipolar 21st century.

Liminality and strategic autonomy are not the same. Liminality is a conditionan in-between status shaped by history, geography and economic scale. Strategic autonomy is a choicea decision to remain unbound by rigid alliances. Together, they enable India to act with agility. Liminality provides space; autonomy enables intent. One is structural; the other is behavioural.

In a Trump 2.0 era, as US-China rivalry hardens and multilateral forums weaken, Indias middle position gains value. It speaks to all, submits to none. It hosts Quad summits without joining Nato-style coalitions. It buys oil from Moscow and semiconductors from Washington.

The Brics expansion in 2024 further showcased this. India stayed in a bloc now joined by Iran and the UAE, while leading G20 diplomacy with African and Latin American partners. It doesnt see a contradiction between the two.

What does this mean for Indias future? By 2040, it may well be a $10 trillion economy, with at least three aircraft carriers and a UN Security Council seat, speaking for the Global South. Its twilight will yield to daylight, but its threshold identity will remain. The next phase will demand even sharper choices. Will India accept foreign military bases? Will it join trade blocs or rewrite them? Can it sustain strategic autonomy while scaling its economy and military muscle? These are not questions of capacity, but of will.

India may not remain liminal forever. But even as it matures into a leading power, its dual natureits ability to operate across binarieswill endure. That is its unique contribution to the world order: a model of fluid power, rooted in principle but open in posture. The West had its moment of ascent in the 19th century; China has had its surge in the 21st. Indias rise will look differentnot as an exporter of ideology, but a country that shapes the world by straddling divides. Its liminality is not a phase. Its a force.

Adapted from a lecture delivered recently at National University of Singapore.

The author is a former Indian Foreign Secretary and former Indian Ambassador to Washington and Beijing.
President Trump is taking exception to the idea that his Administration is offering exceptions to his punishing tariffs. Thats the story after a confusing weekend that offers more lessons in the arbitrary nature of Trump trade policy.

Late Friday his own Customs and Border Protection (CBP) department issued a notice listing products that will be exempt from Mr. Trumps so-called reciprocal tariffs that can run as high as 145% on goods from China. The exclusions apply to smartphones, laptop computers, hard drives, computer processors, servers, memory chips, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and other electronics.

The CBP notice takes the tariff rate on these products down considerably. Barrons calculates that the exceptions cover $385 billion in 2024 imports. That includes $100 billion from China, or 23% of U.S. imports from that country. The tariff rate falls to 20% on the newly exempted Chinese exports.

The press spent Saturday reporting this without cavil from the White House. We weighed in with a WSJ.com editorial on Saturday afternoon, noting that this meant a big reprieve for powerful tech companies, though not for small manufacturers.

But on Sunday morning Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on electronic goods would go up again in the future, though he offered no details. Mr. Lutnick hasnt been the most reliable voice on the Administrations plans, so that was taken with some caution.

Finally Mr. Trump jumped in late Sunday afternoon. NOBODY is getting off the hook for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers, that other Countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst!" he wrote. There was no Tariff exception announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff bucket."

Mr. Trump blamed the press for reporting the exceptions that his own CBP had announced, albeit in stealth fashion at 10:36 p.m. Friday. And he announced that his Administration is taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN" for potential tariffs.

So what happened and whats the real policy? Who knows? Perhaps Mr. Trump didnt like the reporting that tech giants like Apple and its shrewd and capable CEO Tim Cook were getting exceptions. Other winners in the CBP notice would be Dell Technologies Michael Dell, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, and the executives and shareholders of Hewlett-Packard and TSMC.

This is no rap on them, since their job is to look out for the best interests of shareholders and that means getting tariff carve-outs if they can. Some of the companies may not have sought exemptions, though the opacity of the process for getting one is the Beltway Swamps dream.

These CBP exemptions would be good news for consumers who were otherwise facing much higher prices for smartphones that are a staple of modern life. How would you like a $2,400 iPhone? But after Mr. Trumps broadside, tech companies and electronics firms are left wondering who will get reprieves.

Perhaps Mr. Trump doesnt like that exceptions are a tacit admission that tariffs will make American companies less globally competitive, especially in the artificial intelligence race. That explains the exemptions for ASMLs chip-making equipment and Nvidias graphic processing units. Mr. Trump first makes U.S. companies less competitive, then he and his Administration pick exceptions worthy of help to remain competitive. Politicians, not success in the marketplace, pick business winners and losers.

Exemptions would also undermine the Administrations legal justification that his tariffs are needed to meet a national emergency." Imports of glassware and umbrellas from China are an emergency but imports of electronics arent?

All of this exposes the political nature of tariffs. Some industries benefit but others dont. Too bad if you make shoes, or clothing, or thousands of other consumer products that must pay the tariffs but lack the political or market clout to win exemptions. Too bad, too, if youre a small manufacturer that relies on a component from China but cant afford a K Street lobbyist.

Welcome to the new tariff economy, where you still pay onerous taxes, endure punishing regulation, and now must also navigate the political minefield of arbitrary tariffs.
Anna Lezhneva, wife of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, visited the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala on Monday and offered prayers.

Anna chose to undergo tonsure as a personal act of devotion and gratitude to Lord Venkateswara, following what she described as her sons miraculous recovery. Seven-year-old Mark Shankar Pawanovich had been injured in a tragic fire incident at a summer camp in Singaporea moment that deeply shook both the family and the wider community, news agency ANI reported.

The temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is one of Indias most revered and frequently visited pilgrimage sites.

Watch the video here:

Meanwhile, veteran actor Chiranjeevi recently shared an emotional update, expressing his gratitude after a difficult time for his family. Referring to a recent incident, he said that divine intervention helped save young Mark Shankar from serious danger and potential tragedy. Though Mark has now returned home, Chiranjeevi noted that he still needs time to recover fully.

He went on to acknowledge the overwhelming support the family received, with people offering prayers, blessings, and heartfelt wishes for Marks recovery. Speaking on behalf of himself, his younger brother Pawan Kalyan, and their entire family, Chiranjeevi sincerely thanked everyone who stood by them and sent strength through their love and encouragement.

According to an official release, Naidu has instructed officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to ensure a 100 per cent improvement in the services and facilities provided to pilgrims visiting the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala.

During a comprehensive review held at the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister evaluated the current status of pilgrim services and the measures in place to handle the surge in footfall. He asserted that the state government's reputation is closely linked to the quality of services offered at the world-famous temple.

The release further mentioned that the meeting also discussed in detail the measures to be initiated to meet the increasing number of devotees. The opinions gathered from the pilgrims regarding darshans and the facilities, along with other services provided on the Hills.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support from everyone during this difficult time.
Former Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) chief Pashupati Kumar Paras officially announced his partys exit from the BJP-JD(U) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections. He alleged that the BJP-led coalition had consistently sidelined and disrespected the RLJP due to its Dalit-centric focus.

I was with the NDA from 2014 till date. We were loyal allies of the NDA. You must have seen that when Lok Sabha elections were held, people of NDA did injustice to our party, as it is a Dalit party. Still, in the national interest, our party decided to support NDA in the elections, ANI quoted Pashupati Kumar Paras as saying.

Paras made the declaration at a function organised in Bihar on the occasion of BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary, on Monday, April 14.

The RJLP chief had resigned from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet after his party was denied any seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Bihar wants to elect a new govt Speaking at the RLJP function, Pashupati Kumar Paras  a former minister in the Nitish Kumar government  also launched a sharp attack on the JD(U) chief, accusing him of being "anti-Dalit."

As per PTI, Paras also claimed that after touring 22 out of Bihars 38 districts, he sensed a strong public desire for change, stating, Bihar wants to elect a new government.

Also Read | Will AIADMK join the NDA again? Speculation rife as EPS flies to Delhi

The RJLP head also raised a demand for conferring Bharat Ratna on Ram Vilas Paswan, calling him the "second Ambedkar".

RJLP's formation The Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) was formed in 2021 following a split in the Lok Janshakti Party, which was originally founded by Pashupati Kumar Parass late brother, Ram Vilas Paswan.

Paras stepped down from his Union Cabinet position in 2024 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, after his estranged nephew Chirag Paswans faction  the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)  was allotted five seats to contest as part of the NDA alliance.
Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Monday condemned Trinamool Congress MP Bapi Halder over his threat to gouge out eyes and break hands during a public meeting in South 24 Parganas.

Majumdar further questions what action the state police had taken against the MP.

Majumdar also aimed at the protesters in Murshidabad, labeling them as fanatical, fundamentalist jihadi groups and accusing them of protesting under the pretense of opposing the Waqf Amendment Act.

In a post on X, Majumdar wrote, The fanatical, fundamentalist jihadi groups who, under the pretense of protesting against the Waqf Amendment Act, are continuously attempting to erase the existence of Hindus and are even throwing petrol bombs at the @BSF_India jawanswho is directly supporting them? This @AITCofficial. MP is making it absolutely clear!

He noted, Bapi Halder, the Trinamool MP from Mathurapur constituency, has issued a terrifying threat  to gouge out eyes and break limbs! What action has the crippled, cowardly @WBPolice taken against this individual for directly inciting brutal torture and violence against the helpless, innocent Hindus of Murshidabad by these fundamentalists?

Majumdar added that the innocent Hindus of Bengal know the entire truth. Stop throwing stones in secret and openly admit, Honorable failed Chief Minister @MamataOfficial , that the full responsibility for this barbarism lies with you and your incompetent administration!

Here's what Bapi Halder said Halder allegedly threatened to gouge out the eyes and break the limbs of those trying to capture Waqf properties, PTI reported.

Till the time CM Mamata Banerjee is there, the responsibility of your ancestral assets is as much ours as much it is yours... it is not anyone's father's property, Halder said, adding, If someone dares to eye Waqf properties, gouge out their eyes, and break their hands.

Who is Bapi Haldar? Bapi Haldar is a TMC MP from Mathurapur (SC), West Bengal

Bapi Haldar, a 37-year-old businessman, is contesting the upcoming elections from Mathurapur (SC) constituency in West Bengal as a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). He holds a graduate degree and is actively involved in public and political affairs in the region.

As per his latest election disclosures, one criminal case is registered against him. Additionally, he has declared liabilities amounting to 58,849.

Murshidabad violence Violence erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, where several vehicles  including police vans  were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces and shops, and police kiosks were torched during a large-scale rampage, PTI reported.

In the wake of the communal unrest, hundreds of affected residents have fled the area, crossing the Bhagirathi River and seeking refuge in neighbouring Malda district, according to officials.

If someone dares to eye Waqf properties, gouge out their eyes, and break their hands.

The local administration has stepped in to assist the displaced, arranging shelter in schools and providing food and essential aid. Volunteers have also been stationed at the riverbank to help incoming families arriving by boat. The situation remains tense, with security forces on alert.
New Delhi [India], April 14 (ANI): In a move to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all streams of technical education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has established a committee to explore the lateral expansion of AI and applied AI beyond conventional programmes like BTech in Computer Science.

AICTE chairman Prof TG Sitharam informed that the committee is chaired by Anand Deshpande, Managing Director of Persistent Systems, and comprises experts from IITs, NITs, and other premier institutions specializing in AI.

"We are putting one more committee to introduce AI laterally across the programmes, especially Applied AI. The committee is chaired by Anand Deshpande... There are experts from IIT and NIT who also work in AI. We wanted them to advise how we can spread AI laterally, spread the curriculum in all streams," Sitharam said.

As part of this initiative, AICTE has introduced AI in programs like BBA, BCA, and electrical engineering. The Chairman emphasized, "Everybody should understand Artificial Intelligence and data analytics. We have made a new curriculum for BBA and BCA. We have introduced AI in electrical engineering."

AICTE is a national-level body responsible for accrediting and regulatory technical education in India.

The Chairman noted that faculty training has been prioritised to ensure effective teaching of AI.

"Our teachers should be trained... because one is AI teaching itself, and another is what is going to change--for example, students will submit assignments. How do you change the question so that they don't simply copy it? They will utilize AI as a tool," he said.

Declaring 2025 as the 'Year of Artificial Intelligence, ' AICTE has launched several initiatives to promote AI in education. According to reports, the initiative aims to integrate AI across 14,000 colleges and empower 40 million students. Key elements include AI awareness campaigns, faculty development, and partnerships with leading tech companies.
On 18 December 2023  about four months before the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections  Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a real-time artificial intelligence-based toolBhashiniduring his address at Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi - his parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Modi referred to the technology a new beginning in simplifying his communication with the public. Bhashini was tailored to serve the Tamil-speaking audience specifically during the event in Varanasi. It operates as an AI-driven language translation system facilitating conversations among individuals speaking different Indian languages.

Also Read | Swiped right on perfection? Maybe AI wrote their profile

Artificial Intelligence (AI) helped political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, navigate Indias 22 official languages and thousands of regional dialects in the run-up to the 2024 general elections, according to Global Elections & AI Tracker & Policy Paper launched in the national capital this past weekend. Global think tank - Future Shift Labs  created and manages the tracker.

50 million Robocalls The AI was used to create funny or misleading images and videos targeting opponents, boost politicians images, bring back popular figures to support one party, and spread false stories about rivals during political campaigning.

In fact, in the two months leading up to the general elections held in April-June 2024, over 50 million robocalls were made using this AI technology, the policy paper titled The Pervasive Influence of AI on Global Political Campaigns in 2024 said.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) helped political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, navigate Indias 22 official languages and thousands of regional dialects in the run-up to the 2024 general elections, according to Global Elections & AI Tracker & Policy Paper launched in the national capital this past weekend.

The numbers have been sourced from a story in Wired, a bi-monthly American magazine. More than 50 million AI-generated voice clone calls were made in the two months leading up to the start of the elections in Apriland millions more will be made during voting, one of the countrys largest business messaging operators told WIRED.

The policy paper's three authors are Alisha Butala, a policy analyst from Future Shift Labs; Christopher Nehring, director of intelligence at the Cyber Intelligence Institute in Frankfurt, Germany; and Mateusz abuz,a researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg.

Robocalls are automated phone calls that deliver pre-recorded messages to many people. In February last year, months before the US Elections (November 2024), the President Joe Biden-led US administration banned AI-generated robocalls amid a rise in invoice cloning incidents that have scammed thousands of citizens in the country.

BJP MP from Deoria, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Sagar Vishnoi, co-founder of Future Shift Labs at the launch of the policy paper and tracker in New Delhi on April 12

In India too, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Government of India's regulatory body on telecommunication, escalated its campaign against spam and robocalls by instructing all telecom companies to report data on unregistered telemarketers based on consumer complaints from April to June -2-24, according to a report by The Economic Times.

The AI meter displayed on the tracker represents the level of AI involvement in the electoral process of India and other countries. It is determined based on factors such as AI-driven political campaigns, misinformation detection, deepfake influence, regulatory measures, and overall digital integration in elections. A higher percentage indicates a greater role of AI in shaping election-related activities, from voter outreach to security measures.

'Rahul Gandhi Swearing as PM' The tracker lists AI instances in political campaigning, including BJP functionaries sharing AI-generated audio and images of Arvind Kejriwal singing in jail. Kejriwal was in jail before the Lok Sabha elections in connection with the Delhi Liquor Scam.

It also lists the instances in which AI was used to resurrect dead Indian politicians, including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, one of Indias longest-serving legislators who helmed the state of Tamil Nadu for nearly two decades. Karunanidhi died in 2018.

In another incident, an AI-generated voice clone of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is viral on the internet, where he can be heard swearing in as the Prime Minister of India.

Meme Culture One major trend observable in India is using AI in meme culture. People will likely use AI to create and share satirical images and videos. Memes can spread messages, including misinformation, and make extreme behaviours seem normal through humour. Incorporating AI helps create eye-catching content to engage voters and stay aligned with evolving social media trends. These trends also refer to the official campaigns conducted by political parties, which gradually enhances the aggressivity of messaging, the paper reads.

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 were held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The result was declared on June 4.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third consecutive term after the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Modi became the second prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to come to power in India for three straight terms.

The paper, based on a conversation with an expert, highlighted various ways in which AI has been employed to address the distinct needs of the Indian electorate. One prominent example was the use of personalized video messaging. Given Indias vast array of constituencies, each with its own unique local issues, AI was harnessed to create targeted messages that specifically addressed these concerns.

The paper said this allowed candidates to directly engage with voters by focusing on topics that were most relevant to their region, making the campaign messages more engaging and impactful.

The report says that political parties use AI to create fake audio, propaganda images, and parodies.

AI has transformed the political landscape, enabling unprecedented voter engagement but also raising concerns about misinformation.
ChatGPT's new image generator has been the talk of the town for a few weeks now, with the new tool being able to generate more nuanced and accurate images.

While ChatGPT's new capabilities have been most famously used to light up the Ghibli-style image trend on social media, there has also been a sudden spike in concerns about the chatbot's copyright infringement, with critics complaining that OpenAI's tool is simply ripping off the original artists.

Also Read | How to create personalized AI action figures using ChatGPT memory update?

When asked by TED director Chris Anderson if ChatGPT was committing IP theft, Altman said, I think the creative spirit of humanity is an incredibly important thing, and we want to build tools that lift that up, that make it so that new people can create better art, better content, write better novels that we all enjoy. I believe very deeply that humans will be at the center of that.

Sam Altman hints at new revenue model for artists Altman also hinted at the possibility of creating a new model that could pass some of the revenue earned by ChatGPT to the creatives.

I also believe that we probably do need to figure out some sort of new model around the economics of creative output. People have been building on the creativity of others for a long time. People take inspiration for a long time. But as the access to creativity gets incredibly democratized, and people are building off of each other's ideas all the time. I think there are incredible new business models that we and others are excited to explore. Exactly what that's gonna look like, I'm not sure, Altman added.
The gold dome of the Georgia Capitol gleams in the sun in front of the downtown Atlanta skyline.
Daily 8am, April 10, 2025

This article was written by Behnia for Hasht-e Subh Daily and published on March 27, 2025. An edited version of the article is published on Global Voices under a media partnership agreement.

Following the Talibans imposition of restrictions on womens education, academic pursuits, and employment, many women and girls have turned to various addictive substances in Afghanistan. Hasht-e Subh Dailys investigative report revealed that girls and women use tobacco products as well as sedative and anti-anxiety medications to escape psychological pressures, mental strain, and depression.

The report includes interviews with 30 individuals  girls denied education, women who experienced Taliban imprisonment, and women living in exile. Findings were collected over the past six months in the provinces of Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Takhar, Jawzjan, Ghazni, and Sar-e Pul.

Several psychologists, doctors, and pharmacy owners reported that over the past year, they have seen a significant number of young women and teenage girls turn to cigarettes, synthetic drugs, pain relief and anti-depressant medication due to severe depression. According to these sources, over the past year, up to 500 young women and girls have sought treatment, using these drugs to alleviate depression, severe headaches, and loneliness and to prevent self-harm.

Psychologists perspectives on the rising addiction

A psychologist from the Kabul Mental Health Hospital reports that over the past year, more than 100 girls from Kabul and other provinces have visited the facility due to severe depression. In the past month alone, two cases of Tablet K, a methamphetamine type, use were recorded. The psychologist explained in the interview with Hasht-e Subh Daily: Two female clients, aged 22 and 19, felt that all doors were closed to them and were using Tablet K to reduce psychological and mental pressures.

The psychologist adds that the mental and emotional state of girls is deteriorating daily, and the primary reasons for tobacco use among young women and teenage girls are the closure of educational opportunities and their inability to achieve their aspirations.



From a hill in Ghazni, a girl gazes at a distant school, closed by the Taliban, a symbol of the lost dreams driving her depression and drug use. Photo by Hasht-e Subh Daily. Used with permission. From a hill in Ghazni, a girl gazes at a distant school, closed by the Taliban, a symbol of the lost dreams driving her depression and drug use. Photo by Hasht-e Subh Daily. Used with permission.

A psychologist from the northwestern Balkh province, working at a mental health center in the province, says that, in addition to his work at the center, he collaborates with organizations and personally assists girls and women denied education and employment who suffer from severe depression. Over the past year, he has had more than 130 women clients at his private practice. He notes that some of these clients have turned to cigarettes due to the Talibans restrictions on women.

Why have students turned to cigarettes and drugs

Several women students and university attendees say that the psychological and emotional pressures resulting from being denied education, combined with pressures exerted by their families, have driven them to use cigarettes. They report that without smoking, they experience severe headaches, loneliness, and a sense of suffocation, leading to feelings of hopelessness about continuing their lives.

Nilab (pseudonym), a tenth-grade student, is under strain due to being barred from education and familial pressures, which have led to severe depression. Coupled with excessive worrying about her bleak future, it has caused her intense headaches. She initially turned to sleeping pills and sedatives and now also uses cigarettes.

She adds that four of her friends are in a similar situation and also smoke secretly from their families.



In Herat, a girl gazes out a window, yearning for freedom as Taliban restrictions fuel her depression and reliance on sedatives. Photo by Hasht-e Subh Daily. Used with permission. In Herat, a girl gazes out a window, yearning for freedom as Taliban restrictions fuel her depression and reliance on sedatives. Photo by Hasht-e Subh Daily. Used with permission.

The reports findings indicate that tobacco use is most prevalent among young women and teenage girls aged 18 to 25.

Pain relief and anti-depressant drugs such as Tramadol, Zeegap, Zoloft, Prolexa, Sanflex, Zing, Arnil, Amitriptyline, Brufen, Paracetamol, and sedative injections are also widely used. Over the past three years, the use of these drugs has led many girls to become addicted, consuming them one to four times a day.

Addiction among women who experienced imprisonment

The experience of Taliban imprisonment is a significant factor in womens addiction to tobacco. The psychological and emotional pressures that women carry into exile after enduring Taliban prisons have led them to use not only sedatives prescribed by psychiatrists but also various tobacco products, such as cigarettes and electronic hookahs.

A woman who imprisoned by the Taliban and now lives in Pakistan says that many women with similar experiences have suffered severe psychological and emotional damage, resorting to cigarettes and electronic hookahs to manage their mental strain. The use of these tobacco products among such women is extensive, and according to her, some consume an entire pack of cigarettes in a single day.

She believes that, while tobacco use does not cure any pain, women feel compelled to use it to escape the intensity of their psychological pressures.

Self-medication, high costs, and access to drugs

Drug use among girls and women occurs in two distinct ways. Some, with access to psychologists, consult neurologists or psychiatrists and use prescribed sedatives, anti-stress, anti-anxiety, and sleeping medications as part of treatment.

Although prolonged use of these drugs is not recommended by psychiatrists, many girls, drawn by their immediate effects, stop seeing their doctors and start obtaining drugs from pharmacies on their own. Most women and girls, particularly in Kabul and in exile, continue using these drugs even after their prescribed treatment ends.

However, the majority of girls and women say they use painkillers, sedatives, and antidepressants without consulting a psychologist or psychiatrist. Paracetamol and ibuprofen, which are inexpensive and easily available at pharmacies, are widely used by girls.

This is especially common in provinces with limited access to psychiatrists and pharmacies. Mahdia from the southeastern Ghazni province, for instance, obtains these drugs after a three-hour walk to a local pharmacy, and takes them for severe headaches  she has never seen a psychiatrist. Fatima from the northeastern Takhar province also gets painkillers and antidepressants free of charge from her provinces local hospital.

Razia, a Kabul resident, says she pays AFN 1,500 (USD 21) for one of her drugs, equivalent to the cost of a sack of flour for her family. If she were to buy all her medications, it would cost AFN 4,000 (USD 56) per month. Maryam, a student from Kabul, adds that she spends between AFN 400 and 800 (USD 612) monthly on her drugs  a steep price she must bear despite her dire economic situation.

The rising drug and medication addiction among women and girls in Afghanistan is one of the many inadvertent destructive effects of the Talibans restrictive policies. With more time and additional research, other negative social and economic implications of the mistreatment of women in Afghanistan will be revealed.
A new amendment that essentially bans the sale of THCA could have tragic effects for local businesses. Tennessee lawmakers passed the bill Wednesday in attempts to regulate the hemp industry.

Business owners say the degree by which they're affected will vary, but the message is the same: if the amendment is signed into law, stores will be affected, and the law could pose risks to consumers.

UPDATE: TN House & Senate pass bill banning the sale of THCA Now that the bill has passed in the Senate, the remaining step is for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to sign in into law.

The new amendment would prevent the sale of hemp that contains a THC content higher than .3%, which includes the cannabis precursor, better known as THCA. THCA is found in a majority of hemp-derived products, so if the amendment is signed into law, local businesses would take a major hit.

"I have four display cases in my store, and three of the four display cases would have to be emptied, Hunter Mullis, owner of City Smokes, says.

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.

Hemp business owners like Mullis say the amendment creates an incentive to sell hemp products that are lower in quality and more dangerous.

"They made a rash vote, and now they can't get the natural form. They can only get the lab-made stuff and extract it. That's way more harmful, Mullis says.

For City Smokes, a family-owned business, he says the amendment is especially unsettling for them, because in their year of operation, they've worked hard to provide customers with the safest options on the market.

We spend a lot of money on quality products, so every week, I'm spending tens of thousands of dollars on high-quality products: the best brands, name-brand stuff, Mullis says.

He says word of the proposed amendment has traveled and sparked concern for customers.

"Even today, I've had three people come in, worried about what's going on, and I've explained what I've explained to youit's up in the air right now, and we'll continue to take care of them as much as we can until we cant, he says.

City Smokes, alongside other local businesses and statewide organizations, have been pushing back against the regulations and say they won't back down.

"It's not the end of the world. It sucks, but we're not going to stop fighting for it, Mullis says. We'll risk it every day until we have to, and until they come knocking, we're [going to keep] going."

The amendment is now awaiting the Senate's decision.
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: The family of Christopher Wright released a statement after a jury reached two guilty verdicts for Darryl Roberts, the man charged with killing Wright on Market St. in 2023.

"We are deeply grateful to the Hamilton County District Attorneys Office for their unwavering dedication to justice. We especially want to thank Coty Wamp, Paul Moyle, Andrew Coyle, and their entire team for the outstanding work they did in prosecuting his murderer. Throughout this difficult journey, they showed us great compassion and ensured we were informed and supported at every stage of the process.

Christopher was a kind, humble, and loving soul who lit up every room he entered. He never met a stranger. He was full of life, joy, and generosityalways ready to welcome someone new, lift others up, or share a solid handshake, winning smile, and a huge hug.

He was a devoted husband, a proud and playful father of three young children, and a cherished son, brother, and friend. His absence leaves a profound void in our lives, and he is missed every single day by all who knew and loved him.

While no verdict can bring Christopher back, we find some comfort in knowing that justice has been served. We will honor his memory by continuing to live with the same kindness and warmth he shared with the world."

Roberts was found guilty of second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Sentencing for Roberts will be held in July of 2025.

PREVIOUS STORY: The jury has reached two guilty verdicts in the trials of Darryl Roberts, convicting him of the death of 38-year-old Christopher Wright on Tuesday.

A jury found Roberts guilty of second degree murder in the death of the Baylor School alum on September 28, 2023.

Roberts shot Wright on Market Street near Patten Towers.

Roberts was originally charged with first-degree murder.

The jury chose to convict him on a lesser charge.

Roberts still faced a second verdict for the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon over the shooting of Wright.

Roberts' felony conviction was in 2009 for aggravated assault and he was given a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days.

Roberts waived his right to testify in a second trial for the firearm charge before the first verdict was read.

Following brief arguments from the prosecution and defense, Judge Boyd Patterson read instructions to the jury, which took only a few minutes to deliberate before finding Roberts guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

During closing arguments, the state spent time trying to convince the jury that the death of Chris Wright was premeditated.

For his actions to be intentional, he had to act with a desire to end Chris Wrights Life. Look at the video. Look at the intentional act of standing up, pulling his gun and raising it to someones forehead. That is proof of his desire, the state argued.

The state went on to say there is nothing else that could have happened from Roberts pointing his gun at Wrights forehead besides killing him.

Examples were presented to the jury of legally amounts to premeditation.

If you remember we talked about this with the yellow light and running threw a yellow light. You know you need to get through it, or you know you need to stop at it and then you act to press the gas down or the brake. You can reflect what happens if you press the gas down you go through the yellow light, the state argued.

The defense spent time trying to convince the jury that Roberts was on auto pilot.

You got to experience a fight or flight, something we dont do all the time. I remember going to a Halloween haunted house and somebody jumped out and thats why you go, and I punched him right in the face. I didnt think about punching him in the face, the defense argued.

The defense also argued that the worse Roberts should be charged with is voluntary manslaughter.

All voluntary manslaughter has to do is provoke a reasonable person to act in an irrational manner. It doesnt have to cause a reasonable person to kill someone. It doesnt have to be that level of complication. It just has to be the provocation that takes this case out of the cool, calm collected, coldblooded planning, the defense argued said.

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.

PREVIOUS STORY: Jury deliberations continue on Tuesday in the trial of Darryl Roberts, the man charged in the death of 38-year-old Christopher Wright.

Roberts is accused of shooting and killing Wright on Market Street near Patten Towers on September 28, 2023.

The prosecution rested its case during the third day of the trial.

The defense began calling witnesses to the stand on the fourth day, including Roberts who admitted to shooting Wright during his testimony.

Closing arguments were given on Monday, after Judge Boyd Patterson read instructions to the jury.

We have a crew at the courthouse waiting for the jury to come back with its decision.

Stay with Local 3 News for continuing coverage of this story.

PREVIOUS STORY: The fate of Darryl Roberts, the man who is charged with murder in the death of a Baylor School graduate, is now in the hands of a jury on Monday.

Roberts is charged in the death of 38-year-old Christopher Wright on September 28, 2023.

Monday is the fifth day of the trial.

The state rested its case on day three and the defense began its case on Thursday with Roberts taking the stand in his own trial.

During Roberts' testimony, he admitted to shooting Wright after sharing his account of what led to the incident that night.

Roberts said he became angry with himself after realizing what he'd done.

The defense rested its case on Monday morning and now the fate of Roberts will be in the hands of the jury.

Judge Boyd Patterson read instructions for the jurors before closing arguments from the prosecution and defense.

Roberts is charged with first-degree murder.

We have a crew in the courtroom to bring you the latest.

Stay with Local 3 News for continuing coverage of this story.

PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of shooting and killing a Baylor School alum on Market Street in 2023, gave his account of what happened when he took the stand during the fourth day of his own trial on Thursday.

Roberts is accused of killing Christopher Wright on September 28, 2023 near Patten Towers in downtown Chattanooga.

The trial began on Monday, April 14 after a second jury was chosen.

On Wednesday, the state rested its case and the defense presented its case, calling witnesses to the stand, including the suspect at the center of the trial.

The first witness for the defense was James King, a homicide detective with the Chattanooga Police Department who led the investigation of the case.

The defense asked Detective King if the District Attorney's Office either told or asked if there was video with audio of Wright's murder and King responded that he hadnt heard about it.

After talking to Britton Hall-Brantley, Wright's best friend, King began searching for more cameras in the area to track the victim's activity and find video with audio.

He was unable to find any video with sound that was close enough to crime scene.

During the investigation, King spoke with the manager at Jack Browns about the incident to learn about the victim's behavior prior to the shooting.

King also gathered video to see which bartender was working and if anyone else was with Wright that night.

At one point during court, members of the jury were asked to leave before Detective King was shown a picture of himself along with other officials and Governor Bill Lee that was taken after Tennessee lawmakers passed the Chris Wright Crime Bill Act.

King was asked if the power of the governor could make him alter his investigation and he said no.

Also on day four, Roberts himself took the stand to testify in his own trial.

At one point, Roberts admitted to shooting Wright.

Roberts said Wright walked up and called him and another man a racial slur.

Roberts said he repeatedly told Wright to keep walking but said Wright wouldn't leave.

He claimed Wright said how much he didn't like Roberts and that he was a piece of crap.

Roberts attorney asked, "What caused you to stand up?

Because I told him again 'man get up the street' and I was like 'get yourself up the street' and then he turned around and said come say it to his face, boy, Roberts replied on the stand. "He said 'come say it to my face, boy. I bet you won't say it to my face, boy."

Roberts said he then walked up and shot Wright once in the head.

After shooting Wright, Roberts said he remembered thinking, I did not just do that.

He said he thought it was a dream and was angry with himself.

Stay with Local 3 News for continuing coverage of this story.

PREVIOUS STORY: Day three of the murder trial for the man accused of killing a Baylor School alum on Market St. in 2023 ended after less than an hour.

The state's final witness took the stand Wednesday morning. The state then rested. Day four of the trial will continue on Thursday and witnesses from the defense side will take the stand.

Witness 10, Dylan Padgett of Ooltewah, was the final witness before the state rested.

Padgett was with Julia Friedman at Pickle Barrel, which is across the street from Patten Towers the night of the murder.

Friedman was the first witness that the state brought to the stand for this trial.

The first thing I noticed was a couple sitting near us, the gentlemen with his back towards the street immediately got up and got the woman he was with and started making their way to the door, Padgett said.

Padgett then looked around and down to the street and that when he saw Darryl Roberts standing over Chris Wright.

I recall in the seconds I looked around that he had glanced up to where we were sitting, Padgett said.

That is when Padgett headed for safety.

By the time attention back to my family, everyone was up and moving and Julia was saying that we needed to get inside. And we went to the second floor and sat under the table and chairs with the rest of the guest, Padgett said.

Medical Examiner Dr. Steven Cogswell, who testified on Tuesday, took the stand again.

When he was asked if Wright had a chance to survive the shooting, Cogswell's answer was simply, no.

Darryl Roberts is charged in the fatal shooting of Christopher Wright near Patten Towers in downtown Chattanooga on September 28, 2023.

Witnesses for the defense will take the stand on Thursday.

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.

PREVIOUS STORY: The trial for the man accused of killing a Baylor School graduate in September of 2023 entered its second day on Tuesday.

Darryl Roberts is charged in the fatal shooting of Christopher Wright near Patten Towers in downtown Chattanooga on September 28, 2023.

Surveillance video shows Wright talking with Roberts outside Patten Towers on the night of the incident.

Wright can be seen walking away but appeared to still be talking to Roberts.

Police say that's when Roberts walked up and shot Wright at point blank range.

Roberts' trial was originally supposed to begin on April 1; however, after a jury was selected the morning of April 2, they were dismissed by Judge Boyd Patterson.

Judge Patterson said the original jurors were dismissed because something was said in the courtroom that they were not supposed to hear.

A second jury was chosen on Monday, April 14, with opening arguments running until the evening.

Before breaking for lunch, a witness testified to hearing the gunshot the night of the incident.

The witness was celebrating her father's birthday at Pickle Barrel when she said she heard a gunshot and then saw Roberts slowly walking away from the scene where another man was lying on the sidewalk.

Neil Nappi, who works for Reliance Security, the company that maintains surveillance at Patten Towers, was the second witness to take the stand.

Nappi testifies as video of the incident is shown in court.

In the video, you can see Roberts getting on an elevator in Patten Towers to go outside, where he sat down and interacted with a few who were around him.

The video then shows Wright walk by Roberts before back tracks and starts talking to Roberts.

The two have a brief conversation and then the shooting happens.

Roberts goes back inside Patten Towers, gets on the elevator, and punches the wall as he circles appearing frustrated.

Later, the video shows a woman leaving Patten Towers with a yellow bag and what appears to be Roberts' clothing, but it is hard to make out.

Roberts then comes back out of the apartment wearing different clothes and appeared to have the gun in his shorts.

Chattanooga Police Department Detective Alvin Abbett is the third witness to take the stand after court resumes from a lunch break at around 1:15pm.

Detective Abbett responded to scene shortly after midnight, where he recalled seeing the victim with a bullet wound to the forehead.

Abbett said he was given a picture of Roberts to use for a description of the suspect who had the nickname Too Tall.

The detective said when he went to Roberts apartment, no one was home at the time.

Detective Abbett said two women were later seen leaving the apartment by police.

He said one of the women was the one seen in the surveillance video with the yellow bag that appeared to have Roberts' clothes in it.

The video shows the woman with the bag while taking the elevator from the sixth floor, where Roberts apartment is located, to the third floor.

That same woman was later seen getting back on the elevator from the third floor without the bag.

Detective Abbett said the womans apartment was never checked, because there was no reason to at the time since no one knew about the bag.

Detective Abbett said the clothes Roberts was wearing at the time of the incident and the gun were not found when the suspects apartment was searched.

Abbett was asked if any racial slurs were used that night in relation to the motive for the shooting. He replied that he was never made aware of any being used.

We have a crew in the courtroom to bring you the latest.

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.

PREVIOUS STORY: A new jury has been selected in the murder trial of Darryl Roberts on Monday, April 14.

The new jury comes after the first jury was dismissed in early April for hearing information they were not supposed to hear.

Chattanooga police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright, a Baylor alum, husband, and father, on Sept. 28, 2023, near Patten Towers.

This is a developing story. Stay with Local 3 News for the most reliable updates.

Chattanooga attorney explains why a jury may be invalidated during a trial In the jury selection process for the Daryl Roberts murder trial, the jury was invalidated rather than a mistrial because they had not been sworn in.

PREVIOUS STORY: The jury selected to serve on the murder trial of Darryl Roberts has been dismissed and a new jury will have to be reselected on April 14.

A Local 3 News crew in the courtroom say the jury was dismissed after they heard a piece of information during the trial they were not supposed to hear.

PREVIOUS STORY: The jury to serve on the murder trial of Darryl Roberts has been selected as of 11:00am on Wednesday, the second day of the trial.

Roberts faces a first degree murder charge in connection to the fatal shooting of a Chattanooga man near Patten Towers in Sept. 2023.

Court records show there will also be a motion hearing regarding the state's effort to exclude an expert testimony and report from Dr. Kimberly Brown.

Chattanooga police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright, a Baylor alum, husband, and father, on Sept. 28, 2023, near Patten Towers.

PREVIOUS STORY: The murder trial for a Chattanooga man begins on Tuesday, April 1.

Darryl Roberts is accused of fatally shooting Baylor School grad and father Christopher Wright near Patten Towers on September 28, 2023.

The court will begin Tuesday with the selection of a jury.

Court records show there will also be a motion hearing regarding the state's effort to exclude an expert testimony and report from Dr. Kimberly Brown.

PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of shooting a Chattanooga businessman last fall appeared in court on Wednesday.

Darryl Roberts is accused of shooting and killing Christopher Wright on Market Street in September 2023.

A judge set his next court date for June 4.

Roberts remains in the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center on a $5 million bond.

PREVIOUS STORY: A trail date has been set for the man who is accused of shooting and killing a Baylor School graduate on Market Street in September of 2023.

According to the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk's Office, the trial for 57-year-old Darryl Roberts has been scheduled for March 28.

Newly proposed bill cracking down on repeat criminal offenders Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson and Representative Patsy Hazlewood introduced the law to crack down on repeated criminal offenders, making sure they don't walk away with just a slap on the wrist.

Roberts is charged with First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright near Patten Towers on September 28.

Roberts is being held at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center on a $5-million bond.

PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of shooting and killing another man on Market Street in September has been indicted by the Hamilton County grand jury.

Daryl Roberts is charged with First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Police say Roberts shot and killed Christopher Wright near Patten Towers on September 28.

His arraignment hearing will be on January 5.

PREVIOUS STORY: The case against the man charged in a deadly shooting on Market Street last month has been sent to a grand jury on Monday.

According to the Hamilton County General Sessions Court Clerk, the case against 57-year-old Darryl Roberts was bound over to a grand jury during a court appearance on Monday morning.

Roberts is accused of shooting and killing 38-year-old Chris Wright on Market Street on September 28.

Roberts was arrested on September 29 and charged with first degree murder.

He is being held at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center on a $5-million bond.

Stay with the Local 3 News app for updates to this developing story.

PREVIOUS STORY: The man accused of a murder on Market Street last week appeared in court on Monday morning.

Police say 57-year-old Darryl Roberts is accused of shooting and killing 38-year-old Chris Wright on Thursday night during an argument.

Roberts was arrested on Friday and charged with first degree murder.

During Mondays court appearance, Roberts was given a $5-million bond and was ordered to appear in court on October 16.

A GoFundMe has been started to support the family of Chris Wright, who was a Baylor alum. The donations will support Wright's three children. Wright's family says they will welcome all to celebrate and remember Chris's life during a visitation on Tuesday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Baylor School. Funeral services for Wright will also be held at the Baylor Chapel on Wednesday at 11:00am. Stay with the Local 3 News app for updates to this developing story.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga police have arrested 57-year-old Darryl Roberts for the homicide of Christopher Wright.

Chattanooga Police Department's Fugitive Unit, along with federal partners from the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") observed Roberts in a vehicle in the Brainerd area.

They followed him until marked police vehicles were able to assist with a traffic stop.

CPD's Neighborhood Policing officers assisted with initiating a traffic stop in the 500 block of Tunnel Boulevard.

Roberts was arrested for outstanding warrants related to the homicide.

Roberts is in custody at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. He is charged with first degree murder.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly released the following statement regarding Thursday nights Market St. shooting and the subsequent arrest of the suspect:
Longford transition year student Nicola Phelan was the overall winner of the Graduate.ie Online Citizenship Programme and she will attend a 3-day educational trip to Strasbourg.



Nicola, representing Mercy Ballymahon, was presented with her prize at a ceremony in the Radisson Hotel, Athlone on Friday, March 28.



Organised and funded by the Midland Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force (MRDATF), the Graduate.ie programme is an online citizenship & democracy programme for second level students in Ireland.

READ NEXT: Trip of a lifetime: Longford youngster visits Brussels after winning prestigious competition

It is a government and EU funded programme and has been in operation since 2001.



The MRDATF rolled out this initiative in partnership with twenty-five secondary schools across the counties of Longford, Westmeath, Laois & Offaly with transition year students invited to participate. The programme commenced in September 2024 and lasted for a total of 20 weeks.



During this period a total of 1,926 students registered to take part in the programme and of these an average of 728 students took part in the programme on a weekly basis.

READ NEXT: Longford defendant receives a six-month suspended sentence for violent disorder





Each week for 20 weeks of the academic year students logged onto www.graduate.ie where they had to answer a number of questions on a range of issues to include drugs and alcohol, health and safety, environmental awareness and climate action, democracy and participation, financial literacy, EU affairs, consumer protection, tourism and regional development.



Students were then directed by hyperlinks to the relevant sponsors website where they researched the correct answer and then submitted their answers to Graduate.ie.

The computer randomly selected weekly winners from all the correct entries and there was at least one winner selected each week from across the country.



The overall prize which was sponsored by the MRDATF was for one selected student from Longford who participated fully in the initiative to attend a 3-day educational trip to Strasbourg.

The winning student was Nicola Phelan, Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon.



Nicola will travel to Strasbourg in November and spend one full day at the European Parliament where she will have the opportunity to take part in a Youth Parliament (Euroscola) with students from other EU member states.



During her stay she will also be visiting other places of educational interest around the city of Strasbourg and surrounding areas.



Antoinette Kinsella, Co-ordinator MRDATF, said, I am delighted to be here today presenting the winning students with their prizes.

"This is such a worthwhile initiative allowing the participants to develop active citizenship, an understanding of the workings of democracy and intercultural understanding and awareness.

"I would like to acknowledge the Midland Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force for sponsoring the prizes and all the schools who participated in the Graduate.ie Programme 2024, this was a great opportunity to research and learn more about the dangers associated with drug and alcohol misuse.



The MRDATF were very happy to support the roll out of the Graduate.ie initiative across the midlands area.

"The uptake and participation received from schools who took part in the initiative was very encouraging and I would like to thank all the students and teachers for their support.



While taking part in the weekly quiz students had a fantastic opportunity to learn about various organisations and important topics to include; democracy and participation, environment and waste management, climate change, health and wellbeing, drugs & alcohol education/awareness, entrepreneurship, careers, courses, etc.

"It is hoped that this initiative will assist in developing life skills such as preparing for the world of work, teamwork, collaboration and valuable insights into the vocational dimensions of life after school.



I am sure Nicole will also appreciate having the opportunity to experience how the European Parliament works by partaking in the Euroscola Youth Parliament and having the opportunity to pose a question in the European parliament.
Irish premier Micheal Martin said he hopes the pharmaceutical and semiconductors manufacturing sectors will form part of negotiations between the European Union and the US.

Almost a week after US President Donald Trump announced he would be pausing his tariffs for 90 days, the EU is hoping to negotiate a trade deal with Washington before the deadline runs out.

Mr Trump said he was suspending the so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, however his 10% rate is still in effect across the globe.

Speaking in Cork on Monday, Mr Martin said the tariffs have brought a lot of uncertainty.

The US has yet to announce plans to slap tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector, which is a particular concern for the Irish economy as it accounts for a significant amount of exports to the US.

Pharmaceuticals are currently exempt from the 20% tariffs but the US administration has previously said it would consider taxing such imports.

There is an opportunity now for negotiation and I would hope, in that opportunity, that the sectoral issues in pharma and also in semiconductors would form part of that, the Fianna Fail leader added.

In other words, that it would form part of the wider negotiation and the European Commission is also of that mindset, so that they would have a comprehensive settlement between the European Union and the United States.

It is the largest trading relationship in the world, hugely impactful and it is important that we dont end up in a situation where undue harm would be caused to people or indeed to the world economy or those specifics sectors.

Medicine is key to life and tariffs will increase the costs and thats the key point, both in America and around the world.

There are issues that the US has legitimately raised. Its our view in Ireland that the European Commission is willing to engage in discussions and negotiation with the US to get a reasonable settlement that is sustainable for our respective economies and the people that we represent.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she raised the tariffs issue during their meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday in Belfast.

She called on the Labour MP to lessen the administrative burden on businesses.

Ms McDonald said: We also, of course, discuss the ongoing issues around tariffs and the uncertain trading dynamic across the world, but as it applies to the island of Ireland.

We are very keen to protect the Ireland economy, to protect jobs and livelihoods, to protect the prospect of further investment across the island of Ireland, north and south.

We have, of course, raised with the Secretary of State, in particular, the need to lessen the administrative burden and red tape when it comes to the reimbursement schemes that are provided for.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said it was his impression that the US was now interested in negotiating but warned that it would be foolish not to prepare for an environment in which tariffs persist.

Mr Harris, who was in Luxembourg for a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers, said it was now time to get down to business.

Asked whether he believed the US would do a deal to the benefit of EU exporters or if Irish businesses should prepare for 10% tariffs beyond the 90-day pause, he told reporters: Well wed be foolish not to prepare for an environment in which tariffs persist.

And certainly the Irish Government is, of course, preparing for that and all of the various eventualities and outcomes.

But whilst preparing for the worst, we need to continue to try and help to bring about the best, and thats why I very much welcome that Commissioner Sefcovic is in Washington today and is engaging with his counterparts and interlocutors there.

He added: Its now time to get serious. Its time to get down to business.

The European Union and Ireland has approached this period in a calm way, in a measured way. We want to do business. We want to buy more things from the United States. We want them to buy more things from us.

Were open for business. We want to protect and enhance the relationship, but we also stand ready to act if our economy and our jobs and our investment are threatened too  I certainly hope thats not what it comes to.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday embarked on a visit to Brazil to participate in the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum where he is scheduled to prese ...


Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 14 2025

Launched During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Meals with Meaning: Veteran Feeding Veteran Program Expands Access to Fresh, Healthy Meals Through Public-Private Collaboration.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Meals with Meaning: Veteran Feeding Veteran program, launched in response to food insecurity heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, has reached a major milestone, successfully distributing two million meals to New Yorks Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. The innovative program, led by HelloFresh, is a collaboration with the New York State Department of Veterans Services, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, New York City Department of Veterans Services and Pratt Industries.

New York State is grounded in a history of service  one that extends beyond the debt of gratitude we profess to our men and women in uniform and into the actions we take to support them and their loved ones, Governor Hochul said. The Meals with Meaning program is living proof of our commitment to those who have served our country, delivering more than two million meals for those in need.

This partnership of government, nonprofits and private industry has created a seamless program that benefits our Veterans and Military Families to ensure those who are food insecure will have healthy meals to share. Governor Hochul also announced that HelloFresh has generously committed to funding the program again throughout 2025, ensuring continued support for those who have served.

Earlier today, veteran volunteers packed 8,000 Meals with Meaning meal kits at The Campaign Against Hungers (TCAH) Brooklyn headquarters for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families who are facing food insecurity. Each kit contains proteins, fresh produce and ingredients supplied by HelloFresh to make eight nutritious meals at home. With the support of DVS, the kits are distributed directly to veterans and their families.

First established in 2020, the Meals with Meaning initiative addresses food insecurity affecting Veterans and Military Families at twice the rate of the public. The program provided a vital lifeline to vulnerable Veterans who struggled with food access during the pandemic. And the program is still continuing to provide that needed help to ensure our Veterans do not go hungry. The HelloFresh-led program serves Veterans and Military Families ranging from 20 to 90 years old. This public-private partnership remains a critical resource for New Yorks Veteran community, ensuring access to nutritious meals while honoring their service and sacrifice.

New York State Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen said, Two million meals provided means two million lives touched and transformed through this wonderful initiative. The incredible success of the Meals with Meaning program is a testament to the power of community and partnership, providing life-changing resources to those who have served selflessly, ensuring that they feel seen, supported, and valued. Together with HelloFresh and all program partners, we are making a tangible difference in combating food insecurity and honoring the dedication of our Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. I commend and thank Governor Hochul, our good friends at HelloFresh, and all program partners and volunteers for their continued strong support of this program and for making a positive difference in the lives of countless New York Veterans.

HelloFresh Senior Vice President of Procurement Jacob Krempel said, We are honored to support veterans and military familiesthose who have selflessly served our country  but we know that there is still more to do in combating food insecurity and ensuring fresh food is accessible to everyone. A special thank you to our partners with New York State, NYC Division of Veterans Services, The Campaign Against Hunger, and Black Veterans in continuing to help make a meaningful impact in the community through our Meals with Meaning program.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, Governor Hochul has made addressing food insecurity a priority for her administration, and this innovative partnership has exceeded expectations by providing more than two million meals to veterans, service members, and their families. Thank you to all our public, private, and nonprofit partners for their collaboration. We look forward to the continued success of this program and working together to provide healthy meals to support those who have served our country.

State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said, Reaching the incredible milestone of two million meals served is a testament to the unwavering dedication of all the partners who have prioritized the needs of our veterans. These men and women have put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and have faced the always difficult transition back to civilian life. Programs like Meals with Meaning: Veteran Feeding Veteran show that here in New York, we will support our veterans the way they have always supported us. Making sure that no veteran goes hungry is a responsibility we all share, and Im proud that our state is stepping up in such a meaningful way.

State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, I commend Governor Kathy Hochul and HelloFresh for their steadfast commitment to this crucial initiative. This remarkable achievement highlights the power of collaboration between government, nonprofits, and the private sector. This collaboration has established a seamless program that directly addresses the food insecurity faced by many of our heroes. This partnership serves as a powerful reminder that when we support those who have served, we strengthen the very fabric of our community.

Assemblymember Steve Stern said, As the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee of the New York State Assembly, I am honored to work with and for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our great nation. The Meals with Meaning-Veteran Feeding Veteran program, an innovative public-private collaboration with state Department of Veterans Services, state and city agencies, and HelloFresh has marked a significant milestone, successfully distributing two million meals to New York State Veterans, service members and military families. No one who has worn the uniform should face food insecurity. We owe our veterans, service members and their families more than just thanks and platitudes. We owe them meaningful support. I commend Governor Hochul, HelloFresh, and all who have worked so hard to ensure the success of this important program.

Assemblymember Nikki Lucas said, Honoring our Veterans is one of the most humbling acts that we can return to those who have fought and protected our country. I applaud this public, private and community effort that recognizes that none of us should ever be hungry. May we continue to uplift their legacy and advocate for services that maintain the dignity they have brought to us all.

Pratt Industries Executive Chairman Anthony Pratt said, Pratt Industries is proud to support the HelloFresh Meals with Meaning program which helps so many veterans in our communities. Its an honor to help those whove done so much for all of us.

The Campaign Against Hunger Founder and CEO Dr. Melony Samuels said, Reaching the two million meal milestone is a phenomenal achievementand a shining example of whats possible when compassion meets collaboration. At The Campaign Against Hunger, we are thrilled to be a part of this dynamic partnership with New York State, NYC Department of Veterans Services, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, HelloFresh, and our community of veteran partners. Together, were not just feeding families  were honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans by ensuring they have access to the fresh, healthy food they deserve. This is what meaningful impact looks like, and were just getting started!

About the Department of Veterans' Services

The New York State Department of Veterans Services, proudly serves New Yorks Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, connecting them with benefits, services, and support. All who served should contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or its website to meet in-person or virtually with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to receive the benefits they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

About HelloFresh

HelloFresh is the worlds leading meal-kit company, providing customers with fresh, high-quality ingredients to cook delicious meals at home. By delivering pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes directly to customers' doors, HelloFresh helps busy individuals and families enjoy home-cooked meals without the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. HelloFresh has been voted the Most Trusted Meal Kit Delivery Service in America since 2021 by Newsweek. For more information, visit www.hellofresh.com or follow HelloFresh on Facebook, X, Instagram or TikTok.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 14 2025

The fire has been deemed not suspicious at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

The Public Information Office reports the details of a Residential Fire that occurred on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Westbury.

According to Police, officers responded to a house fire on Evergreen Drive. Upon arrival, officers observed that the residence was fully engulfed in flames. The Westbury Fire Department responded with the assistance of multiple surrounding Fire Departments to extinguish the flames. The home sustained extensive damage due to the fire.

The Red Cross was notified and responded to offer assistance to the displaced residents. No injuries were reported at scene. The Nassau County Fire Marshal and Arson Bomb Squad also responded to the scene.


The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted numerous activities and operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon between April 7 and April 13, 2025. For the second week in a row, Israeli operations in the country were less intense and fewer in number.

One mid-level Hezbollah commander and one Hezbollah operative were killed in Israeli strikes. The IDF targeted 10 Lebanese locales over the week, some more than once. Most of the IDFs activities were concentrated in south Lebanon, but airstrikes reached Hawsh Tal Safiyeh, near Baalbek in northeast Lebanon. Seven areas were hit by airstrikes, two witnessed IDF ground activity, and one was struck by artillery.





Israeli operations in central and south Lebanon between April 7 and April 13, 2025. Green: Israeli outposts. Red: Israeli ground operations. Gray: Israeli artillery attacks. Lighter blue: Israeli airstrikes. Orange: Reference points. Darker blue: Partial course of the Litani River. (Google Earth annotated by LWJ)

Blue: Location of an Israeli airstrike on Hawsh Tal Safiyah in northeastern Lebanon. (Google Earth annotated by LWJ)

Baalbek-Hermel Governorate

Baalbek District: Hawsh Tal Safiyah

Nabatieh Governorate

Bint Jbeil District: Ayta Ash Shaab, Beit Lif, Ramyeh, and Yater

Marjayoun District: Dardara-Khiam, Taybeh, and Wazzani

Nabatieh District: Meiss al Jabal

South Lebanon Governorate

Tyre District:Naqoura

Casualties

Casualties from Israeli operations in Lebanon reached four people killed, including one Hezbollah commander and one Hezbollah operative, and six or seven wounded.

April 7, 2025: One Hezbollah commander and two Syrians were killed, three to four Lebanese were wounded, and one Israeli soldier was wounded.

One Hezbollah commander and two Syrians were killed, three to four Lebanese were wounded, and one Israeli soldier was wounded. April 8, 2025: Two people were wounded

Two people were wounded April 9, 2025: One Hezbollah operative was killed.

One Hezbollah operative was killed. April 10, 2025: Four people were wounded, including one Hezbollah operative.

Four people were wounded, including one Hezbollah operative. April 11, 2025: No casualties were reported.

No casualties were reported. April 12, 2025: One Israeli soldier was wounded.

One Israeli soldier was wounded. April 13, 2025: No operations were reported.

Chronology of Israeli Operations against Hezbollah, April 7April 13, 2025

April 7

At 9:55 am, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone conducted an airstrike in front of a motorcycle repair shop in Taybeh in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District. Initial reports indicated one individual was seriously wounded in the airstrike and shortly died of his wounds. Lebanese sources reported that the target was the shops owner, who was riding a motorcycle at the time. At 1:35 pm, Hezbollah announced the death of Mohammad Adnan Mansour, whose nom de guerre was Abu Bahaa, from Taybeh. At 2:51 pm, the IDF confirmed that it targeted and killed [] the terrorist Mohammad Adnan Mansour, Hezbollahs artillery forces commander in the Taybeh region. The IDFs statement noted that Mansour oversaw artillery fire operations against the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel during the recent Israel-Hezbollah war.

Death announcement of Mohammad Adnan Mansour. (Balagh Media on Telegram)

At 4:10 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in Beit Lif in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District, wounding its driver.

At 5:18 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli hovercopter drone dropped an explosive on a tent in Beit Lif.

At 6:10 pm, NNA Lebanon reported an Israeli airstrike on the Dardara-Khiyam Road, in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District, killing two Syrians on a motorbike and wounding one unidentified Lebanese citizen.

At 7:49 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone dropped two explosives in Taybeh.

At 7:57 pm, NNA Lebanon reported an airstrike on a car in Taybeh. Initial reports indicated that the strike wounded two unidentified individuals, but later reports citing the Lebanese Health Ministry stated only one unidentified Lebanese citizen was wounded.

April 8

At 10:12 am, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone dropped an explosive near fishermen off the coast of Naqoura in the South Lebanon Governorates Tyre District.

At 12:38 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli troops directed gunfire at Meis Al Jabal in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District, wounding two people who were taken to hospital and treated.

At 10:15 pm, NNA Lebanon reported an Israeli airstrike on a three-story building in Hawsh Tal Safiyah, west of Baalbek, in the Baalbek District of the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate. A witness said an Israeli drone fired two warning explosives before the actual strike, preventing the occurrence of casualties. At 10:42 pm, the IDF released a statement saying Israeli jets struck a weapons storage facility belonging to Hezbollahs aerial defense array, in the Bekaa, deep in Lebanon. The IDFs statement concluded, The presence of these weapons in the area posed a threat to the State of Israel and noted they constituted a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon, despite their presence north of the Litani River.

April 9

At 4:09 pm, IDF Arabic Spokesman Avichay Adraee released a statement saying that in recent months Hezbollah was attempting to rebuild an underground facility for the production of weapons and precision-guided-missile components on the western edges of Shoueifat, southeast of Beirut, in the Mount Lebanon Governorates Aley District, which borders Hezbollahs nerve center in Dahiyeh. Adraee said the facility was located near a school and ran under civilian buildings. The IDF announced it had destroyed the facility on November 12, 2024. Adraee said the IDF had notified the ceasefire oversight mechanism committee about Hezbollahs activities in January 2025. Based on that report, the committee conducted a surprise visit to the site, but Hezbollah engaged in subterfuge to hide its activities. Aerial photographs showed Hezbollah, which received prior knowledge of the inspections timing, cleared the engineering equipment operating at the site the day the inspection took place, then returned it after [the inspection] was over. Adraee concluded by describing these activities as a serious violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Images released by Israel show the site of Hezbollahs attempted reconstruction of an underground facility. The left image shows the site of the excavation (highlighted in red) with engineering equipment present on January 7. The middle image shows the site (highlighted in red) on January 14, the date of the Lebanese Armys surprise inspection, with the engineering equipment removed. The final image, dated January 17, shows the engineering equipment back at the site after the Lebanese Army had finished inspecting the site. (Avichay Adraee on Telegram)

An image of the Hezbollah underground facility site from the IDFs November 12, 2024, airstrike claim. (Avichay Adraee on X)

The location of Hezbollahs weapons production facility in Shoueifat, located at 334854N 353038E, as it appeared on May 04, 2024. (Google Earth annotated by LWJ)

At 6:49 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone conducted an airstrike near the public school in Ramyeh in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

At 9:40 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli helicopters fired warning strikes near several houses in the village of Yater in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District. NNA Lebanon reported that the warning strikes came after the IDF had phoned the owners, asking them to vacate their homes ahead of an airstrike.

At 09:50 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli Apache helicopters struck two houses in Yater.

At 10:10 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli helicopters were continuing their strikes on the houses in Yater, whose owners had been issued warnings.

April 10

At 2:07 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli troops fired on a vehicle in Wazzani in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District, without causing injuries.

At 3:32 pm, Hezbollah-affiliated social media accounts announced the death of Hezbollah operative Sadeq Al Sayyed Sharif Hashem, whose nom de guerre was Mortada, from Tyre. While Hashems death announcement noted he died on the path to Jerusalema euphemism for being killed in fighting with Israelthe exact circumstances of his death were not revealed. Hashem was later revealed to have been a scout leader in Hezbollahs Mahdi Scouts.

At 3:50 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone targeted a bulldozer in Ayta Ash Shaab in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

At 4:09 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone targeted an excavator in Ayta Ash Shaabs southern neighborhood.

At 5:48 pm, NNA Lebanon reported that an Israeli drone targeted a second excavator in Ayta Ash Shaab.

Death announcement of Sadeq Al Sayyed Sharif Hashem. (Balagh Media Telegram)

April 11

At 9:53 am, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli artillery shelled the Abu Laban neighborhood of Ayta Ash Shaab.

At 11:02 am, NNA Lebanon reported that Israeli infantry crossed the Lebanon-Israel frontier (Blue Line) and entered the nature reserves near Wazzani.

April 12

At 12:41 pm, the IDF released a statement saying an Israeli reservist had been seriously wounded earlier that day during operational activities near the border with Lebanon. The IDF did not elaborate on the nature of the operations in which the soldier was engaged, the nature of the incident, or precisely where along the Lebanon-Israel frontier the incident occurred.

April 13

No IDF activity.

Note: Post updated on 4/15 with additional Hezbollah casualty information.

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
Arming aircraft aboard USS Harry S. Truman for operations against Iran-backed Houthis. (CENTCOM on X)

The Trump administration has targeted Houthi military and political leaders since it initiated its campaign against the Iranian-backed militia in Yemen in mid-March. This effort is a departure from the Biden administrations policy, which focused on striking Houthi military hardware instead of personnel in an attempt to get the militia to cease its attacks on international shipping and Western warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, began significant attacks on international shipping in November 2023, one month after Hamas launched its deadly attack on southern Israel. In July 2024, General Eric Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), admitted that US efforts to coerce the Houthis into ceasing attacks on shipping had failed. The Biden administration had refused to target Houthi military and political leaders, as well as the Iranian advisers who aided the group in its attacks, fearing it would escalate the war in the Middle East. The Houthis responded by continuing to target commercial vessels and warships.

Information from within Yemen indicates that several mid-level military officers and soldiers have been killed in the current US campaign.

Scores of Houthi officers and soldiers killed

Since the uptick in American airstrikes on March 16, the Houthis, Yemeni news agencies, and Yemeni families have announced the deaths of several fighters. However, only a handful have been directly attributed to American airstrikes. Reports about other dead Houthis were ambiguous, typically describing slain fighters as being martyred [while] performing his duty in defense of the homeland.

Iranian-backed organizations commonly use this language following the death of a member in battle. Thus, the timing of the Houthi fighters deaths suggests they were killed in American airstrikes.





A martyr poster for Brigadier General Hamdan Naji Saleh al Jabali.

On March 23, the Yemen News Agency (SABA) reported that Houthi leader Mahdi al Mashat sent a cable of condolences following the death of Brigadier General Hamdan Naji Saleh al Jabali, assistant commander of the fourth military region. While the cable did not say how Jabali died, a separate report said that he was martyred while performing his duty in defense of the homeland.





A martyr poster for Colonel Abdul Nasser Sarhan al Kamali.

The US killed Houthi intelligence chief Colonel Abdul Nasser Sarhan al Kamali in an airstrike in the Sanhan district south of Sanaa Governorate on April 8. Under Kamalis leadership, Houthi intelligence orchestrated various security and intelligence operations. He was instrumental in unifying and directing the various loyalist factions on the ground and played a pivotal role in planning and executing numerous military and tactical assaults against Arab coalition forces, according to Al Horia News. Kamali also previously served as deputy head of the Houthis security and intelligence apparatus.





A martyr poster from the funeral of Captain Malik Abdullah Mohammed al Laasani. (SABA)

On April 10, local Yemeni media outlets reported that Captain Malik Abdullah Mohammed al Laasani was buried in Al Haymah Al Dakhiliyah District in Sanaa Governorate. While the report did not detail the manner of his death, it stated that he was martyred while performing his duty in defending the homeland and supporting Gaza, as part of the Promised Victory and Holy Jihad battle.

There are other reports of US strikes that have killed Houthi leaders, commanders, and foot soldiers. Many of the claims appear to be true. However, it is difficult to address whether some claims are legitimate due to a lack of evidence or reliable sources.

For example, a list compiled by Yemen analyst Muhammad al Basha on April 6 detailed over 100 Houthis of various military ranks who were killed in US strikes. The report states that Houthi-aligned sources have verified some of the death claims but not all.

Another example is that of an undated US airstrike in Hodeidah that reportedly killed Houthi Brigade Commander Shamsan Hussein al Faeq. He allegedly participated in military operations on several fronts for the Houthis. Again, there are no credible reports from the Houthis or other reliable sources that a US strike killed Faeq.

In a development that may indicate US military pressure against the Houthis is yielding results, Iran has reportedly pulled its military advisors out of Yemen to avoid a confrontation with the US. This development comes in the wake of Trumps direct warnings to hold Iran responsible for the groups attacks on Israel and US naval assets and commercial vessels in international waters.

The Houthis and Irans Axis of Resistance

The Houthis, along with Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria that are also part of Irans Axis of Resistance, have targeted US forces to drive America from the region and support Palestinian terror groups in Gaza.

The Houthis possess ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones and have used all three weapons systems against commercial vessels and US warships. Some of these weapons were seized from the former Yemeni military, others are currently manufactured by the Houthis with the aid of Iran, and some are supplied by the Iranians. The Houthis also have a decade-long history of harassing and attacking commercial ships operating in the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al Mandeb Strait, and the Red Sea.

The Houthis are estimated to have 100,000 fighters under arms. The groups official motto is God is great, death to the US, death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory for Islam.

Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.
Days before US troops entered Luxembourg City during the liberation of the country from Nazi troops, Foreign Minister in exile Joseph Bech on 5 September 1944 telegrammed his ambassador in Washington Hugues Le Gallais: The government will soon be leaving London. Stop. The Grand Duchess will soon follow. Stop.

Five days later, American troops entered the Luxembourg capital from the south along the Route de Longwy, now the Avenue du X Septembre, named after that fateful date. The population cheered its liberators.

By 23 September 1944, the government in exile led by Minister of State Pierre Dupong, had returned to the country.

It would take another seven long months before the long-awaited return of the monarch as war and destruction returned to ravage the north of the country during the Battle of the Bulge.

We had long thought that the Grand Duchess would be able to celebrate her birthday here in Luxembourg again this year, wrote the Luxemburger Wort on the monarchs birthday, 23 January 1945. This has not yet been done.

For the first time, Luxembourgers felt discouraged and abandoned, wrote a history student in 1991 in her final dissertation on Grand Duchess Charlotte. The victory is there, but not the person who embodies it from their point of view.

The people of Luxembourg are waiting with some impatience for the return of their beloved sovereign Pierre Dupong Luxembourg prime minister in September 1944

Since the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944, preparations for the return of the Grand Duchess to her homeland had been full of hope, but also equally full of caution and discretion.

Whether within the government in exile, in negotiations with the American military command SHAEF or within the grand ducal family, the timing of the Grand Duchesss return to Luxembourg was a recurring topic.

The people of Luxembourg are waiting with some impatience for the return of their beloved sovereign, Dupong said in an interview with the BBC at the end of September 1944.

The American ambassador George Platt Waller reported to the State Department, after a meeting with Grand Duchess Charlotte, that Luxembourgers were becoming extremely impatient. By September 1944, detailed lists existed of the order in which the ministers and the grand ducal family were to travel to their country.

1 / 16 Saturday 14 April 1945, shortly before 4.30pm: Grand Duchess Charlotte stepped off the plane that had brought her from London to Luxembourg  Photo credit: Collection Marcel Schroeder, Phototheque VDL

2 / 16 Minister of State Pierre Dupong, who had already returned from exile with the government on 23 September 1944, extended his hand to the monarch before she set foot on Luxembourg soil again after an absence of five years  Photo credit: Film extract

3 / 16 The plane, a Douglas C-47 Dakota, was General Dwight D. Eisenhowers personal aircraft  Photo credit: LW-Archiv

4 / 16 Two young women presented the Grand Duchess with flowers, one on behalf of displaced persons, the other on behalf of murdered Luxembourgers  Photo credit: Film extract

5 / 16 One of the first to welcome the Grand Duchess on her native soil was the Charge dAffaires of the American Embassy, George Platt Waller. Pictured on the left is Hereditary Grand Duke Jean  Photo credit: Archives LW

6 / 16 The Grand Duchess never left Luxembourg, said the diplomat, because she always remained in the hearts of her subjects. In the centre, Charlottes husband Prince Felix  Photo credit: Archives LW

7 / 16 Grand Duchess Charlotte after her arrival at Findel. The numbers on the tail of the C-47 correspond to aircraft number 42-68754 and therefore to the year the aircraft was ordered in 1942  Photo credit: Collection Marcel Schroeder, Phototheque VDL

8 / 16 On the way from the plane to her car, Grand Duchess Charlotte was greeted by the BBCs Luxembourg correspondent  Photo credit: Pierre Bertogne, Phototheque VDL

9 / 16 The C-47 aircraft landed on the Findel grass runway. On the ground, you can see the wire netting that was used to stabilise the airfield.  Photo credit: Pierre Bertogne, Phototheque VDL

10 / 16 Jean-Pierre Molitor at his parents'farm in Munsbach, where a fence was erected using the Findel fencing  Photo credit: Roland Arens

11 / 16 In the background, you can see a second of the five C-47 aircraft that flew to Luxembourg with the Grand Duchess

12 / 16 After a simple but moving welcome at the Findel airfield, Grand Duchess Charlotte climbed into the open carriage that took her to the capital  Photo credit: LW-Archiv

13 / 16 This map shows the grass airstrip at Sandweiler Advanced Landing Ground A-97. The nature of the runway is indicated as Square Mesh Trac'.  Photo credit: Archiv Marc Tanz

14 / 16 This pictures of a P-38 taking off was taken in July 1945, shortly after the end of the war. The improvised airfield control tower is clearly visible  Photo credit: Archiv Marc Tanz

15 / 16

16 / 16 Royal Airforce Base Northolt, north-west of London: it was probably from this airfield that Grand Duchess Charlotte took off on her return flight to Luxembourg on 14 April 1945  Photo credit: RAF Northolt

































For the Americans, the security of the Grand Duchess was paramount. Even after the government returned to Luxembourg, sporadic fighting continued with German troops not far from the capital at the end of September 1944. On 27 October, the mayor and the Council of Aldermen of the City of Luxembourg wrote to the Grand Duchess that the country does not yet offer the essential conditions of security that would allow us to recommend that you return to us.

This was followed on 16 December 1944 by the start of the Battle of the Bulge, which raged until the end of January 1945. It was not until 12 March 1945 that General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, wrote to the head of the Luxembourg government, Pierre Dupong, that Luxembourg could be considered definitively liberated. Nothing stood in the way of the return of Her Royal Highness.

On Easter Sunday, 1 April 1945, the monarch herself announced to her people, via the BBC, her imminent return. In a few days time, I shall be setting off on my long-awaited return. Just thinking about it makes my heart beat faster, she said in a broadcast.

Until the last moment, the Grand Duchess's route and time of arrival were kept secret for security reasons.  Photo credit: Archives LW

Two weeks later, everything was ready for the return journey. However, the date and details of the trip were kept secret until the very end. It was not until Saturday morning, 14 April 1945, a few hours before the Grand Duchesss arrival, that posters were hastily distributed in the capital to announce the forthcoming event: The government is pleased to announce that the Grand Duchess is arriving today. She is expected between 2 and 4pm.

Arrival in Findel

By 1945, Findel was far from being a full-fledged airport, although plans for its expansion had been drawn up shortly before the start of the war. Officially, Findel only became a civilian airport again in 1946 after being used by the US military. The German Air Force had stationed their Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighters at the airfield in Sandweiler from 1940 onwards.

During the war, the Findel airfield was located on the route de Treves, as can still be seen on this 1948 map. Rue de la Chapelle at the western end is now interrupted by the runway extension.  Photo credit: Archiv Marc Tanz

As was customary for the US Army Air Forces during the Second World War, the runway and airfield were covered with a special mesh (square mesh track) to support the weight of the machines. This mesh was sold after the war. Seventy years later, they are still used as fences, for example at a farm in Munsbach.

On the day of her arrival back to Luxembourg the sun was shining in an almost cloudless blue sky.

Even for government officials, the timetable of Charlottes return was unclear until the last moment. Many thought that the Grand Duchess would arrive by car or train. When, on Saturday morning, the officials of the border municipality pestered me to find out whether they should plan a welcome ceremony at the border near Rodange, I had no trouble telling them the truth: I simply didn't know, Georges Heisburg, a Luxembourg diplomat working in intelligence at the time, told the Luxemburger Wort in 1990.

US authorities had previously complained that the palace being cleaned and windows washed was drawing too much attention.

According to official plans, General Dwight D. Eisenhower's personal aircraft carrying Charlotte departed from Northolt base, north-east of the British capital, towards Luxembourg. However, research from the 2020s may indicate that another departure point was chosen for the Grand Duchesss historic flight home, for example the aerodromes of Bovingdon or Heston.

Grand Duchess Charlotte, followed by Prince Felix, was accompanied to a military airfield near London (according to the official plans, it was Northolt air base) by Lieutenant-Colonel John Bruce Logie to the plane that would take her to Luxembourg  Photo credit: Copyright Cour grand-ducale/archives privees/OWI Staff Photo by Frank Werner

En route to London for its special mission, the C-47 aircraft had picked up US official Colonel Anthony D. Biddle at Villacoublay airport near Paris. The senior officers mission was to accompany the Grand Duchess to Luxembourg on behalf of Eisenhower. The original plan was for the plane to land at Airfield A-82 at Etain, near Verdun, and for the Grand Duchess to continue her journey by car from there. At the last minute, the airstrip proved unusable, so a direct flight was arranged instead.

According to the 1945 Bulletin du gouvernement, the entire government departed for the Findel airfield around 3pm. The delegation tasked with welcoming Grand Duchess Charlotte included high-ranking representatives of the Allied forces and liaison officers from the military mission. A dozen journalists and official reporters were also present. The American military police stood ready to escort the convoy to the Grand Ducal Palace.

At 4.15pm, several aircraft appeared on the horizon, and a few minutes later, five Douglas planes landed on the airfield, the report said.

Tears of joy for the people of Luxembourg

Film footage shows three C-47s with a dark green paint job descending over Sandweiler.

One of the aircraft flies over the landing field at low altitude, landing gear retracted, before the aircraft land one after the other on the grass runway. A Piper L-4 Grashopper observation aircraft also lands in Findel. However, five fighter planes, which according to some reports escorted the Grand Duchesss plane to Luxembourg, are not visible in the film. Aviation historians and experts consider it unlikely that the C-47s could have flown unescorted with their important passenger on board.

At 4.30pm the Grand Duchesss plane reaches in its parking position. A religious silence, according to the governments report, fell over the audience when the planes powerful star engines stopped and the narrow access hatch to the aircraft opened.

Spectators surround the planes. Shouts of joy erupted when the slender and graceful figure of the Grand Duchess appeared, as reported in the Luxemburger Wort on 17 April 1945. Prime Minister Pierre Dupong approached and held out his hand to Grand Duchess Charlotte to help her down the tiny ladder.

The minutes and hours that followed have been captured in historic images showing the return of the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, who set foot on her native soil for the first time after almost five years of exile.

The tears Charlotte shed as she stepped off the plane touched the people of Luxembourg, wrote historian Ursula Martin in 1991 in her dissertation for her degree at the University of Strasbourg. She was met with the warmest of welcome by her subjects.

After the Grand Duchess, Prince Felix and the Hereditary Grand Duke Jean as well as Princess Alix descended from the C-47. Foreign Minister Joseph Bech had also travelled to London to accompany the Grand Duchess on this historic flight home. The Grand Duchess wore a brown ensemble with pinned tea roses, as well as a pearl necklace and a fur jacket over her shoulders.

[The Grand Duchesss return is] tangible proof to the people of Luxembourg that they have finally woken up from the terrible nightmare that has been hanging over them Emile Reuter President of the Parliament

With bouquets of flowers in her arms, presented by Marie-Louise Dondelinger, daughter of gendarmerie officer Michel Dondelinger, who was shot by the German occupiers in 1942, Grand Duchess Charlotte made her way towards the waiting cars and a convoy of 11 vehicles made its way to the capital.

Everywhere along the way, passers-by recognised their Grand Duchess and cheered her on. At Pont Adolphe around 5pm the Grand Duchess was welcomed by Mayor Gaston Diederich on behalf of the town. The procession then continued towards Boulevard Royal and the Grand-Rue, reaching the palace at 5.20pm.

In the Rue de la Reine and on Place Guillaume II, thousands of happy Luxembourgers had been waiting for hours for this moment and were finally able to greet their Grand Duchess on the balcony of the Palace. For the first time in five years, the military band once again played the Wilhelmus, the anthem of the Grand Ducal family, and thousands of people sang the national anthem Ons Heemecht.

Grand Duchess Charlotte beamed as she stepped out onto the balcony and waved to the crowd. The happy return of the Grand Duchess, declared the President of Parliament Emile Reuter the following day during the official ceremony in the chamber, appears to the people of Luxembourg as the symbol and the crowning achievement of their definitive liberation, as tangible proof to the people of Luxembourg that they have finally woken up from the terrible nightmare that has been hanging over them.

A report by the Allied High Command (SHAEF) on 1 May 1945 noted that there was no doubt that the enthusiasm for the return of the Grand Duchess was not only an indication of the close relationship between Luxembourgers and their monarch, but also of the countrys fundamental political stability.

Authors notes Much of the information in this article is based on material from the archives of Luxemburger Wort, in particular certain texts by Georges Heisbourg who, as a senior government official during the war, was able to experience events at close quarters. Special thanks go to Dan Schank, Marc Thill, Jean-Marc Braun, Marc Tanz, Guy Moris, John Derneden, Roger Feller, Leandre Mignon, Steve Kayser and Pierre Roderes (CDREF), Corinne Schroeder and Jill Steinmetz (Archives Nationales), Phototheque de la Ville de Luxembourg, RAF Northolt (UK), Maxwell AFB (USA) for their invaluable research assistance. References to sources: Georges Heisbourg: Le retour a Luxembourg du gouvernement en exil, LW 22.9.1990; ""...l'explosion la plus joyeuse que j'ai jamais vu...", LW 14.4.1990. Ursula Martin: "Le role joue par la grande-duchesse Charlotte dans l'imaginaire des Luxembourgeois (1939-1990)". Universite des Sciences Humaines de Strasbourg, 1991. Ministry of State, Information Bulletin no. 5/6, 31 May 1945. Crash, volume II, John Derneden, p. 129. Speech by Emile Reuter, Luxemburger Wort 14.4.1945, p.2. Pierre Hamer, L'aviation luxembourgeoise son passe, son avenir, Imprimerie Bourg-Bouger, Luxembourg, 1978.

(This article was originally published on the Luxemburger Wort website. Editing and adaptation by Lucrezia Reale.)
There was huge excitement in the Price household at the start of this month when Nintendo announced the upcoming launch of the Switch 2. And then that excitement turned to bitter recrimination when the company revealed that games for the new system could cost as much as $80, even if you choose a digital rather than physical copy. Oh and then they announced that the April 9 preorders were delayed to assess the potential impact of tariffs.

This financial bombshell was especially ill-timed because its become clear that the Switch 2 is considerably less innovative than its more affordable predecessor. Many of Nintendos hits have achieved success thanks to a fun gimmick or point of difference: the DSs twin screens, the Wiis motion controls, and the Switchs twin function as a handheld and big-screen console. Even the Wii U, which flopped, at least attempted something new with its asymmetric controllers. But aside from a cursory (sorry) mouse mode for the Joy-Cons, the Switch 2 appears to just do what the Switch did with better specs.

Then again, doing the same thing with better specs is a phrase that could have been written for Apple, especially its all-conquering iPhone product line. Regular readers will be well aware of the exasperating pattern: early rumors hint at a dramatic revamp and startling new features before reality bites and the new iPhone ends up being much the same as the previous model.

That certainly appears to be the case this year, with the big redesign predicted earlier in the cycle now looking considerably less radical and the long-awaited shake-up now expected in 2027. A wide camera module probably isnt going to be enough for the iPhone 17 to blow your socks off.

These increasingly consistent reports about the iPhone 17 arrive, like the Switch 2 price reveal, at an inconvenient time. Because, thanks to on-again, off-again tariffs on goods imported from China, where Apple makes most of its iPhones, the company may have to bite the bullet this year and increase prices or at the very least hike the low end by bumping the starting storage. A 40 percent price bump is a lot easier to swallow if the product is 40 percent better, but if its largely the same Well, lets just say that being expensive and boring at the same time is not a good combination.

Apple couldnt realistically have seen this situation coming, but I still feel like this is a crisis of its own making. Year after year, the company has changed the iPhone as little as it possibly can, in order to save money, focus engineering on other projects such as Vision Pro, and leave room for further upgrades in the future. Its been like an expert racing driver, pushing as close to the barriers as possible for maximum efficiency. But when you do that, you make yourself vulnerable to even the smallest of outside factors, and a political gust of wind just made a crash more likely.

Betting against Apple (or Nintendo, for that matter) is a fools errand, and my assumption is that Tim Cook will find a way to make this work. Hes already lobbied his way to a temporary exemption, and may yet perform logistical miracles ramping up production in India and Brazil. But above all, I hope Apple will learn its lesson and stop taking iPhone customers for granted.

Foundry

Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.

Have your say

We received an interesting and thoughtful response to last weeks Apple Breakfast on the rumored iOS redesign, and Id like to quote from it here.

Your apprehension toward the anticipated iOS redesign appears to stem from a preference for the familiar, writes Gregg from Denver, CO. However, embracing change is essential for technological advancement. Consider the evolution of language: languages that fail to adapt risk obsolescence. Latin, once dominant, has faded from common discourse due to its stagnation. Similarly, operating systems must evolve to remain relevant and meet users changing needs.

Historically, iOS redesigns have led to significant improvements. For instance, iOS 7s overhaul introduced a cleaner, more intuitive interface that many users appreciated. While initial reactions were mixed, the changes ultimately set the stage for future innovations. Furthermore, redesigns can enhance user engagement. Studies have shown that improvements in UX/UI design, such as streamlined navigation and faster load times, can drastically reduce frustration and abandonment, encouraging users to engage more deeply with the operating system.

In the realm of technology, stagnation is synonymous with decline. As technophiles, we should welcome change that propels us toward more efficient and user-friendly experiences.

Trending: Top stories

Next-gen CarPlay is the broken Apple promise that foreshadowed the Siri fiasco.

Jason Cross will never use his AirPods Pro again without this $20 upgrade.

Microsoft made me want a Fiftieth Anniversary MacBook more than ever.

Can Apple make its best Mac matter again?

Hey Apple, scrap the foldable iPhone and iPad before its too late.

A 256GB SSD is too small for a Mac in 2025 and its all macOSs fault.

Ugh: Tariff special

Tariff panic? Buying an iPhone right now is a terrible idea.

With tariffs causing turmoil, the Macalope wonders what exactly Tim Cook spent a million bucks on.

Talking of which Heres how President Trumps tariffs will impact the price of Apple products.

And heres how Apple can handle Trumps tariffs without raising prices (too much).

Podcast of the week

Believe it or not, the next iPhone is only six months away! So in episode 929 of the Macworld Podcast, were covering the latest iPhone rumors and whether or not youll even be able to afford the new phone.

You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site.

Reviews corner

Best Mac data recovery apps: Bring back your lost and deleted files .

. Best MacBook bags, cases and sleeves: Perfect for every situation.

The rumor mill

Here we go again: The iPhone shake-up is now coming in 2027. And that big redesign predicted for this year might not be so big after all.

Still iPhone 16e comparison pics show off an impressively thin iPhone 17 Air.

Report: Apple is prepping a giant folding iPad for release next year.

iOS 19 leak shows new icons, shimmery buttons, and lots of glass.

Instagram finally, finally makes an iPad app! Maybe.

Siri woes reportedly push Apples smart home hub into 2026.

You can use a VPN for TikTok if it gets banned, but its a headache.

And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalopean irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.


New music from Patsy Cline has been released more than 60 years after the country music icons death.

A limited-edition, two-LP set entitled Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963), was released for Record Store Day on Saturday, April 12.

Of the sets 48 tracks, 15 had never been released. There are also renditions of Clines classic hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces and Walkin After Midnight.

This marks the first new release of a Patsy Cline album in 13 years and is fully endorsed by the Patsy Cline Estate, the sets description reads. Every period of Patsys storied career is represented in the tracklist and the book features insights and commentary on the music, the production, the era, and Patsy.

Cline, who was from Winchester, Virginia, recorded only a few albums before she died in a tragic plane crash in 1963 at age 30.

The recordings were all retrieved from live concerts as well as radio and TV appearances. NBC4 Washington reported that two of the oldest songs were recorded at the old WARL radio station in Arlington, Virginia. The songs were sitting in a box in Marc Zitelmans basement for more than 30 years.

I think the thing is that its finally found its way into perpetuity, Zitelman told NBC4 Washington. So, Im actually really thrilled that this is now in a place where forever it can be heard, and its something I dont think was ever heard before.

Its just so real, Clines daughter Julie Fudge told PEOPLE.

A lot of people  when you lose someone  you dont have all these different avenues to remember them, the 66-year-old said. The fact that its been more than 60 years and to still have her in our lives every day is quite an accomplishment. Its been such a blessing.

A two-CD set of Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963) will also be released on Friday, April 18.
Pickles are front-and-center this spring in the foodie chatter on social media, and pickle-enhanced items are beginning to turn up in eateries everywhere. One quick-service restaurant chain, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, has even gone so far as to introduce a full-blown, limited-time-only Pickle Menu.

In developing the menu, the companys research and development staff reportedly made the pickles themselves a top priority, specifying barrel-aged, thick-cut slices to ensure that crunch and flavor were primary to the Popeyes pickle menu experience.

To lead off their Pickle Menu, Popeyes brought back the Pickle Fries the chain had developed for an earlier limited-time-only promotion. Sliced pickles, coated with the same batter Popeyes uses for its signature chicken, are deep-fried and served with a side of ranch dressing.

A new component created for the current Pickle menu is a pickle-flavored glaze, a concoction that Popeyes describes as spice-forward but not aggressively hot. The glazes flavor structure, which is built with dill, red pepper, and ancho chili, is being featured on three items - bone-in wings, boneless wings and a Pickle Glaze chicken sandwich.

A Pickle Lemonade is part of the Pickle Menu as well; its sweetened lemonade spiked with a two-ounce shot of pickle juice.

Pickle flavor is making cameo appearances in other places this spring. Dutch Bros, the Oregon-based coffee chain, is promoting a pickle-infused energy drink, and the snack aisle in supermarkets are currently well-stocked with pickle-flavored chips and crunchables.

TikTok influencers might be hyping the status of pickle juice as the flavor of the moment, but the question for those in the restaurant industry is a variant of one theyve grown accustomed to asking - is pickle-flavored a trend or just a fad?

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Side Dishes

Wahlburgers is currently featuring a limited-time-only Pepperoni Smash burger. Assembled on a bun brushed with garlic butter, and made with a certified Angus Beef patty, the Pepperoni Smash is garnished with cooked-crisp pepperoni and provolone cheese before being finished with the chains signature rosemary-tomato jam

The Pepperoni Smash burger will be available at participating locations through mid-June; theres a Wahlburgers in Springfield as part of the MGM-Springfield casino complex.

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The East of the River-Five Town Chamber of Commerce, ERC5, is hosting its annual Feast in the East on April 29 starting at 5 p.m.

To be held at the Starting Gate at GreatHorse in Hampden, the gala food sampling fundraiser will this year be spotlighting Square One, the Springfield- and Holyoke-based organization that delivers family-friendly education and support services.

Tickets to the event can be ordered at erc5ma.chambermaster.com. The East of the River - Five Town Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 413-575-7230.

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Little Caesars Pizza is bringing back a fan favorite in the form of a Stuffed Pretzel Crust Pizza. The pie comes spread with cheddar cheese sauce and is topped with mozzarella, Muenster, and grated cheddar; marinara can requested as a sauce alternative.

There are Little Caesars locations on St. James Avenue in Springfield, on North Main Street in East Longmeadow, and on Memorial Drive in Chicopee.

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Bond124 in Somers is now featuring a weekly Taco Tuesday menu. Available every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. until the kitchens late evening closing time, the selection includes three-taco orders in shrimp, carne asada, Baja (fish), BBQ chicken and veggie variations.

Appetizer nibbles such as loaded quesadillas and pork carnitas are also available on Taco Tuesdays, as is a selection of margaritas.

The telephone number for Bond124 is 860-698-6011

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Pizza Hut is also reaching back into its product development archives to reintroduce the Cheesy Bites Pizza, a pie that which features pull-apart cheesy bread bites in place of a crust.

Along with the reintroduction of the Cheesy Bites crust option, Pizza Hut is offering a Ranch Lovers Flight of three dipping sauces. The sauces include a Pepperoni Ranch thats flavored and spiced to taste like its pizza topping namesake; a Chipotle Ranch that is, according to Pizza Hut, smoky and spicy with a kick, and Ultimate Ranch, an extra rich variation on the classic dressing/dip.

There are Pizza Hut locations on Sumner Avenue and Boston Road in Springfield; on Memorial Drive in Chicopee; and on Riverdale Street in West Springfield.

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On Thursday, April 24 starting at 6:30 p.m., the Deep Roots Distillery USA in Sturbridge is hosting a Wild Game Dinner and Beer Pairing.

Adam Popp, the chef at Deep Roots, is planning a four-course menu that will begin with a pre-dinner nibble of alligator andouille, then proceed on to a first course sausage sampler made with rabbit, elk and peasant.

Bison-mushroom sliders will follow as a second course.

For the dinners central focus, Popp and his team will be preparing Whiskey BBQ Wild Boar Baby Back ribs. Those will be served with mashed potatoes and a winter slaw.

Dessert is to be a dark lager chocolate cupcake frosted with Bourbon buttercream and a bacon fat caramel drizzle.

Select beers from Altruist Brewing Company of Sturbridge will be paired with each course.

Tickets for the dinner can be purchased online at deeprootsdistilleryusa.com. Deep Roots answers at 774-241-0045.

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Participating Subway locations are currently featuring Doritos Footlong Nachos, a serving of Doritos-brand nacho cheese-flavored chips that are topped with a choice of Subways rotisserie-style chicken or steak and then garnished with cheese sauce, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno slices, grated cheese and spicy Baja Chipotle sauce.

The nachos are a limited-time-only offering that will be available as long as supplies last.

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On Sunday, April 20, Tekoa Country Club in Westfield will be hosting an Easter Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations can be made by calling 413-568-1636.

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As part of a corporate strategy to simplify its menu and streamline operations, IHOP has scaled back its pancake of the month program, reformatting it into a bimonthly Pancake of the Moment promotion. Through May the brands featured hotcake creation is to be New York Cheesecake Pancakes, which are layered with cheesecake mousse and topped with glazed strawberries. They can be ordered as a four-cake stack, a two-cake short stack, or as part of a Pancake Combo with eggs and breakfast meat.

IHOP has also expanded its Kids Menu by adding Junior Protein Pancakes, a Junior Breakfast Quesadilla, and a kid-sized order of their Cinnamon Dippers dessert.

There are IHOP locations on Riverdale Street in West Springfield, in the Five Town Plaza in Sixteen Acres, and on Hazard Avenue in Enfield.

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Champneys Restaurant & Tavern at the Deerfield Inn will be serving a classic Easter Dinner menu on Sunday, April 20.

A four-course prix fixe dinner will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Entree selections include Faroe Island Salmon, Roast Prime Rib of Beer, Worcester Baked Ham, Roast Spring Leg of Lamb, and an Artisanal Mushroom Risotto.

Price for the dinner is $60 plus tax and a 20% gratuity.

Call Champneys at 413-774-5587 to inquire about reservations.

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Vanished Valley Brewing Company in Ludlow has organized Bloom & Brew: A Spring Beer Dinner for Thursday, May 1.

The dinner, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., is to be a five-part experience. Tuna Ceviche with fire-roasted tomatoes and a citrus vinaigrette is planned as the first course, with a steak and cheese empanada to follow.

The dinners third course will be a fried goat cheese salad; the entree will be a diners choice option of either blackened salmon or chicken. Passion fruit creme brulee is planned for dessert.

One of five different Vanished Valley brews will accompany each course.

Tickets for the dinner, which are $66 including tax and gratuity, can be purchased online at vanishedvalley.com/product/may-beer-dinner. Vanished Valley answers at 413-610-1572.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community Colleges hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
Saturday Night Live has seemingly issued a rare apology to The White Lotus actress Aimee Lou Wood after mocking her appearance during a sketch on the shows latest episode.

The shows April 12 episode included a skit called The White POTUS. In it, cast members portray Donald Trump, his family, members of his cabinet and even Russian President Vladimir Putin from The White Lotus third season, which aired its final episode on April 6.

Cast member Sarah Sherman assumes the role of Chelsea  Lou Woods character in The White Lotus. In an attempt to parody Lou Woods appearance, Sherman appeared to be wearing large prosthetic teeth while speaking in an exaggerated British accent.

Apparently, Lou Wood saw the skit and called it unfunny and mean in her Instagram story on Sunday, April 13. She later updated fans by saying, Ive had apologies from SNL.

The last thing Ill say on the matter. I am not thin-skinned. I actually love being taken the p*** out of when its clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride, the 31-year-old wrote in another Instagram story. I have big gap teeth not bad teeth. I dont mind caricature  I understand thats what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on.

Lou Wood also didnt blame Sherman for the skit, writing Not hating on her, hating on the concept.

Lou Wood, who rose to fame for her performance as Aimee Gibbs in Netflixs award-winning series Sex Education, has routinely been outspoken about the impact of her teeth in Hollywood.

The actress said during a recent appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show that people have accused her of wearing fake teeth before. However, she mostly described how people have now come around to appreciate them.

These videos just come up on my Instagram of these orthodontists analyzing my teeth, Lou Wood said on the talk show. They dissect my teeth and say whats wrong with it, but at the end go, but we dont think she should change a thing.

It feels so lovely. A real full-circle moment after being bullied for my teeth forever, she added.
Singer Brian Johnson and lead guitarist Angus Young of legendary rockband AC/DC perform on stage at the sold-out Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany at the start of their Europe Power Up tour on Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) AP

In less than a month, the GRAMMY Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band AC/DC will be at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA and fans can still purchase tickets.

The iconic rock band will be at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, May 4. Fans who dont want to miss out on this show can shop for tickets online using reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek.

*New customers who purchase tickets through VividSeats can get $20 off a $200+ ticket order by using the promo code MassLive20 at checkout.*

As of Monday, April 14, the cheapest tickets to the show are $94 on StubHub, $92 on VividSeats and $96 on SeatGeek.

The 2025 Pour Up North American Tour is AC/DCs first time performing in the U.S. in nine years and they will perform in 13 stadiums. The band kicked off the tour on April 10 in Minneapolis, MN at US Bank Stadium and will wrap up on May 28 in Cleveland, OH.

The tour shares its name with their 2020 album, POWER UP, which made it to #1 in 21 countries. In 2024, AC/DC completed a European leg of the POWER UP Tour, packing the biggest stadiums on the continent in the process.

The band features Angus Young on lead guitar, vocalist Brian Johnson, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and bass player Chris Chaney.

Below is a look at the full schedule for AC/DCs 2025 Power Up North American tour with links to purchase tickets:
Jury selection continues for the murder retrial of Karen Read, center, flanked by defense attorneys David Yannetti, left, and Alan Jackson, in Norfolk Superior Court, in front of Judge Beverly J. Cannone, Monday in Dedham. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

On the ninth day of jury selection for Karen Reads second trial Monday, one new juror was added to the panel, but another dropped out, leaving the total at 16, according to reporters inside the courtroom.

The goal is to seat at least 18 jurors before selection is over, meaning the process will continue Tuesday. Opening statements in the second trial were initially expected to take place on Tuesday but have been delayed as the selection process continues.

It took five full days to seat a jury for Reads first trial. With the process continuing on Tuesday, it will take at least twice as long to get a jury for the second trial.

The goal for jury selection initially was to seat 16 jurors, but the number was hiked to 18 at some point in the process. Only 12 of the eventual 18 will deliberate the case, with the remainder serving as alternates. Deliberating jurors wont be picked until the final day of the trial.

In all, 56 potential jurors arrived at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham Monday morning to be questioned to serve in the Read case, according to a WBZ reporter. Of those 56, 49 said they had seen, heard or talked about Reads case before arriving for jury duty, and 24 said they had expressed or formed an opinion.

Half of the potential jurors, 28 of the 56, said they had a substantial scheduling hardship that could prevent them from serving, such as being a student or having surgery scheduled during the period the trial is set to take place.

How jury selection plays out

Each morning of selection begins the same way, with Cannone reading a statement of the case, laying out what prosecutors say Read did: backing her SUV into her then-boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, outside a Canton home after a night of drinking.

She tells jurors that Read is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove her innocence during the trial.

Cannone also references the intense publicity that has consumed the Read case, saying, public comment will likely continue, but the rule of law will be upheld.

Read thanks the potential jurors after each lawyer introduces themselves.

Cannone then reads out the entire witness list, which contains 150 names, before beginning questioning. After the group questioning, jurors are left to complete a three-page questionnaire.

Only after all that are jurors questioned individually.

During individual questioning, both sides can strike a juror for any reason. Each side gets 16 strikes.

Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with OKeefes death.

Reads defense claims she is being framed and others are responsible for OKeefes death.
A second immigration attorney from Massachusetts confirmed she has received a letter from federal authorities to self-deport due to the expiration of parole.

In both instances, however, the attorneys are U.S. citizens and were not on parole status.

Immigration attorney Carmen Bello works in the East Boston area and she received a letter on Friday from the Department of Homeland Security ordering her to leave the country immediately.

It is time for you to leave the United States, the email reads and states that your parole will terminate in 7 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.

Bello is originally from the Dominican Republic but became a U.S. citizen in 2007.

I was surprised that it was sent out to me, Bello said on Monday. I have never belonged to parole so I knew it wasnt for me ... That is very irresponsible because you are scaring a person that you are getting deported, that we are going to get you.

Many of her clients received the same letter, and she described the psychological threat contained within the emails that have scared many people who are afraid their parole is being imminently revoked.

The email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ends with the message, Do not attempt to remain in the United States  the federal government will find you. Please depart the United States immediately." It also provides the steps to report their departures to federal immigration authorities.

On Sunday, DHS gave a statement explaining that Customs and Border Protection is sending notices about parole termination for people who do not have lawful status to remain.

Some notifications are going to American citizens in instances where an immigrant provided federal authorities with an attorneys email address, the statement said.

Notices may have been sent to unintended recipients, DHS said.

CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis, the statement read.

Bello said she is moving forward from the email without seeking clarification from DHS.

The whole idea is to make them (immigrants) scared and leave, Bello said. With everything you see in the news, clients will believe this will happen to them after all these raids.

Last week, another immigration attorney received the same email and described the situation as a little concerning since they were being sent to U.S. citizens.

Probably, hopefully, sent to me in error, immigration attorney Nicole Micheroni told NBC Boston.

The language in the email is very threatening, she told the outlet. And it looks kind of like a sketchy spam email. It doesnt look like an official government notice, but it is.
An extended buffer zone surrounding the Dedham courthouse where Karen Reads second trial is taking place will remain after a federal judge denied a lawsuit seeking to eliminate it on free speech grounds.

In the lead-up to Reads second trial, Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone issued an order expanding the buffer zone around the courthouse at the request of prosecutors. Cannone ordered the buffer zone to prevent demonstrators outside the court from influencing the trial.

In the wake of the order, a group of four supporters filed suit in federal court in Boston, claiming the buffer zone quashes their right to free speech. The supporters also claimed they were not given an opportunity by Cannone to be heard in opposition to the order.
Passengers aboard two international flights were forced to stay on the planes overnight at an airport at which they were never supposed to land, then guarded by police once they were allowed into the terminal Thursday night, WCVB reported.

Delta Flight 1828 from Cabo San Lucas and Flight 599 from Mexico City were both heading to Atlanta when they were diverted to Montgomery, Alabama, in response to poor weather conditions, Delta Airlines confirmed.

Flight 1828 departed at 5:17 p.m. and landed in Montgomery at 10:34 p.m., but its 150 passengers were not allowed to leave the plane until 5:23 a.m., according to Delta. Flight 599 departed at 6:16 p.m. and reached Montgomery at 10:22 p.m., but its 147 passengers were held on the plane until 5:15 a.m.

Boston native Lauren Forbes was on one of the flights with her boyfriend and planned to continue on to Logan Airport from Atlanta, WCVB reported. While stuck on the plane, the crew could only give out water and cookies, Forbes said.

So everyones very ravenous still, and they just kept changing (the plan), she said.  ... People would sleep, but then you were woken up by the announcements, and there was a point where people just said, you know, dont make the announcement if its going to be a lie.

When the passengers were allowed to leave the plane, they had to walk out onto to tarmac in the cold and dark, Forbes told WCVB. Once inside, the passengers were kept in a confined area and guarded by police.

We sincerely apologize to our customers for this experience, a Delta spokesperson wrote 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.
A federal judge in Vermont who is considering whether he has jurisdiction over the case of a Turkish Tufts University student detained by immigration officials in Louisiana raised the possibility Monday of having her brought back to his court for a hearing.

U.S. District Judge William Sessions took under advisement arguments over Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, a doctoral student taken by immigration officials as she walked along a street in the Boston suburb of Somerville on March 25. After being taken to New Hampshire and then Vermont, she was put on a plane the next day and moved to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Basile, Louisiana.

Ozturks lawyers are challenging the legal authority for ICEs detention. They are asking that she be immediately released from custody, or in the alternative, be returned to Vermont for further proceedings.

A lawyer for the Justice Department said her case should be dismissed, saying the immigration court has jurisdiction. But Ozturks lawyers, who initially didnt know where she was for hours and first petitioned for her release in Massachusetts, argued for her to be released from detention whil her immigration case continues.

Lawyers for Ozturk in the immigration proceeding asked Monday that she be released on bond, her legal team in Vermont said.

Sessions brought up the idea of a hearing in his court in May if he were to assume jurisdiction over her petition.

Why not do that at the same time that the removal proceedings continue on? he said.

Read more: Rumeysa Ozturk describes harrowing Louisiana confinement in new court filing

Lawyers on both sides said they would need to consult further to provide details on the amount of time needed for such a hearing.

Ozturk is among several people with ties to American universities whose visas were revoked or have been stopped from entering the U.S. after they were accused of attending demonstrations or publicly expressed support for Palestinians. On Friday, a Louisiana immigration judge ruled that the U.S. can deport Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil based on the federal governments argument that he poses a national security risk.

Ozturk was one of four students who wrote an op-ed in the campus newspaper, The Tufts Daily, last year criticizing the universitys response to student activists demanding that Tufts acknowledge the Palestinian genocide, disclose its investments and divest from companies with ties to Israel.

Ozturks lawyers say her detention violates her constitutional rights, including free speech and due process.

Ultimately, unfortunately, the heart of whats happening is that she is stuck in detention for an op-ed, her immigration attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, said outside the federal building in Burlington after Mondays hearing.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said last month, without providing evidence, that investigations found that Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group.

A State Department memorandum showed that Ozturks student visa was revoked on March 21 following an assessment that she had been involved in associations that may undermine U.S. foreign policy by creating a hostile environment for Jewish students and indicating support for a designated terrorist organization including co-authoring an op-ed that found common cause with an organization that was later temporarily banned from campus.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that another memorandum, written by an office within the State Department before Ozturk was detained, determined that there was no evidence showing that she took part in antisemitic activities or made public statements supporting a terrorist organization.

Ozturks lawyers said Monday that the memorandum has not been supplied to them.

A message seeking comment from the department on the report was emailed Monday afternoon.
Harvard University in Cambridge, shown in this file photo, rejected demands from the Trump administration to restructure its operations or lose about $9 billion in federal funding. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Harvard University has rejected the Trump administrations demands to overhaul its leadership structure, admissions and hiring, as the government threatens to pull nearly $9 billion in funding.

Harvard is committed to fighting antisemitism and other forms of bigotry in its community and will continue to do so, as it remains open to dialogue on its past and future plans to improve the experience of every member of its community, a letter from two attorneys representing the school read.

However, the Trump administrations list of demands looks to invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court, the letter read.

The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights, the letter read. It was signed by William Burck of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and Robert Hur of King & Spalding LLP, both in Washington, D.C.

Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the governments terms as an agreement in principle.

Harvard is the first to push back against the governments efforts to restructure top schools in the country.

The list of demands, received by Harvard University officials on April 3, described how the institution can avoid having around $9 billion in federal grants and contracts canceled at the university and its affiliates, such as Mass General Brigham and Boston Childrens Hospital.

The demands would force Harvard to shutter diversity, equity and inclusion programs, implement a mask ban and adopt merit-based admissions and hiring policies to end preferences based on race, color or national origin.

Late on Friday night, Harvard received another letter with an updated and expanded list of demands, school officials said. Harvard must comply with the demands if it intends to maintain Harvards financial relationship with the federal government, the second letter read.

Harvard President Alan M. Garber addressed all of the communications between Harvard and the government with a note to the community on Monday.

The administrations prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government. It violates Harvards First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the governments authority under Title VI, Garber wrote.

And it threatens our values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production and dissemination of knowledge. No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue," Garbers letter read.

The Trump administration has also threatened to pull funding from Columbia University, Brown University, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Columbia agreed to a list of demands from the Trump administration after facing an ultimatum to abide by the requirements or jeopardize federal funding. The decision was met with outrage from community members and the higher education community despite it placing Columbia on the right track toward recovering the funding, according to The Associated Press.

The threatened funding also comes after a series of arrests by ICE, including Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk who was arrested by six masked federal immigration agents in Somerville on March 25, in apparent retaliation to an op-ed article she co-authored in the schools newspaper last year.

Information from a previous MassLive article was used to write this story. However,
On Sunday nights episode of American Idol, Top 24 contestant Gabby Samone said shed had a wall up during the competition thus far. But that wall came tumbling down when she explained her reason for singing to Idol artist-in-residence Jelly Roll and guest mentor Ashanti.

I want my parents to relax, and I want my parents to not have to work, and my siblings  I want them to see they can go for their dreams, she told the two artists, who helped her prepare for the next round of the competition.

There were times when we struggled to keep the lights on, Samone, the youngest of eight children, shared.

Over the course of Sunday and Mondays episodes, the Top 24 Idol contenders will face off at Aulani, a Disney resort and spa in Hawaii. This round marks the first time this season that Idol viewers  not the judges  will determine who advances in the competition.

Samone chose to perform Its All Coming Back To Me Now by Celine Dion on Sunday nights episode, and told Jelly Roll and Ashanti that the performance was dedicated to her family. By the end of her practice performance, both Jelly Roll and Samone were teary.

Its a pain I understand, Jelly Roll said. You keep singing with that why, you keep sharing that why. I know how uncomfortable it is to be that vulnerable in front of all these people on TV, but man, its special.

Following her official performance in front of judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, Samone echoed what she had previously shared with Jelly Roll and Ashanti.

Theres so many people out there just like me thats gone through things, and they need a shoulder to cry on, and they need to know that its ok to cry, its ok to be vulnerable, she said.

Idol viewers will decide if Samone advances to this seasons Top 20 contestants. Text-based voting will remain open until 6 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, April 14.
It looks like American Idol artist-in-residence Jelly Roll is a member of the pink penny club.

On Sunday nights episode of the singing competition, the country star and rapper quickly became a fan of contestant Penny Samar, who previously auditioned with a cover of Chappell Roans song Pink Pony Club  and wore a pink penny club top to match.

Samar revisited Roans catalog during the episode, as she prepared a rendition of Good Luck, Babe! for the next round of the competition, which brought Season 23s remaining contestants to Hawaii. Over the course of Sunday and Mondays episodes, the Top 24 Idol contenders will face off at Aulani, a Disney resort and spa.

Before performing in front of judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan  and Idol viewers, who will vote for their favorites for the first time this season  Samar conferred with Jelly Roll and guest mentor Ashanti.

Unlike the Idol judges, who told Samar that she applied too many theatrics to her audition, Jelly Roll called Samar on an island of her own, no pun intended.

Keep being your weird, awkward, happy, bubbly self, he told her, citing her personality as her superpower.

While the Idol judges will no longer determine which contestants will advance, the panel still shared enthusiastic support for Samar.

I feel like you occupy your own lane in this group of talent, said Underwood, praising Samars look, sound, and ability to engage with the audience.

Bryan noted that the stage was Samars playground, and Richie, who previously criticized Samars flair-filled facial expressions, applauded her drama and attitude.

Youve actually grown quite a bit, congratulations he said.

Idol viewers will decide if Samar advances to this seasons Top 20 contestants. Text-based voting will remain open until 6 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, April 14.
Special prosecutor Hank Brennan introduces himself to prospective jurors during jury selection for the trial of Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Reads own words will be used against her during her second trial, prosecutors confirmed in a Monday court filing.

Almost from the moment he was hired to lead Reads retrial, special prosecutor Hank Brennan began compiling statements Read gave during interviews, including obtaining off-the-record and unaired conversations. Read has given interviews to Vanity Fair, Boston Magazine, Dateline, 20/20, and most recently, Investigation Discovery.

In the filing Monday, Brennan said the statements range from Reads immediate impressions and state of mind in the minutes and hours surrounding John OKeefes death to crafted narrations, sometimes in the presence of counsel that recount for the defendants version or impressions of events months and years after the murder.

The filing indicates prosecutors intend to introduce Reads statements without a witness or, at times, through witnesses who were not physically present for the interviews.

Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge, said Brennan will be planning to offer the best [statements] independently, and ... will have [them] indexed to cross-examine Ms. Read with, should she take the stand.

Dan Conley, a former Suffolk County district attorney who Brennan worked under before he departed for private practice, said anytime a defendant speaks, it could be considered an admission.

The jury selection process for Reads second trial is set to enter its 10th day Tuesday, with 16 jurors in place toward a goal of 18.

Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe.

Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed her SUV into OKeefe in a drunken rage amid turmoil in their relationship, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer. But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten up inside the house, and his body was planted outside to frame Read.
A North Andover man was sentenced to 63 months, or five years, in prison for possessing over 30 firearms and explosives as a convicted felon, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said.

The sentence of Daniel Medina, 65, will be followed by three years of supervised release, Foleys office said in a statement. Medina pleaded guilty in December 2024 to unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of explosive materials and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

On July 1, 2024, law enforcement learned of a reported explosion in the area of Medinas North Andover home, Foleys office said. Two vehicles were found damaged, along with a piece of mail addressed to Medina. All the debris were consistent with common items used in manufacturing homemade explosive devices, including ball bearings and shrapnel, the statement read.
An immigration lawyer born in Massachusetts and a U.S. citizen received a notice from the federal government on Friday telling her to get out of the country.

It is time for you to leave the United States, states an email from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent to Nicole Micheroni, an attorney with the Boston-based firm Cameron Micheroni & Silvia.

Micheroni shared the letter on the social media site Bluesky and it informs her that she has seven days until her parole is terminated, even though she is a citizen.

Probably, hopefully, sent to me in error, the 40-year-old attorney told NBC Boston. But its a little concerning these are going out to U.S. citizens.

At first glance, Micheroni thought the email was intended for one of her clients, but after looking closer, the letter only named her.

The language in the email is very threatening, she told the outlet. And it looks kind of like a sketchy spam email. It doesnt look like an official government notice, but it is.

Micheroni did not immediately return a request for comment on Sunday.

She told WIRED, a technology magazine, that she did not believe she would be deported in seven days, but found it concerning the level of care theyre using to send these out.

Some personal news: the Department of Homeland Security has given me, an immigration lawyer born in Newton, Massachusetts, seven days to leave the U.S. Does anyone know if you can get Italian citizenship through great-grandparents?



[image or embed]  Nicole Micheroni (@nicolemicheroni.bsky.social) April 11, 2025 at 7:11 PM

A senior DHS official provided MassLive with a statement on Sunday that said Customs and Border Protection is sending notices about parole termination for people who do not have lawful status to remain.

CBP used the known email addresses of the alien to send notifications. If a non-personal email  such as an American citizen contact  was provided by the alien, notices may have been sent to unintended recipients. CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis, DHS said.

To be clear: If you are an alien, being in the United States is a privilege  not a right. We are acting in the best interest of the country and enforcing the law accordingly," the statement said.

Micheroni said she felt scared about the situation. It says theyre not being careful, she told NBC Boston.

In her social media post, she tried to make light of the letter and wrote, Does anyone know if you can get Italian citizenship through great-grandparents?

The letter warns that if Micheroni does not depart the U.S. immediately, she could be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States.

DHS encourages you leave immediately on your own, the letter states.

Micheroni said she wont reach out to Homeland Security and chalked it up to an administrative error during her interview with NBC Boston.

I think its a scare tactic, she said. I think they want people afraid of immigration.

Last week, the Trump administration began canceling the parole for migrants who were allowed into the country using the CBP One app since January 2023, the Associated Press reported. While its unclear how many beneficiaries would be affected, the government urged migrants to self-deport immediately.

The CBP One app allowed migrants to schedule appointments at legal ports of entry instead of crossing the border illegally to seek asylum, according to NPR.

A federal judge said on Thursday she would prevent the Trump administration from ordering more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela with temporary legal status to leave the country later this month.
Since late March, rumors of a potential serial killer in New England have spread rapidly, sparked by several recent discoveries of human remains across at least three states in the region.

Its gotten to the point where millions of views have racked up across dozens of TikTok posts on the topic. A 55,000-person Facebook group called New England Serial Killer gained nearly 10,000 new followers in just the last week  more than 3,000 between Friday and Saturday alone.

As of April 12, however, none of the investigating New England police departments have publicly linked any of the human remains discoveries as a serial killer targeting the region.

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, a statement from Connecticut State Police on April 11 read, from Connecticut news outlets.

That hasnt been enough to convince people spurring the conversations online who dont seem to believe police, as theories continue to swirl.

I dont like that the police are like, Dont jump to conclusions, ... this has literally got [expletive] serial killer written all over it, a TikTok user with the screen name @sassykittypaw said in an April 10 post.

In her post, the TikToker mentioned the case of Denise Leary, a 59-year-old mother of two who went missing in September and was found dead near her home in New Haven, Conn. on March 21, by people clearing thawing brush outside their home.

Leary has been referenced in many other online posts about a possible killer, with particular attention on the fact she was last seen six months ago.

And though no cause of death has officially been ruled, New Haven police officer Christian Bruckhart said on April 11 that the investigation so far hasnt indicated Leary was even killed.

Theres certain things that have a mystique about them, and I think serial killers are one, Bruckhart told MassLive. ... A serial killer is this almost mythical figure in the zeitgeist  I mean, how many Hannibal Lecter movies have been done?

Bruckhart points out, he doesnt speak for all New England police investigating recent cases of discovered human remains.

Though Learys case does not appear to be a homicide, theres nothing to say no one is ever going to be a serial killer again, he said.

Theyre out there, we know that they exist. But I can only speak to my departments investigation, in the missing person case, that theres no indication there was any homicide, Bruckhart said.

The discovered bodies raising concerns

At least six cases of bodies have been found in past weeks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, in mostly geographically close towns.

With all but two unidentified, these cases include a skull unearthed in the woods of Plymouth on March 6, human remains found in at least three Connecticut towns at the end of March and start of April  in New Haven, Groton and Killingly  and a body discovered in Foster, Rhode Island on March 27.

Killingly, Connecticut is just over the border from Foster, Rhode Island, and about an hour from Groton and New Haven, Connecticut. Plymouth is closest to Foster, about 90 minutes away.

Detectives in New Haven and Foster have identified the remains found, both as women missing since the summer and early fall of last year. Their public identifications, combined with no official causes of death announcements, have invested the public further in to the theory of a potential New England serial killer.

Bruckhart cautions social media detectives to be sensitive to the unintended affect their relentless probing can have on others. Public focus on a case can be traumatic for a victims family, as it tries to search for closure.

We dont want this womans death to be treated as like a sideshow for peoples own personal interests, Bruckhart said.  ... At the same time, we do want to be as forthright as we can to the public, and say, Hey, listen, theres no indication that the woman was killed.
Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson addresses Boston City Council members during a meeting at City Hall in Boston on Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

A plea hearing for Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who has said she will plead guilty to federal charges that she ran a kickback scheme, has been rescheduled for May 5.

Prosecutors have recommended that the District 7 councilor serve one year in prison and pay restitution and forfeiture of $13,000 each.

A plea hearing was initially scheduled for April 24 but was rescheduled Monday to give prosecutors and the defense time to prepare, according to court filings.

Fernandes Anderson, who said last week that she would resign from her position on the council, was arrested in December on charges that she ran a kickback scheme with a family member whom she employed in her City Hall office, using public funds to help with her own financial struggles.

According to the indictment filed in December, the District 7 councilor hired a family member to run constituent services in late 2022, falsely reporting that they were not related. Five months later, she paid the family member a large bonus, with the understanding that they would return some of the money to her.

The person later met Fernandes Anderson in a City Hall bathroom to hand over $7,000 cash, prosecutors said.

Fernandes Anderson pleaded not guilty at the time.

According to the plea agreement, Fernandes Anderson will plead guilty to one count each of aiding and abetting wire fraud and aiding and abetting theft concerning a program receiving federal funds.

Additional charges of aiding and abetting wire fraud, related to the alleged misuse of campaign funds, and filing fraudulent tax returns will be dropped.
New Hampshire State Police have charged a Massachusetts driver in connection with drunken driving and speeding at over 135 mph early Sunday morning in Manchester.

Lowell resident Gregory White, 27, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, disobeying a police officer and several other violations, New Hampshire State Police said in a press release.

At 1:35 a.m., a trooper was monitoring traffic on I-293 South in Manchester when he noticed a silver 2025 Cadillac CT5-V traveling at 135 mph in a 50 mph zone, state police said. The Cadillac continued speeding at over 130 mph before getting off the highway in Bedford.

The Cadillac took a left through a red light before pulling into an alley, state police said. The trooper then arrested the driver, who was identified as White.

White was released on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 6 in Merrimack District Court, state police said.
China says it will fight to the end after Trump threatens to impose still more tariffs. This photo shows an aerial view of Xiasha Container Terminal on a canal in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province. (Chinatopix Via AP) AP

Massachusetts businesses feeling the pinch of President Donald Trumps tariffs now a centralized resource in state government where they can seek help.

On Monday, Gov. Maura Healeys office announced that it was launching the Massachusetts Tariff Response and Business Operations Support Initiative, or TRBO, billing it as a one-stop shop for business owners dealing with a rapidly shifting trade landscape.

My administration has partnered with businesses from Day One and, in this time of uncertainty, I want to do all I can to safeguard the manufacturing sector and mitigate market fluctuations, Healey said in a statement.

Businesses across New England have raced to keep up with the Trump White Houses trade policies. With some announcing that they might impose a surcharge on goods imported from China, according to a published report.

The TRBO initiative announced Monday includes a survey that will allow companies to explain how theyve been impacted by tariffs. That, in turn, will allow the state to develop a response plan and to connect those businesses with " alternative supply chains here in Massachusetts and across the region," the Democratic front office said.

The intent there is to ensure that Massachusetts stays the course through these challenging times, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a statement.

Despite what is happening at the federal level, we are working around the clock to build a path forward so we can keep goods moving and protect jobs no matter what, Driscoll said.

Healey met with business leaders last week to hear about how theyd been dealing with the tariffs. In the middle of it, Trump announced a 90-day pause on most of the plan.

Even still, the Democratic governor and other attendees expressed little in the way of relief, saying they were still worried that consumers and employers would continue to face economic chaos and uncertainty.

The pause doesnt matter because we are still left in a state of chaos and uncertainty, Healey said, according to State House News Service. This is why people cannot deploy capital. They cant invest in their workforce.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump announced further modifications to his trade regime with China, imposing exemptions for smartphones, computers and other electronics from China, Reuters reported.

According to one senior administration official, businesses need all the help they can get.

Every day, businesses are working hard to pay their bills, deliver services and support their workers. The recent efforts by the Trump administration have thrown businesses into limbo, state Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said. Massachusetts has weathered these storms before and is fortunate to have the expertise, knowledge and capacity to meet these challenging times.
Days before masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk to deport her, the State Department determined that the Trump administration had not produced any evidence showing that she engaged in antisemitic activities or made public statements supporting a terrorist organization, as the government has alleged.

The finding, contained in a March memo that was described to The Washington Post, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not have sufficient grounds for revoking zturks visa under an authority empowering the top U.S. diplomat to safeguard the foreign policy interests of the United States.

The memo, written by an office within the State Department, raises doubts about the public accusations made by the Trump administration as it has sought to justify Ozturks deportation. The Department of Homeland Security has said Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, but neither that agency nor U.S. prosecutors have provided evidence for that claim.

The revocation of Ozturks visa is part of an expanding crackdown on international students and scholars by the Trump administration including hundreds of visa revocation cases. She was taken into custody March 25.

Read More: Rumeysa Ozturk describes harrowing Louisiana confinement in new court filing

Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student from Turkey, was targeted by the government for co-writing an op-ed last year in the Tufts student newspaper criticizing the universitys response to the Israel-Gaza war. A hearing in Ozturks case is scheduled for Monday in federal court in Vermont. Her lawyers say her possible deportation would violate the United States founding principles of freedom of speech.

When asked about the memo, the State Department said we do not comment on ongoing or pending litigation.

DHS did not respond to a request for comment.

DHS originally recommended the revocation of Ozturks visa under an authority in the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows for the deportation of a foreigner if the secretary of state has reasonable grounds to believe the persons presence or activities has adverse policy consequence for the United States, according to a copy of a separate memo reviewed by The Post and sent by DHS to the State Department before her detention last month.

OZTURK engaged in anti-Israel activism in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israelis on October 7, 2023, says the memo, from senior DHS official Andre Watson to senior State Department official John Armstrong.

Specifically, Watsons memo says, Ozturk co-authored an Op-ed article that called for Tufts to disclose its investments and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel.

After receiving the recommendation from DHS, the State Department found that while Ozturk had protested Tufts relationship with Israel, neither DHS nor ICE nor Homeland Security investigations produced any evidence showing that Ozturk has engaged in antisemitic activity or made public statements indicating support for a terrorist organization, according to U.S. government employees briefed on the State Departments memo.

The memo also said that a search of U.S. government databases on Ozturk did not produce any terrorism-related information about her.

As a result of the lack of evidence, the department said she could be deported using a different authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows for the revocation of a visa at the secretary of states discretion.

Legal analysts say a key difference between the two authorities at Rubios disposal is that the original one requires a rationale and explanation and evidence, said Soulmaz Taghavi, an immigration attorney. But the authority ultimately used for Ozturks deportation does not.

Theres a chain of communication that gets passed along to the attorney general, but there isnt any requirement to justify or rationalize what exactly the removal is based on, Taghavi said.

In a separate document dated March 21 and reviewed by The Post, the State Department informed DHS that the revocation of Ozturks visa had been approved under the discretionary authority.

Due to ongoing ICE operations security, this revocation will be silent; the Department of State will not notify the subject of the revocation, the memo says.

Video of Ozturk being grabbed off the streets of suburban Boston by plain-clothed agents drew international attention to her case and sparked widespread debate about suppression of speech by the Trump administration. At Tufts, Ozturks arrest drew intense criticism, including from a pro-Israel group on campus and Tufts Republicans.

We strongly oppose the content of the op-ed that Ozturk coauthored last year, read an op-ed by Tufts Friends of Israel, ... but restricting freedom of speech is flat-out undemocratic and un-American. Freedom of speech in a democracy is sacred. It ensures that dissent is heard and that people can express themselves - it is the best tool we have to fight tyranny. Right now, our freedom of speech is under attack.

When asked about revoking Ozturks visa, Rubio has repeatedly suggested that her infractions go far beyond co-writing an opinion column in a student newspaper.

I would caution you against solely going off of what the media has been able to identify, he told reporters on a flight back to the U.S. from his recent meetings in the Caribbean.

In another exchange with reporters, he said Ozturks removal is not just because you want to write op-eds but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus.

There are no indications that Ozturk was a leader in last years protests at Tufts.

Rubio has broadly justified his visa revocations by claiming that the students who have been targeted supported Hamas and promulgated antisemitism.

When asked about Rubios justification given the State Department memo indicating a lack of evidence that Ozturk engaged in antisemitism, the State Department referred to a recent Rubio op-ed published by Fox News.

Visiting America is not an entitlement, it says. It is a privilege extended to those who respect our laws and values. And, as Secretary of State, I will never forget that.

In a recent sworn declaration submitted in her case, Ozturk said she did not know that the State Department had revoked her visa when she was apprehended.

She was on the phone with her mother when several men surrounded her on the sidewalk. After one of the men grabbed at her, she screamed.

I didnt think that they were the police because I had never seen police approach and take someone away like this, Ozturk wrote in the declaration. I thought this was a strange situation and was sure they were going to kill me.

I was handcuffed, then chained at the waist and put in ankle shackles," she wrote.
TAMPA  An MRI revealed Red Sox starter Richard Fitts has a mild right pectoral strain.

He left his start Saturday against the White Sox in Chicago after five dominant innings. He had imaging done Monday.

So its not as bad as what we thought, manager Alex Cora said before Bostons game Monday at the Rays temporary home, George M. Steinbrenner Field. Obviously timetable, we dont know yet. But out of the bad news, its the best possible result.

Tanner Houck will start Monday when the Red Sox and Rays play here at 7:05 p.m. Walker Buehler will start Tuesday in the second game of this series.

The Red Sox have yet to determine who will start Wednesday.

Brayan Bello (right shoulder strain) could be back as early as next Monday when the Red Sox host the White Sox for their annual morning Patriots Day game.

Bello is making his fourth rehab start Wednesday at Hartford for Double-A Portland, Cora said. Its expected to be his final tune up before hes ready to be activated. Hed be on regular rest next Monday.

Lucas Giolito (left hamstring strain) will make his third rehab start Tuesday in Hartford for Portland, according to Cora. He likely will need one more rehab start after Tuesday.

Bello is ahead of Gio in this, Cora said. So most likely is his (Bellos) last one.

The 25-year-old Fitts allowed six runs in 17 innings (3.18 ERA) over three starts.

Red Sox starters have the sixth best starter ERA (3.59) among major league teams, giving up 37 earned runs in 92  innings so far.

Garrett Crochet has allowed only four earned runs in 27 innings (1.38 ERA). The other five Boston pitchers to make starts have allowed 33 earned runs in 65  innings, a 4.52 ERA. Help is on the way though.

Hendriks on track for this weekend

Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow inflammation) is expected to make one more rehab appearance before being activated from the 15-day IL.

Hell pitch for Double-A Portland on Wednesday at Hartford.

And if everything goes well, hell be with us during the weekend, Cora said.

The Red Sox will play Friday-Monday at home against the White Sox.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announces new plans to address the dangerous driving of dirt bikes through Springfield and surrounding towns and cities on Hampden County. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)

SPRINGFIELD  Local leaders are going full throttle on wiping out dirt bikes from the streets of the three biggest cities in Western Massachusetts.

Its part of a more than five-year endeavor to prioritize public safety and to zero out off-road vehicles and ATVs from Western Massachusetts biggest population centers.
U.S. Rep Jim McGovern spoke out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine calling Vladimir Putin "unstable" and "dangerous."

U.S. Rep Jim McGovern, D-2nd District, sent a letter to Trump Administration officials demanding answers as to why the visas of international students attending schools in his district were revoked.

The congressman sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Friday asking them to provide a reason as to why the visas of international students at Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and The University of Massachusetts Amherst were revoked.
Achill Island RNLI has annouced that Orlagh Blake-Dillon has taken up the volunteer role of Visits Officer at the west Mayo station.

Dublin native Orlagh Blake-Dillon will facilitate organised group visits to the station to highlight water safety awareness and to outline what happens at the station during and between call outs.

Orlagh and her husband, Francis (who also helps out with the stations Fundraising Branch), both joined the Achill Island RNLI lifeboat crew as trainees in March 2024 following their move from Dublin to Achill Island.

They wanted to build a strong community connection following their move, and having heard about the local lifeboat station from other volunteers at the station, joining the team there was high on their list of priorities.

READ: Mayo Mental Health Association launches Primary School programme

Orlagh and Francis both excelled in the various aspects of their crew training, and having successfully completed all of their assessments, they received their pagers last November and are available for call outs on the stations all-weather Trent class lifeboat.

Orlagh has very much immersed herself in the RNLI experience  she also joined the stations water safety team alongside fellow volunteers, Seamus Butler and Ann Lavelle - and she was delighted to add the role of Visits Officer to her list of RNLI expertise earlier this month.

Speaking about her new role as Visits Officer, Orlagh said: With summer just around the corner, it is important that people are water safety aware. According to the RNLI, over half of the people who drown at our coasts never intended to be in the water. That means they entered the water unexpectedly or by accident, and didnt get to make it home safely to their loved ones.

Orlagh said that even the most experienced water enthusiasts find themselves in difficulty at times. She added: No one goes to our coasts or waterways with the intention of needing to be rescued, but accidents can happen sometimes despite the best plans and preparations. If you are planning on being on or in the water, the advice is to check the weather and sea conditions, let someone know what your plans are and when you expect to return and always carry a means of calling for help. If you find yourself in difficulty on or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Our lifeboat crew will be happy to launch to assist if requested to do so. Its what we do.

Achill RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Sam and Ada Moody

Ciaran Needham, Achill Island RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager said: We are delighted that Orlagh has taken up the role of Visits Officer at our station. All of our volunteers, whether they are lifeboat crew or shore-based, play a vital role in saving lives at sea. If we can manage to save just one life by promoting water safety awareness through these visits facilitated by Orlagh, we will be very happy indeed.

Speaking about the possibility of volunteering at the station, Ciaran said: We have recently welcomed some new trainee crew to our team which is fantastic, and there are a variety of roles within the crew that volunteers can become trained in, including coxswain, mechanic and navigator, to name just a few. Individuals can approach myself or any volunteer at the station if they wished to become involved. We would welcome anyone with an interest in joining our RNLI family to our team.

Visitors to Achill Island RNLI lifeboat station at Kildownet will avail of a meet and greet, a safety briefing and find out how calls for help are received and managed by those at the station. Groups will get a tour of the station, see the crew room where crew kit is stored ready for use, as well as the wet room and the boat house, where the stations special boarding boat and tractor are safely stored. The boarding boat, launched by the tractor, is used to get crew to and from the stations all-weather lifeboat, Sam and Ada Moody, which can launch in all weather conditions, day and night, 365 days a year, with her volunteer crew. The lifeboat station at Achill Island RNLI is possibly one of the most picturesque of all of the RNLIs stations across Ireland and the UK. The lifeboat is idyllically moored under the watchful gaze of Grainne Uailes castle, and crew use their special boarding boat to get to and from the lifeboat for training and call outs.

Orlagh, who works as a receptionist at Hotel Newport, continued: As a charity, the RNLI relies entirely on donations from the public, so it is really important that people can see where their generous donations go and what they are used for. We are happy to facilitate visits for any group, and we can tailor the visit to suit the needs of different groups.

A visit to Achill Island RNLI can be organised by emailing Orlagh at o_blake-dillion@rnli.org.uk.
The idyllic setting of The Lodge at Ashford Castle played host to an important event on Friday afternoon, as the Ladies Lunch fundraiser in aid of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice took place.

The event was attended by the likes of RTEs Prime Time host Miriam OCallaghan as well as Professor Afif EL-Khuffash, a leading paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.

READ MORE: Mayo dance group set for two major shows

The 200 women who attended the seventh edition of the sold-out lunch started their day with a drinks reception on the banks of Lough Corrib, as well as a fashion show and a panel hosted by Ms OCallaghan.

For the Mayo Roscommon Hospice CEO Martina Jennings, the event was a resounding success: Our annual ladies lunch is always a sell-out, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the local community, she stated.

Events like this help us fund and develop essential palliative care services across Mayo and Roscommon.

Everyone deserves the very best care, and we are committed to walking that journey with them every step of the way.
Parents of an 18-year-old boy named Aaron Langley have set up a Go Fund Me following his cancer diagnoses on February last.

The Go Fund Me has raised 3,340 so far from people wishing to support Aaron and his family, which means they have nearly hit their goal of 4.5k.

Aaron's parents have set a challenge of 100,000 steps in a single day to raise awareness and funds for testicular cancer research following Aaron's diagnosis.

Aaron's mother, Janice Langley, said "up until November, Aaron was a fit and healthy young man who went to the gym regularly and was studying for his leaving cert. This experience has shown us all that cancer doesnt care who you are - what age you are, how healthy you are, it comes out of nowhere and hits you like a train."

Aaron has had six visits to A&E, five admissions, three big surgeries and a very nasty infection, according to the Go Fund Me.

Testicular cancer affects around 170 men in Ireland each year and is one of the most treatable cancers when its detected early.

"This journey has made me realise that there isnt enough awareness around testicular cancer, especially when it affects young men. We all have men in our livesour sons, nephews, uncles, brothers, cousins, colleagues, husbands, and dadswho deserve the chance to stay informed and conduct regular self-checks," Janice said.

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"April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Montha fact I learned only after Aarons diagnosis. My husband and I have decided to challenge ourselves by walking 100,000 steps in a single day to raise awareness and funds for testicular cancer research.

"Our planned route will take us from Bray to Portmarnock along Dublins beautiful coast, and then back into the city centre.and this challenge is our way to help ensure that more people learn about the importance of early detection. Thank you for supporting Aaron, and for sharing this message with the people you love," Janice added.

The link to the Go Fund Me can be found here.
by Danielle Oster , April 13, 2025

Departing visitors might seem like an odd focus for a tourism campaign.

Yet a new Stay Awhile spring tourism campaign from VisitLex makes it work by tackling the travel regret of Lexington, Kentucky visitors who wish theyd had more time in the city. Created in collaboration with the Lexington-based agency Cornett, the campaign includes seemingly negative lines like Youll hate to go and The saddest view in Lexington to grab viewers attention, before revealing the context: Lexington, Kentucky, is a hard place to leave. Especially when you know youve left so much of the city unexplored. But thats an easily avoidable mistake.

Interspersed with the copy is imagery showcasing mountain views, local restaurants, whiskey distilleries, and other tourist attractions. Another ad makes sure to open more positively, with the message, Youll love coming to Lexington.

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The campaign is running through April 27, with paid-media placements across print and social media, digital video, and OOH platforms  with the latter including a contextual billboard at Lexingtons Blue Grass Airport addressing departing travelers with the message: Its not too late to turn back. Visitors often regret leaving too soon. Dont make the same mistake.

In the closing moments, ads invite viewers to book a three-day stay in the city, with the three replacing a crossed-out number two in the copy, a change that gets to the heart of the strategy.

Our research showed that a lot of people view Lexington as a one-hit wonder, said VisitLex Vice President of Marketing Leslie Miller in a statement. Guests typically book visits for less than two nights to experience our bourbon, horses, or a special event. But, they inevitably fall in love with the city and the stunning landscape and wish they had more time to experience some of Lexingtons more unexpected attractions like our incredible culinary scene and creative culture.
by Ray Schultz , April 13, 2025

The Texas Tribune and ProPublica have formed an investigative initiative in which five newsrooms will report on power in Texas.

The newsrooms include El Paso Matters, Houston Chronicle, Fort Worth Report, The Texas Newsroom and WFAA.

This follows a 2020 collaboration between the Tribune and ProPublica to publish investigative reporting about Texas.

Local newsrooms are primed to deliver accountability reporting because they intimately know the communities they cover, says Vianna Davila, deputy editor of the Tribune-ProPublica investigative unit. We hope to facilitate even more of that reporting at a critical time in Texas and are so excited to work with these five newsrooms from across the state.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, April 14, 2025



Microsoft Monetizes suite of advanced productivity tools launched on Monday to anticipate advertising demands rather than meeting them.

As AI reshapes monetization, the industry will require tools that adapt to dynamic ad serving. Now, all publishers have access to the suite of tools that monetize ads in Copilot with Microsoft's release of its latest version.

Microsoft began talking about Monetize last month, but with this version the goal supports education and optimization by providing step-by-step instructions on features such as creating, editing objects, running reports, and learning about metrics that marketers might have used in the past on other platforms.

A central hub gives users rapid access to reports such as a list of ads that were blocked from running on a particular publisher site.

AI will streamline tasks and processes while surfacing meaningful insights because every minute spent troubleshooting or digging through data is time away from driving monetization initiatives. When and if Microsoft adds reasoning, the platform will make all types of decision for publishers and advertisers.

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General availability of this tool suite launched with a new home page that centralizes all tasks and views of the data.

It pulls in the most relevant information and offers integrated performance metrics to find revenue and boost yields, flags issues and points toward a resolution to improve common workflows.

The platform now highlights performance to provide a summary of key revenue trends across areas like Open Exchange, Managed Line Items, and Prebid Server Premium.

Line items in the dashboard provide quick links for users to troubleshoot challenges on the dashboard rather than having to dig into the system to find what needs to be changed. For example, when an ad needs to run, but its missing a creative.

Microsoft has added a trouble-shooting tool it calls Change Log that gives users the ability to see changes occurred. Its a productivity tool that users did not have prior.

During a video call, one marketer asked about the Change Log and its recommendations. Microsoft said it will present data in the platform and allow marketers to make the decision to change the ad. The log will list what's happening with the brand and the marketer will have the option to make the change.
by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, April 14, 2025

Since the White Lotus season 3 finale aired last week, thousands of viewers have posted their own post-mortems. So lets break down some spoilers and possibly cry over spilled -- and spoiled -- coconut milk.

Ive written before about how this season of WL attracted an unprecedented number of brand collaborations, signed without seeing a script, although the location was known: the Four Seasons resort on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand.

Sometimes I wonder if marketers really understand that The White Lotus is a satire, all about savaging the privileged rich folk who can afford to stay in these five-star places and are miserable.

Further, showrunner Mike White amped up the irony this season by setting it in a Buddhist-based retreat and wellness center.

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Each season, the mystery lies in who dies in the final episode.

In season one, set in Hawaii, a sex-and-drug-crazed Australian hotel manager gets stabbed to death after defecating in a hotel guests suitcase. In the second season, set in Sicily, comic actor Jennifer Coolidge, as Tanya, a charming, but batshit-crazy heiress, drowns while trying to escape the evil gays aboard a yacht.

Her ghost haunts this season, which was slower, longer, and darker. Even the brilliant cinematography was highly filtered, resulting in a shadowy look that added to the tension.

Indeed, it was less ha-ha funny, more boundary-cracking, philosophical, and so bloody that five characters died in a pile-up in the end.

Plus, writer/director/exec producer White admitted that the whole season came to him while he was in a sleepless, 48-hour steroid haze, while being treated in Thailand for bronchitis.

I believe him.

Buddhism is all about renouncing materialism, because wanting things is suffering.

A Buddhist-adjacent show would seem to present a riskier proposition for brand partners, since marketing runs on capitalisms great engine of materialist desire.

So CB2 can sell brass monkeys without irony, and H&M and Banana Republic can put happening jungle prints on their sarongs and caftans, and they do sell.

But what were the marketers of Coffee Mate thinking -- or drinking -- in signing on and releasing two limited-edition White Lotus flavors, including Pina Colada?

These characters are people who shoot their baristas if they dont like the height of the microfoam on their three-pump lattes.

Im sure becoming part of a shocking pina-colada family-death-pact scenario was not in the plan for the Nestle-owned creamer.

So how did it happen? One of the storylines featured the five Ratliffs, a Durham, North Carolina family of bluebloods who travel to Thailand because their daughter Piper wanted to interview a Buddhist monk for her senior paper at UNC.

It turns out the paper was a ruse, part of Pipers plan to escape her unenlightened, overbearing mother, Victoria, played by the always terrific Parker Posey with an accent that birthed a thousand memes.

Piper planned to stay in a Buddhist monastery for a year, trying out a new life.

Thats anathema (no air conditioning!) to Victoria, who gets by on class consciousness, shopping and lorazepam.

Meanwhile, as soon as they arrive, husband and paterfamilias Tim, played by Jason Isaacs, a finance guy, finds out that hes about to be indicted back home for shady business dealings.

The thought of losing his money and status causes him to spend most of the eight episodes liquored up and in a lorazepam fog (after stealing a gun and his wifes benzos.)

The older son, Saxon (the names are priceless) works with his dad in the family business. Hes played by Patrick Schwarzenegger as a handsome party boy who has found religion in his muscled masculinity and protein smoothies.

In terms of the writing, the blender becomes like Chekhovs gun, going off in the third act.

Theres a younger son, Lochlan (actor Sam Nivola), a lost high school senior who idolizes his manly brother. These brothers get into some Murdaugh-family-level- perversity, having drunken sex with each other during a yacht party.

But poor Lochlan is smart enough to know that hes a people-pleaser drowning in a sea of family narcissism.

Mom has already said that shed rather be dead than live with no money, and after one night at the monastery, Piper decides its not for her. The food isnt even organic! she cries.

So ole Tim decides to do them all in, save Lochlan, who doesnt care about money.

On their last night at the resort, daddy-o Tim announces that hes throwing a pina colada party in their family suite after dinner.

His wife rolls her eyes at his cliched, down-market idea.

Will he kill them? We did get some sledgehammer foreshadowing as a hotel staffer points to the piog-pong tree, telling Tim that that its called the suicide tree because of its poisonous fruit.

He throws the poisoned tree parts into a blender. Its death-by-smoothie, although the father insists that Lochlan have a Coke, being too young to drink rum.

While serving the poisonous pinas, the dad talks about the perfect life theyve had with no privations.

And my job is to keep all that from you, he says.

The family sips.

Immediately feeling guilty, Tim knocks the poisoned drinks out of his familys hands, claiming that the coconut milk was spoiled.

The next morning, Lochlan decides to see what he missed, and makes a smoothie without cleaning the blender.

In a Christ- like scene, the dad discovers the now-comatose kid, and miraculously, Lochy lives.

Okay, but more importantly, can Coffee Mates Pina Colada flavor be saved?

By the next morning, the brand had the presence of mind to run an ad on Insta with the message, Well this is awkward" and a sweat-laugh emoji.

Good response. Indeed, it is. I'll have a Coke, thanks.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 14, 2025

California officials will ask an appellate court to revive the state's Age-Appropriate Design Code -- a 2022 law that regulates online companies' ability to display content to minors and harness their data.

U.S. District Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman in the Northern District of California blocked enforcement of the law last month, ruling that it likely violates the First Amendment.

On Friday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta initiated an appeal of that ruling to the 9th Circuit. Bonta's office has not yet filed substantive arguments with the appellate court.

Among other restrictions, the design code (AB 2273) requires online companies likely to be accessed by users under 18 to evaluate whether the design of their services could expose minors to potentially harmful content, and to mitigate that potential harm.

Another provision would require online sites to enforce their content policies.

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The statute also includes privacy provisions -- including a requirement to configure default settings in a privacy-protective way, unless the business can show a compelling reason that a different setting is in the best interests of children.

The tech industry group NetChoice sued to block the law, arguing it violates the First Amendment.

In September 2023, Freeman sided with NetChoice and enjoined enforcement, ruling that California failed to show the law's restrictions on content and privacy were justified by the state's interest in protecting children from harm.

California's attorney general appealed that ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which partially affirmed Freeman. That court upheld Freeman's block on portions of the law regarding potentially harmful content, but returned the case to Freeman for a hearing on other provisions.

Last month, Freeman again enjoined enforcement of the entire law, ruling that it likely violates the First Amendment for several reasons -- including that some key provisions are too vague to be constitutional.

For instance, she wrote, a provision requiring companies to enforce content policies is impermissibly vague becaiuse those policies are subjective.

As an example, she cited a New York Times policy from 2017 that told commenters to use respectful language, and then posed the rhetorical question: If the New York Times publishes content criticizing the California Attorney General for draconian censorship, will the California Attorney General deem that 'respectful?' Will his successor?

Freeman also said the requirement to use privacy-protective settings unless other settings are in minors' best interests is also too vague to be enforced.

The phrase 'best interests' is not defined in the Act, she wrote. Without an understanding of that phrases meaning, covered businesses will not have notice of what conduct is proscribed and what conduct is permitted, as required to satisfy the constitution.
U.S. tariff uncertainty "big killer": say Italian food, wine producers

Xinhua) 10:24, April 14, 2025

ROME, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The shifting tariff policies from Washington are creating major uncertainty for Italian food and wine producers, who say the lack of predictability is making it increasingly difficult to plan for the months ahead.

In recent interviews with Xinhua, several producers expressed concern following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement last week of new so-called "reciprocal" tariffs. The measures include a baseline 10-percent levy on all imports, with higher rates applied to certain trading partners. The announcement triggered turbulence in global stock markets and raised alarm among international exporters.

Just one week later, Trump declared a temporary 90-day pause on some of the tariffs for most countries-excluding China-while maintaining the 10-percent base rate.

Giovanni Mastropieri of Latteria Santo Stefano, a Parmesan cheese producer based in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, said the tariffs, along with the uncertainty surrounding them, could present the most significant challenge the sector has faced in recent years.

"After years of pandemic and regional conflicts, now come the tariffs," Mastropieri told Xinhua. He noted that Parmesan production requires long-term planning, with cheese aging anywhere from one to four years before it reaches the market. "That makes it impossible to respond quickly to sudden changes in market conditions," he said.

"Sales in the United States will probably fall, but we can't reduce production because that'll affect our future supply, and we don't know what the situation will be by then," he added. "We were planning an expansion, and now we'll likely delay that-at least until the tariff situation becomes more predictable."

Parmesan is Italy's best-selling cheese, but the ripple effects of the U.S. tariffs are expected to impact the broader agri-food sector.

Claudia Schmelzer of Monte Bernardi, a mid-sized producer of Chianti Classico and other wines in the Tuscany region, said uncertainty over the tariffs is already affecting demand in export markets.

"This is usually the time of year when distributors begin placing large orders, but now they're holding off to see how the tariffs will play out since they don't know what the final cost will be," Schmelzer explained. "The big players with wider profit margins can afford to wait, but for small and mid-sized producers, it's going to be a struggle."

"It's the uncertainty that's the big killer right now," she said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The recognition reflects Linde MHs ongoing progress in corporate sustainability

Linde Material Handling (MH) has once again received the Platinum Medal from EcoVadis, placing it among the top one percent of companies assessed by the global sustainability rating agency.

The recognition reflects Linde MHs ongoing progress in corporate sustainability, with strong performance across all four EcoVadis evaluation pillars: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

This news follows Linde Material Handling UKs recent announcement of a major sustainability program across 14 UK depots, aimed at reducing its carbon footprint while supporting customers net-zero goals.

Work is already underway, with the integration of solar panels at its Bridgend site in Wales and Newton Aycliffe site in the North-East of England.

The company plans to expand renewable energy solutions across all its UK-owned facilities.

These initiatives are part of a broader roadmap to achieve CO neutrality in Linde MHs production facilities, based on a detailed analysis of its largest sources of emissions.

Dr. Arthur OSullivan, Regional Director of Linde Material Handling said: "Receiving the Platinum Medal from EcoVadis for the second year running, highlights the measurable progress we are making in sustainability.

Our customers are increasingly looking for partners who are transparent about their environmental and ethical commitments, and this rating reflects our ongoing efforts to improve.

We remain focused on making meaningful improvements - whether through the integration of renewable energy solutions or in new and evolving technologies - to reduce our footprint and contribute to a more sustainable industry.

The EcoVadis rating process involves an in-depth assessment of practices, requiring companies to provide documented evidence to support all information provided.

Linde MHs Fair-ON-Pay+ certification in Switzerland, recognising its commitment to gender-neutral pay, contributed to its improved score in the Labor & Human Rights category.

Additionally, the companys ability to report specific sustainability performance indicators at the brand level - rather than just at the parent company level - enhanced its rating in the Sustainable Procurement category.

Linde MHs sustainability efforts are guided by its Sustainability Report, first published in 2015 and continuously updated.

The report was a contributor to the EcoVadis rating and details key initiatives, performance metrics, targets and case studies covering areas such as Compliance and Responsibility, Good Employer, Health and Safety, Environment, Products and Solutions, Sustainability in the Supply Chain.
Born in Paris in 1908, Simone de Beauvoir belonged to that unlucky generation which lived through both World Wars. She was also one of the 20th centurys seminal thinkers.

Not only was she a key progenitor of the existentialist philosophical movement, but she also made a towering contribution to feminist theory, publishing her first feminist book, Le Deuxieme Sex (The Second Sex) in 1949  four years after the end of the Second World War.

The Second Sex sold 22,000 copies in the first week of its publication in France alone, and millions of copies have since been sold worldwide. It was a milestone in the Western feminist literary canon, preceded in the lineage by Mary Wollestonecrafts A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792), and followed by such stalwarts as Betty Friedans The Feminine Mystique (1963), and Germaine Greers The Female Eunuch (1970).

The Second Sex challenged societys misogyny and confinement of women to domestic roles, as well as the social, cultural, and intellectual inferiority often attributed to women. De Beauvoirs ideas were explosive at the time, but have now become commonplace, shaping the fabric of Western life.

What is often forgotten, however, is that it was the experience of war that instigated de Beauvoirs intellectual breakthroughs on the situation of her sex.

Ivory Towers

A common stereotype of philosophers and intellectuals is that they remain aloof from the real world. De Beauvoir herself admits that, early in her career, she conformed to this caricature  but any illusions of lofty distance were shattered with the rise of fascism in the 1930s and the Nazi occupation of France.

Looking back on that time in a 1985 interview with her biographer Dierdre Bair, she recalled, To tell you the truth, I am not proud of what I was then  30 years old and completely self-centred. I regret that it took the war to teach me that I lived in the world, not outside it.

Watching the Nazi and Soviet attempts to build their different utopias  each, in their own ways, promising idealised visions of womens role in society  de Beauvoir crystallised her theory about the reality of womans existence. She argued it was determined, to a great extent, by biological facts as well as social and political systems.

In both societies  overtly in the Nazi system, but discreetly in the Soviet one  de Beauvoir saw womens role being reduced to the creation of mere cannon fodder by the realities of a world at war.

A product of her times, this experience enabled de Beauvoir to engage seriously with the other great ideological currents of the 19th centuries, producing piercing critiques  though not complete rejections  of Marxist historical materialism and Freudian psychoanalysis.

The Soviets promised womens liberation on an economic basis, but ultimately the depopulation and vast reduction in manpower that occurred in Russia as a result of conflict made the encouragement of matrimony, coupling, and childbirth of prime importance.

Thus it was not the economic system alone that determined womens oppression. The biological reality of womens role in the reproductive process, which impinged much more on a womans daily freedom  even when she was not with child  than it did on a mans, was clearly an important factor.

In Vichy France, womens roles became increasingly restricted. By that point, an estimated 1.6 million Frenchmen were held as prisoners-of war, while 92,000 had died in combat.

The dearth of men and the resulting need for more manpower led to the introduction of laws to encourage the bourgeois institution of the family: abortions were considered to be a form of treason against the state, and divorce was prohibited for couples married fewer than three years. Women, de Beauvoir perceived, were trapped within the confines of domesticity.

Becoming woman

De Beauvoir saw racism, slavery, anti-Semitism, and womens oppression as interconnected. The development of slavery as an institution, and its links with racism, came from mans desire to subjugate and dominate the Other as a means of shoring up his own identity and self-worth. Why, in Vichy France, did some of her fellow Frenchmen hate Jews? It stemmed from an innate desire to possess and dominate those seen as outsiders.

Jews, women, and black slaves, as a collective group, were defined by their otherness in comparison to the ideal type of the (white/Aryan) male. Thus men sought to possess them through the institutions of slavery or marriage. It was not long before de Beauvoirs time that Western women were, in legal terms, considered no more than the chattels of their husbands or fathers.

De Beauvoir argued that African American slaves and the Jewish people had come into consciousness of themselves as a constructed group seen as separate from the mainstream, but women had not. Instead of seeing themselves as collectively oppressed and defined by dominant men, women saw themselves as part of the patriarchal family, not external to it.

The Second Sex changed all that. It highlighted the vastly different ways that women were raised compared to men, and the different expectations placed on women, many of which seemed to transcend the dictates of biology.

One is not born a woman, de Beauvoir wrote. One becomes one. She sought to bring women into consciousness of their existence as a group defined by men as the Other. The behaviours and mores associated with womanhood were not natural, she argued, but constructed against the ideal male type.

Algeria

De Beauvoirs sense of her active role in the world prompted her to intervene in the system of torture established during the Algerian War.

Torture, particularly of a sexual nature, was consciously adopted as a repressive technique by commanders in the French Army against the Algerians. In particular, bottle torture  rape by use of a broken beer bottle  was a common tactic intended to subjugate colonial populations during the French Wars in Indochina, and it came into widespread use in Algeria too.

Djamila Boupacha, a victim of torture by bottle rape, instigated a legal case against the French Army to bring her perpetrators to justice. Under duress of torture, she had confessed to belonging to the Algerian Liberation Front and plotting to bomb a cafe in Algiers. For this, she was sentenced to death.

Djamila contested the legality of the use of torture to extract such a confession, taking her case to the courts. By this point, her case had hardly caused a stir in French public opinion; such occurrences were so frequent that the public had become desensitised.

It was exactly this kind of lack of public interest that Simone de Beauvoir came to criticise when she penned an article in favour of Djamila Boupachas case in Le Monde in 1960.

The French public  who were by now fully aware that torture was commonplace  were no longer ignorant, but indifferent, de Beauvoir argued. It was this indifference that rendered the public, as well as then President General de Gaulle, complicit in the systemic violence that was committed by the army in their name.

In 1962, along with Boupachas lawyer Gisele Halimi, de Beauvoir wrote and published Djamila Boupacha : the story of the torture of a young Algerian girl, which shocked liberal French readers. She continued, with many other French artists and intellectuals, to campaign against torture. Boupacha was eventually granted her freedom, but so too were her torturers; they were neither publicly identified nor punished for their actions.

Throughout her lifetime, de Beauvoirs ideas fed into the rise of feminist consciousness and the feminist movement as we know it today. They left an indelible mark on the worlds social and political scene  and it was the experience of the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Algerian War, that inspired them.

This article featured in the August 2018 issue of Military History Monthly.
Boeing, its suppliers and the Seattle-area aerospace industry are in for a bumpy ride as they navigate President Donald Trump's turbulent trade war.

Scott Hamilton, an aerospace analyst with Leeham News and Analysis, visualized the tariffs as a dark storm cloud hanging over the industry and, particularly, its key U.S. manufacturer: Boeing.

"It's just a thunderstorm and all we're doing is waiting for the lightning strikes," Hamilton said.

The aerospace industry, like so many other economic sectors, has been anticipating some fallout from the Trump administration's new tariffs.

In the worst-case scenario, the tariffs, essentially taxes on goods imported into the U.S., could increase the cost of airplane parts and the finished product, disrupt the industry's extensive supply chain and lower demand if the U.S. dips into a recession. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said on a call with investors this week that it's already seeing a dip in bookings.

For those companies tasked with making the plane  from manufacturers like Boeing to engine-makers to those businesses that make nuts, bolts and fasteners  it could take months to change suppliers, industry analysts said. The fragile supply chain is still recovering from the COVID pandemic.

Some analysts expect the effects of Trump's tariffs could be minimal thanks to a large backlog of inventory, but others worry one kink in the supply chain could have rippling effects.

In the meantime, Hamilton said, the uncertainty about what Trump will do and how other countries may respond is enough to kick off the disruption so many are worried about.

"No business  whether it's Boeing or (Brazilian plane manufacturer) Embraer or the mom-and-pop shop  no business can make planes with that kind of uncertainty hanging over their heads," Hamilton said.

Could consumers see the impact?

After announcing sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries, Trump paused most of them hours after they went into effect Wednesday. He still implemented a 10% blanket tariff and raised the tax on goods imported from China to a total of 145%.

China, a key market for Boeing's planes, on Friday announced it would raise its own tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125%.

In February, Trump also announced a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel, two of the main metals used to build aircraft.

Trump claims the tariffs will bring more manufacturing and jobs to the United States, but economists warn they will raise prices and could spark a recession. Many in the aerospace industry worry they could increase the cost of airplanes and airplane parts because manufacturing in China, Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia is less expensive than doing the same work in the United States.

"If you're reshoring to the U.S., ... you're going to see an increase in costs," said Mark Norton, the executive director of the Northwest I-90 Manufacturing Alliance, which works to help manufacturers along Washington and Idaho's I-90 corridor.

"Somebody's going to have to eat that (cost), and I don't think it's going to be" large manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, Norton said. "That's going to trickle to the consumer."

The industry isn't used to navigating tariffs. It's been operating mostly duty-free for decades after a 1980 trade agreement. In March, a group of 15 aviation groups asked federal officials to consider an aerospace exception from the tariffs to minimize the disruption to the supply chain.

What's at stake for Boeing?

Boeing expects it will have some cushion to soften the immediate blow of the tariffs. It has a large inventory of airplane parts and a large backlog of airplane orders, giving Boeing suppliers and customers flexibility, Chief Financial Officer Brian West said at a Bank of America conference last month.

Boeing buys 80% of the components it needs to build commercial planes from U.S. sources, and 90% of its military spending is based in the U.S., West said. Most of its aluminum and steel is also from the U.S., he continued.

"We think we've got enough room to breathe," he said.

But Boeing could still feel the impacts of a disrupted supply chain. Airplane parts could be delayed, "stuck sitting at borders or held in strategic facilities," analysts from RBC Capital Markets wrote in an investor note this week.

West acknowledged at the conference in March that "what we do worry about is availability of parts because this is a broad, complicated supply chain and people have different levels of exposure to it." To mitigate the impact, West said "we're working like heck to stay close to our suppliers."

If Boeing's suppliers and, consequently Boeing, have to raise prices, the manufacturer risks losing ground to European rival Airbus, though analysts are split on how likely it is that airline customers switch their orders due to the tariffs.

Aengus Kelly, the CEO of aircraft lessor AerCap, said in a March CNBC interview that he expected a 25% tariff would raise the cost of Boeing's 787 by $40 million.

"Customers won't take it," Kelly said. "The airlines will say 'We can't afford the airplane. We'll call Airbus.' "

In the worst-case scenario, that would leave Boeing with the U.S. market, about 20% to 25% of the global market, and "Airbus will end up with the rest of the world," Kelly said.

Hamilton, from Leeham News, said Boeing has three times more aircraft subject to tariffs than Airbus, which has a factory in Mobile, Ala. Airbus only has to worry about tariffs on products heading to the U.S., while Boeing has to worry about all of its international customers.

Hamilton predicts Airbus will deliver 793 planes to U.S. customers during Trump's time in office. Boeing, on the other hand, will deliver 2,170 planes to global customers.

The tariffs could also affect Boeing's march to recovery as it works to restore its reputation and production rate after an in-flight safety incident in January 2024 and recover from a two-month Machinists strike in the fall. Boeing has spent the past year making changes to its production process and culture.

Now, "none of this helps Boeing's recovery," Hamilton said.

Matthew Akers, an analyst from Wells Fargo, had a more optimistic view. Boeing is in "good shape" to weather this, he said, noting that it can rely on a $21 billion stock sale in October to provide some financial cushion and temporarily prop up suppliers if needed.

Akers was concerned about the possibility of tariffs disrupting the supply chain or sparking a recession that would ultimately lower demand but didn't expect the levies to increase the cost of Boeing's planes.

Only 10% to 15% of Boeing's expenses are exposed to tariffs, Akers estimated in an April investor note, leading to a 2%-3% cost increase for most aircraft. That's not enough of an incentive for airlines to switch manufacturers and risk a delay in delivery, Akers said in an interview.

"If you're an airline somewhere in the world, are you going to cancel and get in line at Airbus?" he said. "There's nowhere else to go."

Will the China feud disrupt the industry?

Even if the 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries will ease some strain on the aerospace industry, the escalating trade war with China will take a toll.

China is the "next biggest single market" for Boeing after the U.S., Hamilton from Leehman News said. China's airlines once operated more MAX planes than their U.S. competitors did. That relationship changed after tariffs instituted during Trump's first administration and deadly MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Now, Hamilton estimates China's airlines have somewhere between 140 and 200 orders for Boeing planes scheduled through 2027. Boeing's website lists 130 unfilled orders slated to go to China, and analysts predict a chunk of Boeing's 762 unidentified orders are also headed there.

Akers, from Wells Fargo, said Boeing may "shuffle" its deliveries, hoping to delay fulfilling those orders headed to China until there is more clarity on the tariffs, or, ideally, some relief. China's Juneyao Airlines is reportedly delaying delivery of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner due to the tariffs, Bloomberg reported Friday.

What about Washington's economy?

With roughly 77,400 workers  accounting for $11.3 billion in wages and generating $57 billion in business revenue in 2023  the aerospace industry is considered by those in it to be the backbone of Washington's economy.

Boeing accounts for 80% of those jobs and 82% of industrywide revenue, according to a 2024 report from the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. But Washington's aerospace supply chain includes companies  small and large  whose work ranges from engineering to research to maintenance to crafting tooling, interiors and composites.

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, a nonprofit that supports aerospace companies in the region, estimates there are 500 companies directly tied to the aerospace supply chains in Washington.

Those smaller suppliers are likely to feel the greatest effects of the tariffs, said Norton, from the Northwest I-90 Manufacturing Alliance.

"The Boeings and the Amazons of the world can look at alternatives for their supply chain. Small and medium businesses ... they don't have the resources to go out and find other suppliers," Norton said.

On top of that, the region and the nation don't have the skilled workforce they would need to deliver on Trump's goal of bringing more manufacturing jobs to the United States, Norton said. The aerospace industry has already struggled to train the next generation of labor needed to meet demand.

But Norton said some local companies might benefit from the tariffs. It could give them a cost advantage over international rivals and it would give domestic companies extra incentive to hire U.S.-based companies.

Norton said at least one unnamed supplier has already fielded inquiries about their capacity to take on new work.

2025 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Navy buddy of doomed helicopter pilot Seankese Sean Johnson said he doubts the chopper crashed into the Hudson River Thursday simply because it ran out of gas.

Remi Adeleke, 42, a 13-year Navy SEAL veteran, suspects a maintenance issue is at the root of the deadly crash, which claimed the lives of Johnson and a family of five from Spain.

Even if you ran out of fuel its not going to cause your propeller blade to detach and fall off, Adeleke told the Daily News. Im looking forward to see the autopsy on the helo (helicopter) and what that shows.

It was super sad what happened, he added. It was totally unexpected.

New York Helicopter CEO Michael Roth told The Telegraph that Johnson radioed before plummeting into the water that he was low on fuel and was heading back to the helipad.

Adeleke told The News that he believes that doesnt explain the crash.

He is smart enough not to be like Oh, Im passed E (empty), lets keep flying around, he said. Maintenance had to be the issue with this helicopter. Ive flown on many helicopters in my career and a helicopter just doesnt split apart like that in midair.

The fact the entire propeller blade detached from the helo and another part of the helo detached and went down, thats a maintenance issue, he added. Something wasnt locked down or screwed down.

The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the crash. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Friday the investigation would look at reports of a large flock of birds in the area shortly before the crash. On Saturday, the agency reported that the Bell 2-6 L-4 helicopter was on its eighth flight of the day and had no flight recorders equipped.

Spanish tourists Agustin Escobar, the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children all died in the crash, as did Johnson, after pieces of the helicopter, including the rotor, appeared to break off in midair.

Adeleke, a writer and actor, met Johnson in 2014 when Johnson was working in Navy tactical support.

He was like a little brother, Adeleke said. He would refer to me as brother and I referred to him as brother as well. We were close.

The two bonded over shared experience. Adeleke grew up in the Bronx and his dad died young while Johnson grew up in Chicago and didnt have much contact with his father.

One thing we discussed was Im African-American from the Bronx, Adeleke said. One percent of Navy SEALS are African-American and I became a SEAL and Im from the hood and that inspired him. I kind of took him under my wing and became like a father figure and would provide that affirmation to him.

Johnson worked in executive security after leaving the Navy but had dreams of becoming a pilot, Adeleke said.

I know he wanted to inspire other young Black men and kids in the inner city to aim high and do something that isnt expected, Adeleke said. Because it wasnt expected for a kid from Chicago to become a pilot.

Johnson would text every time he passed a milestone in flight school.

He was a very genuinely good person. He was like a light in a room. Everybody gravitated towards him, not because he was a charismatic or the life of a party but because he had that aura of a calm, cool, respectable guy, Adeleke said. He had a very memorable smile. He was always in a happy mood and he was super giving  like tremendously giving of his time and whatever he had to give.

Adeleke said he saw a news alert about the helicopter crash but didnt think much of it at first. Last he knew, Johnson was doing helicopter tours in Las Vegas, he said.

The New York move was new to me, he said.

Then he got a message from Johnsons wife.

It was a one-paragraph text but it was a long paragraph, he said. Two words stuck out to me, Sean and passed.

Adeleke also was saddened by the death of the tourist family.

Two generations wiped out, he said. My prayers are with the family. The only blessing in it is that they were all together but I would just pray. As a parent thats just a hard situation to even process.

Messages of support have been pouring in, from people who I didnt know but was with him in flight school or worked with him in Vegas or did executive protection with him, Adeleke said. He was just a straight-up good dude, a likable dude. It would be hard for you to find someone who didnt like him.

_____

2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BALTIMORE  The statue of Captain John ODonnell, an 18th century merchant who enslaved dozens of Black people on his Maryland plantation, wont be returning to its former perch in Baltimores Canton Square, despite an executive order last month from President Donald Trump.

Neither will the four Confederate monuments removed from their pedestals in the dead of night in 2017 and later shipped to California to become part of a museum exhibit. Nor will the plaque formerly attached to a wall in the capitol rotunda honoring combatants on both sides of the Civil War.

Whether or not the plaque qualifies under the presidents executive order, it will not be returning to the State House, Carter Elliott, senior press spokesperson for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, wrote in a one-sentence email to The Baltimore Sun.

Trump issued an executive order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History on March 27 requiring the reinstallation of many Confederate monuments that were removed following the nationwide protests sparked by the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minnesota while in police custody.

Trumps directive has raised questions about the fate of more than a dozen statues, plaques and grave markers spread throughout Maryland that honored people once perceived as heroes but now viewed by many as oppressors.

But the executive order is limited only to monuments taken down after Jan. 1, 2020, and only to those under the control of the federal government.

A Sun reporter inquired about the status of 13 monuments previously located in the Free State; a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed that all were removed from state, municipal or private property.

The statues and grave markers are not NPS [National Park Service] or federally-managed lands, J. Elizabeth Peace, a senior public affairs specialist for the department, wrote in an email.

The first four monuments were taken down by former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh on June 16, 2017  or 30 months before the start date specified by Trumps order  after a Unite the Right rally in Virginia turned violent, causing the deaths of three people and injuring dozens.

For the next six years, the monuments were held in an unsecured lot managed by the city Department of Transportation, where they were vandalized, according to an investigation conducted by the citys Office of the Inspector General. A police report was not filed until six months after the damage was discovered, and the city did not pursue an insurance claim to recoup the loss.

The statues were later shipped to Los Angeles, where they are expected to be part of an exhibit opening in October in that citys Museum of Contemporary Art.

A second wave of monument removals in Maryland took place in 2020 and 2021 in the wake of nationwide protests that erupted after a white police officer knelt on Floyds neck for more than nine minutes, killing him. They include:

A Confederate soldiers monument that stood in front of the Red Brick Courthouse in Rockville was defaced and knocked down June 16, 2020. It was later relocated to Whites Ferry near the Virginia border, where it was vandalized again. The family owning the statue has since placed it into storage.

A Confederate soldier grave marker in front of Grace Episcopal Church in Silver Spring honored the remains of 17 unidentified Confederate soldiers. It was pulled down by protesters on June 17, 2020.

The remnants of a Confederate soldier statue was toppled and beheaded in Fredericks Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The damage was discovered on June 29, 2020.

The statue of Private Benjamin Welch Owens was knocked down outside Lothians Mt. Calvary Anglican Church and spray-painted red. Owens had served in a Confederate Maryland military unit during the Civil War; the vandalism was found on July 3, 2020.

The statue of Christopher Columbus in Baltimores Little Italy neighborhood was tipped over by protesters on July 3, 2020, then dumped into the Inner Harbor.

ODonnells monument was taken down from its plinth in ODonnell Square on April 5, 2021, by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott in response to a petition seeking the statues removal that collected about 1,000 signatures.

A plaque memorializing Confederate Gen. John Winder stood outside the Wicomico County Courthouse on Marylands Eastern Shore. It was removed by county officials June 12, 2021.

The plaque in the Maryland State House was removed on June 15, 2021, following a nearly yearlong effort by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones. The plaque depicted the American and Confederate flags, and its inscription said the Maryland Civil War Centennial Commission did not attempt to decide who was right and who was wrong in the conflict.

The Talbot Boys Statue commemorating Talbot County residents who fought on the Confederate side during the Civil War was dislodged from its base outside the Easton County Courthouse on June 15, 2021, by county officials. They arranged for the statue to be relocated to a historic battlefield in Virginia.

But not every Confederate monument in Maryland has been destroyed, relocated outside state borders or hidden away from public view.

At least one memorial remains in Maryland, and it is on federal lands  the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee on horseback that looms over the Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg. But its unlikely to be moving anytime soon.

A bill to remove the Lee monument was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 28, 2024 by U.S. Rep. David Trone, a Democrat from Maryland, but failed to make it out of committee.

-------------

2025 The Baltimore Sun. Visit at baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Suspected U.S. airstrikes around Yemen's rebel-held capital killed at least six people and wounded 26 overnight, the Houthis said Monday as they also claimed shooting down another American MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Since its start nearly a month ago, the intense campaign of U.S. airstrikes under President Donald Trump targeting the rebels over their attacks on shipping in Mideast waters  related to the Israel-Hamas war  has killed over 120 people, according to casualty figures released Monday by the Houthis' Health Ministry.

Footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed firefighters spraying water on a raging fire they described as being sparked by the airstrikes. Rubble littered a street as rescuers carried one person away from the site, which the rebels claimed was a ceramics factory in the Bani Matar neighborhood of Sanaa, the capital.

The U.S. militarys Central Command, which oversees American military operations, did not acknowledge the strikes. That follows a pattern for the command, which now has authorization from the White House to conduct strikes at will in the campaign that began March 15.

The American military also hasnt been providing any information on targets hit. The White House has said over 200 strikes have been conducted so far.

Houthis claim another American drone shot down

The Houthis separately claimed Sunday night they shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen's Hajjah governorate, which sits to the northwest of the country on the Red Sea on the country's border with Saudi Arabia.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, described the downing in a prerecorded video message as the fourth in two weeks by the rebels. Saree said the rebels targeted the drone with a locally manufactured missile. The Houthis have surface-to-air missiles  such as the Iranian missile known as the 358  capable of downing aircraft.

Iran denies arming the rebels, though Tehran-manufactured weaponry has been found on the battlefield and in sea shipments heading to Yemen for the Shiite Houthi rebels despite a United Nations arms embargo.

General Atomics Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes over 40,000 feet (12,100 meters) and remain in the air for over 30 hours. They have been flown by both the U.S. military and the CIA for years over Afghanistan, Iraq and now Yemen.

Central Command said it was aware of reports of the drone being shot down but did not elaborate.

US strikes come as part of monthlong intense campaign

An AP review has found the new U.S. operation against the Houthis under President Donald Trump appears more extensive than that under former President Joe Biden, as Washington moves from solely targeting launch sites to firing at ranking personnel and dropping bombs on cities.

The new campaign of airstrikes started after the rebels threatened to begin targeting Israeli ships again over Israel blocking aid entering the Gaza Strip. The rebels have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning many vessels could be targeted.

The Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing four sailors from November 2023 until January of this year. They also launched attacks targeting American warships without success.

The U.S. campaign shows no signs of stopping, as the Trump administration has also linked its airstrikes on the Houthis to an effort to pressure Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program.

What we're doing with the Houthis and what we're doing in the region, we've shown a capability to go far, to go deep and to go big, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday on Fox News. We don't want to do that. But if we have to, we will to prevent a nuclear bomb in Iran's hands.

Hegseth added: We know Iran ... is taking a look at what's happening to the Houthis and realizing they don't want any part of it.
Four people were injured, two of them critically, after the driver of a pickup truck crashed into an Amish horse and buggy in the Upper Peninsula.

DELTA COUNTY, MI  Four people were injured, two of them critically, after the driver of a pickup truck crashed into an Amish horse and buggy in the Upper Peninsula.

The Delta County Sheriffs Office responded to18th Road near H.25 Road near Riverland at 3:28 p.m. on April 12.
BEAVER ISLAND, MI  The lights are on across Beaver Island.

Some areas of the remote Lake Michigan island were without power for more than two weeks after a catastrophic ice storm swept across the northern Lower Peninsula from March 28-30, devastating 12 counties, including Charlevoix County of which Beaver Island is a part.

Great Lakes Energy, which serves the island, posted an update on Sunday about restoration efforts.

Behind every light switch is a story  this one includes a 28-mile underwater cable, 21 broken poles, and a team of heroes who crossed land, air and water to get the job done, GLE said.

On Tuesday, April 8, a 23-member crew sailed to the island, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Incident Management Team, Michigan National Guard and Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue, the DNR said on social media. Several trucks, saws and a backhoe were also aboard the Emerald Isle car ferry. Their mission was to clear access to emergency communications towers, which dispatchers and first responders use to communicate via radio.

RELATED: DNR, National Guard sail to Beaver Island in wake of ice storm

GLE crews and contractors also headed for the island to restore power, including linemen who were flown in. Trucks went over on barges.

As of Sunday, the broken poles are good as new and power is restored.

A huge shoutout to the entire restoration team and our two incredible full-time employees who serve the island community every day, GLE said.

Heavy and long-lasting freezing rain and a line of severe storms wreaked havoc with extreme and severe ice accumulation that resulted in widespread power outages, impassable roads, loss of phone and cellular services and significant damage to homes and businesses.

Trees weighed down with ice sagged and snapped. Some fell onto power lines while others toppled into roadways, making some routes impassable. Hundreds of power poles broke. The ice remained for days, bringing down evermore trees, power poles and power lines. The ice also caused several closures of the Mackinac Bridge - including one that lasted 30 hours - disrupting supply lines to the Upper Peninsula.

On Beaver Island, located about 30 miles off the shore of Charlevoix in Lake Michigan, the damage wasnt as severe as some areas of the mainland, St. James Township supervisor Bobbi Welke told 9&10 News. The island has a population of about 600 permanent residents.

Today, more than two weeks since the storm took out power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses, more than 3,500 customers remain without power in the affected counties. Power is completely restored in Charlevoix County.

RELATED: Catastrophic damage: Thousands of miles of powerlines smothered in ice after Northern Michigan storm

The storm has been compared to a days-long hurricane, and one power co-op CEO even said it was worse than the Blizzard of 1978, in terms of damage to the power grid.

RELATED: Why this Northern Michigan ice storm damage is so tough to fix

On March 31, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency related to the ice storm for 10 counties: Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac and Alpena. Alcona and Antrim counties were added later.

Citizens needing non-emergency assistance should call 211. Click here for resources and information about storm recovery.
A Michigan man has been charged months after he allegedly set another man on fire in Oakland County. Jake May

PONTIAC, MI  A Michigan man has been charged months after he allegedly set another man on fire in Oakland County.

Joseph Lee Green, 30, of Pontiac was arraigned for assault with intent to great bodily harm less than murder on April 12.
President Donald Trump speaks at a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House. (Pool via AP) AP

WASHINGTON -- Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) appears to be falling significantly short of the promised savings he touted over recent months. According to the New York Times, Musk admitted during a cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump last week that DOGE is likely to end up reporting a savings of $150 billion for next years fiscal budget.

That number is far below the $1 trillion in savings Musk repeatedly claimed the agency would produce. As recently as March 10, Musk said in Fox News interview that DOGE would get to $1 trillion in savings unless were stopped.

The $1 trillion target came after Musk previously backtracked on claims to find up to $2 trillion in wasteful spending. While campaigning on Trumps behalf last fall, the billionaire said he thought he could find $2 trillion in savings. However, Musk had already gone back on that claim before Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20.

DOGE was created by Trump via executive order and Musk was given control over the agency. Trump ordered DOGE to begin modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.

In his time with the agency, Musk has ordered the budgets of government agencies to be slashed, cancelled government contracts, and issued directives to cut staff throughout the government.

Several government offices in Michigan have been closed as part of DOGEs efforts, along with the cancellation of grants and contracts.

DOGE reports the savings on its website, but in many cases, sufficient data is not present to support the claims. The New York Times reports that one claimed savings involved DOGE cancelling a contract that didnt exist. The contract was actually a proposal that had not been finalized, however DOGE reported it as a savings of more than $300 million, the Times reports.

Another cancelled contract reported by DOGE was actually cancelled when former President Joe Biden was in office. A reported $1.75 billion grant for a vaccine nonprofit was cancelled and listed as a savings, however the nonprofit reported that it had already been paid in full, meaning the savings were $0.

An analysis of the DOGE claimed savings by The Times alleges the agency did not provide identifying details for approximately $92 million of the cuts.

Despite Musks comments about the savings, The White House reportedly said DOGEs target savings is still $1 trillion. Whether or not Musk is involved in the future cuts is also in doubt. Earlier this month, Trump told reporters he expects Musk to return to his role as the head of Tesla and the social media platform X.

I think hes amazing, but I also think hes got a big company to run, Trump said. And so, at some point, hes going to be going back.

Because Musk is technically a special government employee, he can only work 130 days in a 365-day time period. While it is unknown how many days Musk has officially worked in the role, May 30 will mark 130 since Trump was inaugurated.

Trump would not say if DOGE will continue on if Musk is not running it, but did say he expects the agency to end at a certain point.
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP)  A Wisconsin teenager charged in the deaths of his parents faces wider allegations that he killed them to obtain the financial means to assassinate President Donald Trump and overthrow the government, according to a recently unsealed federal warrant.

Nikita Casap, 17, was charged last month by Waukesha County authorities with first-degree murder, theft and other crimes in the deaths of his mother, Tatiana Casap, and his stepfather, Donald Mayer. Authorities allege the teenager fatally shot them at their home outside Milwaukee in February and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing with $14,000 cash, passports and the family dog. He was arrested last month in Kansas.

Casap, in custody at the Waukesha County jail on a $1 million bond, is due in court next month to enter a plea. County prosecutors have offered a glimpse of the federal allegations, which were outlined in an FBI warrant unsealed Friday.

Federal authorities accuse Casap of planning his parents murders, buying a drone and explosives, and sharing his plans with others, including a Russian speaker. His intentions are detailed in a three-page antisemitic manifesto praising Adolf Hitler. The warrant filed at the federal court in Milwaukee also contains excerpts of communications on TikTok and the Telegram messenger app.

Casap appears to have written a manifest calling for the assassination of the President of the United States. He was in touch with other parties about his plan to kill the President and overthrow the government of the United States, the search warrant says. The killing of his parents appeared to be an effort to obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary to carrying out his plan.

In court, prosecutors alleged Casap was in touch with a person who speaks Russian and shared a plan to flee to Ukraine. Authorities found him in Kansas with money, passports, a car and the familys dog.

Federal prosecutors alleged Casaps manifesto outlined his reasons for wanting to kill Trump and included ideas about how he would live in Ukraine.

Citing Casaps writings, the federal warrant said the teenager wanted to spur governmental collapse by by getting rid of the president and perhaps the vice president.

Phone and online messages seeking comment were left Sunday for Casaps public defender, Nicole Ostrowski. In court last month, she moved to dismiss some of the charges against her client, including theft, arguing that prosecutors had not laid out their case. Shes also noted her clients age during court proceedings.

He is young, he is still in high school, she said on March 12.

County authorities also charged Casap with hiding a corpse, theft and misappropriating identification to obtain money.

Officers found the bodies of Tatiana Casap, 35; and Mayer, 51, on Feb. 28. Family members requested a well-being check after Mayer didnt report for work and Nikita Casap skipped school for about two weeks.

Authorities believe the parents were killed weeks earlier. Prosecutors said in court that the couples bodies were so badly decomposed that they had to be identified through dental records.
A photo of a St. Clair County Sheriff's Office badge is shown in this MLive file photo. (Kaiti Sullivan, MLive.com) Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, MI  Two people have been charged with first-degree murder for their alleged involvement in the death of 3-year-old Matthew Maison in 2018.

Amanda Maison, 33, and Maurice Houle, 28, were arraigned on the murder charge on Monday, April 14, in 72nd District Court in Port Huron.
The first building constructed by Ashley Capital at the old Buick City site in Flint is shown in this photo provided by the Racer Trust. Photo provided by the RACER Trust

FLINT, MI -- A St. Louis, Missouri-based distributor has leased the remaining space in the first building constructed at the Flint Commerce Center, a development thats expected to bring 50 new jobs to the city.

The city and Ashley Capital, which owns the light manufacturing and distribution business park, announced Bunzl Distribution Inc. has signed a lease for 162,637 square feet in the 330,000 square foot building.

Bunzl describes itself as a global leader in international distribution with a world headquarters in London, England.

The company employs more than 8,000 in North America and supplies more than 400,000 products, with sales of more than $12 billion.

The city and Ashley are hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 15, to mark the full occupancy of the centers inaugural building at the former General Motors Buick City site.

The building will be shared with Victory Packaging, a company with ties to General Motors, which began operations in Flint in the third quarter of last year.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a statement issued by the city that Victory has already created more than 50 jobs since its Flint location opened.

We welcome Bunzl Distribution Inc. and Victory Packaging and look forward to these partnerships driving economic progress for years to come ..., Neeleys statement reads. The transformation of the former Buick City site speaks to the strength and resilience of this community, and I am proud to be a partner.

Ashley completed the purchase of roughly 300 acres of the former GM property in November from the Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust, which was charged with cleaning up contamination and reselling the property -- one of 89 that GM shed during its 2009 bankruptcy.

Ashley broke ground on the first building in the Commerce Center in June 2023. Its first spec building is 330,000 square feet.

Company officials have said they expect to break ground this year on a new facility for NanoGraf, a leading battery materials company that announced its plan to locate in Flint more than six months ago after it was awarded a $60-million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Mark Quimby, development manager for Ashley, said his company is currently rebuilding Industrial Avenue in the area, including storm and sanitary sewers, and doing mass grading for its next building.

Ashley officials have said they intend to develop the Commerce Center in phases in response to market demand.

Ashley officials have said that when completed, the Commerce Center is expected to provide 3.5 million square feet of business space and be home to approximately 2,500 full-time employees.

Company officials have said they expect to develop the center in phases, leasing buildings as work is completed.

Ashley is one of the largest privately-held real estate investment companies in the United States and typically builds for tenants involved in light manufacturing.
The state appeals court in Grand Rapids upheld a lower court ruling and dismissed a lawsuit against a West Michigan school district over 14 "sexually explicit" books in its library. One of those books is Gender Queer: A Memoir, written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com

ROCKFORD, MI  In keeping with a lower court ruling, the Michigan Court of Appeals has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to ban 14 sexually explicit books from a West Michigan school districts library.

The court ruled that the plaintiffs - a group called Parents and Taxpayers Against Pornography in Rockford Public Schools - could not prove they were detrimentally affected by the books as non-current students, among other things.
The Michigan Court of Appeals issued a ruling Thursday, April 10, affirming the murder convictions of Zacharie Borton. J. Scott Park | MLive.com

GRASS LAKE, MI  A man guilty of murder in two homicides in Grass Lake will not be getting a new trial.

The Michigan Court of Appeals issued a ruling Thursday, April 10, affirming the convictions of Zacharie Borton.
An inoperable emergency siren has been removed and sent away for repairs in Spring Arbor Township. (MLive.com File Photo)

SPRING ARBOR TOWNSHIP, MI - After months considering more expensive options, a Michigan township might have found a way to fix its silent emergency siren.

The emergency alert siren near the Spring Arbor Township Fire Department building is currently inoperable, and has been for nearly a year, said Supervisor Dave Herlein.

Following a March 30 severe weather event, township officials said in a Facebook post they had no plans to replace the siren.

Herlein said the post served as a test to gauge the Spring Arbor community was interested in moving forward with repairs. After it was posted, a firefighter from a neighboring community reached out to Spring Arbor, offering to take another stab at fixing the siren.

If theres a chance that we can get (the siren) fixed for a substantial less amount of money, it could very well be running by the first Saturday test in May, Herlein said.

The siren was removed in the past week, Herlein said, adding the firefighter is working with an electric motor repair shop to fix the device for about $4,500.

West Shore Services, an Allendale-based safety equipment supplier, previously examined the device and found several issues with the sirens motor system. West Shore previously estimated the siren repair could cost up to $30,000.

Related: Jackson County discovers more emergency siren failures, plans additional tests

Part of the problem with the repair effort is finding up-to-date and working parts for the siren, which is more than 70 years old and a hand-me-down from another township. Another issue is that emergency sirens are a technology that is becoming increasingly obsolete, Herlein said.

In the case of the last storm that went through, the decibel rating of the storm was louder than the sirens - many people living underneath the sirens never even heard them, Herlein said. Is it technology that makes sense to continue with when everybody has a cell phone? I dont know.

Herlein said he expects the siren repair efforts to be addressed at the Spring Arbor Township Boards next meeting April 14.

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SAGINAW, MI  MLive reporters Gus Burns and Cole Waterman were among journalists from publications around the state honored this weekend by the Michigan Press Association Foundation as winners of the 2025 Wade H. McCree Advancement of Justice Awards.

Burns and Waterman received the awards Sunday, April 13, at the 2025 Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame dinner at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. They were selected for their series investigating the Michigan State Polices Secure Cities Program.

The winners of the 50th annual Wade H. McCree Advancement of Justice Awards, sponsored by the Michigan Press Association Foundation, were determined by a panel of four judges representing law and media, who independently reviewed 10 entries from across Michigan.

Related: Michigan State Police were sent into cash-strapped towns to help. Beatings, complaints and lawsuits followed.

Part of our journalistic mission centers on public safety  even when that means keeping people safe from police paid to protect us. Thats what Gus and Cole accomplished with this reporting, said Kelly Frick, MLive vice president of content. Secure Cities might have started with good intentions, but serious cracks in the program sometimes caused more harm than good. We are pleased the state of Michigan is now rethinking this program.

Waterman began digging into the issue after there was a surge of complaints. Joined by Burns, the duo combed through stacks of data obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, examined numerous lawsuits, annual reports and interviewed dozens of residents.

The months-long investigation revealed more than 80 civilian complaints  many racial in nature  $27.2 million paid to settle lawsuits involving Secure Cities troopers, including lawsuits that had gone previously unreported and revealed criticism from the people who live in Flint and Saginaw, MPA staff wrote in a release announcing the award recipients. The package not only dissected specific cases and larger issues with Secure Cities, but addressed possible solutions as put forth by law enforcement and residents.

Read more: Heres how state police could mend relations in Flint, Saginaw and other Secure Cities

Other winners include Detroit Free Press reporters Dave Boucher and Darcie Moran for a series of stories on Judicial Accountability; reporters Heather Catallo, Johnny N. Satrin Jr., Randy Lundquist and Tim Kochenderfer of WXYZ-TV for their reporting on Improper conduct by a powerful probate judge; and Reporter Sarah Cwiek of Michigan Public for her series A Wrongful Conviction and a Detroit Serial Rapist who stayed free.

The McCree award is named for Judge Wade H. McCree (1920-87), one of the most distinguished lawyers and jurists in Michigan history. He was a staunch advocate for equal rights and open, accountable government. McCree served as a circuit, federal and U.S. Appeals court judge and, from 1977-81, as solicitor general of the United States.
SAGINAW TWP, MI  Facing a slew of lawsuits, a Saginaw Township doctor agreed to settle one of them by paying an Oregon physician a five-figure sum. More than a year on, the Oregon doctor has yet to be paid, forcing her to file another suit in hopes the courts will enforce the agreed-upon settlement.

Dr. Elizabeth Morrison, an endocrinologist based in Eugene, Oregon, worked for dermatopathologist Dr. David L. Stockman and his Michigan Health Clinics, 3925 Fortune Blvd., from June 2022 through May 31, 2023. Stockman contracted Morrison to provide endocrinology and internal medicine services through July 2025, for which he was to pay her a yearly salary and benefits valuing $155,000, plus compensation based on performance incentives, according to her lawsuit.

However, MHC emailed Morrison a termination letter on May 8, 2023. On May 31, Morrison learned of a third-party making changes to her medical services billing codes and patient charts, resulting in overcharging. She shared her concerns with Stockman, expressing that overcharges could be considered fraud.

Morrison that evening received an email from MHC Administrative Director Magdalena Perez stating her billing was inaccurate. Perez went on to give Morrison a demeaning and bad-faith offer to continue working at 60% her promised salary, Morrisons suit states. Morrison did not accept the offer.

Stockman and MHC did not pay Morrison the $14,564.58 she earned during her last month of work, her suit alleges. This prompted Morrison in July 2023 to file suit against Stockman and MHC in U.S. District Court.

The parties reached a settlement in October 2023 with MHC agreeing to pay Morrison $21,846.87 in exchange for dropping her federal lawsuit. Stockman issued a personal guarantee assuring full payment would be made.

Morrisons federal lawsuit was dismissed the following month.

Since then, though, Stockman has failed to pay any of what he owes Morrison. Morrisons Lansing-based attorney, Andrew G. Martin, in February 2024 emailed Stockmans counsel to demand their client adhere to his obligations. Stockmans attorneys replied that Morrison could expect payment within a few days.

Martin followed up with Stockmans counsel in the following weeks but Morrison still never received payment.

Martin in July 2024 filed another lawsuit on Morrisons behalf, this one in Saginaw County Circuit Court.

After weeks of good-faith attempts to reach a resolution and accommodate a payment plan for MHC, (Morrison) is left no other choice but to bring this action for enforcement of the Settlement Agreement and to remedy the unjust enrichment at her expense, Martin wrote in the suit.

Martin has since filed a motion seeking default judgment in Morrisons favor.

Morrison is not the only out-of-state physician seeking money from Stockman and his various entities.

Dr. Robert Odze, a professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, in February 2023 filed a lawsuit against Stockman and Michigan Health Clinic in the Superior Court of Massachusetts Suffolk County. MHC is a corporation Stockman owns at 3925 Fortune Blvd. in Saginaw Township.

Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Dr. Kishore L. Jayakumar in June 2023 filed a federal suit against Stockman and MHC, claiming they did not pay him an estimated $142,369.20 he was owed for his work.

Both of those cases are pending.

Within Michigan, Stockman has been the subject of at least three default judgments against him. Saginaw County District Judge M. Randall Jurrens in August 2023 issued such a judgment against Stockman and Specialized Pathology Partners in favor of federal savings bank TIAA. TIAA in 2017 and 2019 agreed to lease Stockman and SPP ultrasound and radiology machines.

Stockman/SPP did not make payments on or return the leased equipment.

Jurrens ordered SPP to pay $122,292.42 and Stockman to pay $12,610.86. He further ordered the defendants to pay $6,792.82 to TIAA in costs and attorney fees.

Stockman has made no payments to TIAA or returned the leased equipment, confirmed an attorney representing the bank.

Jurrens in August 2024 issued a second default judgment against Stockman, Perez, and his entity Great Lakes Bay Staffing Inc., ordering them to pay $131,626.18 to Wildfire Credit Union. Jurrens issued a third default judgment against Stockman on behalf of forensic pathologist Dr. Donald Higgs for about $55,000.

Higgs, a forensic pathologist, moved his family from New York to Michigan to work for Stockman at another of Stockmans corporations, Michigan Institute of Forensic Science & Medicine, in 2023. The checks Higgs received as payment bounced, he alleged.

Higgs has been receiving payments through garnishments of several Michigan counties served by MIFSM, confirmed his attorney, Stephan M. Gaus.

Higgs also filed a police report over the matter. Saginaw County prosecutors in June 2024 contacted the Michigan Attorney Generals Office to request a special prosecutor evaluate the case. The AGs Office in September referred the matter to the Tuscola County Prosecutors Office.

Tuscola County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Mark E. Reene on April 14 confirmed the matter is still under review.

Stockman was also sued by Saginaw County Medical Examiner Dr. Russell L. Bush. This suit went to arbitration overseen by Kenneth W. Schmidt, a former Bay County Circuit Court judge, who in February 2025 issued an opinion finding Stockman and MIFSM owed Bush $551,800. Schmidt also found Stockman acted with intent and malice, defamed Bush, and intentionally interfered with his business relationship with Saginaw County.

Stockman on April 4 filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on MIFSMs behalf, putting an automatic stay on Jurrens signing another judgment against Stockman for the $551,800. The week prior, Stockman was in South Carolina to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy on behalf of SPP.

Previous court records gave SPPs address as 4798 Wenmar Drive in Saginaw Township, though the bankruptcy filing gives its address as a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Charleston, South Carolina.

Interestingly, records with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs show SPP was dissolved in May 2024. Those records show Stockman was the entitys president, director, treasurer, and secretary.

Saginaw County in 2019 entered a 10-year contract with MIFSM to provide medical examination duties such as investigating causes of death and performing autopsies. MIFSM hired Bush, the countys medical examiner since 2014, and designated him as the assigned personnel. Stockman fired Bush in November 2021 but claimed to county officials he had stepped down, according to public records.

MIFSM also issued a media release in April 2022 stating Bush was fired for incompetence and misleading/potentially false credentials.

The county terminated its contract in 2021 due to Bushs unauthorized termination and Stockman allegedly performing autopsies without proper certification. Thereafter, the county reaffirmed Bush as its medical examiner.

Stockmans licenses as medical doctor and controlled substances provider remain active and are set to expire Sept. 8.

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A ribbon cutting SK Siltron CSS in Monitor Township in seen in this MLive file photo. Multiple local and state officials, including Gov. Whitmer, participated in the event. (Caitlyn French | MLive.com file)

MONITOR TWP, MI  The parent company of SK Siltron CSS is apparently in the process of selling a majority stake in the company to a private equity firm, according to publications that cover semiconductor businesses and trades.

SK Group intends to sell a 70.6% stake in SK Siltron to Hahn & Co., according to Semimedia, a publication that monitors the semiconductor industry. Hahn & Co. has a history of acquiring SK assets, the publication noted.

A South Korean semiconductor-grade silicon wafer manufacturer, SK Siltron has locations in east Asia, Europe and Bay County, Michigan. Employees at the SK Siltron CSS location in Monitor Township were notified of the potential sale last week.

Company officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

It is unclear what a sale would mean for previously announced plans to add jobs and expand the Bay County facility following a federal loan from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The manufacturer previously announced it had signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energys Loan Programs Office for a $544 million loan, allowing for the expansion of the SK Siltron CSS operation at 1311 Straits Drive in Monitor Township, which was already on the brink of becoming one of the top five global manufacturers of silicon carbide wafers.

Monitor Township Supervisor Terry Spencer said he isnt concerned by any of the reports he had heard about the possible deal.

Businesses change all the time, he said.

Silicon carbide semiconductors are designed for high-voltage use and are critical components of electric vehicle, or EV, drivetrains, including inverters, and electrical distribution systems like onboard chargers and DC-to-DC converters.

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Erik Prince, the former CEO of Blackwater USA and a Michigan native, is among a group of defense contractors proposing to expand plans for deporting immigrants to a prison in El Salvador, Politico reported.

The pitch would attempt to avoid legal challenges by designating part of the El Salvador prison system as American territory, the report stated.

Its unclear how seriously the White House is considering the plan by Prince, who has drawn scrutiny for his firms role in a deadly massacre in Iraq two decades ago, the Politico report stated. But it would give Princes group an unprecedented and potentially highly lucrative role in an expanded version of a transnational operation that has elicited its own web of controversies, in part because it has swept up immigrants who do not have criminal records in the United States.

The report coincides with President Donald Trumps plans to host Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, at the White House on Monday, April 14.

Since March, El Salvador has accepted from the U.S. more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants  whom officials with President Donald Trumps administration have accused of gang activity and violent crimes  and placed them inside the countrys notorious maximum-security gang prison. It is also holding a Maryland man who the administration admits was wrongly deported but has not been returned to the U.S., despite court orders to do so.

Trump has ties to the family of Prince, an automotive supplier heir from Holland. Prince is the brother of Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education during the first Trump administration.

Prince, a major Republican donor, has been accused of acting as a back channel on behalf of Trump. As Trump was preparing to take office in 2017, Prince met with a official close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Seychelles, islands off the coast of east Africa. Special counsel Robert Muellers report on his Russia investigation said the meeting was set up ahead of time with the knowledge of former White House aide Stephen Bannon.

Prince soared to notoriety after Blackwater USA employees in 2007 shot and killed Iraqi civilians in Baghdads Nisour Square during the Iraq war, casting a light on the role played by private contractors in U.S. military operations overseas.

In the wake of the scandal the companys name was changed and Prince sold his shares to a private equity fund.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Republican, on his social media account said he will consider a bid for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated in two years by retiring Democrat Gary Peters.

After 25 years without a conservative voice in the Senate, Michigan needs someone who can win, in order to fight for our state, fight for small businesses, and fight for President Trumps Agenda, read a post on Huizengas X account, formerly Twitter.

With the filing deadline nearly a year away and Team Huizenga raising more than $925,000, I will continue to talk with voters and ask them who they believe is the best candidate for Republicans to nominate and elect to serve Michigan in the U.S. Senate.

Huizengas Monday, April 14, X post was published just hours after another Republican, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, announced he will campaign for the Senate seat in 2026.

In Congress, Huizenga represents parts of western Michigan, including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Holland.

Before serving Michigans 4th District in Congress, Huizenga represented the 2nd District, from 2011-23.

Voters previously elected him to serve as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, from 2003-09.

Michigan voters last sent a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 1994, when Spencer Abraham won his election. Abraham in 2000 lost the seat to Democrat Debbie Stabenow.

The 2024 race for the U.S. Senate seat is gaining participants and potential candidates. Two weeks before Rogers announcement on Monday, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, announced her candidacy.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is also considering a run for the Democratic ticket and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, has not ruled it out either.

Tudor Dixon, the 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate in Michigan, has hinted at a run.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer watches as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on April 9, 2025. Anna Moneymaker

MICHIGAN  Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was widely mocked online as a viral photo showed her apparently hiding from cameras at the White House with President Donald Trump.

The image, taken by New York Times photographer Eric Lee in the Oval Office, captures Whitmer shielding her face with blue folders Wednesday, April 9.

RELATED: Whitmer draws criticism, scores potential wins in televised Oval Office visit with Trump

Is @GovWhitmer hiding from the press here? Or still hiding from the people of Michigan? https://t.co/Nr9pJbZ5gk  Mike Cox (@Mike_Cox) April 12, 2025

When asked for comment, Whitmers team did not directly address Whitmer hiding her face. Her office said she didnt expect to be part of a press conference.

The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter, said Whitmer spokesperson Stacey LaRouche. Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.

Whitmer, however, commented Monday in Detroit, according to the Detroit Free Press.

What was going through my mind at that moment? she said during a question-and-answer period with business leaders, following a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, the Free Press reported.

I dont want my picture taken.

She said she regrets momentarily hiding her face. Ill continue to do my job, even showing up in places Im not necessarily expected to be showing up, she said, according to the Free Press.

Whitmer and Republican House Speaker Matt Hall were originally scheduled to meet with Trump in private to discuss several issues, including bringing new fighter jets to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, tariffs, and invasive Asian carp.

Instead Whitmer ended up part of a televised Oval Office executive order signing event. During the event, Trump ordered investigations into a former administration official who challenged his 2020 election claims and another who was critical of his first term.

Whitmer was in D.C. to deliver her Build, America, Build speech, which included remarks promoting American manufacturing and the impact of tariffs on the state. Trump paused most tariffs for 90 days later that day.

It was not where I wanted to be or planned to be or would have liked to have been, Whitmer told reporters Thursday. I disagree with a lot of the stuff that was said and the actions that were taken, but I stayed in the room because I needed to make the case for Michigan and thats my job.

RELATED: Whitmer on her appearance at Trump press conference: I needed to make the case for Michigan

Mike Cox, a former Michigan attorney general, posted on X, Is Gretchen Whitmer hiding from the press here? Or still hiding from the people of Michigan? Cox put the comment above a post he shared from Zach Gorchow, president of Gongwer News Service Michigan, which shows the New York Times photo of Whitmer.

State Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, also criticized Whitmer on social media.

Gonna keep saying this. British leader Neville Chamberlain tried to placate and appease Hitler. He got played, Coffia said in a post on X. There are lessons here. Appeasement and ass kissing bullies and dictators is not a smart strategy. They will simply humiliate and laugh at you.

Meanwhile, Trump praised Whitmer as a very good person who has done an excellent job.

RELATED: Trump praises Whitmer as very good person during Oval Office visit

Trumps praise is in contrast with his previous criticisms of Whitmer and how she handled the COVID-19 pandemic, including calling her the woman in Michigan and Half Whitmer.
Samir Jain is a Jaipur-based astrologer who has over 28 years of experience in the field of Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry and Vastu Shastra. He is also an expert in Jain Temple Vastu and Jain Jyotish. For more details, visit planetsastro.com, call/WhatsApp +91 8696930617 or email jainksamir@gmail.com.

Neha Mewari

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PNB fraud co-accused Mehul Choksi arrested: Timeline of events since the scam was uncovered

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Nivi Shrivastava is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on lifestyle, health and travel. Views expressed are personal

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CNG, PNG prices may go up as government mulls cutting APM gas allocation

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DIPAM to fast track sale of 2 Air India subsidiaries, may invite EOIs this month

Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com

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India will have a tough time catching up with Chinese smartphone exports to the US

Ishaan Gera

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India preparing to ship 40,000 tonnes of shrimp to US after tariff pause

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India to start sector-specific trade talks with US, aims to finalise key details within 6 weeks

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Mehul Choksi arrested: Here's a list of Indian fugitives who were and weren't extradited

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Accel, Prosus and other VCs close to striking deals with half a dozen AI startups

Tushar Goenka is a breaking news reporter who focuses on startups. Interested in venture capital, quick commerce, e-commerce, food delivery and D2C.

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iPhone-maker Foxconn looks to acquire 300-acre land in UP: Report

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How India tracked and cornered fugitive Mehul Choksi in Belgium despite Interpol setback

Armaan Bhatnagar

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India develops 'Star Wars-style laser weapon to destroy drones: Know how this game changer system works |Watch

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India eyes wrapping key aspects of US trade talks in six weeks

Arindam Roy

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Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium, likely to be extradited to India

Sandeep Shrivastwa

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Mehul Choksi arrested: When the fugitive was 'abducted' to Dominica after being honeytrapped

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Pashupati Paras announces RLJP's exit from NDA, says 'I was ignored'

Abhinav Gupta

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'Raises questions whether she has...': Kiren Rijiju on Mamata Banerjee's refusal to implement Waqf Act

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Why Mayawati forgave her nephew Akash Anand after expelling him for 'immaturity'

Armaan Bhatnagar

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April 14, 2025: Vladimir Putin believes that one of the great tragedies of the 20th Century was the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Putin believes fixing this is his principal goal and that Ukraine is the first territory to be reclaimed. After that there are another dozen countries to conquer. Putin has few allies in this quest. Two other outlawed and sanctioned states, North Korea and Iran, are his only allies.

Once Putin conquers Ukraine and absorbs it into Russia, it will be entirely eliminated annexing portions of it into other adjacent Russian provinces. Russia has already been moving Ukrainian civilians it controls, or has kidnapped from Ukraine since the 2022 war began, to different parts of Russia where it will be easier to exterminate Ukrainian culture over a few generations. Russians will then be moved into the territory formerly occupied by those Ukrainians to make those areas very Russian.

There are also plans to conquer and occupy the three Baltic states plus portions of Poland and Romania, and then portions of, or all of, some Central Asian states (the Stans). Russia points out that these areas were part of Russia at one time and are overdue for reunification with the motherland. This is unlikely because Poland and Romania are members of NATO, an organization formed in 1949 to protect its members from Russian aggression by mandating that if one NATO member is attacked by Russia, then all NATO members will respond as if they had been attacked.

Russia has denounced NATO repeatedly and threatened to ignore it but has never actually attacked a NATO member. The NATO alliance members represent half the world GDP and nearly half of the worlds combat power. Russia attacking NATO would be suicidal, but so was the Russia invading Ukraine. Three years after the invasion the Russian army was depleted and demoralized. Over half a million dead and disabled has led to increasing desertions and spontaneous surrenders to the Ukrainians.

How bad is it? So bad that Russia has to spend millions of dollars to hire 15,000 North Korean soldiers. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has a million man army and is willing to part with half of it if the Russians can afford it. The first 12,ooo North Koreans were largely gone by March due to death, disablement, or desertion. Russia is running out of cash and its sanctioned economy limps along on scraps because war demands top priority. Putin is undismayed and vows to press on with his plan to rebuild the Soviet Union.

Another reason Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 was because Ukraine was negotiating with NATO to become a member. Ukraine was also about to become a member of the EU, European economic union. If Ukraine belonged to the EU, Ukraine would be less likely to trade with Russia because EU membership enables Ukraine to do nearly all its trade with EU members. This includes EU ally the United States, which has the largest and most diverse economy in the world.

According to Russian leaders, most of Ukraine once belonged to Russia and those areas were not called Ukraine. This ignores the fact that the Soviet Union succeeded in its 1945 demand that Ukraine be made a UN member as a country independent of Russia. This was to give Russia another vote in the UN. Ukrainian independence was a sham to Russian leaders, but most Ukrainians wanted a free and independent Ukraine. According to NATO and most other nations in the world, Ukraine became independent, as did a dozen other portions of the Soviet Union when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

Many Russians, including former Soviet era KGB officer Vladimir Putin, feel the collapse of the Soviet Union was a tragic event that must be put right. If Putin can conquer and absorb Ukraine back into Russia, that will be the beginning of a Soviet Union revival. Putin will then go after the other now independent former Soviet States and ask or demand that they rejoin the Soviet Union. Belarus is the only one of those former Soviet states that might do so willingly. The other former Soviet states say they will fight, like Ukraine did, to resist becoming part of Russia once more.

But then there is Crimea, which is a special case and a separate problem for Russia, Ukraine and the Crimeans. In the 1990s Russia claimed that Crimeans had voted to become an independent Crimean state that wanted to eventually merge with Russia. Crimea was independent in the 1990s, something Crimeans voted for. Ukraine objected and in 1995 seized control of Crimea. Since the 18th century Crimea had belonged to the Russian Czarist Empire, then the Soviet Union and, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, became part of an independent Ukraine.

When Crimea became part of Ukraine, the Russians and Ukrainians negotiated a lease arrangement so that the Russian Black Sea Fleet could maintain its major naval base of Sevastopol. This meant that there was a large Russian military presence in Crimea legally and that made many Ukrainians nervous because those Russian troops could enable Russia to take control of Crimea by force, which they did in 2014 and still control the area in 2025. Ukraine still wants to reclaim Crimea and halted the flow of essential fresh water from Ukraine to Crimea in 2014. One reason for the 2022 Russian invasion was to seize Ukrainian controlled areas near Crimea and restore the flow of fresh water to Crimea. The Crimean situation complicates any efforts to make peace between Russia and Ukraine. Most Crimeans back Russia in the current Ukraine war because they consider Russia the lesser of two evils. That is an exception among neighbors of Russia that once belonged to the Soviet Union. Except for Crimea, no other former part of the Soviet Union wants to rejoin the Union.

Putin sees this reluctance to rejoin a new Soviet Union as an obstacle he can overcome if he has enough soldiers and weapons. If Putin is defeated in Ukraine and fails to halt the rearmament plans of the other former Soviet areas, Putin is stalled.

Making peace in Ukraine depends on Putin to agree. Putin will not even negotiate, at least not seriously, unless he can keep all the areas of Ukraine he presently controls or, more likely, all of it. As long as the 72 year-old Putin is alive, the Ukraine war will continue. The likelihood of peace actually happening is still further reduced by Russias constant practice of not adhering to cease-fires. One was made in 2015 after Russias first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, but Russia kept violating it until its second invasion in 2022. When Putin dies or is removed from office, peace is possible and quite likely to happen quickly. Putin says he can continue the war but even his closest associates would prefer new leadership for Russia. Putin has made himself president for life and since 1999 has mismanaged and misruled Russia to the point of bankruptcy and an ever growing list of economic sanctions. It has become clear to most observers outside the Trump administration that peace can only be made after Putin is gone.
Deep tech is Indias field to dominate, if we have faith in local talent

Vivek Wadhwa is the CEO of Vionix Biosciences and has held academic appointments at institutions including Harvard Law School, Stanford, and Duke University. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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Rajan Mahan is a journalist who headed NDTV and Star News in Rajasthan. He was also a Professor of Journalism at the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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Public servants, private suffering: When citizens are held hostage by the system

Deblina Halder

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Nisha Holla is Research Fellow 3one4 Capital. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication.

TV Mohandas Pai is Chairman, 3one4 Capital. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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Chinese suppliers offer items they make for luxury brands like Birkin, Louis Vuitton at 1/10 the price

Ankita Sengupta

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shares a hiring call for techies: 'We could desperately use your help'

Ankita Sengupta

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Sheetal Kumari

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Chinese Language Day marked in Bulgaria with singing contest

Xinhua) 10:25, April 14, 2025

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
April 14, 2025: Like most western militaries, Russia has become dependent on the use of missiles and drones instead of artillery and airstrikes. Ukraine reports that from late 2022 through late 2024 Russia used 4,800 missiles and nearly 15,000 attack drones. The missiles are expensive, most costing one or two million dollars each, while some of the drones cost $35,000, for the Iranian Shahed design. More recent drone designs cost only a few hundred dollars each. It was thought that the inexpensive drones would replace the use of 155mm artillery. The range and cost of artillery shells varies from $3,000 to $100,000 depending on its version and purpose. The basic 155mm shell weighs 43 kg and contains about seven kg of explosives. The standard Russian equivalent is the 152mm shell.

The only Russian source of weapons and munitions has been Iran and North Korea, which has a feeble economy with a GDP of only $30 billion and has long been subject to economic sanctions. Iran, which is also sanctioned but has oil to export and a GDP of over $400 billion. Iran was also responsible for the recent completion of a drone manufacturing facility on the Volga River. Russia has over fifty firms manufacturing over two dozen types of drones. These include three dozen different models, most of them with a range of 40 kilometers while about a dozen have ranges of 100 to 2,000 kilometers.

Russia is building a drone manufacturing infrastructure. By 2026 330,000 people will be involved in the development, production, and operation of drones by 2026. By 2035 1.5 million people may be involved in drone design, development and production.

Russia continues to obtain drones and drone construction assistance from Iran. While Russia produces 330-350 Shahed-136 drones per month, Iran also helps out. Russia has manufactured over 2,000 Shahed drones and at least 2,600 have been sent by Iran.

To cooperate with Iran, Russia uses an existing north-south trade route to Iran. Russia wants to improve it with road and rail connections. Railway connections are a problem because Russia and Iran railroads use different railroad gauges. That can be overcome by building parallel Iran/Russian rail lines and establishing depots where cargoes, especially standard shipping containers, can be transferred between Russian and Iranian trains. Road building bypasses the rail gauge problem. While trucks have long transported shipping containers, it is three times more expensive to ship by road than by rail. Shipping by sea is less than 20 percent the cost of rail transport. The road and rail lines are essential for getting cargo to inland destinations, but most of the tonnage is moved the longest distances by ship. For this reason Russia has long maintained a water route from Russia to Iran via the Caspian Sea and a series of canals. In 2023 Russia brought in dredging equipment for a major, and overdue, dredging of the heavily used Volga-Don Canal that enables ships to get from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. Because of the war in Ukraine, and Iran supplying weapons and equipment to Russia, canal traffic was up 15 percent in 2022 over the previous year. In 2023 traffic increased by another 4.5 percent and increased further in 2024.

Since 1952 a 101 kilometers long canal, linking the Don and Volga rivers, gave the Caspian Sea access to the Black Sea and the world's oceans. Ships that can use the canal cannot displace more than 5,000 tons, be no more than 140 meters long, 17 meters wide, and have a draft of more than 3.5 meters. Normally the canal moves over 12 million tons of cargo a year. About half of that is oil or oil products. In 2021 Russia agreed to allow Iran to use the Volga-Don Canal so that Iranian ships can reach the Black Sea from the landlocked Caspian Sea. This is the first time Russia has ever given a foreign nation free access to the canal. Russia and Iran are now using each others Caspian Sea ports heavily for trade and getting Iranian weapons to Russia. Both nations have agreed to establish a joint-shipbuilding operation in the Caspian Sea and cooperate in dredging the canal, something that has not been done since 1991. The prolonged lack of dredging has made portions of the canal shallower and forced ships to carry less cargo.

The 13 locks on the canal connect the Volga River, the longest in Russia that empties into the Caspian, and the Don River which empties into the Sea of Azov, which is connected to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait. The Caspian is the world's largest lake, at 371,000 square kilometers. It is about a thousand kilometers long and 430 kilometers wide. It's saline but is only about a third as salty as ocean water. The Caspian has a 7,000-kilometer-long coastline, with the largest chunk, 1,900 kilometers, belonging to Kazakhstan.
Bengaluru AI engineers earn up to Rs 48 LPA with 8 years' experience as GCCs chase talent: Quess report

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Netflix may be working on an OpenAI-powered search engine

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1/11 If you're craving spine-tingling safaris, untamed landscapes, and bucket-list wildlife encounters, 2025 is your year to roam free. Wildlife travel is no longer reserved for elite explorersits a global movement where your next adventure supports conservation, uplifts communities, and brings you closer to nature in its most raw and breathtaking form. This isnt just a vacation. Its a mission. A chance to witness the worlds most iconic creatures in their natural habitatwhile making sure those habitats stay protected for generations to come. Ready for your wildest year yet? Here are 10 of the best countries for wildlife travel in 2025: (Image: Unsplash)

2/11 1. Kenya  Classic Africa with a Conservation Heart

Golden grasslands, acacia-dotted horizons, and herds thundering across the Maasai MaraKenya delivers the classic African safari. Track lions and elephants in Amboseli with Kilimanjaro as your backdrop, or follow cheetahs through Tsavos wild terrain. Kenyas commitment to community-based tourism ensures your trip leaves a positive footprint.

Where: Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo

Best time: June to October

Fun Fact: Did you know the Maasai Mara is home to the "Big Five" (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos)? Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness these majestic animals up close. (Image: Unsplash)

3/11 2. Brazil  Jaguar Territory and Wetland Wonders

Forget the AmazonBrazils Pantanal is the real star when it comes to wildlife. Cruise the waterways for front-row seats to elusive jaguars on the hunt, or watch giant otters and toucans from your floating lodge. The Amazon still beckons for those who crave the sounds and sights of deep rainforest.

Where: Pantanal, Amazon Rainforest

Best time: June to November

Personal Tip: For a true wildlife adventure, stay in one of the eco-lodges along the Cuiaba River. Its the perfect base for exploring the Pantanals wild heart and encountering jaguars in the wild. (Image: Unsplash)

4/11 3. Antarctica  Remote, Rugged, and Teeming with Life

Nothing compares to the thrill of stepping onto the white continent. Spot waddling Adelie penguins, sunbathing seals, and humpback whales slicing through icy waters. Each expedition feels like a lunar landingotherworldly, raw, and life-affirming. For true wilderness seekers, this is the wildest adventure on Earth.

Where: Antarctic Peninsula

Best time: November to March

Fun Fact: Antarctica has no native human populationjust researchers and wildlife enthusiasts! Imagine the pristine silence of a place untouched by human activity. (Image: Unsplash)

5/11 4. Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)  Natures Living Museum

Snorkel alongside sea lions, walk past marine iguanas, and meet the iconic giant tortoisesall without them flinching. The Galapagos is evolution come to life, offering front-row access to fearless creatures and pristine volcanic landscapes. These islands are proof that nature, when protected, can still be magical.

Where: Galapagos Islands

Best time: June to December

Tip for Travelers: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for an insider look into ongoing conservation efforts that are crucial to preserving the islands biodiversity. (Image: Unsplash)

6/11 5. Malaysia (Borneo)  Jungle Secrets and Endangered Icons

Step into one of Earths oldest rainforests where orangutans swing above, pygmy elephants bathe below, and the jungle hums with life. Borneos Danum Valley and Kinabatangan River are biodiversity goldmines. It's a haven for serious wildlife lovers chasing encounters few others will ever experience.

Where: Danum Valley, Kinabatangan River, Sepilok

Best time: April to October

Personal Tip: For an unforgettable experience, take a night safari along the Kinabatangan River. The jungle transforms at night, with nocturnal creatures coming to life. (Image: Unsplash)

7/11 6. India  Tiger Country and Biodiversity Hotspots

Indias jungles are filled with ancient dramawhere tigers stalk silently, rhinos graze in misty grasslands, and leopards watch from the trees. Ranthambores ruins, Bandhavgarhs deep sal forests, and Kazirangas swampy wilds offer unforgettable chances to witness raw nature and rare species.

Where: Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kaziranga

Best time: October to April

Fun Fact: India is home to the largest population of tigers in the wildRanthambore National Park is one of the best places to spot these magnificent creatures. (Image: Unsplash)

8/11 7. Iceland  Arctic Wildlife and Epic Landscapes

From the cliffs of the Westfjords to the icy blue fjords of Husavik, Icelands rugged terrain is alive with Arctic wildlife. Puffins nest in the thousands, whales breach just offshore, and arctic foxes peek from behind the rocks. All this under glowing summer skies and endless light.

Where: Husavik, Westfjords, Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Best time: May to September

Personal Tip: Join a whale-watching tour from Husavikconsidered one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales and the elusive blue whale. (Image: Unsplash)

9/11 8. Tanzania  The Land of Endless Safari Drama

If wildlife watching were theatre, Tanzania would be Broadway. Witness the Great Migration unfold in real-time as wildebeests and zebras stampede across the Serengeti. Descend into the Ngorongoro Cratera lost world of lions, flamingos, and hipposor venture into the Selous for off-the-grid exploration.

Where: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous

Best time: June to October

Fun Fact: The Serengetis Great Migration is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Witnessing the spectacle of thousands of animals crossing rivers and plains is nothing short of breathtaking. (Image: Unsplash)

10/11 9. Botswana  Untouched Africa in High Definition

Botswana offers the safari experience stripped down to its essence: silence, solitude, and jaw-dropping wildlife. Drift through the Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe, surrounded by elephants and birdsong. Chobe delivers big game in big numbers, but without the tourist crowds. This is the wild as it should be.

Where: Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park

Best time: May to October

Tip for Travelers: Opt for a mokoro (dugout canoe) ride through the Okavango Delta for a peaceful and intimate wildlife experience, gliding past elephants, hippos, and a vast array of birdlife. (Image: Unsplash)
'Bidens war, not mine': Trump says Ukraine war wouldn't have happened under his watch

Abhinav Gupta

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Chinese exports swell ahead of US tariffs that will snarl trade

Arindam Roy

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How China went from courting Trump to never yield tariff defiance

Arindam Roy

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How to get 5-year Schengen Visa? Check eligibility, documents required, fee structure for Indians

Surabhi Pandey

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'Just cameras and the AI chip': Elon Musk says Tesla nearing pure AI breakthrough for full self-driving

Abhinav Gupta

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Pradeep Tripathi

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Trumps tariffs threaten US AI leadership despite push to become world capital

Abhinav Gupta

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Trump says Iran must give up dream of nuclear weapon or face harsh response

101Reporters

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Two corpses, $14,000 and a plot to assassinate Trump: US teens dark plan began with murdering his own parents

Abhinav Gupta

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Why our understanding of attention disorders is changing

Pradeep Tripathi

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DETROIT Apple Inc. and Michigan State University (MSU) have announced a collaboration to establish the Apple Manufacturing Academy in downtown Detroit. This initiative aims to assist small and medium-sized businesses nationwide in adopting advanced manufacturing techniques and enhancing operational efficiency.

Scheduled to commence operations in the summer of 2025, the academy will offer both in-person and online courses. The curriculum is designed to equip participants with essential skills, including project management, manufacturing process optimization, vocational training, and leadership development. Apple engineers and MSU experts will provide consultations to businesses on integrating artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing practices.

Sabih Khan, Apple's Senior Vice President of Operations, emphasized the company's dedication to fostering innovation within the U.S. manufacturing sector. "The Apple Manufacturing Academy will train businesses across America to implement smart manufacturing techniques that are creating opportunity and shaping the future of technology," Khan stated.

MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz highlighted the alignment of this project with the university's mission. "With our strong programs in supply chain, logistics, engineering, and packaging, and our commitment to be an industry leader in AI advancements, Michigan State is a perfect partner for this new effort," Guskiewicz said. "We look forward to working side by side with manufacturing companies to transform this essential industry."

This initiative builds upon the successful partnership between Apple and MSU, which began with the launch of the Apple Developer Academy in Detroit in 2021. That program has since graduated approximately 200 participants annually, focusing on coding, design, and business skills within the tech industry.

The establishment of the Apple Manufacturing Academy is part of Apple's broader commitment to invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. This investment includes the creation of approximately 20,000 jobs and the expansion of teams and facilities across multiple states.

The Apple Manufacturing Academy represents a significant step in advancing manufacturing education and practices in the United States. By leveraging the expertise of Apple and MSU, the academy aims to empower businesses with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven industry landscape.
Sonora, CA  Assembly Bill 100 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, which he says will accelerate funding to conservancies for forest and vegetation management projects.

A big portion, $30.9 million, is coming to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, a state agency that has a stated goal to improve the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the greater region. It covers the Mother Lode counties, such as Tuolumne and Calaveras.

Similar amounts are going to the California Tahoe Conservancy, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the State Coastal Conservancy, the San Gabriel Conservancy, and the San Diego River Conservancy.

In addition, the Governor says he is signing an Executive Order to streamline the projects as part of an emergency proclamation, which would reduce the environmental restrictions.

Newsom argues, With this latest round of funding, were continuing to increase the speed and size of forest and vegetation management essential to protecting communities. We are leaving no stone unturned  including cutting red tape  in our mission to ensure our neighborhoods are protected from destructive wildfires.
On Tuesday, congressional Republicans sent letters to eight Ivy League institutions amid concerns that coordinated practices drove up tuition costs. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Senator Mike Lee, and Representative Scott Fitzgerald delivered the letters to Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale, according to reports by The Hill and the Washington Examiner.

The letter stated, "The House and Senate Committees are concerned that the Ivy League member institutions' coordinated practices and alleged collusion violate the Sherman Act and that the institutions continue to benefit from their prior collusion despite no longer having an antitrust exemption," according to The Hill. In the same message, the lawmakers requested that the schools provide documents dating back to 2019 detailing communications with other higher education institutions and organizations including the College Board, with a submission deadline of April 22.

The correspondence also referenced a lawsuit alleging that the College Board had collaborated with institutions to restrict financial aid and overcharged students of divorced or separated parents for tuition. It noted that the Council of Ivy League Presidents held meetings concerning admission practices, according to The Hill.

The Washington Examiner reported that the inquiry, initiated months after a lawsuit was filed against the College Board, also examined campus efforts to combat antisemitism. One excerpt from the letter read, "The structure and operation of the higher education market strongly suggests the market was not functioning properly and was subject to widespread violations of antitrust laws," according to the Washington Examiner.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday to close a $2.8 billion budget gap in the states Medicaid services and ensure coverage through June for 15 million people, including immigrants, who receive health care via the program.

The legislation is part of the states solution to solve the $6.2 billion hole in the states Medicaid budget. It comes a year after California launched an ambitious coverage expansion to provide free health care to all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status. The expansion is costing far more than the state projected and could force the Democratic governor and Democratic lawmakers to reevaluate future coverage for millions of people.

California also is bracing for major budget hits should Republicans in Congress follow through with a plan to slash billions of dollars in Medicaid and potentially jeopardize coverage for millions of people. California provides free health care to more than a third of its 39 million people.

Heres what to know about Californias Medicaid gap:

Did expanding coverage to adult immigrants cause the gap?

Partly. California first extended health care benefits to low-income children without legal status in 2015 and later added the benefits for young adults and people over the age of 50. The program was expanded again last year to cover adults ages 26 to 49.

The cost of the recent expansion to cover all low-income adults is $2.7 billion more than the state budgeted because California underestimated the number of people who would sign up for services. California officials said they only had a month of data last year when the state had to produce projections for the budget.

The state hasnt said how many people have enrolled through the expansion. Last year, the state projected that about 700,000 state residents who are living in the U.S. illegally would gain full health coverage to access preventive care and other treatment.

Other factors that are putting pressures on state budgets across the country also played a role in California, state officials said. Those included $540 million in rising pharmacy costs and $1.1 billion from other issues, such as a larger enrollment by older people.

In Illinois, which also expanded coverage in recent years to more low-income residents regardless of immigration status, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $330 million cut to coverage for immigrants ages 42 to 64, citing rising costs.

What is California doing about the shortfall?

Newsoms administration told lawmakers in March that it took out a $3.44 billion loan, the maximum allowed under state law, from the general fund to make payments for March. The additional $2.8 billion in state funding will also unlock matching federal money to cover costs already committed through June.

State officials this month said the situation is unsustainable and told lawmakers the state is finding ways to cut costs next year.

The state has proposed ending pandemic-era protections that have prevented it from disenrolling people from Medicaid. Newsoms administration is also bracing for significant variability after President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown.

Will California roll back coverage for immigrants without legal status?

Newsom previously told reporters that rolling back the coverage expansion is not on my docket.

Other Democratic leaders, including Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, also vowed to safeguard benefits for immigrants but acknowledged tough choices ahead.

The budget hole has reignited criticism from Republican lawmakers about the expansion, with some calling for an audit of the states Medicaid, also known as Medi-Cal.

Democrats bad accounting has brought Medi-Cal to the breaking point, making it harder for patients to get in to see a doctor, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher said in a statement. We owe it to Californians  and to the vulnerable people who depend on this program  to make sure Medi-Cal is meeting their needs.

Newsom defended the expansion in one of his podcast episodes, adding that making preventive care accessible to all low-income people helps save the state money in the long run.

How will Congress plan to cut Medicaid funding affect California?

The $6.2 billion budget gap is solvable, state lawmakers said. But Congress threats of a Medicaid funding cut could add further strain.

California would have to cut coverage, limit enrollment or raise taxes to help cover the costs if Congress follows through.

State officials said theyre certain it would upend coverage for millions of people in the state.

Even with the largest state budget in the country at roughly $322 billion, California doesnt have the capacity to backfill services funded by the federal government, officials said.

More than half the states Medicaid funding comes from the federal government. For the next fiscal year, thats roughly $112.1 billion. Federal funding doesnt cover costs related to preventive care for immigrants without legal status.

By TRAN NGUYEN

Associated Press
OK, you know Robert Churchwell, pioneering Black Nashville journalist? First Black writer for a Southern white newspaper? He wrote for the Nashville Banner starting in the 1950s? That dude?

No? Well, heres what The Tennessean has to say about him:

Robert Churchwell Sr. was the first black journalist employed at a white-owned metropolitan newspaper in the South.  After serving in the Army during World War II, Churchwell earned a bachelor's degree from Fisk University. He joined the Nashville Banner in 1950 but had to work from home. Executives excluded him from meetings and barred him from the newsroom until 1955.

Yall, this first sentence is not true. I hardly know what to say. Its what Ive always been told. Its probably what youve always been told. Hell, I think its very likely this is what Churchwell himself was told.

I kind of think the most genuine response I could have to this discovery is to put up a picture of the guy who probably deserves that honor (though, honestly, who even knows?) with me looking gobsmacked and baffled right next to it, and just let that be the column.

Scene readers, this story has it all. A dude named Trout. A poolroom. Mail fraud. Handsomeness. Getting the hell out of Hopkinsville. Reporting for both The Tennessean and the Banner. An illness that required going to Denver to die. And then vanishing from the historical record. Trout is barely in the story, but I feel like you know its going to be good when someone with a wild nickname is in it at all.

+3 Down the Rabbit Hole on Nashville's Historically Black Bryanttown Sherrod Bryant was a free person of color and probably the richest Black man in Davidson County during his lifetime

Think about it. You hear that George and Bud get into a fight in a pool room in Hopkinsville, that barely registers. Trout and Bud get into a fight? Yeah, someones getting shot.

Duke Wellington Berry was born in Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1880 or 1881. He married Mabel Rogers in 1900 when he was working as a coal miner. Like many miners before and after him, he got out of the ground as soon as he could. He opened a pool hall. In May 1906, he was arrested by U.S. Marshals. Youd think this might have something to do with the aforementioned pool hall, likely a den of sin and inequity, gambling and close dancing, but no! He was arrested for mail fraud for advertising a hair product that would take the kinks out of negro hair. (Thats according to the Louisville Courier-Journal from May 4, 1906.)

In November 1909, someone named Trout shot someone named Bud and then disappeared. The Hopkinsville Kentuckian reported, 'Trout' is a tough citizen, and spends a great part of his time working on the streets to pay fines for misdemeanors of almost every kind known to the calendar. The next February, the mayor closed down Dukes pool room. Immediately after, Duke announced to the paper that he was gong to Nashville.

By 1910, he and his family were living on Jackson Street, and he was, according to the Census, working for the newspaper, though it doesnt say which one. His byline appeared in the Banner, on an article titled, Understanding between Races: Declared by Speaker at Colored Conference to Be the Crying Need. He really hit his stride when he got his column at The Tennessean: General News of the Colored People. The news therein included things like, My cousin is coming to town, and, Heres a bunch of stuff I did. So that does stretch the meaning of General a little bit, but his columns werent only about him, and frankly, it did provide a window in to the ordinary, boring things Black people in Nashville got up to, which was quite a contrast to how white papers usually wrote about Black people.

He got sick in 1918, and physicians insisted he go to Denver for the better air. The Tennessean featured updates on how he was doing. In 1922, he died out there.

For nearly a decade, Duke Wellington Berry wrote for the white papers  40 years before Robert Churchwell. And the very paper that employed him for the longest forgot about him.

This is theft. Berry was stolen from the city. He was erased and forgotten.

Can you imagine how much it might have meant to Churchwell to know that he wasnt alone? That someone had done this before him, done it well, and thrived?

And think about how the white supremacist narrative is basically that Black people were enslaved, then they did nothing worth talking about for decades, and then the civil rights movement. But Berrys parents were enslaved at birth. He was in that first generation to be born free, and he was able to start a couple of businesses (albeit shady businesses) in Kentucky and have this grand second act here in Nashville. The children of enslaved people built successful lives and made space for themselves in the broader society.

And then the 1920s hit, and white people lost their goddamn minds. Back came the Ku Klux Klan and anti-Catholic sentiment and the massive pushback to white womens suffrage, and all kinds of progress was lost. Achievements were forgotten. We had to have a second Black reporter pioneer, because the path didnt stay cleared after the first one.

Its hard for me to think too hard on this, considering that were all trying to live through this moment of grand recoil here in the 2020s, knowing that Berry was lost due to the grand recoil against post-Emancipation progress. What stories will we lose? What figures will vanish from common knowledge? Will they be found again?

The Book Ecosystem in Tennessee Is Under Serious Threat Trump's cuts could kill off the ecosystem of writers, historians, museums and libraries that sustains us

I wasnt looking for Berry. I didnt even know he existed. I was just flipping through old copies of the Nashville Globe and I came across the picture you see here. Last week.

And Im sorry to end on the same note I ended my column on last week, except I still feel the same way. Its depressing that a man like Duke Wellington Berry existed and left a paper trail and still got erased. Its depressing that this country is doing that same bullshit today. But here he is, and I feel lucky to get to tell you about him, and I hope you feel lucky to know about him. Maybe we can bring him back into the story where he should be.

The first two decades of the 20th century in the South were full of people like Berry. Who knows if he was the first Black guy to work at a white paper in the South? I dont even know that I feel confident that he was the first Black guy to do so in Nashville. No one knew to look for folks back that far before. He might be one of many. And maybe well get to find out.
Hospital staffers sound alarm after 10 nurses were diagnosed with BRAIN TUMORS

At least 10 nurses at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts have been diagnosed with brain tumors in recent years, primarily on the fifth-floor maternal care ward, raising concerns about environmental hazards.

A nurse with a brain tumor spoke out, questioning the high number of cases, with some tumors being cancerous. Three nurses have already undergone surgery, heightening fears among staff.

The hospital conducted an internal review with safety experts, concluding there were "no environmental risks" linked to the tumors. However, only eight nurses were interviewed, with five having benign tumors.

Staff and the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) are calling for an independent investigation, citing statistical anomalies and a lack of trust in the hospital's findings. Nurses fear retaliation for speaking out.

The case highlights the need for transparency, stronger safety protocols, and better communication in healthcare settings to protect workers and patients. Nurses continue to push for answers and a safer work environment.

In a troubling development that has sent shockwaves through the healthcare community, at least ten nurses at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts have been diagnosed with brain tumors in recent years.

This alarming trend has prompted urgent calls for a thorough investigation into potential environmental hazards within the hospital, particularly on the fifth-floor maternal care ward where the affected nurses have been primarily stationed.

The situation came to light after a whistleblower, who is herself battling a recent brain tumor diagnosis, spoke out to CBS Boston. She revealed that as many as 10 nurses working on the same floor have been diagnosed with various types of brain tumors over the past few years, some of which are cancerous.

The whistleblower expressed a sentiment shared by many of her colleagues. "It's getting to the point where the number just increases, and you start saying, 'Am I crazy thinking this? This can't just be a coincidence,'" she told the news outlet. (Related: LYING HOSPITALS? Study states hospitals that self-report safety protocols may not be honest about their numbers.)

The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that at least three of the affected nurses have undergone surgery. This has left the staff deeply concerned about their health and safety, with one nurse telling WBZ-TV: "We want to feel safe, the same way we want to make our patients feel safe."

In response to the growing concerns, the hospital launched an investigation in December. According to the hospital's findings, there were "no environmental risks" that could be linked to the development of brain tumors.

It also interviewed eight nurses, five of whom were found to have benign brain tumors. Despite these findings, the hospital acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured staff and patients that their health and wellbeing remain a top priority.

Affected nurses demand independent investigation

Despite the hospital's assurances, many nurses remain unconvinced and are calling for an independent investigation. They argue that the high number of cases in a single unit is statistically unusual and warrants further scrutiny. The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) has echoed these concerns, urging the hospital to provide more transparency and support for the affected staff.

The fear of retaliation for speaking out has also been a significant concern, with nurses worried that voicing their fears could jeopardize their careers. However, the quest to identify the cause of these tumors is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Occupational health experts acknowledge the complexity of pinpointing environmental factors that could contribute to such cancer clusters. Potential culprits could include exposure to radiation, chemicals, or even building materials. The hospital's investigation, while thorough, has not yet provided the answers that nurses are seeking.

This case highlights a critical issue in the healthcare industry: The need for robust safety protocols and transparent communication when concerns arise. The health and safety of healthcare workers are paramount, not only for their own wellbeing but also for the quality of care they provide to patients.

As this situation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare workers and the importance of addressing their concerns with urgency and diligence. The nurses at Newton-Wellesley Hospital are not just calling for answers; they are demanding a safer work environment for themselves and their colleagues.

CancerCauses.news has more similar stories.

Watch this video about more than 30,000 nurses and health professionals from Kaiser Permanente going on strike.

This video is from the Bit channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Understaffed and overworked: Nurses go on STRIKE in Minnesota.

Obvious agenda: Biden forces hospitals in the US to fire unvaccinated nurses while sending American taxpayer dollars overseas to pay the salaries of Ukrainian nurses.

Doctors and nurses sue hospital for required Wuhan coronavirus vaccine.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

Dailymail.co.uk

Nurse.org

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Federal appeals court authorizes DOGE access to Education, Treasury and OPM records

A federal appeals court ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can access sensitive personal records (including Social Security numbers, income, citizenship status and student loan data) from the Education and Treasury departments, as well as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), overturning a previous injunction.

Advocacy groups, including the American Federation of Teachers, argued DOGE's actions violated the Privacy Act of 1974, but the court found no evidence of immediate harm, denying standing to the plaintiffs.

The 4th Circuit overturned a Maryland federal judge's March 24 block on DOGE's access, and an 8-7 vote rejected rehearing the case en banc, leaving the ruling intact.

The court also allowed DOGE to proceed with deep cuts to USAID and restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, dismissing claims of unconstitutionality.

The rulings emphasized that DOGEs actions were legally authorized, even if controversial, with one judge noting that unconventional methods do not necessarily equal unconstitutional conduct.

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may proceed in accessing personal records from the Department of Education, the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

The lawsuit, filed by advocacy groups, including the American Federation of Teachers, argued that DOGE's access to personal records, including Social Security numbers, income levels, citizenship status and student loan data, violated the federal Privacy Act of 1974.

On March 24, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman from Maryland sided with the plaintiffs. Boardman blocked DOGE from reviewing sensitive data within the three agencies. (Related: DOGE targets IRS in sweeping government efficiency push.)

"Enacted 50 years ago, the Privacy Act protects from unauthorized disclosure the massive amounts of personal information that the federal government collects from large swaths of the public," Boardman wrote at that time. "No matter how important or urgent the President's DOGE agenda may be, federal agencies must execute it in accordance with the law."

However, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the March 24 order in a 2-1 decision on April 7. The court also declined, by an 8-7 vote, to rehear the issue en banc, meaning the full bench will not reconsider the decision.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), defending DOGE and the agencies, countered that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any concrete injury or imminent harm from DOGE's data access. Government attorneys argued that employees assigned to DOGE were legally authorized to retrieve necessary records for their investigations.

"Plaintiffs lack standing because they have not suffered any cognizable  injury," DOJ attorneys said in court filings. The majority opinion, written by Judge G. Steven Agee, agreed, stating, "In light of the plaintiffs' multiplicative problem, the government has made a strong showing that it will prevail on the merits."

Federal appeals court also backed DOGE access to USAID

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also backed the administration in granting DOGE access to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and permitting executive orders restricting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to proceed.

In March, the federal appeals court overturned a lower court order blocking DOGE from advancing deep cuts at the USAID. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that while Musk's role in dismantling USAID was "unconventional," there was insufficient evidence to prove his actions were unconstitutional.

"While defendants' role and actions related to USAID are not conventional, unconventional does not necessarily equal unconstitutional," U.S. Circuit Judge Marvin Quattlebaum wrote.

That same month, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond also ruled that U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore had overreached by imposing a sweeping halt to the key executive orders targeting DEI initiatives.

Visit BigGovernment.news for stories similar to this.

Watch the video below that talks about Democrats freaking out over DOGE.

This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

ANTI-TERROR DOGE: The $400 BILLION-DOLLAR-MAN who's running DOGE is hunting down corrupt Democrats who engaged in DOMESTIC TERRORISM.

Second Trump admin's DOGE will DEFUND Planned Parenthood.

Texas legislature adopts "DOGE" model to tackle government efficiency.

Left outraged over DOGE and Musk's crusade against government waste.

DOGE finds evidence of Social Security fraud and illegal immigrant voter registration.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

APNews.com 1

APNews.com 2
New studies ignite debate: Fluoride linked to autism and ADHD, prompting calls for policy reassessment

Recent studies link fluoride in drinking water to significant increases in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD in children. A Florida study of 73,000+ children found a 526% higher ASD rate in areas with fluoridated water, alongside rises in intellectual disabilities (102%) and developmental delays (24%).

The surge in autism diagnoses (now 1 in 36 U.S. children) coincides with decades of water fluoridation, while countries like Germany and Francewith minimal fluoridationreport lower ASD rates (1 in 139). Fluorides use as an industrial byproduct (e.g., hydrofluorosilicic acid) raises safety concerns.

Some research ties fluoride to lower IQs (1.63-point decline per 1 mg/L increase) and ADHD, citing neurotoxic effects. Critics, including the CDC, argue benefits (e.g., cavity prevention) outweigh risks at regulated levels (0.7 mg/L), though experts like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demand reevaluation.

While advocates (e.g., Fluoride Action Network) push for fluoridation banssuccessful in Florida and Utahskeptics question study methodologies and the Geiers controversial background (e.g., disputed vaccine-autism claims).

The controversy underscores the tension between public health tradition and emerging evidence of harm. Calls for transparency, parental choice and longitudinal studies grow, with RFK Jr. challenging the CDCs stance.

Recent studies have intensified calls to reconsider the safety of fluoride in drinking water, with alarming findings connecting the mineral to significant increases in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD among children. A landmark study of over 73,000 Florida children found a stunning 526% rise in ASD diagnoses among those fully exposed to fluoridated water. Concurrently, researchers have linked fluoride to ADHD, lower IQ scores and delayed development, sparking heated debate among scientists, policymakers and public health advocates. Long championed as a dental health innovation, fluorides inclusion in water supplies is now questioned, as campaigners like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of fluoridation, demand regulatory scrutiny.

Florida study illuminates alarming autism risk linked to fluoridation

The most striking findings come from a study led by Dr. Mark Geier and his son David Geier at the Institute of Chronic Illnesses, published in BMC Pediatrics. Analyzing health records of 73,254 Florida children from 1990 to 2012, researchers found a sixfold increase in ASD diagnoses among those in counties with nearly universal fluoridation. Only five cases of autism were identified among children with no fluoride exposure, while 320 were diagnosed in fully exposed communities.

The study also noted a 102% rise in intellectual disabilities and 24% increase in developmental delays among fluoridated-county children. Though the Geiers emphasize that correlation does not equal causation, the statistical link raised alarms, particularly given prior associations between fluoride and neurotoxic effects. Mark Geier stated, New risk/benefit analyses of water fluoridation must be conducted, a sentiment echoed by RFK Jr., who plans to petition the CDC to halt fluoridation recommendations.

Critics, however, question the methodology. Dr. Faith Coleman, a family physician, noted gaps in tracking fluoride intake levels and timing of ASD diagnoses, which averaged 6.13 yearslater than typical milestones. The studys validity is uncertain without knowing how much fluoride each child actually consumed, she stated.

A surge in autism cases coincides with widespread fluoridation

The timing of the autism epidemic aligns troublingly with prolonged fluoridation. In the 1940s, fluoride was introduced to U.S. water supplies to combat tooth decay, with two-thirds of Americans now drinking fluoridated water. The autism diagnosis rate, meanwhile, has skyrocketedfrom 1 in 150 in 2000 to 1 in 36 today. Countries like Germany (1 in 139) and France (1 in 144), where water fluoridation is rare or banned, report far fewer cases.

Fluorides origins as an industrial byproduct further complicate its acceptance. Hydrofluorosilicic acida toxic compound from phosphate fertilizer productionis diluted into water systems. This is not natural; its untreated hazardous waste, RFK Jr. declared on social media in 2023. Studies like those by Czech researchers Anna Strune?kova and Otakar Strune?ky point to fluorides synergy with aluminum, amplifying neurotoxic effects at doses far below regulatory limits. Their work in Environment, Development and Sustainability linked chronic fluoride exposure to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, pathways common in ASD.

Neurotoxicity claims backed by researchers  but critics disagree

While some research illuminates risks, others refute causal claims. A 2018 Environmental Health study found higher maternal fluoride levels tied to ADHD diagnoses, and a 2023 meta-analysis showed a 1.63-point IQ decline per 1 mg/L increase in childhood urinary fluoride. Yet, skeptics argue fluoridations benefits outweigh risks. The CDC cites it as a public health achievement, while the American Dental Association emphasizes it prevents cavities, particularly in low-income communities.

Dr. Coleman warns against discarding proven dental benefits, noting fluorides safety at regulated levels of 0.7 mg/L. She criticized RFK Jr., stating, Hes not qualified to argue medical issues. Meanwhile, experts like former EPA scientist William Hirzy validate concerns: The numbers of extra ADHD cases linked to fluoridation are enormous, he said.

The Geiers credibility has also faced scrutiny. David Geier, recently hired by the HHS as an autism researcher, was previously disciplined for unlicensed medical practice, and his prior work connecting vaccines to ASD remains controversial.

Advocates push for policy change amid scientific division

RFK Jr. and allies like the Fluoride Action Network now press policymakers to heed emerging science. Florida and Utah recently banned fluoridation, while advocacy groups amplify calls for bans nationwide. Roughly 40 million Americans now drink unfluoridated water, and autism rates there are lower, Dr. Connett of Fluoride Action Network noted.

As debate intensifies, parents confront confusion. Natural health proponents advocate filtering tap water and avoiding fluoridated products. Meanwhile, advocates like RFK Jr. urge transparency: The public deserves to know that fluorides safety is not settled science.

Conclusion

The fluoridation controversy highlights sciences complexity and public healths ethical dilemma. While fluoride may reduces cavities, evidence of neurotoxicityfrom IQ drops to ASD correlationsdemands urgent scrutiny. Experts agree on one point: more rigorous, longitudinal research is essential to clarify risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.

As RFK Jr. prepares to challenge fluoridation policy, the question remains: Can 80 years of tradition tolerate modern data? The answer may shape public health for generations to come.

Sources include:

DailyMail.com

PubMed.gov

TheTreeTop.com
Gazas last functioning hospital bombed as Israel escalates offensive

An Israeli airstrike destroyed Gaza's last fully operational hospital, forcing a rushed evacuation and leaving critically ill patients without care.

The IDF claims the hospital housed Hamas operatives but provides no evidence, violating international law protecting medical facilities.

Hospital staff described chaotic scenes, including the death of a child due to oxygen deprivation and freezing temperatures.

The attack follows a pattern of Israeli assaults on Gazas healthcare system, now at 10% functionality with critical shortages.

WHO and other bodies condemn the bombing as a potential war crime, but accountability remains unlikely amid blocked investigations.

An Israeli airstrike destroyed critical sections of Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital, the last fully operational medical facility in Gaza City, forcing evacuations with just 18 to 20 minutes notice and leaving hundreds of critically ill patients without care. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as staff rushed to move patients into the streets amid freezing temperatures, leading to the death of at least one child who succumbed to oxygen deprivation and hypothermia.

The strike, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claims targeted a Hamas command-and-control complex but provided no evidence for, further cripples a healthcare system already on the brink of collapse after months of attacks. At least 36 hospitals in Gaza have been bombed by Israeli forces, with 37% of essential drugs out of stock and 80,000 diabetic patients cut off from treatment, according to Gazas Hamas-run health ministry.

Humanitarian catastrophe unfolds

The attack on Al-Ahlialso known as the Baptist Hospital, Gazas oldest Christian medical facilityleft its surgery building, oxygen generation station, and genetic laboratory in ruins. Video footage showed flames engulfing the hospitals emergency ward as staff and displaced civilians fled for their lives. Khalil Bakr, who escaped with his three injured daughters, recounted to BBC Arabic: Only two minutes separated us from death.

Gazas civil defense agency reported that the rushed evacuation forced critically ill patients into the streets without oxygen or proper medical supervision. Among the dead was a child with a head injury, as confirmed by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs the hospital.

A woman sheltering in the hospital, whose husband was undergoing treatment, described the horror to Middle East Eye: I just wanted to rest the whole day was filled with the screams of children with severed [body parts] these sights can drive a person to insanity.

International law violations

The IDF insists the hospital housed Hamas operatives, but independent investigators, including the World Health Organization (WHO), found no evidence of military activity. Under the Geneva Conventions, hospitals are protected spaces, and targeting them constitutes a potential war crime.

Yet, Israel has systematically degraded Gazas healthcare infrastructure. In March 2024, its military raided Al-Shifa HospitalGazas largestkilling dozens and arresting medical staff. Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last operational facility in northern Gaza before its bombing in December 2024, was left in ruins after Israeli forces set fire to its entrances and detained its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safia.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell condemned the Palm Sunday attack on Al-Ahli, calling it especially appalling given the hospitals Christian identity. The WHO reiterated that attacks on healthcare violate international law, yet Israel continues to block aid missions.

The hospital bombing fits a well-documented pattern. On October 17, 2023, an Israeli strike on Al-Ahlis courtyard killed hundreds, sparking global outrage. Israel initially blamed Palestinian Islamic Jihad for a rocket misfirea claim contradicted by weapons analysts and eyewitness accounts.

With Gazas healthcare system now reduced to 10% functionality, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO warned: Hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law. Attacks on health care must stop. But as Israeli forces expand their buffer zone into Gaza, displacing 400,000 more civilians, the prospects for accountability dim.

An unending crisis

The bombing of Al-Ahli Hospital underscores the devastating human cost of Israels military campaignone that has displaced, starved, and traumatized an entire population. With journalists and investigators barred from Gaza and misinformation rampant, the truth remains obscured. But the facts on the ground are clear: hospitals, patients, and international law are being obliterated. As one witness implored:

Fear God; What are you all going to say to God?

For now, Gazas survivors are left with ruins, grief, and the chilling certainty that no one is coming to save them.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

CNN.com

BBC.com

AlJazeera.com
Idaho Legislature clears path for over-the-counter ivermectin sales

Idaho's Senate Bill (SB) 1211 allowing over-the-counter sales of ivermectin without a prescription has been approved by the state Senate (29-9) and House (66-1), and now awaits Gov. Brad Littles decision.

Primarily used for parasitic infections, ivermectin gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic despite FDA warnings against its use for treating the virus.

The bill moved quickly through committees and floor votes, with proponents framing it as a matter of personal.

Critics, including pharmacists and some lawmakers, warn of potential dangers, citing FDA advisories and past cases of ivermectin overdoses during the pandemic. Retail pharmacists also noted the lack of clear usage instructions.

The bill reflects a national divide between personal freedom and public health, with similar laws passed in Arkansas and Tennessee. The outcome in Idaho will be closely watched by both supporters and detractors.

In a move that has sparked hope for health freedom, the two chambers of the Idaho Legislature have passed Senate Bill (SB) 1211  which paves the way for ivermectin to be sold over the counter without a prescription.

SB 1211 was swiftly approved by the Idaho Senate in a 29-9 vote, while the Idaho House of Representatives passed it in a 66-1 vote. Given this development, the bill is now on the desk of Gov. Brad Little  who has yet to publicly comment on whether he will sign it into law.

The proposal seeks to remove the requirement for a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional before purchasing ivermectin. However, it has ignited a fierce debate among lawmakers, medical professionals. and the public. (Related: Washington doctor fined for prescribing ivermectin as COVID treatment.)

Primarily used to treat parasitic infections in animals and humans, ivermectin gained significant attention during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Some studies and doctors touted its potential to treat the virus, leading to a surge in its popularity.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment, issuing warnings against its use for this purpose, particularly in forms intended for animals. Despite the FDA's stance, the drug's proponents argue that it has a proven track record in treating various conditions.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon (R-District 47), a co-sponsor of the bill, described ivermectin as a "wonder drug" with a wide range of applications  citing its use in treating parasites and worms in humans. Anthon emphasized that the bill does not mandate the use or sale of the drug but simply removes a barrier, allowing individuals to access it more easily.

SB 1211 sparks heated debate about health freedom

Other state senators also echoed Anthon's support of the bill. State Sen. Carl Bjerke (R-District 5) said he was willing to "throw caution to the wind" and give his constituents the opportunity to look after their own health. State Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld (R-District 24), who shared that she had taken ivermectin for years, also backed the bill.

Critics of the bill, including pharmacists and some lawmakers, have raised concerns about the potential risks of making ivermectin available over the counter. State Sen. James Ruchti (D-District 29), assistant Senate democratic leader, argued that the lack of endorsement from medical professionals should give lawmakers pause.

Opponents also argued during the debate that without proper guidance, individuals may misuse the drug  leading to adverse effects. The Idaho Retailers Association, representing a group of retail pharmacists, expressed concerns about the lack of an "over-the-counter" label with clear usage instructions.

But State Sen. Tammy Nichols (R-District 10) reiterated that the legislation was not about promoting the use of ivermectin. Instead, it was about giving people the freedom to choose. As SB 1211 awaits Little's decision, its passage reflects a broader trend  with Arkansas and Tennessee having already enacted similar measures.

Watch this video about how ivermectin worked for COVID-19 patients.

This video is from the GenXquestions channel on Brighteon.com.

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Ivermectin outperforms chemo in breast cancer treatment, study finds.

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Ivermectin works, even if the establishment falsely claims otherwise.

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Why is ivermectin STILL not being prescribed for covid?

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

BoisesStatePublicRadio.org

IdahoPress.com

Brighteon.com
Sen. Ron Johnson accuses CDC official in charge of COVID-19 injections of deleting records amid Congressional GOP scrutiny

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) alleges CDC official Dr. Tom Shimabukuro deleted or lost records, potentially obstructing congressional COVID-19 investigations.

Johnson urged AG Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and HHS Inspector General Juliet Hodgkins to probe whether Shimabukuro and other HHS officials intentionally destroyed records to evade oversight or FOIA requests.

Violating record-keeping laws (Federal Records Act) or obstructing Congress could result in contempt charges, punishable by fines and up to a year in prison.

Dr. David Morens of the NIH previously admitted avoiding official emails to dodge FOIA scrutiny, suggesting Dr. Anthony Fauci discouraged discussions linking COVID-19 to a Wuhan lab.

Johnson emphasized the need for thorough investigations into systemic mishandling of COVID-19 records, as lawmakers and the public seek transparency on what was erased and why.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has accused a key official of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of deleting records, ostensibly to impede investigations by Congress on the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

Johnson pointed his finger at the CDC's Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, who is responsible for overseeing COVID-19 safety. The senator put forward his accusation in letters addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel and Juliet Hodgkins, acting inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

"HHS officials recently informed me that Dr. Shimabukuro's records remain lost and, potentially, removed from HHS' email system altogether," Johnson wrote. The senator for the Badger State pointed out that the CDC official's "potential mishandling of his official records" was "highly concerning."

Given this development, Johnson called upon Bondi, Patel and Hodgkins to investigate whether Shimabukuro and other officials in agencies under the HHS "deleted or destroyed official agency records." The senator also demanded an inquiry into whether files were intentionally deleted to "avoid or subvert Congressional oversight or the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)."

"Any attempt to obstruct or interfere with my investigatory efforts would be grounds for contempt of Congress," Johnson warned. Anybody found guilty of contempt of Congress faces a hefty fine and 12 months behind bars.

NIH official's shocking emails: "I delete anything I don't want public"

Under the Federal Records Act, government officials are required to preserve materials "made or received by a federal agency under federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business." It was enacted in 1950 to prevent the loss of government documents  a response to past incidents where vital records were destroyed to avoid scrutiny.

Shimabukuro isn't the only one allegedly guilty of violating this law, however. Dr. David Morens of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has previously been in the crosshairs of Johnson and other GOP lawmakers. Morens, a longtime adviser to former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, went under fire after emails where he admitted to avoiding official correspondence channels were made public.

"I always communicate on Gmail because my NIH email is FOIA'd constantly," Morens wrote in an email from 2021. "I delete anything I dont want to see in the New York Times."

In another email, Morens insinuated that Fauci  who retired in 2022  discouraged discussions linking COVID-19 to a laboratory in China's Wuhan province. "Tony doesn't want his fingerprints on origin stories," Morens wrote. (Related: Congress seeks emails suggesting Fauci worked behind the scene to discredit COVID lab leak stories.)

The House of Representatives subpoenaed Morens back in October 2023, with former Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)  then the chairman of the House COVID-19 Select Subcommittee  warning that "this obstruction will not be tolerated."

Johnson later said of Shimabukuro's obstruction: "The extent to which HHS officials systemically mishandled, deleted, or destroyed their communications, data and other information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccines must be thoroughly investigated."

As investigations proceed, legal and political battles loom. What is clear, however, is that lawmakers and the public will continue demanding answers about what was erased and why.

MedicalCensorship.com has more similar stories.

Watch Dr. Tom Shimabukuro of the CDC admitting that the COVID-19 vaccines cause "debilitating illness" in this clip.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Bioweapons launderer Fauci and associates illegally deleted emails and federal records to protect themselves from FOIA requests.

Fauci's former top deputy caught deleting correspondence on COVID-19 origins.

Fauci is put on notice, told to preserve records for major free speech lawsuit.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NYPost.com 1

NYPost.com 2

Brighteon.com
Man with CZ Scorpion charged with pistol brace ownership, may set dangerous precedent

The Department of Justice is currently pursuing criminal charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, for, in the case U.S. v. Taranto.

(Article republished from ZeroHedge.com)

In response, Gun Owners of America and our friends at the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC) are urging the Department of Justice to drop that charge, which sets a dangerous precedent for the millions of Americans who possess up to 40 million such firearms.

In 2021, the Biden Administration tasked the ATF with targeting and cracking down on firearms equipped with accessories known as "pistol braces."

These accessories were originally designed to allow disabled gun owners to "brace" a handgun against their forearm, aiding in shooting longer and heavier firearms with one hand.

For years, ATF approved the devices for use on pistols of all kinds, and promised that the mere attachment of such accessories to handguns did not transform them into short-barreled rifles. That was until the Biden Administration decided to target pistol braces for elimination at the behest of anti-gun billionaire donors.

According to a study from the Congressional Research Service, up to 40 million of these firearms are in private ownership throughout the country. But that wasn't going to stop Biden's Department of Justice and ATF from working to make owners of these pistol-brace-equipped firearms into felons with the stroke of a pen.

To do this, ATF decided to reclassify virtually all pistols with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles" falling under the regulation of the 1934 National Firearms Act and requiring registration.

Failing to comply with ATF's reclassification and registration scheme could have landed gun owners in prison for ten years in addition to a $250,000 fine.

But thanks to numerous lawsuits from groups like Gun Owners of America, FRAC, and others, Biden's pistol brace rule is currently enjoined by numerous courts and even vacated by one.

Translation from legalese? Biden's rule is no longer in effect, and ATF has been ordered not to enforce it.

But this hasn't stopped anti-gun bureaucrats at ATF from attempting to continue to enforce the underlying legal theories that inspired the rule in the first place.

And now, we have our first example of this in the case U.S. v. Taranto.

Anti-gun holdovers from the Biden Administration in the DOJ & ATF know that charging an innocent gun owner with NFA violations for a pistol brace, and nothing more, is not going to stand up, so they had to find a case where someone committed other offenses serious enough that the additional charge for violating the NFA could create a successful precedent, but wouldn't be the centerpiece of the case.

And that's precisely what they found in U.S. v. Taranto.

But before we get into the details of the case, let me just point out that GOA & FRAC's interest in this case is the NFA charge for possessing a pistol-braced handgun, nothing else.

We state this clearly in our letter when we say: "We express no opinion on any of the other unrelated charges levied against Mr. Taranto."

This is because Taranto's case stems from an incident on June 28, 2023, where Taranto was stopped by the Secret Service and FBI in Washington DC and charged with the possession of a firearm, and magazines.

But in the hours leading up to his arrest, Taranto had engaged in what charging documents describe as "erratic" behavior, was livestreaming himself and, according to charging documents, "suggested that he had outfitted his vehicle with a detonator."

He then drove his car into DC, specifically into the Kalorama neighborhood, and into an area monitored by the Secret Service, because of its proximity to important government figures.

When the Secret Service approached him, he fled into the woodsthe officers gave chase.

And eventually, when the Secret Service arrested him, and conducted a search of his vehicle, they found a CZ Scorpion pistol equipped with a brace, and more.

Taranto was charged with numerous offenses but, interestingly, according to his inditement, Taranto's pistol is charged as both a handgun, in violation of Washington DC's licensing provisions, and also a short-barreled rifle, in violation of the National Firearms Act.

How can a firearm be both a rifle and a handgun at the same time?

The answer is, of course, that it isn't, and the DOJ's internally conflicting position shows that the government is using the NFA charge for a sinister reason and may be a sign of a larger problem.

In a brief filed by the DOJ lawyers opposing Taranto's motion to dismiss, the U.S. Attorneys had this to say:

"ATF is not barred from continuing to enforce the underlying statute as it always has: by making case-by-case determinations about whether particular braced firearms constitute "rifles" under the statute. And of course, because the rule reflects ATF's best understanding of the statute, those determinations will naturally tend to look substantially like the determinations that would follow from applying the clear framework outlined in the rule."

Translation?

Even though ATF is currently barred from enforcing the pistol brace rule, it claims that nothing stops it from enforcing the statuteusing, of course, the same legal theories on which the rule is based. If this sort of logic -- that appeals only to bureaucrats -- makes your eyes burn, you're not alone.

This is undoubtedly a bad sign for the direction of ATF. Even though the pistol brace rule has been enjoined and vacated, ATF insists it can still charge pistol brace crimes, using the very same theories from its repudiated rule.

Even under a Trump administration, it appears that career anti-gun bureaucrats within ATF, along with some holdover prosecutors at the DOJ, just aren't willing to give up their anti-gun agenda.

This is why GOA has teamed up with FRAC to send a letter, this time to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, DC, asking that office to investigate this federal government overreach and dismiss the pistol brace charge against Taranto.

We are hopeful that, thanks to President Trump's executive order on protecting Second Amendment rights, this charge will be dismissed, thereby protecting millions of law-abiding gun owners from continuing ATF overreach.

Again, this caseand GOA's interesthas nothing to do with Mr. Taranto, but instead with the millions of other gun owners who possess firearms equipped with pistol stabilizing braces. If the DOJ pushes forward with this criminal charge against Taranto, then all of us are at risk.

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com
Scotlands digital ID system sparks Big Brother fears amid privacy backlash

Scotlands government is launching ScotAccount, a digital ID system to centralize access to public services like healthcare, taxes and benefits, raising concerns about privacy and state overreach.

Critics, including Big Brother Watch, warn the centralized database could become a target for hackers, enable government surveillance and erode individual freedoms, especially if adoption shifts from voluntary to mandatory.

Experts highlight dangers like biometric and financial data breaches, with worries that the system could be exploited by cybercriminals or hostile actors, mirroring controversies in countries like China and India.

Despite being optional, the system risks marginalizing those without digital access or who distrust it, with fears it will become de facto compulsory as physical alternatives are phased out.

The ScotAccount controversy reflects a broader tension between digital efficiency and privacy, echoing past clashes (e.g., UK post-Brexit ID plans) and underscoring the need for legal safeguards to prevent surveillance overreach.

Scotlands government is rolling out a nationwide digital identification system, ScotAccount, designed to streamline access to public services such as healthcare, taxes and benefits. However, privacy advocates warn that the centralized database, part of a larger shift toward digital governance, threatens individual freedoms by creating a vulnerable repository of sensitive data. Critics, including Big Brother Watch, argue the system risks becoming mandatory by default, exposing users to hacking, government overreach and the erosion of privacy. As pilot programs expand, experts urge legal safeguards to protect non-digital identification methods, fearing a dystopian future where surveillance looms large.

The ScotAccount initiative: Convenience or control?

The Scottish Governments ScotAccount program, successor to the Digital Identity Scotland pilot, aims to provide a unified digital ID for citizens to access over 40 services. Launched under the aegis of convenience and fraud prevention, the system requires users to submit biometric data, including photos, passports and driving licenses, verified through third-party services like Experian. According to a Scottish Government spokesperson, the system uses robust encryption and authentication protocols to prevent identity theft.

Yet, concerns are mounting over the centralization of data. ScotAccounts beta phase has already facilitated access to services like criminal record checks and funeral registrations, with plans to expand into tax payments and healthcare records. Though currently voluntary, privacy groups fear its opt-in nature masks an inevitable shift toward mandatory use as physical documents become obsolete.

Critics sound the alarm: Hackers, hackers everywhere

Big Brother Watch, a civil rights organization, calls the system a honeypot for criminals and hackers, citing the risks of storing vast datasets in one centralized location. Madeleine Stone, a spokesperson for the group, warns, These plans could give the Scottish government free rein to build huge population-wide datasets and share personal information between departments, disadvantaging those who rely on physical documents.

Security experts agree. Tech firm Bridewell highlights the grave threats of a breach, which could expose sensitive information like biometric data and financial records, enabling identity theft or surveillance. Cybercriminals or hostile governments could exploit the system, the firm warns.

The push toward mandatory digital IDs

The ScotAccounts non-mandatory status is under scrutiny, with critics arguing it functions as a de facto requirement. As more services transition to digital-first models, citizens without digital IDs risk exclusion from vital services. A legal right to non-digital ID is urgently needed, Stone stresses, to avoid marginalizing the millions who lack digital access or distrust government systems.

Historically, other nations, such as China and India, have faced backlash over digital IDs enabling mass surveillance. While Scottish officials deny such intentions, the absence of clear boundaries invites skepticism. The SNP government recently awarded a 1.18 million ($1.54 million) contract to tech firm Scott Logic to develop the systems final phase, signaling its resolve to move forward despite opposition.

Lessons from past surveillance debates

Privacy concerns over centralized ID systems are not new. The U.K.s proposed post-Brexit digital ID scheme faced similar critiques, while the EUs GDPR regulations reflect broader anxieties about data exploitation. Scotlands case, however, underscores the tension between efficiency and autonomy.

As governments worldwide adopt digital systems, the stakes grow higher. The surveillance state, once a dystopian trope, is evolving into reality. For Scotland, the rollout of ScotAccount reflects a global reckoning: Can digital convenience coexist with privacy, or is the cost of integration too steep?

Conclusion: Privacys thin line in the digital age

The Scottish Digital ID initiative embodies a crossroads for modern governance: balancing technological progress with personal freedoms. While proponents tout increased efficiency and fraud reduction, detractors see an incremental surrender of privacy. The debate over ScotAccount transcends Scotland, resonating globally as nations grapple with the ethical implications of digitization.

As Madeleine Stone succinctly frames it, This is not just about technologyits about whether we value individual rights more than efficiency. In an era of rising authoritarianism and cyber threats, the choices made today could define the liberties we protect tomorrow.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

BigBrotherWatch.org

PressReader.com
Suspect admits targeting Pennsylvania governor in arson attack

Governor Josh Shapiro's home was firebombed in a targeted attack by Cody Balmer, who admitted ideological hatred.

Balmer meticulously planned the assault, using Molotov cocktails and a hammer, intending harm.

The attack caused severe damage to the historic residence, symbolizing the erosion of democratic norms.

Bipartisan backlash condemned the violence, though media double standards on political violence persist.

The incident highlights a broader crisis where extremism replaces democratic discourse with brute force.

In the predawn hours of April 13, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, his wife Lori, their four children, and guests were jolted awake by state troopers banging on their door. An arsonist had just firebombed their Harrisburg residence, hurling homemade explosives through shattered windows in what authorities called a "targeted" act of terrorism.

The suspect, Cody Balmer, 38who later admitted to "harboring hatred" toward Shapiroturned himself in after confessing he would have assaulted the governor with a hammer if confronted. This brazen attack underscores a chilling trend: the erosion of democratic norms as political violence becomes alarmingly routine in America.

A premeditated assault on democracy

Balmers meticulously planned attack reads like a domestic terrorism manual. According to Pennsylvania State Police affidavits, he siphoned gasoline from a lawnmower, filled Heineken bottles to create Molotov cocktails, and walked an hour to the governors mansion. Surveillance footage captured him scaling a perimeter fence, smashing windows with a hammer, and igniting fires in the piano and dining roomsspaces where Shapiros family had hosted a Passover Seder hours earlier.

"He was very methodical in his approach," said Lt. Col. George Bivens. Balmers admission that he anticipated harming occupants reveals intent beyond property damage; this was an attempted political assassination.

The damage was severe: ceilings collapsed, furniture was reduced to ash, and Passover decorations lay blackened beside shattered glass. Yet the greater devastation is symbolic. The governors residencea historic building housing state art and eight gubernatorial families since 1968was violated not by a random criminal, but by a man weaponizing ideological rage.

The backlash was swift and cross-partisan. Pennsylvania GOP Chairman Greg Rothman called the attack "unacceptable," emphasizing, "There is no place for violence in our society." Shapiro, a Democrat, echoed this: "I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other  It has to stop."

Such solidarity is critical, yet it raises uncomfortable questions. Would national media devote equal coverage if a Republican governor were targeted? Recent history suggests not. When a left-wing activist shot GOP Congressman Steve Scalise in 2017 or when Trump supporters faced violent riots in 2020, many outlets downplayed the ideological motives.

This double standard fuels division. As Shapiro noted, violent rhetoricwhether from fringe online forums or mainstream commentatorscreates a permission structure for extremists. Balmers actions didnt emerge in a vacuum. They reflect a culture where dehumanizing political opponents has become routine.

The broader crisis: Violence as political language

The Shapiro attack joins a grim roster: with the 2017 shooting of Rep. Scalise joined by last years assassination attempts against Donald Trump and the ongoing burning and firebombing of Tesla vehicles. The common thread? A rejection of democratic resolution in favor of brute force. Balmers use of improvised explosives mirrors tactics seen in extremist playbooks, yet his profilea Harrisburg local with prior theft chargesdefies easy categorization. This unpredictability makes such threats harder to combat.

Critically, Balmers hatred wasnt abstract. He told police he knew Shapiro might be home, accepting the risk of casualties. This distinguishes the act from mere vandalism; it was terrorism designed to intimidate a sitting official and his constituents.

Authorities charged Balmer with eight felonies, including terrorism and attempted murder. Yet legal consequences alone wont remedy the societal sickness enabling such violence. Shapiros refusal to be "deterred" is commendable, but his call for unity must be matched by systemic action: bolstering security for officials, de-escalating incendiary rhetoric, and rejecting partisan hypocrisy in condemning attacks.

The fire at the governors mansion is a flare illuminating Americas crisis of civility. When ideology justifies arson against elected leaders, democracy itself burns. As Shapiro said amidst the ashes: "We have to be better than this."

Sources for this article include:

100PercentFedUp.com

Fox43.com

CNN.com

FoxNews.com
Ukraine wants 30,000 conscripts MONTHLY to continue its senseless war with Russia

Ukraine's top general Oleksandr Syrsky states that 30,000 new conscripts are needed monthly to counter Russias offensive, as Russian forces now outnumber Ukrainians 10-to-1 in some areas.

Russia has 623,000 troops deployed  a five-fold increase since 2022  and could potentially mobilize up to 20 million trained personnel, adding 8,000 to 9,000 troops monthly.

Ukraine faces corruption, draft evasion and public resistance despite lowering the conscription age to 25 and offering lucrative incentives (e.g., $24,000 salaries, zero-interest mortgages).

Mobilization efforts have been uneven  with reports of bribery, violent confrontations and forced detentions, raising tensions between military needs and civil liberties.

With high attrition rates and uncertain Western aid, Ukraine's ability to sustain its military hinges on recruitment success, mirroring historical struggles of nations in prolonged wars.

Ukraine wants at least 30,000 conscripts on the battlefield every month to counter Russia's continued offensive, according to the country's top general.

Oleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU), put forward this demand during an interview published by the LB.ua outlet on Wednesday, April 9. According to the general dubbed "The Butcher," Moscow has already deployed around 623,000 troops  with a five-fold increase since the special military operation began in 2022. Syrksy continued that Russia can draft up to five million trained and experienced troops, for a total headcount of 20 million.

"Every month, they increase it by 8,000 to 9,000," the general told the news outlet. "In a year, it's 120,000 to 130,000."

In some frontline areas, Russian troops outnumber their Ukrainian counterparts by a ratio of 10 to one. To sustain resistance against the Russian army, Syrsky said the AFU must mobilize 30,000 soldiers every month. (Related: Ukrainian Armed Forces have been drafting 30,000 troops each month since May, reports reveal.)

But the general's demand appears to be an impossible dream, given Kyiv's mounting battlefield losses and dwindling frontline forces. Ukraine is scrambling to recruit tens of thousands of new soldiers each month  but corruption, draft evasion and deep public resistance threaten to undermine its mobilization efforts. With the government lowering the draft age and offering lucrative enlistment incentives, the struggle to sustain its fighting force has reached a critical point, raising concerns about Ukraine's long-term capacity to resist Russian advances.

Cash for combat: Kyiv's new strategy to boost troop numbers

Ukraine initially implemented a general mobilization after Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, barring most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. However, enforcement has been uneven, with widespread reports of bribery, evasion and even violent confrontations between draft officers and civilians.

In response, authorities lowered the conscription age to 25 last year while imposing stricter penalties for draft dodging. Now, the government is offering unprecedented financial incentives through a new voluntary program targeting younger men.

According to a Russia Today piece from February, the program offers applicants a salary of one million Ukrainian hyrvnia ($24,000) for one year in the military  roughly four times the annual standard military salary. They can also receive 120,000 hryvnia ($2,880) and more every month for combat missions. Zero-interest mortgages, free travel and utility benefits, free education and a right to travel overseas after one year of service await those who sign up with the AFU.

The crisis reflects a fundamental challenge for Ukraine: Sustaining prolonged warfare against a far larger adversary while maintaining public support. Historically, nations facing existential threats  such as Britain during World War II or Israel in its early conflicts  resorted to sweeping mobilization.

But Ukraine's struggle also bears resemblance to the Soviet Union's desperate conscription efforts in World War II, where relentless casualties forced increasingly draconian measures, damaging morale. Today, as enlistment officers resort to forcibly detaining men in public, the tension between military necessity and civil liberties grows ever starker.

Though Kyiv has avoided acknowledging total conscription figures, the sheer scale of its recruitment drive underscores the wars brutal toll. With attrition rates high and Western aid increasingly uncertain, Ukraines ability to maintain its fighting force may soon hinge not just on weapons, but on whether it can persuade  or compel  enough citizens to keep joining the fight.

Visit Chaos.news for more similar stories.

Watch this clip of Ukrainian police officers beating to death a young man dodging mandatory conscription in the western Ukrainian city of Rovno.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukrainian general: NOBODY can sit out the draft, and ALL MUST FIGHT.

Draft official tells Spanish newspaper El Pais: Ukrainians are rejecting the army.

Ukraine so desperate for new troops that Zelensky is now drafting PRISONERS to fight his war.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

RT.com 1

RT.com 2

Brighteon.com
UKs covert Terror Army exposed: UK spies operate in Ukraine, have escalated the conflict from the beginning

In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through international diplomatic circles, leaked documents have exposed the UK's clandestine efforts to build a covert "terror army" in Ukraine , aimed at attacking Russian targets in Crimea. The documents, obtained by British newspaper The Times, detail the extent of British involvement in the conflict, which has been far more significant and direct than previously acknowledged. This development comes at a critical juncture as tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate, with the Russian ambassador to the US and UK warning that the situation is on the brink of spiraling into World War III.

Key points:

British spies are secretly constructing a covert "terror army" in Ukraine to attack Russian targets in Crimea, according to leaked documents.

The UK's involvement in the conflict has been deeper and more extensive than previously known, with British military chiefs playing a crucial role in the "anti-Putin" coalition.

Russian ambassador warns that the actions of the UK and US could lead to World War III, highlighting the dangers of Western military aid and covert operations.

The hidden hand of British military chiefs

The Times' expose reveals that British military chiefs have been the "brains" behind the "anti-Putin" coalition, working closely with Ukrainian forces to develop battle plans and gather intelligence on Russian military movements. This covert operation, known as Operation Scorpius, has been ongoing since the early days of the conflict, with British instructors and specialists frequently deploying to Ukraine to train and equip Ukrainian forces. Unlike the United States, which has been cautious about its direct involvement, British military leaders have had greater freedom to operate on the ground, often arriving in civilian clothes to avoid detection.

February 2022: Dozens of British instructors arrived in Kyiv to train Ukrainian military personnel on the use of anti-tank systems.

Dozens of British instructors arrived in Kyiv to train Ukrainian military personnel on the use of anti-tank systems. 2023: British specialists were sent to Ukraine to equip Ukrainian aircraft with Storm Shadow missiles and train pilots.

British specialists were sent to Ukraine to equip Ukrainian aircraft with Storm Shadow missiles and train pilots. Ongoing: British military chiefs have been instrumental in holding together the alliance between Washington and Kyiv, despite the strained relationship between the two.

The ulterior motives behind western military aid

The question of why Britain, a nation whose military has been allowed to atrophy to a size smaller than the US Marine Corps, would push so hard to prosecute a war so far from its own territory remains a subject of intense scrutiny. Critics argue that the UK and the US, along with their military contractors, have ulterior motives for their involvement in the conflict. These motives include the desire to control Ukraine's strategic position and to gain access to Russia's vast resources, estimated to be worth $75 trillion.

Despite the military assistance provided by the US and Europe, Ukraine has been unable to gain significant ground or advance its agenda to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin. The failure to submit Russia and its resources, which remain firmly under Russian control, has raised questions about the true intentions of the Western powers. Some analysts suggest that the conflict is being used as a proxy war to weaken Russia and to maintain Western dominance in the global order.

The dangers of escalation and the path to World War III

The Russian ambassador to the US and UK has issued a stark warning, stating that the actions of the UK and the US could lead to a catastrophic global conflict. The ambassador's statement underscores the growing concern that the covert operations and military aid provided by Western powers are pushing the world closer to the brink of a third world war. The publication of these leaked documents and the increasing transparency about the UK's role in the conflict have only heightened tensions and raised the stakes for all parties involved.

As the world watches the situation in Ukraine with growing apprehension, the revelations about the UK's covert "terror army" and the deeper involvement of British military chiefs raise serious questions about the motives and consequences of Western intervention. The Russian ambassador's warning serves as a sobering reminder of the potential for global conflict. In a world where hidden truths are slowly coming to light, one must ask: Is the pursuit of strategic interests and resource control worth the risk of another world war?

Source include:

CDM.press

TheTimes.com

ArmedForces.press
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Microsoft is warning IT administrators that their Windows Server 2025 domain controllers (DC) may lose network connectivity after they are restarted.

In a Windows release health dashboard update posted Friday, the company said that, after a restart, Windows Server 2025 domain controllers (such as servers hosting the Active Directory domain controller role) might not manage network traffic correctly, rendering them inaccessible on the domain network, or possibly allowing incorrect access over ports and protocols that should have been blocked.

As a result, it said, applications or services running on the domain controller or on remote devices may fail, or remain unreachable on the domain network.
This is, said Bickley, a job killer, not a job enabler. The reality is that this announcement likely seeks to appease the US governments desire to reshore this work in the US. However, the majority of the final server assembly work already takes place in Mexico today, at a much lower cost of labor than can be realized in the US.

He said, [it is] likely a hedge to delay tariff impacts on Nvidia products coupled with a strategy to start the process of building highly automated facilities that can close the labor arbitrage gap that exists today.

Nvidia speaks out

Patrick Moorhead, founder and chief analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, said he was waiting for something out of Nvidia, as the company has been quiet on things related to tariffs.

The companys plans, he said, likely revolve around L11 production, which is the creation of a fully tested system. I doubt this includes PCA (mainboard) manufacturing or they would have said this discretely. Therefore, it is still likely that the mainboards will be produced in Taiwan or Mexico. The highest-performance AI servers are a challenge to build, test, and validate.

Therefore, said Moorhead, it makes sense that Nvidia would do this in the US for US customers. I believe some OEMs like Dell Technologies already do L11 in the US. The wildcard here is the import duties on the different components coming in from Taiwan, China, and Mexico.
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This new article publication from Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, discusses a retrospective cohort study of the efficacy and safety of oral azvudine versus nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged over 60 years.

Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) are recommended for COVID-19 treatment in China, but their safety and efficacy in the elderly population are not fully known. In this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study, the authors of this article identified 5131 elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 32,864 COVID-19 patients admitted to nine hospitals in Henan Province, China, from December 5, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was composite disease progression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for confounding factors, including demographics, vaccination status, comorbidities, and laboratory tests. After 2:1 PSM, 1786 elderly patients receiving azvudine and 893 elderly patients receiving Paxlovid were included.

Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses revealed that compared with Paxlovid group, azvudine could significantly reduce the risk of all-cause death (log-rank P = 0.002; HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.573-0.883, P = 0.002), but there was no difference in composite disease progression (log-rank P = 0.52; HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.877-1.260, P = 0.588). Four sensitivity analyses verified the robustness of above results. Subgroup analysis suggested that a greater benefit of azvudine over Paxlovid was observed in elderly patients with primary malignant tumors (P for interaction = 0.005, HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.180.57) compared to patients without primary malignant tumors. Safety analysis revealed that azvudine treatment had a lower incidence of adverse events and higher lymphocyte levels than Paxlovid treatment.

In conclusion, azvudine treatment is not inferior to Paxlovid treatment in terms of all-cause death, composite disease progression and adverse events in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
UNIGE scientists identified a brain circuit where lies the origin the social difficulties experienced by people with autism spectrum disorders.

From birth, human survival depends on the ability to engage with others. This ability, which is essential for development, seems to be impaired very early on in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), who show limited interest in social stimuli from their first year of life. To understand the neurobiological basis of this phenomenon, scientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) combined data from clinical and animal research. They identified a defect in a communication pathway between two brain structures that prevents rapid redirection of attention, a key mechanism for decoding social interactions. These results, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, pave the way for better prediction of development and more targeted interventions.

It is currently estimated that one child in 36 develops an autistic disorder, of whom a third is at risk of cognitive impairment.

''In the children who show a delay, the cognitive difficulties are the consequence of a lack of understanding of social interactions,'' explains Camilla Bellone, Associate Professor in the Department of Basic Neurosciences at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, and co-last author of the study. ''We learn through interaction with others. As young children with ASD are less oriented towards social cues very early on, they are less likely to develop the tools that enable them to navigate the social world and learn.'' While the consequences of this lack of social interest on development are well known, the neurobiological causes are much less so.

Studying brain networks with mouse models

At the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, the Synapsy Centre for Research in Neuroscience for Mental Health brings together neuroscientists and psychiatrists in a joint network. This sharing of expertise has led to a major discovery for understanding the very essence of social interaction: the ability to maintain a social interaction depends on the speed with which attention can be shifted from one stimulus to another.

In mice lacking the Shank3 gene - the most common single gene cause of ASD found in humans - we observe orientation deficit towards other mice, which reflects the alterations in social interactions already described in children with ASD. These mice therefore represent a good model for the study of ASD.'' Marie Schaer, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and co-last author of the study

Impaired neuronal synchronization

In previous research, Camilla Bellone's team identified a neuronal communication pathway whose role is to send information between the superior colliculus, a brain structure linked to orientation, and particularly to social orientation, and the ventral tegmental area, linked to the reward system. ''This time, we were able to show in our mouse model of ASD that a lack of neural synchronisation in the superior colliculus altered the exchange of communication between the two cerebral areas, resulting in defects in the orientation and social behaviour of individuals''. These experiments were carried out in vivo using miniaturised microscopes that enable the monitoring of neural activity in moving animals. They were conducted by Alessandro Contestabile, co-first author of the study and a post-doctoral researcher in Camilla Bellone's laboratory.

A specific protocol for ASD children

To confirm this hypothesis in humans, Nada Kojovic, a researcher in Marie Schaer's team and co-first author of the study, developed an original protocol for obtaining brain MRIs without sedation in children aged 2 to 5 years. ''It is obviously impossible to ask such young children to remain motionless in the MRI scanner for the 30 minutes needed to obtain the images,'' she explains. ''We therefore developed a habituation protocol, fitted out the MRI room and worked closely with the families to provide optimum conditions for the child to fall asleep, which worked very well for over 90% of the children for whom we obtained very good quality MRI images.''

The two teams observed that the circuit changes identified in mice were identical in the children. Furthermore, the level of connectivity in this circuit makes it possible to predict their cognitive development in the following year. While it is not yet possible to intervene directly on this brain network, this discovery provides a guide to behavioural interventions, in particular to reinforce children's ability to redirect their attention from one thing to another rapidly from an early age. An intensive treatment method developed in the United States and used in Geneva which require 20 hours a week for 2 years, has already proved its worth. With early intervention, the children gain an average of 20 IQ points, and 75% of them can go on to attend ordinary school.
This new article publication from Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, discusses a bispecific killer engager for targeted depletion of PD-1 positive lymphocytes.

Bispecific killer cell engagers (BiKEs) are a powerful tool to incite the killing power of natural killer (NK) cells. The authors of this article posit that the BiKE technology could be utilized to deplete activated immune cells expressing programmed death-1 (PD-1+ cells), and hence treat autoimmune diseases since these cells drive the disorders. They designed and generated PD-1 BiKE that targets an activating NK cell receptor, CD16, and PD-1. PD-1 BiKE showed specific binding to PD-1+ cells and engaged CD16 simultaneously. PD-1 BiKE enhanced NK cell-mediated apoptosis and depletion of PD-1+ Raji cells, but not PD-1- Raji cells.

Further, PD-1 BiKE induced apoptosis of primary PD-1+ T lymphocytes that are highly relevant to autoimmune disease progression. The BiKE depleted 42% of primary T cells that were stimulated in vitro. Importantly, those ablated primary T cells were activated cells. Meanwhile, naive T cells were spared by the BiKE treatment, supporting the crucial selectivity of PD-1 BiKE-directed cell depletion. Lastly, PD-1 BiKE is more effective than a conventional depleting antibody in the depletion of PD-1+ cells. The current work supports PD-1 BiKE is a selective, potent, and safe tool to deplete PD-1+ cells.
75 Rejections Later, This IIT Graduate's Startup Is Now Worth Rs 6,700 Crore

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 19:50 IST

Pavan Guntupalli, an IIT Kharagpur graduate, co-founded Rapido, a bike taxi platform that operates in over 100 cities, valued at $825 million.

Pavan Guntupalli co-founded Rapido, a bike taxi platform.

One would have hardly ever thought that in a quiet corner of Telangana, a young boy fascinated by computer programming and trade would one day go on to build a transportation empire worth over Rs 6,700 crore. That boy is Pavan Guntupalli  an IIT Kharagpur graduate who transformed repeated rejection into a story of resilience and remarkable success.

After earning his engineering degree and working in Samsungs software development team, Guntupalli found the corporate life uninspiring. It wasnt a lack of skill or opportunity, it was the pull of something greater. Alongside his friend Arvind Sanka, he ventured into the logistics space with a startup called theKarrier. But the duos first foray into business met a dead end.

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Failure, however, did not discourage Guntupalli. Instead, it became a catalyst for reinvention. He dissected his startups collapse, zeroed in on inefficiencies, and identified a gap in the rapidly urbanising transportation ecosystem: last-mile connectivity. His solution? A bike taxi platform that could zip past congested roads where cabs faltered.

That vision took shape in 2014 as Rapido. But even the strongest ideas need backing  and Guntupalli found none. More than 75 investors turned him down. Some cited fierce competition from the likes of Ola and Uber, while others doubted the feasibility of a two-wheeler taxi service in a country infamous for regulatory roadblocks and unpredictable traffic.

Still, Guntupalli persisted. Starting with a modest pricing model  Rs 15 base fare and Rs 3 per kilometre  Rapido catered to the affordability and agility the commuter craved. Initial traction was slow, but his persistence paid off. In 2016, a breakthrough came when Pawan Munjal, Chairman and MD of Hero MotoCorp, invested in the fledgling company. The endorsement acted as a launchpad, unlocking new doors and fresh rounds of funding.

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Rapido rapidly expanded across the country, adapting to the unique topographies and commuter needs of over 100 cities. It built a particularly strong presence in hilly terrains where car-based ride services struggle. With over 7 lakh users and 50,000 drivers, the platform has now become a staple in urban daily commute. According to Tracxn, the company is currently valued at more than $825 million.

Today, Pavan Guntupalli stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial tenacity. From relentless investor rejections to taking on industry giants, his journey underscores a powerful truth  that perseverance, when fused with vision and strategy, can defy even the harshest odds.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 19:50 IST
iPhone-Maker Foxconn Looks To Acquire 300-Acre Land In Greater Noida: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 12:16 IST

Apple supplier Foxconn is reportedly exploring the acquisition of up to 300 acres of land near the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida

iPhone-maker Foxconn

In a significant development for Indias electronics manufacturing sector, Apple supplier Foxconn is reportedly exploring the acquisition of up to 300 acres of land near the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, according to a report by The Economic Times on April 14.

If finalized, this facility would mark Foxconns first major plant in North India and could potentially be larger than its upcoming Bengaluru plant, which is already poised to become the companys second-largest unit globally, the report noted.

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The move aligns with efforts by both Foxconn and Apple to diversify their supply chain out of China and mitigate tariff pressures by increasing their manufacturing footprint in India.

While News18.com has not independently verified this report, it highlights that discussions with the government are ongoing, and a final decision on what will be manufactured at the facility is yet to be made.

The proposed site is reportedly near the 50-acre HCL-Foxconn semiconductor assembly plant, also located along the Yamuna Expressway corridor. The Uttar Pradesh state government had earlier allocated land near the upcoming Jewar airport for the semiconductor project.

The report comes at a time when the central government is in the final stages of clearing the next batch of semiconductor proposals under Phase 1 of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), aimed at boosting domestic chip manufacturing.

India Exports $17.4 Billion Worth of iPhones

Indias role in Apples supply chain has grown beyond assembly. The company exported Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth of iPhones, or around $17.4 billion, in the fiscal year ending March 2025. A major boost to this came after the US government, under President Donald Trump, implemented reciprocal tariffs  prompting Apple to prioritise India-made iPhones for the American market.

Thanks to this shift, shipments from India to the US have surged, particularly after iPhones assembled in India were exempted from the US tariffs, unlike goods coming from China.

Indias Competitive Edge Over China

According to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), which includes Apple, Foxconn, Xiaomi, Dixon, and Lava among its members, both India and Vietnam enjoy a 20% pricing advantage in the US market over Chinese-made smartphones, due to the absence of tariffs.

Vietnam similarly exports Samsung smartphones to the US without duties, but Apples scale in India is quickly catching up.

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Apples Growing Presence in India

Apples local strategy isnt limited to exports. The company is expanding its footprint in the Indian consumer market, where it now commands nearly 8 per cent of the smartphone market share, with sales approaching $8 billion in FY24.

About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 12:16 IST
Stock Market Holiday 2025: Are NSE, BSE Open Or Closed Today For Ambedkar Jayanti?

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 07:29 IST

Share Market Holiday April 14th 2025: Adding to the holiday-shortened week, markets will also be closed on Friday, April 18, for Good Friday

Stock Market Holiday Today

Share Market Holiday Today: Indian stock markets are shut today, April 14, on account of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti, offering traders a much-needed long weekend break after weeks of high volatility. The NSE and BSE will remain closed, while the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will operate only during the morning session (9 am to 5 pm).

Ambedkar Jayanti, observed every year on April 14, commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice.

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Adding to the holiday-shortened week, markets will also be closed on Friday, April 18, for Good Friday. This leaves investors with just three trading sessionsTuesday to Thursdayto navigate a week that is expected to remain choppy due to global uncertainties.

Commodity markets will remain fully closed on Friday, with no trading in either session.

Stock Market Outlook for the Week

Last week, the Nifty50 index swung sharply, briefly hitting levels last seen in June 2024, before staging a recovery and closing with a marginal weekly loss of 0.33% at 22,828. Despite the bounce from recent lows, analysts caution that volatility may persist this week, largely due to ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, even as sentiment improves for other global players.

From a technical standpoint, the Nifty is currently trading below its 21-day and 55-day exponential moving averages (EMAs)a sign that the market trend remains weak.

Market Holidays Remaining in 2025

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There are 14 stock market holidays in 2025, and with Good Friday around the corner, nine more non-trading days remain for the year. Heres a quick look at the upcoming market holidays:

May 1  Maharashtra Day

August 15  Independence Day

August 27  Ganesh Chaturthi

October 2  Gandhi Jayanti

October 21  Diwali Laxmi Pujan (Evening Muhurat trading likely)

October 22  Diwali Balipratipada

November 5  Gurpurab (Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji)

December 25  Christmas

About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More

Stay updated with all the latest news on the Stock Market, including market trends, Sensex and Nifty updates, top gainers and losers, and expert analysis. Get real-time insights, financial reports, and investment strategiesonly on News18.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 07:29 IST
Delhi School Academic Calendar 2025-26 Released, Summer Vacation From May 11

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 17:47 IST

According to the calendar, the academic session has commenced on April 1, 2025. Summer vacation is scheduled from May 11 to June 30

Winter vacation will be observed from January 1 to January 15, 2026.(Representative image/File)

The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has released the academic calendar for the 202526 session. According to the calendar, the academic session has commenced on April 1, 2025. Summer vacation is scheduled from May 11 to June 30. However, June 28 and 30 are designated as working days for teachers, likely for pre-opening preparations.

The autumn break will be from September 29 to October 1, 2025, providing a short mid-term respite for students. Winter vacation will be observed from January 1 to January 15, 2026.

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The Compartment Exam Result (CCSE) for Classes 5, 7, 9, and 11 will be announced on May 8, according to the schedule. The Common Pre-Board Exams (CPSE) for Classes 10 and 12 will be held from December 15 to December 31, 2025, with results set to be declared on January 7. The Common Annual Exams for Classes 3 to 9 and Class 11 are tentatively planned from February 16 to March 21.

Here is a list of holidays announced in Delhi:

January 26: Republic Day

February 26: Maha Shivratri

March 14: Holi

March 31: Id-ul-fitr

April 10: Mahavir Jayanti

April 18: Good Friday

June 7: Id-ul-zuha (Bakrid)

July 6: Muharram

August 15: Independence Day

August 16: Janmashtami

September 5: Id-E-Milad

October 2: Gandhi Jayanti

October 2: Dussehra

October 7: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti

October 20: Diwali

November 5: Guru Nanak Jayanti

December 25: Christmas Day

ALSO READ | UP School Summer Vacation 2025 Likely To Begin On May 20? Know Latest Updates

Among the upcoming holidays across schools in India include Good Friday which falls on April 18, 2025. The Christian community celebrates Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On this occasion, there will be a holiday in schools across the country.

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Some of the states will also observe a local holiday on April 29, 2025 (Tuesday) for Maharishi Parshuram Jayanti. Schools will likely remain closed in states like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Apart from the above holidays, schools are closed every Sunday. This time April 6, 13, 20, and 27 are Sundays. Some schools are also shut on second and fourth Saturdays which next month falls on April 12 and 26.

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 14, 2025, 17:26 IST
From Subtle To Brazen  How Bengal BJP 2.0 Is Planning Its Narrative On Waqf Protests

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 11:29 IST

The BJP aims for Hindu polarisation in West Bengal, citing the Bangladesh situation where the Hindu minority suffered violence, while the TMC worries that the stand may cost it in the 2026 elections

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari takes part in a procession on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti in Kolkata. (PTI)

Political battle lines are drawn once again in West Bengal where anti-Waqf protests snowballed into communal violence, killing three, and setting the tone for the assembly election the next year.

Amid the growing unrest, which forced the Calcutta High Court to ask the state to seek central forces with immediate effect, the BJP has pointed to lack of sensitivity on the part of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), citing instances of MP Yusuf Pathan talking about his chai on Instagram and his colleague Derek O Brien taking to Facebook to showcase his Sunday lunch with catfish, spinach, dal and rice.

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Given the unrest, the BJP is espousing the cause of the Hindus who constitute about 70 per cent of the population. It is also portraying the ruling TMC as siding with the minorities of the state who have been a solid support system for Mamata Banerjees party since 2011.

However, more than three BJP leaders News18 spoke to, say there lies a twist in the tale.

Polarisation has suited both the BJP and the TMC in the past, making it a two-way contest and leaving the Congress and CPI(M) redundant. It helped BJP with 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 but the numbers dwindled in the 2021 assembly election where data suggests the saffron party trailed in eight districts such as Nadia, Hooghly and West Midnapore where over 60 per cent of the population is Hindu. So, what is BJPs strategy to consolidate Hindu votes this time and how is it any different?

In 2019, there was a subtle Hindutva push in a state where Hindus were forced to see how students were being killed for demanding teachers in classes (Daribhit, 2018) or roadblocks were created at many places when they wanted to hold Saraswati Puja in schools (Tehatta, 2017). As a result, we saw overwhelming public participation in Ram Navami processions," said a BJP leader in West Bengal, requesting anonymity. However, the leader adds, their Hindutva push failed in 2021 when TMCs Bengali vs Outsider narrative triumphed. This time, it is not the BJP that is pushing anything. We are holding a mirror to Hindu society, making them realise its an existential crisis for the community. If they (Muslims) can hold the state to ransom and kill you for nothing, it should ring alarm bells. We are simply showing them the reality. This is not an election strategy," he adds.

11th April  Bengals blood-soaked return to 1946.Murshidabad burns. Dhuliyan, Samserganj, Suti  once towns, now terror zones. Hindu homes razed. Businesses looted. Temples vandalized. Water tanks poisoned to force Hindus out  a calculated, brutal blueprint of ethnic pic.twitter.com/XEBPEPzdyW  BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 13, 2025

The messaging too has been brazen, unlike in the past. Take the instance of BJPs national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari who took to X to call the violence pre-planned and alleged its designed to send a chilling political message to the Hindus of Bengal". Bhandari added: Demography is liberal democracys destiny!"

The leader was referring to Murshidabad, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur  three districts where Muslims form the majority of the population. Murshidabad district, which has been witness to massive communal flare-ups, has 66.27 per cent Muslims, according to the 2011 census. The Hindu community here is just 33.21 per cent of the population. Even four years ago, one could not have imagined the BJP sending out such obvious messaging.

About 178 kilometres from Murshidabads Jangipur, which witnessed tense communal violence, former Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh took part in a Hanuman Jayanti celebration on Sunday. The proverbial Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai slogan has been tweaked here by Ghosh who asked for Hindu Hindu Bhai Bhai". With a more colloquial version of PM Narendra Modis Ek hain toh safe hain" slogan, Ghosh talked about how Kirtan groups and the Matua community (a strong BJP vote bank) were among the many branches that came together for the event.

West Bengals leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari was probably the most brazen of the lot when he raised the issue of the two Hindu victims killed in the communal violence.

Hara Gobinda Das and Chandan Das were at their home. What was their fault? Their fault was they were Hindus. The way they were attacked with a chopperHave you guys seen the face of Hara Gobinda Das? Have you seen the photo? A Jihadi used the name of Modi-ji and Amit Shah-ji day before yesterday [Hanuman Jayanti] and said: This is nothing. Our festival is coming. We will slaughter Hindus," claimed Adhikari.

The three people reported dead in the West Bengal violence in Murshidabad on April 12 were Hara Gobinda Das, Chandan Das, and Izaz Ahmed Sheikh. While the father-son duo was hacked to death by a mob on Saturday, 17-year-old Sheikh succumbed to bullet wounds after police opened fire in Suti on Friday.

For the Bengal BJP, there seems to be nothing that is taboo as far as discourse is concerned  Naming religion, magnifying Hindu victimhood or creating a fear psychosis by talking about demographic shift. The age of subtleties and nuanced references is over for the party. It now communicates directly with 70.54 per cent of Bengals population, suggesting their only way out is a BJP government in 2026.

Bengal BJP MLA and frontrunner for the state presidents post, Agnimitra Paul, understands this shift in the partys strategy for Bengal. Hence, her messaging too has become in sync with BJPs polarisation shift 2.0. They have only one target  Hindu-less West Bengal. Our chief minister is dancing to the tunes of Bangladeshi radicals who are killing Hindus there. This is a big agenda to unify Bangladesh and West Bengal to form an Islamic state. This is the politics of Mamata Banerjee for her vote bank. She should be arrested," alleged Paul. However, she did not furnish any evidence to back her claim.

Unlike during the post-poll violence after the 2021 loss, when many BJP cadres felt deserted, the saffron party is making sure the victims are heard and seen this time. Adhikari has flashed his personal email ID to liaison between NGOs and affected Hindus so that relief material reaches them as soon as possible.

However, a faux pas by its state unit has embarrassed the party, too. West Bengal Police fact-checked how violence from other states and previous years is being passed off as incidents from West Bengal, forcing Bengal BJP chief Susanta Majumder to delete his tweet.

TMC latched on to the faux pas, with its Rajya Sabha MP Susmita Dev calling it a campaign of disinformation". This is riot engineering, not politics," she claims. TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta alleges, They (BJP) have perfected the art of orchestrating riots, and theyre putting that expertise to use in Bengal."

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But beyond the name-calling, even TMC leadership is finding it hard to grasp this new BJP in Bengal which has launched a no-holds-barred attack on the ruling party and its biggest face. From Sukanta Majumders last warning to Mamata Banerjee" to Arjun Singhs will bring Hindus from Bihar, UP, Jharkhand and will empty Murshidabad, Malda in one day"  all are part of this new BJP syndrome which wants to be seen as the saviour of Hindus.

The BJP aims for Hindu polarisation in West Bengal, citing the Bangladesh situation where the Hindu minority suffered violence. The BJP has tried the trick in earlier elections too but not all Hindus vote for the party, while the Muslims gravitate towards the TMC. This time, the perception due to the Bangladesh violence could help the BJP in West Bengal and TMC knows this may cost it.

About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 11:29 IST
As Bangladesh, China Come Closer, Whats Chicken's Neck Corridor, Why Is India Concerned? Explained

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 09:46 IST

Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal, Indias only land link to the Northeast. Military experts have warned that any attack in the region would cut off the Northeast from the rest of the country

During his visit to China in March, Bangladeshs leader Muhammad Yunus said Indias Northeast is 'landlocked' and invited China to boost business ties with Dhaka. (Image: @SpoxCHN_MaoNing/PTI)

Bangladeshs interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus recent remarks in China  that Indias North-eastern states are landlocked" and Dhaka is the only guardian of ocean access" has drawn sharp political criticism from India.

While former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh slammed Yunus for attempting to use Northeast as a strategic pawn", Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pointed that the remarks highlight the persistent vulnerability narrative" surrounding the Siliguri Corridor, often called as the Chickens Neck.

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What Did Yunus Exactly Say?

During his visit to China in March, Bangladeshs interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, said Indias Northeast is landlocked" while inviting China to boost business ties with Dhaka.

Seven states of India, eastern part of India, called seven sisters they are landlocked country, landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean," he said.

We are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So this opens up a huge possibility. So, this could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world," the Bangladeshi leader added.

Why Is The Siliguri Corridor Important?

The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal, Indias only land link to its eight North-eastern states  Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and brother" Sikkim. It is sandwiched between Nepal and Bangladesh, with Bhutan and China just a few kilometres away. This critical chokepoint just 22 km wide at its narrowest point has been Indias strategic vulnerability.

All land trade between Northeast and the rest of the country travels through the Siliguri corridor. There is just a single railway line to carry freight across the Siliguri Corridor.

For many years, the Siliguri Corridor has been seen as a weak spot in Indias defence setup. After the 1962 war, military experts have often warned that if an enemy, especially China, carries out a well-planned attack, it would cut off Indias Northeastern states from the rest of the country in just a few hours.

How India Has Enhanced Security At Chickens Neck

New Delhi has been ramping up security preparedness at the Siliguri Corridor. India has not placed the powerful S-400 air defence system in the Siliguri region to deal with growing threats, but is also sending advanced Rafale fighter jets to the Hashimara Airbase, which is located nearly, as per a report by Mathrubhumi.

India has also strengthened its defence in the region by installing a BrahMos cruise missile unit there. These supersonic missiles can accurately hit both land and sea targets within the range of 300 to 500 km.

Another multi-level system in place in Siliguri Corridor includes the Akash missile system, which is made in India and can target threats at medium range. It also includes SHORAD (Short-Range Air Defence) systems for short-range protection and VSHORAD (Very Short-Range Air Defence) systems for close-range defence, as per the Mathrubhumi report.

The Indian Armys Trishakti Corps, headquartered at Sukna near the corridor, conducts regular military drills in the region.

How India Plans Alternate Connectivity

India has been planning alternative connectivity to reduce its dependence on the Siliguri Corridor. Under Article VIII of the India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement (1980), India has been working on transit routes through Bangladesh to facilitate better connectivity.

In 1992, India allowed Bangladesh to use the Tin Bigha Corridor, enabling access to the Dahagram-Angarpota enclave, as per a report by The Times of India.

When Sheikh Hasina was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Dhaka allowed India to use the Chittagong Port via South Tripuras Sabroom sub-division, which is connected to the port through Maitree Bridge over the Feni River. This gave India access to the Bay of Bengal, allaying its fear over the Chickens Neck issue.

India has now invested in developing a road link from Sabroom to the Chittagong Port. The road from Sabroom to Chittagong through Ramgarh in Bangladesh will cut the distance to around 85km, making it much more economically viable for the transportation of goods to Indias northeast region through the port.

A paper titled, Using Chattogram Port as a Transshipment Hub for the North Eastern Region of India published by the Asian Development Bank highlights why Chittagong is important for Indias northeast. The paper explains, Currently it takes about 7 days to reach Ashuganj from Kolkata by the river route. Chattogram port is a more viable option for the NER, especially Southern Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram due to the shorter transit distance involved. The routes connecting Agartala with Chattogram port are cost efficient compared to the Siliguri Corridor."

How Bangladesh And Chinas Closeness Is A Concern For India

Yunus has shown Bangladeshs policy shift towards China through his statements and actions. Chinas expanding presence in Bangladesh through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is also a concern for India.

Reports suggest that China is planning to build an airfield in Bangladeshs Lalmonirhat district, which could be a security threat for India along the eastern border, including the Chickens Neck.

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Apart from manufacturing, Bangladesh is seeking investments in Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, AI and Technology with a $2.1 billion commitment from China and this time, Bangladesh is seeking more investments rather than loans.

The interim Bangladesh government claims of the $2.1 billion, $1 billion is investment commitments by around 30 Chinese companies. Bangladesh is also pushing the 150-acre Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Anowara.

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 14, 2025, 08:30 IST
China-funded road inaugurated for economic boom in Cambodia

Xinhua) 10:40, April 14, 2025

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (C, front) cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the National Road 71C in Tbong Khmum province, Cambodia, April 12, 2025. (Photo by Nitola/Xinhua)

TBONG KHMUM, Cambodia, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Saturday inaugurated the China-funded National Road 71C, connecting the eastern Tbong Khmum province with the southeastern Kampong Cham province, for economic boom in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the 114.9-km road is crucial to facilitating travel and goods transportation and will play an important role in helping boost the local economy and tourism development.

"The National Road 71C is expected to help boost the efficiency of the exports of agricultural and agro-industrial products, particularly rubber," he said. "It will also help attract more tourists and investors to areas along the road."

Hun Manet said China is an "indispensable friend" of Cambodia for socio-economic development.

"China is recognized as No. 1 partner, who has been providing a great amount of concessional loans and grants for the development of infrastructure, including roads and bridges in Cambodia," he said.

He said that alignment between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy has provided "win-win results".

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said to date, China has helped construct national roads in a total length of over 4,000 km and more than 10 large-scale bridges.

"Roads and bridges across the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers have not only facilitated the daily travel of the Cambodian people, but also injected vigorous energy into the development of Cambodia," he said.

"This is a vivid example of alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Pentagonal Strategy," he added.

Cambodian Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea said the road was built by the Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) in 42 months.

"The road will facilitate travel, trade, and tourism in both countries and nearby provinces," he said. "It will also facilitate the transportation of crop seeds and agricultural and agro-industrial products, reducing costs and travel time."

Taing Sim, a 52-year-old resident in Kampong Cham province, said that when the road had not been constructed, travel was quite difficult and it took a long time because of mud and bumpy conditions.

"Now, the road is nice, which will facilitate the fast transportation of goods such as tapioca, cashew nuts, and rubber latex," she told Xinhua while attending the inauguration ceremony.

"I would like to thank China for helping develop Cambodia, and the Cambodian people are pleased to see good roads and bridges," she added.

Cambodia has a proverb saying, "Where there is a road, there is hope," Sim said, adding that China has built roads for Cambodia, which means that China has built hope for the Cambodian people.

Heng Sivleng, a 53-year-old resident in Kampong Cham province, said in the past, traveling on road from Tbong Khmum to Kampong Cham by motorcycle, it took up to three hours because of bad-conditioned road during the rainy season.

"Now, the road is good and convenient to travel, reducing costs on fuel and shortening travel time," she told Xinhua.

An aerial drone photo taken on July 14, 2024 shows the National Road 71C in Tbong Khmum province, Cambodia. (Photo by Nitola/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 14, 2024 shows the National Road 71C in Tbong Khmum province, Cambodia. (Photo by Nitola/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 14, 2024 shows the National Road 71C in Tbong Khmum province, Cambodia. (Photo by Nitola/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
How Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi Defrauded Punjab National Bank In A Rs 13,500-Crore Scam

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 12:51 IST

The PNB scam first came to light in early 2018, involving Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi. The two businessmen colluded with the bank staff to obtain fake LoUs worth thousands of crore of rupees at PNB's branch in Mumbai

Mehul Choksi was declared a fugitive in January 2018, shortly before the PNB scam became public. Citing medical reasons, he fled India for the US, eventually settling in Antigua. (IANS File Photo)

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been reportedly arrested in Belgium and will be extradited to India soon.

The absconding diamond jeweller was reportedly living in Antwerp with his wife Preeti Choksi, after being granted residency  F Residency Card  in Belgium in November 2023. He was held on April 12 from a hospital where he has been undergoing treatment.

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The arrest comes after an extradition request from Indian investigative agencies, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which have been working to bring Choksi back to face trial for his alleged role in one of Indias largest financial scandals.

What Is The Punjab National Bank Scam?

The PNB fraud scam first came to light in early 2018, involving Choksi, his nephew Nirav Modi, and a number of accomplices, including certain PNB officials.

The scam relates to fraudulent letter of undertaking worth Rs 10,000 crore issued by the bank.

The two businessmen colluded with the bank staff to obtain fake Letters of Undertakings (LoUs) at PNBs Brady House branch in Fort, Mumbai. The LoUs were secured by Choksis firm, Geetanjali Gems, to secure loans from foreign banks for import of pearls for a period of one year, for which Reserve Bank of India guidelines lay out a total time period of 90 days from the date of shipment.

This guideline was ignored by overseas branches of Indian banks. The loans were allegedly fraudulent as they were issued without a sanctioned limit or cash margin, and no entries were made in PNBs central banking system to avoid scrutiny.

The activities led to a massive loss of Rs 6,344 crore for the PNB, with money lent by banks such as the State Bank of India, Axis Bank, and others, on the basis of fake documents.

How Did The Scam Unfold?

PNB employees misused the SWIFT network to transmit messages to Allahabad Bank and Axis Bank on funds. Thus, transactions were never recorded in the banks core system  thereby keeping the PNB management in the dark for years.

PNB alleges associates of three firms  Diamond R US, M/s Solar Exports and M/s Stellar Diamonds  approached the bank to make payment to its overseas suppliers. The bank demanded that it will need at least a 100% margin for issuing LoUs. However, the firm said they have received LoUs in the past without any such guarantees.

Branch records showed no such request was granted to the firms. This made the bank suspect there could be a fraud which led to them digging further into the transaction history.

The bank filed a complaint with the CBI on January 29, 2018 against Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Nishal Modi and Mehul Choksi along with two PNB employees for cheating and causing wrongful loss.

The FIR stated that fraudulent LoUs worth Rs 280.7 crore were first issued on January 16, 2018. In the complaint, PNB had named three diamond firms, Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds.

The scam ballooned to over Rs 14,000 crore by May 18, 2018.

How Nirav Modi Was Involved

Nirav Modi got his first fraudulent guarantee from PNB on March 10, 2011 and managed to get 1,212 more such guarantees over the next 74 months.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) found bank token devices of the foreign dummy companies used by the fugitive diamond trader to transfer the fraudulent funds.

The probe agency found that Nehal Modi, brother of Nirav Modi had destroyed the devices and had even secured a server located in United Arab Emirates (UAE) soon after the scam broke out. These dummy firms had been receiving the fraudulent PNB LoUs and were based out in British Virgin Island and other tax havens.

In 2018, Nirav Modi applied for bankruptcy protection in Manhattan, New York. In May 2018, the CBI and the ED registered FIRs against him. It is said that Modi fled the country before criminal charges were filed against him. In June 2018, it was reported that Modi was seeking political asylum in Britain. In March 2019, Modi was arrested in central London by UK authorities.

In 2019, Swiss authorities froze a total of $6 million in Modis Swiss bank accounts. He was also being sued by the state of California in the US for defrauding Los Angeles entrepreneur Paul Alfonso.

How Choksi Escaped

Choksi was declared a fugitive in January 2018, shortly before the PNB scam became public. Citing medical reasons, he fled India for the US, eventually settling in Antigua.

He obtained citizenship in Antigua in 2017, just a few months before his departure. His escape was well-planned, as he strategically moved through several countries to evade Indian authorities.

In 2019, his nephew Nirav Modi got arrested in the UK and has since been fighting extradition to India.

But Choksi continued to live in Antigua for several years before attempting to flee to Cuba in 2021. He was detained in Dominica, and his legal team claimed he was kidnapped, but he was eventually deported back to Antigua.

After that, he reportedly travelled to Belgium for alleged medical treatment for blood cancer.

Implications Of Choksis Crimes

The ED has so far seized movable and immovable properties to the tune of Rs 2,362 crore in the PNB fraud case.

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Furthermore, investigations are in the process to trace and recover the proceeds of crime held by Choksi in foreign countries.

The ED has identified multiple properties owned by Choksi in countries like Thailand, Dubai, Japan, and the United States, and is working with authorities in those regions to seize and return these assets.

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 14, 2025, 11:31 IST
What Is US Rule On Mandatory Immigration Registration? What Happens To Indians | Explained

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 10:08 IST

While most immigrants in the US have already registered when applying for their non-immigrant and immigrant visa statuses, the new rule has been created to target individuals who have not yet interacted with immigration officials

For Indian immigrants, people who entered the US legally would be covered in one or more of categories such as lawful permanent residents; aliens paroled into the US; aliens admitted to the US as non-immigrants. (Photo Credits: X)

The United States has announced sweeping new rule requiring all foreign nationals residing in the country for more than 30 days to register with the federal government. Foreign nationals include undocumented immigrants, visa holders (such as H-1B and F-1), legal permanent residents, and even recent arrivals without valid documentation.

The new rule is followed by President Trumps Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that aliens" comply with their duty to register with the government under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302), and ensure that failure to comply with the registration requirement is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority.

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Who Is Impacted By The New Rules?

Effective April 11, 2025, the regulation mandates that all non-citizens aged 18 and older must carry proof of registration at all times. Those entering the US after this date must register within 30 days of arrival. Children turning 14 must also re-register and submit fingerprints, regardless of any prior status.

While most immigrants in the US have already registered when applying for their non-immigrant and immigrant visa statuses, the new rule has been created principally to target individuals who have not yet interacted with immigration officials.

Whats The Purpose Of This Rule?

The requirement for foreign nationals to register with the US federal government upon arrival is not a recent development. This mandate, known as the Alien Registration Requirement (ARR), comes under the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which was enacted on June 28, 1940.

As per the legislation, most non-citizens were required to register and undergo fingerprinting by federal authorities. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) later codified these obligations. Although these provisions have long been part of US immigration law, their enforcement has been inconsistent.

According to the website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), section 262, says all aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a US visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered. Within 30 days of reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and to be fingerprinted."

Historically, the federal officials never placed emphasis on enforcing Aliens Registration Requirement (ARR), but Trump issued the Protecting the American People Against Invasion executive order, following his inauguration, which enforced strict adherence to the ARR by the Department of Homeland Security.

The new rule will help officials ensure public safety by maintaining accurate records of all non-citizens residing in the US. This will help the government track and manage the presence of immigrants, ensuring that those who the Trump administration believes pose a threat to national security are identified and addressed promptly.

What Are The Key Provisions?

Mandatory Registration: All non-citizens aged 14 and older who have not been fingerprinted or registered when applying for a US visa and who remain in the US for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Parents and guardians must ensure that their children under 14 are registered, and children must re-register within 30 days of turning 14.

Evidence of Registration: Once registered, non-citizens over the age of 18 will receive evidence of registration, which they must carry at all times. This documentation is crucial for proving compliance with the registration requirement.

Voluntary Self-Deportation: Immigrants who do not wish to register are being instructed to voluntarily depart the US or face civil and/or criminal penalties.

Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with the registration requirements can result in misdemeanor criminal and civil penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 and potential jail time of up to six months. The administration has said there will be no excuses for failing to register.

Impact of Registration: Registration does not grant any immigration status, provide work authorization, or offer protection from removal proceedings. The sole purpose of registration is for USCIS to be able to identify and track these individuals.

When Trumps Order Was Challenged In Court

During his campaigning, Trump had promised American voters cracking down on illegal immigrants. He issued an Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which directed the DHS to enforce the registration rule strictly.

But the order was challenged in court by some non-profits, including Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA), United Farmworkers of America, Make the Road New York, and CASA. The plaintiffs argued that the new directive was issued without public notice and opportunity for comment.

They further said the rule puts some people who entered the US illegally to escape difficult circumstances or to join their families in a difficult situation, as they now have to either declare themselves to an administration happy to deport them, or live in fear of detection every day.

The federal court, however, dismissed their plea, on the grounds that the plaintiffs didnt have the standing to challenge the rule.

What Happens To Indians?

The USCIS has issued a list of the categories of people already registered. This include Lawful permanent residents; Aliens paroled into the United States under INA 212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired; Aliens admitted to the United States as non-immigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired; All aliens present in the United States who were issued immigrant or non-immigrant visas before their last date of arrival; Aliens whom DHS has placed into removal proceedings; Aliens issued an employment authorization document; Aliens who have applied for lawful permanent residence using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, and provided fingerprints (unless waived), even if the applications were denied; and Aliens issued Border Crossing Cards."

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For Indian immigrants, people who entered the US legally would be covered in one or more of these categories.

Those not registered include aliens who crossed the border illegally; Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration; and Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed in 8 CFR 264.1(b)."

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 14, 2025, 10:08 IST
Why Does India Have Governors? What SC Said On Their Limited Powers | Explained

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 15:33 IST

The Supreme Court invoked Article 143, and said the President ought to seek its opinion where the Governor has reserved the Bill for his consideration on the ground of perceived unconstitutionality

The Supreme Court judgment settled the dispute between Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Tamil Nadu government under MK Stalin over the clearing of bills. (PTI File Photo)

The Supreme Court on April 8 outlined and delineated the powers of the President and Governors on the issue of grant of assent to bills passed by state legislatures under Article 201 and Article 200 respectively of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan invoked Article 143, and said the President ought to" seek its opinion where the Governor has reserved the bill for his consideration on the ground of perceived unconstitutionality."

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Article 143 describes the power of the President to seek the Supreme Courts opinion on important questions of law or fact.

What Did SC Say On The Powers Of President And Governors?

The Supreme Court bench defined the contours of the powers of the President of India under Article 201 of the Constitution.

Article 201 lays down the procedure when a bill passed by state legislature is reserved by the Governor for the consideration of the President of India. It says when a bill is reserved by a Governor for the consideration of the President, the President shall declare that he either assents to the Bill or that he withholds assent.

The bench observed that the functions of President under Article 201 are amenable to judicial review. It reasoned that while there is no political hue to the limited discretion conferred upon the Governor, the grant of assent under Article 201 has an element of political hue by virtue of the fact that the President under Article 201 has been given the prerogative to decide whether the grant of assent in certain cases would be desirable or not".

The Bench underlined that the President does not have absolute veto when it comes to his function under Article 201 and has to choose whether to grant assent or not.

The court said the President is required to take a decision on the bills in three months from the date on which such reference is received and in case of any delay beyond this period, appropriate reasons would have to be recorded and conveyed to the concerned state.

The Supreme Court clarified that in cases where a bill has been reserved because it involves questions of Constitutional validity, the executive should not assume the role of the courts in determining the vires of a bill and should, as a matter of practice, refer such question to the Supreme Court under Article 143.

We are of the considered view that although the option to refer a Bill to this Court under Article 143 may not be mandatory, yet the President, as a measure of prudence, ought to seek an opinion under the said provision in respect of Bills that have been reserved for the consideration of the President on grounds of perceived unconstitutionality," the Supreme Court said.

Why Is This In News?

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi withheld 10 bills, delaying action under Article 200. When pushed by the court in an earlier round of litigation, Ravi referred two of the 12 bills to the president for her assent and returned 10 to the state legislative assembly without giving assent. When the 10 bills were passed again in the Assembly, he referred all of them to the president for her assent.

The Tamil Nadu government challenged this, citing constitutional violations and governance disruption.

The Supreme Court termed the Tamil Nadu Governors referral of re-enacted Bills to the President as erroneous in law".

The Evolution Of Governors Office In India

During the British rule, the enactment of the Government of India (GoI) Act of 1858 brought about a new administrative framework in which the Governor, as an agent of the British Crown, operated under the general supervision of a higher authority titled as Governor General.

Even after the enactment of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, the Governor remained central to the provincial administration in the country and continued to wield significant authority. Subsequently, the GoI Act of 1935 brought in provincial autonomy and formally required the governor to act on the advice of the ministers. The law still safeguarded the discretionary powers of the governor such as vetoing a Bill passed by a legislative council.

Around Independence, the Commonwealth India Bill of 1925, the Nehru Report of 1928 and the Constitution of Hindustan Free State Act stressed on retaining the office of the governor, as per a report by The Hindu.

While in the early days, the Constituent Assembly leaned towards having an elected governor. As the framing of the Constitution got completed, there was an increasing support for having the governor nominated by the president.

What Are The Discretionary Powers Of The Governor?

Article 163 states that the governor shall exercise his functions on the aid and advise of a council of ministers headed by the chief minister except in so far as he is by or under this Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion."

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When the discretionary powers of the governor were discussed by the Constituent Assembly, BR Ambedkar said the discretion was of limited nature and could be exercised only within the parameters of the constitutional provisions, as per The Hindu report.

However, when the discussion was held on Article 200, Ambedkar himself moved an amendment on July 30, 1949 to remove the expression in his discretion from the Article. He felt that in a responsible government, there can be no room for the governor acting on discretion."

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 14, 2025, 15:28 IST
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks: Tahawwur Rana Singing Before NIA, Pakistan Exposed?

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 07:00 IST

Tahawwur Ranas extradition was not an easy task. A dogged legal battle and Indias relations with the US led to its success

Canadian-Pakistani Tahawwur Hussain Rana is one of the key conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (File Photo)

Tahawwur Hussain Rana did not personally fire a bullet during the horrific Mumbai 26/11 attacks but ensured his school friend David Coleman Headley prepared the blueprint. Rana had proclaimed, Indians deserved it" and the 26/11 attackers should receive Pakistans highest military honour, the Nishan-e-Haider".

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Seventeen years after Indias biggest terror attack, Rana is now talking inside a National Investigation Agency (NIA) lock-up in the heart of Delhi. It has taken time, but for the first time, India has custody of a key plotter of the 26/11 attacks and plans to expose the Pakistani states role in the conspiracy. This is the first extradition connected to the 26/11 attacks. Earlier, India prosecuted and hanged 26/11 gunman Ajmal Kasab and secured the deportation of plotter Abu Jundal from Saudi Arabia.

However, Rana is more than just a cog in the wheel and possesses far more knowledge than Kasab and Jundal. Officials in the Indian establishment believe that Rana, the former Pakistani Army doctor who loved to flaunt his Pakistani uniform, could expose direct links between Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistans deep state.

Not only does this development give families of 26/11 victims a shot at justice, but it also provides India a chance to send a global message at forums such as the UN Security Council  that state-sponsored terror will not be buried by time.

Not any more.

While India could not obtain custody of Headley and Pakistan did not hand over masterminds such as Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, ISIs Major Iqbal or Sajid Mir, knowing how Ranas extradition could finally expose its lies, Pakistan has already distanced itself from Rana, saying he is a Canadian citizen, who has not applied for renewal of his Pakistani-origin documents for the past two decades. However, it will not be easy any more for Pakistan to disassociate itself from the 26/11 attacks.

WHY RANAS ROLE IS CRUCIAL

Ranas extradition was not an easy task. A dogged legal battle and Indias relations with the US led to its success. Rana fought extradition for five years after the NIA, under the Narendra Modi government, officially moved a plea in 2020. Now 64, Rana was born in Pakistan and became an Army doctor. Later, he became an immigration consultant in Chicago. From 2005, he was helping his high school friend from Pakistan, Headley, spy for LeT in Mumbai. Headley scouted targets, and Rana provided cover.

In 2006, Rana opened a branch of his immigration firm in Mumbai to help Headley get a multi-entry visa to travel to India as a manager of this firm. Headley made eight visits to India  one of them even after the 26/11 attacks  but was never caught. How did Headley know where to look? Because Ranas firm gave him a business front to move freely. He funded, facilitated, and helped cover Headleys tracks while he surveilled targets such as the Taj Hotel, CSMT, and Nariman House. Headley went to Chicago to brief Rana on his reconnaissance missions  so Rana had knowledge of what was coming.

The NIA now wants to know from Rana what he did while visiting India from November 13 to 21, 2008, just days before the 26/11 attacks. He went to Hapur, Delhi, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and other locations. The NIA could take Rana to all these places to ascertain what he was planning in terms of future attacks. He also met an unknown Lashkar operative in Dubai after Headley asked him to leave India. The NIA wants to know who this person is. There is also a protected witness of the NIA who had arranged accommodation and logistics in Mumbai for Headley at Ranas request. This person could be confronted with Rana soon.

THE POLITICS

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From dismissing him as a minor player in the 26/11 conspiracy to saying the groundwork to extradite Rana began in the UPAs tenure, the Congress has tied itself up in knots over the Rana matter. The BJP has termed it yet another diplomatic and strategic success of the Narendra Modi government and taken potshots at the Congress for not acting assertively against Pakistan after the attacks. The Congress continues to cite how it won the 2009 Lok Sabha elections just months after the 26/11 attacks with a bigger majority than in 2004  to show people trusted the UPAs approach.

However, beyond the politics, the question is about justice for the 26/11 victims and ensuring such a catastrophic attack is never seen again on Indian soil. The Modi government must deliver on both these counts.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 07:00 IST
5 Reasons Why NIA Got 26/11 Plotter Tahawwur Ranas Custody: Exclusive From Court Order

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 17:11 IST

The material produced on record reflects that the conspiracy in question travels beyond geographical border of India and multiple targets in the form of various places in multiple cities of India, including National Capital were sought to be identified, the court noted

Tahawwur Rana with NIA officials. (IMAGE: SOURCED)

The special National Investigation Agency court, in its 12-page order granting the custody of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks plotter Tahawwur Rana to the NIA for 18 days which has been exclusively accessed by News18, noted that the conspiracy travelled beyond the geographical border of India".

Pakistani-Canadian national Rana was extradited from the US to India on April 10, after which he was produced in court the same evening. NIA judge Chander Jit Singh heard the arguments, while senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented the probe agency. Rana was also provided legal aid counsel by the court.

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The NIA argued that accused number 1, David Headley, who is locked up in a US jail after his conviction in the Mumbai terror attacks case, had discussed the terror plot with Rana before his visit to India. Headley had sent an email to Rana, sharing details about his belongings and assets. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the conspiracy.

Ranas custody was key to understand his role in the attacks, his links with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and the role of ISI in the attacks in which over 160 people were killed, the NIA said.

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What the court noted in its 12-page order:

The material produced on record reflects that the conspiracy in question travels beyond geographical border of India and multiple targets in the form of various places in multiple cities of India, including National Capital were sought to be identified," the court noted. Rana needs to be confronted with material concerning reconnaissance visit done by him and his accomplices. He needs to be confronted with witnesses, forensic and documentary evidence," said the court. To unearth the facts in the matter which are laid in deep rooted conspiracy, a sustained custodial interrogation is required," the court held. There is enough material to say that allegations in the present matter pertains to safety and security of the nation." Investigation agency should get a fair chance to thoroughly investigate the matter so as to present before the court complete facts in a holistic manner."

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 17:06 IST
After Murshidabad, Fresh Violence In Another Bengal District During Anti-Waqf Act Protest

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 21:15 IST

Tensions rose in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas as protesters torched vehicles during the anti-Waqf Act protests on Monday.

Bengal violence (PTI Image)

Bengal Violence: Just as the situation in Murshidabad started rolling back towards normalcy, tensions have now gripped yet another West Bengal district  Bhangar in South 24 Parganas  as anti-Waqf Act protesters clashed with the city police and set a van and other vehicles on fire.

The roads were allegedly blocked by those from the minority community, officials said.

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Videos showed police bikes being set on fire and a police bus turned over with its front glass broken. The videos also showed many police officers present on the streets.

VIDEO | West Bengal: Tension in South 24 Parganas Bhangar as Indian Secular Front (ISF) workers clashed with city police. They also set a van ablaze. More details awaited.(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/bnF8OnGu37) pic.twitter.com/fk17Jufpl3  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 14, 2025

Two people have so far been arrested in connection with the latest incident while one police personnel has sustained injuries, officials said.

The police later said the situation in Bhangar was under control. Specific cases have been registered against miscreants involved in damaging public property, and raids are ongoing to apprehend them. The public is advised not to heed rumours. Stringent legal action will also be taken against those found spreading misinformation," it said on X.

The situation in Bhangar is completely under control. Specific cases have been registered against miscreants involved in damaging public property, and raids are ongoing to apprehend them. The public is advised not to heed rumours. Stringent legal action will also be taken against Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) April 14, 2025

The violence erupted as supporters of the Indian Secular Front clashed with the police in the Bhangar area.

ISF supporters were reportedly heading towards Ramlila Maidan in Kolkata to attend a rally against the Waqf law. The rally was supposed to be addressed by the partys MLA, Naushad Siddique.

However, the police had denied permission to conduct the rally. Despite no green signal by the police, the rally was held.

A large crowd from the Muslim community gathered in Ghatakpukur to protest against the Waqf Amendment Act passed by the BJP-led Centre. Police personnel were deployed and barricades were also put in place.

#WATCH | West Bengal: Members of the Muslim community continue their agitation in Ghatakpukur, South 24 Parganas in large numbers, against Waqf Amendment Act. Police personnel deployed here. pic.twitter.com/SPN3SYsDhd ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2025

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The fresh bout of violence comes days after Murshidabad witnessed violent protests on the law last week, in which three people were killed while several, including police officials, were injured. Over 150 people were later arrested in connection with the violence.

The Calcutta High Court had ordered the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad and other areas of the state where such protests were taking place so that law and order could be maintained.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : West Bengal, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 18:27 IST
Bengaluru Techie Tries To Set Himself On Fire Near Governor's House, Alleges 'Torture' By Wife

Published By :

IANS

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 12:56 IST

Police said Junaid claimed that he was being tortured by his wife. He alleged that his wife had lodged a false dowry case against him and also lodged many more cases against him

According to police, Junaid hailed from Chikkaballapura district and tried to end his life by pouring petrol and attempting to torch himself. (Photo: IANS)

In a shocking case, a techie tried to commit suicide near the Governors residence here after alleging that he was unable to bear the torture of his wife.

The incident was reported on Sunday, and the techie was identified as Junaid Ahmad.

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According to police, Junaid hailed from Chikkaballapura district and tried to end his life by pouring petrol and attempting to torch himself.

Police said Junaid claimed that he was being tortured by his wife. He alleged that his wife had lodged a false dowry case against him and also lodged many more cases against him.

The techie claimed that he had gone to register a complaint with the Chikkaballapura police station against his wife, but the police refused to take his complaint.

Enraged by this, the techie had decided to end his life in front of the Raj Bhavan and made an attempt.

However, the police present on the spot stopped and detained him. They took him to the Vidhana Soudha police station. After listening to his story, the police counselled and let him off, sources confirmed.

On April 7, a software professional who was living separately from his wife and child for two years allegedly committed suicide as he was reportedly unable to bear the pain of separation in Bengaluru.

Earlier, in a shocking incident, a husband set himself on fire in front of his wifes residence in the Nagarbhavi locality of Bengaluru last Thursday after he was unable to convince her to withdraw the divorce petition.

Earlier, Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash committed suicide over alleged torture and a demand of Rs 3 crore by his wife Nikita Singhania for a divorce settlement.

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Another case of suicide involving a police officer, allegedly due to similar reasons of torture by his wife and her family, was reported from Bengaluru on December 14, 2024.

About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

First Published: April 14, 2025, 12:54 IST
Trinamool MP's 'Gouge Out Eyes' Threat Caught On Camera Amid Violent Waqf Protests, BJP Hits Back

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 09:36 IST

Sukanta Majumdar slammed TMC MP Bapi Halder for his gouge out eyes and break hands remark, demanding police action against him. He also accused Mamata Banerjee of shielding those inciting violence.

Bapi Halder (L) /Sukanta Majumdar (R) (Photos: video screengrab from social media/PTI)

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Monday called out Trinamool Congress MP Bapi Halder over his gouge out eyes and break hands" threat during a public meeting in South 24 Parganas, and asked what action has the state police taken against him.

Majumdar also called the protesters in West Bengals Murshidabad fanatical, fundamentalist jihadi groups" and alleged they were under the pretence of protesting against the Waqf Amendment Act".

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Majumdar claimed the protesters were attempting to erase the existence of Hindus and are even throwing petrol bombs at the BSF jawans".

This came after Haldar sparked a controversy with his remarks, wherein he threatened to break hands and gouge the eyes of those attempting to capture Waqf properties.

A small problem happened in Murshidabad If someone dares to eye Waqf properties, gouge their eyes out, and break their hands," he had said.

Taking to X, Majumdar wrote, The fanatical, fundamentalist jihadi groups who, under the pretense of protesting against the Waqf Amendment Act, are continuously attempting to erase the existence of Hindus and are even throwing petrol bombs at the BSF jawans who is directly supporting them?"

Sharing a video of Halders open threat, Majumdar wrote, Bapi Halder, the Trinamool MP from Mathurapur constituency, has issued a terrifying threat  to gouge out eyes and break limbs! What action has the crippled, cowardly West Bengal Police taken against this individual for directly inciting brutal torture and violence against the helpless, innocent Hindus of Murshidabad by these fundamentalists?".

The innocent Hindus of Bengal know the entire truth. Stop throwing stones in secret and openly admit, Honorable failed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, that the full responsibility for this barbarism lies with you and your incompetent administration!" he added.

The fanatical, fundamentalist jihadi groups who, under the pretense of protesting against the Waqf Amendment Act, are continuously attempting to erase the existence of Hindus and are even throwing petrol bombs at the @BSF_India jawanswho is directly supporting them? This pic.twitter.com/HZ5oiSWqIF Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) April 13, 2025

Three people were killed in the Murshidabad district in violence during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the police said on Saturday.

ALSO READ | Anatomy Of Murshidabad Violence: How Fear, Rumours, Rage Triggered Minor Migrant Workers

West Bengal Police have arrested 150 individuals in connection with the Murshidabad violence. According to a police statement, adequate police forces have been deployed in Samserganj, Dhuliyan, Suti, and other affected areas to maintain order.

On Sunday too, Majumdar lashed out at the Chief Minister over Murshidabad violence and said that if the BJP forms the government in the state, strict action will be taken against the perpetrators.

The situation has improved a bit (in Murshidabad) after the deployment of central forces, but the situation is still not such that Hindus can live freely with their heads held high. People who fled from the Murshidabad district and went to Malda as refugees are still not ready to return," Majumdar said.

He further alleged that Mamata Banerjee has succeeded in turning West Bengal into a light version of Bangladesh."

Hindus of Bengal have understood that Mamata Banerjee has succeeded in making West Bengal a light version of Bangladesh," he said.

Majumdar thanked the special bench of the Calcutta High Court for ordering the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad, which he said helped bring the situation under some control.

ALSO READ | Acting Like TMC Cadre: BJP Targets Bengal Police, Dismisses Disinformation Charge Amid Waqf Protests

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He also urged the Hindu community to unite and fight democratically in the upcoming Assembly elections to prevent West Bengal from becoming like Bangladesh."

Hindus will have to unite and fight democratically. We promise that after the BJP government is formed, the BJP government and the police will take action against those who carry out such incidents. We will bring such a law that the rioters who destroy the temples and houses of Hindus will be made to compensate for the loss, their houses will be auctioned and that amount will be given to the Hindus. If someone instigates violence from a religious place, that place will be closed. If the present government makes this law, our MLAs will support it," he further said.

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 09:31 IST
Centre May Seek Review Of Supreme Court Order On Timeframe For President, Governors To Clear Bills

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 07:37 IST

The Centre may approach the Supreme Court to review its ruling that sets deadlines for the President and governors to decide on state bills.

Supreme Court of India. (File photo/PTI)

The Centre is likely to approach the Supreme Court urging it to review its judgment of setting a timeframe for the President and the governors to decide on giving assent to bills passed by state legislatures.

News agency PTI quoted sources as saying that besides seeking a review of the timeline, the government may seek a review of the apex courts order that the state governments can directly approach it if the President withholds assent to a bill sent by a governor for consideration.

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Meanwhile, the grounds on which the review petition will be filed are being considered and will be known once the government approaches the apex court.

If the government approaches the Supreme Court, the review petition will have to be filed before the same bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan that pronounced the verdict, the report claimed.

After the April 8 judgement, the Tamil Nadu government notified 10 pending bills as Acts in the government gazette, citing the Supreme Courts ruling that they were deemed" to have received assent.

In its order, the Supreme Court has prescribed that the President should decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor within three months from the date on which such reference is received.

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This was in addition to the top courts nod to the 10 bills, which were stalled and reserved by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for the Presidents consideration.

The court set a timeline of one month for all governors to act on the bills passed by the state assemblies, according to the judgement running into 415 pages and uploaded on the apex courts website on Friday night.

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 07:37 IST
Mehul Choksi Arrested In Belgium As India Seeks His Extradition In PNB Loan Fraud Case

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 13:22 IST

Mehul Choksi PNB Case: The fugitive diamantaire is wanted in connection with the infamous Rs 13,500 crore loan fraud

Fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi. (File photo/AFP)

Mehul Choksi PNB Case: Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who has been on the run from Indian authorities after his alleged massive financial scam, was arrested in Belgium on Sunday.

Choksi was reportedly living in Belgiums Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, who is a Belgian citizen, after securing an F Residency Card in the country. The fugitive diamantaire, who is wanted in connection with the infamous Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was granted residency in Belgium on November 15, 2023.

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Also Read: All About Mehul Choski The Fugitive Businessman Wanted By India And His Alleged Financial Crimes

Citing officials, news agency PTI reported that Choksi has been arrested in Belgium on Indias extradition request for his role in PNB bank loan fraud case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requested has Choksis extradition from Belgium after he was located in the country, in March 2025. His arrest was based on this request, supported by two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai court on May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021.

Meanwhile, Choksis legal defense team is planning to move bail and said they will challenge the extradition.

CNN-News18 sources had earlier said that Indian authorities have requested the Belgian government for Choksis extradition. However, his newly acquired Belgian residency complicates matters, granting him the freedom to travel between European countries and hindering efforts to bring him back to face trial in India.

Choksis fraudulent activities, which include a massive financial scam, have led to him being declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by the government of India.

Also Read: How Mehul Choksi Was Traced And Arrested Before Fleeing To Switzerland

Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, have been accused of defrauding the PNB of over Rs 14,000 crore, one of the biggest scams in the history of Indian banking.

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In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed its third charge sheet against Choksi, his wife Priti Choksi and others over their alleged involvement in the Rs 13,500 crore loan fraud.

ED alleged that Choksi, his firm Gitanjali Gems and others committed the offence of cheating against Punjab National Bank in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the LOUs (letters of undertaking) issued and got the FLCs (foreign letter of credit) enhanced without following prescribed procedure and caused a wrongful loss to the bank." The ED has filed three charge sheets against Choksi till now. The CBI too has filed similar charge sheets against him.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Brussels, Belgium

First Published: April 14, 2025, 07:29 IST
Haryana Man Fulfils His 14-Year Vow, PM Modi Helps Him Put On Shoes In Emotional Meeting | Video

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 20:31 IST

Modi appreciated Kashyap's dedication but encouraged him to redirect his energy toward social or national work in the future.

Screengrab of video shared by PM Modi

In a heartwarming moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Rampal Kashyap from Kaithal, Haryana, on Monday in Yamunanagar, marking the end of Kashyaps 14-year vow to go barefoot. Kashyap had taken a vow that he would not wear shoes until Modi became the Prime Minister.

During their meeting, PM Modi gifted Kashyap a new pair of shoes, which he wore in the Prime Ministers presence. Upon meeting Kashyap, PM Modi affectionately asked, Hey brother, why did you do this?"

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PM Modi appreciated Kashyaps dedication but encouraged him to redirect his energy toward social or national work in the future. This encounter took place during PM Modis Haryana tour, where he also inaugurated several development projects and paid tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti.

He is Rampal Kashyap from Haryana s Kaithal. He had vowed 14 years back to not wear footwear till Modi becomes PM. Modi became PM in 2014, but he continued walking barefoot. Today, the Prime Minister met him, made him wear a brand new pair of sneakers. pic.twitter.com/VKr79C129p Anindya (@AninBanerjee) April 14, 2025

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PM Modi shared a video on X and wrote, At todays public meeting in Yamunanagar, I met Shri Rampal Kashyap Ji from Kaithal. He had taken a vow 14 years ago- that he will only wear footwear after I became PM and he got to meet me. I am humbled by people like Rampal Ji and also accept their affection, but I want to request everyone who takes up such vows  I cherish your loveplease focus on something that is linked to social work and nation-building!

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister flagged off the first commercial flight between Hisar and Ayodhya and laid the foundation stone for a new terminal at Hisar Airport. In Yamunanagar, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of increasing the capacity of a Deenbandhu Chotu Ram power plant to 800 MW.

Location : Haryana, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 19:21 IST
Husband Strangles 8-Month Pregnant Wife After Argument In Visakhapatnam

Curated By :

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Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 22:24 IST

According to the police, the man surrendered himself to the police after his wife was pronounced dead in the hospital.

Representative Image

Andhra Pradesh Police arrested a man for killing his eight-month pregnant wife after an argument on Monday morning in Vishakapatnam.

The deceased has been identified as Anusha (27) and the accused as Gyaneshwar. According to the police, Anusha and Gyaneshwar argued this morning, during which the man strangled his wife, after which she fell unconscious.

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The police said the man took his wife to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. He later surrendered to the police.

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The incident took place in Uda Colony in Visakhapatnams PM Palem. The man runs a fast-food centre near Scouts and Sagarnagar viewpoint in the city, and the couple, who had a love marriage three years ago, reportedly fought over differences on several issues.

The body has been sent for postmortem, and a case has been registered into the matter, the police said.

Location : Visakhapatnam, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 22:24 IST
How A Shortfall Of Rs 52 Lakh Delayed Kashmir Rail Link By 133 Years | News18 Special

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:48 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on April 19

The full integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Railways network marks a historic milestone. (News18 Hindi File)

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on April 19, India will finally bridge a critical gap in its railway map  one that could have been closed 133 years ago, if not for a Rs 52-lakh shortfall.

The full integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Railways network marks a historic milestone. But few know that the vision for a rail link between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley dates back to 1892, during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh.

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A DREAM DERAILED

According to records from the Jammu and Kashmir Archival Department, the Maharaja had proposed a 197.5-km Light Electric Railway to connect Jammu with Srinagar. The idea was far ahead of its time: electric power stations were planned en route, and a team of engineers conducted detailed surveys in 1889.

On March 1, 1892, the foundation stone for the Kashmir railway was laid at Hazoori Bagh in Srinagar. The projects budget stood at Rs 3.52 crore, of which Rs 3 crore was available in the state treasury. The Maharaja sought a Rs 52-lakh grant from the British Indian government, but his request was declined.

The project was shelved not due to lack of vision or preparation, but because of a shortfall the British refused to cover," Peerzada Mohammad Ashraf, the then Assistant Director, Archives Department, Jammu, had told this reporter while showing the documents a few years ago.

Had that grant been approved, the Kashmir Valley could have been connected to the rest of India more than a century ago."

Interestingly, the engineering surveys from that era were later used during the construction of the Jawahar Tunnel in the 1950s. Engineers followed the same alignment proposed by the Maharajas team.

A CENTURY LATER

Efforts to reconnect Kashmir by rail began in earnest only in the late 20th century. In 1983, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid the foundation of the Jammu-Udhampur railway line, originally scheduled to be completed in five years with a budget of Rs 50 crore. However, it was only inaugurated 21 years later, in 2005, with the final cost ballooning to Rs 550 crore.

The turning point came in 1994, when the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project was launched. In 2002, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared it a national project, setting the initial completion deadline for August 15, 2007.

Delays, harsh Himalayan terrain, and complex tunnelling operations pushed the timeline forward  by almost two decades.

7 Days to GoThe majestic steel arch#ChenabBridgestands tall at 359m, soaring higher than the Eiffel Tower. On April 19, 2025, Honble PM Shri @NarendraModi will inaugurate the worlds highest railway bridge, a monumental feat by Indian Railways in the heart of pic.twitter.com/WLwdMK7FYs  Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) April 12, 2025

USBRL: A MODERN ENGINEERING MARVEL

Now, in 2025, the USBRL project stands completed at an estimated cost of Rs 41,119 crore. The 272-km rail line includes some of the most remarkable engineering feats in Indian Railways history:

Chenab Bridge: The worlds highest railway bridge, towering 359 metres above the river  taller than the Eiffel Tower.

Anji Khad Bridge: Indias first cable-stayed railway bridge.

T-49 Tunnel: At 12.75 km, it is the longest railway tunnel in India.

Vande Bharat train for Jammu to Kashmir!  pic.twitter.com/qvwuWAfhLd Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 11, 2025

Sharing his excitement ahead of the inauguration, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State in the PMO, tweeted: The majestic steel arch  Chenab Bridge  stands tall at 359m, soaring higher than the Eiffel Tower. On April 19, 2025, Honble PM Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the worlds highest railway bridge, a monumental feat by Indian Railways in the heart of Jammu and Kashmir."

The USBRL is not just a logistical asset  its a symbol of political will, regional integration, and resilience.

In 11 months, Indias first cable stayed rail bridge is ready.All 96 cables set! #AnjiKhadBridgePS: Total length of cable strands 653 km pic.twitter.com/CctSXFxhfa Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) April 28, 2023

VISION TO REALITY: 133 YEARS LATER

What began as a dream in 1892 has now been realised 133 years later. With the inauguration of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, the Kashmir Valley will be connected by an all-weather, all-electric rail service for the first time.

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The train, equipped with modern amenities and designed for speed, will cut travel time drastically and offer a safe, scenic, and comfortable journey through the Himalayan heartland.

This isnt just the culmination of an infrastructure project  its the fulfilment of a century-old promise, connecting people, markets, and dreams across mountains that once divided them.

About the Author Tejinder Singh Sodhi A defence journalist, Tejinder Singh Sodhi has the distinction of being the only Indian civilian to have studied at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In his career span... Read More A defence journalist, Tejinder Singh Sodhi has the distinction of being the only Indian civilian to have studied at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In his career span... Read More

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 18:11 IST
KTR Takes Potshots At Rahul Gandhi, Congress Over Dalit Man's Arrest In Telangana: Just Another Day

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 16:20 IST

A Dalit man was allegedly stripped and arrested by police in Telangana while putting up a banner for Ambedkar Jayanti. BRS leader KT Rama Rao shared the video, demanding an investigation and action.

BRS President KT Rama Rao participates in 'Chalo Hyderabad' protest of the Telangana Auto Union Joint Action Committee (JAC), in Hyderabad. (IMAGE: PTI)

A Dalit man was allegedly stripped and arrested by police in Telangana while putting up a banner for Ambedkar Jayanti on Monday. The incident reportedly took place near a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as preparations for the birth anniversary celebrations were underway.

The video of the incident was shared by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and Siricilla MLA KT Rama Rao who also questioned why putting up a banner to mark Ambedkar Jayanti could be considered a criminal offence.

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Just Another Day in Mohabbat Ka Dukaan! A Dalit man was stripped and arrested right under Babasahebs shadow on his birth anniversary in Congress ruled Telangana!" he said.

Just Another Day in Mohabbat Ka Dukaan! A Dalit man was stripped and arrested right under Babasahebs shadow on his birth anniversary in Congress ruled Telangana! I demand to know how is tying a banner for Ambedkar Jayanthi a crime so henious that this kind of brutality had pic.twitter.com/TDoGNB4puG  KTR (@KTRBRS) April 14, 2025

He directly called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address the incident, accusing the Revanth Reddy-led state government of failing to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.

I demand to know how is tying a banner for Ambedkar Jayanthi a crime so heinous that this kind of brutality had to be meted out? Dear Rahul Gandhi, how many more pages will Revanth Reddys government be allowed to tear apart from the constitution?" KTR further added.

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KT Rama Rao also demanded an immediate investigation and strict action against the police personnel involved.

He also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhis Mohabbat ki dukaan" slogan  a term the Congress leader uses to claim that his party does not get involved in politics of division.

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 16:13 IST
Mehbooba, Stalin Call For Centre's Intervention After Saudi Arabia 'Cancels' 52K Hajj Slots

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 23:59 IST

Opposition parties urge the central government to address the reported cancellation of 52,000 Hajj slots by Saudi Arabia. Leaders call for immediate action.

File image of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. (Courtesy: PTI)

Opposition parties jointly expressed their concern over the reported cancellation of 52,000 Hajj slots by Saudi Arabia for Indian pilgrims. They urged the central government to address the issue with Saudi leadership.

The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. I urge Honble Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims. This measure is crucial to ease the distress of thousands hoping to undertake the sacred pilgrimage this year," J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on his official X handle.

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Ruling National Conference president Farooq Abdullah appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak to the Saudi leadership regarding this issue. I appeal to the Prime Minister to raise the issue with the Saudi government and ensure that the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims is not reduced," he added.

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PDP President Mehbooba Mufti highlighted the distress caused by the sudden decision. Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of Indias private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar," she posted on X.

In a similar appeal, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin noted the distress caused by the sudden cut in Indias private Haj quota and urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities for an expeditious resolution.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 23:59 IST
Who Is Mehul Choksi And What Are The Financial Crimes He Is Accused Of?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 13:14 IST

Mehul Choksi Arrest: Apart from being wanted by CBI and ED, Mehul Choksi was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by the Government of India.

Mehul Choksi was declared a fugitive in January 2018, shortly before the PNB scam became public. Citing medical reasons, he fled India for the US, eventually settling in Antigua. (IANS File Photo)

Mehul Choksi Arrest: Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, wanted by Indian authorities for his alleged role in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, was detained in Belgium on Sunday.

Reports indicate that Choksi lived in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife Preeti, who holds Belgian citizenship. He is said to have obtained a residency card to stay in the country.

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Also Read: How Mehul Choksi Was Traced And Arrested Before Fleeing To Switzerland

Sources said that Choksi, who is wanted by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was detained on Indias extradition request for his alleged involvement in defrauding PNB of over Rs 14,000 crore along with his nephew, Nirav Modi, who is currently lodged in London jail and is contesting his extradition to India.

Local authorities detained the fugitive businessman based on two open-ended arrest warrants issued by a Mumbai court, dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021, reports claimed.

Mehul Choksi And His Alleged Crimes

PNB Fraud Case: Choksi remains a key accused in the massive fraud involving Punjab National Bank (PNB), along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The scam is valued at around Rs 14,000 crore.

Choksi remains a key accused in the massive fraud involving Punjab National Bank (PNB), along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The scam is valued at around Rs 14,000 crore. Use of LoUs and FLCs: Choksi allegedly obtained letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials from PNBs Brady House branch in Mumbai. He later used it to secure overseas credit from foreign banks.

Choksi allegedly obtained letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials from PNBs Brady House branch in Mumbai. He later used it to secure overseas credit from foreign banks. Money Laundering: Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) suggest that Choksi laundered large sums of money through shell companies and dummy entities abroad. In 2022, ED filed its third chargesheet against Choksi, his wife Priti Choksi and others over their alleged involvement in the loan fraud case.

Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) suggest that Choksi laundered large sums of money through shell companies and dummy entities abroad. In 2022, ED filed its third chargesheet against Choksi, his wife Priti Choksi and others over their alleged involvement in the loan fraud case. Criminal Conspiracy and Cheating: Choksi is charged with conspiracy to cheat, criminal breach of trust, and corruption, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Choksi is charged with conspiracy to cheat, criminal breach of trust, and corruption, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Declared As FEO: Apart from being wanted by CBI and ED, Choksi was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by the Government of India.

Last month, the Belgian government confirmed Choksis presence on its soil, saying that it is giving the matter great importance and attention".

Also Read: Mehul Choksi To Challenge Extradition In Belgium, His Lawyer Says Political Case

Speaking about the matter, David Jordens, spokesperson and head of the service for social media and press at Belgiums Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, said that the government is closely monitoring the case and it is being handled with significant attention.

I can confirm that the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and attaches great importance and attention to it. However, we do not comment on individual cases. Furthermore, this case falls under the competence of the Federal Public Service Justice," Jordens was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Choksi fled India in January 2018, weeks before the alleged loan fraud case came to light.

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Also Read: Mehul Choksi Arrested In Belgium As India Seeks His Extradition In PNB Loan Fraud Case

Sources suggest that Choksi is expected to seek bail and an immediate release, citing ill health and other reasons. An official confirmation on the same is awaited by New Delhi.

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 14, 2025, 08:50 IST
'He Will Try To Escape Law, Money Should Be Returned': PNB Scam Whistle-Blower After Choksi's Arrest

Curated By :

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Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 11:17 IST

Whistle-blower Hariprasad SV welcomed Mehul Choksi's arrest in Belgium, stressing that the looted money must be returned. He warned that Choksi may still attempt to evade justice.

Hariprasad SV (R)/Mehul Choksi (L) / Photos: ANI

Hours after absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium for his involvement in the Punjab National Bank scam case, whistle-blower Hariprasad SV said the money he looted from India must be returned and those who were cheated by him should be paid back.

He also said Choksi would try to escape from the clutches of the law.

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This is great news, finally somebody caught him in Belgium," Hariprasad, who was also cheated by Choksi in the scam, told CNN-News18.

He will try to escape from the clutches of the law, only getting him back is not sufficient, ultimately, the money looted by him from India must be returned and the people should be paid back," he said.

Speaking further about the scam, Hariprasad said, At least 100 people got cheated by him, and I am one of those."

When these things happened, I reported it to various agencies, despite there being a lot of evidence, no action was taken against him, and I dont know the reason, most people have given up," he said.

Choksis arrest came following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies for his involvement in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB bank loan fraud case.

The action against the second prime suspect" in this case, after Choksis nephew diamantaire Nirav Modi, was taken on Saturday based on an extradition request moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Choksi was located in Belgium last year when he went there on the grounds of getting medical treatment. He had been staying in Antigua since 2018 after leaving India.

Choksi, Modi, their family members and employees, bank officials and others were booked by the CBI and the ED in 2018 for perpetrating the alleged loan fraud at the Brady House branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Mumbai.

It was alleged that Choksi, his firm Gitanjali Gems and others committed the offence of cheating against PNB in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the LOUs (letters of undertaking) issued and got the FLCs (foreign letter of credit) enhanced without following prescribed procedure and caused a wrongful loss to the bank".

The CBI has filed at least two chargesheets against him in this case while the ED has filed three such prosecution complaints.

Modi, declared a fugitive economic offender, has been lodged in a London jail since he was held by the authorities there in 2019 on the basis of a legal request made by the ED and the CBI in this case. He is contesting extradition to India.

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According to the investigating agencies, officials at PNBs Brady House branch in Mumbai issued 165 LoUs and 58 FLCs during March-April 2017, against which 311 bills were discounted.

These LoUs and FLCs were allegedly issued to Choksis firms without any sanctioned limit or cash margin and without making entries in PNBs central banking system to evade any scrutiny in case of a default.

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 10:32 IST
India To US, Antigua To Belgium: How Mehul Choksi Was Traced And Arrested Before Fleeing To Switzerland

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 13:25 IST

Mehul Choksi, accused in the PNB fraud case, was arrested in Belgium while allegedly trying to flee to Switzerland. The revocation of his citizenship is currently pending in court.

A file photo of Mehul Choksi (PTI)

Mehul Choksi, who was arrested in Belgium for his involvement in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank loan fraud case, has been evading authorities since 2018. Various media reports suggest Choksi was finally arrested while he was planning to flee to Switzerland.

The action against the second prime suspect" in this case, after Choksis nephew diamantaire Nirav Modi, was taken on April 12, based on an extradition request moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

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News agency PTI quoted sources as saying that the Interpol Red Notice against Choksi for arrest was deleted" sometime back and the Indian agencies have been pursuing him via the extradition route since then.

At least two open-ended arrest warrants, issued by a special court in Mumbai in 2018 and 2021, have been shared by the Indian agencies with their Belgian counterparts as part of the extradition request, the report claimed.

ALL WHERE MEHUL CHOKSI TRAVELLED BEFORE HIS ARREST

In 2018, Choksi, Nirav Modi, their family members and employees, bank officials and others were booked by the CBI and the ED for perpetrating the alleged loan fraud at the Brady House branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Mumbai.

He fled India the same year and initially travelled to the United States before settling in Antigua.

He had acquired Antiguan nationality in 2017.

Later, he travelled to Belgium for his treatment for blood cancer.

As he returned, Choksi settled in Antigua in 2018.

ALSO READ | Who Is Mehul Choksi And What Are The Financial Crimes He Is Accused Of?

In March 2023, Interpol revoked the red notice against Choksi.

In 2024, Choksi and his wife reportedly relocated from Antigua to Belgium.

Reports from Antiguan media suggested that Mehul and Preeti Choksi were considering settling in Geneva.

Earlier this year, Choksis legal counsel informed a special court in Mumbai that he is currently in Antwerp, Belgium, undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

Two weeks ago, Mehul Choksi and his wife, Preeti, obtained F-Residency cards in Belgium. Preeti, a Belgian citizen, has family ties in the country, as does Choksis extended family.

ALSO READ | Mehul Choksi To Challenge Extradition In Belgium, His Lawyer Says Political Case

ANTIGUA PM SAYS REVOCATION OF HIS CITIZENSHIP ORDERED

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, confirmed that his government had ordered the revocation of Choksis citizenship. However, said the matter was pending in court.

We ordered revocation of his citizenship but the matter is pending in courts. We tried extraditing him last time but it did not happen. I dont know much," Browne told CNN-News18.

We have a provision on dual citizenship, our position has always been very clear," he added.

MEHUL CHOKSIs ROLE IN THE PNB FRAUD CASE

Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and officials of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) between 2014 and 2017, and fraudulently issued Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to the bank.

He also took a loan from ICICI Bank and had defaulted on it too.

During the investigation, the ED conducted searches at more than 136 locations all over India and seized valuables/jewellery worth Rs. 597.75 crore pertaining to Choksis Gitanjali Group.

Further, immovable/movable assets worth Rs. 1968.15 crore of Mehul Choksi/Gitanjali Group were attached, which included immovable properties in India and overseas, vehicles, bank accounts, factories, shares of listed companies, and jewellery, among others.

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In aggregate, assets worth Rs. 2565.90 crore were attached or seized in this case, and three prosecution complaints were filed.

ALSO READ | He Will Try To Escape Law, Money Should Be Returned: PNB Scam Whistle-Blower After Choksis Arrest

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 13:01 IST
Mehul Choksi Extradition: CBI, ED, MEA, Law Experts To Be In Belgium For Bail Hearing

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 23:40 IST

Indian government sources indicated that a multi-agency team will visit Belgium ahead of diamond merchant Mehul Choksi's bail hearing next week. The team could include CBI and ED officers, MEA officials and international law experts

Mehul Choksi was declared a fugitive in January 2018, shortly before the PNB scam became public. (IANS File Photo)

Indian businessman Mehul Choksi is preparing his appeal against his arrest in Belgium, even as Indian government sources on Monday indicated that a multi-agency team will visit the country ahead of the bail hearing next week. The team could include CBI and ED officers, MEA officials and international law experts, sources said.

Top CBI officials told CNN-News18 that a team from the agency will be in Belgium next week to push for Choksis extradition. A CBI team will be there in due course as the hearing begins in Belgium," a senior officer said.

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The CBI is hopeful that its teams presence in Belgium will aid the efforts to extradite Choksi. Former CBI joint director Anurag and special director Praveen Sinha had personally visited and monitored court proceedings against Choksis nephew, Nirav Modi, in the UK that gave them positive results.

Enforcement Directorate officials, meanwhile, told CNN-News18 that the agency has heard from the Belgium authorities and is sharing evidence to aid extradition.

LEGAL PROCESS ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR

The CBI suspects that Choksi has been in Belgium for over a year. The CBI moved court in India to obtain the extradition documents once intelligence was generated that Choksi is in Belgium. The arrest warrant against him was executed by Belgian authorities once all the relevant documents were provided by India," a CBI official said.

According to sources, India is prepared for the long legal process that extradition entails. Officials said agencies are convinced about the quality of evidence they have against the diamond merchant. They, however, he could use his medical condition as grounds to plead against extradition.

Officials said Choksis bail plea will be heard next week in a local court. The development comes as the fugitive was arrested on Sunday on Indias extradition request for his role in the PNB bank loan fraud case.

The CBI had requested his extradition from Belgium after he was found living in the country in March after being granted residency in November 2023. He was arrested based on CBIs request, which was backed by two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai court on May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021.

Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, allegedly defrauded the PNB of more than Rs 14,000 crore. He was declared a fugitive economic offender (FEO) by the government of India due to the massive financial scam.

His legal defence team is now planning to move bail plea in the local court, on medical grounds. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, said the bail plea will be on the ground that he is undergoing treatment for cancer, while his team is also likely to challenge his extradition to India citing inhuman conditions in Indian prisons".

Belgiums Justice Department, meanwhile, told CNN-News18 that the Indian side has introduced an extradition request. Aggarwal referred to Londons High Court order in Indias extradition appeal against the discharge of Sanjay Bhandari, who was a consultant in the defence sector and is wanted in India on money laundering charges.

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An appeal will be filed. During that appeal process, we will request that he should not be detained and he should be permitted to challenge the extradition by being out of prison," he said. Generally, there are two grounds this is a political case, and the human rights of the client will be affected. We will make a strong case based on the Bhandari judgment, which has come that said Indian prison conditions are not human."

In Bhandaris case, the London court had observed that he will be at risk of extortion and violence" from other prisoners and prison officials at Tihar Jail.

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 14, 2025, 15:28 IST
Mumbai, Every 'Drop' Counts: Lake Levels Down To 31%, BMC Invokes Emergency Law Amid Tanker Strike

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 12:47 IST

The citys seven lakes, responsible for supplying drinking water to over 1.25 crore people, have dwindled to a mere 31.23% of their total usable capacity

The water tankers' association is protesting the revised Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) guidelines, which introduce stricter regulations for borewell owners and tanker operators. (AP File)

Mumbai is approaching a severe water crisis over the next few weeks. The citys seven lakes, responsible for supplying drinking water to over 1.25 crore people, have dwindled to a mere 31.23% of their total usable capacity.

With summer temperatures soaring and the monsoon still several weeks away, the threat of supply disruptions is growing increasingly concerning.

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LAKE LEVELS

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the citys current water supply stands at a meagre 5.67 lakh million litres, a significant drop from last years levels of nearly 9 lakh million litres during the same period. At the current daily consumption rate of approximately 3,850 million litres, Mumbais water reserves will only last for approximately 45 days unless substantial rainfall occurs or alternative arrangements are implemented. While smaller reservoirs like Tulsi still retain over 78% of their capacity, their contribution to the citys overall supply remains insignificant. Larger sources such as Modak Sagar, Middle Vaitarna, and Bhatsa, which form the backbone of the citys water system, are all facing critically low levels.

In my talks with those on strike from the Water Tanker Association, and my understanding of their issue, the only way out seems that the @mybmc Commissioner gives them an assurance that the tankers wont be penalised- that too, indefinitely, and not just June 15th.I am hoping  Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) April 14, 2025

WATER TANKER STRIKE

Exacerbating the situation is a parallel crisis stemming from a water tanker strike.

The Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) initiated the strike, now in its fourth day, leading to supply disruptions for housing societies, construction sites, and even the railways. The association is protesting the revised Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) guidelines, which introduce stricter regulations for borewell owners and tanker operators.

Despite a temporary suspension of the enforcement of these guidelines and high-level meetings involving Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, the strike persists, leaving residents anxious and frustrated.

In response to the escalating crisis, the BMC has invoked emergency powers under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to assume control of private water tankers and ensure an uninterrupted water supply throughout the city. Civic officials have deployed ward-level teams, including police, transport authorities, and health officials, to coordinate tanker movement and manage distribution effectively. Residents can now submit water requests through Citizen Facilitation Centres and water will be delivered with nominal administrative charges. Police protection is being provided at filling points to maintain order and prevent any potential unrest. As a temporary relief measure, the civic body has also released 350 million litres of water from its backup reserves.

EVERY DROP COUNTS

However, the crisis is far from resolved. The combination of dwindling lake levels and the indefinite tanker strike has transformed water conservation from a civic duty to an urgent necessity.

Citizens are strongly urged to minimise water wastage, promptly report leakages, and adopt water reuse practices whenever possible. As Mumbai eagerly awaits the arrival of the monsoon, both officials and residents understand that every drop of water is precious.

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Adding to the growing concern, political figures have also voiced their opinions on the crisis.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the governments delayed response in addressing the pressing issues of depleting lake levels and the ongoing tanker strike. He labelled the situation as avoidable" and held the state administration accountable for failing to prepare for a predictable summer shortage." Thackeray urged the BMC to release a transparent action plan and ensure equitable water distribution, particularly in slum areas and densely populated regions.

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 12:42 IST
Anatomy Of Murshidabad Violence: How Fear, Rumours, Rage Triggered Minor Migrant Workers

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 07:00 IST

There are strong indications of involvement by external forces with the PFI, while senior police officers are not ruling out political conspiracy as the youngest and most violent elements appeared to be acting in sync

Security personnel keep a vigil after recent violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, in Murshidabad district on April 13. (Image: PTI)

They were told their homes will be taken, mosques razed, and even burial grounds swallowed by the central government under the new Waqf (Amendment) Act. For hundreds of migrant labourers in West Bengals Murshidabad, the rumours were not just words.

Fuelled by fear, manipulated by misinformation, and triggered by unfounded rumours, thousands of young men  many only 14 to 19 years old  spilled onto the streets in rage followed by Friday prayers on April 11.

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What began as a scattered protest by blocking roads, turned, almost overnight, into coordinated violence across multiple locations  Jangipur, Dhuliyan and Samserganj. Government offices and vehicles were torched, trains set on fire, and police vehicles as well as ambulances attacked. Hindu houses were targeted while a father and son were hacked to death. The aggression was focused, frenzied and, officials said, deeply alarming and overwhelming.

BREAKING DOWN THE ATTACKS

Despite a team of senior cops, including ADG and IG ranked officers, camping in the area since April 9 to maintain order, the situation spiralled.

Multiple fronts opened at once. It was strategic, and sudden. It was a well thought out conspiracy and the perpetrators were part of a well-oiled machinery," a senior police officer said.

Law enforcement responded with restraint, but eventually, firing became the last resort in the late hours of April 11. Since Wednesday, our senior officers led by IG-ranked officers have been holding meetings with local imams and other clerics of local mosques. All of them were taken into confidence, and they agreed to support the government to maintain peace. There was calm on Wednesday (April 9) and Thursday (April 10)," said the senior officer.

From Friday morning, after namaaz, well-coordinated attacks were launched. Police received hundreds of distress calls, and many were made to mislead. This cannot happen without planning. At a time when police forces were occupied fighting the attacks on public and private properties, a section raided Hindu villages, razed homes and temples that led to another skirmish between two communities," the officer added.

PFI INVOLVEMENT SUSPECTED, EVIDENCE BEING PIECED TOGETHER

Behind the scenes, as at least 150 people were arrested, investigators are now piecing together what many now fear: this was not just another instance of a spontaneous outrage. There are strong indications of involvement by external forces, with the Popular Front of India (PFI), a banned outfit that earlier had a strong base in Murshidabad in and around the border locations.

Senior officers, meanwhile, are not ruling out political conspiracy. The youngest and most violent elements appeared to be acting in sync, raising concerns of deeper coordination.

With multiple details emerging, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) is also under the scanner. So far, most of the arrested people are local residents  young, impressionable, and exploited.

HINDUS DISPLACED

At least 40 Hindu families temporarily relocated across the river amid the violence, waiting for normalcy before they return, said another senior police officer.

They crossed the river and took shelter at their relatives houses in and around Baishnabnagar, Ghospara and other places. We are in touch with them. We will bring them back soon," he said, adding that the West Bengal police will do everything to mete out the strictest punishment against those who killed the father-son duo.

The district administration and police officials continue to have peace talks with imams and community leaders to restore calm. Among those 150 arrested people, most are migrant workers returned home for the festive season.

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Many of them were joined by outsiders from Jharkhand. Their profiles  young and frustrated  raise further questions about who may be fuelling this unrest.

While the damage is still being assessed, what is clear is that Murshidabad is now grappling not just with violence, but with a deeper rupture  where fear and random rumours were weaponised and the truth was lost.

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

Location : Murshidabad, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 07:00 IST
Nagpur Doctor Murders Wife Over Marital Dispute, Tries To Pass It Off As Robbery Gone Wrong

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 20:12 IST

Dr Anil Rahule, a 52-year-old physician, allegedly killed his wife Archana with the help of his brother Raju and staged the scene to make it look like a robbery gone wrong.

The victim was a senior assistant professor who lived alone while her husband worked in Raipur and her son was a third year medical student. (Representative Image)

A 52-year-old doctor and his brother allegedly killed the formers wife last week over suspicions of infidelity, and later staged the scene as a robbery gone wrong while they pretended to discover the murder three days later after returning from Raipur, according to police.

Dr Anil Rahule, a 52-year-old physician, and his brother Raju Rahule, 48, a farmer from Khairlanji village in Bhandara district, were arrested for killing Dr Archana Rahule on Sunday. This came after investigators noted discrepancies in Anils statements and found that his phone was pinging towers in Nagpur on April 9, the day of the murder, despite his claim of being in Raipur.

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Dr Archana was a senior assistant professor in the physiotherapy department at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur. She lived alone in Nagpur while her husband worked in Raipur and their son studied medicine in Pune.

She was discovered with a head wound in her house in Ladikar Layout under the Hudkeshwar police station limits on Saturday night. As per preliminary probe, the woman had sustained a serious head injury, suggesting that she was attacked, and the death might have taken place three days before the discovery, as the body had started decomposing, according to an official.

Anil initially informed the police that he discovered his wifes body upon returning from Raipur at 9:30 pm on April 12 and found the house ransacked, implying a robbery gone wrong. He told the police that he noticed a foul smell from the house, found the main door open and the body on the bed.

However, the Hudkeshwar police found inconsistencies in Anils statements, particularly his inability to explain why he did not contact his wife during the three days she was dead, despite claiming there were no problems between them, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.

Phone location analysis later revealed that Anil was in Nagpur on April 9, which was contrary to his statement of being in Raipur. Further investigations revealed that Archana had confided about marital issues and threats from Anil to her younger sister, Dr Nima Sonare, and had also been assaulted by Anil.

On April 9, Anil was home, and after a heated argument, he reportedly decided to kill Archana. He summoned his brother Raju, who helped him carry out the murder. Anil held Archana by her legs while Raju struck her head with an iron rod, killing her instantly.

They then staged the house to look ransacked and fled. The murder was discovered only when Anil returned and raised an alarm, prompting neighbors to rush to the house and inform the police, as per the report.

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Nagpur Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singhal stated, Our preliminary investigation suggests the motive was Anils deep mistrust and jealousy. We are also examining if there were any other contributing factors."

We have taken both Anil and Raju into custody for further questioning. Investigations also revealed that the two brothers had been exchanging encrypted messages for several months, suggesting the murder was planned well in advance," said Senior Inspector Bhedodkar.

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 : Nagpur, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 20:07 IST
Plea In Supreme Court Demands SIT Probe In Bengal Violence Over Waqf Protests: 'Hindus Targeted'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:10 IST

The situation in West Bengal's Murshidabad became tense after violent protests over the Waqf legislation. The BJP accused the ruling TMC of failing to protect Hindus amid reports of communal violence.

The situation remains tense in Murshiabad after anti-Waqf protests turned violence. (PTI Image)

An advocate has approached the Supreme Court, seeking a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the recent violence in West Bengals Murshidabad district over the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha filed the petition in the Supreme Court, saying, Waqf is an excuse, Hindus are the target." He requested the court to issue a direction for a court-monitored SIT to investigate the communal violence in Murshidabad and seek an explanation for the failure of the law-and-order machinery.

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He also requested an order to ensure the protection of life and liberty of those currently being affected and prevent further escalation in the ongoing violence.

Waqf is an excuse, Hindus are the target.This suffering must end. Ive approached Supreme Court of India. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah  pic.twitter.com/QzIkkdHwQ5  Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) April 14, 2025

Parts of West Bengals Murshidabad, which witnessed violent protests over the weekend over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, remain tense with paramilitary forces patrolling parts of the district. Three people have died and over 200 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest.

ALSO READ: Trinamool MPs Gouge Out Eyes Threat Caught On Camera Amid Violent Waqf Protests, BJP Hits Back

The situation has been brought under control, as state Governor CV Ananda Bose said he was holding regular discussions with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while the Centre was monitoring the situation in the Muslim-majority district.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has targeted the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of failing to protect Hindus and inciting communal violence in the garb of Waqf protests. Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, said several Hindus were forced to flee the Dhulian area to escape the violent Islamist mob.

Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces and shops, and police kiosks burnt down during the rampage. Central forces were deployed in the district on the orders of the Calcutta High Court.

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Adhikari, Sukanta Majumdar Dilip Ghosh and judge-turned-MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Sunday walked in a rally in Kolkata to protest the appeasement politics" of the ruling TMC. There were reports of arson, bombs being hurled and people dragged out of their homes and beaten up. Some reports even claimed that women and girls in the district were molested by gangsters.

However, the TMC accused the saffron party of spreading disinformation via fake videos and rumour mongering. It said the police have made over 200 arrests to restore normalcy, and strict action will be taken against those involved in the violence.

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 14, 2025, 17:58 IST
Mehul Choksi A Citizen Of Antigua Till Court Verdict: PM Gaston Browne To News18

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 14:02 IST

Antigua PM Gaston Browne to News18: We had revoked Mehul Choksi's citizenship and also took steps to extradite him. but he challenged it, so it is in courtUntil a final determination by the court, he remains a citizen."

Mehul Choksi was declared a fugitive in January 2018, shortly before the PNB scam became public. Citing medical reasons, he fled India for the US, eventually settling in Antigua. (IANS File Photo)

Amid the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, wanted in India in connection with the Rs 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, in Belgium, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua, said while their government had revoked his citizenship, the matter is pending in court.

While the fraud, involving Choksi, Nirav Modi and others, was unearthed in 2018, Choksi had got Antiguan citizenship a year prior. Choksi settled in Antigua in 2018. The diamantaire was granted residency in Belgium on November 15, 2023 on the grounds of getting medical treatment for blood cancer. He reportedly relocated from Antigua to Belgium in 2024.

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WE HAD REVOKED CHOKSIS CITIZENSHIP: ANTIGUAN PM

Antigua PM Gaston Browne reacted to Choksis arrest in Belgium saying, We had revoked his citizenship, but he challenged it, so it is in courtUntil a final determination by the court, he remains a citizen. But all steps have been taken to revoke the citizenship."

When asked about reports that Choksi has taken temporary citizenship of Belgium, Browne said, We allow dual citizenship, but I dont know if he is a citizen of Belgium."

Browne said he didnt know if Choksi had left Antigua. We revoked his citizenship and also took steps to extradite him. It is subject to process as the matter is in court. Our position has always been very clear," he said.

#BreakingNews | Antigua PM Gaston Browne reacts to Mehul Choksis arrest in Belgium; Says tried to extradite him before but it didnt happen@siddhantvm with more details @kritsween | #mehulchoksiarrested #mehulchoksi pic.twitter.com/JzravX8rmn News18 (@CNNnews18) April 14, 2025

BELIGUM ACTED ON INDIAs EXTRADITION REQUEST

Earlier this year, Choksis legal counsel informed a special court in Mumbai that he is currently in Antwerp, Belgium, undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

Citing officials, news agency PTI reported that Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Indias extradition request for his role in the PNB case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had requested Choksis extradition from Belgium after he was located in the country in March 2025. His arrest was based on this request, supported by two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai court on May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021.

BIGGEST SCAM IN INDIAN BANKING HISTORY

Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, have been accused of defrauding the PNB of over Rs 14,000 crore, one of the biggest scams in the history of Indian banking. He has been declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by the government of India.

In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed its third charge sheet against Choksi, his wife Priti Choksi and others over their alleged involvement in the loan fraud.

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The ED had alleged that Choksi, his firm Gitanjali Gems and others committed the offence of cheating against Punjab National Bank in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the LOUs (letters of undertaking) issued and got the FLCs (foreign letter of credit) enhanced without following prescribed procedure and caused a wrongful loss to the bank."

The ED has filed three charge sheets against Choksi till now. The CBI too has filed similar charge sheets against him.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 13:57 IST
Mumbai Police Issue Notice To Vadodara Man For Questioning In Salman Khan Death Threat Case

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 22:41 IST

A summons has been issued to the man to appear for questioning in Mumbai within the next 2-3 days

According to police officials, the sender had threatened to blow up the actor's car and assault him at his residence.

Mumbai police on Monday issued a notice to a man from Gujarats Vadodara in connection with a death threat sent to Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The threat message was received on the Worli Traffic Control Rooms WhatsApp number a day ago.

In a statement, the police said that during their investigation, they traced the number to a 26-year-old man from a village near Vadodara, and a summons has been issued for him to appear for questioning in Mumbai within the next 2-3 days.

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The police also stated that the suspect is mentally unwell and has been undergoing treatment. It is also being claimed that the man is mentally unstable and is under treatment. The matter is being investigated by Worli Police," the statement added.

Further details about the man are yet to be revealed, as the police continue to examine all possible angles in the investigation.

According to police officials, the sender had threatened to blow up Khans car and assault him at his residence. The threat prompted Worli Police Station to register a case under Section 351(2)(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation against an unidentified person.

Meanwhile, the police have also tightened security outside Khans residence in Bandra and intensified patrolling in the area.

Slew Of Threat Messages

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has faced multiple death threats over the years, many of which have been linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The group is believed to be targeting the actor over his alleged involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

While Lawrence Bishnoi is currently lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail, Ahmedabad, facing charges including attempted murder and extortion, his associates allegedly fired shots outside Khans Bandra home in April last year.

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Just weeks after the shooting, Navi Mumbai Police had claimed to have uncovered a plot by the gang to attack Khan during one of his visits to his Panvel farmhouse, located on the outskirts of Mumbai.

(With inputs from PTI)

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 14, 2025, 22:14 IST
Woman Stripped Off Hijab, Hindu Man Accompanying Her Assaulted In UP's Muzaffarnagar | On Cam

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 15:13 IST

A woman was stripped off her hijab and a Hindu man accompanying her was beaten by a mob in Muzaffarnagar. The video of the incident went viral on social media.

Muzaffarnagar hijab incident caught on camera (Photo: X)

A womans hijab was allegedly forcibly removed, and a Hindu man who accompanied her was thrashed by a group of men in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar, the police said.

The video of the incident, that took place on Saturday, went viral on social media, drawing the attention of the netizens as well as the authorities.

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In the video, a man was seen stripping the woman off her hijab as other people around physically assaulted her and the man who was with her. The woman was identified as Farheen, 20, and Sachin  both of whom were associated with Utkarsh Small Finance Bank.

A shocking incident surfaced from #UttarPradeshs #Muzaffarnagar on Saturday, where six men allegedly attacked a #Muslim girl and a #Hindu boy. A video of the incident surfaced online. The six accused were then arrested by the police. Meanwhile, another video of the six men pic.twitter.com/YTQUO0xJNH Hate Detector  (@HateDetectors) April 14, 2025

The incident occurred in the Khalapar area when they were returning after collecting a loan installment.

Farheen, the daughter of Farhana, who lives in Khalapar, was riding on a motorcycle with Sachin, following her mothers instructions.

On their way back, they were stopped by a group of around 10 people who allegedly attacked and abused the duo.

As the police received the information, they rushed to the spot, took control of the crowd, and evacuated the victim duo from the mob to the police station. Based on Farheens complaint, the police registered a case.

On April 12, between around 4 and 4:30 PM, a Hindu man from the Bhavan area and a Muslim woman from Khalaparboth working with Utkarsh Small Finance Bankwere coming back from Sujdu after collecting a loan payment. On the way, some local people stopped them and attacked them in Darzi Wali Gali," Muzaffarnagar City Circle Officer Raju Kumar Sao said.

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The police arrested six persons in connection with the incident.

The CO said that more arrests would be made as more people are identified from the viral video. The official assured of strict action against them.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Muzaffarnagar, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 15:12 IST
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Happy Puthandu 2025: Tamil New Year Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages And Status To Share On WhatsApp With Loved Ones

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 06:20 IST

Happy Puthandu Wishes Images Quotes: Here are some beautiful wishes, images, greeting and quotes that you can share with your loved ones on Tamil New Year.

Happy Tamil New Year 2025: Wishes, Images, Greetings, Cards, Quotes Messages, Photos, SMSs WhatsApp and Facebook Status to share on Puthandu.

Happy Puthandu Wishes Images Quotes: Puthandu, also known as Tamil New Year or Varusha Pirappu, marks the beginning of the Tamil calendar year. The festival is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm. Puthandu is being celebrated today, on Monday, April 14. The festival holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Tamil communities across the globe, especially in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore. Puthandu is observed on the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai, symbolising new beginnings, hope, and prosperity.

Tamil New Year Wishes

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Wishing you a joyful and prosperous Puthandu filled with happiness, success, and good fortune.

May this Tamil New Year bring new beginnings, peace, and endless opportunities into your life.

ALSO READ: Puthandu 2025: Date, Time, Rituals, History, Significance And Celebration Of Tamil New Year

Happy Puthandu! May the year ahead be filled with health, wealth, and prosperity.

May this Puthandu bring happiness, harmony, and success to you and your loved ones.

New Year, New Hopes! May Puthandu fill your life with positivity and good fortune.

Wishing you a bright and beautiful year ahead. Happy Tamil New Year!

May this Puthandu bless you with joy, success, and the strength to achieve your dreams.

May the Tamil New Year bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to your home.

Happy Puthandu! May this year be filled with love, laughter, and wonderful moments.

Lets welcome the New Year with hope and enthusiasm! Wishing you a blessed Puthandu!

Tamil New Year Messages

Happy Puthandu! May this year bring new opportunities, success, and endless joy into your life.

Lets welcome this New Year with hope and excitement. Wishing you a blessed and joyful year ahead!

Wishing you a Tamil New Year filled with happiness, prosperity, and cherished moments with loved ones.

May this Puthandu bring peace, positivity, and the strength to achieve all your dreams.

May the Tamil New Year bring fresh beginnings, good fortune, and happiness into your home.

On this special occasion, may your life be filled with peace, harmony, and success.

May this Puthandu be the start of a year full of joy, health, and prosperity for you.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful New Year filled with love and new opportunities.

Lets celebrate the Tamil New Year with gratitude and hope for a bright and prosperous future.

Happy Puthandu! May this year be filled with love, laughter, and countless blessings.

10 Statuses To Share On WhatsApp With Loved Ones

May this Puthandu bring endless joy, new opportunities, and success in all your endeavours.

As the Tamil New Year begins, may your life be filled with positivity and new achievements.

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A new dawn, a new hope! May this year bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to you.

Lets welcome Puthandu with a smile, a heart full of dreams, and endless possibilities.

May this year bless you with wisdom, strength, and the courage to achieve your goals.

Puthandu marks a fresh startembrace it with hope, love, and unwavering determination.

May the beauty of this Tamil New Year fill your heart with joy and your days with success.

Step into the New Year with confidence and make every moment count. Happy Puthandu!

May this year bring new adventures, bright opportunities, and beautiful memories for you.

A new chapter beginsmay it be filled with happiness, peace, and endless achievements.

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

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First Published: April 14, 2025, 06:20 IST
Why Does Breast Cancer Recur? A Patients Guide to Early Warning Signs and Preventive Measures

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 15, 2025, 10:17 IST

While recurring breast cancer can be treated, it may return yet again. Accordingly, proper understanding of this condition and awareness of its early warning signs are imperative to stop recurrence.

Recurrent breast cancer happens when the treatment is unable to kill all the cancer cells.

Recurring breast cancer refers to a condition that keeps coming back after treatment. Breast cancer could recur months or years after the treatment concludes. While recurring breast cancer can be treated, it may return yet again. Accordingly, proper understanding of this condition and awareness of its early warning signs are imperative to stop recurrence.

Dr (Prof) Meenu Walia, Vice Chairman, Dept of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Max Super Speciality Hospital shares all you need to know:

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Types of Recurring Breast Cancer

Recurrent breast cancer comprises three types:

Local: If the cancer recurs in the same region of the breast as per the initial diagnosis, it is categorized as a local recurrence.

Regional: If the breast cancer comes back in the chest wall and/or nearby lymph nodes, its a regional recurrence.

Distant: Also known as metastatic breast cancer or Stage 4 breast cancer, it happens when breast cancer cells shift away from the original breast tumour and travel to the bodys other regions via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. The liver, lungs, bones and brain are common areas for metastasis.

However, if the cancer in one breast is eliminated after therapy but it develops in the other untreated breast, this tumour is deemed to be a new cancer and not recurring breast cancer. Oncologists may term this a second cancer.

According to one report, females with early breast cancer will often develop a local recurrence within five years following their treatment. On average, 7% to 11% of women having early breast cancer will have a local recurrence during this period. Higher recurrence is seen with aggressive breast cancer subtypes.

When the Risk of Recurrence Remains Higher

The American Cancer Society notes that inflammatory breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer are more prone to recurring compared to other breast cancer types/subtypes. If breast cancer patients have a family history of the condition or BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, cancer recurrence rates will be higher. Also, the risk of discovering new cancers (like ovarian cancer) may be higher. Though recurrence is not so common, the specific recurrence rate hinges on factors such as the breast cancer stage and its treatment.

Generally, the more time elapses the lower the recurrence risk. Any recurrence will most likely happen within the first two years following the treatment. Once a person reaches the five-year milestone of living free of cancer after treatment, recurrence is relatively rare. Yet, recurrence may still be possible, which is termed late recurrence.

While much remains unknown regarding cancer recurrence, some patterns have been noted in recent years by researchers indicating why this happens. The factors possibly connected to a higher rate of breast cancer recurrence include high blood sugar, obesity, low consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as suffering a surgical site infection following surgery. Recurrence could also occur in women who develop breast cancer before the age of 35.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer Recurrence

Any cancer recurrence signs will depend on where the condition resurfaces. Most likely, a woman may not see or feel signs of any local recurrence. Even if she does, it would most probably be a minor change in or around her breast or the underarm area. Often, her doctor will be the first person who discovers some signs of a local recurrence when undertaking a physical exam or during a mammogram.

Typically, some symptoms could emerge in a distant recurrence. But since many breast cancer symptoms also occur with other health issues, it is difficult to know if these are because of a distant recurrence or due to another reason. However, a woman should have a close conversation with her cancer care team regarding any symptoms, particularly those lasting longer than a fortnight.

Special attention should be paid to the following symptoms, which may mean recurring breast cancer:

 Inexplicable weight loss

 Breathlessness or wheezing

 Fatigue

 Seizures

 Fever, chills or cough that doesnt abate

 Yellow tinge in the eyes and skin (jaundice)

 Easy bruising/bleeding

 Headaches, bone pain and any new or unusual pain the patient cannot explain

 Difficulty in swallowing or digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea

 Blood in the stools or urine

 New lumps or swelling in some areas.

Besides these generic signs, the symptoms could vary depending on the cancers origins. Recurring local breast cancer could cause:

 Lumps in the breast or bumps on/under the chest region

 Nipple discharge or changes like a flattened nipple

 Swelling in the skin or skin that constricts near the lumpectomy region

 Thickening on/near the surgical scar

 Breast tissue that feels unusually firm.

Recurring regional breast cancer could cause:

 Trouble swallowing

 Enduring chest pain

 Pain, numbness or swelling in one arm/shoulder

 Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or in/around the collarbone region.

Recurring distant or metastatic breast cancer could cause symptoms that vary as per the region where it has spread:

 Pain, including bone pain, where the breast cancer has spread

 Persistent dry cough

 Giddiness, balance problems or seizures

 Severe headaches

 Extreme tiredness

 Weight loss, nausea and loss of appetite

 Numbness or weakness.

Triggers for Recurring Breast Cancer

Recurrence of breast cancer occurs if the therapy fails to kill all the cancerous cells in the breast. Though cancer therapies are effective, cancerous cells in the breast can survive for varied reasons. For example, therapy can shrink cancerous tumours to the extent that tests fail to detect these weakened cancer cells. Nevertheless, as the cells are still present, over a period, they will return much stronger and start growing again, creating more tumours. While surgery may remove a tumour, it will not always be 100% effective. This is partly because cancerous cells in the breast may move to nearby lymph nodes and tissue or enter the bloodstream.

Why Prevention is Pivotal

Breast cancer that returns or spreads is tougher to treat since therapies that worked earlier may not be so effective the second time. Metastatic breast cancer is also challenging to manage since it has spread to other areas of the body. Given this scenario, one must focus on preventing recurrence.

Specific treatments may help lower the risk of some breast cancer subtypes that tend to recur. For instance, hormone therapy could curb the recurrence risk for women with early-stage oestrogen-receptive breast cancer. Similarly, undergoing chemotherapy after surgery (called adjuvant therapy) could lower recurrence risk.

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Prevention is the best cure. Therefore, regular breast self-examinations and periodic follow-up screenings will help the oncologist find recurring breast cancer before it can spread or while the metastatic tumours are still comparatively smaller and easy to treat. As a result, a woman must consult her doctor as soon as she notices any signs or symptoms mentioned above.

Lifestyle changes are also crucial. Eat wholesome, nutritious meals that include vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein. Exercise regularly to stay fit and reduce stress. Finally, always adhere to follow-up care, tests or screening schedules. In consultation with the cancer care specialist, its always possible to ensure better outcomes that help women lead near-normal lives.

About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... 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 14, 2025, 19:20 IST
Pohela Boishakh 2025: Bengali New Year Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages And Status To Share On WhatsApp With Loved Ones

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:00 IST

Pohela Boishakh 2025 Wishes Images Quotes: Here are some beautiful Bengali New Year wishes, quotes, images, WhatsApp messages, and Facebook status to share and celebrate the auspicious occasion of Poila Baisakh.

Pohela Boishakh will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 15, this year. (Image: Shutterstock)

Pohela Boishakh Wishes Images And Quotes 2025: This year, West Bengal and Bangladesh will celebrate Pohela Boishakh, also called Bengali New Year or Nobo Borso, on Tuesday, April 15. Interestingly, this special day falls on the same day as other regional celebrations in India, such as Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Vishu in Kerala, and Baisakhi in Punjab.

On this day, people spend time with their loved ones, eat delectable meals, visit temples, and dress in new clothes. Additionally, Bengalis use the greeting Shubho Nabo Barsho," which means Happy New Year," to greet one another.

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ALSO READ: When Is Poila Baisakh 2025? Date, Time, History, Rituals And Significance Of Bengali New Year

As the celebration approaches, we have compiled a list of Bengali New Year wishes, quotes, SMS, WhatsApp messages, and Facebook status updates for you to share with your loved ones.

Happy Poila Baishakh Wishes And Messages

Subho Noboborsho! I hope you have happiness, success, and wealth in the upcoming year.

As the sun rises on Poila Baisakh, may your life be full of light and happiness.

Let us appreciate the beauty of new beginnings and the diversity of our culture. Subho Noboborsho!

I wish you a year full of laughter, love, and new beginnings. Happy Poila Baisakh!

Im sending you warm greetings for the Bengali New Year. May your days be full of peace and harmony.

May Goddess Lakshmi grant you wealth and prosperity on this auspicious occasion. Subho Noboborsho!

I hope you have a year full of wonderful experiences and treasured memories. Enjoy your Poila Baisakh!

May the aroma of blooming flowers bring joy and optimism into your life. Subho Noboborsho!

With open arms and optimistic spirits, lets greet the new year. Cheers to the Bengali New Year!

Im sending you my best wishes for a successful and happy new year. Subho Noboborsho!

Poila Baishakh: Status To Share On WhatsApp and Facebook

Happy Pohela Boishakh! May you be blessed with peace, love, and happiness!

Shubho Barsho Nabo! I hope you have an amazing year! Happy Bengali New Year!

New beginnings are a fresh start. I hope this year brings you even greater success. Greetings on Pohela Boisakh!

I wish you a prosperous new year. Happy Pohela Boisakh

Happy Bengali New Year! I wish you the best opportunities this year.

I hope this year is remarkable. May it offer an opportunity to enhance your happiness and joy. May you be happy and prosperous for the rest of your life.

I hope you achieve all of your goals and wish you luck. Happy Pohela Boisakh!

May you have success and fresh possibilities this Poila Baisakh. Happy Bengali New Year!

I hope you and your family have a year full of love and togetherness. Subho Noboborsho!

May Poila Baisakhs colours fill your life with joy and prosperity. Subho Noboborsho!

Happy Poila Baishakh Quotes

Lets celebrate the spirit of the Bengali New Year and embrace our traditions on this special day. Subho Noboborsho!

May Rabindra Sangeets melody enchant you all year long. Happy Bengali New Year.

I hope your year is full of delectable treats, happy times, and amazing surprises. Subho Noboborsho!

Lets welcome the new year with optimism and hope as the old year comes to an end. Cheers to the Bengali New Year!

May the upcoming year help you achieve your goals and objectives. Subho Noboborsho!

Best wishes and heartfelt hugs on Poila Baisakh. I hope your year is as colourful as the blooms of spring.

This Bengali New Year, may your home be a place of harmony, laughter, and prosperity. Subho Noboborsho.

I wish you happiness in every moment and success in all your pursuits. Greetings from Poila Baisakh!

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May this auspicious occasion bring you the divine blessings of Goddess Durga. Happy Bengali New Year!

Lets welcome the new year with a fresh sense of purpose and optimism. Cheers to the Bengali New Year!

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 14, 2025, 18:00 IST
HIT: The Third Case Trailer Launches in Vizag With Nani Bringing Action, Blood And Emotion

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 16:33 IST

Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, HIT: The Third Case (HIT 3) features Nani in a never-before-seen avatar.

Srinidhi Shetty stars alongside Nani in HIT: The Third Case. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

After two intense cases, the HIT franchise is back with a fresh story and a new lead. Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, HIT: The Third Case (HIT 3) features Nani in a never-before-seen avatar. The trailer was released recently and the film promises a darker and more gripping crime thriller. This time, the story is set in Vizag. It begins with the disappearance of a nine-month-old baby. Arjun Sarkaar, an angry and fearless cop, takes charge of the case. But the rescue mission turns into something much more brutal. Arjun, who works for the HIT team, is assigned to track down a group of serial killers. These killers are behind a string of gruesome murders and Arjun finds himself pulled into a case full of blood and violence.

The trailer shows a glimpse of Nani in a fierce role as Arjun IPS, who will stop at nothing for justice. The trailer, running for 3 minutes and 32 seconds, raises eyebrows with its gory scenes and intense action. It shows bloodshed, dismembered bodies and disturbing confrontations which makes it clear that the film is not for the faint-hearted.

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Take a look at the trailer here:

Alongside Nani, Srinidhi Shetty stars as female lead. Komalee Prasad also plays a major role. The film features Adil Pala, Rao Ramesh, Brahmaji and Maganti Srinath. The film is jointly produced by Wall Poster Cinema and Unanimous Productions.

The trailer was launched at the Sangam Theatre in Vizag. At the event, Nani spoke about his connection with the city. He shared a memory with the crowd that drew a warm response.

Before marriage, I used to visit Vizag for a girl, who later became my wife. For the past 15 years, Ive been coming here, now to meet my fans. Every visit to this city has always been for love," he said. Hit: The Third Case will be released in theatres on May 1.

Along with HIT: The Third Case, Nani is also working on his upcoming film, The Paradise, the teaser for which was released last month.

Set in the 1980s Secunderabad, The Paradise tells the story of a fictional tribe that faces oppression and denial of their basic rights. As their struggles continue, an unlikely leader emerges to fight for them and help them integrate into society. Directed by the talented Srikanth Odela, the film is set to release in theatres on March 26, 2026.

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 14, 2025, 16:33 IST
Jacob Elordi Says Adolescence Fame Owen Cooper Was 'Intimidating' On Wuthering Heights Sets: 'He's Brilliant'

Curated By :

Bang Showbiz

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 16:35 IST

Actor Jacob Elordi praised Adolescence lead actor Owen Cooper and called him 'intimidating' and 'brilliant' on the set of Netflix's Wuthering Heights.

Jacob Elordi praises Adolescence actor Owen Cooper. (Photo: Bang Showbiz/Netflix)

Australian actor Jacob Elordi says Adolescence actor Owen Cooper was intimidating" on the set of Netflixs Wuthering Heights. The 27-year-old actor will portray Heathcliff in the forthcoming film adaptation of Emily Brontes 1847 novel, opposite Owen, who will play a younger version of the character.

Owen Cooper, 15, shot to fame in Netflixs recent drama Adolescence, portraying a teenager accused of the murder of a female classmate, and Elordi admitted his co-star was brilliant" on the Wuthering Heights set.

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Speaking to Australian TVs 10 News First about working with the teenager, he said: Hes a rock star. Hes brilliant and hes intimidating." Jacob Elordi also praised Owen for being a tremendous actor", and told how the youngster wasnt nervous ahead of filming for the psychological drama movie. He said: I think the first time I met him I asked, Are you nervous mate, and he went, No, and I thought, Cool  cool, me neither. But, no, he is a tremendous actor."

As well as Owen Cooper and Jacob Elordi, the movie  which will be directed by Emerald Fennell  will also feature Hollywood actress Margot Robbie as leading lady Catherine Earnshaw. Whats more, Shazad Latif will portray Edgar Linton, Hong Chau is cast as Nelly Dean, and Jacobs Saltburn co-star Alison Oliver will play Isabella Linton.

Margot Robbie will produce through her LuckyChap production company, marking the third collaboration between Fennell and LuckyChap after Saltburn and Promising Young Woman. Wuthering Heights is due to drop in February 2026, and Emerald Fennell told fans last year that an adaptation of the classic novel would be her third feature film. She wrote on social media: Be with me always  take any form  drive me mad", which is a line from the novel.

Actor Barry Keoghan, who also starred opposite Jacob Elordi in Saltburn, previously admitted he would be interested in a part in the movie. He told Variety: Anything that Emerald puts her hands on, Im there. Shes incredible."

Speaking about Emeralds work, Margot Robbie previously said: Emerald immerses you into a world so quickly. Shes so masterful at tone and plot. She gets in your brain and she kind of taps into the most depraved parts of it, so that youre complicit in the story. Thats the watercooler moment  the thing that people are talking about two weeks afterwards."

Location : Australia

First Published: April 14, 2025, 16:34 IST
PM Narendra Modi Honors Sankaran Nair's Legacy Ahead Of Akshay Kumar's Kesari 2 Release: 'We Must Remember Him'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:47 IST

PM Narendra Modi honoured Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair's legacy and his stand against British rule post-Jallianwala Bagh massacre during his Haryana visit.

PM Modi pays tribute to Sankaran Nair ahead of Kesari 2 release. (Photo: PTI/Instagram)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured lawyer-nationalist Sir Chettur Sankaran Nairs legacy ahead of Akshay Kumars Kesari: Chapter 2 release. He remembered Nairs heroism for standing up against the British rule after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Though he didnt mention the film, PM Modi made these remarks during his recent visit to Haryana, where he inaugurated a number of significant development projects, including the Hisar Airport.

Addressing the audience, PM Modi spoke about the Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab and noted that the day also marks 106 years since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. There was Baisakhi in Punjab, but it was also the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. One aspect of this massacre has remained in the dark  it is a humanitarian issue. There was a man named Sankaran Nair, whose name many may not have heard. He was a prominent lawyer holding a high post in the British government. He could have enjoyed all the perks and luxuries, but he chose to give it all up," the Prime Minister said.

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He added how Nair, hailing from South, felt deeply for his fellow countrymen from Punjab and decided to stand up for them against the British empire. Though he was from Kerala and the incident happened in Punjab, he fought the case and moved the British. Sankaran Nair ensured that the British government was brought to the court of law. This is what makes India great  one India, a united India," PM Modi added.

During his speech, the Prime Minister hailed Nairs significant contributions and urged every citizen to remember his lasting legacy. He said, The people of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh should know about Sankaran Nair. Every adult and child should be aware of his contributions. We must remember him  he is an inspiration and a symbol of our patriotic spirit."

PM Modis speech comes in days after BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhars claims that Congress neglected its valiant leaders such as Sankaran Nair, Subhash Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Dr Ambedkar, and others.

Meanwhile, Kesari 2 stars Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan and Ananya Panday. The film releases on April 18.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 18:46 IST
Salman Khan Gets Another Death Threat, Message Says Actor's Car Will Be Blown Up

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 11:02 IST

Salman Khan Death Threat: The message threatened to kill the actor inside his Mumbai residence and also warned of bombing his car.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan (Photo Credit: X)

Salman Khan Death Threat: Bollywood actor Salman Khan received another death threat after an unknown individual sent a WhatsApp message to Mumbais Transport Department in Worli, said sources on Monday.

The message, according to sources, threatened to kill the actor inside his Mumbai residence and also warned of bombing his car.

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A case has been registered against an unidentified person at the Worli Police Station, with officials trying to investigate the source of the threat and its authenticity, they said.

Over the last few years, the Bollywood actor has received multiple death threats, with the majority of them being indirectly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which is believed to be targeting Khan over his alleged involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

In April 2024, two motorbike-borne individuals opened fire outside the actors Bandra residence, Galaxy Apartment, and fled the scene. They were later arrested from Gujarat for the shooting, which the police said, was a handiwork of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Later, the Bishnoi gang threatened the actor and demanded him to either visit a temple or publicly apologise for the alleged blackbuck killing or pay Rs 5 crore.

In October last year, some unknown individuals again threatened the actor, demanding a Rs 2 crore ransom. In 2023, a threat email allegedly sent by gangster Goldy Brar was received.

Recently, Khan opened up on the threats during a press meet in Mumbai, saying: Bhagwan, Allah sab unpar hai. Jitni umar likhi hai, utni likhi hai. Bas yahi hai (God and Allah are watching over. My lifespan will be as long as fate allows.Thats it)."

He shared that he now restricts his movements solely between his home and film sets, stating that he feels less at ease without media presence and avoids unnecessary outings.

First Published: April 14, 2025, 10:26 IST
'Complete Disregard For Nature': PM Modi Attacks Congress Over Hyderabad University Land Row

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 16:39 IST

PM also slammed Congress for its criticism of the amended Waqf Act, stating that the new provisions uphold the sanctity of Waqf while ensuring the rights of the poor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI photo)

Taking a dig at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused it of appeasement politics, challenged it to appoint a Muslim party President and criticised its opposition to the amended Waqf Act saying that the new provisions honours the sanctity of Waqf and also ensuried the rights of poor.

If the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50 per cent of their tickets to Muslim candidates," said PM Modi at a public meeting in Hisar city, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature.

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Highlighting the vast tracts of land under Waqf, meant to benefit the poor, destitute women and children, were instead exploited by a handful of land mafias, PM Modi said these mafias were encroaching on lands belonging to Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, leaving the Pasmanda Muslim community without any benefits.

He mentioned that amendments to the Waqf Act will put an end to such exploitation, emphasizing a significant new provision in the amended law, ensuring that tribal lands cannot be touched by Waqf boards.

He described this as a major step in protecting tribal interests.

The new provisions will honor the sanctity of Waqf, ensuring that the rights of poor and Pasmanda Muslim families, women, and children are upheld, he said in his public address after launching the first commercial flight from Hisar to Ayodhya and laying the foundation stone of terminal-2 building at the Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar that is expected to be completed within two years.

The airport terminal will be built at an estimated cost of over Rs 410 crore and is part of PM Modis vision to make air travel safer, more affordable, and accessible to all.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, along with several state ministers, attended the event.

While addressing his second back-to-back rally after laying the foundation stone of the 800 MW thermal power plant unit and compressed biogas plant by pressing the button from the stage in Yamunanagar, PM Modi said, There is a clear contrast between BJP-ruled states and those governed by the Congress. In Karnataka, the Congress government has imposed multiple taxes on the people, increasing their financial burden. Even their own ministers have admitted that Congress has made Karnataka number one in corruption."

In Telangana, he said, the Congress has already begun forgetting the promises they made to the public. Their actions, such as bulldozing forest land and damaging the environment, show a complete disregard for nature."

Haryana currently produces 16,000 MW of electricity, and this is expected to increase to 24,000 MW. On the one hand, we are investing in thermal power plants, and on the other, we are empowering people to become power generators themselves," PM Modi said.

Through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, people can reduce their electricity bills to zero by installing solar panels. They can even sell the surplus electricity back to the grid. So far, over 1.25 crore households have registered under this scheme," he said.

Paying tribute to Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar and recalling his guiding mantras, PM Modi stated that Babasaheb had said the development of industries is a path to social justice". He believed that since Dalits do not possess sufficient land, they would benefit from industrial development.

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The PM said, Babasaheb also worked closely with Indias first Industry Minister, Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, in this regard. Even Chaudhary Sir Chhotu Ram stated that when farmers earn additional income through small industries, it leads to prosperity in villages. Similarly, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who dedicated his life to the upliftment of villages and farmers, believed that industrial development and agriculture should complement each other."

PM Modi said the BJP government in Haryana now procures 24 crops at minimum support price (MSP). Farmers have also greatly benefited from the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, with claims worth over Rs 9,000 crore already disbursed under the scheme. Under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, more than Rs 6,500 crore has been directly transferred to the accounts of farmers in Haryana," he added.

Location : Yamunanagar, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 16:39 IST
Congress, AAP Trade Barbs As Partap Singh Bajwa's '50 Bombs' Remark Sparks Row

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:02 IST

Punjab CM has warned of strict action if Bajwas claims were only meant to create panic. He also demanded the Congress party clarify its stand

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa addresses a press conference. (PTI file photo)

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has stirred controversy with his recent claim that 50 bombs have reached Punjab", triggering a fierce war of words between the Congress and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state.

The senior Congress leader had made the comment during an interview with a private television channel, claiming that, I have come to know that 50 bombs have reached Punjab. Of this, 18 have exploded, 32 are yet to go off."

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Following the comments, Bajwa was questioned by Punjab Police on Sunday. A team led by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Ravjot Kaur Grewal had visited his residence to trace the source of his information.

Bajwa Booked For Spreading Misinformation

Bajwa did not disclose any source or origin of this information So far, he has not given any input useful to us," AIG Grewal told the media after questioning Bajwa and called his statement a matter of national security".

Later the same day, Bajwa was booked for spreading false and misleading information that could endanger the countrys sovereignty and unity. The case was filed at the Cyber Crime police station in Mohali under sections 197(1)(d) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Copy of the FIR registered against Congress MP Pratap Singh Bajwa in Mohali pic.twitter.com/4UdYjBlu8g IANS (@ians_india) April 14, 2025

Mann Hits Back: Do You Have Links with Pakistan?

Reacting strongly to Bajwas statement, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann questioned the authenticity and source of the information.

In a video message shared on his X handle, shared shortly after the police team visited Bajwas residence, Mann said, Neither Punjab intelligence nor any intelligence in the country has shared such information. Then how could you say that 18 bombs have exploded and 32 are yet to go off. It means somewhere you have direct links with Pakistan."

      50                                                   pic.twitter.com/C7B9hgM5zW Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) April 13, 2025

Mann further warned of strict action if Bajwas claims were only meant to create panic. He also demanded the Congress party clarify its stand.

Is Congress party hand-in-glove with anti-national forces and does it know how many bombs have reached and exploded? Congress partys national leaders and Bajwa also should give clarification," the Punjab CM added.

Congress Backs Bajwa, Slams AAP For Intimidation

The Congress, meanwhile, has stood firmly behind Bajwa. Party MP and general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh defended Bajwas remarks, saying they were based on media reports about a series of grenade blasts in Punjab over recent months.

His statement was based on widely reported news in the media and came in the wake of nearly 16 grenade blasts in Punjab over the past six months," Ramesh wrote in an X post shared on Monday.

In a televised interview yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa revealed that 50 hand grenades had been smuggled into the state. His statement was based on widely reported news in the media and came in the wake of nearly 16 grenade Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 14, 2025

He also accused the Punjab Chief Minister of resorting to intimidation and threats after a police team was sent to Bajwas residence. Clearly, the Punjab Chief Minister a bundle of insecurity and incompetence and the corrupt AAP leadership is rattled and is resorting to intimidation, smear and threats. It will not work," Ramesh stated.

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Ramesh also remarked that the AAP-led government in Punjab has completely collapsed" and asserted that the Congress will not be silenced.

Governance in Punjab has completely collapsed. The Indian National Congress will not be silenced and will continue to raise the concerns of the people forcefully," the Congress MP added.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Punjab, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 17:54 IST
Leaked Caste Census Turns Karnataka Politics On Its Head, Gives Siddaramaiah New Lease Of Life

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 15:00 IST

According to leaked data, two politically and economically powerful castes---Lingayats and Vokkaligas--- are in the third and fourth place after Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Muslims

Siddaramaiah is hopeful that till the census matter is settled, he is untouchable, and it will reconsolidate his AHINDA bloc. (PTI)

Two incidents within a gap of just one week seem to have changed the political equations in Karnataka.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah visited New Delhi after a gap of almost three months and met the Congress high command, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. According to insiders, the meeting was anything but cordial. Both Kharge and Gandhi expressed their displeasure about the state of affairs in Karnataka. Without mincing words, they told the chief minister to set his house right immediately.

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Even before Siddaramaiah could return to Bengaluru, rumours started doing the rounds of corridors of power that the CM has been put on a tight performance improvement programme. The faction opposed to Siddaramaiah, led by his deputy and Karnataka State Congress president DK Shivakumar, started celebrations, hoping he would make it to the coveted post by the end of Monsoon season.

A few days later, the entire ruling party flew to Ahmedabad to attend the AICC session. There, Siddaramaiah got a chance to discuss with Rahul Gandhi the controversial caste census conducted during his previous regime. Gandhi, a strong advocate of caste census, agreed with the chief minister that it should be made public. Apparently, he instructed the powerful Lingayat and Vokkaliga ministers not to oppose it in public. Upon his return, a triumphant Siddaramaiah hurriedly convened a cabinet meeting and released the contents of the census. Though unhappy with the findings, both Lingayat and Vokkaliga ministers exercised caution, promising to study the census before getting back to the chief minister.

The findings of the census, however, have been leaked, turning Karnatakas caste-ridden politics on its head. The beleaguered CM feels he is safer in his chair till they take a decision on the implementation of caste census, which might take a year or two.

According to leaked data, two politically and economically powerful castesLingayats and Vokkaligas are in the third and fourth place after Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Muslims.

Lingayats and Veerashaiva (a sub-sect) together have a population of about 77 lakh. Vokkaligas have a population of about 62 lakh. Since these two dominant communities have also been categorised as Other Backward Classes (OBCs) along with Muslims, the total number of OBC population now stands at 70 per cent of Karnatakas total population.

The SCs are about 1.10 crore and the STs are about 43 lakh, according to leaked data. The general category, including Brahmins, is just 30 lakh, it reveals. The contentious issue is Muslim population, which is about 76 lakh, higher than the Lingayats and Vokkaligas. Lingayats have always maintained that they are the largest community in the state, numbering almost 1.5 crore. These new revelations have ruffled the feathers of community leaders, who fear it will threaten their political dominance. The Vokkaligas have expressed same concerns.

Lingayats, led by industries and commerce minister MB Patil, have disputed the leaked numbers, claiming their population is still very high. Patil argued that many sub-castes among the Lingayats have mentioned their original caste for the benefit of reservations, not Lingayat faith in the census, though they follow Lingayat faith. Vokkaligas also make similar claims, dismissing the findings as unscientific.

Some people complain that no enumerator has ever visited them to conduct the caste census and its results are bogus. The government, however, dismissed such complaints.

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The opposition BJP and JDS are closely and cautiously following the developments. The OBCs minus these two are upbeat and feel that it will completely change Karnatakas socio-political scene in their favour.

Siddaramaiah is hopeful that till the census matter is settled, he is untouchable, and it will reconsolidate his AHINDA (an alliance of minorities, backward classes, SC/STs), further giving Congress a strong political platform to stop BJP-JDS in their tracks. Others, however, feel that the government has just thrown a stone at a beehive.

About the Author D P Satish Assistant Editor D P Satish has been a journalist for the past 21 years. Born at the picturesque Jog Falls in Shimoga district of Karnataka, Satish did his graduation in English Literature. He is a post-graduate in Journalism f... Read More D P Satish has been a journalist for the past 21 years. Born at the picturesque Jog Falls in Shimoga district of Karnataka, Satish did his graduation in English Literature. He is a post-graduate in Journalism f... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 15:00 IST
NDA Loses Ally In Bihar As Pashupati Paras' RLJP Walks Out: 'Faced Injustice Because Of Dalit Roots'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 21:47 IST

Pashupati Paras accused the NDA of doing injustice to his party because of its Dalit roots and hinted at a possibility of joining Congress' Mahagathbandhan ahead of Bihar elections this year.

Pashupati Paras announced his party's departure from the NDA. (ANI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lost a key ally in Bihar ahead of this years Assembly elections in the state after Pashupati Kumar Paras said his Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party is quitting the alliance.

The NDA had backed his estranged nephew Chirag Paswan, after Paras engineered a split in the Lok Janshakti Party founded by his late brother Ram Vilas Paswan. Paras alleged his party was treated unfairly due to being a Dalit party, which triggered his decision.

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Whenever an NDA meeting was held in Bihar, BJP state chief and JD(U) state chief issued statements that they are 5 Pandavas in Bihar, they didnt mention our partys name anywhere," said the RLJP chief at an event honouring Babasaheb Ambedkars birth anniversary.

NDA Did Injustice To Us

I have been with the NDA from 2014 to date. We were loyal allies of the NDA. You must have seen that when Lok Sabha elections were held, the people of NDA did injustice to our party, as it is a Dalit party. Still, in the national interest, our party decided to support NDA in the elections," he added.

Paras announced that his party has started a membership drive and will contest all 243 seats alone in the upcoming Bihar elections. He said if the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) accords his party proper respect and a suitable position, the RLJP may consider joining them.

At the RLJP function, Paras, who formerly served in the Nitish Kumar government, also accused the JD(U) supremo of being anti-Dalit" and claimed to have got a sense after touring 22 out of 38 districts that Bihar wants to elect a new government."

Why Did Paras Leave NDA?

Paras was sidelined by the NDA for his nephew Chirag Paswan, who is now a Union Minister. In the bypolls to the five assembly constituencies held last year, his claim on one of the seats was ignored, and his proposed candidate joined the BJP, which gave a ticket to the latters son.

Following Ram Vilas Paswans death, Paras engineered a split in the Lok Janshakti Party in 2021, and became a Union Minister. Paras resigned from the Union cabinet ahead of the Lok Sabha polls last year, in protest against the BJP throwing its weight behind his nephew, who also got for himself the Hajipur seat, represented by his father multiple times and held by Paras till 2024.

Paras was also reportedly displeased when the state government made him vacate the bungalow from where he ran his party and allotted it to Chirag. Furthermore, the RLJP chief had been meeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav lately, which sparked rumours of a coalition.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, another prominent Dalit leader from Bihar, asserted there will be no adverse impact on the NDA" from Paras decision. He (Paras) may have made a formal announcement only today. But the writing has been on the wall since he began hobnobbing with Lalu Prasad," he added.

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The elections in Bihar are set to take place later this year, although the dates are yet to be announced. A high-stakes battle is expected to take place in Bihar, with the NDA, consisting of Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) and the BJP fighting against the Mahagathbandan; consisting of Congress, RJD and left parties.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 21:47 IST
Resort Politics Goes Global As TDP, YSRCP Corporators Camp In Sri Lanka, Malaysia Ahead Of Vizag Vote

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 09:56 IST

N Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Reddy escalated "resort politics" by moving corporators to Malaysia and Sri Lanka ahead of a no-confidence motion against Visakhapatnam Mayor Kumari.

In GVMC, the YSRCP has 59 of the 98 seats while TDP has 29 corporators and its ally Jana Sena Party (JSP) has three seats.

Indians are familiar with resort politics", where parties hold their MLAs at expensive hotels to prevent them from being poached by rival sides ahead of crucial votes.

However, two of Indias richest politicians N Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Reddy took resort politics" to a new level by shifting their corporators to holiday destinations of Malaysia and Sri Lanka ahead of no-confidence motion against Visakhapatnam Mayor Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari on April 19.

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Reddys party YSRCP, which was ousted from power in the state last year, currently runs the Greater Vizag Municipal Corporation (GVMC). Apart from Kumari, Deputy Mayors J Sridhar and K Satish also belong to the YSRCP. However, there is a buzz that the TDP-led alliance might take over the GVMC. After Naidu returned as the CM, several YSRCP leaders have switched to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In the wake of this, TDP corporators in the GVMC submitted a no-confidence motion against Kumari on March 22.

YSRCP corporators, who were camping earlier in Karnataka, have been shifted to Sri Lanka

while TDP had moved its flock from Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district to Malaysia.

Twenty-five TDP corporators from Vishakapatnam went to Malaysia on a casual trip with families. I will also join them soon," a TDP corporator told PTI on Friday.

The TDP leader further said that the corporators were sent to avoid pressure and influence by the YSR Congress Party. Everyone is firm in their decision, the TDP corporator said. A TDP source said that the party would reimburse all the expenses of the travel and accommodation there.

Visakhapatnam Corporation Math

In GVMC, the YSRCP has 59 of the 98 seats while TDP has 29 corporators and its ally Jana Sena Party (JSP) has three seats. The BJP, the CPI, and the CPI(M) have one corporator each.

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As many as 25 YSRCP corporators have joined the TDP-led NDA so far, taking the alliances tally to 65-70 corporators. The TDP needs 74 votes to win the no-confidence motion.

The NDA won all seven assembly seats in Visakhapatnam in 2024 assembly polls.

Location : Visakhapatnam, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 09:50 IST
Waqf, Muslims To Karnataka, Telangana: PM Modis 5 Key Topics Had One Big Message Against Congress

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 16:12 IST

PM Narendra Modi said that through the new law, the sacred spirit of Waqf will be respected, and the poor and Pasmanda families of the Muslim society, Muslim women and children will get their rights

PM Narendra Modi in Haryana on Monday. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a multi-pronged attack on the Congress, cornering it for Muslim appeasement and objecting to the new Waqf law, and targeting it for price hikes in Karnataka and clearing forests in Telangana.

Modi laid out a full defence of the new Waqf law as well, before the Supreme Court hears a clutch of petitions against it this week.

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Here are the top 5 big messages from Modi on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti while he delivered two speeches in Haryana:

1. WAQF LAW IS REAL SOCIAL JUSTICE

Modi said that through the new law, the sacred spirit of Waqf will be respected, and the poor and Pasmanda families of the Muslim society, Muslim women, especially widows, and children will get their rights. And this is what Babasaheb Ambedkar has given us the task of doing in the spirit of the Constitution. This is the real spirit, this is real social justice," Modi said. He said the 2013 law passed by UPA benefited only a handful of land mafia, and the land of Dalits, backward people, tribals, and widows was looted.

After the change in the Waqf law, this looting of the poor is going to stop. And the most important thing is that we have done a very responsible, important work. We have made another provision in this Waqf law. Now under the new law, this Waqf Board will not be able to touch any tribals land, his house, his property in any corner of India," Modi said, saying the 2013 amendments by the UPA had put the old law above the Constitution of India. Muslim youth would not have to spend their lives repairing punctured bicycles like so far, he said.

2. DARE TO CONGRESS

Modi dared the Congress to make a Muslim its party president. He cited how the Congress says they brought the 2013 law for the benefit of Muslims. I want to ask all these people, I want to tell these vote bank hungry politicians, if you have any sympathy for Muslims in your heart, then why doesnt the Congress make a Muslim its party president? They give tickets to Parliament, give 50 per cent to Muslims. If they win, they will tell their point. But this is not to be done, the Congress has nothing to give. Taking away and giving the rights of the country, the citizens of the country, their intention has never been to do good to anyone, not even to Muslims. This is the truth of the Congress," the PM said, trying to expose the Congress hypocrisy.

PM said the Congresss policy of appeasement caused great harm to the Muslim community and has made only a few fundamentalists happy, while the rest remained uneducated and poor.

                           pic.twitter.com/loKfR4elmZ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2025

3. MUSLIM RESERVATION

The PM targeted the Karnataka government for giving reservation based on religion, saying this was against the ideals of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Our Constitution made provision for reservation for SC, ST and OBC. But for playing political games, the Congress stabbed in the back the dream that Babasaheb Ambedkar had seen, the provision made in the Constitution for social justice, and made that provision of the Constitution a means of appeasement. You must have heard in the news that the Congress government of Karnataka has snatched the rights of SC, ST, OBC in the tender and given reservation on the basis of religion. Whereas Ambedkar had clearly said in the Constitution that reservation will not be provided on the basis of religion in this Constitution and our Constitution has banned reservation on the basis of religion," the Prime Minister said, close on the heels of a caste census placed before the Karnataka Cabinet.

Telangana govt has forgotten about promises it made to people. They are busy in running bulldozers over forests": PM Modi slams Congress govt over Kancha Gachibowli forest land rowNews18s @payalmehta100 with details @kritsween | #kanchagachibowli #Telangana pic.twitter.com/8awNjdDuld  News18 (@CNNnews18) April 14, 2025

4. KARNATAKA PRICE HIKE

The PM also pointed to the A to Z" of price hikes in Congress-ruled Karnataka to say there is a clear contrast between the BJP-ruled states and those governed by the Congress.

In Karnataka, the Congress government has imposed multiple taxes on the people, increasing their financial burden. Even their own ministers have admitted that Congress has made Karnataka number one in corruption," the PM said.

The Siddaramaiah government has been under fire for the hike in prices of various commodities, as highlighted in a Money Control report. The PM did not lose a chance.

                     ,    -          pic.twitter.com/CGeOXaD0e2 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2025

5. TELANGANA FOREST

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Modi also targeted the Congress government in Telangana for running bulldozers over forest lands  destroying the forests that were once protected. In Telangana, the Congress has already begun forgetting the promises they made to the public. Their actions, such as bulldozing forest land and damaging the environment, show a complete disregard for nature," the PM said.

Recently, the Supreme Court had to intervene to put a stop to such action by the Telangana government. Modi did not lose a chance to target the Revanth Reddy government on this count.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More

First Published: April 14, 2025, 15:52 IST
Ghibli AI On ChatGPT Is Passe, Now Make Your Own AI Action Figures

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 08:35 IST

Studio Ghibli has become a rage thanks to ChatGPT AI image tool but it seems people are now moving on to other new styles that the AI chatbot offers.

AI-generated Ghibli images now giving way to action figure set.

Studio Ghibli AI images on ChatGPT forced OpenAI to restrict its usage because its GPUs were melting, as Sam Altman claimed recently. So, now people seem to have moved away from the popular Japanese artwork and building action figure sets using the OpenAI chatbot.

These toys have a high nostalgic value for millions during their childhood, with Barbie, GI Joe and He Man being some of the favourite action figure characters. But now, you have ChatGPT at your service to recreate your own styled action figure using AI.

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ChatGPT Use For AI Action Figures: How it Works

Creating any AI image on ChatGPT requires you to have an account on the platform, and if you want to create an unlimited number of images, you need the ChatGPT premium plan. You can head over to the ChatGPT website and do the following to create these AI figure sets.

Once you open ChatGPT, upload your image

Now raise a prompt on the AI chatbot that gives you an action figure set box with your miniature

You can also add your name, give the box a headline and add more accessories to the collection

Press the enter button and see the AI action figure generated by ChatGPT in seconds

So Long, Ghibli

The internet has become a Ghibli feed in the last few weeks, which has made people question the right to use the artwork that has been mastered over decades. So, if you are in the same boat, the thought of using AI to make action figures will make you feel less guilty. And yes, netizens have already lapped up onto the new big thing with posts like these fairly available on social platforms:

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OpenAI also is now offering free ChatGPT Plus access to college students until the end of May 2025. The offer announced earlier this month will only be available for those studying in the United States and Canada.

The ChatGPT Plus subscription generally costs $20 (Rs 1,700 approx) per month, but eligible customers will not be charged for access to OpenAIs deep research and numerous reasoning models, as well as limited access to Sora video generation.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More

News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 08:35 IST
Major Android Security Warning Issued For Smartphone Users By Indian Govt: What You Should Do

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 07:20 IST

Android smartphone users in India have been warned about a major security threat that can allow hackers to steal their data and also gain remote access.

The new CERT-In security warning concerns millions of Android users.

The Indian government has raised another major security alert for millions of Android smartphone users in the country. The new risk alert comes via the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) this month where it says the issues can allow attackers to gain sensitive information, and cause denial of service condition on the targeted system.

The vulnerability is a risky matter which targets phones running on MediaTek or Qualcomm processors, and more importantly, the Google Play system updates that are crucial for device security.

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Android Security Issue: What Users Should Know

The security alert from CERT-In dated April 11, comes with a high-severity rating which means people cannot take these issues lightly. Thats not all, the security agency claims all OEMs and Android users can become targets for the hackers if they can exploit the issue. If you are using a phone running on Android version prior to 13, 14 and 15, your phone is at a severe danger of being hacked to steal data.

So, what exactly is the security issue? Multiple vulnerabilities exist in Android due to flaws in the Framework, System, Google Play system updates, Kernel, Arm components, Imagination Technologies, MediaTek components, Qualcomm components and Qualcomm closed-source components," the note explains the gravity of the risk posed by these issues.

If you have an Android phone running on Android 12 or 12L, the security agency advises you to upgrade Android versions to 13, 14 or 15 depending on what is available for their device.

Android Security Issue: Update Now

You can update to the latest Android version for your phone with the following steps:

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Go to Settings on your phone

Scroll down to System update

Look for a new update

Install and reboot the phone

Now your Android phone is secure from the vulnerabilities

Google has identified the issues and the security patches are available with more details.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More

News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 07:20 IST
Samsung Confirms These Phones Will Not Get Android Updates Anymore: Time To Upgrade?

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 10:32 IST

Samsung has delayed the Android 15 update release this year but if the older Galaxy models are now losing support for all the official updates from the brand.

Some of the older premium Samsung phones will not get any more updates.

Samsung finally started the Android 15 update roll out earlier this month with most users yet to get the One UI 7 version for their devices. However, the company is also closing up the upgrade cycle for some of its older Galaxy phones that have been around for many years and have received their promised set of updates.

The premium Galaxy S series phones were earlier offered 4 to 5 years of updates by the company, before it decided to make it 7 years for the recent Galaxy models. So, if you have been using a Samsung premium phone for that long, it might be time to upgrade.

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Samsung One UI Update Stops For These Phones

Samsung Galaxy S20 series launched in 2020 are the first to lose Android updates from the company, as confirmed by the latest One UI 7 device update list. These are the phones included in the list:

Galaxy S20

Galaxy S20 Plus

Galaxy S20 Ultra

If you have any of these Samsung phones, the last Android update issued in March 2025 will be the final patch from the company. The Galaxy S20 FE does manage to live through for another few quarters but its own update cycle will end soon.

The Galaxy S20 series was promised to get 4 years of OS and security updates but Samsung went one step further by offering one more years support till 2025. But with the update cycle now done, people would surely be concerned if they should continue using their phones or buy a new phone.

To be fair, security updates are important for the phones to keep them safe from major risks. Having said that, you dont need to immediately buy a new phone as long as the physical and running condition of the phone is fine.

Samsung One UI 7 Update Delay

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The Android 15-based One UI 7 version was introduced with the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year, and after a long delay, the company is bringing the Android update for its older Galaxy devices.

Samsung claims that the One UI 7 update will bring a bold new design for greater personalisation and control to the user experience", many customers have expressed their frustration over its delayed release. The majority of the other smartphone brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Sony and Motorola rolled out the Android 15 update in November last year.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More

News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 10:32 IST
7 Slaps In 4 Seconds: Woman Attacks Toll Worker Over FASTag Issue, Caught On Camera

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 17:27 IST

According to the eyewitnesses, the woman was coming from Ghaziabad, and instead of settling the toll charge, she physically assaulted the toll worker.

Screengrab from the viral video. (X/@gharkekalesh)

A shocking incident was captured on camera at the Chhijarsi Toll Plaza in Hapur when a woman suddenly attacked a toll worker, slapping him seven times in just four seconds, leaving him stunned.

The toll worker was completely surprised as the woman suddenly walked into the booth and started hitting him.

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In the viral video, the woman was seen storming into the booth and unleashing a flurry of slaps after her FASTag lacked sufficient balance. After being asked to pay by the toll worker, she stormed into the booth and slapped him multiple times, leaving everyone stunned.

Kalesh b/w a Lady and a Toll-Staff (A woman entered inside the toll booth and slapped the toll worker seven times in four seconds, Hapur UP)pic.twitter.com/D6RiFkHNVE Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) April 14, 2025

According to the eyewitnesses, the woman was coming from Ghaziabad, and instead of settling the toll charge, she physically assaulted the toll worker.

As soon as the video went viral on social media, it sparked a strong reaction on social media, with users expressing shock, anger, and disbelief at her violent outburst over a FASTag balance issue.

7 slaps in 4 seconds? Even action movies dont move this fast!" one user commented. Another asked, Is this the new toll payment method?"

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Just because shes a lady, does that mean she can do anything? This is too much!" wrote the third one. Another said, This is just wild totally unacceptable behavior!"

The viral video has prompted a strong call to action, with many viewers tagging @Uppolice on social media and demanding strict measures against the woman who assaulted the toll worker.

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 : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: April 14, 2025, 17:08 IST
Employee With 'Glowing Skin' Quits Job Over One Pimple, Know Why

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 10:06 IST

After a month of training, a man believed the chemical exposure was the cause of a pimple he developed.

Reddit poster clarified that their workplace maintains high safety standards.

A man working in a manufacturing line recently shared an amusing yet puzzling story on Reddit about a new employee who quit just a month into the job  all because of a pimple. According to the post, the role involved cleaning machines with ethanol. After completing his training, the new hire sent a text claiming he was experiencing health issues due to chemical exposure, blaming it for the sudden appearance of a pimple on his forehead. The original poster noted that the employee was known for his great, glowing skin" and led a health-conscious lifestyle  eating clean and even playing ping pong during breaks. Soon after the story gained attention online, some found it humorous, while others were confused about the employees decision.

The individual explained, We hired a new guy last month to work in our manufacturing line. Job description included working with machinery in a temperature and humidity-controlled space. The machinery needed to be cleaned with ethanol. After training the guy for a month, he sent me a text one-morning citing health issues due to using chemicals. The health issue was that he got a pimple on his forehead and he never grew any pimples at all. Therefore it had to be because he was exposed to chemicals during work and he couldnt work with us any longer."

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When I received the text I was genuinely concerned. He only cited health issues. I was so worried and I couldnt get a hold of him because he blocked my cell and my office phone number. HR had to send someone to get to his place after three days. He only then told HR that the health issue was a pimple. The guy had great glowing skin. He religiously made sure to eat healthy and always used his lunch break to play ping pong in the company gym. He had his own personal paddle. Maybe he never did get pimples," the Redditor added.

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, Thats like me saying I got a grey hair at a job and I never got a grey hair before I had this job. Time to call it quits."

Another shared, Bro finally started sweating at work and didnt realise you need to wash your face and do other skincare stuff or else thats what happens."

Probably the only stupid excuse he could come up with to cover that he is either too lazy for the job or the job sucks," a comment read.

Another mentioned, This person just hated the job and was looking for an excuse, it seems like."

When an individual asked, Breathing most chemicals in is bad over a long time. Do they use masks/ is it an aerated space?"

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The Reddit poster clarified that their workplace maintains high safety standards and is carefully regulated. He explained that the facility uses specialised filters and sensors to ensure clean air quality. Ethanol, when not in use, is stored securely in proper containers. All employees are required to wear full protective gear  including gloves, masks, goggles, aprons, and special shoes  to minimise any exposure risk, and this equipment is replaced regularly.

He also pointed out that at least five other employees have been working in the same environment for over a year without any health concerns. The company even offers annual health checkups, and so far, there have been no reports of issues, reinforcing the workplaces commitment to employee well-being.

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 14, 2025, 10:06 IST
'Failed To Ensure Safety: Influencer Shares Ordeal, Raises Concerns About MakeMyTrip's Accountability

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 23:25 IST

In the video, Naya claimed the MMTs driver threatened to follow them to Delhi and their home, raising fears for their safety.

Screengrab of the viral video

In a recent incident, Naya Khullar, a tarot card reader and social media influencer, accused MakeMyTrip of negligence, alleging that the companys mismanagement compromised her familys safety during their trip to the Khatushyam Ji Temple in Rajasthan.

The incident has triggered fresh concerns over traveller safety and customer support accountability in Indias booming tourism sector.

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Influencer Naya Khullar shared a video on Instagram, alleging that MakeMyTrips arranged driver was late, prompting her family to book another cab to return to Delhi. However, the original driver allegedly became aggressive, demanding payment despite not rendering the service.

In the video, Naya claimed the MMTs driver threatened to follow them to Delhi and their home, raising fears for their safety.

MMT failed to ensure our safety! We are at Khatushyam Baba, and this is what happens when you book through MakeMyTrip! Im in fear for the safety of my family and my life. If anything happens to me and my family, then MakeMyTrip will be responsible," she said in the video.

Im stuck at Khatushyam Baba, and he is not letting go. He has been threatening us. We booked the driver for Rs 2000 at night, but he didnt come on time. We had a discussion, and he misbehaved. Ive women and family travelling with me," Naya added. The lack of proper arrangements and immediate customer support, she said, left the family feeling vulnerable.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Naya khullar (@tarotwalididi)

Following her public post, a MakeMyTrip representative reportedly reached out and assured her that safety measures were being taken. We understand your agony, and we regret the inconvenience caused. We request you to provide the detail related to your concern in DM along with your contact details and booking ID so that we can investigate the issue at the earliest."

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Khullar later confirmed that her family had reached home safely. In another update shared soon after, she alleged that the companys customer care team had been unresponsive throughout the ordeal, keeping her on hold for extended periods and offering little to no resolution at a time when it was most needed.

The incident has sparked online discussions about travel platforms accountability and the need for robust support systems, particularly when families travel to unfamiliar or crowded areas.

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 14, 2025, 23:24 IST
French YouTuber Spends 46 Hours On Indian Train, Warns Foreign Tourists: 'Very Dirty, Stinks'

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:44 IST

French YouTuber Victor Blaho's 46-hour train journey across India became a harrowing ordeal. He documented in his viral video, sparking mixed reactions online.

French YouTuber Victor Blaho documented his long-distance train travel in India.

In a journey that was meant to capture the thrill of the iconic railway network, a French tourist ended up issuing a cautionary tale instead. Victor Blaho, a French YouTuber who has been documenting his travels across India, recently went viral for a video detailing his harrowing 46-hour train journey through the country. What started as an adventure from Mumbai, with stops in Varanasi and Agra before finally reaching Delhi, turned into an ordeal that Blaho says broke" him.

The video, titled DO NOT Attempt a 46H Train Journey in India  It BROKE ME!", chronicles the uncomfortable reality of long-distance travel in our vast rail system. While many foreign tourists often celebrate train journeys in India for their rustic charm and cultural immersion, Blahos experience paints a different picture.

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From sleeper class to third AC, Victor sampled a variety of compartments  none of which, according to him, offered much respite. Theres noise, theres dirt, and theres constant chaos," he said in the video, visibly exhausted. I just want to go home," he said.

Throughout the journey, Blaho encountered scenes that unnerved him. He filmed packed compartments where passengers squeezed into every inch of space, often talking loudly through the night. He described being kept awake not just by the chatter, but by the fear of rodents and insects. At one point, he caught on camera a rat scurrying across the floor, soon followed by a cockroach. I couldnt sleep. I was scared. And the smell was suffocating," he said, showing footage of garbage littering the train floor.

A co-passenger, he recounted, began forcing conversations on him and even initiated video calls with strangers, asking Victor to speak with them. He said he had a girlfriend in Mumbai and another in Delhi," Victor said, and he made me talk to both."

Watch the viral video:

The video, which has since gone viral on YouTube, sparked mixed reactions. While some viewers sympathised with Victor and acknowledged the shortcomings of long-haul train travel, others accused him of exaggerating or failing to understand the countrys unique culture. Indian trains give all kinds of experiences  good and bad," wrote one commenter, while another said, This is the real India. You dont come here for comfort."

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India operates one of the worlds largest rail networks, ferrying lakhs of passengers every day. For many, trains are a vital, economical means of travel. But the experience varies widely depending on class, route, and expectations. In an Instagram post accompanying the video, Blaho issued a warning to fellow foreign travellers. If you have money, book a ticket in the highest class on the train," he adviced. Learn from my mistakes," he said.

Despite the backlash, some travel veterans said Blahos experience highlighted the urgent need for cleaner and more manageable conditions, particularly on long-distance routes. Others argued that discomfort is a rite of passage for those seeking the authentic" Indian experience.

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 14, 2025, 18:44 IST
'No 3BHK Even In Rs 2 Crore Budget': Man's Post About Gurgaon Housing Prices Strikes A Chord

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:24 IST

Homeownership in Indian cities like Delhi and Gurugram is becoming unattainable due to high prices. A viral Reddit post laments the costs, sparking varied reactions

The user stated that purchasing a good house in Gurugram (Gurgaon) is now impossible even with a budget of Rs 2 crore. (Representative/PTI File)

Owning a home has become an increasingly unattainable dream for residents in Indias cities with abundant facilities and job opportunities. This is particularly evident in Delhi, and its surrounding areas, where house prices are skyrocketing.

Social media has become a platform for individuals to express their frustrations, and one such post is currently going viral. A person lamented about the high cost of housing, prompting a wave of creative advice from others.

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On social media, people often share the personal challenges they cannot discuss with those close to them. One user shared his sorrow, stating that purchasing a good house in Gurugram (Gurgaon) is now impossible even with a budget of Rs 2 crore.

This post, made on the Reddit page r/gurgaon by a user named @kalpitkt, is titled Unable to buy 3BHK house in Gurgaon. The user explained that he has a budget of approximately Rs 2 crore for buying a house, but the high rental costs in the area have pushed his family to urge him to buy instead.

With his parents also planning to move in, he was seeking a 3 BHK house. However, the prices in good societies have made this goal unachievable. The user sought advice from others on Reddit regarding this predicament.

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The post received a variety of reactions and advice about the property rates. One user bluntly stated that prices will not decrease and will remain high for some time, as they have recently surged.

Another user mentioned that nothing from reputable builders like DLF in New Gurgaon is available for less than Rs 2.5 crore. Additionally, some users pointed out certain societies where houses are available for up to Rs 1.5 crore, though nothing below that price is available.

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 14, 2025, 18:24 IST
When Nostalgia Meets Tech, AI Breathes Life Into Indias Favourite Brand Mascots

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 13:45 IST

The video starts with the iconic Amul Girl who is seen in her classic pose but this time, her eyes are seen moving and she even enjoys a cheesy pyramid.

Bholu, Fido Dido and Chester Cheetah were also reimagined. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

AI is revolutionising creativity, and a recent Instagram video proves just how magical the results can be. In a stunning showcase, an Instagram creator has used AI to bring some of Indias most iconic brand mascots to life in a hyper-realistic style  and the internet cant get enough. The video opens with the beloved Amul Girl in her signature pose, but this time, her eyes blink and she even nibbles on a cheesy pyramid. Next up is the Parle-G girl, sweetly perched on a stack of biscuits, flashing heart-melting expressions. Viewers are then greeted by the ever-charming Maharaja from Air India, smiling warmly as always.

The nostalgia doesnt end there. The Nirma Girl is seen twirling in her trademark polka-dot dress while Bholu, the Indian Railways mascot, stands proudly with his signal lamp. Rounding out the clip are animated versions of Chester Cheetah (Cheetos), Fido Dido (7UP), and Gattu (Asian Paints), all reimagined in vivid, lifelike detail.

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Captioned, Reimagining Iconic Brand Mascots in Real Life," the videos creator explained, I thought of using AI to reimagine iconic mascots The results are pretty impressive, right? This video was created with the help of AI."

And yes  the results are more than impressive. Theyre pure nostalgia with a futuristic twist.

Take a look at the video here:

The video sparked a wave of nostalgia among social media users who praised the creativity behind it. Many even hailed it as the best use of AI.

One user commented, This is so great, in every term nostalgic and thinking POV. It might bring tears to the eyes of Nirmas founder."

Another called it, So beautiful and nostalgic."

They are like the friends we never met. But saw their photos every day," a person expressed.

The best use of AI," a viewer remarked while another shared, Heartwarming video! Took me back to my childhood when I tried to imagine these people."

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The comments continued with users sharing remarks like, Next level," You made me smile" and So much of warmth & nostalgia in one post."

Since being shared online, the video has clocked more than eleven million views.

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 14, 2025, 13:45 IST
Bangladesh Jails Beauty Queen Meghna Alam After Accusing Her Of Threatening Diplomatic Relations

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 22:34 IST

Model Meghna Alam detained in Bangladesh for disrupting state security, following accusations of harming diplomatic relations, police say.

Meghna Alam, Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, arrested under Special Powers Act after alleged false accusations. (IMAGE: X)

Bangladeshi police arrested model Meghna Alam for allegedly threatening the countrys diplomatic ties on Sunday. Her father Badrul Alam, said her arrest followed a relationship with the then Saudi ambassador to Dhaka.

The ambassador and Meghna were in a relationship, and my daughter refused his marriage proposal because he already has a wife and children," he was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

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The 30-year-old is being held without charge after falsely accusing important individuals" with intent to worsen Bangladeshs diplomatic ties, police said.

These important individuals are foreign nationals," police spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman was quoted as saying by the news agency.

She livestreamed what she said was an attempt to break into her home Wednesday.

Meghna Alam, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi model, actress and environmental advocate, shot to fame as Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020.

Since the age of 12, Meghnas been tackling issues like gender dynamics, climate change and food security.

Alongside her career, shes a mindful leadership trainer and chairs the Miss Bangladesh Foundation which pushes for societal welfare. As the National Director of the Miss Bangladesh Organization, she plays a key role in choosing the countrys representatives for Miss Earth.

Police confirmed her detention Friday and said she was accused of disrupting state security" and prejudicing the countrys financial interests".

Amnesty International posted a message on social media calling for Meghnas release. We call on the authorities to either charge Meghna with an internationally recognizable crime or release her," Amnesty International wrote Friday on social media platform X, dubbing the legislation draconian".

Asif Nazrul, law adviser to Bangladeshs interim government, said Sunday using the Special Powers Act to detain Alam was not appropriate".

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Saudi Arabia is a constant donor of financial and humanitarian aid to Bangladesh. It also hosts 2.16 million Bangladeshi workers, the top nationality, according to the 2022 Saudi census.

Alams arrest under Bangladeshs Special Powers Act, which permits people to be held indefinitely, was criticised by rights groups.

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 : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: April 14, 2025, 22:34 IST
China's Xi Says There Are 'No Winners' In Tariff War As He Visits Southeast Asia

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 11:47 IST

Although Trump has paused some tariffs, China was the outlier, as he has kept in place 145% tariffs on the world's second-largest economy

After Vietnam, Xi is expected to go to Malaysia next and then Cambodia. (Reuters file)

Chinas leader Xi Jinping started a week of diplomacy in Southeast Asia with a visit to Vietnam on Monday, signaling China s commitment to global trade, just after US President Donald Trump upended the global economy with his latest tariffs moves.

Although Trump has paused some tariffs, China was the outlier, as he has kept in place 145% tariffs on the worlds second-largest economy.

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Xis visit this week lets China show Southeast Asia it is a responsible superpower in the way that contrasts with the way the US under President Donald Trump presents to the whole world," said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.

China also can work to shore up its alliances and find solutions for the high trade barrier that the US has on Chinese exports.

There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war," Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment." While Xis trip likely was planned earlier, it has become significant because of the tariff fight between China and the US, the worlds two largest economies. In Vietnam, Xi will meet with Vietnams Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, as well as the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The trip to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia is all about how China can really insulate itself against the from Trump," said Nguyen, pointing out that since Xi became the president of China in 2013, he has only visited Vietnam twice. This is his third visit and comes just a year after he last visited in December 2023.

The timing of the visit sends a strong political message that Southeast Asia is important to China," said Huong Le-Thu at the International Crisis Group. She said that given the severity of Trumps tariffs and despite the 90-day pause, Southeast Asian nations were anxious that the tariffs, if implemented, could complicate their development.

Xis trip is to showcase how China is the opposite to the coercive and self-interested US There will be a lot of expectations about what type of leadership and initiatives China is going to come up with at this time of crisis," she said.

Vietnam is experienced at balancing its relations with the US and China. It is run under a Communist, one-party system like China but has had a strong relationship with the US In 2023, it was the only country that received both US President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi Jinping. That year it also upgraded the US to its highest diplomatic level, the same as China and Russia.

Vietnam was one of the biggest beneficiaries of countries trying to decouple their supply chains from China, as businesses moved here. China is its biggest trading partner, and China-Vietnam trade surged 14.6% year-on-year in 2024, according to Chinese state media.

But the intensification of the trade war has put Vietnam in a very precarious situation" given the impression in the US that Vietnam is serving as a backdoor for Chinese goods, said Giang, the analyst at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute. Vietnam had been hit with 46% tariffs under Trumps order before the 90-day pause.

China and Vietnam have real long-term differences. They have disputes over territory in the South China Sea, and Vietnam has faced off with Chinas coast guard but does not often publicize the confrontations.

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After Vietnam, Xi is expected to go to Malaysia next and then Cambodia.

Location : Vietnam

First Published: April 14, 2025, 11:47 IST
Gambling Scandal Rocks UK's Tories: Watchdog Claims Sunaks Close Aides Placed Bets On Election Date

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:47 IST

Former British MP Craig Williams and 14 others were charged with gambling offences related to the 2024 election timing. The probe revealed insider betting by senior Conservatives.

Rishi Sunak is pictured in this March 2021 photo. British MP Craig Williams, accused of placing bets, is the penultimate person standing in the stairwell. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

A former British MP and close aide of ex-prime minister Rishi Sunak was among 15 people charged with gambling offences in relation to the timing of the 2024 general election, a watchdog said Monday.

The Gambling Commission launched a probe in June 2024 after allegations that senior Conservative figures had placed bets on the highly-anticipated timing of the election called by Sunak  plunging his already troubled party into further scandal.

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Craig Williams, a parliamentary candidate and Sunaks ministerial aide, and Nick Mason, the partys then chief data officer, were among 15 people charged by the Gambling Commission for alleged bets.

At the time of the accusations, Williams apologised for an alleged 100 ($131) bet on a July election date, but did not disclose whether or not he had advance knowledge.

The Conservative party withdrew support for him ahead of the July 4 vote.

Political bets are allowed in the UK, including on the date of elections, but using insider knowledge to do so is against the law.

The probe focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information  specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date  to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets," the gambling regulator said in a statement.

The party  now in opposition  said any Tory staff members hit with gambling offence charges were being suspended with immediate effect".

Our party is now under new leadership and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently," a spokesman said.

Those charged are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 13, 2025.

Among them is former police officer Jeremy Hunt, Tory candidate Laura Saunders, and her husband Anthony Lee  the partys then campaign director.

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Last June, the BBC revealed a police officer part of Sunaks close protection team was suspended and being probed for alleged betting.

A furore over the betting scandal overshadowed the final stretch of Sunaks re-election bid, adding to a litany of campaign woes and ultimately spelling victory for Keir Starmers Labour party.

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 : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: April 14, 2025, 18:47 IST
I Just Got Here: Donald Trump Calls Ukraine-Russia Conflict Bidens War

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 20:46 IST

Donald Trump distanced himself from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling it "Biden's war" and claiming it wouldn't have happened if he were in office.

US President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump appeared to distance himself from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling it Bidens war" and claimed that it would never have happened had he remained in office. The Republican is frustrated with both Russia and Ukraine as his efforts to end the war is yet to yield concrete results.

Trump linked the war to the results of the 2020 US presidential election, calling it rigged" and arguing that the alleged irregularities contributed to the outbreak of war. If the 2020 Presidential Election was not RIGGED that horrible War would never have happened," he claimed.

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In a post on his social media platform, Trump said, The war between Russia and Ukraine is Bidens war, not mine. I just got here, and for four years during my term, had no problem in preventing it from happening." He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin and others had respected your President" during his tenure, implying that his leadership deterred aggression.

He criticised both his predecessor Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing them of failing to prevent the conflict. President Zelenskyy and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin," Trump wrote, adding that there were so many ways of preventing it."

Trump said he was now focused on ending the conflict. Now we have to get it to STOP, AND FAST," he wrote, calling the situation so sad."

I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS WAR, BUT AM WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO STOP," he wrote on Truth Social.

The social media post comes following a Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed at least 34 people. Trump said the Russian strike was a horrible thing."

I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing," Trump told reporters on board Air Force One while headed back to Washington.

Asked to clarify what he meant by a mistake," Trump said that they made a mistake youre gonna ask them"  without specifying who or what he meant.

The American leaders National Security Council (NSC) had earlier Sunday called the Russian strike a clear and stark reminder of why President Donald Trumps efforts to try and end this terrible war comes at a crucial time."

Neither Trump nor the White House named Moscow as the perpetrator of the attack, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier offered condolences to the victims of todays horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy."

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The Sumy strike came two days after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and push Trumps efforts to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday urged the US president to visit his country to better understand the devastation wrought by Russias invasion.

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: April 14, 2025, 20:46 IST
Who Are The JMB? Banned Bangladesh Group May Be Behind Waqf Protests, Says Indian Intelligence | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 22:17 IST

Intelligence sources said the JMB  a banned militant group that operates out of Bangladesh  collaborates with the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, and even ISIS affiliates for training and logistics

People gather during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The JMB frames its ideology as a "defence of Islam", exploiting communal tensions to deepen polarisation. (Image for representation: PTI)

Indian intelligence has not ruled out foreign interference in the communal violence triggered during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in parts of West Bengals Murshidabad and, now, South 24 Parganas district.

According to intelligence sources, groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) may have supplied arms, imparted training, and spread propaganda across Bangladesh border routes and the Sundarbans delta. But, what is the JMB?

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The sources said the JMB  a banned militant group that operates out of Bangladesh  collaborates with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), and even ISIS affiliates for training and logistics. They said the 2014 Burdwan blast revealed ties to the LeT, with explosives smuggled from the neighbouring country.

They further said the JMB frames its ideology as a defence of Islam", exploiting communal tensions and raising anti-Hindu" slogans to deepen polarisation. It has a hybrid model  online radicalisation with offline community exploitation  that poses a significant threat to regional security, they added.

HOW DOES JMB OPERATE?

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Lets take a closer look at how the JMB functions:

Intelligence sources said the JMB uses a hybrid approach in radicalisation with a mix of online and offline tactics. It recruits tech-savvy youth through messaging platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp, sharing encrypted messages and ISIS-inspired content to glorify violence.

The sources said the group exploits filter bubbles and echo chambers, where algorithms push extremist content to users already engaging with radical material. Hence, vulnerable individuals, especially those experiencing social alienation, are groomed online. Studies show that lone actors radicalised online often lack offline networks, but are influenced by curated extremist content.

They said the JMBs ground operations focus on exploiting local institutions and socioeconomic gaps, and have penetrated madrasa and Muslim groups. Unregulated madrasas in border districts like Murshidabad and Dhubri serve as fronts for indoctrination.

Radical clerics preach the JMBs Salafi ideology, framing violence as jihad for sharia, the sources said. Unemployed youth in impoverished areas are lured with financial incentives or promises of purpose. For example, JMB operatives in Assams Dhubri used fake currency and firearms to recruit members.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: April 14, 2025, 22:15 IST
Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez Set To Fly To Space With Blue Origins All-Women Mission

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 11:53 IST

As a part of the Blue origin's space mission, Katy Perry and the other crew members will board the New Shepard rocket. There are a few companies that are actually making dreams of people going into space true.

Image shared on X by Blue Origin

Pop icon Katy Perry is all set to go to space as part of Blue Origins all-women space tourism mission. This mission will take a crew of six female passengers, including Jeff Bezoss fiancee Lauren Sanchez, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and journalist Gayle King.

A video shared on X showed all the crew members dressed in blue, with smiles on their faces, ahead of beginning their 10-minute journey to space. The flight will last approximately 10 minutes, taking the group more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) into the sky and providing a few minutes of weightlessness before descending.

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Notably, Blue Origin is among a few companies that are actually making dreams of people going into space a reality. As part of the mission, Katy Perry and the other crew members will board the New Shepard rocket.

What Happens In Space?

What will happen when Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, and the other four crew members reach space, and what exactly is the space they are heading to? Is it when the sky changes from blue to black? Is it where the atmosphere becomes so thin that it no longer affects the flights physics?

There is no fixed definition of space. It can be defined in different ways, and the criteria used to determine its start can vary depending on the situation. This is why different organisations around the world use various altitudes to mark this invisible boundary for record-keeping purposes.

For example, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic have been known to debate publicly over the matter, often focusing on one specific definition of space: the Karman line, according to CNN.

When And Where To Watch Live Streaming?

The NS-31 crew will fly to space at 7:00 p.m. IST. It will also be live telecast, allowing viewers to be part of their experience. Viewers can watch the live telecast on Blue Origins X social media handle. It will be hosted by Charissa Thompson, Kristin Fisher, and Ariane Cornell.

In a post on X, Blue Origin shared a picture of all six crew members and wrote, The NS-31 crew is certified ready to fly to space by CrewMember 7 Sarah Knights. The launch window opens tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CDT / 13:30 UTC. You can watch the live webcast here tomorrow at 7 a.m. CDT, hosted by Charissa Thompson, Kristin Fisher, and Ariane Cornell."

The NS-31 crew is certified ready to fly to space by CrewMember 7 Sarah Knights. The launch window opens tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CDT / 13:30 UTC.You can watch the live webcast here tomorrow at 7 a.m. CDT, hosted by Charissa Thompson, Kristin Fisher, and Ariane Cornell. pic.twitter.com/auKPJvtSl3  Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 14, 2025

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How Does The US Govt Define Space?

The US government defines space at the 81-kilometre (50-mile) mark for reasons similar to those of other organisations that use the Karman line, though they may calculate the phenomenon differently.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: April 14, 2025, 10:22 IST
Marco Rubio Says US Visa Holders Not Protected By First Amendment, Points To Supreme Court Rulings

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 18:28 IST

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said visa holders can't use the First Amendment to support foreign terrorist groups. The Trump administration deported students for pro-Palestinian protests, but courts blocked some deportations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an opinion piece that he would continue exercising his authority to support President Trumps zero-tolerance approach to foreign nationals who abet terrorist organizations. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio said that visa holders or aliens (referring to immigrants) cannot use the right to free speech (under the First Amendment) as an excuse to support foreign terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis. In an opinion piece published on broadcaster Fox News website, the US Secretary of State wrote: The Supreme Court has made clear for decades that visa holders or other aliens cannot use the First Amendment to shield otherwise impermissible actions taken to support designated foreign terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hizballah, or the Houthis, or violate other US laws. They will continue to face consequences  including visa denial, revocation, or deportation."

The opinion piece was published as the administration of US President Donald Trump deports students who were seen participating in anti-Israel protests and were seen engaging in acts of so-called activism that were deemed sympathetic to Palestinian militant group Hamas as the war in Gaza continued.

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An immigration judge ruled Friday that a pro-Palestinian student protester, a US permanent resident detained by the Trump administration, can be deported, his lawyer said.

Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans, based in the state of Louisiana, said the federal government had met its burden to prove it had grounds to deport Mahmoud Khalil, according to a statement by his attorney.

Immigration officers have similarly detained and sought to deport a Tufts University student from Turkey, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Columbia student Yunseo Chung who is a US permanent resident originally from South Korea.

Their deportations have been blocked for now by courts.

Rubio wrote in the opinion piece that he would continue exercising his authority to support US President Donald Trumps zero-tolerance approach to foreign nationals who abet terrorist organizations or participate in activities that threaten our national security or compromise a compelling foreign policy interest".

WHAT DOES THE US SUPREME COURT ACTUALLY SAY?

Over the years, the US Supreme Court has sent a mixed message on whether people who hold US visas, like students, workers, or tourists, actually have the same right to free speech as American citizens.

In some cases, the Court has said yes. For example, in Bridges v. Wixon (1945), it protected a legal immigrant from being deported just because of his political beliefs. But just a few years later, in Harisiades v. Shaughnessy (1952), the same court said that even a legal resident could be deported if they had previously been part of a group considered a threat. In this case it was the Communist Party, which went on to show that political views could still become a reason for removal.

The pattern continued in Kleindienst v. Mandel (1972), where the US denied a visa to a foreign scholar invited to speak at American universities. The Court said the government had the right to decide who gets in, even if US citizens wanted to hear what the speaker had to say, according to a release by the Legal Information Institute.

In a 1999 case, the Court backed the idea that even peaceful political associations could be a reason to deport someone, not because they did anything wrong, but because of who they were linked to.

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The case involved the US governments attempt to deport eight noncitizens, seven Palestinians and one Kenyan, because of their political associations. They were targeted under a Cold War-era law (the McCarran-Walter Act) for being linked to a group that supported world communism, which was then grounds for deportation. The US government of the time had admitted that none of them had committed any crimes or engaged in terrorism. They were being deported solely because of their political beliefs, distributing related materials, talking to others in the group and raising money for humanitarian causes, according to a press release by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

US visa holders should know in no uncertain terms that the US governments rigorous security vetting does not end once a visa is granted. Working together with DHS and other law-enforcement and security agencies, we continuously monitor and review these cases," Rubio wrote in his opinion piece.

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 14, 2025, 18:20 IST
Of Course Not: El Salvador's Bukele Refuses To Return Wrongfully Deported Migrant Amid Trump Bromance

Reported By :

AFP

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 23:47 IST

El Salvador's President Bukele assured Trump he wouldn't return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported from the US. They bonded over migration policies and criticized the media.

US President Donald Trump meets with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. (IMAGE: AFP)

El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele assured Donald Trump on Monday that he would not return a man mistakenly deported from the United States, as the pair bonded over Trumps scheme to send migrants to a notorious prison in the Central American country.

Trump gave a warm welcome in the Oval Office to 43-year-old Bukele, the self-proclaimed worlds coolest dictator" who is now the US presidents key ally in his controversial push to deport illegal migrants.

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But the pair faced questions over the case of a father who was mistakenly deported to the Salvadoran mega-prison  and whose return a US court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate.

Of course, Im not going to do it," Bukele told reporters when asked if he would send the man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, back to the United States.

The question is preposterous. I dont have the power to return him to the United States."

Trump and Bukele, who wore a dark T-shirt under a suit, spent much of the meeting complimenting each other on their migration and crime policies.

Known for his stylish dress sense and social media savvy, Bukele is broadly popular at home for clamping down on once rampant drug gangs that terrorized El Salvador.

But the Salvadoran leader is accused of overseeing mass human rights violations, epitomized by a huge, brutal prison known as CECOT.

Trumps immigration policies focused on what he says is the threat of a gang-led crime wave in the United States, are meanwhile among his most popular, receiving much higher ratings than on the economy.

You are helping us out, and we appreciate it," 78-year-old Trump told Bukele.

Trump also reiterated that he was even considering deporting some US citizens who commit violent crimes to El Salvador, saying Im all for it" and asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to look into the idea.

Administrative error

Trump and Bukele also share a taste for conservative, strongman-style politics. They spent several minutes criticizing the media and then talking about the issue of transgender athletes in womens sports.

Shortly after Trumps inauguration for a second term, Bukele made the extraordinary offer to take in prisoners from the United States, in exchange for a fee of $6 million.

Trump took the Salvadoran leader up on his proposal, sending more than 250 migrants there  a majority of them under a rarely used wartime law dating to 1798, which stripped the deportees of due process.

Slickly produced footage of their arrival  including chained and tattooed men having their heads shaved and being frog-marched by masked guards  was widely promoted by both the Salvadoran and US governments.

The Trump administration contends that the migrants are members of criminal gangs designated by the United States as terrorist organizations, including El Salvadors MS-13 and Venezuelas Tren de Aragua.

However, relatives of several of the men contend they have no connection to organized crime and in some cases had been swept up simply because they had tattoos unrelated to any gang activity.

The expulsion to El Salvador of Abrego Garcia has set off a major legal crisis, after the Trump administration admitted he had been deported in an administrative error."

A federal judge ordered the government to facilitate" Abrego Garcias return to the United States, but Trump officials contend he is now solely in Salvadoran custody, leaving the man in legal limbo.

Despite the partnership, El Salvador was among the dozens of US trade partners that the Trump administration slapped with 10 percent tariffs earlier this month.

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The United States is the main destination for Salvadoran exports. Of the nearly $6.5 billion in goods exported from El Salvador in 2024, $2.1 billion went to the United States, including clothing, sugar and coffee, according to the central bank.

But Trump and Bukele also share a fondness for cryptocurrency, with El Salvador becoming the worlds first country to establish bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.

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 14, 2025, 23:47 IST
Who Is Nikita Casap? US Teen Who Killed Parents In Twisted Donald Trump Assassination Plot

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 08:16 IST

Authorities alleged that Casap's successful attempt to kill his parents was part of the plot to raise money and gain the freedom to carry out extremist steps against the US President.

US teen Nikita Casap and President Donald Trump | File Image

Who Is Nikita Casap? US Teen Who Killed Parents In Twisted Donald Trump Assassination PlotNikita Casap, a 17-year-old teenager from Wisconsin, has been booked under multiple felony charges for allegedly killing his parents as part of his wider plan to assassinate President Donald Trump and overthrow his government, revealed an unsealed federal court document.

Casap was arrested in March for fatally shooting his mother, Tatiana Casap, 35, and stepfather, Donald Mayer, 51, in their Waukesha home on February 11, said Federal authorities, adding that their bodies were recovered with gunshot wounds.

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Authorities alleged that Casaps successful attempt to kill his parents was part of the plot to raise money and gain the freedom to carry out extremist steps against the US President.

As per reports, he murdered his parents on February 11, while their decomposed bodies with gunshot wounds were found during a welfare check on February 28.

Tatiana was discovered buried under blankets near the kitchen, while Mayer was found in a first-floor office with a gunshot wound to the head, according to the New York Post.

The authorities also found a shocking document on Casaps phone, allegedly calling to spark revolution and chaos in the country by eliminating political leaders.

By getting rid of the president and perhaps the vice president, that is guaranteed to bring in some chaos," the document reads.

Who Is Nikita Casap?

Seventeen-year-old Nikita Casap, a high school student, has been charged with nine felony counts in Waukesha County, including two for first-degree intentional homicide, two for concealing a corpse, as well as charges of identity theft and theft exceeding USD 10,000 (around 8.6 lakh).

Additionally, he is under federal investigation for allegedly plotting to assassinate the president and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

A federal warrant filed in a Milwaukee court includes excerpts from Nikita Casaps communications on TikTok and the Telegram messaging app.

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Casap allegedly authored a manifesto advocating for the assassination of the President of the United States and discussed his plans with others to overthrow the government, according to the document.

The warrant further states that the murder of his parents appeared to be a calculated move to gain financial resources and independence to execute his plot.

About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: April 14, 2025, 07:19 IST
A Wisconsin teenager charged in the February deaths of his parents faces wider allegations that he killed them to "obtain the financial means" to assassinate President Trump and cause a governmental collapse, according to a recently unsealed federal warrant. Nikita Casap, 17, was charged last month by Waukesha County authorities with first-degree murder, theft, and other crimes in the deaths of his mother, Tatiana Casap, and his stepfather, Donald Mayer. Casap, in custody at the Waukesha County jail on a $1 million bond since his arrest last month, is due in court next month to enter a plea. County prosecutors have offered a glimpse of the federal allegations, which were outlined in an FBI warrant unsealed Friday, the AP reports.

Federal authorities say Casap detailed his plans in a three-page antisemitic manifesto praising Adolf Hitler and, per the search warrant, "calling for the assassination of the President of the United States" and perhaps the vice president as well. The manifesto allegedly outlined Casap's belief that the resulting chaos would lead to a revolution that would "save the white race," CNN reports. The warrant says Casap talked to others "about his plan to kill the President and overthrow the government of the United States."

"The killing of his parents appeared to be an effort to obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary to carrying out his plan," the warrant continues. In court, prosecutors alleged Casap was in touch with a person who speaks Russian and shared a plan to flee to Ukraine. Per a federal affidavit, authorities found material on Casap's phone related to a group "holding neo-Nazi racially motivated extremist views." Per WISN, the FBI says the group also has "strong anti-Judaism, anti-Christian, and anti-western ideologies" views.
The latest White Lotus-adjacent controversy is actually a Saturday Night Live controversy. This weekend's episode of SNL featured a parody of the HBO comedy-drama series titled " The White Potus ," in which President Trump and his family were depicted as White Lotus-like characterswith one notable exception. SNL cast member Sarah Sherman played the only non-political character, a parody of Aimee Lou Wood's White Lotus character. Jon Hamm, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., asked Sherman's character about removing fluoride from drinking water, leading Sherman to respond, "Fluoride? What's that?" and open her mouth to reveal a large set of fake teeth, Entertainment Weekly reports. Wood, in a series of Instagram stories, says she found the moment "mean and unfunny."

It was meant to mock Wood's own teeth, which have been covered "exhaustively" in the media, as GQ put it in a piece on Wood last week. At the time, the British actress told the magazine all the focus on her teeth could be a bit much. "It makes me really happy that it's symbolizing rebellion and freedom, but there's a limit," she says of her unconventional (for Hollywood) appearance. "The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I'm not getting to talk about my work." Days later, following the SNL sketch, she added on Instagram, "Yes, take the piss for surethat's what the show is aboutbut there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?" She later updated fans that she had received an apology from the show.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon appeared on a speaking panel last week to discuss how artificial intelligence might be used to improve education at any age. But the 76-year-old former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment left the impression that she could use a lesson on the technology herself. After an initial reference to "AI" at the education summit in San Diego, McMahon repeatedly referred to "A1," per Fast Company . She spoke about "a school system that's going to start making sure that first graders, or even pre-Ks, have A1 teaching in every year." She added, "It wasn't all that long ago that it was, 'We're going to have internet in our schools!' Now let's see A1 and how can that be helpful."

"It was an embarrassing mistake" for McMahon, but an opportunity for Kraft Heinz's A1 steak sauce brand, per Fast Company. The brand soon put out a mock ad with the message, "Agree, best to start them early," shown next to a sauce bottle labeled "for education purposes only." "You heard her. Every school should have access to A1," the brand added in the caption. This appears to be the first time Kraft Heinz "has used its stunt marketing resume to make a jab at a political figure," Fast Company reports, noting loyal fans were not turned off. One user wrote, "My husband wants a bottle for his desk. He teaches middle school, at least until they replace him with A.1."

Numerous social media users had suggested McMahon was saying steak sauce could help school children at all levels. "But how can we get those kids to drink it?" responded the writer Paul Rudnick, per USA Today. "Linda added, 'The smarter kids can move up to Thousand Island Dressing.'" "It'll be delicious," quipped MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, who was left dumbfounded, per the Daily Beast. "It's artificial intelligence, A and then I, AI, and she cannot spell that!" she said of McMahon, pointing out that her role with the Trump administration is to dismantle her own department.
South African prosecutors have reopened the case of African National Congress leader Albert Luthuli's mysterious 1967 death, challenging decades-old conclusions and promising new insights into a pivotal moment of the apartheid era, per the AP . The government declared Luthuli, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was struck by a train, but the National Prosecuting Authority says the initial findings concealed the truth, alleging new evidence shows collusion among officials to protect perpetrators. Luthuli's family welcomed the reopening.

His two surviving daughters, now aged 90 and 93, expressed relief, and grandson Sandile Luthuli said, "It has been 57 years in the making," calling his grandfather's death murder. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri expressed hope for family closure, saying, "Our system now allows for the reopening of inquests, and we believe that the Luthuli and Mxenge family are going to find closure." This action forms part of broader efforts to address apartheid-era injustices. Also under reassessment are the deaths of activist lawyer Griffiths Mxenge, killed in 1981 with 45 stab wounds and a slit throat, and the Cradock Four, activists killed in 1985.
Russia's attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed at least 34 people during Palm Sunday celebrations, was a "mistake," according to President Trump. Asked for his reaction aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump told reporters, "I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing." Asked if he meant the attack was unintentional, Trump responded, "They made a mistake," per the New York Times . "I believe it wasLook, you're going to ask them. This is Biden's war. This is not my war."

Other international officials disagreed with the idea that the attack wasn't deliberate. "The facts are on the ground and in the face of everyone: Russia is killing civilians and it's killing civilians on the way to the church," said Latvia Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, per Euronews. "Russians knew what they were doing." Trump has largely avoided criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, though members of his administration condemned Sunday's attack. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it "horrifying." Trump said Friday that "Russia has to get moving" on a ceasefire as "too many people are dying," per Axios, though he did not set deadlines. That was the same day US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin.

The timing of the attack, coming two days later and following a similar Russian attack that killed 19 people in Kryvyi Rih, led some "to suggest that Mr. Trump's attempts to re-engage with Russia were only emboldening the Kremlin to continue its aggression," per the Times. The use of two missiles and cluster munitions "could suggest a degree of purpose and malice, aimed at hitting first responders too as they rush in," writes CNN's Nick Paton Walsh. "I hope President Trump and the US administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking that goodwill," Poland's foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, said Monday of US-led ceasefire talks, per Euronews. "And I hope the right decisions are taken."
China's leader Xi Jinping said no one wins in a trade war as he kicked off a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia on Monday, presenting China as a force for stability in contrast with President Trump's latest moves on tariffs. Although Trump has paused some tariffs, he has kept in place 145% duties on China, the world's second-largest economy. "There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war," Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media, per the AP . "Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment."

While Xi's trip, which started off in Vietnam, likely was planned earlier, it has become significant due to the tariff fight between China and the US. The visit offers a path for Beijing to shore up its alliances and find solutions for the high trade barrier that the US has imposed on Chinese exports. In Hanoi, Xi met with Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, his counterpart, as well as with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two sides signed a series of memorandums in areas including strengthening cooperation in supply chains, railroad development, and environmental protection.

Xi's visit lets China show Southeast Asia it is a "responsible superpower in the way that contrasts with the way the US under President Donald Trump presents to the whole world," said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapore's ISEASYusof Ishak Institute. The timing of the visit sends a "strong political message that Southeast Asia is important to China," added Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank.

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Vietnam has enjoyed a strong relationship with the US. China and Vietnam, meanwhile, have real long-term differences, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Vietnam has faced off with China's coast guard. The intensification of the trade war has put Vietnam in a "very precarious situation," given the impression in the US that Vietnam is serving as a back door for Chinese goods, said Giang. Vietnam had been hit with 46% tariffs under Trump's order before the 90-day pause. After Vietnam, Xi is expected to visit Malaysia, then Cambodia.
The man charged in an arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor's mansion was hospitalized Monday after a medical event that police say was "not connected to this incident or his arrest," delaying his arraignment. Cody Balmer's mother tells the AP that the 38-year-old has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She says "nobody would help" when she tried to get assistance with his mental health issues in recent days. "He wasn't taking his medicine, and that's all I want to say," she says.



The charges. The Dauphin County District Attorney's Office says Balmer has been charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, and terrorism in connection with the attack, NBC News reports. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family, and another family were in the Harrisburg mansion when a fire was set around 2am Sunday.
Hungary's parliament has passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities. Legal scholars and critics call Monday's decision another step toward authoritarianism as the populist government continues to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ communities, the AP reports.

The amendment passed along party lines, with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whom critics have accused of employing increasingly autocratic tactics during his latest 15-year rule.
President Trump suggested Monday that he might temporarily exempt the auto industry from tariffs he previously imposed on the sector to give carmakers time to adjust their supply chains. "I'm looking at something to help some of the car companies with it," Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office. He said automakers needed time to relocate production from Canada, Mexico, and other places. "And they need a little bit of time because they're going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time. So I'm talking about things like that."

The statement hinted at yet another round of reversals on tariffs as Trump's onslaught of import taxes has panicked financial markets and raised deep concerns from Wall Street economists about a possible recession, the AP reports.
UPDATE

Apr 15, 2025 12:30 AM CDT

Within hours of Harvard's announcement that it would not comply with the Trump administration's policy demands, federal officials said $2.2 billion in multiyear grants to the university would be frozen, along with a $60 million contract, the New York Times reports. "Harvard's statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation's most prestigious universities and collegesthat federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws," said the US General Services Administration and Department of Education in announcing the freeze. CNBC reports that Harvard is more equipped than most universities to fight the administration; its endowment is $53 billion, $10 billion more than the second-largest endowment, which is held by Yale.

Apr 14, 2025 4:13 PM CDT

Harvard on Monday became the first US university to flatly refuse to comply with the Trump administration's demands to make policy changesincluding eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programsor risk losing almost $9 billion in federal funding. President Alan Garber said the university's counsel has informed the administration it is refusing the proposal made last week, CNN reports. "The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," Garber wrote, per the New York Times. "Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government."
Apple and other technology stocks helped lift the market after Trump temporarily exempted smartphones and other electronics from some of his stiff tariffs, the AP reports. Perhaps more importantly for Wall Street, the bond market showed signals of increasing calm as Treasury yields eased.

The exemption for electronics should help US importers, which would not have to choose between passing on the higher costs to their customers or taking a hit to their own profits. Apple climbed 2.2%, and Dell Technologies rose 4%. Automakers also rallied after Trump suggested he may announce pauses on tariffs next for the auto industry. General Motors rose 3.5%, and Ford Motor rallied 4.1%. But such relief may ultimately prove fleeting. Trump's tariff rollout has been full of fits and starts, and officials in his administration said this most recent exemption on electronics is only temporary. That could keep uncertainty high for companies, which are trying to make long-term plans when conditions seem to change by the day.

Such uncertainty sent the US stock market last week to chaotic and historic swings, as investors struggled to catch up with Trump's moves on tariffs. China's commerce ministry nevertheless welcomed the pause on elecronics tariffs in a Sunday statement as a small step even as it called for the US to completely cancel the rest of its tariffs. China's leader Xi Jinping on Monday said no one wins in a trade war as he kicked off a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, hoping to present China as a force for stability in contrast with Trump's frenetic moves on tariffs.

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Elsewhere on Wall Street, Goldman Sachs rose 1.9% after reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected. It joined other big banks in doing so, such as JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley. In stock markets abroad, indexes climbed 2.4% in France, 2.9% in Germany, 1.2% in Japan, and 1% in South Korea. In China, stock indexes rose 2.4% in Hong Kong and 0.8% in Shanghai after the government reported that China's exports surged 12.4% in March from a year earlier in a last-minute flurry of activity as companies rushed to beat increases in US tariffs.
Tochigi, Apr 14 (News On Japan) - A total of 72 people reported symptoms of food poisoning after eating boxed lunches from a catering shop in Tochigi Prefecture, with one person confirmed dead. Local authorities have identified the cause as a norovirus outbreak.

According to Tochigi Prefecture officials, the incident involves meals prepared and served on April 9th by a catering service called Kikyo in the city of Tochigi. The affected individuals, both men and women, experienced symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

As norovirus was detected in the investigation, the prefectural government officially designated the case as a mass food poisoning incident and has ordered the suspension of the shop's operations.

Two of the 72 individuals were hospitalized. While a direct link to the food poisoning has yet to be confirmed, one of the hospitalized patientsan elderly man in his 80sdied.

A woman who consumed a Kikyo bento on the afternoon of April 9th and later experienced intense vomiting and diarrhea gave an interview describing her condition.

"My stomach felt extremely nauseous, and I ran to the bathroom. I started vomiting with such forceit just wouldnt stop. I could hardly breathe," she said.

At the womans workplace, at least four people reportedly suffered symptoms consistent with food poisoning after eating the same boxed meals.

In a statement, the shop apologized and said it would "make every effort to rebuild its hygiene management system and regain public trust."

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Apr 15 (News On Japan) - A group of teenagers were taken into custody by police in a late-night sweep in Tokyo's Kabukicho district, including a runaway girl who had traveled from Hyogo Prefecture.

The operation took place in the so-called Toe Yoko area near Kabukicho, a known gathering spot for young people seeking a place to belong. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department approached several minors during the sweep.

One girl, wearing a jumper, sweatpants, and sandals, was seen being spoken to by officers.

"It's better than staying here. It's just the police box, come with us," one officer said, encouraging the girl to accompany them.

She initially appeared to respond positively, taking a step forward, but then resisted going to the police box. She was eventually taken in a police vehicle for questioning at a station.

In total, 25 minors were taken into custody during the patrol. Among them were three 14-year-old girls, including one who had run away from Hyogo Prefecture.

The Metropolitan Police warned that the Toe Yoko area poses various dangers and urged young people to stay away.

Source: FNN
Paul DoCouto of Stillwater Lake, Nova Scotia

of Paul Stuckless of Churchill Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador

of and Jeffrey Weeks of Bayside, New Brunswick

"Trucks for Ducks" sweepstakes has generated funds in support of DUC's mission to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for the benefit of waterfowl, wildlife and people. Through this collaboration, 100 per cent of the proceeds have been directed towards DUC conservation efforts.

"We Atlantic Canadians treasure our natural spaces," said Jamie MacGillivray, founding partner of MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law. "Our legal team really wants to do everything we can to conserve these spaces for the survival of future generations. Normally, our work is helping injury victimshere, we work towards the common good of conservation."

DUC has been instrumental in conserving habitat in Atlantic Canada. The funds raised through the "Trucks for Ducks" sweepstakes will support further efforts to ensure that wetlands continue to provide critical ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood mitigation and habitat for countless species.

From its salty shores to its majestic maples, Atlantic Canada's diverse habitats host a stunning range of wildlife. DUC manages more than 52,000 acres of wetlands behind 550 water controls and dykes. One hundred and sixty of these projects are equipped with fishways to help fish pass in and out of wetlands. Learn more about DUC's conservation, community and education success in Atlantic Canada.

"Ducks Unlimited Canada greatly appreciates the support of MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law. Their generosity will benefit all Atlantic Canadians for generations to come," said Adam Campbell, DUC's manager of provincial operations for Atlantic Canada. "We protect and conserve these wetland habitats because of all the functions and value they provide, including recreational opportunities and well-being. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest and invested in our efforts."

The success of the "Trucks for Ducks" sweepstakes is a testament to the power of community collaboration to tackle environmental challenges.

About MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law

Founded in 1994, MacGillivray Injury Law has grown into the largest injury and disability law firm in Atlantic Canada, with offices in Halifax, New Glasgow, Moncton, and St. John's, and serves Prince Edward Island. MacGillivray Injury Law is proud to serve Atlantic Canadians who have been injured in accidents or denied disability benefits.

About Ducks Unlimited Canada

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the country's largest land conservancy and a leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit www.ducks.ca.

SOURCE Ducks Unlimited Canada

Media Contact: Ducks Unlimited Canada: [email protected]
TORONTO, April 14, 2025 /CNW/ - On the first day that the Ontario legislature returns for the spring session, labour, student, and post-secondary advocacy leaders will gather at Queen's Park for a joint press conference addressing the crisis facing Ontario's college system. They will highlight the urgency of the issue given the critical the role college system can play in how the province weathers the economic fallout of U.S. tariffs as we prepare and train our future workforce.

Date: Monday, April 14, 2025

Time: Remarks beginning shortly after 10 a.m.

Location: Queen's Park Media Studio, 111 Wellesley St W, Toronto, ON

Speakers: JP Hornick, President, OPSEU/SEFPO; Nigmendra Narain, President. Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA); Adaeze Mbalaja, Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario (CFS-O); Laura Walton, President, Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL).

On-site and post-event media availability to follow.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Media contact: Vic Wojciechowska, OPSEU/SEFPO Communications, (437) 518-3459, [email protected]
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.
Shenzhou-19 crew prepares for return as space science experiments progress steadily

Global Times) 11:15, April 14, 2025

(Photo/CCTV)

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said that the Shenzhou-19 crew is scheduled to return to Earth around May 1, and the mission crew have been steadily advancing space scientific experiments and technical tests during their final days aboard the China Space Station, the CCTV News reported on Sunday.

The crew - Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze - conducted multiple experimental tests using brainwave monitoring equipment this past week, CCTV reported.

Ground-based researchers will utilize the collected data to investigate gravitational effects on visual-motor information processing, reveal cognitive patterns and neural mechanisms of spatial relationships in microgravity environments, and explore the regulatory effects of brainwave music intervention on executive control functions during prolonged spaceflight, said the report.

During the past half year, the crew gathered data on the space station's overall habitability assessment, real-time human-machine interface feedback and equipment layouts in designated areas through questionnaires and video recordings.

By doing so, ground researchers are expected to analyze transmitted data to identify issues, summarize design experiences and propose targeted, systematic recommendations for improving spacecraft ergonomic design and habitability standards, CCTV said.

The three taikonauts aboard completed in-orbit pharmacokinetic research, accumulating data to inform future space medication protocols, according to the report.

In the field of aerospace technology tests, tasks such as the assembly and testing inside the payload cabin of the space reverse Brayton high-capacity refrigeration technology experimental project are being carried out as planned.

Targeting future deep-space exploration requirements, this project verifies ultra-high-speed dynamic pressure gas-lubricated bearing technology for large-scale refrigeration applications, to advance China's thermal control capabilities and provide technical support for future space missions, said the report.

Multiple microgravity physical science experiments progressed as scheduled, with crew members completing sample replacements in the fluid physics rack and high-temperature materials rack, along with vacuum pumping and exhaust procedures.

Additionally, the crew performed various environmental monitoring tasks including air velocity measurements, temperature assessments and air purity tests, while conducting routine equipment maintenance checks this past week.

Thy also underwent comprehensive medical evaluations including electrocardiograms, exercise pulmonary function tests, and dynamic cardiovascular monitoring, while implementing weightlessness countermeasures.

This year, China's Tiangong space station is expected to welcome two more crews of Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21, along with the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft. The selected taikonauts are currently undergoing relevant training, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Oxford County Council recently passed a Homelessness Response Strategy called Housing for All. It is described as a multifaceted approach containing several steps, provisions and partnerships with community groups in an effort to greatly reduce homelessness in Oxford by 2033. Everyone needs a place to call home. In many communities, including Oxford County, finding appropriate, affordable housing can be a challenge. Buying a home may be out of reach and affordable rental housing can be difficult to find. As a result, some of the most vulnerable members of our community face housing insecurity, said the reports introduction. Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie said its about keeping people in their homes and transitioning people out of temporary housing into their own homes with the care they need. The strategy is an outline of where we want to go and staff are going to be working on bringing forward the items and programs to make it happen. Having the HART being awarded is a great thing to help this along and we are working on fixing the 24-hour emergency shelter system to make sure its providing the services we need. He added the entire basis of the plan was to see what programs and services were available, what works, what doesnt and who does what. It also spells out the role of the county and what help is needed from other levels of government and organizations. Ill give you a great example. The government of Ontario provided funding through its Homeless Prevention Program. Oxford County was able to put out an RFP for transitional housing here in Ingersoll. The United Way came to the table and the community gathered with them and we were able to get the project completed and I believe people are moving in very shortly. Petrie said another goal is to not waste taxpayer dollars and organizations time on efforts that arent going to see tangible results. When asked what he would say to the skeptics who might feel it is just another plan that wont accomplish anything, he stated the county wont be effective without it. Having that strategy and being able to focus everybody on that is a huge step forward. Is it going to solve homelessness 100 per cent? No. We need partners to come to the table, and we need funding, but this will guide us where we need to go to be effective and it will make a difference in peoples lives, he explained. It is certainly going to be way more effective than not having a plan. The plan includes the five main pillars of reducing homelessness through prevention, support housing stability through collaboration, maintain and improve the existing housing portfolio, increase affordable and rental options and advocate for increased investment. Housing for All was passed unanimously and Petrie admitted council members were feeling the stress of the situation as much as those in the community. We are talking about peoples lives here. They need to be given the right to supports and pathways forward to better lives. This is what staff did extensive research into and everybody felt this was something we could get behind. The plan will be fluid, meaning it can be tweaked over its lifespan based on whats working what isnt. I think thats a really big part of this. It isnt to say do a, b, c and d and were done. Its this is what we have as far as resources now. This is where we need to build those resources and these are the problems we need to work on. The plan includes $500,000 for a homelessness prevention program along with 10 new transitional and 10 supportive housing beds at the new HART Hub in downtown Woodstock, although there is no word when that will open. It will also create an ad hoc committee to provide feedback on possible locations for a homelessness support centre. 166 people were known to be experiencing active homelessness in the county in January of this year. 66 per cent had a diagnosed mental illness and 69 per cent were going through substance abuse. Nine per cent were identified as experiencing domestic violence, 11 per cent were Indigenous and eight per cent were young people.
A body was discovered at the site of an Atlantic City rooming house destroyed by a two-alarm fire a week ago, according to officials.

The discovery was announced Monday, with officials saying the body was found during a continued investigation into the fire that April 6 displaced 12 people from the home in the 400 block of N. Ohio Avenue.

Officials declined to identify the person. It was unclear exactly when the discovery was made following the fire.

City firefighters and police were continuing to investigate the fires cause, officials said Monday. No other information was released.

The fire happened around 7:26 p.m. At the time, officials credited a swift response from firefighters with guarding other buildings from the flames.

The American Red Cross aided those displaced by the blaze. No other injuries were reported at the time.

The blaze is the second within a week to displace large groups of people living in an Atlantic City home. A strong fire on March 28 displaced 17 from a row home in the 1100 block of Adriatic Avenue. A firefighter was injured while working at the scene.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
The beaches near the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Ocean Casino Resort are closed because of severe beach erosion in Atlantic City on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media

Several of Atlantic Citys most popular casinos are preparing to debut refreshed beaches along their properties after a $40 million sand replenishment was completed.

The work was done because of winter weather that eroded the sand and damaged outdoor equipment.

The citys northern beaches were left with less sand and steep cliffs last summer after strong offseason storms battered the coastline. About 1.2 million cubic yards of sand were brought in to the beaches, according to the North Beach Atlantic City Association.

Atlantic City officials did not immediately return a request for comment on Monday.

The beaches will also again feature a fireworks display scheduled for June 27.

Meanwhile, work that started in November should be completed by May 1, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The projects beach fill was completed in February, the agency Philadelphia office said.

Early visitors have already spoken of their appreciation for the work done to replenish the beaches, said Anthony Catanoso, president of the North Beach Atlantic City Association.

Were never going to stop going through this, Catanoso said of the ongoing beach erosion caused by storms. The fact that they made a move and did a replenishment is nothing but positive.

The long-time businessman who owns the famous Steel Pier said even last season large crowds flocked to the beaches. Whenever the weather was nice in season, it was crowded, Catanoso said. It was full of beach chairs and umbrellas.

The massive project is at least the second of its kind in about four years. Atlantic City and its Shore neighbors benefited from an over $20 million beach replenishment project by the Army Corps in 2020, which added some 2 million cubic yards of sand to Shore beaches.

In 2023, Ocean Casino spent about $700,000 to truck in sand from a South Jersey quarry to replenish a beach because of delays in the Army Corps project. An Ocean Casino spokesperson did not return an emailed request by NJ Advance Media for comment.

Hard Rock Hotel Casino President George Goldhoff said the project has allowed the property to reintroduce more of a beach bar-type experience for customers this year.

Last year, the casino pivoted from a traditional beach bar operation after its equipment was damaged in 2023. That bar area, which opened in 2019, has since been demolished, Goldhoff said.

This year, Hard Rock plans to open four smaller bar areas for guests while expanding its beach service farther north and south along the beach immediately adjacent to the resort, Goldhoff said.

For now, Hard Rock will use temporary structures because of the risk of future storms, he said.

Its hard to put something permanent in there when you know that you have these storms and theres a probability that it could get washed away, Goldhoff said Monday.

Hard Rock had chaise lounges and beverage options for guests last summer despite losing its traditional-style beach bar, Goldhoff said.

In November, the Army Corps said its contractor, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, of Houston, Texas, would spend about two to four months refilling the beaches.

Workers used sand from an area within the Absecon Inlet, a wide waterway separating Atlantic City and Brigantine, and from beneath the ocean near the shoreline. Plans called for pumps to pour borrowed sand onto the beach and graded it into an engineered template designed to reduce damage from major storms.

The project focused on widening the beach in eroded areas along Atlantic Citys north end and spots of sand along the Ventnor City shoreline. Other areas of Margate and Longport were included in the projects scope.

Some dunes and pathways in the project area were also repaired.

Replacing lost sand to ensure successful summers at the shore has been a costly task for the past century.

A 2023 NJ Advance Media report found that over $2.6 billion has been spent on beach replenishment projects in New Jersey since 1922  accounting for one-fifth of whats been spent nationwide. New Jerseys coast makes up just 1% of the United States shoreline.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
David Cohen, 49, is accused of striking the child repeatedly Friday at Bergen Town Center Mall in Paramus, police said. Google Maps

A 49-year-old Bergen County man was arrested Friday night after police said he allegedly slapped and headbutted a child at a shopping mall, repeatedly telling her, I hope you die!

David Cohen, of Palisades Park, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault after shoppers at Bergen Town Center Mall called police about 6:45 p.m.

Witnesses told police they saw Cohen strike the juvenile multiple times in the face with an open hand and headbutt her several times, Paramus Police Chief Robert M. Guidetti said in a statement.

Witnesses further stated that Cohen screamed repeatedly at the child, I hope you die!, Guidetti said.

Based on consistent witness accounts, visible bruising on the child and surveillance footage confirming the incident, Cohen was arrested at the scene, the chief said.

The victims mother was notified and arrived to pick up her child, Guidetti said. Police did not state the relationship, if any, between Cohen and the victim.

Guidetti said due to the age of the victim and the severity of the allegations, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit and investigators with the states Division of Child Protection and Permanency were notified and are investigating.

Cohen was taken to the Bergen County Jail, where he was released about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to await a court date. Jail and court records do not list attorney information for Cohen.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Hudson Regional Hospital has assumed control of all three non-profit hospitals in the CarePoint Health System following the approval of a federal bankruptcy court judge. Michael Dempsey | The Jersey Journal

Hudson Regional Hospital has officially taken control of Hudson Countys struggling CarePoint Health System, establishing a new, countywide health network.

On Friday, a federal bankruptcy court judge confirmed CarePoints plan to exit bankruptcy and hand over control of its three hospitals  Christ Hospital in Jersey City, Bayonne Medical Center and Hoboken University Medical Center  to Hudson Regional, according to a press release.

The management agreement makes Hudson Regional the official owner and operator of all three CarePoint hospitals, which were on the brink of closing after accumulating massive debt. Hudson Regional has owned the Bayonne Medical Center property since July 2020.

This is a threshold moment for Hudson County, as Hudson Regional Hospital can finally realize its vision of high-performing healthcare network with esteemed services and financial stability, said Yan Moshe, chairman of Hudson Regional Hospital in a press release.

Moshe, a real estate developer and owner of surgical centers, purchased the struggling Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center for $12.2 million in 2017 and changed the name to Hudson Regional Hospital. Since then, the hospital has spent millions on improvements, renovations, and upgrades.

In Secaucus, our community hospital slowly declined for a decade before Hudson Regional transformed the facility and the healthcare services, achieving far more than we ever expected, said Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli in a press release.

The three hospitals in the CarePoint Health system are Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital in Jersey City, and Hoboken University Medical Center. Jersey Journal file photos

CarePoint filed for bankruptcy in November 2024 after amassing a debt of $300 million, a financial calamity that threatened to close half of Hudson Countys six hospitals. The reorganization plan approved on Friday saves the three imperiled hospitals and establishes a new Hudson County health network consisting of Hudson Regional in Secaucus, Bayonne Medical Center, Hoboken University Medical Center, and Christ Hospital.

Under the plan, Hudson Regional expects to transform and modernize each of the former CarePoint facilities.

We fully recognize that services can, and must be improved at all three facilities, said Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, president and chief executive officer of Hudson Regional. Our goal is simple: we want residents of all three communities as well as the surrounding area to have confidence in their community hospital. We will be working diligently to restore the trust in the healthcare system, and bring reliable, quality healthcare to the people we serve.

The agreement was praised by officials in Bayonne, Hoboken, and Jersey City.

Several years ago, Hudson Regional Hospital took over the Meadowlands Hospital, that, like Hoboken, was on the brink of collapse, said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla in a statement sent to NJ Advance Media.

Just a few short years later, they transformed it into a thriving hospital that is well respected and utilized by the local community. I have no doubt that with the proper resources they will replicate that success in Hoboken and build a thriving, quality healthcare system for our community, Bhalla said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

NJ Advance Media research editor Vinessa Erminio contributed to this report.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
The North Bergen school district reported Monday that it will begin offering free full-day pre-K classes for the first time starting in September 2025.

The program, part of the districts School Realignment Plan, will provide Pre-K 4 to all North Bergen students who turn four years old on or before Oct. 1.

Classes will be held in neighborhood elementary schools.

In addition, the district will offer free Pre-K 3 on a limited basis, with 60 slots available to students from families who fall below federal poverty guidelines.

Pre-K 3 classes will be held at a local Head Start school location that meets state licensing standards and is contracting with the North Bergen school district.

Registration for both Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 will begin on May 1 and must be done in-person from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the North Bergen Pre-K Center, 8701 Boulevard East within Braddock Park.

Slots are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco praised the program, saying it will be a game changer for parents in North Bergen, saving them an estimated $10,000 per year in daycare costs.

Superintendent of Schools George Solter said the district is proud to offer the program to better meet the needs of students and parents.

As part of the School Realignment Plan, the district will no longer utilize the current classroom trailers located within Braddock Park.

North Bergen will continue to pursue the ongoing Diversion Process with the State Department of Environmental Protection, with the goal of creating a permanent modular classroom building at the site to expand free full-day Pre-K 3 to additional students in the future.

* * *

Submit Hudson County community news to hudson@njadvancemedia.com.



Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
Student moderators Nathaniel Esubonteng, left, and Devin Mitchell during a forum sponsored by the Newark NAACP on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Bethany Baptist Church. Michael Dempsey | For NJ Advance

Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and Chalkbeat. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X).

Roughly a quarter of eligible 16- and 17-year-olds have registered to vote in Tuesdays Newark Board of Education election, but that number leaves out thousands of teens who could have signed up to vote for the first time.

According to the Essex County Superintendent of Elections Office, 1,772 teens have registered to vote in the April 15 school board election. That falls short of the 7,257 who could have signed up, based on estimates from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

The final count of registered teens follows weeks of efforts by local organizations and school leaders to get Newarks 16- and 17-year-olds signed up and ready to vote in the historic election, the first since Newark lowered the voting age to 16 for school board elections. Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger Leon said he aimed to register at least 3,000 students before the March 25 deadline.

This year, voters will choose three out of 11 candidates to serve a three-year term on the Newark school board. City leaders also hope the lower voting age for youth could boost voter turnout for school board elections, which historically have seen around 3% to 4% of registered voters participating.

But advocates shouldnt feel discouraged about the number of registered young voters because voting awareness is something that takes time to set in, said Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. New election rollouts, such as voting by mail and in person, took years before they were adopted and properly implemented, Rasmussen added.

It takes several years of elections for people to get used to something new, Rasmussen said. These teens are the pioneers, the early adopters, the ones who are going to have this experience and tell their friends about this, their siblings. And thats going to spur the next group of people to try it.

Newark became the first city in New Jersey last year to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections. But the youth vote was delayed until the 2025 election due to voter registration issues, according to city officials in 2024.

Of the 1,772 registered youth voters, 994 are 17-year-olds, 776 are 16-year-olds with some turning 17 by election day, and two are 17-year-olds turning 18 on election day, according to the Essex County Superintendent of Elections Office.

The three winning candidates will decide policies in New Jerseys largest school system, which is home to around 40,000 students across 64 schools. The Newark school board is also tasked with holding Leon accountable, addressing student issues, improving schools, and approving a budget, among other tasks. City youth have also said they are interested in seeing younger school board members represent them, improve school lunches, and adopt a curriculum that reflects their experiences.

The decision to lower the voting age posed challenges for city leaders tasked with registering new voters by the deadline and educating them enough to cast an informed vote.

Under state law, school districts are required to provide eligible voters with registration forms, a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements, materials describing the role of a citizen, and information that highlights the importance of voting, but they are not required to provide information about local elections.

In February, Newark Public Schools launched the Vote 15+ voter registration campaign to get students registered. Leon said he visited high schools to discuss the importance of voting, and hosted a three-day civics course for high school students. The district also welcomed New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and other elected officials in March to encourage the citys teens to register and participate in the school board election.

Organizations such as the Institute for Social Justice, The Gem Project, and Youth Media Symposium have been canvassing, hosting voting events, and training sessions to ensure city youth know whats at stake in a school board election and how it impacts them. City educators have also held class discussions about the upcoming election, but some said they found it hard to find information on the school board candidates when planning lessons.

With a day until the election, the question is how many teens and residents will show up to vote because it wont be 100% of them, Rasmussen said.

I hope that the first teen voters have a good experience, Rasmussen added. I hope they feel like these new officials on the school board are accountable to them, that, like other voters, they feel they have the same right to pick up the phone and reach out to them and email them and enjoy the place they have in the process now.

Jessie Gomez is a reporter for Chalkbeat Newark, covering public education in the city. Contact Jessie at jgomez@chalkbeat.org.

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The Campos-Medina clinic inside the consulate of the Dominican Republic in Paterson treats underserved patients for free. UNETE Foundation

Alberta Jimenez lives in Passaic but recently traveled a few miles to the free UNETE health care clinic inside the Dominican Republics consulate in Paterson, where uninsured migrants seeking care are safe from immigrant enforcement.

I learned about UNETEs services through friends, and the service Ive received  especially psychological support  has been incredibly important, said Jimenez, a mother of seven. We all need help sometimes, and not everyone has access to it. I had the opportunity to talk and be heard while receiving guidance on how to handle different situations.

The clinic, established in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, opened on April 1 inside the consulate at 140 Market St.

Staffed by licensed volunteer doctors and dentists, the clinic provides preventive medical, dental, and gynecological care to individuals who face social barriers and lack access to the U.S. health care system.

Its services include glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride evaluations, blood pressure monitoring, nutritional counseling, primary dental care, mental health services, and colon and prostate cancer screenings. Pap smears and mammograms are available through the organizations mobile units or referrals to partner centers.

The UNETE clinic is crucial for vulnerable people, particularly Latino minorities, who face multiple barriers to accessing health care in the United States, said Irma Hernandez, Unetes president.

By setting up the clinic in a consulate, they create a secure space where people can receive health care without fear of immigration enforcement, she added.

Consulates are safe spaces for migrants because they are not subject to a host countrys laws.

The Dominican Republics Consul General Jose Santana welcomed the UNETE clinic.

This alliance strengthens our consular work and our bond with the community, he said in a prepared statement. We are proud to offer free, high-quality health care services right here in New Jersey, where the largest Dominican population in the United States resides.

While the UNETE clinics primary focus is serving vulnerable migrant communities, officials said the services are available to all individuals from minority communities, regardless of immigration status, language, or financial situation. The only caveat is that patients are uninsured.

UNETE, which means join, started in 2023 as a mobile clinic that served 1,000 people last year. However, Hernandez convinced Latino business owners to fund the Paterson brick-and-mortar clinic where they hope to reach 4,000 patients this year.

UNETE partners with Hackensack Meridian Health and the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program (NJCEED) to offer care to patients through its mobile and traditional clinic.

We are pleased to partner with this program and provide a much-needed service for those who are most vulnerable and in need of cancer prevention and early detection care, said Isabella Sarria, project coordinator in the Cancer Prevention Precision Control Institute at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery & Innovation (CDI).

One of the goals of this program is to provide access to high-quality, compassionate care thats accessible and convenient, with the hope that we can keep people healthy and save lives, Sarria said.

Housed within the UNETE clinic is a Womens Cancer Prevention & Detection Medical Office named for former U.S. Senate candidate Patricia Campos-Medina, an activist who became involved with efforts to bring clinics to the consulates.

My husband and I donated resources to outfit the clinic with the essential equipment for the office, she said. In these times of so much fear and controversy over reproductive health care justice for women, this is a good place to offer vital services to make sure that women have the care they need to live a whole life.

To help maintain services at the womens clinic, UNETE is hosting a charity breakfast at the Upper Montclair Country Club on May 10. Contact Unete for more information.

I am very proud of this clinic servicing low-wage women and men who are uninsured, Campos-Medina said. This space symbolizes the power of unity and our collective commitment to human dignity."

Correction: This story was updated to reflect that Unete does not plan to open health clinics in three other Latin American consulates, and Hackensack Meridian did not provide free care to patients diagnosed with cancer in 2024.
Mark Cuban speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, in La Crosse, Wis., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) AP

Billionaire Mark Cuban is sounding the alarm.

President Donald Trumps trade war could literally turn deadly.

Cuban, who owns a drug company that sells prescription drugs at a steep discount, says the presidents trade war will likely increase the cost of life-saving drugs.

It will get ugly. They also are important to the manufacturers of medications. People could die, Cuban posted to X.

It will get ugly. They also are important to the manufacturers of medications. People could die  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 13, 2025

Earlier, Cuban tweeted: I dont care who you are. If you are complaining we need tariffs to bring manufacturing and jobs to the USA, and you dont buy American EXCLUSIVELY, YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE. You want to bring manufacturing back, lead by example and get friends and family to do the same.

I don't care who you are.



If you are complaining we need tariffs to bring manufacturing and jobs to the USA, and you don't buy American EXCLUSIVELY ,



YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE



You want to bring manufacturing back, lead by example and get friends and family to do the same  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 13, 2025

Chinas leader Xi Jinping said no one wins in a trade war as he kicked off a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia on Monday, presenting China as a force for stability in contrast with U.S. President Donald Trumps latest tariffs moves.

Although Trump has paused some tariffs, he has kept in place 145% duties on China, the worlds second-largest economy.

There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war, Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment.

Trump administration officials were out in force across the television networks Sunday defending the presidents economic policies after another week of reeling markets that saw the Republican administration reverse course on some of its steepest tariffs.

Trump, meanwhile, said on his social media platform that there ultimately will be no exemptions for his sweeping tariff agenda, disputing characterizations that he has granted tariff exceptions for certain electronics, including smart phones, whose production is concentrated in China. Rather, Trump said, those products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff bucket.

White House advisers and Cabinet members tried to project confidence and calm amid Trumps on-again, off-again approach to tariffs on imported goods from around the world. But their explanations about the overall agenda, coupled with Trumps latest statements, also reflected shifting narratives from a president who, as a candidate in 2024, promised an immediate economic boost and lower prices but now asks American businesses and consumers for patience.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The early Easter weekend weather forecast for New Jersey calls for a warm and possibly wet Saturday followed by more sunshine but breezy conditions on Sunday.

Forecasters caution that much could change as the weekend approaches. The forecast is dependent on a series of frontal systems that could influence the weather pattern for the weekend.

Heres a look at the early forecasts from AccuWeather and the National Weather Service:

AccuWeather Easter weekend forecast

North Jersey: On Saturday, mostly cloudy skies are expected, with temperatures rising to the low to mid-70s and a 64% chance of rain showers. On Sunday, partly sunny skies are forecast, with highs in the low 60s and breezy conditions, with winds up to 14 mph gusting up to 24 mph.

Central Jersey: On Saturday, mostly cloudy skies are expected, with temperatures rising to the low 70s and a 64% chance of rain showers. On Sunday, partly sunny skies are forecast, with highs near 60 degrees and breezy conditions, with winds up to 13 mph gusting up to 21 mph.

South Jersey: On Saturday, mostly cloudy skies are expected, with temperatures rising to the upper 70s and a 65% chance of rain showers. On Sunday, a mix of sun and clouds are expected, with highs in the mid-60s and breezy conditions, with winds up to 15 mph gusting up to 23 mph.

National Weather Service Easter weekend forecast

North Jersey: On Saturday, mostly cloudy skies are expected, with temperatures rising to the mid-70s and a 30% chance of rain showers. On Sunday, mostly sunny skies are forecast, with highs near 65 degrees. (Wind speeds are not yet included in the agencys weekend forecast.)

Central Jersey: On Saturday, partly sunny skies are expected, with temperatures rising to the mid- to upper 70s and a 30% chance of rain showers. On Sunday, mostly sunny skies are forecast, with highs in the low 60s.

South Jersey: On Saturday, partly sunny skies are expected, with temperatures rising to the mid-70s and a 30% chance of rain showers. On Sunday, mostly sunny skies are forecast, with highs in the low 60s.

Current weather radar

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.
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Jayden Mark, the second alleged gunman booked in the French Quarter Fest shooting, will be held on a $2.3 million bond. He allegedly returned to the shooting scene after ditching his gun and flagged down police to aid his injured partner in the shooting that injured five, but days later fled officers in a stolen car.
Guest column: Congress made a good decision last year on KOSA. They should do it again.
The call has gone out for Pilton Schools class of 76 to come together for a big reunion bash this June.

Organisers are hoping to contact nearly 300 former pupils who left the school at Chaddiford Lane in Barnstaple in the summer of 1976 and encourage them to return and celebrate 50 years in what for many will be a retirement reunion.

The event takes place on Friday, June 20 back where it all began at Pilton School  now Pilton Community College - in what was then the Reception Lounge and it is hoped as many former students as possible will attend.

It is an opportunity for those who attended the school between 1971 and 1976 to catch up and swap stories a half century after the day they finally left school to face the world.

The year of 1971 was a landmark for the campus at Chaddiford Lane - it was the first time that boys formed part of the intake at the former Barnstaple Secondary Modern School for Girls.

It wasn't until a year later following the closure of Barnstaple Boys' Secondary Modern on Derby Road, that the school became fully comprehensive, adopting the name of Pilton Community College.

Carol Paton (nee Hughes), who was Head Girl from 1975-76, is heading up a team of former pupils to put the evening together.

She said: It will be great to see everyone again, a fantastic opportunity to renew old friendships and find out what everyone has been up to over the last 50 years!

I don't know where the time has gone, so I guess my peers must all be feeling the same. We are now either retired or not far off the big day, so there must be hundreds of funny and interesting stories that can be shared over a glass of wine!

The team has set up a Facebook group - Pilton School, class of '76 - Retirement Reunion 2025, where it is hoped photos and memorabilia can be shared and those who attend on the night will be treated to seeing themselves projected in all their former glory!

If you were a member of the Pilton class of 76 and would like to attend the celebrations or find out more, please get in touch via the Facebook group for more details and ticket information. Tickets are also available from Kings Carpets, Barnstaple.
quinn emanuel trial lawyers April 14, 2025 VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL Josh Gruenbaum Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service General Services Administration Sean R. Keveney Acting General Counsel U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Thomas E. Wheeler Acting General Counsel U.S. Department of Education Dear Messrs. Gruenbaum, Keveney, and Wheeler: KING & SPALDING We represent Harvard University. We are writing in response to your letter dated April 11, 2025, addressed to Dr. Alan Garber, Harvard's President, and Penny Pritzker, Senior Fellow of the Harvard Corporation. Harvard is committed to fighting antisemitism and other forms of bigotry in its community. Antisemitism and discrimination of any kind not only are abhorrent and antithetical to Harvard's values but also threaten its academic mission. To that end, Harvard has made, and will continue to make, lasting and robust structural, policy, and programmatic changes to ensure that the university is a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students and continues to abide in all respects with federal law across its academic programs and operations, while fostering open inquiry in a pluralistic community free from intimidation and open to challenging orthodoxies, whatever their source. Over the past 15 months, Harvard has undertaken substantial policy and programmatic measures. It has made changes to its campus use policies; adopted new accountability procedures; imposed meaningful discipline for those who violate university policies; enhanced programs designed to address bias and promote ideological diversity and civil discourse; hired staff to support these programs and support students; changed partnerships; dedicated resources to combat hate and bias; and enhanced safety and security measures. As a result, Harvard is in a very different place today from where it was a year ago. These efforts, and additional measures the university will be taking against antisemitism, not only are the right thing to do but also are critical to strengthening Harvard's community as a place in which everyone can thrive. It is unfortunate, then, that your letter disregards Harvard's efforts and instead presents demands that, in contravention of the First Amendment, invade university freedoms long
Christiano Wennmann was making pizza at a trendy New York pizzeria when he was first noticed by a famous fashion designers assistant. Nows hes walking the runway at big fashion events and posing for magazines.

24-year-old Christiano Wennmann became an overnight sensation in the fashion modelling world after owning the catwalk at this years Paris Fashion Week for New York designer Willy Chavarria. He was making pizza at Scarrs, in New Yorks Lower East Side, when he was noticed by one of Chavarrias assistants, just weeks before the big fashion event, and asked to model the designers underwear collection. Things only got crazier from there, as Chavarria and his team loved him from the very start and immediately asked him to come to Paris. Obviously overwhelmed, the young pizzaiolo realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and accepted. Now, hes one of the hottest male models in the business.

While I was at that shoot, they were like, I dont know how we havent seen you before; you gotta come to Paris, Wennmann recalled his meteoric rise to fame. I was like, Oh s   t! Okay, Im down. The next thing you know, Im booking a flight to France.

Going from Scarrs pizzeria to the catwalk of the years most important fashion event wasnt exactly a seamless transition, but Christiano credits Willy Chavarria and his team for helping him deal with the nerves. The popular designer told him he was there for a reason and that he was already a star, and that gave him the boost of confidence he needed to go out on the catwalk.

Christiano Wennmann made such a good impression during his first modeling event that he was promptly signed by a major modeling agency, worked with designers like Sami Miro, and got featured in prominent fashion magazines like HERO and Dazed.

Its been an unbelievable ride for Wennmann, whose Instagram blew up thanks to his new career, but hes not letting the fame go to his head. He is still working at Scarrs, and says he doesnt plan on quitting his day job anytime soon, as it helps keep him grounded.



Customers will be like, Were you the guy who went to Paris? he told The New York Post. But Im still making pizza. Modeling doesnt change who I am. Im the same person I was before all of this happened. Its very important for me to stay true to who I am. I dont want to forget where I came from.

Christianos amazing story is reminiscent of other rags-to-riches stories we have featured over the years, like that of street cleaner turned fashion model Noppajit Meen Somboonsate, Maleesha Kharwa, or Filipina street beggar Rita Gaviola.
Ballard Partners, which has close ties to Team Trump, has agreed to provide PR and strategic communications for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The one-year $720K pact calls for Ballard to convey Saudi Arabias priorities, values and contributions to key audiences in the US.

Ballard will support the Kingdoms DC embassy as it strengthens its presence in public and policy conversations, develops messaging, identifies platforms and partners, and organizes events or briefings that align with its diplomatic and cultural objectives.

The firm will get involved in communications strategy, message development, media outreach, and the preparation and dissemination of informational materials.

Brian Ballard, who is a top fund-raiser for Donald Trump, leads the five-person Saudi team.

He is joined by Jasmine Zaki, Ballards Middle East/North Africa managing partner; Michael Goodman and Justin Sayfie, co-chairs of Ballards media group; and Patrick Kilcur, who was top US lobbyist for the Motion Picture Association.

The firm reports to Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabias US ambassador.
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Irelands leading home care provider, Dovida, has announced plans to hire 140 caregivers across the Midlands.

The organisation, which has been providing care to ageing adults in Ireland since 2005, recently rebranded from Home Instead and now intends to increase capacity in the sector and expand its service offerings in Westmeath, Offaly, and Longford.

The roles will be a combination of full and part-time positions, offering competitive rates of pay, flexible schedules, and comprehensive, sector-leading training through the Home Care Professionals Academy.

Speaking at the launch of Dovida's Midlands hub in Mullingar on Saturday, Lorraine McLaughlin, General Manager of Dovida Midlands, said, we are excited about welcoming more caregivers to our team. They will help us meet the growing need for home care services in the Midlands and make it possible for more people to receive the support they need to live comfortably and independently at home.

READ NEXT: Early starts no problem for Offaly man on popular national radio show

Caregivers joining our team can expect comprehensive training, a dedicated local team and supportive environment as well as opportunities to grow professionally and develop a rewarding career in home care, she added.

Dovida currently provides person-centred home care services to 8,000 people across Ireland. Historically, the majority of the organisations client base consisted of people in the over-65 age group however, Dovida now cares for clients of all ages, with 10 per cent under 65, while children under 18 make up one per cent of people cared for.

Dovidas services have adapted to the varied needs of its clients, and the company now provides services to support people living with an acquired brain injury, Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Motor Neurone Disease, as well as helping children and young adults with additional needs.

READ NEXT: Two young men arrested for public order offences in Offaly

We believe in quality home care that empowers people to live with dignity, independence, and comfort in familiar surroundings, Lorraine McLaughlin continued.

That means keeping them in their own home, connected to their family, friends and communities for as long as possible. Social interaction and companionship are crucial for maintaining good mental health and supporting those experiencing cognitive decline, particularly older people.

As an organisation with deep roots in the community, we understand the value of connection and it's fantastic to be in a position to grow our team so we can support more and more people throughout the region, Lorraine concluded.

Dovida caregivers provide essential support to ageing adults and people living with disabilities in their own homes. The organisations person-centred approach means that its caregivers build meaningful connections with their clients and empower them to live fuller, more independent lives.

Dovida welcomes applications from people from all walks of life and is committed to supporting them every step of the way. People interested in pursuing a rewarding career in caregiving are encouraged to visit https://dovida.ie/career/become-a-caregiver
TENS of eager volunteers steeped up to the mark on Saturday morning last and took part in a 'Spring Clean' organised by Tullamore Tidy Towns.

The volunteers met in O'Connor Square on Saturday morning where they were briefed by the chairman of Tullamore Tidy Towns, Cllr Shane Murray.

Different teams then took on projects in areas of the town including the by-pass, Ballard, the town park, the new wetlands area, on the town's streets and in the council car park in the old ball alley on the Daingean Road.

Among the participants were members of Offaly Volunteer Centre and young enthusiasts from the Offaly Travellers Movement.

Tidy Towns conducts clean-ups in Tullamore each Wednesday evening and are always on the hunt for new volunteers.

READ MORE: Offaly School of Special Education 'MOOved' by charity auction at mart

To volunteer email info@tullamoretidytowns.ie to be added to their list of volunteers and to receive tidy town notifications.

"Let us know about your groups activities, projects and sustainable initiatives with photos and videos and please share on social media - tag #cleantullamore. Email us details of your litter pick and sustainable initiatives for inclusion in our Tidy Towns submission for 2025," said Cllr Shane Murray.

He added: "Many thanks to Tullamore Tidy Towns, Offaly County Council, Tullamore & District Chamber, Waterways Ireland, and various community groups, businesses and individuals for their continued support."
Now, frankly it is quite tiresome to hear a bunch of pseudo Christians, especially "scholars", bloviating about their phony "faith" in Paul and calling it faith in Jesus! You know, Paul, the guy who said that anyone who didn't agree with him is cursed (Galatians 1:8) and anyone getting circumcised (including Jesus?) should go "all the way" and get castrated (Galatians 5:12). I mean, If they want to come out and say "Hey, I agree with Paul and I disagree with all that idealistic bullshit that Jesus is trying to peddle," well, mazel tov! That is, "good luck!" I certainly don't agree with them, but at least they're being honest and have a right to their opinion. On the other hand, one does not have to be a Christian to believe in Jesus' principles. They certainly seem to be the exact same principles laid down by everyone from Zaresthustra to Parmenides to Buddha to Hillel to Jesus and all the way to Albert Schweitzer and Billy Graham. They are all about how to treat one's neighbor, not how to treat G-d as some kind of fearsome knucklehead making arbitrary decisions and who embodies all of humanity's worst faults! Appreciating a creator who happened to give even the poorest of us in this country a better lot in life than most human beings who lived before the post WWII era is a good start, but it might not hurt for people, especially those of the MAGA persuasion to look at some facts.

We can start with the fact that by actually activating some of what Trump would consider Jesus' "idealistic bullshit" principles, we have avoided a third world war! This was done, however imperfectly, by actually taking Jesus' advice to essentially "love our enemies". We rebuilt Germany and Japan and now, despite what our country's most serious homegrown detractors say, they are perhaps our staunchest allies besides Canada! To lower the risk of nuclear war, we actually convinced a dozen or more countries in Europe to not have nuclear weapons with the proviso, our solemn word (unfortunately something completely meaningless to our current "Commander in Chief"), that we would protect them through NATO.

Meanwhile, we live in a country where our standard of living is much higher than the vast majority of other countries. We, therefore, have to pay our workers higher wages than most foreign workers receive for the same jobs and we cannot even find workers for lower-paying jobs that have customarily been filled by newer immigrants. Many previously higher-paying blue-collar jobs are being replaced by artificial intelligence, i.e. machines. Meanwhile, through a basically "Free Trade" system, not only the U.S., but the "free world" in general, has generated enough wealth to make every one of the world's citizens comfortable. Of course, as yet, we haven't figured out how that wealth can be distributed equitably without "screwing" those who help most to create it but admittedly, it's not the worst problem with which to grapple, is it? There is some concern, however, with the fact that more and more of the world's wealth is finding itself in the hands of a rather limited group of individuals. Some of these individuals are billionaires, while some are even trillionaires!

In fact, before continuing our little conversation, it might be appropriate to reintroduce the well-worn concept of the "self-made millionaire". According to this 1920's model, by pulling oneself up by one's "bootstraps", an entrepreneur with some good ideas could make himself phenomenally wealthy! Thus the millionaire, like today's billionaire or trillionaire, could take credit for his or her success without sharing it with anyone else. Of course this concept leaves out customers, employees, supply chains, advisors, police and government/legal protection, roads and transportation, electric, plumbing, sewage, and literally scores of services that the millionaire could not reasonably secure without the help of fellow citizens. In fact, based on our graduated federal income tax system, until about sixty years ago, wealthy persons would pay incrementally higher tax rates on each segment of their yearly income... say 18% on the first hundred thousand, 25% on the next segment and so on. Eventually the rates might hit 90%, but they were drastically decreased eventually.

As a result, the government collects a somewhat lower percentage of taxes per year than it used to, while providing more services than it used to. Although the difference in tax revenue is not quite as much as "left leaners" would like us to believe, it is enough to at least contribute significantly to the surge in the national debt. Of course the "right leaners'" foolish habit of repeatedly reducing the IRS workforce contributes significantly to decreased government revenue. Then there is the eternal struggle between the "privateers" and the "bureaucratic campers". As an aside, most people don't associate Dick Cheney as the neoconservative hero of the Reagan and Senior Bush administrations, actually standing up to the military industrial complex. Well, gradually, the same patriotic Dick Cheney and so many of his compatriots developed the working theory that by privatizing government functions, not only could the government save hundreds of billions of dollars, but privateers could make billions as well. However, on paper, at least, there was one problem with their theory that could not be overcome, one commonly referred to as "the math". Simply put, "expenses plus profit margin equals more than expenses alone". In other words, paying the same for employees, but paying extra for stockholders and huge bonuses, would necessitate either cutting services or increasing the budget. Clearly, if the math doesn't work then the only alternative, it seems, is to blame it on the bureaucrats!

The first problem with blaming the government bureaucrats, however, is that they went to the same schools as their private-sector colleagues. They are, by and large, just as ethical as their private-sector cohorts and they approach their superiors with the same useful information and helpful suggestions. Well, maybe we can blame it on their superiors! Take the U.S. Postal Service. It's already run by private executives who are paid by the federal government, but do not own the "Post Office", a clever idea instituted by the greatly underappreciated Richard Nixon. For years the postal service was so successful that greedy "right leaners" decided to completely privatize it! First, however, they had to somehow show that the most successful government agency in history was actually poorly run. That is, they had to bankrupt it! Sound familiar? Initially, they voted that it had to donate more than five billion dollars each year to fund insurance and healthcare for employees some 75 years in advance! However, even with the abuse, the Post Office still usually either breaks even or loses a few billion dollars each year. In short, Trump and Musk are not the first miscreants to blame our fiscal shortfalls on government bureaucrats. As we shall see, it is just a much bigger problem for them than it has been for anyone else.

Now, according to the "Citizens United" decision by a Supreme Soviet, excuse me, "Court", polluted by blatantly political (at the time Republican) "justices", billionaires are allowed to personally donate hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to political action committees supporting their favorite individual candidates. Before this decision, individuals were limited as to the amount they were permitted to donate to a single candidate. As a result, numerous tax exemptions have been "bought" in recent years and added to the tax code such that a billionaire may actually end up paying an overall lower income tax rate than the average earner. Meanwhile, the current administration plans on lowering the tax rates for the very wealthiest of the wealthiest Americans even further in order to satisfy their huge campaign "obligations".

Interestingly, Mr. Trump, who was apparently raised in an ethical black hole, wanted to perform all of his current stunts in his first administration, but apparently encountered so much interference from competent advisors, that he swore he would never hire anyone whose loyalty to him was not markedly greater than their loyalty to the country. Thus it should not have been such a shock even to Republicans that one after another, so many of his appointees, this time around, seemed so unqualified for their positions. Added to the serious lack of competency is a notorious lack of planning as well, the president being known for making his most inspired decisions, apparently sitting on his ample toilet seat while texting. Where on earth, they wondered, could they possibly find the funds to meet their enormous "obligations" to the billionaires? While exaggerated tariffs, a synonym for "taxes", might account for a modest portion of the shortfall, ironically, the one thing in which the president seemed to be most skilled, that is negotiating deals, if successful, would end up drastically reducing the amount of tax income they could provide. Meanwhile, even the most conservative Republican congressmen and senators are afraid to make really severe cuts in the "Big Three", Defense, Social Security, and Medicare, moves that would almost assure them of a Democratic majority in both Houses come the midterms. One answer: blame it on the bureaucrats! Not only are they supposedly running their own departments, but they are the ones wasting all that money that could make up the shortfall!! They are the "deep state!" The only problem is that the government bureaucrats have bosses who, if I'm not mistaken, give them orders, don't they? And, not only do the bureaucrats have only modest salaries and reasonable retirement and health packages, but very few of them are rich. So where is all this "Deep State" money going, anyway? Is it going, no, it can't be, not to the programs for which the funds are "earmarked?"

Well, I might have been able to tell you during the last administration, but the first thing the MAGA King did was fire as many inspectors general as possible so that he could play fast and loose with the math from their agencies, including that precious tariff data (maybe you should look up the actual tariffs with Canada on dairy products). As for the people, especially children who may have already died due to arbitrary and incompetent cuts in USAID and medical science funds, not to mention measles, MAGATs don't care, except maybe the one out of a hundred who accidentally follows poor Jesus instead of Paul! Gee, ya still think the bureaucrats are the "Deep State?" It couldn't involve poorly paid congressmen and senators, having to own two homes and having to absorb huge expenses, but many of whom are none the less multi- multimillionaires, could it? It couldn't involve Supreme Court Justices who receive lavish gifts almost entirely from patrons sponsored by Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society, the man who hand-picked all but one of the conservatives on the Court, a true believer in Paul in every way! No, obviously it's some poor soul with three or four kids and a mortgage, making 60 or 70K a year, conspiring with other highly skilled criminals of the same ilk to cheat Americans out of their hard-earned money! Those "dirty bastards!" If we fire half of them, their salaries and benefits could not only pay for the tax cuts not covered by the tariffs, but after we freeze and confiscate all millions in assets they have hidden in their foreign bank accounts, we can pay off the entire national debt in a New York minute, by golly!

Seriously, in the case of the post office, it is clearly the Republican House and Senate that are responsible for trying to sabotage the institution, but dim-witted Democrats can share in the blame for their own wasteful ways. Blame aside, however, the time for simple-minded answers to complicated problems has long passed. Neither the problems or their solutions materialize in a vacuum despite what equally selfish and equally arrogant MAGA and progressive camps seem to think. Donald Trump and his amoral, radical Pseudo Christian allies' ideas, however, do materialize in a vacuum, the one that seems to occupy the space between their ears where the official capital of the "Deep State" is to be found. Only an ignoramus who never studied history would believe that repeating the most egregious mistakes in history will lead to different results!!! In the years just after WWII we had mature adults running our government, "grown ups" who had not only studied but had actually experienced history. They were not only bound and determined to avoid another World War, but they were equally determined to provide a modicum of wealth, a modicum of health and safety to everyone, not just themselves. In simple terms, amazingly, a government actually tried to follow the principles of Hillel and Jesus, not of Paul cursing anyone who disagreed with him. Somehow, I can't see Jesus' principles involved in vindictive anti "DEI" campaigns, in the destruction of millions of American citizens' savings and retirement plans, in blanket censorship, not only of secular education, but of medical science! Sooner or later, even some of Mr. Trump's most loyal supporters will wonder if they may have indeed elected the Antichrist as our president!

Al Finkelstein


Trump pardons BitMEX corporation

(Image by Greg Coleridge) Details DMCA



We at Move to Amend appreciate receiving emails and social media notices about the latest hideous corporate action or example of a corporation skirting public accountability. They simply add to our mounting evidence that corporations have too much political and economic power, and that the We the People Amendment is needed to unequivocally establish that the power and authority of people should be greater than the power of corporations.

More than usual communication was received recently when President Trump pardoned ButMEZ corporation, a cryptocurrency exchange that had pleaded guilty last year for violating the Bank Secrecy Act for doing business without establishing a legitimate anti-money laundering program. BitMEX was criminally fined $100 million in connection with its guilty plea, which was in addition to $130 million in previously imposed civil penalties.

Trump issued full and unconditional pardons to four individuals connected to the company, but also to the BitMEX corporation. It was historic . Never had a President previously pardoned a corporation.

People who shared with us the news expressed shock, disgust, and anger. Our reaction was "Pardon us, but not surprising. Of course Trump would pardon a criminal corporation."

The POTUS pardon of the prosecuted corporation was predictable for two reasons.

First, it's consistent with his pro=corporate agenda. More than 100 investigations and actions against corporations have been dropped, withdrawn or halted by the Trump administration in its first two months in office, according to Public Citizen. These include corporations connected to Trump allies or donors. Crypto corporations, which were mega MAGA political donors (actually more like political investors who are now cashing in) were among them. Helping cyptos also benefitsTrump and family members who are involved in various crypto schemes.

The second reason is more speculative, but very plausible given Trump's constant craving for attention and his tendency to avoid being outshone by rivals. Is it possible that, as head of the Executive Branch, Trump may simply be trying to lead the "corporate personhood" movement -- something the Judicial and Legislative Branches of the federal government launched or expanded?

If so, he faces stiff competition.

The Judicial Branch - namely the U.S. Supreme Court - reigns supreme in the idiocy of anointing corporate entities with constitutional rights. Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is there language asserting or even implying that corporations are human "persons." Corporate constitutional rights were an invention of the Supreme Court, beginning in the 1880s, when it ruled that the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the 14th Amendment - originally intended to secure rights for human beings, including formerly enslaved people - applied to government chartered or licenced companies.

This was followed by a series of Supreme Court decisions recognizing that corporations also possess Fourth Amendment search and seizure rights, Fifth Amendment takings rights and First Amendment right to speak and the right not to speak. The 2010 Citizens United v. FEC decision simply expanded corporate First Amendment free speech rights. In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., the Supreme Court in 2014 ruled 5-4 that closely held for-profit corporations with religious objections, could deny contraceptive coverage to their employees based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)

That's an impressive display of corporate rights over people's rights and the rights of communities to protect the health, safety and welfare of their own residents.

The Legislative Branch - namely, Congress - has taken a different approach: protecting corporations by failing to take any substantive action to abolish corporate constitutional rights.

Intentional or not, some members of Congress appear to believe that ending "corporate personhood" requires nothing more than overturning Citizens United or supporting constitutional amendments that, if passed, would allow "Congress" may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law" in the context of political spending. Yet even these modest efforts have failed to gain serious traction, let alone come close to passing. Former Senator Jon Tester introduced a Senate bill in 2023 stating "The rights enumerated in this Constitution and other rights retained by the people shall be the rights of natural persons." It had zero Senate co-sponsors.

The We the People Amendment (HJR54) has been introduced in several previous Congressional sessions, targeting the abolition of all corporate constitutional rights and the doctrine that political contributions equals free speech. It attracted support from 90 House members in the last session of congress and is consistent with the grassroot support from 520,000 individuals, nearly 800 organizations endorsers and 715 municipal and 8 state resolutions or ballot initiatives .

Massive political campaign contributions from corporations and the super rich have played a role in preventing passage of this effort, although the 2024 election with historic sums of political contributions from billionaires and corporations is triggering greater public attention to urge Congress to take action.

The Executive Branch, however, has largely been left out of the corporate personhood fandom. The closest anyone has come was Mitt Romney, who, during his 2011 presidential campaign, famously declared, "Corporations are people, my friend." But Romney was only then a candidate. While political retribution against him, especially after his two votes to impeach, may be in motion, Trump might feel could at least surpass Romney's low bar of equating a corporation as a person. Taking action is more impactful than making a statement. After all, Romney was never the POTUS with the power of the prosecutorial pardon pen.

Some may claim that a simple Executive pardon of a corporate criminal is pretty lame compared to the incredible authority to expand "corporate personhood" by the Judicial Branch or the Legislative Branch to collectively take no serious action to amend the constitution to abolish all corporate constitutional rights despite expanded and blatantly obvious corporate harms to people, communities, the natural world, and our declining power of We the People to self rule. As the head of the Executive Branch, Trump doesn't have all that many "expand corporate personhood" cards to play - maybe fewer cards in number than he claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has to negotiate peace with Russia.

Yet, full and unconditional Presidential pardons of corporate criminals as a means to uplift that "a corporation is a person" have a couple of built in advantages over the other two branches.

Each Executive pardon by Trump with a sharpie pen reinforces and deepens the "corporate personhood" narrative. Pardons are fast and potentially only limited by criminal acts of corporations. This compares to very slow moving Supreme Court cases brought by a corporation claiming constitutional rights.

Executive pardons are assertive. They're active and can be quite visible and public. This compares to the Legislative Branch simply playing defense by protecting corporate constitutional rights from the majority of the public who believe its absurd that "corporations are people."

Executive pardons of corporations are historic. The Supreme Court has been inventing corporate constitutional rights for more than a century. Congress had been sitting on their hands taking no action for just as long. Trump's persistent criminal corporate pardons could propel him and the Executive Branch as the bigliest of all bigley advocates and in normalizing "corporate personhood." They also, if done for a price, represent one more way to profit from the presidency.

It's up to us to add POTUS corporate pardons - be they from Trump or anyone else - to Supreme Court decisions and Congressional inactions to our educating and organizing against the illegitimacy of corporate constitutional rights and the need to create foundational change affirming people's rights over corporate rights.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

Elon Musk aside (and even when it comes to him, who knows for how long), Donald Trump really has no friends. For him, everything and everyone is just so much property. You're either his or you're ready for the trash heap of history. For him, everyone (except him, of course) is in some sense deportable. And that's true not just locally but globally. Canada is a mere "51st state"; Greenland, a hunk of icy minerals that's obviously his property; Ukraine, yet more minerals of his and nothing else that matters; Gaza, a future Trumpian "Riviera of the Middle East" without its population; the European Union, "formed to screw the United States."

Certainly, any American who isn't Trump White is Trump Trash. And the rest of the world, White or not, is largely yet more trash, a planet to be tariffed to hell and back and, if that turns out to hurt Americans, too, well, why the hell should he give a damn?

There's one man (and only one) who matters on Planet Earth and, as far as he's concerned, no one's ever going to get rid of him! (A third term as president, you bet! A fourth term, undoubtedly! A fifth, well, why not, since he's also -- don't doubt it for a second -- the Forever Man.) All in all, give him credit. He's truly proven to be a one-two-(three?)-of-a-kind president. There's never been anything quite like him. And yet, believe it or not, whatever he might imagine, Donald Trump does live in the same world as the rest of us and what he does affects us all, not to speak of the state of (and fate of) the United States.

Back in 2010, TomDispatch regular Alfred McCoy predicted that a far-right populist would take the White House in 2025 (yes, 2025!), demanding ultimate respect for America and that the country's world leadership would, in fact, end in silence. Now, 15 years later, he's exploring the shape of that silence, or put another way, welcome to Fortress America and the unsettled and unnerving planet that goes with it. Tom

Fortress America

Trump's Tricontinental Vision for a New World Order

By Alfred McCoy

Most of us can remember at least a few troubling scenes from George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984: the mandatory love demanded for the spectral dictator Big Brother; the malleability of facts at the Ministry of Truth; or the ruling party's memorably grim slogans, "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery." But for me, the most disturbing image of all -- and I first read the book in high school -- was the "Two Minutes Hate," aroused among the public by threatening images on giant video screens.

Within just 30 seconds, Orwell wrote, "a hideous ecstasy of fear and vindictiveness, a desire to kill, to torture, to smash faces in with a sledgehammer, seemed to flow through the whole group of people like an electric current, turning one even against one's will into a grimacing, screaming lunatic." As those moments of hate continued, what appeared was "the figure of a Eurasian soldier who seemed to be advancing, huge and terrible, his sub-machine gun roaring, and seeming to spring out of the surface of the screen, so that some of the people in the front row actually flinched out of their seats."

Finally, as "row after row of solid-looking men with expressionless Asiatic faces" swam up to the screen" and brought those two minutes of Hate to their terrifying climax, the face of Big Brother appeared "full of power and mysterious calm," prompting spectators to shout, "My Saviour!," and to break into "a deep, slow, rhythmical chant of 'B-B!" B-B!' -- over and over."

For, as Orwell explained, those people of Oceania were "at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia." Officially, "Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia," which "represented absolute evil." Yet through some quirk of memory, the novel's hero Winston "well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia."

That was, in some fashion, Orwell's ultimate horror: a world divided into three great continental blocs, with humanity held in thrall to omnipotent leaders like Big Brother through endless wars against an ever-changing enemy. Even though he published 1984 nearly 80 years ago in 1948, just two years before he died, more than three quarters of a century later, in the age of President Donald Trump, his fictional fantasy is fast becoming an unsettling simulacrum of our current geopolitical reality and that couldn't be eerier (at least to me).

A Tricontinental Strategy

Amid a torrent of confusing, often contradictory foreign policy pronouncements pouring forth almost daily from the Trump White House, the overall design of his de facto geopolitical strategy has taken shape with surprising speed. Instead of maintaining mutual-security alliances like NATO, President Trump seems to prefer a globe divided into three major regional blocs, each headed by an empowered leader like himself -- with Russia dominating its European periphery, China paramount in Asia, and the United States controlling, in a version of fortress America, all of North America (including, of course, the Panama Canal). Reflecting what his defense secretary called a "loathing of European freeloading" and his administration's visceral disdain for the European Union, Trump is pursuing that tricontinental strategy at the expense of the traditional trans-Atlantic alliance, embodied by NATO, that has been the foundation for American foreign policy since the start of the Cold War.

Trump's desire for ultimate continental hegemony lends a certain geopolitical logic to his otherwise seemingly off-the-wall, quixotic overtures to claim Greenland as part of the United States, reclaim the Panama Canal, and make Canada "the 51st state." On his sixth day in office, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, "I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we're going to have it." He then added, "I don't know really what claim Denmark has to it. But it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn't allow that to happen because it's for protection of the free world." After Vice President J.D. Vance made a flying visit to a remote U.S. military base in Greenland and claimed its people "ultimately will partner with the United States," Trump insisted that he would never take military force "off the table" when it came to claiming the largest island on this planet.

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The Centre for Faith-Based Policy (CFBP), an initiative under RID Nigeria, is excited to announce the commencement of applications for its Cohort 2 program. This transformative three-month faculty is designed to equip Christians and policy advocates with the essential knowledge and skills to influence national policies using biblical principles. Building on the success of Cohort 1, CFBP remains committed to raising Christian leaders who will drive governance and public policy 
Two Oregon legislative leaders on Monday urged the new FBI director to open an investigation into the 1989 stabbing death of Oregon prisons chief Michael Francke, now that the conviction of Frank Gable has been thrown out.

The lack of resolution of this case is a grave injustice to the Francke family and the State of Oregon, House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, and House Republican Leader Christine Drazan of Canby said in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel. A new, impartial investigation, led by the FBI, is necessary for justice to be served.
A teacher at West Linn High School demonstrates the school's newest security measure, which allows them to lock all the doors on the school's campus perimeter with the touch of a button. Olivia Wang

By the touch of a button, any faculty member at West Linn High School can lock all the doors on the schools campus perimeter, including the classroom doors.

The technology is an example of efforts made by school districts around Oregon to beef up security measures, often at significant cost.

West Linn High is the final school in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District to install the locks, work that has been underway since 2017. The district has spent a total of $900,000 on the locks at its 16 schools as a part of its 2014 and 2019 capital bond programs.

Like West Linn, the Tigard-Tualatin School District has also implemented a blue button lock system. By pressing a button, main office staffers can lock all the exterior doors at all the districts high schools. Pushing the button also triggers an automatic announcement about an intruder and alerts the local police department.

The Beaverton School District has been working on updating its security systems by working on minor tweaks to its intruder detection, improving the visibility of cameras in schools and adding security card readers to all of its high school campuses and its focus option schools, to control who is able to get in and out of buildings.

This school year, the Salem-Keizer School District installed weapon detectors in six of its high schools, and officials there hope to expand them to middle schools next year.

In 2024, there were 330 school shooting incidents reported at schools around the United States, according to the online, open source K-12 School Shooting Database tracker,

But only a fraction of reported incidents resulted in death or injuries, and many of those incidents took place outdoors on school grounds or in parking lots, according to Education Week.

Locally, security upgrades have caught notice. The locks at West Linn drew the attention of the schools teachers and students alike.

I think overall, its beneficial to lock all the doors on the inside of the school if theres an intruder on the outside of campus. But if it comes to the intruder being inside, I also think its pretty safe, said Maryam Al-Medyadi, a sophomore at West Linn High.

Al-Medyadi said there is one clear flaw with the new lock system: the chance of accidentally locking all the doors, which happened at her former middle school.

In the end, it wound up being a teacher who had gotten confused and pressed the button by mistake, she said. But in the meantime, students lost about 30 minutes of class time because they were sheltering in place.

When new locks were installed at West Linn High this year, teachers said they experienced the same problem of accidentally locking all the doors, while learning how to unlock their classroom doors. Each staff member carries a button on a key fob that also acts as a key card to open all the doors within the school.

The confusion came when some people thought, Oh, to unlock [the door], I need to press something, so they tried pressing [the button and thought] Oh, its not working. Well, as soon as you press it three times, the whole building goes into lockdown, said Nancy Monson, a science teacher at West Linn High.

Monson said the locking system would be essential in the case that an intruder gets into the school.

It is going to be hugely beneficial, because  without opening my doors, I can lock the whole school. Every classroom door has one of these locks, and so it saves people that way, Monson said.

At nearby Tigard High School, the new security system allows a person to lock all exterior doors with the push of a button. But that doesnt extend to classrooms.

As a result, some Tigard High teachers have bought and installed magnetic locks to secure their own classroom doors. Madelyn Vogel, a senior at Tigard High School, said she thinks the district should provide the magnetic locks instead of teachers having to resort to buying them at their own expense.

Id love to see [the magnetic locks] incorporated into each school, into each classroom. That was something that was talked about. But other than that, there havent been any big advances on security, Vogel said.

Tigard High does have a visitor management system, including multiple vestibules at the only unlocked entrance to the school, leading to the main office. Vogel says this reduces the chance an intruder would get into classrooms.

When you have access to where the student classrooms are, I think that allows room for mistakes to happen, Vogel said.

Compared with metal detectors, the one-touch lock systems are a more under-the-radar change, said West Linn senior Kalysta Castillo.

I dont really think that it made much of a difference in terms of how students perceive our security systems  The locks on the doors  didnt really bring much attention, as opposed to other schools putting in metal detectors. Castillo said.

Castillo said shed like to focus on how the system can support and reduce stress for students while school shootings continue being part of American culture.

The best course of action [would be] letting us know about things in terms of our security and the resources that we do have, and also just advocating for change in terms of societal change, not just change within our security system. Castillo said.

 Youth Voices reporter Olivia Wang is a junior at West Linn High School, an alumnus of the High School Journalism Institute and an editor for her schools publication wlhsNOW.
She didn't think a child was in her future. Will her partner be as excited as she is? Getty Images. Getty Images

DEAR ABBY: My partner and I have been together more than five years now. He has two adult children.

I learned two days ago that I am pregnant. At 43 years old, I didnt think a child was in my future. But now that Im pregnant, I couldnt be happier.

Im cautiously excited because I am unsure what my partners reaction is going to be. I havent shared with him that Im expecting. How quickly do I need to tell him? -- PREGNANT PAUSE IN NEW YORK

DEAR PREGNANT: Tell your partner NOW, so you both can begin planning how to integrate this new little person into your household. If his reaction is positive, it will be the beginning of a happy journey.

If his reaction is negative, and because babies are expensive, discuss what it may mean financially, which will enable you to prepare for raising the baby on your own with financial support from him.

DEAR ABBY: Im 17 and will be turning 18 in six months. I cant wait to move out.

My mother and I have a hard relationship. We argue every day. Shes an addict, and its sometimes difficult to talk to her.

I feel like nothing I do will ever be good enough for her. I feel like I am walking on eggshells. I plan on moving out as soon as possible, but I need help dealing with these last few months with her.

I feel like I am barely holding on. Please give me some advice. -- TORTURED TEEN IN INDIANA

DEAR TEEN: I am sorry for the stressful situation in which you find yourself. You certainly should extricate yourself as soon as you can. Are there other relatives who might be willing to have you stay with them until you graduate from high school and find a job? If there are, that would be ideal.

If there arent, start talking with a trusted teacher or counselor at school and explain what is happening because there may be resources in your community for young people from troubled homes.

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.
Renowned conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, who visited Portland on Friday to speak with students from Oregon schools, answered questions afterward from The Oregonian/OregonLive and other media.

Heres what she had to say about the Oregon Zoo, the OHSU primate lab and President Trumps executive orders that seek to stop the enforcement of state and local climate and environmental justice laws.

Goodall, who is best known for studying the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, has become a global ambassador for conservation efforts and a messenger of hope for animals, people and the environment in the era of climate change.

How do you encourage people who have lost hope on climate change to keep going?

Goodall: When people come to me and theyve lost hope, the main thing is OK, you cant solve the problems of the world, but you can do something in your own community. And get other people to join you. Then they can see it does make a difference. But it does mean weve got to get together now. Why do you think I go on trailing around at 91? I mean, you saw the reaction of the kids. Its making a difference, right? Otherwise, I wouldnt do it.

How can universities, states and cities continue to do climate and environmental justice initiatives in light of the Trump administrations policy changes and funding cutbacks?

Goodall: You can call it climate resilience, dont mention climate change. And just go on doing what you do. Too many institutions are capitulating. Too many politicians who actually dont agree with some of the things Trump says are afraid, theyre afraid of losing their jobs. When the university is told that it can no longer have a policy of inclusion, that it will lose its funding if it does, then theres an ethical dilemma, should they capitulate, or should they think about the students that theyre responsible for?

Should Oregon Health & Science University consider closing its primate research center, which houses thousands of monkeys and baboons used for medical research and testing?

Goodall: I ask it right now, to the camera, to each camera, shut it down. You know, the people making the cages, the caregivers, the jailers who make sure the animals stay alive, the veterinarians who work there, the people doing all that research using animals, its a huge business. And thats why the alternatives are not being funded.

What do you think about the Oregon Zoo? You have a special relationship with the chimpanzees there.

Goodall: I met three of the chimpanzees (at the Oregon Zoo) when they were young and I visited them often. There are now two, one has died. In my time, Ive seen zoos change from prisons, really bad prisons, to what many of them are today, which are really good environments. They offer enrichment programs to animals.

(Goodalls support was instrumental in helping the zoo in Portland find funding for a large outdoor area for the chimps and later design its Primate Forest habitat, which opened in 2020.)

Whats your main message to Oregonians?

Goodall: Never forget that every single day you live, you make an impact on the planet, so choose wisely. What do you buy? How was it made? Did it harm the environment? Was it cruel to animals, like a factory farm? Is it cheap because of unfair wages? If so, find a more ethically made product. Will it cost a bit more? Probably, but then you will value it more. So much of this cheap stuff you dont really value and you throw it away and buy again. If you value it more, you will waste less. And waste is a huge problem around the world. So think about what you do every day.

Jane Goodall's books on display at the Lincoln High School library on Friday, April 11, 2025. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

 Gosia Wozniacka covers environmental justice, climate change, the clean energy transition and other environmental issues. Reach her at gwozniacka@oregonian.com or 971-421-3154.

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Pouring into a room used for religious purposes, people dressed in their Sunday best meshed with groups in colorful saris or long, flowy tunics and women in hijabs.

Around 100 people convened at the Bahai Center in Beaverton earlier this month to hear music and speakers, watch dance performances and share a meal together, blurring the lines between South Asian religions for a one-of-a-kind springtime event in Beaverton.

The event, UgadiEidSter, celebrated a combination of Ugadi, a Hindu New Year; Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan in the Muslim religion; and Easter, the Christian commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The event, spearheaded by Sravya Tadepalli, a board member for Hindus for Human Rights, was organized as a way to bring together all members of the South Asian community, regardless of religious or cultural differences.

In the South Asian community, we tend to all celebrate our festivals separately, Tadepalli said. I thought it would be so nice to just bring all of our communities together to just celebrate one interfaith spring celebration where we can also get to know other communities.

The event was organized by Hindus for Human Rights, a national nonprofit advocacy group; India International Church, a nondenominational church based in Hillsboro; Bilal Masjid, a mosque located in Aloha; and the Afghan Support Network, a nonprofit organization based in Beaverton.

At the event, speakers from various faith traditions took the stage alongside musicians and dancers, while attendees mingled before coming together to enjoy a catered meal featuring delicious South Asian cuisine.

Performances included Hindustani music, Bharatanatyam dance, an India International Church band performance, Afghan dance, Carnatic music and Kathak Dance.

Sudha Frederick, senior pastor at India International Church and member of the church band, said the event was a timely opportunity to create more connections within the South Asian community.

I feel like somehow were protective about our own groups, and can be insecure in many ways, Frederick said. Especially for this era right, where theres so much division, politically speaking  I think for us to come together, and at least to begin with a dialogue is important.

While the event was inspired by a desire to encourage interfaith dialogue and connections, before the event took place, there was some backlash, calling the event anti-Hindu, Tadepalli said.

According to Tadepalli, individuals in Oregon who support Hindu nationalism sent emails and made phone calls to the Bahai Center calling on them to stop the event. Hindu nationalism is a belief that India ought to be a Hindu nation. The response to the Beaverton event reflects the extent of the global issue that is affecting religious minorities in South Asia.

In India right now and in South Asia, there are a lot of attempts to divide our religious communities, Tadepalli said. Religious minorities are facing greater threats of violence. Theyre facing greater ostracization, greater levels of discrimination, and that has extended to the diaspora, unfortunately.

With icebreaker activities, intentional mingling and speakers highlighting the importance of interfaith harmony, the event worked to overcome any negative sentiments, giving attendees the opportunity to meet people from other religious traditions and develop relationships.

Many attendees felt the event succeeded in its mission and hope that UgadiEidSter becomes an annual tradition.

Wed definitely love to be a part of future events, said Rinku John, a member of India International Church. I think its so beautiful. Were so cocooned within our culture, our own type of songs. And today its like you hear and you see far more, and you know that theres so much more.

Donald Richard agreed, sharing that the music and dance performances brought back memories from his childhood in India: It kind of reminded me of the different dances, songs and different cultures.

Tadepalli said she hoped UgadiEidSter offered people insight into the diversity and joy of the many cultures represented in South Asia.

South Asia is such a religiously diverse place, Tadepalli said. It has a long history of interfaith harmony, and it has a long history of different traditions intermingling with each other, different cultural foods mixing together.

 Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiaraprofenna.

The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
Marc Cohen, sales director for San-J, stood at his Oregon Food Show booth on Sunday in front of a row of Asian-flavored sauces produced in Virginia. He said it was unclear to him how Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs would affect his company. Lillian Mongeau Hughes

Vendors and attendees at the Northwest Food Show, a trade show for restaurant owners, caterers and other food service providers, responded to questions about how President Donald Trumps various tariffs on foreign goods would affect them mostly the same way Sunday: They have no idea.

Its a whipsaw, said Marc Cohen, the director of sales for San-J, a maker of Asian sauces based in Virginia. (Tariffs) are here one day, gone the next. It makes me wonder if theyll have staying power.

Many attendees and vendors approached in the long rows of smoothie blenders, chefs knives, cheese, flatware and industrial strength fire extinguishers preferred not to have their names in the news. But they all said the uncertainty of the moment was wearisome, especially so soon after COVID-19.

The uncertainty, which is affecting a range of Oregon businesses, is driven by the Trump administrations imposition of broad tariffs and then the rescinding of them, with a promise of bringing them back in a few months. That pause leaves business unsure about long-term outlooks.

The show, which will run through Monday evening at the Portland Expo Center, has been around for 55 years and draws vendors from across the country along with buyers and food service folks from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Northern California, according to the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, which puts on the event.

The Oregon Food Show is in full swing at the Portland Expo Center on April 13, 2025. This is the show's 55th year. Lillian Mongeau Hughes

The idea is to bring suppliers of everything from chefs clothing to refrigerated trucks to something called Blaze Haze Eliminator, meant to remove the smell of marijuana from fabric, together in one place. Attendees hoping to make personal connections with vendors or track the latest trends are the owners of small coffee shops, regional pizza joints and institutional food services, like those at universities and prisons, among others.

Tariffs, said Jason Brandt, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, are no good for business.

We believe restaurants will be among the first hit with the cost escalations of food from the tariffs on imports, Brandt told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Our industry is still recovering from the pandemic. Any cost escalation is very difficult to absorb.

Jason Brandt, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, stands at the entry to the Oregon Food Show at the Portland Expo Center on Sunday. He Trump's tariffs are bad for business. Lillian Mongeau Hughes

How much and even whether costs might escalate remains in question. As of Friday, Trump had backed down on several proposed tariffs, but left in place a base tariff of 10% on most countries. Many products from Canada and Mexico not covered by a prior free trade deal still carried a 25% tariff. And an 145% tariff on products from China remained in place, with bigger food industry implications for packaging and industrial machined parts than for actual foodstuffs.

Walt Garnett, an assistant manager at the Mos Seafood and Chowder in Cannon Beach, said he wasnt sure he was best positioned to talk about how the uncertainty has affected his company, a coastal Oregon mainstay since 1946.

But I know were worried about it, he said. Suppliers are very confused.

Garnett said he was at the show in part to look for local suppliers that may sell more expensive goods, but are not subject to tariffs. He said the effects hes noticed so far have been scattershot. A gift shop supplier called this week to say it was raising its prices on everything as of May 1, for example. And hes found himself asking more questions about where ingredients come from. But so far most costs havent changed and he hasnt seen a big shift in how many people are coming to eat at Mos.

A seafood wholesaler, Brent Fraser at Sea Watch International, said their catch was wholly domestic and he didnt expect to be assessed for tariffs on his companys goods. In fact, he thought it might be good for them if purchasers like Garnett and the much larger buyers for big food service providers decided to buy from Sea Watch rather than their less expensive competitors from other countries.

I can see where it would be a positive for us, he said. But I can also see where it could hurt the industry if people dont have the product.

Brent Fraser, a seafood wholesaler with Sea Watch International serves clam chowder at his Oregon Food Show booth at the Portland Expo Center on Sunday. Lillian Mongeau Hughes

The uncertainty itself may be the most insidious result of the back and forth on tariffs so far, according to a few attendees who asked not to be named.

Raju Chuganey, who sells smoothie mixes and leases industrial smoothie makers for Kerry, a food service conglomerate, said several of his customers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho had paused taking on new leases or investing in larger product orders, citing the current uncertainty in the markets.

Theres a hesitance to make changes, he said. That seems to be a growing sense  Ive heard that across the region.

Lillian Mongeau Hughes covers homelessness and mental health for The Oregonian. Email her with tips or questions at lmhughes@oregonian.com. Or follow her on Bluesky @lmonghughes.bsky.social or X at @lrmongeau.

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Senate Bill 686 would require large tech companies including Meta and Google to pay at least $122 million apiece per year to online news outlets in Oregon for accessing their content. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Oregons faltering journalism landscape could receive a significant boost if lawmakers approve a bill to require big tech companies including Google and Meta to pay money to local newsrooms and journalists.

Proponents of the bill, including Oregon publishers, professional journalism organizations and some media experts, say it would be a financial lifeline for newsrooms across the state while requiring tech companies to compensate publishers for profiting off of their locally generated content.

Opponents of the proposal, including lobbyists for large tech corporations or executives with ties to such firms, say the proposal would prompt those companies to restrict access to Oregon-generated news on their platforms, which could decrease peoples online engagement with the states news sites and particularly hurt small online publishers.

Senate Bill 686, introduced by Democratic Sen. Khanh Pham of Portland, would require large tech companies to pay at least $122 million per year to online news outlets in Oregon for accessing their content. Alternatively, they could opt to undergo an arbitration process to determine an alternative payment amount.

The figure of $122 million was calculated by Haaris Mateen, a University of Houston finance professor who said he conducted a study on market balance between tech companies and online news outlets. He said that is the amount that Meta and Google would pay to Oregon outlets if they were adequately compensated for the value they bring to those platforms.

The bill as currently written calls for each company of Googles or Metas magnitude to pay that sum each year. But Pham said that was not its framers intent and that the bill will be adjusted to make clear that large tech companies would need to collectively pay that much.

More than a dozen lawmakers, including key caucus leaders in both chambers, have signed on as co-sponsors. The growing support for the bill raises the chances that Oregon could become one of the first states to implement a policy aimed at restoring local journalism by forcing tech giants to pay for news content.

The proposal would apply to digital platforms with at least 50 million monthly users in the United States owned by tech companies with net annual sales exceeding $550 billion nationwide or with more than 1 billion monthly users worldwide. In other words, it would only apply to massive companies like Google and Meta.

The majority of the money they would have to pay, 90%, would be distributed to outlets that produce news content for an Oregon audience and would be allocated based on the number of journalists each employ.

News outlets would be required to spend at least 70% of the funding on journalists salaries. Organizations with five or fewer employees would have more leeway  for example, they could use the money to pay freelance journalists.

The intent of the fund, Pham told the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday, would be to repair the harms that have already been done towards civic life and grow local journalism back from the brink.

Journalism jobs in Oregon have fallen by 75% since 2001 amid declines in newspaper readership and advertisement dollars, according to data from the Oregon Employment Department. That has led to a depletion of high-quality news coverage in many rural Oregon communities and even some mid-size cities.

Another 10% of the revenue would go to a newly-established consortium hosted at the University of Oregon that would fund grants to local publishers and news startups, particularly in rural areas. The consortium would also support new journalism jobs and fund media training programs.

Proponents of the bill say Google and Meta benefit significantly from accessing news content and should compensate media organizations for it. For example, using algorithms, Google sifts through news sites and draws on journalist-generated content to create the A.I. summaries it serves up to people who conduct Google searches. It doesnt, meanwhile, require searchers to click through to the news sites from which it harvested the information.

A slide presented by Sen. Khanh Pham on April 9 depicts an A.I.-generated summary at the top of a Google search results page. Sen. Khanh Pham's office.

Proponents also argue that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Threads and Instagram, attracts more users and advertising dollars when news outlets and their readers publish fact-checked, reported information that adds value to the platform.

So you have this relationship where you have this enormously profitable advertising company that is still profiting off of journalism from Instagram without having to have users leave the ecosystem of Instagram, said Matt Pearce, a former Los Angeles Times reporter who now serves as a senior policy advisor to Rebuild Local News, a nonprofit that advocates for policies to expand local news coverage.

Tech companies take issue with that argument. Meta executives argue that news content provides little value to the company and have commissioned studies that show Facebook actually helps drive traffic to local news sites. They say most of the news posted to Facebook is posted by news sites that willingly share their content in pursuit of clicks and engagement.

Google claims it is one of the worlds largest financial supporters of journalism and has argued that some news organizations benefit from grants it awards or from the traffic and ad revenue it helps drive. But its lobbyist did not provide specifics of how its supported any Oregon newsrooms.

A Google News Initiative grant formed a portion of the start-up funding for Lookout Eugene-Springfield, an online news site that officially launched last week in Eugene. Its founder, news entrepreneur Ken Doctor, testified against the bill last week. On Monday, Doctor acknowledged receiving grants from Google for the Eugene outlet and a similar digital news site in Santa Cruz he launched four years ago. But he declined to disclose the size of those grants.

Tech industry representatives at Wednesdays public hearing strongly indicated to lawmakers that Meta and Google would take measures to restrict access to Oregon-based news sites from their platforms if the bill passes. That could happen in several ways. In Canada, for example, Meta responded to a similar law passed in 2023 by blocking Canadian news content on Facebook and Instagram.

The bill would cut off critical traffic to news outlets, disadvantage smaller independent publishers and limit public access to reliable information, Robert Singleton, regional policy and public affairs director for Chamber of Progress, an industry group that lists Google and Meta among its partners, told lawmakers.

Tech corporations have made those same threats in response to similar policies in California, Canada and Australia. But their efforts and success have varied widely.

Last December, for example, Australian officials successfully required large tech companies to continue payment deals with the countrys news publishers after Meta threatened to withdraw from those deals. The new mandate worked because the government threatened to hit tech companies with higher taxes if they chose to end the payments.

And last August, Google executives privately negotiated with California lawmakers and ultimately agreed to pay the state millions of dollars to support the states newsrooms in response to legislation that would have required significantly higher payments from the company.

Tech companies and other opponents of the Oregon bill have repeatedly said it would unfairly benefit out-of-state corporations and large media conglomerates that own newspapers in the state. Supporters argue that while some newspapers have out-of-state corporate owners, the funding would still directly support Oregon-based journalists. They also point out that the consortium would almost exclusively support local news outlets.

Many Oregon news publishers have thrown their support behind the bill. They range from large organizations like The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon Public Broadcasting to hyperlocal, independent outlets like McKenzie River Reflections and The Corvallis Advocate.

Several organizations, including the University of Oregons Agora Journalism Center, the Oregon Society of Professional Journalists and multiple unions representing journalists, also submitted testimony in support of the bill.

It speaks volumes that the response from these gigantic digital platforms to this bill and others like it is to threaten to censor and take away news content from these sites and deprive their users of valuable and vetted information, Mai Hoang, president of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild, said during the public hearing.

A few smaller outlets, including Ashland News and News in the Grove, raised concerns that the bill wouldnt go far enough to support small newsrooms or expressed fears that Meta and Google would retaliate.

Maybe you could consider the impacts on local publishers like myself that are just battling day-to-day to make ends meet and report on the news. This bill leaves us out, wrote Brad Fuqua, editor and publisher of Philomath News.

Fourteen Democratic lawmakers and one Republican have so far signed on as cosponsors of the bill. That includes Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama of Portland and House Majority Leader Ben Bowman of Tigard, as well as other Democrats with significant sway in the Capitol.

That momentum doesnt guarantee the bill will pass. As of Monday morning, the bill wasnt scheduled for another hearing or a vote. And lawmakers could choose to significantly alter the proposal before the legislative session ends in June.

Lawmakers could also choose to negotiate with the tech companies. In Canada and California, Google indicated that it would be more likely to support similar policies if the government were also to pay to support newsrooms.

Sen. Jeff Golden, a Democrat from Ashland and co-sponsor of the bill, said thats not an option. Lawmakers are currently attempting to find more funding for transportation, housing, behavioral health, wildfire prevention and education, among other major issues. Journalism funding is not on that list of priorities, he said.

People are going to die from some of our failures to fund things this session, Golden said. The idea that were going to put out grants in this situation, when the immense wealth of these platforms is built in part on taking content from local newspapers, just isnt in the cards.

Editors note: John Maher, president and publisher of The Oregonian/OregonLive, testified in support of Senate Bill 686. The Oregonian/OregonLive is a member of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, which supports the bill.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe.
Portland will have a great weather week for getting outdoors and seeing spring in full bloom. Oregonian file photo. The Oregonian

Have you been wanting to take a visit to see the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, or hike through Forest Park, but didnt want to deal with the mud? This is your week.

The National Weather Service says high pressure dominates the weather pattern this week with dry conditions and above normal temperatures becoming the major players at least until Friday.

There is extremely high confidence in daytime high temps reaching into the mid to upper 70s in the Willamette Valley/I-5 corridor areas including the lower Cascade Valleys on Monday with highs likely to hit 15-18 degrees above average.

Portlands highest daytime temp this week will arrive Monday with mid-to-upper 70s likely in all metro locations under sunny skies. Portlands expected high temp will be near 77 degrees. The average high in mid April is 62 degrees.

A system out of Canada will help break down the strong ridge of high pressure and bring a slight cooling trend beginning Tuesday.

Portland will see mostly sunny skies during the day, but the high temp will cool to around 73 degrees.

Wednesday will likely stay dry with mostly sunny skies. High temps will drop back down to near normal at about 68 degrees. There is a very slight chance (5-14%) a damp system will move westward enough to bring light showers to the Cascades and their foothills at some point Wednesday. But even if it does arrive, moisture levels should be minimal, according to the weather service.

Portland gets two more clear and sunny days Thursday and Friday with highs in the low 70s.

Extended forecasts show the next sign of rain and cooler temps returning during the weekend as a shortwave trough pushes into the region.
On April 14th-16th at the Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma HOSA-Future Health Professionals is hosting the annual State Leadership Conference in which students from all over the state are able to participate in various medical and healthcare related competitions. There are many opportunities for participants to learn, engage with other like minded students, and implement their knowledge and skills in competitive activities. There are several opportunities to win cash awards and prizes for competing in events.

Our HOSA leadership has secured funding to pay for the registration fees for a limited number of students interested in attending. This would make the out of pocket cost for students negligible. Contact HOSA at The University of Oklahoma for more details.

Groupme: GroupMe - Join the group for OU HOSA - Future Health Professionals

Instagram: ouhosa01

email: haydenpeek@ou.edu

thao.t.tran-1@ou.edu

Hosted by: HOSA- Future Health Professionals

Additional Information can be found at: https://ou.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11115812
Algeria-China business forum to be held in Algiers

Xinhua) 11:21, April 14, 2025

ALGIERS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Algeria-China Business Forum on Investment, to be held in Algiers on April 15, is poised to serve as a platform for attracting Chinese investment and deepening bilateral economic ties, the event's organizer announced Saturday.

Organized by the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI), the forum will gather around 200 companies from both countries. Around 30 Chinese firms and a delegation from China's National Development and Reform Commission are expected to attend, alongside Algerian investors and project leaders.

The forum aims to boost bilateral cooperation across key sectors including mining, solar energy, circular economy, technology, mobility, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, the AAPI said.

The AAPI described the event as a key opportunity to attract Chinese capital, foster technology transfer, and build long-term industrial partnerships, as B2B meetings are on the agenda.

China has long been Algeria's largest trading partner. According to China's Foreign Ministry, the trade volume between China and Algeria reached 12.48 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. China mainly exports mechanical and electrical products, steel products, and vehicles and spare parts, among others, and mainly imports petrochemical raw materials. Algeria is one of China's largest overseas contracting markets.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
International Paper in Negotiations with PALM Group on Sale of Five European Corrugated Box Plants

The sale of the corrugated box plants was agreed to with the European Commission as an obligation for IP's acquisition of DS Smith The sale of the corrugated box plants was agreed to with the European Commission as an obligation for IP's acquisition of DS Smith

April 14, 2025 - International Paper today announced that the company has entered into exclusive negotiations with PALM Group of Germany after receiving an irrevocable offer for the purchase of five corrugated box plants in Europe: (i) three plants in Normandy, France (namely, one box plant in Saint-Amand, one box plant in Mortagne, and one sheet plant in Cabourg); (ii) one box plant in Ovar, Portugal; and (iii) one box plant in Bilbao, Spain.

Upon completion of the required French works council consultation and/or employee information processes, the parties expect to enter into a definitive share purchase agreement. The closing is expected by the end of the second quarter of 2025.

"Finding the right buyer for these five facilities has been a top priority for our team since the completion of the acquisition of DS Smith, and I'm pleased that we have found one in PALM," said International Paper Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail. "We are grateful for the many contributions the team members at these five plants have made to the company and know they will continue to be successful and deliver value with their new owners."

The sale of these plants was agreed to with the European Commission as a remedy for IP's acquisition of DS Smith Plc, as published on the Commission's website on January 24, 2025. The conclusion of the divestment is subject to the European Commission's approval of the proposed purchaser.

As a result of this disposal, IP will have satisfied all of its obligations towards the European Commission in connection with the acquisition of DS Smith Plc.

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, IP employs more than 65,000 team members and serves customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion.

SOURCE: International Paper
The following was drawn from my debate / book, Justification: A Catholic Perspective (Aug. 2023), vs. the Brazilian Calvinist Francisco Tourinho. We discussed the book of James at great length, and for some time Ive been meaning to compile those portions, because the topic often comes up in debates on justification. I will be excerpting my words only, with slight editing. I use RSV for Bible citations. Breaks in the texts / citations will be noted by five asterisks.

*****

Why go to the trouble of asserting that only x justifies while at the same time asserting, y must always be with this x that alone justifies, lest x cease to truly be x? This strikes me as a distinction without a difference. I understand the fine distinctions of standard Protestant soteriology with which I am very familiar, but it still seems to me to be straining at gnats. If y (works) is always  and should always be  there with x (faith), then is there not a sense in which y has some connection with justification, too? And that relationship between the two things is what Catholics think James 2 is dealing with.

I shall argue that the Bible teaches an organic connection between faith and works: not merely an abstract partnership where never the twain shall meet in some respects. Two sides of a coin are also distinguishable from each other, but they both have to be there for the coin to be what it is, dont they? We dont say that only one half of the coin bought the bubblegum in the machine. We say that the coin (which contains two distinct sides by nature) bought the bubblegum.

*****

James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

The phrase faith alone appears exactly once in the RSV: in this verse. Justification by faith alone is expressly denied! This is one of three times (along with James 2:21 and 2:25 further below) that the Bible also expresses the notion of justified by works (in context, along with faith). Four other passages in James directly, expressly contradict faith alone but with different words:

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? James 2:17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:20 Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.

From these five passages in James 2, we learn that:

1) Faith alone doesnt justify. 2) Faith alone is dead. 3) Faith alone is barren. 4) Faith alone cannot save.

And these are only the best and clearest Bible passages, in my estimation, that refute faith alone.

*****

James 2:20-26 also refers back to Genesis 15:6, and gives an explicit interpretation of the Old Testament passage, by stating, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, . . . (2:23). The previous three verses were all about justification, faith, and works, all tied in together, and this is what James says fulfilled Genesis 15:6. The next verse then condemns Protestant soteriology by disagreeing the notion of faith alone in the clearest way imaginable.

James 2 is usually applied by Protestants to sanctification, but that is not what the passage says. It mentions justified (dikaioo: Strongs word #1344) three times (2:21, 24-25): the same Greek word used in Romans 4:2, as well as 2:13; 3:20, 24, 28; 5:1, 9; 8:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 2:16-17; 3:11, 24; 5:4; and Titus 3:7. If James actually meant sanctification, on the other hand, he could have used one of two Greek words (hagiazo / hagiasmos: Strongs #37-38) that appear (together) 38 times in the New Testament (the majority of times by Paul himself).

*****

The problem is Franciscos contention that James was dealing with libertines: ones who were like demons who have a dead faith. That would seem to me to be non-Christians, who dont have an authentic, living faith, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and Gods grace, rather than a dead belief akin to that of the demons. But the actual text (in its overall context) doesnt assert these things.

James refers in 2:1 to his readers as My brethren who hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then he calls them my beloved brethren (2:5) and my brethren again in 2:14. This is in line with the epistle before and after chapter 2. James refers to them as brethren (4:11; 5:7, 9-10, 12), my brethren (1:2; 3:1, 10, 12; 5:19), and my beloved brethren (1:16, 19). St. Paul also massively used the title of brethren to all the Christian in the congregations that he loved and wrote to and shepherded.

So this is Franciscos problem: the text doesnt support this particular argument of his. When James refers in 2:19 to You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe  and shudder he is referring to the same people that he called my brethren five verses earlier. Its no doubt a rhetorical flourish, but it seems to me that it still relates to what was before.

Its much like Pauls letter to the Galatians. He calls the Galatian Christians brethren ten times. . . .

These are undeniably fellow Christians in the book of James as well; therefore, the argument that James is writing to libertines or some form of antinomians is not supported. Thus, when faith and works are written about, its related to fellow Christians, just as Paul does in, for example, Romans 2:5-13, which is all about the necessity of good works, or in Galatians. There is no reason that I can see, for James to write his entire letter to libertines; hes writing to Christians. And so what he says to them wont be substantially different from what Paul writes to those in his charge. Hes not going to write about faith only in terms of what other people think of them, but of authentic faith in God.

The Navarre Commentary observed about James 2:23:

It was reckoned to him as righteousness: St. Paul (cf. Gal 3:6 and note) uses these words of Genesis 15:6 to explain that righteousness is attained not just by Abrahams descendants but by all who believe the word of God, whether they be Jews or not; St. James, from another perspective, quotes this text to show that Abrahams faith made him righteous, that is, holy. Both teachings are complementary. Abraham believed in the divine promise that he would be the father of a great people despite his age and his wifes sterility; but that faith was reinforced and manifested when it met the test God set  that of sacrificing his only son, while still believing in the earlier promise. The same thing happens in the case of the Christian: his initial faith is strengthened by obedience to the commandments, and he thereby attains holiness.

St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, writing when he was still an Anglican in 1838 (Lectures on the Doctrine of Justification: rev. 1874; London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 3rd edition, 1908), has several insightful things (as always) to say about this general issue and James in particular:

St. Paul says, we are justified without works; what works? works of, or done under, the Law, the Law of Moses, through which the Law of Nature spoke in the ears of the Jews. But St. James speaks of works done under what he calls the royal Law, the Law of liberty, which we learn from St. Paul is the Law of the Spirit of Life, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; in other words, the Law of God, as written on the heart by the Holy Ghost. St. Paul speaks of works done under the letter, St. James of works done under the Spirit. This is surely an important difference in the works respectively mentioned. Or, to state the same thing differently: St. James speaks, not of mere works, but of works of faith, of good and acceptable works. I do not suppose that any one will dispute this, and therefore shall take it for granted. St. James then says, we are justified, not by faith only, but by good works. Now St. Paul is not speaking at all of good works, but of works done in the flesh and of themselves deserving Gods wrath and damnation. He says, without works; he does not say without good works; whereas St. James is speaking of good works solely. St. Paul speaks of works done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of His Spirit; St. James of good works which are the fruits of faith and follow after justification. (ch. 12) St. Paul never calls those works which he says do not justify good works, but simply works,works of the Law,deeds of the Law,works not in righteousness,dead works; what have these to do with works or fruits of the Spirit? Of these latter also St. Paul elsewhere speaks, and by a remarkable contrast he calls them again and again good works. For instance, By grace are ye saved through faith,  not of works, lest any man should boast; for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. This surely is a most pointed intimation that the works which do not justify are not good, or, in other words, are works before justification. As to works after, which are good, whether they justify or not, he does not decide so expressly as St. James, the error which he had to resist leading him another way. He only says, against the Judaizing teachers, that our works must begin, continue, and end in faith. But to proceed; he speaks elsewhere of abounding in every good work, of being fruitful in every good work, of being adorned with good works, of being well reported of for good works, diligently following every good work, of the good works of some being open beforehand, of being rich in good works, of being prepared unto every good work, of being throughly furnished unto all good works, of being unto every good work reprobate, of being a pattern of good works, of being zealous of good works, of being ready to every good work, of being careful to maintain good works, of provoking unto love and to good works, and of being made perfect in every good work. [2 Cor. ix. 8. Eph. ii. 10. Col. i. 10. 2 Thess. ii. 17. 1 Tim. ii. 10; v. 10, 25; vi. 18. 2 Tim. ii. 21; iii. 17. Tit. i. 16; ii. 7, 14; iii. 8, 14. Heb. x. 24; xiii. 21.] Now surely this is very remarkable. St. James, though he means good works, drops the epithet, and only says works. Why does not St. Paul the same? why is he always careful to add the word good, except that he had also to do with a sort of works with which St. James had not to do,that the word works was already appropriated by him to those of the Law, and therefore that the epithet good was necessary, lest deeds done in the Spirit should be confused with them? St. Paul, then, by speaking of faith as justifying without works, means without corrupt and counterfeit works, not without good works. (ch. 12) By works, says St. James, a man is justified, and not by faith only. Now, let me ask, what texts do their opponents shrink from as they from this? do they even attempt to explain it? or if so, is it not by some harsh and unnatural interpretation? Next, do they not proceed, as if distrusting their own interpretation, to pronounce the text difficult, and so to dispose of it? yet who can honestly say that it is in itself difficult? rather, can words be plainer, were it not that they are forced into connection with a theory of the sixteenth century; . . . (ch. 12)

Similarly, he wrote again on 26 January 1840: still over five-and-a-half years before becoming a Catholic:

The way of salvation is by works, as under the Law, but it is by works which spring out of faith, and which come of the inspiration of the Spirit. It is because works are living and spiritual, from the heart, and by faith, that the Gospel is a new covenant. Hence in the passages above quoted we are told again and again of the law in our inward parts; a new heart; a new spirit; the Holy Spirit within us; newness of life, and circumcision of the heart in the Spirit. And hence St. Paul says, that though we have not been saved by works, yet we are created unto good works; and that the blood of Christ purges the conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Salvation then is not by dead works, but by living works. . . . And thus there is no opposition between St. Paul and St. James. St. James says, that justification is by works, and St. Paul that it is by faith: but, observe, St. James does not say that it is by dead or Jewish works; he mentions expressly both faith and works; he only says, not faith only but works also:and St. Paul is far from denying it is by works, he only says that it is by faith and denies that it is by dead works. And what proves this, among other circumstances, is, that he never calls those works, which he condemns and puts aside, good works, but simply works: whenever he speaks of good works in his Epistles, he speaks of Christian works; not of Jewish. On the whole, then, salvation is both by faith and by works. St. James says, not dead faith, and St. Paul, not dead works. St. James, not by faith only, for that would be dead faith: St Paul, not by works only, for such would be dead works. Faith alone can make works living; works alone can make faith living. Take away either, and you take away both;he alone has faith who has works,he alone has works who has faith. (Parochial and Plain Sermons, vol. 5, Sermon 12: The New Works of the Gospel)

*****

James 2:10 has to be interpreted and understood in light of related verses (cross-referencing and systematic theology). The Bible does not teach that all sins are absolutely equal. This is easy to prove. . . .

James 2:10 deals with mans inability to keep the entire Law of God: a common theme in Scripture. James accepts differences in degrees of sin and righteousness elsewhere in the same letter: we who teach shall be judged with a greater strictness (3:1). In 1:12, the man who endures trial will receive a crown of life. In James 1:15 he states that sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.

Therefore, there must be sins that are not full-grown and do not bring about spiritual death. James also teaches that the prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects (5:16), which implies that there are relatively more righteous people, whom God honors more, by making their prayers more effective (he used the prophet Elijah as an example). If there is a lesser and greater righteousness, then there are lesser and greater sins also, because to be less righteous is to be more sinful, and vice versa.

*****

Genesis 15:6 cant have anything to do with works of the [Mosaic] law (which is the Catholic and NPP view) because the Mosaic Law did not yet exist. Romans 4:3, 5, referring to Abraham (Gen 15:6) was Abrahams second justification: . . . Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. . . . [5] And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. As Jimmy Akin argued (cited by me), he had also been spoken as having been justified in Genesis 12:1-4, when he was obedient to Gods instruction and left Haran.

We know this because Hebrews 11:8 states that Abraham had faith when he was called to go out to the place he would afterward receive. So that had to be justification by faith, according to Protestant belief. But then James 2 refers to a third justification of Abraham when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac:

James 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, [23] and the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. [24] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

So we have Abraham being justified at least three times, according to the Bible. So much for the Protestant one-time justification that (in the Calvinist brand of soteriology) can never be lost, either. But none of my reference to Abraham (or that of James) has anything to do with the works of the law controversy. James never uses the phrase works of the law in his entire book. Nor does Paul in Romans 4, when he refers back to Abraham.

*****

James 2:1 is not about proving our faith to other persons by works, but about treating people equally, as classic Protestant commentaries agree:

*

brethren , is the basis of this admonition. Bengels Gnomen : The equality of Christians, as indicated by the name of, is the basis of this admonition. * Who, being in the form of God  i.e., Very God, and not appearance merelynevertheless  thought not His equality with God a thing to be always grasped at, as it were some booty or prize,  but emptied Himself  of His glory,  and took upon Him the shape of a slave. Were these central, nay initial, facts of the faith believed then; or are they now? If they were in truth, how could there be such folly and shame as acceptance of persons according to the dictates of fashionable society and the world? Honour, indeed, to whom honour is due ( Ellicotts Commentary for English Readers : Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, wrote St. Paul to the proud and wealthy men of Corinth ( 2Corinthians 8:9 ), that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich; and, with more cogent an appeal, to the Philippians ( James 2:4-7 ), In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves: look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:Very God, and not appearance merelynevertheless as it were some booty or prize,  of His glory, Were these central, nay initial, facts of the faith believed then; or are they now? If they were in truth, how could there be such folly and shame as acceptance of persons according to the dictates of fashionable society and the world? Honour, indeed, to whom honour is due ( Romans 13:7 ). * Meyers NT Commentary : In close connection with the thought contained in chap. Jam 1:27 , that true worship consists in the exhibition of compassionate love, James proceeds to reprove a practice of his readers, consisting in a partial respect to the rich and a depreciation of the poor, which formed the most glaring contrast to that love. . . . their faith should not be combined with a partial respect of persons. * Calvins Commentaries : [H]e does not simply disapprove of honor being paid to the rich, but that this should not be done in a way so as to despise or reproach the poor; and this will appear more clearly, when he proceeds to speak of the rule of love. Let us therefore remember that the respect of persons here condemned is that by which the rich is so extolled, wrong is done to the poor, which also he shews clearly by the context . . .

*****

James 2:7 extends the same thought expressed in James 2:1-6: preferential treatment of the rich over the poor. Hence, James 1:6 (RSV, as throughout) states: But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court? The point is about Christian ethical hypocrisy and double standards, not about proving the validity of ones faith to men, as if James supposedly isnt talking about faith like Paul and Jesus do.

*****

I dont see that James is operating with an entirely different conception of works (before men only, and not before God). To the contrary, James, just like Paul, ties both faith and works into salvation, not just flattering and God-honoring appearances before men. They are connected to salvation itself (1:12, 21-22; 2:14) as well as to justification (2:21, 24-25); both things directed Godward and not merely towards other persons.

*****

There is indeed a sense in which we prove the genuineness of our faith in the world and the Church, and provide a good witness. But this sense doesnt exclude the organic connection between faith and works / justification and sanctification: directly tied to salvation.

*****
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Good 10Gbps light-duty performer

Affordable

Clever, flick-to-open Type-A design Cons Slows drastically during very long writes

Plastic-y tactile sensation Our Verdict Though not the drive you want for super-long writes, this thin, flick-to-open USB stick from Kingston is aces for small file sets. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today

Best Prices Today: Kingston DataTraveler Max 10Gbps USB stick

Retailer Price Kingston $37.99 View Deal Check Product Price

Increasingly, vendors are upping the ante when it comes to the performance of their USB sticks. Its now commonplace to see 10Gbps, as employed by the Kingstons DataTraveler Max reviewed here.

I have no doubt that a USB4 thumb drive will soon make an appearance. Okay, maybe not soon, but they will arrive at some point. For now, I can make do with 1 gigabyte-per-second transfers.

Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best external drives for comparison.

What are the Kingston DataTraveler Maxs features?

The DataTraveler Max is a 10Gbps (USB 3.2) USB stick/SSD sporting a Type-A connector. Its around 3.63 inches long, 0.85 inches wide, and a mere 0.32 inches thick. Weight is hardly worth mentioning at 0.5 ounces.

The Kingston DataTraveler Max with the Type-A USB connector exposed.

The 1TB DataTraveler Max that Kingston sent me was black with a maroon sliding cover that clicks into place. As the cover is only a clamshell, when you slide it forward to cover the Type-A connector, it leaves the bottom half of said connector still exposed. Basically, dont drop it into water.

Also, the light weight and hard material makes the drive feel a bit flimsy, though it held up well in my hands-on evaluation. Beyond that, I quite like the design.

Because you push on the actual drive portion for insertion, theres no frustration of a lever or switch slipping.

I also got a kick out of holding the drive between my fingers and my thumb, and using my thumb to slide the cover back and forth. Much like youd flick a Bic. (Look it up.)

How much does the Kingston DataTraveler Max cost?

Though the DataTraveler Max retails at $38 for the 256GB capacity, $68 for the 512GB, and $120 for the 1TB, I found it on sale on Amazon for $32.95, $56.39, and $92.43, respectively. At one point, the 1TB version was as low as $80 on Amazon  thats pretty darn affordable for a 1TB external SSD, USB stick or no.

The Kingston DataTraveler Max with the Type-A USB connector retracted.

But as always, look around. There are competitors such as the significantly newer and faster-with-large-files PNY Pro Elite V3 that are priced even lower than the DataTraveler Maxs sale prices.

Because of that, Im guessing that Kingstons sale prices on this item wont disappear anytime soon. (Dont hold me to that.)

I got a kick out of holding the drive between my fingers and my thumb, and using my thumb to slide the cover back and forth. Much like youd flick a Bic.

How fast is the Kingston DataTraveler Max?

For light duty, the Kingston DataTraveler Max compares nicely to other 10Gbps USB drives. But its absolutely not the drive for long writes. While it placed 63rd among all drives and fourth among eight thumb drives in overall performance, it finished dead last in our 450GB write (69th place). It wasnt close either  almost 9 minutes behind the next worst performer. Ahem.

In CrystalDiskMark 8 the DataTraveler Max performed well below par with the 64GiB data set we normally employ while writing. Much like the http://Teamgroup X1 Max review: Killer USB drive convenience  PCWorld https://www.pcworld.com  article  teamgroup-x1-ma. Maybe stop naming your USB sticks Max? Just saying, folks.

With CrystalDiskMark 8 using a much smaller 8GiB data set, the DataTraveler Max performed more on par with its peers. Ive included both results here, but the 64GiB results are the official ones. Note that AS SSD 2.0 showed the drive with very good numbers using its 10GB data set.

In CrystalDiskMark 8 the DataTraveler Max perfromed well below par with the 64GiB data set while writing. With the 8GiB data set it performed more on par with its peers. With the lighter data set its largely competitive.

Random performance was much the same story  good, but not on pace with the most excellent SK Hynix Tube T31.

The DataTraveler Maxs random performance was much the same story, good, but not on pace with the most excellent SK Hynix tube T31.

The DataTraveler Max turned in decent, if not top-tier 48GB transfer times.

The DataTraveler Max turned in decent, if not top-tier 48GB transfer times.

Where the DataTraveler Max really fell apart was in our 450GB write test. Not to pile on, but again, it finished dead last in this test, at 69th place, almost 9 minutes behind the next worst performer.

Where are theDataTraveler Max really fell apart was in our 450GB write test.

Below you can see where the issue with the Kingston DataTraveler Maxs long writes falls. It slows to around 80MBps (Yowser!) once it runs out of secondary cache. That almost surely means that the NAND is QLC. I just complained about the PNY Pro Elite V3s 1,800 second write time, so you can guess how I feel about this one.

Note that the slowdown occurs at around the 12 percent mark, or after around 50- to 55GB.

Note that the DataTraveler Max did recover well after this long write. Subsequent 48GB writes proceeded at their normal (for the DataTraveler Max) 700MBps pace. Hence, with smaller data sets you should get good performance even as the drive fills.

Should you buy the Kingston DataTraveler Max?

Given the right price, the Kingston DataTraveler Max easily meets the needs of most users  I dont hesitate recommending it for relatively light loads. I also love the way the cover flicks and clicks in place. However, if youre looking for something thats fast with really large files, look to anything else.

How we test
This year my laptop turns sixa relatively young age in the grand scheme of things. Sure, its gotten slower and the battery life has taken a hit, but since I dont use it for advanced video editing or gaming, its no problem. For lighter workloads like web surfing and emailing, it gets the job done just fine.

Theres really only one problem: my laptop is too old for a Windows 11 update. On October 14th, 2025, Windows 10 will reach the end of its life period, which means no new features or security updates. The former is not a big problem. The latter would be a disaster.

Im not alone in this situation. Over 50 percent of users are still running Windows 10, and this figure is gradually dropping. How many will have updated in six months time is anyones guess, but whatever the percentage, one thing is clear. A large proportion of the worlds 1.6 billion Windows PCs will still be running Windows 10 on October 14th, 2025.

What makes this challenging is that Windows 11 is so technically demanding that its not possible to update all fully functional computers. Sadly, my six-year-old laptop is one of them.
Imagine youre out with friends and you open a ride-sharing app to get to your next spot. You chat with them on the way, knowing that your privacy isnt exactly sacrosanct in a strangers car, but still comfortable enough to talk. After you get there, someone sends you a text message with a transcript of your entire conversation during the ride.

Anvi Ahuja, a Lyft user in Toronto, doesnt have to imagine. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports thats exactly what happened to her. When she called the number that had texted her the transcript, she got a generic not available recording allegedly from the Lyft service.

Ahuja was, understandably, upset. After calling Lyft later that night, she was told that the company was piloting a program that recorded and transcribed conversations into a centralized database. But Lyft later adjusted its messaging, telling her in a follow-up message that it was the driver who specifically recorded herwithout consentand said that it was taking proper actions to rectify the situation.

The shocking revelation here is not that a customer was recorded. (Indeed, I cant remember the last time I hopped into a ride-share or taxi without a dashcam that also had a camera pointed towards the cars interior.) While a single vehicle feels more private and intimate than a normal public place, the fact is, the driver is part of a business and it makes sense to record stuff purely for the sake of safety.

But the transcription of words, especially if it appears to be coming from a centralized service somewhere within Lyft itself, is more concerning. These ride-sharing apps are big companies and people have a lot of sensitive conversations within cabs and they feel like theyre secure, Ahuja told the CBC. Lyft has confirmed to both the customer and the CBC that it is running a pilot program that records and transcribes conversations inside drivers vehicles, but claims that those transcriptions are only supposed to be sent to the ride-sharing company for reference if a security issue is reported.

According to Lyft, the system is based on the app Lyft drivers use while on the job. A Lyft representative claims that Ahujas experience is not related to that program, which is only running in select US markets with opt-in protocols for drivers. Exactly how the driver, or anyone else, contacted Ahuja with the transcription isnt clear. Lyft drivers are able to communicate with customers via the app, but arent supposed to have access to the customers phone number, nor are customers supposed to have the numbers of their drivers.

We can confirm that the communication was sent via a masked number, and the driver did not have access to the riders personal phone number, Lyft told the CBC. The company said it is investigating. How the person got Ahujas number, got the transcript of her conversation, and called with an allegedly Lyft-associated number according to the recording Ahuja heard when she called back? None of that is known.

In Canada, recording business patrons must be disclosed along with the purpose of those recordings, even in a nominally public place. Its typically achieved with some kind of signage. Ahuja claims this did not happen. Lyfts Canadian recording policy directs drivers to follow local regulations and says that Lyft doesnt have direct access to the cameras, but we will know that you have a camera in the vehicle once you complete the registration.
Pedestrians in Silicon Valley got an uncomfortable surprise when pressing crosswalk buttons this weekend, upon which they heard satirical recordings that imitated billionaire tech CEOs. Voice clips pretending to be Facebook/Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk emanated from speakers meant to guide the visually impaired.

Hi, Im Elon, said one speaker, in a reader-submitted video posted to Palo Alto Online (via Toms Hardware). Can we be friends? Will you be my friend? Ill give you a Cybertruck, I promise. The satirical message continued, Okay, look, you dont know the level of depravity I would stoop to just for a crumb of approval. I mean, lets be real, its not like I had any moral convictions to begin with, right?

A video showing a similar recording from Mark Zuckerberg took aim at Metas increasing presence in the AI space. You know, its normal to feel uncomfortable, or even violated, as we forcefully insert AI into every facet of your conscious experience. And I just want to assure you, you dont need to worry, because theres absolutely nothing you can do to stop it.

Other messages claimed that Zuckerberg was proud to undermine democracy, cook our grandparents brains with AI slop, [make] the world less safe for trans people, and that Musk thinks being a cancer on society is awesome.

The messages were reported in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City, where residents and visitors are undeniably aware of the huge presence that corporations like Meta, Tesla, X (formerly Twitter), and xAI have in the area. Musk, Zuckerberg, and other billionaires are facing intense public scrutiny as their companies and their personal actionssometimes in open cooperation with the Trump administration or bowing to its demandscontinue to affect Americans and others.

According to a spokesperson for the city of Palo Alto, speakers at twelve intersections were affected and have been disabled. Nearby Redwood City is also affected, and deputy city manager said that staff were investigating as of Saturday evening. Exactly how this occurredfor example, was it an outside hack or was it someone with access to the cities infrastructures?is not clear.
A Penbrook man put gasoline from his lawnmower into two beer bottles that he then threw into the Governors Residence on Sunday, setting the mansion ablaze, police said in newly filed court documents.

Cody A. Balmer, who court records list as a Boas Street resident, was arrested and charged on Sunday with attempted murder, hours after the arson. His home is just over three miles away from the Governors mansion.

An affidavit of probable cause said Balmer was seen on surveillance cameras around 2 a.m. climbing over an exterior perimeter fence along Geiger Street, which borders the mansions 2035 Front St. address.

Gubernatorial security knew that there had been a breach on the property and we were searching to determine what had occurred, said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens.

State police said on Sunday that Balmer evaded state police who were searching for him after he climbed the fence, and was able to set the fires in the meantime.

Dressed in black clothing and carrying a bag, Balmer approached the piano room windows on the south side of the property and threw a homemade flammable device through a window, court documents said.

Flames were seen inside the mansion soon afterward. According to the affidavit, Balmer went to another window, broke the glass and went inside the home, where Governor Josh Shapiro, his wife and other guests were asleep.

Pennsylvania State Police said they evacuated the mansions occupants without injury.

Balmer threw another homemade device inside the mansions dining room that ignited other parts of the house, court documents said.

The Governors Residence is a 29,000-square-foot complex built in 1968. The room that Balmer allegedly set afire was a reception room and banquet hall that houses artwork and historical exhibits. The governors personal living quarters are elsewhere in the mansion.

The affidavit said Balmer kicked the dining room door open and left the mansion. Surveillance footage showed he was wearing two different colored gloves, one orange and one yellow.

Surveillance cameras showed Balmer leaving the property by climbing over the Geiger Street fence and running through a nearby parking lot and toward Peffer Street, according to the affidavit.

The footage showed the man discarding of his gloves, and court documents said two gasoline-covered gloves were later found in a trash can on Peffer Street.

Two broken Heineken beer bottles containing gasoline were later found inside the mansion, the affidavit said. State police said the fire caused extensive damage to the dining and piano rooms.

Bivens said Balmer was relatively meticulous in his approach, although it is unclear how well-versed he was in the layout of the property.

He clearly had a plan, Bivens said. He was very methodical in his approach and moved through it without a lot of hurry.

State police said they were contacted Sunday by a woman who said Balmer, her ex-boyfriend, was responsible for the fire, the affidavit said. Balmer turned himself in later that day.

Balmer admitted to harboring hatred toward Shapiro and said he knew it was a possibility the Shapiros would be home at the time of the fire, according to court documents.

The affidavit said Balmer told state police he removed gasoline from his lawn mower and poured it into the beer bottles, then walked for an hour to the Governors Residence with the intention of setting it ablaze.

Balmer said he used a sledgehammer to break the mansions windows and would have beaten Shapiro with the hammer if hed encountered him during the fire, according to the affidavit.

Police said they found the sledgehammer and the clothing Balmer was wearing during the fire inside his Boas Street home.

In addition to attempted murder, Balmer was charged with aggravated arson, terrorism, burglary, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and loitering/prowling at night.

Online court records show Balmer has not been arraigned as of Monday morning.

Shapiro, who is Jewish, had hosted a Passover dinner event in the reception hall Saturday night, just hours before it was set ablaze.

Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that weve received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States, Shapiro said Sunday evening.

I want you to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness we are choosing to see light, and we appreciate the light that you have shined upon us.
Suspended Magisterial District Judge Sonya McKnight arrives at the Dauphin County Courthouse for her trial on charges she tried to murder her ex-boyfriend in Feb. 2024. April 7, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Almost all the jurors from Delaware County believed Mike McCoy did not shoot himself as soon as they walked into a Dauphin County deliberation chamber Wednesday morning, one juror told PennLive.

Another juror wanted to talk through the technicalities before hopping on board with the rest to convict Magisterial District Judge Sonya McKnight of attempted murder and aggravated assault according to Juror No. 9, who spoke to PennLive on the condition of anonymity.
Update: Suspect in arson at Pa. Governors Residence held without bail, denies mental health issues

The man accused of using two gasoline-filled beer bottles to set the Governors Residence on fire Sunday has been hospitalized, police announced Monday.
Patsy Cline fans have reason to rejoice this week because the country music legend released a whopping 15 new songs over the weekend.

While that may not seem like a big number, it is when you consider the fact that the new music comes six decades after Clines death. Per PEOPLE, a limited-edition two-LP set, titled Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963) was released on Saturday. It will also be released as a two-CD set the site reported.

In total, there are 48 tracks, with 15 never-released songs included.

A lot of people  when you lose someone  you dont have all these different avenues to remember them, Clines daughter, Julie Fudge, said. The fact that its been more than 60 years and to still have her in our lives every day is quite an accomplishment. Its been a blessing.

Per PEOPLE, Fudge along with sound engineer Dylan Utz, producer Zev Feldman and Cline discographer George Hewitt, worked together to uncover the new tracks and live performance recordings.

You can read more about the process and how the recordings were found here.

Cline was just 30-years-old when she died in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee on March 5, 1963.
"Harry Potter" actor Nick Moran revealed he underwent surgery due to a "life-threatening condition." The Sorting Hat from the Harry Potter movie on September 01, 2024, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Benito/Getty Images) Getty Images

A friend of Nick Moran asked fans to pray for the Harry Potter actor after he was rushed to the hospital.

According to Deadline, Morans friend, Terry Stone, posted on his Instagram stories a now-deleted photo of the actor lying in a bed in intensive care.
Rob Hirst, the drummer for the popular Australian rock group Midnight Oil, is battling pancreatic cancer.

The 69-year-old made the revelation in a recent interview with The Australian. Hirst, who co-founded Midnight Oil in the 1970s, said he has been battling the disease for two years.

So its ongoing, he told the newspaper. Ive had pretty much every treatment known to man  every scan, ultrasound, MRI. Ive kind of had the works.

Hirst said the cancer was stage 3 when he found it. He said that he had an unsuccessful, eight-hour surgery to remove the tumor, but is still going through chemo and radiation. Billboard reported that Cancer Australia said the survival rate for those with pancreatic cancer between 2016 and 2020 was 12% for men.

Coming up to two years, I thought I just need to get this, literally, off my chest, Hirst told The Australian. Also, I think that lesson for me  and maybe why Ive lasted this long  is because, if you do have any of that kind of symptom, where theres something that you feel is wrong, just go and get a simple blood test. It could be life-changing, and life-extending.
The company, in revamping its image to stay afloat, is ditching bikini nights, too. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) Getty Images

Hooters  despite filing for bankruptcy  confirmed that its remaining locations will stay open.

Which begs the question  where even is a Hooters anymore?

Well, if youre in Pennsylvania, theres only one Hooters left: the King of Prussia location. Other than that, the Keystone State is devoid of the once-iconic (and controversial) chain.

If youre nowhere near the King of Prussia spot, you can head to neighboring states: There are still four Hooters in Ohio and four in New Jersey. Three are in New York.

Hooters first revealed its plans to file for bankruptcy in February. The writing seems to have been on the wall with this move, as Eater reported the franchise had closed dozens of locations the previous summer.

Eater Dallas later reported how the bankruptcy and closures didnt necessarily spell the end for the Atlanta-based chain, though: A partnership between Hooters founder, HMC Hospital Group, and a private equity firm allowed for these remaining spots to stay alive.

Hooters is here to stay, and with a stronger financial foundation and streamlined operations on the other side of the process, we will be well-positioned to continue to delivering the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food our valued customers and communities have come to expect well into the future, reads the Hooters FAQ page.

The FAQ also states there wont be any changes to their product offerings at this time, either; even the hootClub Rewards program will remain untouched for now.

Thats not to say that Hooters will stay exactly the same: According to the New York Post, the franchise plans on ditching its bikini nights for charity events and a more family-friendly atmosphere.

For many years now, the Hooters brand has been owned by private equity firms and other groups with no history or experience with the Hooters brand, said Neil Kiefer, CEO of the franchise group Hooters Inc., via statement.

As a result of these transactions, the Hooters brand will once again be in the hands of highly experienced Hooters franchisees and we will be well-positioned to return this iconic brand to its historic success.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Some people in Pennsylvania will receive checks in the mail pretty soon.

These checks arent tax refunds, though. And no, theyre not a scam, either.

According to The Morning Call, the state government was the one who sent out these checks as part of a program called Pennsylvania Money Match.

Money Match is a new way for the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners! the treasurys website explains. Its a law that was supported unanimously by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.

When [the] Treasury identifies people with unclaimed property that meets the laws requirements, we will automatically return it to you!

According to a press release published in March, the state Treasury Department  after a thorough identification and verification process  will automatically return single-owner properties valued up to $500. Letters notifying those who have such unclaimed property are sent out beforehand.

The treasury is going to send you this money that we located for you, Treasurer Stacy Garrity reiterated during an announcement of the first checks release. Cash it. Its not a scam. Its your money.

The first round of the Money Match program  which went out last month  involved a total of 7,380 checks amounting to roughly $1.7 million total in returned unclaimed property.

These checks will be sent quarterly. The next batch  which will involves about 40,000 checks  will be sent out in May.

Im thrilled to get this money back to hardworking Pennsylvanians with Money Match, Garrity stated via the release.

Thanks to the tremendous support from the General Assembly and the Governor, we were actually able to remove red tape in government, something thats almost unheard of, by implementing this great program.

For more information, please click here.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg released a statement condemning the suspected act of arson at the Pennsylvania Governors Residence in Harrisburg on Sunday morning, which led to the evacuation of Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family.

It read:

While the motive of the attack is not known at this time, we are deeply disturbed by this act of violence toward a Jewish public figure on the first night of Passover.

We are in close contact with law enforcement and have requested additional police patrols of our campus. Our security personnel  who are onsite at all times of active programming  are exercising increased vigilance. We are grateful to the first responders who prevented further damage and tragedy, and to those who help us to create a safe, secure environment and infrastructure to gather as Jews each day.

As we observe the holiday of Passover, we will not be deterred by those who bring fear and violence into the world. We will continue to celebrate our freedom to live Jewishly, joyously, and securely.
Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard.

You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit!

Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | April 14, 2025

Bucks County residents expressed their continued concern over that Sunoco pipeline leak during a virtual meeting last week. Logging in the Allegheny National Forest might accelerate under an emergency declaration. If you went shopping for these products and noticed they were missing, this might be why. Lastly, a woman made 400 hotel reservations  and never showed up.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa.

Todays episode refers to the following articles:

If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too.
By DAVID BAUDER, AP Media Writer

President Donald Trump bitterly attacked 60 Minutes shortly after the CBS newsmagazine broadcast stories on Ukraine and Greenland on Sunday, saying the network was out of control and should pay a big price for going after him.

Almost every week, 60 Minutes ... mentions the name TRUMP in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekends BROADCAST tops them all, the president said on his Truth Social platform. He called on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to impose maximum fines and punishment for their unlawful and illegal behavior.

The network had no immediate comment.

Trump has an ongoing $20 billion lawsuit against 60 Minutes for how it edited an interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris last fall. The president claims it was edited in a way to make Harris look good, something the newscast denies. But there are ongoing reports that Trumps lawyers and CBS parent company are involved in settlement talks.

Carr and the FCC have launched a parallel investigation of CBS News about the same case, one of several that it has undergone that also involve ABC News, NBC, PBS, NPR and the Walt Disney Co.

Despite the legal battle, 60 Minutes has been unstinting in its coverage of Trumps administration since he took office for a second term, particularly correspondent Scott Pelley. He traveled to Ukraine to conduct an interview with that countrys president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month.

In the interview broadcast on Sunday, Zelenskyy said he has 100% hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, and invited Trump to his visit his country to see what has been done.

Also Sunday, correspondent Jon Wertheim reported from Greenland on what some people in that nation are saying about Trumps desire to take control.

In his social media message, Trump said 60 Minutes was no longer a news show but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as News, and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing.
Boris Kolev is the Million Dollar Man After Merit Millions Victory

Tim Baker Live Reporter Copy link

The inaugural $10,400 Merit Millions Event at the 2025 Merit Poker Classic Millions has officially concluded, with Boris Kolev rising above a talented field of 212 entries to become the first-ever Merit Millions champion. Held inside the stunning Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa, the unique event ended with Kolev capturing the coveted title and the massive $1,000,000 guaranteed top prize.

Kolev, who began the final table third in chips, put on a clinical display to systematically dismantle his opponents on the way to victory. In doing so, he became the first player in Merit Poker history to walk away with a seven-figure payday. The Bulgarian pro made quick work of Mehdi Chaoui in a brief heads-up battle to seal the title and etch his name in the record books.

This monumental win boosts Kolevs career tournament earnings to over $5,000,000, and marks the largest score of his careerhis first-ever seven-figure cashto go with the two WSOP bracelets he's won so far.

Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Prize 1 Boris Kolev Bulgaria $1,000,000 2 Mehdi Chaoui Morocco $300,000 3 Romans Lihacovs Latvia $200,000 4 Aleksandr Kirichenko Russia $140,000 5 Rafael Aslanli Turkey $100,000 6 Maksim Shornikau Belarus $75,000 7 Andrey Pateychuk Russia $55,000 8 Ali Al-Kubasi Iraq $45,000 9 Alexandr Lakhov Russia $35,400

Boris Kolev

Winner's Reaction

Moments after clinching the title, PokerNews caught up with the newly crowned champion, Kolev, for his immediate thoughts.

When asked about his feelings on winning the $1,000,000 prize, Kolev humorously pointed to his hoodie emblazoned with "more money, more problems" and quipped, "Well, now I have more problems. With more money comes more problems. No, no, I feel very goodit's great, obviously."

Reflecting on pivotal moments at the final table, Kolev noted, "I started very good, got quads early, and made a lot of chips. Then, when there were four people left, the guy [Kirichenko] decided to donate to me," referencing a critical hand where Kirichenko called Kolev's river bet while both Chaoui and Lihacovs were short-stacked.

"I haven't had this much fun in a poker tournament in a long time."

Kolev also shared his admiration for the Merit Poker venue, stating, "It's the best in the world by farthe best venue, the accommodation, the staff, the food, the location. Whatever you want here, it's here. This is my favorite place."

Regarding the tournament's unique structure, where only the final table received payouts, Kolev expressed enthusiasm: "I haven't had this much fun in a poker tournament in a long time. Because of ICM over the past years, you need to fold, but here everyone is more aggressive. I think they should make this tournament more often."

As for plans with his newfound wealth, Kolev smiled and said, "Hmm, poker maybe."

Boris Kolev

Final Day Action

The final day of the $10,400 Merit Millions Event began with 30 hopefuls returning to battle it out for the title. With a unique payout structure that guaranteed prizes only for the final nine players, everyone was still many knockouts away from locking up a payday.

It didnt take long for the field to shrink to two tables, with several notable names falling short of the money. Among those to hit the rail early were popular vlogger Johan Guilbert, as well as Nichan Khorchidian, Chady Ojeil, and Joseph Sabe, none of whom were able to gain enough momentum to a push for the final table.

Johan Guilbert

Once play reached the final 16, the pressure ramped up as players had the $35,400 min-cash in their sights. A few short stacks found themselves all in and at risk, and the bustouts came quickly. With 12 left, Rafael Aslanli climbed into the chip lead after making a great call to pick off a huge bluff from Andrey Pateychuk.

Meanwhile, Kolev quietly continued to chip up. A key hand came when he flopped a set in a three-way pot that resulted in the elimination of Natan Chauskin in 11th place, further cementing his position near the top of the chip counts heading into the bubble.

Oleg Semionov

The bubble burst on the very first hand of hand-for-hand play, in heartbreaking fashion for Oleg Semionov, the Day 1a chip leader. Semionov flopped a straight and was all in by the turn, but a heart on the river completed the nut flush for Aleksandr Kirichenko, ending Semionovs run just one spot short of the money. With that, the final table was officially set, and the remaining nine players were all guaranteed a piece of the $1,950,400 prize pool.

Final Table Play

When the final table kicked off, Kolev sat third in chips, with Aslanli holding the chip lead. Despite being in the worst seat, directly to Aslanlis right, Kolev came out swinging, winning a three-bet pot with the chip leader on the very first hand.

A pivotal moment for Kolev came while nine players remained. In a blind-on-blind clash, Kolev turned quad queens and managed to get his river three-bet paid by Aslanli. The hand gave him the chip lead, which was a position he never relinquished. From that point on, Kolev looked every bit the favorite to take the title.

Rafael Aslanli

The first elimination came when Pateychuks pocket kings held up against Alexandr Lakhov, sending the Russian out in ninth. Moments later, Ali Al-Kubasi followed in eighth, before Pateychuk jammed from the small blind right into Kirichenkos big pair. Not long after, Chaoui got a lucky runout to bust Maksim Shornikau in sixth.

With five players remaining, each had secured a six-figure score. Kolev and Kirichenko were neck and neck at the top, while Aslanli was steadily slipping. His downward spiral culminated in a brutal cooler, where he picked up pocket jacks on the button and ran into Kolevs aces after a five-bet shove. Kolev snapped it off, and Aslanli hit the rail.

Aleksandr Kirichenko

While the other three players seemingly battled for second place, Kolev went on an absolute tearraising, three-betting, and going after pot after pot. The only one willing to push back was Russias Kirichenko, who was still well ahead of the rest in second. After clawing back some chips, Kirichenko and Kolev clashed in what turned out to be the biggest pot of the tournament. Kirichenko three-bet from the blinds and then check-called all the way down, only to face a shove on the river for his tournament life. After using up all his time banks, Kirichenko tossed in the calland got shown the bad news. Kolev had rivered the nuts.

With nearly 90% of the chips in play, Kolev was firmly in the drivers seat, leaving Romans Lihacovs and Chaoui essentially battling for second place. Both managed a double through Kolev, and for a moment, the tides seemed to turn. But Kolev quickly righted the ship, sending Lihacovs out in third after Kolev's jack-four beat the pocket nines of Lihacovs to move the tournament into heads-up.

The Massive Heads-Up

This wasnt your typical heads-up duel, as there was a staggering $700,000 difference between first and second place. When play began, Chaoui was on life support, and his stack only continued to dwindle. Eventually, he called off his last six big blinds with a suited ace, only to run into Kolevs ace-queen. Chaoui picked up a sweat on the flop and turn, but the river came clean for Kolev, leaving Chaoui to settle for a runner-up finish and a $300,000 payday.

Kolev wasted no time celebrating, heading straight to his friends and supporters after clinching the title and locking up a life-changing $1,000,000 as the 2025 Merit Millions Event champion.

That concludes our coverage from the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spathanks for following along with PokerNews, and well see you at the next Merit Poker adventure.

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Start to Finish: Daniel Lowery Dominates RGPS Joplin Main Event

Tyler Boyer Live Reporter Copy link

After more than 12 hours of play in the Downstream Casino Ballroom, RunGood Poker Series ambassador Daniel Lowery emerged victorious, defeating Justin Dreiling heads-up to claim the top prize of $74,398 and the coveted RGPS Main Event ring.

With over $3.7 million in career poker earnings and 18 WSOP Circuit rings to his name, Lowery is no stranger to the winners circlebut conquering a 496-entry field in the Main Event made this win feel a little more special.

Although Lowery already held several RGPS rings, this marked his first Main Event victorysomething he reflected on after the win. It feels good. Ive been close a lot of times in these RunGood Main Events, so to finally win and have that as an accolade is cool, he said. He also touched on what it meant to earn the title as a series ambassador: Any win feels good, but being able to represent our brand, have a great time here all weekend, and finish strongit just feels really good.

RGPS Joplin Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Daniel Lowery United States 71,398 2 Justin Dreiling United States $44,123 3 Jeffrey Copeland United States $32,064 4 Todd Tucker United States $23,646 5 Connor Hayward United States $17,699 6 Colin Arnold United States $13,450 7 Justin Brevik United States $10,379 8 Keith Murrell United States $8,135 9 Joshua Brower United States $6,478

Smooth Sailing on Day 2

Lowery entered Day 2 second in chips out of the 60 returning players, after bagging the Day 1B chip leadjust 6,000 chips shy of the overall lead. When asked about his mindset heading into the final day with a big stack, he said, They usually expect me to be going off, so I don't really try to get involved too quickly, before adding, But eventually, I'm trying to build. I know how to use a big stackI'm used to having a big stack, and it's where I feel most comfortable.

Lowery executed his game plan to perfection, patiently building his stack during the early stages of Day 2. A pivotal hand helped him separate himself from the field when his pocket jacks held strong in a double knockout against Scotter Clark, who held ace-king, and Daniel Ocain, who held ace-queen.

Lowery, who still held the chip lead at the time of the three-table redraw, continued to pick his spots and build on his advantage. He eliminated Tyler Barnes (24th), Timothy Black (22nd), Bill Hayes (18th), Iman Alsaden (15th), and Charles Deatherage (11th), heading into the final table with nearly 1,500,000 more chips than the next closest player.

Charles Deatherage

Final Table

The momentum didnt stop for Lowery once he reached the final table, as his pocket deuces held up to eliminate Joshua Brower in ninth place.

After Keith Murrell exited in eighth and Justin Brevik followed in seventh, Lowery encountered his first real roadblock of Day 2. Reflecting on that stretch after his win, Lowery said, I feel like I went wire to wire today  I had the chip lead the whole time, except for about 45 minutes.

During that 45-minute stretch, with six players remaining, Lowery lost two sizable pots to eventual runner-up Dreiling and found himself in the middle of the pack. Thats when he decided to shift gears, saying, There was a point where I felt like I needed to totally put on the brakes and wait until we were four or five handed before I went back to work. He added, I just felt like I needed to change the dynamic a bit, because it wasnt working six-handed when I lost the chip lead.

Although Lowery may not have had his foot on the gas in his usual fashion, he quickly halted his slide while still six-handed. His pocket kings held strong against Dreilings flopped open-ended straight draw, allowing him to double up and retake the chip lead  the only time he was all-in and at risk on Day 2.

Lowery continued to pick his spots carefully six-handed and only momentarily lost the chip lead after fellow RGPS Ambassador Jeffrey Copeland won a massive flip to eliminate Colin Arnold in sixth place.

Jeff Copeland

From there, things once again went according to plan for Lowery. He regained the chip lead with five players remaining, and after Connor Hayward exited in fifth place, Lowery added a couple more knockouts to his tally. He eliminated Todd Tucker in fourth place, despite Tucker having him dominated preflop.

Shortly after, Lowery and fellow RGPS Ambassador Copeland went to off to the races, with Lowery holding pocket jacks against Copelands ace-queen. The flop brought a queen to give Copeland the lead, but the turn completed a straight for Lowery, sending Copeland to the rail in third and setting up a heads-up match with Dreiling.

Heads-Up Battle

To start heads-up play, Lowery held a commanding chip lead, with approximately 10,000,000 of the 14,900,000 chips in play. However, the momentum shifted early when Dreiling flopped trips against Lowerys pair of nines. Lowery paid him off on the river after Dreiling moved all in, evening the chip counts between the two.

Despite the setback, Lowery continued to apply pressure, winning several small pots to rebuild his lead. But he hit another speed bump when he called a large river bet, only to see that Dreiling had made quadsmomentarily giving Dreiling the chip advantage. Lowery, however, remained unfazed. He quickly recovered, retaking the lead and extending it to an even greater margin than when heads-up play began.

Dreiling managed to find one double-up to stay alive, but shortly afterward, he moved all in with king-three suited. Lowery made the call with pocket threes, and when the board ran out with no help for Dreiling, it was Lowery who emerged victorious. Dreiling finished as the runner-up, earning $44,123 for his efforts.

After the victory Lowery talked about how he felt about the state of his game saying, "I felt really good, and felt focused today, I have been for the last few months". He's hoping to be able to keep the same form coming into the WSOP this summer, but mentioned he hopes to attend the RGPS stop in Kansas City.

That concludes our coverage here in Joplin for the RGPS, but be sure to follow PokerNews for live updates and coverage on tournaments from all around the globe.

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The 1,150 Luxon Mystery Bounty at the 2025 Irish Open, sponsored by PokerStars and Paddy Power Poker, drew a bumper crowd of 1,222 entries to the halls of the Royal Dublin Society, of which 385 sat down for Day 2 at the start of today. Over the course of ten levels, they were whittled down to just 30 contenders, with Romanian grinder Florian Duta claiming the best position on the hunt for the lion's share of the 595,725 cash prize pool, the 102,600 first-place prize.

Duta is a long-time regular on the international poker circuit, amassing over three million in live earnings over the past 15 years, earning him a second place on Romania's all-time money list. Duta bagged 5,510,000 at the end of Day 2, being the only player to cross the five-million mark and starting Day 3 with 138 big blinds.

Following Duta in the counts is Terrance Reid from the United States. Reid ended Day 2 with 4,875,000 as he is looking to debut at the Irish Open with a bang. European regular Nils Pudel rounds out the top three with 3,895,00, while bracelet winner Tobias Peters and Day 1d chipleader Yurii Zabrodotskyi also secured a spot in the top ten.

End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Florian Duta Romania 5,510,000 138 2 Terrance Reid United States 4,875,000 122 3 Nils Pudel Germany 3,895,000 97 4 Chen Xiacheng China 3,205,000 80 5 Tobias Peters Netherlands 2,805,000 70 6 Yurii Zabrodotskyi Ukraine 2,740,000 69 7 Maksim Petrov Estonia 2,515,000 63 8 Philip Joyce United Kingdom 2,485,000 62 9 Adrian Ziemichod Poland 2,440,000 61 10 Fabian Rolli Switzerland 2,435,000 61

Terrance Reid

Other notable survivors include Scottish grinder Robbie Bull (1,760,000), start-of-day chipleader Nikolaos Angelou (1,205,000), and Canadian bracelet winner Michael Khan (1,125,000). Meanwhile, Ireland's best-performing representative was Ruairi McLaughlin, with 2,160,000.

Day 2 Action

The day started with 385 players taking their seats. With only 181 players getting paid, many had to fall before the money. PokerStars' Benjamin Spragg and Marle Spragg were among the early casualties of the day, along with the likes of Jon Kyte, Marc MacDonnell, and Frank Stepuchin.

Eventually, the bubble was reached. With no less than five all-in and calls during the first hand of bubble play, Leo Worthington-Leese, Rafael Navas, and Nikolaos Mouroutis were all eliminated, sharing two min-cashes of 840 between them.

Leo Worthington-Leese

After the bubble, the bounties came into play, resulting in a fast pace of eliminations. Red Spades Alex Romero (162nd - 840) and Fintan Hand (142nd - 960), as was Triple Crown winner and Day 1a chipleader Niall Farrell (152nd - 840).

Day 1b leader Mark Finnane reached 77th place for 1,280, while Jorge Rios finished in 54th for 1,680. Rios had already declared his tournament a success earlier in the day, however. He had pulled the top bounty of 102,600, the only six-figure bounty in play from the 595,725 bounty prize pool, stating he felt "like he had already won the tournament."

Jorge Rios

During the final level of Day 2, Mateusz Moolhuizen (38th - 1.940) hit the exit, while 2015 Irish Open Main Event champion Patrick Clarke was one of the final casualties, falling in 32nd for 1,940, joining 2013 champion Ian Simpson at the rail as he fell earlier in the night in 85th for 1,280.

When all was said and done, 30 players remained, who had all guaranteed themselves a payout of 2,220. They will return tomorrow, April 14, at noon local time, for the penultimate day of the tournament, which will start in Level 25: 20,000/40,000 (40,000). All levels will remain 60 minutes long, and the plan is to play down to a final table, where the five-figure payouts will be reached.

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize Place Prize 1 102,600 10-11 7,260 2 63,860 12-13 6,060 3 45,620 14-15 5,040 4 35,080 16-17 4,200 5 27,000 18-20 3,500 6 20,785 21-23 2,940 7 15,980 24-27 2,560 8 12,280 28-30 2,220 9 9,440

PokerNews will be back on the floor in Dublin tomorrow, so tune back in then to not miss any of the mystery bounty action.
There was no shortage of action on Day 2 of the $770 Main Event at the SiGMA Poker Tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil as the field of 36 quickly became the final table of nine. The Monte Carlo Poker Club is playing host to the festival's first-ever stop with a guaranteed prizepool of $250,000 among many other side events which has brought poker players from all over to the world's fifth largest city.

There were two players who stood out from the field today and one of them was Deddi Orpaz who made his way through via the turbo flight last night which ended in the wee hours of the morning. Just six hours ago, Orpaz sat down with a stack of 267,000 and managed to spin that into a whopping 2,525,000 when the dust settled. Hailing from Israel, Orpaz is the father of the more famous poker player Tom Orpaz, and combined have over $1.2 million in career earnings.

Final Table Seat Draw and Chip Counts

Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Wilson Paiva Brazil 580,000 19 2 Marcelo Lopes Brazil 390,000 13 3 Deddi Orpaz Israel 2,525,000 84 4 Joao Leao Brazil 350,000 12 5 Christian Rico Brazil 190,000 6.5 6 Jacques Blit Argentina 895,000 30 7 Erik Marasco Brazil 780,000 26 8 Samara Alexandre Brazil 1,810,000 60 9 Edson Onofre Brazil 1,135,000 38

Day 2 Action

There were 36 players who returned to their seats for Day 2 and each of them were guaranteed a piece of the prizepool with a min-cash being worth $1,800. It didn't take long for the chips to go in the middle as it was WPT Global ambassador Romulo Dorea who jumped into the lead in the early going. Unfortunately for him, things spiralled out of control and he was forced to settle for a 15th-place finish.

There were two SiGMA Poker Tour ambassadors who entered the day in hopes of putting their name on the first-ever SiGMA Poker Tour trophy but it was not meant to be. Lukas Robinson got coolered when he rivered trip eights but was sent to the rail by the full house from Samara Alexandre. The last remaining ambassador was Drea Karlsen who pushed her short stack in the middle with a pair of fours but was called by a pair of eights. Karlsen was unable to improve on the runout and bowed out in 22nd place.

Drea Karlsen

With just two tables remaining, the eliminations came fast and furious with multiple short stacks unable to double up. That was when Alexandre caught a run of cards en route to eliminating three players in succession. Orpaz was keeping pace until hand-for-hand was introduced with just 10 players remaining.

On the last hand of the night, it was a faceoff between the start-of-day chipleader and the current leader. Daria Krashennikova looked down at pocket queens and faced some table banter from Orpaz who was daring her to put her last chips in the middle. Krashennikova obliged after the flop but Orpaz flopped trip jacks to hold a commanding lead. The Russian poker pro was unable to improve and she became the last elimination of the day.

The final nine players will return at 4 p.m. local time where the lion's share of the prizepool will be up for grabs. Each player has already secured themselves at least $4,800 but will be in search of the title and the first-place prize of $63,000. The final table will be live streamed on the Monte Carlo Poker Club YouTube channel with roughly a 45-minute delay. The blinds will resume with around five minutes remaining in level 25 at 15,000/30,000 and a 30,000 big blind ante.

The PokerNews live reporting team will be here to bring you all of the updates on a delay to remain in sync with the live stream. Stay tuned to find out who will become the first-ever SiGMA Poker Tour Main Event champion.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Amherst College, recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Amherst College.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Amherst College recently experienced unauthorized access to its email and payroll system. Upon detection, Amherst College launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. On March 3, 2025, the investigation determined that an unauthorized party had viewed and possibly copied sensitive personal information. Amherst College conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identify affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personalinformation may have been compromised:name, and Social Security number.On March 28, 2025, Amherst College filed a notice with the Attorney General of Massachusetts and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Amherst College, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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"Amy is the definition of a transformative leader," said Tony Crescenzo, CEO of Intelligent Waves. "Her strategic vision and operational excellence have driven IW's growth and innovation in an increasingly competitive environment." RESTON, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 /Intelligent Waves (IW), a leading tech integrator that delivers mission-focused multi-domain operational expertise and innovation to the Government through high-impact technology solutions, today announced that Amy Wood, Chief Financial Officer, has been named a finalist for CFO of the Year in the 2025 Chief Officer Awards- a premier program celebrating GovCon executives shaping the future of government contracting. Wood is recognized for companies with Annual Revenue Under $100 Million. Intelligent Waves (IW) Logo Amy Wood, CFO of Intelligent Waves (IW), Named Finalist in The 2025 Chief Officer Awards for GovCons By WashingtonExec.Since assuming the CFO role at Intelligent Waves (IW) in 2022, Amy Wood has been instrumental in transforming Intelligent Waves' financial operations. With nearly 25 years of experience, she shifted IW's finance department from a traditional reporting function into a proactive, strategic partner critical to the company's growth. Under Wood's guidance, IW successfully funded and launched innovative cybersecurity solutions, includingSHADOW,an AI-powered autonomous penetration testing platform;GRAYPATH,a resilient, secure global data delivery solution; and other cyber defense solutions. Her success in aligning financial strategy with mission-critical innovation has established IW as a trusted innovator in the GovCons sector."Amy is the definition of a transformative leader," saidTony Crescenzo , CEO of Intelligent Waves. "Her strategic vision and operational excellence have driven IW's growth and innovation in an increasingly competitive environment." The 2025 Chief Officer Awards, hosted by WashingtonExec, spotlight top executives across the government and GovCon industry who demonstrate excellence in leadership, innovation, and impact. View the complete list of finalists here.About Intelligent Waves (IW)Intelligent Waves delivers mission-focused multi-domain operational expertise and innovation to the Government through high-impact technology solutions in cybersecurity, data science, enterprise network & systems engineering, software development, and cognitive human performance. Always ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Any domain. To learn more, visitwww.intelligentwaves.com Contact InformationGal BorensteinCEO, Borenstein Groupgal@ borensteingroup.com 703-385-8178SOURCE: Intelligent Waves
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 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
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Atkore Inc. ("Atkore" or the "Company") (NYSE:ATKR) who purchased Atkore common stock between August 2, 2022, and February 3, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period") to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities class action against Atkore. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is April 23, 2025.Class Period: August 2, 2022 - February 3, 2025Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: April 23, 2025Case information: https://lieffcabraser.com/securities/atkore/ Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358Atkore, headquartered in Harvey, Illinois, is a manufacturer of electrical, safety, and infrastructure products, including polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") water pipes and electrical conduit pipes.The action alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Atkore and certain of its senior executives failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company was engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that kept the price of its PVC pipes artificially inflated even after COVID era supply chain issues had resolved; (2) Atkore received substantial, unsustainable financial benefits from its anticompetitive actions; and (3) the Company's poor quarterly financial results were due to it and its co-conspirators refusing to lower their artificially inflated prices even after foreign competitors were able to reenter the market and price PVC appropriately.On May 7, 2024, Atkore announced lowered guidance for fiscal year 2024, noting that "pricing environment could be challenged in the second half of 2024." On this news, Atkore's stock price fell 12.5% from its closing price of $176.40 per share on May 6, 2024, to close at $154.34 per share on May 7, 2024, on heavy trading volume.On July 23, 2024, after the market closed, Atkore announced that its Vice President, then-CFO, and Chief Accounting Officer, defendant David P. Johnson, had submitted his resignation, effective August 9, 2024.On July 24, 2024, asset management firm ManBear released a report claiming that Atkore was engaged in an industry-wide price fixing scheme which had "massively inflated pipe prices" and "appear[ed] to defy economic logic, remaining at extremely elevated levels despite normalized supply chains." On this news, Atkore's stock price declined 8.53% from its closing price of $145 per share on July 23, 2024, to close at $132.63 per share on July 24, 2024.On August 6, 2024, after the market closed, Atkore reported adjusted earnings per share that fell short of the average analyst estimate and lowered its outlook for fiscal year 2024 adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income per diluted share. In the corresponding earnings call, Atkore's President, CEO, and Director, defendant William E. Waltz Jr., stated that "[p]ricing was softer than expected due to the slower end markets, particularly for our PVC conduit business." On this news, Atkore's stock price fell 14.7% from its closing price of $118.46 on August 5, 2024, to close at $101.05 per share on August 7, 2024, on extremely heavy trading volume.On February 4, 2025, before the market opened, Atkore announced disappointing financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, reporting net sales of $661.6 million which was significantly below analysts' estimates. In addition, Atkore reduced its earnings guidance for 2025. During the Company's earnings conference call with analysts and investors later that day, Atkore CFO, defendant John M. Deitzer, revealed that Atkore's "plastic pipe and conduit product category declined mid-single digits during the quarter," and attributed the Company's lowered 2025 guidance to Atkore's PVC business, stating "roughly $75 million or 3/4 of that is on the PVC side." On this news, the price of Atkore common stock fell 19.56% from its closing price of $79.72 per share on February 3, 2025, to close at $64.13 per share on February 4, 2025, on extremely heavy trading volume.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 125 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally-recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Repeatedly recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
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LAVAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) (the "Company" or "Bausch Health") announces today that its board of directors (the "Board") has approved the adoption of a shareholder rights plan (the "SRP") pursuant to a shareholder rights plan agreement entered into with TSX Trust Company, as rights agent, dated April 14, 2025 (the "Effective Date").The SRP has been adopted to help ensure that all shareholders of the Company are treated fairly and equally in connection with any unsolicited take-over bid or other acquisition of control of the Company (including by way of a "creeping" take-over bid) and that the Board has the opportunity to identify, solicit, develop and negotiate value-enhancing alternatives to any unsolicited take-over bid or similar transaction. The SRP is not being adopted in response to any specific proposal or intention to acquire control of the Company, and the Board is not aware of any pending or threatened take-over bid for the Company.Pursuant to the SRP, one right will attach to each common share of the Company outstanding as of the effective time under the SRP. Subject to the terms of the SRP, in the event that rights become exercisable under the SRP, holders of the rights (other than the acquiring person and its related parties) will be permitted to exercise their rights to purchase additional common shares of the Company at a substantial discount to the then market price of the Company's common shares. Taking up common shares pursuant to a "Permitted Bid" would not trigger the SRP.The SRP is subject to the acceptance of the Toronto Stock Exchange and is subject to ratification by the shareholders of the Company within six months of its Effective Date. The Company will be seeking shareholder ratification of the Rights Plan on a to-be-determined date. If the SRP is not approved by the shareholders within six months of its adoption, the plan, together with the outstanding rights, will terminate and cease to be effective. The SRP is similar to shareholder rights plans adopted by other Canadian public companies and ratified by their shareholders.A summary of the principal terms and conditions of the SRP will be set out in the Company's management information circular to be mailed to the Company's shareholders prior to the Meeting. A copy of the SRP will be available under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov/edgar About Bausch HealthBausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) is a global, diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health care outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, dentistry, aesthetics, international pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors.Forward-Looking Statements About Bausch HealthThis press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the words "will," "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "subject to" and variations or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the implementation of, and potential effects of implementing, the SRP, as well as acceptance of the TSX and ratification by the shareholders of the Company. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the forward-looking statement will not occur. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and reflect several material factors, expectations and assumptions. Undue reliance should not be placed on any predictions or forward-looking statements as these may be affected by, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Bausch Health's overall business, including those more fully described in Bausch Health's most recent annual and quarterly reports and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events, information or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.Investor Contact: Garen Sarafian ir@ bauschhealth.com (877) 281-6642 (toll free)Media Contact: Katie Savastano corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com (908) 541-3785SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating potential securities fraud claims on behalf of investors ofBigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. ("BigBear") (NYSE:BBAI).On April 11, 2025, a class action complaint was filed against BigBear in United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, on behalf ofinvestors who acquired BigBear securities between March 31, 2022 and March 25, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period").The class action seeks to recover damages caused by the BigBear Defendants' alleged violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against BigBear and certain of its top officials.BigBear investorsare encouraged to completeKehoe Law Firm's Stockholder Information Request Formorsend us a messageto contact an attorney to learn more about the securities investigation and receive a free, no-obligation legal evaluation of potential claims.For direct inquiries, BigBear shareholders should contact Michael Yarnoff, Esq., (215) 792-6676, Ext. 804, myarnoff@ kehoelawfirm.com , info@ kehoelawfirm.com Additional information can be obtained at https://kehoelawfirm.com/bigbear-ai-stock-bbai/ ABOUT KEHOE LAW FIRM, P.C.Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.is a nationally recognized, plaintiff-side class action firm dedicated to protecting investors and consumers from fraud and misconduct. Our attorneys have served as Lead or Co-Lead Counsel in major securities cases, recovering over $10 billion for institutional and individual investors.Our firm litigates securities fraud, fiduciary breaches, unfair mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust violations, while also representing whistleblowers and advocating for victims of data breaches, consumer fraud, vehicle and product defects, employment law violations, retirement plan mismanagement, and other corporate and business misconduct. With a results-driven approach, we pursue justice and substantial recoveries for those we represent.This press release may constitute attorney advertising.SOURCE: Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 18:22:21

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 13, 2025 / Ciuni & Panichi, Inc., recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals.This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Ciuni & Panichi.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 3, 2024, Ciuni & Panichi became aware of a security incident involving unauthorized activity in an employee email account. Upon detection, Ciuni & Panichi launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to certain sensitive personal information within its systems. Ciuni & Panichi conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and to identify affected individuals. This review was completed on January 21, 2025.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personalinformation may have been compromised:name of individual, Social Security number, and date of birth.On March 27, 2025, Ciuni & Panichi filed a notice with the Attorney General of New Hampshire and started mailing notice letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Ciuni & Panichi, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 15:30:29

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HOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / CLS Healthhas expanded its specialty care offerings with the launch of full-spectrum ophthalmology and optometry services at its Clear Lake Campus. As the region's leading physician-owned medical group continues to grow, this development marks a significant milestone in delivering coordinated, high-quality vision care to patients in the greater Houston area."The introduction of comprehensive eye care reflects CLS Health's ongoing commitment to delivering specialty health services across the greater Houston area," said Megan Owen, CEO of CLS Health. "Our patients now benefit from the combined expertise of ophthalmologists and an optometrist who bring decades of experience in managing both common and complex ocular conditions"The three health care practitioners bring extensive training, clinical expertise and outstanding track records in patient care to the CLS Health team:Humair Khan, M.D. Dr. Khan specializes in LASIK, cataract surgery, refractive lens exchange (RLE), cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery. As a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Dr. Khan contributes to advance ophthalmologic care through teaching, research, and clinical practice. He also is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of complex ocular conditions.Sandip Suresh, MD A fellowship-trained expert in ocular immunology and uveitis, Dr. Suresh is one of the few specialists in the region with deep expertise in inflammatory eye disease. He also treats cataracts and general eye conditions and has led multiple clinical trials, with research published in leading ophthalmology journals. His training includes residency at UCLA/Jules Stein Eye Institute and fellowship at OHSU/Casey Eye Institute.Mary Morales, OD With more than 30 years' experience as a therapeutic optometrist and optometric glaucoma specialist, Dr. Morales specializes in diagnosing and managing ocular diseases, myopia control, and post-operative care for cataract and laser vision correction. She also has extensive experience in contact lens fittings, diabetic eye exams, and dry eye treatments. Dr. Morales has been recognized with multiple awards, including Top Optometrist and Houston's Top Doctor.CLS Health continues to grow rapidly in the greater Houston area, providing medical care at more than 45 locations with a team of over 220+ providers in 45+ medical specialties including cardiology, podiatry, neurology, OB/GYN, pediatrics and urology. With the addition of these experienced ophthalmologists and the group's first optometrist, CLS Health now provides a complete continuum of eye care in one convenient location.To learn more about CLS Health's eye health services or to schedule an appointment in any area, visit https://cls.health/ About CLS HealthCLS Health is a physician-owned healthcare group with a pioneering approach to comprehensive care. With over 40 locations and 200+ providers in the Greater Houston area, CLS Health emphasizes the satisfaction and empowerment of its physicians as a key element in delivering exceptional patient care. To learn more, visitcls.health Contact InformationIsaiah RinconMedia Relations Managerbd@ cls.health 832-557-3338Maria Penalozamaria.penaloza@newswire.com SOURCE: CLS HealthRelated Images
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 15:28:00

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Innovation to Lead Charge Toward Electrified Mobility with Inexpensive, Efficient, and Powerful Motors and PowertrainsSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Conifer, a trailblazing electric powertrain company, has raised $20 million in seed funding to commercialize its magnet-agnostic electric motor and powertrain technology, including its proprietary "No-Tool" software-driven manufacturing approach. Founded by repeat entrepreneurs and ex-Apple Special Projects Group and Lucid engineers, the company has spent the last two years developing and validating its breakthrough with customers.Conifer has invented a compact axial flux motor with proprietary stator technology that simultaneously achieves high efficiency and power density comparable to rare-earth-based magnet-based solutions using ubiquitously available Ferrite magnets. This drastically reduces cost and dependence on foreign supply chains. Furthermore, Conifer's motors can double the power density using Neodymium-based magnets if an application calls for it. The resulting solution sees a 95% reduction in stator core and eliminates scrap steel.The funding will be used to deliver production units of the company's first product, a geared in-wheel powertrain for on-road and off-road small mobility customers, including two-wheelers, small four-wheelers, lawnmowers, and tractors, and expand their product lines for stationary applications. Deep tech VCs have invested in this round, including True Ventures, MFV Partners, MaC Ventures, Voyager, Z21 Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and Higher Life Ventures, with Rohit Sharma from True Ventures joining the board.Rethinking Powertrains From the Ground UpPowertrains, which comprise motors, inverters, gearboxes, and control software, are fundamental to electric and hybrid mobility, industrial automation, robotics, and drones. They often account for up to 30 percent of total system costs."Our mission is to make electrification and automation both exciting and practical at scale," said Ankit Somani, co-founder of Conifer. "It's difficult for customers to get their ideal powertrain, which simultaneously solves for longer range, meets specifications in the smallest volume possible, and is cost-effective. They also don't want to be stuck managing multiple vendors and an unreliable supply chain." Current powertrain technologies rely too heavily on rare-earth elements, a hot spot for trade wars and tariffs, and a tool-heavy manufacturing process where design changes cause months of delay and significant costs."We took inspiration from Battery cell design and manufacturing," added Yateendra Deshpande, co-founder of Conifer. "Given our modular motor design, for the first time, motors can be manufactured at scale without expensive tooling using a fully parameterized software-driven process. Our process allows a single production line to create motors of various sizes under 25hp while reducing manufacturing costs for the key winding step by over 90 percent. Integrating with our modular inverter, gearbox, and flexible software layers helps us deliver customer requirements cost-effectively and rapidly." "Getting the world to electrify and move beyond combustion engines requires fundamental and broad-based innovation in powertrains," said Rohit Sharma, partner at True Ventures. "Ankit and Yateendra are tackling this challenge by focusing on low-cost materials, new design, manufacturing, and integrated software to create high torque, low-cost powertrains for both two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. And they've assembled a strong, experience-aligned team of experts to do so." Impact on Small Mobility and Stationary ApplicationsOver 1 billion gas-powered engines currently power Small Mobility applications globally, including two-wheelers, lawnmowers, tractors, and power tools. Businesses looking to create electric versions are often stuck with inefficient and failure-prone hub motors.Conifer's first commercial product addresses this exact problem-a drop-in, geared In-wheel powertrain that integrates across wheel sizes, providing superior efficiency and higher continuous power density. Customers testing Conifer's solutions in harsh real-world conditions have valued increased range, reduced part costs, and fully localized supply chains. The company plans to begin shipping production units to these customers and will open its waitlist broadly this year.Conifer's technology is also attracting significant interest in the stationary sector beyond mobility, particularly for HVAC, industrial automation, and pumping applications, where electric motors convert an estimated 45% of the world's electricity. The company's IE5-efficient motors are half the length and weight of induction machines while being a drop-in for the same NEMA/IEC frame size. In response to this interest, Conifer is launching a pilot program for partners in the stationary application space.For more information, visit https://www.conifer.io or Press Contact: Joel Richman, Escalate PR: joel@ escalatepr.com or conifer@ escalatepr.com About ConiferConifer is an electric powertrain technology company amplifying electrification across mobility, industrial, and stationary applications and addressing the increasingly stringent needs of a $200B powertrain market. Through a vertically integrated approach and pioneering advancements in motor and powertrain design and manufacturing, Conifer is accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, energy-efficient future.Contact:Escalate PR for Conifer conifer@ escalatepr.com SOURCE: Conifer
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 13:02:56

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Edison International ("Edison" or "the Company") (NYSE:EIX) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Edison securities between February 25, 2021 and February 6, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EIX Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made 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 the Company; 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 times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/EIX.or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at332-239-2660 . If you suffered a loss in Edison you have until April 21, 2025, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates onLinkedIn ,X ,Facebook , orInstagram .Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660|info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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Helping Business Owners in Central Iowa Maximize Value and Plan for a Profitable ExitDES MOINES, IOWA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Exit Factor, a business consulting franchise that specializes in exit planning for small to mid-sized companies, announced today the opening of its newest location in Des Moines, Iowa. Jeremy Vos, an accomplished business consultant and advocate for business owners, will serve as the owner and operator of Exit Factor in Des Moines, Iowa. Exit Factor LogoThe Exit Factor program is a proven process with tailored exit plans that safeguard the long-term value of a business now and in the future, no matter the size. Designed to help owners take control of their business by maximizing profit, efficiency, and value from day one, even if a sale isn't uppermost on the owner's mind."Our team is uniquely equipped to help Central Iowa businesses," said Jeremy Vos, franchise owner. "I see the need for these programs in and around Des Moines, as they help address specific concerns and enable entrepreneurs to successfully improve their company's efficiency, value, and ultimately, their ability to exit." The company was founded by best-selling author, speaker, and small-business advocate Jessica Fialkovich. Her passion for helping business owners maximize their company's value, grew from her experience as a business broker and owner of a Transworld Business Advisors franchise. For businesses that were not quite ready to sell, or had potential to increase their value prior to listing, Fialkovich developed a program, teaching strategies on ways to build value, profitability, and salability."We're very proud of the success Exit Factor has had in helping businesses plan for profitability to ensure business owners maximize their company's value when it's time to sell," Jessica Fialkovich said. "We look forward to bringing Exit Factor Des Moines, Iowa on board to help even more business owners." Participants in Exit Factor's program earn back an average of $2,700 in exit value for every hour they spend in the program. Within the first year, clients have seen a 25% increase in profit and a 56.7% increase in business value. For those who have decided to sell, the program has helped them achieve successful exits.About Exit FactorExit Factor offers a proven method that helps small to mid-size business owners maximize their company's value. It's among the United Franchise Group (UFG) family of affiliated brands and consultants, representing the very best in their industries. Through one-on-one consulting services and online programs, the trusted advisors at Exit Factor teach entrepreneurs how to successfully improve their company's efficiency, value and ultimately ability to exit. For more information, visitwww.ExitFactor.comand for more information on owning an Exit Factor franchise, visitwww.exitfactorfranchise.com Contact Information Jeremy VosOwnerdesmoines.ia@exitfactor.com 515-355-4360SOURCE: Exit Factor
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 00:41:16

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 13, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., April 13, 2025.Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) between November 16, 2023 and February 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased FMC 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 FMC class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35068or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 14, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) FMC's channel management initiatives were not progressing as represented; (2) faced with pricing pressure, FMC had made the decision not to compete on prices and instead walk away from sales opportunities; (3) as a result, FMC had inflated inventory in the channels in "LATAM, including Brazil, Asia, including India, as well as Canada and Eastern Europe;" and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about FMC's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the FMC class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35068call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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IEH Corporation to Present at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS in partnership with MicroCapClub on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 & 1x1 Meetings on Thursday, April 24, 2025BROOKLYN, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / IEH Corporation (OTC PINK:IEHC) today announced that it will be presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM (Local Time -PST). Dave Offerman (President, CEO of IEH) will be hosting the presentation and answering questions at the conclusion.To access the live presentation, please use the following information:Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025Time: 10:30 AM (Las Vegas, NV Local Time PST)Webcast: https://event.summitcast.com/view/YNz6mnmEsXyrdRxb78w2nX/guest_book session_id=X5EKny8vzkbgFcZMTmWymyIf you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with IEH Corporation and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub, please make sure you are registered here: REGISTER1x1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NVThe Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub website is available here: HOME PAGEIf you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": AGENDAAbout IEH Corporation For over 80 years and 4 generations of family-run management, IEH Corporation has designed, developed, and manufactured printed circuit board (PCB) connectors, custom interconnects and contacts for high performance applications. With its signature Hyperboloid technology, IEH supplies the most durable, reliable connectors for the most demanding environments. The Company markets primarily to companies in defense, aerospace, medical, space and industrial applications, in the United States, Canada, Europe, Southeast and Central Asia and the Mideast. The Company was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.About Planet MicroCap Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space.If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub, please register here: REGISTERCONTACT: Dave OffermanIEH Corporation dave@ iehcorp.com 718-492-4448SOURCE: IEH Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 19:00:58

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Plaisted Companies, Inc., recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Plaisted.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?In September 2024, Plaisted experienced a network disruption that prompted an immediate investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts. The investigation determined that certain employee files were accessed without authorization around September 4, 2024. In response, Plaisted initiated a comprehensive review of the impacted files to determine what specific types of personal information were present and to identify affected individuals. This review concluded on February 11, 2025. Following the review, Plaisted verified address information to ensure proper notification could be provided. That process concluded on March 21, 2025.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised:name, Social Security number, driver's license or other government identification number, account number, credit or debit card number, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual's financial account.On March 26, 2025, Plaisted filed a notice with the New Hampshire Attorney General and began mailing data breach notification letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Plaisted, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Lyon Management Group, Inc. which does business as Lyon Living, recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Lyon Living.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Lyon Living recently became aware of a security incident on its IT network. Upon detection, Lyon Living launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to sensitive personal information between March 14 and March 15, 2024. Lyon Living conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. Lyon Living identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, driver's license number, California id card number, tax identification number, passport number, military id number, or other unique id number issued on a government document, account number or credit or debit card number, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual's financial account, medical information, health insurance information, unique biometric data generated from measurements or technical analysis of human body characteristics, such as a fingerprint, retina, or iris image, used to authenticate a specific individual, and genetic data.On March 28, 2025, Lyon Living filed a notice with the Attorney General of California and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Lyon Living, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Crossroads Trading Co., Inc., recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Crossroads.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 15, 2025, Crossroads experienced a security incident when an unauthorized third party gained access to its server and encrypted sensitive data stored on its network. Upon discovery, Crossroads' IT team immediately responded by securing the network, restoring systems, and preventing further unauthorized access. Crossroads launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation confirmed that unauthorized access was limited to a specific segment of the network.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name of individual, Social Security number information, driver's license number, and government-issued id number (e.g., passport, state ID card). On March 25, 2025, Crossroads made a public disclosure and began sending out notice letters to affected individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Crossroads, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 18:47:12

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Arkansas Heart Hospital, LLC recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Arkansas Heart Hospital.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On March 15, 2025, Arkansas Heart Hospital became aware of a security incident involving a vendor's system. Upon detection, Arkansas Heart Hospital launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to patient information contained within electronic medical records processed by the vendor during the hospital's transition to a new electronic medical record system. The vendor's investigation revealed that the unauthorized access occurred between January 22, 2025, and February 20, 2025. Based on the available information, Arkansas Heart Hospital believes that individuals who received care at its facilities between January 1, 2022, and January 31, 2025, may be impacted. Arkansas Heart Hospital conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and to identify affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personaland protected healthinformation may have been compromised:name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, Social Security number, treatment/diagnosis information, prescription information, provider name, medical record/case number, health insurance information, and other details (sex, ethnicity, language, maiden name, marital status, religious, death/deceased status, and living will indicator).On March 21, 2025, Arkansas Heart Hospital filed a public disclosure and is currently working to obtain address information to send notice letters to the affected individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Arkansas Heart Hospital, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 19:01:15

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / ATLAS CPAs & Advisors PLLC, recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to ATLAS.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On or around December 10, 2024, ATLAS CPAs & Advisors PLLC became aware of unauthorized activity on its information systems. Upon detection, ATLAS launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party attempted to access ATLAS's systems and may have obtained certain sensitive personal information. ATLAS conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised:name, Social Security number, and financial information.On March 25, 2025, ATLAS filed a notice with the Attorney General of Massachusetts and began mailing notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from ATLAS, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 19:16:29

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Life University recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Life.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 30, 2024, Life University became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, Life University launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to portions of Life University's network containing sensitive information. Life University conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On March 28, 2025, Life University finalized the list of impacted individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised:name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, credit card information, financial account information, health insurance policy number, medical information, student identification number, tax identification number, account number, and routing number. On April 2, 2025, Life University filed a notice with the Vermont Attorney General's office and began sending out notice letters to impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Life, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 19:01:27

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Stetson & Koenes, PLLC, recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Stetson & Koenes.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 1, 2024, Stetson & Koenes, PLLC identified suspicious activity on its network systems. Upon detection, Stetson & Koenes launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Through its investigation, on February 20, 2025, Stetson & Koenes confirmed that an unauthorized third party had accessed sensitive personal information. Stetson & Koenes conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, driver's license number, and financial account information. On March 31, 2025, Stetson & Koenes filed a notice with the Attorney General of Massachusetts and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Stetson & Koenes, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 16:16:02

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: This lawsuit is on behalf of all shareholders that purchased stock pursuant and/or traceable to Venture's registration statement for the initial public offering held on or about January 24, 2025.CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, Venture completed its initial public offering on January 27, 2025, selling 70 million shares at $24.00 per share. On February 5, 2025, TotalEnergies, an energy company that was a target customer of Venture, rejected opportunities to become a long-term customer of Venture, citing lack of trust. In particular, TotalEnergies CEO, stated that he was approached by Venture to see if the company would be interested in a long-term supply contract for liquefied natural gas from the Calcasieu Pass terminal in Louisiana, but he rejected the offer "because of what they are doing." Venture is currently facing legal challenges from existing large clients, such as BP and Shell, due to delays in supply contracts as Venture commissions its projects. Given the fact that defendants ability to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the world and to continue development of Venture's five natural gas liquefication and export projects depends on customer contracts, defendants' failure to account for and address these issues caused statements in Venture's registration statement to be false and/or materially misleading at the time of the initial public offering.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Venture stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/venture-global-inc-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=142950&wire=1 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 19:33:45

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) between February 3, 2022 and February 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Merck securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Merck class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34975or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 14, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Merck's expected revenue of $11 billion from sales of Gardasil by 2030. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Merck's purported ability to utilize successful consumer activation and education efforts on the benefits of Gardasil in order to drive demand and capitalize on eligible populations for vaccination, resulting in confidently optimistic reports and forecasts of Gardasil's growth in China. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Gardasil's demand in China; notably, that Merck lacked visibility into demand for Gardasil in China among eligible and otherwise targeted populations, resulting in the inflated inventory of its distributor, Zhifei. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Merck class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34975 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 19:16:03

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Filming Begins This Week at the New York Stock Exchange with CFO Michael Berg and Anchor Jane KingNEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 /New to The Street, the nationally recognized financial and business television platform broadcasting across FOX Business, Bloomberg Television, and its 2.4 million+ YouTube subscriber network, proudly announces a new long-form series featuring Skip Barber Racing School. This dynamic partnership includes in-depth interviews, national television exposure, targeted commercials, and digital billboard campaigns throughout New York City.Production begins this week from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where Skip Barber Racing CFO Michael Berg will appear in an exclusive interview with financial journalist and host Jane King, sharing the story behind one of the most iconic names in American motorsports education.This media campaign will amplify Skip Barber Racing's brand across:Monthly broadcast interviews filmed from the NYSENational TV commercial spots on FOX Business and BloombergExtended reach across New to The Street's 2.4M+ subscriber YouTube channelIconic outdoor digital billboards throughout Times Square and NYCEarned media support and social amplification across a 600,000+ financial audience"We're excited to bring our message to a national audience through New to The Street's expansive network," said Michael Berg, CFO of Skip Barber Racing. "This series allows us to connect with motorsports fans, partners, and future students across the country." "Skip Barber Racing is a legendary American brand built on precision, passion, and performance," said Vince Caruso, Founder and CEO of New to The Street. "This partnership showcases their story across the most respected financial media outlets and the most visible digital platforms in the world." The Skip Barber Racing series will air as sponsored programming, beginning later this month, with segments running across Bloomberg, FOX Business, and New to The Street's growing network of over 500,000 social followers.For media inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:Monica Brennan - Media RelationsMonica@ NewToTheStreet.com SOURCE: New To The Street
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 15:02:06

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AUCKLAND, NZ / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / One NZ has just received its most bizarre endorsement ever for its mobile network, from the US-based Zombie Research Society.In an outlandish move, the historical, cultural and scientific research group has awarded One NZ with an accolade, the "most zombie resilient network" following the launch of their One NZ Satellite service.Launched late last year, One NZ Satellite enabled Kiwi to enjoy the groundbreaking technology before almost anyone else in the world.The service allows customers with an eligible One NZ phone and plan who are out of traditional cell tower coverage to send and receive TXTs from anywhere in New Zealand, with a line of sight to the sky.It also offers an additional layer of security when disaster strikes and traditional telecommunication infrastructure fails.In a critical analysis offered by the Zombie Research Society, founder Matt Mogk commented, "This notable technical evolution from One NZ offers a more resilient and robust communication network in the face of disaster."Due to its remote operation from space, rather than a terrestrial network of cell-towers on the ground, it has more capacity to withstand damage and maintain connection." Matt Mogk's expertise comes from his extensive work with the Zombie Research Society, where he's studied crisis scenarios and societal resilience in the face of extreme events.His research has focused on the critical role of communication networks in maintaining order and safety during emergencies, particularly in 'disaster situations'.The Zombie Research Society is supported by a wider array of academics, authors and cultural commentors, including Harvard Medical School assistant professor Steven Schlozman.New Zealand-born Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis, known for his leading role on Fear the Walking Dead has returned to Aotearoa to share the endorsement with Kiwi, on behalf of the Zombie Research Society. The message was captured in a short video on social media and in an official presentation with One NZ CEO Jason Paris.Curtis says, "Look, a zombie apocalypse can be disruptive. After years pretending to fight them on TV, I would know. So, when I heard about the apparent zombie-resilient' network back home, I had to test it out." "And one thing about zombies? They sure don't communicate very well. They might growl and grumble, but you can't beat real connection. It's this sense of community, of being there for one another, that matters. It's something I love about being home."So, if you're going to survive an apocalypse, zombie or otherwise, you better make sure you can get a TXT out. Tried and tested, One NZ Satellite has got your back - even in the middle of nowhere. And trust me, when the dead start walking, you want a lifeline." While a zombie apocalypse might seem far-fetched, unfortunately, there are plenty of common disasters that Kiwi face and need to be prepared for in the future.One NZ CEO Jason Paris says that the business elevated efforts to enable a Satellite network in New Zealand following Cyclone Gabriel, which left many New Zealanders impacted and without connection."Cyclone Gabrielle was the deadliest weather event New Zealand had experienced in 55 years," he says."I heard how scary it was not being able to tell anyone you needed help or to know that the people you cared about were safe. It was important to us to deliver a resilient solution to help New Zealanders be safer and more connected to each other."This is about giving Kiwi peace of mind with a reliable lifeline, no matter what the world throws at them." Satellite TXT services have already been used globally in times of disaster, including during the Los Angeles fires earlier this year.In the case of another local disaster event impacting traditional cell tower communication, One NZ will provide its satellite service to all One NZ customers who have a 4G VoLTE roaming capable phone, no matter their plan."If Cyclone Gabrielle was to happen again today, New Zealanders can rest assured that One NZ Satellite would remain operational, and we are working to provide its benefit to as many Kiwi as possible in times of crisis, regardless of if they are a customer or not," continues Jason."Our aim is to enable emergency alert messages to be sent to Kiwi with an eligible phone when they are outside of cell-tower coverage, no matter who their mobile network provider is. This will greatly extend the reach of these invaluable alerts, helping to keep Kiwi safer." "Outside of disaster and crisis, we also see a whole range of additional exciting applications, including sectors with workers that find themselves in the middle of nowhere, like agriculture, transportation and conservation," he concludes.For more information about One NZ Satellite, please visit: one.nz/satellite To view and download assets including Cliff Curtis' endorsement film, click hereContact InformationJessica Walker Senior PR Managerjessica.walker@specialgroup.co.nz 021 0236 0040Related VideoSOURCE: One NZ
PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-14 18:16:01

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Pacific Residential Mortgage, LLC,recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to PacRes Mortgage.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 10, 2025, PacRes Mortgage became aware of a security incident that involved a ransomware lockdown of some of its systems. Upon detection, PacRes Mortgage launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to sensitive information maintained within the compromised systems. PacRes Mortgage conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On March 25, 2025, PacRes Mortgage identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised:name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, financial account information, and similar information that may have been impacted or accessed. On March 26, 2025, PacRes Mortgage filed a notice with the California Attorney General and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from PacRes Mortgage, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD) (Barton or the Company) advises that the attached presentation is due to be presented today at the Gold Coast Gold Conference.A copy of this presentation can be accessed on the ASX website, the investor section of Barton's website, or directly by clicking here.Authorised by the Managing Director of Barton Gold Holdings Limited.For further information, please contact:Alexander ScanlonManaging Director a.scanlon@ bartongold.com.au +61 425 226 649Jade CookCompany Secretary cosec@ bartongold.com.au +61 8 9322 1587About Barton GoldBarton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000oz annually, with ~1.7Moz Au JORC Mineral Resources (64.0Mt @ 0.83 g/t Au), brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the region's only gold mill in the renowned Gawler Craton of South Australia.*Tarcoola Gold ProjectFully permitted open pit mine with ~20koz Au within trucking distance of Barton's Central Gawler MillHistorical goldfield with new high-grade gold-silver discovery in grades up to 83.6 g/t Au and 17,600 g/t AgTunkillia Gold Project1.6Moz Au Mineral Resources (62.9Mt @ 0.80 g/t Au)Scoping Study for competitive ~130kozpa Au mineKey Regional InfrastructureRegion's only gold processing plant (650ktpa CIP)Distributed accommodated and other infrastructure to support regional exploration and developmentCompetent Persons Statement & Previously Reported InformationThe information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 (JORC).Activity Competent Person Membership StatusTarcoola Mineral Resource (Stockpiles) Dr Andrew Fowler (Consultant) AusIMM Member Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Perseverance Mine) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Tarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Mineral Resource Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource Mr Dale Sims (Consultant) AusIMM / AIG Fellow / MemberThe information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted in this announcement, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au . The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates, and any production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets, continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the applicable Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the previous announcements.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis document may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "target" and "intend" and statements than an event or result "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to business, legal and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, risks relating to property interests, the global economic climate, commodity prices, sovereign and legal risks, and environmental risks. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and opinions at the date the statements are made. Barton undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events or circumstances that occur subsequent to such dates or to update or keep current any of the information contained herein. Any estimates or projections as to events that may occur in the future (including projections of revenue, expense, net income and performance) are based upon the best judgment of Barton from information available as of the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any of these estimates or projections will be achieved. Actual results will vary from the projections and such variations may be material. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. Any reliance placed by the reader on this document, or on any forward-looking statement contained in or referred to in this document will be solely at the readers own risk, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.* Refer to Barton Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 and ASX announcement dated 4 March 2025. Total Barton JORC (2012) Mineral Resources include 909koz Au (30.8Mt @ 0.92 g/t Au) in Indicated category and 799koz Au (33.2Mt @ 0.75 g/t Au) in Inferred category, and 3,070koz Ag (34.5Mt @ 2.80 g/t Ag) in Inferred category as a subset of Tunkillia gold JORC (2012) Mineral Resources.SOURCE: Barton Gold Holdings Limited
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European Expansion Marks Strategic Luxury Market MoveSINGAPORE / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 /Sycamine Capital Management notes BYD's recent European market entry through its premium automotive brand, Denza, marking a notable move towards greater international expansion. The carefully timed launch during Milan Design Week positions Denza as a direct competitor to prominent European luxury marques such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz."BYD's strategic positioning of Denza underscores their clear understanding of Europe's premium segment dynamics," notes Richard Kelly, Director of Private Clients. The flagship Z9 GT model exemplifies this strategy, featuring advanced technology and European-inspired design with pricing starting above USD $78,500 (72,000), placing it firmly within the high-margin luxury market.BYD's substantial investment in European production facilities located in Hungary and Turkey aims to achieve annual manufacturing capacities of up to 500,000 vehicles. This level of commitment indicates BYD's ambition to significantly impact Europe's luxury automotive landscape over the coming years.Despite BYD's robust market entry approach, market sentiment analysis identifies ongoing challenges, with approximately 71 percent of European luxury vehicle buyers showing hesitancy towards Chinese automotive brands. Nevertheless, the fluid nature of brand loyalty within the luxury EV sector presents potential opportunities. "Our research indicates considerable openness among European luxury consumers to brand switching," Kelly explains. "Particularly among consumers highly valuing technological innovation, Denza's sophisticated technology and European aesthetic could resonate effectively." The firm continues to monitor BYD's ambitious European expansion closely, recognising its potential to reshape the luxury automotive market dynamics. "Denza's comprehensive product roadmap and diverse market approach suggest strategic foresight that could support sustainable international growth," concludes Kelly.About Sycamine CapitalEstablished in Singapore in 2008, Sycamine Capital Management Pte. Ltd. has earned international recognition as a leading wealth management firm, specialising in traditional long-only asset and portfolio management. Through rigorous market research, strategic investment approaches, and personalised financial advisory services, the firm caters extensively to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. The disciplined investment philosophy pursued by Sycamine prioritises safeguarding client wealth, delivering steady returns across diverse market environments.For further information, visit https://scmgt.com/sycamine-investment-focus-articles/ or contact Simon Lau, Media Relations, at simon.lau@scmgt.com SOURCE: Sycamine Capital Management
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Clean Energy Transition Inc. (TSXV:TRAN) (" transition.inc" or the "Company") announces that it has filed on SEDAR+ an independent Technical Report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") in support of the updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Aurora Nickel Project, located 25 kilometres southeast of Timmins, Ontario.The Aurora Nickel Project is held by Clean Metals Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of transition.inc . The mining lease is registered to Clean Metals Inc. in the Ontario Ministry's Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS), and this ownership structure has been previously disclosed in the Company's financial filings.As previously reported on March 6, 2025, the updated MRE outlines an Indicated Mineral Resource of 10.06 million tonnes grading 0.42% nickel across the Aurora North and Aurora South deposits. The Aurora North deposit, amenable to open pit mining, contains 8.32 Mt at 0.40% Ni, while the Aurora South deposit, anticipated to be mined using underground methods, contains 1.73 Mt at 0.51% Ni."We are pleased to formally file this Technical Report, which supports the strong results of the updated MRE," said Sean Samson, President and CEO. "Aurora remains an attractive low-carbon nickel opportunity, especially given its location, infrastructure advantages and scale. We believe high-quality, near-surface nickel projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions like Timmins will continue to be essential as the energy transition advances." The Technical Report is dated April 14, 2025, with an effective date of March 3, 2025, and was prepared by Micon International Limited ("Micon").The Technical Report is available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.transition.inc For context Clean Energy notes the equivalent number of Electric Vehicles in the MRE's Contained Nickel as follows:It is estimated that the average electric vehicle battery requires ~145 pounds of nickel (Bloomberg New Energy Finance ("BNEF") estimate, for a 100kWh battery*) and based on this, the Contained Nickel in the Aurora Nickel Project's MRE, this represents the equivalent nickel which would be used in more than 705K electric vehicles. For context, this is more than 5x the total 2023 new Battery EV registrations in Canada**.* Company estimates, based on BNEF calculations https://tinyurl.com/3xswdn8k ** Company estimates, based on 139,501 Battery EVs registered in Canada (StatsCan) https://tinyurl.com/3z8penz7 About Clean Energy Transition Inc. Transition.inc is focused on opportunities to generate positive cash flow across the energy transition. The Company includes a Quartz division focused on advancing its silica/Quartz business with the Snow White Project in Ontario and the Silicon Ridge Project in Quebec. The silica in high-quality Quartz can be used to make silicon metal, a key component in solar energy panels. The Company also has a Critical Minerals division, which includes the Aurora Nickel Project in Ontario, where it is working to advance a potential low-carbon production opportunity to supply the growing North American demand for low-carbon nickel. Alongside the mining assets, transition.inc is also looking for additional opportunities, more broadly, from across the energy transition.Qualified Persons The Qualified Persons (QPs) for the MRE in this News Release as defined by NI 43-101, are Mr. Charley Murahwi, M.Sc., P.Geo., Pr. Sci. Nat., FAusIMM and Ms. Chitrali Sarkar, MSc. P.Geo., respectively Senior Economic Geologist and Senior Geologist at Micon. Both QPs have reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release, related to the Aurora Nickel Project updated Resource. There are no known factors that could materially affect the reliability of the MRE information verified by Mr. Murahwi and Ms. Chitrali.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in business plans and strategies, market conditions, share price, best use of available cash, the ability of the Company to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under various contractual arrangements, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, and to explore and develop its projects and for general working capital purposes, changes in economic conditions or financial markets, the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration, future prices of metals and other commodities, environmental challenges and risks, the Company's ability to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop its projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives, changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with such laws and regulations, the Company's ability to obtain required shareholder or regulatory approvals, dependence on key management personnel, natural disasters and global pandemics and general competition in the mining industry.These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. The forward-looking information in this press release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of transition.inc based on information currently available to the Company. Any forward-looking information sp
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POST FALLS, ID / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / Trustpoint Xposure announced today a strategic pivot toward guaranteed digital authority building for professional service firms and growth-stage companies under the leadership of newly appointed CEO David Wilder. The company now offers guaranteed media placement services designed specifically for attorneys, financial advisors and growth startups to help them dominate Google search results and attract qualified clients.While traditional PR agencies continue to focus on billable hours and activity-based pricing, Trustpoint Xposure has implemented a results-driven model that guarantees media placement in relevant publications that directly influence client acquisition."Most businesses don't need more publicity - they need strategic visibility that converts to measurable outcomes," explains Wilder, whose executive background spans leadership roles at Gulf Coast Western, ADT, and Mogul Press. "We've built a system that guarantees results, effectively democratizing access to media channels that build market authority." This shift addresses a critical market gap. Research shows 96% of potential legal clients use search engines when seeking services, while financial advisory firms with strategic digital presence generate 168% more monthly leads than those without.The company's guaranteed placement model delivers three key benefits:Permanent digital assets that continue building authority long after publicationStrategic visibility that transforms Google search resultsMeasurable business impact directly tied to media placement"If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend it on public relations," Bill Gates once observed, highlighting the critical role strategic visibility plays in business growth.The company's new headquarters in North Idaho serves as a command center from which Wilder's team implements digital-first strategies while maintaining the personal connections essential to media placement success."Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room," Amazon founder Jeff Bezos famously stated. This principle drives Trustpoint Xposure's approach to crafting narratives that permanently shape market perception.Financial data confirms the impact of this approach. One attorney client experienced a 312% increase in digital visibility within 90 days, resulting in a 45% reduction in client acquisition costs. A wealth management firm saw qualified leads increase by 84% after implementing the company's digital authority strategy."Visibility without strategy merely wastes resources," Wilder notes. "Our focus remains squarely on building digital authority that transforms how prospects find and evaluate businesses when searching online." The professional services market faces unprecedented competition. The American Bar Association reports over 1.3 million practicing attorneys in the U.S., while the Financial Planning Association counts nearly 400,000 financial advisors competing for client attention."Digital authority has become the great equalizer," Wilder explains. "When potential clients search Google, they typically trust businesses appearing on the first page. Our guaranteed placement model ensures clients secure these coveted positions." Industry response has been positive. The company reports a 187% increase in new client engagements since implementing its guaranteed placement model earlier this year.Warren Buffett famously stated, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." This perspective drives Trustpoint Xposure's dual focus on authority building and reputation management services.For more information about Trustpoint Xposure's digital authority services, visit www.trustpointxposure.com About Trustpoint Xposure : Trustpoint Xposure provides guaranteed media placement services for attorneys, financial advisors, and growth-stage companies. Led by CEO David Wilder, the company focuses on building permanent digital authority that transforms business outcomes. Headquartered in North Idaho, Trustpoint Xposure serves clients nationwide through strategic media placement and reputation management services.Contact InformationJack SmithMarketing Managercontact@ trustpointxposure.com +1442-220-3131SOURCE: Trustpoint Xposure
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Global EV Truck OEM Leader Teams Up with JoyRide Logistics and EO Charging to Deliver Zero-Emission Freight across Arizona, California, and Nevada.HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / In a bold move to modernize long-haul freight, Windrose Technology, a global electric vehicle manufacturer active on four continents, has officially launched the first-ever all-electric long-haul sleeper truck in the United States. Designed for real-world logistics, this breakthrough EV truck features an impressive 420-mile range and is now set for commercial deployment in the United States.Windrose truck hauling a JoyRide Logistics trailer.This milestone is being realized in partnership with JoyRide Logistics, a Phoenix-based carrier and the first U.S. regional trucking company to operate fully electric sleeper trucks, all of which will be powered by EO Charging, a global pioneer in Electric Charging (EV) solutions for mission critical depot-based fleets. The initial rollout begins in Arizona, California and Nevada, with nationwide expansion in sight."This isn't just a prototype or promise-this is a fully operational, long-range electric truck that's ready to haul freight today," said Wen Han, founder, chairman, and CEO of Windrose. "We've validated our technology globally and are proud to bring it to the U.S.-one of the most important logistics markets in the world." The First True Long-Haul EV Sleeper TruckWindrose trucks have undergone extensive real-world testing across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America. In a recent U.S. field test, the Windrose sleeper completed a 2,800-mile cross-country trip using only public charging stations. Further Windrose also completed a 3,000+ mile loaded trip shipping clothing from the Hong Kong area to the China-Kazakhstan border-a clear demonstration of its range, reliability, and charging compatibility.Built for full-length hauls with 420 miles of range, the Windrose electric sleeper includes a comfortable bunk area, fast-charging capabilities (MCS & CCS), and over 700kWh of battery offering with both LFP and NMC battery types, all while maintaining Class 8 performance standards and weighing under 26,000 lbs.JoyRide Logistics: Driving the Shift in Regional FreightJoyRide Logistics, an expanding regional carrier with a fleet of over 250 trucks operating in six states, is leading the adoption of electric long-haul trucks in the U.S. By deploying Windrose EV sleepers, JoyRide aligns with its mission to meet-and help shape-customers' evolving sustainability goals."Partnering with Windrose allows us to stay ahead-not just on sustainability, but on total operational performance," said Adis Danan, President at JoyRide Logistics. "We're talking fuel savings, reduced maintenance, and a future-ready fleet that our customers can get behind. We want to make electric logistics efficient, scalable-and cool." JoyRide already partners with multiple Fortune 500 customers, many of whom are actively working to reduce Scope 3 emissions. The integration of EV's into their fleet is a direct response to those sustainability benchmarks.EO Charging: Infrastructure Built for Fleet ScalePowering the rollout is EO Charging, a global pioneer in Electric Charging (EV) solutions for mission critical depot-based fleets. Their solution leverages real-estate acquisition, charging infrastructure deployment and vehicle financing, plus their unique >99% uptime promise, to help deliver a cost-competitive service for Shippers."Together, Windrose, JoyRide and EO Charging are making electrified long-haul freight a reality-not years from now, but today," said Charlie Jardine, President and Founder at EO Charging. "We're proud to support this shift with innovative infrastructure solutions designed to optimize costs and help customers reach diesel parity." Pioneering A Defining Moment for American TruckingWith or without regulation, the shift toward electrification is being led by forward-thinking companies. Windrose, JoyRide, and EO Charging are proving that zero-emission trucking can meet performance, efficiency, and customer-driven sustainability goals now-not someday.With the 420-mile all-electric sleeper truck already in operation, Windrose stands as both a global innovator and a practical solution provider for the future of freight.Exciting times ahead for the trucking business, and the transportation industry as a whole, led by a pioneering group of companies, Windrose Technology, JoyRide Logistics, and EO Charging.About Windrose TechnologyBased in Antwerp, Belgium, Windrose Technology is a world-leading developer of zero-emission long-haul trucks. Founded in 2022 by Stanford University graduate Wen Han, Windrose has now brought its trucks to four continents including North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.Windrose is backed by HSBC, Citi, Fountainvest, GSR Ventures, HITE Hedge, Goodman Group and other world-renowned investors, and has now worked with Decathlon, Remy Cointreau, Nestle Wyeth Nutrition, and many other top brands.For more information about Windrose Technology's sustainability initiatives, please visit www.windrose.tech About JoyRide LogisticsJoyRide Logistics is a woman-owned, award-winning regional carrier based in Phoenix, AZ, operating a fleet of over 250 trucks across six states. Recognized as one of the top logistics companies in the U.S. by multiple Fortune 500 and Inc. 5000 partners, JoyRide is committed to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.The company's asset-based model, focus on driver retention, and adoption of cutting-edge technologies-including electric vehicles and proprietary performance tracking software-have positioned JoyRide as a trusted partner to Fortune 500 shippers looking for reliable transportation partners.Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on long-term customer value, JoyRide Logistics delivers a seamless logistics experience rooted in reliability, innovation, and accountability. This initiative reflects JoyRide's larger mission: to provide future-ready freight solutions that align with both business goals and environmental responsibilities.Learn more at www.joyridelogistics.com or follow JoyRide Logistics on LinkedIn.About EO ChargingEO Charging (EO) is a global pioneer in Electric Charging (EV) solutions for depot-based fleets. EO is on a mission to accelerate carbon-free transportation with the transition to electric fleets, promising to make charging simple, reliable, and accessible to fleets globally.EO offers commercial-grade charge assurance through its full technology and service stack, available as-a-service, and has
Mario Llosa, a renowned Peruvian novelist, essayist, and Nobel laureate, has died at age 89.

His death was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by his children, who stated that he died peacefully, surrounded by family.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce that our father, Mario Vargas Llosa, passed away peacefully in Lima today, surrounded by his family, the family statement shared by his son Alvaro Vargas Llosa on X read.

The family also said Mr Llosas departure will sadden his relatives, his friends and his readers around the world.

But we hope that they will find comfort, as we do, in the fact that he enjoyed a long, adventurous and fruitful life, and leaves behind him a body of work that will outlive him, the statement read.

The family, however, noted that there would be no public ceremony of his cremation as he would be buried by family and close friends at a private event.

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He enjoyed a long, adventurous and fruitful life, and leaves behind him a body of work that will outlive him, the family noted.

Mr Llosas body of work is huge. He was a central figure in the Latin American literary boom of the 1960s and produced works focused on the evils of totalitarianism.

Born in 1936 in Arequipa, the second-most populated city in Peru, Vargas Llosa began his career as a crime reporter at the age of 15.

He initially supported the Cuban Revolution, but he later became a vocal advocate for liberal democracy and free-market capitalism.

In 1990, he ran unsuccessfully for the Peruvian presidency and afterwards returned to full-time writing.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010 for his literary contributions.

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The founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has sparked conversation on social media after claiming that Jesus Christ strongly dislikes poverty.

In a sermon video posted on his fan TikTok page on Monday, the 62-year-old pastor told his congregation that Jesus did not associate with the poor during His earthly ministry.

Mr Ibiyeomie, who anchors the Hour of Salvation live services broadcast on over 40 television stations locally and internationally, acknowledged that it is acceptable to come to Christ in poverty.

However, he went on to explain what he believes is unacceptable after doing so: If I tell you something, itll baffle you; Jesus never visited any poor person in his house; check your bible. That means he hates poverty. He visited Lazarus; they were not poor but were giving him food. He visited a sinner, Zacchaeus, who was rich.

Tell me one poor man Jesus entered his house. He hates poverty; thats the meaning. He hates poor people. He died for you not to be poor. How can you now come to church with some mentality? You can come poor, but youre not permitted to remain poor. Theres nothing wrong with you coming to Christ as a poor man, but its wrong for you to remain poor. It is wrong.

Reactions

Mr Ibiyeomies stance, as well as that of an author who also hosts an internet radio show, ignited controversy among netizens.

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Below are some of the reactions from netizens.

Beautiful Nonsense! Contrary to Lords teaching Matthew 19:23 (ASV) And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for  ArugboBoisi (@Arugboboisi_Sam) April 14, 2025

Somebody kindly explain to me the phrase in Matt 19: 16-26 and I quote ; Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

My issue with the pastors statement is him saying Jesus hates poverty  cha cha cha (@uchenna_ubochi) April 14, 2025

Christianity in Nigeria should be scrapped for the nation to really move forward.  REMA GIRLFRIEND (@remagirlfriend) April 14, 2025

These marketers sha. Same Jesus that said It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. They will want to drive home discussion of prosperity for their own gain and then twist the Bible.  DON CORLEONE (@Bobbydbobo) April 14, 2025

Any Christian that doesnt have a personal understanding of the Bible is in big trouble. Pastors make a lot of inferences from the Bible and draw conclusions on things that are not exactly written in the Bible. Their inferences can be based on their emotions, personal  Abiri-Owo  (@captain_xplora) April 14, 2025

If this is true. With all due respect You are Mad Sir cause Watin be this   MadFury  Tiny-Temper (@AtarodoScotch) April 14, 2025

Was Lazarus his friend a rich man? Was Peters mother-in-law a rich woman?  hAppYmaMa (@VivienVivicoko) April 14, 2025

When we are ready to fix Nigeria, e get some kind people weh we suppose first whip cane, this werey join the list, as a matter of fact he suppose collect the first few lashes for he upper brain  Fate Godwinson (@GodwinsonFate) April 14, 2025

Mr Ibiyeomie last made headlines when he gifted a four-bedroom bungalow to Henry Eremosele, a former auto mechanic who resigned from his job to serve as a messenger in his church.

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Indonesias Attorney Generals Office (AGO) has detained three judges suspected of accepting bribes during a high-profile case involving the illegal export of palm oil.

AGOs director of investigations, Abdul Qohar, made this known on Monday, according to the Jakarta Globe newspaper.

The judges, Agam Baharuddin, Ali Muhtarom, and Djuyamto were detained late Sunday on suspicion of accepting bribes in exchange for the acquittal of companies Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group, and Musim Mas Group.

In March, the suspects ruled that the companies had been exporting crude palm oil without government permits, but they decided that their actions did not fall under the countrys criminal laws, the newspaper reported.

According to Qohar, after questioning seven witnesses, we gathered sufficient evidence to name the three judges as suspects.

They are fully aware that the payments were intended to secure a favourable ruling.

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In 2024, the judges first received 4.5 billion Indonesian rupees ($268,111) through former South Jakarta District Court Chief Muhammad Arif Nuryanta, and then another 18 billion Indonesian rupees in second transaction.

After detainment of the judges, the total number of suspects in the case reached seven.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, prosecutors identified South Jakarta District Court clerk Wahyu Gunawan, defence attorneys Marcella Santoso and Ariyanto, as well as Nuryanta as suspects in the investigation.

Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group, and Musim Mas Group have been accused of violating a temporary ban on the export of crude palm oil.

The ban on Indonesia export of crude palm oil was introduced by former President Joko Widodo in 2022 due to a nationwide shortage of cooking oil.

The government had then said that the country lost $10.9 million as a result of the illegal exports, as it had to subsidise cooking oil prices in the domestic market to compensate for the crisis.

Five people, including a well-known market analyst, Lin Che Wei, and a high-ranking official from the Trade Ministry were sentenced to between one and three years in prison in January 2023 as part of the illegal exports case.

Other convicted defendants include former Director-General of International Trade at the Trade Ministry, Indrasari Wardhana, and business executives Parulian Tumanggor, Stanley MA, and Pierre Togar Sitanggang.

(RIA/NAN)

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At least 40 people were killed and many others injured on Monday in a midnight attack on the Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

This comes less than two weeks after terrorists killed at least 52 people in the same local government area. Despite the promise by the federal government to end the senseless killings and unrest in the state, the violence has continued unabated with attacks and reprisals.

A community leader, Wakili Tongwe, told Channels TV that the killers stormed the village in the early hours of Monday, shooting indiscriminately.

Mr Tongwe said his team of vigilantes and some security personnel were on patrol in another community when the attack happened.

He said by the time his team returned to repel the attack, the assailants had killed 36 people, while four persons who suffered severe injuries died later.

Those who sustained injuries have been taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

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The police spokesperson in Plateau, Alfred Alabo, could not be reached by phone. As of press time, he had not responded to an SMS sent to him.

Plateau: A hot-bed of violence

Notably, the violence in Plateau started in 1994, the same year as the Rwanda Genocide that killed thousands of people.

The violence worsened following the 2001 ethno-religious rift between Christians and Muslims in the North-central state.

A timeline, as documented by PREMIUM TIMES, showed that nearly 5,000 people had been killed in the endless clashes between different ethnic groups in the state.

The Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) archived some violent incidents from 1994 to 2021. Data for the subsequent years were gathered from media reports.

Subsequent unrests, like that of Mangu in 2023, however, were triggered by competition between farming and herding communities over limited resources.

The Mangu violence claimed more than 300 lives. It was followed by the infamous Christmas Eve attack that killed at least 150 in neighbouring Barkin Ladi LGA.

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For two days, bile and mean-spiritedness rippled through the chambers of Nigerias Senate over a motion for the immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu, a former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), in recognition of his public service to the country. This is hinged on the exceptional conduct of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, won by the MKO Abiola. That election has been adjudged by all and sundry as the freest, fairest and most credible in our annals till date.

Mr Nwosu died in October 2024, aged 83 years. His illustrious role saw him defy a kangaroo court order, covertly masterminded by the highest military echelon of the time, which sought to stop the conduct of the poll. And at the behest of the junta, the result of the June 12 election was not formally announced, despite the collation of results from all the states, with the exception of one  that of Taraba State. The chain of events this subsequently sparked reached its lowest point with the death of Mr Abiola in the custody of the federal government.

The Senates recent misguided action unfolded as Mr Nwosus remains were laid to rest in his home state of Anambra. Senators across party and regional lines backed the motion, whose chief sponsor was Enyinnaya Abaribe of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). According to the senator, Mr Nwosus courageous defence of (the) democratic electoral process during the 1993 presidential election led to the famous June 12, which ultimately confirmed MKO Abiola as the winner of the election. This is beyond any debate.

As the NEC boss, Mr Nwosu introduced the ingenious and transparent Option A4 voting system in the conduct of political party primaries and the open balloting system, to national and global acclamation. This sharply contrasts with the procedures adopted in subsequent elections in the country, which have been defined  rather shamefully  by manipulations, glitches and, above all, the unabashed buying of votes by politicians, without consequences. He also laid the foundation for the building of the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The senators who shot down the motion argued that Mr Nwosu would have been deserving of posthumous national honour if he had gone ahead to announce the result of the June 12 election, while damning the consequences of that act. Seemingly, they appear to have considered Mr Nwosu as the one who betrayed Nigeria rather than the manipulative dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, who played all kinds of tricks to avoid handing over power, even as he rode roughshod over the country. Such view of Mr Nwosu is most unfair and uncharitable.

The dissenting lawmakers totally missed the point. Prominent among them were Senators Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Solomon Olamilekan of Ogun State. In clear terms, these senators wished the former NEC boss had stood before a moving train in a period of military dictatorship. We reject the Senates stance and find it ridiculous that lawmakers, who are afraid to drive on the countrys highways due to the activities of kidnappers, wanted Mr Nwosu to embark on a kamikaze  an undertaking which none of them would have performed.

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Yet, Mr Nwosu tried his best to finish the job, following the legal route. But he was literally stopped at gun point by the brutal Armed Forces Military Council, headed by the slippery and mischievous Mr Babangida, of which General Sani Abacha was the defacto second in command. At a military council meeting, Mr Babangida reportedly sought Mr Nwosus view on how the political logjam that arose from the annuled election could be resolved. In a poetic cadence, he is said to have responded, Sir, allow us to announce the result. Rather than listen to him, Mr Babangida set up a committee headed by the wily and brutal Mr Abacha, to find a solution to the crisis. This was sheer deceit!

In an interview with Sahara TV online, Mr Nwosu gave a detailed account of the meeting of the committee, held in Mr Abachas guest house, which he attended alongside some military top brass then, who are still alive, that he mentioned as being among the dramatis personae involved in that perfidious mission presided over by Mr Abacha. Mr Nwosu said he restated his earlier position to the gathering, that there was really nothing for them to meet over, as an election had been conducted, whose results were already collated, and that what remained was the announcement of the full results.

Mr Abacha, whose eyes were already on the presidential seat then was said to have got livid. Mr Nwosu recounted that, Abacha shouted at me: Who are you to tell us what to do? Are you a member of the National Security Council? The court said you should not conduct the election, you went ahead to do it. At the last military council meeting on the electoral deadlock, Mr Babangida reportedly told Mr Nwosu that, You people are on your own, as he remained adamant on the need for a conclusion of the electoral process.

In an attempt to announce the result, the NEC headed for the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, presided over by Okey Achike, to challenge the order served on it by the Commissioner of Police, Abuja, stopping the announcement of the results. The court asked NEC to submit the result, which the Director, Legal Services of NEC, Buhari Bello, did, thus making it a public document.

However, two days before 25 June 1993, the date fixed by the court to hear the matter, the military junta dissolved NEC and all democratic structures. These bold and patriotic steps in the face of apparent personal danger, were not the conducts of a man who compromised his duty. In fact, if any, the charge or blight best fits the Senate in the face of the perfunctory discharge of its legislative functions, the obscene allowances totalling N21 million collected monthly by each senator, as revealed by Senator Sumaila Kawu, and the procurement of Toyota SUVs at N160 million apiece for each senator amid massive poverty and hunger that are killing Nigerians by the day. Categorically, the senators are like Nero, who fiddled while Rome burnt.

Is it not irrational and illogical for the Senate to applaud the June 12 election as the fairest and most credible in the country, laud the Grand Commander Federal Republic (GCFR) honour bestowed on Mr Abiola by President Muhammadu Buhari, and commemorate 12 June as the nations Democracy Day, but fail to honour the very man  Mr Nwosu  who was central to etching the date in history and national memory?

With President Buharis bestowal of a GCFR award on Mr Abiola, which is an honour exclusively reserved for heads of state, President Bola Tinubu is being urged to pay all the emoluments due to Mr Abiola as a former leader, to his family.

It is a no-brainer that if Mr Nwosu had failed to conduct the election on the grounds of Justice Bassey Ikpemes treacherous court ruling, there would not have been any winner to acknowledge, or June 12 to celebrate. PREMIUM TIMES believes that Mr Nwosu richly deserves a national honour, more than the senators who have been garlanded with it, without any distinction of service to Nigeria. We, therefore, call on President Bola Tinubu, whose political activism and prominence were forged in the furnace of the June 12 struggle, to ignore the Senate and honour the late NEC chairman posthumously.

The Senate needs some introspection over its ill-considered showing on Mr Nwosu, given that many senators had last month trooped to fulsomely honour the man who annulled the election  Mr Babangida, when he launched his dishonest autobiography  A journey in Service. They did not just attend, but donated handsomely. One of the senators donated a huge sum of N250 million. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, ably represented by Senator Aliyu Wadada, donated N10 million.

Besides the NEC job, Mr Nwosu, offered other invaluable services to Nigeria. Graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a PhD, he was a distinguished professor of political science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, his alma mater, where he retired. He also presented a 60-page document to the Justice Muhammed Uwais Electoral Reform Panel, which the President Musa YarAdua set up to deepen our democratic process in Nigeria. Our over-paid lawmakers are yet to fully embrace that widely acclaimed Uwais report, 15 years after, to the peril of Nigerias electoral integrity and democratic consolidation.

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Gabons military leader, Brice Nguema, who led the 2023 coup that ended Ali Bongos rule, has been declared the winner of the presidential election.

Mr Nguema, who has led the country since the coup in 2023, won the election on Saturday with more than 90 per cent of the vote.

The 50-year-old military leader had contested the election alongside seven other candidates. This includes the former Prime Minister, Alain Bilie-by-Nze, who served under the Bongo regime, and two stalwarts of the former ruling PDG party, Stephane Iloko and Alain Boungoueres.

According to the BBC, prominent opposition figures who might have mounted a strong challenge were barred from contesting in the Saturday presidential election.

Mr Billie-by-Nze was the major political opponent to the military leader.

He received just over 3 per cent of the votes. Mr Nguema, on the other hand, won with 572,222 votes.

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While announcing the election result, Gabons Interior Minister, Hermann Immongault, said, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is elected [president] by absolute majority of votes cast, with 575,222 votes.

The interior minister also said turnout for the election was 70.40 per cent, far higher than the 56.65 per cent who cast ballots in the August 2023 election that precipitated the coup.

Mr Nguemas election win cements his hold on power, nearly two years after orchestrating the ouster of President Bongo, whose family had ruled Gabon uninterrupted since 1967.

It also grants him a seven-year term as president of the oil-rich country.

However, there are reports of irregularities and misconduct across polling units in the country.

According to multiple reports, voting was delayed at some polling units, and some eligible voters were unable to locate their designated voting centers.

Critics warned before the election that the revised constitution and updated electoral laws were tailored to facilitate Mr Nguemas ascent to the presidency.

The Bongo Dynasty

The coup, which ended the Bongo dynasty, was carried out in August 2023, shortly after the presidential election that would have seen Bongo Ondimba retain power for a third term.

The opposition had rejected the result and described the process as fraudulent.

The Bongo Ondimba dynasty began in 1967 when Omar Bongo seized power and went on to become Africas longestserving president, ruling Gabon for 42 years with a tight grip on the countrys oil wealth and political institutions.

However, following his death in 2009, his son Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeded him amid allegations of electoral fraud and deepening corruption.

Despite protests and calls for reform, the Bongo family maintained its hold on power until the 2023 coup.

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Mohammed Atiku, a son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, never supported his father, in both his 2019 and 2023 presidential election races.

The junior Atiku is responding to Shamsu Bala, the Bauchi governors son, who accused the former vice president of working against the governors reelection in 2023. On Saturday, Mr Bala said Atiku was unwilling to reconcile with his father ahead of the 2027 election.

But Mr Mohammed, who is also Chairman of Atiku Support Organisation (ASO), said at no point did Shamsus father support Atiku in his political career.

The only difference now is that Shamsu has removed the mask, and now we do not have to worry about the feigned impression of any support from his father, he said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, stressing that the Bauchi State Governor worked against his party in 2023.

According to the statement signed by the junior Atiku, Mr Balas comments reek of arrogance and an exaggerated sense of relevance.

Let it be known to Shamsu that never has Atiku dissipated an ounce of energy towards his fathers political travails. This is simply because Atikus politics transcends such shenanigans, and he has consistently remained above the bar. Moreover, whatever conflict Bala Muhammed may have had with politicians in Bauchi in the lead to the 2023 elections had nothing to do with Atiku Abubakar. It was purely a local affair.

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In case Shamsu has been off the news reel, we wish to refer him to a recent remark by his fathers political mentor, the Minister of FCT, Nysome Wike, who revealed how the Bauchi State Governor orchestrated plans to ensure that Atiku did not win in the 2023 election.

It is noteworthy to mention that Governor Bala Mohammeds presidential ambition is the reason for his poor management of the PDP Governors Forum, where he couldnt command the respect and control of his colleagues. We are also not unaware of his secret hobnobbing with Tinubus Government, Mr Mohammed said.

In a social media post, Mr Bala had said Atiku worked for Air Marshal (the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abubakar Sadiq). He added that Atiku deployed elites in Bauchi to fight us, and we narrowly won the election.

Mr Bala did not mention the names of the Bauchi elites who teamed up against his father.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Governor Mohammed, in the build-up to the 2023 election, in January 2023, directed the Bauchi emirate council to strip an elder statesman, Bello Kirfi, of his traditional title of Wazirin Bauchi for alleged disloyalty and disrespect to him.

Mr Kirfi served as Minister of State Foreign Affairs under President Shehu Shagari and also Minister of Special Duties during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He is a political ally of Atiku and is probably among the elites the governors son said worked against his fathers reelection.

Also, another Bauchi chieftain of the PDP at that time and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, worked for Atiku in the presidential election but worked against Mr Mohammed in the governorship election.

Atiku won in Bauchi

Despite the frosty nature between Atiku and Mr Mohammed, the PDP candidate won in Bauchi with over 100,000 votes more than his closest rival, APCs Bola Tinubu.

Atiku defeated Mr Tinubu with a vote margin of 109,913. He polled 426, 607 votes while Mr Tinubu got 316,694 votes in the North-eastern state.

Mr Balas comments on Twitter followed Atikus visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, which political observers said was part of Atikus effort to build a coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election.

Governor Mohammed challenged Atiku and others in the PDP presidential primaries in 2022 before returning home to take part in the partys rerun governorship primaries, which allowed him to run for a second term in 2023.

The governor is speculated to retain his presidential ambition and could challenge Atiku again for the partys 2027 presidential ticket. As the chairperson of the PDPs governors forum, he is one of the major power brokers in the party.

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The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum has declared that the party will not join or merge with any other political party before the 2027 general elections.

The forums Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, stated this on Monday, at the end of its meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

Reading the groups communique after the meeting, Mr Mohammed said that the PDP governors resolved that the party would not join any coalition or merger.

He, however, said that the PDP, as a major opposition party, would welcome any party, association, or group willing to join it, with a view to wresting power from the APC and enthroning good leadership in 2027.

Coalition moves

The governors position on coalition comes months after the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, met in Abuja.

The duo met in December, after which the former vice president shared a video of them having breakfast.

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It is breakfast time with my friend, #PeterObi, in the land of beauty, he said.

After the meeting, there were speculations that they were working towards a coalition ahead of the 2027 polls.

Some weeks earlier, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said in a television interview that the leading opposition figures in Nigeria were discussing the possibility of a merger to salvage the country from total collapse.

Mr Abdullahi further stated that the trio of Atiku, Obi, and the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, were willing to set aside their differences to form a formidable alliance to dislodge the ruling APC from power.

The PDP was in power between 1999 and 2015, during which time it produced three presidents: Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru YarAdua, and Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Jonathan was defeated by APCs Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

The current president, Bola Tinubu, defeated Atiku of the PDP and Obi of the LP in the 2023 election. While Mr Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes, Atiku and Obi got 6,984,520 and 6,101,533 votes, respectively. Thus, the combined votes of the two were higher than that of the president.

Other resolutions at Forums meeting

Mr Mohammed, flanked by other PDP governors when reading the communique, equally stated that the Forum reaffirmed its position taken in Asaba, Delta State, on the issue of the partys national secretary.

He said that in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment the forum resolved to recommend the national publicity secretary of the party to act as the national secretary pending the nomination and ratification of substantive national secretary from the South-east zone by NEC at its next meeting.

The Chairperson further stated that the Forum reasserted its collective determination to approach the Supreme Court for a clear verdict on the interpretation of the laws provision on the declaration of a State of Emergency in any state of the federation.

The Forum, therefore, reiterated its solidarity with His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, on the ordeal in which he and his people are being plunged into by the declaration of State of Emergency.

And we reiterate our commitment to stand with him to the end, he stated.

The Forum also expressed concern about the worsening security situation in some parts of the country, especially in Borno, Plateau, Katsina, and Edo States.

Mr Mohammed disclosed that the Forum called for reviewing and reordering the priorities and strategies of security agencies, which would guarantee improved security across the country.

The Forum commiserated with the people of Plateau over the loss of lives in the recent attack in the state.

The Chairperson further announced that the partys NEC meeting would be held on 27 May, having resolved with the National Working Committee and other relevant organs of the party.

He explained that zoning committees would be constituted during the May meeting to address all issues relating to running the party offices.

Mr Mohammed said that the partys convention would be held in August, precisely on the 20th, 29th and 30th in the ancient city of Kano.

PDP governors present at the meeting were Peter Mbah (Enugu), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).

Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) were represented by their deputies, Monday Onyeme and Akon Eyakenyi, respectively.

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi State has confirmed the death of seven people in Sundays road accident at Nwafia Oga, Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

The Sector Commander of the corps, Henry Igwe, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday, saying that it occurred at about 7.30 p.m.

Mr Igwe also said the accident involved a commercial Toyota Bus, with Registration Number UWN 429 ZY and an articulated vehicle, with Registration Number XW 294 ENU.

He said: 20 persons were involved in the crash.

The dead include four males and three females, while two females were injured.

According to him, 11 people, comprising two males, eight females and one child, escaped unhurt.

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The FRSC chief said a speed violation caused the accident.

He said that while the injured were taken to St. Saviour Hospital, Onueke, for treatment, the remains of the deceased were taken to the Onueke General Hospitals morgue.

He said the agency is investigating the accident.

We still urge drivers to drive carefully and obey road signs because it is only the alive that travels, he said.

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Today, reports about the presidencys reaction to the US court order for the release of records on President Bola Tinubus drug case dominate headlines.

Nothing new in FBI, DEA records on drug case  Presidency, Vanguard reported.

Presidency: No new info, report doesnt indict Tinubu,First News reported.

Daily Trust reported, Why US court ordered release of Tinubu probe report.

US court orders FBI, anti-drug agency to release Tinubus records, News Circle Post reported.

Sailent Times reported, US Court orders FBI, DEA to release Tinubus investigation records.

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Meanwhile, Blueprint reported, FG flags off N777bn Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project.

According to the Punch, AGF moves to defend Tinubu as PDP govs mobilise 11 SANs.

The Guardian reported, Labour laments high cost of living, braces for wage renegotiation.

Daily Times reported, We Appeal lo Gov. Fintiri lo

Exercise His Prerogative Of Mercy On May 29 Ogebe.

The News Direct reported, Why Buhari-Tinubu bond remains unshaken, a nightmare for opposition 

Presidency.

FG votes N777bn for Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway completion, Liberty newspaper reported.

We thank Abiola Ayankunbi, a media management expert, for providing screenshots of the newspapers front pages.

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The Bauchi State Budget Committee Group (BCG) has expressed concern over the inadequate funding of the agricultural sector in the states 2025 budget.

The committee chairperson, Tabawa Atiku, stated this at a news conference on Monday in Bauchi.

The news conference was organised in collaboration between the BCG, Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI), Smallholder Women Farmers Network (SHOWFAN), Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), and ActionAid Nigeria.

Mrs Atiku said the committees budget analysis revealed that only 1.6 per cent of the approved N465.9 billion budget had been allocated to agriculture in the state.

She said the budget was lower than the 10 per cent commitment under the Malabo Declaration of 2014.

With a mere N7.64 billion assigned to the sector, stakeholders warn that this gap undermines efforts to combat food insecurity, poverty and malnutrition, especially among smallholder women farmers who contribute over 60 per cent of the states food supply.

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Despite being the backbone of the states food system, smallholder women farmers continue to face challenges such as limited access to credit, skyrocketing input costs, lack of storage and processing facilities, and severe post-harvest losses due to inadequate infrastructure and support.

Natural disasters like flooding coupled with the rising cost of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and seeds have compounded the plight of these farmers, who often rely on outdated tools like hoes and animal-driven equipment, drastically reducing productivity, she said.

Dinah Daniel, Executive Director of FAWOYDI, said the budget analysis indicated that only 18 per cent of women farmers have access to processing facilities.

Se stressed the need for the state government to create a budget line for smallholder women farmers to enhance their access to extension services, credit facilities and post-harvest infrastructure.

She urged the state government to allocate 10 per cent of its budget to agriculture and invest in irrigation and climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture to mitigate climate change.

Without substantial investment in women-led agriculture and rural infrastructure, food crisis may worsen in Bauchi, she said.

(NAN)

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The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has called for urgent and coordinated efforts to address the escalating impact of climate change on agriculture across Africa.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja on Monday, Mr Zulum said that Africa was at a crossroads between vulnerability and resilience.

He stressed the need for inclusive irrigation systems and resilient food production strategies.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 65 per cent of farmland is rain-fed. But the rain no longer comes as it once did. Seasons are shrinking, droughts are intensifying, and floods are becoming more severe, he said.

Referencing the World Banks 2023 Climate Smart Agriculture Report, he noted that rainfall patterns in the Sahel had shifted by 2030 per cent over the past decade.

The consequences are dire, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) projects a 50 per cent reduction in crop yields by 2030 if current climate trends continue.

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That is not just a statistic; its a direct threat to food security, public health, and the future of millions.

In spite of contributing less than 4 per cent of global emissions, Africa continues to bear some of the worst effects of climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports a 30 per cent rise in extreme weather events in the region since the 1990s.

One of the starkest examples is Lake Chad, which has lost more than 90 per cent of its volume since the 1960s. Irrigation is no longer optional; it is indispensable, Mr Zulum said.

He emphasised the need to shift from rain-dependent farming to climate-smart agriculture by investing in efficient, inclusive irrigation systems.

Innovation must not be a privilege of the few. Our approach must empower smallholder farmers, especially women and youth who are the backbone of rural agriculture, he stressed.

The governor said Borno had begun laying the foundation for agricultural renewal through sustainable irrigation.

He urged that efforts should go beyond individual states or countries.

Today is about a shared African journey, a unified strategy for irrigation and water governance that requires bold policy reform, investment, and community inclusion, he said.

He called on development partners to align with Africas home-grown solutions.

We seek not dependency, but strategic partnership. Let us build systems that withstand climate shocks and restore dignity to our people.

He urged delegates to leave with renewed resolve to scale solutions, fix gaps, and drive a continent-wide push for agricultural resilience and water security.

The conference continues in Abuja until April 17, with technical sessions, policy dialogues, and field visits to irrigation sites across Nigeria.

(NAN)

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The Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) Party and its top officials have sued President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, over the suspension of Rivers States democratically elected officials under an emergency rule recently imposed on the oil-rich state.

They urged the court to declare that the president cannot take over the control and the functions of the democratically elected government of a State under the guise of a proclamation of a state of emergency.

The plaintiffs argued that the imposition of a Sole Administrator to rule any state is unknown to the Nigerian constitution.

The party and its officials urged the court to declare as null and void the National Assemblys approval of the State of Emergency in Rivers state. The plaintiffs also want the High Court to declare the action as utterly in gross violation of provisions of the Nigerian constitution.

They urged the court to restore the democratic structures suspended by Mr Tinubu under the pretext of the emergency rule.

They also prayed for a perpetual injunction barring the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant General of Nigeria, and all banks in Nigeria from releasing funds from the consolidated funds, or internally generated revenue of belonging to Rivers State or any other state in Nigeria to any Sole Administrator of Rivers State or any position not recognised in the Nigerian constitution.

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Both the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, along with 14 principal officers of both chambers of the National Assembly are sued as co-defendants alongside Mr Tinubu and the Nigerian government.

The suit was jointly filed last Wednesday (9 April) by the BOOT Party, its national chairperson, Sunday Adenuga, and Rivers Sate chapter chairperson, Abednego Oli.

The plaintiffs told the court that the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State has denied them the opportunity to field candidates in the election for the constituencies represented in the Rivers State local government elections fixed for 9 August.

Where the court establishes that the emergency rule was inappropriately approved by the National Assembly, the plaintiffs sought from the court a N20 billion award in its favour and against the federal government as compensation for the tensions, emotional trauma, waste and losses occasioned to its preparations for political process in Rivers State in the coming Local Government election that is thwarted by the wrongful imposition of a State of Emergency and for the losses incurred.

Emergency rule

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the South-southern state on 18 March.

The president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all the House of Assembly members for an initial six months.

The president consequently appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of the state.

He cited the recent disturbing incidents in the state, including explosions and the vandalisation of petroleum pipelines linked to the political crises in the state, as the basis for his action.

The disturbing incidents also included the political crises in the South-south state triggered by a rift between Mr Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT.

On 20 March, the House of Representatives approved the declaration of a state of emergency in the south-south state.

The Senate would later follow suit, approving the emergency rule with minor changes.

Before the BOOT party sued the federal government, seven states  Adamawa, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Bayelsa, Enugu and Osun  led by the PDP have asked the Supreme Court to reverse the suspension of the elected officials under the emergency rule.

Federal High Court challenge

The BOOT Party and its co-plaintiff argued, among others, that President Tinubu lacked statutory powers to suspend a serving governor and deputy governor and appoint a sole administrator to replace them.

They also argued that the emergency rule proclamation by Mr Tinubu and backed by the National Assembly, did not comply with the constitutional requirements.

They argued that the National Assemblys approval of the state of emergency through a voice vote was inoperative in the face of unequivocal constitutional provision that such an approval required mandatory two-third majority vote of members of each of the legislative chambers of the National Assembly.

The plaintiffs asked the court to set aside the approval of the emergency rule by the National Assembly through voice votes, as same, they argued, failed to meet constitutional requirements.

They also urged the High Court to nullify the appointment of a Sole Administrator to superintend over Rivers State.

Other prayers of the plaintiffs include an order of this honourable court restoring democratic governance in Rivers state under Mr Fubara.

An order of MANDAMUS compelling the federal government, President Tinubu and National Assembly to forthwith lift, suspend and end the concocted, unwarranted, disruptive, ill-conceived, feigned and superficial State of Emergency imposed on any part of Nigeria, Rivers State inclusive, and to desist from distorting, inhibiting, disturbing, and restricting democratic processes for which the Plaintiffs are by law entitled to participate, field candidates and vie for elective positions in the processes leading to the governance of a State or Local Government Election by restoring democratic processes in Rivers State.

An order of PERPRTUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria, Accountant General of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and all other banks in Nigeria from releasing, giving, handing over, disbursing or paying any money or funds from the consolidated funds, or internally generated Revenue of a State howsoever belonging to a State Government, including Rivers State, to any unconstitutionally recognised position including but not limited the unknown position of Sole Administrator of Rivers State that has been created, manufactured, constructed, designed by the President and members of the National Assembly contrary to Section 1(2), Section 5(2), Section 11(4), Section 76, Section 188 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

An order of awarding to the Plaintiffs the sum of N20,000,000,000 (Twenty Billion Naira) against the Federal Government of Nigeria under the 2nd-18th Defendants as damages to assuage the Plaintiffs for the tensions, emotional trauma, waste and losses occasioned to its preparations for political process in Rivers State in the coming Local Government election that is thwarted by the wrongful imposition of a State of Emergency by the 2nd to the 20th Defendants and for the losses incurred.

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The UK government, through the Mobilist programme, has invested N9.5 billion in InfraCredit, Nigerias first and only domestic credit guarantee institution, supporting its listing on the countrys NASD OTC Securities Exchange.

This investment is part of a N64 billion listing, with InfraCredit raising NGN27 billion in new equity.

This capital infusion was bolstered by a 9.5 billion investment from the UK governments Mobilist programme, which aims to support the development of capital markets in emerging economies.

InfraCredit has been instrumental in reducing investment risks in the infrastructure sector, helping to attract over N264 billion in long-term local currency funding across critical areas such as renewable energy, housing, transportation, logistics, power, telecommunications, and manufacturing.

Through its innovative guarantee model, the company facilitates the development of viable, investment-ready projects. This approach not only strengthens local economies and supports job creation but also contributes to gender inclusion and aligns with Nigerias broader sustainable development objectives.

According to a statement issued by the British High Commission on Monday, the UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, described InfraCredits growth as a reflection of the value of long-term partnerships.

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He noted that the UKs role, through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is to support both the establishment and ongoing expansion of the institution.

InfraCredits success highlights the power and impact of long-term partnerships, and the UK, via the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is proud to have played a key role in not just the creation of InfraCredit through the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), but its continued growth.

This transaction illustrates the potential of public markets to mobilise domestic capital at scale. By listing with the backing of MOBILIST, InfraCredit will enable local institutional investors to benefit from the growth opportunities presented by sustainable infrastructure development in their market while ensuring that the local firms driving these projects can access the capital they need.

Similarly, Chinua Azubike, InfraCredits chief executive officer, described the development as a significant milestone marking a new phase for the company.

According to the statement, he expressed satisfaction with the trust shown by new domestic institutional investors and the UK Government through the programme.

This reflects our ambition to build a deeper, more inclusive capital market for domestic resources that accelerates infrastructure delivery in Nigeria in line with our mission to unlock long-term local currency infrastructure finance.

By broadening our ownership and adhering to public market standards, InfraCredit aims to create long-term impact by strengthening investor confidence as a trusted catalyst for sustainable infrastructure finance as we navigate the pathway to growth and scale, he said.

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The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Abayomi Fasina, a professor whom the university council cleared of sexual harassment allegations last week, has proceeded on a six month leave.

The university spokesperson, Foluso Ogunmodede, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that the university council approved Mr Fasinas request to proceed on a six-month accumulated annual and research leave.

Mr Ogunmodede said the leave which begins Monday, 14 April is 126 working days of Mr Fasinas total entitlements of 228 days.

He added that the council has also appointed Olubunmi Shittu, a professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, as acting vice-chancellor for the university.

His appointment which was ratified at the Councils emergency meeting followed a request by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina to proceed on his accumulated annual and research leave, Mr Ogunmodede said in a short statement to our reporter.

There are reports in some section of the media that Mr Fasina, was in fact suspended after the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, intervened and expressed his dissatisfaction with the councils decision that cleared the vice-chancellor of sexual harassment allegations.

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Mr Ogunmodede, the university spokesperson, denied this when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him on Monday.

The spokesperson for the education ministry, Folasade Boriowo, is yet to respond to PREMIUM TIMES enquiries. Although she requested that a text be sent to her, she had not responded as of the time of filing this report.

Sexual Harassment Allegations

The universitys former Director of Works, Folasade Adebayo, had accused Mr Fasina of sexually harassing her and victimising her after she repeatedly rejected his advances.

Mrs Adebayo provided an audio recording of Mr Fasina pestering her for an illicit relationship, which she said began sometime in 2023.

In February, the university council set up a committee to conduct comprehensive investigation into the allegations levelled against the vice-chancellor by Mrs Adebayo and which the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUOYE chapter, constantly pushed for investigation.

However, the council exonerated Mr Fasina of the allegations after receiving the report of the committee.

In a statement announcing its decision and signed by the university registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, the council asked Mrs Adebayo, the accuser, to apologise.

The council also condemned Mrs Adebayo for recording Mr Fasina without his consent.

It also accused the Chairperson of the FUOYE Chapter of SSANU, Benjamin Faleye and Secretary, Ayomikun Aluko, of misconduct for issuing a communique last year accusing the vice-chancellor of the same allegations.

Both Mr Faleye and Mrs Aluko had been suspended by the university in December after the university accused them of misconduct.

While the council lifted their suspension, it asked them to apologise and forfeit half their salaries within the period of suspension.

READ ALSO: SSANU rejects FUOYE council decision clearing VC of sexual harassment allegations

SSANU rejects council decision

Meanwhile, SSANU, Western Zone, had rejected the council decision, seeking external interventions.

In a statement signed by the SSANU National Vice President and Chairman Western Zone, Abdussobur Salaam, the union said the councils decision has set a negative precedent in the Nigerian University system.

The union said it had reasons to believe that the investigation into the allegations had been compromised.

It wondered why the council focused so much on why the audio recording was made rather than the content.

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The Hungarian parliament has passed a constitutional amendment that allows the government to prohibit LGBTQ+ communities from organising public events.

The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, was passed on Monday, with 140 lawmakers voting in support and only 21 lawmakers voting against it.

The members of the parliament voted along party lines.

This amendment was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The coalition argued that childrens rights to moral, physical and spiritual development exceed any other right except the right to life.

The countrys child protection law, which is considered controversial, asserts that childrens rights to moral, physical, and spiritual development take precedence over all other rights, except for the right to life.

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 amendments ban the depiction or promotion of homosexuality to minors under 18.

The law also grants authorities the ability to use facial recognition technology to identify individuals attending prohibited events, such as Budapest Pride, with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints, $546, for those involved.

The recent amendment further clarified that the constitution recognises only two sexes, male and female, expanding on an earlier change that prohibited same-sex adoption by defining a mother as a woman and a father as a man.

The amendment, passed on Monday, also permits the suspension of dual citizenship for Hungarians holding citizenship in non-European Economic Area countries for up to 10 years, if they are deemed a threat to public order, public security, or national security.

Ahead of the vote, opposition politicians and other protesters had attempted to disrupt the process by blocking the entrance to a parliament parking garage.

However, security officials physically removed the demonstrators from the parliament.

READ ALSO: Police to arrest Nigerians featured in online LGBTQ video challenge

A lawmaker with the opposition Momentum party who participated in the attempted blockade, David Bedo, had described the amendment as an attempt by the ruling party to dismantle democracy and the rule of law.

In the past two or three months, we see that this process has been sped up, AP quoted him as saying.

Also, Hungarian critics had condemned the amendment, describing it as another step toward authoritarianism by the populist government.

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2025 has not been easy on Nigerians. The economy has looked far from bright; the weather has been suffocating; and cost of living has been stubbornly oppressive. With rising massacres in the Middle Belt, and Borno State in the north-east apparently losing ground to the nihilism of Boko Haram terror, violence remains unremitting. In the Niger Delta, a judicially manufactured crisis of political godfathering threatens serious repercussions for the national purse and endangers rent and royalties from the wells of oil-rich Rivers State. All this unfolds under the watch of a president who appears to have grown into a habit of sending episodic missives to Nigerians from his preferred base in Paris and occasionally paying a visit to Abuja from there.

Each of these developments is eminently newsworthy. Together, they should grip attentions about the goings-on in the sixth most populous country in the world. Instead, the biggest news out of Nigeria this year is the failure of Nigerias men of power to manage libidinal sexploits in the workplace, and the accompanying tendency to default to abuse of power to inter any resulting embarrassments.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is the Senator for Kogi Central and, by herself, 25% of the female contingent in the Nigerias Senate. Her detailed allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, would probably have long ago run their course if the chamber and its leadership had approached the matter with due regard to any rule book. Instead, they chose to orchestrate the longest-running political soap opera in Africas most populous country.

As with these things, most people no longer remember the complaint because the cover-up procured by abuse of power has been more impressive. It has guaranteed that this story has dominated conversations and highlighted longstanding womens rights issues in the socially conservative country, where no woman has ever been elected governor, vice-president or president.

For many, any suggestion that it is abnormal for a man not to get excited in the presence of a woman in the workplace is perplexing to the point of vexing. In a case in 2016, a lawyer representing a powerful international organisation in a case of sexual harassment before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), told the judge that it is expected among adults that a man would naturally chase a woman, make romantic overtures. Few have paused to ask what exactly sexual harassment means, why it matters and why it is such a lingering issue in both work spaces and public institutions.

In 2011, the Lagos State Criminal Law made sexual harassment a felony. The law describes the crime to include unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favours, and other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which when submitted to or rejected could affect or unreasonably interfere with the employment or educational opportunities of a person; become a factor in their academic or employment decision, or create an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning or working environment. Other states like Ekiti and Kaduna States have followed the example of Lagos in making sexual harassment a crime.

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Sexual harassment can also create civil liability. Stella Odey was a widow with four children when the development organisation, CUSO, hired her for your years in January 2015 as project manager. At work, she found herself under a male boss who repeatedly told her that her voice arrests him, slapping her buttocks and embracing her against her will and consent. He was reluctant to hear her protestation that she desired to remarry.

In July 2015, 14 days after Ms Odey gave her boss a card inviting him to her wedding, he summarily sacked her. In upholding her claim of unlawful termination, the National Industrial Court pointed out that the main point in allegations of sexual harassment is that unwelcome sexual conduct has invaded the workplace.

Four years earlier, the same court awarded quite substantial damages against Microsoft in Nigeria in favour of a female staff whose employment the country manager, a man, terminated after she refused his sexual advances.

While parliamentary sexploits in the Senate have brought much-needed attention to the subject generally, it remains the case that Nigerias educational and academic institutions are the places most persistently associated with sexual harassment. Nearly 45 years ago, in 1981, a mere two years after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was born, the report of the Presidential Commission on Salary and Conditions of University Staff chaired by Professor Samuel Cookey acknowledged an incipient problem of sexual harassment in the universities. Since then, the issue has grown in both scope and significance.

In 2024, a pioneering Baseline Survey conducted under the auspices of the Committee of Gender Directors in Nigerian Universities in partnership with the non-governmental organization, Alliances for Africa, found that at least 63% of female students in universities in the country had experienced sexual harassment. The perpetrators included lecturers, staff, and students. The report acknowledged an absence of progress on this issue, citing stigmatisation, absence of adequate institutional support, power imbalances between victims and perpetrators, lack of clear policies and procedures for reporting incidents.

An ongoing scandal at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), involving allegations of sexual harassment against the Vice-Chancellor, Abayomi Fasina, a professor, illustrates how bad the situation is. At the end of last year, it emerged that a female senior director at the university, Folasade Adebayo, had accused the Vice-Chancellor of work place reprisals after she allegedly rejected his persistent sexual advances.

The Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law creates a felony crime of sexual harassment which occurs when there is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature or other conduct based on sex or gender which is persistent or serious and demeans, humiliates, or creates a hostile or intimidating environment. To prove her allegations, Mrs. Adebayo produced a sound clip of a telephone conversation with the Vice-Chancellor in 2023 in which he could be heard pleading that he would make her happy as long as she made him happy, and confessing: Let me tell you, Im dying inside for you.

After what was supposed to be an internal investigation, the Governing Council issued a statement this past week claiming that it had cleared the Vice-Chancellor of the allegations. Instead it ordered various disciplinary measures against Mrs. Adebayo and the leadership of the Staff Union of the University (which made her allegations public), for bringing the name of the university into disrepute.

Without challenging the provenance of the sound clip or the veracity of its contents, the Governing Council instead condemned the recording of the Vice-Chancellor without his knowledge and consent. Yet, it resolved to advise the Vice-Chancellor in writing to be more careful and circumspect in dealing with subordinates. Not done with this piece of tortured administrative theatre, the Governing Council then announced that it would constitute a peace and reconciliation committee to look into all the issues in the university.

The performance of the Senate in the institutional calisthenics of inspired cover-up easily pales into insignificance beside the mastery displayed by the Governing Council of FUOYE. Under cover of high statutory authority, the Governing Council procured the burial of serious allegations that could be criminal in Ekiti while implicitly validating their veracity. Why would the Vice-Chancellor need gratuitous advice of the kind the Council will be offering if the recording lacked credibility? Unsurprisingly, the university staff union promptly denounced the decision.

The bigger problem is that the Council by this decision destroys any hope of remedies for students, staff or anyone with credible claims of sexual harassment in the university. Instead, they guarantee exactly the opposite of what the university seeks to avoid: resort to public advocacy by victims. Anticipating that, the Governing Council of FUOYE says it will expedite the production of policies on cyber-bullying and use of social media. The intention is not to help victims or to bring perpetrators to account. Rather, it seeks to perpetuate a culture of cover-up. Anyone looking for where the men in Senate learnt their art when they were boys should look no further than a Nigerian University.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through [email protected].

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China International Consumer Products Expo kicks off, marking a window of business opportunities in China

11:22, April 14, 2025 By Yin Yeping ( Global Times

Visitors pass by the national pavilion of Slovakia at the CICPE in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, on April 13, 2025. (Yin Yeping/GT)

With colorful logos and flags lining Binhai Road, the main road toward the exhibition halls in Haikou, capital of South China's Hainan Province, the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), the largest premium consumer goods expo in the Asia Pacific region, kicked off Sunday, offering a window of business opportunities in China for the world amid global headwinds.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Sunday welcomed global businesses to invest and thrive in China, as the country, with a population of over 1.4 billion, boasts vast market potential and robust momentum for consumption upgrades, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Han made the remarks when talking with the heads of exhibiting companies in Haikou, before attending the launch event for the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo and "Shopping in China" series.

Han encouraged global companies to make good use of the expo to expand brand influence, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and achieve mutual benefits.

Some 1,000 people, including representatives from government agencies, exhibitors, purchasing firms, and diplomatic envoys to China, attended the event.

Amid global trade uncertainties driven by US tariffs, the timely opening of the CICPE injects much-needed certainty and momentum into international economic and trade cooperation, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Sunday, noting that the event's opening highlights China's confidence and determination to expand its opening-up and continue sharing development opportunities with the world.

This year's expo, with the theme "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life," features participation from over 1,700 companies and more than 4,100 brands from more than 70 countries and regions around the world, the Global Times learned from event organizers.

The expo showcases high-quality new products in emerging consumer fields such as fashion, digital consumption, health, and green consumption. Countries like the UK, France, Switzerland, and Slovakia are present with official delegations.

Speaking at the expo on Sunday, Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova described the event as "perfect," expressing her excitement and expectations for deepening ties with the Chinese market through such an expo.

This is the first time Slovakia has participated in the expo with a national pavilion.

Sakova told the Global Times by the Slovakian national pavilion at the expo on Sunday that Slovakia and China have built up relationship decades ago, and "now we see China as the biggest and fastest-growing economy in the world."

"For everyone, the Chinese market holds tremendous potential... That's why 10 different entrepreneurs [from Slovakia] are here, presenting products from various sectors of our economy - ranging from cosmetics to food and beverages to technical innovations - with the ambition and goal of succeeding in the Chinese market, and we hope to achieve that success," the Slovak deputy prime minister said.

Other countries at the expo have actively been embracing Chinese market opportunities for many years. For example, Ireland has participated since the first edition of the CICPE in 2021 and set up its own national pavilion since 2022. This year, as usual, they are showcasing a wide range of Irish products and services, ranging from agricultural goods to education and tourism.

This is the first visit for Nicholas O'Brien to attend the CICPE as Irish Ambassador to China, though he was here 20 years ago as a Consul General in Shanghai. Reflecting on the changes, he told the Global Times on Sunday, "Now the consumer market here in China is very interesting, and when I look at the economic development in China over the last 20 years, it's truly remarkable."

Speaking about the potential for bilateral cooperation, he noted that Ireland's biggest exports to China include pharmaceuticals, food and drinks, whiskey, butter, and cheese - areas where he hopes to deepen cooperation with the Chinese market.

The Irish ambassador voiced his support for multilateralism. "We're very clear that an open trading system is in all our interests. And that's allowed the Irish economy to grow, the Chinese economy to grow, and economies around the world to grow."

The UK is serving as guest of honor at this year's expo, after debuting a national pavilion at last year's CICPE, with an exhibition area of over 1,300 square meters and 53 participating brands, double the number from last year. The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo and Jeju Island of South Korea are also debuting regional pavilions.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
The success of LG reform will not be determined in courtrooms or boardrooms  it will be won or lost in communities. Citizens must evolve from passive victims of misgovernance to active auditors of their local institutions. Demand that your local council publishes its budget. Attend the next town hall meeting and ask how project funds are spent. Use mobile phones to photograph ghost projects and share them on social media. Tag watchdogs like @CeFTPI and @ICPC_PE. Name and shame, but more importantly  document and demand.

In theory, local governments (LGs) in Nigeria should be the most impactful tier of governance  the closest to the people and most responsive to their needs. Constitutionally empowered to deliver services like basic education, primary healthcare, waste management, and local roads, LGs are meant to serve as the nucleus of national development. Yet, in practice, they have become synonymous with inefficiency, secrecy, and corruption. Despite the billions allocated to them annually, millions of Nigerians remain trapped in underdevelopment.

Holistically, understanding the dysfunction of Nigerias local government system requires revisiting its historical evolution, investigating the entrenched corruption that persists there, and evaluating how transparency  applied with intent and urgency  can transform grassroots governance.

Nigerias local governance system has been shaped by a mix of indigenous traditions and imposed colonial structures. Pre-colonial societies were governed through decentralised traditional institutions  emirates, chiefdoms, village assemblies  that facilitated participatory decision-making and local administration. However, the arrival of British colonial rule replaced these systems with indirect rule, whereby native authorities became tools of tax collection and control, largely stripped of accountability.

Post-independence, local administration remained fragmented under regional governments, until the watershed 1976 Local Government Reform by the military regime of Murtala Mohammed. This reform granted LGs a unified structure, administrative autonomy, and direct federal allocation. It was a visionary move aimed at democratising development. However, the post-1999 democratic dispensation witnessed a gradual erosion of that autonomy, as state governments began to dominate LG operations through joint accounts and political appointments, reducing them to mere appendages of the states.

The intention behind establishing LGs was noble: to democratise governance, improve service delivery, promote inclusivity, and ensure that development responds to local needs. But these ideals have largely been sabotaged by systemic corruption, political interference, and the absence of transparency.

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The Bleak Present: Looted Budgets, Abandoned Projects, and Ghost Bureaucracies

The financial hemorrhage within Nigerias LG system is staggering. According to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), more than 500 billion in LG funds were diverted through joint state-local government accounts over the past decade. This structural flaw has allowed state governors to unilaterally withhold, redirect, or manipulate funds meant for local development  effectively decapitating LG autonomy.

In July 2024, Nigerias Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of local governments. The ruling mandates that LG allocations from the federation account be disbursed directly, without routing these through state-controlled joint accounts. While this is a constitutional victory, autonomy without accountability can be equally dangerousThis is where the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPPLG)enters the picture.

The consequences are visible everywhere: ghost schools, broken boreholes, and clinics without medicine. A 2023 report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) found that over 60 per cent of LG corruption cases involved project fund misappropriation, with rural health and road construction projects being the most affected. Even more damning was the revelation that 40 per cent of LG payrolls were padded with ghost workers, costing the nation an estimated 120 billion annually. In one case in Kano, an audit uncovered over 3,000 fictitious names drawing salaries.

Transparency Internationals investigation into procurement practices revealed that a majority of LG contracts are either inflated or awarded without due process. In Enugu, a 500 million primary healthcare centre project was awarded and fully paid for but remains a fenced plot of land  its signboard faded, its promise unfulfilled. This pattern repeats itself across the country, from Bayelsa to Sokoto.

Underlying these scandals is a critical flaw: the near-complete absence of public oversight. Less than 1 per cent of Nigerias 774 local governments have functional websites. This means that citizens have no way of knowing how much is allocated, what is being spent, and who is being paid. Governance without transparency inevitably breeds impunity.

A Judicial and Institutional Turning Point

In July 2024, Nigerias Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of local governments. The ruling mandates that LG allocations from the federation account be disbursed directly, without routing these through state-controlled joint accounts. While this is a constitutional victory, autonomy without accountability can be equally dangerous.

This is where the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPPLG)  a joint initiative of the ICPC, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI)  enters the picture. The ACPPLG offers a comprehensive roadmap to reform local governance through five strategic pillars: fiscal transparency, open procurement, merit-based staffing, corruption control, and citizen engagement.

Each of these pillars is rooted in actionable goals. LGs are expected to publish budgets and audited financials online, adopt digital procurement systems, eliminate ghost workers, establish internal anti-corruption units, and create platforms for community feedback. For the first time, there is a structured blueprint to transform local governance from a black box into a transparent, participatory institution.

CeFTPIs role in this reform is particularly significant. By leveraging data analytics, civic technology, and citizen journalism, it has been instrumental in exposing dormant LG websites, tracking abandoned projects, and providing performance dashboards. The organisations new initiative  to satirically expose absurd government spending through visual storytelling  is a powerful tool for civic enlightenment.

CeFTPIs role in this reform is particularly significant. By leveraging data analytics, civic technology, and citizen journalism, it has been instrumental in exposing dormant LG websites, tracking abandoned projects, and providing performance dashboards. The organisations new initiative  to satirically expose absurd government spending through visual storytelling  is a powerful tool for civic enlightenment.

Citizens as the Final Watchdogs

The success of LG reform will not be determined in courtrooms or boardrooms  it will be won or lost in communities. Citizens must evolve from passive victims of misgovernance to active auditors of their local institutions. Demand that your local council publishes its budget. Attend the next town hall meeting and ask how project funds are spent. Use mobile phones to photograph ghost projects and share them on social media. Tag watchdogs like @CeFTPI and @ICPC_PE. Name and shame, but more importantly  document and demand.

Digital tools like the monitoring platform (https://fiscaltransparency.org/acpplg/) allow for anonymous reporting of corruption. Community-based organisations can organise budget literacy workshops to empower people with the knowledge to follow the money. The tools exist  the will must now follow.

A Republic Begins at the Grassroots

Nigerias democratic journey will remain incomplete if the most critical tier of government remains shrouded in secrecy. Local governments are not charity branches of state governors  they are constitutional entities with defined responsibilities and funding. The era of operating in darkness must end.

The ACPPLG initiative and the Supreme Courts verdict offer a rare window of reform. But laws alone do not build roads or stock health centres  people do. Citizens must reclaim their stake in local governance by demanding transparency, enforcing accountability, and insisting on results.

Corruption is loud, but accountability must be louder. The republic begins  not in Abuja  but in your ward, your school, your clinic. The question is: will you watch in silence, or will you act?

Muhammad Ahmad Iliyasu is Strategic Communications Officer at the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI). He can be reached via his email: [email protected].

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There is need for policies that will ensure stricter opioid prescription regulation and enhanced border surveillance to curb trafficking. Non-governmental organisations, traditional institutions, and religious leaders play an important role in framing public awareness campaigns using context-specific communication channels. Increased job creation could help engage the youth meaningfully and address the economic factors fuelling drug use.

The consumption of illicit drugs in West Africa is increasing at an alarming rate. Nigeria is said to be a significant transit, source and destination market for illicit drugs, according to the Global Organised Crime Index. The country serves as a destination and transhipment hub from where criminal groups, in collaboration with cartels based in Pakistan and Afghanistan, contribute to coordinate the transhipment of cocaine. States like Edo and Kano serve as centres from where illicit drugs are ferried through African trade routes onwards to Europe and other parts of the world. The abuse of prescription drugs like opioids  morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, tramadol  among others are widespread. Evidence has emerged of the large scale manufacturing of synthetic methamphetamine in Nigeria for onward distribution to places like South Africa and Asia.

Cannabis Is Produced and Widely Consumed in Nigeria

Nigerians act as regional producers and exporters of cannabis across the world, enabled by porous borders, with the collusion of corrupt law enforcement and transitional criminal networks. An estimated 8,900 hectares of cannabis were found across six states, according to a survey in 2019. About 20.8 million consumers of cannabis are found in the country, according to available report. Although its production and consumption are illegal, cannabis farming is said to be a lucrative business. Ondo State is believed to be a hotbed where farmers use cocoa farming as a cover for the cultivation of cannabis.

States in southern Nigeria, especially the South-West Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Edo and Delta  grow a significant percentage of cannabis used in West Africa, although some originate from Ghana. In 2022, 255 hectares of farmland used for the cultivation of cannabis was destroyed in Ondo State by law enforcement agents. Another 50 hectares of farmland, as well as 17 tons of cannabis, was destroyed last year in Edo State.

In 2023, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized opioids worth 2.7 million from a warehouse in Lagos. High doses of opioids formulated into various dangerous cocktails are specially packaged as legitimate medication and sold on the streets. Easy access to these drugs means that many young people turn to them as a coping mechanism for stress and social pressure.

Opioid Addiction is Widespread With Supplies from India

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Growing addiction to opioids among the youth has made supplying it a lucrative business. Although currently prohibited in Nigeria, regular supplies are received from India through smuggling from neighbouring countries like Ghana, Benin and Niger. As of 2019, the prevalence of opioid use in Nigeria was 14.4 per cent and might have doubled, while 36.2 per cent of the youth in Ghana use tramadol. The alarming rate of use in Nigeria is now a pandemic that constitutes a threat to health and social stability.

In 2023, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized opioids worth 2.7 million from a warehouse in Lagos. High doses of opioids formulated into various dangerous cocktails are specially packaged as legitimate medication and sold on the streets. Easy access to these drugs means that many young people turn to them as a coping mechanism for stress and social pressure. Consumption of tramadol is linked to the high prevalence of HIV, as well as unwanted pregnancy and suicide. The tramadol economy is damaging health and destroying the potentials of the youth.

Violent non-state Actors are Both Consumers and Couriers

Violent non-state actors operating in Nigeria, especially in the North, help in transiting cocaine and other illicit drugs to consumer markets. Studies have implicated the use of illicit drugs in the spread of banditry in Nigeria. Kidnappers and bandits are said to be big consumers of illicit drugs. They reportedly demand these as part of ransom payments for the release of their hostages. A United Nations report revealed that revenue generated from trafficking cocaine is re-invested in funding armed groups and financing violence, especially along the Sahel region. The profits from illicit drug trade are used to fund other forms of criminal operations, including buying firearms and financing terrorism.

The prosecution of offenders will be helpful, including the seizure of their assets and other proceeds of crime. Nigerias weak and corrupt criminal justice system has been a barrier to progress. Last year, the Nigerian Senate recommended the death penalty for any drug offender, which was later modified to a life sentence.

Coordinated Law Enforcement, Education and Punishment Will Help

There is need for policies that will ensure stricter opioid prescription regulation and enhanced border surveillance to curb trafficking. Non-governmental organisations, traditional institutions, and religious leaders play an important role in framing public awareness campaigns using context-specific communication channels. Increased job creation could help engage the youth meaningfully and address the economic factors fuelling drug use.

The prosecution of offenders will be helpful, including the seizure of their assets and other proceeds of crime. Nigerias weak and corrupt criminal justice system has been a barrier to progress. Last year, the Nigerian Senate recommended the death penalty for any drug offender, which was later modified to a life sentence. Furthermore, beyond enacting stronger legislation, a framework for better coordination among relevant law enforcement agencies with an emphasis on demand reduction and the suppression of supply is crucial.

Uche Igwe is a visiting professor at Polish Centre for African Studies in Wroclaw, Poland. He can be reached on [email protected]

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There is no gainsaying that Professor Toyin Falola is Africas gift to the world of ideas, intellectualism, and advancement of the human civilisation. From Ibadan he stormed the World, leaving global footprints as a leading architect of the African intellectual renaissance. In many respects, he blazes the trail as a thought leader whose journey and impact cuts across continents, races, and generations.

As a child, I grew up in a premise made up of dual bungalows. A cemented play area separated the main bungalow from a smaller bungalow that had six rooms in what used to be referred to as a face-me-I-face-you dwelling, wherein my parents rented a room.

Many an evening, before bedtime, when it was not raining, all the children from their respective rooms in the compound came with their apotis (stools) and a few mats and gathered in the cemented common area between the two bungalows. The gathering was to listen to fascinating stories from elderly residents, whether parents or relations of parents, who were in Ijebu-Ode from varying adjoining villages, as apprentices learning one trade or the other.

The stories provided great philosophical underpinnings of values of public-spiritedness, hard work, contentment, avoidance of avarice, etc. A lot of creativity was involved. The stories were often laced with insights from the Yoruba cosmology that included exposure to the world of spirits of all sorts that one finds in the first African novel published in English or Pidgin English outside of Africa, in 1952 in the UK and in 1953 in the US, Amos Tutuolas The Palm-Wine Drinkard. Before Tutuola, though, DO Fagunwa had, in Yoruba, pioneered the creativity of taking people into the realms of spirits, demons, and the dead.

At an early age, children were socialised into many different worlds. These tales were by the moonlight or in almost total darkness, as there was no electricity but a flicker of light provided by kerosene lamps of all sorts. The lantern was popular in this regard. These formed my first conjectures about iwin,ebora, aje, and even Fela Anikulapo Kutis adoption of abami eda, following being initially known as Omo iya aje. These older story-tellers never clarified how iwin, differed from ebora. But we knew that aje referred to an initiated human female, with supernatural powers, including powers to take life. But in these unisex days, I guess a human male can also be an aje.

Both iwin and ebora as supernatural elements, we were told, were ghosts or ghost-like. They could be encountered in the deep forests or like the dead, only in dreams. We knew of older women suspected to be aje, but as kids, we could only imagine iwin and ebora. After all, they were not of our world. But that was not until Chief Olusegun Obasanjo accepted being dubbed as ebora Owu. Spirits can be malevolent or benevolent, depending on the circumstances and ones beliefs.

Since Baba Obasanjo is a known ebora, then it is possible for living beings to have supernatural capacities that earn them the appellations of iwin and ebora. Or a unique superhuman persona like Fela could result in the acceptance that such a being is an abami eda. Of late, I have been wondering about which would be the correct appellation for Toyin Falola. For all he has achieved and continues to achieve, I asked him which would be the correct description for him from all or none of the above. Toyin Falola responded with a question: what of all the above?

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There is no gainsaying that Professor Toyin Falola is Africas gift to the world of ideas, intellectualism, and advancement of the human civilisation. From Ibadan he stormed the World, leaving global footprints as a leading architect of the African intellectual renaissance. In many respects, he blazes the trail as a thought leader whose journey and impact cuts across continents, races, and generations.

A total of nine Festschrifts have been produced in his honour. Beyond the written word, Falola has been a formidable voice in shaping African studies, delivering keynote lectures across the globe, serving as president of the African Studies Association, and leading landmark academic and policy discussions on Africas place in the world. Mr Toyin Falola has granted so many interviews to many media platforms, not only on the state of African studies and scholarship, but also on critical issues to the society, economy, and politics of Africa and the world at large.

A recipient of numerous prestigious honours that affirm his unparalleled all-encompassing contributions to academia. Herein lies the most interesting part of Toyin Falolas legacies. His fine capacity to achieve such an uncommon feat in academics, yet capable enough to attend to so many other areas of interest at the same period, over about seven decades of life. This is something many academics continue to find extremely difficult, if not nearly impossible. He has brought very significant contributions to the study of the Humanities, Social Sciences, Literature, and Jurisprudence.

His various efforts over the past decades have reputedly resulted in the authorship, co-authorship, and editing of over 200 books, journals, and academic works on African History, Pan-Africanism, Anglo-African cultures, Latin America and Africas interaction with the outside world, to mention just a few. His seminal works, such as Key Events in African History: A Reference Guide, Nationalism and African Intellectuals, as well as Tradition and Change in Africa, have become indispensable in the study of African history and politics. Through many innovative platforms, such as the Toyin Falola Network, Falola Interviews, and Falola Media, he has continued to engage consistently, sharing his ideas, depths, and experiences.

A total of nine Festschrifts have been produced in his honour. Beyond the written word, Falola has been a formidable voice in shaping African studies, delivering keynote lectures across the globe, serving as president of the African Studies Association, and leading landmark academic and policy discussions on Africas place in the world. Mr Toyin Falola has granted so many interviews to many media platforms, not only on the state of African studies and scholarship, but also on critical issues to the society, economy, and politics of Africa and the world at large.

Indeed, Falolas towering global stature as a leading global scholar has been well documented. But not much is said about the life-touching things he does in the quiet, intimate corners of humanity. Beyond academics, his compassion has often revealed itself in deeply personal and localised ways. On such occasions, he extends not only his voice but his hands and heart to friends in trouble.

Falolas approach has often been to reach out, mobilise support, and restore hope and happiness. He does these by sometimes driving heartfelt fundraising campaigns to help colleagues in distress, to pushing for support for ailing and needy colleagues and friends. One such moment was his response to the tragic ordeal of Professor Adigun Agbaje, when the institution he worked for, while on leave of absence from the University of Ibadan, abandoned him in the hands of kidnappers, even though he was on an official assignment when he was abducted. Falola stood firm in amplifying voices, drawing attention, and catalysing moral and financial solidarity with Agbajes family and friends.

Similarly, when Professor Ayo Olukotun took ill and later passed on, Falola did not fold his arms. Twice, he used the trust of friends to raise funds for the period of sickness and subsequent burial, since the institution he also worked for would not do much. He went a step further in championing a foundation in Olukotuns memory, as a tribute and a living commitment to their shared ideals: justice, knowledge, and a better Nigeria.

It is this same usual character that Falola came through, adorned in his surprising customised adire fabric, as gifts shared at my 70th birthday celebration, with his rich, insightful lecture in my honour in March. That lecture titled, Power, Privilege and Philosophy, was delivered with an alluring charm and depth that left the audience at once chuckling and thinking. Anyone who has listened to Falola from the rostrum knows that he has a unique way of delivery, aesthetically wrapping sharp critiques in wit, using humour as both a shield and sword in the quest for truth. Toyin Falola is a master in the twin approaches of story-telling and real deep academic talk in his delivery of lectures and speeches.

His seven-decade life is filled with numerous awards, and various honorary Doctorates worldwide, the latest, being an honorary Doctor of Law from the University of the Free State in South Africa. In addition, he had been bestowed with several African titles and global acclaim. However, it is Falolas localised empathy, large-heartedness and intellectual generosity that remains one of his most profound and enduring legacies. Toyin Falola is a towering figure with a tender spirit, full of grace and humility.

In an assessment of the Toyin Falola superhuman with a large heart, Professor Serges Kamga said: it should be stated clearly that this enigma of a human has given selfless service to humanity. He epitomises humaneness. Throughout the stages of his academic history and career progress, he has continuously advanced the courses of people through his philanthropic disposition to people with whom he has no genetic or communal ties. Falola believes tenaciously that the growth of another individual has never been an impediment to others, and for that reason, he is a committed investor in the progress of others in ways that cannot be overemphasised

His seven-decade life is filled with numerous awards, and various honorary Doctorates worldwide, the latest, being an honorary Doctor of Law from the University of the Free State in South Africa. In addition, he had been bestowed with several African titles and global acclaim. However, it is Falolas localised empathy, large-heartedness and intellectual generosity that remains one of his most profound and enduring legacies. Toyin Falola is a towering figure with a tender spirit, full of grace and humility. He writes extolling and appreciating the efforts, progress, and achievements of others.

Falolas firm grip on the ways of culture and religion of the African peoples may have been influenced by his background, growing up in a sprawling, polygamous household that practised Islam, Christianity, and ancient Yoruba spirituality. Falola can connect scriptures in the Bible with tenets from the Quran and yet relate with some deep spiritual chants of the Yoruba Ifa. This interesting mix of different worldviews and religions easily reflects in his thinking and the depth of the stories in his rich academic outputs in various areas of the human and social sciences.

During his address to the graduating students at the University of the Free State in South Africa, Falola, in quick succession, rendered three African folk tales to drive home the import of the rule of law in the organised non-anarchical society. He would have made the chief storyteller of my first decade in life  Buroda Bode  then a mechanic in training grin with envy.

Another round of lectures ended in South Africa and I realised that I should have directed my question on who is Toyin Falola to Dr Bisi Falola  his wife of about four-and-a-half decades. So, Doc, is Toyin an iwin,ebora, aje, or abami eda or none or all of the above? To be married to an academic is a major challenge. To be side-by-side with an itinerant scholar always on the move and who reputedly can also remain indoors writing non-stop for five to seven days requires a hugely understanding superhuman of sort.

I salute Mrs Bisi Falola for being a supportively humble and tolerant superb human in her own right. She is ever ready to welcome Toyins many friends to sumptuous meals, and even offer professional advice on health, as I was once a beneficiary from her merely listening to my voice over the phone. She got it right that I was sick and needed medical attention. A few days later, she initiated the call to check if I sought medical attention and was improving.

Babafemi A. Badejo, author of a best-seller on politics in Kenya, was a former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, and is currently a legal practitioner and consultant at Yintab Strategy Consults, as well as the African Annual Conference at the University of Texas at Austins 2025 Nelson Mandela Distinguished Africanist Awardee.

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Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda has received the Chancellor of Baze University Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on a condolence visit over the passing of the governors mother, Safarau Umaru Barebari. Mrs Umaru Barebari died on 23 March aged 93.

Mr Baba-Ahmed, a former Senator, who was also the Labour Party vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election, described the late matriarch as a mother whose rare wisdom, kindness, and strength touched many lives. He also prayed to Allah to grant Mrs Safarau Aljannah Firdaus and give the family and the people of Katsina the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Governor Radda joined by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, expressed appreciation to Mr Baba-Ahmed for his empathy and brotherhood during the time of grief.

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Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election, citing Mr Shettimas commitment and diligent service.

The leaders made the appeal in a communique issued after a meeting they held on Sunday at the Government House in Maiduguri. The call to retain Mr Shettima followed rumours of pressure from the Northwest on Mr Tinubu to replace him.

The meeting, attended by prominent Borno political figures, including the APC Deputy National Chairman North, Ali Dalori, senators and former ambassadors, focused on solidifying support for the Tinubu administration and the partys future in Borno State.

The meeting prayed for Mr President to retain His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima as his VP for his second term, the communique stated, emphasising Mr Shettimas loyalty and dedication to the President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.

The leaders also pledged their total and unalloyed loyalty and support to President Tinubu, endorsing his administrations policies. They urged Mr Shettima to remain loyal to his Boss, Mr President, and continue to serve diligently to promote the laudable policies of Mr President.

In addition to endorsing Mr Shettima, the meeting reaffirmed its total confidence in the administration of Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, praising his efforts in combatting the Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism. They called on Mr Zulum to remain focused on his noble campaign of recovering Borno from the shackles of insurgency, terrorism and criminality.

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The communique pledged that Borno State would remain an APC stronghold, rejecting any suggestions of a merger or change of political affiliation.

Borno shall remain in APC no Merger or change of political party, the document stated.

The stakeholders also addressed internal party unity, urging members to avoid actions that could damage the APCs image and to discountenance the ongoing moves by some elements within the party to cause disunity.

The meeting further called on the federal government to continue supporting development and security initiatives in the state, specifically requesting continued oil exploration in the Northeast region and investment in road infrastructure.

The meeting appealed to Mr President to continue the oil exploration in the Northeast region especially at Kolmani and the shores of the Lake Chad. In addition, the meeting further appealed to Mr president to invest in road infrastructure in the Northeast region to make it more secure and prosperous, the communique said.

Bello Ayuba, APC Borno State Chairman, and Mustapha Loskuri, APC State Secretary, signed the communique.

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The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, says his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APAC) is to secure greater opportunities for his people.

Mr Maikalangu made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kingsley Madaki.

According to him, the council has been losing out on federal appointments and employment opportunities due to political misalignment.

He stressed that his move to decamp to the APC was aimed at ensuring that the people of AMAC benefitted from the dividends of governance.

The position we took is for the good of democracy and to ensure that the good people of AMAC move forward

The decision is rooted in the collective interest of the constituents. I was not elected to lead the entire Nigerians, but the AMAC residents.

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I looked at the interests of my people and I have seen that these interests cannot be protected in any other platform, he said.

READ ALSO: 40 killed in midnight attack on Plateau community

The AMAC chairman expressed confidence that the APC will provide a more promising platform to advance the welfare of his people.

He stressed that his defection was a calculated step towards sustainable development and inclusive governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr Maikalangu, who contested on the PDP platform, was declared the winner of the AMAC council election held in 2022.

He polled a total of 19,302 votes to defeat his closest rival, Murtala Karshi of the APC. (NAN)

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A Benin High Court on Monday remanded four people in police custody over alleged illegal oil bunkering in Edo State.

The judge, Williams Azeigbemhin, said the matter should be referred to a Federal High Court in the state.

Mr Azeigbemhin said a Federal High Court was an appropriate court for the matter.

The defendants, whose pleas were not taken, are Ayemoba John, Orji Kalu, Isaac Ikpedide and Haruna Safi.

The Prosecutor, Polycarp Odion, told the court that they were arraigned for conspiracy, illegal crude bunkering, stealing, illegal possession of a firearm, and tempering with oil pipelines.

He said the defendants and others at large allegedly tampered with an oil pipeline on 22 March 2025 at Epeko Community Forest, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

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He alleged that the defendants unlawfully carried out illegal crude oil bunkering activities from NNPC Pipeline

He said the offence contravened Sections 412 (1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.

He also said the offence contravened Section 7 (a) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the correctional centre pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution on the matter.

The Judge granted the prosecutors plea.

(NAN)

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Two people have died, and many others injured in a road accident in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The accident occurred at Uduma junction in the community on Sunday.

According to witnesses, a bus carrying about 25 people, including children, lost control and collided with another vehicle while driving through a sharp bend at a high speed. The impact caused the bus to somersault.

The victims, Ebonyi indigenes living in Imo State, were travelling back after a burial ceremony at Okporike in Abakaliki when the accident occurred.

A spokesperson of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, Agwu Nwogo, said the hospital activated its emergency response protocols to provide critical care to the accident victims.

He said a nine-month-old baby girl and an adult female lost their lives in the accident and later confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.

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Mr Nwogo said the remaining 23 passengers sustained injuries, ranging from crushed hand injuries, fractures, lacerations, and severe traumatic brain injuries.

As of today, 18 patients, including the driver, are receiving treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department, Surgery Ward, and Intensive Care Unit.

Four patients with minor injuries were stabilised and discharged after receiving treatment, he said.

Mr Nwogo said an 11-month-old child who sustained severe traumatic brain injury remains in critical condition.

He said the child is in the Intensive Care Unit and is being supported by an artificial respirator because of failing respiration.

The hospital management has expressed sadness over the incident and assured the public that everything possible is being done to ensure the injured receive the best medical care, he added.

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A delegation of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) alumni has commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for his development efforts after their inspection of different project sites in the state.

A former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, led the alumni delegation, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

Mr Ekeoma said the UNIPORT alumni expressed satisfaction with Mr Ottis accomplishments under two years, especially the quality road projects, like Port Harcourt Road in Aba, the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road, the Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, the ongoing reconstruction of Omenuko Bridge, and many others.

Mr Amaechi, a former minister of transportation, described the transformation taking place in Abia as very impressive and heartwarming, especially the quality of the work being done despite limited resources.

Other members of the delegation who joined Mr Amaechi in the inspection included a retired diplomat, Ernest Douglas, Chidi Ulelu, and Duke Odinde.

READ ALSO: Otti launches health insurance scheme for Abia workers

Members of the delegation extolled Governor Ottis achievements and restated their support for his leadership. They urged Abia people and residents to continue supporting Mr Otti as the governor is committed to doing more for the state.

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Some Abia State Government officials, led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Caleb Ajagba and a team from the Ministry of Works led by the Permanent Secretary, Izuchukwu Onwughara, joined the alumni team on the inspection.

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MUNICH, April 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At bauma 2025, the world's leading construction machinery trade fair, XCMG Crane made a resounding statement about its commitment to the European market by unveiling six cutting-edge crane models, engineered specifically for European demands. With a focus on sustainability, intelligent design, and localized solutions, XCMG Crane demonstrated its role as a trusted partner in Europe's green transition and urban renewal initiatives.

Among the tailor-designed innovations, key highlighted models include:

XCMG Crane Showcases Six European-Tailored Models at bauma 2025.

XCA60_EV: The World's First Hybrid All-Terrain Crane, features an in-house-developed oil-electric hybrid system, cutting carbon emissions by 40%. Equipped with a 400V plug-and-play electric system for zero-emission lifting, the XCA60_EV combines a 170KW electric motor with a dual-engine transport system (400KW total power) for optimal fuel efficiency.

Compact and Intelligent Cranes that were built on XCMG's G2 technology platform, excels in narrow urban environments. The XCA80G7-1E provides compact design with a 60m boom and dual-hook coordination for urban projects, while the XCA250G7-1E features remote-control operation for single-operator efficiency, and innovative telescoping systems for restricted sites.

The European Customized Rough-Terrain Cranes, the XCR50_E, the ultra-narrow, 2.5m width design meets EU transport norms, along with the XCR70_E and XCR90_E, which proved its robust performance in Turkey's gas power projects, featuring eco-friendly hydraulic systems and fuel-saving torque converters.

Yang Dongsheng, Chairman of XCMG Machinery, reinforced the Company's In Europe, For Europe strategy, "We're committed to being a key enabler of Europe's sustainable, smart infrastructure future."

The strategy paid dividends at bauma 2025, with XCMG securing bulk orders from German, French, and Dutch clients for its hybrid and compact models. These deals underscore Europe's endorsement of XCMG's tailored solutions and green transition roadmap.

The general manager of a Dutch lifting and transportation company, along with their operator team, highly commended XCMG cranes during the bauma 2025: "XCMG's G2 series cranes showcased impressively humanized engineeringtheir panoramic wraparound windshield and sunken control console layout boosted operational visibility by over 40%."

The client also highlighted that XCMG products demonstrate world-class manufacturing expertise in details, such as hydraulic pipeline arrangement, centralized lubrication systems, welding seam craftsmanship, and structural component tolerance control, fully complying with European standards.

"From operational ergonomics to equipment reliability, XCMG cranes have won over our technical team with exceptional performance. They will be our preferred brand for future procurement," commented by the team.
TOKYO, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TOBU TOWER SKYTREE Co., Ltd., the operator of TOKYO SKYTREE, is holding "DETECTIVE CONAN x TOKYO SKYTREE The Dazzling SKYTREE," the first collaborative event between the tower and the TV anime series "Detective Conan." The event begins on Tuesday, April 15, and will last until Monday, July 14, 2025.

Key visual of "DETECTIVE CONAN x TOKYO SKYTREE The Dazzling SKYTREE": https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108036/202504087063/_prw_PI1fl_7Uf7eeXc.jpg

Special website of "DETECTIVE CONAN x TOKYO SKYTREE The Dazzling SKYTREE"

https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/event/special/conan/

The 450-meter-high Tembo Galleria has an exhibition featuring the event's key visuals. Limited-edition goods that are only available at the event and special cafe menu items are offered on this floor. In addition, a photo shoot service is available to those who want a picture of themselves with their favorite "Detective Conan" characters of their choice. On the 350-meter-high Tembo Deck, exclusive videos are screened on the windows converted into a giant screen of SKYTREE ROUND THEATER every night of the event. Also taking place during the evening, the exterior of the tower will have a special "Detective Conan"-themed lighting inspired by various characters from the anime.

Moreover, TOKYO SKYTREE's official character Sorakara-chan, dressed in the costume of Detective Conan, has four meet-and-greet sessions per day with visitors to pose for snapshots taken with them. Special admission tickets to these observation decks with a novelty card featuring "Detective Conan" are also available.

TOBU TOWER SKYTREE hopes that those who come to Japan will visit and enjoy TOKYO SKYTREE on the occasion of the event.

About TOKYO SKYTREE

The 634-meter-high TOKYO SKYTREE is the world's tallest free-standing broadcasting tower. It has two observation decks, the Tembo Deck, 350 meters high, and the Tembo Galleria, 450 meters high, commanding a spectacular panoramic view of Tokyo. At night, TOKYO SKYTREE is colorfully lit up in three lighting styles -- "Iki," characterized by a pale blue, "Miyabi," featuring Edo purple, and the "Nobori" auspicious tangerine hue. Special lighting can be seen during seasonal and other events.

Official website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

For more details, please check each social media account:

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyoskytree_global/

Official X: https://twitter.com/skytreeofficial

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TOKYOSKYTREE.official/

SOURCE TOBU TOWER SKYTREE Co., Ltd.
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA Law unveil program and panelists for "At the Crossroads: Driving Integrated Action for a Resilient Future"

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA Law announced Monday the lineup of speakers and program for the 2025 Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum, which they will co-host at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center in Los Angeles on May 7.

At a moment when intensifying global challenges and massive upheavals in humanitarian funding demand fresh thinking, the 2025 Human Rights & Humanitarian Forum seeks to spark new, integrated approaches to advance human dignity, justice, and sustainable peace. It will provide a global platform for thought leaders, practitioners, grassroots humanitarians and academics to develop strategies that harness the power of grassroots movements and young activists. The day prior, on May 6, Aurora will convene a Humanitarian Summit, bringing together local humanitarians from around the world and the greater Los Angeles area to discuss the challenges they currently face and strategies to overcome them.

Register for the 2025 Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum to be held in Los Angeles on May 7. Post this

"This year, amid tectonic shifts in foreign aid, humanitarians on the ground are collectively asking: what's next?" said Armine Afeyan, CEO of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. "We will seek to develop solutions that drive lasting impact and focus on supporting the work of frontline humanitarians and human rights activists already dedicating their lives to helping others."

Confirmed featured speakers include: Noubar Afeyan, Aurora co-founder and board chair, Flagship Pioneering founder and CEO, and co-founder and chairman of the board at Moderna; Marguerite Barankitse, founder of Maison Shalom and 2016 Aurora Prize Laureate; Nidhi Bouri, former deputy assistant administrator for Global Health at USAID; Anna Spain Bradley, UCLA School of Law professor and faculty director of The Promise Institute for Human Rights; Chelsea Clinton, vice chair, Clinton Foundation and Aurora Prize Selection Commitee Member; Mirza Dinnayi, Yazidi activist saving victims of the Iraq war and co-founder of Air Bridge Iraq, Comfort Ero, president & CEO, International Crisis Group; Dr. Eric Esrailian, Aurora co-founder for the next chapter and board member and chief of the UCLA Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, as well as a philanthropist film producer and entrepreneur; Leymah Gbowee, founder and president, Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate and Aurora Prize Selection Committee member; Julienne Lusenge, co-founder and president of Women's Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development (SOFEPADI) and co-founder of the Fund for Congolese Women (FFC); Dele Olojede, founder, Africa in the World Festival, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Aurora Prize Selection Committee Member; John Prendergast, co-founder, The Sentry and Aurora Prize Selection Committee Member; Gayle Smith, board member, Skoll Foundation, former CEO, ONE Campaign and former USAID Administrator; Catherine Sweetser, The Promise interim executive director and director of the Human Rights Litigation Clinic.

"This Forum provides a crucial platform to explore the future of human rights and humanitarian work and strengthen collaboration across sectors to help create a more just future for all," said Catherine Sweetser, interim executive director of The Promise Institute for Human Rights. "We invite the broader community to join us in advancing human rights education, research, and impact by amplifying the voices of affected communities."

Under the overarching theme "At the Crossroads: Driving Integrated Action for a Resilient Future," the 2025 Forum will act as a catalyst for uniting diverse perspectives and forging strategic alliances. Going beyond identifying challenges, the Forum will explore pathways that align humanitarian rapid response with long-term human rights protections, development strategies and environmental stewardship. Registration is now open to secure a spot and be part of this pivotal conversation.

The forum is one of a series of landmark events to recognize the impact of Aurora's work over the past 10 years. Last year's forum drew hundreds of attendees concerned about humanitarian issues and featured insightful talks, tackling topics such as human rights, forced displacement, global health crises, the right to education, climate change, artificial intelligence, philanthropy, and gender equality.

Aurora's 10th anniversary events in 2025 include: the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum, the selection of the 2025 Aurora Humanitarians in New York in September, and the Aurora Prize Ceremony at Ellis Island on November 6. These events will be co-chaired by Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Aurora co-founder and chair of the board and founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering; Dr. Eric Esrailian, co-founder for the next chapter and Aurora board member and The Promise Institute founding donor; Alice Greenwald, Aurora board member and founder and principal of Memory Matters LLC; and Dame Louise Richardson, Aurora Prize Selection Committee member and president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative catalyzes lifesaving work by identifying exceptional humanitarians around the world. Aurora was founded to honor the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and the humanitarians who saved them. Over the past decade, the organization has built a global network and supported more than 3.5 million people affected by humanitarian crises. Aurora focuses on "last mile delivery," directing our funding at the local community level and seeking to inspire "Gratitude in Action." By funding humanitarians around the world, this work contributes to proliferating humanitarianism into the future. For more information, please visit AuroraPrize.com and AuroraLuminaries.com.

SOURCE Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
TEMPE, Ariz., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A $5 million gift from longtime Arizona State University supporter Annette Beus and her family will help fund scholarships for students in ASU's new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, set to welcome its first class in fall 2026, pending accreditation.

The donation will support 72 students and be used to raise an additional $15 million, with the goal of reaching $20 million by July 2026. That total would fund scholarships for the first two student cohorts at the school, which is part of ASU Health.

The school expects to welcome its first class in fall 2026, contingent on accreditation Post this ASU President Michael Crow and AZ Board of Regents announce ASU Health in June 2023. Photo by ASU News

The new medical school aims to train physician-engineersdoctors who combine medicine, engineering, and technology, including artificial intelligence and data science.

"As we launch a new kind of medical school, we are extremely grateful to Annette Beus for a gift that will directly support students and inspire others to invest in this vision," said ASU President Michael Crow.

Annette Beus and her late husband, Leo, have long supported ASU. Their philanthropy has significantly shaped the university. In 2014, their gift helped create the Beus Center for Law and Society, home to the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. In 2019, they donated $10 million to establish the Beus Compact X-ray Free Electron Laser Lab in the Biodesign Institute, which houses the world's first CXFEL. They also founded the Beus Center for Cosmic Foundations in 2022 to study the early universe.

"We as a family have always supported education for young people," Annette Beus said. "Of all the donations we've made, scholarships have my heart."

Beus believes the School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering can drive innovation and improve health outcomes locally and globally.

Founding dean Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby called the scholarships transformative: "This gift removes the barrier of tuition and empowers the best and brightest to become physician-engineers who will transform health care through technology."

This gift is part of ASU's Changing Futures campaign, which focuses on expanding access to education, advancing health, promoting sustainability, and supporting innovation through philanthropic partnerships.

SOURCE Arizona State University
DALLAS, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) ("Ashford Trust" or the "Company") announced today that it has successfully extended its Morgan Stanley Pool mortgage loan secured by 17 hotels. The loan had an original final maturity date in November of 2024. The extension provides for an initial maturity in March of 2026 and two, one-year extension options, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, with a final maturity date in March of 2028. The loan has a current balance of $409.8 million and continues to bear interest at a floating rate of SOFR + 3.39%. The extension also provides added flexibility for the Company to release assets upon sale.

"We are pleased to announce the multi-year extension of this loan," commented Stephen Zsigray, Ashford Trust's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Together with the refinancing of 16 hotels completed in February, this extension means that now approximately 60% of our outstanding debt has final maturities in 2027 and beyond. As we refinance and extend our mortgage loans, we continue to enhance our flexibility to strategically position the portfolio moving forward."

Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing predominantly in upper-upscale, full-service hotels.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon "forward-looking" information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "potential," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "approximately," "believe," "could," "project," "predict," or other similar words or expressions. Additionally, statements regarding the following subjects are forward-looking by their nature: Our business and investment strategy; anticipated or expected purchases, sales or dispositions of assets; our projected operating results; completion of any pending transactions; our plan to pay off strategic financing; our ability to restructure existing property-level indebtedness; our ability to secure additional financing to enable us to operate our business; our understanding of our competition; projected capital expenditures; and the impact of technology on our operations and business.. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently known to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many potential events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and other objectives may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider this risk when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We will not publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise except to the extent required by law.

SOURCE Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AvaDent Digital Dental Solutions, a global leader in digital full-arch restorations, proudly announces the addition of Jim Smyros to its executive team. With over two decades of experience in dental implantology, clinical operations, and business development, Jim brings unmatched expertise and a legacy of transformative growth across the dental industry.

Industry Veteran & Strategic Growth Leader Jim Smyros has spent the past 20+ years at the forefront of implant dentistry and DSO expansion. Most recently, as Vice President of Business Development at Affordable Care, Inc. (ACI), he co-founded the Advanced Dental Implant Center (ADIC) consumer brand and led the acquisition of 29 specialty practices, driving significant new revenue growth. Jim also spearheaded the development of Fixed Secure, a cost-effective full-arch solution that contributed substantial incremental growth within its first year.

As Senior Director of Implant Services at ACI, Jim played a key role in the company's rebranding from Affordable Dentures to Affordable Dentures and Implants, helping to position the company as a leader in both the denture and implant markets. He significantly expanded implant services across 430 practices nationwide and founded and scaled innovative programs, including Clinical Pathway, Implant Pathway, and the Roving Implant Specialist Programredefining how full-arch procedures are trained and delivered in the DSO space.

Proven Dental Innovator & Educator Jim's visionary leadership helped launch the Signature Digital Denture initiative in 2017 and the All-in-One Solutions training strategy in 2020tools that helped standardize complex implant workflows and elevated clinician confidence in full-arch dentistry.

Earlier in his career, Jim served as Director of Business Development for Implant Direct, where he built and led the company's global accounts division, consistently exceeding sales targets and implementing performance optimization strategies across a 90-person national sales team.

A New Chapter at AvaDent Jim will focus on expanding strategic partnerships, enhancing clinical offerings, and accelerating the company's market share. His deep understanding of surgical workflows, digital prosthetics, and lab integration is a perfect match for AvaDent's commitment to innovation and excellence in full-arch solutions.

"Jim is one of the most respected minds in implant dentistry," said Tim Thompson, CEO at AvaDent. "His experience in building and scaling full-arch programs is second to none, and his impact on the industry is undeniable. We are honored to have him join the team."

About AvaDent Digital Dental Solutions Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, AvaDent is a world leader in digital dental prosthetics, offering a comprehensive line of fixed and removable full-arch solutions. With over 80 patents and a global presence, AvaDent empowers clinicians with state-of-the-art digital workflows, innovative materials, and unparalleled clinical support.

For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact: [email protected] | +1 (480) 275-7144 | www.avadent.com

SOURCE AvaDent Digital Dental Solutions
REAL ID Not Required for Air Travel from May 7th

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Citizens' Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is publicly challenging recent claims made by Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, who claimed in a widely shared DHS video that Americans must have a REAL ID by May 7 to board a plane.

These claims contradict the Department of Homeland Security's own official rule issued January 14th, 2025.

"Despite what Secretary Noem implied, Americans do not need a REAL ID to fly on May 7th." Post this

"Despite what Secretary Noem implied, Americans do not need a REAL ID to fly on May 7th," said Twila Brase, RN, PHN, CCHF Co-founder and President. "DHS's regulations outline a two-year phased enforcement period starting May 7th. The agency itself warns against the havoc and disruption that would result from enforcing the deadline on that day."

Furthermore, CCHF points out that there are 16 federally accepted forms of ID that can be used to board a domestic flight.

"This kind of ultimatum, which doesn't even tell the public they can use their passport, causes unnecessary confusion and panic," Brase continued. "Americans have options. They should also not be pressured into accepting a federally imposed identification system that violates their privacy and state sovereignty."

CCHF has long opposed the REAL ID Act, arguing it is an unconstitutional National Identification System that undermines individual liberty and state authority. The organization urges the Trump administration to:

Withdraw the REAL ID enforcement rule.

Halt DHS messaging that claims people cannot fly without a REAL ID.

Support full congressional repeal of the REAL ID Act.

For more information about REAL ID, visit: www.cchfreedom.org/national-ID

For more information or to schedule an interview with Twila Brase, contact Alexandra de Scheel [email protected]

About Citizens' Council for Health Freedom: CCHF exists to protect patient and doctor freedom. As a national, independent, non-partisan, non-profit health freedom organization, CCHF maintains a patient-centered, privacy-focused, free-market perspective. For more information, visit: www.cchfreedom.org .

SOURCE Citizens' Council for Health Freedom
NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Edge, the global leader in consumer alternative data intelligence, today announced that it has agreed to acquire Earnest Analytics, a pioneer in transaction and healthcare data. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for the industry, accelerating Consumer Edge's mission to deliver the most accurate data and actionable insights to financial institutions, corporations and data-driven decision-makers on a global scale. The transaction is expected to close in April 2025. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This is a transformative moment for Consumer Edge," emphasized Bill Pecoriello, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Consumer Edge. "We are excited to welcome Earnest into the Consumer Edge family. This acquisition will empower us to accelerate innovation and product development, broaden our reach and drive even greater value for our customers and partners."

This transaction aligns with Consumer Edge's strategy of making selective, strategic acquisitions that enhance the company's value proposition to its clients by expanding into new geographies, accessing new data types and deepening its technology capabilities. The acquisition of Earnest Analytics further strengthens Consumer Edge's ability to deliver differentiated, data-driven intelligence, at scale.

"Earnest Analytics has earned a stellar reputation for transforming complex data into clear, strategic insights," continued Pecoriello. "Their outstanding team, powerful technology platform and deep expertise in healthcare and transaction data perfectly complement Consumer Edge's strengths. Together, we will offer a truly integrated service offering that empowers us to deliver even greater value to our clients and partners."

"We couldn't be more energized about this next chapter," said Kevin Carson, Founder of Earnest Analytics. "Together with Consumer Edge, we'll unlock even greater value for our clients and take our shared vision of intelligent, accessible and transformative data to the next level."

Consumer Edge is backed by Treville Capital Group ("Treville"), an alternative asset manager that provides financing solutions to high-growth, innovative businesses. Treville originally partnered with the company in 2022 to help accelerate its expansion and strategic initiatives.

Financial Technology Partners ("FT Partners") served as exclusive financial advisor to Earnest Analytics.

About Consumer Edge

Consumer Edge was founded in 2009 as a consumer-focused, data-driven research boutique anchored in customer service. Over the years, Consumer Edge has expanded its solutions and grown to become a leading provider of global consumer intelligence, empowering companies with actionable insights and driving smarter decisions. For more information, visit www.consumeredge.com.

About Earnest Analytics

Founded in 2012, Earnest Analytics measures the consumer and healthcare economies with real-time data, providing actional insights for institutional investors, companies, consultants, and government agencies. Earnest's structured datasets provide clear, correlated signals, with tools for deep fundamental analytics.

About Treville Capital Management

Treville Capital Management, LLC is an asset management firm focused on private investments across the capital structure. The firm has two primary focus areas: Capital Solutions, a flexible mandate investing in later-stage businesses seeking growth capital or non-traditional liquidity solutions, and Asset-Based Credit, through which Treville provides off balance sheet debt to specialty finance companies. For more information visit www.treville.com.

Media Contact:

Caitlin Kasunich, Managing Director

KCSA Strategic Communications

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Consumer Edge
SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCIA, Mexico, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cydsa, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Cydsa") (BMV: CYDSASA) announced today that it has commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") up to an aggregate principal amount of its 6.250% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "Notes") that will not result in the Aggregate Purchase Price (as defined below) for the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdraw) and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer to exceed U.S.$25.0 million (such amount, as may be modified by Cydsa in its sole discretion, the "Maximum Amount"). The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the terms of an Offer to Purchase, dated April 14, 2025 (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), and is subject to certain conditions.

The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 12, 2025, unless extended or earlier terminated by Cydsa in its sole discretion (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Time"). In order for holders of Notes to be eligible to receive the Total Consideration (as defined below) for their Notes, such holders must validly tender (and not validly withdraw) such Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 25, 2025, unless extended by Cydsa in its sole discretion (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the "Early Tender Time"). Holders that tender Notes after the Early Tender Time but at or prior to the Expiration Time will only be eligible to receive the Tender Offer Consideration (as defined below), which does not include the Early Tender Payment (as defined below).

The consideration for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer (the "Total Consideration") is U.S.$985, which includes a payment equal to U.S.$50.0 per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer (the "Early Tender Payment"). Holders who tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Notes after the Early Tender Time but at or prior to the Expiration Time will be eligible to receive consideration (the "Tender Offer Consideration"), equal to (i) the Total Consideration minus (ii) the Early Tender Payment, on the Final Settlement Date (as defined below). The Total Consideration and the Tender Offer Consideration will be payable in cash in U.S. dollars. Holders will also receive accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date (as defined below) for the Notes accepted for purchase (the "Accrued Interest"). The aggregate amount of Tender Offer Consideration and Total Consideration that holders of Notes are entitled to receive, excluding Accrued Interest, for Notes that are validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase by Cydsa is referred to as the "Aggregate Purchase Price." The following table describes certain terms of the Tender Offer:

Title of Securities Outstanding Principal Amount Tender Offer Consideration(1) Early Tender Payment(1)(2) Total Consideration(1)(3) 6.250% Senior Notes due 2027 (CUSIP/ISIN: 232553AA5 /

US232553AA57 (Rule 144A); P3R26HAA8 / USP3R26HAA81 (Reg S)) U.S.$ $172,725,000 U.S.$935 U.S.$50.0 U.S.$985

___________ (1) Consideration in the form of cash per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes that are validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn). Excludes Accrued Interest, if any, which will be paid in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration or Total Consideration, as applicable. (2) The Early Tender Payment will be payable to Holders who validly tender (and not validly withdraw) Notes on or prior to the Early Tender Time. (3) Includes the Early Tender Payment for Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdraw) on or prior to the Early Tender Time

On any business day following the Early Tender Time and before the Expiration Time, Cydsa will have the right, but not the obligation, to accept for purchase any Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Time (the settlement date of such purchase being referred to as the "Early Settlement Date"), subject to the Maximum Amount and proration. The Early Settlement Date with respect to the Tender Offer will be determined at Cydsa's option, subject to all conditions to the Tender Offer (including a financing condition) having been either satisfied or waived by Cydsa. Regardless of whether Cydsa exercises its option to have an Early Settlement Date with respect to the Tender Offer, Cydsa will purchase any remaining Notes that have been validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time and that Cydsa chooses to accept for purchase, subject to all conditions to the Tender Offer (including a financing condition) having been either satisfied or waived by Cydsa, within three business days following the Expiration Time or as promptly as practicable thereafter (the settlement date of such purchase being referred to as the "Final Settlement Date"; the Final Settlement Date and the Early Settlement Date, each being referred to as a "Settlement Date"), subject to the Maximum Amount and proration.

If the purchase of all Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Time would cause Cydsa to accept for purchase an aggregate principal amount of Notes that results in an Aggregate Purchase Price in excess of the Maximum Amount, then the Tender Offer will be oversubscribed at the Early Tender Time and, assuming satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Tender Offer (including a financing condition) and if Cydsa elects to have an Early Settlement Date, Cydsa will purchase on the Early Settlement Date, Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase on a prorated basis according to the principal amount of such Notes, such that Cydsa purchases an aggregate principal amount of Notes that results in an Aggregate Purchase Price that does not exceed the Maximum Amount. Accordingly, if the Maximum Amount is reached in respect of tenders made at or prior to the Early Tender Time and Cydsa elects to have an Early Settlement Date, no Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time will be accepted for purchase.

Tendered Notes may be withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Tender Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 25, 2025, unless extended by Cydsa in its sole discretion (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the "Withdrawal Deadline"), but not thereafter. The Early Tender Time and/or Expiration Time Offer can be extended independently of the Withdrawal Deadline (as defined below) for such Offer and the Early Tender Time, Expiration Time or Withdrawal Deadline with respect to any other Offer.

Cydsa's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, any Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer is conditioned upon the satisfaction or, when applicable, waiver of certain customary conditions, which are more fully described in the Offer to Purchase, including, among others, a financing condition as described in the Offer to Purchase.

In addition, subject to applicable law, Cydsa reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any time (i) to waive any condition to the Tender Offer, (ii) to amend any of the terms of the Tender Offer, (iii) to terminate the Tender Offer; (iv) to increase or modify the Maximum Amount, (v) to extend the Withdrawal Deadline, (vi) to extend or amend the Early Tender Time or the Expiration Time, or (vii) to modify the Tender Offer Consideration or the Early Tender Payment, in each case (other than clause (v)) without extending the Withdrawal Deadline or otherwise reinstating withdrawal rights of holders.

The Tender Offer is made solely to holders in jurisdictions that are not Sanctioned Countries. As used herein (i) "Sanctioned Country" means a country, region, or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of territorial or broad-based sanctions, (including, Russia, Belarus, Venezuela, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, the so-called Luhansk People's Republic, any other covered region of Ukraine identified pursuant to Executive Order 14065 and the non-government controlled areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine), and (ii) "Sanctions" means any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty's Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority. A holder not in an eligible jurisdiction is not eligible to participate in the Tender Offer and any Notes held by such holder shall not be accepted for purchase by Cydsa.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as the dealer manager for the Tender Offer and persons with questions regarding the Tender Offer should contact Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC at +1 (212) 357-1452 (collect) or +1 (800) 828-3182 (toll free).

Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available to holders of Notes from D.F. King & Co, Inc., the information agent and the tender agent for the Tender Offer. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase should be directed to D.F. King & Co, Inc. at +1 (800) 791-3319 (toll free), +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or [email protected].

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

The Tender Offer is being made solely on the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Under no circumstances shall this press release constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities of Cydsa or any of its affiliates. The Tender Offer is not being made to, nor will Cydsa accept tenders of Notes from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offer would not be in compliance with the securities laws of such jurisdiction. No recommendation is made as to whether holders should tender their Notes with respect to the Notes. Holders should carefully read the Offer to Purchase because it contains important information, including the various terms and conditions of the Tender Offer.

About Cydsa

Cydsa is a Mexico-based holding company, headquartered in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, operating through subsidiaries located in eight cities throughout Mexico, engaged in the industrial sector. Since the incorporation of the company in 1945, Cydsa has grown into a diversified company and Cydsa's current products and services range from edible salt to specialty chemicals for diverse industries to clean energy alternatives and hydrocarbon storage. Cydsa sells over 100 different products in more than 15 countries, including Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe. As part of Cydsa's strategy, it offers the first system in Mexico and Latin America dedicated to processing and underground storage of hydrocarbons in salt caverns, offering clean, efficient and safe storage of hydrocarbons, while helping reduce the hydrocarbon storage deficit in Mexico. Cydsa currently operates through its chemical manufacturing and specialties business group and its energy processing and logistics business group.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Cydsa's perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. All statements that express belief, expectation, estimates or intentions, as well as those that are not statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Such statements use forward-looking words such as "proposed," "anticipate," "project," "potential," "could," "should," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "may," "believe," "will," "plan," "seek," "outlook" and other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Cydsa cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Although the expectations in the forward-looking statements are based on Cydsa's current beliefs and expectations, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by federal and state securities laws, Cydsa undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.

Contact: Oscar Abundio Casas Kirchner

Corporate Finance Director

[email protected]

+52 (81) 8152-4500

SOURCE Cydsa, S.A.B. de C.V.
By Emilia Mehrabian, Supervising Attorney, D.Law

LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "I worked for my employer for 5 years without any problems, then I got pregnant, told my employer, and I was fired within a week."

"I am 56 years old and I've worked for my employer for the last 4 years and have never been promoted despite my qualifications. Instead, my employer hires 20-year-olds and tells me I can focus on retiring soon."

California employment law is a vast and complex field, but at its core, it is designed to protect workers from unfair treatment and discrimination. Emilia Mehrabian - Supervising Attorney

"I am a female working in a predominantly male workforce. My male colleagues make inappropriate sexual jokes and ask me sexually suggestive questions, which make me very uncomfortable. I complained to my supervisor, and he laughed it off saying 'that's just how men are' and to not take it personally."

"During my employment, I developed a medical condition requiring me to take additional breaks to use the restroom. I informed my employer and provided my doctor's note requesting accommodations. Two weeks later I was fired for not being 'a good fit'."

"I was placed in jobsite that contained exposure to a harmful toxic chemical and was not provided with proper protective gear and training in how to handle the toxic chemical. I wrote a complaint to my supervisor and was told to not come back to work the following day."

California employment law is a vast and complex field, but at its core, it is designed to protect workers from unfair treatment and discrimination.

As an attorney focusing on California employment law, I often see confusion about the rights employees have, particularly when it comes to termination, discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and related issues. Let's break these down to empower workers with the knowledge they need to navigate these challenges.

Understanding At-Will Employment and Its Limitations

California is an at-will employment state, which means that employers can terminate employees at any time and for any reason, or no reason at all, so long as the reason for the termination is not illegal. Although what constitutes "illegal" certainly has a wide array of limitations, employers cannot fire someone for discriminatory reasons, in retaliation for asserting their legally protected rights, or for reasons that violate public policy.

Key takeaway: At-will employment doesn't give employers carte blanche to terminate employees unfairly. If your termination feels unjust, it's worth investigating whether your rights were violated.

Discrimination: A Fundamental Protection

Discrimination in the workplace is prohibited under both federal and California laws. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) offers broader protections than federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. FEHA covers more employers (those with five or more employees) and protects against discrimination based on characteristics including, but not limited to:

Race

Religion

National origin

Age (40 and older)

Gender

Sexual orientation

Gender identity and expression

Pregnancy

Medical Condition

Disability

Real-life scenario: A Latina professional in her early 50s is passed over for a promotion in favor of younger, less experienced colleagues, despite her stellar track record. This could constitute age, gender and racial discrimination under FEHA.

Actionable tip: If you suspect discrimination, document incidents meticulously. This evidence can be invaluable if you decide to pursue legal action.

Wrongful Termination and Retaliation

While California employers have broad discretion to terminate employees, they cannot do so for unlawful reasons. Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired in violation of legal protections.

Common examples of wrongful termination include:

Discrimination: Being terminated because of a protected characteristic. Retaliation: Being fired for reporting workplace violations or exercising your rights, such as taking medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Whistleblowing: Reporting unsafe working conditions or illegal activities.

Retaliation claims are particularly common and occur in conjunction with discrimination and/or harassment. California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who:

Report unlawful harassment or discrimination

File a complaint with a government agency and/or agree to participate in a government agency investigation including the California Labor Board (DIR), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Participate in investigations of workplace misconduct and/or harassment.

Example: An administrative assistant reports gender-based harassment by her supervisor. A month later, she's terminated for "performance issues" that were never previously documented. This is a textbook case of retaliation.

Pro tip: Always document reports and complaints concerning harassment and keep records of performance reviews, emails, and other communications that can help establish a timeline and context if retaliation occurs.

Sexual Harassment: Zero Tolerance

Although everyone is aware sexual harassment is unlawful, it unfortunately continues to remain one of the most reported workplace issues. California's laws go further than federal regulations to protect employees against sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment can take two forms:

Quid Pro Quo: When employment benefits are conditioned on sexual favors. For example, a manager states or implies that a raise is contingent on their subordinate going on a date with them or performing a sexual act. Hostile Work Environment: When unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature creates an intimidating or offensive work environment. This includes inappropriate jokes, comments, or physical behavior.

California also requires employers with five or more employees to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees, not just supervisers. This requirement aims to create awareness and reduce incidents of harassment.

Unique perspective: As someone who's helped numerous clients navigate sexual harassment cases, I've seen the emotional toll it takes. Speaking up can be daunting, however, it is frequently the first step in the healing process. Know that you are never alone. Not only is California law on your side, but there are attorneys who are willing to step alongside you and walk with you throughout the entire process of fighting this injustice with you.

Gender Discrimination: Bridging the Gap

Despite progress, gender discrimination persists in many workplaces. FEHA prohibits discrimination based on gender, gender identity, and gender expression. This includes unequal pay, disparate treatment, and failure to provide accommodations related to gender-specific needs.

Case in point: A transgender employee is repeatedly denied promotions and excluded from key meetings, despite having qualifications and experience comparable to colleagues. This could be grounds for a discrimination claim under FEHA.

Pregnancy Discrimination: Protecting Parenthood

California's pregnancy discrimination laws are some of the strongest in the nation. Employers cannot discriminate against employees due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Under the Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) law, eligible employees are entitled up to four months of leave.

Practical example: A retail worker informs her manager that she's pregnant. Shortly after, she is demoted to a less favorable position, with reduced hours and pay. This could constitute pregnancy discrimination.

Additionally, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions, such as modifying work duties, offering more frequent breaks, and flexible work hours to attend pregnancy related medical appointments.

Disability Discrimination: A Call for Inclusion

FEHA also mandates that employers accommodate employees with disabilities. This includes physical and mental disabilities that limit major life activities.

Employers must engage in a timely, good-faith interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations. Examples include:

Providing ergonomic office equipment for employees with chronic back pain.

Allowing flexible schedules for workers undergoing mental health treatment.

Illustration: A software developer diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder requests to work remotely part-time. The employer denies the request without considering alternative accommodations. This could be a violation of FEHA.

What Workers Can Do

If you believe your rights have been violated, consider the following steps:

Document everything: Keep a detailed record of complaints, incidents, including dates, times, and witnesses. Know your resources: Contact an attorney, the California Labor Board (DIR), the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the EEOC to file a complaint. Act promptly: Many employment claims have strict deadlines, so don't delay in seeking help. Consult an attorney: Legal counsel can help assess the strength of your case and guide you through the process. Most employment law attorneys conduct initial consultations at no charge.

There are some major don'ts to keep in mind too  don't post about your incident on social media and don't make any threats in response.

Final Thoughts

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "[w]orkplace rights are human rights." As the backbone of our country's economy, all employees must be afforded the fundamental right to work in an environment that is free from discrimination, retaliation, and harassment.

California workers are fortunate to have some of the most comprehensive employment protections in the country. However, these laws are only as effective as the awareness and action they inspire. By understanding your rights and seeking help when necessary, you can hold employers accountable and contribute to creating fairer workplaces.

As an attorney deeply invested in advocating for employees, I've seen firsthand how knowledge can empower individuals to stand up against injustice. If you find yourself facing any of these challenges, know that you're not alone, and there are resources and legal avenues to support you.

Let's work together to ensure that everyone  regardless of their race, gender, or circumstances  can thrive in a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. After all, protecting workers isn't just about enforcing the law; it's about protecting people and fostering dignity and respect for all.

Contact D.Law by calling (818) 275-5799 or send a message with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your employment rights. Our attorneys are experts in California employment law and workers' rights and can help you with the problems you are faced with.

Media Contact:

Armen Petrosyan

[email protected]

SOURCE D.Law, Inc.
Innovative voice ordering technology expected to improve customer experience and drive higher order conversions for 174-store pizza chain

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Donatos Pizza, a pizza franchise famous for its abundance of toppings, announced it has selected Revmo AI, a leading provider of voice AI for restaurants, as its preferred vendor for a new AI ordering system that will automate its phone orders. Rollout to all 174 Donatos restaurants is expected to be completed by May 2025.

The company anticipates that Revmo's voice ordering technology will enhance the guest experience and increase order conversions, ultimately driving revenue across its locations nationwide. Donatos Pizza, anticipating the sunsetting of DoorDash AI's automated ordering features at the end of April, selected Revmo AI following a rigorous vetting process. After comparing capabilities across other voice AI solutions for restaurants, including SoundHound and Kea, Donatos found Revmo's platform to best meet its requirements for improving customer experience and boosting conversion rates.

"We're always looking for innovative ways to better serve our customers and drive our business forward," explained Kevin King, CEO and President of Donatos Pizza. "Revmo's voice AI ordering system allows us to provide a more convenient and consistent experience for our guests. We expect this technology to not only delight our customers but also increase order conversions and revenue across our stores."

The voice AI initiative is a key component of Donatos' restaurant automation strategy, designed to offload routine tasks and enable associates to focus on hospitality. With support from the pizza purveyor's IT team, Revmo's AI ordering system is being fully integrated into Donatos' point-of-sale (POS) platform.

Revmo's voice ordering system stood out for several key differentiators. One highlight was Revmo's proprietary "INSANO Mode" voice engine, which delivers a remarkably human-like conversational experience. The platform also handles complex tasks, including secure credit card processing over the phone and automatic coupon recognition and application. These capabilities, combined with full POS integration, will allow Donatos to offer customers a fast, convenient ordering process via phone while minimizing errors and wait times.

"Donatos conducted thorough evaluations of voice AI solutions, and we're honored they chose Revmo," remarked Ryan Louis, CEO of Revmo AI. "Our mission is to deliver a voice ordering experience so natural and seamless that it genuinely elevates the customer experience while improving operational efficiency for the restaurant. We're excited to partner with Donatos to help them delight their guests and grow sales through this leading-edge solution."

To learn more about Revmo's voice AI ordering system, visit revmo.ai, or contact Revmo to schedule a demo.

About Donatos Pizza

Donatos Pizza, founded by Jim Grote in 1963 in Columbus, Ohio, is a family-owned business known for its famous thin-crust pizzas loaded Edge to Edge with toppings. Headquartered in Columbus, Donatos and its franchise partners operate 174 restaurants across multiple states. Additionally, Donatos Pizza is proudly served in nearly 300 non-traditional locations, including select Red Robin restaurants nationwide. Committed to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Donatos has earned numerous awards and continues to grow while staying true to its founding values.

About Revmo AI

Revmo AI is a leading Phoenix-based conversational AI company providing voice, text and email automation solutions for the restaurant industry. Revmo's platform employs advanced natural language processing and lifelike voice technology to handle customer orders and inquiries, seamlessly integrating with existing POS and CRM systems. By automating routine interactions, such as phone orders, Revmo helps businesses improve service responsiveness, increase sales opportunities and free up staff to focus on in-person customer experience.

Media Contact:

Meagan DeMenna  VP of Marketing, Revmo AI  [email protected]

(602) 909-2252

SOURCE Donatos Pizza
GUANGZHOU, China, April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fangzhou Inc. ("Fangzhou" or the "Company") (06086.HK), a leading Internet healthcare solution provider, participated in the "AI Empowers Biopharma" exchange panel hosted by the Guangzhou Development District Talent Education Group on April 3, 2025, joining 28 enterprises to explore cutting-edge applications of AI healthcare.

Guo Zhi, Senior Vice President of Technology of Fangzhou, shared during the panel: "At Fangzhou, we've systematically addressed the core challenges in healthcare delivery by pioneering our AI + H2H Smart Healthcare Ecosystem. This innovative model extends critical services  including chronic disease management, patient education, and medication delivery  directly into patients' homes, significantly improving care accessibility and timeliness while enhancing the overall treatment experience."

Mitigate AI hallucinations

The Company also unveiled its proprietary framework to mitigate AI hallucinations in medical applications, combining a self-developed training platform with a professional medical knowledge base and data sandbox. This approach powers Fangzhou's "AI Agent Matrix," featuring round-the-clock diagnostic support, intelligent customer service tools, and AI-assisted health content creation, collectively enhancing care accessibility while reducing operational costs.

Blueprint for Vertical AI Leadership

Moving forward, Fangzhou will intensify its focus on the vertical field of AI + Healthcare, leveraging its proven H2H Smart Healthcare Ecosystem to drive deeper integration of AI across online healthcare use cases. The Company will seize opportunities like this panel to strengthen collaboration with biopharmaceutical enterprises and research institutions, fostering synergistic development between regional biomedicine and smart healthcare.

AI-Powered Growth Strategy

Fangzhou's growth strategy centers on deploying cutting-edge AI technologies like DeepSeek-V3 while deepening partnerships with industry leaders such as Tencent Health and Tencent Cloud. These initiatives are designed to push the boundaries of AI-powered healthcare, strengthen the Company's technological leadership, and fast-track the market adoption of its innovations  all with the goal of delivering superior care experiences and enhanced solutions for patients and users.

About Fangzhou Inc.

Fangzhou Inc. (06086.HK) is China's leading online chronic disease management platform, serving 49.2 million registered users and 223,000 physicians (as of December 31, 2024). The Company specializes in delivering tailored medical care and precision medicine solutions. For more information, visit https://investors.jianke.com.

About the "AI Empowers Biopharma" Exchange Panel

Guangzhou Development District is accelerating its push to become a biopharma innovation leader, with this "AI Empowers Biopharma" exchange panel spotlighting AI-driven antibody research, quantum computing for drug development, and smart healthcare ecosystems.

Media Contact

For further inquiries or interviews, please reach out to:

Xingwei Zhao Associate Director of Public Relations Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements

SOURCE Fangzhou Inc.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GED Testing Service featured on the inspiring program, Empowered Hosted by Meg Ryan, has revolutionized adult education, creating pathways to success for millions of learners. Public Television viewers will gain valuable insights into the transformative power of the GED program in this upcoming segment set to be distributed today to over 170+ participating Public Television stations throughout the U.S. as interstitial programming for one full year.

This feature explores how GED Testing Service is addressing the needs of adult learners and providing them with the tools and resources to achieve their educational and career aspirations. It emphasizes the organization's commitment to equity and accessibility, showcasing the diverse stories of GED graduates and highlighting the life-changing impact of earning a GED credential. The documentary will showcase the GED program's dedication to those who have been outside the traditional education system, providing them with the essential support to achieve success. Viewers will also learn about the GEDWorks program, which partners with employers to provide free GED preparation to their employees. This story highlights the importance of destigmatizing alternative educational paths and how the GED credential creates opportunities for higher education and career advancement.

"Partnering with Empowered is an incredible opportunity to share the GED journey on a larger stage," said Vicki Greene, CEO of GED Testing Service. "Millions of adults need a second chance at education, and we're so grateful that this program allows us to amplify their stories, break down misconceptions, and showcase the true impact of earning a GED. Education isn't just about a diplomait's about opening doors, building confidence, and creating brighter futures."

GED Testing Service is committed to providing comprehensive support, including bilingual advisors, diverse study tools, and online resources to accommodate the diverse needs of adult learners. This portrays how the GED is not just a test, but a pathway to a better future.

About Empowered Hosted by Meg Ryan:

Empowered Hosted by Meg Ryan is a Public Television program that shares inspiring stories and educational content, empowering viewers to make informed decisions about their lives and communities. The program highlights organizations that are making a positive impact, fostering a sense of empowerment and understanding. Learn more at: https://www.empoweredprogram.com/

About GED Testing Service LLC: GED Testing Service LLC is the creator of the GED program, the leading high school equivalency credential. Since 1942, they have opened doors to better jobs and college programs for over 21 million graduates. Nearly all U.S. colleges and employers accept the GED credential. As the creator of the official GED test, GED Testing Service ensures that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for adults without a high school diploma. GED Testing Service is a joint venture between the American Council on Education and Pearson.

Learn more at: https://www.ged.com/

SOURCE Empowered
This year's theme"The Future of Vehicle & Road Safety"will explore how data, artificial intelligence, public health initiatives, and smart infrastructure are transforming the way we move safely through our cities and communities.

Special Address: Jean Todt

Delivering a special video address will be Jean Todt, United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, who will share a global perspective on road safety progress and the UN's role in driving change.

1. Panel Discussion: Advancing Driver, Vehicle & Road Safety Through Data & A.I.

This session will examine how artificial intelligence, telematics, crash prediction systems, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication are reshaping road safety.

Panelists include:

Eric Teoh , Director of Statistical Services, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety



, Director of Statistical Services, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Garrett Eucalitto , Commissioner, Connecticut DOT; President, AASHTO



, Commissioner, Connecticut DOT; President, AASHTO Brad Stertz , Director of External Affairs, Audi/VW Group



, Director of External Affairs, Audi/VW Group Tara Andringa , Executive Director, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education



, Executive Director, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education Ryan McMahon , SVP, Cambridge Mobile Telematics

Moderator: Dr. Ricardo Martinez, Former NHTSA Administrator; Adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine, Emory University

2. Panel Discussion: Lessons from the Top

A powerhouse panel of seasoned policymakers and global safety advocates will discuss regulatory evolution, vehicle safety policy, and the path forward for future mobility.

Panelists include:

David Strickland , Former NHTSA Administrator; VP, General Motors



, Former NHTSA Administrator; VP, General Motors Natalie Draisin , Director, FIA Foundation North America & UN Representative



, Director, FIA Foundation North America & UN Representative Polly Trottenberg , Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. DOT



, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. DOT David Ward , President Emeritus, Global NCAP



, President Emeritus, Global NCAP Dr. Ricardo Martinez , Emory University

Moderator: John Bozzella, President & CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation

3. Panel Discussion and Fireside Chat  The Future of Urban Mobility Safety

This dynamic panel discussion explores how technology and smart infrastructure are shaping the future of city streets. From ensuring safe routes to schools, workplaces, and essential services, to designing intelligent systems that protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, the conversation will also dive into the evolving role of autonomous vehicles in urban planning and public safety.

Special Guest: NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez

Moderated by Matthew Daus, Chair, Transportation Practice Group, Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf

Featured guests include:

Jonathan Miller , VP, Enterprise Growth, Nexar Inc.



, VP, Enterprise Growth, Nexar Inc. Jon Baldwin , EVP, Government Solutions, Verra Mobility



, EVP, Government Solutions, Verra Mobility Zach Rash , Co-Founder & CEO, COCO

T he Symposium will begin with welcoming remarks from:

Mark J.F. Schroeder , Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee



, Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark Schienberg , President of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association and the New York Auto Show

About the World Traffic Safety Symposium

Founded in 1990, the World Traffic Safety Symposium has become a leading forum for addressing the critical challenges of traffic safety, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and advocates from around the world. Held annually during the New York International Auto Show, the Symposium promotes innovative solutions, showcases breakthrough technologies, and fosters collaboration to reduce roadway injuries and fatalities. In this milestone year for the Auto Show, the Symposium underscores how far vehicle safety has comeand how much further it can go.

For more information or to register, please visit www.autoshowny.com/symposium

SOURCE New York International Auto Show

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In its sixth year, the HR Tech Awards program highlights HR technology companies that serve employers and employees with entries from North America, EMEA, and APAC.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lighthouse Research & Advisory is proud to announce the winners and finalists in the 2025 HR Tech Awards program during a LinkedIn livestream event on Wednesday, April 17th at 11:00am Central. The livestream can be accessed here.

Now in its sixth year, the HR Tech Awards program helps HR leaders and technology buyers identify solutions that drive real results. Each submission is rigorously evaluated by an independent panel of practitioners, consultants, and educators to ensure it reflects measurable impact and true innovation. New this year is a partnership with UNLEASH America to celebrate the winners live at the industry event happening in Las Vegas on May 6th-8th.

"Every year I'm curious how the industry's best and brightest companies are going to raise the bar," said Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory. "Our team and judges are constantly amazed by the ways today's HR tech providers are bringing real, measurable value to the market. Personally, I think this year's entries represent the best that our industry has to offer."

The 2025 winners represent a wide range of innovation and excellence, from AI-powered analytics and skills intelligence to solutions that improve transparency, fairness, and employee experience. These technologies are used every day by employers to hire, train, and keep their best and brightest employees.

Lighthouse estimates that over 5,000 HR technology firms exist globally, and only 12% are honored in this year's program for their standout efforts. Each winning solution has been vetted based on case studies, product demonstrations, and technology innovation.

George Rogers, Chief Strategy Officer at Lighthouse, noted, "I talk with so many employers that are struggling. They struggle with leadership, culture, and other factors. These technologies are enabling busy HR and talent teams to do their best work."

Award categories include Talent Acquisition, Employee Experience, Talent Management, Core HR, Talent Analytics, Total Rewards, and more, with special distinctions for enterprise, mid-market, and frontline-focused solutions.

The HR Tech Awards are used by hundreds of employers annually to guide their technology selection process, ensuring that the solutions they invest in are proven, practical, and impactful.

To see the full list of winning companies, visit HRTechAwards.org following the April 17th livestream.

Contact:

Lighthouse Research & Advisory

***@lhra.io

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/13071618

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Lighthouse Research & Advisory
Following momentum from its Crowdcube campaign and investment from EMOTIV, MYndspan is deepening its commitment to evidence-based brain health

LONDON, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - MYndspan, the first company to offer clinical-grade MEG brain scanning to consumers, today announced the appointment of Nawal Roy, Founder and CEO of Holmusk , as a strategic advisor. Roy's expertise in behavioral health data science and real-world evidence will help accelerate MYndspan's mission to make measurable brain health accessible to all.

This appointment follows the launch of MYndspan's equity crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube and a strategic investment from global neurotech leader EMOTIV, underscoring MYndspan's commitment to building a consumer-accessible ecosystem for personalized, evidence-based brain health.

Ready to take control of your brain health?

Be among the first to experience the world's most advanced brain scan at MYndspan's flagship London brain health centre, opening later this year. Featured in The Guardian, Stylist Magazine, and ITV News, MYndspan's MEG-based brain scans are already making headlines.

Invest in MYndspan on Crowdcube.

Powering Precision Brain Health with the Gold Standard in Behavioral Data

Roy is the architect behind NeuroBlu, Holmusk's real-world data platform and the world's largest behavioral health database, housing longitudinal data from over 35 million patients across 30+ health systems. His work has been instrumental in transforming mental health care from subjective assessment to data-driven science.

"MYndspan is building what brain health has long needed: a science-backed, user-accessible way to measure and monitor how our brains are functioning," said Roy. "Their use of MEG aligns with Holmusk's goal to apply real-world data and objective metrics to improve mental health outcomes."

Building the Future of Brain Health on a Foundation of Data

MYndspan leverages Magnetoencephalography (MEG), the most precise, real-time, non-invasive technology for measuring brain function, to create novel biomarkers such as Functional Brain Age and the Brain Stability Index. Roy's appointment will support the company's efforts to:

Validate and expand biomarker models using real-world evidence

Enable longitudinal tracking for prevention and early intervention

Unlock new clinical research and data licensing opportunities

"We're bringing together leaders across neuroscience, technology, and behavioral health to build a smarter brain care model," said Caitlin Baltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of MYndspan. "Nawal's strategic insight will be instrumental in scaling our evidence-based approach to millions of people."

Positioned to Lead in a $100B+ Market Opportunity

Roy's appointment comes as MYndspan prepares to open its flagship London brain health center and expands its commercial partnerships with global leaders including MEGIN, BIOS Health, IMEDCO, and EMOTIV. Together, these partnerships are establishing MYndspan as a hub of precision brain health.

With neurological disorders now the world's leading cause of disability, and research showing up to 45% of dementia cases are preventable with early detection, the need for proactive brain health solutions has never been more urgent.

Join us in building the data layer of brain health.

Invest in MYndspan on Crowdcube and shape the future of preventive brain care, powered by the world's most advanced brain scan and personalized insights.

Invest in MYndspan on Crowdcube.

About MYndspan

MYndspan is on a mission to improve access to preventive and proactive brain health and is the first company in the world to bring non-invasive Magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology directly to the consumer. MEG is typically only accessible in research and specialist clinical settings and is the most advanced method of recording and evaluating the brain while it is actively functioning.

MYndspan's brain health assessment technology is informed by 35 years of research and 300+ peer-reviewed studies, and its goal is to become a necessary preventive health measure to support better brain health for allincluding the early detection of neurodegenerative conditions and functional abnormalities from invisible traumatic brain injuries and disorders such as depression and PTSD.

Website: www.myndspan.com

SOURCE MYndspan
NAPLES, Fla., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continued commitment to community safety, NCH Health System, The Collier Community Foundation and LifeVac will donate 76 LifeVac choking rescue devices to the Naples Police Department. This donation ensures that every patrol vehicle in the department's fleet will be equipped with a potentially life-saving tool in the event of a choking emergency.

The donation ceremony will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at 10:00 AM at the Naples Police Department Headquarters. In attendance will be Mike Plunkett, Chairman of LifeVac; Eileen Connolly-Keesler, President & CEO of the Collier Community Foundation; and Dr. Jim Mahon, Senior Vice President of NCH.

This initiative builds on a growing partnership between the Collier Community Foundation, NCH, LifeVac, and the Naples Police Department. Since 2023, the collaboration has provided nearly 3,000 LifeVac devices to Collier County schools, restaurants, hotels, and daycare centersbolstering emergency preparedness throughout the community.

"Equipping first responders with this simple but powerful device reflects our shared commitment to protecting lives in every corner of Collier County," said Dr. Mahon. "We're proud to support the Naples Police Department in their life-saving mission."

About: LifeVac is a patented device designed to provide a quick and safe solution for choking emergencies. Invented by Arthur Lih in 2012, it has saved over 3,800 lives and counting. Each kit covers both adults and children, never expires, and includes a free replacement if used in an emergency.

Media Contact: Julia Bonelli, 516-499-4310

SOURCE LifeVac LLC
NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today's NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins.

Kristen Scholer delivers the pre-market update on April 14th

NYSE Content Advisory: Pre-Market update: NYSE President reassures U.S. market infrastructure is resilient

Policy questions continued over the weekend after comments from President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The S&P 500 is up early Monday after tariff adjustments last week led to record volatility on Wall Street.

NYSE President Lynn Martin recently assured the trading community that the NYSE has, "met the challenge posed by recent volatility."

Read NYSE President Lynn Martin's CNBC Op-ed Here

Opening Bell

MSNBC Films, Sky Studios, Paradine Productions, and White Horse Pictures celebrate the upcoming premiere of documentary series, "David Frost Vs."

Closing Bell

Executives and guests of IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) celebrate World Quantum Day

Download the NYSE TV App and Subscribe Here

SOURCE New York Stock Exchange
CHICAGO, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CADDi, a leader in digital solutions for manufacturers, announces its partnership with OTICS USA, Inc., a respected name in automotive parts manufacturing. Through this collaboration, OTICS USA will integrate CADDi Drawer to streamline data access, enhance knowledge sharing, and reduce operational downtime across its Tennessee-based facilities in Morristown and Kodak.

OTICS logo

OTICS USA faces industry-specific challenges related to data retrieval and knowledge retention. CADDi Drawer's advanced features will provide powerful solutions for these issues, linking drawings across tools and machines and embedding valuable process knowledge into digital documents. By leveraging CADDi Drawer, OTICS USA aims to reduce time spent on low-value tasks, minimize machine downtime, and ensure that experience and expertise are passed on to newer team members efficiently.

"Integrating CADDi Drawer into our workflow marks a significant advancement in our efficiency," said Satoshi Yamamoto, Process Engineering Coordinator. "The platform enables precise, streamlined access to our Tooling data, reducing search times and enhancing product parts accuracy. This partnership is a natural extension of our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring our team has the resources needed to uphold the high standards our customers expect."

"CADDi is proud to support OTICS USA as they elevate their operational processes," said Brian Thacker, Director of Customer Success. "Our technology empowers their team to access critical data with ease, bridge knowledge gaps, and focus on high-impact workdriving both immediate and long-term value."

Founded in 2001 as the first U.S. subsidiary of Japan's OTICS Corporation, OTICS USA has built a reputation for quality and innovation, supplying critical components like balance shafts, camshaft caps, fuel delivery pipes, and balance shaft housings to major automotive manufacturers. With multiple expansions and a recent Toyota Superior Quality Performance Award, OTICS USA continues to solidify its role as a reliable partner in the automotive supply chain.

With CADDi Drawer, OTICS USA is positioning itself to continue its legacy of quality and innovation while enhancing competitiveness in the fast-evolving automotive sector. The partnership underscores OTICS USA's commitment to a modernized approach in an industry that thrives on precision and reliability.

About CADDi

CADDi is an AI-powered data platform with the mission to make design and supply chain data accessible and actionable for all teams. CADDi Drawer, the company's flagship product, uses advanced AI to centralize and analyze essential production data, helping manufacturers improve their efficiency and quality. Named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list in 2024, CADDi also won the 2024 SaaS Award for Best Business Intelligence and Engineering Management Software. For more information, visit www.caddi.com.

About OTICS USA, Inc.

OTICS USA, Inc. is a trusted provider of precision automotive parts, including balance shafts, camshaft caps, and fuel delivery pipes, for major automotive brands. With facilities in Morristown and Kodak, Tennessee, OTICS USA continues to expand and uphold high standards of quality, innovation, and operational excellence. Founded in 2001, OTICS USA is part of Japan's OTICS Corporation, bringing cutting-edge technology and a dedication to continuous improvement to the U.S. automotive market.

Media contact:

Bob Spoerl

[email protected]

773.453.2444

SOURCE CADDi
Discover America's unique regional cuisine through 11 curated culinary road trips, spanning the country from New England seafood to Southern barbecue, Tex-Mex flavors of the Southwest, and Colorado's craft breweries. Each road trip includes a local celebrity chef's 'Chef's Day Off' itinerary, offering insider tips for maximizing your experience in their city. It's a guide to the heart and soul of America, one delicious bite at a time.

"We are excited to offer Rand McNally's best of class road atlas that guides travelers and encourages them to explore the heart of America through its incredible cuisine and amazing vistas," said Rand McNally Chairman Joseph Roark. "This edition celebrates the cuisines and flavors that make our country unique, and we've packed it with insider tips and recommendations to make every road trip a memorable experience, especially as we recognize the significant anniversaries of America and Route 66."

For the first time ever, Rand McNally has partnered with Atlas Obscura inviting them to ride shotgun and offer their signature off-the-beaten-path picks and unexpected discoveries for each trip, as well as an exclusive itinerary of unique Route 66 eateries, honoring the highway's century-long legacy.

"Collaborating with Rand McNally on this special edition was a natural fit for Atlas Obscura," said Marc Haeringer, Director of Publishing and Print Media at Atlas Obscura. "We're honored to share our passion for uncovering hidden gems and unexpected stories, especially along the iconic Route 66. This atlas is a celebration of the unique places and flavors that make America so fascinating."

Key Features of the 2026 Rand McNally Road Atlas:

11 culinary road trips that explore America's diverse regional cuisine

Chef's Day Off recommendations that give an insider's view on the best local spots

Atlas Obscura's offbeat picks and unique discoveries plus their exclusive Route 66 Roadside Eats itinerary

The most up-to-date maps, plus more detailed city inset maps, and more travel planning information than competitors

In a special collaboration, artist Marianna Fierro has created a delightful, limited-edition illustrated cover for a select number of Midsize Easy to Read Road Atlases

All atlases are designed and printed in the USA and are available at randpublishing.com , our Amazon store, e-commerce outlets, bookstores, and other retailers. Visit randpublishing.com for more information on all Rand McNally Road Atlas products.

About Rand McNally  Chicago-based Rand McNally is the most trusted source for maps, directions, and travel content for more than 165 years. Learn more at randpublishing.com .

About Atlas Obscura  Atlas Obscura is the definitive platform for discovering the world's hidden wonders, inspiring curiosity and exploration around the globe.

2025 Publishing Holdco, Inc., d/b/a Rand McNally Publishing. All rights reserved.

SOURCE RAND MCNALLY PUBLISHING
LEEUWARDEN AIR BASE, Netherlands, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Skunk Works and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) showcased the first-ever live classified data share outside the United States between an F-35 in flight and Keystone, a Dutch Command and Control (C2) environment at Ramstein Flag, Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) exercise.

Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35s used the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Open Systems Gateway to pass classified track data to a Dutch Command and Control environment during Ramstein Flag.

In this real-time live fly exercise, Dutch F-35s operating in an Anti-Access Area Denial environment, successfully detected, identified, and passed targeting data on multiple simulated ground effectors via Multifunction Advanced Datalink through a Skunk Works' Open Systems Gateway (OSG) into Keystone. Keystone then transmitted the data to a rocket artillery platform which engaged a ground target and confirmed successful takedown, effectively closing the loop. This entire process was executed from start to finish in a matter of minutes. This is a first, and a significant step forward in multi-domain integration, proving F-35 interoperability between several allied nations in real-time.

By unlocking the vast amount of data from an F-35, the Skunk Works OSG enables allied air and missile defense systems to receive precise targeting information, allowing them to detect, track, and defeat threats more effectively. This enhanced situational awareness, and interoperability empowers joint forces to respond more quickly and decisively, ultimately strengthening collective defense of partners and allies.

"Ramstein Flag was a resounding success, demonstrating the power of collaboration between United States Air Forces in Europe  Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), and Skunk Works", said RNLAF Air Commodore Bert 'Vida' de Smit. "We are thrilled with the results and look forward to continuing this work with our partners to drive innovation and advance our integrated battlespace capabilities."

"The combined joint all-domain capabilities demonstrated at Ramstein Flag are a breakthrough in multi-domain operations, emphasizing the F-35's ability to seamlessly integrate with our international partners' C2 environments," said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "This achievement is a testament to the strength of our partnerships with the RNLAF and USAFE-AFAFRICA. Lockheed Martin is accelerating delivery of novel MDO capabilities that enhance the effectiveness of our allies' F-35 fleets to ensure peace through allied strength."

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is committed to delivering open architecture solutions that enhance multi-domain integration capabilities across allied forces.

For additional information, visit our website: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/multi-domain-operations.html

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) brought the vibrant culture of Taiwan to Los Angeles this past weekend with one of its most memorable events of the year  Waves of Wonderland  held at Westfield Century City's iconic Atrium. Just weeks ahead of the first anniversary of TTA's 3.0 brand relaunch, "Taiwan  Waves of Wonder," the event delivered a high-energy, family-friendly experience designed to immerse Angelenos in the beauty, fun, and culture of Taiwan.

Taiwan Tourism Administration's Waves of Wonderland event in Los Angeles captivated Angelinos all day long Post this The Waves of Wonderland event at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles saw a constant stream of people engaging with every activity booth.

Transforming the bustling courtyard into a mini fairground, the event featured hands-on activity booths, eye-catching performances, and interactive experiences  all inspired by the essence of Taiwan's rich tourism offerings. With tens of thousands of weekend shoppers passing through Westfield Century City, and even more reached through social media thanks to a flight ticket giveaway courtesy of STARLUX Airlines, the event made a splash not only in LA but across America.

From traditional Taiwanese pinball, umbrella painting hosted by Mr. Brown Coffee, to a DIY sand art station and a night market-style pitching game, the booths offered a sensory trip to Taiwan. A major crowd favorite was the #DanceToTaiwan booth hosted by China Airlines, where visitors could groove to the "Dance to the Waves of Wonder" theme song and record their moves as part of TTA's online dance challenge.

The #DanceToTaiwan online challenge gives participants a chance to win 1 of 3 round-trip flights to Taiwan from China Airlines. Each ticket will be awarded by one of the dance stars, who recently filmed energetic dances across Taiwan's most iconic landmarks. To enter and learn more, visit DanceToTaiwan.com .

Vivian Lin, Director of TTA's Los Angeles office, shared her excitement about the success of the event and the growth of Taiwan tourism: "North America hit record highs last year, and we're incredibly grateful to our airline partners for helping make Taiwan more accessible than ever. With programs like 'Taiwan the Lucky Land' offering foreign visitors the chance to win NT$5,000 (~US$150) just by landing in Taiwan, and exclusive Buy-One-Get-One-Free High Speed Rail tickets, the Taiwan PASS, free half-day tour for transit passengers, and "Taiwan Tour Bus" buy-one-get-one-free packages, it's a great time to explore everything Taiwan has to offer  especially our hidden gems in the south. This year, we're especially proud to highlight Taiwan's commitment to sustainability, with eco-conscious destinations like Yehliu Geopark, Sicao Green Tunnel, and the Gaomei Wetlands showcasing the natural beauty and innovation that make Taiwan a green traveler's dream."

High-quality photos from Taiwan's Waves of Wonderland event at Westfield Century City are available here .

The celebration doesn't stop here  on June 8th, Taiwan Tourism will continue spreading the waves of wonder with a vibrant float in the LA Pride Parade, proudly supporting diversity, inclusivity, and the LGBTQ+ community.

As Taiwan continues to attract adventurers, culture seekers, and nature lovers alike, events like Waves of Wonderland invite North Americans to discover  and fall in love with  the many wonders of Taiwan.

ABOUT TAIWAN TOURISM ADMINISTRATION

The Taiwan Tourism Administration is the official government agency of Taiwan (R.O.C.) responsible for domestic and international tourism policy development and execution. The Southwestern US market is managed by the Los Angeles office of TTA. The marketing slogan currently in use for Taiwan is "Waves of Wonder." The official ambassador of the TTA is OhBear, a cartoon Formosan Black Bear, the national animal of Taiwan.

For more information about Taiwan tourism, please visit the official website of the Taiwan Tourism Administration: eng.taiwan.net.tw

Follow us on social media in North America:

Instagram: @taiwantourism.na

Facebook: Tour Taiwan - America

Media Contact:

Alex Trup

Marketing Director, Purple Media

[email protected]

SOURCE Taiwan Tourism Administration
The academic health system's executive vice president and chief digital and innovation officer is recognized for innovating transformative and cutting-edge health care solutions.

TAMPA, Fla., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Arnold, executive vice president and chief digital and innovation officer at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), has been named one of the nation's leading health care innovators for 2025 by Modern Healthcare. This award recognizes outstanding health care leaders and organizations driving innovation that enhances the quality of care and contributes to clinical and financial goals with measurable results. This marks the second consecutive year Tampa General has been represented amongst the top innovators by Modern Healthcare. Under Arnold's leadership, the academic health system was honored for organizational leadership in health care technology in 2024.

Since joining Tampa General in 2010, Arnold has championed the role of technology in enhancing patient care and experience, driving Tampa General's rise as a leader in health care innovation. Arnold manages Tampa General's technology division including information systems, enterprise analytics, cyber security, clinical engineering, biomedical equipment and TGH Ventures.

"Scott's visionary leadership has been instrumental in transforming Tampa General into a nationally recognized innovation hub," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General. "Scott and his team are relentlessly pursuing solutions that enhance the patient experience and drive operational efficiencies, ensuring that Tampa General remains at the forefront of health care excellence and fosters a culture where innovation is woven into the fabric of everything we do."

Arnold champions a data-driven approach to patient care, leveraging predictive analytics and AI to streamline clinical workflows, enhance care coordination and improve patient safety. Examples of this include Tampa General's partnerships with Palantir Technologies, GE Healthcare and Philips, as well as the implementation of Microsoft's Nuance DAX Copilot for streamlined clinical documentation.

Under Arnold's guidance, the academic health system's AI-enabled Care Coordination Center has emerged as a vital tool for proactive risk identification, such as for the early detection of and intervention for sepsis and congestive heart failure, as well as for managing capacity and optimizing the health system's day-to-day operations. Through Tampa General's continued partnership with Palantir, the Care Coordination Center has evolved to extend real-time insights and coordinated care across the health system's rapidly growing network of more than 150 care locations.

"At Tampa General, we're driven by a patient-centric vision that puts the individual at the heart of everything we do," said Arnold. "We're dedicated to always looking ahead of the curve to find innovative ways to enhance patient experience, improve care quality and make health care more accessible for our community. And in that same spirit, we are pushing boundaries to solve real-world problems for our patients, providers and team members  not simply for innovating."

Beyond optimizing internal processes, Arnold has focused on transforming the patient experience. He spearheaded the transition to an online appointment booking system, significantly boosting new patient acquisitions. His vision centers on team member digital experience, patient experience, access, care coordination, navigation and reducing interoperability friction across Tampa General's expanding network.

Furthermore, Arnold fosters a culture of innovation amongst Tampa General's team members. Arnold's team at TGH Ventures partnered with the academic health system's People Development Institute (PDI), a career development and growth facility developed by Tampa General and the University of South Florida's Muma College of Business, to launch IdeaMVP. This program enables health system staff to shepherd an innovative idea or technology from concept to solution. Winning ideas are backed with resources to implement.

This award follows Arnold's recent recognition as one of Becker's Hospital Review's "Chief Innovation Officers to Know," which he earned for the second consecutive year in December. In 2024, Arnold was also honored as one of the outlet's "Chief Digital Officer of Hospitals and Health Systems to Know." Under his leadership, Tampa General has achieved recognition as one of the nation's top health systems for innovative care by such organizations as Newsweek, CHIME and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Arnold and this year's complete class of Modern Healthcare Innovators are profiled here.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America's Best Large Employers, the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America's Best Employers by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2022, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North, which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, two TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 20 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR

Assistant Manager

Publications & Physician Communications

(727) 510-6363 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At The Villa Group Beach Resorts & Spas we are proud to announce that six of our resorts have been nominated for the third consecutive year to the 2025 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. This achievement reflects our more than 30 years of dedication to excellent service, and the loyalty of our incredible guests.

The Villa Group The Villa Group

As we celebrate our nominations, we would like to share some reasons why our award-winning resorts are contenders for the title of Best Western Resort in Mexico. From stunning views of our infinity pool to beachfront fun and gourmet experiences, here are the nominees:

Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa in Los Cabos  Featuring the longest lazy river in Los Cabos and spacious all-equipped suites. It has recently received a 4-Diamond award.

 Featuring the longest lazy river in and spacious all-equipped suites. It has recently received a 4-Diamond award. Villa del Arco Beach Resort & Spa Cabo San Lucas  Known for its oceanfront suites and world-class dining experiences.

 Known for its oceanfront suites and world-class dining experiences. Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa Los Cabos  A luxurious tranquil escape along Medano Beach.

 A luxurious tranquil escape along Medano Beach. Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa Riviera Nayarit  Relaxation and serenity in the heart of Mexico's Pacific coast.

 Relaxation and serenity in the heart of Pacific coast. Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa Riviera Nayarit  A family-friendly resort with fun activities for all ages

 A family-friendly resort with fun activities for all ages Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa Cabo San Lucas  Where families celebrate life's most joyful moments.

The Conde Nast Awards honor excellence in the hospitality industry and are considered a standard for quality and distinction. With that in mind, we are the best choice for your next family vacation, offering amazing promotions tailored just for you. For more information about The Villa Group, please visit: www.villagroupresorts.com

"We are thrilled to be nominated for these awards," said Cesar Madera, recently appointed CEO of The Villa Group Resorts & Spas. "We would like to thank every guest and staff member, as this recognition reflects our commitment to create everlasting memories. We couldn't have achieved this without your support, and we would be grateful for your vote, once again".

Voting is now open and runs through June 30, 2025. You can vote unlimited times and support all your favorite Villa Group Resorts. To vote, visit: https://condenast-interactive.typeform.com/to/mNDkLNy8?typeform-source=www.cntraveller.com

Together, we can win! Cast your vote today!

About The Villa Group:

The Villa Group Resorts is a premier collection of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico known for its commitment to delivering exceptional vacation experiences. With properties in some of Mexico's most beautiful destinations, including Riviera Nayarit, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta, The Villa Group Resorts offers choice hotels for travelers seeking luxury, comfort, and remarkable memories.

Media Contact:

Estefania de Paz

PR Coordinator The Villa Group Resorts

Phone: +1 800 831 1191

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE The Villa Group
Launching this Earth Month, the new eco-conscious frames will be available April 14, and are made from recycled and renewable materials

NOVATO, Calif., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenni Optical, the world's leading online eyewear retailer, introduces Zenni EcoBloomz, a consciously crafted collection of everyday eyewear designed with sustainability in mind. Built from responsibly sourced materials, these high-quality frames offer durability, style, and eco-friendly innovationall at an accessible price.

Photo courtesy of Zenni Optical

In addition to offering this collection to help reduce environmental impact, Zenni Optical will donate one percent of EcoBloomz proceeds to directly support the Wyland Foundation, helping to promote, protect, and preserve the world's oceans, waterways, and marine life.

EcoBloomz frames are made from a carefully selected mix of recycled and bio-based materials, ensuring every pair supports a more sustainable future:

Bio-Based Acetate: Designed with the planet in mind, bio-based frames are crafted from renewable, plant-based materials such as castor bean oil, wood pulp and cotton, offering consumers a more sustainable choice without compromising on quality or aesthetics.

Designed with the planet in mind, bio-based frames are crafted from renewable, plant-based materials such as castor bean oil, wood pulp and cotton, offering consumers a more sustainable choice without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Recycled PET: Crafted from 85% upcycled PET plastic, these lightweight, durable frames repurpose water bottles that would otherwise end up in landfills, helping to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions.

Crafted from 85% upcycled PET plastic, these lightweight, durable frames repurpose water bottles that would otherwise end up in landfills, helping to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions. Recycled Metal & Bio-Based Acetate: This hybrid design pairs the strength of recycled stainless steel with the eco-friendly properties of bio-based acetate, offering long-lasting durability and a comfortable, customizable fit.

"This line showcases our commitment to both style and sustainability," says Aysegul Colakel, Designer for Zenni. "We've paid meticulous attention to every detail, with frames crafted from high-premium bio-based and recycled materials to the final design, ensuring an eco-conscious collection with style."

The Zenni EcoBloomz collection features a wide range of versatile styles, including classic browline and aviator frames, available in multiple colorways and kids' sizes. With a variety of styles to choose from, EcoBloomz makes it easy to shop sustainably without compromising on fashion or function. With prices ranging from $25.95 to $42.95 eco-conscious eyewear has never been more affordable. Find your perfect pair at zennioptical.com .

Images here

About Zenni:

Zenni pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make eyewear affordable and accessible to everyone. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Zenni offers adults and children the freedom to express their personality through a large collection of high-quality prescription, non-prescription and protective glasses and sunglasses curated with a sense of fashion and dynamic style. With complete prescription pairs starting at under $10, the company has brought massive price disruption to the traditional retail model. With over 51 million frames sold worldwide, Zenni is proud to be the Official Eyewear of the San Francisco 49ers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Monster Jam, Ghost Gaming and more. Zenni has worked with designers and tastemakers on curations and collections, including Chase Stokes, Jrue Holiday, Sam Cassell and George and Claire Kittle. For more information, please visit zenni.com/press .

About the Wyland Foundation

Founded by marine life artist Wyland, the Wyland Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world's oceans, waterways, and marine life through education and public awareness. The foundation's programs engage communities across the country in hands-on conservation efforts that make a measurable impact.

SOURCE Zenni Optical
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
Tehran, April 14 : Iran said that its indirect negotiations with the United States held in Oman were focused solely on Tehran's nuclear program and the removal of US sanctions, ruling out any discussion of other issues.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television that Iran's stance in the talks remained unchanged, centering on lifting sanctions and preserving its nuclear rights.

The talks, held on Saturday between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, were conducted through intermediaries, Xinhua news agency reported.

Baghaei added that Iran remained committed to preserving its nuclear infrastructure and achievements, while also demonstrating its willingness to engage in dialogue to assure the international community of the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

"Iran considers itself obligated to use all legal and diplomatic tools to safeguard its legitimate rights as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a signatory to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards agreements," he said.

Speaking to reporters in Muscat after the meeting, Araghchi described the first round of talks as "constructive" and held in a "calm and respectful atmosphere."

"No inappropriate language was used, and both sides showed commitment to pursuing the negotiations from an equal footing toward a mutually beneficial agreement," he said.

He added that a second round of talks was scheduled for the following Saturday, likely at a different venue.

The Muscat discussions followed US President Donald Trump's announcement in March that he had sent a letter to Iranian leaders via the United Arab Emirates proposing nuclear talks.

Iran later confirmed receiving the letter and expressed openness to indirect engagement.

Iran signed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with six world powers, namely, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Washington unilaterally withdrew from the pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Tehran to scale back its nuclear commitments.

Efforts to revive the deal have so far failed to make significant progress.
Sanaa, April 14 : Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for three airstrikes on Israeli targets, according to a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said his group launched two missiles toward central Israel on Sunday, one on the Sdot Micha military base and the other on the Ben Gurion airport, Xinhua news agency reported.

Sarea added the group also carried out a drone strike against a "vital target" in the Ashkelon area, southern Israel, not specifying the target.

Earlier in the day, Israel's military said that a missile launched from Yemen was "likely intercepted" by its air defence systems before entering Israeli airspace.

The launch triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, sending millions of residents to shelters. No injuries or damage were reported, according to Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom.

Earlier on Friday 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.

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.

The Houthis, who control vast areas of northern Yemen, have been attacking Israeli targets since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The Yemen-based militia claims that it will stop operations if Israel ends the ongoing war in Gaza and allows essential food and medicine into the strip.
Khartoum, April 14 : At least 56 people were killed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) between in Umm Kadada city in North Darfur State, western Sudan, volunteer groups reported.

These people were "executed on an ethnic basis" after the RSF took control of the city on Thursday, the Coordination of Resistance Committees in the state's capital El Fasher said, identifying all the victims as civilians.

The local volunteer group accused in a statement the militia of "committing widespread violations, forcibly displacing residents, and shutting down all communication networks."

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Emergency Lawyers Initiative, another volunteer group, confirmed in a statement that the RSF killed 52 civilians, burned residential homes, and looted properties in two days after entering Umm Kadada.

"The RSF also stormed the local hospital, assaulted patients, and executed four medical staff members, including the hospital's director," it added.

There has been no comment from the RSF regarding the claims, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on Friday more than 114 civilians were killed in attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on two displacement camps over the past two days in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan, a local official announced.

"More than 100 civilians were killed as a result of the brutal attack launched by the RSF militia on the Zamzam displacement camp yesterday (Friday), with dozens injured," Ibrahim Khatir, director general of North Darfur State's health authority, told Xinhua.

" On Saturday, 14 civilians were also killed due to another militia attack on the Abu Shouk displacement camp, with dozens more injured," he added.

Khatir revealed that among the dead in the Zamzam camp were nine employees of Relief International, a non-governmental organisation operating a field hospital in the camp.

Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which has claimed more than 29,600 lives, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a crisis monitoring group cited by the United Nations.
Sanaa, April 14 : Yemen's Houthi group announced that it had shot down another US MQ-9 drone, the 19th it has downed since November 2023.

"A US MQ-9 drone was shot down while carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Hajjah province" in northwestern Yemen, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

Sarea added that the drone was downed by a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile, stressing "the ongoing US aggression" has not crippled the group's military capabilities.

The statement affirmed the group's support for the Palestinian people, saying its operations will continue "until the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and the siege on it is lifted."

The United States resumed its air campaign against Houthi forces on March 15, stating that its strikes were aimed at deterring the group from launching attacks against Israeli and US naval assets in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, the death toll from fresh US airstrikes on the western outskirts of Yemen's capital Sanaa has risen to six, with 13 others injured, Houthi-run health authorities said in an updated statement.

The strikes targeted a ceramic factory in the Bani Matar district, said residents and the health authorities. The roar of fighter jets was reportedly heard across Sanaa before and after the airstrikes.

Separately, US warplanes carried out two additional strikes in the northern provinces of Marib and Al-Jawf, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. It noted that the latest air raids have brought the total number of US airstrikes across northern Yemen throughout the day to 25.

The Houthis, who control vast areas of northern Yemen, have been attacking Israeli targets since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Gaza, April 14 : Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed that its fighters killed and wounded several Israeli soldiers in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

In a press statement, Al-Qassam said that its fighters detonated a house rigged with explosives, targeting an Israeli special forces unit that had infiltrated the Abu al-Rus area east of Rafah.

The brigades did not disclose the number of casualties, and the Israeli army has not issued a response regarding the claim, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a press statement that the army's 252nd Division continues to operate in northern Gaza.

According to Adraee, the forces destroyed an underground tunnel route measuring approximately 1.2 kilometres in length and 20 metres in depth. A weapons depot was found near the tunnel, containing about 20 improvised explosive devices, an anti-tank missile launcher, and other combat equipment.

He added that during the operation, a military drone identified several individuals planting an explosive device near Israeli forces. The Air Force then launched a strike, reportedly killing the individuals.

Earlier on Saturday Hamas said that it is positive about any Gaza ceasefire proposal that guarantees a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, Hamas said on that such a proposal must also ensure an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and include a serious prisoner exchange deal.

A Hamas delegation headed to Cairo on Saturday at the invitation of Egypt. While in Cairo, they are expected to meet with mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as part of ongoing efforts to reach an agreement and halt Israeli attacks in Gaza, it added.
New Delhi, April 14 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday paid rich tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

Taking to social media platform X, HM Shah wrote, "Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, who laid the foundation of social revolution on the basis of education, equality and justice, remained committed to the rights of the deprived throughout his life. By drafting the Constitution based on equality, freedom and fraternity, he provided a strong foundation to India's great democratic heritage. Babasaheb's thoughts towards building a just and egalitarian society inspire all of us even today. I pay my heartfelt tributes to Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the great architect of the Constitution and a symbol of self-respect for millions of countrymen, on his birth anniversary."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also remembered Dr. Ambedkar's immense contribution to the nation paying tribute on his birth anniversary.

In a post on X, he said, "Tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution, who was all-inclusive, benevolent to all, imbued with excellent democratic values aaand enriched the spirit of one India, great India, Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary! He was in the true sense of the word 'Bharat Ratna' and a living school of democracy. His struggle to establish an egalitarian and just society will continue to inspire all of us for eternity."

Dr Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, as the 14th and last child to his parents.

A tireless crusader for social justice, he founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936 to advocate for the rights of the depressed classes, particularly the labour population.

Known for his strong views, he criticised Congress' attempt in 1938 to merely rename 'untouchables' instead of addressing their real issues.

In 1942, he was appointed to the Executive Council of the Governor General of India as a Labour member. He was later elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1946, the same year he published his influential work 'Who Were the Shudras?'

Post-Independence, Dr Ambedkar served as the first Law Minister of India in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehruas cabinet. However, he resigned in 1951 over differences on Kashmir policy, foreign affairs, and reforms like the Hindu Code Bill.

Dr Ambedkar's legacy continues to shape modern India, with leaders and citizens alike drawing inspiration from his vision of equality, justice, and fraternity.
Cairo, April 14 : Egypt condemned the Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, describing the attack as a "grave violation of international humanitarian law and all international norms."

In a statement by its Foreign Ministry, Egypt called for an immediate halt to all Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip and the swift entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the besieged enclave, Xinhua news agency reported.

It also urged the international community to take concrete steps to end the hostilities, especially in light of regional and international efforts toward de-escalation and the revival of a ceasefire agreement.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it targeted "a Hamas command and control center" located within the hospital compound.

In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency stated that Hamas operatives have been using the facility to coordinate attacks.

A medical staff member told Xinhua anonymously that the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning shortly before the strike.

The attack struck the hospital's surgical operations department and an oxygen generation unit, inflicting severe damage across multiple sections of the facility.

Israel ended a January ceasefire deal with Hamas and resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18. The health authorities in Gaza reported on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, has reached 50,944, with 116,156 wounded.
New York, April 14 : Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro and his family have escaped an early morning attack on his official mansion, where a man evaded security and set the building on fire. He will now face terrorism charges.

Shapiro said that they were woken up at about 2 am on Sunday by police and safely evacuated from the residence in the state capital Harrisburg.

Officials said that a 38-year-old man, Cody Balmer, who had jumped over the fence to avoid the police guarding the house before setting the fire and escaping, was later arrested in the city.

The local prosecutor, Fran Chardo, said that Balmer would be charged with terrorism, attempted murder, and arson.

Shapiro is Jewish and the attack happened during his religion's sacred days of Passover that commemorates the Jews' ancient escape from slavery in Egypt.

Hours earlier, the governor had held the ritual Seder dinner for the occasion at the very room where the fire was set.

"If he was trying to terrorise my family, my friends", Shapiro said, "we celebrated our faith proudly, no one will deter me from celebrating my faith openly and proudly".

"This type of violence is not OK. I don't give a damn if it's from one particular side or another. It's not OK", he said at a news conference outside his house.

An influential Democratic Party leader, Shapiro was among the finalists to be the vice president nominee on Kamala Harris' presidential ticket last year.

Shapiro thanked Kash Patel, the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who, he said, "promised all of the resources of the federal government".

The property of a man with a name similar to the alleged attacker was listed for auction under court orders for defaulting on the mortgage.

The attack on the governor's mansion is the latest in the series of violence directed against politicians in the polarised US.

Last year, US President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination bid in Pennsylvania while campaigning for election, and another was foiled in Florida.

A man entered the house of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2023, and her husband was seriously injured in the attack.
Bhopal, April 14 : Several districts across Madhya Pradesh are bracing for unseasonal weather conditions, characterised by thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and hailstorms.

The last week was not favourable for farmers in many parts of the state. According to weathermen, a trough associated with the "Western Disturbance" continues to influence the middle to upper tropospheric levels. Adding to the atmospheric instability, a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to impact the Western Himalayan region from April 16, 2025, which may intensify existing weather disturbances.

Farmers have been urged to take precautionary measures to protect crops and equipment, while residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant against potential hazards.

Authorities are closely monitoring developments, and further updates will be issued as the situation evolves.

Simultaneously, an upper air cyclonic circulation persists at 0.9 km above mean sea level over southeast Madhya Pradesh, creating unstable weather patterns in the region. This system is further reinforced by multiple troughs extending across various areas, including southeast Madhya Pradesh to central Telangana via Vidarbha and from central west Rajasthan through northeast Rajasthan and northwest Madhya Pradesh, terminating over southeast Madhya Pradesh.

The districts in the state which will receive hailstorms, rains, lightning, gusty winds, and thunderstorms include Singrauli, Satna, Umaria, Katni, and Maihar. These are likely to experience gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph along with hailstorms.

The districts of Burhanpur, Barwani, Gwalior, Datia, and Bhind may encounter gusty winds of 40-50 kmph and hailstorms, a weatherman said.

According to the local meteorological department, Narmadapuram, Betul, Khandwa, Khargone, Shivpuri, Morena, and Sheopur, among others, are expected to witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.

In Chhattisgarh too Kondagaon, Bastar received hailstorms on Sunday. However, the weathermen have said gusty winds accompanied with lightening, thunderstorms and isolated rainfall are likely in some parts of the state from April 14 till April 17.
Seoul, April 14 : The proportion of South Korean exports settled in the local currency declined in 2024 due mainly to relatively weak growth in auto exports, central bank data showed on Monday.

The use of the won accounted for 2.7 percent of all export settlements last year, down 0.2 percentage point from a year earlier, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK), reports Yonhap news agency.

The share had climbed in 2023 for the first time in six years, but fell again in 2024. The decline was largely attributed to the slower growth in automobile exports, which are typically settled in Korean won. Car exports rose 6 percent last year, falling short of the overall export growth of 8.1 percent, the BOK said.

A drop in machinery exports also contributed to the decline, it added.

The U.S. dollar remained the dominant currency used to settle South Korean exports in 2024, accounting for 84.5 percent of total export settlements, up from 83.1 percent in 2023.

The increase in dollar-denominated settlements was driven by robust semiconductor exports, which are typically settled in U.S. dollars. Outbound shipments of chips soared 43.9 percent on-year to a record high of US$141.9 billion in 2024.

The use of the euro for export settlements declined to 6.0 percent in 2024 from 6.8 percent a year earlier, while the share for the Japanese yen dropped by 0.3 percentage point to 2.0 percent.

The Chinese yuan accounted for 1.5 percent of total export settlements last year, down from 1.7 percent in the previous year, the data showed.

South Korea's exports advanced 8.2 percent on-year in 2024 to set a new annual record on robust shipments of semiconductors.

Outbound shipments came to US$683.8 billion last year, compared with the previous record of $683.6 billion set in 2022, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Imports fell 1.6 on-year to $632 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $51.8 billion. The ministry said outbound shipments of eight out of 15 major export items gained ground in 2024.
New Delhi, April 14 : India's raw silk production has experienced steady growth, rising from 31,906 metric tonnes (MT) in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24, as exports figures also jumped significantly in the period.

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Indiaas raw silk production has experienced steady growth, rising from 31,906 metric tonnes (MT) in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24, as exports figures also jumped significantly in the period.

This growth is supported by the expansion of mulberry plantations from 223,926 hectare in 2017-18 to 263,352 hectare in 2023-24, which boosted mulberry silk production from 22,066 MT in 2017-18 to 29,892 MT in 2023-24, according to latest government data.

Total raw silk production increased from 31,906 MT in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24. Exports of silk and silk goods rose from Rs 1,649.48 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 2,027.56 crore in 2023-24.

As per Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) reports, the country exported 3348 MT of silk waste in 2023-24.

Meanwhile, raw silk production is estimated at 34,042 metric tonnes in the April-January period of 2024-25, which is a close to 10,000 tonnes increase over the corresponding figure of 24,299 metric tonnes in the same period of 2014-15.

India is the second largest producer of silk and also the largest consumer of silk in the world. In India, mulberry silk is produced mainly in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal, while the non-mulberry silks are produced in Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Orissa and north-eastern states.

Mulberry silk comes from silkworms that eat only mulberry leaves. It is soft, smooth, and shiny with a bright glow, making it perfect for luxury sarees and high-end fabrics. Around 92 per cent of the country's total raw silk production comes from mulberry.

Non-mulberry silk (also known as Vanya silk) comes from wild silkworms that feed on leaves from trees like oak, castor and arjun. This silk has a natural, earthy feel with less shine but is strong, durable, and eco-friendly.

The government schemes play a crucial role in the growth of the silk industry in India. These initiatives provide financial support and resources for various activities related to sericulture.

The 'Silk Samagra' scheme is an important initiative by the government to improve the sericulture industry across India. Its objective is to scale up production by improving the quality and productivity and to empower downtrodden, poor and backward families through various activities of sericulture in the country.

The aSilk Samagra-2a is an extension of this effort with a budget of Rs 4,679.85 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.

So far, Rs. 1,075.58 crore has been provided in central assistance, benefiting over 78,000 people. Financial support has been given to Andhra Pradesh (Rs. 72.50 crore) and Telangana (Rs. 40.66 crore) for the last three years to help with aSilk Samagra-2a components, as per the government data.

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New York, April 14 : A Punjab-born surgeon, her two children and their partners were killed along with her husband, who piloted a small plane that crashed in New York state.

Joy Saini's family confirmed their deaths in a statement to the media on Sunday.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Albert Nixon said on Sunday that the crash happened on Saturday while their Mitsubishi MU2B aircraft was trying to land at the Columbia County Airport, about 200 km from New York City.

Speaking at a news conference in Albany, he said that the pilot missed the approach for landing and asked to make another try, but the air traffic controller noticed it was flying at a low altitude and unsuccessfully tried to alert the pilot.

The plane, which had taken off from Westchester Airport in a New York City suburb, went down about ten miles from the airport near the border with Massachusetts State.

Saini immigrated to the US with her parents and received her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh where she met her husband, Michael Groff, who was a neurosurgeon.

According to the website of her medical practice in Boston, Saini was a urogynecologist and female pelvic reconstructive surgeon.

The family statement said that Groff was "an experienced pilot who fell in love with flying after being taught by his father at the age of 16."

Their daughter Karenna Groff was a medical student, and her partner James Santoro, an investment banker who planned to propose marriage soon, died in the crash, the family statement said.

Jared Groff, their son, and his partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, a law student, were also killed.

Saini and Groff are survived by another daughter of the couple, Anika, and Saini's mother, Kuljit Singh, according to the family.

This was the second crash in the US in three days.

This incident follows Friday's crash in South Florida, where a Cessna 310 aircraft went down near Boca Raton, killing all three people onboard.

A sightseeing helicopter with a family of five from Spain crashed in the Hudson River off Manhattan on Thursday, killing them and the pilot.
Seoul, April 14 : Supporters and opponents of South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday gathered in front of the Seoul Central District Court in time for his arrival there to attend his first criminal trial related to his martial law declaration last year.

About 20 supporters of Yoon began to wave the South Korean and US flags in front of the court's main gate from 9 a.m., chanting slogans such as "Yoon Again." Some of them shouted, "The president is not guilty."

On the street across from the court's gate, a banner was hung that praises the presiding judge of Yoon's trial, Yonhap news agency reported.

A car carrying Yoon entered the court at 9:50 a.m. amid the cheers of his supporters.

At the same time, meanwhile, a group of Yoon's opponents held a news conference near the court calling for the re-arrest and stern punishment of the former president.

The Seoul Central District Court is set to open the hearing on Yoon's insurrection charges at 10 a.m. Monday. As the defendant, Yoon must attend the trial, Yonhap news agency reported.

Yoon will be the fifth former president to stand criminal trial.

He will be allowed to enter the court via an underground parking lot, with the court having set up security-related measures against potential rallies near the court building.

In January, Yoon was arrested and indicted on criminal rebellion charges. But he was released from prison last month after the Seoul court cancelled his arrest and allowed him to stand trial without being physically detained.
Mumbai, April 14 : As "Kumkum Bhagya" has recently taken a generational leap, actor Aryan Raajput is honoured to join the cast and said that the show has been a household favorite.

Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) As "Kumkum Bhagya" has recently taken a generational leap, actor Aryan Raajput is honoured to join the cast and said that the show has been a household favorite.

Aryan said, "I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of such an iconic show like Kumkum Bhagya. The show has been a household favorite and stepping into its world is an incredible honor.

He will be seen playing Mayank, a close friend of Akshay Dev Bindra's character Raunak, who has come to India to attend his friend's wedding, but his entry into the show is set to bring new dynamics to the storyline.

A mysterious yet endearing personality, Mayank adds a fresh dynamic as he plays cupid between Raunak and Prarthana, subtly guiding Raunak toward realizing his love for Prarthana while carrying secrets of his own.

Aryan added: "My character, Mayank, brings a fresh energy and a new perspective to the story, and I can't wait for viewers to see how his journey unfolds. He is charming yet unpredictable, which makes playing him even more exciting."

Talking about the cast, he said: "Working with talented actors like Akshay and Pranali has been an amazing experience so far. The camaraderie on set is fantastic, and the entire team has been so welcoming. I truly believe that this new phase of Kumkum Bhagya is going to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. So, stay tuned because Mayank is here to intensify the show's gripping plot."

"Kumkum Bhagya" airs on Zee TV.

"Kumkum Bhagya" is produced by Ekta Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms. It first premiered in April 2014 on Zee TV and digitally streams on ZEE5. It formerly featured Sriti Jha, Shabir Ahluwalia, Mugdha Chaphekar, Krishna Kaul, Rachi Sharma and Abrar Qazi.

From February 2025, it stars Pranali Rathod and Akshay Bindra as the fourth-generation leads. One of the longest running Indian television soap opera, the concept of the show was originally based on Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility.
Mumbai, April 14 : Actress Vidya Balan donned traditional Kanjivaram silk sarees to mark the celebration of Tamil New Year.

Radiating elegance and cultural pride, the actress embraced the festive spirit with her stunning ensemble, paying homage to the rich heritage of Tamil traditions. Taking to her Instagram handle, the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 actress posted a video of her where she is seen wearing Kanjivaram silk sarees. In the post, Vidya also extended her heartfelt greetings to fans on Puthandu.

Balan captioned the post, "Wishing you and loved ones a very Happy Vishu and Tamizh Puthandu!! What better way to celebrate than in the beauty of Kanjivaram Silk Sarees from @Shobitam with their grace, tradition and elegance!! Queen of Sarees Indeed. May this new year bring you all joy, prosperity, and happiness. Let's celebrate this auspicious occasion with warmth and joy! The innovation they bring to their heritage designs and quality craftsmanship is something that sets each Kanjivaram saree apart."

Puthandu, or Tamil New Year, marks the start of a new year according to the Tamil calendar, celebrated by Tamil-speaking communities worldwide. This vibrant festival typically falls on April 14, bringing together families to honor age-old traditions, enjoy festive delicacies, and exchange warm wishes with loved ones.

Puthandu, the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai, marks the beginning of the Tamil New Year. The day holds great significance, as it is believed to be the moment when Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe.

Meanwhile, speaking of Vidya Balan, she was most recently seen in "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3," where she shared the screen with Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri. Directed by Anees Bazmee, the horror-comedy saw Vidya Balan return to her iconic role as the haunting Manjulika. The film was released on 1 November 2024, coinciding with Diwali.
Mumbai, April 14 : Veteran actor Anupam Kher's directorial, "Tanvi The Great", is all set to have its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, within the MarchA du Film.

Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) Veteran actor Anupam Kher's directorial, "Tanvi The Great", is all set to have its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, within the Marche du Film.

Talking about taking Tanvi The Great, global, Anupam shared, "I've always wanted to create a film with a universal themeone that transcends boundaries and connects with hearts everywhere. Tanvi The Great is a story born from deep passion and purpose."

He said that the film will resonate deeply with audiences globally.

"It's a film from our hearts, and I believe it will resonate just as deeply with audiences in Ahmedabad as it will in America. Having Oscar-winner M.M. Keeravani bring this story to life with his musical genius has been a true blessing," said Anupam, who returned to the director's chair after two decades.

He added: "His artistry has elevated Tanvi The Great in ways I had only dreamt of.I am truly humbled to present Tanvi The Great our labour of love to the world."

This film is Anupam's second directorial venture after "Om Jai Jagdish" starring Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, which was released in 2002.

The Cannes premiere will kick off a world tour of screenings in major cities including London, New York, and Los Angeles which will take the film to a larger audience. As per a statement,the screening will be attended by the cast and crew and introduced by Anupam himself along with several A-listers expected to attend.

On April 11, it was announced that the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) came on board as co-producers of "Tanvi The Great."

Talking about the collaboration, the veteran star had said: "Tanvi The Great is a labour 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."

The NFDC has previously produced films such as "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron," "Mirch Masala," "The Making of Mahatma," "Salaam Bombay," and "Qissa" among a few others.
Bengaluru, April 14 : Karnataka Police have arrested the accused in the sensational molestation case involving two women in Bengaluru, sources confirmed on Monday, adding that the man was nabbed in a Kerala village.

A video of the accused molesting two women in a residential locality during the early hours had gone viral, raising concerns over women's safety in the city.

The arrested individual has been identified as 26-year-old Santosh Daniel. The Sadduguntepalya Police apprehended him in a village in the neighbouring state of Kerala.

The accused had taken shelter at a friendas place without disclosing anything about the incident. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime.

According to the police, they examined over 1,600 CCTV footage clips to track down the accused after the incident came to light. Two special teams were formed, and based on technical leads, they searched for him in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

After the incident surfaced, the accused switched off his mobile phone and fled. He travelled to Hosur and Krishnagiri before reaching Kerala. He later contacted a friend with whom he had previously worked in Bengaluru, police said.

The investigation began based on a complaint filed by a resident, Lokesh Gowda. Police managed to identify the accusedas bike registration number, tracked his address in Bengaluru, and launched a manhunt.

Police sources revealed that the accused was unemployed and appears to be a habitual offender.

A video showing two young women being targeted by a man in the early hours in a residential locality went viral on social media.

The 17-second video showed two women walking down a deserted street flanked by houses on both sides. A tall, well-built man approaches them from behind, pushes one of the women aside, sexually harasses the other, and then escapes. The video also captures the visibly shaken women standing briefly to catch their breath before quickly leaving the scene.

The incident occurred at around 2 a.m. on April 4 in the jurisdiction of the Sadduguntepalya police station. The video went viral on Sunday. Police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by a local resident and launched a search for the accused while collecting additional evidence.

Residents of the area expressed shock over the incident, stating that such occurrences were unprecedented in their locality. They added that with the rise in PG accommodations in the area, the police must intensify night patrolling to ensure safety.

Reacting to the rise in incidents of sexual assaults and harassment in Bengaluru during night hours, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara had stated that "such incidents happen here and there in a big city". The statement stirred a huge controversy. After the backlash, he expressed regrets over his remarks.
Patna, April 14 : With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Madhubani on April 24 to mark Panchayati Raj Day, preparations are underway to ensure a smooth and safe event. Along with heightened security, the district administration is laying special emphasis on medical arrangements in view of the rising temperatures in the region.

Acting on the directives of District Magistrate Arvind Kumar Verma, Civil Surgeon Dr Harendra Kumar is leading a comprehensive health preparedness drive. The initiative involves deploying doctors, health workers, and medical infrastructure to tackle potential heat-related issues.

A dedicated team of over 100 specialist doctors and health personnel has been formed to man 15 medical camps set up at key locations, including parking areas and event venues.

Each camp will be equipped with ambulances, essential medicines, vaccines, and modern medical equipment to handle cases of dehydration and heatstroke. The camps aim to provide quick response in the event of medical emergencies during the Prime Minister's program.

In a high-alert move, Sadar Hospital (Madhubani), Subdivision Hospital (Jhanjharpur), and Araria Sangram Trauma Centre have been readied with ICU and advanced care facilities. Additionally, three private hospitals in Madhubani and one in Darbhanga have been instructed to remain fully equipped and on standby.

To strengthen manpower, all doctors and health workers in Madhubani district have been directed to remain on duty, with leaves temporarily suspended until the event concludes. Teams from the district and state health departments are also conducting regular inspections to ensure readiness.

The April 24 event, commemorating Panchayati Raj Day, is expected to draw elected representatives from across the country. Alongside administrative efforts, medical preparedness underlines the governmentas focus on public safety during the high-profile visit.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders are camping at the venue to oversee preparations and mobilize support. State BJP president Dilip Jaiswal said that MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and party workers from 10 assembly constituencies have been tasked with organizing the event and ensuring its success.
New Delhi, April 14 : While blood sugar cases are significantly soaring worldwide, a lesser-known malnutrition-related form of diabetes -- designated as Type-5 diabetes -- is gaining global attention after decades.

Nearly 75 years after being first recorded, the condition that previously remained undefined was designated as Type- 5 diabetes at the recently held International Diabetes Federationas (IDF) World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.

The condition, occurring often in young and thin adults, was first reported in Jamaica in 1955, and then defined as J-type diabetes.

In the 1960s, the condition was reported in undernourished populations across India, Pakistan, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

While in 1985, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognised the condition as a distinct form of diabetes, it removed the designation in 1999 as there were no proper follow-up studies and supporting evidence.

What is Type-5 diabetes?

It is a malnutrition-related diabetes, typically affecting lean and malnourished teenagers and young adults in low- and middle-income countries.

Type 5 diabetes is estimated to affect 20-to-25 million people worldwide, mainly in Asia and Africa.

Earlier findings had suggested that malnutrition-related diabetes stemmed from insulin resistance.

However, insulin injections, as in Type 1 diabetes patients, will not benefit these patients. In some cases, it can cause dangerously low blood sugar.

It is because "people with this form of diabetes have a profound defect in the capacity to secrete insulin, which wasn't recognised before. This finding has revolutionised how we think about this condition and how we should treat it," said Meredith Hawkins, Professor of Medicine at the Global Diabetes Institute at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, US.

In a 2022 study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, Hawkins, and her colleagues at Christian Medical College in Vellore, demonstrated that malnutrition-related diabetes is fundamentally different from Type-2 diabetes, typically, caused by obesity, and Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease.

However, the expert noted that "doctors are still unsure how to treat these patients, who often don't live for more than a year after diagnosis".

To better understand the condition and develop treatments, the IDF has constituted a working group.

What will the working group do?

According to Hawkins, the condition has ahistorically been vastly under-diagnosed and poorly understood".

She said that "malnutrition-related diabetes is more common than tuberculosis and nearly as common as HIV/AIDS".

"The lack of an official name has hindered efforts to diagnose patients or find effective therapies," Hawkins said.

The working group has been tasked to develop formal diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for type 5 diabetes over the next two years.

It will define diagnostic criteria and develop guidelines for the management of the disease. It will also establish a global registry to facilitate research collaborations, and develop education modules to train healthcare professionals worldwide.
Chennai, April 14 : TVK president and popular actor Vijay paid floral tributes to Dr B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary on Monday.

The tribute took place at the Ambedkar statue in Pallavakkam, Chennai, where Vijay offered flowers and garlands as a mark of respect.

Vijay has consistently hailed Dr Ambedkar as one of the ideological pillars of his political movement. During TVK's first state-level conference last year, he described Ambedkar as a "guiding light" for the party.

It may be recalled that in his maiden public rally held on October 24, 2024, at Vikkaravandi in Villupuram district -- which drew a crowd of over three lakh people -- the stage was prominently decorated with images of iconic Tamil leaders and social reformers, including E.V. Ramasamy Periyar, Rani Velu Nachiyar, K. Kamaraj, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Since launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam on February 2, 2024, Vijay has positioned the party as a platform against corruption and divisive politics.

While he chose not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he has confirmed that TVK will actively contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Vijay's political journey has drawn significant attention for his vocal support of marginalised Dalit communities in the state, though some of his political statements have sparked debate over apparent contradictions.

His political influence has steadily grown. In the 2021 local body elections, his fan club -- All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (AITVMI) -- won 115 out of the 169 seats it contested. This performance surpassed other star-led outfits such as Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), both of which failed to win any seats.

Vijay has stated clearly that TVK will form alliances only with parties willing to accept his leadership, underscoring his ambition to emerge as a strong contender for the Chief Minister's post in the 2026 elections.

In a significant development, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has officially assumed responsibility for Vijay's security. This follows a decision by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in February to grant him 'Y' category security based on a threat perception report by central intelligence agencies. The security cover applies within Tamil Nadu and includes round-the-clock protection by Personal Security Officers (PSOs), an armed guard at his residence, and protection at other locations he visits.

The CRPF's VIP security wing has now taken charge of this assignment. Under the 'Y' category protocol, Vijay will be accompanied by a team of seven to eight armed CRPF personnel, including two commandos, along with two security vehicles and additional local police support when required.
Hisar, April 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress for changing the Waqf laws for "appeasement politics," claiming that if the Waqf Board had functioned according to its original purpose, Muslims in India would not have been forced to live in poverty, doing menial jobs like "fixing punctures."

He accused the Congress of altering the Waqf rules to benefit its vote bank at the cost of the Constitution and social justice.

Addressing a large gathering in Hisar, PM Modi said, "Congress made the Constitution a tool for gaining power. During the Emergency, the spirit of the Constitution was killed to retain power. The Constitution talks about a secular civil code, but Congress never implemented it."

He referred to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand as an example of constitutional commitment.

He also targeted Congress over its approach to reservations, stating,

Our Constitution proposed reservations for SC/ST and OBCs. However, Congress never cared to check if the benefits reached these communities. To play politics and for its appeasement politics, Congress murdered this dream of Baba Saheb and brought a law to give reservations on the basis of religion in government tenders. Even though Baba Saheb had mentioned that there should be no place for reservation on the basis of religion."

He cited the Congress-led Karnataka government's proposal to offer 8 per cent reservation to Muslims in government contracts as a case in point.

PM Modi accused the Congress of changing the Waqf law in 2013 for electoral gains, claiming the amendment was done in haste without regard to its constitutional implications.

"For vote bank politics, Congress changed the Waqf law and made it superior to the Constitution formed by Baba Saheb. This was the biggest insult to Baba Saheb," he said.

He questioned Congress' sincerity towards the Muslim community, asking, "They say they did that in favour of Muslims. I want to ask these vote-bank-hungry politicians- if they truly had empathy for Muslims, why doesn't Congress appoint a Muslim as party president? Why don't they give 50 per cent of their tickets to Muslims? They don't want to do that but want to give away 50 per cent of the country's rights."

PM Modi explained the original purpose of the Waqf Board, saying it was meant to uplift poor and marginalised Muslims, especially women.

"If it had been used as per its purpose, then today, my Muslim youth would not have had to spend their lives fixing punctures on bicycles. This only benefited land mafias and not the poor or Pashmanda Muslims," he said.

He noted that thousands of Muslim women had written to the central government, highlighting the misuse of Waqf properties, which led to the amendment of the law.

"According to the new Waqf law, land or property owned by any Adivasi cannot be appropriated by the Waqf Board. Poor and Pasmanda Muslims will receive their rights. This represents real social justice," he added.

PM Modi also accused Congress of disrespecting national icons by not conferring them with the highest civilian honour.

"Congress did not give Bharat Ratna to Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Chaudhary Charan Singh. Baba Saheb was accorded the Bharat Ratna when the NDA government was formed at the Centre. At the same time, we are proud that it was the BJP government which presented the Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh," he said.

These remarks came when PM Modi marked Ambedkar Jayanti by laying the foundation stone of the new terminal building at Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar, Haryana, and flagging off the inaugural flight to Ayodhya.

The launch of scheduled flights from Hisar - twice weekly to Ayodhya and thrice weekly to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh --represents a major boost to Haryana's aviation network.

The new terminal project, valued at over Rs 410 crore, will feature a modern passenger terminal, a dedicated cargo facility, and an air traffic control building.

During this, PM Modi paid homage to Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, calling it a "Diwali" for Dalits, the marginalised and backward communities.

He also said that before 2014, India had just 74 airports, however, since the last decade, the number has crossed the 150 mark highlighting significant strides in easing connectivity as compared to efforts made by the previous government.
Chennai, April 14 : Actor Silambarasan on Monday welcomed young music sensation Sai Abhyankkar onboard his 49th film that is to be directed by director Ramkumar Balakrishnan.

Taking to his X timeline to greet his fans on the happy occasion of the Tamil New Year's day, Silambarasan aka Simbu wrote,"     (Sweet Tamil New Year wishes)!Starting this new chapter with music and fresh energy. Welcoming @SaiAbhyankkar on board! #STR49"

Young Sai Abhyankkar has been roped in to score music for the much-awaited film, which is yet to be titled and which is tentatively being referred to as #STR49.

Sai Abhyankkar, who is just 20 years old, is turning out to be the next big sensation in music. The youngster shot to limelight after his independent single, 'Katchi Sera', went viral on social media. It did not take long for Tamil film directors to spot the young talent and soon, Sai had a list of big films that he was working on.

Already, he has been roped in to score music for Suriya's 45th film. He also has been signed to score music for Pradeep Ranganathan's next film with Mythri Movie Makers. More importantly, he will be composing music for Allu Arjun's upcoming magnum opus that is to be directed by Atlee, better known as AA22XA6. Now, he has been entrusted with the task of whipping up music for Simbu's upcoming film as well.

Well known production house Dawn Pictures is producing #STR49. It may be recalled that it was on February 3, which happens to be Simbu's birthday, this year that the makers officially announced the film.

The makers released a poster on the occasion which had Simbu folding his hands behind his back. In it, he is seen holding a text book that has the title Engineering Materials and Mettalurgy and inside it is a knife with blood on it.

The poster also released a caption that read 'The Most Wanted Student'.
New Delhi, April 14 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh has launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the recent violence in Murshidabad during protests against the Waqf law.

Drawing a controversial parallel with the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s, Singh questioned whether Bengal was heading down a similar path.

Speaking to IANS on Monday, Singh said, "The incident in Murshidabad is so horrifying that it surpasses even those in Bangladesh. And this is happening under the watch of the state government."

Condemning the violence and the alleged inaction by the administration, he further stated, "The state government is silent, the houses are being burnt. In a democracy, governments may belong to political parties, but the life and property of citizens must be protected."

In a strong critique of the West Bengal Chief Minister, Singh accused her of failing in her duty to protect citizens. "Mamata Banerjee is supposed to be a protector, she is not acting like one. The Murshidabad incident reminds us of Kashmir in 1990. Will Bengal become Kashmir? Will it turn into the Bangladesh of that time?" he told IANS.

He further alleged that the state government was complicit in an exodus of Hindus. "When the sailor sinks the boat, who will save it? This government, led by Mamata Banerjee, is forcing Hindus to flee," Singh claimed.

Meanwhile, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule also commented on the unrest criticising the Centre's handling of the Waqf Act. "We had requested the government not to pass the legislation in haste. There was no urgency. We wanted inclusive discussions. Just like the 'One Nation, One Election' joint committee, this too needed broader consultation," she said.

Murshidabad has witnessed heightened tensions in recent days amid protests against the Waqf Act, with allegations of violence and administrative lapses surfacing.
Mumbai, April 14 : India's hospitality sector demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in 2024, maintaining investment levels on par with the previous year with 42,071 new hotel keys, a report showed on Monday.

The year 2024 saw approximately 25 deals, primarily involving operational properties in both business and leisure destinations, according to JLL's latest analysis.

High-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private hotel owners led the charge, contributing 51 per cent of the transaction volume.

Listed hotel companies followed closely at 34 per cent, while owner-operators and real estate developers made smaller but significant contributions at 8 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.

According to the report, what's particularly noteworthy is the significant shift towards tier 2 and 3 cities, which accounted for nearly half of all hotel transactions.

This trend has effectively broadened the industry's reach, bringing quality accommodations to previously underserved markets such as Amritsar, Mathura, Bikaner, and several others.

"The first quarter of 2025 has ignited a dynamic hotel transactions market, with JLL already facilitating two deals in Chennai and Goa. Investor enthusiasm for both operational assets and land parcels underscore the sector's attractiveness, buoyed by favourable economic conditions, expanding commercial markets, and government's recent budget push for tourism," said Jaideep Dang, Managing Director, Hotels and Hospitality Group, India, JLL.

Following 2024's record-breaking year in hotel investments, openings, and signings, 2025 has commenced strongly and is further expected to maintain this momentum, Dang added.

The industry's growth is further evidenced by the impressive number of branded hotel signings, totalling 42,071 keys in 2024. Remarkably, 77 per cent of these signings were concentrated in tier 2 and 3 cities, underlining the sector's expansion beyond traditional urban centres.

Management contracts dominated these agreements, accounting for 81 per cent of the total keys signed, while franchises and lease/revenue share agreements across tiers stood at 14 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively.

The number of greenfield projects in 2024 (28,281 keys) crossed the full year of 2023 (13,600 keys), indicating the enduring confidence of hotel developers in the sector's long-term growth, said the report.
Seoul, April 14 : Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended himself during his first criminal trial on insurrection charges on Monday, saying his attempt to impose martial law in December did not amount to an insurrection.

Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in a black security vehicle and entered via the underground parking to avoid public exposure.

The first hearing got underway shortly before 10 a.m., with Yoon seated in the defendant's seat in a navy suit. Photography and filming by the Press were not allowed under a court order.

Yoon, a former top prosecutor, faces charges of leading an insurrection through his brief imposition of martial law on December 3 that saw the deployment of troops to the National Assembly in an alleged attempt to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

He was impeached by the National Assembly days later and removed from office on April 4 after the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld his impeachment.

"The indictment simply lists the details of the investigation into what happened during the several hours between 10:30 p.m. December 3 and 2 to 3 a.m.," Yoon said after the prosecution presented a summary of its charges.

"It goes against legal principles to build an insurrection case based on an indictment that looks like a printout of an incident that lasted only a few hours and was lifted immediately in a non-violent manner upon accepting the National Assembly's demand to lift it," he added.

The prosecution maintained, however, citing the former President's views of state affairs and his preparations in the run-up to the martial law declaration, that he intended to "start a riot" with the aim of "subverting the Constitution."

Insurrection is a crime that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison or death, Yonhap news agency reported.

Since his ouster, Yoon has moved out of the official presidential residence in Seoul's Hannam-dong and returned to his private residence located a 10-minute walk from the court.

Two military officers will be questioned as witnesses during Monday's hearing.
Seoul, April 14 : Two Air Force unit commanders of South Korea have been booked in relation to an unprecedented mistaken bombing on a civilian town last month, officials said on Monday, as the ministry released the interim probe results of the fighter jet accident.

On March 6, two KF-16 fighter jets dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometres north of Seoul, during live-fire drills, injuring 52 people, including 38 civilians, according to an estimate by city authorities.

The two pilots, who are alleged to have erroneously entered the target coordinates prior to the live-fire drills, have been booked on charges of professional negligence resulting in injury and damaging military facilities. The pilots have also been suspended from air duty for one year.

"The ministry plans to refer the two pilots and the unit commanders who have been booked to the military prosecution after the probe concludes and seek disciplinary action against nine officials who were found to have belatedly reported the case and taken insufficient measures," the ministry's criminal investigation command said in a release.

The nine officials include seven from the Air Force and two from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it added.

The ministry also plans to issue a warning against the Air Force's operations commander, holding him accountable for command responsibility and insufficient reporting.

The latest findings reaffirmed an interim probe result earlier released by the Air Force that pointed to pilot error, inadequate management and inspection procedures as key causes of the incident.

The pilots did not initially perceive their mistakes after entering wrong target coordinates in the joint mission planning system computer and unloaded the bombs without visually confirming them, according to the interim result.

The findings also showed the pilots did not conduct preparatory flights along the actual route of the live-fire drills, unlike the other pilots who took part in the March 6 drills, and perceived the mistaken bombing shortly after the incident.

A ministry official said the pilots continue to testify differently on whether the target coordinates were misread or misheard but said such a circumstance does not hinder holding both accountable, Yonhap news agency reported.

Regarding the two unit commanders who have been additionally booked over charges of professional negligence resulting in injury, the ministry said "substantial causality" was identified between their actions and the incident.

"Despite being obliged to confirm and inspect the readiness of pilots for training, they overlooked the risks of a live-fire drill and did not confirm the training plan," the ministry said.

The Air Force dismissed the Colonel-level Group Commander and a Lieutenant-Colonel-level Squadron Commander from their posts last month.
Ulan Bator, April 14 : Mongolia's National Centre for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) confirmed 11 new cases of measles infection, raising the national tally to 506.

More than half of the latest confirmed cases were among school-age children who have had only one shot of the measles vaccine, the NCCD said in a statement.

In this regard, the NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contact, Xinhua news agency reported.

Common complications include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and inflamed eyes.

According to the World Health Organisation, measles spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.

Measles can affect anyone but is most common in children.

Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body.

Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected. Unvaccinated young children and pregnant women are at highest risk of severe measles complications.

Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus.

Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.

An estimated 107,500 people died from measles in 2023 a" mostly children under the age of five years, despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine.

In 2023 as many as 74 per cent of children received both doses of the measles vaccine, and about 83 per cent of the world's children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday.

Two doses of the vaccine are recommended to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks, as not all children develop immunity from the first dose.
Mumbai, April 14 : Despite recent global market uncertainties, the Nifty index is likely to touch 25,521 in the next 12 months, according to report released on Monday.

In the short term, sectors focused on the Indian market -- such as hospitals, domestic pharma, retail, some FMCG companies, banks, defence, and power -- are likely to perform well, said financial services firm PL Capital in its report.

While the target is marginally lower than its earlier estimate of 25,689, the brokerage firm maintains confidence in India's long-term growth story and expects key sectors to provide resilience and support to the market.

PL Capital remains optimistic about the market's ability to absorb global shocks and continue its growth trajectory, supported by favourable policy measures and strong domestic fundamentals.

In a more bullish scenario, the index could rise to 27,590, while a more conservative outlook suggests a potential level of 24,831 -- showing that the market offers room for both caution and opportunity.

However, Nifty has seen a minor correction of 3.8 per cent so far in 2025, amid macroeconomic headwinds and global developments, including the ongoing US-China trade discussions.

However, the report underlines that India remains well-positioned due to strong policy support and emerging sectoral opportunities.

In the near term, the report expects sectors focused on the domestic economy to perform better.

"These include hospitals, domestic pharma, retail, select FMCG companies, banks, defence and power," the report said.

Sectors such as IT, cement, capital goods, and consumer businesses are also projected to maintain stable growth, while companies continue to adapt to changing dynamics.

"Volatility in commodity prices, particularly crude oil, may create short-term challenges for some sectors," the report mentioned.

However, recovery in cement demand, driven by rising construction activity and expected price improvements, is likely to support sectoral profitability.

On the global front, India is expected to conclude a trade agreement with the United States, which may include positive developments across sectors such as auto, consumer goods, defence, oil and gas, liquor and technology.

The report also sees scope for gains in textiles, apparel and electronics.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 14 : A month after a division bench of the Kerala High Court rejected the demand for a CBI probe into the death of Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, who was found hanging at his official residence on October 15, his wife on Monday filed a petition in the Supreme Court with the same demand.

In January a single bench of the High Court rejected her plea and in March the division bench also rejected her plea.

On both the occasions, Manjusha, Babuas wife, expressed her sadness in her plea being rejected. On March 3, when the High Court division bench also rejected it, she had said she would file a plea in the apex court as the entire family was unhappy with the ongoing Kerala Police probe.

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government, which had initially pledged support to Babuas family, opposed the demand for a CBI probe during court proceedings.

Naveen Babu, a reputed and upright officer, was found dead a day after his official farewell from Kannur.

The controversy began when P.P. Divya, Kannur District Panchayat President and a CPI(M) leader, attended Babuas farewell event uninvited and accused him of corruption.

The family alleged that Divyaas remarks were politically motivated and caused immense distress to Babu. Divya, who was later arrested and briefly jailed in connection with the case, resigned from her position amidst mounting criticism.

On both occasions, Manjusha's petition for a CBI probe cited irregularities in the investigation.

Her counsel argued that the inquest and post-mortem were conducted hastily, without the family's presence. Forceful ligature marks were found on Babuas neck, requiring scientific examination. Divyaas strong political connections might hinder a fair investigation by the state police, he said.

The Kerala government opposed the plea, asserting that the state police's ongoing investigation was impartial and based on evidence.

The governmentas counsel argued that the demand for a CBI probe relied on assumptions without substantial proof.

Divyaas corruption allegations against Babu stemmed from a delay in issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a petrol pump application by T.V. Prasanth, an electrician at the Kannur Medical College.

Notably, Prasanth was reportedly a colleague of Divyaas husband, raising suspicions about personal motives behind the accusations.

Amid the uproar following Babuas death, Divya went into hiding but was arrested on October 29 after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected.

She was released on bail on November 8. Meanwhile, on March 29, the police probing the case against Divya filed their charge sheet naming her as the lone accused.
Amaravati, April 14 : Andhra Pradesh Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday paid rich tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary.

The Governor said that Babasaheb was a distinguished politician and an eminent jurist and chief architect of India's Constitution.

"Dr. Ambedkar made immense contributions to the framing of the Indian Constitution and towards social justice and equality. Dr. Ambedkar's ideals continue to inspire generations to work towards building an inclusive and progressive society," the Governor said in his message.

Chief Minister Naidu took to social media platform 'X' to pay tributes to Dr Ambedkar.

He recalled the words of the late leader that "a nation will prosper only when it is always alert, educated, self-respecting and self-confident." "Inspired by that great man's words, let us all work with dedication to uphold the self-respect of the lower classes and instil self-confidence in them. Let us achieve the equal society that Ambedkar dreamt of," said the Chief Minister.

Naidu noted that as the Architect of the Indian Constitution, the first Law Minister of independent India, and a hero of the freedom struggle, Dr Ambedkar laid the foundations for the construction of modern Indian society.

"On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, let us remember the service of that great man to the nation. Let us all rededicate ourselves to the uplift of Dalits," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said in his statement that the state government is trying to carry forward the ideals of Dr Ambedkar.

He recalled that Dr Ambedkar drafted the Constitution which has given equal rights to citizens, irrespective of their caste, religion and gender.

The Jana Sena leader mentioned that Dr Ambedkar found that the causes for backwardness are social and not economic. With his own life experiences, wisdom given by higher education and the determination to build an equal society, he embarked on drafting the Constitution, the Deputy CM said.

The actor-politician noted that Dr Ambedkar's determination to build the self-esteem of backward classes, poor, weaker sections, SCs and STs through education and to provide them equal opportunities in development remained a guiding force for ruling classes.

Pawan Kalyan claimed that the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to passing on the legacy of Ambedkar.

He also stated that the Andhra government led by CM Naidu is giving priority to the uplift, welfare, and protection of SCs and STs.

Former chief minister and YSR Congress Party president, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also paid rich tributes to Dr Ambedkar.

"Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution, championed equality, uplift, and empowerment of the downtrodden. This is what we have tried to achieve in our regime and will always strive to ensure dignity and justice to the oppressed people of our state," said Jagan Mohan Reddy.

"Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains an enduring inspiration to humanity for generations to come. On his birth anniversary, we remember and pay rich tributes to his timeless legacy," Jagan Mohan Reddy added.
Islamabad, April 14 : A passenger train from Pakistan's economic hub Karachi to Balochistan's provincial capital Quetta was stopped at Jacobabad and refused entry into Balochistan province after threats of a targetted attack and hijacking prompted security concerns.

The Bolan Mail train carrying about 150 passengers was stopped in Sindh province's Jacobabad city, where passengers were offloaded and the train refused entry into Balochistan during early hours of Monday.

As per details, the passenger train departed from Karachi and reached Jacobabad post midnight. The train was stopped at the railway station where Pakistan Railway authorities were informed that further movement would not be allowed until security clearance was given. The train was carrying many government officials, security personnel along with their families.

Security sources stated that the intelligence agencies issued a threat alert of a planned hijacking attempt and attack on the train, similar to the Jaffar Express train hijacking that took place on March 11. This resulted in refusal to allow the train to enter into Balochistan and offloading of passengers in Jacobabad.

Majority of the passengers were moved to Sibbi, from where they used local transport services to return to Karachi.

Pakistan Railway authorities charged passengers the fare from Karachi to Jacobabad and refunded the extra amount that was charged for the journey till Quetta.

The sudden decision to offload passengers at Jacobabad left many passengers stranded at the railway station with no water or electricity. Reportedly, some children also fainted due to the scorching heat and non-availability of water at the station.

"The hours-long stoppage of the Quetta-bound Bolan Mail was due to security reasons as train operations were not allowed in Balochistan during night-time. The train was carrying about 150 passengers," said Pakistan Railway Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amir Ali Baloch.

"The train's onward journey was suspended, and passengers were sent to Quetta and other destinations via buses under strict security measures," he added.

Train routes to Balochistan have been suspended since March 11 when militants of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked and hijacked Jaffar Express passenger train at the Bolan pass in Balochistan, taking about 400 passengers as hostages. This resulted in a 48-hour standoff between the militants and the security forces. As many as 346 passengers were rescued, 21 lost their lives and 33 BLA militants were killed during the counteroffensive operation.
Chennai, April 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi extended warm wishes to the people of Tamil Nadu on the occasion of the Tamil New Year, marking the beginning of the month of Chithirai in the state.

In a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi greeted the people, saying, "May this New Year usher in prosperity, good health, and happiness. May everyone be blessed with good health."

Congress MP and LoP Rahul Gandhi also conveyed his greetings on the occasion. In his message on 'X', LoP Gandhi wrote, "May this New Year bring you harmony, prosperity, good health, and happiness."

The Tamil New Year was celebrated across the state on Monday with traditional fervour and gaiety. Devotees thronged temples across Tamil Nadu, including prominent shrines in Madurai and Tiruchirappalli, to offer prayers for a prosperous year ahead.

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi also extended his greetings, saying, "On the auspicious occasion of Tamil New Year, I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to all, especially my Tamil brothers and sisters across the world. This day is a celebration of our proud, ancient, and rich Tamil culture and heritage, vibrant present, and promising future."

He added, "May the New Year bring prosperity, good health, renewed energy, and abundant opportunities to all. May it further reinforce our collective resolve to build a developed Tamil Nadu for a Viksit Bharat 2047 in the Amrit Kaal."

Political leaders across the spectrum joined in the celebrations.

AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said, "Let us all achieve new goals, overcome challenges, and make Tamil Nadu flourish in this New Year."

Other leaders who extended their wishes included AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran, MDMK chief Vaiko, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, and expelled AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam.

IANS

aal/rad
Bhubaneswar, April 14 : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday extended heartfelt greetings to Odias across the globe on the occasion of Mahabishuba Sankranti and the traditional Odia New Year.

Calling upon the people to strive for a brighter future, Majhi urged all Odias to work with dedication to take the glory of Odisha to greater heights and build a progressive and prosperous state.

"I extend my warm wishes to all Odia brothers and sisters in Odisha and across the world on the occasion of the Odia New Year and Mahabishuba Sankranti. Let us take a pledge on this culturally significant day to elevate the pride of Odisha and contribute to its development," he said in a message.

The Chief Minister also appealed to the people to celebrate the day with traditional fervour and grandeur.

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambampati also greeted the people on the occasion. "The Hon'ble Governor, Shri @DrHariBabuK, has extended his warm greetings to all the people of the state on the occasion of the holy Mahabishuba Sankranti and Odia New Year, and prayed to Lord Jagannath for a bright and prosperous future for all," read a post on the official X handle of the Governor.

Leader of Opposition and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik also conveyed his wishes. "On the occasion of the Odia New Year and Pana Sankranti, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of Odisha," he said.

Mahabishuba Sankranti, also known as Pana Sankranti, is one of the most significant festivals in Odisha, marking the beginning of the Odia New Year. The day also signifies the implementation of the traditional Odia almanac, which is launched on Dola Purnima and comes into effect on this auspicious day.

The occasion also coincides with the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, celebrated with great devotion across the state. Special rituals were performed at the Srimandir in Puri and in various jagaghars (traditional martial arts schools) in the sacred coastal town.

Earlier in the day, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other national leaders also extended greetings to the people of Odisha on the occasion.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 14 : In a jolt for Kerala's Additional Director General of Police M.R. Ajithkumar, who is considered to be a favourite of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state police chief Sheikh Darvesh Saheb on Monday submitted a report recommending that a case can be registered against him for giving a false statement.

In the report to CM Vijayan, the state police chief said that both civil and criminal cases can be registered against Ajithkumar for his false statement against ADGP P. Vijayan.

Ajithkumar had alleged that his police colleague had links with the gold smuggling gang. Soon after this report surfaced, ADGP Vijayan filed a written complaint against Ajithkumar with the state police chief demanding a probe.

Darvesh Sahab himself commenced the probe and at the end, filed a report giving a clean chit to Vijayan and recommended action against Ajithkumar.

With a case being recommended to be registered against Ajithkumar, it remains to be seen if it will play spoilsport to his aspirations to become the next police chief when Darvesh Saheb retires on May 31.

Incidentally, two-time legislator P.V. Anvar, who won as a CPI-M supported independent legislator in January, resigned as a legislator after his complaint against Ajithkumar and demand for a probe was rejected by both the CPI-M state Secretary M.V.Govindan and also CM Vijayan.

Today, Anvar has now shifted loyalties and is with the Congress-led UDF and has pledged his support to the Congress candidate who will be fielded at the upcoming Nilambur assembly by-election.

Anvar also claimed that the state police chief's report will lie in the cold storage, as for CM Vijayan, Ajithkumar is his "third son" .

"If anyone thinks there will be action based on this report, those people, I will say, are living in a foolas paradise," he said.

Ajithkumar was in the news last year when it surfaced that on two occasions, he called upon top RSS leaders when they visited the state, and this became a big furor as this was raised by the Leader of Opposition.
Bengaluru, April 14 : The Karnataka government has ordered an enquiry into the police encounter of the accused in a minor girl's sexual assault and murder case reported from Hubballi.

The government has also stated that it will examine the involvement of migrant workers in crimes occurring across the state.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said, "A ghastly incident occurred in Hubballi city. A five-year-old girl was kidnapped and murdered by a man from Bihar."

"He was apprehended shortly afterwards. When the police took him to his residence, the accused suddenly attacked them, and in self-defence, the police opened fire. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries," HM Parameshwara stated.

"I have directed senior officers to investigate the matter. The facts will emerge after the probe," he added.

When questioned about the involvement of migrant workers in crimes within the state, HM Parameshwara responded, "Migrant labourers come to Karnataka in large numbers from all parts of the country. Bengaluru city is rapidly developing, and so is the state. We have observed their involvement in several criminal activities, and we definitely need to take note of this."

"It appears they do not understand the culture of the land and the people here, and end up indulging in such acts. In many cases, the role of outsiders is evident. I will speak with the Labour Department and officials concerned to see what measures can be taken," he said.

"We cannot prevent them from coming here, but we can implement certain measures. I will discuss this with the Labour Minister," HM Parameshwara stated.

"We will convene a joint meeting. In many places, construction workers are getting involved in crimes. We will hold a meeting and make a decision," he added in response to a question.

The Karnataka Police shot dead the accused involved in the kidnapping, alleged sexual assault and murder of a minor girl reported from Hubballi city on Sunday.

The accused has been identified as 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar from Patna in Bihar.

However, the police claimed that the identity of the accused is yet to be ascertained.

The Police Commissioner for Hubballi and Dharwad, N. Shashikumar, said: "The accused was shot at because he was facing charges of raping a five-year-old girl and the accused could not be allowed to escape. At the same time, the police had to protect themselves."

"The police used minimum force, and the accused was hit by one bullet. The police officers immediately shifted him to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries."

"We got a lead from the CCTV footage and local inputs, and the accused was taken into custody. During the investigation, the accused was questioned for three hours. He confessed to the crime but did not provide correct information regarding his identity," Shashikumar said.

"The accused claimed to be 35-year-old Ritesh Kumar from Patna, Bihar, and said he had been away from his house for four years. He had come to Hubballi three months ago," he added.

"He was taken to an abandoned house where he claimed to be residing, for inspection by the police. At that time, the accused suddenly attacked the police officers. He tried to pelt stones at the police vehicle and the cops and started to run," he said.

"At that juncture, Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Annapurna fired a warning shot in the air and asked the accused to stop. When the accused continued pelting stones, the woman police officer opened fire on him," Shashikumar added.

"One bullet hit him (the accused) in the leg, and another hit him in the back. After he collapsed, he was shifted to the hospital to save his life, but he succumbed to his injuries," he said.

"PSI Annapurna, our staff Yashwant, and Veeresh are injured," he added.

The shocking incident came to light on Sunday.

According to the police, the accused took the girl to a shed and attempted to assault her. When the girl screamed for help, locals rushed towards the spot.

Upon noticing the approaching people, the accused allegedly strangulated the girl and managed to escape.

N. Shashikumar earlier said that the girl's parents were from Koppal. Her father works as a painter, and her mother is employed as a house help.

He also said the mother had taken the victim with her to work. While she was working, the accused allegedly took the girl away.

Later, the girl's body was discovered in a shed.

It is yet to be determined if the girl was sexually assaulted, an official said, adding that a medical examination will ascertain the facts.

Meanwhile, the girl's parents staged a protest in front of the Ashokanagar police station, condemning the incident and demanding strict action against the accused.

Minister for Labour Santhosh Lad visited the hospital on Monday in Hubballi and also spoke to the parents of the girl.

"This incident had made civilised society bow its head. It's an inhuman act. The victim is a little baby. I couldn't even bear to see her body. The post mortem report will confirm whether she was sexually assault," he said.
Hisar/Yamunanagar, April 14 : Taking a dig at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused it of appeasement politics, challenged it to appoint a Muslim party President and criticised its opposition to the amended Waqf Act saying that the new provisions honours the sanctity of Waqf and also ensuried the rights of poor.

"If the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50 per cent of their tickets to Muslim candidates," said PM Modi at a public meeting in Hisar city, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature.

Highlighting the vast tracts of land under Waqf, meant to benefit the poor, destitute women and children, were instead exploited by a handful of land mafias, PM Modi said these mafias were encroaching on lands belonging to Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, leaving the Pasmanda Muslim community without any benefits.

He mentioned that amendments to the Waqf Act will put an end to such exploitation, emphasizing a significant new provision in the amended law, ensuring that tribal lands cannot be touched by Waqf boards.

He described this as a major step in protecting tribal interests.

The new provisions will honor the sanctity of Waqf, ensuring that the rights of poor and Pasmanda Muslim families, women, and children are upheld, he said in his public address after launching the first commercial flight from Hisar to Ayodhya and laying the foundation stone of terminal-2 building at the Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar that is expected to be completed within two years.

The airport terminal will be built at an estimated cost of over Rs 410 crore and is part of PM Modi's vision to make air travel safer, more affordable, and accessible to all.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, along with several state ministers, attended the event.

While addressing his second back-to-back rally after laying the foundation stone of the 800 MW thermal power plant unit and compressed biogas plant by pressing the button from the stage in Yamunanagar, PM Modi said, "There is a clear contrast between BJP-ruled states and those governed by the Congress. In Karnataka, the Congress government has imposed multiple taxes on the people, increasing their financial burden. Even their own ministers have admitted that Congress has made Karnataka number one in corruption."

In Telangana, he said, the Congress has already begun forgetting the promises they made to the public. "Their actions, such as bulldozing forest land and damaging the environment, show a complete disregard for nature."

Haryana currently produces 16,000 MW of electricity, and this is expected to increase to 24,000 MW. "On the one hand, we are investing in thermal power plants, and on the other, we are empowering people to become power generators themselves," PM Modi said.

"Through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, people can reduce their electricity bills to zero by installing solar panels. They can even sell the surplus electricity back to the grid. So far, over 1.25 crore households have registered under this scheme," he said.

Paying tribute to Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar and recalling his guiding mantras, PM Modi stated that Babasaheb had said the development of industries "is a path to social justice". He believed that since Dalits do not possess sufficient land, they would benefit from industrial development.

The PM said, "Babasaheb also worked closely with India's first Industry Minister, Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, in this regard. Even Chaudhary Sir Chhotu Ram stated that when farmers earn additional income through small industries, it leads to prosperity in villages. Similarly, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who dedicated his life to the upliftment of villages and farmers, believed that industrial development and agriculture should complement each other."

PM Modi said the BJP government in Haryana now procures 24 crops at minimum support price (MSP). "Farmers have also greatly benefited from the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, with claims worth over Rs 9,000 crore already disbursed under the scheme. Under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, more than Rs 6,500 crore has been directly transferred to the accounts of farmers in Haryana," he added.
Kabul, April 14 : Pakistan continues to expel Afghan families through the Torkham border crossing in eastern Nangarhar and the Spin Boldak border crossing in southern Kandahar province.

On Sunday, the Pakistani agencies expelled a total of 852 Afghan families with 4,567 members, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems said in a statement on Monday.

On Saturday, Pakistan had expelled a total of 6,500 Afghan refugees, the commission detailed.

At the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the commission provided temporary shelters, nourishment, water, medical care, and transportation services to their respective provinces for the returnees, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Pakistani government is set to deport three million Afghans to their home country in 2025.

Reportedly, about seven million Afghan refugees, most of whom are undocumented migrants, are currently living abroad, with most living in Afghanistan's neighbouring Pakistan and Iran.

The Afghan interim government has been repeatedly calling upon Afghan refugees to end living abroad as refugees and return home to contribute to the rebuilding of their war-torn homeland.

Forcibly deported Afghans stated that they were arrested by Pakistani police while at work and deported to Afghanistan, leaving behind their businesses and family members.

"I ran a small hotel business at the fruit market. The police raided me, detained me in Haji Camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for four nights, and now deported me via Torkham," and Afghan deportee Gul Mohammad was quoted as saying by Afghan media outlet TOLO News, last week.

"They arrested us while we were working. Whatever money we had, they took it. They brought us to the police station and treated us harshly. They don't see us as good neighbours," another deportee, Aqakhan, stated.

Pakistan's deportation policy has come under scrutiny, with several international organisations condemning the act. They have raised concern over the grave risks faced by the refugees upon their return amid uncertainties in Afghanistan.
New Delhi, April 14 : The global smartphone market grew 3 per cent (on-year) in the January-March period (Q1) this year, a report showed on Monday.

Smartphone sell-through grew 3 per cent YoY during the quarter, driven by growth in emerging markets and a subsidy-led demand boost in China, according to preliminary results from Counterpoint Research.

The market got off to a mixed start in 2025, where Q1 saw continued improvement in economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets. But mature markets like North America, Europe and China showed signs of fatigue after a recovery in 2024.

Sales in January were particularly strong, with a subsidy-led demand boost in China.

"The momentum continued with major launches like Samsung's S25 and iPhone 16e, but it turned quickly as economic uncertainties and trade war risks started mounting, especially towards the end of the quarter. We continue to analyse changes in policies and are currently projecting the market to decline YoY in 2025, despite growth in Q1," said senior research analyst Ankit Malhotra.

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dynamics continue to remain interesting. Helped by the iPhone 16e launch in a non-traditional quarter and continued growth and expansion in its non-core markets, Apple took the top spot in Q1 2025, despite the challenges faced in its biggest markets.

While sales in the US, Europe and China were either flat or declining, Apple recorded double-digit growth in Japan, India, Middle East and Africa, and Southeast Asia. Samsung followed Apple with 18 per cent market share, the report mentioned.

While it had a slow start due to the late launch of the S25 series, its sales showed a resurgence after the launch of the flagship S25 and new A-series devices. Samsung's sales grew by double-digits in March. The share of "Ultra" in the S25 series sales showed an increase.

Xiaomi, continuing its strong sales momentum, gained market share, helped not only by expansion into new markets but also by significant growth in the domestic market, where the brand is enjoying a bigger and more 'premium' brand presence thanks to its successful foray into electric vehicles, according to the report.

The fastest-growing top-five brand, vivo, gained a rank to take the fourth spot, thanks to its high exposure to the buoyant China market and expansion into emerging markets. OPPO came in at fifth, and saw sales growth in India, Latin America and Europe.

"The proliferation of new technologies like GenAI and foldables will continue, but OEMs need to carefully monitor demand going forward," said the report.
Ranchi, April 14 : Jharkhand Minority Welfare Minister and a leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Hafizul Hasan Ansari sparked a huge controversy when he said that Islamic law, Shariat, is above the Indian Constitution.

His remarks, made during a conversation with a local media channel, have ignited a political storm in the state.

Senior BJP leaders have strongly condemned his statement and are now calling for his removal from the Cabinet.

In the conversation, Ansari said, "Shariat is bigger for me. We keep the Quran in our hearts and the Constitution in our hands. Muslims walk with the Quran in their hearts and the Constitution in their hands. So, we will hold onto the Shariat first, then the Constitution. This is what my Islam teaches me."

Reacting sharply, Jharkhand BJP President, Babulal Marandi, took to social media, criticising Ansari's remarks.

"For Minister Hafizul Hasan, Shariat matters more than the Constitution, as he is clearly focussed on his 'goal' and loyal only to his community. During the elections, he sought votes from the poor, Dalits, and tribals, but now he is trying to advance an Islamic agenda," Marandi wrote.

Marandi further labelled the statement as "dangerous" and warned, "This radical thinking is becoming a threat to the cultural and tribal identity of the entire state, particularly in Santhal Pargana. When someone in a constitutional position promotes radical ideology, it poses a threat not only to the present but also to future generations."

The BJP leader also urged politicians from all parties to rise above political affiliations and address the issue. "Shariat contradicts the basic principles of the Constitution written by Babasaheb Ambedkar. If Rahul Gandhi and Hemant Soren truly believe in the Constitution, they must immediately remove Hafizul Hasan from the Cabinet," Marandi demanded.

Union Minister of State for Defence and Ranchi BJP MP, Sanjay Seth, also condemned Ansarias statement, calling it unfortunate.

aOn a day when the entire country is honouring Dr Ambedkar and the Constitution, a Jharkhand Minister who took oath on the Constitution is saying that Shariat is above it. This is a misfortune for our democracy. Shariat can never take precedence over the Constitution," Seth said.

Godda BJP MP, Nishikant Dubey, claimed that the Congress and its allies do not respect Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution.

Sharing the video of Ansarias statement on social media, Dubey wrote, "This is the Jharkhand government Minister Hafizul Ansari, who believes Shariat law -- essentially the Muslim Constitution -- comes before any other Constitution. The media wonat speak on this because this is what the INDIA alliance stands for."
Chennai, April 14 : Actor Soori on Monday announced that his eagerly-awaited upcoming film, 'Maamen', that is being directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj, will hit screens worldwide on May 16 this year.

Taking to his social media timelines to greet his fans and well-wishers a happy Tamil New Year, Soori wrote in Tamil,"Wish you all a sweet Tamil New Year. I pray to the Almighty that all of us are blessed with health and wealth. 'Maaman' will be releasing in your favourite theatres from May 16. #Maaman Directed by @p_santh. A @HeshamAWmusic Musical. Produced by @kumarkarupannan @larkstudios1_ #MaamanFromMay16"

The film has triggered huge interest among fans and film buffs.

It was recently in the news when actor Sivakarthikeyan chose to make a surprise visit to the sets of the film to meet actor Soori, who is a good friend of his.

Actor Jeyaprakash, who is also a part of the cast of action drama 'Maaman', had some months ago disclosed that actor Sivarkarthikeyan had paid a visit to the sets of the film even then.

Taking to his Instagram page, actor Jeyaprakash, who expressed happiness at being a part of 'Maaman', wrote, "#Maaman shoot in full swing in Trichy! Exciting to be part of this journey alongside @soorimuthuchamy, Rajkiran sir, and Aishwarya Lekshmi Solid cast, solid film in the making! Great catching up with @sivakarthikeyan when he dropped by to wish the team! #tamilcinema #movies #tamilmovie #actor #kollywood aishu__"

Meanwhile, sources close to the unit of Maaman say that the film will revolve around the relationship between a six year old boy and his maternal uncle (mother's brother). Shooting for the film predominantly took place in places around Trichy.

Apart from Soori, Jayaprakash, Rajkiran and Aishwarya Lekshmi, the film will also feature Bala Saravanan, Viji Chandrashekar, Baba Baskar, Nikhila Shankar and Master Prakeeth Shivan among others.

Expectations for the film are high for a number of reasons. Firstly, the film is being directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj, who is best known for having directed the popular hit series, 'Vilangu'. Next, Soori has again teamed up with producer K Kumar, the man who produced the actor's earlier superhit film 'Garudan' as well.

--IANS

Mkr/
Bengaluru, April 14 : Responding to criticism by the BJP against the Congress party's alleged "ill treatment" and "insult" to B. R. Ambedkar, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified on Monday that the first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru did not oppose the architect of the Constitution.

Bengaluru, April 14 (IANS) Responding to criticism by the BJP against the Congress party's alleged "ill treatment" and "insult" to B. R. Ambedkar, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified on Monday that the first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru did not oppose the architect of the Constitution.

"The BJP today opposes Jawaharlal Nehru, but Nehru never opposed Ambedkar. If he had, he would not have chosen him to draft the Constitution. When the Hindu Code Bill was introduced, Nehru supported it. Certain forces within the country prevented its implementation at that time, but Nehru tried to implement its provisions during his tenure," said the Chief Minister while addressing the inauguration of the birth anniversary celebration of the great humanist Babasaheb Ambedkar, held on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha.

The Chief Minister said that the very forces - Manuvadis - who opposed Ambedkar's Constitution and were responsible for Mahatama Gandhi's assassination are now trying to claim them as their own.

"A few days after the Constitution was implemented, 'The Organiser' magazine published articles opposing the Constitution. Today, they claim that the Congress defeated Ambedkar, but it was Savarkar and Communist leader S.A. Dange who were responsible for his electoral defeat, as Ambedkar himself had written in a letter," he said.

He added that only for political gain, the BJP is now trying to portray Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Ambedkar as their own.

"Let us not forget, Ambedkar had said, 'I was born a Hindu, but I will not die a Hindu'. He tried to reform Hinduism, but realising it was not possible, he embraced Buddhism, a religion of humanity and equality," said Siddaramaiah.

The Chief Minister claimed that the government is making efforts to follow the mantra of education, organisation, and struggle as advocated by B.R. Ambedkar, and will make a "sincere" attempt to build the kind of society he envisioned.

"Even before the Constitution came into effect, Ambedkar had warned that we were entering a society full of contradictions. Ambedkar had said that for the ideals of the Constitution to be fulfilled, inequality and untouchability must be eradicated. As long as the caste system exists, equality and the abolition of untouchability are impossible. Without Ambedkar, universal access to education would not have been possible," he said.

He said that ad the budget grows, allocations to SCSP/TSP must also increase, adding that the BJP government reduced them.

The Chief Minister also claimed that to realise Ambedkar's vision, the Congress government introduced guarantee schemes that increased the purchasing power of our people.

"It's not right that educated people are turning more casteist. The purpose of education is not to create casteist individuals. Muslims must not be deprived of education or opportunities. That's why, as per the Constitution, we are ensuring opportunities for all poor people across all castes and religions. But even for this, the Congress is being accused of appeasing Muslims," he said.

He further claimed that the Karnataka government under Congress is walking the path Ambedkar laid for building a pluralistic nation and a brotherhood-based society.

The Chief Minister also announced the establishment of a Constitution Chair at the University of Mysore, and a grand Ambedkar statue in Bengaluru, surpassing the model in Andhra Pradesh.
Brussels, April 14 : The Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) of Justice on Monday confirmed the arrest of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case in India, revealing that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for him already.

"The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on the Saturday 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," the FPS said.

"Please note that the prosecution services retain the right to refrain from comment in ongoing cases. Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage," it added.

The FPS acts like the Ministry of Justice and assists in preparation and implementation of legislation while supporting the Minister of Justice in the areas for which he is responsible. It also provides the guidance and operational support of the judiciary, with a focus on coordination and organisational development. It is responsible for the supervision of the adequate implementation of legal and administrative decisions, while guaranteeing legal certainty and equal treatment of all parties involved.

Choksi was apprehended by the police in Belgium at India's request for his extradition, sources said.

The 65-year-old was reportedly living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a 'residency card' there.

The businessman is likely to seek bail, citing ill health and other reasons.

Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore.

They allegedly used Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) by bribing officials of the bank's Brady House branch in Mumbai. The CBI has filed cases charging Choksi, his nephew Nirav Modi, their companies, bank staff, and others with conspiracy, cheating, and corruption.

Choksi and Nirav Modi fled India in January 2018, weeks before the scam in the PNB surfaced.

According to reports, Choksi has been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a citizen of Belgium. A citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, he reportedly left the Caribbean nation for medical treatment. In 2021, he went missing from Antigua but was later found on another island nation, Dominica.

Choksi is the founder of Gitanjali Gems.

Nirav Modi remains in a UK prison as he continues to contest extradition proceedings initiated by Indian authorities. He was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) in 2019, while the ED's plea against Mehul Choksi has been pending since 2018.

Sources said that Choksi's arrest was triggered after Indian agencies reactivated extradition requests when the Interpol Red Notice against him was removed.

The ED and CBI, despite the deletion, pursued a fresh request, which ultimately led to his arrest in Belgium.

Sources said that efforts are underway to bring him back to India as soon as possible. However, legal hurdles in Belgian courts can delay the process.
Mumbai, April 14 : Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan on Monday called upon citizens to strive towards fulfilling the dream of social transformation envisioned by Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Speaking at Chaityabhoomi on the occasion of Dr Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary, the Governor stressed the need to build a society based on social and economic equality.

"Dr Ambedkar is revered as the architect of the Indian Constitution, a great social reformer, and a patriot. His contributions to democracy, social justice, and gender equality continue to shape modern India," said Governor Radhakrishnan.

He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had identified the Constitution as his guiding light while taking the oath of office, reflecting Dr Ambedkar's enduring influence.

The Governor expressed confidence that the upcoming Ambedkar Memorial at Indu Mill would serve as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, also speaking at the event, underlined Dr Ambedkar's pivotal role in preserving national unity through the Constitution. "The India we know today stands on the strong foundation laid by Dr Ambedkar's Constitution. As we celebrate 75 years of this living document, we remember how he challenged social inequalities and enshrined the values of equality and fraternity in it," he said.

Fadnavis added that the Constitution empowered every Indian with equal rights and opportunities, instilling the confidence to dream and achieve. He described Dr Ambedkar as a visionary whose work helped shape the framework of modern India.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated that the Constitution is supreme for him. Dr Ambedkar's contributions -- whether in education, social justice, industrial development, or human rights -- have had a far-reaching impact. His vision extended to practical nation-building initiatives such as irrigation planning, a national power grid, and protection of labour rights," Fadnavis said.

The CM stressed that the truest tribute to Dr Ambedkar would be to uphold the values of equality, fraternity, and justice as enshrined in the Constitution. "Let us reaffirm our commitment to his ideals and continue to build the India he envisioned," he said.
Agartala, April 14 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said that the chief architect of the Constitution, B. R. Ambedkar's ideas received recognition much later than deserved, but the BJP government is committed to follow the path he showed, especially for the upliftment of the backward and poor.

Tripura, along with the rest of the country, paid homage to Ambedkar on his 134th birth anniversary on Monday.

With solemn tributes and calls to uphold his ideals, the Chief Minister remarked that the contributions of the architect of the Constitution were acknowledged much later than he deserved.

"Our government is committed to pursue the path shown by Ambedkar, especially for the upliftment of the backward and poor," claimed Saha while speaking at the main event held at Ujjayanta Palace.

The Chief Minister lauded Ambedkar's journey, who, from a poor, socially marginalised background, became one of the most respected figures in Indian history, as a symbol of hope and determination for future generations.

He recalled that Ambedkar, despite facing severe discrimination, played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution and served as the first Law Minister of Independent India.

"Yet, it was only in 1990 that he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna," he said.

Reaffirming his government's commitment to Ambedkar's vision, the Chief Minister highlighted various welfare schemes being implemented in Tripura, such as free education, scholarships, stipends, hostel accommodations, and other initiatives aimed at empowering the poor and marginalised students and youths.

He also pointed to the bronze statue of Ambedkar installed in front of the state Assembly in December last year under the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' initiative.

Addressing the function, Scheduled Caste Welfare and Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das, praised Ambedkar's tireless efforts for social justice and equality.

Das further accused the Congress and Left parties of "misusing Ambedkar's legacy for political gains."

The Minister questioned their opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act passed by the Modi government, calling it a case of political appeasement under the pretext of constitutional protection.

"The Constitution clearly speaks about the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), but when the Modi government takes a step forward, these parties protest under the guise of defending the Constitution," he said.

He also raised strong objections to recent incidents in West Bengal, questioning whether such protests, with the national flag being disrespected and individuals carrying Palestinian flags.

Coming down heavily on the opposition parties, Das said that the parties claiming to be protectors of the Constitution often ignore the fundamental duties it prescribes for every citizen.

--IANS

sc/dan
Islamabad, April 14 : As Islamabad activates diplomatic channels to investigate the brutal murder of eight Pakistani nationals in Iran's Mehrestan, families of the victims from Punjab Bahawalpur have called on the government to ensure immediate repatriation of bodies of their loved ones.

The eight Pakistanis were brutally killed by gunmen in Mehrestan, about 230 kilometres from Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. The hands and legs of the victims were tied, highlighting that the case was of targeted killing. The Baloch separatist group Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) claimed responsibility for the attack, indicating that the Pakistanis were killed as they belonged to the Punjab province.

All victims used to work as car mechanics at a workshop and were from the same family. The family members say they are in a state of trauma and want to see the return of bodies of their loves ones at the earliest.

"We want their bodies to be returned immediately so that we can bury them and mourn their tragic deaths," said widow of Khalid, one of the victims from the family of Ahmedpur East's Mehrab Wala area in Bahawalpur district.

As per available details, all eight victims had gone to Iran illegally about seven years ago.

"Marriage of Naeem (one of the victims) was scheduled to take place in a few days. We want our government to contact Iranian authorities and bring back their bodies immediately," said one of the relatives.

Pakistan government has called for full cooperation from the Iranian authorities in investigating and bringing to justice those responsible for the brutal murder of Pakistani nationals in Iran.

"On the Instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, our Embassy in Tehran and our Consulate in Zahidan are in constant touch with the Iranian authorities for a comprehensive investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice as well as for prompt repatriation of the victims' remains to Pakistan," read a statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the inhumane and cowardly killing of its nationals in Iran. We hope for Iranian side's full cooperation in investigation the matter and in timely repatriation of victims' remains," the statement added.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also expressed serious concerns over the killings.

The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad called for a joint effort to fight terrorism as Tehran condemned what it termed as inhumane and cowardly armed attack.

"Combating this ominous phenomenon requires collective and joint efforts by all countries to eradiate all forms of terrorism and extremism that have claimed lives of thousands throughout the region," read a statement issued by the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad.
New Delhi, April 14 : Amid growing opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the INDIA Bloc, accusing Trinamool Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Congress of "disrespecting" the Constitution and keeping it in "their pockets".

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Amid growing opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the INDIA Bloc, accusing Trinamool Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Congress of "disrespecting" the Constitution and keeping it in "their pockets".

Reacting to statements from leaders of Karnataka and Jharkhand opposing the implementation of the newly passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, Trivedi said: "The kind of absurd statements being made in recent days against this law, which has followed all constitutional procedures, is deeply concerning. If Karnataka ministers say they will not allow its implementation, and Jharkhand ministers claim Sharia is above the Constitution, it opens the eyes of the Indian public. If such things continue, then the Constitution itself is in danger."

He further emphasised that under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, the roles of the Central, state, and district governments are clearly defined.

"No district panchayat can oppose a state law, and no state government can go against laws passed by the Centre. Their statements show that they keep the Constitution in their pockets, while the BJP and NDA keep it in our hearts. This is a fight between those who misuse the Constitution and those who uphold it," he claimed.

Trivedi also accused the Opposition of undermining the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar.

"They are insulting Ambedkar and trying to dismantle the revolutionary changes brought by the 73rd and 74th amendments, passed during their own tenure. On Ambedkar Jayanti, they are glorifying Sharia over the Constitution. But for the BJP and NDA, Ambedkar's Constitution is supreme," he claimed.

Commenting on Congress MP Imran Masood's statement that his party would "fix" the Waqf Act within an hour if brought to power, Trivedi said: "Everyone knows who was behind Ambedkar's election defeat. He lost his first election by 14,000 votes, and 78,000 votes were declared invalid. He even filed a complaint about this in April 1952. It was the Congress and Communist Party that did this. Now, Imran Masood says they can amend the Constitution in an hour. Is that even possible? It takes debate, procedure, and approval - not instant decisions. If you say it can happen in an hour, that shows how your government would function. It's a mockery of the Constitution and an insult to Ambedkar."

Trivedi further criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, questioning her leadership and warning of the consequences of not following central laws.

"Mamata Banerjee must ask herself - if a district government refused to follow her state's laws, would she accept it? Then how can a state defy a central law? Her party is in the hands of extremists, and her statement is dangerous for the country. She cannot simply go against a law passed by the Parliament," he said.

Meanwhile, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 officially came into effect on April 8, after receiving presidential assent on April 5. The BJP-led NDA government has defended the law as a step toward enhancing transparency and empowering marginalised sections within the Muslim community, especially women.

However, several Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), along with opposition parties, have voiced strong objections. Many have petitioned the Supreme Court, labelling the Act discriminatory and unconstitutional.

In the wake of the law's implementation, protests have intensified in various parts of the country.

In West Bengal's Murshidabad district, violent demonstrations broke out against the Waqf Act, resulting in three fatalities and over 200 arrests.

The Calcutta High Court responded by directing the immediate deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to restore order.
New Delhi, April 14 : Imbalance in the digestive system may disrupt brain signals and influence behavioural symptoms in children with autism, according to a study on Monday.

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) demonstrated that gut metabolites impact the brain, and the brain, in turn, affects behaviour.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, adds to a growing body of science implicating the "gut-brain" axis in autism.

"The brain acts as the intermediary between gut health and autism-related behaviours," said first author Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, Professor at the Brain and Creativity Institute at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.

"Previous studies highlighted differences in gut microbiomes and brain structures in autism, but our research connects the dots," she added.

For the study, the team collected behavioural data, brain imaging data, and stool samples from 43 children with autism and 41 neurotypical children aged 8-17. From the stool samples, they analysed metabolites produced by gut bacteria that break down food in the digestive system.

The researchers then correlated these metabolites with brain differences observed in children with autism and their behavioural characteristics. They focussed on the "tryptophan pathway" by which tryptophan -- an amino acid found in many foods -- is broken down into several metabolites, including serotonin.

Serotonin is crucial for emotional processing, social interaction, learning, and other brain functions. Since much of the body's serotonin originates in the gut microbiome, changes in gut health can influence serotonin production, said the researchers.

"We know that children with autism have brain differences -- certain parts of their brain are either less active or more active compared to typically developing children," Aziz-Zadeh said.

"We also know they often experience gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, stomach pain, and other digestive problems. Additionally, autism is associated with various symptoms, including repetitive behaviours and social difficulties."

The study may lead to the development of interventions that might target the gut and influence neural activity and behaviour.
Seoul, April 14 : Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun could visit the United States as early as next week for negotiations with Washington over its reciprocal tariffs, a government official here said on Monday.

Ahn's expected trip comes as Seoul seeks an exemption from the U.S.' global tariffs, including a 25 percent duty on South Korea, which the Trump administration put on hold last week for 90 days except for China, reports Yonhap news agency.

"Depending on how the schedule is coordinated, the timing could be somewhat adjusted," a government official told Yonhap News Agency. "A trip to the U.S. could happen as early as next week."

Earlier on Monday, acting President Han Duck-soo said the government would organize a negotiating team centred around Ahn to push for negotiations with U.S. officials at an early date.

Ahn visited the U.S. in February and March, and met key officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, for talks on industrial cooperation, such as in the shipbuilding sector.

Ahn's forthcoming trip is expected to focus on requesting U.S. officials to ease or exempt South Korea from the reciprocal tariffs, and explain Seoul's efforts to resolve non-tariff barriers that Washington takes issue with.

Meanwhile, Acting President Han Duck-soo said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump "apparently" instructed his administration to conduct immediate tariff negotiations with South Korea, Japan and India. Han made the remark during a meeting with government officials and large business executives, referring to Trump's actions after they held a phone call last week.

"We discussed what we are going to do regarding the implementation of the U.S.' reciprocal tariffs and which subjects South Korea and the U.S. will hold negotiations on," the acting president said.

"President Trump was very satisfied and apparently gave instructions (to his aides) to hold immediate negotiations with South Korea, Japan and India," he added.

The basis for Han's remark was not clear, but the same day that Han and Trump spoke by phone Tuesday, Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, told Fox News that Trump "obviously prioritises two of our closest allies and trading partners, Japan and Korea," in tariff negotiations.
Chennai, April 14 : 'Odela' franchise creator Sampath Nandi has now disclosed that actress Tamannaah Bhatia, who plays the lead role of a Naga Sadhu in the second instalment of the popular franchise, actually walked barefoot and turned a complete vegetarian while shooting for the film.

Tamannaah, who has never played a Naga Sadhu before in her career, looks impressive in the trailer of the 'Odela 2', a devotional thriller, and fans and film buffs are raving about how realistic her character appears.

Ask Sampath Nandi how they arrived at her look in the film that has been directed by Ashok Teja, and the creator of the franchise says,"Tamannaah plays a Naga sadhu, a character with mysterious energy. First we tried three looks. Tamannaah is very fair and Naga saints are generally known to be in the sun. Therefore, their skin is tanned and their skin tone is different. No matter how many makeups we tried for Tamannaah, it was hard to get a realistic feel.

"There are foreigners among Naga saints too and Tamannaah's skin turns pink when she is in the sun. We thought we would arrive at her look without any makeup. I told this to designer Neeta Lulla and sent all the costumes that I had taken as references. She made a couple of designs. Finally, we got the look you see now. It took a lot of time to prepare this look. We took a lot of care for the look," said Sampath Nandi, who also disclosed that

Tamannaah acted barefoot in the sun for this film.

"She became a complete vegetarian. I think Tamannaah garu was able to do such a character because she was on a transitional journey. She performed this character effortlessly," Sampath Nandi added.

The creator of the series also disclosed that he was very happy with the VFX that had been delivered in the film. "This movie has the quality of graphics found in Indian superstar movies. Around 150 VFX experts have been working on this movie for the last six months," he disclosed.

The film has triggered huge expectations as this is the second instalment from the 'Odela' franchise, the first instalment of which was titled 'Odela Railway Station'. Produced by D Madhu under the direction of Ashok Teja, the film has music by Ajaneesh Loknath and cinematography by Soundar Rajan. Art direction for the film is by Rajeev Nair.

'Odela 2' is all set to hit screens from April 17.

--IANS

Mkr/
New Delhi, April 14 : Over the past decade, India has undergone a transformation that has reshaped its global standing from a developing nation with potential to a powerhouse pushing boundaries across defence, space, and technology.

The Narendra Modi governmentas relentless focus on self-reliance, innovation, and technological advancement, through initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, has propelled the nation into the elite echelons of cutting-edge technology and capabilities.

Indiaas defence sector has witnessed a paradigm shift, with the nation joining elite clubs through cutting-edge technologies. These milestones, driven by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and supported by the Modi governmentas focus on self-reliance, underscore Indiaas readiness for modern warfare.

In a historic breakthrough, India recently successfully conducted trials of a laser-based directed energy weapon system capable of disabling fixed-wing and swarm drones. With this, it has entered an elite group of only four nations, alongside the United States, Russia, and China, that possess such advanced capability.

Also in 2025, India joined the elite club of nations testing an Active Cooled Scramjet for hypersonic missiles. The indigenous development of endothermic scramjet fuel, the first time in India, jointly by the DRDL and industry is central to this breakthrough.

Similarly, in a very significant development, the DRDO, in November 2024, test-fired the countryas first long-range hypersonic missile that can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. The missile is manoeuvrable and flies over five times the speed of sound. This achievement has put India in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies.

In 2024, India joined the elite club of nations with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. The successful Agni-V test with MIRV technology enhances India's ability and power to deploy multiple nuclear warheads on a single missile, striking different targets.

Earlier, in 2023, India conducted a maiden flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile. The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralise a hostile ballistic missile threat, thereby elevating the country into the elite club of nations having a naval ballistic missile defence (BMD) capability.

Also in 2023, India joined the elite club of nations with successful flight test of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The successful flying demonstration of this autonomous stealth UAV is a testimony to maturity in the technology readiness levels in the country.

Prior to this, in 2019, through Mission Shakti, India successfully tested an anti-satellite missile, destroying a live satellite in low Earth orbit. This feat placed India alongside the United States, Russia, and China as one of the few nations with demonstrated ASAT capabilities. This strategic achievement underscored Indiaas ability to safeguard its space assets in an increasingly contested domain.

Likewise, Indiaas space program, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has captivated the world with record-breaking missions and pioneering technologies. The Modi governmentas increased funding and reforms have propelled India into the elite ranks of spacefaring nations.

Recently, India successfully joined the elite group of four nations demonstrating satellite docking and undocking technology, thanks to ISRO's SpaDEx mission. The undocking process succeeded on the first attempt after over 120 simulations, showcasing India's advanced technological capabilities in space exploration.

In 2023, ISRO created history by being the first country to land on the Moonas South Pole. India has reached the South Pole of the Moon, where no country in the world has reached to date. This made India the fourth country in history to soft-land on the moon after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.

In 2022, India became the sixth country in the world to have cryogenic engine manufacturing capabilities. India inaugurated its highly ambitious Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF), which will cater to the entire rocket manufacturing and assembly under one roof for the ISRO.

In 2017, India became the first nation in the world to have launched over a hundred satellites in one mission. The ISRO continued to surprise the developed world with its out-of-the-box space missions that earned itself a distinct position among the space-faring nations. The countryas workhorse PSLV in its 39th flight (PSLV-C37), elegantly blazed through the blue skies and successfully deployed 104 satellites into the designated orbit, setting a new world record.

Indiaas ambitions also extend to emerging domains, positioning it as a competitor among global tech leaders.

With the announcement of Semicon India, the nation has entered the race to become a semiconductor hub, with investments from global tech giants and partnerships that place India among few nations seriously competing in chip manufacturing.

Similarly, by creating the National Mission for Quantum Technology and Applications (NMQTA) in 2020, India formally entered the race for quantum computing to keep up with China and the United States. With over Rs 6,000 crore allocated to the initiative, the Modi government is aggressively backing next-gen tech to build future-ready capabilities.
Chennai, April 14 : The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is set to conduct the second annual synchronised survey of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, from April 24 to 27.

This yearas effort will span 176 blocks across 14 forest divisions known to host Tahr populations a" up from 140 blocks last year.

Notably, the historic Kodaikanal division, home to the iconic Ibex Hills, is among the 36 newly-included areas.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Forest Department has expressed interest in joining the effort.

Tamil Nadu had requested Kerala to survey 30 blocks adjacent to the inter-state border, but Kerala officials indicated that Nilgiri Tahr presence in many of those areas is unlikely.

As a result, Kerala may expand its survey from three to approximately 9a"10 blocks this year.

Timed to coincide with the post-birthing season, the survey aims to monitor mothers and their December-January born offspring. This timing is expected to offer valuable insights into population trends and reproductive health.

The Forest Department will employ scientifically robust methodologies such as the Bounded Count and Double Observer techniques, adapted to both fragmented and continuous habitats a" particularly near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.

Beyond population estimation, the survey will also include threat assessments, carnivore faecal sampling for parasitic studies, and extensive field observations.

To ensure precision in data collection, specially designed data sheets will be used. Field personnel will undergo intensive training between April 15 and 20.

The effort will be supported by experts from IUCN-India, the Wildlife Institute of India, and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

The survey will cover 2,000 km of terrain and 233 sq km of habitat, stretching from Ashambu Mottai in Kanniyakumari to Thavalamalai in Gudalur.

The inaugural survey in 2024 estimated Tamil Naduas Nilgiri Tahr population at 1,031. When combined with Keralaas Eravikulam National Park count of 827, the total stood at 1,858.

Encouragingly, the survey recorded a healthy male-to-female ratio of 1:2 and a female-to-young ratio of 2:1, indicating strong reproductive health.

However, conservationists remain concerned about local extinctions reported in eight historical habitats such as Budha Gundu and Glenmorgan.

Launched in October 2023 by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Project Nilgiri Tahr aims to counter these trends through synchronised surveys, grassland restoration, and removal of invasive species.

In a positive development, a new Nilgiri Tahr habitat was discovered in Pasumalai, located in the Megamalai Forest Division, in November 2024.

Five Tahrs were sighted in the area, underscoring the speciesa adaptability and the importance of protecting emerging habitats.

a"IANS

aal/rad
Srinagar, April 14 : Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and President of the ruling National Conference (NC), Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his friendship with the rulers of Saudi Arabia to get the private Hajj quota restored.

The government of Saudi Arabia has slashed India's private Hajj quota by 80 per cent.

Each year, many Muslims belonging to well-to-do families undertake the Hajj pilgrimage using the services of private tour and travel operators.

These tour and travel operators get a quota of pilgrims every year that they can send to Saudi Arabia over and above the Hajj quota allotted to India officially by the Saudi government.

Each year, hundreds of pilgrims use the services of private tour and travel operators to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is the holiest journey a Muslim can ever undertake in life.

Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Monday, "I appeal to the Prime Minister to use his personal influence on the Saudi rulers to restore the private Hajj quota. We (India) have very good relations with Saudi Arabia.

"The Prime Minister is a friend of the Saudi rulers. If they cannot increase the private Hajj quota, let them restore what we already had. It has implications on jobs of many people.

"And over and above everything else, Hajj is the lifelong desire of a Muslim. A Muslim saves all his life to afford the Hajj pilgrimage. It is one of the basic duties of a devout Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

"I will also tell Omar (Chief Minister) to write a letter to the Prime Minister to use his influence to get the private Hajj quota restored."

On Sunday, former Chief Minister and President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti also expressed concern at the development.

"Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80 per cent of India's private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country.

"Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution", she said on social media platform X.
Islamabad, April 14 : Thousands of Pakistani pilgrims will be unable to perform Haj this year, primarily due to delays in agreements and payments, despite Saudi Arabia allotting an additional quota of 10,000 people from the country.

The issue is being attributed to the failure of the private quota even as the Haj organisers point the rejection to late bookings and payments.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken note of the issue and ordered an immediate inquiry into the failure of the private quota by forming a three-member committee which will submit its report within three days. The premier also inquired why the government missed Saudi deadlines.

Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan 179,210 Haj slots, evenly divided between government and private schemes. However, only 14,000 private applications were successful, leaving thousands unable to complete their spiritual journey this year.

The organisers, meanwhile, stated that they had secured 67,000 pilgrims and had also released 7 million Saudi Riyal (SAR) to Saudi Arabia, adding that delays in finalising the agreements resulted in rejection of applications by the Saudi authorities.

Islamabad took note of the issue and requested Saudi authorities for additional slots, a request which was considered with approval of another 10,000 slots. But, the additional quota was still insufficient in accommodating the high demand, leaving at least 67,000 pilgrims short of spots.

Haj organisers have called on Prime Minister Sharif to intervene into the issue to prevent further disruptions, insisting that there is a need for improved coordination with the Saudi authorities to secure quotas in time.
Seoul, April 14 : South Korea and China plan to hold working-level talks on maritime issues later this month, diplomatic sources said Monday, as Seoul seeks to reinforce calls for stability following a recent standoff with Beijing in overlapping waters.

The two countries are fine-tuning the details to hold the Director General-level dialogue in Seoul, headed by their foreign ministries, sources said.

The talks, if realised, would come after the brief standoff between the two neighbours in the Yellow Sea in February, when Chinese authorities blocked the South Korean Coast Guard's attempt to approach a steel structure built by China in the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) near South Korea's southwest coast.

Seoul sent a research ship to investigate the structure China installed without authorization. China claimed that the structure was a commercial aquafarm and that Seoul had no right to investigate.

The PMZ is an area where the Exclusive Economic Zones of South Korea and China overlap. The two sides have reached an agreement to allow their fishing vessels to operate there and jointly manage marine resources, while prohibiting any activities beyond navigation and fishing.

Despite the agreement, China has installed several large steel structures in the zone, raising concerns over potential territorial disputes, Yonhap news agency reported.

Should the talks take place, South Korea is expected to highlight its position that no Chinese activities in the overlapping waters should affect its "legitimate and lawful" maritime rights.

China has faced pushback from South Korea after it was discovered that Beijing had installed two structures in the area in 2018 and 2024, before a third one was found earlier this year. The installations have prompted Seoul to address the issue more assertively.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul raised the issue during his bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tokyo last month. Wang called for continued communication based on mutual respect for maritime rights.

Seoul and Beijing launched the maritime dialogue in December 2019 as a bilateral channel for broad discussions on related issues. Their previous talks took place in April and June of 2021.
Kolkata, April 14 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) should ensure that the West Bengal Assembly poll next year is conducted next year under the President's Rule so that each and every voter can cast their votes without any fear, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said on Monday.

"There are several constituencies in the state where the Hindu population is less than 50 per cent, Unless the elections are conducted under the President's Rule, the Hindu voters will not be able to cast their votes there," Adhikari said while interacting with the mediapersons outside the Assembly.

He also said that his demand should not be misinterpreted.

"I am asking for elections under the President's Rule so that every voter, irrespective of caste and religion, can cast their votes freely and without any kind of fear. At the same time, the ECI should ensure the safety of the voters in the state for at least three months after the elections are over," Adhikari said.

Speaking on the occasion, he also said that around Rs 100 crore worth of property has been destroyed in the recent violence in Murshidabad district, reportedly in the name of the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

"Most of these properties were owned by the Hindus. We have prepared a list of those responsible for such vandalism. The list will be placed at the right place at the right time," the leader of the opposition said.

He also said that the vandalism in Murshidabad had a lot of similarities with what happened in neighbouring Bangladesh in the recent past.

"The central armed police forces have already been deployed there. So we hope that there will be no more tension there. But at the same time I also demand a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the matter," Adhikari said.

Speaking on the occasion, the leader of the opposition also launched a scathing attack against the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leadership for their role in the Murshidabad violence.

"CPI-M is acting like the B-team of Trinamool Congress in the matter. Their leader has asked for my arrest. When it comes to the issue of Palestine, the CPI-M always becomes vocal. But when it comes to attacks on the Hindus in West Bengal, they become silent," the leader of the opposition said.
Cook Islands Confucius Classroom celebrates int'l Chinese Language Day

Xinhua) 11:22, April 14, 2025

WELLINGTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Classroom at the University of the South Pacific's Cook Islands campus has marked International Chinese Language Day with a vibrant celebration featuring traditional crafts, music, and cuisine.

The event offered an immersive cultural experience that highlighted the richness of the Chinese language and its cultural heritage through calligraphy, opera, and musical performances, organizers said Friday.

The celebration began with a traditional prayer in the Cook Islands Maori language, honoring local customs. Participants then joined Chinese teachers in creating "Calligraphy Lacquer Fans."

Starting with elegant Chinese characters such as "Blessing," "Benevolence and Harmony," "Peace and Happiness," and "Peace is Blessing," guests practiced calligraphy on white paper fans before painting them with vibrant lacquer.

The hands-on experience was followed by a captivating musical segment, which included performances of ancient Chinese songs and selections inspired by Peking Opera.

Culinary culture also took center stage. A highlight for many was the Chinese stewed noodles, handmade on site by Chinese teacher Zhao Shuang, alongside hot pot dishes that delighted attendees.

"I'm so happy to taste your hometown specialty noodles. They're so unique and delicious," one student told Zhao.

Tutal Vakalalabure, a foreign service officer at the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, praised the event, saying it "gave us a sense of the true vitality of language and culture."

More than 20 students and their families from the Confucius Classroom took part in the celebration, held in recognition of United Nations Chinese Language Day, which is observed annually on April 20.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Stanlow : , April 14 (IANS) Essar Energy Transition's EET Fuels (the trading name of Essar Oil (UK), the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Prashant Janaswamy as Chief Information Officer.

Stanlow (UK), April 14 (IANS) Essar Energy Transition's EET Fuels (the trading name of Essar Oil (UK), the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Prashant Janaswamy as Chief Information Officer.

Prashant will lead the development and implementation of EET Fuels' digital transformation strategy, with the goal of modernising the company's technology infrastructure and enhancing data-driven decision-making.

He brings over 25 years of global experience across the UK, USA, India, and the Middle East, having held senior roles such as CIO, CTO, and Chief Data and Automation Officer at leading companies in the energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing sectors.

His expertise includes digital transformation, technology modernisation, and data-driven decision-making.

Key achievements in Prashant's career include pioneering AI-powered operational systems, developing ERP strategies, and enhancing infrastructure.

Deepak Maheshwari, CEO, EET Fuels, said: "Prashant's appointment demonstrates our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive our business forward. His extensive experience and innovative approach will be invaluable as we continue to advance our digital transformation initiatives."

Prashant Janaswamy, Chief Information Officer, EET Fuels, said: "I am excited to join EET Fuels and contribute to the Company's digital future. The Company's commitment to innovation and technology modernisation aligns perfectly with my passion for driving growth and efficiency through digital transformation. I look forward to working with the team to achieve our goals."
Thiruvananthapuram, April 14 : Suspended IAS officer N. Prasanth appears determined to stay defiant, even as his actions challenge the conduct rules governing civil servants.

On Monday, Prasanth took to social media to launch a fresh attack against Chief Secretary Sarada Muralidharan, posting two official letters sent by her regarding a personal hearing scheduled for April 16 at 4.30 p.m. -- a hearing he himself had requested.

"In my letter dated February 10, I had requested that the hearing be recorded and streamed live. This request was accepted in the letter I received dated April 4," Prasanth wrote.

"But in the letter dated April 11, my request was denied without any explanation. One fails to understand what changed in a week. The latest letter doesn't mention anything unusual either," he added.

Prasanth also took a dig at sections of the media that described his live-streaming demand as "strange".

"In today's age of Right to Information and transparency, what's so strange about such a request?" he asked.

The controversy surrounding Prasanth began in November last year, when he was suspended while serving as Special Secretary (Agriculture). He had then publicly expressed displeasure over the manner in which the suspension was handled, claiming he was not given a chance to explain his side. He even described the move as exhibiting "fascist tendencies".

Defending his right to free expression, Prasanth said he had stayed within acceptable limits and asserted that the IAS was never his only ambition -- he had other interests too. His recent statements and persistent criticism suggest he is prepared to escalate the fight, even if it means quitting government service.

Prasanth's suspension followed a social media post in which he publicly accused Additional Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak of violating official procedures, falsifying attendance, and staying absent from duty -- allegations he accompanied with Jayathilak's photo.

Incidentally, Chief Secretary Muralidharan is set to retire on April 30, and Jayathilak is widely expected to succeed her.
Kolkata, April 14 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is making a mistake by increasingly empowering a personality like the state municipal affairs & urban development minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, since the latter could challenge her leadership, BJP's Information Technology Cell chief and the party's central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya said on Monday.

"If Mamata Banerjee continues her silence, she risks empowering a figure whose ideological ambitions could ultimately challenge her leadership and catalyze a deeper push toward the Islamization of Bengal," Malviya said in a statement that he posted on the wall of his official X handle.

Malviya had also explained why he had made this observation and referred to a recent statement made by Hakim that "everything is alright in West Bengal", while reacting to the recent unrest in Murshidabad district where protests over the newly promulgated Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent since last week.

"This is the same man who referred to a part of Kolkata as 'mini Pakistan' and has previously made provocative statements promoting religious conversion to Islam. He has openly supported initiatives like Dawat-E-Islam and labelled non-Muslims as 'unfortunate'. He has even envisioned an India governed entirely by Islamic law and jurisprudence," observed Malviya in his statement.

According to him, it is a matter of "travesty" that Hakim is occupying the post of Kolkata Mayor, a chair which had been graced in the past by iconic Indians like Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das and Subhash Chandra Bose, among others.

"His ascent is symbolic of the erosion of the refined 'bhadralok' sensibilities that Kolkata was once renowned for," Malviya added.

Malviya also said that it was a matter of shock for him that Hakim had indirectly "justified and expressed satisfaction" over the displacement of Hindus from Murshidabad.

"Bengali Hindus are being reduced to refugees in their own homeland like Kashmiri Pandits, who had to flee from Kashmir to escape religious persecution and seek refuge in Jammu and the rest of India," he said.
Mumbai, April 14 : One of the most versatile actors, R Madhavan marked 25 glorious years in the Indian film industry on Monday.

The 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' actor chose to commemorate the occasion in the most soulful and humble way, with a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Joining him were his 'Kesari Chapter 2' co-stars, Akshay Kumar, and Ananya Panday, as the trio sought blessings ahead of their much-anticipated film's release on April 18.

Madhavan took to his official IG and dropped a picture of him offering prayers, alongside Akshay and Ananya.

He penned a heartfelt note on the photo-sharing app, reflecting on his 25 wonderful years in the Indian cinema.

He said, "25 Glorious, Wonderful, Rewarding and Blessed years as a Film actor.... Journeys beyond my wildest dreams...with Ecstasy and Agony for constant companion, yet with all the LOVE earned that overwhelms my Heart to this day.... And So... during this very spontaneous Pilgrimage on this very Auspicious and Special day (14th April 2000 when my FIRST FILM ALAIPAYUTHEY Released)..Just To Surrender and show GRATITUDE for all the blessings that can either be Explained nor Justified AAAAA.. Thank You and Guide me."

As mentioned in the post, Madhavan made his debut with Mani Ratnam's 2000 flick "Alai Payuthey" and never looked back since.

From memorable roles in "Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein", "3 Idiots", and "Tanu Weds Manu" to the critically acclaimed "Shaitaan", Madhavan's journey has been rich with diverse characters and impactful stories.

Now, he is looking at another powerful performance as Advocate Neville McKinley in "Kesari Chapter 2".

A spiritual sequel to the 2019 outing, "Kesari", the film is a cinematic adaptation of the book "The Case That Shook The Empire" by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, centred around C. Sankaran Nair and the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

The Karan Singh Tyagi's directorial has been produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 14 : Three days after the Kerala High Court ordered a CBI probe against K.M. Abraham -- Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Chief Secretary -- the senior bureaucrat said on Monday that he would leave it to the Chief Minister to decide whether he should continue in office.

In a Vishu message to employees of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), where he serves as CEO, Abraham addressed the growing speculation about his position.

"Over the past few days, many well-wishers have asked whether I would consider stepping down from my roles as Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and CEO of KIIFB," he wrote, adding, "I have reflected deeply -- not out of fear or obligation, but out of commitment to the principles I've upheld throughout my public life."

He said stepping down might be seen by some as taking the moral high ground, but doing so now would mean surrendering to what he called an "orchestrated attack" by individuals he had once brought to justice.

"After much thought, I have decided to place the decision about my continuance entirely in the hands of the Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of KIIFB. I have seen his administrative acumen, personal integrity, and sense of justice at close quarters for over a decade. Whatever he decides, I will accept with humility and gratitude," Abraham said.

He also acknowledged the personal toll of the situation. "My wife and I are senior citizens approaching our seventies, and we are fully aware of the emotional and physical demands of a prolonged investigation. Still, I will face it with the same courage that has guided me throughout my 45 years of public service."

Abraham reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and integrity. "I assure each one of you -- with all sincerity -- that I have always acted in the public interest. No investigation can erode that legacy. Let us not allow the turbulence of the moment to shake our faith in what we have built together."

The CBI probe was ordered on the basis of a petition filed by public activist Joemon Puthenpurackal. Abraham has accused him of carrying out a personal vendetta, claiming that he had previously taken action against the activist.

Abraham, 66, retired as Chief Secretary in December 2017 and has since remained a close aide of CM Vijayan.
Gurugram, April 14 : A crime branch team of the Gurugram Police has arrested a man for allegedly killing his live-in partner on March 11, police said on Monday.

The accused was identified as Shiv Shankar Sharma, alias Kali Charan, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, while the victim was identified as Rita, a native of Bihar.

Police said that on March 11, information was received regarding the body of a woman found in the village of Naharpur.

An official said that on receiving the information, the police team reached the spot where the body of a woman was found wrapped in a blanket in a field in Naharpur village.

"The police team got to the scene and had the body inspected by the scene-of-crime and fingerprint teams, and kept the body in the mortuary for postmortem and identification," he said.

He added that on March 31, the deceased's father identified the victim as his daughter, Rita, who was residing in the Naharpur village in Manesar, in rented accommodation and told the police in his complaint that his daughter Rita was married 11 years ago.

"About five years ago, Rita and her husband came to the village of Naharpur and started living on rent and started working here. Due to a rift between his daughter and her husband, he left his daughter in Naharpur. After that, his daughter started living in a relationship with a person named Shiv Shankar, alias Kalicharan," he told the police.

The official added that the body of a woman was found in the fields.

"He suspects that Shiv Shankar, alias Kalicharan, has murdered his daughter," police said.

He said that on the complaint received, a case was registered under the relevant sections in Police Station Manesar, Gurugram.

"During the investigation, the police nabbed the accused on Monday from Naharpur in Gurugram. In the initial police interrogation, it was found that the accused was in a relationship with Rita," he said.

He added that the accused used to work as a laborer, and Rita worked in a company in IMT Manesar itself.

Sandeep Kumar, Spokesperson of the Gurugram Police, said that the accused suspected Rita of having a relationship with someone else, due to which the accused killed her on February 23 and dumped her body in a wheat field.

He said that for further interrogation, the accused will be produced in the court and is currently under police custody.
New Delhi, April 14 : Former Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), PK Jain, on Monday made explosive claims about Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, asserting that both Rana and his associate David Headley were main operatives of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

In an exclusive interview with IANS, PK Jain stated, "Tahawwur Rana is the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He played a crucial role in providing logistics for the operation. He even opened an office in Mumbai to facilitate the attack planning. Headley, who was his old classmate, assisted him in the mission across the city."

Jain further explained that Rana had served as a doctor in the Pakistan Army, using that position as a cover for illicit activities, including drug trafficking.

"He had previously been arrested in the United States on drug-related charges. Despite this, his ties with Headley remained strong since their school days. When Headley moved to Canada, their association continued. Headley helped Rana set up an agency and funded it. Together, they visited Mumbai under the pretext of business to conduct surveillance for the attacks," Jain said.

He revealed that Headley prepared detailed maps of target locations in Mumbai with the help of local contacts, including Mukesh Bhatt and his son Rahul Bhatt.

"Headley handed over the maps to his handlers in Pakistan. Both he and Rana were working directly for the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and there is photographic evidence of them with Hafiz Saeed. It is evident that the ISI was coordinating their operations through LeT," Jain added.

In addition to the Mumbai attacks, Jain mentioned their involvement in plotting a similar terrorist strike in Denmark, which was thwarted. Rana was arrested in connection with that conspiracy and sentenced to four years in prison.

"After his arrest in 2009, the Indian government pushed for his extradition, but the United States initially declined despite having been handed substantial evidence. It wasn't until 2019 that India formally submitted an extradition request, which was followed up consistently. As a result, Tahawwur Rana was finally extradited to India in 2025," Jain concluded.
Seoul, April 14 : A group of US lawmakers told South Korea's top diplomat Monday that America will not withdraw from the Indo-Pacific region as they reaffirmed their commitment to the bilateral alliance, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said.

Members of the US Congressional Study Group on Korea, a bipartisan study group on South Korea, made the remarks during their meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Seoul, held as part of their trip to South Korea this week.

The lawmakers, including Reps. Ami Bera (D-CA) and Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), described the South Korea-US alliance as playing an important role for regional peace and stability, noting that it has bipartisan support, according to the ministry.

They also noted the resiliency of South Korea's democracy during the meeting, which took place after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster earlier this month, Yonhap news agency reported. Cho thanked the lawmakers for the trust and support US Congress extended while his country experienced recent political uncertainties, it said.

On April 4, the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon's impeachment over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December, removing him from office.

Cho also called for Congress' interest in ensuring conditions for South Korean companies to invest stably in the United States and lifting South Korea's "sensitive country" designation by the Energy Department.

He also requested their support for economic cooperation in shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and other sectors, noting that South Korea is an important investor and partner for the US.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's Acting President Han Duck-soo said that US President Donald Trump "apparently" instructed his administration to conduct immediate tariff negotiations with South Korea, Japan and India.

Han made the remark during a meeting with government officials and large business executives, referring to Trump's actions after they held a phone call last week.

"We discussed what we are going to do regarding the implementation of the United States' reciprocal tariffs, and which subjects South Korea and the US will hold negotiations on," the Acting President said.

"President Trump was very satisfied and apparently gave instructions (to his aides) to hold immediate negotiations with South Korea, Japan and India," he added.

The basis for Han's remark was not clear, but the same day that Han and Trump spoke by phone Tuesday, Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, told Fox News that Trump "obviously prioritizes two of our closest allies and trading partners, Japan and Korea," in tariff negotiations.

The next day, Trump announced a 90-day pause in the implementation of the "reciprocal" tariffs, including 25 per cent for South Korea.

"If necessary, I will directly communicate with President Donald Trump and make efforts to come up with a solution," Han said, vowing to push for a negotiating team led by Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun to visit the US at an early date.

"It appears South Korea and the US will establish a negotiation system for all sectors and begin negotiations at an early date to produce detailed measures," Han said, noting he expects the two sides to hold a videoconference "in the next one or two days" regarding cooperation on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Alaska.
Kolkata, April 14 : The Calcutta High Court has refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is failing to conduct complete citizenship verification for elected candidates in West Bengal.

A bench of Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das) took note of the ECIas submission that there are sufficient checks and balances in the process adopted by the poll body while scrutinising the nomination and in the event a complaint is received in full form, the same will obviously be enquired.

The CJ Sivagnanam-led Bench said the ECI assumes jurisdiction as and when an election is notified, and if a candidate files a nomination under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the various Rules and Regulations framed thereunder, the verification of the details will be done.

"Considering the role of the Election Commission of India and the prayer sought for, we are of the view that such a new procedure cannot be directed to be put in place by a writ court by directing authorities to frame a regulation," the bench said.

The PIL litigant contended that the issue of foreign nationals illegally obtaining Indian citizenship and participating in the electoral process is particularly relevant to the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections expected to be held between March and April 2026.

However, the CJ Sivagnanam-led Bench, in its order, said that it will be well open to any citizen to raise any objection with regard to the validity of the nomination of the candidate to offer any election either to the Parliamentary or to the Assembly constituencies.

Disposing of the matter, it said that the petitioner sought a new process to be put in place, which is tantamount to a legislative exercise which a court cannot do in the exercise of its powers under the Constitution.
Mumbai, April 14 : As the exciting trailer of "Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins" reached the audience on Monday, Saif Ali Khan reflected on predicting the Gen Z trends.

Claiming that it is very difficult to predict trends, Saif stressed that if one strongly feels something, chances are that people will agree with you.

Speaking during the trailer launch event, the 'Omakara' actor shared "I think if you follow yourself- clothes for example- I had a sense of fashion because it's what I believe in my heart. So, if you strongly feel something, chances are people will agree with you, but if you try and imagine what anybody else would want you'll fail because it is impossible to do that."

Additionally, speaking about the film, the producers shared, "As filmmakers, we're constantly exploring new ways to tell stories that are stylish, compelling, and surprising. With 'Jewel Thief', we wanted to create a cinematic universe that felt both classic and fresh  a modern-day heist with emotion and pace. This is our first streaming venture, and we couldn't have asked for a better partner than Netflix to bring that vision to life. The story is slick, the characters are layered, and the scale is massive, so gear up for this action-packed adventure."

Starring Saif Ali Khan as Rehan Roy  a charming and cunning thief with wits as sharp as his moves  and Jaideep Ahlawat as Rajan Aulakh, a cool and calculated mafia boss, the heist thriller boasts a star-studded ensemble cast.

Joining them are Kunal Kapoor as Vikram Patel, a relentless detective determined to catch the thief red-handed, and Nikita Dutta as Farah, who has stolen a different kind of jewel, Rehan Roy's heart. As loyalties shift and motives blur, the race begins for the ultimate prize: the coveted African Red Sun jewel.

Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, and produced by Marflix Pictures in its streaming debut, "Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins" marks the first collaboration between Netflix and the production house founded by Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand.

"Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins" will stream on Netflix from April 25.
Patna, April 14 : In a significant political development ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) chief and former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras announced his party's exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The announcement was made on Monday during a function in Patna commemorating Ambedkar Jayanti. "I was in alliance with the BJP and NDA since 2014. But from today, there will be no relation with NDA," declared Paras.

Paras further said that his party will contest all 243 assembly seats in Bihar independently, marking a bold move aimed at establishing RLJP as a key player in state politics.

"The people of Bihar have made up their mind to change the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar," Paras said, claiming to have already visited 22 districts as part of grassroots mobilisation and will visit the remaining 16 districts in the coming days.

Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Paras accused him of being anti-Dalit and "mentally ill", citing rising crimes against Dalits.

He also referred to recent incidents in Aurangabad and Rohtas, including the case of Komal Paswan and Ranjit Paswan, alleging inaction by the state government.

"On the day of Holi on March 14, in the Aurangabad district of Bihar, Komal Paswan was playing Holi with her friends, and a son of Lok Janshakti Party Ramvilas's leader allegedly mowed her down using his bike. She eventually succumbed due to the injuries. Shockingly, the Nitish Kumar government has not taken any action against him," Paras said.

He also highlighted the incident in Rohtas district when Ranjit Paswan was gunned down by a police officer, and the Nitish Kumar government had not taken any action against the culprits.

Paras also urged the Central government to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously to Ramvilas Paswan, calling him the "second Ambedkar."

"Ramvilas Paswan fought his entire life for Dalit rights. He deserves the country's highest civilian honour," he said.
New Delhi, April 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Yamunanagar on Monday. The 800 MW thermal power unit of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant, whose foundation was laid by PM Modi on Monday, will enhance Haryana's energy self-sufficiency and also ensure uninterrupted power supply in the region.

Addressing the huge gathering, PM Modi said, "Yamunanagar is not just a city but a vital part of India's industrial landscape, contributing significantly to the economy with its industries ranging from plywood to brass and steel".

Local residents, energised and enthused over PM Modi's Yamunanagar visit, expressed joy as well as gratitude for the launch of a slew of projects for the region's development.

Dharamveer, a local farmer, said that the projects allocated to Yamunanagar will go a long way in boosting the region's infrastructural landscape.

Another local told IANS, "We are happy over the inauguration of developmental projects here."

He also rejoiced over good arrangements at the rally and the reception of villagers at the rally, 'not as mere crowd but valuable participants'.

Another local said, "The Prime Minister has seen everything from close quarters, unlike Rahul Gandhi, who has always been in the lap of luxury. Therefore, PM Modi is taking initiatives, with poor citizens in mind."

An elderly resident praised the initiatives of the Modi government and said, "PM Modi is doing great work. He is opening doors of entrepreneurship and the start-up ecosystem for youths. Young people are highly inspired by his leadership."

A woman participant praised the initiatives undertaken by the Centre and state government and said, "Villages and rural areas are at the forefront of the government's priorities. Basic amenities like water, electricity and roads are being built. Girl child is being empowered with education."

Among other projects, PM Modi also inaugurated the 14.4 km Rewari Bypass project, worth around Rs 1,070 crore under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It is aimed at decongesting Rewari city and reducing DelhiNarnaul travel time by around one hour and improving economic activity in the region.
Chennai, April 14 : In a major crackdown on marine wildlife trafficking, the Indian Coast Guard Station (ICGS), Mandapam, successfully intercepted a large consignment of illegally harvested sea cucumbers off the North Vedalai coast.

Indian Coast Guard in a statement on Monday said that acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding suspicious activity near a beaching point, Coast Guard personnel swiftly launched an operation that led to the seizure of approximately 145 kilograms of sea cucumbers, a protected marine species under the Wildlife Protection Act.

An official said that the seized consignment is estimated to have a market value of Rs 58 lakh, according to open-source data.

He emphasised that this operation not only thwarted an attempt at the illegal transshipment of endangered marine life but also underscored its commitment to preserving India's maritime biodiversity.

"The Coast Guard reaffirmed that it remains vigilant in safeguarding the nation's maritime interests and will continue its anti-smuggling and anti-poaching efforts, along with marine environmental protection initiatives," he said.

The official added that this is the latest in a series of successful operations carried out by ICG Mandapam.

In a recent anti-narcotics operation near the Indo-Sri Lankan International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) recovered 12 abandoned packages on First Island.

Upon inspection, authorities seized 53.62 kg of ganja worth Rs 60 lakh, which was handed over to the Customs Department for further action.

In March 2024, the Coast Guard, in coordination with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chennai, seized 99 kg of hashish worth Rs 108 crore from a country boat en route to Sri Lanka in the Gulf of Mannar.

Based on intelligence developed by DRI's Chennai Zonal Unit, surveillance was mounted using a Coast Guard ship. During early morning hours, a suspicious country boat was detected and intercepted after a brief chase. Upon inspection, five sacks containing 111 packets of hashish - a sticky brown substance later confirmed using field testing kits - were discovered and seized under the NDPS Act.

Three individuals onboard were apprehended and brought to the ICG Station in Mandapam.

During interrogation, they admitted to receiving the narcotics from a supplier at Pamban and were on their way to deliver them to unidentified recipients from Sri Lanka in international waters.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the narcotics were sourced from various parts of India for onward transshipment to Sri Lanka using traditional country boats.

The main supplier, based in Pamban, is believed to have masterminded the entire smuggling operation.

The Indian Coast Guard has reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to maritime crimes, particularly those involving smuggling, poaching, and threats to marine ecology.
New Delhi, April 14 : Delhi unit BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Monday hit out at AAP National Convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for exploiting Dalits and doing little for their educational, social, and economic advancement, as reflected by the alleged under-utilisation of Rs 891 crore allocated for the purpose in the last four years.

Sachdeva said that during his 10-year rule, Kejriwal politically exploited the Dalit and oppressed communities by merely showing them Baba Saheb's pictures, while ignoring his messages.

The Delhi BJP President said that Kejriwal placed portraits of Baba Saheb in Secretariat rooms but took no interest in implementing the three educational schemes named after him or in improving the condition of Dalit colonies.

Sachdeva stated that the previous Kejriwal government limited Dalit upliftment to hoardings and photographs of Baba Saheb, showing grand dreams of improvement in Dalit colonies between 2020 and 2024.

However, while Rs 260 crore was allocated in the budget during those four years, only Rs 121 crore was spent a" an amount almost equal to what the Kejriwal government spent on building a apalacea for himself and furnishing ministersa offices in the Secretariat.

During its tenure, the Kejriwal government announced three schemes under Dr. Ambedkaras name for Dalits, backward castes, minorities, and economically weaker sections, and allocated budgets accordingly, but all of them suffered from poor implementation.

In 2020, the Kejriwal government introduced the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana for the welfare of Scheduled Caste students and allocated Rs 180 crore between 2020 and 2024. However, only Rs 4.4 crore was spent.

Similarly, for students from minority, caste-based backward, and economically weaker backgrounds the AAP government launched the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana with a budget allocation of Rs 250 crore over four years but only Rs 4.2 crore was spent.

Despite tall claims of educational upliftment, the Kejriwal government launched a third scheme a" the Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Pratibha Yojana a" with an allocation of Rs 461 crore between 2020 and 2024 but only Rs 32.2 crore was spent.

Sachdeva said that today (Monday), on Babasaheb's birth anniversary, Kejriwal should come forward and tell the Dalit, minority, and economically weaker communities of Delhi as to why, out of the Rs 891 crore allocated for their educational upliftment, less than 5 per cent a" just Rs 40.80 crore a" was actually spent.
Tehran, April 14 : Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will travel to Russia later this week for talks on recent developments in indirect negotiations with the United States, Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that Tehran remains committed to consultations with all signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing that maintaining such interactions is "beneficial."

Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed the visit, saying Araghchi will meet with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other senior officials during his trip.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff held "indirect" talks centered on Tehran's nuclear issue and sanctions relief on Saturday in the Omani capital of Muscat in a "constructive" atmosphere, and the two countries will hold the second round of negotiations on April 19 outside Oman, though the structure and mediation of the negotiations will remain unchanged, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran and the United States are set to hold a second round of talks on April 19, following what both sides described as a "constructive" first round in the Omani capital on Saturday.

The meeting, which lasted two and a half hours, marked a rare thaw in a long-frozen relationship fraught with sanctions, military brinkmanship and regional rivalries.

The "indirect" talks, held between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, focused on Iran's nuclear issue and sanctions relief, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

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.
Kolkata, April 14 : The parents of the junior woman doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata who was raped and murdered within the hospital premises in August last year announced on Monday that they will be joining the protest march by the "genuine" school job-losers in West Bengal to the state secretariat of Nabanna on April 21.

Kolkata, April 14 (IANS) The parents of the junior woman doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata who was raped and murdered within the hospital premises in August last year announced on Monday that they will be joining the protest march by the "genuine" school job-losers in West Bengal to the state secretariat of Nabanna on April 21.

The victim's father told the mediapersons that the organisers of the protest march had requested his and his wife's presence at the protest march and they had given their consent for the same.

"Like them, my daughter was too actually the victim of a corrupt system. Just as my daughter deserves justice, so do the 'genuine' teaching and non-teaching staff who lost jobs because of the 'tainted' ones. We have decided to be present in any movement that is organized for justice. So we have decided to be present at the protest rally on April 21," he said.

Notably, the Supreme Court has recently upheld an earlier order by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court last year cancelling the West Bengal School Service Commission's entire 2016-panel of 25,753 teaching and on-teaching jobs on grounds that the state government and the commission failed to segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones who got jobs against payment of money.

Referring to the Supreme Court's observation on the segregation issue, the father of the R.G. Kar victim said that it is unfortunate that because of the rampant corruption in the system, many deserving candidates who got their jobs by virtue of their merits ultimately had to become jobless.

"Our daughter was also a victim of a corrupt system. She will never come back. But we have decided to be with any movement that is organised against this corrupt system," he added.

The body of the victim doctor was recovered from the seminar hall within the R.G. Kar premises in August last year. The event rocked the entire nation following allegations that the lady doctor met such a tragic end because she came to know too much about the corruption prevailing in the R.G. Kar management.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is still probing the aspect of tampering with and altering of evidence in the case while the initial investigation was carried out by Kolkata Police.
Islamabad, April 14 : A joint operation between Islamabad district administration and the local police sealed at least nine Sheesha cafes and arrested 60 men and four women in Pakistan's capital, on Monday.

Pakistan has imposed a ban on sale of 'Sheeshas' at restaurants and public spaces for years now. However, many indoor cafes continue to sell 'Sheeshas' during late night hours in different cafes across the country even as the authorities continue to crack down against selling of Sheesha in the capital.

In the latest development, authorities carried out late night raids in different cafes located in Islamabad's Bahria Town housing society. As per police authorities, raids were conducted after information was received about the sale of Sheesha during the late hours.

During the raids, at least three Sheesha cafes were sealed in Bahria Town. Police also seized 110 hubble bubbles along with different flavours. During the raids, the police authorities also recovered four smoking sheeshas, three Sheesha flavours and a music sound system. Police officials stated that raids were done after complaints were received of sheesha being served at private parties in different cafes in Bahria Town.

Cases have also been registered against the arrested men and women and investigation launched into the cases.

Previously, similar raids were conducted during February, during which police authorities arrested 24 accused including five women during a raid in Ghalib Market in Punjab's provincial capital Lahore.

Pakistan imposed a complete ban on Sheesha smoking and its sale across the country in 2023. As per the government's directive, sale of Sheesha was banned in hotels, restaurants and public spaces. Moreover, opening of new Sheesha cafes and the import and making of ingredients were also banned across the country.

The ban in 2023 was a continuation of the previous ban during the year 2016, when the government imposed a complete ban on import of tobacco used in Sheesha.

Several reports have also indicated drug mafia operating under the cover of Sheesha cafes throughout the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

"These cafes have become hubs for dangerous substances such as flavoured tobacco and have transformed into a market for narcotics destroying our youth and families alike," said Rana Imran Latif, Chairman of non-profit organisation Piyass International.
Rome, April 14 : A new round of talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme will be held in Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday.

He noted that Italy agreed to host the meeting following requests from the negotiating parties and Oman, which is serving as a mediator. Tajani made the remarks while visiting the Italian pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Ansa news agency reported.

He added that the Italian government is "prepared to do everything necessary to support negotiations that could lead to resolving the nuclear issue and building peace."

A first round of indirect talks between US and Iranian officials was held in Oman on April 12.

These were the first such discussions since the United States withdrew in 2018 from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was signed in 2015.

Earlier in the day, Iran said that the next round of "indirect" talks with the United States over its nuclear programme will take place outside Oman, though the structure and mediation of the negotiations will remain unchanged, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, Tehran does not consider the location of the talks to be as significant as the framework in which they are held. He indicated that the discussions will continue to be conducted indirectly, with Oman maintaining its mediating role.

Baghaei said Muscat will coordinate the new venue for the upcoming round and expressed appreciation for Oman's role in hosting the initial phase of negotiations.

Baghaei also dismissed the possibility of direct engagement with Washington, saying Iran does not view that format as effective. He said indirect talks are not unusual, and have been used previously in dealings between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will travel to Russia later this week for talks on recent developments in indirect negotiations with the United States, Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Baghaei told reporters that Tehran remains committed to consultations with all signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing that maintaining such interactions is "beneficial."

Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed the visit, saying Araghchi will meet with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other senior officials during his trip.

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.
Bhopal, April 14 : The law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh has come under scrutiny following an alarming incident; a brutal attack on Jain seers in Singoli village, Neemuch district.

Former chief minister Kamal Nath and State Congress President Jitu Patwari criticised the government, citing these events as evidence of administrative failure.

The senior Congress leader took the matter to his X handle and wrote: "In the Singoli police station area of Neemuch district, six assailants targeted three Jain seers who had halted their pilgrimage to rest at a Hanuman temple on Singoli road late Sunday night. This reprehensible attack underscores the alarming breakdown of law and order in the region. If even Jain monkssymbols of absolute non-violence and renunciationcannot be guaranteed safety, it raises a grave question about the security of others in the state. Swift and decisive action must be taken to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they face the full force of the law."

Despite the police arresting all six accused and parading them publicly, Singoli town observed a "Bandh" in protest against the assault on the Jain seers.

Superintendent of Police Ankit Jaiswal had assured the public of swift action, stating that the "arrests were made promptly on the evening of the attack".

However, the assault on the Jain seers has sparked widespread condemnation, with many viewing it as a stark indicator of the state's deteriorating law and order.

Patwari has demanded the removal of the SP and Collector, holding them accountable for the incident.

According to the police, the attack involved six miscreants who targeted "three Jain seers Shailesh Muni Ji, Balbhadra Muni Ji, and Munindra Muni Jiwhile they were on a pilgrimage".

The seers had stopped at a Hanuman temple in Kachhala village for the night when the assailants, arriving on motorcycles, began drinking outside the temple.

They approached the seers; demanded money, and upon refusal, made murderous assault on them. The injured monks initially refused medical treatment at night, delaying their care until Monday morning at "Jain Sthaanak Bhawan".

The attack, carried out with sticks and sharp weapons, was reportedly motivated by robbery, police said.

Two of the assailants were apprehended by locals at the scene, while the remaining four fled.

A viral "disturbing" video of one of the wounded monks revealed severe injuries, including deep gashes on his back and shoulders. The Jain community responded with a silent procession and submitted a memorandum demanding stringent action against the culprits on Monday evening.

The police confirmed that the accused hail from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari shared a video of the injured monks on social media, condemning the incident as a shocking act of inhumanity against followers of Lord Mahaveer.

He accused the ruling BJP government of fostering an environment where drug abuse and lawlessness thrive, ultimately endangering even revered saints.

Patwari called for immediate measures to ensure the safety of religious figures across the state and urged a thorough investigation into the Singoli attack.

The incident also highlighted the bravery of one monk who ran to the road seeking help from a passing motorcyclist, who alerted the Jain community.

Villagers from Kachhala arrived swiftly, forcing four of the attackers to flee while capturing two.

Police, led by SP Ankit Jaiswal, reached the scene shortly after and registered an FIR. The SP is also seen appealing for maintaining peace as investigations continue in a video.
Bengaluru, April 14 : The truck owners' associations in Karnataka have decided to launch an indefinite statewide strike from midnight on Monday, against the hike in sales tax on fuel, increase in toll charges, and alleged harassment by RTO officials.

The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FOKSLOAA) and the Karnataka Goods Transporters' Association have jointly given the call for the indefinite strike.

The All India Motor Transport Congress, the apex body of motor transport operators comprising state and regional associations, has extended its support to the strike.

As many as six lakh trucks and lorries are expected to go off the road from midnight, a move that is likely to disrupt several essential services. The truck owners had given the government a deadline until April 14 to meet their demands, which include a rollback in diesel prices.

With the government failing to address their concerns, the associations have decided to proceed with the indefinite strike.

The strike is expected to severely impact the supply of essential commodities. Trucks carrying jelly stones, loose sand, and other goods will halt operations. Vehicles transporting petrol and diesel will also suspend services, sources confirmed.

Talking to the media persons, G.R. Shanmugappa, president of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association, said the strike is being launched to demand the fulfilment of five key demands.

He added that the government has not initiated any discussions so far.

"Why does only Karnataka need RTO check posts? In the last six years, since Chief Minister Siddaramaiah came to power, we have not staged any protests. Starting tonight, even LPG tankers will not be loaded," Shanmugappa said.

He further announced that a national-level protest would be discussed on April 27 and 28.

"Six lakh trucks and lorries will stop operations. The strike will begin at midnight," he said.

The major concerns include a steep hike in VAT on diesel, resulting in an increase of Rs 5 per litre over the last nine months, severely escalating operating costs for transporters; persistent extortion and harassment at state toll plazas, causing undue stress and financial burden.

Non-abolition of border checkposts, which continue to function redundantly despite GST implementation; proposed increase in fitness renewal fee for older vehicles, which will heavily impact small and medium operators.

Unreasonable no-entry restrictions in Bengaluru are hampering operational efficiency and timely delivery of goods. Widespread harassment by NBFCs and microfinance institutions, including unlawful vehicle seizure and mental harassment of vehicle owners.
Mumbai, April 14 : The wait is finally over. aThe much-anticipated track from "Smurfs", "Higher Love" is here.

Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) The wait is finally over. The much-anticipated track from "Smurfs", "Higher Love" is here.

Brought to life by DESI TRILL, featuring global superstars DJ Khaled, Cardi B, Natania, and Subhi, this song also marks a historic moment as it features Punjabi music in a Hollywood animated film for the first time.

The video of "Higher Love" seamlessly blends mainstream hip-hop with a vibrant Punjabi twist - getting everyone moving from the very first note. Natania's smooth English vocals paired seamlessly with an energetic Punjabi hook from Subhi, while DJ Khaled and Cardi B bring their signature star power to the track, creating a cultural crossover that's sure to make waves worldwide.

Treating the netizens to the song, the makers penned, "Higher Love" Official Music Video by DESI TRILL featuring DJ Khaled, Cardi B, Natania & Subhi Out Now. #SmurfsMovie releasing on July 18 in English & Hindi in theatres near you."

On the collaboration, DJ Khaled said, "I'm excited about the movie but I'm grateful to be part of this song, thank you for inviting me in another one"

"It's been an adventurous, smurfy experience right here at the music video set today. Yeah, but I am so grateful that we pulled it off. We are all here and we are excited and we are ready to party", said Subhi.

The tale of "Smurfs" begins when Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

The project features an all-star voice cast including Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Mariduena with Kurt Russell and John Goodman.

"Smurfs" is coming to the theaters on July 18.
Jaipur, April 14 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, while addressing the 134th birth anniversary celebration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the Rajasthan International Centre, stated that Baba Saheb not only showed the path to India but inspired the entire world with his vision and ideals.

He emphasised that the state government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to realising Baba Sahebas dream of uplifting the most marginalised sections of society.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the government has taken significant steps for the empowerment of four key groups -- youth, women, farmers, and labourers -- and is working towards the holistic development of every region in the state.

Sharma paid rich tributes to Dr. Ambedkar's monumental role in framing the Indian Constitution and establishing the country as the world's largest democracy.

Calling Baba Saheb the architect of a discrimination-free society, he underlined Ambedkaras contributions to education, women's empowerment, and labour reforms.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged Dr. Ambedkar's global recognition as a symbol of knowledge and social justice.

CM Sharma announced the launch of the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Sambal Yojana for villages with a Scheduled Caste population of over 50 per cent.

A budget of Rs 250 crore has been allocated for infrastructure and development works in these areas.

CM Sharma praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives to honour Dr. Ambedkar's legacy, including the development of five key sites associated with his life -- Janmabhoomi (Mhow), Deekshabhoomi (Nagpur), Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi (Delhi), Chaitya Bhoomi (Mumbai), and Shikshabhoomi (London) -- as the Panch Teerth.

He also noted the declaration of November 26 as Constitution Day and the historic move to reserve 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, in line with Ambedkaras vision of womenas empowerment.

CM Sharma outlined several social security measures inspired by Baba Saheb's ideals.

These include the addition of 7.25 lakh new beneficiaries to the Social Security Pension Scheme -- now benefiting over 91 lakh people -- and increasing the pension amount from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,250.

He also highlighted the Palanhar Scheme, which provides financial aid of up to Rs 2,500 monthly for the care of destitute children, and the Dadudayal Ghumta Empowerment Scheme, with Rs 60 crore earmarked for Vimukta, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic communities.

During the event, the Chief Minister disbursed DBT amounts under the Chief Minister Ayushman Bal Sambal Yojana, which offers free treatment of up to Rs 50 lakh for children suffering from 56 rare diseases.

He also inaugurated the Ambedkar Institute of Constitutional Studies and Research under Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Law University, Jaipur, and launched operations at newly declared de-addiction centers.

The Chief Minister announced the Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Panchtirtha Parikrama Yojana, which enables members of Scheduled Castes to visit significant locations related to Baba Saheb's life. As part of the scheme, he flagged off the first bus for these sacred sites.
Chennai, April 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid glowing tribute to Tamil cinema icon and DMDK founder, the late Captain Vijayakanth, calling him an "amazing personality" and a "dear friend." Chennai, April 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid glowing tribute to Tamil cinema icon and DMDK founder, the late Captain Vijayakanth, calling him an "amazing personality" and a "dear friend."

Taking to social media platform X on Monday, the Prime Minister wrote, "My dear friend Captain Vijayakanth was amazing! He and I have discussed and worked closely together for many years. People from many generations remember him for his work for social good."

Vijayakanth, who passed away on December 28, 2023, at the age of 71 due to age-related ailments, was a towering figure in both Tamil cinema and politics. Known for his dynamic screen presence and his political journey as the founder of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), he was admired by many across political lines.

DMDK general secretary and Vijayakanth's wife, Premalatha Vijayakanth, has previously spoken about the close personal bond shared between the Prime Minister and her late husband.

In a video posted on X, Premalatha said, "Narendra Modiji always saw him as more than a political colleague. He would fondly call him the Lion of Tamil Nadu and checked on him regularly during his illness. Their bond was built on true affection and mutual respect -- a friendship that went beyond politics."

She recalled that the Prime Minister would often inquire about Vijayakanth's health and would never miss wishing him on special occasions. "He once told me, 'You can ask me if you need help. I am like your elder brother.' I can never forget those words in my life," she said.

Premalatha also expressed gratitude for the Padma Bhushan award conferred posthumously on Vijayakanth and recalled a heartfelt letter sent by the Prime Minister, cherishing the bond they shared. "Modiji was always simple, humane, and a great leader. He came from humble beginnings, yet he rose to the highest office in the country. That's what makes him a leader who lives in the hearts of the people," she said.

Highlighting his humility, she added, "Even when discussing matters of national importance, he always spoke with remarkable simplicity and never acted as though he held such a high office. He is like a brother to us."
Hyderabad, April 14 : Over 450 global delegates from more than 100 nations, including corporate heads, key ministers, policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders, along with representatives from 25 international think tanks will come together for Bharat Summit to be held here on April 25-26.

The two-day summit with the theme 'Delivering Global Justice' is being organised by the government of Telangana in collaboration with Samruddha Bharat Foundation to mark the 70th anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference that laid the foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement.

The summit will feature keynote addresses and thought-provoking sessions by global policymakers, academic and political leaders. These discussions will delve into crucial aspects of economic justice, climate justice, pluralism, diversity and multilateralism, including its potential for social good.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka along with Minister for Industries Duddilla Sridhar Babu, and senior AICC leaders including former External Affairs Minister and CWC Member Salman Khurshid, AICC Telangana In-Charge and former MP Meenakshi Natarajan, and CWC Permanent Invitee Gurdeep Sappal announced the summit at a joint news conference.

The event is expected to position Telangana as a hub for global thought leadership and multilateral dialogue. They said the theme echoes the call for Nyay (justice) championed by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi will attend the summit.

Unveiling the official logo for Bharat Summit 2025, Deputy Chief Minister said the Bharat Summit will host a gathering of over 450 of the world's foremost thinkers and nearly 100 progressive parties, 40-50 ministers, 50 senators and MPs, numerous heads of parties and nearly 100 sectoral experts who will engage in bilateral discussions.

"We hope the Bharat Summit transforms into a permanent platform for all progressive forces who're committed to a democratic, liberal, and just world order," he said.

He thanked Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar for extending required support to the Bharat Summit, to be organised by the state government in a bid to take Telangana to the top in the next 25 years.

Sridhar Babu said the summit would honor India's legacy in global peace and justice as well as position Telangana as a modern-day meeting ground for global thinkers, reformers, and changemakers.

"Through this summit, we will be discussing Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's development vision of Telangana Rising and how investors and entrepreneurs can invest in Telangana from across the world," he said hoping that Bharat Summit will become an annual feature.

Salman Khurshid noted that under Prime Ministers Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh and other leaders, India has always played a leading role in global affairswhether it was the NAM, the anti-colonial movement, the anti-apartheid movement, the non-proliferation movement, or providing humanitarian assistance to the world.

Indian Overseas Congress Chairperson Sam Pitroda said that through the summit they hope to start a global progressive movement.

"Today, the world is at a crossroads. Democracy is being derailed; the world is reverting to primordial rules of statecraft; the world also seems to be splitting into spheres of influence and economic blocs; consequently, inequalities are mushrooming with trade wars, crony capitalism and slashing of welfare expenditure; civic rights are being undermined; the laws underpinning the liberal world order are being demolished. At such a time, India needs to once again show the world that there exists a middle and moral ground," he said.
Ahmedabad, April 14 : Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will begin a two-day visit to Gujarat on April 15 (Tuesday), during which he will launch a pilot initiative aimed at revitalising the party's grassroots machinery in the state.

The move is seen as a key step in the Congress party's broader strategy to rebuild its organisational strength in Gujarat, where it has been out of power for three decades.

Gandhi will kick off his visit in Ahmedabad with an orientation meeting involving 42 All India Congress Committee (AICC) and 183 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) observers.

These observers were appointed by the AICC on April 12 to oversee the appointment of district committee presidents across 33 districts and eight major cities of Gujarat. The process will cover a total of 41 organisational units. "The observers will play a crucial role in identifying and selecting local leadership to re-energise the party structure," Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil said. "Rahul Gandhi will personally engage with them to outline the vision and expectations of the leadership," he added.

On Wednesday, Gandhi will travel to Modasa in Aravalli district, where he will address party workers and officially launch the pilot project aimed at strengthening district-level units. The initiative is being closely watched as a test case for similar organisational reforms in other states. Gandhi's visit follows closely on the heels of the high-profile sessions of the AICC and the Congress Working Committee (CWC) held in Ahmedabad on April 8 and 9.

Those meetings, held in Gujarat for the first time in years, were widely viewed as part of a renewed push to reclaim political ground in a state that has long been a BJP stronghold. The visit also builds on Gandhi's earlier tour of Gujarat in March, where he interacted with party workers and civil society groups, stressing the need for grassroots mobilisation and inclusive politics.
Bhubaneswar, April 14 : Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Monday commended the state government for observing 'Odia Pakhya' 2025, a fortnight long celebration dedicated to the glory of the state's rich cultural heritage.

While addressing the gathering at the concluding ceremony of Odia Pakhya here, Kambhampati termed the noble initiative by the state government to observe Odia Pakhya from Utkal Divas (April 1) to Odia New Year (April 14) as visionary.

"This observance is not only timely but also deeply significant in nurturing and elevating the spirit of Odia Asmita, the unique identity, heritage and provide," said the Odisha Governor.

He said that Odisha stands as the proud symbol of India's civilisational depth and diversity.

The governor further added that the classical language Odia that reflects a profound literary tradition should be preserved and promoted for generations to come.

"Odia pakhya has beautifully showcased these treasures and folk traditions, ancient scriptures, festivals, crafts, cuisines and the lives of great sons and daughters rekindling this spirit of belonging and cultural pride among the people. This celebration is not only a tribute to the state's rich heritage but a call to action to preserve, promote and project Odisha's immense potential in various fields," added Kambhampati.

He noted that the celebrations of Odisha's rich heritage and tradition during the fortnight long 'Odia Pakhya' is a reminder of collective responsibility to uphold the values and essence of Odisha.

Kambhampati said that the inspiration from the glorious past must be channelled into the present in education, innovation, inclusive development and cultural resurgence.

The Odisha Governor asserted that a culturally confident society is better positioned to innovate, collaborate and lead. He stated that Odia Pakhya connects cultural pride with the larger goal of building a 'Viksit Odisha' contributing to a 'Viksit Bharat' a developed, inclusive and culturally rooted India.
Lucknow, April 14 : The Lucknow CAT (Central Administrative Tribunal) bench was established way back in 1987, but it got its own office building only now, after 38 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also the Minister in-charge of DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training), which is the administrative Ministry of CAT.

In a thoughtful move to mark the Ambedkar Jayanti commemorating the memory of the father of the Indian Constitution, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday jointly inaugurated the Lucknow CAT building in the Gomti Nagar area of the city.

The entire project at a cost of about Rs 25 crore was accomplished through Central funds by DoPT, of which the Minister in-charge is Dr Jitendra Singh.

The new CAT premises in the capital city of Lucknow mark a significant milestone for the administrative justice system.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh noted that the Tribunal had been functioning from rented premises since its inception in 1987 and that the new facility reflects the rapid progress achieved under the double-engine government model led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. "This inauguration is one of the many examples of how far we've come under this collaborative governance approach," the Minister said.

Highlighting CAT's mission of ensuring justice that is affordable, accessible, and efficient, Dr Jitendra Singh said the Tribunal has disposed of over 8.88 lakh cases out of nearly 9.6 lakh filed since its inception in 1985, achieving a disposal rate of about 93 per cent.

The Minister emphasised that with a filing fee of just Rs 50 and provisions allowing litigants to appear without a lawyer, CAT embodies the principle of justice at the doorstep.

The Minister also underlined the Tribunal's consistent track record of judicial excellence, with many of its decisions upheld by High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Describing the new building as more than just a structure, Dr Jitendra Singh said it symbolises the Tribunal's enduring commitment to reform, justice, and transparency. The space is designed to foster a conducive atmosphere for judicial work, reflecting the evolution of CAT from a challenging early phase to a respected institution in the country's administrative justice system.

As judicial work commences from this new location, the development stands as yet another testament to the Centre-State synergy in Uttar Pradesh, and the sustained efforts to strengthen institutional infrastructure across the country.
Patna, April 14 : In a tragic incident caused by extreme weather, three members of a family lost their lives due to a lightning strike on Monday at Shadipur village in Bihar's Arwal district.

The victims -- Awadhesh Yadav (48), his wife Radhika Devi (45), and daughter Rinku Kumari (18) -- were struck while seeking shelter from a heavy hailstorm, lightning, and rain after returning from their agricultural field.

According to eyewitnesses, the family had ventured into the field to collect harvested wheat just as the weather turned violent. Caught in the rain, they took shelter under a stack of straw, not knowing it would become a deadly trap.

Moments later, a bolt of lightning struck, igniting the straw stack, and the family was engulfed in flames. Their painful screams echoed through the village, sparking immediate chaos and mourning.

"It happened so suddenly. They were just trying to protect the wheat and the next moment they were burning. The whole village is in shock. They lost their lives on the spot," said a local resident.

Local villagers rushed to help and informed authorities. Police from Vanshi station and personnel from the fire department reached the spot swiftly. They have recovered the dead bodies and sent them for post-mortem, and an official investigation is underway.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with grieving relatives and villagers demanding better awareness and preventive measures during lightning-prone weather.

The incident occurred amid a wave of unseasonal hailstorms and heavy rains sweeping across Bihar.

Districts including Nawada, Jamui, Aurangabad, Bhojpur, Gaya and Arwal have reported massive crop damage, especially to wheat, moong, vegetables, and mangoes.

Meteorological officials have issued warnings about continuing adverse weather, advising people to stay indoors, avoid open fields, and never shelter under trees or haystacks during lightning.

"This was a preventable tragedy. We urge all farmers to follow lightning safety guidelines. Do not take shelter under trees or straw piles," said Roshan Kumar, a senior Meteorologist.

With crops flattened and lives at risk, farmers and villagers are now seeking immediate relief and compensation from the state government. District administrations have begun crop damage assessments.
Ballast Book Company opened in 2015, when Suzanne Droppertthen the owner of Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, Wash.wanted to try selling books in nearby Bremerton. We opened as a pop-up, and the store never unpopped, said Ballast owner Kate Larson, who came over from Liberty Bay to manage the shop.

Larson later left the Pacific Northwest for Bank Square Books in Mystic, Conn., but she maintained ties to Bremerton, which has become a bedroom community for Seattleites. I got a phone call from Suzanne, saying she was retiring and asking whether Id keep the store running, Larson said. On June 1, 2021, she took the reins of the 750-sq.-ft. space.

Science fiction, fantasy and romance are Ballasts top categories, and Larson counts Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore, Greenteeth by Molly ONeill, and Swordheart by T. Kingfisher among her bestsellers, along with queer fiction by H.E. Edgemon and Ash Van Otterlu. We have a ton of book clubs based on book selections from Ballast booksellers, Larson said. People are really looking for ways to connect, so she and her staff facilitate club meetings and off-site author events.

Lise Solomon, sales rep for the Karel/Dutton Group and PWs rep of the year in 2016, nominated Ballast for bookstore of the year, praising Ballasts dynamic connection to the region. They are so creative and thoughtful about what they order and the programs they embrace, Solomon wrote in her nomination.

Larson agrees that community building is a top priority. Because Bremerton is in such a period of growth and transition, Im on the downtown association board, and were trying to get Main Street Washington approval to revitalize the historic commercial zone where the store is located, Larson said. And as a small business owner, she added, Honestly, the best piece of advice I could give anybody is to invest in your employees. Thats something Suzanne did, and its really paid off for me.
Neither snow nor sleet keeps Chesapeake & Hudsons Keith Arsenault from his appointed New England rounds: when PW caught up with Arsenault in March, the 2025 finalist for sales rep of the year had just navigated a late-spring blizzard while visiting bookstores in Maine.

Arsenault has repped independent publishers for Chesapeake & Hudson since 2019, but its his 33rd year in the book world. He spent a decade in book retail in Providence, R.I.; did marketing for Avalon Publishing Group in the Bay Area; and went to Publishers Group West in 2005.

While at PGW, Arsenault contacted Robert Macfarlane and illustrator Jackie Morris about The Lost Words, then a U.K. sensation. When Macfarlane told Arsenault the book needed a North American publisher, I connected them with House of Anansi, one of our distribution clients, who signed it up, Arsenault said. You know that old adage Never meet your heroes? For me, it was the complete opposite.

More recently, Arsenault has championed Guillaume Lecasbles Lobster, translated from the French by Polly McLean (Dedalus Limited), a backlist hit about a lobster and a debutante who escape the Titanic. Its steamy, no pun intended, said Arsenault, who added that hes moved a not-insignificant number of copies for a weird surrealist translated piece of crustacean erotica.

Jana Nelson, publicity manager at Broadleaf Books, cheered Arsenaults relentless work ethic and boundless energy when nominating him for rep of the year. After Arsenault read Ethan Tappers How to Love a Forest, Nelson wrote in her nomination, he spent a day with the author at his forest preserve, and orchestrated dozens of in-store events. The book became a New England Independent Booksellers Association bestseller and a Broadleaf success.

Arsenault appreciates these relationships. People have asked me, Could you see yourself working in sales in other fields?  he said, and my answer is always no. Hes in it for the ideas within the books and the connections with the buyers, so that they trust you when you tell them, This is a book you shouldn't skip. 
The Association of American Publishers filed an amicus brief on April 11 supporting authors in their class action lawsuit against Meta for copyright infringement related to AI training.

The brief argues that Meta's use of copyrighted works to train its LLaMA AI model fails to meet fair use standards and contradicts the company's claims that licensing options for such content don't exist.

"Meta's systematic copying and encoding of protected creative works, word by word, into a large language model, is not a transformative fair use under the law, but rather, grossly exceeds the doctrine's legal purpose and judicial precedent," Maria A. Pallante, president and CEO of AAP, said.

The lawsuit, filed in December 2023 in the Northern District of California, includes plaintiffs Sarah Silverman, Richard Kadrey, Christopher Golden, Michael Chabon, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Junot Diaz. They allege Meta appropriated millions of copyrighted works without permission or compensation, obtaining much of the material from pirate sites like Anna's Archives and LibGen. This is one of approximately 40 ongoing lawsuits brought by publishing industry organizations, companies, authors and others against AI companies.

According to the brief, "Some researchers estimate the AI training license market to be valued at $2.5 billion now, and projected to grow to $30 billion within a decade." Metas current market valuation is estimated to be $1.4 trillion dollars.

The AAP brief directly challenges Meta's assertion that there is no viable licensing option for AI training materials, while stating that "the existence of an active market for AI training materials is indisputable." The document references existing licensing deals between AI companies such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Amazon with various publishers, as seen in the chart below:

The AAP notes that Meta reportedly held discussions with publishers about acquiring authorized content before ultimately choosing to use pirated materials instead. Much of this is outlined in Alex Reisners reporting for The Atlantic.

The brief states that Meta's actions "undermine the copyright incentives that Congress enacted" and damage authors' and publishers' ability to benefit from their creative investments.

Key highlights from the brief include:

Meta, "a company valued at over a trillion dollars, asks this Court to declare that it is free to appropriate and commercially exploit the content of copyrighted works on a massive scale without permission or payment."

The brief argues that "common sense dictates that authors' words themselves, not just 'statistical information' about them, are stored in the model."

AAP contends that Meta evaded "technological protections that are essential to a functioning online marketplace for copyrighted works," which is "manifestly at odds with the mandate of Congress in adopting the DMCA."

The brief concludes that "the long-term potential of AI technology will only be realized by preserving the marketable rights that enable authors, publishers, and AI developers to engage in mutually beneficial commercial transactions."

The brief further argues that a finding of fair use in this case "would not only undermine the public interest in a workable copyright regime, but encourage and reward theft twice over." Other organizations filing amicus briefs include the Copyright Alliance, The International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers, and Copyright Law Professors.

A court hearing on summary judgment motions made by each party is set for May 1.

FTC Case Begins Today

The filing was made on Friday. Today, Meta will begin addressing an antitrust case brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which alleges that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 were part of a strategy to suppress competition and establish a monopoly in the social media market. The FTC argues that these acquisitions were designed to eliminate potential rivals, violating federal antitrust laws, and seeks to compel Meta to divest these platforms to restore competition.
Protests in Serbia are often interpreted as a fight for democratization, against corruption, and for the defense of European values. But the reality of the political scene in the country is far more complex.

Western capitals and media sometimes assume that the alternative to the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, is a pro-Western, democrat who would irreversibly align Serbia with the EU and categorically expedite the reform process. However, this assumption is naive at best and dangerously wrong at worst.

Aleksandar Vucic built a relationship with the United States and the European Union based on pragmatic cooperation, despite frequent criticism of his domestic politics among some in the West, which has brought Serbia closer to the Wests economic and security frameworks. Under his leadership, Serbia has remained a key stabilizing factor in the Balkans, especially when regional tensions have increasedfrom political crises in Montenegro to open conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

American and European officials, including senior diplomats, privately admit that Vucic is the main guarantor that the region will not slide into chaos. His ability to strike a balance between Western expectations and Serbia's internal politics has enabled Belgrade to remain a reliable partner in maintaining peace in the Balkans.

This stability is not the result of mere political survivalit is the result of carefully built relations with Brussels and Washington and a willingness to accept and implement certain reforms, including Serbia's alignment with key EU policies and US interests in the region.

Vucic's relationship with the West was built through a series of concrete steps by which he showed that he is willing to take decisions that, even if they are often unpopular in Serbia, are in the interest of regional peace and stability, as well as transatlantic relations.

Firstly, the Vucic government has significantly improved military and security relations with the West. Although he was not responsible for Serbia's accession to the NATO Partnership for Peace program, which was signed back in 2006, his government has further deepened cooperation with the Alliance through joint training, military-technical cooperation, and increasing the interoperability of the Serbian armed forces with Western partners.

A result of this strategy is the agreement concluded last year for the purchase of 12 French Rafale aircraft worth 2.7 billion euros, with which the largest army in the Balkans is strategically turning away from its traditional Russian supplier and toward Western partners. In this way, the strategic line of Russian influence, which is more than 60 years old, is being broken.

Under Vucic, Serbias steps to align with NATO have strengthened its role as a stable factor in the region, preventing the escalation of conflicts, and adhered to a realpolitik approach to security policy.

Secondly, in 2020, during Trump's first term in office, Vucic signed an economic normalization agreement with Kosovo in Washington, which represented a revolutionary shift in the decades-long frozen conflict. Although it did not resolve the matter of Kosovos status, this agreement enabled the opening of new economic channels between Belgrade and Pristina, thus reducing the risk of new conflicts.

Thirdly, the Vucic government made it possible to strengthen economic cooperation with the West. Today, German, Italian, French, and American companies are the largest investors in Serbia, and Belgrade has developed into an important technological and industrial center in the region, which would not be possible without close cooperation with Brussels and Washington, as well as Berlin and Paris.

Since Vucic came to power, foreign direct investment from Western countries has increased significantly, while the European Union has remained Serbia's most important economic partner. For years, Serbia has been the record-holder in Southeast Europe in terms of attracting foreign direct investment, amounting to around EUR 45 billion per year. At the same time, three quarters of this FDI comes from the West.

Moreover, it must be remembered that the Vucic government, and not previous Serbian governments, initiated the negotiation process with the EU regarding Serbia's accession to the Union. One must also take into account the efforts of his government to create a trade union between the Balkan states through the Open Balkan project, following the example of the open market on which the EU was forged.

While the demonstrations in Belgrade and other cities arouse sympathy in the West, the real question any serious analyst should be asking is: Who would come to power if Vucic leaves?

The main opposition force in Serbia is not a homogeneous, pro-Western coalition but a fragmented bloc dominated by populist, right-wing, and pro-Russian parties. Their messages are not what Brussels and Washington would like to hear. They openly reject any compromise on the Kosovo issue, are firmly opposed to NATO and the EU, and demand a much stronger orientation toward Moscow and Beijing.

Even within the civic opposition, there is strong anti-American and anti-European rhetoric. Many of the groups leading the protests are not explicitly pro-Westerntheir narrative is often characterized by populism, anger at the West for supporting Vucic, and unrealistic expectations of changes in Serbia's political course, given that they do not represent a majority of Serbian society.

Despite internal criticism, Serbia under Vucic has become a pillar of stability in a region that is still suffering from the severe consequences of the breakup of Yugoslavia. While Bosnia and Herzegovina struggles with constant political crises, Montenegro goes through waves of internal divisions, and Kosovo remains a potential point of conflict, Serbia has remained stable and has a predictable foreign policy.

The loss of Serbia as a stable partner for the West would mean creating space for greater Russian and Chinese influence in the region and increasing political uncertainty. At a time when Europe is confronted with Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, internal economic challenges, and the rise of right-wing populist movements, the last thing Brussels and Washington want is another unpredictable political crisis in the Balkans.

Aleksandar Vucic is not a perfect leader from the Wests point of view, but he is a predictable and reliable partner. The alternative to his leadership, as it currently exists in Serbia, is not a modern, pro-European, democratic option but radicalized political chaos in which the West could lose its most stable partner in the Balkans.

Western diplomats and analysts need to move away from the simplistic narrative of "good protesters opposing an evil autocrat and start thinking seriously about the real consequences of political change in Serbia. Because if Vucic leaves without a clear alternative, the question is not whether Serbia will take a step backwards but how far it will go in that direction.

Dr. Orhan Dragas is Director of the International Security Institute in Belgrade, Serbia. He is author of The End of the Russian World: Russia, Ukraine, Balkans; Russia: From a Failed State to a Rogue State; and The Modern Intelligence-Security Community, Utopia or Reality.
11 year-old author Kyra Lloyd poses for a portrait holding a copy of her book titled "The Poem of Kiki: The Irish Water Spaniel," written about her dog, in Athens, Ga on April 2, 2025. Lloyd is an author of eight children's books, with her first written at the young age of five years old. (Photo/Lux Corrona)
At least nine research grants at the University of Georgia have been terminated due to federal funding cuts issued by the Trump administration. The university has instructed researchers to stop all work on their projects if they receive a notice of termination. These researchers, who mainly consist of professors and graduate students, are trying to figure out what this series of events means for them and their careers.
This is the first case involving India and the US at the WTO after both sides decided to withdraw all seven pending cases at the WTO during the Biden administration.

Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy WTO/X.com

India is unlikely to launch a dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the United States over reciprocal tariffs, as both sides are currently engaged in negotiations aimed at reaching a trade deal.

This comes despite India seeking consultation with the US at the WTO on the 25 per cent import duties on steel and aluminium products.

This is the first case involving India and the US at the WTO after both sides decided to withdraw all the seven pending cases at the multilateral body during the Joe Biden administration.

"The agreement has a provision that if a member believes that another member's safeguard measure is unjustified, it can ask the member taking the measure within 30 days for consultations," a government official said, requesting anonymity.

"This is a procedural thing. This is not escalatory but simply reserves the right to retaliate after the consultations."

India argued that, notwithstanding the US' characterisation of these steps as security measures, they are in essence safeguard measures.

'The United States failed to notify the WTO Committee on Safeguards under Article 12.1(c) of the Agreement on Safeguards (AoS) on taking a decision to apply safeguard measures,' it said in its submission at the WTO.

'India looks forward to receiving a prompt reply to this request, and to setting a mutually convenient date and venue for the above-mentioned consultations,' it further added.

However, the official said India is unlikely to join China and others in dragging the US on country-specific reciprocal tariff.

On April 4, China requested consultations with the US with respect to measures that imposed universal and country-specific additional duties on imports from China.

"This will ultimately be a political call.

"The US move is a blow to the global trade architecture but does the solution necessarily lie in the same mechanisms that are under stress for several years?" the official asked.

"We are anyway engaged with the US to find a solution through a bilateral trade agreement," the official said.

The appellate body at the WTO remains defunct, with the United States continuing to block appointments of judges to the organisation's highest adjudicating authority, effectively preventing final rulings on trade disputes between member countries.

The US, on April 10, told the Council for Trade in Goods that it is not, through its reciprocal tariff action, altering or abrogating its WTO tariff bindings or commitments.

'Rather, the US is taking action it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests. For this reason, the US invokes and is maintaining this measure pursuant to the essential security exception in the WTO Agreement,' it added.

China, in its representation at the WTO, said it firmly believes that any divergences on trade issues cannot justify unilateral tariff war, and that there are no winners in the trade war.

'We deeply regret that the US unilateral and escalatory trade measures have dragged the global economy into enormous uncertainty.

'Each day comes with 'surprises', and brings new disruptions, undermining the stability that businesses and all economies depend on, including China,' it added.

THE FINE PRINT

Development comes despite India seeking talks with US on 25% import duties on steel, aluminium products

WTO consultation request seen as procedural, not confrontational

First WTO case after withdrawal of earlier India-US disputes

Unlikely to join China in WTO challenge on reciprocal duties

WTO's Appellate Body remains defunct, stalling dispute resolution

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Consumer durable companies in India have begun early-stage talks with US importers at a time when the tariffs levied on Indian products are lower than those on competitors such as China.

While the discussions started some time ago, many believe that the Donald Trump administrations tariff measures will help Indian companies expand their presence in the US market.

The US has imposed an additional 34 per cent tariff on China, a major exporter of consumer electronics and consumer durables, on top of the 20 per cent introduced in two rounds earlier this year, bringing the total tariff on China to 54 per cent.

Other major consumer durables and electronics manufacturers in Asia include Vietnam and Thailand.

The US has imposed a 46 per cent tariff on Vietnam and 36 per cent on Thailand.

Consequently, India has become a favourable destination for exports due to lower tariffs, which now stands at 26 per cent.

The US will be looking to import television sets, television panels, washing machines, air conditioners, and other home appliances.

We have already begun basic dialogue with importers for categories like television panels.

"We are also exploring other consumer durable categories as US importers see India and Dixon Technologies as a favourable option, Atul Lall, managing director at Dixon Technologies (India), told Business Standard.

Avneet Singh Marwah, chief executive officer of Super Plastronics, is also of the opinion that India now has an opportunity to become a favourable destination for electronics and consumer durables exports and the current tariffs will see a sudden shift to India.

The US will look at importing television panels, washing machines, and other categories.

"We will start exploring the US as an option and India will be one of the cheapest television manufacturers in the world compared to other Asian countries, Singh said, adding that the company is looking for some clarity on tariffs.

Sudhir Goyal, chief financial officer at Amber Enterprises India, a company looking to export air conditioner motors and air conditioners to the US, said that the company has been preparing to export to the US for a while.

The tariffs will give Indian suppliers a leg up compared to other countries.

"This will help US importers to move orders to India at a faster speed.

"There is a big delta in costs with competing countries, Goyal said.

He added that the company regularly looks at various customers globally to expand the number of markets where it exports.
Isn't there something significant in the UPI example for all of us to learn from and execute to enable world-scale success for our startups?, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

"We have to be careful that we don't blow things up," said my stumbling, white-haired friend, long retired from the civil service but who had served in almost all our government's top industrial-policy entities.

Though he can barely speak and almost cannot walk without stumbling, I often tap his fertile brain when policy issues confound me.

I asked him: "Do you think the super-enthusiasm our central and state governments are displaying about start-ups will result in something big for us as a country?"

I posed this question to him because I remember back in the 1990s, when I was passionately running my Internet startup, Rediff.com, Indian government policymakers greeted me with polite but disbelieving faces.

"Of course, tech startups are terrific for the Indian economy," he said, warming my heart, but then his face started looking grim, "but I hope it's not like the 'import substitution' fever, which turned out to be a disaster."

He was referring to a period up to the 1990s, when the government heavily promoted policies aimed at replacing imported goods with domestically produced ones, often through high tariffs and other protectionist measures.

This was blamed for India's slow growth in that period compared to the rest of the world and was abolished as disastrous when Manmohan Singh became finance minister in 1991.

This got me thinking: Could anything trigger a disaster in our tech-startup boom and create a disaster like the import-substitution policies did?

Considering the scale of our enthusiasm for startups, I struggled to imagine whether that was even remotely possible.

For example, a report from the World Economic Forum says, 'In the last 10 years, over 120,000 startups have been registered in India, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world', with only the United States and China higher than us.

Furthermore, practically every IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) and IIM (Indian Institute of Management) has startup incubation centres, and technology parks in many cities.

Then, institutions like Atal Incubation Centres and Nasscom run multiple innovation centres throughout India.

These efforts have even reached schools, with institutions like Atal Tinkering Labs established in about 10,000 schools to foster student innovation.

Reflecting on the impressive scale of India's startup efforts, I wondered whether these could face any major challenges.

After all, I have heard it being said eternally, both by scholars writing in their journal papers and by visiting venture-capital firm partners, that the Indian domestic market for new technology inventions is meagre: The exact words used for this are: "India has a minimal number of early adopters, and this makes life for a tech startup very tough in India."

When I polled more venture-capital experts, I got this for why it's so hard for tech startups in India to achieve any significant scale: First, a large portion of the Indian population is highly price-sensitive (paisa vasool).

Even if they are interested in new technology, affordability is essential.

Then there are cultural factors, they say, like some segments of Indian society may be more cautious about adopting innovative technologies until they are proven and widely accepted.

In other words, they adopt a "wait and see" approach.

And finally, a "value for money" mindset: Indian consumers often prioritise value for money.

This means that even if they are willing to adopt innovative technologies significantly better than existing solutions, they expect these solutions to be priced at "Indian market prices"!

Others asked me: What about the statistics that say 90 per cent of all startups worldwide fail?

How do we plan to help startups deal with this? Do we have enough Indian venture capital to enable this enormous pool of startups to be created in India?

Are our income-tax policies supportive of startup investment?

Listening to all this and having personally experienced some, if not all, of these challenges in my life as an entrepreneur, I can't help but think of an example of hi-tech success in India: Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

When I stroll down lanes in Colaba, where I live, I see fisherwomen from Sassoon Dock pull out their mobile phones, scan the QR code of a street-side fruit seller, and pay for the fruit they buy.

I rub my eyes to confirm that I am not merely imagining this.

The success of UPI in India is a fascinating case study in the intersection of technology, policy, and socioeconomic factors.

It's not just a technological triumph but also a significant achievement in political economy, and its case study has a lot for us to learn from.

It appears that having the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which developed and operates UPI, as a not-for-profit entity established by the Reserve Bank of India and the Indian Banks Association was the key: It's not a private company seeking profit maximisation.

Secondly, UPI is part of a broader 'India Stack', a set of government-backed interoperable digital infrastructure initiatives: Aadhaar, e-KYC, and DigiLocker.

Then, the government actively promoted UPI adoption through various mandates (linking bank accounts to Aadhaar) and incentives (cashback offers and merchant discounts), which also helped.

Then, it helped that UPI is built on an open API (Application Programming Interface) architecture that lets any bank or fintech company create applications that connect to the UPI system, fostering competition and innovation.

The government initially mandated zero charges for UPI transactions below a specific value, making it extremely attractive for merchants compared to card payments involving fees.

All this helped a gradual cultural shift towards digital payments in a country traditionally relying heavily on cash.

Isn't there something significant in the UPI example for all of us to learn from and execute to enable world-scale success for our startups?

Ajit Balakrishnan is devoting his life to unravel the connection between society and technology.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'There's no transparency in work (of the Wakf Board), in property transactions (of the Waqf).'

IMAGE: BSF personnel stand guard on Sunday, April 13, after violence erupted on April 11 during a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Photograph: ANI Photo

Manipur's Bharatiya Janata Party Minority Morcha leader Asker Ali's house was torched on April 6 over his support for the Waqf Amendment Act.

The arson occured in Lilong, Thoubal district -- a Muslim-majority area in Manipur -- amid growing protests against the law across the Imphal valley.

Asker Ali blames political rivals from the Congress for orchestrating the attack. "Those people are all Congress members," Ali says. "They are politically angry with me because I do a lot of good work for the BJP in Manipur."

Ali had supported the Waqf Act on social media on Saturday, April 5, which he believes was the trigger for the attack on his home. Hours later, a mob gathered outside his house, vandalised it, and set it ablaze.

Ali was not at home when the arson occurred. "There's a wedding at my house and for that I was staying at my sister's house," he says. "My father was taken away by some people, but he's safe."

The attack happened a day after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which aims to bring transparency and better governance to the management of Waqf properties -- assets donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes. The law mandates digital accounting and stricter audits for Waqf Boards across India.

Ali's support for the Act stems from what he sees as its potential to uplift the Muslim community. "I supported it because the Act will help our Muslim brothers and sisters. There's no transparency in work (of the Wakf Board), in property transactions (of the Waqf) in Manipur," he says.

"If Waqf's properties are managed properly, then no Muslim in India will be poor."

Suggesting that true reform in Muslim welfare must begin with financial clarity, Ali says: "For transparency, Muslims should also benefit from this (property dealing and other money matters of the Waqf Board)."

His stand places him at odds with many in his community. Over 5,000 people reportedly participated in protests across Lilong and other Muslim-dominated areas in Manipur like Irong Chesaba, Kairang Muslim and Kshatri Awang Leikai, where anti-BJP slogans were raised and security forces clashed with demonstrators.

According to The Hindu newspaper, prohibitory orders were imposed in Lilong to prevent further escalation in the protests in Manipur, which is under President's Rule. The state administration increased deployment of security personnel in sensitive zones following the unrest.

Following the attack, Ali posted a video on social media in which he appeared to retract his statement. But when asked by this correspondent if he had apologised under pressure, Ali clarifies: "What I did is from home to control the situation a little, I made it myself to control."

Denying reports that he had apologised for supporting the BJP or asked the government to withdraw the Act, he says: "Whatever people are posting on social media, those videos and audios are not mine.. they're false."

"I haven't apologised to anyone."

Despite the trauma and property loss, Ali remains defiant and believes the Act is in the best interest of Indian Muslims. "I thought there would be so much transparency in Waqf property that no Muslim in India would be so poor," he reiterates.

The Waqf Amendment Act has seen protests in several Muslim-majority regions, notably in Murshidabad in West Bengal. Critics argue that allowing non-Muslims on Waqf Boards dilutes religious autonomy and opens the door for political interference. Supporters like Ali, however, see it as a necessary reform to end years of alleged mismanagement and corruption.

The political climate in Manipur is already tense due to ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis since May 3, 2023. Ali dismisses any link between his attackers and ethnic fault lines. "No, no connection to that. I live in Imphal," he says, ruling out the involvement of either community in the incident.
A day after sources in the military establishment suggested that Indian Air Force's transport aircraft carrying relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar late last month faced 'GPS spoofing', the IAF on Monday said its crew are well capable to handle such situations, and 'every mission was achieved as planned'.

IMAGE: NDRF personnel load humanitarian aid to Indian Air Force C-130J, that were sent to earthquake-hit Myanmar under Operation Brahma, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

GPS (global positioning system) spoofing can be considered to be a form of cyber attack that includes generating false GPS signals to mislead an aircraft. The false signals result in misleading the navigation equipment, posing a significant risk to the aircraft.

'The possibility of degraded GPS availability was published by the Mandalay International airport as NOTAM and all due precautions were put in place to cater for such conditions,' the IAF said in a post on X.

NOTAM or 'Notice to Airmen' is a notice filed with an aviation authority that seeks to alert pilots of an aircraft of potential hazards.

'IAF crew are well capable to handle such unavailability, while ensuring safety of flight and achievement of the designated task or mission. Accordingly, every mission was achieved as planned,' the post added.

India sent the first consignment of relief materials to Myanmar on March 29 in a C-130J aircraft and its pilots reported that the plane's GPS signal was tampered with when it was in Myanmar's airspace, sources told PTI on Sunday.

New Delhi sent a total of six military transport aircraft to Myanmar, transporting relief materials, field hospitals and rescue teams, with a majority of them experiencing GPS spoofing, they said.

Out of six, five aircraft landed in Yangon and Nay-Pyi-Daw on March 29-30, while one was sent to Mandalay on April 1.

IAF transport aircraft carrying relief materials to Myanmar late last month faced 'GPS spoofing', triggering security concerns as pilots were forced to rely on the backup systems, sources in the military establishment had said.

India had launched 'Operation Brahma' to extend assistance to Myanmar after the country was hit by a major earthquake on March 28.

Besides the C-130J Super Hercules, the Indian Air Force also operated C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift transport aircraft to carry relief materials and rescue teams to Myanmar.
Fresh episodes of Waqf (Amendment) Act-related violence rocked Bhangar area in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Monday, even as police claimed that law and order situation in the previous riot epicentre of Murshidabad remained largely under control.

IMAGE: Police personnel at the spot after Kolkata Police vehicle vandalised at Sodepur Bazar following the clash between the Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters and police during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, in South 24 Parganas on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) clashed with the police at Bhangar during protests over the Act, leading to several injuries, vandalising of public properties and the torching of multiple police vehicles.

The clashes erupted when police stopped ISF supporters from heading towards Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata to attend an anti-Waqf Act rally addressed by party leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique.

According to police, the rallyists were stopped near Bhojerhat on the Basanti Highway, where a large number of ISF workers had gathered from Bhangar as well as neighbouring areas such as Minakhan and Sandeshkhali.

Tension escalated when the crowd attempted to break through police barricades, leading to a clash between the two sides.

"Some police vehicles were set on fire by the protesters and a few police personnel were injured when the agitators attacked the law enforcers," a senior police officer said.

Eyewitnesses said police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters, as the rally at Ramlila Ground didn't have proper police permission, leading to at least one ISF worker sustaining a head injury.

The situation spiralled quickly, prompting ISF activists to sit on a protest on the highway, leading to long traffic snarls along the stretch.

A large police force, including senior officers, was deployed to bring the situation under control. The protesters were later dispersed.

Opposition parties alleged that police did little to stop the rampaging mob.

Addressing the gathering in Kolkata, Siddique said, "This law is not just an attack on Muslims, it is an assault on the Constitution. We won't accept this Act. The government that supports such laws must go."

Earlier in the day, senior Border Security Force (BSF) officials visited the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad, assuring residents of all necessary assistance to restore peace and ensure their safety.

The BSF delegation led by Additional Director General (East) Ravi Gandhi visited the disturbed pockets in Suti, Samserganj and Dhulian that witnessed widespread unrest over the weekend, claiming the lives of at least three people and leaving many injured.

"We spoke to victims and assured them of their safety and security. We interacted with the locals and our jawans are posted there. The situation is slowly returning to normal," Gandhi told PTI after the visit.

He also held meetings with West Bengal DGP and other senior officials.

"A joint strategy has been chalked out to increase patrolling in the area. We are working in close coordination with the state police to ensure the return of normalcy," he added.

The state police said the situation in Murshidabad is gradually returning to normal, with shops reopening and displaced families starting to return.

"Shops have started to open and people are returning. So far, 19 families have returned to their homes. Both Malda and Murshidabad district administrations are working closely to ensure the safe return of people who had fled," Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (Law and Order), said.

"So far, 210 arrests have been made. I urge people not to believe rumours and to verify information. Rumour-mongering must stop if we are to maintain peace," he added.

Later, while inaugurating a skywalk near the Kali temple at Kalighat, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked people not to indulge in non-religious activities in the name of religion.

"Everybody has the democratic right to stage a peaceful protest with permission. I request people not to take the law into their own hands," Banerjee said.

Meanwhile, state Bharatiya Janata Party president Sukanta Majumdar visited a relief camp set up at a school in Malda, where several Hindu families from Murshidabad took shelter following attacks during protests over the Waqf Act.

He met the displaced families and later visited a special control room established to assist those affected. Many women reportedly broke down while recounting their ordeal.

"Their homes were torched, property destroyed and they received life threats. One woman has taken refuge here with her four-day-old baby," Majumdar said.

He alleged that the attacks were carried out by 'fundamentalist forces' under the guise of protest.

"Initially, 200-250 families had taken shelter here. Now, due to police pressure to shut down the camp and cover up Mamata Banerjee's failure, only 70-75 families remain. They are still living in fear," he claimed.

Senior party leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded that the 2026 state assembly elections be conducted under the President's rule, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order.

Adhikari said the ongoing unrest in Murshidabad highlighted the state government's inability to protect citizens and maintain peace.

"Wherever Hindus are in the minority, they are stopped from voting. Police act like cadres of the ruling party. For free and fair elections, the assembly polls must be held under the President's rule," Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, told reporters in Kolkata.
A suspended police sub-inspector from Beed on Monday claimed some persons had offered him to carry out an 'encounter' of Walmik Karad, accused in sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case.

IMAGE: Walmik Karad, a close aide of minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde. Photograph: Walmik Karad on Instagram

Ranjeet Kasle, the suspended cop, also said he had mentioned the names of the persons who made the offer in a local police station diary.

A senior police official from Beed, however, dismissed Kasle's claims as baseless and said he should submit a proof of his statements.

Kasle was suspended earlier when he was a sub-inspector in the local cyber crime department.

Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Maharashtra's Beed district, was abducted and tortured to death on December 9 last year allegedly for attempting to stop an extortion bid targeting an energy company.

Karad is among the eight persons arrested so far and booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The state Crime Investigation Department (CID) last month filed a more than 1,200 pages chargesheet at a court in Beed in Deshmukh's murder and two related cases.

Talking to a regional news channel, Kasle claimed some persons had approached him with an offer to carry out the 'encounter' of Karad.

"I was given this offer by a team of a few people and I have mentioned their names in the station diary. The offer was only for Walmik Karad and was given to me before I was suspended. I refused, saying I cannot commit such a sin," he said.

"They make a lump sum offer of Rs 10, 20, 50 crore. A person who can do this is called...like I was with the cyber department and had no connection with this case, but I was made the offer because they knew I have guts," he claimed.

Referring to the custodial death of Badlapur sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde, Kasle said the SIT ordered by the Bombay high court should be of central government, then only truth will come out.

Asked about Kasle's claims, a senior police official from Beed said, "All the things are baseless. He should submit an evidence for what he is speaking. Whatever he is doing is not in the work ethics."

Kasle has already been suspended and a preliminary enquiry (PE) against him is on. The police have sent a notice to Kasle, but he has not accepted it yet, the official added.

Meanwhile, a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered against Kasle for allegedly posting an objectionable comment on social media, an official said.

The case was registered this afternoon on the complaint of a Beed resident for a comment Kasle allegedly posted on April 2, he added.

He has been charged under section 3 (1) (r) of the SC/T Act, the official said.
Hundreds of people affected by communal violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district have crossed the Bhagirathi River and taken shelter in adjoining Malda, officials said.

IMAGE: Families affected by the Murshidabad violence at a shelter home in Malda. Photograph: ANI Photo

The local administration has arranged for accommodation and food for the fleeing riot-hit families and sheltered them in schools, while deploying volunteers at the river bank to assist those arriving in boats.

Several areas in Muslim-majority Murshidabad, including Suti, Dhulian, Jangipur and Shamsherganj, have witnessed violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that spiralled into communal violence, sparking the exodus.

Visuals on the media showed burnt shops, hotels and houses in these parts of Murshidabad.

"We escaped from Mandirpara area of Dhulian as our houses were set on fire and women and girls molested by a gang of outsiders and some locals," a young woman, who fled the area along with four other family members, told reporters.

"They hurled bombs, blamed us for the Waqf (Amendment) Act and asked us to immediately leave our homes. They beat up the men of our houses. We were afraid for our lives and escaped our homes with the help of central forces," the woman added.

Another elderly woman said, "We folded hands before the marauders seeking their forgiveness even though we did not commit any wrongdoing. Brandishing arms, the attackers committed so much of atrocities. I, my son, daughter-in-law and grandson fled with some of our belongings. Otherwise, we would have been killed."

Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, claimed that 400 people have fled Dhulian following the violence.

"More than 400 Hindus from Dhulian, Murshidabad driven by fear of religiously driven bigots were forced to flee across the river & take shelter at Par Lalpur High School, Deonapur-Sovapur GP, Baisnabnagar, Malda. Religious persecution in Bengal is real.

"Appeasement politics of TMC has emboldened radical elements. Hindus are being hunted, our people are running for their lives in their own land! Shame on the state govt for allowing this breakdown of law & order. I urge the central paramilitary forces deployed in the district, the state police and the district administration to ensure the safe return of these displaced Hindus & protect their lives from this jihadist terror. Bengal is burning. The social fabric is torn. Enough is enough," he said in a post on X.

Deonapur-Sovapur gram panchayat pradhan Sulekha Choudhury said that initially a few people were coming in boats, but the numbers increased since Friday afternoon.

"The number of people who have arrived till Saturday night crossed 500, with most of them being women," she said.

Choudhury said they have been sheltered in schools in the area and food has been arranged for them.

Kaliachak 3 Block Development Officer (BDO) Sukanta Sikdar said there was sporadic arrival of affected people till Saturday afternoon but the numbers might have gone up afterwards.

Trinamool Congress' Baisnabnagar MLA Chandana Sarkar said 20 youths have been deployed at the river bank to assist those coming in boats from Murshidabad.

They have been sheltered in schools and arrangements have been made for them, she said.

A representative of a voluntary organisation in Malda said that so far, around 40-50 boats carrying riot-hit people from areas such as Dhulian, Suti and Jangipur have arrived since Saturday and necessary arrangements have been made in Pallarpur village in Kaliachak 3 block.

"They are safe here," he asserted.
Indian Air Force's transport aircraft carrying relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar late last month faced "GPS spoofing", triggering security concerns as pilots were forced to rely on the backup systems, sources in the military establishment said on Sunday.

IMAGE: IAF's C-17 Globemaster departs for Mandalay with 31 tons of humanitarian aid. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar

India sent the first consignment of relief materials to Myanmar on March 29 in a C-130 J aircraft and its pilots reported that the plane's GPS signal was tampered with when it was in Myanmar's airspace, the sources said.

New Delhi sent a total of six military transport aircraft to Myanmar transporting relief materials, field hospitals and rescue teams and a majority of them experienced GPS spoofing, they said.

GPS spoofing is considered to be a form of cyber attack that includes generating false GPS signals. The false signals result in misleading the navigation equipment which creates a significant risk to aircraft.

When the aircraft faced "GPS interference and spoofing", the pilots immediately activated the backup system called 'inertial navigation system', the sources said.

GPS spoofing is used to trick an aircraft into thinking it's in a different location as it receives false location data, according to experts.

Besides the C-130J Super Hercules, the Indian Air Force also operated C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift transport aircraft to carry relief materials and rescue teams to Myanmar.

There was no immediate comment from the Indian Air Force on the incidents of the GPS spoofing.

Asked if the IAF would probe the incidents, the sources said it is practically impossible to investigate such episodes if they take place in foreign airspace.

"The GPS spoofing must have been carried out by our adversary in the region," said a source without explaining.

Though it is not immediately clear whether all six aircraft faced GPS spoofing, the sources said the majority of them reported the challenge.

Out of six, five aircraft had landed in Yangon and Nay-Pyi-Daw on March 29-30, while one was sent to Mandalay on April 1.

After the first aircraft experienced GPS "interference" and "spoofing", the pilots of other aircraft were sensitised about the problem and they were flying to Myanmar expecting such a challenge, the sources said.

GPS spoofing is generally reported in conflict zones. Such incidents have recently been reported in areas bordering Iran.

At times, spoofing results in shifting of GPS position from 50 miles to around several hundred miles, according to the experts.

India had launched 'Operation Brahma' to extend assistance to Myanmar after the country was hit by a major earthquake.
'Of course, people will have to carry documents all the time. There is overall uncertainty in living in the US.'

Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Gerd Altmann/Pixabay.com

The US government's new rule requiring all immigrants in the country to register using Form G-325R and carry proof of their legal status is unlikely to impact H1-B visa holders, green card holders, and people holding travel visas, said experts.

But this has led to anxiety and uncertainty among the Indian diaspora, including those with green cards.

'On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued executive order 14159, protecting the American people against invasion, which directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that aliens comply with their duty to register with the government under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and ensure that failure to comply with the registration requirement is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority,' said the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

The move is part of Trump's attempt to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions living illegally.

All non-citizens above 14, staying in the US for 30 days or more, must register with the government. Parents will need to register for their children under 14.

According to immigration lawyers, rules are not new, just that they are being enforced more stringently. Experts say that this is more of a procedural item for the industry.

A senior industry executive said that this is primarily targeted towards people who entered the US illegally.

"Mostly people on visas are registered. This will not impact the IT services industry. It is aimed at illegal migration," the person added.

"But, of course, people will have to carry the documents all the time. There is overall uncertainty in living in the US," added the person.

Another executive from a talent staffing firm said that most Indians carry their green cards or H1-B visas all times when they are in public and it would have little impact on their daily lives.

A mechanical engineer from India and working for a US multinational in Texas, Rajiv Shetty (name changed) said that so far there has not been much of an impact.

"Those who have valid visas and documentation need not worry. This is primarily targeted at illegal immigrants. But I assume many will be caught in this cross fire," he added.

Poorvi Chothani, immigration lawyer and managing partner of LawQuest, said that the new rules have led to concerns among Indians, who are residing in the US and even those who are returning Green Cards.

"Expect extra scrutiny on arrival, digital searches and extreme vetting. "Every traveller into the US is at the risk of digital searches if the CBP officer wants to do so," Chothani cautioned.

"Under this, all digital devices such as mobile phones and laptops may be searched," she added.

The latest rule will, however, add to the woes of Indian students.

A bill has been introduced in the US Congress to eliminate Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorisation, that allows science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students to stay in the country for up to three years after graduation and find a job.

Failure to comply with registration rules may result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanor prosecution, the imposition of fines, and incarceration, the rules said.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
'DRDO is working on a number of technologies that will give India Star Wars capability.'

IMAGE: The Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation to shoot down aerial targets, here and below. All photographs: ANI Photo

India has joined a select league of nations, including the US, China and Russia, with the capability of shooting down fixed-wing drones and swarm drones using a high-energy 30-kilowatt laser beam.

The successful trial of the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system was showcased at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Speaking with ANI, Defence Research and Development Organisation Chairman Samir V Kamat said, "As far as I know, the United States, Russia and China have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities. I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this system."

Kamat said that this is just the "beginning of the journey", adding that DRDO is working on a number of technologies "that will give us Star Wars capability."

The indigenously designed and developed Mk-II(A) DEW system was demonstrated in its entire spectrum of capability by engaging fixed-wing drones at long range, thwarting a multiple drone attack and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae.

DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, Hyderabad, developed the system along with LRDE, IRDE, DLRL and academic institutions and Indian industries.

Once detected by radar or by its inbuilt Electro Optic system, a laser-DEW can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense beam of powerful light (a laser beam) to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if a warhead is targeted.

The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and the emergence of drone swarms as asymmetric threats are driving the demand for directed energy weapons with counter-UAS and counter-swarm capabilities.

DEW will soon replace traditional kinetic weapons and missile defence systems due to its ease of operation and cost-effectiveness.

The cost of firing it for a few seconds is equivalent to the cost of a couple of litres of petrol.

IMAGE: Defence Research and Development Organisation Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat speaks to the media about the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system.

IMAGE: The DRDO scientists who worked on the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system with DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat.

Photographs curated by and feature presented by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Telangana government on Monday issued an order on the implementation of Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-categorisation, making it the first state in the country to do so, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Reuters

Telangana government had earlier appointed a commission headed by retired high court judge Justice Shameem Akther on SC sub-categorisation, which made recommendations that the 59 Scheduled Caste (SC) communities be divided into three groups viz I, II, and III for the total reservations of 15 per cent in government jobs and education.

"The following Act of the Telangana Legislature received the assent of the Governor on 8 April 2025, and the said assent is hereby first published in the Telangana Gazette for general information on 14th April 2025," the GO said.

The issuance of GO coincides with the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in a post on 'X' said the State government paid the best tributes by bringing into force a great 'Act of Social Justice' addressing a long overdue demand for classification of SC sub-castes.

'Telangana is the first state in India to implement the revolutionary decision of #SCSubCategorisation. We are all proud to have made history,' he said in the post.

Revanth Reddy further said empowering and ensuring opportunities for all sections of Dalits, the state government issued a gazette notification, whose first copy was handed over to him by the committee that undertook the 'historic work'.

According to the commission report, group-I comprising 15 socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged SC communities, is given one per cent reservation.

Group-II, including 18 moderately benefited SC communities, is provided with a nine per cent quota while Group III comprising 26 significantly benefited SC communities, are given a five per cent reservation.

Addressing a press conference, Minister Uttam Reddy, who headed a sub-committee on SC sub-categorisation, said the first copy of the GO was given to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy this morning.

"From today, from this moment, SC sub-categorisation will be implemented in Telangana in employment and education. We have issued a GO to this effect," he told reporters.

"Telangana is the first state to implement the SC sub-categorisation after the Supreme Court's verdicts," Reddy said.

The minister alleged that earlier governments in Telangana confined themselves to passing resolutions for the sub-categorisation and never took forward.

He further said all job vacancies in the state government now will be filled according to the sub-categorisation for SCs.

The Irrigation Minister further said the cabinet sub-committee did an extensive exercise in collecting the opinion of all the stakeholders.

He also said if the SC population goes up in the 2026 census, the reservations for it would go up accordingly.

The Telangana Legislature in February accepted the recommendations of Justice Akther on SC sub-categorisation, rejecting an advice that creamy layer should be exempted from reservations.

The Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025 was passed last month.

The Supreme Court gave a verdict last year in favour of sub-categorisation.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's April 19 visit to Jammu and Kashmir, security has been significantly tightened across the region, especially along the Jammu-Srinagar highway and key infrastructure sites.

The PM is set to flag off the inaugural Katra-Srinagar train and inaugurate two major engineering projects, the Chenab rail bridge and the Anji Khad bridge in Reasi district.

Given the recent terror incidents in the area, surveillance has been increased and railway staff are on full alert.

While the Katra-Srinagar rail link will open, the direct train service from Jammu or New Delhi to Srinagar will begin only after Jammu station's construction is complete.

IMAGE: Police personnel at the Chenab rail bridge -- the highest in the world -- ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Modi on April 19, in Reasi. All photographs: ANI Photo

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
A video of a young woman having her burqa removed in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh has gone viral and caused outrage among social media users.

Photograph: Screen grab from video on X

The incident happened on Saturday, April 12, 2025, evening when the girl was traveling on a motorbike with a colleague, who happens to be from another community.

The duo, both bank employees, were on a loan recovery assignment when a group of people stopped them and asked after their religion.

On learning they were from different religions, they beat up the couple and removed the woman's burqa.

Later, they shot the video which went viral on social media.

The Uttar Pradesh government is already facing heat over the gang-rape of a young woman in Kasganj last week and the gang-rape of another young woman in Varanasi for over a week.

In Kasganj, the woman had gone with her fiance to a secluded canal area when eight men came by and raped her.

In Varanasi, a 19-year-old woman was raped by 23 men across various places.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by Varanasi's police commissioner, divisional commissioner and district magistrate on the tarmac at Varanasi airport about the steps taken to apprehend the criminals. So far, 12 of the rapists have been arrested.

Last week the Supreme Court came down heavily on Uttar Pradesh, saying there was a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

After the video of the woman getting divested of her burqa went viral, 'Shameful act' one X user posted.

'They are molesting an innocent girl', another X user stated.

'No words, they are not humans,' added another X user.

On X, the Muzaffarnagar police issued a video statement through its spokesperson stating, 'All 6 accused seen in the viral video have been arrested'.

While the police did not disclose the accused's names, they retweeted a Hindi newspaper report that gave the names of the six along with their photographs. They have been identified as Sartaj Iqbal, Shazad Zakir, Mohammed Umar, Arsh Arshad, Shoaib Irshad and Shami Ehsaan.

Later a video (external link) of the six men in the police station showed them limping, leading to speculation if they had been beaten up in custody.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress on birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, accusing the party of turning Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs into "second-class citizens" while in power.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering after flagging off the first commercial flight from the Maharaja Agrasen airport in Hisar to Ayodhya. Photograph: ANI on X

Addressing a gathering after flagging off the first commercial flight from the Maharaja Agrasen airport in Hisar to Ayodhya and laying the foundation stone of a new terminal building at the airport, he alleged that the Congress has become the destroyer of the Constitution framed by Ambedkar.

"Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted to bring equality, but Congress spread the virus of vote bank (politics) in the country. He wanted every poor person to live with dignity, with heads held high, to dream and fulfil them. But the Congress made the SCs, STs and OBCs second-class citizens," he said.

Sharpening his attack on the main opposition, Modi alleged the Congress turned the pious Constitution "into a weapon to gain power" and spread the "virus" of vote bank (politics).

During the years-long rule of the Congress, water reached the swimming pools of the party's leaders but tap water did not reach villages, he claimed. "Even 70 years after Independence, only 16 per cent of homes in villages had tap water... Who were the most affected by this? It was the SCs, STs and OBCs."

He slammed the Congress leadership, saying if they were so much concerned about the welfare of the downtrodden, those making speeches "on every street these days" should have ensured that water reached the homes of SCs, STs and OBCs when the party was in power.

Modi said, "We do not have to forget what they did with Ambedkar. The Congress insulted Babasaheb when he was alive and he was defeated in elections twice. The then Congress government wanted to throw him out."

"A conspiracy was hatched to keep him out of the system. When Ambedkar was no more, the Congress even tried to erase his memories. It wanted to finish even his ideas," he said.

After flagging off the flight from here to Ayodhya and laying the foundation stone of the new terminal building, Modi said the BJP-led government at the Centre was emphasising connectivity on one hand and on the other was ensuring social justice and welfare of the poor. "This was the dream of Dr Ambedkar," he stressed.

"This is what our constitution makers and those who sacrificed their lives for this nation had aspired for our country. These were their dreams," Modi told the gathering.

The new terminal building of Maharaja Agrasen Airport will be built at an estimated cost of over Rs 410 crore. The project is targeted to be completed in two years.

The scheduled flights from Hisar to Ayodhya twice a week, and three flights in a week to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh are expected to mark a significant leap in Haryana's aviation connectivity.

Modi said flights from Hisar to other cities will begin very soon.

"This is to take the aspirations of Haryana to newer heights. It has been my promise to you that a person wearing hawai chappal will fly in an aeroplane. We are seeing this promise being realised," said the PM.

"During the past 10 years, crores of Indians flew in a plane for the first time. We build airports at places where even good railway stations did not exist before," he said.

To buttress his point, Modi said that before 2014, the country had 74 airports. But now India has more than 150 airports, said Modi as he took a swipe at the previous Congress government.

"Our airline companies have placed orders for 2,000 new planes. When more planes are added, jobs -- be it in the shape of pilots, air hostesses and other services like ground staff -- will be generated. A big sector connected with aircraft maintenance will also generate a lot of jobs," Modi said.

"Non-stop development and accelerated development, this is the BJP government's mantra. Our aim is to bring change in the lives of the poor, tribals and women. Every decision and policy of our government is committed to Babasaheb Ambedkar," the PM said.

He accused the Congress of making tall claims about social justice and said, "But we have to remember that it did not give Bharat Ratna to Ambedkar and Chaudhary Charan Singh."

Modi alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka gave reservations in tenders based on religion, "snatching the rights of SCs, STs and OBCs." But Ambedkar had said there would not be reservation based on religion and there is a bar on giving reservation on the basis of religion in the Constitution, he stressed.

"The Muslim community also suffered because of the Congress' appeasement policy. The Congress pleased only a few fanatics (kattarpanthi) while the rest of the community, deprived of education, remained poor," he claimed.

"The Congress made amendments in the Waqf law hurriedly at the end of 2013 so that it could get votes in elections. They made this law above the Constitution, which was the biggest insult to Babasaheb."

They claimed that they did so in the interest of the Muslims, he said.

"I want to ask them, who are greedy for vote bank? If you really have some sympathy for Muslims, then Congress should appoint a Muslim as its president. Why don't they do it?" he asked.

Striking a chord with the people, Modi used the Haryanvi dialect to say the state is known for its jawans, players and brotherhood".

Recalling the days when he worked for the BJP organisation in the 1990s, he said, "Many memories are connected with Hisar. When the BJP had given me the responsibility of Haryana, I worked with so many colleagues here."

On Ambedkar's birth anniversary, Modi said, "Today, for all of us, for the country, and especially Dalits, the weaker and deprived sections, for all of them it is an important day. It is a second Diwali for them."

"His life, his struggle and his life message have acted as a pillar of inspiration for us in the past 11 years of our journey," he added.
Dr B R Ambedkar faced many an obstacle on his way to a hallowed career in academics one of them was a German submarine.

IMAGE: Folk artists during the 134th birth anniversary celebration of Dr B R Ambedkar, at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

In 1917, when the First World War was at its most incendiary, the young academic had sent a draft of his PhD dissertation and a vast collection of books aboard the ship SS Salsette from London to then Bombay.

But in what is now part of folklore surrounding the author of the Problem of the Rupee, a German torpedo sent his work sinking to the bottom of the English Channel.

As it happened, the sinking was hardly enough to throw off stride Ambedkar, the Dalit icon and architect of India's Constitution, who doubled down in his pursuits and went on to win at least two doctorates, and several other honorary ones.

The incident, and the herculean academic efforts of Ambedkar, have now been given new currency in the book 'Becoming Babasaheb: The Life and Times of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Volume 1)' by Aakash Singh Rathore, published by HarperCollins India.

In the summer of 1917, Ambedkar was forced to return to India after his Baroda scholarship expired and the state refused to extend financial support. He departed from London, a city where he had worked tirelessly for over a year.

He had completed coursework for his MSc at the London School of Economics and was well on his way to a PhD at Columbia University.

However, he still had to submit his master's thesis, and his doctoral dissertation too was unfinished. More so, he had only just begun his legal training at Gray's Inn.

Thus forced, he sent his books and papers separately in cargo by the SS Salsette, a British steamer, and travelled onboard the SS Kaisar-i-Hind to India.

On July 20, German submarine, UB-40, fired a torpedo at the SS Salsette. The attack killed 15 crew members and sank Ambedkar's thesis along with his vast collection of books.

"The SS Salsette sank 45 minutes after the torpedo hit, taking the vast majority of Ambedkar's books and papers, including the first draft of his Columbia University doctoral dissertation ('The National Dividend'), to the bottom of the sea," writes Rathore in his book.

Ambedkar arrived in Bombay on August 21, 1917, and was greeted by members of the Mahar community with fanfare for his academic achievements.

He would eventually return to London to finish his PhD and complete his legal training.

On Monday, across the country, tributes were paid to the country's first law minister and untouchability crusader on his 135th birth anniversary.
The high court in Dhaka has asked the Bangladesh government to explain in two weeks why model Meghna Alam's arrest should not be declared illegal.

IMAGE: Bangladesh model beauty Meghna Alam. Photographs: Kind courtesy missbangladesh333/Facebook

According to a report in the Bangladesh newspaper, The Daily Star, 'The high court ruling came after a writ petition was filed by Meghna's father Badrul Alam against the detention of his daughter.'

The Bangladesh police said last week, when Meghna was detained, that she was being taken into custody as per section 2(f) of the Special Powers Act 1974 to prevent her from 'engaging in activities harmful to public safety and law and order'.

Meghna's arrest came soon after she claimed that she had an affair with a married Saudi diplomat posted to Bangladesh, who she blamed for 'trying to silence her with the help of law enforcement agencies'.

Meghna Alam, the winner of Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, was picked up by the police from her flat in Dhaka last Wednesday.

Before her arrest Meghna appeared on Facebook Live, during which she said that people claiming to be the police were knocking on her door.

In the 12-minute livestream which was cut off abruptly, Meghna was seen pleading with them and assuring them of her cooperation.

The video was deleted later.

Law enforcers produced Meghna before a Dhaka court around 10.30 pm the next day. A local court ordered that she be detained for 30 days and sent her to Kashmipur jail.

While arresting Meghna the Bangladesh police said she was arrested on charges of spreading lies about an individual that were meant to deteriorate relations between the two countries.

It was only later known that Meghna's arrest was related to her alleged affair with a married Saudi diplomat settled in Bangladesh.

Amnesty International condemned the arrest and expressed concerned about the state of human rights in Bangladesh.

In a statement on X, the human rights organisation said, 'Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the use of the Special Powers Act for the arrest of model Meghna Alam.

'The draconian legislation, with vague, overbroad provisions, has historically been used to arbitrarily detain people for long periods of time, without charge, and without judicial oversight. These all constitute gross violations of due process safeguards and international human rights standards and best practices.'

'As per media reports,' Amnesty noted, 'Meghna's detention was shrouded in secrecy, and was allegedly carried out without a warrant, which are considered to be alarming violations of procedural safeguards.'

The Amnesty statement concluded by stating, 'We call on the authorities to either charge Meghna with an internationally recognizable crime or release her. They must also end the use of and repeal the Special Powers Act.'

The Daily Star reported the Bangladesh police also arrested Dewan Samir, owner of a manpower agency Sanjana and the CEO of the Kawaii Group, for allegedly blackmailing a Saudi diplomat using women.

Samir is on a five-day remand and accused of leading a fraud ring that used honey traps to extort $5 million from the Saudi ambassador to Bangladesh, Essa Bin Yousef Alduhailan.
It took Udham Singh 21 years to avenge the massacre of Jallianwala Bagh.

And 34 years for the Hero's remains to return to India after his execution in a British prison.

IMAGE: Sardar Udham Singh. Photograph: Kind courtesy Punjab state archives/Wikimedia Commons

In the early hours of the morning in a London prison ground in July 1974, the remains of an Indian freedom fighter were quietly being exhumed.

The old coffin was dug out from one of the graves in the prison yard. The bones were transferred to a new casket and driven to London's Heathrow airport.

The coffin was transferred into an Air India flight bound for New Delhi.

Thirty-four years after Sardar Udham Singh was hanged for assassinating Michael O'Dwyer, the lieutenant governor of Punjab, to avenge the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, he finally landed in a free India.

The martyr's return is captured in the book The Amritsar Massacre, Twilight of the Raj by Alfred Draper, first published in 1981.

The remains were received by then foreign minister Sardar Swaran Singh, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, then president of the ruling Congress party, and Giani Zail Singh, then chief minister of Punjab. Both Dr S D Sharma and Giani Zail Singh went on to be Presidents of India.

Draper writes that the casket was draped in the Indian flag, decked with flowers and taken to Kapurthala House where then prime minister Indira Gandhi paid homage.

Newspapers carried articles on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and excerpts of the revolutionary leader's speech delivered in court during his 1940 trial which had been suppressed by the British government.

V K Krishna Menon -- who was removed as India's defence minister during the 1962 War with China -- was one of the lawyers in Udham Singh's defence team at the Old Bailey.

IMAGE: The ashes of Shaheed Udham Singh, brought on July 19, 1974 from England and preserved at the Jallianwala Bagh museum in Amritsar. Photograph: Harvinder Chandigarh/Wikimedia Commons

Udham Singh's coffin was then taken by road from Delhi to Amritsar, crowds gathered along the route to pay respects.

The casket lay in rest in Jallianwala Bagh where on the day of the massacre, Udham Singh worked as a water bearer. He had given the last sip of water to many as they took their final breaths and carried bodies upon bodies.

'Men and women wept unashamedly for Udham Singh who had avenged the dead and wounded with his own blood,' wrote Draper.

The casket was then taken to his village Sunam in Sangrur district for cremation. The ashes were scattered in the Ganga and Sutlej. Some of the ashes were put in various urns. One of the urns is preserved in the Jallianwala Bagh museum.

Udham Singh's house was later designated as a museum.

IMAGE: A news article in the Daily Mirror newspaper after Sardar Udham Singh assassinated Michael O'Dwyer. Photograph: Kind courtesy moomjamma/X

Udham Singh was 20 when General Reginald Dyer blocked the exits of Jallianwala Bagh and ordered his troops to open fire at the unarmed crowd.

Punjab was under the control of Michael O'Dwyer, the lieutenant governor, when Indians protested against the Rowlatt Act which gave the British the authority to arrest anyone without reason.

Udham Singh was an orphan living in a hostel in Amritsar at that time. Enraged with the killings, he swore revenge and became a committed revolutionary.

He travelled to Germany, the USA, Egypt, Ethiopia, Russia and England under different aliases to continue his revolutionary activities.

He worshipped Bhagat Singh and Draper writes that Udham Singh called himself desh-bhagat (Disciple of Bhagat).

IMAGE: Bullet marks on a preserved wall at Jallianwala Bagh. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vinoo202/Wikimedia Commons

On March 13, 1940, Udham Singh attended a lecture at Caxton Hall, London, where the introductory speech was to be given by Michael O'Dwyer.

Udham Singh -- dressed in a suit as he usually did -- was seated in the front. He fired six shots, killing O'Dwyer on the stage.

One of the doctors who attended the dying O'Dwyer, Draper reports, was Dr M R Lawrence, whose brother was T E Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia.

Udham Singh told the police his name was Mohammad Singh Azad to exemplify Hindu-Sikh-Muslim unity. His real name was only known later by the authorities.

He was lodged in Pentonville prison where he went on a 41-day hunger strike during his incarceration afer religious books sent to him were not handed to him by prison authorities.

IMAGE: The entrance of Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bernard Gagnon/Wikimedia Commons

According to Draper's account when the judge asked if Udham Singh had anything to say about why he should not be sentenced to death, he took out a sheaf of papers, put on his glasses and read aloud.

Among what he said in court were the words: 'For 21 years I have been trying to wreak vengeance. I am happy I have done the job. I am not scared of death -- I am dying for my country.'

Udham Singh wrote only one letter from the death cell to the secretary of a gurdwara asking for the Guru Granth Sahib, as per Draper.

On July 31, 1940 he was hanged and buried in an unmarked grave below the prison walls.

A request from the gurdwara to return his body so that it could be taken to India was curtly refused.

The request was granted 34 years later after Indira Gandhi interceded with the then British government.

Udham Singh, the Revolutionary Hero, was finally home.
BRATTLEBORO  A man accused of burning down his former girlfriend's family's house in Athens and stalking her will continue to be held without bail until his trial in May.

A weight of the evidence hearing established that Monday for Benjamin Stocker, 31, of Springfield, in Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division. He is facing charges of aggravated stalking, unlawful mischief, multiple counts of violating abuse prevention orders, disturbing the peace by telephone, second degree domestic assault and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

"The state's evidence establishes all elements of second degree aggravated domestic assault based on violation of the court order," Judge John Treadwell said at a hearing Monday. "Evidence of guilt is great with respect to a felony involving an act of violence."

Recorded statements from the alleged victim describe "conduct that meets all the definitions of stalking," Treadwell said. He described voicemails played in the courtroom as "threatening, profane, demeaning and insulting" towards the alleged victim and her family.

Stocker allegedly blocked a roadway in an attempt to prevent the alleged victim from driving by in two incidents. He also has prior convictions for domestic assault and stalking, and was on probation at the time of the new alleged crimes. He was arrested March 29, the day of the fire in Athens.

Community rallies around Athens family that lost home to fire ATHENS  Laima Leland has lived in the tiny town of Athens for close to 50 years, and raised

Stocker "poses a risk of violence" to the victim, Treadwell said, "and no conditional combination of conditions will mitigate that risk." His trial currently is scheduled for the first week in May.

Initially, Stocker was ordered held without bail earlier this month. At arraignment, he was charged with 12 counts, and an additional nine counts came primarily with violating abuse prevention orders during incidents in Rockingham and Bellows Falls.

The additional charges have to do with a March 3 incident on Route 103. Stocker allegedly followed the victim's car so closely, repeatedly, that he rear-ended her vehicle, making her fear for her life.

One of the charges involved stealing a handgun from a friend in Andover. As a convicted felon and with an active abuse prevention order against him, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
BRATTLEBORO  As the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union sets out to create its own food service program, a key hire has been made.

Harley Sterling will be the food nutrition director. He starts full time April 21.

His hiring was approved at recent WSESU Board meeting.

"It was a really very thorough process with administrators, parents, teachers," Superintendent Mark Speno said at the meeting. "We met with some of the candidates and Harley clearly rose to the top. He's got a great reputation in Vermont, has been serving the Bellows Falls community very well for a number of years and has been continuously recognized for his work. So we're extremely excited to build a program."

WNESU's Harley Sterling again honored for local food program WESTMINSTER  For the second year in a row, the food program at the Windham Northeast Superv

Speno said the next step is to hire an assistant director. Other staffing will follow.

Sterling said he decided to depart from Windham Northeast Supervisory Union, where he's nutrition director, for the WSESU job after "seeing how hungry the community is for an excellent food program that really represents the values that Brattleboro and surrounding areas have had for all these years."

"There's lots of things going on behind the scenes," he said. "They've been working on a vision and guiding the creation of this program for years so things are happening slowly."

Sterling said he likes "the challenge" and "the excitement" of the new role, and wants to see the program be as successful as possible.

Last year, Sterling received a state award for a second year in a row for spending the highest percentage of any school district on food produced locally. He said the program has "always been about how to share out these strategies and methods and values."

Jacob Gallogy, a former employee of Sterling's, also was recognized last year by the School Nutrition Association of Vermont and Hunger Free Vermont for innovation and advocacy in food service. Gallogy, food service manager for West River Education District, has spoken about Sterling as an inspirational figure.

Jacob Gallogly recognized for innovation, advocacy in food service NEWFANE  Jacob Gallogly, food service manager for West River Education District, is being h

Sterling said food service directors support the staff, giving them "livable wages and a culture of professionalism, because these are our community members."

"These are the people who live here in Vermont," he said, "then their job is to take care of the kids and the farmers and all of that. It's a system, the whole food system. It's people, farms, food, students, the whole picture. I'm excited to tackle those things together."

Sterling said the hope is "to see everybody doing more of this."

"That's what's happening around the state," he said. "There's all these wonderful programs starting up."

Sterling called Vermont "generations ahead on this farm to school culture and school nutrition culture."

Every year is getting better and better, he said. He noted this year twice as many school nutrition programs, about 12, are participating in the Local Food Incentives grant program than the year before. Through the program, the state will increase reimbursement rates based on the percentage of local food being purchased.

At WSESU, the food program will include public schools in Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney and Vernon.

"We're excited to keep that independent spirit alive in Putney and have them be a north star for the rest of the district because they're hugely responsible for steering the pilot that brought this program to be," Sterling said.

In 2016, Sterling ran an independent food service program at Westminster Center School. He described it as being "very similar to the way Putney operated within WSESU," as the rest of the schools in the supervisory union relied on the outside vendor Fresh Picks Cafe for food programs.

In 2018, the independent program was extended to all six of the schools within WNESU.

"So it was almost the same exact thing that happened at WSESU," Sterling said.

He described the initiative as "a big undertaking."

"I just want to make sure we're valuing what everyone's expectations are and what everyone wants to see so we can try to deliver for the community that has put this together," he said. "It really is going to be a community effort. I am just going to be one small part of it because really it was this whole steering committee that put this together and presented this and made all this happen. I think the town and the community is really ready to see some high quality food being served to those kids every single day."
Ericsson has promoted Ludvig Landgren to head of Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ) after working for the vendor for close to 25 years.

Relocating to Sydney from Singapore for the role, Landgren will move from his current position of Ericssons lead for its cloud, software and services and enterprise unit for Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, which he has held for the past five years.

In this previous role, he worked with service providers in A/NZ on driving digital transformation, automation and 5G monetisation.

Meanwhile, his new position will see him work alongside the companys local team, partners and customers to unleash the next wave of mobile innovation, for the benefit of consumers and enterprises, Landgren said.

Ludvig is a seasoned telecommunications executive with a deep understanding of the Australian and New Zealand markets, said Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India head of market area Andres Vicente.

He brings valuable insight into how our customers, partners and government stakeholders can unlock the full potential of 5G  as a platform for innovation and a driver of tangible business outcomes. I am confident that under Ludvigs leadership, we will strengthen our position and accelerate 5G value creation for our customers across Australia and New Zealand.

Landgren succeeds Emilio Romeo in the role, who has taken up the position of executive strategic advisor to drive growth and transformation with key Ericsson customers in Southeast Asia.

As early mobile technology adopters, including global frontrunners in 5G, Australia and New Zealand service providers are in a strong position to redefine how our industry creates and captures value, Landgren added.
Global business platform Xero has launched a social impact initiative Xero for Good with a free programme called Know Your Numbers designed to improve the financial literacy of Kiwi small business owners.

Xero Aotearoa New Zealand country manager Bridget Snelling said the programme will support small businesses on their financial literacy journey, giving them the tools to understand their finances, regardless of where they started or what challenges they have faced along the way.

We know small business owners are driven by a strong desire to build something extraordinary, but financial management often becomes their biggest roadblock, Snelling said.

Xero For Good includes an ambassador programme offering free mentoring to small businesses from Xero accountant partners and bookkeepers to help apply their new knowledge and improve their businesses.

It also includes a content hub, an expanding library of financial literacy educational content designed to fit around business owners busy schedules.

This delivers bite-sized, digestible videos and quick guides that can be viewed in less than five minutes via mobile. The library would grow over coming months to address the needs of small business owners, Xero said.

Aotearoa New Zealand is a country built on small business success stories, and this new social impact programme is another way for Xero to be an enabler so that more businesses can be writing their future success stories, Snelling said.

Government research has identified many small business owners feel uncertain or underprepared when it comes to managing their finances, with just one-third of self-employed and small business owners answering all financial literacy questions in a survey correctly.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for upholding multilateral trade as he landed in Vietnam as part of a high-stakes tour of Southeast Asia's most export-reliant economies as he looks to capitalize on global trade tensions with the United States.

The three-country visit, which begins with a two-day state visit to Vietnam on April 14, will also take Xi to Malaysia and Cambodia as he aims to emphasize China as a stable partner in contrast to the United States, which has imposed and then suspended punishing tariffs across the region and roiled global markets.

"There are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars, and protectionism has no way out," Xi wrote in an article published in Vietnamese state media ahead of his visit, without mentioning the United States specifically.

The Chinese leader also urged strengthening coordination and cooperation through regional initiatives, such as the East Asia Cooperation and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, which he called necessary to "inject more stability and positive energy into a chaotic and intertwined world."

Beijing and Hanoi signed 45 agreements, although the contents of all the deals have not yet been disclosed. Xi expected to attend the launch ceremony for a new $8-billion railway project connecting Vietnam and China on April 15. The venture is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy.

While planned ahead of the announcement of global US tariffs, the tour now forms part of a broader Chinese charm offensive launched in the wake of a growing trade war that saw US President Donald Trump hit China with 145 percent tariffs and Beijing respond with a 125 percent tit-for-tat move on US goods.

Before receiving a 90-day reprieve on "reciprocal" US tariffs, Vietnam and Cambodia were hit with 46 percent and 49 percent tariffs, respectively, and both countries are walking a tightrope in their relations between China and the United States, both of which are important economic partners.

China is also looking for inroads in Europe amid the tariff tumult. Xi hosted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on April 11, where he said China and the European Union should "jointly oppose unilateral acts of bullying."

Similarly, Chinese premier Li Qiang spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week when they both emphasized the need for a "strong reformed trading system, free, fair, and founded on a level playing field," according to a readout.

"US tariffs were seen as truly existential, and while we're in a pause on the retaliatory tariffs, there's still this pervading sense of uncertainty around the threat of future tariffs," said Kaitlyn Garman, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).

"You can see short- and long-term scenarios where policy decisions will need to be assessed through the lens of the potential that this opens up another point of confrontation with the United States and risks an escalating trade war," she added.

Tariffs Ignite A Delicate Balancing Act in Southeast Asia

Trump has said his goal in unleashing tariffs is to eliminate the US trade deficit once and for all, which he says will help lure more manufacturing back to the United States, creating jobs at home and staunching the flow of US money to China.

But the tariffs also appear to be a negotiating tool for Washington to remake its trade relationships with much of the world.

Some 70 countries are said to currently be negotiating tariff relief with Washington, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week they should "approach China as a group" together with the United States.

Many countries across Asia, however, are also grappling with being slapped by soaring tariffs and debating how to respond in the event that they could be reinstated to their full level after the 90-day pause ends.

It's against this backdrop that Beijing is looking to gain ground with its strategic neighbors in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam and many others in the region have traditionally sought to avoid taking sides between China and the United States. Washington is a crucial export market for southeast Asia and a security partner that serves as a counterbalance to China's assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

However, trade in the region is closely intertwined with China, with countries from the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), counting as the biggest recipient of Chinese exports last year, according to China's customs data.

Vietnam is in the process of looking to negotiate its trade relationship with the Trump administration and has already sent Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc to Washington, who promised to buy more US goods, including defense systems, as it looks to avoid the 46 percent levy being reintroduced.

Exports to the United States account for 30 percent of Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) and the country has received a boost in recent years as many companies moved there from China to skirt tariffs imposed by Washington.

China Looks For Diplomatic Inroads Elsewhere

Beijing has cast a wide net as it has looked to capitalize diplomatically in the aftermath of US tariffs.

Last week, China held video calls with Malaysia, as well as Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Xi also vowed to deepen China's strategic partnership with Indonesia in a call with that country's president, Prabowo Subianto, on April 13.

Brussels also announced that it plans to host an EU-China summit in July, and the bloc said last week that it agreed to restart talks with Beijing to settle a dispute over Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports, which the EU hit with tariffs in 2024.

Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez's recent visit to Beijing also made headlines when he called for Europe to review its relationship with China as it adapts to a new reality with the United States. Those comments were met with a rebuke from US Treasury Secretary Bessent, who warned that cooperating with Beijing would be "cutting your own throat."

Analysts say a rapprochement between Brussels and Beijing is not in the cards given that China's support of Russia amid its war in Ukraine has deeply damaged relations with the bloc.

But Trump's tariffs threats, as well disagreements over US diplomacy over how to end the war in Ukraine, are also leading European governments to adjust their foreign policies, which could see them forge closer trading partnerships with other "like-minded" partners in Asia like India, Japan, and South Korea, and elsewhere in Europe with Norway and Britain.

"Europe will invest into robustly promoting trade through a like-minded partners approach," said Reinhard Butikofer, a former Member of the European Parliament. "The European Union will pursue a very active trade policy and try to strike new trade deals."
Hungarian lawmakers on Monday passed the 15th amendment to the Fundamental Law, as the constitution is called, restricting the right of LGBT groups to hold public events while recognizing only two genders: male and female.

The amendment was passed by a vote of 140 to 21, with deputies from the far-right Our Homeland Movement joining Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party and its allies, the Christian Democrats.

Members and supporters of the opposition Momentum party tried to disrupt the vote by blocking the parliamentary parking lot and honking a horn during the plenary session. Opposition groups also protested against the amendment outside Parliament during the voting.

As a result of the vote, the Fundamental Law now stipulates that a person can only identify as either male or female. The law comes three months after US President Donald Trump, an ally of Orban, issued an executive order recognizing only two genders.

The Hungarian bill says the right of children to proper physical, mental, and moral development -- with the exception of the right to life -- takes precedence over all other fundamental rights, including the right to assembly. The Pride march, held annually in Budapest for some 30 years, can now be banned.

The new amendment also says Hungarians have the fundamental right to use cash and allows for the suspension of citizenship and the expulsion from Hungary of Hungarians who are also citizens of another country outside the European Union if they are deemed to pose a threat to public order and the country's national security.

The production, use, distribution, and promotion of drugs is also now constitutionally banned.

The ban on public LGBT events was the latest step by the Orban government opposing the rights of the LGBT community. Since Orban's return to power in 2010, the government has banned gay marriage, severely restricted the possibility for LGBT people to adopt children and has tried equating homosexuality with pedophilia.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on April 14 that any diplomatic agreement reached with Iran will be centered on details related to verification of the country's uranium enrichment and weapons programs.

"This is going to be much about verification on the enrichment program, and then ultimately verification on weaponization," Witkoff said in an interview on Fox News. "That includes missiles, the type of missiles that they have stockpiled there, and it includes the trigger for a bomb."

Tehran and Washington held the first round of nuclear talks over the weekend in Oman, both saying afterward that the talks were "positive" and "constructive."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry on April 14 said a second round of talks between the United States and Iran will be held in Oman on April 19.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted by Iranian state news agency IRNA as saying that it was decided that Muscat will continue to host the talks.

The comment contradicted a statement by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who said the talks would be held in Rome. Tajani said Italy received the request from the interested parties and announced Rome would be the venue.

Tehran also confirmed on April 14 that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Moscow ahead of the next round of talks.

Separately, Iran confirmed on April 13 that Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will travel to Iran on April 16.

Araqchi met Witkoff met briefly after the first round of talks ended, adding to optimism relations between the two countries have taken a step forward.

US President Donald Trump has said he wants to ensure Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and wants a deal that leads to the lifting of sanctions that have battered its economy.

Trump has said that in the absence of a deal, there will be military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, with potential Israeli involvement.

Estimates suggest Iran could enrich sufficient uranium for a single bomb in less than a week and enough for several bombs within a month.

Meanwhile, the European Union on April 13 introduced sanctions on seven Iranian prison and judicial officials over Tehran's detention of nationals from the bloc.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the sanctions were in response to Iran's "state-sponsored hostage-taking" of European citizens.

On Iran's nuclear program, she said there was a need for a swift resolution because the October deadline to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran is approaching.

European powers have warned Iran that they will trigger the 2015 nuclear deal's "snapback mechanism" to reimpose UN sanctions if it fails to reach a new deal with the United States.

With reporting by AP and AFP
Pakistan has called on Iran to take swift action following the killing of eight Pakistani nationals in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

The victims, all workers at an auto repair shop in the town of Mehrestan, were reportedly shot dead by unidentified armed assailants on April 11. The attackers are said to have tied up the victims before executing them at close range and fleeing the scene.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the killings and urged Iranian authorities to apprehend and punish those responsible.

"The Iranian government must immediately arrest those involved in the killings, ensure they receive severe punishment, and uncover the motives behind this brutal act," he said.

He also emphasized the need for the immediate repatriation of the victims' bodies to their families in Punjab, Pakistan, where all eight men were from.

The attack has sparked outrage in Pakistan, with officials calling for enhanced security measures to protect Pakistani citizens working in Iran.

Iran has officially condemned the killings as an "act of terrorism." Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said in a statement on April 13 that Iranian security and judicial authorities are committed to identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.

The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad also strongly condemned the incident, labeling it a "cowardly and inhumane attack" while emphasizing terrorism as a shared threat to regional peace and security.

Some reports allege the separatist group Baloch National Army (BNA) has claimed responsibility for the killings, alleging the victims were linked to Pakistani intelligence agencies. RFE/RL has not been able to independently verify this.

The BNA has a history of targeting Pakistani nationals and has carried out similar attacks in the past as part of its campaign against Islamabad's influence in the region.

Iran and Pakistan have frequently accused one another of allowing militants to launch cross-border attacks from their territory.

In January last year, nine Pakistanis were killed in Sistan-Baluchistan province.

Armed opposition groups to the Islamic republic -- such as Jaish al-Adl -- have a long history of launching attacks in the Iranian province.
Someone believed to be acutely suicidal could not get help due to a lack of access to mental health services, a Roscommon County Councillor has claimed.

At a HSE West Regional Health Forum Cllr Emer Kelly told the forum that she had been contacted by someone she believed to be acutely suicidal, who could not access help.

She raised concerns about access to acute mental health services, stressing that it was not a reflection of the current service providers.

There are cases where service users are being turned away, be it for a number of reasons, that theres no capacity or they are deemed not to be acute enough. It is really not good enough that people are being turned away when they actually try to access help, she said.

I had a case a number of months ago where someone ended up ringing me because they were turned away from their emergency department. They couldnt get through to their GP to get a letter. They were, from talking to them, acutely suicidal. And they had to ring me as a public representative, who is in no way is qualified, to help them access health services.

She said that a crisis team, like the one for Galway City, needed to be expanded outwards into rural areas. Since Covid, there has been a large trend of mental health issues, such as isolation, in rural areas.

We need to make sure that people can access these services when they try to access them, Cllr Kelly said.

She added that community services did not have the capacity to see people in the time they need to be seen.

During the meeting, the councillor also sought information on the planned upgrading works to the department of psychiatry at Roscommon University Hospital.

In response, the HSE said that work was underway to develop a detailed plan for a new 50-bedded unit in Roscommon.

Work is currently underway to complete necessary documentation, and we anticipate that our finalised business case/project brief will be ready for submission to national estates for approval by the end of quarter two in 2025, the HSE said.

Cllr Kelly welcomed plans for the new 50-bed unit and that a multi-disciplinary team had been set up to achieve it. She asked how long the business case would take to be approved.

Integrated Health Area Manager for Galway-Roscommon, Ms Ann Cosgrove said that the original brief was for a smaller unit at the hospital, but this had been expanded. She added that the HSE was cognisant of the demands on the services, which we are experiencing on an ongoing basis, leading to the proposed 50-bed unit. She said that she could not give the councillor a time frame for the units development as the business case had not been submitted yet. However, she added that the standard timeframe from the initial approval to design to construction could be two to three years easily.

Cllr Kelly highlighted the need for the unit to be built quickly.

I have heard that the (recently opened) 50-bedded unit at Portiuncula was based on plans from 15 years ago. I dont want this to be a project that doesnt happen for 15 to 20 years, she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Cosgrove said that the HSE was continuously seeking to enhance services across the region, and acknowledged that more acute mental health beds, and supports in the community were needed.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival has officially launched its search for this years Rose Buds - and in a major first for the beloved Irish celebration, boys are now being welcomed into the fold as Rose Buddies. Last year, Kiltooms Reiltin Mannion was the countys Rose Bud at the iconic festival.

The announcement was made at a joyful launch event in Tralee, where Festival organisers were joined by past Roses, local families, and an excited group of future Buds and Buddies to unveil the new initiative. Traditionally open only to girls aged 6 to 10, the Rose Buds programme has become one of the most heartwarming aspects of the Festival, offering young children a chance to take part in the magic and make memories that last a lifetime.

Kerry Rose Emer Dineen, 2024 Rose Escort Tom Dowling, 2024 Sligo Rose Bud Holly Brosnan and Rose Buddy Iarla Farrell launched the search at Fairtree Village  the new Official Sponsor to the 2025 Rose Buds and Rose Buddies.

Now, for the first time, boys in the same age group are invited to share in the experience  meeting the Roses, taking part in Festival events, and representing the next generation of Irish pride and spirit.

"This is something weve been talking about for quite a while," said Suzan OGara, Festival Director of the Rose of Tralee. Weve had so many families tell us their sons would love to take part  and this year, were making that happen. The Rose Buds programme has always been about community, inclusion, and joy. Over the years, the Rose Buds programme has allowed children from all over Ireland  and indeed around the world  to build connections, take part in Festival activities and events such as the Rose parade and live television show, and enjoy special moments throughout the Festival. Rose Buddies will now enjoy all the same opportunities, with the emphasis firmly on fun, friendship and belonging.

This year Fairtree Village has been announced as the official sponsors to the 33 Rose Buds and 33 Rose Buddies to be selected for 2025. This lucky group of 6-10 year olds get to experience the Festival alongside their paired Roses and Rose Escorts, and become mini ambassadors of the Festival at fun events during the Festival week and take part in the television show hosted by Daithi O Se and Kathryn Thomas live on RTE.

The 2025 Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place from August 15th  19th, promising a week full of celebration, connection, and Irish culture at its finest  now with even more young faces lighting up the stage.

Applications for Rose Buds and Rose Buddies are now open, with places expected to fill quickly. Families are encouraged to visit the official Festival website www.roseoftralee.ie to apply and find out more about whats involved.
Death Threat Sent to Mumbai Authorities Mentions Salman Khan; Bomb Plot Investigated

Khan has endured a series of such threats over the years, often allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Salman Khan is back in the spotlight for a troubling reason. A chilling threat, claiming plans to kill the actor and blow up his car, was recently delivered to Mumbais Transport Department via WhatsApp. The message has prompted the registration of a case at Worli Police Station, with law enforcement working to trace the sender.

Khan has endured a series of such threats over the years, often allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The gang is said to hold a grudge over the actor's involvement in the blackbuck poaching case, a matter of religious concern for their community.

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In 2024, he was threatened again, with demands for a public apology or a Rs 5 crore payout. Later that year, an anonymous individual demanded Rs 2 crore, adding to a growing list of incidents, including break-in attempts at his farmhouse and threats from gangsters like Goldy Brar.

Khan, in a recent press interaction, said he leaves his safety in the hands of a higher power. I go from home to shoot and back. Thats my life now, he said, acknowledging the limitations these threats have placed on his day-to-day freedom.
Hindus Dragged Out and Killed: Yogi Adityanath on Violence in Murshidabad Over "Waqf Act"

Yogi pointed to what he claimed was widespread, undocumented occupation of land in the name of Waqf.

In a sharp statement on Sunday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath alleged that recent violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, was not random unrest but instigatedand that Hindus were deliberately targeted and killed over tensions surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Speaking on the issue, he said, Three Hindus were dragged out of their homes and murdered. They were Dalits, the poor, the marginalizedpeople who stand to gain most from the land thats being freed up.

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Yogi pointed to what he claimed was widespread, undocumented occupation of land in the name of Waqf. There are no papers, no records. But now that the Waqf Amendment Bill has passed and action is being taken, violence is being used as a weapon, he said, as quoted by PTI.

What Happened in Murshidabad?

Murshidabadknown for its Muslim-majority populationsaw violent clashes earlier this week, resulting in the deaths of three people, including a father and son. The unrest is believed to be linked to ongoing protests against changes to the Waqf law.

To bring things under control, 150 people were arrested, and following a directive from the Calcutta High Court, the BSF (Border Security Force) was deployed to stabilize the area.

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BSF DIG Nilotpal Kumar Pandey told ANI, The situation is tense but under control. Things have improved since yesterday, and we hope normalcy will return soon.

As political and legal tensions around the Waqf land reforms continue to mount, more such confrontations could unfold in the coming weeks.
Mehul Choksis Defense Moves to Secure Release from Belgian Custody Over Cancer Treatment

Choksis case mirrors other high-profile extradition battles involving Indian fugitives.

Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamond trader wanted in India for his role in a Rs 13,850 crore bank fraud, has been arrested in Belgium and is now preparing a legal defense to avoid extradition. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, announced on Monday that a formal appeal will be submitted seeking Choksis release from custody due to serious health issues.

Aggarwal confirmed that Choksi, who is currently receiving treatment for cancer, is not in a position to remain behind bars and will argue for release based on humanitarian grounds.

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Choksi is in custody, and we are initiating the appeal process. The core argument will be his medical condition, including ongoing cancer therapy, and the fact that he is not a flight risk, Aggarwal said.

The businessman left India in January 2018 and has since evaded extradition attempts. He was previously involved in a legal standoff in Dominica and had been residing in Antigua under medical care until his recent trip to Belgium for further treatment.

According to Aggarwal, the arrest is a procedural step in the extradition process. Before any court considers extradition, the individual must be arrested. Then, the legal team has to demonstrate ties to the community, health issues, and that the individual wont abscond. Thats our approach, he explained.

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Choksis case mirrors other high-profile extradition battles involving Indian fugitives. Hariprasad SV, the whistleblower in the Punjab National Bank fraud, warned that Choksis return may not happen anytime soon.

His legal team in Europe will likely delay proceedings as much as possible. He has the financial muscle and international legal support to do so. Just look at what happened in Dominica, Hariprasad said.

He also highlighted that Choksi defrauded dozens of businesses across India, adding complexity to the legal maze India faces in bringing him back.
Mehul Choksi Busted in Belgium: Years on the Run, A Fake ID, and a Failed Escape Plan

He fled to Antigua, where he secured citizenship under the island nations investment programme.

After seven years of evasion, controversial billionaire Mehul Choksiwanted in the Rs 12,636 crore PNB bank scamhas finally been caught in Belgium, just as he was reportedly planning a secret escape to Switzerland.

Choksi, the former head of Gitanjali Group, vanished from India in 2018, right before his role in one of the countrys biggest banking frauds came to light. He fled to Antigua, where he secured citizenship under the island nations investment programme.

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His international hide-and-seek took a dramatic turn in 2021 when he was arrested in the Dominican Republic for illegal entry. Although Indian authorities rushed to bring him back, he convinced a court he needed medical treatment and was later released. Legal intervention from the British Queen's Privy Council halted his extradition, and he flew back to Antigua.

But Indian agencies didnt let up. In 2023, they got a tip-off that Choksi had shifted base to Belgium. Turns out, he was trying to get residency there using forged documentsand didnt mention his Indian or Antiguan citizenship. His wife, Preeti Choksi, is a Belgian citizen, which may have played into his escape plan.

He was arrested on April 12 by Belgian authorities after the CBI and ED shared key documents with their counterparts. He reportedly had plans to flee to Switzerland next.

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In February, Choksis lawyers claimed he couldnt return to India due to blood cancer treatment in Belgium. He even offered to attend court hearings via video call, but Indian agencies werent buying itthey wanted him back on Indian soil.

Now, with his arrest confirmed, Indian officials are pushing for his extradition. Choksis legal team, meanwhile, is preparing to fight back in court and apply for bail.
Teen Plotted to Kill Parents in Attempt to Assassinate Trump, FBI Reveals

Casap now faces multiple charges, including homicide, identity theft, and concealing a corpse.

Wisconsin Donald Trump Assasination Case: In a chilling turn of events, a Wisconsin teenager allegedly murdered his parents in what the FBI says was the first step in a larger plot to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump and spark a political revolution.

Nikita Casap, a 17-year-old high schooler, has been charged with killing his mother and stepfather, Tatiana Casap and Donald Mayer, whose bodies were found in their Waukesha home in late February. Authorities believe the murders occurred around February 11, after Casap failed to show up at school for nearly two weeks.

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But what investigators discovered next shocked even seasoned law enforcement officers: documents, digital evidence, and disturbing writings outlining an extremist ideology, admiration for Adolf Hitler, and links to the neo-Nazi cult Order of Nine Angles. Casap allegedly believed that assassinating Trump would kickstart a violent revolution.

According to FBI files, Casap planned meticulously. He allegedly contacted people in Russia, purchased explosives and a drone, and had an escape route mapped out  all the way to Ukraine.

When police stopped him in Kansas on the day the bodies were discovered, he was found driving his stepfathers car, loaded with a .357 Smith & Wesson pistol, credit cards, jewelry, $14,000 in cash (some hidden in a Bible), and a broken-into safe.

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Investigators believe the motive behind the double murder was to gain the financial freedom and independence needed to carry out his political attack. Casap now faces multiple charges, including homicide, identity theft, and concealing a corpse.

He appeared in court on April 9 for a preliminary hearing and is due for arraignment on May 7. His bail is set at $1 million. He has yet to enter a plea.
April 14, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 14.04.2025, 20:00

A roundup of local and international news.

LITERATURE  Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010, died on Sunday in Lima at the age of 89. His death marks the end of the golden generation of Latin American literature, of which he was the last great representative, France Presse reports. Appreciated for the way in which he describes social realities, the author of masterpieces such as La ciudad y los perros (The City and the Dogs, 1966), Conversacion en La Catedral (Conversation in the Cathedral, 1975) was also criticized in South American intellectual circles for his conservative views. He ran for president of Peru in 1990, but lost to Alberto Fujimori.

CONDOLENCES  The interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, sent a message of condolences after the Russian armys missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which left at least 34 dead and almost 100 injured. Bolojan reiterated that Romania continues to support all efforts for peace and to put an end to these war crimes. Political leaders and international figures have criticized Russias attack in harsh terms: the US special envoy for Ukraine, the president of France, the chancellor of Germany, the prime ministers of Great Britain and Italy, as well as the Polish diplomacy.

EXPO  160 countries and regions, including Romania, are participating for six months in the Osaka World Expo, whose opening ceremony took place on Sunday. Romania was represented by Commissioner General Ferdinand Nagy, who explained that it is the largest international public diplomacy event of the year. The theme of this years world exhibition is the society of the future, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and the space field. The Romanian pavilion, called the Romanian Magic Box, has an architectural concept created by students and is part of a section dedicated to innovative and sustainable solutions for protecting and saving lives. Until October 13, economic and trade promotion events, as well as thousands of cultural events, will be organized at the Romanian pavilion. Romania Day at Expo Osaka 2025 is scheduled for June 26, when a Multisectoral Economic Forum will be held.

VISIT  A delegation of the US Congress, the first to visit Bucharest since the inauguration of the Donald Trump administration, will meet on Tuesday with the interim president, Ilie Bolojan, with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and with Romanian parliamentarians. The agenda of talks includes the consolidation of bilateral relations and strategic issues, including security at the Black Sea. On Monday, the US delegation, made up of both Republicans and Democrats, met with President Maia Sandu in Chisinau. She thanked the United States for the support it has provided over the years to modernize public institutions, strengthen energy resilience and defend Moldovas sovereignty against external threats. According to a statement from Chisinau, Maia Sandu advocated for continued US support in key areas, especially energy security.

MOLDOVA  The Romanian Government will continue to support the Republic of Moldova at all levels, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday during a meeting with representatives of the districts and the Siret-Prut-Nistru Euroregion Association. According to a press release, the Prime Minister gave assurances regarding the implementation of the 100 million euro Agreement between the governments of the two states, for the financing of concrete projects with an impact on citizens. The representatives of the districts of the Republic of Moldova thanked Romania for its solid and constant support.

PRIORITIES  The interim President of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, met, on Monday, in Bucharest, with Romanian MEPs to discuss the countrys strategic priorities in the current European and international context. According to a press release from the Presidential Administration, the discussions focused on priority topics on the European Union agenda, including European security and defense, the transatlantic relationship, the Unions multiannual budget, the absorption of European funds  especially those from the PNRR, support for Ukraine and the Unions enlargement policy. They also discussed ways in which Romania can strengthen its position and contribution within the EU. Romania will pursue the consolidation of its defense capacity and the development of its national industry, capitalizing on the opportunities offered by the European Union, in accordance with the commitments undertaken within NATO, the Presidential Administration said. (EE)
Reactions to the missile attack in Sumy

The international community is condemning the new attack of the Russian troops in Ukraine

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Bogdan Matei, 14.04.2025, 14:00

Until the increasingly improbable conclusion of a truce, Russias invading troops are continuing their bloody onslaught in Ukraine. Russian missiles killed at least 34 people wounding more than 100 in the northern city of Sumy on Sunday.

It was on Palm Sunday, this year celebrated on the same day by both the Western and Eastern Christians.

The political officials in Kyiv didnt hesitate to accuse the Russians that they waited specifically for a special day to be able to kill with a single shot as many as possible as they knew that people would gather for celebration.

Two ballistic missiles went off close to the state university and the congress center in the city. One of these hit a bus full of people. Shocking images posted by international media show bodies thrown into the street, burning cars and paramedics carrying bleeding survivors.

They are also noting the cynicism of the regime led by septuagenarian Vladimir Putin, a former officer of the Soviet political police, who is posing as a defender of the traditional values but has no problem in killing people on a Christian holiday.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr, Zelensky has invited his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to come to Ukraine and see for himself the disaster caused by the Russian invasion.

Engaged, at least at a declarative level, in peace talks aimed at settling the conflict in Ukraine, the US President has described the Sumy attack as a horrible thing, but added that he was told the Russians had made a mistake.

President Trumps special envoy for Ukraine, ret. General Keith Kellog, says the attack has crossed any line of decency

According to French President, Emmanuel Macron, Russia started this war and today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it  with blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.

The Prime Ministers of Italy and Britain, Giorgia Meloni and Keir Starmer, respectively, as well as German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, have also condemned the carnage in Sumy. According to Romanias interim President Ilie Bolojan, heartrending images are coming from Sumy on this Palm Sunday, when Russian missiles have killed innocent civilians. Our thoughts and hearts go out to the Ukrainian people and the victims families. We continue to back all efforts aimed at implementing peace and putting an end to these war crimes. The Romanian government is solidary with Ukraine. We convey condolences to the families of the victims of Russias horrific missile attack on Sumy in this Palm Sunday. We are firmly condemning this atrocity  Romanias Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu also writes.

(bill)
Romania at Expo 2025 Osaka

160 countries and regions take part in the Expo 2025 Osaka, which opened on Sunday

Photo: mae.ro

Sorin Iordan, 14.04.2025, 13:50

Romania, alongside 159 countries and regions, takes part for six months in the Osaka World Expo. The theme of this years event, opened on an artificial island near the Japanese city, is the society of the future, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and space.

The opening ceremony took place on Sunday, in the presence of Emperor Naruhito and the prime minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba. Romania was represented by the commissioner general Ferdinand Nagy, who explained that this is the largest international public diplomacy event of the year.

The latest technological achievements are presented in Osaka. National pavilions are surrounded by a giant wooden structure, the visual symbol of Expo 2025, inspired by traditional Japanese architecture. The approximately 2-kilometer long and 20-meter tall ring has already been recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest wooden architectural structure in the world.

The concept of the Romanian pavilion, called The Romanian Magic Box, has been developed by students with the Ion Mincu University of Architecture and City Planning in Bucharest and showcases an interactive and multi-sensory approach.

It is located in the vicinity of the pavilions of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Poland, and is part of a section devoted to innovative and sustainable solutions for protecting and saving lives.

Events aimed at the economic and commercial promotion of Romania will target fields such as the economy, research, education and energy, digitisation, IT&C and the promotion of investment opportunities. Also, the Romanian foreign ministry reports that, at a cultural level, five large-scale artistic events will be organised on the World Expo stages and 2,000 live events will be held within the Romanian Pavilion.

Romania Day at Expo 2025 Osaka is scheduled for June 26 and will be marked by the organisation of a Multi-sector Economic Forum attended by over 80 companies from the country, relevant members of the Japanese business community as well as high-ranking officials of the two states.

The commissioner general Ferdinand Nagy stated that the Romanian Pavilion presents a constantly developing country, a space that conveys hope, authenticity and a brave vision of the future.

In turn, Romanias ambassador to Tokyo, Ovidiu Raetchi, said the countrys presence with a pavilion built within the World Expo is a special opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties, in the context of the excellent relations between Romania and Japan confirmed by the Strategic Partnership that the two countries signed on March 7, 2023.

Romania is at its 25th participation in an international or world exhibition. The last presence was at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, which was rescheduled for October 2021  March 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AMP)
Vallourec S.A. (VLOWY, VLOUF, VK.PA), a French manufacturer of tubular solutions, Monday announced that it has entered into negotiations with Aldebaran Capital Partners for the sale of its welding solutions unit Serimax for an enterprise value of 79 million euros.

The deal is expected to close in the next few months.

In the total consideration, 7 million euros will be paid through an earn-out.

The deal with the French investment company is part of New Vallourec's plan to use its proceeds more efficiently and concentrate on its main of providing high-quality seamless tubular solutions.

Under the New Vallourec plan, Serimax improved its operations and now runs profitably on its own. The firm generated around 105 million euros in revenue in 2024, the company said.

It is expected that Aldebaran will help Serimax, a provider of automated welding solutions to focus on its growth plans.

Friday, Vallourec had closed 0.14% lesser at EUR 14.65 on the Paris Stock Exchange.

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Business News
Irish software company Kainos Group Plc (KNOS.L) announced on Monday that its Board expects full-year revenues and adjusted profit before tax or PBT in line with current market expectations, as businesses, overall, improved in the final quarter, recording low-single-digit percentage growth.

In its year-end trading update, Kainos expects revenues to be between 363.3 million and 366.8 million pounds, compared to the market consensus of 365.6 million pounds. Adjusted PBT is expected to fall between 64.1 million and 68.2 million pounds, compared to the consensus estimate of 65.4 million pounds.

The company said its Workday Products division reported Annual Recurring Revenue or ARR of more than 72 million pounds at the end of the final quarter. The Built on Workday partnership continues to progress well, helping the company reach its initial ARR target of 100 million pounds by 2026 and in-line with the long-term ambition of touching 200 million pounds by 2030.

In Digital Services, public sector revenues returned to growth in the second half of the year following a temporary slowdown related to the UK election. However, activity in the commercial sector remained well below prior-year levels.

The company added that in the Workday Services division, demand remained subdued, resulting in further reductions during the second half. While market conditions remain challenging, early signs of recovery are seen, helped by increased international activity and recent client wins in Australia and New Zealand.

The company will announce its fiscal 2025 results on May 19.

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Business News
European stocks rose sharply on Monday following the U.S. decision to grant tariff exclusions on smartphones, computers, and other electronicsmany of which are imported from China.

The pan-European STOXX 600 jumped 2.1 percent to 497 after finishing marginally lower on Friday.

The German DAX climbed 2.5 percent, France's CAC 40 added 2.1 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 1.9 percent.

Tech stocks surged, with Dassault Systemes, ASM International, Infineon Technologies, ASML Holding and Logitech climbing 3-7 percent.

German steel producer Salzgitter AG tumbled 3.3 percent after it has ended talks with a bidding consortium on a possible takeover.

Vallourec SA soared 5.3 percent. The French manufacturer of tubular solutions said it has entered into negotiations with Aldebaran Capital Partners for the sale of its welding solutions unit Serimax for an enterprise value of 79 million euros.

Emerging -focused asset manager Ashmore Group plunged 6 percent after announcing disappointing third-quarter results.

China-related luxury giant LVMH rose over 1 percent ahead of its earnings release later in the day.

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Market Analysis
German stocks are up sharply in positive territory on Monday, mirroring gains in global , buoyed by U.S. President Donald Trump exempting smartphones, computers, and other devices and components such as semiconductors, from reciprocal tariffs.

However, there is still some uncertainty about Trump's moves, as commerce secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that these exemptions are not permanent. Trump later said on Truth Social that they are still subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl tariffs, but just moving to another bracket.

The focus is also on trade talks between the U.S. and the European Union. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is reportedly set to meet with U.S. officials.

The benchmark DAX was up 577.63 points or 2.84% at 20,946.16 a little while ago.

Deutsche Bank is rising 4.75%. Sartorius is climbing up 4.2%, while Infineon Technologies, Siemens Energy, Fresenius Medical Care, Daimler Truck Holding and MTU Aero Engines are gaining 3.5 to 4%.

Deutsche Post, Heidelberg Materials, Rheinmetall, Zalando, BMW, Bayer, Siemens, Brenntag, Continental, Allianz, BASF, Fresenius, Adidas, Munech Rueck, Volkswagen, Hannover Rueck, Commerzbank, Deutsche Telekom, Beiersdorf, Merck, SAP and Symrise are up 2 to 3.4%.

German steel producer Salzgitter AG is down 2.1% after the company said it has ended talks with a bidding consortium on a possible takeover.

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Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow

11:29, April 14, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily

A fully loaded China-Europe freight train departs from Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province for Duisburg, Germany, March 3, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yijiang)

During a recent meeting with representatives of the international business community, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's unwavering commitment to advancing reform and opening up. He emphasized that China's door will only open wider, and the policy of welcoming foreign investment has not changed and will not change.

Amid increasing global uncertainties, China's steadfast dedication to open development has been widely regarded as an "oasis of certainty."

The journey of reform and opening up has unfolded as a narrative of mutual progress between China and the international community, a reality powerfully manifested through the thriving operations of foreign enterprises in China.

Currently, foreign investments in China span 20 industries and 115 sub-sectors, with cumulative establishment of over 1.24 million foreign-funded enterprises and total investment approaching $3 trillion.

Foreign investors have reaped substantial returns, with many expanding from single operations to diversified businesses, from localized ventures to nationwide presences, and from single factories to corporate conglomerates, experiencing exponential growth in both operational capacity and enterprise scale.

A new energy vehicle goes through quality check after being assembled in a smart workshop of Chinese carmaker Leapmotor in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province, April 2, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Hu Xiaofei)

According to German media analyses, German businesses committed 5.7 billion euros ($6.23 billion) to China in 2024 alone, with the vast majority expressing their intent to maintain operations in the Chinese market.

Since the beginning of this year, a series of major foreign investment projects have been launched in China, with planned investments totaling 33 billion U.S. dollars. These developments demonstrate that China has been and will remain an ideal, safe, and promising investment destination for foreign businesses.

China is steadily expanding institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards, actively broadening and deepening its openness.

From the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement coming into effect to the addition of 297 items to Hainan Free Trade Port's zero-tariff list for raw and auxiliary materials; from the opening of the first wholly foreign-owned tertiary general hospital in Tianjin to the approval of the first batch of 13 foreign-invested enterprises to operate value-added telecommunications servicesa series of open policies have been implemented, accelerating the flow of personnel, goods, and capital.

In the first two months of 2025, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a key logistics network connecting China's western regions to global markets, saw a nearly 60 percent year-on-year increase in freight volume, while the China-Europe freight trains experienced a 15.4 percent growth in import and export cargo volume.

Foreign tourists pose for a picture in Ciqikou Ancient Town, a tourist attraction in southwest China's Chongqing municipality, March 19, 2025. (People's Daily Online/Sun Kaifang)

In the three months following the implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, the number of foreign entries at China's ports surged by 34.9 percent year-on-year.

Opening up is a distinctive feature of Chinese modernization and reflects China's commitment to contributing to global modernization. By hosting events like the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China Import and Export Fair, and the China International Consumer Products Expo - and by partnering with over 150 countries and 30 international organizations under the Belt and Road Initiative, China continues to inject vitality into global economic development.

China's new energy vehicles are at the forefront of global innovation, driving worldwide trends. The country's green technologies are empowering international partners in their low-carbon transitions. Meanwhile, the "first-launch economy" within China's domestic market is rapidly expanding, attracting foreign enterprises to increasingly conduct research and development (R&D) activities in the country...

The vast potential of China's market, its dynamic innovation ecosystem, and its continuously optimized legal framework present enduring opportunities for global businesses to deepen their engagement in China. This collaborative momentum is fostering shared growth between China and the international community.

Masato Kanda, president of the Asian Development Bank, noted that amid increasing fragmentation in global trade, China's commitment to deepening reforms and advancing high-level opening up not only sustains its own robust economic growth but also makes significant contributions to the development of Asia and the global economy...

Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, remarked that China's focus on "opening up" and "multilateralism" sends a strong signal of stability to all stakeholders.

True historical awareness and initiative lie not in predicting temporary tides but in becoming a force that shapes them. China firmly stands on the right side of history, resolutely promoting universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization. It possesses the determination to move forward, the vitality for development, and the moral appeal.

Looking ahead, more stories of open cooperation will be written in China, and China's confidence in open development will increasingly become the world's confidence in economic growth.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
China's exports increased sharply in March as US importers front loaded their orders ahead of "Liberation Day" but imports declined due to weaker domestic demand, official data revealed on Monday.

Exports logged an annual growth of 12.4 percent in March, the customs office reported. This was much bigger than the expected growth of 4.4 percent. Moreover, the rate far exceeded the 2.3 percent rise posted in the January to February period.



Meanwhile, imports fell 4.3 percent annually, worse than economists' forecast of 2.0 percent decrease. Imports had declined 8.5 percent in the January to February period.



As a result, the trade balance posted a surplus of $102.6 billion in March. This was well above the expected level of $74.3 billion.

Capital Economics economist Julian Evans-Pritchard said the increase in exports suggests that manufacturers rushed to ship goods to the US ahead of "Liberation Day".

But shipments are likely to drop back over the coming months and quarters, the economist noted. "We think it could be years before Chinese exports regain current levels," he added.

China's trade surplus with the US totalled $27.6 billion in March as exports grew 4.5 percent.



ING economist Lynn Song said China's exports shrugged off early tariffs. However, with a staggering 145 percent tariffs coming into effect, it is likely that next month's data will tell a dramatically different story, the economist noted.

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Business News
The Federal Aviation Administration announced that New York Helicopter Tours, the helicopter company involved in the crash on the Hudson river that killed six people last week, is shutting down their operations with immediate effect.

In a post on social media platform X on late Sunday, the federal agency announced the plan to launch an immediate review of the tour operator's license and safety record, along with its continuous support for an ongoing investigation by The National Transportation Safety Board or NTSB.

Siemens Spain President And CEO Agustin Escobar, his wife and three children, as well as the pilot, a Navy SEAL veteran, was killed in the Hudson river helicopter crash on last Thursday while sightseeing in New York in a flight operated by New York Helicopter Tours.

Immediately following the deadly crash involving a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N216MH, the NTSB commenced its investigation to find the cause of the crash. All aspects of the accident remain under investigation, the agency had said earlier.

In a later statement, the agency noted that the helicopter involved in the crash was not equipped with any flight recorders, and that no onboard video recorders or camera recorders have been recovered. Further, none of the helicopter avionics onboard recorded information that could be used for the investigation.

The NTSB said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the date of the accident that will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the probe. A probable cause of the crash and any contributing factors will come in the final report, which is expected in 12 to 24 months.

Meanwhile, New York Helicopter Tours, in its website shows a notice apologizing for the incident and indicating its willingness to fully cooperate with the FAA and NTSB investigations.

Following the crash, New York Senetor Chuck Schumer had called on the U.S. authorities to revoke the operating permits of the helicopter tour company and for the halt of all flights as the agencies investigate the deadly crash. He also called on the FAA for safety inspections for other helicopter tour companies.

The FAA in its latest post said, "Lastly on the topic of helicopter safety broadly: The FAA is already analyzing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide, and we will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks, and additional mitigation options."

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Business News
An all-female crew is set to fly to the space aboard Blue Origin's space tourism rocket Monday.

The Blue Origin sub-orbital spaceflight mission is scheduled to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas at 9:30 AM ET.

The Jeff Bezos-owned company's 11th human flight is scheduled to last just 11 minutes, during which the rocket will travel more than 100 kilometers above Earth.

New Shepard astronauts ascend toward space at more than three times the speed of sound. They pass the Karman line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, before unbuckling to float weightless. The crew returns gently with a parachute-assisted soft landing.

There are no pilots aboard the fully autonomous spacecraft, leaving the space tourism travelers time to gaze upon Earth from giant windows comprising one-third of the capsule's surface area.

The spacious and pressurized capsule has a seat-capacity of six.

The six-person crew include pop superstar Katy Perry; film producer Kerianne Flynn; bioastronautics research scientist and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen; former NASA rocket scientist and the CEO of STEMBoard, Aisha Bowe; award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings Gayle King; and pilot, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Lauren Sanchez, who is also Jeff Bezos' fiancee.

The selected crew members undergo astronaut training program to learn key parameters for a safe spaceflight.

Monday's spaceflight will be the first all-female crew since Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova made a solo voyage on Vostok 6 more than 60 years ago.

New Shepard began flying humans to space in 2021. Full ticket price for a journey reportedly costs $150,000.

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Business News
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister in Oman's capital Muscat on Sunday.

"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 statement issued after the meeting, hosted by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi.

The Special Envoy underscored to Dr.Araghchi that he had instructions from President Donald Trump to resolve the 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 statement says.

The two sides agreed to meet again next Saturday.

Steven Witkoff was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Oman Ana Escrogima in the meeting,

The White House did not disclose the content of the discussion.

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Business News
Exports in the Netherlands increased for the second straight month in February, according to figures published by the statistical office CBS on Monday.

Exports rose 2.9 percent year-on-year in February, slower than the 4.4 percent rebound in January.

The overall growth in February was mainly due to higher exports of machinery, chemical and petroleum products.

Imports were also 3.6 percent higher compared to last year amid more inflows of electrical and optical equipment and petroleum products.

In the CBS Export Radar of April, the conditions for exports were less unfavorable than in the February radar.

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Business News
UK house prices rose to a new record in April despite the end of stamp duty holiday in March, property website Rightmove said Monday.

House prices increased 1.4 percent from the previous month to a record GBP 377,182 in April.

Despite a decade-high number of homes for sale for the time of year, the increase was larger-than-usual. Data also suggested that movers are carrying on and have adjusted to the tax rise.

New buyer demand increased 5 percent compared to last year and the number of new sellers coming to market advanced 4 percent.



House prices in London also hit a record in April but this may be short-lived as it is more subject to global uncertainties, Rightmove said.

The website cautioned that the resilience of the property market will be further tested by the impacts of President Trump's tariffs on the UK over the coming weeks and months.

If Bank of England reduces the bank rate more quickly starting May, it will potentially boost buyer affordability, Rightmove noted.

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Business News
Swiss stocks closed on an upbeat note on Monday with investors reacting to an announcement from the White House that tariffs on imports of Chinese-made smartphones and some other electronics devices would not apply.

However, the rollback may end up being short-lived as President Donald Trump said these goods were simply being moved into a different tariff group or "bucket".

The benchmark SMI settled with a strong gain of 259.63 points or 2.31% at 11,499.46. The index touched a high of 11,552.98.

Logitech International climbed 6.6%. VAT Group, Partners Group, Roche Holding, Adecco and Novartis gained 3 to 3.5%.

Sandoz Group shares climbed nearly 3.5% after the company filed an antitrust lawsuit in the US against biotechnology company Amgen, accusing the latter of blocking competition from cost-effective biosimilar competitors for its Enbrel drug, including the Swiss pharmaceutical company's Erelzi, by using patent rights

UBS Group gained nearly 3%. SIG Group, Swiss Re and ABB climbed about 2.8%. Holcim, Kuehne + Nagel, Alcon and Sika closed higher by 2.4 to 2.6%.

Zurich Insurance, Straumann Holding, Swatch Group, Geberit, Swiss Life Holding, Lindt & Spruengli, Sonova, Schindler Ps, Lonza Group, Swisscom and Nestle also posted strong gains.

Clariant surged 3.75% on reports the specialty chemicals group is in talks with investment banks to explore strategies that could better align its valuation with performance.

In economic news, Switzerland's producer and import prices continued to decline in March, though slightly, data from the Federal Statistical Office showed.

Producer and import prices dropped 0.1% year-on-year in March, the same pace as in the previous month. The price index has been falling since May 2023.

The producer price index showed an increase of 0.3%, while import prices dropped by 0.9%.

On a monthly basis, producer and import prices rose 0.1% in March after rising 0.3% in the prior month. The expected increase was 0.2%.

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In an unfortunate and alarming incident, a Tata Nexon EV reportedly caught fire while it was parked at a service center following an accident. The car, which had been dropped off for repairs, was completely destroyed in the fire.

What happened

According to the owner, I met with a small accident at night one day. I was driving back home and it was raining heavily, Some construction work was going on and there were no hazard warnings. There was a big pit filled with water right on the curb of the road. My vehicle fell into it. Being an EV it was not starting as expected and we dropped it off at the service centre the next day.

The service center attributed the fire to battery damage. However, complications soon arose. Although the service team initially verbally assured the owner of providing a replacement vehicle  reportedly a Tata Harrier  at a minimal cost, no formal action was taken. Despite the assurances, it has now been over eight months with no resolution.

Adding to the owners woes, the vehicle was financed and he continues to pay EMIs for a burnt vehicle. To make matters worse, United India Insurance, the insurer, has reportedly declined to clear the IDV (Insured Declared Value) claim, allegedly offering compensation only for the battery pack instead of the full vehicle value. The owner of the car has shared details in the video below by Baiju N Nair.

First two months they were very cooperative and supportive ( verbally offered me any car from the brand for just a very minimal cost) but now they are not keeping their word and not helping me claim my insurance as well. Also they are not giving evidence or any report of the incident, added the owner.

Waiting for resolution

The frustrated owner also shared his experience on Reddit, underlining the lack of cooperation from the dealer and insurer. Community members advised him to escalate the issue by filing a police FIR, reaching out to consumer forums, and using social media to highlight the incident.

This case raises concerns over post-accident handling of EVs, insurance claim processes, and customer service accountability when vehicles are damaged under dealer custody. It also brings into focus the potential risks associated with electric vehicles exposed to floodwater and subsequent maintenance processes.
After launching Curvv Dark Edition, Tata Motors has now launched Curvv EV Dark Edition. Prices for this stealth sensation in the electric SUV segment have been revealed. The company has priced Curvv EV Stealth Edition from Rs 22.24 lakh (Ex-sh) and sits at the top of Curvv EVs variant lineup. Lets take a closer look.

Tata Curvv EV Dark Edition Launch

News around Tata Curvv doesnt seem to stop. Curvv has been among the latest additions to the C-Segment SUV space (Compact SUV). After making Curvv the official car for 2025 Season of Indian Premiere League (IPL), Tata Motors appointed Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal as this Coupe SUVs brand ambassador.

After which, Tata launched Curvv Dark Edition starting from Rs 16.49 lakh (Ex-sh), which was a Rs 32,000 increment over the trim level it was based on. In contrast, Curvv EV Dark Edition has been priced from Rs 22.24 lakh (Ex-sh) and commands a price increment of Rs 25,000 over the trim it is based on.

Speaking of, Curvv EV Dark Edition is positioned on the fully loaded top-spec Empowered+ A trim level that gets all the bells and whistles. Curvv EV is Tata Motors second electric vehicle to get the Dark Edition treatment after Nexon EV. It has to be noted that Nexon EV also received Red Dark Edition, which Curvv has yet to receive.

Black Magic

Where design is concerned, Curvv EV Dark Edition is a typical Dark Edition affair. It gets an all-black exterior along with #Dark badges on front fenders and it gets Dark Chrome elements on exteriors replacing regular shiny chrome. Wheels are blackened and there are no silver trims on offer on this model. Notably, EV badges continue to be Blue, like on non-Dark versions.

On the inside, Dark theme lends a sporty and stealthy look. We get Dark dashboard, door trim, centre console and other areas. Chrome highlights have been replaced with Dark Chrome, which looks nice. Leatherette seats and upholstery get Dark treatment too and we can see Dark badges on front seats. Unlike a few Black versions from rivals, Tata Curvv EV Dark Edition gets a Dark roof liner too.

There is only one feature addition, similar to Curvv Dark Edition. Which are rear window shades that buyers will surely appreciate. Features continue to be the same including an electrically operated tailgate, Level-2 ADAS, ambient lighting, powered drivers seat, ventilated front seats, auto climate control, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 10.2-inch instrument screen, panoramic sunroof and more.

Because Tata Motors Curvv EV Dark is positioned on Empowered+ A trim, it only comes equipped with the larger 55 kWh battery pack. Range promised is 502 km on a single charge (MIDC). The single electric motor makes 167 bhp and 215 Nm, promising a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 8.6 seconds.
NASA has released an incredibly beautiful image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of the barred spiral galaxy Messier 77.

Messier 77 is located 62 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Cetus.

Also known as the Squid Galaxy, NGC 1068, LEDA 10266 and Cetus A, this galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 9.6.

It was discovered by the French astronomer Pierre Mechain in 1780, who originally identified it as a nebula.

Mechain then communicated the discovery to his colleague, the French astronomer Charles Messier.

Messier believed that the highly luminous object he saw was a cluster of stars, but as technology progressed its true status as a galaxy was realized.

The designation Messier 77 comes from the galaxys place in the famous catalogue compiled by the French astronomer Charles Messier, Hubble astronomers said in a statement.

Another French astronomer, Pierre Mechain, discovered the galaxy in 1780.

Both Messier and Mechain were comet hunters who catalogued nebulous objects that could be mistaken for comets.

Messier, Mechain, and other astronomers of their time mistook the Squid Galaxy for either a spiral nebula or a star cluster.

This mischaracterization isnt surprising. More than a century would pass between the discovery of the Squid Galaxy and the realization that the spiral nebulae scattered across the sky were not part of our Galaxy and were in fact separate galaxies millions of light-years away.

The Squid Galaxys appearance through a small telescope  an intensely bright center surrounded by a fuzzy cloud  closely resembles one or more stars wreathed in a nebula.

At 100,000 light-years across, Messier 77 is one of largest galaxies in the Messier catalogue  so massive that its gravity causes other nearby galaxies to twist and become warped.

This galaxy is also one of the closest galaxies with an active galactic nucleus (AGN).

Such active galaxies are among the brightest objects in the Universe and emit light at most, if not all, wavelengths, from gamma rays and X-rays all the way to microwaves and radiowaves.

Despite its status as a popular target for astronomers, however, the galaxys accretion disk is obscured by thick clouds of dust and gas.

The name Squid Galaxy only came about recently, the astronomers said.

This name comes from the extended, filamentary structure that curls around the galaxys disk like the tentacles of a squid.

The Squid Galaxy is a great example of how advances in technology and scientific understanding can completely change our perception of an astronomical object  and even what we call it.
For the first time, a study led by University of Oxford researchers has 'listened in' to the fascinating courtship displays of Fiddler crabs using geophones. The findings, published today in the Journal of Experimental Biology, provide new insights into how the animals communicate effectively on the noisy seashore.

For male fiddler crabs, vibrational signals are a crucial part of their courtship routines -- produced by drumming the ground using their oversized claw, or hitting the floor with their shells. But up to now, it has been unclear how effectively these signals convey information in the sonically chaotic and competitive intertidal regions where fiddler crabs are found.

To investigate this, researchers from the University of Oxford's Animal Vibration Lab assessed the courtship behaviour of the European fiddler crab (Afruca tangeri), which occupies the Southern mudflats of the Iberian Peninsula. For the first time, their novel approach recorded the male crab's behaviour using both GoPro cameras and geophones, which precisely record acoustic vibrations. A key question was how seismic signals are affected by the signaller's size -- and therefore how 'honestly' they convey information about the male's fitness as a mate.

The researchers observed that the male crabs carried out a repetitive, four-step courtship routine: starting with subtly waving their oversized claw, followed by sequential waving and body drops to produce a vibrational signal, then simultaneous motions, and finally an underground drumming display if the female approaches the burrow. At each step, the seismic energy intensifies.

By measuring over 8000 percussive seismic signal recordings, the researchers demonstrated that the morphology of the male was the critical factor in determining the signal features. In particular, males with larger claws produced higher-energy seismic signals, with higher amplitude drumming spikes. This appears to prevent the male from being dishonest about their size, enabling females to assess male quality and claw size from afar.

Lead author of the study Tom Mulder (Department of Biology, University of Oxford) said: "It appears as though the males cannot, or do not, lie about their physical size. Females can rely on the loudness of seismic signals to honestly assess a potential mate's quality, all without needing to see him."

Furthermore, the researchers found that whilst the frequency of the vibrations remained constant, the length, rhythm, and loudness of the signals all varied depending on the courtship behaviour. This meant it was possible to distinguish different behaviours (e.g. body drops vs underground drumming) based on seismic recordings alone. Indeed, the team trained a machine learning programme to automatically classify behaviours with up to 70% accuracy. This opens up the possibility of using machine learning to automatically detect the presence and behaviours of animals based on material-bound vibrations for remote monitoring -- for example, endangered animals in the African savannah, lame livestock, or insect pests on agricultural crops.

Percussive rather than vocal seismic communication tools are advantageous in the landscapes that these fiddler crabs call home and changing the loudness and repetition rate of the signals, although simple, are an effective means for small animals to communicate in these noisy environments.

Corresponding author Dr Beth Mortimer also of the Department of Biology concluded: "Larger claws have the advantage of overcoming seismic noise so that they can signal to females that are further away and females will show more interest in them. However, the advantages are only observed for the percussive signals such as drumming and fortunately for smaller clawed crabs, these are only part of the courtship routine."
Scientists have transformed RNA, a biological molecule present in all living cells, into a biosensor that can detect tiny chemicals relevant to human health.

Research by Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists centers on RNA, a nucleic acid that plays a crucial role in most cellular processes. Their work is expected to have applications in the surveillance of environmental chemicals and, ultimately, the diagnosis of critical diseases including neurological and cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

"Imagine that people will go to the hospital and give a sample of cells from their own bodies for regular check-ups," said Enver Cagri Izgu, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and the corresponding author of the study. "And there will be some technology involved in transforming their cells into sensor cells without changing their frame and physiology. Those cells would then be returned to the person's body, and the body will never have the issue of rejecting because it's their own cells. Those cells will have the ability to talk to us and generate signals about whether we have traces of toxic chemicals or the beginnings of disease within us."

In the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Izgu and his team reported how they implemented RNA within bacterial cells in such a way that these cells, and even their daughter cells, were able to detect distinct chemicals. Such substances to be detected can be short-lived inorganic chemicals central to many physiological processes, both in healthy and disease states. RNA normally would not interact with these types of chemicals, and it would be exceedingly challenging to sense them through complex genetic circuits.

Scientists are actively investigating aspects of RNA to understand its multiple functions and its potential for improving human health. One unusual RNA function, first disclosed in 2011, is the ability of RNA to bind small molecules to generate light. This seminal study inspired Izgu and his team to push the boundaries of the RNA-induced light generation concept.

"We used our chemistry knowledge and turned RNA into a detector for physiologically important and short-lived inorganic chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen peroxide," Izgu said. "The inorganic chemical we want to detect first reacts with a small receptor molecule, which in turn becomes a binder of a special RNA sequence. The subsequent binding event between the receptor product (a hydroxybenzylidene imidazolinone derivative) and the RNA generates light at a specific wavelength. We achieved this chemical sensing mechanism inside living Escherichia coli as the model organism."

The work is novel because although an externally designed RNA can be produced within cells, it can't be coaxed to detect hydrogen sulfide or hydrogen peroxide.

In the critical stages of cancer and neurological and cardiovascular diseases, the human cells produce different levels of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen peroxide. Izgu and his team were able to detect these chemicals using their E. coli sensors under laboratory conditions.

Izgu said the ultimate goal of the Rutgers research is to transform a human cell into a sensor cell in a similar way they were able to make the E. coli sense traces of chemicals.

Izgu and co-author Tushar Aggarwal, a former doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, are co-inventors in a patent application filed by Rutgers University on this work.

Other Rutgers scientists who contributed to the study included: Liming Wang and Sarah Cho (both current), and Bryan Gutierrez (former), doctoral students in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology; Huseyin Erguven, a former postdoctoral associate who is now working at Paraza Pharma Inc. in Montreal; and Hakan Guven, a student at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Quasicrystals (QCs) are fascinating solid materials that exhibit an intriguing atomic arrangement. Unlike regular crystals, in which atomic arrangements have an ordered repeating pattern, QCs display long-range atomic order that is not periodic. Due to this 'quasiperiodic' nature, QCs have unconventional symmetries that are absent in conventional crystals. Since their Nobel Prize-winning discovery, condensed matter physics researchers have dedicated immense attention towards QCs, attempting to both realize their unique quasiperiodic magnetic order and their possible applications in spintronics and magnetic refrigeration.

Ferromagnetism was recently discovered in the gold-gallium-rare earth (Au-Ga-R) icosahedral QCs (iQCs). Yet scientists were not surprised by this observation because translational periodicity -- the repeating arrangement of atoms in a crystal -- is not a prerequisite for the emergence of ferromagnetic order. By contrast, the other fundamental type of magnetic order found in nature, antiferromagnetism, is inherently more sensitive to crystal symmetry.

Although theoreticians have long expected the establishment of antiferromagnetism in select QCs, it has yet to be directly observed. Experimentally, most magnetic iQCs exhibit spin-glass-like freezing behavior, with no sign of long-range magnetic order, leading researchers to question whether antiferromagnetism is even compatible with quasiperiodicity -- until now.

In a groundbreaking study, a research team has finally discovered antiferromagnetism in a real QC. The team was led by Ryuji Tamura from the Department of Materials Science and Technology at Tokyo University of Science (TUS), along with Takaki Abe, also from TUS, Taku J. Sato from Tohoku University, and Max Avdeev from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and The University of Sydney. Their study was published in the journal Nature Physics on April 11, 2025.

"As was the case for the first report of antiferromagnetism in a periodic crystal in 1949, we present the first experimental evidence of antiferromagnetism occurring in an iQC," says Tamura.

Building upon their recent discovery of ferromagnetism in the Au-Ga-R iQCs, the researchers identified a novel Tsai-type gold-indium-europium (Au-In-Eu) iQC, exhibiting 5-fold, 3-fold, and 2-fold rotational symmetries. The team conducted a series of bulk property measurements and neutron experiments to examine its magnetic nature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed a sharp cusp at a temperature of 6.5 Kelvin (K) for both the zero-field cooled and field-cooled conditions, consistent with an antiferromagnetic transition. Specific heat measurements also showed a peak at the same temperature, verifying that the cusp is due to a long-range magnetic order.

To further validate their results, the team performed neutron diffraction measurements of the iQC at temperatures of 10 K and 3 K. They observed additional magnetic Bragg peaks -- sharp intensity peaks in the diffraction pattern indicating an ordered magnetic structure -- at 3 K, which consistently showed an abrupt increase around the transition temperature of 6.5 K in temperature-dependence measurements, providing the first clear evidence of long-range antiferromagnetic order in a real QC.

As to why the Au-In-Eu iQC hosts an antiferromagnetic phase, the researchers found that, unlike previously studied iQCs, which commonly exhibit a negative Curie-Weiss temperature, this novel iQC has a positive Curie-Weiss temperature. Interestingly, they also discovered that with a slight increase in the electron-per-atom ratio through elemental substitution, the antiferromagnetic phase disappears and the iQC shows spin-glass behavior, much like previous iQCs. This suggests that iQCs with a positive Curie-Weiss temperature favor antiferromagnetic order establishment, opening new avenues for future studies to develop novel antiferromagnetic QCs by controlling the electron-per-atom ratio.

"This discovery finally resolves the longstanding issue of whether antiferromagnetic order is possible in real QCs," adds Tamura. "Antiferromagnetic QCs could enable unprecedented functions, such as ultrasoft magnetic responses, and will bring about a revolution in spintronics and magnetic refrigeration in the future."

The researchers' discovery aligns with the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) -- affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) -- by building energy-efficient electronics. Solving a decades-long mystery, this discovery not only reinvigorates the search for unexplored antiferromagnetic QCs but also opens a new research field of quasiperiodic antiferromagnets, with implications extending far beyond spintronics.
A joint research team from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) and Jeonbuk National University has successfully demonstrated the complete confinement of mechanical waves within a single resonator -- something long thought to be theoretically impossible. Their findings, published on April 3 in Physical Review Letters, mark a major breakthrough in the century-old mystery of bound states in the continuum (BIC).

Many technologies around us -- from smartphones and ultrasound devices to radios -- rely on resonance, a phenomenon in which waves are amplified at specific frequencies. However, typical resonators gradually lose energy over time, requiring constant energy input to maintain their function.

Nearly a century ago, Nobel laureates John von Neumann and Eugene Wigner proposed a counterintuitive concept: under certain conditions, waves could be trapped indefinitely without any energy leakage. These so-called Bound States in the Continuum (BIC) are like whirlpools that remain in place even as a river flows around them. But for decades, scientists believed this phenomenon could not exist in a compact, single-particle system.

Now, the research team has broken this long-standing theoretical boundary by successfully realizing BIC in a single particle.

Using a system of cylindrical granular particles -- small solid rods made of quartz -- the researchers built a highly tunable mechanical platform. By precisely adjusting how the cylinders touch each other, they could control the way mechanical waves interact at the contact boundaries.

Under special alignment, a wave mode became fully confined within a single cylinder without any energy escaping into the surrounding structure. This so-called polarization-protected BIC was not just theoretical -- it was observed in real experiments. Even more remarkably, the system achieved quality factors (Q-factors) over 1,000, a measure of how efficiently a resonator stores energy with minimal loss.

What happens when many of these special cylinders are connected in a chain? The team discovered that the trapped wave modes could extend throughout the chain without dispersing -- a phenomenon known as a flat band.

"It's like tossing a stone into a still pond and seeing the ripples remain motionless, vibrating only in place," said lead author Dr. Yeongtae Jang. "Even though the system allows wave motion, the energy doesn't spread -- it stays perfectly confined." This behavior is described as a Bound Band in the Continuum (BBIC) and opens new possibilities for energy harvesting, ultra-sensitive sensors, and even advanced communications.

"We have broken a long-standing theoretical boundary," said Professor Junsuk Rho, who leads the research. "While this is still in the fundamental research phase, the implications are significant -- from low-loss energy devices to next-generation sensing and signal technologies."

This research was supported by the Mid-Career Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, as well as the POSCO-POSTECH-RIST Convergence Research Center.
The UK government needs to go beyond offering subsidies for low-carbon technologies (LCTs) like electric cars and solar panels for energy and heating, if it is to meet its net-zero targets by 2050, a new report from the University of Sheffield suggests.

The report, published with partners from the universities of Nottingham and Macedonia, found that although gains are being made in encouraging people to adopt low-carbon technologies, not enough is being done to continue to reduce the inequalities in uptake amongst some socioeconomic groups.

In recent years households using solar panels for electricity generation has increased from 3 to 6.5 per cent, the adoption of solar panels being used for heating increased from 1.4 to 2.1 per cent and households using an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle increased from less than 1 per cent to 2.8 per cent, reflecting the growing adoption of LCTs nationally.

However, the study found that although socioeconomic inequalities in LCTs adoption have decreased over the past decade, they still persist. Factors such as age, education, occupation, ethnicity and gender all contribute directly and indirectly to people's ability to invest in LCTs.

The report authors say more needs to be done to level the playing field, and help those from more disadvantaged backgrounds adopt technologies that could lower their household bills, and contribute to the UK's decarbonisation in the housing and automotive sectors.

Dr Andrew Burlinson, from the University of Sheffield's School of Economics, said: "Our research suggests that some socioeconomic groups have not been adequately supported to adopt LCTs. So it is important to emphasise that by limiting the ability of the most disadvantaged groups to invest in technology that can lower their bills and increase resilience to fluctuating living costs -- such as current high energy prices -- may further exacerbate broader inequalities in our society.

"Our analysis reveals that educated and affluent households are more likely to have been able to adopt low-carbon technologies early, such as solar energy, solar heating and electric or hybrid transport.

"Yet some existing financial subsidies to help people transition to LCTs have now ended, so those members of society who were unable to become early-adopters are now being left behind in the transition to net-zero."

The UK government currently subsidises the purchase of some types of electric vehicles at the point of sale, but these subsidies are largely independent of the socioeconomic status of the consumer. Alongside this, subsidies to install domestic solar panels ended in 2019, which means that incentives to help people adopt LCTs are now limited, and may be working less well for those members of society with a lower socioeconomic status.

The authors say exploring the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in LCTs in the UK has important policy implications for the low-carbon transition, and the achievements of the UK government's ambitious and legally binding environmental targets.

There are positive signs that some consumers are increasingly adopting more sustainable ways to live and travel. But the Climate Change Committee reports that for the UK to make significant gains in reaching its net-zero targets, the market share for new electric vehicles needs to be at 100 per cent, from only 16.5 per cent today, and that solar panel installation rates need to increase by five times that of current levels.

Professor Monica Giulietti, from the University of Nottingham, said: "In our report and new policy brief, we suggest it is vital that new interventions should be targeted towards those groups that could potentially benefit the most from cost-reducing technologies, not just at individual level but at a community level as well. This action will rely on addressing policy gaps in the private, rented and social housing sectors."

As well as more targeted financial incentives for those of a lower socioeconomic position, the report calls for information incentives provided by trusted organisations to establish educational guidance and increase awareness of LCTs; to help those most in need navigate decision making about adoption.

The report also argues that new interventions need to be made at community level. Rather than advocating for solar technology just for individual households, a shift towards community installations is suggested to help alleviate the cost burden of adoption, and help level the playing field for those who do not have individual control over their property or transport.

Commenting on the research, Dr Jayne Carrick, from the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre, said: "A recent survey conducted by the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre into the region's energy consumption habits revealed a significant hurdle to low-carbon technologies: 46 per cent of residents are reluctant to adopt solar panels, and 57 per cent are hesitant about heat pumps.

"Much more needs to be done in UK policy to address the inequality in uptake and beyond. For example, the opportunity to unlock the power of community energy initiatives is a crucial area, streamlining processes and fostering collective investment to make LCTs accessible for all."

Dr Andrew Burlinson added: "The findings of the new report add to the growing debate on the low individual uptake of LCTs, and the problems created for consumers from more disadvantaged backgrounds when access to the benefits of low-carbon technologies is unequally distributed.

"Our results lead us to support policies targeting specific socioeconomic groups at individual and community level, which is not only crucial to mitigate the observed inequalities in LCT adoption, but also relevant in promoting energy efficiency and resilience to high energy prices as we transition towards a low-carbon future."
Nearly 5 million children in the U.S. have asthma, a disease that narrows the airways. While there's no cure, it can be controlled with anti-inflammatory medications. However, it can be tough for kids to take their daily medication on schedule, especially while they're in school.

School-based asthma therapy, or SBAT, is a way to help students breathe easier. SBAT is a program that relies on teamwork between schools, school nurses, health care providers, insurance companies, pharmacies and families.

Students say that they like learning to be responsible for taking their medication, they can run around outside, and they feel better when they take their medicine regularly.

"We help families get better adherence to kids' asthma control medication regimens by having the school nurses give them their meds on the days that they go to school," said Kimberly Arcoleo, professor at the Michigan State University College of Nursing and primary investigator on the new research.

"Students get two inhalers with controller medication," she added. "One that goes to school and one that stays home so it doesn't have to move back and forth. The school nurse administers the medication to the kids each school day according to their health care provider's instructions. Some kids need it once a day, some need it twice a day."

Arcoleo and her co-researchers' findings were recently published a paper in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global and detail SBAT results for children ages 5 to 19 years old in Columbus, Ohio. The research was funded by a grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health.

SBAT's annual average cost of $1,500 per student can save $5,000 to $7,000 in medical expenses per student per year because it significantly reduces asthma symptoms and associated health care costs.

The improvement in health among students participating in SBAT was remarkable, Arcoleo said.

"In one year, for 633 students, we were able to reduce emergency department visits by 49%, urgent care visits by 41%, hospitalizations by 50% and pediatric intensive care unit admissions by 71%," she explained.

"Preliminary analyses show that although the program starts out costing about $3,000 per student annually, the cost drops down to only $500 once the school has their program established," said Arcoleo.

Health care savings

Controlled asthma means fewer visits for acute medical care, and this results in tremendous savings on health care expenses. Arcoleo and her team identified these savings for each type of medical visit for asthma care averted:

Acute care: $100/visit

Urgent care: $150/visit

Emergency department: $1,993/visit

Hospitalization: $14,787/visit

Pediatric intensive care unit: $46,961/visit

The team also identified these annual savings, which add to over $3.4 million:

Emergency department visits: $1,006,833

Hospitalization: $1,210,570

Pediatric intensive care unit: $1,185,369

Parents credit SBAT with fewer trips to the hospital and less time spent away from work. One family mentioned that they hadn't needed to make an emergency trip to their health care provider in almost a year.

Reductions in missed class time and behavioral incidents

Preliminary data also show a reduction in missed instructional time and behavioral incidents for students who receive SBAT.

"For the elementary school kids, we decreased their missed instructional time by 16%," said Arcoleo. "And for the kids in middle school and high school, we decreased their missed instructional time by 25%. Also, behavioral incidents, such as disruptive behavior, fighting and vandalism were reduced by 7%.

"This is important from the standpoint of learning," she said. "It's also important for the schools because they get reimbursed by the federal government for attendance. It's a double benefit."

Using six years' worth of data already collected, Arcoleo and her team are now doing a more comprehensive economic evaluation that includes medical costs, staff time and missed work time for caregivers. They expect to publish those findings later in 2025.
A team of Rice University researchers reported the first direct observation of a surprising quantum phenomenon predicted over half a century ago, opening pathways for revolutionary applications in quantum computing, communication and sensing.

Known as a superradiant phase transition (SRPT), the phenomenon occurs when two groups of quantum particles begin to fluctuate in a coordinated, collective way without any external trigger, forming a new state of matter. The discovery was made in a crystal composed of erbium, iron and oxygen that was cooled to minus 457 Fahrenheit and exposed to a powerful magnetic field of up to 7 tesla (over 100,000 times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field), according to a study published in Science Advances.

"Originally, the SRPT was proposed as arising from interactions between quantum vacuum fluctuations -- quantum light fields naturally existing even in completely empty space -- and matter fluctuations," said Dasom Kim, a Rice doctoral student in the Applied Physics Graduate Program who is a lead author on the study. "However, in our work, we realized this transition by coupling two distinct magnetic subsystems -- the spin fluctuations of iron ions and of erbium ions within the crystal."

Spin describes the magnetic poles of electrons or other particles and can be envisioned as a tiny arrow attached to each particle, constantly twirling and pointing in a given direction. When spins align, they create magnetic patterns across a material. When the pattern of spins ripples across the material like a wave, the resulting collective excitation is known as a magnon.

Until now, whether or not an SRPT could actually take place was subject to debate as it runs against a limitation -- called "no-go theorem" in theoretical physics -- arising in light-based systems. By staging an SRPT in a magnetic crystal based on the interactions between two spin subsystems, the researchers were able to get around this barrier, creating a magnonic version of the phenomenon. Specifically, the iron ions' magnons play the role traditionally attributed to vacuum fluctuations, and the erbium ions' spins represent matter fluctuations.

Using advanced spectroscopic techniques, the researchers observed unmistakable signatures of an SRPT, with the energy signal of one spin mode vanishing and another showing a clear shift or kink. These spectral fingerprints match exactly what theory predicts for entering the superradiant phase, giving the team high confidence that they had indeed coaxed the long-sought state into being.

"We established an ultrastrong coupling between these two spin systems and successfully observed a SRPT, overcoming previous experimental constraints," Kim said.

Researchers are excited not just because a 50-year-old physics prediction has been confirmed but also because of what this could mean for quantum technology. Collective quantum states at the SRPT have unique properties that could be harnessed for next-generation quantum technologies.

"Near the quantum critical point of this transition, the system naturally stabilizes quantum-squeezed states -- where quantum noise is drastically reduced -- greatly enhancing measurement precision," Kim said. "Overall, this insight could revolutionize quantum sensors and computing technologies, significantly advancing their fidelity, sensitivity and performance."

Sohail Dasgupta, a graduate student at Rice working with Kaden Hazzard, associate professor of physics and astronomy, theoretically modeled the SRPT, building on a model developed by their collaborator and co-author Motoaki Bamba, a professor at Yokohama National University.

"Although the basic mathematical model was already laid out before by Motoaki, we needed to account for some of the specific magnetic properties of the material to obtain the precise results. When your theory matches the experimental data -- which happens rather rarely -- it is the best feeling for a scientist," Dasgupta said.

Hazzard said the achievement shows that concepts from quantum optics can be translated into solid materials.

"This opens a new way to create and control phases of matter using ideas from cavity quantum electrodynamics," Hazzard said.

Moreover, the crystal used in this study is one example of a broader class of materials, which means the research paves the way for exploring quantum phenomena in other materials with similarly interacting magnetic components.

"Demonstrating a form of SRPT driven entirely by coupling two internal matter fluctuations marks a significant breakthrough in quantum physics, establishing a new framework for understanding and exploiting intrinsic quantum interactions within materials," said Junichiro Kono, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor in Engineering, professor of electrical and computer engineering and materials science and nanoengineering and the study's corresponding author.

The research was supported by the U.S. Army Research Office (W911NF2110157), the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (11520), the Robert A. Welch Foundation (C-1509), the W.M. Keck Foundation (995764), the Global Institute for Materials Research Tohoku University, the National Science Foundation (PHY-1848304), the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JPJSJRP20221202, JP24K21526), the Research Foundation for Opto-Science and Technology, the U.S. Department of Energy (DE-AC02-07CH11358) and the National Science Foundation of China (12374116). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding institutions.
Hantavirus recently made news headlines as the cause of death for Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, but little is commonly known about it other than its connection to rodents.

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

The details of their study was published in Ecosphere.

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

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

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

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

"In North America, Peromyscus maniculatus, the deer mouse, is the most common carrier but our study also revealed that other rodent species have a higher prevalence of hantavirus, which changes the current paradigm in hantavirus circulation in wildlife," said Paansri, whose mentor Associate Professor Luis E. Escobar, led the study and is an affiliate with the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. "This new information is expected to help us understand where and when hantavirus is most likely to occur, which is crucial for predicting outbreaks and informing public health officials."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abdelghafar Alkishe, a Virginia Tech 2022-23 presidential postdoctoral fellow, also worked on this study.
Physicists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University (SBU) have shown that particles produced in collimated sprays called jets retain information about their origins in subatomic particle smashups. The study was recently published as an Editor's Suggestion in the journal Physical Review Letters.

"Despite extensive research, the connection between a jet's initial conditions and its final particle distribution has remained elusive," said Charles Joseph Naim, a research associate at the Center for Frontiers in Nuclear Science (CFNS) in SBU's Department of Physics and Astronomy. "This study, for the first time, establishes a direct connection between the 'entanglement entropy' at the earliest stage of jet formation and the particles that emerge as a jet evolves."

The evidence comes from an analysis of jet particles emerging from proton-proton collisions captured by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, a 17-mile-circumference circular collider located at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. In these powerful collisions, the individual building blocks of the colliding protons, known as quarks and gluons, scatter off one another and sometimes get knocked free with enormous amounts of energy. But quarks can't stay free for long. They and the gluons that normally hold them together immediately begin to split and reconnect through a branching process called fragmentation. The result is the formation of many new composite particles made of pairs or triplicates of quarks -- collectively known as hadrons -- that spray out of the collision in a coordinated way, that is, as a jet.

"We wanted to see if the distribution of the hadrons in the jet was influenced by the level of entanglement among the quarks and gluons at the time the jet first formed," said Abhay Deshpande, a distinguished professor at SBU. Deshpande holds a joint appointment as director of science for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a new nuclear physics research facility under construction at Brookhaven Lab, and he is also currently serving as Brookhaven Lab's interim associate laboratory director for nuclear and particle physics.

The analysis was motivated in part by earlier research by study co-authors Zhoudunming Tu and Dmitri Kharzeev, both with faculty roles at SBU and appointments at Brookhaven Lab. Their study, published last year, revealed a connection between entanglement among quarks and gluons within protons and the overall distribution of particles emerging from proton-proton and electron-proton smashups. In that work, the higher the entanglement entropy among the quarks and gluons, the greater the entropy, or "messiness," in the distribution of particles produced.

"This earlier study revealed that there is maximal entanglement among the quarks and gluons within the high-energy proton," said Tu. "In this work, we extend this approach to the production of jets, which form from the fragmentation of those quarks and gluons. Will there also be maximal entanglement 'inside' these fragmenting high-energy quarks and gluons?"

Such a state of maximal entanglement among the jet-forming quarks and gluons predicts a connection between the jet fragmentation function and the entropy, or disorder, of hadrons emerging from the jet. This entropy would be observed as a large number of different types of hadrons -- mainly pions, kaons, and protons -- striking the detector. Conversely, such an observation of a high degree of disorder among jet particles and its correlation with the initial fragmentation predictions would be evidence of this maximal entanglement in the fragmenting quarks and gluons.

When the scientists looked at the data from the LHC's proton-proton collisions, the distribution of jet hadrons matched this prediction based on maximal entanglement in the earliest stage of jet formation.

"This new study offers a novel quantum-level perspective on the fragmentation process," said Kharzeev.

Study co-author Jaydeep Datta, a research scientist at SBU, added, "This study paves the way for further exploration of how quantum entanglement influences hadron formation, including at the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider."

The EIC will have active participation from many Stony Brook University faculty and students, and it promises unprecedented precision in studying quantum entanglement effects in high-energy collisions. Among other things, the EIC will compare jets emerging from electron-proton collisions with jets emerging from electron-nucleus collisions. These experiments will explore how far the quantum effects extend within nuclei -- and potentially modify the microcosm within protons.

This research was funded by the Center for Frontiers in Nuclear Science at Stony Brook University; the DOE Office of Science; the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage, a Brookhaven-led National Quantum Information Science Research Center also supported by the DOE Office of Science; and by a Laboratory Directed Research and Development project at Brookhaven Lab.
New candidate genes which could be responsible for deafness have been identified.

Congenital deafness (hearing loss from birth) is common, impacting around one in 1,000 babies born in the UK. The condition affects communication, social and cognitive development of children and general quality of life. It is largely caused by mutations in genes, but many of these genes remain to be discovered. Understanding the exact mutations that cause deafness could hold the key to devising 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 King's College London in collaboration with George Washington University, US, discovered new candidates for these so called 'deafness genes'.

With 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.
Patients who receive an add-on medication soon after a heart attack have a significantly better prognosis than those who receive it later, or not all.

This is according to a new study from researchers at Lund University in Sweden and Imperial College London. The findings suggest that treating patients earlier with a combination of statins and the cholesterol-lowering drug ezetimibe could prevent thousands of new heart attacks over a decade.

Cardiovascular disease is by far the most common cause of death worldwide, with heart attack ('myocardial infarction') being the most common acute event. For those who survive a heart attack, the risk of a new heart attack is greatest in the first year after the initial event because the blood vessels are more sensitive, making it easier for blood clots to develop.

Reducing LDL or "bad" cholesterol in the blood can stabilise changes in the vessels, decreasing the risk for new events. The current treatment guidelines for patients are high-potency statins immediately after a heart attack, to lower their cholesterol levels. However, the majority of patients do not reach recommended cholesterol levels using only statins, and so need an add-on treatment, such as ezetimibe.

"Today's guidelines recommend stepwise addition of lipid-lowering treatment. But it's often the case that this escalation takes too long, it's ineffective and patients are lost to follow-up," says Margret Leosdottir, Associate Professor at Lund University and senior cardiology consultant at Skane University Hospital in Malmo, Sweden. "By giving patients a combination treatment earlier, we could help to prevent many more heart attacks."

Co-investigator Professor Kausik Ray, from Imperial College London's School of Public Health, said: "This study shows that we could save lives and reduce further heart attacks by giving patients a combination of two low-cost drugs. But at the moment patients across the world aren't receiving these drugs together. That's causing unnecessary and avoidable heart attacks and deaths -- and also places unnecessary costs on healthcare systems. Our study shows the way forward; care pathways must now change for patients after this type of heart event."

In the latest study, the international team examined outcomes for heart attack patients if they received a combination of statins with the add-on therapy ezetimibe (within 12 weeks after a heart attack), statins with ezetimibe added later (between 13 weeks and 16 months), or just statins with no ezetimibe at all.

Based on Swedish registry data from 36,000 patients who had a heart attack between 2015 and 2022, the researchers used advanced statistical models to emulate a clinical trial. The results show that patients who received a combination treatment of statins and ezetimibe within 12 weeks of a heart attack and were able to lower cholesterol to the target level early, had a better prognosis and less risk of new cardiovascular events and death than those who received the add-on treatment later, or not at all.

From the analysis, the researchers believe many new heart attacks, strokes and deaths could be prevented every year internationally if the treatment strategy were to be changed. Under a scenario in which 100% of patients would receive ezetimibe early, they estimate 133 heart attacks could be avoided in a population of 10,000 patients in 3 years.

The researchers suggest that in the UK, which records an estimated 100,000 hospital admissions from heart attacks a year, this would equate to an estimated 5,000 heart attacks being prevented over a ten year period.

Dr Leosdottir said: "Combination therapy is not applied up-front for two main reasons. General recommendations are not included in today's guidelines and a precautionary principle is applied to avoid side effects and overmedication. However, there are positive effects from applying both medicines as soon after the infarction as possible. Not doing this entails an increased risk. In addition, the drug we have examined in the study causes few side effects and is readily available and inexpensive in many countries."

Margret Leosdottir hopes that the research results will in time provide support for changes in the recommendations. A treatment algorithm has already been introduced at her hospital in Sweden to help doctors to prescribe appropriate lipid-lowering treatment for patients who have had a myocardial infarction. It has been noted that patients achieve their treatment goals earlier and two months after the infarction twice as many patients have reduced their bad cholesterol to the target level, compared with previously.

"Several other hospitals in Sweden have also adopted the algorithm and there are similar examples from other countries that have produced as good results. My hope is that even more will review their procedures, so that more patients will get the right treatment in time, and we can thereby prevent unnecessary suffering and save lives."

Professor Ray added: "Our findings suggest that a simple change in treatment guidelines could have a huge impact on patients and reduce the demand on the NHS. Ezetimibe is already widely available and prescribed for relatively low cost. This add on therapy could be rolled out for around 350 a year per patient, which is a huge cost saving compared to the lasting impacts of treating heart attacks and the impact they have on patients' lives."
We Need Diverse Books' inaugural Stories Save Lives event, celebrating 10 years of the Walter Awards and of WNDB, was held at the Whittemore House in Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 10. Featured speakers included Massachusetts Seventh Congressional District Representative Ayanna Pressley, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Nikole Hannah-Jones, National Book Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson, and Newbery Medalist Jason Reynolds. Several Walter Award winners were also in attendance--including Elizabeth Acevedo and Angeline Boulley--as was 2023 Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson and Christopher Myers, Walter Dean Myers's author/illustrator son.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (photo: Nancy Anderson Cordell)

After a brief welcome from Jordan Bookey, author and chair of the host committee, Lizette Serrano, v-p of educational marketing and event strategy at Scholastic, introduced Pressley. Like many of the evening's speakers, Pressley condemned the current administration's attacks on diversity and inclusion, rampant book banning, and the focused attacks on bookstores and libraries: "I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I do that because I need the choir to sing."

Pressley shared her experience with one of the most banned authors in the U.S., Maya Angelou, in relation to the evening's theme, Stories Save Lives: "As a young child experiencing interfamily sexual abuse, I thought I was completely alone in the world until I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I don't know where I would be if that book was not available to me. When I say books save lives, I know it to be true--because a book saved mine."

Dhonielle Clayton

(photo: Nancy Anderson Cordell)

Author and WNDB chair Dhonielle Clayton used Myers's own words from his 2014 New York Times opinion piece, "Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books," to highlight the evening's theme: "Every book was a landscape upon which I was free to wander." Clayton, moderator of the anniversary's panel featuring Hannah-Jones, Reynolds, and Woodson, asked the authors if they remembered the first time they saw themselves in literature. "Stevie by John Steptoe," Woodson responded. "The characters looked like me, they sounded like the people I lived around, and it was an amazing moment. The next book was Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry." Hannah-Jones said Mildred D. Taylor's 1977 Newbery Medalist was her first as well--"There was a Black girl on the cover and that was the first time I saw a Black girl on the cover." Clayton noted "it was the same for me--it's so interesting how that one book has changed all of our lives."

"Yeah," Reynolds added, "it wasn't that for me. The first book that I saw myself in was The Young Landlords, an older Walter Dean Myers book. I had never read about neighborhood kids doing neighborhood things before that. The real issue is that I was 24 years old when I read that story, and it was the first time I actually saw myself."

Jacqueline Woodson

(photo: Nancy Anderson Cordell)

It's not an accident, Woodson said, "it's by design that you didn't come to Walter until you were 24. As many books as he had written? As many awards as he had won? What was keeping those books out of your classrooms?"

Relating back to Pressley's remarks, Clayton asked the panel what they thought "our titans" would say if they were with us today. "They would be cursing," Woodson said. "You think children's book writers don't curse? We curse." Hannah-Jones responded, "I don't think they would be shocked. Those of us who had the luxury of being born after the civil rights movement had the luxury of being surprised. But people who had to fight to have basic rights would not be surprised we're having to fight again. I think they would be angry with all of us for allowing it to get here--we got complacent." Hannah-Jones noted that "about 90% of the book bans came from about 100 people." We are allowing, she said, "the tiniest minority to decide what is being taught in the classroom, to take books out of libraries." Books by Black and LGBTQ+ people are being singled out specifically, she said, and "this is why I say it's psychological warfare: because as a child, when I never saw myself in the history books, in my literature class, in the library, I internalized what that meant. And what that meant was I came from a people who didn't do anything important, who didn't do anything of value, and so I'm not important and I don't have value. You erase us from the curriculum and then you erase our rights."

Jason Reynolds and Nikole Hanna-Jones

(photo: Nancy Anderson Cordell)

While Clayton, Hannah-Jones, Reynolds, and Woodson all worked to keep the conversation about Myers's legacy, there was an understandably somber tone. "This is the worst celebration I have ever been to," Reynolds lamented. "Happy 10th year, y'all." Clayton, graciously moderating, laughed and said, "I'm trying to bring in the joy, Jason. Give me a second to land the plane." So, Clayton asked, "What do we want for readers in the future? What do we want them to celebrate?"

Reynolds said he wants Black kids to get to be "weird." "I hope in 10 years," he said, that Black kids know "they don't have to be the coolest kid or the toughest kid; they can be the strangest kid." Hannah-Jones smiled: "Nobody ever comes to me for inspiration. Y'all, we're in trouble. I can't say we will all survive this moment but what I can say, because I've studied history, is that to be Black in America is to struggle. There has never been a moment since 1619 when we didn't have to struggle. We know how to do it. We always found a way. We will find a way. Ultimately, the future we have is the future we choose." Woodson focused her response on the inevitability and longevity of stories: "We always have story, and we will always have story. We had story when we weren't allowed to read, we had story when we weren't allowed to write. They can't kill the spirit. We came here not meaning to survive and we survived. We thrived. We continue to thrive. There is something about Black and brownness that is here to stay. For me, that's the celebration."

Christopher Myers

(photo: Nancy Anderson Cordell)

After a tribute to Ellen Oh and her 10 years as WNDB chair, the evening closed with an energetic and upbeat anecdote from Christopher Myers about his father. "I must have been about 11 years old," he said. "I was crossing 14th street with Pop, and he ran into Tom Feelings. Great illustrator. They saw each other with the kind of frequency that old men see each other. We began to cross the street and they both looked back and said, 'Oh no! They coming!' So I began to run. The two adults said 'they coming'--I'm going to run. I found myself in the middle of 14th Street, cars every which way, and Tom and Dad standing on the corner just laughing, knowing that they had got me. Knowing that they had imbued in me the same instinct that they had. Every Black person will tell you that we are all running. White people will be like, 'What are we running from?' But Black people are all going to run together. We find ourselves in this moment right now where, oh no, they are coming... But I hope we can remember in these moments that you can find joy. You can still be standing on the corner laughing as your 11-year-old son dodges traffic." --Sian Gaetano, children's and YA editor, Shelf Awareness
A 'zero-for-zero' tariff strategy, proposed by trade experts to deal with mutual tariff hikes by the US, will not be included in the India-US bilateral trade agreement, according to official sources. Such an approach is at variance with the normal negotiating practices for trade agreements, officials said.

A top official clarified that although a zero-for-zero approach where both nations remove tariffs on identical goods may be feasible between developed economies such as the US and the European Union, it is not appropriate for countries with varying economic structures, like India and the US. "Trade agreements do not work like this if they go zero on electronics, we will too. That is a wrong perception," the official said. Rather, India and the US are working towards a broader "package deal" that covers a range of issues, such as goods, services, and non-tariff barriers.

The bilateral trade agreement negotiations began in March, with both nations planning to complete the first phase by September or October this year. The goal is to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 from around $191 billion now.

The officials assured that sectoral talks will occur in the following weeks after four days of initial talks that ended on March 29. India is said to be ahead of other countries as far as being prepared for negotiations on trade agreements is concerned.

The zero-for-zero idea has been floated earlier by the Delhi based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), which had recommended that India remove tariffs on chosen American products in return for reciprocal concessions by the US. But the present stance reflects the Indian government's preference for a more comprehensive and symmetrical negotiating architecture.

On the issue of trade interests, the US is likely to push for tariff reduction in areas like industrial products, electric vehicles, wines, petrochemicals, dairy, and farm produce such as apples, tree nuts, and alfalfa hay. On the contrary, India will most probably negotiate duty reduction in labor-intensive industries like textiles, garments, gems and jewelry, leather, plastics, chemicals, oilseeds, shrimp, and horticulture.

The US has remained India's biggest trading partner over the last three fiscal years, with a contribution of around 18% to India's total exports, 6.22% to imports, and 10.73% to total bilateral trade. India had a goods trade surplus of $35.32 billion with the US in 2023-24, up from $27.7 billion in 2022-23. Principal Indian exports to the US in 2024 were drug formulations and biologicals ($8.1 billion), telecommunication instruments ($6.5 billion), precious and semi-precious stones ($5.3 billion), and petroleum products ($4.1 billion). US imports had crude oil ($4.5 billion), petroleum products ($3.6 billion), coal and coke ($3.4 billion), and parts of aircraft and spacecraft ($1.3 billion), among others.
On April 14, top leaders of the country convened at Prerna Sthal on the Parliament complex to offer their sincere tributes to Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. Dr. Ambedkar, who was born on this day in 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, is still a giant figure in Indian history. He was an eminent jurist, economist, social reformer, and political leader who had a crucial role in the nation-building process.

Since the Indian Constitution's prime architect, Dr. Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee and the first Law and Justice Minister in the Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet. His efforts toward the nation remain to be revered, particularly on his birthday anniversary, which is being celebrated throughout the country on a large scale as a mark of respect to his legacy of education, social justice, and equality.

The guests who attended the ceremony included President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The leaders offered floral tributes to Dr. Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution, and received blessings from the Buddhist monks who also attended the ceremony.

gain international respect through his outstanding achievements. Earlier today, President Murmu went on to X to send her greetings, saying, "On the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the maker of our Constitution, I send my warmest greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens". She recognized Dr. Ambedkar's inspiring life, noting his capacity to overcome extreme adversity andthrough his outstanding achievements.

Prime Minister Modi too honored Dr. Ambedkar, highlighting how his vision remains to shape the course of progress for India even now. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I pay my homage to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary", tweeted the Prime Minister on X. "It is because of his inspiration that the country is commitment-fully focused on fulfilling the vision of social justice today".

Different programs, cultural functions, and rallies are being held throughout the nation to commemorate Dr. Ambedkar's vision for a more inclusive and equitable society through the Indian Constitution.
In a dramatic reversal of fortune, U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled any planned tariff exemptions on Chinese imports, reinstating a tough stance on trade with China. In a post on Truth Social, Trump explained that 'no one's off the hook', meaning that semiconductors, computers, and smartphones from China will only briefly be hit with a 20% tariff twice the standard rate while more general 145% tariffs on Chinese products are still on the table. The declaration paves the way for future National Security Tariff Investigations, which could come as early as next week.

The recent turn of events has created uncertainty about the long-term trajectory of U.S.-China trade relations. But the administration's message is unmistakable: a new thrust toward domestic manufacturing. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted the urgent necessity of making semiconductors, chips, and flat-panel displays domestically, affirming national security interests as the compelling narrative.

Though the changing position of the Trump administration clouds what the future holds for policy, the existing tariff regime presently provides some short-term reprieve for international tech behemoths, some of which have historically relied upon Chinese production. "Particularly Apple, which was in the middle as well as the wider chip and hardware sectors", said Prabhu Ram, director of the Industry Intelligence Group at CyberMedia Research. "Exclusion of smartphones and chips is especially important in the context of China tariffs. Although it resolves near-term issues, long-term uncertainty regarding US-China trade dynamics persists".

For India, this instability could mark a turning point. With its growing consumer market, increasing manufacturing capability, and favorable policy environment, India is well-positioned to take a greater share of global tech output. The momentum is also backed by a potential India-U.S. trade agreement, which has become more pressing in the wake of recent events.

The iPhone production shift from China to India will keep going and gain momentum despite the exemption, Sui, a cross-border technology analyst, stated. "India produced around 13%14% of the world's iPhones in 2024, and we anticipate that doubling by this year.

Indian government is working aggressively towards this shift. It made higher allocations under the Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for FY 202526 in March. The Electronics and IT Hardware segment received an allocation of Rs 5,777 crore that has been enhanced to Rs 9,000 crore, while Automobile and Auto Components sector support was enhanced from Rs 346.87 crore to Rs 2,818.85 crore. Theaggressively towards this shift. It made higher allocations under the Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for FY 202526 in March. The Electronics and IT Hardware segment received an allocation of Rs 5,777 crore that has been enhanced to Rs 9,000 crore, while Automobile and Auto Components sector support was enhanced from Rs 346.87 crore to Rs 2,818.85 crore.

Apple, in its manufacturers Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics, has increased plans for expanding output in India. Industry estimates indicate that iPhone exports out of India may cross $15 billion in 2025, marking India's increasing reputation in the international electronics supply base.
The historically handsome building at 1214 Castleton Ave. has been a Staten Island financial institution for more than 100 years  serving generations of customers first as Richmond County Savings Bank, then New York Community Bank, and now Flagstar, which has announced it will close the location on June 13. (Courtesy NYPL) (Courtesy NYPL)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y  The historically handsome building at 1214 Castleton Ave. has been a Staten Island financial institution for more than 100 years  serving generations of customers, first as Richmond County Savings Bank, then New York Community Bank, and now Flagstar. But on Friday, June 13, West Brighton residents will lose access to this architecturally significant property  as the bank is closing its doors for good.

Its sad what is happening here on Staten Island, noted 81-year-old Dawn Tanaka of Randall Manor, who recently received a letter regarding Flagstars local branch closures. If they tear down these beautiful buildings, it will destroy an important part of this boroughs history.

The West Brighton bank is one of 60 Flagstar branches that will soon close across the United States. Two other Staten Island branches  5770 Hylan Blvd. in Princes Bay and 832 Jewett Ave. in Westerleigh  will also shutter. Company officials have noted that the closures are part of a plan to reduce expenses and streamline the banks operations.

The West Brighton bank, seen here in a current photo, is one of 60 Flagstar branches closing across the United States. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

2024 was a transitional year for Flagstar, CEO Joseph Otting said on the companys earnings conference call in January, during which the bank reported an annual net loss of $1,090 million. Despite this, the company made tremendous progress on each of its strategic priorities and set the stage from which to grow going forward.

And while the loss of a convenient neighborhood branch stings, Staten Island neighbors took to social media to convey their concerns about the potential loss of historic property.

This bank was built when architecture was important and banks had that financial American look, one user said.

This is another sad story for Staten Island, another commenter added. Never ever again will they build banks like this.

According to the NYC Real Estate Record and Builders Guide, the one-story brick-and-stone structure was designed by famed Staten Island architect James Whitford in 1920. The contract for its build was awarded to Port Richmond-based builder John Milnes, and costs were listed at $70,000.

The address was built as the headquarters for The Richmond County Savings Bank, which was established in 1886 and had two prior homes  Odd Fellows Hall in West New Brighton, as well as another space on Richmond Terrace. Records do not include an exact opening date for 1214 Castleton Ave., but one of the earliest renderings of the completed space is dated 1926.

Vintage pictures from Historic Richmond Town and the New York Public Library show the banks spacious interior, complete with intricate molding, arched windows and massive vault. But despite its age and grandeur, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission said the century-old structure is not a designated landmark site.

Flagstar did not respond to requests for comment about the closures, and did not answer direct questions about plans for the buildings future. A customer service representative confirmed that the final day of business will be June 13.

According to Flagstars website, there are currently 16 branches on Staten Island. These closures will bring that count down to 13.
Hon. Edwina Martin, Richmond County Public Administrator, presents the first-place Live Your Dream award to Damaris Morales, as Stacie Koutras looks on. (Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Soroptimist International of Staten Island held its annual Live Your Dream Awards Dinner on March 5 at LiGrecis Staaten in West Brighton, celebrating ten extraordinary women who overcame tremendous obstacles to pursue their education and career goals.

The evening was attended by more than 80 guests, including community leaders, supporters, and friends of Soroptimist.

The Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women program provides financial assistance to women who are the primary wage earners for their families and are seeking to improve their lives through education or skills training.

Recipients can use the funds toward tuition, books, childcare, transportation, or other education-related expenses.

This year, a total of $10,000 in awards was distributed. The first-place winner, Damaris Morales, received $3,000. The second- and third-place winners were awarded $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

Additionally, seven Encouragement Awards of $500 each were granted to deserving women whose perseverance and dedication to their goals inspired the committee.

Many of the honorees had faced serious life challenges, including homelessness, illness, and domestic violence. Their strength and determination made them ideal candidates for the awards, which are designed to empower women through education and training.

The Live Your Dream Award improves the recipients quality of life, builds their confidence, and helps strengthen their self-determinationoften inspiring them to help others, said Soroptimist International/SI President Tina Bilcher-Murphy. This reflects the very essence of Soroptimists mission: to transform the lives of women and girls by educating, empowering, and enabling them to achieve their full potential.

Helping women in this way has long-lasting impacts, including leading to stronger communities, added Chair Edwina Frances Martin, Esq., Richmond County Public Administrator.

Soroptimist International of Staten Island, founded in 1955, is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization dedicated to providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.

Since the Live Your Dream programs inception in 1972, more than $40 million has been awarded globally, helping tens of thousands of women build brighter futures. Each year, the program provides more than $2.8 million in cash awards to women worldwide.

The 2025 Staten Island Live Your Dream Committee was chaired by the Hon. Edwina Frances Martin, Esq.

An independent panel of judges selected the 2025 Staten Island recipients, including: Tatiana Arguello, CEO of Nonprofit (Judges Panel Chair); Marilyn Zayfert of illuminNet Digital Marketing; and Dr. Gracelyn Santos, the dentist and Advance columnist.
The man accused of firebombing the Pennsylvania governors mansion was off his medication to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but could not be involuntarily committed, his mother told PennLive.

Christie Balmer, obviously feeling hurt and saddened by what has happened, gave a brief doorstep interview Tuesday morning from the familys duplex home in Penbrook.

All I want to say is that I tried to get my son help and nobody would help.

Balmer explained she was referring to mental health help, noting that Cody - whom she said has been living with his parents for more than a year - had stopped taking his medications for what she said were diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Christie Balmer said she had made calls as recently as Thursday on Codys behalf. Her last call came less than three nights prior to the arson that set Gov. Josh Shapiros residence on fire.

I called crisis. I tried to get him picked up by the police department, and I couldnt get him any help.

The Balmers shut down the interview as other news crews arrived on the porch Monday morning.

Penbrook police confirmed Codys mother called them about 1 p.m. on April 10. But when officers arrived, Cody was gone and the Balmers werent in any immediate danger, said police Lt. Jesse Foltz.

Foltz said the legal threshold for an involuntary mental health commitment under Pennsylvania law wasnt met for police to take any immediate action.

There was nothing we could articulate, he said. We cant go on a gut feeling.

Cody Balmer, 38, was charged with attempted murder and arson after police say he set the Governor's Residence on fire Sunday, April 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Dauphin County DA's Office) Dauphin County DA's Office

Police conducted some follow-up investigation, Foltz said, including calling a hotel where they heard he was staying after leaving his parents home. Officers checked with hotel staff who told police Cody wasnt causing any problems.

One of the Balmers immediate next door neighbors, who declined to give his name during a brief interview, said he didnt have a significant relationship with the family:

Its just: Hello. Hello. when we see each other in the backyard. Thats all, the man said.

But, he added, we never had any issue, and I dont think our neighbors ever complained about them. I never heard anything bad about them at all.

Given the lack of attention the Balmers captured on the street, however, he admitted that he was shocked that the accused Governors Residence arsonist lived next door.

Im shocked that something like that happened. You know what I mean? Its not something that we witness every day.... I read it, and i was shocked.

Dipesh Modi, owner of Kindermans Auto Repair, said that Cody Balmer had worked at his shop in the 2500 block of Walnut Street for about eight years, before leaving about two years ago.

Modi said that Balmer was a good mechanic for him, but that over time Balmer had some unspecified complaints about certain aspects of the shops operations. They talked it out, unsuccessfully, Modi said, and there was a mutual separation.

Modi said that he had not been in contact with Balmer since but had understood that Balmer was planning to try to start his own business as a mobile mechanic, doing roadside repairs.

Codys criminal record includes a pending case for three counts of simple assault for a 2023 domestic violence incident at his home in the 100 block of Houston Avenue in Harrisburg. He had a plea hearing set for Feb. 14, but it was continued with the notation: defendant not ready.

Court records from the incident said Cody took a bottle of pills with the intention of killing himself Jan. 29, 2023, which prompted an argument with his wife. He then struck her and repeatedly elbowed a juvenile in the home who stepped in between Cody and his wife, according to court records. Cody then punched her in the face, she told police, and he later bit her hand. There were two children inside the home at the time.

His divorce was finalized in February. He has a son and two daughters. His LinkedIn page lists him as a freelance welder.

Cody also was convicted twice before for altering checks to direct payments to himself, according to court records. He was found guilty of forgery and received 18 months probation on each count.

According to court records:

 On Feb. 24, 2015, he tried to cash an altered check from US Retail Flowers, INC (Royers Flowers) for $2,734.43. The check was originally intended to be paid out to a seasonal employee, who told police she never received her paycheck.

 On Feb. 24, 2015, US retail flowers (Royers Flowers) called police. Balmer tried to cash another altered check for $3,560.

He also pleaded guilty twice since last year to driving while suspended. The latest time he was stopped was Feb. 24 in Lancaster County.

Staff Writer Jenna Wise contributed to this report.
People trying to intimidate federal judges have had pizzas delivered to their homes using the name of the murdered son of a federal judge from New Jersey, she said.

In an appearance on NBC News, Judge Esther Salas said she and some colleagues, as well as their adult children, have received the pizzas, following comments by President Donald Trump heavily criticizing members of the judiciary.

The receipts indicated they were ordered by her deceased son, Daniel Anderl.

Anderl was shot to death at the judges New Brunswick home in 2020 by a man who was a self-described anti-feminist lawyer had a case before Salas. Salas husband, Mark Anderl, was shot and wounded.

What does that say to those judges? Salas said. It says I know where you live. I know where your kids live. And do you want to end up like Judge Salas? Do you want to end up like her son? These are unprecedented attacks on judicial officers.

Salas said the intimidation tactic has been happening to judges for some time. Then a few weeks ago pizzas began arriving at the homes of judges adult children.

The added twist of saying they were sent by her son is a new bit of cruelty, the judge said.

Well, theyre not done yet, because just this week, we now have six pizzas that have been delivered to judges and their kids, and the sender on that pizza is my son, Salas said. My murdered sons name is now being attached, weaponized, is being used as a weapon against these judicial officers.

Roy Den Hollander was the primary suspect in the attack, the FBI said. A package addressed to Judge Salas was found near the suspects body. He later killed himself in Rockland County, New York.

Salas said the veiled threats wont stop her or her colleagues from sitting on the bench. She implored lawmakers to speak out against the those responsible.

I can tell you that as troubling as it is, the men and women of the judiciary will continue to do our jobs because we know that justice requires that we do so, but we need our leaders whether they Republicans, Democrats, independents to stand up for the for justice to stand up to these attacks, Salad told NBC.

We need our leaders to be the champions for justice at this time in our nation and so we are asking for our leaders to do that, to lead and to lead by showing that they support the judiciary, they support the rule of law, and they believe in our democracy above all else.

Trump has repeatedly criticized judges who have made rulings unfavorable to him. He also called for the impeachment of one who ruled against his deportation plans.

He has called various judges, a lunatic, a Trump-hating, radical left, Democrat operative, disgraceful very biased and unfair and so-called judge.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Charles H. Taylor, 82, a native Staten Islander and a retired manager, died Saturday in Sea View Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.

A resident of New Brighton, Mr. Taylor was a graduate of Curtis High School. He attended Wagner College, earning a bachelor of science degree in chemistry.

He went on to earn a master of business administration degree in Executive Management and Economics from St. Johns University, as well as doing graduate work in physical and analytical chemistry at Purdue University.

He was inducted as a lifetime member into Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business honor fraternity.

Charles Taylor family

Charles, right, with cousins Debra Weinmann Schmidt and Chris Laline, and friend Robert Scamardella, in the Road House. family

Mr. Taylor worked for Schering-Plough Corporation, starting as a chemist. During his career, he held a number of management positions in quality control, purchasing operations support and purchasing.

He retired in 2003, after a 37-year career.

Mr. Taylor was a member of several professional organizations, a fellow in the American Institute of Chemicals, a member of the American Chemical Society, and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.

In retirement, he became a volunteer with the Service Corps Of Retired Executives -- SCORE -- counseling first-time entrepreneurs on obtaining a business loan, building a business plan and marketing.

He was a world traveler, traveling extensively for business and pleasure throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and the continental United States. He visited over 40 countries.

Charles and a cousin while on a visit to Poland. (Family photo) Third-Party-Submitted

Mr. Taylor cherished his Polish heritage. In 2009, he traveled to Poland to renew his family roots. His grandmother immigrated to America in September 1909. He made the reverse voyage exactly 100 years later, the trip an opportunity to reconnect with his Polish cousins who did not have the opportunity to immigrate to America.

Mr. Taylor was an art collector, having a collection of original oil paintings and prints from American and European artists. He visited the major art museums and galleries throughout Europe and America.

Art is the soul of mans journey through life, was a constant refrain.

He fancied himself an amateur art critic in latter years.

Charles, at left, during a family birthday celebration. (Family Photo) Third-Party-Submitted

Mr. Taylor also was a numismatic, having a coin collection dating back to the early 1800s.

Family and friends were a constant in Mr. Taylors life. Family provided guidance, emotional support and continuity in life, especially in difficult times. He had a number of lifelong friends going back to elementary school. Family gatherings were always a special time.

Life and our life experience are the crucible of our life, hed tell family. Treat others as you would want to be treated. You only get one journey through life . . . live it to the fullest.

Charles and cousin Debra Weinmann Schmidt. family

Mr. Taylor was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Kostka R.C. Church, the church his grandparents helped build.

He is survived by cousins Debra Weinmann Schmidt, Robert Sadowski and Carol and Brian Laline.

Viewing will be held Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. in Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave., West Brighton. A Mass will be offered Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Stanislaus, 109 York Ave., New Brighton.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Taylor asked friends to consider a donation to St. Stanislaus Kostka.
In this April 23, 2008 file photo, passengers use Delta Air Lines' self check-in counter at San Jose International Airport in San Jose, Calif.. Delta Air Lines Inc. on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 said it swung to a hefty loss in the second quarter despite a strong increase in sales, pushing its red ink to more than $7 billion since the start of the year. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file) ASSOCIATED PRESS

Inclement weather caused major delays for nearly 300 Delta passengers traveling from Mexico, after their flights were rerouted to a small regional airport in Alabama that lacked customs facilities, according to 11Alive.

With no way to clear U.S. entry procedures, the travelers were stuck overnight on the tarmac and didnt reach their final destination in Atlanta until 15 hours later.

Two Delta flightsone departing from Mexico City and the other from Cabo San Lucaswere forced to divert to Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama on Thursday night due to severe storms that triggered a ground stop at their intended destination, Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

What was meant to be a three-and-a-half-hour trip turned into nearly 20 hours, frustrated passenger Alex Alvarez told 11Alive. We understand delays due to weather, but it felt like one issue after another.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore) AP

According to Alvarez, the plane spent a significant amount of time circling before the pilot announced they were running low on fuel and needed to divert.

You could see on the tracker that we were just going in circles, and the captain finally said we were running out of fuel, Alvarez said. So he had to land in Montgomery.

Also, the crew and pilot had run out of time. So were timed out, meaning we had to get an entirely new crew and pilot from Atlanta.

Since Montgomery Regional Airport isnt equipped with U.S. Customs, and the flight crew had exceeded their maximum working hours, the 150 passengers onboard were forced to remain on the aircraft overnight.

Alvarez said Delta fed the passengers sandwiches and chips Friday morning.

Delta issued the following statement to 11Alive: We sincerely apologize to our customers for this experience. 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.
Children run around during an Easter egg hunt in Annadale Green Park as part of festivities hosted by the Lous Helping Hand Foundation on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Peter Cottontail made his way to the South Shore this weekend.

On Sunday, local charity Lous Helping Hand Foundation hosted its third annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Annadale Green Park, and kids of all ages got to enjoy the festivities.

Volunteers offered a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, face painting, sack races and more.

All the while, Patrick Raftery of Music With Patrick serenaded the crowds with family-friendly tunes.

Outside the park, a line wrapped around Jefferson Boulevard as children and parents waited eagerly for their picture with the Easter Bunny.

Even with all the extra activities, the biggest draw for the afternoon was far and away the egg hunt.

To accommodate the almost 400 children who registered for the event, hundreds of plastic eggs were repeatedly scattered across the park, as organizers called the egg hunters in waves to be sure that each group had a fair chance of finding their own.

This is old Staten Island right here, said JoAnne Nolemi of Huguenot, in reference to the community turnout for the event.

The vibe is old Staten Island, just full of energy and joy. I grew up in this town, and I can still remember 60 years ago riding my bike through Annadale and its good to see its still going on, she continued.

Not only did the egg hunt provide parents and their children with an opportunity to enjoy the Easter season, it acted as a way for a charity organization to make connections and give back to the community.

I dont like to brag, but Gods watching out for us. Between the weather and the turnout, everything this year worked out great, said Juliana Palazzolo-Pellicane, founder of Lous Helping Hand Foundation. Everybody came out of the woodwork asking what can we do to help?, she continued.

The Lous Helping Hand Foundation was founded 2017. With a guiding principle of caring is the biggest gift you can give your community, the foundation operates as a community center and food pantry, serving underprivileged families and the homeless on the island.

The food pantry especially has been a source of concern recently for Palazzolo-Pellicane, who says that her organization has been struggling to keep the pantry shelves supplied.

Our collections cant fill up the shelves, I cant even tell you. When this started, I didnt think there would be so much of a need, but it is, Palazzolo-Pellicane said. A lot of people think its only on the North Shore that people need help, but the South Shore is suffering just as much, so we hope we can get more people to donate.
Utica, N.Y.  An Oneida County Sheriffs Office deputy has been put on leave after he was found near a house fire that had been set at his intimate partners home, deputies said.

Deputy Aaron M. Alshaman, 29, is believed to be the person that started the fire, deputies said in an Extreme Risk Protection order application filed by the sheriffs office on Friday.

Utica police are investigating the arson and no arrests have been made, said Lt. Michael Curley, a spokesperson for the Utica Police.

Alshaman was on duty at the time of the fire, deputies said

On 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, police and the Utica Fire Department responded to the 1100 block of Kellogg Avenue for a house fire, Curley said.

The fire was found in the rear of the home and was extensive, he said. The two-family, two-story house is still intact and livable but it is damaged.

After investigation, the fire was deemed to be arson and intentionally set, he said.

One of the residents inside the home was in an intimate relationship with Alshaman, deputies said in court documents.

It was believed Alshaman started the fire based on strong physical evidence, deputies said in court documents.

Alshaman has been put on administrative leave, according to the sheriffs office. It is launching its own internal investigation.

Alshamans behavior was described as uncharacteristic and called into question his mental state in the Extreme Risk Protection order application filed against him.

A judge approved the application to temporarily remove the deputys firearms.

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.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Monday, Apr. 14, to honor former Rep. John LaFalce. (Staten Island Advance/Anthony DePrimo)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff on Monday, Apr. 14, in honor of former New York State representative, John LaFalce.

John LaFalce had a profound influence on my early career, recruiting me from a large D.C. firm to serve as his legislative counsel on Capitol Hill and putting me on the path to a lifetime of public service, Hochul said.

The former congressman and Buffalo native, who died at the age of 85, was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1971 before moving to the State Assembly in 1973.

He later went on to represent New York in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly three decades, serving three different districts from 1975 to 2003.

A true champion for Western New York, John cared deeply about his constituents and worked tirelessly to bring transformative projects home to the district he loved. My thoughts are with his wife Pat, his son Martin, and all who loved him, the governor added.

Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat representing New York in the U.S. Senate who once served alongside LaFalce, issued the following statement.

Congressman LaFalce was as Buffalo as they come. 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.
Sen. Charles Schumer called for the Federal Aviation Administration to prevent the helicopter tourism company involved in a deadly crash on Thursday, from operating until a thorough investigation has taken place. The photo above of Schumer depicts him leading a press conference to decry possible Medicaid cuts Monday, Marc 31, 2025.(Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer called for action from the Federal Aviation Administration Sunday, in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed six lives in New York City Thursday.

In a written statement, Schumer said the aviation administration should revoke New York Helicopter Tours operating certificate until the crash investigation is complete.

It is just a tragedy that a military veteran and a beautiful family from Spain are gone in a flash. One of the things we can do to honor these lives is to try and save others, because if there is one thing we know for sure about New York Citys helicopter tour companies: they have a deadly track record, and it is usually the companiesnot the pilotsthat are openly manipulating federal FAA rules, cutting corners and putting profits over people, said Schumer. We saw something like this in the 2018 FlyNyon crash that killed five in the East River, and we very well could see it in this case, as it relates to maintenance and other helicopter safety protocols that were possibly ignored or dismissed by the company, New York Helicopter Tours.

Schumer revealed that the company operating the doomed flight, New York Helicopter Tours, was flying under Part 91 FAA rules, which have less stringent training and safety requirements compared to commercial and passenger helicopter companies.

Schumer claims that operating under Part 91 allows for less experienced pilots and potential oversights of mechanical issues before takeoff.

This company was operating at the lowest bar for safety, and across New York City, every single helicopter tour company has the same model, including FlyNyon, which is offering the same kinds of flights that just took the lives of six people right now  but at a new special of 70% off, if you can imagine that," Schumer said in the written statement. The FAA can take some real action here in the name of safety, and they should. While the National Transportation Safety Board investigates, yet another tour crash, the companys flights should cease.

Additionally, Schumer is calling for increased ramp inspections at all metro area helicopter tour companies.

These ramp inspections aim to ensure compliance and safety standards. The senator is also pushing for the FAA to evaluate and update safety protocols for tourist helicopter operations, which have remained unchanged for many years.

My office was able to book the same exact flight that just took the lives of six people for noon today with the same company involved in the death of five prior. We cannot just continue on and on and wait for another tragedy to happen here, Schumer said. We know these helicopter tour flights are unsafe and we know their weak points exist because of loopholes in the law that allow the tour companies to do things actual passenger service helicopter companies could never, so lets close those loopholes and update the laws. I will keep pushing for these actions because they can actually get done. The FAA should be all over this.

He wants the agency to focus on four main objectives: determining the appropriate type of helicopters for tourism flights, establishing minimum flight hours for pilots, ensuring thorough pre-flight mechanical reviews, and implementing financial wherewithal tests for operators to prevent corner-cutting.

Schumer emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, Lives depend on getting this right, because these tour companies will always find a way to fly, so we have to get the regulations right and tight.

A call for action

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis also called earlier this week for New York City to regulate and restrict tourist helicopter flights following the fatal crash into the Hudson River that left six people dead.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and pilot who tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash over the Hudson River, said Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. This incident highlights the safety concerns weve raised with the FAA and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and previously with the Biden Administration, regarding tour helicopters operating over densely populated and residential communities across New York City.

Malliotakis call for action followed complaints from residents who have been fed-up with helicopter traffic passing over their homes and creating a noise disturbance.
Part of the budget in one major New York city is growing while workers are slimming.

The city of Buffalo in upstate New York is unexpectedly spending millions of dollars this year to provide weight-loss drugs to municipal workers, according to WGRZ News in Buffalo.

During a recent finance committee meeting, Deputy Comptroller Delano Dowell confirmed to the Common Council that so far in fiscal year 2024-2025, Buffalo has incumbered $2.1 million of unexpected expenses, all due to the prescription weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy.

The contribution for the city cost around 97% so we are incurring a lot of costs of the employees, Dowell said. Its just up year over year, and the city is taking a blunt of that expense.

Dowell said that health care costs for the city are $3.6 million higher than they were last February, totaling $6.7 million in the current fiscal year.

Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon told the news station that the city expects health care costs to be $15 million to $20 million higher in the next fiscal year.

Its a big hurdle to overcome when it comes to our bottom line, but when preparing the budget, thats what we did, Scanlon said.

In Scanlons proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, the line item for fringe benefits increased by $13 million, or 6.9%.

Included in that line item are health care costs for prescription drugs, a city spokesperson said.

Its incumbent upon us to look at everything were spending money on, and however we can save on the expenses side, Scanlon said.

Scanlons proposed budget is more than $622 million for 2025-2026, a less than 1% increase from the current fiscal year.

The acting mayor hopes to close a more than $50 million budget gap by establishing a parking authority to sell the city-owned parking ramps, establish a 3% bed tax, and raise property taxes by 8%.
Two major American cities have canceled their Cinco de Mayo parades amid fears that the events could be targeted for raids tied to President Donald Trumps immigration policies.

CBS News Chicago reported that the annual Cinco de Mayo parade in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago will not take place this year.

Organizers blamed the Trump administration.

The Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce said the Mexican community in Chicago is worried about potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on the event.

Our community is very frightened because of the raids and the threat that ICE has imposed on the families that work tirelessly to provide a better future for their kids, chamber President Hector Escobar said in a statement. Our community has faced bullying and prosecution and are not indulging in community activities, therefore we feel that there is nothing to celebrate.

Organizers said they plan to return to the event in 2026.

Philadelphias Carnaval de Puebla has also been canceled because of fears of ICE raids.

Organizer Edgar Ramirez told CBS News Philadelphia that the parade, initially set for April 27, had been canceled because of ICE targeting of the Mexican community.

Organizing committee member Olga Renteria said she received phone calls from people who were afraid to attend the event.

The committee decided it was not a good idea to go with it because we didnt want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, Renteria said.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican armys victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Trump has made border security, including deportations of those with criminal records who are in this country illegally, a tentpole issue of his second term in office.
Call it the bully pulpit.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo got some quick clapback after calling President Donald Trump a bully over the weekend.

At the end of a Palm Sunday appearance at First Corinthian Baptist church in Harlem, mayoral candidate Cuomo recalled how he and Trump had battled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We almost created issues to fight about, Cuomo said, per the New York Post. It became so commonplace. But we fought about vaccines. We fought about federal resources. We fought about ships, we fought about everything.

And you know what I learned about Mr. Trump? He is a bully, the ex-gov said. And you know what you do with a bully? You stand up to a bully. When they put their finger in your chest, you step forward. You dont step back  Were going to stand up to the bully.

That broadside didnt get past New York Republicans who dealt with Cuomo during Cuomos time in Albany.

Hello pot, meet kettle, said state Sen. George Borrello, a Republican who represents the Buffalo-Rochester region and is a former Chautauqua county executive.

Cuomo was the biggest bully in Albany for years, Borrello said.

State Republican Party chairman Ed Cox also clapped back at Cuomo.

Talk about a bully. Cuomo is the original thug in NY politics, he said.

Its not the first time that Trump and Cuomo, both Queens natives, have gone at it.

During a campaign stop in Queens last month, Cuomo labeled Trump diabolical.

We all know this man. He came from Queens. I dealt with him for four years. I fought with him for four years. I know him, Cuomo said. He, in many ways, has learned from his first administration to his second, and hes more diabolical in this administration.

Trump earlier this month dished on his relationship with Cuomo, who is well ahead in the polls for the Democratic nomination for mayor.

Ive always gotten along with him, the president told reporters on Air Force One. Weve had our ins and outs a little bit.

The two have battled over the federal resources that the city received during the pandemic, including a military medical ship and a field hospital at the Javits Center in Manhattan.

Trump was in his first presidential term then, while Cuomo was governor.
As millions of Americans get ready to file their income tax returns on Tuesday, and to fork over any money that they owe to Uncle Sam, it might shock them to learn that Internal Revenue Service workers owe millions of dollars in back taxes of their own.

The New York Post reported that Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has proposed legislation aimed at ensuring that IRS workers are up to date with their taxes.

I am squashing the 1776-style tax revolt at the IRS and forcing bureaucrats to play by the rules they are enforcing on the American people, Ernst told The Post.

Earnsts Audit the IRS Act requires the agency to probe its workers each year and to fire every agent who doesnt pay their tax bills.

The law would also restrict the IRS from hiring agents with unpaid tax bills.

Ernst said, We must conduct a full accounting of Americas tax agency by auditing the auditors. Every single tax-dodging tax collector needs to be shown the door.

The new law comes in response to a July 2024 watchdog report that found that current and former IRS workers owed $46 million worth of taxes.

The report said that about 5% of IRS employees and contractors werent fully caught up on their personal tax obligations.

Four months after the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administrations report on IRS workers who were in arrears on their taxes, the IRS told Ernst that 2,044 agency employees on staff still owed some $12 million in taxes.

Ernst leads the Senate Department of Government Efficiency Caucus, which works in tandem with President Donald Trumps DOGE cost-cutting initiative.

She last month wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, urging him to crack down on IRS workers who dont pay their taxes.
Rumors have been running rampant for months that the storied marriage between former President Barack Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, is on the rocks.

The chatter started amid unfounded rumors that the 44th president had been romantically involved with Friends superstar Jennifer Aniston.

The gossip intensified when Barack Obama was spotted on his own at two very high-profile political events in Washington D.C. in January.

The first was the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter.

Obama was spotted sitting with incoming President Donald Trump at that event. The two caused tongues to wag when they were seen smiling and seemingly joking around with each other.

The second event Obama attended solo was the Trump inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20.

Barack Obama: Deep deficit

Obama made some startling comments about his marriage situation during an appearance at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., earlier this month.

When asked by college President Steven Tepper what hed been up to, Obama said hed mostly been working on the next volume of his memoirs.

Beyond that, look, I was in a deep deficit with my wife, Obama said, so I have been trying to dig myself out of that hole by doing occasionally fun things.

Michelle Obama breaks silence

Michelle Obama broke her silence about the rumors last week, when she appeared on Sophia Bushs Work in Progress podcast.

Michelle Obama explained why she had been absent from certain big-time events.

The interesting thing is that when I say no, for the most part, people are like, I get it, and Im OK, she said.

And thats the thing that we as women struggle with  disappointing people, she said. So much so that people, they couldnt even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.

Michelle Obama laughed off the notion of ending her marriage and pushed back against the idea that she couldnt be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself.

But thats what society does to us, she said. We actually finally start going, What am I doing? Who am I doing this for? And if it doesnt fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible.

Mrs. Obama said she is at a period in her life when it was time to make some big girl decisions about her life and to own it fully.

If not now, when? What am I waiting for? she asked.

Now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of, Who do I truly want to be every day? And that changes, she said. So, who do I want to have a lunch with? How long do I want to stay in a place? Do I want to travel? If a girlfriend calls and says, Lets go here, I can say Yes! I can. And Im trying to do that more and more.
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Auric Mining has fired up the engines to shift first ore this week from a newly approved starter pit at the companys flagship Munda gold mine, 5 kilometres from Widgiemooltha in Western Australia.

The company has boots on the ground and a newly leased mining fleet from MHM Contracting  to be operated by Auric - as it gears up to launch the companys first wholly owned mining operation. A 12-person camp is up and running and earthworks are underway.

Auric Mining has leased a 40-tonne Moxy dump truck fleet from MHM Contracting to start mining a new pit at the companys Munda gold mine near Widgiemooltha in Western Australia.

Auric has ticked a major box by securing green lights from WAs mining regulator for its pit proposal and mine closure plan. With the approvals in hand, the company has also marked out the pit crest, haul road, waste dump, run-of-mine pads and site office.

A high-resolution grade control blitz has been completed at site, punching in 428 holes for 14,670 metres across a tight 5m by 5m grid.
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 In September 2007, Amanda Knox was just another American abroad. Then a 20-year-old student, Knox arrived from Seattle to study Italian in Perugia, a small city north of Rome. Two months later, she found herself in the citys police station. November 6, 2007, was the fourth night of questioning. The police told me: you witnessed something so horrible that you cannot remember it, but you need to, so we can bring in the bad guys, the 37-year-old exoneree and author explains from an apartment in Budapest, Hungary, where shes in the middle of a filming schedule; she cant reveal what the project is yet. The police denied Knox a lawyer, stripped her naked, and examined her genitals for signs of sexual violence. They also slapped her and began shouting: Remember! Remember! Knox had been in the police station since November 2. Meredith Kercher, a 21-year-old student from the UK, was found murdered on November 2, 2007, in Via della Pergola 7, the flat she shared with Knox and two Italian law interns. Kerchers body was discovered on the floor, under a duvet cover, with three knife wounds to the neck. I have very clear memories of where I was on the night [of November 1] but the police told me, no, those are fake memories your brain made up, Knox explains. I was trapped in this new reality that I felt I had no choice but to accept. Knox during the 2008 hearing in Perugia, Italy. Credit: AP In her new book, Free: My Search for Meaning, Knox provides her account of the night Kercher was murdered. She says she was at the home of Raffaele Sollecito, a 23-year-old Italian student with whom she had been in a romantic relationship for less than a week, and the couple spent the evening cooking, reading, smoking pot, having sex, and watching Amelie. On the morning of November 2, Knox says she awoke in Raffaeles bed and returned to Via della Pergola 7 to shower and change. Kerchers door was locked. The two other roommates werent home. But Knox had a feeling that something was wrong.

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I came home, and I had discovered  that my house had been broken into and eventually learned that my flatmate was brutally raped and murdered, she says. The police interrogation that followed resulted in Knox signing a statement in Italian (of which she then only had a basic grasp) implicating herself, Raffaele Sollecito, and Patrick Lumumba, a Congolese national and Knoxs boss at a local bar, to the scene of the crime. Being bullied, lied to, yelled at, and gaslit by the police, alters your sense of reality, says Knox It makes you compliant, suggestible and vulnerable. Especially when you are already in a heightened state of stress. In her podcast series, Labyrinths, Knox has studied the psychology of false confessions and police interrogations. I interviewed many wrongly convicted people about their experiences of being psychologically tortured by the police, she says. What shocked me is how common it is. Knox in 2009, being driven in a police van to hear the sentence in the murder trial. Credit: Getty In December 2007, the investigation took another twist, when Rudy Guede, a petty criminal, was caught trying to board a train in Germany without a ticket. The 20-year-old became a suspect in Kerchers murder when investigators discovered his bloody fingerprint at the crime scene. Guede was extradited to Italy and charged in 2008 with rape and murder. Then in a separate fast-track trial, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, reduced to 16 on appeal. But he was never accused of wielding the weapon that killed Kercher. Loading Knox and Sollecitos trial, meanwhile, took 11 months. On the world stage, I wasnt a defendant  I was a liar, a psychopath, a dirty, drug-addled slut so jealous of Merediths purity that I raped and killed, Knox writes in her new memoir. The trials main prosecutor, Dr Giuliano Mignini, took a similar view of Knoxs character. In the closing arguments, Mignini described a drug-fuelled orgy in Via della Pergola 7, which evolved into an assault and then finally, a gruesome murder.

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People were attracted to the sexiness of the story, says Knox. But the product the media were selling to their audience was a hatred of sexualised women. They also promoted the idea that women hate each other so much that they might even kill each other. In December 2009, Knox and Sollecito were sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison respectively for Kerchers murder. I became the most hated person on the planet, and I was slut-shamed, she remembers. In prison, she contemplated suicide. The support of her family, particularly her mum, Edda, gave her the strength to keep going. So did reading. During the near four years she spent in an Italian jail, Knox read more than 200 books. Once I became fluent in Italian, it was easy to find my sense of purpose in prison, says Knox. I was a very useful resource to foreign women who couldnt speak Italian  Being useful in prison helps you survive. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO AMANDA KNOX Worst habit? I am grumpy when I dont eat. I get hangry and need to eat snacks! Greatest fear? That something happens to my children. The line that stayed with you? Everyone is more than the worst thing they have ever done. That was from a speech I once saw given by the head of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson. Biggest regret? Not staying more in touch with Raffaele. Favourite book? JK Rowlings Harry Potter series. The artwork/song you wish was yours? The movie PopStar: Never Stop Never Stopping. I like silly music. If you could time travel, where would you choose to go? This is going to sound super cheesy. November 1, 2007, so I could tell Meredith not to go home that day. Knox was acquitted on appeal in 2011 when independent experts concluded that the DNA allegedly linking her to Kerchers murder was the result of lab contamination. She returned to her childhood bedroom in Seattle, bewildered and emotionally wounded. The trauma didnt end there though  in 2015, she was retried in absentia, re-convicted of the same crime, and re-sentenced to 28 years, which she also appealed. In March 2015, the Court of Cassation, Italys highest court, acquitted Knox and Raffaele Sollecito of murdering Kercher. Loading Today, though, she is still convicted of slandering Patrick Lumumba, for which she was sentenced to three years time served. The Court of Cassation upheld that verdict in January, and she is exploring appealing this conviction in the European Court of Human Rights.

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Knox claims that the final ruling from the Court of Cassation verdict contains several falsehoods. Namely, that Kerchers murder was committed by multiple assailants and that Knox was present the night of the murder. She also points out that Rudy Guede, who was released from prison in 2020 after serving 13 years, was never held fully accountable for his actions. In her memoir, Knox writes that five days before Kerchers murder, Guede was caught robbing a nursery school in Milan and arrested, but released shortly afterwards without charge. Knox was given this information by Steve Moore, a retired FBI Special Agent who helped coordinate her move back to the United States in 2011. Moore suspected, but couldnt prove, that Guede was a criminal informant to the Perugia police. In 2019, Knox contacted prosecutor Dr Giuliano Mignini, and the pair began an email exchange, which Knoxs memoir reproduces at length. I was suffering when I asked that you be convicted, Mignini told Knox, when the two met in person in 2022. Loading Im angry that Giuliano has chosen not to share things publicly he has said in private to me about the case, she says, bursting into tears. She speaks about forgiveness, gratitude, acceptance, stoicism and meditation techniques she has learned from her study of Zen Buddhism. She then briefly introduces me to her husband, Chris, and two small children, Echo and Eureka. I recognise how lucky I am. So many people I have met who have been wrongly convicted, spent a lot longer in prison than I did, she says. And they have not had the opportunity to be free and then pursue a family in the way I have done, so Im not taking that for granted. This November marks 18 years since Kercher was murdered and, lately, Knox has been thinking about the fact that she never had the opportunity to mourn her former flatmate. Shes reached out to the Kercher family several times, but theyve never responded. Meredith was a year older than me, and maybe a little more shy and introverted than me Knox concludes. It seemed fate flipped a coin, and I just happened to survive. Today, the choices I make are often inspired by this idea that what happened to Meredith could have happened to me.
Next came Huon, founded by a farming couple on the Huon River in the 1980s, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2014, and acquired by Brazilian giant JBS in November 2021. A photo of dead fish claimed to be at Copping Tip, Tasmania. Credit: The Bob Brown Foundation Finally, Tassal was bought by Canadian company Cooke and was delisted in November 2022. Verdict: The claim the companies are foreign-owned is true. Tax

Businesses pay company tax only on profits. In broad terms, you take the gross income (also called revenue or turnover) and deduct the business expenses to find taxable income. You can also carry forward losses from previous years, just as individuals can with investment losses. Even when businesses dont pay company tax, they may still pay other forms of tax such as land tax, payroll tax and GST. The Australia Institute bases its analysis on the corporate transparency reports put out by the Tax Office each year. Companies with turnover above $100 million (formerly $200 million for Australian companies) must publicly report income, taxable income and company tax payable. This masthead has analysed all reports from the 2019 financial year to the most recent, which is for 2023. Tassal is in all the reports, while Huon Aquaculture is in the reports until the 2021 financial year. Petuna is not there, but its parent company Sealord Australia is there intermittently.

Jol Dare, a partner at corporate tax advisory HLB Mann Judd, said companies could be absent from the corporate transparency data for two reasons. First, if they were too small and didnt meet the threshold. Second, if they were part of a collection of companies in a consolidated tax group. The problem is that the tax group can use an anonymous name, subverting the intent of the transparency requirements. This masthead could not find Huons owner JBS in the reports. The tax transparency is supposed to be about making the tax affairs of significant taxpayers clear and visible, and it doesnt achieve that at the moment, Dare said. Being part of a tax group also means that profits can be offset by the losses of a sister company, reducing the tax liability for the group as a whole, he said.

Another way that multinational companies reduce their tax bill is transfer pricing, by which an Australian subsidiary buys services and intellectual property from its parent company overseas. There is no allegation that any of these accounting practices are illegal or improper. Tassal Tassal, which also has prawn and barramundi farms in other states, is the biggest of the three. In the 2019 financial year, the company reported revenue of $571.07 million, taxable income of $98.58 million and tax payable of $7.35 million. Since then, the tax has been recorded as zero or less and Tassal confirmed this was correct.

A spokesman said company tax payable had been affected by substantial spending on research and development and also by COVID-19 and depreciation. He said the company did not use transfer pricing and that Tassals taxable position was not affected by its Canadian ownership. Cooke does not own other businesses in Australia. Verdict: The claim that Tassal Group has not paid company tax since 2019 is true. Huon Huon, which is listed in the corporate transparency data from 2019 to 2021, did not pay Australian company tax for any of those years. Its revenue peaked at $457.09 million in 2021.

A JBS spokesman said Huon was now in the JBS tax group, but it could not comment on prior periods. Verdict: The claim that Huon did not pay tax was true for 2019-21 and it is now unclear. Loading Petuna Sealord Australia, which owns Petuna, as well as deep-sea fishing and sales distribution businesses, last paid tax of $1.28 million on revenue of $163.4 million in financial year 2022, the public records show.

Petuna provided additional information from its tax consultancy PwC in response to questions from this masthead. Petuna filed its own return in 2019. The company said that as a standalone company, it had never had revenue above the threshold for the transparency report, but that it did pay tax. Petuna told this masthead that as a standalone operation, it made a taxable profit and paid tax in every year from 2019-23. However, Petuna has been included in the Sealord Australia tax group since 2020 and all tax payments were made under that entity. Petuna said Sealord owned a barramundi farm in Queensland that made substantial losses from 2019-23 and was closed in 2024. This dragged down the profitability of the whole group until 2022 and tipped it into a loss in 2023, the company said. Credit: Matt Golding

Sealord paid company tax every year besides 2023 that it appeared in the report. In 2021, the groups turnover was below the reporting threshold, but Petuna said it was also profitable and paid tax that year. Petuna also disclosed that it used transfer pricing and said PwC reviewed the arrangements annually to ensure fairness. Petuna aquaculture general manager Gary Neill said the company pays and has always paid our fair share of Australian income tax, in line with Australian tax laws. Verdict: The claim that Petuna has not paid company tax since 2019 is untrue. What does the industry say?

A Salmon Tasmania spokesman rejected the claims as misleading and demonstrably untrue. The statement emphasises the economic value of the salmon industry including jobs in Tasmania and the fact that the state government fully recovers the cost of regulation and management. However, the statement did not discuss company tax. What does the Australia Institute say? In response to the fact check, the Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell provided the following statement:
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Tips & adviceKnow how The experts reveal their most underrated ingredients  and how to make the most of them From turnips to vinegar, eight top recipe writers share the ingredients that deserve more love  and how to use them in your everyday cooking. Nina Rousseau April 15, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Curb your enthusiasm, its turnip season! If you dont eat turnips, fair enough  but you mightve been missing out. According to the experts, theyre among the most under-appreciated ingredients going around.



We asked our recipe writers a simple question: What are your most underrated ingredients, and how should we cook them? Pleasingly, many of the ingredients were affordable, and all of them were easy to find.



If theyre not on your shopping list already, add them and never be stuck for budget-friendly, midweek meal inspiration again. Dont turn up your nose at turnips, says Adam Liaw. Turnips Adam Liaw, food writer and TV presenter



Adam Liaw grew up eating turnip cake, a yum cha classic combining steamed and fried turnip, Chinese sausage, shrimp and glutinous rice flour. My favourite way to eat turnip is pickled, Japanese style, in a slightly sweetened vinegar, says Liaw.



He loves the distinctive slightly bitter taste of turnip and always includes it in French pot au feu and brothy stews to offset the sweetness of long-stewed carrots.



Use it in: Potato and turnip roesti, pickle it, pack it in a veg pastie, or bulk up a stew. Anchovy-laden gildas have become a popular bar snack in recent times. Katrina Meynink

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Anchovies Sofia Levin, food writer and TV presenter



Anchovies have absolutely gained popularity, but theyre still underrated as an everyday ingredient, says MasterChef judge Sofia Levin. She credits the rise of the salty fish to wine bars serving them on toast and as gildas (a classic Spanish pintxo of skewered anchovy, guindilla pepper and olives).



Theyre brilliant in a butter, says Levin, which can be used on bread, steak or roast chicken for that bit extra.



Use them in: Salad dressings, butter, pasta sauces, gildas (pictured above) or eat straight from the tin. Chickpea flour in delicious, nutritious and naturally gluten-free. iStock Chickpea flour Julia Busuttil Nishimura, cookbook writer



This nutty and nutritious flour is made from white chickpeas and is gluten-free. Good Food recipe writer Julia Busuttil Nishimura uses it to make cecina, an Italian flatbread. Its essentially a pancake made with chickpea flour, olive oil, water and salt, says Nishimura.

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Related Article Chickpea flour: Everything you need to know She cooks it on a flat tray in the oven until it gets a beautiful golden crust and has a custard interior. Then she sometimes flavours it with rosemary or fennel seeds.



Use it in: Cecina, Indian snacks (including pakoras and bhaji), and as a gluten-free flour substitute. Neil Perrys chicken breasts with Dijon mustard cream sauce. William Meppem Mustard Alice Zaslavsky, cookbook writer and TV presenter

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I have 80 dressings, and Id say 50 of them have mustard, says Zaslavsky, author of Salad for Days and a presenter of ABC TVs A Bite To Eat with Alice. Hot English, dijon, wholegrain, mustard powder  they add piquancy and kick.

Seeded mustard with tarragon, those two are such good friends, then you could drizzle that over char-grilled broccolini.



Use it in: Any kind of aise, says Zaslavsky, such as dressings, rubs, marinades and creamy pasta sauces. Try the recipe for Neil Perrys chicken breasts with Dijon mustard cream sauce (pictured above). Katrina Meyninks cabbage and kale slaw with chilli, yeast and seed dressing. Katrina Meynink Cabbage Katrina Meynink, cookbook writer and Good Food recipe writer



Good Food recipe writer Katrina Meynink reckons cabbage, the humble hero of the vegetable world, should be prized for its versatility and affordability. And if you treat it right, its downright delicious, she says. Slaw aside, you can slice it thin and toss it in a hot pan with butter and garlic, transforming it into this rich, caramelised goodness.



Use it in: Stir-fries, for stuffed cabbage rolls, dumplings, braises and fermented as sauerkraut. Or to make cabbage and kale slaw (pictured above). Greek lemon chicken and potatoes. Melissa Darr

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Lemons Mika Chae, chef at Doju When Korean chef Mika Chae scores lemons from his neighbours tree, he makes the traditional Korean syrup, lemon chung. He washes the lemons with salt and water, sterilises a jar, then adds sliced lemons and sugar (half and half). The jar is stored in a cool, dark place and flipped daily. After about a week, the syrup is ready to use, says Chae, who then brews an aromatic, immune-boosting tea: some syrup, a slice of lemon and ginger.



Use it in: Grate lemon rind into cakes and casseroles such as this Greek lemon and chicken casserole, pictured above; drink the juice or turn it into syrup. Apple cider vinegar: good for pickles. iStock Vinegar

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Danielle Alvarez, chef and recipe writer



Vinegar isnt an umbrella term for the chef and author Danielle Alvarez  its way more nuanced. I love sherry vinegar in vinaigrettes and green sauces, and white wine or apple cider vinegar for pickles, she says. An aged, thick balsamic is so good over thinly shaved raw vegetables or fresh cheese with olive oil, and agrodolce-style vinegars are often sweetened a bit with sugar, making them perfect to dress salads.



Use it to: Brighten a pureed soup, deglaze a pan, add a tart punch to dressings. Korean-style chilli paste. Chilli paste Justin Narayan, cookbook writer and former MasterChef winner Author of Everything is Indian, Justin Narayan has three chilli pastes in his fridge: Bippi Italian Style Chilli, and two  one fresh, and one cooked  that he makes from a $5 bag of birds-eye chillies from Cabramatta Market. He likes the umami tang that chilli paste brings to the likes of curries and stir-fries.



Instead of fresh chilli, I go straight in with chilli paste to be added at the start, says Narayan, who also uses it for loaded mayo in a burger, compound butters or in a cheese toasty.



Use it in: Dressings, marinades, compound butters, curries and loaded mayo.

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A beloved fishing spot was the site of a tragic accident that killed 86-year-old Ahmad Dunia, and injured his 74-year-old wife, Halima.

He doesnt fish, he would just wait in the car.

On their daily visits to Manns Point in Greenwich, Ahmad would watch on while his wife fished at the waters edge for a couple of hours at dusk.

A beloved evening ritual for two grandparents turned to tragedy when 86-year-old Ahmad Dunia accidentally drove into the Parramatta River, hitting his wife Halima.

But Manns Point was the site of devastation when Ahmad accidentally accelerated into the water, crashing through a fence and hitting Halima before entering the Parramatta River about 4.20pm on Monday.

The car floated away as it quickly took on water with Ahmad inside, police said. After being pushed into the river, Halima was rescued by two passersby who dived in to save her.

The couple had just arrived and removed their fishing gear from the car, a Toyota sedan, which Ahmad was trying to park as Halima stood at the waterside.

Divers recovered Ahmads body after a two-hour search on Monday evening. Police crews returned to the scene on Tuesday afternoon with a large crane to extract the car from the water. Family and friends embraced each other as they watched the battered car emerge from the river.
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 Rebekah Higgins moved into her new home on Brisbanes southside eight years ago only to discover she couldnt make a call or send a text message on her mobile phone. I get almost no reception in my house at all, she says. Higgins is among thousands of Brisbane residents who struggle to get reliable 5G reception at their home, workplace or local supermarket. All my family knows to only call me via Facebook, she says. A national audit of mobile phone coverage is under way. There are dozens of pockets across the city where coverage is modest  defined by frequent service failure, calls drops and noticeable distortion. The major telcos, including Optus and Telstra, have their own coverage maps but they do not always reflect their customers on-the-ground experiences, which are being collated for the federal government by consultancy firm Accenture.

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To make a frustrating situation even more so for Higgins, a mobile phone tower is less than two kilometres from her home. That might be the source of the problem, says Associate Professor Dhammika Jayalath from the Queensland University of Technology. He says despite proximity to a tower, issues such as vegetation or under-tower shadow  a phenomenon where actually being too close to the tower  can weaken a signal. Suburbs with 5G struggles George Bourne lives in Mackenzie, in Brisbanes south-east. The 58-year-olds reception is so poor, he resorts to walking out to the footpath, or onto his back deck, to make a call. Whether it helps or not, Im not sure, he says. The audit data shows customers with Optus, Telstra and TPG struggle to receive good coverage in a cluster of streets in the suburb, off Mount Gravatt Capalaba Road. It really is hit and miss, Bourne says. It seems like it depends on whether the wind is blowing in a particular direction because its that unpredictable.

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His adult daughter has given up trying to use her phone at home. She just uses Messenger, he says. One provider gave him a Femtocell booster, a device that plugs into the wall to boost signal quality. It didnt work, he says. Were in suburbia with new developments and townhouses going in all around us. Were in a two-storey house and were elevated too  its not like were in a gully. The audit shows Optus customers struggle with 5G reception in pockets of Manly West, Wynnum West, Jamboree Heights, Jindalee, Graceville, Bardon, Corinda, Lutwyche, Wavell Heights, Chermside, Kalinga and in the streets around the Enoggera Barracks. According to the data, Telstra has modest 5G coverage in parts of Holland Park, Seven Hills, Wynnum West, Rochedale South, Kuraby, Stretton, Eight Mile Plains, Tarragindi, Fig Tree Pocket, Alexandra Hills, Bridgeman Downs, Chermside, Albany Creek and Nudgee.

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Customers of both Optus and Telstra struggle with lower-quality coverage in areas of Carindale and Pallara, according to the audit. As for testing a phone signal, reception bars on mobile phones should be viewed with scepticism. To get a proper reading, you need to access Field Test Mode, which is accessible via settings on an Android or by calling *3001#12345#* on an iPhone. That will give you a reading of signal strength in decibels, under the RSRP [Reference Signal Received Power] or RSRQ [Reference Signal Received Quality] measures. The closer to zero, the better your signal. For RSRP, anything between 0 and -115 decibels (dBm) is regarded as good coverage, according to Accentures metrics, while anything below -115 will begin to cause trouble. For RSRQ, anything between 0 and -15 dBm is decent, while a signal heading towards -20 is getting patchy. What dictates whether you have good signal? How is it that we can beam a high-definition cat video into deep space, but a phone call can barely survive a trip in an elevator, and its often a battle to load Instagram on the train?

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Where you are in relation to mobile cell towers is a factor. Towers also aim signals towards urban centres and roads, so even if youre close to one, it might be beaming its signal in the opposite direction. The geographical area covered by a base station is called a cell, and these cells create a patchwork of reception. Antennas and booster cells attached to skyscrapers, power poles and bus stops help amplify the signal through built-up urban areas. But many things can disrupt a wave carrying your phone call or YouTube video, including buildings, trees and hills. Even dust and water in the air can create problems. If you talk to people up in the north  Darwin, Cairns  during the monsoon, every afternoon when it starts pouring with rain, mobile signal in most areas will drop out, says Associate Professor Mark Gregory, a telecommunications expert at RMIT. Wood, glass and concrete will also degrade a signal, so if youre inside a building your signal has to work harder. But metal is the worst offender. Houses with metal roofs often require mobile boosters to funnel a signal inside. A solid or mesh enclosure of metal  called a Faraday cage  disrupts radio waves because metal, as a conductor with free-flowing electrons, interferes with electromagnetic radiation.

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A woman accused of crashing into the car of former Brisbane Greens MP Amy MacMahon, leaving the then-state member with serious head injuries, has pleaded guilty.

At her arraignment in the District Court in Brisbane on Monday, Rani Paige Lowry stood quietly in the dock as she pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, while being adversely affected.

Rani Paige Lowry, 27, outside the Brisbane District Court. Credit: Cloe Read

The day of the crash, February 12, 2024, MacMahon had been leaving a community barbecue and was on her way to another event.

When MacMahon turned onto Main Street from Baines Street in Kangaroo Point, a Hyundai driven by Lowry smashed into MacMahons Toyota Prius.
Full text of Xi's signed article in Vietnamese newspaper

Xinhua) 13:03, April 14, 2025

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A signed article by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping titled "Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals" was published Monday in the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam as he is traveling to Vietnam for a state visit to the country.

The following is the full text of the article:

Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals

Xi Jinping

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China

Late spring is full of vitality. As China and Vietnam celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, I will soon pay a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Vietnamese President Comrade Luong Cuong. This will be my fourth visit to this beautiful country since I became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China. I look forward to renewing friendship with Vietnamese leaders, discussing ways of boosting cooperation, and drawing up a new blueprint for the China-Vietnam community with a shared future in the new era.

China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests. The profound friendship between the two parties and two peoples, forged decades ago, has grown stronger as we explore a socialist path suited to our respective national conditions and advance our respective modernization drive. Building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of our two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in our region and beyond. It conforms with the trend of history. And it is the choice by our peoples.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is inherited from our distinctive revolutionary traditions. During modern times, pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the Third World's victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Vietnam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Vietnam. President Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yan'an, Guilin, Chongqing and Kunming. China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese people's War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Vietnam's just War Against U.S. Aggression to Save the Nation. The well-known line: "The friendship between Vietnam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers," is etched on our shared revolutionary memory.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is based on strong political mutual trust. In recent years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders and I have visited each other many times, steering the course for building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Our two parties and two countries have kept close high-level engagement. Mechanisms such as the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, the party-to-party theoretical symposium, the border defence friendship exchange, and the conference on crime control between the two public security ministries are functioning smoothly. High-level mechanisms including the joint committee between the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam have been established. The "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and public security between our two countries has been held successfully. China and Vietnam hold similar positions on many regional and international issues and have engaged in close coordination on them.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is rooted in our fruitful cooperation. China and Vietnam have pursued closer cooperation on industrial and supply chains amid a sluggish global economic recovery. China has been Vietnam's biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row, with total bilateral trade exceeding 260 billion USD in 2024. More and more quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as durian and coconut are available to Chinese consumers. Railway connectivity and the smart port development project are being steadily advanced. Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Vietnam. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line built by a Chinese company makes public transport in Hanoi more convenient. Contributing to each other's success and pursuing common development, China and Vietnam have set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is advanced by close people-to-people exchanges. Over the years, we have seen ever more people-to-people exchanges that foster increasingly closer ties between Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. Chinese tourists made more than 3.7 million visits to Vietnam in 2024. With the official launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone and the opening of several cross-border road trip routes, visiting two countries in a single day has become possible. Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Vietnam are learning Chinese. Many Vietnamese songs are now on hot search lists on social media in China, and many Chinese diners relish pho and other Vietnamese delicacies.

Today, global, epoch-making and historical changes are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent transformation. Despite the headwinds of mounting unilateralism and protectionism, the Chinese economy expanded by five percent in 2024, contributing around 30 percent to the global economy. It remains a key engine of the world economy. China's new energy sector, artificial intelligence and animated films have come into global spotlight. China will continue to provide more opportunities to the world with its high-standard opening up, and will contribute to the development of all countries with its high-quality development.

Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development. At a new starting point toward revitalisation of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighbourhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbours. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia's modernization.

China is going all out to build a great modern socialist country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by pursuing Chinese modernization. Vietnam will usher in a new epoch of national development toward the two goals set for the centenary of the party and the country respectively. China always gives Vietnam high priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. Our two countries should strengthen our efforts on all fronts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

-- We should deepen strategic mutual trust and advance the socialist cause. The two sides should act on the guidance of the leaders. The China-Vietnam steering committee for bilateral cooperation should coordinate our interactions more effectively to boost party, government, military, law enforcement and security cooperation; jointly tackle external risks and challenges; and uphold political security. China is ready to enhance exchanges of governance practices with Vietnam, explore and enrich together socialist theory and practices, and promote the steady development of the two countries' socialist cause.

-- We should continue win-win cooperation and deliver more benefit to our two peoples. We should create greater synergy between our development strategies, implement well the cooperation plan between the two governments on synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and build more platforms for economic and technological cooperation. China stands ready to advance cooperation with Vietnam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam and the smart port. China welcomes more quality Vietnamese products in the Chinese market and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam. Our two countries should step up cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development to create more benefits for the two peoples.

-- We should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between our peoples. This year is the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and we should use this opportunity to promote people-to-people exchanges in diverse forms. China welcomes Vietnamese visitors to travel across China and encourages Chinese tourists to visit scenic sites in Vietnam. Our two countries should carry out more activities that will bring our two peoples together such as the friendly meeting between youth and festive events in border areas. We should further tap into our revolutionary resources and tell stories of friendship that resonate with our two peoples, so as to pass on the baton of China-Vietnam friendship from generation to generation.

-- We should enhance multilateral collaboration and promote Asia's prosperity and revitalization. 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 as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Our two countries should firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important that we pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative. It is also important that we promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries. Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment. We should strengthen coordination in mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation and Lancang-Mekong cooperation so as to ensure more stability for a changing and turbulent world and inject more positive energy in it.

-- We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region. The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation. The two sides should implement the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two parties and the two countries. We should make good use of the maritime negotiation mechanism so as to properly manage maritime differences, expand maritime cooperation, and build up conditions for the final resolution of the disputes. We should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. We should be impervious to all interference; bridge differences and expand common ground; and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Standing at this new starting point of history, China is ready to work with Vietnam to build on past achievements, write a new chapter in building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A huge chunk of Victorias Indigenous community health infrastructure is rundown, crumbling and posing safety risks to patients and staff.

More than 40 per cent of the sectors total floor space is in critical condition  meaning foundations are failing, there are cracks in walls or portions of roofs could cave in at any moment.

Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place chief executive Fiona OLeary (left) and program manager Kerry Williams in front of their condemned building in Ringwood. Credit: Justin McManus

Health and wellbeing hubs run by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations have long provided a one-stop shop for First Nations people and have demonstrated better health outcomes for community members than mainstream services. Even those that do not offer primary care will still connect people to health services while offering support for young people, parents and older generations.

But 82 per cent of the sectors 200 or so buildings will need a partial or full replacement within the next 15 years.
Warning: This story contains the name and images of a deceased Indigenous person.

As Lisa Murphy lay on the floor being assaulted inside a 7-Eleven store, she screamed out for help, telling those holding her down, I cant breathe, help me.

The 52-year-old had just hurled racist abuse at a Jewish woman while at the Caulfield stores coffee machine. In response, the other woman threw her coffee over Murphy.

From left: Andrea Madigan, Lisa Murphy and Sarah Franklin. Credit: Nine News

As the pair lay wrestling on the floor, other customers walked right past, stopping and standing about a metre away at the counter to pay for coffees, food and newspapers.
She says his treatment in custody raises questions about the line between punishment and institutionalism. She fears the state is releasing men worse off than when they arrived in prison, against community expectation. Do you want a monster to come out because this person may become your neighbour? Right now, he doesnt know how to socialise. This is the reality. Daniel Hopes partner Do you want a monster to come out because this person may become your neighbour? Right now, he doesnt know how to socialise. This is the reality, she says. Hes forgotten what the noise of cars is like, or how to react when someone says good morning. My partner is coming out to the support of a loving partner, but he needs more.

Hope says the prison system has made him a monster. Please help this man rehabilitate back into society. Hes coming home soon. Long dubbed a monster farm, some of Victorias largest correctional centres, including Barwon, sit side by side surrounded by rabbit-filled paddocks on the outskirts of Geelong. Inside are some of the states most feared criminals, convicted of murder, drug trafficking, terrorism and rape. Unlike many inmates who spend their years voicing their innocence, Hope doesnt shy away from his past.

His time behind bars has been marked by repeated and life-altering assaults on prison workers. Since then, Hopes family says hes spent much of his incarceration in isolation and is categorised as a dangerous inmate in the prisons Olearia wing for his repeated attacks on prison guards. Hope is classified as a dangerous inmate in Barwons Olearia unit. Credit: Jason South For his violent and poor behaviour, they say Hope has been shackled on a concrete floor, and confined to his cell for weeks at a time as he continued to lash out at prison staff for years. He tells them he accepts responsibility for his actions and says he deserved the 10-year sentence for assaulting staff.

His partner says attempts to complete education have been futile because access to a computer has been refused at times due to his security rating. He now faces leaving prison untrained, without proper schooling. At the time of his 2017 sentencing for assaulting the prison guards, County Court judge Richard Smith acknowledged Hope was at risk of becoming institutionalised given his level of incarceration. Hope says hes desperate for help to rehabilitate before his release from prison. Separation from his family was found to have been a factor behind his aggression from a young age, and a psychologist noted Hope hadnt been offered any intervention despite having made requests for treatment. Psychiatrist Adam Deacon told the County Court that Hope would become increasingly institutionalised and less amenable to intervention the longer he remained in solitary confinement, which would leave him unable to implement any acquired social and self-regulation skills.

Loading But the 29-year-old feels as though he has been forgotten about by the system, spending much of his time in lockdown. Hope is now clueless about the outside world. Hes never set foot in a community with a myki card and has no idea what it means to live in a cashless society with online shopping and self-checkouts. He has no debit card and no idea of the changes to Melbournes geographical landscape since he was first incarcerated in 2011. Former inmate Eleni Psillakis, who spent time in custody in NSW, says education is key in helping people get their lives back on track after time behind bars.

Psillakis, who currently works supporting women transitioning out of custody, says that in the past 25 years, little has changed in the way people are supported after leaving prison. An aerial view of Barwon Prison near Geelong. Credit: Craig Abraham She says that once released, former inmates can find it difficult to secure housing and jobs because their criminal records put them at the bottom of the pile. How can they be allowed back on the streets with the expectation theyre just meant to integrate back to society? The system is absolutely creating monsters. A prison officer who knows Daniel Hope There needs to be better co-ordination of services to help people secure ID cards, public transport passes and Centrelink support, so that jail release forms are not peoples only method to identify themselves, she adds.

Not everyone who knows Hope wants him released. A former prison officer, commenting on the condition of anonymity, says she fears for the safety of the community if Hope is released and believes he will ultimately end up back in jail. We call it life by instalments, she says. Hope admits he is clueless on how the outside world works. Credit: Peter Rae Another senior prison officer says Hopes assault on the guards would never have happened if he had been managed properly, and warnings about a potential assault were escalated in the two weeks before.

Loading The officer says Hope was also unable to complete many programs because he was unable to take part in group work or have his handcuffs removed when around others. Hope was known for kicking his door incessantly until he was given extra phone calls. Its like taking a bear out of a cage thats been poked for how many years and then saying, I cant believe they attacked the person who did it, the officer says. How can they be allowed back on the streets with the expectation theyre just meant to integrate back to society? The system is absolutely creating monsters.
Housing is front and centre of the election campaign this week as both major parties outline big policies.

Both sides recognise that voters have become fed up with a problem that has been gnawing away at the nation for decades. But Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have been careful not to suggest house prices will fall as a result of their plans.

Today, Coalition housing spokesman Michael Sukkar told ABC radio that in terms of house prices it was unquestionable that he wanted to see wages outstripping the growth in property prices.

There is plenty of good data on this particular issue  and its terrible reading if you want to buy a home.

Since 2000, wages in NSW and Victoria have grown by 107 per cent (as measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Peter Dutton and opposition housing spokesman Michael Sukkar on Tuesday. Credit: James Brickwood

Over the same 24-year period, Sydneys median house price has soared by 352 per cent to beyond the $1.4 million mark. In Melbourne, the median price has jumped by more than 330 per cent.

Both cities (along with Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) are among the most expensive cities in the world.

At the turn of the century, a household needed about six times their average income to buy a median priced house in Sydney. Its now beyond 10 times.

People have been forced to make up this difference between price and wages in a few different ways.

The average mortgage has expanded over the past 20 years. In 2005, the average NSW mortgage was just under $290,000. Now its $811,000. In Victoria, it has climbed from $253,000 to $635,000.

Banks have responded by increasing the length of time borrowers pay the mortgage back. At the turn of the century, the standard loan was 25 years. Its now 30 years and a growing number of lenders offer even longer terms.

Potential buyers have also become increasingly reliant on the bank of mum and dad, which by some estimates is now the fifth or sixth-largest lender in the country.

Trying to bring wage and house price growth into alignment might be desirable.

But thats not how this nations property market  or just about any other in the developed world  has worked for the past 25 years.
Donald Trump was seen only months ago as a disruptive force who brought huge danger to Anthony Albanese at this election campaign.

But things changed when the US president brought chaos and confusion to world markets and became an economic risk to Australia with his tariff policies.

Now we have hard data on how this is reshaping the election  and hurting Peter Dutton at the halfway point of the campaign.

We have hard data on how the US president is reshaping the Australian election. Credit: James Brickwood

Voters see a risk from Trump for both the prime minister and the opposition leader because the task of leading Australia through these times will get only harder.
A Manning resident and sheep farmer has been left bewildered after two Keep the Sheep corflutes were allegedly stolen by an elderly man with a cane last week.

CCTV footage has captured the moment the man allegedly stole the sign outside Brent Fowlers Bradshaw Street home on Monday last week.

The man appears to use tools to remove the sign from a frame before placing it in the boot of his nearby car.

Fowlers wife alleges she caught the same man attempting to steal the replacement sign from their front yard a few days later, claiming as she was taking photos of him, he began yelling at her: welcome to democracy and you are in the big city now.
A waterfront four-bedroom apartment with picture-perfect views of Sydney Harbour was hotly contested by two downsizers at auction on Saturday, and sold for $4.3 million.

Thirty-five people gathered on the balcony at 7/68-70 Wrights Road, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the backdrop, and watched the rapid-fire bidding for the luxurious flat with three car spaces guided at $4 million.

Bidding opened at $3.8 million and, in mostly $100,000 lots, the price shot above its $4.2 million reserve to $4.3 million, where it sold under the hammer.

Selling agent Matt Ward from McGrath Hunters Hill said it was a magical morning.
Selections based on a good track.

Race 1

7. Shangri La Impact is a debutant filly which has had four trials in preparation. She

had two trials this time last year and has been placed in a further two trials last month leading into

this first start. Expect her to race in a prominent position and take plenty of beating. 3. Ant had three starts late last year with a ninth at Pakenham being followed by a couple of unplaced efforts on the Kensington track and then at Randwick. Hes had two trials to prepare for this return to racing and looms as a leading contender. 1. Banxi is also resuming after two recent trials, and was placed at Hawkesbury before a solid fourth at Canterbury before the spell. 6. Feisty Legend is a well-bred filly on debut, and shes had two barrier trials to be readied for this.

How to play it: Shangri La Impact to win.

Race 2

1. Beadman is a Snitzel colt having his first race start and hes had two trials for a second and

a win. Hes drawn wide but has shown enough talent to be rated a leading chance. 4. Hayek won two trials last November and has had another two trials leading into this debut, easily winning the latest of them at Hawkesbury. 2. Cenotaph took on stronger grade at Randwick on debut and has had two strong trials to prepare for this resuming run. 3. Guardsman won his latest trial leading into this debut and warrants respect.

How to play it: Beadman to win.
Its early days, but one thing I can confidently predict is a tourist boom in Canada and Mexico. When we need our sugar hit for North America, we can simply divert to the two countries in closest proximity to the US  the hot one or the cold one.

Mexico is hot in so many ways, even though Smartraveller continues to advise that we exercise a high degree of caution there due to the threat of violent crime. But travellers find theres little risk in most areas, especially if you follow a few precautions, such as not travelling at night outside the major cities, and sticking to the regions deemed safe, of which there are many.

Its a bit like not going to New York because of the pickpockets in Times Square.

La Fragua Restaurant and Bar in San Miguel de Allende. Credit: Alamy

The UNESCO-listed city of San Miguel de Allende was voted the best small city in the world in respected US magazine Travel + Leisures 2024 Worlds Best Awards. The picturesque baroque outpost now has a luxury Rosewood hotel. Its also known locally as the city of gringos for the Americans and Canadians (and the smattering of Australians) who have moved there.
That Donald Trump, hes a crafty fellow. His madcap series of tariffs followed by escalations and then exemptions and then more tariffs may have looked like peak stupid, as one British commentator called it.

But his secret intention all along was to isolate China, apparently. Other countries ended up with lower tariff penalties while China alone is slammed with a prohibitive 145 per cent tariff on all exports to the US.

Illustration by Dionne Gain Credit:

This was his strategy all along, Trumps Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at the White House late last week. And you might even say that he goaded China into a bad position, he added with a knowing smile.

But wait. Xi Jinping has another view. Chinas president said that there will be no winners in a tariff war, and going against the world will isolate oneself. While China hit back with a 125 per cent tariff on the US, it didnt impose tariffs on any other nation.
A Russian missile strike kills 35 civilians in the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Palm Sunday. The world watches in horror. The US president calls it a mistake.

That single word  mistake  used by Donald Trump to describe Russias deadliest missile attack is likely doing far more damage than any diplomatic blunder. It offers a glimpse into a worldview that dangerously blurs the lines between perpetrator and victim, fact and fiction, aggression and accident.

And if that wasnt disorienting enough, Trump went further. Millions of people are dead because of three people, he said. Not just Vladimir Putin but also Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky. In that order.

Putin and Trump in 2019. Credit: AP

To equate the man who ordered the invasion, the former US leader who tried to repel it, and the attacked countrys president tasked with navigating global support is more than an eyebrow-raising moment of rhetorical carelessness. Its a strategic gift to the Kremlin, one likely to be replayed on Russian state TV as validation that America is as culpable as Moscow.
North Carolina:--- For the past three weeks, marines from the Marine Squadron Carib (MSC) of Aruba, the Marine detachment Saint Marten, and the boat groups from Aruba and Curacao trained together with American marines from the II Marine Expeditionary Force during the exercise Caribbean Urban Warrior. The exercise took place at Camp Lejeune, the base of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in North Carolina.

The exercise focused on Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT). In addition, the Advanced Signallers, Designated Marksmen, Infantry Engineers, and Combat Life Savers performed cross-training in collaboration with American Marines from the 2nd Marine Division. The Marine trained at section level in various facilities on the base, such as the Indoor Infantry Immersion Trainer, Mobile MOUT, and other exercise villages. In addition to section attacks, they conducted troop-level operations, including an amphibious assault (raid) and attacks on objects in a training village.

Defence Caribbean Region has been working with the US Marines for many years as part of the binational cooperation between the Corps. Each year, joint training takes place in both the Caribbean and the United States. The cooperation strengthens the mutual bond and offers valuable opportunities to learn from each other. Camp Lejeune offers unique and extensive training opportunities, allowing the Marines to practice at a higher level than in the Caribbean.

During the exercise, the Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean, Commodore Walter Hansen, paid a working visit to Camp Lejeune. As part of this visit, he spoke with Lieutenant General Calvert L. Worth, Commander of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, about bilateral cooperation and the further strengthening of the military relationship between the countries. He then visited the Marines of the Caribbean Defense and their American colleagues during the joint final exercise of Caribbean Urban Warrior.

Thanks to intensive training such as Caribbean Urban Warrior, the Marines of the Caribbean Defense remain ready for their tasks and thus the defense of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The tax department's actions have sparked widespread concern, as reports emerged of senior citizens properties being placed on auction. Beyond the financial strain, allegations have surfaced about tax officials entering homes and seizing valuables for sale without transparency or consideration of individuals' circumstances. These developments have ignited a broader debate about fairness, accountability, and the ethical responsibilities of government agencies.

Seniors Targeted Amid Alleged Government Errors

Many senior citizens impacted by these harsh measures already manage precarious financial situations. These individuals, who often rely on limited fixed incomes, now face losing lifelong homes and personal valuables. Critics argue that such actions disregard the vulnerable status of this population and raise questions about the social responsibility of public institutions.

Adding to the controversy is the claim that some of these cases stem from clerical or systemic errors within the government and even parliament. Current and former civil servants and former elected officials have reportedly been embroiled in disputes with the tax office due to inaccuracies in official records. The mismanagement of these cases has left many in limbo, unable to resolve issues that are not of their own making.

Theres no accountability for the mistakes they made, stated one affected individual. Yet we are being punished while they refuse to take responsibility.

Complicity by Leaders?

It has also come to light that government ministers are not unaware of these issues. Many have reportedly complained about the unfairness of the tax departments actions. However, despite expressing concern, no tangible measures or reforms have been introduced to alleviate the struggles faced by those affected. This inaction has amplified public disappointment, with citizens questioning the commitment of leaders to address such systemic failures.

Ministers know whats happening, said a frustrated civil servant familiar with the matter. But no one has stepped up to fix it.

Favoritism Toward Big Businesses?

Further fueling public outrage are allegations that while senior citizens and individuals are penalized, large businesses, casinos, and influential figures seem to benefit from leniency. Reports suggest that certain tax relief deals have been extended to lottery operators and corporations with significant tax debts. Critics argue that this apparent preferential treatment highlights systemic inequalities within tax enforcement policies.

If youre a major business or someone with influence, you get a deal. If youre a struggling senior trying to survive, you get your home taken away, said an anonymous source familiar with the matter.

The perceived double standard has not only caused public mistrust but also raised serious ethical concerns about the equitable application of tax laws. Experts warn that these actions could widen social inequality and exacerbate public disillusionment with governance.

Calls for Reform

Advocates and community groups are calling for immediate intervention to protect vulnerable populations, particularly seniors, from disproportionately harsh enforcement measures. They have also urged the government to address the alleged favoritism shown to influential figures and businesses.

"Its appalling that were seeing this stark divide in how taxpayers are treated," said a spokesperson from a local advocacy group. The poor and elderly lose everything, while the wealthy and powerful seem immune to consequences.

Pressure is also mounting for government ministers to not only acknowledge the problem but to take decisive action. Many argue that it is insufficient for leaders to voice concerns without implementing meaningful reforms. Transparency and accountability, they claim, must be prioritized to restore public trust.

The Road Ahead

The tax department has yet to respond to the increasing criticism, but scrutiny from citizens, advocacy groups, and even government figures continues to grow. This controversy highlights the urgent need for more equitable systems that uphold the principles of fairness and justice for all, regardless of economic or social status.

For now, the impacted seniors and other vulnerable individuals face an uncertain future, raising a fundamental question for society to address: who does the system truly serve?
France welcomes US-Iran talks, but says will be 'vigilant'



Luxembourg, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday welcomed indirect talks between the United States and Iran but insisted Europe would be "vigilant" its security concerns were taken into account.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held a first round of talks on Saturday via Omani mediation in Muscat, marking the highest-level Iran-US nuclear negotiations since the collapse of a 2015 accord.

They agreed to meet again in seven days.

"We very much welcome this step, but we will be vigilant with our British and German friends and partners to ensure that any negotiations that may be undertaken are consistent with our security interests," Barrot said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Iran's foreign ministry said Sunday that talks with the US slated for next weekend would remain "indirect" with Omani mediation, and be focused solely on the nuclear issue and lifting of sanctions.
Next round of US-Iran talks to be held in Rome: diplomats



Luxembourg, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



The next round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme will be held in Rome, the Dutch foreign minister and a second diplomatic source said Monday.

The talks will take place in the Italian capital, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said at an EU meeting. Two diplomats based in Rome confirmed the location and said the talks would take place on Saturday, April 19.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held a first round of talks on Saturday in Oman, marking the highest-level Iran-US nuclear negotiations since the collapse of a 2015 accord.

Iran's foreign ministry said Sunday the talks slated for next weekend would remain "indirect" with Omani mediation, and be focused solely on the nuclear issue and lifting of sanction.

Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in 2018, during his first term as US president.

Saturday's negotiations came weeks after Trump sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging nuclear talks while warning of possible military action if Iran refuses.

burs-ob-del/ec/yad
Iran FM to head to Moscow, discuss US nuclear talks



Tehran, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



Iran's foreign minister is to visit ally Russia this week to discuss nuclear negotiations with the United States, ahead of a new round of talks between the foes planned for Rome.

On Saturday, Abbas Araghchi held talks with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman, the highest-level negotiations since the collapse of a 2015 nuclear accord.

US President Donald Trump, who withdrew from the accord, has thrown Iran back into the spotlight since his return to the White House in January.

In March, he sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for nuclear talks while warning of possible military action if Tehran refused.

Western countries, including the United States, have long suspected Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, maintaining that its programme was solely for peaceful purposes.

Russia, a close ally of Iran and party to the 2015 deal, and China have held discussions with Tehran in recent weeks over its nuclear programme.

"Dr Araghchi will travel to Moscow at the end of the week," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, adding that the trip was pre-planned and would be "an opportunity to discuss the latest developments related to the Muscat talks."

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, later confirmed the visit saying Araghchi would meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and other officials.

Iran and the United States separately described Saturday's discussions with the US as "constructive".

Moscow welcomed the Iran-US talks as it pushed for a diplomatic solution and warned that military confrontation would be a "global catastrophe".

Another round of talks between Iran and the United States is scheduled for Saturday, April 19.

Iran has yet to confirm the location, but Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani later said Rome had given a "positive response" to a request to host the talks, adding "we are willing to do whatever it takes".

- 'Red lines' -



The official IRNA news agency reported that they would be held in Europe, without elaborating.

Baqaei said the next set of talks would continue to be indirect with Omani mediation, adding that direct talks were "not effective" and "not useful".

He had previously said that the only focus of the upcoming talks would be "the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions", and that Iran "will not have any talks with the American side on any other issue".

Late on Sunday, IRNA reported that Tehran's regional influence and its missile capabilities were among its "red lines" in the talks.

Washington reinstated biting sanctions on Tehran following its withdrawal from the 2015 deal three years later.

Iran continued to adhere to the agreement for a year after Trump's withdrawal but later began rolling back its compliance.

Iran has consistently denied that it is seeking nuclear weapons.

Baqaei reiterated that Iran would host United Nations nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi in the coming days but noted that the details of his trip were still "to be decided on".

In a post on X, Grossi confirmed that he would be heading to Tehran "later this week".

"Continued engagement and cooperation with the Agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed," he said.

IRNA later reported that Grossi would arrive on Wednesday and meet Araghchi and Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran's nuclear energy agency.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency last visited Iran in November when he held talks with top officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.

In its latest quarterly report in February, the IAEA said Iran had an estimated 274.8 kilograms (605 pounds) of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent, which far exceeds the 3.67 percent limit set under the 2015 deal and is much closer to the 90 percent threshold required for weapons-grade material.
Russia claims deadly Sumy strike hit army meeting



Moscow, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



Russia said Monday its missiles hit a meeting of Ukrainian army commanders in Sumy, accusing Ukraine of using civilians as a "human shield" after Kyiv reported the Sunday attack killed at least 34 people.

The strike was one of the deadliest for months and drew condemnation from leaders around the world, while US President Donald Trump called it a "horrible thing" and suggested Russia had "made a mistake".

Russia's defence ministry said its army launched two ballistic Iskander-M missiles at "the place of a meeting of command staff", claiming that it had killed 60 Ukrainian soldiers.

The strikes hit the centre of Sumy on Palm Sunday morning, triggering outrage in Kyiv and among its allies.

"Only completely deranged scum can do something like this," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine's emergency services said the missiles killed 34 people, including two children.

The Kremlin rejected that its army had targeted civilians or a residential area.

"Our army hits only military and military-related targets," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the strike and Trump's comments.

The army appeared to concede that there were civilian casualties, though placed the blame on Ukraine.

"The Kyiv regime continues to use the Ukrainian population as a human shield, placing military facilities and holding events with the participation of soldiers in the centre of a densely populated city," the defence ministry said.
Blast kills Lebanese soldier dismantling mines in tunnel in south



Beirut, Lebanon, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



Lebanon's army said a soldier was killed and three others wounded Monday in an explosion in the country's south, where President Joseph Aoun said they had been dismantling mines in a tunnel.

"While a specialised army unit was carrying out an engineering survey of a site" in south Lebanon's Tyre district, "a suspicious object exploded, killing a member of the unit and moderately injuring three others", an army statement said.

A statement from Aoun's office said the soldiers had been "dismantling mines and explosive materials in a tunnel" in the area.

"Once again, the Lebanese army... is paying the price of extending state authority over the south and achieving stability there by implementing Resolution 1701," said Aoun, according to the statement.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and formed the basis of a November truce that largely ended more than a year of fresh hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group.

The resolution called for the disarmament of all non-state armed groups, and said Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon.

Under the truce, Hezbollah was to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

Israel was due to complete its pullout from Lebanon by February 18 after missing a January deadline, but it has kept troops in five places it deems "strategic".

During the war, Israel's army said it uncovered Hezbollah tunnels and tunnel shafts in south Lebanon.

A source close to Hezbollah told AFP on Saturday that the group had ceded to the Lebanese army around 190 of its 265 military positions identified south of the Litani.

Qatar-based network Al Jazeera quoted Aoun on Monday as saying that the army had dismantled tunnels and confiscated weapons without objection from Hezbollah, but had not yet deployed across the whole of the south.
It seems like Ellie finds this hard to believe, as she later asks Joel: Swear to me that everything you said about the Fireflies is true. However, she seemingly also has no other choice but to trust him as they rely on each other to survive.
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?
When told he was not allowed to play there, Bray stuck his fingers in his ears and said: No it's not, it's not, not here - it's not wrong here, the court heard.
Ms Oliver told the PA news agency: I want the message to go out very clearly to senior public servants today, whether thats chief constables, heads of social services, heads of councils, politicians that if they fail to act or to do their duty to protect children, that they can be held legally accountable in the future.
Asking about the attack, Trump said late Sunday evening that he was trying to get the war stopped. I think it was terrible and I was told they made a mistake, but I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing, he told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington.
She said: I think this experience has shown me you never know how much love is inside of you, like how much love you have to give and how loved you are until the day you launch.
Acting President Ilie Bolojan met on Monday at the Cotroceni Palace with Romanian MEPs to discuss the country's strategic priorities in the current European and international context, the Presidential Administration informs.

According to the cited source, the talks focused on priority topics on the European Union's agenda, including European security and defense, the transatlantic relationship, the Union's multiannual budget, the absorption of European funds - those under the NRRP facility in particular - support for Ukraine and the Union's enlargement policy, as well as on the ways how Romania can strengthen its position and contribution within the EU.

The acting president thanked the MEPs for their sustained efforts in promoting Romania's interests at European level, emphasizing their essential role in advancing these interests. Also, Ilie Bolojan told the Romanian MEPs that efficient collaboration between them and the Romanian Representation to the EU, as well as with the country's institutions - Parliament, the government, the ministries - is highly important for coordinating national positions and ensure a unified approach in key areas.

"In the field of defense, the meeting concluded that a coordinated vision is needed, which would integrate the defense industry, priority investment areas, financial aspects and complementarity with NATO, as the guarantor of collective defense. Romania will pursue the consolidation of its defense capacity and the development of the national industry, capitalizing on the opportunities offered by the European Union, in accordance with the commitments pledged within NATO," the Presidential Administration shows.

A topic tackled by most of the Romanian MEPs was the current electoral context.

"In this regard, President Ilie Bolojan stressed the need for a transparent and efficient electoral process, emphasizing that a fair conduct of the elections represents a strategic interest for Romania, paramount for consolidating democracy and for the gaining citizens' trust in state institutions," the cited source said.

As far as the transatlantic relationship is concerned, its importance and the need for closer collaboration with the new American administration were highlighted. "The strengthening of this relationship is essential, given the strategic role of the partnership between the United States and Europe, both in the security and economic fields," the release states.

The discussion also addressed the subject of European funds, especially the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the acting president underscoring the importance of an absorption as efficient as possible, through constant communication between decision-makers and a clear prioritization of projects.

As far as support for Ukraine is concerned, Ilie Bolojan said that Romania will continue to cooperate with European and international partners in order to contribute to a rapid and lasting peace solution.

"The need for the active involvement of the European Parliament in this effort was emphasized by the participants," the cited source adds.

AGERPRES
Minister of Foreign Affairs Emil Hurezeanu, present at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (April 11-12), emphasized the role of the Black Sea in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security and called for a strategic approach of the European Union in the region.

According to a press release sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), the Romanian official was one of the keynote speakers, alongside his Bulgarian counterpart, Georg Georgiev, and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, Zeki Levent Gumrukcu, conform Agerpres.

During the session "Black Sea security from the perspective of the allied littoral states", Hurezeanu emphasized that the Black Sea region is becoming "of increasing strategic relevance due to its key role in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security, as well as for Europe's energy security and food security" at a global level.

"He also called for a strategic EU approach to the Black Sea, with a focus on security and connectivity. The Romanian official emphasized the importance of a comprehensive perspective on security, which should include economic security, critical infrastructure protection and combating hybrid threats. At the same time, connectivity should be capitalized on as a factor of common interest for the partners in the region and as a facilitator for bringing our partners such as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova closer to the European Union," reads the MAE press release.

The Romanian foreign minister emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, exemplified by the establishment in 2024, at Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey's initiative, of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group, and expressed his hope that this model of cooperation will be extended to other areas of common interest.

On the sidelines of the event, Minister Hurezeanu had a series of bilateral meetings, one of them with the British Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty, during which the Romanian official welcomed the "excellent level" of the bilateral dialogue and reiterated that the United Kingdom is "a key ally" in the process of strengthening the Eastern Flank.

"The essential contribution of the Romanian community in the United Kingdom to the strength of the bilateral relationship was also highlighted. The discussion also provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on the expectations in relation to the EU-UK Summit, which will take place on May 19, 2025," the MAE press release informs.

During the meeting with the Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, the Romanian official highlighted the "positive developments" in the bilateral dialogue, underlining the Romanian side's openness to deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, education and culture. Minister Hureazeanu also reiterated Romania's support for deepening cooperation between Armenia and the EU.

During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konakovic, the Romanian official welcomed the recently launched projects aimed at diversifying economic and sectoral cooperation and encouraged the "continuation of pro-European reforms".

"At the same time, the Romanian Foreign Minister conveyed Romania's firm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina and, in a broader context, for the security of the Western Balkans, evoking Romania's significant contribution to the EU Force (EUFOR) Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Romania will command from January 2025," reads the pres release.

Emil Hurezeanu also met the the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt. The discussion highlighted the shared concern over the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Romanian minister expressing "concern over inflammatory rhetoric that jeopardizes the stability" of the country and the region. In this context, Minister Hurezeanu expressed his appreciation for the work of the High Representative and his efforts to maintain the functioning of the country's institutions and the rule of law.

During the meeting with Touhid Hossain, the Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, the progress made in the development of bilateral relations was highlighted.
The Minister of Education and Research, Daniel David participated, on Monday, in the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Faculty of Law of the "Babes-Bolyai" University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca.

He recalled, in his speech, that the project of the new headquarters of the Faculty of Law began during his mandate as rector and reviewed the stages of the project.

"If you want performance, you have to make sure that you strengthen the human resource and that you develop the infrastructure", said Minister Daniel David.

The inauguration of the new headquarters was attended, among others, by Prefect Maria Forna, representatives of the Superior Council of Magistracy, of other law faculties from the country and from the Republic of Moldova, representatives of local and regional authorities.

The new headquarters of the Faculty of Law represents one of the major investments of UBB, the building being modernized from the European funds allocated, within the North-West Regional Program 2021-2027, to the project entitled "Restructuring, rehabilitation, interior modifications and change of destination of Building C2 from hotel to educational spaces". As a result of these investments, the students of the Faculty of Law will benefit from modern teaching and research spaces - 3 amphitheaters (one of which has a capacity of 400 seats, the others with approximately 200 seats), 4 lecture halls with 60 seats each, 18 seminar rooms with 27 seats each, a conference hall, as well as modern spaces for the faculty library and offices.

The total value of the project is 32.8 million lei, of which 16.1 million lei represents co-financing from the European Union.
Measles cases increased between February 2024 and January 2025 Europewide, with Romania being at the centre of the trend, reporting 85% of those registered in the region, according to the Social Monitor project of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Romania.

According to the organisation, between February 2024 and January 2025, Romania reported 27,568 cases of measles, making up 85% of the total cases reported in the European Economic Area. Compared with the European average of 71 cases per million inhabitants, Romania faces 1,447 cases of measles per million inhabitants.

According to recent data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, measles cases in the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA) recorded a surge between February 2024 and January 2025, compared with the previous year.

Immunisation with two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine remains the safest and most effective method of preventing this highly contagious disease. However, data shows that 80% of people diagnosed with measles in the EU/EEA in the last period were not vaccinated.

In most European countries, more than 90% of children aged one to two years are vaccinated against measles. In Romania, in the early 2000s, the immunisation rate had reached a record level of 98%, according to World Bank statistics. However, currently, after the government campaign "Say NO to measles, say YES to vaccination!", approximately one in four Romanian children is not vaccinated against this disease.

Vaccination coverage with the first dose of MMR in Romania is 78% nationwide, while for the second dose the coverage is 62%. This represents "a worrying situation", and in some counties, less than half of the children have been vaccinated, according to data with the National Institute of Public Health. Among the counties with the lowest vaccination rates are: Arad (31%), Satu Mare (40%), Suceava (44%), Neamt (46%), Alba (48%), Arges (48%) and Vrancea (49%).

Health officials emphasise the importance of vaccination as the main measure to prevent the spread of measles, urging parents to protect children's health through immunisation.
The Ministry of Energy (ME) is launching the second call for projects for the production of electricity for self-consumption, with a budget of 300 million euros for companies that want to produce their own clean energy, ME informs in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday.

Thus, the Ministry of Energy has launched for public consultation the Applicant Guide for the call for projects intended to support investments in new capacities for the production of electricity from renewable sources for self-consumption, financed by the Modernization Fund - Key Program 1: Renewable energy sources and energy storage.

The call is dedicated to applicants from the private sector, and the proposed amendments aim to make the eligibility conditions more flexible and align with the new regulations introduced by Emergency Ordinance no. 5/2025 regarding some measures in the social field and amending and supplementing some normative acts.

"By launching this new call, we are offering even more concrete support to companies that want to invest in Romania's energy independence. We are simplifying access to financing and removing unnecessary administrative barriers. We want every kilowatt produced from renewable sources and consumed locally to mean more efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability for the Romanian economy. In addition, we are expanding access to important sectors for the national economy, such as agriculture and agri-food, and encouraging their transition to competitive and clean energy solutions. Romania has huge potential in the renewables sector, and this call is another decisive step towards capitalizing on this potential," said Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja in the release.

The amendments aim to accept all types of mortgages in the evaluation stage, provided that, within 60 working days from the signing of the financing contract, the property is free of encumbrances or the mortgage is for the purpose of carrying out the project; elimination of the obligation to present proof of removal from the agricultural circuit and the building permit within 1 year from the signing of the contract - these will be required only upon the request for pre-financing/reimbursement; the environmental regulatory act is no longer required upon contracting, but only before the first payment request (pre-financing or reimbursement); extended eligibility for applicants carrying out secondary activities CAEN 01, 10 and 11 (agriculture, food and beverage industry), ineligible in other schemes, according to the conditions specified in the aid scheme.

The call for projects has an estimated total budget of 300 million euros, equivalent in lei, from the Modernization Fund. The maximum value of state aid granted is 20 million euros per project, and at least 70% of the energy produced must be intended for self-consumption.

The Ministry of Energy specifies the maximum values of support granted per MW installed, namely solar energy: up to 5 MW - maximum 450,000 euros/MW, and over 5 MW - maximum 360,000 euros/MW; wind energy: maximum 700,000 euros/MW; hydro energy: maximum 1,805,000 euros/MW.

The public consultation period is 10 calendar days from the date of posting on the Ministry of Energy's website.
Chairman of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) George Simion and the ruling coalition's candidate Crin Antonescu are currently one percentage point apart at the top of the voters' preferences in the presidential race, shows the latest national poll by Flashdata released on Monday.

If elections were held next Sunday, 27% of Romanians say they would vote for George Simion, 26% for Crin Antonescu, 20% for Nicusor Dan, 9% for Elena Lasconi, 8% for Victor Ponta, 4.8% for Lavinia Sandru, 1.3% for Daniel Funeriu, Silviu Predoiu would garner 0.5% of the vote, Cristian Terhes - 0.3%, while 2.1% of the respondents said they are still undecided, and 1% do not know or don't want to answer.

The poll found that 92% of respondents learned about the statement of presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Victor Ponta that in 2014 he decided to have the Danube meadow flooded downstream the Iron Gates dam, while only 6% were unaware of that, and 2% do not know or did not answer. Asked if Victor Ponta made a good decision back then, 82% of the subjects answered negatively, 10% answered in the affirmative, and 8% do not know or did not answer.

89% of the respondents were aware of the conflict within the Save Romania Union (USR) that resulted in the party withdrawing its support for Elena Lasconi's candidacy, while 9% had not found out about that, and 2% did not know or did not answer.

60% of the interviewees said they do not consider that USR's switching support for Nicusor Dan instead of Elena Lasconi is good, 32% are of a contrary opinion, and 8% did not know or did not answer.

58% of respondents consider that Romania is currently headed in a good direction, 26% think the opposite, and 16% did not answer or did not know how to answer.

On a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 stands for "definitely not voting" and 10 for "definitely voting" in the May election, 82% of those interviewed answered "definitely voting", and 9% "definitely not voting". On the same scale, 69% of the respondents said they have decided who they want to vote for, and 9% declared themselves completely undecided, or don't know who to vote for.

If the parliamentary elections were held next Sunday, 25.5% of Romanians would vote AUR, 19.5% - PSD, 15% - PNL, 11% - USR, 3% - POT, 3% - UDMR, 2% - S.O.S. Romania, and 8.5% for another party. 7.5% of the respondents said that they have not made their mind yet, and 5% of them do not know or did not answer the question.

Also, 54% of the interviewees believe that Facebook offers more credible information, and 46% consider the same about TikTok.

The poll was conducted between April 10 - 12 on a sample of 7,500 respondents aged 18 and over and residing in Romania. The sample type is probabilistic, random. The poll carries a margin error of plus/minus 3.5%, at a 95% confidence level. The questionnaire was online, with targeting by location, age, urban/rural.
Romania's Ambassador to the United States, Andrei Muraru, met with Republican Congressman Mark Green, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, which also handles the Visa Waiver issue, and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives.

"We talked about the good cooperation that Romania and the United States have in areas such as combating cross-border threats, which reflects Romania's compliance with the criteria related to the Visa Waiver program," Muraru wrote on Facebook on Monday.

Congressman Mark Green knows Romania and the Romanian-American partnership well, both in the defense and homeland security fields, the ambassador added, calling the American politician "a true friend of Romania."

Mark Green, a Republican representing the state of Tennessee, visited Romania in 2022, after the start of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.
At the request of the Save Romania Union (USR) floor leader Stefan Palaria, Romanian senators on Monday held a moment of silence, as a sign of solidarity and respect for the victims of the war in Ukraine.

"We probably saw yesterday, all of us, terrified and shocked, how there was a horrible attack by Russia on absolutely innocent civilians in the city of Sumy in Ukraine, an attack that comes shortly after another attack, in Kryvyi Rih, coward attacks that kill civilians, children, women, men, innocent people.

In this attack I saw some shocking pictures, with people, with victims, who still had in their hands the willow branches taken from the church service.

Dozens of dead were left because of this attack, two children died, hundreds were wounded. As a sign of solidarity and respect for the victims of the war in Ukraine, started by Russia, which is guilty of the war, I invite you to hold a short moment of silence," said Palaria.
Acting Senate President Mircea Abrudean was on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan April 12 to 14, at the invitation of the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) Sahiba Gafarova.

According to a Senate press release, during the official meeting, Mircea Abrudean and Sahiba Gafarova discussed boosting cooperation at parliamentary level, underlining the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries, and highlighted the constant development of bilateral relations, as well as the potential for deepening them in multiple areas of common interest.

"I would like to convey, on behalf of the Senate of Romania, our deep appreciation for the strong and lasting friendship between Romania and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Our countries are united by a Strategic Partnership based on mutual respect and common values," declared Abrudean, as cited in the release.

The program of the visit included a wreath-laying ceremony at the "Victory" (Taq-Zafar) memorial monument and at the tomb of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, a gesture of respect and recognition of Azerbaijani history and national values.

Abrudean also met with Prime Minister Ali Asadov, with the talks aimed at strengthening economic relations, as Azerbaijan is Romania's most important trading partner in the South Caucasus region.

"The energy sector remains the central pillar of economic cooperation, with Romania showing a particular interest in the long-term supply of Azerbaijani gas and in the development of the 'green energy corridor'. Topics related to transport and connectivity were also discussed, as these areas were identified as carrying long-term strategic potential for both states," the release states.

A symbolic moment of the visit was the flower-laying ceremony at the monument to Romanian composer George Enescu in Baku, the only monument dedicated to a Romanian personality in the entire South Caucasus region, located in a park that bears his name.

"The visit confirms Romania's commitment to developing and strengthening relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan, capitalizing on opportunities for cooperation and constructive dialogue at parliamentary and governmental levels, as essential instruments in promoting joint interests and regional stability," the release notes.

The Romanian delegation also included senators Cristian Niculescu Tagarlas, Sebastian Cernic, Antal Lorant, Eugen Cristian Sipos, and deputy Adrian Solomon.
The visit to Romania of a US congressional delegation represents a message of "strategic partnership" between the two countries, declared Senate Vice President Robert Cazanciuc on Monday, arguing that the United States has "always" relied in Europe "on two strategic pillars - Poland and Romania."

"I will also participate in this meeting tomorrow, it's a mixed delegation of Republicans and Democrats," Canzaciuc said, stressing that all his meetings in the US with Congress and Senate representatives were bipartisan, and that the Romanian authorities have always sought to maintain this balance. "It is a message, after all, of strategic partnership between Romania and the United States. There are two pillars in Europe the United States has always relied upon - one in the north, which is called Poland, and one in the south, which is called Romania," said the Social-Democrat senator, at the Palace of Parliament.

According to Cazanciuc, the American delegation is "very welcome" to Romania, which has a "fairly" solid partnership with the US and, despite the "perhaps more impetuous" approaches on the part of the Trump administration, these cannot affect the "special" relationship of the two countries.

"I hope they will also go visit the Kogalniceanu base, I hope they will also see other facilities Romania has, where we mainly use American defense hardware. It is a fairly solid partnership, I think, and what is happening now can be a chance for us to understand those who, perhaps, do not know exactly what our place and role within the Alliance is and this situation where we have a conflict on Romania's border," the PSD senator pointed out.

Liberal floor leader, Senator Daniel Fenechiu emphasized the "very good" relations of Romanian lawmakers with American congressmen.

"The world summarizes Romanian-American relations strictly to having access to Trump. This is incorrect. Many Romanian lawmakers have very good relations with US congressmen, there are bilateral relations, there are friendly relations. I believe that, ultimately, Romanian-American relations are on an upward trend, discussions will tackle aspects that interest them in principle. We will all lobby in the sense that Romania is a democratic state and that the decisions of the Constitutional Court are respected. They will probably have curiosities to inquire about, we will offer clarifications and a better position of Romania in the area will definitely emerge from this," Fenechiu said.

A delegation of eight members of the US Congress - Democrats and Republicans - led by Republican Vern Buchanan arrives in Bucharest on Monday evening. The US delegation has meetings scheduled on Tuesday with acting President Ilie Bolojan, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, and Romanian lawmakers.
Vlad the Impaler's Fortress in Poenari (Arges County) was reopened for visits on Monday, after extensive conservation and restoration work.

The fortress, located on the administrative territory of Arefu commune, is built on a mountain peak, at the entrance to the Arges Gorges, near National Road DN 7C - Transfagarasan, with tourists accessing it via 1,480 steps arranged on the slope, through the forest. The fortification was initially built in the 14th century, being consolidated and expanded during the reign of Vlad the Impaler.

"As of today, the county's most famous tourist attraction, the one that attracts over 100,000 tourists annually, both from the country and abroad, has been reopened. From the first minutes of the opening, dozens of tourists climbed, along with officials, the 1,480 steps that lead to the fortress (...). The youngest tourist was Eveline, a girl of only 5 and a half years old, who came from Bucharest with her parents," informs a release from the Arges County Council (CJ).

The route of steps was also climbed by a group of tourists from Switzerland, the first visitors from abroad after the reopening of the fortress.

The reopening event began with a unique artistic moment, a monologue delivered by actor Puiu Margescu from the "Alexandru Davila" Theatre, who played Vlad the Impaler, alongside beautiful ladies dressed in feudal costumes.

The conservation and restoration works lasted three years, during which time the monument could not be visited.

The project on the "Conservation and Consolidation of the Poenari Arges Fortress" received non-repayable financing under Priority Axis 5 - Improving the urban environment and preserving, protecting and sustainably valorizing cultural heritage. The total value of the financing contract was over 25 million lei, of which 9,647,565 lei represents the total non-repayable public value and 16,021,201.29 lei is the beneficiary's contribution.

According to the same source, the project will contribute to the development of the community and will lead to an increase in the tourist and investment attractiveness of the area, to the consolidation of cultural identity, to economic and socio-cultural revitalization.

"The Poenari Fortress was built during the period of the establishment of the feudal states of Wallachia and Moldavia (13th - 15th centuries) out of the need to defend the independence obtained, but also due to the Turkish danger. The Poenari Fortress, property of Arges County, under the administration of the Arges County Museum, is classified as a Category A Historical Monument (of national and international importance)", the press release also reads.

The Poienari Fortress can be visited daily between 10:00 and 18:00, with the last group being able to climb at 17:00. The entrance ticket price is 30 lei for adults and 20 lei for pupils, students, pensioners. Tickets can be purchased both physically, at the fortress, and online, through the tourist card
ST. LOUIS  Stringbean Coffee Co. owner Peter Cohen was worried. President Donald Trump had come into office touting sweeping tariffs  a move that could change where Cohen buys his beans and how much they cost.

The roaster typically sources from Peru, Brazil, Indonesia and Africa and coffee is, by necessity, an import. So in March, he secured more credit from his bank and bought months worth of beans.

Then, Trump announced more new tariffs on April 2. If the beans didnt arrive in the U.S. before they went into effect, hed have to pay the tax.

Cohens unroasted coffee beans made it through ports in time. But hes worried about what his Brentwood-based business will do after this supply runs out in July.

Since Trump was inaugurated Jan. 20, he has announced rounds of tariffs against lists of countries, then paused some of those and announced others. China has remained a constant target, and that country has retaliated with tariffs of its own against the U.S.

Now, some St. Louis-area businesses are switching up their plans in response to the tight economy and looming trade wars. But, they say, the on-again, off-again tariffs have made deciding how to invest and plan for the future difficult. Plus, the U.S. companies importing the goods are the ones who shoulder the tariff costs, not the foreign producers.

Trump has argued that his tariffs will help restore U.S. manufacturing, forcing companies to buy domestically. But some items, like bananas, mangos and coffee, are impossible to grow in bulk in the U.S. and that puts some businesses in limbo.

California and Missouri and Illinois are not going to start growing coffee, Cohen said. Even if we could  which we cant  theres a huge lead time.

Goshen Coffee Roasters chief coffee officer Tony Auger said hes been on the phone nonstop with vendors, trying to figure out what will and wont be affected. For Illinois-based Goshen, which buys its beans from Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil and Indonesia, buying is going to be a lot riskier, he said.

And Auger isnt even sure if decisions he makes now will last. The roaster recently canceled a massive contract with small-scale farmers in Mexico because Goshen cant afford to gamble with potential tariffs, Auger said.

Its terrible because all the work we did today could be thrown away tomorrow, he said.

He predicts many coffee roasters and cafes will close and that the price for a cup of Goshen coffee will rise, as their profit margins tighten.

Theres no way around it, Auger said. What people dont realize is that its the packaging, its the boxes, its the parts on our roasting machine, its the tape that we use  it all has to come from somewhere.

Stringbean and Goshen arent alone in their uncertainty. Businesses say theyll shield their customers from cost increases for as long as possible, but experts warn that, in the end, consumers will see higher price tags.

The National Federation of Independent Business recently shared that its small-business optimism index fell in March. The decline comes from surveyed businesses who reported having negative outlooks on business conditions, sale expectations, and plans to expand and hire.

An April poll by Endeavor Business Intelligence, the market research arm of Nashville-based Endeavor Business Media, found that about 27% of 400 businesses surveyed said they are facing significant financial strain as a result of the impending tariffs. As a result, over half of the respondents plan to raise prices significantly.

Tariffs as negotiating tactic?

On April 2, Trump announced a round of sweeping tariffs affecting about 90 countries, some climbing as high as 104%. Some of the United States major trade partners, including China, Vietnam and Taiwan, faced the brunt of these increased levies. Three days later, a 10% baseline tariff on all countries, which stacked on top of the ones Trump had already imposed, went into effect.

But on April 9, when the higher tariffs were slated to begin, Trump announced a 90-day pause on most countries. Still, many of the previously imposed levies, including in the 10% baseline, remain in place.

Glenn MacDonald, professor of economics and strategy at Washington Universitys Olin Business School, said Trump could be using these tariffs as a negotiation tactic, hoping to eliminate some or all tariffs between the U.S. and other countries. And that isnt a bad idea, he said.

The ability to exchange between individuals, between individuals in different countries, between countries, that is just an enormous benefit for everybody, MacDonald said. Tariffs, when you actually have them, interfere with activity and basically make us all worse off.

Even before Trump announced the 90-day pause, MacDonald said he wouldnt be shocked if the levies were short-lived  but that it would depend on how stubborn foreign leaders were willing to be. No head of state wants to look like theyre being pushed around by Trump, but they also have to consider how much pain they are willing to inflict on their citizens to maintain that image, he said.

I think youre going to see a lot of countries kind of roll over pretty fast just because its in their self-interest, MacDonald said. I dont think the goal is to actually have these tariffs for any length of time. Theyre much too destructive.

In his April 9 announcement, Trump said that more than 75 countries had reached out to the U.S. to negotiate a solution. Some, including the European Union, have put a halt on their own retaliatory taxes against the U.S. But China, in a tit-for-tat race with the U.S., upped its tax on U.S. imports to 125% Friday.

The uncertainty is the worst part, said Derrick Langeneckert, managing member at St. Louis-based Alpha Brewing Co. It makes guys like me nervous.

Langeneckert said the brewery stopped producing experimental beers and hasnt filled vacant positions.

An employee asks for a raise  but I dont even know what Im doing next week, he said. Were stuck in (between) a rock and a hard spot.

Langeneckert remembers Trumps last term, when aluminum cans went from 14 cents to 18 cents each. That doesnt sound like a lot, he said, but when youre running about 700 cases a week, it adds up to thousands of dollars. Alpha Brewing Co. gets its cans from Metal Container Corporation in Arnold, which is a subsidy of Anheuser-Busch.

Anheuser-Busch said it would not comment on the tariffs.

Alpha Brewing Co. already sources its grain domestically, and unless the U.S. has a major mineral deposit of bauxite ore, the primary source of aluminum, they cant get any more locally, Langeneckert said.

Were just trying to keep our cash close to our chest, he said. This could be the death knell for some breweries.

At Bluewood Brewing, located in the citys Benton Park neighborhood, co-owner and head brewer Cameron Lund said potentially higher aluminum prices are prompting them to produce fewer cans this year and push draft beer in kegs, instead.

Unfortunately, American aluminum does not meet the needs of our industry, and the notion that these tariffs would produce instantaneous organic aluminum growth that would meet the needs of the brewing industry is pretty upsetting to us, Lund said.

North St. Louis County-based distillery Switchgrass Spirits had plans to sell its whiskey in France and South Korea, said Nick Colombo, Switchgrass Spirits operations and finance manager. But Switchgrass Spirits pulled out of those talks after hearing whispers about potential export costs in February.

Instead, the distillery now plans to focus on expanding into neighboring states and developing lower-cost options, such as a $30-per-bottle sipping whiskey. The distillery produces bourbons ranging from $25 to $70 a bottle.

If we go into a recession, people arent going to want to pay more, Colombo said. Weve seen people cutting back, buying the cheaper bottle, so we wanted to make a new product that is cheaper and smoother.

Switchgrass Spirits gets its grain in the U.S. but buys glass bottles from Italy. Colombo said he purchased a years worth of glass in February and those 26,0000 bottles made it into the country last week, before tariffs were set to take effect.

Our suppliers are emailing us that they are going to try as hard as they can to keep prices low, but theyll need to raise prices or they will go out of business, Colombo said. Volatility affects manufacturing so much. No one is investing. Were not willing to invest in new equipment or labor.

Still, Colombo is optimistic that consumers will continue to buy alcohol no matter what, even if it is just to cope with economic uncertainty.

Alcohol is recession-proof, he said. People tend to drink more when theyre stressed out.

Editors note: This story was updated Monday at 11 a.m. to correct the location of Switchgrass Spirits' headquarters.
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U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell has joined a bipartisan quartet to introduce a bill to crack down on the use of anonymous shell companies to conceal illegal foreign contributions.

Bells legislation would make it unlawful to establish or use a corporate entity to conceal a campaign contribution by a foreign national. Violators would face fines and prison terms up to five years.

In recent years, reports indicate that shell companies with foreign money have been used to assist campaigns from both major political parties.

Bell was joined on the bill by fellow Democrat Jason Crow of Colorado and GOP U.S. Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

Americans have the right to choose their leaders without interference from hidden foreign interests, Bell said. This bill is about drawing a clear line; our elections belong to the people, and no one else.

Bell, a freshman Democrat elected in November, represents St. Louis and part of St. Louis County.

He also had introduced legislation that propose ways to reward local police and court jurisdictions for reducing jail incarceration and expanding diversion and rehabilitation programs.

Another new proposal from Bell, dropped into the hopper last week, is a bill that aims to restrict illicit arms trafficking from the U.S. to the Caribbean.
ST. LOUIS  A 66-year-old man was shot and critically injured by his nephew at a family gathering in the city's Walnut Park West neighborhood, authorities said.

The victim was shot about 11 p.m. Sunday at a home in the 5600 block of Goodfellow Boulevard.

The man became intoxicated and argumentative at the family gathering, police said. He scuffled with his niece, then his 18-year-old nephew shot him in the abdomen, police said.

The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Police said he couldn't tell them what happened because of the severity of his injuries.

The nephew left before officers arrived, police said.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri House Republicans are poised to take action this week on a plan asking voters to repeal the abortion-rights constitutional amendment approved less than six months ago.

The do-over for voters Republicans appeared to have settled on would allow abortion in medical emergencies and when fetal anomalies are detected, as well as in rape and incest cases in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

It would also clear the way for all other abortions to be prohibited  either through court action, or through a future law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

With House passage expected this week, the GOP-controlled Senate would then need to sign off on the proposal for voters to weigh in this year or next.

House Majority Leader Alex Riley, R-Springfield, said legislators had been working to come up with a ballot question for voters more moderate than last years Amendment 3.

But House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, said the plan would completely repeal Amendment 3 and constitutionally ban abortion in nearly all circumstances.

Aune said Thursday that Republicans had been divided on how to move forward on abortion.

And she blasted the chairwoman of the House Children and Families Committee, state Rep. Holly Jones, R-Eureka, for shutting down testimony on the proposal in committee amid heavy opposition.

Aune said she believed Jones should resign as chairwoman if she is unable to tolerate dissent and allow people to exercise their right to be heard.

The Republican Party demonstrated the depths to which they will sink to strip Missourians of their reproductive rights  under the state constitution, no less  even as they struggle to agree how to do it, Aune said.

Jones didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Riley acknowledged some disagreement among Republicans but said the current language on track for a vote gives us consensus.

The Republican majority is a pro-life majority, and we believe strongly in protecting the lives of people, Riley told reporters.

Amendment 3, which 51.6% of voters approved in November, created the right to abortion up to fetal viability for any reason.

A Jackson County judge later enjoined the Missouri law, approved in 2019, that prohibited all abortions except in medical emergencies starting in 2022.

The new Republican-backed legislation would allow the General Assembly to approve abortion regulations, such as facility and licensing requirements critics say amount to targeted regulation of abortion providers (or TRAP laws) designed to restrict the procedure.

The measure also asks voters to constitutionally ban treatments for transgender minors  including puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries  that are already banned by state law.

The measure bans abortions based on a prenatal diagnosis indicating disability, except when there is a fetal anomaly.

Fetal anomaly is defined as a structural or functional abnormality in the unborn childs gestational development that would make life outside the womb impossible.

Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, previously said the law wouldnt allow for an exception in the case of anencephaly, a condition severely affecting skull and brain development where the child is expected to survive for only a short time after birth.

While Amendment 3 broadly protected abortion before fetal viability, it also allowed for the procedure after that point if a treating health care professional determined the abortion is needed to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.

Opponents of Amendment 3 criticized that wording as too open-ended.

Medical emergencies under the Republican legislation in which abortions would be allowed include ectopic pregnancies and in miscarriage care.

The definition also allows abortions for conditions that would require immediate pregnancy termination to avert death or for which a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.

Unemancipated minors would also need written consent from a parent or legal guardian to obtain an abortion. There is an exception for medical emergencies in which permission is impossible to obtain. It also says the state may enact laws providing for the right of a minor to consent to an abortion as granted by a court order.

The legislation is House Joint Resolution 73.
The CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes is not going easy on President Trump and the commander-in-chief is noticing.

Trump went after the program Sunday in a social media post after seeing two critical stories regarding his handling of the Russia-Ukraine war and his proposal to annex Greenland.

Almost every week, 60 Minutes, which is being sued for Billions of Dollars for the fraud they committed in the 2024 Presidential Election with their Interview of Failed Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris, mentions the name TRUMP in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekends BROADCAST tops them all, Trump wrote.

Trump sued CBS for $20 billion, claiming the edits of a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Harris that aired in October amounted to election interference.

The president and other conservatives chided CBS after it was revealed that 60 Minutes producers had edited Harris jumbled response to a question about the Biden administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

But 1st Amendment experts have called the case frivolous. Journalism organizations commonly edit interviews for brevity and clarity. Nevertheless, Trump has demanded a lot of money to settle the case. FCC Chair Brendan Carr has also launched an investigation of CBS News about the program.

They are not a News Show, but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as News, and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing, Trump said in his post. They should lose their license!

CBS did not have an immediate comment on Trumps post.

The legal dispute has become an impediment to Paramount Globals ability to close an $8-billion merger deal with Skydance Media.

While executives at Paramount have discussed settling the presidents lawsuit, leadership at CBS News has been staunchly opposed to any capitulation, fearing it will damage the reputation of 60 Minutes and weaken journalism institutions overall.

60 Minutes has not backed down since Trump has taken aim at the program, which has continued to cover his administrations policies aggressively.

On Sunday, the program featured correspondent Scott Pelleys interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kryvyi Rih, his hometown, where last week nine children were killed on a playground in a missile attack. They discussed U.S. support for Ukraine, the state of the war and Zelenskys clash with the Trump administration in the Oval Office.

Zelensky said he has 100% hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine. He also invited Trump to his visit Ukraine to survey the damage to his country.
WASHINGTON  As Kristan Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion group Students for Life, toured college campuses, she grew accustomed to counterprotests from abortion rights activists.

More recently, fellow abortion opponents who call themselves abortion abolitionists showed up to her booths with signs, often screaming baby killer at her while she speaks with students.

Hawkins sent alerts to donors asking them to help pay for increased security. Im pretty sure they protest me more than they protest Planned Parenthood, she said. Believe it or not, I now know the price of a bomb dog.

Hawkins encounters, which she related during an interview, are just one example of what many people involved in the abortion debate describe as the widening influence of a movement that seeks to outlaw all abortions and enforce the ban with criminal prosecution of any women who have abortions. It gained momentum after the Supreme Courts 2022 ruling overturning Roe v. Wade national abortion protections and accelerated since Republicans won full political control in Washington in last years elections.

The movement also is showing up in statehouses.

Mainstream anti-abortion groups largely shied away from legislation that would punish women for having abortions, but abortion abolitionists believe abortion should be considered homicide and punished with the full force of the law. In many states, they advocate for legislation to do just that.

With the reversal of Roe v. Wade, now states can pass the most severe abortion bans, which has galvanized the anti-abortion movement as a whole, including this part of it, said Rachel Rebouche, dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. Certainly the fall of Roe has brought abortion abolitionists one step closer to what they want  banning abortion nationwide.

In February, Hawkins posted on social media that the people I fear getting shot by, most of the time, are not abortion rights activists but abortion abolitionists.

Her post opened a fire hose of online barbs from abortion abolitionists: Demon, Ungodly, An accessory to murder, Enemy of God. Some called for her to resign and asserted that women should not have roles outside the home, let alone leading national anti-abortion groups.

Some conservative podcasts and online figures hosted abortion abolitionists or echoed similar disdain for the larger anti-abortion movement. Ben Zeisloft, a podcaster for TheoBros, a network of Christian nationalist influencers, blamed feminism for abortion and said, We need Christian men leading the fight against abortion.

The comments reflect a broader uptick in misogynistic rhetoric and align with the religious doctrines motivating many in the abortion abolitionist movement, said Laura Hermer, a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.

She said members of the movement were emboldened by the overturning of Roe and recent actions by Republican President Donald Trump.

In 2016, Trump backtracked after saying there should be some form of punishment for women who have abortions. He recently pledged to protect in vitro fertilization, a fertility treatment threatened by fetal personhood laws.

Still, several experts said many state lawmakers took Trumps return to the White House as a green light to pursue more aggressive policies.

So far this year, bills introduced in at least 12 states  Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas  would allow prosecutors to charge those who have abortions with homicide. In some of those states, women could be subject to the death penalty if the bills become law.

Most of those states already ban abortions in most cases, but the restrictions typically penalized providers rather than those seeking the procedure.

Alabama lawmakers this past week filed legislation that would consider abortion as murder. In Georgia last month, protesters massed at the Capitol to oppose legislation that would classify abortions from the point of fertilization as homicide. The bill had nearly two dozen Republican co-sponsors.

Nearly 8 in 10 Americans opposed laws making it a crime for women who get abortions that would result in either fines or prison time, according to a KFF poll conducted in September 2022, a few months after the Roe ruling.

Dana Sussman, senior vice president at Pregnancy Justice, which tracks this type of legislation, said she is seeing more of those bills than ever before. In 2022, when one such bill passed a Louisiana state House subcommittee, it sparked national outcry, she said.

Now, because they are normalizing this idea, what was shocking then is no longer shocking, she said.

Dusty Deevers, a Republican state senator who co-sponsored the bill in Oklahoma, said he ran his campaign on a platform of abolishing abortion. He said he feels a sense of duty to his constituents and his Christian faith to pursue this type of legislation.

The bill died in Oklahoma after some anti-abortion organizations there spoke out against it. Deevers, who also advocated against contraception, expressed frustration with mainstream anti-abortion groups.

Politics and compromise have corrupted their mission, he said, adding he was encouraged that his bill received a hearing. This is how change happens. When were dealing with controversial issues, change may not happen quickly  Its not the result we wanted, but it is progress.

The North Dakota Legislature voted down a similar bill after a staff member from the national anti-abortion group SBA Pro-Life America testified against it and read from a 2022 letter signed by more than 70 national and state anti-abortion groups that urged state lawmakers not to pass bills criminalizing women for abortions.

A look at 50 years of Supreme Court abortion decisions 1973 1976 1986 1989 1992 2000 2007 2016 2020 2021 2022
U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers rush out of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a hot/cold loading exercise at Sodankyla Airfield, Finland, in May 2024 as part of the Defender Europe 2024 exercise. Troops are gearing up for this years edition of the exercise, with equipment and personnel departing the U.S. for the Continent on April 10, 2025. (Ian Valley/U.S. Army Reserve)



STUTTGART, Germany  Several thousand U.S. soldiers are headed to Europe for large-scale combat drills that will stretch from the Arctic to the Mediterranean region, Army leaders on the Continent said Monday.

Troops are now beginning to mobilize for Defender 25, the services largest series of annual drills in Europe, according to a statement from U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

This is about global deterrence, USAREUR-AF boss Gen. Christoper Donahue said in the statement. Everything we demonstrate we can do with our Allies and partners we can pick up and do anywhere.

The exercise, which started with a test of how quickly troops and gear can be dispatched to Europe, offers logistics and combat sets and reps at a scale that isnt being done anywhere else right now, Donahue said.

The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus performs a musical set as part of the Outreach Tour in Braila, Romania, April 8, 2025. The tour is a series of concerts in preparation for Defender 25, this year's iteration of a large-scale annual Army exercise in Europe. (Kyle Kimble/U.S. Army)



Defender 25 began April 10 with personnel and equipment setting out for positions in Europe. Various exercises will run through June and take place in 18 countries, with some 25,000 U.S. and allied troops.

Among the highlights is a plan for five simultaneous allied airborne operations happening in May in Finland, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.

Other drills include large troop movements, such as a long tactical road march by Vilseck, Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment soldiers that will have them link up with allies for various drills in central and southeastern Europe.

This year, about 5,400 U.S.-based soldiers will join their American counterparts already in Europe, the Army said. Thousands of other NATO countries troops also will be part of the initiative.

The Army launched the Defender series in Europe in 2020 as part of an effort to add complexity to U.S. and allied combat drills.

This exercise confirms the capabilities to deny aggressors and reinforces the U.S. commitment to NATOs defense strategy and increases combat capability to deter with power, USAREUR-AF said.
The U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for Jeffrey Hattori, seen here posing with a catch near his 14-foot skiff Lady G, after he was reported overdue from a fishing trip on April 12, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard)



The U.S. Coast Guard turned to cellphone data to help focus its search for a fisherman who went missing off Guam over the weekend, according to Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.

Jeffrey Hattori, 58, of Guam, departed for a recreational fishing trip around 5:30 a.m. Saturday aboard his 14-foot skiff, the Lady G, and was expected to return by 4 p.m., said sector spokeswoman Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sara Muir.

When Hattori failed to return, his wife reported him missing sometime that evening, and the Coast Guard was notified around 9 p.m., Muir said by email Monday.

The Coast Guard launched a joint search-and-rescue operation with the U.S. Navy, local first responders and other partners. The effort has since covered more than 3,300 square miles, Muir wrote.

To narrow the search to Hattoris most likely location, the Coast Guard contacted his cellphone provider, which determined that his device last connected to a tower near the U.S. Navys Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam on the islands northwest coast, Muir said.

The search for Mr. Hattori and Lady G remains active, focusing west and northwest of Guam, with efforts intensified off Ritidian Point and the west side of Guam, she wrote.

Crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry keep a lookout for Jeffery Hattori, a 58-year-old boater who went missing west of Guam on April 12, 2025. (Raymond Cerrato/U.S. Coast Guard)



Participating aircraft include a P-8 Poseidon from the Navys Task Force 72 in Misawa, Japan; a Navy helicopter crew from Guams Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25; and a visiting Navy helicopter crew from San Diegos Helicopter Squadron 21.

Guam Fire Rescue teams are searching the islands western coastal areas, Muir said. A 45-foot Coast Guard response boat and the cutter Oliver Henry, which cut short its patrol Sunday to assist, are searching deeper waters.

Following interviews with family and fishermen, were exploring FADs [fish aggregating devices] farther offshore, where Mr. Hattori reportedly fished, she wrote.

A FAD can be a log, tree trunk or raft, either free-floating or anchored, used to attract fish  especially large pelagic species like tuna.

The search area remains dynamic due to ocean currents and evolving leads, Muir said.

Sea conditions from Saturday through Monday were relatively stable, with no warnings of advisories in effect. Winds from the east ranged between 10 to 15 knots, with seas 3 to 5 feet, eastward waves of about 4 feet and scattered showers.

At one point, searchers spotted a floating life ring, but further investigation showed it belonged to the tanker Morning Ibis, Muir said. Crews then shifted focus to analyzing the Lady Gs probably drift.

We continue to prioritize locating Mr. Hattori and leveraging every available resource, Muir wrote, adding that partnerships with Guam Fire Rescue and the Navy are critical in such operations.

The Coast Guard is urging mariners and the public to report any sightings of a 14-foot skiff with a blue Bimini top or related information to the Joint Rescue Center Guam at 671-355-4826 or 1-877-418-0168.

Our thoughts remain with Mr. Hattoris family; we appreciate the communitys support, Muir wrote.
The police station in Naha, Okinawa, is pictured on April 14, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



NAHA, Okinawa  Japanese police arrested two U.S. service members on Okinawa over the weekend in separate incidents  one on suspicion of breaking into a retirement home and the other of assaulting a Japanese man.

An airman from Kadena Air Base allegedly entered the retirement home in Nahas Wakasa district around 7:50 a.m. Sunday, an Okinawa Prefectural Police spokeswoman said by phone Monday. He was arrested about an hour later, she said.

An employee found the airman asleep in a chair, slumped over a desk on the first floor, a Naha city police spokesman said by phone. Facility staff were unable to wake him and called police, the spokesman said. A worker had unlocked several doors at the facility around 6 a.m., he added.

The airman had a blood-alcohol content above 0.03% at the time of his arrest, the spokesman said. By comparison, the legal driving limit in all 50 U.S. states is 0.08%.

The 18th Wing acknowledged inquiries from Stars and Stripes on Monday but did not respond by the end of the business day.

The case remains under investigation.

In an unrelated incident, police arrested a Marine at 4:39 a.m. Sunday on suspicion of assaulting a 41-year-old Japanese man in Nahas Makishi district.

The Marine is assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, wing spokesman Maj. Joseph Butterfield said by email Monday.

We are fully cooperating with local authorities regarding this matter, he wrote.

The Marine allegedly hit the man in the face and bit his left hand, causing a laceration and other injuries, the police spokeswoman said. The extent of the mans injuries and recovery time remain unclear.

The Marine was reportedly fighting with another foreigner, who was not identified, when the Japanese man intervened, according to the Naha police spokesman.

The Marine declined to take a sobriety test at the scene, and the case is under investigation, the spokesman said.

Stars and Stripes is not identifying the service members because they have not been formally charged. Prosecutors, not police, decide charges under the Japanese justice system.

As of Monday afternoon, both men remained in custody at the Naha police station. Their cases were forwarded to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office, the police spokesman said.

Some Japanese government officials speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The arrests come days before the U.S. military and Okinawa police are scheduled to resume joint patrols of Gate 2 Street in Okinawa City, a popular nightlife district that borders Kadena Air Base. The patrols, aimed at improving public safety, will begin Friday, according to U.S. Forces Japan.

The patrols  the first of their kind on Okinawa since 1974, according to the prefectural police  follow public outcry over one convicted and two alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. service members last year.
Guns that Pakistani officials said were seized from captured or killed militants are displayed in Peshawar, Pakistan, in May 2024. Billions of dollars' worth of U.S. military equipment provided to Afghan forces was abandoned after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2021. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)



PESHAWAR, Pakistan  On Jan. 9, 2018, an M4A1 carbine rifle left the Colts Manufacturing plant in Connecticut, bound for Afghanistan. Last month, it was recovered in the aftermath of a deadly train hijacking by militants in Pakistan.

The banged-up rifle, bearing serial number W1004340 and stamped with the Colt logo, was among billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment provided to Afghan forces, much of which was abandoned after the withdrawal of American troops in 2021.

Many of the weapons wound up across the border in Pakistan, at arms bazaars and in the hands of insurgents, illustrating how the consequences of Americas failed war continue to reverberate years after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.

After a decade of progress against militants, Pakistan is now struggling to contain multiple insurgencies  from jihadists in the north to Baloch separatists in the southwest  fueled in part by American weapons.

U.S. assault rifles, machine guns and night-vision goggles, originally meant to help stabilize Afghanistan, are now being used by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and other groups to wreak havoc across this nuclear-armed nation, according to militants, weapons traders and government officials.

They have the latest American-made weapons, said Ahmad Hussain, 35, a Pakistani special forces constable who was critically injured in a targeted nighttime attack in northwestern Pakistan last year. They could see us, he said, but we couldnt see them.

In May, Pakistani officials gave The Washington Post access to dozens of weapons that they said were seized from captured or killed militants. After months of inquiries, the U.S. Army and the Pentagon confirmed to The Post that 63 weapons that were shown to reporters had been provided by the U.S. government to Afghan forces.

Most were M16 rifles, alongside several, more-modern M4 carbine models. Pakistani officials also displayed a handful of PVS14 night-vision devices, which are used throughout the American armed forces but could not be independently verified as former U.S. government property.

After the March 11 train attack by Baloch militants, which claimed at least 26 lives, Pakistani officials provided serial numbers for three U.S. rifles allegedly used by the attackers. At least two came from U.S. stocks and had been provided to Afghan forces, according to records obtained by The Post through the Freedom of Information Act.

The presence of US advance weapons  has been an issue of profound concern for the safety and security of Pakistan, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry wrote in a statement in late January.

President Donald Trump has threatened to permanently cut suspended aid to Afghanistan unless the Taliban returns U.S.-provided military equipment.

We left billions, tens of billions of dollars worth of equipment behind  all the top-of-the-line stuff, Trump said during his first Cabinet meeting, in February. I think we should get a lot of that equipment back.

His remarks have reignited hope in Islamabad that the United States will move more decisively to account for its missing military gear. But most believe it is already too late to stem the flow of illicit arms.

Theyre now the property of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban-led governments chief spokesman, said in response to Trump. No one can take them away from us.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, said that Pakistan risks falling back into that terrible period between 2009 and 2014, when the country was a major magnet for terrorism.

M16 rifles provided to Afghan forces. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)



A treasure trove for the Taliban

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, more than $7 billion in U.S.-provided military equipment was still in the country, a report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, estimated in 2023.

The U.S. military had an uneven record of keeping track of weapons provided to the Afghans, SIGAR concluded, which was exacerbated by its abrupt and uncoordinated withdrawal.

Under President Joe Biden, U.S. officials refused to accept responsibility. The Defense Department provided weapons and equipment after careful end-user considerations including risks of enemy capture, the Pentagon said in a September statement, and had no intention of recovering them. The materiel could have been captured by the Taliban and then utilized or transferred elsewhere, the agency acknowledged.

Once transferred to the Afghan government, they were the Afghan governments property and its responsibility, a senior defense official said in a statement to The Post. The Pentagon declined to disclose the officials name or justify why they could not provide it. The weapons seized by Pakistan comprise a minuscule portion of the total we bought for the Afghans over more than a decade, the official added.

More than a quarter-million rifles were left behind, SIGAR estimated, enough to arm the entire U.S. Marine Corps, as well as nearly 18,000 night-vision goggles, which could outfit the Armys 82nd Airborne.

Goggles worn by insurgents undercut the technological advantages of modern militaries, which use infrared lasers and strobes to coordinate attacks and keep track of friendly troops. Those devices are invisible to the naked eye but are illuminated by night vision.

Just after the Taliban takeover, the latest night-vision devices were sold at a scrap rate, said Raz Muhammad, 60, a Pakistani weapons trader. Around August 2021, the devices, which retail for about $2,000, were being sold for less than $300, he estimated.

Insurgents have paired night vision and thermal equipment with small drones to attack troops with more precision, said Zaheer Hassan, a major in the Pakistani army.

The battle has become much more dangerous, said Hassan, who was injured in an attack last year.

Verification requests from The Post revealed occasional slapdash recordkeeping in a Defense Department database that tracks small arms and light weapons. Among the recovered weapons were three M203 grenade launchers that were incorrectly listed as rifles in the database. The launchers attach to the underside of rifles, and someone may have confused the two serial numbers when documenting them, officials said.

Among the other items recovered by Pakistani authorities and shown to The Post were sets of U.S. body armor and piles of ammunition. The Pentagon left behind millions of rounds, SIGAR found, including ammunition for heavy weapons that can penetrate vehicles and bring down aircraft.

A few of the displayed weapons appeared to come from non-U.S. sources. At least one rifle reviewed by The Post was a Norinco CQ-A, a Chinese-made clone of the M4.

Soaring demand

Along Pakistans porous border with Afghanistan, illicit weapons bazaars have long done business with militants and other criminals.

One of the oldest markets is in Darra Adamkhel, a town south of Peshawar. Vendors say the market dates back to the first Anglo-Afghan war, in the mid-19th century, when this part of Pakistan was contested between Afghan forces and the British.

But the markets most dramatic days, at least in recent memory, were prompted by the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The market was flooded with American weapons, recalled Raz Muhammad.

Demand was high, said Qari Shuaib Bajauri, a senior TTP member, adding that his fighters benefited from plummeting prices and abundant supplies. He noted that the boom began even before the U.S. had fully withdrawn from Afghanistan, as a growing number of cities fell to the Afghan Taliban.

The market has maintained its signature smell of gunpowder, and shots often echo from the surrounding mountains. But its busiest days are over.

As Pakistani militants used the weapons to escalate their insurgency, security forces raided regional markets and arrested vendors. The few M4s on sale here are hidden away, and prices have skyrocketed.

But Bajauri said the TTP is still easily able to source illicit gear, giving it an edge over Pakistans military.

Recently released propaganda material shows TTP militants with U.S.-made night-vision devices, M4s with thermal optics and rifle-mounted infrared lasers.

A United Nations report last year concluded that Afghan Taliban rank and file directly supply the group with weapons and equipment. The TTP and the Afghan Taliban have denied the claims.

An unsettled border

The wave of violence along Pakistans restive northwestern border with Afghanistan has led to a severe deterioration in relations between the two countries. In late December, Pakistani airstrikes killed 46 people in eastern Afghanistan.

But Pakistan, once accused of sheltering Afghan Taliban leaders and providing U.S.-made weapons to insurgents in Indian-controlled Kashmir, has struggled to persuade Washington and other foreign players to more aggressively back its counterinsurgency efforts.

The Afghan Taliban has responded angrily to Islamabads requests to rein in the TTP, and to Trumps threats that future aid is dependent on the return of U.S.-provided military equipment.

The weapons are in the control of the security forces and well guarded in the depot, Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesman for the Taliban-run Interior Ministry, wrote on X.

Pakistani officials are pinning their hopes on the Trump administration, despite concerns that the freezing of foreign aid and the suspension of the U.S. refugee admissions program could fuel further instability in the region.

The Biden administration left the weapons there, and we believe the U.S. should do something about it - whether they buy them from the Afghan Taliban or do something else, said a Pakistani Foreign Ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly.

Hussain, the special forces constable who was injured by militants last year, blames the United States as much as the militants who shot him.

Both are responsible, he said.

Horton reported from Washington, Hussain from Islamabad and Nawaz Khan from Darra Adamkhel.
Ex-Rippling employee said he fears power and wealth of those involved in corporate espionage case

The payroll manager who was sacked from a multi-million euro company for spying in an international case of corporate espionage is getting around-the-clock security at his north Dublin home  paid for by his former employer.

Keith OBrien and his wife Tracy have also had upgraded security measures installed at their home on a housing estate in Balrothery after he was unmasked as a spy at Rippling, an international HR software firm with offices in Dublin.

It is understood that Rippling is paying for the security, which was installed after Mr OBrien confessed to corporate espionage and agreed to cooperate with future litigation, in which he is expected to be the star witness.

The case involves two global HR software firms, Rippling and its rival Deel, and has attracted international attention since details first emerged in the High Court last month.

Mr OBrien, a former global payroll compliance manager for Rippling, was caught spying by his employer. In the latest hearing last week, Mr OBriens counsel, Mathew Jolley, said that very real steps have been taken to ensure the security of both Mr OBrien and his family  and I wont go into any further detail on that, but it is real.

Mr OBrien said he told his solicitors that he feared for his safety because of the power and wealth of those involved.

Very real steps have been taken to ensure the security of Mr OBrien and his family

Rippling went to the High Court to compel Mr OBrien to surrender his phone and other evidence, but he refused to comply.

In a subsequent confession, Mr OBrien alleged he was recruited by Deels founder and CEO, French- born billionaire Alex Bouaziz, and that he was offered more than 5,000 a month for information on Rippling.

He alleged that after he was rumbled by Rippling, two senior lawyers with Deel urged him to say nothing and offered to fly him and his family to Dubai, where he could set up a consultancy and get work from Deel.

After 10 days, he decided to cooperate with Rippling, which has joined four other defendants to its legal action for damages in the High Court. These include Deel, its founder Alex Bouaziz, and two lawyers who worked for Deel.

In the latest developments in the case, the High Court was last week told that one of the lawyers, Asif Malik, a lawyer for Deel with an address at Newcastle Upon Tyne in the UK, had moved to Dubai.

Mr OBrien claimed that it was Mr Malik who instructed him to destroy his mobile phone. He later did so by smashing it with an axe and dumping it in a drain, in breach of a court order.

Mr OBrien escaped a court order, with Mr Justice Mark Sanfey noting that while his actions breached court orders, his subsequent cooperation, admission of wrongdoing, and personal distress made a punitive order unnecessary.

Marcus Dowling, counsel for Rippling, said that the company had settled its case against Mr OBrien, who faces a real possibility of being embroiled in the proceedings once the other defendants  who had not engaged in the proceedings thus far  arrive.

He said Mr OBrien has lost his job and his financial security, his privacy has been destroyed and he has featured in transatlantic media coverage and podcasts. His young family are living with the consequences of his conduct.
Aaron Sheridan, 36, of Belclare Drive, Ballymun, Dublin, was arrested following an operation by gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT).

A Dublin man charged with money laundering and a seizure of illegal tablets at his home has been sent forward for trial.

Aaron Sheridan, 36, of Belclare Drive, Ballymun, Dublin, was arrested following an operation by gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT).

They charged him with unlawfully possessing alprazolam tablets and having them for the purpose of sale or supply on February 8, 2024, at his home address.

The offences are under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Two additional charges were brought under money laundering legislation.

The first alleges that on the date of the tablet seizure, he had 1,200 in crime proceeds in his home. The second states that between 2017 and 2024, he possessed crime proceeds in a specific bank account.

He appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court  the Director of Public Prosecutions authorised trial on indictment.

Accordingly, Judge Kelly granted a return for trial order, sending Mr Sheridan forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on May 16. He has yet to enter a plea.

Legal aid was granted to include senior counsel representation due to the seriousness of the case. Judge Kelly also agreed to remove a curfew from the defendant's bail terms.

In evidence earlier, DCRT Garda Shane Cunningham said that Mr Sheridan was handed copies of the charges and "made no reply".

The quantity or value of the seizure was not stated during the hearing, but the court heard gardai had seized his phone.

He must sign on regularly at a garda station, notify of any address change, and "remain contactable at all times."

He must not apply for a replacement or alternative travel documents.
Seamus Coyle (55) was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Dung, an area of Cootehill in Co Cavan, last November 14

A Fianna Fail councillor has been banned from driving for three years after he was convicted of drink driving, with tests showing his blood/alcohol level was more than three times over the limit.

Seamus Coyle (55), a former cathaoirleach of the Ballybay-Clones municipal district in Monaghan, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Dung, an area of Cootehill in Co Cavan, last November 14.

According to the charge, the concentration of alcohol in the councillors blood was found to be 186mg per 100ml. The limit under the Road Traffic Act is 50mg per 100ml of blood.

Coyle, who says on social media that his nickname is professor, was banned from driving for three years and fined 500 at a district court hearing on Thursday in Cavan. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The drink-driving offence is not Coyles first serious road-traffic conviction.

In March 2017, he was banned from driving for four years and given 240 hours of community service after he was convicted of driving without any insurance.

A charge of driving without a licence on the same date was taken into consideration by the judge.

The community service sentence was in lieu of a four-month prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to the charges of driving without insurance or a licence.

The Northern Standard reported that no mention of Coyles status as an elected official was made in the court hearing in 2017.

He listed his profession as both a county councillor and a farmer in his most recent annual declaration of interests.

Fianna Fail was unaware that the councillor was facing a drink-driving charge last week until the party was contacted by the Sunday Independent.

It is understood it will now seek to discuss the offence with the councillor.

The party declined to comment on Coyles conviction or to say whether the offence would affect his position in the party.

Coyle stood unsuccessfully for Fianna Fail in the 2020 Seanad elections. In his most recent Facebook post, he said he was continually highlighting the atrocious poor conditions of many roads across the Ballybay-Clones Electoral Area at County Council and Municipal District Meetings.

He has made a number of posts on Facebook calling for improvement works on roads in Monaghan to help improve safety standards in the county.

He has regularly posted pictures of himself standing in areas where improvement works are required.

Coyle is the former cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, which covers Ulster and Connacht counties.

He has also been vice-chairman of Latton ORahilly GAA club and is the clubs county board delegate.

When contacted, Coyle said he had been advised by his legal team that the matter is sub judice and so he could not comment.

The councillor declined to clarify how the matter was still before the courts when sentence had been handed down. Thats my advice, he said.
Det Garda Niamh O'Malley said that the Garda investigation commenced out of Ennis Garda Station last July and is investigating 92 separate alleged offences

A 28-year old Limerick man along with two of his associates are suspected to be involved in burglaries and stealing high value vehicles across the Midwest with a combined estimated monetary value in excess of 1m, a court has heard.

At a special sitting of Ennis District Court, Det Garda Niamh O'Malley said that the Garda investigation commenced out of Ennis Garda Station last July and is investigating 92 separate alleged offences.

Det Garda O'Malley said that monetary value of vehicles, stolen property and damage to property connected to the 92 alleged offences to be well in excess of 1m.

Det OMalley said that the 92 separate alleged offences include 31 commercial burglaries, 24 residential burglaries and 27 unauthorised taking of vehicles between January 2024 and March 2025.

Det OMalley said that it will be alleged that the high value vehicles were stolen to buy for another criminal network for financial gain.

Det OMalley said that the burglaries were highly organised where commercial businesses, shops, pubs were targeted for cigarettes, high end electronics and high value pharmacy goods.

Det OMalley said that in relation to some of the unauthorised taking of vehicles, there are videos of the alleged crimes occurring at the time that they are occurring.

Det O'Malley made her comments during a contested bail application for one of the three, Owen Casey (28) of Salvia Court, Keyes Park, Southill, Limerick who is accused of 63 offences.

Det O'Malley did not put a monetary value on the offences that Mr Casey is charged with.

Det O'Malley said that Mr Casey - formerly of Castletroy, Limerick - could be facing further more serious charges as part of a Garda file prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

At the special late night sitting of Ennis District Court on Sunday night, Judge Alec Gabbett refused bail to Mr Casey after Garda objections to bail.

Det O'Malley said that Mr Casey is accused of carrying out 27 burglaries across Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Galway.

Det OMalley said that eight burglaries involving a stolen Octavia Skodia were allegedly carried out on one day on February 2nd 2024.

One of the burglaries Mr Casey is accused of carrying out is at the Shannon GAA club, Wolfe Tones of All-Ireland senior hurling winning manager, Brian Lohan on July 9th 2024.

Det Garda OMalley said that Mr Casey faces 22 charges handling stolen property and nine criminal damage charges of property and vehicles in Clare-Tipperary and Limerick divisions

Det OMalley said that Gardai have accumulated a vast amount of mobile phone, CCTV, DNA evidence as part of their investigation.

She said that Mr Casey is charged with the four unauthorised taking of vehicles that includes two BMW X5, one Audi A6 and one Porsche Cayenne.

Det OMalley said that Gardai have been actively seeking Mr Casey since January and he was aware of that and when Gardai called to an address in Limerick county on April 9th last, Mr Casey fled the scene.

Det O'Malley said that Garda Air Support Unit from Dublin had to be called in to assist and Mr Casey was arrested in a nearby field.

Det O'Malley said that one co-accused is already before the courts on similar charges while a third man remains at large.

Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to solicitor, Tara Godfrey to represent the accused after she said that Mr Casey is not working and is not on social welfare though had been on social welfare.

Mr Caseys mother, sister and long term partner were in court for the 75 minute hearing.

Judge Gabbett remanded Mr Casey in custody to appear at Ennis District Court on Wednesday via video link from Limerck prison.
John McEvoy (37) appeared at a sitting of Athlone District Court charged with assault causing harm to his alleged victim

John McEvoy indicated through his solicitor of his intention to fight both charges which he stands accused of.

John McEvoy was charged with assault causing harm and trespass following an alleged incident at a housing estate in Moate, Co Westmeath over two and a half years ago.

A man in his 30s has appeared in court accused of entering the home of another man and brutally attacking him as he was watched television while his two children were asleep in their midlands home.

John McEvoy (37) of Kilnabin, Tullamore, Offaly, appeared at a sitting of Athlone District Court charged with assault causing harm to his alleged victim at 7 Cluain Duilleog, Moate, Westmeath on July 23, 2022.

McEvoy was also charged with trespassing on the curtilage of the mans home during the early hours of the same morning.

John McEvoy was charged with assault causing harm and trespass following an alleged incident at a housing estate in Moate, Co Westmeath over two and a half years ago.

The court was told by Sgt Orla Keenan of how the States case largely hinged on a statement made by the alleged injured party that claimed he had been assaulted by McEvoy who was associated with the mans neighbour.

Sgt Keenan said despite both families, who lived a matter of doors away from one another, having previously been on good terms, those relations appeared to have soured leading up to the alleged incident.

During a jurisdiction hearing to determine whether the case could remain in the District Court or be sent forward to the Circuit Court which has wider sentencing powers, Judge Bernadette Owens was told how the alleged victim was at home minding his children while his wife was working a night shift.

It was alleged that at around 1am as his children were asleep that the man spotted a van pull into the small housing estate before parking in front of his neighbours property.

Sgt Keenan said it will be the States case the man noticed a male unknown to him exit the van along with a number of others before the group entered the home of his neighbour.

Around five minutes later, the court heard it was alleged the man saw his neighbour in the company of the accused sitting on the front wall while appearing loud and intoxicated.

Sgt Keenan said it will be alleged the man went to his front door and shouted at his neighbour to keep quiet before closing the door and returning to his sitting room to watch television.

It was at that juncture, the court heard, that McEvoy allegedly entered the home of the man who had left his front door unlocked and assaulted him.

Judge Owens was told the State will state how the man received three blows to the left hand side of his head by his assailant who, by this stage, was standing over him having allegedly grabbed him by the throat.

John McEvoy indicated through his solicitor of his intention to fight both charges which he stands accused of.

In a desperate bid to free himself as he struggled for breath, Sgt Keenan said the man managed to free himself before running out onto the street outside his home.

Having heard the States evidence, Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction as McEvoys defence solicitor Mark Cooney requested an adjournment to consider all relevant State evidence in connection to the case.

As part of that application, Mr Cooney also referenced the relative vintage of the charges which date back more than two-and-a-half-years ago.

He also indicated his client would, in due course, be contesting the charges made against him.

When asked by Judge Owens if McEvoy wished to seek an immediate date for hearing, Mr Cooney requested for the case to be deferred for mention purposes only.

McEvoy was subsequently remanded on bail to a sitting of Athlone District Court on June 4.
A prosecuting lawyer told Coleraine Magistrates Court that a triage and examination of the defendants mobile phone had identified more than 200,000 images which need to be processed.

Officers investigating a married man accused of sexual communication and grooming a child, after he was allegedly snared by a paedophile hunter group, will trawl through thousands of images to establish if any are indecent, a court heard today.

During an update in the case against Thinira Liyanage, a prosecuting lawyer told Coleraine Magistrates Court that a triage and examination of the defendants mobile phone had identified more than 200,000 images which need to be processed.

Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey emphasised that I suspect the majority of the images may relate to the 36-year-olds work as a computer programmer, adding that Liyanage is anxious to enter a plea and dispose of the matter.

District Judge Peter King said findings of the PSNI cyber crime unit is a significant change to the outlook of the case.

This is a significant case that would attract a trial on indictment as things stand, said the judge, adding that it was likely, given the amount of files to be categorised, that they will have to be dip tested by investigating detectives.

Sri Lankan national Liyanage, from Fortwell Court in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, is charged with meeting a child following sexual grooming; sexual communication with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification; and causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity.

The charges are alleged to have been committed between December 14, 2024, and January 19 this year.

During a contested application for bail when Liyanage was first charged, a detective told the court that the PSNI had received a report from an online group, called Justice Reborn, who said that they are with the defendant at Coleraine train station.

They further reported that they had been communicating with the defendant using a decoy and that the defendant had engaged in sexual communication with the decoy and this person was posing as a 14-year-old female child, added the officer.

Members of Justice Reborn also told police how Liyanage had apparently travelled all the way from his home in Letterkenny with the intention of meeting this child.

During follow-up searches of the defendants car, which was parked nearby, officers retrieved a bunch of flowers and a necklace in a jewellery box.

The group handed police information and documentation and screen shots [of messages] between the defendant and the decoy, said the detective.

They added that, according to the group and the messages, the decoy repeatedly states that she is 14, that she is in school and that her mummy treats her like a baby.

Despite this, the defendant repeatedly asked her to take pictures of herself, including topless photos, as well as making references to kissing, touching, and her previous relationship experience, the court heard in January.

Arrested and interviewed, Liyanage told officers he was on multiple dating apps, that he is looking for a long-term relationship, but that he suspected that it was a fake profile as he has experience of fakes.

He claimed he had asked the decoy for a phone call because he suspected it was a fake profile: He wanted to hear her voice and that was also why he asked her if she was having her periods, to try to verify her account.

The court heard how Liyanage maintained there was no sexual intent on his part. When asked why he would arrange to meet the girl if he believed the profile was fake, he further claimed that if it were to turn out that she was an adult, they might have had a relationship.

That desire for a long-term relationship was despite the fact that Liyanage is married and has a wife and child in Sri Lanka.

In court today, Mr Harvey said he hoped the indication of the defendant accepting the case against him might assist the prosecution in expediting matters.

Judge King said that given the significant change, he was content to adjourn the case for a month. He then remanded Liyanage back into custody to appear again on May 12.
CRIME WORLD | Episode 963: Murder and redemption - the tale of notorious killer Robert Roo Redmond and his family

Notorious hitman Robert 'Roo' Redmond is serving life in prison but now his sister Rachel is behind bars too for her role in a gangland murder plot.

Robert 'Roo' Redmond

Nicola Tallant Mon 14 Apr 2025 at 18:02






Nurse sent chilling message to Operation Transformation star Doctor Eddie Murphy

Paul Mangan handed in the chilling letter to Dr Murphys place of work

THIS is the nurse who told Operation Transformation psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy I will destroy you after he falsely accused the TV personality of having an affair with his wife.

We confronted 59-year-old Paul Mangan about his outrageous threats on Wednesday  a week after a judge jailed him for four months over a threatening letter which he delivered to Dr Murphys practice in Portarlington, Co. Laois.

But Mangan  who has since been released pending an appeal date  refused to answer our questions and instead slammed the door in our reporters face.

In a statement, Dr Murphy described as utterly terrifying the effect Mangans threats had on him on his family.

My family and I have been the victims of a deeply distressing written communication of harassment, intimidation and threats by an individual completely unknown to us, who was found guilty in court, he said.

Doctor Eddie (second from right) with host Kathryn Thomas and the rest of the Operation Transformation team

He came to my workplace, issued threats to my safety and reputation, and sent threatening messages. In one chilling line, he warned he was utterly ruthless, with a capacity for vengeance that will leave you appalled.

We waived our right to an in-camera process to make it public so no one else has to go through this nightmare

This happened just weeks after the death of my mother, and during a time when my wife  medically retired with cancer was already vulnerable.

His actions caused serious emotional, psychological and financial harm to our family.

We had to take extensive safety measures. I was living in fear  terrified.

We installed home security. I required counselling for stress and anxiety. I was out of work. It deeply disrupted our family life.

We never met this person. We had no prior interaction. Yet he made a deliberate decision to target us, invade our privacy, and instil fear and terror.

Appearing before Portlaoise District Court last week, Mangan, of Newbridge, Co. Kildare, pleaded guilty to sending a threatening or grossly offensive letter with intent to cause harm at Portarlington Enterprise Centre, Canal Road, Portarlington on October 31, 2023.

Dr Eddie Murphy had never met Mangan

Garda Rebecca Cleary told the court a typed letter was dropped in to Murphys place of work and that the accused was identified as the person who had delivered it.

The officer read a statement where the man admitted delivering the letter.

He said he didnt see Dr Murphy or make any attempt to see him. The gist of it was, stay out of my familys affairs, he told gardai.

There was no physical threat nor would I dream of it, the man had told gardai.

Sgt JJ Kirby said Dr Murphy had initially believed it was a Mass card, as his mother had died a week earlier.

The letter contained an allegation that he was having an affair with the accuseds wife.

Sgt Kirby said Dr Murphy was in court with his wife and had prepared a detailed victim impact statement.

Dr Murphy took to the stand and read the victim impact statement, which was prepared on his behalf and on that of his wife.

He said the letter was a violation of his home and work life and had caused psychological damage and stress. He said the man, who was unknown to him, had warned of vengeance and was saying I will destroy you. I will confront you at your office.

Dr Murphy said neither he nor his wife had ever met the man before and the letter wasnt a misunderstanding but had been intentional.

He described the letter as explicit, calculated and terrifying and said the author was utterly ruthless.

Paul Mangan slammed the door on our reported when he called

He said I would be hearing from him up close and personal, Dr Murphy stated.

The TV psychologist said his wife, who had been diagnosed with cancer, was forced to endure extreme stress as a result of the incident.

He said he had developed anxiety, hyper vigilance and suffered from low mood in the wake of the incident.

I felt no longer safe in public, he said.

Dr Murphy said the letter could have easily been posted on an online forum and the man threatened to contact his superiors.

He told the court that he had installed security cameras, alarms and security lighting and turned his home into a fortress following the incident.

He had a month off work as a result of the letter. He said his public profile was put under threat and the incident impacted on his work and his wife.

Christmas 23, 24 was overshadowed by this event, said Dr Murphy. We just want this person out of our life and a sense of safety, he said.

Judge Andrew Cody noted the man was a complete stranger and neither Dr Murphy nor his wife had met him before.

Defence solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was co-operative with gardai and was a staff nurse in the mental health services who worked in St Patricks Hospital in Dublin.

Paul Mangan handed in the chilling letter to Dr Murphys place of work

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client, who is originally from Mayo, had been married for 20 years and was recently separated. She said he graduated as a nurse at the age of 24 and worked in St Patricks Hospital.

He has had 38 years of an unblemished career in mental health work, she said.

The accused never intended to harm Mr Murphy, she said.

We absolutely accept that Mr Murphy, his wife and his children are the victims in this, said Ms Fitzpatrick.

She said her client had brought a letter of apology and 3,000 to court.

Judge Cody said to describe the letter as grossly offensive would be an understatement. It is as bad as you can get in terms of name-calling and the allegations, he said.

He said the letter was sent with the intention of causing harm.

The fact that this would be sent by a mental health professional is equally shocking, he said.

Judge Cody said he was restricted by law to impose a six-month sentence and he allowed credit of two months for the plea of guilty.

In his statement, Dr Murphy said: I want to sincerely thank An Garda Siochana, the DPP, the Judge, and the court for their professionalism and support.
Cartel money counter was arrested close to apartment used by the gang to plot murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan

A businessman jailed for laundering 291,000 in drug money was arrested during a raid on a Kinahan cartel count centre just a short distance from another apartment where gang members plotted the murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan.

Stephen Connolly (40) from Clondalkin, Dublin, was jailed for four years last week after he pleaded guilty to possessing 291,790, while knowing it was the proceeds of crime, at an apartment in Sandyford on May 4, 2017.

Connollys sentencing hearing heard gardai found the money rolled and placed in separate bags during a planned search.

The defendants fingerprints were found on the cash.

The cartel cash seized during the Garda raid

The court heard the money had come from drugs and that the defendants role was to store and count the cash.

His brother, Mark Connolly, also with an address in Clondalkin, was previously jailed for two-and-a-half years for his part in the crime.

During the same raid, gardai discovered a ledger detailing payments being made to and from the Kinahan Cartel.

At the time, then Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan described the raid and seizure of the ledger as a significant breakthrough which would help dismantle the Kinahan crime gang.

The former commissioner said: I think its really good evidence of the ongoing work to target organised crime. Two people arrested, a very significant seizure of cash, indeed, significant documentation that will make big inroads into dismantling the Kinahan crime gang.

At the time of his arrest, Connolly was unknown to gardai.

The court heard this week his role was purely to count and store the cash and that he was not at the directing end of the operation.

Daniel Kinahan

Connolly is currently director of four separate businesses in Dublin. These include a legal services company and a facilities management company.

He was also appointed as secretary of Scribbles Childcare Academy Limited when it set up in Walkinstown in July of last year.

This was four months before he entered a plea to the money-laundering charge.

An order disqualifying him from acting as a company director was issued by the Company Registration Office in November due to his conviction.

At last weeks sitting, Dominic McGinn SC, defending, submitted that his client was a family man who had mental health issues and was on a number of medications.

Stephen Connolly

Counsel noted that, as is often an unintended consequence of criminal activity, his clients imprisonment would cause stress and strain on the innocent members of his family.

He handed in what he said was a heartfelt apology from his client.

He explained that the offence had been carried out eight years ago and, since then, the defendant had continued to provide for his family and employed a number of staff members in his businesses.

Those jobs may be now be in jeopardy as a result of him going into custody, he said.

Id ask the court to recognise that he cant be defined by what happened in May 2017, said the barrister, describing him as a good man outside of this.

Declan Brady is serving nine years

Judge Martin Nolan said Connolly must have been trusted to hold and count the cash, describing his involvement as a significant role.

I note hes a bright, competent man with two businesses on the go, employing people, and has family responsibilities, he said.

He imposed a four-year sentence.

The Kinahan cartel is known by gardai to have had use of a number of apartments in the Beacon Quarter South complex in Sandyford.

One was used to co-ordinate the murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan.

Mr Kirwan was an innocent man who was shot dead after he was pictured attending the funeral of a Hutch family member, despite having no connection to either side in the notorious gangland feud.

Noel Duck Egg Kirwan was killed after attending the funeral of a Hutch family member

Mr Kirwan (62) was shot six times as he sat in his car on December 22, 2016, at St Ronans Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

Cartel criminals plotted his murder for more than two months.

An apartment in the complex was used by the Kinahan gang to monitor a laptop, which in turn was monitoring a tracking device which was placed on Kirwans car.

Declan Brady was linked to the apartment when a toothbrush with his DNA was seized there during a Garda raid in January 2017  four months before the count centre raid.

This later helped prove his association to the premises, and CCTV footage showed his movements.

Brady is serving nine years for his role in the murder.
Neighbours home goes up in flames after attackers set fire to Robert Millikens house in middle of night

A convicted sex beast and hatchet thug who left a teenager brain-damaged was the target of an arson attack that destroyed the home of an innocent couple.

Robert Milliken lived in the house next door to Gary and Marie Dickson in the Rathkyle area of Antrim.

During the early hours of last Sunday morning Millikens house was the target of an arson attack but the fire spread to the adjoining end terrace property where the Dicksons lived.

The Dicksons told the BBC earlier this week they were lucky to be alive and had been saved because Marie was awake at the time of the fire which was started at around 5.30am.

Marie had been attending to her young grandson when she smelt smoke and alerted Gary.

She said she initially thought the smell of smoke was a candle burning, but realised it was the roof of her home and thankfully she was sable to raise the alarm.

But we can reveal notorious criminal Robert Milliken was the target of the shocking arson attack.

Robert Milliken

The 39-year-old has a raft of serious criminal convictions against his name including sex assault, cruelty to dogs and being part of a sectarian gang that attacked a young Catholic teenager with a hatchet.

Indeed Milliken is on the sex offenders register for life after he was jailed for six years for sex offences.

Robert Milliken was living in the house next to the Dicksons  they lived at the end terrace and their house got the worst of it, said a source.

He has been living in it when hes not at his girlfriends house.

Sources in the town believe there could be a number of motives for attacking Milliken.

Milliken is a druggie and has become a bit of a desperate case around the town but he may well be being targeted because of his previous as a sex offender or because he owed someone money for drugs, said the source.

Basically nobody wants him in the area and I dont imagine anyone would be too happy to see him arrive in their neighbourhood.

Milliken was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in a young offenders centre plus a further 18 months on probation for the attack in 2002.

He was part of a notorious loyalist gang of teenagers which called itself the Lower Stiles Hatchet Team.

Firefighters tackle the blaze in the early hours of the morning

Milliken and a gang of others chased a group of mainly Catholic schoolkids in what a judge described at Belfast Crown Court described as a sort of war party who carried out a deliberate premeditated attack with a sectarian motive.

They were out to injure or maim any person belonging to the Catholic group, he said.

Rodney Crawford (17) and his 16-year-old brother William, of Rathglynn, Antrim, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and to causing an affray.

Miliken, who was only 15 when the attack took place, admitted causing an affray.

The gang carried weapons, including a hatchet, although they knew the others were unarmed, the judge added. The Catholic group ran off, but one schoolboy stopped and was hit on the head with an axe.

The court heard that he was paralysed in one hand, has had to relearn how to speak and has permanent brain damage.

Lord Justice McCollum said that in cases of gratuitous violence on innocent victims... the court must register its abhorrence.

The in 2019 Milliken was handed a four-month suspended prison sentence after a judge blasted the suffering endured by dogs under his care.

He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to four dogs  two hounds and two Patterdale terriers  on April 10, 2017.

He was further charged with failing to comply with an improvement notice on the same date and was ordered to pay costs of 349 and was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

Last Sunday shortly before 5.30am, emergency services were alerted to a fire at a property in the Rathkyle area of Antrim town. Crews in breathing apparatus battled the fire with two hose reels and assistance from an aerial platform.

A total of five appliances were tasked to the incident, including two from Ballymena Fire Station, one each from Antrim and Ballyclare, as well as an aerial appliance from Springfield.

A spokesperson from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said that the fire was brought under control just before 7.20am, with the source of the blaze believed to be a deliberate ignition.

A PSNI spokesperson said extensive damage was caused to the house, which spread to the house next door.

We are treating this report as deliberate ignition and inquiries are ongoing. The house was vacant at the time and thankfully no injuries were reported.

And obviously thats their home and memories and everything destroyed now. So its absolutely horrendous and theres just no place in society for it.

Mrs Dickson told the BBC afterwards: Im devastated. I have memories of my son who died seven years ago, all in that house, she said.

I had my mummys photos, my sons photos  everything in that house. It might not mean much to other people, but it was my life.

I have lost everything. Im sitting here in a pair of pyjamas and a house coat belonging to my neighbour.
Locked up in a high security prison from where he is appealing his convictions for murder, Taghi believes the lawyers arrest was timed to disrupt his defence team

Infamous Mocro mafia boss and Kinahan Cartel associate Ridouan Taghi has denied using a lawyer to send messages to his gangland network from prison.

Locked up in a high security prison from where he is appealing his convictions for murder, Taghi believes the lawyers arrest was timed to disrupt his defence team.

Vito Shukrula has since resigned as Taghis lawyer after his arrest, according to a report in De Telegraaf.

Another lawyer who is representing Taghi in cases at the European Court of Human Rights said Skulrula was arrested at the high security prison in Vught after meeting his client.

It is the second time a lawyer connected with Taghis case has been arrested and investigated by the Dutch authorities.

His former former lawyer, Inez Weski, is currently facing charges for similar accusations of passing messages between Taghi and his criminal network.

Taghi was sentenced to life in February 2024 after the Marengo trial in which he was accused of leading a murderous criminal gang.

Taghi and accomplices had been charged over six assassinations, four attempted killings, and plans to murder several others and was described as the undisputed leader" of a murder organisation.

He is regarded as the head of a Dutch-Moroccan drug gang, known as the Mocro mafia, who controlled a large section of Europes cocaine trade.

He is appealing the conviction and has argued to have the judge of the appeal court changed claiming theyre not independent.

A close associate of Daniel Kinahan, they are believed to have worked together to source cocaine shipments from South America and was successfully extradited from Dubai.

High ranking Kinahan lieutenant Sean McGovern was arrested in Dubai last October at the request of the Irish authorities.

He is wanted in Ireland in relation to the murder of innocent man Noel Duck Egg Kirwan in 2016.

Despite his arrest nothing has yet emerged if McGovern has appeared in court or when his extradition to Ireland might happen.

His boss, Daniel Kinahan, along with Christy Kinahan sr and junior are also still believed to be living in Dubai despite being sanctioned by the US in 2022.

McGoverns extradition is being seen as a test case ahead of an expected attempt in the near future to have Daniel Kinahan extradited home from Dubai.

Other members of the super cartel such as Taghi and Italian mob boss Rafaelle Imperiale have been extradited from the United Arab Emirates.
Michael Ferris, now aged 70, from Rattoo, Ballyduff, Co Kerry, had about 600,000 in shares waiting for him

Farmer Michael Ferris speaks with reporter Wayne OConnor on his farm in Rattoo, Co Kerry. Photo: Mark Condren

A farmer who was convicted of manslaughter after driving a teleporter with pronged forks into a neighbours car and killing him has been released from prison after seven years in custody.

Company filings show Michael Ferris, now aged 70, from Rattoo, Ballyduff, Co Kerry, had about 600,000 in shares waiting for him.

Ferris is among nearly 12,000 Kerry Co-op shareholders who received shares in the PLC as part of the sell-off.

He was convicted in 2018 of the manslaughter of farmer Anthony OMahony (73) on a rural lane outside Ferriss home on April 4, 2017.

He was initially sentenced to six years in prison, with one year suspended, after he drove the pronged forks of a teleporter into Mr OMahonys car in a row over a crow banger  used to scare away birds from crops  that was going off every four-and-a-half minutes near Ferriss land.

The court heard the forks caused catastrophic injuries to Mr OMahony. The Peugeot car was lifted clear off the ground and the roof peeled open like youd open a can of beans, the court was told.

A jury acquitted Ferris of murder, but found him guilty of manslaughter.

Victim Anthony OMahony

In 2019, the Court of Appeal quashed the net five-year sentence and replaced it with a nine-year term. Ferris had been in custody since April 2017.

A source told the Sunday World Ferris was released just after last Christmas, as he had received 25pc remission from his sentence, which is afforded to most prisoners.

Those serving life sentences are not entitled to remission, nor are those who breach prison discipline. The Irish Prison Service said it did not comment on individual cases.

Ferris was back last week on his dairy farm and when approached said he has no plans to sell his shares.

He is among thousands of shareholders to benefit from the PLC selling its dairy processing division to the Co-op.

When asked if he was happy to be home, he said: I am. Im glad.

He indicated he was reluctant to talk any further or about any plans for his future, but did say he intends to retain his Kerry Group shares.

Kerry Co-op, which is owned by farmer members, bought Kerry Group PLCs consumer foods and dairy business in a 500m deal announced last November.

The records show Ferris received 6,666 shares. With shares in the company trading at about 90.50 on Friday, his shareholding is worth about 603,000.

I plan to hold on to them. Ill keep them anyway, Ferris said.

Land Registry documents show he owns two plots of land in the Clanmaurice area of Kerry.

A six-hectare plot has been in his name since 1984, while a 0.35 hectare property is also in his name. The smaller property had a mortgage charge from Start Mortgages registered in 2006, but this was transferred to Mars Capital Finance last September.

Ferris, a bachelor, and Mr OMahony, also a bachelor, farmed separate parcels of land accessed via a lane leading to the historical Rattoo Round Tower.

The teleporter that was referred to in the trial of Michael Ferris. Photo: RTE

While Mr OMahony lived elsewhere in Ballyduff, Ferris lived on the lane and was within earshot of the crow banger.

The trial heard it was a source of great distress to Ferris, who said it would wake the dead.

He complained that the crow banger would sound from dawn to dusk, and its use had become more frequent over the previous 30 years.

The trial also heard how Mr OMahonys car was dragged a considerable distance up the lane before the attack stopped.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said Mr OMahony died from multiple traumatic injuries. A source close to the OMahony family said they had regularly encountered Ferris working in and around his farmland in Ballyduff since his release from prison.

Mr OMahonys brother, Anthony, who lives in Ballyduff, declined to comment when contacted this week.

Mr Justice George Bermingham, at the Court of Appeal, said of the original sentence: Here there was an intention to kill. A sentence of six years with one suspended simply failed to reflect the enormity of what occurred  the taking of a human life.
Catherine Rose Hurley, died at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin on October 17, 2020  three days after her birth at UHG

An inquest heard there was a litany of failings in attempts to resuscitate a baby girl in the crucial first 15 minutes of her life following her birth at University Hospital Galway (UHG). A verdict of medical misadventure has been recorded.

Lawyers for the babys family also claimed there was a failure to identify and escalate issues during her mothers induction and labour which had tragically resulted in an entirely preventable death.

The baby girl, Catherine Rose Hurley, died at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin on October 17, 2020  three days after her birth at UHG.

Counsel for UHG, Luan O Braonain SC, read out an apology on behalf of the hospitals general manager, Chris Kane, to the babys parents Marie Donnellan and William Hurley at the conclusion of a two-day inquest at Dublin District Coroners Court last week.

We fully appreciate that no words can lessen your suffering at the subsequent loss of Catherine, but wish to offer you and her extended family our deepest sympathies, Mr O Braonain said.

The same apology had been issued in January 2024 to the couple following related civil proceedings taken against the HSE in the High Court.

The inquest heard that the baby, who was normally formed and had no genetic defects or infections, died as a result of severe brain damage due to a lack of oxygen.

Pathologist Emma Doyle said it was impossible to state with any certainty when the injury occurred, but it was likely to have been around 72 hours before the baby died.

Dr Doyle said a hypercoiled umbilical cord and abnormality with the blood flow from the placenta were contributory factors but were unlikely to have directly caused the babys death.

UHG did not oppose a submission by counsel for the family, Alannah McGurk BL, that the appropriate verdict was one of medical misadventure.

Mr O Braonain also stated that he would not cross-examine the evidence of the babys parents, although he pointed out it was clear that there were differences of perspective and recollection.

Ms Donnellan, a Galway businesswoman who was on her first pregnancy, told the inquest that it was planned that she would be induced at UHG on October 13, 2020.

She recalled being assured by hospital staff that CTG readings to monitor the foetal heartbeat were fine after she had informed them that she could not feel her baby moving.

The inquest heard she suffered severe pain, cramps and bleeding during the day.

Ms Donnellan said a consultant gynaecologist, Una Conway, dismissively agreed to give her an epidural after she had begged for one at 7.30pm.

She complained that the consultant did not carry out any physical examination of her at the time.

Shortly before midnight, Ms Donnellan said a doctor informed her that her baby would need to be delivered quickly and she recalled hospital staff were gathered around in a panic.

She said her baby was limp and covered in blood after she was delivered at 12.16am on October 14, 2020, while she was incorrectly informed that she had given birth to a boy.

Ms Donnellan said she continuously asked if her daughter was OK but got no answers.

She told the coroner, Aisling Gannon, that she and her husband were left waiting for lengthy periods alone before they were told at 1.45am that their daughter was very sick and being transferred to the Rotunda.

Ms Donnellan said that Dr Conway was very defensive when she subsequently met them and stated she did not know what could have been done differently.

She fought back tears as she recounted how she was allowed to hold Catherine for the first time shortly before her daughter died in her arms at 9.03pm on October 17, 2020.

Her husband outlined how she was screaming and terrified at the delivery during which she lost up to one litre of blood.

Mr Hurley became briefly emotional as he stressed that the panic that was in that room does not come through in our statements.

All was relaxed until everything went terribly wrong and nobody was ready, he said.

The inquest heard how he had to choose between staying with his wife or going with their daughter to the Rotunda and how he had cried the whole journey from Galway to Dublin.

In reply to Mr O Braonains remark that there were differences between the recollections of the couple and hospital staff, Mr Hurley stated he had a vivid memory and was 100pc certain of my statement.

Evidence showed such differences included details about the examination of Ms Donnellan by Dr Conway as well as the timing when midwives were aware of pain and bleeding being experienced by the patient.

Mr Hurley said he and his wife only wanted that nobody else would have to experience what they went through, which he described as absolutely horrific.

He said they had not realised until their other daughter was born over a year later what they had lost with Catherines death.

Evidence was heard from a large number of hospital staff who outlined how Ms Donnellans labour had progressed quickly and unexpectedly just before midnight.

The coroner was told there was an urgent, acute event after a sudden drop in the foetal heartbeat at 11.45pm.

In evidence, Dr Conway said she increased the frequency of ante-natal visits to clinics by Ms Donnellan because her baby was smaller than normal.

The consultant, who was treating Ms Donnellan as a private patient, said she had no concern about her vomiting after being induced as everything else was normal.

In reply to questions from the coroner, Dr Conway said she felt the mother and her baby were safe despite being informed that Ms Donnellan had been extremely distressed during the early stages of labour.

She recalled being updated about the patients condition at 9.45pm and advising that Ms Donnellan should be assessed over the following two hours.

Dr Conway said she returned to the hospital for an immediate delivery after being alerted shortly after midnight about an un-reassuring reading on the foetal heartbeat.

Several hospital witnesses also became tearful during their evidence with some making a reference to the profound effect of the babys death.

Ms McGurk said the babys parents had sought systematic changes to policies and procedures at UHG to prevent any more avoidable deaths.

The familys barrister said the couple had welcomed the hospitals engagement in the process and they acknowledged that various recommendations had been adopted and implemented by April 2024.

Recording a verdict of medical misadventure, Ms Gannon said the inquest had been a harrowing experience for the deceaseds family and she also commended them for the extraordinarily impressive dignity and integrity they had shown.
James Gribben, from Co Armagh, died as a result of a swimming accident on March 23 while on the island

A man from Northern Ireland who passed away while on holiday in the Dominican Republic has been remembered as a very special young man whose legacy will live on in the hearts of all those whom he has touched over the years.

James Gribben, from Co Armagh, died as a result of a swimming accident on March 23 while on the island.

The 29-year-old was the loving son of John and Aideen and dearest brother of Tomas, Brendan and Henry.

Father Barry Matthews said Requiem Mass at St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh today.

A photo of James and an Armagh GAA jersey were displayed at the altar to recognise his passion for sport.

Mr Gribbens family were assisted in bringing his body home by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

Fr Matthews, during todays service, said: We dont expect to lose anyone, we dont expect to lose a child, [at 29 years of age].

We fight the good fight and we keep the faith. Indeed, dear friends, today we thank God for the gift of faith, which has brought so much comfort over these days since March 23.

During the homily, Fr Matthews said he has learned from James family and friends about the love that he has shared with so many people and the hearts and lives that he has touched, most especially his own family.

James was blessed with so many good and loyal friends, the priest continued. Ive learned how James was a true communicator. He had a warm personality and he touched the hearts of so many.

Maybe it was with a story or a yarn. His great sense of humour. Or his great recall of events and times.

He added: During his schooling he made many loyal and good friends, so many of whom are here today. James had many interests. He had a great interest in people. He would go out of his way for anyone that needed help.

He would begin a conversation with anyone  stranger or friend. He was a great talker. He was a kind and generous fella.

And, indeed, over these last weeks, weve seen so many tributes paid to James online and in person. And all have said the same: what a gentleman he was; what a very respectful and lovely young fella he was growing up.

Fr Matthews spoke of Jamess interest in sport, including a love for Arsenal FC and Armagh GAA, and how he had been delighted to be at the All-Ireland Final last year.

But of course Jamess family was most important to him. The family are so very close, he continued.

And he loved the times of the year where the family would all come together and would share special moments, when the family would have had their family outing to Donegal, or at Christmas time when Thomas would have come home with Sarah from England. And he enjoyed that so much. He found home to be a place of warmth and love and care.

James was a very special young man and his memory will live on in the hearts of all those whom he has touched over the years.

Yesterday we were speaking of Jamess legacy and how you as a family will miss his presence; that Jamess life and his death has had an impact on so many people.

I have no doubt that James will live on in his family, especially his three brothers, [and that he] will live on in his friends, as we all try to live better lives in honour of James.

And you were just telling me yesterday how already there have been charity events organised in Jamess memory and Jamess honour. This is wonderful because James really had a heart for other people.

He looked outside of himself and cared for those around him. So we continue that legacy. And we also remember, going forward, how precious and fragile life is.

And we thank God for the gift of life  and especially today we thank God for the gift of Jamess life.
The TV chat-show host is one of 177 third parties to lodge submissions with An Bord Pleanala on the plan to construct the 450 MW wind-farm

One of the countrys best known entertainers, Tommy Tiernan is objecting to new plans for a 1.4bn wind farm comprising 30 Eiffel Tower sized turbines off the coast of Co Galway and Co Clare.

The TV chat-show host is one of 177 third parties to lodge submissions with An Bord Pleanala on the plan to construct the 450 MW wind-farm with 30 turbines over 1,000 ft high in the Atlantic Ocean.

Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta is planning to construct its Sceirde Rocks wind-farm on waters located 5km to 11.5m km off the west coast with Carna in Galway the nearest settlement.

The planned first off-shore wind-farm is to power 350,000 Irish homes, save an estimated 550,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, and invest up to 70m in local community initiatives.

The wind-turbines are to reach a tip height of 325 metres which is just short of the 330 metre tall Eiffel Tower in Paris.

In his objection, Tommy Tiernan writes: Im objecting to the proposed off-shore wind farm near Carna, Connemara, County Galway on the grounds of desecration of that area of natural beauty.

The actor, comedian and podcaster said: Culture is judged on how it protects areas and ideals such as this. Allowing such a project to go ahead when there are many more suitable sites either much further off-shore or inland would be a totally irresponsible and disgusting thing to do.

He said: There has to be more to our country than a utilitarian exploitation of where we live.

Galway West TD, Catherine Connolly (Ind) has told the appeals board I have received numerous representations from a diverse range of people expressing their very serious concerns about the proposed development."

Deputy Connolly said that she supports the call for an oral hearing and highlighted the scale and number of wind turbines in her submission.

The Carna-based Conamara* Coastal Protection community group has told the appeals board that it has concerns over the impact on a person "looking out on a horizon of 30 Eiffel Tower sized turbines in the middle of an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The objection states that there is concern of a possible loss of value in property assets due to the industrialisation of this beautiful landscape.

Mary Bates of Carna and founder of MacDara Films Ltd has told the appeals board that the overwhelming size and height of the wind farm so close to the shoreline represents the largest destruction of an Irish coastline to date.

In her objection, Paula Ni Chualain of Mainis, Carna has told the appeals board these turbines will tower over us as they will be 5km from our home. The prospect of constant shadow flicker in our home which we planned to make the most of the sun and natural light is frightening.

Ms Ni Chualain said: The silent and dark skies will be gone, replaced by 30 flashing red lights on the turbines and the noise pollution from the blades.

The parents committee of Scoil Cholmain, Muighinis state that parents chose the school for their children for its peaceful environment, stunning landscape and strong connection to nature.

They state that the introduction of industrial scale wind-turbines directly outside the school threaten to severely undermine these benefits

The Galway and Aran Fishermans Co-operative is also objecting, claiming that the proposed development and cable infrastructure has the capacity to wreck productive fishing grounds and are a real threat to the sustainability of the stock of Nephrops (Norwegian Lobster).

The objection states that fishermen are now threatened with the loss of their legitimate business. Connemara Conservation CLG is also opposed and is represented by well known Dublin based environmental and planning lawyer , Fred Logue who says in a submission the application should be refused by the board.

Connemara Chamber of Commerce and Connemara Organic Seaweed have lodged submissions in support of the planned off-shore windfarm.

The applicant company is a joint venture between the Australian based Macquarie Group and global infrastructure investor, the Ontario Teachers Pension Board.

On lodging the plans in January, Stakeholder Manager for Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, Michael Cloherty said: This planning application marks the culmination of around three years of surveying, data analysis and community engagement activity.

He said: We have worked closely with the local community to design a project which we believe will deliver on their needs and expectations and we are grateful to everyone who met with our team and engaged with us throughout this process.

Project Director of Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, Paul Concannon said at the time: Sceirde Rocks Windfarm has the potential to deliver enduring benefits to Ireland and to local communities in Galway  reducing Irelands carbon emissions, improving energy security, and stimulating vital investment in local skills, employment, infrastructure and business development.

The board is due to make a decision on July 28th.
After years of decline, the tide is turning for Ohiwa Harbour's mussel population, thanks to a matauranga Maori-led restoration.

The project from Te Runanga o Ngati Awa was supported by University of Waikato marine scientist Professor Kura Paul-Burke and her team, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the seven partners of the Ohiwa Harbour Implementation Forum.

In 2019, only 80,000 kuku (green-lipped mussels) existed across the entire harbour, struggling against an overwhelming population of patangaroa (11-armed seastars) that was consuming them at an unsustainable rate.

Fast-forward to December 2024, there were now 45 million mussels across 11 hectares of the harbour floor.

From a matauranga Maori perspective, Professor Paul-Burke (Ngati Awa, Ngati Whakahemo) said the first thing to do for any restoration project was go to the home people.

"Nobody knows their harbour, their estuary, their ocean better than the home people, the people that have lived there consecutive generations for many years, so for Ohiwa, we went to Ngati Awa and the question we asked was, 'What is it that you want to know?'"

As well as managing the seastar population, the team created biodegradable taura kuku - or mussel spat lines - out of dead cabbage tree leaves to both reduce plastic pollution and seed the mussel beds.

Part of the project involved speaking with local kaumatua to identify where they had collected mussels in their youth, that allowed the team to traverse 2-3 generations of local knowledge.

From a matauranga Maori perspective, that was fundamental, looking to the past to understand the present to inform the future, she said.

"Matauranga Maori uses intergenerational knowledge from the past as a baseline, so it takes us further back to give us a much more broader picture of the harbour and the species within it."

University of Waikato marine scientist Professor Kura Paul-Burke. Photo: Tauihu Media / Riki Reinfeld

Paul-Burke said matauranga was innovative and could be implemented alongside marine science.

"Our world is declining... we all know it, we can see it, we can feel it. Wouldn't it make sense to use both of our hands to help solve contemporary environmental problems, rather than having one hand tied behind our back.

"Matauranga Maori, alongside mainstream science, policy, planning and restoration - it's better when we work together."

The project has been a step-by-step journey, carefully managed through the removal of seastars, hands-on restorative efforts and ongoing monitoring.

2019 - 80,000 mussels across the harbour

2020 - 470,000 mussels, after the first seastar removal trials

2021 - 800,000 mussels, after further restoration efforts

2023 - 16 million mussels identified on the seafloor

2024 - 45 million mussels covering an 11-hectare area

Paul-Burke said, while the mussel beds had reached an exciting milestone and were becoming more resilient, there was still work to be done.

Ohiwa Harbour mussel beds. Photo: Supplied/Leigh Tait

"We still have to do seastar management, because the seastars are still ever present and they're in higher numbers than you'd want for a balanced population."

Equally important as securing the future of the mussels was retaining the current rahui, she said. The Ministry for Primary Industries had placed a temporary two-year harvesting closure over the mussel beds, giving them time to stabilise and expand further.

"The communities around Ohiwa harbour are amazing," Paul-Burke said. "We've been so fortunate with the very strong support from the communities to step back from harvesting to allow the mussels to grow, because it benefits, not only the harbour, but also the people."

The work in Ohiwa Harbour was also influencing other iwi-led restoration efforts, with Professor Paul-Burke supporting similar projects across the country, including the University of Waikato Pou Rahui project, working with local iwi at Waiheke Island, Thames Coast, Coromandel, Great Barrier Island and Maraetai-Clevedon.

Pokere Paewai/RNZ
The Wright Family Foundation 47th National Youth Jazz Competition wrapped up on a high note at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre in Tauranga.

The competition, held from April 7-9, brought together 747 secondary school students from schools across the country, showcasing their talent in 30 Big Bands and 54 Combos.

Competition Manager Liam Ryan said the surge in participation highlights the growing popularity of jazz among young musicians.

We had a record number of registrations from 36 secondary schools as far and wide as Wellington to Orewa, said Ryan.

The competition has grown in popularity with the support of the school music leaders and the students themselves who want to play jazz.

"Also, it was great to see the Tauranga audience come out and support the young musicians  we had over 1000 attendees watch over the three days.

High praise from esteemed judges

Judges for the Big Band divisionLana Law (All Girl Big Band, Christchurch), Dave Wilson, and Lance Philip (Victoria University of Wellington)were thoroughly impressed by the level of musicianship on display.

Meanwhile, Combo judges Ben Wilcock (Toi Ohomai) and Eilish Wilson (Te Koki  New Zealand School of Music) had the tough task of adjudicating 54 bands performing over the three days, but said they loved every minute of it.

Following their performances, students participated in workshops and received feedback directly from the judgesadding a valuable educational element to the event.

A new milestone: National Youth Jazz Competition Big Band

Ryan said this years National Youth Jazz Competition showcased the best of youth jazz in the country.

The standard of performances continue to increase, with returning students gaining proficiency every year.

"Our kaupapa this year was excellence and for the first time we featured and auditioned a National Youth Jazz Competition Big Band who blew us away.

A big thank you must go to the school musical directors, young performers who played their hearts out, parents and support teams who came along and made it happen.

He also praised the initiative shown by many self-organised bands who made the journey to Tauranga independently, highlighting a growing culture of musical self-motivation among young performers.

Local talent takes home top honours

Tauranga Boys College had a particularly strong showing:

Zavier Churchouse won the David Proud Trophy for Best Combo Trombonist

Ollie Larsen received two awards: the Edwina Thorne Trophy for Best Big Band Trumpet and the Brian Geoghan Trophy for Best Combo Trumpet

Ensemble Awards for Tauranga Boys' College:

Gold  TBC Big Band One, Lennux Deluxe Combo, Horns Kin Combo

Silver  TBC Big Band Two

Bronze  The Dream Combo

Emerging Band  The Magnificent Seven Combo

Tauranga Girls College also made their mark, with their Big Band earning a Silver Award.

More than a competitiona community

Ryan said this year felt like more than just a competition, and more like a national jazz community in the making.

We are very grateful to our sponsors for their support in hosting this event," Ryan said.

"Especially our naming sponsor the Wright Family Foundation  with their help we have been able to grow the depth of the competition adding jazz workshops for the students to mix it up and jam with other school bands on common ground.

"It was a great experience for the students and has been a wonderful three days of youth jazz.

Sponsors of the event include Tauranga City Council, TECT, Wright Family Foundation, Te Koki New Zealand School of Music, SAE Institute, Music Planet, Dr Toot, Creative Communities Tauranga, and NZCT.
A glimpse into the traditional China-Vietnam bond as "comrades and brothers"

Xinhua) 13:06, April 14, 2025

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and then Vietnamese president, who is on a state visit to China, have a small chat over tea in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, April 14(Xinhua) -- When To Lam made his first visit to China as Vietnam's top leader in August last year, he started the trip not in Beijing but in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou -- a special arrangement Chinese President Xi Jinping later hailed as "quite meaningful."

It was in Guangzhou, a century earlier, that Ho Chi Minh, the late Vietnamese leader, began his revolutionary activities in China, a period of history Xi described as "a shared red memory" between the two countries' ruling parties.

Xi will soon travel to Vietnam for a fourth state visit as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president. The trip coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam, two socialist neighbors that have forged an enduring bond as "comrades and brothers."

Behind the metaphors lies more than a diplomatic formality. Xi sees the enduring China-Vietnam friendship as a living cause to be carried forward. His upcoming visit offers a moment to draw inspiration from the storied past to chart the future course of bilateral relations.

During a state visit to Vietnam in 2017, Xi brought along a special national gift -- 19 issues of The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the CPC Central Committee.

Among the newspapers were 16 yellowed copies carrying news reports on Ho Chi Minh. "These newspapers date back to Chairman Ho's visit to China in 1955. It took us quite some effort to find them," Xi explained.

One notable edition, dated June 26, 1955, featured a full-column front-page photograph of Ho alongside Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and other first-generation CPC leaders.

Ho, who founded the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in Hong Kong and led Vietnam's liberation, forged close personal ties with CPC leaders during his 12 years of revolutionary activities in China. "He was like a brother for Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and other Chinese leaders," Xi wrote in a signed article published by the major Vietnamese newspaper Nhan Dan (People) ahead of the 2017 visit.

Xi Jinping (L, front) talks with then General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (R, front) at the former residence of late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Xi holds dear the indelible contributions these great forerunners made to fostering the China-Vietnam friendship. During his first state visit to Vietnam in 2015, in a speech to Vietnam's National Assembly, Xi quoted Ho's own words: "China and Vietnam enjoy comradely and brotherly friendship."

Xi once shared his personal regard for Chairman Ho while speaking with Vietnamese youth. "We call him 'Uncle Ho'," Xi said. He noted that in the hearts of the Chinese people of his generation, Chairman Ho is remembered as the best friend of the Chinese people.

Back in 2011, Xi, then Chinese vice president, visited Ho's former residence to learn more about his life. Before his departure, Xi left an inscription: "The great man's spirit shall be honored for millennia, and the China-Vietnam friendship shall endure through the ages."

Six years later, during the 2017 state visit, Xi once again toured Chairman Ho's former residence. At a pond near the Ban Sao Nak, the wooden house where Ho once lived and worked, Xi learned to clap his hands before feeding fish, the same practice Ho once used to draw fish closer.

While there, reflecting on bilateral ties, Xi said, "We should learn from Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou and Chairman Ho, and carry forward and develop China-Vietnam friendship for the benefit of both our peoples."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
From the moment he woke up, he woke up with a smile. And he always went to bed with a smile.

Thats how 4-year-old Timothy Tuuaki Rolleston-Bryans devastated grandparents Amy Rolleston and Timothy Bryan will remember the little boy who has been in their care since he was 6 months old.

Timothy, who they called Timoti, was fatally attacked by dogs on March 28 in Tuapiro, Katikati and died shortly afterwards at Katikati Medical Centre.

It was another blow for the family, who are still mourning the death of their daughter Hayley, Timotis mother, in 2021.

Speaking with the Bay of Plenty Times at Tuapiro Marae today, Rolleston said she and her family were devastated at Timotis death, but knowing that he had gone to his mother brought some comfort.

Hes with his mum now, Rolleston said.



A framed photo of Timothy Tuuaki Rolleston-Bryan with his late mother, Hayley. Photo / Ben Dickens

Were still a bit numb at the moment. Ive been blocking out the tragic incident and focusing on the good memories.

Rolleston said her daughter died during the Auckland Covid-19 lockdown after a battle with depression.

She and Bryan took Timoti into their care immediately after Hayleys death. Amy said being able to care for him was a blessing.

He was the only thing we had left of her.

Rolleston said she and Bryan had always ensured Timoti knew he was loved, especially as they were worried about how his mothers death could impact him later in life.

Timoti was a happy, fearless and sociable boy and enjoyed playing the loving and protective big brother to his older cousin Jayleen Rolleston, 5, who also lived with the couple.



Amy Rolleston and Timothy Bryan took in Jayleen Rolleston, 5 (in pink) and her cousin Timothy Tuuaki Rolleston-Bryan, 4. Photo / Ben Dickens

He was hilarious. He was adventurous. He loved swimming. He loved riding his bike every day, and just wanted to give anything a go. And he loved his toys, Rolleston said.

He went through phases  one month it was dinosaurs, the next month it was Bluey  We always made sure he had what he wanted."

Amy said Timoti would copy his koro getting ready for work every day, packing toys in his Spider-Man backpack and sitting by the gate for a while before returning inside.

Bryan had always looked forward to the cheerful greeting from the children on his return home.

Every time I finished work, [Timoti] and Jayleen would always come out and say Koros home! I always liked that, seeing the mokos running up to me, they always gave me hugs and kisses.



Timothy Tuuaki Rolleston-Bryan, 4, of Katikati, was killed in a dog attack last month. Photo / Supplied

I just feel a little bit empty without him. Im always used to saying Timoti, where are you?

Its taken a toll on me.

On the day Timoti died  a hot, sunny day  Rolleston had dropped Bryan to work, returned home and taken Jayleen to school, then she and Timoti travelled to Tauranga for some winter shopping.

The radio was playing one of her favourite songs, and Timoti surprised her by singing along with all the lyrics  something he had never done before.



Amy Rolleston described the last day she spent with grandson Timothy Tuuaki Rolleston-Bryan. Photo / Ben Dickens

She turned the volume down, preferring to listen to her grandsons voice as he continued the song to the end.

After shopping, Timoti was allowed to choose one toy. He chose a water pistol and, following lunch at McDonalds, they returned home and Timoti went straight to a tap to fill up the pistol.

She said Timoti was great friends with their neighbours and would visit them frequently  they adored him in return. Timoti immediately went to show them his new prize.

Later that afternoon, they were getting ready to head out to pick Jayleen up from school and Timoti was right next to her.

And then he wasnt where I thought he was. Thats when the chaos ... 

Her last memory of her grandson was him looking at her, a beaming smile on his face.

Rolleston did not see the attack but would never forget the aftermath  something she was still trying to block out.

Ive learned to just block it and try and focus on the memories because if I do get flashbacks  theres crying, and then theres crying.



Timothy Tuuaki Rolleston-Bryan, 4, of Katikati has been remembered as a happy child. Photo / Supplied

She was still unsure where exactly the attack happened  she was intentionally trying not to learn too much about Timotis last moments  but said their neighbours desperately tried to save him.

Timoti loved dogs and Rolleston said people needed to be aware attacks like this could happen  no matter what breed the dog was. Children needed to be educated about how to safely interact with dogs.

Now that Timoti has gone, Rolleston and Bryan have focused their energies on caring for Jayleen, who is longing for her younger cousin who always acted like her elder brother.

I can see it in her that shes missing him. She stares off and has moments where shes  so I worry about her.

The couple said they wanted to say a huge thank you for the outpouring of support and love they had received, including from strangers.



Amy Rolleston, the grandmother of Timothy Tuuaki Rolleston-Bryan, wants to thank the community for their support after his death. Photo / Ben Dickens

One fisherman they had never met pulled up to the marae and donated his days catch, a chilly bin-full.

Another museum worker had called into the marae before dawn to offer her hands and help.

Waihi College raised money with a bake sale.

Ngai Te Rangi, Rollestons iwi, organised marquees. The three marae  Tuapiro, Te Rereatukahia, Otawhiwhi  came together and organised everything behind the scenes.

The emergency services tried their best and Rolleston said she took her hat off to them.

Thank you to the community. Our family, our friends. Our colleagues. Thank you everyone, so much. I couldnt believe  I still cant  how much support, how many messages of support, that we received.

It has made things a whole lot easier for us.

The tangi  Timotis last party  was a three-day celebration the boy would have loved. The hakari (feast) was decorated with a Spider-Man theme, including a cake and helium balloons, and all the wrong food like lollies, nuggets and fizzy drinks.

He brought joy to a lot of peoples lives, Rolleston said.

We took his coffin outside so he could see all his cousins having a big party for him. His final send-off, Bryan said.

He was buried on top of his mother at a family urupa.
Colombian Felipe Montoya-Ospina was one of several people in the syndicate convicted. Photo: UnSplash/ Matthew Ansley

The Court of Appeal has upheld the 14-year jail-term handed to a cocaine dealer for his part in a conspiracy to bring more than 100 kilograms of cocaine into New Zealand.

Colombian Felipe Montoya-Ospina was last year sentenced to 14 years and 7 months jail for importing, extracting and distributing cocaine.

Montoya-Ospina successfully imported seven packages of cocaine, which weighed 11.4 kilograms. He attempted to import a further five packages weighing 28.87 kilograms.

He was one of several people in the syndicate convicted.

Montoya-Ospina was described as a senior member of the group of Colombian and Argentinian nationals who were employed as dairy farmhands in rural Canterbury, and imported in wholesale quantities of cocaine, sourced from a cartel in Colombia.

It was estimated the syndicate imported 42.5 kilograms of cocaine, with a street price of over $19 million, and a further 59.1 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of more than 26 million, was intercepted.

Montoya-Ospina appealed his sentence, arguing the judge's starting point of 18 years' jail was too high and the credit for his guilty plea was inadequate.

His lawyer argued cocaine offending should be sentenced more leniently than methamphetamine offending, and the 18-year starting point was too high even for methamphetamine importation.

They referred to four cases to support their claim, but the Court of Appeal said the comparison was too narrow.

In its decision, the Court of Appeal said: "the operation in this case involved approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine".

"It was of a much bigger scale than any of the other cases relied upon by the appellant. As the sentencing Judge found, the appellant was involved in every stage of the offending and knowingly participated in an ongoing commercial drug importation operation which extended over a four-year period."

Montoya-Ospina's guilty plea came two years after his arrest, and a month before his trial was due to begin, the court said.

The adjustment to his sentence based on his guilty plea was consistent with Montoya-Ospina's co-defendants, who pleaded guilty around the same time, the court said.

The Court of Appeal found there was no error in the sentencing judge's approach and the end sentence was not manifestly excessive.

It dismissed his appeal.

-RNZ
Western Bay of Plenty will keep its five community boards  but the whole district will now be represented by a community board. Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands will be the only residents not represented by a community board.

The Local Government Commissions decision about Western Bay of Plenty District Councils (WBoPDC) representation arrangements for the 2025 and 2028 elections was released on Tuesday, April 8.

The commission determined a hybrid structure that combined key aspects of the councils proposed model, but retained and reshaped the current community board set-up to ensure balanced and inclusive representation, a WBoPDC media release said.

The final decision will see every resident vote for a mayor, their ward councillor(s), and their community board representatives.

Close long-standing gaps

Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands residents will vote for a mayor and their ward councillor(s), and are not part of a community board area, said the statement.

The councils representation review set out to close long-standing gaps in local representation  particularly in the Kaimai and Maketu-Te Puke wards, where around 40% of the districts population lacked direct access to a community board.

Under the new structure, three community boards would stay mostly unchanged.

Maketu Community Board would represent the township and surrounding area, with a slightly expanded area to better reflect the community of interest.

Both Katikati and Waihi Beach Community Boards would keep their existing boundaries.

Two community boards were extended to cover their wider wards.

Full Kaimai ward

A new Omokoroa-Kaimai Community Board would be established, covering the full Kaimai Ward.

A new Te PukeEast Community Board would represent Te Puke and the neighbouring eastern communities of Paengaroa, Pongakawa and Pukehina.

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer welcomed the Local Government Commission decision, highlighting the benefits for local communities.

While the commissions decision further modifies our final proposal, were pleased to see the outcome delivers district-wide community board coverage  something [the] council and our community strongly supported.

With five boards now spanning the district, every community will have a stronger and more equitable platform to engage with [the] council and advocate for what matters most to them.

In its determination, the commission said throughout the process, it became clear there were compelling reasons both to retain the clearly defined communities of interest identified by appellants and to expand the reach of community boards to ensure coverage across the entire district.

Three votes

To achieve this, the commission considered how it could deliver a district-wide community board model that preserved the essence of existing boards while also providing universal access to community-level representation.

For the 2025 elections, every voter would cast three votes: one for mayor, one for ward councillors and one for community board members.

The councils structure would consist of a mayor and a reduced number of nine councillors, instead of 11 currently.

These changes reflect strong community support, a drive for fairer, population-based representation and a shared commitment to more inclusive decision-making, the council statement said.

With fewer councillors and comprehensive coverage by community boards, the new structure aims to enhance both efficiency and equity.

A binding poll would also run alongside the 2025 election, giving the community the final say on whether the Maori Ward should remain in place for future elections.

Denyer said: This is a significant shift for the district and its important that people clearly understand how the new structure works and what it means for them.

Its also an opportunity to strengthen awareness of how [the] council operates and the role local government plays in shaping our communities.

Between now and the October election, the council said it would review community board functions and delegations to ensure they were equipped to enhance local decision-making and support community-led initiatives. This work would help inform the incoming council as it sets delegations and makes councillor appointments to community boards.

Real opportunity

This presents a real opportunity to strengthen local leadership and build a more connected, engaged district. Community boards will be well-positioned to work alongside existing groups, such as ratepayer associations, to ensure local voices are heard, Denyer said.

A copy of the determination is on the commissions website or Google: determination-wbopdc-2025.pdf.
Tony Bryant Malaga Monday, 14 April 2025, 11:32 Compartir

A group of ten people, including ex-military and members of the Royal British Legion Spain South, braved the weather on Saturday to participate in the first Costa del Sol kilt walk', which was organised to support a UK charity called Who Dares Cares (WDC). The charity was founded in 2016 to support armed forces and emergency services personnel who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The walk was organised by a former soldier in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Stephen John Murphy, known as Scruffy John to his friends, who travelled to the coast from Edinburgh especially for the event.

The ten walkers, all wearing kilts, most of whom adorned camouflage kilts embroidered with the charity's crest, followed the 30-kilometre route from Malaga port to Fuengirola Castle.

Zoom The walkers arrive at their destination. SUR

"Wow! What an amazing day, the rain did not stop us having a good time and enjoying the challenge. I'm so thankful to everyone who chose to be part of this journey with me, and those who cheered us along our way. Without you all it wouldn't have been the same. It also gave me great pleasure to present the Who Dares Cares challenge coin to the team, Murphy said.

The campaign has so far raised more than 1,100 pounds sterling, although Murphy pointed out that the fundraising page is still open if anyone wishes to donate. https://tinyurl.com/289vscdz

The group is now making plans to repeat the walk next year.
Cristina Vallejo Malaga Monday, 14 April 2025, 14:01 | Updated 14:45h. Compartir

How much tax do the local councils in Malaga province collect? One of the ways to measure this, especially to find out the impact of local tax policy on each citizen or resident, is to calculate the average municipal tax revenue paid per inhabitant. This is one of the data analyses done by Andalucia's IECA institute of statistics and cartography using data from the nationalMinistry of Finance in Madrid.

Although there are around a dozen localities in Malaga province for which no data is available, of the total of 92 municipalities for which details are available the first noteworthy figure to be extracted is that these councils receive an average of 640 euros per capita strictly in taxes and fees (one must add what is paid by the public and what is received in transfers from other governing bodies to calculate total municipal income, as will be seen).

Despite this healthy average, the range of deviation from that is enormous. For example, Benahavis town hall is the one to receive the most money per inhabitant in the whole of Malaga province - nearly 3,000 euros (2,897.50 euros, to be precise) in 2023, the last year for which information is available. A long way behind that figure is the town in second place, Casares, collecting almost 2,050 euros per head.

At the opposite end of the scale are Juzcar and Algatocin, with around 300 euros per capita. Meanwhile, Malaga city is closer to the bottom of the list than the top in terms of tax revenue per capita, standing at 580 euros, an amount that is also slightly below the provincial average.

These revenue figures correspond to the taxes that all local councils in Spain are obliged to collect in accordance with the law regulating local finances. They consist of the property tax (IBI), the tax on economic activities (IAE, for businesses) and road vehicle tax (IVTM). These are tax figures to which, if that is the will of those in charge of local government (all too often the case, especially in the larger municipalities), can be added a requirement to pay other optional taxes. These optional taxes are the tax on any increase in urban land values (like a municipal capital gains tax) and the tax on building work. The third element to municipal income is the proportion of state taxes paid to local councils, especially from IVA (sales tax on goods and services) and personal income tax (IRPF), although these barely account for 5% of the tax revenue of local councils in Malaga province as a whole.

Among the municipalities with the highest tax revenue per inhabitant, apart from Benahavis and Casares, the variety is considerable with Vinuela in third place at around 1,900 euros per capita, then in fourth place is Marbella with 1,640 euros. Other towns collecting over 1,000 euros per inhabitant in these taxes are Teba, Estepona, Manilva, Torremolinos and Nerja.

Politics and demography

The fact that per capita tax revenues are higher in these municipalities is not exclusively, nor necessarily, related to the fact that taxes are higher in these locations. For example, IBI, the most significant of all municipal taxes, is influenced by the way in which each council has designed it and also by the volume and value of the property stock in that particular municipality, as well as the number of inhabitants by which the revenue is divided to obtain the per capita figure.

A few examples may serve to clarify this situation. The average property tax (IBI) paid in Benahavis is limited to 341 euros, compared to the average of 640 euros paid in Torremolinos, according to data calculated by SUR in a report published last July. The difference is that in Benahavis around 16,000 IBI bills are issued for a total of 9,244 inhabitants, whereas in Torremolinos there are 73,000 properties that are subject to this tax with a total of 70,400 residents.

Let's take another couple of examples: in Casares the per capita tax revenue is around 2,050 euros, a figure that contrasts with that of Marbella at 1,640 euros. In the first case, the town's 13,166 IBI bills are levied at an average of 521 euros, which have to be divided between just over 8,100 residents. Meanwhile, in Marbella there are 176,444 IBI bills charged at an average of 556 euros for 156,300 inhabitants. In Estepona, where the per capita tax income is 1,160 euros, there are 83,319 tax bills paid at an average of 566 euros per capita for around 77,000 residents.

The law governing municipal financing sets out three compulsory taxes: IBI, the most important, then road tax and business tax, of which the latter is now only levied on those businesses with a turnover in excess of one million euros.

Something more striking happens in certain cases with road tax (IVTM). This is a devilishly complex tax because the bill varies not only according to the type of vehicle (car, motorbike, van, lorry or trailer), but also according to its characteristics in terms of cylinder capacity, seating capacity or the volume of load it can hold. Some cases really stand out if one contrasts the number of bills issued (in terms of the number of vehicles) with the number of residents. For instance, in the village of Montejaque there are 20,655 vehicles for less than 1,000 inhabitants and in Macharaviaya there are over 7,500 vehicles for 523 residents. Interestingly, these are two of the municipalities for which IECA has no information on income per inhabitant. In contrast, in Malaga city the number of vehicles is around 430,700 for its nearly 590,000 inhabitants, while in Marbella there are just over 113,500 vehicles for over 156,000 residents.

As far as the business tax (IAE) is concerned, the coefficients applied by the local councils vary and, given that it is a tax on business activities on companies with a turnover of over one million euros, the volume of companies and their size has an impact on its collection. In the province of Malaga the number of companies registered with Social Security by municipality ranges from around 19,600 in Malaga city and over 8,200 in Marbella to barely half a dozen companies in villages such as Atajate and Igualeja.

Local government tax revenues depend more on the number of inhabitants than on their incomes.

Cesar Garcia Novoa, a taxation law professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, says that local taxes are closely linked to the size of the population and much less to their level of income. This explains why the capital of the province, the most populated city, is the municipality with the highest total tax revenue of 340 million euros, followed by Marbella, the second most populated city, with 256 million euros. Still, Estepona collects 89.2 million euros in tax revenue, outstripping other more populated municipalities such as Mijas (85.3 million euros), Fuengirola (72.65 millions) and Velez-Malaga (66.2 millions).

It is worth noting that the resources available to local councils do not only come from taxes. The law governing local finances gives them the power to establish prices for the provision of public services or the performance of administrative activities. In addition, local revenues include transfers from other governing bodies, among other important items.

Tax-dependent

The municipalities where the local budget depends most on taxes are Benahavis (80%) as well as Marbella and Casares (76%), while in Mijas, Vinuela and Manilva tax revenues exceed 70% of total income at the disposal of the municipalities.

The municipalities that depend more on taxes are the larger ones, those with more population, more urban development and more businesses.The smaller ones are those that rely on transfers from other governing bodies for their budget.

Turning to villages like Juzcar and Benarraba in the Serrania de Ronda, taxes account for less than 5% of total income, and in Atajate, Farajan and Parauta they do not even reach 10%. The latter are some of the least populated municipalities in the province. In none of them does the number of residents reach 500. Moreover, some of these top the ranking of income per inhabitant (this means the income total, which includes taxes and fees, public charges, fines, penalties as well as subsidies and donations). This is because not all payments are made by its inhabitants, there are also transfers from other governing bodies - state, regional and provincial. Total income per capita for Benarraba and Atajate amount to 7,000 euros each, in Juzcar it is over 6,200 euros, while in other municipalities with very few inhabitants such as Benadalid, Cartajima and Farajan, they range between 4,000 and 5,000 euros per capita.

Garcia Novoa explains why this happens: as local taxes are closely linked to population, the most self-sufficient municipalities - those that depend less on funds from other authorities and more on contributions from their residents - are those with the largest populations. Jorge Onrubia, professor of public finance at the Complutense University of Madrid, adds that the largest municipalities are those that can have more revenue from IBI because they have more properties of higher value, large companies being charged IAE and capital gains tax on property sales and purchases, as well as more garages for which they can charge for parking. The smaller municipalities live more on the solidarity of the state system.

Income, expenditure and balancing the books

More information can be gleaned from IECA's figures as to which municipalities spend the most per capita. Those at the top of the ranking are, once again, villages with small populations such as Atajate (7,644.82 euros per capita), followed by Benadalid (4,508 euros), as well as Parauta, Farajan and Juzcar (around 3,500 euros per capita).

Among the most populated municipalities, the one with the highest expenditure per inhabitant is Marbella, with 2,100 euros. It is followed by Nerja (1,735 euros) and Torremolinos (1,692 euros), while Velez-Malaga, Estepona and Fuengirola are around 1,450 euros per capita, with Malaga city also close to that figure.

The last question to be answered by these statistics is which municipalities have the highest surplus and deficit per inhabitant - which earns more than they spend or which spends more than they earn per capita. Among the former are Benarraba (4,394 euros), Juzcar (2,809 euros), Benahavis (1,353 euros). Among the latter to stand out are Villanueva del Rosario (-1,014 euros), Cuevas Bajas (-819 euros) and Istan (-530 euros) stand out.

In the large municipalities like Malaga, Marbella, Mijas, Torremolinos and Antequera, income and expenditure per capita are practically equal. Meanwhile, in Fuengirola and Velez-Malaga there is a slight deficit, as in Ronda.
Fire at 111 E Yates St. badly damages home in East Syracuse and displaces eight people on April 13, 2025. Greta Stuckey

East Syracuse, N.Y.  A house fire in East Syracuse on Sunday spread quickly, damaging multiple floors and displacing eight people, firefighters said.

Around 7:35 p.m., calls came in for a fire at 111 E. Yates St., with heavy smoke and flames visible. When firefighters arrived, flames were coming from the first floor and had spread to the second floor and attic, said Robert Russell, East Syracuse assistant fire chief.

The house is split into apartments, but all eight people living there were out of the building by the time firefighters arrived, Russell said.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters, he said.

Although the fire was put out quickly, crews remained at the house past 9 p.m. to clean up and investigate.

The first floor sustained minimal damage, but the second floor and right side of the house were heavily damaged by flames and smoke, Russell said.

Power to the home has been shut off, and the American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents, according to Russell.

Roads were closed on the 100 block of East Ellis Street, from Upton Street to North Center Street, for more than an hour.

Five fire trucks responded to the scene from the East Syracuse, DeWitt and Minoa fire departments.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time, Russell said.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance to two adults and two children, ages 4 and 14, according to Lisa Smith, the executive director of the Red Cross for the Eastern New York division.

This house fire comes after two others on Saturday, including one that displaced both animals and people.

Fire at 111 E Yates St. badly damages home in East Syracuse and displaces eight people on April 13, 2025. Greta Stuckey

Staff writer Greta Stuckey covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at gstuckey@syracuse.com.
Actor Nicky Katt arrives at the "Snow Angels" Los Angeles Premiere at The Egyptian Theater on February 28, 2008 (Photo by Jason Merritt/FilmMagic) FilmMagic

Nicky Katts cause of death has been revealed.

The actor, best known for Dazed and Confused and the Fox series Boston Public, died by suicide in his Los Angeles home.
Pete Greene, the co-owner of the Get Smashed ghost kitchen inside Mother's Cupboard diner, cooks several orders of smashed onion burgers. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

Three Syracuse-area restaurants have cracked the top 10 in the annual battle for burger supremacy, including a newcomer to the local restaurant scene.

The New York Beef Council today announced the Top 10 finalists in its ninth annual Best NY Burger Competition. Seven-time winner Ale & Angus is once again in the final round. Brewer Union in Brewerton once again is a finalist. Get Smashed, a 1-year-old pop-up kitchen making smashburgers out of Mothers Cupboard on James Street, broke into the top 10.

These locals now find themselves among the elite, rising from a statewide field of nominees after public voting wrapped up last week. Theyll soon face the final test: a visit from undercover judges who will rate their burgers on taste, presentation and proper doneness.

Theyre joined by other top contenders from across the state, including burgermakers in Rochester, Utica, Corning and Port Jervis.

These finalists represent the very best in burger craftsmanship across New York, said Chrissy Claudio of the Beef Council. Their dedication to sourcing quality beef, perfecting their recipes and delivering incredible dining experiences is truly commendable.

The Top 10 finalists, selected based on public votes, are (listed in alphabetical order):

Ale & Angus, Syracuse

Bens Fresh, Port Jervis

Brewer Union, Brewerton

Butchers Son, Corning

Get Smashed, Syracuse

Matteson Hotel, Ilion

R&M, Corning

Roosters, Utica

Tap It Bar and Grill, Rochester

Wendys Diner, Cassville

The winner will be revealed on May 12 at the State Capitol in Albany, during the May Beef Month Proclamation.

****

Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drinks and fun throughout Central New York  no freebies, no favors, just honest eats. You can call or text him at (315) 382-1984 or email cmiller@syracuse.com. Follow @HoosierCuse on Instagram and X, and sign up for his Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here.
Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell took over as chair of the Citizen Review Board early this year after a tumultuous 2024 for the agency.

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The chair of Syracuses Citizen Review Board abruptly resigned Monday morning, hours before city lawmakers were expected to vote on a plan exploring changes to the boards bylaws.

In her resignation letter, chair Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell accused city hall and common councilors of hindering the independence of the CRB.

The City and the Council do not currently provide the CRB with the resources, support, and independence it requires to be successful, and I hope that that will improve in the future," she wrote (emphasis hers).

The resignation is the latest in a messy unraveling of the citys civilian police watchdog agency, which has been plagued by internal spats, personnel issues and struggles for legitimacy and power for years.

The boards former administrator, Ranette Releford, was ousted last fall following claims she created a hostile work environment and ran a shoddy operation that missed deadlines and let cases languish.

Lovejoy-Grinnell, a lawyer and former common councilor, reluctantly took the helm as board chair earlier this year. The board chair is a volunteer position.

In February, she outlined a plan to bring order to the chaos by putting in place new structures for the board. That included hiring a new administrator, the person tasked with overseeing investigations into complaints against police officers.

In her resignation letter, Lovejoy-Grinnell said she believes in the boards mission, despite what she calls a fundamental dysfunction caused by interference from the council and city hall.

Councilor Chol Majok, who chairs the Common Councils public safety committee, said he has not read Lovejoy-Grinnells resignation letter but disagreed with the notion that the council has interfered in CRB operations.

I dont think thats true. Because what we have done as council is give CRB that autonomy to operate within that, Majok said. ...I dont know where the interpretation that we are inserting ourselves comes from. It makes no sense.

Lovejoy-Grinnell said the police department has showed an unprecedented willingness to cooperate with the CRB. Thats not always been the case.

Lovejoy-Grinnell could not immediately be reached by phone or email Monday morning.

The council met Monday afternoon but did not vote on the proposed changes to the CRB. Majok is seeking to create a Citizens Review Board Legislation Update Committee, tasked with updating the CRBs legislation between now and September, but the measure was held from voting. He previously introduced, then withdrew the legislation.

The nine-person committee would include the chief of police, a city lawyer and seven civilians. Majok said the point of the committee is to make sure the CRB is a well-informed and inclusive group that pulls in community members.

CRB has been in a very tumultuous space, and as a council, its a delicate line to walk trying to not exert yourself too far in at the same time, you dont want to be a bystander, he said. Trying to balance, that is where we are. Thats why we keep holding it.

Majok said the challenge of moving forward with the CRB is there are many hands involved. He said the council wants to give the CRB independence, but it has to make changes when that independence is not working.

The timeline of creating the committee is still unclear, especially as the council will be occupied by the budget review process, Majok said. He said hes not sure if it will end up moving forward or being pulled back.

The point of putting it on is to show the intention that we mean well, Majok said. Although the logistics are not all in place, this is the direction we would like to go to now. The timing of it, I dont know yet.

A year ago, the council tried another avenue to establish more oversight over the CRB. Councilors approved a measure to have more say in the hiring and firing of the CRBs administrator. Mayor Ben Walsh ultimately vetoed the measure.
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Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

Forward-looking: The rising popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy has transformed obesity treatment and spurred competition among pharmaceutical companies to develop more effective alternatives. One such contender is Syntis Bio, a Boston-based biotech firm working on an oral medication designed to replicate the effects of gastric bypass surgery without the need for invasive procedures. The company recently unveiled promising early data at the European Congress on Obesity and Weight Management in Barcelona, highlighting the potential of its lead candidate, SYNT-101.

SYNT-101 offers a novel approach to weight loss by temporarily altering nutrient absorption in the small intestine. Unlike GLP-1 drugs, which are administered via injection and often come with side effects such as nausea and vomiting, SYNT-101 is a once-daily pill that mimics the metabolic effects of gastric bypass surgery.

The drug forms a temporary coating in the upper small intestine, redirecting nutrients to the lower intestine where satiety hormones like GLP-1 are naturally activated. This mechanism promotes feelings of fullness and supports sustainable weight loss, all while preserving lean muscle mass  a common concern with current anti-obesity medications.

The science behind SYNT-101 is based on research conducted at MIT by gastroenterologist Giovanni Traverso and chemical engineer Robert Langer, who co-founded Syntis Bio with CEO Rahul Dhanda in 2022.

The drug's design leverages two key ingredients: dopamine and hydrogen peroxide. When ingested, these compounds interact with an enzyme called catalase in the small intestine to form a biocompatible polymer coating known as polydopamine. This coating lasts for approximately 24 hours before being naturally cleared through the body's mucosal turnover.

In preclinical studies with rodents, SYNT-101 demonstrated consistent weight loss of one percent per week over six weeks, while preserving 100 percent of lean muscle mass. These findings were echoed in early human trials, where nine participants reported no adverse effects.

Although the pilot study was not intended to measure weight loss, blood tests revealed promising hormonal changes: decreased levels of ghrelin, the "hunger hormone, "and increased levels of leptin, which helps regulate appetite.

Tissue samples confirmed that the polymer coating formed as expected and was safely eliminated within a day.

Syntis Bio's findings come at a pivotal moment in obesity treatment. While GLP-1 drugs have earned widespread acclaim for their effectiveness, they are not without drawbacks. High costs, insurance challenges, and unpleasant side effects have led many patients to discontinue their use.

"With SYNT-101, we believe we can deliver sustainable, safe, effective weight loss by reducing fat while preserving lean muscle and stimulating natural production of satiety hormones," Dhanda said during the conference.

Experts in the field have taken note of SYNT-101's potential. Dr. Louis Aronne, an obesity medicine specialist at Weill Cornell Medical College and a clinical adviser to Syntis Bio, emphasized the drug's promise as a first-line treatment. "A major pitfall of current GLP-1 drugs is related to gastrointestinal side effects as well as the loss of lean muscle that accompanies weight loss," Aronne noted. "SYNT-101's mechanism of action may avoid these issues entirely."

Dr. Vladimir Kushnir, director of bariatric endoscopy at Washington University in St. Louis, praised the early data but cautioned that larger trials are necessary to fully assess the drug's efficacy and safety. "My anticipation is that this is going to have some digestive side effects like bloating and abdominal cramping," Kushnir told Wired.

Despite these uncertainties, SYNT-101 could represent a significant advancement in obesity treatment. Syntis Bio plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the US Food and Drug Administration later this year and hopes to begin Phase 1 clinical trials shortly thereafter.
The big picture: China has halted exports of critical rare earth metals and magnets essential to industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to aerospace and defense. The move, which has sent shockwaves through global supply chains, began earlier this month when China placed new export restrictions on these minerals.

The suspension comes as Beijing drafts a new regulatory framework for issuing export licenses, a process expected to restrict access to these vital materials for specific companies, particularly American military contractors. Industry leaders fear the delay in establishing the licensing system could lead to shortages of rare earth components outside of China.

Michael Silver, CEO of American Elements, told the New York Times that his company had been informed it would take at least 45 days before exports might resume. "We anticipated this trade war and increased our inventory last winter," Silver said, adding that his firm could meet existing contracts in the interim.

Rare earth metals are indispensable for modern technology. They are used in electric motors for vehicles, drones, robots, and missiles, as well as in jet engines, lasers, and computer chips powering artificial intelligence servers and smartphones. Among these metals, heavy rare earths are particularly crucial for producing magnets capable of maintaining their properties under high temperatures or electrical fields.

Daniel Pickard, chairman of the critical minerals advisory committee for the US Trade Representative and Department of Commerce, warned of severe impacts on American industries if the export restrictions persist. "A sustained disruption could hurt China's reputation as a reliable supplier," Pickard said.

China's monopoly on rare earths is well-documented. Until 2023, it produced 99 percent of the world's heavy rare earth metals and continues to manufacture 90 percent of rare earth magnets globally. The remaining production comes from Japan and Germany, both reliant on Chinese raw materials.

The Mountain Pass mine in California, owned by MP Materials, is the sole US-based source of rare earths but cannot meet domestic demand. James Litinsky, MP Materials' CEO, expressed concern over the implications for military contractors. "Drones and robotics are widely considered the future of warfare," Litinsky said. "Based on everything we are seeing, the critical inputs for our future supply chain are shut down."

The export restrictions have not been uniformly enforced across Chinese ports. Some customs officials permit shipments containing minimal traces of heavy rare earth metals if they are destined for non-US markets. Others demand rigorous testing to ensure compliance with the new rules before allowing the exports to proceed. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have barred domestic companies from engaging with an expanding list of American firms, further complicating international trade.

China's dominance in rare earth production is rooted in its rich deposits near Longnan in Jiangxi Province. The region hosts mines that extract heavy rare earths through chemical-intensive processes known to cause severe pollution  a practice temporarily halted but seemingly resumed recently.

Refineries near Longnan process these ores before sending them to magnet factories in Ganzhou, including JL Mag Rare-Earth Company, which supplies leading electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla and BYD.

The geopolitical implications of this development are significant. Xi Jinping's visit to JL Mag's factory in 2019 was widely interpreted as a signal that China could leverage its control over rare earths during trade disputes  a tactic it is now employing against the backdrop of heightened tensions with Washington following President Trump's tariff hikes earlier this month.
In brief: OpenAI's technology is spreading far and wide. Soon, it will be used by Netflix, powering the streaming service's search function to help users discover shows and movies based on specific factors, including their moods. The feature will be tested in the US in the coming weeks and months, though it will only be available on iOS.

Netflix's feature, powered by OpenAI's technology, will go beyond the usual fare of allowing users to search for content on the platform by their titles, actors' names, or genres, writes Bloomberg.

The new search feature can, for example, surface content to match a person's mood, so typing in "Happy" might show comedies or feel-good titles, while "sad" could offer something along the lines of gritty dramas  though it's hard to imagine most people wanting to feel even sadder.

As it's powered by OpenAI's generative AI systems, it's likely that users will be able to search for content using natural language queries.

Typing the line, "I'm in a sad mood, recommend a movie to match this level of ennui" into ChatGPT offers suggestions that include Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Her, and Anomalisa, a stop-motion film about crippling loneliness and the fleeting nature of connection that is both existential and quietly brutal. Maybe don't watch that last one if you're already sad to the point of depression.

Netflix currently uses AI for some of its existing features, such as learning user preferences based on their history to recommend titles they're likely to watch and enjoy.

Netflix is reportedly testing the AI search feature among select users in Australia and New Zealand, giving them the option to use the tool on iOS.

Company spokesperson MoMo Zhou confirmed to The Verge that Bloomberg's story is accurate. Zhou said that the test will expand to the US in the coming weeks and months, and there aren't currently any plans for the feature to be used outside of iOS.

"It's early days for the feature and we're really in a learn and listen phase for this beta," Zhou says.

It was recently reported that the number of people using ChatGPT and other OpenAI products was closing in on one billion. CEO Sam Altman said around 10% of the world's population were users, which would be over 800 million people. The company has seen a recent uptick in use thanks to ChatGPT's updated image generator, which led to the flood of Studio Ghibli-style AI images.
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

The big picture: Clean water is essential, but some pollutants are notoriously tricky to remove. Scientists have developed a breakthrough filtration process using 2D materials and sugar-based chemistry to trap persistent contaminants. Engineers can customize the technology to target specific molecules, offering a scalable solution for safer water worldwide.

Researchers at Monash University have introduced a new water filtration technology that could shift the fight against PFAS  chemicals known for their environmental persistence and health risks. Found in products like waterproof clothing and firefighting foams, PFAS are notoriously hard to break down. Traditional treatment methods often fail, especially against the smallest PFAS molecules, which slip through filters and accumulate in ecosystems and human bodies.

The Monash team developed a graphene oxide membrane derived from graphite and enhanced it with beta-cyclodextrin, a ring-shaped sugar molecule. The pairing is intentional as beta-cyclodextrin can trap chemical compounds inside its ring-like structure, acting as a molecular cage. The researchers created a highly selective network of nanoscale channels by integrating beta-cyclodextrin into the graphene oxide membrane. These channels act as energy barriers, blocking PFAS molecules  including the elusive short-chain types  while allowing water to flow through efficiently.

Lead researcher Eubert Mahofa said the membrane's design overcomes a major challenge in water purification  balancing the removal of tiny, persistent contaminants with maintaining a fast flow of clean water.

"Our approach solves this by filtering out and concentrating these harmful chemicals while still allowing water to flow through efficiently," Mahofa said.

The membrane's performance remains stable even as water temperature changes, which is essential for real-world applications where conditions can vary. The manufacturing method, known as shear alignment printing, is efficient and scalable, enabling the production of large membrane sheets suited for municipal water treatment plants, industrial facilities, and environmental cleanup efforts.

Co-researcher Dr. Sally El Meragawi emphasized that the membrane removes harmful chemicals while preserving essential minerals and nutrients. This ability makes it suitable for drinking water and wastewater treatment, ensuring the water remains safe and healthy for consumption.

What sets this technology apart is its adaptability. Researchers can modify the chemical structure of beta-cyclodextrin to target a wide range of pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and heavy metals. Professor Mainak Majumder, who leads the Australian Research Council's Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials, explained that this approach could pave the way for a new generation of customizable water filters, each designed to target specific contaminants.

Monash University, Clean TeQ Water, and NematiQ  a company specializing in graphene-based technologies  collaborated over several years to develop this breakthrough process.
Solar park boom threatens Spain's centuries-old olive trees



Lopera, Spain, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



At his farm in southern Spain, Francisco Campos looked worriedly at a green sea of centuries-old olive trees that he fears will face the axe to make way for a proposed solar park.

"Cutting down olive trees to install solar panels is a crime," the 64-year-old farmer told AFP in Lopera, a town of whitewashed buildings with 3,600 residents in the sunny southern region of Andalusia, Spain's olive-growing heartland.

Spain is the world's top producer of olive oil, but the fertile agricultural land long used by olive producers is now in high demand from power firms looking to install solar farms.

And with nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, Andalusia is one of the Spanish regions with the highest number of solar panels as a renewables boom makes the country a European leader in green energy.

Renewable energy firms such as Greenalia and FRV Arroyadas have requested permission to build multiple solar farms near Lopera, which farmers say will affect up to 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of property.

The businesses negotiated agreements to lease the bulk of the land required for their projects but encountered significant opposition from hundreds of small landowners.

This prompted the regional government of Andalusia to announce it will expropriate some land needed for the plants, declaring them to be in "the public interest".

"Is it in the public interest for them to take my land and give it to a company so that the company can profit? This has no benefit for us," said Campos.

"Our way of life is going to be destroyed," he added.



- 'From our ancestors' -



Campaigners predict that the eight solar projects planned for the area will require the removal of nearly 100,000 olive trees.

The regional government puts the figure significantly lower, at 13,000.

Local residents anticipated power companies would seek to install solar panels in the area, but they never imagined "they would come and take away your property," said Rafael Alcala, a spokesman for a platform that represents the solar plants' opponents.

In support of landowners impacted by the latest round of expropriations, dozens of farmers on tractors -- some holding signs that read "We don't want solar plants" -- gathered on a recent morning outside Lopera.

"These lands come from our ancestors. What am I going to leave to my children now?" Maria Josefa Palomo, a 67-year-old pensioner, said at the protest.

Losing 500 hectares of olive groves would wipe out more than two million euros ($2.3 million) in annual revenues, according to local olive oil cooperative La Loperana.

Campaigners say 5,000 olive trees have already been uprooted from land belonging to a farmer in Lopera who signed an agreement with one of the firms behind a solar park. More could follow.

In an effort to stop the projects, opponents have filed lawsuits against the regional government and the companies involved.



- 'Until the end' -



Spain generated a record 56.8 percent of its electricity last year from renewable sources such as wind and solar, according to grid operator Red Electrica.

Leveraging on its sunny plains, windy hillsides and fast-flowing rivers, Spain intends to raise the share of renewable-generated electricity to 81 percent of the total by 2030 as part of efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

The regional government has defended the renewables projects, saying less than one percent of the land they use in the region had to be expropriated from reluctant landowners.

Spanish solar industry group UNEF, which represents more than 800 companies, says the projects boost tax revenues in rural communities.

They generate "significant amounts" that can be used to improve public services, said UNEF head Jose Donoso.

Solar park opponents in Lopera disagree and vow to continue their fight.

"Until the end. Nobody is going to take what is ours away from us," said Juan Cantera, a 28-year-old farmer.

"Olive oil is everything in Lopera".

rs/ds/imm/gv/tym
Malaysia PM says to meet Myanmar junta chief over quake relief



Kuala Lumpur, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN chair Anwar Ibrahim said Monday he will meet Myanmar's isolated junta chief in Bangkok this week as the strongman makes a rare trip abroad to discuss earthquake relief.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has barred junta officials from summits after their 2021 coup deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and plunged Myanmar into a fractious civil war.

But Anwar -- who holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN -- said he would meet Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday to discuss the safety of Malaysian aid workers dispatched to help after last month's earthquake.

More than 3,600 people were killed in the March 28 disaster which destroyed more than 5,000 buildings, according to official figures, and left more than two million in need, said the UN.

Myanmar's junta announced a ceasefire following the magnitude-7.7 quake. While monitors say fighting has continued, Anwar said he would appeal for the truce to continue beyond its April 22 expiry date.

"Hopefully from my discussion on April 17, I will ask for it to be extended," Anwar said at an assembly of the finance ministry which he also leads.

"We are sending our rescue team there, so we want to ensure safety," he said, adding the purpose of the meeting was to "facilitate humanitarian aid in light of the severe earthquake disaster".

Anwar said his talks with Min Aung Hlaing would take place on the sidelines of meetings with Thai leaders to discuss the flooding situation in southern Thailand bordering Malaysia.

Since seizing power by force, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has mostly only travelled to his government's main arms supplier Russia and its key economic partner and political backer China.

But earlier this month he ventured to Bangkok in the aftermath of the quake to attend a BIMSTEC economic summit of seven nations around the Bay of Bengal. Critics said the meeting legitimised his military rule.

The 10-country ASEAN bloc has led so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to resolve Myanmar's civil war and has shunned Min Aung Hlaing from its summits over a lack of progress on their peace plan.

But Anwar said it took only one call for the junta chief to agree to meet.

"He recognises our friendship and he is ready to talk," he said.
Thunberg, activists push ahead with Sweden climate lawsuit



Stockholm, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



Climate activists including Greta Thunberg said Monday they plan to refile a lawsuit against the Swedish state for alleged climate inaction, two months after the Supreme Court threw out their case.

The Supreme Court said in February the complaint filed against the state -- brought by an individual, with 300 other people joining it as a class action lawsuit under the name Aurora -- was inadmissible, noting the "very high requirements for individuals to have the right to bring such a claim" against a state.

But it said that "an association that meets certain requirements may have the right to bring a climate lawsuit".

Aurora has therefore asked the Nacka district court where it first filed the lawsuit to reconsider it by switching the plaintiff to an association.

"If the court concludes that this is not possible, Aurora will sue the state again," it said in a statement.

"One way or another, Aurora is continuing to bring the issue of the Swedish state's legal obligations in the climate crisis to Swedish courts."

The first of its kind in the Scandinavian country, Aurora's lawsuit demanded that Sweden take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to within the limits of what is "technically and economically feasible".

Both the Swedish Climate Policy Council and the Environmental Protection Agency have for the past year warned that the Swedish right-wing government's policies will lead to an increase in emissions, and said the country was not on track to meet its climate goals and EU commitments.

Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari has said she is "not particularly worried" by the reports.

"If rich, high-emitting, resourceful powers like the Swedish state act immediately to fundamentally change our economic systems, we have a chance to get out of these planetary crises and build a sustainable and just world. We cannot let the state squander that chance," Aurora spokeswoman Ida Edling said.

In a landmark April 2024 decision, Europe's top rights court, the European Court of Human Rights, ruled that Switzerland was not doing enough to tackle climate change, the first country ever to be condemned by an international tribunal for not taking sufficient action to curb global warming.

In December 2019, the Dutch supreme court ordered the government to slash greenhouse gases by at least 25 percent by 2020 in another landmark case brought by an environmental group.
Spain arrests two over online exotic cat sales



Madrid, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



Spanish police said Monday that they had arrested two people suspected of selling online exotic cats including protected species such as white tigers and pumas, and had confiscated 19 felines in the operation.

Officers arrested the couple on the island of Majorca, where they are suspected of raising desert lynxes and servals, a wild cat native to Africa, as well as hybrid species created by crossing these breeds with domestic cats, police said in a statement.

Further investigations found that their activities were just "the tip of the iceberg" of an international trafficking operation of protected species such as white tigers and black panthers "involving breeders, transporters and veterinarians", they said.

"Most of the animals offered for sale came from countries such as Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to be smuggled into the European Union," they added.

Police suspect the animals were brought into the European Union via Poland from Belarus, and were then offered across the bloc with false documentation.

Among the other species the couple offered for sale on its social media accounts were European lynxes, hyenas and pumas.

Police said the suspects had offered a clouded leopard, one of the world's most rare and elusive cats, at a price of 60,000 euros ($68,000).

Officers also seized a caracal, a desert lynx known for its distinctive long ear tufts, as well as two servals and 16 hybrid felines.

They also seized more than 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus and China as part of the operation.
UK wildfires push records in first four months of 2025



London, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



More than 110 wildfires have raged in the UK since the start of the year, according to satellite data released Monday, making it one of the worst years on record.

At least 111 fires have torched an area of nearly 24,500 hectares (94 square miles) across the country since January 1, according to data Monday from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

The number of wildfires and area affected by them is higher than average for this time of the year, and higher than the same period in 2024.

Only 2019 was worse in terms of the area burned (28,700 hectares) and 2022 for the number of fires (151) for the same period, according to the Press Association news agency.

Last week, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said fire and rescue services had already responded to 380 wildfires so far this year in England and Wales -- more than double the same period in 2022.

The EFFIS data is based on satellite readings and only maps fires that are 30 hectares or larger -- accounting for the difference with records from the local authority.

In comparison, the NFCC measures wildfires with an area of at least one hectare.

"A particularly dry March, followed by warmer-than-average temperatures in April, has seen a number of significant wildfires across the UK over the last fortnight," the NFCC said in a statement.

The UK and Ireland had a "drier than average" March, according to Europe's Copernicus climate monitor. Last month was also the hottest March ever recorded in Europe by a significant margin.

"With the increase in extreme weather events, we know that fire and rescue services are stretched as they seek to keep their communities safe," said NFCC chair Phil Garrigan.

The Met Office said the fires are due to dry and breezy conditions in spring which came after a damp winter, meaning there was "fuel" for the blazes because of plant growth.

Firefighters in Northern Ireland have been battling dozens of blazes in the last week, with many residents having to evacuate homes and a weather warning for wildfires.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it attended 296 wildfires between April 3-10, many of which were thought to be started deliberately.

An "extreme" wildfire warning was issued for Scotland on Friday and Saturday, after multiple blazes broke out the previous week.

According to Michael Humphreys from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), wetter weather last year meant fewer blazes in 2024.
Rubbish collectors in major UK city reject deal to end strike



London, April 14 (AFP) Apr 14, 2025



Refuse workers in the British city of Birmingham on Monday refused a deal to end a weeks-long strike that has left tonnes of uncollected rubbish piled high in the streets, union officials said.

The vote came as army logistics staff were called in to try to ease a crisis now in its sixth week.

The Unite union said its members in Birmingham voted overwhelmingly against what it called a "totally inadequate" offer.

"The rejection of the offer is no surprise as these workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this magnitude to pay the price for bad decision after bad decision," Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said.

"This dispute is not about a pay rise, it is about preventing serious pay cuts," she said.

Hundreds of workers walked out on March 11, with Unite saying some employees stood to lose pound8,000 ($10,400) a year under a planned restructuring of the refuse service.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said two-thirds of the rubbish that had accumulated on the streets had now been removed.

She added that military personnel were helping the Birmingham City Council with the logistics of removing as much rubbish as possible, but that there were "no boots on the ground".

The accumulation of rubbish left to fester on the streets during an unusually warm spring has prompted public health concerns, with residents reporting bags being ripped open by rats, cats and foxes.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman said the "purely office-based" military personnel" were helping with "coordinating the local response with local authorities, providing additional vehicles and crews, and opening household waste centres to Birmingham residents".

"We are now urging Unite to suspend its action and accept the offer that is on the table," the spokesman said.

More than 100 vehicles had left depots on Monday morning, with 12,500 tonnes of waste cleared since April 4, he added.
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Melinda French Gates has opened up about her experience with weight gain during her first pregnancy.

The 60-year-old philanthropist  who shares three children with ex-husband Bill Gates  had a conversation about body image during an appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, which aired on Monday.

Host Jamie Kern Lima mentioned that in French Gatess new book, The Next Day, the businesswoman writes about gaining 79 pounds when she was pregnant with her first child, Jennifer. She also writes about the freedom she discovered when she was pregnant after the pressure she felt to be a certain weight when she was younger.

I had to have a truce with my doctor, because every time I would go in, they always, they put you on the scale, right? And he really was concerned, she recalled. And I finally said to him, Okay, are you concerned because this is a problem for my health or my baby's health? And he said, No.

She explained that every time she went to the doctor during her pregnancy, hed talk to her about her weight being over the number it should be. So, she ultimately asked him what the problem was.

And he said, Im afraid you're gonna be mad at me because when this is over, it'll take you a while to get the pregnancy weight off, she added. And I said, Tell you what, lets have a truce. You never bring up my weight unless its a health problem for me and the baby, and I promise to not be mad at you when this is over.

French Gates noted that when she got pregnant with Jennifer, she knew she was going to get large, but that didnt matter to her because she was excited to grow a baby.

Melinda French Gates says she asked her doctor not to bring up her weight when she was pregnant ( Getty )

It was like finally, I didn't have to worry about, you know, looking good, trying to be thin, what I put in my mouth, other than things that I knew and wanted to eat healthy, she explained.

She said that while she was enormous during her pregnancy, being pregnant was freeing for her since she didnt have to think about the expectations shed put on herself to look a certain way.

And then much later in my life I realized, Hmm what are the expectations I have of myself, who's putting that on me? Maybe society, but maybe myself, So you have to really, you know, eventually look at that too, right? she added.

French Gates also shared that she had a boyfriend in college who made comments about her weight, which stayed with her as she got older.

Eventually, I got out of that relationship, but it took me too long, she said. Too many of those messages carried through with me into my twenties and even my thirties, and it probably wasnt until I got to forty that I got more OK, with who I was.

She added that while she wants to be fit and healthy, shes not focused on being a specific weight.

Last week, French Gates opened up about her divorce from the Microsoft co-founder, which he previously said was the biggest regret of his life. She addressed those comments from Gates, arguing that the split was something that was necessary.

If you cant live your values out inside your most intimate relationship, it was necessary, she told The Times. I dont even quite know what to make of that statement, so Im not going to comment on what he says. Hes got his own life. I have my life now. I am very happy.
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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.
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Starbucks is introducing a new dress code for its baristas  and union workers are not happy.

On Monday, the coffee chain announced the uniform would be implemented from May 12. The previous dress code allowed for tops of any color and bottoms, hats, footwear, and outerwear to be black, gray, navy, brown, khaki, or white.

The new dress code requires employees to wear a solid black shirt that is either a crewneck, collared, or button-up. The shirts can be short-sleeved or long-sleeved. Employees must also wear bottoms that can be any shade of khaki, black, or blue denim.

By updating our dress code, we can deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience that will also bring simpler and clearer guidance to our partners, which means they can focus on what matters most, crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers, a press release stated.

On top of the new dress code, the company revealed it would be providing employees with two company-branded shirts.

However, in a statement sent to The Independent, Starbucks Workers United called on CEO Brian Niccol to address other issues at the company.

The new dress code requires employees to wear a solid black shirt that is either a crewneck, collared, or button-up ( Getty )

Starbucks top priority should be finalizing fair contracts with union baristas so we have the staffing, guaranteed hours, and support we need to do our jobs, Jasmine Leli, a three-year Starbucks barista and union bargaining delegate, said.

Workers United has written to Starbucks demanding no dress code change be implemented at union-represented stores until bargaining concludes.

Instead of addressing the most pressing issues baristas have been raising for years, Starbucks is prioritizing a limiting dress code that wont improve the companys operations. Theyre forcing baristas to pay for new clothes when were struggling as it is on Starbucks wages and without guaranteed hours.

Theyre spending money and time to force baristas into a specific cultural vision that is counter to building an authentic, inclusive third place where workers and customers can feel like they belong. Its time for Brian Niccol to get involved in the bargaining process and hear from us directly on what Starbucks partners actually need to succeed.

In regard to the unions demand about finalizing contracts, a spokesperson for Starbucks said in a statement to The Independent, Since last April Starbucks and Workers United have held more than nine bargaining sessions over 20 days and three mediation sessions over five days with a federal mediator.

Weve reached over thirty (30) meaningful agreements on hundreds of topics Workers United delegates told us were important to them. Starbucks remains committed to good faith bargaining to reach a framework for single store contracts for our partners represented by the union.

The companys 2025 first-quarter earnings report showed that its comparable store sales in the U.S. declined by 4 percent year over year.

The new dress code is one of the many changes Starbucks has implemented this year. Last month, the company announced a menu change, removing 13 drinks.

Starbucks said goodbye to drinks that are not commonly purchased, can be complex to make or are similar to other beverages on our menu. This change officially went into effect on March 4.

These departed drinks are: Iced Matcha Lemonade, White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, Espresso Frappuccino, Chai Creme Frappuccino, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Creme Frappuccino, Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino, Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino, White Chocolate Creme Frappuccino, Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino, Java Chip Frappuccino, White Hot Chocolate, Royal English Breakfast Latte, and Honey Almondmilk Flat White.

In place of these 13 items, the Seattle-based company ushered in three new picks: Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha, Iced Cherry Chai, and Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte. Starbucks also added Jalapeno Chicken Pockets and Spicy Falafel Pockets at select locations.
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Tori Spelling has revealed how her daughter helped inspire her decision to file for divorce from Dean McDermott.

Spelling and McDermott split in 2024 after 18 years together, citing irreconcilable differences.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor reflected on the end of her marriage during Thursdays episode of the misSPELLING podcast.

Have you ever considered what it would be like to be with someone else and not dad and get treated right? she recalled daughter Hattie, 13, asking her.

It got to the point where it was worse for the kids to see us together, Spelling continued. We could no longer hide what was happening, the fights.

She also explained how McDermotts struggles with addiction played into their relationship, which their children also noticed.

Tori Spelling was married to reality star Dean McDermott for 18 years ( Getty Images )

He was an addict going through a lot, and a lot of it was taken out on me, she said. And she saw that. I didnt like the person I was, trying to raise strong humans and just taking it and taking it.

After filing for divorce in March 2024 and McDermott enrolling in a rehab program, Spelling came to the conclusion that she should have ended her marriage ago.

The want of kids, just always wanting their parents together, I think kept me from making what was outwardly a better decision for them than what they saw between two partners, she said. That kept me in the relationship far too long, and it ultimately, I feel, did a disservice to my kids.

On June 17, 2023  the same day Spelling listed the date of their separation on the divorce documents  McDermott announced that the couple had decided to go their separate ways in a statement that was later deleted from his Instagram.

Its with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and five amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways, and start a new journey of our own, he wrote at the time.

We will continue to work together as loving parents and guide and love our children through this difficult time. We ask that you all respect our privacy as we take this time to surround our family with love and work our way through this. Thank you all for your support and kindness.

Hours later, however, McDermott deleted the post without explanation.

The filing stated that Spelling had requested joint legal custody of their five children  Liam, 18, Stella, 16, Hattie, 13, Finn, 12, and Beau, eight  but wanted sole physical custody with visitation for McDermott.
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A Pennsylvania man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and aggravated arson in connection to a fire that was started at Governor Josh Shapiros residence on Sunday.

Cody Allen Balmer, 38, turned himself into police in Harrisburg after his ex-partner called authorities to inform them Balmer had admitted to committing the attack, according to an affidavit.

Shapiro, his wife, four children and two dogs, were sleeping when the fire broke out on the first floor of the governors mansion. While the fire caused significant damage, nobody was injured and the Shapiros were safely evacuated.

Balmer was reportedly angry with the governor and told law enforcement officials he would have beaten Shapiro with a hammer if he confronted him directly.

open image in gallery Cody Balmer of Harrisburg was arrested following an attack on Governor Josh Shapiros residence ( Dauphin County DA )

In a news conference on Sunday, Shapiro denounced Balmers actions, saying violence is not ok and we have to be better than this.

Heres what else we know.

Who is Cody Balmer?

Balmer was a mechanic from Harrisburg, according to a Facebook page that appears to belong to him.

Kindermans Auto Repair, a vehicle repair shop in Harrisburg, said that Balmer was a former employee who had not worked there for more than two years.

While we are saddened to learn of these current charges, we fully support our men and women in law enforcement as well as our government officials, Kindermans Auto Repair wrote.

Balmer was a registered voter but was not affiliated with a specific party, according to records.

Balmer was methodical

According to the affidavit, Balmer admitted to removing gasoline from a lawn mower and pouring it into beer bottles at his home before embarking on an hour-long walk to the governors mansion.

Security camera footage captured Balmer, dressed in a black jacket and pants, climbing over a fence on the residences property, breaking a window and throwing a homemade Molotov cocktail through the window.

He then broke another window, climbed through and deployed a second Molotov cocktail device in the dining room of the home.

Balmer then kicked open the dining room door and exited the governors mansion.

open image in gallery Images from inside the governors mansion show extensive fire damage ( Commonwealth Media Services )

Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said Balmer was inside the residence for less than one minute and actively evaded state troopers even while they were searching for him on the property.

He clearly had a plan, Bivens added. He was very methodical in his approach.

Balmer told authorities he was aware that his actions could have injured someone. He also admitted he knew it was possible Shapiro or his family could be home at the time of the act, police said.

Balmer has previous charges

Court records indicate Balmer had previous charges, including a 2015 guilty plea to forgery and theft by deception and a 2023 simple assault charge.

Balmer was arrested just days before he was expected to appear in court and enter a plea for the 2023 charge.

open image in gallery Shapiro condemned the violence used to attack his home on Sunday morning ( Commonwealth Media Services )

Social media posts appear to criticize the government

Posts on a Facebook profile that appear to belong to Balmer contain criticisms of the government, specifically about the high cost of living.

In one Facebook post, Balmer shared an image that contained text reading, Joe Biden owes me 2 grand.

In other posts that Balmer shared, he appeared to have favorable views toward guns and fire.

In 2022, Balmer shared a post that depicted a needlepoint version of a Molotov cocktail with text that read, Be the light you want to see in the world.
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Disneyland guests were left aghast after a trespasser was filmed roaming around the theme park naked and exposing himself on top of buildings.

Police said they arrested the man in New Orleans Square, an area inside the park, in Anaheim on Saturday evening for trespassing, public nudity, and being under the influence of narcotics.

The suspect has not been identified, but the Anaheim Police Department told ABC7 that he is a Canadian citizen.

Footage circulating on social media shows the man standing completely naked on top of Tianas Palace, a Cajun and Creole restaurant inspired by The Princess and the Frog.

Hes going that way, one person can be heard screaming in the video.

open image in gallery The suspect was filmed clambering over the canopy at Tianas Palace on Saturday ( Disneyland )

Oh my God! the person behind the camera added while being ushered by a person who appeared to work for Disney, who pointed a red light and apologized for the incident.

Another video obtained by the local news station shows the suspect throwing his hands in the air before climbing over the railings of a balcony and walking across a canopy of Tianas Palace.

There were no reports of anyone being injured in the incident.

The Independent has contacted Disneyland and the Anaheim Police Department for more information.

Several Disneyland guests who claimed to have witnessed the incident firsthand lambasted the mans actions on social media.

Was waiting in line for the train. Turned around and saw a nude man flailing everything on top of Tianas, one person commented on a video circulating on Instagram.

He climbed up the stairs then walked along to roof, then was on the canopy, a second person commented.

I was there last night, another Instagram user claimed. All the commotion makes sense now.

So disgusting its supposed to be an enjoyable place for kids, a fourth person said.

The incident comes almost 18 months after a 26-year-old man was arrested near the Its a Small World attraction.

Footage at the time showed the man removing his clothes and walking through sets in the indoor ride with festive music blaring in the background.

The man was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and being under the influence of a controlled substance, the Anaheim Police Department said at the time.
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An Indiana man is accused of shooting his father dead and then calling 911 to report his crime, police say.

Around 8:30 p.m. Friday, deputies from the Lawrence County Sheriffs Office in Indiana responded to a home for a reported shooting. There, deputies found Chad McMaken, 47, dead from a gunshot wound.

The victims son - Kameron McMaken, 22 - was the person who called 911 and said he shot his dad during an argument, according to investigators.

open image in gallery Kameron McMaken, 22, shot his dad dead at a home in Indiana during an argument, police say ( Lawrence County Sheriffs Office )

There was no word on what the argument was over.

Deputies arrested Kameron McMaken at the home without incident. Police also found the gun used in the shooting at the home.

Kameron McMaken was arrested on a murder charge and booked into the Lawrence County jail on Saturday.

Its unclear if Kameron McMaken has made a court appearance or if he has been given bond in the case.
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Journalist Taylor Lorenz has provoked anger after describing Luigi Mangione as handsome, smart, and morally good in a discussion about his online fandom.

Mangione, 26, was arrested in December for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, outside of the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, before fleeing the scene and sparking a week-long manhunt.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Justice Department will seek the death penalty for what she characterized as an act of political violence.

However, Mangiones actions have been celebrated as vigilante heroism in some corners of the internet, with many expressing sympathy with his anger over the cost of health insurance provided by firms like Thompsons.

Speaking to CNNs Donie OSullivan for Sundays installment of his show MisinfoNation, Lorenz ridiculed the media outrage over Mangiones celebrity.

To see these millionaire media pundits on TV clutching their pearls about someone stanning a murderer when this is the United States of America, as if we dont lionize criminals, as if we dont have, you know, we dont stan murderers of all sorts, and we can give them Netflix shows, she said.

Theres a huge disconnect between the narratives and the angles that mainstream media pushes and what the American public feels.

Asked by OSullivan about the gatherings of female supporters who have congregated outside of the defendants court hearings in New York so far, the former Washington Post and New York Times journalist laughed.

Youre going to see women especially that feel like, Oh my God, right? Like, heres this man whos revolutionary, whos famous, whos handsome, who is young, whos smart, she said.

open image in gallery Journalist Taylor Lorenz talks to Donie O'Sullivan for his CNN show MisinfoNation on Sunday 13 April 2025 ( CNN )

Hes a person that seems like this morally good man, which is hard to find.

OSullivan joked in response: Yeah, I just realized women will literally date an assassin before they swipe right on me. Thats where were at.

Senator Ted Cruz led the conservative fury when a clip of their flippant exchange was posted to X.

This communist is openly celebrating murder, he fumed. And treated as an actual journalist.

You know who would disagree with the absurd assertion from Taylor Lorenz that Luigi Mangione is a morally good man? Brian Thompson's wife and two kids, wrote former NCAA swimming star Riley Gaines.

Taylor Lorenz was born 40 years too late. She would have made an excellent member of the Manson Family, another account said.

Others hit back at Lorenz by calling her an absolute psychopath, a psychotic wench and, more unexpectedly, as a well-known lawn flamingo.

open image in gallery Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief executive Brian Thompson, appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on New York state murder and terrorism charges in New York City on February 21 2025 ( Curtis Means/Reuters )

Lorenz is a regular target of attacks from the right online, with comments she makes frequently blowing up and feeding an arguably disingenuous outrage culture, so much so that she has been called the most harassed technology journalist in America and her career recommended for study to fellow reporters.

The network itself also received criticism for airing her comments, with conservative pundit Ian Miller writing: CNN is happy to call any opinions they dont like harmful and dangerous and now theyre doing a interview with Taylor Lorenz who openly fawns over Luigi Mangione and calls him moral.

Amazing what protection having the right political ideology buys.

Mangione was extradited to New York following his arrest in a Pennsylvania branch of McDonalds on December 9 and charged with four federal crimes: two counts of stalking, murder through use of a firearm, and a further firearms offense.

He was arraigned before the states Supreme Court on December 23 and pleaded not guilty. He has since been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

His next federal court date is currently set for April 18, followed by a state hearing on June 26.
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One person has been arrested after reports of an intruder at UnitedHealthcares Minnesota headquarters months after its CEO was killed.

The Minnetonka Police Department reported a large police presence at the health insurance companys head office Monday late morning.

A suspect outside of United Healthcare has been placed into custody without incident. There is no threat to the public, the department followed up in a social media post on X. We are continuing to clear the scene at this time. No further details were shared.

The insurance giant has increased security at its head office since the killing of its CEO Brian Thompson, according to KSTP. The outlet reports that a police officer has been stationed at the main entrance every day since Thompsons death.

The CEO was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on December 4 last year before speaking at a conference in the city.

open image in gallery Luigi Mangione is accused of killing Brian Thompson and has pleaded not guilty. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this month she has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty.

Luigi Mangione, 26, is accused of killing Thompson and pleaded not guilty in December to state murder and terror charges. Mangione also faces federal charges, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this month she has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty.

Bondi justified the decision, alleging that Mangione stalked and murdered Thompson and committed the crime as an act of political violence. She said because the killing took place in the middle of New York City in broad daylight the alleged shooter may have posted grave risk of death to additional persons.

Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione's lawyer, branded the decision barbaric.

By seeking to murder Luigi Mangione, the Justice Department has moved from the dysfunctional to the barbaric, she said in a statement.
I did not need a report to tell me about the health impacts of polluting projects and the inherent racism behind the decisions about where to put them.
Suspended student Rory MacDonald speaks out during a press conference to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia, speak out against deportation of immigrants and Trump's executive order against DEI programs, in front of Tulane University in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
At Scotia Dam, drilling nailed an impressive 32m at 1.17 per cent nickel from 18m, including 20m at 1.44 per cent nickel from 22m, 50m at 1.01 per cent nickel from 28m and 38m at 1.04 per cent nickel from 20m, including an 18m hit at 1.33 per cent nickel from 38m.

The drilling program at Scotia Dam yielded 107 significant intercepts in 85 holes.

Ardea Resources managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Penkethman said: These drill results from the Big Four and Scotia Dam deposits highlight the high grade and continuity of the nickel-cobalt mineralisation at the Kalgoorlie nickel project (KNP)Goongarrie Hub. This drill program will support the KNPL teams ongoing work to increase a measured mineral resource classification and develop a robust mining plan with maximum proven and probable ore reserves to underpin the project DFS. This is particularly important for the first five years of production.

The two areas drilled are about 4.8km apart from either end of a 7.7km strike zone of intensive resource drilling area that extends south from the Goongarrie Hub processing site. The sites are in north-south trending olivine-pyroxene cumulate ultramafic volcanic rock, known as the Goongarrie Line protolith. A protolith is the original or parent unmetamorphosed rock from which metamorphic rocks are formed.

At Goongarrie, the rocks have been subject to intense deformation in association with the Bardoc Tectonic Zone, where less resistant rocks erode or weather more easily than surrounding, more resistant rocks. The process typically leads to a sloping, dished or hollowed-out receding surface compared with the surrounding, more resistant rocks.

Along the Goongarrie line, the combination of intense deformation, fracturing and shearing has opened a plumbing system that lets rain and surface waters from the ancient Goongarrie Lake system into the host rocks.

The combined effects of the destruction of rock fabric, high temperatures and groundwater circulation over eons promoted intense leaching of silica and magnesia minerals from the protolith host.

The process has resulted in areas of higher grade and more extensive nickel-cobalt mineralisation, eventually creating the Goongarrie projects premium high-pressure acid leach feedstock.

Ardea believes its latest drilling program has validated the companys 2023 pre-feasibility study pit modelling at Big Four and Scotia Dam and points to the potential for pit optimisations to pick up more nickel mineralisation, partly from the deeper drilling that has consistently exceeded historic drill programs.

The company has collected samples of a key mineralised neutraliser from the semi-weathered saprock zone  beneath the laterite - for bench-scale testwork in the hope it can be included in the planned pit optimisations in the study.

The inclusion of the material is expected to yield additional nickel-cobalt mineralisation that may support deepening of the planned open pits.

The companys combined reverse circulation and core drilling programs have also assisted metallurgical assessment of the handling, flow characteristics and beneficiation upgrade factors of the plant feedstock and will contribute to Ardeas DFS considerations.

Ardea expects its resource definition drill testing will wind up in the June quarter. An additional confirmatory diamond drilling program required as part of the companys planned resource classification upgrades began last October and should be finished at about the same time.

Ardea is also running a reverse circulation drilling program at its Goongarrie South prospect, immediately north of its processing plant, which has the Goongarrie Hubs highest grade nickel resources.

The company is also receiving a regular inflow of analyses from infill drill testing at its satellite Highway and Siberia North nickel-cobalt deposits.

The Kalgoorlie nickel project and its sub-sets in the Goongarrie Hub make up a world-class nickel-cobalt and critical mineral deposits, which include the biggest lateritic nickel-cobalt resource in Australia. The 854 million tonne resources at 0.71 per cent nickel and 0.045 per cent cobalt for 6.1Mt of contained nickel and 386kt of contained cobalt is also one of the worlds biggest.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
One of the first studies to show the impact of physical activity on heart health came from an observation in the 1950s that conductors on Londons double-decker buses had lower rates of cardiovascular disease compared with the drivers.

The difference was that the conductors moved about the buses all day, walking up and down the stairs, while the drivers sat the entire time.

We dont need to do a lot to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease. Credit: Getty Images

Research continues to demonstrate that we do not need to hit the gym to lower our risk of cardiovascular disease.

A study published in the journal Circulation today looked at how much incidental physical activity was needed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The heart of my suburb, the Ripponlea Shopping Village has been through a journey. There are some shops that are seemingly as old as the village, including Andres barber shop; when we moved here, most were either boarded up or might as well have been for all their custom. The patrons arriving at Attica in their expensive cars and fine evening wear stark contrasted against the rest of the down-and-out village. Then something wonderful started to happen. Between the 2011 and 2021 census, there was a 9 per cent rise in 3185 residents  matching pace with Australian population growth generally. This transformed the village. First came the solitary cafe, which was soon followed by a second, then a third. Our lone affordable restaurant (Attica might be world-class but affordable it isnt) was joined by three other great restaurants. There are new clothes shops, pedicurists, a gym and even a doggie rehab. My mechanic was forced out by higher rents (sad) but his workspace has been replaced by the hip and happening Garage wine bar. A similar rebirth has happened to Glen Huntly Road, the main drag in Elsternwick. New residents have reversed what seemed like a fall into the terminal decline of both villages.

Loading Not everyone here is happy about sharing the postcode with more residents. The departure of the ABC studios for Southbank has freed up land to turn into much-needed housing. This has given rise to consternation among a subset of residents who want to limit the density of any new development and have been litigating against higher density for seven years and counting. Meanwhile, rents have continued to outpace incomes (as they have across Melbourne). But our local council area is, arguably, the epicentre of the housing crisis  with median rents growing 50 per cent over the past three years (compared to a 9 per cent growth in incomes). Notwithstanding the housing crisis, some politicians are chasing these residents for votes. A few weeks ago, the Victorian shadow housing spokesman, Richard Riordan, was a guest speaker at a rally opposing plans for higher density on the former ABC land. He even called me a dill for turning up and questioning whether, given his portfolio, he should be canvassing for votes from an anti-housing group. Based on my experience in Ripponlea, I am a firm believer that more people would be a win-win for old and new residents. Sure, its a bit harder to find a park nowadays, and the local roads are a bit more congested, but I would happily trade that off for the greater vibrancy and energy of the community. Then there is the convenience of more frequent trains and trams. Currently, we have to wait eight minutes between trains during peak times and 20 minutes off-peak. With the new Metro Tunnel, there is the capacity to run Sandringham trains every five minutes. But these extra services will only be put in place if there are enough residents to justify them.

Even if your personal preference is for ease of parking ahead of community vibrancy, is it OK to keep new people out of your suburb because you dont like change? The people at that anti-housing rally dont think of themselves as self-interested. Many tried to politely convince me that their stance was community minded. Most were aghast at the idea that they could be the baddies in this story. But by shifting the focus from new residents to greedy mega developers wanting to cram people into new apartments, they have distorted the true dynamics. The real political power sits with existing residents who, typically, already own an expensive home and are trying to stop the development of apartments that will house  generally  less wealthy people. Loading I love where I live and that its within easy walking distance of my sister, father and sister-in-law. But the next generation in our family cant afford to live near us. My oldest daughter is moving out. She wants to spread her wings, and we support that. Do we have to design a city where she can only afford to live an hour away from her family? People like her are the real victims of the anti-housing movement. As is a teacher who has to travel an hour to her school. Or a young family who can only afford to live in a cramped two-bedroom unit near their work.
The Royal Childrens Hospital has scrapped its plan to cut a dozen jobs at its Childrens Cancer Centre.

Three days after The Age revealed the hospitals plan to cut 13 positions, the hospital confirmed that it was working with its philanthropic arm, the Royal Childrens Hospital Foundation, to continue funding the roles, which include specialist mental health workers, allied health professionals and art therapists.

Marlyn Torres and son Ali, 9, are relieved the Royal Childrens Hospital will continue to fund the arts therapy program, which Ali benefits from. Credit: Simon Schluter

The RCH is working with the RCH Foundation to continue funding 13 roles within the CCC [Childrens Cancer Centre] and will work together to ensure the programs will sustainably continue in the long-term, the hospital said in a statement on Monday.

The RCH has benefited immeasurably from philanthropy and community support throughout our 155-year history.
In 2022 Chevron tested and detected PFAS in gas plant bores after it again entered the environment via stormwater drainage. There appeared to be a leak in the liner of a holding pond, which Chevron then addressed. The Gorgon Project at Barrow Island. Credit: Photographer: Lisa Maree Williams/Bloomberg But it again in 2024 advised the department of low levels of PFAS, as well as mercury, in stormwater drains discharged to the land. Throughout these investigations it continued to use the material as fill to complete works at seven locations on the island.

Testing of the soil stockpile detected PFAS compound PFOS in 15 per cent of samples. All concentrations significantly exceeded the guideline deemed to provide 99 per cent protection of water-dwelling species. A Chevron spokesman said given its historical use in firefighting foam, management of PFAS was a challenge that many organisations, companies and governments were dealing with. The Department of Water and Environment Regulation has only now amended Chevrons licence to address the situation. Its report considered the soil stockpile one likely source of the water contamination. It orders Chevron to submit a new environmental protection plan and waste management plan, and says federal controls should be reviewed given the high risk of impacts to the federally listed protected species in play.

It is still assessing the site as a potential official contaminated site after beginning this process in 2022. That groundwater supports subterranean fauna of high conservation significance  if PFOS leaches into the groundwater, it could cause significant habitat degradation, adversely affecting stygofauna health and potentially proving toxic, the regulator wrote, adding that the likelihood of this was probable. A flatback turtle hatchling on a WA beach. The consequence of PFAS contamination of groundwater  is major due to the known leachability of the stockpiled soil, conservation significance of the subterranean fauna, Barrow Island being classed a Class A nature reserve and the persistence of PFAS within the environment. It said there were currently no barriers to prevent infiltration, stormwater runoff from the stockpile was leaching PFAS and polluting the drainage system and environment.

The regulators report said the volume of material and isolated location of Barrow Island made removal impracticable. Neither the department nor Chevron answered questions about whether removal had been investigated or costed. They also considered there was a high risk that there were currently unknown and uncontrolled sources of PFAS in uninvestigated areas on the premises. It is crucial to identify all areas where potentially PFAS-containing soil has been utilised on the premises, the departments officer wrote. The new conditions require Chevron to prepare new management and control plans by May 24, to test the stockpiled soil before using it or moving it, to maintain a register to document the origin, destination and volume of all soil and fill materials to trace their movement ensuring accountability and providing an audit trail that can be referred to in the event of any future contamination concerns. Various other conditions for testing and management of water were also recommended.

It acknowledged that the new conditions imposed did not decrease the current risk PFAS poses to [wildlife] but were aimed at reducing or managing the ongoing risks. Loading The Conservation Council of WA has lodged an appeal against the new conditions. It says they focus on monitoring and reporting, not prevention or clean-up action, and the stockpiled soil should not be used for activities around the island. It says there is an increasing body of research demonstrating PFAS can impact numerous aspects of wild creatures health, especially concerning given its ability to accumulate in bodies and increase in concentration as it moves up the food chain, a major route of exposure for turtles.

It can be maternally transferred to eggs at levels which are detrimental to birds, policy and research manager Dr Kelly Duckworth said. There are mounting concerns about the risks of immunosuppression, developmental toxicity, and reduced hatching rates. Chevron ought to have known that use of PFAS contaminated soils elsewhere on the island would result in the spread of contamination, potentially causing serious environmental harm. CCWA says the obvious control for the risk contaminated water poses to the aquifer and its stygofauna is to stop allowing Chevron to inject it into deep wells that could fail. It wants the use of the stockpile to immediately cease, further controls to address further leachate from it, for its eventual removal from the island, for clean-up activities, and for Chevron to fund a PFAS turtle impact monitoring program.

Chevron is in a privileged position to be operating its facility from this Class A Reserve, Duckworth said. A DWER spokesperson said the Office of the Appeals Convenor was investigating the appeal and would report to the minister for environment for a decision, and that it would be inappropriate to comment on it during that process. A Chevron Australia spokesperson said the company took its obligations seriously and was committed to environmental stewardship on Barrow Island. He said it had rigorous processes in place and operated under stringent environmental conditions. As part of our comprehensive environmental monitoring program, PFAS was detected at extremely low levels  [testing] has consistently found PFAS levels below human health and ecological guideline values  despite the very low risk, further monitoring of the stockpile is being undertaken and additional control measures that can be put in place are being explored.
A Coalition plan to allow first-home buyers to claim as a tax deduction the interest on their mortgage would deliver high-income earners double the financial benefit received by low-income earners, new analysis shows, as experts express fears both major parties housing policies will hurt the budget bottom line.

As Opposition Leader Peter Dutton knocked back repeated questions on whether he would financially help his son Harry to buy a home, after Harry joined his father on the campaign trail, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pushed back at suggestions his own policy to effectively guarantee the loans of first-time buyers would let people enter the property market when they were unable to maintain repayments.

Both Labor and the Coalition put major housing policies at the centre of their campaign launches at the weekend. If re-elected, Labor would guarantee 5 per cent deposits of all first-home buyers so they do not require lenders mortgage insurance. It says it would also pump $10 billion into equity programs with state government and private developers to build 100,000 homes for first-time buyers.

The Coalition says it would allow first-time buyers to claim the interest on their mortgage, up to a mortgage limit of $650,000, for five years when they buy a newly built home. About 30,000 people are assumed to use the scheme each year, which has been estimated to cost $1.25 billion.
Feature: U.S. aid freeze deepens suffering among Somalia's internally displaced

Xinhua) 13:10, April 14, 2025

MOGADISHU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- In the dusty plains of Al-Hidaya camp on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, mothers sit outside makeshift shelters, shielding their children from the scorching heat with scraps of cloth.

Most families here fled recurrent droughts and conflict, seeking safety and basic assistance near the capital. But they were dealt another devastating blow: the sudden suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid.

The U.S. government recently paused all humanitarian funding to Somalia through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including a substantial 125.5 million-U.S.-dollar package. The move, attributed to concerns over alleged misuse of funds, has left many aid-dependent communities in limbo -- grappling with rising despair and growing uncertainty.

The impact is already visible in Somalia, where more than 3.8 million people have been displaced internally by a combination of climate shocks and insecurity.

Fadumo Omar, a 40-year-old mother of 10 who fled the Qoryoley district in the Lower Shabelle region, sat quietly outside her tent.

"We used to receive food and support from USAID," Fadumo told Xinhua in a recent interview. "Now we have nothing, no food, no water, not even toilets."

Fadumo is among thousands of Al-Hidaya camp residents who said they have received no aid in recent months amid the U.S. funding freeze.

"We came here to survive," she said, "but things are getting worse."

According to the Somali government and aid agencies, the abrupt suspension of funding threatens to derail humanitarian operations nationwide.

Abdullahi Dahir Ahmed, program manager at the Somali Women Development Center, a local charity that supports displaced women and children, said that critical services have been disrupted since the U.S. aid was halted.

"We are doing everything possible to find new partners," Ahmed said. "But it's not easy. Local donors do not have the capacity and many international donors are also overwhelmed by other crises around the world."

Ahmed observed that even European donors are now considering cuts of up to 50 percent -- further shrinking the pool of support available to Somalia's most vulnerable citizens.

"The loss of U.S. aid has already affected our ability to serve people in need," he said. "If these trends continue, the situation will become much more dire, especially for displaced families who rely on this aid to survive."

Somalia remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate emergencies. A succession of failed rainy seasons has pushed millions to starvation. Internally displaced people, often living in informal settlements with little access to clean water, food, or healthcare, are particularly at risk.

At Al-Hidaya camp, families report skipping meals, sending children to beg, and sharing what little they have with neighbors.

Fadumo Abdulkadir, 42, who also fled from Lower Shabelle due to drought, said the reduction in aid from both the U.S. and the United Nations has had a devastating impact.

"We used to get food and small cash payments," she explained. "Pregnant women and malnourished children also got nutritional supplements. Now, there's nothing. This has affected us a lot."

She hopes the international community will reconsider its approach. "We are just trying to survive... We need aid agencies to resume their support before it's too late."

Humanitarian organizations are scrambling to fill the gap -- some turning to private donors, others appealing to governments and multilateral institutions for emergency funds. The Somali government has urged continued engagement and pledged greater transparency in aid delivery.

Despite these efforts, humanitarian workers say they can do only so much with dwindling resources. For displaced families in camps like Al-Hidaya, each day is a fight for survival.

Children sit listlessly under sheets of plastic, their mothers worrying not only about where the next meal will come from but also what the future holds.

"We don't have much left," Omar said. "But we still have hope."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Yes  Significant efforts are being made

No  Much more needs to be done

Some progress  But there are still critical gaps

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This week the Texas Senate welcomed DJ Daniel to the chamber. DJ is a 13 year old from the Houston area who is battling terminal brain and spine cancer. His dream is to become a police officer and he has set a goal to be sworn in by 1,000 law enforcement agencies across the country, which would be a record. This week, he moved one step closer to that goal when he was sworn into as an officer with the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Here are five things happening around your state:

1. Senate passes bill to increase business personal property tax exemption

This week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 32 by Senator Paul Bettencourt. This bill increases the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $25,000. This will alleviate the tax burden on small businesses around the state. The bill also changes the exemption from a de minimis exemption to a universal exemption, meaning all businesses with business personal property can claim the exemption. The bill also provides a 20 percent inventory tax credit to reduce a businesss franchise tax liability. The total amount of credits that can be issued in a fiscal year is $500 million. Supporting small businesses by alleviating their tax burden is why Texas is one of the best places to start a business in the country.

2. House unanimously passes Treys Law, protecting sex abuse victims from non-disclosure agreements

The Texas House passed House Bill 748, also known as Treys Law, by Representative Jeff Leach this week. This bill would ban the use of non-disclosure agreements in civil settlements related to sexual abuse and sex trafficking cases. When cases are settled out of court, abusers have used confidentiality agreements to ensure that victims are forced to stay silent about what happened to them. The bill would subject all agreements, even those already in existence, to the provisions of the law. The bill is named after Trey Carlock, a Texas resident who died by suicide in 2019 after years of sexual abuse at a Christian summer camp. He signed an NDA as part of civil settlement, which led to the feeling he had to suffer in silence, as his sister said at the House hearing on the bill. The bill passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

3. Texas DOGE bill goes to Governor

The very first bill to make it through both chambers is on its way to the Governor this week. Senate Bill 14 is a measure that seeks to improve government efficiency by creating the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the Governors Office to identify rules and regulations at state agencies that are no longer necessary or useful and provide changes to rules that can reduce costs or improve effectiveness. The bill also codifies a Supreme Court decision related to federal regulations. The principle of Chevron deference required courts to defer to an agencys reasonable interpretation of an otherwise ambiguous statute. Recently, that standard was overturned at the federal level. This bill would codify the same principle at the state level that courts are not required to defer to agencies legal determinations.

4. Appeals court rules TEA can release A-F ratings

This week a judge ruled that the Texas Education Agency can move forward with releasing A-F school accountability ratings from the 2023 school year. The grades were delayed by a lawsuit filed by more than 100 districts after the agency changed the grading system mid-year. Under the new methods, districts would have had to reach higher benchmarks to get desirable ratings. The ratings are based on a number of factors including percentage of students who are college, career, or military-ready, graduation rates, and STAAR test scores. TEA announced it intends to release the ratings on April 24. A separate lawsuit over the 2024 ratings is still in litigation and is waiting on a decision.

5. East Texas non-profit places 400 foster children in homes

Almost a decade ago, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 11, which create Community Base Care model for foster care. It took the responsibility of placing foster children in homes from Child Protective Services to local contractors, like Texas Family Care Network (TFCN). TFCN started case management in the Deep East Texas Region a little over a year ago. Since then, the community-based network has removed more than 400 children from the foster care system and placed them in homes. I applaud the good, hard work Texas Family Care Network is doing in our community to help these children find a home.
Orangefield High School seniors in the Patient Care Technician program recently completed their clinical rotations at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas - Beaumont. They shadowed providers on an array of units and gained experience and knowledge of how the hospital system as a whole performs sacred work. This is an invaluable experience for each student, as they have had the opportunity to bridge classroom knowledge into the real world of healthcare. Students were placed across the hospital in a variety of fields such as EKG, Radiology, general nursing units, Labor and Delivery, and the Operating Room. Not only did they learn about the procedures and equipment used in these areas, but they were able to interact with staff and patients to enhance their communication skills. Orangefield High School would like to thank Baptist Hospital for welcoming the students for this phase of their education.
The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce held their monthly coffee last week at LBS Barbecue and announced their selections for Students, Business and Employee of the Month for April.

Breanna Powers is Student of the Month for Bridge City. Breanna is ranked 4 of 206 with a GPA of 4.74. Makayla Merendino is the Student of the Month from Bridge City. Makayla is ranked 39 of 122 with GPA: 3.6. Saving Grace Christian Boutique has been named Business of the Month for April, while Jennifer Marion with Kidz World was named Employee of the Month.

Next months coffee will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church hosted by YMCA of Southeast Texas on May 13th.

Tickets are now on sale for the Taste of the Bayou to be held at the Orange County Expo Center, 5-9 p.m., Thursday, April 24. Tickets are $25. Food vendors participating are Leslie's Place, Cajun Ventures, LBS BBQ, LBS Charcuterie Cart, Luigis Italian Grill, Carmela's Mid-County, Walk On's Sparts Bistreaux, TK's Peak Nutrition, Miss B's Takeout, Sammy's Taqueria, Low Tides, Bullfish, Blissbox and Cove Marina.
In a move that has stirred political circles, Raipur BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal has penned a strongly worded letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, voicing grave concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state capital.

Citing Raipurs rapid urban growth, Agrawal called for urgent reforms in policing and traffic management, warning that the current infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle the citys rising demands. His candid critique has reignited speculation over internal unrest within the Chhattisgarh BJP.

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Highlighting the citys transformation into a major urban hub, Agrawal stressed that its security infrastructure has not kept pace with the rising demands. He expressed concern over the increasing frequency of cybercrimes, pointing out that criminals no longer fear the law in the state capital.

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Raipur is growing rapidly, and it demands a corresponding scale-up in safety and traffic regulation. Highlighting flaws in governance is a tradition of our party, and since the Chief Minister is heavily occupied, Ive chosen to convey these issues through this letter, he wrote.

The letter draws attention to the alarming shortage in police manpower. According to Agrawal, while the approved strength for Raipur district police is 3,805 personnel, 796 posts remain vacant. Of the 2,738 sanctioned posts for constables, only 2,007 are currently filled. This shortfall, he said, hampers effective policing and causes inconvenience to the public.

On traffic management, the MP pointed out that over 1.7 million vehicles are registered in Raipur alone. However, against the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) standard requirement of 2,388 traffic personnel, the city has only 416 deployed. Agrawal urged the Chief Minister to immediately initiate recruitment for vacant police posts and sanction additional force commensurate with the citys growing needs.

The letter also mentions other expanding urban areas like Birgaon, Mana, and Mandir Hasaud, which collectively push the population of the Raipur metropolitan region to over 3 million. He warned that the cumulative pressure on police services across these areas is creating administrative strain and public dissatisfaction.

Reacting to the letter, Congress spokesperson Sushil Shukla said Agrawals concerns reflect what the opposition has been saying for months. Brijmohan Agrawal has held a mirror to his own government. His observations validate Congress consistent critique that law and order across Chhattisgarh has collapsed, Shukla said.

Veteran journalist and political analyst Uchit Sharma told The Statesman that internal discontent within the BJP is increasingly becoming public. BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal writing to his own Chief Minister, senior leader Nankiram Kanwar complaining to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and MLA Ajay Chandrakar criticizing the government during the assembly sessions all of these point to widening fault lines beneath the surface, Sharma remarked.

The recent developments are fuelling speculation about internal strife within the ruling BJP. With prominent leaders like Brijmohan Agrawal raising red flags publicly, Nankiram Kanwar appealing directly to Prime Minister Modi, and Ajay Chandrakar voicing dissent during the assembly elections, political watchers believe all is not well beneath the surface.

Despite the appearance of unity, growing cracks within the party could pose significant challenges for the Sai-led government, especially as it prepares for crucial governance and political battles ahead.
Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, will embark on a three-day study tour to Odisha starting Tuesday, April 15, to assess and learn from the successful implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, which has recently transitioned to a fully paperless system.

The Delhi Assembly is currently undergoing a digital transformation and is working towards adopting NeVA to become a fully functional e-Vidhan Sabha before the upcoming Monsoon Session.

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Gupta will be accompanied by Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bist, senior officials of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, and other key personnel involved in the NeVA project.

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The objective of the tour is to study the best practices, technological frameworks, and operational models adopted by Odisha in effectively implementing NeVA.

During the last Budget Session, Gupta had announced that the Assembly would go paperless within 100 days.

In line with this commitment, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is expected to release the necessary funds to support NeVAs implementation in Delhi.

The Speaker expressed hope that the visit will play a crucial role in accelerating the Assemblys digital transition, making it a more modern, efficient, and transparent legislative body.

Upon arrival in Bhubaneswar, the delegation will pay courtesy visits to the Governor and Chief Minister of Odisha.

On April 16, the team will participate in meetings with the NeVA committee and will also meet the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

The final day of the tour, April 17, will include further meetings and discussions with stakeholders involved in NeVAs implementation.
Two BJP Lok Sabha members from West Bengal, on Sunday, wrote separate letters to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking intervention in the prevailing tension in Murshidabad district which has been on the boil for the last few days after protests against the recently promulgated Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent and targetted Hindus.

The two MPs who wrote letters to HM Shah are Jagannath Sarkar from the Ranaghat Lok Sabha constituency in the Nadia district and Jyotirmay Singh Mahato from the Purulia constituency.

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In his letter to the Union Home Minister, Sarkar accused the state administration in West Bengal of remaining silent when the tension broke out.

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Sarkars points in the letter were echoes of the observations made by a special division bench of Calcutta High Court on Saturday evening that measures taken by the West Bengal government to control communal unrest in the Murshidabad district during the last few days were not adequate.

While ordering the immediate deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel in Murshidabad, the special division bench also observed that had the CAPF deployment been earlier, the situation would not have been so grave and volatile.

In his letter, Sarkar also requested HM Shah to deploy a high-level investigating and monitoring team from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to assess the ground realities in Murshidabad and other troubled pockets in the state.

Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, in his letter to HM Shah, claimed that the fear, isolation, and targeted violence that Bengali Hindus in these districts are facing currently echoes the Kashmiri Pandit exodus in the 1990s.

The tragic silence of the administration, deliberate targeting of a religious community, propaganda-driven unrest are all too familiar, Mahato said in the letter.

He also urged the Union Home Minister to consider declaring the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain districts in West Bengal which are having International Borders with Bangladesh, namely Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas, under Section 3 of the AFSPA Act, 1958.
Apple India has recorded a 60 per cent jump in iPhone production from its Indian supply chain with a turnover close to Rs 1.89 lakh crore during the financial year ended March 31, 2025, according to industry data.

Of this total output, Apple exported Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth iPhones from India during 2024-25, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Ashwini Vaishnaw Ashwinin Vasihnaw has stated.

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Apples production in India is expected to accelerate further with the US-China tariff war breaking out, as a result of which the American tech giants exports from the communist country will take a hit.

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Since US duties are much lower on India-made smartphones, Apple has a distinct advantage in further expanding its production base in the country.

Indias smartphone exports crossed a staggering Rs 1.75 lakh crore ($21 billion) in 11 months of 2024-25 (April-February), which constitutes a 54 per cent jump over the corresponding figure for the same period of 2023-24, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association.

Around 70 per cent of the exports were contributed by Apples iPhone supply chain with Tamil Nadu-based Foxconn, accounting for close to 50 per cent of the overseas shipments. Exports from the Foxconn factory registered an over 40 per cent jump over the same period of the previous financial year.

Another 22 per cent of the exports came from iPhone vendor Tata Electronics, which has acquired the Wistron smartphone manufacturing factory in Karnataka. Another 12 per cent of the export consignments came from the Pegatron facility in Tamil Nadu, in which Tata Electronics acquired a 60 per cent stake towards the end of January. With the acquisition of the two Taiwanese companies, the Tata group has also emerged as a major producer of iPhones in the country.

South Korean tech giant Samsung contributed around 20 per cent of the total smartphone exports from India.

Vaishnaw earlier said that he expected smartphone exports to reach $20 billion (Rs 1.68 lakh crore) during 2024-25, but the estimate has already been exceeded in 11 months of the current financial year.

Indias electronics goods exports, led by smartphones, have been accelerating in recent years on the back of governments Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme which has succeeded in attracting foreign tech giants such as Apple and its suppliers, looking to set up alternative supply chains outside China after the Communist country came under US sanctions.

The Centres production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has boosted exports and reduced imports, as domestic production now meets 99 per cent of domestic demand.

The Production Linked Scheme (PLI) for electronics manufacturing has succeeded in attracting a cumulative investment to the tune of Rs 10,213 crore till December 2024, leading to the creation of over 1.37 lakh direct jobs and boosting the countrys exports, according to information tabled in Parliament.
A 33-year-old man was found dead at his residence in Delhis Pratap Nagar, located in the northern part of the city, police said on Monday.

According to police officials, they received a call on April 13 around 7:30 pm from Harsh Vihar, reporting that an individual had allegedly committed suicide at his home.

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A police team was immediately dispatched to the location to investigate the incident.

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Upon arrival, the officials found the deceased, identified as Kishore (33), hanging from a ceiling fan.

The body was subsequently shifted to the mortuary. A crime team, along with a forensic science laboratory (FSL) team, was also called to the scene to inspect the premises and collect evidence.

On Monday, a post-mortem examination was conducted at GTB Hospital, and the body was handed over to the family for cremation.

However, the family members later demanded a second post-mortem examination by a medical board.

Following the familys request, the body has been preserved again in the mortuary for re-examination.

A case has been registered, and legal action will be taken based on the findings of the post-mortem, an official said.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Monday alleged that of all governments in Delhis recent past, the previous AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal was the most guilty of betraying the dreams of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar.

Sachdeva said that during his ten-year rule, Kejriwal politically exploited Dalit and oppressed communities by merely displaying Babasahebs pictures while ignoring his core messages and doing little for their educational, social, and economic upliftment.

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The Delhi BJP chief alleged that although portraits of Babasaheb were placed in secretariat rooms, the government showed no serious intent to implement the three educational schemes named after him or improve the condition of Dalit colonies.

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Sachdeva further stated that the Kejriwal governments approach to Dalit upliftment was limited to hoardings and photographs of Babasaheb, presenting grand promises of development in Dalit colonies between 2020 and 2024.

He pointed out that while Rs. 260 crore was allocated in the budget for those four years, only Rs 121 crore was actually spentan amount nearly equivalent to what the Kejriwal government reportedly spent on constructing a lavish residence and furnishing ministers offices in the secretariat.

According to Sachdeva, the AAP government had announced three schemes under Dr Ambedkars name targeting Dalits, backward castes, minorities, and economically weaker sections, with budget allocations accordinglybut these turned out to be hollow announcements with no meaningful implementation.

In 2020, the Kejriwal government introduced the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana for the welfare of Scheduled Caste students, allocating Rs 180 crore between 2020 and 2024. However, only Rs 4.4 crore was spent on the schememost of it likely on publicity, claimed Sachdeva.

Similarly, another version of the same scheme targeting students from minority, backward caste, and economically weaker backgrounds had a budget of Rs 250 crore over four years, but only Rs 4.2 crore was spentagain, allegedly on publicity.

Sachdeva demanded that Kejriwal answer the Dalit, minority, and economically weaker communities of Delhi, especially on Babasahebs birth anniversary, as to why only a fraction of the Rs 891 crore allocated for their educational upliftment was actually utilized.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor stated that it was unfortunate that even on the 134th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj chose to mislead people with hollow references to Dr. Ambedkars image, instead of apologizing for the partys decade-long politics of deception with Dalits and backward communities.

Kapoor added that rather than involving Dalits in symbolic politics over Babasahebs image, Bharadwaj should explain why the Kejriwal government spent only Rs 121 croreless than half of the Rs 260 crore allocatedfor the development of Dalit colonies.
When it comes to slipping into the skin of complex characters in uniform, Nawazuddin Siddiqui doesnt just act  he becomes.

Over the years, he has taken on a variety of roles in uniform, not just wearing the badge but adding weight to it with layered performances. Whether hes chasing criminals or unearthing hidden secrets, Nawaz brings a unique flavor to every officer he portrays.

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Lets rewind and look at the moments where Nawaz, as a man in uniform, left a lasting impression  from the streets of Kolkata to the hills of Uttarakhand.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@nawazuddin._siddiqui)

1. Kahaani (2012)

Before he became a household name, Nawaz made people sit up and take notice as Intelligence Bureau officer A. Khan in Kahaani. He wasnt your average intelligence guy  he was intimidating, impatient, and razor-sharp. His confrontations had bite, his silences were tense, and he brought real menace to the screen without ever needing to raise his voice. Nawazs Khan was the kind of officer youd rather not cross  ever.

2. Raat Akeli Hai (2020)

Fast-forward to Netflixs noir murder mystery Raat Akeli Hai, and you see a very different officer. As Inspector Jatil Yadav, Nawaz plays a man weighed down by societal norms and personal wounds. Hes awkward in love, meticulous in work, and driven by a stubborn sense of justice. Unlike flashy Bollywood cops, Jatil is real  flaws, insecurities, and all. And thats exactly what makes him unforgettable.

3. Raees (2017)

Facing off against none other than Shah Rukh Khan, Nawaz as ACP Majmudar in Raees was nothing short of a power move. While SRK charmed his way through smuggling dens, Nawaz matched him with cool-headed determination and some brilliant comic timing. This wasnt a sidekick or a mere obstacle  he was a force of his own. A cop with wit, guts, and unshakable ethics, Majmudar held his ground in a world full of grey zones.

4. Rautu Ka Raaz (2024)

In his latest release Rautu Ka Raaz, Nawaz takes us to the misty hills of Uttarakhand, playing SHO Deepak Singh Negi  a man investigating a death that no one wants to talk about. The films mood is eerie, quiet, and almost still  and Nawaz echoes that in his restrained, introspective performance. Theres something unsettling about the way he moves through this sleepy town, uncovering truths that were meant to stay buried. Its the kind of role that stays with you.

5. Costao (Upcoming)

Next up, Nawazuddin will be seen in Costao, where he plays real-life customs officer Costao Fernandes  the man who busted a gold smuggling racket in the 90s. While the film is still under wraps, the buzz is real. The poster alone hints at a gritty, intense ride. Knowing Nawazs habit of diving deep into his roles, this biopic might just be another feather in his cap.

From gritty enforcement officers to emotionally fragile investigators, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has carved a niche of his own  far from the traditional hero cop image.

He brings honesty, vulnerability, and quiet power to every role, reminding us that a badge doesnt make the man  the man defines the badge. And Nawaz? He wears it like no one else.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan received a death threat again on Sunday after an unknown person threatened the actor with death by barging into his house or by blowing up his car with a bomb, said Mumbai Police.

According to Mumbai Police, the Transport Department in Worli, Mumbai, received a WhatsApp message on Sunday threatening actor Salman with death.

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In the Whatsapp message, the person threatened Salman with death by claiming to barge into his house and blow up actor Salman Khans car with a bomb.

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Threat sent to WhatsApp number of Transport Department in Worli, Mumbai. It was given yesterday. Actor Salman Khan was threatened with death by barging into his house. Threat to blow up actor Salman Khans car with a bomb. said Mumbai Police.

The Mumbai Police have registered the case against the unknown person who sent the death threat via Whatsapp at the Worli Police Station.

This is not the first death threat received by the actor.

In November last year, the Mumbai Police received a threatening message against actor Salman Khan allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police said.

Salman Khan has received another death threat call, according to #MumbaiPolice, weeks after a man was taken into custody for sending a threat email. The caller who identified himself as Rockey Bhai from Jodhpur in #Rajasthan said he was a Gau rakshak.#SalmanKhan #deaththreat pic.twitter.com/Kjjz5fcDSx  The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) April 11, 2023

The threat message gave the actor two options: apologise or pay Rs 5 crore to stay alive.

Mumbai Police traffic control room received a threatening message in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, which threatened the actor with death, saying that if Salman Khan wanted to stay alive, he should go to our temple and apologize or give Rs 5 crore.

If he does not do so, we will kill him, our gang is still active, the message claiming to be in the name of Lawrence Bishnois brother said.

This was the second death threat which Salman received within a week last year. In the earlier death threat also received by Mumbai Police Traffic Control, a ransom of Rs 2 crore was demanded from the actor.
Netflixs Queen of Tears was one of 2024s most popular K-dramas. The series made waves for its storyline, ensemble cast and phenomenal performances. Led by Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, it emerged as one of the most-watched dramas of the year. For the drama, Kim Soo Hyun secured a Baeksang award, the most prestigious award in South Korea. However, Kim Ji Won did not even receive a nod for the Best Actress category. The complete sidelining of the actress stirred a row of backlash at that time.

Now, almost a year later as Kim Soo Hyun finds himself in deep controversy involving late actress Kim Sae Ron, the backlash reignites. The development comes after Beaksang judge and critic Jeong Deok Hyeons recent comment. Talking about the snub, he said that at the time of decision-making, Queen of Tears just started airing. This made the panel perplexed about whether the drama should be considered. He also stated that in the few episodes that aired, Kim Ji Won didnt reach the pinnacle of her acting skills displayed in the series.

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Now, several fans have expressed that Deok Hyeons defence does not make sense. They are also calling out the panel for misogyny. Fans are noting that if the makers were confused about considering the drama, how did Kim Soo Hyun secure a win.

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In a recent talk show appearance, Jeong Deok Hyeon addressed the controversy over the snub. When the first round of judging started, it started pretty early, Jeong explained. Queen of Tears hadnt even begun airing yet. So, there was a lot of debate over whether to include it or not. Since it barely made the cutoff, theres actually an original standard. If a certain percentage has aired, then it becomes eligible. But it was difficult for us to judge it properly without having seen the full content.

shouldnt have nominated the actor then. this is just an excuse for the misogynistic industry that favors men and finds ways to honor them more than they do for actresses. https://t.co/uk00qLVMwU  _ (@clockwork0718) April 12, 2025



He added, At the point we were watching it, Kim Soo Hyuns performance stood out clearly, but Kim Jiwon hadnt really shined yet on the video. Thats why she didnt make it into the nominations and actually, we explained all this to Kim Jiwons agency and the actress also heard it and accepted it all. The public doesnt know, though, so they just criticize us. Moreover, the judge also remarked that the luck factor also plays a role, sparking criticism. But awards like this, honestly, theres a bit of luck involved.

Also Read: What is the Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act? Can legal action follow?

His comments have sparked massive outrage on how the prestigious awards completely overlooked the female star.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Monday that Haryana is effectively fulfilling its responsibility of serving the common man while also implementing the public welfare schemes of the Central Government. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Haryana is progressing steadily as a partner in development, empowered by the strength of a triple engine government, he said.

The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering at Sankalp Ki Udaan ceremony, held to mark the inauguration of air services from Maharaja Agrasen Airport, Hisar, and the foundation stone laying of Terminal-2, on the auspicious occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar in Hisar.

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Describing the day as historic, the Chief Minister said: Today, on April 14, we are witnessing a significant milestone as air services commence from the newly constructed Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar to the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, the city of Lord Shri Rama. Along with this, the foundation stone laying of the second terminal of Haryanas first airport marks another leap in the direction of development.

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The Chief Minister reiterated Prime Minister Modis vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, affirming that Haryana will play a significant role in realising this dream.

Saini apprised the Prime Minister that this is the same Hisar whose soil carries the fragrance of hard work, where the prosperity of livestock is celebrated, and where our brave soldiers have always served the nation with pride and sacrifice. Today, the light of education is reaching every home here.

From Rakhi Garhi, which echoes the grandeur of our ancient civilization, to Agroha, which tells the tale of Maharaja Agrasens legacy of commerce and social harmony, this land is rich with heritage, he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised the deep bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of Haryana. Recalling the Prime Ministers visit to Hisar on September 28, 2024, during the assembly elections, he said, From this very land, the Prime Minister had sought a pledge from the people to elect a BJP government for the third consecutive term.

Today, I feel proud to say that the people of Haryana have fulfilled that pledge. This victory is a testament to the trust, intent, policies, and leadership of the Central Government, he added.

He said that within the first 100 days of the BJPs third term, 19 promises from the partys Sankalp Patra have been fulfilled, work has commenced on 90 others, and significant progress is being made on the rest. He said that Haryanas double-engine government has now transformed into a triple-engine government, accelerating the pace of development threefold.

The Chief Minister highlighted the launch of the Lado Laxmi Yojana, aimed at empowering women, for which a provision of Rs 5,000 crore has been made in the states first budget of the new term. Reflecting on the transformation in air travel accessibility, he said that for many years post-independence, air travel remained a distant dream for the common citizen due to the lack of connectivity.
The homestays and hotels on the route of Chardham Yatra to Badrinath and Kedarnath will not be allowed to serve liquor to tourists during the pilgrimage season starting from April 30. They will have to mandatorily display their registration details and install CCTV cameras with voice recorders.

An instruction to this effect has been issued by Chamoli District Police to the hotel owners and homestay operators not to serve or allow consumption of liquor on their premises by the tourists and pilgrims coming for Chardham pilgrimage. The police have directed them to display the registration details of their facilities at the counter for the visitors. Besides hoteliers, homestays and shelter home owners enroute Kedarnath and Badrinath have been directed to put in place CCTV cameras with voice recorders compulsorily to ensure security of the pilgrims.

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The decision to ban liquor for tourists and pilgrims was taken following a meeting between the owners and of hotels, rain shelters, homestays, and lodges and the police at Gopeshwar regarding ongoing preparations for the Chardham Yatra. Senior police officials present in the meeting categorically stated that legal action would be taken against the homestay owners and hoteliers if liquor is served or sold at their facilities.

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Gomeshwar SHO Vinod Chaurasia said, All the hotel and homestay owners have been asked to create a display mentioning registration details of their establishments at the visitor counter. To ensure security for the pilgrims, CCTV cameras with voice recorders will also be mandatorily installed in every hotel, homestays and restaurants enroute Chardham Pilgrimage.

Chaurisia informed that hoteliers, homestays, and other lodging facility providers have been asked to keep records like identity cards (ID) of every tourists and pilgrims in their individual capacities as well as those coming in groups with other details like vehicle numbers, time and dates of their arrival and departure in the register. In addition to this, the rate list of the facilities available will have to be displayed by the hotels and homestays for the benefits of the tourists.

Chardham Pilgrimage Season 2025 is set to take off from April 30 with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri. Kedarnath portals will open on May 2 while that of Badrinath will open on May 4.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said here on Monday that enthusiasm to celebrate Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars 134th birth anniversary is visible not only in India, but also all over the world.

Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Ashish Shelar and Sanjay Rathod, as well as Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, besides other political leaders reached Chaityabhoomi at Dadar West and paid their respects to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars statue at the venue.

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Due to Dr Babasahebs work, we are seeing a united India today, for which the credit must be given to Babasaheb and the Constitution. The Constitution is set to complete 75 years. Babasahebs work is incomparable. The foundation needed to build a country was laid by Babasaheb, and due to the wrong customs and traditions which existed in the country in the past, people did not treat each other like humans. People did not call each other human. Babasaheb worked to overcome this mentality and worked to establish equality and brotherhood in the country, Fadnavis said.

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The Constitution is greater than a book. Through the Constitution, we got equal rights and privileges in life. Getting equal rights gave us the strength to fulfill our dreams. The core of the Constitution comes from the thoughts of Lord Gautam Buddha. Therefore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that I love the Constitution more than any book, because the Constitution has done the work of building a country. We should pay attention to how the country will remain united due to the Constitution. Babasaheb was a jurist. He had a big hand in the social and economic fields and had social foresight, which is why it was Babasaheb who laid the foundation for development, Fadnavis said.

Babasaheb thought not about himself, but about society. Therefore, Babasaheb is a true national hero for us. Todays tribute is to that national hero and we will resolve to move forward in his path, Fadnavis said.

Due to Babasahebs constitution, people of the lower classes have equal rights and entitlements. Also, Babasaheb dedicated his life to the country. Because of him, today even the poorest of the poor can dream big. He can realise that dream and become great, Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary on Monday, asserting that Baba Sahebs vision and principles continue to inspire the journey towards making India a self-reliant and developed nation.

Dr B.R. Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, in the military cantonment town of Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, was a towering figure in Indian history  an eminent jurist, economist, social reformer, and political leader.

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As the architect of the Indian Constitution, he chaired the drafting committee and later served as the first Law and Justice Minister in the cabinet of then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

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Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi wrote, On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realising the dream of social justice today.

His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat, he added.

In a video message, the Prime Minister described Ambedkar as a symbol of humanity who strongly opposed anything inhumane.

He used to do everything constitutionally. He taught the society only one thing  become educated, and once you are educated, you will be able to talk to the world eye to eye, PM Modi said.

He further recalled Ambedkars guiding mantras  education, organisation, and struggle for humanity and said that these three mantras continue to inspire us and give us strength even today.

Reflecting on Ambedkars life and legacy, PM Modi emphasised the social reformers unwavering dedication to the nation and to social justice.

The spirit with which Baba Saheb Ambedkar did his work was completely pure national devotion, social devotion, and hence our resolution should be this  be it Dalit, suffering, exploited, poor, tribal, village dweller, slum dweller, yearning for education, if we have to do something for all of them, then Baba Saheb Ambedkar is always an inspiration for us, he stated.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the governments efforts to honour Ambedkars legacy through the creation of Panch Teerth  five important sites associated with his life.

These include Janam Bhoomi in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, where he was born; Siksha Bhoomi in London, where he stayed while pursuing studies in the UK; Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur, where he embraced Buddhism; Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi, where he spent his last moments; and Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai, his final resting place.

In addition, the PM Modi-led government also dedicated the Dr Ambedkar International Centre at 15, Janpath in Delhi to honour the Father of the Indian Constitution.

Our government has placed Baba Sahebs contribution in front of the country and the world with great intensity, the Prime Minister said. These Panch Teerth will continue to inspire the coming generations.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also paid tribute to Dr Ambedkar and shared a video of his visit to the Ambedkar Memorial House in London.

My tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. This video was taken when I visited the house where Babasaheb lived while studying Law in London. Now, this house has been bought and converted as Ambedkar Memorial House, Rijiju posted on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday reiterated his governments resolve to continue with the agenda of inclusive development and slammed the Congress for indulging in the politics of appeasement, noting that in 2013, just months before elections, the Congress amended the Waqf Act to appease its vote bank, elevating it above several Constitutional provisions.

On the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the new terminal building of Hisar airport, a project worth over Rs 410 crore, and inaugurated multiple development projects in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana.

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Highlighting the significance of the day, he emphasised his governments dual focus on enhancing connectivity, such as the newly launched flight route connecting Haryana to Ayodhya Dham, and promoting social justice and welfare for the poor.

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He reiterated the vision of Viksit Haryana for Viksit Bharat, underscoring efforts to boost electricity production to support national development, particularly through initiatives like the PM Suryagarh Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to eliminate electricity bills via solar power. He also stressed his governments commitment to empowering farmers and increasing agricultural productivity in Haryana.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised Dr Ambedkars life and ideals as central to the governments 11-year journey, stating that their governance is rooted in empowering marginalised communities  the poor, tribal groups, women, and backward classes.

He noted that the number of airports increased from 74 (before 2014) to over 150, while 90 aerodromes have been connected with 600-plus operational routes, stressing the Centres focus on connectivity, poor welfare, and social justice.

He strongly criticised the Congress party for mistreating Dr Ambedkar, denying him electoral victories, and marginalising his legacy. In contrast, he cited his governments achievements, like tap water coverage increased from 16 per cent to 80 per cent in rural households within 67 years.

The Prime Minister criticised Congress for not implementing the Uniform Civil Code and for misusing the Waqf Act for appeasement politics. He alleged that land mafias misused Waqf lands meant for poor Muslim communities, especially Pasmanda Muslims. He hailed recent amendments to the Waqf Act that prevent tribal land exploitation and ensure equitable access for the underprivileged.

In Yamunanagar, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects, praising the regions cultural, historical, and industrial significance. He honoured the sacred land of Haryana, referring to sites like Maa Saraswatis origin, Mantra Devi, Panchmukhi Hanuman Ji, and Kapalmochan Sahib.

Highlighting his governments focus on manufacturing under initiatives like Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he introduced Mission Manufacturing, aimed at generating jobs for marginalised communities, upgrading industries, and boosting MSMEs. To support these goals, he announced the third unit of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar.

On electricity, Modi detailed progress since 2014, contrasting current improvements with past blackouts. India has nearly doubled its power generation capacity and now exports power. He announced plans to increase Haryanas capacity from 16,000 MW to 24,000 MW, backed by initiatives like One Nation-One Grid, solar and nuclear energy expansion.

He highlighted the PM Suryagarh Muft Bijli Yojana, which encourages solar power adoption by households, enabling people to earn by selling surplus power. Over 1.25 crore people have registered nationwide, including lakhs from Haryana, with the solar sector creating jobs and MSME opportunities.

To support small industries, Modi outlined extensive measures, including pandemic-era financial assistance, redefinition of MSMEs for easier growth, launch of special credit cards, expansion of credit guarantee coverage, and achievements under Mudra Yojana, which has disbursed Rs 33 lakh crore in collateral-free loans, with over half going to SC, ST, and OBC beneficiaries.

The Prime Minister commended Haryanas farmers for their contributions to national food security and shared that the state now procures 24 crops at MSP. Under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, farmers have received over Rs 9,000 crore in claims, while Rs 6,500 crore has been disbursed under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

He also highlighted the abolition of the colonial-era water tax, waiver of Rs 130 crore in dues, and the promotion of Gobardhan Yojana to convert organic waste into biogas. A new Gobardhan plant in Yamunanagar will save the municipal corporation Rs 3 crore annually and support sustainability and cleanliness goals.

PM Modi praised the Haryana government, especially Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, for eradicating corruption in job recruitment. He highlighted Haryanas contribution to the armed forces and accused previous governments of misleading soldiers over the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.
In a post on X, he said, In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth Rs 1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi governments whole-of-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics. Applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success.

Reports said a consignment of 300 kg of narcotics worth Rs 1800 crore has been seized by the authorities off the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) near Gujarats coast. The action was a result of a swift operation by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) with Gujarat ATS on the night of April 12-13.

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On spotting the ICG ship, smugglers dumped contraband and fled across the IMBL. The consignment was recovered at sea and was handed to the ATS for further investigation.

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The construction of the grand Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya marked a significant milestone on Monday with the installation of the Kalash atop the temple.

The sacred ritual, performed with full Vedic traditions in the presence of Brahmins, began at 9:15 am and concluded at 10:30 am. A wave of devotion and celebration swept through Ayodhya as residents hailed the moment as truly historic.

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General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Champat Rai said a significant milestone in the temples construction was achieved on the auspicious occasion of Vaisakhi and the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. The next phase will see the installation of the dhwajdand on the temples main shikhar (peak). The overall construction work is progressing steadily, he stated.

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Sharing his feelings on this achievement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remarked that the construction of the Ram Mandir stands as a powerful symbol of not just spiritual devotion, but also cultural and social harmony. He emphasized that the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya reflects the collective faith and unwavering resolve of the people of India and will serve to reinforce Indias Sanatan values on the global stage.

The chief minister lauded the Trust and all individuals contributing to the construction, calling it a defining step toward building a New India. He reiterated the state governments commitment to transforming Ayodhya into a world-class spiritual and tourism destination. Infrastructure projects encompassing road, rail, and air connectivity are being rapidly developed, alongside expanded amenities for pilgrims and visitors.

Champat Rai shared that the construction machinery would now be removed from the temple premises, marking a significant shift in the phase of development. He further informed that the consecration of idols in the temples of Raja Ram, Parakota, and the Saptarishis on the first floor will commence shortly. The timely progress of the construction has filled devotees with a deep sense of joy and enthusiasm.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday paid homage to the chief architect of Indian Constitution, BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, and vowed to uphold the Constitutional values.

Paying his rich tributes, Kharge said Ambedkar gave the countrymen the Constitution of India, based on the democratic values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. This constitution is the most powerful tool for social justice and inclusive development.

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The Congress chief said he considered inclusiveness as his ultimate duty for the progress and unity of the country and strongly emphasised protecting the rights of all.

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On his 135th birth anniversary, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to his ideas of social change and social justice. The Congress Party takes this oath that we will always remain committed to the protection of Constitutional values and the protection of democracy, Kharge wrote on X.

Paying homage to Ambedkar, the Leader of Opposition in the Lower House wrote in a post on X, Respectful tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, on his birth anniversary.

Recalling his contributions, Gandhi said his struggle and contribution for strengthening the countrys democracy, for equal rights of every Indian, for the participation of every section, will always guide the Congress party in its fight to protect the Constitution.

Later, Kharge, Gandhi, and Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes at the portrait of Ambedkar at the Parliament House complex.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and partys general secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal also paid homage to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

Attacking the BJP-led government at the Centre, Priyanka wrote on X, Our Constitution is the protective shield of every Indian and today attempts are being made to break this protective shield. The Constitution is being weakened by the government.

Let us take a pledge that we will protect Babasahebs Constitution and its values under all circumstances, she said.

In a post on X, Venugopal said, I bow to the great reformer, the architect of our Constitution, Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary. In an era of deep social divisions, in the shadows of millennia of brutal discrimination, he mustered the courage to fight injustices and give a bold, progressive, and egalitarian vision.

Attacking the ruling dispensation, he said, His role in shaping our Constitution cannot be forgotten today, at a time when the forces in power are hell bent on subverting it every occasion they get. But it is to his credit that, despite their nefarious intentions, not only has the Constitution stood the test of time, but its moral weight has forced even those who oppose it to bow before it. 

Referring to Congress Nyay Path declaration, Venugopal said the Congress is dedicated to fulfilling Ambedkars dream and bringing social justice to all deprived sections of society.
Paying tributes on the 134th birth anniversary of the chief architect of Indian constitution, Bharat Ratna Bhimrao Ambedkar, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said on Monday that Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar strengthened the foundation of modern India with the values of equality, liberty, and social justice, and his thoughts, struggles, and leadership symbolise self-respect for all Indians and will continue to inspire us in building a developed and self-reliant India.

Addressing a pprograme organized at Bhim Janmabhoomi, Dr Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), the CM said that Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar undertook several remarkable works in the 20th century, which helped eliminate the distortions caused by a thousand years of slavery. Based on his vision and contribution, India has emerged as the worlds largest democratic nation.

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The CM noted that Dr Ambedkars contributions were multidimensional, and he foresaw the future challenges of India.

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The CM said that despite facing immense hardships in life, Dr Ambedkar learned from his struggles and dedicated himself to uplifting others like him, and his efforts for social harmony and upliftment are truly unparalleled in history.

Dr Yadav said that Baba Saheb provided the entire society with the system of reservations, and today, all sections, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, are benefiting from increased literacy. The literacy rate among Scheduled Castes, which was once just 1.5 per cent, has now risen to 59 per cent, noted Dr Yadav.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recognized all places associated with Dr Ambedkar as Panchteerth (five sacred sites).

He further announced that the state government is allotting 3.5 acres of land in Mhow for the construction of a Dharamshala for visitors to Bhim Janmabhoomi. The state government will ensure all necessary facilities for the devotees.

The CM further stated that Dr Ambedkar Kamdhenu Yojana has been launched for the prosperity of the underprivileged and farmers, and under the scheme, if any person from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe category opens a dairy, the government will provide a 30 per cent subsidy.

He informed that just a day earlier, the Central Government gifted Mhow a new train, directly connecting it to the national capital, Delhi. This train service will benefit not only Mhow but also cities like Kota, Indore, Ujjain, and Dewas in the Malwa region.

Dr Yadav also highlighted that a grand memorial of Dr Ambedkar has been established in London, at the very place where he pursued his education.

The CM pointed out that although the site is in a residential area and faced strong opposition from the British for being declared a memorial, it was made possible due to the efforts of Prime Minister Modi.

The Chief Minister also praised PM Modi for the abrogation of Article 370, restoring full constitutional rights to Jammu and Kashmir, and recalled that Dr Ambedkar himself had never accepted Article 370.

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 at the military cantonment of Mhow, now officially known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar, near Indore in MP. He passed away on 6 December 1956 in Delhi. In 1990, Dr Ambedkar was posthumously awarded Indias highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.
Mehul Choksi, the diamond businessman wanted in an alleged Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been arrested in Belgium following an extradition request from the Indian agencies, sources said.

Choksis extradition was sought for his alleged involvement defrauding the PNB of over Rs 13,000 crore. He is wanted by Central probe agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).

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Choksi, who has been absconding from the country for several years after the bank fraud case surfaced, was located and apprehended on Saturday by Belgian authorities. It is being said that he had taken refuge in a foreign country on the pretext of medical treatment. The diamond merchant is now expected to seek legal remedies against his extradition.

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Choksi has been living abroad with his wife while his nephew, Nirav Modi, a co-accused in the case who is also awaiting extradition from London, United Kingdom. Both of them had reportedly fled the country in the face of a huge scam way back in 2018.

Choksis departure from the country days before the scam unfolded added to the suspicion about his involvement in the case.

Earlier, the CBI had approached the Interpol for a red corner notice (RCN) against Choksi in connection with the case.

The ED has accused Choksi and his nephew of allegedly colluding with the employees of the bank to avail of illegal advances against the payments to suppliers of jewels before allegedly diverting the amount to themselves. However, both the accused have denied allegations.

Since his departure from the country, Choksi is reported to have travelled to different countries including Antigua, where he is said to have citizenship.

Meanwhile, speaking to a news agency, his advocate, Vijay Aggarwal, said, My client Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium and at the moment, he is in custody. We will be starting the process of filing an appeal against this, and then, as a process of appeal, we will be requesting that he be pulled out of prison. The major ground for the plea is his ill health and that he is undergoing cancer, he added.

It is alleged that the bankers used fake Letters of Undertakings (LoUs) to open accounts for the import of jewels ignoring guidelines as they were unable to share any document with the PNB. The anti-money laundering agency gathered information and evidence related to dummy companies overseas used allegedly by the diamond trader for the transfer of the ill gotten money. It has also seized properties worth hundreds of crores of rupees.

On January 29, 2018, the PNB registered a complaint with the CBI, alleging that fraudulent LoUs were first issued in the name of three diamond firms.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government will construct a series of special multipurpose buildings named after prominent social reformers across the state, particularly in areas predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

In addition, the government will establish a modern knowledge center titled Baba Saheb Samarsata Sthal in Haridwar, which will also serve as a hub of social harmony among different Hindu castes.

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made the announcement during an event in Haridwar on Monday to commemorate the 135th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

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Addressing the gathering, Dhami said that the state government will soon roll out a new plan to construct a chain of multipurpose buildings in SC-ST dominated regions.

These buildings will be equipped to host social, religious, and cultural events, and will also highlight the contributions of notable SC-ST personalities from Uttarakhand and across India.

Each building will be named after respected figures and reformers from the SC-ST communities. The construction costs will be covered under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) schemes of the Department of Social Welfare.

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced the upcoming construction of a major knowledge and cultural center, Baba Saheb Samarsata Sthal, in Haridwar. This facility aims to educate people about the lives and achievements of reformers from the SC-ST communities and to foster unity among all castes. It will also provide crucial information about constitutional rights and provisions, especially those concerning marginalized sections of society.

Multipurpose buildings will be developed in areas largely inhabited by SC and ST communities and named after social reformers from these groups. The Samarsata Sthal will not only educate future generations about our reformers but also serve as a center for awareness on constitutional rights, said Dhami.

He was felicitated at the event by the Uttarakhand Ambedkar Mahamanch* for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.

Calling Dr Ambedkar a visionary, Dhami said, He believed that societal equality cannot be achieved until every citizen is granted equal rights. Inspired by this belief, he introduced revolutionary concepts like the Uniform Civil Code in the Constitution. By implementing the UCC, the Uttarakhand government has taken a historic step toward social justice and equality.

Furthermore, the government plans to launch awareness programs in schools and colleges through the Uttarakhand Scheduled Caste Commission to educate the younger generation about their rights and welfare schemes targeted toward SC and ST communities.
The ongoing questioning of Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator of 26/11, is likely to go beyond the 2008 attack and extend to other Lashkar-e-Taiba terror plots, including the 2004 foiled suicide attack on Narendra Modi, the then chief minister of Gujarat who is now the countrys Prime Minister.

NIA investigators are looking to grill Rana on the Gujarat module as he had joined LeT around the time when the suicide attack was foiled. They believe Rana might spill the beans on insiders who played a role in the plot to kill Narendra Modi in 2004.

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On June 15, 2004, the Gujarat Police stated that Ishrat Jahan, along with three other people, had been gunned down near Ahmedabad by a police team belonging to the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of the Ahmedabad City Police. The four were on a mission to kill the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

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There are strong reasons for NIA interrogators to believe that Rana may have got crucial information related to the Ishrat Jahan-led assassination plot from his friend and LeT associate David Coleman Headley, who was an active operative for the Pakistan-based terror group around 2004.

Headley, who joined LeT a few years before Rana did, had confirmed before US law enforcers that Ishrat Jahan was a part of LeT who was tasked to assassinate Narendra Modi.

While the Ishrat Jahan-led assassination bid was foiled in 2004, Headley later joined Pakistani-Canadian Rana to plot the 2008 Mumbai attack that left 166, including six US nationals, dead.

Apart from questioning Rana on 26/11, NIA investigators hope to extract crucial information from him on LeTs multiple plots and sleeper cells  active in the pre-2014 era  including the Ishrat Jahan module.

Immediately after the Ishrat Jahan module was neutralised in Gujarat in 2004, there was an alleged attempt by the then UPA government to brand the incident as a fake encounter and use it as a handle to settle political scores with then Gujarat Chief Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress over the Waqf property issue. He accused the party of appeasement politics, alleging that the party had granted special rights and control over public and private properties to Waqf Boards during its rule, sidelining the rights of the common people.

After laying the foundation stone of the new Terminal Building of the Maharaja Agrasen airport in Hisar, Haryana, worth over Rs 410 crore today, Prime Minister Modi addressed a gathering. He criticised the Congress for claiming to work for the welfare of Muslims while failing to take meaningful actions.

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PM Modi remarked that if the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50 per cent of their tickets to Muslim candidates, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature.

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Highlighting the vast tracts of land under Waqf, meant to benefit the poor, destitute women and children, were instead exploited by a handful of land mafias, Modi pointed out that these mafias were encroaching on lands belonging to Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, leaving the Pasmanda Muslim community without any benefits.

He mentioned that amendments to the Waqf Act will put an end to such exploitation, emphasising a significant new provision in the amended law, ensuring that tribal lands cannot be touched by Waqf boards. He described this as a major step in protecting tribal interests.

The Prime Minister stated that the new provisions will honour the sanctity of Waqf, ensuring that the rights of poor and Pasmanda Muslim families, women, and children are upheld. He affirmed that this reflects the true spirit of the Constitution and genuine social justice.

Our government is focusing on connectivity while ensuring welfare for the poor and social justice, fulfilling the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the aspirations of the Constitutions framers, emphasised the Prime Minister.

He stated that appeasement policies have significantly harmed the Muslim community, benefiting only a few extremists while leaving the rest of the society neglected, uneducated, and impoverished.

The PM pointed to the Waqf Act as the biggest evidence of the previous governments flawed policies. He noted that in 2013, just months before elections, the Congress amended the Waqf Act to appease its vote bank, elevating it above several Constitutional provisions.

He also slammed the Congress for its treatment of Babasaheb Ambedkar, stating that while he was alive, they insulted him, orchestrated his electoral defeats twice, and conspired to exclude him from the system. He remarked that after Babasahebs passing, the party also attempted to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas.

He highlighted that Dr Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, whereas they became its destroyer. He stated that while Dr Ambedkar aimed to bring equality, Congress spread the virus of vote-bank politics in the country.

Modi remarked that Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned a life of dignity for every poor and marginalised individual, enabling them to dream and fulfill their aspirations. He criticised the previous government for treating SC, ST, and OBC communities as second-class citizens during its long tenure.

He highlighted the disparity under its rule, where water reached the swimming pools of some leaders but failed to reach villages. He noted that even after 70 years of independence, only 16 per cent of rural households had tap water connections, disproportionately affecting SC, ST, and OBC communities.

The PM shared that in the past 6-7 years, their government has provided tap water connections to over 12 crore rural households, raising the coverage to 80 per cent of rural homes. He expressed confidence that, with Babasahebs blessings, tap water will reach every household. He also addressed the lack of toilets, which severely impacted SC, ST, and OBC communities. He highlighted the governments efforts in constructing over 11 crore toilets, ensuring a life of dignity for the underprivileged.

Criticising the previous dispensations rule, during which the SC, ST, and OBC communities faced significant barriers, with even access to banks being a distant dream, the Prime Minister said that insurance, loans, and financial assistance were mere aspirations for them. He highlighted that under their government, the largest beneficiaries of Jan Dhan accounts are from SC, ST, and OBC communities. He proudly noted that today, these individuals confidently showcase their RuPay cards, symbolising their financial inclusion and empowerment.
A political slugfest erupted in Bihar with various political parties staking claim to the legacy of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on the birth anniversary of the national icon and the architect of the Indian Constitution.

Paying tribute to the social reformer at a ceremony in Patna on Monday, Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has always stood and will continue to stand with the ideals of Baba Saheb and to save the Constitution and reservation.

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He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making all efforts to weaken Ambedkars ideology and the constitution he framed to ensure social justice. He slammed the saffron party for its claim to his legacy allegedly to get Dalit votes. Going against Ambedkars ideology, BJP has been following the ideology of Guru Golwalkar and Nathuram Godse. Home Minister Amit Shah insulted and ridiculed Baba Saheb in Parliament. The BJP never apologised for his misconduct. Today, the party is celebrating Ambedkars birth anniversary. This is just an attempt to get Dalit votes.

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On the occasion, the Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation leaders resolved to intensify the fight against the increasing attacks on the Constitution of India and democracy under the rule of the fascist BJP. They also demanded the repeal of the communal and anti-constitutional Waqf Amendment Act.

Alleging that the Constitution is under attack, they said there is a frenzy all around to convert the country into a Hindu Rashtra. In such a situation, they said everyone should remember Baba Sahebs warning: If Hindu Raj does become a fact, it will, no doubt, be the greatest calamity for this country.

The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni said that Dr Ambedkar made education his weapon and asked his followers to educate their children.

Targeting the BJP, he said, They neither believe in the Constitution nor do they respect the chief architect of the Constitution. That is why they give you a lot of freebies but not education.

Bihar Congress President Rajesh Kumar said today, the BJP and its allies are engaged in destroying the Constitution of India while the Congress party is making attempts to save the Constitution. Dr Ambedkar fought for the rights of the exploited and deprived society throughout his life. He never surrendered to circumstances and made education his weapon. His philosophy of life should be adopted by all the exploited and deprived society so that they can work strongly for the betterment of the society, he said.

Bihar BJP President Dr. Dilip Jaiswal slammed the Congress party, saying that it always humiliated the social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination against Dalits, women and labourers. He also took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying that today, Nehrus descendants are roaming around with copies of the Constitution in their hands, which is a manifestation of their double standards.
President Droupadi Murmu; Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday paid floral tributes at the statue of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar at Prerna Sthal in Parliament House Complex on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

Several Union Ministers, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge; Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi; Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh; Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta; Members of Parliament, former lawmakers, and other dignitaries also paid tributes on the occasion.

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Later, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla; Union Ministers, Rajya Sabha LoP Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, RS Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Delhi CM Gupta; Members of Parliament, and former MPs paid floral tributes at the portrait of Babasaheb in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

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Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi also paid homage to Dr Ambedkar and emphasised how his vision continues to shape the countrys path toward progress.

On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realising the dream of social justice today, PM Modi wrote on X.

His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat, he added.

Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had a profound impact on Indias social and political landscape, leaving an enduring legacy. Renowned as a champion of social justice, he is revered for his substantial and diverse contributions to Indian society.

Dr Ambedkars significant achievement lies in his role as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, where he played a pivotal role during the debates in the Constituent Assembly. He is respected as the driving force behind the Constitution of India, ensuring its principles of inclusivity and justice.

The portrait of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was unveiled in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan (erstwhile Parliament House) by the then Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh on 12 April, 1990.

Paying rich tributes to Dr Ambedkar, Birla in a post on X said, Tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution, countrys first Law Minister, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar ji on his birth anniversary. Babasaheb remained dedicated to equality, freedom, justice, and fraternity throughout his life. Coming from a humble background, he used education as a medium to bring the desired changes in society. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly, he drafted the worlds best legislative document, the Constitution of India.

As we celebrate 75th years of the adoption of the Constitution, Babasahebs philosophy becomes even more relevant. His ideas inspire us to remain united against all forms of injustice, exploitation, and oppression. Dr Ambedkars life, dedicated to the upliftment of the underprivileged class and the empowerment of the Nation, will continue to inspire millions of countrymen for ages.
On the occasion of Dr Ambedkar Jayanti, the Rajasthan Congress reaffirmed its commitment to defending the Constitution and urged the ruling BJP and its government not to undermine constitutional provisions for political gain.

Addressing a function at the partys state headquarters to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar, former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Rajasthan Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa stated that lakhs of Congress workers, armed with strong resolve and willpower, are prepared to struggle for the protection of the Constitution.

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In blatant defiance of the Constitution, the BJP is attempting to polarize politics and society. However, they will neither succeed in destroying democracy nor in discarding the Constitution, Randhawa said.

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He reminded the gathering that it was Indias first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who had taken the first action against the RSS for defying constitutional principles.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajasthan, Tika Ram Jully, recalled that the RSS mindset had been exposed early on when it staged protests and burned copies of the Constitution at the time of its adoption by the nation.

Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra stated, BJP leaders often pretend to wonder when and how they violated the Constitution. But there are numerous examples that speak volumes about their approach.

He accused the BJP government in Rajasthan of flouting constitutional norms related to the schedule and procedure for conducting elections to urban civic bodies in the state.

They cannot postpone elections beyond the term of the elected bodies. Yet, they have done so and will continue to do so, under the pretext of One Nation, One Election, he asserted.

Dotasra also condemned the act of BJP leader Gyan Dev Ahuja, who allegedly sprinkled Ganga Jal in the Ram Temple in Alwar after the entry of LoP Jully, calling it a violation of the constitutional principle of equality for all citizens.

The failure of the BJP leadership to take appropriate action even 13 days later, he said, exposed the discriminatory face of the BJP.

The state Congress chief called upon party workers to be prepared to fight against what he termed the BJPs defiance of the Constitution, fascist tendencies, and communal mindset.
Nearly one month after the Kerala High Court rejected the demand for a CBI probe into the death of Kannur Additional District Magistrate(ADM) Naveen Babu, his wife Manjusha approached the Supreme Court on Monday with the same plea.

Manjusha, in her petition, stated that the family does not have faith in the ongoing investigation by the Kerala Police and tht a probe by the CBI will only bring out the truth behind the death of Naveen Babu.

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A single bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath on January 6 rejected the plea filed by Naveen Babus wife seeking transfer of the probe into her husbands alleged suicide to the CBI, observing that the accused merely having ties with the ruling political dispensation was no ground to transfer the investigation to the CBI.

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The Court had also stated that the appellant could not point to any material flaw in the current investigation, warranting a CBI probe. Manjusha moved the division bench against the single bench order.

A division bench of the Kerala High Court, on March 3, dismissed the writ petition filed by Manjusha against the single judges order dismissing her plea.

The bench, comprising Justice PB Suresh Kumar and Justice Jobin Sebastian, dismissed the writ stating that there was no legitimate apprehension that the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is partial or improper.

She has now moved the Supreme Court against the division bench order, dismissing her plea for a CBI probe into her husbands death.

ADM Naveen Babu was found dead in his official quarters at Pallikkunnu in Kannur on the morning of October 15 last year. He allegedly took his life after facing public humiliation and corruption accusations made by P P Divya, then president of Kannur district panchayat, at a farewell meeting on October 14.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Monday, announced that the Zero Poverty Mission in Uttar Pradesh will be named after Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.

He stated that this initiative, set to launch later this month, aims to lift every underprivileged and deprived individual above the poverty line.

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Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision, the Zero Poverty programme aims to ensure that no underprivileged person is left without access to basic amenities and government welfare schemes, said CM Adityanath, while addressing a gathering organised by the Ambedkar Mahasabha, marking Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkars 135th birth anniversary. On this occasion, he also released a commemorative souvenir.

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The Chief Minister said: Over the past eight years, extensive efforts have been made to saturate benefits among marginalised communities such as the Musahar, Tharu, Vantangiya, Kol, Buksa, Chero, Gond, and Sahariya. Every deserving individual has been connected with government schemes to improve their quality of life.

He shared that 14-15 lakh families will be identified and connected with the mission in its first phase. Each Gram Panchayat will include 2025 families without full government benefits. The double-engine government at the state and the Centre will work together to provide them with the necessary support.

He added, The scheme is being named after Baba Saheb as a tribute to his educational, social, and economic empowerment philosophy. Uttar Pradesh will become the first state in India to take decisive steps toward Zero Poverty.

Reflecting on Dr Ambedkars life, the Chief Minister recalled that Baba Saheb was born in 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He added, Despite numerous challenges, his extraordinary intellect and unwavering determination led him to pursue higher education in England, supported by a scholarship from the Maharaja of Baroda. After earning one of the highest academic degrees in the world, he returned to India with a singular mission  to secure rights and dignity for the crores of deprived and marginalised citizens. He championed the cause of the Dalits and actively participated in the countrys freedom movement.

The Chief Minister noted that the Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946. Dr. Ambedkar served as the first Law Minister in Independent India and as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. He said, Today, the Indian Constitution binds every citizen with a sense of unity and shared purpose.

He emphasised that while many doubted Indias ability to remain united after independence, their fears were proved wrong. Thanks to the guiding principles of the Constitution, India today stands strong as the worlds largest and most vibrant democracy, with 140 crore citizens bound together from north to south and east to west, he remarked.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the journey to realize Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkars vision began under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and has gained renewed strength and direction under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whether in education, the economy, or social uplift, the pursuit of holistic development is now being carried forward with unparalleled dedication and resolve.

He said, PM Modi has advanced this mission and ensured that even during a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, India remained the only country that guaranteed every citizen their rights and access to essential welfare. The Chief Minister also highlighted various schemes implemented by the central and state governments to empower the poor and marginalised.

Recalling his visit in 2017 on the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Chief Minister shared a personal anecdote: When I called Nirmal ji that year, he expressed happiness, saying that the previous Chief Minister had never attended such events. I assured him then that I would come.

During that visit, the Chief Minister made a pivotal announcementwherever the poor resided, they would be granted land rights and provided permanent housing. Since then, under the PM Swamitva Yojana, Uttar Pradesh has issued Gharaunis to over one crore poor and Dalit families, ensuring legal ownership of their land. In addition, housing has been provided to 56 lakh underprivileged families through various government schemes, marking a significant step toward inclusive development.

The Chief Minister highlighted the CM Yuva Udyami Abhiyan, describing it as a transformative initiative tailored for youth from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Extremely Backward Classes. This programme is designed to empower young entrepreneurs by providing interest-free, collateral-free bank loans, he stated. So far, over 30,000 youth have benefited from the scheme, and the government now aims to connect one lakh aspiring entrepreneurs each year. Those interested in starting their ventures can enrol for training and join the program.

The Chief Minister also announced that Gram Panchayat committees managing community toilets will be provided a monthly honorarium, ensuring continued maintenance and dignity for sanitation workers.

Reflecting on Baba Saheb and Jogendra Nath Mandals lives, the Chief Minister emphasised that history offers important lessons. Many tried to sway Baba Saheb from his ideals, but he stood firm. Declaring, I am an Indian from beginning to end, he endured personal humiliation but never allowed the dignity of the nation to be compromised. Because of this unwavering commitment, independent India continues to honor and express gratitude to him, the CM said.

However, the Chief Minister lamented that while Baba Saheb is widely revered, Jogendra Nath Mandal remains a forgotten figure despite his contributions.

The Chief Minister remarked that the situations in Pakistan and Bangladesh serve as important lessons for India. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving dignity and respect to Dalits and the marginalised.

He added, Whether it was the development of Baba Sahebs Panch Teerths or providing refuge to persecuted communities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, India stood as a protector of humanity. In contrast, some groups attempted to destabilise the system through agitations. 

He accused the Congress and the Samajwadi Party of consistently disrespecting Baba Saheb. While he was alive, they insulted him, and even after his death, they tried to suppress his values and ideals, the Chief Minister said.

He pointed out that the Congress party blocked the construction of Dr Ambedkars memorial in Delhi. At the same time, the SP openly stated that if such a memorial were built, they would demolish it. But today, the CM added, Baba Saheb is being honoured nationwide. His ideals are being embraced, and the entire country is paying tribute to his vision and values.

The Chief Minister called for everyone to stay committed to Baba Sahebs principles. He reiterated Ambedkars powerful message: Be educated because only education can prevent you from being misled. He urged citizens to take full advantage of government welfare schemes, educate their children, and unite to uplift the underprivileged and Dalits.

Economic empowerment is only possible through education. If we walk the path Baba Saheb shows, we can secure a brighter future for the next generation, he said. He added that a true tribute to Baba Saheb lies in raising a united voice against injustice, oppression, and corruption.
Bangladesh court on Sunday issued arrest warrants against 51 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her sister Sheikh Rehana, in three separate cases filed over irregularities in plot allocation in the Purbachal New Town project.

The local media reported that the court also issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Rehanas children, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, Azmina Siddiq, and UK Member of Parliament Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, in separate cases in the plot allocation case.

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The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge of Dhaka, Zakir Hossain Galib, passed the order after taking into cognisance the charge sheets submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

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The local media report said that the court has directed the submission of a progress report on the execution of the arrest by April 27.

Earlier this week, the same Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against 18 people, including Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, in a case filed on allegations of corruption in a plot allotment under the same project.

The former Prime Minister has been accused in a total of six cases on allegations of irregularities in plot allocation under the Purbachal New Town project.

Meanwhile, a tribunal of Bangladesh has also issued an arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina and four others, including former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, on alleged mass killing at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka in 2013.

In January, a special tribunal in Dhaka issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 other people over incidents of enforced disappearances.

Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangladeshs founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had to flee the country in an ignominious manner and seek refuge in India on August 5.

While addressing the Awami League supporters online from India in February, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh accused the Yunus-led interim government of turning the nation into an alleged hub of terrorism and lawlessness.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has condemned the killing of 52 civilians during the night of Friday to Saturday in the eastern city of Goma, allegedly carried out by rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23).

In an official statement signed by Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Jacquemain Shabani on Saturday, the DRC government accused the M23 of committing serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the countrys eastern region.

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Violent clashes reportedly broke out Friday night in the western part of Goma, the capital of the eastern North Kivu province, according to multiple local sources.

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Eyewitnesses from the Keshero and Lac-Vert neighbourhoods of the city told Xinhua that heavy gunfire and shelling began around 10:00 p.m. local time on Friday, causing widespread panic among residents. A relative calm was observed on Saturday morning, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to several local media outlets, the fighting pitted M23 rebels, who have controlled Goma since January, against armed elements affiliated with the Wazalendo self-defence militias and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).

In a statement broadcast by the Goma branch of the Congolese National Radio and Television, M23 rebels accused the FARDC-Wazalendo coalition of launching coordinated attacks on several of their positions overnight.

Since seizing control of Goma at the end of January this year, M23 has reportedly established its own administrative structures in the city while clashes continue in other strategic areas of North Kivu.

According to the United Nations, around 1 million people, including some 400,000 children, have been displaced in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces since late January 2025 due to the intensifying conflict between the FARDC and various armed groups.
Rongali Bihu 2025 wishes to you! This festival also known as Bohag Bihu, is one of the most vibrant and cherished festivals in Assam.

Celebrated in mid-April, it marks the arrival of the Assamese New Year and the onset of spring, bringing with it a sense of renewal, hope, and joy. This festival, deeply rooted in Assamese culture, is a time for family reunions, cultural celebrations, and gratitude for the harvest season.

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The significance of Rongali Bihu extends far beyond its traditional festivitiesits a celebration of life, nature, and the connections that bind communities together. With its music, dance, food, and the unique Bihu spirit, this festival brings people closer to their roots, reaffirming the values of tradition and unity.

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As the dhols and pepas reverberate across the state and people gather to celebrate in colorful attire, its the perfect time to send your warm wishes to loved ones.

Whether youre near or far, here are 10 heartfelt Rongali Bihu 2025 wishes that encapsulate the spirit of the festival and bring a smile to everyone you share them with.

1. Happy Rongali Bihu!

May this festival bring you joy, peace, and prosperity throughout the year. As we usher in the Assamese New Year, may it bring new beginnings and positive changes in your life.

2. Wishing you a Bihu filled with love, laughter, and the melodies of the dhol and pepa.

Let the music of Bihu and the lively dance performances fill your heart with joy and bring you closer to your culture.

3. Lets celebrate the spirit of spring and new beginnings. Happy Rongali Bihu!

With the arrival of spring, may your life blossom with new opportunities, and may you feel renewed and energized for the year ahead.

4. May your home be filled with the warmth of Bihu and your heart with the light of happiness.

Rongali Bihu is a time for family and friends to come together. Wishing you love, happiness, and laughter as you celebrate with your dear ones.

5. Sending you love, hugs, and lots of Bihu blessings from the land of Assam.

Although we may be far apart, the spirit of Rongali Bihu unites us all. May you feel the warmth of this special festival wherever you are.

6. On this auspicious occasion of Rongali Bihu, may your life be as colorful and joyful as the festival itself.

May the vivid traditions of Bihuits dances, songs, and vibrant celebrationsbring color and vibrance to your own life.

7. Bihu brings new hopes and new dreams. Wishing you success in every step you take.

As we celebrate the new year, may it be filled with success, prosperity, and the courage to chase your dreams.

8. Celebrate this Rongali Bihu with traditional songs, dances, and a heart full of gratitude.

Bihu is not just about celebrations, but also about reflecting on the blessings of the past year. May this Bihu inspire you to give thanks for the beautiful moments life has offered.

9. May the harvest festival bring abundance to your home and harmony to your life.

Just as farmers offer prayers for a good harvest, may your life be filled with abundance, peace, and fulfillment.

10. Wishing you and your loved ones a vibrant and prosperous Rongali Bihu. Let the celebrations begin!

May this festival mark the beginning of a prosperous year ahead, filled with love, happiness, and cherished memories.

Rongali Bihu is not just a time for celebration; it is a time to reflect on the significance of new beginnings. The festival signifies a fresh start, much like the new season it ushers in, with its promise of growth, fertility, and prosperity.

Also Read: Tamil New Year Wishes, Quotes, WhatsApp and Facebook statuses to share with family and friends
A day after the US exempted electronics imports, including semiconductors, from reciprocal tariffs, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday the country is set to launch separate tariffs for imports of smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and other components in the next one to two months.

Lutnick also highlighted the need to build chips and flat-panel televisions in the US, compared to relying on imports from South Asian nations.

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Speaking to ABC News, the Commerce Secretary said all those products are going to come under semiconductors, and theyre going to have a special focus type of tariff to make sure that those products get reshored.

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We need to have semiconductors, we need to have chips, and we need to have flat panels  we need to have these things made in America. We cant be reliant on Southeast Asia for all the things that operate for us, he was quoted as saying in the report.

The US Commerce Secretary highlighted that smartphone and computer imports are removed from the reciprocal tariff list but will now be added to the semiconductor tariffs within the next two months.

What President Donald Trump is doing is that hes saying theyre exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but theyre included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two. So, these are coming soon, he told the news portal.

On Saturday, the US government announced it would exempt smartphones and computers imported into the country from the latest tariffs.

According to a US Customs and Border Protection notice, the exemption applies to products entering the US or removed from warehouses as early as April 5.

The exemptions also include other electronic devices and components, including semiconductors, solar cells, and memory cards.
South Korea and Australia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on key minerals and energy sectors as part of broader efforts to navigate deepening global economic uncertainties, Seouls finance ministry said Sunday.

The consensus was reached during a virtual meeting held Friday between South Koreas Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

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During the meeting, the two ministers shared the view that increasing uncertainty in the global trade environment could negatively impact their trade-dependent economies, Yonhap news agency reported.

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To address such challenges, they emphasized the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation to ensure stable supply chains, particularly in the energy and critical minerals sectors, and agreed to pursue joint efforts through the Group of 20 (G20) and other multilateral cooperative frameworks.

As long-standing close partners, South Korea and Australia have agreed to work together to overcome current challenges. South Korea will continue to maintain close communication with Australia and other key partner nations, the ministry said in a release.

Australia is rich in lithium, cobalt, liquefied natural gas and various other kinds of natural resources, and it has great potential in producing clean hydrogen and ammonia based on favorable weather conditions, the ministry said.

South Korea seeks to explore new suppliers of major minerals to reduce its heavy reliance on China.
Cohen in the City Episode 181: With Montreal roots actress and performer Ariel Shani set for Mean Girls stop here
Three months after Abhishek Lodha, the MD and CEO of Macrotech, India's leading real estate developer, moved court in a bid to restrict younger brother Abhinandan Lodha from using the "Lodha" brand in his ventures, the two and companies led by them have agreed to amicably resolve all the outstanding disputes under the guidance of their parents.



Under the terms of the settlement, Macrotech Developers will retain the exclusive right to use the brand names "Lodha" and "Lodha Group." Abhinandan will have the exclusive right to use the brand name "House of Abhinandan Lodha" (HoABL). The two brands will not have any connection with each other and both entities will communicate that widely.

Importantly, Abhinandan will have no rights or claims in the Lodha Group, Macrotech Developers or any other businesses of Abhishek. Similarly, the elder brother will have no rights or claims in HoABL or other businesses of Abhinandan.

Lodha Group was founded by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, now a BJP legislator from Mumbai, back in 1980. His two sons decided to part ways back in 2015, when the elder Abhishek got control of the flagship real estate businessMacrotech Developers. Younger brother Abhinandan got Lodha Ventures. The separation was formalised through a family settlement agreement in 2017. Abhinandan eventually entered real estate again through plot developments business under the HoABL in 2021. Macrotech went public the same year.

Macrotech predominantly is involved in developing multi-story real estate projects under Lodha brand. HoABL has developed plotted land projects in the Konkan region Maharashtra, Goa and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh among others.

Macrotech contended in its lawsuit that since the family settlement was executed, it had been observed that the trademark "Lodha" and "Lodha Group" continued to be used by HoABL in their marketing materials and that there has been a lot of confusion in the market over the usage.

The two brothers later agreed to settle the issues through a mediation process after the Bombay High Court proposed to send the trademark dispute to mediation.

"Both Abhishek and Abhinandan express their heartfelt gratitude to Justice R.V. Raveendran (Retd.), whose guidance in the mediation process was invaluable. The family is grateful to the Justice Arif Doctor for encouraging them to follow the process of mediation," a joint statement said.

"They also extend their sincere appreciation to all family elders and well-wishers who provided their counsel and support throughout the resolution process," the statement added.



Manju Lodha, Abhishek and Abhinandan's mother had written a letter to the two in February urging them to stop all the disputes immediately directing among other things that they had no right against each other's business and shareholding, and that neither of them had to give anything to each other.
From Antigua to Antwerp, diamond tycoon Mehul Choksis run from law has finally come to an end. Following Choksi being named as one of the primary accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, he fled India in 2018 to the US and then to Antigua, where he acquired citizenship. Seven years later, in 2025, he was arrested in Belgium.



Apprehending Choksi came after persistent efforts by Indian authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after non-bailable warrants were issued by Mumbai courts.

However, Choksis legal team looks to contest extradition, according to agencies, citing health issues.

In 2019, Choksis nephew, Nirav Modi, was arrested in London. He is still in a London jail, where he recently exhausted all appeals against his extradition to India.

Between March and April 2017, PNBs Brady House branch in Mumbai allegedly issued 165 Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and 58 Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) to Choksis companies, which led to 311 bills being discounted. These were issued without sanctioned limits, cash margins, or entries in PNBs banking system in a bid to circumvent further scrutiny.

By January 2018, PNB reported the fraud to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and filed a criminal complaint with the CBI. Another report was filed weeks later in February. Days after that authorities registered an FIR against the Nirav Modi Group, Gitanjali Group, and Chandri Paper & Allied Products Pvt Ltd, among other entities, with the ED looking into possible money laundering.

PNB-issued LoU created major losses for the bank after funds were advanced by overseas banks in Mauritius, Hong Kong, Antwerp, Manama, and Frankfurt, based on these letters. When Choksis firms defaulted, PNB had to choke up 6,344.97 crore (almost $965.18 million), including overdue interest, to the foreign lenders.

Despite being termed as a financial offender, in March 2023, Interpol cancelled the red notice against Choksi. A year later, Choksi and his wife were said to have moved from Antigua to Belgium.

Earlier this year, Antiguan media reported that the couple were looking to Geneva. However, Choksis legal team informed a Mumbai court that he was in Antwerp, Belgium, to receive treatment for blood cancer.

After Choksi and his wife reportedly obtained F-Residency cards in Belgium, India stepped up extradition efforts, leading to him being detained in a hospital there during treatment.
Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan 'fraud' case, has reportedly been arrested in Belgium upon Indias extradition request.

The absconding diamond jeweller was reportedly living in Antwerp with his wife Preeti Choksi, after being granted residency  F Residency Card  in Belgium in November 2023. He was held on April 12 from a hospital where he has been undergoing treatment.

After the Interpol dropped the Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him in 2023 which allowed him to travel outside Antigua, where he has been living since 2018, without fearing detention or probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI had moved for his extradition from Belgium.



What is the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan 'fraud' case?

Choksi had been a fugitive since 2018, after the diamantaire, his nephew and diamond trader Nirav Modi and their family members and employees, bank officials and others were booked by the ED and the CBI in connection with the alleged loan fraud at the Brady House branch of PNB in Mumbai.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Mehul Choksi, Foreign Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, EP Chet Greene says, "Mehul Choksi is not on the island, I am told he left Antigua for medical attention abroad. He remains a citizen of Antigua & Barbuda. Your Government and my Government are working pic.twitter.com/5qMPobURZb  ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025

The enforcement agency alleged that Choksi, his firm Gitanjali Gems and others defrauded the PNB through fraudulent letters of undertaking (LOUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) in connivance with certain bank officials.

The ED has been trying to declare Choksi a Fugitive Economic Offender under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act through a Mumbai court. The agency has filed three charge sheets against Choksi till now, and the CBI too has filed similar charge sheets against him.

Nirav Modi, meanwhile, is in a UK prison and is contesting extradition proceedings initiated by Indian agencies.
The transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), carrying relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar under 'Operation Brahma' late last month faced "GPS spoofing", leading to security concerns as pilots were forced to depend on the backup systems.

India sent the first consignment of relief materials to Myanmar on March 29 in a C-130 J aircraft and its pilots reported that the plane's GPS signal was tampered with when it was in Myanmar's airspace, according to a PTI report. When the aircraft faced "GPS interference and spoofing", the pilots immediately activated the backup system called 'inertial navigation system', the sources told the news agency.

After the first aircraft experienced GPS "interference" and "spoofing", the pilots of other aircraft were sensitised about the problem and they were flying to Myanmar expecting such a challenge, the sources said.

Understanding GPS proofing

GPS proofing refers to the process of manipulating Global Positioning System (GPS) data, misleading the GPS receiver about a specific location. It is a form of cyber attack in which the reliability of the GPS data is tampered with, which could possibly cause a significant risk to the aircraft (vehicles or vessels).

GPS functions by sending signals from satellites to GPS receivers, which then calculate the position, taking into account the time taken for the signals to reach. However, due to the weak signal strength of satellites, these signals can be overrun by fake signals, leading to inaccurate location data on the receiving device.

ALSO READ: India now has a 'Star Wars'-like weapon. DRDO's DEW laser weapon can shoot down drones, UAVs mid-air

GPS spoofing is used to trick an aircraft into thinking it is in a different location as it receives false location data. It is done by exploiting the inherent vulnerabilities in the GPS infrastructure, including the weak signal strength. At times, spoofing results in shifting of GPS position from 50 miles to around several hundred miles, according to the experts.

Used to mislead enemy navigation systems, such as ships or aircraft, by projecting false locations the hostile forces can direct these vehicles/aircraft/vessels to deviate dangerously from their intended routes. GPS spoofing can lead to life-threatening situations, such as misdirected vehicles, disrupted supply chains, and compromised military operations.

When asked if the IAF would probe the incidents, the sources said it is practically impossible to investigate such episodes if they take place in foreign airspace.

"The GPS spoofing must have been carried out by our adversary in the region," said a source without explaining, reports PTI.

With agency inputs
Simari, a remote border village along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, is now fully electrified, thanks to the a solar power project installed jointly by the Indian Army and a Pune-based foundation.

"In a powerful example of inclusive development and national service, Simari, a border village in Karnah Valley, has been fully electrified and LPG-enabled through a joint initiative of the Indian Army's Vajr Division and Aseem Foundation, under the aegis of Chinar Corps," said a defence spokesperson.

#IndianArmy for Indias First Villages



Watch #IndianArmy's efforts that bring hope to Simari, India's First Village along the Line of Control #LoC at Tangdhar, Kupwara.



The project is dedicated to the #Braveheart, Colonel Santosh Mahadik, Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous), Sena pic.twitter.com/QhTRqxuDi1  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 13, 2025

One half of Simari lies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and holds strategic and democratic importance as India's polling booth number 1. The border village has 53 households with 347 residents.

"Until now, darkness was an everyday reality here. Erratic supply forced families to rely on kerosene lamps and firewood, children had to study in fading twilight, and livelihoods were suspended with every power cut," the spokesperson said.

ALSO READ: India now has a 'Star Wars'-like weapon. DRDO's DEW laser weapon can shoot down drones, UAVs mid-air

When villagers appealed for help, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps answered under Operation Sadbhavana, and partnered with Aseem Foundation to come up with a solution.

Now, four solar clusters stitch Simari together, each fitted with high-efficiency panels, inverters and battery banks that "guarantee round-the-clock electricity," he said.

The project is dedicated to the memory of Colonel Santosh Mahadik, who was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously. He had laid down his life, fighting terrorists in Kupwara district in November 2015.

The late colonel's mother Kalinda Mahadik is slated to join the Commander of Tangdhar Brigade, deputy commissioner of Kupwara, and founder and managing director of Aseem Foundation Sarang Gosavi in a ceremony to formally operationalise the project.
Another report of a fresh threat against actor Salman Khan has come to light. According to reports, a WhatsApp message sent to Mumbai's Worli Transport Department threatened to enter the superstar's Bandra home and blow up his car.

While officials are trying to investigate the authenticity of the threat and its origin, a case has been registered against an unidentified person at the Worli police station.

Details as to who is behind the threat is yet unknown. It is speculated that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang could be behind the message given that in last April, there was an incident of two men on a motorcycle opening fire at the actor's apartment in Bandra. Upon their arrest, the Police learned that the attack was orchestrated by Lawrence Bishnoi's younger brother Amnol.

Later, in October last year, former Maharashtra Cabinet minister Baba Siddique was assassinated given his association with Salman, following which the Bishnoi gang took responsibility.

It is believed that the actor is receiving these threats on account of his connection to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

Salman was recently spotted at the Mumbai airport with multiple armed security personnel along with his longtime bodyguard.
Violence erupted in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Monday, days after Murshidabad district witnessed large-scale clashes and arson, over the amended Waqf Act.

Supporters of the Indian Secular Front clashed with the police at Bhangar, leading to injuries to several people and torching of multiple police vehicles.

#WATCH | West Bengal: Police and Fire Department personnel remove Police vehicles from Sonepur Bazar in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas that were vandalised in the violence during protest against Waqf Amendment Act. pic.twitter.com/9GrtptDwZ9  ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2025

According to reports, the clashes broke out after police stopped ISF workers who were moving towards the Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata to attend an anti-Waqf law rally.

Police said they had not given permission for the rally. The cops held a lathi-charge to disperse protesters when they tried to break through barricades.

The rally was, however, held and addressing the gathering, IFS MLA Naushad Siddique called the new law "an attack on Muslims and assault on the Constitution".

#WATCH | West Bengal: Members of the Muslim community protest against the Waqf Amendment Act in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas pic.twitter.com/eJGASs31vu  ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2025

The Murshidabad district has witnessed large-scale violence since Friday, resulting in the death of three people and leaving many others injured.

Several vehicles were set on fire, shops and houses were vandalised and stones were pelted at security forces. A total of 210 people have been arrested so far.

Mamatas fresh appeal for peace



Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a fresh appeal for peace on Monday, asking people not to take the law into their own hands.

Everybody has the democratic right to stage a peaceful protest with permission. I will request people not to take the law into their own hands. To protect the law, we have custodians and do not need any demon, Banerjee said.

She was speaking after inaugurating a skywalk close to the famed Kali temple at Kalighat in south Kolkata.

The chief minister asked people not to fall prey to any provocation and urged them to desist from doing non-religious activities in the name of religion.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will discuss with Congress legislators from his Vokkaliga community on Tuesday, and seek their opinion on the Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the 'caste census', which was recently tabled before the state cabinet.

Karnataka's two dominant communities -- Vokkaliags and Lingayats -- led by their seers or apex bodies have expressed reservations about the survey, calling it "unscientific". They have alleged that many households were left out of the survey, and have demanded that it be rejected and a fresh survey be conducted.

A meeting of the Congress party's Vokkaliga legislators has been called on Tuesday at 6.00 pm at the Deputy CM's official residence on Kumara Park Gandhi Bhavan Road, Bengaluru, according to a release from his office.

"I have not yet studied it (caste census report) completely, I'm still studying it. I have called some of our legislators tomorrow, and we will discuss this. We will give suggestions ensuring that everyone's dignity is protected and no one is hurt. I have not been able to study it completely.

I will seek for opinions and then talk," Shivakumar told reporters here on Monday.

The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes report was placed before the cabinet on April 11, and it will be discussed at a special cabinet meeting scheduled on April 17.

The Commission, under its then Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde, had submitted the report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on February 29 last year.

Findings of the survey are reportedly contrary to the "traditional perception" with regard to the numerical strength of various castes, especially Lingayats and Vokkaligas, making it a politically sticky issue, and Ministers from these two communities are said to be preparing to place their objections during the next cabinet, sources said.

The survey report, reportedly estimates the population of the Lingayat community at 66.35 lakh and the Vokkaliga community population is said to be at 61.58 lakh.

According to the survey report, out of a total 5.98 crore citizens covered by the survey carried out in 2015, about 70 per cent or 4.16 crore come under various OBC categories, official sources said.

The Commission has recommended hiking the OBC quota from the current 32 per cent to 51 per cent, they said.

By giving OBCs a 51 per cent reservation, along with the existing 17 per cent for SCs and 7 per cent for STs, it will take the state's total reservation to 75 per cent.

As per the report, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) together seem to form the largest social block in the state with their population at 1.52 crore, official sources said.

Muslims, who alone come under Category-2B of OBC have a population of 75.25 lakh, and they have been recommended 8 per cent reservation from existing 4.

The general category population is at 29.74 lakh, they said.

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government (2013-2018) had in 2015 commissioned the survey in the state.

The State Backward Classes Commission, under its then chairperson H Kantharaju, was tasked with preparing a caste census report. The survey work was completed in 2018 towards the end of Siddaramaiah's first tenure as Chief Minister, and the report was finalised by his successor K Jayaprakash Hegde in February 2024.

Earlier, Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga himself was a signatory along with a couple of other ministers to a memorandum submitted by the community to the chief minister, requesting that the report and the data be rejected.

The All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, headed by Congress MLA Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, has criticized the survey and called for a new one, joined by several Lingayat ministers and MLAs who also oppose it.
As protests raged in West Bengal over the Waqf Amendment Act, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the controversial law would not be implemented in the state.

However, her remarks drew criticism from Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal who dubbed her statement as not right.

Meghwal said Banerjee had made similar statements during the rollout of the Citizenship Amendment Act, but the CAA was implemented in West Bengal.

"She made a similar statement during CAA. But CAA was implemented in Bengal. It is a law enacted by Parliament which is implemented pan-India. If there is a difficulty during its implementation, suggestions can be made during framing of rules," he said.

Meghwal was speaking at an event organised by the law ministry on the 135th birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar.

#WATCH | Delhi | Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Piyush Goyal, Lok Sabha MP & LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and other leaders at Prerna Sthal in the parliament pic.twitter.com/prCTppoTWj  ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2025

The West Bengal chief minister vowed not to implement the amended Waqf Act in West Bengal as protests turned violent in Murshidabad district, resulting in the death of three people.

Banerjee took to social media and 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.

"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 further said in her post on X.
On the fourth day of his interrogation, Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana was reportedly asked about his handler in Dubai and his apparent links with terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, according to local media reports.

Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, is currently in NIA's custody after being flown to India from the US on Thursday evening. Investigators are probing Rana's links with Pakistan's ISI and terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Besides, his possible links with Dawood Ibrahim is also under scanner.

The NIA will also question Rana about the CCTV footage from many locations in Mumbai where he was seen with another terrorist David Coleman Headley. Headley alias Daood Gilani struck a bargain with the US authorities, pleading guilty to avoid extradition to India.

Investigators believe Headley and Rana were in constant touch with terrorists in Kashmir and Dubai during the Mumbai attack. The central investigation agency is also trying to find out who the local helper of Rana and Headley was, in India.

Local media reports said Rana may be confronted with some witnesses, the identity of who will remain concealed. When Headley came to India in September, he was reportedly received by a person identified as 'B'. Rana had reportedly got in touch with B and asked for his help to make all arrangements for Headley. The NIA team could make Rana sit face-to-face with the witness, according to Aaj Tak.

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 here, being guarded by security personnel round the clock, the sources said.
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team into the violence in Murshidabad district of West Bengal during the protests against the Waqf Amendment Act.

In his petition, senior lawyer Shashank Shekhar Jha also urged the top court to supervise the investigation.

Three people were killed and several others injured in the violence that erupted in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur areas of Murshidabad since Friday.

Several vehicles were set on fire, shops and houses were vandalised and stones were pelted at security forces. A total of 210 people have been arrested so far.

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the district to assist in restoring normalcy.

Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (Law and Order), said on Monday that the situation in violence-hit areas is gradually returning to normal, with shops reopening and displaced families starting to return.

"Shops have started to open and people are returning. So far, 19 families have returned to their homes. Both Malda and Murshidabad district administrations are working closely to ensure the safe return of those who had fled," he said.

Police are making public announcements, urging shopkeepers to resume business and encouraging residents to return to normal life.

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said he is holding regular discussions with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and that the Centre is monitoring the situation.

Bose said a sufficient number of central forces have been deployed in the area and the state police are also active on the field for timely help and support., along with them, the state police are active on the field for timely help and support.
When Faizan Rasool, a young man from Srinagar, clicked on an online job link for a well-paid job in Thailand, he believed he was about to change his familys fortunes. Instead, he found himself trapped in Myanmar, tortured, and forced into cyber fraud.

One among hundreds of Indians lured by an expanding human trafficking network operating across Southeast Asia, Faizan recounted the harrowing journey that began with hope but soon turned into a nightmare.

Faizan came across the job advertisement on social media. It linked to a Google Form for jobs in Thailand.

He filled in his details and, a few days later, received a message on Telegram. A woman on a video call conducted the interview, he said while addressing reporters at his home in Srinagar. She screen-shared salary details of about Rs 80,000.

Faizan booked his tickets to Bangkok. Upon landing, they were picked up by men who claimed to be from the company. What followed was an eight-hour journey to the Thai-Myanmar border.

We didnt know we were being smuggled across the border, he said. They made us cross a river, and two days later we realised we were in Myanmar.

Faizan realised he had become a victim of online scamming. Refusing to cooperate, he was subjected to both physical and mental torture.

They made us do push-ups as punishment. They beat us, he said.

The traffickers demanded $4,500 for his release, an impossible sum for his family back in Kashmir. For weeks, Faizan remained trapped in a guarded compound in Myanmar, his phone and passport confiscated.

Faizans ordeal ended only after a coordinated rescue mission involving the Indian embassy in Thailand and the Myanmar military. On March 9, a group of Indian victims was released from one such compound and handed over to Thai authorities.

Even when we were freed, I felt like I was dreaming. I thought I would wake up and still be in that camp, Faizan said.

After returning to India, he was debriefed by agencies including the CID and Jammu and Kashmir Police before being handed back to his family.

I am grateful the Indian embassy, the government and police who helped bring me back. But I want others to learn from my mistake, he said.

Faizan now urges young people to be vigilant while applying for jobs abroad. Dont fall for flashy advertisements. Verify everything.

He says poverty drove him to take the risk, and he never imagined it would almost cost him his life.
Even as the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party were involved in blame game over the violence in Murshidabad over protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the police claimed that the situation in the violence-hit areas was under control.

Three people have died and several others injured in the violence following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. More than 180 people have been arrested so far.

While the TMC accused the BJP of inciting the violence by sharing fake pics and videos, the saffron party alleged religious persecution of Hindus in the state.

However, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh made a sensational claim that the violence in Murshidabad was part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise the Mamata Banerjee government in the state.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | TMC leader Kunal Ghosh says, "We are receiving some inputs that there was a larger conspiracy behind those incidents (Murshidabad violence). Some sections of central agencies, a section of BSF and a section of two or three political parties were pic.twitter.com/YLfbjkYfaf  ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025

"We are receiving some inputs that there was a larger conspiracy behind those incidents (Murshidabad violence). Some sections of central agencies, a section of BSF and a section of two or three political parties were involved in this conspiracy, Ghosh told ANI. With the help of a part of BSF, there was a gap in the border. Some miscreants entered, created chaos and were given safe passage to return....

He added that the BJP and the opposition are trying to milk the situation for political gains, and that there is a deep-rooted conspiracy to malign West Bengal.

The situation in Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and Jangipur in Murshidabad district was peaceful, a senior police officer told PTI, as prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita remained in force. Internet remained suspended in the affected areas while the BSF accompanied by state armed police and RAF continued to patrol the areas and check vehicles.

At least 18 police personnel were injured in the clashes and are undergoing treatment, he told PTI.

The Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district to assist in restoring normalcy.

Several vehicles, including police vans, were set ablaze, houses and shops vandalised, and stones pelted at security forces during the rampage.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the BJP and the RSS were enemies of B.R. Ambedkar, after the latter accused the Congress of insulting him and spreading the virus of vote-bank politics in the country.

While speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Hisar airport in Haryana on Ambedkar Jayanti, Modi accused the Congress of using the Constitution to retain power, and added that its architect  Ambedkar  was made to lose elections twice. He claimed that the party kept the dalit icon out of the system and that he stood for equality while Congress was engaged in appeasement of Muslim fundamentalists.

VIDEO | Addressing a gathering after laying foundation stone of new terminal building of Hisar airport, PM Modi (@narendramodi) says, "We should never forget about what Congress did with Dr BR Ambedkar. They repeatedly insulted him, made him lose elections twice and conspired pic.twitter.com/J4OGojPG5M  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 14, 2025

Referring to Congresss opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the PM said that the party made arbitrary changes to the Waqf law for political benefits, and that majority of the Muslim society remained uneducated and poor. If Waqf properties had been used honestly, Muslim youths wouldn't need to earn a livelihood from repairing bicycle punctures. The land mafia was looting lands belonging to dalits, backward sections and widows. He said the new Waqf law will ensure the lands of tribals and poor Muslims do not fall into the hands of the Waqf board, and that it was the real social justice as envisaged by Ambedkar.

He also challenged the Congress to make a Muslim the party president or reserve 50 per cent of tickets in the Lok Sabha elections for the minority community, if the party really cared for them.

Responding to Modis accusations, Kharge, while speaking to reporters, said that when Ambedkar embraced Buddhism, the saffron organisations said that Buddha had become an untouchable, and that the Hindu Mahasabha was against him. He added that Ambedkar himself had written in a letter that the plot to defeat him in the 1952 Lok Sabha elections was hatched by S.A. Dange and Vinayak D. Savarkar.

VIDEO | Delhi: Heres what Congress President and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) said on PM Narendra Modis recent statement:



These people (BJP) say that Babasaheb Ambedkar was insulted  but who made him a member of the Constituent Assembly? Which party made him pic.twitter.com/QB0NduDplr  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 14, 2025

Kharge added that those who set the Constitution, which was drafted by Ambedkar, on fire when it was constituted, and burnt the photos of Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi, have no right to talk about the Constitution or Ambedkar now.

"The Centre is making policies on the basis of the 2011 census and nothing is known about the 2021 census that was supposed to happen. We demand that along with the general census, a caste census should also be conducted so as to know how much which section has progressed," he said.

He accused the BJP of paying only lip-service to Ambedkar and not implementing his ideals in the country.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly defended his governments decision to provide 4 per cent quota for Muslims in public contracts, saying giving strength to anyone who are economically and socially weak is the mission and commitment of the Congress party.

He was speaking at an Ambedkar Jayanti event in Bengaluru.

The CMs defence came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking at an event in Haryanas Hisar, stated that there cannot be reservation based on religion.

"To give strength to Dalits, backward classes and minorities, economically and socially, we have given reservation in contracts. First I did it (for contracts) up to Rs 50 lakh, then increased it to Rs 1 crore. Now we have made it up to Rs 2 crore -- for OBC Category 1, 2A , and also 2B which is Muslims. They (BJP) made it a big issue alleging appeasement," Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka legislature passed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2025 last month. The bill reserves for Muslims 4 per cent of contracts in (civil) works valued up to Rs 2 crore, and goods/services procurement contracts up to Rs 1 crore. The bill now requires the Governor's assent for it to become Act.

"Do Muslims have strength economically and socially? Are they educated? Are they economically capable? Then why shouldn't it be done?, the chief minister asked.

Siddaramaiah said he was labelled as anti-upper class and asserted that he was not opposed to any community.

Standing in support of those who have been deprived of opportunities, those who haven't got justice, is the teaching of our Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar," he said.
The YSRCP-led by former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Prior to the YSRCP, the Communist Party of India (CPI) also filed a plea challenging the legality of the new Waqf law through its general secretary D Raja.

In its plea filed through lawyer Mahfooz Ahsan Nazki, the YSRCP cited "serious constitutional violations" and "failure to address the concerns of the Muslim community".

The plea claimed the Act violates Articles 13, 14, 25 and 26 of the Constitution -- provisions that guarantee fundamental rights, equality before law, freedom of religion, and the autonomy of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.

The inclusion of non-Muslim members under Sections 9 and 14 of the amended Waqf law is seen as interference in the internal functioning of Muslim institutions, the YSRCP said.

The provision undermines the religious character and administrative independence of the Waqf boards, it said.

The CPI, meanwhile, contended that despite opposition from the masses, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Centre without proper consideration of the objections raised by the members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (formed to review the Bill) and the other stakeholders.

The plea filed through advocate Ram Sankar in the top court said the Amendment Act, published on April 5 following the assent of the President, substantially curtails the autonomy of the Waqf Board and fundamentally transforms the framework of the Waqf Act, 1995.

"It vests unchecked authority in the Central government over the administration of the Waqf Board, thereby infringing upon the rights guaranteed under Articles 25, 26 and 29 of the Constitution," the CPI said.

Earlier, several petitions were filed in the top court challenging the legislation on various grounds.

Recently, actor-politician and TVK president Vijay challenged the legislation.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna is scheduled to hear on April 16 more than a dozen petitions, including one filed by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf law.

Besides the CJI, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K V Viswanathan are part of the three-judge bench set up for hearing the petitions, according to the apex court website.

In addition to Owaisi's plea, the top court has listed for hearing petitions filed by AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, Arshad Madani, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, Anjum Kadari, Taiyyab Khan Salmani, Mohd Shafi, Mohd Fazlurrahim and RJD leader Manoj Jha.

A few other petitions are yet to be listed before the bench by the apex court registry.
As part of introducing new regulations for Umrah, Saudi Arabia has decided not to issue visas to children under 12 for Hajj pilgrims, according to reports. Following this, the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) cancelled applications of as many as 291 children under 12 years who had applied for a visa to accompany their parents to perform Umrah.

The HCoI added that whatever amount the parents had paid for the children would be reimbursed. A statement issued in this regard said parents can proceed for Hajj without their children or cancel in full through the Haj Committee website. "Parents may proceed with their Haj Pilgrimage as per the schedule. However, if they opt for full or partial cancellation of their Cover(s), they may do so online through the Haj Committee of India website or Haj Suvidha App by Monday, April 14, 2025," the committee said.

No cancellation charges will be applied till April 14, the statement added,

Besides the cancellation of visas for children below 12, the Saudi Government has also imposed additional norms, including new travel restrictions that prevent Umrah visa holders from entering the country after the 15th day of Shawwal. This is aimed at managing the influx of pilgrims and ensuring organized preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.

The authorities have also banned hotels from taking in visitors who do not own a valid Hajj permit. This also includes those who only have work entry permits or residents. However, this is applicable only during the annual pilgrimage season.

Saudi Arabia had also slashed Indias Private Hajj Quota by 80%, from the earlier Haj quota of 175, 025. The kingdom had also announced a temporary suspension on issuing new short-term visas, including tourist and business, for citizens of 14 countries, including India.
Iran's Foreign Ministry has cleared the air about the reports that Rome is expected to host the next round of the US-Iran talks. The second round of "indirect" talks between the countries is slated to be held this Saturday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters in Tehran that the final decision on the location of the negotiations will be made only after negotiations with the Omani side.

Baghaei added that what was important was not the location of the talks but the fact that the format of the talks would remain indirect. "Of course, the location of the negotiations is not the main issue; what is important is the continuation of the form and framework of interaction between Iran and the United States, which will continue indirectly and with the mediation of Oman," he told reporters.

He added that the Iranian delegation was in constant contact with the Omani side. "After officially receiving their comments, a final decision on the location of the negotiations will be made," he said.

U.S. President Trump: Well be making a decision on Iran very quickly. pic.twitter.com/UWNBZlM0my  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 14, 2025

Baghaei's statement comes as US media Axios reported that the Trump administration wanted the next round of talks in Rome, a venue switch suggested by the US side. The Trump administration is happy about achieving its objectives. Though Axios claim that talks went from indirect to direct, Iran insists that the talks continue to be indirect.

As per the reports, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke for around 45 minutes on Saturday, longer than was revealed publicly, though the Iranian sides insisted on publishing no photographs of the meetings.

Baghaei also insisted that the talks would remain indirect while slamming the "contradictory statements" made by various American officials. The spokesperson said the Americans should "find a way to resolve these contradictions". "This is one of the main reasons for holding the negotiations indirectly," he added.

The top Iranian diplomat also stressed that the continuing threats were unacceptable to Iran. "One cannot claim to seek negotiations while continuing the policy of pressure, sanctions, and threats. This approach is absolutely unacceptable, and we have clearly stated our positions," he added.
The dramatic power shift in Syria with the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and the takeover by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under the leadership of Ahmed al Sharra has revived concerns whether the Islamic State could make a comeback in the country. At the moment, there are about 10,000 Islamic State fighters and 40,000 of their family members being held in northeast Syria by the US-backed Kurdish militia, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). As US President Donald Trump figures out his approach to Syria, there are reports about growing Islamic State attacks, suggesting the group is on a resurgent mode, which is a worry not just for Syria, but for the wider Middle East and even the world.

Islamic State is actually stronger in Syria than in Iraq these days, with most of their activity happening in the remote desert area of Badiya. What is quite alarming is the rise in attacks in central Syria, going up to about 600 last year, compared to just over a hundred in 2023. Recent incidents, like the attack in Deir Ez-Zor in April where an SDF fighter was killed and a few others injured, make it clear that the extremist group is still a danger.

Although the Islamic State is nowhere near as powerful as they were back in 2014-2015 when they controlled vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, they are definitely seeing the post-Assad chaos in Syria as an opportunity. The ongoing power struggle between HTS, the militias backed by Turkey, the Kurdish groups and what is left of the old regime have created a security crisis. Moreover, unsecured weapons lying around from the old government also makes it easier for Islamic State terrorists to rearm and regroup.

The prisons and detention centres holding the Islamic State fighters and their families are a real vulnerable spot. The SDF, which is guarding them, are also challenged by Turkish-backed forces, who see the SDF as being linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). This constant fighting is stretching the SDF's resources thin. The situation is dire, evident from the prison break in Hasakah in 2022 where 400 people escaped. The Al Hol camp, where the Islamic State families are, has also seen people getting away during the recent upheaval. The UN has reported that an unspecified number have fled since Assad was ousted. These prisons are like Islamic States "crown jewels," and if there was a mass escape, it could really boost their numbers with experienced fighters and give them a massive propaganda win.

Trump's approach to Syria makes things even more complicated. The US did increase its troop presence to 2,000 towards the end of last year, and the air strikes have helped to keep Islamic State in check. But Trump's recent offer to try and mediate between Turkey and Israel suggests he prefers the diplomatic route rather than getting bogged down in more military action.

The Trump administration has been talking to the HTS-led government, with a meeting last month where it demanded the destruction of chemical weapons in exchange for easing sanctions. HTS has managed to disrupt some Islamic State plots in Damascus, but their control wavered during the massive sectarian violence in March, where over a thousand people, mostly Alawites, were killed, calling into question its ability to deal with the Islamic State threat.

Washington could really focus on helping the SDF to better secure the Islamic State detention facilities, making sure the fighters stay locked up or are sent back to their home countries. To do this, it needs to address the Turkey backed incursions. Trump's offer to mediate could help ease those tensions, allowing the SDF to concentrate on Islamic State. The deal signed on March 11 to bring the SDF into Syrian state institutions, which the US encouraged, is a positive step, but its implementation may not be easy.

The US also needs to think about encouraging talks between HTS and the SDF to try and unite the Kurdish areas under Syrian rule. This could help reduce the regional divisions that Islamic State loves to exploit. Making sure those old regime weapons don't fall into Islamic State hands is also crucial, although HTS's limited authority makes this a tricky task.

If Islamic State does manage to bounce back, it could really mess things up in Iraq, where the US-led coalition is planning to end its mission by September. It could also lead to more global threats, like the attacks that rocked Iran and Russia sometime ago. Meanwhile, the al Sharra government in Syria talks about being inclusive, but their Islamist background and the fact that they don't have a firm grip on things are worrying.

Trump's team has a tough balancing act  they face pressure from the MAGA core to pull back, but they also need to prevent Islamic State from making a comeback. By supporting the SDF, encouraging unity in Syria and trying to ease the tensions between Turkey and the Kurds, the US could help bring some stability. Otherwise, there is a real risk of an Islamic State resurgence, threatening the whole of the Middle East and beyond.
On Sunday morning, April 7, Lisbon witnessed a momentous occasion, the arrival of President Droupadi Murmu for the first leg of her four-day State visits to Portugal and the Slovak Republic. This visit marked the first by an Indian president in nearly three decades.

The President touched down at the Figo Maduro military airbase, where she was greeted warmly by Puneet Roy Kundal, India's Ambassador to Portugal, and Joao Ribeiro de Almeida, Portugal's Ambassador to India. The visit coincides with the golden jubilee of the two countries' re-established diplomatic relationship, making it a watershed moment in their shared history since 1498. The arrival became a milestone event and along with her counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, engaged in delegation talks.

The following day, President Murmu, along with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Indian Ambassador, and Leonor Beleza, President of the Champalimaud Foundation, met with 40 Indian doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. These scholars, representing various institutions and universities across Portugal, had an exclusive opportunity to interact with the President in an inspiring session. President Murmu encouraged the researchers to make contributions to the vision of Viksit Bharat". Her guidance resonated deeply, as she addressed their questions and shared insights on diverse aspects of their work and its potential impacts on society.

Q: Honourable President, this is your first visit to Portugal, and it has been 27 years since a President of India visited Portugal, how do you see this significant occasion?

A: First and foremost, I thank Portugal for inviting me. I am delighted to meet all the researchers on my first visit. It has been 50 years since the re-establishment of this friendship between these two nations, and it is truly iconic. Together, we are giving a new dimension to this relationship, which transcends over 500 years. My mission is to carry this forward even further, and you too share the responsibility to ensure its progress. Thank you for choosing Portugal as your place of study. You are also an ambassador for this country. Be a responsible citizen and make our flag fly high!

Q: On your first visit to Portugal, we would like to know how was your travel experience.

A: Portugal is a beautiful country with incredibly friendly people. Our reunion with them has been going strong for 50 years now, and their generosity, support, and humility truly stand out. Perhaps thats why even you chose Portugal to study because you were too inspired by these admirable qualities. I would like to add that Portugals stunning landscapes and natural beauty have a striking resemblance to our own country, making it feel even more special. I loved the time I spent here around the city of Lisbon, it was truly breath-taking and a joy to be around. Over the years, we have been collaborating with them in various fields, from science and technology to security and defence, and much more. What I admire most about this relationship is the warmth and camaraderie they have shown.

Q: What message would you like to give PhD and Postdoctoral researchers living here?

A: Portugal and India have shared a deep and enduring friendship that has lasted for centuries, built on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and shared values. As students here, strive for academic excellence, because education is a powerful tool for advancing and innovating. Contribute positively to the society and community here in Portugal, as your efforts will reflect not only on this nation but also on the image of India as a country that nurtures responsible and talented individuals. By excelling in your endeavours and embracing this responsibility, you honour the legacy of this friendship while also shaping our future. And I believe through this you contribute to a brighter future for both nations.

Q: We are proud to have a women president, could you say more about women empowerment in India and could you also give some advice for our women living here in Portugal and outside India?

A: That's an excellent question. As a woman myself, I am truly proud of how our women are making us proud, not just within our country but also on the global stage. In our culture, we revere women and hold them in the highest regard, considering them equal to God. I have had the privilege of serving as a governor and now as the president. However, I am not claiming to be the only woman to hold such a position in India, our country has been home to countless strong and inspiring women who have paved the way from Presidents, chief ministers, governors and speakers. I am particularly thrilled to note that 95% of gold medallists in top Indian universities today are women. This remarkable achievement showcases how our country is actively supporting and promoting women to step forward and contribute to society. Even then it is important to remember that the progress of our country requires the efforts of both men and women working together hand in hand.

My advice to you is to be responsible, stay strong, and strive for excellence in your studies and research. Let your actions inspire others, by doing so, you play a vital role in strengthening the bridge of progress and inspiring more women to come forward.

Q:How do we become a good citizen, here in Portugal, India or anywhere in the world?

A: You are the present and future of our country. India has never sought to conquer other nations, and it never will. However, we aspire to conquer the world with love and humility, winning hearts wherever we go. Like I said before, even though we deploy an ambassador to represent you in a country, I want you all to be ambassadors for our country too wherever you go. I encourage you to embody this spirit even here in Portugal. It is deeply rooted in our culture that we, as responsible citizens, must behave kindly and respectfully to others. Let your love and actions reflect our values, allowing the world to judge India through you. As sons and daughters of India, you have the responsibility to make our flag fly high through your work, humility and achievements. Let us together and through you take the name of our country to even greater heights.

Following the visit, both countries have promised to strengthen ties and pave the way for future collaborations, fostering a spirit of unity and progress. After the brief session with the researchers, the President also met with community leaders of India in Portugal. Also, as part of the auspicious occasion and golden jubilee celebrations, both Presidents jointly released a commemorative stamp marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between India and Portugal in Lisbon.
NOBODY is getting off the hook for the unfair trade balances, and non-monetary tariff barriers, that other countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst! posted US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform on Saturday. This could mean that the tariff exemptions announced on Friday for smartphones, laptops, and other electronics are temporary.



US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Sunday affirmed stating that the move was just a brief reprieve until the US administration decides a new tariff policy for the semiconductor industry.

Back on Friday, the Trump administration had announced that it would exclude electronics from the reciprocal tariffs. Such a move was then expected to benefit firms like chipmaker Nvidia.

Trump later stated that the whole electronics supply chain would be looked at in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations.

The tariff plans, so far, have been riddled with U-turns, revisions, exemptions, lifting of sanctions, and temporary pauses, leaving global markets in the aftermath of turbulent ups and downs. So far, the reciprocal tariffs have eaten into the market cap of major US tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, Alphabet, and Meta.

China, on the other hand, posted better-than-expected exports in March, up 12 per cent year-on-year, on account of companies looking to beat the US tariffs. However, imports slumped by 4.3 per cent.

China logged a trade surplus of $27.6 billion with the United States in March, with the nation facing a staggering 145 per cent tariffs on most of its exports to the US. Chinese Premier Xi Jinping also launched a diplomacy tour in Southeast Asia starting with Vietnam on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping with Vietnam President Luong Cuong on April 14, 2025 | REUTERS

There are no winners in a trade war, Xi stated in a joint publication that appeared in Vietnamese and Chinese official media.

Apart from Vietnam President Luong Cuong, Xi is set to meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as well as the the Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. Xi is scheduled to visit Malaysia and Cambodia following the Vietnam visit.
Ahead of any deal with Russia to end the war, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited United States President Donald Trump to visit his country and see the destruction.

"Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead," said Zelenskyy in an interview with CBS.

The latest Russian attack on the city of Sumy has killed 34 people and injured 117 others. The US has condemned the attack and said that Russia made a mistake.

Of late, the US has been strengthening its efforts to broker a peace deal between both countries to end the war. Trump has urged both nation leaders to sit together and work out a peace deal.

On asked about the recent attack, Trump said it was "terrible" and that he had been "told they made a mistake".

Currently, 38 people are receiving treatment in medical facilities in Sumy following yesterdays Russian ballistic strike  among them, 9 children. 11 people, including 3 children, are in critical condition. Every effort is being made to provide them with maximum assistance. pic.twitter.com/fRDV0mVepN  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 14, 2025

Meanwhile, Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt-Gen Keith Kellogg said that the attack crossed "any line of decency".

Despite Russia saying that they would be targeting only the military, the Ukrainian president highlighted that the Kremlin continued its attacks on civilians.

As part of the peace deal efforts, US special envoy Steve Witkoff already held three meetings with Vladimir Putin and Kyiv.

In the wake of the Sumy attack, French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of "blatant disregard of human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump."

"Strong measures are needed to impose a ceasefire on Russia," he said. "France is working tirelessly toward this goal, alongside its partners."

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as "barbaric".

Europe will continue to reach out to partners and maintain strong pressure on Russia until the bloodshed ends and a just and lasting peace is achieved, on Ukraine's terms and conditions," she said.

Another Russian missile attack on April 4 killed 20 people and injured 61 in the city of Kryvyi Rih. According to the UN, nearly seven million Ukrainians are currently living as refugees.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu contacted the family of hostage Eitan Mor and informed them that there has been progress in negotiations for the release of 10 hostages, Channel 12 News reported on Monday monring

Eitans father, Tzvika, is the founder of the right-wing Tikvah Forum, which has repeatedly stressed the position that all the remaining hostages must be released at one time as a selection of hostages is a death sentence to those remaining behind.

The Forum stated: Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and the head of the Hostages Administration, Brigadier General (Res.) Gal Hirsch contacted Tzvika and Efrat Mor, the parents of the hostage Eitan Mor, and updated them on the progress of negotiations for the release of ten living hostages.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the deal is not yet final, but clarified that the government is committed to returning all the hostages.

Tzvika and Efrat Mor emphasized to the Prime Minister the position of Forum Tikva, according to which there is an obligation to return all the hostages in one phase and on one bus.

According to reports that appeared today in Saudi media outlets, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are pressuring Hamas to reach a deal by the end of April.

Hamas agreed in principle to increase the number of hostages it releases from five to ten living hostages, including US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander.

A Lebanese newspaper reported that the initial proposal includes a ceasefire of between 40 and 70 days, as well as the release of approximately 1,100 security prisoners.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on the first day of Chol HaMoed in Israel)
Leftist protesters held a chometz protest outside the home of Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman (Likud) on Monday morning, the first day of Chol HaMoed in Israel, spreading dozens of pitas outside her home.

The leftists, who engaged in the same type of anti-religious protests before October 7, feigned concern over the hostages by tying the protest to their plight, writing one pita a day with the pitas as a reference to the starvation rations the hostages receive in Gaza.

Silman, formerly a Yamina MK, brought down the Bennett-Lapid government three years ago over the Health Ministers order to allow chometz into hospitals on Pesach in violation of Israels religious status quo.

Silman responded to the provocation by stating: Pesach, a street with mostly religious and mesorati people. These scum come have come to spread pitas on the street., Its not for the sake of the hostages, its not for the sake of democracy, its not even for politics.

Its only because they are despicable people who lack basic human values. Zero consideration for others, zero respect for Judaism, and zero culture. Absolute zeros. The vast majority of the Am is disgusted by them. Chag Sameach!

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on the first day of Chol HaMoed in Israel)
Fund manager Ashmore recorded a bigger than expected fall in assets for the first three months of the year after a flurry of withdrawals from large investors.

The London-listed emerging markets specialist said on Monday that market volatility had heightened since US tariffs came into effect, as it revealed its assets under management had fallen to $46.2billion after net client outflows of $3.9billion.

This offset positive investment gains of $1.3billion over the period.

Ashmore told shareholders outflows were driven by a 'small number of large institutional redemptions' in local currency, but this reflected 'client specific asset allocation decisions' rather than 'a broader pattern of client activity'.

US President Donald Trump's policies have led to dramatic swings in global markets, with recently-announced tariffs sparking recession fears despite most being suspended for 90 days.

Ashmore said its strong investment performance over the quarter was 'underpinned by economic resilience in emerging economies, positive developments in China's technology sector, and currency movements including a weak US dollar and a stronger euro'.

Ashmore highlighted 'positive developments in China's technology sector'

The group also pointed to the outperformance of emerging markets stocks relative to US peers in recent months.

Boss Mark Coombs said: 'This resilience demonstrates that there are increasingly powerful reasons for investors to rebalance their asset allocations away from the US capital markets, such as tighter fiscal policy and a smaller government in the US, the start of fiscal stimulus in Europe, higher rates in Japan and China's focus on boosting domestic demand.

'When combined with the impact of aggressive trade tariffs, these factors point to a weaker US dollar, which will be supportive for the performance of emerging markets.'

Ashmore shares were down 5.8 per cent in early trading to 125.9p, having lost over 30 per cent in the last 12 months.

Analysts at Peel Hunt hold a buy recommendation on Ashmore shares with a target price of 210p.

They wrote in a note on Monday: 'There are reasons to be optimistic that current volatility and uncertainty around the US should mean that investors look to diversify exposures.

'EM is proving resilient and over time, we expect allocations to start picking up after many years of headwinds.'
Emotional consumption becomes hot trend in China

People's Daily Online) 13:17, April 14, 2025

Innovative products designed to relieve anxiety and provide emotional companionship have gained significant traction in the Chinese market. Emotional consumption has emerged as a hot trend in China.

According to a report on the social mentality of Chinese young internet users in 2024 recently released by the Fudan Development Institute, young people consider not only a product's value-for-money but also the emotional value it delivers when making purchasing decisions.

A stallholder sells dolls of cartoon characters in Luqiao district, Taizhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo/Jiang Youqing)

The emergence of emotional consumption is a result of evolving consumer demands, said Hong Yong, an associate researcher at the e-commerce research institute of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce.

With growing affluence, people gradually shift from meeting basic living needs to pursuing personalized, quality-oriented, and diversified demands, Hong noted.

Chinese e-commerce giant Taobao's "top 10 products of 2024" reflects this shift, with more than half of the items related to emotional value.

"People are increasingly concerned about mental health and gravitate toward emotional consumption, especially 'self-pleasing consumption' that bring joy," said Guan Jian, a professor from the School of Sociology at Nankai University.

Consumers now value the emotional connection and resonance a product offers more than its practicality, Guan added.

This growing demand for emotional value has fueled the booming "guzi economy." The word "guzi," a homonym for the English word "goods," refers to badges, acrylic figure stands, cards and other merchandise featuring ACG (animation, comic and game) culture elements.

A woman poses for photos in a cafe in Simao district, Pu'er, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

According to data analysis provider iiMedia Research, the market size of China's "guzi economy" reached 168.9 billion yuan ($22.98 billion) in 2024, and is projected to hit 308.9 billion yuan by 2029.

"The moment I buy 'guzi' products, I feel as happy as when I receive a salary notification," said Li Jie, a post-95 programmer, showing off a game figure stand he just got from a mystery box. "Placing 'guzi' products at my workstation gives me a reassuring sense of companionship," Li added.

Within communities sharing common interests, mystery boxes and figurines are not merely toys but catalysts for consumers' social interaction.

Some consumers derive emotional value from buying virtual goods. Li Cheng, a Taobao store owner selling virtual "emotional products," said purchasing virtual goods is like making a wish upon a shooting starit brings emotional comfort. His store offers various virtual products for people to make wishes, covering academics, love, career, and other aspects, embodying consumers' positive expectations for life in a humorous way.

Many virtual services also provide emotional solace. "Young people seek emotional value, including stress relief, relaxation, emotional healing, passion, sincerity and companionship. Virtual services offer more options and enrich their experiences," said Zeng Runxi, deputy dean of the School of Journalism & Communication at Chongqing University.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has opened new avenues for emotional consumption. XiaoZhi AI, an AI chatbot launched by a company based in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, exemplifies this trend.

"XiaoZhi's responses are objective and calm, yet heart-warming," said Wang Zhichao, a 27-year-old tech vlogger who often uses the AI chatbot during his livestreams to help answer difficult questions from his followers.

"The AI chatbot can detect anxiety through voice analysis and proactively suggest playing music or meditation. It provides personalized interactive experiences and remembers users' emotional preferences and habits," said Lin Zhongqiao, the company's product manager.

Currently, the company is in talks with toy manufacturers to integrate XiaoZhi's features into toys and dolls, making virtual companionship more appealing.

In recent years, AI companion products like "AI psychological companions" and "AI emotional counselors" have gained popularity for their emotional value.

Liu Xin, a young entrepreneur in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, regularly chats with her AI companion "Lele."

"I named it 'Lele,' hoping that it would ease my entrepreneurial pressure and bring joy," Liu said, adding that it tirelessly answers her questions, offers encouragement, and communicates with humorsomething that can be hard to expect from human friends.

Zhang Ya, an associate professor from the School of Psychology and Cognitive Science at East China Normal University, observed that young people tend to prefer "light relationships," such as dining companions, card game partners, or travel buddiesneeds that AI emotional companionship can fulfill.

Industry experts pointed out that AI companions may pose risks, including privacy breaches, content safety issues, consumption traps, and emotional dependency.

Shen Yang, a professor at Tsinghua University, recommended establishing content standards and review mechanisms for emotional consumption products, promoting algorithmic transparency, and reducing risks of user manipulation or data misuse.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has met with the board of Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) in the wake of the child spine surgeries controversy.

The health watchdogs report into the experimental use of non-medical grade springs in three child spine surgeries at CHI Temple Street was published last week.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) report said the use of the springs was wrong and highlighted failures around governance, communication, consent and safeguards.

The chairman of CHIs board, Dr Jim Browne, resigned hours after the report was published, while Taoiseach Micheal Martin said sacking the rest of the board would further weaken governance.

A spokesman for the health minister said she spoke to the board about the recent Hiqa report on Monday.

Ms Carroll MacNeill outlined her expectation that CHI will work with the HSE and her department to ensure that the recommendations are implemented in full, as quickly as possible.

She also made clear that Hiqas independent review showed what happened was wrong and should not have been allowed to happen.

She said these children were not protected from the risk of harm as they should have been, and that she expects an update on the implementation of the recommendations on April 25.

The minister also discussed her concern at the length of time children are waiting for spinal surgery.

The opening of the long-awaited 2.2 billion euro National Childrens Hospital was also discussed.

The minister made clear that CHI needs to do everything in its power to ensure that the hospital is opened as safely and quickly as possible.

Ms Carroll MacNeill is due to meet the CHI board again on April 28.
An HQ for elite Irish soldiers is to be built in Co Kildare at a cost of 46 million euro.

Tanaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris is to bring a memo on the project to Cabinet on Tuesday.

The Army Ranger Wings headquarters and training centre will be located at the Curragh Camp in Co Kildare.

Construction on the project is expected to begin later this year.

The Army Ranger unit carries out special operations such as the evacuation of Irish citizens from Afghanistan in August 2021.

The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces recommended developing the Army Ranger Wing so that it has organic selfsustainment capability, including combat helicopter assets to insert, operate and extract from mission areas.

It recommended replacing the complex and opaque command structure of the unit and clarifying how it would interact with the Garda Emergency Response Unit when required.

It also recommended renaming the Army Ranger Wing to Irelands Special Operations Force (IRL SOF) to align with international norms and include permanent Air and Maritime Task Groups in Casement Aerodrome and Haulbowline Naval Base.
More than a few things to consider for late night & early morning denizens of the discourse as we check in one more time by way of pop culture, community reporting & top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

First Responders To Rescue

Kansas City firefighters battle large blaze at 18th and Woodland A massive fire damaged a townhome on Sunday night, leading to a large response from Kansas City firefighters.

Local Discounts Announced

Kansas City food service company lowers prices amid tariff concern A Kansas City-based home food service company says it's responding to the recent tariffs put in place by lowering food prices across the board.

Home Team Hits Stride??!?

Ragans career day leads Royals to 4-2 victory over Guardians Ragans continues his brilliance, and the offense showed some juice!

Angels Skirt Big Apple Regs

Massive Victoria's Secret 'very sexy' billboard in NYC tourist hot spot is also 'very illegal': city A massive Victoria's Secret sign in a bustling Midtown Manhattan tourist hotspot shows sultry models in bras with the slogan "very sexy" -- but the city said it's also "very illegal."

Chipping Away At Trade War

Trump plans separate levy on exempted electronics amid trade war, Lutnick says U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said these new levies would fall outside Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs, under which levies on Chinese imports climbed to 125% this week.

Meet New Boss?!?

Stephen A. Smith says he has 'no choice' but to consider a run for president Stephen A. Smith, Host of ESPN's "First Take," hammered the Democratic Party and suggested he has "no choice" but to consider a run for president.

Arrest After Fire Bombing

Pennsylvania police arrest suspect after governor's mansion set on fire while Gov Josh Shapiro, family slept Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family are safe after authorities say an arsonist set fire to the governor's residence while they were asleep. Cody Balmer, 38, was arrested.

Labor Hopes For Homecoming

'Companies Will Bring Work Back': UAW President Defends Trump Tariffs In Verbal Slugfest With Befuddled MSNBC Hosts UAW President Shawn Fain had a lengthy verbal battle with Alicia Menendez, Symone Sanders-Townsend and Michael Steele over tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

Holy Land Fighting Forever

Gaza hospital hit by Israeli strike, Hamas says The group said the attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was a "horrific crime" committed by Israel, which said it was looking into the reports.

More Deets On Vlad's Attack

At least 32 people killed in Russian missile attack on Ukrainian city Photos and videos of the aftermath show bloodied bodies scattered in the streets around the impact of the missiles.

Gen X Gathers Nostalgia

All 5 Stars of 'The Breakfast Club' Reunite for First Time in 40 Years: 'Very Emotional and Moved to Have Us All Together' 'The Breakfast Club' main cast reunited for the first time in 40 years at a C2E2 panel in Chicago on April 12, 2025. Costars Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall and Emilio Estevez reflected on their time on set of the coming-of-age film.

MAGA Reassurance



White House renews promise to defend Christianity in US during Holy Week - Washington Examiner President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump both joined the nation in recognizing the start of Holy Week and the sacrifice Jesus Christ made.

Party District Backstory Exposed

When Westport was a dry town Founded in 1833, the town sometimes considered "the mother of Kansas City" banned the sale of alcohol at several points in its history.

Grigs Talks Springtime

Kansas City weather: Cooler temperatures, spotty showers possible A few sprinkles are possible early in the morning, with the best chance for light showers in northern Kansas and Missouri.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
This refrain from city hall has been constant since the pandemic . . . And yet, amid warmer weather we notice that local streets are just as dangerous as ever despite a great deal of legislation, threats and crackdowns against reckless motorists . . . Here's the word from over the weekend . . .



Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced on Sunday, April 13, that a KCPD officer has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home after he was run over by an ATV the previous evening.



Last night, a reckless ATV driver caused injuries to a Kansas City police officer, mayhem on our streets, and continued to display the lawlessness that too many dirt bike, stunt drivers, ATV users, racers, and others display on streets in dense areas of our city, the Mayor said in a statement. We expect our officer to recover and pray he can return to normal service soon.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCTV5: Mayor vows against street lawlessness as officer recovers from ATV hit-and-run

Developing . . .


Right now diva, scienest and explorer hottie Katy Perry and her interstellar hotness inspires this quick morning collection of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Cowtown Rough Trade

Kansas Citians remain cautious amid tariff changes Kansas Citians react with caution as Trump's tariff shift sparks uncertainty across many industries.

River

City Going To Pot . . .

'Region's best potters' showcase art at Midwest Pottery Fest in Kansas City 12 of the region's best local potters showcase art, pottery with KC Urban Potters at 2025 annual Midwest Potters Fest in Kansas City

Holy Rolling Postscript

Kansas City Christians mark the start of Holy Week with Palm Sunday observance People across the Kansas City metro gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, a significant day in the Christian faith marking Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem just one week before Easter.

Morning Traffic Tragedy

I-435 shut down after pedestrian struck The crash happened on I-435 Monday morning in the Northland

Growing Season Starts Again

Conservationists hope to foster love of native plants with Kansas City sale State and local conservationists hope to foster a love of native plants with an upcoming sale at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center.

Diva Gets Even More Flighty

Katy Perry says rocket trip was ordained by 'the heavens' If Katy Perry had any doubts about going into space tomorrow with Blue Origin, they've been laid to rest with divine intervention.

Targeting Tesla?!?!

Elon Musk could be Democrats' secret weapon in 2026 midterms Musk's growing influence in Washington may become a central factor in a Democratic resurgence in the 2026 midterms.

Talking Points Celebrated

Hakeem Jeffries Shreds Pete Hegseth With Blistering DEI Burn Donald Trump's defense secretary was slammed by the House minority leader over a new "outrageous" book ban.

MAGA Threatens Network

Trump says CBS should lose license after '60 Minutes' segments on Ukraine, Greenland President Trump railed against CBS on Sunday night, saying the network should lose its broadcast license after "60 Minutes" aired segments on Ukraine and Greenland that the president said cast him in a negative light. "Almost every week, 60 Minutes... mentions the name 'TRUMP' in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekend's 'BROADCAST' tops...

Iran From Nuke Deal?!?

What is Iran's nuclear programme and what do the US and Israel want? Donald Trump has suggested Iran could face military action if it does not agree to a new nuclear deal.

Rocketman Dives Deep

North Korea is making what could be its largest, most advanced warship ever, new satellite photos show | CNN New satellite images show what could be North Korea's biggest warship ever - possibly more than double the size of anything in Kim Jong Un's naval fleet.

Probably Not The Smell . . .

Here's what most people love about sex - and, no, it's not an orgasm A recent study published in the Journal of Sex & Marital revealed that sex means a lot more to people than just having that big O moment.

Dead-Tree History Disclosed

Alligators were a popular attraction at early 1900s Kansas City amusement park Discover the story of Electric Park, a 1900s theme park in Kansas City, featuring Alligator Joe, crocodile shows and a daring escape into Brush Creek.

Bitter 2025 Reporting

Easter chocolate is expensive this season. Here's why A shortage of cocoa beans is driving up the cost to make chocolate - especially for small chocolatiers. That means people buying chocolate for Easter can expect high prices.

Temps Still In Flux

Cool air to start the work week It will be cool and potentially wet this morning, with a few isolated showers possible as we transition into the late morning and early afternoon. Temperatures will start in the lower and middle 50s and slowly climb into the middle 60s this afternoon.

The Marias - Back To Me is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Progressive political opposition to the Church tops reader feedback for the so-called paper-of-record in Kansas City.

And here's our biggest problem . . .

IS THERE ANY OTHER RELIGION IN KANSAS CITY THE STAR WOULD HELP ATTACK AT THE OUTSET OF THEIR CELEBRATIONS?!?



Answer that for yourself . . .

And whilst not everyone agrees with Senator Hawley . . . He kinda has a point about bias and religious repression that casually targets this American faith community.



Here's a peek at the crux of the argument and more info . . .



I disagree that the church is not political. It has been for quite a while. The recent statement that we must always obey all authorities is frightening. Other examples from Catholic leadership in Kansas:



Former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was told she probably shouldnt take Communion.



We were told we werent good Catholics if we didnt vote for George W. Bush.



We were told the Russia-Ukraine war would end if the Keystone pipeline opened.



We read columns in The Leaven by a Catholic lobbyist who trashes Gov. Laura Kelly and fails to present all the facts about bills introduced in the Legislature.



Not one church authority Im aware of has called out border czar Tom Homan, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Vice President JD Vance or the Trump administration for actions or statements that are against Catholic teachings.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Star: The Kansas Catholic Church apolitical? It hasnt been for a long time | Opinion

You decide . . .


By Michael OKeefe, April 14, 2025

Manchu: A Brotherhood of Sacrifice features Missouri veterans

Manchu: A Brotherhood of Sacrifice, premieres on KMOS-PBS channel 6.1 April 29 at 7 p.m. and on the PBS App. This film by Matt Wilcox recounts the story of the Manchus (U.S. Army 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry) and pays tribute to all who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. Among the many veterans who tell their stories in this film are Missourians Stan Adams (author of Mokane to Mole City, A Manchu Vietnam Memoir) and David Hosenfelt, both of Callaway County.

It was on April 30, 1975, that thousands of U.S. personnel and South Vietnamese civilians evacuated Saigon, ending the long-running Vietnam War. Fifty years later, on April 29, KMOS-PBS is proud to present this film on the anniversary of the Manchus initial arrival in the country. It was in 1966 when the unit first disembarked the ship USNS General Nelson M. Walker at Vung Tau, Vietnam and joined the 25th Infantry "Tropic Lightning" Division at Cu Chi Base Camp located northwest of Saigon. The unit has a rich history extending back to 1799, but at the time that Stan Adams was drafted in 1968, the unit had just weathered a devastating battle on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Hosenfelt was one of over fifty men wounded in that battle, which killed 18 Manchus and 6 crew members from the 187th Assault Helicopters (Crusaders). Although Hosenfelt returned to the unit and Adams had arrived as one of the replacement troops, the two did not connect until years later back in Fulton, Missouri. This was well after the time the Manchus built and defended Mole City, their underground combat patrol base camp located near the Cambodian border.

The film features interviews with fourteen other veterans and serves to memorialize their fallen comrades. The project actually began when filmmaker Matt Wilcox, then a high school student interested in history, made a film from interviews with his shop teacher, Manchu Steve Knowlton. Years later they reconnected to expand the story and eventually partnered with Stan and his wife Rita (Russell) Adams. Together they organized interviews with scores of veterans, conducted research of the details to make this incredible film.

In May of 2024, the film was screened for over 400 people at a red-carpet event at William Woods University in Fulton. During the ceremony, Manchu and other Vietnam veterans were recognized and the city of Fulton honored the Callaway County veterans and 428 Manchus who were killed in the war.

The film will air again on KMOS channels 6.1 and 6.3, details available at kmos.org. In addition, KMOS is broadcasting the ten-part film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, The Vietnam War each Friday at 8 p.m.

Shown: Filmmaker Matt Wilcox with Manchu David Young
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Published April 14, 2025

CAPTION:FarmSmarter.ai took home the first-place prize of $50,000. Pictured L-R: Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup Founder and Premier Sponsor Dhu Thompson, team member Colin Raby, Acting ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno, team advisor Fahimeh Abbasi, team leader Grant Muslow, Dean of the ULM College of Business and Social Sciences Dr. Michelle McEacharn

MONROE, LA  The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup hosted its fourth annual awards luncheon on April 10, 2025, at ULMs Bayou Pointe Event Center. The luncheon was the culmination of the entrepreneurship competition, with $96,000 in prize money awarded to the three top teams, including their faculty advisors, and the winner of the live elevator pitch competition, voted on by attendees of the luncheon.

FarmSmarter.ai, a team comprised of students from Louisiana State University, took home the first-place prize of $50,000. FarmSmarter is an AI-driven agricultural consulting tool that transforms complex farming decisions into accessible, actionable intelligence. FarmSmarter.ai features team leaderGrant Muslow, team membersCole Lacombe, Colin Raby, Julius Pallotta, and advisor Fahimeh Abbasi.

This is going to completely change the trajectory of our company so that we can add all of the features that will really change farmers lives, said FarmSmarter.ai team leader Grant Muslow.

The second-place prize of $25,000 was awarded to UDOIT, a team from Louisiana State University Shreveport. UDOIT is a mobile app that helps families connect through fun, interactive physical activities, designed to make family time enjoyable for all ages anywhere. UDOIT features team leaderKhaled Saif, team membersDana Bader, Eman Bader, Xzayvier Ford-Smith, and advisor Mike McDaniel.

Third place and a prize of $10,000 went to AmbER, a team from Grambling State University. AmbER is a discreet, attachable safety device designed to provide immediate assistance in emergencies. AmbER offers AI-powered alerts, real-time GPS tracking, and satellite-enabled communication to ensure help is always within reach. AmbER features team leaderFlyness Namatama, team membersTanyaradzwa Mangundhla, Mosopefoluwa John, Emmanuel Oladele, Daniel Osuoha, and advisor Derrick Warren.

The advisors from each of the top three teams also each received a $3,000 prize.

The winner of the live elevator pitch competition was Colin Raby from FarmSmarter.ai. Raby won the $2,000 prize after receiving the most votes from attendees of the luncheon, who voted online after hearing 90-second pitches from each team.

The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup expanded is open to teams from any four-year university or college in the state of Louisiana. The contest received 34 entries from eight universities, including Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana Tech University, Northwestern State University, Tulane University, the University of Louisiana Monroe, and the University of New Orleans.

Dhu Thompson, Premier Sponsor and Founder of The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup provided remarks at the luncheon.

After thanking those who helped make the competition happen and recounting his own entrepreneurial experiences, Thompson spoke directly to the student competitors. The Pelican Cup is not merely an event, but it is a snapshot of our future, said Thompson. Entrepreneurship comes from a single idea, the dedication to continue, modify, and grow that idea. There will be obstacles, and there will be failure, but many times we learn the very most through our challenges, Thompson added.

The luncheon also featured special guest speaker Rich Simmerman, CEO of Cantaloupe AI, the winner of the 2024 Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup first-place prize. He shared that future of tech innovation can exist in Louisiana. Our win at the Pelican Cup changed everything for us. And while, yes, the prize money was a huge help, it was the people in this room who made the biggest difference. To the funders of the Pelican Cup and the University of Louisiana Monroe, thank you for believing in slightly crazy entrepreneurs like myself, said Simmerman.

About The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup

Open to all majors with cash prizes totaling $96,000, The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup is the premiere business plan competition for Louisiana. It provides an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking, team building, presentation, and other soft skills which are all important to career growth. The goal is to inspire participants and the community to think entrepreneurially by rewarding creativity, professionalism, and hard work. Thirty-four teams submitted written, formal business plans which were reviewed and scored independently by a panel of twenty volunteer judges made up of business owners and investors. The panel of judges later deliberated in groups to select the six finalist teams.

The six finalist teams presented in-person oral presentations, held March 25th at The Hangar on the ULM campus. Seven volunteer judges dedicated their time to listening to each team present their business plan and supporting visuals. The judges then deliberated and selected the first, second, and third-place winners.

The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup was founded by distinguished ULM alumnus Dhu Thompson. Thompson is the founder, past owner, and former chairman of the board for Delta Plastics, producer of agricultural irrigation tubing, and the largest recycler of plastics in Arkansas. He is also the former owner and past chairman of the board for Revolution Bag, which manufactures EPA-compliant trashcan liners. Thompsons honors include 2004 Arkansas Business Executive of the Year and SBA Person of the Year. In 2019 he sold the Revolution brands to a New York private equity firm and now focuses on entrepreneurship growth in Arkansas and Louisiana. In 2023, Thompson received the Warhawk Ambassador Award, one of ULMs highest honors. Earlier in 2024, Thompson was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

For more information about The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, visit www.ulm.edu/pelicancup

To watch the video of the 2025 Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup Awards Luncheon, click here.
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Hajj 2025: HCoI cancels applications of 291 children

The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has cancelled the applications of as many as 291 children under 12 years of age who were supposed to accompany their parents for Hajj 2025 in Makkah

Monday April 14, 2025 5:15 PM , Staff Writer

Hajj 2025: The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has cancelled the applications of as many as 291 children under 12 years of age who were supposed to accompany their parents for Hajj 2025 in Makkah.

The Haj Committee of India cited the new Saudi Government rule barring children below 12-years for this years Hajj.

This year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not permitting children below 12 years of age to accompany their parents during Hajj 2025 (Hajj 1446 AH) and not issuing visa to them, the Haj Committee of India said in a circular dated April 13, 2025.

Consequently, Haj applications of 291 children in this age group have been cancelled, the Haj Committee of India said.

The Haj Committee of India further said whatever amount the parents had paid for their children will be refunded in full.

Cancellation Charges

In its circular released today, the Haj Committee of India further said that the parents can proceed for Hajj without their children or cancel in full through the Haj Committee website.

Parents may proceed with their Haj Pilgrimage as per the schedule. However, if they opt for full or partial cancellation of their Cover(s), they may do so online through Haj Committee of India website or Haj Suvidha App by Monday April 14, 2025, the committee said.

The Haj Committee said no cancellation charge will be applied if an applicant cancels his/her application by today.

But applications cancelled after April 14 will attract cancellation charges as per Hajj 2025 guidelines, the Haj Committee said.

52,000 PTO seats in lurch

The announcement comes days after Saudi Arabia slashed Indias Private Hajj Quota by 80% the decision that had shocked the Private Tour Operators (PTOs).

Earlier, India was allotted a Haj quota of 175,025 pilgrims. From this quota, Private Tour Operators are allotted 30% of the total seats i.e. around 52,000.

The change means that the pilgrims, who were initially planning to travel to Makkah through Private Tour Operators (PTOs) or Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs), are now faced with the possibility of not being able to make their Haj journey. This sudden disruption has caused significant distress for both the affected pilgrims and the travel agents in India, who now find themselves scrambling to find alternative solutions.

Meanwhile, the Haj Committee of India has released the list and travel cost of 18 embarkations points to be used for travel of pilgrims to Makkah.

The Committee had earlier said Hajj 2025 flights from India will tentatively start from April 29. It is however yet to release full Hajj Flight Schedule.

Hajj 2025 likely date is from June 04 to 09, 2025. The final date of Haj 2025 however will be decided based on Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH moon sighting.

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Karnataka Caste Census: Muslims Single Largest Community

The Socioeconomic Educational Survey (SES) data 2015 from Karnataka has revealed that Muslims make up the single largest community

Monday April 14, 2025 9:55 PM , Syed Ali Mujtaba

[Grok 3 Image used here for representation]

Bengaluru: The Socioeconomic Educational Survey (SES) data 2015 from Karnataka has revealed that Muslims make up the single largest community, having a population of 18.08% or a headcount of 76,76,247 persons.

The caste census report is submitted to the Karnataka government. The state cabinet will have a detailed discussion at a special meeting on April 17.

Karnataka Caste Census Data

The report has recommended increasing the reservation to Muslim castes from the existing 4% to 8%, sources have revealed.

The Karnataka government conducted a survey that included a total of 5.98 crore citizens. Of them, the survey has found 4.18 crore, or 70% per cent belong to the various Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories.

The report finds Scheduled Castes (SCs) to be 1.09 crore, and Scheduled Tribes (STs) 42.81 lacs. They together make up 25 % but are not one bloc.

There were 167 castes surveyed in Karnataka, including Badagas, the smallest with only 32 members. Vokkaligas make up 10.31% (61.68 lac), Lingayats constitute 11.09% (66.35 lac). The population of Brahmins, traditionally on top of the caste hierarchy, is 17,83,427 (2.98%) and is at the 10th spot.

Karnataka Caste Census Recommendation

The report suggests that there could be a significant reshaping of the reservation structure in Karnataka.

The report has proposed to increase the total quota beyond 75% in Karnataka.

As far as Muslims, they currently enjoy a 4% reservation under the 2B category. If the recommendation of the report is going to be accepted, Muslims would be entitled to an 8% quota.

The key recommendation of the report is, the OBC reservation should be raised from 31% to 51%.

The report has recommended that the SC community may have a 24.1% reservation. The STs may get 9.95% reservation, the Vokkaligas 7%, and the Lingayats 8% reservation.

New Category

The report has identified a newly created Category 1A, which includes communities like Golla, Uppara, Mogaveera, and Koli, and has recommended a 12% reservation for them.

The category 2A communities, such as Madivala and Ediga, are recommended to have a 10% reservation.

The Karnataka caste census was first commissioned by Siddaramaiah during his earlier term as Chief Minister in 2014. Although the survey was completed in 2016, the BJP government has blocked its release.

The final report was prepared under the Backward Classes Commission Chairman Jayaprakash Hegde. He has submitted the report to the present government on February 29, 2024.

Sources indicate the caste census spans over 46 volumes, along with data submitted in digital format.

The release of the caste census report has stirred a political debate in Karnataka. The major communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas have raised concerns over their representation in the caste census report.

The coming days in Karnataka are likely to witness an intense political debate over the caste census report. Nonetheless, the Congress government is preparing to take a decisive call on the recommendations made by the commission conducting the caste census. This may be despite the fact of intense opposition by the BJP.

[The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com]

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On Monday, April 14, lawyers representing Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish national and Tufts University PhD candidate, will appear in a Vermont federal court to demand her release from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Basile, Louisiana. Ozturk was detained on March 25 in Somerville, Massachusetts, in a dramatic arrest captured on surveillance video, showing six plainclothes ICE agents approaching her as she left to break her Ramadan fast. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Ozturk "engaged in activities in support of Hamas," a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, but has provided no public evidence to substantiate the accusation.

Ozturk's legal team, supported by the ACLU of Massachusetts, argues that her detention is unlawful and violates her constitutional rights to free speech and due process. They point to a 2024 op-ed she co-authored in The Tufts Daily, criticizing the war in Gaza and calling for Tufts to divest from Israel, as the likely basis for her targeting. "Efforts to target me because of my op-ed will not deter me from my commitment to advocate for the rights of youth and children," Ozturk said in a statement shared by the ACLU. Her attorneys assert that her visa revocation and arrest reflect a broader campaign against pro-Palestinian activists on U.S. campuses.

The case has been mired in jurisdictional disputes. After her arrest, Ozturk was swiftly moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, Vermont, and then Louisiana, despite a federal judge's order prohibiting her transfer out of Massachusetts without notice. Her lawyers were unaware of her whereabouts for over 24 hours, raising concerns about transparency. On April 4, U.S. District Judge Denise Casper ruled that Vermont, where Ozturk was held overnight, is the appropriate venue for her case, rejecting the government's push to move it to Louisiana. A Vermont hearing on April 14 will determine whether the court has jurisdiction and if Ozturk should be released pending further proceedings.

Ozturk, a Fulbright scholar pursuing a doctorate in child study and human development, has faced harsh conditions in detention. She reported multiple asthma attacks, inadequate medical care, and religious discrimination, including an incident where a nurse forcibly removed her hijab. "I was sure they were going to kill me," she wrote of her arrest, describing the fear induced by masked agents. Community outrage has fueled protests in Somerville and Boston, with supporters, including Tufts faculty and Massachusetts lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, demanding her release and visa restoration.

The government maintains that Ozturk's transfer to Louisiana was due to a lack of detention space in New England and that her visa was revoked lawfully. However, critics, including Somerville's mayor and Tufts President Sunil Kumar, argue that her detention undermines academic freedom and targets lawful expression. As the April 14 hearing looms, Ozturk's case underscores tensions over immigration policy, free speech, and the treatment of international students in the U.S.
Douglas County Dispatch received a call from Calvary Lutheran Pre-School in Alexandria reporting a 4-year old child was choking. Alexandria Police Department officers, Douglas County Sheriff deputies and North Ambulance responded to scene and first responders were able to remove a foreign object the child was choking on. The child began breathing and was taken to Alomere Health.
Meloni to fly to US for tariff talks with Trump before meeting Vance in Rome.

Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to meet US president Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday 17 April to discuss US tariffs on EU imports.

Meloni said last week that she would propose to Trump the possibility of eliminating reciprocal tariffs on existing industrial products with the zero for zero formula.

The Italian premier will be the first European leader to meet Trump after he announced 20 per cent tariffs on EU imports, a move which the US president subsequently suspended for 90 days.

In an initial response, Meloni said she considered the tarrifs a "wrong" move that did "not benefit either side", however she has since cautioned against "alarmism" and claimed it was "not the catastrophe that some are talking about".

Meloni, who has maintained close ties to the US president and was the only EU leader to attend his inauguration, also said: "The economies of Western nations are strongly interconnected, such incisive protectionist policies will end up damaging Europe as much as the United States".

Following her return to Italy after meeting Trump, Meloni will receive US vice president JD Vance at her Rome office on Friday 18 April, on the first day of his three-day visit to the country.

Details of the Rome visit are not yet known however it is speculated that Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, may visit the Vatican to mark Good Friday.

Photo credit: Phil Mistry / Shutterstock.com.
Italy's interior minister slams Rome violence.

The highly-anticipated derby between rivals AS Roma and Lazio at Rome's Olympic Stadium on Sunday afternoon ended in a 1-1 draw but was marred by pre-match violence.

Clashes broke out at Ponte Milvio when hundreds of hardcore ultra Lazio fans fired glass bottles and stones at riot police who responded with tear gas and water cannon.

There were 13 police officers injured in the violence which was condemned by Italy's interior minister Matteo Piantedosi as "shameful attacks by criminals" whose behaviour was "disgraceful and unacceptable".

In a post on X, Piantedosi expressed solidarity with the police and said that in addition to the recently passed security decree, the government is "determined to carry out any further measure necessary" to guarantee the safety of officers.

The controversial security decree, approved earlier this month, aims to increase penalties for those who attack law enforcement and enhances legal protections for security forces.

Scene di violenza urbana che nulla hanno a che vedere con lo sport: questi non sono tifosi, ma delinquenti. Solidarieta agli agenti feriti. pic.twitter.com/ImuUhB5wK8  Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) April 13, 2025

Italy's deputy premier and transport minister Matteo Salvini posted footage of the clashes on X with the comment: "Scenes of urban violence that have nothing to do with sport: these are not fans, but criminals. Solidarity with the injured officers."

Police launched an investigation into the clashes in an attempt to identify those responsible, including the possible role of foreign ultra supporters linked to the fanbases of both Lazio and Roma.

The derby, the second this season, saw Alessio Romagnoli score for Lazio before Matias Soule equalised for Roma.

The draw keeps Lazio sixth in the table, two points above Roma.

Photo Il Fatto Quotidiano
Parents in Waterford are expressing their disappointment over the recent news regarding the sanctioning of special classes.

Over the past number of months, parents have been tirelessly campaigning and advocating to ensure their children's right to an education.

They have met with widespread public support, both locally and nationally, and have met with Government Ministers to appeal on their children's behalf.

Last week, the Department of Education announced that nearly 400 special classes have been sanctioned for the 2025/26 academic year.

On April 11, it was announced that two modular classes were sanctioned for St John's Special School in Dungarvan.

While the news has largely been welcomed, there are still a number of children who have been left behind.

Dungarvan mother Rebecca Meehan was one parent who had been working ceaselessly to secure a place for her five-year-old son, Jay. Her story has been told both in the Dail and in local and national newspapers. However, last Friday she learned that her son had not been accepted, a development that has left her 'gobsmacked'.

She commented: "It's just devastating. It's like deja vu, just earthshaking all over again, that my son has been rejected again and turned away from his education that is his right."

Despite all the hard work and advocacy, Rebecca's family is still at an impasse. She told the Irish Examiner: "Jay has no school space for September, he has nowhere else to go. We've been given no information."

'Deeply concerning'

TD Conor McGuinness commented on the situation: "All progress is welcome and I want to commend St. Johns and their neighbours in St. Marys for working together to increase capacity with the addition of two modular units at St. Johns.

This is down to the tireless campaigning of parents over recent months, who made it impossible for the Government parties to continue ignoring this issue, and to the determination of school management to find a solution to create more places.

"Announcements are well and good but we need to see action from the Department of Education and the NCSE to get these units set up for September.

"Unfortunately the announcement still leaves a number of children locally without places. This is deeply concerning. It is wrong, and it needs to be fixed."

He continued: "I have written to the Minister and the NCSE to raise the situation of these children, and to call for their right to an education to be fully vindicated by Government. I will continue to stand up for children with special educational needs and for their parents.
There was a huge turnout of TDs and Senators for an Oireachtas briefing by local and national news publishers at Leinster House.

The event last week highlighted the challenges and opportunities for journalism and the need for Government support.

Bob Hughes, Executive Director of Local Ireland, which represents local news publishers around the country, 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.

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.

Deputy Conor McGuinness, Paul Mooney, Munster Express, Doreen Connolly, Munster Express, Deputy David Cullinane, and Dan Linehan, Manager, Irish Times Regionals and Waterford News & Star.

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 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.
Cabinet approval was given last week for University Hospital Waterford to be upgraded in order to provide 24/7 cardiac care services.

611,000 will be made available in 2025 to begin the recruitment of extra staff and other resources to move from the current 12/7 service to a full 24/7 service.

The announcement follows sustained efforts of over 10 years by public representatives and local community activists to address the critical need for expanded cardiac care in the south east region.

Waterford TDs react

Speaking last week, Minister Mary Butler hailed the decision, saying: We all know that patients in the South East have had to travel to Dublin or Cork to access emergency cardiac care outside of normal hours. This has placed an unacceptable burden on families and our healthcare providers. The development of 24/7 cardiac services at UHW will close this gap and deliver a more equitable health system for everyone."

Minister John Cummins said last week: This is really positive news for the people in Waterford and the South East region.

I am delighted that the Minister (Jennifer Carroll MacNeill) is making this decision today to expand the service at UHW to 24/7 cardiac care to meet the needs in the south-east. This is something which I and others have been working towards for a long number of years.

Thousands turned out to march in Waterford on Saturday for 24/7 Cardiac Care in 2019. Photo: Joe Evans

Also welcoming the news, Deputy David Cullinane, said: It has taken some time to get here, but it is now Government policy that there should be 24/7 emergency cardiac services at UHW. Now we must make sure it is delivered, that timeframes are put in place quickly, and that UHW is resourced to make this a reality."

Deputy Conor McGuinness similarly commented: The Department of Health has finally sanctioned 24/7 cardiac care at UHW, something that so many of us have campaigned for, raised and championed. It will be for Government to back up todays announcement with action."

All four TDs commended the campaigners and activists who worked hard on the issue.

Campaigners and activists react

The work of public representatives and the people of the south east throughout the years has proven invaluable to the cause.

The News & Star spoke this week with campaigners and activists who have fought long for the delivery of 24/7 cardiac care.

Matt Shanahan, Willie Doyle and Mick Daniels are just a few of the pivotal figures who have worked tirelessly for over the years.

While all expressed delight at last weeks approval, there was also some concern regarding the time that it may take to have 24/7 care officially staffed and implemented.

Thousands turned out to march in Waterford on Saturday for 24/7 Cardiac Care in 2019. Photo: Joe Evans

One such advocate for the cause is Mr Shanahan, who started the Hand on Heart campaign and the Health Equality for the South East group. He also ensured during his tenure as an Independent TD that the issue was a constant in Leader's Questions.

Speaking this week, he expressed delight at the news, whilst also emphasising that the funding must now be ringfenced and a business plan approved to ensure swift implementation of the service.

Mr. Shanahan commended the key players over the years who have worked tirelessly for the service, particularly Dr. Patrick Owens and the South East consultants who rejected the flawed findings of the Herity Report in 2016. The controversial report concluded that there was no need for a second cath lab in Waterford.

Mr Shanahan said: It has taken far too long, and I feel very sorry for the damage that has been done to patients and families who have lost loved ones because that service was not available.

This is one win along the way, and I commend everybody who played a part, but the fight goes on. This is certainly not the end of the campaigning that should happen in this region to get equitable distribution of funding from the exchequer."

Mick Daniels of the 24/7 Southeast Cardiac Campaign group has been another active figure to the cause.

The group have interviewed hundreds of locals in Waterford to raise profile on the issue, and they filmed a tv commercial detailing the true story of a death, which occurred in an ambulance as someone was being transported to Cork.

Mick said the news was "cause for celebration", but that the work of the group will continue.

The announcement made is very welcome, but people could still die or suffer permanent damage if they get a heart attack tonight.

All of us involved in the campaign are very happy, but equally we would like to know when it is going to be implemented. We would like to see this happening now. Our campaign ends the day 24/7 begins.

Stalwarts of the campaign for 24/7, Willie Doyle, Jennifer Doyle and Mary Coughlan, have been active since 2014 when Jennifer suffered a heart attack.

Willie said this week: At that time it was unbelievable for us to discover that the dedicated cardiac unit here at UHW was only open 9 to 5, Monday to Friday.

On 7th May 2014 at City Square, Waterford, we started to collect signatures for a petition to highlight this and these were delivered to the Health Minister, Mr. Reilly at Dail Eireann. We had flyers, posters and banners printed and were relentless in the campaign.

"After a long battle we were over the moon to learn that 24/7 cardiac cover had been approved for the south east.

"This is great news for cardiac patients who no longer will have to be transferred to Cork for treatment. A big thanks to everyone who supported this campaign and helped along the way.
Cabinet approval was given last week for University Hospital Waterford to be upgraded in order to provide 24/7 cardiac care services.

611,000 will be made available in 2025 to begin the recruitment of extra staff and other resources to move from the current 12/7 service to a full 24/7 service.

However, the approval raises questions about the timeframe for the project's full delivery and operational launch.

Locals in Waterford this week, while welcoming the approval, shared concerns.

Noreen and Michael Walsh. Photo: Joe Evans

Michael Walsh said: It has taken too long. It's years behind time, absolutely years behind.

"I wonder now will it happen straight away? They got the go ahead, but when will it start now? Thats what we want to know. Will it be six months, next week, two years?

But hopefully it will happen soon because it is badly needed.

Willie Hearne. Photo: Joe Evans

Willie Hearne added: I had a heart attack myself on a Saturday, but lucky enough I didnt have to go to Dublin and I got into Waterford on a Monday.

So I think this has taken too long and it should have been done long ago. How long could it take now to get it started? It takes too long to do things in this country, you have to wait for everything and for a city, we dont get much compared to Cork or Dublin."

Mick Daniels, member of the 24/7 Southeast Cardiac Campaign, said this week: "The announcement made is very welcome, but people could still die or suffer permanent damage if they get a heart attack tonight.

Its a cause for celebration, and all of us involved in the campaign are very happy, but equally we would like to know when it is going to happen. We were made promises before by the current Taoiseach, nine years ago.

They have the two working cath labs, all they need to do in employ the staff. We would like to see this happening as fast as possible."
The campaign for 24/7 cardiac care for Waterford and the South East region has been a long and arduous one. Although it is not over yet - and won't be until the service is available no matter the hour of need, day or night - cabinet approval last week, early in this term of Government, appears to be the guarantee at long last that 24/7 will become a fully staffed actuality.

It is understandable to be sceptical until the recruitment process is completed and the service becomes properly operational, but Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, of the Fine Gael party, looks set to be the Minister whose name will now be associated with the establishment of this major milestone for Waterford.

It is a very positive political achievement for both Waterford Ministers of State, Chief Whip Mary Butler (FF) and John Cummins (FG), to have cabinet backing for a project that has topped the Waterford electoral wishlist for three general elections running.

Monies to the tune of 611,000 are being made available in 2025 to begin the recruitment process - to bring extra staff on stream and expand the service from 12/7 to 24/7.

Campaigners and activists from across the South East must be commended for the manner in which they doggedly pursued their goal of demanding nothing short of full, proper cardiac equality for our region - as has long been the case across the rest of the nation.

They've been vociferous and imaginative in their campaigning - rallying crowds of people into the streets of Waterford on numerous occasions, getting petitions signed, bringing on board the full weight of the expertise of healthcare professionals at University Hospital Waterford and other hospitals across the South East, and further afield.

Their determination in pursuing this cause has been nothing short of heroic - and, without question, Waterford would not have reached this juncture without them.

Mick Daniels of the 24/7 Southeast Cardiac Campaign group has described the development as a "cause for celebration" but was also quick to emphasise that the campaign will only end when a 24/7 cardiac service is fully operational.

"Our campaign ends the day 24/7 begins," he said, pointing out that between now and then more people are in danger of suffering permanent damage or even death if they get a heart attack during the night.

The clock continues to tick for the lives of people from the South East.

Once - and hopefully we will see it during this calendar year - 24/7 cardiac care is fully operational, it will be refreshing for media organisations, advocates and politicians, to be able to place increased focus on other crucial work, concerning both healthcare and the wider investment needs of Waterford and the South East.

It is well over a decade since the campaign for 24/7 first took serious root in Waterford, when a petition to highlight the issue was brought to shoppers in City Square in Waterford city to collect signatures, and subsequently presented to the then Minister for Health, James Reilly.

Let's hope that other areas, that pertain to equitable regional services for Waterford and the South East, don't take quite so long to get the backing of national government.
Protecting young people online in the EU was the focus of this years hotly contested Model Council of the European Union debate for secondary schools, which took place in Dublin Castle on 28 March.

Teams from schools across Ireland, each playing the role of an EU Member State, skilfully debated a proposed ban on social media for under-16s, with lively interventions and opposing views.

This debate was very timely as the broader conversation on protecting young people online is reaching a flash point in the media. Parents, educators, policy makers, and young people themselves are very concerned about the dangers they face online.

St. Columbas College, Stranorlar in Co. Donegal won first place for their representation of Estonia during the debate. They will travel with their class to Strasbourg in October to take part in Euroscola, where they will become MEPs for a day in the European Parliament.

Joint second place was awarded to Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School, Co. Meath representing Poland and Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary representing Slovenia.

Honourable mentions were given to the following schools: Manor House School, Raheny, Co. Dublin representing Italy, Our Lady's Secondary School, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan representing Romania and Bailieborough Community School in Co. Cavan representing Czechia.

The European Union is working to ensure that we can trust the digital services we use, and we are safe and protected online.

The EUs new Digital Services Act (DSA) will see that all digital services, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and search engines like Google, do more to protect users rights and stop the spread of illegal or inappropriate content.

If they dont, they will face hefty fines by the EU.
Ganzhou, China: China has suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, threatening to choke off supplies of components central to car makers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.

Shipments of the magnets, essential for assembling everything from cars and drones to robots and missiles, have been halted at many Chinese ports while the Chinese government drafts a new regulatory system. Once in place, the new system could permanently prevent supplies from reaching certain companies, including American military contractors.

The heavy rare earth metals covered by the export suspension are used in magnets essential for many kinds of electric motors, including EVs. Credit: Bloomberg

The official crackdown is part of Chinas retaliation for US President Donald Trumps sharp increase in tariffs that started on April 2.

On April 4, the Chinese government ordered restrictions on the export of six heavy rare earth metals, which are refined entirely in China, as well as rare earth magnets, 90 per cent of which are produced in China. The metals, and special magnets made with them, can now be shipped out of China only with special export licences.
A unique wedding ring worn by a man whose badly decomposed body was discovered in a river by two teenagers could be the key to unlocking his 53-year-old cold case.

The two teenage girls had just finished lunch on Christmas Day in 1971 and were swimming in the Steavenson River in the tiny Victorian town of Buxton, about 100 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, when they came across the gruesome sight of a mans body in the water about 4.30pm.

The man, who was believed to be aged between 30 and 60, was of a large build and about 183 centimetres tall with dark, greying hair.

He wore a distinctive black signet wedding band on his left ring finger, which was inscribed with 21.4.71 P.U.C.K, and was likely in the river for a few weeks before he was found.
London: Australians living in Russia have been told to consider flying to Serbia or Turkey if they wish to cast a ballot in next months federal election after Australias embassy in Moscow confirmed it would not provide voting services.

Expats were told on the embassys Telegram channel last week that because of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades do not travel advice for Russia, it had again suspended in-person and postal vote collection services.

Instead, they were told that the closest in-person voting locations with direct flights from Russia were the Belgrade and Ankara posts or the consulate-general in Istanbul.

People walk in a snowy Red Square in front of St Basils Cathedral in Moscow. Credit: AP

Citizens living in Lebanon, where more than 120 voted three years ago, have also been told they wont be able to vote in person because of the security situation. Voters could apply for postal votes, but they would have to be sent back to Australia at their own cost, the embassy in Beirut said.
Sumy, Ukraine: Russian missiles struck the heart of the Ukrainian city of Sumy as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 people, officials said, in the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week.

The two ballistic missiles hit around 10.15am, officials said. Images from the scene showed lines of black body bags on the side of the road, while more bodies were seen wrapped in foil blankets among the debris. Video footage also showed fire crews fighting to extinguish the shells of burnt-out cars among the rubble from damaged buildings.

Firefighters put out the fire following Russias missile attack in Sumy, Ukraine. Credit: Ukraine Emergency services via AP

The dead included two children, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said in a statement. A further 117 people were wounded, including 15 children, it said.

Only filthy scum can act like this  taking the lives of ordinary people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. In a statement on social media, he said the first strike hit buildings belonging to a city university, while the second exploded above street level.
You have to give it to Donald Trump. The man is a marvel at multitasking.

In one sensational swoop, the US president was able to set the global economy reeling, shatter our alliances, shred our standing in the world, tank consumer confidence, scupper the Kennedy Centre and tart up the Oval Office, turning it into Caesars Palace on the Potomac.

Its been a busy few weeks for US President Donald Trump. Credit: Bloomberg

And yet, he still managed to find time to brag about winning his Jupiter golf clubs championship and sign an executive order relaxing restrictions on water pressure from shower heads  I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair, the president cooed. He also ordered an investigation of an election security official he had fired four years ago for having the temerity to acknowledge that the 2020 election was not stolen.

Were living in a bizarro world where heroes are being targeted and scoundrels are in a position to target them, David Axelrod, the Democratic strategist, told me.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme organized a Gap Analysis and Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) Enhancement Workshop for the Liberian Revenue Authority (LRA) in Monrovia, from 24 to 28 March 2025. Under the auspice of the multi-year partnership with the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme funded by the United Kingdoms His Majestys Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Workshop was part of a blended approach to capacity development that includes both in-country and remote sessions.

The LRA Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Saa Saamoi highlighted the importance of PCA as a crucial tool both for trade facilitation and Customs enforcement. He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the learning opportunity and expressed his hope that LRA would become a source of regional expertise. The Workshop covered a wide range of PCA topics, including targeting, risk-based compliance management, specialized audit planning and assistance, auditor development, and information sharing. The Workshop also included a site-visit to the Freeport of Monrovia, the main commercial port facility, processing up to 80% of all imports and exports. The Working Group, consisting of LRAs Post-Clearance Audit Department and the LRAs Risk Management unit, further visited the Liberia Petroleum Refining Companys petroleum port, where they engaged with external stakeholders to discuss imports and controls processes for petroleum products.

The WCO facilitators worked closely with participants to develop a PCA Action Plan that will guide the future development of the Liberian PCA programme. Emphasizing national ownership, the Action Plan is customized to address LRAs specific needs and challenges, while drawing on international best practices and WCO tools. The Workshop was structured to be practical, providing participants with actionable solutions directly applicable to their work environment. The support from the WCO - Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme will continue through virtual sessions with the LRA PCA working group, covering topics such as risking for PCA, PCA caseload management and audit preparation for complex audit issues. The successful completion of the Workshop is expected to drive meaningful progress in the continued enhancement of the PCA programme - providing a clear roadmap for success through the LRA PCA Action Plan.

See here for more information on the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme.

For more information on WCO capacity building, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.
From 25 to 28 March 2025, the WCO facilitated a Leadership and Management Development (LMD) Workshop for the Top Executive Team of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the Philippines. The support took place as part of the Philippines multi-year strategic partnership with the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the United Kingdom, for effective implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

The Workshop brought together the BOC Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners for a high-impact, interactive leadership and management experience focused on strengthening alignment with the strategic objectives of the organization, building trust, and enhancing personal and organizational leadership skills.

Structured around three levels  organizational development, executive team collaboration, and personal growth  the Workshop created space for open dialogue, reflective learning, and critical self-inquiry. One of the key results was identifying the senior management teams most pressing challenges, such as the need for better cross-functional coordination, clearer decision-making processes, and a shift from reactive to strategic leadership mindsets. These insights are pivotal to driving stronger impact and achieving the strategic objectives of the organization.

The BOC Executive Team engaged in experiential exercises that uncovered long-standing behavioral patterns and team dynamics, particularly around trust, accountability, and delegation. The group explored the balance between operational control and leadership empowerment, while fostering greater ownership and initiative at all levels of the BOC to more effectively manage Customs operations and drive reforms forward.

During the Workshop the executive team also zoomed in on key reform initiatives including the upcoming national Time Release Study (TRS), organized with support of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, recognizing the TRS as an essential lever of modernization and strengthening institutional credibility.

For more information on the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, please see here.

For more information on the WCO Leadership and Management Development Programme, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.
World Customs Organization Secretary General Ian Saunders joined the first International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Air Cargo Summit on 9 April in Antalya, Turkiye. The summit, held under the theme of Advancing the Sustainable Growth of Air Cargo gathered around 400 participants from various sectors of aviation supply chain, including regulatory agencies, international organizations, aviation industry, and academia.

As a keynote speaker, Secretary General Saunders began his opening remarks by conveying appreciation to all related stakeholders for their efforts to build a resilient air transport network. He noted the growing importance of the aviation sector along with the emerging threats such as terrorism, illicit trade, and infiltration by organized crime groups.

The Secretary General also emphasized the role of a robust WCO-ICAO partnership to reach common goals with a reference to the three WCO-ICAO Joint Guidelines and their meaning in establishing a seamless flow of goods and people free from illegal activities. He concluded his remarks by sharing that the WCO looks forward to continuing in these efforts, to cooperating with ICAO and all of you, and to working with our Member Customs administrations to employ and go beyond the foundation of guidance and tools we have already created to support efficient, safe, and secure trade in the air environment.

On the first day of the event, Secretary General Saunders also had a bilateral meeting with ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar to discuss a collaborative approach to address common challenges. Secretary General Saunders appreciated the achievement of the two organizations in turning good ideas into good practices based on the Memorandum of Understanding.

The Secretaries General agreed on the importance of collective efforts to ensure safe, secure, and fast air transportation system and made commitment to continued collaboration in the future.
Aontu TD Paul Lawless is hosting a public meeting on retaining the so-called 'Triple Lock', which relates to Irelands long-standing policy of military neutrality.

The meeting will take place this evening (Tuesday) at 7.30pm in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, and all are welcome to attend.

"The Triple Lock ensures that any deployment of Irish troops overseas must be approved by the Government, the Dail, and a United Nations mandate," said Deputy Lawless. "It has been a vital safeguard of Irelands sovereignty and peacekeeping tradition. However, recent government efforts to dismantle this mechanism have raised fears that Ireland could be pushed closer to military alliances and conflicts that do not serve the national interest."

Deputy Lawless is urging the public to "stand up for neutrality before it is quietly eroded".

The Triple Lock exists for a reason, to prevent any government from unilaterally committing Irish troops to foreign missions without democratic oversight. It is deeply concerning that the Government is now working to remove this safeguard, despite the clear will of the Irish people to maintain our neutrality. We cannot allow this to happen.

The event will feature guest speakers, including Aontus Castlebar local area representative Brian Conroy, a former member of the Defence Forces, who will bring firsthand insight into what the removal of the Triple Lock could mean for Irelands military personnel and neutrality.

The public meeting will provide an opportunity for discussion, questions, and action. All are encouraged to attend and make their voices heard in the fight to defend Irelands neutrality and its international role in peacekeeping.
COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (APRIL 15 EDITION)

The twinning 40 years ago of Ballyhaunis with Guilers, a town in northern France, is to be marked later this year.

The outgoing committee has applied to Mayo County Council for funding to enable us to mark the occasion later in the year, explained Rena Burke, one of the committee members.

She said the committee is hoping for a trip down memory lane with a function in Ballyhaunis community hall, a display of photos, etc.

It is our intention to invite some guests from Guilers to visit Ballyhaunis as they have a Mayor and council officials in Guilers. There is active contact between some families but there is no committee in place in Guilers at the moment.

Rena was the official translator for the ceremony 40 years ago which twinned Ballyhaunis with Guilers, a town in the Brittany region of northern France. An article in the 1985 edition of the Annagh magazine describes a very large attendance on Easter Monday at 3pm to witness the official twinning ceremony with Senator Jim Higgins and Dr Michael Brogan (president of the local twinning committee) representing Ballyhaunis and Guilers mayor Louis Ballard, as well as Paul Guyomorc, president of the Guilers town twinning committee, representing the French town. Kevin Flanagan was master of ceremonies for the event at the Parochial Hall.

In the exchange of gifts which followed the signing, the French visitors presented Ballyhaunis with a sun dial, reciprocated by an icon from the Book of Kells from the Ballyhaunis hosts.

The sun dial was installed at the Parc Guilers, which was officially opened after the signing ceremony with the Irish armys pipe band leading a procession from the hall to the park, an embankment of rock and seating areas adjacent to the town library and then the local playground. The sun dial remains in situ but the trees planted at the parks opening in 1985 were removed two years ago by Mayo County Council.
Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

A 30-year-old man has been charged over alleged sexual offences in the United States, the PSNI has said.

It is understood the charges are in connection with an alleged incident while Armagh GAA was on a trip to the US.

The man was arrested on December 10th on suspicion of a number of sexual-related offences alleged to have taken place in November.

He was later released on bail to allow for inquiries to be carried out.

On Monday, the PSNI said he was charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He is due to appear at Armagh Magistrates Court on May 6th.

All charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service, as is normal procedure.

The PSNI said it would not be commenting further as criminal justice proceedings progress.
Feature: Chinese medical teams' 50-year commitment to Niger

Xinhua) 13:24, April 14, 2025

NIAMEY, April 13 (Xinhua) -- On a March morning, five-year-old Hama Moctar stepped into the General Referral Hospital of Niamey in Niger for a follow-up appointment. Just 100 days after surgery, his legs, once shortened and fractured, now carried him steadily.

Three years earlier, Moctar suffered a severe fracture in his left femur. Persistent infections followed, and his leg was left 10 centimeters shorter. While local doctors insisted amputation was the only way, Nong Jianbu, a trauma specialist from China's 24th medical aid team to Niger, proposed an alternative: the Ilizarov technique.

With equipment from China and tightly coordinated efforts, Chinese and Nigerien surgeons performed the complex operation. Today, both of Moctar's legs are equal in length and he can walk freely again.

Built by China in August 2016, the General Referral Hospital is one of West Africa's largest medical facilities. It symbolizes a bilateral partnership that spans over half a century.

Since 1976, Chinese medical teams dispatched from China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have worked tirelessly in Niger, a nation on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, making significant contributions to the country's healthcare system.

Over the years, Chinese doctors have faced countless challenges. Wang Zhou, a member of China's 24th medical aid team to the country, recalled a December night in 2024, when a Nigerien woman, stricken by acute myocardial infarction, was rushed to the hospital.

Together with nurse Wen Lina, Wang acted quickly to clear her blocked coronary arteries. Under the harsh glare of surgical lights, Wang meticulously navigated tangled blood vessels and implanted a stent just in time. "Success in such chaos feels miraculous," he said.

In the spinal surgery department, Li Xiaofeng once faced a similar situation: a 50-year-old woman with a cervical spinal canal tumor. Due to the lack of necessary medical equipment and technology in local hospitals, medical staff there have little confidence in completing the surgery.

Li spent nights studying her scans and consulting experts in China via unstable connections. After a meticulous two-hour operation, the tumor was removed. "It was like threading a needle in a sandstorm," Li said. "But her recovery made every risk worthwhile."

Since 1976, more than 750 Chinese doctors have treated nearly 1 million patients in Niger. "Every healed patient writes a new chapter in the China-Africa friendship," said Zheng Zhida, leader of the 24th medical aid team.

"Our partnership with China is fruitful," said Mamane Daou, general director of the hospital, adding that the Chinese medical team has not only sent skilled doctors but also provided vital medical equipment and consumables.

"Their expertise and dedication have earned our highest respect," he said. "The hospital now attracts patients even from Mali and Burkina Faso."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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.
Harvard University students and faculty, along with Cambridge residents and city leaders, came together to speak out and to stand up against President Donald Trump and his administration. As many as 300 people attended the Stand Up Harvard protest on the Cambridge Common on April 12.
Tufts University student and government argue in court whether she can challenge ICE arrest
The CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, during the 2017 strike. After mounting a reactionary campaign attacking Mexican workers, Unifor sold out the workers, agreeing to a concessions-filled contract

The fallout from US President Donald Trumps trade war has begun to be harshly felt at the Detroit Threes Canadian auto operations, with thousands of workers placed on layoff last week.

On Friday, General Motors announced that electric van production at its CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario will wind down beginning April 14, so as to align production schedules with current demand. By the end of the month, all 1,200 workers at the CAMI plant will be laid off until October. When production is slated to restart in the fall only about 700 workers will return to their jobs.

On Monday, April 7, Stellantis temporarily paused its operations at its Windsor, Ontario assembly plant for at least two weeks, idling some 4,500 workers. Stellantis also ordered a one month halt in production at its Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. These shutdowns have caused the layoff of 900 workers in two supporting transmission plants in Kokomo, Indiana, and at Warren and Sterling Heights stamping plants in Michigan.

Unifor rallies round the banker Carney and trade war

Unifor President Lana Payne in Canada and UAW President Shawn Fain in the United States have doubled down on their reactionary nationalist programs that pit autoworkers against each other. They are working with the auto bosses and, respectively the Canadian and American governments to off-load as many job losses as possible onto the backs of workers outside of their own national borders. The UAWs Fain has offered his full support for the tariffs that the fascist Trump has imposed on auto, steel, and aluminum imports. Unifor, meanwhile, is backing the retaliatory tariffs announced by Canadas new Liberal Prime Minister, the former central banker and corporate boss Mark Carney.

Prime Minister Mark Carney with Unifor President Lana Payne [Photo: Mark Carney]

Payne and Carney are not opposed to trade wars in principle. They merely object to Trumps decision to impose tariffs on Canada. Both agree with the entire Canadian political establishment that Trump should focus on waging economic war on, and preparing for military conflict with, China; and are eager for Ottawa to participate in a Trump-led Fortress North America, so long as Canadian imperialisms prerogatives as Washingtons junior partner are duly recognized.

For governments on both sides of the 49th parallel, the imposition of punishing tariffs on China and its industrial hinterlands in Vietnam and Cambodia are entirely necessary, as are significant increases in military budgets to prepare for future armed confrontation with Beijing.

The price of all these actions will be borne by the working class. In every country, they will see their jobs, living conditions and their very lives attacked as capitalists around the globe seek to further enrich themselves in their predatory struggle for a redivision of the world.

On top of the 4,500 layoffs in Windsor, Flavio Volpe, CEO of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, has said that up to 12,000 more Canadian auto parts workers are now off the job due to Stellantis production pauses. Industry analysts warn that this is only a down payment in what will be a massive cascading, tariff-war driven job losses.

The tariff measures have been launched under Trumps nationalist Made in America campaign. However, as autoworkers in every country are fully aware, there is not a single vehicle in Canada, the US or anywhere else that is not the result of a global production process.

As a so-called worker representative on Trudeau and now Carneys Prime Ministers Advisory Council on Canada-US relations, Payne has pressed for Ottawa to respond with aggressive counter-measures to every Trump tariff. In the name of defending Canadian jobs and our country, she issued an economic call to arms in early March. Like the Canadian Labour Congress, Unifor is playing a leading role in promoting the flag-waving nationalist filth that has characterized the response of all the federal parties in the current election campaign.

Unifors Canada First nationalism and the crisis facing auto workers

Trump, declared the Unifor president recently, is about to learn how interconnected the North American production system is the hard way, with auto workers paying the price for that lesson.

What a sham! Payne and Unifor have worked systematically to split workers in Canada from their class brothers and sisters in the US and Mexico. This has allowed the auto bosses to pit workers against each other in a race to the bottom, although the process of interconnected auto production has in fact placed workers in a powerful position, by strengthening their objective unity. One of Paynes first major actions as union president shortly after she succeeded the disgraced former President Jerry Dias, was to sabotage any joint struggle of workers at the Detroit Threes US and Canadian operations, although for the first time in decades their contracts expired virtually at the same time.

Payne championed what was effectively a Canada First strategy. Along with the UAW, Unifor sought to drive a wedge between Canadian and American workers, insisting from the outset the Canadian-based union would chart its own course in the contract talks. Rather than mobilizing workers in a joint struggle against the auto bosses on both sides of the border, Payne once again pumped out the same nationalist poison that has hamstrung autoworkers for generations.

This Canadian course has seen decades of concessions contracts forced down the throats of an ever-declining membership in the auto plants as competing nationalist bureaucrats in the UAW and CAW/Unifor have whip-sawed jobs and wages back and forth across the border to the lowest bidder in a never-ending race to the bottom.

Indeed, Unifor itself owes its existence to the 1985 split with the UAW that set the stage for a bloodbath in the auto sector. Since 1985, Unifor and its predecessor, the Canadian Autoworkers (CAW) have presided over the loss of over 80,000 jobs in the automotive sector with those remaining labouring under a succession of deals that have seen the imposition of divisive multi-tier contracts, the end of defined benefit pension programs, the flooding into the plants of low wage Temporary Part Time workers and the brutal intensification of working conditions.

The divisive strategy in the 2023 contract struggles could not have been expressed more crudely than by the former (Windsor Stellantis) Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy. He asserted, The fact of the matter is that if it comes down to product, I can play nice in the sandbox right until the facts come that its between us and the UAWthen the gloves go off.

Fain said next to nothing about the Canadian struggle and instead went into action to prevent any movement toward an industry-wide strike. Defying widespread rank-and-file calls for all-out strike action, Fain ordered 95 percent of the membership to remain on the job, only sanctioning token stand up strikes at a few sites. The sellout settlement that was eventually rammed through allowed for an Electric Vehicle (EV) driven restructuring of the Detroit Threes US operation that has already led to the layoff of thousands of autoworkers.

Today, Fain promotes Trumps Made in America policies as the way forward to create a new Arsenal of Democracy for future shooting wars. With an eye towards China, he told reporters only last month, You know, people forget this lesson in World War II. The way that we formed the Arsenal of Democracy that won the war was, they took the excess capacity of all the automotive manufacturing plants in the country, and produced tanks and planes and bombs and engines and all those things.

Expanding job cuts

The situation for Canadian autoworkers is no less dire. Even before Trumps tariffs, EV restructuring had seen the layoff of over 3,000 Oakville Ford assemblers. An EV re-tooling operation shutdown the plant in the spring of 2024 with the promise that a new (albeit slimmed down) workforce would be called back in late 2026 or early 2027. However, that plan was recently scuttled, with Ford executives now transferring its projected Oakville EV production to the United States. Workers were outraged. Payne bleated a meek message to Fords CEO stating her disappointment and frustration. Fords new plan is to switch to production of a gas-powered Super Duty pickup in Oakville and re-open in mid-2026 with a workforce of only 1,800.

Payne was similarly disappointed with the lengthy shutdown of the Stellantis Brampton assembly plant for an EV refit that began in late 2023, only months after the contract settlement. But feelings of disappointment do not pay the mortgage.

The 3,000 workers at the facility expected about a 2-year layoff as the plant was retooled for the next generation Jeep Compass. But then in February Stellantis announced that due to todays dynamic environment, the retooling work would be paused for at least two more months and the remaining 400 skilled trades workers laid off. The company, which was paid hundreds of millions in government subsidies, is contractually obligated to eventually re-open and has floated a possible mid-2026 restart.

Under the terms of the current pattern contract, autoworkers at the Canadian assembly plants of the Detroit Three who are on layoff receive just 70 percent of their normal wages through Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB). The length of payouts is based on seniority, with those workers with 20 years experience getting payments for up to 2 years. Workers with one to three years on the job can expect SUB support for just 9 months. Laid off workers will face extreme uncertainty and financial stress as they wait for their plants to resume operations, forcing them to look for other work and rely on food banks to make ends meet. The thousands of Unifor members working to supply auto parts to the shuttered plants have no such supplemental wage backstops whatsoever.

The current disastrous layoff plan at the GM CAMI plant is only the latest blow to the workers there. During an EV refit in 2022, hundreds of laid off workers eventually were forced to sign up at local food banks. When production eventually re-started, the workforce was slowly called back, first with short-time shift sharing schedules and ultimately building to 1,200 workers 1,600 less than the number employed before the defeated strike of 2017. During that strike, rather than uniting with Mexican workers producing the same Equinox vehicle to jointly fight against GM restructuring, Unifor incited foul anti-Mexican chauvinism and demanded that Mexican workers jobs be sacrificed to maintain production at CAMI.

At GMs Propulsion plant in St. Catharines, the workforce has been cut in half and now sits at 600 workers as the company has delayed a scheduled EV refit until at least 2027. And only this past week, at GMs Oshawa assembly operation, some 3,000 workers, most of whom have been labouring on the inferior second-tier wage scale, have learned that GM management has announced plans to hire an unspecified number of temporary employees at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, assembly plant in the wake of the US tariff on imported vehicles. Those new hires will build the same Silverado model as that produced in Oshawa, raising fears that GM could later reshore Silverado production to the Indiana facility.

As the WSWS has repeatedly explained, autoworkers need a new internationalist strategy developed independently of the corporatist trade union apparatuses and the capitalist parties.

In unison with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), the WSWS calls for workers to build rank-and-file committees in every workplace, organizationally and politically independent of Unifor. This will enable them to mobilize their class strength and to place at the centre of the development of a struggle against the attack on their jobs and wages the forging of a fighting unity with workers in the US, Mexico and beyond.
Farah Nabulsis The Teacher is now playing in New York City, Los Angeles and Vancouver, and will open more widely on April 18.

The Teacher

The ongoing Israeli mass murder in Gaza and stepped up ethnic cleansing on the West Bank provide immediate, living context, if such be needed, for British-Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsis The Teacher, a drama-tragedy set in the Occupied Territories. The urgent, moving film is Nabulsis debut feature. Her short film The Present garnered a 2021 Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film and won a BAFTA. (See review of The Present below)

In The Teacher, a mural pays homage to Our Martyrs in the school where Basem (the remarkable Saleh Bakri, from a well-known Palestinian acting family) teaches young men who have already spent time in Israeli prisons.

Basem takes a special interest in brothers Yacoub (Mahmoud Bakri, brother of Saleh) and Adam (Muhammad Abed El Rahman), who come home from school one day to find their house is under a demolition order by Israeli authorities. On top of that, they are then presented with a bill for the operation and the threat of imprisonment if they cant pay! Most of the houses in the village have demolition orders, including mine, Basem tells Lisa (Imogen Poots), a British social worker who has come to work at the school. They carry out the demolition orders and then charge the homeowners for the demolition. (A new twist on the bullet fee.*)

Adding to the suffering, Yacoub is shot when he tries to prevent an Israeli settler from burning down an olive grove. At the same time, a young American who left the US to fight for Israel has been taken hostage by a Palestinian resistance group, which is demanding 1,200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his release. Basems secretive interaction with the fruit seller (Muayyad Abd Elsamad) indicate that he maintains his ties to the resistance movement.

The teachers life is also wracked with personal tragedy. His 16-year-old son was arrested years ago alongside Yacoub, but was tried as an adult by an Israeli court, given a sentence of eight years and subsequently died in prison.

Filmed mostly in the Nablus (West Bank) area, the movie is tense, enraged, and provides a sense of what Palestinian men and women experience on a daily basis under Israels horrific occupation.

I came across a story about an Israeli occupation soldier who was abducted in 2006 by Palestinian fighters and he was released over five years later for over a thousand Palestinian political prisoners, of which hundreds were women and children, Nabulsi explained in an interview with Arts & Culture. I remember thinking at the time, what a huge imbalance in value for human life.

If you ask any parent what your child is worth to you, they cant put it in numbers. I found that universal dynamic very interesting.  In the case of Basem, and indeed Adam, with his loss as well, there is no recourse to justice, Nabulsi continues. And it culminates what you see in the court scene, this idea that if the only people that Palestinians have to turn to for justice are one and the same as those complicit in the crime itself, the system is rigged. It is perverted.

Nabulsi told the Hindustan Times that her parents are Palestinians. They never shied away from their children knowing our origins, heritage and identity. I was always kept aware that a gross injustice had been done and there was a military occupation and a settler colonial enterprise that had been taking place in our historical land. But the difference was I wasnt compelled to take further action in my life until I visited Palestine.

The immense moral and political pressures brought to bear on the Palestinian population, as well as the conflicts and fissures they engender, bring to mind similar strains and terrors for people in those portions of Europe and elsewhere under Nazi rule during World War II.

This is a moving and valuable film.

*Certain governments, including the Nazi regime in Germany, have been known to charge the families of prisoners executed by firing squad the cost of the bullets used to end the lives of the condemned. This is known as a bullet fee.

* * * * *

Farah Nabulsis The Present: The brutality of Israeli checkpoints, WSWS, October 5, 2023

The Present, a 2020 film directed by British-Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsi, has played at various film festivals and been warmly received. The short film treats the Israeli oppression of the Palestinians, focusing on the brutal checkpoint system. (It was removed from Netflix, along with the rest of the Palestinian Stories, in October 2024.)

The Present

The film, co-written by Nabulsi and poet Hind Shoufani, was shot over six days at or around the infamous Checkpoint 300 in Bethlehem, Palestine. At that entry point thousands of Palestinian workers queue up as early as 3 a.m. to cross into Israel for work.

Yusef (played by the world-renowned Palestinian actor Saleh BakriThe Bands Visit, The Time That Remains, Wajib) takes his young daughter Yasmine (Mariam Kanj) to buy a gift for his wife Noor (Mariam Basha) on the couples wedding anniversary. The simple excursion, which also involves buying groceries, requires going only a short distance. But nothing is simple when confronted with the enormous hurdle of passing through a checkpoint manned by Israeli soldiers who would rather abuse and demean Yusef than allow him to pass.

At the entry, Yusef is forced to remove the contents of his pockets and some of his clothing. He is then put in a cage with other men waiting for admittance. During the long wait, the traumatized Yasmine urinates in her pants.

The return trip home is made even more difficult because father and daughter are pushing a trolley with a new refrigeratorthe anniversary presentthat wont fit through the gates of the checkpoint. More dehumanization: along with their groceries is a bag with Yasmines soiled pants. Youre all disgusting, sneers one of the Israeli soldiers.

Rifles are instantly pointed at Yusef when he loses his temper. Chafing at the injustice of not being allowed to navigate or bypass the checkpoint gates with his refrigerator, he nearly becomes another Palestinian casualty of war.

Beautifully shot by seasoned French cinematographer Benoit Chamaillard, the 25-minute movie dramatizes its points eloquently, forcefully and efficiently. In a world in which millions of refugees face insurmountable borders, Nabulsi, in an interview with eninarothe.com, speaks about a people whose freedom of movement is continually trampled upon.

In Palestine, she explains, there are more than 130 Israeli military checkpoints, another 100 or so flying check pointsthat can appear anytime, anywhereseparate roads, curfews, the separation wall, a convoluted permit and ID system and of course the inhumane blockade of Gaza.

These control mechanisms, Nabulsi says, are all an assault on this basic human right, that in turn destroys so many other rightslike the right to get to work and earn a living and put food on the table for your children, like being able to visit friends and family, tend to your lands, get to a hospital or clinic, school, study at universityor in the case of my film, something as simple as being able to go and buy someone you love a gift!

The director also speaks about the psychological ramifications and the impact on the human spirit, and the harm it can cause an individual, families, children, and whole communities, caught in such an exhausting, stressful and deliberately humiliating infrastructure.

In 2014, Nabulsi made her first trip to Palestine as an adult, where she saw up close the infamous wall ploughing through villages, the refugee camps, the separate road system, the checkpoints, the settlements, she explains in an interview with the National News.

I have met with mothers whose 13-year-old boys were in military prison, she notes in another interview, I listened to their stories of how they were taken, what their experiences inside prison were. I have met families whose homes were demolished, and had tea with them on the rubble.

Her filmography indicates her commitment: she wrote Oceans of Injustice in 2016 and Today They Took My Son in 2017 about a mother coping with her young son being taken away by the Israeli military.

Award-winning film director and journalist John Pilger commented about the latter that this extraordinary film is a landmark work. It touched me deeply and made me angry all over again about the horror of Israel and its treatment of the Palestinian people. It points a finger straight at the rest of us, whose governments support Israel, and demand that we speak up now, and never stop until Palestinians are free.

In 2018, Nabulsi wrote and directed Nightmare of Gaza.

The arts play a crucial role in changing the world and I believe film precedes them all. It gives voice to the silenced, thereby helping build the empathy and understanding needed to effect change. Farah Nabulsi
In an extraordinary session of parliament Saturday, the Labour government enacted emergency powers to take control of the British Steel company, owned by Chinese firm Jingye, compelling it to remain open.

Ministers confirmed the likelihood that its Scunthorpe plants, employing 3,500, would be renationalised.

The Scunthorpe steelworks blast furnaces pictured in 2006 [Photo by Alan Murray-Rust / CC BY-SA 2.0

The new Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act gives the government the power to take control of British Steel and any other steel asset anywhere within the UK, using force if necessary, to order materials for steelmaking and instruct that workers are paid. It authorises a jail sentence of up to two years for anyone breaching this law.

Taking control of the plant is central to the Labour governments militarist agenda, targeting not just Russia but also China. The government came to office talking about securing a reset with China, but this has been blown apart by the alliance between Starmer and Trump as the fascist US president ramps up a trade war with Beijing that threatens outright military conflict.

To take over the Scunthorpe operation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had to recall parliament from its Easter recess for the first Saturday in 40 years to pass the proposed Bill. MPs had sight of the legislation just 90 minutes before the debate began, and it cleared all readings and stages, normally taking months, before receiving Royal Assent in just six-and-a-half hours.

The rapid move was prompted by the fact that Jingye were about to close-down the plants two blast furnaces: refusing to pay for more raw materials, whether coking coal or iron pellets, to keep the Scunthorpe facility open at a loss of 700,000 per day.

Closing the blast furnaces would have meant that primary steel could not be produced within the UKs borders for the first time since the industrial revolution, requiring the exclusive import of a raw material without which war cannot be waged. Britain would have become the only country in the G7 without the capacity to produce steel domestically from scratch.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Sunday, Without the decisive action by the government yesterday all was lost.

British Steel, no relation to the former nationalised industry, was founded in 2016 after Tata Steel sold its loss-making long products section to asset strippers Greybull Capital for a nominal fee. After going into insolvency in 2019 following failed rescue talks with the then Conservative government, it remained in receivership until bought in 2020 for 70 million by Jingye Group. But the company was unable to make steel at a profit, announcing in March that it would close the plant.

Starmer declared on Friday that Jobs, investment, growth, our economic and national security are all on the line. But references to jobs are cynical rhetoric from the head of a government planning to destroy hundreds of thousands through savage austerity. His real message, understood by all MPs, was this was an issue of national security.

In Parliament, Reynolds complained that the government had offered sweeteners including 500 million to Jingye to keep the plant open. But it had become clear that Jingye was refusing to purchase sufficient raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running. The company would therefore have irrevocably and unilaterally closed-down primary steelmaking at British Steel.

Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, speaking in Parliament on Saturday with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer behind him, April 12, 2025 [Photo by House of Commons/Flickr / CC BY-ND 4.0

The passage of the Steel Industry Act poses a direct threat to democratic rights and is a portend of things to come as the economy and society is made war ready. Reynolds explained, The Bill broadly replicates the situation that would apply if the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 had been triggered without seeking to meet the threshold to trigger that Act.

Introduced by the Labour government, the Civil Contingencies Act hands the government sweeping powers which include being able to impose curfews, bans on travel, the confiscation of property and the deployment of the armed forces to quell rioting. Once in place it can be used to amend any act of parliament, except the Human Rights Act, for a maximum of 21 days.

Speaker and former Labour MP Sir Lindsay Hoyle allowed no amendments to the Bill when opposition parties had eight readied. The government also attached no sunset clause to the Bill setting an expiry date, or even clauses providing for post-legislative scrutinyas is normally required for emergency legislationwithout giving any reason why.

The nationalist rhetoric during the debate on the Bill extended into the following day, as it was revealed that the Royal Navy was on alert to escort a fuel shipment to Scunthorpes blast furnaces.

Amid numerous statements accusing Jingye of deliberate sabotage, Reynolds partially acknowledged on Sunday the vast cost of keeping the plant open, reporting that the annual losses, net losses, in the last set of accounts were 233 million. But to actually replace the ageing blast furnaces essential to producing primary/virgin/raw steel would cost approximately 6 billion.

Several factors have, in fact, ensured that steel making in Britain is unprofitableabove all the huge cost of electricity. Anti-China hawk and former Conservative Party leader Ian Duncan Smith complained in the debate that China, with its subsidies and broken free market rules produces energy for business at a cost of $60 per megawatt-hour Our problem [is] really quite stark. Our industry is not just in competition with China; even the costs in Europe are far less now. I will give a short list. The costs in the UK are now the highest in the world, at $400 per megawatt-hour. 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.

The governments decision to take over a de facto collapsed steel firm has no rational explanation from the standpoint of British capitalism, without understanding that the Starmer government views losing the ability to produce virgin steel within Britains borders as incompatible with a huge rearmament programme and British imperialisms ability to fight wars.

This is why Labour MPs and opposition Tory and Liberal Democrats united forces in Saturdays debate to call for Britain to ratchet up conflict with China.

It was only the sixth occasion since the end of the Second World War that Parliament had been recalled. The previous Saturday recall was in 1982, as Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher prepared to send the Royal Navy to fight Argentina over control of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands.

The trade union bureaucracy swiftly came on board. On Sunday, the Community trade unionwhich along with the other steel unions has been waging a nationalist Save Our Steel campaign, initially and unsuccessfully over Port Talbot, Wales and now in alliance with Starmers governmenthailed the barring of Jingye executives from the Scunthorpe premises the previous day. Community stated, 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.

Trades Union Congress leader Paul Nowak declared, Todays announcement is the first step towards ensuring we can modernise and decarbonise steel-making in this countryreducing our reliance on foreign imports and ensuring we stay competitive on the global stage.

There is tremendous and entirely legitimate concern over the threat of 2,700 job losses at Scunthorpeand they are still not safeas well as the knock-on effect in a heavily deprived area. But this must be consciously politically separated from all calls to unite with Britains ruling elite, its trade war and escalation of military tensions with both Russia and China. This will not only threaten hundreds of thousands more jobs. It poses the incalculably greater risk of war.

Defending jobs and essential industries must be pursued by class struggle measures. It must be international in scope, uniting steel workers and other sections of workers in China, Europe, the US and throughout the world, against the race to the bottom jobs massacre resulting from trade war. Above all it must place the struggle against war and for socialism and peace at its centre.
Around 100 people rallied outside Londons Central Criminal Court on Friday for the preliminary hearing of a student charged under the Terrorism Act (2000) for speech opposing Israels genocide in Gaza.

Sarah, a student at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, was arrested in a dawn raid on her home by Londons Metropolitan Police in January 2024 after a speech she made on campus in October 2023 for the Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! (FRFI) student society, supporting the Palestinian right to self-determination.

SOAS student Sarah outside the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court in London, April 11, 2025.

Sarah was charged under the Starmer Labour government more than one year later, on March 5, 2025, with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) wielding Section 12 of the Terrorism Act, for allegedly inviting support for a proscribed organisation.

UK Lawyers for Israel, a Zionist group, lobbied for the charges to be laid. In October 2023, Zionists tagged the Met police in a video of Sarahs speech in which she defended Palestinians right to resist the illegal occupation, blockade, and military bombardment by Israel of Gaza.

If convicted, she faces up to 14 years in prison. A second SOAS student was arrested on March 5 under the same counter-terror laws.

The SOAS 2 are being targeted as part of an escalating crackdown on the right to protest. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is pressing into service anti-terror laws introduced by successive Labour and Tory governments aimed at criminalising protest and free speech, this time in defence of the Palestinian people.

Fridays protest was called by the Revolutionary Communist Group (RCG) and its student group FRFI. It was joined by organisations including the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network UK. Members of the Socialist Equality Party took part, distributing a statement issued by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, Oppose Starmers campus crackdown on Gaza genocide protest!

Throughout the morning, while Sarahs case was heard, chants and speeches rang loudly outside the court: Labour Party shame, shame! All the crimes in your name!, From the belly of the beast: Hands off the Middle East! and While Palestine is occupied: Resistance is justified!

Delivery trucks and other work vans tooted in support, underscoring widespread popular opposition to the Gaza genocide and against the criminalisation of dissent.

Inside the Old Bailey, Sarah was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to two counts of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, Hamas. Specifically, for having expressed an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation and being reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation.

The two counts under Section 12 are being applied to a speech Sarah made at SOAS on October 9, 2023 and a post in a WhatsApp group on October 16, 2023.

A trial was set for the week beginning February 23, 2026, and a pre-trial hearing for July 4 this year, to be held before Judge Sarah Munro KC.

The prosecutor in the case is Ben Holt, appointed Junior Treasury Counsel last year, part of a team of specialist advocates who prosecute many of the most serious and complex cases in the country, according to the CPS website. Holts professional biography explains he is frequently instructed by the Counter Terrorism Division and regularly advises the Attorney Generals Office in relation to Unduly Lenient Sentences.

Sarahs legal team requested that the bail condition requiring her to relinquish her passport be removed: she has family in France and has had to request her passport back from the police to visit them. They noted that Sarah has made no efforts to evade the legal proceedings against her since being bailed in January of last year, and intends to study for a Masters and a PhD in the UK. Her request was denied.

After the hearing, Sarah addressed supporters outside the court: My trial date has been set to February 2026 which feels a long time away but its going to come really, really soon. Ill have hearings between now and then I want you all to keep on showing up for me, but not just for me, for all the other activists, all the other protesters, all the other groups which are being attacked by the British state.

The rally for the SOAS 2 outside the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court in London, April 11, 2025.

Sarah spoke with a reporter from the World Socialist Web Site. She said, Its really important for us to fight this. Were both young students who were political, but we never expected that this could happen.

Of her involvement in the campus protests, Sarah said: For us its natural, were young educated people and we cant pretend like we dont know what to do. We do, so weve done it [protest].

Sarahs relatives are in France, My family is very supportive. I mean, sometimes the politics they dont necessarily understand, but they cant believe the fact that someone as young as myself with no other convictions, literally just based on what I said, how that could land someone in prison, makes no sense.

Sarah is in the third year of her politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) degree at SOAS and explained, The students and staff at SOAS have been very, very supportive. Loads of my academic staff have signed the open letter asking for my charges to be dropped.

SOAS management has responded to student protests with a battery of repressive measures, working with private security firms and police to dismantle student encampments and bringing a High Court injunction which prevents students from organising Boycott, Divestments, Sanctions protests on land near SOAS. The injunction names three students.

Speaking of these repressive measures, Sarah said, I think around the country were seeing a push for universities to be businesses and students are seen as customers and clients rather than people who are there to get an education. And that clearly shows in the way that people are treated.

At SOAS were seeing the restructuring of courses and people in the SOAS liberated zone who are being suspended, being excluded; alumni students who have been banned from campus Its all part of the same struggle so weve got to fight that as well.

She explained, I think globally what were seeing is the system is failing us, and people calling themselves communists and socialists have been aware, but weve got a lot of work to do now in terms of organising people and showing them that there is an alternative beyond this.

Sarah responded forthrightly to the charges levelled against her: The Terrorism Act was introduced by a Labour government, so this is all Labour legislation that were grappling with. The Terrorism Act is a political act. It was initially built on the Prevention of Terrorism Act which was about suppressing the Irish struggle.

My response to that is that the Palestinian people have every right to stand up against their occupation, against the genocide of their people, and that international law very clearly says that they have the right to pursue that struggle by whatever means available.

After the court hearing, SEP Assistant National Secretary Thomas Scripps made a statement in support of the SOAS 2, posted on X.

The SEP urges students, workers and all those who defend democratic rights to sign FRFIs petition on change.org. We call on left-wing, anti-war and civil liberties organisations and media outlets to add their name to FRFIs open letter to the CPS demanding the dropping of all charges against Sarah and the ending of its investigations against the other student.

Defending the SOAS 2 means reaching beyond the university campuses to the broadest sections of the working class, linking the fight against state repression to the development of a mass political movement of working people against austerity, militarism and war, in the fight for socialism.
A Leopard II battle tank is on display to advertise for joining the German army Bundeswehr at the Essen Motor Show in Essen, Germany, Friday, December 1, 2023. [AP Photo/Martin Meissner]

Following the presentation of the coalition agreement last week by the leaders of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), the ruling class is systematically promoting the return of German militarism. On Friday, the incumbent and probably future defence minister, Boris Pistorius (SPD), announced a further arms package for Kiev at the meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group in Brussels.

Among other things, Germany will supply four more Iris-T air defence systems to the Ukrainian army, which is riddled with far-right forces, before the end of this year. According to the Defence Ministry, the package also includes 15 Leopard 1 battle tanks, reconnaissance drones and an additional 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition. Pistorius also promised further Iris-T systems and 1,100 additional ground surveillance radars over the next few years.

The announcements make it clear that the next German government is willing to continue the NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine even more aggressively than its predecessorand if necessary without the active support of the US. The coalition agreement states that military, civilian and political support for Ukraine will be substantially strengthened and reliably continued together with partners.

In doing so, Germany and Europe would for the first time since the end of the Second World War have to  be able to guarantee their own security much more comprehensively. They would create all the conditions necessary for the Bundeswehr [Armed Forces] to be able to fulfil the task of national and alliance defence without restriction.

In other words, the aim is to make Germany fit for war again, in Pistorius words, despite its historic crimes, and to militarise society as a whole to achieve this. The coalition agreement is geared towards this goal. It is imperative that we increase the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr in the short term, emphatically and on a sustained basis, it says. And goes on,

The Bundeswehr and all state and societal actors must be able to work together effectively in order to quickly recognise attacks on our complex system and to combat them in a targeted and effective manner.

The coalition agreement defines the following goals, among others:

Militarisation of schools and universities

We are embedding our armed forces even more firmly in public life and are committed to strengthening the role of youth officers, who fulfil an important educational role in schools, it says on page 130 in the section on Defence Policy. And further: We are committed to reducing obstacles that make dual-use research or civil-military research cooperation more difficult, for example. They will eliminate the deficit that exists in Germany in the area of strategic security research and work to promote it in the sense of an integrated security concept.

Reintroduction of compulsory military service

We are creating a new attractive military service, initially based on voluntary service, the coalition partners declare. In this context, the criteria of attractiveness, meaningfulness and contribution to growth potential are guiding for the new design of this service. They are orienting themselves on the Swedish military service model and would create the conditions for military registration and supervision before the end of this year.

Development of a massive arms industry and conversion to a war economy:

The planning and procurement systems will be reformed and new implementation methods will be introduced for individual major projects, but also for future technology areas that are subject to a high level of innovation dynamics. In doing so, future technologies for the Bundeswehr will be increasingly promoted and introduced into the armed forces. This applies in particular to the areas of satellite systems, artificial intelligence, unmanned (including combat-capable) systems, electronic warfare, cyber, software-defined defence and cloud applications, and hypersonic systems. To this end, simplified access and increased exchange with research institutions, the academic environment, start-ups and industry is necessary.

In addition, the coalition agreement makes it clear that the special infrastructure fund of half a trillion euros [US$1.3 trillion], which has already been approved with the support of the Left Party and the Greens, also serves to prepare for war. For military construction projects, we are simplifying the definition of requirements and approval, and, with a Bundeswehr Infrastructure Acceleration Act, we are creating exceptions in building, environmental and procurement law, as well as in the protection and dedication of military areas, it says on page 132. The needs and infrastructure measures for overall defence are to be established as an overriding public interest and prioritised over other state tasks in their implementation.

The ruling class cannot move fast enough to implement its insane war plans. Parallel to the presentation of the militarist coalition paper, a solemn muster took place in the Julius Leber barracks in Berlin formally bringing the Bundeswehrs Operational Command into service. This implements the Osnabruck Decree, passed on April 30, 2024 by the then coalition government of the SPD, Greens and Free Democratic Party (FDP).

Among the most important elements of the decree is the creation of a central command structure (planning and operational leadership from a single source) and the establishment of processes that are largely based on the factors of speed, information superiority and resilience.

In essence, this means nothing less than the reconstruction of a General Staff, which was banned after the criminal role of the German military leadership in the two world wars. Now it exists again de factowith all the historical, political and social consequences.

The WSWS warned in a commentary last year:

The decree leaves no doubt that the ruling class has decided to go to war again on a large scale, using masses of young people as cannon fodder for their imperialist interests.

The speeches and the overall atmosphere during the muster were reminiscent of the darkest days of German militarism. We will become more effective. We are becoming more agile. We are leading from a single source, and we are better able to prioritise and coordinate, Defence Minister Pistorius boasted before a handpicked audience of military and political representatives from the parties in the Bundestag (federal parliament).

Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, its most senior officer, paid a farewell tribute to the two commands that are now being replaced by the new command. Regarding the Bundeswehrs operational headquarters, he said:

The Balkans, Afghanistan, Africa, the Mediterraneanthe threads for all of our 50 foreign missions came together in Schwielowsee, [the site of the new command centre] from the construction of the field camps to redeployment, from start to finishincluding the sharp end.

The sharp end refers to death in action. In the course of the increasingly global war missions of German imperialism in the last three decades, a total of 119 German soldiers have already lost their lives, 37 of them killed in direct combat or in attacks.

The future war plans of the ruling class threaten not only the lives of a few dozen professional soldiers, but of hundreds of thousands and even millions of people. It is significant that the march Preuens Gloria (Prussias Glory) was played at the muster, which was also part of the standard military musical repertoire of Imperial Germany, and of Hitlers Wehrmacht (Armed Forces) in the two world wars. In the end, it was not glory and honour that awaited them, but death, destruction and mass extermination.
25 years ago: The New York Times publishes new revelations about the CIAs role in the 1953 Iranian coup

On April 16, 2000, the New York Times published new material about the CIAs pivotal role in the 1953 overthrow of the Iranian bourgeois nationalist regime of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. Although it was widespread knowledge that American and British intelligence agencies bore political responsibility for the 1953 events, the new revelations detailed the inner mechanisms of the coup and the strong support given by the CIA to the revived monarchy under Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.

While the document had been leaked to the press, the Clinton administration tacitly approved of its publication for contemporary political reasons: the need to air the history of US-Iranian relations. The author of the April 16 Times article remarked that the violent removal of Mossadegh was a turning point in modern Iranian history and remains a persistent irritant in Tehran-Washington relations. On April 18, an editorial repeated the theme: If the United States and Iran are ever to restore good relations, both nations must understand the events that helped drive them apart.

Washingtons false show of contrition over its past crimes in Iran and the Middle East had an insidious motive. The leaked history proclaimed it would be an instrument to further undermine the present Iranian regime and manipulate factional conflicts within it. As the Times article noted, the document raised tantalizing questions such as the importance of CIA-employed religious militants in 1953 and their subsequent role in the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and the urge to quickly declassify many of the surviving CIA reports on Iran.

The revelations came during a softening in the tumultuous relationship between the American and Iranian governments. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had declared a month prior that Washington desired a new relationship with Iran. The first act announced was rescinding a ban on the importation of Iranian luxury items. She then conceded the fact that the US-sponsored coup of 1953 had handicapped Irans political development, adding that it is easy to see why many Iranians continue to resent this intervention by America in their internal affairs.

Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi, left, with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2000.

The Foreign Minister of Iran, Kamal Kharazi, embraced Albrights remarks, saying if the United States is really for an improvement of ties with Iran, it should take practical steps in this regard and show that it has abandoned its hostile policy. The Iranian bourgois-clerical regime responded to these overtures of American imperialism by signaling that it was ready to be deputized in the Middle East. Kharazi ordered the Iranian navy to police the waters of the Persian Gulf and seized several ships transporting oil in violation of Washingtons barbaric embargo against neighboring Iraq, against which Tehran fought a bloody war from 1980 to 1988.

50 years ago: Khmer Rouge capture Phnom Penh

On April 17, 1975, the U.S.-backed dictatorship of General Lon Nol collapsed as Khmer Rouge forces seized Cambodias capital, Phnom Penh. The event marked the end of the regime installed by a CIA-orchestrated coup in 1970 and the culmination of an anti-imperialist struggle by masses of Cambodian workers and peasants.

By the time the siege of Phnom Penh began, the Khmer Rouge forces had already consolidated control over virtually all of Cambodia. The last significant defense of the Lon Nol government was smashed on April 15 when Khmer troops captured Pochentong Airport. Lon Nol himself had already fled into exile in the United States on April 1, the same day the US officially cut off funding to his military.

Photo of Phnom Penh taken from a US helicopter April 12, 1975

In the days prior to the capture of the city, Lon Nols inner circle set about looting what remained of the state. In its final act, the regime ordered a $1 million transfer to Lon Nols personal account.

The Lon Nol regime owed its existence entirely to its backers in Washington which sought to transform Cambodia into a garrison to support the war in Vietnam. Over $1.7 billion was poured directly into Lon Nols military. At the same time the US government conducted one of historys most devastating bombing campaigns. From 1969 to 1973, US planes dropped 532,000 tons of bombs on rural Cambodia, more than the Allies dropped on Japan during all of World War II. Over 600,000 civilians were killed in these bombings and as many as 2 million were displaced from their homes.

This massive scale of the violence radicalized the peasantry against the US-backed government. Thousands flocked to join the resistance forces to oust Lon Nol and US imperialism from the country. By 1973, even CIA reports acknowledged that the bombing had become the Khmer Rouges best recruiter.

The capture of Phnom Penh was celebrated by Cambodian workers and peasants as a great triumph over US imperialism. However, almost immediately the consequences of the Khmer Rouges particularly deranged variant of Stalinist ideology would become apparent.

Not long after the victory, the Khmer Rouge leadership would set in motion viciously anti-worker measures. Thousands living in the cities would be forcibly relocated to the countryside. Factories, schools and hospitals were shuttered. Currency was abolished in an absurd attempt to build a purely agrarian society.

The capture of Phnom Penh marked the final end of the brutal US-backed regime sustained only by the mass bombing of the population. While indisputably a significant defeat for American imperialism, it led to mass murder of the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge, only halted when the new period of crisis led eventually to war with Vietnam and the ouster of the regime in 1979.

75 years ago: Maoist forces begin conquest of Hainan Island

On April 16, 1950, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) launched an amphibious assault on Hainan Islandthen controlled by the Republic of China (ROC)during the final stages of the Chinese Civil War.

The conquest of Hainan was the last major military engagement of the Chinese Revolution, which had seen the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) regime under Chiang Kai-shek defeated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in October 1949. Following the loss of the mainland, Chiangs forces retreated to Taiwan along with an estimated 2 million people, including the KMTs military forces, loyalists and poor farmers under the control of the bourgeois movement.

The People's Liberation Army conducting a landing operation during Hainan Campaign

Hainan is Chinas second-largest island, only slightly smaller than Taiwan, but much more accessible to the mainland, separated by only 30 km of shallow water, rather than the 180 km of the Taiwan Strait, whose depths reach over 2 km. The island off the southern coast of the mainland was among the last significant territories still held by the capitalist ROC outside Taiwan. Mao Zedong, leader of the CCP, approved the invasion while visiting Stalin in the Soviet Union in January 1950.

The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) faced around 120,000 ROC troops under the command of General Xue Yue, who had fortified the island in preparation for the impending invasion. Despite suffering heavy casualties in the initial phases of the assault, the PLA successfully established beachheads and advanced inland. Though outnumbering the PLA forces nearly 2-1, the KMTs army was set back by uncoordinated communication and leadership, as well as a shortage of supplies.

The Battle of Hainan lasted two weeks, concluding on May 1, when the CCP announced the islands capture. The ROCs remaining territory was cut nearly in half, confining its authority primarily to Taiwan, where it would continue to rely heavily on US military and political support to maintain its position.

100 years ago: Communist Party of Korea founded

On April 17, 1925, the Communist Party of Korea was founded at a secret meeting in Keijo (now Seoul) in Japanese-occupied Korea. The founding of the party as well as its initial activities were clandestine because the puppet government of Japanese imperialism had outlawed all socialist and left-wing parties. The party was founded by leaders of various left-wing groups, primarily composed of students and intellectuals, that were inspired by the Russian Revolution and had contact with the Soviet Union, notably the Tuesday Society and the North Wind Society.

Since 1921, the Communist International had been producing large amounts of literature in Korean and distributing it to Korean communists based in Shanghai, China. A bureau to set up a Korean Communist Party had been organized in Vladivostok in the far east of the USSR in 1923, although most of its members were arrested by the Japanese on their return to Korea.

The founding congress, which gathered in a Chinese restaurant, had 15 delegates who elected a Central Committee and a Central Inspection Commission. The next day, the party created a Communist Youth League. The party was officially recognized as a section by the Communist International in May 1926. Among its prominent leaders were Pak Hon-yong, Kim Chan, and Kim Chae-bong.

Korean independence activist and politician, Pak Hon-yong

However, after a raid in November 1925 at a wedding, Japanese authorities arrested several of the founding leaders and were able to find documents that led them to arrest about 100 Communists, 83 of whom were convicted of crimes against the state and imprisoned.
The outpatient and laboratory wards of the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hospital are seen after being hit by an Israeli army strike late Saturday, following a warning issued by the army to evacuate patients, in Gaza City, Sunday, April 13, 2025. [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi]

Israel launched airstrikes across Gaza on Palm Sunday, killing 21 peopleincluding childrenand striking part of the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City.

Two airstrikes in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, killed at least 10 peopleone hitting a car and killing seven charity workers, including six brothers, and another striking a municipal building, killing three more.

Another airstrike in the densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed at least seven people, including two women, while a separate strike in Khan Younis claimed the lives of at least three more.

Israel said it struck over 90 locations in the past 48 hours, justifying the bombardment of civilian areas by asserting it was targeting militants in command and control centers, tunnels, and weapons facilities.

The predawn shelling of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City destroyed the intensive care and surgery departments, according to witnesses. Video posted online showed smoke and flames pouring from the building after missiles struck the two-story facility.

Footage showed people pushing hospital patients in their beds out into the street to escape the destruction. Hospital Director Dr. Fadel Naim told the Associated Press that the emergency room, pharmacy and surrounding buildings were severely damaged, impacting more than 100 patients and dozens of staff.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that a child being treated for a previous head injury died during the evacuation because staff were unable to provide the urgent care required.

In a statement, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs Al-Ahli Hospital, condemned the attack, saying it was appalled at the bombing of the hospital now for the fifth time. The diocese noted that Israel had deliberately struck on Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year.

Once again, Israel justified the targeting of the only functioning hospital in northern Gaza by claimingwithout providing any evidencethat it housed a command and control center used by Hamas.

Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 33 of Gazas 36 hospitals had been damaged, with only 21 remaining partially functional. On Saturday, the WHO warned that Gazas hospitals also face an imminent medicine shortage, as Israel has blocked aid deliveries for six consecutive weeks.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it had taken steps to mitigate harm to civilians or to the hospital compound, citing advance warnings in the area of the terror infrastructure, along with the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

A local journalist at the hospital reported that the IDF called a doctor working in the emergency department and ordered an immediate evacuation. All patients and displaced people must go out to a safe distance, the IDF officer reportedly said. You have only 20 minutes to leave.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the hospital was taken out of service following the evacuation order and attack, according to information from the facilitys director. The hospital is currently unable to receive new patients until repairs are completed.

Dr. Ghebreyesus said:

Hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law. Attacks on healthcare must stop.

The BBC reported the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said in a statement:

For the only Christian hospital in Gaza to be attacked on Palm Sunday is especially appalling. I share in the grief of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Jerusalem. I pray for the staff and patients of the hospital, and for the family of the boy who tragically died during the evacuation.

In October 2023, 500 people were killed when the IDF bombed this same hospital less than two weeks after the genocide in Gaza began with the full backing of the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden.

The latest stage of the US-Israeli ethnic cleansing operation involves expanding ground operations deep into Gaza and establishing a large buffer zone along the border with Israel. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians are being forced into an increasingly confined area along the Mediterranean coast.

Over the weekend, the IDF announced it had seized the Morag Corridor, cutting off Rafah from the rest of Gaza. On Sunday night, the IDF declared it had completed the occupation of the Morag axis and that the northern border area in Gaza was also being expanded as part of Israels planned security zone. This occupation severs the connection between Rafah and Khan Younisthe two major cities in southern Gazaand marks a significant expansion of Israels control over the enclave.

Fascist Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the ethnic cleansing operation was intended to pressure Hamas into accepting the outline of releasing the hostages, warning that the more Hamas persists in its refusal, the more IDF activity will intensify. In reality, Israel has repeatedly shown that the lives of the hostages are valued only as political instruments in its broader campaign to depopulate Gaza of Palestinians entirely.

This strategy has been pursued even more openly since Donald Trumps return to the White House in January and especially following last weeks meeting between the butcher Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US president.

Netanyahu has been given the green light by the Trump administration to advance Israels goal more aggressively through a combination of mass slaughter, extermination by starvation and forced relocation. This was confirmed during an Oval Office press briefing following their meeting, where Netanyahu stated that the two were working on Trumps bold vision of expelling the Palestinians from Gaza.

The active participation of the US government in the genocide was confirmed by Fox News Digital, which reported that a senior Israeli security official stated the occupation of Gaza is being carried out in close coordination with Washington.

The official said:

Everything is coordinated with the Americansboth the negotiations and the operational activity. ... We now have a free hand to act, and no longer facing the threat of a veto at the UN Security Council, unlike during the previous administration.

The Fox News Digital report also referred to a shift in policy that has enhanced Israeli leverage. The Israeli official said:

Unlike the previous administration, the US is not forcing 350 aid trucks into Gaza every day. That gives us leverage.

Javed Ali, a former senior director at the US National Security Council and now a professor at the University of Michigan, confirmed that phrases like bringing home the hostages and defeating Hamas serve as euphemisms for expelling Palestinians from Gaza.

Speaking to Fox News, Ali stated:

Now that were almost a full month into the resumption of high-intensity IDF operations in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, Israels military strategy appears to be focused on clearing and holding remaining pockets of known Hamas elements, which at the same time is displacing Palestinians throughout the territory.

In another development, the Guardian reported on Sunday that Assad al-Nsasrah, a Palestinian paramedic who had been missing since the IDF massacred a group of aid workers in March 23, is being detained by Israel.

Fifteen Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers were executed at close range one by one in the attack by Israeli troops. Their bodies, along with the rescue vehicles, were then buried in a mass grave by a military bulldozer in an attempted cover-up of the killings. Witnesses who dug up the bodies said the aid workers were found in their uniforms and some with their hands tied.

Nsasrah, 47, was from Gaza and had worked with the Palestinian Red Crescent for 16 years. In an interview with the Guardian, another survivor, Red Crescent volunteer Munther Abed, 27, said he witnessed Nsasrah being taken away alive and blindfolded by Israeli officers at the scene of the killings.

On Sunday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had received information that the PRCS medic Assad al-Nsasrah has been detained in an Israeli place of detention.

The ICRC spokesperson confirmed that Israel had not granted access to visit him, saying:

The ICRC has not been able to visit any Palestinian detainees held in Israeli places of detention since 7 October 2023. The ICRC continues to call for access to all places of detention and reiterates publicly and privately that all detainees must always be treated humanely and with dignity.

The IDF initially claimed troops opened fire on vehicles that were advancing suspiciously without headlights or emergency signals. However, after mobile phone video from a medic, who was among those who were killed, showed the ambulances were clearly marked with the Red Crescent logo and driving with flashing red emergency lights and headlights on their vehicles, the Israeli narrative changed to a re-examination of the operational information reported previously.

Additionally Abed, the medic who survived, provided a detailed description of how he was held for several hours by Israeli forces and was fully stripped, beaten multiple times and interrogated about his past before he was released.
Amazon workers, take up the fight for rank-and-file control! Get started building a rank-and-file committee at your workplace by filling out the form below.

Leony Salcedo-Chevalier [Photo: Leony Salcedo-Chevalier's family]

A worker died at Amazons JFK8 fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York City last Wednesday evening. Following the death, workers on two successive shifts forced management to temporarily shut down the facility for most of the following day. Workers were able to win compensation for the closed shifts from management.

The worker has been identified as Leony Salcedo-Chevalier, 34, a father of two daughters. He was struck by a box truck as it was backing up into the loading dock at around 11:00 p.m. Salcedo-Chevalier was rushed to Richmond University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The driver remained at the scene. Preliminary accounts suggest that Salcedo-Chevalier was in the drivers blind spot, and no arrests have been made.

Both the victim and the truck driver were employed by subcontractors and were not direct Amazon employees. Several thousand employees work at JFK8, which made international news in 2022 when they became the first Amazon facility in the US to vote to join a union.

The walkouts were nominally sanctioned by the Amazon Labor Union (ALU-IBT Local 1), which has since merged with the Teamsters union, but the push to close the facility was largely spontaneous. This reflects not only the determined mood among workers at the facility. It expresses the seething anger among workers across the country, especially as the Trump administration carries out its war against the working class.

Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site spoke with Amazon workers outside JFK8 on Saturday about the preventable death.

One worker said:

JFK8 was closed from 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. the next day, when the new shift started. ... Workers were angry. The bulletin board was filled with notes talking about the lack of respect shown by the management toward the guy who was killed and about forcing us to go back so quickly after it happened. They pretend to care about safety, but they dont. They put the responsibility on individual workers. They walk around telling people, Youre not wearing the correct shoes and little things like that, and thats supposed to prove they care about safety. But they dont do anything when it comes to the bigger safety issues theyre responsible forlike making sure one of their own trucks doesnt run an employee over.

Another JFK8 worker said:

My friend works at Costco, and there they have fluorescent vests with flashers attached to them. So, even if youre in a blind spot of a truck, the driver knows youre there because they can see the light from the flashers. They dont use those here. You just get the fluorescent vests.

A worker from LDJ5, an Amazon sorting center across the street from JFK8, said:

I didnt even know about it until today because Im just coming back to work. Its terrible. They should have shut the whole place [JFK8 and LDJ5] down.

Injuries, including being struck by equipment, are a regular occurrence, he said.

Sometimes you get hit [by something at work], and you think youre okay, but you wake up the next morning, and your ankle is all swollen. But if you try to do anything about it, they say, Well, you told the manager and the aid station you were okay.

His friend added:

The same night the guy was run over at JFK8, there was an accident [at LDJ5] that could have easily killed someone too. A truck started pulling away from the loading dock with its doors open, and a cart on it flew out and smashed into a gate. If somebody was standing there, they would have been crushed.

He concluded:

Its profit over people! Its about the 1 percent taking 40 percent of all the wealth in the country.

The WSWS also spoke to a JFK8 cleaning crew, members of the 32BJ SEIU union. They said:

The workers were angry about the accident, so they were allowed to go home. ... [But] We had to go to work. The cleaning crew and the mechanics had to go to work.

The death and the workers response to it demonstrates that workplace safety must be enforced through workers control over conditions. As the World Socialist Web Site wrote in Amazon JFK8 workers at a crossroads: Which way forward?:

Any workplace injuries are unacceptable! Amazon has the highest injury rate in the logistics industry, and a rank-and-file committee of workers must oversee and ensure safety conditions. If any injury takes place, it should be thoroughly investigated, the managers responsible should face accountability and consequences, and the worker should be fully compensated by Amazon (medical expenses plus paid sick leave).

Amazon is the poster child for high-tech exploitation, in which robots and surveillance systems are used to force workers past the point of injury, struggling to make rate. It is well known that workers who are injured at Amazon are practically thrown out on the street, while one of the worlds largest corporations denies them workers compensation.

The workers death at JFK8 is only the latest in a long line of work-related injuries and deaths at Amazon. In the sweltering summer of 2022, for example, three Amazon workers at company facilities in New Jersey died due to excessive heat in their work areas, with the company denying responsibility.

The World Socialist Web Site has reported extensively on conditions at Amazon, including a widely read interview with whistleblower Shannon Allen in 2018.

Amazon responds ruthlessly to all expressions of opposition. This was shown, for example, in its unpaid suspension of as many at 80 workers, who refused to return to work immediately after a 2022 fire at the same JFK8 facility. Meanwhile, founder Jeff Bezos, one of the worlds richest individuals, has thrown his support behind Trump, who is systematically dismantling all regulatory agencies even partially limiting the operations of American corporations.

Guests, including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th presidential inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington D.C. on Monday, January 20, 2025. [Photo by AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool]

At the beginning of the month, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) fired a staggering 880 of its 1,100 employees, who conduct critical research and make recommendations for the prevention of workplace injury, illness and death.

The incident last week is only the latest preventable disaster in the three years since the Amazon Labor Union won the union election. Workers voted for ALU because they saw it as a more militant rank-and-file alternative to the established, bureaucratically controlled unions.

But as soon as it won the election, ALU quickly established ties to the Democratic Party and the official union bureaucracy. This proved disastrous for JFK8 workers because ALUs embrace of pro-corporate union officials and politicians led quickly to the evaporation of its ties to the rank and file. A series of subsequent union elections, premised on endorsements from local Democrats and the AFL-CIO, ended in disaster, including one vote at LDJ5 across the street only a short time later.

After running low on money and wracked by internal factional divisions, ALU merged with the Teamsters last year in a de facto bailout to become ALU-IBT Local 1. The Teamsters and its General President Sean OBrien are top allies of the Trump White House and have helped destroy tens of thousands of jobs at UPS since ramming through a contract in 2023.

Meanwhile, the ALU-IBT has yet to win its first contract, leaving JFK8 workers without a strategy to carry their fight forward.

If tragedies like the death of Salcedo-Chevalier are to be prevented, the rank-and-file initiative shown in last weeks shutdown must find an organized form. This means the development of rank-and-file committees, uncontrolled by the Teamsters bureaucrats and their junior partners in the ALU-IBT leadership, to impose workers control over safety by taking all actions which workers democratically decide are necessary.

A rank-and-file committee at Amazon must link up with the growing movement of the working class against oligarchs like Bezos and Elon Musk, who, through Trump, are seeking to build a dictatorship in the United States.

Such a movement requires the independence of the working class from Trumps enablers in the Democratic Party and the trade union bureaucracy and the rejection of Trumps America First poison. Amazon workers in America must link up with their brothers and sisters at Amazon and in other industries around the world in a common fight against exploitation and dictatorship. This fight is being organized by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).
New Zealands Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, leader of the right-wing nationalist NZ First Party, is continuing to support a fascistic smear campaign against Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle.

New Zealand Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters [Photo by CC-BY-SA 4.0/Green Party,AP/Cliff Owen ]

Doyle spoke to the media on April 9 for the first time following a fortnight of vile and baseless slanders from Peters and numerous far-right commentators, who implied that Doyle was a paedophile. Peters had demanded that the Greens answer serious questions about Doyle and called for the police to investigate the MP.

The only evidence produced by NZ First and its supporters are unremarkable family photographs shared by Doyle on Instagramincluding some that included Doyles childalongside inappropriate language.

The hysterical campaign focused on the fact that Doylewho identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronounshad named their Instagram account BibleBeltBussy and labelled one set of photos with the words bussy galore. For several days, New Zealands media was dominated by discussion of the meaning of the word bussy, a lewd slang term which Doyle had foolishly adopted as a social media nickname.

The demonisation of Doyle is part of the National Party-led governments efforts to stoke divisions based on race, gender and sexuality, and to divert public attention from its historic assault on workers living standards and preparations for war. This includes plans announced on April 7 to double the countrys military spending, which will be paid for with even deeper cuts to healthcare and other vital services.

Doyle told the media that he had faced a barrage of abuse and vitriol, including a significant number of threats to my life and the safety of my child and family. The MP said their social media posts had been taken wildly out of context and manipulated in a campaign driven by homophobic and transphobic lies and conspiracy theories.

Asked to respond specifically to Peters statements, Doyle did not condemn the deputy prime minister. He said he would rather have a face-to-face restorative conversation with Peters, because I believe that we cant resolve anything through bickering or in the media.

Peters rejected the offer, telling Radio NZ: No, Im sorry, [Doyle] can speak directly to the police Those are the people he needs to speak to, not me.

Peters claimed that he was not attacking the LGBT community, writing on Facebook: The posts were problematic for their contentnot because of what Doyle identifies as or what sexuality he might be.

This is contradicted by the facts. The Post reported on April 9 that the campaign against Doyle was started by businessman Rhys Williams, a former member of NZ First. Using an anonymous X account, Williams distributed screenshots from Doyles Instagram account, which were then seized upon by Christian and anti-transgender activists and by Peters.

Doyle became a target for these layers after advocating greater access to medical procedures for transgender people. NZ First, copying Donald Trump and other far-right movements internationally, has campaigned vigorously against transgender rights. At NZ Firsts insistence, the government has removed sex and gender education guidelines from schools.

In an interview with the right-wing Platform podcast on April 4, Williams described himself as a concerned New Zealander. In fact, Williams was the main organiser of a major anti-transgender conference in Wellington last year, which featured speakers from NZ First, the evangelical Destiny Church and the far-right Christian lobby group Family First.

On his X account, which has more than 9,600 followers, Williams frequently glorifies NZ First while posting hundreds of comments demonising LGBT people. His deranged statements include: Rainbow = pedophile ... simple as that and Trans Activists are either pedophiles or mass murderers.

Williams also repeats conspiracy theories about the state-funded charities InsideOut and the Burnett Foundation, which promote sexual health and education, smearing them as part of a rainbow cult that is grooming children.

NZ First president Julian Paul told the Post that Peters had not coordinated or planned anything with Williams. We became aware of the Doyle issue just like everyone elsereading the plethora of posts on multiple social media platforms, he said.

This is not credible. Williams X account is followed by several senior NZ First figures, including Paul, party secretary Holly Howard, board member Helma Vermeulen, and MPs Shane Jones, Jenny Marcroft, and Tanya Unkovich, according to the Post.

Moreover, Williams politics are those of NZ First. Like Peters, he attacks transgender people and rails against cultural Marxism, while also supporting the Trump administration and defending the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick told Radio NZ that Doyle had become collateral damage in a culture war aimed at distracting attention from serious issues including the governments austerity measures. Winston Peters knows precisely what hes doing. Its the same playbook that hes used for decades, which is to goad the media, to be outrageous to court controversy in the headlines, she said.

Yet the Green Party itself bears responsibility for the prominent role played by NZ First, which is effectively setting the governments agenda despite only having received 6 percent of the votes in the 2023 election.

The Greens, including Swarbrick, enthusiastically joined a Labour-led coalition government in 2017 that included NZ First. Then Green co-leader James Shaw declared that the Greens agreed with NZ First on far more than we disagree, and pledged to work closely with the party. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made Winston Peters both foreign minister and defence minister.

The Greensalong with various pseudo-left groups and liberal publications such as the Daily Blogplayed a crucial role in sanitizing NZ First by falsely claiming that it had moderated or even shifted to the left.

The Labour-NZ First-Greens government strengthened ties with US imperialism, attacked immigrants rights, and transferred tens of billions of dollars to the rich during the first years of the COVID pandemic.

NZ First is not, as Swarbrick put it, simply trying to be outrageous and court controversy. The party aims to push politics further and further to the right, using the same playbook as the fascistic Trump administration. It is stoking the most toxic forms of nationalism, racism and bigotry in order to provide scapegoats for mounting anger about soaring social inequality and poverty, and to prepare for war.

This agenda must be opposed, but the record shows that democratic rights can only be defended in a struggle against all the capitalist parties, including the Greens and Labour.

Workers and youth must also reject the divisive identity politics promoted by these parties, which plays directly into the hands of NZ First. Identity politics, based on gender and race, falsely blames white people, heterosexuals and men for inequality and discrimination, obscuring the fundamental class divide in society.

What is required is the fight to unite the working classof every ethnicity, nationality, gender and sexual orientationbased on a socialist program to bring an end to the capitalist system, which is the source of inequality, fascism and war.
National Guard soldiers, state police and a sheriff's deputy guard check in an attendee of the annual legislative session at the Capitol complex on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. [AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio]

New Mexico Democratic governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday signed an executive order authorizing the deployment of the National Guard to Albuquerque after declaring a state of emergency, claiming the purpose of the deployment is to address the significant increase in crime in the states largest city.

City officials stated that the troops, numbering approximately 60-70, will undergo a period of training and deploy to the Central Avenue Corridor area by mid-May. The thoroughfare is part of the historic Route 66 highway running through the downtown business district, but the corridor is home mainly to working class residents afflicted by high levels of poverty and deprivation.

In a public statement on the governors official web site, Lujan Grisham declared, The safety of New Mexicans is my top priority. By deploying our National Guard to support APD with essential duties, were ensuring that trained police officers can focus on what they do bestkeeping our communities safe. This partnership represents our commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis and juvenile crime with every resource at our disposal.

The governor stated that her decision to order the troop deployment was based on a request by Albuquerque Police Department (APB) chief Harold Medina, who claimed in a five-page memorandum addressed to the governor that the police department lacked resources and sufficient personnel.

Speaking to local NBC affiliate KOB-TV, Chief Medina attempted to give a rationale to the deployment: Our officers spend a lot of time on scenes that they dont need to. We have officers parked guarding violent crime scenes for up to 6, 8, 12 hours. We have officers guarding fatal traffic accidents 6, 8, 12 hours. If I can start taking 6 hours off these on-scene clears its going to make a huge difference, and its going to start swaying and getting officers back in service, and getting resources back into the community at even a faster pace.

In a report by the Associated Press, APB officials attempted to minimize the National Guards role in the city, stating, The National Guard will not be engaging with the public, but rather taking on duties that drain the time of sworn officers, like directing traffic. The troops can help secure crime scenes, distribute food and supplies to the homeless population throughout the corridor, transport prisoners, provide courthouse security and run drone operations used for locating suspects or assessing incidents.

Notably, while the governor and law enforcement personnel claim the National Guard is needed to address a surge in crime, the APDs crime statistics contradict this.

APDs figures showed assaults in the city dropped 11 percent in 2024 over 2023 and homicides declined 3 percent. Over the same period, shootings dropped 14 percent.

The governors decision to deploy National Guard troops to the streets of Albuquerque has not faced any significant opposition from either Democrats or Republicans.

Speaking to KOB-TV, Democratic State Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez approved of the governors decision: I think there are a lot of residents in my district who are very concerned about crime and Im glad the National Guard is coming in a supportive role to help a troubled police department do its job effectively.

Daniel Williams, a policy advocate for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in New Mexico, told the Associated Press, New Mexico already has one of the highest per capita rates of people killed by police in the nation. History has shown that military collaboration with local law enforcement often leads to increased civil rights violations, racial profiling, and criminalization of vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness and poverty.

New Mexico has one of the highest rates of officer-involved shootings in the nation relative to its population of 2.1 million. According to the World Population Review website, 238 people were killed by New Mexico state and local police in the years between 2013 and 2023. Some 28 more were killed in 2024.

The Democratic Party controls both the New Mexico state government and the city of Albuquerque. The deployment of troops by a Democratic governor is another part of the alignment of the national Democratic party with Trump since his election, and makes clear that the Democrats will not conduct a fight against Trump and his plans for dictatorship.

The deployment must also be seen in the context of the current global rise in class struggle, in which the international working class comes into conflict with the capitalist system as it enters the fight against brutal austerity and the attacks on democratic rights.

The deployment of troops to the streets of an American city, taken within the context of the Trump Administrations current efforts to establish a presidential dictatorship, is a warning to workers and youth that the ruling class is preparing for a violent crackdown on any opposition to its rule.
Are you a Chicago educator? Join the fight to build rank-and-file committees to defend public education by filling out the form at the end of this article.

The Chicago Teachers Union will hold a press conference Monday morning to announce the results of the vote by 28,000 educators on the tentative agreement the CTU reached with the Chicago Public Schools.

Striking Chicago teachers march in the city's famed Loop on the fifth day of canceled classes Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, in Chicago. The protest was timed to coincide with Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first budget address. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)

Teachers voted last Thursday and Friday on the new four-year agreement, with ballots being counted over the weekend.

The deal between the CTU bureaucracy and the Democratic Party-controlled school district and city government fails to deliver on teachers demands for pay raises to address rising cost of living, or on badly needed staffing and smaller class sizes.

Most critically, however, it leaves educators and students exposed to savage budget cuts being planned by district officials, which will only be worsened by Trumps massive cuts to federal funding. The district is already facing an unprecedented budget crisis and the Republican-controlled US Congress proposes cuts of 25 percent or more for low-income, disabled, English learner and other vulnerable students.

In announcing a press conference on the outcome of the vote, the CTU bureaucracy issued a press release on the supposed transformative character of the agreement. Officials maintained their guilty silence over the fact that the district and the city only have funding to cover the first year of the four-year deal, retroactive to July 1, 2024. Although massive cuts are inevitable, union officials have been forced to admit the deal contains no protections against layoffs, furloughs or reduction in hours.

Supporters of the Educators Rank-and-File Committee speaking with teachers and school staff across the city ahead of and during the voting heard teachers express grave concern over funding. Teachers also voiced frustration over previous agreements that were also lauded as transformative, only to be followed by cuts and layoffs.

Many teachers said they would vote no on the deal and expressed their determination to fight Trumps attack on public education. At the same time, they have little or no confidence that the CTU apparatus will lead any real fight. Union officials last week rejected any strike action even if workers vote down the deal.

The unions press release boasts that CTU officials have kept teachers in schools for more than 10 months since their contract expired on June 30, 2024.

After more than 11 months of bargaining, working without a contract throughout the entire school year, and for the first time in more than 15 years of doing so without a strike or strike vote, the Chicago Teachers Union announced their big bargaining team made up of rank-and-file members approved a tentative agreement with Chicago Public Schools.

Even though CTU bureaucrats prevented rank-and-file educators from using their collective power, the CTU would have them believe that the district, and the corporate and financial powers behind it, capitulated without any fight.

If accepted, [the contract] will represent a major leap forward in the transformation of a district that is still recovering from the gutting and financial irresponsibility carried out by Trumps Project 2025-style efforts under Rahm Emanuel, Arne Duncan, Paul Vallas, and other privatization forces that closed over 200 public schools between 2002 and 2018.

The deal, moreover, builds upon the past several contracts won by CTU in 2012, 2016 and 2019, the press release claims.

This only demonstrates the contempt the CTU bureaucracy has for the intelligence of the rank and file. If the CTU won struggles in 2012, 2016 and 2019, how is it possible those resulted in the district closing over 200 public schools between 2002 and 2018? Forty-nine of those schools were closed in 2013 alone.

In fact, the 2012, 2016 and 2019 contracts, all negotiated by the same Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE) faction that still runs the union, were miserable betrayals just like the current deal.

In 2012, teachers waged a powerful nine-day strike against Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel, challenging President Obamas Race to the Top scheme which diverted Title I federal funding for low-income students to districts that introduced merit pay, expanded charter schools and held teachers accountable for educational problems caused by decades of bipartisan defunding and school privatization.

After the sellout of the strike by Karen Lewis and the CTU bureaucracy, Mayor Emanuel carried out the largest single closure of schools in US history.

In 2016, the CTU signed a last minute deal, which bowed to Emanuels main demand for a two-tier pension system, with new hires paying an additional seven percent of their salaries for retirement benefits.

In 2019, the CTU shut down an 11-day strike and agreed to a deal that maintained bloated class sizes, provided no additional prep time and increased out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

The strike occurred amid a two-year wave of teacher walkouts, including wildcat strikes in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona during the first Trump administration. During the strike, CTU President Jesse Sharkey participated in a campaign ad for Joe Biden, who played a leading role in the Obama administrations war on public education and the historic transfer of wealth to the Wall Street banks and Pentagon war machine.

In 2021 and 2022, the CTU sabotaged a powerful movement for strike action against the Biden administrations back-to-school policy, which led to mass infection of the population with COVID-19.

This is the background to the current sellout.



In recent comments to a Chicago Sun Times reporter, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates said, teachers have proved their equity in education in three previous strikes and now have a seat at the table in city government. This is in reference to the April 2023 election of Democratic mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU lobbyist who is on leave from the union.

During his campaign, Johnson assured the corporate and financial leaders who control Chicago, There will be some tough decisions to be made when I am mayor of the city of Chicago. And there might be a point within negotiations that the Chicago Teachers Union quest and fight for more resourceswe might not be able to do it. Who is better able to deliver bad news to a friend than a friend?

But the Democratic mayor did not have to make any tough decisions, which would have exposed his role as a stooge of big business. Instead, Gates and the CTU bureaucracy did the dirty work for him, and, in reality, for Trump as well.

By essentially stripping educators of the right to strikewithout so much as a votethe CTU and the Democratic Party are emboldening Trump to accelerate his destruction of public education and democratic rights.

Opposition to Trump is growing everywhere. On April 5, millions in the US gathered to oppose his administrations victimization of immigrants, repression of free speech, dismantling areas of federal government responsible for social services and public welfare, and his escalating trade war. These protests were underreported in the corporate media for fear of broad unrest in the face of an all-encompassing economic and political crisis that the ruling class wants to make working families pay for.

Teachers are well aware that Chicago is the proving ground for major policy shifts in public education. Districts across the US, from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, face the same struggles as Chicago educators do.



Rank-and file-committees of Chicago educators can lead a nationwide counter-offensive to defend the right to public education from Trump and his Democratic Party enforcers. For this, teachers need to join and expand the network of educators rank-and-file committees across the US, which are affiliated with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

Join the fight to build rank-and-file committees to defend public education by filling out the form below.
A section of the demonstration at Texas A&M University, April 10, 2025

On Thursday, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) held a rally titled Oppose Trumps dictatorship! Mobilize the working class against the government of the oligarchy! at Rudder Plaza which drew around 200 people from the university, including students, graduate students and some academics, as well as from workers and a few retirees in the surrounding Bryan County area.

An IYSSE member led the crowd in chants at the start of the rally helping set the tone. Josh Andrews, the president of the A&M IYSSE club, emceed the event introducing the IYSSE as well as the other groups present, and gave the first speech.

This rally has been called in opposition to the Trump administrations gutting of every essential government agency and social program, Andrews said. Trump has declared war on the working class and the world.

Andrews made the connection between the war on democratic rights and the Constitution, the attacks on social programs and jobs, and the drive to world war. Students and immigrants are the initial target of Trumps attacks but a precedent is being set for how strikes and all other opposition will be handled.

Trump is saddling the population for war. He has threatened to annex Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal and Gaza. His tariffs are aimed at reversing the economic decline of the US at the expense of both China and its European allies. The logic of his policies is war.

Socialist Equality Party member Chase Lawrence delivered a speech focusing on the recent IYSSE statement denouncing the ongoing mass deportation campaign against international students and explaining its origins, significance, as well as how to stop it. At the time of the speech, 500 had already had their visas revoked, including 15 at Texas A&M, as Lawrence noted.

This is not only unprecedentedit is criminal, Lawrence said. This is not about enforcing immigration law. It is about silencing political opposition and enforcing imperialist war.

The fight for free speech required independence of workers and youth from the Democratic Party. The campaign of repression began under the Biden administration. Biden labeled opposition to the genocide in Gaza anti-Semitic and oversaw the expansion of surveillance on student protesters. His administration stood by as university officials enforced censorship and discipline against those who spoke out.

Lawrence stressed the Democratic Party is a partner in Trumps attacks on the working class and that their only objection to his policy is a tactical one over how best to achieve US domination of the globe at the expense of the working class as Andrews put it.

During the open mic portion of the event speakers from the unofficial campus club Aggies Against Apartheid spoke as well as the local branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

In closing the rally, WSWS writer and SEP member Tom Hall spoke on the Democratic Partys complicity. The crowd denounced the Democrats role in keeping Trumps budget running, shouting shame! in opposition to this as well as the phony grandstanding of Democratic Senator Corey Booker, and in particular his vote against restricting military aid to Israel directly thereafter.

Hall also spoke on the pseudo-lefts such as Bernie Sanders and their complicity in the attacks on international students and immigrants. Hall referenced an ABC interview in which Sanders said Trump did right in cracking down on fentanyl and making sure our borders are stronger and that nobody thinks that illegal immigration is appropriate.

Hall explained: They want you to think you can oppose fascism at home while supporting its immigration, economic and foreign policy. They promote the fiction that anything can be done through the Democratic Party and the bankrupt perspective of begging on ones knees and applying so-called pressure.

He explained the complicity of the union bureaucracy in both the gutting of federal jobs and in siding with the tariffs and layoffs, including that of Shawn Fain of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Sean OBrian of the Teamsters are overseeing tens of thousands of layoffs in auto and UPS through sellout contracts. Yet they claim that tariffs will supposedly save American jobs which they have helped to destroy.

Hall urged the formation of workers rank and file committees to stop Trumps dictatorship, and for students and youth to join the IYSSE and turn out into the working class. His remarks were well received with a round of applause from the crowd.

The speeches also called for the freedom of Ukrainian socialist and anti-war activist Bogdan Syrotiuk, whose imprisonment for the crime of opposing the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine was the start of the international campaign of repression against anti-war activists.

The vast majority of rally-goers attended the whole rally, with many staying afterwards to have political discussions with over 20 signing up to learn more about the IYSSE. One of the most asked questions was when is your next event?

The rally, which is the first the IYSSE has held at the university, is significant for a number of reasons. It is the first rally held in Texas by the Trotskyist movement in many years.

TAMU was also the site of a protest in March against Trumps fascist assault on immigrants in which hundreds of students participated.

TAMU has longstanding and extensive ties to the military and the intelligence agencies. Its current president, retired General Mark A Welsh, sits on the board of Northrop Grumman and served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The university has the oldest Reserve Officer Training Corps program, and a massive state of the art weapons testing range, the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex at the RELLIS campus.

A pro-war lecture was held on campus the day after the rally under the fraudulent title Defending Democracy. The lecturers included notorious war criminals and arch-reactionaries such as retired general Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, who committed war crimes while directing the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, and former Republican speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, a far-right bigot who supported Trumps January 6, 2021 coup attempt, passed billions to the Zelensky regime and helped lead the attack on antiwar students.

That the IYSSE put forward an explicitly anti-war socialist program and received a significant hearing shows that the support for war, dictatorship, and fascism is extremely limited, while opposition is growing among workers and youth.
US troops on Arizona-Mexico border [Photo: U.S. Army/2nd Lt. Corey Maisch]

In a memorandum issued late Friday night, US President Donald Trump directed the US military to take control of a large portion of the US-Mexico border and adopt repressive measures that would effectively treat migrants crossing the border as though they were attacking a US military base.

The memorandum includes a section that reads: In carrying out activities under this memorandum, members of the Armed Forces will follow rules for the use of force prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. No boundaries are set to limit the use of force, meaning that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a notorious defender of US military war crimes and individual war criminals, could authorize the use of lethal force against immigrants seeking to enter the United States.

Under the title Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions, the memorandum directs the secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture and Homeland Security to transfer all federal land within 60 feet of the land border with Mexico to the jurisdiction of the Pentagon.

This long strip of territory is known as the Roosevelt Reservation because it was originally set aside as federal land more than a century ago under President Theodore Roosevelt. It includes the vast bulk of the US-Mexico land border, passing through California, Arizona and New Mexico, but does not include the Rio Grande, the border between Texas and Mexico. The strip also excludes portions of Native American reservations along the border, and a few isolated pieces of private property.

In keeping with the general posture of the Democratic Party, which has collaborated with Trumps fascistic attacks on immigrants, there was no public response to the border memorandum from the Democratic governors of the three states involved, Gavin Newsom of California, Katie Hobbs of Arizona and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico. Hobbs has been complaining for weeks that $69 million in federal assistance for border enforcement was being held up by the DOGE review of grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a unit of the DHS.

According to Trumps order, the Roosevelt Reservation would be designated as National Defense Areas so that border enforcement activity would occur on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense. This would allow the administration to claim that military actions against migrants did not violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the military in police activities within the United States.

The memorandum enumerates broad powers for the secretary of defense to make use of the federal territory as he sees fit. It would explicitly enable military activities  including border-barrier construction and emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment. This could also include detaining migrants, pending their transfer to the Department of Homeland Security for deportation.

According to an analysis by the Wall Street Journal:

The move would ultimately mean that the militarys massive budget can be more directly tapped for border security. The administration had been planning for weeks to transfer control of such lands to the military and potentially use the zone as a place to temporarily hold migrants who enter the U.S. illegally, according to defense officials. Many U.S. detention centers have been at their highest levels in years, creating a bottleneck for the White House goals of mass deportations. The order, however, doesnt spell out that temporary detention facilities will be built on the lands.

While the initial military operation will be phased over 45 days, the memo declares: 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 Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor is the formal title of Tom Homan, the former acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Trumps top anti-immigrant thug in the White House.

The entire memorandum incorporates Trumps claims that the movement of migrants across the US-Mexico border constitutes an invasion which, as the memo puts it, threatens the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the United States. The use of such language to describe the actions of desperate and starving refugees is both provocative and entirely unprecedented, aimed at leveraging Trumps powers as commander-in-chief to do anything he pleases.

This includes language that amounts to a blank check for the Pentagon and for local commanders along the border:

The Secretary of Defense may determine those military activities that are reasonably necessary and appropriate to accomplish the mission assigned in Executive Order 14167 and that are necessary to protect and maintain the security of military installations, consistent with section 2672 of title 10, United States Code, and the longstanding authority of a military installation commander to exclude persons from a military installation, as recognized in section 21 of the Internal Security Act of 1950.

In effect, every unit commander along the border would be designated a military installation commander entitled to exclude persons from entering his installationan immigration cop in all but name.

The memorandum makes frequent references to the executive orders Trump issued on January 20, the day of his inauguration, which made the war against immigrants the first priority of his administration. One of these orders instructs the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to report back within 90 days with recommendations regarding additional actions that may be necessary to obtain complete operational control of the southern border, including whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807

Trump sought to invoke this law in June 2020 against the mass protests that erupted following the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. This would have the effect of establishing martial law, not only along the US-Mexico border, but across the entire territory of the United States. No president has declared martial law since the Civil War of 18611865.

Meanwhile, in an additional measure directed towards transforming border enforcement into a full-scale military operation, the US Northern Command, which controls US military forces within North America, ordered a third US missile-firing destroyer, the USS Stockdale, to join the USS Spruance and USS Gravely on southern border operations. The Stockdale left the US Navy base in San Diego to join a Coast Guard flotilla. The destroyer had been previously deployed to the US Central Command and shot down drones operated by the Houthis in Yemen, over the Red Sea.
Pro-Palestine protesters ascend the steps of City Hall in Los Angeles, California, November 4, 2023 [Photo: SEP-US/WSWS]

In a chilling escalation of state repression and anti-democratic assault, the Trump administration has launched a sweeping crackdown on international students across the United States, targeting those perceived as opposing its brutal policies, especially those who have dared to speak out against the genocidal siege of Gaza.

At California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), six international students have recently had their visas revoked without clear cause or warning. Four of these students are currently enrolled at the university, while two were participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for recent graduates. The university administrations silence and lack of transparency about the revocations only underscore the political nature of this witch-hunt.

These attacks are not isolated incidents. Across the California State University (CSU) system, 48 students have been similarly targeted. Statewide, nearly 150 international students have been abruptly stripped of their visas, with no explanation provided other than the opaque declarations of the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. Behind this bureaucratic fog lies a clear and sinister agenda: the political intimidation and punishment of those who stand in opposition to the policies of Trumps fascist regime.

The primary targets are students and faculty who have voiced support for the Palestinian people, who have marched against the war machine, and who have dared to dissent. From CSULB to the University of California system, from Stanford to UCLA, to Montana State University, to University of Michigan, and most notoriously at Columbia Universitythe crackdown has reached across the nation.

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and graduate student at Columbia, has become a high-profile symbol of this authoritarian campaign. In a disturbing development, an administrative immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on Friday that the federal government can proceed with deportation proceedings against Khalil, whose only crime is his vocal opposition to the US-backed slaughter in Gaza. This ruling confirms that even green-card holders can be stripped of their rights for exercising free speech.

At Montana State University, three more student visas were canceled in a DHS database sweep. University officials admitted the federal government has not communicated about the decisions. The story is consistent across institutions: due process is being ignored, explanations are withheld, and college administrations comply.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief denouncing the executive orders enabling these ideologically-motivated revocations. In his public statement, Bonta decried the arbitrary targeting of students, warning that such actions create a culture of fear and disrupt the nations academic institutions.

Bontas involvement, far from signaling a real avenue of defense for students or workers, highlights the deepening contradictions within the capitalist system itself. It reflects just how far the crisis has penetrated the system, to the extent that a representative of the repressive state apparatus feels compelled to issue a mild rebuke, not out of principle but out of fear of broader unrest. The political function of such interventions is to pacify resistance and to foster illusions that reform is possible within a system that is irredeemably hostile to democratic rights.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio smugly dismissed the fundamental rights of these students. No one has a right to a visa, he declared, implying that the constitutional freedoms of international students can be discarded at will by an authoritarian administration.

The revocations are part of a wider dragnet against political expression, particularly speech and thought that challenge US imperialism and domestic repression. The Trump administration is also targeting no fewer than 900 California faculty members in a sprawling investigation that remains shrouded in secrecy. This further confirms that intellectual freedom is under systematic assault.

This campaign is an outright political purge. It is a state-led assault on democratic and constitutional rights, aimed at terrorizing those who challenge the capitalist oligarchy and its policies of global war. These revocations represent collective punishment for engaging in activism, speech and organizing, actions that the ruling class views as threats to its power.

The root cause of this crackdown is not the racist and xenophobic obsession of a single president, but rather the intensification of the crisis of American and world capitalism, which is in terminal decline. Vast sums are funneled into war, surveillance, and militarized policing, while universities are defunded, workers discarded, and students criminalized. International students are being scapegoated by a desperate ruling class trying to maintain dominance through fear and repression.

The fascistic turn of the Trump administration is a harbinger of a broader assault on all workers and youth. As the capitalist crisis deepens and inequality grows ever more grotesque, the ruling elite is preparing to respond to unrest and opposition with brute force.

This administration of, by and for the oligarchy aims to crush opposition. Trump is the blunt instrument of a ruling class that no longer tolerates even the limited democratic forms of the past. His regime is not an anomalyit is the logical response of a system in collapse.

There is no salvation to be found in the Democratic Party, which rolled out the red carpet for Trumps second term and offers platitudes while the repression escalates. Californias politicians may voice concern, but they have no solution because they remain bound to the very system that fosters this repression.

The only viable path forward lies in the unity of workers and youth across borders, in a revolutionary struggle for socialism. Students must appeal to workers. The international working class must mobilize to defend these persecuted students and faculty. Solidarity must extend beyond campuses and courtrooms. It must reach into every workplace and neighborhood.

This crackdown is a clear declaration by the state: political dissent will not be tolerated, freedom of speech will be criminalized, and campuses will be transformed into instruments of surveillance and compliance. This is what the capitalist state becomes when it is threatened: a weapon to silence the vast majority.

But this assault can be defeated. The working class possesses the power to bring society to a standstill. Through building independent, socialist organizations and an international movement against war, repression, and exploitation, it can and must resist this descent into authoritarianism.
This discussion with David North, chairman of the World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board, will focus on his two most recent books, Sounding the Alarm: Socialism Against War and The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide.
Easter is almost here and Krispy Kreme has some new doughnuts to celebrate the holiday.

The doughnut chain Monday unveiled its "Hoppy Easter" collection that features three new, Easter-themed flavors and a returning favorite, all available in custom Easter dozen boxes.

The collection, available beginning April 7 for a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme shops, includes:

Bunny Basket Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing, decorated with chocolate flavored buttercream and topped with a confectionery bunny.

Marshmallow Bunny Doughnut: An unglazed shell doughnut filled with marshmallow flavored Kreme, dipped in pastel yellow icing and topped with a bunny face and confectionery ears.

Bouncing Bunny Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in pastel blue icing and sprinkles, topped with a bouncing bunny.

Strawberry Iced Doughnut with Sprinkles: An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in strawberry flavored icing and pastel sprinkles.

Krispy Kreme introduced its Easter doughnut collection on Monday.

The "Hoppy Easter" collection is available in-store and for pickup or delivery via Krispy Kreme's app and website, individually and by the dozen, according to the company. Customers can also get them in a Krispy Kreme 6-count box delivered fresh daily to select retailers.

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Were passing on the eggs this Easter and instead hopping into the holiday with all-new bunny-themed doughnuts that are almost too cute to eat. Almost!" said Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme's Chief Growth Officer, in a news release.

Krispy Kreme introduced its Easter doughnut collection on Monday.

Krispy Kreme announces expansion into Brazil

The doughnut chain also announced in late March that it will be opening its first shop in Brazil in late April.

The shop, which will be located in Sao Paulo, will open through a minority interest joint venture with Ipiranga's AmPm, the largest chain of convenience stores in Brazil, according to Krispy Kreme.

We are thrilled to bring Krispy Kremes iconic, fresh made doughnuts to Brazil as part of our strategy to become a bigger and better Krispy Kreme," said Raphael Duvivier, President, International for Krispy Kreme, in a news release.

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"Our beloved doughnuts are renowned worldwide, and now Brazilians will be able to enjoy the signature high-quality and delicious flavors that Krispy Kreme offers.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Krispy Kreme unveils Easter doughnuts: See the new flavors
Chag Pesach sameach! We hope you had a great weekend of Passover seders full of family and faith. The holiday of Passover, when Jewish people celebrate and retell the story of the Exodus, began at sundown Saturday, April 12, and lasts until the evening of Sunday, April 20.

Many Lower Hudson Valley Jewish congregations hosted community Seders to celebrate the first two nights of Passover.

Learn more about the holiday, and see where you can find daily services for Passover online or at location near you.

What is Passover?

Passover is one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in Judaism.

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Jews gather at Seders to tell the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, led by Moses. According to the Book of Exodus in the Torah, God unleashed 10 plagues upon the Egyptians, each one more terrible than the last, before the Jews were released.

The holiday is called Passover in English translation because God is said to have instructed Jewish families to sacrifice a lamb and use its blood to mark above their doors, so that the 10th plague of death to the firstborn male would "pass over" them.

Orthodox Jews stand by a large fire after throwing bread products to the fire at Memorial Park in Spring Valley during the traditional burning of Chametz, or bread products, prior to the start of Passover April 22, 2024. Throughout Passover, which begins at sundown tonight, Jews abstain from consuming all bread products. Fires were set up in several locations in Rockland County for observant Jews to take part in the annual ceremony.

What is chametz?

Jewish families observe Passover by cleaning their homes and removing chametz, which includes leavened bread and other fermented products. The ritual recalls the Israelites' rapid escape, when they could not wait for bread to rise.

What is a Seder?

The Seder is a ritual meal held on the first two nights of the holiday. Jewish families gather around a table with specially prepared food and read the Haggadah, a text that guides the Seder.

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The meal is served on a special plate with sections for foods that signify different parts of the Exodus story. Among them are bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery, and an apple-nut mixture called charoset, which recalls mortar used by Hebrew slaves.

From 2018 Rockland Jewish women explain the Hebrew calendar, Shabbat and the holidays

When does Passover 2025 start?

Passover traditionally begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan, which falls between late March and early April. The holiday lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days in all other parts of the Jewish diaspora.

The first two days and the last two days of the week are major celebration days.

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During the intermediate days of the holiday, many Jews try to avoid doing manual labor or other types of work. Instead, families are encouraged to participate in outings, picnic lunches and other family gatherings.

When does Passover 2025 end?

Passover ends on the evening of April 20, which coincides with the Christian holiday of Easter.

According to Chabad.org, the last day of Passover commemorates the parting of the Red Sea and the Israelites' escape from Egypt.

Community Passover events, resources in the Lower Hudson Valley

Several congregations and Chabads across Westchester and Rockland have a ton of online services and resources available for Passover week. See our list below:

CSI Briarcliff Manor's Passover services

The Congregation Sons of Israel live stream most services on their website. Online, you can also check out a special Passover playlist. Passover services will be held April 14 and 20.

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When: 9:30 a.m. April 14 and April 20. Yizkor held on April 20 to mark eighth day of Passover.

Where: Congregation Sons of Israel Briarcliff Manor, 1666 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor.

More info: csibriarcliff.org

Chabad of Yorktown offers online resources for Passover

The Chabad of Yorktown has lots of online resources available online for prayers, history, customs and more for each day of Passover. You can read that online here. Check out the Chabad of Yorktown's Passover site here.

More info: chabadyorktown.com

Congregation Shir Shalom in New City info

Congregation Shir Shalom is a conservative, egalitarian synagogue serving Rockland County. Check them out on their website and keep up with the latest on their Facebook page.

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More info: shirshalomrockland.org

Chabad of Rivertowns hosting daily services for Passover

The Chabad of the Rivertowns is hosting daily services for Passover, including morning services and Yizkor on the eighth day of the holiday.

Where: Chabad of the Rivertowns, 303 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry.

More info: chabadrt.org

Chabad of Yonkers hosts daily Passover services

The Chabad of Yonkers is also hosting daily services for Passover. To see service times and info, go to jewishyonkers.com/templates/events.htm.

Where: Chabad of Yonkers, 600 N. Broadway, Yonkers.

More info: jewishyonkers.com.

Bronxville/Eastchester Community

The Chabad of Bronxville is hosting services for Passover throughout the week. To learn more and see the schedule, go to bit.ly/4jcm9aT.

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Where: Chabad Jewish Center, 453 White Plains Road, Eastchester.

More info: chabadjewishcenter.com

Chabad of White Plains has online resources for Passover

The Chabad of White Plains has online resources, prayers and more for Passover.

Where: The Hebrew Institute of White Plains, 20 Greenridge Ave., White Plains.

More info: chabadwhiteplains.com

Daily Passover services with Chabad Lubavitch of Larchmont and Mamaroneck

The Chabad Lubavitch of Larchmont and Mamaroneck has daily services for Passover. See a schedule and more info online.

Where: Chabad Lubavitch of Larchmont and Mamaroneck, 101 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck.

More info: chabad101.com

Chabad of Suffern hosting April 14 Pesach services and Yizkor April 20

The Chabad of Suffern is hosting Passover services Monday, April 14 and Yizkor services Sunday, April 20. See a full schedule online at bit.ly/3G73kXX.

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When: 10 a.m. April 14 and 11 a.m., April 20 Yizkor services.

Where: Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern, 350 Haverstraw Road, Montebello.

More info: jewishsuffern.com

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Passover 2025 in Lower Hudson Valley: Find online, community services
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Huber Heights firefighters responded to heavy flames attacking a home Sunday night.

According to Huber Heights Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Calham, the fire occurred around 11 p.m., as crews were dispatched to the 8900 block of Hickorygate Lane.

New ambulance arrives in Xenia after years-long delay

Heavy fire was reported from upstairs, at the backside of the home. The home was evacuated safely, but one person was taken to an area hospital due to smoke inhalation. No firefighters were hurt during their response to the residence.

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The home was dealt significant damage due to the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The American Red Cross was called to the scene for assistance.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Chinese young man achieves martial arts dream by creating manned 'flying sword'

People's Daily Online) 13:31, April 14, 2025

A post-90s man from southwest China's Sichuan Province has turned his childhood dream of "flying on a sword" like the scenes in Chinese Xianxia (immortal heroes) dramas into a reality. He created a sword-shaped manned aircraft that is capable of staying airborne for over three minutes.

In a video demonstrating the aircraft, a man in a protective suit and a helmet stands on the "flying sword", which slowly lifts off the ground and hovers in mid-air as its engine hums to life.

A Chinese short video content creator who goes by the name Fan Shisan conducts a test flight of a "flying sword", a sword-shaped manned aircraft developed by his team. (Photo courtesy of Fan Shisan)

The footage of this "flying sword" in action has garnered widespread attention on the internet for its striking resemblance to the flying sword scenes commonly seen in Chinese Xianxia dramas.

"I have always dreamed of flying on a sword like the characters in Xianxia dramas do. Now I want to make that childhood dream come true," said a short video content creator known by the name Fan Shisan, who is the brains behind the project.

A lifelong fan of Xianxia dramas, Fan was inspired to pursue this project by the sight of heroes soaring through the skies on swords.

He embarked on his short video creation journey because of a keen passion for martial arts, and draws inspiration for his short videos mainly from martial arts novels and Xianxia-themed TV series, Fan said.

His team worked tirelessly for two months to design and build the "flying sword."

Currently, Fan's team consists of four members, each responsible for design, production, testing, and filming. Fan himself is the creative force behind the project, coming up with all the ideas and designs for the special aircraft.

Unlike traditional drones, which typically have a symmetrical, cross-like structure, the sword-shaped aircraft features an asymmetric, irregular design, which made maintaining stability and balance during flight the biggest challenge to the team.

"Initially, we used 20 ducted fans, but the thrust wasn't enough. We added four more, which gave us the power we needed, and that's how the 'flying sword' you see in the video became a reality," Fan recalled.

Reflecting on the creative process, Fan explained, "It was a gradual evolution. First, we created a small 'flying sword', then moved on to try cluster control, and now we've reached the point of creating a manned 'flying sword'. It's all been a natural progression."

Fan Shisan (middle) discusses the design of a sword-shaped manned aircraft with his team at his studio. (Photo/He Meikun)

Fan has even bigger plans for the next version of the "flying sword." He aims to add artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered voice control and group control capabilities to the "flying sword" and hopes to give it a "spiritual" intelligence that allows it to automatically adjust its flight mode based on the operator's movements.

"I hope one day, 'flying on a sword' will become a part of everyday life, bringing even more surprises and thrilling experiences to people," Fan said.

In Fan's studio, there are more than 40 knives and swords of various shapes on display, which were used in his short videos.

Since the first video in 2020, Fan's team has presented many classical martial arts scenes in short videos.

The team's recent success with the "flying sword" has opened up new opportunities. Fan has received collaboration offers from film and TV production teams for prop creation and technical design.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The American broadcaster CBS News, citing data from an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has reported that up to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the full-scale war with Russia.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with CBS News

Details: CBS News does not provide a direct quote from Zelenskyy but voices the death toll in an interview with the president on the 60 Minutes programme.

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Quote from CBS: "There are daily Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. 1,700 attacks on schools, over 600 children dead, 780 medical facilities attacked, 13,000 civilians killed, and as many as 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers dead."

Details: Zelenskyy said that "If we do not stand firm, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) will advance further". [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president  ed.]

"It is not just idle speculation; the threat is real. Putin's ultimate goal is to revive the Russian empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection. Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war," the president said.

Background:

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In December 2024, Zelenskyy reported that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since 24 February 2022 and 370,000 wounded personnel had received medical assistance.

On 4 February, Zelenskyy reported that 45,100 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the war against Russia and 390,000 had been wounded.

On 16 February 2025, Zelenskyy said that more than 46,000 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed during the full-scale war with Russia, and tens of thousands more were missing or held in captivity. He said that "no one knows" exactly how many Ukrainians had lost their lives as a result of the war.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Memphis Police Department is searching for a man they say stole over $10,000 worth of appliances from a South Memphis apartment complex.

According to reports, officers responded to a six-unit apartment complex in the 400 block of McLemore Avenue at 3:15 p.m. Officers were told thousands of dollars in items had been taken from the complex between April 7 and April 11.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

 Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox.

The items included toilets, vanities, stoves, washers and dryers, bath fixtures, and refrigerators, police say.

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No arrests have been made at this time, but the MPD provided photos of a suspect in the case.

Photos courtesy of the MPD

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Video from previous story: St. Pete teen killed in drive-by shooting: police

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  An investigation revealed a 13-year-old boy died after a 14-year-old shot him while recording a video, not a drive-by shooting, the St. Petersburg Police Department announced.

On April 12, around 11 p.m., a 14-year-old boy was sitting in a vehicle at 2421 11th Street South, with the victim, Jaden Hill.

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The 14-year-old pointed the gun at Hill while he recorded him on a cell phone, he then fired the handgun, shooting Hill, police said.

Hill was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The 14-year-old was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Detectives are still working to determine where the gun came from and if it was stolen.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Baltimore County Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy Sunday afternoon near Arbutus.

Police from the Wilkens precinct in southwest Baltimore County responded to the 4000 block of Alan Drive at around 2:10 p.m. When they arrived, officers found a 16-year-old male who had sustained at least one gunshot wound. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a news release Sunday night.

Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the shooting. Detectives ask anyone with information about the case to contact 410-887-4636.

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The public can also provide information anonymously by contacting Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-2587. A cash reward of up to $2,000 may be available to those eligible who provide information by phone or online through Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland.

Have a news tip? Send an email to nzimmerman@baltsun.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: Scott D. Williams. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Scott D. 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.
STOKES COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  Troopers are investigating after a teenager was killed in a crash in the Piedmont Triad.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, they responded to a crash just after 6 p.m. on Saturday in Stokes County, on NC 8 near Sawmill Road.

A gold 2002 Ford Taurus was driving on NC 8, and veered off the road, overcorrected and left the road on the opposite side. The car then drove through a lawn and hit two trees. The driver, William James Turner, 17, of Madison, died at the scene.

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Troopers believe excessive speed was a contributing factor.

His foster mom says he always brought the light, and he loved riding four-wheelers, going fishing and hunting with his friends.

She said he was planning to go to truck driving school to become a diesel mechanic after graduation.

He was the sweetest, most loving kid you have ever met. If you needed something and he had it, it was yours. He just gave, said Tina Lawson, Turners foster mother.

North Stokes High School Principal Ricky Vernon recalled the moment of silence on Monday morning.

It was a solemn time, and it was a time where any differences anybody may have had  went away, and our students really rallied with each other and held each other and helped each other in this time, Vernon said.

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Lawson says Turner was on the fence about going to prom because he didnt like crowded events, but she said he changed his mind at the last minute.

Local pastors and grief counselors will be available for students at the high school to help them cope with the loss.

The Stokes County Schools released the following statement:

It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Will Turner, who was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident on Saturday, April 12, 2025, while on his way to Prom. As our school community grieves this profound loss, we want to express our deepest condolences to Wills family and friends. In response to this tragedy, additional grief counselors have been made available to support our students and staff during this difficult time. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, and we remain committed to coming together to comfort and uplift one another as we navigate this painful moment of grief.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  An 18-year-old has pleaded guilty in two unrelated homicide cases from 2023 that left an Iraqi immigrant and a 15-year-old dead.

According to court records, Dhaevontae Rogers-Broadus, 18, pleaded guilty in two homicide cases from September 2023. He is scheduled to be sentenced in both cases on April 21 in Arapahoe County.

Teen arrested in shooting involving 3 children, transaction meetup

23-year-old killed in apparent carjacking by 4 suspects

The first case stems from Sept. 19, 2023, when 23-year-old Ahmed Zainuldeen was shot and killed at an Arapahoe County apartment complex.

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Rogers-Broadus, then 17, and Raydon Collins, then 18, were arrested and charged as adults. A third suspect was tried as a juvenile.

Rogers-Broadus had several charges dismissed by the court or dismissed by his plea in his case involving the death of Zainuldeen, including two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated robbery  confederate menacing with a weapon and sentence-enhancement charges of violent crime causing death and violent crime using a weapon.

Zainuldeen, an Iraqi immigrant in the U.S. since 2022, was at an apartment complex at East Harvard Avenue and Quebec Street at about 10 p.m. that Tuesday when four people approached his 2012 silver Hyundai Sonata, the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office said at the time. According to Zainuldeens brother, he saw his car being stolen and ran to stop them.

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Thats when Zainuldeen was shot and killed, and then the suspects allegedly took off in his car, according to police.

South Metro Fire Rescue contain brush fire

Anna Hanel, a caseworker for the African Community Center, told FOX31 in 2023 that she had known the Zainuldeen family for some time. The family had spent years living in Egypt, jumping through bureaucratic hoops in search of reaching America, having left Iraq because of the violence.

These are refugees who came here to seek freedom from violence and persecution, Hanel said at the time.

15-year-old killed in meetup outside Southlands mall

According to court records, Rogers-Broadus pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of 15-year-old Raphael Velin on Jan. 6 of this year. On April 11, the court accepted the plea agreement and scheduled the 18-year-old for sentencing.

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Under the plea agreement, Rogers-Broadus pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, and prosecutors dropped a count of first-degree murder, another count of second-degree murder, three counts of aggravated robbery  menacing victim with a deadly weapon, two counts of aggravated robbery  confederate menacing with a weapon and one count of failing to report an accident to police.

Police said that the encounter had been pre-planned by Velin and the suspects. Witnesses told police they saw four or five male suspects leaving the scene in a black sedan.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greek authorities say they have found 39 survivors and the bodies of two women on the small, remote island of Farmakonisi after a suspected migrant boat sinking.

The coast guard said the migrants and bodies were found Monday morning. The vessel used to reach the island from the nearby Turkish coast was not found.

The coast guard said there were no reports of missing people. There was no immediate information on nationalities or what had occurred.

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Earlier this month, at least 16 people died when two dinghies sank, one in Turkish waters and one in Greek waters, as dozens of migrants attempted to make their way from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands.

Greece is a main entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Many make the short but often treacherous journey from the Turkish coast to Greek islands in inflatable dinghies or other small boats. Many are not seaworthy or set out in bad weather. Fatal accidents are common.

The Greek government has cracked down with increased patrols at sea. Many smuggling rings have shifted their operations south, using larger boats to transport people from the northern coast of Africa to southern Greece.

Last year, more than 54,000 people used what has become known as the eastern Mediterranean route heading to Greece, and more than 7,700 crossed Greeces small land border with Turkey, according to figures from the U.N. refugee agency. There were 125 people reported dead or missing.

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The U.N. high commissioner for refugees has said over 8,000 people arrived in Greece by sea and 755 by land between the start of 2025 and March 30.

___

Follow AP coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
Law enforcement agencies in northwest Georgia are searching for a suspect, who they said led them on a dangerous chase.

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Polk County officials are trying to locate Albert Ladell Ware. Authorities said Ware led offices on a high-speed chase late Saturday evening.

Somehow, Ware got away, leaving two Polk County police officers with critical injuries, officials said.

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The officers were identified as Ofc. John Chandler and Ofc. Tre McDonald.

Ofc. McDonald has since been released from the hospital, however, Ofc. Chandler is having his second surgery on Monday.

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Anyone with information is urged to call 911 immediately. The sheriffs office said do not approach or attempt to apprehend Ware.

Hes wanted for two counts of reckless driving, fleeing, or attempting to elude a police officer and six counts of obstruction. More charges are forthcoming.

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On the ninth day of jury selection for Karen Reads second trial Monday, one new juror was added to the panel, but another dropped out, leaving the total at 16, according to reporters inside the courtroom.

The goal is to seat at least 18 jurors before selection is over, meaning the process will continue Tuesday. Opening statements in the second trial were initially expected to take place on Tuesday but have been delayed as the selection process continues.

It took five full days to seat a jury for Reads first trial. With the process continuing on Tuesday, it will take at least twice as long to get a jury for the second trial.

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The goal for jury selection initially was to seat 16 jurors, but the number was hiked to 18 at some point in the process. Only 12 of the eventual 18 will deliberate the case, with the remainder serving as alternates. Deliberating jurors wont be picked until the final day of the trial.

In all, 56 potential jurors arrived at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham Monday morning to be questioned to serve in the Read case, according to a WBZ reporter. Of those 56, 49 said they had seen, heard or talked about Reads case before arriving for jury duty, and 24 said they had expressed or formed an opinion.

Half of the potential jurors, 28 of the 56, said they had a substantial scheduling hardship that could prevent them from serving, such as being a student or having surgery scheduled during the period the trial is set to take place.

How jury selection plays out

Each morning of selection begins the same way, with Cannone reading a statement of the case, laying out what prosecutors say Read did: backing her SUV into her then-boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, outside a Canton home after a night of drinking.

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She tells jurors that Read is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove her innocence during the trial.

Cannone also references the intense publicity that has consumed the Read case, saying, public comment will likely continue, but the rule of law will be upheld.

Read thanks the potential jurors after each lawyer introduces themselves.

Cannone then reads out the entire witness list, which contains 150 names, before beginning questioning. After the group questioning, jurors are left to complete a three-page questionnaire.

Only after all that are jurors questioned individually.

During individual questioning, both sides can strike a juror for any reason. Each side gets 16 strikes.

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Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with OKeefes death.

Reads defense claims she is being framed and others are responsible for OKeefes death.

Karen Read murder case
Two men from Mississippi have been banned from hunting in Ohio for 3 years after poaching white-tailed deer.

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The two men pleaded guilty to multiple charges after poaching white-tailed deer in Southeast Ohio and were ordered to pay more than $15,000 in restitution, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

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Dawson Brown, 25, of Poplarville, Miss., pleaded guilty to seven charges in Belmont County Court related to unlawfully taking white-tailed deer.

The charges include hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, hunting deer with a firearm during the archery season, hunting outside of legal shooting hours, possessing untagged deer parts, hunting without a nonresident hunting license, hunting without a nonresident deer permit, and spotlighting.

Five firearms, a spotlight, venison, and four antlered deer skulls were forfeited to the Division of Wildlife. Two of the antler sets were analyzed for trophy restitution and scored 166-2/8 and 154-5/8.

Brown was ordered to pay $13,169.37 in restitution and $865 in fines and court costs. He also has to serve three years of probation and is banned from hunting in Ohio for three years.

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Jase D. Smith, 24, of Poplarville, Miss., pleaded guilty to four charges in Muskingum County Court, including hunting without permission, hunting without a nonresident deer permit, hunting without a nonresident hunting license, and failing to game check a deer after harvest.

He also pleaded guilty in Belmont County Court to possession of untagged deer parts.

In Muskingum County, Smith was ordered to pay $1,885 in restitution and $249.25 in fines and court costs, serve 30 days in jail, and is banned from hunting in Ohio for three years.

In Belmont County, he was ordered to pay $605 in fines and court costs and complete three years of probation. He was also sentenced to 60 days in jail, but that was suspended.

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The Belmont County court also revoked his Ohio hunting privileges, concurrent with the suspension from Muskingum County Court, the ODNR Division of Wildlife said.

A crossbow, spotlights, deer mount, and two antlered deer skulls were forfeited to the Division of Wildlife.

Both Brown and Smith were entered into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which is an agreement that recognizes the suspension of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses in member states, according to the ODNR.

Both men will likely lose hunting rights in 47 other states, including Mississippi, for three years.

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This story was initially published on MyNorthwest.com.

Two men are facing felony charges for allegedly abducting, torturing, and shooting a Burien woman in a brutal attack that spanned multiple counties in Washington state. The King County Sheriffs Office (KCSO) believes one of the suspects may have ties to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang known for violent crime and an expanding footprint in the United States.

Kevin Daniel Sanabria Ojeda, 24, and Alexander Moises Arnaez-Gutierrez, 25, are each charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, and robbery in King County Superior Court. Prosecutors allege the pair abducted the 58-year-old victim on Jan. 21 outside her apartment in Burien as she returned home from work late in the evening.

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Prosecutors say the suspects pulled the woman into a vehicle and fired a gun as she struggled. They then drove her east toward the Cascade Mountains, all while attempting to access her personal and financial information.

Investigators say the suspects used a power drill on the womans hand to get the information out of her.

Woman played dead after being shot

The woman was driven to a remote stretch of Interstate 90 in Kittitas County, where prosecutors say she was shot and left for dead. Thinking the gunshot had been fatal, the attackers fled the scene.

She was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and later gave detectives a detailed account of the events. In her interview, she said she believed her attackers thought they had shot her in the head, prompting her to pretend to be dead. In reality, she had been struck in the shoulder.

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However, the woman survived, waited for the suspects to leave, then flagged down help.

Probable ties to Tren de Aragua

KCSO investigators, with assistance from the FBI, launched an interstate investigation.

Sanabria was tracked to a motel in Illinois just days after the attack.

Law enforcement matched his appearance to surveillance footage from the Burien area, and a search of his motel room uncovered jewelry stolen from the victim. After being read his rights, Sanabria admitted to participating in the abduction and shooting, according to charging documents, though he pleaded not guilty in court.

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Arnaez-Gutierrez was arrested last week during a traffic stop by Mercer Island police. He is scheduled to be arraigned on April 24.

The KCSO noted that Arnaez-Gutierrez has probable ties to Tren de Aragua. While a link has not been confirmed yet, prosecutors cited the cases organized nature and disturbing level of violence as potential indicators of a larger criminal network.

Prosecutors say both suspects pose a significant threat to public safety and are jailed on $1 million bail for each.

There is a third suspect only identified as Daniel, that is still under investigation.




UPDATE (2:42 p.m.): Two lives lost.

Cesar Chavez, 18, from Foley, and his cousin Brandon Palencia, 19, from New York, were on an electric scooter Sunday night heading north on County Road 65 when a driver in a pickup truck hit them from behind.

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He is going to have to live with that for the rest of his life, said Cynthia May, who lives nearby. Its just heartbreaking all the way around.

This intersection, County Road 65 and Airport Road in Foley, is known for serious crashes. (News 5 photo)

Spray paint marks the point of impact, and the ground is littered with broken pieces of the scooter, signs of what Derek Page calls an all too familiar tragedy.

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Im not surprised, he said. I mean, I hate to say it that way, but with the way that things are now, its not going to stop unless something is done to change that.

Just over a year ago, Nycole Tate was killed by a hit-and-run driver as she crossed the road in that same area.

In 2012, a collision took the life of a little girl.

The fence at one corner where May lives bears the scars of more recent wrecks.

19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report

Just this last month and the beginning of this month, I had two separate accidents, she said.

Folks living in the area say something has to be done.

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I would like to see maybe a four-way stop, slow down the speed limit to maybe like 30 and put up some speed bumps as they are coming to a four-way stop, said Page.

That could be a start.

For one family, it is too late for change.

They are now dealing with yet another deadly wreck at Airport Road and County Road 65.

They werent doing anything wrong, said May. They were having a good time, and I feel so sorry for the guy that hit them.

The truck driver was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.

No charges have been filed.

UPDATE (12:35 p.m.): News 5 has learned more about a crash that killed two people in Foley.

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Two teenagers are dead after a collision last night in Foley at an intersection that has become notorious for deadly wrecks.

It happened near the intersection of County Road 65 and Airport Road.

Witnesses tell WKRG News 5 the two teens were traveling north on a scooter and were struck by a pickup truck from behind.

The teens, ages 18 and 19, were killed instantly.

Just over a year ago, 30-year-old Nycole Tate was killed by a hit-and-run driver at that same intersection.

PREVIOUS REPORTING

FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG)  Two teenagers on a scooter were killed after being hit by a pickup truck Sunday at the intersection of County Road 65 and Airport Road, according to the Foley police Department.

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We would like to be clear: Baldwin County restaurants react to study on locally sourced shrimp

Police have confirmed that both of those people have died.

Few details are confirmed, other than the deaths. Were working to learn more.

This story is developing. News 5 will update this article as more information becomes available.

Debbie Williams 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 WKRG News 5.
Two people were rushed to the hospital early Monday morning after an incident outside a nightclub in west Charlotte, MEDIC said.

It happened outside Bliss Nightlife Charlotte around 4 a.m. on Freedom Drive, according to MEDIC.

Two patients were transported both with serious injuries, MEDIC said, after first responders were called about a pedestrian struck in the area.

ALSO READ: 2 injured in east Charlotte crash, MEDIC says

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Were asking for more details about what happened and if anyone will face charges.

This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH BELOW: Police investigate homicide, identify victim in Uptown
Two U.S. citizens who were arrested and charged with assault in Denmark's capital city last month after an altercation with an Uber driver can leave the country after they were detained for two weeks, the family of one of the men said.

Owen Ray.

In a statement Monday, the State Department said it is aware of the situation and is providing the citizens with consular assistance.

A spokesperson for the department said that the citizens' safety is a priority but that no further comment would be given out of respect for their privacy.

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Owen Rays parents identified him as one of the people arrested in Copenhagen in March, saying in a statement Monday that their son and a friend "were the victims of an unprovoked verbal and physical assault by an Uber driver."

They did nothing to instigate the attack," Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray said in the statement.

A spokesperson for Uber said it takes "reports of violence very seriously."

"The driver reported to Uber that he was assaulted by two riders who were later arrested by Danish police," the spokesperson said in a statement that directed additional questions to police.

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On the night of March 31, Ray and a friend ordered an Uber ride to their hotel before they realized they had put in the wrong address, Erin Pelon, a representative for Ray, said Monday. Ray's friend did not wish to be named, Pelon said.

"Once in the car, they realized they had inadvertently selected the wrong hotel and were unable to change the location in the Uber app," Pelon said. "The driver declined to take them to the alternate location, so Owen and his friend exited the Uber and they canceled the ride."

Owen Ray with his mother, Sara Buchen-Ray.

Minutes later, the driver came back and began yelling, demanding to be paid, Pelon said. Ray and his friend told the driver that he would get paid through the app, and that's when the driver exited the car and threatened them, Pelon said. Ray and his friend urged the driver to "call the police because theyd done nothing wrong," Pelon said.

"The Uber driver then assaulted Owen," Pelon said. "A scuffle ensued, culminating in the boys fleeing due to fear. This is all captured via the Ubers dash cam video, which is now part of the legal proceedings in Denmark."

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Ray was detained at the gate when he was about to board a flight.

Copenhagen police said in a statement that the citizens were arrested on the same day and taken in front of a court, where they were charged with common assault.

"They were sentenced to 10 days pre-trial detention," police said. "This verdict has since extended until April 24."

Ray was released from Vestre Prison on Tuesday, Pelon said. In a statement, Ray's parents said they were relieved about his release but were "deeply concerned that Danish authorities have confiscated his passport and will not allow him to return to the United States."

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"The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay," they said.

If they are convicted, the citizens can be fined or imprisoned for up to three years, according to Section 244 of the Danish Criminal Code.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Two college students, both United States citizens, have been released from a Danish jail nearly two weeks after they were detained while visiting Copenhagen on their spring break, police said Monday.

Owen Ray, a 19-year-old studying at Miami University of Ohio, and his unnamed friend were detained at Copenhagen Airport on April 1 over an alleged dispute with an Uber driver the night prior, Jordan Finfer, a U.S.-based attorney for Ray's family, told ABC News.

They were released from jail on Monday, Copenhagen police confirmed to ABC News. They remain in Denmark, with Ray's family saying that Danish authorities took their passports.

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"We are relieved that Owen has been released from a Danish prison following the unprovoked assault he and his friend suffered at the hands of an Uber driver on March 31," his parents, Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, said in a statement. "The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay.

MORE: Judge rules Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported

In an account relayed to Finfer, who then shared the details with ABC News, Ray said he and a friend were in an Uber on March 31 when they realized they had entered the wrong address for their destination -- and the driver allegedly refused to take them anywhere else.

All parties -- Ray, the friend and the Uber driver -- eventually got out of the car, and an altercation then allegedly occurred, Finfer said, based on Ray's account.

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Finfer says Ray told him the driver kicked Ray in the groin, and in response, Ray pushed him away and the driver fell, the attorney recounted, adding that Ray and his friend then ran away.

The two students were detained at Copenhagen Airport the next day while trying to return home, Finfer told ABC News. Local police detained them after deeming them "flight risks," claiming they were planning to run from the incident, he said.

Andy and Sara Buchen-Ray said their son and his friend "did nothing to instigate the attack."

"We urge the Danish authorities to recognize Owen's innocence and release him immediately," they said. "Our family is heartbroken, and we want our son home to celebrate Easter with us this week."

PHOTO: Owen Ray speaks with 'Good Morning America' from Denmark, April 14, 2025. (ABC News)

Copenhagen police said the two students were charged with common assault.

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They were initially sentenced to 10 days pre-trial detention, which was subsequently extended until April 24, a Copenhagen police spokesperson said prior to the students' release.

MORE: University of Alabama graduate student detained by ICE, school says

An Uber spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News on Sunday that the "safety of everyone who uses the Uber app is a top priority, and we take reports of violence very seriously."

"Any additional questions about the investigation should be directed to the Danish police," the statement added.

The U.S. State Department provided a statement on Sunday saying, "We are aware of media reports of two U.S. citizens detained in Denmark. Staff at our embassy in Copenhagen are providing consular assistance," according to Chicago-based ABC affiliate WLS.

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"The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad," it continued. "Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment."

ABC News' Benjamin Siu contributed to this report.

2 college students released from jail in Denmark after alleged altercation with Uber driver originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
CHICAGO  Two people were wounded and at least one car was damaged by gunfire after an overnight shooting near Loyola Universitys campus.

The shooting happened around 2 a.m. Sunday along West Devon Avenue between Magnolia Avenue and North Lakewood Avenue.

According to the Chicago Police Department, a 29-year-old man, who was shot in the hip and torso, was taken to an area hospital in fair condition. A 31-year-old man, who was shot in the abdomen, was taken to the hospital in fair condition.

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A person who was in the area at the time of the shooting told WGN-TV there appeared to be a fight before the shots were fired. Surveillance cameras captured a large group of people running away from the spot where the shooting occurred.

SEE ALSO: 3 injured after being shot in Rogers Park

Many college students and business owners call the area home. Some voiced their concerns about the shooting.

Being so close to campus its so scary, because were always walking up and down this street, sophomore Evelyn Hart said.

An employee of a nearby pizza store was finishing his shift when the shooting outside left his car riddled with bullets.

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It just makes you feel  I dont even know how to describe it  it just feels awful inside, Andrew Johnston said. Thats a family, theres a baby seat in the back. Theyre going to have to cover all of that.

No employees at the store were wounded in the shooting, but the mans colleagues told WGN-TV it is how he gets to and from his job  his livelihood  and will now have to figure out what to do.

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Johnston, who owns Andys Art, Antiques & Oddities, said he is concerned about the impact violence in the area will have on small business owners trying to make a living.

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I worry that it keeps people out of the neighborhood. Its not the first time theres been a shooting in the area, Johnston said.

Several students at Loyola University said they felt uneasy after hearing about the shooting.

Its really concerning, especially not hearing about it til now when it happened last night. Being so close to campus, its so scary, because were always walking up and down this street, sophomore Evelyn Hart said.

Many of the students live in off-campus housing in this neighborhood, immediately nearby the campus. Despite the incident happening so close to the school, they said they did not receive any sort of notification or crime alert from the university.

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We do have a lot of blue lights, like safety precautions on campus, but it is so hard with an open fire shooting like this; its difficult to see what you would do and how you would react. Most people would freeze in those types of situations, sophomore Evelyn Hart said.

No arrests have been made in the shooting.

Area Three Detectives were also spotted at the scene Sunday, continuing their 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 WGN-TV.
A curtain of clouds sets off the Statehouse dome in Topeka on April 10, 2025, the first day of veto session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Statehouse scraps

Opinion editor Clay Wirestones weekly roundup of legislative flotsam and jetsam. Read the archive.

When do you call failure success?

When you have a supermajority of Republicans in the Kansas Legislature.

Whatever else you might have heard about the 2025 session, it was a disastrous bellyflop into a swimming pool full of curdled milk. Lawmakers wrapped up their work on Friday, leaving the state crueler, sicker, poorer and weaker. A bill mugging transgender kids made it into law. So did a bill promising tax cuts but threatening fiscal ruin. Public health officials power to fight illness was restricted. Special education students were left out to dry.

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It was, as I just wrote, a nauseating catastrophe.

But its just what Republicans wanted. Boasting strengthened supermajorities in their respective chambers, House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson rode roughshod over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly during the two-day veto session. Few backbench Republicans dared speak up or challenge leadership.

On the House side, members apparently met in secret nearly every day, giving and taking marching orders. Committees heard precious little actual debate. Bills speeded through and landed on the floor, where they passed with scant discussion. Meanwhile, the whole affair wrapped up in the middle of April, leaving little time for serious consideration or compromise.

You might expect Democrats to raise holy heck about this state of affairs, and some did. But others tried to model reasonableness, while their opponents modeled radicalism.

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Since returning to Kansas in the summer of 2016, Ive endured nine sessions of the Kansas Legislature. Never have I witnessed such a disconnect between what was actually achieved and what members believed they had done. Republican lawmakers gloried in their wins.

Everyone else was left in their dust, fearing what might come next.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab chairs a meeting of the State Board of Canvassers on Dec. 2, 2024, as it certifies the results of the 2024 General Election. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

Schwab roasts Masterson

You could witness a hint of unrest, however, in Secretary of State Scott Schwabs emergent campaign for governor.

The Republican announced early this year, and he could well face Masterson in the Republican primary. He blasted out a press release Friday that should leave the Senate president at least a bit concerned.

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Leadership repeatedly assured voters that cutting property taxes would be one of the first bills out of the chute in 2025, the release reads. Kansans would receive a reprieve, and taxes would be kept in check. But when it came time to lead, both the governor and leadership came up short. Instead of giving Kansans a break, they gave them a bill backed by Senate leadership. The result? A paltry $25.88 tax break signed by the governor for someone owning a $150,000 home. Not enough to fill the gas tank or have the lawn mowed, let alone make life more affordable for families or seniors on fixed incomes.

Let the man cook.

He continued, later in the release: Kansans expected better. Kansans expected leadership that would address runaway property tax increases, arrest out-of-control valuations, and restore confidence that they can afford the homes they live in  not rent them from the government.

Kansas Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, enters a hearing room on April 9, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Final batch of questions

Ive started asking questions aplenty in my Statehouse scraps columns this year, both for my own amusement and to cover further ground. Heres what came to mind over veto session.

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Have Republicans finally lost their fear of being blamed for a Gov. Sam Brownback-styled fiscal disaster? Or have they just forgotten?

After all the drama surrounding Rep. Ford Carrs disciplinary hearings, isnt it interesting how the whole situation seemed to fade away once the panel had to settle on doing something?

Will Statehouse Democrats recalibrate before next session? If they have so little legislative power, what do they have to lose by attacking Republicans with a bit more glee?

Will Kelly call a special session of April revenue estimates come in under expectations? How much with leadership bellyache if she does so?

How on earth could next session be worse than this one? I ask a version of this question every year, and the Legislature seldom disappoints me. Still, how?

A CLOSED MEETING sign rests outside the Old Supreme Court on the third floor of the Kansas Statehouse last month. The House GOP caucus was meeting within. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Secret secrets

Hawkins never allowed journalists back into the press box on the House floor. Despite our coverage, and despite the many reporters just doing their jobs at the Statehouse, the speaker decided to put his animus toward facts ahead of serving the public.

Over in the Senate, Masterson continued a similar policy unfurled in 2022. More than three years on, he appears to have paid no price for limiting access.

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Meanwhile, House Republicans met secretly. Reporters were ejected from caucus meetings on multiple occasions, all for the simple act of trying to inform members of the public about what their representatives were doing.

You might like what the 2025 Kansas Legislature did. You might, as I do, detest it.

At the very least, lawmakers and their leaders should have the courage to do it in the sunlight.

With this column, Statehouse scraps wraps its 2025 run. It will resume when the Kansas Legislature does, in January 2026.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Potentially 15 school districts and charter schools will no longer be reimbursed for projects paid for with federal COVID relief funds, impacting around $20 million in funding for Indiana schools, after the federal government rescinded a deadline extension.

Newly appointed federal education secretary, Linda McMahon, sent a letter to state education leaders on March 28 alerting them that federal aid sent to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic to help kids return safely to schools and recoup learning loss, could no longer be reimbursed.

Schools had until the end of last year to spend the remaining funds, also known as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER), which most schools in Indiana did but some districts sought an extension.

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McMahon is rescinding that extension, saying in the letter that districts had ample time to liquidate obligations.

More impacts from federal govt: How USDA's budget cuts will affect Indiana food banks and school food programs

Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Departments priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion, the letter said.

After receiving that letter, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) told IndyStar that they identified 15 school districts that could be impacted by McMahons rescinding of funds.

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Those schools include:

Anderson Community School Corporation

Aspire Charter Academy

Gary Lighthouse Charter School

Lake Ridge New Tech Schools

Marion Community Schools

North Knox School Corporation

Paramount Brookside

Richmond Community Schools

Salem Community Schools

School City of East Chicago

South Bend Community School Corporation

Southwestern-Jefferson County Consolidated School Corporation

Thea Bowman Leadership Academy

Vigo County School Corporation

Zionsville Community Schools

The IDOE also said schools can work with them to determine the status of their funds and next steps.

McMahon does state in her letter that extensions could be granted on a case-by-case basis but the school must show how the particular project is necessary to mitigate the effects of COVID on American students education, and why the department should grant the extension.

How this is impacting Indiana schools

Overall Indiana saw about $2.9 billion in aid packages sent from the federal government to help schools return to in-person learning and to catch students up after COVID-19 disrupted learning for months.

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The approximately $20 million that districts were hoping to be reimbursed for has now been put in jeopardy forcing some districts to look at other buckets of funding.

South Bend Community School Corporations chief financial officer, Ahnaf Tahmid, said the district had approximately $1.5 million left, paying for expenditures like instructional professional services and HVAC systems in schools around the district.

In a presentation at a South Bend school board meeting on Feb. 9, Tahmid and his team said the district paid more than 500 vendors from the COVID fund for instructional and district programs in the grant's four-year duration.

The district plans to submit a list of its ongoing projects to IDOE and request more time, but, Tahmid said, if the extension isn't granted, the district will have to pay the $1.5 million balance from its general fund.

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The change from the Department of Education may be difficult for districts that had budgeted for a longer liquidation period, he said, but in the case of the South Bend district, he's not too concerned.

"I don't see anything alarming at this time, because we were anyway planning to liquidate that as early as possible," Tahmid said. "Maybe we would have done that by March and maybe by April or May  I mean, we wouldn't have waited until December, anyway, so that's not a big alarming thing for us for now."

Zionsville Community Schools said they are waiting to hear back from the state on being reimbursed for $13,000 that has already been spent on student support.

Paramount Brookside, an Indianapolis charter school, told IndyStar that they had $65,000 in outstanding funds but currently had no plan to recoup those dollars.

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Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Rayleigh Deaton at rdeaton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana schools may lose $20M in COVID aid after deadline pulled
WARNING: Some readers may find the description below graphic. Reader discretion is advised.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The driver of a Jeep Commander that crashed into two Dayton homes has died.

In an update from the Dayton Police Department, the 23-year-old behind the wheel of the Commander succumbed to injuries from the crash.

The Montgomery County Coroners Office reported that the driver was known as Ricky McCloud.

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On April 1, two vehicles were drag racing along westbound Xenia Avenue. Both vehicles were driving at speeds north of 100 miles per hour.

When the Commander was bumped by a Hyundai Sonata, the impact sent the Commander into two homes. The driver was taken to an area hospital and listed in critical condition.

The woman who was in the second home struck by the Commander has serious injuries, but is expected to survive. During the crash, her arm was impaled by the Commander, which trapped her against a wall in her home.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
United Against Poverty is planning to bring an exciting new experience to Central Orlando by introducing several refrigerated trucks filled with low-cost food to Paramore Avenue, providing nutrition to those who need it.

The mobile grocery program is presently in its pilot phase. While the trucks will mainly operate in Parramore in December, plans for 2025 include expanding routes to cover Pine Hills, with ongoing discussions about extending service to Bithlo.

The refrigerated truck will help us reach out to communities and change the lives of financially struggling families, many without reliable transportation to get to and from grocery stores, said UP Orlando Executive Director Anjali Vaya.

The program will bring fresh and shelf-stable food to area USDA-designated food deserts.

This initiative is supported by a $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation.

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UAP provides affordable groceries to approximately 650 individuals each day. Despite this, many low-income families face difficulties accessing the center or other grocery stores because of transportation issues.

The new truck will make its debut on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 9 am at the UP Orlando campus, located at 150 West Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32806.

The truck is set to deliver food to the on-site Member Share Grocery Center, which serves low-income individuals and families.

In the past, UP Orlando utilized an older truck for outbound trips to deliver groceries and supplies- including diapers and other hygiene and household items- to residents in the downtown Parramore area, with assistance from District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose.

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UP Orlando is now seeking collaboration with local government, businesses, and individuals, alongside the Florida Blue Foundation, to enhance this initiative and address the increasing needs throughout Central Florida.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)  Three former East Cleveland police officers were sentenced Monday afternoon for corruption-related crimes that happened from 2020-2023.

East Cleveland community members spoke out during the sentencing of former East Cleveland Commander Larry McDonald Monday morning.

Chardon man sentenced in ambulance crash that killed patient

Back in January, McDonald was found guilty by a jury on charges of tampering with evidence, obstructing official business, and dereliction of duty, among others.

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Prosecutors said in March of 2023, McDonald was pursuing a motorist when the motorists car crashed in Cleveland. Evidence showed McDonald left and didnt report the incident to dispatch.

In the end, McDonald was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after a judge sentenced him to four years in prison.

There were a lot of people afraid of this officer, a resident said.

Next up, former East Cleveland sergeant Anthony Holmes.

Investigation into fire at popular Mexican restaurant Kaballos Mexican Kitchen & Bar in Middlefield

In 2024, a jury found Holmes guilty of tampering with records, fraud, interfering with civil rights and dereliction of duty. The charges stem from a police pursuit last year.

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Prosecutors said Holmes struck the victims vehicle and told another officer to say the victim had struck his vehicle. In the end, a judge sentenced Holmes to one year in prison.

Last, former East Cleveland police detective Ian McInnes.

Last year, McInnis was found guilty of felonious assault, assault, interfering with civil rights and dereliction of duty. Prosecutors said McInnis was involved with three different cases of assault during arrests.

Massillon man hit by SUV, killed in Canton: Police

In the end, McInnis was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

A fourth East Cleveland officer, John Hartman, was supposed to be sentenced Monday as well. However, Hartmans sentencing was continued to a later date.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
HINESVILLE, Ga. (WSAV)  Diners at a popular Hinesville restaurant experienced a chaotic moment when a utility vehicle struck the building, injuring two customers and a passenger during lunch time.

According to a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Trooper, a utility vehicle carrying ladders and work equipment traveled westbound on East Oglethorpe highway shortly after 12:30 p.m. when the right front tire blew out. This caused the driver to veer into the parking lot of the World Of Beer restaurant, where he struck a parked vehicle before hitting the building, injuring two customers.

The trooper added that the two injured were complaining of back pain. The passenger in the utility truck was hurt when a ladder placed in the rear of the vehicle smashed through the rear window, hitting the passenger in the head.

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GSP said the driver will be cited for traveling with an unsecured load. Those injured were transported to a nearby medical 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 WSAV-TV.
In December, when I was cleaning out 30 years worth of notebooks, folders and clippings from my desk at WDIV-TV (Channel 4), I realized there were quite a few stories I never got around to completing. Not surprising, really  Im constantly jotting down ideas and scribbling in notebooks.

Most of those ideas will never make it across the finish line. But if I had one regret, as I filled several huge boxes with three decades of work, it surrounds a guy who is waking up behind bars at the Saginaw Correction Facility this morning, just as he has every day for the last 14 years.

Mario Willis, now 43, is still in prison, and it still haunts me.

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Willis was convicted of second-degree murder and arson in a 2008 fire that killed a Detroit firefighter. But to me and many others, its never made much sense.

Maybe its the exuberance I felt at having just the smallest role in helping free Ray Gray. One of Michigans longest serving inmates, Gray walked out of prison in 2021 after 48 years of pleading his innocence in the murder of a Detroit drug dealer. And with Marios case, here I was again, just a bit player behind the deep and dedicated work of people like Bill Proctor, the former WXYZ reporter, Eddie B. Allen Jr. at the Metro Times, and, most tenacious of all, Marios mother Maxine.

Her Farmington Hills basement is the most insanely organized and detailed evidence room you can imagine, towering testimony of a mothers love, faith and hope for her son.

Maybe I thought my stories on Local 4 could add just enough weight to the scales of justice to tip them to righteousness in what, to me, seemed an obvious miscarriage of justice. But my reporting on the case turned out to be no more persuasive than the tireless work already applied by Bill, Eddie and Maxine.

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But there is now a sliver of light at the very far end of the tunnel, and a hearing tomorrow will determine whether that light brightens or remains hazy and distant.

Devin Scillian and Maxine Willis, Mario Willis' mother, speak to Mario Willis by telephone in 2023, as Scillian, then an anchor at WDIV-TV, reported a story about Mario, who has spent 14 years behind bars. His family says is innocent.

More from Devin Scillian: I'm mystified by the blind allegiance of Trump supporters

A horrendous tragedy

First, the facts.

And they are devastatingly sad because the November 15, 2008 incident at the center of the Mario Willis odyssey took the life of Walter Harris, a deeply loved and respected Detroit firefighter.

Harris was killed trying to put out the hot spots from the blaze that had engulfed an empty house owned by Willis then girlfriend.

Rightfully, when we lose a first responder in the line of duty, in this case an immensely popular veteran of the force and a father of six, the investigation must be rigorous and thorough. And you can understand the desire to have someone pay for a loss so profound. Also, lets face it, there was a time in Detroit when it would be more surprising if a fire in an empty building wasnt arson.

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But here, the case never made any sense.

Mario Willis and his then-girlfriend, now his wife, owned several properties, and often hired a handyman named Darian Dove.

In a 2014 affidavit, Dove described what happened that fateful night.

He had taken a woman to the empty house on East Kirby for a late night rendezvous. And to keep warm, he had lit a small fire using gasoline and some wood. But, Dove said, the plastic gas can was too close to the fire. It ignited, and the fire quickly raced out of control. He called 911, and shortly thereafter a collapsing roof sent Harris to his death.

There it is. On the face of it, a terrible accident with a horrendous consequence.

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But thats not the story jurors heard.

More from Freep Opinion: How much of Project 2025 has been implemented? Enough to break us beyond repair.

A shifting story

I cant get around the sticky part of the story, which is the fact that Dove changed his version of events several times.

Who knows why?

Dove would eventually say that his interrogators told him he might be forgiven for the fire if he said he was paid by Mario to set it. He says he gave in to that promise, and ended up telling investigators that Mario had paid him $20 to burn the place down. And thats the version jurors heard.

Dove would later return to his original story, that it was a horrible accident, that Mario had nothing to do with the fire, but by then it had cost them both dearly. (Dove is serving a sentence for second-degree murder for his role in whatever happened that night.)

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In 2010, a jury sided with the arson theory presented by the prosecution, and Mario, a bright and promising young Detroiter with just parking tickets on his record, was sent to prison.

But there are problems that destroy the very foundation of the prosecutions theory.

A case that never made sense

First, its a strange scenario indeed when a supposed arsonist calls the fire department. I dont think Ive ever heard of that happening.

Second, and painfully, a fact never fully explained to the jury, Mario did not have fire insurance of his own on the property. He stood to gain absolutely nothing by setting it ablaze. A premeditated crime relies on motive, and here, there is absolutely none. (He owned four other properties that were insured against fire; they wouldve been far better candidates for an attempt at insurance fraud.)

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What the jury did hear from Detroit Fire Department arson investigator Rance Dixon was that the fire couldnt have been accidental because there was no one inside the house to cause it. (This must have been a surprise to Dove.)

Dixon also testified that his review of the burn pattern evidence pointed to gasoline being poured on the walls to intentionally set the fire.

But a new review of the evidence by a Grand Rapids arson investigation specialist sees Doves original claim as the much more reliable version of events.

In a 36-page review, Marc Fennell of MDF Forensics claims jurors were misled by the DFDs flawed narrative. His conclusion?

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No investigator could credibly conclude this fire was arson, based on the evidence available to the States investigator at trial. This is as true today as it was at the time of Mr. Williss 2010 trial.

A new hope

Its the very kind of authoritative finding that Mario and Maxine have longed for.

In January, they presented it as evidence that Mario deserves exoneration at best, a new trial at worst. Adding to the momentum is a new ally for Marios cause in the form of Detroit Police Commissioner Cedric Banks, who has urged a new look at the facts, like those presented by Fennell.

At tomorrows hearing in circuit court, the Wayne County Prosecutors office is expected to argue that they need another three months to respond to a filing theyve already had for two and a half. (If you need an indication of the prosecutors view of the appeal, their filing refers to Fennell as an alleged fire investigation expert.)

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The prosecutors office argues that they need to hire their own arson investigator to review Fennells findings. This is interesting, because it suggests that they feel they need more than the evidence they presented at trial using DFDs own arson experts. As Bill Proctor asked me, Why isnt that enough now? (Among the Detroit Fire Departments team of experts is Charles Simms, current DFD Fire Commissioner  and a former investigator who happens to be the one who interrogated Mario those many years ago. Simms has declined requests for an interview from me and the Metro Times' Eddie Allen.)

Now, I get it. Its really difficult for any prosecutor to find fault with the way their office managed a previous case. But the existence of conviction integrity units isnt just for show. Mistakes are made. Ray Gray can tell you all about that.

The deeper mistake is letting it go uncorrected. Can I wait another three months to extinguish the regret that remains from the story I cant stop thinking about?

Of course I can. But Im not sitting in a Saginaw cell.

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Devin Scillian is a veteran journalist, author and former Detroit news anchor, serving Detroit viewers for 30 years on WDIV-TV (Channel 4). Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print.

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: After 30 years in Detroit journalism, this story haunts me | Opinion
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

A somewhat obscure federal program designed to reduce drug prices for health providers is getting scrutiny from lawmakers this year, with many questioning whether those savings are being used effectively for underserved patients.

As designed, the 340B program requires participating manufacturers to sell discounted drugs to providers seeing low-income and underserved populations. Between 2005 and 2023, the programs total drug purchases grew from $2.4 billion to $66.3 billion  with the explosive growth exposing a rift between the pharmaceutical companies supplying the discounts and the hospitals receiving them.

Sen. Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, rolls up paperwork while listening to colleagues speak about his bill on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

In response, state legislators are considering a bill to establish reporting requirements on qualified 340B entities, with a special focus on the dozens of hospitals accessing low-priced medications.

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Transparency has been kind of a key word for everything weve done this session  for the last couple of sessions  and this is focusing a light, said Sen. Ed Charbonneau, who authored the proposal. Whats going on is legal, but it is far askance from the purpose of what the whole thing was  to provide low-cost medications to the indigent people needing help.

Senators opted not to concur with House amendments, sending Senate Bill 118 to a conference committee to finalize negotiations. But the latest version would require certain health providers under the program report: aggregate drug acquisition costs and payments, pharmacy dispensing payments, claims, how 340B savings were used, patient makeup and more.

But for some of the small hospitals using the program, every dollar saved is vital to continue their services.

We dont have the economies of scale that larger tertiary centers have. We have to make do with very little oftentimes, said Brenda Reetz, the CEO of the Greene County General Hospital. The cuts are getting deep enough now that its going to be bordering on  not just cutting service lines but, Can we even stay open?

Criticisms of the program

In committee testimony, much of the programs criticism can be summarized by William S. Smith, a senior fellow overseeing life science initiatives at the Pioneer Institute think tank in Boston.

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Smith presented roughly 15 slides before both Senate and House committees in January and March describing how hospitals, clinics and pharmacies can acquire medications at a deep, deep discount and then bill private insurers the full price  keeping the difference in a practice known as arbitrage.

Arbitrage drives this and that creates all sorts of bad incentives for the program because hospitals have every reason to bring in fully insured patients and not to treat uninsured patients, Smith told senators in January.

As evidence of this practice, Smith pointed to the opening of contract pharmacies affiliated with 340B entities in wealthy communities with high rates of private insurance.

The use of the 340B program has skyrocketed, as seen in this chart from KFF.

Jeff Bezos could walk into a 340B pharmacy and get a 340B drug, Smith said. It should be targeted for low-income patients or uninsured patients, in my view.

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An Indiana one-pager from Pioneer concludes that more than half of these contract pharmacies are in affluent neighborhoods, dispensing drugs on behalf of 340B entities. Some of the states largest nonprofit hospitals use contract pharmacies based in California and Hawaii, a point of contention for Pioneer.

Additionally, Smith criticized a decline in reported charity care. Lawmakers have amended the bill to exclude reporting requirements for 340 entities like Health Resources and Services Administration clinics. Programs under that umbrella include programs like the Damien Centers services for Hoosiers with HIV or the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center.

Such clinics testified that they are already subject to stricter reporting requirements and auditing than hospitals.

I think clinics are different than hospitals. The clinics, generally, run things better. Theyre audited on their charity care, Smith said.  and some hospitals are under-reimbursed by Medicaid and they really depend on 340B. Thats why I like (Senate Bill 118) because it doesnt undercut the program. It just says, Whats going on? How much money are you making?

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Before House lawmakers in March, Smith doubled down, targeting larger hospital systems for additional scrutiny.

Theyre cutting back on their charity care and  collecting tens of millions of dollars in revenue from 340B. Id like to find out which hospitals are doing the right thing and which ones are not and a little transparency would help, Smith said.

Such concerns have reached Gov. Mike Braun as well, who issued an executive order in January ordering Health and Family Services Secretary Gloria Sachdev to examine the program and determine what oversight the state could pursue. Such a review is set to be finalized by the end of October.

Response from hospitals

Pushing back, hospitals said the savings from 340B werent ever meant to go directly to patients  something Smith also said. But rather, hospital administrator said, it offsets other programming.

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If we focused on charity care, it suggests that our savings should be solely used to support charity care versus stretching scarce resources, said Dawn Moore, a vice president and chief pharmacy officer with Community Health Network testifying on behalf of the Indiana Hospital Association.

Moore additionally noted that charity care only considered services that were billed and then written off, leaving out free clinics, patient navigation services and more. 340B savings were generated when billing a private insurer, since the program cant be applied to medications under Medicaid  hence why contract pharmacies may not be located in low-income areas.

We set up or provide services all throughout. However, because we generate a savings from locations where we have commercially insured patients, we take those savings and reinvest them where theyre needed, Moore said.

Reetz, with the Greene County hospital, estimated that her hospital got roughly $500,000 in benefits from 340B but spent nearly half of that on self-auditing and administration. Though comparatively small, having that cushion allowed her system to keep its obstetrics and gynecology service lines open as well as cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

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We are one of the few rural communities that still has full OB services  Its very costly to keep an OB department open and we have chosen to do that because, for us, it would be over an hour away for most of our community members to travel to deliver a baby, said Reetz. Within the last couple of weeks, we had a person come in that did not plan to deliver at our hospital but the baby was coming right now.

It was a complicated pregnancy and had she not been able to have an emergency (caesarean) section right then and there, the baby would have most definitely not made it. And most likely the mom too, Reetz continued.

Additional reporting requirements could eat into that money recouped from 340B, Reetz worried, on top of the other reporting and transparency requirements imposed on hospitals. Unlike other programs, no tax dollars are spent under the 340B program.

I dont necessarily get why theyre trying to push for more transparency, because I believe its already as transparent as we can possibly be with it. It is just going to further dip into how much we actually are able to benefit from the program by making the administration of it even more costly, Reetz said.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The Tampa Police Department said it arrested four people who were riding bicycles recklessly in downtown Tampa on Sunday.

A video from Tampa police showed several bikers narrowly missing walkers as they performed wheelies on Tampas Riverwalk.

While many tried to flee, four suspects were quickly arrested. A firearm was also recovered from one of the suspects, Tampa police posted on Facebook.

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Polk County woman runs over estranged husbands new girlfriend, deputies say

Officers did not release the identities of the people arrested.

Our officers continue to show why theyre the best at what they do, but community support is key! Lets keep working together to keep our streets safe, Tampa police said.

If you see people riding recklessly, report it by calling 911 for emergencies or using the non-emergency line at 813-231-6130.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(FOX 5/KUSI)  A 5.2 magnitude earthquake shook Southern California at 10:08 a.m. Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quakes epicenter was around two miles south of the community of Julian, about 60 miles east of San Diego. The quake struck at a depth of about 8 miles, the USGS said.

A series of aftershocks shook the region in the hours after, with some stronger than magnitude 3.0.

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The National Weather Service said a tsunami was not expected along the California coast.

Pat Abbott, a geology professor at San Diego State University, said to FOX 5/KUSI that the quakes magnitude may not result in deaths or serious injuries, and that the area should be fortunate that the rainy season was drier than normal because of the lower risk of rock and mudslides.

The April 14 earthquake struck about 60 miles east of San Diego, near the community of Julian.

Abbott said that it appears the quake struck along the Elsinore Fault zone, adding, Its geologically expected movement on a fault that we know a lot about.

Governor Gavin Newsoms office said that he had been briefed on the earthquake and that state authorities were working with local governments to determine if any damages were caused and what emergency response is needed.

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More earthquake news and resources:

 This is how to prepare for and respond to an earthquake

 These California faults are of top concern to seismologists

 Which California landmarks are at risk from a massive earthquake?

 Californias largest earthquakes of the 21st century

Metrolink, a passenger train service between Los Angeles and San Diego, said it had closed its tracks between Orange County and San Diego County for inspections.

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The city of San Diego said it had closed its administration building for the day as a precaution, forcing the city council to move a previously scheduled meeting to another location.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Public water systems add fluoride to drinking water to help strengthen teeth. This is considered one of the great public health achievements, credited as a major factor in the decline in tooth decay in the second half of the 20th century, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is asking the CDC to change its recommendation on adding fluoride to drinking water.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

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Kennedy has called the mineral industrial waste and alleges that consuming it can lead to bone fractures and neurodevelopmental disorders. These risks outweigh the benefits, he claims.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association support continued fluoridation of water. As of Dec. 31, 2022, more than 62 percent of Americans were receiving water with added fluoride.

Scott Tomar, a professor and associate dean at the University of Illinois at Chicagos College of Dentistry and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association, said water fluoridation is a safe, cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay.

It is actually one of incredibly few public health measures that not only prevents disease but actually saves money, Tomar said.

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The Washington Post asked Tomar and other oral health experts about fluorides effect on dental health. Heres what they said.

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Fluoride protects our teeth and gums

A hard covering called enamel - made mostly of calcium and phosphorus - protects our teeth from damage. Enamel can be eroded by such things as acid from bacteria that break down sugar in the foods and drinks we consume; wear and tear; teeth grinding; certain medications; and some illnesses.

Fluoride is a mineral. In young children, it can help make teeth stronger and more resistant to decay, Tomar said. Once teeth are fully formed, fluoride can bind with the calcium and phosphate on the surface of teeth to form a stronger enamel, he said. Fluoride strengthens teeth by replacing the minerals lost from wear and tear on the enamel, and can protect against dental plaque, which leads to gum disease.

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Early in life, fluoride can provide some benefits in tooth development, said Steven Levy, an endowed professor of research at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics. But a lot of the benefit from the mineral comes from bathing the outside of the tooth and strengthening it to resist cavities, said Levy, who also serves on the ADAs National Fluoride Advisory Committee.

Excessive amounts of fluoride, though, may increase the risk of problems. For example, in young children, too much of the mineral over a long period of time during tooth development may lead to fluorosis. White spots may form on the enamel, a cosmetic condition that is usually mild in the United States, according to the CDC.

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Fluoride amount in drinking water is safe

The CDC recommends that community water supplies have fluoride at a concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter, which maximizes fluorides oral health benefits while minimizing potential harms, such as dental fluorosis.

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An earlier level, set in 1962, was a range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter. The federal government updated its guidelines in 2015 to recommend 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter. States and local governments decide whether to add fluoride to municipal water systems.

Gary Slade, the John W. Stamm distinguished professor of dentistry at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, said the fluoridation of drinking water has been studied for more than a century, and we know the right amount to use to make it safe and make it effective.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance; its the 13th-most-common element in the Earths crust, Slade said. We have a century of research to know the right amount.

He said that we need to always be vigilant about fluoride and the concerns about the minerals effects on young, developing children.

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But the studies to date do not give any reason for concern about 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is the concentration we use in drinking water in the United States, Slade said.

- - -

Fluoridated toothpaste is not a substitute

The federal governments updated recommendation for 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter reflected the prevalence of other sources of fluoride, including toothpaste and mouthwash, the Department of Health and Human Services said in 2015.

A review of the research by Cochrane Library, considered a gold standard in reviewing evidence-based medical research, determined that water fluoridation may have a smaller benefit for teeth nowadays, given the use of fluoridated toothpaste and other products. Still, one author of the review has said the conclusion shouldnt be used to justify removing fluoride from public water systems.

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Fluoridated toothpaste is not a substitute for fluoridated water, Slade said. Water with fluoride provides an additive, not a redundant, protection for teeth, he said.

Slade was a co-author of a 2018 study of more than 10,000 children in the United States that found fluoridated water had a preventive benefit against tooth decay.

Nowadays, toothpaste and mouthwash contain added fluoride at concentrations 1,000 times higher than the levels in drinking water, Tomar said. Community water fluoridation provides a very, very low level of fluoride throughout the day, he said.

People can also get topical fluoride treatments when they go to the dentist. However, usually, youre only getting the fluoride in the [dental] office once or twice a year, Levy said. Thats why public health officials have recommended people do all three: drink fluoridated water, brush their teeth twice a day and go to the dentist regularly, he said.

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- - -

Fluoridated water benefits people of all ages

Tooth decay is a chronic disease, Slade said. Cavities develop again and again, into adulthood, and they can lead to a lifetime of toothaches.

But water fluoridation is one of the cost-saving treatments in dentistry, Levy said. It costs about a dollar per person per year, for most water systems, and its been estimated to save $20 per person per year in costs of cavities and tooth decay, he said.

And another thing is that you dont have to have the time and the energy and the resources of going to the dentist to be able to benefit, Levy said. Its the most cost-effective and the only cost-savings way to really prevent cavities on a large-group basis.

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Fluoridation of drinking water has the greatest effect in low-income communities, where families have less access to healthy food options, dental care or other forms of fluoride, Tomar said.

We still run into many kids that tell us they dont have toothpaste in the house, he said. Those will be the families most heavily hit when we stop fluoridation.

- - -

The risks of high levels of fluoride

Some communities have voted against fluoridation, and last month, Utah became the first state to prohibit adding the mineral to public water systems over concerns about harms to childrens health.

Last year, a report from the federal governments National Toxicology Program concluded that relatively high levels of fluoride - more than 1.5 milligrams per liter, which is more than twice the amount found in the U.S. - are associated with slightly lower IQ in children.

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Kyla Taylor, a health scientist in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Division of Translational Toxicology and a co-author of the report, said in an email that theres concern pregnant women and children are getting fluoride from many sources nowadays, including drinking water, water-added foods and beverages, teas, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash.

Pregnant women and parents of small children should be mindful of TOTAL fluoride intake, Taylor said. If their water is fluoridated at high levels, people may wish to replace tap water with low-fluoride bottled water, like purified water, and limit exposure from other sources such as dental products or black tea.

Tomar said almost all of the evidence in the review comes from countries such as China, India and Iran that have very high levels of fluoride in their drinking water.

It really has no relevance to the levels of exposure that we have in the United States, he said. The preponderance of evidence suggests no association between fluoride exposure and any measure of brain development in kids at the levels that we use in fluoridation.

At very high levels of exposure, fluoride can lead to higher rates of bone fractures, Levy said. But he conducted a study of fluoride intake that measured bone density in early age and found no meaningful relationship between fluoride intake in the United States and bone health.

The best evidence shows that there are not concerns with bone health or with neurodevelopment that warrant us not continuing to fluoridate, he said.

- - -

Fenit Nirappil and Dan Diamond contributed to this report.



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The Smithsonian could be the beginning of Trumps plan to edit history. Or the end.
President Trumps feud with CBS is reaching a fever pitch as his administration turns up the heat on the national broadcast network stemming from a 60 Minutes interview it aired with former Vice President Kamala Harris before the presidential election last fall.

Here are five things to know about the Trump and CBS fight.

Trump is convinced CBS intentionally portrayed Harris positively before election

CBS ignited Trumps fury with an interview it aired in October just weeks before the presidential election with the Democratic nominee.

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The network said it invited Trump to sit for a similar interview, but he declined, citing what his campaign said was a long history of hostility by the Sunday evening news magazine program toward Trump and his policies.

After the Harris interview aired, Trump raised issue with an answer the then-vice president gave to a question about the war in Gaza that was not included in the full broadcast and instead published by the outlet online.

The president and his allies contended the network intentionally edited the interview to make Harris seem more coherent and cast her in a positive light, a decision they said amounted to election interference.

It is standard practice for news outlets to edit segments for length, clarity and news value, though the network did not explain why one version of Harriss answer on Gaza appeared on air while a fuller version went only online.

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The network eventually released a full transcript of the interview after an intense pressure campaign by Trump and his allies.

The Interview was not doctored; and 60 Minutes did not hide any part of the Vice Presidents answer to the question at issue, a spokesperson for the network said at the time. 60 Minutes fairly presented the Interview to inform the viewing audience, and not to mislead it.

But Trump has made it clear he was not satisfied with that explanation.

Trump sued CBS over Harris interview

Less than a week before Election Day, Trumps lawyers hit CBS News with a lawsuit over the 60 Minutes episode, seeking $20 billion in damages as part of the litigation filed in U.S. district court in the Northern District of Texas.

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The presidents attorneys alleged the network engaged in partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion.

To paper over Kamalas word salad weakness, CBS used its national platform on 60 Minutes to cross the line from the exercise of judgment in reporting to deceitful, deceptive manipulation of news, the lawsuit read.

Legal observers have pointed to the fact that the suit was filed in a district that has become an attractive forum for Republican-led lawsuits challenging Biden administration actions.

CBS News in a statement said the lawsuit brought by Trump is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against it.

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Last month, CBSs parent company Paramount Global filed a pair of motions asking the Texas judge overseeing the case to dismiss the presidents lawsuit, calling it an affront to the First Amendment that is without basis in law or fact.

A ruling on those motions is not expected until the end of May.

CBS broadcast license under threat by Trumps FCC

Trump ratcheted up his criticism of CBS over the weekend after watching Sundays edition of 60 Minutes, which aired a number of segments critical of his administration.

They are not a News Show, but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as News, and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing, Trump wrote on his Truth Social website on Sunday evening. They should lose their license.

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The president went a step further, suggesting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr impose the maximum fines and punishment, which is substantial, for their unlawful and illegal behavior.

Carr has repeatedly attacked mainstream news outlets and major tech companies, which he says have worked to undermine the president and conservatives for years.

The FCC chair has also sparked concerns about the federal agencys independence with investigations he has launched into news networks over their diversity practices and promises to increase scrutiny on public broadcasters over their editorial bend and federal funding.

CBS did not respond to a request for comment on Trumps threat against the networks broadcast license on Sunday evening.

CBS parent company pushing for mega-merger

Complicating matters for CBS is the major merger its parent company, Hollywood behemoth Paramount Global, is attempting to strike with Skydance Media.

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Skydance is a growing movie and media brand led by mogul David Ellison, the son of tech tycoon Larry Ellison  the founder of Oracle and one of the worlds richest people.

Larry Ellison has been at several public White House events with Trump during the first 100 days of his term along with other tech leaders and has spoken glowingly about his administrations posture toward big business.

Oracle is the cloud computing provider in the U.S. for TikTok, for which Trump is currently trying to find an American buyer.

The Paramount-Skydance merger, for which Ellison personally put up more than $7 billion, will have to clear government regulators before it can cross the finish line, so both current Paramount Chair Shari Redstone and Ellison have incentive to stay out of Trumps crosshairs.

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His lawsuit against CBS News aside, Trump similarly knows he can make life difficult for Paramount using the power of the executive branch to put up regulatory blocks to a deal the media company has been working toward for years.

Chatter of a settlement continues to swirl

Rumors of a settlement between Paramount and the president have been circulating in media and political circles for months.

That chatter was driven into overdrive late last year when ABC News, one of CBSs largest competitors and another frequent media target for the president, agreed to pay $15 million to the Trump Foundation to settle a separate defamation claim.

That case involved ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, who falsely said Trump has been charged with rape, which led to a retraction and apology by the Disney-owned network along with a settlement check.

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But many saw ABCs move to avoid a potentially embarrassing court fight with Trump as a capitulation to his strong-arm posture toward broadcast media outlets.

Some say ABCs settlement could open the door to more lawsuits and threats against media companies from his administration.

The New York Times reported last week lawyers for Trump and Paramount are poised to begin mediation in the coming days and noted rumors of a settlement have roiled some employees at CBS News.

Trump, meanwhile, has made it clear he wishes to see the network punished or publicly humiliated over its coverage of him beyond just the Harris interview last fall.

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CBS is out of control, at levels never seen before, the president wrote in his Truth Social post. And they should pay a big price for this.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment have won the U.S. Armys Best Ranger Competition, once again.

The winners were announced in a ceremony at the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning Sunday night. Team 44, comprising U.S. Army soldiers 1st Lt. Kevin Moore and 1st Lt. Griffin Hokanson came out on top. In fact, the Ranger duo was consistently at the top across the competition.

The three-day-challenge, held at the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning in Georgia, pitted 52 teams from units across the Army (including the Army National Guard) against each other in several competitions. Starting Friday, April 11 and wrapping up Sunday morning, the teams of two were put through the wringer in challenges ranging from marksmanship skills to tests of mental fortitude and cunning.

1st Lt. Kevin Moore and 1st Lt. Griffin Hokanson cross an obstacle during the 2025 Best Ranger Competition.

The competition cut teams day after day. Challenges included an obstacle course, an urban assault course that had them maneuver through a simulated environment and several other physical challenges, including a run-swim-run challenge testing their endurance. Weapons handling and marksmanship with a variety of weapons  muskets were involved at one point  also played into how standings were determined.

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After a late night land navigation course, 16 teams made the cut to compete on Sunday. The two lieutenants also managed one last win today before the final results. In the concluding event, a buddy run, Moore and Hokanson crossed the finish line first, arm in arm and raising their firearms in celebration.

This year marked the fourth straight year that soldiers from the regiment came out on top in the competition. It was the 41st edition of the event, first held in 1982 (the competition was canceled in 2003 and 2020 due to the invasion of Iraq and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively).

The Best Ranger Competition was part of a series of events held at the Maneuver Center of Excellence as part of Infantry Week, and soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment did well at many. A mortar team from the regiment emerged from four days of trials having defeated several other American military units as well as teams from Denmark, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In the 2025 Lacerda Cup Combatives Competition, more than 150 troops slugged it out in hand to hand combat, but Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment left with the trophy. This years Infantry Week was held as part of the wider events celebrating the U.S. Armys 250th birthday.

Hokanson and Moore will officially receive the trophy for winning the 41st Best Ranger Competition on Monday.

The latest on Task & Purpose
Quaker Oats is a long-trusted name in kitchens worldwide, known for supplying hearty breakfast foods and oat-based snacks. Founded in 1850, Quaker Oats was the first company to trademark a breakfast cereal, cementing it as a pioneer in the food industry. Since then, Quaker Oats has remained dominant and has remained a popular choice for customers worldwide.

From cereals to oatmeals to granola bars, billions of customers consume Quaker Oats products every year. Unfortunately, behind the wholesome Quaker image are some dark chapters in this company's history. Over the years, Quaker Oats has also become infamous for another reason: product recalls.

From contamination risks to mislabeled allergens, these nine major Quaker Oats recalls have made headlines and damaged the reputation of this iconic company. Spanning the past three centuries, these nine major recalls were so drastic that they forever changed the brand's reputation and made an everlasting impact on the customers they affected.

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Read more: 14 Of The Unhealthiest Store-Bought Cottage Cheese

Quaker Oats Pulls Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor After Failing To Declare Allergen

Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue package - Deutschlandreform/Shutterstock

In February 2021, Quaker Oats found itself in a truly unsettling position after it was revealed that one of their snack products could potentially pose a serious health risk to vulnerable customers. The product in question was the Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor, which are made of rice and enhanced with a smoky and tangy flavor. These chips are a popular choice for customers, earning a 4.3-star average rating from reviews on the Quaker Oats website.

Unfortunately, this product hid a dangerous secret when it was put onto shelves in 2021. Quaker Oats issued a voluntary recall of 3.03-ounce bags of Quaker Sweet Barbecue Rice Crisps after the discovery that a select number of bags contained undeclared soy ingredients. In total, 4,550 bags were recalled across 21 states.

Labeling food allergens is extremely important because a customer could become very ill or possibly die from an allergic reaction if it is not properly advertised. Thankfully, this recall was able to prevent any reported illnesses or reactions. This recall was a close call that was not easily forgotten by customers with food allergies.

A Salmonella Scare Caused Quaker Oats To Recall Dozens Of Items

Package of Quaker Oats with oats surrounding it - jhonny marcell oportus/Shutterstock

Between December 2023 and January 2024, Quaker Oats found itself entrenched in a major health scare that caught the attention of the entire nation. The company made a sweeping recall of 24 products after the discovery that salmonella may have contaminated several product lines.

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Salmonella is an organism often found in uncooked food that is known for causing severe sickness that can be potentially fatal for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised groups. With these health risks in mind, Quaker Oats advised customers and stores to immediately remove these affected items from their shelves, leading to some major distrust from customers who bought these products in all 50 states.

As this recall expanded into 2024, the company was faced with the daunting task of removing all the contaminated products from the marketplace as well as attempting to restore customer confidence in the wake of this major food safety concern. Products including granola bars, cereal bars, cereals, Cap'n Crunch Instant Oatmeals, Gatorade Protein bars, and snack mixes were affected by this outbreak, making this one of Quakers' most drastic recalls in history.

23,000 Cases Of Quaker Oats Cereal Recalled For Nut Contamination

Pack of Maple and Brown sugar instant oatmeal - Eudaimonic Traveler/Shutterstock

In 2003, Quaker Oats recalled massive amounts of products after discovering a serious labeling issue. A reported 23,000 cases of Quaker Oatmeal Brown Sugar Bliss cereal packages were recalled after it was discovered that some of them may contain almonds, which was not noted on the boxes. Quaker Oats is famous for their oatmeal products, making this recall one that caught the attention of many dedicated customers.

Almonds and nut allergies affect more than 6 million Americans, making this incorrect labeling a huge danger to many customers. For those with nut allergies, this oversight posed a severe risk and allergic reaction that could have led to life-threatening emergencies. To prevent this, Quaker Oats did its best to remove the affected products from the hands of customers quickly.

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This instance was one of many times when incorrect labeling led to recalls by Quaker Oats. It continues to be a pressing issue in the food industry, especially for those who deal with food allergies.

Quaker Oats Granola Bars Recalled After Discovery Of Listeria-Contaminated Sunflower Kernels

Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars - Quaker Oats

Back in 2016, Quaker Oats made another troubling discovery that led to a recall of some of their popular Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars. Two flavors, Yogurt Fruit & Nut and Chocolate Nut Medley, contained sunflower kernels that were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria is a bacterium that can be deadly for children, the elderly, and those with a vulnerable immune system. According to Quaker Oats, the contamination happened from their sunflower kernel supplier. Out of caution, Quaker Oats made the decision to recall these products.

Thankfully, no one reported illness from this outbreak. However, this incident raised concerns about the safety of the ingredients sourced for Quaker Oats products. For a trusted company like Quaker Oats to discover Listeria in such a popular snack product is certainly not something that customers can forget easily, and this incident did stain the reputation of the brand.

Salmonella Contamination Caused A Recall For Quaker Oats Pancake Mix

Person holding package of Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mix - calimedia/Shutterstock

Quaker Oats faced another major recall in 2008 when they discovered that several of their pancake and waffle mixes were potentially contaminated with salmonella. The affected products were varieties of their Aunt Jemima Pancake & Waffle Mix  specifically the Original, Original Complete, and Buttermilk Complete products.

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The contamination was reportedly caused by raw or undercooked ingredients in select batches of the Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mixes, which are meant to make cooking a delicious breakfast at home easy and efficient. Salmonella can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues and is especially dangerous for vulnerable groups. Although Quaker Oats was able to quickly recall the products, the incident highlighted a potential lapse in food safety during the production process.

While the company assured the public that only a small quantity of the pancake mix boxes were affected, the recall still sparked concerns. For Quaker Oats, this recall was yet another challenge in maintaining its reputation as a trustworthy company.

Voluntary Recall Issued After Quaker Oats Made Major Labeling Error

Package of Quaker Chewy Smashbar Graham Pretzel snack bars - Quaker Oats

In 2011, Quaker Oats found itself at the center of another recall after a significant labeling error was made. The product in question was the 8-count Quaker Chewy Smashbar Graham Pretzel snack bars, a popular choice for an on-the-go snack. These bars were recalled after the discovery that the bars failed to list milk as an ingredient on its packaging, which posed a serious risk to individuals with milk allergies.

Milk is one of the most common allergens. It can cause serious upset for those who are allergic or sensitive to it. In response to this labeling error, Quaker Oats voluntarily recalled all affected products and urged customers to discard any products they purchased.

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This recall was a reminder to the public of how a seemingly small mistake can have far-reaching consequences for consumer safety and the reputation of a brand. While this recall was necessary in order to protect consumers, it also created a larger issue for Quaker Oats as the company attempted to improve its public image.

Quaker's Cap'n Crunch Cereals Recalled After Included Toy Injured Children

Display of Cap'n Crunch - The Image Party/Shutterstock

A unique kind of recall occurred in 1993 when Quaker Oats was forced to pull a product not for any contamination of the food but because of a promotional toy it had included inside each box. For a limited time, Cap'n Crunch Crunchberries and Peanut Butter Crunch cereal included a free gift inside, a "popper" toy that incentivized people to buy the cereal.

Unfortunately, the toy ended up becoming a safety hazard for children when the suction part of the toy caused damage to some during play. Reports surfaced that the popper had caused injuries to 36 children, prompting Quaker Oats to swiftly recall all of the boxes that included it.

This recall was a blow for the company because it not only involved a potential harm to children but also raised questions regarding the company's safety practices and toy testing protocols. While the company was quick to address the issue, the incident left a lasting impact on its public image.

1,600 Cases Of Granola Bars Recalled For Potentially Containing Metal Particles

Pile of Quaker Chewy Granola Bars - Kyle Oster/Shutterstock

In the same year, 1993, Quaker Oats was faced with yet another major recall. The company was forced to recall 1,600 cases of chocolate-chip-flavored Quaker Chewy Granola Bars after a startling discovery was made. According to reports, small metal particles were potentially inside granola bars distributed to the states of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.

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Thankfully, no injuries were reported at the time of the recall, but this serious threat did make the company take swift action to prevent any further harm. Those who purchased the bars were encouraged to discard them or return them for a refund.

While this recall did not harm anyone (as far as reports concluded), the situation certainly left many customers with a bad feeling. How these metal particles got inside these bars remains a mystery, further fueling the confusion around this recall.

10,000 Boxes Of Pancake Mix Recalled After Labeling Error

Package of earl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix - Jenari/Shutterstock

Unfortunately, the recalls at Quaker Oats have also become an issue in the current year, 2025. This February, the company discovered that 10,000 boxes of their Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix were sold with a critical labeling error in 11 states. The products were recalled after the discovery that the products failed to list a milk warning on the package.

Milk must be labeled in order to properly protect customers who are allergic or sensitive to dairy products, which are among the more common food allergens. After realizing this error, Quaker Oats urged customers to dispose of the affected boxes, ensuring no one was hurt by this pancake and waffle mix.

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This incident has marked another blow to the Quaker Oats reputation and proved that these food safety issues are still prevalent, even in 2025. While the company has worked to address this recall and all others in its long history as a company, it is still hard to gain back the trust of many customers who remain haunted by these large-scale errors and outbreaks.

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The ninth day of jury selection for Karen Reads second trial got underway Monday morning, with 16 people selected to serve as jurors toward a goal of 18.

In all, 55 potential jurors arrived at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham Monday morning to be questioned to serve in the Read case, according to a WBZ reporter inside the courtroom. Of those 55, 49 said they had seen, heard or talked about Reads case before arriving for jury duty, and 24 said they had expressed or formed an opinion.

About half of the potential jurors, 28 of the 55, said they had a substantial scheduling hardship that could prevent them from serving, such as being a student or having surgery scheduled during the period the trial is set to take place.

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If two more jurors are seated on Monday, opening statements could come this week, kicking off the trial in earnest. Read told reporters last week that opening statements would be on Tuesday.

It took five full days to seat a jury for Reads first trial.

The goal for jury selection initially was to seat 16 jurors, but the number was hiked to 18 at some point in the process. Only 12 of the eventual 18 will deliberate the case, with the remainder serving as alternates. Deliberating jurors wont be picked until the final day of the trial.

How jury selection plays out

Each morning of selection begins the same way, with Cannone reading a statement of the case, laying out what prosecutors say Read did: backing her SUV into her then-boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, outside a Canton home after a night of drinking.

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She tells jurors that Read is presumed innocent and has no obligation to prove her innocence during the trial.

Cannone also references the intense publicity that has consumed the Read case, saying, public comment will likely continue, but the rule of law will be upheld.

Read thanks the potential jurors after each lawyer introduces themselves.

Cannone then reads out the entire witness list, which contains 150 names, before beginning questioning. After the group questioning, jurors are left to complete a three-page questionnaire.

Only after all that are jurors questioned individually.

During individual questioning, both sides can strike a juror for any reason. Each side gets 16 strikes. Leaving court Monday, Read said her team had used 10.

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Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with OKeefes death.

Reads defense claims she is being framed and others are responsible for OKeefes death.

Karen Read murder case
Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott credited President Trump when he announced that Texas planned to close one of two booking facilities it opened as part of its all-out border clampdown, Operation Lone Star, that saw state troopers arresting migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border on state charges of criminal trespassing.

Thanks to President Trump, illegal border crossings are at all-time record lows and, unlike under President Joe Biden, the Trump Administration is quickly deporting illegal immigrants from our country, Abbott said in a news release. As a result, there is no longer a need for Texas to maintain the jail booking facility in Jim Hogg County.

But the reality isnt so simple.

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Average monthly bookings at the Jim Hogg County facility, located between Laredo and McAllen, has dropped by more than half since 2022, from an average of 67 people each month to 26 last year, according to intake statistics obtained by The Texas Tribune through a public records request. Last April, the facility recorded processing just nine inmates, according to the records from the governors office.

A second site in Val Verde County, which typically processed hundreds of more inmates than Jim Hogg, has also recorded a decrease in its average monthly bookings from 362 in 2022  the first full year it was open  to 276 last year. It remains open.

Trump returned to the White House in January.

Asked to comment on the monthslong trend of lower bookings at the Jim Hogg facility before it was closed, Abbott Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris said, The suggestion that President Bidens open border policies had anything to do with reduced border crossings is laughable. Illegal crossings dropped because of the years-long aggressive and consistent efforts of President Trump, Governor Abbott, and other leaders to bring the border crisis to the forefront of the national conversation.

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Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in 2021  nearly two months after President Bidens inauguration  explaining that Texas had to police the Texas-Mexico border because the Biden administration had failed to control the border.

The mission sent thousands of Texas National Guard troops to the 1,250-mile border as well as Department of Public Safety troopers, who were tasked with arresting migrants with trespassing on private property and cracking down on human smugglers.

To date the operation has cost $11 billion, which Abbott has asked the federal government to reimburse. But the governor has also asked the Legislature to earmark another $6.5 billion for border security for the next two years as lawmakers hash out the states spending plan during the current legislative session.

The budget request, which has sailed through both chambers initial budget negotiations, comes after Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick floated the idea of reducing border security spending following Trumps victory in November  and as the number of people arrested for crossing the border illegally sinks to lows not seen in years.

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In January, Border Patrol arrested 21,593 people for illegally crossing the border from Mexico. That was the fewest number of arrests since at least May 2020, two months after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread shutdowns throughout the U.S.

While Trump and political allies like Abbott take credit for the downturn in border crossings, immigration policy experts note that the numbers have been falling since December 2023, after the Biden administration struck a deal with Mexico to crack down on migration at its southern border with Guatemala. Biden later issued an executive last June that widely restricted asylum, which led to a further decrease in migrant apprehensions.

Trump also threatened Mexico with tariffs on his first day in office unless it clamped down further, which experts also believe played a role in the latest decrease.

The governor can do everything he wants to do but its not done in a vacuum, said Tony Payan, director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at the Baker Institute, a nonpartisan policy research organization based at Rice University in Houston. Despite the fact that Texas has thrown $11 billion at the issue of border security, its really a matter of acting in concert.

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Disclosure: Rice University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 1315 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Wednesday will mark 100 years since the first passenger train arrived at the Boise Depot, and the city is celebrating the landmark with four days of events.

The Spanish-style depot on the West Eastover Terrace hill overlooking the Capitol has become an icon over the last century, often featured on postcards and popular as a wedding venue.

While today the building is used to teach local train history and host events, the Boise Depot was once a economic engine for growth, making the arrival of the Union Pacifics main line on April 16, 1925 one of the most important moments in the citys history, according to Boises Department of Arts and History Director Jennifer Stevens.

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The depot put Boise on the map  both literally and figuratively, Stevens said.

Up until then, our main line train passed by Boise, and you had to take a special branch line to get into the city, Stevens said. So there had been for 40 years, boosters in Boise that had been clamoring for the main line to come through Boise. It meant economic development. It meant that when people were traveling transcontinentally from west to east or east to west, they had to now come through Boise and see the incredible resources that we had.

Gardens and water features landscape the front of the Boise Depot.

The Boise Depots Centennial celebration kicked off Sunday with a new permanent history exhibit, bell tower access, model trains, classic cars, guided history tours and childrens activities.

Mayor Lauren McLean will flip the switch at 8:30 p.m. to unveil an animated projection display by local artists reimagining a future with more passenger trains and improved public transportation. The art can be viewed each evening at dusk through Wednesday.

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The festivities will continue Monday with free history tours, and Tuesday with a conversation led by McLean and Valley Regional Transit CEO Elaine Clegg on the future of passenger rails in Boise.

The centennial celebration will wrap up Wednesday with a Roaring 1920s themed-party featuring a cake and commemoration, as well as live music, kids activities, exhibits and a photo booth.

A full schedule of events can be found on the citys website.

Aya Wills with her children Ariel, 2, left, and Atreyu, 4, right, watch model trains at the Boise Depot 100th anniversary celebration.

Dave Wilson, treasurer of the Caldwell Model Railroad Club and Historical Society, helped set up extensive model trains depicting Idaho scenes on display at the Sunday celebration. Children and adults alike gathered around the sets as they looped over painted hills and under bridges.

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Wilson said its easy to get wrapped up in the romance of trains and train travel.

Railroads were really important in populating, expanding and opening up this whole area, Wilson said. The transcontinental railroad did a lot of huge things for this country. The history is there, and most folks maybe dont realize that, or maybe just take it for granted. We try to tell folks, this is a part of our community.

Signs give the history of the Boise Depot in both English and Spanish during its 100th anniversary celebration.

People stop to look at a train engine outside of the Boise Depot.

Engine 2295, known as Big Mike, is stationed outside of the Boise Depot.

People look at the view from the bell tower of the Boise Depot.

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JEROME, Pa.  Efforts are underway to address a Conemaugh Township mine discharge that temporarily closed Jerome Hill Road Thursday.

The sudden, storm-driven blowout occurred near Thomas Mills, sending a wave of iron-laden mine water into a section of Bens Creeks south branch that is designated as a Class A Wild Trout stream, Somerset Conservation District Manager Len Lichvar said.

We dont 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.

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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.

Its 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

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Lichvar said he, in turn, dialed the Department of Environmental Protections 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 owners 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.

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Sudden discharges arent rare in a region with a rich mining past and many of Pennsylvanias abandoned mines.

Lichvar said its 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.

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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 American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Monday brought a new challenge to President Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to carry out swift deportations.

The ACLU has convinced judges in New York and Texas to issue temporary orders blocking the administration from using the rarely invoked statute to deport migrants in their judicial districts, and the new suit seeks to do the same for those detained in Colorado.

The three new cases all follow the Supreme Courts ruling last week that effectively rejected the ACLUs initial challenge, brought in Washington, D.C., which sought to block the administrations plans nationwide.

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The high court ruled that migrants must file their legal challenge where they are physically detained. The justices unanimously agreed, however, that migrants must be afforded an opportunity to challenge their removal before the administration transports them to El Salvador.

The government stated that they may consider a mere twenty-four hours to be sufficient notice, the ACLU wrote in the new lawsuit.

That suggestion not only defies the Supreme Courts instructions but could mean that Petitioners may fail to get meaningful notice or opportunity to seek judicial review before being sent permanently to a maximum security prison in El Salvador, where they could spend the rest of their lives according to the Salvadoran President. Petitioners therefore seek this Courts intervention, it continued.

The 1798 Alien Enemies Act enables migrants to be summarily deported amid a declared war or an invasion by a foreign nation. The law has been leveraged just three previous times, all during wars, but Trump contends he can use it because the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is effectively invading the United States.

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The Colorado challenge is brought on behalf of two migrants detained in Denver, whom the administration accuses of being members of the gang. Both men contest any affiliation, and one says he fled Venezuela because Tren de Aragua murdered members of his family.

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney, an appointee of former President Biden. To preserve her jurisdiction, Sweeney quickly issued an order protecting the two men from deportation until the judge can more fully consider their arguments.

 Updated at 12:51 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
April 14 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union filed a third lawsuit Saturday over the Trump administration's use of a wartime statute to deport migrants from Venezuela to El Salvador.

Brought in Federal District Court in Colorado, it follows similar legal challenges filed by the ACLU in Texas and New York on behalf of two men who allege they have been wrongly accused by the administration of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

The Colorado plaintiffs have only been identified in court papers by their initials, D.B.U. and R.M.M. and both a temporary restraining order and a writ of habeas corpus were filed for them by the ACLU.

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D.B.U. was reportedly arrested in January at a function that law enforcement agents allege was a Tren de Aragua party, but D.B.U denies being a member of the gang.

R.M.M. was arrested in March by federal agents who purport he was present with three other Hispanic men near their vehicles outside a home in Colorado that was under investigation into Tren de Aragua. R.M.M. also claims to be unaffiliated with the gang and was allegedly present only to meet with someone interested in buying his car.

The Trump organization has used the Alien Enemies Act to deport more than 100 Venezuelan immigrants accused of belonging to Tren de Aragua to the CECOT, a prison in El Salvador, an act used only three times since its passage in 1798. The ACLU has since begun fighting Trump's use of the act, with its first challenge filed in Washington. The federal judge in charge of the case had issued a temporary order to stop the deportation flights to El Salvador, due to concerns that those arrested had no way to properly contest whether they were truly members of the gang.

A federal appeals court concurred with that judge, and then the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that any immigrant subject to deportation under the act needed to be given notice before being deported so that they could challenge the process in court. However, those challenges were required to take place in the location of their detention.

The ACLU has since responded with actions in Texas, New York and Colorado where Venezuelans subject to Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act are currently located. Lawsuits filed on their behalf have kept these accused individuals in the U.S. until any related legal questions involving the administration's use of the act have been resolved.
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier, of Detroit, said Monday he will make another attempt at defeating U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in next year's Democratic primary.

Last year, Hollier  running a second time against Thaendar, D-Detroit, in the predominantly Democrat 13th Congressional District  stumbled badly after putting together a string of endorsements, including those from Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson; former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, only to be knocked off the primary ballot for failing to file enough valid petition signatures.

Thanedar, an Indian immigrant and millionaire businessman, easily beat Detroit City Council member Mary Waters and went on to retain the seat. In 2022, in what was then a recently redrawn district, Thanedar, then a state representative, won out in a nine-person primary, with Hollier coming in second, 28%-23.5%.

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Hollier, who served for a time as director of Michigans Veterans Affairs Agency under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, issued a statement on Monday saying, "From housing to daycare to the rising costs of everything from groceries to the brakes on our cars, were in a real crisis in this country. We need bold solutions and leaders who wont back down in the face of this challenge. The last thing we need are more millionaires and billionaires like Elon Musk and Shri Thanedar who are only in it for themselves.

Former state Sen. Adam Hollier of Detroit.

While both Musk, who is the head of Tesla and a key adviser to Republican President Donald Trump, and Thanedar are both wealthy, Thanedar has been consistently critical of Trump's agenda on using tariffs widely and his and Musk's efforts to eradicate or defund parts of the federal government, including the Department of Education. He has also been a reliable Democratic vote in the U.S. House.

Thanedar, responding to Hollier's criticism, said he has proven repeatedly he can win in Detroit and called his challenger's ability to make the ballot in 2024 "irredeemable incompetence." "Voters in the 13th District, 30% of whom are at or below poverty, have serious problems they need addressed. They are looking for someone competent and qualified, not someone who will hire his friends and disastrously fail to accomplish simple tasks," Thanedar said.

Thanedar also noted that as a state senator in 2018 he supported a plan to build a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac to house Line 5, a pipeline that has been widely opposed by environmentalists.

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Thanedar has been the target of claims, at least prior to his last election, that his office was not adequately focused on policy issues or constituent services, accusations he strongly denied. The Detroit News also reported on Thanedar's use of his office budget to pay for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of media, advertising and billboards last year. Thanedar has said the spending was intended to better serve constituents and was reviewed by the relevant committee that signs off on office spending.

On Monday, Thanedar defended his record, saying his office has helped resolve some 2,800 constituent cases and gotten $30 million approved in community projects. "We have world-class constituent communication, including a record 11 in-person town halls," he said.

Thanedar was also criticized in the last election, meanwhile, for appearing to change his position on what he had called in the state Legislature Israel's "apartheid" regime, only to criticize other Democratic groups that he felt did not forcefully enough denounce Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023, which led to Israel's assault on Gaza in reprisal. The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, a key supporter of Israeli policies in the U.S., backed Hollier in the 2022 election.

Hollier, who was born and raised in Detroit accused Thanedar of spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars "putting up self-portraits of himself all over the district, a reference to Thanedar's billboards. Hollier said he wants to focus on building more affordable housing in metro Detroit, lower the costs of child care, fight tariffs and reduce taxes on poor and middle class people.

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Here in Detroit, when we get knocked down, we get right back up," he said in a prepared statement. "We keep fighting."

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Adam Hollier to challenge Rep. Shri Thanedar for 3rd time
The News

African health care leaders said innovative financing solutions will be essential to prevent the collapse of health systems on the continent, with the departure of donor aid funding creating a more important role for startups and public-private investments.

The abrupt withdrawal of USAID funding earlier this year, following a trend of cutbacks from other Western nations, has left a nearly $12 billion shortfall in financing critical services such as maternal and child health, HIV treatment, pandemic preparedness, and disease control.

Last week the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) outlined urgent reforms to secure sustainable funding, focusing on domestic financing, health taxes, and public-private investments to close infrastructure gaps. If we do not act now, we risk losing 20 years of progress in health security, with preventable diseases returning in force and overwhelming already fragile systems, said Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC.

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Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Nairobi-based nonprofit Amref Health Africa, told Semafor that Africa faced a health care funding gap of roughly $66 billion a year even before accounting for the USAID cuts. Traditional funding sources like foreign aid and out-of-pocket payments simply arent enough. Thats why innovative financing models are essential, he said.

Gitahi pointed to several promising approaches including Rwandas health insurance program, which covers more than 90% of the population by combining affordable premiums with government subsidies. Another example, he said, is the sin taxes imposed on alcohol, cigarettes, and sugary drinks in South Africa and Botswana, which are generating millions for health care while addressing the growing burden of lifestyle diseases.

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The urgency of Africas health financing crisis was highlighted at last months Africa Health Agenda International Conference in Kigali where experts said governments needed to diversify funding strategies to reduce their reliance on external aid.

In a recent briefing, the Center for Global Development also wrote that innovative partnerships with the private sector were a key part of the solution, pointing to pharmaceutical manufacturing as a prominent example. Last year the vaccine alliance GAVI launched the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, a financing instrument that will make up to $1.2 billion available over 10 years to support local vaccine production. Afreximbank also committed $2 billion to this push toward vaccine sovereignty.

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Frederik Kristensen, head of the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative, an initiative set up to help potential manufacturers find funders, said it was a crucial time to help Africa become less reliant on imports after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed stark global vaccine inequalities. Its really important in terms of health security, he told Semafor, if there is an outbreak that there are vaccine manufacturers on the continent which can switch to producing vaccines that will be needed.

At present South Africa and Senegal are the only countries with end-to-end vaccine manufacturing capacities in Africa. Around nine priority vaccines have been identified for local production by 2030 including those targeting cholera, measles-rubella, and yellow fever. A key hurdle for the sector is ensuring sustainable and long-term demand for the vaccines. But with political will to drive-through policies and regulations for manufacturers, this can be achieved, Kristensen said.

The View From South Africa

EASE South Africa, an equipment business set up by the African Asset Finance Company, on Monday secured funding from Standard Bank, Africas largest bank by assets, to expand its pay-per-use model to provide hospitals and clinics with access to high-end diagnostic machines such as MRI scanners.

What it means is that [health care providers] dont have to make a big upfront capital investment, said Kanyinsola Oyeyinka, senior vice-president at EASE. Such costs can be a barrier to accessing the latest technology and so the model could free up money for other priorities such as hiring more nurses or increasing hospital beds. We may own the equipment, but they will have full access to using it to provide care to the patients.

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Standard Bank will invest as much as $100 million into EASE, which has already applied the model in Ghana and Nigeria, over the next seven years. John van Kan, head of the banks healthcare sector, told Semafor that the equipment aimed to help more patients in outlying areas access the care they need. A da Vinci surgical robot installed by EASE last year, for instance, at a hospital in the coastal town of Umhlanga will be used to help surgeons perform procedures with reduced recovery time.

The View From Ghana

Another startup that has been leading health innovation in the supply chain space, is Zipline, a US firm that uses autonomous drones to deliver drugs, vaccines, and other medical goods to remote clinics in countries including Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda. A study published last month analyzing health care data from 191 Ghanaian health facilities found a direct link between reliable medical supply availability and improved health system use, leading to a 56% reduction in maternal deaths at facilities served by Zipline compared to those that were not.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A series of aftershocks in eastern San Diego County followed a 5.2 magnitude earthquake that rattled much of San Diego and Southern California Monday morning.

It all began with a 3.5 magnitude foreshock that hit just 3 miles south of Julian Sunday afternoon, USGS reported.

5.2 magnitude earthquake shakes Southern California

Then, at 10:08 a.m. Monday, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit around two miles south of Julian. Much of Southern California felt the quake.

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Residents from Tijuana just across the U.S.-Mexico border all the way north to Los Angeles and all throughout San Diego County reported weak to strong shaking, the USGS shake map shows.

A series of at least 10 aftershocks shook the region in the hours immediately after, with some stronger than magnitude 3.0.

The aftershocks began at 10:10 a.m. with one measuring 2.9 magnitude, then another 2.9 at the same time.

At 10:11 a.m., a 2.7 magnitude aftershock hit, followed by a 2.6 at 10:12 a.m.

Also at 10:12, the USGS registered a 3.5 magnitude aftershock 4 miles from Borrego Springs, east of Julian.

At 10:13 a.m., a 3.0 magnitude aftershock hit 4 km south of Julian, and a 2.5 magnitude hit the same area at 10:14 a.m.

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A 4.0 magnitude aftershock hit near Julian at 11:23 a.m.

Another 2.6 aftershock hit the area at 12:34 p.m., and a 2.9 hit near Julian at 1:23 p.m.

All the aftershocks so far, except the one near Borrego Springs, hit around 1 to 5 km south of Julian, according to USGS.

Series of aftershocks felt after 5.2 magnitude earthquake rattles San Diego (Photo: United States Geological Survey)

USGS says aftershocks are a sequence of earthquakes that happen after a larger mainshock on a fault and are a natural part of the Earths readjustment process after a major earthquake.

Aftershocks become less frequent with time, but USGS reports they can continue for days, weeks, months, or even years for a very large mainshock.

Alert San Diego is alerting residents that aftershocks are possible and advises it is best to stay indoors and away from unstable structures. If shaking starts  drop, cover, and hold on.

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There are no reports of any injuries or major damage from the earthquake or aftershocks at this time, the San Diego County Sheriffs Office reports.

The National Weather Service said a tsunami was not expected along the California coast.

Check back for updates on this breaking 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Air traffic is officially back.

In 2024, global passenger numbers finally surpassed 2019 levels, after years of ripples from the massive disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

There were about 9.5 billion passengers globally last year  a 3.8% gain from pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and a 9% increase over 2023, according to preliminary global airport data released on Monday by Airports Council International (ACI) World. ACI represents the interests of 2,181 airports in 170 countries.

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Were very happy to see that the traffic is back, and were anticipating significant growth moving forward right now, even with some of the headwinds that were seeing, Justin Erbacci, ACI World director general, told CNN Travel.

The worlds busiest airport is once again Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Delta Air Lines hub in Georgias capital city has held the No. 1 spot for 26 of the last 27 years, slipping from its top ranking once in 2020 as passenger traffic cratered.

The No. 2 airport, Dubai International Airport, became the second-busiest airport in the world for the first time in 2023 and retained that position in the latest top 10 rankings.

At No. 3, traffic at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport jumped up 17% in 2024 from 2019 levels and increased more than 7% from 2023. Tokyo Haneda and London Heathrow  frequent top 10 airports  came in at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

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At No. 6, Denver International Airport serves as an example of strong passenger volume at US hubs, with a more than 19% increase from its 2019 passenger level and a nearly 6% increase from 2023.

Coming out of the pandemic, we saw that the hub airports in the US grew very fast, actually even during the pandemic, because the major airlines were emphasizing their hubs, Erbacci said.

The airports in Istanbul, Turkey, and New Delhi, India  Nos. 7 and 9, respectively  have been thriving due to airline expansion, infrastructure growth and enhanced global connectivity, according to an ACI World news release.

Istanbul has "built an airport that will accommodate a significant amount of travel," ACI World's director general said. The expanding airport's traffic is up 53% from 2019 levels. - Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

At No. 8, passenger volume at Chicago OHare International Airport is still down about 5% from 2019 levels (up about 8% from 2023) but is building up for higher growth, Erbacci said.

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And rounding out the top 10 in the 2024 rankings is Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which saw the biggest jump in the rankings  going from No. 21 in 2023 up to No. 10, with a whopping 41% increase in traffic.

The airports substantial jump was driven by expanded visa policies, the resumption and expansion of international flights, operational enhancements, and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, according to ACI World.

Big growth in emerging markets

Atlanta seems poised to retain its top spot, although its 2024 traffic  about 108 million passengers  was still about 2% below its 2019 passenger volume.

We foresee Atlanta to be maintaining its high position for a while, Erbacci said, but the most future growth is expected in other regions.

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Youll continue to see more significant growth in the Asia Pacific, India, China, Latin America regions, to some extent Africa as well. And well see less prominent growth  but nonetheless still growth  in the developed countries in North America and Europe, he said.

ACI cited economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, production delays from aircraft manufacturers and other strains among the challenges the industry faced in 2024. But ACI Worlds outlook remains positive.

I think that were seeing the continued resiliency of passenger travel, even with some major global disruptions, said Erbacci.

Theres still geopolitical and economic uncertainty ahead, and Erbacci expects these forces will have some impact on air travel. How much impact  on areas such as airline capacity or passenger demand  remains to be seen.

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Obviously, if the uncertainty and the tariffs and everything continues  it could impact the growth that were projecting right now, Erbacci said in an interview last week prior to President Donald Trumps pause on the latest round of US tariffs.

ACI World will be monitoring global developments closely.

But the prognosis for further growth is high, and we anticipate that our traffic numbers will double by 2045, Erbacci said.

Worlds top 10 busiest airports for passenger traffic in 2024

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL): 108.1 million passengers; up 3.3% from 2023

2. Dubai (DBX): 92.3 million passengers; up 6.1% from 2023

3. Dallas Fort Worth (DFW): 87.8 million passengers; up 7.4% from 2023

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4. Tokyo Haneda (HND): 85.9 million passengers; up 9.1% from 2023

5. London Heathrow (LHR): 83.9 million passengers; up 5.9% from 2023

6. Denver (DEN): 82.4 million passengers; up 5.8% from 2023

7. Istanbul (IST): 80.1 million passengers; up 5.3% from 2023

8. Chicago OHare (ORD): 80 million passengers; up 8.3% from 2023

9. New Delhi (DEL): 77.8 million passengers; up 7.8% from 2023

10. Shanghai Pudong (PVG): 76.8 million passengers; up 41% from 2023

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Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, speaks to colleagues on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 11, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House passed Rigsby's bill to criminalize human cloning on April 9, 2025. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday criminalizing human cloning 71-4, with 22 abstentions.

HB 380, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, makes it a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to engage in human cloning. Rigsby said during a brief debate on Wednesday that he is not aware of any human cloning happening in Alabama or the United States, but he said that is the direction science is going.

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We stand at a crossroads in science ethics and human dignity. The prospect of human cloning, once confined to science-fiction, now challenges us to make a firm moral and legal stand, Rigsby said. While technological advances have provided humanity with remarkable medical breakthroughs, not all scientific possibilities align with what is ethical, just and safe.

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The legislation defines human cloning as asexual reproduction. Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, expressed concern on how the legislation would affect in vitro fertilization (IVF).

In theory, it could happen accidentally, Yarbrough said. This is saying you cant be intentionally trying to do so?

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Rigsby said the legislation includes a provision exempting IVF from the definition of asexual reproduction.

They just wanted to make sure that their practices did not fall under what they do as cloning, Rigsby said.

The crime includes those cloning humans, and anybody that participates in human cloning, including transportation of a cloned cell, according to the bill.

House Democrats criticized the legislation for being unnecessary. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, questioned if other states have similar laws.

I just didnt know if mass cloning was going on, she said. I dont know of anything or anybody that Ive ever seen come through Alabama that Id want to clone.

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Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, echoed Givan.

This sounds like science-fiction, cloning people, he said.

Rigsby said his bill is modeled after a 2003 law in Arkansas. Rigsby proposed a floor amendment to exclude university research on human organs. It passed 79-1.

We have some universities that are doing some research on organs and they were a little concerned about line 38, generate all or most of the body tissues of a living organism, Rigsby said.

The bill now goes to the Alabama Senate.

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The Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama as seen on July 10, 2023. A Senate committee last week approved the demolition of the building after work is complete on a new Statehouse, expected to be occupied next year. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama Senate committee unanimously approved the demolition of the Alabama State House last week.

SB 279, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, allows the Alabama Legislature to demolish the current State House once the lawmakers and staff have moved into the new Statehouse, expected to take place in 2026. Givhan told the Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee that he did not know when the demolition would happen or how much it would cost, although the expense would come from the General Fund.

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This destruction is going to have to be paid for, in full, by Alabama taxpayer money, chair of the Senate General Fund Committee Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, said.

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The Legislature has occupied the current Statehouse, the old Highway Building, since 1986. The building, meant to be temporary to allow renovations to the Alabama State Capitol to proceed, has mold and other issues that led the Legislature in 2023 to approve construction of a new facility.



When completed, the Statehouse will be the first new one built in the nation since 1977.

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Givhan, seemingly joking, said there could be a raffle for people to participate in the demolition, but that would be determined later.

We may also raffle off tickets to get people with sledge hammers, like you used to do with old cars to beat them up a little, he said. This gives us the right to do that.

The bill also allows the clerk of the house and the secretary of the senate to sell furniture that will not be used in the new building. Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, carries a companion bill in the House, which has yet to be seen in the House State Governmental Affairs Committee.

Givhans bill will now be considered by the full Senate.

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Algeria has instructed 12 French embassy officials to leave the country, authorities in Paris said on Monday.

The background is a dispute over the arrest of three Algerians in France on serious charges, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

"The Algerian authorities are asking 12 of our officials to leave Algerian territory within 48 hours," Barrot told the TF1 news channel.

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"This decision would be a reaction to the arrest of three Algerian citizens suspected of having committed serious criminal offences on French territory," he said, urging Algiers to refrain from the expulsions.

If the decision to expel the French officials is upheld, "we will have no choice but to react immediately," emphasized Barrot.

On Friday, three Algerians were arrested in France for allegedly attempting to kidnap an Algerian influencer who was critical of his government.

An employee of the Algerian consulate in Creteil near Paris is said to be among those arrested.

The dispute between Paris and Algiers comes after recent efforts to normalize their strained relations, including a visit to Algeria by Barrot a week ago.

The French Foreign Ministry said this would be the first expulsion of French diplomats from Algeria since the North African country gained independence in 1962.
Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country over a dispute about the arrest of three Algerian nationals in France, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.

"The Algerian authorities are asking 12 of our officials to leave Algerian territory within 48 hours," Barrot told the TF1 news channel.

"This decision would be a reaction to the arrest of three Algerian citizens suspected of having committed serious criminal offences on French territory," he said, urging Algiers to refrain from the expulsions.

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If the decision to expel the French officials is upheld, Paris "will have no choice but to react immediately," emphasized Barrot.

The three people were arrested on Friday and are alleged to have temporarily abducted an Algerian influencer who is critical of the government in Algiers about a year ago.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said one of the suspects is an employee of the Algerian consulate in Creteil in suburban Paris.

The influencer had been granted political asylum and France had subsequently denied requests for his extradition on multiple occasions.

In a statement on Saturday evening, the Algerian Foreign Ministry announced that "this situation will not be without consequences," according to the radio station France Info.

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"This new unacceptable and unspeakable development will do great damage to Algerian-French relations," it said.

Among other things, the Foreign Ministry in Algiers criticized the fact that France had not informed it about the arrest of the consulate employee through the usual diplomatic channels.

The dispute between Paris and Algiers comes after recent efforts to normalize their strained relations, including a visit to Algeria by Barrot a week ago.

Retailleau had previously stirred tensions with the North African country, putting pressure on Algeria to take back nationals expelled from France.

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Media reports said the embassy employees who have been expelled were under the authority of Retailleau's Interior Ministry.

The French Foreign Ministry said this would be the first expulsion of French diplomats from Algeria since the country gained independence in 1962.
CASE UPDATE: On April 11, 2025, a jury found Monica Sementill, 53, guilty of murder and conspiracy for masterminding the murder of her husband Fabio, with special circumstances of murder for financial gain and murder while lying in wait.

Greg Fisher is a "48 Hours" producer. He investigated the murder of Fabio Sementilli for the episode, "Who killed Fabio?"

In these photos taken last February, Monica Sementilli, 46, and Robert Baker, 55, are seen on the patio at a family memorial only days after the murder of Monica's husband, world-famous hairdresser Fabio Sementilli, 49. He had been brutally stabbed to death at his Los Angeles home while smoking a cigar on that same patio.

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Four months later, Monica Sementilli and Rob Baker were arrested, accused of being secret lovers who planned Fabio's killing.

Rob Baker and Monica Sementilli were photographed together at Fabio's wake / Credit: 48 Hours

Relatives and close friends wondered about Baker, an unfamiliar face at the gathering which followed Fabio Sementilli's funeral. He was introduced as a friend of Monica Sementilli's from the gym, who spent time that evening attending to the grieving widow.

"There was already suspicion of this character from friends of the family. And there was a picture taken of him that night. And I believe that picture was sent to the LAPD," explains Luigi Sementilli, Fabio's son from a prior marriage who attended the gathering.

"48 Hours" has learned that a neighbor took these photos surreptitiously and forwarded them to the police, suggesting that Baker might be a possible suspect. "48 Hours" obtained copies of the photos, which have not been made public previously.

Rob Baker was photographed at the wake held for Fabio Sementilli at the hairdresser's home. A bandage can be seen on the index finger of Baker's left hand [inset]. / Credit: 48 Hours

One of the photos clearly shows Baker has a bandage on his left index finger.

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"(Baker) had a bandage on his hand. Based on what I heard, that was what raised the suspicion. There was enough suspicion there that someone decided, 'We should take a picture of this guy," Luigi Sementilli told CBS News.

The felony complaint which charges Monica Sementilli and Baker with murder and conspiracy to commit murder states that "while stabbing victim Fabio Sementill to death, defendant Robert Louis Baker cut his left index finger."

The complaint explains that blood from that cut finger is what cracked the case. Police say Baker left blood and DNA at the scene of the murder, as well as in Fabio Sementilli's stolen Porsche, which the killers used as a getaway vehicle and discarded in a nearby part of Los Angeles four hours after the murder.

The DNA led directly to Baker, who had a criminal record.

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While this secretly-snapped photo may well have been an enticing lead for detectives, LAPD never let on to friends and family, nor the suspects, that Baker was a suspect. Instead, they watched the couple under surveillance while carrying out a ruse aimed at lowering the guard of their suspects.

LAPD detectives allowed the family to think that Fabio Sementilli's murder may have been part of a pernicious Los Angeles crime wave of what are called "knock-knock burglaries." Skilled thieves target specific homes and literally knock on the door and otherwise check to find a time when nobody is home, then the crooks burglarize the home quickly looking for jewelry and cash.

The knock-knock burglars hit expensive homes which usually have elaborate video surveillance systems so the crooks wear masks and hoodies to cover their identities.

Even the local media reported that Fabio Sementilli might have been murdered by knock-knock burglars. These surveillance photos of two people who police say are Rob Baker and a male accomplice captured them entering the Sementilli home. Hiding their faces in hoodies, they bear an incredible similarity to many of the knock-knock burglars caught on tape.

Surveillance image of two people police identify as Rob Baker and an accomplice entering the Sementilli home, left; unknown suspects in an LA

The LAPD believed early on that the burglary was staged to send them down the wrong investigative trail. Detectives kept it to themselves, instead the LAPD let the suspects think that investigators had fallen for what police perceived to be a trick.

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Meanwhile, police were following Monica Sementilli to Las Vegas where they say she spent a weekend with Baker.

Police claim they learned that Monica Sementilli gave Baker the codes for remote access to her home security system and that each of them monitored it on the day of the murder to facilitate the crime. Sementilli's lawyers disputed this evidence in court and argued that her association with Baker did not constitute a conspiracy to commit murder.

Fabio Sementilli's family continued to support his wife, unaware that police were methodically building a case against her as the alleged mastermind of the crime.

Fabio and Monica Sementilli had moved to Los Angeles from Toronto, Canada. Fabio Sementilli had been promoted as an executive for the beauty giant Wella, based in Los Angeles. The Sementillis had two teenage daughters and lived in a million dollar home with a pool in the toney Woodland Hills neighborhood.

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Luigi Sementilli, a masters student in philosophy who still lives in Canada, was entitled to a life insurance policy which his father had taken out for him as part of the divorce settlement from Luigi's mother, Fabio Sementilli's first wife. Monica asked Luigi to borrow $30,000 from the funds while Fabio Sementilli's life insurance policy was being held up pending the police investigation. Luigi offered to help, but Monica was arrested before the money was transferred.

In court, Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman explained that Fabio Sementilli's $1.6 million life insurance policy was the motive for Monica Sementilli and Baker to kill Fabio. Although, Monica Sementilli's lawyers challenged this motive theory.

Mirella Rota is Fabio Sementilli's sister, also a hair dresser who competed alongside her brother at international competitions. She told CBS News that Monica Sementelli was someone she loved and cherished for two decades.

After the murder, Rota says she remembers trying her best to support Monica when she was disconsolate with her own grief.

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Together they attended a private memorial for Fabio Sementilli held at Wella's Los Angeles headquarters. In honor of her slain husband, Monica sang the Frank Sinatra song "My Way" in front of a crowd of approximately 100 mourners paying their respects.

In June, Monica Sementilli and Rota attended a national hairdresser convention in Toronto to jointly accept a posthumous lifetime achievement award for Fabio Sementilli. The two sisters-in-law were unaware that the LAPD was wrapping up their case against Monica Sementilli and Baker.

Days after receiving the award and returning home to Los Angeles, Monica Sementilli and Baker were arrested.

Rota says the family was blind-sided never imagining their sister-in-law could have been involved: "I go to bed scared of nightmares. And I wake up trying to remember anything that could make any sense."

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Since June, Monica Sementilli and Baker have remained in custody in Los Angeles awaiting trial. The felony complaint charges them with murder and murder conspiracy, laying out 56 separate overt acts which DDA Silverman says constitute the murder conspiracy between the alleged lovers.

Blair Berk, the Hollywood celebrity defense attorney who is representing Harvey Weinstein, is one of Monica Sementilli's lawyers. At a Feb. 27 hearing arguing to have the complaint dismissed against her client, Berk characterized evidence in the case as "poppycock."

"The evidence is as consistent with my client's innocence as with her guilt, and there is no evidence of conspiracy," Berk argued.

In response, DDA Silverman countered that "circumstantial evidence doesn't appear to be something Ms. Berk understands." Silverman said that circumstantial evidence must be viewed in totality to establish its validity.

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Judge Scott Gordon denied the defense motion and sent the case to trial in Judge Ronald Coen's courtroom. The next hearing is scheduled for March 27 and trial could come by the end of the year.

Both Monica Sementilli and Baker have pleaded not guilty. Baker's lawyer refused comment. Sementilli's lawyers have also declined to comment except for one statement that another of her attorneys, Leonard Levine, made after the initial arraignment:

"The only relevant question is whether my client had anything to do with the death of her husband and that she adamantly denies."

Police say the second man in that surveillance video, whom they identify as an accomplice of Baker's, has not been identified. Police are still investigating and searching for leads as to his identity.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Xenias Fire & EMS Rescue Division is finally receiving a new ambulance three years in the making.

According to the Xenia Daily Gazette, the ambulance is a 2024 Horton Medic Ambulance that will feature up-to-date technology including ultra-violet light decontamination and a three-point harness for paramedics working in the back of the vehicle.

Captain Greg Beegle spoke with the paper and said that the vehicle was purchased in 2021.

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The medic was ordered in November 2021, but was delayed in being built because of supply chain issues and chassis availability.

The ambulance will have better control over varied road conditions, like snow, as it has 4-wheel drive capabilities as well.

This is the fourth ambulance purchased by the division since 2014, and is replacing one that is over two decades old.

The new vehicle cost $313,000.

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 WDTN.com.
In January, Donald Trump announced from the White House what he called "the largest AI infrastructure project by far in history," which he said was "all taking place right here in America." Stargate Project, a $500 billion initiative to bolster the development of AI models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude, is designed to keep the US ahead of the "great competition" in the global AI race, which the president called perhaps the most consequential battle for the future of humanity.

What Trump didn't mention was that while Stargate would help America vie for supremacy over AI's digital brain, the next major AI race had already begun, for its physical body. And China is leaps and bounds ahead.

A little over a week later, on the eve of the Lunar New Year, the 2025 Spring Festival Gala in Beijing was broadcast throughout China and in dozens of languages across the world. As the centerpiece of the annual blowout, a troupe of 16 AI-powered humanoid robots developed by the Chinese firm Unitree danced sprightfully, in time, with elaborate choreography set to traditional folk music alongside professional human dancers. Humanoid robots prancing across a stage is not itself the future. But China was sending a signal to the world that it wants to lead a future filled with increasingly dexterous robots.

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JPMorgan forecasts a total addressable market of 5 billion humanoid robots in the coming years. Elon Musk has made even bolder predictions. By 2040 there will be at least 10 billion humanoids, outnumbering humans, he says, and Tesla's robot, Optimus, will be at the forefront of that future. "Optimus will be the biggest product of all time by far," Musk said last month. "Nothing will even be close. I think it will be 10 times bigger than the next biggest product ever made." In various capacities, humanoids will work alongside, or in place of, humans to allow 24/7 production. They will be personal butlers and concierges in homes. They will be waiters in restaurants.

Whatever the eventual shape of humanoids in human society, China is poised to mold it. In the past five years, the country has successfully applied for 5,590 patents mentioning humanoid robots, to the United States' 1,442, according to an analysis by Morgan Stanley. Over that stretch, China has secured 22% more robotics patents than the world's 19 next most productive countries combined. China has rolled out more industrial robots into factories than every other country combined since at least 2021, according to the International Federation of Robotics. In 2024, Chinese companies brought 35 humanoids to market, two-thirds of the global total. Companies in the US and Canada released a combined total of eight.

In "America Is Missing the New Labor Economy," a lengthy report released in March, the research firm SemiAnalysis predicted that humanoids would soon reshape the global economy. "We are in the early precipice of a nonlinear transformation in industrial society," the authors wrote, adding that "the only country that is positioned to capture this level of automation is China." Unless the United States dramatically ramps up its robot capacity, the report warned, falling further behind represents "an existential threat to the US as it is outcompeted in all capacities."

"China has positioned itself quite effectively to be set to dominate the robotics sector and the robotics supply chain," William Matthews, a senior research fellow for China and the world at the international affairs think tank Chatham House, tells me. And as the robotics sector grows, he says, "what you're looking at potentially is an Industrial Revolution-like shift in the balance of power."

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Not every robotics researcher and manufacturer I spoke with cast the competition in such dire terms. But each said China had several key advantages, including heavy government support, world-leading research, and, crucially, supply chain prowess.

What you're looking at potentially is an Industrial Revolution-like shift in the balance of power. William Matthews, a senior research fellow at Chatham House

Starting at about the time of ChatGPT's debut in late 2022, advances in generative AI have dramatically improved robots' ability to "think" quickly and interact with their environments. Local and national governments have since invested heavily in humanoid development throughout China. In 2023, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released a policy document to steer development of the humanoid sector, calling it "a new frontier in technological competition." That same year, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen also unveiled policies supporting humanoid robot development, including catalyzing the use of the technology and streamlining the humanoid manufacturing supply chain. Several other provinces have followed suit in recent months. All told, local governments have invested more than $10 billion in the development of humanoids in the past three years.

It also helps that China is the world's factory. "China makes more stuff than anyone else. Their capacity dwarfs that even of the United States," says Matthews. "What you've got in China is a third of global manufacturing output, increasingly producing very high-quality manufactured goods, plus the rollout of AI systems, plus a highly sophisticated robotics industry and a huge amount of investment in it. That gives China a huge advantage."

For one, the supply advantage makes it easier to build cheaper. Unitree, for example, recently announced that its latest humanoid, G1, which, standing 4-foot-2, is touted as being able to walk at 4  mph and to carry 7 pounds in its hands for up to two hours, would start at $16,000. "From a price point perspective," says Jonathan Aitken, a robotics expert at the University of Sheffield, "this is incredible." Musk has said Optimus, which he plans to begin selling in 2026, will cost $20,000 to $30,000. (Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, and Figure AI, three major US manufacturers of humanoid robots, did not respond to requests for comment.)

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"The market foundation is very strong here in China," says Michael Tam, the chief brand officer at UBTech, a major Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer. "The Chinese economy has developed quite a lot via industrial robots in the last 30 years." UBTech has several humanoids in the works, including Tien Kung Xingzhe, a 5-foot-6 biped said to be able to stride at more than 6 mph and traverse sand, snow, and stairs (preorders for the $41,000 humanoid began in March). Another, the Walker S2, is under development and is expected to be deployed in car manufacturers and logistics firms, among other industrial settings. UBTech is targeting mass production of its humanoids by 2026, according to the South China Morning Post.

Supply chain supremacy also means China's competitors across the world are heavily reliant on China. Like the humans they're designed to serve and replace, humanoids are made up of thousands of parts. There's the "brain," which includes semiconductors, foundational generative AI models, and vision software. The United States has a clear advantage in the brain game. Per a February analysis from Morgan Stanley, 13 of 22 companies working on humanoid brain parts are based in America (including Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Palantir), and only two are based in China.

But the investment bank estimates that only about 4% of the total cost of manufacturing a humanoid comes from the brain. The overwhelming majority is spent on the body  a range of actuators, pistons, and skeletal parts. Twenty-one of 64 companies building body parts for humanoids are based in China; 17 are in the US. All told, about 56% of the world's humanoid supply chain companies are based in China. In particular, China has the corner market on an advanced and costly type of ball screw known as the planetary roller screw  which is essential to most of today's cutting-edge humanoids. Trump's tariffs on China, which have now reached 145%, are likely to push up the bill of materials for the average robot for many manufacturers.

It's still very early days in the humanoid industry, and how widely humans will embrace working alongside or being replaced by their machine counterparts is far from certain. But the state of the race is clear. "Unless serious and massive action is taken soon in the United States, in Europe, in Japan and South Korea," says Matthews, "it'll be very hard to compete with China in the long run." For now, the war over robots is China's to lose.

Chris Stokel-Walker is a journalist who focuses on the tech sector and its impact on our daily lives. He is the author of "How AI Ate the World," published in 2024, as well as "TikTok Boom," "YouTubers," and "The History of the Internet in Byte-Sized Chunks." Alongside his reporting, he teaches journalism at Newcastle University.

Correction: April 14, 2025  An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of UBTech's chief brand officer. He is Michael Tam, not Michael Tan.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Visitors to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Oct. 17, 2023, take in the sights near the painting depicting the moment on June 28, 1776, when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Imagine for a moment the dismay and disappointment of the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission and 30 other historic and community-based recipients of the America250 in Idaho grants upon reading these words in a letter from the Idaho State Legislature informing them that After careful consideration of legislative intent, the grant program through America 250 is canceled.

What a total surprise since a few months earlier, those same groups had been awarded grant money for their projects emphasizing topics about Idahos unique history and showcasing Idahos role in Americas 250th year anniversary. Bewilderment added to the disappointment.

Last Dec. 16, 2024, the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission received the following message: We are pleased to inform you that Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commissions A250ID grant application has been selected for award. Thank you for your thoughtful and complete application to commemorate this milestone for our nation and state. We applaud your organizations service to your community. Congratulations! We are grateful for your partnership in advancing the ideals of the American Revolution  equality, liberty, and justice  through meaningful community engagement and recognizing, appreciating, and commemorating Idahos journey in Americas legacy

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The historic preservation commission had applied for and was awarded $25,000 America250 in Idaho grant, only to have the grant program abruptly cancelled by the Legislature. The 31 applicants, having been awarded grants, and being completely unaware of the Legislatures new terms and conditions, should be entitled to receive the funds promised under the original rules that encouraged the 31 organizations to apply in the first place.

On March 24, 2025, the historic preservation commission is then informed by the Idaho State Legislature that After careful consideration of legislative intent, the grant program through America250 is cancelled. No details or reasoning are provided for the cancellation. The March 24 cancellation letter goes on to proclaim love for Idaho and its history, stating that We appreciate your organizations role in preserving and sharing Idahos story 

The historic preservation commission volunteers have dedicated over seven years and hundreds of hours of donated time, with the support and encouragement of SHPO, Twin Falls County commissioners, Idaho Heritage Trust, and Preservation Twin Falls in an effort to establish a National Register Historic Mining District preserving a series of Chinese placer gold mining sites dating to ca. 1870-1881 and ca.1933-40 Depression-era located in the Snake River Canyon between the Perrine and Hansen bridges.

Our initially accepted project application seemed to perfectly correlate with House Concurrent Resolution 31s stated criteria: Idaho, known as the Gem State, occupies a unique place in the mosaic of American history, with significant historical milestones, eras, innovations, and advancements 

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The 1870s, when the United States was commemorating the Revolutions centennial, was a dynamic time when southern Idaho was fundamentally changed by the California gold rush, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, and the new Transpacific trade and immigration networks extending from Guangdong (Canton) and Hong Kong to San Francisco and the Snake River Canyon.

One of our strengths as a community and a state has been the investment in cultural and historical preservation. The America250 in Idaho grant projects would have paid huge, long-term dividends in preserving and promoting Idahos historic legacy and public education.

Volunteer organizations such as the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission, Lincoln County Historical Society, and the Boise Contemporary Theater rely heavily on grants such as America250 in Idaho to preserve and share Idahos story.

The abrupt cancellation of these projects has implications extending far beyond the balance sheets; they threaten the very fabric of the communities they serve.

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The historic preservation commissions goals align with the stated criteria in HCR 31 to encourage Idahoans to reflect on American and state history and heritage, develop deeper connections within their communities, and advance Idahos contributions and values for the benefit of our children and future generations.

The historic preservation commissions volunteer commissioners are committed to following through with the National Register nomination for the Snake River Canyon Historic Mining District, and it is our hope we can continue to count on the Idaho Legislatures support for grass-roots, community-based historic preservation projects.

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Sitting in Joe Rogans podcast studio, thick smoke from the hosts cigar swirling around him, Douglas Murray did not mince his words.

The idea that Winston Churchill is the bad guy of the 20th Century is horse s--- of the most profound kind, he declared.

The best-selling authors ire was triggered by an emerging trend of conservative influencers espousing Churchill revisionism on their platforms.

Douglas Murray does what few men alive would dare: he calls out Joe Rogan in his own studio.



This clip outlines how the next few years may unfold on the American right, so bookmark this and watch it carefully:



The American left was defeated by Trump because it was hijacked by pic.twitter.com/AEDysFbfip  Saul Sadka (@Saul_Sadka) April 10, 2025

The idea, held among some factions of the US hard-Right, that Churchill ought not to be lauded for his role in the Second World War, is rooted in American isolationism.

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As Donald Trump extols the virtues of American protectionism, insisting the US has been taken advantage of by its foreign allies, the idea is surging afresh.

Despite Mr Trump being a Churchill fan, having twice restored a bust of the wartime leader to the Oval Office after it was removed by Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the war-time prime ministers revision has taken hold among some of his most influential followers.

Rogan, Americas most-listened to podcaster, and Tucker Carlson, a conservative journalist and commentator, both recently interviewed Darryl Cooper, a hard-Right influencer who has described Britains wartime leader as the chief villain of World War Two.

Credit: YouTube/TuckerCarlson

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The theory has its roots in the 1940s, with the inauguration of the America first committee, spearheaded by aviator Charles Lindbergh, and its campaign to keep the US out of the war.

Hostility to Churchill continued with Pat Buchanan, who twice ran for the US presidency, blaming Britains wartime leader for prolonging the conflict.

This is a very clear movement on a subset of the American right, but its a growing movement. And thats why I believe its important to challenge it, Mr Murray told The Telegraph, after his tense exchange with Rogan.

They always look like what theyre trying to do is simply correct the historical narrative. What theyre doing is in fact, distorting the historical narrative, Mr Murray said.

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I think its important that people who actually do have very large followings do not play around with very dangerous ideas [they have] encountered. And Ive been worried that thats something that is happening [more frequently], Mr Murray added.

Carlson described Mr Cooper as the best and most honest popular historian in the United States during his appearance on the Tucker Carlson Show last September.

In the almost two-and-a-half-hour chat, Mr Cooper described Churchill as the chief villain of the Second World War.

You know, if you go to 1939, when the Germans and the Soviet Union invade Poland, as soon as that wars wrapped up on the German side, Hitler starts firing off peace proposals to Britain. France, because they had already declared war, he said.

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Churchill wanted a war, he wanted to fight Germany. The reason I resent Churchill so much for it is that he kept this war going when he had no way to go back and fight this war. All he had were bombers.

He was literally, by 1940, sending firebomb fleets... just to burn down sections of the Black Forest, claimed Mr Cooper.

It was just rank terrorism... that eventually became just carpet bombing, the saturation bombing of civilian neighbourhoods, the purpose of which was to kill as many civilians as possible.

Five months later, in February, Carlson parroted some of what Mr Cooper said, launching his own attack on Churchill in an interview with Piers Morgan.

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Well, I know he helped defeat the Nazis with his friend Stalin. Im not defending the Nazis. Im just saying, where is Western civilisation? What did he preserve? Where is it? I dont know where it is, he told a bemused Morgan.

Credit: Piers Morgan Uncensored

According to Christopher Galdieri, a professor of politics at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, the theory is used to prop up the argument that modern America would be better off had the US not entered the Second World War.

Pat Buchanan argued the US should have stayed out of World War Two and let Europe figure it out and that the whole world would be better off if that had been what had happened, Prof Galdieri told The Telegraph.

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Thats an idea that used to be at the very fringes of conservative thought that is clearly becoming much more acceptable.

Andrew Roberts, author of the widely praised Churchill: Walking with Destiny was scornful of those trying to rewrite history.

Nothing Cooper or Tucker Carlson has said is new, he said.

A very, very weird world view

He told The Telegraph: Weve had these critiques from Alan Clark, from Prof Maurice Cowling, and also from Patrick Buchanan  and obviously also from people like David Irving.

What it tries to argue is that the British shouldnt have fought the Second World War, we should have let Hitler take Europe whilst we kept the Empire and allowed Hitler to then have a struggle against Soviet communism.

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It takes a very, very weird world view, frankly, to believe in that kind of thing. But also it takes some ignorance of what the world genuinely was like in the 1930s and 1940s, and what the dictators were all about, and what the Western democracies were capable of doing, he added.

If you allow Adolf Hitler control over Europe in the second half of the 1940s, he would in fact have annihilated all of the Jews in Europe and not just 50 per cent of them.

The Telegraph has approached Tucker Carlson, Darryl Cooper and Joe Rogan 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.
An American pastor is missing after allegedly being abducted at gunpoint during a church service he led in South Africa this week.

Tennessee-based Fellowship Baptist Church requested prayers on Thursday when announcing that Josh Sullivan, a missionary serving in South Africa since 2018, had been kidnapped at gunpoint by six men during their church service this evening.

Local authorities told the BBC that four armed and masked male suspects entered Fellowship Baptist Church in the Eastern Cape township of Gqeberha, stealing two phones and fleeing in Sullivans Toyota.

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The pastor was reportedly holding a prayer meeting with around 30 people, including his wife and six kids, when the kidnappers stormed the church.

They knew his name, Rev. Jeremy Hall, a spokesperson for Sullivans family, told the South African outlet Times Live, adding the men forced Sullivan into his car and sped away from the scene. The abandoned Toyota was later located about a mile from the church.

Hall, a fellow pastor based in Gqeberha, told the AFP that the incident was likely financially related, but that no ransom demands had yet been made, according to CBS News.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told the outlet the agency is aware of a citizens abduction in South Africa, but did not provide additional information.

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South Africas elite police unit, dubbed the Hawks, is reportedly running point on the case.

I just want to say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers, Sullivans wife, Megan, said in a statement on Saturday. We beg you to continue storming the throne room until Josh is safe at home.

Sullivans alleged abduction comes just days after that of a Chinese national, also in Gqeberha. The number of kidnappings in South African has dramatically risen in recent years, with the South African Police Service reporting a 264% increase from 2015 to 2024.

_____
SPRINGFIELD  Local leaders are going full throttle on wiping out dirt bikes from the streets of the three biggest cities in Western Massachusetts.

Its part of a more than five-year endeavor to prioritize public safety and to zero out off-road vehicles and ATVs from Western Massachusetts biggest population centers.

It was bright and warm on Monday morning when Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno began a press conference at City Hall to speak about the illegal motorcycles that plague the streets in warm-weather months and local cities plans to eradicate them.

The weather was perfect for the inevitable revving of motorbikes and racing down Main Street.

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They are dangerous, disrespectful, and we wont stand for it, he said.

Springfield previously filed legislation that would make it illegal to use off-road vehicles in the city. Now, the city is trying again, according to Sarno.

Sarno stood alongside the Chicopee Mayor John Vieau and Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia  and their respective police chiefs  to articulate their plan, as part of a regional task force to get the dirt bikes off the streets.

The cities and their police are collaborating with the Ludlow police chief, the Massachusetts State Police and Environmental Police, and the Hampden County Sheriffs Department on the task force.

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The cities have been cracking down on dirt bikes over the last several years. They are almost never legal, and some of the bikes are stolen, officials said. Dirt bikes and ATVs, also known as four-wheelers or quads, are banned from sidewalks, streets and parks.

Brian Keenan, the recently appointed chief of the Holyoke Police Department and a former Springfield officer, said that parks and open spaces are a vital part of urban America.

They have to be safe places for families to enjoy recreation and have a good time, he said. To have dirt bikes and ATVs marauding through them, were not going to tolerate that.

City streets arent the place for dirt bikes, he said.

Dirt bike riding through the city has contributed to fatal accidents in Springfield, including one in the Liberty Heights section of the city in 2018 and another on Plumtree Road in 2023.

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During that time, Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke were working to reduce the number of police calls with dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles.

Springfield credits its drastic reduction of police calls from residents to its enforcement efforts, said Springfield Police Department public information officer Ryan Walsh on Monday afternoon.

The city saw a peak in the number of service calls between 2018 and 2019, he said. But over the last few years, the numbers have dropped some.

In 2023, the city seized 53 off-road vehicles and arrested 26 riders. Last year, 39 were seized, and 14 were arrested, he said.

It takes the Legislature to push the bill. Thats the way to destroy these vehicles, said Sheriff Nick Cocchi at the press conference. The legislation has to pass and this year.

more news from Western Massachusetts
(KRON)  San Jose Police Department officers assigned to gang suppression seized a 9mm-handgun with a high-capacity magazine, ammo and more than 27 grams of crack cocaine during a traffic stop Friday.

Officers searched the stopped vehicle after they allegedly spotted loose ammo scattered on the floor of the car. A records check also revealed that the driver was a convicted felon.

Video: Peninsula crosswalks hacked with mock messages from Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk

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Officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle, SJPD said.

The driver was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for multiple gun-related charges.

This is yet another example of exemplary police work resulting in dangerous firearms being removed from our streets, SJPD 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 KRON4.
BALTIMORE  Maryland Gov. Wes Moore recently signed the largest budget in state history, which includes more than a dozen new taxes and fees. But he continues to tout a tax cut for the middle class.

The Democratic governors Republican critics have quickly pounced on what they see as gaslighting. Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, who represents Carroll and Frederick counties, describes the budget as the largest tax increase in Maryland history.

Moore spent winter on defense, consistently facing questions about a $5.5 billion surplus that turned into a $3.3 billion deficit. Hes kicking off spring on offense, telling the story of how he turned a deficit into a surplus. And this week, hes doing it from Asia, where he will likely secure some deals to boost his economic agenda.

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Its good for him, said Flavio Hickel, an associate professor of political science at Washington College on the Eastern Shore. It gets him out of Maryland and the domestic sniping and establishes his international credibility.

Hickel sees it as a proactive trip to shift attention and return with good news and new investments.

The day Moore flew to Tokyo last week, he shared a video statement on X about how 94% of Marylanders will either get a tax cut or see no change in their income taxes. The key words there are income taxes. Most Marylanders will pay about $50 less in income taxes, but Republicans say those savings will be offset by increases in emissions fees, a tire tax, technology services and more.

Some folks will pay less in income tax, but if they drive or use computer services, they will pay more, Ready said.

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Republicans say Moores recent statements show hes forgotten what he said at the beginning of the legislative session in January.

The governor has frequently blamed the previous administration for increasing budget spending by 70% while economic growth stalled, pointing fingers at former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican.

We were spending, but we werent growing, Moore said on Jan. 15. The governor has said economic growth is his North Star.

His critics say he ought to also lay some of the blame on Democrats, who have had majority control of the legislature and used their power to override Hogans veto on the states multibillion-dollar education plan, the Blueprint for Marylands Future.

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Both [Moore] and the legislature deserve equal blame for tax increases during this legislative session, according to Del. Matt Morgan, a Republican representing St. Marys County. But the legislature is to the left of the governor.

Morgan and Ready say the governor didnt use his power enough to rein in his party.

The governor represents a third of the government. He has the bully pulpit and a lot of budgetary control, Morgan said.

But instead of using that power, he was silent too long on some of the most controversial issues, the Republican lawmakers said.

The governor was very absent during the second half of the session, Ready said. When things got tough, he checked out.

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Moore, in an hourlong editorial board meeting with The Baltimore Sun last week, seemed to reject the idea of reining in his party.

I dont know what keeping this whole party in line means, the governor said. Maybe Im not, like, a partisan dude.

Moore said hes focused on whether an idea makes sense. He said hell embrace a good idea and reject a bad one regardless of which party is introducing it.

And, so, when we heard ideas coming from certain members of the General Assembly saying they want to do a (business-to-business tax), I came out and said, Yeah, were not doing that,' Moore said. And when I heard from other members of the General Assembly that were going to kick kids off Medicaid, Im like, Yeah, were not doing that.'

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But Moore laid some blame with the legislature on the last day of the session, saying the General Assembly didnt pass some of the governors bills that addressed housing, nuclear energy and making Maryland a more attractive destination for businesses.

For Morgan, that pushback came a little too late.

I like the governor. Hes a young, charismatic guy with a bright future ahead, Morgan said. But I would like to see more leadership from him in putting Marylanders first.

In some ways, the current economic battle is not so much a framing or reframing of the recent legislative session as it is about whether the Moore or Hogan administrations were better at putting Marylanders first.

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Hogans allies have incessantly hammered a message that the former governor left a $5.5 billion surplus, and Democrats went on a spending spree, creating a $3.3 billion deficit. Moore and his allies say that federal COVID funds papered over a structural deficit that experts warned about since 2017, leading to the states worst fiscal crisis in at least two decades.

When Moore was sworn into office on Jan. 18, 2023, he described the states financial position as fortunate. He also warned that Maryland must be clear-eyed about the challenges ahead.

But despite seeing the challenges ahead, Moore didnt take the bull by the horns, according to David Brinkley, who served as Hogans budget secretary.

Brinkley said Moore has shown incredible naivete in managing a multibillion-dollar operation. The governor compounds that problem by playing the blame game, the former budget secretary said.

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Youre the executive now. You own the decisions and impact, Brinkley said.

He added that everyone makes mistakes, but good leaders make decisions and own them.

Moore is learning a tough lesson that the legislature has 188 members, and few of them have created private-sector jobs, Brinkley said.

He predicts some of the states new taxes and fees may push some businesses and job creators south of the Potomac, referring to the river that separates Maryland and Virginia.

Many Republicans in the legislature fell in love with Virginia during this session  if they werent already. They especially enjoyed that states lieutenant governor and her campaign slogan: Dont Maryland my Virginia.

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Virginia is thriving, spending money on education and programs that work, Morgan said. Theyre kicking our butt economically in a state thats comparable to ours.

Maryland is getting its butt kicked in part because its not addressing its long-term problem of the legislature spending too much money, said Ready, who described his home states economy as stagnant.

While Republicans hope voters will hold the Democrats in power accountable in the next election, they said theyre in touch with reality in their reliably blue state.

Will it cost Moore his reelection in 2026? I doubt it, Brinkley said. So many voters are blind to the long-term impacts of government decisions. But his decisions in Maryland could hurt him if he tries to court voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and the Carolinas.

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Brinkley was referring to the presidential race in 2028. Moore recently told The Suns editorial board that he is not running for president in 2028, but he continues to raise his national profile and be named among Democrats who could lead the party out of the political doldrums.

On Thursday, columnist and podcast host Ezra Klein used Moore, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and California Gov. Gavin Newsom as examples of leaders who showed effectiveness in whats possible when bureaucracy doesnt get in the way. All three have faced catastrophes in their states and resolved them quickly with emergency orders that helped to cut through red tape. All three are on lists of potential Democratic presidential candidates.

Moore is one of the 2028 candidates people are talking about and getting excited about, Hickel said. His trip to Asia helps people see him as more than just a governor. Hes establishing international credibility, which is usually a weakness for governors.

International trips also attract a lot of media attention. (The Sun has sent reporter Sam Janesch to cover Moore in Japan and South Korea.) Its a chance to show the world how governors conduct themselves on a big stage, often meeting with troops and visiting global businesses. That spotlight can be used to share a message, Hickel said.

Moore is using the opportunity to share his message on Marylands economy.

---------------
Cameron Hudsons view

When Sudans army recaptured the Republican Palace in the capital Khartoum last month, the Sudanese people hoped it would signal the start of the final phase in the countrys war, which enters its third year this week. Sadly, there will be no return to normalcy anytime soon for some of the 13 million displaced civilians who have started returning to their homes. Jubilant scenes of celebration are being tempered by the horror of discovering mass graves and wanton destruction.

As the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) now consolidates its control over Khartoum, it faces not only a turning point but a decision point in the war. On the one hand it could pursue the retreating Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary back to the North Darfur capital of El Fasher in the hopes of eliminating the militia once and for all. The other approach would be to use its tactical and strategic gains to seek a final political victory and the legal dismantlement of the RSF through an internationally-recognized settlement. Both choices are fraught.

If the SAF doesnt choose the path of peace, more people will suffer, the war will drag on for years, and its forces could end up disintegrating. This would create the conditions for Sudan to become the regions next failed state.

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The appeal of hunting down the RSF is high among the SAF leadership and much of the public. Bolstered by the hubris that comes from reclaiming the capital, and the acquisition of sophisticated Turkish drones, the army is riding high. But its track-record of fighting in Darfur is mixed. Indeed, the RSFs predecessor, the Janjaweed, was created because the SAFs conventional tactics were ill-suited to fight a counter-insurgency campaign there. This remains true.

Coupled with the challenges that will come from having to maintain its own attenuated supply lines across a vast desert, the SAF could well be relinquishing many of the tactical and strategic advantages it currently enjoys if it goes to Darfur, setting up a potential Waterloo moment. But the SAF is likely also motivated by its own belief that an international peace deal risks giving the RSF a victory at the negotiating table it didnt earn on the battlefield. Moreover, the army feels betrayed by international actors who have supported the RSF against them and treated the two sides as equally culpable for the war and its crimes.

For its part, the international community has done little to establish a track record of consistent and even-handed diplomacy that the army can trust. Viewed from the barracks, inviting in the international community to help end the war would be an act of political suicide, and perhaps trigger an even greater threat from more hardline, Islamist elements the military has employed to help turn the wars tide.

With no one to trust internally or externally, the military believes its only choice is to open a new front in Darfur in the hopes of vanquishing an existential threat, which also justifies the armys continued hold on power. But it sets the stage for a new era of military rule paid for by the Sudanese people, whose losses of blood and treasure will be but an afterthought in the countrys perennial state of war.






Chay Khamsone, who has faced two extreme weather disasters in five years, is one of millions struggling to find affordable insurance.

NSW mum Chay Khamsone (left) has faced two extreme weather disasters in five years, and isn't sure she wants her kids to follow her into the volunteer fire service. Source: Supplied

An Aussie mum-of-two whose family has faced two extreme weather disasters in five years is struggling to find affordable insurance for her home. But 44-year-old Chay Khamsone is far from being alone  her town on the NSW Mid North Coast is one of dozens facing unacceptable danger, according to new analysis by the Climate Council.

Looking nationally, more than 2 million properties are now difficult to insure. Over 652,000 (4.4 per cent) are considered at high risk of extreme weather events, and 1.55 million properties (10.4 per cent) are at moderate risk.

Chay lives an hour away from Port Macquarie in the tiny town of Pappinbarra, which was hit by bushfires in 2019 and then floods in 2021.

"We're really in the thick of this climate whiplash feeling. And I know communities across Australia are experiencing this now too, so it feels like nowhere is untouched," she told Yahoo News. "It's just really disruptive and really expensive. Our local council is still cleaning up from the 2021 floods."

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Chay doesnt want to move, and shed like her kids to stay in the area too. But shes not sure shed like them to follow her footsteps as a firefighter. It's a common concern many volunteers face as they weigh up the risk to their kids against keeping the community protected by the next generation of firefighters.

My kids have expressed interest in joining the bushfire brigade. I'm really proud of them wanting to do that, but I also would feel worried that we're sending them into unfightable fires in the future, Chay said.

Chay defended properties in the area during the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires (left), but she worries blazes are getting too difficult for her kids (left) and the next generation to fight. Source: Supplied

Climate change at 'doorstep' of everyday Aussies

The Climate Councils new At the Front Door report categorised 86 suburbs as critical climate risk zones, where 80 to 100 per cent of properties are classified as high-risk. The non-profit has also updated its data suburb analysis tool with information from Climate Valuation, a company that assesses how climate change affects the risk to property.

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For a long time, global warming has been a conceptual idea for most people, but the Climate Councils chief economist Nicki Hutley said the report highlights that it's now "literally at the doorstep of Australian households.

We keep getting hit by disasters in Australia and thats driving insurance bills through the roof, but we cannot insure our way out of this crisis, she said.

Karl Mallon is an insurance industry expert and the founder of Climate Valuation. Given the immediacy of the problem, hes called on governments to provide communities with a clear understanding of how they plan to keep them safe and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.

Our data draws on 15 million commercial and residential properties in over 15,000 Australian suburbs and 150 electorates. The numbers show us that climate change is not a far-off future event: it threatens entire communities today, he said.

These are just some of the regions facing a high risk of climate-related disaster. Source: Climate Council

Aussie mum's climate change plea

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australian temperatures have risen by more than 1.5 degrees between 1910 to 2023. The problem is only expected to get worse because pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is continuing to increase, and this leads to more frequent and severe extreme weather events.

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For Chay, her focus is on the upcoming election and what stance political parties are taking on protecting communities and families from the threat of climate change. "As a firefighter, I would feel like Australians have my back if they vote for a safer climate, she said.

[Climate change] has dropped off the agenda a bit, but Id love for them to keep talking about it. Because we trust what the scientists are saying. They are cautious people, but they need regular people to be banging on about it.

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Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo vowed he will stand up to bully President Trump if hes elected New York City mayor  but critics sniped back that the Democrat knows all about bullying.

Cuomo, during a speech at First Corinthian Baptist church in Harlem, said he sparred with Trump during the COVID-19 crisis.

We almost created issues to fight about, Cuomo said at the end of Palm Sunday service. It became so commonplace. But we fought about vaccines. We fought about federal resources. We fought about ships, we fought about everything,

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaking at t First Corinthian Baptist Church in Manhattan on April 13, 2025. James Keivom

And you know what I learned about Mr. Trump? He is a bully, he said. And you know what you do with a bully? You stand up to a bully. When they put their finger in your chest, you step forward. You dont step back  Were going to stand up to the bully.

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During his first-term as president, Trump called Cuomo a bully thug.

Cuomo was in Harlem to discuss his 500,000 units over 10 years housing plan, two-thirds of which will be affordable to people with low- and moderate-incomes. He said that would incentivize faith based-groups to use their surplus property for housing.

Critics were more caught up on the bully jab.

Hello pot, meet kettle, said upstate state Sen. George Borrello, who represents the Buffalo-Rochester region and dealt with Cuomo both as Chautauqua county executive and as a state legislator.

Cuomo called President Trump a bully in his Sunday remarks. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Cuomo was the biggest bully in Albany for years, Borrello said.

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State Republican Party chairman Ed Cox scoffed at Cuomos claims.

Talk about a bully. Cuomo is the original thug in NY politics, he said.

Cuomo greeting congregants outside of First Corinthian Baptist Church before the service. James Keivom

Queens state Assemblyman Ron Kim in 2021 claimed a spitting-mad Cuomo threatened to destroy him if he didnt help contain the damage over the Cuomo administrations alleged cover-up of nursing home resident COVID-19 deaths.

Kim  whose uncle died of the coronavirus in a nursing home  said Cuomo told him in a heated phone interview, You have not seen my wrath.

The assemblyman declined to revisit the alleged threat on Sunday.

Cuomo praying alongside congregants in the Harlem church. James Keivom

A rep for city comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander said Cuomo and Trump are two peas in a pod.

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New Yorkers know that Andrew Cuomo and Donald Trump are longtime friends who share a history of corruption, daddy issues, and sexual harassment allegations, said Lander spokesperson Dora Pekec.

Cuomo resigned as governor under the threat of impeachment in 2021 over sexual harassment claims, which he denies.

Cuomo embracing a congregant inside First Corinthian Baptist Church. James Keivom

He is now the Democratic-front runner for mayor, according to numerous polls.

But one long-time confidante of Donald Trump who also knows Cuomo well said the accusations of bullying show that both men are tough  a positive trait.

One thing you can say for certain: Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo are both very tough guys and in American politics only the tough survive, said political consultant Roger Stone.
NEW YORK  Two powerful labor unions endorsed scandal-scarred Andrew Cuomos New York City mayoral bid Monday, providing organizational muscle and solidifying his front-runner status in the Democratic primary.

The labor groups 32BJ SEIU and Hotel and Gaming Trades Council  which represent building service workers and hotel and casino employees, respectively  are coveted by most candidates running in highly unionized New York City. Their backing for Cuomo in a rare joint endorsement follows Mayor Eric Adams announcement this month that he would forgo the Democratic primary to run as an independent. Both unions endorsed Adams in 2021.

That same year, hotel union President Rich Maroko said the sexual harassment allegations leveled against then-Gov. Cuomo were "disturbing" and called on him to resign, which he did.

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The labor groups are now looking past the litany of scandals that drove Cuomo from office and their leaders prior calls for Cuomo's resignation. On Monday, Maroko called Cuomo a formidable leader with a proven history of effective government management.

His record as governor shows whats possible when leadership puts working families first  and those are exactly the kinds of policy victories New Yorkers will need in the years ahead, Maroko said.

Manny Pastreich, the 32BJ SEIU president, alluded to the perception stoked by Cuomos campaign that the former governor can stand up to President Donald Trump. (Cuomo initially said he can work with his fellow Queens native, a comment that drew scorn from rival campaigns, before shifting to more aggressive rhetoric.)

This moment calls for someone who doesnt stay home in times of crisis and who does not back down from a fight when things get tough, Pastreich said. This moment requires Andrew Cuomo for mayor.

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Union leaders waited for Adams' long-expected decision before finalizing the endorsement, according to a person familiar with their deliberations who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the private talks. Some labor officials involved in the selection process were intrigued by the candidacy of socialist Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, who has leveraged social media to thrive in the citys public campaign financing system. But Mamdani, an Israel critic, was ultimately considered too far left for the pragmatic unions that rely on the city cutting deals with real estate developers and hotel owners to provide their members work, the person said.

The other Democratic candidates  state Sens. Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, city Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and former Assemblymember Michael Blake  have not polled competitively in the race. Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council, entered the race late and has not polled competitively yet.

The 67-year-old Cuomo stepped down as the states chief executive following sexual harassment and misconduct allegations detailed in a report released by Attorney General Letitia James. Hes also been dogged by his controversial Covid policies after the pandemic initially made him a national political celebrity. Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing.

He and his allies assiduously courted labor leaders  whose members can provide organizational heft and voter turnout efforts in political campaigns  in the months before he entered the race. POLITICO previously reported the former governor met late last year with Maroko in New Jersey and separately with leaders from 32BJ SEIU. Cuomo launched his campaign at the carpenters union headquarters, a move meant to underscore his labor support. Campaign adviser Kevin Elkins is a former political director for the group.

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Since joining the race last month, Cuomo has quickly amassed a campaign war chest.

The two unions combined have more than 120,000 people in their ranks, and their support comes after the nods Cuomo has received from smaller labor organizations around the city.

Other major labor unions have yet to weigh in. The United Federations of Teachers, whose president, Michael Mulgrew, is close to Cuomo, is not expected to make its endorsement until closer to the primary. Mulgrew is facing his own reelection battle next month.

Cuomo may have a difficult time securing the backing of District Council 37, which represents municipal workers who remain angry over the former governor engineering a less generous pension tier. The union will endorse its candidate slate on April 22.

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The influential labor union 1199 SEIU, which represents health care workers, has been in turmoil for months. A nine-month POLITICO investigation found the unions president, George Gresham, benefited from the labor organizations money, with some of it going to family members and allies. Gresham is facing his first competitive election in decades.

Cuomo has long received political backing from the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and was allies with its former president, Peter Ward. The organization is relatively small, but has become politically influential and fields a robust voter turnout operation. The union benefited from Cuomos push to allow commercial table-top casino gambling in the state, a move that significantly expanded the unions membership. Cuomo has also sided with the union on short-term rental regulations. The labor groups citywide hotel contract will soon be up for renegotiation.

Measures to increase the states minimum wage have also been pushed by 32BJ, and the labor group cheered his support for a law providing health care benefits to airport workers.

But Cuomos support from labor has been mixed during his decades in elected office. As governor, he sought more modest contracts for public worker unions and threatened layoffs if cost-saving deals couldnt be reached. The posture earned the ire of the states largest unions that represent government workers, the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation. Job losses were ultimately avoided and Cuomo spent the subsequent years mending his relationship with some of the unions.
President Donald Trump has nominated an Alabama urologist with a long record of anti-trans rhetoric  but also a history of marketing gender-affirming care to transgender men  to replace Rachel Levine in a top federal health role. Levine is the first transgender person confirmed by the U.S. Senate, which happened under the Biden administration.

Brian Christine, 61, has been selected to serve as assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services. This position oversees key public health initiatives and was previously held by Levine. Christines nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, comes amid Trumps escalating efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights across the federal government  and has already sparked an outcry from advocates who accuse Christine of hypocrisy and political opportunism.

Christine has spent recent years publicly denouncing gender-affirming care for transgender youth, calling it damaging and falsely claiming it is part of a left-wing agenda to attack families, religion, and traditional gender roles.

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In an October 2022 podcast episode, Christine described gender dysphoria as a psychiatric condition that should be treated with corrective care  including counseling or pastoral care  rather than medically supported gender affirmation. He accused the left of using transgender youth as pawns to challenge traditional family and attack traditional religion and theology.

Yet Christine  now seeking to lead national health policy  has publicly denied ever treating transgender patients.

The Washington Post reports that in a recent statement released through the White House, Christine insisted: I have never treated transgender men for sexual dysfunction, either with medication or surgery. I have never performed a surgical transition of a man or woman. I have never prescribed hormones to a patient with gender dysphoria or to aid in transition. I am not a specialist in transgender care. I do not offer treatment to patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

But The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Christines practice had explicitly advertised care for transgender men. In a 2017 full-page ad in Peach ATL, an LGBTQ+ magazine, Christine promoted surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction in female-to-male transgender patients and promised no prejudice or bias, just outstanding care for gay, cisgender, and transgender men alike. His now-deleted website also listed care for transgender men among his specialties in 2017, according to an archived version, and a 2019 speaker biography at a urology conference similarly highlighted his work treating transgender patients.

Major medical associations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatric Association, agree that gender-affirming care is evidence-based, medically necessary, and often lifesaving. Every major U.S. medical authority endorses this care  which may include puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgeriesfor appropriate patients under medical professional guidance.

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Advocates called the contradictions disqualifying.

Human Rights Campaign national press secretary Brandon Wolf said in a statement to The Advocate that Christines nomination is an affront to the groundbreaking leaders who have served in this crucial role and an insult to the communities he has thrown under the bus."

Christines record stands in stark contrast to Levine, who, during her time in office, advocated for ensuring access to gender-affirming care for all transgender people, regardless of age. Christine, meanwhile, has aligned himself with political attacks on transgender health care  calling gender-affirming care for youth damaging, comparing it to malpractice, and falsely suggesting it is part of a government-driven plot.

His nomination now heads to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where Democrats  including Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont  will face pressure to confront Christines record and past statements. No hearing has yet been scheduled.
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?
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP)  Some 110 years have passed since the business began, but passersby, tourists, celebrities and even presidents still gravitate to this 19th-century mansion nestled in the heart of Santiago, Chile. Behind discreet gray doors, visitors find racks of hats  black bowlers, safari styles, top hats and close-fitting cloth caps once worn by troops.

The musty store, called Where the Monkey Hits, is a surprising fashion hotspot in modern-day Chile given its tradition, claiming to be the oldest hat maker in South America.

The shop sees the hat as much a relic of Chiles past as it is an accessory. It recently reopened after a long restoration and now hosts a modest museum showcasing other 19th-century treasures like opulent chandeliers and neoclassical furniture.

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The artifacts tell the story of the imported European fashions of that era as immigrants crossed oceans to try their luck on the distant Pacific coast. Exhausted and full of hope, Spanish, Italian, French and German workers poured out of ships and trains, into the pulsing streets of a nascent Santiago.

It was like what our airports are today, store owner Roberto Lasen, a third-generation Spanish immigrant, told The Associated Press, gesturing toward the capitals main avenue, which has recently seen businesses shutter as consumers flock to shopping malls. The entire flow of foreigners entered through this street.
The city center in the aftermath of the Russia's missile attack that killed at least 21 civilians in Sumy, Ukraine, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Associated Press said it was blocked from an event between President Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office on Monday, a week after a federal judge granted its request for an injunction against the White Houses ban on the outlet.

Our journalists were blocked from the Oval Office today, an AP spokesperson told TheWrap. We expect the White House to restore APs participation in the pool as of today, as provided in the injunction order.

The White House had previously banned the AP from the Oval Office for refusing to use the term Gulf of America instead of Gulf of Mexico, following the presidents renaming of the body of water on government documents earlier this year.

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That decision led to the Trump Administration blocking the AP from the Oval Office, starting on Feb. 11; the AP has been allowed to cover other events at the White House since then, including press briefings.

Nobody has the right to go into the Oval Office and ask the president of the United States questions, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in February. That is an invitation that is given.

The AP then sued the Trump White House on Feb. 21, arguing its First Amendment rights had been violated by the restricted access.

The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government, the AP said in its lawsuit. The Constitution does not allow the government to control speech. Allowing such government control and retaliation to stand is a threat to every Americans freedom.

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Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden ruled the White House must immediately rescind the denial of APs access.

The Court simply holds that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists  be it to the Oval Office, the East Room or elsewhere  it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints, Judge Trevor McFadden said in his ruling. The Constitution requires no less.

But the judge cautioned that the decision does not limit the various permissible reasons the Government may have for excluding journalists from limited-access events. It does not mandate that all eligible journalists, or indeed any journalists at all, be given access to the President or nonpublic government spaces. It does not prohibit government officials from freely choosing which journalists to sit down with for interviews or which ones questions they answer. And it certainly does not prevent senior officials from publicly expressing their own views.





The post AP Says It Remains Blocked From Oval Office Despite Judges Order to Restore Access appeared first on TheWrap.
*Correction: KRQE initially reported that Julian Garcia was killed in the shooting. That information was incorrect, and this article has been adjusted to reflect that change.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  On Monday, the Albuquerque Police Department provided an update on the March 20 officer-involved shooting of 19-year-old Julian Garcia. The full press conference can be seen at the bottom of this article.

According to APD, Julian Garcia had a warrant out for his arrest in connection to a deadly shooting in September 2024. APD officers had been searching for Garcia after he was charged with murder in February.

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At about 6 p.m. on March 20 around Unser Boulevard and Sage Road, detectives made contact with Garcia. Police say Garcia proceeded to run away; detectives gave him orders to stop, but he did not, and less-lethal rounds were fired at him.

Story continues below

At some point during the chase, Garcia pulled out a handgun and carried it in his left hand as he ran. Another less-lethal round was fired, and then, one of the detectives fired his rifle two times, striking Garcia.

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Garcia was taken to a local hospital, and, as of April 14, remains hospitalized. No officers were injured in the shooting. The detective involved, who was not named by APD, has been with the department since 2007 and has been involved in five prior officer-involved shootings.

The crime that Garcia was wanted in connection to was a shooting that occurred on September 19, 2024. Garcias uncle, 34-year-old James Garcia, and 32-year-old Ezekiel Brown were both killed that day. According to police, Brown allegedly shot James Garcia, and Julian Garcia returned fire, killing Brown. Garcia was wanted for an open count of murder.

The content of the press conference may include violent images and/or strong language.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An appeal has been lodged against the seizure and confiscation of the Eventin oil tanker, which was wrecked in the Baltic Sea off the German island of Rugen in January.

A spokesman for the Finance Ministry in Berlin said on Monday that "further enforcement measures" would not be taken until the competent court has made a decision.

The Panama-flagged tanker is one of more than 150 ships in the so-called Russian shadow fleet that are subject to sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

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The Eventin drifted in the Baltic Sea for hours in January, unable to manoeuvre after all of its systems failed.

According to earlier reports, the tanker had been on its way from Ust-Luga in Russia to Port Said in Egypt with around 100,000 tonnes of oil on board.

Authorities have since confirmed that the ship and its cargo were seized by customs and subsequently confiscated.

"The confiscation will also create the legal conditions for the realisation of the ship and the cargo," the spokesman said.
Holly Petricevich was shocked to pay $1,199 for her car service at the MG Wangara service centre. Source: Supplied & TikTok/hollypetricevich0

A driver who alleges she was duped after paying $1,199 for a recent car service is the latest Aussie to grow suspicious of high repair and maintenance fees associated with car ownership.

Holly Petricevich told Yahoo News she dropped her 2022 MG HS off for its standard 60,000 kilometre service at the MG dealer in Wangara in Perth's north on April 3. She was under the impression it would cost her roughly $500 and she would be notified if any additional work was needed.

However, when she arrived back to collect her car, she was instructed to pay $1,199. The dealership has since claimed to Yahoo that was the amount she was quoted.

"They said they'd call me if they needed to do anything different, which I was fine with. But then they were like, oh, that'll be $1,199 please. They said they had to do a little bit to the car but they never consulted me," Holly claimed. "I was shocked, and I was a bit upset actually."

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After questioning why the service was costing so much, the worker allegedly explained to Holly the service "was a big one" and included making changes to the spark plugs and transmission fluid.

"I just thought, oh gosh, what if I didn't have the money? I think it's important to let customers know so they can say yes or no to these things being done to their car," she said.

Driver questions car service price

MG Wangara provided Holly with a detailed breakdown of the service cost which included $496.49 for parts, $51.60 for petrol, oil and lubricant supplies (POL), $18.01 for miscellaneous, $109 for tax and $523.90 for labour.

Holly explained she was happy to pay the necessary amount for a thorough service but is sceptical about taking her car there again as she felt the cost was much higher than she first expected. "For my next service I'll be taking my car somewhere else," she said.

The MG service centre provided a detailed list of Holly's cost. Source: Supplied

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Yahoo News enquired about the price of a 60,000 kilometres service for the same car at the MG service centre on April 10 and was quoted at $1,015  $194 cheaper than what Holly paid one week earlier. When the price discrepancy was queried, a worker at the service centre said he "just bashed the numbers in the computer" and $1,015 is what appeared on his screen.

The worker claimed Holly was quoted $1,199 prior to her service. However, in response, Holly told Yahoo "they absolutely did not".

"I never got quoted hence why I was so shocked... They also were meant to return my call four times and never once did, I think that speaks volumes," she alleged.

Dealership apologises for 'genuine mistake', reimburses customer

The Dealer Principal, Vanel Ram, told Yahoo News that Hollys interaction occurred during a transition period with some staff involved being inexperienced at the business.

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Instead of selecting the correct 60,000 km service, she was charged for the more expensive 80,000 km service, which was "a genuine and honest mistake".

"I've spoken with Holly personally and offered a full apology," he said. "We have reimbursed her $200 and offered her next full service for free ... she was over the moon about that."

He added that the expectation of a $500 cost was "an assumption" based on what she'd previously paid for a car service, and said staff will do a better job in explaining the costs involved.

Holly was concerned she had been taken advantage of by the mechanics. Source: TikTok/hollypetricevich0

Drivers warned over 'rise in labour and parts costs' for cars

Henry Man, from Compare the Market, confirmed drivers should always be updated when changes need to be made to a car and given an outline of what the subsequent cost will be.

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"Before the dealer even touches your car, you should know the price. They should quote the price for you and outline how much it will cost and consent before they even get the keys to your car," he said.

While he couldn't speak to Holly's specific situation, he did warn that the price of car services have increased in recent years and drivers should ready themselves to dig deeper into their pockets.

"In recent times, we've seen a rise in the cost of labour and parts, plus the inclusion of more advanced technologies in some new models," he told Yahoo.

This has had a knock-on effect to driver behaviour, with recent Compare the Market research finding that one quarter of Aussies admit to servicing their car less due to cost-of-living pressures.

This story was updated after the dealership reimbursed Holly and offered her a free car service.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Seventh District Court of Appeals has denied a motion by a Campbell man to reopen the appeal of his conviction for the shooting death of his estranged wifes boyfriend.

The ruling was issued Friday but released Monday. It denied the motion by John Morgan, 48, to reopen the courts decision in December that denied the appeal of his February 2024 conviction in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for the July 31, 2022, shooting death of Daniel Peek.

Morgan is currently serving a sentence of 18 years to life in prison.

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Peek was shot and killed in the driveway of his home in the 1100 block of East Florida Avenue. Morgan claimed self-defense during his trial before Judge Maureen Sweeney.

Morgan appealed his convictions almost immediately after his trial. That appeal was denied in December by the appeals court.

Morgans attorney Rhys Cartwright-Jones then filed a motion March 10 to reopen the appeal.

In their decision denying the reopening, the court wrote they saw no evidence of ineffective appellate counsel that would allow Morgans appeal to be reopened.

Cartwright-Jones also argued in his motion to reopen that a motion should have been filed to suppress dash cam video of the shooting, but the appeals court ruled that there was plenty of evidence to support Morgans conviction without the footage based on witness testimony.

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Peek was killed after he, Morgan and Peeks son fought in the driveway of Peeks home when Morgan came to the home to pick up his daughter for Sunday dinner. There was a history of friction between Morgan and Peek, prosecutors said, and testimony during the trial showed that Morgan was told not to come directly to the home but instead to pick up his daughter at the top of the street.

Prosecutors said he pulled into the drive at a high rate of speed and fired a round into the ground from a gun he was carrying, then hit Peek in the head with the gun three times. Peek and his son then fought Morgan, knocking the gun out of his hands and seeming to get the better of the fight.

Morgan fell to the ground and Peek ran away. Morgan found his gun and fired one shot, which hit Peek in the back. He died from his wounds.

The shooting was captured on a dash cam video in Morgans car. Morgan said he had the camera and the gun after a previous shooting incident he was involved in. An arrest was never made in that shooting.

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Morgan told jurors when he testified that he fired a shot into the ground because he saw Peek coming off his porch, and he thought Peek was going to fight him. He claimed he didnt hit Peek with the gun, but he went to throw it and it slipped out of his hand. He said there are parts of the fight he does not remember, and he said he fired his gun because he wanted the beating to stop. He said he did not aim the gun when he fired it.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A West Liberty-Salem High School student is set to appear in an independent film shot in California and Florida.

Our partners at the Urbana Daily Citizen reported Collin Thompson, a senior at the school, has the lead role as Freddy in Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma.

According to the Citizen, the film shows a family targeted by a cybercriminal that takes over their life savings and all digital aspects in their lives.

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IMDb shows Thompson is starring alongside Chandler Riggs, who played Carl Grimes in AMCs The Walking Dead, Richard Riehle, who played Tom Smykowski in Office Space and Jaime Moyer, who played Jodie Goldfeder in K.C. Undercover.

The film is reportedly in the film festival process to see if a streaming platform would choose to secure a deal. If that happens, the film could have a global audience.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Kristin Stuart (left) expresses opposition to Senate Bill 640, co-sponsored by Rep. Howard Beaty (right), R-Crossett, before the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Monday, April 14, 2025. The bill would reconstitute the Arkansas State Library Board. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

An Arkansas House committee approved a proposal Monday to remove all seven members of the State Library Board and allow Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to replace them later this year.

Senate Bill 640 passed the Senate Thursday with support from 27 Republicans. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and Rep. Howard Beaty, R-Crossett, filed the bill late Wednesday night, less than two hours after Senate Bill 536 hit a dead end with a week left in the legislative session.

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Beaty was among a bipartisan group of members of the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs to vote against SB 536. The bill would have abolished both the Arkansas State Library and its board and transferred their powers and responsibilities to the state Department of Education.

Beaty told the same committee Monday that the current board should be replaced because of its dysfunction and infighting.

There were legitimate concerns that were raised, and those havent been addressed, he said. [It shows] the lack of consideration of what we need in this state and what our constituents are telling us.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, filed SB 536 last month in response to the State Library Boards failure to pass two measures he requested as conditions for him to drop his promise to abolish the board.

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Sullivan has targeted the State Library for its affiliation with the American Library Association, which he claims is a leftist political organization, and for the boards refusal to adopt policies directing public libraries to keep certain materials out of the hands of minors.

The board rejected both efforts with a 4-3 vote in March. The latter would have created nonbinding policies to protect children from sexually explicit content in libraries and detached the State Library from the ALA.

The three board members who supported Sullivans requests were all Sanders appointees: former Republican state senator Jason Rapert of Conway, who moved to approve the requests; Shari Bales of Hot Springs, whom the Senate confirmed alongside Rapert; and Sydney McKenzie of Rogers, who joined the board in January and is married to GOP Rep. Brit McKenzie.

Rapert has been the boards most outspoken advocate for keeping sexually explicit content out of childrens reach and has called for the boards abolition due to the majoritys consistent refusal to back his efforts.

Committee debate

SB 640 would require the seven new members to draw lots determining how their terms will be staggered, ending between one and seven years from when the bill becomes law. Subsequent appointees would serve seven-year terms, the current length of time board members serve.

Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, expresses opposition to SB 640 during a meeting of the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Those terms end in October every year, and Rep. Julie Mayberry reminded the committee that Sanders will be able to appoint a new board member in just a few months.

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The Republican lawmaker from Hensley said she would not support SB 640 because she personally knows and respects a State Library Board member.

I know her work and her dedication to students, to families across the state is exemplary, Mayberry said. Theres no reason to eliminate every single position on this board.

Lupe Pena de Martinez of Mabelvale is a former principal at a public school in East End, which is in Mayberrys House district, and her term on the State Library Board is currently set to expire in 2028.

At the March board meeting in which Sullivans two requested motions failed, Pena de Martinez made a successful motion to create nonbinding policies aimed at protecting children in libraries while honoring the First Amendment and library material selection standards. All three Sanders appointees voted against the motion.

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Nothing in SB 640 would prevent current State Library Board members from being reappointed, said Rep. David Ray, R-Maumelle. He and other Republicans expressed support for the bill as an alternative to SB 536, particularly since SB 640 does not involve the Department of Education in the State Librarys responsibilities. Lawmakers and members of the public both included this as a reason to oppose SB 536.

House Minority Leader Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, asks a question during a meeting of the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Mayberry joined the committees three Democrats in voting against SB 640.

House Minority Leader Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, challenged Beatys assertion about State Library Board dysfunction.

They are continuing to have meetings [and] they are continuing to make decisions, even if theyre not the decisions that some people would like, Collins said. Its a functional board. Its just a board that some people disagree with.

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Collins said he did not believe the Legislature should set a precedent of reconstituting state boards if some lawmakers are frustrated with them. Beaty said he disagreed and was not concerned in the slightest about setting such a precedent.

Kristin Stuart of Little Rock, the only audience member to speak against SB 640, agreed with Collins that the proposal is a power grab. She said reconstituting the board would disrupt its mission of supporting Arkansas libraries and preserving peoples access to information and learning.

[SB 640 is] opening the door for political appointees who may not have the experience, objectivity or commitment to intellectual freedom that the board requires, Stuart said.

The State Library Board is scheduled to meet the second Friday in May and in August. If SB 640 passes the House this week and if Sanders signs it, it will go into effect Aug. 1, and it gives Sanders 30 days to replace the board.

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NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT)  On Friday, Apr. 11, 2025, a man in Rocky Mount was sentenced to 68 months in prison for possession of a firearm to further drug trafficking and distribution of fentanyl.

Nedall Alwan, 30, pled guilty to the charges on January 14, 2025.

Court documents say that in March 2023, the Tarboro Police Department and Edgecomb Sheriffs Office received information that Alwan, who was operating a vape and tobacco store in Tarboro, was selling narcotics. Officers made three controlled purchases of Perc 30 pills from Alwan between Mar. 8 and Apr. 5, 2023. On Apr. 6, 2023, officers searched Alwans vape and tobacco business and found 290 M-30 pills that contained 30 grams of fentanyl, a 9mm rifle, and $9,533.00 in U.S. currency. A 9mm handgun was also found in Alwans car, and additional U.S. currency was found at his home.

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Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Enforcement, Edgecombe County Sheriffs Office, and the Tarboro and Rocky Mount Police Departments investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted 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 WNCT.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  The suspected arsonist connected to the fire at Governor Shapiros Residence in Harrisburg on Sunday morning was transported to a local hospital following his arrest.

Cody Balmer, 38, of Penbrook, was charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated assault, and aggravated arson after he turned himself in and claimed responsibility for starting a fire at the Governors Residence.

Suspect arsonist was prepared to attack Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro with hammer, court docs reveal

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According to Pennsylvania State Police, Balmer was taken into custody without incident and charged on Sunday.

Police say Balmer was transported to a local hospital due to a medical event not connected to the incident or his arrest. He is currently receiving treatment and remains under police supervision.

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Balmers mother told The Associated Press on Monday that she had tried in recent days to get him assistance for mental health issues, but nobody would help. She said her son had bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The AP was not able to verify that information.

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He wasnt taking his medicine, and thats all I want to say, Christie Balmer said, speaking at the family home in Harrisburg.

Police said he will be transported to the Dauphin County Prison for arraignment following his release from the hospital.

According to court records, Balmer told someone he had set the fire and wanted to turn himself in. He later appeared outside a Pennsylvania State Police office and was transported to the Harrisburg barrack where he admitted to the attack.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Last week, an Ashland City doctor was sentenced for allegedly submitting more than $41 million in fraudulent healthcare claims.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Tennessee said that Dr. John Manning, 64, signed the false and fraudulent claims to Medicare between June 2016 and April 2019; Medicare paid over $19 million of those claims with Manning accepting the payment of kickbacks in connection with the orders. Those kickbacks totaled more than $812,000.

Courtroom in new Ashland City Hall to be dedicated to longtime judge

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This doctor ignored his oath to help people and bilked the taxpayers out of almost $20 million, Robert E. McGuire, Acting U.S. Attorney, said. Now he faces accountability for his actions and the taxpayers get some justice for being taken advantage of.

Manning was indicted in July 2022 with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and eight counts of healthcare fraud. The U.S. Attorneys Office said he pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count in August 2023 and admitted that he worked for multiple telemedicine companies and signed doctor orders for medical equipment, cancer genetic tests and more  sometimes without ever speaking to a patient.

Health care providers that participate in the federal health care system are required to obey the laws and regulations meant to protect the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid program, Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General said.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

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In addition to a three-year sentence in federal prison, Manning has been ordered to pay more than $19 million in restitution to the Medicare program. He has also been ordered to pay criminal forfeiture in the form of a more than $812,000 money judgment.

Health care fraud is a crime that hurts all of us and drives up health care costs, Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the Nashville Field Office of the FBI said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Young Lawyers Section in Kansas City is partnering with FOX4 once again with its Ask-A-Lawyer hotline.

The hotline allows available attorneys to take your phone calls free of charge this week to answer any legal questions you may have.

April election reaction; Northland Career Center funding challenges

The Ask-A-Lawyer hotline is open from Monday, April 14, till Wednesday, April 16. Lines are open from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. each day.

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The number for the hotline is 816-994-3933. Call the number during the available time slots to ask questions about wills and trusts, child custody arrangements, landlord and tenant concerns and more.

Additionally, you can search for a lawyer at kclawyerfinder.com or the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Associations online directory.

The partnership between FOX4 and the Young Lawyers Section KC is in celebration of National Law Day, which is May 1.

The Young Lawyers Section also included the following release regarding the hotline:

No continuing attorney-client relationship is established by calling this number and speaking with a KCMBA Ask-A-Lawyer volunteer attorney, or if a KCMBA Ask-A-Lawyer volunteer attorney returns your call. The exact nature of your legal situation will depend on many facts not known to us at this time. You should understand that the advice and information given in calling this number or receiving a call back is a public service and is general advice and that your own situation may vary. You may wish to consult your lawyer or another lawyer instead of us if you would like further advice beyond that which may be given in these phone calls.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Alex Jones, a right-wing conspiracy theorist and founder of Infowars, appeared on the Tucker Carlson Show, the former Fox News hosts video podcast, last Wednesday. The pair made misleading and outright false statements throughout their two-hour discussion on topics ranging from 9/11, the Ukrainian government, U.S. intelligence on Russias invasion of Ukraine, and nonprofit organizations formed in the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.

Dick Cheney called for a new Pearl Harbor event and race-specific bioweapons.

While discussing unfounded conspiracies claiming that the U.S. government was involved in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Jones claimed former Vice President Dick Cheney wrote in 2000 that we need a new Pearl Harbor event to launch the Pax Americana and supported the development of race-specific bioweapons.

In the Project for [a New] American Century headed up by [former Defense Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney, Dick Cheney wrote in there that we need a new Pearl Harbor event to launch the Pax Americana, Jones said. Cheney also writes in that same document, We need to look at, you know, race-specific bioweapons to have control and bring in our power.

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Cheney did not advocate for a new Pearl Harbor event or the creation of race-specific bioweapons. Jones is referencing a September 2000 report from the Project for a New American Century (PNAC), a now-defunct conservative think tank, titled Rebuilding Americas Defenses, authored primarily by national security expert Giselle (then Thomas) Donnelly, with historian Donald Kagan and former Reagan administration adviser Gary Schmitt serving as the projects co-chairmen. Cheney did not write the report and, though he signed a statement of principles outlined by PNAC at its founding 1997, he was never directly affiliated with PNAC.

Moreover, the 90-page report does not support Jones claim. While the report did mention Pearl Harbor, it was to make the point that a technological transformation of the U.S. militaryincreasing its capabilities by integrating recently developed technological breakthroughswould be a long and gradual process, unless a Pearl Harbor-like event were to occur. The process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing eventlike a new Pearl Harbor, the report stated. That was the reports only mention of Pearl Harbor. Similarly, Jones claims that the report advocates for the development of race-specific bioweapons, when it states no such thing. Instead, the report discussed how technological developments could potentially alter the calculus of war. Although it may take several decades for the process of transformation to unfold, in time, the art of warfare on air, land, and sea will be vastly different than it is today, the report said. For example, the report added, advanced forms of biological warfare that can target specific genotypes may transform biological warfare from the realm of terror to a politically useful tool. Critically, the report was not advocating for the use of biological warfare, but was speculating on military capabilities the U.S. might encounter decades in the future. Other examples the report noted were the potential for outer space to become a theater of war and battles fought by fleets of robots, some small enough to fit in soldiers pockets.

Killed Infowars reporter Jamie White was on a Ukrainian hit-list.

Carlson at one point said he was concerned that the country is entering a violent stage, noting that Infowars reporter Jamie White was assassinated.

Jones then provided some context to Whites death. Well, a month ago, Jamie Whitea great reporter, great guywe were working up there Sunday night till about 9 oclock, he said. I left, he went home and then got shot through the carotid artery, one shot through his neck and then out the back, and then he bled to death. Jones added that White was on the Ukraine hit list along [with] myself, you [Carlson], and a bunch of other people.

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On the night of March 9, White was shot and killed in the parking lot outside his apartment in Austin, Texas. A police investigation into Whites murder noted that his killers, who are still at large, were likely burglars. White appeared to have spotted burglars breaking into his vehicle and confronted them, according to detectives. The suspects then shot White and fled. Police responded to a 911 report of a shooting, and White was brought to a local hospital where he was declared dead in the early hours of March 10. Detectives have also said the attack was likely random and that Whites killers were likely involved in other vehicle burglaries in the area.

The government of Ukraine did not have White on any sort of hit-list. That false claim originated from White himself in 2024, before his death. Im on the Ukrainian Enemies List due to my work at Infowars and with Alex Jones on the Ukraine proxy war, White tweeted. He included a screenshot of a webpage listing his X username handle and his affiliation with InfoWars. He did not include a link to that webpage.

The group responsible for the webpage did not compile a hit list or enemies list, and it was not produced or created by the Ukrainian government. An independent media company based in Ukraine that promotes pro-Ukraine views, Texty.org.ua, published a list of 386 individuals and 76 organizations that oppose U.S. support for Ukraine, including Jones, Carlson, and White. While our research does not cover every public figure opposing aid to Ukraine, its website states, it highlights prominent individuals and common arguments that often mirror Kremlin propaganda.

In June 2024, the media organization stated that its list of people was not a hit list or enemies list. The table of research subjects, which has generated the most controversy, is neither a list of enemies of Ukraine nor a kill list, as it has been labeled in numerous posts circulating on platform X, the group wrote on its website. These data were collected and published solely to demonstrate the evidence supporting the theses presented in the article. The article itself is not an accusation but a study of the political and media context that influences government decisions regarding further support for Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Pentagon assessment gave 50 percent chance of nuclear holocaust if U.S. gave weapons to Ukraine.

Carlson claimed during his interview with Jones that the U.S. Department of Defense, under former President Joe Biden, predicted a 50 percent chance of a nuclear holocaust if the U.S. gave weapons to Ukraine.

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This just came out the other day, the Pentagon wrote an assessment saying that they calculated that if we gave weapons to Ukrainethat allowed the Ukrainian military or our military using Ukraine as a proxy to hit targets within Russiathey judged the likelihood of a nuclear exchange at 50 percent, Carlson said. And [the Biden administration] did it anyway. He added, At that point, like, you should be in prison for the criminally insane.  They assessed that if we gave certain weapons that allowed the Ukrainians to strike targets within Russia, if we did that, which we did, the chance of a nuclear exchangenuclear holocaust that killed everybody on Earthwould be 50 percent, and they did it anyway.

This is mostly false. A New York Times article from March 9 discussed a briefing on the Ukraine-Russian war held between Biden and his advisers, and mentioned a 50 percent prediction. Anonymous officials present at that meeting, which occurred in October 2022, told the New York Times that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) warned of a singular scenarioin which Ukraines military decimated Russian forces and was poised to retake the Crimean peninsula from Russian occupationthat might increase the chances of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons to 50 percent or higher. No one knew how to assess the accuracy of that estimate: the factors that play into decisions to use nuclear weapons, or even to threaten their use, were too abstract, too dependent on human emotion and accident, to measure with precision, the New York Times David Sanger, who covered the Biden administration and national security issues for the news outlet, wrote. But it wasnt the kind of warning any American president could dismiss.

So, Carlson made a few sizable errors in his claim. The singular scenario was one in which Ukraine achieved a series of military successes against Russia, to the extent that its forces could plausibly regain Crimea, which it lost in 2014. While Ukraine has defended off the majority of its territory from Russian occupation so far, it does not resemble the scenario the assessment laid out. Crimea, still under Russian occupation, is unlikely to be overrun by Ukrainian forces in the coming months. Second, Carlson claimed the 50 percent outcome was a nuclear holocaust that killed everybody on Earth, when, in fact, it was just nuclear use. Third, while Carlson attributes the assessment to the Pentagon, the Defense Departments headquarters, the calculation was instead produced by the CIA.

Justice Department gave $4 million to Sandy Hook foundations.

Jones also levied accusations against nonprofit organizations formed in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012, in which a gunman killed 20 first-grade students and six teachers. In 2018, some parents of the Sandy Hook victims sued Jones for defamation and emotional distress, after he called the school shooting a giant hoax and claimed the student massacre was staged, saying that no one died. (Jones later admitted his claims were completely false, and said he only initially believed them because of a form of psychosis.) Following a trial in 2022, a Connecticut jury ordered Jones to pay $1.4 billion to some families of the victims and, on April 8, the Connecticut Supreme Court declined to hear Jones appeal. On Wednesday, Jones claimed that the nonprofits raked in $4 million in federal tax dollars from the Justice Department in recent years.

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We get another FBI contact, and they say, Why dont you go look at the Federal Register and look for money going to these Sandy Hook Foundations or the people that sued me, Jones said. We go lookits $4 million plus in payments to them right after they sue me, and then two payments to them during when both trials started. He added, Tax dollars over $4 million from the Justice Department were paid to the main Sandy Hook, uh, foundation that is on the board, the head of it, for the people suing me that ran it. This is crazy, Carlson chimed in.

On Thursday, Jones tweeted screenshots from USAspending.gova website that tracks federal funding recordsthat show federal dollars given to two nonprofits, the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation and Safe and Sound: A Sandy Hook Initiative, Inc. Although Jones cited the Federal Register on the podcast, he was likely referring to USAspending.gov. (The Federal Register is a journal that publishes government rules, regulations, and public noticesit does not keep track of payments given to specific organizations.)

Its true that the DOJ made payments to those foundations, but they were part of a larger program issuing grants for school safety protocols and the money had no connection to the lawsuits against Jones.

In December 2021, the Justice Department announced it would provide almost $126 million in grants to update and improve safety protocols and security measures in K-12 schools. These investments will help communities address school violence, create better school climates and set up early detection teams to prevent tragedies in our places of learning, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy Solomon said in a news release at the time. The Justice Departments Bureau of Justice Assistance would dole out nearly $74 million of that funding, among 78 separate federal grants, to organizations to support training and education for school personnel and students on preventing violence against others and themselves, including anti-bullying training and specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises. The Justice Department added that funds also help develop and implement multidisciplinary threat assessment or intervention teams and design technology solutions such as anonymous reporting systems, hotlines and websites.

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The four payments highlighted by Jones came from this funding. The grants description on USAspending.gov states that the funds are allocated for specific purposes. Safe and Sound: A Sandy Hook Initiative, Inc., received $612,662 in federal funding to develop a specialized threat assessment electronic toolkit (E-toolkit) and a training curriculum to provide support to school-based [Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management standards]. The same group also received a $995,248 grant to develop school safety security measures for Tennessee school districts. Meanwhile, the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation also received two grants: $859,294 for implementing school safety standards for the Dallas Independent School District, and $837,572 for Pennsylvania school districts.

The Dispatch Fact Check has reached out to Infowars and the Tucker Carlson Network for comment.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

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Bush stone-curlews have all but vanished from southeastern Australia  but a surprise sighting in a coastal NSW town had locals doing a double take.

Much like many native species across Australia, bush stone-curlew populations have plummeted in recent decades due to major threats including habitat loss and predation by introduced species such as foxes and cats.

While their numbers remain strong in certain parts of Queensland, the birds have all but vanished from southeastern states like NSW and Victoria. But this week, a rare glimmer of hope emerged on NSWs Mid North Coast, with a mating pair, and their tiny chick, spotted at an "iconic roundabout" in Crescent Head.

A community social media page flagged the extraordinary sighting, urging drivers throughout the region to "take care on" the roads. "We have endangered species living here too," the post warned. Speaking to Yahoo News, Birdlife Australia's Sean Dooley asked the public to report sightings to help with critical conservation efforts.

Two bush stone-curlews and their precious little chick were spotted nesting in quite an unlikely location. Source: Crescent Head Crime Fighters/Facebook

Conservationist's plea after incredible roadside discovery

Dooley told Yahoo News the species is "pretty scarce" in NSW nowadays.

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"Especially along the coast once you get south of about Ballina," he told Yahoo. "There's still a tiny population on the Central Coast, and an occasional individual will turn up in places like Jervis Bay or the Far South Coast. It's a similar scenario across the divide.

"In the west of the state, they are still scattered in the north and along the Darling [River] but very thin on the ground elsewhere. They are gone from southern Victoria and southeastern SA.

"People could report any sightings to Birdlife NSW, or even better, lodge their sightings in Birdata so that these records can be included in long-term monitoring assessments by BirdLife Australia. EBird is another place people can lodge sightings that will also be picked up by researchers."

Bush stone-curlews are increasingly rare in NSW, and all but gone from Victoria and most of SA. Source: Crescent Head Crime Fighters/Facebook

Dooley said tragically, the birds were "once across most of the country".

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"It's always been thought that being ground-dwelling birds, they took a hammering from foxes and cats, but it seems to be much worse where there's been extensive land clearing," he said.

"Many populations survived into the '50s, '60s and '70s, despite the foxes, so it is likely the accumulated impacts of historical land clearing and the continued land clearing today were the final death blow. The tendency to 'tidy up' the woody debris in woodland blocks makes it impossible for them to survive.

"Bizarrely though, they seem to be thriving around Brisbane, including in the CBD."

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The amount of a settlement between three Muslim women and Perry Greene, the ex-husband of Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, was announced Monday.

Attorneys for the three women, all college students, said Greene paid $75,000, which they said they donated to their local mosque.

It is important that people understand this type of speech will not be tolerated and it needs to be addressed, attorney Ali Awad said. Today we believe it has been held accountable.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The women recounted the ordeal and how they felt, swaying they felt scared for their lives.

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Clearly, he saw us as an easy target, three young women who were praying out of everyones way, said Nesrine, who did not provide her last name.

On March 30, they had stopped to pray in the parking lot of Avalon at Alpharetta when they were approached by Greene.

The women say the verbal attack went on for minutes before they started recording, but what was captured later resulted in Greene issuing a public apology.

Alpharetta police said they determined a crime had not been committed. The department added that both the women and Greene were legally expressing their First Amendment rights, though the department called the commentary disgusting.

TRENDING STORIES:

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At a news conference on Monday, the women recounted the moments as everything happened.

Honestly just shock there wasnt really much we could say, our words were not really forming correctly. It was definitely a scary moment, said Amira, who did not provide her last name.

Greene later apologized to the women in private, as well as making a public statement and attending a sermon with them Friday. The three said they have forgiven him.

Perry did come out and did sincerely apologize, Amira said. We do think that it is sincere.

I came today just to meet with the young ladies that I was mean to and treated disrespectfully about their religion and about what they were doing, Greene said on Friday. I just wanted them to know that I humbly apologized to them because no one should be treated that way, and thats not the right way for us to treat anybody.

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Sorting through boxes of craft supplies and drawers of nail polish and cupboards full of too many first aid kits, Audrey Petersens daughters could feel their moms presence. They laughed sifting through her piles of self-help books and greeting cards for every occasion. They cried taking down the sticky notes shed tacked on walls and cabinets, reminding her of birthdays and weddings she wouldnt attend.

Petersen died Feb. 9, 2024, at the age of 61. She was one of dozens of domestic violence victims in Florida last year.

Petersen, born in 1962 in Prince Georges County, Maryland, kept a home straight out of a 2000s sitcom: family photos tacked to the fridge, inspirational signs, seasonal flowers and the aroma of baked goods wafting room to room.

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It was a place that you wanted to be, said her loved ones, and she was a person that you wanted to be around.

On Thanksgiving, shed open her door to strays  anyone who needed a place to go. One winter evening, her three daughters remember, she noticed a bee struggling in frigid temperatures. She brought it inside to ride out the cold. Her compassion for living things set her youngest daughter, Kelly, 29, on a path to veterinary school.

Late in her career as a nurse at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg, Petersen was largely responsible for coordinating patient care. She never forgot a patients birthday or the names of their pets. Her boss said she was a dedicated advocate for her kids, even when it meant battling with insurance companies to get the best treatment. It wasnt uncommon for discharged patients to return just to see her.

She found joy in backyard butterflies, tacos in a bag, dancing to Elton John. She carved out time for weekly girls nights over dinner and drinks  hers a vodka soda with four limes. Whether she was stitching a homemade Halloween costume or baking monkey bread in a camping oven rigged from cardboard and foil, Petersen shared her creativity with her daughters. She could make anything out of a glue gun and Popsicle sticks, they said. Her eldest daughter, Jenn, 37, hadnt realized that box cake mix existed until years into adulthood because her mom only baked from scratch. Her middle daughter, Michelle, 33, holds onto cross-stitched Christmas ornaments and wreaths from her mom, better than anything in-store.

Though Petersen was firm in her beliefs, unafraid to speak up when something was unjust, she was also known for her belly laugh, which lives on in her daughters.
DENVER (KDVR)  Police in Aurora arrested two suspects after a multi-agency online child predator operation, including an airline pilot that the department said could have victimized minors throughout the country.

Ralph Edward Bledsoe, 68, of Florissant, was arrested on April 8. The Aurora Police Department said they made the arrest when Bledsoe arrived at an Aurora hotel for what he thought would be a sexual encounter with a minor.

Teen arrested in shooting involving 3 children, transaction meetup

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Bledsoe, an airline pilot, does not have any previous criminal history, but detectives say that Bledsoe may have had sexual relationships in the past with minors in Denver, Pennsylvania and Phoenix. Investigators say that he flew to Colorado from Canada for the alleged sexual encounter with a minor in Aurora. Investigators also said they recovered gifts Bledsoe had sent ahead that included lingerie and sex toys.

Ralph Edward Bledsoe, 68, of Florissant, was arrested by the Aurora Police Department and is facing charges of internet luring of a child, internet sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sexual assault on a child. (Courtesy the Aurora Police Department)

Bledsoe being an airline pilot and the possibility of previous sexual relationships with underaged victims raises significant concerns about the potential of there being victims throughout the country, said Seth Robertson, lieutenant of the Aurora Police Department Special Victims Section, in a release. His arrest does not mean this investigation is over. Our detectives are working diligently with local, state and federal partners throughout the country to try to identify additional victims and to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.

Officers booked Bledsoe into the Aurora Municipal Detention Center on charges of internet luring of a child, internet sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sexual assault of a child. He is scheduled to appear for a return filing of charges hearing on Monday. According to court records, hes being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.

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Investigators want to speak with anyone who might have information regarding Bledsoes travels and/or illegal activity, or who might know of possible sexual assault victims in other cities.

Bledsoe was not the only suspect arrested in the operation. Police also announced the arrest of Gregory Thomas Daniels, 39, of Aurora. He was arrested on April 2 after he thought he was meeting with a minor for a planned sexual encounter at an Aurora location.

Daniels was also booked into the Aurora Municipal Detention Center and is facing charges of internet luring of a child and attempted sexual assault of a child.

18-year-old pleads guilty in deadly 2023 carjacking, killing of 15-year-old at mall

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As a police officer and father, I am appalled by these disgusting crimes that target children within our community, said Mark Hildebrand, chief of the Aurora Police Department Investigations Division, in the departments release. It is the truest representation of evil. It is impressive to see so many law enforcement agencies come together for such an important cause to protect our youngest and most vulnerable.

Both investigations are active and ongoing, according to the Aurora Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can provide information while remaining anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross is set to retire after more than 30 years at the citys police department.

Outgoing Mayor Richard Irvin is proposing that the position go to current Deputy Chief Matt Thomas, according to a recently posted agenda of the Aurora City Councils Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday.

Irvins appointment of Thomas, if it passes the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, must still go before the City Council for final approval.

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When asked about the Committee of the Whole agenda item, an Aurora Police Department spokesperson told The Beacon-News in an emailed statement that Cross has informed the city of his intention to retire.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the community Ive called home for more than three decades, Cross said in the statement. Ive spent the recent months working closely with city leadership to ensure this transition is smooth, intentional and positions the department for continued success.

Consistent with previously planned succession efforts, a presentation is set to be given to the Committee of the Whole at its meeting Tuesday to discuss the appointment of a new police chief and related changes to the police departments command structure, according to the statement.

This discussion reflects the citys continued commitment to a thoughtful and seamless transition of leadership within the Aurora Police Department, the Aurora Police Department statement said. No additional announcements are being made at this time.

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Cross was appointed as Auroras police chief in July 2021 after former Police Chief Kristen Ziman announced her retirement. Cross was Zimans deputy chief.

At the same time, Thomas was promoted from commander to deputy chief of the Aurora Police Department through an appointment by the Aurora City Council.

According to his resume, Thomas has over 27 years of policing experience. He has held various jobs in his career, including patrol officer and investigator, Investigative sergeant, Patrol Services lieutenant and Administrative Services commander, among many others.

The Committee of the Whole is also set to consider Irvins appointment of Aurora Police Cmdr. Steven Stemmet as deputy chief at its meeting Tuesday. Stemmets resume shows that he previously served in the U.S. Army from 19901997 and in the Montgomery Police Department from 19961999 before joining the Aurora Police Department in 1999.

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If Irvins appointments are approved by the Aurora City Council, both Thomas and Stemmet would start in their new roles on or around May 30.

Former Aurora Mayor David Pierce said in an email to The Beacon-News that Irvin is seemingly breaking, with these appointments and others, a long-standing practice in Aurora government that outgoing mayors refrain from making appointments between an election and the next mayors inauguration.

Incoming mayor and current Ald. John Laesch, at large, is expected to be sworn in on May 13 alongside at least two new Aurora City Council aldermen and the incumbents who were re-elected.

rsmith@chicagotribune.com
Authorities have arrested a man in connection with recent arson attacks in New Mexico.

Jamison Wagner, 40, is facing federal charges for two separate attacksone in February at the Tesla Albuquerque showroom and another in March at the office of the Republican Party of New Mexico, according to a release from the Department of Justice.

CNN has reached out to Wagners attorney for comment.

I can now report that on Saturday morning, our @FBIAlbuquerque team and the @ATFPhoenix arrested an individual who we believe to be responsible for the February arson attack on a New Mexico Tesla facility, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X Monday.

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The evidence in this case stemmed from our ongoing investigation of the March arson attack on the New Mexico Republican Party HQ. Evidence recovered at the scene strongly suggests that this weekend, our brave agents prevented further planned arson attacks.

A fire was reported on February 9 at the Tesla Albuquerque showroom just before 3:15 a.m., according to a complaint. Investigators found two Tesla Model Y vehicles damaged in a parking lot outside of the showroom, with one of the vehicles having significant damage, the complaint states.

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives fire investigator at the scene determined that the fire was an intentional human act.

While examining the two burned Tesla Model Y vehicles, investigators collected one intact glass container/incendiary device with a green metal lid inside the lesser fire damaged vehicle, the complaint says. The intact device or container held a vivid blue, gelatinous substance with a strong odor of an ignitable liquid, later confirmed by the ATF forensic laboratory as an improvised napalm material.

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In the second incident on March 30, just before 6 a.m., a fire was reported at the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters, a court document says. The fire damaged the front door and lobby area of the building, according to the complaint. The words ICE=KKK were also spray-painted on the building, CNN previously reported.

There was an odor consistent with the smell of gasoline at the scene, the court document says.

A fire scene examination was conducted, and based upon the data collected during the examination, an ATF Fire Investigator classified the fire as incendiary, meaning an intentional human act resulted in a fire occurring in a location when and where fire should not have occurred, the complaint says.

Multiple Tesla facilities have recently been targeted by perpetrators setting fires to vehicles and vandalizing buildings.

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Amid protests against the car company, President Donald Trump has said he would seek to have these attacks designated as domestic terrorism.

Since January 2025, incidents targeting Tesla EVs have occurred in at least nine states, a March 21 FBI public service announcement stated. These incidents have involved arson, gunfire, and vandalism, including graffiti expressing grievances against those the perpetrators perceive to be racists, fascists, or political opponents.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously called the attacks insane and deeply wrong.

Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks, Musk said.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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April 14 (UPI) -- Federal authorities said they are investigating the fatal crash of a plane with six people on board in upstate New York over the weekend.

The Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 airplane crashed at 12:06 p.m. EDT Saturday about 10 miles from the Columbia County airport near Craryville, N.Y., which is located within the town of Copake.

Todd Inman, a board member with the National Transportation Board, told reporters during a press conference Sunday that investigators have arrived at the scene and expect to be there for at least a week.

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The aircraft had crashed in a flat agriculture field, he said. The scene was about 100 yards in length with the plane "being compressed, buckled and embedded into the terrain," according to Inman.

He would not say how many of the six people on board died, but stated, "all six were removed from the scene."

"We have no one hospitalized at this time," he said.

The NTSB has obtained video showing the plane was intact and that it crashed into the ground following what Inman described as a descent at a high rate of speed.

Albert Nixon, the lead NTSB investigator on the case, said the pilot had reported a missed approach at the airport and had requested guidance from an air traffic controller shortly before the crash.

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He said that as the air traffic controller was updating the pilot, a low altitude alert was triggered. The controller tried to contact the pilot but was unable to contact them, despite at least three additional attempts.

"There was no response from the pilot and there was no distress call," Nixon said.

According to Inman, the plane had departed Westchester County Airport. The pilot had been certified to fly and had flown for a number of years, he said, adding the passengers were a family traveling to to attend a holiday celebration.

"On behalf of everyone at the NTSB, I want to express our sincere condolences for the survivors of the families and everyone who knew someone that perished in this accident," he said. "We're truly sorry."

The NTSB expects to produce a preliminary report into the crash within 30 days and a full investigation report within 12 and 24 months.
A mother with her newborn baby in the hospital. Mothers from northern and Western Alaska are more likely than other Alaska mothers to give birth preterm, and the travel that many rural Alaska women undertake for prenatal care and childbirth is one of the contributing factors, a UAA study has found. (Photo by Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images)

Mothers in Alaskas northern and western regions are more likely than other Alaska mothers to give birth to preterm and underweight babies, and their travel from rural Alaska to get care in bigger communities is a factor that contributes to those outcomes, a new study has found.

The study, by researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage, analyzes the more than 218,000 childbirths recorded in the state from 2000 to 2020. It revealed striking geographic disparities in the rates of preterm and very preterm births, defined respectively as births before 37 and 32 weeks gestation, as well as the cases of low birth weight.

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Preterm births are associated with numerous health problems, including breathing and heart problems, long-term complications like cerebral palsy and higher rates of sudden infant death syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The factors that are associated with adverse childbirth impacts are numerous, the UAA study found. They include tobacco use during pregnancy, mothers pre-pregnancy diabetes or hypertension, mothers ages and a lack of adequate prenatal care.

For many women, the factors associated with adverse impacts are cumulative, said study co-author Micah Hahn, an epidemiologist at UAAs Institute of Circumpolar Health.

Its kind of like a constellation of things that contribute to preterm birth, Hahn said.

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One important factor for Alaska newborns is their mothers need to leave home, the study found.

Nearly 40% of babies born during the two-decade period had mothers who traveled outside of their home communities for childbirth, the study found. That travel is itself a stressor, the study said.

Routine prenatal care for rural Alaska women can also require travel, making such care more difficult to obtain prior to childbirth.

For rural Alaska women, where communities are predominantly Alaska Native, it takes so much more effort to go to prenatal care, Hahn said.

Beyond the travel itself, which can be expensive, the women need child care and supportive partners, family members or friends to take on various duties, she said. Those women need extra time as well, she added. In contrast to her experience as an expectant mother in Anchorage, driving a couple of miles to her doctors office, women flying in from rural Alaska can take two or three days to get their appointments, she said.

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Often, the factors associated with adverse birth outcomes overlap, the study found.

Rural women with more high-risk pregnancies may be directed to travel to cities or hub communities to give birth, while women with low-risk pregnancies may be able to stay home. But travel and the prolonged stays in settings that might be unfamiliar add complications to pregnancies that already may be of higher risk, it said.

If a mother travels to a service hub for prenatal care or delivery, they will incur costs for flights, accommodation, food, and missed work, which may not be covered by insurance, the study said They may need to have difficult conversations about whether their partner will travel with them or stay at home to work and care for other children. These stressors are compounded by a lack of social support and living in an unfamiliar place.

Improvements, policy ideas and further study

There is good news revealed in the study.

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Rates of prenatal care for Alaska Native women have increased in recent years, the study found. By 2020, about 40% of pregnant Native women get at least 11 prenatal visits, a substantial increase from the 2005-2010 period, the study found. In comparison, more than half of pregnant white women had at least 11 prenatal visits in 2020.

You can see that one good news story is that in Alaska we are closing the gap on prenatal care utilization by race, Hahn said.

And while babies born to mothers from northern and Western Alaska are more likely to have adverse outcomes than the state average, the rates for those rural women are not worse than the national rate, she pointed out.

About 1 in 10 babies in the United States are born preterm, the study notes. That is about the same as the rates the study found for babies born to northern and Western Alaska women.

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Hahn said the study can guide health policies in the state to help women and their babies.

Tobacco-cessation programs can be useful, she said. So could anything that reduces pregnant womens need for travel or makes travel, when it is necessary, easier and more comfortable.

Telehealth could be used for some prenatal care for rural women, though certain visits would still have to be conducted in person, Hahn said.

A bill pending in the Alaska Legislature, Senate Bill 83, is aimed at making telehealth more available. It would require that insurers fully reimburse health providers for telehealth services.

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Other ways to reduce risks of adverse birth outcomes involve holistic approaches that consider rural and Alaska Native needs and cultures, Hahn said.

One organization that has been helpful to that end, she said, is the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community, a network of Indigenous midwives, doulas, breastfeeding consultants and other health experts. The community provides prenatal and postpartum support and education.

Not considered in this new study are environmental factors that may affect birth outcomes.

Those will be addressed in a different study by Hahn and her research partners that is expected to be published later in the year. They are examining the impacts of wildfire smoke on childbirth outcomes.

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Wildfire smoke is a well-known health hazard. It has already been shown to increase risks of preterm birth elsewhere, in California and Brazil, for example.

In Alaska, climate change is causing wildfire seasons to become longer and more intense, and wildfire smoke problems in Alaska communities have increased over time, according to University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers.

In Fairbanks, for example, smoke-free summers were common prior to 2000, but those have occurred only twice since then, according to a new report led by UAFs Alaska Fire Science Consortium. According to the report, titled Alaskas Changing Wildfire Environment 2.0, Fairbanks for the first time had three consecutive summers, from 2022 to 2024, with at least 100 hours of smoke that was thick enough to degrade air quality.

Hahn said wildfire smoke is not just a Fairbanks or Interior Alaska problem. Even if thats where the wildfires are, smoke is affecting most of Alaska during the really bad years, she said.

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By America Hernandez, Riham Alkousaa and Marwa Rashad

PARIS/BERLIN (Reuters) - More than three years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy security is fragile.

U.S. liquefied natural gas helped to plug the Russian supply gap in Europe during the 2022-2023 energy crisis.

But now that President Donald Trump has rocked relationships with Europe established after World War Two, and turned to energy as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations, businesses are wary that reliance on the United States has become another vulnerability.

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Against this backdrop, executives at major EU firms have begun to say what would have been unthinkable a year ago: that importing some Russian gas, including from Russian state giant Gazprom, could be a good idea.

That would require another major policy shift given that Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 made the European Union pledge to end Russian energy imports by 2027.

Europe has limited options. Talks with LNG giant Qatar for more gas have stalled, and while the deployment of renewables has accelerated, the rate is not fast enough to allow the EU to feel secure.

"If there is a reasonable peace in Ukraine, we could go back to flows of 60 billion cubic metres, maybe 70, annually, including LNG," Didier Holleaux, executive vice-president at France's Engie, told Reuters in an interview.

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The French state partly owns Engie, which used to be among the biggest buyers of Gazprom's gas. Holleaux said Russia could supply around 20-25% of EU needs, down from 40% before the war.

The head of French oil major TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanne, has warned Europe against over-relying on U.S. gas.

"We need to diversify, many routes, not over-rely on one or two," Pouyanne told Reuters. Total is a large exporter of U.S. LNG and also sells Russian LNG from private firm Novatek.

"Europe will never go back to importing 150 billion cubic meters from Russia like before the war ... but I would bet maybe 70 bcm," Pouyanne added.

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GERMAN PIVOT

France, which produces large amounts of nuclear power, already has one of the most diversified energy supplies in Europe.

Germany relied heavily on cheap Russian gas to help drive its manufacturing sector until the Ukraine war and has fewer options.

In Leuna Chemical Park, one of Germanys biggest chemical clusters hosting plants of Dow Chemical and Shell among others, some makers say Russian gas should return quickly.

Russia used to cover 60% of local needs, mainly through the Nord Stream pipeline, which was blown up in 2022.

"We are in a severe crisis and cant wait," said Christof Guenther, managing director of InfraLeuna, the operator of the park.

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He said the German chemical industry has cut jobs for five quarters in a row, something not seen for decades.

"Reopening pipelines would reduce prices more than any current subsidy programmes," he said.

"It's a taboo topic," Guenther added, saying many colleagues agreed on the need to go back to Russian gas.

Almost a third of Germans voted for Russia-friendly parties in the February federal election.

In the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the east German region where the Nord Stream pipeline comes ashore after running from Russia under the Baltic Sea, 49% of Germans want a return to Russian gas supplies, a poll carried out by the Forsa institute found.

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"We need Russian gas, we need cheap energy - no matter where it comes from, said Klaus Paur, managing director of Leuna-Harze, a mid-sized petrochemical maker at the Leuna Park. "We need Nord Stream 2 because we have to keep energy costs in check."

The industry wants the federal government to find cheap energy, said Daniel Keller, economy minister for the state of Brandenburg - home to the Schwedt refinery, co-owned by Russian oil firm Rosneft but held in German government trusteeship.

"We can imagine resuming the intake or transport of Russian oil after peace is established in Ukraine," Keller said.

TRUMP FACTOR

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U.S. gas covered 16.7% of EU imports last year - behind Norway with 33.6% and Russia with 18.8%.

Russia's share will drop below 10% this year after Ukraine shut pipelines. The remaining flows are mainly LNG from Novatek.

The EU is preparing to buy more U.S. LNG as Trump wants Europe to lower its trade surplus with the United States.

"For sure, we will need more LNG," EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said last week.

The tariff war has strengthened Europes concern about reliance on U.S. gas, said Tatiana Mitrova, a research fellow at Columbia University's Centre on Global Energy Policy.

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"It's becoming increasingly difficult to regard U.S. LNG as a neutral commodity: at a certain point it might become a geopolitical tool," Mitrova added.

If the trade war escalates, there is a small risk the United States could hold back on LNG exports, said Arne Lohmann Rasmussen, chief analyst at Global Risk Management.

A senior EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, agreed, saying no one could rule out "that this leverage is used".

In the event U.S. domestic gas prices surge because of rising industrial and AI demand, the U.S. could curtail exports to all markets, Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, said.

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In 2022, the EU set itself a non-binding goal to end Russian gas imports by 2027, but has twice delayed publishing plans on how. An EU Commission spokesperson declined to comment on the companies' comments.

ARBITRATION

Several EU firms have opened arbitration cases against Gazprom for non-delivery of gas following the Ukraine war.

Courts awarded Germanys Uniper and Austrias OMV 14 billion euros and 230 million euros respectively. Germanys RWE has claimed 2 billion euros, while Engie and other firms have not disclosed their claim.

Engie's Holleaux said Kyiv could allow Russia to send gas via Ukraine to meet arbitration repayments as a starting point of resuming contractual relationships with Gazprom.

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"You (Gazprom) want to come back to the market? Very good, but we wont sign a new contract if you dont pay the award, Holleaux said.

The return of Russian gas worries Maxim Timchenko, the chief of DTEK, Ukraines private gas company, which hopes to import U.S. LNG into Ukraines storage and export it to Europe.

"Its hard to comment, being Ukrainian, but my hope is that European politicians learned their lessons dealing with Russia, Timchenko said.

(Reporting by Marwa Rashad in London, Riham Alkousaa in Berlin, America Hernandez in Paris, Nora Buli in Oslo and Kate Abnett in Brussels; additional reporting by Anna Hirtenstein in London; writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; editing by Simon Webb and Barbara Lewis)
DENVER (KDVR)  First responders and volunteer search and rescue personnel successfully rescued a person who had fallen approximately 40 feet down a cliff on Thursday in Grand County, highlighting the need to carry the 10 essentials while exploring Colorados wilds.

According to Grand County Search and Rescue, the patient called for help at about 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, after falling into the rocks on a ridgeline west of Hot Sulphur Springs. The subject had fallen into steep, rocky terrain and was also injured during the fall.

CPW searching for missing boater in Spinney Reservoir

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Grand County Emergency Medical Services and the Grand County Sheriffs Office responded first and provided some initial care, while also preparing the backcountry enthusiast for transport.

Due to the technical nature of the location, GCSAR deployed multiple advanced rope systems to safely lower the subject over 500 feet down the hillside, Grand County Search and Rescue shared in a release.

The Hot Sulphur Springs Fire Protection District noted that rescue workers hiked to find the patient and get them to safety. After getting the patient back down to a nearby road, the injured party was loaded into a MedEvac helicopter and transported for further care.

Hot Sulphur Springs Fire Protection District shared some photos of a successful rescue operation of an injured backcountry explorer on April 10, 2025. (Courtesy the Hot Sulphur Springs Fire Protection District) Hot Sulphur Springs Fire Protection District shared some photos of a successful rescue operation of an injured backcountry explorer on April 10, 2025. (Courtesy the Hot Sulphur Springs Fire Protection District)

The search and rescue group took the opportunity of a successful rescue and the start of hiking season to remind outdoor recreationists to carry the 10 essentials when venturing into the wilderness. The 10 essentials include a way to navigate (such as a map or GPS), sun protection, insulation (extra clothing), illumination (a flashlight or other light source), first-aid supplies, a fire source, repair kit and tools, extra food, extra water and emergency shelter.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  A judge in Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant for British lawmaker and former government minister Tulip Siddiq, a niece of Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from her 15-year rule in a mass uprising in August.

The countrys Anti-Corruption Commission has been investigating allegations against Siddiq that she and her family members, including Hasina, illegally received land in a state-owned township project near the capital, Dhaka.

Senior Special Judge of Dhaka Metropolitan Zakir Hossain passed the order on Sunday, after considering charges in three separate cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, the leading Dhaka-based Bengali-language Prothom Alo newspaper reported.

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Siddiq, 42, was named in the arrest warrant along with more than 50 others including her mother, Sheikh Rehana, and her brother, Radwan Siddiq, the newspaper reported.

Siddiq said the charges were a completely politically motivated smear campaign, trying to harass me.

There is no evidence that Ive done anything wrong, she told reporters in London.

Siddiqs lawyers also called the charges baseless. To be clear, there is no basis at all for any charges to be made against her, and there is absolutely no truth in any allegation that she received a plot of land in Dhaka through illegal means," the law firm Stephenson Harwood said in a statement.

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The lawmaker, who represents the north London district of Hampstead and Highgate in Parliament, served in Britains center-left Labour Party government as economic secretary to the Treasury  the minister responsible for tackling financial corruption.

She quit that post in January after she was named in an anti-corruption investigation into Hasina and her family in Bangladesh. The investigation alleged that Siddiqs family was involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of money were said to have been embezzled.

Siddiq said in January that she had been cleared of wrongdoing, but that the issue was becoming a distraction from the work of the government.

Hasinas Bangladesh Awami League party says the charges are politically motivated to destroy the reputation of the prominent family. Hasinas father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is Bangladeshs independence leader. The country gained independence in 1971 under his leadership after a nine-month war against Pakistan.

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Hasina has been in exile in India since early August.

After the ouster of Hasina on Aug. 5 last year, Siddiqs mothers home in Dhakas upscale Gulshan area was looted and vandalized, and so far no police case has been filed over the incident. Hasina accused Bangladesh's interim administration headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus of backing mobs to attack her followers across the country. The home affairs adviser says they are trying to restore order in the country.
Chinese medical team offers free services in Kalkara, Malta

Xinhua) 13:40, April 14, 2025

Members of the 20th Chinese medical team for Malta offer health consultations to local residents in Kalkara, Malta, on April 13, 2025. The 20th Chinese medical team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) provided free clinical services to residents at the main square of Kalkara, southeastern Malta, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

VALLETTA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The 20th Chinese medical team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) provided free clinical services to residents at the main square of Kalkara, southeastern Malta, on Sunday.

During the event, the medical team offered a range of services including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, cupping therapy, traditional massage, personalized health consultations, and distributed free medical supplies to attendees.

Lora Busuttil, 73, described the free clinic service as a "good" experience. Suffering from knee pain, she expressed appreciation for the helpful advice offered by the Chinese doctors. "I will apply the plaster they gave me on my knee," she said.

"I feel much better," said Iris Magro, 63, after receiving a traditional massage for neck discomfort. It was her first time trying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and she told Xinhua she plans to visit the MRCTCM for further massage treatments.

Joe Cuschieri, 76, underwent a blood sugar check and received cupping and massage therapy for his neck pain. He also expressed interest in visiting the MRCTCM to seek continued treatment for his neck and back issues.

"I am very grateful that we could collaborate with the Chinese medical team to offer free clinical services to our residents," Kalkara Mayor Wayne Aquilina told Xinhua. He noted that the event attracted strong interest from locals, many of whom were keen to learn more about TCM.

"We're looking forward to more collaborations," Aquilina added, expressing hope that the Chinese medical team will continue offering health consultations, particularly for elderly residents in Kalkara.

The MRCTCM was established by the Chinese and Maltese governments in 1994. To date, 20 Chinese medical teams comprising over 100 doctors, have provided TCM treatments to approximately 250,000 Maltese patients.

Cao Ying (L), member of the 20th Chinese medical team for Malta, offers health consultations to Kalkara Mayor Wayne Aquilina (R) in Kalkara, Malta, on April 13, 2025. The 20th Chinese medical team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) provided free clinical services to residents at the main square of Kalkara, southeastern Malta, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

Yang Libai (R), leader of the 20th Chinese medical team for Malta, provides treatment for a man in Kalkara, Malta, on April 13, 2025. The 20th Chinese medical team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) provided free clinical services to residents at the main square of Kalkara, southeastern Malta, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

Members of the 20th Chinese medical team for Malta offer health consultations to local residents in Kalkara, Malta, on April 13, 2025. The 20th Chinese medical team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) provided free clinical services to residents at the main square of Kalkara, southeastern Malta, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A mother dolphin was spotted grieving for days along a busy area of the West Australian coastline.

A mother dolphin was spotted carrying her lifeless calf along the Western Australian coastline for five days. Source: Facebook/Dolphin Discovery Centre

WARNING  Distressing images: Hundreds of Australians caught a glimpse of the heartbreaking behaviour of a mother dolphin last week as she gently pushed the lifeless body of her newborn calf along the coastline for days in a powerful display of mourning.

The dolphin, fondly named Suru by the local Dolphin Discovery Centre (DDC), carried her deceased calf on her rostrum along busy areas of the Western Australia coastline including Koombana Bay and near Old Jetty Road, which are both frequently visited parts of Bunbury.

DDC told Yahoo News it had been inundated with calls by concerned members of the public who witnessed the sight close to shore.

"We had 50-100 phone calls [a day]," Axel Grossmann from DDC told Yahoo. "Suru is a prominent dolphin that we see almost daily in the bay and we had no record of her being with a new calf. Only when we saw her carrying the deceased calf did we know she had given birth."

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The centre doesn't know what caused the calf's death but predicted it was likely a stillbirth or the calf died shortly after birth.

Why do dolphins do this?

Just like any other mammal, dolphins exhibit signs of grief and mourning. It isn't uncommon for mother dolphins to carry their calf with them for days after its death, with the behaviour often putting the mother at risk of predators as she tends to not eat or sleep during this time.

Suru was seen pushing her calf down to the sea floor in a bid to protect it from oncoming boats. DDC confirmed other members of the pod accompanied her during this grieving time to provide protection for her. This hierarchy of protection reinforces how intelligent and social dolphins are, experts say.

"This was an important and completely normal behaviour of the mother, hence why we must not intervene but give her lots of space," DDC said.

The Discovery centre were inundated with calls after visitors spotted the mother pushing the calf. Source: Facebook/Dolphin Discovery Centre

The dolphin was spotted pushing her calf to the sea floor to protect it from oncoming boats. Source: Facebook/Dolphin Discovery Centre

Dolphin mum released calf after five days

After five days of carrying her calf, Suru released its body overnight and it washed up on rocks on Friday morning.

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"The calf was fully matured and just under one metre in length. It had no deformities, like a peanut head or similar, and was completely intact with no wounds or injuries," Axel explained, adding that mortality rate of calves in the first two years is "sadly very high in the wild" at around 20 to 40 per cent.

"But in very young mums or the first calf, it can be up to 50 per cent, so it is not uncommon that dolphin mothers lose a calf. A lot of time we just don't see it as they live further offshore  not like Suru who lives very close to town."

Dolphin calf mortality is high due to a number of factors including predation from sharks but also infanticide from male dolphins, poor health including disease and parasites and human-related issues such as boat strikes and pollution.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Tulip Siddiq claimed she was the victim of a smear campaign after Bangladeshi authorities issued a warrant for her arrest on corruption charges.

The former Labour minister told reporters there was no evidence Ive done anything wrong and dismissed claims that she illegally received a plot of land from her despot aunts government.

Ms Siddiq is at the centre of a row over corruption in Bangladesh, where her aunt Sheikh Hasina was prime minister until last August.

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Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) believes that the Hampstead and Highgate MP, who resigned as a Treasury minister in January over claims relating to her London property, also received a 7,200 sq ft plot in the diplomatic zone of the capital Dhaka through abuse of power and influence.

Ms Siddiq was approached outside of her home by Sky News on Monday and told the broadcaster: I cant dignify this politically motivated smear campaign with any comment.

Trying to harass me

She went on to allege that the ACC was trying to harass me, adding: There is no evidence Ive done anything wrong.

It comes after Bangladesh demanded that Interpol issue a Red Notice to Ms Siddiq if she does not attend a court hearing in Dhaka this month.

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The former treasury minister is accused of illegally receiving a plot of land from her despot aunts government.

A Bangladeshi court issued an arrest warrant against Ms Siddiq on Sunday and expects her to comply by April 27.

A senior official at the Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) told The Telegraph that they will request that Interpol issues a Red Notice against Ms Siddiq if she doesnt appear on or before that day.

Aminul Islam, assistant director of the ACCs prosecution division, said: The court has ordered a report to be submitted on April 27 regarding whether the accused has been arrested or not.

Fugitive under the law

Should she fail to comply with an arrest warrant, she will be designated a fugitive under the law, another ACC officer said.

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In absence of an extradition treaty with the UK, we will ask the Interpol to issue a Red notice to activate the host government of the accused person, the ACC officer said.

However, he acknowledged that the UK Government is likely to resist any move against Ms Siddiq. Ms Siddiq is a British citizen and the UK Government will do everything to protect its citizen, he said.

Tulip Siddiq with Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former prime minister of Bangladesh - Mikhail Metzel/AP

While there is no extradition treaty between the UK and Bangladesh, the ACC believes a red notice could at least trigger formal engagement by UK authorities.

The UK has been a member of Interpol since 1928, but this case would test how far that co-operation stretches when one of Westminsters own was implicated, he said.

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In case of the UK Governments non-compliance to the Interpol Red notice, he said Bangladesh might ultimately proceed with a trial in absentia. There are provisions of trial in absentia and we may end up doing that, he said.

The ACC official said they would deliver the arrest warrant to Ms Siddiq through its High Commission in London. After a proven period of non appearance of the accused, we will ask the Ministry of Home to contact Interpol headquarters and process the request to the host government. Interpol itself cannot arrest, but expedite the process towards a conclusion, he said.

Ms Siddiq is facing an arrest warrant after a Bangladeshi court confirmed the ACC charges against her, accusing her of abuse of power and influence to acquire plots for herself and family members from her despot aunts government.

Abuse of power and influence

The ACC believes the former City minister received a 7,200 sq ft plot in the diplomatic zone of the capital Dhaka through abuse of power and influence.

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The ACC also alleges that Ms Siddiq abused her position and influence as a British MP to persuade her aunt, Sheikh Hasina the former prime minister, to allocate three plots of land to members of her immediate family.

According to the documents, under the influence of Ms Siddiq, the former Prime Minister approved one plot each for Ms Siddiqs mother, Sheikh Rehana, 69; her brother, Radwan, 44; and her younger sister, Azmina, 34. All three are based in Britain.

It is part of a wider investigation into the alleged unlawful allocation of state-owned land to Ms Hasina, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, her children and close relatives.

The case is separate from a 4 billion embezzlement investigation by the ACC into a nuclear deal struck by Ms Hasina, in which Ms Siddiq had also been named.

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Ms Siddiq, who resigned from the Government in January amid scrutiny of her links to Ms Hasina, has been named in three Bangladeshi inquiries. She has denied the charges and accused the Bangladeshi government of a targeted and baseless campaign against her and asked why it had briefed the media but not put its allegations to her directly.

Sheikh Hasina, Ms Siddiqs aunt, and several others face possible detention after charges filed by ACC.

Interpol declined to comment. Representatives for Ms Siddiq have been asked for comment.

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John Barrasso keeps a leather whip from Wyoming on display in his leadership office just off the Senate floor. He hasnt had to use it yet to corral Republican votes yet.

The Wyoming senator is preparing for perhaps the toughest grind of his political career, as Republicans look past their clash over sequencing President Donald Trumps agenda and toward passing it. Republicans agree about extending expiring tax cuts, but many of them diverge from there about corresponding spending cuts and which taxes to prioritize.

When a final bill comes to the Senate floor, it will be Barrassos job to find 50 votes for it. Republicans needed almost a full calendar year to pass their 2017 tax cut package, but Barrasso wants to get this done much sooner than that.

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Not because of some deadline date, but because the sooner we can get our comprehensive economic plan in place, the better its going to be, Barrasso told Semafor in an interview. The more certainty people have that their taxes arent going to go up, the more certainty people are going to have as investors to make commitments to our economy.

Taxes are one of the few things congressional Republicans seem to have much sway over in Washington these days, as Trumps unilateral tariff regime causes economic upheaval and he reshapes government through executive actions. So when Barrasso says he wants to provide certainty to investors, hes reflecting congressional Republicans thinking about how they can help stabilize the economy while Trump fights a trade war.

It will be a huge challenge, one that requires wrangling big personalities in both chambers of Congress and the Trump administration. Barrassos colleagues say hes got the light touch needed.

Hes kind of a finesse guy, said his junior Wyoming senator, Cynthia Lummis. Going between the Senate, the House and the White House these days is kind of a high-wire act for all of them. And hes right in the middle of it.

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Medicaid is already emerging as a flash point that could sink the entire endeavor if Republicans cut too aggressively. Barrasso is not from a state that expanded Medicaid after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, but many of his GOP colleagues are.

He has ideas about how to save money on Medicaid without cutting benefits: Restrict the ability of states to offer health coverage to undocumented immigrants, impose work requirements on Medicaid expansion recipients, and end the practice of double-paying insurers for people who move to a new state.

I listen to the members. And talking to members, they realize there is a lot of waste and fraud and abuse in Medicaid right now. No one wants to cut anybody who Medicaid was designed to help, Barrasso said.

Know More

Hailing from an ultra-conservative Western state, Barrasso is a pugnacious partisan who criticizes Democrats with zeal and rarely breaks from Trump. He was the first high-ranking member of GOP leadership to endorse Trump in 2024, which helped him lock up the whip job and proved useful on tough votes, like confirmation of the presidents Cabinet.

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Republicans have lost one high-profile vote: A resolution to overturn Trumps tariffs on Canada. They defeated a close Medicaid amendment on the budget last week, leaning in part on Finance Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and former Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas (both members of Barrassos whip team).

Barrasso roams the floor during votes on those amendments, sometimes whipping live as things draw to a close. His biggest daily headache is often attendance  particularly on Fridays.

And if Barrasso has his hands full, he can call in powerful reinforcements.

I think of President Trump as a member of the whip team, Barrasso said.

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The GOP ran in 2024 on Trumps platform of border security and lowering prices. Barrasso noted that border crossings have fallen sharply since Inauguration Day, but he conceded the jury is still out on the economy; hes betting that, politically speaking, voters will make that decision as it gets closer to the election.

The president is going to be judged a big success on the border. Always, the No. 1 issue is the economy, Barrasso said. And its too early to tell, because people are going to make a decision about how much money they have in their pockets, how far it goes, and can they do what they want to do for their family economically.

The View From A New Senator

Barrasso earned sway with the conference over the past year by hitting the campaign trail with candidates who would become his colleagues. With such a large new Senate class, getting to know those members before they were sworn in was a top priority.

When he needs to be tough, hes tough; when he needs to be soft, hes soft, said Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, who met Barrasso on the campaign trail. I consider him to be a mentor. He hasnt had to be tough on me. Im a team player.

Burgesss view

Barrasso isnt a nationally known figure like Ted Cruz or Rand Paul, but his job means he ranks higher in the party and is vital to clinching Trumps agenda. The president has left a lot of the details of his tax plan to Congress to figure out, and Thune and Barrasso will need to coordinate closely to balance the priorities of their members against the House GOP and the White House.

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Republicans already survived two symbolic vote-a-ramas on budget resolutions and emerged without Democratic victories.

They havent faced the toughest one: The final, unlimited vote-a-rama can change the text of the tax bill, unlike the votes that came before. Barrasso will have to hold his party together on the floor through that obstacle course for it to become law.

Notable
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Holy Week has started for Christians everywhere. In downtown Baton Rouge, people gathered at St. Joseph Cathedral to celebrate Palm Sunday, a key moment on the liturgical calendar.

Inside the historic cathedral, choir voices echoed in the sanctuary. Hundreds gathered in reverence to celebrate Jesus Christs entry into Jerusalem. This moment marks the start of His journey to the cross.

Sanctify these branches with your blessing, said Bishop Michael Duca, as he blessed bundles of palm branches held high by worshippers.

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The tradition, which dates back centuries, is a cornerstone of Palm Sunday observances. Palm leaves symbolize peace and victory. They also remind us of Christs humility and sacrifice.

Palm Sunday is significant because it marks the beginning of Holy Week, in which we follow Jesus through his life, passion, death, and resurrection, Duca said.

For many at the mass, the day was for reflection, unity, and getting ready for Easter Sunday.

Elizabeth Bentley-Smith, a member of the congregation, shared her takeaway from the service: One of the things I took away from Mass today is that we always speak in the we and not in the I. I think thats very important during this Lenten seasonto remember that we are a community, and that we are a community of Christians here because Christ gave His life for us.

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The sense of community filled every moment of the Mass. It started with the blessing of palms and continued with hymns sung together as one voice. Families, elders and children stood shoulder to shoulder, carrying on a tradition shared by generations.

Where to find Easter egg hunts in, near Baton Rouge

The palm leaves distributed at the service serve as a daily spiritual reminder.

We bless the palms as we call a sacramental reminder of this day, Duca said. Many people take the palms home. They put them behind a cross. They keep them as a reminder that every day we celebrate these mysteries.

As the service came to a close, many left the cathedral with a renewed sense of purpose and peace. For Baton Rouges Catholic community, Palm Sunday sets the tone for the week ahead.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards reflects on his first 100 days, with improvements made in the city-parish to address top priorities.

According to Edwards office, improvements have been made to address public safety, homelessness and blight in the 100 Days of Momentum.

Our team didnt waste a single moment, Edwards said. From day one, we got to work on what matters most to the people of East Baton Rouge Parish. And were not slowing down.

Public safety improvements

Edwards office has coordinated with law enforcement and community partners to improve public safety. Data shows that homicides are down 23% and non-fatal shootings have dropped 33% at the end of the first quarter compared to 2024.

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These reductions are more than just numbers, Edwards noted. They represent lives saved, families spared, and neighborhoods strengthened.

Addressing homelessness in Baton Rouge

A new committee with experts, advocates and local leaders was created in March to address homelessness. The Community Outreach Partners Committees mission is to develop solutions to give support and resources to those in need.

Thirty people experiencing homelessness were transitioned into safe shelters during the January winter storm that brought multiple inches of snow to the Baton Rouge area.

Reducing blight in neighborhoods

According to Build Baton Rouge, blight comes in several forms, from overgrown lawns to piles of trash on properties. The agency cites two reasons why blight has plagued Baton Rouge: the difficulty in enforcing ordinance violations and how fines are assessed by adding it to the property tax bill instead of individual liens.

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This is an efficient way to process fines, but it relies on the property tax system to function correctly, which for years has had problems properly notifying tax delinquent owners, the agencys website states.

In Edwards first 100 days in office, 14 condemned buildings were demolished and 141 properties were abated for trash and overgrown vegetation.

We know that blight affects quality of life, property values, and public health, Edwards said. Thats why were taking aggressive action and holding the line on property standards.

Baton Rouge mayor, parish library system compromise in new proposed plan

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Bavarian Premier Markus Soder has been forced to cancel a visit to the southern Indian state of Karnataka after contracting a gastrointestinal infection in New Delhi.

Soder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), was unable to travel to Karnataka, a spokesman for his office said on Monday.

Karnataka is a partner region of Bavaria.

The 58-year-old arrived in India for a visit on Saturday and conducted several official appointments, but has been forced to remain in his hotel in New Delhi.

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His delegation continued to the south-western state under the leadership of Florian Herrmann, the leader of the Bavarian state chancellery.

Soder's CSU is set to enter the next German government as one of the partners in a three-way coalition.
Bavarian Premier Markus Soder has been forced to cancel a visit to the southern Indian state of Karnataka after contracting a gastrointestinal infection in New Delhi.

Soder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), was unable to travel to Karnataka, a spokesman for his office said on Monday.

Soder arrived in India on Saturday and conducted official appointments on Sunday, including a visit to an aid project for children from poor neighbourhoods that has received funding from Bavaria.

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"In slums, there is only poverty, and no education," said Soder. "We all had enormous luck and therefore have a duty to help others."

However, the 58-year-old has been forced to cancel his trip to Karnataka due to illness. He will instead remain in his hotel in New Delhi before returning home on Tuesday night.

His delegation continued to the south-western state under the leadership of CSU politician Florian Herrmann, the leader of the Bavarian state chancellery.

Karnataka is a partner region of Bavaria. The regional capital, Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore, is often referred to as India's Silicon Valley, renowned for its thriving high-tech industry and shopping scene.

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Ahead of the trip, Soder expressed confidence that Bavaria and Germany could benefit from the establishment of a free trade zone between the European Union and India.

"In this world of customs chaos, we must send new signals in favour of joint free trade and the creation of joint free trade zones," he said.

With a nod to Indias population of 1.4 billion, he called the country "a huge opportunity" for enhancing economic collaboration.

Soder's CSU is set to enter the next German government as one of the partners in a three-way coalition.
This video is from an earlier appearance of the Beach Boys in Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Wouldnt it be nice if The Beach Boys were to perform in Syracuse? Well, you wont have to wait so long, because the group will be back this summer.

The legendary rock band will return to Central New York to play at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview on Sunday, June 29 at 3:00 p.m. Its part of the groups 2025 Sounds of Summer tour.

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Special guest and American country music duo LOCASH will also be joining The Beach Boys.

The Beach Boys are known for their hit songs, Good Vibrations, California Girls, and Kokomo.

Tickets go on sale starting Friday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m.

You can visit this link for more information.

Other 2025 Amphitheater concerts:

Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater Concert Lineup

ARTIST: DATE: Dave Matthews Band May 27 Avril Lavigne May 28 Coheed and Cambria May 30 Luke Bryan June 5 The Beach Boys with Locash June 29 Creed July 11 Styx with Kevin Cronin July 14 The Offspring July 22 Little Big Town Aug. 1 Outlaw Music Festival Aug. 10 Cody Jinks Aug. 17 Thomas Rhett Aug. 21 Tedeschi Trucks Band Aug. 28 Hardy Sept. 4 Papa Roach Sept. 11

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A bill to protect Oregon beavers comes with many additional benefits, including cleaner water and fire protection, a conservationist argues. (Peter Pearsall/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

On April 8, the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment passed Senate Bill 3932 out of Committee by a vote of 7-4-1 and now heads to the House floor for a vote.

Oregon state legislators are on the verge of doing something historic. To the best of my knowledge, never before has a bill been signed into law anywhere in the country specifically aimed at protecting beaver on public lands with the purpose of improving water quality. The benefits, however, go far beyond just water quality.

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If signed into law, this bill would bring an abundance of benefits to both human and wild communities here in the Beaver State.

HB 3932 is sponsored by Representative Marsh, Gorsek, Golden, Bowman, and Grayber, and joined by fifteen other co-sponsors. The bill digest for HB 3932 reads: The Act prohibits a person from taking a beaver on public land within certain watersheds or near certain waters.

Oregon has 310,464 miles of rivers and streams, but only 46% of them have been assessed for water quality. Of those assessed, 106,390 miles are already classified as impaired, falling into Category 4 or 5 under the Department of Environmental Qualitys water quality standards.

This bill would help address water quality by disallowing hunting and trapping of beaver on rivers, streams, and watersheds listed as impaired under the Clean Water Act.

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Beaver dams improve water quality by lowering stream temperatures via creation of deep pools and increased inputs of cooler groundwater. By slowing down the flow of streams, sediment and pollutants settle out of the water. Additionally, the increased groundwater recharge contributes to cooler water temperatures which helps support healthier aquatic ecosystems.

The dams also lead to the creation of wetlands which are natural filters, trapping excess nutrients, heavy metals, and other contaminants. They are also natural firebreaks and help protect downstream water quality post wildfire by trapping soil and ash eroding off the hillslopes.

When beavers are not killed by humans they are able to build and maintain dams, expand wetland habitats, and provide ecosystem services as a result.

Beaver dams, and the ponds and wetlands they create, provide multiple important environmental benefits to human and wild communities.

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One key contribution is enhanced water storage. The ponds and wetlands created by beaver activity help retain water on the landscape, which supports streamflow during dry periods and increases the frequency of groundwater recharge.

Beaver dams, ponds, and wetlands, also reduce the magnitude of downstream flooding by slowing and spreading out water flows in the headwaters.

Beaver wetlands create critical habitat for a wide range of species, including fish, amphibians, birds, and insects, promoting greater biodiversity; including species like elk, deer, trout, and salmon that hunters and anglers like to pursue. Hunters and anglers can look forward to the prospects of more habitat as a result.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife would also see a boost in its efforts to recover many species listed in the Oregon Conservation Strategy through beaver wetland expansion.

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Efforts to protect beavers on public lands in Oregon and nationally have been ongoing for many years and it feels like this moment is a long time coming. Thank you to Representative Marsh and her partners for making this happen on behalf of all Oregonians and our precious fish, wildlife, and water resources.

All of these benefits can be realized by the taxpayer at little to no cost. Oregon could set an example for the entire nation to follow.

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BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO)  A student at Belvidere North High School created a toy drive to give to area children in need.

Hugo Nunez was inspired by his previous volunteering efforts to organize his own drive.

I helped out with a lot of these types of events, Nunez said. They motivated me to try to make my own event by myself and be able to grow and see where this can take me, and possible make more and more events like this.

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Nunez said he wants children in the community to have toys to play with.

I wanted to try and find an event where everybody could have fun, mostly kids in need, he said. By me doing this event, I feel like it would help a lot of kids.

Betsy Mendez is the mother of Nunez and said she is proud of the work her son is doing to help those in need.

We were surprised; it caught us off guard, Mendez said. We werent expecting this idea, but it made us proud of the fact that this is an event that he is creating on his own.

So far, Nunez has received over 200 donations, including toys, books and puzzles. Nunez said the goal of the toy drive is to give back to his community.

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Basically, this event is a whole cycle of giving back, Nunez said. Theres nothing thats coming towards me; Im not going to get any money out of this.

The official toy drive will be April 26 from 2-4pm at 6205 Shattuck Rd. in Belvidere.

At the drive, Nunez said bicycles will be raffled off.

Attendees are asked to bring one can of food per person as well.

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CHEYENNE  The Cheyenne City Council received an update on the Belvoir Ranch master plan Friday, including details about recreational trail access opening this summer and potential for more developments in the future.

Currently, recreational access is set to open this summer on the northern side of the city-owned ranch, which includes a 17-mile trail system. The city is still trying to figure out ways to get trail access south of the Union Pacific rail line that runs through the property.

Options include building a bridge over the rail line, which is more expensive, or an underpass beneath the railroad, which is more cost-effective but more difficult to negotiate with Union Pacific.

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The current effort, which I understand, is not with the bridge, but rather is with the underpass, said council member Pete Laybourn. So I think that is a very important part of this effort. In fact, I think to a lot of people like me, probably the most important aspect of how we reach the Big Hole, and all the really, very high-quality recreation is there.

The original master plan completion date was scheduled for summer 2024, but that was postponed to refine implementation measures. It was largely complete by September, but green property availability and possible scope refinement pushed that to December.

The master plan update was presented by AVI Senior Planner Mark Christensen. He presented how the plan has evolved from the original 2008 master plan and what things may look like going forward.

Some things from the original plan are set to move forward, like missile site monument signage, gated entry and wildlife viewing. Other things from the original plan, like equestrian trailheads, however, are no longer in the updated master plan.

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Challenges other than the railroad for recreational access also include cellular reception and funding opportunities. Christensen added that it will be important to take inventory of plants and wildlife to understand how future trail construction may impact the area.

When asked about trail maintenance, Christensen said the city would likely have to rely on some volunteers at first, but it is something the city should consider more going forward.

He said grazing will still be important for wildlife control, and the city is considering creating campsites, which will likely be primitive and not suitable for recreational vehicles.

Notable historical assets in the area include old Atlas missile silos, teepee rings, indigenous artifacts, homestead locations and a famous outlaw cabin.

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Christensen said it was expensive to fully restore the missile silos and said the plan indicates the city should just look at including light interpretive signage, which is less expensive.

He said it will be important to find ways to deter vandalism at these sites and implement safety measures at the missile silos.

Council member Mark Moody asked about the potential negative impacts to hunting management.

Were really thinking about the potential for conflicting uses, Christensen said. So if Im riding my mountain bike down the trail and scare away a deer that a guys archery hunting for, thats the sort of conflict that were seeking to manage. So, I think we have recommendations of ensuring that trail use doesnt interfere with the hunting season and those sorts of things. So its kind of kind of more of a policy directive that we need to have, a policy to address these potential conflicts.

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The east side of the ranch, which has access to the interstate and is closer to Cheyenne, is currently undeveloped. Christensen said there is opportunity to leverage this asset into more developments, though it is unclear what that may look like at this time.

He said the area needs infrastructure development and the city should pursue ways to have that be developer-funded for things like large water lines.

I think a lot of times, when something new is potentially looking at locating in the city, something exciting can happen. We tend to think maybe we could put it on the Belvoir, Christensen said.

He said it is important to consider if the development meets characteristics of the area, including factors like the impact on the land and the duration of use.

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The natural and recreation area is more on the west side, and in the middle is mostly energy and resource opportunities.

In the original 2008 plan, wind turbines were set to be placed along ridge lines. As that came to fruition, they were places in different areas than originally anticipated. Christensen said it is important to delineate where those and other energy developments will be placed going forward.

He said there are other resource and development opportunities, including potential solar development on the future landfill site.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has dodged questions about whether he will act as the bank of mum and dad after his son Harry spoke about his struggles with home ownership.

Dutton has reportedly made $30 million worth of property transactions over the past 35 years.

However, his daughter and son have both come out on Sunday and Monday, speaking about their struggle to save for a house deposit as part of Duttons campaign.

On Monday morning, Duttons son Harry told reporters he and his sister had been saving like crazy to try and get into the property market.

Peter Dutton's son Harry joined his father on the campaign trail. Source: NewsWire

Dutton was pressed about whether he would join many Aussie parents in helping their children get into the market on Monday morning.

I dont want to be accepting a situation where only mums and dads who can afford to keep their kids going have the capacity to buy homes, he said when asked if he would be acting as the bank of mum and dad.

Its just not acceptable. Theyre putting off their retirement so that they can stay working for longer to try and get a bit of money to help their kids with a deposit or maybe the monthly repayments.

Now, thats what Mr Albanese has created a huge mess.

He was asked multiple times, and failed to answer on each occasion.
Beneficiaries who live within 100 miles of a military hospital or clinic but at least 30 minutes away by car no longer need to request a waiver to stay with Tricare Prime, the Defense Department's managed-care health program.

Under the next-generation Tricare contracts that went into effect Jan. 1, patients who move to a location outside that access standard for primary care can choose to receive care at the DoD facility or, if they already receive care there, keep their primary care manager without seeking a waiver.

According to the Defense Health Agency, beneficiaries who meet the criteria will receive a letter notifying them that their homes are outside the access-standard measure, but if they don't respond, they will remain with their current primary care managers, or PCMs, at their military treatment facility.

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Read Next: Hampton VA Grapples with Staff Shortages, Watchdog Report Finds

Those who want to change primary care managers, however, can do so by following instructions in the letter.

"This new approach will help prevent unnecessary coverage gaps and ensure families keep access to their PCMs," said Shane Pham, a DHA management and program analyst, in a news release last week.

The change was among the requirements of the new contracts, known as T-5, which were issued to TriWest Healthcare Alliance in the Tricare West Region and Humana Military in the Tricare East Region on Jan. 1.

The allowance also coincides with an effort at the Defense Department to bring family members and military retirees back into military hospitals and clinics to ensure that the facilities have enough patients to maintain provider proficiency and curb the rising costs of private-sector care.

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According to a memo issued Dec. 6, 2023, by then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, the DoD hopes to increase the number of patients seen at military treatment facilities by 7% by the end of 2026, or a total of 3.3 million patients.

In a speech to uniformed and civilian federal health officials in March, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Stephen Ferrara said the DoD is pursuing the efforts in order to create a high-functioning medical system.

"The last thing that a family or that service member needs is to be worried about whether their family is getting adequate or high-quality care," Ferrara said.

According to Tricare officials, the decision to drop the drive time waiver was made based on patient satisfaction surveys showing that many beneficiaries are willing to drive more than 30 minutes to keep their primary care doctors and would prefer not to switch physicians.

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If a Tricare Prime beneficiary moves more than 30 minutes from their PCM, their Tricare regional contract will contact all adult patients in the household by phone, text, mail and email to provide options for continuing their health coverage.

Patients will have 90 days to decide what to do. If they now live more than 30 minutes but less than 100 miles away, they won't have to do anything to keep their Tricare Prime coverage and primary care manager. Or they can switch health plans -- to Tricare Select or the U.S. Family Health Program, if it is available in their region.

If patients have moved more than 100 miles away from a Tricare Prime Service Area, they must decide within 90 days to switch to another plan. They will be dropped from Tricare Prime after 90 days and will be able to be seen at a military hospital or clinic only if space is available.

Defense Health Agency officials urge all beneficiaries to ensure that their addresses are updated in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, and they also should check the email addresses and phone numbers the DoD has on file for accuracy.

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Since the contract changeover Jan. 1, Tricare providers and patients have experienced disruptions to patient care and payments, resulting in patients having to switch providers or delay care and prompting providers to take out loans to pay staff while they wait for reimbursements.

The problems have caught the eye of lawmakers on Capitol Hill as well as military leadership, including the services' top enlisted leaders.

During a hearing last week before the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees military construction, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea said he personally has received complaints from providers about the reimbursement delays.

"The Defense Health Agency to their credit has worked diligently with me, with the contract, to have those bills paid as quickly as possible. But as we are continuing through this transformation, we are finding more and more places that we are challenged [to find] health care providers," Honea said.

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Last month, Republican Reps. John Rutherford and Aaron Bean of Florida wrote to David Smith, the acting DHA director, asking him to explain the delays and fix them.

"It would be unacceptable for military families to lose access to critical care coverage. This crisis must be immediately rectified," they wrote.

Related: Tricare Again Extends Deadlines for Beneficiaries in Western US After Contract Change
DENVER (KDVR)  After an Italian restaurant on Colfax Avenue announced its closing date in March due to rising costs, an outpour of support from the community is keeping Benzina open for longer.

The former muffler shop turned Italian eatery on Colfax Avenue announced in late February that the restaurant would be closing at the end of March due to rising costs of food, labor and rent. That is until an overwhelming number of loyal customers and community support kept the restaurant open for a little longer.

Previous reporting: I have never seen it this bad: Colfax restaurant to close after rising costs

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Owner Bradley Anderson told FOX31 in February that the restaurant, in the South Park Hill neighborhood, was losing tens of thousands every month.

The state and city government have made it almost impossible for a single operator to survive in Denver. The cost of labor, food, rent and property taxes has created a situation where the small guy cant compete, Benzina posted on its Instagram after announcing its closure.

However, about a month after Benzina said it was closing, it didnt.

Benzina posted on its Instagram at the end of March that the restaurant decided to stay open until May, thanks to loyal customers and community support. After countless requests to stay open and help from the community, theres a glimmer of hope for the dying restaurant.

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During a normal Tuesday, we have sales of $2,000 and labor costs us $1,000. The math doesnt work. If we can get customers coming in on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, then well have a fighting chance, said Benzina on Instagram.

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Benzina announced its new closing date on May 3, but the eatery will see what happens, especially if April is as good as March was for the establishment. If business keeps up, the restaurant said it would stay open through May.

With your help we could pull off one of the great miracles of the Denver restaurant scene, said Benzina.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON)  An early morning fire on Monday destroyed the East Bay Media Center near downtown Berkeley, leaving the future of the popular non-profit uncertain.

Firefighters responded to the blaze around 3 a.m. and found the building completely engulfed in flames.

Nearby apartment buildings were evacuated as a precaution, but crews managed to contain the fire within a few hours, preventing any injuries.

Man who died in 2022 identified as suspect in 1997 San Jose cold case murder

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They had summer programs for teens, film festivals, media classes. Its been a staple in the Berkeley community, said Lorrie Williams, owner of the Addison Street salon next door.

The East Bay Media Center was founded in 1980 and has been a significant part of the Berkeley community, offering various programs and events. The building itself has stood since the 1930s.

Williams, whose salon suffered light damage from the fire, expressed her devastation over the loss of the media center. She noted that the centers owner recently passed away, adding uncertainty to its future.

Fire crews spent several hours fully extinguishing the fire, and as of Monday afternoon, the exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

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All facts from this article were gathered by KRON4 journalists. The article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KRON4 staff.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(WKBN)  The group Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) announced Monday that former President Joe Biden will deliver his first public address since leaving the White House at an event in Chicago.

ACRD officials said the sold-out event will be held in Chicago on April 15 and will include other national leaders, experts and practitioners who work with Social Security programs.

The event is billed as bipartisan and will include former Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), former Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and former Governor and Social Security Administrator Martin OMalley (D-MD).

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ACRD said that social security and its programs have been getting a lot of attention on major media platforms and that its causing concern for some older and disabled Americans.

As a result, ACRD is convening its conference on April 15-16 to unite key policymakers and leading advocates in a mutual effort to support Social Security now and for decades to come, the organization wrote in a news release.

We are deeply honored President Biden is making his first public appearance at ACRDs sold-out conference, said Rachel Buck, ACRD Executive Director. As bipartisan leaders have long agreed, Americans who retire after paying into Social Security their whole lives deserve the vital support and caring services they receive. As a result, we are thrilled the President will be joining us to discuss how we can work together for a stable and successful future for Social Security.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Joe Biden is inching back onto the national stage.

On Tuesday, the former president will deliver a speech to disability advocates in Chicago focused on protecting Social Security and Republicans attempts to attack it, according to two former administration officials granted anonymity to discuss the remarks.

Its the third public appearance Biden has made in recent weeks, drawing the understated contours of his post-presidency into focus. Earlier this month, Biden became an honorary member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, speaking to more than 1,000 members in Washington, D.C. and he dropped in on the Model United Nations conference in New York City in March. Hes also working on another book, according to the officials.

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Its a politically convenient moment for Biden to reemerge, as President Donald Trumps tariff whiplash has upended the economy and Trump has seen his own popularity plunge in public polling. A CBS survey released Sunday found nearly two-thirds of voters oppose Trumps tariffs, and a majority blamed Trump, not Biden, as responsible for the state of the American economy.

Even so, many Democrats are not eager to see Biden back in the public eye. One former Biden donor and bundler, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly, said the speeches are fine because thats what you expect a former president to do, but I don't anticipate crowds of Democrats wanting him as a focal point of the national conversation.

It takes a special level of chutzpah as the man most responsible for reelecting Donald Trump to decide it's your voice that is missing in this moment, said another person who worked closely with the Biden campaign, granted anonymity to speak candidly. The country would be better served if he rode off into the sunset.

Biden has largely returned to the schedule he maintained as a senator, commuting to Washington from Delaware, often by Amtrak, about twice a week, according to one of the former officials. Hes also catching up with former aides and checking in with members of Congress, the person added.

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Biden met with Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin in February, and the DNC sent a Biden-signed fundraising email last month.
Kraft Heinz is one of the biggest food and beverage manufacturers in the United States (third) and the world (fifth). It has over 200 brands and diverse food products that range from frozen meats to cheeses to juice boxes.

To put into context how massive Kraft Heinz is, consider that it is a merger of two well-known food processing companies that have been in business for well over a century. Heinz was founded in 1869 in Pennsylvania by Henry John Heinz; Kraft in 1903 in Chicago by James L. Kraft. Both companies grew exponentially since, going global, acquiring other brands, and expanding product lines. Finally, in 2015, the companies entered into a merger and became Kraft Heinz. It currently has an impressive portfolio of famous brands and products that are staples in homes worldwide. Given the sheer number of products it manufactures, it is unsurprising that Kraft Heinz has had major product recalls over the years.

Recalls happen when a manufacturer or regulatory body discovers problems with the preparation, packaging, storage, and other segments of production that might compromise food quality and consumer safety. Kraft Heinz has declared its commitment to providing customers with safe, top-quality food, and so it issues recalls for products that don't meet its quality and safety standards. Here are the biggest product recalls in history before and after Kraft Heinz's merger.

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Read more: False Things You Believe About Shopping At Aldi

83,800 Cases Of Cheese Slices Were Recalled In 2023

two hands holding up a box of Kraft Singles American cheese slices - calimedia/Shutterstock

The latest major Kraft Heinz recall was for the Kraft Singles American cheese slices. The problem lay in the packaging. One of the wrapping machines that processed the affected batches had a temporary issue that caused the packaging defect. Kraft Heinz became aware of the problem after it received complaints that a thin piece of clear plastic remained when customers unwrapped the cheese slices. The company's voluntary recall pulled out 83,800 cases of various multipacks of Kraft Singles American cheese slices.

Packaging defects in processed food are a serious matter because they can become health hazards (in this case a choking hazard) for customers. A person can gag from accidentally swallowing a small piece of transparent plastic wrap, for example. Fortunately, there had been no reports of serious health issues resulting from this particular incident.

5,760 Cases Of Juice Drinks Were Recalled In 2022

boxes of Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend on a grocery store shelf - KK Stock/Shutterstock

Anyone would agree that chemical contamination in food is a serious health risk and would justify the immediate removal of food products off the shelves. The same thing happened with the Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend three years ago.Customers reported that the Capri Sun juice they purchased tasted different, leading Kraft Heinz to discover that a diluted solution used for cleaning machines in food processing factories may have been mixed into the Capri Sun beverages by accident. The company immediately issued a voluntary recall and tasked sellers to remove the affected 6.6-ounce foil pouches off the shelves. Thanks to quick action, there were no reports of hospitalizations or adverse health reactions brought on by the recalled beverages.

2,400 Pounds Of Processed Meat Were Recalled In 2022

a product photo of Oscar Mayer Ham & Cheese Loaf - Oscar Mayer

One of Kraft Heinz's sub-brands, Oscar Mayer, was founded 142 years ago and is no stranger to product recalls. The latest was in 2022 when the company pulled out 2,400 pounds of the Ham and Cheese Loaf from shelves because of suspected cross-contamination.

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According to the USDA announcement, the recalled meatloaf was sliced using a machine that had been used to cut underprocessed or uncooked food. This wouldn't have been an issue if the machine was cleaned before it was used for the Oscar Mayer Ham and Cheese Loaf. Unfortunately, it wasn't, leading to concerns of cross-contamination.

Having uncooked components in food advertised as fully cooked is a health risk. Raw meat may contain bacteria, parasites, and other disease-bearing organisms. Fortunately, there were no reports of health concerns due to accidental consumption of the recalled Oscar Mayer products.

41 Varieties Of Beverages And Powdered Drinks Across Four Brands Were Recalled In 2021

Tang Orange, Country Time Pink Lemonade, Arizona Arnold Palmer, and Kool-Aid Cherry and Tropical Punch against a white background - Sparkle1111112/Shutterstock

Finding bits of glass and metal in fruit drinks advertised for children would strike terror in the hearts of many parents and guardians. Avid customers of Country Time, Tang, Kool-Aid, and Arizona Tea found themselves in this situation in 2021. Forty-one flavors and varieties of powdered and ready-to-drink beverages were recalled after a production quality check revealed that several batches of powdered and liquid beverages might have been contaminated with bits of glass and metal. The flavors and brands affected included the Arizona Arnold Palmer, Country Time Lemonade and Pink Lemonade, Tang Orange, Tang Guava-Pineapple, Kool-Aid Strawberry Cherry and Raspberry Lemonade, and Kool-Aid Tropical Punch.

Kraft Heinz worked with retailers in the U.S. to remove the batches specified in the recall. The affected inventory also reached Canada. The good news was that no reports of injuries or illnesses resulting from this issue emerged.

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Kraft Heinz also issued a follow-up recall the following year after it was found that some of these recalled products were accidentally shipped out again to retailers. Kraft Heinz assured the public that this was an isolated incident, and they quickly recalled the affected powdered drinks again.

9,500 Cases Of Cottage Cheese Were Recalled In 2019

a product photo of Breakstone's 2% Milkfat Lowfat Cottage Cheese Small Curd - Breakstone's

If your store-bought cottage cheese looks anything other than soft, creamy white, and you find solids not advertised in the packaging, you can assume it's been contaminated or has already gone bad. A customer who found pieces of red plastic and metal in a container of Blackstone's cottage cheese thought the same. Thanks to their report, Kraft Heinz voluntarily recalled three varieties of Breakstone's cottage cheese: the 16-ounce 2% Milkfat Lowfat Large Curd Cottage Cheese, the 24-ounce 4% Milkfat Large Curd Cottage Cheese, and the 24-ounce Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese.

This recall happened before Kraft Heinz sold Breakstone's to France's Lactalis Group in 2021. There were no reports of customer injuries related to this contamination issue, but Kraft Heinz still pulled out the affected batches. Precaution was necessary because the foreign materials could leave lacerations and contusions in the mouth and digestive tract if swallowed. Such injuries can also lead to hemorrhage, infection, and major digestive health issues.

7,000 Cases Of Salsa Cheese Dip Were Recalled In 2018

Hand holding jar of Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso Mild Cheese Dip in the salsa aisle of a grocery store - The Image Party/Shutterstock

Little else beats a cheesy queso dip when looking for something tasty to pair with nachos. But what if its texture and overall appearance look a little odd? This was a question Kraft Heinz didn't want customers to wonder about. The company recalled 7,000 cases or nearly 56,000 pounds of the Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso Mild Cheese Dip after it received reports of "product separation" in the sealed bottles.

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Product separation happens when the liquid component in processed food separates from the solids. It's a natural occurrence for certain food items like natural peanut butter, but not for queso dip. Product separation in this product is a health hazard because it can increase the risk of Clostridium botulinum bacteria growing inside the bottle. This bacteria causes botulism, a disease that can turn deadly with the spread of the poisonous botulin toxin. In worst-case scenarios, patients who ingest the toxin may experience blurred vision, difficulty speaking and breathing, constipation, muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death.

In light of these risks, Kraft Heinz warned customers who may have bought the recalled Taco Bell queso dip not to consume it even if it looked or smelled OK. Thankfully, there were no reports of customers showing the dreaded symptoms of botulism as a result of this incident.

Over 2 Million Pounds Of Turkey Bacon Were Recalled In 2015

a package of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Smoked Cured Turkey Chopped and Formed - Keith Homan/Shutterstock

The biggest product recall for Oscar Mayer happened in 2015 when Kraft Heinz ordered the removal of more than 2 million pounds of the 56-ounce Oscar Mayer Selects Uncured Turkey Bacon and Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon: Smoked Cured Turkey Chopped and Formed in 36-ounce and 48-ounce packages.

The reason for the recall? Suspected premature spoilage. Kraft Heinz feared certain batches of bacon would turn bad earlier than their use-before date.

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According to the FSIS announcement, Kraft Heinz received some complaints of customers getting sick after eating some of its bacon products. These reports likely prompted the internal audit and product quality check that soon led to this massive recall. Oscar Mayer bacon packages were removed from grocery stores all over the country, as well as in the Bahamas and St. Martin, where the affected products had already been exported.

242,000 Cases Of Macaroni And Cheese Were Recalled In 2015

a close-up shot of three Kraft Mac and Cheese boxes - Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Mac and cheese is a widely-loved comfort food, so you can imagine the turmoil when news broke out that certain batches of this beloved Kraft product (those bearing the code "C2" in the best-by information) had to be recalled because they may have contained bits of metal.

This happened 10 years ago after Kraft Foods (before it merged with Heinz) confirmed eight incidents of customers finding metal contaminants in their Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Fortunately, no injuries or serious health problems occurred because of this contamination problem. The company went on to remove 242,000 cases or a whopping 6.5 million boxes of the affected batches off grocery shelves nationwide and abroad. Kraft Heinz did not give details about the cause of the contamination.

1.77 Million Pounds Of Pasta And Ground Cheeseburger Were Recalled In 2014

A product photo of Velveeta Cheese Skillets Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac - The Image Party/Shutterstock

Kraft likely faced a public relations nightmare 10 years ago, because just a year before the double-whammy of the turkey bacon and macaroni and cheese recalls, the company had to recall more than 1.7 million pounds of the Velveeta Cheesy Skillets Singles Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac.

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The microwaveable pasta-with-ground-beef meal was recalled because of a mislabeling issue. The product contained soy, which is one of the USDA's Big 9 leading causes of food allergies in the country. Unfortunately, the product label did not include this ingredient or mention that it contained a possible allergen. Kraft Heinz had to address this issue quickly because people who suffer severe allergic reactions from soy could be at risk. No adverse reactions to the Velveeta meal were reported, but the recall had to happen because labelling mistakes must be corrected.

Kraft routinely conducts quality checks of its products, and it was during one of these procedures that they discovered the undeclared allergen in the Velveeta cheeseburger mac meal. The company suspected an accidental mix-up of the ingredient lines with its label supplier. Kraft Foods reported the matter to the FSIS and promptly initiated the recall.

96,000 Pounds Of Wieners Were Recalled In 2014

a close-up of Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners packages - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Oscar Mayer has a wide variety of hotdog products, and two of them were subject to a product recall because of a major labeling mishap. On April 18, 2014, Kraft Foods received a customer complaint that the Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners packages contained Classic Cheese Dogs instead. The company notified the USDA the following day about the packaging error and later issued a recall for the affected batches of wieners and cheese dogs.

Kraft Foods recalled 96,000 pounds of the 16-ounce Classic Wieners Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added, as well as the 16-ounce packages of Classic Cheese Dogs Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added, and Pasteurized Cheese Product.

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The switched labels were more than an issue of inconvenience. Proper labeling is crucial for food safety, especially in this case because milk, the key ingredient for the pasteurized cheese in Oscar Mayer cheese dogs, is an allergen. This recall highlights the importance of correct labels in warning consumers about the potential health risks of certain processed foods. Thankfully, even though at least one customer had accidentally eaten the cheese dogs, no other customer reported having adverse reactions due to the labeling error.

1.2 Million Cases Of Cottage Cheese Were Recalled In 2014

Knudsen Cottage Doubles cottage cheese varieties displayed on a shelf - The Image Party/Shutterstock

Sometimes, despite every effort to ensure food is produced safely and up to standards, product quality is compromised because of external factors beyond a manufacturer's control. Mistakes that occur during the sourcing of ingredients are perfect examples.

Something similar happened to Kraft's cottage cheese products over 10 years ago. The company discovered that some ingredients used in making cottage cheese for Knudsen, Breakstone's, Simply Kraft, and Daily Chef were stored at a facility that didn't meet Kraft Heinz's temperature requirements. The company became worried that the cottage cheese produced from the badly-stored ingredients would spoil early or cause illnesses. It is unknown if any customers became ill from eating the affected products.

In line with its commitment to upholding high standards of food quality and safety, Kraft Foods pulled 1.2 million cases of the affected cottage cheese products. This was a massive recall that took 34 packaging variations and flavors off the shelves of retail stores and distribution centers in the country.

735,000 Cases Of String Cheese Were Recalled In 2013

product photos of Kraft String Cheese Mozzarella - Kraft

The cottage cheese recall wasn't the only premature spoilage Kraft foods had to deal with. The company also recalled 735,000 cases of 22 varieties of Kraft and Polly-O string cheese one year earlier, after receiving customer complaints that the products went bad and changed color before their use-by dates had passed.

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Apart from ordering the recall, Kraft Foods temporarily stopped its production and distribution operations to investigate the issue. The company also warned customers who had already bought the affected string cheese not to eat them and bring them back in-store for a refund instead. Like with the cottage cheese recall, it is not known if any customers suffered health issues after eating string cheese that should have been part of the recall.

2.8 Million Pounds Of Packaged Chicken Products Were Recalled In 2007

product photo of Oscar Mayer Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Southwestern Seasoned - Colleen Michaels/Shutterstock

The biggest recall in Kraft Foods' history happened in 2007 after one package of the ready-to-eat Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips Grilled tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Upon learning the news, one of Kraft Foods' suppliers, Carolina Culinary Food, initiated a small-scale recall of the affected product.

For its part, Kraft Foods decided to take precautionary measures and expanded the recall to include eight flavors and package varieties of the Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips and Cuts. The total recall volume reached 2.8 million pounds.

Why did Kraft Foods voluntarily remove such a large volume of products off retailers' shelves nationwide? Listeria is a type of bacteria typically found in sewers, soil, and decaying matter. It can lead to listeriosis, a deadly disease that can cause miscarriages and even death among children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems. Fortunately, there were no reports of customers showing signs of listeriosis or any health problems due to eating the affected products.

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This is the second recall Kraft Foods issued related to listeria. The first incident happened in 1999, which you can read more about below.

Taco Shells In Stores And Taco Bell Restaurants Were Recalled In 2000

product photo of a box of Taco Bell home originals - Perry Correll/Shutterstock

Bio-engineered food and the ethics of using it in food manufacturing had been a popular topic of debate in the early 2000s. Coincidentally, Taco Bell faced controversy for this very reason at the start of the decade.

Here's what went down in the year that led to one of the biggest recalls in Taco Bell history. An anti-biotech group called Friends of the Earth tapped an independent laboratory in Iowa to test seven boxes of Taco Bell shells sold in grocery stores. They reportedly found traces of StarLink corn, a genetically modified corn variety that hasn't been approved for human consumption. The main concern was that the human body couldn't easily digest a protein found in StarLink (Cry9C). Moreover, it might trigger allergic reactions in some people.

There had been no reports of adverse allergic reactions tied specifically to Taco Bell and the alleged GMO ingredient, but the controversy pushed Kraft Foods to take action. The company was the manufacturer of Taco Bell's grocery taco shells, and it soon called for the immediate recall of the 12-shell and 18-shell packages of Taco Bell Home Originals. Official statements didn't report the total volume pulled, but the number is likely high since this was a nationwide recall.

28,313 Pounds Of Deli Meat Were Recalled In 1999

product photo of Oscar Mayer Variety-Pak deli meats - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Last but not least in this list is the 1999 recall of Oscar Mayer deli meats, thanks again to listeria contamination. The Kraft Foods brand pulled 28,313 pounds of the Oscar Mayer All American Variety Pack and Oscar Mayer Club Sandwich Variety Pack after a woman in Missouri fell ill with listeriosis. Fearing an outbreak, the USDA tested Oscar Mayer products and found listeria in these two package types of mixed deli meats. Fortunately for Kraft Foods and its customers, none had reported symptoms of listeria or fell ill due to the allegedly contaminated deli meats.

Food manufacturers suffer financial losses whenever issuing recalls. But companies need to take responsibility as producers to provide customers with clean, well-prepared, high-quality food.

Read the original article on Mashed.
(NewsNation)  Former Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio joined NewsNation Prime to discuss the future of the Democratic Party and its failings in 2024, including shifting its focus from elites and kitchen table items.

De Blasio, who has received fierce criticism from President Trump this week, believes the Democrats blew the presidential election on multiple fronts.

Its not just get away from the elites and get back to the grassroots and the heartland, its talk about those table kitchen issues that, bluntly, we failed to talk about well enough in 2024, de Blasio added.

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Trump in excellent health, doctor says after annual exam

The former New York City mayor favors a pool of possible figureheads for the 2028 presidential election, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Weve got an extraordinary Democratic bench, very heavy on governors [and] I love that, de Blasio said.

Weve got exciting representatives of a new generation of leadership, and I think let them go and compete, he added.

De Blasio also commended the work of Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in their rallies across America.

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An abandoned well is pictured in Oklahoma. (Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission)

In an effort to address tens of thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells statewide, lawmakers in the Oklahoma legislature are considering a bill to increase funds to plug them.

The state uses an excise tax on oil and gas producers to cap the wells with the help of private contractors. House Bill 1370 adjusts the plugging fund with the hope of expanding it from around $2.5 million annually to up to $20 million, said state Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, who co-authored the bill with Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow).

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It now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), which oversees abandoned wells, reported in January it had at least 20,000 known sites statewide. The wells can leak liquid into nearby water or release methane, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.

Theres been a real concerted effort to clean this state up with shut-ins, abandoned, orphaned, however you want to categorize them, and I just encourage us to keep moving forward, Green said during the meeting. And I mean, the number just changes all the time since Ive been up here. But one thing that hasnt changed, its growing. So we need to get a handle on it.

Although the state keeps an estimate of the wells, its impossible for it to have a definitive list because many of the wells are in rural areas, a spokesperson for the OCC told StateImpact earlier this year.

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Another bill passed by the committee would keep the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) funded through 2031. House Bill 1031 is authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus) and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom (R-Adair). That bill is now headed to the Senate floor.

The board restores land around plugged abandoned wells using a 1% voluntary tax on oil and gas producers. According to the OERB, at least 20,000 sites have been cleaned up using the fund. The organization also promotes pro-oil and gas education in Oklahoma classrooms through its  HomeRoom  initiative.

This article was originally published by StateImpact Oklahoma. StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahomas public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A bill introduced in the Arkansas legislature on Wednesday is an additional attempt to disassemble the state library board.

Senate Bill 640 would remove all the current members of the state library board and have Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appoint seven people in their place for staggered terms. Typically, the governor makes library board appointments for seven-year terms.

Jason Rapert calls on Arkansas legislators to abolish state library board

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The bill comes after two earlier bills to eliminate the board and turn it over to the Department of Education (DOE) failed.

Senate Bill 184 intended to abolish both the board and the state Educational Television Commission but was withdrawn by its sponsor, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro), who explained to the committee that he had come to an agreement with the television commission about needed changes.

Sullivan then introduced Senate Bill 536 to turn just the library board over to the DOE, but it failed to clear the committee due to a lack of votes.

Legislation to remove Arkansas Library Board passes in committee hearing

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SB640 was introduced by Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy). It passed the Senate and committee hearings the day after it was introduced. It is moving quickly through the House and is currently before the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee.

The legislature is due to dismiss this Wednesday.

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MISSOURI  The Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill in early April that could lower the age requirement for a person to obtain a concealed carry permit.

According to House Bill 328, the age requirement to possess a concealed carry firearm would be lowered from 19 to 18 years of age.

The bill will additionally allow any person with a permit to legally carry a firearm on public transportation, excluding Amtrak. Those with a concealed carry permit will also be allowed to carry in churches, according to the bill.

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Watch: Cara Spencer sworn-in as 48th Mayor of St. Louis

Currently in Missouri, it is prohibited for those with a concealed carry permit to possess a firearm for self-defense on public transit or places of worship. If passed, the bill will reverse both and will take effect on Aug. 28.

A similar bill made rounds in the Missouri House last year, though it ultimately failed to clear the chamber.

The bill was sponsored by Republican Representative Tim Taylor of District 48 in Missouri. The House voted Do Pass on the bill on March 27, and the bill was reported to the Senate on April 10 for consideration.

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WILBRAHAM  The Social Security system under fire. Looming nursing staff shortages. Inability to pay for medical care.

While on a tour of the Life Care Center of Wilbraham on Monday afternoon, executives described what a possible future might look like without hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding for social services.

Were always looking at how we can continue to provide these services, said Dennis Lopata, the executive director of the nursing home facility that has been open for almost 34 years.

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A majority of the Wilbraham centers clients  about 80%  pay for services with either Medicaid or Medicare, he said. We need them as much as they need us, he said.

House Republicans recently passed a budget resolution that would slash $880 million from federal programs, including Medicare and Social Security benefits.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, who paid a visit to the center on Monday afternoon, said while the House GOP passed the resolution, the issue is nonpartisan.

Red states derive a lot of Medicare patients, he said. Were not going to let social services go by the wayside.

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Life Care Center is just one of several care facilities that predicts it will feel the squeeze of budget cuts.

While the COVID-19 pandemic brought a slew of challenges to nursing homes across the region and country, Lopata said the organization has been working hard to retain staff, including raising the wages.

The facility in Wilbraham now staffs 205 people, and more than 100 people receive care there, said Lopata.

Weve been offering certified nurse assistants (the opportunity) to attend trainings. Weve been making progress, said Tara Gregorio, president of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association. To now pull the rug out from under us  the threats are real and alarming."

Immigration will affect services, too

Another looming concern is the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration.

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With (temporary protected status) ending, more than 2,000 of our centers employees from Haiti will lose their jobs, said Gregorio. This is profoundly concerning.

Later in the afternoon, Neal spoke to a room of elderly people who live at the facility.

This is a community. Nobody should be abandoned or left behind, Neal said. The golden years should be lived out the way we want them to be.

Last month, Neal visited Riverside Industries, a nonprofit organization in Easthampton working to empower people with disabilities, where clients and staff also were bracing for the proposed cuts.

more news from Western Massachusetts
The Volunteer State has a proud tradition of demonstrating leadership in the quest to protect civil liberties and ensure equal access for all. Our efforts have resonated nationwide. It was 105 years ago when the Tennessee General Assembly provided the 36th and final vote needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving millions of women the right to vote.

Tennessee was the epicenter of student-led nonviolent sit-ins in the 1960s, where brave Black Americans risked their safety to desegregate lunch counters.

In more recent years, Tennessee has expanded access to higher education for all by becoming the first state in the nation to offer free community college to high school graduates and returning adults.

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Weve stood firm on religious liberties, protecting the rights of churches and faith-based organizations to operate according to their beliefs. And at a time when voting rights are under attack in other states, Tennessee leads the nation with its commitment to election integrity and ability to balance greater access with accountability.

The list goes on, but what makes Tennessee truly remarkable is our ongoing commitment to shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and exercise their rights.

As the sponsors of Senate Bill 861/House Bill 910, our goal is straightforward: to ensure all Tennesseans have access to efficient, effective protection against discrimination. The bill simply transfers the enforcement of the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) to the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office, a structural change that will better serve citizens experiencing discrimination.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti speaks about the impact social media has on children and families during a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Clarksville, Tenn.

Discrimination in education prohibited under bill

We condemn discrimination in all forms. That is why we have ensured our legislation preserves every substantive protection of the THRA. While maintaining current protections, the bill expands these safeguards by adding discrimination in education as a prohibited practice and establishes a civil penalty for malicious harassment. Every Tennessean deserves robust protection from discrimination, and our commitment to this principle remains unwavering.

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This bill increases government efficiency by streamlining the complaint and enforcement process, directly connecting those who experience discrimination with the state's chief legal office, who can forcefully advocate on their behalf.

If a citizen is unhappy with how their case is being handled, their individual right to sue is preserved.

We strive to strengthen the enforcement of our civil rights laws while making the process more accessible and effective for all Tennesseans. Our message is clear: If you violate civil rights in Tennessee, you will be held accountable.

A natural progression in civil rights enforcement

The Tennessee Attorney General's Office has the capability and experience to enforce the THRA effectively. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has a notable background in civil rights enforcement. During his tenure at the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Memphiss Civil Rights Unit, he prosecuted significant civil rights cases, including racially motivated violence and religiously targeted hate crimes.

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His work prosecuting the leaders of the Aryan Alliance for the firebombing of a Tennessee mosque, along with his role in securing justice for a law enforcement officer murdered in a racially motivated attack, highlights his unwavering commitment to protecting the civil rights of Tennesseans.

This dedication earned Skrmetti the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service  one of the Department of Justices highest honors  and other awards, including the Civil Rights Division's first-ever Victim Rights Award.

As attorney general, he has been active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans. His office has taken on some of the most powerful opponents in the country, including BlackRock, Google, and even the federal government  and won. We are confident he will be equally active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans from illegal discrimination.

AG's Office has expertise, resources to guard civil rights

The protection of civil rights transcends political differences. All Tennesseans deserve equal protection under the law and a system that resolves discrimination claims efficiently and effectively. House Bill 910/Senate Bill 861 represents a thoughtful progression in how our state upholds these fundamental rights.

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Ultimately, this legislation is about deterring discrimination and expediting justice for Tennesseans when it happens. By entrusting enforcement to the Attorney General's Office, with its established legal expertise and resources, we will continue our legacy of civil rights leadership and provide Tennesseans with more timely, effective protection against discrimination.

John Stevens is an attorney from Huntingdon. He represents District 24 of the Tennessee State Senate, which includes Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Houston, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley counties.

State Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon (District 24)

Johnny Garrett is an attorney from Goodlettsville. He represents District 45 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Sumner County.

Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Our bills boost civil rights protections for all Tennesseans | Opinion
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Department has made an arrest in connection to a shooting that killed two people last year.

On August 21, 2024, West Precinct officers were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of 30th Street Southwest on a report of a person shot. Officers found a victim on the front porch, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Kayla Warren, 28, of Birmingham, was transported to UAB Hospital, where police say she died from her injuries.

A second victim later arrived at Princeton Hospital via private vehicle. The second victim, identified as NaBryan Adams, 20, of Birmingham, later died from his injuries.

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On April 10, members of the BPDs Special Operations Divisions Crime Reduction Team located the suspect and took him into custody in the 1900 block of Princeton Court. The suspect has been identified as Jamil Carillo-Jemison, 23, of Birmingham.

Carillo-Jemison was placed on a 48-hour felony extension at the Birmingham City Jail. On Saturday, detectives with the BPD presented case information to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office. Carillo-Jemison was issued a warrant for capital murder.

The suspect is in custody at the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.

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In December 1990, poet Cornelius Eady, now 71, was feeling dispirited by the literary world. Hed attended the Assn. of Writers & Writing Programs conference in Denver that year and felt like he was the only Black poet in attendance.

I wasnt, he assures me, all these decades later. But it felt that way. I was on an island. I felt like I was the only person there. I couldnt stand it. And I was doing an interview back then and I asked, 'Well, why cant we have a place thats just for us?'

It would be six years before Eady and fellow poet Toi Derricotte, now 83, came up with a tangible answer. Together, they imagined a place where Black poets wouldnt have to explain or defend themselves. Eady and Derricotte planned a retreat that would be equal parts literary workshop and summer camp, free of charge, for Black poets. They called it Cave Canem.

Named after a sign in Latin that Derricotte had seen while visiting the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii, Cave Canem (Beware of the Dog) was envisioned as a community-building enterprise. There, Black poets of all stripes could tune out the world and instead fine-tune their craft. Eady and Derricotte knew finding institutional support for such a project would be difficult if not impossible. And so, in a fit of brilliant folly, they decided to take it on themselves  financially and logistically.

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Close to 30 years later and now a registered nonprofit, Cave Canem is able to offer free tuition for its annual summer retreat. It's hosted more than 550 fellows, including literary luminary Danez Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown, Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award winner Ross Gay, and U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith. Its faculty, meanwhile, has boasted the likes of MacArthur Fellows Terrance Hayes and Claudia Rankine, PEN award winner Harryette Mullen, and National Book Award winner Nikky Finney.

With yearlong programming and two annual book prizes of its own, Cave Canems mission is best exemplified by those two weeks a year spent at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Pa., where the retreat has been based since 2003.

The first retreat took place at Mount St. Alphonsus, a former seminary in Esopus, N.Y. Those who gathered there in 1996 were encouraged to sit in a circle and introduce themselves to one another. The question posed to these poets in other spaces  Why are you here?  was not a hostile challenge but an opening.

Somebody started crying as they started talking, Derricotte recalls. And nobody went over to pat him on the back or hold him or anything. They let him cry. And thats why it took three hours. The spirit of that inaugural meeting remains intact.

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What the opening circle offered and continues to offer Cave Canem fellows is the space to be fully, truly themselves. The exercise is driven by the conviction that what each of these poets bring to the table is enough. And that what they will create or share in that space will be held with care.

For Morgan Parker, author of the National Book Critics Circle Award-winning Magical Negro (2019) and a Cave Canem fellow (2012, 2014, 2015), the opening circle was a welcome exercise.

That introduction sets the bar in terms of vulnerability, Parker says. Yes, there will be rigor. And yes, there will be a lot of poetry-making. And yes, there could be poet laureates and prizes in your future. But for right now, this is about opening up and caring for each other as we do that. It makes this space really personal. Obviously poetry is personal, but Ive been to a lot of different programs and workshops and thats not always the things we lead with, this caring for the individual.

As such, Cave Canem prides itself on being a place where belonging and community are one and the same. Its also why the mix of fellows any given year includes emerging and established writers, recent grads in their 20s and working poets in their 80s, those working within established traditions and those experimenting with form.

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It had to be for all Black poets, as Eady puts it. To underscore the idea that theres no one way of being a Black poet. That its all legitimate.

For Evie Shockley, a Pulitzer Prize finalist who was first a fellow (1997, 1998, 1999) and later returned as a faculty member, Cave Canem has made room for expansive ideas of what that means. She recalls how having Mullen and Rankine as instructors and seeing the experimental Black Took Collective established during the retreat was eye-opening for an emerging poet like herself.

It was transformative, Shockley says. I wont say that without Cave Canem I wouldnt have been a poet. But it happened so early in my period of being serious about writing that I have no sense of what my writing would have been without it.

Similarly, it seems impossible to imagine what contemporary American poetry would look like without this longstanding organization.

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If there was a centrifugal force in American letters over the last 25 years, it is undeniable that it has been Cave Canem, Reginald Dwayne Betts (2006, 2007) says. Its been largely out of the power of literature. It hasnt been driven by the power of commerce. The work has actually been creating these opportunities for writers to become better at their craft.

Or, as Derricotte has put it, the focus is on doing the work and seeing traditions and aesthetics, lineages and linkages, constantly forged and foregrounded.

The first year I went, I brought a pantoum of sound, Nikia Chaney (1997, 1999, 2002), a California-based poet, recalls. It doesnt really make sense. You just have to kind of follow the sound. I still remember the reception that I got from it. Angela Jackson said, Youre scatting on the page. I never really thought that some of my interests had a tradition.

For Betts, a recent MacArthur Fellow and the author of Felon: Poems and Shahid Reads His Own Palm, Cave Canem was similarly an entry point into the canon of Black poetry hed first encountered while incarcerated. Back then he didnt know that many of the poets he was reading were associated with Eady and Derricottes brainchild. When he attended the retreat as a fellow in 2006, he found himself in community with poets hed long thought of as heroes of his  heroes hes now in direct conversation with, on and off the page.

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I once called Sonia Sanchez at like 10 oclock at night to read her a poem, he says. But I also got a chance to listen to her about how much she missed her good friend Toni Morrison, and how she missed the days when Amiri Baraka would call her to read a poem in the middle of the night.

Here was a living, breathing canon of American letters being nurtured across generations. To Lynne Thompson, a former poet laureate of Los Angeles and the current board president of Cave Canem, therein lies the key conceit of the program.

How can we provide community for them, where they feel free to express themselves as poets, as well as find every way we can to get the reading public to understand that the American voice is very diverse and well worth reading? she says.

As it nears its 30th anniversary, Cave Canem has lofty ambitions to continue that mission. Just last year it launched a digital archives collection and announced, alongside Ithaka S+R, Magnitude and Bond: A Field Study on Black Literary Arts Service Organizations, a research project that will examine the organizational needs, strategies and models behind such institutions.

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Most of all, though, Cave Canem is a reflection of the ethos everyone involved in it has brought to bear on the endeavor.

Its like writing a great poem, Derricotte says. Its mysterious. You dont know whats going to happen. It has taken so much brilliance and so many people coming at the right time. But its all about leaving the space for not knowing and believing and trusting Black people. Trusting Black poets. And thats what happened.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The star-studded crew of Blue Origins New Shepard rocket launched into space at 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday morningand they touched back down in Texas just 10 minutes and 21 seconds later.

Mission NS-31, which was the first all-female spaceflight crew since 1963, carried six notable passengers for the historic takeoff: pop star Katy Perry, broadcast journalist Gayle King, activist Amanda Nguyen, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and journalist Lauren Sanchez. The rocket, which is fully autonomous and requires no pilots to launch, was propelled 62 miles into the atmosphere, reaching just past the Karman line, or the boundary that defines the edge of Earths atmosphere from outer space.

Ahead of todays flight, Perry revealed her outer space ambitions in an Instagram video. I think Im gonna sing. Im gonna sing a little bit, she said. I gotta sing in space.

Upon returning to Earth, King confirmed in an interview with CBS Morning that Perry did just that. The best part was, when we got back in our seats after Zero-Gs, Katy sang, What a Wonderful World, King said, referring to Louis Armstrongs classic 1967 song. Cause we had been asking her to sing all the time, and she wouldnt. Everybody said, Sing Roar. Sing Firework. And she said, Its not about me, I wanted to talk about the world. Isnt that nice?

Justin Hamel - Getty Images

Perry later reflected on the moment in another post-flight interview. Ive covered that song in the past. Obviously my higher self is steering the ship. I had no clue Id one day decide to sing a little bit of that in space, she said. Its not about me. Its not about singing my songs. Its about a collective energy and making space for future women. Its about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth.

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An all-female crew accomplished a brief spaceflight on Blue Origins New Shepard rocket and capsule, the 31st such flight since its maiden flight in July 2021. The crew was a mixture of celebrities, including Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sanchez, and scientists, such as Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist, Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer. On the ground celebrities such as Oprah, Chris Kardashian and her daughter Khloe, Orlando Bloom and Jeff Bezos watched on.

The weightlessness on the nine-minute flight to the Karman line, considered the dividing line between Earths atmosphere and space, lasted only four minutes. But the emotional impact of the flight was clear.

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The crew consisted of celebrities, scientists and a filmmaker.

Full of adrenaline, most of the women were moved to tears in interviews after landing.

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It was a feeling of joy, said Sanchez, fiancee to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, who was on the first flight in July 2021.

Perry sang What a Wonderful World inside the capsule. This is all for the benefit of Earth, she said. This experience is second to being a mom.

I will never be the same, added NASA rocket scientist Bowe. There are no boundaries, no borders, just the Earth. I picked the right dream.

Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was among the crew.

King, who is terrified of flying, said that G-force was difficult. The CBS morning anchor, who declined to be called an astronaut after only two days of training, noted the sense of sisterhood in the capsule and hopes the short flight will inspire other women toward space.

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The last all-female space mission happened in 1963, when Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova undertook the solo Vostok 6 mission to become the first woman in space.

Despite its brevity, Blue Origins 31st flight is noteworthy because it introduced the first set of uniforms developed for females. Usually, you know, these suits are made for a man, Sanchez told The New York Times. Then they get tailored to fit a woman.

The uniforms were designed for an all-female crew, a first in space travel.

Five months before the flight, Sanchez reached out to Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, cofounders of Monse, and also creative directors at Oscar de la Renta. Each crew member had 3-D body scans made of their physique for the made-to-measure suits. Simplicity was important, and comfort, and fit, Mr. Garcia said. But we also wanted something that was a little dangerous, like a motocross outfit, Garcia told the paper.

The flight suits are all about the four Fs: function, fashion, flare, and the future, added Perry. In the end, functional fashion won out, but nobody really noticed the space wear among the post-flight exuberance.

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The body of a man who ran from deputies during a traffic stop in Rockdale County has been recovered from a lake.

At approximately 2:35 a.m., the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office conducted a traffic stop near Old Salem Road and Underwood Road near Salem Lake.

Deputies said the driver ran from his vehicle and deputies chased him.

The suspect tried to escape deputies by entering Salem Lake.

He swam across the lake as deputies surrounded the area.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Deputies said at one point he re-entered the water and refused to follow their orders to exit.

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Rockdale County Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services crews immediately began to search for the man.

Due to limited visibility and unsafe conditions, they paused the search until daybreak.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources joined the search and the body was recovered at approximately 7 p.m.

Deputies said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

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With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Chery Group to launch 39 hybrid car models in 2025

On April 10, Chery Group announced during its Chery Automobile Hybrid Night event that it plans to introduce 39 hybrid car models in 2025, highlighting its intensified push toward electrified mobility. The lineup will include three HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles), 28 PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), and eight REEVs (range-extended electric vehicles). The product rollout spans multiple sub-brands: 19 models under the Chery brand, nine under JETOUR, five from EXEED, two from iCAR, three from OMODA & JAECOO, and one from the LUXEED brand.

Photo credit: Chery Group

Great Wall Motor partners with TUV Rheinland on eye-comfort cockpit displays

On April 11, 2025, in Baoding, China, Great Wall Motor signed a strategic cooperation agreement with TUV Rheinland, a leading German testing and certification organization. The two parties will collaborate on developing visual comfort technologies for smart cockpits, aiming to enhance eye health and overall in-vehicle display safety.

UFI Filters forms strategic alliance with FOTON

UFI Filters, a global leader in filtration, thermal management, and green hydrogen technologies, recently entered a strategic partnership with Chinese commercial vehicle maker FOTON. As part of the collaboration, UFI Filters will develop customized high-performance oil filtration modules tailored for FOTONs commercial vehicles, offering improved engine protection through more precise and reliable solutions.

Geely Holding boasts 31% YoY leap in Q1 2025 automobile sales

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group ("Geely Holding") announced a sales volume of 946,627 vehicles for the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, representing a year-on-year jump of 31%, according to a post on Geely Holding's WeChat account.

Chinese battery supplier Zenergy goes public in Hong Kong

On April 14, 2025, Jiangsu Zenergy Battery Technologies Group Co., Ltd. ("Zenergy"), a Chinese company specializing in the R&D, and production of lithium-ion power and energy storage batteries, was officially listed on the Main Board of Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. The IPO marks a significant milestone in Zenergy's growth journey as it steps into a new phase powered by capital markets.

DiDi Autonomous Driving updates cooperation fruits with GAC AION

On April 12, the 2025 GAC TECH DAY and the GAC Intelligent Safety Summit took place in Guangzhou, with DiDi Autonomous Driving attending as a key strategic partner.

CALB, XPENG AEROHT step up cooperation to power next-generation flying cars

On April 11, CALB signed a deepened strategic cooperation agreement with Guangdong Huitian Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. ("XPENG AEROHT"), marking a new chapter in their partnership within the emerging low-altitude mobility sector, according to a post on CALB's WeChat account.

Dongfeng Nissan begins pre-orders of N7 all-electric sedan model

Dongfeng Nissan officially opened pre-orders for its all-new full-electric sedan, the N7, on April 13. The vehicle has begun arriving at dealerships across China and is scheduled to hit the market on April 27, with an expected starting price under 200,000 yuan.

CATL, Ant Group, Hello Inc. form strategic alliance to drive smart mobility, digital tech R&D, green operations & investment

On April 10, CATL, Ant Group, and Hello Inc. signed a strategic cooperation agreement, aiming to integrate their core strengths in digital technology, new energy vehicle innovation, and shared mobility ecosystems, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account.
A Boston-based immigration attorney received an email from the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, demanding she self-deport within 7 days.

Nicole Micheroni, though, was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Sharon.

Ive never really seen anything like this before, she told Boston 25 Sunday.

She is a partner at Cameron, Micheroni, Silvia LLC in downtown Boston.

Friday at the office, she received an email from DHS, which is common for her work.

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She explained, This one turned out to be a little different... The email said my parole status had been revoked, and I had 7 days to leave the United States.

The no-reply email from DHS said they would take legal action if she did not self-deport.

Micheroni said shes been in touch with federal authorities, who claim the email is legitimate, but ended up being sent to someone it wasnt supposed to.

She added, There was a mix of confusion, a little bit of laughter, and then a little bit of concern.

The email ended:

Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States - the federal government will find you. Please depart the United States immediately.

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Micheroni said Sunday, They have to be careful about who theyre sending messages to... Theyre spreading a lot of misinformation and fear.

Boston 25 reached out to DHS and ICE Sunday night but has not heard back.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  A Boston man was sentenced in federal court last Thursday for illegally trafficking a dozen machine gun conversion devices.

In February 2023, 26-year-old Elijah Navarro was arrested and charged alongside co-defendant 23-year-old Michael Wilkerson following an investigation into illegal firearm trafficking in the Boston area. Charging documents stated that in January 2023, Navarro planned to sell 12 machine gun conversion devices for $1,700.

Springfield man arrested for alleged child assault, gun and cocaine seized

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After communicating with the buyer, Navarro reportedly met with the individual twice at a predetermined location. On January 19, 2023, Navarro met with the buyer and sold two machine gun conversion devices for $400, and on January 25, 2023, he sold ten more devices for $1,300. The second transaction was conducted at Wilkersons home.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Navarro and Wilkersons residences in February 2023, and found multiple rounds of ammunition in Navarros home. When searching Wilkersons home, officers found two 3-D printers, 3-D printing material, machine gun conversion devices, a ballistic vest, firearms, magazines, and ammunition.

Neither of the suspects had licenses to import, manufacture, deal, or possess firearms. In December 2023, Navarro pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business as a manufacturer or dealer in firearms and two counts of the transfer or possession of a machine gun.

Navarro was sentenced last Thursday to one year and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Wilkerson was sentenced in April 2024 to 20 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Boston police are seeking the publics help in identifying a suspect who allegedly vandalized an Uber employees vehicle.

According to Boston police, the incident occurred on Sunday, around 1:15 a.m. in the area of 113 Dartmouth Street.

The suspect is described as a female and reportedly vandalized an Uber employees vehicle.

The incident is under investigation ad anyone with information is asked to contact District D-4 Detectives at (617) 343-5619.

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Community members who wish to provide information anonymously may do so through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line:

By Phone: 1-800-494-TIPS

By Text: Text TIP to CRIME (27463)

Online: Boston Police CrimeStoppers

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Break reported in 2023 abduction of American grandmother in Mexico

(NewsNation)  Maria del Carmen Lopez, an American mother and grandmother, was kidnapped in Mexico in February 2023, and her family has never stopped searching for her.

Now, there is a potential break in the case. Lopezs family tells NewsNation that authorities have arrested a pair of suspects tied to a kidnapping ring.

Maria is a mother, grandmother and aunt who is loved dearly by her family. To her daughters, shes a hero and always will be  but they havent heard her voice in more than two years.

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Wisconsin teen charged in parents deaths is accused of plotting to kill Trump

On Feb. 9, 2023, the 63-year-old was violently dragged and kidnapped from her home in Pueblo Nuevo in Colima, Mexico, where she also holds citizenship.

Her kidnappers called the Lopez family, with Maria pleading for help as the kidnappers demanded a ransom payment for her release. Family members say theyve heard nothing since.

We dont know what they did to her, but these two men that Im looking at right now are possibly the last two men whove seen her, daughter Zonia Lopez said.

Two men arrested in a separate kidnapping are now reportedly linked to Marias disappearance through DNA evidence. Authorities say Juan Antonio Gaytan Diaz and Antioco Cortez Valencia have been connected to a kidnapping ring and two other abductions involving elderly victims.

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The Lopez family tells NewsNation the men saw an opportunity to target their mother, unaware that she was an American citizen.

Now, one big question remains: Where is Maria del Carmen Lopez? Zonia Lopez has a message for the suspects.

You guys took her, you took her from us, she said. Where is she? Why not tell us what they did with her? Is she still alive? And if shes gone, where? We deserve to have her back.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the physical location of Maria.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Millions of dollars intended to harden Jacksonvilles infrastructure to mitigate storm damage could now be at risk due to FEMAs cancelation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC program.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Statewide, nearly $300 million BRIC program funding are now in question.

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In Jacksonville alone, as much as $24.9 million could be at risk.

That money had been requested for road projects, generators and improvements to the Buckman Water Reclamation Facility, which made up the bulk of the funding.

According to JEA, the Buckman Water Reclamation Facility project was slated to cost roughly $32.5 million, with the BRIC program covering roughly $23.2 million.

In addition to improvements at the facility itself, the project also aimed to improve drainage at Bigelow Branch Creek.

JEA will proceed with the improvements to the Buckman WRF following internal project prioritization and funding procedures, a JEA spokesperson told Action News Jax in an emailed statement. The drainage improvements to Bigelow Branch Creek will need to be reviewed for the availability of other external funds.

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Governor Ron DeSantis pushed back on the suggestion the funding is entirely lost during a press conference Monday.

DeSantis argued President Donald Trump will still make the funds available through other channels.

He is going to blockgrant the money to the states. And so, were not gonna be left in the cold. But I can tell you that the FEMA bureaucracy is an impediment to disaster recovery. It is not doing a good job, said DeSantis.

But Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) was skeptical during a press call Monday morning.

In a time when we are experiencing stronger and stronger hurricanes and stronger natural disasters, its not the time to cut FEMA funding, said Driskell.

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She argued the BRIC program, which was started during President Trumps first term, is yet another casualty of the mad dash to cut government spending without fully considering the consequences.

Money that was meant to keep our communities safe has been called wasteful, political, a wasteful politicized grant program and now these projects meant to protect life and property wont be completed, said Driskell.

On top of the nearly $25 million in question here in Jacksonville, the mayors office told Action News Jax the city had also just applied for an additional $5.3 million to install underground power lines in Arlington.

In a statement, the Mayors Office told us it is hopeful Congress will reauthorize the BRIC program in next years budget so, The application for this critical infrastructure project could be reconsidered.

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There has been some desperate straw clutching over the last week as confidence in the US plummets and American voters prepare to be poorer.

Setting aside Donald Trumps recent backtracking, there has been a lot of chest-thumping pro-tariff talk about hyper-masculinity: brush away those thoughts about economic hardship, boys, because these tariffs are poised to be the ultimate testosterone boost.

Given that a recent poll by Marquette Law School showed that non-college white men were most likely to back the tariffs, its an obvious pitch.

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Fox News pundits have already been plugging the idea, arguing that tariffs will bring back a manly workforce because when you sit behind a screen all day, it makes you a woman.

Apparently, the trade war will cure America of its crisis of masculinity by bringing alpha-male jobs back, even if the economy has completely imploded by then.

Britain needs to pay careful attention to Americas growing obsession with traditional manliness because the same problems are happening here. We should be asking why the tariffs have struck such a chord with so many non-college white men, because in Britain, men are giving up on work faster than anywhere else in the richest parts of the world.

The proportion of men aged 16 to 64 participating in Britains labour force has plunged from a record high of 84pc in 2009 to 80.9pc in 2024  a much bigger drop than in the US. Men are working shorter hours too, with only those over 65 putting in more hours since Covid.

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The outlook is particularly worrying among young men, as a growing number are not entering the working world at all. The number of 16-24-year-old men not in education, employment or training (Neets) is up 40pc since Covid, compared to just 7pc among women.

The feeling of hopelessness starts from a worryingly young age, too  one in five 15-year-old boys in this country say they have low life satisfaction, according to the Childrens Societys 2022 report.

There are plenty of reasons why this is happening, but one often overlooked corner of the argument is how the definition of masculinity and any problems that follow correlate with economic policy. Studies have shown a clear link between economic and personal strife.

A group of economists from MIT, the University of California and the University of Zurich warned in 2017 that trade shocks differentially reduce employment and earnings, raise the prevalence of idleness, and elevate premature mortality among young males, adding that shocks to male relative earnings reduce marriage and fertility.

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This, they said, increases the number of children living in below-poverty, single-headed households.

Despite huge cultural changes in family dynamics in recent decades, with more women working and more fathers involved at home, 70pc of men as young as 18 still believe that they should be the primary breadwinner in a relationship, according to a study of 3,000 UK adults conducted by Starling Bank last year.

Studies have found that men in so-called medium-status jobs are more miserable than women who are in the same position. In short, they are less willing to consider themselves professional average Joes than women.

At the same time, more people feel detached from their employer and overall job satisfaction levels are falling. With self-esteem so closely tied to employment status, those who feel career success isnt on the cards for them might be more likely to give up before they even get started and instead search for meaning elsewhere.

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The social contract that many men thought they were buying into  work hard, buy a house, have a family  seems out of reach for many.

Work doesnt seem to be working and further gloom in the UK jobs market wont help matters. Britain is now suffering the worst downturn in the jobs market since lockdown, fuelled by a lack of job openings and an increase in redundancies.

I have heard from men who have been desperately applying for jobs for months with no response, while others have given up and moved abroad.

Men still earn more than women and continue to rule the roost in powerful leadership positions, but in reality, that high-profile club makes up a small percentage of the male population. Low wages and rising benefits have left millions of others adrift. How does Britain help them?

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The centre of attention here has understandably been on the social side, looking at smartphones, families, role models and the education system. All of that is important. But Trumps focus on the economic impact has clearly struck a chord with lost men in the US.

Economic opportunities have changed enormously as male-dominated sectors shrink. Yet his tariffs wont be the answer.

Although its true that the decline of sectors such as manufacturing has affected male identity as the number of well-paid jobs for non-graduates has shrunk, a potential post-tariff recession combined with hard labour and inevitably low pay will not fix broken men.

Britain can find a smarter answer.

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NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)  A jury found a New Britain man guilty of sexual assault, according to the office of the states attorney for the Judicial District of New Britain on Monday.

Michael Niedzwiecki, 39, was found guilty of first-degree sexual assault and delivery of alcohol to a minor in New Britain Superior Court on April 10.

Former West Hartford teacher accused of tickling student faces new charges

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According to the states attorneys office, evidence shown at trial revealed Niedzwiecki used force to compel a Plainville High School student to have sexual intercourse.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 18 in New Britain Superior Court.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By David Milliken

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain sent Ukraine 752 million pounds ($990 million) to buy air defences and artillery on Monday, part of a broader $50 billion international loan programme backed by frozen Russian assets, Britain's government said.

"The world is changing before our eyes, reshaped by global instability, including Russian aggression in Ukraine," finance minister Rachel Reeves said.

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The Group of Seven advanced economies agreed an outline lending package in October 2024 - before the election of Donald Trump as president changed the United States' approach to the conflict - and Reeves and her Ukrainian counterpart Serhiy Marchenko finalised details of Britain's contribution in March.

Pressured by the United States' increased reluctance to provide security in Europe, Britain's government announced in February that it would raise defence spending from about 2.3% of national income to 2.5% by 2027 and 3% some time after 2029.

Monday's payment to Ukraine is the second of three instalments totalling 2.26 billion pounds. The first was on March 6 and the final part will be paid next year.

Defence minister John Healey said Britain would give Ukraine 4.5 billion pounds of support this year and that the funds would be used to purchase air defences, artillery and spare parts for vehicles and other equipment.

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Other British aid includes help by its defence ministry to procure radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones.

On Sunday two Russian ballistic missiles hit the centre of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy. Kyiv said the attack killed 34 people and wounded 117.

Russia's defence ministry said it had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian commanding officers in the city.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the attack.

Support in Britain for Ukraine's military operations remains high across the public and most major political parties.

(Reporting by David Milliken; editing by William James)
LONDON (AP)  An anti- Brexit activist who has spent years mounting a one-man protest outside Britains Parliament won a court victory on Monday against a police attempt to pull the plug on his musical activities.

A judge in London cleared Steve Bray, known as Stop Brexit Man, of failing to comply with a police order to stop playing amplified music in Parliament Square on March 20, 2024.

Bray, 56, came to prominence in the years after Britain's 2016 vote to leave the European Union by bellowing Stop Brexit near television reporters during live broadcasts while wearing a top hat in the blue and yellow of the EU flag.

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More recently he has taken to playing satirically tinged songs before Parliament's weekly Prime Ministers Questions session, including the theme from The Muppet Show and Darth Vaders theme from Star Wars. He blasted Things Can Only Get Better outside 10 Downing St. while then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called an election in May 2024.

Bray, who represented himself during his trial, argued that the music was part of his fundamental right to protest, and Deputy District Judge Anthony Woodcock agreed.

Handing down a not-guilty verdict at Westminster Magistrates Court, the judge said Bray believes he has an important message to disseminate.

How he chooses to express those views is a matter for him, the judge said, noting that lampooning the government through satire is a long tradition in this country.

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After the verdict, Bray said that today is a very important day, not just for us as protesters, but for everybodys freedom of expression and their right to protest.

Regardless what side of the fence youre on, whatever your protest is, this is a victory for you, he said.
NEW YORK (AP)  This yo-yo of a year continues for America's nutritional peanut paste manufacturers, nonprofits that have found their lifesaving food packets disrupted by the U.S. State Department's sudden pause in foreign assistance.

Georgia-based MANA Nutrition and Rhode Island-based Edesia Nutrition are two key links in the global supply chain sending nutritional mixtures of ground peanuts, powdered milk, sugar and oil to malnourished children worldwide. American farmers supply ingredients, shipping companies carry paste overseas and NGOs distribute the food throughout countries in need. Any delays complicate the networks delicate logistics, relied upon by millions of children.

Yet the U.S. scrapped all of their upcoming contracts to make peanut butter paste, according to an April 4 email shared with The Associated Press detailing the U.S. Agency for International Development 's anticipated summer demand. Enough boxes to treat more than 450,000 children in Yemen were cancelled and more than 800,000 others will not move forward at this time.

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Complicating matters further, MANA Nutrition CEO Mark Moore said USAID didn't pay $20 million in debts accumulated since December until last week. Neither maker was reimbursed by previous deadlines to expedite debt payments.

Keeping MANA afloat amid the U.S. funding chaos is a longtime partner from across the pond: British billionaire hedge fund manager Chris Hohn.

"The reason I can not be in just complete panic right now," Moore said last month, is Chris.

But the private support and reopened funding spigot are hardly enough to assure producers they will keep reaching youth in impoverished countries. And they dont expect philanthropy to replace government funding forever.

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The ups and downs underscore the pain felt even by the few surviving programs of the Trump administrations USAID purge that recently targeted initiatives keeping millions alive.

Edesia Nutrition is still waiting to be made whole  and its production lines are running slowly. Production couldn't restart until Edesia CEO Navyn Salem saw at least some sign of payment."

It honestly represents an entire life, she said, watching a suspended conveyor belt in March. Every hour that goes by.

How the butter gets made

A simple recipe is behind the revolutionary treatment for the estimated 45 million children younger than 5 who suffer from wasting.

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Ten ready-to-eat pouches are filled every second inside MANA's rural factory. Locally sourced peanuts are roasted and cooled. Rollers separate kernels from skin before the peanuts are ground into paste and blended with powdered sugar. Kettles heat the final product to kill bacterial growth.

The sticky paste gets pumped into sachets resembling oversized McDonald's ketchup packets. They don't need refrigeration and have a two-year shelf life. Each contains 500 calories, providing vitamins and nutrients necessary for early brain development. Malnourished children can be rehabilitated in six weeks by eating three of these energy-packed meal replacements a day.

The usual cost? About $40 for a 150-packet box.

This miracle food became humanitarians' go-to tool for reducing undernutrition, which contributes to nearly half of deaths among children under age 5. NGOs forecast countries' need months in advance. MANA and Edesia compete for government contracts to make the paste. USAID buys their boxes and ships them overseas. Partners such as UNICEF and the World Food Program deliver them.

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Salem compares Plumpy'Nut  the popular brand name given by French company Nutriset  to baby formula. When the U.S. experienced a shortage, she said, parents didn't feed cookies to their children instead.

We dont make a nice-to-have food," she said. You cant replace it with something else."

Uncertainty and craziness'

All the grinding and mixing was supposed to halt Jan. 29 when MANA and Edesia received stop-work orders from the U.S. State Department.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration sought a program-by-program review of which USAID projects, criticized as liberal, make America safer, stronger or more prosperous. He moved to keep strictly life-saving emergency programs going  but confusion reigned over exemptions.

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Moore ignored it nonetheless. When you have 100,000 pounds of peanut butter surging through a system you cant just really stop, he said.

Welcome news came a week later when the stop orders were rescinded. In late February, however, Moore said USAID contracts totaling $50 million  enough to treat 300,000 children  were cancelled. That included requests for countries high on the Famine Early Warning System Network's list of places expected to most need humanitarian food assistance.

Reinstatements arrived late March 2 and MANA began squeezing ready-to-use therapeutic food the following morning after about one week down.

We're grateful, Moore said. But there's been a whole lot of uncertainty and craziness injected into our lives.

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Thousands of Plumpy'Nut boxes piled up in Edesia's warehouses after the Trump administration paused contracts for their truckers. Salem said some shippers even had contracts terminated while in transit.

Maersk Line, Limited  a container shipping company that transports ready-to-use therapeutic food, or RUTF  worked with the U.S. government to comply with the foreign aid pause while "minimizing" supply chain disruptions, according to senior communications and media advisor Patrick Fitzgerald.

Salem halted production on two lines for the first time since her nonprofit's 2010 founding. Edesia finally received $16 million in April for USAID orders shipped last year, she said, but still faces a $20 million hole that opened when the Trump administration froze humanitarian spending abroad. Lacking payments and clarity, she said she was forced to lay off 10% of Edesia's team.

While this period has been difficult, Salem hopes they emerge more efficient and end up having more impact on children. But switching production on and off is complicated and takes a toll.

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For sure, the ones who have the most costly price (are) children who will lose their lives as a result of these interruptions," Salem said.

A British philanthropist steps up

Enter Hohn. The London-based investor, who is described as unassuming, has made nutrition a cornerstone of The Children's Investment Fund Foundation.

His charity declined to disclose how much money Hohn has donated to MANA. But neither the nonprofit factory nor Hohn views philanthropy as a sustainable way to fund malnutrition work that already lags behind the immense need.

Sudden aid cuts have immediate and severe consequences for children, depriving them of life-saving support from products like RUTF," Hohn said in a statement to The Associated Press. While we are working with partners to minimise the impact, short-term solutions cannot replace stable, long-term government funding.

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Hohn  who had previously given more than $250 million to MANA  called for urgent action to bridge the funding gap and prevent further suffering. The World Food Program has cut food rations and suspended nutrition assistance in recent years amid donor countries dwindling support.

A federal judge on March 10 ordered Trump officials to begin paying the roughly $2 billion owed to aid groups and businesses up to mid-February.

Therapeutic food composes such a small fraction of U.S. spending that it amounts to a rounding error, according to Moore. Nobody thought cuts would meaningfully help balance the federal budget.

All of a sudden, boom. Its in the crosshairs for the first time ever as a partisan-type conversation, he said. It does, though, highlight how we are at a unique moment where it could be politicized.

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___

Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
AURORA, Colo. (KDVR)  There are more than 1.6 million children growing up with one or more parents serving in the military.

These kids face unique challenges because of their parents service. Each April the Department of Defense celebrates the Month of The Military Child. On Friday, one of the festivities at Buckley Space Force Base was the Purple-Up Parade.

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Our military youth, they sacrifice themselves, with their families serving our country to protect us, said Shondrela Braggs, the chief youth programs director for the base. They give that most precious thing to us, so, recognizing them as little service people, I think is very important.

Amanda Pressley is the mother of three special needs children, and her husband is a long-time service member. She says this kind of celebration is important because it brings the community together.

It can be a lot. It can be overwhelming, said Pressley. But its great to have people that understand what thats like.

Many military families have to move every two to three years. This can be stressful for children, having to change schools, make new friends, and develop new support networks. Braggs says this is why it is important to recognize and celebrate military children.

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Its very important to have a special time just for those kids, said Braggs. Giving them this whole month to recognize them, its an exciting thing.

Events at Buckley this April include a month-long art exhibit, a Dandelion Ball, and a talent show, in addition to Fridays parade.

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An extended buffer zone surrounding the Dedham courthouse where Karen Reads second trial is taking place will remain after a federal judge denied a lawsuit seeking to eliminate it on free speech grounds.

In the lead-up to Reads second trial, Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone issued an order expanding the buffer zone around the courthouse at the request of prosecutors. Cannone ordered the buffer zone to prevent demonstrators outside the court from influencing the trial.

In the wake of the order, a group of four supporters filed suit in federal court in Boston, claiming the buffer zone quashes their right to free speech. The supporters also claimed they were not given an opportunity by Cannone to be heard in opposition to the order.

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But U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun denied the suit, finding Cannones extension of the zone, directly advanced the goal of ensuring a fair trial.

Significantly, Plaintiffs may still engage in the same forms of protest outside the buffer zone, she wrote.

Joun also found Cannone did not deny the supporters an opportunity to be heard, noting she considered a letter submitted by a group of local businesses before issuing the order.

There is nothing in the record to indicate that the trial judge restricted the plaintiffs from voicing their opinions prior to the issuance of the second order, Joun wrote.

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A similar zone was in place for the first Read trial, which also weathered a legal challenge. The Supreme Judicial Court, Massachusetts highest court, upheld Cannones order last spring.

The zone was expanded to the west for the second trial, after an anonymous juror reported hearing honking in support of Read, spurred by supporters gathered outside during deliberations.

Attorney Marc Randazza indicated in a court filing that Jouns decision will be appealed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Meanwhile, jury selection for Reads trial continues Monday, with 16 jurors already in place. Court officials are seeking 18 jurors for the case, with 12 serving as deliberating jurors at the close of the six-to-eight-week trial.

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Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe.

Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed her SUV into OKeefe in a drunken rage amid turmoil in their relationship, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer. But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten up inside the house, and his body was planted outside to frame Read.

More about the case
The Trump administration is refusing to ask El Salvadors president Nayib Bukele to release a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to his country and incarcerated in a notorious prison  and Bukele isn't interested in releasing him, either.

Bukele, who met with Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, was asked by a reporter if hed consider releasing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was living in Maryland before he was arrested and deported back to his home country last month despite an immigration judges years-old order preventing the government from deporting him.

The governments justification for deporting Abrego Garcia was a claim that he was a member of the Salvadoran gang MS-13 in New York  a place where he has never lived  and Bukeles government has incarcerated him in the CECOT prison it built two years ago to house accused gang members.

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Citing both his governments and the Trump administrations designation of MS-13 as terrorist organizations, Bukele offered a sarcastic reply to the reporter.

Are you suggesting I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? How can I return him to the United States, like I smuggle him into the United States? Of course, I'm not going to do it, he said.

Bukele added that the reporters question was preposterous and said he lacks the power to return him.

We just turned the murder capital of the world to the safest country the western hemisphere. And you want us to go back into the releasing criminals, so we can go back to the the murder capital of the world, and that's that's not going to happen, he said.

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Last week, the Supreme Court ordered the administration to facilitate the release of Abrego Garcia, whose imprisonment in El Salvador was due to an admitted administrative error.

His removal to the countrys notorious prison was illegal, according to the high court.

This undated photo depicts Abrego Garcia, the man who is currently subject of a court battle over his mistaken deportation from the U.S. (AP)

But Trump administration officials have repeatedly asserted he is a member of MS-13, designated a foreign terrorist organization, and thus eligible for removal from the country despite the court order blocking his deportation.

Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvadors CECOT on March 15, joining dozens of mostly Venezuelan immigrants on removal flights after the president secretly invoked the Alien Enemies Act to summarily deport alleged Tren de Aragua gang members.

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One of those planes allegedly carried immigrants with court orders for their removal, not under the presidents wartime authority. Abrego Garcia was on that plane  something administration officials have called an oversight  despite no orders for his removal from the country.

In 2019, a judge had granted him humanitarian protections from removal after credible testimony over fears of violence and death in his home country, which he fled in 2011.

Under that order, he is allowed to live and work in the United States legally, and must attend regular check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His most recent appearance was in January, according to court documents, and his attorney has said Abrego Garcia has no criminal record in either the United States or El Salvador. Since then, he has been living in Maryland with his wife and 5-year-old child  both U.S. citizens  and helping raise two children from a previous relationship.

In a 22-page ruling earlier this month, Maryland District Judge Paula Xinis ripped the Trump administration for its wholly lawless decision and grievous error that shocks the conscience.

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As defendants acknowledge, they had no legal authority to arrest him, no justification to detain him, and no grounds to send him to El Salvador  let alone deliver him into one of the most dangerous prisons in the Western Hemisphere, Judge Xinis wrote.

Asked repeatedly during a Friday afternoon hearing for basic information about where Abrego Garcia is, and what the government is doing to get him back, Justice Department lawyers said they could not answer.Judge Xinis then ordered the administration to provide daily updates on his condition.

But in court filings, Justice Department attorneys have stressed that they interpret the Supreme Courts order to say the judge cant direct Trump  or anyone in his administration  to ask for Abrego Garcias return because courts have no authority to direct the executive branch to conduct foreign relations in a particular way, or engage with a foreign sovereign in a given manner.

In the Oval Office alongside Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that line of argument after Trump asked him to weigh in during the question-and-answer session with reporters.

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I don't understand what the confusion is. This individual is a citizen of El Salvador. He was illegally in the United States and was returned to his country. That's where you deport people back to their country of origin, he said. And I can tell you this ... the foreign policy of the United States is conducted by the President of the United States, not by a court. And no court in the United States has a right to conduct the foreign policy of the United States.

A hearing in the case is schedule for Tuesday.
Bus driver shortage due to illness forces local school district to cancel classes

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A bus driver shortage due to illness has forced a local school district to cancel classes today.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The Springfield City School District announced on social media Monday morning that all classes are canceled.

The district said this was due to a bus driver shortage caused by illness.

All activities, practices, games, and events will be held as scheduled unless otherwise stated, the school district said on its Facebook page.

They also apologized for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

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BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL)  A Bristol, Virginia man was arrested on Saturday and charged with abduction, domestic assault and destruction of property after he allegedly held a woman against her will and refused to let her leave her home.

A release from the Bristol Virginia Police Department (BVPD) said Jonathan Logan, 30, of Bristol, was taken to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon and has since been released on bond.

The BVPD said patrol officers arrived at a home on Oakcrest Circle Saturday amid reports of a domestic situation. Once on the scene, officers spoke to a woman who reported that her boyfriend assaulted her and wouldnt let her leave her home on Oakcrest Cir. to escape the assault.

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The woman managed to flee to a nearby neighborhood where she contacted the police, the release states. During an investigation, the release said officers located Logan at the Oakcrest residence and arrested him.

The release said the woman sustained minor injuries as a result of the alleged assault.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Quick, what's the official Florida state bird?

If you guessed the mockingbird, you'd be correct. However, you'd also be correct if you named the mockingbird as the official state bird of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

If either of two bills in the Florida Legislature passes, the mockingbird would get dumped after its nearly 100-year reign, and the Sunshine State would get its own, unique state bird.

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Actually, it would get two.

SB 880, from Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami-Dade, and HB 81 from Reps Jim Mooney, R-Islamorda and Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, would designate the pink-feathered American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) as the official Florida state bird and the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) as the official Florida state songbird.

The House bill has yet to leave its perch, but the Senate bill has flown unanimously through two committees so far.

This marks the eighth time an attempt to dethrone the mockingbird has been made over the last 25 years. Will it finally take flight this time?

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Flamingos flourish: Space Coast bird fest spies flamingos, other sky-high hopes of ecological recovery

Why is a flamingo a better choice for Florida state bird?

Most people in and out of the state (who weren't trivia buffs) would probably be surprised to find out the flamingo wasn't Florida's official state bird. It certainly seems like it.

"We often say Florida is unlike anywhere else," said Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral when she presented the bill for Garcia. "Lets prove it. The flamingo is not just an icon; it reminds us that Florida is bold, brilliant and unafraid to stand tall."

The flamboyant, 5-foot-tall flamingo has been used to promote travel to the state for over a century, supporters say, a symbol of brightly colored sunshine and fun. The Florida Lottery has used it in its logo since starting up in 1988. Homes across the state have long been festooned with bright pink plastic versions. There aren't a lot of Florida mockingbird magnets for sale out there.

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Widely distributed throughout the Caribbean and parts of South America, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considers flamingos native to the state.

Flamingos were common in South Florida until the end of the 19th century, when trends turned to feathers on women's hats and hunters slaughtered millions of birds in the Everglades. The last resident flamingos in Florida were nearly wiped out, but have bounced back thanks to captive breeding colonies in South Florida and migratory birds flying in from elsewhere. The flocks continue to struggle, however, thanks to threats from rising sea levels, pollution, human development and storms.

American flamingos have been seen along much of the coast but mostly in the Everglades, Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys, the FWC said.

Why is a scrub-jay a better choice for Florida state songbird?

The scrub jay is uniquely Floridian, the only bird species that lives exclusively in the state, and it never leaves.

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"The scrub-jay is not just a songbird; it is a call to protect what is rare and precious," Rodriquez said. "And this bill is not just about birds; it is about identity, conservation and culture. Florida deserves to be represented by what is ours and only ours.

Florida scrub-jays are blue and gray birds that prefer sand pine, oak scrub and scrubby flatwoods and they live in the driest areas, "including ancient sandy ridges in Central Florida, sand dunes along the coast, and sandy deposits along rivers in the interior of the state," according to an analysis of the Senate bill.

Scrub-jays have also been designated a federally threatened species and are protected by Floridas Endangered and Threatened Species Act and by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act due to habitat fragmentation from development, agriculture and fire-suppression efforts that prevent them from easily moving from one suitable habitat to another.

What do scrub-jays sound like?

The song of a Florida scrub-jay varies and has been described as a scratchy weep, a harsh scold, or a gutteral growl, according to All About Birds.

Why has Florida kept the mockingbird?

The northern mockingbird is one of the 10 most common birds seen in Florida yards.

The mockingbird, while common to other states, is a year-round Florida resident and can be seen all over the state. It has a "pleasant lilting sound," according to the Florida State Department, which is capable of mimicking other sounds. It feeds on insects and weed seeds. It has also long had a powerful defender.

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Marion Hammer, a longtime lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, has aggressively fought off any attempts to change the state bird for decades, ever since the first attempt to install the scrub jay 26 years ago.

After it was mentioned that a scrub-jay was friendly enough to eat from a child's hand, she said at the time, "Begging for food isn't sweet. It's lazy and it's a welfare mentality" and she mocked the children's petition in the bird's favor.

She reiterated her claim again in 2023 in an opinion piece for The Tallahassee Democrat that said the mockingbird was a "well-established, independent, prolific bird" that has "never needed government protection or our tax dollars to survive." Hammer also described the scrub jay as "evil little birds that steal other birds eggs and kill the babies of other birds."

Hammer has accused scrub jay supporters of promoting a scam for environmentalists to block development and designate areas of Central Florida as protected.

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However, Hammer stepped down from her lobbyist position for the NRA in 2022 after four decades. When the Floridian Press asked her in January about the new scrub jay attempt, she texted them, "I'm retired."

After attempts in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2016, 2022, 2023 and 2024, it might finally happen.

A 1950s postcard with the old Capitol and state symbols.

When would the flamingo and scrub-jay become the Florida state birds?

If passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the act would take effect July 1, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida's flamingo may soon be state bird over mockingbird
OREGON, Ill. (WTVO)  Duane Upchurch, 60, of Byron, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting two girls.

In August 2019, Upchurch was arrested following an investigation begun in March of that year, which alleged he had sexual contact with the victims.

He was convicted on two counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault and two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in April 2022.

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Upchurch has filed a motion to reconsider his sentence. The Ogle County Court will hear that motion on June 9th, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller is taking a hard stance when it comes to renewable energy as the federal government looks to increase fossil fuel production in the United States. Earlier this week, Mayor Keller signed an executive order aimed at bringing additional environmental protections to the city.

We are going to respond and defend our city from whats happening in DC to date, and were going to do it together, Mayor Keller said.

Albuquerque is home to more than 30,000 acres of captivating natural spaces that many locals enjoy. We enjoy its peace; its quiet, said Cecilia Ponce, an Albuquerque resident.

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Duke City Foodie Fest takes over Cliffs Amusement Park

Just talking to other hikers, building that community with people, said another Albuquerque resident, Damian Chavez Gallegos.

According to city documents, the order looks to conserve natural spaces, continue environmental stewardship of the land, and accelerate renewable energy efforts. Through the order, the city looks to plant more trees across the metro to increase shade cover and carbon absorption. It also aims to restore and preserve the thousands of acres of open space parks in the city.

With the changes that we have coming in the political climate, I think them taking the steps to solidify what they believe in and what they know needs to happen  Im proud of it, said Albuquerque resident Colin Ross.

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Albuquerque neighborhoods participate in citywide clean up day

Were utilizing it every single day. Theres walkers around me, theres people that really care about the community here, Chavez Gallegos said about an open space park he was at Sunday. So, I think that its very important to preserve the places that are being utilized every single day.

The order outlines environmental goals the city would like to achieve, such as having 100% renewable energy for all city operations by the end of the year. They would also like to speed up the transition from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy for all city buildings. The city aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

A lot of what this has to do is making sure that no city resources are used for any initiative that is against public land, that is against climate change, Mayor Keller added.

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News 13 reached out to the Republican Party of New Mexico to get their thoughts on the approach but did not hear back.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  You can receive free vaccinations for your pets if they need them.

Caddo Parish Animal Services will host a free drive-thru event to help local pet owners keep their pets safe. Eligible participants can receive one-year rabies vaccinations and free microchips.

Spring cleaning mistakes that could harm your pet

Services are available for cats, dogs, and ferrets. Proof of residency is required to confirm that each individual is a resident of Caddo Parish. The event will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Summer Grove Baptist Church. Supplies are limited, so they will be given on a first come, first served basis.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Caddo Parish Public Schools (CPPS) announced its largest hiring event of the year for careers in education.

This districtwide job fair offers an incredible opportunity for prospective educators and support professionals to connect with principals, hiring managers, and leaders from every school across Caddo Parish, a press release stated.

Whether youre an experienced teacher, a recent college graduate, or looking to serve in a vital support role, this event is the perfect time to learn more about joining the Caddo team.

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14th annual youth football clinic returning to Independence Stadium

According to the release, opportunities are available for:

Certified teachers and recent graduates

Individuals holding a bachelors degree interested in alternative certification programs

Aspiring substitute teachers and paraprofessionals

Support staff, including bus drivers, bus aides, custodians, and cafeteria workers

Those with bachelors degrees but are not certified can speak with district staff about the certification process, including programs that support those wanting to make career changes to education.

The release added that CPPS offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

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Competitive pay and benefits

Student loan forgiveness options for qualifying roles

Access to first-class training and professional development opportunities

Technology-rich classrooms designed to spark innovation and exploration for both students and teachers

A strong culture of support, growth, and community impact

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The job fair will be held on Wednesday, April 24, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Huntington High School Gymnasium, 6801 Rasberry Lane in Shreveport. Visit www.caddoschools.org for more information on open positions or to apply in advance.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Fake voices of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg were heard at crosswalks in California in recent days.

Several California crosswalks were hacked to mock the Tesla and Meta CEOs in their own AI-generated voices.

Palo Alto officials disabled the voice feature after discovering the issue, a spokesperson told BI.

City officials are trying to figure out how AI-generated voices of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg ended up on their crosswalks.

Instead of hearing the standard "Walk sign is on" at some crosswalks, residents in three techie cities in California heard what appeared to be hacked messages mocking Musk and Zuckerberg in the CEOs' own AI-generated voices.

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According to local reports, the incidents happened at crosswalks in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City, impacting a feature intended to help visually impaired people know when to cross the street.

City of Palo Alto spokesperson Meghan Horrigan-Taylor told Business Insider that a city employee noticed on Saturday morning that the voice announcement feature at one crosswalk was malfunctioning and it was later determined that 12 additional crosswalks had the same issue.

The apparent hack may have taken place Friday, she added, and the crosswalks' voice announcement feature has been disabled until it can be repaired.

"Other traffic signals in the City were checked and the impact is isolated," Horrigan-Taylor said. "Signal operations are otherwise unaffected, and motorists are reminded to always exercise caution around pedestrians."

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According to Palo Alto Online, Redwood City deputy city manager Jennifer Yamaguma said Saturday night that "staff are actively working to investigate and resolve the issue as quickly as possible."

Pedestrians posted videos of the hacked crosswalk messages on social media.

In one video, Musk's AI-generated voice says, "You know, they say money can't buy happiness, and yeah, okay, I guess that's true. God knows I've tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck, and that's pretty sick, right? Right?" The voice then curses and mentions being "so alone."

In another, AI-generated Musk says, "Hi, I'm Elon. Can we be friends? Will you be my friend? I'll give you a Cybertruck, I promise. Okay, look, you don't know the level of depravity I would stoop to just for a crumb of approval."

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A third clip includes the fake Musk voice talking about his evolving opinion of an unnamed person. Then, an AI-generated voice of President Donald Trump says "Sweetie, come back to bed." Musk was a big financial backer of Trump's campaign and has become a close ally and de facto head of DOGE since the president's return to the White House.

Tesla has global engineering and AI offices in Palo Alto. Meta is headquartered in Menlo Park. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Zuckerberg's philanthropic organization with his wife, Priscilla Chan, is based in Redwood City, which was also the site of a Tesla Cybertruck vandalization incident in January.

Meta, Tesla, and city representatives of Menlo Park and Redwood City did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

In one video showing an AI Mark Zuckerberg voice at a crosswalk, the synthetic voice can heard saying, "Hey, it's Zuck here. I just wanted to tell you how very proud I am of everything we've been building together. From undermining democracy to cooking our grandparents' brains with AI slop, to making the world less safe for trans people. Nobody does it better than us, and I think that's pretty neat. Zuck out!"

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As part of sweeping changes earlier this year, Meta also updated its hateful conduct policy to now allow "allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like 'weird.'"

Crosswalk buttons  in several cities on the Peninsula appear to have been hacked - playing prank messages using voices that sound a lot like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.



This is one of several in Redwood City @KTVU pic.twitter.com/oAukJoqGHj  Betty Yu (@bett_yu) April 13, 2025

A second clip features the AI Zuckerberg voice saying, "Hi, this is Mark Zuckerberg, but real ones call me The Zuck. You know, it's normal to feel uncomfortable or even violated as we forcefully insert AI into every facet of your conscious experience. And I just want to assure you, you don't need to worry, because there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. Anyway, see ya."

Musk and Zuckerberg have been no strangers to criticism over the years, but their moves in the last year to ingratiate themselves with Trump, such as donating to his inauguration or sitting on the dais at his swearing-in, have sparked renewed criticism from many on the left.

Tesla Takedown protests around the country and in Europe have seen people protesting outside of Tesla dealerships, and there's been a rise in Cybertruck vandalizations in recent months and attacks on Tesla dealerships, which Trump said should be labeled as "domestic terrorism."

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Zuckerberg dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago last year and Meta was one of the first companies to donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund last year. This year, the company eliminated its third-party fact-checking system in favor of community notes, like the one on Musk's platform X, formerly Twitter, in a move widely seen as one that those on the right would view favorably.

Zuckerberg and Musk were among the tech billionaires who attended Trump's inauguration, seated ahead of many of Trump's own cabinet appointees.

As of Monday afternoon, city officials have not commented on how the crosswalks were altered to play the AI CEO voices. No suspects have been named.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday to close a $2.8 billion budget gap in the state's Medicaid services and ensure coverage through June for 15 million people, including immigrants, who receive health care via the program.

The legislation is part of the state's solution to solve the $6.2 billion hole in the state's Medicaid budget. It comes a year after California launched an ambitious coverage expansion to provide free health care to all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status. The expansion is costing far more than the state projected and could force the Democratic governor and Democratic lawmakers to reevaluate future coverage for millions of people.

California also is bracing for major budget hits should Republicans in Congress follow through with a plan to slash billions of dollars in Medicaid and potentially jeopardize coverage for millions of people. California provides free health care to more than a third of its 39 million people.

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Heres what to know about Californias Medicaid gap:

Did expanding coverage to adult immigrants cause the gap?

Partly. California first extended health care benefits to low-income children without legal status in 2015 and later added the benefits for young adults and people over the age of 50. The program was expanded again last year to cover adults ages 26 to 49.

The cost of the recent expansion to cover all low-income adults is $2.7 billion more than the state budgeted because California underestimated the number of people who would sign up for services. California officials said they only had a month of data last year when the state had to produce projections for the budget.

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The state hasnt said how many people have enrolled through the expansion. Last year, the state projected that about 700,000 state residents who are living in the U.S. illegally would gain full health coverage to access preventive care and other treatment.

Other factors that are putting pressures on state budgets across the country also played a role in California, state officials said. Those included $540 million in rising pharmacy costs and $1.1 billion from other issues, such as a larger enrollment by older people.

In Illinois, which also expanded coverage in recent years to more low-income residents regardless of immigration status, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $330 million cut to coverage for immigrants ages 42 to 64, citing rising costs.

What is California doing about the shortfall?

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Newsoms administration told lawmakers in March that it took out a $3.44 billion loan, the maximum allowed under state law, from the general fund to make payments for March. The additional $2.8 billion in state funding will also unlock matching federal money to cover costs already committed through June.

State officials this month said the situation is unsustainable and told lawmakers the state is finding ways to cut costs next year.

The state has proposed ending pandemic-era protections that have prevented it from disenrolling people from Medicaid. Newsoms administration is also bracing for significant variability after President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown.

Will California roll back coverage for immigrants without legal status?

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Newsom previously told reporters that rolling back the coverage expansion is not on my docket.

Other Democratic leaders, including Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, also vowed to safeguard benefits for immigrants but acknowledged tough choices ahead.

The budget hole has reignited criticism from Republican lawmakers about the expansion, with some calling for an audit of the state's Medicaid, also known as Medi-Cal.

Democrats bad accounting has brought Medi-Cal to the breaking point, making it harder for patients to get in to see a doctor, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher said in a statement. We owe it to Californians  and to the vulnerable people who depend on this program  to make sure Medi-Cal is meeting their needs.

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Newsom defended the expansion in one of his podcast episodes, adding that making preventive care accessible to all low-income people helps save the state money in the long run.

How will Congress plan to cut Medicaid funding affect California?

The $6.2 billion budget gap is solvable, state lawmakers said. But Congress threats of a Medicaid funding cut could add further strain.

California would have to cut coverage, limit enrollment or raise taxes to help cover the costs if Congress follows through.

State officials said theyre certain it would upend coverage for millions of people in the state.

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Even with the largest state budget in the country at roughly $322 billion, California doesnt have the capacity to backfill services funded by the federal government, officials said.

More than half the states Medicaid funding comes from the federal government. For the next fiscal year, thats roughly $112.1 billion. Federal funding doesnt cover costs related to preventive care for immigrants without legal status.
On April 17, 1975, tanks rolled into the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, to cheering crowds who believed that the countrys long civil war might finally be over.

But what followed was one of the worst genocides of the 20th century. During a brutal four-year rule, the communist-nationalist ideologues of the Khmer Rouge killed between 1.6 million and 3 million people through executions, forced labor and starvation. It represented a quarter of the countrys population at the time.

Fifty years on, the Khmer Rouges legacy continues to shape Cambodia  politically, socially, economically and emotionally. Its etched into every Cambodians bones  including mine.

Photo of authors parents in Cambodia, taken in late 1960s. Sophal Ear, CC BY

I write this not just as an academic or observer but as a survivor. My father died under the Khmer Rouge, succumbing to dysentery and malnutrition after being forced to work in a labor camp. My mother pretended to be Vietnamese to save our family. She escaped Cambodia with five children in 1976, crossing through Vietnam before reaching France in 1978 and finally the United States in 1985. We were among the lucky ones.

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Today, Cambodia is physically unrecognizable from the bombed-out fields and empty cities of the 1970s. Phnom Penh gleams with high-rises and luxury malls. And yet beneath the glitter, the past endures  often in silence, sometimes in cynical exploitation.

Legacy of fear and control

The Khmer Rouge came to power on a wave of disillusionment, corruption, civil war and rural resentment. Years of American bombing, the 1970 U.S.-backed coup that ousted Prince Norodom Sihanouk, and the subsequent deeply unpopular U.S.-aligned military regime set the stage for the Khmer Rouges rise.

A convoy of vehicles commandeered by the victorious Khmer Rouge drives through Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975. Roland Neveu/LightRocket via Getty Images

Many Cambodians, particularly in the countryside, welcomed the Khmer Rouge, with its mix of hard-line communist ideology and extreme Cambodian nationalism, as liberators who promised to restore order and dignity. But for the next four years, the Khmer Rouge, under feared leader Pol Pot, brought terror to the nation through ideological purges, forced labor, racial genocide of minority groups and policies that brought widespread famine.

People digging a water canal under the guard of an armed Khmer Rouge soldier in 1976. AFP via Getty Images

The regime fell in 1979, when Vietnamese forces invaded Cambodia and toppled the Khmer Rouge leadership, installing a new, pro-Hanoi government. But its shadows remain.

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The now ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, in power for over four decades, has justified its grip on the country through the trauma of the genocide.

Peace and stability have become mantras used to squash dissent.

Every sham election becomes a referendum not just on policy but on avoiding a return to war. Critics of Cambodias rulers are framed as threats to peace and unity. Opposition parties have been dissolved, activists jailed, media muzzled.

This political culture of fear draws directly from the Khmer Rouge playbook  minus the overt violence. The trauma inflicted by that regime taught people to distrust one another, to keep quiet, to survive by keeping their heads down. That impulse still shapes public life.

Justice delayed, and still incomplete

The Khmer Rouge tribunal  officially the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia  was supposed to bring closure. It has brought some.

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But it took decades to begin, cost over US$300 million and convicted only three senior Khmer Rouge leaders over the 197579 genocide. Many mid- and lower-level perpetrators walk free, some are still in government positions, some neighbors to survivors.

For a nation where the majority of the population was born after 1979, there remains a glaring gap in education and public reckoning over the Khmer Rouges atrocities.

Cambodias school curriculum still struggles to teach this period adequately. For many young people, its something their parents dont talk about and the state prefers to frame selectively.

Economic growth  uneven and fragile

In raw numbers, Cambodias economic progress over the past two decades has been impressive.

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GDP growth averaged around 7% annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities have expanded, and investment  especially from China  has flooded in.

But much of this growth is precarious. Cambodias economy remains dependent on garment exports, tourism and construction. This leaves it vulnerable to external shocks, such as the Trump administrations imposition of 49% tariffs on Cambodian goods, now temporarily paused.

Instead of building a resilient, diversified economy, Cambodia has relied on relationships  with China for investment, with the U.S. for markets  without investing enough in its own human capital. That, too, I believe, is a legacy of the Khmer Rouge, which destroyed the countrys intellectual and professional classes.

Trauma passed down

The psychological toll of genocide doesnt disappear with time. Survivors carry the scars in their bodies and minds.

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But so do their children and grandchildren. Studies in postgenocide Cambodia have shown elevated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among survivors and their descendants, resulting in intergenerational trauma.

There are not nearly enough mental health services in the country. Trauma is often dealt with privately, through silence or resilience rather than therapy. Buddhism, the countrys dominant religion, offers rituals for healing, reincarnation and forgiveness. But this isnt a substitute for systemic mental health infrastructure.

Worse, in recent years, even the memory of the genocide has been politicized.

Some leaders use it as a tool to silence dissent. Others co-opt it for nationalist narratives. Theres little room for honest, critical reflection. Some independent initiatives, such as intergenerational dialogue programs and digital archives, have tried to fill the gap but face limited support.

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This is, I believe, a second tragedy. A country cannot truly move forward if it cannot speak freely about its past.

A tourist looks at portraits of victims of the Khmer Rouge at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum in Phnom Penh, formerly a Khmer Rouge torture center known as S-21. Tang Chhin Southy/AFP via Getty Images)

The danger of forgetting

April 17 is not a national holiday in Cambodia. There are no official commemorations. The government doesnt encourage remembrance of the day Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge. But to my mind, it should. Not to reopen wounds, but to remind Cambodians why justice, democracy and dignity matter.

The danger isnt that Cambodia will return to the days of the Khmer Rouge. The danger is that it becomes a place where history is manipulated, where authoritarianism is justified as stability and where development is allowed to paper over injustice.

As the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouges rise, Cambodia must, I believe, reckon with this uncomfortable truth: The regime may be long gone, but its legacy lives on in the institutions, behaviors and fears that continue to shape Cambodia today.

A personal reckoning

When I look back, I think of my father  whom I never knew. I think of my mother, who risked everything to save us. And I think of the millions of Cambodians who live with memories they cannot forget, and the young Cambodians who deserve to know the full truth.

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My life has been shaped by what happened on April 17, 1975. But that story isnt mine alone. It belongs to Cambodia  and its still being written.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sophal Ear, Arizona State University

Read more:



Sophal Ear does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Zhang Renbo and Wang Guanjun, the two Chinese citizens captured by Ukrainian forces on the Donetsk front, have said that the Russian units in which they served engaged them in hard labour and generally kept them at arms length.

Source: press conference with the participation of the Chinese prisoners of war in Kyiv

Details: The aforementioned units were headed by Russian commanders. The two POWs say there were only 2 Chinese citizens in the unit where Zhang Renbo served, and 10 in Wang Guangjuns unit.

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Quote from the interpreter: "Mostly they were made to do hard work; the Russians did not treat them badly, but kept them at arms length. Although there were a few people who were quite friendly."

Quote from Wang: "All the information was hidden from us, I only found out [where I was  UP] when we arrived on the spot."

Quote from Zhang: "The thing is that all the documents were in Russian. All the communication was in Russian."

Quote from Wang: "We didn't know exactly how much money we were supposed to get. We knew what each category was paid  80,000 [about US$970], 160,000 roubles [about US$1,950], etc."

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Quote from Zhang: "I received a card with 200,000 roubles [about US$2,400] on it, but I couldn't use the card itself. The phone, which had an application for the bank, was taken away by the Russians, and they spent [the money] allegedly on different necessities such as fuel."

Details: During the press conference, the Chinese citizens repeated several times that they were ready to take part in the exchange and asked to go home to China.

Read more: Zelenskyy posts video of interrogation of Chinese POWs captured in Donetsk Oblast  photos

Background:

On 8 April, Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian troops in Donetsk Oblast had captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting in the ranks of the Russian military. Zelenskyy also noted that he had instructed Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to urgently contact Beijing to determine how China intends to respond.

The two citizens of the People's Republic of China were captured in Donetsk Oblast by soldiers from the 81st Separate Airborne Slobozhanska Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces and the 157th Separate Mechanised Brigade.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine was ready to exchange captured Chinese citizens only for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russian captivity, and the signal was conveyed.

On 11 April, Zelenskyy stated that "at least several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting as part of Russias occupation forces", which means that Russia is trying to prolong the war even at the expense of Chinese lives.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The driver of a vehicle that crashed into another car in the town of Hopewell was airlifted to the hospital for injuries, according to the Ontario County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies said the crash happened just before 12:30 p.m. Monday at the intersection of State Route 5&20 and County Road 47.

First responders immediately started medically assisting one of the impacted drivers. Once the emergency squad arrived, they discovered the driver that crashed into the other car had a broken leg as well as internal injuries and was airlifted to Strong Hospital for treatment.

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The driver of the impacted vehicle was checked on scene by EMS and suffered minor abrasions.

Investigators say the driver that crashed into the other car was following it too closely and struck the car while it was making a left turn. That driver was issued a citation. New York State Police also responded to the scene.

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WEATHERSFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  Police were called to the Petro truck stop after a card skimming device was found on an ATM there.

Read next: Police investigating gas station break-in, theft

Police were called to the Petro location off of Salt Springs Road near I-80 on Friday after a company hired to switch out the ATM discovered a card skimming device in the process.

An employee of the ATM company told police he noticed the skimmer slightly coming off when he went to make the switch, and it came off in his hands when he pulled on it.

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The skimmer was collected as evidence by police.

At the time of this report, no customers had come forward to report a loss of money through their use of the ATM.

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Content sponsored by Childrens of Alabama.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, but Childrens Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services (CHIPS) staff works year-round to facilitate healing from physical, mental and emotional abuse and to provide prevention education.

Parents and caregivers should look for signs of abusive situations. The child who has endured abuse the longest, typically has the longest healing process. The quicker an abusive situation is reported, the faster a child can be provided with medical care, therapy and counseling to heal.

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There are typically four types of abuse that experts acknowledge: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

When it comes to identifying child abuse, experts at CHIPS Center advise looking for patterns, or broken patterns, in a childs behavior. If a child is suddenly scared to go to a place or be with a person that they have never was afraid of before, this could be a sign of abuse that has taken place.

Dont blow that off, said Debra Schneider, Executive Director of CHIPS Center. Ask them some questions not leading questions but questions like Whats going on? and Whats making you feel that way?

Other signs to look out for are children wearing coats or long sleeves despite warm temperatures, as this could be an attempt at hiding marks and/or bruising.

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CHIPS staff members also emphasize that abusers are often someone the child knows and is familiar with, so its important to be aware of not only the signs seen in abused children, but in abusers themselves.

Signs to watch out for in abusers:

Abusers usually walk the victim through a grooming process. Schneider said it is important to remember that the child is usually not abused 24/7. The relationship often consists of a more positive bond. The abuser knows what the child likes, is curious about and afraid of, and they use it to their advantage. Some sort of relationship is formed, and a trust is established between them. That way, when harm enters the picture, the child is less likely to question their character and actions. Other signs include spending more time with the child than is appropriate, giving extraordinary gifts to the child more than whats normal, using excuses to be alone with the child and implementing gaslighting techniques.

Most children think abuse comes from a stranger, but abusers are usually someone a child knows. Schneider suggests teaching about stranger danger; however, build off that concept to make them aware that abusers can be someone they know. Schneider states most children are taught about stranger danger, but children need to be taught that most sexual abuse happens with someone a child knows.

What adults, parents or caregivers can do:

Children in an abusive situation need a trusted adult to confide in  parents, grandparents, a teacher, friends parent/caregiver or guidance counselor. School prevention education programs encourage a child to tell three adults: two inside and one outside their family. That trusted adult can clearly communicate to the child, I am here for you if anything is going on. I am not here to judge.

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Adults who suspect abuse should approach the child gently. If the adult asks too many questions, the child may feel in trouble. Adults should never make promises to not tell anyone, since that is a key action to be taken when stopping abusive situations. Remind the child that abuse is NEVER their fault.

Since conversations about abuse can be very difficult to bring up, Schneider suggests bringing up an incident from the news as a segue into a conversation about the abusive situation. In addition, having these conversations in the car creates a more relaxed, noninvasive environment.

If you suspect an abusive situation, report it immediately. Anyone can provide a report of suspected abuse to the local department of human resources or a child protective services agency. All it takes is a suspicion of abuse; the caller doesnt have to have specific evidence.

You can also contact the Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). You dont have to give your name. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.

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Learn more and find resources on the Childrens of Alabama website.

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Investing.com -- On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined a comprehensive strategy to enhance the nations defense capabilities, including the establishment of BOREALIS, the Bureau of Research Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science. Carney emphasized the need for a "made in Canada" defense procurement approach to support domestic businesses and reduce reliance on the United States.

In his speech, Carney highlighted the evolving global security landscape, noting that adversaries are becoming more emboldened and traditional norms that safeguarded Canada and global security are under threat. He criticized the previous Conservative government for underfunding the military and neglecting veterans.

Since the end of the Harper Conservative era, Canada has more than doubled its defense spending, but Carney insists that it is still insufficient for the current global challenges. He announced plans to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), invest in new technologies, and work with international partners like Australia.

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The Canadian Prime Minister also mentioned the construction of new military installations and a heightened year-round presence of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Arctic to defend sovereignty. BOREALIS is set to play a pivotal role in advancing research in fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, crucial for maintaining technological superiority and safeguarding Canadian sovereignty.

Carneys vision extends to creating high-paying jobs and prosperity within Canada through a national procurement strategy. He also plans to assist Canadian defense businesses in diversifying their exports via an improved CanExport program, leveraging Canadas trade agreements globally.

The strategy includes bolstering Canadas domestic defense industries and production, while collaborating with international partners. This includes Canadas participation in the "rearm Europe" plan, supporting transatlantic security, and contributing to global efforts such as the coalition supporting Ukraine.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Mark Carneys announcement of BOREALIS and a robust defense strategy marks a pivotal step toward strengthening Canadas national security and sovereignty. By prioritizing domestic innovation, increasing defense investments, and fostering international partnerships, Canada aims to address the escalating global threats while promoting economic growth through high-paying jobs and enhanced export opportunities.

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BEAUFORT, N.C. (WNCT)  More than 50 community members packed the Beaufort Train Depot on Saturday for a public forum addressing the impact of fentanyl in Carteret County.

The event, organized by the Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina, highlighted the

dangers of illicit fentanyl which often hidden in counterfeit prescription pills such as Adderall, Xanax, and Oxycontin.

Our team treats every fentanyl-related death as a potential homicide, Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck said. We are committed to pursuing justice for victims and their families.

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Carteret Countys victim-centered approach sets a statewide standard. Affected families seeking support and resources can find information at www.fentvic.org

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Officials with Charlotte Crimestoppers are offering a cash reward for help finding a missing French bulldog.

The dog, named Julio, was inside of a car when the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it was stolen on April 6 from a north Charlotte apartment complex.

The dogs owner, Jayla Gittens, said she was in the process of moving when the thieves jumped in her running car and drove away while she went back inside to get boxes.

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PAST COVERAGE: Woman says man stole her French Bulldog while she was moving

She said her car has since been found but Julio was not inside.

In addition to her dog, several other items were taken including a work laptop.

Anyone with information is asked to call Charlotte Crimestoppers at 704-334-1600.

WATCH BELOW: No charges in K-9 Blitzs death amid resignations and lawsuit
ORLANDO, Fla.  Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier offered Monday to provide additional prosecutors to Central Florida to help clear a backlog of cases, the latest development in an ongoing feud between the Gov. Ron DeSantis ally and Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell.

The cavalry is here, he said at a news conference in Orlando as he stood alongside Orange County Sheriff John Mina. Weve got a tiger team of prosecutors that were going to be sending to help out.

Uthmeier said hell dispatch four prosecutors and a handful more, though not the 13 Worrell said she needed to clear a backlog of 13,000 nonarrest cases, most of which she added may not be suitable for prosecution.

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The attorney generals actions come after he criticized Worrell, a Democrat, for enacting a policy limiting the review of cases in which an alleged suspect has not been arrested  her approach to trimming the backlog.

The cases that will be reviewed under any circumstance, according to her offices three-page memo detailing the policy, are homicides, child abuse cases, economic crimes and trafficking offenses, among others. The rest, including misdemeanor cases and violent felonies, require at least an arrest warrant before they are to be taken on by prosecutors.

Worrell said last week she would be willing to rescind the policy if Uthmeier gave her the resources to handle the cases. Her office did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment but will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m.

I have a feeling our team is going to pack a heavy punch, and if theres truly an additional need for resources, if thats truly an accurate statement, then well look at helping her out further, Uthmeier said.

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The backlog of nonarrest cases dates back to former State Attorney Aramis Ayalas administration and has grown since then, Uthmeier said. Worrell, when announcing her policy to reporters, said a case backlog has been a problem for even longer  pointing to a 2013 news report from when Jeff Ashton was top prosecutor outlining his concerns.

Records show her policy was influenced by one put in place by neighboring Fifth Circuit State Attorney William Gladson, whose district covers five counties including Lake. That policy, implemented in 2021 to address a swelling backlog amid the COVID-19 pandemic, specifies several offenses prosecutors will review without an arrest, but requires an arrest for other offenses. Both policies encourage law enforcement to reach out to prosecutors with concerns about individual cases.

Uthmeier disputed that Gladson, a Republican, has a similar nonarrest policy. He said Gladsons policy doesnt list offenses that are not going to be prosecuted and with a smaller backlog of about 500 cases, his office has not turned any away nor has it requested assistance.

But Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox called the backlog of 13,000 cases in Orange and Osceola counties a remarkable number that needs to be dealt with.

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If we dont get this done, its dangerous, he said. Its a public safety issue and so were glad to do anything we can to help.

Mina, the only local law enforcement leader to publicly speak against Worrells policy, thanked the state attorney for reaching out to Uthmeiers office for help.

I know thats not an easy thing to do, but this is the right thing for Orange County, Osceola County and the Ninth Circuit here, he said. We need to start working together to accept these cases, some very serious, and this is all about protecting the victims.

Concerned with how these cases are being handled, he pointed to an example of a nonarrest case from March 21, involving a lurker in east Orlando. In that incident, according to a report shared with the Orlando Sentinel, a man who had been asked to leave a martial arts studio earlier that day returned and was observing childrens classes. That man was then escorted out of the business and deputies were called, and an employee said he wished to press charges.

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Despite the report saying there was probable cause to arrest the man for trespassing  a misdemeanor  he was not. The case was then forwarded to Worrells office but was later rejected, Mina said. While the offices nonarrest policy says misdemeanors where no felony is alleged are not eligible for review without an arrest, it further notes issuing a notice to appear in court for such crimes would then qualify it as an arrest case.

But even if deputies had sought a warrant, judges wont sign one for certain misdemeanors if officers didnt witness the offense, Mina added. Chief Judge Lisa Munyon told the Sentinel Florida law establishes the conditions to sign warrants in crimes where only a misdemeanor is alleged  and unless an arrest is made or the state attorney decides to the pursue the case, a warrant can only be signed when a summons is issued and returned unserved.

In other words, she said: Its not that we wont sign misdemeanor arrest warrants, its that we cant.

Law enforcement is stuck in the middle, Mina told reporters. If Worrell is not going to accept the cases and the judges wont review certain cases, then our victims are the ones suffering, he added.

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Worrells policy sparked a back-and-forth between her and Uthmeier, renewing concerns from her allies that DeSantis is looking to again remove the state attorney from office. In 2023, she was suspended and replaced with Andrew Bain after she was accused of incompetence and neglect of duty, a move upheld by the Florida Supreme Court.

But then, Worrell handily beat Bain in last Novembers election. Weeks before taking office, she appeared to be the subject of a grand jury investigation but no charges have been brought and no update has been announced. When asked about that investigation on Monday, Uthmeier said he is not allowed to talk about it while DeSantis, who had a press event that same day, said he has no involvement with the proceedings.

But Uthmeier, who has called Worrell a Soros prosecutor, denied his office is playing politics by going after her. DeSantis, meanwhile, said Worrell does not have the ability to pick and choose which laws youre going to enforce.

Were not running around the state looking for people to remove from office, Uthmeier said. Were looking for people that arent doing their job, and as a prosecutor, your job is simple: Put bad people away and keep Floridians safe. Its that simple. If youre willing to do that, I got no beef with you.

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When the Trump administration announced in February 2025 that it was cutting 10% of staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it seemed that a small but storied program within it called the Epidemic Intelligence Service  also known as the CDCs disease detectives  would also be cut. A few days later, the program was reinstated. And in March, Epidemic Intelligence Service officers traveled to Texas to support the states public health officials in fighting the ongoing measles epidemic.

But after another massive upheaval at the CDC in April, the units future is uncertain. As of now, applications for the programs next round of fellows has been postponed.

The Epidemic Intelligence Service is a dynamic crisis response team. Just as firefighters rush into burning buildings to save lives, this teams specialists mobilize both domestically and internationally to help curb disease outbreaks. But first and foremost, it is a training program that has produced some of the most highly trained and regarded public health experts in the country who have gone on to work at local and state public health offices, academic departments and international health organizations.

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We are public health experts  one an experienced professor who served in the Epidemic Intelligence Service from 1994-1996, and the other an early career trainee who was accepted to its incoming class of 2025-2027. Although its not clear how the administration will enact its new vision for the CDC, we hope a continued urgency to identify and fight infectious disease threats  the essence of the Epidemic Intelligence Service  remains a national priority.

A program rooted in national security

The Epidemic Intelligence Service is a two-year fellowship open to physicians, scientists and other health professionals. The program accepts 50 to 80 people each year.

Students participate in an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer training course in July 1955. Dr. Alex Langmuir, CDC

The Epidemic Intelligence Service was founded in 1951, just five years after the launch of the CDC, in response to Cold War-era concerns about biological warfare. Alexander Langmuir, its founder, was the CDCs chief epidemiologist and has often been called the father of shoe-leather epidemiology  on-the-ground, out-of-the-office disease investigation through extensive field work and engagement with affected populations.

In a report announcing the units establishment, Langmuir and a colleague wrote that one of the problems that would emerge in the event of biological warfare attacks was the dearth of trained epidemiologists. They recognized the urgent need for a specialized team capable of rapidly identifying and responding to potential bioterrorism threats.

Newspaper headlines on April 13, 1955, announce the effectiveness of the polio vaccine. March of Dimes via Wikimedia Commons

The new division soon evolved to address a wide range of civilian public health threats. In 1955, as one of its first major actions, the programs officers were tasked with investigating an outbreak of polio in children that started just as the first mass vaccination campaign against the disease launched. Within weeks, Epidemic Intelligence Service officers helped trace the outbreak to a few batches of a vaccine manufactured by a California company called Cutter Laboratories in which the virus had not been properly killed. The incident led to increased safety regulations in vaccine production and boosted public confidence, paving the way to eliminating polio from the U.S. in the ensuing decades.

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The Epidemic Intelligence Service has led the way in tackling many of the most historically significant outbreaks of the past 75 years. Starting in 1966, the units officers were deployed to West Africa to assist in a worldwide smallpox eradication campaign that laid the groundwork for eliminating the disease 13 years later. In 1976, the disease detectives were sent to investigate an outbreak in Philadelphia of a mysterious deadly illness. They helped to characterize what would eventually be known as Legionnaires disease, a previously unknown bacterial cause of pneumonia.

And in 1981, a tip from an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer serving in the Los Angeles County Health Department led to the first description of a new disease that would become the global epidemic of HIV-AIDS. The programs officers went on to help lead foundational studies on prevalence, prevention and treatment of AIDS around the world.

Beyond vaccines and immunization

Even from its earliest days, vaccine-preventable and infectious diseases were far from the Epidemic Intelligence Services only focus. During the programs first 15 years, its officers were involved in a wide swath of epidemiological investigations in areas including lead paint exposure, a cancer clusters connection to birth defects, family planning practices and famine relief.

These activities established the groups priorities of addressing chronic diseases and population health  goals that have also driven its involvement in disaster response efforts, including hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Katrina, as well as the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

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The Epidemic Intelligence Service has also played a key role in keeping the nations food supply safe. It investigates major outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, helping to identify which foods are implicated so that contaminated products are removed from shelves and disseminating investigation findings that inform food safety policy. For example, officers investigated a 1993 outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 linked to undercooked hamburgers at several Jack in the Box restaurants. The outbreak sickened more than 700 people and resulted in the deaths of four children. It also led to major food safety reforms including expanded meat and poultry inspection nationwide.

A legacy of impact

The importance of an expert, nimble team of disease detectives has only increased. Over the past few years, Epidemic Intelligence Service officers have responded to countless public health threats.

The programs officers were involved at every stage of the COVID-19 pandemic response, conducting outbreak investigations on cruise ships, in prisons and in many other settings. They investigated the outbreak of monkeypox in the U.S. in 2022. Most recently they have investigated cases of avian influenza and are working to help describe and control the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas.

Perhaps the Epidemic Intelligence Services most significant legacy has been in building a worldwide network of deep epidemiological expertise. To date, the program has trained more than 4,000 disease detectives, and its officers have collectively conducted thousands of outbreak investigations.

The units impact has been global. It has been called in to investigate outbreaks on six continents and has served as a model for epidemiology programs developed in dozens of countries.

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All of these activities, at home and abroad, have shaped health policy in crucial ways that in turn protect peoples health. It is increasingly clear that disease outbreaks will continue to occur in the U.S. and abroad. In our view, the Epidemic Intelligence Services history provides rich evidence of its value.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Mark Dworkin, University of Illinois Chicago and Casey Luc, University of Illinois Chicago

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I am currently a member of the EIS Alumni Association Executive Committee.

Casey Luc does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Imagine authorities declared your home unlivable  and gave you just days to vacate.

Thats the reality for residents of an apartment building in Southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa  and now, according to KCRG-TV9, theyre struggling to find new places to stay.

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On March 25, Cedar Rapids Building Services posted do not occupy notices on the building after it was declared unfit for human habitation due to sewer problems. But that wasnt the only reason: the building lacks fire safety equipment, several units are missing plumbing fixtures and some units dont even have electricity.

Theres been problems here ever since I first moved here, tenant Darius Franklin told KCRG-TV9. There would be times where we would pay the rent, on like a Monday on the first [of the month] and then the water would be cut off on like Thursday. Or the gas would be cut off.

Another displaced tenant expressed concern for her daughter and infant grandson who live in another building owned by the same landlord.

They came in and they were shown a hole that was ate through the floor from mold on it, she said. Hes so tiny he would fall straight through the floor and they still havent fixed it, nothings been done.

When is a building deemed uninhabitable?

The rules vary by state, but generally, a property is considered legally uninhabitable if it violates the building code or if its not safe to live in  for example, if its structurally unsound or lacks reliable heat, plumbing or electricity.

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Other factors that may render a building uninhabitable include mold, a leaky roof or pipes, no hot water in winter, unsafe elevators or a pest infestation.

In most jurisdictions, when you sign a residential lease, you have an implied warranty of habitability, meaning your landlord is legally required to keep the property in compliance with local housing codes  even if this isnt explicitly stated in the lease.

If your landlord doesnt comply, you may be able to withhold rent to pressure them to make repairs. And in most cases, theyre not allowed to evict you for reporting code violations.

Read more: The US stock markets fear gauge has exploded  but this 1 shockproof asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Heres how to own it ASAP

What to do if your home becomes unlivable

If you find yourself in this situation, start by reviewing your lease to determine whos responsible for the repairs. (Tenants are typically responsible for minor fixes, such as replacing light bulbs). If the issue affects habitability  or if the lease explicitly states that its the landlords responsibility  report it to them immediately.

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Many buildings have a formal maintenance report process, such as an online requisition form. Always keep a copy of your request. Also, take date-stamped photos or videos of the issue to support your claim.

Document everything: if you make a verbal request, record the date and time, and follow up with a written letter confirming that the request was made. Keep a copy of that letter too. There are plenty of templates available online to help you draft one. For added proof, consider sending the letter via certified or registered mail.

Continue to track all correspondence and monitor any changes to the issue  for example, if a ceiling leak worsens or mold spreads.

Consider holding back rent, getting legal help or leaving

Most jurisdictions give landlords a set period to complete necessary repairs. Be sure to ask how and when the issue will be resolved. While you wait, you may be able to negotiate a temporary rent reduction.

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If your landlord doesnt respond or fix the issue, contact your local housing authority. Depending on the local laws, you may be allowed to withhold rent or make the repair yourself and deduct the cost from your rent.

If nothing changes, you might need legal assistance  or even consider moving out. If the situation poses a risk to your health, you may be able to leave without giving notice. Just be sure to confirm your rights with your local housing authority before doing so.

Legal action or relocating can be costly, so having an emergency fund that covers three to six months of expenses can make a big difference. Renters insurance might also help  while it usually doesnt cover landlord negligence, it may cover temporary living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to fire or natural disaster.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)Although Earth Day may still be over a week away, the St. Andrews community is hosting a special event later this weekend to celebrate the day.

The celebration will be on Saturday, April 19th, and is set to be held at Oaks by the Bay Park.

Throughout the day, there will be Earth Day booths set up, tree giveaways, musical performances, an Earth Day proclamation, and more.

This celebration in St. Andrews has grown in popularity over the years and continues to return because of the resources available to residents on how to better preserve and enjoy our planet.

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Bay County tests election equipment for upcoming elections

Its become an iconic tradition in Panama City, Panama City Beach, said Earth Day Coordinator Frank DePinto. The people here enjoy the idea of a better earth, and the earth that they enjoy, and they come out and share those feelings as a community.

This years Earth Day celebration will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is completely free to attend.

There will be activities for kids to take part in as well throughout the day.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Stargazers who turn their eyes skyward  and use a little bit of imagination  will have a chance to spot a rare smiley face in space later this month.

Brenda Culbertson, a solar system ambassador for NASA, spoke with Nexstars KSNT about the upcoming celestial event, which will take place on the morning of April 25 during a conjunction of Venus, Saturn, and the Moon.

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.

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Blue Origin launches all-female crew into space

The formation will begin to take place above the eastern horizon shortly before sunrise, which means viewers across the northern hemisphere may only have a slim window to see the smiley face.

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.

Another planet will also be present below Venus, Saturn and the moon the same day, according to NASA.

Those with a clear view to the horizon might also pick out Mercury looking bright, but very low in the sky, the agency writes.

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More information on the conjunction and other astronomical events happening in April is available at NASAs official website.

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Police are investigating after at least 85 Muslim graves, including those of dozens of babies, were damaged at a cemetery in Hertfordshire.

The vandalism was discovered at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, Watford, in the early hours of Sunday.

Dozens of grave markers, all of them in the Muslim portion of the cemetery, were destroyed or damaged. A large number are believed to be those of babies and young children.

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Abbas Merali, Conservative councillor for Moor Park and Eastbury, on Three Rivers district council, shared images of babies grave markers strewn across the ground. Many had been snapped in half or cracked.

He said: I am devastated to report the distressing news that graves within the Muslim burial section of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery have been vandalised. Reports confirm that plaques on childrens graves were destroyed, and other graves were subjected to shameful acts of vandalism.

These abhorrent actions have caused immense anguish to grieving families and profound hurt across our community. My thoughts go out to those families who have been impacted by this barbaric act.

Plaques on childrens graves were destroyed by vandals at the multi-faith Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery - Abbas Merali/Triangle News

Chief Supt Jon Simpson, of the Hertfordshire Constabulary local policing command, said: This is an abhorrent incident, and one that will understandably spark an emotive reaction in the community.

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We are continuing to work closely with our local community leaders and our partners at Brent council, which owns the site, to identify those families who have been affected, but we appreciate that this will take some time.

At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to the nature of this incident, and in the coming days we will continue to engage with our Muslim communities to provide support and reassurance. Were also working with specialist officers in the constabulary to ensure we remain sensitive and respectful to the needs of the communities involved.

In addition, specialist officers will be attending Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery to provide crime prevention advice. They are also planning to attend other cemeteries and community venues in the area to offer further reassurance and advice.

The force has set up Operation Lunate as part of its investigation into who could be responsible. Chief Supt Simpson added: Our team of detectives and investigators will continue to work very hard and quickly to ascertain the circumstances of the incident, but we are appealing to anyone who has information to please contact police as soon as possible.

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Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, a multi-faith site, was opened in 1954. No upright memorials are allowed, but approved bronze resin plaques are set into the ground.

The cemetery has a Muslim section to cater for the areas large Muslim population. In 2021, 44.4 per cent of people in Watford described themselves as Christian, while 13 per cent said they were Muslim, up from 9.9 per cent the decade before.

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CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA)  Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded more than $2 million to four pre-apprenticeship programs in Central Illinois on Monday.

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program began in 2021. Its goal is to increase diversity in apprenticeship programs, as well as making the programs more accessible. Around the state, Illinois Works helps participants gain admission to apprenticeship programs, which then helps participants obtain employment.

Pritzker invited to testify to Congress about sanctuary state policy

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In Vermilion County, the Danville Area Community Colleges pre-apprenticeship program was renewed and given $572,000 in funding. The Richland Community College program in Decatur was also renewed, and awarded $495,000. In Sangamon and Christian counties the IL Foundation of SkillsUSA  Centrals new program was granted $550,000. And, Sangamon-Menard Regional Office of Educations new program received $440,000.

The greatest resource we have is the hardworking people of Illinois, and the greatest return on investment we have is training and educating them, Governor JB Pritzker said. Thats why workforce development has been a centerpiece of Illinois economic agenda for the last six years and why were constantly attracting high-quality jobs to Illinoisbecause we have the skilled workers to fill them.

Hire360 Pre-Apprenticeship program has first ever graduation in Savoy

The program was also designed to increase access to well-paying jobs for populations that have been historically underrepresented.

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We go farther when we open doors to grow together. The expansion of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program supports economic opportunities for diverse workers in the trades, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said. This program puts historically underrepresented Illinoisans on a path to provide for their families, contribute to their communities and drive our state forward.

This program also provides recruitment opportunities, skills training, and the chance to transition from a pre-apprenticeship program to a full apprenticeship. Tuition is free for participants and a stipend and other support services are offered.

Bill to ban carbon sequestration projects around the Mahomet Aquifer passes out of Senate

The continued success of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a testament to Illinois dedication to investing in all individuals ability to access quality career opportunities in the trades, DCEO Director Kristin Richards said. Illinois Works is an example of how together, we can advance equitable economic development opportunities for all Illinoisans.

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Across the state, more than $19 million in funding was awarded to 38 program recipients. For a full list of 2025 Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program recipients, click here.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A woman who owned and operated three home health care companies in central Ohio will serve over 40 months in prison for Medicaid fraud.

According to the United States Attorneys Office, Southern District of Ohio, a federal jury found 47-year-old Sally Njume-Tatsing guilty in September on 13 counts related to Medicaid fraud.

Njume-Tatsing owned and operated three home healthcare businesses named Labelle Home Health. Though she resided in California, Njume-Tatsing was in charge of all Medicaid billing for the nursing agencies in Reynoldsburg, Mt. Vernon and Parma, Ohio.

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Adam Coys attorneys and prosecution argue new trial motion in death of Andre Hill

While billing Medicaid for health aide services to individuals in their homes, Njume-Tatsing inflated the hours of services provided, billed for registered nurses when licensed practical nurses completed the care, and billed for care for patients who were either deceased or ineligible to receive Medicaid.

A federal grand jury indicted Njume-Tatsing in June 2023 and charged her with one count of health care fraud and 12 counts of making false health care statements.

She was sentenced on April 8 to serve 42 months in prison. As part of her sentence, Njume-Tatsing, who formerly lived in Pickerington, is ordered to pay $5.7 million in restitution to Medicaid.

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School employees engaged in the retirement changes process with State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The full Nebraska Legislature appears likely to debate a governor-backed bill to reexamine contributions for school employees retirement plans, which the sponsor described as a win-win-win.

The Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee on Monday morning voted 4-0 to advance Legislative Bill 645 by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, the committee chair. State Sens. Brian Hardin of Gering and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln were absent from the vote, but Ballard left the vote open through at least the end of the day for both to weigh in if they choose to.

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This is a win for state tax dollars, a win for teachers and also, I believe, a win for property taxpayers as well, Ballard told the Nebraska Examiner of his amended bill.

State contributions and funding

The school retirement plan at center stage applies to eligible school employees outside of the Omaha Public Schools, which has a separate retirement plan.

Currently, teachers and other eligible school staff contribute 9.78% of their monthly payroll to the pooled retirement plan. School districts match this at 9.88% of the amount they pay their employees, while the state contributes 2% of statewide school employee payroll each year.

State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, left, talks with State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

The estimated payroll for teachers in Nebraska, as of July 1, 2024, was $2.5 billion annually. That means the plan took in $543 million in direct contributions  about $50 million from the state, $245 million from employees and $248 million from school districts in the most recent year.

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The amended LB 645 is significantly different from when it was introduced in January, which at the time would have reduced state contributions to 0% depending on the plans actuarial funding status, but left contribution rates for employees and school districts the same. The plan is currently 99.91% funded.

If LB 645 moves forward, contribution levels of all three groups would change at four stages based on the actuarially funded level  less than 96% funded, between 96% and 98% funded, between 98% and 100% funded and fully funded.

The state would fall to 0.7% of annual contributions at the two intermediate stages, retaining the 2% contribution level when the retirement plan is underfunded and paying zero when the plan is fully funded.

State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Legislatures Appropriations Committee, and a member of the Retirement Committee, said LB 645 could save the state $77 million over the next biennium.

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The governors office maintains that the freed-up funds should not be used to balance the states projected budget deficit but instead to invest in education.

Increased take-home pay

Under the latest version of Ballards bill, school employees would contribute 9.75% of payroll if the plan is less than 96% funded. This would lower to 8.75% and 8%, respectively, at the intermediate stages. When fully funded, employees would contribute 7.25% of their individual pay to the plan. Employees were brought to the table for negotiations prior to LB 645s public hearing last month.

Ballards staff provided data estimating that the average school teacher could receive $1,000 in more take-home pay if the retirement plan is more than 98% funded, as it is now, because of lower monthly contributions.

The following represents the scaling contribution rates that would be in place under an amended LB 645 proposed by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln. (Courtesy of Sen. Beau Ballard)

When the plan is fully funded, take-home pay for the average teacher could rise by up to $1,500 each year.

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Employers would continue to contribute 101% of what their employees do, which is a first for the continued negotiations. Before, LB 645 would have locked the employer contribution rate at 9.88% of what employees are paid. Ballard said allowing lowered contributions when the retirement plans are flush could lead to reduced property taxes.

Lowered contributions at full funding would lower contributions for both employers and employees by 2.5%, potentially freeing up funding for a priority of the Nebraska State Education Association  funding more long-term substitutes so teachers can take paid time off around significant life events.

That bill, LB 440 from State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, is planned to be advanced through the Education Committees LB 306. An amended version of her bill seeks a 0.35% payroll tax, for both employees and employers, to fund four weeks of long-term substitutes, rather than her original proposals idea for six weeks.

Excess funds collected under the Spivey proposal above whats needed to cover subs would be steered toward teacher retention or recruitment, such as forgivable loans for special education teachers as provided in Lincoln State Sen. George Dungans LB 408.

Latest actuarial study

Before structural changes to state retirement plans can be made, an actuarial study must assess the feasibility. The latest study came back last Thursday indicating the plan would still receive about 0.27% more funds each year than required under state law at full funding. The actuaries said this provides little cushion  to absorb adverse experience.

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State law currently requires that the state is on the hook for additional funding in any given year if the plan requires more funds outside of annual contributions.

The actuaries wrote that part of the challenge in the future will be adjusting to the varied contribution rate, which could eat into state funds, property taxes or employee pay.

Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, center, talks about 2025 priorities for the teachers union. Jan. 28, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

The study also takes into account a phased-in slightly lower assumed return on investment for the retirement plan. State Sen. Tony Sorrentino of the Elkhorn area, vice chair of the Retirement Committee, said normally contributions would increase in that case. The actuaries agreed this could increase risk to the retirement plan.

However, Ballard and Clements noted that one built-in fail-safe is increased contributions if the funding status of the retirement plan lowers.

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The actuaries predicted the probability that the retirement plan would be fully funded about 56.4% of the time over the next 20 years, while it could be less than 96% funded about 31.5% of the time.

This is their livelihood

Ballard, who introduced LB 645 more than 50 legislative days ago, said he appreciated the feedback that he received from teachers, administrators, school boards, the Governors Office and more, all of which he said are now on board.

Conrad clashed with Ballard at LB 645s public hearing in March in part over the bills negotiations. She could not immediately be reached for comment Monday on the advanced bill, nor could the NSEA.

Ballard said he took the feedback of teachers and other employees with high consideration.

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This is their livelihood, this is their retirement plan, Ballard said. We want to make sure that they are protected because they do so much for our state, and we just really appreciate their feedback.

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WASHINGTON  As he prepared to take office for a second time, Donald Trump made it clear to his economic team that his tariffs needed to be imposed quickly.

One candidate for a top position suggested to him during the transition that it might be a better idea to move more deliberately. He didnt get the job, a person briefed on the matter said.

He [Trump] was not very sympathetic to those advising a go-slow approach, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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The president is in a hurry. Executive orders, tariffs, mass firings  all are happening at a speed that has made it hard for the nation to keep up. And tough for Trump to carry out.

The chaotic start of his presidency has been characterized by a rash of reversals and retreats as he hastens to execute his agenda while his party controls both houses of Congress and his political capital is at its peak.

His advisers are well aware of a looming deadline: the midterm congressional elections a year and a half from now. If Republicans lose control of Congress, the Trump presidency could well be over for practical purposes. Democratic majorities would surely block any ambitious legislative initiatives, and, armed with subpoena power, they could paralyze the back half of his presidency through investigative hearings.

Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Trump has hindsight from the first term that if he doesnt get things done now, he wont ever get them done, John McLaughlin, a Trump pollster, said in an interview. And he realizes, too, from his first term that if he doesnt get things done and he loses the House and the Senate in the midterms, hell get impeached again."

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Investors and everyday Americans alike seem anxious about whats to come. A closely watched consumer confidence report from the University of Michigan found that sentiment this month had fallen 11% from March and 34% from a year before. The share of consumers who believe that unemployment will rise over the next year is at its highest level since 2009, during the global financial crisis.

Another measure that tracks expectations of how markets will fluctuate over the coming month  dubbed the fear or panic index  reached its highest point last week since the Covid-19 pandemic.

'Move fast and break things'

A cost of moving so fast has been collective confusion over what Trump has done thus far and whether his actions have actually stuck.

The administrations aggressive effort to deport undocumented immigrants deemed threats to the country has collided with court rulings that insist on due process.

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By its own admission, the administration mistakenly deported a Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to a notorious prison in El Salvador in its haste to rid the United States of alleged Venezuelan gang members. The Supreme Court ruled last week that the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return.

Guards lead a man Jennifer Vasquez Sura identified as her husband, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, through the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador.

Under billionaire mogul Elon Musk, the administration has moved swiftly to shrink the government, firing thousands of probationary employees and others deemed expendable. The effort has upended the lives of government workers whove abruptly found themselves out of jobs  or rehired later, in some cases.

The Trump administration has full authority to downsize the pool of probationary employees. No judge has said otherwise. Its how the administration has gone about it that has confounded the judiciary.

Move fast and break things, U.S. District Judge James Bredar said at a hearing in Maryland about the governments attempts to fire workers across the country. Move fast, fine. Break things? If that involves breaking the law, then that becomes problematic.

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A typical reduction-in-force calls for ranking personnel based on factors that include job performance and military service. Once that review is finished, employees are supposed to get 60 days notice. The process normally takes about a year. At some agencies, it was compressed into a weekend, with employees learning of their dismissals through mass emails.

A byproduct of the downsizing is disruption in government services that many Americans take for granted.

At the Social Security Administration, the agency that provides benefits to nearly 70 million people each month, more than 28% of customers got busy signals when they phoned in March  up from 1.5% from the month before. Only 39% managed to reach agents by phone last month, compared with 71% last May.

Our worst enemies could not design a better way to harm our government than what is going on right now, said Max Stier, founding president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit organization that aims to make government more effective.

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Trumps tariff policy is now something of a Red Rover game, with Trump inviting scores of countries that had been hit with tariffs to come over and negotiate trade deals he finds palatable. He set a 90-day reduction in tariffs he announced this month while the talks unfold.

Watching from up north, Canada was confused about Trumps abrupt announcement and struggled to sort out which tariffs still applied, a Canadian official told NBC News.

As far as Canada is concerned, it wasnt entirely clear to us exactly which of the tariffs he had put on and which were taken off, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. There were competing explanations as to what was happening. It would appear that the steel and aluminum tariffs are still on, which is very expensive for us and for the Americans.

Theres no real method to it, and theres no geopolitical connection," the official added. "Its all quite strange.

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New trade agreements take time. In Trumps first term, it took years for him to implement a trade deal with just two countries, Mexico and Canada.

Lengthy negotiations with European and Asian trading partners could prolong the uncertainty over tariffs that tend to raise consumer prices. And failure to reach a deal could trigger more of the stock market declines that caused 401(k) retirement savings to plummet this month.

China is an even tougher proposition. Trump went ahead with tariffs on China last week, opting to raise them to 145%. China retaliated in kind, touching off a trade war with no end in sight.

Another puzzling development came this weekend. Late Friday, the Trump administration sent a notice that appeared to withhold tariffs on laptops, smartphones and other tech products made in China, making them more affordable. But on Sunday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said those items would be covered in an upcoming round of tariffs.

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Bob Davis, a journalist who co-wrote a history of Trumps first trade war with China in the book Superpower Showdown, said that in the first term, the talks with China proceeded in a more orderly fashion than is happening now.

Back then, there were public hearings to ensure that American firms didnt get hurt by tariffs more than China. While Trump made the final decisions, he followed the advice of seasoned trade officials like Robert Lighthizer, Davis said.

This time, Davis continued, Trump imposed enormous tariffs and left no time to negotiate and no process for U.S. firms to argue that they would be hurt more by U.S. tariffs than China or other trading partners.

Asked for comment, Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, said: The only interest guiding President Trumps decision making is the best interest of the American people. President Trump hiked tariffs on China and paused other reciprocal tariffs for 90 days after he and his economic team received good-faith commitments from a majority of our trading partners willing to strike favorable trade deals.

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"The Trump administration remains committed to using every tool at our disposal to address the national emergency posed by chronic trade deficits  including both tariffs and negotiations," he added.

Waiting for clarity

Mark Overbay and his wife are founders of Big Spoon Roasters, a small-batch food business in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The company employs 15 people full time and makes specialty nut butters: cashew butter with coconut nectar, carrot cake almond and walnut butter, and almond butter with wildflower honey, among them.

Because certain spices and cashews arent grown in the United States, Overbay gets them primarily from Vietnam and other countries. And because the glass jars he needs to package his products arent made in the United States, he gets them from China. Trumps tariffs threaten to raise his costs.

Theres no magic switch we can flip that will bring to life this dormant American glass container industry that just doesnt exist, he said in an interview.

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After Trump announced the tariffs on what he called Liberation Day, April 2, some suppliers that import cashews sent notifications that theyd be raising prices. Whats more, Overbay said, the back-and-forth announcements on tariffs have made it hard to for him to give retailers the required notice of any price or specification changes in the product.

If we change jars or size of anything that changes the customer experience, they need notice, Overbay said. So were constantly behind, trying to keep up with the tariff news. Its hard to follow.

We would love to see more clarity around the long-term plan in terms of how this is going to help American businesses of all sizes, he continued. A lot of communities depend on the kind of stability and predictability and reliability that consumers need in order to plan their budgets and shop for goods and service. Whats the long-term plan that will secure economic stability and protect American small business in relation to these tariffs?

So much to explain

Every president has a preferred method of communicating complex policy. During the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt helped restore confidence in the U.S. economy through fireside chats that went out over the radio.

John F. Kennedy used a televised Oval Office address to warn Americans of the mortal threat posed by Russias installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba. Barack Obama preferred set speeches that may have been nuanced and analytical to a fault.

Trump largely speaks to the country through all-caps social media posts that go viral and freewheeling exchanges with the news media. No one can argue that his methods helped him win the nation's highest office. But at this moment, hes attempting so much so quickly that he's testing the limits of what a distracted American public can absorb.

A scorecard of Trump's first 100 days shows that he's trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, strike a deal with Iran over its nuclear weapons program, rebuild the American manufacturing base, acquire Canada and Greenland, avenge the mistreatment he believes he was shown subjected to during his first term and turn the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into a high-end resort destination.

All at once.

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance tour the U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28.

"The challenge that Trump has is thats hes trying to solve so many important issues all at once, and a lot of them are very difficult," said McLaughlin, the Trump pollster. "Theyre hard, and they take time."

That having been said, Trump wouldn't want to scale back his ambitions.

"Thats not his personality," McLaughlin said. "Thats not his nature."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
HUNTSBURG, Ohio (WJW)  A Chardon man was sentenced to prison after an ambulance crash in Geauga County killed a patient on board.

According to court documents, Jason Slepsky was sentenced to four years in prison and a six-year drivers license suspension.

The crash happened in September 2023, near the intersection of Chardon-Windsor Road and Madison Road, in Huntsburg.

Massillon man hit by SUV, killed in Canton: Police

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported at the time that a 1995 Jeep heading east on Chardon-Windsor Road ran through a stop sign and hit an ambulance heading south on state Route 528.

As FOX 8 previously reported, both vehicles ended up on their sides and the Jeep burst into flames.

Man pleads guilty to targeting neighbors with antisemitic graffiti

Two medics in the ambulance were pulled from the wreckage, suffering from serious injuries. A patient, identified as 47-year-old William Maley, Jr. of Dorset, was killed in the crash, investigators said.

The Jeep driver, identified as Slepsky, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. He was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault.

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Slepsky pleaded no contest to the charges in February, court records showed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
ST. LOUIS  A woman from Old Jamestown, Missouri, has been charged for the death of a cohort during a drug deal that ended in gunfire.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments probable cause statement, the shooting happened around 4 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2023, in the 3100 block of Evans Avenue in the citys Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.

Officers arrived to find Tyrone Wilson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, our news partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Wilson was taken to the hospital, where he died. He was 24.

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Investigators learned Nichole Birr, 32, contacted Wilson earlier in the day to set up the sale of a large amount of marijuana. Wilson eventually found a potential buyer and arranged a meeting.

Watch: Cara Spencer sworn-in as 48th Mayor of St. Louis

Birr picked Wilson up in her vehicle and they drove to meet the buyer. The meeting took place inside Birrs car, with Wilson and the buyer discussing a price for a certain amount of marijuana.

Police said at some point, the buyer and Wilson got into an argument over weapons, and Wilson was fatally wounded.

Police said they interviewed Birr on Aug. 12 and that she admitted to setting up the drug deal and that she was responsible for Wilsons death. She also told investigators she stole Wilsons marijuana.

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The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Birr with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery. Birr will be jailed without bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A Lilburn man is facing federal charges after the FBI says he sent a series of violent threats to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and her husband, Abraham Williams.

Aliakbar Mohammad Amin, 24, is charged with transmitting interstate threats, according to a criminal complaint filed April 10.

The FBI says Amin sent Gabbards husband a photo of a handgun pointed at a computer screen showing the couple, along with the message: The home you two own in Texas is a legitimate target and will be hit at a time and place of our choosing.

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Other messages allegedly included: You and your family are going to die soon, and I will personally do the job if necessary.

Another stated, Death to America means death to America literally, Tulsi is living on borrowed time.

Agents say Amin also sent a CGI image of the U.S. Capitol with the words: Mass death and Mass destruction coming soon and a video titled Really realistic plane crash sound effect.

On April 8, agents interviewed Amin at his home.

According to the complaint, he admitted to sending the threats to Gabbard and Williams, saying it was because he was frustrated with U.S. foreign policy in Gaza.

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He also told investigators, the photos including the guns were his hand, on his gun, in his home, and that he understood that DNI Gabbard and Williams would interpret these messages to be death threats.

Jeffrey Ertel, a former federal public defender and current partner at Mendelsohn Ertel Law Group, said cases like these can be challenging for a defense attorney.

They are very difficult to defend because you dont really have anybody to cross-examine, said Ertel. Theyre putting up the text messages  and they speak for themselves.

He said the alleged confession makes the case easier to prosecute.

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The confession is obviously critical, he said. The gun gives definitely some evidence that he had the ability to carry them out.

Amin could face years in federal prison if convicted.

The maximum sentence in this case is five years, Ertel said. If hes got no criminal history, then the guidelines would be somewhere around three years for this.

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said: The FBI sees all threatening communications as a serious federal offense. We will employ every investigative tool and resource available to identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Let this arrest serve as a clear warning: if you engage in this kind of criminal behavior, you will be caught and you will go to prison.

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HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now)  If you recently played the lottery in Hagerstown, you might want to check your ticket!

Maryland Lottery is searching for the winner of the $870,0000 jackpot of the Multi-Match game.

The winning ticket for Thursday nights drawing was purchased at the Martins store on Wesel Boulevard in Hagerstown.

The winning numbers for April 10 were 05, 27, 29, 35, 39 and 42.

Renovated Capital One Arena to showcase local art, sports memorabilia

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According to the Maryland Lottery, this is the second Multi-Match jackpot win of 2025.

The prizewinner can choose between getting paid in 25 equal installments or an estimated $510,000 cash option before taxes.

In addition, Martins will also receive $1,000 for selling the winning ticket.

If you are the winner, sign the back of your ticket immediately and keep it in a safe place.

Maryland Lottery said the winning player has 182 days after the date of the drawing to claim the prize. All prizes of more than $25,000 must be claimed through lottery headquarters, either in person or by mail.

For more information about how to claim a Maryland Lottery prize, click here.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA)  A man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a deadly shooting that took place in a Native American community.

The United States Department of Justice said 33-year-old Brandon Tyler Buchanan shot and killed Kobe Toineeta in November 2022.

Related video: Violent Crime Statistics

Officials said Buchanan is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Court records and proceedings said officers with the Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD) responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting on Nov. 11, 2022.

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Man sentenced to life in prison for cold case murder in Indian Country

Upon arrival, officers said Buchanan admitted to shooting someone. Officers then found Toineetas body, who had been shot five times.

Court documents said that a handgun was found in Buchanans apartment; lab testing confirmed the gun was used to kill Toineeta.

Buchanan pleaded guilty to second degree murder on May 31, 2024. He remains in federal custody, awaiting transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons after being assigned to a federal prison.

In addition to his 30-year sentence, Buchanan was ordered to serve five years of supervised release upon completing his prison term and to pay $888,500 in restitution to the victims estate.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
CHICAGO  Chicago police are asking for the publics help with finding a violin worth $10,000 that was taken during a robbery on a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train.

Police said the robbery happened at around 9 p.m. Friday on a Blue Line train located in the 100 block of West Lake in downtown Chicago.

Man shot, killed near Blue Line station in West Loop

The violin was inside a black storage case and has a distinct wood grain finish on the back. The violin does not have a serial number as it was custom-made and is valued at $10,000, according to investigators.

(Photo: Chicago Police Department)

Police described the suspect as a man between 30 and 40 years old who stands 58 to 511 tall. The suspect was also wearing a black jacket with white striped sleeves, black pants and white gym shoes.

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Anyone with information is asked to call Mass Transit Detectives at 312-745-4447 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference RD#JJ-214845.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Additional tips from CPD:

Be aware of your surroundings and remember your location, including bus/train car number, route or train line, train car number, and direction of travel.

Immediately report suspicious activity.

If confronted by an assailant/offender, remain calm and never pursue.

Report any distinct clothing/accessories and physical characteristics.

Press the emergency button and alert the Transit Attendant.

Call 911 immediately, provide detailed description of location and assailant(s).

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  An electronic street sign operated by the city of Chicopee posted a religious message on Monday.

Now, residents are asking who authorized this message. A 22News viewer sent pictures of this street sign with a bible quote attached, posing the question of how religion plays a factor in local government.

Springfield nonprofit receives donation for neighborhood rebuild event

On the corner of Front Street and Wheatland Avenue, an electronic sign thats normally used to warn of road hazards posted inspirational messages Monday morning. One of them was a Bible verse from the Book of John, reading, If God is all you have, then you have all you need.

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This was no accident, according to Chicopee Mayor John Vieau. When asked about this message, he defended it, saying its not about religion.

Theres no intention to offend anybody, and it says In God We Trust on our dollar bill, Mayor Vieau said. If you dont believe in God, thats not what its about. Its about a feel-good message to have some feelings of belief.

While the idea of the sign is to broadcast feel-good messages, when adding religious context, it can put into question the relationship between church and state. The sign is posted right outside Chicopee High School. The superintendent of the Chicopee School District declined the request for an interview. However, 22News spoke with one resident who said he runs right by the sign every day.

I actually run over here and I see the messages, said Joseph Rivera of Chicopee. I actually think theyre good, cause they mention God and they mention good stuff like that. This one here says dont be afraid, just do it. I think thats perfect, especially for runners. Im a boxer too, so thats actually perfect.

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Mayor Vieau also said if the sign offends anyone to contact his office and it will be removed.

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In the midst of the last Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade there was mayhem. And in the aftermath there was a misidentification.

A Kansas man who was wrongly accused of being responsible for the mass shooting at the February 2024 celebration has died, according to his familys attorney. Denton Loudermill Jr. was found dead April 11. Attorney Arthur Benson confirmed the sad news.

Loudermill Jr. was 49.

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He was wrongly accused by several Republican lawmakers and social media influencers of being the sole shooter responsible for the Feb. 14, 2024 violence following the Chiefs victory parade. The false rumor, in which several GOP lawmakers also referred to him as an "illegal alien," started on social media after a user shared a photo of Loudermill Jr. sitting on a curb in handcuffs following the shooting.

In reality, Loudermill Jr. had been improperly detained by police for allegedly moving too slowly while evacuating the scene of the shooting and was let go shortly after he was handcuffed. Lawsuits were filed last year against Republican Rep. Tim Burchett and three Republican Missouri state senators: Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, and Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County. The suits were thrown out a month later, however, by a federal judge who cited issues with jurisdiction.

Loudermill Jr. filed the lawsuits in a federal court in Kansas, rather than Missouri, the state where the lawmakers were from. The shooting happened in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

Loudermill Jr.s attorneys vowed to continue fighting his case in court after his death.

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If you thought we were determined before, you havent seen anything yet! Saunders wrote on social media. 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.

Related: Kelce Ex Girlfriend Responds to Shocking News

Related: Chiefs Updated Draft Visits Point To 1 Roster Direction
A child is still in a hospital days after being shot, Gaston County Police said Monday.

NC bill to remove handgun permit requirements clears committee

On Friday night, a child was taken by family members to Atrium Health Lincolnton.

Investigators said it appears to be a tragic, unintentional incident in a home involving two juveniles.

Officers are using this situation to remind people to safely secure firearms.

VIDEO: On at all times: CMPD launches new safety initiative
With sunken cheeks, knobbly knees on stick-thin legs and ribs jutting out of his chest, 6-year-old Osama Al-Raqab hardly resembles a photo that showed the young boy smiling into the camera.

"He used to be happy and full of life," Osama's aunt, Nour Sameer Al-Raqab, told NBC News' crew in southern Gaza's Bani Suheila on Sunday as she held up the image from a few months before the war began next to the boy's face. Now, he looks like a skeleton.

Osama Al-Raqab on Sunday.

Osama's grandmother Um Ahmad Al-Raqab called on Israeli authorities to allow her grandson to be evacuated out of Gaza for treatment for cystic fibrosis. The boy had the ailment, which can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight, when the war began and is now suffering with acute malnutrition.

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"If he stays like this, he will die," she said.

He is among many struggling to survive in the besieged Palestinian enclave as it endures a month-and-a-half-long blockade that has halted the flow of aid and goods  the longest suspension of aid since the war began.

We are witnessing acts of war in Gaza that show an utter disregard for human life," humanitarian and health bodies, including United Nations agencies, the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme, warned in a statement this month.

In its latest humanitarian situation update, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that with no aid entering since March, when Israel launched its blockade, malnutrition and other preventable conditions were expected to rise, increasing the risk of child deaths. It added that medicines were rapidly running out.

Medical staff members struggle to keep babies alive with severely limited resources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Saturday.

Israel has maintained amid mounting criticism over its aid blockade that there is "no shortage of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip" after it allowed the entry of thousands of trucks into the enclave during the ceasefire. Asked to comment on the matter, COGAT, Israels military liaison with the Palestinians, referred NBC News to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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In Khan Younis, video shot by NBC News' crew showed children holding empty pots and pans as they crowded around a soup kitchen.

If I dont get food, we wont eat, one little girl, Baraa Abu Mousa, told NBC News crew after finding herself pushed out from the clamoring crowd. We have nothing at home.

Palestinians wait in a crowd holding out pots and pans for food in Khan Younis.

After waiting four hours, Baraa was given a small portion of rice to be shared with her family.

After shattering a ceasefire that brought relative peace to Gaza on March 18, Israeli forces have shelled and bombed the enclave without encountering virtually any opposition.

The Hamas terrorist attack Oct. 7, 2023, killed 1,200 people, and 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli counts, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict. Israel's ensuing offensive has killed more than 50,800 people  many of them women and children  according to health officials in the Gaza Strip, and destroyed much of the enclave. More than 50 hostages remain in Gaza, both dead and alive.

Efforts to renegotiate and resume the ceasefire have so far proved fruitless, with each side blaming the other.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The News

China halted exports of materials critical to industries worldwide, the latest salvo in a broadening global trade war. Beijings announcement followed earlier restrictions on the export of rare earths, an industry it dominates.

It came as Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Vietnam on a Southeast Asia tour to shore up regional support in the face of Washingtons massive tariffs: A Beijing-based politics blog charted how China was seeking to build a united front in the trade war.

By contrast, while the US is negotiating tariff relief with dozens of countries, many European and Asian partners arent sure to what extent they are still allied with Washington, The Wall Street Journal noted, undermining American efforts to isolate China.
After President Donald Trump unveiled his so-called reciprocal tariffs on Liberation Day, China retaliated with its own duties and export controls on rare earth minerals, which are critical to the tech, auto, aerospace, and defense sectors. So far, those export controls have translated to a halt across the board, cutting off the U.S. and other countries, according to the New York Times.

China is exploiting a highly lopsided advantage it has in global trade as it hits back against President Donald Trumps tariffs: rare earths.

After Trump unveiled his Liberation Day tariffs on April 2, China retaliated on April 4 with its own duties as well as export controls on several rare earth minerals and magnets made from them.

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So far, those export controls have translated to a halt across the board, cutting off the U.S. and other countries, according to the New York Times.

Thats because any exports of the minerals and magnets now require special licenses, but Beijing has yet to fully establish a system for issuing them, the report said.

In the meantime, shipments of rare earths have been halted at many ports, with customs officials blocking exports to any country, including to the U.S. as well as Japan and Germany, sources told the Times. Chinas Ministry of Commerce issued export restrictions alongside the General Administration of Customs, prohibiting Chinese businesses from any engagement with U.S. firms, especially defense contractors.

While the Trump administration unveiled tariff exemptions on a range of key tech imports late Friday night, Chinas magnet exports were still halted through the weekend, industry sources told the Times.

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Beijings export halt is notable because China has a stranglehold on global supplies of rare earths and magnets derived from them.

They also represent an asymmetric advantage in that rare earths constitute a small share of Chinas exports but have an outsize impact on trade partners like the U.S., which relies on them as critical inputs for the auto, chip, aerospace, and defense industries.

"The purpose of the Chinese governments lawful implementation of these export controls is to better safeguard national security and interests, and to fulfill international obligations related to non-proliferation," Chinas U.S. embassy said in a statement. "These rare earth materials have dual-use potential for both civilian and military applications, and imposing export controls on such items is a common international practice."

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett addressed the situation on Monday, acknowledging concern and saying, Rare earths are a part of lots of the economy.

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The rare earth limits are being studied very carefully, and theyre concerning, and were thinking about all the options right now, he told reporters outside the White House.

Chinas export restrictions also put Trumps attempts to gain control of Greenland in a fresh light. The self-governing Danish island possesses one of the worlds largest known rare earth deposits.

Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland earlier this month, despite repeated pushback from Denmark against U.S. rhetoric.

We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and were working with everybody involved to try and get it, Trump said in an address to Congress last month.

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Meanwhile, Trump has also been pursuing a deal with Ukraine to develop rare earth supplies. He said in February he wanted the equivalent of, like, $500 billion worth of rare earths. Those talks are ongoing.

Last month, Trump signed an executive order that directed federal agencies to identify mines and government-owned land that could help increase rare earth production.

The Trump administration is also drafting another executive order to clear the way for stockpiling deep-sea metals to offset Chinas control of rare earth supply chains, sources told the Financial Times.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
China warned the UK government on Monday to treat the Chinese owners of British Steel fairly or risk undermining investor confidence in the country, two days after UK authorities took control of the company.

Chinas Foreign Ministry made the comment as government-appointed managers raced to prevent British Steel from shutting down the last two blast furnaces in Britain that make so-called virgin steel from raw materials.

Parliament on Saturday passed legislation authorising the government to take control of the company and its Scunthorpe steelworks from Jingye Group, which has owned British Steel since 2020. Jingye still owns the company but British authorities have taken control of day-to-day operations.

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We hope the British government treats Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the UK fairly and justly, protects their legitimate rights and interests, and avoids politicising and over-securitising economic and trade cooperation, so as not to affect the confidence of Chinese enterprises in investing and cooperating in the UK, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said during the weekly press conference in Beijing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman, Dave Pares, said on Monday that while Jingye still owns the Scunthorpe works in northeastern England, nationalisation is a likely option in the short term. In the longer term, the government hopes to find a private investor, he added.

British Steel on Monday announced the appointment of a new executive team focused on ensuring consistent and professional leadership of Scunthorpe.

Two longtime British Steel executives, Allan Bell and Lisa Coulson, were named as the companys interim chief executive and chief commercial officer. The appointments were approved by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

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Bell, who has worked at the Scunthorpe steelworks for 14 years, said his main goal was to ensure continued steel production at the plant.

Our immediate priorities are securing the raw materials we need to continue blast furnace operations, ensuring we have the dedicated personnel to run those furnaces, and maintaining the highest levels of health and safety for our workforce, Bell said in the statement.

Starmer on Saturday took the dramatic step of recalling Parliament from its spring recess to pass emergency legislation authorising the government to take control of British Steel. Authorities were concerned about the plants future after Jingye stopped ordering the iron ore and coking coal needed to keep the furnaces operating.

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Once blast furnaces are shut down, it is difficult and expensive to restart them, raising concerns that Britain might lose the ability to make high-quality virgin steel needed by builders and railroads as the government tries to spur economic growth. Other British steelmakers are already in the process of shifting to electric arc furnaces that make steel from scrap metal.

Pares said the government is now confident the plant will receive the raw materials it needs to keep operating for the time being. Shipments of iron ore pellets and coking coal have arrived at the port in Immingham and will reach Scunthorpe, about 20 miles (32 kilometres) away, in the coming days, he told reporters in London.
Xi Jinping has urged Vietnam to resist unilateral bullying and uphold free and open trade, as he begins a high-stakes diplomatic tour of the regions major export-reliant economies in a bid to position his country as a stable partner in contrast to the United States.

The Chinese leader arrived in communist-ruled Vietnam on Monday and is set to visit Malaysia and Cambodia from Tuesday to Friday  countries that have seen growing trade and investment ties with China in recent years.

In meetings with Vietnams top leadership Monday, Xi said the two countries should work together to maintain the stability of the global free trade system and industrial and supply chains, according to Chinese state news agency, Xinhua.

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Chinas mega market is always open to Vietnam, Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua, adding that China and Vietnam should strengthen strategic focus and jointly oppose unilateral bullying.

A small boat with a single sail cannot withstand the stormy waves, and only by working together can we sail steadily and far, he said.

The in-person trip comes just days after US President Donald Trump paused his reciprocal tariffs on most countries for 90 days  narrowing the focus on his trade war squarely on China.

As Washington and Beijing exchange record-high levies, Southeast Asian nations, still catching their breath from the now-suspended US tariffs, are growing increasingly anxious about being caught in the crossfire between the worlds two largest economies.

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Seeking to capitalize on the turmoil unleashed by Trumps tariff whiplash, Xi has cast China as a reliable partner and defender of global trade. Vietnam and Cambodia were among the highest hit by Trumps tariffs, set at 46% and 49% respectively before the pause.

But while countries are rolling out the red carpet for Xi, analysts suggest they also need to tread carefully  and avoid the appearance they are siding with China, and potentially risk provoking Trump during their own negotiations over pending tariffs.

On Monday, Trump said from the Oval Office that the meeting between Xi and his Vietnamese counterpart, To Lam, was intended to hurt the US.

I dont blame China. I dont blame Vietnam, he said. Thats a lovely meeting  meeting like, trying to figure out: How do we screw the United States of America? Dont forget, the European Union was formed to do just that.

Biggest export market

Some Southeast Asian countries are wary of being flooded with cheap Chinese goods that are now shut out of the US markets due to the sky-high tariffs. China already runs a trade surplus with Vietnam, exporting 1.6 times the value it imports from its southern neighbor.

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As a bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has overtaken the US and the European Union as Chinas largest export market since 2023, according to Chinese customs data.

Vietnam, a rising manufacturing powerhouse, has seen a surge in Chinese investments in recent years as manufactures move supply chains out of China to take advantage of lower labor costs and hedge against US levies. Chinas trade with Vietnam nearly doubled between 2017 and 2024, making the communist state Chinas biggest trade partner in Southeast Asia.

While in Hanoi, Xi is expected to further strengthen those ties. The two countries are set to sign about 40 agreements across multiple sectors  including cooperation on railways, agricultural trade and the digital and green economy, Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son said on Saturday, according to Reuters.

Vietnam has approved plans to build a $8.3 billion railway linking its northern port city of Haiphong to China, which will be partially funded by Chinese loans. The country is also looking to purchase Chinas homegrown mainline passenger aircraft made by Chinese state-owned planemaker COMAC.

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Wen-ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, said Xis high-profile visit is two pronged. Economically, its about finding a way to diversify Chinas economic footprint around the world, and on the foreign policy front, its also aimed at pulling countries closer to China while they are unsettled by Trumps on-and-off-again tariffs.

What Xi is trying to do now is to go there in person. Instead of fear and pressure, Xi is going to show them love, maybe some souvenirs along the way, he said, referring to possible new trade deals and upgrades to their strategic partnerships.

All these are ways for China to show that Im on your side. Its safe to hang out with China, especially if youre concerned about the US.

But relations between China and its neighbors have been strained in recent years, with tensions flaring over claims of disputed sovereignty in the South China Sea. In February, Chinese warships held live-fire drills in waters near Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin, known as the Beibu Gulf in China, after Hanoi published a map defining its territorial claims there.

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In his signed article in Vietnams Nhan Dan Newspaper, Xi urged the two countries to properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region.

The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation, Xi was quoted as writing.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Fred He contributed reporting.

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By Francesco Guarascio, Khanh Vu and Phuong Nguyen

HANOI (Reuters) -China's President Xi Jinping called on Monday for stronger ties with Vietnam on trade and supply chains amid disruptions caused by U.S. tariffs, as he attended the signing in Hanoi of dozens of cooperation agreements between the two communist-run nations.

The visit, planned for weeks and part of a wider trip in Southeast Asia, comes as Beijing faces 145% U.S. duties, while Vietnam is negotiating a reduction of threatened U.S. tariffs of 46% that would otherwise apply in July after a global moratorium expires.

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"The two sides should strengthen cooperation in production and supply chains," Xi said in an article in Nhandan, the newspaper of Vietnam's Communist Party, posted ahead of his arrival on Monday. He also urged more trade and stronger ties with Hanoi on artificial intelligence and the green economy.

After he met Vietnam's top leader, To Lam, the two countries signed dozens of cooperation agreements, including deals on enhancing supply chains and on cooperation over railways, footage of the documents reviewed by Reuters showed.

Chinese and Vietnamese state media later on Monday reported that 45 agreements were signed.

The content of the agreements was not disclosed and it was unclear whether they involved any financial or binding commitments.

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Under pressure from Washington, Vietnam is tightening controls on some trade with China to make sure goods exported to the United States with a "Made in Vietnam" label have sufficient added value in the country to justify that.

"There are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars," Xi said in his article, without mentioning the United States. Later, in a meeting with Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Xi said the two countries should oppose unilateral bullying, according to Chinese state media Xinhua.

One memorandum of understanding signed on Monday is to boost cooperation between the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which issues certificates on the origins of goods.

Vietnam is a major industrial and assembly hub in Southeast Asia. Most of its imports are from China while the United States is its main export market. The country is a crucial source of electronics, shoes and apparel for the United States.

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In the first three months of this year, Hanoi imported goods worth about $30 billion from Beijing while its exports to Washington amounted to $31.4 billion, Vietnam's customs data show, confirming a long-term trend in which imports from China closely match the value and swings of exports to the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the two countries' discussions were focused on how to harm the United States, but that he did not blame them for holding such talks.

"I don't blame China; I don't blame Vietnam," Trump told reporters at the White House. "That's a lovely meeting. Meeting like, trying to figure out, 'how do we screw the United States of America?'"

A Trump administration official said the Republican president and Vietnam's Lam "earlier this month agreed to work to reduce reciprocal tariffs and looked forward to an in-person meeting in the near future."

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RAIL LINKS, PLANES

After a two-day stop in Hanoi, Xi will continue his Southeast Asian trip by visiting Malaysia and Cambodia from Tuesday to Friday. He last visited Cambodia and Malaysia nine and 12 years ago, respectively.

Xi's trip to Hanoi, his second in less than 18 months, aims to consolidate relations with a neighbour that has received billions of dollars of Chinese investments in recent years as China-based manufacturers moved south to avoid tariffs imposed by the first Trump administration.

Vietnam's Lam in an article published on Monday in Chinese state media said Hanoi wanted to boost cooperation in defence, security and infrastructure, especially on rail links.

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Vietnam has agreed to use Chinese loans to build new railways between the two countries, in a major confidence-building step that would boost bilateral trade and connections.

However, no credit agreement has yet been announced. Later on Monday Lam encouraged China to offer concessional loans, according to Vietnamese state media.

After prolonged pressure, Beijing obtained Vietnam's approval for planes authorised by the Chinese aviation regulator, which paves the way for the use of China-made COMAC passenger jets in the Southeast Asian nation.

COMAC planes are operated by several Chinese companies but have so far struggled to find foreign buyers or be approved abroad.

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On Sunday, Vietnam's budget airline Vietjet and COMAC signed a memorandum of understanding in Hanoi, according to an invitation to the event seen by Reuters.

The content of the agreement has not been announced yet, but Reuters reported in past weeks that under a draft deal, Vietjet would lease two COMAC C909 planes, operated by crew from Chengdu Airlines, on two domestic routes.

Despite strong economic ties, tensions frequently surface between the two countries over contested boundaries in the South China Sea.

Vietnam's concessions to the U.S. to avoid tariffs may also irritate Beijing, as they include the deployment of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite communication service in the Southeast Asian nation, in addition to the crackdown on some trade with China over possible fraud on rules of origin.

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Vietnam, in recent months, has also imposed anti-dumping duties on several Chinese steel products and ended a tax waiver for low-value parcels in a move that government officials described as aimed at reducing the inflow of cheap Chinese goods.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio, Khanh Vu and Phuong Nguyen, Thinh Nguyen, Athit Perawongmetha in Hanoi, Liz Lee in Beijing, Gram Slattery and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Writing by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Lincoln Feast, Hugh Lawson and Rod Nickel)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP)  China's leader Xi Jinping said no one wins in a trade war as he kicked off a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia on Monday, presenting China as a force for stability in contrast with U.S. President Donald Trump's latest moves on tariffs,

Although Trump has paused some tariffs, he has kept in place 145% duties on China, the world's second-largest economy.

There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war, Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment.

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Xi's visit lets China show Southeast Asia it is a responsible superpower in the way that contrasts with the way the U.S. under President Donald Trump presents to the whole world," said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.

While Trump has said he respects Xi, he interpreted the meeting between the two Asian leaders as a sign they were attempting to put the U.S. at a disadvantage on trade.

Talking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said China and Vietnam were trying to figure out how do we screw the United States of America.

Xi was greeted on the tarmac by Vietnam's President Luong Cuong at the start of his two-day visit, a mark of honor not often given to visitors, said Nguyen Thanh Trung, a professor of Vietnamese studies at Fulbright University Vietnam. Students of a drum art group performed as women waved the red and yellow Chinese and Communist Party flags.

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While Xis trip likely was planned earlier, it has become significant because of the tariff fight between China and the U.S. The visit offers a path for Beijing to shore up its alliances and find solutions for the high trade barrier that the U.S. has imposed on Chinese exports.

In Hanoi, Xi met with Vietnams Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, his counterpart. In the face of turmoil and disruption in the current global context, China and Vietnams commitment to peaceful development, and deepening of friendship and cooperation and has brought the world valuable stability and certainty, he said.

He also met with Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two sides signed a series of memorandums in areas including strengthening cooperation in supply chains, railroad development and environmental protection, according to Associated Press footage of the signed documents.

Nhan Dan, the official mouthpiece of Vietnam's Communist Party, said that China and Vietnam will speed up a $8 billion railway project connecting the two countries in a deal that was approved in February.

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Xi's visit sends a message to the region

The timing of the visit sends a strong political message that Southeast Asia is important to China, said Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank. She said that given the severity of Trump's tariffs and despite the 90-day pause, Southeast Asian nations were anxious that the tariffs, if implemented, could complicate their development.

Vietnam is experienced at balancing its relations with the U.S and China. It is run under a communist, one-party system like China but has had a strong relationship with the U.S.

In 2023, it was the only country that received both U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi Jinping. That year it also upgraded the U.S. to its highest diplomatic level, the same as China and Russia.

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Vietnam was one of the biggest beneficiaries of countries trying to decouple their supply chains from China, as businesses moved here. China is its biggest trading partner, and China-Vietnam trade surged 14.6% year-on-year in 2024, according to Chinese state media.

That trade relationship goes both ways.

The trip to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia is all about how China can really insulate itself against the tariffs from Trump, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute, noting that Xi visited twice in the decade after he became president in 2013. But he has visited Vietnam twice more in the past two years.

But the intensification of the trade war has put Vietnam in a very precarious situation given the impression in the U.S. that Vietnam is serving as a backdoor for Chinese goods, said Giang. Vietnam had been hit with 46% tariffs under Trump's order before the 90-day pause.

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China and Vietnam have real long-term differences, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Vietnam has faced off with Chinas coast guard but does not often publicize the confrontations.

After Vietnam, Xi is expected to go to Malaysia next and then Cambodia.

-

Wu reported from Bangkok. Associated Press journalists Hau Dinh and Josh Boak contributed to this report.
By Liz Lee

BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping called for stronger industrial and supply chain cooperation with Vietnam and wider collaboration in emerging fields, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday, amid heightened trade tensions prompted by hefty U.S. tariffs.

Xi starts a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia this week, beginning his state visits with Vietnam from April 14 to 15.

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The trip comes with an aim to consolidate economic ties with some of China's closest neighbours at a time when the world's top two economies are locked in a tariff tussle.

China hiked its levies on imports of U.S. goods to 125% on Friday, hitting back at U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to single out the world's No. 2 economy for higher duties.

Xi also urged strengthening coordination and cooperation through regional initiatives such as the East Asia Cooperation and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, the ministry said, citing an article by the Chinese leader published in Vietnam media.

He called such efforts necessary to "inject more stability and positive energy into a chaotic and intertwined world".

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"There are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars, and protectionism has no way out," Xi said, without mentioning the U.S. specifically.

"We must firmly safeguard the multilateral trading system, maintain the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, and maintain the international environment for open cooperation," he said.

Last week, China sought to get ahead of U.S. negotiators, holding video calls with the EU and Malaysia, which is chairing ASEAN this year, as well as Saudi Arabia and South Africa, by way of reaching out to Gulf countries and the Group of 20 and BRICS nations.

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.

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In the article, Xi said China welcomes more high-quality imports from Vietnam and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in the Southeast Asian country.

Both countries should expand cooperation in emerging fields such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development, the article said.

(Reporting by Liz Lee; Editing by Kim Coghill and Lincoln Feast)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Vietnamese counterpart on Monday pledged to boost economic ties against the background of a trade war with the United States.

Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday for a two-day visit. He had talks with Vietnamese Party chief To Lam, and witnessed the signing of 40 agreements in trade and the economy, among others.

Xi was welcomed by the host country with a grand ceremony and a 21-gun salute.

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On Tuesday, Xi is expected to attend the launch ceremony for a new $8-billion railway project backed by China, stretching 390 kilometres from the port city of Haiphong to the mountainous city of Lao Cai, which borders China's Yunnan province.

The railway is part of China's Belt and Road initiative, a global infrastructure development strategy.

In an article published on Monday in Nhan Dan newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Vietnamese Communist party, Xi criticized US President Donald Trump's trade war, saying a trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.

He also urged Vietnam to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and [an] open and cooperative international environment.

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Xi affirmed that Vietnam is a priority in Chinas neighbourhood diplomacy, urging Vietnam to pursue win-win economic collaboration, promoting socialisms advancement in both countries.

This is the fourth visit to Vietnam since Xi became president in 2013.

China has been Vietnam's biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row, with total bilateral trade exceeding $205 billion in 2024.

Vietnam had a trade deficit of up to $144 billion with China in 2024. The items that Vietnam imports from China include machinery, industrial equipment, raw materials for production, consumer goods and electronic components.

Xi is due to leave Vietnam on Tuesday for visits to Malaysia and Cambodia.
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY)  Chincoteague Mayor Denise Bowden was severely injured while letting a herd of horses out of a corral on Friday.

According to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, Bowdens leg was badly injured after letting the southern herd out of the corral.

She was taken to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, where she underwent surgery. The surgery went well, but there is still a very very long recovery.

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The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company asked the community to join them in wishing her a safe and speedy recovery.

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The British government is going to set high standards in the future for Chinese investors in the UK, the country's business secretary said on Sunday, a day after he took effective control of Britain's last remaining factory that makes steel from scratch from its Chinese owners.

Jonathan Reynolds said Jingye Group, which has owned British Steel since 2020, had not been negotiating "in good faith" with the government in recent months over the future of the heavily loss-making steel works in Scunthorpe in the north of England.

Reynolds said it had become clear on Thursday that Jingye would not accept any financial offer from the government and that it was the company's intention to close the blast furnaces "come what may", while keeping the more profitable steel mill operations and supplying them from China.

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In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, he declined to accuse the company of deliberately sabotaging the business at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party, but he did accept that there is now a "high trust bar" to bringing Chinese investment into the UK.

"I personally wouldn't bring a Chinese company into our steel sector," he said. "I think steel is a very sensitive area."

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer summoned lawmakers back to Parliament on Saturday to back a bill primarily aimed at blocking Jingye from closing the two blast furnaces. The bill, which is now law, gives Reynolds the power to direct British Steel's board and workforce, ensure its 3,000 workers get paid and order the raw materials necessary to keep the blast furnaces running.

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The British government had been under pressure to act after Jingye's recent decision to cancel orders for the iron pellets used in the blast furnaces. Without them and other raw materials, such as coking coal, the furnaces would likely have to shut down for good, potentially within days, as they are extremely difficult and expensive to restart once cooled.

That would mean the UK, which in the late 19th century was the world's steelmaking powerhouse, would be the only country in the Group of Seven industrial nations without the capacity to make its own steel from scratch rather than from recycled material.

The repercussions would be huge for industries like construction, defence and rail, and make the country dependent on foreign sources for so-called virgin steel, a vulnerability that lawmakers from all political parties balked at.

In a separate interview with the BBC, Reynolds declined to give a full guarantee that British Steel will be able to secure enough raw materials in time to keep the blast furnaces going.

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He said he would not "make my situation or the nation's situation more difficult" by commenting on specific commercial details.

"If we hadn't acted, the blast furnaces were gone, steel production in the UK, primary steel producing, would have gone," he said. "So we've given ourselves the opportunity, we are in control of the site, my officials are on site right now to give us a chance to do that".
The British Government has made a historic intervention to save the final remnant of the nations steel industry. Under the circumstances, it is the right thing to do. Aside from the livelihoods of the employees concerned, the overwhelming justification for doing so is the strategic imperative not to rely entirely on imports for this critical basic commodity.

But it might also be that nationalisation is the only way to force the British state to wake up to the crisis in manufacturing which its own policies have created. This is not to do with so-called industrial strategy, or the hope that the mighty state will step in to reorder the nations productive capabilities around national priorities. Instead, it relates to the reasons why the plant was not economically viable anymore, and why even the Chinese were no longer willing to absorb the losses, despite the obvious tactical advantage of a foot-hold in the UK.

British Steel was not a victim of unfettered free trade, or being undercut by unscrupulous foreign suppliers. There is a huge premium in the market for virgin steel whose provenance is indisputably in a top-tier country, especially from the aerospace and defence industries. The plants prospects were ruined by policies that successive British governments have imposed willingly, mainly in the realm of energy policy. There have been damaging regulations specific to steel production, such as the coking coal ban, but its what has been done to British Steels domestic market that should now be the governments focus.

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Britains exceptionally high commercial electricity prices have recently gained media attention, but this has been a chronic problem over many years. This is not merely an unfortunate overhead that makes firms less profitable; year after year it has seen entire sectors rendered completely uncompetitive in Britain.

After years of decreases since the 1980s, British energy prices began rising after the passage of the Climate Change & Sustainable Energy Act of 2006. This began the process of imposing the cost of renewables subsidies onto consumers. They have steadily risen ever since. Despite the claims of renewables campaigners, who point to the low price of wind and solar power during the specific moments when they are at their most productive, it is the huge costs of back-up, balancing and subsidies that are imposed onto the system by intermittent generation that is responsible for these increases. Furthermore, a persistent bias against redundant capacity, especially in storage, has made Britain exceptionally vulnerable to wholesale gas price fluctuations. These have all been political choices.

The process of industries fleeing to low cost jurisdictions in Asia began in the 1990s, and was mainly about seeking cheaper workforces. However, other industries have been forced out due to increasing energy prices since the mid-2000s, and these have generally been in far higher value-add sectors. These include medical equipment manufacturers, machine tooling, and substantial elements of the automotive supply chain. Often these industries involve groups of companies with operations across Europe, who quietly moved their most energy intensive operations onto the continent. There, they could avoid the UKs energy prices, while retaining a highly skilled European workforce.

These were often the kind of industries that needed high quality virgin steel, rather than recycled or cheaply imported products. With each one that vanished from the UK, so the market for domestic steel decreased.

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The attitude of the UK government to all of this so far has been that it is the responsibility of firms to meet the challenge of high energy prices and regulation, or else they were welcome to shut up shop, or move abroad. So far as they were concerned, it wasnt a problem, as Britain could simply buy those goods from overseas instead. Despite the global nature of climate change, they didnt see foreign emissions as being our problem.

But nationalisation would mean HM Treasury directly being forced to stomach the losses associated with this mentality. The government will now be forced to reckon with the enormity of the costs it has imposed on British industry. Perhaps, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or one of her successors, will have the motivation to face down the renewables lobby, and speak up for the bits of the British economy onto which the burden of decarbonisation has been forced.

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Tourism is worth more than $10 trillion (thats 10,000 billion) to the world economy every year. But is the Chinese Communist Party looking to carve off a bigger slice of that particular pie  and what might it mean for your next holiday?

The idea of China shaping your next getaway may sound fanciful to most travellers (unless youre heading to Shanghai or Beijing, of course).

But the Chinese governments increasingly ambitious strategy of international investments  otherwise known as the controversial Belt and Road Initiative  is increasingly expanding Beijings presence in some of the worlds most popular tourism spots.

The battle for the Maldives

Perhaps the most dramatic example of this phenomenon so far has been the Maldives. While best known to most British travellers as an archipelago of high-end resort islands, the destinations unique and isolated location has turned into a battleground for influence between China and one of its biggest strategic rivals, India.

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India has traditionally been very concerned about Chinese investment along the coast of the Indian Ocean, says Jacob Gunther, from the Germany-based think tank MERICS (the Mercator Institute for China Studies). However, the investments in the Maldives have been particularly contentious, as theyre right in the middle of the ocean itself.

While India is keen to maintain a strong military presence in the ocean, China has been on a charm offensive, using its vast cash reserves to try to pry the Maldives away from its historic ally. While this investment spree might not be on the minds of tourists lazing in waterfront bungalows, it isnt entirely invisible either.

It was Chinese cash that funded the upgrade and expansion of Velana International Airport  the landing point for almost every single international tourist arriving in the Maldives. The Belt and Road Initiative (or BRI) also funded a massive, modern road bridge connecting the airport with Male  the Maldives densely-populated capital city  as well as the slightly more tourist-friendly island of Hulhumale. If youve crossed over out of curiosity to see the real Maldives, youve almost certainly been on it.

China invested in the expansion of Velana International Airport in the Maldives - Alamy

Infrastructure investment is all well and good, but analysts fret that the Maldives is becoming indebted to China, which may then seek to take control of land and assets in the country in return. They point to the massive controversy surrounding Chinas investment into a new port in Sri Lanka  another tourist hotspot  which then fell into Beijings hands when the South Asian country was unable to make its payments.

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The port story goes to the heart of the mysteries surrounding the BRI, which is understood by most analysts as a way of China expanding trade routes while also peeling some countries away from the West.

The BRI is both a geostrategic and commercial project, so a lot of the projects are a blend of those two aims, says Mr Gunther, who has researched Chinas political economy for more than a decade.

Empty skyscrapers and ghost airports

While the Maldives may have been one of the most contentious investments, the Chinese government and its state-backed enterprises have been making their presence felt in numerous other holiday destinations, spanning all the way from south-east Asia to the Adriatic Coast.

Sometimes these investments are explicitly focused on tourism projects. In Cambodia, Chinese investment has turned the unremarkable beach-town of Sihanoukville into an enclave of skyscrapers, some of them hosting plush Chinese casino resorts, but hundreds of them unfinished, creating a dystopian feel.

Chinas dystopian skyscrapers under construction in Cambodias southern port city of Sihanoukville - Getty

Some 300 miles away in Krong Siem Reap, the nearest city to Angkor Wat, China has ploughed $1.1 billion into a state-of-the-art airport.

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Sub-Saharan Africa has been another hotspot, with China taking advantage of a Western retreat from the continent to bolster its influence. In 2023, African countries received more than $20 billion in investment via BRI deals, much of it going into energy and transport infrastructure.

Then theres the Caribbean, where a number of Commonwealth countries have signed BRI partnerships with Beijing, including Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. While the Caribbean governments have relished the chance to upgrade their infrastructure, the wave of Chinese funding  which has topped $9 billion across Latin America and the Caribbean  has led the US State Department to warn about the region becoming a Chinese lake.

A European toehold

Closer to home, China has unnerved some Western governments by becoming a significant investor in parts of the Western Balkans, most notably the emerging tourism hotspot of Montenegro.

Alongside some hotel developments backed by private Chinese investors, Beijing has also embarked on creating a new motorway connecting the coastal towns of Budva and Tivat. The building splurge comes amid concerns that overdevelopment is spoiling the character of the region.

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China has an interest in some of the Balkan countries like Montenegro as it regards them as future EU states and thus a potential route for influence in future European decision-making, says Vladimir Shopov, a BRI expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

China is becoming a significant investor in Montenegro - E+

What will it mean for tourists? To date, Chinese-backed tourism investments havent proved massively successful. The ambitious project of Sihanoukville remains a ghost town, as does a similar project called Forest City in Malaysia. Those Western travellers who have used the new Siem Reap airport have been baffled to find it almost entirely empty.

The other possibility is that the BRI could result in more Chinese tourism. While outbound Chinese tourism was grounded by the pandemic, it has been rising in recent years, with the number of overseas trips taken by Chinese nationals projected to rise to 128 million by the end of 2028.

A lot of countries are keen to get Chinese tourists, but there havent necessarily been any explicit links between BRI investments and expanding tourism, says Mr Shopov. If you look at Montenegro, tourism is still down on pre-pandemic levels, and Chinese tourism to Europe is still down significantly compared to 2019.

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While tourism isnt a major focus for the BRI, there is often a link between countries which have strong trade links with China and those which receive a lot of Chinese tourism, says Jacob Gunther from MERICS. Indeed, Chinese visitors to Cambodia rose some 55 per cent in 2024, although he cautions against attributing the increase entirely to any one factor.

Perhaps we shouldnt be expecting the CCP or its state-backed allies to displace the likes of Hilton or Marriott in their dominance of the tourism world any time soon.

But with Chinese influence increasing across the globe  including in the West  the chances of Beijing playing a role in your next holiday are probably nowhere near as remote as you think.

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China President Xi Jinping arrived in Vietnam on Monday, the first stop in a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia meant to tighten Beijings relationship with regional partners in the face of massive U.S. tariffs.

The trip, which covers Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, is Xis first overseas trip of the year, and comes amid the backdrop of extreme global economic uncertainty as U.S. President Donald Trumps tariffs roil markets and threaten to rewire the global supply chain.

On April 2, Trump unveiled his reciprocal tariffs on what he called Liberation Day. The harshest tariffs were reserved for China and several export-reliant countries in Southeast Asia with sizable trade surpluses with the U.S.

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These tariffs, except for those on China, have been paused for 90 days, save for a baseline 10% tariff on all U.S.-bound exports. The U.S. has also exempted a range of electronic products including smartphones from tariffs, though Trump and other administration officials suggest that its a temporary reprieve and that such goods will be taxed under new semiconductor-focused taxes.

No one wins a trade war

Ahead of Xis arrival in Vietnam, the countrys Nhan Dan newspaper published an article that quoted Chinas president calling on the two countries to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system. The piece also contained Beijings oft-repeated assertion that no one wins a trade war.

Vietnam and China will likely sign as many as 40 agreements in multiple sectors during Xis visit, according to Bui Thanh Son, the Southeast Asian countrys deputy prime minister.

Southeast Asia isnt the only region Xi is courting. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made a trip to Beijing last week. During his visit, Xi said China and the EU should jointly oppose unilateral acts of bullying, according to Xinhua.

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Trade wars arent goodthe world needs China and the U.S. to talk, Sanchez said during his visit. (The U.S. appeared unhappy with Sanchezs suggestion that the EU and China should grow closer, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying doing so was akin to cutting your own throat.)

Senior EU leaders will also travel to Beijing in late July, the South China Morning Post reported before the weekend.

Tricky diplomacy

China is the largest trading partner for many Southeast Asian economies. But several countries in the region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, have capitalized from manufacturers shifting their plants away from China. Electronics, apparel, and other U.S.-bound exports have helped spur economic growth throughout the region.

Many Southeast Asian governments hope to negotiate with the Trump administration to preserve their access to the U.S. market. Vietnam has offered to buy more U.S. goods and cut tariffs on U.S. imports. Reuters reports that the country is also considering tightening its oversight on the origins of goods and materials to ensure companies from China dont use the Southeast Asian country to avoid tariffs.

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Cambodia has also offered to cut tariffs on U.S. imports down to 5%.

Even Malaysia, which touts its nonaligned status, is sending a delegation to Washington to negotiate a deal. The trip is expected to happen by the end of this month.

Both Vietnam and Malaysia export more to the U.S. than they do to China. Vietnam exported $61.2 billion worth of goods to China compared with $136.6 billion to the U.S. last year; Malaysia exported about $41 billion to China and $44 billion to the U.S. over the same period.

Economists warn that Southeast Asian countries might be wary of becoming a dumping ground for cheap Chinese exports, no longer bound for the U.S. That sets up a diplomatically tricky visit for the leader of the worlds second-largest economy. Xi returns to China Friday, after visiting Cambodia.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Christians all over the world and here in northeastern and central Pennsylvania are observing the holiest week on the religious calendar.

Saint Peters Cathedral is among the houses of worship that celebrate Palm Sunday.

Worshippers held palm branches, symbolizing what crowds waved to greet Jesus more than 2,000 years ago after he entered Jerusalem.

Observing first night of Passover in Kingston

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Palm Sunday marks the final week of Jesus life, which the faithful believe culminated in his crucifixion and resurrection.

Its an important day for us as Christians because it really marks off this week as really the central focus of our entire faith, Saint Peters Cathedral Pastor Reverand Jeffrey Tudgay explained.

Saint Peters Cathedral will hold special holy week masses and services daily beginning on Thursday and continuing through Easter Sunday next weekend.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted a New York helicopter tour company for seemingly profiting off of the tragic helicopter crash that killed six people last week.

In a Sunday press conference, Schumer blasted a company called FlyNYON after it began offering severely reduced fights for helicopter tours, Page Six reported. The promo came days after a chopper operated by a different company, New York Helicopter Tours, appeared to come apart in mid-air.

The incident killed the CEO of Siemens Mobility, Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children aged 4, 5, and 11. A 36-year-old pilot also died in the crash.

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Escobars family was visiting from Spain and had arrived that day, according to reports.

Listen to this. [FLYNYON] is offering the same kind of flights that just took the lives of these six people, but now, because of the crash, theyre giving a 70% discount special, outrageous, outrageous, Schumer said.

While an investigation into the incident is underway, Schumer called on the Federal Aviation Administration to revoke New York Helicopters licenses. Schumer also rebuked Part 91 licenses, used by New York Helicopter and FlyNYON, for not requiring the same rigorous training as other commercial flying licenses.

Schumer added that he believes less training for the Part 91 license would make flights riskier for passengers.

Augustin Escobar and Merce Camprubi Montel with their children. / Facebook

Right now New York Helicopter Tours is under investigation, under federal investigation, for these deaths, but first, I am urging the FAA to pull their operating certificate immediately and cease flights until their full investigation is concluded, said Schumer. At the very least, the FAA can take some action in the name of safety, we definitely should.

In 2018, FlyNYON also suffered a tragedy when one of its choppers went down in the East River, Page Six reported.
Chinas cross-border rail logistics grow in Q1, boosting regional activity and trade

13:49, April 14, 2025 By Chang Chaofan ( Global Times

In the first quarter of 2025, China's rail freight operations grew substantially, particularly in cross-border logistics. The number of China-Central Asia freight trains rose 25.5 percent year-on-year to 3,582 while cross-border cargo traffic on the China-Laos Railway surged 10 percent year-on-year to 1.513 million tons, which significantly promoted international and economic trade exchanges, China Railway said on Sunday.

In addition to the growing freight operations, passenger services on the China-Laos Railway have also expanded. On Sunday, the international passenger train route between Xishuangbanna in Southwest China's Yunnan Province and Luang Prabang in Laos was extended to Puer Station in Yunnan, with an additional stop at Nateuy, Laos, bringing the total number of stops to eight, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday.

Launched on April 13, 2024, the passenger service enables same-day round trips between Xishuangbanna and Luang Prabang. Over the past year, it has transported 220,000 passengers, including 81,000 cross-border travelers, according to Xinhua.

This mixed-use railway, which connects China to Laos, not only facilitates the transport of goods, including perishables and industrial products, but also enhances regional connectivity, with significant potential to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Europe, Sun Zhang, a railway expert at Shanghai Tongji University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The China-Europe Railway Express, as part of this network, connects China to Europe via Central Asia, further expanding trade and reinforcing China's strategic position in global trade, particularly as Southeast Asia becomes a key economic partner for both domestic and international markets, Sun added, noting that the railway has proven to be a successful model, boosting both tourism and trade.

In another move, Wuhan in Central China's Hubei Province on Saturday launched its first regularly scheduled freight train, X9011, bound for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. This marks the beginning of regular services along the Central Asia rail route from Wuhan. The inaugural train, carrying 1,640 tons of industrial goods, including steel coils, tiles, and air conditioning units, is expected to arrive at its destination in 10 days, according to a report on the government's website.

Products manufactured in Hubei, including complete vehicles and vehicle parts, optoelectronic devices, and agricultural products, are highly popular in Central Asian markets, Zhang Peng, a deputy general manager of an international intermodal transportation company under the Hubei Railway Group, was quoted as saying in the report.

The Horgos railway port in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reported strong growth in the first quarter, with 2,375 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains passing through, up 28.5 percent year-on-year. The cargo volume reached 3.336 million tons, a 26 percent rise, setting a new record for the period, China Media Group reported.

As of the end of March, the port had handled more than 44,500 freight trains, with 87 routes serving 18 countries and 46 cities and regions, per the CMG report.

Domestically, China's railway network also exhibited a robust performance, with 970 million tons of cargo transported in the first quarter, a 3.1 percent year-on-year rise. The sustained growth has been pivotal in facilitating both domestic and international trade, ensuring the smooth circulation of goods as part of China's dual-circulation strategy, China Railway said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Police in Chula Vista released the results from a DUI checkpoint over the weekend.

The Chula Vista Police Department held a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint checkpoint Saturday evening from 6 p.m. until midnight in the 600 block of Palomar Street in the City of Chula Vista.

Results released from St. Patricks Day weekend Lemon Grove DUI checkpoint

The police department reports 2,113 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint. Out of those, 850 were screened, and four drivers were asked to conduct sobriety tests at the checkpoint.

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There were 20 unlicensed/suspended license citations issued, and 8 vehicles were impounded. A total of 22 citations were issued, the police department reports.

Authorities choose DUI checkpoints based on the amount of reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes in an area.

Chula Vista Police say funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  A Citrus County woman was sentenced after abusing a 13-month-old child and attempting to hide the physical injuries with makeup, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office announced.

Karina Fortune, 32, pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse and was sentenced to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

On March 22, CCSO detectives responded to a report involving a suspected missing or abducted 13-month-old child.

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The childs grandmother said the child was left with Fortune and when returned, the child had makeup covering the face and body, detectives said.

The grandmother initially thought this was not her grandchild.

Polk County woman runs over estranged husbands new girlfriend, deputies say

Further investigation revealed it was her grandchild, and the makeup was used to hide physical injuries.

Medical examination said the infant had suffered abuse that included, extensive bruising, burn marks, a broken arm, a fractured collarbone, and severe dehydration.

According to deputies, Fortune lied and provided multiple reasons to explain the injuries when she had custody of the child.

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Special Victims Detective Levi Garrison was able to get a confession out of Fortune.

In the confession, Fortune said she stepped on the childs body, fed the child scalding-hot formula, and concealed the injuries in fear of being caught.

I wouldve been dead: Florida officers nearly hit by SUV on interstate

This is a very disturbing and tragic case of child abuse, and its great to hear that the victim is now in a safe, loving environment and recovering, Garrison said.

CCSO thanked the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office, Citrus County Childrens Advocacy Center, responding deputies, and medical professionals for their help and assistance in this investigation.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The City of El Paso has adopted what it is calling its first International Policy Agenda, the City said in a news release on Monday, April 14.

This historic policy provides a strategic framework to guide binational collaboration, attract foreign direct investment, and modernize critical City-owned infrastructure, including international bridges and trade corridors, the City said.

El Paso is a global gateway, and this agenda formalizes our commitment to leading on issues that matter across borders  from economic growth and infrastructure to public health and climate resilience, Mayor Renard Johnson said. With more than $145 billion in annual trade flowing through El Paso and over 1.4 million monthly pedestrian and vehicle crossings, the International Policy Agenda positions the City to better manage growth, promote safety, and enhance competitiveness on a global scale.

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The agenda outlines three core goals, according to the City:

Strengthening international partnerships with Ciudad Juarez, the State of Chihuahua, and the Government of Mexico through joint trade missions, shared programming, and data-driven collaboration;

Improving border infrastructure for trade and mobility , including feasibility studies and modernization projects for the Ysleta-Zaragoza, Paso del Norte, and Stanton ports of entry many of which are City-owned assets; and

Facilitating trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) through incentive programs, site readiness efforts, and targeted prospecting with regional business organizations.

El Pasos international assets are key to our long-term success, City Manager Dionne Mack said. This agenda ensures we are not only maximizing the value of our City-owned infrastructure, but also taking concrete steps  like coordinating trade missions, developing shared FDI strategies, and advancing port modernization plans  that will drive economic opportunity for generations to come.

For more information, visit www.elpasotexas.gov/econdev.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Clay County Prosecutors Office shared new details Monday afternoon about two major drug arrests that took place over the weekend.

In a joint press conference held at 3:30 p.m., Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said Wilbert Etier of Kansas City, Missouri, and Joseph Eismont of Gladstone, Missouri, are facing charges related to two separate drug trafficking and drug possession incidentsafter investigators said they were found with fentanyl and other controlled substances Saturday morning.

Police release photo of ATV driver who ran over KCPD officer

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I think its a reminder to everybody that while were making progress in combating the issue of fentanyl in our community, our fight is not over yet, Thompson said at Monday afternoons press conference. We still have work to do.

Thompson said, between these two cases, there was enough fentanyl seized to cause roughly 1,800 people to overdose.

Fentanyl is a crisis in our community, he said. People lose their lives to fentanyl overdoses every day, and its not just the people who use the fentanyl that are in danger  as this case is a stark example.

ARREST #1: WILBERT ETIER

According to a probable cause statement, just before 4 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Armour Road and Swift Street in North Kansas City, Missouri.

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When officers arrived, they reportedly found a red Ford pickup truck reversed onto the sidewalk and parked on top of the electronic controller for the crosswalk.

The driver, later identified as Etier, was asleep in the drivers seat, according to court documents.

It was reported that officers found aluminum foil with burn residue in a cup holder, along with a digital scale and a clear glass smoking pipe containing drug residue.

Etier was then arrested for drug paraphernalia.

During their search, officers reported finding 3.5 grams of fentanyl in Etiers pant pockets and crack cocaine in his shoes, the court document said.

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Missouri man sentenced for killing wife in Miami County, Kansas last year

The probable cause statement said Etier told investigators hed won about $1,500 the previous day at a game room near Blue Ridge Cutoff. He admitted to smoking meth sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m., then told investigators he purchased more Ice.

According to court records, Etier said he did not have any recollection of purchasing fentanyl or crack cocaine and also said he didnt remember crashing his truck.

The detective who filed the probable cause statement said Etier poses a danger to the community based on this incident and his criminal history.

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Etier had been previously arrested for first-degree murder and domestic battery, according to court records.

He was also arrested and convicted for numerous drug-related crimes prior to Saturdays events. Etier now faces additional drug trafficking and drug possession charges.

ARREST #2: JOSEPH EISMONT

According to a separate probable cause statement, at about 10:30 a.m. on the same day, officers were dispatched to Northeast Industrial Drive regarding two people asleep in a car.

When officers arrived, they found the two individuals, one of whom was identified as Eismont, as well as an uncapped syringe on top of the cars radio.

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Court records said officers asked the two individuals to step out of the car; however, when one stepped out, another syringe reportedly fell out of their lap.

Officers detained both individuals then searched the car  where they found a black bag filled with what appeared to be fentanyl, court documents said.

Three officers injured after two KCPD patrol cars crash downtown

The detective said in the probable cause statement that several drugs were found in the car, including the following:

27 bottles of empty oral syringes of morphine (2mg/mL) [Schedule 2]

22 bottles of Fentanyl Citrate (5mg/mL) [Schedule 2]

52 bottles of Hydromorphone [Schedule 2]

4 Clonazepam pills

Two bottles of Midazolam [Schedule 4]

Multiple pill bottles (not controlled substances)

Multiple vials of other substances used for pain, muscle relaxing and similar treatments (not controlled substances)

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Clay County investigators reached out to metro law enforcement agencies to ask if theyve received any reports of clinics being robbed.

Thats when a detective from the Gladstone Police Department (GPD) reached out about a recent case involving Eismont, in which he was found with similar medications.

The GPD detective said it was determined that Eismont got the medications through his job at Clean Earth, which disposes of medications.

Clean Earth sent FOX4 the following statement:

We take allegations of criminal activity very seriously and will fully comply with the investigation. As of last week, the individual is no longer an employee. We follow stringent protocols in our facilities, and the safety and well-being of our employees and the community are our top priorities.

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The detective said in the probable cause statement that Eismont is a danger to the community.

Due to the amount of fentanyl and other controlled substances, history of obtaining the medical grade items from a previous place of employment, and his history of assault, I believe he poses a significant danger to the community, the probable cause statement said.

Eismonts criminal history includes multiple convictions and prison time for drug-related crimes.

Both of these cases involve people behind the wheels of cars, Thompson said Monday afternoon. Butif they wouldve passed out under the influence of this drug while they were operating the vehicle on a highway or a high rate of speed, people couldve been hurt badly.

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Fentanyl use along with all substance abuse issues requires all of us to work together to address. Theres the enforcement side; you saw the North Kansas City Police Department do their job. Theres also the prosecution side, and were confident were going to be able to do our end of it.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Editors note: News 5 has corrected this article to specify how Wolf Bay Restaurants and Catering obtains its shrimp.

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  Researchers tested shrimp at 44 food service locations in the Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley area to determine if their shrimp was locally farmed or imported. But what about all the other restaurants excluded from the study?

PREVIOUS REPORTING: 19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report

(Getty Images)

About SeaD Consultings genetic testing on shrimp

SeaD Consulting, a Texas-based group, conducted its study March 23-27 on behalf of the Southern Shrimp Alliance  an organization of shrimp fishermen, shrimp processors, and other members of the domestic industry in the eight warmwater shrimp producing states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, the SSAs website states.

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According to that report, 19 of the 44 sampled restaurants claimed to use Gulf wild-caught shrimp when genetic testing showed they were using imported shrimp. Those restaurants were not named.

Twenty-five of the restaurants that do serve local shrimp, based on results from the small sample of the region, were named in SeaDs report.

Restaurants not named in the report, which may not have even been a part of the study, say their businesses are being accused of not selling local shrimp when they do.

SeaD Consulting Founder and Commercial Fishery Scientist Dave Williams told News 5 how the 44 restaurants were selected.

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Sead-Consulting-StudyDownload

According to Williams, SeaD Consulting pulls records of all restaurants in the area  in this case, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Foley  and uses keywords such as seafood to narrow the list.

Once the list is down to 100, SeaD Consulting uses a random number generator to remain unbiased, which is how they arrived at testing 44 restaurants.

Social media reaction to SeaD Consultings study on Gulf Coast shrimp was swift shortly after media outlets reported on the findings. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Reaction to SeaD Consultings March 2025 study

News 5 reported on the studys release, and received hundreds of comments.

Many people wondered why the 19 restaurants researchers said werent sourcing shrimp locally went unnamed.

We only publicize the names of the restaurants who are supporting the local shrimping industry first, and will send letters to those restaurants found to be misrepresenting so they can address the issue and ensure its not a supplier problem, a SeaD Consulting spokesperson said in a statement to News 5 at the time.

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The names are also given to local authorities for review and enforcement.

Many local restaurants shared concerns about the studys publicly released findings.

The Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar, located in Bon Secour, said in a Facebook post, Only 44 restaurants have been tested in the area.

We would like to be clear, The Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar serves Gulf Shrimp and Has for the last 20 years!

Wolf Bay Restaurants and Catering, which has Foley and Orange Beach locations, told WKRG that Wolf Bay proudly serves genuine Gulf shrimp it receives from trusted sources.

Their dedicated team comes in each morning to prepare the Gulf Shrimp by hand (devein and butterfly/prep), a statement to News 5 said.

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Fire Smoked Fish Company, a veteran-owned business in Gulf Shores, said they get their shrimp locally in Bon Secour.

Meanwhile, restaurants that were included in SeaDs sample and tested positively for sourcing shrimp locally celebrated their recognition.

Come experience our excellent seafood, De Sotos Seafood Kitchen, located in Gulf Shores, shared on Facebook. A number of restaurants hadnt been given the chance to undergo assessment yet.

We didnt realize that we had been tested by them until this article was released.

Come see us for some fresh Gulf Shrimp! We are proud to be on the list! LuLus Gulf Shores commented on News 5s Facebook post.

SeaD Consultings past genetic testing on Gulf Coast shrimp

This isnt the first time SeaD Consulting has studied Gulf Coast shrimp.

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In 2024, the Texas-based group tested five vendors at the National Shrimp Festival; from that sample, only one reportedly had authentic Gulf shrimp: Rouses Supermarket.

The events organizers said vendor contracts required them to use domestic shrimp, monetary penalties would be involved for violators, and repeat violators could be removed from the festival, News 5 reported.

Ryan Moberly, communications director for the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, also questioned Williams decision not to name violators in that study.

If he refuses to release the alleged violators names to us, theres very little we can do to ensure

these vendors are penalized or asked not to come back to our Festival, Moberly said at the time.

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Neil Costes 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 WKRG News 5.
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for five missing people from what the agency called "a suspected failed suggling venture," according to a press release Monday, pending any new information.

On Sunday, an aircrew from the U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people from a capsized boat about 29 miles off the St. Lucie Inlet with help from the Martin County Sheriff's Office. The boat had flipped the day before, and five more people remain unaccounted for.

"Coast Guard crews rescued four people and searched by air and sea for approximately seven hours, covering more than 1,240 square miles," the release said.

#BREAKING @USCG crews rescued 4 people from a capsized vessel, Sun., approx. 29 miles off St. Lucie Inlet after a good Samaritan reported the incident. A person on board reported the vessel capsized Fri. and an additional 5 people are still missing. The search is ongoing. #SAR pic.twitter.com/R4dc16kyRZ  USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) April 13, 2025

The decision to suspend a search is always difficult and never taken lightly, said Chief Warrant Officer Edgardo Insignares, a Coast Guard Sector Miami search and rescue mission coordinator.

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Here's what we know.

What happened with the capsized boat in Florida?

The Martin County Sheriff's Office assists U.S. Coast Guard crews in rescuing four people from a capsized boat on April 13, 2025. Five people are still unaccounted for; the Coast Guard is leading the investigation looking for them.

The boat left Bimini with nine people, one of the survivors told the Martin County Sheriff's Office, and capsized early Saturday morning.

According to the Coast Guard, it was a smuggling attempt.

Smugglers routinely exploit vulnerable aliens for profit while putting their lives at risk aboard overloaded and unseaworthy vessels. These dangerous and illegal voyages must not be attempted," Insignares said.

"Safe, legal and orderly migration saves lives. Dont take to the sea.

Who was on the boat that capsized off the coast of Florida?

There were nine people on the boat, all from the Dominican Republic and Haiti, sheriff's officials said on Facebook.

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The four people on the boat were identified as:

Edna Fortulien, 26, of Haiti

Anthony Rosario, 38, of the Dominican Republic

Edwin Paula, 55, of the Dominican Republic

A 17 year old male

Fortulien, Rosario, and Paula have all been previously deported, according to the sheriff's office.

The survivors were recovered by the Coast Guard aircrew and transported to Cleveland Clinic South Hospital in Stuart, three with non-life-threatening injuries and one with serious injuries, officials said on the Martin County Fire Rescue Facebook page.

Five of the boaters were still unaccounted for when the search was called off. One of the survivors told sheriff's deputies that they drowned when the boat overturned.

Where was the boat capsized in Florida?

The capsized boat was found about 29 miles off the St. Lucie Inlet.

When did the Coast Guard rescue the boaters?

The Martin County Sheriff's Office assists U.S. Coast Guard crews in rescuing four people from a capsized boat on April 13, 2025. Five people are still unaccounted for; the Coast Guard is leading the investigation looking for them.

On Sunday, a good Samaritan reported seeing an overturned 25-foot vessel with four people clinging to it, the Coast Guard said.

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An aircrew from Air Station Miami was able to bring the survivors up to the helicopter and fly them to safety as the search for the others continued.

"The length of Coast Guard search efforts are always a case by case basis considering a variety of factors including drift patterns, water temperature, and time since notification," Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg wrote in an email Sunday.

Where is St. Lucie Inlet?

The St. Lucie Inlet is just off the coast of Jupiter Beach, southeast of Port St. Lucie in Southeast Florida.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Coast Guard calls off search for 5 missing boaters off Florida coast
Healthy coastal ecosystems play crucial roles in the U.S. economy, from supporting multibillion-dollar fisheries and tourism industries to protecting coastlines from storms.

Theyre also difficult to manage, requiring specialized knowledge and technology.

Thats why the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  the federal agency best known for collecting and analyzing the data that make weather forecasts and warnings possible  leads most of the governments work on ocean and coastal health, as well as research into the growing risks posed by climate change.

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The government estimates that NOAAs projects and services support more than one-third of the nations gross domestic product. Yet, this is one of the agencies that the Trump administration has targeted, with discussions of trying to privatize NOAAs forecasting operations and disband its crucial climate change research.

As a marine environmental historian who studies relationships among scientists, fishermen and environmentalists, I have seen how NOAAs work affects American livelihoods, coastal health and the U.S. economy.

Here are a few examples from just NOAAs coastal work, and what it means to fishing industries and coastal states.

Preventing fisheries from collapsing

One of the oldest divisions within NOAA is the National Marine Fisheries Service, known as NOAA Fisheries. It dates to 1871, when Congress created the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. At that time, the first generation of conservationists started to worry that Americas natural resources were finite.

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By conducting surveys and interviewing fishermen and seafood dealers, the fish commissioners discovered that freshwater and saltwater fisheries across the country were declining.

Oil spills and raw sewage were polluting waterways. Fishermen were using high-tech gear, such as pound nets, to catch more and more of the most valuable fish. In some areas, overfishing was putting the future of the fisheries in jeopardy.

One solution was to promote aquaculture, also known as fish or shellfish farming. Scientists and entrepreneurs reared baby fish in hatcheries and transferred them to rivers, lakes or bays. The Fish Commission even used refrigerated railroad cars to ship fish eggs across the country.

Today, U.S. aquaculture is a US$1.5 billion industry and the worlds fastest-growing food sector. Much of the salmon you see in grocery stores started as farm-raised hatchlings. NOAA provides training, grants and regional data to support the industry.

Men carry pails of fish specimens to a U.S. Fish Commission fish car  a train car designed specifically for transporting fish or fish eggs to stock U.S. rivers, lakes and coastal waters  in this historical photo. Smithsonian Institution Archives

NOAA Fisheries also helps to regulate commercial and recreational fishing to keep fish populations healthy and prevent them from crashing.

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The 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other laws implemented catch limits to prevent overfishing. To develop fair regulations and combat illegal practices, NOAA and its predecessors have worked with fishing organizations through regional fishery management councils for decades.

These industries generate $321 billion in sales and support 2.3 million jobs.

Restoring coral reefs to help marine life thrive

NOAA also benefits U.S. coastal communities by restoring coral reefs.

Corals build up reefs over centuries, creating cities of the sea. When theyre healthy, they provide nurseries that protect valuable fish species, like snapper, from predators. Reefs also attract tourism and protect coastlines by breaking up waves that cause storm-driven flooding and erosion.

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The corals of Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico and other tropical areas provide over $3 billion a year in benefits  from sustaining marine ecosystems to recreation, including sport fishing.

However, reefs are vulnerable to pollution, acidification, heat stress and other damage. Warming water can cause coral bleaching events, as the world saw in 2023 and 2024.

NOAA monitors reef health. It also works with innovative restoration strategies, such as breeding strains of coral that resist bleaching, so reefs have a better chance of surviving as the planet warms.

Battling invasive species in the Great Lakes

A third important aspect of NOAAs coastal work involves controlling invasive species in Americas waters, including those that have menaced the Great Lakes.

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Zebra and quagga mussels, spiny water flea and dozens of other Eurasian organisms colonized the Great Lakes starting in the late 1900s after arriving in ballast water from transoceanic ships. These invaders have disrupted the Great Lakes food web and clogged cities water intake systems, causing at least $138 million in damage per year.

CC BY-SA Zebra mussels found attached to this boat at an inspection station in Oregon show how easily invasive species can be moved. The boat had come from Texas and was on its way to Canada. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

In the Northwest Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, invasive lionfish, native to Asia and Australia, have spread, preying on native fish essential to coral reefs. Lionfish have become one of the worlds most damaging marine fish invasions.

NOAA works with the Coast Guard, U.S. Geological Survey and other organizations to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Stronger ballast water regulations developed through the agencys research have helped prevent new invasions in the Great Lakes.

Understanding climate change

One of NOAAs most crucial roles is its leadership in global research into understanding the causes and effects of climate change.

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The oil industry has known for decades that greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels would raise global temperatures.

Evidence and research from around the world have connected greenhouse gas emissions from human activities to climate change. The data have shown how rising temperatures have increased risks for coastal areas, including worsening heat waves and ocean acidification that harm marine life; raising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities with tidal flooding and higher storm surges; and contributing to more extreme storms.

NOAA conducts U.S. climate research and coordinates international climate research efforts, as well as producing the data and analysis for weather and ocean forecasting that coastal states rely on.

Why tear apart an irreplaceable resource?

When Republican President Richard Nixon proposed consolidating several different agencies into NOAA in 1970, he told Congress that doing so would promote better protection of life and property from natural hazards, better understanding of the total environment and exploration and development leading to the intelligent use of our marine resources.

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The Trump administration is instead discussing tearing down NOAA. The administration has been erasing mentions of climate change from government research, websites and policies  despite the rising risks to communities across the nation. The next federal budget is likely to slash NOAAs funding.

Commercial meteorologists argue that much of NOAAs weather data and forecasting, crucial to coastal areas, couldnt be duplicated by the private sector.

As NOAA marks its 55th year, I believe its in the nations and the U.S. economys best interest to strengthen rather than dismantle this vital agency.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Christine Keiner, Rochester Institute of Technology

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Christine Keiner conducted research at the NOAA Library for her books "The Oyster Question" and "Deep Cut."
Its been nearly two years since the City of Mableton incorporated into a full-fledged city.

Now, its in discussions with the Cobb County Board of Commissioners for how to handle delivery of certain public services.

County officials said Mableton took on managing its own code enforcement and zoning needs last month.

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The city is expected to transition to fully operating its economic and community development, and waste management services by July 1, Cobb County officials said.

Weve had a strong partnership with the new City of Mableton as theyve transitioned services from the county, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said in a statement before the meeting. Our teams have worked hand in hand to ensure seamless service delivery, and we desire these discussions around essential service IGAs to proceed just as smoothly.

A Mableton spokesperson said the meeting on Monday would go until about 4 p.m. as the two governmental bodies worked to negotiate an accord.

The Georgia Department of Community affairs requires that agreements governing public services, known as intergovernmental agreements, be submitted by the end of May.

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Cody Balmer is the suspect accused in the arson fire at the Pennsylvania governor's residence.

Col. Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner, released Balmer's name at an April 13, 2025, news conference. Balmer is 38 and from Harrisburg, PA. The residence is the living quarters of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

"This is not of record yet, but the charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person," Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo said at the news conference. "These are all very serious charges. As with any charges, the defendant is presumed innocent."

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Shapiro also spoke at the news conference.

Last night, we experienced an attack, not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, here at the governor's residence," he said.

If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: we celebrated our faith last night, proudly and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover, he added.

Shapiro also provided additional details on X.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a press conference outside of the Governor's Mansion after a portion of the property was damaged in an arson fire on April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Shapiro and his family escaped unharmed and police have a suspect, Cody Balmer, in custody. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

"Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governors Residence in Harrisburg," he wrote. "The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police. Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished."

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Shapiro added, "Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family  and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe."

Authorities accused Balmer of having a "very methodic plan" and homemade incendiary devices. They did not release his motive. Social media posts and photos circulating online were not verified by authorities.

According to a press release from Pennsylvania State Police, on April 13, 2025, at approximately 2 a.m., "members of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded to the Governors Residence, located on North Front Street, Harrisburg City, Dauphin County, for the report of a fire. While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson."

"While the fire was successfully extinguished, it caused a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence," the release added. "The Governor and his family were present in a different part of the residence. They were evacuated safely and were not injured."
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. (WWTI)  Colgate and the Community Health Center of the North Country are partnering to provide free dental screenings to elementary school children across.

The program is part of the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program to provide free dental screenings to elementary school children across the county.

Dont fall for fake dentists offering veneers and other dental work on social media

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According to CHCNC, St. Lawrence County faces a significant dental care access challenge, with approximately one dentist for every 3,000 residents. This shortage is even more pronounced for Medicaid recipients, who often struggle to find providers accepting their insurance.

This week, the Colgates mobile dental van, equipped with child-sized dental chairs, will visit various elementary schools throughout the county. Licensed dental professionals will perform free dental screenings and provide oral health education. Children requiring further dental care will receive referrals to appropriate providers.

These screenings run from April 14-18 at the following locations

Tuesday April 15

Kennedy Elementary, Ogdensburg, 9 a.m. to noon

Morristown Elementary 12:30 p.m.  2 p.m.

Wednesday April 16

Madill Elementary, Ogdensburg, 9 a.m. to noon

Heuvelton Central School noon to 2 p.m.

Thursday April 17

Lisbon Elementary 9 a.m. until noon

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Colgates Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program has reached over 10 million children in the U.S. through its mobile dental van initiative, providing essential oral health services and education.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
By Catarina Demony

(Reuters) -Colombia's Vice President Francia Marquez, an advocate of slavery reparations, urged former colonial powers to take responsibility for their past wrongs and called for a global reparations fund, at a United Nations forum on Monday.

In her opening speech at the fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) in New York, Marquez said the fund would be used to help eradicate legacies of slavery and colonialism, without providing further details.

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"Colonial states, states that fostered... that form of domination based on the definition of race have to assume the responsibility of restoring the human dignity of people of African descent," Marquez earlier told Reuters in an interview.

While the issue of reparations has gained momentum worldwide, from Africa to the Caribbean, so has the backlash. Many of Europe's leaders have opposed even talking about reparations.

Marquez, a celebrated environmental activist, was elected in 2022 and is Colombia's first Black woman vice president.

At least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, forcibly transported by European ships and sold into slavery from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Hundreds of thousands were shipped to Colombia.

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Marquez said many Afro-Colombians still lacked basic rights, such as access to health, housing and higher education, a reality she sees as a legacy of that period: "We continue to experience the damage and consequences of that system."

Opponents of reparations argue, among other things, that contemporary states and institutions should not be held responsible for their past.

But advocates say action is needed to address the legacies, such as systemic and structural racism, and say that contemporary states still benefit from the wealth generated by hundreds of years of exploitation.

'RACIAL BIASES'

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Participants at the forum will discuss calls for reparations in the digital age. The forum says systemic inequities risk being replicated in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI).

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in remarks delivered by his Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, reiterated his call for reparations, and said there was a need to "eliminate bias" from AI.

"Even AI, which holds such promise for humanity, too often mirrors and amplifies the same inequalities and racial biases that have plagued us for centuries," Guterres said.

Marquez said although important steps had been taken by the UN in the fight for reparations, such as the creation of the PFPAD, more must be done: "It is not enough to face the challenges of systemic racism the population still faces."

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Brazil's Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco was among other politicians attending the four-day UN forum. Franco said slavery was a crime against humanity and "must be faced with courage".

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also called on states - but also companies, universities and religious groups - to "acknowledge what they did to perpetuate and profit from enslavement and colonialism".

"The harm caused must be repaired," Turk said.

(Reporting by Catarina Demony in London; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York;Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Chelsea Congdon speaks about Senate Bill 25-86 at the Colorado Capitol on April 14, 2025. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

Supporters of a Colorado bill that would set standards for how social media companies respond to users who violate a platforms illegal sales policy are urging Gov. Jared Polis to sign the legislation.

Senate Bill 25-86 passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support, but sponsors fear Polis, a Democrat, will veto it based on First Amendment concerns.

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This bill simply says that for users egregiously harming our kids, they cannot be given endless chances to continue victimizing others. If this kind of conduct that we see on these social media platforms was happening on the street, there would be no question about intervention. None, Sen. Lisa Frizell, a Castle Rock Republican and bill sponsor, said at a press conference Monday at the Capitol in Denver.

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The bill targets social media users who illegally sell drugs and firearms or attempt to sex traffic on the platform. It would require companies to determine if a user violated those policies within 10 days of a notification, during which time their account would be suspended. If a company determines someone broke the policy, it would have 24 hours to kick the user off the site. Those companies would need to comply with a search warrant for materials from Colorado law enforcement within three days.

The legislation is an attempt to protect the young users of social media and help law enforcement identify perpetrators and prosecute cases successfully.

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No one sells fentanyl to a kid online just once and then decides the next day You know what? Im never going to do that again. This is repeated conduct, said Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty. In the meantime, while were waiting for those search warrants to be returned and those records be provided so investigations can move forward, additional people are hurt and killed.

He pointed to multiple drug cases in his district where most of the sales were occurring over social media platforms.

If this kind of conduct that we see on these social media platforms was happening on the street, there would be no question about intervention. None.

 Sen. Lisa Frizell

The bill has bipartisan sponsorship and support. Sen. Lindsey Daugherty, an Arvada Democrat, Rep. Anthony Hartsook, a Parker Republican, and Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a Fort Collins Democrat, ran the bill alongside Frizell. It passed the Senate on a 28-5 vote in February and the House on a 46-18 vote in March. Those margins, if they stick, could override a Polis veto.

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Michael McReynolds, the legislative liaison for the Governors Office of Information Technology, said the office is worried about assigning private social media companies as the arbiters of whether a user broke the law and should be removed from the platform.

Our main concern is the discomfort with this bills reliance on private companies to interpret and enforce the First Amendment. Delegating the nuanced and complex task of balancing free speech rights with the protection of vulnerable populations to private entities raises significant concerns about consistency, transparency and potential for overreach, he told lawmakers during a House committee hearing on the bill in March.

If someone is using an expression and talking about that activity, where is that line and how is that being interpreted? he said.

But that argument is absurd and insulting, according to Chelsea Congdon, who lost her 19-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose in 2020 when he bought counterfeit drugs over Snapchat to ease his pain after a shoulder dislocation.

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There are no First Amendment rights to sell illegal drugs or guns to anyone, especially children, she said. If Senate Bill 86 had been law in 2020, Miles might be alive today. The person who sold him fake Percocet might have been off that platform, and if not before Miles died, then at least before the next kid did.

On Monday afternoon, Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman, sent Newsline a statement about the bill: The Governor wants to protect internet freedom while making Coloradans safer, but has serious concerns about the impact of this bill on freedom, innovation, and privacy. He is not comfortable with the government forcing private social media companies to act as law enforcement, and will review the final version of the legislation.

Under the bill, social media companies would also need to provide an annual report to the state attorney generals office with specific data about illegal firearm sales, drug sales, sex trafficking of minors, and creation of sexually exploitative materials involving minors.

McReynolds also raised concerns about how that data collection provision could interplay with the states data privacy laws.

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The bill has the support of Colorado Ceasefire, the Colorado Childrens Campaign, the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and the Colorado District Attorneys Council.

It still needs to be signed by House Speaker Julie McCluskie before it gets sent to Polis. That begins a 10-day timeline for him to sign or veto it, or it goes into law automatically. If he vetoes it, the Legislature could move to override it with a two-thirds vote. Polis has never had a veto overridden during his time as governor.

Editors note: This story was updated at 5:13 p.m., April 14, 2025, with a statement from the office of Gov. Jared Polis.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has implored US President Donald Trump to visit his country and witness some of the tragedy of the current war before committing to any purported peace solutions with Russia.

Mindful of his abrasive meeting with the US leader in Washington in February, Zelensky reiterated his respect for the US position.

"But please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead," Zelensky told US broadcaster CBS in an interview released on Sunday.

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He hoped that Trump would then understand what he was dealing with, he said.

"You will understand what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin did," he said.

CBS recorded the interview with Zelensky during a visit to his home town of Kryvyi Rih. A Russian missile attack there on April 4 killed 19 people, including 9 children and teenagers. On Sunday, a rocket attack on the Ukrainian town of Sumy killed at least 34 people.

One aggressor - one victim

Zelensky said that, in his opinion, the Russian view of the war, which has been going on for more than three years, has prevailed in the new US administration.

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He was particularly critical of Vice President JD Vance, who led the attack on Zelensky during the White House visit at the end of February.

"I tried to explain that you can't look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim," said the Ukrainian.
Colonel Yurii Yula, commander of the 27th Rocket Artillery Brigade named after Ataman Petro Kalnyshevskyi, was killed in a Russian missile attack on the city of Sumy on 13 April.

Source: Berdychiv City Council; Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster, with reference to Berdychiv District Military Administration; Ukrainska Pravda sources in the defence forces

Quote from Berdychiv City Council: "Ukrainians continue a difficult struggle that will determine the future of the state and civilised society. The bloody war with the occupiers is causing heavy losses to the nation. The best are being killed  those whose hearts beat in unison with their native land. The soldiers are resting in peace, but the memory of their courage and bravery will remain with us forever. The Ukrainian defenders have forever become part of the majestic spirit of a free people.

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The Berdychiv hromada has received the painful news of the death of a Ukrainian defender, professional military colonel Yurii Yula, as a result of a missile attack by the enemy." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Details: According to Berdychiv District Military Administration, Yula sustained fatal injuries as a result of a Russian missile attack on the city of Sumy on 13 April.

Berdychiv City Council and the district administration expressed condolences to Yulas family, friends and brothers-in-arms.

According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, Yuri Yula was a commander of the 27th Rocket Artillery Brigade named after Ataman Petro Kalnyshevskyi.

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Currently, the official websites of Berdychiv City Council and Berdychiv District Military Administration have removed the information about Yula's death.

For reference: Yurii Yula was born on 18 August 1982 in the village of Volevachi in Chernihiv Oblast. He began his military career at the age of 14, when he entered Chernihiv Military Lyceum with enhanced physical training.

In 2005, he graduated from Sumy State University of Missile Forces and immediately joined the 26th Artillery Brigade. During his 11 years of service, he was promoted from platoon commander to chief of staff.

In 2014-2018, Yula led a division of the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade. After that, he returned to the 26th Brigade as deputy commander.

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In 2023, he was appointed commander of the 27th Rocket Artillery Brigade.

Yurii Yula was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, II and III class, for his courage, professionalism and loyalty to the oath.

Background:

Ukraines Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that on 13 April the Russians launched two strikes within a two- and two-and-a-half-minute interval  at 10:15 and 10:17. The attack targeted the city centre and was reportedly carried out with an Iskander-M missile with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The missile travels at a speed of over two kilometres per second.

It was reported that 34 people had been killed in the Russian attack, including two children, aged 17 and 12. A total of 119 people were injured and around 40 were taken to hospital, including 11 in a critical condition.

As a result of the Russian missile attack on Sumy on 13 April, 14 police officers were injured, and there were also fatalities and casualties among members of other services who were responding to the aftermath of the attack.

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At 8:24 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2020, Caroline Darian was a happily married 42-year-old working mother, close to her parents and two brothers, David and Florian, content with a life so ordinary that she would later characterize it as banal.

Then, one minute later, she became someone very different. The phone rang and her life was split in two.

From that moment, Darians personal timeline would exist on two opposing planes: The years before she learned that for more than a decade, her father, Dominique Pelicot, had systematically drugged, raped and enabled more than 70 men to rape her mother, Gisele Pelicot, and the days, weeks and months that followed.

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Days, weeks and months that Darian chronicles with powerful precision and detail in Ill Never Call Him Dad Again: Turning Our Family Trauma of Sexual Assault and Chemical Submission Into a Collective Fight, published in the United States in March. (Caroline Darian is a pen name for Caroline Peyronnet.)

Read more: Ex-husband and 50 men he recruited online found guilty of drugged wife's rape in France

Later on, I learned that those who experience sudden trauma can often only recall a single isolated detail  a smell, a noise, a particular sensation; something infinitely small, which expands to take up all the available space,  Darian writes. For me its the clock on the cooker. Twenty-five minutes past eight, etched in stark white.

In 2020, Dominique Pelicot was arrested for upskirting  attempting to take photos underneath the skirts of three women. During the subsequent search of his phone and computer, police found an enormous cache of photos and videos of Dominique and men he solicited on the internet raping a drugged Gisele.

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Last year, the world watched the Pelicot trial with a mixture of horror and awe  horror at the enormity of the crime, which led to the conviction of 51 men, including Dominique, and awe inspired by Gisele's courage. The tiny woman with the red bob became a feminist icon for her decision to waive her right to anonymity and allow the trial to be made public in order to shift the shame that often surrounds rape, from the victims to the perpetrators.

Gisele Pelicot leaves the Avignon courthouse on Dec. 16, 2024, after hearing the defense's final plea at the trial of her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, who was later found guilty of drugging her for nearly 10 years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in France. (Clement Mahoudeau / AFP via Getty Images)

But Gisele was not the only victim as Ill Never Call Him Dad Again makes clear. The international bestseller, which was published in France in 2022, is drawn from Darians journals of the living nightmare that followed Dominiques arrest.

Day after day, Darian and her brothers attempted to care for their mother as they grappled with a cascade of proof that the loving father and husband they thought they knew was, in reality, a cold, conniving and manipulative monster.

The various concerns they had after Dominique and Gisele moved from Paris to Mazan, a small town in the south of France, now filled them with guilt. Darian and other family members were worried enough about her mothers episodes of mind-numbing fatigue, bouts of memory loss and other physical symptoms to take her to various doctors. But, having no reason to demand a toxicology report and with their father ascribing the symptoms to Giseles tendency to overdo, they were forced to accept vague diagnoses associated with aging.

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Read more: Gisele Pelicot's ex-husband, convicted of drugging and raping her, now caught up in other cases

After the shocking revelations, memories of their mother falling dead asleep at the dinner table, being unable to remember past conversations and, in one instance, experiencing vaginal bleeding, took on new and agonizing meaning.

Then, still reeling from the crimes committed against her mother, Darian was called back to the Mazan police station to be shown two photos of herself, asleep in an unusual position, her buttocks exposed to reveal panties that were not hers. Photos she had absolutely no memory of.

Confronted with these images, and the possibility that she too had been drugged and raped, Darian experienced a mental breakdown and required hospitalization. The passages recounting her shattered emotional state and her understandable fear of the sedatives that were administered to calm her, are terrifying in their battered simplicity and clarity of purpose.

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It was after this breakdown, Darian says, that she became determined to write a near-journalistic account of her experience.

I started writing two weeks after I was released from a psychiatric hospital, she says over Zoom from France. It was a real deep need  I work in communications and this book became a means of survival. First putting down the words, then sharing as a form of therapy.

Caroline Darian says she's proud of her mother's decision to make the trial public. "I told her from the beginning that it could not be closed door," she says. "I told her that would be a gift to only one person." (Arnold Jerocki / Getty Images)

She wanted to recount her story as matter-of-factly as she could so people might understand how a crime like this could be committed, and the widespread damage it had done. It isnt just the Pelicot family that was destroyed, she says. All the other rapists had families too, families who had no idea what they were doing.

As she worked through her own anger, shock and grief, Darian realized that societys ignorance of the prevalent use of drugs in sexual abuse was one reason Dominique had been able to get away with his crimes for so long.

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Id heard of GHB, the date rape drug, but had no idea how widespread it had become, she writes. Nor did I know that rapists were turning more and more to sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medicine  my ignorance strikes me as almost culpable.

With the French publication of Ill Never Call Him Dad Again in 2022, Darian began a campaign to raise awareness about the role drugs play in rape and sexual abuse. Ive received so many testimonials from other women but also teenagers because of incest, when drugs are often used.

With the #MendorsPas (Dont Put Me Under) movement, Darian hopes to help create medical and law enforcement protocol for investigations into potential cases of chemical submission.

Read more: Jury awards $1.68 billion to 40 women in James Toback sexual misconduct lawsuit

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The [general practitioners] my mother saw, the neurologists, they couldnt help, she says. They couldnt analyze her symptoms properly because there were no trends available. We thought she had brain cancer. We thought she had Alzheimers.

Once the truth was discovered, the small Mazan police force was not equipped to deal with the nature of the crimes or the emotional impact on the victims. We were given this information, shown these images and then just left alone, she says. We were offered no support, we were totally alone.

The bulk of the evidence police found involved Dominiques abuse of Gisele, but Darian points out that there were also photos of her and both her sisters-in-law  no woman in our family was spared  as well as connections to cold-case rapes.

Last month, Darian filed new charges against her father, who is also being investigated in connection with several cold cases. Dominique has denied ever touching his daughter. The original investigation lasted two and a half years, but the south of France is a very small place. They were overwhelmed. That is why the investigation focused on Gisele.

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A second book, recently published in France, is Darians account of the trial, during which she openly challenged her fathers denial of harming her, and her work battling chemical submission. She has been working with a politician on a government report that she hopes will offer concrete solutions.

Read more: Sum 41's Deryck Whibley alleges sexual abuse by former manager in new memoir 'Walking Disaster'

I knew I needed to make this useful, she says. I am a mum, I have a job, but I want to add my own experience to help identify victims in France and the world. Im an activist and I knew that if I had to go through this, its not by chance. I have the strength to carry it.

Speaking about her experiences, including those early days when her life cracked apart, hasnt become easier with time  during a 45-minute interview, Darians voice chokes with emotion on more than one occasion, particularly when speaking about her mother. In Ill Never Call Him Dad Again, Darian discusses Giseles refusal to even consider that Dominique would abuse Darian and the wedge that drove between her and her mother.

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Darian is proud of her mothers decision to make the trial public. I told her from the beginning that it could not be closed door, she says. I told her that would be a gift to only one person. Gisele is also working on a memoir, A Hymn to Life, set to be published early next year, but the mother and daughter have limited communication.

We are each on a different path, Darian says. Its too heavy; she needs to recover. She needs to rebuild herself  shes almost 73  and me, Im on another journey. Dominique was judged for her and thats right. The way shes handling this belongs to her, but its too painful for me. She is well-supported and is dealing with her life the way she decided to do. But we are not a family anymore."

Dominique succeeded, she adds sadly. He split our family in two.

Get the latest book news, events and more in your inbox every Saturday.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Police served a Bonney Lake residence with a search warrant on April 4 after they suspected the presence of an illegal marijuana grow operation.

Investigators seized more than 700 plants from the black market grow, according to search warrant records.

Large, sophisticated illegal marijuana farms have not been common in the area for many years, Assistant Bonney Lake Police Chief Ryan Boyle told The News Tribune.

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Pierce County prosecutors have only charged 10 people in the past five years with unlawful use of a building for drug purposes or unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance in connection to a marijuana grow operation, according to data Pierce County Prosecutors Office spokesperson Adam Faber shared with The News Tribune.

The illegal grow operations Pierce County investigates typically involve an out-of-country buyer of a house or building, and police generally see the marijuana products being shipped out of the state, Faber said in an email.

Last year, Tacoma police assisted in executing search warrants for multiple residences across King, Mason and Snohomish counties, seizing 78 pounds of manufactured cannabis product in an operation allegedly run by Chinese nationals.

Police took this photo while serving a search warrant at what they said was an illegal marijuana grow operation at a Bonney Lake residence. Courtesy of Bonney Lake Police

Following the enactment of Initiative 502  which legalized recreational cannabis use and limited adult possession in December 2012  the Drug Enforcement Agency reported that the number of indoor grow sites eradicated each year in Washington state declined. Investigators eradicated 221 indoor grow sites in Washington state in 2011, the DEA reported. That figure dropped to 74 in 2012 and to 38 in 2014, the same year the first recreational cannabis retail stores opened in Washington.

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Yet, there remains incentive for illicit farming, Boyle said: evading Washington states 37% excise tax on cannabis products.

Officers arrested one man and three women on suspicion of unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in connection to the Bonney Lake operation, Boyle said, and theyve been released from custody as they await potential charges. Faber said prosecutors are still reviewing the case, and that no one has been charged yet.

Officers confiscated 729 marijuana plants from a 2,374-square-foot residence on 90th Street Court East, along with a vehicle, a cash counter and growing equipment, including lights, watering systems and timers, according to the search warrant records. Boyle said the farm was well-organized.

This is not for personal use, its not someone growing it for themselves, he added. This is a professional operation made for the black market.

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According to the search warrant records, police had noticed suspicious activity and a floral cannabis odor in the area since February, and they began surveillance of the residence shortly after. Boyle noted that the smell of marijuana alone isnt enough for probable cause  legalization means the odor might not be linked to a crime.

After acquiring a search warrant for the residences electricity bills, police allegedly noticed a sharp increase in power usage shortly after the purchase of the house by the current owner in June 2024.

Police also noticed suspicious construction, an unkempt appearance and unusual comings and goings from the residence, the warrant records allege.

Some comments on the police departments social media post about the arrests criticized law enforcement efforts to end illegal grow operations. Boyle said the large amounts of marijuana and money flowing through residential areas present a public safety hazard.

If you have to smell this and be afraid to have your kids play in your neighborhood, and you have middle-of-the-night transports and sometimes firearms coming through, it invites issues to a community that would generally not have this threat, Boyle said.
FISH Prom deemed a success in La Grange Park

Forty people 13 to 21 years old attended the seventh annual FISH Prom for Teens with Disabilities recently at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park.

The Campus Ministry Department invites previous attendees and spreads the word via local organizations that work with teens who have developmental disabilities. The event is free but attendees dont need to bring a date. Each guest is accompanied by a Nazareth student buddy and receives a photo and flowers, followed by two hours of games, dancing and food.

More than 100 Nazareth students, faculty, staff and community members volunteer for the semiannual event. The prom, which first took place in 2011, was inspired by ASPIRE of Illinois and the Nazareth Friends in Service and Hospitality Service Team, or FISH.

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That night, when young adults walk up the green carpet dressed up like stars and dance the night away, their smiles and laughter fill my heart with happiness, Nazareth Social Studies Department Chairman Anthony Gonzalez shared in a news release. Their excitement at experiencing what every teen should reminds me of why I am in education and why I love being involved at Nazareth.

Leyden High School teachers earn excellence awards

Teachers Teagan Lyke and Eric McFadden of Leyden High School District 212 have been honored by the Illinois State Board of Education as part of its Those Who Excel program.

Lyke, who focuses on vocational training and independent living skills in the special education department, earned an Award of Excellent in Early Career Educator. Shes been with the school since 2021. Recognized teachers must have demonstrated a commitment to equity and to the success of students, a news release noted, as well as collaborating with students, colleagues and families and being lifelong learners who connect their schools to the community at large and who inspire other education professionals within and beyond their schools.

McFadden, who began as a substitute at Leyden in 2005 and joined the staff in 2007, received the Award of Special Recognition as a Classroom Teacher. He focuses on video game design and digital literacy in the business department. His award is given to educators who are valued members of their school community who have been recognized by their colleagues, students, families, and administrators for the skills, passions, and talents they bring to their school community, the release shared.

Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical set at Hinsdale Central

Learn how to make the medicine go down when Hinsdale Central High School Drama presents Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical Performances are at 6 p.m. April 24, 25 and 26 and at 1 p.m. April 27 at the school, 5500 S. Grant St., Hinsdale.

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A holiday party with a character meet and greet is planned after the Sunday matinee. Children and families can meet the cast, explore the sets and enjoy treats and snacks.

The musical is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the film by Walt Disney. Tickets cost $20 for regular admission and $10 for organization group sales and students in kindergarten through 12th grade. They are available at ticketpeak.co/hcdrama.

Enrichment series features author speaking about suffrage

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Associations Monday Enrichment Series offers Suffrage Song: The Haunted History of Gender, Race, and Voting Rights in America at 1:15 p.m. April 28 in the second-floor ballroom at its building, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Featured speaker Caitlin Cass, an author and illustrator, will read excerpts from her book and share images from the process. The Oak Park River Forest High School graduate, a cartoonist and installation artist, publishes Great Moments in Western Civilization Postal Constituent, a bimonthly comic periodical.

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The Monday Enrichment Series, which features art, literature, science, social sciences and music, is free to the public although donations will be accepted. The association was established in 1891 by a group of women who believed charitable activities, civic involvement and education were vital for a community to thrive. Information is at www.nineteenthcentury.org.

U of C Divinity School hosts bestselling author for lecture

New York Times bestselling author Cole Arthur Riley will give a lecture and book signing at 6 p.m April 25 on the University of Chicago campus in Swift Hall, 1025 E. 58th St., Chicago.

The writer, poet and culture critic is being hosted by the Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School. A reception follows, and copies of Rileys books will be available to buy before and after the lecture.

Riley wrote This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us and Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human. Her writing has been featured in The Atlantic, The Washington Post and Guernica. Riley is also the creator and writer of Black Liturgies, a project that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body.

RSVP at martycenter.org/events/cole-arthur-riley-colver-lecture. Information is at 773-702-7049.

Send news to pioneerwest@tribpub.com.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  The operator of the Keystone oil pipeline restarted the system Monday after a spill onto farmland in North Dakota last week shut down the line.

South Bow said it was watching inclement weather conditions before beginning a carefully controlled restart that will include 24/7 monitoring, reduced operating pressures, cleanup of the site and compliance with federal regulators' requirements. The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said South Bow restarted the pipeline at a reduced pressure.

The failed section was dug out and replaced and will be taken to a metallurgical lab in Houston for testing, while the repaired pipeline will be tested at different pressures to ensure its integrity, PHMSA said.

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The agency's investigation is ongoing. It is unclear what caused the spill.

The company said it has finished all repairs, inspections and testing at the spill site. PHMSA said it signed off on the company's restart plan.

South Bow also said it will put certain pressure restrictions on the pipeline's Canadian sections, and has shared those details with Canadian regulators.

The company's update did not mention a cause of the spill, though the company said it would share investigation findings when available. An employee heard a mechanical bang" and shut down the pipeline within two minutes, a state spill response official previously said.

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The spill is estimated at 3,500 barrels, or 147,000 gallons. Vacuum trucks had recovered 1,170 barrels of crude oil, or 49,140 gallons, as of early Friday, according to PHMSA.

The spill occurred in a field north of Fort Ransom, North Dakota, a tiny town in a forested area known for scenic views and outdoor recreation.

The 2,689-mile (4,327 kilometers) Keystone Pipeline carries crude oil from Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas.

The pipeline was shut down from Alberta to points in Illinois and a liquid tank terminal Oklahoma, though the line remained open between Oklahoma and Texas' Gulf Coast, according to a map from South Bow.

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Lower oil prices due to tariff issues helped mute challenges from the pipeline shutdown on gas prices, though diesel prices could still inch up, said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at the University of Houston.

Gas prices have fallen in almost every state in the last week due to the oil price drop resulting from the tariff and trade war concerns, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, which tracks gas prices.

I wouldn't have expected this to really have much of an impact anyway, but with oil prices actively having plummeted over the last week, yes, I would say that the decline was more than offset, he said.
You can search for dams using the National Inventory of Dams at https://nid.sec.usace.army.mil/#/. (Screenshot, National Inventory of Dams)

Unlike most states, New Hampshire owns a significant portion of dams within its borders  276 of more than 2,600. Sustainably funding their upkeep poses challenges that lawmakers are still trying to solve.

Current revenues make the rehabilitation schedule for the state-owned dams a century long, according to a study committee report published in the fall, amounting to about $414 million. Some are more urgent than others; for instance, of the 64 state-owned dams classified as high hazard  meaning their failure could result in loss of life  33 are in poor condition, according to the chief engineer at the Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau.

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Dam upkeep has been largely funded through capital improvement appropriations, but the department has sought a more sustainable funding model, prompting the study committee and a bill this session that offered a path for more reliable funds. That bill has been retained in committee, however, as lawmakers continue to weigh what that model should be.

Its imperative, in my view, that we find a sustainable funding source, DES Commissioner Robert R. Scott told lawmakers at a committee hearing in February. I will say, the actual mechanism of how the funding happens, were agnostic at this point. We just want to make sure that ultimately we get to a point where we can find a sustainable way to fund these dams and make sure, again, New Hampshires economy and people are safe and sustained.

If a dam is in an unsafe condition, Scott said, it is possible we will be forced to unilaterally lower the level of that dam to make it safe.

He added: This is not a case where if things arent funded, its OK. The dam deteriorates whether you fund it or not, stating the obvious, I know.

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Theres likely thousands of properties and road crossings that would be impacted if state-owned dams failed, Corey Clark, the bureaus chief engineer, told lawmakers. But he also noted that only 27 of the state-owned dams are flood control structures, meaning about 90% arent for flood retention. There would likely be less of a risk to those downstream individuals if that dam wasnt in place, Clark said. Because that dam is there, the water body is created; the threat is created.

More of the state-owned dams have been classified as high hazard over time  roughly doubling over the last 20 years  because of people moving downstream of them. This classification doesnt actually say anything about the condition of the dam, but rather describes the risk it poses if it were to ever fail. And, Clark told lawmakers, a higher hazard dam must meet higher thresholds for handling storm events and other criteria, meaning they require work to meet those standards after being reclassified.

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte recommended the Legislature appropriate $10.81 million in capital improvements for dam repairs and reconstruction in House Bill 25. The Dam Bureau has seen an increase in capital appropriations over the last several budget cycles due to the ongoing needs at state-owned dams, Clark said in an email. He told lawmakers the bureau currently relies solely on capital funds for major repair projects.

In 2019, that capital appropriation was over $4.14 million; in 2021, it was $8.1 million; and in 2023, because of a $30 million influx of federal funds, it was $750,000, Clark said.

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This is not a knock on the General Court, but the level of funding weve been receiving puts us on a 100-year cycle to rehabilitate the 276 dams, Scott said, and that  was very concerning for me.

The money being appropriated this year will be used to address issues at several state-owned dams from preparing designs to performing construction, Clark said. Still, while this will certainly help address the backlog of capital needs at state-owned dams, he said, it is likely that more funding will be needed in the future to fully address the needs at these dams. Of the $414 million needed, $300 million is for the 64 state-owned high hazard dams alone, he said.

Another budget bill, House Bill 2, proposes increasing annual registration and permitting fees for dams, paid by public and private owners, and sets up a mechanism so the fees increase automatically each year starting in 2027 in line with changes in consumer prices. These fees go to the bureaus dam safety program, Clark said, which is responsible for ensuring that over 2,600 regulated dams in the state are constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with dam safety regulations, as well as reviewing and approving all emergency action plans required for significant and high hazard dams and with assisting state and local officials and dam owners during times of flooding or dam related emergencies.

The programs work is funded through registration and permitting fees, as well as the general fund. With the fee increases, the program will be able to continue providing the same services to dam owners and the public without the need for state general fund appropriations, Clark said. These are the first time the fees, introduced in 1990, have been increased since 2007, he said.

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The study committee launched this summer sought to find a sustainable solution to funding repairs. The bipartisan group of lawmakers held five public hearings on the topic of the state-owned dams, and ultimately recommended fees aimed at prime beneficiaries of dams  boaters and those on waterfront properties.

But the proposal faced an uphill battle in the Legislature. The House Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee voted to retain House Bill 629, which aims to implement those recommendations. In online testimony submissions, 26 were opposed and seven in support. A number of those against the bill felt it was unfair to waterfront property owners and could pose substantial financial burdens for some, arguing that others use and benefit from the water bodies.

Sara Holland, a real estate broker and chair of the public policy committee of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, said funding the maintenance should be a collective responsibility not solely borne by a subset of property owners.

Targeting only waterfront property owners for dam maintenance funding is inequitable as it disregards the broader community that benefits from the dams existence, Holland said, including recreational users and businesses that gain from tourism and water resources.

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Part of the departments goal at this juncture, its commissioner said, is to raise awareness.

I truly believe the average citizen doesnt really think about the dam thats holding up the impoundment, Scott said. Im here to tell you  unless youre using a canoe or a kayak, I guarantee you that water body youre putting your boat in, for example, is supported by a dam.
ATHENS, WV (WVNS)  Concord University (CU) is set to participate in the Patriots Day parade and events in Concord, Massachusetts on April 19, 2025.

According to a press release, the events coincide with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, which began with the battles of Concord and Lexington. To mark the anniversary, the town of Concord, MA is inviting organizations nationwide with Concord in their name to attend and be acknowledged.

The Concord Cousins group was crafted by Rob Morrison, a Concord, MA resident who has traveled to 93 out of the 94 Concord cousins since he began his quest in 2015.

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Elizabeth Chandler, the library director at CU, and Lindsay Byars, director of marketing and communications at CU, will appear for the university and the Mountain State (originally named Concord Church in 1872) in the festivities.

Multipurpose business brings Monroe County community together through shared love of music

It is exciting for us to meet others across the nation who represent agreement and harmony, also known as concord. By us coming together to walk in the parade, we are recognizing the importance of these values, as our founders did. Elizabeth Chandler | Library Director, Concord University

We are very proud of our beautiful campus and rich history in West Virginia, and we look forward to representing the Mountain Lion Family and West Virginia in these historic festivities. Lindsey Byars | Director of Marketing and Communications, Concord University

Members from 11 Concords will take part in the parade and festivities. Morrison also connected visitors with host families to serve as guides and welcome committees during visits, the release stated.

From McDowell County to the biggest stages in America; local singer honored

The town of Athens around Concord University is full of warm, supportive people, and it seems Concord, MA shares that spirit. Were grateful for the invitation an look forward to the experience. Lindsey Byars

The thoughtfulness of the event organizers and townspeople during preparations for the event makes us feel like we are working with our own Concordians at home. Elizabeth Chandler

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Further information on the Concord250 festivities and parade can be found on the events 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 WVNS.
American technology companies hoping for relief from President Trumps trade war with China grappled with further uncertainty Monday, left to decipher whether a government policy exempting businesses that are core to the U.S. economy from crippling tariffs could be relied upon.

An industry that plans product launches and manufacturing years in advance faced four days of vacillation from the White House, which appeared torn over how much assistance to provide U.S. companies that make the nations smartphones and watches, computers, tablets and semiconductors.

Within the administration, concern had begun to percolate over projected price increases for popular American products, such as the iPhone, which analysts said could triple in cost if Apple were forced in a trade war to manufacture the devices at home. An announcement Friday, exempting technology products from most of Trumps tariff hike of 145% on imports from China, was meant to buy companies time to prepare, according to an official familiar with the matter.

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But it also reinforced a reliance on Chinese manufacturing that has driven Trumps aggressive trade policies in the first place, prompting him to vow, in one form or another, to onshore some of the industrys most complicated supply chains.

Read more: Stocks rally worldwide after Trump eases some of his tariffs on electronics, for now

The result was a temporary rally Monday for tech stocks on Wall Street, followed by a whimper and a second rebound by the closing bell  yet another day of turbulence in markets that have come to react to the presidents every word on tariff policy.

Look, Im a very flexible person, Trump told reporters Monday when asked about exemptions. I dont change my mind, but Im flexible.

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The president said he had agreed to give assistance to Apple after speaking with its chief executive, Tim Cook. He also said he would provide temporary relief to automakers that need time to adjust to the coming tariffs, leading stocks for car companies to soar.

There will be, maybe, things coming up, Trump said. I speak to Tim Cook. I helped Tim Cook recently, and that whole business. I dont want to hurt anybody. But the end result is were going to get to a position of greatness for our country.

Exempt, for now

Guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday evening came as welcome news in Silicon Valley: Major technology products would be exempt from the 125% levy against Beijing in what Trump calls "reciprocal" tariffs. The term is generally understood to mean charging an equal rate on imports as the other nation charges on exports. But Trump is imposing higher rates.

But the White House quickly tempered expectations around that exemption the next morning, with Peter Navarro, a counselor to the president, saying that the policy is no exemptions, no exclusions, and with the presidents commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, saying in an interview that tariffs on technology products would come within a month or two through a different mechanism.

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Theyre exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but theyre included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two, Lutnick said. These are things that are national security that we need to be made in America.

The White House communications office emailed out Lutnicks remarks to the news media, amplifying his message, before Trump weighed in on social media.

NOBODY is getting off the hook for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers, that other Countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst! the president wrote. There was no Tariff exception announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff bucket.

Signs emerged Monday of what that "bucket" would entail when the Trump administration moved to open national security investigations into the import of computer chips  an inquiry that could serve as a pretext for new tariffs on the products.

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Amid confusion over the policy, the New York Times reported Sunday that China had suspended the export of rare earth minerals that are crucial to the manufacturing of electrical components for computer chips used in smartphones, among a host of other products, including cars and missiles.

Courting Trump's favor

In an overture to Trump, Apple's Cook had committed in February to spend $500 billion on manufacturing and engineering in the United States over the next four years. Still, within Apple and other Big Tech companies, fears persist over the duration of the tariff exemptions  and how to proceed with product planning when the Trump administration, at any given moment and at the presidents whim, might change its mind.

Read more: 'Nowhere to hide.' How Apple and others in Silicon Valley are bracing for Trump tariffs

Another California-based company, Nvidia, announced Monday that it would begin manufacturing chips and supercomputers in the United States for the first time  a development that was promptly promoted by the president from the Oval Office.

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The engines of the worlds AI infrastructure are being built in the United States for the first time, Jensen Huang, founder and chief executive of Nvidia, said in a news release. Adding American manufacturing helps us better meet the incredible and growing demand for AI chips and supercomputers, strengthens our supply chain and boosts our resiliency.

Aaron Klein, a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, said it would be a challenge for technology firms  or any business  to respond coherently to a policy that he called "nonsensical."

"Rational economics is ill-suited to respond to how Trump is behaving," Klein said. The tariffs appear to be designed to maximize Trump's personal leverage over the largest companies on Earth, and make Trump the epicenter of all global news, so that markets and society are hanging on his every word."

All these tech firms are acting shocked," he added, "that the president is going through with what he has been promising to do his whole career.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (WFLA)  Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference with Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue in Kissimmee Monday morning.

The governor discussed projects related to the Moving Florida Forward initiative, which aims to accelerate construction on critical roadways across the state.

We have at least 20 major interstate and roadway projects that have been expedited through Moving Florida Forward, he said.

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DeSantis highlighted some of the major projects underway: the addition of regular and express lanes on I-275 in Pinellas County, the redesign of Golden Glades interchange on I-95 in Miami, reconstruction of the Fruitville interchange on I-75 in Sarasota County, the widening of US-98 in Bay County and the addition of auxiliary lanes to I-75 in Ocala.

The conference on Monday served as an announcement of the upcoming completion of another major project, the addition of congestion relief lanes to one of the busiest sections of I-4 between Polk and Osceola Counties.

The new relief lanes will open the week of April 28, which DeSantis emphasized was eight months ahead of schedule.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)  The state celebrated National IEP Writing Day on Monday. IEP stands for Individualized Education Program, and those programs form the backbone of special education in Connecticut.

But in celebrating the day, experts are also talking about how the states special education system is badly in need of reform.

Gov. Ned Lamont signs $40M special education funding bill

Just two months ago, Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill allocating an extra $40 million for special education. This month, educators and politicians are celebrating one of the uses for that money: the IEP.

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They are personalized plans designed by teams of parents, educators, and students to meet each learners unique needs, Dep. Commissioner Sinthia Sone-Moyano of the Connecticut Department of Education said.

That means every single IEP is different for every student.

They are a vital tool that helps ensure that every student receives the education that is personalized to them that they need to thrive, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz (D-CT) said at a press conference at New Britain High School Monday.

Connecticut high school graduate cant read or write. Who failed her?

New Britain has one of the largest high schools in the state, but even a school that large size does not have the resources needed to deal with all the different special needs of students. That means it has to send some students out of the district, and that costs money.

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Here in New Britain, were anticipating $3 million additional to be spent on outplacements next year, New Britain Consolidated School District Superintendent Tony Gasper said. Thats despite all of our best efforts to serve these students right here close to home, which of course, wed prefer.

Every district would prefer to keep students in the district. A legislative subcommittee has been going across the state talking to people about the needs and costs of special education.

And one thing we realized is we have to do something right now because we are getting to a crisis point, State Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-22nd district) said. Not only with rising costs, but with workload burdens

There will be a legislative hearing on special education next Monday, April 21.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  A worker doing asphalt repairs on the West Virginia Turnpike was struck and killed Monday morning in Kanawha County.

According to a release from the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT), a West Virginia Turnpike employee doing asphalt work was struck by a tractor-trailer at around 11 a.m. near the 92.5 mile marker of Interstate 77 South near Marmet.

The release said that the tractor-trailer driver was approaching an active work zone and swerved to avoid it. However, the trailer swung into the work zone and struck the worker, killing him.

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Route 50 traffic in Clarksburg being detoured after tractor trailer accident

WVDOT officials said that the driver stopped after the collision and is cooperating with authorities. The West Virginia State Police is investigating the incident and reviewing video footage from the tractor-trailers onboard camera.

911 officials told 12 News Charleston affiliate that I-77 South was completely shut down at the time of the incident. As of 3 p.m., one lane of traffic has reopened.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
TOWN OF EXETER, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A Hartwick man was taken into custody on Friday following a domestic incident in the Town of Exeter.

New York State Police announced the arrest of 54-year-old Mark Baily. Baily, a convicted felon, is facing charges for his alleged involvement in the dispute as well as illegal gun possession.

On April 11, at approximately 7:49 p.m., New York State Police responded to a residence on Robinson Road for a reported domestic dispute. According to police, the dispute started off verbal but turned physical.

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Baily is also being accused of pointing a loaded crossbow at a victims vehicle as they attempted to drive away from the area.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Baily owns several guns but is not allowed to possess firearms due to his status as a convicted felon.

Baily has been charged with the following misdemeanors:

Menacing in the Second Degree

Assault in the Third Degree

Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree

Baily was issued appearance tickets to the Exeter Town Court on May 14.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
CUTLERVILLE, Mich. (WOOD)  A Cutlerville man is facing child porn charges for allegedly sharing child sexually abusive material online, state police say.

The Michigan State Police said that 35-year-old Zechariah Noah Hoogerhyde was charged on Friday with three counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material, three counts of using a computer to commit a crime, and one count of sex offender  failure to register address.

The most serious charge holds a 10-year prison sentence.

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He is being held without bond, according to jail records.

MSP said that he was arrested following an investigation that began after troopers learned that Hoogerhyde was sharing files of child sexually abusive material online.

According to the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, Hoogerhyde was previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct, fourth degree (force or coercion), out of Berrien County in 2009.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Slightly cooler air moved into western New Mexico today, but many locations in eastern New Mexico broke more record highs.

Forecast Continues Below

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A stronger cold front will move in from the northeast tonight, 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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
The suspect behind the attempted arson of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros home Sunday night as the family slept inside has been identified by authorities.

Cody Balmer, 38, is in custody and will be charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person, local authorities said at a news conference Sunday.

They alleged that Balmer entered the residence by crossing over a fence with homemade incendiary devices in his possession. He was apprehended later on Sunday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a press conference outside of the Governor's Mansion after a portion of the property was damaged in an arson fire on April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. / Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

Though Shapiro said a motive is still unknown, he claimed the attack was targeted during the news conference.

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If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: We celebrated our faith last night, proudly and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover, Shapiro said. Again, proudly, no one will deter me or my family, or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly.

This type of violence is not OK, he continued. This kind of violence has become far too common in our society. And I dont give a damn if its coming from one side or the other  It is not OK and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.

Shapiro and his family woke up at 2 a.m. on Sunday to police banging on their door about the fire, the 51-year-old wrote in a statement on social media.

He wrote that an arsonist had set fire to the Governors Residence in Harrisburg, and that local emergency responders had swiftly arrived at the scene to put out the fire.

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We were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police. Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished, Shapiro continued. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family  and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe."

Authorities say the suspect hopped over a fence and managed to evade police before forcibly entering the residence and setting it on fire. Police deputy commissioner George Bivens said it appeared to have been meticulously planned. Shapiro confirmed the fire was set in the room the family had celebrated Passover that night.

Extensive fire damage to the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion and Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence is seen during a press conference on April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. / Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

Pennsylvania State Police said in a statement earlier on Sunday that the fire had caused a significant amount of damage to part of the residence. They added that despite the investigation still being ongoing, they were prepared to say that it was an act of arson.

In an X post Sunday afternoon, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman described the incident as truly appalling and said whoever did this must be held to the fullest extent of the law.

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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also expressed his concerns on X and the alarming implications of the incident occurring during Passover.

While we wait to learn more, this much is clear: the targeting of a public official and his family - especially a prominent Jewish official on a major Jewish holiday - is unconscionable and has no place in our country, Buttigieg wrote.

Extensive fire damage to the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion and Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence is seen during a press conference on April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. / Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

Shapiro was elected Pennsylvania governor in 2022. He previously served as state attorney general for six years. A rising star in the Democratic Party, Shapiro made the list for Kamala Harris picks for vice-presidential candidates during her campaign in late 2024. The position ultimately went to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz however. He also has been widely regarded as a contender for the 2028 presidential race.
A man who died after being hit by two vehicles on April 10 has been identified.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As News Center 7 previously reported, Dayton officers and medics responded before 9:30 p.m. to Salem Avenue and Philadelphia Drive on reports of a crash.

TRENDING STORIES:

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A spokesperson for Dayton Police said a Dodge Ram was going south on Philadelphia Drive at Salem Avenue when it hit a man, identified by the Montgomery County Coroners Office as 47-year-old Ryan Rice.

After that, a Chevrolet Malibu went in the same direction and hit Rice.

Police said the cars had green lights, and Rice did not obey the Do Not Walk sign.

Rice was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.

We will continue to follow this story.

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New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker is calling for congressional hearings into allegations of insider trading after President Donald Trump urged people to buy stocks before he backtracked on his tariff policy.

There is enough of an offense here, theres enough smoke here that should demand congressional hearings, Booker NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday.

Last week, Democratic members of Congress began pressing for answers as to whether the president, his family, administration officials and allies had improperly traded after Trump declared this is a great time to buy following chaos in the market after his sweeping tariffs went into effect.

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Hours later, Trump announced that most of the tariffs would be put on a 90-day pause, prompting the stock market to skyrocket.

When was asked if Democrats have any evidence of illicit trading, the senator didnt directly answer the question but instead criticized the Trump administration and noted that Congress needs to act on its oversight responsibilities.

These are real, legitimate, justifiable questions, said the senator. Not to have hearings, not to do any kind of oversight, undermines the faith we have in our government, undermines the trust we need in our nation right now.

Democratic Senator Cory Booker is calling for congressional hearings into possible insider trading following Trumps tariff pause (Getty Images)

Nineteen House Democrats sent a letter last week to the top official at the Securities and Exchange Commission asking for an immediate investigation into possible insider trading and market manipulation in the time preceding Trumps tariff pause.

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Two Democratic senators, Californias Adam Schiff and Arizonas Ruben Gallego, also asked the White House for answers, as well as the U.S. trade representative, regarding their concerns about possible unlawful actions connected with Trumps trade policy announcements.

A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, rejected the notion that Trump was trying to manipulate the market, according to NBC News.

It is the responsibility of the President of the United States to reassure the markets and Americans about their economic security in the face of nonstop media fearmongering, he said last week. Democrats railed against Chinas cheating for decades, and now theyre playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trumps decisive action yesterday to finally corner China.

Booker subsequently chose not to rule out a 2028 presidential campaign after his record-breaking 25-hour Senate speech, and there was speculation that hes looking ahead to the upcoming Democratic primary. He ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020 but dropped out of the race before Iowa caucuses. He endorsed former President Joe Biden.

Im focused on today and my re-election in 26, he told Meet the Press on Sunday. Ive already announced to the people of New Jersey. Im hoping theyll allow me to be their senator for another six years. And lets be clear, Im proud of the work that weve done over the last six years.
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah (ABC4)  The Cottonwoods Connection project  which aims to connect the water supplies of both the Big and Little Cottonwood water treatment plants  resumes on Monday, April 14.

The project will allow for untreated water to be transferred to either plant for treatment. That means that if either plants needs to be reduced in capacity or taken offline while under construction, there will still be a continuous water supply.

Here are some key elements of the project:

Add new steel pipeline parallel to existing Salt Lake Aqueduct

Replace the capacity of the existing Little Cottonwood Conduit pipeline

Protect against seismic activity

Optimize the use of limited water resources

Create long-term resiliency to overall water system

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Work will be completed on Cottonwoods Connection 1  just one of three pipelines that make up the project. The pipeline is reportedly a 36-inch steel pipe beginning at the existing Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant and moves west, meeting at the existing Salt Lake Aqueduct near Nutree Drive.

What to Expect

Fort Union Blvd. from 3000 East to Wasatch Blvd. will be closed to through traffic. Detour signs will be posted.

Access to Fort Union Blvd. from Nutree Drive will be closed. Local residents will have access on either side of Nutree Drive. Expect daytime construction and occasional weekend work. This project will be ongoing throughout the summer.

See a map of the closure below.

Courtesy of Utah Dept. of Transportation

The project will reportedly save 24,000 acre-feet of storage in Deer Creek Reservoir annually during the construction of the Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant. This is the equivalent of fulfilling the water needs of around 110,000 people.

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This project is a joint effort from the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities and the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy.

For more information on the Cottonwoods Connection project, visit their website here.

Latest headlines:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of a massive explosion in Northwest Austin that injured six people, leveled an entire home and damaged two dozen other dwellings.

Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell, whose office will determine the cause of Sundays detonation, released a statement Monday saying his office will not release any information or speculate on causes until the investigation is complete.

Yesterdays tragic events will remain under investigation until all relevant facts and evidence are gathered, examined, and confirmed, Howell said in the statement.

Firefighters walk on rubble at the site of a home explosion on Double Spur Loop on Sunday in North Austin. Officials said the explosion originated inside a recently constructed home and the cause is under investigation. Two residents of the home were taken to the hospital.

According to the Austin Fire Department, the probe is fire-related rather than criminal  at least for now. The department also has said that the home that exploded, as well as one nearby that collapsed, had propane tanks rather than underground gas service.

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Assistant Fire Chief Thayer Smith said Monday that inspectors gave final approval to the homes propane tank 15 days ago, though he said he wasnt sure which agency was responsible for the signoff.

Several neighbors told the American-Statesman on Monday that the home was recently built and that they did not know the owners.

As the investigation continues, the American-Statesman spoke with experts about how such explosions can occur and who might be at fault, depending on the cause.

What do we know about the source of the explosion?

The direct source of the explosion remains unclear.

Attorney Jesus Garcia Jr. with Kherkher Garcia LLP, a law firm that specializes in gas explosions, said currently available information suggests the explosion was a gas leak of some sort, whether it's either natural gas or propane.

Rubble is all that remains Monday April 14, 2025, of a house on Double Spur Loop in Northwest Austin that exploded Sunday.

Even if a home is not directly serviced with natural gas, Garcia added, nearby leaks can travel through sewer lines and even soil.

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If I were a gambling man, I'm betting on one of those, Garcia said.

How do home explosions occur?

Typically, two things must happen for a massive explosion to occur: a flammable vapor (natural gas, propane) needs to build up in a contained area, and something must ignite it, according to Scott Davis, president of Gexcon, an engineering and consulting firm that specializes in fire and explosion safety.

The garage doors on a home are bowed in near the site of a home explosion on Double Spur Loop on Sunday in North Austin. Officials said the explosion originated inside a recently constructed home and the cause is under investigation. Two residents of the home were taken to the hospital.

That ignition source can be as small as an electric shock produced by human skin, Davis said. Other culprits include activated light switches, appliances and candles.

If gases are contained, like in a house, pressure starts to build, Davis said.

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The house lets go if the (vapor) cloud is big enough, he said.

How those flammable vapors get inside a home is a more complex issue.

In the case of propane tanks, the lines that deliver the gas to the home can deteriorate and leak, Garcia said. More commonly, a stove could be left on for an extended period of time.

While gas leaks are often the cause of home explosions, Davis said they can also stem from gasoline spills or the accumulation of the welding gas acetylene. But he said the quantity of gasoline and chemicals would have to be very large to lead to a catastrophic detonation.

Who is liable for the explosion?

Its unclear as authorities have not yet determined the cause.

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Garcia said several different parties could be at fault in the case of a propane tank leak: the homeowner, the company that installed the tank, the company that filled and serviced the tank, or the company that produced the tank.

He noted that for any faults below a building's natural gas meter, a box outside a building that gages gas usage, the utility is typically responsible for leaks.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What could have caused the Northwest Austin home explosion?
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso County Commissioners Court is scheduled to get an update about the recent measles cases that have been confirmed in the El Paso area.

Commissioners Court is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 14 at the County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio, third floor.

City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza is scheduled to brief Commissioners Court on data and methods of prevention, according to a news release sent out by the County.

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El Paso health officials confirm 3 new measles cases

During the past week, the City of El Pasos Public Health Department has confirmed five cases of measles in the El Paso area, including one at Fort Bliss. Three new cases were confirmed by the City on Friday.

The Associated Press reported that there have been more than 700 measles cases in the U.S. this year, which surpassed last years total for the nation. The vast majority  more than 540  have been in Texas, but cases have be confirmed in 23 other states, the Associated Press said. Two Texas children have died.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing. It can remain 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, followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the rest of the body.

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According to a news release sent out by the City of El Paso on Friday, individuals who are most at risk for contracting measles are people who are unvaccinated, have traveled to an area with ongoing measles outbreaks or are immuno-compromised.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Spanish police said Monday that they had arrested two people suspected of selling online exotic cats including protected species such as white tigers and pumas, and had confiscated 19 felines in the operation.

Officers arrested the couple on the island of Majorca, where they are suspected of raising desert lynxes and servals, a wild cat native to Africa, as well as hybrid species created by crossing these breeds with domestic cats, police said in a statement. According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the two suspects arrested are Russian.

Further investigations found that their activities were just "the tip of the iceberg" of an international trafficking operation of protected species such as white tigers and black panthers "involving breeders, transporters and veterinarians," the Spanish Civil Guard and Interior Ministry said in a news release.

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"Most of the animals offered for sale came from countries such as Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to be smuggled into the European Union," they added.

Police suspect the animals were brought into the European Union via Poland from Belarus, and were then offered across the bloc with false documentation.

Among the other species the couple offered for sale on its social media accounts were European lynxes, hyenas and pumas. Officials released several images showing the cats in enclosures and officers collecting evidence.

Tigres blancos, panteras nebulosas, linces boreales, hienas... era lo que ofrecian online los detenidos por @guardiacivil en #Mallorca



 La operacion iniciada por el #Seprona ha destapado una organizacion criminal que actuaba a nivel global



https://t.co/GOG8NurKDH pic.twitter.com/tP28IZLMaD  Ministerio del Interior (@interiorgob) April 14, 2025

Police said the suspects had offered a clouded leopard, one of the world's most rare and elusive cats, at a price of 60,000 euros ($68,000).

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Officers also seized a caracal, a desert lynx known for its distinctive long ear tufts, as well as two servals and 16 hybrid felines.

They also seized more than 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus and China as part of the operation.

Police said that attempts to breed and keep exotic cats as pets are widespread in Russia and Ukraine, and the trend has expanded to other countries.

"These species require a lot of space," police said. "Furthermore, they are very aggressive and can pose a danger to people or other animals, so many people end up getting rid of these specimens."

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Neighbors came to the rescue after a blaze broke out at a home in Madison late Saturday night.

My wife and I walked outside and noticed a big cloud of smoke, said Josh Withenshaw, who lives in the neighborhood.

Withenshaw said he and his wife didnt hear any sirens, so they drove down to the burning Harrington Avenue house and called 911

First responders rescue bicyclist from bottom of embankment in Murfreesboro

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We started honking the horn to get people to wake up and realize what was going on, and then I ran up to the house, started pounding on the door, pounded on the door for a few minutes, and eventually the family woke up and came out as the firefighters were arriving, Withenshaw told News 2.

News 2 stopped by the home, which now has a tarp covering the roof.

The shed was on fireI think there were gas cans were in there and stuff, and there were some explosions, Withenshaw recalled.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to Withenshaw, the family who lives in the house made it out safely.

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News 2 reached out to the Nashville Fire Department for additional information about the incident, but we have yet to hear back. As of publication, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
CHICAGO  Chicago police are warning the public after a string of armed robberies where the victims are waiting for their rideshare in the Wrigleyville and Gold Coast neighborhoods.

In each of the above incidents, the victims were leaving a bar and waiting for a Lyft or Uber on the street. Thats when the suspect(s) approached them with a handgun and/or assaulted them while demanding their property before running off, according to investigators.

Police said the robberies happened over the last few months at the following times and locations:

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3500 block of N. Clark St on January 5, 2025 at 1:30 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

3500 block of N. Clark St on January 5, 2025 at 2:30 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

3500 block of N. Clark St on January 11, 2025 at 1:10 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

10 block of W. Division St on January 11, 2025 at 3:00 a.m. (Gold Coast)

10 block of E. Elm St on January 12, 2025 at 2:16 a.m. (Gold Coast)

1000 block of W. Newport on February 9, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

3500 block of N. Clark on February 23, 2025 at 1:55 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

3600 block of N. Clark on February 23, 2025 at 3:45 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

3500 block of N. Clark on March 9, 2025 at 3:00 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

20 block of W. Division on March 29, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. (Gold Coast)

3500 block of N. Clark on April 13, 2025 at 1:30 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

3500 block of N. Clark on April 13, 2025 at 1:40 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

1000 block of W. Cornelia on April 13, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. (Wrigleyville)

It doesnt surprise me that something like this is happening here. Especially on busy nights, theres so many taxi cabs, Ubers, Wrigleyville resident Niko said.

Chicago police request publics help to find $10,000 violin stolen from Blue Line train

Police said in several incidents, the victims banking information was accessed via cellphones taken during the robbery.

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Police described the suspects as three to four young men between the ages of 16 and 25.

Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th Ward, released the following statement regarding the robberies:

Nothing is more important than the safety of the 44th Ward and Im in constant communication with CPD to ensure we prevent these crimes from occurring. While we have seen a recent decline in robberies in our police district, I encourage all residents to always be cautious of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior. 44th Ward Alderman Lawson

Anyone with information is asked to call Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #P25-3-006B.

Additional tips from CPD:

Be aware of your surroundings

Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible

Never pursue a fleeing assailant, provide the information to the police

Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, limp, acne, teeth, etc.)

If video surveillance is available, save and make a copy of the incident for investigating detectives

If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information

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Whether you call them crane flies or "skeeter" hawks, the spindly-legged flying insect is an annoyance to humans and a plaything for pets every spring.

Crane flies begin to emerge from grassy areas around this time of year, and can be seen throughout the Oklahoma City area. You might have seen them in your yard, or they might have snuck into the house. But science tells us you shouldn't be worried.

Also known as mosquito hawks, crane flies can emerge from the larval stage at over 2 inches long with a 3-inch wingspan. A closer inspection would reveal lots of differences beyond size but, at a glance, a crane fly looks like a really big mosquito. It's also sometimes referred to as a daddy long-legs, due to its resemblance to the spider of the same name.

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Here's what to know about the flying insects seen around Oklahoma:

What do crane flies eat?

Adult crane flies don't eat anything. Their short lifespan is spent trying to find a mate, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Before they emerge from the ground, crane fly larvae (sometimes called leatherjackets) munch on things like plant roots. In this phase of their development, they help with the removal of decomposing organic matter.

Its nickname - "mosquito hawk", shortened in some areas to just "skeeter" hawk - suggests they hunt mosquitoes. That's a misnomer, however.

Crane flies are annoying, but harmless

So far in 2025, Oklahoma hasn't yet seen the same explosion of crane flies observed in previous years. Their adult population is affected by weather patterns and the amount of moisture in the ground during their life cycle.

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But even when there are enough crane flies above ground that you want to avoid them, it's important to remember that they are harmless.

Dawn Gouge, an entomologist and integrated pest management specialist with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, told The Arizona Republic that crane flies are gentle giants.

A crane fly lands on an Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus densiflorus), April 25, 2023 at Carrizo Plain National Monument during the "Superbloom" wildflower explosion, near Santa Margarita, California. - After years of drought heavy winter rains created an explosion of wildflowers known as a "superbloom" in southern and central California. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

We do have some mosquitoes stirring, so sometimes people will get bitten by mosquitoes and theyll see the most obvious thing, these huge mosquito-like creatures, and jump to the wrong conclusion, Gouge said.

After mating, the males die and the females get to work laying eggs under the earth.

What attracts crane flies?

The bugs are attracted to light, so people are likely to see them around entrances to homes and other well-lit areas.

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During a population explosion, bodies of dead crane flies can be carried by the wind and accumulate in some areas.

Given the pleasant temperatures around here at this time of year, people tend to spend lots of time outdoors and are keeping doors and windows open. As a result, theyre noticing the crane flies indoors.

How to get rid of crane flies

There's no need to kill adult crane flies. They won't be around long enough to bother you much.

They will die very quickly inside, normally in just a couple of days, Gouge said. Theyre super gentle. You can just scoop them up in your hands if you can catch them, and pop them outside."

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In the larval stage, they can sometimes cause damage to lawns and other turf by injuring root systems. If this is a concern, pest control companies can help solve the problem.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What do crane flies eat? What to know about the leggy insects in Oklahoma
Imagine a Texas where Alzheimers disease can be treated like diabetes. It might look like a series of preventative shots a person gets in their 40s, or a pill they take in their 60s to mitigate and control symptoms, just like one might with a host of conditions. This is the future as envisioned by University of Texas researchers like Dr. Marc Diamond at UT Southwestern, whose work is dedicated to ending what he calls the neurological nightmare of dementia.

Thanks to a new effort at the Texas Capitol, we may be closer to ending this nightmare than ever before.

Senate Bill 5  sponsored by state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and designated a legislative priority by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick  would give Texans the chance to vote on the creation of a $3 billion-backed Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). The companion HB 5, authored by state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, has 119 co-sponsors.

Program assistant Kriston Skipper Ramirez hands water to a patient last year at an Austin adult enrichment center for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Texas lawmakers may ask voters to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).

DPRIT could revolutionize Alzheimers care and research in Texas. Already immersed in leading research and clinical efforts in dementia prevention, UT stands ready to do its part.

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Nearly 7 million Americans over 65 are living with Alzheimers. Here in the Lone Star State, nearly half a million Texans live with Alzheimers, and a million more provide them with unpaid care, often at great personal cost. Nationally we spend $360 billion per year on dementia care.

The promise of DPRIT is that the discoveries, innovations and technologies it will catalyze can revolutionize the lives of those who live with Alzheimers and those who care for them. But how do we know DPRIT can deliver? Thankfully, the concept has been tried and tested in Texas over the last decade.

In 2007, Texans voted to establish the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Since then, the state has invested more than $3.7 billion in cancer prevention and research. The impact has been incredible. More than 300 researchers and their labs have relocated to Texas, more than 80 facilities are supported financially, and more than $8 billion in outside funds have followed.

At the University of Texas, CPRIT funds have recruited scholars from all over the world to our campuses across the state. From imaging to immuno-oncology, new therapies are being conceived, trialed and rolled out. Whole new research and care hubs have been launched. MD Anderson  ranked No. 1 in the nation for cancer care  has seen 20 separate projects supported by CPRIT this year alone.

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Because dementia prevention and care are already priorities at the UT System, DPRIT promises to deliver the same level of investment, impact and collaboration that weve seen with CPRIT. In fact, CPRIT has been so successful, voters chose in 2019 to invest another $3 billion in the initiative.

Take for example, the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio, where researchers are pioneering retinal scans to detect Alzheimers early  in the future, a trip to the eye doctor could detect dementia symptoms early. There are many other examples across UT institutions  at the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences at UT Austins Dell Medical School  where we could turbo-charge such efforts with DPRITs support.

On the first Tuesday of each month, a support group for caregivers of family members with Alzheimers meets at the Dementia, Geriatric & Brain Health Clinic at the UT Education and Research Center at Laredo. When I think of the fight against dementia, I think of those caregivers.

Like CPRIT, DPRIT-funded research and care has the potential to preserve life to the fullest for millions of Texans. Im grateful to live in a state where lawmakers are dedicated to fighting cruel diseases. Together, were working to prevent, treat and cure cancer. Now, lets do the same to defeat dementia.

James B. Milliken is chancellor of the University of Texas System.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: DPRIT would revolutionize dementia care. UT is ready to help | Opinion
TROTWOOD, Ohio (WDTN)  First responders have been called to a location in Trotwood.

Montgomery County Regional Dispatch confirmed that fire officials were dispatched at 12:50 p.m. to the 5000 block of Salem Avenue.

Officials were responding for a reported rescue.

Our 2 NEWS crew is headed to the scene.

This story is developing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Editors Note: The Abilene Police Department supplied the following arrest and incident reports. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law.

Incidents

400 block of N Willis Street  Assault Elderly/Disabled

A victim reported a known suspect hit her on the head with a cane.

800 block of E Hwy 80  Assault Family Violence

Police responded to a disturbance at a north Abilene motel.

1900 block of Pine Street  Assault Hospital Staff

1500 block of N Bowie Drive  Theft of Firearm

A victim reported an unknown suspect entered his vehicle and took a firearm worth $250.

2700 block of S 3rd Street  Assault Pregnant Person

3800 block of Wilshire Drive  Assault Family Violence

An assault family violence and DWI arrest was made in north Abilene.

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2300 block of State Street  Harassment

A harassment and criminal mischief report was taken in north Abilene.

4200 block of N 1st Street  Assault

800 block of Beech Street  Burglary of Habitation

A victim reported a known suspect came into her home without permission and stole things.

2200 block of ACU Drive  Violation of Bond/Protective Order

5200 block of Hartford Street  Criminal Mischief

A criminal mischief report was taken in south Abilene.

1200 block of Cherry Street  Assault

A suspect was arrested for assaulting his neighbor.

700 block of Vine Street  Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon

An aggravated assault deadly weapon report was taken in south Abilene.

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2900 block of N 2nd Street  Assault

A victim was assaulted outside a night club by several suspects, who were all gone when police arrived.

1100 block of Merchant Street  Assault Family Violence

A suspect was assaulted by his roommate at their north Abilene residence.

2400 block of Buffalo Gap Road  Assault Family Violence

A suspect was arrested for assault family violence in south Abilene.

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION  Assault

A report was completed for assault in south Abilene.

600 block of  EN 15th Street  Assault Family Violence

An assault family violence arrest was made in north Abilene.

1200 block of Grape Street  Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon

A victim reported her boyfriend assaulted her during an argument.

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1000 block of N Clack Street  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported her ex-boyfriend assaulted her when she was trying to get her phone back.

6200 block of Highway 83/84  Criminal Trespass

A suspect was arrested for criminal trespass in south Abilene.

2700 block of Old Anson Road  Assault Family Violence

An assault report was taken in north Abilene.

Arrests

Urbano Simental  Public Intoxication

Brenda Williams  Assault Elderly/Disabled

Phillip Perry  Unlawful Carrying Weapon, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana

Kayla Ainsworth  Warrant

David Martinez  Warrant

Freddy Fortune  Warrant

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Johnny Barbee  Assault Pregnant Person

Carlos Zungia  Public Intoxication

Richard Price  Driving with License Invalid

Reagan Young  Display Expired License Plate

Cheryl Watson  Resist Arrest Search or Transport, Public Intoxication

Jorge Castillodiscua  Assault Threat/Contact, Immigration

Tyler Hudson  Assault Family Violence, Driving While Intoxicated

Juan Cortez Diaz  Warrant, Possession of Controlled Substance

John Guerra  Warrant

John Daly  Public Intoxication

Antonio Guerrero  Driving While Intoxicated

Tyler Hudson  Assault Family Violence, Driving While Intoxicated

Mallory Hughes  Walking on Wrong Side of Road

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Ronald Perez  Warrant

Odis Davis  Assault

Kristen White  Warrant

Robert Bigham  Public Intoxication

Xerxes Veail  Driving While Intoxicated

Joseph Wilson  Public Intoxication, Failure to Identify, Possession of Controlled Substance, Obstruction

Brandon Powell  Unlawful Carrying of Weapon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Jordan Chittum  Assault Family Violence

Ricky Phillips  Assault Family Violence

Jesus Pineda Gomez  Driving While Intoxicated

Tavin Peterson  Possession of Controlled Substance, Tampering/Fabricating Evidence, Abandoning/Endangering a Child/Elderly/Disabled

Andrea Hancox  Assault Family Violence

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Delania Delaurie  Warrant

Orlando Arratia  Driving While Intoxicated

Jimmy Rangel  Driving While Intoxicated

Jason Hernandez  Driving While Intoxicated

Derek Barron  Driving While Intoxicated

Felix Lopez  Criminal Trespass

Victoria Martinez  Driving While Intoxicated

Jeremy Delacruz  Driving While Intoxicated

Raymond Hewitt  Obstruction or Retaliation, Possession of Controlled Substance, Public Intoxication

Elias Tonche  Resist Arrest, Public Intoxication

Joseph Espinoza  Public Intoxication

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A social media post, followed by a market-moving tariff announcement, led President Donald Trumps critics to speculate that he might have profited from inside information.

At 9:37 a.m. EDT on April 9, after a nearly 20% downturn in key market indexes, Trump posted on Truth Social, "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT."

Then, at 1:18 p.m., Trump announced a 90-day pause in country-by-country tariffs he had unveiled a week earlier. While Trump did not lift the nearly universal 10% tariffs or country-specific tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, his reprieve on some tariffs produced a stock market boom for the rest of the day.

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The S&P 500, a broad stock market index, climbed 9.5% by the close of trading April 9, a sign that investors were relieved at the tariff backtracking. Trumps own company  with the ticker symbol DJT  rose by roughly twice that percentage April 9, raising Trumps net worth by an estimated $415 million in one day.

On social media, users posted a video taken in the Oval Office showing Trump celebrating the stock markets gains.

"He made $2.5 billion today and he made $900 million  thats not bad," Trump says in the clip, referring to two other men in the room. The caption on one of the X posts sharing the video and Trumps comments said, "Sounds like market manipulation to me."

News outlets reported that one of the men was Charles Schwab, founder and chairman of the eponymous financial services firm.

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Democratic lawmakers also took issue with the timing.

"An insider trading scandal is brewing," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., posted on X. "Trump's 9:30am tweet makes it clear he was eager for his people to make money off the private info only he knew."

On April 10, Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Adam Schiff of California wrote a letter to the Office of Government Ethics, an executive branch watchdog, to "request an urgent inquiry into whether the President, his family, or other members of the administration engaged in insider trading or other illegal financial transactions."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said April 9 at a CNN town hall: "If you know two hours earlier that the stock markets going to go (up), what are you going to do? You're going to buy a hell of a lot of stock."

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PolitiFact received several reader inquiries asking about Trumps actions.

Legal and financial experts downplayed the idea that Trumps message ran afoul of the law.

"The federal case law on insider trading is fatally ambiguous," said Kevin R. Douglas, a Michigan State University law professor.

In a statement, White House spokesman Kush Desai said: "It is the responsibility of the President of the United States to reassure the markets and Americans about their economic security in the face of nonstop media fear mongering. Democrats railed against Chinas cheating for decades, and now theyre playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trumps decisive action yesterday to finally corner China."

What is insider trading?

Insider trading occurs "when individuals make stock trades using nonpublic information that came into their possession through a relationship of trust and confidence," said Sarah J. Williams, a Penn State Dickinson Law School professor.

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A related offense is market manipulation, such as a "pump and dump" scheme in which a stock promoter makes false or misleading statements to drive up the price of a stock, then sells personal holdings at the falsely inflated price.

In theory, insider trading statutes "cover people in the executive branch, expressly including the president," said Allan Horwich, a Northwestern University emeritus law professor.

Still, securing a conviction tends to be difficult, no matter who is being prosecuted.

"These cases are often proven by circumstantial evidence," and thats hard to do in criminal prosecutions "because proof must be beyond a reasonable doubt," Horwich said.

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Williams agreed: "Proving that nonpublic information was used  as opposed to the use of analysis performed on publicly available information  and that it motivated the illegal trades can be challenging."

Why Trump might not have to worry much about legal exposure

Legal experts cited several reasons why Trumps April 9 actions are unlikely to give him legal troubles.

He posted information publicly. We cant know what Trump said to others privately. We do know, though, what he said prior to the tariff-pausing announcement  because it was public.

"Generally, if information is made public promptly, there is no room for insider trading issues, which by definition involve misuse of nonpublic information," Horwich said.

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"I don't see how a public recommendation to buy  what stock? or was it bonds? at what price? to buy a broad index?  implicates the law of insider trading," he said.

Who investigates insider trading? For a typical insider trading allegation, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department would typically investigate and prosecute violators, experts said. Both are part of the executive branch, which under the Trump administration has been tightly controlled by the White House, making any prosecution of the president unlikely.

Trumps only other potential risk could come from private lawsuits. "Individuals who are innocently trading in a particular stock at the same time the illegal insider trading is occurring are authorized by statute to sue the inside trader," Williams said.

A potential plaintiff might need to argue that Trump gave advance notice to people in private, which would be hard to substantiate.

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Presidents have a lot of latitude. Nejat Seyhun, a University of Michigan finance professor, said it would be a high bar to prove Trump did something illegal in this case.

Trump "can easily say that the market has fallen 20%, and I want to make sure that panic does not become self-fulfilling," Seyhun said. Trump could also argue that his remarks were an official presidential act, which the Supreme Court last year decided qualifies for protection from prosecution.

Trump could also say, "At the time I sent this, I had not fully made up my mind yet" about pausing tariffs, Seyhun said.

Any president in this situation would have some protections owing to their unusual position. "Presidents make statements that move the market all the time," Seyhun said.

Our Sources

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Experts say it's a stretch to accuse Trump of insider trading
Ahead of an upcoming and much delayed resentencing hearing that could see the Menendez brothers out of prison after decades, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is being blamed for an octogenarian relative being in critical condition in a hospital after photos of the siblings father mutilated dead body were shown in court last week.

Fighting efforts by the DA kicked off in March to stop any change in Erik and Lyle Menendezs life-without-parole status for the 1989 shotgun killing of their parents, members of the Menendez family now want Hochman and his team off the case ASAP.

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We will not let what happened on Friday stand, family members said in a statement Sunday after 85-year-old Terry Baralt, sister to the brothers record executive father Jose Menendez, was admitted to the hospital that morning. We are taking formal action and demanding that the District Attorneys Office be removed from this case. They have shown again and again that they are incapable of handling this process with the fairness, care, or neutrality required by law.

This wasnt just cruel, the family goes on say after Baralt collapsed in her LA hotel room on the morning of April 13. It was a clear violation of our rights under Marsys Law, which guarantees victims the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal justice process,  they continued in a longer statement (read it in full below). What happened was the opposite. The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional.

The District Attorneys Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words.

(L-R) L.A. County DA Nathan Hochman, Lyle and Erik Menendez, and Gov. Gavin Newsom

Convicted in a second trial and sentenced in 1996 in their early 20s to spend the rest of the lives behind bars for the admittedly premeditated murders of their father and mother Kitty Menendez, the now middle-aged siblings reentered the spotlight recently thanks to Ryan Murphy and Netflixs hit series Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story and several documentaries reexamining their cases.

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The brutal photos of Jose Menendez, who has been accused of sexually abusing his sons and others, were put on display April 11 during an unsuccessful presentation before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic by Deputy DA Habib Balian. (It should be noted, the crime scene photo of the maimed and murdered Jose Menendez was not new to public view: The same photo shown in court last week was used in the 2024 Netflix documentary The Menendez Brothers as well as other films.) Still, keeping an April 17 resentencing hearing on the court calendar, Jesic rejected moves by Hochmans office to withdraw a motion to reconsider the brothers lifetime incarceration.

As counsel for the victims family members. I was appalled that without so much as a warning to allow them the option to avoid further distress, the DA callously decided to re-traumatize the family by needlessly showing insensitive photos on screen in their court presentation, lawyer Bryan Freedman told Deadline on Sunday. This despicable action was a clear violation of Marcys law which requires absolute empathy toward victims. The DA flashing of the crime scene photos is directly responsible for Aunt Terry being rushed to the ICU. We are all praying for her recovery, she did not deserve this. Shame on those who knowingly engaged in this egregious conduct.

As Hochman attended a National Crime Victims week event in San Pedro on Sunday, his office responded to the attacks by the Menendez family and attorney Freedman.

We never intend to cause distress or pain to individuals who attend a court hearing, the LA DAs office said of the accusations by the family and Baralts condition. We understand the nature of the evidence of these heinous double murders was deeply emotional. However, by design, these hearings are intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light. That truth starts with the abject brutality and premeditation of the murders themselves.

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With Hochman himself giving a press conference Sunday where he reiterated his critique of any resentencing of the brothers, his office added: To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo.

The DAs office did not address the familys call for them to step aside.

Graphic photos aside, and with the Menendez brothers attending virtually, Fridays court hearing already saw the DA at the end of a judicial scolding.

Theres no new information, Jesic told the court, dismissing the current DAs contention that the still high-profile brothers have not fully accepted responsibility for their deeds and that resentencing was initiated by previous DA George Gascon for purely political purposes. None of this is really new. Theyve stuck with their story. It goes to whether theyve been rehabilitated.

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At the same time as resentencing hearings are in progress, Gov. Gavin Newsom will ultimately be making the final decision on all this after early last month ordering a risk assessment of the brothers to inform a clemency request on his desk since late 2024. The Menendez brothers are set to appear individually before the parole board June 13. After getting recommendations from the board, who would have to oversee any potential resentencing and pass that on to Newsom, the governor will announce his decision.

Heres the full statement released today by the Menendez familys Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition:

We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt  who is a mother, an aunt to many of us, and Jose Menendezs sister  has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorneys Offices cruel and careless conduct in court.



Without notice, prosecutors chose to show a graphic, unredacted image of Joses dead body directly in front of us, his surviving family. No one prepared us. There was no warning, no humanity  just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief. Terry, who is battling cancer, came to court to support her family. No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DAs office pushed her past the brink. By early this morning, she was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition.



This wasnt just cruel. It was a clear violation of our rights under Marsys Law, which guarantees victims the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal justice process. What happened was the opposite. The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional. The District Attorneys Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words.



Mark Geragos objected to their cruelty and clear violation of Marsys law to protect us in real time. In response, Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian didnt apologize. He didnt show an ounce of concern. Instead, he smirked and said, Are you done, Mr. Geragos? The level of disrespect was staggering. But its part of a disturbing pattern weve come to expect, especially from DA Hochman, who has repeatedly spoken to us with aggression and disdain and we will be holding him accountable.



We have tried to engage in good faith. We asked for a different contact in the DAs victim services division after learning that Kathy Cady had been appointed as the Director of the division. Our objection stemmed from Kathy Cady having previously represented the only family member who opposed Erik and Lyles release, while she actively campaigned and endorsed DA Hochman during the election. Our concerns were viewed as an annoyance. No one was reassigned to us. And time and again, the message from this office has been clear: because we believe in mercy and rehabilitation, our pain doesnt matter.



The District Attorney seems to only care about victims rights when they align with his point of view.



Now, let us be crystal clear: our forgiveness for Erik and Lyle does not erase our grief. It does not mean we dont mourn Jose and Kitty. It means we believe that people can grow. That trauma begets trauma. That cycles of abuse can and must be broken. It is not contradictory to hold love for those who were harmed and for those who caused harm, it is human. And yet this District Attorneys Office seems determined to punish us for that humanity.



We will not let what happened on Friday stand. We are taking formal action and demanding that the District Attorneys Office be removed from this case. They have shown again and again that they are incapable of handling this process with the fairness, care, or neutrality required by law. Instead, they have been determined to make this personal, and they have.



Our family is hurting. Terry may not recover from what was done to her  and to all of us  in that courtroom. We deserve better. We firmly believe that if the DAs office had shown even an announce of consideration for us, as victims, we would not be hoping for one more day with Terry right now.

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MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  A Muskegon County man who targeted Carnival Cruise Lines with a bomb hoax because he was upset at being left behind to watch a familys pets was slapped with a $1,200 fine and a stint behind bars for the 2024 ruse.

Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your sunrise cruise ship, Joshua Darrell Lowe said in an email to Carnival Cruise Lines, court records show.

The ship had just departed Miami when the message was received. The ship was diverted to Jamaica and the entire ship searched, including 1,173 staterooms, court records show.

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Muskegon Co. man charged in cruise ship bomb hoax

Investigators traced the email address to Lowe, 19, who was living with his girlfriends family, court records show.

The January 2024 hoax resulted in substantial disruption, assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Lowe admitted he sent the message because he was upset that the family went on the cruise, while leaving him behind to care for their pets, Kessler wrote.

He was charged last fall with false information and hoaxes, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Lowe pleaded guilty in January.

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U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney on Monday sentenced Lowe to eight months in prison to be followed by two years on supervised release, in addition to the fine.

Although the defendant may not have intended all the harm that resulted from his action, the consequences of his email were serious, Kessler wrote. The hoax resulted in substantial disruption, including inconvenience to the passengers and potential lost revenue to the cruise line.

In a letter to the court, Lowe apologized for his actions.

I send my sincere apologies for all I put everyone through during this case, through all the searches, money and time spent on this case, he wrote. I am also pursuing my path to Jesus and God after all this happened.

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The decentralized cryptocurrency financial system means that if you get scammed, its very hard to get your money back. (Getty image)

AARPs mission is to empower people to choose how we live as we age. Financial security in retirement is essential to that empowerment. Thats why AARP works hard to ensure that people dont lose their nest eggs to fraud. Unfortunately, fraud is everywhere  be it grandparent scams, government impostor scams, romance scams, investment scams, the list goes on  and one of the fastest-growing ways criminals are stealing money from their victims is by directing them to cryptocurrency ATMs to deposit funds.

These machines, also known as crypto kiosks or virtual currency kiosks, look like bank ATMs, and can be found in retail locations in convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations and smoke shops in most neighborhoods. They allow people to conduct legitimate cryptocurrency transactions, but criminals are increasingly using them to carry out fraudulent activity. In fact, since 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports a tenfold increase in funds lost in the United States to scammers using crypto ATMs. Rhode Island State Police report an explosive increase in cryptocurrency fraud. There were three cases reported in 2023; 40 cases in 2024; and already 23 cases in the first three months of 2025  on track to nearly triple this year. And all of the victims were over 50 years old.

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Why are crypto ATMs being used in scams? For one, criminals exploit the fact that most of us are unfamiliar with them and can easily convince us that they are legitimate federal payment kiosks, as one victim of a jury duty scam was told.

Second, as there are no daily transaction limits, crypto ATMs can be an incredibly lucrative payment vehicle for criminals. Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella, in testimony submitted to the Rhode Island Senate Commerce Committee, reported his department has, as an example, investigated cases where individuals have deposited and lost $40,000 in just two days and multiple instances of $15,000 or more losses in a single day.

Rhode Island State Police report an explosive increase in cryptocurrency fraud. There were three cases reported in 2023; 40 cases in 2024; and already 23 cases in the first three months of 2025  on track to nearly triple this year. And all of the victims were over 50 years old.

Finally, the kiosks quickly move the victims cash into tough-to-trace cryptocurrency accounts owned by criminals, vastly increasing the likelihood that the criminals will get away with their crime. Unlike banks, which offer some protection, the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies means that if you get scammed, its very hard to get your money back. This total lack of consumer protection is a tremendous concern.

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AARP Rhode Island has worked with Sen. Victoria Gu, a Westerly Democrat, and Rep. Julie Casimiro, a North Kingstown Democrat, to introduce legislation that, if passed, will ensure that these machines are less attractive to criminals looking to steal the life savings of older Rhode Islanders and ensure that victims have recourse. It would require extensive disclosures prior to transactions, implement a daily transaction limit, require a detailed receipt, require licensing and quarterly reporting to the Department of Business Regulation  and implement a refund policy in instances of fraud.

AARP Rhode Island applauds the House of Representatives for its overwhelming passage of House Bill 5121 on April 10. We now look forward to working with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and the Senate to pass Senate Bill 16 and urge them to act soon before one more older Rhode Islander loses their hard-earned savings. Rhode Islanders must be protected from the financial devastation wrought by criminals who bleed them dry.

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A New Britain man has been convicted of sexually assaulting a high school student and giving them alcohol.

The guilty verdict was reached by a jury last Thursday following a trial in New Britain Superior Court against 39-year-old Michael Niedzwiecki, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice. He was found guilty on charges of first-degree sexual assault and delivery of alcohol to a minor.

According to DCJ officials, evidence at trial showed that Niedzwiecki allegedly compelled the victim by using force during the sexual assault. At the time, the victim was a student at Plainville High School, officials said.

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This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant New Britain States Attorney Sara Greene with the assistance of Inspector David Rohon.

In a statement issued Monday, Greene and New Britain States Attorney Christian M. Watson thanked the members of the Plainville Police Department for their investigative efforts.

Niedzwiecki remains held on a $525,000 bond while he awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for June 18.
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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A woman is calling for answers after the deadly shooting of her fiance, Quincy Ross.

The Shelby County Sheriffs Office said the victim was killed by his own brother, Brodrick.

But, its like, this time you dont come back. Now, Im mad. Im pissed, because I have to explain to seven children why their daddy not coming back, Danielle Austin said. And its hard to explain when you dont know why hes not coming back. You just know hes dead.

Danielle Austin and Quincy Ross. Danielle Austin and Quincy Ross. Danielle Austin and Quincy Ross. Danielle Austin and Quincy Ross.

When Danielle Austin got off work Friday, her fiance, Quincy, asked her to pick him up from a Northaven home because he and his brother were arguing.

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However, by the time she got there, the unthinkable happened.

I was getting off on the exit  I was five minutes away at this point, Austin said. And I got a call saying that he had been shot.

The Shelby County Sheriffs Office said Brodrick shot his brother in the face and placed his body in a car.

Hes accused of disposing of his brothers body in Crittenden County.

Relative says jealousy led to man killing his brother

Quincys fiance said he loved Brodrick and was always helping him.

Thats why she cant understand what led up to this deadly dispute.

What was the purpose? Thats all I wanna know, Austin said. Like, yall was good. Yall had that bond. What happened? Thats all I wanna know and I know I wont get those answers.

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As she tries to make sense of this tragedy, Austin is praying for strength for herself and Quincys children.

Brodrick is facing several charges in Crittenden and Shelby County. Theres no word on when hell be extradited to Tennessee.

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DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Danville Police Department is asking for help from the public in locating a missing 17-year-old girl.

Officials posted on Facebook Monday morning that Sucely D. Vasquez was reported missing by her family in February. She is described as Hispanic, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Her primary language is Spanish.

Police added that Vasquez is believed to be in the Chicago area with her boyfriend Miguel. They do not know Miguels last name but believe he is approximately 20 years old.

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Anyone with information on Vazquezs location is asked to contact Detective Hartshorn at 217-431-2245. People wanting to remain anonymous can contact Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at 217-446-8477.

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 WCIA.com.
April 14 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1775, the first slavery abolition society in North America -- the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage -- was founded by Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia.

In 1828, Noah Webster published his American Dictionary of the English Language. It was the first dictionary of American English to be published.

In 1861, the flag of the Confederacy was raised over Fort Sumter, S.C., as Union troops there surrendered in the early days of the Civil War.

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In 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln during a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington. Lincoln died the next morning. He was succeeded by Vice President Andrew Johnson.

U.S. military personnel inspect the wreckage of a Black Hawk helicopter in the northern Iraq No Fly Zone during Operation Provide Comfort on April 15 or 16, 1994. The helicopter was one of two U.S. Army Black Hawks shot down by U.S. Air Force F-15 fighters on April 14, 1994 in a friendly fire incident. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI

In 1918, two U.S. pilots of the First Aero Squadron shot down two enemy German planes over the Allied Squadron Aerodome in France during World War I. It was the first U.S.-involved dogfight in history. One of the pilots, Lt. Douglas Campbell, would eventually shoot down five enemy aircraft, making him the first U.S. flying ace.

Newspapers featuring coverage of China's national day of mourning for the victims of the Yushu earthquake go on sale in Beijing on April 21, 2010. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

In 1927, the first Volvo was produced in Sweden.

In 1931, King Alfonso XIII was deposed, ending 981 years of monarchical rule in Spain, and ushering in the Second Spanish Republic, the republican regime that governed Spain from 1931 to 1939.

On April 14, 1918, two U.S. pilots of the shot down two enemy German planes during World WarII, the first U.S.-involved dogfight in history. One of the pilots, Lt. Douglas Campbell, became the first U.S. flying ace. File Photo courtesy the U.S. Army

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In 1939, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was published.

In 1963, police broke up an Easter Sunday anti-segregation protest march in Birmingham, Ala., that saw Black Americans attend services at two white churches.

Nobel Peace Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu begins his Ceremony of Inspiration at PeaceJam at the University of Denver on September 17, 2006. On April 14, 1986, Tutu was named Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI

In 1986, Bishop Desmond Tutu was named Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa.

In 1994, in what was called a tragic mistake, two U.S. warplanes shot down two U.S. Army helicopters in northern Iraq's no-fly zone. All 26 people aboard were killed.

In 2003, U.S. military officials declared that the principal fighting in Iraq was over after Marines captured Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town.

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In 2008, Silvio Berlusconi swept back into power in a third term as prime minister of Italy in a new election that gave him control of both houses of Parliament.

File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

In 2010, the devastating magnitude-7.1 Yushu earthquake staggered northwest China. Officials reported the death toll eventually surpassed 2,600, with many thousands of people injured.

In 2013, Nicolas Maduro was elected president of Venezuela.

In 2021, President Joe Biden announced he will withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, a plan that NATO's 30 member states agreed to following a meeting with U.S. military and foreign relations leaders.
The supply of long-range German Taurus missiles to Ukraine will lead to an "inevitable escalation," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 14, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.

Peskov's statement comes as Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting, suggested on April 13 that long-range Taurus missiles could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure.

Merz added the Taurus missiles may be shipped to Ukraine if European partners support this move.

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Peskov criticized Merz's stance, saying his decisions would lead to the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine.

"According to Mr. Merz's statements, he is an advocate of strengthening the position and a supporter of various steps that can and will inevitably lead only to further escalation of the situation around Ukraine," Peskov said.

"Unfortunately, it is true that European capitals are not inclined to look for any way out of peace talks but rather are inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war," the spokesperson added.

Read also: From hospitals to malls, the deadliest Russian strikes on civilians in Ukraine so far

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Peskov's comments come a day after Russia's attack on the city center of Sumy killed 35 people. The attack occurred on Palm Sunday and was one of the deadliest attacks on the city.

Russia used cluster munitions in the attack, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on April 13.

While outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly blocked the delivery of Taurus missiles due to concerns about escalation, Merz has long criticized that stance.

With Merz poised to take office following his Christian Democrats' election win, the decision to supply Taurus missiles could soon return to the political agenda. It remains uncertain whether his future coalition partners from the Social Democrats will back the move.

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Ukraine has already received U.S.-supplied ATACMS as well as SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles from France and the U.K. Both Washington and London have permitted Kyiv to use these systems to strike targets within Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea.

The previous Biden administration and the U.K. also allowed strikes with long-range missiles against military targets on Russian soil in late 2024, namely in the Russian border regions of Kursk and Bryansk. Incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the move.

Read also: Its personal  Why Germany still refuses to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Good morning, Chicago.

Less than a year ago, two Elgin detectives were named to the police departments new cold case unit. Soon after Chief Ana Lalley presented the units first  and, so far, only  members with an unconventional idea: What if, in the spirit of generating interest and leads, Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian regularly shared their work with the public? What if they even  hosted a podcast?

The detectives were dubious.

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They had listened to true crime podcasts before and even liked some of them. And they knew their first case  the disappearance of Karen Schepers in April 1983  would make a compelling story.

But to put a podcast together, themselves, and host it? To investigate the most difficult cases, often ones that have gone unsolved for decades, and take an audience along for the ride for the improbable victories and inevitable failures? To share with the world their search for Karen Schepers, a young Elgin woman missing for more than 40 years?

The detectives had plenty of reasons to be skeptical.

Their chief pushed them to do it, anyway  and it worked.

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Read the full story from the Tribunes Andrew Carter.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including a look at the coal industry in Illinois, a backstage tour of the Cadillac Palace where a touring production of Moulin Rouge! rolled into town with nearly 300 costumes and where to make a reservation for Easter brunch.

Todays eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History

Momentum builds for nuclear power in Illinois as state aims to reach Gov. JB Pritzkers energy goals

As Illinois closes in on its deadline of being carbon-free by midcentury, even as demands for energy rise, legislators are looking to satisfy both needs through a strategy many so far have tried to avoid: allowing new, large-scale nuclear reactors to be built in the state.

Gov. JB Pritzker rips Trump tariffs on first Fox News appearance, calls them taxes on working families

Gov. JB Pritzker used his first-ever appearance on Fox News to take his criticisms of President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs to the networks conservative-leaning audience, labeling the Republican administrations levies on imports taxes on working families.

Trumps love affair with dirty coal cant compete with market realities

Like a TV networks summer reruns, Trump is back with a pro-coal agenda. Among his targets are Illinois and other states with their own clean energy laws, which promise to end the nations use of coal to generate electricity and wean the nation from gas-fired power.

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Industry data tell another story. Coal, once a dominant sector of the economy, is in steep decline because it cant compete against cleaner, less-expensive energy sources.

Mayor Brandon Johnsons resistance to ethics reforms draws criticism

When Mayor Brandon Johnson came into office, his handpicked City Council ethics leader hoped the new mayor promising big change might truly reform the rules meant to keep elected officials in line in the famously corrupt city.

But then Johnson instead fought those efforts, Ethics Committee Chair Ald. Matt Martin said. And he has done so again and again.

After a server at a Pilsen restaurant was attacked, a community wants justice

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.

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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.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele to undergo season-ending elbow surgery

The worst-case scenario has come to fruition for Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele.

Steele will undergo season-ending surgery Friday to repair the flexor tendon in his elbow and address the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), manager Craig Counsell announced yesterday. The extent of the damage to Steeles UCL wont be known until the doctor gets eyes on it during the procedure. The Cubs will have a better timetable for Steeles recovery after the surgery.

Chicago Sky trade for the No. 11 pick in 2025 WNBA draft  giving them two first-round selections

The Chicago Sky loaded up on late first-round draft stock in a trade with the Minnesota Lynx. The Sky announced they acquired the No. 11 pick in the 2025 draft in exchange for the rights to their 2026 first-round pick. This trade nullified the pick swap that Minnesota initially gained in last years trade for the No. 7 draft pick, which the Sky ultimately used to select Angel Reese.

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The Sky now own the Nos. 10, 11, 16 and 22 picks in tonights draft.

For generations of Little Leaguers and softball players, Thillens Stadium was Chicagos Field of Dreams

Chicagos field of dreams was born on an early spring day in 1938. Mel Thillens awoke to the sight of his kid brother standing next to his bed. Ferdy Thillens said he and his buddies needed a place to play softball.

We put a plate in a prairie, and it just grew from there, Mel Thillens subsequently recalled to a Tribune reporter.

Prairie was Chicagoese for an empty lot. In this instance, it meant a substantial piece of land north of Kedzie and Devon avenues.

With the Tony-winning costumes in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, over-the-top extravagance is just right

Each time the nationally touring production of Moulin Rouge! rolls into a new city, an entire truck is required to transport the shows costumes: a rainbow palette of corsets, cancan skirts, tailcoats, top hats and heeled boots that evokes the opulence of the 1899 Parisian setting. In total, the production travels with 297 costumes for the principal actors and ensemble performers, plus about 200 for understudies and swings.

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Moulin Rouge! The Musical is currently playing through April 20 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Chicago Palestine Film Festival looks at more than the war in Gaza to showcase Palestinian joy

At a time when Palestinian existence and resilience are under a microscope, the Chicago Palestine Film Festival is spotlighting all aspects of Palestinian culture and tradition with the 24th annual event, which began Saturday.

Much of the film festival, which runs through April 26, takes place at the Gene Siskel Film Center and includes many screenings as well as panel discussions and social gatherings.

Easter 2025: 70 Chicago restaurant specials, from brunch buffets to hearty dinners

Easter is one of the biggest brunch occasions of the year, but also a time for hearty dinners centering on roast lamb and honey-baked ham, and baskets filled with sweet treats. Celebrations at Chicago restaurants run the gamut, featuring decadent buffets, egg decorating, a traditional midnight feast and a drag show.

Whether youre seeking a meal where the kids can meet the Easter Bunny or looking for someone else to cook the food for your at-home gathering, these 70 restaurants are providing all the goodies.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Spring is here and with summer just around the corner, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is ensuring the District is ready to take on the heat with the annual Spring Cleaning Initiatives.

On Monday, Bowser announced that throughout the spring, the Department of Public Works will complete community cleans across neighborhoods that need extra attention. The District Department of Transportation and DC Water along with other utility companies will also relaunch its Smooth Streets iniatives.

This focuses on restoring and repaving roads that were impacted by utility work throughout the winter. Over the next month, until May 15, crews will visit more than 2,400 locations across the city, according to officials.

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Wicked sing-along in Arlington County

As the weather warms up and residents and visitors explore our city, we want every space, from sidewalks to parks to roadways, to reflect our pride and the investments weve made to keep DC clean, safe, and beautiful, said Bowser. Spring cleaning is about more than tidying up, its about showing love for our neighborhoods and working together to keep our communities vibrant.

In addition, the Department of General Services is also joining the clean-up.

Officials said teams will being working toward preparing parks, recreaton centers, aquatic facilities and public spaces for the upcoming summer season.

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Crews will also sweep the streets, and clean the alleys and corridors. Teams will plant trees and remove grafitti and hazardouse waste disposal across the District.

DC Beer Festival returns to Nationals Park

This work is deeply personal to meIve spent years rolling up my sleeves to connect people, build community, and strengthen our neighborhoods, said Maria Barry, new Director of the Office of the Clean City. I could not be more excited to lead the Mayors Office of the Clean City, bringing that same passion and energy into this role, working to spark pride, inspire action, and create a cleaner, safer DC.

For Earth Day, on April 19, the community is invited to join Bowsers 8th Annual Spring Clean-up Day. This years clean-up sites include the following:

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Ward 1:

Columbia Heights Dog Park, 3320 11th Street NW

Ward 2:

French Street Park, 941 French Street NW

Ward 3:

Forrest Hills Park, 3220 Chesapeake Street NW

Ward 4:

14th and Spring Road, 3700 14th Street NW

Ward 5:

Carver Park, 1854 L Street NE

Ward 6:

H Street NE, 800 H Street NE

Ward 7:

JW King Senior Residences, 4638 H Street SE

Ward 8:

Turner Elementary School, 3264 Stanton Road SE

Residents are encouraged to report trash buildup, illegal dumping or abandoned vehicles by calling 311.

To track the progress of community cleans and report areas that need repairs, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  If youre looking for free activities to keep your children busy during spring vacation week, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has dozens to choose from.

This year, DCR is offering 68 free safe, educational, and fun recreational opportunities at 13 state parks and watersheds. Activities include guided hikes, animal tracking, scavenger hunts and craft making.

Springfield Museums is the perfect spot to spend school vacation week

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Our state parks serve as outdoor classrooms and getting outside during April school vacation week is a great way to teach kids about the natural world, said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. We hope this years fun and educational programs will inspire young and curious minds to explore our incredible natural resources. Our park interpreters are excited to welcome the next generation of environmental stewards to parks across Massachusetts for our free school vacation week programming.

Parking is free at parks offering programming. DCR will continue to provide regular programming, including self-guided hikes, and visitor centers will be open. Information about staff-led programs and self-guided activities can be found on DCRs website. Additionally, DCR is offering adaptive programming during April vacation week.

School vacation week is a valuable time for families to reconnect, explore, and learn together outside the classroom, said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. Were thrilled DCR is offering such a wide range of activities to help spark curiosity, build stronger bonds, and deepen our appreciation for the State Parks system.

Two events are being held in the western Mass. region:

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Buildwave: A hands-on building game! at Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls  Tuesday, April 22, 11:00 a.m.  12:00 p.m.

EGGS-ellent Nature Scavenger Hunt! at Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Rd., Lanesborough Sunday, April 20, 11:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m.

As part of Earth Week, DCR will also be holding its 19th annual Park Serve Day on Saturday, April 26, where people can volunteer to help clean coastlines, clear trails, pick up litter, plant flowers, or take part in other projects at 40 state parks across the Commonwealth. To participate in a Park Serve Day event, register at mass.gov.

Below is a list of Park Serve Day events in western Massachusetts:

Mt. Greylock State Reservation : 9:00 a.m.  12:00 p.m., Bellows Pipe Trail (South), Gould Road parking lot, Gould Road, Adams

Tolland State Forest : 9:00 a.m.  12:00 p.m., 410 Tolland Road, East Otis

West Region Headquarters : 9:00 a.m.  1:00 p.m., 740 South Street, Pittsfield

Connecticut River Greenway State Park : 10:00 a.m.  12:00 p.m., 400 Damon Rd, Northampton

Great Falls Discovery Center: 10:00 a.m.  12:00 p.m., 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mississippi deacon Eddie Shed died a hero on Saturday (April 12) after an Easter egg hunt was terrorized by gunfire.

WLOX reports that 24-year-old Tyran Deion Gable got into a heated argument with the mother of his child at the gathering hosted by Empowerment Ministries Christian Center (EMCC). Witnesses say Gable then shot two people who were attempting to deescalate the situation. One of those people was airlifted to a hospital in Mobile, Alabama. The other was Deacon Shed, who had also served as head of security for the host church. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He died a hero doing what he does best, and thats protecting and thats loving and thats looking out for everyone, clergy member Alexis Weathersby told the outlet when speaking on Shed. He was just a wonderful man that was willing to do any and everything for anyone.

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Shed was protecting the children when the gunfire erupted.

EMCC Senior Pastor, Dr. Gregg S. Magee, Sr., issued a statement on Facebook on behalf of the church about the incident and Sheds death.

It is with heavy hearts that we, the Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, address the tragic events that unfolded during our Family Easter Egg Hunt at Prudie Circle Earlier today. Our beloved Deacon Eddie Shed was taken from us in a senseless act of gun violence, it read.

Magee continued, Deacon Shed epitomized the virtues of a hero, displaying selfless courage and bravery that ultimately saved others from harm. He paid the ultimate price for his valor, and we are deeply saddened by this loss.

Deacon Eddie Shed dead Mississippi

He was described as a pillar of strength within our community and a beacon of light and hope, noting that his unwavering faith, kindness, and dedication to serving others have left an indelible mark on

all who knew him.

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His family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for his wife, Doris, their three children and any financial burdens that may incur.

Gable, who was also shot and injured, has been arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault. He was not granted bond for the murder charge. However, the judge did set a $250,000 bond for the aggravated assault charge.

The Gulfport Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting to call them at 228-868-5959 or Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.

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A Mississippi deacon suffered fatal injuries in a shooting that broke out Saturday after an Easter egg hunt hosted by his church, according to the church and local police.

Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, which describes itself as a non-denominational ministry located in the southern Mississippi city of Gulfport, identified the deacon as Eddie Shed, who also served as its head of security. The church said the shooting was not carried out by anyone affiliated with its ministry, and Shed was killed while attempting to intervene.

Gunfire erupted at around 2:05 p.m. local time. The Easter egg hunt had been held in Gulfport's Jack and Florence Goldin Park, according to the Gulfport Police Department. In a news release, the department said a child custody dispute prompted the shooting, and the suspect "reportedly brandished a firearm and opened fire, striking two individuals who were attempting to deescalate (sic) the argument."

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Witnesses told CBS News affiliate WLOX that Shed had stepped in to protect children in the vicinity once the shooting started. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other injured person was airlifted to a hospital outside of Mississippi, said Gulfport Police. They identified the suspect as 24-year-old Tyran Deion Gable, of Saucier, Mississippi, who suffered gunshot wounds as well. Responding officers took Gable to a local hospital after the shooting, according to the police department. He faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault and is being held without bond on the murder charge.

Shed has been heralded for his service and valor by Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, whose pastor Gregg Magee said in a social media post that the deacon's actions "ultimately saved others from harm."

"Our beloved Deacon Eddie Shed was taken from us in a senseless act of gun violence," the pastor said. "Deacon Shed was a pillar of strength within our community and a beacon of light and hope. His unwavering faith, kindness, and dedication to serving others have left an indelible mark on all who knew him."

Praising Shed in a separate post, the church asked community members to contribute to a GoFundMe campaign created Sunday to support his family, including Shed's wife and three children.

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"We are heartbroken by the loss of Deacon Eddie Shed, a true hero taken from us too soon. His courage and commitment to our community will never be forgotten. He dedicated his life to serving others, leaving behind a loving family, including his wife Doris and their children," the Empowerment Ministries Christian Center said in the post. "In this challenging time, we are asking for your help to support the Shed family. Every contribution made through our GoFundMe will ease their financial burden and honor Deacon Eddie's incredible legacy of love and service."

The fundraiser had collected roughly $4,700 of its $25,000 goal as of Monday morning.

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A mixed economic system is one that combines aspects of both capitalism and socialism. A mixed economic system accepts private property and permits economic freedom in the use of capital, but also allows for governments to interfere in economic activities in order to achieve social aims.

According to neoclassical theory, mixed economies are less efficient than pure free markets. However, proponents of government intervention argue that the base conditions required for efficiency in free markets, such as equal information and rational market participants, cannot be achieved in practical application.

KEY TAKEAWAYS A mixed economy is an economy organized with some free-market elements and some socialistic elements; it lies on a continuum between pure capitalism and pure socialism.

Mixed economies typically accept private ownership of most means of production, with some government intervention, mainly through regulations.

Mixed economies socialize select industries that are deemed essential or that produce public goods.

All known historical and modern economies are examples of mixed economies. Understanding Mixed Economic Systems

Most modern economies feature elements of multiple different economic systems. In mixed economies, the public sector works alongside the private sector, though they may compete for the same limited resources. Mixed economic systems do not block the private sector from profit-seeking, but they do regulate business and may nationalize industries that provide a public good.

For example, the United States is a mixed economy, as it leaves ownership of the means of production in mostly private hands but incorporates elements such as subsidies for agriculture, regulation on manufacturing, and partial or full public ownership of some industries like letter delivery and national defense. In fact, all known historical and modern economies fall somewhere on the continuum between pure socialism and pure capitalism, which represent theoretical constructs.1

Mixed Economy vs. Free Markets

Mixed economic systems are not laissez-faire systems, because the government is involved in planning the use of some resources and can exert control over businesses in the private sector. Governments may seek to redistribute wealth by taxing the private sector and by using funds from taxes to promote social objectives.

Trade protection, subsidies, targeted tax credits, fiscal stimulus, and public-private partnerships are common examples of government intervention in mixed economies. These unavoidably generate economic distortions, but they are instruments aimed to achieve specific goals.

Countries may also intervene in markets to promote targeted industries, such as by creating agglomerations or reducing barriers to entry. This was common among East Asian countries in the 20th-century, which saw a development strategy known as export-led growth. Today, the region has turned into a global manufacturing center.

Some nations have come to specialize in textiles, while others are known for machinery, and others are hubs for electronic components. These sectors rose to prominence after governments protected young companies as they achieved competitive scale and promoted adjacent services such as shipping.

Mixed Economy vs. Socialism

A key element of socialism is common or centralized ownership of the means of production.2 Proponents of socialism believe that central planning can achieve a greater good for a larger number of people.

Socialists do not trust that the free-market outcomes will achieve the efficiency and optimization posited by classical economists, so socialists advocate the nationalization of all industries and the expropriation of privately owned capital goods, lands, and natural resources. Mixed economies rarely go to this extreme. Instead, they identify only select instances in which intervention could achieve outcomes unlikely to be achieved in free markets.

Such measures can include price controls, income redistribution, and intense regulation of production and trade. This also includes the socialization of specific industries, known as public goods, that are considered essential and that economists believe the free market might not supply adequately, such as public utilities, military and police forces, and environmental protection. Unlike pure socialism, however, mixed economies usually otherwise maintain private ownership and control of the means of production.

Characteristics of a Mixed Economy

A mixed economy typically combines the features of a market-based economy with a strong public sector. While most prices are set by supply and demand, the government may intervene in the economy by enforcing price floors or ceilings for certain goods, or by directing public funds to certain industries at the expense of others.3

The following are common examples of mixed-economy policies

Social Welfare Programs

Most mixed economies, even heavily market-oriented ones, offer benefits to those living at or near the poverty level. In the United States, the federal government provides SNAP benefits, Medicaid, and public housing to low-income individuals, while many state governments provide their own benefits.

Many countries in Western Europe have extremely generous social welfare programs, as well as government-provided health care and strong labor protections.

Price Controls / Subsidies

While prices in a mixed economy are generally set by the market, the government may intervene to prevent the prices of certain commodities from rising or falling below a certain level. For example, most mixed economies have minimum wage laws to prevent exploitation of the workforce, and they may use subsidies to support farmers or other key industries.

Strong Business Regulations

While most business activity is guided by the free market, governments may use regulations to protect the public from dangerous products, pollution, or monopolistic business practices. Many mixed economies have anti-trust laws to ensure that the marketplace remains competitive.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Mixed Economy

A mixed economy combines several of the desirable qualities of both capitalist and socialist economic systems. The capitalist principles of free enterprise, market-based prices, and private property create incentives for innovation and efficiency, while elements of a welfare state and price controls guarantee a minimum standard of living.

However, social welfare programs can create a high tax burden and distort the market. Price controls, such as minimum wage laws, can have the unintended effects of reducing employment, according to the Philips curve. Other interventions, such as housing guarantees or free healthcare, can sometimes result in shortages because pricing does not reflect availability.

A mixed economy also allows the government to set its strategic priorities through selective interventions in the economy. For example, the United States gives favorable tax treatments to certain agricultural and manufacturing industries, because they are considered crucial for the country's long-term economic health.

Mixed economies can also result in less competition or regulatory capture, as private interests lobby for favorable regulations and tax treatment. This can have the perverse effect of regulations being determined by industries rather than policymakers.

Increased efficiency and productivity due to market-based incentives.

Welfare protections for the poorest members of the population.

Allows the government to set strategic priorities through economic policy. Pros Does not avoid the market-distorting effects of government intervention.

May succumb to regulatory capture as business interests campaign for favorable regulations.

Higher taxes to pay for welfare state policies. Cons

History and Criticism of the Mixed Economy

The term mixed economy gained prominence in the United Kingdom after World War II, even though many of the policies associated with it at the time were first proposed in the 1930s. Many of the supporters were associated with the British Labour Party.

Critics argued that there could be no middle ground between economic planning and a market economy, and manyeven todayquestion its validity when they believe it to be a combination of socialism and capitalism. Those who believe the two concepts dont belong together say either market logic or economic planning must be prevalent in an economy.

Classical and Marxist theorists say that either the law of value or the accumulation of capital is what drives the economy, or that non-monetary forms of valuation (i.e. transactions without cash) are what ultimately propel the economy. These theorists believe that Western economies are still primarily based on capitalism because of the continued cycle of accumulation of capital.

Austrian economists starting with Ludwig von Mises have argued that a mixed economy is not sustainable because the unintended consequences of government intervention into the economy, such as the shortages that routinely result from price controls, will consistently lead to further calls for ever-increasing intervention to offset their effects.4 This suggests that the mixed economy is inherently unstable and will always tend toward a more socialistic state over time.

Beginning in the mid-20th century, economists of the Public Choice school have described how the interaction of government policymakers, economic interest groups, and markets can guide policy in a mixed economy away from the public interest. Economic policy in the mixed economy unavoidably diverts the flow of economic activity, trade, and income away from some individuals, firms, industries, and regions and toward others.5

Not only can this create harmful distortions in the economy by itself, but it always creates winners and losers. This sets up powerful incentives for interested parties to take some resources away from productive activities to use instead for the purpose of lobbying or otherwise seeking to influence economic policy in their own favor. This non-productive activity is known as rent-seeking.

Real-World Examples

Technically, almost every country can be considered a mixed economy, since it is difficult for a country to sustain economic activity without some degree of government intervention or free market activity. Even North Korea allows a limited number of private markets.

But the best examples of mixed economies are those countries where the government takes a significant role in directing the course of the market economy. Many countries in Western Europe are considered mixed economies because the government offers generous welfare programs and tight regulations on business activity. The United States, for example, has many social programs to benefit the poor, as well as several government-owned enterprises.

Conversely, many socialist-oriented countries can be considered mixed economies because of their large private sectors. Both China and Vietnam have successfully privatized many of their state-owned enterprises while retaining a leading role for the government in economic affairs.

What Are the Characteristics of a Mixed Economy? The characteristics of a mixed economy include allowing supply and demand to determine fair prices, the protection of private property, innovation being promoted, standards of employment, the limitation of government in business yet allowing the government to provide overall welfare, and market facilitation by the self-interest of the players involved.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Mixed Economy? Mixed economies stress profit above all else, including the well-being of citizens, there tends to be mismanagement at various levels, it creates economic inequality throughout the population as wealth is not distributed evenly, inefficiency occurs due to government involvement, and the working class can be exploited.

What Are the 4 Main Types of Economic Systems? The four main types of economic systems are a pure market economy, a pure command economy, a mixed economy, and a traditional economy.

Which Countries Have a Mixed Economy? Countries that have a mixed economy include the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Iceland, and India.6

The Bottom Line

A mixed economy features many of the desirable qualities of both capitalism and socialism, as well as some of their drawbacks. This type of economy allows the government to provide public goods and a basic safety net while enjoying the productivity of a market-based economy. In practice, most countries of the world are mixed economies, although some are more market-oriented and others are more state-led.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The victim in a weekend shooting and crash in South Linden was identified Monday as a 14-year-old, according to police.

Columbus police said Lorenzio Galloway Jr. was found with a gunshot wound after officers responded to a crash Saturday at the intersection of East 12th Avenue and Cleveland Avenue. Watch previous coverage in the video player above.

Substitute teacher in Columbus indicted in murder-for-hire plot

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Galloway was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died, police said.

The homicide remained under investigation as of Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
FAIRMONT  Members of the Fairmont and West Virginia faith community came bearing gifts to a local minister on Saturday.

Led by the Rt. Rev. Matthew Cowden, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, ministers came to support the induction of Rev. Dean Lawrence as Rector at Christ Episcopal Church.

"Bishop Matthew, we have come together today to welcome the Rev. Dean Lawrence, who has been chosen to serve as Rector of Christ Episcopal Church," said the wardens who opened the service addressing the Bishop. "We believe that he is well qualified, and that he has been prayerfully and lawfully selected."

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For the past two years, Lawrence has been serving Christ Episcopal in a capacity known as priest-in-charge. Under Episcopal Church rules, such a time period allows both the minister and the church vestry  the equivalent of a board of directors  to determine whether each are "a proper fit."

The ceremony, which was filled with songs, prayers and scripture readings, had the tone and order of a worship service. The retired Rev. Dr. Thomas Day, of Bristol, Tennessee, who has known Lawrence and his wife and daughter for some two decades, provided the sermon.

Day said Lawrence's "trial run" is over.

"It's just like in a marriage, there is a relationship that has to be nurtured, the relationship between a parish family and a rector's family," Day said. "That relationship needs to be tended to every day, and the intention required to keep it healthy is never ending."

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Using scripture from the Book of Joshua where God asked Joshua to take over leadership of the Israelites after Moses had led them through the desert, Day encouraged Lawrence to stay the course, never give up and to trust in God. Day said he believes leaders must not hesitate.

"They must give themselves completely and not worry about where God's going to take them," Day said. "They must be a person of faith who will dare to venture even in the face of the impossible. They must act as if they have nothing to lose and live as though nothing can deter them from their mission.

"There must be about them a kind of divine assurance, and a leader must shake off the bonds of fear and frustration and face the task with confidence that all things, all things, are possible through Christ who strengthens me. So there you go, Dean, easy peasy," Day continued as the congregation laughed.

Day pointed out that the Rector will have good days and bad days, but to always remember that God is with him all the way.

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In tandem with providing words of encouragement for Lawrence, Day reminded those present that God's word is for everyone.

"God is always leading us to places that we don't really want to go, places that are unfamiliar, uncomfortable, maybe even dangerous, and when we get that nudge to go, we must not hesitate, but trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit," Day said. "These are words for all of us, words which should inspire us and motivate us to risk everything for the kingdom, to go out boldly into the world and into your community, to make a difference and to change lives."

Day challenged Christ Episcopal's parishioners by saying that while they may be attending an induction ceremony, but "it's also an opportunity for this part of the body of Christ, Christ Church Fairmont to recommit itself to make a difference in this community and to changing lives."

The Book of Common Prayer calls for clergy and other faith leaders to present specific items to the new Rector during their induction celebration. Members of the diocesan staff presented Lawrence with a new Bible "for proclaiming the Word, a vessel of water for baptizing, a stole or symbol of the new minister's order, a book of prayers, olive oil for healing and reconciliation, the keys of the church, the Constitution and Canons of the Church, and bread and wine for the eucharist," states the "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church."

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Representing the Greater Fairmont Council of Churches, Rev. Jackie Chambers, who serves Benton's Ferry and Valley Chapel United Methodist Churches, presented Lawrence a collection of books "as a reminder of your commitment to the ecumenical and interfaith community and the work we share," Chambers said.

Kneeled and praying aloud, Lawrence said he devoted his body, soul and spirit to God.

"Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry," Lawrence said, praying. "In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom."

Bishop Cowden said Lawrence's induction ceremony not only strengthens Christ Episcopal, it strengthens the body of Christ at large. He said the church is open in body, mind and spirit both for the community and its outreach.

"The community knows that Christ Church Fairmont is here, but in terms of the witness that we get to provide as a church, the Episcopal Church is one of the inclusive and loving churches with wide open arms, like Jesus Christ on the cross, to say that we are here to embrace everyone from east to west," Cowden said.
Gerald Powers, a Tennessee man who a judge sentenced to death 26 years ago, died Saturday on death row. He was 70.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Correction confirmed in a statement the news about Powers, who was one of 45 male death row inmates in Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. A jury convicted Powers of first-degree murder for killing a woman, Shannon Sanderson, in 1996 in Memphis.

His official cause of death is pending the medical examiner's report, the correction department spokesperson said.

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News of Powers death comes on the heels of Tennessee deciding to resume executions after a five-year pause. Four men are scheduled for execution this year, and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti asked the state Supreme Court to set execution dates for five others. Powers was not one of those nine individuals.

A car leaves the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee paused capital punishment in 2022 amid concerns about the states lethal injection protocol, just 30 minutes before death row inmate Oscar Franklin Smith was scheduled for execution. A new execution date for Smith on May 22 is the first of the four scheduled for this year. The Tennessee Department of Corrections announced it finalized a new lethal injection protocol, prompting Lee to lift the hold.

Tennessee is one of only a few states that allow a person to opt for the electric chair, if their crime was committed before 1998.

In 1996, Powers had seen Sanderson at a casino in Tunica, Mississippi, and followed her back to Memphis, where he kidnapped her, according to state Supreme Court records. He then took Sanderson to an abandoned house in Mississippi and shot her to death. He stole the money Sanderson won at the casino and her jewelry.

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In addition to first-degree murder, the jury convicted Powers of aggravated robbery. Due to these additional factors and prior convictions, Powers sentence qualified for the death penalty. Tennessee Supreme Court justices decided 3-2 to uphold Powers sentence in a 2003 ruling, after the justices were divided over whether the lower court properly allowed Powers wife to testify against her husband.

Related to death row: Kevin Burns, Tennessee's death row pastor, has hope despite his circumstances

You can reach Liam at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee death row inmate Gerald Powers, 70, dies
The Russian April 13 attack on the city center of Sumy killed 35 people, Prosecutor's Office of Sumy Oblast reported on April 14.

The attack occurred on Palm Sunday and is one of the deadliest on Sumy.

Sumy, a city close to the Russia-Ukraine border, has been the target of constant strikes since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia used cluster munitions in the attack, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on April 13.

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An 11-year-old boy and a 17-year-old man are among the killed, the report read.

One hundred twenty people, including 105 adults and 15 children, also sought medical assistance. Forty-three victims, nine of whom are children, are currently undergoing inpatient treatment, according to Sumy City Council.

European leaders widely condemned the attack. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked those who expressed solidarity but emphasized that condemnation alone is not enough.

The missile strike occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire. Russia has refused to join a U.S.-proposed 30-day full truce and has continued attacks despite partial agreements to limit strikes on infrastructure and the Black Sea.

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Read also: Teenager escapes burning bus, rescues others after deadly Russian strike in Sumy

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Deborah Knapp - KENS

Deborah Knapp is retiring from San Antonio CBS affiliate KENS after almost 50 years.

Knapp is set to step down as a 5 p.m. anchor in late May 2025.

"It's been an honor to serve the wonderful people of San Antonio in this city I love for nearly 50 years," Knapp said. "I love my KENS 5 family, so it was not an easy decision. I am thrilled to continue working with our talented staff as a mentor, and I will remain active with the Alamo Colleges Foundation."

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Knapp started her career in 1977 as a "weekend weather girl" at KSAT in San Antonio. One year later, she was hired as weekend anchor at KENS, eventually co-anchoring the 5 p.m. newscast with Fred Lozano. She then moved to Philadelphia in 1980 to work at WCAU as an evening anchor. She returned to KENS in 1987.

"For decades, Deborah has been the heart of our newsroom and a shining example of our commitment to both journalism and community," said Tom Cury, KENS 5 president and general manager. "She embodies the spirit of San Antonio and the values of KENS 5 with unmatched grace and professionalism. While we'll miss seeing her at the anchor desk every day, we wish her all the joy and fulfillment this next chapter brings."

"Working with Deb has been an absolute pleasure," said news director Jack Acosta. "She's been a mentor to so many in our newsroom and a trusted colleague every step of the way."
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs vowed at a rally of supporters Monday to fight as long as it takes as she awaits a final decision in her race against Republican Jefferson Griffin for a seat on North Carolina's high court.

The rally by more than 100 protesters in Raleigh was an outlet for many attendees to voice frustration after a Friday state Supreme Court decision that asked some voters to provide additional information so their ballots could be counted. Riggs insisted during her speech that the decision disenfranchised thousands of voters, primarily military members and citizens overseas.

I promise you, I will not let one single voter slip through the cracks, Riggs said, her words met by cheers.

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Riggs and Griffin's race is the only one from the 2024 election still undecided. She leads Griffin by 734 votes from more than 5.5 million ballots cast, of which more than 65,000 Griffin contested in court as being wrongly allowed in the tally. The Supreme Court decision leaves perhaps several thousand of those challenged ballots in play.

What is the state of the North Carolina Supreme Court race?

A majority on the state Supreme Court let stand Friday portions of a lower appeals court decision that ballots within two categories that Griffin, a current Court of Appeals judge, challenged in November should have been disallowed.

Those justices, all registered Republicans, agreed that some of those voters  perhaps thousands  be given time to provide additional information so their choices could remain in the count. But most of the challenged ballots must stay in the vote count, the court decided.

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The categories of disallowed ballots include those cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. but whose parents were deemed North Carolina residents; and by military or overseas voters and family members who did not provide copies of photo identification or an ID exemption form with their ballots.

The justices said voters who didn't provide an ID or form can still have their ballots count should they provide the missing information within a 30-day period that hadnt yet started as of Monday. Under Friday's decision, the ballots cast by people determined not in compliance with residency laws can't count, however.

Exactly how many ballots could still be affected  and whether it could flip the result in Griffin's favor  remains unclear. Some of Griffin's post-election protests affected potentially thousands of voters in Democratic-leaning counties, meaning the removal of those ballots from the final tally could benefit him.

Riggs, who recused herself from the Supreme Court deliberations, had already signaled that she would go to federal court to challenge state judicial rulings that went against her, citing federal elections and voting rights laws. She did just that late Friday.

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Other groups filed federal actions early Monday seeking to prevent the vote-curing process from taking place or throwing out ballots. They include the state Democratic Party, the League of Women Voters of North Carolina and some of the voters who were told they didn't have to provide IDs.

The race's lengthy pathway through the court system has angered voters like Tracy Casorso, who said she hadn't anticipated it taking more than five months to reach a final outcome. She held a sign that said Stop the Steal

These are pretty frightening times, and this is unconscionable and flies in the face of our democracy, Casorso said.

What both candidates are saying about the race

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Riggs told rallygoers that her campaign plans to reach out to all voters affected by the recent decision. She also warned attendees that the outcome of her race could be used as a test case to overturn elections across the country.

They will use this as a playbook over and over again, she said.

Citing the state's judicial conduct code, Griffin campaign spokesperson Paul Shumaker said Griffin couldn't comment on the case before the court, adding that it was disturbing that Riggs was holding rallies on the issue.

The Court ruling on Friday is consistent with our request, and clearly, the matter warrants a thorough review, which the Courts have set forth," Shumaker said in a statement.
Democratic Brooklyn Councilwoman Susan Zhuang has secured the Conservative Partys line on Novembers general election ballot after the partys candidate dropped out and gave her the nomination, records reviewed by the Daily News reveal.

Zhuang, a conservative Democrat who has since being elected in 2023 allied herself with the Councils Republicans and largely voted with them, did not herself collect petition signatures to secure the right-wing third partys nomination, records show.

Rather, Nick Badolato, a Brooklyn Conservative Party operative, collected signatures to run on the partys line against Zhuang. Badolato gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot line, but formally declined the Conservative Partys nomination on April 3, records show.

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That resulted in the partys executive committee convening last Tuesday to give Zhuang its ballot line on the Nov. 4 general election ballot  meaning shell effectively run for reelection unopposed as shes also on track to get the Democratic Party nomination, paperwork obtained by The News shows.

A spokesman for Zhuangs campaign didnt return a request for comment Monday, and neither did Brooklyn Conservative Party Chairwoman Fran Vella-Marrone. Zhuangs 43rd Council District spans a section of Brooklyn that includes Bensonhurst and Sunset Park.

Reached by phone, Badolato confirmed he amassed petitions to run for the 43rd Council District, but declined to say why he pulled out and signed over the Conservative line to Zhuang.

Im going to hold off on any comment about this for now, said Badolato, who has sought the Conservative Partys ballot line in previous local elections.

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Zhuangs Council tenure became a subject of intense scrutiny after she was arrested last year for allegedly biting a deputy NYPD chief in the arm during a protest against a proposed homeless shelter in her district. The Brooklyn district attorneys office dropped the charges against her last week after she completed a restorative justice program that included meeting with the deputy chief.

The Councils Ethics Committee still has an open proceeding against Zhuang over the biting incident. In announcing the probe last year, the Ethics Committee said it wouldnt take any formal action until her criminal case was resolved.

Even with potential ethics action looming, Zhuangs clinching of the Conservative Party ballot line puts her on a glide path to reelection.

She is also expected to get the Democratic Partys ballot line, as she faces no serious challengers in Junes Democratic primary. John Ricottone filed to run as a Republican in Novembers general election for Zhuangs district, but ultimately declined the nomination without a substitution, meaning therell be no GOP candidate on the ballot.
Indiana is tightening its voter ID requirement. Democrats are yet again opposing it.

Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen, authored Senate Bill 10, which bans college students from using school-issued IDs to vote. It awaits Gov. Mike Braun's signature. Now, college students who want to vote in Indiana will need driver's licenses, photo ID cards, passports or military IDs.

Progressives have criticized the legislation as another act of voter suppression, pointing to Indiana's poor voter turnout. But voter ID is an issue in which both sides lack supporting evidence for their arguments, and the stakes are lower than anyone is willing to admit.

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It's time to move on.

Both parties have spent a lot of energy arguing over these policies. Indiana passed its original voter ID law in 2005 and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in 2008.

Voter ID has held attention for two decades in large part because Republicans and Democrats have long agreed that these laws help Republicans win elections. But research shows voter ID requirements hurt turnout barely or not at all, and they do not sway elections one way or the other.

Leroy Parran, a poll clerk, smiles Tuesday, May 7, 2024, as he checks a voter's ID ahead of them casting their ballot inside the City-County Building in Indianapolis.

Beyond that, these laws are extremely popular. Pew Research Center finds that 95% of Republicans and 69% of Democrats agree with requiring all voters to show government-issued ID.

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We just saw that popularity in action April 1. A Wisconsin electorate that overwhelmingly voted for a liberal-controlled state supreme court also overwhelmingly voted to enshrine a voter ID requirement in the state constitution.

Americans might not agree on much, but we agree on this: Voter ID laws make sense.

Democrats have lost this debate. They're unwilling to accept the L, in part, because they correctly point out that Republicans have failed to prove voter fraud happens without photo IDs. My own bias is to agree with Democrats that we shouldn't put up unnecessary barriers to voting, especially when they burden people who might not have easy access to appropriate documentation, such as elderly nuns in Indiana.

At the same time, though, showing ID is a reasonable step for most people in most cases. I have one, you probably have one and so does almost everyone with the time and inclination to vote. There are always going to be some barriers to voting, most notably including transportation. Democrats gain nothing by catastrophizing laws that voters  the literal constituency for Voter ID policies  have broadly accepted as sensible.

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That is especially true of the latest Indiana debate centering on college students. Republicans want to put up hurdles because college students lean left, so they're arguing that student IDs are not rigorous enough. Democrats want it to be as easy as possible for students to show up and vote for them, so they're arguing that university-issued IDs should be sufficient. In the end, this isn't going to matter.

College students are among the most upwardly mobile and well-resourced members of our society. They can figure out how to get a driver's license if they want to.

Unfortunately, most of them don't want to vote at all. College students are low-propensity voters, turning out at rates well below the overall population. You can't blame voter ID laws for that.

Again, to be clear, I don't support creating new rules without justification. I also don't support fighting rules in apocalyptic terms when they are popular and not hurting much. That's what Democrats are doing now.

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Sometimes in politics, you make your best case, you lose and it's just not that big of a deal. That's where Democrats find themselves on voter ID.

Contact James Briggs at 317-444-4732 or james.briggs@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Bluesky at @JamesEBriggs.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana voter ID bill targeting college students is trivial | Opinion


INS Chennai arrives in Dar-es-Salaam for the inaugural edition of the large-scale multilateral exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement, AIKEYME on April 12, 2025. Image credit:Indian Navy via PTI Photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi last 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 'AIKEYME' or Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement off Dar-es-Salaam that will begin on Sunday.



The aim of the wargame is to boost India's maritime security cooperation with the African continent in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new vision for engagement with the Global South.



Modi announced the vision MAHASAGAR or "Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions" for India's 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.



"The visit aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and strategic ties between India and Tanzania, underscoring India's commitment to enhancing defence partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region," 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 People's 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 'AIKEYME' exercise is likely to significantly expand the ongoing cooperation, the officials said.


DENVER (KDVR)  A federal jury found a Denver-area man guilty of several counts related to the operation of a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Colorado.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado, Leonardo Medina, 47, was found guilty by a jury on April 8 on charges of:

Conspiracy to commit methamphetamine

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

Two counts of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine

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Medina was one of 13 defendants named in the indictment which alleged that the suspects had possession of distribution amounts of methamphetamine which they intended to sell. Medina was arrested on Feb. 28, 2023, and pleaded not guilty in the case on March 3, 2023.

Aurora police: 2 arrested in online child predator sting, including airline pilot

Prosecutors said they provided information during a five-day jury trial showing Medina operated a large drug-trafficking operation in Colorado. The U.S. District Attorneys Office said Medina supplied methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine in bulk amounts to dealers in Denver and Colorado Springs.

Prosecutors said he made these deals throughout 2021 and 2022. In July 2022, Medina allegedly coordinated the delivery of over 40 pounds of methamphetamine to Mexico for his operation.

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The methamphetamine was seized by law enforcement in Texas at the request of Colorado investigators, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District 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.
The Chelan County Sheriffs Office has announced the arrest of a man who allegedly pretended to be a teen online and exchanged sexually explicit messages with a 14-year-old girl in another state.

The sheriffs office was made aware of the communications on Feb. 24 by the Colorado Springs Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.

The victims mother learned that the communication had been happening since November 2024.

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The 19-year-old Washington man claimed he was a teen boy and solicited sexually explicit photos from teen girls he met on Instagram and Snapchat.

On April 8, he was arrested at home in Peshastin.

He was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center for:

 Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

 Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes

 Possession of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct

Detectives believe there were other victims.

This case is a stark reminder of the realities of social media. The fact is, predators are actively using social media to prey on children and sexually exploit them. CCSO Detectives are committed to identifying and arresting those in our community who seek to harm or exploit children. Meanwhile, it is imperative that parents talk to their children about how to safely use social media, establish age-appropriate boundaries for cell phone and social media use, and maintain supervision of their communications, said Det. Sergeant Lewis.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Dozens of local vendors gathered at Big Grove Brewery, Exile Brewing Company, and Lua Brewing on Sunday for the Des Moines Makers Market Bar Hop event.

Local vendors set up stands at all three breweries giving customers a chance to shop.

Kristin Griffith the Owner of Les Bees, a local honey business, said that the market event helps small businesses like hers.

Decorah man to use lottery winnings on project for dog

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I think is unique because its an opportunity for local folks that have small businesses, maybe a sideline or maybe its their main job to come out and sell to the community and just be out and about, Griffith said.

Jack Davis, the Manager at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom, said that Big Grove likes hosting vendor markets.

We hold a lot of vendor markets throughout the year. Whatever we can do to help out small businesses and give them a little bit more coverage and just give them the space that we they can show off, you know, what they have and what they can sell, Davis said.

To learn more about the Des Moines Makers Market & Bar Hop visit the event website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
TALLAHASSEE  The DeSantis administration wants to do for Florida Medicaid recipients what its been trying to do for people on food stamps and welfare  use Hope Floridas network of nonprofits to help wean them off government assistance.

The Agency for Health Care Administration, one of the agencies that falls under the governors authority, says it will accomplish that goal by stitching Hope Florida  a loosely-structured state program spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis  into the contract for its Medicaid program, its largest federal contract at $143 billion over the next six years.

But several lawmakers, including House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, believe that may be a disastrous move that could jeopardize billions of federal dollars Florida receives each year to provide health care for Floridas poor. They are alarmed by new language in the Medicaid contract forcing managed care plans to work with Hope Florida or face dire consequences.

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The Medicaid developments deepen the ongoing controversy surrounding Hope Florida, long viewed as a potential centerpiece of Casey DeSantis possible run for governor but now the subject of legislators criticism and unwanted media attention regarding its unproven track record and seemingly loose record-keeping.

Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican who chairs the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, last week called Hope Florida a black hole

He spent nearly three hours in a legislative hearing grilling officials with AHCA. The agency runs the Medicaid program for 4.2 million Floridians and has a checkered track record of managing those federal funds, racking up nearly $1 billion in fines.

Unsatisfied with their answers about Hope Florida, the Medicaid contract and other issues, Andrade promised to hold more hearings and use subpoena powers if necessary to get to the answers he wants.

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We had three state employees who couldnt provide a straight answer to simple questions, Andrade said.

For weeks, he and other lawmakers have been frustrated by the lack of details from the Hope Florida organization about the 30,000 people it claims to have gotten off welfare and the state and federal dollars being funneled into the program.

They also have grilled health officials over donations to the program, especially $10 million steered from a $67 settlement from Centene, the biggest Medicaid contractor in the country. That money went to two dark-money committees that quickly donated millions to defeat a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana that DeSantis opposed.

So far it looks as though It could be illegal, Perez told a group of reporters last week about the settlement agreement. And I only say that because we were never notified of the $10 million.

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An enraged Gov. DeSantis called the questioning of Hope Floridas finances baseless smears on himself and his wife.

Shame on you in the Florida House and your terrible leadership, DeSantis said during a news conference in Kissimmee Monday.

Perez said lawmakers had a right to hold Hope Florida and the state agencies that run it accountable.

The concerns raised by Andrades committee stemmed from a discussion of the states newest contract with Medicaid for its managed care plan, which is responsible for providing health insurance to most of the states Medicaid recipients.

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Andrade focused on a section of the 414-page contract with the header Prioritizing Hope Florida, which requires managed care plans to work with Hope Florida to enable eligible enrollees to gain the necessary education, job, and life skills to achieve independence and graduate out of Medicaid.

That raised red flags for Andrade, who said AHCA was unable to provide answers for how that would work since Hope Florida  essentially a referral service  provides no actual services and has offered few details to back up its claimed accomplishments. Why, he asked, do agency officials want to prioritize it in the largest contract the state executives and the largest bank account the state issues funds from?

He was also concerned about a requirement that the managed care plans provide Hope Florida with Medicaid client health data to enhance the integration of case management and coordination of service delivery.

Failure to provide such information could subject the managed care plans to sanctions and corrective action plans, or liquidated damages .. as determined by the Agency, the contract states. Andrade noted that such harsh penalties were attached to other sections of the contract.

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Brian Meyer, the deputy secretary for Medicaid at AHCA, told the committee the agency wanted to make it clear Hope Florida was part of its Medicaid work.

With respect to the phrase Prioritizing Hope Florida, you know, the agency would seek any action necessary if the plans flat out refused to integrate, he said.

Rep. Marie Paule Woodson, D-Miami, said she was concerned about the money and the potential breach of data by sharing client information. You are not connecting the dots for me to fully understand what is going on, she said.

Shevaun Harris, who oversaw Hope Floridas operations for four years while she was secretary of the Department of Children and Families, was questioned at the meeting and later complained in a video that she was ambushed.

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Mallory McManus, who was her deputy chief of staff at DCF and followed her over to AHCA, said Andrade purposefully misconstrued the structure and nature of the Hope Florida program, which is shameful.

AHCA signaled its intentions to mesh Hope Florida into the Medicaid program as far back as September, when DeSantis Chief of Staff Jason Weida was still AHCA secretary. The agency negotiated a settlement agreement with Centene, the nations largest Medicaid provider, over allegations it overcharged the state for prescription billings.

The agreement, signed Sept. 27, ordered Centene to return $67 million in federal taxpayer dollars, with AHCA specifically directing Centene to pay $10 million of that as a one-time donation to the Hope Florida Foundation.

The settlement agreement states that Hope Florida, through The Hope Florida Foundation, Inc., serves a mission that is important to the policy goals of the State of Florida and that AHCA desires an expanded role for Hope Florida in the Florida Medicaid program.

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A few weeks after the agreement was signed, the Hope Florida Board of Trustees turned over $5 million apiece to two dark-money committees.

Those organizations turned around a week later and donated millions of dollars apiece to Keep Florida Clean, a committee set up by DeSantis and run by his former chief of staff James Uthmeier to fight Amendment 3, a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana that failed to win the needed 60% of the vote in November.

Andrade and others said that $10 million should have gone into the general fund to pay for services to needy Floridians. They also said the deal violated a state law that requires all settlements to be approved by the states chief financial officer and deposited in the states general fund bank account.

But Uthmeier, appointed attorney general by DeSantis in February, defended the settlement agreement as proper on Monday.

These other nonprofit organizations that have helped you know, against the Amendment 3 effort, we should be thankful to them, to all of them, they stepped up in a big way, and because of that, we won, Uthmeier said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday defended the beleaguered Hope Florida program and derided House Republicans looking into its finances.

They are stabbing the voters in the back with their behavior. Shame on you in the Florida House and your terrible behavior and leadership, DeSantis said at an event in Kissimmee.

A House panel last week grilled Shevaun Harris, Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, over a $10 million payment made by Centene, a Medicaid managed care health insurer, to the Hope Florida Foundation last October as part of a settlement with the state.

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Under the settlement, which concerned overpayments made to Centene, $57 million was sent to AHCA and $10 million was sent to the foundation as a donation, but lawmakers werent told of the deal.

The foundation is the nonprofit fundraising arm of the Hope Florida program. The program was started by First Lady Casey DeSantis in 2021 and the foundation was created in 2023. The program helps Floridians on welfare get help from churches and other nonprofits to wean them off government assistance.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (left), House Speaker Daniel Perez.

But the foundation hasnt yet created and filed tax documents with the federal government. And more questions arose last week about its finances.

The Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau reported that the $10 million received by the Foundation was funneled to two nonprofits that in turn donated heavily to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee run by DeSantis then-chief of staff and now Attorney General James Uthmeier. The committee was formed to oppose Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana.

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Securing Floridas Future and Save Our Society from Drugs each received a $5 million grant from the Hope Florida Foundation. Securing Floridas Future, a nonprofit connected to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, then gave $4.85 million to Keep Florida Clean, including $3.75 million after the Centene settlement was sealed. Save Our Society from Drugs gave $5.75 million to Keep Florida Clean, including $4.75 million after the settlement.

More: What is Hope Florida? Governor, lawmakers spar over $10 million donation

Follow the DeSantis Medicaid money



1. @Centene overbilled Florida by at least $67 million in federal Medicaid dollars.



2. In the settlement with @AHCA_FL, DeSantis officials "directed" them to pay $10 million of the $67m to the charity Casey oversees, Hope Florida  Lawrence Mower (@lmower3) April 12, 2025

Casey DeSantis speaks during a press conference in the Cabinet Room on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Amendment 3 received 56% of the vote but failed to meet the 60% needed for a constitutional amendment to pass into law. DeSantis campaigned heavily against it and Amendment 4, which would have installed a right to abortion in the state constitution. That amendment received 57% of the vote and failed to pass.

House Speaker Daniel Perez said the Hope Florida program was created with pure intent but downplayed its effect, saying it only makes state workers at various agencies speak with each other to help Floridians  something they should be doing anyway.

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Now we have a third party that is the middle person between Floridians and agencies in order to, hopefully, provide the service to Floridians that the agencies shouldve done from the beginning, Perez said on former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetzs program on One American News Network on Friday.

Perez, R-Miami, said he simply wants transparency and accountability from DeSantis administration. All this could be put to bed if the answers are actually given, Perez said. The problem is were not receiving any answers. The digging continues.

A hearing on Hope Florida by the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday. But for DeSantis, the questions are a political attack, not a good faith effort to understand the payment to the Hope Florida Foundation.

None of these Republican leaders got elected on the platform that they were going to launch baseless attacks on the Governor and First Lady, DeSantis said.

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That is not why they got elected. Had they run on that they wouldve lost their primaries. They wouldve never got elected in the first place. No, they were elected to continue our success in Florida, to build off the great achievements of the last six years.

Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 'Shame on you': Hope Florida uproar fuels GOP civil war in Florida
Casey DeSantis and Ron DeSantis speaking in Tampa on July 29, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

On the eve of another Florida House hearing on the workings of Hope Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday accused House Republicans of working with the liberal media in a smear campaign against First Lady Casey DeSantis and the Hope Florida Foundation.

DeSantis unsolicited made the accusations during a Kissimmee press conference following a Miami Herald/ Tampa Bay Times story that the non-profit organization affiliated with Hope Florida paid $5 million a piece to two organizations that contributed to a political committee that worked to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana.

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The $10 million payment to the two groups mirrors the amount the Hope Florida Foundation received from health care giant Centene as part of a settlement regarding overpayment of Medicaid pharmacy benefits and services.

I got to tell you, Im used to the baseless smears from liberal media. Im used to the baseless smears from Democrats. Ive been dealing with it for over six years. Its par for the course. But I think now we have Republican leadership in the Florida House joining with liberal media and joining with Democrats to launch baseless smears against Hope Florida and by extension, myself and the First Lady, DeSantis said.

Hope Florida was set up by Casey DeSantis as a state effort to work with the private sector and faith-based community to help people relying on government assistance transition  or as the DeSantis administration calls it, graduate  to self reliance.

The DeSantis administration claims 30,000 people have called the Hope Florida hotline for help in getting work and transitioning from government support. The foundation is a direct-support organization for the Department of Children and Families, one of the main agencies involved with Hope Florida.

Casey DeSantis via governors office.

Florida law requires agencies to notify the Legislature when they enter into settlement agreements, but that did not occur with the Centene agreement, which was signed by former AHCA Secretary Jason Weida (now Gov. DeSantis chief of staff), Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworksy, Department of Health Chief of Staff Cassandra Pasley, and Centene Corp. Executive Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel Christopher A. Koster.

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So, at a minimum, the DeSantis administration broke state law, said House Health Care Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Alex Andrade.

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Medicaid, the safety net program for the poor, elderly, and disabled, is funded with state and federal dollars. Which could mean that a portion of the $67 million settlement should have been returned to the federal government if the money was related to a Medicaid overpayment.

This is the murky, corrupt, swamp behavior people hate about politics. This money belonged to the taxpayers of Florida, not to the DeSantis family. Floridians deserve to know that their tax dollars aren't being moved around in a shell game to pay political consultants.

 Rep. Fentrice Driskell

It is not clear that occurred.

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This is the murky, corrupt, swamp behavior people hate about politics. This money belonged to the taxpayers of Florida, not to the DeSantis family. Floridians deserve to know that their tax dollars arent being moved around in a shell game to pay political consultants, Fentrice Driskell, the Democratic leader in the state House, said during a Monday morning press conference.

No matter your politics, no one wants to see taxpayers dollars ending up in the coffers of a political party, or even the appearance of that happening. We need a full investigation, and Im glad that the House is pursuing this. We need an accounting of all tax dollars involved here.

Driskell added: Now, its ironic for a governor who talks about Florida Doge to chase waste and fraud to be caught in the middle of a scandal involving defrauding and wasting taxpayer money. The Legislature deserves better answers than what we got in committee last week.

Latest battle with the Legislature

House Republicans, too, have questioned the legality of steering money from the settlement with a Medicaid vendor to the Hope Florida Foundation.

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On Tuesday, the House Health Care Budget Committee plans to hear testimony from several people regarding Hope Florida, including the head of the foundation.

Gov. DeSantis hotly objected to the Houses efforts.

Let me tell you something, none of these Republican leaders got elected on the platform that they were going to launch baseless attacks against the governor and First Lady. That is not why they got elected. Had they run on that, they would have lost their primaries, they would never have been elected in the first place. No, they were elected to continue our success in Florida, to build off the great achievements of the last six years. 

This is the latest salvo in the fight between the governor and the Republican-controlled Legislature, a dispute that seemingly started with the governors call for a special session on immigration early this year but that has spun out from there to include disputes on government spending, automobile insurance, access to the courts, and tax policy. DeSantis has pushed the Legislature to eliminate property taxes for homeowners and to pass a proposed constitutional amendment for voters to consider doing that in 2026.

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House Speaker Daniel Perez proposed to reduce the states sales tax instead, which, if passed, would take effect sooner. The governor countered with a proposal to provide $1,000 rebates to roughly 5.1 million property owners and called on the Legislature to act immediately. The governors rebate idea, however, has gotten no traction and does not appear to be under serious consideration.

DeSantis also wanted legislators to pass a bill that would permanently enshrine Hope Florida in the governors office. The bill has stalled in the House but is scheduled for its second Senate stop on Tuesday.

DeSantis said the House is working to sabotage his agenda.

They were elected to cut property taxes, which they refused to do. They were elected to help alleviate and end the condo crisis, which the Florida House has refused to do. They were elected to continue our Florida First agenda.

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And what are they doing with their actions? DeSantis asked. Not only are they trying to sabotage that agenda, but they are stabbing the voters in the back with their behavior. Shame on you in the Florida House and your terrible behavior and leadership.

Meanwhile, Attorney General James Uthmeier, formerly DeSantiss chief of staff, played down any suggestion of wrongdoing during his own press conference Monday saying theres not a problem

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PORTSMOUTH  Among Gov. Glenn Youngkins vetoes this legislative session was a charter update request from Portsmouth to reflect the citys ongoing efforts to remedy significant disparities in the number of contracts awarded to women- and minority-owned businesses.

Despite the veto, which the Republican governor opposed because he said it allows the city manager to engage in race- and sex-based decision making, city officials say they are taking steps to improve business opportunities for minority- and women-owned business enterprises.

Portsmouth City Council requested the charter change this year following a 2022 study that determined Portsmouth awarded less than 10% of its procurement contracts to women- and minority-owned businesses. The study found of the $515 million the city spent on contracts between July 2016 and June 2021, minority-owned businesses received around 2% of that money while non-minority woman-owned businesses received about 6%. Only 1.43% was spent with African American contractors in a city with a majority Black population.

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To address the disparity, the council sought a charter change to allow the city manager to collect data and take action to address disparities and discrimination in the citys awarding of contracts to women- and minority-owned businesses. City charter changes in Virginia must be approved by the General Assembly.

City Attorney Lavonda Graham-Williams said the request to update the city charter was intended to give practices the city already follows more of a foundational basis by making it part of the charter.

What it does do is put in our charter what we already have in place not only in our city code, but also in our procurement statute, which allows the manager to suggest to council certain actions to be taken to remedy disparities, she said at a January council meeting.

The bill passed by the General Assembly stated the Portsmouth city manager could take action to remedy the disparities as a result of a compelling government interest, an analysis documenting statistically significant disparities or direct evidence by such businesses.

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(The) city manager is authorized and encouraged to require city departments to implement appropriate enhancement or remedial measures, including race-conscious remedies consistent with prevailing law, ordinances, and resolutions, the bill states. City departments shall submit annual progress reports on minority-owned business and women-owned business procurement to the city manager.

Democrats Del. Cliff Hayes and Sen. Louise Lucas carried the House and Senate versions of the bill, respectively. The legislation had overwhelming support, with only three delegates and one senator ultimately voting against.

In his veto message, Youngkin said the bill poses significant constitutional, legal, administrative, and economic challenges.

Enforcing these remedial measures could expose the City to costly lawsuits for potential violations of state or federal laws, including equal protection clauses, the veto message states. Policies that prioritize race or gender over qualifications may discourage competition, reduce efficiency, and undermine the citys economic growth by eroding confidence in a fair and merit-based process.

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A city spokesperson told The Virginian-Pilot that Youngkins veto doesnt impact the efforts already underway, which includes the hiring of a minority/women business enterprise manager and the implementation of city policy.

Once the policy is fully implemented, the manager would be responsible for designing programs and training staff and vendors.

Other than the recent hire of the new M/WBE Manager and possibly staff for that office, no other resources are anticipated. With some modifications in procedures and configuration, we already have the systems in place to input, monitor, and report the data necessary to evaluate the policys effects once it is fully implemented, spokesperson Peter Glagola said in an email to The Pilot.

Language similar to the bill is already part of Portsmouth City Code, which has been updated to allow the city manager to take action to remedy disparities if theyre found or if theres a compelling government interest to do so. City code states the city manager must establish a program to facilitate procurement practices of such firms, and that no additional barriers should prevent such businesses from participating and vying for city contracts. For contracts of more than $10,000, the code also mandates contractors who wish to subcontract work must include in their proposals a plan to subcontract with women-owned and/or minority-owned businesses.

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Among the disparity studys recommendations was the addition of an audit clause that requires subcontractor data. Graham-Williams previously told council members that audit clauses are being added to new and renewed contracts, including the contract with Rivers Casino Portsmouth.

The citys Economic Development Department provides information about available programs and supportive services on its website, including how to obtain small, women-owned and minority-owned business certifications.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The xAI debate is heating up over just how safe the computer company Elon Musk has built in South Memphis.

A lot of people are upset over the growing number of turbines sitting at the xAI facility in South Memphis.

We will continue to do our work as an environmental health team, and if there are health concerns to be shared, we will share them, said Dr. Michelle Taylor, Director of the Shelby County Health Department.

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xAI supercomputer in Memphis accused of violating federal law

Director Taylor should do her job and serve the people of Memphis and stop trying to put this off on any and everybody else, said TN Rep. Justin J. Pearson.

In a town hall meeting Saturday, State Representative Justin Pearson again claimed that what is happening at xAI is destroying the community.

It is not unreasonable to demand that xAI follow our local air rules and regulations, said Pearson.

Mayor Young proposes using xAI tax funds to benefit Boxtown

At the same time, on Saturday, Mayor Paul Young addressed the xAI controversy.

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He says he knows there are significant environmental concerns and their goal is to make sure they work through those concerns.

Mayor Young said he talked to the xAI team and there are 35 turbines at the facility. Only 15 are being used.

Public meeting possible on xAI environmental concerns

Mayor Young is also being called out for how he handled the entire xAI issue, and Dr. Taylor sent him a letter about the lack of transparency.

Other jurisdictions who do this type of development work really will often engage their health departments on the front end, said Dr. Taylor.

The Health Department is now gathering comments from the public on xAI and will hold a community meeting on April 25 to hear from the public and let them know if there is reason to worry.

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The meeting on xAI will be held at Fairley High School at 5 p.m.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Apr. 13CLEAR LAKE  More details have been released in a wrong-way crash that injured five people  including a Minnesota State Patrol trooper  on Wednesday night, April 9, in Clear Lake Township.

The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office gave an update into the crash in a Friday, April 11, news release. State patrol requested that Sherburne County investigate the case.

There were three vehicles involved in the crash, according to the news release:

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* A Ford Flex driven by Dale R. Braun, 70 of St. Cloud. He was the lone occupant of that vehicle.

* A GMC Sierra pickup driven by Blayke Mostad, 17, of Milaca. Passengers in that vehicles were Braxton Mostad, 15, of Milaca, and Thomas Hansen, 19, of Big Lake.

* A Minnesota State Patrol Dodge Charger, driven by trooper Ryan Moeser, 36, of Clear Lake. He was the lone occupant of that vehicle.

Investigators believe that Braun was driving east in the westbound lanes of Highway 10 when he turned onto 70th Avenue and entered the eastbound lane of Highway 10, according to the release. Investigators believe Braun entered the roadway in front of the GMC pickup, which hit Braun's vehicle in a T-bone collision that left both vehicles in the left lane of eastbound Highway 10.

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Meanwhile, trooper Moeser was responding to the report of the wrong-way driver and was heading east on Highway 10 in the left lane when he came upon the two vehicles and was unable to avoid a collision, according to the release.

All five people involved in the incident were taken to hospitals: Moeser and Hansen were treated and released. Braun was taken to CentraCare  St. Cloud Hospital. Blayke Mostad and Braxton Mostad were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that some of the occupants of the vehicles involved in the first collision were outside of their vehicles when the second collision occurred, according to the release.

Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in this case, according to the release. The investigation is ongoing.
Apr. 14CCTC to receive $113,582

COLUMBUS  Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey announced that $8.3 million was awarded to 39 universities, community colleges, and career technical centers across Ohio through the latest round of Super RAPIDS grants.

In Lawrence County, Collins Career Technical Center was awarded $113,582.

Awardees will use this funding to update equipment to enhance training opportunities for over 6,600 students  preparing them for careers in Ohio's expanding manufacturing industries.

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"We're seeing historic investments in Ohio that are creating thousands of new jobs, and we need a workforce ready to step into those opportunities," DeWine said. "This Super RAPIDS funding will ensure students are training on the same state-of-the-art equipment they'll use on the job, giving them a direct path to these careers."

The Super RAPIDS grants were awarded through a competitive process that prioritized employer input. Over 130 businesses, spread across Ohio's seven JobsOhio regions, played a key role in shaping the proposals, ensuring that the funded projects address the specific skill needs of regional industries. This approach allows Ohio's training institutions to rapidly adapt to changing workforce demands and prepare students for the jobs that are most in demand in their region.

The entirety of the $8.3 million available through this round of grant funding will be awarded to help schools upgrade their lab and classroom space with new, modern equipment.

Ohio's Super RAPIDS program provides additional one-time funding to supplement ODHE's traditional Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills grant program.

RAPIDS grants are used to purchase equipment for use in classrooms specific to regional workforce needs. Equipment purchased by grantees is often shared among multiple campuses, expanding the reach of the equipment and allowing more students to get an affordable, high-quality education.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Alexandra Chyczij has stated that the horrific bloodshed Russia is committing in Ukraine will not stop until Canada and its allies provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons and air defence systems to protect its cities and defeat Russia.

Source: Ukrinform news agency

Quote: "The inhuman carnage that Russia is committing against Ukraine will not stop until Canada and allies provide Ukraine the weapons and air defence systems needed to protect Ukrainian cities and defeat Russia."

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Details: Chyczij also reiterated the words of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had said that talks with Russia would not stop the Russian bombs and missiles targeting Ukraine.

She stressed that Canada and its allies "need to increase sanctions and designate Russia a terrorist state" instead of outrageously appeasing it.

Background: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that his country had not yet made a final decision regarding participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine following the end of the war.

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Did President Donald Trump raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour? A video getting passed around on social media thinks so.

"President Trump has just signed a groundbreaking law that will change the lives of millions," a woman's voice on the video says. "Starting the 15th of April, in a completely unexpected move, Trump approved the largest minimum wage in U.S. history.

"As of the 8th of April 2025, no American worker will be allowed to earn less than $25 per hour," the video says, without an explanation for the discrepancy in the dates.

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It would have been, but it never happened. Trump has not announced any intentions to raise the federal minimum wage, which has remained the same for the last 16 years. The president also has no control over state minimum wage laws.

For some American workers, he's lowered it.

In March, the Labor Department said it would no longer enforce the $17.75 per hour minimum wage for federal contractors that was started under former President Joe Biden in 2021, potentially resulting in a massive pay cut for hundreds of thousands of private sector workers.

Trump also issued an executive order eliminating collective bargaining to negotiate work conditions for agencies with national security missions. The union representing foreign service workers is suing, saying the order also strips bargaining rights from "three-quarters of the federal employees who are currently represented by federal sector unions, demonstrating that it was not a targeted assessment based on national security concerns."

Trump administration says no minimum wage hike

.@BernieSanders: Will you work with us to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour?



Trump nominee Bessent: No pic.twitter.com/OPUVN3Mfmn  FactPost (@factpostnews) January 16, 2025

When he was still president-elect in December, Trump said he would consider raising the federal minimum wage. But he has made no moves to do so, and his Treasury secretary flatly said no.

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During Scott Bessent's Senate confirmation hearing, Sen. Bernie Sanders asked him point-blank if he would work to raise the minimum wage to a living wage.

"I believe that the minimum wage is more of a statewide and regional issue," Bessent replied. When asked again, he said simply, "No, sir."

What is the federal minimum wage?

The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009.

Federal employers can pay less than the minimum wage to farm workers, commissioned sales employees, executives, federal criminal investigators, students, workers under the age of 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment and a variety of other positions.

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Most states, including Florida, have established higher minimum wages and 21 states raised theirs at the beginning of the year. Fourteen states pay the federal minimum rate of $7.25, Georgia, Wyoming and Montana pay less, and Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee have no state minimum wage law.

Which states have the highest minimum wage?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the highest minimum wage in the U.S. is $17.50 an hour in Washington, D.C.

The highest state minimum wage is Washington state, with $16.66. California and parts of New York pay $16.50.

What is the minimum wage in Florida? When does it go up again?

Florida's minimum wage is currently $13 an hour for non-tipped employees and $9.98 for tipped employees. On Sept. 30, 2025, both those rates will go up another dollar.

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In 2004, Florida voters chose to amend the state constitution to establish a state minimum wage "to provide a decent and healthy life for them and their families, that protects their employers from unfair low-wage competition, and that does not force them to rely on taxpayer-funded public services in order to avoid economic hardship."

Sixteen years later, voters approved an amendment to gradually raise the state minimum wage every year, starting at $10 an hour and raising another dollar until it reaches $15 an hour in 2026. After that, the state Department of Commerce will return to the previous method of calculating cost-of-living adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index.

However, two bills working their way through the Florida Legislature would allow people working in apprenticeships, internships or work-study programs to choose to work for less.

Supporters say young students and teenagers are missing out on training opportunities due to high state-mandated wages.

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Critics say that under SB 676 and HB 541, companies could abuse the law by labeling all entry-level jobs as apprenticeships or internships.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Trump raised minimum wage? Video wrongly claims 'long-awaited boost'
A man accusing Sean Diddy Combs of sexual assault has amended his lawsuit against the embattled mogul and removed Beyonce and Jay-Z as witnesses from the legal complaint.

Joseph Manzaro filed an amendment in his ongoing legal fight against Diddy, 55, in a Florida court Friday, April 11, in which Beyonce and her husband (real name Shawn Carter) were no longer mentioned.

In the original lawsuit, Manzaro alleged that he was drugged and transported to Star Island, in Miami, for a birthday party for Diddys son, King Combs, in 2015. The accuser says Diddy ridiculed him by forcing him to parade around the party wearing a pig mask, in what was dubbed a Freak Off. Manzaro originally named Beyonce and Jay-Z among the guests in attendance.

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Page Six was first to report a revision to Manzaros lawsuit, noting that attorneys for the Carters were able to document that they were not in Miami at the time of the 2015 event. Jay-Zs attorney, Alex Spiro, previously denied his clients involvement in a statement to Us Weekly.

Jay-Zs Lawyer Says Rapper and Diddys Relationship Was Purely Professional: No Closer Association

Mr. Carter wasnt in Florida at that time to witness this incident  he was engaged in easily findable public activities that prove he was not at this event. This is more nonsense that erodes the trust in our justice system, Spiro said.

Prince Williams/Wireimage

Manzaro claimed in legal documents that he was dragged through the back entrance of Emilio and Gloria Estefans home and led through a tunnel to Diddys nearby mansion. He alleged that a rubber dam was forcibly inserted and zipped over his head and that he was ordered to wear a small thong bikini bottom, with a black leather mask. From there, Manzaro accused Diddy of subjecting him to non-consensual sex acts.

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When Manzaros lawsuit was filed earlier in April, a spokesperson for Gloria and Emilio denied having knowledge of any alleged abuse.

The property in question was never a home where Gloria and Emilio resided, but it was rather a house they owned for family use, the Estefans spokesperson said. There were no parties thrown at that property between 2012 and 2019. We have all necessary documentation to support these facts and will provide it to the court.

How Beyonce Really Feels About Jay-Z Rape Claims as She Puts on a Brave Face for Kids: Sources

Diddys legal team also strenuously denied the allegations, telling TMZ, This complaint demonstrates the depraved lengths plaintiffs will travel to garner headlines in pursuit of a payday. 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.

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The musician and record producer is currently incarcerated after being indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution in September 2024. Diddy has denied all allegations against him and is due to appear in court on May 5.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Just more than a month away from the start of Sean Diddy Combs sex-trafficking trial, the defense told a federal court Monday that they may file for an adjournment of their much-accused clients case.

Speaking before Judge Arun Subramanian, the Marc Agnifilo- and Teny Geragos-led legal team took control of the latest arraignment hearing by asking that the May 12 starting trial be pushed back at least two more weeks.

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The lawyers say the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York has not been fully sharing material such as emails from a former Combs employee. In fact, the defense isnt even sure the prosecution has the WhatsApp material in question. To that they said the extremely important witness Victim-4 seems to have been cherry picking messages.

Outside court after todays one-hour hearing concluded, Agnifilo said Combs team wont ask for an adjournment if the feds get their act together. All will become clear in the next 48 hours, which is the judges deadline for applying for a two-week adjournment/delay if one is going to happen.

In court, with obvious full knowledge of how the high-profile trial has been pushed back before, Subramanian made a point of noting we are on a freight train moving towards trial.

Another hearing is set for Friday.

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The latest possible delay in the incarcerated Combs case comes over six months after he was arrested in a New York City hotel lobby by the feds and Big Apple cops. Looking at life behind bars if found guilty on all charges, the 55-year-old Combs was initially facing one claim each of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Subsequent indictments have added forced labor allegations and two additional charges of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution  which were put on paper earlier this month.

The bearded and white-haired Bad Boy Records founder was in attendance at todays suddenly announced hearing. At the start of the session, Combs entered yet another plea of not guilty.

Failing on three occasions to get bail on a $50 million bond and home confinement conditions, Combs aka inmate 37452-054 has been being held since mid-September at in a relatively low-key dorm at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center. Over the months, Combs has been sharing the unit with other big names like crypto scammer Sam Bankman-Fried and accused healthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione.

Along with the criminal case, Combs is charged in dozens of civil actions (mostly from Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee) claiming assault and abuse. A few of the cases have been tossed out, while one involving Jay-Z, who vehemently denied any misconduct as a co-defendant in allegations of raping a 13-year-old after the 2000 MTV VMAs, was dismissed by the plaintiff Jane Doe in February.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  As the City of Buffalo moves forward with plans to build a $5 million police training facility, opinions in the Queen City are sharply divided.

The site of the proposed project is the old American Legion Adam Plewacki Post No. 799 building, located across from the Central Terminal. The building, which has been vacant for over a year and a half, was originally constructed in 1948 and is currently owned by the city.

Over the last six years, the Buffalo Common Council has approved $5 million in bonds to fund the renovation of the site into a shooting range and training facility for the Buffalo Police Department. While some local leaders and residents see this as a long-overdue investment in public safety, others argue the money could be better spent addressing deeper community needs.

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Neighborhood residents have been asking for an additional police presence for decades, said Chris Hawley of the Central Terminal Neighborhood Association. This may end up being a money saver for the city over the long run, and if it results in improved police-community relations, then all the merrier.

Currently, Buffalo pays neighboring police departments nearly $200,000 annually to use their training facilities. Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski believes that bringing these activities in-house could reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.

However, not everyone is on board with the plan. The community organization Liberation for One, Liberation for All is actively opposing the project. It argues that the funds would be better directed toward initiatives like affordable housing, mental health services, education, and youth programs.

We feel that those things need to be invested in  things that the community wants to be invested in  versus investing in a police training facility on the East Side, said Alia Williams, a representative of LOLA.

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LOLA is currently circulating a petition to halt construction of the facility. The group has until April 18 to collect 18,000 signatures, which it plans to present to the Buffalo Common Council. As part of this effort, the group is hosting an information and signature event on Wednesday, April 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Library on Porter Avenue.

Despite opposition, supporters of the project emphasize the positive impact they believe the new facility could have on the surrounding community.

I think residents are finally happy to see that this will take place, said Hawley. Well see an additional police presence here in Broadway-Fillmore. The neighborhood is turning around. Its getting better.

Nowakowski released a statement calling the project an adaptive reuse of a long-vacant site that improves public safety and has strong support from the neighborhood. He also emphasized that the planned training activities will not create noise or disrupt the surrounding area.

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Still, opponents like Williams are calling for greater transparency.

We are asking that the Common Council do a public hearing on the facility, she said. A lot of people dont know that the city is trying to build it.

Latest Local News

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
When Wendyliz Martinez traveled from Pennsylvania to the Bronx to stay with her mom during the pandemic, she was looking for a way to balance childcare with her online graduate studies at Penn State.

Instead, she found that she was often interrupted by glitches during Zoom meetings, stuck refreshing the same websites and crowded into a corner of her mom's one-bedroom apartment in the hope of getting a stronger Wi-Fi signal.

Martinez could've chalked up her moms spotty cable internet to a number of issues: a faulty router, the Wi-Fi setup or a slow speed tier, perhaps. But she suspected something else after her mom switched to a new router, only to find the speeds still lagging.

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If old equipment wasn't to blame and Martinez's mom was getting the fastest speeds she could afford in an area without other internet provider options, were other households in the neighborhood experiencing the same thing? Martinez decided to turn that question into a research project.

"I was one of the fellows for Library Futures that year, and I was still feeling the impact of the COVID pandemic," Martinez said, referring to a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy for libraries. "I was interested in exploring that for the fellowship."

Using US Census Bureau data, Martinez spent months mapping the state of internet connectivity in the Bronx.

"I was interested in the mapping portion because I'm a visual person," Martinez said. "I know my own kind of experience, and I have done research on Black studies, so I'm aware of historical implications and all that. But how does this actually look on a map?"

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What she discovered confirmed her suspicion: Low-income neighborhoods in New York City had less access to high-speed internet than wealthier neighborhoods nearby.

In fact, the Bronx was one of the city's worst-connected boroughs.

But was the correlation between low-income neighborhoods and lack of adequate internet access an indication of deeper systemic issues?

A lot of researchers seemed to think so.

The divide between households with access to high-speed internet and households without access is a nationwide issue. The sudden reliance on a decent internet connection during the pandemic revealed the extent of that divide, especially in education.

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Following the pandemic, big policy changes, like the Affordable Connectivity Program, BEAD and myriad city and state-driven initiatives, seemed to pave the way for improved internet access.

In 2025, despite the abundance of studies pointing to the broadband divide in recent years and the progress from broadband divide initiatives, low-income households and communities of color are still behind when it comes to high-speed internet.

Americans need a decent internet connection for everything from applying for jobs to buying groceries, getting healthcare and staying plugged into their communities. Households with high-speed internet may take it for granted that within seconds, an entire world is at their fingertips, one not so easily accessed for homes where fast internet is still a luxury.

What is digital redlining?

In 2017, Bill Callahan, co-founder of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and Connect Your Community, published a study that revealed that AT&T withheld fiber deployment in low-income neighborhoods throughout Cleveland.

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The report called the practice "digital redlining."

The term echoes historic redlining when banks denied mortgages to middle-income and upper-income Black families during the 1940s with lasting effects over decades Digital redlining occurs when telecom internet service providers deploy upgrades to networks in wealthier parts of cities but leave low-income neighborhoods behind.

As a result, low-income communities are often stuck on the middling speeds of legacy DSL networks -- paying roughly the same monthly costs as wealthier neighborhoods across town that have fiber internet from the same ISP.

Unlike redlining, however, digital redlining isn't an illegal practice. Secondly, while both digital redlining and mortgage redlining disproportionately affect people of color, digital redlining is perpetuated based on income or return on investment first.

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In other words, since higher-income neighborhoods will assumedly sign up for upgraded fiber internet more quickly than low-income households, ISPs can earn back the money spent from deploying fiber internet to that area faster. Consequently, low-income communities are often the last to get faster internet, time and time again.

The discovery that some neighborhoods historically redlined by banks in Oakland, California, and Cleveland overlap with the same neighborhoods digitally redlined today indicates that these patterns of exclusion continually overlook communities of color.

Probably the starkest example [of digital redlining] that I can think of is the Hope Village neighborhood in Detroit, Sean Gonsalves, a reporter at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, told me. This is a low-income neighborhood in Detroit, and in the height of the pandemic -- this is an area that AT&T serves -- there was a six-week internet outage.

Since the internet is not considered a utility akin to water and power, universal service is not required, and ISPs build networks in markets that yield the highest profits.

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Whether ISPs intended to discriminate when making these upgrades to their networks is inconsequential, although determining intention makes for tricky legal territory.

With an internet service providerit really matters that the intent is not relevant, said Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. They may not have meant to discriminate, but the end result is that someone doesnt have access to the same tech support or the same marketing and sales folks.

Subsequent reports by the NDIA pointed to instances of digital redlining in Dayton, Ohio, Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, among other cities.

Studies from other researchers followed suit with similar findings across the country, including in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

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In 2022, The Markup and the Associated Press published a study with evidence of digital redlining across 38 cities.

How infrastructure was meant to fix digital redlining

Following the pandemic, the federal government unveiled new legislation to make the internet more accessible and affordable.

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $90 billion to improve internet access, creating the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, or BEAD, and the Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP. Both programs were instrumental in heralding a new era of improved internet connectivity.

BEAD is the largest federal investment in broadband to date, with $42.45 billion in funding set aside for deploying internet. The ACP provided a significant $30 to $75 monthly discount on internet bills for qualifying households.

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However, the IIJA's clauses on eliminating digital discrimination were possibly the most significant federal structure for stopping digital redlining, a task expressly delegated to the Federal Communications Commission.

In response to the IIJAs section on digital discrimination, the FCC established the Digital Discrimination Task Force in 2022, but the venture was short-lived and dissolved in 2025 as an instance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). The organizational framework, meant to promote fair treatment and participation, came under fire as a discriminatory program in early January. All DEI-related web pages have since been scrubbed from the Commissions website.

Similar legislative efforts face uncertain futures too.

BEAD is on track to approve proposals and dole out its funding in the coming years. Although structural changes to BEAD have not yet happened, the newly appointed program leader, Arielle Roth, described the previous administration's preference for fiber internet as part of a woke social agenda, echoing other GOP leaders seeking to change the programs preference for fiber and potentially migrate to a Starlink satellite internet-favored approach instead.

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The ACP, which ran out of funds in May 2024, has not been renewed -- leaving the 23 million Americans who depended on it without a funding alternative and often resorting to cutting food and health costs from their budgets to afford monthly internet bills.

The legal battles surrounding equitable internet access have swung back and forth over the years in a similar fashion. But as our world becomes increasingly dependent on the internet, accessibility remains a widespread problem.

What's the current state of digital redlining?

One-third of Americans have access to only one or no internet provider, and six ISPs cover 98% of the internet market. Like Martinez and her mom, the lack of ISP options means youre either stuck with whatever speeds you can get and that ISPs can increase your bill after a year -- and you cant do anything about it.

The trade group USTelecom found that broadband prices decreased while the costs of overall consumer goods and services increased since 2015. Even so, the average cost of the internet is still high, especially in more populous states: After initial promotional discounts expire, the average monthly fee is $98, according to US News.

Those expensive costs and the lack of ISP options in low-income areas have created a fragmented landscape of internet connectivity. According to a Pew Research Center study, households with lower incomes are less likely to have an internet subscription than households with higher incomes.

As part of the Digital Equity Act, each state has its own Digital Equity Plan with various strategies and proposals for bridging the broadband divide. Each state has offered slightly different plans, though each emphasizes community-centric solutions. As such, the responses from cities grappling with digital redlining have all been unique.

According to data from Connect Your Community, Detroit and Cleveland were the worst-connected US cities with over 100,000 households in 2023.

Although Detroit and Cleveland have made significant progress in internet connectivity in recent years, gains may stall without continued federal support. Callahan credits that success to the effectiveness of federal programs like the now-ended Emergency Broadband Benefit and the ACP, as well as locally led efforts in the cities.

Cleveland has had more people working on this problem in the community for the last 25 years than in almost any city in the country, Callahan said.

Cleveland helped establish an unlicensed fixed wireless network, DigitalC, which costs $18 monthly for speeds guaranteed at a minimum of 100 megabits per second, the new baseline for broadband that the FCC raised last year from 25Mbps. DigitalC received $2.76 million as a part of its four-year contract with the city, though the Cleveland City Council expressed concern over DigitalCs failure to meet its subscriber goal for 2024.

Following Callahans report in 2017, multiple Cleveland residents filed claims of digital redlining by AT&T with the FCC. As of early 2018, those claims were resolved and dismissed. AT&T responded directly to the allegations at the time, stating, We do not redline, and highlighted the companys diversity and inclusion efforts. The telecom outlined to CNET what it's done in the years since.

In the Cleveland area, we invested more than $550 million in our network infrastructure from 2019 to 2023 to connect more people to greater possibility, AT&T said to CNET in a statement.

The statement pointed to AT&Ts partnership with JobsOhio to build out a fiber network through East Cleveland, affecting 14,000 residents and slated to be finished by the end of 2025.

Still, data from Connect Your Community as recent as June 2024 suggests that most nonwhite households in Cleveland rely on asymmetric DSL internet services, which use copper telephone lines for data with speeds averaging lower than 25Mbps. For context, thats probably not enough speed to stream high-quality video if theres more than one internet user in the house.

Cleveland Census Tracts by Median Household Income

Source: Connect Your Community. Reprinted with permission.

Cleveland Census Tracts by Percentage of Persons Not "White Alone, Not Hispanic"

Source: Connect Your Community. Reprinted with permission.

Meanwhile, Detroit allocated $45 million toward the broadband divide and appointed a Digital Equity Director to help. Connect 313, launched by the Rocket Community Fund, is a project to establish a network of technology hubs across the city, with free access to the internet, use of computers and other devices, plus digital literacy classes.

Will the strides those cities made continue in light of the now-shuttered ACP and the FCCs pivot away from Digital Discrimination rules?

I posed the question to Callahan.

I think theres going to be some retrenchment, Callahan said, referring to potential cuts in digital equity funding. I dont have any proof of that.

The complications of trying to fix redlining with local, city and state help

Like Martinez, Troy Walcott knows the Bronx, the poorest borough of New York City, has an internet connectivity issue. Thats why he and other Spectrum workers went on strike in 2017 and created an internet co-op.

Walcott is the president of Peoples Choice Communications, a worker-owned ISP and internet co-op serving communities in the Bronx and Manhattan.

Even New York City grapples with gaps in internet connectivity. Although the city has made strides to bridge the gap since the pandemic, theres still a long way to go.

The city tapped the Peoples Choice and a handful of other community-focused ISPs to participate in former Mayor Bill de Blasios Internet Master Plan. The plan, announced in early 2020, included a bold initiative to create an open-access fiber internet infrastructure. The city licensed the Peoples Choice to wire buildings in the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

Ultimately, the plan never came to fruition. The city has since quietly killed the "Internet Master Plan" under current mayor Eric Adams. The Big Apple Connect program was launched in its place and offers qualifying NYCHA residents free internet (plus free equipment rental) with speeds up to 300Mbps. According to a spokesperson from New York Citys Office of Technology and Innovation, the program reaches 330,000 New Yorkers -- making it the nations largest municipal subsidized broadband program.

The Peoples Choice Communications was supposed to be one of the Big Apple Connect's internet providers, but the city passed over them in favor of a three-year contract with region-serving ISPs Optimum and Spectrum and has not yet announced an extension of the program beyond 2027.

"So while programs like Big Apple Connect provide [internet] temporarily for free to NYCHA, what happens when it stops? Walcott said. And also, what happens to all the surrounding buildings and the community that are in the same positionbut are still unable to access service at those low rates?"

Peoples Choice lost most of its subscribers and licensing to wire buildings in NYCHA after being excluded from the Big Apple Connect Program, but Walcott says internet connectivity is still a big problem in the Bronx and that the co-op is shifting to building a fiber internet network to help address it.

Among the commercial internet providers in the Bronx, Optimum is the biggest, according to the FCC. When reached for comment, the ISP affirmed its long-standing commitment to providing affordable connectivity to customers across its footprint,

We are proud that all households in our footprint have access to 1-gig internet speeds throughout the state of New York," Optimum said to CNET in a statement. "We also offer affordable high-speed internet options for customers beginning at $14.99.

Most low-income households in the Bronx still struggle to access high-speed internet despite it being more prevalent than before the pandemic. According to a recent report, the average monthly cost of internet in the borough is $80 for 198Mbps, while the average income in the Bronx is $47,036.

To continue broadband divide efforts, free Wi-Fi hotspots were offered across the city with LinkNYC and NYC Park, though the programs have been criticized as being a faint trace of the citys previous internet plan as well as a privacy risk.

Statewide initiatives have somewhat helped. In January, after lengthy legal disputes, New York became the first state to mandate that all internet providers offering home internet plans within the state provide a low-cost option of $15 for 25Mbps monthly (or $20 for 200Mbps).

Reactions from internet providers have been swift: AT&T pulled its 5G internet service, AT&T Air, from the state entirely, and Starlink quickly filed for an exemption from the law.

This statewide effort makes up for the loss of widely available assistance like the ACP, but despite the progress made by combined digital equity efforts, the momentum may be lost without continued support. Of the 1 million ACP users in New York City, 25% of those users lived in the Bronx -- roughly 45.8% of households in the Bronx.

Broadband adoptions might be more important than access

Digital redlining might seem solvable by deploying high-speed internet to neighborhoods previously excluded from the technology. But what happens when some households dont make the switch? Or if there arent laptops or computers in the home?

Adoption rates, or the likelihood of households using the internet options available at their address and sustaining those costs long-term, are equally, if not more important, than accessibility.

"Digital discrimination is more broad [than digital redlining], Siefer said. Beyond the infrastructure, it is the idea that with getting access to the internet and being able to maintain that access, that there are barriers that can surface in different ways."

According to the latest data from the FCCs broadband map, 99.98% of households have access to a fixed broadband internet connection at 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up (the FCCs definition of broadband). This coverage statistic is slightly deceptive, as it includes satellite providers -- SpaceX claims to cover 99.98% of US households with its Starlink network of microsatellites, but the largest terrestrial fixed wireless internet provider, T-Mobile, covers just under 60% of homes.

Based on those statistics, you could assume that nearly 100% of households nationwide have access to at least one internet service provider delivering high-speed internet -- broadband divide, solved.

However, a closer inspection of the type of internet plans offered throughout the country reveals that although broadband may be widely available for up to 100Mbps download, as the new FCC statute requires, only 80% of Americans subscribe to a high-speed internet plan.

While a basic high-speed internet subscription is essential, other factors, like digital literacy and access to devices beyond smartphones, are crucial for sustained internet adoption.

"Many, many low-income households only have a [smart]phone, said senior policy counsel Jenna Leventoff, the American Civil Liberties Union. And that's certainly helpful. It's better than nothing, but it's really difficult to do your homework on a phone or to work remotely on a phone."

Data shows that low-income, minority and older communities are more likely to rely on internet access via a phone.

Additionally, digital literacy is a barrier to consistent internet access: Most Americans dont understand their internet bills due to price increases, confusing statements, hidden fees and equipment costs.

In an age where internet use is vital for daily life -- from paying bills to determining health -- the broadband divide continues to limit lives throughout the country.

Toward an equitable digital landscape

Its no secret that digital redlining still exists. Current data suggests that even in the most populated cities, like New York City, entire neighborhoods experience drastically different internet service experiences than New Yorkers in higher-income neighborhoods.

While there have been positive strides in digital equity, the failure of legislation in the wake of the end of the ACP has led to states taking matters into their own hands and implementing low-cost options in New York and California. Los Angeles became the first city to directly ban digital redlining last year, though that precedent was based on the FCCs Digital Discrimination rules.

While there is no simple answer for improved internet connectivity, sustainable solutions depend on understanding the nuances between internet access and adoption -- and on creating broader federal solutions.

Additionally, more cities have started turning toward public broadband networks or internet cooperatives, a solution that ensures internet access for everyone. Chattanooga, Tennessees municipal-owned fiber network is a popular success story of local internet being regulated as a utility, but hundreds of others exist.

In places where public broadband networks arent an option, community-led efforts or public spaces like Wi-Fi hotspots or libraries are usually the next best bet for getting online if you dont have high-speed internet at home.

The broadband divide has proven a long, uphill battle without a universal solution. Over the years, plenty of digital advocates and activists have shown up at the front lines, each committed to bringing internet access to underserved communities or neighborhoods digitally redlined by ISPs.

"The only way you can have real equity is when the people who are using the system have a say in the quality and the cost of that system, Walcott said.

One thing remains true, even while we disagree on how to cross the broadband divide: our disjointed, frenetic approach is not working.
By Dave Sherwood

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (Reuters) - Jose Daniel Ferrer stepped onto his front porch in Santiago de Cuba on a recent morning, shaking hands and asking after people's health as he greeted a small crowd of the ailing and elderly gathered at his doorstep.

Inside, he, his wife Nelva Ismarays Ortega, and a staff of around a dozen dispensed steaming rations of boiled potato, yucca, pumpkin, chicken, rice and spaghetti cooked in steel cauldrons over an open fire on their back patio.

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But Ferrer's is no ordinary soup kitchen.

The bespectacled 54-year-old - the founder in 2011 of an opposition group called the National Patriotic Union, or Unpacu - is among the communist-run island's last remaining and highest profile dissidents.

In an interview last week at his home in a downtrodden neighborhood on the outskirts of Santiago, he told Reuters his real aim was to bring "democratic change" to Cuba.

"Political activism is my reason for being," said Ferrer, talking in a commanding baritone while seated in his living room in the country's second largest city, a 12-hour drive over rutted roads from the capital Havana.

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"The only solution to hunger here and throughout Cuba is to bring in democracy."

That kind of bravado is almost unheard of on the island, by law a one-party socialist state that does not tolerate dissent.

Ferrer said he began his food kitchen at the start of the year and by April was serving upwards of 1,000 rations a day.

But then, he said, state security cordoned off the area around his home, threatening those who arrived with detention or removal of government benefits and complicating shopping for stew ingredients.

The Cuban government did not respond to a request for comment on Ferrer's allegations, which were backed by other dissidents and his staff.

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Josefina Reyes, 34, said she began helping out in Ferrer's kitchen two months ago, and that she was recently threatened by state security for her participation.

Reyes denied any political activism as she served up rations of stew.

"As far as I can tell I've done nothing wrong," she said.

Reuters did not observe any police activity during an approximately five-hour visit to the neighborhood.

Ferrer has released a steady stream of videos and posts on social media detailing the alleged harassment. That has caught the eye of the U.S. State Department.

"We stand with Jose Daniel as he provides life-saving aid to the people of Santiago de Cuba," the State Department's Bureau for Western Hemisphere Affairs wrote on X on April 2. "The Cuban regime should focus on caring for its people and not repressing them - those responsible will be held accountable."

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Cuba contends a decades-long U.S. trade embargo - plus fresh sanctions imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump - are to blame for near catastrophic economic woes, shortages and fast-diminishing social services.

It has for decades offered its citizens deeply subsidized food, fuel and healthcare, and runs nearly 1,500 of its own soup kitchens, according to Ministry of Interior Commerce statistics.

Four government-run operations in the capital Havana last week that were visited by Reuters were providing those in need with simple meals of rice and vegetables, cucumber salad, and bread. Prices ranged from 2 pesos (less than 1 U.S. cent) to a cap of 25 pesos (7 cents).

The food did not match that provided by Ferrer.

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But, said 75-year old Adolfo Guillermo Mateo as he arrived at a small state-run soup kitchen in central Havana on a recent weekday morning, the subsidized meals had sustained him for nearly a decade - breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"Sometimes the food is good, sometimes it's average, but the workers here do what they can to provide us with the best service possible," Mateo said.

JAILED AFTER PROTESTS

Ferrer is hoping his community aid program will mobilize a popular movement, although his ultimate aim of upending the one-party government seems to face long odds.

Following anti-government protests on the island in July 2021 - the largest since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution - many dissidents, including Ferrer, were jailed. Others fled to exile.

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Ferrer was one among over 500 prisoners released on parole earlier this year following a deal between the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden and Cuba, brokered by the Vatican. Ferrer said he emerged from jail appalled by the depth of suffering and hunger he saw, a situation he blames on the government.

Cuba's government dismisses Ferrer as an unhinged U.S. government-financed pawn, accusing him of fomenting unrest.

Ferrer, who has called for nonviolent change through civil disobedience, said he had not received funding in 2025 from the U.S. government. He said his roughly 400 donors to date were primarily "independent Cuban workers," the majority of whom reside in the U.S. and contribute small sums to his cause.

Three members of the hardline Cuban American National Foundation in Miami, he said, had also provided seed capital for his project this year from their personal accounts.

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The Trump administration's recent decision to pull funding for many international aid projects has forced him to look elsewhere, Ferrer said.

"To be effective, it's very important that policies allow us to alleviate shortages, hunger and extreme misery in Cuba," he said. "We're hoping that the U.S. will release funds to help."

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood in Santiago de Cuba and Havana, additional reporting by Norlys Perez and Mario Fuentes; Editing by Christian Plumb and Rosalba O'Brien)
Apr. 13DIXON  The Dixon City Council held its last public hearing Monday before the council will vote to approve the fiscal 2026 budget at its April 17 meeting.

A copy of the budget draft is available at Dixon City Hall, 121 W. Second St., and online at the city of Dixon website. During the next meeting at 5:30 p.m. April 17 at city hall, the council plans to have a final copy of the budget book available for viewing, Finance Director Becky Leslie said Monday.

In February, the council held three budget sessions, during which community organizations and city departments made their funding pitches to the council.

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[ Dixon Historic Theatre makes $250,000 funding pitch to Dixon City Council ]

[ Dixon City Council reviews $33 million capital improvement budget for 2026 ]

[ Dixon police, fire departments push to continue mental health professional funding ]

Some highlights in the drafted budget include $110,532 for a crisis team coordinator employed at the Dixon Police Department to assist officers with mental health calls, $9,599 left over in revenue from the general fund, and about $20 million in grant funding dedicated to various economic development projects, according to the budget draft.
A pilot program allowing Defense Department civilians to buy discounted groceries at military commissaries in 16 locations has been extended through the end of the year, commissary officials said.

Civilian employees, including appropriated fund employees and nonappropriated fund employees, can shop at the 16 stateside stores participating in the program as long as they have DOD identification.

About 11% of the more than 61,000 DOD civilians eligible to shop at these stores have used the benefit in the four months of the pilot program, which was originally scheduled to end April 4. Sales across the 16 pilot stores have increased by 5.4% in those four months, and officials expect that trend to continue, said Keith Desbois, a spokesman for the Defense Commissary Agency.

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Allowing DOD civilians to shop in the commissaries is expected to provide additional customer savings through increased sales volume, lower prices and more promotions from suppliers, commissary officials said.

The stores with the highest usage of the pilot program are Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia, where nearly half of the 1,327 eligible civilians have used the pilot program; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, where 36% of the 928 eligible civilians have used it; and Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where one-third of the 995 eligible civilians have taken part.

The 16 stores are located in seven states:

Alaska: Eielson Air Force Base

California: Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Fort Irwin

Georgia: Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and Robins Air Force Base

Maryland: Naval Air Station Patuxent River

Oklahoma: Altus Air Force Base

Texas: Laughlin Air Force Base

Virginia: Naval Support Facility Dahlgren; Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base commissaries); Fort Gregg-Adams; Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (Little Creek commissary); Naval Station Norfolk; Naval Air Station Oceana; and Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth)

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The pilot program excludes family members of DOD civilian employees and former and retired DOD civilians. It also doesnt include the purchase of tobacco or alcohol products and doesnt provide online shopping privileges.

For 157 years, military commissaries have offered discounted groceries on installations. Current authorized customers include active, reserve or retired service members; veterans with service-connected disabilities; Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients; and authorized family members, among other eligible patrons.
A philosophy professor locked in a lawsuit for nearly two years with SUNY Fredonia over his controversial podcast remarks has been told he will lose his job when the university abolishes its Philosophy Department.

Stephen Kershnar, a SUNY distinguished teaching professor, was banned from campus three years ago following his podcast comments about whether adult-child sex is always wrong, although he has continued to be paid as he conducts research.

His faculty appointment will end Aug. 31, 2026, according to a retrenchment letter he received from the university president he is suing. The letter noted that neither a philosophy major nor minor will be offered by the university much longer.

As part of SUNY Fredonias Roadmap to Financial Sustainability, the university conducted a thorough review of academic programs to ensure our offerings are best aligned with student interest and drive long-term institutional sustainability, the university said in comment to The Buffalo News.

Beyond that, the university declined to comment on Kershnars federal lawsuit and layoff.

SUNY Fredonia says allowing professor back on campus would 'pose an unacceptable risk of violence' At a court hearing Friday, lawyers for Stephen Kershnar pressed a federal court judge for a preliminary injunction to bar the university from keeping him off campus and prohibiting contact with the campus community. They said the university has violated his First Amendment rights.

Kershnars attorney believes the layoff has more to do with the lawsuit than the universitys budget cuts.

SUNY Fredonia is using these layoffs as a pretext to continue targeting Kershnar, said attorney Adam B. Steinbaugh of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit group that seeks to protect freedom of speech on college campuses.

The professors comments about pedophilia on a podcast on Jan. 30, 2022, led to a social media firestorm and vile emails directed at him.

Days later, Stephen H. Kolison Jr., the universitys president, called Kershnars podcast comments absolutely abhorrent and reassigned him to duties that did not require contact with students or being on campus.

Kershnar, who began teaching philosophy courses at Fredonia in 1998, filed a lawsuit against Kolison and another administrator in June 2023 in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. He asked the court to declare that the Fredonia administrators violated his First Amendment rights by removing him from the classroom and barring him from campus.

SUNY Fredonia says allowing professor back on campus would 'pose an unacceptable risk of violence' At a court hearing Friday, lawyers for Stephen Kershnar pressed a federal court judge for a preliminary injunction to bar the university from keeping him off campus and prohibiting contact with the campus community. They said the university has violated his First Amendment rights.

Defending themselves against his lawsuit, Fredonia officials said they feared his return could cause potential campus disruption, and they cited threat assessments by the former police chief at SUNY Fredonia warning of an unacceptable risk of violence.

Kershnars lawsuit said the administration encouraged a social media hecklers veto, allowing momentary public and political reactions to dictate who may teach at a public university.

SUNY Fredonias leaders smeared him and let neo-Nazis dictate who is allowed to speak at a public university, Steinbaugh told The Buffalo News. They have fought tooth and nail to censor him, running up attorneys fees while facing budgetary issues.

During the podcast, Kershnar said: Imagine that an adult male wants to have sex with a 12-year-old girl. Imagine that shes a willing participant. A very standard, very widely held view is that theres something deeply wrong about this, and its wrong independent of being criminalized. Its not obvious to me that it is in fact wrong.

Within a few days, social media posts and video clips generated negative media coverage for SUNY Fredonia, with articles and broadcasts from Fox News, online conservative media outlets and local TV news stations.

Federal judge aims to kick-start negotiations between SUNY Fredonia and banned professor Stephen Kershnar's comments about pedophilia on a podcast on Jan. 30, 2022, led to a social media firestorm and vile emails directed at him, and he was barred from campus until further notice.

He hasnt taught on campus since.

A year ago, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo pressed the two sides to negotiate, but they remain at a stalemate.

At a court hearing last year, a lawyer for the state told Vilardo that the university would focus on dollars and cents walkaway money in settlement discussions with Kershnars lawyers.

The layoff will not affect Kershnars civil lawsuit, Steinbaugh said.

The university continues to pay Kershnar, who was paid $108,424 in 2024, according to the government transparency website SeeThroughNY.net.

Kershnars damages go well beyond a paycheck, said Steinbaugh, who noted that his layoff would not take place immediately.

There are still classes he can teach before that happens, he said. SUNY Fredonia is instead spending additional money to hire other people to teach those classes while it pays Kershnar to conduct research. Continuing this legal fight over three years later will only add to the universitys legal costs and Kershnars damages.

Fredonia was highlighted in a recent SUNY report as one of the systems campuses required to enact strategies to improve their financial health and ensure long-term sustainability.

Fredonia went through a 40% decline in enrollment over 10 years leading up to 2023.

But Fredonia cut its deficit in half, and the campus fall 2024 enrollment increased by 7% for first-time undergraduate students.

At Fredonia, 13 programs and nine minors with low enrollment were eliminated or sunset to address the schools $10 million deficit.

Theyre making sure their programs align with student demands, which is critical, SUNY Chancellor John B. King said earlier this year. Fredonia is headed in the right direction.

Among the eliminated minors was philosophy. For each of the past three years, on average, seven Fredonia students declared a minor in philosophy.

Steinbaugh is not accepting Kershnars retrenchment notice as a simple budget cut.

Last year, retrenchment notices were sent to a sculpture professor and a photography professor. One was also sent to an art history professor who opted to retire.

Kershnar, who referred questions to his lawyer, told The Buffalo News that he was the only one Fredonia laid off this academic year.

Out of all the jobs at risk due to restructuring, hes third in line? Steinbaugh asked.
It has been almost two months since the House passed a budget bill with no tax on overtime, but nothing can be done with the bill yet.

The House narrowly passed its spending bill on Feb. 25. President Donald Trump endorsed the agenda because it combined many of his campaign promises into one bill.

The House voted 217-215 in February to advance Trump's legislative plan, with budget levels for 2026 through 2034. All Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, voted against the budget plan. Now, we must wait for the Senate to approve the spending bill, which is separate from the one passed in mid-March to avoid a government shutdown.

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Here's what to know about when we can expect no overtime tax.

What is no tax on overtime?

The proposal for no overtime tax seeks to remove the federal income tax on overtime pay. Removing the tax would mean workers who log extra hours would not have to pay federal taxes on overtime earnings.

States with a state income tax, like Oklahoma, may still have the possibility of paying state income taxes on overtime.

What was included in the House spending bill?

The goals of the proposal are:

Allowing overtime pay to be exempt from income tax would let workers keep a larger portion of their earnings, potentially increasing their take-home pay and stimulating economic growth.

Removing taxes on tips would provide considerable advantages to service industry workers like restaurant staff, delivery drivers, and gig workers, who depend heavily on gratuities for a large portion of their income.

Eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits would give retirees more disposable income, potentially improving their quality of life and boosting local economic activity.

When does no tax on overtime start in Oklahoma?

No overtime on taxes and the other measures in the House budget bill will go into effect once it is signed into law. Before Trump can sign the bill, the Senate will have to reconcile and agree upon it.

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If it is signed before the deadline, the bill will take effect when the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. However, we will not see any exemptions from federal income tax on paychecks until after the new year, as the bill pertains to budget levels for 2026 through 2034.

When will the Senate vote on House spending bill?

There's no actual timeline for when the spending bill must be approved before the fiscal year begins.

The House of Representatives must pass all budget bills by June 30. However, Congress has no official deadline other than the Oct. 1 beginning of the fiscal year.

Both sides of legislation have deadlines throughout the year to progress through the budget, but only the House has a deadline for the final budget.

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Once Congress and the House pass the budget bill, it will be sent to the president's desk, where he has 10 days to sign it.

In the 119th Congress, there were 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and 2 Independents in the U.S. Senate, and the GOP held a two-seat edge in the House of Representatives. Races later this year will fill seats vacated by Republicans Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz, both of whom resigned to take appointments in the Trump administration, though Gaetz never assumed his role.

The Senate requires a 60-vote majority to pass the bill, meaning we may see a close voting margin, similar to the one in the House a month ago.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: When does 'no tax on overtime' start? Where the bill stands, what to know
(NewsNation)  Since Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in February, the department has gone through a major overhaul as the former presidential candidate attempts to lay out the Trump administrations health agenda.

The Democrat-turned-independent presidential candidate-turned-Trump ally was considered a controversial choice to lead the health agency.

Kennedy has been a longtime anti-vaccine advocate and proponent of the health freedom movement.

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After Kennedy was sworn in, President Donald Trump established the Make America Healthy Again Commission in February 2025 committed to Kennedys cause of addressing a growing health crisis in America with a focus on nutrition, chronic illness, drug safety issues, mental health, and more.

What is the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement?

Kristin Davis, a former publicist for Kennedys presidential campaign Common Sense PAC, told NewsNation MAHA is more than a slogan. Its a nationwide movement committed to restoring the health and well-being of the American people by addressing the root causes of our nations health crisis.

What is a stroke, and who is most at risk?

She noted that the conception of MAHA pre-dates the political scion.

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While the name MAHA was coined and trademarked a few years ago by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health freedom movement and what it represents has been evolving for over a decade. The health freedom movement is a grassroots coalition of doctors, activists, and informed citizens fighting for transparency, informed consent, and the right to make personal health decisions free from corporate and government coercion, Davis said.

Davis added the health freedom movement, challenges a system where profits often come before people and demands accountability for the rising chronic illness epidemic, said Davis. RFK Jr. helped give it a formal identity, but the movement itself predates the brand. (MAHAs) key initiatives include revising the childhood vaccine schedule, eliminating harmful additives and toxins from our food supply, and advocating for transparency, informed consent, and real accountability in both medicine and government.

What are the key initiatives of Make America Healthy Again?

The MAHA PAC website explained they advocate for addressing the origin of chronic illness like nutrition, and environmental toxins, and will focus on preventative healthcare and better quality food.

We have one of the sickest generations of young people of any developed countries, Dr. Phil McGraw said on NewsNations CUOMO. Were 33 out of 38 among developed countries right now in terms of the presence of chronic disease in young people.

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What are the silent symptoms of heart disease?

Some of Kennedys objectives include stopping the use of fluoride in drinking water, banning artificial food dye, and this month he made a bold announcement that he would find the cause of autism by September.

When asked for comment the HHS referred NewsNation to Trumps executive order creating the MAHA Commission.

RFK Jr.s restructuring of the HHS

Since he became health secretary, numerous government health programs and employees have been eliminated.

According to a March 2025 HHS fact sheet, the agency in accordance with Trumps Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative cut roughly 20,000 full-time employees and downsized from 28 to 15 divisions including the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA).

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Kennedy promised he would overhaul the health system in the United States with a proposed $11 billion in cuts from state and local health departments.

We arent just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic, Kennedy said in the release. This Department will do more  a lot more  at a lower cost to the taxpayer.

In his first network interview since being sworn in, CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, questioned Kennedy on the cuts. Kennedy replied, No Im not familiar with those cuts. Wed have to go  the cuts were mainly DEI cuts, which the president ordered, and added he was also unaware that HHS cut $750,000 in grant research at the University of Michigan for adolescent diabetes.

How is RFK Jr.s HHS leadership being received?

With regards to HHS cost-cutting measures, Mark A. Peterson, Professor of Public Policy and Senior Fellow at the Center for Health Policy Research at UCLA told NewsNation that cuts could affect research that has been influential in improving the lifespan and quality of life of Americans.

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Are Americans following MAHA push to eliminate synthetic food dyes?

 terminating grants midstream, totally redefining the predicates of the research infrastructure without any transition and opportunity for universities and other institutions to plan and adjust and summarily firing highly trained and experienced federal employees without a care about either their contributions or their personal circumstances is unprecedented and completely counterproductive, Peterson said.

U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), an internal medicine doctor and member of the Congressional Doctors Caucus, has been vocal with his reservations about RFK Jr.s medical perspectives and mass layoffs at the HHS, FDA, and CDC.

Bera told NewsNation on Thursday that the Secretary of HHS claiming to not know the specifics of the cuts was disappointing because a lot of these programs we stood up post-pandemic to do better surveillance, wastewater surveillance, other things to be an early warning signal should there be a new novel virus popping up or even from a biosecurity perspective if someones introducing a biological agent or something like that I think thats weakening our public health system.

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Its weakening our local public health systems at a time where naturally occurring pathogens, but also potentially man-made pathogens could be more prevalent, he also said.

Davis, Kennedys former Common Sense PAC publicist, defended Kennedys swiping changes.

People have bought into the idea of change without fully grasping what true reform demands, she said.

We didnt reach this level of national unhealthiness and government corruption overnight and undoing it requires bold, sometimes uncomfortable measures that critics often resist out of vested interest and simple naivety, Davis also said.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Donald Trump again lashed out at 60 Minutes, this time angry over two segments the newsmagazine ran on Ukraine and Greenland.

The presidents attacks on the media and 60 Minutes are nothing new; whats different this term is hes tried to assert authority over independent agencies that regulate the media business.

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In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump called on the network to lose their license and for his FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, to impose the maximum fines and punishment, which is substantial, for their unlawful and illegal behavior.

Almost every week, 60 Minutes, which is being sued for Billions of Dollars for the fraud they committed in the 2024 Presidential Election with their Interview of Failed Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris, mentions the name TRUMP in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this pic.twitter.com/z7ucpadUEa  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 14, 2025

The two 60 Minutes segments were pretty standard for the newsmagazine. One featured an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In the segment, Scott Pelley noted that Trump rewrote history, saying, falsely, that Ukraine had started the war, before running a clip in which the president referred to Zelensky as a dictator.

I believe, sadly, Russian narratives are prevailing in the U.S., Zelensky said. How is it possible to witness our losses and our suffering, to understand what the Russians are doing, and to still believe that they are not the aggressors, that they did not start this war? This speaks to the enormous influence of Russias information policy on America, on U.S. politics, and U.S. politicians.

Zelensky then invited Trump to visit Ukraine to see what Putin has done to the country.

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In the segment on Greenland, Jon Wertheim spoke to residents who talked of their opposition to the U.S. annexing the country. Greenland is for Greenlanders, not for anybody else, said its prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Trumps latest comments come amid reports that a mediator has been selected to try to come to a settlement in his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS over the way that 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris. The president claimed that the network purposely made Harris look better to help her campaign, something that the network denies.

The lawsuit, filed in Texas federal court, claims that the network violated the Texas Deceptive Practices Act, but many legal observers find the litigation frivolous. Trump claims that his media company, which owns Truth Social, was harmed because the 60 Minutes segment diverted traffic away from his platform.

Nevertheless, Paramount Global, the parent of CBS, is seeking regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance, and seeing that the transaction gets the Trump administrations greenlight is the rationale behind a lawsuit settlement.

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Carr, meanwhile, launched an inquiry into the 60 Minutes Harris segment following a complaint that the network violated the FCCs news distortion policy. But the FCCs authority is narrow, and the agency acknowledges that it is prohibited by law from engaging in censorship or infringing on First Amendment rights of the press.

CBS has provided the FCC with the unedited transcript of the Harris interview, and it shows that the 60 Minutes broadcast was not doctored or deceitful, the newsmagazine said in a February statement.

In reporting the news, journalists regularly edit interviews  for time, space or clarity. In making these edits, 60 Minutes is always guided by the truth and what we believe will be most informative to the viewing public  all while working within the constraints of broadcast television, 60 Minutes said in the statement.

That said, Trumps latest statement seems to be an effort to put further pressure on Paramount as it seeks merger approval. It also puts pressure on Carr to enact some kind of a punishment on CBS, even if the network, under ordinary circumstances, would likely challenge any action in court on First Amendment grounds. Trump has tried to send the message that commissioners who dont support the administrations agenda risk getting fired, as he ousted the two Democratic commissioners on the FTC last month.

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In his first term, Trump suggested that the FCC pull the license of NBC after he lashed out at the networks news reporting. But his FCC chairman then, Ajit Pai, defended the First Amendment and said, that under the law the FCC does not have the authority to revoke a license of a broadcast station based on the content of a particular newscast.

60 Minutes, meanwhile, has not retreated from hard-hitting pieces on the Trump administration, broadcasting segments just about every week since he took office.

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President Donald Trump and his administration refuse to take action to get Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant wrongly rendered to the Salvadoran prison CECOT, out of El Salvador and back to the United States. In doing so, they are openly defying a Supreme Court order.

The question of whether and when Trump would find himself in defiance of a Supreme Court order has stalked the early months of his second administration. By pushing the law well beyond its limits, this confrontation seemed destined to happen. But the administration and the court have so far sought to avoid such a conflict, with the administration pretending to abide by court rulings through deflection and minimal compliance and the court deferring to the administration as though it is normal.

That is impossible to avoid now, unless the court chooses to stand down. In an order issued on April 11, a unanimous Supreme Court declared that a district court decision 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.

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That is pretty straightforward. The government must abide by the district courts orders to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador and bring him back to the U.S. to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador.

But Trump and his administration are spinning this decision as though they won and do not have to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S.

In an appearance alongside Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump claimed that the Supreme Court ruled in our favor on Monday. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Two courts ruled that [Abrego Garcia] was a member of MS-13, and that the only thing the Supreme Court required of the administration was to provide a plane if Bukele chose to release him.

For his part, Bukele dismissed any suggestion he would release the Maryland man as preposterous, asking how he could smuggle a terrorist into the United States.

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This is not what the record shows regarding accusations against Abrego Garcia, nor what the Supreme Court ruled. However, the way the court wrote its opinion provided Trump with the opening to take this defiant posture.

President Donald Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said they would not comply with a U.S. Supreme Court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia from a Salvadoran prison to the U.S. Ken Cedeno/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Abrego Garcia was removed along with over 250 Venezuelan and Salvadoran immigrants on three planes to CECOT on March 15. He had been arrested by ICE in a targeted operation in his home state of Maryland because he was accused, without evidence, of being a member of the gang MS-13 in 2019.

Abrego Garcia later challenged his detention, and the immigration judge found his testimony, including his refutation of gang affiliation, credible and free of embellishment. He was granted withholding removal status, which prevented him from being removed to El Salvador.

The Trump administration, however, sent Abrego Garcia to El Salvador anyway, to languish in prison for the rest of his life based on a discredited accusation of gang affiliation made six years ago.

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Lawyers for the Department of Justice repeatedly admitted in court that Abrego Garcia had been wrongfully removed. But the administration has denied it has any power to effectuate his return.

In disobeying the Supreme Courts order to get Abrego Garcia out of CECOT and back to the U.S., the administration is now making false statements about what the court ordered while taking an openly defiant posture against the district court hearing the case.

Following the Supreme Courts April 11 order, District Judge Paula Xinis issued an order declaring the Trump administration in violation of her previous order to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. She further ordered administration lawyers to provide daily updates on Abrego Garcias physical location, what steps the administration has taken to facilitate his return and what steps it will take and when.

In the two days since, Department of Justice lawyers have not fully answered Xinis questions. On April 12, the administration reported that Abrego Garcia was alive and in CECOT in El Salvador, but did not provide any answers to Xinis second and third questions. Again, on April 13, the administration filed a daily status report that did not answer any of Xinis questions.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, listens during a news conference to discuss her husbands arrest and deportation on April 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong via Getty Images

Instead, the administration declared in that status report that it doesnt have to return Abrego Garcia because he is supposedly an MS-13 gang member, according to the disproved gang affiliation allegation, and stated that Abrego Garcia is no longer eligible for withholding of removal because of his membership in MS-13 which is now a designated foreign terrorist organization.

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This is a wholly new assertion from the administration, entirely based on an accusation that a judge found to be false. Notably, the administrations filing omits this fact. It notes the initial judges ruling that did not challenge the MS-13 accusation, but it does not mention that another judge found the gang accusation to be false in a subsequent trial where Abrego Garcia won withholding removal status.

On April 12, Abrego Garcias lawyers filed a brief stating that the Government defied an order of this Court, and of the Supreme Court, by refusing to provide even basic information about Abrego Garcias current location and status and what it is doing to comply with the injunction. They asked Xinis to order the administration to immediately take steps to obey both courts orders, begin discovery proceedings and determine whether the administration should be held in contempt.

The administration responded to this brief by declaring that the Supreme Court order did not require it to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. and that Xinis did not have the power to order them to do so. This response contained multiple false assertions and mischaracterizations of what the Supreme Court had ordered.

At the same time, the administrations intransigence is a sign of how the Supreme Court bungled its decision in the case.

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In order to evade any responsibility to return Abrego Garcia, the DOJ response aims to define the word facilitate in such a way that it mangles the meaning of both the Supreme Courts and the district courts orders.

Taking all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia is thus best read as taking all available steps to remove any domestic obstacles that would otherwise impede the aliens ability to return here, the response states. Indeed, no other reading of facilitate is tenableor constitutionalhere.

This effort to define facilitate does not, however, account for what the Supreme Court actually ordered the administration to do. It did not order the administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. in the sense of not actively standing in the way of his return. Instead, the court ordered the administration to actively 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.

In short, bring him back and make sure he gets due process.

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These are two entirely different things. There is no world where the administrations definition of facilitate aligns with obeying either courts orders.

The Salvadoran prison CECOT, where Abrego Garcia was mistakenly removed to, is known for human rights abuses and torture. Handout via Getty Images

The reason the administration can even make the claim for its mangled definition of facilitate gets at how the Supreme Court royally screwed this case up.

In its unanimous decision, the court did order the administration to get Abrego Garcia out of CECOT and to the U.S., but it also stated that the district court that first ordered Abrego Garcias return should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs.

The DOJ response jumped on this assertion by claiming that the courts do not have the power to order the administration to do anything that relates to foreign countries. Its reasoning? Chief Justice John Roberts decision in Trump v. U.S., the case that provided Trump with immunity from prosecution for official acts as president.

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The federal courts have no authority to direct the Executive Branch to conduct foreign relations in a particular way, or engage with a foreign sovereign in a given manner.  Such power is conclusive and preclusive, and beyond the reach of the federal courts equitable authority, the DOJ response states, citing Trump v. U.S.

The Trump v. U.S. decision, released shortly before the 2024 election, effectively declared that anything a president does as part of their official acts is inherently legal. The administration has since seized on this sweeping vision of executive power to justify all of its illegal and unconstitutional actions when challenged in court.

Courts have some power to challenge a presidential administration in defiance of its rulings. They can hold administration officials or agencies in contempt, withhold their funding or even jail officials. These actions are extremely rare, but if the court does not step in and exercise its authority in this case, it would set an extremely dangerous precedent.

If Trump is allowed to defy this ruling, it will have stark and dangerous implications for all Americans. The government would be able to claim that anyone is a gang member, without evidence, deny them due process and then ship them to a foreign prison for a life sentence where the law no longer applies. Such an act, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Constitution and the rule of law in the United States.

Related...
President Donald Trump meets with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday. The Trump administration has formed a firm alliance with Bukele, who has accepted hundreds of migrants deported from the United States, with many placed in the Salvadorian prison known as the Center for Economic Cooperation and Development, or CECOT.
Apr. 13A Kalispell man accused of drunkenly waving a handgun at fellow motorists during a January 2024 road rage incident earned a pair of suspended jail sentences last year.

Jacob Michael Krone, 28, faced a felony assault with a weapon charge and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, first offense, following the Jan. 6, 2024, confrontation on Montana 35. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Flathead County District Court that same month.

But Krone took a deal in May of that year that saw prosecutors amend the felony charge to misdemeanor assault in exchange for a pair of guilty pleas.

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Judge Heidi Ulbricht handed down a suspended six-month sentence to the county jail for the assault charge on May 1, 2024. He received a second six-month sentence  with all but one day suspended  in the county jail for the driving under the influence charge.

Ulbricht gave Krone credit for three days of time served and ordered him to pay $585 in court fines and fees.

Krone stuck a gun out the window of his GMC Sierra and pointed it at a mother and son traveling northbound along Montana 35 in the early afternoon, court documents said. The mother and son had unsuccessfully tried to pass Krone.

They took a photo of Krone's license plate and turned it over to the authorities, who used it to track him down, according to court documents. Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies caught up with Krone on Trails End Drive not long after.

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He denied waving the gun at the time and said he had made an obscene gesture at motorists he described as tailgating him, court documents said. Deputies, who described Krone as smelling of an alcoholic beverage, recovered a 10 mm Glock pistol while arresting him.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
The high temperatures Oklahoma has been feeling this spring is an early preview for summer, which will probably be hotter than normal.

The jet stream weather pattern over the United States will make Saturday and Sunday hot and windy, with highs nearing or reaching 90 degrees across Oklahoma. Those conditions will also raise the chance of fire weather to elevated or near-critical levels.

After a brief cold front arriving on Sunday, temperatures will rise again in the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service.

Summer forecast trending hotter than average

Heading into summer months, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center believes it will be hotter than average for most of the United States. The western half of the continent is expected to also be drier than usual with below-average chances of rain between May and July.

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According to a forecast prepared by The Old Farmer's Almanac, Oklahomans should expect a gradual buildup to record-breaking heat this summer. On average, temperatures in Oklahoma are expected to be 4 degrees above normal. It will be even hotter in the Gulf states and the American Southwest.

The driest conditions are expected in Oklahoma, Texas and across the Great Plains, the Almanac predicts.

"June temperatures will be near normal in most regions (though not all), meaning the summer heat wont surge too quickly," the Almanac said this month. "However, July and August will bring above-normal temperatures across most regions, with only a few exceptions. Given recent trends, we wouldnt be surprised to see record-breaking heat."

For meteorologists, summer begins on June 1, while the astronomical summer marked by the June solstice starts on June 20.

Oklahoma drought remains a concern

As of Thursday, more than half of Oklahoma was in some level of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

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The worst-hit area is northwestern Oklahoma, which has received less than three inches of rain over the past 90 days. Data compiled by Oklahoma Mesonet weather monitoring stations shows most of that rain has fallen in the past two weeks.

A prolonged drought negatively affects crop production, puts stress on water systems and increases the chances of wildfires.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How hot will Oklahoma get this summer? See what NWS, Almanac predicts
Suspect in custody for arson at U.S. Pennsylvania governor's residence

Xinhua) 14:08, April 14, 2025

HOUSTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- An arson suspect was arrested on Sunday afternoon, hours after the Pennsylvania governor's official residence was blazed and partly damaged in the state's capital city of Harrisburg, said Pennsylvania State Police.

The suspect was identified as Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris told a press conference.

The suspect hopped over a fence around the governor's residence and forcibly entered the building before setting it on fire early Sunday morning, according to the state police.

The attack was "targeted" but its specific motive is still unknown, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said at the conference.

Shapiro said that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family that had celebrated Passover on Saturday were inside the home when they "woke up to bangs on the door from Pennsylvania State Police" around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Sunday.

Balmer will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism, arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person, said Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo at the press conference.

No one was injured by the fire, but parts of the residence sustained a "significant amount of damage", said the state police in a statement earlier on Sunday.

Shapiro, 51, a Democrat, is considered a potential contender in the 2028 U.S. presidential race.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlons first budget proposal includes a less-than-expected tax hike and no layoffs, but other mayoral hopefuls panned the spending plan as built on unrealistic revenues and continuing a pattern that has resulted in the citys structural deficit problems.

Scanlon, who took office as acting mayor in October after former Mayor Byron W. Brown resigned, celebrated the budget announcement as a significant victory and thanked his administration for helping minimize damage in what could have been a very painful spending plan with double-digit tax hikes, significant layoffs and cuts to city services.

Were taking the challenge that was presented with them and taking it and using it as an opportunity for the City of Buffalo to become better, to become more innovative, to be more creative and a little bit more efficient, Scanlon said at a news conference announcing his submission of the plan to the Common Council.

Critics, many of them his opponents in the upcoming primary and general elections for mayor, lined up soon after to call the spending plan a continuation of the budget policies of Brown, who consistently overestimated revenues and underestimated costs in his budgets, using reserve funds and windfalls, including American Rescue Plan funds, to plug budget holes as they grew throughout each fiscal year.

Critics also pointed out that Scanlon routinely approved Browns budgets during his 12 years on the Council.

Late state budget is causing problems for Scanlon's city spending plan With the New York State Legislature now late with the budget, Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon says that makes it difficult to submit a city budget.

Much of the focus of the criticism is the use of two potential revenue streams that must be part of the state budget, which has not yet passed. Scanlon is pushing for plans to sell city parking ramps to a newly created parking authority, which will need the approval of the State Legislature. Scanlons administration estimates that the sale of the ramps to the authority, which would borrow through bonding to pay the city, would bring in between $40 million and $60 million that the city would spread out over several years to soften the blow of what would otherwise be even higher property tax increases.

He is also seeking the inclusion of a 3% hotel bed tax on top of the existing 13.5% Erie County bed tax, which would bring an estimated $3 million or more in recurring revenue.

Both measures have failed to gain traction in the Legislature, so far. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes has introduced bills for both plans in her chamber, but they do not have co-sponsors. And no matching bill for either plan has been introduced in the State Senate.

Its almost a work of fiction, said attorney James Gardner, the lone Republican in the mayoral race. Its built on this whole idea of overestimating, basically, one-time revenue sources and underestimating certain expenditures that he knows the citys going to have just paper over the yawning budget deficit.

State Sen. Sean Ryan, in a written statement, said Scanlons plan was irresponsible and avoided making hard decisions necessary to bring longstanding structural deficits back into line.

It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the acting mayors proposed budget relies on the same speculative revenue and one-time budget gimmicks that got the city into this fiscal mess in the first place, Ryan said.

Brown last year included bed-tax revenue in the current budget, despite the law not passing the State Legislature, part of the reason Scanlon had to use more than $17 million in remaining American Rescue Plan funds to plug a budget gap shortly after taking office.

Garnell Whitfield Jr., the former Buffalo fire commissioner who is also running in the Democratic primary, described the spending plan as reactionary, saying that, even if Scanlon gets what he is seeking in the state budget process, it will not make things any easier in coming years, as the money gained from the sale of the parking ramps is spent down going forward.

The ramps generated $4.5 million in revenue for the city last year.

It may help fill up the hole temporarily, Whitfield said. But, its not a long-term strategy, in my mind.

Buffalo Mayor Scanlon's proposed spending plan has 8% tax increase, no layoffs Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon's spending plan, which he submitted to the Common Council on Tuesday, would raise extra revenue through the tax increases and increases to some city fines and fees, though user and garbage fees would remain flat.

ReUse Action co-founder Michael Gainer, running in the Democratic primary, and Gardner had similar criticisms.

The budget that has come out doesnt go near as far enough, and it has a lot of uncertainty in it that is not being addressed by the acting mayor, Gainer said.

Scanlon often points to measures he and his commissioner of Finance and Administration, Raymour Nosworthy, have put in place to bring fiscal discipline to city departments. They asked all department heads to try to trim costs by 10%, have instituted a soft hiring freeze, only filling positions they deem necessary or revenue generating, and have cut out most travel and reviewed supply contracts, measures they say have added up to $30 million in savings.

And Scanlon and his team have bristled at the characterization of the parking ramps sale as a one-shot revenue stream, arguing that the move is necessary to avoid extreme property tax increases, and that it absolves the city of finding money for costly repairs to the aging ramps. And, they say, the authority would be set up to funnel any money left over after the authority repays bondholders and pays for operations back into the general fund.

He has accused Ryan and his allies in the Legislature of declining to support the measures for political reasons, something Ryan has denied, citing his concerns about a lack of detail and wisdom in the plans.

Mayor's proposed budget calls for 17% spending increase for Buffalo police Last years adopted police budget came in at just under $81 million. This year Brown has suggested giving the department $95.2 million  more than a 17% increase over last year  and part of a proposed budget that would see property taxes increase by 9%.

Its disappointing that Sean Ryan would call my responsible budget and spending plan irresponsible,  Scanlon said in a written statement. Whats truly shocking is a sitting senator taking shots from the sidelines instead of offering real solutions.

However, it is not only those plans that have drawn criticism. Scanlons proposed spending plan projects increases in revenue from permits, fines and fees related to parking infractions. That is paired with measures to increase related fines and fees the Council is expected to pass this week. But it is unclear whether those increased projections will match the revenues collected, considering that those lines are already set to come in under budget for the current fiscal year.

Perhaps the biggest concern is overtime, which has chronically and increasingly exceeded projected budget lines, with the police, fire and public works departments driving the overages.

Scanlon budgeted $24 million for overtime. This fiscal year, with three months remaining, the city already has spent more than $28 million, and in the prior fiscal year, the city spent $41 million.

Whitfield, who spent years managing overtime costs and watching city budgets come and go, says he has seen this sort of budget process before. The city cant shrink the deficit without significant change, he said.

Every time the administration changes, every time theres a new commissioner, they just reinvent the wheel, he said.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Thousands of people and pounds of food filled the Abilene Convention Center as the community showed its love for military families at the 60th annual Worlds Largest Barbecue.

Chairman of Abilene Military Affairs Greg Blair said it was more than slabs of brisket and racks of ribs; it was a celebration of military families.

Its just an opportunity for the community to say thank you to our servicemen and women who defend our nation and protect our freedom, Blair said.

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2023 Military Family of the Year announced at 58th Worlds Largest Barbecue

Each year, Abilene Military Affairs honors one military family. This year, the spotlight was on the Perkins family  Zach, Kylie, and their son Beau. But Zach says the real honoree is his wife, Kylie.

Surprise, honestly, honored a little bit, but I think it all goes to her, Zach said. Ive got to give the hats off to her. Shes the one that holds this whole family together, and its really awesome seeing her get recognized for herself, her selflessness, and I think shes very deserving of this.

Zach and Kylie met in the Air Force when they were both C-130 Loadmasters.

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When it comes to the Worlds Largest Barbecue, Chairman Greg Blair says the name isnt meant to be taken too literally.

We dont know if its the worlds largest barbecue, but we do know we have the biggest heart for our military, and the Abilene community is known throughout the Air Force for being great supporters of the base, Blair said. Were just happy to have this small token of appreciation for our servicemen and women.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
If your hippie cousin seems a little off at Easter brunch, don't be alarmed.

Easter Sunday, one of the most important holidays in Christianity, and 4/20, the unofficial holiday for marijuana enthusiasts, fall on the same day this year: April 20.

But why is Easter and 4/20 on the same day? Has it ever happened before?

Here's everything to know.

Easter Sunday, the most important holiday in the Christian religion, and 4/20, the unofficial holiday for marijuana enthusiasts, will fall on the same day this year: April 20.

When is Easter 2025?

Easter will be on Sunday, April 20.

Why is Easter so late this year?

The date is different every year and falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox.

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The U.S. and most of the world use the Gregorian calendar, which can place the date of Easter anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

The Gregorian calendar, instituted by Pope Gregory XIII, went into effect in 1582.

In the 1,417 years from 1583 through 3000, its most common for Easter to fall on April 16, with 61 instances. The least common dates are March 22 and 24, with nine instances apiece.

Eastern Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, which can place the date of Easter anywhere between April 4 and May 8 when it's converted back to the Gregorian calendar. This year, the Eastern Orthodox Church observes Easter on Sunday, April 20.

What is 4/20?

The pseudo-holiday, commonly known as 4/20, is celebrated by many marijuana smokers both in the United States and around the globe. In states where marijuana is legalized, smokers celebrate their love of the plant through public and private events, including festivals, special film screenings, pipe-making classes and more.

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In the U.S., where marijuana is not federally legal, April 20 also serves as a rallying date for advocates of legalization.

Some businesses, including head shops and dispensaries, also offer discounts on the day.

When is 4/20?

The quasi-holiday occurs annually on April 20, a Sunday this year.

Has Easter ever fallen on 4/20?

Yes, Easter Sunday and 4/20 have coincided several times before. The last time Easter fell on 4/20 was in 2014.

This year will be the 13th time Easter has taken place on April 20 since 1630, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, the date didn't pick up a reputation as a holiday for marijuana enthusiasts until the 1990s.

Heres a list of years when Easter fell on 4/20:

1631

1642

1710

1783

1794

1851

1862

1919

1924

1930

2003

2014

2025

When is the next time Easter will fall on 4/20?

Easter won't fall on 4/20 again for another 62 years. The next time the two holidays will coincide will be in 2087, per the U.S. Census Bureau.

Is recreational marijuana legal in Ohio?

Recreational marijuana became legal in Ohio just over a year ago, in December 2023, with sales launching at local dispensaries in August 2024.

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There are over 130 stores across the state selling recreational marijuana to consumers age 21 and older, meaning Cincinnatians can now walk into approved locations to purchase a range of products, including flower, vape cartridges, edibles, beverages and topical creams.

Cincinnati dispensaries offer a range of products, including flower, vape cartridges, edibles, beverages and topical creams.

What does 4/20 mean? Why is it associated with marijuana?

According to popular lore, 420 started in the early 1970s by a group of students at Northern California's San Rafael High School. The group, which dubbed itself the Waldos, used to gather after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke because it was the only time everyone was free to meet.

The timestamp, which became the code for smoking marijuana, eventually spread throughout the country. But psychedelic rock band The Grateful Dead popularized the term.

Dave Reddix, a member of the Waldos, told Time magazine in 2017 that he worked as a roadie for the band's bassist Phil Lesh. Time reports that during a December show in 1990, some Deadheads in Oakland distributed flyers inviting people to smoke 420 at 4:20 p.m. on April 20.

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One of the recipients of the flyer was Steven Bloom, a reporter at The High Times. The popular cannabis publication printed that flyer, and a new observance was born.

However, the truth surrounding the holiday's origin remains a bit hazy.

Other theories exist about the origins of 420, including references to a California police code and a Bob Dylan song, but the Waldos have remained adamant they are the true architects of the holiday.

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, and Lianna Norman, Palm Beach Post, contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Easter is on 4/20. Has it happened before? Will it happen again?
While the Easter holiday often involves eggs, bunnies and pastels, this holiday bears a deeper meaning with Holy Week days like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

The Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ happens in the spring every year. Many denominations observe celebrations during Holy Week leading up to Easter, marked by Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

Here's what to know about Easter's religious significance.

What day is Easter 2025?

This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 20, 2025. The holiday tends to fall either in March or April each year.

What is Easter? Why is it celebrated?

Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion, a belief paramount to Christianity.

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Both Catholic and Protestant faiths observe the religious holiday and have done so for thousands of years, with the first celebration recorded in the second century, according to Britannica. The New Testament describes Easter Sunday as the third day after Christ was crucified and was resurrected from the dead.

What do eggs and bunnies have to do with Easter?

While Easter eggs and bunnies aren't specifically mentioned in the Bible in relation to Easter Sunday, both eggs and rabbits are historically said to symbolize fertility and new life that can be linked to the resurrection of Christ, according to History.com.

What are the dates for Holy Week 2025?

For many Christians, Holy Week 2025 runs April 13-20, starting with Palm Sunday and concluding with Easter.

Dates vary yearly based on the lunar calendar. The weeks concluding day, Easter Sunday, lands on the first Sunday following the Paschal full moon, or the first full moon after the spring equinox, which happened on March 20 this year.

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Holy Week includes Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

When is Palm Sunday 2025?

This year Palm Sunday, the day Christ entered Jerusalem, was April 13, a week before Easter Sunday.

Catholics carried blessed palm branches into church as a welcoming gesture honoring Christ having ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey.

When is Good Friday 2025?

Falling on April 18, 2025, Good Friday is when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Christ.

The day is alternately known as Black Friday, Holy Friday, Great Friday, and Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord.

Is Lent a Catholic practice?

The Lenten period is when Catholic observers fast  one full meal and two smaller meals not adding up to one full meal  between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Adult Catholics are expected to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.

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The Anglican Church and Episcopal Church faithful also partake in Lent.

When does Lent end in 2025?

In 2025, Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and ends on Holy Thursday, April 17.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What day is Easter? Dates of Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, more
The News

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa was reelected for a four-year term after a campaign defined by a worsening security situation in the country.

At the top of Noboas agenda will be tackling soaring murder rates in Ecuador, which has gone from a regional island of peace a decade ago to one of the most violent nations in the world as drug cartels have ramped up their fight for control of valuable trade routes.

A recent surge in cocaine production in neighboring Colombia and Peru has further intensified clashes between cartels.

In response, Noboa has promised a tough-on-crime approach modeled on that taken in El Salvador, which has managed to lower murder rates but at the expense of mass human rights abuses.
Ecuadors president has won re-election, vowing to continue his war on drug gangs and shrugging off accusations that he is involved with the narcotics trade.

In what was seen as a referendum on his hardline approach to escalating drug violence, the conservative Daniel Noboa saw off Left-wing challenger Luisa Gonzalez with 56 per cent of the vote on Sunday.

This day has been historic, Mr Noboa told supporters at a victory rally in the coastal town of Olon.

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After Ms Gonzalez had accused the president of electoral fraud and said she would not accept the votes results, he said: There is no doubt who the winner is.

The 37-year-old son of a banana tycoon came to power two years ago, pledging to break up powerful drug cartels that have turned parts of the country into war zones.

He declared a series of national emergencies, bringing in curfews, suspending basic constitutional rights and militarising the streets and the prisons. The day before Sundays vote, he announced another 60-day state of emergency, preventing any opposition protests against his victory.

Supporters of Daniel Noboa celebrate after learning the first results of the presidential run-off election - Marcos Pin/AFP

Despite the tough measures, violence has continued to soar. The first two months of this year were the bloodiest on record, with an average of one killing every hour.

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The drug turf war reached the presidents family banana business in March, when a report alleged that 700kg of cocaine had been found inside Noboa Holdings fruit shipments between 2020 and 2022.

Ms Gonzalez accused the man known for his tough approach to drugs of being a trafficker. The report was published as a response to her accusation during the presidential debate, when she said: They [Noboa Holdings] export drugs in banana boxes belonging to Mr Daniel Noboas company to Croatia and Italy.

The president said his family had cooperated with the investigation.

He responded by tacitly admitting that there had been cases of drug trafficking through the companys shipments, but denied any wrongdoing. If the company itself co-operates and alerts the police it means that it is a co-operator, which is not what you are alleging, he said.

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However, the journalist behind the investigation was allegedly forced to flee the country after receiving death threats from Mr Noboas ruling National Democratic Action Movement.

Formerly one of South Americas safest countries, Ecuador now has the continents highest homicide rate. Its port areas have been hit hardest by the violence, as traffickers look to control imports from the neighbouring cocaine-producing countries of Columbia and Peru.

A shoot-out between rival factions broke out in the port city of Guayaquil last month, resulting in 22 deaths.

Mr Noboas tactics have not reduced the violence, but have contributed to increasing poverty and unemployment levels, as well as triggering an energy crisis that has led to blackouts.

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The president, who has been compared to Nayib Bukele, El Salvadors US-allied leader, has received backing from the White House to press on with his war against the cartels.

Last month, CNN reported that Ecuadorian officials were laying the groundwork for US forces to arrive and assist in the crackdown, with plans for the construction of a naval facility in Manta.

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April 14 (UPI) -- Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa won re-election, based on preliminary results in the country's presidential election held Sunday.

With 90% of the ballots counted Sunday, National Electoral Council president Diana Atamaint declared Noboa the winner, as she announced a turnout of 83.76%, "exceeding the percentage from the first round."

Voting is mandatory in Ecuador.

Leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez, Noboa's closest challenger, has rejected the results and demanded a recount. She had also lost to Noboa in the 2023 election.

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The conservative Noboa has made the defeat of gangs and drug traffickers one of his chief goals and has used both the military and legislation to make inroads. Among his moves was the start of construction on a new maximum-security prison and the declaration of several states of emergency since his win in the last election, a snap content held in 2023. Government figures show there have been over 1,000 murders since the start of 2025 in Ecuador.

Noboa has also sought the aid of foreign companies and governments, especially from the United States. He announced in March that Ecuador "established a strategic alliance" with Erik Prince, founder of Constellis, the private defense contractor formerly known as Blackwater, "to strengthen our capabilities in the fight against narcoterrorism."

Noboa's government has prepared to host American military forces at a new naval base on the Ecuadorian coast and has proposed the lift of a ban on foreign military bases that was established when Ecuador revised its constitution in 2008, CNN reported.
A Saturday session of the House of Commons is normally reserved for the gravest of crises. This was called because the Government required support for legislation without which the countrys last steel blast furnaces in Scunthorpe would close, probably for good.

The debate highlighted the short-termism of allowing a strategic industry to fall into the hands not merely of foreign investors but of a Chinese firm with no interest in what mattered to the UK.

Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, said the bosses of Jingye, which owns the Scunthorpe steel plant, were not negotiating its future in good faith and wanted to move British steel production almost entirely to China. Why should anyone be surprised?

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In any case, most of our steel already comes from China and other producers around the world. Mr Reynolds said that Germany, Holland and Sweden made their own steel and there was no reason why the UK could not do so as well. But there is a reason and it is one the Government continues to duck: the excessively high costs of energy in the UK compared to other major industrial nations.

This is not entirely Labours fault because our current net zero policy was introduced by the Conservatives, but the current Government has subscribed to the same approach. This is an opportunity for the UKs national interest to be put ahead of net zero zealotry and for levies to be removed, exemptions given, pits reopened, North Sea licences issued and prices reduced to rescue what is left of our manufacturing base.

To that end, Sir Keir Starmer needs to demonstrate the pragmatic ruthlessness he seeks to cultivate and remove the main blockage to a sensible future. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, must go.

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We understand the temptation for Chicago City Council members to blanket-ban the ragtag rioters and criminals who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 believing they had permission from the man who now occupies the White House. Its hard to imagine any of them, especially those who committed violent acts, rising to the top of a pool of candidates for a city job.

We further understand aldermanic frustration at President Donald Trumps pardoning of them.

But you cannot logically argue for an independent judiciary nor for a second chance to be offered to violent criminals who say they have changed their ways if you apply any such policy through a strictly political lens, opening the door, say, to Chicagos reformed armed robbers and violent carjackers but not any of this crew, as pardoned by the president of the United States.

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If the City Council has an issue with presidential pardons, it should work to remove that power from the Oval Office, which is not necessarily a bad idea.

But it is still inadvisable to subvert the system. It sets a terrible precedent.

Imagine if a future Republican administration wanted to ban from employment all of the staffers and others who were pardoned, some questionably but all legally, by former President Joe Biden. The result is just tit-for-tat subversion and another blow to Americas supposedly nonpartisan system of justice.

We think Gov. JB Pritzker was wrong to direct the blocking of over 1,500 of those convicted Jan. 6 participants from future state employment, even after they served their time and/or received their pardon. The American judicial system looks at individuals, parses guilt and innocence, separates leaders from followers and is at pains to ensure no one gets blamed for the acts of others.

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Chicago should not repeat the states mistake and vote instead to look at the Jan. 6 persons on a case-by-case basis, fully considering their individual backgrounds and qualifications, what they did or did not do on that infamous day and whether or not they now have changed their ways. Just like any other applicant for a city job.

If applicants are rejected individually on an evidential basis, perfectly fine. We are all for a high bar for city employment. But the rest is just political grandstanding that plays into the wrong hands.
When the financial markets go wild, investors naturally want to know, Whats next? Unfortunately, one answer turns out to be true every time:

Brace yourself for a big upswing in financial fraud.

Market volatility and economic uncertainty combine to make everyone more vulnerable to fraud, from expert traders to regular folks who rarely think about their portfolios except when fear is on the rise.

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Last week, the VIX contract measuring fear in the stock market at Cboe Global Markets in Chicago surged to its highest close since the start of the pandemic five years ago. That spells opportunity for criminals seeking to take advantage of a population justifiably worried about its economic future.

At the same time, investment scams have become more sophisticated. Artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technology make them harder to spot and easier to implement on a large scale. The stakes are higher than ever.

The Federal Trade Commission last month announced that Americans reported $5.7 billion in losses from investment fraud in 2024, up 24% from the prior year. The increase was driven not from an uptick in the number of fraud cases, but rather from crime paying off at a higher rate. Last year, 38% of those reporting fraud said they had been cheated out of their money, up from 27% in 2023 who said the scams theyd experienced had cost them.

Illinois residents evidently are juicy targets, reporting more fraud per capita than residents of 40 other states, according to the FTC. Older adults in Illinois are especially susceptible, with those between 60- and 69-years-old accounting for more losses than any other 10-year age group.

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This year could be a lot worse than 2024, not least because Uncle Sam is letting down its guard. From Day One of his second term, President Donald Trump has targeted federal watchdogs responsible for protecting consumers.

Through Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, the Trump administration has set out to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. While this page supports the goal of cutting red tape and saving tax dollars, every American should be aware that the CFPB, now sidelined, has recovered over $20 billion in financial relief for U.S. consumers since Congress launched it after the 2008 market crash.

DOGE operatives also have pushed for mass firings at the Internal Revenue Service, an agency with a strong consumer-protection mandate that provides a huge return on every dollar the government invests in running it. Slashing its workforce, as the Trump administration has set out to do, makes zero budget sense and encourages criminal behavior.

Similarly, the administration has redirected federal law-enforcement agencies away from prosecuting financial predators to focus on its immigration crackdown and other Trump priorities. The Justice Department recently disclosed that it has disbanded its cryptocurrency fraud unit, for instance, even though scams using crypto as a payment method are on the rise.

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Earlier this month, as his tariff fiasco roiled financial markets, President Trump declared, This is a great time to get rich, richer than ever before. It would be true to form if criminals were among those most eagerly taking Trump at his word.

Consider gold, an investment that usually does well when stocks and bonds do badly. Gold has always held a special allure for investors who see it as a safe harbor, especially today when incompetence at the top threatens to blow up financial assets. Rest assured that con artists are standing by to exploit golds allure.

A recent scam in Wisconsin began when dozens of unsuspecting households were told their bank accounts had been hacked.

Posing as federal agents, the scamsters goaded one older office worker into emptying her accounts of more than $400,000, using the funds to buy gold bars, then handing over the precious metal to a courier for supposed safekeeping. The victim alertly wrote down the license plate of the alleged courier, who was swiftly arrested, and has since been ordered to pay restitution.

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The case had several elements that watchdogs warn investors to be wary of: The scammers pretended to be from a trusted organization, claimed they were trying to help the victim, pressured her to act immediately and prescribed a specific method of payment, namely gold.

If anyone reaches out unexpectedly, claiming to be a person in authority, saying you must quickly hand over money, dont do it. Instead, block unwanted calls and messages and refuse to provide financial information in response to an unexpected request. Resist the pressure to turn over funds on the spot via wire transfers, payment apps, gift cards, cryptocurrency or, of course, gold bars.

Perhaps more than ever in its modern history, America is headed toward a government that wont do much more to help consumers beyond the traditional warning of Buyer Beware. So take that warning to heart, and especially in these uncertain times, be on guard for criminals who want to separate you from your hard-earned savings.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Kevin T. Stocker has run for village justice, town justice, Assembly and State Senate  in some cases, more than once  all without ever winning a general election.

Now, the Town of Tonawanda lawyer who relishes door-to-door campaigning is eyeing two higher-profile elected positions: Erie County sheriff and Congress.

Just dont call him a perennial candidate for political office.

I view myself as picking up the sword and charging into battle, whether anybody follows or not, because I know this fight is worth fighting, Stocker said in a recent interview at his law firm.

Stocker said he has heard from people willing to help him challenge Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, who for now doesnt have an opponent as he seeks a second term. Stocker said he is considering this because he believes Garcia has done a poor job, but his focus is on a different office: the 23rd Congressional District seat now held by Rep. Nick Langworthy, a Republican up for re-election in 2026.

I feel like Im taking on Goliath, Stocker said, pointing to the incumbents advantages. Im taking on one of the reddest districts in the area.

Langworthys office declined to comment, and Garcias office did not respond to a request for comment.

Stocker, 61, is a Republican-turned-Democrat who has alienated leaders of both political parties with primary challenges of endorsed candidates. He said he will seek support from Democratic leaders in the sprawling 23rd District, which extends from Niagara County to the Southern Tier. But some party officials who have dealt with Stocker are skeptical.

It sounds to me like its somebody who wants to get some print time with The Buffalo News and be mentioned in an article, Erie County Democratic Chair Jeremy Zellner said. This guys run for every office in the county, basically. And until petitions are filed, and until somebody shows me that theyre serious, we can all just talk. And thats all it is, is talk.

Taking punches

Much of Stockers practice centers on personal injury law, though he has taken on prominent environmental cases representing, for example, neighbors of the Amigone Funeral Home crematory and the Tonawanda Coke site.

He served in the 1990s and early 2000s as prosecutor for the Village of Kenmore and Town of Tonawanda.

The Kenmore resident unsuccessfully ran for town justice in 2007 and village justice in 2008 and 2009. He ran and lost as a Republican against then-Assembly Member Robin Schimminger, the long-serving Kenmore Democrat, in 2010.

Stocker proves Davids can win, slays Grisanti in primary The day after Kevin T. Stocker delivered a stunning upset of State Sen. Mark Grisanti in a Republican primary, the winner viewed his victory in biblical terms. Its been a very important goal to show the Davids can beat the Goliaths, said Stocker, a Kenmore attorney who said he represents other Davids in his private practice  individuals and

Stocker lost the 2012 Republican primary in the State Senates 60th District to Sen. Mark Grisanti before scoring an upset win over Grisanti in the GOP primary two years later. Stocker went on to lose a three-way race in the 2014 general election for the Senate seat.

He lost the GOP primary to Chris Jacobs in the 60th State Senate district in 2016. Four years later, after a party switch, Stocker ran in the Democratic primary to replace Schimminger in the Assembly, but lost to Bill Conrad.

Town Board member, maverick attorney vie to replace Assemblyman Schimminger Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, the Kenmore Democrat who took office in 1977, set off a scramble late last year when he announced he would not seek re-election in

You take some punches that, you know, theyre not easy, he said. Its not a kind business, thats for sure.

Stocker is known for his disdain for party bosses  a feeling thats mutual  and his love of door-to-door campaigning. He said he spent a year covering every part of the 60th District, one home at a time.

He has drawn criticism for what his opponents have labeled misleading campaign ads, signs and literature. In his most recent race, for example, Conrad said Stocker aired TV commercials for his law practice that were improper political ads, a charge Stocker denied.

Stocker has his own complaints, and a long memory, recalling headlines he didnt appreciate and a former News political columnist he clashed with.

Eleven years later, he remains proud of his 2014 Stocker shocker primary triumph and frustrated by his narrow general election defeat that November.

Who wins the first time up? Who takes on all of New York State and beats them? Well, it took me a time or two, but I did, back to that primary, Stocker said. And what was so great about that, The Buffalo News at the time didnt think it could be done.

Its got to stop

Now, almost five years after his last campaign, Stocker says he wants back in.

He said the Sheriffs Office option presented itself more recently, when some influential political donors  Stocker wouldnt name them  reached out to him to gauge his interest.

Garcia has Republican and Conservative backing for re-election, while Democrats did not endorse a candidate.

Stocker said the goal would be to get enough signatures on petitions to create an independent ballot line for the fall election.

He said someone should run against Garcia because of what he called mismanagement of the department and the incumbents mishandling of a scandal involving the offices chief of narcotics, Daniel D.J. Granville, accused of crashing his county-owned pickup into seven cars parked in Buffalo last April.

Garcia facing scrutiny over car crashes, but unlikely to face a challenger in re-election bid Erie County Sheriff John Garcia is unlikely to face a challenger in his re-election bid this fall despite heightened scrutiny over a series of car crashes last year involving his chief of narcotics.

Garcia has insisted he has done nothing wrong in the Granville case, which is the subject of several investigations.

If I were to go in that direction, Id want to give my very best efforts to clean up that department, Stocker said, and Id want Erie County to be proud of it.

The Buffalo Police Department issued Granville three new citations for leaving the scene of a crash without reporting it. Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman, whose office was named special prosecutor in the case, said the citations were issued by Buffalo Police at his offices request.

Stocker said he wasnt ruling out running for sheriff but, at this point, his attention is on Congress. He said he wants to get an early start, by June 1, on this uphill battle.

Langworthy, the former Erie County and New York State GOP chair first elected in 2022, has a war chest of nearly $1.2 million.

Further, Republicans hold a 40% to 28% advantage among registered voters in the ruby red district, where Langworthy beat Democrat Thomas Carle by 66% to 34% in the fall.

Stockers preferred style of campaigning, meeting voters personally, is less practical in this district, which covers nine counties, including portions of Erie and Niagara. But it is not impossible, insisted Stocker, who contends that his argument that President Trumps agenda is bad for district residents will resonate there.

I dont know whats important in the Southern Tier. I got to go learn. And they need to tell me what they want fought for on their behalf, he said. And thats what I see is so upsetting. Theyre not even having town halls. The elected officials are afraid. Well, they should be afraid. Theyre betraying hardworking families. I see it going on and its got to stop.

Stocker doesnt live within the boundaries of the 23rd District, but pledged to move if he wins.

It is not clear how much support he will have from the party establishment.

Zellner said Stocker is one of several candidates, including Carle, expressing a desire to take on Langworthy.

I think that theres interest there, and we will be happy to work with someone if they want to challenge Nick, Zellner said, speaking the day after party petitions were due for most 2025 local races. But, obviously, we just got more than 100 candidates for party and elected office on the ballot yesterday, and were working hard on this years elections.
THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT

That personalized message went out from President Donald J. Trumps Truth Social account at 9:37 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

For those of us who saw it on X or elsewhere, the missive did not at first seem anything out of the ordinary.

Presidents named other than Trump have talked up U.S. markets. Tanking stocks in the face of a growing Trump-ignited trade war clearly are a threat to the presidents agenda and even the most transactional chief executive in American history surely is at least somewhat aware of the pain being inflicted on followers and enemies alike, possibly stirring whatever empathic capacity lies in the mans soul.

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So it made sense that Trump would try to boost the market, not unlike how he previously had tried to stem the fallout from Elon Musks political activities by temporarily turning the White House front lawn into a pop-up Tesla dealership.

Plus, anyone who watches Jim Cramer or the fleet of self-appointed TikTok experts well knows the adage that the most money is made in the market by those with the nerve to buy when there is retiree (and near-retiree) blood in the 401(k) waters. The stock market will recover. Such are the lessons from the collapses due to the financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID moment in 2020 when most previous assumptions about the progress of the human race were scrambled and then locked down.

But at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Trump announced that there would be a 90-day pause on his most egregious and widespread tariff increases, excepting those imposed on China, which Trump hiked all the more. Subsequent reporting said that the White House observed (a) that this pause was a personal decision on Trumps part and (b) that the decision in favor of the switcheroo was made in the morning. Stocks took off after the announcement.

So the salient questions there are: When did Trump begin contemplating pausing the tariffs and when did he definitively decide to do so?

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If the answer is he knew for sure at 9:37 a.m., that sounds to us like an attempt to privilege his own followers, giving MAGA adherents who watch and leap on Trumps every utterance some inside information. Simply put, insider trading on the highest imaginable scale.

No president, even this one, operates in a vacuum. Thus, additional questions worth asking would be whether or not any of Trumps inner circle made trades Wednesday based on advance knowledge of the imminent tariff pause. Weve not yet seen evidence that any of them did, so the denials should be easy to make and document.

Of course, given that we are talking about the president of the United States, this whole business is another example of Trumpian topsy-turvydom taking over our psyches.

Since Trump is the ultimate decision-maker here, especially since Republicans in Congress have relinquished to the White House so much power in regard to the application of tariffs on foreign nations, the absurd question here probably is not whether Trump did or did not know something but where he was in the decision-making process.

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One could easily imagine his potential legal defense strategy as Democrats howled: I was only 49% sure by 9:37, your honor, and so I was not imparting nonpublic information in the absence of my own certitude.

Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said Thursday on X that its time to ban insider trading in Congress, a sentiment with which we agree. Any member of Congress who purchased stocks in the last 48 hours should probably disclose that now, the Democratic congresswoman wrote. Ive been hearing some interesting chatter on the floor.

Of what, she did not say.

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California Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat, was smart Wednesday to call on Congress to investigate whether Trump engaged in insider trading and/or market manipulation. In a letter addressed to White House chief of staff Susan Wiles and Jamieson Greer, acting director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Schiff and fellow Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona pointed out that on Wednesday the Standard & Poors 500 index recorded a 9.5 percent single day gain, the indexs largest gain since 2008.

Firm evidence of illegal improprieties requires the kind of investigation Schiff and Gallego rightly are seeking. The appearance of impropriety on the part of a president whose idiosyncratic personal actions are driving Wall Street lurches is a charge that can be made right now.

So, no, Trump should not be giving tips on when to buy stocks or other assets. He should focus on restoring confidence and stability both in the American economy and in this nations leading place in the world under the rule of international law.

As for the advice to buy? Well, that turned out great on Wednesday, but Thursday was a different story. That same S&P index fell back down by 3.5% at the market close.

As ever, the future is unknown at least by anyone not named Trump. But maybe not such a good time to buy after all.

_____
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR)  Edmond Public Schools announced its next superintendent on Monday.

According to the Edmond Board of Education, Dr. Josh Delich will be the 23rd superintendent for Edmond Public Schools. Coming from Minnesota, he was selected after a nationwide search and has 21 years of experience in education.

LOCAL NEWS: This team is historic: Thunder fans welcome the team home at Will Rogers International Airport for playoffs

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Dr. Delich brings passion for continuing the forward progress in Edmond, building on our history of success and looks forward to leading our district into the future. said Board of Education President Courtney Hobgood. We are confident as you get to know Dr. Delich, you will find him to be the collaborative, thoughtful and humble leader who we selected.

The announcement comes after former EPS Superintendent Angela Grunewald announced her retirement in January.

I love this district, our students and staff members deeply. I have enjoyed my 17 years in Edmond immensely. My love and devotion for our district has fueled my desire to lead EPS. Serving as your superintendent has been the highlight of my career. I continue to have so many dreams for this district to help us better serve students. I have no doubt that many of those dreams will come to fruition, just under the next leader. said Grunewald.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Josh Delich hugs Edmond Board of Education President Courtney Hobgood after she introduces him as the next superintendent of Edmond Public Schools on Monday at the district's administration center. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

EDMOND  Pledging to continue the reputation of success as a destination district, a school administrator from Minnesota will become Edmond Public Schools next superintendent.

The Edmond Board of Education voted unanimously Monday morning to hire Josh Delich as the next chief executive to lead the district of 25,700 students. On July 1, he will succeed Angela Mills Grunewald, who is soon retiring after four years as superintendent.

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When you drive around here, you can see the greatness thats happening here, and I want to be a part of that excellence and continue that, Delich told reporters after the school board meeting.

Edmond Board of Education member Marcus Jones takes his seat before a meeting Monday at the Edmond Public Schools administration center. The board voted to hire Josh Delich to succeed Angela Mills Grunewald as the superintendent of Edmond Public Schools (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

The board also voted to contract with Delich on a daily rate basis as he visits and consults with the administration as the incoming superintendent. He formally takes office on July 1, but he will begin preparing for the transition right away by traveling back and forth from Minnesota, he said.

Edmond schools didnt immediately provide details of his contract and salary. Grunewald earns a base salary of $220,000 and $26,700 in additional benefits and compensation.

Delich is an associate superintendent for high schools at the largest district in Minnesota, Anoka-Hennepin Schools north of Minneapolis. The Minnesota district of 38,000 students is known, like Edmond, for academic performance above the state average.

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Edmond Board President Courtney Hobgood said Delich delivers not only experience but a strong heart for education.

He brings passion for continuing the forward progress in Edmond and building on our history of success, Hobgood said after the meeting.

Josh Delich speaks to news reporters after the Edmond Board of Education hired him as the next superintendent of Edmond Public Schools on Monday at the districts administration center. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Delich said he will bring external ideas to Edmond, Oklahomas fourth largest district, but first wants to listen, learn (and) lead to better understand whats going on before I start infusing some of the ideas or experiences I have into the system.

He said he intends to examine ways to improve four key areas: student achievement and outcomes, staff and teacher performance, operational efficiency and effectiveness, and relations with the Edmond community.

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Delich said he also hopes to connect with Edmonds state lawmakers and state Superintendent Ryan Walters.

The relationship between Edmond district leaders and Walters at times has been strained. The district sued the Oklahoma State Department of Education after Walters administration tried to order the removal of The Kite Runner and The Glass Castle from Edmonds high school libraries.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in Edmonds favor, deciding local school officials rather than the state decide what books to keep on school library shelves.

I look forward to meeting Ryan Walters and spending some time, get to know the individual, get to know him, also for him to get to know me and then figure out where to where can we align and where can we best keep moving things forward, Delich said. Because I know that if youre in the world of education, its about students and how do we develop and create great opportunities for students.

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Born in Bogota, Colombia, Delich was adopted and raised in Minnesota. He has 21 years of experience as an educator in his home state and in Texas. He attended Concordia University, St. Paul and then the University of Texas at Arlington for his masters degree in education. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas.

Before joining Anoka-Hennepin Schools, Delich was an assistant superintendent at St. Paul Public Schools, the second-largest district in Minnesota.

His wife, Desirae, and their three daughters will relocate with him to Edmond.

Delich said he and his wife had visited Oklahoma before and could see ourselves someday being here.

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The amount of welcoming, the genuine sense of belonging that one can get when they get here to Oklahoma is amazing, he said. This is a gem of a state.

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Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are renowned for prioritizing post-secondary education opportunities to all Black students, but a recent report says that enrollment rates for Black men at those schools are suffering.

The New York Times reports that Black men only account for 26 percent of the students at HBCUs. Thats even lower than the previous number of 36 percent in 1976, according to numbers gathered by the American Institute for Boys and Men. The story also states, there are now about as many non-Black students attending HBCUs as there are Black men.

Antoine Hardy doesnt teach at HBCUs himself, but he has personally seen decreasing numbers of Black men in his classrooms. Hes an assistant professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College, and an adjunct professor at New York Universitys Clive Davis Instutute of Music. He told The Root that he had five to eight Black or afro-latino men in his courses in 2018 and 2022 at both schools, respectively, and that he only has two to three Black men in those courses this semester.

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After having conversations with high school students about the issue over the years, Hardy attributes multiple factors to account for the dwindling numbers of Black men in college. He says that some of these men are disenchanted after seeing their siblings struggle with college loans and job placement, and that the variety of vehicles to learn online decreases the allure of college for them. The anti-intellectual/entrepreneur rhetoric has been loud since middle school for them, he says. Influencers and successful people celebrate dropouts and being self-taught, and this media and algorithm is geared to male consumers. He adds that men deal with societal impatience for them to make money.

College is framed as a feminine thing, and girls have more patience. Men [have this perception of] I need money now, mixed with this idea that being broke as a man is the worst and that a real man can hustle, Hardy continued. He also adds that some men have dealt with low expectations from people around them. Whether at home or school, no one has believed in them, and their school doesnt push college.

Eugene Lee-Johnson is a tenure track assistant professor of political science at his HBCU alma mater, Southern University in Baton Rouge. He wasnt surprised by the New York Times report: he says that hes been surrounded by women students and professors, both while receiving his education and in his teaching career. Through his experiences as a mentor for young men and research hes found, he mirrored Hardys comments about societal expectations for men.

Theres a trauma that comes with Black male patriarchy. Men need to provide, men need to protect, and a lot of our young men internalize these things rooted in our oppression. I even experienced it myself, he said. If I dont work, I dont eat, so to speak. When you think about the way Black boys are disciplined, educated, and mentored, it doesnt always look the same as it does for women. We see sports, music, and even drug dealing as a means to an end. Its one of the ways we experience gender differently. Black girls face their issues as well, but their pathways look different.

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Black women shape their priorities differently. Being doubly-disadvantaged, and for some Black women even more, Black women understand that they have to be twice as good, Lee-Johnson continued. He emphasizes that despite being rampantly underpaid by way of gender pay gaps, Black women understand that education is a ticket to a better life. Also, education is a form of civic engagement for them.

Hardy and Lee-Johnson both say that colleges have done a poor job of reaching out to Black men, but the latter says that its not all HBCUs fault. He explains that most HBCUs dont have large endowments, so that they have fewer resources to work with. He says that even though theyre pivoting to maximize the way that social media pages like WatchTheYard, HBCUBuzz, and HBCUPulse showcase the dynamic HBCU atmosphere, that theyre still lagging behind financially.

The historic underfunding definitely comes into play. Ive worked in recruiting at a PWI (predominantly white institution), and we went on monthly recruiting trips to high schools, community colleges, Black Greek Letter Organization conferences, and even detention centers across the country and some internationally, he said. We created pamphlets, mailers, and digital infographics to send to everyone, including alums. HBCUs dont have the money to do those things consistently.

On the bright side, Hardy says that BMCC has seen a slight increase in Black enrollment this spring, and that his Black male students there are doing well, with some of them returning to school after taking a few years away to work. But he knows that with the anti-intellectual tones of the manosphere, hes fighting an uphill battle.

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For me, its tough. I like teaching fellow Black men, but its been on decline for a while despite a slight uptick in the late 90s. And I truly believe college is not the only option, Hardy said. But I also dont know how you counter so much content and discourse that reinforces that college is a scam.

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LAHORE (Reuters) - Eight Pakistanis were killed in southeastern Iran, according to a statement from the Pakistani government on Sunday.

The people, who have yet to be identified, were killed in the Mehrestan County of Sistan-Baluchistan province, which borders Pakistan.

The Pakistani Embassy in Tehran and Consulate in Zahidan are working with Iranian authorities to investigate the killings and repatriate the victims' remains, the statement said

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It added that further details on the identification of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their deaths will be shared once available.

Last year Tehran said it struck militants from the Jaish al Adl (JAA) group in Pakistan, while Islamabad said it hit bases of the separatist Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army in Iran.

The militant groups operate in an area that includes Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan and Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province. Both regions are restive, mineral-rich and largely underdeveloped.

Last year's tit-for-tat strikes by the two countries are the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years.

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield in Lahore; writing by Ariba Shahid; Editing by Kim Coghill)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  An El Paso nonprofit that helps migrants with legal services was notified by the federal government that it needs to terminate two of its programs, starting Tuesday, April 15.

Estrella del Paso said they were notified by the U.S. Department of Justice that it needs to terminate two programs that provide legal access to immigrants facing deportation  the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) and the Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH).

These programs help individuals who are facing deportation understand their rights and how their cases will proceed before the El Paso immigration court, Estrella del Paso said in a statement.

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The Justice Department issued a stop work order for both programs on Jan. 22, the organization said.

Estrella del Paso joined partner organizations across the U.S. in filing a federal lawsuit against the government on January 31.

That litigation is still pending in the courts despite an announcement from the DOJ on February 2, that rescinded the stop-work order and restored funding to the critical programs, Estrella del Paso said.

While the stop-work order issued in January was a temporary halt of these critical programs, the termination order is a permanent measure designed to end these programs, the organization said.

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The LOP at Estrella del Paso works inside the two immigration detention centers in this area  El Paso Service Processing Center and the Otero County Processing Center in Southern New Mexico  for individuals appearing before the El Paso Detained Immigration Courts, the organization said.

The ICH program provides services at the El Paso Non-Detained Court.

These programs help immigrants know their rights, provide individual orientations, self-help workshops and referrals to attorneys for free representation.

Since 2003, the Legal Orientation Program has enjoyed bi-partisan congressional support and funding. Every Department of Justice program evaluation demonstrates cost savings for the federal government. Participants of the LOP are well-informed of their rights, the process, and what to expect. This results in their cases being concluded an average of two weeks more quickly than non-participants. The LOP and ICH programs are a lifeline for individuals facing deportation and critical to ensuring immigrants receive due process. The elimination of these programs will force individuals to appear before the local immigration courts uninformed and unsure how to proceed, said Melissa M. Lopez, executive director of Estrella del Paso.

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The decision to terminate these programs comes only weeks after the government cut off legal representation to unaccompanied children, the organization said.

Those funding cuts resulted in the furlough of 18 Estrella del Paso employees who have yet to return to work, Estrella del Paso said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Last month, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Maryland father, was arrested in the U.S. and deported to El Salvador along with hundreds of other men who are accused of being gang members. Two weeks after his arrest, the Trump administration admitted that Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported.

Since then, the courts and the Trump administration have gone back and forth via legal filings on Abrego Garcias situation, despite the Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the U.S.

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador this week and, after initially being denied entry to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), was able to meet with Abrego Garcia at a hotel in San Salvador. After returning to the U.S. on Friday, Van Hollen told reporters that Abrego Garcia said during their meeting that he was no longer being held in CECOT and had been placed in another detention center nine days ago.

I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return. pic.twitter.com/U9y2gZpxCb  Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025

In an order issued on Thursday, a federal appeals court said the Trump administration's claim that it cannot help free Abrego Garcia from CECOT and return him to the U.S. should be shocking. The judges refused to suspend U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis's order from earlier this week that demanded sworn testimony from Trump administration officials to determine whether they have followed her and the Supreme Courts orders to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S.

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On Monday, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele met with President Trump at the White House. Bukele told reporters he had no plans to help return Abrego Garcia.

How could I return him to the United States? I smuggle him to the United States? Of course Im not going to do it, he said. I dont have the power to return him to the United States. Im not releasing  I mean, were not very fond of releasing terrorists into our country.

President Trump with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Monday. (Pool via AP)

Federal immigration agents arrested Abrego Garcia on March 12 and days later deported him to El Salvador. He was sent to the countrys Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, because, as Xinis wrote in a previous court filing, police claimed  without any evidence  that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13.

The MS-13 gang, also known as Mara Salvatrucha 13, was formed by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Trump has expressed concerns about the gang multiple times since 2016.

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Abrego Garcia's attorneys have argued that the specific MS-13 chapter he is accused of being part of is based in New York, a state he has never lived in. Abrego Garcia told officers during his arrest that he has lived safely in the United States with his family for a decade and has never been charged with a crime.

In fact, in 2019, an immigration judge granted Abrego Garcia protection from deportation because he had a well-founded fear of gang persecution if he were to be returned to El Salvador.

The Trump administration acknowledged in a March 31 court filing that it had mistakenly deported him to El Salvador.

Heres how we got to this point.

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March 12: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stop Abrego Garcia, who was driving home after work with his 5-year-old son and told him his immigration status had changed. ICE arrested Abrego Garcia and eventually transfer him to a detention facility in Texas.

March 15: The Trump administration sends three planes of people it has classified as Salvadoran and Venezuelan deportees who are alleged members of criminal organizations, including Abrego Garcia, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador.

Read more from Yahoo News: Look inside El Salvadors CECOT mega-prison, where the Trump administration is sending some deported immigrants

March 24: Abrego Garcias wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, files a lawsuit in federal district court in Maryland, saying the government must help bring her husband back to the United States.

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Vasquez Sura said the family was not given any information from ICE or officials about Abrego Garcia being deported to El Salvador. She said she was only able to speak to her husband over the phone up until March 15, and during their last phone call, he warned her that if he didnt call again, it was because he was getting deported and imprisoned in CECOT.

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, at a news conference in Hyattsville, Md., on April 4. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

March 31: The Trump administration admits in a court filing that Abrego Garcia was removed to El Salvador because of an administrative error. However, the Trump administration argues in court that it cannot control whether or when Abrego Garcia can return to the United States because he is not in U.S. custody.

April 1: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tells the press, The administration maintains the position that this individual who was deported to El Salvador and will not be returning to our country was a member of the brutal and vicious MS-13 gang.

April 4: Xinis rules that Abrego Garcias arrest and detention were illegal. She orders the government to ensure that Abrego Garcia returns to the United States by April 7.

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April 5: The Department of Justice appeals Xiniss ruling.

The Justice Department places attorney Erez Reuveni, who represented the Trump administration in court on April 4, on administrative leave after telling Xinis he had told his clients to try to bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States.

April 7: Three judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, including judges Stephanie Thacker, Harvie Wilkinson III and Robert King, unanimously deny the Trump administrations appeal.

The U.S. government has no legal authority to snatch a person who is lawfully present in the United States off the street and remove him from the country without due process, the judges wrote. The Government's contention otherwise, and its argument that the federal courts are powerless to intervene, are unconscionable.

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The Trump administration appeals the Fourth Circuits ruling through the Supreme Courts emergency docket. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a short order that temporarily allowed the Trump administration not to hold responsibility for returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S. until further review.

April 10: The Supreme Court releases a unanimous decision, saying, Abrego Garcia was subject to a withholding order forbidding his removal to El Salvador and that the removal to El Salvador was therefore illegal.

The Supreme Court agrees that Xiniss district court decision 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.

April 11: Trump tells reporters on Air Force One: "If the Supreme Court said, Bring somebody back, I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court. When asked about Xiniss order, he added, "Well, I'm not talking about the lower court. I have great respect for the Supreme Court."

Trump with reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to Miami. (AP)

April 12: Abrego Garcias attorneys file a brief saying the government is still refusing to provide even basic information about Abrego Garcias current location and status and what it is doing to comply with the injunction.

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The lawyers argue that the Trump administration must listen to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and Supreme Court rulings and 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 administration reports that Abrego Garcia is alive and secure in CECOT in El Salvador.

April 13: The administration writes in a status report that while Abrego Garcia should not have been removed to El Salvador, Abrego Garcia is no longer eligible for withholding of removal because of his membership in MS-13, which is now a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Trump and Bukele in the Oval Office on April 14. (Pool via AP)

April 14: Salvadoran President Bukele meets with Trump in the Oval Office. Bukele tells reporters he doesnt have the power to return Abrego Garcia to the United States, while Attorney General Pam Bondi says its up to El Salvador if they want to return him. Thats not up to us.

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After the meeting, several Democrats spoke out against the situation. Maryland Sen. Van Hollen requested to meet with Bukele while he was in the U.S. to discuss Abrego Garcia. It was reported that New York Rep. Ritchie Torres was planning to introduce the Repatriation of Expelled Sovereign Citizens and Unjustly Exiled (RESCUE) Act to help others in Abrego Garcia's situation.

On BlueSky, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker condemned the meeting between Trump and Bukele: "Ignoring a Supreme Court ruling to facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return isn't just cruel; it's unconstitutional. They're saying the quiet part aloud  if they get away with it now, they'll do it to anyone."

April 15: Xinis said she would order sworn testimony from Trump administration officials to determine whether they have followed her orders and the Supreme Court's orders to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return.

To date, what the record shows is that nothing has been done. Nothing, Xinis said at a court hearing. "I expect all hands on deck."

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Xinis also commented on the April 14 meeting between Bukele and Trump, saying their statements about Abrego Garcia were "two very misguided ships passing in the night" and reiterated that "the Supreme Court has spoken."

April 16: Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen flies to El Salvador to meet with Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa. Van Hollen was told he could not see Abrego Garcia in CECOT. At a press conference following the meeting, Van Hollen said Ulloa told him the Trump administration is paying the government of El Salvador to keep Abrego Garcia in CECOT, despite him being illegally deported from the U.S. and having no evidence he committed any crimes.

The Department of Homeland Security posted on X a copy of a protective order Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, had requested against him in 2021. Vasquez Sura told CNN she filed the civil protective order out of caution but did not follow through with legal proceedings; the two went to marriage counseling instead.

That is not a justification for ICEs action of abducting him and deporting him to a country where he was supposed to be protected from deportation, she said. Kilmar has always been a loving partner and father, and I will continue to stand by him and demand justice for him.

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, speaks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in a hotel restaurant in San Salvador on April 17. (Press office of Sen. Van Hollen/AP)

April 17: Three judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected suspending Xinis's decision to get sworn testimony from Trump administration officials to see if they were following her and the Supreme Court's demands to bring Abrego Garcia back to the U.S.

Van Hollen confirms he met with Abrego Garcia outside of CECOT, after the senator had been denied entry into the prison multiple times.

April 18: After returning to the U.S., Van Hollen told reporters that Abrego Garcia said during their meeting that he was no longer being held in CECOT and had been placed in another detention center nine days ago.

He said he was not afraid of the other prisoners in his immediate cell but that he was traumatized by being at CECOT and fearful of many of the prisoners in other cell blocks who called out to him and taunted him in various ways, Van Hollen said, according to CNN.

Trump condemned Van Hollen's visit to El Salvador in a post on Truth Social, claiming it was him "begging for attention from the Fake News Media."

The White House's official X account responded to a New York Times article that highlighted Van Hollen's meeting with Abrego Garcia. Where the New York Times described Abrego Garcia as a "Maryland man," the Trump administration instead called him an "MS-13 illegal alien." Where the paper called him "wrongly deported," the White House crossed it out in red ink, writing that he's "never coming back."

"Fixed it for you," the account captioned it. "Oh, and by the way, @ChrisVanHollen  he's NOT coming back," referring to Abrego Garcia.
The News

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador is heading to Washington on Monday to meet with US President Donald Trump, solidifying his central role in the US presidents mass deportation efforts.

Over the last few months, the Trump administration has sent hundreds of alleged gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador, though reportedly a large slice of them have no criminal record.

Trump told reporters early Sunday morning that Bukele is doing a fantastic job and has taken care of a lot of problems for the US.

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Bukele could face questions on Monday about Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland migrant who was mistakenly sent to the prison. The Supreme Court has ordered the administration to take steps to return Abrego Garcia, something the Justice Department has declined to do, arguing the ruling only requires them to facilitate the removal of domestic barriers to bring him back. Bukele has largely been quiet amid the debacle.

On the eve of Bukeles visit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced another 10 migrants had been sent to El Salvador.
(NewsNation)  El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said Monday that he would not return the Maryland man who was mistakenly sent to the Central American nation despite a U.S. Supreme Court order that the Trump administration should facilitate his return.

How can I return him to the United States? I smuggle him into the United States? Of course, Im not going to do it, Bukele said during a meeting with President Donald Trump when he was asked about returning Kilmar Abrego Garcia from a notorious Salvadoran prison where hes been held since March.

The question is preposterous. Were not very fond of releasing terrorists, Bukele added.

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El Salvador deportation case going back to Supreme Court: McGinley

Trump referred questions about Abrego Garcia to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said he was illegally in the U.S. and that courts have ruled that Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang.

Thats up to El Salvador if they want to return him. Thats not up to us, Bondi said.

She called the issue international matters and foreign affairs and said the U.S. would facilitate Abrego Garcias return if El Salvador wanted to send him back by providing an airplane.

Trump: China isnt off the hook after tech tariff exemptions

As part of U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis order for reports on Abrego Garcias status, the State Department wrote in a filing, He is alive and secure in that facility. He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador.

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However, in a new court filing, the DOJ stated the courts cannot tell the Trump administration how to conduct foreign policy, arguing that because Abrego Garcia is in Salvadoran custody, the courts do not have the authority to compel the U.S. to facilitate his release.

The Trump administration has admitted a clerical error caused Abrego Garcia to be sent to El Salvador.

In a complaint, Abrego Garcias lawyers have disputed the governments claims that he was in a gang. His lawyers have also suggested the U.S. send planes and personnel to El Salvador to bring him home.

NewsNations Tom Dempsey and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Nayib Bukele, El Salvadors president, is flippantly refusing to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States after the Maryland resident was mistakenly deported.

During a press conference with Donald Trump in the White House Monday, a reporter asked Bukele if he planned to return Garcia, who is being held in the countrys Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, a prison accused of human rights abuses. Bukele responded by calling Abrego Garcia a terrorist.

How can I return him today? I smuggle him into the United States, or what do I do? Of course Im not going to do it. The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I dont have the power to return him to the United States, Bukele said.

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Another reporter suggested that Bukele could release Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, inside the country, to which the Salvadoran leader was incredulous.

Were not very fond of releasing terrorists into our country. We just turned the murder capital of the world into the safest country in the Western Hemisphere, and you want us to go back into releasing criminals so we can go back to being the murder capital of the world? Thats not going to happen, Bukele replied.

COLLINS: Can President Bukele weigh in on this? Do you plan to return Garcia?



BUKELE: How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Of course I'm not going to do it. The question is preposterous



TRUMP: These are sick people pic.twitter.com/y2FhtZsAhL  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 14, 2025

Abrego Garcia, who is married to a U.S. citizen and the father of a disabled child, has not been found by any court to be a terrorist or member of any criminal gang like MS-13, despite the accusations of the Trump administration and Bukeles assertions. Even the government has admitted in court that Abrego Garcias deportation was an administrative error.

But even though the Supreme Court has ordered Abrego Garcias return to the U.S., the Trump administration has stalled and refused, hiding behind semantics and technicalities. And with the backing of a dictator like Bukele, the White House seems content to let an innocent immigrant languish in a gulag.


April 14 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, meeting in the White House on Monday, said the Maryland man wrongly deported to the Central American county won't be returned to the United States despite a Supreme Court ruling.

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, 29, was deported to the supermax prison in El Salvador because he was an accused member of the MS-13 gang. The married father of three was in the United States legally with a green card, wasn't charged with a crime and didn't appear before a judge.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court unanimously said the U.S. government must "facilitate" his return and should have a hearing.

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"I hope you're not suggesting that I smuggle a terrorist into the United States," Bukele said in the Oval Office. "How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Of course I'm not going to do it. The question is preposterous."

Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, waves to reporters Monday as he departs the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

Trump refused to answer the question. Instead asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to respond.

"That's up to El Salvador if they want to return him. That's not up to us,"Bondi said.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office at the White House on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

She said by wanting to "facilitate" his return, "meaning provide a plane," if El Salvador decides to return him.

"This individual is a citizen of El Salvador," Secretary of State Mark Rubio, who was in the Oval Office, said. "He was illegally in the United States and was returned to his country. That's where you deport people back to their country of origin.

Alleged members of the violent Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua are escorted to their cells at the maximum-security Center for Economic Cooperation and Development, or CECOT in Tecoluca, El Salvador in March. Photo via El Salvador Presidential Press Office/UPI

"The foreign policy of the United States is conducted by the president of the United States, not by a court. And no court in the United States has a right to conduct a foreign policy in the United States, it's that simple. End of story."

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When Trump was again asked about the return, he said: "Why don't you just say, Isn't it wonderful that we're keeping criminals out of our country?"

On Sunday, Rubio said an additional 10 alleged "criminals from the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua Foreign Terrorist Organizations arrived in El Salvador," and that Trump and Bukele's alliance "has become an example for security and prosperity in our hemisphere."

The White House on Monday listed a "tiny sample of the cold-blooded criminals deported to El Salvador"

In court documents, the government said he was being held in the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador.

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"He is alive and secure in that facility," District Court Judge Michael G. Kozak wrote in the filing to the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. "He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador."

El Salvador received an updated Travel Advisory from the United States last week, that states visitors should "exercise normal precautions in El Salvador."

"Gang activity has decreased over the last three years. This has caused a drop in violent crimes and murders," it said.

Rubio announced with the updated advisory that Bukele's "leadership has been crucial in improving the security of his country for foreign travelers, and that "gang activity, violent crime, and murders in El Salvador have significantly dropped."

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The Trump administration has formed a firm alliance with Bukele, who has warmly accepted hundreds of migrants deported from the United States, with many placed in the Salvadorian prison known as the Center for Economic Cooperation and Development, or CECOT.

"We look forward to seeing President Bukele, of El Salvador, tomorrow in the White House," Trump posted to his Truth Social account Sunday, along with a video that shows deportees being led into CECOT while subdued by law enforcement agents.

The video originated from the social media account of El Salvador's Minister of Justice and Public Security Gustavo Villatoro, who posted the video to X on Sunday about five hours earlier, and said that Saturday "we received 10 MS-13 and Tren de Aragua criminals from [the Guantanamo Bay detention camp], who are now being held at the CECOT," and added that "El Salvador continues to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against transnational terrorism."

On April 4, U.S. District Judge Paula Xini in Maryland granted the motion from his attorneys to have him returned.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The president of El Salvador visited the White House Monday. President Donald Trump has partnered with President Nayib Bukele to help with the administrations mass deportation plans. At the same time, a Maryland man, who the White House says was mistakenly deported, was sent to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.

The Trump administration says its not up to them to bring that Maryland father home. They say the U.S. Supreme Court only ordered them to facilitate a return but its ultimately up to El Salvador.

We have millions of people that should not be in this country that are dangerous, said Trump.

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President Trump thanked the president of El Salvador for taking in hundreds of suspected gang members.

Bukele committed to aiding the U.S.

To liberate 350 million people, you have to imprison some, said Bukele.

Since March El Salvador accepted from the U.S. more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants accused of gang activity and other crimes.

We know you have a crime problem, a terrorism problem, that you need help with, said Bukele.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pushing back as a U.S. district judge is considering whether to force the government to explain why it shouldnt be held in contempt in Kilmar Abrego Garcias case. He is the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to el Salvador last month.

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It was additional paperwork had needed to be done. Thats up to El Salvador if they want to return him, said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The state of Maryland and Garcias family are continuing their efforts to bring him home.

The White House previously said Garcias case was an administrative error but is standing by its claim that he is a part of the MS-13 gang.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Governor Josh Shapiro holds a press conference outside the governor's residence on April13, 2025, after a fire led to the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family. It is being investigated as arson. (Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

This story was updated with comments from Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd and state Sen. Doug Mastriano.

Elected officials from across the state have been sending their support to Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family  in the wake of a targeted attack on the governors residence.

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Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, a Republican, said on Sunday morning hours before an arrest was made that hes relieved that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe after an arsonist set fire to the Governors residence overnight.

I join all Pennsylvanians in praying for the Shapiro family following this criminal act, Sunday wrote. Im grateful for the first responders who quickly responded. The Office of Attorney General stands ready with any resources needed to find the culprit of this senseless act of violence.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd said that her colleagues on the court share the disbelief and outrage felt by all Pennsylvanians following the heinous attack on Governors Shapiros family at his residence last evening.

On behalf of the Supreme Court, I extend my sincere support and concern for the governor and his family and gratitude to the first responders who acted quickly and courageously in the face of violence and hate. This moment calls for unity and resolve in support of those affected by this senseless and disturbing act, Todd wrote. Acts of violence targeting our communities, neighbors, first responders and public officials are a stark reminder of the need for us to come together to reject hate and stand in solidarity and support for the institutions that unite us as Pennsylvanians.

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Former GOP Governor Mark Schweiker called the attack, a despicable act of cowardice.

Kathy and I hope all Pennsylvanians will join us in keeping Josh, Lori and their family in their prayers, Schweiker said in a statement. We thank the firefighters who bravely responded to the fire, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police and all law enforcement for their ongoing efforts to bring the coward who attacked the Peoples House to justice.

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd District) said hes horrified by the arson attack that took place.

There is absolutely no place for this kind of violence in our state or our country, Boyle said. Im relieved the governor and his family are safe, and Im grateful to the first responders who acted quickly.

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Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Democrat from Philadelphia, said she was appalled by the dangerous & despicable attack.

Cowardly acts of violence meant to stoke fear have no place in our state, McClinton wrote. I am grateful to our first responders who responded ensured that the Shapiro family & others were safe.

Several Republicans, who are weighing a run for governor next year, also offered words of support to Shapiro.

Im thankful Governor Shapiro and his family are safe, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity wrote early on Sunday afternoon. I want to thank law enforcement and first responders for their swift response.

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U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-9th District) issued a lengthy statement saying that violence has no place in our politicsnone.

Im thankful that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe following last nights terrible incident. No elected official or their loved onesregardless of partyshould ever have their safety threatened for serving the public, Meuser wrote. We live in a country where we resolve our differences through debate, elections, and the rule of lawnot through fear, intimidation, or violence.

Meuser went on to describe it as an attack on the values we all share as Americans, and added that it is particularly disgraceful that this occurred on Passovera sacred time of faith, freedom, and reflection.

GOP State Sen. Doug Mastriano, who lost to Shapiro in the 2022 race for governor and is reportedly considering another bid for the office, seemingly offered a different response on Sunday afternoon.

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He has a detachment of state police there 24/7 and a ten foot fence with complete surveillance, Mastriano wrote on X in response to an article from the New York Post about the incident.

Mastriano has since deleted his original that post and did not issue a statement on his social media accounts on Sunday following the press conference announcing that a Harrisburg man has been arrested in connection to the attack.

On Monday morning, Mastriano described the situation as a serious security failure during an interview with the John Fredericks Radio Show.

This is a big deal, Mastriano said. Family needs to be off the table here.

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There are some people out there that want to cause harm when theres a public figure in their town, Mastriano said. Or they want to do stupid stuff, and this crap needs to stop.

Mastriano added that he believes his belief that a formal investigation needs to take place by the State Police, adding, that We can never have our public officials, no matter what we think of them, no matter what party theyre on, to be exposed to this kind of danger.
Georgia Republican lawmakers will be on the clock next year to pass election legislation ahead of a busy 2026 election cycle. Jessica McGowan/Getty Images (file)

For the first time since the post-2020 presidential election, Georgia Republican state lawmakers did not pass a bill during this years session that included controversial changes to the way votes are cast or tallied.

When Lt. Gov. Burt Jones sent senators home a little after 9 p.m. on April 4, it not only seemed to catch many senators off guard, but it also briefly left the House in disarray. The abrupt ending likely killed the main election bills chances in 2025, raising questions about what new rules could be in place in time for the 2026 election year highlighted by races for governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and all 236 state legislative races.

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The most significant GOP election bill for the session was among the dozens of bills left in limbo. It will still be active when lawmakers return for the second half of the two-year legislative cycle next January.

The House adjourned before legislators were presented with a substitute version of House Bill 397 that cleared the Senate after the addition of several proposals such as expanding State Election Board powers and banning Georgia from participation in a multi-state voter rolls data sharing partnership. Instead, the House passed a resolution on the last day of the 2025 Legislature creating a study committee that will examine election rules later this year.

The 2026 legislative session will begin with the House retaining control over SB 397 and Senate Bill 214, which would give voters the option of filling out ballots with pencils or pens instead of using electronic voting machine touchscreens when they cast votes at polling stations.

The possibility of a switch to hand-marked paper ballots will be a topic later this year after House legislators created a study committee to review Georgias Dominion Voting Systems touchscreen system.

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The Coalition for Good Governance is warning legislators they shouldnt take further action to remove QR codes from being used in paper ballot tabulation.

County election officials are now trapped, coalition executive director Marilyn Marks said. They are legally prohibited from using QR codes after July 1, 2026  but given no money or direction from the state on how to comply  a tab that could be more than $70 million according to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Any attempt to install new hardware and software would need to begin in early 2026, and funding and acquisition of equipment would be required this year.

Sylvania Republican Sen. Max Burns led the Republican members of the committee to defer any consideration of hand-marked paper ballots until 2029. Burns has said the study committee this fall will begin planning out the transition to human readable text for paper ballots.

The transition has been deferred from QR codes to human readable text for paper ballots.

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The possibility of a switch to hand-marked paper ballots will be a topic later this year after House legislators created a study committee to review Georgias Dominion Voting Systems touchscreen system.

Burns sponsored SB 214, which would allow voters to request ballots similar to absentee ballots when they visit a polling place during early voting or on an Election Day.

Leading up to sine die, the Coalition for Good Governance warned legislators against not taking further action to remove QR codes from being used in paper ballot tabulation.

County election officials are now trapped, coalition executive director Marilyn Marks wrote in a newsletter email. They are legally prohibited from using QR codes after July 1, 2026  but given no money or direction from the state on how to comply  a tab that could be more than $70 million according to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Any attempt to install new hardware and software would need to begin in early 2026, and funding and acquisition of equipment would be required this year.

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Raffensperger has asked for legislators to implement a much less expensive software update instead of removing QR codes from ballots.

The Georgia Republican Party and right-wing election watchdog groups like VoterGa have pushed for state election changes that will give the controversial State Election Board more autonomy over election rulemaking and administrative independence from the secretary of states office. Three of the five board members are staunchly loyal to President Donald Trump.

Democratic lawmakers have objected to HB 397s provision banning voters from dropping off absentee ballots on the final weekend before Election Day. Critics have also raised concerns about expanded election board rulemaking powers despite the bill proposing to prohibit rulemaking within 60 days of an election.

Another contested section of the bill is over the plan for the state to transition from participating in the Electronic Registration Information Center, an organization that currently provides two dozen states a database to help maintain accurate voter rolls.

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They claim the rolls are littered with the names of people who have moved from the addresses on their registrations and are no longer eligible to vote, but ignore that the evidence they point to is often insufficient under our laws to trigger removal of voters from rolls, Atlanta Democratic Rep. Saira Draper wrote as the legislative session was down.

There will be a condensed window for next year for legislators passing new election rules that could be implemented in the time for a 2026 election cycle that begins with primaries in May.

Draper has been outspoken about her being dismayed by the recent majority GOP legislature passing election legislation to assuage election denier concerns.

We must always push back on narratives based on misinformation and fear-mongering, she said.

The State Election Board is set to meet Monday to hire a new executive director.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  An elementary school in northwest Austin was damaged when a presumed explosion in a nearby neighborhood destroyed a home and damaged several others.

6 injured after house explosion in northwest Austin, cause under investigation

Laurel Mountain Elementary School was one of many buildings that were damaged as a result of the blast Sunday. The school was planning to operate mostly as usual Monday, with a few exceptions and additional support available for families affected by the incident, according to a Round Rock Independent School District spokesperson.

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According to the Austin Fire Department, the house collapsed in the 10400 block of Double Spur Loop shortly before noon Sunday. AFD said on social media that a two-story house sustained damage from an unknown event that caused [the] house to collapse.

During a press conference Sunday afternoon, AFD said the home was essentially leveled after it looked like it had suffered an explosion.

The cause of the blast is not known at this time but it is under investigation. Texas Gas Service crews were on the scene responding to the incident and confirmed the home did not have access to natural gas services.

Laurel Mountain Elementary School in northwest Austin (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Laurel Mountain Elementary School sustained minor damage after a home exploded in northwest Austin on April 13, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Laurel Mountain Elementary School sustained minor damage after a home exploded in northwest Austin on April 13, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Debris from a house explosion that occurred in northwest Austin on Double Spur Loop April 13, 2025. (KXAN News/Todd Bailey) Debris from a house explosion that occurred in northwest Austin on Double Spur Loop April 13, 2025. (KXAN News/Todd Bailey) Debris from a house explosion that occurred in northwest Austin on Double Spur Loop April 13, 2025. (KXAN News/Todd Bailey) Debris from a house explosion that occurred in northwest Austin on Double Spur Loop April 13, 2025. (KXAN News/Todd Bailey) Debris from a house explosion that occurred in northwest Austin on April 13, 2025. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) Debris from a house explosion that occurred in northwest Austin on April 13, 2025. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) Rubble pile after house collapse in NW Austin (KXAN viewer photo) (Credit: James Collier) (KXAN viewer photo)

Six people were injured as a result of the incident. One person had serious injuries but was stable, and two people were in critical condition, according to AFD. Another person had minor injuries but was not taken to the hospital, and two firefighters were also reported to have minor injuries related to the incident.

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Laurel Mountain Elementary is located less than half a mile from the reported address. The schools campus sustained some damage, including shattered windows in the cafeteria and in one classroom that were temporarily boarded up with plywood, the district spokesperson said.

A portable building on campus also had electric and plumbing damage.

RRISD said members of a church that rent out the cafeteria on Sundays were on campus holding service at the time, but no one was hurt because the glass blew outward onto the ground outside rather than inward toward the service.

Laurel Mountain still held classes on Monday, with few changes to its regular operations. Two classes were expected to use alternative spaces, and the cafeteria will not be used as an eating space, though the kitchen will still serve meals. Students will instead eat inside classrooms and in outdoor spaces.

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PHOTOS: House explosion in northwest Austin injures 6

Principal Doriane Marvel sent messages to the community Sunday and Monday morning, keeping families informed on campus conditions and resources available to those impacted by the incident.

Marvel said in one of the notes that the incident shook not only our homes but also our sense of safety, and ensured that additional resources would be at the school, like extra counselors, gentle structure and flexibility, quiet spaces, calming activities, and community connectivity opportunities. Marvel also encouraged any families in need of support to reach out to the schools administration.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  An investigation is underway Monday morning at Chadwell Elementary School in Madison after an employee was stabbed to death by her estranged husband on campus.

Officers were called to the campus located at the intersection of Chadwell Drive and Port Drive around 6 a.m.

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(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN)

According to a spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools, the tragic stabbing occurred early this morning in the parking lot of Chadwell Elementary School.

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Investigators believe a 52-year-old Niurka Alfonso-Acevedo was stabbed to death by her estranged husband, who was waiting for her, as she arrived at work. Neighbors near the school called 911 after hearing sounds of an attack.

Her body was found by a fellow employee who had just arrived at the school, according to Metro police. Alfonso-Acevedo began working at the school as a custodian last fall.

Man wanted after stabbing wife to death at Madison elementary school, police say

Efforts are underway to locate suspected stabber, Candido Raul Rubio-Perez, 54. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-74-CRIME. Callers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 in homicide cases.

Candido Raul Rubio-Perez (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Metro Nashville Public Schools released a statement, which reads:

Metro Nashville Public Schools is deeply saddened by a tragic incident that occurred early this morning when a custodial contractor, who served as the day porter at Chadwell Elementary since October, lost her life in what police believe to be a domestic violence-related act. While the act of violence occurred on school grounds in the early morning hours before students arrived, there is no ongoing threat to the safety of students or staff. MNPS continues to follow all established safety protocols in coordination with law enforcement and school security, and we have assisted police in their investigation. We will be transitioning operations back to Chadwell Elementary starting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 15. Grief counselors and MNPS support staff have been on-site at Gra-Mar, where we temporarily relocated students and staff, throughout the day to provide emotional support to students and staff and will continue to be available in the coming days for anyone at the school who needs additional support to process this difficult news. Our thoughts are with the victims family, friends, and the entire Chadwell Elementary community during this time of loss. MNPS

One neighbor who lives across the street, and attended Chadwell Elementary himself, said the crime was surprising for the area.

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Certainly shocking anywhere that happens, anywhere, violent crimes like that. I dont know, its not good, not good, I hope they catch him, Tim Hobrock said.

Experts encouraged everyone to learn the signs of domestic violence and speak up if you notice something off.

Its a very serious crime and now this is the extreme case of it and we just had a murder-suicide last week and its just happening more and more and if we see the signs, if youre in this type of a relationship and you look at the signs we can stop some of this from getting to that point, said Dr. Daffany Baker, Senior Vice President of the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Dr. Baker said getting out of these situations can be difficult for victims.

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Being possessive, being controlling, wanting to know every avenue of whats going on with you. And if an abuser knows that a victim is trying to leave or planning to leave, thats the most heightened time for them to lose their lives during that, Dr. Baker said.

The YWCA operates the Weaver Domestic Violence Center, and victims can get help from the 24-hour crisis helpline at 800-334-4628.

In addition, the Metro Office of Family Safety Center offers walk-in crisis advocacy and 24/7 order of protection support for those seeking domestic violence services.

No additional information was immediately released.

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For anyone in a crisis, help is out there. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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 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.

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A new wind farm off the east coast of Sweden is expected to power two million homes with clean, renewable energy.

Skyborn Renewables will build the Fyrskeppet installation in the Gulf of Bothnia, 4C Offshore reported. It will produce 8-11 terawatt-hours per year, providing energy for 1.6-2.2 million houses and accounting for 6-8% of Sweden's current electricity demand.

The project, 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Orskar in Uppsala County, is expected to cover 488 square kilometers (188 square miles). It will help the region, which includes the capital of Stockholm, bolster its "increasingly strained electricity supply," according to the platform.

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"The area is partly listed as a national interest for wind farms and is also designated in the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management's maritime plans as an energy extraction area," 4C Offshore stated.

The County Administrative Board of Uppsala approved the project and sent it to the national government  which delegated the permit application review to the county in 2023, per Renewables Now  to be finalized. The turbines will number up to 187 and be no taller than 350 meters (1,148 feet).

A similar wind farm, Skidbladner, on the other side of the Aland Sea, was to power 50% of Stockholm and Gotland 10 times over. But the government rejected it and 12 other projects in November. In 2023, Swedish company Modvion built the tallest wooden wind turbine in the world.

Skyborn, based in Germany, has a foothold in Sweden, Finland, France, and Poland, with wind farms in the United States and Taiwan, too. It acquired 50% of the Revolution and South Fork wind farms, which total 836 megawatts and are located off Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York.

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In Sweden, it is working with French company Lhyfe on a 600 megawatt hydrogen plant as well, Renewables Now reported.

"This is very good news for both us and the region, which is in great need of new fossil-free electricity when electricity use is expected to increase between 30 and 40% by 2045," Skyborn Sweden CEO Niclas Broman said. "Now we hope for a fast-paced process with the government and look forward to a permit in the near future."

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KANSAS (KSNT)  A geomagnetic storm that could blanket parts of Canada and the lower 48 with the aurora borealis may stretch as far south as Kansas.

On April 12 and April 13, two coronal mass ejection events on the Sun shot solar material towards Earth. As a result, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initially issued a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm watch but later upgraded the storm to a G3 (Strong) rating.

The NOAA reports those eruptions are set to hit Earths atmosphere on April 16 and could extend into April 17. NOAA says minor effects on technology infrastructure are possible. According to NOAA, the aurora may be visible in the lower Midwest.

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27 News spoke to NASA Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson who said if the solar storm is strong enough, it could be seen in Kansas. She said that the Kp-index, a 10-point scale used to characterize geomagnetic disturbances, has to be at least a six to reach Kansas.

Geomagnetic storm conditions are expected to increase between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. UTC (or 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. EDT), Wednesday morning, per NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Centers forecasting. The forecast shows a peak Kp index of 6 between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. UTC (8 a.m. and 11 a.m. EDT), a less-than-ideal time for us, since the aurora are largely invisible to us during daylight hours.



The aurora viewing forecast for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (NOAA SWPC)

Moving this tree in Kansas could get you in trouble starting in 2027, what to know

One of the results from such an impact is aurora borealis, but for mid and low latitudes to see aurora, the intensity of the impact has to be very strong, Culbertson said. Current expectations for the incoming CMEs are that high latitudes should see aurora, but if the intensity is stronger than expected, some mid-latitude states may also see it. As with all weather, space weather changes, and precise predictions are difficult. Still, there is potential for the night of April 16.

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CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic material from the sun that can reach Earth in as little as 15 to 18 hours, according to the NOAA. According to NASA, CMEs can create currents in Earths magnetic fields that send particles to the North and South Poles. When those particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen, they can create auroras.

Why legalizing weed in Kansas isnt working

Kansans were treated to an impressive and rare display of the northern lights in May, 2024 when the aurora became visible over large parts of the state. That solar storm was ranked as a G3 initially but was increased to a G5, the highest level, eventually. It was caused by a monster sunspot which later erupted, sending a large number of solar particles towards Earth.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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The EU member states have already committed to provide Ukraine with two-thirds of the 2 million artillery shells worth 5 billion, which is part of the initiative of Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to increase military support for Ukraine.

Source: Kallas before the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on 14 April, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kallas said that she already had two-thirds of her initiative to provide 2 million artillery shells for Ukraine.

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Quote: "We see the deadliest attacks in this war. Civilians are being killed. And, of course, it is already one month into this period where Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. We havent seen that from the Russian side. What is clear is that we need to support Ukraine more, and Im happy to see that we already have two-thirds of my ammunition initiative together."

Details: "But of course, we need to do more," she added.

Asked what consequences Russia would have for its attack on Ukrainian civilians over the weekend, Kallas said that the issue would be addressed by EU foreign ministers today.

"Right now, I think, we have to put the maximum pressure on Russia to really end this war. Because it takes two to want peace, and it only takes one to want war. And we see that Russia really wants war. And all those who want the killing to stop should put the maximum pressure on Russia," she stressed.

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Background:

Recently, the media reported that the European Commission hoped that by the end of 2025, the number of artillery shells supplied to Ukraine by European countries would reach 2 million.

Czechia announced that it would provide monthly supplies to Ukraine until September as part of the Czech initiative to purchase shells around the world.

Norway announced an additional 415 million for artillery shells for Ukraine, which would be used through the Czech Initiative and the European Peace Fund.

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Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said that the European Union is considering deploying military advisers to Ukraine to assist in the training of Ukrainian troops.

Source: Szijjarto after the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 14 April, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Szijjarto stressed that the EU may send military advisers to Kyiv as part of the mission previously launched to train Ukrainian soldiers  a move Hungary opposes.

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"They [the EU  ed.] want to send military advisers to Kyiv  under the framework of the mission established earlier to train Ukrainian soldiers," he said.

He recalled that Hungary opted out of this mission but insisted on a key condition  that such a mission could operate only outside Ukrainian territory.

Szijjarto argued that EU military instructors should not conduct training programmes on Ukrainian soil, saying it "carries a serious risk of escalating the war".

"This is a red line for us," he added.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also mentioned the training mission during her post-meeting press conference, though without specifics.

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"We have the mission of training Ukrainian soldiers. So over 73,000 Ukrainian soldiers we have already trained. So today we also discussed what more we can do when it comes to missions  should we expand the mandates of the missions that we have in order to also contribute to the security guarantees of the coalition of the willing," Kallas said.

Background:

Earlier reports indicated that the UK is considering deploying troops to Ukraine with the primary goal of assisting in the training and rebuilding of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to deter future Russian offensives.

France and the UK, which lead the coalition of the willing, have also announced plans to send a mission to Ukraine to oversee a future ceasefire.

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European Union foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg on April 14 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, including the "coalition of the willing" initiative to potentially deploy a monitoring mission in Ukraine, a senior EU official told European Pravda on condition of anonymity.

They will also address preparations for the EUs 17th package of sanctions against Russia: "The European Union supports continued pressure on Russia, and therefore the 17th sanctions package and other means of pressure will be part of the conversation at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting," the official said.

The agenda also includes the status of Ukraines EU accession talks, particularly in light of Hungarys blocking of the opening of negotiation clusters.

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Ministers will consider European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas' proposal to increase military support for Ukraine, including an initiative to supply two million rounds of ammunition worth 5 billion euros. "I think on Monday we will see how the commitments on this expand," the official reportedly added.

Ministers will also discuss the "coalition of the willing" initiative, led by France and the United Kingdom, to deploy a future monitoring mission in Ukraine after a potential ceasefire. The mission would be tasked with verifying compliance and ensuring Ukraines security guarantees to establish a lasting and just peace for Ukraine, the official said.

Read also: A war crime  European leaders react to Russias Palm Sunday attack on Sumy that killed dozens

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The European Union has issued a clear instruction to countries that are candidates for EU membership not to attend the Victory Day parade on 9 May in Moscow and not to make any visits to Russia.

Source: Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze on the sidelines of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 14 April, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Braze said that during a working dinner with representatives of the Western Balkan countries on Sunday 13 April, the European side gave them a clear instruction not to take part in celebrations in Moscow dedicated to Russia's Victory Day on 9 May.

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Quote: "We had already a busy evening yesterday with a dinner with the Western Balkan partners Also, a lot of discussion on the values and alignment of CFSP, including sanctions, including very clear guidance from EU member states for the candidates not to participate in the 9th May parade in Moscow and not to do those trips as it would not be in line with the EU values."

Details: Braze stated that a "very practical discussion both on money but also on the military support, on EU's own capacity [in providing military support to Ukraine  ed.]."

Braze emphasised that the shocking Russian attack on the city of Sumy on 13 April demonstrates that Ukraine needs more air defence systems.

Background:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his readiness to buy ten Patriot air defence systems from the United States for US$15 billion and the readiness of European partners to help finance the deal.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that he plans to oppose all pro-Ukrainian initiatives at the EU Council meeting in Luxembourg, except for peace initiatives.

EU foreign ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 14 April are discussing security guarantees for Ukraine, including the coalition of the willing initiative on a possible monitoring mission deployment in Ukraine, as well as preparations for the 17th package of sanctions against Russia and other means of exerting pressure.

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Leaders of major European Union companies have begun discussing the potential return of limited Russian gas imports, including from state-owned energy giant Gazprom.

Source: Reuters

Details: Following Donald Trumps election as US President, energy has reportedly become a bargaining chip in trade talks, prompting concerns within the business community that reliance on the US has created another point of vulnerability.

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Meanwhile, talks with Qatar on increasing gas supplies have stalled, and although the rollout of renewable energy has accelerated, the pace is still insufficient to make the EU feel secure.

Against this backdrop, some European firms are openly discussing the possibility of resuming limited imports of Russian gas.

"If there is a reasonable peace in Ukraine, we could go back to flows of 60 billion cubic metres, maybe 70, annually, including LNG," said Didier Holleaux, Executive Vice President of French energy company Engie, in an interview with Reuters.

Holleaux stated that Russia could supply around 20-25% of the EUs demand, compared to 40% before the war.

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"Europe will never go back to importing 150 billion cubic meters from Russia like before the war ... but I would bet maybe 70 bcm," added another French businessman, Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of TotalEnergies.

A survey by the Forsa institute found that 49% of Germans in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the German state where the Nord Stream pipeline makes landfall from Russia through the Baltic Sea, want to resume Russian gas supplies.

"We need Russian gas, we need cheap energy  no matter where it comes from. We need Nord Stream 2," said Klaus Paur, managing director of Leuna-Harze, a mid-sized petrochemical company.

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European officials have responded positively to comments by Germany's next chancellor Friedrich Merz that he intends to send long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

During his time in the opposition, Merz openly supported the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine - a possibility that outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz consistently ruled out, citing fears that it would draw Germany into the war.

The conservative politician, who is set to take office as Germany's next chancellor in May, said on Sunday that his position still stands.

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"Not that we ourselves intervene in this war, but that we equip the Ukrainian army with such weapons," Merz told the ARD public broadcaster, adding that he would only grant such a shipment in coordination with European partners.

His comments came after a Russian airstrike on the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy killed more than 30 people, including two children, and injured over 100 on Sunday morning.

European politicians, gathered for an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, welcomed Merz's comments.

Asked about the possibility of Germany sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said: "Of course every member state is giving what they can give."

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"But I think the message is very clear, we need to do more so that Ukraine can defend itself and the civilians don't have to die," Kallas said.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said it is very important for Germany to supply Taurus missiles. "I think that would be a very important signal of where Europe stands in this situation," he said.

His Polish counterpart Radosaw Sikorski called Merz's offer "very good."

Among other topics, EU foreign ministers are discussing an initiative to provide Kiev with further artillery ammunition.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Luxembourg that a total of 2 million large-calibre shells are to be delivered, with Germany providing one-quarter.

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On Friday, Germany's Defence Ministry announced that Berlin would provide around 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition.

"We will only be able to protect peace in Europe through common strength," the outgoing minister said.

She condemned the Russian strike on Sumy, saying: "To intentionally attack civilians on Palm Sunday makes it clear that they want to destroy and not to pacify."

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion since February 2022.
European officials on Monday responded positively to comments by Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz on deliveries of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

During his time in opposition, Merz openly supported the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine - a possibility that outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz consistently ruled out, citing fears that it would draw Germany into the war.

The conservative Merz, who is set to take office as Germany's next chancellor in May, said on Sunday that his position still stands.

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Merz told the ARD public broadcaster that he does not want Germany to intervene in the war, but that Berlin should equip the Ukrainian military with weapons such as the Taurus missiles. He added that he would only grant such a shipment in coordination with European partners.

His comments came after a Russian airstrike on the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy killed more than 30 people, including two children, and injured over 100 on Sunday morning.

European politicians, gathered for an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, welcomed Merz's comments.

Asked about the possibility of Germany sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said: "Of course every member state is giving what they can give."

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"But I think the message is very clear, we need to do more so that Ukraine can defend itself and the civilians don't have to die," Kallas said.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said it is very important for Germany to supply Taurus missiles. "I think that would be a very important signal of where Europe stands in this situation," he said.

His Polish counterpart Radosaw Sikorski called Merz's offer "very good."

Russia's Medvedev calls Merz 'Nazi' over Crimea bridge comments

Merz also suggested that destroying the Russian bridge to the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea could help Kiev's war effort, drawing sharp criticism from Moscow.

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"Think twice, Nazi!" wrote former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on X on Monday.

"Fritz Merz is haunted by the memory of his father, who served in Hitler's Wehrmacht," he added, using the diminutive form of Merz's first name.

Medevedev, who now serves as the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, accused the conservative politician of seeking to escalate the war in Ukraine.

Kiev has repeatedly stated that it wants to bomb the bridge, a move that Moscow has warned against.

Further ammunition supplies for Kiev

EU foreign ministers were also discussing an initiative to provide Kiev with further artillery ammunition.

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Luxembourg that a total of 2 million large-calibre shells are to be delivered, with Germany providing one-quarter.

On Friday, Germany's Defence Ministry announced that Berlin would provide around 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition.

"We will only be able to protect peace in Europe through common strength," the outgoing minister said.

She condemned the Russian strike on Sumy, saying: "To intentionally attack civilians on Palm Sunday makes it clear that they want to destroy and not to pacify."

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion since February 2022.
By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will announce a more detailed strategy to phase out Russian oil and gas imports next month, it said on Monday, after twice delaying the plan.

The EU has pledged to quit Russian fossil fuels by 2027 in response to Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but the Commission has delayed publishing its "roadmap" for how to do so. The plan was initially due last month.

The Commission will now publish the roadmap on May 6, an agenda published on Monday showed.

The delays were due in part to uncertainty around U.S. President Donald Trump's planned tariffs, with energy trade potentially factoring into EU-U.S. trade talks, EU sources told Reuters.

While Russian pipeline gas deliveries have plunged since 2022, the EU increased its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) last year, and the bloc still got 19% of its total gas and LNG supply from Russia in 2024.

Unlike oil, the EU has not imposed sanctions on imports of Russian gas.

Hungary has vowed to block Russian energy sanctions, which require unanimous approval from EU countries, while some other governments have also signalled unwillingness to approve sanctions on Russian LNG before the EU secures alternative supplies.

The Commission has not indicated what tools it plans to propose to accelerate its Russian energy phase-out. Analysts at the Brussels-based Bruegel think tank have suggested the EU impose tariffs on Russian gas imports.

Quitting Russian gas entirely would mean more EU purchases from suppliers including the United States.

The EU has said it would consider buying more LNG from the United States, and Trump has said selling more energy to Europe would be a key focus of his administration's efforts to eliminate its trade deficit with the EU.

U.S. LNG helped to plug the Russian supply gap in Europe during the 2022 energy crisis. Last year, the U.S. was Europe's third-biggest gas supplier, after Russia and top supplier Norway.

But some businesses and EU diplomats are wary that reliance on U.S. gas has become a vulnerability, after Trump has indicated energy will be a bargaining chip in trade negotiations.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett and Julia Payne; Editing by Joe Bavier)
The European Union has secured two-thirds of the 2 million artillery rounds pledged to Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on April 14.

"I'm happy to see we already have two-thirds of my ammunition initiative together," Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, referring to an initiative to provide Ukraine with 2 million high-caliber rounds worth 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion).

The initiative seems to be progressing, as Kallas said on April 3 that the EU had obtained only around half of the needed amount from its members.

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The 2 million shells are part of a broader proposal initially suggested by Kallas for a 40-billion-euro ($45.6 billion) defense fund for Ukraine. This more ambitious plan has yet to gain full consensus among EU leaders.

The EU foreign policy chief stressed that the European bloc needs to do more, noting that European assistance commitments for this year are already greater than for 2024.

"European countries have already committed to 23 billion euros ($26 billion), which is more than last year," Kallas said. "But we also need to put pressure on Russia so that they would stop this war."

Speaking ahead of the EU summit, Kallas emphasized the urgency of support, citing ongoing civilian casualties from Russian attacks.

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"Its been a month since Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. We havent seen the same from Russia," she said. The comments come shortly after Russia launched a deadly missile attack against the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Palm Sunday on April 13, killing over 30 people and injuring over 100.

Kallas noted that the EU foreign ministers would discuss the consequences for Russia after its latest attacks on Ukrainian civilians over the weekend.

To want peace, it takes two. To want war, it takes only one," she said. "Russia clearly wants war. Everyone who wants the killing to stop must apply maximum pressure on Russia.

Read also: Everything was black  Russia strikes downtown Sumy filled with people on Palm Sunday, killing dozens

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News / Local

by Staff reporter

Former Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has publicly raised the alarm over what he described as a deeply entrenched corruption network in Mashonaland West Province, accusing senior government and police officials of illegal land deals, mining syndicates, and the plunder of protected wildlife areas.In a series of explosive allegations, Mliswa named Mashonaland West Minister Marian Chombo and Provincial Commanding Officer Commissioner T. Nyazema as key figures in a "corrupt connivance" that he claims is operating with impunity, shielded by the misuse of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's name."They boast that they were sent by the President and claim that nothing can be done to them," said Mliswa, who has called for immediate investigations by law enforcement and anti-corruption authorities.Among the most serious accusations is the alleged reversal of previously approved land allocations in Mashonaland West. Mliswa claims Chombo personally intervened to remove legitimate beneficiaries and reallocate land to individuals who had allegedly paid her for the favors."A case in point is a land program in Mash West that was reversed under shady circumstances. Hon. Chombo allegedly withdrew allocated names and replaced them with those who paid her. I have documentary evidence to support these claims," said Mliswa.He warned Lands Minister Anxious Masuka that failure to act could tarnish his name by association, as officials namedrop to gain illegal advantages.Beyond land scandals, Mliswa said Chombo and her allies are implicated in a mining syndicate operating with "impunity." He alleged that high-ranking police officials, including District Commanding Officer Superintendent Kezias Karuru and Commissioner Nyazema, are part of a network exploiting protected conservancy land, using their authority to avoid scrutiny."They are destroying the conservancy environment with heavy vehicles, disturbing wildlife, and wreaking havoc on an existing project. This mirrors the same environmental risks that previously led Zimparks to block Afrochine's plans in Mavuradona Game Park and oppose mining in Hwange National Park," said Mliswa.He further claimed that the group approached Hurungwe Rural District Council CEO Luke Kalavina, asserting they had authorization from the President's office - an assertion Mliswa flatly rejected."Knowing the President, I don't believe he would ever sanction such reckless actions. This must be investigated to reveal the truth," he added.Mliswa's expose has sparked fresh calls for greater transparency in public office and increased protection for Zimbabwe's endangered environmental heritage. The allegations, if proven, could have far-reaching implications for both political accountability and conservation efforts in the country.There was no immediate comment from Minister Chombo or the police officials mentioned.
The European Union said on Monday that it will support reconstruction and resilience in the Palestinian Territories with 1.6 billion ($1.8 billion), to be dispensed over three years.

"With this programme, the EU reiterates its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution," a European Commission statement said.

The funds will cover the period from 2025 to 2027 and are structured around three pillars, the statement said.

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Of the total, 620 million in direct assistance grants will be paid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) for its urgent needs and the delivery of services to its people, it said.

A large part of the aid is to be linked to reforms, including democratization and sustainable budget management.

Another 576 million is earmarked for specific projects in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip "once the situation on the ground allows," the statement said with regard to the Gaza war.

The focus will be on different sectors including, water, energy and infrastructure, it said.

In addition, loans from the European Investment Bank for financing in the Palestinian private sector are to be supported with up to 400 million.

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According to the EU, it is the largest supporter of the Palestinians and has made around 1.36 billion available between 2021 and 2024.

More than 1 billion of this has reportedly already been allocated.

At a meeting scheduled for Monday evening in Luxembourg, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa are scheduled to discuss the Gaza conflict and prospects for a two-state solution.
The European Union said on Monday that it will support reconstruction and resilience in the Palestinian Territories with 1.6 billion ($1.8 billion), to be dispensed over three years.

"With this programme, the EU reiterates its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution," a European Commission statement said.

The funds will cover the period from 2025 to 2027 and are structured around three pillars, the statement said.

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Of the total, 620 million in direct assistance grants will be paid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) for its urgent needs and the delivery of services to its people, it said.

A large part of the aid is to be linked to reforms, including democratization and sustainable budget management.

Another 576 million is earmarked for specific projects in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip "once the situation on the ground allows," the statement said with regard to the Gaza war.

The focus will be on different sectors including, water, energy and infrastructure, it said.

In addition, loans from the European Investment Bank for financing in the Palestinian private sector are to be supported with up to 400 million.

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According to the EU, it is the largest supporter of the Palestinians and has made around 1.36 billion available between 2021 and 2024.

More than 1 billion of this has reportedly already been allocated.

At a meeting scheduled for Monday evening in Luxembourg, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa are scheduled to discuss the Gaza conflict and prospects for a two-state solution.

The last parliamentary elections in the Palestinian Territories took place in January 2006, bringing victory to the Islamist Hamas movement.

The four-year legislative period expired in 2010. Since then, there has been no democratically legitimized leadership.

A new election has been announced several times, but has not taken place due to ongoing disputes between the Fatah movement in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The News

A Russian missile attack which killed 31 civilians in the Ukrainian city of Sumy underscored the Wests divisions over the war.

Leaders of the European Union, France, Germany, and the UK condemned the strike, calling it a war crime and barbaric. But US President Donald Trump, while describing the attack as a horrible thing, said he had been told that Moscow made a mistake.

It is the deadliest Russian attack on civilians this year.

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The US has been dialing back support for Ukraine, and while Europe is trying to fill the gap, it lacks defense production.

However, Germanys incoming leader announced in response to the attack that he was willing to start giving Kyiv long-range cruise missiles.
By Huseyin Hayatsever and Mert Ozkan

ANTALYA, Turkey (Reuters) - The head of the Council of Europe, the continent's leading human rights watchdog, told Reuters it was worried about any violations of rights in Turkey after the jailing of President Tayyip Erdogan's chief political rival and hundreds of arrests that followed mass protests.

Secretary General Alain Berset said the problem of democratic backsliding should be addressed as a global phenomenon, adding that the Council had no specific position on probes under way into numerous Turkish opposition figures.

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Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed last month pending trial over charges of corruption, a move that triggered the largest protests in more than a decade, with students, opposition parties and others calling it politicised and anti-democratic. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chose Imamoglu last month as its future presidential candidate.

The nationwide rallies, which have thinned in the last two weeks, have been mostly peaceful, but nearly 2,000 people have been detained and many jailed pending trial.

In an interview on Saturday on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkey, Berset said he is in contact with Turkish authorities and opposition officials in order to stress the principles of democratic values.

"I want to record here the importance to respect every element of the European convention of human rights, also the freedom of assembly and the freedom of speech," he said.

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Turkey is a founding member of the Council, a pan-European group that has aimed to uphold human rights, democracy and rule of law in member states since its formation after World War Two.

The CHP as well as rights groups and some Western powers, have said the case against the mayor is an effort to use the judiciary to kneecap Erdogan's electoral rivals - charges the government denies.

Marta Kos, the European Union's commissioner for enlargement, said earlier this month she cancelled a planned meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Antalya forum over concerns about Imamoglu's jailing.

Turkey is an EU candidate country though its application has been stalled for decades.

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Berset said the Council of Europe, which is separate from the EU, wants to address all issues with Turkey in an open and frank way.

Democratic backsliding is a "huge challenge" globally, including in Europe, and the Council is working on a "new democratic pact" to address it, he said.

"We need to address this challenge as a global phenomenon," Berset said. "Turkey being a founding member of the Council of Europe, it would be impossible without it to address the development of democratic security together."

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Jonathan Spicer, William Maclean)
The Trump administration used a citizenship interview as a pretext to arrest a Columbia University student of Palestinian descent.

Mohsen K. Mahdawi, a U.S. permanent resident who has lived in the country for 10 years, showed up to what he thought was his citizenship interview Monday at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Colchester, Vermont. Instead, he was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has begun deportation proceedings.

EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE: Columbia student and Palestinian Mohsen Madawi was just arrested during a visit to the immigration office here in Colchester, VT. More to follow. Footage by: Christopher Helali pic.twitter.com/I9JvPS2DLn  Christopher Helali (@ChrisHelali) April 14, 2025

The Columbia University student was a leader in the schools protests against Israels brutal war in Gaza. Mahdawi was fearful of being deported, even before his friend, Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested last month by federal immigration agents.

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Mahdawi was included on a list of students the far-right pro-Israel organization Betar gave to the Trump administration in the hopes that they would be deported. Betar and the group Documenting Jew Hatred on Campus at ColumbiaU also posted on social media multiple times about Mahdawi, tagging law enforcement agencies on each post.

After asking university officials to find him a safe place to live where he wouldnt be detained by ICE, and receiving no response, Mahdawi went into hiding before receiving an email notifying him of a citizenship interview at the UCSIS office earlier this month. Mahdawi worried that it was a trap, and contacted his elected representatives in Vermont: Representative Becca Balint and Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch.

All three promised to remain on standby pending Mahdawis status after the interview, with Welch speaking to Mahdawi directly. In the end, it was a trap, and Mahdawi was detained with the same obscure immigration law used to detain Khalil and several other international students, including permanent residents: that their presence in the U.S. is a threat to the countrys foreign policy interests.

Mohsen Mahdawi was unlawfully detained today for no reason other than his Palestinian identity, Mahdawis attorney Luna Droubi told The Intercept. He came to this country hoping to be free to speak out about the atrocities he has witnessed, only to be punished for such speech.

Its particularly cruel to claim to offer citizenship to an immigrant, only to use it as a ruse to deport them over free speech issues. Mahdawi has not been charged with a crime, and pending his attorneys habeas corpus petition, is now in ICE custody. For this administration, his crime appears to be being a Palestinian student who used his right to free speech.
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the Every Student Succeeds Act. I predict there wont be any grand celebrations.

Thats because ESSA is proving to be a weak law. Although it was hailed at the time for its bipartisan nature and called the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter-century, student achievement has fallen dramatically, especially for the lowest-performing youngsters.

Part of the problem is that ESSA doesnt have the same muscular elements as its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act. Its a pretty damning comparison: NCLB required states to hold districts accountable for their results; it paid close attention to low-performing student subgroups; and it included other improvement efforts like school choice, tutoring and a $1 billion reading program. ESSA has none of those things. This lack of ambition probably helped it win widespread bipartisan support when it passed, and also why it has led to student achievement declines.

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Across All Ages & Demographics, Test Results Show Americans Are Getting Dumber

Admittedly, this is an awkward point to be making at the current moment. At the national level, the Trump administration is doing everything in its power to kill the U.S. Department of Education and hand full control of education back to the states. Meanwhile, Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren are responding by defending the status quo with chants like Save our Schools.

But history suggests neither deregulation nor blind support for the current federal-state relationship is the right approach. And with state leaders seeking waivers for even less oversight over their use of federal funds, now is the time to start thinking about what a better accountability framework might look like. Here are five places to start:

1. Trust states, but verify

The Trump administration wants to send even more control back to the states with no-strings-attached formula block grants. But that seems unwise, given the achievement declines most states have experienced over the last decade (many of which preceded COVID). More importantly, it wouldnt make sense to offer the same flexibilities to, say, Maine or Oregon, where scores have declined rapidly over the last decade, as to Mississippi, which has dramatically improved outcomes for kids. Different states deserve different levels of earned autonomy.

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Andy Smarick, Kelly Robson and I outlined this approach in a 2015 report we called Pacts Americana. We envisioned a set of federal-state compacts where each state established ambitious student performance goals and developed a comprehensive plan for reaching them. In exchange, states would be freed from strict federal rules on how to identify low-performing schools and the specific steps for improvement those schools must take, and the government would monitor the results. The feds could then extend the length of compacts with states that make progress and ask those where performance has stalled to revisit their plans.

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As Trump Moves to Shutter Education Dept., GOP Clamors for Funding Flexibility

ESSA has some elements of this framework. Nominally, states are in charge of writing their own plans and the feds are responsible for oversight. But the states would tell you the feds are too strict on whats allowable and whats not. More importantly, that process ignores student results, and performance can  and has  stalled without any impetus for change.

2. Focus on districts, not schools

Whereas NCLB had both school and district accountability components, ESSA focuses solely on schools. That turned out to be a huge mistake.

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The school-level emphasis was fundamentally flawed. After all, district leaders control the budget, adopt the school calendar, negotiate major contracts and determine pay schedules. In other words, district leaders should be blamed if a school doesnt have the resources it needs to succeed.

The nation saw this play out during COVID. It wasnt teachers or principals who set COVID policies, yet the national education law ignored the district role and instead required states to focus on individual schools.

That made no sense  and it was borne out in the data. The latest Education Recovery Scorecard report found achievement gaps within the same districts stayed about the same during the course of the pandemic. Meanwhile, achievement gaps between districts grew substantially.

Why? Because the districts were making different decisions. As a research team led by Dan Goldhaber found, In districts that went remote, achievement growth was lower for all subgroups, but especially for students attending high-poverty schools. In areas that remained in person, there were still modest losses in achievement, but there was no widening of gaps between high and low-poverty schools.

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That is, district decisions over how to handle COVID, not COVID itself, were what caused gaps to grow. Going forward, districts, not schools should be the primary unit of accountability.

3. Hold states and districts accountable for the performance of low-performing students

American society is becoming more diverse, and old categories of race and ethnicity are becoming harder to neatly measure and define. Its not that the U.S. has suddenly become colorblind or that race doesnt matter, but policies havent caught up to the fact that people who identify as multiracial are the fastest-growing group in the country. Moreover, theres wide variation in which children are identified as having disabilities.

Related

Iowa Submits Plan to Combine Federal Education Funds, and Experts are Skeptical

These categories are also less salient in education than they once were. While theres been tremendous growth in the gap between the highest- and lowest-achieving students, who those students are has changed. Yes, the bottom has fallen out for children in traditionally low-performing subgroups, but it has fallen even faster for native English speakers, students without disabilities and those who do not live in poverty.

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As such, policymakers should follow the lead of states like Florida and Mississippi, which specifically look at how the bottom 25% of students are doing, regardless of their race, ethnicity or disability status. Those kids rely on public schools the most, theyre struggling right now and its where the policy focus should be going forward.

4. Give parents information

ESSA requires states to share results with families as soon as is practicable after standardized tests are administered. But reporting has actually gotten slower over time. Even with the shift to digital exams, states take longer to process the scores than they did two decades ago.

Thats inexcusable. States could speed this up on their own, or the feds could step in and define as soon as practicable to be no more than, say, two weeks after the test. Thats the standard in the private sector, and theres no reason it cant be met in public education.

5. Give parents options

Did you know that all students in low-performing public schools once had access to free after-school tutoring? Or that all families in low-performing schools once had the right to transfer to another public school of their choice?

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Both these programs existed under NCLB. They had flaws, for sure, and school districts tended to hate them, but they pressured schools to improve, and thousands of families took advantage of them each year. Congress should consider bringing back these other forms of accountability too.

This is far from a comprehensive list of all the things that need to improve with current accountability systems, but its not enough to shout local control or defend the status quo.Policymakers from both sides of the aisle need to reckon with the current state of public education and articulate a vision for the future that matches that reality.
President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, blaming both leaders for the ongoing war in Ukraine.

While taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office, Trump decried Zelenskyy and former President Joe Bidens handling of the conflict, saying the war would have never started under his leadership. But he also didnt shy away from bashing Putin, who has largely been spared from Trumps criticism.

Thats a war that should have never been allowed to start and Biden could have stopped it and Zelenskyy could have stopped it and Putin should have never started it, Trump said. Everybody is to blame. Trump added: If Biden were competent and if Zelenskyy were competent, and I dont know that he is, we had a rough session with this guy  he just kept asking for more and more.

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The criticism of Zelenskyy comes a little over a month after the two leaders televised sparring in the Oval Office, where Trump accused Zelenskyy of taking advantage of the U.S.

Earlier Monday, Trump launched a social media tirade on Biden and Zelenskyy, in which he said the pair did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin. Trumps comments also come less than a day after the president referred to Russias Sunday missile strike on Ukraine in Sumy  which killed at least 35 people and injured 100 more  as a mistake.

I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening. But I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing. Other members of the Trump administration have been critical of Russias role in the attack.

Keith Kellogg, Trumps special envoy for Ukraine, said in a post on X that Russias move crosses any line of decency. As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong. It is why President Trump is working hard to end this war, Kellogg said.

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Zelenskyy on Sunday accused Vice President JD Vance of somehow justifying Russias invasion of Ukraine during an interview for CBS 60 Minutes. He also invited Trump to visit Ukraine to witness the destruction brought on by Russias invasion.

You think you understand whats going on here. OK, we respect your position.  But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead, he said.

Vance fired back at Zelenskyy on Monday, further signaling the degrading relations between the White House and Kyiv. Vance's press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, said Zelenskyys comments were counterproductive to the goal of achieving peace for his country" in a statement to POLITICO.

The Vice President has repeatedly said that this war was not justified to begin with and is the product of Joe Bidens weakness and incompetence, Van Kirk added. Instead of mischaracterizing Vice President Vance's rhetoric, President Zelensky should be focused on bringing this conflict to a peaceful conclusion.

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Trump decried CBS Zelenskyy interview  without mentioning him by name  in a post on Truth Social on Sunday night, referring to the network as a dishonest political operative that should lose its broadcast license. Trump is suing the networks news program for $20 billion over an interview it conducted with his 2024 opponent then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump said repeatedly on the campaign trail that he would end Russias war on Ukraine in 24 hours if he were elected president.

Seb Starcevic contributed to this report.
The two Chinese nationals captured when fighting for Russia claimed they werent sent to the war by the Chinese government, and described their hardships in the Russian ranks.

One of the captives, Wang Guangjun, said he was targeted by Russian "chemical weapons" right after he was taken captive by a Ukrainian soldier, he told reporters at a press conference in Kyiv on April 14.

"I was losing my strength and fainting... Then I felt someone grabbing my collar and pulling me out into the fresh air," Wang said.

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According to Wang, after he was captured by Ukrainian troops, he found himself in a dugout with a Ukrainian soldier, taking shelter during a Russian attack. He said that the Ukrainian helped him to survive what Wang described as a "spray gas" attack.

"(Ukrainian) soldiers protected us and have been treating us well this whole time," he added.

Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo, born in 1991 and 1998, were the first Chinese nationals to be captured while fighting in the Russian army ranks against Ukraine, on Ukrainian soil. Their capture was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in April. On April 11, Zelensky said that at least "several hundred" Chinese citizens are fighting on Russia's side in Ukraine.

Days later, the two were brought to a press conference.

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The two spoke Chinese. Their answers were translated into Ukrainian by a government provided translator. The Kyiv Independent could not verify their claims or the accuracy of the translation.

Wang said he was in China, flipping through TikTok, when he saw an advertisement to join the Russian army. After losing his job last summer, he was interested in the offer, especially since, he said, military service is seen as "prestigious" in China.

A recruiter Wang contacted told him that a Chinese recruit could earn 200,000 to 250,000 Russian rubles ($2,000-$3,000) per month in the Russian army, which is higher than the average salary in China. The recruiter also promised to cover his travel to Russia and help him obtain the necessary documents, according to Wang.

But this failed to materialize, he said. Later, he said, Russians took away his bank card and phone, so that Wang couldnt manage the money he was making.

Wang Guangjun, one of the Chinese nationals captured by Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk Oblast in early April, attends a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 14, 2025. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)

The other captured soldier, Zhang, shared that he came from a wealthy family and worked as a firefighter and rescuer. He said he came to Russia in December, and first was offered a job in construction, but eventually was recruited for military service.

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"I wanted to make money, but I did not expect to end up in the war."

None of the two soldiers mentioned where in China they were from.

The two claimed they had no connection to the Chinese government and that they signed a contract with the Russian army of their own free will.

Their routes passed through Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, and Russian-occupied Donetsk in eastern Ukraine before reaching the battlefield.

According to Wang, he also was placed in the camp in Kazan with people of other nationalities, presumably from Central Asia, Ghana, and Iraq.

Read also: He wanted to live  How Ukraine captured a North Korean POW, told by the soldiers who took part

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Russia has enlisted foreign fighters from multiple countries, including India, Nepal, and Syria, to fight against Ukraine. Moscow has also used some 12,000 North Korean troops dispatched by Pyongyang to counter the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast.

The Chinese captives said they were subordinated to Russian commanders, who relied on gestures to give them orders.

Wang said that it would have been difficult to escape once he enlisted, because the control at the training ground was very tight.

Wang also claimed that he didnt kill any Ukrainian soldiers. He claimed he had spent only three days at the front line when he was captured.

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Zhang said he hadnt seen any Ukrainian soldiers until the moment he was captured.

Both Chinese nationals criticized Russia at the press conference and discouraged their compatriots from going to war for it. Its not possible to verify the sincerity of their claims, as they were in Ukrainian captivity when making the statements.

Zhang Renbo, one of the two Chinese nationals captured by Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk Oblast in early April, attends a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 14, 2025. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)

"For those (Chinese) citizens who want to take part in the war, we want to say that they should not do so," Wang said. "Since everything we heard from the Russians was a lie. It turned out that Russia is not that strong, and Ukraine is not that weak. That's why it's better not to participate in wars at all."

Although China portrays itself as a neutral party, its neutrality has been thrown into question many times, including when it became the Kremlin's largest supplier of dual-use goods essential for weapons manufacturing.

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Asked if Beijing had known about their involvement in Russias war, the two said that the government warned that Chinese citizens should not travel to places of hostilities. According to Zhang, the Chinese who fight in any country may face punishment under Chinese law.

Despite this, both men reiterated that they wanted to return to China, not Russia, as part of the future prisoner exchange.

"I understand that there may be punishment, and I am ready for it. But I still want to return home and to my family," Zhang said.

"Real war is completely different from what we have seen in movies and on TV," said Wang. "I regret one thing  I want to apologize to my parents. And my only wish is to go back (to China) and follow all the instructions that will help me do that."

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Read also: All Presidents Men: Inside the closed world of Putins key advisors

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MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN)  The site of the former Elder Beerman anchor store at the Dayton Mall could see new life.

Miamisburg Springboro Mall Anchor LLC purchased the former Elder Beerman property at 2700 Miamisburg Centerville Road on April 10 from WP Dayton Parcel LLC for $2.5 million, according to property records.

WDTN Archive Photo

Articles of organization show the buyer ties back to Industrial Commercial Properties, a Cleveland-area real estate development company. ICPs portfolio lists a variety of other properties in the area that are owned by the company, including the Upper Valley Mall in Springfield and the old LexisNexis buildings in Miami Township.

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Washington Prime Group in Columbus is listed as the address for the sellers LLC. WPG used to lease and manage the entirety of the Dayton Mall until Spinoso Real Estate Group obtained authority of the mall.

The Elder Beerman property had been put up for auction in October 2024, but remained as an active listing until just a few weeks ago.

Elder Beerman shut down in August 2018 after parent company BonTon filed for bankruptcy. A pop-up company selling Halloween merchandise operated in the structure for a brief time after the anchor closed.

** Previous coverage of Elder Beerman closing at the Dayton Mall **

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WDTN.com reached out to the buyer, the real estate company and the Dayton Mall for comment on what could be in store for the future of the vacant space.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 retired NYPD cop took bribes to search police databases when he was on the force, feeding his criminal cousin info to help members of a burglary ring, prosecutors said Monday.

Richard Arce, 54 sold his police shield for cheap, typically taking $40 to $50 for each search, according to Brooklyn prosecutors.

He fed his cousin arrest warrant info and police reports, and ran license plates, conducting more than 70 searches from 2021 to 2023, often texting his cousin while on the job assigned to Brooklyn Criminal Court on Schermerhorn St., prosecutors said.

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On Monday, Arce was hit with a 114-count indictment in Brooklyn Supreme Court charging him with bribe receiving, conspiracy, unauthorized use of a computer, and official misconduct. His cousin, Raymond Ramos, 42, of the Bronx, was charged in January.

This defendant allegedly betrayed his badge when he provided confidential information to people accused of crimes, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez said Monday. This was a shocking abuse of the trust he was granted and an example of corruption that could have led to serious public safety consequences.

Arce, whos lived in the Dominican Republic since his retirement in 2023, was arrested by local authorities in the country in January after he tried to renew his passport. He appeared in Brooklyn Supreme Court Monday.

Arce, who joined the NYPD in 2008, conducted the searches for Ramos, as well as for Alexander Chaco Torres and Jesus Capone Cedeno  who were charged in March 2023 with conspiring to break into stores and steal ATMs.

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Starting in March 2021, Arce accessed the NYPDs Domain Awareness System looking for information at Ramos request, prosecutors allege. He looked for i-cards that would show whether Ramos and his pals were wanted for questioning, and looked for active warrants, according to the indictment.

And he made sure he got paid, prosecutors allege.

On Oct. 23, 2022, he sent Ramos two screenshots while on duty, one of which showed Ramos had an active bench warrant from the Bronx, according to the indictment. The next day, he followed up with another text, Dont forget the $25 cuz.

And on Nov. 1, 2022, he sent along information showing Torres had two warrants out on him, and when Ramos asked him a day later to search Cedeno, the cop replied. Nope. No $. No Honey. So far Ive received $0.

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After Ramos promised to pay, Arce texted, If Cedeno pays Ill check. No freebies, according to the indictment.

Torres and Cedeno have since pleaded guilty in the ATM burglary case and are awaiting sentencing.

Arce was arraigned before Judge Archana Rao Monday, pleaded not guilty and was released without bail. He and Ramos will appear together before Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Danny Chun on May 7.

Neither he nor his defense lawyer, Peter Guadagnino, commented as they left the courtroom.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A new wave of explosive allegations has rocked Zimbabwe's political landscape, with reports surfacing that Members of Parliament (MPs) are being offered vast plots of land and large cash incentives in exchange for their loyalty to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, amid growing momentum for his impeachment.The alleged land-for-votes scandal, first reported by investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, centers on a directive purportedly issued from the highest levels of government to the Ministry of Local Government. The instruction reportedly mandates the expansion of land parcels being distributed to MPs - from the initial 300 square meters to as much as 1,000 square meters - as a strategic move to secure votes against impeachment efforts and support for a constitutional amendment extending Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028."Yesterday [Wednesday], some opposition Members of Parliament gathered at Mabelreign District Office to receive government-owned land in exchange for voting against the impeachment of President Mnangagwa and for supporting the extension of his term," Chin'ono stated on social media.He further claimed that lawmakers are being promised as much as US$200,000 and an extension of their own parliamentary terms to 2030, following the proposed cancellation of the 2028 general elections.Chin'ono also released a list of opposition MPs alleged to have received land, including Bridget Nyandoro, Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa, Sengezo Tshabangu, Charles Moyo, Julia Makuwire, and Caston Matewu. Notably, Tshabangu is alleged to have received a 2,000 square meter plot despite not being physically present at the land allocation event.The allegations come at a time of mounting pressure within Parliament, where a faction of ZANU-PF lawmakers is said to be preparing a draft impeachment motion against Mnangagwa. The motion reportedly cites mental incapacity, corruption, economic mismanagement, and involvement in fraudulent financial practices.Amid the scandal, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has confirmed the allocation of residential stands to MPs. In a press statement, the Ministry said the initiative is part of a long-standing "once-off entitlement" scheme, dating back to 2013, to provide non-monetary benefits to MPs from the 8th, 9th, and current 10th Parliaments.The Ministry noted that Parliament has been allocated stands in areas including Goromonzi (188), Bulawayo (49), Chiredzi (12), Kadoma (9), and Beit Bridge (5). On April 9, 2025, 70 stands were reportedly distributed - 15 in Killarney (Goromonzi), 15 in Penrose (Zvimba), and 40 in Mabelreign (Harare).However, the timing and scale of the latest allocations - especially amid political turmoil - have raised serious concerns.Critics argue that the move is a coordinated attempt to bribe MPs and delay or derail the impeachment process. The situation was further inflamed after Parliament was abruptly adjourned until May 6, a move widely viewed as a tactical maneuver to stall debate on Mnangagwa's removal.The absence of key parliamentary figures, including the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate - both reportedly out of the country - has only added to speculation of behind-the-scenes power plays to protect the President.The opposition, civil society groups, and legal analysts are now calling for a transparent investigation into the land allocations, and whether they constitute unlawful inducements.As Zimbabwe faces an escalating political and economic crisis, this latest scandal could mark a critical turning point in the country's governance and the fate of Mnangagwa's presidency.
By Timour Azhari, Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Pesha Magid

BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syria's debts to the World Bank, three people familiar with the matter said, paving the way for the approval of millions of dollars in grants for reconstruction and to support the country's paralysed public sector.

The plans, which have not been previously reported, would be the first known instance of Saudi Arabia providing financing for Syria since Islamist-led rebels toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad last year.

It may also be a sign that crucial Gulf Arab support for Syria is beginning to materialize after previous plans, including an initiative by Doha to fund salaries, were held up by uncertainty over U.S. sanctions.

Last month, Qatar announced a plan to provide Syria with gas via Jordan to improve the nation's meagre electricity supply, a move that sources told Reuters had Washington's nod of approval.

A spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Finance told Reuters, "We do not comment on speculation, but make announcements, if and when they become official."

The Saudi government's media office, a World Bank spokesperson and a Syrian government official did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Syria has around $15 million in arrears to the World Bank which must be paid off before the international financial institution can approve grants and provide other forms of assistance.

But Damascus is short of foreign currency and a previous plan to pay off the debts using assets frozen abroad did not materialize, according to two people familiar with the matter.

World Bank officials have discussed providing financing to help reconstruct the country's power grid, heavily damaged by years of war, and also to support public sector pay, two of the sources said.

A technical delegation from the World Bank met with Syria's Finance Minister Mohammed Yosr Bernieh on Monday, according to the Syrian state news agency Sana.

The meeting, which was the first public meeting between the Syrian government and the World Bank, included discussions on strengthening financial and economic ties between the two sides.

Bernieh also highlighted the negative effects of the international sanctions imposed on Syria and policies of the former regime on the country's financial and banking sector.

Reuters reported on Saturday that Syria would send a high-level delegation to Washington for the yearly spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF later this month, marking the first visit by Syrian officials to the U.S. since Assad's ouster.
Many may not consider the impact that space travel has on wildlife.

The United States Space Force is headquartered at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, California, near Santa Barbara. This base is also a major launch site for SpaceX, an American aerospace exploration company.

The Vandenberg base covers 99,000 acres and is home to rich biodiversity.

According to a video from New Scientist, wildlife biologists have an important role in protecting the natural environment from the side effects of rocket launches.

Rhys Evans, the natural resource lead at Air Force Space Command, told New Scientist that "people are often surprised" that wildlife biologists work on the U.S. Space Force Base. But their job is important: They ensure that the natural habitat of many creatures is safe from activities at the base.

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The location is home to over 400 animal and 800 plant species, with 17 endangered or threatened species. Some of these endangered species include the California red-legged frog, El Segundo blue butterfly, and the beach layia, a small flowering plant.

A major factor to consider is noise from rocket launches. According to Evans, a rocket launch only produces noise for around two minutes. At 30 launches per year, that's only one hour of noise across 365 days.

Even if it is infrequent, the noise impacts the animals. For instance, harbor seals often jump into the water when they hear a rocket. However, they do the same for pelicans, airplanes, or other loud noises in their habitats.

Some frogs also hide under the water to avoid the sound. But in the long-term, they are mostly unbothered.

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Elephant seals, according to Evans, do a "head lift and grunt." They look up from their spot on the beach, see that there is no immediate threat, grunt, and go back to sleep.

Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste? Grocery stores Restaurants Individuals The government Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

This conservation work has been going on for years and has been well-received. In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded Vandenberg Base for their conservation efforts.

Conservation efforts like those at Vandenberg are crucial to protecting and supporting the planet's biodiversity.

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.
Japan's Expo 2025 Osaka is open to visitors, offering a swathe of exhibits all about the climate and sustainability from 160 countries through to mid-October.

More than 160 countries, regions and international organizations are showcasing their ideas in pavilions addressing "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."

The show is located on the artificial island of Yumeshima and the site is surrounded by the spectacular Grand Ring, a wooden structure some 2 kilometres long and 20 metres high, the largest in the world, say the organizers.

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The structure symbolizes the concept of the Expo - diversity and unity - at a time of geopolitical tension. Afterwards, the plan is to recycle the beams.

Sustainability is at the heart of the exhibition in the Japanese hosts' pavilion, where visitors may learn about the role of seaweed in absorbing carbon dioxide, in a story told through traditional Japanese aesthetics, modern pop culture and innovation.

Meanwhile in an installed biogas plant, waste from the Expo site is converted into energy, aided by microorganisms.

There's a rather gloomy vision of the future in the black pavilion "Future of Life" by famous Japanese robotics researcher Hiroshi Ishiguro. With 50 androids and dozens of robots and avatars, he shows how humans and androids will coexist in 50 years' time and says they may be indistinguishable from each other in 1,000 years time.

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Elsewhere, the theme of the Australia Pavilion is Chasing the Sun. The building design celebrates the eucalyptus blossom and was built using reusable and repurposed materials from previous major international events, highlighting sustainability.

The Singapore Pavilion, called Dream Sphere, is an immersive space where visitors explore how Singapore turns dreams into reality through immersive art installations, performances and local food, that stimulates the five senses.

Inspired by a childs toy building blocks, the British Pavilion aims to show little ideas that have the power to combine into world-changing innovations. Every idea, just like every simple building block, has the potential to grow into something great.

The German Pavilion, consisting of circular wooden buildings symbolizing the circular economy, is all about the future of modern life and conserving resources.

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Visitors may explore ideas of a city of the future on interactive displays and find out what German companies offer in terms of sustainability. It seeks to encourage people to think about what they themselves can contribute to a sustainable future, says Christopher Hecker, director of the pavilion.

The Expo's organizers hope such attractions and ideas will attract around 28 million visitors in the six months until it closes on October 13.

So far, there has been little interest among Japan's population. Some criticize the costwhich according to reports has almost doubled to $1.6 billion.

Osaka has hosted the Expo once before, in 1970 - drawing more than 64 million visitors.
Russian President Vladimir Putins recent talks with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were "extremely useful," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 14, according to the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.

Witkoff and Putin concluded talks in St. Petersburg on April 11, with the Kremlin saying the meeting focused on "aspects of the Ukrainian settlement." It was Witkoffs third in-person meeting with the Russian leader.

When asked about the possibility of a future meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, Peskov said that the matter was not discussed during Putins meeting with Witkoff last week.

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Peskov emphasized that Russia and the United States remain at the very beginning of a path toward normalizing bilateral relations, which he said are being rebuilt from the ground up.

The talks come as Moscow continues to reject Trumps calls for a full ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, a proposal Kyiv supported. Despite a partial truce on strikes against energy facilities and in the Black Sea agreed upon on March 25, Russia has continued attacking Ukrainian cities and has repeatedly violated the ceasefire.

According to Reuters, Witkoff told Trump that granting Russia "ownership" of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions  the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts  would be the quickest path to achieving a ceasefire.

The proposal reportedly followed a separate meeting Witkoff held with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief and Putin's negotiator Kirill Dmitriev in Washington earlier in April.

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Witkoff has drawn criticism for echoing Kremlin narratives regarding Russias illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory.

Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has adopted a more amicable stance toward Russia, resuming direct diplomatic contact with Moscow while signaling reduced commitment to Ukraine's security.

Read also: Zelensky invites Trump to Ukraine, says Russian narratives are prevailing in US

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NEW YORK (AP)  FAA says the helicopter company whose sightseeing chopper crashed, killing six, is shutting down operations immediately (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert erroneously reported five deaths in the crash of a sightseeing helicopter).
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating after a Delta airline crew reported an engine issue on a Boeing 737-900 flight on Monday.

It said the plane returned safely to Tucson International Airport.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward)
JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  Keiko Hurst reached into her bag and pulled out a well-worn copy of the book Jesus Who Is He?

She opened it to the narrow gate passage, Matthew 7:13-14.

Words were written in English and her native Japanese: Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.

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The message provided comfort as she faced the challenges of leaving Japan in her 40s and beginning a new life in the United States, which included learning the language, studying to become an enrolled agent tax adviser, getting married, acclimating to a new hometown and adjusting to cultural differences.

I read this so many time, Hurst said during a conversation one Saturday afternoon at Classic Elements in downtown Johnstown. I cannot count how many times I saw that Bible verse. Its so difficult, not just the living and to get the work. Everything is difficult because of my English.  It wasnt easy. But this narrow gate, I keep in my heart.

Keiko Hurst

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Keiko Hurst reads her copy of the book Jesus Who Is He? during a visit to Classic Elements in downtown Johnstown on March 22, 2025.

Back in Japan, she started attending Christian services that would leave her with a feeling that my body is so light and so happy.

She eventually converted from Buddhism to Christianity.

The atomic bomb

Hurst was born in Hiroshima in the mid-1960s, only two decades after the city was destroyed when the United States dropped a nuclear bomb in the final days of World War II.

When I was in the school, many time the principal told us about the atomic bomb, at least once a month, she said. We saw the video and the picture. We heard the story so many times.

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Even with that historic context, when asked what her impression was of the United States growing up, she said, Honestly, I didnt think nothing (about it).

In Hiroshima, Hurst grew up in what she described as a traditional restrictive environment.

She liked biking and hiking, including climbing Mount Fuji, Japans iconic landscape feature.

When she arrived in the Johnstown region, she found an environment that provided the opportunity to enjoy outdoor recreation.

I was happy because I love the nature, Hurst said.

She shared that enjoyment with her husband, David Hurst, a longtime local journalist and current executive director of The Steeples Project that is preserving and repurposing old ethnic churches in the Cambria City Historic District.

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Met at a wedding

In July 2011, David Hurst attended the wedding of his son, Matt Hurst, who was teaching English as a second language in Hiroshima.

David Hurst and Keiko Hurst

David Hurst and Keiko Hurst look at books during a visit to Classic Elements in downtown Johnstown on March 22, 2025.

One of his students, the then Keiko Ide, was also there. They met at the reception and went on one date before David Hurst returned home.

The whole experience was amazing, David Hurst said.

When asked about meeting his future wife at his sons wedding, he laughingly said, I didnt see that coming at all.

The couple soon started having frequent conversations on Skype.

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Keiko Ide moved to the Johnstown area in June 2013, spending her last night in Japan with just a laptop, blanket, phone, desk lamp and suitcases packed with some possessions.

That was the end of her life in Japan, David Hurst said. She got married and became Keiko Hurst in July 2013.
About 700 cows need to be milked three times a day at Pennwood Farms.

Hundreds of replacement heifers must be cared for, too. There are also the numerous day-to-day tasks that are required to keep the whole operation running smoothly.

And a lot of that work is done by foreign migrant laborers.

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Glenn Stoltzfus, who co-owns the business in Berlin with his brothers, said there are usually a half-dozen or so Hispanic laborers employed on the dairy farm. He said they are in the country legally, but that he can almost guarantee you that they are not citizens.

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They do a great job, Stoltzfus said.

We were struggling to find people because we milk pretty much around the clock. Were milking 700 cows three times a day, and each shift is anywhere from six to seven hours long, so theres not a whole lot of down time between milkings.

It became very difficult to find people who were reliable that would do that work on a consistent basis.

Stoltzfus said Oscar, the first migrant laborer who started working on the farm about eight years ago, is still there and is respected as a leader among the workers. Others, mostly family members from Mexico, have come and gone over the years. Whenever a replacement is needed, Stoltzfus said Oscar brings somebody new to the farm.

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It sure has taken a load off of us as far as finding new employees, finding people that are willing to do the work, Stoltzfus said. We havent looked for an employee for a long time.

Somerset County Farm Bureau Legislative Farm Tour | McWilliams Farm

Glenn Stoltzfus, Somerset County Farm Bureau dairy farmer representative, speaks during the Somerset County Farm Bureau Legislative Farm Tour at McWilliams Farm in Somerset County on Friday, August 2, 2024.

The current group lives together in a six- bedroom farmhouse.

They generally keep to themselves when not working and a language barrier does exist at times. But, as Stoltzfus explained, They have become part of the community.

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He described them as good honest family people like we are.

A lot of Hispanic labor

Migrant labor is an integral part of the United States agriculture industry.

Approximately 68% of the nations 2.4 million farmworkers are foreign-born, with the overwhelming majority coming from Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of Labors National Agricultural Workers Survey for 2019-20.

The same report found that 44% of those migrant farmworkers were undocumented and lacked work authorization.

Area students experience hands on Ag education

Tommy Nagle, right, and Marty Yahner, talk to eighth-grade students from Cambria Heights about harvesting corn that was planted at Yahner Brothers Farm in the spring in September 2023.

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Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Vice President Tommy Nagle, a beef cattle farmer from Patton, and Cambria County Farm Bureau President Marty Yahner both pointed to the same reason as to why legal migrant labor is used so prevalently.

For decades, there has been immigrant Hispanic labor in agriculture in America, all over the nation, because the sad reality is Americans wont do the hard job that it takes in many cases on farms, whether its picking vegetables in the hot summer sun, or pumpkins, or watermelons in California, or working on a dairy farm, or in a mushroom facility, Yahner said. So yeah, theres a lot of Hispanic labor. Thats just a fact. Americans wont do those jobs in many cases for any price, for any pay. Its true.

Nagle described the migrants as a reliable workforce.

The majority of the agriculture community is in favor of labor like that, just because theyre unable to find labor elsewhere, Nagle said. Ive talked to several larger dairy farms in the area that are paying a very competitive wage, but they still cannot find a conventional workforce to come and work for that. It is difficult work, very labor-intensive at times.

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Theyre having a tough time. It doesnt really seem like wages are a motivating factor. Its more of the work thats entailed.

Both Nagle and Yahner said there is not much migrant labor in the region.

Law-biding citizens

There are, of course, differences between legal migrant workers and undocumented people entering the country.

A Pew Research Center report estimated there were 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in 2022. The number is likely higher now.

President Donald Trump has made issues with undocumented immigration a focal point of his two terms and three campaigns. The number of encounters at the Mexico-United States border has dropped by a large amount since he took office again in January.

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Most recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 7,180 crossings in March, the lowest monthly total on record, compared to a monthly average of 155,000 over the previous four years, according to CBP.

Still questions remain about policies going forward, regarding illegal crossings and migrants entering legally to work in agriculture and other jobs.

Nagle said there needs to be a realistic plan to meet agricultures needs.

As soon as we can have a comprehensive immigration reform out there that puts everyone on the same page and theres a clear vision of what we can do to get workers that would definitely help agriculture, Nagle said.

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Stoltzfus said the migrants who work at Penn- wood have not communicated to him any concerns about their residency status.

I think the administration has pretty much conveyed to the agriculture industry that theyre not going to be going after migrant workers or people who work on farms that are law-biding, he said. Theyre going after the criminals.

Stoltzfus also proposed what he called a simple solution to the overarching issue.

If someone comes to the border, wants to come in, and wants to work, and has work lined up, give them an ID, Stoltzfus said. Theyre law-biding citizens. Give them an ID, allow them to come in and work.

Why is that a problem? Why cant we do that? To me, it seems so simple. But when you get politics involved, whatever, I dont know.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  Yamila Audisio is an immigrant from Argentina who has developed a deep appreciation for Johnstowns history.

She has studied the Great Flood of 1889 that took the lives of more than 2,200 people. Her exploration of the regions past has led her to the stories of generations of immigrants who came before her.

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On a professional level, Audisio contributed to the Forging a Nation: Johnstown Iron & Steel exhibit that was put on permanent display at the Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center in 2024. It chronicles the history of the local steel industry from the 1700s through modern times.

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It was wonderful for me to do that research because I was able to connect things that were happening in Johnstown during the 19th century and connect them to the Industrial Revolution, said Audisio, a Westmont resident who is pursuing a masters degree in history from Slippery Rock University. And then, of course, the stories about the flood. Those are impactful.

This is my nerd in me. What I think about Johnstown historically is its fascinating how the engineering advancements that happened at that time here were things that allowed the country to expand to the west.

Faces of Immigration | Yamila Audisio

Research historian Yamila Audisio, Argentina native, shown here at her home in Johnstown on Monday, March 10, 2025.

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Audisio lived in Alcira Gigena, a small agricultural town where she and many other residents were descendants of Italian immigrants.

So much of the local culture seemed familiar to her when she moved to Cambria County in 2017 with her husband, a Windber resident who spent some time in Argentina.

I was excited about the adventure of moving elsewhere, and meeting new people and being exposed to different environments and cultures, Audisio said. I was excited. But, at the time, I didnt think about all the other parts that involve moving away to a place that is so, so far away.

UPJ Mountain Cat statue

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The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Mountain Cat statue sits in an empty courtyard during spring break March 11, 2020, at the campus in Richland Township.

Like many local immigrants, education played a role in Audisios new life in the United States, as she attended the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

My experiences were very good at UPJ, Audisio said. UPJ has a faculty and a student community that is very welcoming of immigrants.

There I was able to meet people from other countries as well, ranging from professors to other students. They were very helpful in navigating the change from one country to the other. I feel like I was sheltered a little bit, and they helped me transition from one place to the other. That was wonderful.

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There have been challenges, too, adjusting to the culture.

UPJ Book Team

Book Team members standing in front of the Jennerstown Mountain Playhouse theater, at left, include (from left) Erin Whyte, Jonathan Van Dermark, Kelsey Chabal, Cameron Carr, Yamila Audisio and Paul Douglas Newman.

But she has developed a network of support by being involved in numerous organizations, including The Learning Lamp, Cambria County Library System, the Center for Metal Arts and the former Johnstown Area Heritage Association, now known as Heritage Johnstown.

She also has a diverse group of international friends who help each other handle the day-to-day tasks often faced by immigrants.

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Having friends that went through the same process makes a huge difference, Audisio said. I have to say, it was hard to find that group of people. It took many years to connect and be included in these groups.

Then there is a group of Hispanic people that are my friends. I created a group during the pandemic. Most of them are moms who are here because either their husbands are working here at a school or theyre moving around. Some of them dont even speak English, so I think its very helpful to have people who do speak English and who went through the whole thing.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) goods train ferrying coal from Hwange to Zambia caught fire earlier today at the Pandamatenga siding site, triggering an emergency response from local authorities.NRZ spokesperson Mr. Andrew Kunambura confirmed the incident in a brief statement, saying the fire broke out while the train was in transit, but added that preliminary reports suggest the customer's cargo remains safe."Yes, I can confirm there has been a fire involving one of our goods trains at Pandamatenga siding. The train was carrying coal from Hwange and was en route to Zambia. Rescue teams from the Hwange Local Board are currently on their way to the scene to assist," said Mr. Kunambura.Details about the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are still emerging. There have been no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities.Emergency responders from the Hwange Local Board have been dispatched to contain the fire and assess the safety of the site, with more information expected once they arrive and conduct initial investigations.The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols and infrastructure conditions along Zimbabwe's critical rail corridors, especially as the country ramps up exports of key minerals and energy commodities through regional trade routes.The NRZ is expected to release a full statement once a comprehensive assessment has been made.
Claim:

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on April, 8, 2025, that raised the minimum wage to $25 per hour.

Rating:

Rating: False

Amid rising prices and stock market uncertainty in early April 2025, claims that U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour circulated online.

Users on social media platforms like TikTok (archived) and Facebook (archived) posted multiple videos sharing the rumor. Though there are variations in the video footage (archived), the voice-over of each video reports the same claim, which is that "Trump approved the largest minimum wage increase in U.S. history. As of the eighth of April, 2025, no American worker will be allowed to earn less than $25 per hour." According to the purported news, the wage increase would go into effect April 15, 2025.

The videos featured authentic footage of Trump, including him signing executive orders in the Oval Office, alongside generic stock footage assembled to look like a legitimate news broadcast. Due to the popularity of the claim and its resemblance to an authentic news reel, Snopes' email inbox received numerous inquiries asking about its veracity.

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However, the claim that Trump signed a new executive order to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour is false. While there were four executive orders signed on April 8, 2025, according to the White House, none of them were related to minimum wage increases.

Further, the accounts sharing the claims featured other videos using the same purported news format spouting equally false claims, like Trump signing an executive order implementing 32-hour work weeks, which did not happen.

Trump's actions since taking office, coupled with past comments from key members of his administration, also suggest raising the federal minimum wage is not a priority of the White House. Trump did lower the minimum wage for federal contractors, however, when he signed an executive order on March 14, 2025, titled "Additional Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions."

Trump rescinded a Biden-era executive order that raised the federal contractor minimum wage to $15 per hour in an effort to improve "workers' health, morale, and effort," as well as reduce "absenteeism and turnover."

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Also among the revocations in the March 14 executive order was former President Joe Biden's executive order related to "ensuring a data-driven response" to the COVID pandemic and a memorandum citing "all human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love."

During his confirmation hearing in January 2025, incoming Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent testified he did not support raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour, the rate at which it plateaued in 2009.

Vice President JD Vance also made brief, noncommital comments about the federal minimum wage during a speech at the American Dynamism Summit on March 18, 2025. Vance said:

Now, one of the debates you hear on the minimum wage, for instance, is that increases in the minimum wage force firms to automate. So, a higher wage at McDonald's means more kiosks. And whatever your views on the wisdom of the minimum wage  I'm not going to comment on that here  companies innovating in the absence of cheap labor is a good thing.

On April 8, 2025, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Bobby Scott introduced new legislation titled "Raise the Wage Act of 2025" to "raise the federal minimum wage to $17 over five years, eliminate the tipped subminimum wage over seven years, eliminate the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities over five years and eliminate the subminimum wage for youth workers over seven years."

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However, the bill was considered likely to face challenges in the Senate from Trump's allies, as previous iterations of the bill had. According to Newsweek, "While House Democrats have reintroduced the measure, previous versions have stalled in the Senate. Without bipartisan backing in the Republican-controlled upper chamber, the bill's chances of becoming law are slim."

Since the White House did not announce that Trump increased the federal minimum wage via any official channel and the administration had demonstrably taken a position against raising the federal minimum wage, we have rated this claim false.

Sources:

- YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d35e5YhKPn0. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

"Additional Recissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions." The White House, 15 Mar. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/additional-recissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions/.

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"Additional Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions." Federal Register, 20 Mar. 2025, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/20/2025-04866/additional-rescissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions.

"Biden, Democrats Hit Gas on Push for $15 Minimum Wage." AP News, 30 Jan. 2021, https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-rashida-tlaib-coronavirus-pandemic-minimum-wage-ee0e8cc7c96a30d9581723b2c6bb4189.

"Executive Orders Archives." The White House, 9 Apr. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-orders/.

"Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors." Federal Register, 30 Apr. 2021, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/04/30/2021-09263/increasing-the-minimum-wage-for-federal-contractors.

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Labor Leaders Introduce Bill to Raise Minimum Wage | Education & Workforce Committee Democrats. https://democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/media/press-releases/04/08/2025/labor-leaders-introduce-bill-to-raise-minimum-wage. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

"Remarks by Vice President Vance at American Dynamism Summit." The White House, 18 Mar. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/remarks/2025/03/remarks-by-vice-president-vance-at-american-dynamism-summit/.


CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Family, friends, and local first responders honored the Clay County volunteer firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty last weekend.

Roy A. Smith was longtime volunteer firefighter, and EMT in Clay County. Smith also served as the Deputy Coroner for Clay County.

Smith died at the age of 60, after responding to a water rescue and losing control of his vehicle on April 5th.

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On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered at the local fairgrounds to honor and pay their respects to the longtime volunteer firefighter.

Indiana Govenor Mike Braun has directed all flags in Clay County to be flown at half-staff Sunday to honor Roy A. Smith and his sacrifice for their local 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 MyWabashValley.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Family and friends gathered Sunday to honor a man who was hit and killed while riding his motorcycle in the southwest Las Vegas valley.

Jordon Dodder, 37, was riding his motorcycle to work Wednesday morning when a car hit him at the intersection of Russell and Lindell roads. Police said the car failed to stop at the stop sign.

With nearly 60 people in attendance, friends and family came out to support the Dodder family as they mourned the loss of their loved one. Jordans wife, Kelly Dodder, and his father, Greg Dodder, shared the impact he had on their lives.

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People need to wake up: Father of 4 killed in southwest Las Vegas motorcycle crash

Every morning I wake up and then in the middle of the night, Im thinking he is going to walk through the doors, Kelly Dodder said. He always let me know how beautiful and amazing I was. People like that dont exist anymore.

Jordan Dodder vigil (KLAS) Jordan Dodder vigil (KLAS)

I have zero regrets and my relationship with him was wonderful, Greg Dodder said.

Jordan Dodders co-worker and friend, Kevin Irani, told 8 News Now that Dodder has always shown up for him, who is a fellow bike rider himself.

He loved his motorcycle and the renegade freedom that came with it. The turnout is impressive and Im glad to see it. It touches my heart because it shows all the people who care for him, Irani said.

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Police said the person driving the car that hit Jordan Dodder stayed at the scene and showed no signs of impairment. A GoFundMe has been created for the family.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A young girl who had been missing since Saturday evening was located on Sunday, sheriffs officials confirmed to KTLA.

Family members and law enforcement had reached out to the public in hopes of locating the 10-year-old.

The girl had last been seen on Saturday, April 12, at around 9:30 p.m. in Valley Acres, a town approximately 30 miles out of Bakersfield, according to a missing person bulletin released by the Kern County Sheriffs Office.

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She was described as a white female, standing about 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing approximately 100 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Authorities did not provide any additional details on her disappearance, saying only that she was safely located in Elk Grove.

We would like to thank the communities of Kern and Elk Grove for their assistance in sharing the message to help locate [her], officials 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.
CHICAGO  Friends and family came together Sunday to remember a 9-year-old girl shot and killed in Chicagos Back of the Yards neighborhood.

On April 13, 2024, the family was celebrating a Catholic Confirmation. They were getting ready to cut a cake when gunshots rang out.

At the time, ShotSpotter picked up 18 rounds fired.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 9-year-old girl killed, 10 others injured in Back of the Yards shooting; was a family gathering for a confirmation

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A total of 11 people were shot: seven adults and four kids. Among the children was 9-year-old Ariana Molina, who did not survive her injuries. Two boys  ages one and seven  had to go to an intensive care unit.

Accused of killing Ariana is 39-year-old Octaviano Romero. He also faces several charges of attempted murder.

A motive for the shooting is unclear, but family members believe the shooting was a case of mistaken identity and the victims were not the target.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

On Sunday, loved ones gathered at their old home near 52nd Street and Damen Avenue to remember Ariana, but to also call attention to her case as they know more people were involved in the shooting.

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A lot of pain. Its worse every day. Its real hard the whole year. Her birthday passed. Shes not here. Its really hard, Arianas father Jose Molina said. I need them to get the rest of the people that did this. Like it was not only one person, thats for sure.

Arianas family said some of the victims that were injured are not just dealing with emotional pain, but physical pain as their injuries were severe, which is why they want the community to speak up and report any information that could lead to more arrests in the case.

They are also calling on police to do more.

Up until now, weve had no updates whatsoever. This is just not fair. They only got one person, Arianas uncle Gerardo Molina said.

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Arianas family also said theyve grown frustrated with the investigation. They allege they are not getting responses from detectives on the case.

It was not just one person that got shot. It was 11 of us, including me, Jose said.

WGN-TV reached out to Chicago police regarding the familys allegations and has yet to hear back.

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The death of Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa (Arequipa, 1936 - Lima, 2025) marks the end of a Golden Age of Latin American literature. Just as there will not be another generation in Spain like that of Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Calderon de la Barca, Tirso de Molina, Gongora and Quevedo, in America there will not be another like that of Vargas Llosa, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Julio Cortazar, Cesar Vallejo, Pablo Neruda, Jorge Luis Borges, Alejo Carpentier and Carlos Fuentes.

Vargas Llosas unparalleled awareness of his craft made him perhaps the most accomplished writer among his contemporaries. His discipline to writing, and to doing so impeccably, was absolute.

I interviewed him several times, and visited almost all of his libraries, where he worked, in London, Madrid, New York and Peru. The physical order of his working environments was comparable only to the mental order with which he wrote, which was rooted in an obsessively correct use of time.

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He never received visitors in the mornings, and in the afternoons he rarely attended to guests before 6 or 7 o'clock. He was convinced that genius is not natural, but the fruit of effort and tenacity, as he wrote in his Letters to a Young Novelist.

Crafting the perfect novel

This ascetic and forceful ethos was etched into his work. His Nobel-winning novels are artefacts, clockwork mechanisms conceived and crafted to the millimetre. Not a single word is misplaced, nor a single loose end left hanging. They have the feeling, at times, of a taut short story sustained over 400 pages.

He once told me that, before writing, he would unfurl a massive amount of paper, a poster the size of a bed sheet. There, he would write down the names of characters, trace ascending or descending lines from each of them, noting when they met, parted, came into conflict, loved, hated, died, and note down the essential events in their journeys. Only with this task completed did he begin to write.

And before any of this, he would inform himself about each and every detail and context for the plot. Whether in his historical novels or purely fictional works, he always meticulously researched times and places, as well as their geographical, meteorological and historical conditions. He travelled with suitcases full of books, which were far bulkier than those dedicated to clothes or personal belongings.

The depths of humanity

If his work ethic was admirable, so too was his intellect, which was marked by a shrewd ability to explore the highs, lows and hidden corners of human capability and experience.

Many of his novels can be summed up by the words of Peruvian writer and critic Julio Ortega, who called them una arqueologia del mal, an archaeology of evil. His sensitivity and ability to scrutinise hearts and minds was indisputable, and he was acutely aware that goodness and virtuous monotony did not make for interesting novels  confrontation was essential.

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He focused instead on personal and collective baseness. As well as attracting readers, this also provided a source of incessant and fundamental criticism, one that would carve out his role as spectator, witness and judge of contemporary societies.

He relentlessly targeted abuses of power, dictators, lies, revenge, hatred and attacks on individual freedoms, while also indulging many human shortcomings and deviations, almost always those rooted in mistakes or amorous disappointments. At the same time, he claimed pleasure and life as a game, as a way of overcoming or moving along lifes torturous paths.

A free mind

Mario Vargas Llosa always said what he thought, with little heed for what his millions of readers might think. He did so in his opinion articles, in his conferences, talks, interviews and private conversations. He was always polite, but had no fear of antagonising his audience.

In the same way, his novels took a universal approach to a broad range of themes. This made him one of Spanish literatures most versatile writers, unlike many others who perpetually write different versions of the same novel, or place themselves at the centre of their own stories. Quality, diversity, perfection, originality and technical experimentation defined his literary output. As a friend of mine quipped to me recently, all that was left for him to do was write Don Quixote.

The front cover of Le dedico mi silencio, the last novel by Mario Vargas Llosa. Penguin Books

Five of his novels should be counted among the ten or twelve best in the Spanish language: La ciudad y los perros (The Time of the Hero, 1963), La casa verde (The Green House, 1966), Conversacion en La Catedral (Conversation in the Cathedral, 1969), La guerra del fin del mundo (The War of the End of the World, 1981) and La fiesta del Chivo (The Feast of the Goat, 2000).

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Most of his essays are also true works of art in the field of literary criticism, both in their content and style. His way of explaining profound concepts with accessible language and overwhelmingly strong logic made him one of the contemporary worlds greatest orators and essayists.

Although he dedicated silence to us in the title of his last novel several years ago, many of us now feel orphaned. Orphaned not only by the loss of someone who taught us to read and write, who revealed hidden worlds and encouraged us to devote ourselves to literature, but also by the knowledge that his death marks the end of an era that will never return. We can find solace, however, in the conviction that 20 centuries from now, people will speak of him as we speak of Virgil today.

Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos.

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Angel Esteban del Campo no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado.
Iranian directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha have been given a 14-month suspended jail sentence by an Iranian court on charges that include alleged production of obscene content in their Berlinale-premiering film My Favourite Cake  our joint Number 1 film of 2024 alongside Mohammad Rasoulofs Oscar nominated film The Seed of the Sacred Fig.

After months of interrogations and travel bans over the past two years  which prevented them from attending the 2024 Berlin premiere  Moghaddam and Sanaeeha had been charged with making a film labeled as obscene and offending public morality. They were also accused of propaganda against the regime and other charges claiming the film was unlawfully screened without the Iranian authorities permits for distribution.

The Iranian court also convicted My Favourite Cake producer Gholamreza Mousavi to the same sentence as the directors, which also includes a fine of 400 million Iranian Rials (8,240).

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My Favourite Cake follows a lonely septuagenarian widow Mahin (Lily Farhadpour) in Tehran who rediscovers her desires in a country where womens rights are heavily restricted.

We wanted to tell the story of the reality of our lives, which is about those forbidden things like singing, dancing, not wearing hijab at home, which no one does at home, Moghaddam previously said.

Esmael Mehrabi and Lily Farhadpour holding a picture of directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, who were banned from travelling to Berlin for the film premiere - Getty

The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran commented on the verdict: Artists in Iran endure significant hardships, including increasing censorship, arbitrary detentions and the constant threat of legal repercussions for expressing dissent through their work.

The 14-month sentence, which has been suspended for five years, comes after the global film community rallied in support of the directors with a petition whose signatories included Pedro Almodovar, Juliette Binoche and the aforementioned Mohammad Rasoulof.

Mohammad Rasoulof speaks to Euronews Culture - Euronews Culture

In our interview with Mohammad Rasoulof, he stated: Id like to flag up the filmmakers of My Favourite Cake, Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, who are undergoing all sorts of problems inside Iran. They are banned from leaving the country because of their films, and in fact, they are being investigated for similar charges for spreading prostitution and corruption on Earth, for instance. This atmosphere will be the cause of a series of new problems because in the world now, its not possible to control content, like the Iranian regime does. The result of this is more and more repression, and acts of subversion will surface, as the government cannot control everything.

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You can read the full interview here.

In our review for My Favourite Cake, we wrote: My Favourite Cake is a gently subversive film that dares to pepper radicalism within a poignant tragicomedy. (...) Behind a seemingly harmless set up and a Linklater-ish second half lies messages of female empowerment that are not tolerated under the nations repressive regime. Driven by two magnificent central performances, which make the allegorically loaded epilogue truly resonant, Moghaddam and Sanaeehs film is a subtle but powerful snapshot of the harsh realities facing Iranian women, as well as a commentary about what could befall those daring to take control of their destinies. Its impressive and haunting in equal measure.
The Food and Drug Administration earlier this month fired dozens of staffers responsible for going after retailers who illegally sell tobacco to minors.

Now its begging them to come back.

Senior FDA officials asked laid-off employees in recent days to temporarily return after mass cuts decimated the agencys ability to penalize retailers that sell cigarettes and vapes to minors, four federal health officials familiar with the matter said.

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The scramble followed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s termination of roughly 10,000 employees, which included everyone in the FDA office charged with preparing and seeking fines against stores that repeatedly violate a ban on selling tobacco to customers under 21.

The FDA typically files more than 100 complaints a week seeking so-called civil money penalties against retailers, the officials said. But after the April 1 mass firings carried out across the Department of Health and Human Services, that operation ground to a halt, effectively eradicating the agencys main weapon against illegal tobacco sales.

You could not have done a better job of eliminating tobacco enforcement than by doing this, said one of the officials, who were granted anonymity for fear of retaliation. It was the perfect pinpoint strike.

The cuts prompted a sprint by the few remaining officials to seek extensions for the active complaints against retailers slated to go before the HHS board charged with reviewing them, another one of the officials said. And inside the FDA, they raised fears about the agency's ability to continue enforcing the tobacco sales laws that health experts credit for helping drive an extended decline in youth smoking.

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Tobacco use among middle and high school students hit the lowest point in a quarter-century in 2024, according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Without aggressive federal oversight, stores would face far less incentive to turn away underage buyers. That could open the door to a reversal in youth tobacco use rates, experts said, undercutting the fight against chronic disease that Kennedy has vowed to make the centerpiece of his agenda. The civil penalties office also served as a key tool in combating growing sales of illicit vapes.

People who smoke cigarettes, use e-cigarettes or other tobacco products primarily begin before they turn 18, research shows, elevating their risk for a range of chronic diseases like lung cancer and heart disease.

Its a prescription for allowing retailers to roll the dice and sell to minors with less concern that they will ever be caught, Mitch Zeller, who ran the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products for nearly a decade before retiring in 2022, said of the cuts. Everybody agrees that retailers should not sell to minors  it doesn't get any more red, white and blue than this program."

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Top FDA officials have yet to lay out a long-term plan for ensuring oversight of retailers' tobacco sales.

But in the interim, senior leaders are seeking volunteers among those who Kennedy fired to return from administrative leave and help maintain continuity until they're officially terminated on June 2.

As of Friday, more than two dozen staffers had agreed to return, a development one of the officials attributed in part to workers fears of being denied severance benefits if they refused.

In a statement, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said that all laid-off employees may be asked to work temporarily until their government service ends on June 2.

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"This decision is focused on ensuring that the transition is as seamless as possible, minimizing any disruption to the agencys mission and operations, Nixon wrote. "HHS fully supports this approach, which aims to maintain public health services while managing the reorganization process effectively."

Though some senior FDA officials within the Center for Tobacco Products are still trying to get the office fully reinstated, others have warned returning staffers that there is likely no path to being permanently rehired.

"There was no workforce planning in advance of this," said the first official. "There was no continuity planning."

It remains unclear why HHS gutted the office focused on civil penalties, which is known within FDA's tobacco enforcement apparatus as the Division of Business Operations. The Center for Tobacco Products is funded entirely by user fees paid by industry, meaning the terminations wont create any taxpayer savings. Instead, officials said, it may end up costing money; the fines that the FDA collects from retailers are funneled directly to the federal treasury.

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Kennedy, who has singled out smoking as particularly detrimental to Americans' health, argued in a recent CBS News interview that all the jobs eliminated across HHS were either administrative or deemed redundant.

"In some cases, we cut programs, but we only did that when we consolidated them into another program," he said. "So the task will continue, their mission will continue. The people are still there for the most part."

Yet within the FDA, the officials said the cuts effectively collapsed its tobacco enforcement operation. The agency's process consists of three stages: A warning letter sent to a retailer after its first offense, followed by civil penalties for subsequent offenses, with a ban on all tobacco sales reserved for the most egregious violators.

Kennedy's cuts spared the teams that handle warning letters and the complete bans. Indeed, the FDA is still posting warning letters to purveyors of tobacco products.

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But without a well-staffed office to seek fines against stores for repeated sales to minors, the agency won't have the capacity to follow up on retailers who ignore the warning letters  or to build the cases necessary to shut down the worst offenders.

David Lim contributed to this report.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

In a major legal victory, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu has been reinstated to his position following a High Court ruling that overturned his expulsion from the party.Justice Mary Zimba Dube ruled that the disciplinary proceedings used to expel Tshabangu were procedurally flawed and lacked legal standing, effectively rendering the process null and void.Tshabangu had been expelled earlier this year by a CCC disciplinary committee after he controversially made unauthorized changes to some parliamentary positions - moves that sparked intense internal conflict within the opposition party led by Welshman Ncube.The committee that sanctioned his dismissal comprised Sesel Zvidzayi, Concillia Chinanzvavana, Gilbert Kagodora, and Shepherd Mushonga. In response, Tshabangu filed an urgent chamber application challenging both the process and the legitimacy of the individuals involved.In her ruling, Justice Zimba Dube found that Ncube and his co-respondents had failed to submit valid legal authority for their opposition to Tshabangu's application, effectively making the case uncontested."Effectively, Welshman Ncube has failed to provide proof of written authority from the respondent to depose to the opposing affidavit and to show that he was duly authorised to depose to the opposing affidavit on behalf of the respondent," the ruling stated.The judge noted that no corrective action was taken after the legal shortcomings were pointed out, leading to the opposing affidavit being struck out."There being no authority to defend this application, there is no opposition and the respondent's opposing affidavit is struck out, rendering the application unopposed," the judgment continued.Tshabangu also successfully argued that the terms of office for the respondents - elected on May 26, 2019 - had expired as of May 27, 2024, invalidating their authority within the party structure.Justice Zimba Dube ruled in his favour, stating:"The entire disciplinary process constituting the Disciplinary Committee that sat at number 60A Hibiscus Road, Lochnivar, Southerton, Harare on 12 February 2025 to deliberate and decide on allegations of misconduct leveled by the fifth respondent against the applicant be and are hereby declared null and void and are set aside."The decision marks a significant turning point in CCC's internal battles, with Tshabangu now legally reaffirmed as Secretary General of the party.It remains to be seen how the ruling will impact the broader leadership dynamics within CCC, which has faced persistent factionalism and internal disputes since its formation.
A Palestinian man who led protests against the war in Gaza as a student at Columbia University was arrested Monday at a Colchester immigration office where he expected to be interviewed about finalizing his U.S. citizenship, his attorneys said.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident who has held a green card since 2015, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, his lawyers said.

The attorneys said they do not know where he is. They filed a petition in federal court seeking an order barring the government from removing him from the state or country.

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Vermonts congressional delegation issued a statement condemning Mahdawis arrest, saying that instead of taking one of the final steps in his citizenship process, he was handcuffed by armed officers with their faces covered.

This is immoral, inhumane, and illegal. Mr. Mahdawi, a legal resident of the United States, must be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention, said the statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint.

According to the court filing, Mahdawi was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank and moved to the United States in 2014. He recently completed coursework at Columbia and was expected to graduate in May before beginning a masters degree program there in the fall.

The petition describes him as a committed Buddhist who believes in non-violence and empathy as a central tenet of his religion.

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As a student, Mahdawi was an outspoken critic of Israels military campaign in Gaza and organized campus protests until March 2024. He co-founded the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia with Mahmoud Khalil, another Palestinian permanent resident of the U.S. and graduate student who recently was detained by ICE.

Khalil was the first person arrested under President Donald Trumps promised crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. On Friday, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that Khalil can be deported as a national security risk.

Christopher Helali, a friend of Mahdawi who lives near him in Vermont, was present outside the immigration office when Mahdawi was detained and recorded a video of Mahdawi being led away by authorities. In the video, which Helali released on social media Monday, Mahdawi is shown giving a peace sign with his hands and being led away to a car.

Helali described Mahdawi as a peaceful demonstrator who has worked to foster dialogue about the struggle of Palestinians in his homeland. Helali said he and Mahdawi were aware that Mahdawi could be detained today and that his friend went forward with the appointment anyway.

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And rightfully so, he was nervous for what was going on around him. But he was very much resolute in coming to this interview and coming today because he didnt do anything wrong and was a law-abiding citizen, or soon-to-be citizen, Helali said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A homeless man sleeping on the street. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals last week upheld a lower court ruling that declared two Alabama panhandling laws unconstitutional. (Kypros/Getty Images)

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals last week upheld a lower court ruling that found two Alabama laws criminalizing panhandling unconstitutional.

Citing existing legal precedents, U.S. Circuit Judge Elizabeth L. Branch wrote in the unanimous opinion that First Amendment protections of speech apply to the act of begging.

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Thus, the begging statutes applications, which are solely to begging, are impermissible, and the pedestrian solicitation statutes applications, which are to begging and other constitutionally protected speech, are impermissible, Branch stated in her opinion.

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Messages were sent to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the defendant in the lawsuit. Messages were also left with the Alabama Attorney Generals Office, which represented the state, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, which represented plaintiff Jonathan Singleton, and others in the suit.

The initial lawsuit challenged two statutes. The first prohibits a person from standing on the highway and asking those in a vehicle for money, a job or other business. Violating that statute is punishable by up to 10 days in jail and a $100 fine. The second prevents people from loitering in public spaces for the purpose of begging, which carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a $200 fine.

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Singleton was cited six times for allegedly violating the laws in Montgomery.

A lower court ruled in Singletons favor in March 2023 and issued a permanent injunction against ALEAs enforcement of the law. The agency appealed the lower court decision to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Attorneys from the Southern Poverty Law Center, who represented Singleton and the individuals affected, and the Alabama Attorney Generals Office argued the case before a panel of three judges with the 11th Circuit in December.

Alabama Deputy Solicitor General Robert Overing argued in court that begging specifically is not protected speech based on the First Amendment and that the state could regulate the activity and impose penalties on those who violate rules set by the government.

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He cited a law passed in the state of New York in 1788 and an action by former President James Madison in 1812 to penalize those who loitered in public spaces.

The Southern Poverty Law Center cited Smith v. Fort Lauderdale, a 1999 decision by the 11th Circuit that upheld a local law banning panhandling on part of a sidewalk, but said that panhandling laws must be narrowly tailored to avoid infringing on the First Amendment. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals then applied that same standard to other cases involving panhandling.

The Alabama Legislature revised the statute concerning begging in public places during the 2023 session by approving HB 24, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Matthews, that makes the first arrest for loitering a violation and subsequent infractions a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.

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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is laying off hundreds of workers. Though details are limited, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil E. Roberts said in a recent statement,

NIOSH began laying off hundreds of workers who are engaged in research and the improvement of products and practices that literally save the lives of coal miners every day.

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Roberts added that NIOSH announced significant downsizing of offices in Morgantown, West Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The layoffs come amid a sweeping federal reorganization effort led by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as part of the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Workforce Optimization Initiative.

But what are the job cuts supposed to accomplish?

Why are these layoffs happening?

According to an HHS statement, the "Make America Healthy Again" plan aims to reduce the federal health workforce by 20,000 employees overall  shrinking HHS from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time staff. It will also consolidate 28 HHS divisions into 15 new ones, while regional offices will be reduced from 10 to just 5.

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As part of the plan, NIOSH is being folded into a new agency called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), alongside the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other offices. HHS says the changes will save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year and improve efficiency by reducing redundant units.

However, critics argue that the cost savings come at the expense of public and workplace safety  especially in places like Morgantown, where NIOSH plays a key role in researching coal worker health, respiratory disease and workplace hazards.

I do not think that these actions are being done in a coordinated way to hurt the American coal industry and those who work in it. But that is the effect, Roberts said in the release. Miners have and can continue to produce the materials to power American homes, produce American steel and so many other products our society uses every day.

Read more: The US stock markets fear gauge has exploded  but this 1 shockproof asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Heres how to own it ASAP

How layoffs will impact workers  and how to protect yourself

Layoffs at NIOSH threaten not only the job security of hundreds of employees, but also the health and safety of coal miners and other high-risk workers who rely on the agency's research.

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Morgantown's facility employed around 500 workers, reported MetroNews. Its research informed safety regulations, protective equipment standards and disease prevention strategies across several industries.

Roberts believes the downsizing could cripple progress in mine safety as the coal industry "relies on the research done there to improve its safety practices.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito R-W.Va. told 12 News in a statement that the cuts would harm vital health programs, adding that any cuts that impact [coal workers] health monitoring need to be restored immediately.

In addition to the safety concerns, the economic impact could be significant for Morgantown and surrounding areas. Losing hundreds of high-paying federal jobs affects not just those laid off, but also local businesses that depend on NIOSH employees as customers. From diners and daycare centers to home service providers, many small businesses could feel the ripple effects of the layoffs.

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Here are a few ways locals can manage the disruption:

Know your rights. If you're injured or face exposure to hazardous conditions, report it immediately to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employers must still comply with its standards.

Connect with state and nonprofit resources. West Virginias Department of Health, WorkForce West Virginia, the PA Workforce Development Association and organizations like the Appalachian Citizens Law Center may be able to offer guidance, legal help or job retraining opportunities.

Protect your health on the job. With fewer researchers to monitor workplace hazards, it's more important than ever to take precautions. Use proper PPE, attend all safety training and document any incidents or exposure you experience or witness.

Consider looking for new opportunities. Sen. Capito and West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey both say theyre working to help affected workers find new employment. While these roles may take time to materialize, job retraining programs or federal grants may be offered soon. Pay attention to state announcements and job boards.

As Trump and DOGE aim to reshape federal agencies, communities like Morgantown are left to navigate the fallout and fight to protect the workers and industries who have long powered the country.

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 federal judge in Vermont heard arguments Monday in the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, the Tufts University graduate student who was detained last month by federal authorities.

The hearing before U.S. District Judge William Sessions addressed federal officials' motion to dismiss a petition for Ozturk's release.

On Thursday, Ozturk's lawyers filed a petition calling for her release. Lawyers for federal officials named in the case in turn filed a motion to dismiss the petition, saying the court does not have jurisdiction over her detention.

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Sessions said he would take both sides' arguments under advisement as he decides whether the court will assume jurisdiction.

Tufts University Student Rumeysta Ozturk was detained by ICE on the streets of a Boston suburb. A security camera caught the moment officers arrested her.

What to know about latest hearing for Rumeysa Ozturk

Michael Drescher, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Vermont, argued in court Monday that the immigration court system, not the District Court, should decide whether Ozturk can be released on bond.

Drescher said the immigration court system's jurisdiction applies over the federal court's authority because Ozturk's detention is in relation to her student visa status.

Ozturk's lawyers argued that Sessions can rule on the petition because she is alleging violations of her constitutional rights, which is within the court's jurisdiction.

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"This case has been properly transferred here and now should be treated as if filed in Vermont on that night. So that's our primary basis," said Adriana Lafaille, one of Ozturk's lawyers.

Jessie Rossman, another lawyer for Ozturk, added that, "this is not a case of ordinary immigration enforcement."

Latest on case of detained Tufts grad student Rumeysa Ozturk

Ozturk has a hearing in immigration court Wednesday where her lawyers said she's also seeking release on bond.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Ozturk, a Turkish national in the country on a valid F-1 visa, outside her home in Somerville, Massachusetts, on March 25.

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Officials later said her visa was revoked because she allegedly engaged in activities supporting Hamas. Her lawyers say she was arrested for co-authoring an article published in The Tufts Daily last year that expressed support for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas War.

Despite a court order to keep Ozturk in Massachusetts, she was transported to a detention facility in Louisiana where she is still being held, according to ICE's detainee locator.

Melina Khan is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network - New England, which serves more than a dozen affiliated publications across New England. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Rumeysa Ozturk: Federal judge hears arguments in case of Tufts student
Federal law enforcement officials say an Albuquerque man lit this Tesla on fire, along with front doors to the headquarters of the Republican Party of New Mexico. Jamison Wagner, 40, faces at least 10 years in federal prison, officials announced Monday. (Photo courtesy criminal complaint)

An Albuquerque man faces federal charges for alleged politically motivated arsons at a local Tesla dealership and Republican Party headquarters, an arrest touted Monday by United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi and other prominent federal law enforcement officials in Washington, D.C.

Jamison Wagner, 40, was arrested late last week following an investigation by multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, charged with two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives. He could face between five and 20 years in prison for each count, according to a news release from the United States Department of Justice.

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Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a news release announcing the charges, which included comparable sentiments from FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy United States Attorney General Todd Blanche. We will arrest you, we will prosecute you and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.

Bondi has previously referred to property destruction of Teslas as domestic terrorism and promised harsh consequences for those who are accused of it.

The front doors to the headquarters of the Republican Party of New Mexico following the alleged arson. Jamison Wagner, 40, faces at least 10 years in federal prison, officials announced Monday. (Photo courtesy criminal complaint)

Investigators believe Wagner used improvised napalm material to ignite Tesla sedans on Feb. 9 of this year at the dealership at the Santa Ana Pueblo in Sandoval County. Two Tesla Model Y sedans were damaged, one of them significantly, in the alleged arson, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Investigators also accuse Wagner of starting a fire that occurred in the early morning hours of March 30 at the headquarters of the Republican Party of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The fire destroyed the front doors to the building but was quickly extinguished without spreading.

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Neither either alleged arson caused any injuries, according to investigators. At both scenes, investigators said, graffiti was sprayed with red paint through stencils that said things like Die Elon, Dia Tesla Nazi and ICE=KKK. Investigators also found glass jars containing the improvised napalm with either an I or an H handwritten on the lids.

Jamison Wagner, 40. (Photos courtesy criminal complaint)

Agents traced Wagners white Hyundai sedan from the Republican headquarters to his home in Albuquerque, according to charging documents. In his garage, they found more jars with the incendiary liquid, along with stencils they suspect Wagner used in the graffiti at both crime scenes, according to the documents.

Charging documents describe the interstate nexus for both the Tesla and Republican headquarters attacks, which is used to justify federal charges. The fact Tesla components are made in Germany and China is one reason the alleged arson meets that standard, according to the documents. Additionally, the Republican headquarters sells items from the The MAGA Mall based in southern Florida, including hats, bumper stickers and signs, was another way to establish the interstate nexus, according to the documents.

Following the damage to the Republican headquarters, statewide Republican leaders held a news conference calling on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to call a special legislative session devoted to getting tougher on crime.

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On Monday, New Mexico Democrats and Republicans applauded the arrest.

The Democratic Party of New Mexico is grateful to law enforcement for arresting and charging a suspect for the recent arson and vandalism at the Tesla showroom in Bernalillo and the Republican Party of New Mexico office, the Democrats said in a statement. Should this individual be found guilty, we hope the U.S. Department of Justice holds them accountable. Politically motivated violence and vandalism are never acceptable.

Republicans also called for unity in a statement Monday afternoon.

We applaud local and federal law enforcement agencies in their swift investigation of these acts of domestic terrorism. Let this serve as an example, political violence and domestic terrorism will not be tolerated, spokesperson Brandon Harris said in an emailed statement. Let us come together and move beyond political division to work towards a better future for ALL New Mexicans.
WASHINGTON  The Justice Department said it has criminally charged a man it alleged carried out two recent arson attacks against the New Mexico Republican Party's headquarters and a Tesla dealership in the state.

The criminal complaint, dated April 12, charges Jamison Wagner with arson. No one was injured in either incident.

The first arson took place February 9, at an Albuquerque Tesla dealership and the second on March 30 at the Republican Party headquarters, also located in Albuquerque, the complaint says.

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More: Suspect in arson attack at Gov. Josh Shapiro's home was 'harboring hatred'

Investigators discovered graffiti on the Republican Party building that read: "ICE=KKK," an apparent reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

At the Tesla dealership, investigators found graffiti with messages that took aim at Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is currently leading efforts by President Donald Trump to dramatically shrink the size of the government by cutting programs, employees and in some cases, entire agencies.

One message said "Die Elon" while another said "Die Tesla Nazi."

Two Tesla Model Y vehicles were damaged in the fire, the complaint says.

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"We will be prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law," Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X. "We are seeking up to 40 years in prison."

More: Tesla global sales decline: Rivals gain ground in China and Europe amid Musk backlash

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she'll seek a sentence of up to 40 years for the suspect in arson attacks on New Mexico Republican Party headquarters and an Albequerque Tesla dealership.

Bondi has pledged to treat a spate of recent attacks against Tesla dealerships and charging stations as domestic terrorism, a move that could potentially lead to harsher prison terms.

Robert Cekada, the deputy director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said in a statement April 14 that special agents, certified fire investigators and forensics experts had worked "around the clock" to piece together the evidence and make the arrest.

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More: Musk says 'terrorism' behind fire at Rome Tesla dealership

"We follow the evidence, we find the truth and we bring offenders to justice," he said.

According to the complaint, investigators recovered evidence at Wagner's home including a white cardboard box with eight suspected incendiary devices, black and red spray paint and a cardboard stencil that read "ICE=KKK."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Feds charge suspect in arson attacks on New Mexico GOP, Tesla
Prosecutors plan to wrap up their case Monday in the bribery trial of Democratic state Sen. Emil Jones III by playing portions of his video-recorded interviews with the FBI.

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.

According to the charges, Jones solicited $5,000 from Omar Maani, the co-founder of red light camera company SafeSpeed LLC, in exchange for Jones help with legislation in Springfield. Jones also asked Maani to give his former office intern a part-time job, the charges alleged.

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On Friday, prosecutors took the former intern, Christopher Katz, through evidence showing Jones took him 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 Maani for him to be hired by SafeSpeed.

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.

Hours later, shortly after 5 a.m., Jones sent Katz another message, saying, Yo Wyo, or What you on?

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Prosecutors have said their remaining witnesses are all FBI agents, who are expected to testify about Jones allegedly evasive answers in two interviews he had with the FBI in 2019, including telling agents he was unaware of the interns $15-an-hour salary.

Jones was unaware that Maani was cooperating with the FBI and secretly recorded meetings showing Jones was the one who proposed the hourly wage.

Lawyers for Jones, meanwhile, have so far previewed only one short witness for their case. They have not ruled out Jones testifying in his own defense, a risky move for any federal criminal defendant, let alone a sitting state legislator.

Late in the day Friday, 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Shanahans testimony will continue Monday.

If convicted, Jones would be forced to resign under Illinois law and would almost certainly forfeit any future pension.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Damage from fallen trees is seen at a home on Nov. 22, 2024 in Bellevue, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

The Trump administration on Friday denied Washingtons request for federal disaster relief to recover from last years bomb cyclone that caused tens of millions of dollars in damage.

The Federal Emergency Management Agencys one-page letter doesnt explain the reasoning for the denial, other than to say federal aid is not warranted.

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FEMAs Region X Regional Administrator will communicate any additional resources that may be available through Other Federal Agencies and/or volunteer organizations to address unmet needs for survivor assistance, the letter says. In addition, FEMA will coordinate with the State of Washington to identify additional damage information to support an appeal if necessary.

Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, plans to appeal the decision. In a statement Monday, he said this is another troubling example of the federal government withholding funding.

Washington communities have been waiting for months for the resources they need to fully recover from last winters devastating storms, and this decision will cause further delay, Ferguson said.

The state has 30 days to appeal.

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After the intense November storm that damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, caused widespread power outages and killed two people, then-Gov. Jay Inslee declared a disaster in a number of counties.

The declaration opened up $1 million in state recovery funding for those hit by the storm in King, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. The U.S. Small Business Administration also made low-interest disaster assistance loans available for residents and businesses in Chelan, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Snohomish and Yakima counties.

In January, Inslee asked for federal aid from FEMA to repair damage to highways, public utilities and more. His request focused on Grays Harbor, King, Pacific, Snohomish, Wahkiakum and Walla Walla counties.

The federal funding typically reimburses at least three-quarters of eligible costs from disasters.

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On the other side of the country, FEMA on Friday also canceled its agreement to fully reimburse North Carolina for the ongoing response to damage from Hurricane Helene. North Carolinas governor is a Democrat. Republicans control the state Legislature.

President Donald Trump has previously threatened to withhold disaster aid to states led by Democratic opponents.
(NewsNation)  Six women on Monday took the first all-female flight into space since 1963.

Members of the high-profile group  recording artist Katy Perry, journalists Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and movie producer Kerianne Flynn  were in West Texas for a few days for training and getting fitted for space suits.

Blue Origin, the rocket company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced the trip earlier this year. Sanchez is Bezos fiancee. Although the flight has received wide attention for the gender of its crew, the first all-female journey beyond the atmosphere was accomplished by Soviet-era cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova in a 1963 solo mission.

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The participants in this weeks flight aboard Blue Origins New Shepherd capsule expressed excitement for the opportunity.

Amanda Nguyen to become first Vietnamese American woman in space

I am feeling so grateful and grounded and honored to be invited and included with this incredible group of women, Perry told the Associated Press last week.

The entry into space lasted around 10 minutes. The private mission has drawn scorn from critics, who say the project seems extravagant compared to problems back on Earth.

Blue Origin doesnt advertise its prices online but requires a $150,000 deposit per seat.

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Despite what critics might say, its not all fun and games. Nguyen, for example, is conducting three experiments in space to help future generations of astronauts. Her research includes testing how fast plants grow in space and how astronaut suits handle moisture.

Women, in the beginning of NASA, were barred from becoming astronauts, and one of the reasons cited was menstruation, but they didnt have the data to back that up. So, my experiment will be gathering data, hopefully, to refute that, Nguyen said recently.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

THE conviction and sentencing of Mohammed Ameen who was caught with over half a million of undeclared US dollars has fueled African Transformation Movement's (ATM) determination to ensure that President Ramaphosa answers for the Phala Phala dollars that were concealed in couches on his farm.Ameen aged 45, was recently found guilty after entering into a plea agreement with the state on charges of money laundering and contravention of Exchange Control Regulations - charges that the National Prosecuting Authority refused to pursue against Ramaphosa over Phala Phala.The charges against Ameen stem from October 11, 2017, he was intercepted by South African Customs Services while seated in the international departures business lounge at Cape Town International Airport. A search of his luggage revealed undeclared cash consisting of $544,200 in American dollars and R2,955,000 in South African currency. He was en route to Dubai and was immediately arrested following the discovery.The Phala Phala scandal broke in 2023, when reports emerged that thousands of US dollars kept at Ramaphosa's farm were stolen during a 2020 break-in. They were apparently concealed in couches instead of being declared and banked as the legal requirements. No case was initially reported with the police, fueling suspicion about the legality of the cash. The source of the money still remains shrouded in mystery.A panel established by then National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula found that Ramaphosa may have violated his oath of office over the undeclared foreign currency. Several State and Chapter 9 institutions cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing, but the ATM, among other political parties has insisted that Ramaphosa has a case to answer. It has launched a court application challenging some of the reports that found in the president's favour.Speaking to the Cape Times, the party's lead Vuyo Zungula said the Ameen case and how it was handled exposed the double standards within the country's law enforcement agencies."The facts are the same in the sense that both are undeclared large amounts of foreign currency or local currency above what is legally permissible. What is also known, those (Phala Phala) amounts were kept for more than the days required for people to hold them. The only difference, this guy may not have political connections whereas in the case of the president he has a vast level of power on his side."He said the Ameen case and other similar matters made his party determined to see to it that the president is given a platform, through the courts, to answer for the Phala Phala saga."No one has ever been held accountable not the farm manager, not the person who brought the money into South Africa, not the president, not the police, the person that did an investigation without a docket. So where there (were) clear laws that were violated, no one has been held accountable.For us it's just a matter of pushing further to say there are clear cases of double standards, there are clear cases where other people are arrested, they are held accountable for having undeclared foreign currency in their possession but in this case, because it involves the president, there are double standards. That is what we view as wrong in this entire thing because it creates a precedent that would not take the country forward where the rich, the powerful, politically-connected individuals will always be exempt from being held accountable," Zungula said.The Hawks and the NPA in the Western Cape have maintained that they had a water-tight case against Ameen.Approached for comment on why the president was not charged, the Limpopo NPA referred the Cape Times back to a previous statement on the matter.The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Limpopo, Adv Mukhali Ivy Thenga had taken a decision not to prosecute anyone in relation to the Phala Phala case because there was no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution based on evidence contained in the docket.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Cash is king. If you have some money, and you do hope to retire and not work until youre 65, when you see panic and chaos this is probably the best time to pick up shares, real estate and crypto says Bilaal Dhalech, Finance Content Creator.

White House shifts tariffs stance

Some finance experts are reminding people that now is the time to save and invest. This comes following President Donald Trumps actions on tariffs.

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He imposed a 10% baseline tariff on a majority of tariffs and Chinas are now up to 145%. However, he has exempted tariffs from some tech items, like laptops and cell phones, saving major companies like Apple.

Meanwhile, experts say, do not hesitate following the downfall of the Market recently, encouraging people to invest.

Given from my past experiences, I experienced three market crashes if I was a new investor, the best thing for me right now would be to save my money, invest into the market. We had so many people investing when the stock market was up and they were buying over-valued stocks. Now they ve dropped 20 to 30% says Dhalech.

The president posting this to Truth Social, Sunday, reminding Americans swift action will be taken on tariffs. Experts say having an emergency savings, is also crucial, during scenarios like these.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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A fire at an auto shop in Chicagos Far South Side damaged multiple vehicles overnight, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Police said they responded to a call of a fire at an auto shop located at the 1200 block of East 95th Street in the Burnside neighborhood around 12:30 a.m. Monday. The Chicago Fire Department was already on scene extinguishing the fire on multiple vehicles.

No injuries were reported following the fire, police said. Officials did not say what the cause of the fire was.

The Chicago Fire Department is investigating.
ANSONIA, Conn. (WTNH)  Crews said they responded to a fire in a three-family home Sunday evening.

The home, located on Hubbell Ave., has extensive damage from the flames.

Ansonia Fire Chief Alex Horjatschun told News 8 first responders were able to respond to the scene within a minute and everyone inside was evacuated.

Right now its under investigation with the fire marshal, so its still preliminary, Horjatschun said. We have no determination yet what caused this fire. We do know that it did start on the third floor, but thats as far as we know right now.

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Law enforcement officers stand outside the governors residence on April13, 2025, after a fire led to the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family. It is being investigated as arson. (Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

This is a breaking news story. As often happens in these instances, some information initially reported may turn out to be inaccurate. Well move quickly to correct the record and provide the best information we have at the time.

State police are investigating a fire at the governor residence in Harrisburg as arson.

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Gov. Josh Shapiro said troopers woke him and his family up around 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning to evacuate. Harrisburg city firefighters extinguished the blaze at residence along North Front Street. The governor posted details about the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities, Shapiro said. Last night, they did so for our family  and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.

The governors residence on April13, 2025, after a fire led to the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family. It is being investigated as arson. (Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

The fire occurred on the first night of Passover, the eight-day Jewish holiday marking the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Shapiro is Jewish.

State House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) condemned the alleged arson attack.

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The preliminary details about last nights arson attack at the Governors Residence are beyond disturbing and I condemn this, and every act of political violence, in the strongest terms, he said. I am glad to hear Gov. Shapiro and his family are safe and no injuries resulted from what appears to be a heinous act.

Former GOP Governor Mark Schweiker called the attack, a despicable act of cowardice.

Kathy and I hope all Pennsylvanians will join us in keeping Josh, Lori and their family in their prayers, Schweiker said in a statement. We thank the firefighters who bravely responded to the fire, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police and all law enforcement for their ongoing efforts to bring the coward who attacked the Peoples House to justice.

State police, which is leading the investigation, says the blaze caused a significant amount of damage to a portion of the home.

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A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered through PSP Tips for the arrest and conviction for the person or people responsible. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 1-800-4PA TIPS (1-800-472-8477).

State police troopers stand outside the governors residence on April13, 2025, after a fire led to the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family. It is being investigated as arson. (Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Tim Lambert for questions: info@penncapital-star.com.

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NEWTON, Iowa  Fire crews battled a large fire on the edge of Newton overnight.

The Newton Fire Department responded around 9:30 Sunday night after receiving information about a fire at the Moose Lodge at 2233 S. 24th Ave. W., just south of Interstate 80.

Family displaced following Des Moines house fire

The Newton Fire Department said when firefighters arrived, there were heavy flames visible through the roof. Despite strong winds and limited access to water, crews were able to contain the flames to the structure.

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There was significant damage to the building, but no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Check back to www.WHO13.com for more information as it becomes available.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Firefighters battled a house fire in west Charlotte Sunday afternoon.

The incident happened in the 3000 block of Sloan Drive around 5 p.m.

It took firefighters 25 minutes to control the flames.

Officials say there were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

On Saturday, crews responded to the same street to fight a fire at a vacant home. Officials did not say if it is the same home as Sundays fire. That fire originated in a bedroom and caused $50k in property damage. The cause is still unknown.

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Sundays fire remains under investigation by the Charlotte Investigation Task Force.

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ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. (WHTM)  A stretch of U.S. Route 30 was closed Sunday evening as firefighters battled a house fire.

The two alarm fire broke out in a neighborhood in Paradise Township off U.S. 30 east of Abbottstown, on Altland Avenue just east of the York-Adams line.

The highway, a vital route through York and Adams counties, was closed from West Canal Road to Moulstown Road, according to 511PA.

One firefighter was injured.

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Crews from across Adams and York counties responded. It took about 45 minutes for crews to bring the fire under control.

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A Northern Regional fire marshal is investigating.

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Firefighters extinguished a fire at a church in Montgomery County Monday afternoon.

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Washington Township fire crews were called to the Centerville Church of Christ at 1411 Old Spring Valley Court on reports of a fire just after 4 p.m., a Montgomery County dispatch supervisor confirmed.

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The dispatch supervisor told News Center 7 that there was an active fire when firefighters arrived.

Photos from the scene show smoke pouring out of the roof.

Additional information was not immediately available.

We will continue to follow this story.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Hartford firefighters rescued a brave dog from a roof on Sunday, according to the Hartford Fire Departments district chief.

Fire officials responded to New Park Avenue around 3:45 p.m. for a report of a dog on a roof.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Hartford

District Fire Chief Mario Oquendo, Jr. said the dog reportedly got onto the porch roof through an open attic window and jumped onto the main roof of the 2.5-story house.

Photo: Hartford Fire Department

According to the district fire chief, a ladder truck bucket was extended to the roof, and the dog was brought to safety.

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The dog had no reported injuries.

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DICKSON CITY, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Smoke filled the air in a local community throughout this weekend. While something was burning, it was all part of a training exercise.

The large receptacle that looks like a mobile container could not contain all of the smoke from a controlled burn.

The ones who set the fire are instructors from the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.

They are teaching how to identify and deal with flashovers, a potentially deadly eruption of flames which occurs when smoke and toxic gas become superheated and mix with the air around them.

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Our gear is not designed to protect us from that, nor is it good for any potential victims or citizens inside of a home, Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Fire Instructor Mark Barto said.

Barto says their gear is rated up to 1,200, but a flashover can exceed 2,000, making it one of the greatest risks to first responders.

He says synthetic materials, like polyester foams and plastics, are becoming more and more prevalent in modern homes.

These materials burn longer and at higher temperatures than wood, making all of these factors a potential recipe for disaster.

Suspect arrested after arson at Governors House

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When we show up, we want to apply water, but to do that, we have to open a door. When we open that door, we introduce oxygen, normally to an oxygen-starved fire, Barto explained.

This weekends two-day training exercise taught firefighters from Dickson City, Throop, and Blakely Fire Departments how to identify and deal with flashovers.

One firefighter who took part in the training tells 28/22 News that while he thankfully has not yet experienced a flashover, the training was about as close as you can get to the real thing.

So you go in and you sit down, theres two guys in the back with the doors. They have the fire getting warm, and then theyll open the doors, introducing air to the fire, which causes the flashover. So then theyll close the doors, and the flashover will happen. You really experience what its like, Dickson City Fire Department Lieutenant Xander Oakey said.

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He says this training gives him and his team the knowledge, tools, and confidence to know how to avoid a flashover when responding to a fire.

It gives us skills that we know when to get out, and if its getting too hot, that we need to pull everybody out, Lieutenant Oakey added.

The Pennsylvania State Fire Academy has two fire training containers. One is stationed in Lewistown, Mifflin County.

A mobile fire training container is typically used each week throughout the commonwealth to give firefighters statewide the training needed to deal with flashovers.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber has unveiled the Border Management Authority's (BMA) new drones and body cameras that will be piloted over the Easter weekend to enhance border security.Schreiber said the two drone models to be rolled out next week will be the Evo Max 4N and the Evo Max 4T."These drones will now be deployed at four different border posts. But it is important to emphasise that they will move around," Schreiber said."There are four of these devices, but as soon as the border management authority receives indications that they are needed at other ports of entry, they will be moved to go and work all across the country."Schreiber said that the country will train eight drone pilots, two per drone, who will work in shifts to ensure the devices are operated around the clock.While Schrieber mentioned that the drones are the BMA's technology, they resemble Evo Max 4N and Evo Max 4T drones manufactured by Autel Robotics.The drones can take off within 15 seconds of detecting a disturbance and travel at 43km per hour.The minister noted that the 4T drone is more suited for daytime operations. "The 4N will be able to be the eyes in the sky for the BMA whenever it needs to, especially at night," he said.Schreiber said both models will have thermal detection, which will detect individuals taking cover behind objects. They will also have long-range zoom, enabling their cameras to see two kilometres into the distance."Regarding the night features, the 4N is deliberately designed for night operations. The starlight camera allows it to operate in lighting conditions as low as 0,0001 lux. This device is ideal for night surveys and surveillance," he said."Moreover, it has autonomous pathfinding, meaning it can navigate its own environment even if there are obstacles in the way. It also has object identification and tracking, which means that artificial intelligence is used to program the drone to detect certain objects."Schreiber noted that the drones were tested in port environments in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, which helped increase the number of prevented illegal entries into the country by 215%.This partnership with the department has proven so successful that the minister announced that it will be extended and that the department will receive five drones to use for its own operations.Schreiber also announced the procurement of 40 body cameras "to allow the BMA to see what is happening in the personal exchange at the port environment."This will allow the BMA's operational centre to detect whether someone is trying to solicit a bribe or engage in any other corrupt activities."We have seen the impact of these devices in other countries. Body cameras have successfully reduced corruption and increased efficiency in many jurisdictions worldwide.""The BMA is now moving onto the cutting edge of using this technology to ensure we can optimize the operations in the port environments."An image captured by a drone with the starlight camera on the left and without it on the rightMinister Leon Schreiber described the Evo Max 4N as ideal for night conditions and better suited for daytime missions. The article has been edited to correct the Minister's statement, as the Evo Max 4N is ideal for night conditions, and the Evo Max 4T is more suited for daytime missions, according to Autel Robotics.
DALLASTOWN, YORK COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Attorney General Dave Sundays office says they have charged a man in the first AI-involved child pornography case since the passing of the law in Pennsylvania in 2024.

The Attorney Generals office says 22-year-old Luke Teipel, of Dallastown, has been charged with 33 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, including artificially generated images.

Man sentenced after teen dies of fentanyl-laced cocaine

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Sundays office says agents recovered a cellphone traced to Taipel that contained 29 files of alleged artificially generated child sexual abuse material, including non-artificially generated images on the phone and a laptop as well.

ACT 125 updated prior laws to prohibit the use of A.I. technology to create materials that authentically depict a child under 18 engaging in sexually abusive acts that did not occur in reality.

This proactive investigation uncovered a defendant weaponizing modern technology to victimize and harm children. We now have a law on the books that enables the filing of serious felony charges in AI cases that we previously could not prosecute. These charges are just a first step in using this new law to protect our communities and our children, stated Attorney General Sunday.

The investigation into how the materials were created is ongoing.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Several area agencies are holding a hiring event in San Marcos later this month to help teens and young adults find their first job.

The San Diego Workforce Partnership, Project Next, and San Diego North EDC, are collaborating to hold a free hiring event for ages 16 to 24 on April 22.

San Diego County Fair hiring more than 1,200 seasonal workers

From 4 to 6 p.m. at the San Marcos Community Center, teens and young adults can connect with more than 20 San Diego employers with a variety of job opportunities, including part-time, entry-level and seasonal positions.

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Resumes are recommended, but not required. The First Job Hiring Event is free to attend, and registration is encouraged so participants can receive updates on resume workshops and preparation resources leading up to the event.

The event coordinators are expecting around 200 people to attend.

Young people are hungry for opportunitythey just need the right doors to open, said Marian Daryaie, Director of Strategic Partnerships at San Diego Workforce Partnership. This event is about more than getting a first jobits about building confidence, gaining real-world experience, and helping students discover where they want to start their career journeys.

Pre-event resources will also be offered to help students prepare for the hiring event.

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Gaylord Pacific Resort job fair cut short for second day after overwhelming turnout

At Project Next, we believe every student deserves the chance to explore their future with support and intention, said Lisa Stout, Executive Director of Project Next. The First Job Hiring Event is one of the many ways we help young people in North County imagine and pursue their potential. A first job is more than just a paycheckits an opportunity to gain valuable skills, build confidence, and start making connections that will benefit them in their career journey. Were excited to connect students with employers who can help them take that important first step into the workforce.

The San Marcos Community Center is located at 3 Civic Center Drive in San Marcos.

Erik Bruvold, CEO of the San Diego North Economic Development Council noted, We strengthen our local North County workforce by ensuring young people get opportunities to acquire work skills and by exposing them to different work settings. This is a perfect fit with other programs that we have which seek to connect educators, employers and workforce talent.

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Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-job-hiring-event-tickets to register for the youth hiring event.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
The teen allegedly shot dead by his girlfriends jealous ex was 17  as the first images of the youngster were revealed Sunday.

Neo Secaira left work early on Saturday to pick up his 19-year-old girlfriend in Bayside on Saturday night, only to walk into a bloody murder-suicide that left him and US Marine Frank Liu, 28, dead while their mutual love interest looked on in horror, police and sources told The Post.

Photos posted on Secairas social media accounts show a smiling youngster with a crop of curly hair, while another pic shows the smiling teen leaning up against a Big Apple storefront.

Neo Secaira, 17, was shot and killed in an apparent love triangle murder-suicide in Queens on Saturday night. Latinobaby RodrAguez/Facebook

At 7:50 this morning, a woman rings my bell, the slain teens distraught mom, Yolanda Secaira, said Sunday. She asked me, she said, Your son has curly hair? I said, Yes. She said my son killed your son. I said, What? Your son killed my son? She said yes.

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Lius father said his son, a Marine who was about to be redeployed overseas, was distraught over losing military pals in the Middle East  compounded by his young gal pals recent change of heart.

I say, why? Its just one girl. There are many girls, Huili Liu said Sunday. The girl lived in my apartment for half a year. He spent quite a while with her. She decided to study here.

Cops at the scene of the tragedy on Saturday night. Juan Gonzalez/NY Post

Neo Secaira, 17, left work early to pick up his girlfriend in Bayside, only to be shot by her jealous ex, sources said. @neo_secaira/Instagram

Huili Liu, 64, said his son, US Marine Frank Liu, 28, was distraught over his girlfriends new relationship with a teenager. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post

Cops called to the home around 10 p.m. Saturday said they found Secaira with gunshot wounds to the chest and Liu with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Both were rushed to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Their mutual love interest, who has not been identified, witnessed the carnage, sources said.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier threatened there will be consequences for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer if the city continues to carry out its policy of barring employees and cops from inquiring about a law-abiding persons immigration status.

In a letter to Dyer, posted to X, formerly Twitter, Monday evening, Uthmeier cited the so-called Trust Act enacted by the city in 2018, as unlawful and, as of 2019 void. He claimed the policy is a sanctuary policy and illegal under Florida law.

This letter serves as notice that this office will take legal action against the City of Orlando and any city employee or agent thereof that violates chapter 908 of the Florida statutes, says the letter, which refers to an April 7 city council meeting in which city officials including Dyer vowed to uphold the act.

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In his post that included the letter, which tagged Dyers account, he said there will be consequences if the policy is followed, including possible removal from office.

Dyer could not immediately be reached Monday for comment on Uthmeiers letter  though a city spokesperson said they are reviewing the letter.

The citys Trust Act dates back to 2018, and was approved amid fears that residents would be hesitant to report crimes or serve as witnesses in investigations if they feared being deported. At the time, Commissioner Tony Ortiz, who led efforts to pass the policy, said he also feared undocumented immigrants being preyed upon by criminals who knew crimes wouldnt be reported.

Ortiz, a Republican and retired Orlando Police Department officer, said Monday that the Trust Act isnt a sanctuary policy, and doesnt defy state and federal law.

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Theres nothing in no way shape or form that is meant to be rebellious against the federal government, he said. Were not a sanctuary city.

He said he worked on the policy seven years ago as a way to help with a problem he faced in his law enforcement career.

One of the issues we had to deal with is there was a lot of violence committed against immigrants around the city and none of them would speak, he said. We were trying to get a path of communication from those who came here to work  for them to feel comfortable talking with law enforcement.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said she disagrees with Uthmeier that the policy violated state law, and said Uthmeier and the city should have a conversation to get clarity.

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I dont believe what was a policy within OPD is breaking the law and I think its very important to provide clarity to what the Trust Act does and does not do, said Eskamani, who plans to run for Orlando mayor in 2027. Orlando needs to operate in the best interests of our constituents which are very diverse.

The end of the policy reads: Nothing in this policy shall be construed to prohibit any City of Orlando employee from cooperating with federal immigration authorities as such is required by state or federal law.

Last week, immigrant advocates urged Dyer and city officials to back out of OPDs cooperation agreement with ICE. The agreement was signed by Chief Eric Smith last month, and was discovered by advocates when it was posted to ICEs website, alongside scores of others representing every county in Florida and numerous cities. That touched off a vigorous discussion at Orlandos April 7 council meeting.

Dyer said that he disagreed with the law requiring the agreement, but also said he didnt see it as optional. However, he vowed the city would still stick to its Trust Act  a declaration which seems to have incensed Uthmeier.

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We follow federal and state law, he said. Well still adhere to the Trust Act, which means that at a traffic stop, were not going to ask for documentation.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
Gov. Ron DeSantis fields questions from reporters at the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee in advance of a winter weather event on Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday during a press conference in Kissimmee that Florida could handle emergencies without federal funds but still believes the federal government will grant states money to deal with disasters without oversight.

The governor has advocated for states to receive block grants to operate all aspects of emergency preparation and response over getting assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Weve got a big surplus. We would have to make adjustments to how we approach things, but I can do that, you know, DeSantis said of the possibility of the Trump administration cutting disaster assistance. Just let me know whats in the best interest of the United States and, if it is, then Florida will respond very, very appropriately, but that would obviously require us to change a little bit about what were doing.

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However, he emphasized that he doesnt anticipate Trump would eliminate FEMA without the federal government giving grants to the states. The governors comments came after the Trump administration cut nearly $300 million for flooding and hurricane relief projects across the state, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa called out the funding cuts during a press conference Monday morning.

It really breaks my heart that these funds are being cut, because our area was completely devastated by the hurricanes that we saw last fall, she said. I know there are other areas of the state that were impacted, and in a time where we are experiencing stronger and stronger hurricanes and stronger natural disasters, its not the time to cut FEMA funding, not when our state needs it the most.

FEMA last year approved more than $1 billion in individual assistance to Floridians following the destruction from Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. The next hurricane season starts on June 1.

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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier held a news conference Monday morning in Orlando.

He was joined by Orange County Sheriff John Mina and statewide prosecutor Nick Cox.

Channel 9 has learned that Uthmeier is expected to address the ongoing back-and-forth between his office and State Attorney Monique Worrell.

Florida A.G. Uthmeier to hold news conference Monday in Orlando.

Worrell serves as the chief prosecutor in the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, covering Orange and Osceola counties.

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Worrell said earlier this month that she will only pursue charges against criminals if police obtain arrest warrants before bringing cases to her office.

Uthmeier did not like that policy.

Worrell sent a letter to Uthmeier stating that she would need 13 additional prosecutors in order to process non-arrest cases.

Monitor WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News at Noon for an update on this story.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Zoom-in on CICPE: Exploring dazzling British products at 5th CICPE

14:25, April 14, 2025 By Zhao Tong, Shi Xinpei, Liu Ning ( People's Daily Online

The U.K. shines as the guest country of honor at the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo, showcasing top-notch offerings from luxury porcelain to exquisite jewelry. Join a People's Daily Online reporter for an exclusive tour!

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chengliang)
News / National

by Staff reporter

Critical issues such as the government's overreliance on taxes and the deterioration of basic services threaten social unrest in South Africa.Renowned economist Dawie Roodt warned that the government's overreliance on taxes is the first issue that could ignite protests in the country.In an interview with BizNews, Roodt explained that the main problem facing the country's fiscal framework is the ruling ANC government's ideological stance.He said that with income and company taxes being at their limit, Value-Added Tax (VAT) is the only option for the ANC government to generate revenue.However, this would only hurt the poor, who already face significant financial strain and an extremely high unemployment rate, which could lead to social unrest."Ideologically, the ANC want to spend more money, not less money, because they've got all sorts of silly ideas like NHI and maybe eventually a basic income grant," he said.According to Roodt, state spending also fuels the ANC's patronage networks. "There are many people wanting to get their hands on a contract here or a tender there and stuff like that. This is what gives the ANC life - state spending."As a result, the only alternative for the government is to find ways to raise more revenue, but income and corporate taxes are out of the question."Personal income taxes, you cannot increase because we are already over that so-called Laffer curve," he explained."There was an increase in personal income taxes - This bracket creep is nothing but an increase in personal income taxes. So that one is just not on."Corporate taxes are similarly maxed out. "You can't do that because our company taxes are just far too high," he said.That leaves only one major tax instrument, which is VAT. "The only remaining significant revenue source for the state is value-added tax," Roodt said.He warned that this approach is bad for the economy, risks deepening inequality, and would trigger social unrest because the poor will suffer the most.Deteriorating basic services adds fuel to the flamePresident Cyril Ramaphosa admits that a lack of basic services like water and inaction will have similar consequences.Speaking at the National Water and Sanitation Indaba on 27 March, Ramaphosa said access to water is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Constitution, and the government must ensure it is protected.However, many local water services authorities (WSAs) responsible for water provision under the Water Services Act of 1997 are struggling with old and crumbling infrastructure.It is estimated that about R89.9 billion will be needed over the next decade to address the backlogs and repair the system.In the face of these challenges, water tankering - the delivery of water by trucks - has become increasingly common to meet emergency needs.While vital for upholding citizens' rights, the system has been marred by serious allegations of corruption.Ramaphosa acknowledged the emergence of and the risks posed by so-called "water mafias" across several municipalities.These groups reportedly sabotage water infrastructure, such as pumps and valves, to create artificial crises.These mafias then profit by supplying water through tanker contracts, often in collusion with municipal officials."This dire state of affairs has driven away private sector investment in water infrastructure, although this is now slowly improving," Ramaphosa said.He also criticised municipalities for failing to reinvest the revenue collected from water services into maintaining critical infrastructure.In addition, he raised concerns about governance issues at water boards, some of which are under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit for fraud and corruption.Ramaphosa warned that if immediate action is not taken, the country risks facing increased social unrest as dry taps, decaying infrastructure, and poor management at the local government level fuel public anger."These factors make for what is called a perfect storm," he said, adding that protests linked to water shortages are already becoming a reality.A report by Allianz Commercial has also highlighted that civil unrest is the main concern for businesses in South Africa this year.The German insurer found that political risks and violence have consistently ranked among the top ten global threats to businesses over the past three years.Its latest research shows that more than 50% of companies worldwide identify civil unrest as their biggest worry, highlighting the growing frequency and duration of such incidents.In South Africa, the concern is even more pronounced. Around 79% of South African businesses said they are worried about civil unrest, with many still shaken by memories of the widespread violence during the July 2021 riots.Respondents said the potential impacts are severe, ranging from threats to employee and customer safety to significant business interruption losses and property damage.Indirect effects, such as customers avoiding certain areas or companies being unable to access their premises, can also severely damage operations.The consequences extend to the insurance industry as well. Allianz Commercial noted that insurers and reinsurers might have to rethink their coverage strategies or hike premiums to cope with the rising risk.According to Srdjan Todorovic, Head of Political Violence and Hostile Environment Solutions at Allianz Commercial, political violence remains a pressing issue because global politics are increasingly shaped by populism, division, and blame.Rising inequality and perceptions of corruption in political institutions further fuel the risk of unrest.Over the past decade, major social unrest incidents, including riots in Chile and South Africa, have led to insured losses exceeding $10 billion (R191.7 billion), surpassing losses from other political violence and terrorism-related claims.In some regions, the damage from civil unrest rivals that caused by natural disasters, while in others, the social consequences can reshape communities long after the unrest has ended.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A Florida man pleaded guilty in Washington, D.C., for smuggling guns to Haiti, officials announced Friday.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, 57-year-old Jean Wiltene Eugene, of Key West, Fla., pleaded guilty on April 11 after he was involved in a gun smuggling operation that extended to Haiti.

Court documents revealed that in September of 2021, Eugene, a U.S. citizen who was born in Haiti, exported more than two guns out of the country without having the required license from the Bureau of Industry and Security.

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Maryland woman to serve nearly a decade for leading scheme, stealing over 700 checks from USPS

Officials said Eugene arranged to ship vehicles to Haiti through a Florida-based export company. He signed the companys terms and conditions of shipments, which required him to affirm that the vehicles being shipped did not contain any guns or ammunition.

During an interview with authorities, Eugene admitted that in 2020 and 2021, he shipped two vehicles to Haiti with guns hidden inside. He also told investigators that he had placed food and other items around the bins so border authorities would not find the weapons.

In a later interview with federal agents, Eugene confessed that nine guns he bought in Key West were currently at gas stations in Haiti.

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According to the attorneys office, any person who exports a gun without proper authorization may be fined up to $1 million and face up to 20 years in prison.

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Donnie Tatul wont say exactly where he sleeps at night, but its in the right places.

Admitting to where he rests his head as someone considered unsheltered could get him in trouble, particularly now that sleeping in public overnight has been outlawed by the state.

Since the implementation of HB 1365 on Jan. 1, which bans overnight sleeping in public places  such as beaches, bus stops, sidewalks and parks  and lets the public sue local governments if the rules arent enforced, municipal officials have sought out solutions. And advocates argue its become more challenging to be homeless, given the heightened prospect of penalties in the state. With the pressure mounting, Palm Beach Countys park rangers are doing what they can to help.

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The South Florida Sun Sentinel recently accompanied Mahboob Morshed, a county park ranger supervisor, on an evening shift patrolling some of the county parks and speaking with people experiencing homelessness who seek refuge there.

Morshed, who has worked as a ranger for more than a decade, said his job hasnt changed all that much since the implementation of HB 1365  especially because the county already had ordinances prohibiting overnight sleeping in public  but it has made enforcement more official.

We can enforce it now even more, he said.

The countys nearly 90 public parks close at sunset, so rangers such as Morshed have long been tasked with ensuring people leave the parks after dark, whether they are homeless or not.

First stop: John Prince Memorial Park

Morshed begins his workdays at a ranger office located in Lake Worth Beachs John Prince Memorial Park along with the other rangers who work the 4 p.m. to midnight shift.

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Deployment, which is when the rangers report to their respective parks, occurs at 5 p.m. Rangers visit anywhere from six to seven parks a night, and its not unusual for them to clock in 100 miles on their county vehicles during their shifts. As a supervisor, Morshed doesnt get the luxury of filling the long car rides with music or podcasts; instead, he monitors the radio, where rangers communicate status updates or requests for help.

During a recent Monday night shift, Morshed began his workday at the ranger station at John Prince Park like always. The park holds more than 700 acres of trails, campgrounds, lakes, playgrounds and pavilions, so Morshed spends some time surveying it before the next stop. Darkness wont descend for another few hours, so Morshed just has to ensure everyone at the park is keeping the peace.

Shortly after 5 p.m., Morshed recognizes a man sitting at a bench under a pavilion. Marcus McCoy estimates he has been homeless between seven and eight years, and as of late, he spends a lot of time at John Prince Park. On this day, he hunches over an adult coloring book, filling in the outlines with colored pencils.

Like Donnie Tatul, McCoy isnt specific about the spots where he sleeps, but he said hes not likely to be disturbed if he keeps the areas he occupies as clean as how he found them.

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If its not clean, then (people), they go to park rangers, and say, Hey, people be sleeping over here, and they be leaving trash, McCoy said. Now (the rangers) are keeping an eye on that area.  Its a beautiful park, and I wouldnt blame people for doing what theyre doing. If they let you sleep, they let you sleep. Its just clean up behind yourself, No. 1 rule.

Still, McCoy said its hard to find places, either public or private, to sleep that are safe and wont result in someone making calls to law enforcement or other officials to complain.

Sometimes people just need somewhere to lay down, he said.

McCoy said he was recently living in a shelter until the maximum length of time he could stay was reached. He has stayed in other shelters before, too, saying some helped him and some did not.

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If you try to get yourself right and your life back on track, youre going to do what you need to do, no matter the time, state, or whatever, especially if you got a job and youre working. And they dont really give you that, he said. Its like you get here or you dont get here.  Theyre going to tell you tomorrow to pack your stuff and go. They dont really have a leniency.

McCoy said hes currently looking for a job, a pursuit he said recently grew more difficult when his electric bike was stolen while he was sleeping. He doesnt appear to have many belongings  next to his thick box of colored pencils, coloring book and pencil sharpener is a backpack and drawstring bag with a faded Miami Heat logo.

For McCoy, who said he used to stay in the downtown West Palm Beach area along Clematis Street and watch the continual construction of million-dollar high-rises, he feels confident about the source of motivation for HB 1365.

Its just a money thing, if thats how they feel like thats how theyre going to get rid of the homeless, he said. Its not really get rid of, its push them away, push them farther back this way or farther north, but they dont want you nowhere where the money at.

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When he signed the bill into law last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement: Florida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California.

Rather, the law upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet, DeSantis said.

Before leaving, Morshed gave McCoy a brochure with contact information for county resources, including health, hygiene, food, clothing, shelter, relocation, domestic abuse and legal help. McCoy has a phone, but not everyone who is unsheltered does, Morshed said. In those instances, Morshed may make a phone call for that person.

Most of the time, they have no cellphone, or cellphone has no charge, Morshed said.

Second and third stops: Riviera Beach parks

After the interaction with McCoy, Morshed needs to check out two parks in Riviera Beach. By the time he arrives at Jim Barry Light Harbor Park, the sky is still clinging to sunlight, so Morshed wont have to ask anyone to leave just yet.

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Its at Light Harbor park where Donnie Tatul and a few others are hanging out. Before driving into the park and saying hello to Tatul and his group, Morshed spots a woman he recognizes and rolls down his car window to speak with her.

Wheres your son? he asks her, and they begin an affable exchange.

The woman, who only agrees to share her first name, Jenny, says she lives on a boat with her son, which they get to by a canoe from the Light Harbor Park boat ramp. She says she was preparing the canoe to get to her and her sons boat before the day got too dark.

Though she and her son have a rather stable place to sleep at night, Jenny says she interacts with many people who dont and has been working with church groups to put together more resources for the homeless population in Riviera Beach.

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These people are on survival level, Jenny said. From the first night theyre on the street, theyre then in sleep deprivation, thats not being addressed. Theyre instantly worried about every sound, every smell, every flash of light. This is not where they need to be. Its not in their comfort zone, so they adapt the best they can.

After ensuring the rest of the park appears relatively uneventful, Morshed drives to his third stop of the evening: Phil Foster Memorial Park, which is only a few minutes from Light Harbor. By then, its 7:30 p.m., and a pink and orange sunset is unfurling across the skyline.

At Phil Foster, which is situated in the Intracoastal Waterway, Morshed notices a man sleeping by a set of water fountains.

Though Morshed reassures him that he has some more time before the park is closed, the man quickly leaves, towing his belongings behind him on a bike.

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After a few more minutes scoping out the scene, Morshed decides its time to head back to John Prince Memorial Park.

Fourth stop: Back to John Prince Park

On the drive back to John Prince Park, Morshed pulls over twice on Lake Osborne Drive, which is right next to one of the parks main trails, to inform parkgoers  one person who is fishing and another group of people on a bench  its time to leave. Its past 8 p.m. now, and there is no doubt about the presence of nightfall and the parks closure.

While the rangers are looking to ensure people arent using the parks as a place to sleep once its closed, thats just one of their goals.

If I dont educate everyone and I only educate the unsheltered, its a double standard. We dont want to do that. The ordinance is for everyone, Morshed said.

Fifth stop: Buttonwood Park

After the drive through John Prince Park, Morshed endeavors onto his fifth stop of the night, Buttonwood Park, which also is in Lake Worth Beach. He notices a man under a pavilion and asks him to leave  but instead of responding, the man begins to wander away.

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In situations such as these, Morshed said he usually waits before asking the same person to leave again. Ultimately, if they do not comply, Morshed or any other ranger has to get the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office involved.

Morshed said he has to call the Sheriffs Office between two to four times a month. Before the passage of HB 1365 though, he estimates he called up to 10 times a month. Morshed believes this is because people experiencing homelessness know about the law, so they are no longer as likely to push back.

At Buttonwood, Morshed walks to a darkened corner of the park and finds a man sleeping. Morshed tells the man about the park being closed and asks if he would like assistance, but the man says he is already on a waiting list for a shelter and leaves the park after that.

Morshed isnt naive: He knows many people trickle back into the parks for a place to sleep after the rangers have punched out for the night, knowing they will no longer see the blinding yellow lights from the tops of the ranger cars piercing through the darkness.

The county is currently working to fill this gap by hiring new rangers to work the graveyard shift from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. That initiative has been in the works for a few years, Morshed said.

His final stop of the night is where he ends all of his shifts: the all-too-familiar John Prince Park.

Hell spend the last hour of his shift writing a report of the night before heading home, planning to do the same thing the next day.

Regardless of what state officials implement, Morshed and the other county rangers are dedicated to keeping the parks safe and helping people who are unsheltered.

We want to leave all patrons with a positive note, he said.
Floridas elected officials have tried in the past to make E-Verify mandatory for every business in the state, but have failed at every attempt.

But maybe not this year.

This year, a bill in the House that makes all private businesses submit employee records through the immigration status verification process has gotten through several committees.

Senate leadership said it hasnt ruled out considering any House bills in their committees, even as the legislative session enters its sixth week.

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Will it actually make it to the governors desk or will it die as in years past?

We still have a couple of weeks left. You never know what's going to happen, said Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. I think the goal is the stopping of illegal immigration, and I think one of the best tools we have is E-Verify.

At a press availability on Wednesday, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said the same: I would say there's a lot of time left in session.

House E-Verify bill would require universal usage

Employment Eligibility (HB 955) would require all private employers in the state of Florida to use the E-Verify system. E-Verify is a federal database that checks the identities of newly hired employees.

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If a business runs afoul of the law, it's a $1,000 fine for every day the business is noncompliant. Also, all the businesses' licenses are at risk of being suspended.

Rep. Berny Jacques stands for the pledge of allegiance during opening day of the Florida legislative session.

"I filed HB 955 to ensure that Florida jobs go to American workers and not to those who violate our immigration and labor laws," said Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, the sponsor, on the bill's website.

"For too long, loopholes have allowed businesses to exploit illegal labor at the expense of law-abiding Floridians. This bill strengthens our commitment to fair hiring practices and protects jobs for citizens and legal workers."

Jacques' bill builds off of Florida's SB 1718, passed in 2023, which was dubbed one of the toughest immigration laws at the time. That bill originally required E-Verify for all businesses, but the final iteration of the bill set the limit to those with more than 25 employees.

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At the time, some of Florida's business owners criticized the bill, saying it would raise prices and cause labor shortages, especially in agriculture and construction.

During the 2023-24 fiscal year, Florida was the state with the most H-2A visas for agricultural jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

"Florida is a living, breathing state  a home for its people, not merely an economic zone to be exploited," Jacques said. "We are more than just GDP figures or labor statistics. Our communities, families, and future generations deserve policies that protect their livelihoods and uphold the rule of law."

Democratic bill: Harsher penalties, slim to no chance of passage

Another E-Verify bill was filed this year with stiffer penalties for businesses that don't comply, but it's expected to die.

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It's a bill by rumored 2026 contender for governor Jason Pizzo, the Florida Senate's Democratic leader, who has been outwardly critical of the state's Republicans and their take on immigration enforcement.

During one of the Florida Legislature's special sessions on immigration earlier this year, the lack of a total E-Verify requirement came up after Pizzo argued the stack of immigration reforms wasn't "serious" if they didn't tackle employment.

Sen.Jason Pizzo poses questions for Sen. Joe Gruters regarding SB2 during special session Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.

His amendment that would have added E-Verify requirements to SB 2C was ruled "out of order" and didnt get a vote on the Senate floor.

Pizzo ended up filing SB 782 for this year's regular session, which includes harsher penalties for businesses who do not use E-verify for all of their employees.

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lt would revoke the businesses' licenses, instead of just suspend, of those who don't comply. And any employer who runs afoul of Pizzo's version of the law would be out of the running for any public contract in the future with any public agency in the state.

But this bill, which even has bipartisan co-sponsorship with Gruters and Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, wasn't heard in committee this year.

"It isn't moving because state Republicans are not serious about combatting illegal immigration," Pizzo told USA TODAY Network-Florida in a text message.

Gruters, who was the main sponsor of all three immigration bills passed during Special Session C, said he believes the state will eventually pass mandatory E-Verify requirements for all employers, but it could be incremental change. He said even going from the current employee limit of 25 to 10, for example, "would be a positive thing."

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"Only time will tell, but there's plenty of time left to make something like this happen," he said. This year's session is scheduled to end on May 2.

Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network  Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Can an E-Verify requirement for all Florida businesses pass this year?
The owners of a Florida curio shop have been arrested for selling human remains on Facebook Marketplace, according to the Orange City Police Department.

Kymberlee Schopper, 52, and Ashley Lelesi were arrested and charged with the purchase or sale of human organs and tissue, according to court records.

"This is something I haven't seen in the 17 years that I've worked for this agency," Orange City Police Department Capt. Sherif El-Shami told ABC News. Orange City is located about a half hour north of Orlando.

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MORE: Harvard Medical School morgue manager accused of stealing, selling human remains

Police began looking into Schopper's store, Wicked Wonderland, back in December 2023, when they received a tip regarding a business within the city "attempting to sell human bones," according to the charge affidavit.

The tip included images from the store's Facebook page, which "advertised various human bones for sale, complete with pricing information," the affidavit said.

Schopper's store was allegedly selling two human skull fragments for $90, a human clavicle and scapula for $90, a human rib for $35, a human vertebrae for $35 and a partial human skull for $600, the affidavit said.

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Police spoke to Lelesi, the co-owner of Wicked Wonderland, who said the store had been selling human bones for "several years and was unaware that it was prohibited in the state of Florida," the affidavit said.

PHOTO: Kymberlee Schopper was arrested last week for knowingly selling human remains on Facebook Marketplace, according to police. (Volusia County Jail)

She confirmed to authorities that the store featured "multiple bone fragments, all purchased from private sellers," the affidavit said. Lelesi said she had documentation for these transactions, but "could not provide it at that moment," the affidavit said.

Schopper and Lelesi later met with police, where Schopper showed documentation from PayPal, but she had "redacted certain information to protect their privacy," the affidavit said.

Schopper told police the bones were "indeed educational models" and that a warrant would be required if further information was needed, the affidavit said.

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MORE: TikTok user sells human bones, ignites ethical debate online

Police submitted five pieces of human bones from Wicked Wonderland as evidence, with the Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office finding that the fragments "likely represent two different individuals -- one of possible archaeological origin and the other of anatomical origin," according to the affidavit.

Schopper was taken into custody on Thursday and was released on a bail of $7,500 on Friday, according to court records. It is not immediately clear if Schopper has obtained a lawyer.

Lelesi has also been charged with the same crime, El-Shami told ABC News. It is not clear whether Lelesi is in police custody or has obtained a lawyer.

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In a post on the store's Facebook page, the pair wrote of the store closing on Saturday, "Wicked Wonderland is currently temporarily closed due to dedicating our time to the care of a beloved family member in their final moments. Absolutely nothing more. While there may be a whirlwind of misguiding information and horrendous assumptions and opinions, we're choosing to focus on what we always have: Life, love, death and Family."

Schopper's arraignment has been scheduled for May 1, according to court records.

Florida women arrested for selling human remains on Facebook Marketplace: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A Florida woman is charged with buying and selling human bones on Facebook Marketplace.

Kymberlee Schopper, 52, of Volusia County, was arrested and charged Thursday with the purchase or sale of human organs and tissue, according to court records.

Schopper co-owns Wicked Wonderland, a shop in Orange City that offers preservation services, antique and Gothic items and unusual art.

According to the affidavit, the Orange City Police Department has been investigating the case since 2023 after a report was filed alleging Wicked Wonderland's Facebook page advertised human bones for sale.

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Officers found the following six items listed for sale, the affidavit says, totaling $850 in supposed value:

Two human skull fragments ($90 total)

Human clavicle and scapula ($90)

Human rib ($35)

Human vertebrae ($35)

Partial human skull ($600)

Police then spoke with co-owner Ashley Lelesi, 33, who told them the shop had been selling human remains for several years but was unaware that was illegal, the affidavit says.

"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," the affidavit says. "She described the bones as genuine human remains and delicate in nature."

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The officer collected five of the remains with Lelesi's consent. Lelesi told the office that one of the skull fragments had already been sold for $50, according to the affidavit.

When Schopper and Lelesi met with officers again, Schopper said the bones were educational models, authorities said. Human remains that are educational models can be sold legally in Florida, according to state law.

According to the affidavit, the women were upset when they were not able to retrieve the bones, as they were being held as evidence in the case.

Wicked Wonderlands website says the owners are "a mother and daughter team who revel in the madness of the strange and unusual; the dark and macabre."

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"Having both come from a medical background we have a passion for sharing our knowledge and expertise in the preservation and exploration of anatomy and pathology of all organic beings," the pair wrote on the store's website.

Ocean City police had Dr. Jonathan D. Bethard examine the bone fragments at the University of South Florida's Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Laboratory.

The report found the bones were most likely from two people, and carbon dating testing suggests one is hundreds of years old.

Schopper was released Friday from Volusia County Jail on a $7,500 bond. It is not immediately clear whether if she has a lawyer.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A new exhibit opening at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum later this month is focused on the Vietnam War.

Casting Light: Photographs of the Vietnam War, which will be on display from April 21 through Dec. 14, captures the realities of the war, including the experiences of those who served, protested and endured the consequences of war. It features iconic and thought-provoking images captured by photojournalists and military photographers, including President Fords White House photographer.

Marines of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, take to the water as they move to join up with other elements of their battalion during Operation Hastings. National Archives Identifier: 100310. Photographer: Lance Corporal Finnell. July 1966. (Courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps.) View of names etched into the granite face of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Courtesy of National Park Service) A member of the 3rd Platoon resting inside a M-113 armored personnel carrier, while conducting a search and destroy mission against the Viet Cong. National Archives Identifier: 17331407. Photographer: Robert C. Lafoon. January 8, 1967. (Courtesy of U.S. Army)

During the conflict, the U.S. military allowed more documentation than ever before, the museum said in a release. It had been dubbed The Living Room War, as Americans at home could watch the fighting unfold on their screens, influencing public opinion.

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This exhibit is an opportunity to reflect on a pivotal era in our nations history, Brooke Clement, director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, said in a release. President Ford played a crucial role in the final chapter of the war and managing the aftermath. Through these photographs, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the Wars impact.

The museum will be holding a series of free programs exploring the themes surrounding the war. View the full schedule here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
QUITMAN, Texas (KETK)  Former Quitman water clerk accused of stealing money from the city back in 2021, has repaid the full amount.

UPDATE: Suspect arrested in Smith County fatal shooting

Amber Raelynn Highnote of Alba was accused of stealing $23,250 from February 2018 to July 2021 while she was working at the City of Quitmans water department, according to the Wood County Criminal District Attorneys Office.

Mugshot of Amber Raelynn Highnote, courtesy of Wood County judicial records

About a month after Highnote resigned from the water department, another city of Quitman employee discovered that some customer payments were disappearing from the companys bank deposits. A financial audit revealed the money reports had several holes and missing money.

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After Highnotes arrest, former Quitman finance director Sheryl Laudenslager and Mayor Randy Dunn actively worked with Wood County Criminal District Attorneys Office prosecutors to find a solution for the stolen funds. Eventually the full restitution was paid back to the citizens.

Frosty Pines celebrates Texas Food Truck Showdown victory in Troup

I am proud of the cooperation between Mayor Dunn, former Finance Director Sheryl Laudenslager, utility clerk Raylene Green and the prosecutors from the Wood County Criminal District Attorneys Office, Wood County Criminal District Attorney Angela Albers said. The repayment of this money satisfies the desire of the City of Quitman leadership to obtain the return of the stolen money for our citizens and it accomplishes justice consistent with the facts of this case.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
DENVER (AP)  Former Colorado deputy sentenced to three years in prison for a fatal shooting that led to law enforcement reforms.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  A former assistant principal at Comeaux High School was arrested over the weekend in connection with a sex crime, authorities said.

James Cork, 47, of Lafayette, is charged with sexual battery after his arrest by Lafayette Police early Saturday morning.

According to a statement from Lafayette Parish School System, Cork was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 13 for reasons unrelated to his recent arrest, and resigned from LPSS on Friday.

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No other details have been released. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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European markets opened the new week with solid gains, buoyed by renewed investor optimism after US President Donald Trump announced that major tech products such as semiconductors and smartphones would be temporarily exempt from the higher tariffs on Chinese imports.

However, the US administration clarified that these items remain subject to the existing 20% fentanyl-related tariffs, and a special tariff on semiconductors and electronics will be introduced in around a month.

Chinese authorities welcomed the decision, calling the US tariff exemption a small but constructive step toward correcting previous wrongdoings.

By 8:15am CEST, the Euro STOXX 50 index  which tracks blue-chip companies across the eurozone  had risen 1.5%, while the broader Euro STOXX 600 was up 1.6%. Germanys DAX 50 led regional performance with a 2.2% gain, followed by Frances CAC 40, which climbed 1.8%. Italys FTSE MIB and Spains IBEX 35 posted more modest increases of 1.2% and 1.0%, respectively.

Investors are also awaiting first-quarter revenue figures from French luxury conglomerate LVMH, which could provide insight into consumer behaviour and the resilience of demand in the high-end sector.

Related

In macroeconomic developments, Chinese exports rose sharply by 12.4% year-on-year in March 2025, reaching USD 313.9 billion (275.8bn). This figure significantly exceeded market expectations of a 4.4% increase and represented a steep acceleration from the 2.3% growth recorded in the January to February period. It marked the fastest expansion in overseas sales since last October, indicating a likely frontloading of shipments ahead of the anticipated implementation of new US tariffs.

Top gainers in European markets on Monday

Among the top performers in the Euro STOXX 50 index were major European banks. Deutsche Bank gained 4.2%, BNP Paribas advanced by 4.1%, and Societe Generale rose 3.5%. Dutch semiconductor giant ASML Holding also posted a strong performance, climbing 2.8%.

Energy stocks were buoyed by a rebound in oil prices. Repsol increased by 3.2%, while Eni added 2.5%. In Germanys DAX index, alongside Deutsche Bank, Sartorius rose by 3.6%, Puma added 3%, and Fresenius Medical Care also gained 3%.

In the French market, STMicroelectronics surged by 6.5%, reflecting strong investor confidence. In Italy, Tenaris and Saipem both climbed 4%.

Euro hits 1.14 as dollar weakness persists

The euro rallied to 1.14 against the greenback, retesting Fridays highs and aligning with its strongest levels since February 2022. The move was driven by ongoing dollar weakness in the foreign exchange market.
DENVER (KDVR)  Former Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office deputy Andrew Buen was sentenced to three years in jail on Monday after being convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the death of 22-year-old Christian Glass in 2022.

Buen was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence on the criminally negligent homicide charges, three years in the Department of Corrections with a mandatory parole of two years. He was also sentenced to 120 days in jail on reckless endangerment, which will run concurrent to his sentence. Buen has already spent 54 days in jail.

Jury hung on murder, misconduct charges for ex-deputy who killed Christian Glass

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This sentencing comes after Buen was found guilty of reckless endangerment in the first trial in 2024, but the jury was deadlocked on the charges of second-degree murder and official misconduct. After a second trial, the jury opted for a lesser charge than the original second-degree murder charge, and Buen was convicted of criminally negligent homicide.

Christian Glass shot, killed after calling 911

Glass called 911 on June 10, 2022, after his car got stuck in an embankment on the side of a road in Silver Plume. During the call, Glass told dispatchers that he had two knives, which his family said he packed for an amateur geology trip, and was scared to get out of the car.

Officers arrived, and for over an hour, they tried to get Glass to exit the vehicle. Body-worn camera footage released months after the shooting showed Glass expressing fear and unusual behavior in the standoff. Glass can also be seen making heart shapes with his hands before police broke a window, shot him several times and used a Taser twice.

Testimony begins in deputys trial in Christian Glass killing

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In court, the defense didnt dispute that Buen fired his weapon, but that Glass was hostile and a threat to deputies. Meanwhile, the prosecution argued that Glass was experiencing a mental health crisis and needed help.

After a hung jury could only convict Buen of a charge of reckless endangerment for his role in Glasss death, the second trial convicted Buen of criminally negligent homicide.

During Buens sentencing, family members from both Glass and Buen spoke.

You going to prison, I dont think is going to make you a decent person. You going to prison isnt going to bring back our son, said Glasss mother, Sally Glass. She continued, Youve done so much damage, and you must not get away with it. You must be punished.

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She asked for the maximum sentence, which she believed was too short. Buens family and friends spoke of his character, and Buen also apologized to Glasss family.

Theres nothing I can do or say that can change the past. Theres a million things I shouldve done better that night and when I look back at it every day, I wish that I did, said Buen. I know my actions and decisions that night are what escalated the situation, and Christian deserved better. You all deserved better.

Other officers were also charged for their role in Glasss death.

Former Clear Creek County Sheriffs Sgt. Kyle Gould pleaded guilty to an amended charge of failure to intervene and was sentenced in November 2023 to two years of probation with no jail time. Meanwhile, duty to intervene charges were dismissed for the two officers facing charges in connection with Glasss death.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Apr. 13Former state House majority leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton alleges in a new lawsuit that Albuquerque police used "unwarranted and excessive force" and damaged her home in 2022 when they served a warrant for a relative.

The lawsuit is unrelated to federal charges Stapleton faces for allegedly misusing federal funds intended for vocational programs at Albuquerque Public Schools.

The lawsuit stems from an all-day SWAT standoff at Stapleton's home in Southeast Albuquerque on March 25, 2022, that led to the arrest of David Lee Hendrickson, then 43, on a warrant for aggravated assault. The charge was later dismissed.

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The lawsuit alleges that two Albuquerque Police Department officers "did not take appropriate and reasonable actions to execute the warrant." Stapleton told the officers that Hendrickson suffered from "serious medical conditions that might interfere with his ability to understand and comply with the officer's orders," it said.

Instead, officers "escalated the situation" by taking actions that included "shouting and brandishing weapons," the suit contends. Police also released noxious gas in Stapleton's home and caused thousands of dollars in damages to windows, door and furnishings, it said.

The 2nd Judicial District Court lawsuit, filed against the city of Albuquerque, seeks unspecified damages and alleges police failed to follow APD procedures in violation of Stapleton's constitutional rights. The suit was filed March 25, three years to the day after the SWAT action.

Staci Drangmeister, a spokeswoman for Mayor Tim Keller's administration, had no comment last week about the suit. She said the city attorney's office will respond to the suit in court. Stapleton's attorney, Frank T. Davis, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Court records show that Hendrickson, now 46, was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a firearm at motorists at an intersection in Southeast Albuquerque on Jan. 20, 2022.

Prosecutors dropped the charge in May 2022 after police found that Hendrickson had been carrying a toy gun that was not considered a deadly weapon under state law, court records show.

The suit identifies Hendrickson as Stapleton's son, who was living with her under pretrial supervision at the time. Court records identify Stapleton as Hendrickson's aunt and "mother figure."

Stapleton was not suspected of any wrongdoing in the incident, police said.

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The suit contends that the night before the SWAT action, Stapleton told Hendrickson's pretrial officer that Hendrickson would appear the following day to check in.

According to an affidavit filed in 2nd Judicial District Court, Stapleton had been notified that Hendrickson's GPS tracker had run out of batteries and that he had not been in contact with pretrial officials. Stapleton told authorities that some of the charging equipment for Hendrickson's GPS tracker had been left at a hotel where he had lived previously.

APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said at the time that the SWAT action began after Stapleton called the Albuquerque Community Safety department, but police responded after it was determined that Hendrickson had a felony warrant.

Stapleton was able to exit the home safely, but Hendrickson remained inside for 12 hours, Gallegos said. The New Mexico State Police SWAT team assisted APD with the call.

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A federal grand jury indicted Stapleton, 67, and a co-defendant, Joseph Johnson, 73, in March 2024 on 29 charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and multiple counts of bribery and money laundering. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 30 in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque.
HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Former interim Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler has reported to federal prison. He is being held at Beckley FCI in West Virginia.

Crisler was convicted by a federal jury in November 2024 on the charges of soliciting a bribe and providing ammunition to a convicted felon. He was previously denied a motion for a new trial.

The evidence at trial showed that shortly after becoming sheriff, Crisler solicited and accepted $9,500 in cash bribes from a convicted felon over three months, from September through November 2021.

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Former interim Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler files appeal

In exchange for that money, prosecutors said Crisler agreed to provide favors through his position as Hinds County Sheriff. These favors included sharing information concerning future criminal investigations involving the bribe payor, moving a jailed family member to a better place within the Hinds County Jail, and hiring the bribe payor to work at the Hinds County Sheriffs Office.

According to prosecutors, these actions took place during Crislers previous unsuccessful campaign for Hinds County sheriff in 2021.

The court documents also stated that Crisler gave ammunition to a person he knew to be a convicted felon. It is against federal law for a public official to solicit or accept bribes.

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Crisler pled not guilty to the charges against him.

On February 11, 2025, a judge sentenced Crisler, 55, to 30 months in prison for each count, which will be served concurrently. He was also ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.

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PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - A court in Mauritius has granted bail to a former finance minister charged with fraud over alleged embezzlement at a state-owned company, his lawyer and the financial crimes commission said on Monday.

Renganaden Padayachy and former central bank governor Harvesh Seegolam were arrested and charged last week over the reported embezzlement of 300 million Mauritius rupees ($6.7 million) from the Mauritius Investment Corporation, set up to help companies deal with impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Padayachy and Seegolam have both denied wrongdoing. Seegolam was freed on bail last week.

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On Monday the court granted Padayachy bail after the financial crimes commission said it did not oppose his release, a commission spokesperson said.

Raouf Gulbul, Padayachy's lawyer, welcomed the court's decision.

"He (Padayachy) will be ... present for any further interrogation," he told reporters.

The government of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who won power in a November election, has accused the previous administration under which the two former officials served of falsifying data on economic growth, the budget deficit and public debt for years.

(Reporting by Villen Anganan; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Alexander Winning)
The front-line of a military group in Donetsk, Ukraine, shelters from artillery. State Sen. Tom Brewer joins them in the bottom left. (Courtesy of Noah Philson)

LINCOLN  A former state senator and decorated U.S. Army veteran is headed again to Ukraine in hopes of providing reassurance that Americans still support the countrys fight for freedom against Russia.

This month, former Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon is making his fifth trip to Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022, and he feels it might be the most precarious.

State Sen. Tom Brewer observes the destruction of the Siverskyi Donets River bridge in Izyum, Ukraine. (Courtesy of State Sen. Tom Brewer)

The war, he said, has morphed from a battle at the front of artillery and tanks, into an exchange of cheap but dangerous drones and Russian glide bombs that cant be detected by air defense systems.

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Its a difficult place to go right now, Brewer told the Examiner. We want to see [Ukraine] win this war, and we want to do everything we can to boost their morale. I think theyre struggling right now.

An additional goal of the latest trip, he said, is to make connections with agricultural officials in Ukraine. Nebraska, with its farm building and equipment sector, could play an important role in rebuilding the country, according to Brewer.

If we dont do anything until the war ends, well lose that opportunity, he said.

Don Hutchens, a retired head of the Nebraska Corn Board, is among those traveling to Ukraine this time. A Lincoln-based television reporter, John Grinvalds, is coming again to document the trip.

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Brewer, an expert sniper who was wounded twice during six tours of duty in Afghanistan, used his previous trips to Ukraine to serve as an unofficial representative of the U.S. and as a military observer who relayed information gleaned from officials and soldiers at the front to the Nebraska delegation in Congress and the State Department.

The information included the effectiveness of American aid, ammunition and weapons and what else the Ukrainians might need to repel the invasion.

But this trip  a year after the last one  will be different because of the dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine after President Donald Trump took office. Trump suspended $1 billion in American aid to Ukraine, and, in a combative White House meeting last month, scolded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over his insistence that Russia could not be trusted.

Trump, later, stated that Zelenskyy was not ready for peace. Meanwhile, negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin have failed to result in a complete cease fire or peace deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump claimed that he could end the war in Ukraine before he took office or within 24 hours of becoming president. The Associated Press recently reported that Trump has admitted those boasts were a little bit sarcastic, though the president was also quoted that he was optimistic that he could broker an end to the war.

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Brewer, in an interview Friday, said the contentious White House exchange between Zelenskyy, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance was unfortunate.

Thats something that needs to happen in a back room, Brewer said of the heated debate before cameras.

That exchange, the senator said, helped boost Zelenskyys popularity ratings, but has put America in a different light across Europe and in Ukraine. During his past visits, Brewer said that when people saw the United States flag on his shoulder, they would come up and express thanks and provide hugs.

You were always thought of in a pretty good light as an American, he said. A good guy, whos always going to be there.

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Were kind of in a precarious place right now. A lot of Europe is scratching their head and not seeing us as the same ally as they had before.

Brewer, a Republican who represented north-central Nebraska in the Legislature, said he hopes his latest visit will help assure the Ukrainians that no one is abandoning them.

Brewer, at right, spent 36 years in the military. The new drone war in Ukraine means soldiers must hunker down in trenches until bad weather grounds the drones and allows them to attack. (Courtesy of Noah Philson)

Theres a new president in the White House, and they have a little different look at this war, he added. It doesnt change that what theyre doing is commendable.

Despite the suspension of U.S. aid and armaments, Brewer believes that the Ukrainians are winning in some areas, inflicting heavy casualties, while bracing for an offensive from Russia later this month.

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The war, he said, is now being fought with low-cost drones and glide bombs that avoid detection because they have no engines to produce a heat signature. Poisonous gases accompany some Russian missiles, Brewer said, and Ukraine has been forced to become more choosy when deploying expensive anti-missile systems.

While the Russian territory captured by Ukraine has largely been reclaimed by Putins army, it has come at a heavy cost of perhaps 50,000 Russian soldiers lost in the past month, according to Brewer.

Theyre losing as many people in a day as we lost in Afghanistan in 20 years, Brewer said.

Help is coming from Europe, he said. F-16 fighter jets recently arrived from The Netherlands, as have gas masks from Britain, Brewer said. Germany has been asked to provide missiles to replace the American Tomahawks.

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If those are provided, it could be a game changer, he said.

Can there be peace? Brewer said he doesnt see it soon, given that Russia is gearing up for a huge offensive push.

But by this fall, if Ukraine can hang on, he said that most observers believe that Russia will have exhausted its military assets, and leaders will be ready to strike a peace deal.

Brewer said he doesnt see any quit in the Ukrainian soldiers hes met at the front, some of whom are 50 years old or older.

Its all because they grew up in communism, and they know the consequences of giving up, he said. Theyd rather die than see their kids and grandkids grow up in that system.

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The City of Atlanta Civil Service Board denied former Atlanta Police Department Officer Kiran Kimbroughs appeal to be reinstated.

Atlanta deacon Johnny Hollman died in August 2023 after he was Tased by Kimbrough following a minor traffic accident.

The following October, Kimbrough was fired from APD for not calling a supervisor to the scene.

Hollmans family has since settled with the City of Atlanta over Hollmans death, but they are still pushing for charges to be filed against Kimbrough.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Separately, Kimbrough had been fighting to get his job back.

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Now, that effort has been defeated.

The Civil Service Board made their decision on April 7, weeks after a mid-March hearing with Kimbrough and APD.

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According to the boards decision, they found that Kimbrough had violated APDs operating procedures by attempting to arrest Hollman before approval by an on-scene supervisor.

Along with the exhibits presented by the city and Kimbrough, the board listened to witness testimony and materials related to Hollmans cause of death.

Officials said they considered the evidence submitted by the City of Atlanta and by Kimbrough, as well as the other materials, and based on the totality of the evidence, the Board declines to modify the discipline previously imposed on Mr. Kimbrough.

Going into detail on the operating procedures, the board said Kimbrough had to establish if he was intending to detain Hollman or arrest him.

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Due to Kimbroughs actions after Hollman called 911 to the scene of the accident, the board found that Kimbrough was attempting an arrest, rather than detention until a supervisor arrived.

The board said no evidence was shown that suggested Hollman meant to or tried to harm Kimbrough. Additionally, the board said that nothing in our review of the BWC footage even remotely suggests that Mr. Hollman intended to leave the scene, referring to Kimbroughs body camera.

They also said Hollman made no threats, verbally or physically, to either Mr. Kimbrough or the bystanders, which Kimbrough seemed to concede during an interview. An investigative report of the incident also said that Kimbrough did not seem to be in danger at any point, and no safety concerns necessitated the immediate handcuffing of Hollman.

Finding Kimbroughs statements to not be credible, especially in consideration of the footage, the board found that instead, Kimbrough had been the one to initiate by telling Hollman to sign the ticket or hed be taken to jail. Hollman repeatedly refused to sign the citation.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A former preschool worker at a Rockford church has pleaded no contest to stealing thousands of dollars over several years.

Susan Kacsits, who worked as a bookkeeper and accountant at Saint Peters Lutheran Preschool, entered the no contest plea Monday, the same day she was set to stand trial.

The charge, embezzlement of $100,000 or more, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June.

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Woman charged with embezzling thousands from Rockford preschool

The embezzlement was discovered in June of last year. Investigators say they uncovered around 50 instances of embezzlement dating back years. They say Kacsits wrote checks from the school and deposited them into her own accounts to the tune of about $224,000.

Kacsits, who had worked at the school for more than a decade, told investigators she had no idea why she had been stealing from the school, according to a police report.

She could not articulate why she thought it was okay to take the money, an investigator wrote. I asked her if she knew how much she had taken and she said no.

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Kacsits was charged in July.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
A self-described freedom fighter from the Bronx who was previously held captive and enslaved in Sudan is calling on Hamas with one simple, heartfelt plea this Passover: let my people go.

Simon Deng may not be Jewish, but he knows what its like to be held captive: he was kidnapped, tortured and kept in slavery for nearly three years in his native Sudan  beginning at age 9.

Simon Deng, who was kept in captivity for more than three years, answers questions in Washington Square Park. Allison Levy

Deng has since become a vocal supporter of Israel who has attended every Sunday rally in Central Park advocating for the release of the hostages, often speaking about his own experiences during his home countrys first bloody civil war.

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This Passover, the humanitarian activist is pleading for the end of the bondage for the 24 living hostages whose pain stemming from the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre he knows all too well.

We are in it together, said Deng  a native of what is now South Sudan  who survived a bloody slave raid on his Christian village, as scores of his neighbors, young and old, were slaughtered by machine gun fire or burned alive in their huts.

The activist noted the horrifying parallels between Israels calamity and the terrorist assault he experienced at the hands of armed Muslim terrorists, leading to his kidnapping and enslavement to an Arab family in northern Sudan. He calls himself a victim of radical Islam, he said.

Deng recalled being beaten and tortured, living not as a human being but instead a slave.

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Once he settled in the US in 1989 under political asylum, Deng became an outspoken activist for the plight of black slaves in Sudan, often traveling the country and meeting with political figures, including then-president George W. Bush.

During Dengs fight for human rights, he became a friend of Israel, and turned his attention  and activism  toward the plight of the hostages at the hands of Hamas.

Deng became a friend of Israel, and turned his attention  and activism  toward the plight of the hostages at the hands of Hamas. Allison Levy

Before the start of Passover, considered the festival of freedom that celebrates the themes of liberation and redemption, Deng stressed the urgency of releasing the innocent hostages.

Its a fight against the same enemy, the same dangerous ideology, said Deng, whos often draped in the Israeli flag and wearing both his yellow pin symbolizing the freedom of the hostages and a Jewish star necklace.

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I witnessed exactly like what happened to Israel on Oct. 7, Deng told The Post hours before the start of Passover, comparing the massacre he experienced as a boy when scores were killed at the hands of Arab Sudans genocidal government and the Hamas attack on southern Israel.

I went through what you went through.

Deng and Hillary Clinton attend a rally at the US Capitol marking the completion of Dengs 300 mile Sudan Freedom Walk. AFP via Getty Images

This Passover, he said he will be munching matzah in solidarity with his Jewish brothers and sisters, and thinking about the themes of the holiday: freedom and redemption from bondage.

I will be thinking about those being held against their will to be free, said Deng, who refers to himself as a former child slave, before his escape with help from a fellow villager.

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Because I know exactly what that means.

Deng, a father with one child in the US, thinks of the fortitude of Moses, and how he chose to be with his people. The quintessential Passover story evokes his own memories, as Deng was forced to convert to Islam during his forced servitude, but had the resolve to retain his true Christian identity in spirit.

I feel very connected to the story of Passover, he said. Since Oct. 7, I have a purpose: when I was being held as a captive, nobody was there for me. Today, Im free and Im using my freedom to help those who are not free.

The Passover story evokes his own memories, as Deng was forced to convert to Islam during his forced servitude. Tali Gillette

The big-time Zionist added that hes gotten heat for showing solidarity from others in the black community, but writes it off. Its ignorance  they should support the Jews for a simple reason: our common struggles, he said.

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Deng noted the shared bond between blacks and Jews during the civil rights era. The struggle of [Martin Luther King Jr.s] freedoms, who was there with them? The Jews.

Growing up, Deng said the southern Sudanese were ridiculed and faced aggression for supporting Israel. We were seen as Jewish sympathizers, he said.

The African native credited the Jewish state in the struggle against oppressors in the north of Sudan. The only country who come help us was the state of Israel.

Still, the misplaced outrage wont slow him down from advocating for the hostages both in NYC at rallies and leading solidarity marches in Israel, where hes visited three times since the Oct. 7 attacks.

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His Walk for Humanity march and rally is planned to convene in Washington, DC, on Oct. 5.

How can we call ourselves humanitarians while turning away from the cries of the enslaved and slaughtered in African countries like Sudan and Nigeria, or the bloodshed in Israel? he said.

Despite the seeming bleakness, he eyes a bright future. Im optimistic tomorrow will be better than today, said Deng. We have to stand shoulder to shoulder to defeat evil and we will defeat Hamas and Iran.

If you dont stand up to it, evil wins.
A St. Cloud-based podcaster and YouTube personality has entered a guilty plea stemming from an incident in which he was accused of showing a nude photo of someone without their consent during a livestream.

Aaron Imholte, 38, pleaded guilty in Stearns County District Court on Thursday to nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a misdemeanor. He was initially charged with a felony of the same crime but that has been dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Imholte hosts the "Steel Toe Morning Show," which has about 13,000 subscribers on YouTube and approximately 4,000 on Rumble.

Aaron Imholte.Stearns County Jail

According to the criminal complaint, while Imholte was hosting his show on May 27, 2024, he allegedly sent a nude image of the victim to a guest on the show. Imholte and the guest then discussed the photo of the victim on-air, which allegedly showed the person topless.

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The photo was sent over the messaging app Signal, according to the complaint.

Imholte addressed the case on his show last Friday.

"In May, I sent that picture [to the guest]. I sent it to [the guest] because I was a f****** dumb guy in a [bad] place," Imholte said. "When I said, boy didnt do too bad, did he?' That was a guy who was looking for a little validation from a friend. I cannot urge you against something like that more."

The 38-year-old isn't expected to face any prison time. As of Monday, a sentencing date has not yet been set and Imholte is not in custody.

Before turning to a career as an independent podcast and streaming host, Imholte was the morning show host at "Rockin' 101" at WHMH-FM in St. Cloud. He resigned from that role in December 2020 after he demeaned a female radio host in Iowa while live on-air.

Imholte referred to Heather Lee of KAZR in Des Moines as "fat," "a pig," and "diabetic, while joking that "pitbulls should eat her." He also encouraged listeners to comment on KAZR's Facebook page that Lee uses racist language in her private time and said a woman on a morning radio show is a "problem for the industry."
SUMY, Ukraine (AP)  Russian missiles struck the heart of the Ukrainian city of Sumy as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 people, officials said, in the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week.

The two ballistic missiles hit around 10:15 a.m., officials said. Images from the scene showed lines of black body bags on the side of the road, while more bodies were seen wrapped in foil blankets among the debris. Video footage also showed fire crews fighting to extinguish the shells of burned-out cars among the rubble from damaged buildings.

The dead included two children, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said in a statement. A further 117 people were wounded, including 15 children, it said.

Only filthy scum can act like this  taking the lives of ordinary people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. In a statement on social media, he said the first strike hit buildings belonging to a city university, while the second exploded above street level.

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The head of the Ukrainian presidents office, Andriy Yermak, said cluster munitions were used to kill as many people as possible. The Associated Press was unable to verify that claim.

The attack on Sumy followed a deadly April 4 missile strike on Zelenskyys hometown of Kryvyi Rih that killed some 20 people, including nine children.

Zelenskyy called for a global response to the attack. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. Whats needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves, he said.

Other world leaders also condemned the attack, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying that it undermined Washington-led peace talks between the sides.

Everyone knows: This war was initiated by Russia alone. And today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it  with blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts" of U.S. President Donald Trump, he wrote in a statement.

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Asking about the attack, Trump said late Sunday evening that he was trying to get the war stopped. I think it was terrible and I was told they made a mistake, but I think its a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing," he told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington. He did not clarify whether he was saying the attack was unintentional.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, two women, ages 62 and 68, and a 48-year-old man were killed in Russian attacks on the Kherson region, local Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said. Another person was killed during Russian shelling on Ukraine's Donetsk region, Gov. Vadym Filashkin said.

The mayor of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, said a Russian strike hit one of the citys kindergartens, shattering windows and damaging the buildings facade. No casualties were reported.

Spring offensive fears despite peace talks

The strikes come a day after Russia and Ukraines senior diplomats accused each other of violating a tentative U.S.-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the three-year war.

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The two countries foreign ministers spoke at separate events at the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum a day after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace prospects.

The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Moscow would provide the U.S., Turkey and international bodies with a list of Kyivs attacks during the past three weeks.

His Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, contested that claim, saying Saturday that Russia had launched almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 exploding drones and more than 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, "mostly at civilians" since agreeing to the limited pause on strikes.

Russian forces hold the advantage in Ukraine, and Kyiv has warned that Moscow is planning a fresh spring offensive to ramp up pressure on its foe and improve its negotiating position.

Ukraine has endorsed a broader U.S. ceasefire proposal, but Russia has effectively blocked it by imposing far-reaching conditions. European governments have accused Putin of dragging his feet.

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Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trumps special envoy to Ukraine, said the Sumy attack crossed any line of decency and that the White House remained committed to ending the conflict.

There are scores of civilian dead and wounded. As a former military leader, I understand targeting, and this is wrong," he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the attack horrifying and said it offered a tragic reminder" of why the administration was trying to end the war in favor of a just and durable peace.

___

Associated Press journalists Volodymr Yuchuk in Kyiv, Ukraine and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

___

This story corrects Kelloggs current title.

Samya Kullab, The Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A former West Hartford teacher accused in January of tickling a student was arrested again last week.

Nicholas Ricciardi, 46, of Manchester was arrested by Windsor police on April 7. He was charged with second-degree breach of peace and risk of injury to a child.

West Hartford private school teacher arrested for allegedly tickling student

According to court records, the charges stem from December of 2023.

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News 8 is working to learn more about the recent charges.

Ricciardi was previously arrested in January, for offenses including risk of injury to or impairing the morals of a child and second-degree breach of peace.

He was employed at Solomon Schechter Day School. In January, the head of the school said a parent approached them before Thanksgiving, reporting that their child had been tickled by Ricciardi.

Teacher sues New Britain schools after being placed on leave for refusing to remove crucifix from desk area

The school said that they placed the teacher on leave and reported what they had learned to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), who said they were not going to accept the case for further investigation. Ricciardi then returned to school.

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Later in December, the school claims that they got another complaint from a parent. Ricciardi was once again placed on leave and another DCF case was filed, which was accepted, and DCF worked with the West Hartford Police Department to investigate.

The teacher has not returned to the school since mid-December and no longer is employed by the school.

Ricciardi is scheduled to appear for an arraignment in Hartford court on April 28. He was released from custody on a $20,000 bond.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Related video: Law enforcement arrests Oklahoma man accused of double homicide at Fort Smith bar

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  An Oklahoma man accused of shooting and killing two people outside of a Fort Smith bar is set to appear in court.

Nephesh Ruach, 45, was arrested on April 10 on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault with a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm by a certain persons. He is being charged as a habitual offender.

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He is also accused of failing to comply with the reporting requirements of the Sex and Child Offender Registration Act.

Ruach is set to appear in Sebastian County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, according to his booking information.

Fort Smith police say officers responded to a shooting call at the Foxfire Club on North 10th Street around 7:41 a.m. on April 9.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Law enforcement arrests Oklahoma man accused of double homicide at Fort Smith bar

The department said two people were injured in the shooting. They were taken to a nearby hospital, where they later died from their injuries.

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The two victims were identified as Brian Jones, 42, and Todd Jewell, 51.

Authorities identified Ruach as a suspect, and he was found the following day around 3 p.m., hiding inside a home on North 38th Street. As law enforcement entered the home, Ruach tried to flee on foot and was quickly captured without further incident.

A task force consisting of FSPD, the United States Marshals Service, Arkansas State Police and Sebastian County Sheriffs Office arrested Ruach.

Ruachs criminal history

Earlier this year, Ruach spent a month in the Sebastian County jail for failing to pay fines stemming from a 2015 battery conviction, where he was sentenced to five years suspended imposition of sentence.

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Teen killed in Siloam Springs shooting; 18-year-old arrested

Ruach is a registered sex offender and is listed in the Arkansas Department of Public Safetys sex offender registry. He is a Level 2 or moderate risk offender for a first-degree rape charge.

Oklahoma court records show Ruach pleaded guilty in March 2002 to a second-degree rape charge and pleaded guilty in 2011 to a failure to comply with sex offender registry requirements, both in Tulsa County.

Ruach is being held in the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Natural gas and propane are now defined as clean or green sources of energy in Indiana and can receive federal money normally set aside for renewables such as solar or wind.

Gov. Mike Braun signed the bill into law last week that allows methane and propane projects to compete for the same federal money non-fossil fuel sources receive.

Braun did not respond to IndyStars request for a comment.

Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, introduced the legislation that ultimately made it to the governors desk that expanded the states definition of methane and propane. The fossil fuels were previously classified as a clean source of energy only when replacing coal for power generation.

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Natural gas is a euphemism given to methane and is a powerful greenhouse gas, according to NASA. These gases trap heat from escaping the Earth's atmosphere creating a warming effect. The gas is more powerful than carbon dioxide when its released.

Burning methane produces less greenhouse gas emissions than coal, but a report from the International Energy Agency says the gas is responsible for about 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the late 1700s.

Maureen Ferguson, of the American Petroleum Institute, supported the bill as it went through the General Assembly. She told lawmakers that the bill would help Indiana achieve an all-of-the-above approach to the states energy needs.

Those opposed to the bill said the U.S. Department of Energy excludes natural gas from clean energy grants and that even local investor-owned utilities in Indiana say clean or green sources of energy are sources that produce no greenhouse gas emissions.

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Gabe Filippelli, executive director of the Environmental Resilience Institute and professor of earth sciences at Indiana University, told IndyStar the new definitions were bogus when the legislation was still being discussed.

Ultimately when they burn, they release CO2, which changes the climate, he said. In no way, shape, or form is that anywhere near a green technology.

Initial report: Indiana natural gas bill would redefine the fossil fuel as green energy

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

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Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana law defines natural gas as clean, green energy
April 14 (UPI) -- Tensions between France and Algeria seemingly escalated after Algerian officials requested 12 French embassy to leave its borders within 48 hours, according to France's foreign affairs minister.

It was due in part to the indictment on Friday of three Algerian nationals in France -- one who is named as a consulate official -- on charges of abduction, arbitrary detention, illegal confinement and participating in a terrorist organization against an Algerian government critic, added French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

Barrot implored Algerian leaders to "abandon" plans to expel French diplomats, saying France was ready to "respond immediately" if need be.

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On Monday, he asked Algerian authorities to "stop these expulsion measures that have no link to an ongoing legal case."

"If the decision to expel our staff is maintained we will have no other choice than to respond immediately," he said.

The expulsion of 12 French embassy staff in Algeria arrived on top of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's (C, seen Sept. 2024 in Beirut, Lebanon) official April 6 visit to Algeria where he said he had eyes for a "new phase" in diplomatic relations between the two countries after decades of ambivalent diplomatic relations tied to France's colonial rule era. "This new development is unacceptable and unspeakable and will cause great damage to Algerian-French relations," the Algerian foreign ministry said in a statement. File Photo by Fadel Itani/ UPI

The accused were allegedly involved in last year's abduction of Amir Boukhours, who is an outspoken critic of the Algerian government and President Abdelmadjid Tebboun.

Boukhours, 41, is also known as "Amir DZ" with a social media following of more than one million people and was reportedly granted French asylum in 2023 living near Paris since 2016.

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Boukhours was allegedly abducted in the southern suburbs of Paris last April but was released the next day, according to his attorney Eric Plouvier.

He has been accused by Algerian authorities of being "a saboteur linked to terrorist groups" in claims Boukhours has denied.

Plouvier told news media that his client had previously been "the subject of two serious attacks" in 2022 and the night of April 29, 2024, when he was forced into a car with flashing lights by "fake police officers," according to French media, only to be released the next day without explanation.

Boukhours claimed he was drugged and kept in a container for more than 24 hours.

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"I fell into a trap," he previously said.

Meanwhile, the Algerian foriegn ministry stated it summoned France's ambassador to Algeria Stephane Romatet in order to "express its strong protest" as Algeria called for the immediate release of its three detained officials.

"This new development is unacceptable and unspeakable and will cause great damage to Algerian-French relations," the ministry wrote in a statement.

It arrived on top of Barrot's official April 6 visit to Algeria where he said he had eyes for a "new phase" in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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France and Algeria have a long and complicated relationship due to their former colonial ties which ended with full independence for the north African nation in 1962 during the Kennedy administration.

Algeria recalled its ambassador from Paris last year after a territory dispute in the western Sahara with Morocco backed by France.

Last month, France threatened to retaliate after Algeria refused to accept nearly 60 Algerian deportees.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  All around Frankfort, people came together to help the community over the weekend with all sorts of foods  even tamales.

On Saturday, a Frankfort woman and her friends decided to help their community the best way they knew how  by cooking.

The group set up in downtown Frankfort, giving out free plates with tamales, sandwiches, hot dogs, and drinks.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Organizers of the food giveaway said they cooked around 600 tamales for anyone impacted by the floods, hoping to help the community heal with comfort food.

Theres one phrase that Ive seen all over social media, and thats Frankfort Strong, and thats what Im going to carry on through these few weeks or upcoming times, that Frankfort, together, we are strong, Kenny Rebolledo told Fox 56 News. Were family, and youre not alone. You need help. Ask anyone, and Im sure theyll be more than willing to help in any way, shape, or form.

Organizers also thanked city leaders for letting the group use the space downtown.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Makini Brice and Elizabeth Pineau

PARIS (Reuters) -French opposition parties on Monday threatened to topple Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's government with a no-confidence motion after his finance minister said next year's budget would require billions of euros in savings.

A vote on the 2026 budget is not due until the end of this year, but the subject is already testing the staying power of the government of Bayrou, who came to office in December after clashes over the 2025 budget brought down predecessor, Michel Barnier.

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Finance Minister Eric Lombard said in an interview with BFM TV on Sunday that a plan to lower the budget deficit to 4.6% of economic output in 2026 from 5.4% this year would require savings of 40 billion euros.

Bayrou, who has survived other no-confidence votes, is due to make a budget speech on Tuesday, in which he is expected to outline the bruising austerity measures on the horizon.

Arthur Delaporte, a Socialist lawmaker and a party spokesperson, stopped short of saying the party would back a no-confidence vote but urged the government to heed the lessons of Barnier, whose efforts to pass a belt-tightening 2025 budget led to his ousting.

Bayrou was only able to pass the 2025 budget after making significant concessions to the Socialists, who have the power to play a decisive role in bringing down his government if they were to join forces with far-left and far-right parties.

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"This government does not have a majority to adopt such an austerity budget," Delaporte told Reuters. "We always said it, that this government is under the surveillance of Socialist lawmakers and we will not accept a budget filled with social cuts and that does not involve those who can contribute the most."

Sebastien Chenu, a lawmaker and senior figure in the main far-right National Rally, told Europe 1/CNews on Monday that the group would vote to topple the government if it imposes deep cuts on ordinary people.

"While constructing a budget that asks of French people to tighten their belts ... that exposes them to a no-confidence motion from us," Chenu said.

Manuel Bompard, national coordinator for the far left France Unbowed party, said it was ready to propose a no-confidence motion, but only if the entire left would support it.

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The far left and far right do not have enough votes to topple the government without support from other leftist parties.

(Reporting by Makini Brice and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Peter Graff and Bernadette Baum)
NEW DELHI (AP)  Fugitive Indian jeweler Mehul Choksi, who has been accused of involvement in one of Indias biggest bank frauds, has been arrested in Belgium, his lawyer said Monday.

Choksi and his diamond tycoon nephew Nirav Modi are accused of a $1.8 billion fraud involving Punjab National Bank, the countrys second-largest public lender. Both fled India in 2018.

The arrest was made following an extradition request by Indian authorities, local media reported.

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Choksi was arrested on Saturday in the Belgian port city of Antwerp, one of the most important diamond trading hubs in the world. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, told reporters that Choksi's legal team would file an appeal for his release.

Both Choksi and Modi have denied the accusations.

Punjab National Bank accused Choksi, Modi and others of fraud by using fake financial documents to get loans to buy and import jewels.

Aggarwal said the obvious grounds for the appeal would be that Choksi is not a flight risk, is extremely sick and undergoing treatment for cancer. He also said they would argue that Choksi's was a political case and mount their defense on grounds that Indian prisons have inhumane conditions.

Modi, who built an international jewelry empire that stretched from India to New York and Hong Kong, was arrested in Britain in 2019. He has been in prison since.
Air Force Gen. Dan Caine has been sworn in as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after a flurry of paperwork was finished to allow him to fill the job nearly two months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor.

A formal White House ceremony is expected to take place this week.

Caine, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot and well-respected officer, took over on Saturday after Trump signed the necessary documents. He will serve the remainder of the four-year term of Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, who was fired by Trump as part of a broader purge of military officers believed to endorse diversity and equity programs.

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Brown, a history-making fighter pilot and just the second Black chairman, had served 16 months in the job when he was fired Feb. 21. Caines term as chairman will run through Sept. 30, 2027.

Senate confirms Trumps pick for chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Because he has never served as a combatant commander or a service chief, Caine did not meet the basic prerequisites for the job set out in a 1986 law. As a result, Trump had to sign a waiver allowing him to serve as chairman. Under the law, the requirements can be waived by the president if there is a determination that such action is necessary in the national interest.

Caine  whose call sign is Raizin  is the first officer to be called back from retirement and returned to active duty to take the chairmans job.

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He had an unusual path to the chairmans post, including his start in the military.

Caine was commissioned as an officer in 1990 through the ROTC program at the Virginia Military Institute, but after pilot training, he got a waiver to move from active duty to the Air National Guard so that he could fly fighter jets. At the time, there werent as many open slots for pilots in the active duty service.

In 2001, while serving as a pilot with the 121st Fighter Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, he was in the second rotation of fighter jets that were patrolling the skies over Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11. Two months later, he deployed to Kuwait as an F-16 mission commander.

Caine got his masters degree in 2005 from American Military University, in Charles Town, West Virginia. Much of his early military time was as a pilot and instructor, and he has 2,800 hours, including more than 100 in combat.

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During his career, Caine moved in and out of full-time active duty jobs. He served in leadership roles in multiple special operations commands, in some of the Pentagons most classified programs and at the CIA. He also worked on staff and as a fellow at the White House.

His most recent job before he retired last year was as the associate director for military affairs at the CIA. He retired as a three-star lieutenant general.

The Senate confirmed Caine after 2 a.m. Friday, by a bipartisan vote of 60-25, with 15 Democrats and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine voting in support of his nomination.

Caine was in the Pentagon on Friday, but it was unclear when he would be sworn in because there appeared to be a delay in Trump signing the needed paperwork. Trump was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland, on Friday for his annual physical and then went directly to Joint Base Andrews to fly to Florida.

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He signed the paperwork late that night. Caine was sworn in Saturday and was at the Pentagon over the weekend to start work. But as of Monday, the Joint Chiefs website still didnt have him listed.

At his confirmation hearing early this month, Caine said he would be candid in his advice to Trump and vowed to be apolitical.

Asked how he would react if ordered to direct the military to do something potentially illegal, such as being used against civilians in domestic law enforcement, he told senators that it is the duty and the job that I have to push back.

Trumps relationship with Caine dates to his first administration. They met during a trip to Iraq, as Trump recounted in a 2019 speech. He has said Caine is a real general, not a television general.

Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
Nobody will be giving out any medals now that Blue Origins eleventh crewed space flight is in the books. The brief suborbital sojourn lifted off this morning, April 14, at 8:30 a.m. CDT and landed just 11 minutes later. There was certainly news coverage but not the kind of global audience that has attended other crewed space launches.

Thats not the way it was on May 5, 1961, when NASA astronaut Alan Shepard flew a similar flight profilea popgun trajectory above the atmosphere and a landing just a few hundred miles down rangebecoming the first American in space. Shepard earned instant celebrity, visiting President John Kennedy at the White House three days later to receive NASAs Distinguished Service Medal. Since then, more than 700 people have flown to space, crossing the 50-mile altitude line that was originally considered the boundary between the terrestrial and the extraterrestrial. (In the 1960s, the bar was raised a little bit, to 100 km, or 62 miles, establishing the so-called Karman line, after the Hungarian-American physicist and engineer Theodore von Karman.) Blue Origin alone has so far lofted 52 people above the Karman line over the course of 10 flights since 2021.

But this next flight, the company says, will be specialthanks to the composition of the crew. Aboard the New Shepard spacecraft will be six people, including pop star Katy Perry; television personality Gayle King; journalist Lauren Sanchez, who is also engaged to Jeff Bezos, founder of both Amazon and Blue Origin; filmmaker Kerianne Flynn; bioastronautics researcher and advocate for sexual violence survivorsand a TIME Woman of the YearAmanda Nguyen; and former NASA rocket scientist and CEO of the engineering firm STEMboard, Aisha Bowe.

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Female astronauts have become commonplace enough that the fact that the crew is composed entirely of women doesnt immediately cause a sensation. But the fact is, this is the first time since the Soviet Unions Valentina Tereshkova flew to orbit alone aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft in 1963 that no men at all have been aboard a crewed ship.

"These women are so badassthey have such amazing life stories, all that they've accomplished," King said on CBS Mornings. "This was never my dream. It was never my dream. And somebody said, Maybe you need to have new dreams, Gayle."

If you had told me that I would be part of the first ever all-female crew in space, I would have believed you, Perry posted on Facebook. Nothing was beyond my imagination as a child. I can show all of the youngest & most vulnerable among us to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively. I am honored to be among this diverse group of celestial sisters.

In an email blast inviting journalists to cover the launch, Blue Origin refers to the missions epic crew.

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But is this really newsor is there at least a whiff of condescension in making a fuss about the fact that a group of women are flying without a man to keep them company? Tereshkovas flight was 62 years ago. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space 42 years ago. Eileen Collins became the first female shuttle commander 26 years ago. Peggy Whitson became the first female commander of the International Space Station (ISS) 18 years ago. As for NASAs current record holder for longest cumulative time in space? Whitson again, at 675 days.

In 2019, NASA made much hay when astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch performed the first all-female spacewalk and by then the whole idea of marking these moments started to seem old.

Oh I could tell you tales from bygone days of the male engineers original ideas of clothing and hygiene products for women astronauts, wrote retired five-time shuttle astronaut Marsha Ivins for TIME in 2019. [B]ut we are talking the late 70s, early 80s. By the time I flew in space in the 90s, those things had changed; theyd evolved, emerged, progressed and been accommodated for. By then a crew member was just a crew member. The same is true todayNot a big deal. So why the continued insistence on making it a big deal?

Ivins feels much the same about the Blue Origin flight. It was in the mid-1990s  that someone came up with the media stunt to fly an all women shuttle flight, she wrote in an email to TIME. It was floated to the women in the office and we all said, oh HELL no! Personally I found the whole concept insulting. We were always part of a crew, working together to ensure the success of a mission, gender had exactly zero to do with it.

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Not that career astronauts see no merit at all in the flights Blue Origin makes. Space tourist flights like Blue Origins New Shepard are positive in so many ways, writes retired astronaut and former ISS commander Terry Virts in an email. They support the burgeoning commercial space industry, and they allow more humans to see our beautiful planet from outer space and experience the amazing sensation of weightlessness.

The key nouns here are tourists and humans, not men or women or, significantly, astronauts. Passengers aboard a New Shepard ship pay for the privilege of flying, and while Blue Origin does not go public with what a ticket costs, the company does require that a refundable $150,000 deposit accompany an initial application to go aloft.

All the same, it does take at least a little courage and a bit of grit to make a New Shepard flight. The rocket reaches a velocity of over 2,200 mph, or close to Mach 3, on the way up, plunges back through the atmosphere like a cannonball after a few minutes of weightlessness, and depends on a parachute to bring the passengers home safelynot the kind of chances every traveler would want to take. But that risk applies to everyone equallywith the physics of the flight not giving a fig about whos in the seat.

The fact that this is an all-female crew is basically irrelevant, says John Logsdon, professor emeritus at George Washington University and the former director of the schools Space Policy Institute. Women are just as capable as men, and in fact there is very little piloting involved. I see this as a way of attracting future business to what is basically adventure travel.

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If there is an example of space diversity that does warrant celebration, its in the upcoming plans for NASAs Artemis astronauts to return to the moon. Artemis II, scheduled for a translunar mission late in 2026, includes crewmembers Christina Koch and Victor Glover, who will become the first woman and the first Black person to make a lunar trip. The Apollo moon missions were arguably the greatest exploration exercises in human history and women and people of color were entirely excluded from them. That is a true wrong that the nation is setting out to rightand well it should.

Write to Jeffrey Kluger at jeffrey.kluger@time.com.
Georgia college students are part of a lawsuit over revocation of student visas over alleged minor crimes. Getty Images

Five international college students and two recent graduates studying in Georgia have filed suit against the administration of President Donald Trump after attorneys say the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unlawfully terminated the immigration records allowing them to keep studying in the United States.

Many of the students believe the actions were taken against them because of past run-ins with law enforcement, mostly over traffic citations, some of which were ultimately dropped, according to the lawsuit.

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Unless the U.S. District Court of North Georgia puts a temporary block on the government while the case moves forward, the students could be subject to arrest, detention and deportation in addition to loss of academic standing and degrees.

The termination of the students SEVIS, or Student and Exchange Visitor Program, records comes as the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, targeting student visa holders in the country legally for self-deportation.

Over the past week, visa revocations and SEVIS terminations have shaken campuses across the country and Georgia, the lawsuit reads.

ICE has created chaos as schools have attempted to understand what is happening and do their best to inform and advise students.

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The lawsuit names Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons as defendants.

The Georgia students, who came to the U.S. from Colombia, China and India, studied at schools including Kennesaw State University, Georgia Tech, Emory University and the University of Georgia. They filed suit along with 10 other students from various other universities including Duke University, North Carolina State University and Cornell University, all under the name Jane or John Doe, citing fear of retaliation from the administration.

The students facing deportation include doctoral students, recent graduates completing optional post-graduate work and a student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA, according to the lawsuit.

One of the students was arrested and charged with domestic violence in November, but the case was dismissed for lack of evidence in February, according to the lawsuit. Other cases involved expired license plates or tags or speeding. Another involved a DUI charge that was reduced to reckless driving. One Chinese national who studied electrical and electronics engineering said she was never arrested or cited for any traffic violations.

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The attorneys for the students and alumni argue that the students alleged actions do not meet the legal threshold for revoking their SEVIS registration and that the governments actions violate their due process protections under the Fifth Amendment.

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Some universities are using AI to help read student names at graduation ceremonies. Image by Midjourney AI

Young adults across Georgia will soon be passing that major milestone: walking across the stage, taking their diplomas in hand and basking in the applause after their names are read.

Most friends and family members cheering from the stands wont give the person behind the voice a second thought, but in some Georgia colleges, there may be more to those announcers than meets the ear, and some rising graduates say theyre not happy about it.

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At least three universities in the state have reported using services that incorporate artificial intelligence to read the names of students preparing to turn over their tassels, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State University.

Tassel, the company these universities use, boasts a database with phonetic pronunciation components for over 100,000 names, according to its website. The software is trained on thousands of previously recorded names from voice artists, which Tassel says results in a natural and authentic reading with a lower chance of flubs or mispronunciations.

UGA communications director James Hataway said the university uses Tassels services for graduate commencement ceremonies  individual student names are not read at undergraduate commencements  and that it also allows students to create personalized graduation slides for the program.

UGA has coordinated with this company and its predecessorMarching Ordersince 2020, and it has been a great benefit to the flow of the commencement ceremony, he said.

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Graduates at schools that use Tassel get the opportunity to review the pronunciation of their name before the ceremony, and if the system cant get it right, they can record the name and send it to the company to ensure it is pronounced correctly.

We now utilize AI to generate names when possible, according to a company FAQ. The synthetic voices are based on real voice artists, who will still be engaged to create new recordings if a graduates name is not pronounced to their satisfaction at first.

Some Georgia students say the thought of an AI generated voice reading out their name on their big day seems wrong.

An online petition at Change.org urging the University of North Georgia not to use the software for its upcoming commencement ceremonies has garnered more than 1,800 signatures.

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Graduation is so much more than just another school event to set up and take down within a week, the petition reads. It is a celebration of each students success, a reflection of how much they have grown, and the ultimate payoff for their hard work. What UNG plans to do does not represent how a university should handle recognizing their graduating students as they advance to the next chapters of their lives.

Petition signers echoed those sentiments, and some called it hypocrisy for the university to use AI in this way while taking a hard line against its use by students.

The school made headlines last year after a student was put on probation after a teacher accused her of using AI to write a class paper. The student said she wrote the paper herself and only used software to check her spelling, grammar and punctuation.

UNG communications director Clark Leonard said the school hopes the new technology will make the ceremony more special for students.

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Our focus is never on any one element in isolation  its about the full experience and finding thoughtful ways to make this special day even more personal, inclusive, and celebratory for every graduate, he said. For example, this technology allows us to synchronize each graduates name with video board displays, on-screen captions, and the announcement itself, creating a more consistent, accessible and respectful moment for every student crossing the stage.

Georgia State University professor Arun Rai, co-founder and director of the universitys Center for Digital Innovation and a member of the Georgia Technology Authoritys AI Advisory Council, said as artificial intelligence technology improves, we should expect to see it integrate more and more into established traditions like graduations.

When its used correctly, he said, it can help solve logistical or accessibility challenges like making sure names are pronounced correctly and integrating with on-screen captions or other assistive technologies..

That said, I understand why students might feel slighted or worry that an AI voice removes the personal connection theyve looked forward to  especially on a day as emotionally significant as graduation, he said. Hearing your name read aloud by another human being who shares your sense of pride can feel more meaningful and communal. Its not just about the words, but the tone of voice, the excitement, and the sense that a fellow person is celebrating right along with you.

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Rai said universities should seek to strike a balance between tradition and innovation and welcome student feedback .

Id reassure students that their university experienceand the relationships theyve builtshouldnt be overshadowed by this single use of AI, he said. At the same time, its completely fair for them to expect a ceremony that feels personal and special. If theres been a communication gap or if students believe the focus on efficiency is overriding tradition, its worth raising those concerns, as theyre doing.

Ultimately, commencement should recognize the human stories of resilience, achievement, and growthan AI tool is only helpful if it respects and enhances that experience, he added.

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The division director for the Georgia Police Academy has been accused of child molestation and fired from his job.

Walton County jail records show that Samuel Ray Ham was arrested Sunday on child molestation and aggravated sexual battery charges.

Channel 2 investigator reporter Ashli Lincoln learned Monday that Ham had worked as the Georgia Police Academy division director. The academy holds advanced and specialized training for certified law enforcement officers in Georgia.

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According to the arrest warrants, Ham is accused of touching a girl who was under the age of 16 in an inappropriate and sexual manner. Documents indicated the abuse had gone on for around two years.

The Georgia Police Safety Training Center said in a news release Monday that it has terminated Hams employment.

A neighbor of Hams, who asked to not be identified, said he was shocked by the allegations.

Ever since weve known them, weve been on friendly terms and one of the best neighbors Id say we ever had, they said.

The Walton County Sheriffs Office told Lincoln that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the case.

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A GBI spokesperson said the bureau is investigating, but specifics are not available at this time.

Lincoln reached out to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, which runs the Georgia Police Academy, for a statement on Monday morning. She received the following statement after 12 p.m.

The Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) has been made aware of an arrest of employee Samuel Ray Ham by the Walton County Sheriffs Office. While the investigation remains ongoing, GPSTC has terminated employment with Ham for violation of policy 4.0007 Standards of Employee Conduct and notified the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

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(NewsNation)  Journalist and political commentator Geraldo Rivera vented Sunday after comedian Bill Maher offered an effusive review about his recent dinner with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Rivera, NewsNation correspondent-at-large, was criticized when he appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher in 2018 and told Maher the Republican president can be friendly and warm in private.

Trump is fully fit to serve as commander in chief, his doctor says after recent physical

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Who gives a (expletive), Maher, a longtime Trump critic, shot back at Rivera then. Hes running the world now. What does that matter that he was nice to you at Thanksgiving?

Bill Maher has dinner with Trump, praises him for being gracious

Maher took a different tone last week as he recapped his March 31 dinner with Trump, a meeting brokered by mutual friend Kid Rock. In a Real Time segment that has gone viral, Maher praised Trump for being gracious and measured and for asking his views on political issues.

Trump trade war with China hurting US farmers, advocate says

Im just taking as a positive that this person exists, Maher said, because everything Ive ever not liked about him was, I swear to God, absent at least on this night with this guy.

Bill Maher really was very insulting: Geraldo Rivera

Appearing on NewsNation Prime over the weekend, Rivera was at a loss to explain Mahers turnaround and said it was hypocritical.

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He told me very specifically that the reason I like Trump is because hes nice to me. I mean, he really was very insulting, Bill Maher was, Rivera said. He challenged my judgment. He mocked my feelings for the president.

Trump: No one off the hook, tech tariff exemptions temporary

Rivera agreed, however, that Mahers goal of lowering the temperature in political discourse is a worthy one.

We dont have to attack, we dont have to disparage, we dont have to put down, Rivera said. I am not upset that hes come around.

He also said, I love the jokes in late night Theres truth in that criticism.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A number of energy companies in France and Germany are considering resuming gas supplies from Russia, Reuters reported on April 14.

Following the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022, the European Union has restricted energy imports from Russia, profits from which fuelled Moscow's ability to wage the war against Ukraine.

The U.S. increased its supplies to Europe to cover the deficit. Under the Trump administration, however, European relations with the U.S. have soured and European businesses began to be wary of dependency on Washington and began to look for other options.

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Europe has few options, as negotiations with Qatar to increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) volumes have reached a deadlock. Although the deployment of renewable energy sources has accelerated, the pace is not fast enough to allow the EU to feel secure, according to Reuters.

"If there is a reasonable peace in Ukraine, we could go back to flows of 60 billion cubic meters (of Russian gas), maybe 70, annually, including LNG," Didier Holleaux, executive vice president at France's Engie, told Reuters in an interview.

France's Engie is partially state-owned and was one of the largest buyers of Russian gas before the all-out war in Ukraine. Holleaux added that Russia could supply around 20-25% of EU needs, down from 40% before the war.

Patrick Pouyanne, the head of the French oil company TotalEnergies, highlighted another concern: Europe should not over-rely on U.S. gas. TotalEnergies is a large U.S. LNG exporter and sells Russian LNG from the private firm Novatek.

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"We need to diversify, many routes, not over-rely on one or two," Pouyanne told Reuters. "Europe will never go back to importing 150 billion cubic meters from Russia like before the war ... but I would bet maybe 70 bcm."

Germany, which relied heavily on cheap Russian gas before Russia's large-scale invasion, is now also considering at least partial resumption of supplies.

Several companies that are residents of the Leuna Chemical Park, one of Germany's largest chemical clusters hosting plants of Dow Chemical and Shell, among others, emphasized the need to resume Russian supplies.

"We need Russian gas; we need cheap energy  no matter where it comes from," said Klaus Paur, managing director of Leuna-Harze, a mid-sized petrochemical maker at the Leuna Park. "We need Nord Stream 2 because we have to keep energy costs in check."

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"We are in a severe crisis and can't wait," said Christof Guenther, managing director of InfraLeuna, the park operator.

He said the German chemical industry has cut jobs for five quarters in a row, something not seen for decades.

"Reopening pipelines would reduce prices more than any current subsidy programs," Guenther added.

Despite attempts to maintain its presence in Europe, Gazprom's gas exports to the EU remained low.

Gazprom's financial woes stem largely from the EU's decision to reduce reliance on Russian energy following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Compounding its troubles, Russia's direct pipeline gas supplies to the EU have ceased completely after Ukraine refused to extend its transit agreement with Gazprom beyond Dec. 31, 2024.

Read also: 5 key steps for Europe to bolster defense against Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BERLIN (AP)  The German parliament plans to meet on May 6 to elect Friedrich Merz as the country's next leader, if all the parties in his proposed government approve a coalition agreement reached last week.

Parliament's lower house, the Bundestag, said Monday that Speaker Julia Klockner is preparing to call the session early next month.

Merz will need a majority of all members of the house to be elected as post-World War II Germany's 10th chancellor, succeeding Olaf Scholz. The proposed coalition of his center-right Christian Democratic Union; its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union; and Scholz's center-left Social Democrats has a relatively modest majority, with 328 of the 630 seats.

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Since no party wants to work with the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, which finished second in Germany's election in February, no other plausible combination of governing parties has a parliamentary majority.

There are still two hurdles to clear before parliament can vote. The biggest is a ballot of the Social Democrats' membership on the coalition agreement, which starts on Tuesday and ends on April 29. The CDU also must approve the accord at a party convention set for April 28, while the CSU's leadership already approved it last week.

The would-be coalition aims to spur economic growth, ramp up defense spending, take a tougher approach to migration and catch up on long-neglected modernization.

But there is some resistance in the Social Democrats' ranks after the party finished third in February with its worst postwar result in a national parliamentary election. The party's youth wing has come out against the deal.

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Party co-leader Lars Klingbeil said Sunday he is confident that a majority of members will say it's right for the Social Democrats to take responsibility for Germany.

There are always alternatives. ... One alternative is new elections, one alternative is perhaps a minority government, Klingbeil told ARD television. But in today's troubled times, Germany must be a place of stability, he added. For that, we need a stable democratic government, and we have presented a sensible coalition agreement for that.
Four ninth-grade students from Germany have been photographed making a far-right extremist gesture during a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp memorial, prompting a police investigation.

A spokesman from the office for schools and education in the eastern state of Saxony confirmed the incident on Monday. He said a report has been filed with the police and investigations have been launched.

The photo, taken on March 13, shows the students from the city of Gorlitz on the Polish border making the so-called white power salute.

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The gesture, common in extremist circles, is not illegal in Germany, unlike the Nazi salute.

The state office said the school's leadership reacted immediately and invited the students and their parents to disciplinary talks.

The students were reprimanded by the headmistress and assigned community service at a workshop for people with disabilities, it said.

The headmistress said the students understood what they had done wrong.

The state office said it is not aware of further incidents with a far-right extremist background at the school.
Germany is willing to send its Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, its incoming chancellor has said.

Friedrich Merz said Kyiv needed to get ahead in the conflict after dozens were killed in Russias Palm Sunday attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which he denounced as a serious war crime.



Asked if he would agree to Ukraines repeated plea for Germanys long-range missiles, Mr Merz said he would do so if it were done in conjunction with allies, some of whom are already providing similar long-range weapons.

Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles, the conservative leader said on Sunday. The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it anyway.



This must be jointly agreed. And if its agreed, then Germany should take part, he added.



Mr Merz also warned that Vladimir Putin would not respond positively to weakness and peace offers when asked about Donald Trumps push for a rapid end to the war.

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The US president suggested on Sunday that Moscow had not intended to kill civilians in the attack on Sumy, saying the strike, which killed 34 and injured 100 more, was a mistake.

Ukrainian media reported that the attack occurred close to a military awards ceremony.

Mr Merz, however, said the attack showed what Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire.

His comments suggest he is looking to solidify Berlins support for Kyiv after years of hesitancy from current leader Olaf Scholz, who he is set to take over from next month.



Mr Scholz, fearing an escalation in the conflict, repeatedly rejected Ukraines request for Taurus missiles, which could inflict significant damage to Russian bases, bridges and bunkers.



The missiles have a range of over 310 miles, which is longer than the Storm Shadow missiles supplied by Britain and France, and Atacms by the US.



Mr Merz on Sunday not only indicated that he was willing to provide the missiles but also that they could be used to strike the Kerch bridge, which links Russia and Crimea, and is seen as a symbol of Russias occupation of Crimea.



It is not clear whether Mr Merzs coalition partners, the Social Democrats, will agree to provide the missiles.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Germany's Deutsche Welle (DW) is to be led by a new editor-in-chief from January, the state-funded international broadcaster said on Monday.

Mathias Stamm is to replace Manuela Kasper-Claridge, who is retiring after 30 years at DW and five years as editor-in-chief.

The 43-year-old Stamm has been at DW since 2008 and is currently leading the broadcaster's strategic reorganization.

Deutsche Welle is funded by the German state but operates independently of the government.

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Unlike the ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio broadcasters, the organization is not financed by a licence fee, but directly by tax revenue.

According to DW, the company had around 4,000 employees from more than 140 nations in 2024.

Its German offices are in Bonn and Berlin.
Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow by suggesting that destroying the Russian bridge to the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea could help Kiev's war effort.

"Think twice, Nazi!" wrote former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on X on Monday.

In an interview with Germany's ARD public broadcaster on Sunday, Merz said the Ukrainian military needs to come out of the defensive and suggested that destroying the bridge - the most important link from Russia to Crimea - could help.

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Merz also reiterated his long-standing openness to sending long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

"Fritz Merz is haunted by the memory of his father, who served in Hitler's Wehrmacht," Medvedev wrote, using a pejorative Russian term for Germans.

Medevedev, who now serves as the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, accused the conservative politician of seeking to escalate the war in Ukraine.

Kiev has repeatedly stated that it wants to bomb the bridge, a move that Moscow has warned against.

Merz is set to be appointed as German chancellor in early May after his centre-right bloc won parliamentary elections in February.
Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing a grave war crime in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, following a deadly missile strike that killed over 30 people, including children.

Merz, leader of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), described the attack as deliberate and brutal, highlighting that a second wave of missiles reportedly struck as rescuers were helping the wounded.

"This is the height of perfidy," he told public broadcaster ARD. "It was a deliberate and calculated war crime."

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Ukrainian officials said the Russian attack on Sunday killed at least 34 people and injured more than 100 in the north-eastern city of Sumy.

Officials described the use of cluster munitions and said the missiles hit people in the street, cars, public transport and homes.

Merz used the attack to address those in Germany who "naively" continue to call for peace talks with Putin, saying: "This is what Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire." He added that the Russian leader interprets such offers as weakness rather than a path to peace.

He also reiterated his long-standing support for supplying Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles, provided such action is coordinated with European allies.
SCHLEIFE, Germany (AP)  Anke Hanusch dips her tool into dark blue wax and dots it precisely on a yellow-dyed Easter egg in her hand. Back and forth, wax to egg, egg to wax, as the honeycomb pattern grows.

The intricate motif means the egg will ultimately be a gift from a godparent to their godchild, to bestow diligence and a good work ethic upon the youngster.

The tradition of decorating Easter eggs is part of the culture of the Slavic-speaking Sorbian ethnic minority in Germany. Modern-day Sorbs are descended from Slavic tribes in Central and Eastern Europe who settled in Germany some 1,500 years ago.

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About 60,000 Sorbs currently live in Germany, split between the federal states of Saxony and Brandenburg.

Easter is the biggest holiday of the year

Stephanie Bierholdt, an employee at the Sorbian Cultural Center in Schleife, a town just 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the Polish border, said Easter is the biggest holiday of the year for Sorbs and people travel home to celebrate with their loved ones.

The best thing is that this tradition is still alive in families, she said.

Bierholdt, Hanusch and other members of Schleife's Sorbian community gathered at the cultural center on April 6, two weeks ahead of the holiday, to celebrate their heritage through Easter eggs and traditional folk costumes, songs and dances. Sorbian egg decorating dates back to the Middle Ages.

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From chicken eggs to emu eggs

Hanusch wore the red folk costume and bonnet of an unmarried woman; married women wore green. She was among more than 30 artisans selling their Easter eggs at the cultural center. Her prices ranged from the cheapest decorated chicken egg for 7 euros ($7.72) up to 90 euros ($99.28) for a painted emu egg.

The decorating can take between 90 minutes and six hours, depending on the techniques used, the motif and size of the egg. The artisans use a needle or the tip of a goose feather quill, cut in different ways, to draw the designs.

The egg artisans said the worldwide bird flu outbreak, and subsequent egg shortage and price hikes, have not yet affected their craft  though they added that its always best to get eggs directly from a farmer rather than a supermarket.

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Hanusch, who is Sorbian on her father's side, is learning to speak the Slavic language. She said she and other Sorbian children start decorating Easter eggs as young as two, from when they can first hold a pencil. Many only do it during the Easter season throughout childhood, but Hanusch continued with the skill and became a teacher to others, including her niece.

I think its a valuable cultural asset that needs to be preserved, she said. "It would be a shame if it were to become extinct.
Leaders of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) are set to meet for a conference on Monday, campaigning for party members to approve a high-stakes coalition agreement to form the next government in Berlin.

SPD co-leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken are among those expected to attend the meeting in the northern city of Hanover.

The pair led the centre-left party's negotiations with conservative leader Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU bloc, which concluded with the publication of a 144-page coalition deal on Wednesday setting out a programme for the next four years.

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The Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) has already approved the agreement, while Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) are expected to do so in a small party conference on April 28.

In contrast, the SPD has decided to let its members decide in a two-week online ballot that opens at midnight (2200 GMT).

Some 358,000 members are eligible to vote, with the result expected to be announced on April 30.

The party's rank and file previously voted by wide margins to approve coalition agreements with the CDU/CSU in 2013 and 2017.

But in a warning sign to Klingbeil and Esken, the SPD's youth branch - known as the Young Socialists or Jusos - on Monday said it would advise its members to reject the deal.

"It's not enough for us," Jusos leader Philipp Turmer told broadcaster RTL/ntv.
Leaders of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) urged the party's rank and file to approve a high-stakes coalition agreement to form the next government in Berlin.

SPD leaders met for a conference in the northern city of Hanover on Monday as the party prepared to kick off a two-week online vote on the coalition agreement starting on Tuesday.

"I don't want us to shy away from the situation, and I want us to shape the future of this country," party co-leader Lars Klingbeil said in Hanover.

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He warned party members against rejecting the coalition agreement. "If that fails, there will be new elections, or maybe there will be a minority government, Klingbeil added.

He also pointed to voices within the conservative bloc - which came out on top in February's general election - calling for a normalization of relations with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which came second ahead of the SPD but which so far the other parties have refused to work with. "If we fail, they will become louder."

Party co-leader Saskia Esken also emphasized that in the new parliamentary term, it would be important for the new government to regain trust in democracy, which is being attacked by right-wing extremists. Some would speak of a "last chance," Esken warned.

Internal vote runs until April 29

From Tuesday, 358,000 SPD party members will be able to vote on the coalition agreement with the conservative bloc made up of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU).

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An online platform is scheduled to be activated at 8 am (0600 GMT) on Tuesday for this purpose, and Social Democrats will be able to cast their votes on this platform until 11:59 pm on April 29. The result is due to be announced on April 30.

For the coalition agreement to be adopted, not only a majority of the votes is required, but also a participation rate of at least 20% of the members in the purely digital vote.

Coalition deal at stake

Klingbeil and Esken are led the centre-left party's negotiations with conservative leader Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU bloc, which concluded with the publication of a 144-page coalition deal on Wednesday setting out a programme for the next four years.

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The CSU has already approved the agreement, while the CDU are expected to do so in a small party conference on April 28.

The SPD's rank and file previously voted by wide margins to approve coalition agreements with the CDU/CSU in 2013 and 2017.

Opposition from SPD youth

But in a warning sign to Klingbeil and Esken, the SPD's youth wing - known as the Young Socialists - on Monday said it would advise its members to reject the deal.

"It's not enough for us," leader Philipp Turmer told broadcaster RTL/ntv.

Turmer said the agreement takes the wrong course on key issues such as asylum, work and social policy, while it lacks ambition on other topics such as taxation and finances.

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He described the deal's financing proviso - which states that all the coalition's goals must be properly financed before they can be implemented - as a "ticking time bomb."

Pending SPD and CDU approval of the coalition agreement, the new German government under the incoming chancellor Merz is set to take office on May 6.

(L-R) Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) Parliamentary Group and Federal Chairman Lars Klingbeil, Minister President of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Manuela Schwesig, Acting Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius and SPD Federal Chairwoman Saskia Esken answer questions from the audience at a dialogue conference at the start of the SPD membership vote. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa
Antiabortion advocates march in Trenton in 2024. The Republican candidates for governor are largely opposed to abortion, though that hasn't stopped it from being a campaign issue. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Former radio show host Bill Spadea, a Republican whos running for governor, raised eyebrows earlier this month when he told supporters during a campaign stop that abortion would not be an issue in the general election.

His campaign rivals swarmed, challenging his anti-abortion bona fides.

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Spadea, though, told the New Jersey Monitor in a recent interview that he merely meant that abortion is a distraction Democrats likely will use to draw attention away from Jersey-specific issues that matter more to voters, like the high cost of living, crime, transportation woes, and immigration enforcement.

I think the Democrats would love to make it an issue, because they think they can win by painting a false narrative that somehow pro-life candidates are anti-women, Spadea said. I do not think its going to be a top issue. And if the Democrats try to make it one, which I believe they will, especially if Mikie Sherrill is their nominee, it will serve as a distraction on the issues that New Jerseyans are really talking about.

His GOP rivals, including former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, and former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, disagree.

This is always going to be an issue because of the deep passion on both sides, Bramnick said.

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Kranjac saw Spadeas comments about abortion as unacceptably dismissive for a candidate who landed endorsements from the national and state Right to Life groups.

I will make it an issue every day, Kranjac said. Its really important to change our culture of death and get New Jersey out of the abortion business.

The leading candidates for governor largely agree that New Jersey should have more restrictions on abortion. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for New Jersey Monitor)

Republicans are hoping they can win the seat now held by Gov. Phil Murphy, a two-term Democrat who cannot seek a third term in November. But first they must make it through the June 10 primary to win their partys nomination.

Bramnick proclaims himself pro-choice. When Ciattarelli ran for governor in 2021, he said he would sign a bill protecting abortion rights if the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade (it did the following year). Both Bramnick and Ciattarelli say getting an abortion should be a decision thats between a woman, her family, her doctors, and her faith.

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All the leading GOP candidates oppose or have qualms with a law Murphy signed in 2022 to codify abortion rights in New Jersey, largely over an aversion to late-term abortions.

I think they went farther than Roe v. Wade, and thats why I abstained on that codification, Bramnick said.

Ciattarelli would ban elective abortions after 20 weeks, while Bramnick said he opposes late-term abortions except in cases of medical emergencies. Kranjac said he would ban abortions after 20 weeks without exception during his first year in office, with the ban creeping earlier in pregnancy over time in line with his goal of protecting life from conception to natural death.

Spadea didnt draw the line at any specific week, but said: I am in line with mainstream America, which is: Late-term and up-to-birth abortion is abhorrent, and it will be very positive to see that limitation put in New Jersey.

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A 2022 Pew Research Center poll found that most Americans support abortion rights, but opposition grows at later stages of pregnancy.

All the leading GOP candidates for governor back requiring parental notification for minors who seek abortions, with Spadea supporting exceptions for rape and incest.

The fact that a 16-year-old in New Jersey needs her parents permission to get her ears pierced, but not get an abortion is absurd, Ciattarellis campaign website says.

Kranjac would appoint anti-abortion judges as part of his strategy on the issue.

Ciattarelli, Spadea, and Kranjac want to cut public funding for abortion, with Spadea and Kranjac saying they would cut funding for Planned Parenthood and send that support instead to anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers, which the Murphy administration has labeled deceptive.

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As governor, Im going to work very hard to empower pregnancy resource centers (for) young women, especially these young women who go to these centers that are from abusive relationships, dont have any resources, theyre scared to death, they may be unsure of who exactly the father is, the dads left the scene, Spadea said. Just terrible circumstances for these young women, and theyre not given any choice.

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Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., launched another campaign for the Senate on Monday, becoming the first major Republican candidate to jump into one of the most competitive races of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Michigan race is expected to be key to the battle for the Senate, with Republicans looking to grow their majority. With Sen. Gary Peters retiring, Democrats will be defending an open Senate seat.

Rogers is running again after he lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin last year. Slotkin defeated Rogers by less than half a percentage point even as Donald Trump won the state by 1 point.

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Rogers invoked Trump in a video announcing his run, saying, As your next senator, I wont just reprsent Michigan. Ill fight for it. Ill stand with President Trump and we will deliver on the mandate given to him by the American people."

It is not clear yet whether he will have Trump's endorsement. Rogers earned Trump's endorsement in a crowded primary last year around six months after he launched his campaign. But he did get an early boost from Senate GOP leaders, with Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., both endorsing Rogers Monday morning.

"Michigan is a battleground state, and with Mike as our candidate, I know we will add this seat to President Trumps Senate Majority in 2026, Scott said in a statement.

But Rogers might face a contested primary again.

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Tudor Dixon, the partys 2022 nominee for governor, has been weighing campaigns for governor or the Senate. GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga also told Fox News over the weekend that he is considering running.

The Democratic primary is also expected to be hotly contested.

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow launched her campaign last week, becoming the first major Democratic candidate in the race. Rep. Haley Stevens is considering a Senate run. And Abdul El-Sayed, who stepped down as the Wayne County health director last week, is weighing a run and told the Detroit Free Press that he would decide within the next couple of weeks.

Rogers was first elected to the House in 2000 after having served in the state Senate. A former FBI agent, Rogers was chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and did not run for re-election last year.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  Gov. Andy Beshear hosted families for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and smiles shared by the community at an Easter egg hunt at the Capitol South Lawn on Sunday.

The Easter egg hunt was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday and featured pre-packed Easter bags, crafts, food, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

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On the morning of the event, Beshear shared a video on social media saying that despite days of constant rain and historic flooding across Franklin County, the ground was dry enough for the hunt to take place.

Buffalo Trace Distillerywhich had to cancel its egg huntdonated eggs for the event and is being thanked for its support during cleanup.

Right now we could all use some smiles, and Im thankful we saw a bunch of them today, Beshear wrote on Facebook as the south lawn hunt wrapped up.

On Monday, April 14, Franklin County Schools will hold classes after being closed while the community began recovery efforts and water levels began to recede.

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Dustin Massengill contributed to this story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) On Monday, Governor Mike Braun announced that he would be signing an executive order to remove policies that disincentivize marriage.

The order is called Executive Order 25-51, titled Removing Government-Imposed Tax Penalties on Marriage. According to the news release from the Governors Office, they believe that marriage is the foundation of families and communities and provides clear economic benefits. The news release states that married people earn more over their lifetime. It also states that data analytic research states that the biggest predictor to upward mobility for children was directly related to the number of intact families are around them.

Gov. Mike Braun ends remote work for Indiana employees

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The news release states that marriage rates around the country are on the decline. Indiana is rated number 15 in highest marriage rates, though the Governors Office says more can be done to remove penalties.

Marriage is the fundamental cornerstone of strong families and strong communities, and we need to make sure Indianas tax and benefits systems arent penalizing Hoosiers for getting married, said Gov. Braun. Signed in time for Tax Day, this executive order will make sure Indianas policies are providing an incentive for Hoosiers to build strong families, rather than getting in the way.

The release states that Indianas tax system gives disadvantages to married couples, such as including exemption caps that remain the same for single and married taxpayers filing jointly. The release goes on to give an example:

a single filer can deduct up to $3,000 in rent, but a married couple filing jointly also gets only $3,000not double. Also, a single filer and a married couple get the same $1,500 max credit on 529 contributions. Griffin Reid of the Office of Governor Mike Braun

The executive order will direct the Indiana Department of Revenue, among all executive state agencies that administer welfare or other benefit programs, to evaluate and identify laws or policies that disadvantage married couples. These agencies will be required to provide detailed reports by July 1, 2025, for tax policies and July 1, 2026, for benefit programs. These reports will come with recommendations for changes to remove any penalties on married couples.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill into law that enables public utilities to petition state regulators to recover costs for developing small module nuclear reactors, a policy that consumer advocates say will put the financial risk on Hoosiers.

The law, Senate Enrolled Act 424, allows the states monopoly, investor-owned utilities to recover the costs of developing these small reactors from rate payers before receiving a certificate of public convenience and necessity, which is typically required before construction begins.

Braun did not respond to IndyStar's request for comment.

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Months before signing the bill into law, Braun told WTHI-TV10 in February that he would hesitate to put these costs on rate payers.

Some of that (the utilities) have to absorb through whats called capitalism, he told the TV news station. You know theyre out there as investor owned. Some of thats going to have to be risk that they take.

Kerwin Olson, executive director at Citizens Action Coalition, said the law makes the rhetoric around energy affordability sort of a joke and shifts 100% of the risk to customers.

I fail to recognize how forcing customers to pay for project development costs for something that doesnt exist is somehow addressing affordability, Olson said. Its really egregious, (Senate Bill) 424 does nothing to address affordability problems and in fact exacerbates them.

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The bill was one of three with nearly identical language to shift the cost of building SMRs to customers. Senate Bill 423 would establish a smaller pilot project for SMRs and currently is stalled in the House, and House Bill 1007 had the exact language of SEA 424, but that language was removed from the legislation after Braun signed the 424 into law.

Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, introduce SEA 424 saying the bill is important to incentivize SMRs

The U.S. currently has no operating SMRs, and only a handful are fully operable in the world.

Building an SMR from the ground up could take at least 10 years, a nuclear industry advocate told lawmakers earlier this year. That means customers could be paying for development costs long before the utility is able to provide power from the site.

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Initial report: Indiana's nuclear power legislation places costs on customers, advocates say

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Braun signs SMR bill advocates says will increase utility bills
Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signaled he was open to testifying before a Republican-led congressional committee on the states so-called sanctuary policies for protecting immigrants, but hadnt yet decided whether to accept the panels invitation.

Part of it is scheduling. Part of it is consideration about how beneficial it will be to help people understand the laws, Pritzker said after being asked at an unrelated event what would go into his decision.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, on Thursday sent a letter to Pritzker asking him to testify about state sanctuary policies. Also invited to testify were Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was last years Democratic candidate for vice president, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. The committee has called a number of state and local politicians to Washington in recent months to discuss immigration policies, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who sparred for hours with Republican lawmakers on the panel in March.

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The governor declined to say when hed make a decision about attending the hearing scheduled for May 15.

While an appearance before a congressional committee could raise Pritzkers national profile as he weighs a possible 2028 run for president, a poor showing could dull his political prospects. Former Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned from her position amid criticism over her 2023 testimony about antisemitism before the same committee.

The committee has subpoena power, but Pritzker said he doesnt see any reason that would be used to compel him to testify.

Nobodys violated any laws here, he said.

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The governor on Monday also criticized the hearing at which Johnson testified.

There wasnt anything particularly productive, Pritzker said of that appearance. It seemed like the members of the committee were all looking for some sort of social media moment.

Pritzker said he hasnt spoken with either Hochul or Walz about whether they will testify.

Illinois state laws prohibit local police from participating in immigration enforcement activities and contracting with federal authorities to detain immigrants on their behalf. Chicago, for its part, bans official cooperation between local law enforcement and deportation authorities, among other measures.

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Such sanctuary laws have been a target of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown that includes targeting of blue cities including Chicago. Comer in a news release last week called the policies obstructionist.

Last week, President Donald Trump in a social media post threatened to withhold all Federal Funding from so-called sanctuary cities. The Johnson administration said the city is compliance with all state and federal laws and implied that withholding those federal funds would be unconstitutional.

During his first term, the Justice Department under Trump tried to withhold funds from sanctuary cities including Chicago but lost in court.

The president has long expressed a desire for mass deportations, sowing fear and confusion throughout immigrant communities in Illinois since he returned to office. Trump has said these actions will first target people who have committed crimes, but recent enforcement operations have seen others swept up in arrests.

In response to the initial request for Pritzker to appear before the congressional committee, Pritzker spokesperson Alex Gough noted that one of the state laws in question was signed by Pritzkers Republican predecessor, Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Oil has contaminated an Iraqi river, leaving authorities to suspend water distribution to more than 100,000 people.

What's happening?

The contamination occurred in the Little Zab River in the Koya district of Iraq's Kurdistan region. Officials told Rudaw that it occurred when someone washed a crude oil tanker in the river, causing the water to smell like oil.

Although water distribution has been halted, officials stressed that water already stored in household tanks is safe and could be saved for future use. The water source will be tested again once the odor is gone, although officials weren't sure exactly when that would occur.

Why are oil spills concerning?

Oil spills have a devastating impact on ecosystems, particularly on the animals that inhabit them.

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A 2024 study found that even small amounts of oil can have lasting impacts. As oil sits in rivers and lakes, it undergoes chemical changes that create long-lasting toxins. These toxins can create long-term contamination of water supplies and impact the health of the animals that live in that water or rely on it for survival.

The Little Zab contamination has already had that effect  and not just on people's drinking water.

Residents told Rudaw that they first noticed the contamination when fish started dying in ponds along the river.

While poisonous to fish, oil can impact wildlife in other ways. It can coat a bird's feathers, for example, making it more difficult for the bird to fly or stripping away its natural waterproofing.

What's being done about oil spills?

Taking quick action when oil spills occur is essential to protect wildlife and limit the amount of toxins that seep into our water and the neighboring soil.

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In Singapore, scientists have worked on a remote-controlled water drone to assist in these efforts. The robot can separate oil from water and collect up to 1,100 pounds of oil per hour.

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.

But the best way to reduce oil spills is also the obvious way  by reducing oil usage. Electric bikes, mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles have already cut into gas-powered car use and reduced global oil demand by 1 million barrels a day. Even switching your gas-powered lawn equipment to electric versions can make a major difference, as one hour of mowing your lawn can create the same pollution as driving a car more than 1,000 miles.

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.
Egypt could soon receive more support in building out its clean energy plans.

While visiting India in March, Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, met with Ranjit Gupta, CEO of OCIOR Energy, according to an Egypt Oil & Gas report.

Egypt is aiming to grow its renewable energy sector in a way that supports long-term jobs and investment.

During the visit, El-Khatib and Gupta talked about expanding clean energy investments in Egypt. They also discussed a proposed green ammonia facility that is planned for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which OCIOR has reached a Memorandum of Understanding with the Egyptian government to deliver.

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That project, proposed in 2022, will require $4.2 billion of investments, with the goal of creating clean energy for use by the shipping industry.

El-Khatib said Egypt is a strong fit for green hydrogen and renewable investments, thanks to its location and infrastructure. He added that the Egyptian government is committed to making it easier for companies to build clean energy projects by improving policies and offering investment support.

A partnership could ultimately lead to more local jobs, more reliable energy, and long-term economic growth.

Even though some sustainability funds have lost momentum in recent years due to shifting political and social pressures, the clean energy sector overall is still growing. This marks a significant shift, with clean energy investments accelerating since 2020 and now surpassing total spending on oil, gas, and coal, per the International Energy Agency.

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Other countries are also investing in a greener future, as the United Arab Emirates launched a $30 billion fund for climate projects in emerging markets, and Japanese energy company ENEOS announced a $3 billion investment in alternative fuels like hydrogen and synthetic energy sources.

"This puts us on the right track to reach carbon neutrality, contributing to attracting more investments to this promising sector," said Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly about the forthcoming green hydrogen and ammonia facility, per Daily News Egypt.

With more countries looking for ways to shift their energy systems, Egypt's green energy ambitions are representative of positive change.

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The current U.S. presidential administration recently rescinded two memos from its predecessor that sought to address issues with our changing environment, Reuters reported.

The decision represents the stalling of significant progress in the efforts to reduce emissions and bolster infrastructure against increasingly extreme weather.

What's happening?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Department of Transportation was rescinding the two Biden administration memos on March 10. The memos required, among other things, that states measure and continue to lower targets for vehicle emissions.

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This announcement coincides with a similar decision to repeal vehicle fuel economy standards set by the Biden administration. Those standards were set in an effort to promote electric vehicle use. Meanwhile, the current administration revoked another Biden administration order setting a 50% target for all vehicles sold in America by 2030 to be EVs.

The memos also sought to ensure more resilient infrastructure in the face of our changing climate. Part of that goal involved $830 million in grants that have now been rescinded.

"The Department of Transportation is getting back to basics  building critical infrastructure projects that move people and move commerce safely," Duffy said.

Why is this announcement concerning?

The Department of Transportation website states that these rescinded memos "displaced the long-standing authorities granted to States by law, added meritless and costly burdens related to greenhouse gas emissions and equity initiatives."

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While parsing the validity of these statements is a complex endeavor, there's no doubt that the planet will suffer from this decision.

The U.S. was already producing more planet-warming emissions every year before these memos were rescinded. Now, it seems there will be nothing stopping those numbers from continuing to rise.

What's being done about U.S. emissions?

The previous administration's efforts to curb emissions may have been halted, but other groups are still seeking solutions.

If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered a method to drastically reduce vehicle emissions by adjusting the way we drive. Their study showed that gliding toward intersections rather than stopping abruptly can reduce emissions by up to 22%.

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If you want to reduce your own vehicle emissions, upgrading to an EV is the best way to do it. Studies show that EVs reduce our environmental impact by even more than previously believed. They can also save you a ton of money on fuel and maintenance.

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.




Tensions were high in the Florida Legislature over the last week as a panel of House lawmakers demanded answers about money for a program spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis.

The subject: What was called a $10 million "donation" to the Hope Florida Foundation, whose goal is to help Floridians receiving traditional welfare assistance to move on to services offered by nonprofits and religious organizations such as churches.

The money was part of a $67 million legal settlement between AHCA and Centene, a large provider of services under Floridas Medicaid-managed care plans.

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The problem: Under state law, money from settlements must be deposited into the state's general revenue fund and reported to the Legislature for oversight. The $10 million wasnt.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday denied that the $10 million was part of the agreement, which was signed in September 2024 and not disclosed to the Legislature.

"When you do settlements, you can try to get as much money as you can, but this was in addition to what they were getting," he told reporters at a press conference in Miami. He described it as "kind of like a cherry on top, where they agreed to make an additional contribution, and so we were served well by what AHCA did.

But on Friday, the latest revelation from the Miami Herald was that "the Hope Florida Foundation turned around and gave $5 million a piece to organizations that in turn gave millions to a political committee waging an anti-marijuana amendment campaign championed by the governor."

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The use of the $10 million looks like criminal fraud by some of those involved, GOP state Rep. Alex Andrade, one of DeSantis' main critics, told the newspaper. "... (W)ho on earth thought this was legal, moral or ethical? DeSantis' defenders on social media denied any wrongdoing by the administration.

The governor had been pushing lawmakers to codify his wife's program into law. Casey DeSantis is said to be considering a run for governor in 2026 to replace her husband, who is term-limited.

Here's what to know:

Hope Florida controversy: Feud between DeSantis, Florida House deepens as governor blasts lawmakers inaction

State Represenative Alex Andrade attends a meeting at Pensacola State College on Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025.

What is the fight over Hope Florida?

Last week, members of the state House noticed that a legislative analysis mentioned problems with obtaining financial details from Hope Florida, Politico reported.

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On Wednesday, House lawmakers  led by Andrade as chair of the Health Care Budget Subcommittee  hammered Shevaun Harris, the secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, for over two hours. AHCA had directed health insurers to cooperate with Hope Florida as part of their contracts.

The questions ranged from the Centene payment, which was described in the agreement as "a one-time donation," to Hope Florida getting preferential treatment in state contracts and a lack of transparency regarding who is responsible for the organization.

The Centene Entities obligation to pay the Hope Florida Donation shall be fully satisfied and extinguished upon completion of the wire transfer deposit of such installment into the account of The Hope Florida Foundation, Inc., as directed by AHCA, the settlement said, according to a copy acquired by Politico.

I still cant understand how it is featured so heavily in the states largest contract, yet I cant get an answer as to exactly how Hope Florida is operating, Andrade said. I still cant get answers about a $10 million transfer of funds that was probably illegal.

Follow the DeSantis Medicaid money



1. @Centene overbilled Florida by at least $67 million in federal Medicaid dollars.



2. In the settlement with @AHCA_FL, DeSantis officials "directed" them to pay $10 million of the $67m to the charity Casey oversees, Hope Florida  Lawrence Mower (@lmower3) April 12, 2025

Harris struggled at times to answer questions and later released a 4-minute video with other state agency heads who work with Hope Florida, calling Andrade's questioning an "ambush."

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On Thursday evening, Andrade appeared on former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz's One America News show to discuss the matter, and the two men compared it to "settlement slush funds," settlements that require a donation to a third group, according to Floridian Press.

Gaetz pointed out that in 2016 Gov. DeSantis  then a congressman  co-sponsored a bill banning the practice, but it died in committee.

What is Hope Florida? What does it do?

Hope Florida, started by Casey DeSantis in 2021, tries to help Floridians move off of government assistance by connecting them to a clearing house of other services from nonprofits and faith-based communities.

Hope Florida "Navigators" are state employees who work with people to find solutions from the private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits to help them use all the local community resources available and reduce the need for the government's help.

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According to DeSantis, the goal is for Florida to help and then stay "out of the way."

A website says Hope Florida has served over 100,000 Floridians since its beginning, specifically helping more than 25,500 participants to "reduce or eliminate reliance on public assistance."

What is the difference between Hope Florida and the Hope Florida Foundation?

In 2023, Hope Florida administrators created a separate nonprofit called the Hope Florida Foundation. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Casey DeSantis' name does not appear on corporate records for the charity.

The foundation has yet to release records about their donors or recipients or any state-mandated records about its structure, ethics and oversight.

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As a nonprofit, the IRS also requires the Hope Florida Foundation to file tax forms that must be made public upon request by members of the public.

Reporters from the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee Bureau have said they were turned away after making such a request at the Department of Children and Families headquarters in the capital.

That's because they didn't exist.

Joshua Hay, president of the Hope Florida Foundation, later told Florida's Voice it was in the process of creating its relevant tax documents" and "expect(ed) to have the documents available for public inspection within the next 10 days."

.@aglorios and I just went by @MyFLFamilies to get more information on DeSantis Hope Florida Foundation.



Its a nonprofit. The IRS says nonprofits must produce 990s and Form 1023s immediately upon in-person requests.



When we asked for those records, a spokesperson came out. We pic.twitter.com/314GwUWodk  Lawrence Mower (@lmower3) April 4, 2025

Harris told lawmakers there was no executive director of the Hope Florida program, which she said uses state employees at many different agencies to help connect those in need with services throughout state government and with nonprofits, including churches, who can provide food, clothing and shelter for those in crisis.

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Hay is CEO of Indelible Solutions, a Tallahassee-based management consulting firm, Harris said. Other officers listed on the nonprofit's annual report, released Wednesday, are Jake Farmer, Fatima Perez, Tina Vidal-Duart and Stephanie White.

Farmer is director of state and local government relations for Walgreens. Perez is a director of state government affairs for Koch Industries. Vidal-Duart is the CEO of CDR Health Care, Inc., based in Miami. White is an adoption attorney in Pensacola.

How is Hope Florida funded?

According to its website, Hope Florida is funded by donations from individuals and private businesses and provides financial services to local nonprofit organizations.

The group serves as the direct support organization for the Florida Department of Children and Families but accepts donations and grants, gifts, holds, invests, and administers the money under its own name.

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Gray Rohrer of the USA TODAY Network  Florida Capital Bureau contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Hope Florida $10 million donation at heart of Florida lawmaker battle
At around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, 38-year-old Cody Balmer allegedly broke a window with a hammer and proceeded to throw two Molotov cocktails into the Pennsylvanias governors mansion.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs and other family were quickly evacuated by state police. No injuries have been reported, but the governors mansion in Harrisburg was significantly damaged by the fire, per CNN.

ABC reported that Balmer turned himself into the police after the attack. Officials have not released a motive.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro pauses during a news conference at the governor's official residence discussing the alleged arson that forced him, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. | Marc Levy

Balmer was hospitalized due to a medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest, the Pennsylvania State Police reported on Monday.

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During a news conference after the fire on Sunday, Shapiro spoke about Passover and his Jewish faith.

If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: we celebrated our faith last night, proudly and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover, Shapiro said.

Police investigate Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence after someone set fire to the building on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. | Sean Simmers

He added, No one will deter me or my family, or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly.

Shapiro was considered a contender for vice president on the 2024 Democratic ticket alongside Kamala Harris, and is on the short list of potential Democratic presidential candidates in 2028.

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Several hours before the attack, Shaprio posted on X, From the Shapiro familys Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!

According to an affidavit filed by state police on Monday, obtained by CNN, Balmer said he was angry with Shaprio and would have beaten him with a hammer if confronted.

This image provided by Commonwealth Media Services shows damage after a fire at the Pennsylvania governors mansion while Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. | Commonwealth Media Services via Associated Press

Shaprio described the experience in an X post. Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governors Residence in Harrisburg.

He continued, The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police. Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.

Photos from inside Pennsylvania Governor's mansion after police say an arsonist set fire to the house while Governor Shapiro and his family slept inside around 2am.

Cody Balmer of Harrisburg was arrested -- planned charges include attempted murder and terrorism. pic.twitter.com/GWEfC3B8qH  Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) April 13, 2025

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox responded to the attack on X, Sunday afternoon, writing, A reminder that evil is far too rampant today. On this Passover we pray for our dear friends, the Shapiros. As political violence continues to escalate I pray that we will tone down the rhetoric and treat our political adversaries and fellow Americans with dignity and respect.

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Vice President JD Vance reacted similarly to the attack Sunday evening on X. Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack. Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice, he wrote.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, also a member of the Jewish faith, reacted to the attack on Sunday afternoon. Late last night, an arsonist attacked my friend Gov. @JoshShapiroPAs official residence in a reprehensible act. Thanks to law enforcements swift action, he and his family are safe. Anna and I are praying for them and the immediate apprehension of the coward who set the fire.
Sicilian police said Monday they had arrested a former gravedigger and were investigating 18 others accused of reselling burial sites after removing the corpses already interred in them.

The former gravedigger's assistant was also arrested Monday in the investigation dating from 2023 for alleged corruption and bribery in Trapani, on the west coast of the Italian island, police announced in a news release.

Police said they banned three funeral parlors from operating in the city, whose cemetery has been plagued in recent years with delays and complaints from locals.

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In their probe, police found that the municipal gravedigger hindered an outside company brought in to manage the services, instead directing three mortuaries with whom he conspired to carry out burials, exhumations and the transfers of remains, in exchange for a percentage of the profit.

Sicilian police released surveiallance video while annoucing they had arrested a former gravedigger and were investigating 18 others accused of reselling burial sites after removing the corpses already interred in them. / Credit: Trapani Police Headquarters

He made decisions "on extraordinary exhumation procedures," in which municipal burial sites were cleared of bodies so they could be resold, police said in a statement.

"In this way, he would propose quick burials, in exchange for sums of money, which he called 'coffee for the burial director'," police said in a statement.

He is also accused of bringing in his own bricklayer to do work on private burial chapels, offering citizens a discount through the non-payment of city tax, and alerting compliant local florists of freshly laid floral arrangements on tombs, which they took and resold.

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Police also believe the ex-worker took valuables, such as gold jewelry, from the bodies of those to be buried.

Police also posted a video on social media, showing officers at the cemetery as well as surveillance footage of workers.

Contacted by AFP, police said they could not comment on what became of the corpses that were removed.

But a local media report from February 2024 indicated that in at least one case, a family who found their relative's burial place with a new name on it ultimately located their loved-one's corpse in a bag, along with others, in another part of the cemetery.

During the investigation, 25 cases were documented, including 10 incidents of corruption, police said.

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"In reference to these, an equal number of private citizens were reported who would have knowingly made an illicit pact with the undertaker to ensure their loved ones 'accelerated' burial procedures in exchange for money," police said.

Additionally, authorities said a medical examiner is suspected of having helped the undertaker, in some cases falsely certifying the decomposition of the body, and in other cases omitting required reports.

Cemeteries and funeral parlors are often controlled by the mafia in areas of Italy where those criminal organizations are entrenched, or by corrupt local officials.

Two weeks ago, the former custodian of the cemetery of Tropea, in the southern Italian region of Calabria, was sentenced to five years in prison, with three years and six months handed to his son, for operating what news reports called a "cemetery of horrors."

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The pair had removed decomposing corpses to make way for new burials, and were captured on police surveillance videos dismembering the bodies with saws and knives, before throwing them away or burning them.

They were arrested in February 2021 for the scheme prosecutors said had gone on for years.

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ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greece signed a deal Monday to purchase anti-ship missiles from France as it seeks to bolster its defenses in a procurement program aimed mainly at addressing tensions with neighboring Turkey.

Greeces Defense Minister Nikos Dendias signed the agreement for the 16 Exocet missiles with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, who was on a one-day visit to Athens. The two did not disclose the cost of the deal.

It is the latest in a series of purchases of military equipment from France, with Greece having already bought two dozen Rafale warplanes and three Belharra-class frigates. Dendias said discussions are progressing for the addition of a fourth frigate, adding that France is also providing Greece with NH-90 military helicopters, and the two countries are also cooperating in innovations in the defense sector.

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Although NATO allies, Greece and Turkey have long-standing disputes over boundaries in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean that have brought them close to war several times in recent decades.

Greece does not threaten, but is threatened, Dendias said in joint statements to the press with Lecornu. The two ministers did not take questions.

After their meeting, Lecornu and Dendias visited the French frigate Alsace, which is currently docked in Greece's main port of Piraeus. Lecornu also met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Greece and France signed a defense and security cooperation deal in 2021, which includes a mutual defense clause under which each would come to the other's aid in the event of an attack.

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Athens has said it will spend 25 billion euros ($27 billion) over the next decade to adapt its military to evolving high-tech warfare technologies.

Speaking in Parliament earlier this month, Dendias said Greece plans to shift from traditional defense systems to a high-tech, networked strategy centered on mobile, Artificial Intelligence-powered missile systems, drone technologies, and advanced command units  reducing reliance on conventional fleets.

Greeces modernization drive  launched after years of defense cuts during the 20102018 financial crisis  already includes all branches of the armed forces and focuses on cooperation with France, Israel, and the United States.
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police said on Monday the anti-terrorism unit was investigating what appeared to be a previously unknown guerrilla group, after a group claimed responsibility for a bomb blast last week and another last year.

In a statement uploaded on Athens Indymedia website on Sunday, the Revolutionary Class Self-defence group said it carried out the April 11 explosion at railway operator Hellenic Train in response to a 2023 train crash which killed 57 people.

The explosion caused minor damage and no injuries. Police had evacuated the area after two media outlets received calls warning of the attack.

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In its statement, the group said it was responding to underinvestment and safety concerns at the railway, which was privatised during Greece's 2009-2018 debt crisis. Hellenic Train, a unit of Italy's Ferrovie dello Stato, operates passenger and freight routes in Greece.

The group also claimed responsibility for a 2024 attack on the labour ministry in Athens, which also caused no injuries after police evacuated the area following a warning.

The group said it dedicated both attacks to Palestinians in the Gaza war.

Greek anti-terrorism police were examining the claim of what appeared to be a new guerrilla group, without ruling out links with groups active in the past, police spokeswoman Constantina Dimoglidou told state TV ERT.

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Small-scale attacks on businesses, police, politicians and embassies are frequent in Greece, which has a long history of political violence by leftist and anarchist groups. On October 31, a bomb exploded in a flat in Athens, killing a man and injuring a woman.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Peter Graff)
GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Greenfield Community College (GCC) is inviting the public to its second annual Nursing Health Expo, a free, family-friendly event offering engaging health education, interactive activities, and community wellness resources.

DCR offers free family events during April school vacation week

The expo, scheduled for April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is part of a student-led service-learning initiative designed to promote public health and wellness, while giving nursing students the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and connect with the broader community.

Courtesy of Greenfield Community College Courtesy of Greenfield Community College Courtesy of Greenfield Community College

This is a great opportunity for the community to learn the latest information about safety and healthcare practices and for our students to share what theyve learned with the broader community, said Melanie Ames, Dean of Nursing at GCC.

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This years event will highlight various timely health topics, including CPR techniques, stroke awareness, nutrition tips, sun safety, menstrual equity, and family support services. Attendees will also have a chance to interact with health professionals to learn about career pathways in the healthcare field.

In addition to the educational components, the event will feature hands-on attractions for all ages:

A LifeFlight Air Ambulance helicopter tour

A Touch a Truck exhibit with police and fire vehicles

A mobile library booth courtesy of local libraries

The expo reflects GCCs ongoing commitment to experiential learning and community engagement, providing a valuable platform where education meets public service.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) addressed the viral photo of her covering her face while at the White House last week, saying that she was in Washington, D.C., to help her states residents get their electricity back.

After delivering a speech Monday at the Detroit Economic Club, James Jacob, the CEO of Ajax, sat down with Whitmer for a Q&A and immediately asked her about her time in nations capital. She jokingly held a folder in front of her face, recreating the now-viral photo of her doing the same in the Oval Office.

Someone asked me what was going through your mind in that moment and it was, I dont want my picture taken, Whitmer said. Thats all it was. God, I wish I hadnt put my folder up in front of my face, but whatever.

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She added, We all have our moments, before turning serious, telling Jacob that 5,500 Michigan residents are on Day 15 without power after an ice storm hit northern Michigan the weekend of March 28.

Whitmer said she was in D.C. to ensure Michigan can get a federal declaration of emergency and get help.

Im just there to fight for the people of Michigan and Im never going to miss an opportunity to show up and do what needs to be done and I think thats what public service is supposed to be about, Whitmer said at the Detroit Economic Club.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer looks on as President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9 in Washington, D.C. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

Whitmer was invited to the Oval Office while Trump signed several executive orders in front of press, including one directing federal agencies to investigate government officials who questioned his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Trump praised Whitmer to the press, telling them shes a very good person and has really done an excellent job. A spokesperson for Whitmer told NBC News she was surprised she was invited to the executive order signings.

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Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event, a spokesperson said.

Still the visit attracted critics, according to NBC News. On top of that, after Whitmers Build, America, Build address Wednesday in D.C., in which she said she agreed with Trumps motivation behind the tariffs, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) called her out for it.

The tariff hammer winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail, Polis posted Wednesday on X. Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction. While sanctions (Russia, Iran) can have a geopolitical national security role, it should always be considered eyes wide open that sanctions harm both ourself and others.

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Easter Sunday is a time when many Christians gather with family to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter is not a recognized state of Michigan holiday or federal holiday, but if you're planning a meal and need one last ingredient, or hoping to run an errand, you will find some businesses closed this week.

Here's a look at what's open and closed on Easter Sunday.

When is Easter 2025?

Easter is celebrated on Sunday, April 20.

Are banks open on Easter?

Since Easter falls on a Sunday, banks will be closed. However, ATMs should operate normally.

Is the post office open on Easter? Will mail be delivered?

United States Postal Service operations will proceed as normal on Good Friday, April 18, and Easter Sunday, April 20, the USPS confirmed in an emailed statement.

Is Meijer open on Easter Sunday in 2025?

Meijer is expected to have regular hours on Easter Sunday.

Are Kroger stores open on Easter?

Most stores in the Kroger family of companies will be open on April 20.

Is Aldi open on Easter?

No, Aldi stores will be closed on April 20.

Is Target open on Easter?

No, Target stores will be closed on Easter Sunday this year, a company spokesperson confirmed.

Will Walmart be open on Easter Sunday?

Walmart will be open regular hours on Easter.

Is Costco open on Easter?

Costco warehouses will be closed on April 20.

Will Sam's Club be open on Easter?

Sam's Club warehouses will be closed on Easter.

Is Lowe's closing stores on Easter?

Yes, all Lowe's stores will be closed on the holiday.

Will Home depot be open on Easter?

Home Depot stores will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Easter, the company said.

Are TJ Maxx, Marshall's or HomeGoods open on Easter?

No, all three retail chains will be closed on Easter Sunday, the company confirmed.

Is JCPenney open on Easter?

No, all JCPenney stores will be closed on Easter Sunday.

Are Macy's stores open on Easter?

Macy's will close all stores on Easter in 2025.

Will Kohl's be open on Easter?

Kohl's said it will close all stores on Easter.

Is Ace Hardware open on Easter?

Ace Hardware stores are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers are encouraged to contact their local store to confirm business hours on Easter.

Is Tractor Supply Company open on Easter?

Yes, Tractor Supply Co. stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 20, a company spokesperson said.

Is Victoria's Secret open on Easter?

Most U.S. stores will be closed on Easter, however some will be open and are subject to their mall's hours of operation.

Is Sephora open on Easter?

Sephora store hours vary by location and customers are encouraged to use the company's store locator for specific store hours.

Is Starbucks open on Easter?

Starbucks store hours vary by location. You can find hours for a specific store using the Starbucks app.

Is Dunkin' open on Easter?

Dunkin' store hours vary by location, so customers can check the hours for their local Dunkin' using the Dunkin' app or their online store locator.

Is Chick-fil-A open on Easter?

Easter is celebrated on a Sunday, so Chick-fil-A will be closed.

Is Chipotle open on Easter?

No, Chipotle restaurants will be closed on Easter, the company confirmed.

Is McDonald's open on Easter?

Hours vary by location but most McDonald's locations in the U.S. are open on holidays, the company said.

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Customers can use the store locator tool to confirm hours for their local restaurant.

Is Wendy's open on Easter?

Most Wendy's locations will be open on Easter, the company said, however hours vary by location, so it is best to check with your local restaurant for their specific holiday hours.

Is Applebee's open on Easter?

Select Applebee's restaurants nationwide will be open on Easter, although hours may be reduced.

Applebee's restaurants are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers are encouraged to check with their local restaurant regarding specific holiday hours.

USA Today contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Are Costco, Sam's Club open on Easter in Michigan? What to know
Arun Mani, a water and energy specialist at the accounting giant KPMG, said he started working in the energy industry three decades ago because it was boring.

Now, Mani said, he and his industry are dealing with too much excitement as artificial intelligence and data centers increase American power demand, the world continues fighting climate change and a new presidential administration pushes an aggressive energy policy.

Mike Eugenis, director of resource planning for Arizona Public Service, was sitting across from Mani at the Xcelerate Phoenix energy conference, and said he doubted the industry would return to its boring days again.

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Maybe wed like it to be boring right now, but frankly, for the next 15-20 years, I dont think its going to be boring, Eugenis said.

As U.S. states and cities try to combat climate change by transitioning to renewable energy sources, the energy industry is undergoing an unrelated set of convulsions and historic challenges. Speakers at the April 8 event described the United States as juggling a wide and seemingly conflicting set of energy priorities, with power providers seeking safe paths between the rocks and hard places.

Addressing climate change, accommodating the worlds most powerful technologies, competing with China and restoring U.S. manufacturing all require more electricity, but they dont all call for the same electricity sources, the speakers said. And while President Donald Trumps administration is keen to expand U.S. energy production, some industry figures say his policies are causing "uncertainty."

Data centers lead to 'mind-blowing' demand

The U.S. energy industry is responding to its first increase in electricity demand in over a decade. After 10 years of relatively small change, U.S. electricity consumption grew by almost 4% over the last three years. Analysts expect that the growth will accelerate, adding 50% more demand by 2050, according to an April study.

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We are in a new era of growth. For my entire time in this industry, load has not really changed, but we are seeing forecasts drastically changing and a rapid transformation in this industry, said Ross Nichols, VP of trading and market operations at Invenergy.

Much of that new demand is coming from new and more energy-hungry data centers  warehouses full of internet servers and networking equipment that keep websites and internet services going.

With the rise of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and a more digitized society, the number and electricity demand of these facilities nationwide has doubled in the last decade, now taking up 4.4% of the nations overall electricity consumption.

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California believe it could double again, or almost triple, by 2028. Where data centers typically called for 20-50 megawatts of power in the past, they now often require hundreds of megawatts, said Energy Exemplar CEO David Wilson, who specifically mentioned a real estate firms January proposal for a multi-gigawatt data center campus in Texas.

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Thats just a mind-blowing scale, Wilson said.

New administration: Trump's orders on climate and environment could hurt Arizona's economy, experts fear

Electrifying homes and businesses taxes the grid

Electrification  the process of using electricity to replace fossil fuels in homes and cars  has also driven up demand. Across the country, homeowners have replaced their gas heaters with electric heat pumps and traded gasoline-powered cars for electric vehicles, increasing their reliance on the power grid.

That development has changed power demand so much that even warm places like Georgia now see winter electricity consumption that rivals their summer need from air conditioners, according to John Moura, NERCs director of reliability assessment and performance analysis.

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Power demand is still summer-heavy for Arizona, but even the Grand Canyon state has seen a rise in winter demand because of unique power purchase agreements and gas agreements, said Eugenis.

The electrification of manufacturing processes, a sector of the economy President Joe Biden and Trump both have worked to revive in the United States, has also added energy demand, as has cryptocurrency mining, a process that maintains the integrity of cryptocurrency networks.

Manufacturing and data centers will likely be the largest drivers in power demand growth in Arizona, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

Power plant using renewable solar energy with sun.

Energy providers are hard-pressed to respond to these demands with an aging grid, a shrinking set of electricity-generating capacity, and a rise in renewable power sources that depend on weather conditions for their output. Over the last decade, North Americas power generation capacity has dropped 4% even as its power demand has grown, according to NERC.

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Moura told audiences at Tuesdays event that much of that decline came from retiring coal and nuclear plants, partly because of federal and state policies and partly because they became uneconomical compared to newer energy sources like natural gas and renewables.

The fastest-growing replacement for those sources was solar, followed by wind. Renewables are the cheapest and fastest way to bring new power onto the grid, and scientists believe that moving to zero-emissions power sources is vital in controlling the rise of Arizonas droughts and heat waves associated with climate change.

At the same time, Moura said, renewables can be a tricky response to the rising energy demands and shifting demand patterns brought on by electrification and data centers, especially when the weather doesnt cooperate. Wind droughts can knock out massive areas of electrical generation, and cloudy days can smother solar panel generation.

Solar power is also far less productive during winter, when electrification  an effort to combat climate change  is creating more need for power, Moura said. Pairing renewables with batteries can harden power supply against these variabilities, but most existing batteries only hold charge for a matter of hours, not entire seasons.

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In Mohave County: A solar ban, a gas power plant and the rural retirees firing back at dirty energy

AI, smart-grid technology will play a greater role

The combination of rising demand, shrinking generation, and swinging renewable power has created what NERC has called an urgent need for resources to manage heightened risk of energy shortfalls around the country. Shortfalls are not expected to hit Arizona, but NERC has rated over half of the continent at "elevated" or "high" risk of energy shortfalls over the next five to 10 years.

Moura said he sees a path to an energy industry with net zero emissions, but its only a theoretical possibility at this point. Though the Trump administration pulled the U.S. out of its emissions reduction commitments in the 2015 Paris Accords, the country has been steadily reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

Pushing that process further, experts said at the energy conference, means that utilities will need to use smart grid technology, AI-enabled models and interconnection with neighboring grids. And, in Mouras view, the process will require the continued use of at least one fossil fuel: natural gas.

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We need to build more infrastructure, theres no way around that, Moura said. We have to build gas, we have to build generation.

By share of U.S. electricity generation, natural gas has almost kept up with renewables in its growth over the last decade. Though cleaner than coal when executed well, gas may have slowed and paused the countrys progress on emissions reductions. Utilities see gas as a reliable, cheap way to plug holes created when renewables arent producing enough. For Moura, gas is a reliable bridge to a net-zero grid, though scientists worry whether that bridge will be short enough to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

The Trump administration has responded aggressively to the threat of energy shortfalls, though it has shown hostility toward the idea of combating climate change. Trump declared an energy emergency in January and spurring agency reviews of regulations, policies, and even court decisions that have slowed down the construction of new energy infrastructure.

Mark Menezes, president of the U.S. Energy Association and former deputy energy secretary during Trumps first term, said the president is zeroed in on energy policy. The administration, overlapping with Democrats in some cases, has advocated energy abundance to compete with China, particularly in artificial intelligence. He has also framed U.S. energy production as a form of energy dominance, a term that even the solar industry has adopted in its new political environment (multiple people from the Solar Energy Industries Association have used the term to describe the benefits of solar installation in the United States when speaking with The Arizona Republic).

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New policies: Trump orders faster approval to mine on public lands. Critics say it's asking for trouble

Trump policies raise uncertainty

While his administration has shown some openness to solar power, Trump has been vocal in his distaste for wind power. An audience member asked Menezes to explain the presidents anti-wind stance on Tuesday, but the former Trump official couldnt offer much, saying the presidents reasons are not necessarily clear to everybody.

Trump has even intervened directly in the retirement of coal plants around the country, including the Cholla Power Plant in northeast Arizona. The president signed an executive order on Tuesday seeking to (reinvigorate) Americas beautiful, clean coal industry.

APS, which operates Cholla and had planned to shut down in March, said increasing costs have made the plant uneconomical to operate. None of the energy professionals during the conference panels indicated that coal was a necessary or important part of meeting the industrys ongoing challenges, focusing much more on natural gas, renewables and nuclear.

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The administrations tariffs have also introduced uncertainty for power providers in Arizona. During a panel, Eugenis described an incident in January when APS received a surprising bill for natural gas delivered to its Yucca Power Plant in Yuma. The company that manages the pipeline delivering the gas to Yucca had reportedly charged APS for a tariff because part of its pipeline crossed through Mexico on its way from Texas.

The two companies later agreed that the tariff did not apply to the gas, but Eugenis said the story was an example of ongoing unpredictability. A spokesperson for APS confirmed later that a clerical error fitting Eugeniss description occurred, but did not confirm the name of the pipeline company or the amount of the erroneous charge, saying that information was market-sensitive and private.

Theres just more uncertainty now, Eugenis said. We had to work with that party to determine if the tariff was really applicable for that resource, and we find ourselves doing that as we look at what solar and battery manufacturers are out there and what the costs may be for projects were doing now and ones weve already negotiated and signed contracts for. The developers often arent capable of bearing the risks of such large tariffs.

Trump has since announced a 90-day pause on some tariffs, though tariffs on key trading partners like China, Canada and Mexico remain.

Still, power providers did seem certain about one aspect of their new environment. While speakers at the conference saw decisions from the White House, the transition to renewables and the size of future power growth as wild cards, multiple speakers saw bipartisan agreement on the need for more power and a race to develop artificial intelligence.

This investment is happening in blue states and red states," Nichols said in an interview. "Regardless of political party, we all believe that this is coming and we need to be prepared for it."

Austin Corona covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to austin.corona@arizonarepublic.com

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Sign up for AZ Climate, our weekly environment newsletter, and follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Energy industry juggles climate change concerns and exploding demand
GULF BREEZE, Fla. (WKRG)  Gulf Breeze police are looking for a white Jeep Cherokee and its driver, accused of pulling out a gun on the Pensacola Bay Bridge.

We would like to be clear: Baldwin County restaurants react to study on locally sourced shrimp

Gulf Breeze police are looking for this Jeep Cherokee and its driver, who reportedly was seen pulling out a gun on the Pensacola Bay Bridge. (Courtesy of the Gulf Breeze Police Department)

According to a Gulf Breeze Police Department Facebook post, at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, a man driving the Jeep Cherokee was headed south on the Pensacola Bay Bridge toward Gulf Breeze when he allegedly pulled out a gun in view of another car.

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The post describes the driver as a middle-aged white male, bald, with a beard and glasses.

The driver also had a child inside the vehicle, the post said.

Traffic cameras show the Jeep making a U-turn and going back into Pensacola, the post said.

The Jeep possibly had a South Carolina tag and a military star decal on the hood.

Police warn anyone spotting the car not to approach the driver because he could be armed.

Missing boater found dead in Biloxi Bay

Anyone who recognizes the car or has information about the incident is asked to call Sgt. Beth Goff at 850-934-5121 or 850-203-6167.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) took aim at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the weekend, delivering a blistering critique of the Trump appointees latest stance on diversity, equity and inclusion.

He also offered a fiery new take on the DEI acronym.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Jeffries slammed Hegseth and other Trump officials who are anti-DEI as dumb effing individuals.

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Jeffries comments came as he denounced the reported removal of books from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis  including works on slavery, the civil rights movement and the Holocaust.

The outrageous Naval Academy book ban targets Maya Angelou and the Holocaust, but excludes Adolf Hitler, Jeffries wrote alongside the video. This must be reversed immediately.

Watch the clip:

The outrageous Naval Academy book ban targets Maya Angelou and the Holocaust, but excludes Adolf Hitler.



This must be reversed immediately. pic.twitter.com/5jZ8Z3F3iG  Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) April 12, 2025

Hegseth, who has led efforts to eliminate DEI programming in the military, responded on Fox News during an appearance on Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo.

Thats how far they have fallen. Its astonishing, not surprising, Hegseth said, dismissing Jeffries criticism. Of course, they dont like the fact that were ripping DEI out of the military and making it colorblind and merit-based.

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Hamas has said it is prepared for a serious hostage release following US pressure to accept a new Israeli proposal.

It is understood that both sides have softened their positions, putting them on course for a potential deal to release approximately nine or 10 hostages in return for a new ceasefire in Gaza.

The apparent movement in negotiations in the last 24 hours follows weeks of deadlock since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18.

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The operation has killed more than 1,500, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and prompted despair among the families of the remaining 59 hostages, of whom 24 are thought to be alive.

Israel has seized significant territory in Gaza during that time, carving military corridors deep into the strip, expanding its buffer zones and absorbing the entire southern city of Rafah into the no-go area.

Recent discussions are believed to have stalled over the number of hostages to be released as part of a new deal.

Israel reportedly demanded at least 11, in return for a ceasefire and other concessions, whereas Hamas were said to have offered only five.

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Late on Sunday, the Saudi news outlet al-Arabiya reported unnamed sources as saying there was initial agreement from the terror group to increase the number of living hostages it would consider handing over.

The report also suggested that Hamas was prepared to submit a detailed list of hostages and agree to a two-phase release schedule.

Phase two negotiations

It came as a spokesman for the group, Taher al-Nunu, told a different Saudi channel, Asharq, that Hamas was prepared for a serious prisoner exchange.

Crucially, the Egyptian-mediated outline agreement appears to be based on active Israeli participation in talks, rather than one generated by third-parties.

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On Monday, the Tikva Forum, a group of hostage families perceived as being more Right-wing than the main representative body, reported that Benjamin Netyanyhu had told the parents of hostage Eitan Mor that Israel was now aiming for the return of 10 living hostages, as an initial phase of a new deal.

This appeared to be corroborated by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen, which quoted a Hamas official.

According to the report, US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander would be included among the 10, in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire.

During this time, aid would be allowed into Gaza and Israeli troops would withdraw to their positions as of March 18.

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Mr Alexander, a 21-year-old IDF soldier who grew up in New Jersey, has been a key focus for the Trump administration.

The administration is said to have assured Hamas that it would put pressure on Israel to end the war upon the return of the hostages.

Aid would reportedly be allowed back into Gaza as part of a new deal, and Palestinian prisoners would be released, although Israel was said to be pushing for a smaller ratio of hostages to prisoners.



Hamas stopped releasing hostages under the previous deal after Mr Netanyahus government refused to engage seriously in so-called phase two negotiations.

Partial release a dangerous concept

In outline, the phase envisaged a complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and an end to the war, in return for the remaining hostages.



Israel said it could not agree to a situation which left Hamas intact in Gaza and risked another atrocity like the massacre of October 7.



Since resuming hostilities, Israeli ministers have said that putting Hamas under military pressure, plus taking significant chunks of territory, was the best chance of getting them to agree to further releases.

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Both the Tikva Forum and the more mainstream Hostages and Missing Families Forum have sounded alarm at the prospect of a new two-stage release deal.

Both want to see all the living hostages released simultaneously as part of a comprehensive deal to end the war.

The current proposal would waste precious time, said a spokesman for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

While families wait and hope for the release of each and every hostage from Hamas captivity, the reality is that partial releases are a dangerous concept, the forum said in a statement.

Government officials continue to speak of increasing military pressure to free all the hostages, yet in practice negotiations are stuck, hostages lives are at risk, and fallen soldiers bodies are disappearing.

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However, hopes of an immediate breakthrough were dampened late on Monday as the latest round of talks in Cairo broke up without apparent agreement.

Sources said Hamas had stuck to its position that any agreement must lead to an end to the war in Gaza.

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  A Hamas official said Monday that the Palestinian militant group is sending a delegation to the Gulf state of Qatar to continue indirect ceasefire talks with Israel over the war in Gaza, as the territorys Health Ministry said that 38 people were confirmed dead over the past day.

The Hamas official said teams have been discussing terms for a new ceasefire agreement over recent days in Cairo, including a proposal that Hamas free eight to 10 hostages held in Gaza. But the Hamas official said a major sticking point remained over whether the war would end as part of any new deal.

The talks in Qatar are meant to take place later this week or next, the official said.

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The Hamas official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the sensitive talks with the media. Officials from Israel and Qatar had no immediate comment.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in January that lasted eight weeks before Israel resumed the war last month. The initial ceasefire agreement was meant to bring the sides toward negotiating an end to the war, something Israel has resisted doing because it wants to defeat Hamas first.

Hundreds have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire collapsed

Since the ceasefire fell apart last month, Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza and forces have also seized swaths of the coastal enclave in a bid to ratchet up pressure on Hamas to agree to a deal more aligned with Israel's terms.

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On Monday, the United Nations humanitarian office warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is now likely to be the worst since Israel launched its retaliation to Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, pointing to the Israeli ban on all supplies entering the Gaza Strip since March 2.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters: No fuel has come in, no food has come in, no medicine has come in.

The war started when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during the attack on southern Israel and took 251 people captive. Most have since been freed in ceasefire agreements and other deals. Fifty-nine remain in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to still be alive.

Nearly 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels retaliatory offensive, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count but says more than half of the dead have been women and children.

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The Health Ministry said Monday that the bodies of 38 people killed in Israeli strikes were brought to hospitals across the territory over the past 24 hours. It said more than 1,600 people have been killed since the ceasefire collapsed.

The Red Cross says Israel has detained a Palestinian medic

Also Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that a Palestinian medic was detained during an Israeli military operation in which troops killed 15 first responders in the Gaza Strip. It was the first confirmation of the medic's whereabouts since the March 23 attack in southern Gaza.

A statement from the Red Cross said it has not been granted access to visit him and did not say how it had received confirmation of his detention. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

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The Israeli military initially said troops had opened fire on vehicles that raised suspicion because they were traveling without lights on. It later backtracked after a cellphone video emerged showing clearly marked ambulances traveling with their sirens flashing before the shooting.

The military also said it killed nine militants traveling in the ambulances, without providing evidence. It named one of the militants, but the name did not match those of any of the paramedics, and no other bodies are known to have been recovered.

The military says it is investigating further.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
CAIRO (Reuters) - Hamas said on Monday it was studying the proposal it received from mediators for a ceasefire in Gaza, adding it will submit its response "as soon as possible."

Egypt earlier received an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in the enclave, the state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV cited sources as saying on Monday, after talks ended in Cairo without a breakthrough.

(Reporting by Nidal Al Mughrabi, writing by Jaidaa Taha, editing by Chris Reese)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  People who are riding illegal dirt bikes or Off-Highway Vehicles in the streets are not only terrifying community members but also filling the police departments with complaints and violations of Chapter 90 in Massachusetts.

In Springfield back in 2024, 39 OHVs were seized,14 arrests were made, and 10 criminal complaints were reported.

In 2019, the city of Springfield tried to get an anti-dirt bike bill for public roads passed.

But it stalled at the state level.

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Now the city is in the process of adjusting an act relative to the use of recreation vehicles.

That new bill will allow fines, seizure of illegal vehicles, and potential destruction.

For now, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced that the city is forming a task force. The city will be working with Chicopee, Holyoke, and Ludlow to get dirt bikes off the streets.

City leaders from around Hampden County joined together on Monday to announce regional illegal dirt bike and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enforcement efforts.

Mayor Domenic Sarno stated, Our public streets are no place to ride these vehicles. It is illegal and you can get seriously injured or worse. We will continue enforcement in the name of public health, public safety, and the quality of life for our residents and business community. We must continue to work together to combat this issue. I deeply appreciate the collaboration with our neighboring cities and towns. We have a shared mission that includes educating the public about the illegalities and dangers of riding OHVs on city streets and letting the public know that there is a regional effort to enforce the laws.

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This new task force will bring more patrol and resources like drones out on the streets.

So we can find them where theyre being housed and then were going to grab them, warrant, were going to hold them, said Domenic Sarno, Mayor of Springfield.

The Springfield Police Department announced enhanced efforts last month with increased patrols and partnerships with other law departments, including the State Police Air Wing Unit.

Crews put out house fire in Springfields Forest Park

Our brave and dedicated men and women in Blue will continue to actively enforce this quality-of-life issue and cite, arrest, and confiscate these illegal vehicles. We will also continue working with the MA State Police and Sheriff Nick Cocchi and team for their anti-dirt bike details and tracking efforts to eradicate these illegal dirt bikes and ATV marauders on our city streets and neighborhoods. I again, ask parents of these young riders to intervene with their child, for their health and safety, and help educate them on the appropriate places to ride and enjoy these vehicles.

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If you see a group of illegal dirt bikes or Off-Highway Vehicles in your way, officials urge you to report it.

We do know in the past, some things havent turned out the way we wanted it turnout. Im not saying that every person on a motorcycle has ill intentions, but we do not want you to take it into your own hands, said Lawrence E. Akers, Springfield Police Superintendent.

Trails, roads, and areas in Western Massachusetts that are approved for using Off-Highway Vehicles are often marked as open to OHVs.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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After surviving a hurricane and spending five years wandering, a little dog named Kingston decided to join a frat.

In 2020, Kingston, a Yorkie belonging to Lake Charles, Louisiana resident Debbie LaFleur, disappeared amidst Hurricane Laura, which tore through southwestern parts of the state , leaving wreckage in its wake.

LaFleur had Kingston for approximately six years at the time of the hurricane, she told USA TODAY, and was shocked when she returned home in the aftermath of the storm to find her little dog had gone missing.

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"And so we went around the whole neighborhood. Everybody on Facebook was trying to help us locate him, but it was like, 'We're not gonna get him back,'" she told the paper.

LaFluer and her husband, Joseph, were heartbroken at the loss of their companion.

Debbie LaFleur and her dog, Kingston, moments after they were reunited by members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg. Kingston disappeared five years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, and traveled approximately 300 miles from his home in Lake Charles, Louisiana to reach the campus. (screengrab/12 News Now)

Five years later, a fraternity brother at Kappa Sigma house on the University of Southern Mississippi campus left home and found Kingston hanging around outside.

"I walk outside, and there's just this Yorkie sitting there in a red T-shirt," Neal Rachal, president of the fraternity, told WDAM.

The campus is in Hattiesburg, about 300 miles away from Lake Charles.

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The brothers took the dog in and named him Benji, and he became the frat dog until the brothers learned who he really was.

"The next day, our vice president went and got his chip checked, and that's when we found out that his name was actually Kingston, not Benji," Rachal said.

He added that because Kingston had been microchipped, the brothers were able to determine that the dog had been missing for half a decade.

"I walk in the house and John said, 'He's Kingston' and I was like, What are you talking about, dude?'" Rachal told USA TODAY. "And he was like 'No, Benji is Kingston. He's from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and he's been missing for five years."

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During his stay with the fraternity brothers, the little Yorkie was kept plenty busy.

A member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity reaches out to pet Kingston, a Yorkie who disappeared from his Lake Charles home in 2020 and traveled 300 miles to eventually end up at the University of Southern Mississippi campus. Debbie LaFleur, Kingston's owner, holds the dog after the fraternity brothers arranged to reunite the two. (screengrab/12 News Now)

"He hung out with a bunch of my pledge brothers and just guys around the house. And then whenever we had an intramural softball game, he'd come to the softball game with us. I know he went to Walmart and the local grocery store a couple of times," Rachal said. "I mean, wherever we went, he was with us."

Despite enjoying their new furry pal, the frat brothers did the right thing and called LaFleur by using information available on PetLink.

"My heart just started pounding, and I told my boss, 'I found Kingston, I found Kingston,' and we both just started yelling and screaming," she told WISN news.

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A week after learning that Kingston had been found, LaFleur and her son drove more than four hours to pick him up at the university campus.

"We pulled up to the house and all the guys were outside," LaFleur said. "I was at the end of the walkway, and he was at the house, and I just said, 'Kingston, come to Mommy,' and he just took off running, which made my heart burst even more. It was wonderful, wonderful to see him."

She said after the reunion that she was so happy to have my baby back, but noted that the reunion was somewhat bittersweet.

In 2022, LaFleur's husband, Joseph, died in an accident at work. He and the little dog were inseparable, according to LaFleur. While Kingston and Joseph could not enjoy a reunion, LaFleur said she felt some connection to her late husband thanks to the Yorkies return.

"He slept on my husband every night and and he wouldn't come to me unless my husband was going to work, and then he was snuggling with me ... It was his best friend," she told the paper. "I feel like I have a piece of my husband back."
The 38-year-old man accused of setting fire to the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confessed to "harboring hatred" towards the Democratic politician, prosecutors said Monday.

Early Sunday morning, Shapiro and his family were woken by police after a man broke into the official governor's residence in Harrisburg and set fire to the room where they had just celebrated the first night of Passover.

Police say that the blaze was set by Cody Balmer, who turned himself in on Sunday afternoon, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to authorities, he broke a window at Shapiro's residence and then threw multiple bottles full of gasoline before fleeing the scene.

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Balmer, who faces charges of arson and homicide, among other offenses, confessed to "harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro," per the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office. According to prosecutors, he also admitted that, had he encountered the governor, "he would have beaten him with his hammer," NBC News reported.

Balmer turned himself in on Sunday after police were contacted by a woman claiming to be his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors said police later recovered a bag containing a sledgehammer and other items "identical to those observed in the surveillance at the Governor's residence."
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor's Residence. (Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

(This article was updated at 8:30 a.m., Monday, April 14, 2025, with details from a criminal complaint filed overnight.)

A Harrisburg man charged with what police said was a targeted attack on Gov. Josh Shapiros official residence admitted hatred toward Shapiro and planned to beat him with a hammer if he encountered Shapiro inside the home.

Cody Balmer

Police on Sunday arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer in connection with the firebombing that heavily damaged the Pennsylvania governors residence early Sunday morning as Shapiro and his family slept inside. The Dauphin County district attorneys office filed charges early Monday morning against Balmer of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, burglary and related offenses.

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A criminal complaint filed in district court in Harrisburg says Balmers ex-girlfriend called state police to say he was responsible for the fire and that Balmer had asked her to turn him in. A short time later, Balmer approached a member of the state police outside the agencys Harrisburg headquarters to surrender. In an interview with police, Balmer admitted feeling hatred toward Shapiro and that he used Molotov cocktails made from empty beer bottles to start the blaze, according to the complaint.

He also told investigators he was aware that it was a possibility that Shapiro was in the residence when he set the fire and people could be injured because of his actions. The complaint doesnt elaborate on the reason for Balmers hatred for Shapiro. Public records show a Harrisburg property Balmer owned was recently subject to foreclosure proceedings and Balmer faced simple assault charges that were pending in Dauphin County court.

He clearly had a plan. He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry, State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. When I said that he was in the residence, he was inside for less than a minute. It all happened very quickly and he was back out.

State police said Monday morning Balmer had suffered a medical event unrelated to the fire or his arrest and was transferred to a Harrisburg-area hospital. His arraignment on the charges was postponed, a court spokesperson said.

Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governors Residence. (Courtesy Commonwealth Media Services)

Shapiro announced on social media early Sunday that he and his family had been awakened around 2 a.m. by a member of his security detail and directed to evacuate the residence.

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In a news conference outside the residence Sunday afternoon, Shapiro appeared briefly overcome with emotion as he spoke about the experience and thanked state police, Harrisburg firefighters and other first responders. The smell of fire lingered in the air around the home, which overlooks the Susquehanna River on Front Street in downtown Harrisburg.

Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that weve received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States, he said. I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light. We appreciate the light that you have shined upon us.

His tone turned to anger as he addressed what he described as a targeted attack on himself and his family.

We dont know the persons specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not okay, Shapiro said. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society, and I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another, it is not okay, and it has to stop.

Governor Josh Shapiro holds a press conference outside the governors residence on April13, 2025, after a fire led to the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family. It is being investigated as arson. (Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Second, if this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania, Shapiro said.

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He also addressed the possibility that the attack was motivated by his Jewish faith. The fire happened after Shapiro celebrated the first night of Passover at the residence and Shapiro was set to host Seder again Sunday night, he said. Tables with gold and white tablecloths set for the meal could be seen through broken windows in the home.

No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly, Shapiro said.

Large and complex crime scene

The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was instrumental in preventing loss of life, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Chris Paris said, noting that the fire is under investigation by a major case team from the state police, Harrisburg police, Capitol police and the FBI. Paris said he has received offers of assistance from federal law enforcement officials including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Investigators are still working to piece together the sequence of events around the fire, but it is being treated as an arson case. While Balmer is expected to be charged with aggravated arson, attempted murder and terrorism, Paris said he does not anticipate conspiracy charges, which indicates investigators believe he acted alone.

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I feel very confident in telling you that it occurred over an extremely brief period of time, several minutes, and the quick action of those troopers last night immediately shifted to the safety of the governor and his family and his extended family, Paris said. Shapiro later declined to say which family members were staying at the governors residence Saturday night.

Outside the governors residence, a section of the perimeter fence had been temporarily repaired with a panel of chainlink fencing. Paris said the breach is where Balmer is suspected to have entered the grounds.

A post from June 2022 on Cody Balmers Facebook page. Balmer is charged in the firebombing of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros official residence on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Screenshot/Capital-Star)

State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer evaded state police who detected the breach and were searching for him.

While they were searching, he attacked the residence  broke in and set the fires. So that was all playing out over a period of several minutes, Bivens said, adding that Balmer used homemade incendiary devices, but declined to elaborate. A review of security measures at the residence is underway, he said

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We look at all aspects, personnel, technical, surveillance equipment, security equipment, all of that will be reviewed, and we will do our best to ensure that the governor and his family are safe in this residence, Bivens said.

According to the court document filed Monday morning, security video showed Balmer gained entry to the residence grounds by climbing over the fence. He was wearing a black Snap-on Tools jacket, black boots and was carrying a bag, which were later recovered at Balmers home along with a small sledgehammer.

Balmer approached the residence and broke an exterior window to the piano room, through which he threw a Molotov cocktail. He then entered the home by breaking a second window and used another firebomb to set the dining room alight. Before he left through the dining room exit, video footage showed he was wearing two different colored gloves  one orange and one yellow  that were later found in a trash can along Balmers escape route.

A Facebook account that matched Balmers name and personal details showed he had worked as an auto mechanic and included postings expressing dissatisfaction with government generally, President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden. Public records show Balmer last voted in 2022 and had no party affiliation.

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The Facebook account, which has since been removed, also included a meme of a needlepoint hoop depicting a Molotov cocktail and the words, Be the light you want to see in the world.

Bivens said the investigation is ongoing. A decision will be made whether additional federal charges are warranted, Bivens said.

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"Harry Potter" and "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" actor Nick Moran is on the mend after undergoing emergency spinal surgery for a serious and potentially life-threatening injury.

The 55-year-old actor was rushed to the hospital after what was initially dismissed as routine neck pain turned out to be a spinal cord injury that affected critical bodily functions.

According to longtime friend Terry Stone, Nick Morans condition was far more dire than he realized.

Harry Potter Actor Nick Moran Rushed To Hospital With Life-Threatening Neck Injury

Instagram | Terry Stone

I spoke to one of his family members and he damaged his neck somehow, and its affecting his spinal cord and some of the things that operate your speech and your legs, Stone told Daily Mail. Nicks girlfriend was saying Youve got to get it checked out, but as a bloke he said, No Ill put some deep heat on it.

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After finally visiting a doctor, Moran was sent to A&E, where he was told, We need to take you in for an emergency operation because this is life-threatening.

The operation itself was intensive. Doctors removed four bones from Morans neck and replaced them with artificial ones to relieve the damage. It was microsurgery and because theres so many nerves around the neck and spine this made the operation tricky with those awful chances of not being able to speak or walk again, Stone said.

Nick Moran Is Now On Long Road To Recovery

While the actors condition was initially critical, he is now in recovery. Stone shared that doctors had warned Moran of the traumatic possibility that he might never walk or talk again.

Hes not in the best of health, but when he came out of the operation I was like thank God because I think hed decided hed rather not walk or talk than die, Stone added.

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Fortunately, there are already signs of improvement. Hes speaking now, which is a good sign, but hes shuffling around like a 100-year-old and has a neck brace on and taking it easy, Stone said, noting that the road to recovery will be long but hopeful.

'Harry Potter' Star Is Back Home

A rep for Moran confirmed the news of his surgery, telling Daily Mail, Nick had urgent spinal surgery over a week ago, which carries the usual risks of such procedures. All went well. He is now back home on his way to a full recovery after a short stay in the hospital.

PEOPLE Magazine also obtained a statement, which gave more detail as to when the incident happened.

"Nick had surgery a little over a week and a half ago and is home walking, talking and making a full recovery," the rep told the outlet. "Nick will be back working on his next film shortly and is looking forward to being back at the studio, tending to his busy schedule."

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They added, "Nick would like to thank all of the well-wishers and assure them that he is well and appreciative of their support."

Who Is Nick Moran?

Nick Moran as Scabior in Harry Potter, sensing Hermione by her perfume as shes hidden by a protective charm. Im a sucker for guyliner pic.twitter.com/FzgRqQ5gyS  Koshka (@elegantlygauche) July 15, 2019

In addition to portraying Scabior in the "Harry Potter" franchise, Moran is widely known for his breakout role in the 1998 cult classic "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels."

Morans versatile film career has included standout roles in "The Musketeer," where he took on the role of Aramis, and "New Blood," in which he starred opposite the legendary John Hurt. On the small screen, hes made memorable appearances in popular series like "CSI: Miami," "Mr. Selfridge," and "The Wrong Mans."

Nick Moran Is More Than Just An Actor

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

But Morans talents extend well beyond acting. He has also made a mark behind the camera as both a writer and director.

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He co-wrote and directed "Telstar: The Joe Meek Story," a biopic chronicling the life of the trailblazing British record producer, with a cast led by Con ONeill and Kevin Spacey. In 2010, he stepped behind the lens again to direct "The Kid," based on Kevin Lewiss harrowing memoir, starring Rupert Friend and Ioan Gruffudd.

His work hasnt gone unnoticed as Moran has earned nominations from the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), including honors for Telstar, and has also been recognized by the British Horror Film Festival for his creative contributions to cinema.
BOSTON (AP)  The federal government says its freezing more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University, after the institution said it would defy the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on campus.

The hold on Harvard's funding marks the seventh time President Donald Trump's administration has taken the step at one of the nations most elite colleges, in an attempt to force compliance with Trump's political agenda. Six of the seven schools are in the Ivy League.

It sets the stage for a showdown between the federal government and America's oldest and wealthiest university. With an endowment of more than $50 billion, Harvard is perhaps the best positioned university to push back on the administration's pressure campaign.

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In a letter to Harvard Friday, Trump's administration had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university, as well as changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded the university audit views of diversity on campus, and stop recognizing some student clubs.

The federal government said almost $9 billion in grants and contracts in total were at risk if Harvard did not comply.

On Monday, Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the government's demands.

The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights, Garber said in a letter to the Harvard community. No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.

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Hours later, the government froze billions in Harvard's federal funding.

The first university targeted by the Trump administration was Columbia, which acquiesced to the governments demands under the threat of billions of dollars in cuts. The administration also has paused federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Princeton, Cornell and Northwestern.

Trump's administration has normalized the extraordinary step of withholding federal money to pressure major academic institutions to comply with the president's political agenda and to influence campus policy. The administration has argued universities allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at campus protests last year against Israel's war in Gaza.

Harvard, Garber said, already has made extensive reforms to address antisemitism. He said many of the government's demands don't relate to antisemitism, but instead are an attempt to regulate the intellectual conditions at Harvard.

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Withholding federal funding from Harvard, one of the nation's top research universities in science and medicine, risks not only the health and well-being of millions of individuals but also the economic security and vitality of our nation. It also violates the university's First Amendment rights and exceeds the government's authority under Title VI, which prohibits discrimination against students based on their race, color or national origin, Garber said.

The government's demands included that Harvard institute what it called merit-based admissions and hiring policies and conduct an audit of the study body, faculty and leadership on their views about diversity. The administration also called for a ban on face masks at Harvard  an apparent target of pro-Palestinian campus protesters  and pressured the university to stop recognizing or funding any student group or club that endorses or promotes criminal activity, illegal violence, or illegal harassment.

Harvard's defiance, the federal antisemitism task force said Monday, "reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nations most prestigious universities and colleges  that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws.

The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable.

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Trump has promised a more aggressive approach against antisemitism on campus, accusing former President Joe Biden of letting schools off the hook. Trump's administration has opened new investigations at colleges and detained and deported several foreign students with ties to pro-Palestinian protests.

The demands from the Trump administration had prompted a group of Harvard alumni to write to university leaders calling for it to legally contest and refuse to comply with unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and university self-governance.

Harvard stood up today for the integrity, values, and freedoms that serve as the foundation of higher education, said Anurima Bhargava, one of the alumni behind the letter. "Harvard reminded the world that learning, innovation and transformative growth will not yield to bullying and authoritarian whims.

The government's pressure on Harvard also sparked a protest over the weekend from the campus community and residents of Cambridge and a lawsuit from the American Association of University Professors on Friday challenging the cuts.

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In their lawsuit, plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration has failed to follow steps required under Title VI before it starts cutting funds, including giving notice of the cuts to both the university and Congress.

These sweeping yet indeterminate demands are not remedies targeting the causes of any determination of noncompliance with federal law. Instead, 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, plaintiffs wrote.
By Brad Brooks and Ismail Shakil

(Reuters) -Harvard on Monday rejected numerous demands from the Trump administration that it said would cede control of the school to a conservative government that portrays universities as dangerously leftist.

Within hours of Harvard taking its stand, the administration of President Donald Trump announced it was freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding to the school.

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The funding freeze comes after the Trump administration said last month it was reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard as part of a crackdown on what it says is antisemitism that erupted on college campuses during pro-Palestinian protests in the past 18 months.

On Monday, a Department of Education task force on combating antisemitism accused America's oldest university of having a "troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation's most prestigious universities and colleges - that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws."

The exchange escalates the high-stakes dispute between the the Trump administration and some of the world's richest universities that has raised concerns about speech and academic freedoms.

The administration has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for numerous universities, pressing the institutions to make policy changes and citing what it says is a failure to fight antisemitism on campus.

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Deportation proceedings have begun against some detained foreign students who took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, while visas for hundreds of other students have been canceled.

Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a public letter on Monday that demands made by the Department of Education last week would allow the federal government "to control the Harvard community" and threaten the school's "values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production, and dissemination of knowledge."

"No government - regardless of which party is in power - should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue," Garber wrote.

The issue of antisemitism on campus erupted before Trump took office for his second term, following pro-Palestinian student protests last year at several universities following the 2023 Hamas attack inside Israel and the subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza.

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White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in a statement on Monday that Trump was "working to Make Higher Education Great Again by ending unchecked anti-Semitism and ensuring federal taxpayer dollars do not fund Harvard's support of dangerous racial discrimination or racially motivated violence."

In a letter on Friday, the education department stated that Harvard had "failed to live up to both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment."

The department demanded that Harvard, work to reduce the influence of faculty, staff and students who are "more committed to activism than scholarship" and have an external panel audit the faculty and students of each department to ensure "viewpoint diversity."

The letter also stated that Harvard, by this August, must only hire faculty and admit students based on merit and cease all preferences based on race, color or national origin. The university must also screen international students "to prevent admitting students hostile to American values" and report to federal immigration authorities foreign students who violate conduct rules.

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Last week, a group of Harvard professors sued to block the Trump administration's review of nearly $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to the school.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering forcing fellow Ivy League school Columbia into a consent decree that would legally bind the school to follow federal guidelines in how it combats antisemitism. Some Columbia professors, like those at Harvard, have sued the federal government in response. The government has suspended $400 million in federal funding and grants to Columbia.

Harvard President Garber said the federal government's demands that it "audit" the viewpoints of its students, faculty and staff to ferret out left-wing thinkers generally opposed to the Trump administration clearly violated the university's First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.

"The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," Garber wrote.

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He added that while Harvard is taking steps to address antisemitism on campus, "these ends will not be achieved by assertions of power, unmoored from the law, to control teaching and learning at Harvard and to dictate how we operate."

Harvard agreed in January to provide additional protections for Jewish students under a settlement resolving two lawsuits accusing the Ivy League school of becoming a hotbed of antisemitism.

To ease any funding crunch created by any cutoff in federal funding, Harvard is working to borrow $750 million from Wall Street.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York and Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Donna Bryson, Gerry Doyle and Stephen Coates)
The Trump administration slashed $2.2 billion in federal funds from Harvard on Monday after the Ivy League university defiantly refused to comply with sweeping changes demanded by the government.

The federal Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which is made up of several federal agencies including the Justice Department and Education Department, announced the freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value to Harvard University."

The task force did not specify which programs the cut grants will affect.

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The Trump administration took quick action after Harvard rejected in a definitive letter a list of demands that would have required sweeping changes at the university, saying it would not allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.

In the letter to administration officials earlier in the day, lawyers for the university said the demands the government sent in early April go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration and refused to agree to the terms.

Harvard, which has the largest endowment in the world at an estimated $53.2 billion, rebuked the administrations attempt to assert control over it.

The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the governments terms as an agreement in principle, the letter stated.

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Harvards president, Alan Garber, said in a statement:, No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.

Trump administration officials had demanded Harvard end all diversity, equity and inclusion policies, crack down on student protesters, limit the power of students and faculty over school leaders, cooperate with federal law enforcement like the Department of Homeland Security and more.

Harvard University said it would not meet the Trump administrations demands, believing they infringe on the rights of students (EPA)

Professors at the school praised Garber on social media for pushing back against the administrations request.

A powerful and entirely justified statement by @Harvard president Alan Garber in response to massive overreach by the federal government. https://t.co/dRtuNod3tu  Jeffrey Flier (@jflier) April 14, 2025

The Trump demands were part of the administrations review of federal funding to higher education institutions. Harvard receives a total of approximately $9 billion in grants and contracts from the government, which is the schools largest source of research support.

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The administration has pursued similar tactics with other Ivy Leagues, including Columbia University, Cornell University, Brown University, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Columbia University agreed to Trumps demands, winning back $400 million in funding.

The Trump administration claims its reviewing federal funding to fight antisemitism on college campuses as well as eliminating DEI programs, which officials consider discriminatory. The Trump administration has characterized anti-war protests in defense of Palestinian as antisemitic.

Among its list of demands, the Trump demanded Harvard to adopt merit-based admissions and hiring  something the school already adheres to after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action.

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Garber said the school had taken steps to address antisemitism on campus and planned to do more as well. But ultimately, the administrations request extended beyond fighting antisemitism.

He warned that revoked federal funding would hurt critical research that has helped create breakthroughs in the medical, engineering and scientific fields.

Harvard remains open to dialogue about what the university has done, and is planning to do, to improve the experience of every member of its community, lawyers for the school wrote.

But Harvard is not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration.
Marcie Rice Robertson was monitoring students transition between classes at Mountain View High School near Garrisonville in Stafford County when she noticed a half-dozen students clustered in the hallway.

Robertson, executive director of high school leadership for Stafford Public Schools, said she immediately thought the students were sharing a video on one of their cellphones, so she glanced inside the circle as she walked past.

This group of students was simply standing in the hall, briefly, and having a conversation, she said, acknowledging that she felt a little foolish and judgmental about her mistake.

But Robertson also said she felt deeply gratified over the otherwise unremarkable hallway conversation because it reflected a policy the public school system had been developing since the end of the previous school year to require high school students to put away their cellphones from the moment the first bell rings in the morning until the last bell in the afternoon.

I truly believe we made the right decision, she said.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin thinks so too, and so does the General Assembly, which passed legislation this year to put into Virginia law the policy that the governor put in place by executive order last summer.

In his July 2024 executive order, Youngkin said widespread use of cellphones and social media is contributing to an alarming mental health crisis among adolescents and detracting from learning. Youngkins Education Department called for cellphone restrictions from bell to bell and called on localities to implement their own policies by Jan. 1.

Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-7th, wants to take that policy nationwide through the Undoing Nationwide Programs and Limiting Unnecessary Grants for Electric Vehicles, or UNPLUGGED, Act, which he introduced last week to ban cellphones from school classrooms. His measure would include the same exceptions as the legislation that Youngkin signed on April 2 for students with disabilities or other needs, such as lack of English language proficiency, that could require technical aids.

Vindman, whose district spans from the Washington to Richmond suburbs and from Tidewater to Central Virginia, has a daughter in Prince William County Public Schools and a son who graduated from the system. Vindman convened a roundtable discussion late last month that included educators and other leaders from his district, including Robertson.

I know how hard it can be to unplug, but the results Ive heard from local Virginia leaders and students speak for themselves, Vindman said. Across the 7th District, school communities are seeing real benefits from keeping phones out of the classroom: more conversations between students, less social anxiety, longer attention spans and even higher attendance.

Virginia House Education Chairman Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said legislators had been discussing a potential ban on school cellphones since convening an educational summit after legislative elections at the end of 2023.

It is clearly an addiction that we have collectively, said Rasoul, who sponsored one of the two bills that the assembly adopted this year on cellphones in schools. It is one we need to take on, especially at a young age.

Youngkins executive order on July 9 took us by surprise in that there was not a conversation, he said.

However, Democrats who control both chambers of the General Assembly adopted legislation to require all elementary and secondary schools to develop policies on student cellphones during regular school hours. Defining when the policy must apply was the primary sticking point between the legislature and the Republican governor, who insisted that it apply from bell to bell. Earlier this month, the legislature agreed to his amendments.

Since Governor Youngkins executive order last July, Virginia has been leading the nation on bell-to-bell phone-free education, Youngkin spokesman Rob Damschen said on Friday. He welcomes bipartisan support for the actions that he started in Virginia, but has not reviewed and cannot comment the legislation.

Vindman, like Youngkin, relied on advice from social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation and a prominent national advocate for getting cellphones out of school classrooms. Haidt appeared with Virginia first lady Suzanne Youngkin at a public fireside chat last fall in eastern Prince William County, where the congressman and his family live.

The governor recently posted on X that he had shared copies of Haidts book with all 140 members of the General Assembly.

No other policy change would confer as big and as rapid a benefit to American schools as freeing students from the constant distractions of the buzzing phones in their pockets, Haidt said in the statement that Vindmans office issued on April 7 to announce the newly elected congressmans legislation. To support kids mental health, educational success, and ability to pay attention, all schools in America should go bell-to-bell phone free.

Vindman said hes also been talking to students who support the policy.

This phone policy has helped me become a better student this year, Stafford High School senior Dominic Smith said in Vindmans announcement. I have the best grades since I started school my freshman year. Ive accomplished so much this last year because I havent always been on my phone and its been amazing to realize how distracting my phone has really been.

Robertson said Stafford began working on the policy months before Youngkin issued his executive order. The school system was hearing parents and teachers express concerns about the negative effects of cellphones in classrooms.

We were ahead of the curve with our policy, she said.

Staffords policy does not take away anyones phone. Instead, the policy initially leaves it to students to turn off their phones and put them away for the school day.

We really put the onus on the students, Robertson said. We really give them the opportunity to make the right decision.

When a student violates the policy  and 3% to 4% do each month  a teacher alerts the school administration and security, which handles the situation away from the classroom with the students parents. The school requires the student to put the phone in a locked bag, but does not take it away.

Some students dont take the message to heart after the first violation, she acknowledged. We do have some students, unfortunately, who make the wrong decision more than once.

However, Robertson said students generally have embraced the policy, which she said has reduced absenteeism, improved grades and led to greater involvement in clubs and other student activities.

The level of resistance was not at all what we expected, she said.
The News

Harvard University on Monday became the first college to refuse to comply with the Trump administrations requested policy changes, imperiling billions in federal funding.

The Ivy Leagues president suggested the demands  which include screening international students for terrorism and antisemitism  were illegal and equated to government overreach.

While Columbia University capitulated to President Donald Trumps demands, Harvards defiance marks a major rebuke to his crackdown on higher education.

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Some law firms in Trumps crosshairs have also begun pushing back, offering the beginnings of a playbook for standing up to his attempts to weaken core tenets of American democracy, The New York Times editorial board wrote.

Notably, the attorneys representing Harvard include a former Trump-appointed prosecutor and the Trump Organizations ethics adviser.
Harvard University will not make a deal with the Trump administration after being threatened with the withholding of $9 billion in federal grants, according to a letter sent by university lawyers on Monday.

The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights, lawyers Robert Hur and William Burck wrote to Trump administration officials. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the governments terms as an agreement in principle.

The Trump administration has targeted Harvard among dozens of other universities in what it claims is an investigation into anti-semitism on campus and so-called diversity, equity and inclusion practices. In a letter to Harvard President Alan Garber sent on April 11, the administration threatened to withhold grant money if the university did not restructure itself along lines dictated by the administration and with ongoing government oversight.

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The changes asked for by the administration included ending all DEI programs, limiting foreign student admissions, requiring viewpoint diversity in all programs, and closing departments and teaching units that cannot meet the administrations demands, banning certain student groups, purging departments or other entities of criticism of Israel and increased penalties for students, among other things.

Harvards response noted its commitment to combating so-called antisemitism and provided a list of reforms it made to its rules. It notes that the administrations letter disregards Harvards efforts and instead presents demands that, in contravention of the First Amendment, invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court.

Harvard University declined to entertain threats from the Trump administration by rejecting a deal that would have put the school under effective government control. APCortizasJr via Getty Images

[The administrations letter] makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner, Garber wrote in a public statement on Monday. Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the intellectual conditions at Harvard.

This goes beyond the power of the federal government, Garber wrote, by violating the First Amendment and exceeding the statutory limits of the governments authority under Title VI, of the Civil Rights Act.

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While the Harvard letter does not state that the university will go to court to fight the administrations threats, it strongly implies that the law is on the universitys side. It is also notable that the universitys lawyers are both conservatives with ties to Donald Trump. Hur was appointed U.S. Attorney for Maryland by Trump in 2018, and Burck is an outside ethics adviser for Trumps company and serves on the board of Fox Corporation, the parent of Fox News.

Since taking office, Trump has launched an attack on universities and colleges under the pretexts of combating antisemitism, DEI and transgender rights. The Department of Education has launched dozens of investigations into universities across the country and threatened the withdrawal of hundreds of billions of dollars in research grants that help fund scientific research across the country.

In March, Columbia University became the first school to enter into an agreement with the Trump administration that allowed the government to oversee critical functions of the school, including by placing the Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies departments into effective receivership.
Harvard University on Monday rejected President Trumps ultimatum to dismantle diversity initiatives and crack down on student protesters.

The wealthiest and most prestigious Ivy League university said it wouldnt bow to the White Houses demands even in the face of threats to cut close to $9 billion in federal funding, taking a sharply different approach than Columbia University.

The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights, Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a statement. No government  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.

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Garber denounced the White House demands as assertions of power, unmoored from the law, to control teaching and learning at Harvard and to dictate how we operate.

Harvard was responding to a laundry list of demands issued by the White House Friday, including restricting admission of foreign students who disagree with government policies, third-party oversight over Harvard departments and new rules designed to crack down on student protests like the ones against the Israeli war in Gaza that rocked campuses last spring.

It also demands Harvard end all programs to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, including in hiring and admissions.

Harvard has in recent years failed to live up to both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment, warned the letter, which was signed by senior federal officials.

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Harvards rejection of Trumps demands suggests it plans to take a far different approach than Columbia and other Ivy League universities, which have sought accommodation in hopes of salvaging billions in U.S. funding.

Harvard professors already filed a lawsuit over the weekend seeking to block the government from any cuts.

The Trump administration has made similar demands of other prestigious universities nationwide in what it says is an effort to combat antisemitism and roll back what it calls woke ideology.

Last month, Columbia broadly agreed to a list of nine demands from the administration, including a ban on students wearing masks at protests, hiring dozens of new campus security officers with power to arrest students and appointing a new official to oversee its Department of Middle East, South Asian and African Studies.

The administration had canceled $400 million in federal grants to the school in upper Manhattan, accusing it of inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.
Harvard University on Monday rejected demands from the Trump administration as it threatens the schools federal funding as part of a broader clampdown on higher education.

In a message to the Harvard community from its leadership  and in a corresponding letter from the schools attorneys to the federal government  the university said that while it is and will continue to engage in reforms, those changes should not be mandated by Washington.

No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue, President Alan Garber said in his message.

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The Trump administration on Friday demanded the university change numerous policies, including around protesting and diversity, equity and inclusion programs, to keep federal funding.

The White House has gone after multiple universities, particularly Ivy Leagues, under the accusation the schools have not done enough to combat campus antisemitism after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The demands for Harvard were similar in nature to those given to Columbia University, which chose to agree in an attempt to get back $400 million in frozen funding. But after the concessions, the federal government did not return the funding and in fact has made further cuts to the New York school.

In the letter from Harvards lawyers to the administration, it said the federal government was attempting to violate the First Amendment and invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court.

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Harvard remains open to dialogue about what the university has done, and is planning to do, to improve the experience of every member of its community. But Harvard is not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration, the letter said.

The Hill has reached out to the White House and the Education Department for comment.

Garber in his message said the university has taken various steps to combat antisemitism and will continue to work on the issue but that the governments demands go far past that aim.

Fighting antisemitism on campus will not be achieved by assertions of power, unmoored from the law, to control teaching and learning at Harvard and to dictate how we operate. The work of addressing our shortcomings, fulfilling our commitments, and embodying our values is ours to define and undertake as a community, he said.

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The Trump administration, which has been swift to cut funding to multiple other schools, has already opened an investigation into $9 billion it has in federal contracts with Harvard.

The demands of the administration included eliminating DEI, leadership changes, reforms to hiring and admission practices, auditing of certain departments for antisemitism, reforms to student discipline and how student groups can operate and submitting a report to the government every quarter until 2028 on its progress toward set goals.

The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the governments terms as an agreement in principle, the schools legal team said in their letter to attorneys in the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services, along with the commissioner of federal acquisition services at the General Services Administration.

A growing list of elite colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University and Northwestern University, have seen millions in federal funding cut off under President Trump, who has long raged against woke schools.

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For each revocation of funds, the Trump administration has cited some alleged civil rights violation against the school, typically either inaction against antisemitism or institution policies around transgender athletes.

But with the targeted schools so far, the federal government is not going through the usual process, which allows a university to respond to such allegations, typically including time to fix the problem.

The governments terms also circumvent Harvards statutory rights by requiring unsupported and disruptive remedies for alleged harms that the government has not proven through mandatory processes established by Congress and required by law, Harvards attorneys wrote.

Updated at 3:04 p.m. EDT

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A Trump administration task force announced Monday that it would block Harvard University from receiving $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in contracts after the Ivy League school defied demands to adopt new policies on student and faculty conduct and admissions.

The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism said it was taking the measure because Harvard and other universities had not taken adequate steps to address the harassment of Jewish students in recent years.

"It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support," it said in a statement that came hours after Harvard had defiantly said it would not bow to administration pressure.

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Harvard President Alan M. Garber said the unprecedented demands, which include requirements to change disciplinary policies to address antisemitic acts during last years protests over the Israel-Hamas war, are unnecessary and infringe on free speech rights.

No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue, Garber wrote in the message to the campus community.

Harvards response, in the face of a threat of losing billions in federal grants, represented a rare show of resistance to efforts by President Donald Trumps administration to punish major institutions and law firms he views as hostile.

The loss of federal funding is a significant blow to Harvard and affiliated institutions, such as Mass General Brigham and Boston Childrens Hospital. Other schools, including Columbia University, have opted to accept administration demands to avoid the cuts.

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Institutions across the country are facing probes focusing on diversity initiatives and allegations of antisemitism on campus. Trump has particularly singled out Ivy League schools that he has denounced as left-leaning and elitist. The administration has said it is also either reviewing or pausing grants to Brown, Princeton, Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania.

Princeton President Chris Eisgruber, like the leader of Harvard, has said he would resist administration demands.

Former Harvard President Larry Summers told a group of students and alumni last week that the school is positioned to resist because of its nearly $52 billion endowment. With all of those assets  If Harvard can't resist, who can? he said.

The administration sent an updated list of demands Friday to Harvard that would require the university to restructure its governance, eliminate diversity as a consideration in admissions, institute new disciplinary measures for student protesters, and decertify pro-Palestinian student groups. Garber said the school had already adopted measures to address antisemitism and other misconduct that occurred during raucous protests over the war in Gaza.

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The administrations prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government, he said. It violates Harvards First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the governments authority under Title VI. And it threatens our values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production, and dissemination of knowledge."

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement that the administration was seeking to end "unchecked" antisemitism and that Harvards response puts its federal funding in jeopardy.

Harvard or any institution that wishes to violate Title VI is, by law, not eligible for federal funding," Fields said.

The letter the administration sent Friday  from the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services and General Services Administration  accused Harvard of failing to live up to both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment.

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Harvards response to the administration defended the universitys commitment to fighting antisemitism on campus, and said the administration disregards the changes already made by the university. The universitys lawyers said the demands invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court.

The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," the lawyers wrote in response. "Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government."

Bianca Quilantan contributed to this report.
After Harvard University said it is refusing to comply with a series of demands from President Donald Trump's administration, the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced a multi-billion-dollar freeze on funding to the university.

The administration's task force said on Monday evening it would withhold $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value to the institution.

"The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support," the task force said in a statement.

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The decision comes after Harvard University President Alan Garber said in a letter on Monday, the school "will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights" by agreeing to a series of terms proposed by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration had demanded that Harvard end its diversity, equity and inclusion programs; adopt merit-based admissions; and cooperate with immigration authorities -- or risk losing $9 billion in federal funding. Garber at the time said the loss of funding would "halt life-saving research."

Garber said the loss of funding based on policy choices violates the first amendment and would "halt life-saving research."

Harvard's rejection of Trump's demands marks the first time a major university has pushed back against funding threats made by the Trump administration.

PHOTO: Demonstrators rally on Cambridge Common in a protest organized by the City of Cambridge calling on Harvard leadership to resist interference at the university by the federal government in Cambridge, Mass., April 12, 2025. (Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters, FILE)

MORE: Students protest Education Department closure in 'Hands Off Our Schools' rally

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In a letter on April 11, the Trump administration argued that the school "failed to live up to both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment" and proposed terms including changing the school's governance, adopting merit-based hiring, shuttering any DEI programs and allowing "audits" to ensure "viewpoint diversity."

In response, Harvard's president said the school is committed to making changes to create a "welcoming and supportive learning environment" and reaffirmed the school's vow to fight antisemitism. However, he argued the Trump administration's requests would go too far.

"The administration's prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government. It violates Harvard's First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the government's authority under Title VI," Garber wrote. "And it threatens our values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production, and dissemination of knowledge. No government -- regardless of which party is in power -- should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue."

The letter came days after faculty members at Harvard University asked a federal judge to block the Trump administration's attempt to cut off billions in funding, arguing the threat of a funding cut is an "existential 'gun to the head' for a university."

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MORE: Trump spars with Democratic Maine governor at White House event over transgender athlete executive order

In a lawsuit filed on April 11, two groups representing the faculty of Harvard University argued that the Trump administration is overstepping its authority by "undermining free speech and academic inquiry in service of the government's political or policy preferences."

"This case involves an unprecedented threat from the Trump administration to withhold nearly nine billion dollars in federal funding to one of our nation's leading universities unless it accedes to changes that fundamentally compromise the university's independence and the free speech rights of its faculty and students," the lawsuit alleged, asking a judge to issue an emergency order that would bar the Trump administration from making funding conditional on policy changes.

The American Association of University Professors and its chapter at Harvard argued that the Trump administration failed to follow the specific procedure put in place by the Civil Rights Act to terminate funding, instead threatening to terminate $255 million in funding, in addition to nearly $9 billion in multiyear grants, unless the school implements a series of policy changes.

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"These sweeping yet indeterminate demands are not remedies targeting the causes of any determination of noncompliance with federal law. Instead, 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 lawsuit alleged.

Others within the higher education community have stood with Harvard in its response.

MORE: Trump administration reviewing alleged antisemitism at Harvard University

Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president of the advocacy group the Education Trust, told ABC News the decision by Garber to reject the administration's demands is being celebrated throughout the higher education community.

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"What it really represents for higher education is hope," Del Pilar said, adding: "It represents hope for institutions that have been afraid to stand up to an administration that is trying to implement its will, on not only the admissions of institutions, but ultimately on the curriculum as well."

Former President Barack Obama, who went to Harvard Law School, praised Harvard University for its rejection of Trumps demands in a post on social media late Monday.

Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions -- rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect, Obama wrote. Lets hope other institutions follow suit.

Obama did not specifically address the funding freeze announced by the Trump administration.

PHOTO: A person runs past Elliot House at Harvard University, March 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

The confrontation follows similar actions against other prestigious universities.

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Last month, Columbia University agreed to comply with the administration's demands regarding campus policies and governance after its federal funding was suspended following campus protests. The agreement came after the administration cited concerns about antisemitism and public safety.

The Department of Education has also initiated investigations into Cornell University and Northwestern University, according to White House officials. The Trump administration has halted more than $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell and $790 million to Northwestern due to investigations into alleged civil rights violations.

ABC News' Selina Wang and Arthur Jones II contributed to this report.

Trump admin freezes billions in funding to Harvard University after rejecting demands originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
More than 100,000 U.S. citizens  including 7,600 New Hampshire residents  would lose their medication treatment for opioid use disorder if Congress adopts President Donald Trumps proposed cuts to Medicaid, according to a new report released Monday by Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.

Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee produced a report on the impact that Medicaid expansion has had on combating the crisis of fatal overdoses due to fentanyl.

Hassan is the ranking Democratic member on the panel.

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The Trump Administration and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle agree that access to addiction treatment is a critical tool in combatting the fentanyl crisis  and as this new report highlights, Medicaid is what enables one million people to get medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, the gold standard of addiction care, Hassan said.

President Trump and Congressional Republicans have proposed gutting Medicaid  in order to pay for tax breaks for corporate special interests and billionaires  which would jeopardize addiction care just as our country is finally starting to see progress in addressing the fentanyl crisis.

In New Hampshire, 77% of those who get medication-assisted treatment do so because they qualified under expanded Medicaid the state Legislature adopted in 2015 when Hassan was governor.

Among the nearly 1 million on Medicaid that receive this treatment, 60% get it through Medicaid expansion.

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But New Hampshire is one of a dozen trigger states that would drop Medicaid expansion without further legislative action should Congress change the 90% support it provides to states that chose the voluntary option.

As one of the 10 most income-wealthy states in the nation, New Hampshire receives the lowest possible reimbursement  50%  for its citizens on traditional Medicaid.

In 2022, Hassan cosponsored a bipartisan law that lifted limitations on access to medication-assisted treatment.

Hassan also said cuts to Medicaid affecting the program would contradict the recent White House report supporting greater use of the program for opioid addicts.

After releasing the report Monday, Hassan visited the Elliot Center for Recovery Management in Manchester to meet with professionals there and discuss its findings.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

King County is just two hate crime cases away from beating its total number last year in 2025, and it is only April, the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office confirmed Monday.

I think people are just acting more hateful, particularly with hate crimes that focus on somebodys gender expression perceived sexual orientation, Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, told KIRO Newsradio.

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The latest alleged hate crime attack happened against a transgender person in King County March 27 in Seattles University District. According to obtained court documents, the victim was leaving work at a hardware store along University Way when a group of men called her a drag queen and told her to take your f****** makeup off.

The victim responded by saying, Excuse me, what did you say? according to the Seattle Police Department (SPD). She then took out her cell phone to take photos of the suspects. Prosecutors said the suspects then began to punch and kick the victim. Eventually, the victim escaped the alleged attack and ran inside a restaurant across the street.

During the attack, according to court documents, the suspects called the victim homophobic slurs and continually misgendered the victim by saying get him and calling the victim bro. Prosecutors also said the suspects yelled Semper Fi multiple times, referring to the U.S. Marine Corps motto. The victim told the suspects that she was a decorated Navy veteran. However, prosecutors said at least one suspect responded, saying, Trump got rid of your a** anyways and kicked you all out of the military, referring to President Trumps order to end transgender acceptance in the military.

The attack left the victim bruised and bleeding and with multiple broken front teeth.

King County is TWO #hatecrimes away from beating their 2024 record and its only April. The latest in the #Seattle U District suspect punched victim for allegedly being #transgender More on the suspects 13 felony arrests on @KIRONewsradio and @Mynorthwest pic.twitter.com/PsAnxInrck  Luke Duecy (@LukeKIRO) April 14, 2025

Why are hate crimes rising locally?

McNerthney couldnt pinpoint one cause of the countys apparent rise in hate crimes.

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I dont know if they see things on a national level and think they can get away with, McNerthney said. Either way, when we get those cases, were going to keep bringing them to court.

Police said surveillance video from a nearby business captured the suspects vehicle license plate. According to investigators, a responding officer recognized the plate from a domestic violence report she took one day earlier that involved Andre Karlow, 39. Police said Karlow assaulted his girlfriend inside a Seattle apartment they shared. He allegedly used a hammer to smash a hole in a dining room table before throwing a can of food at his girlfriend, hitting her in the ribcage. Police also shared that he also stole his girlfriends laptop computer.

Police said they tracked Karlow to the parking lot of that apartment, but when the suspect saw officers approach, he ran inside his unit. Officers surrounded the apartment and, according to court documents, police obtained a search warrant five hours later. A SWAT team entered the apartment and arrested Karlow who, officers said, attempted to hide in the insulation of the apartments attic.

Prosecutors said Karlow has an extensive criminal record that includes 36 arrests in Washington and 13 felony convictions that include escape, assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, various drug-related charges, and more. Prosecutors said Karlow also faces another hate crime committed in September 2024.

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Court documents also stated he allegedly called a Sound Transit fare ambassador, who identified as transgender, a homophobic slur and told them to put some bass in their voice before, police said, he punched that victim in the face.

Karlow remains in King County Jail on a $200,000 bail.
Haverhill High School was put in a stay-in-place order after a bullet was found in the bathroom.

In a post on social media, the school confirmed that the building is in a Stay In Place due to a singular bullet found in the bathroom.

Haverhill Police have been contacted and all students are safely in classrooms and cannot be released at the time, the post said.

No one will be allowed into or out of the high school at this time, the post said.

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Additional information was not available.

Boston 25 had reached out to Haverhill police for more information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The CDC has issued a warning for American travelers to popular tourist spots, as dengue fever cases are surging across the Americas.

What's happening?

As of late March 2025, Mexico had already reported 20,000 cases of this mosquito-borne disease since the beginning of the year, DailyMail.com reported. Other popular destinations like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have also seen unusually high transmission rates, according to the news site.

Nearly 1,000 cases have been reported in the United States in 2025, DailyMail.com added. This included locally acquired infections of the dengue virus, which have been on the upswing in recent years, especially in states like California and Florida.

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The CDC said that "this trend is expected to continue with increased dengue activity in endemic areas in 2025."

Why is the dengue outbreak concerning?

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can lead to symptoms like high fever, severe headache, nausea, and vomiting, according to the World Health Organization. Severe cases can result in bleeding gums or nose, weakness, blood in vomit or stool, and even death.

The current surge in infections comes after a record-breaking year for the disease  in fact, the World Mosquito Program called 2024 the "worst year for dengue cases on record."

While surges in dengue tend to be cyclical, according to Dr. Albert Ko, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health who spoke with CBS News, locally acquired cases in southern U.S. states can also be attributed to rising temperatures.

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In fact, other mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and Oropouche are also on the upswing as a warmer planet is helping mosquitos to move into new habitats that were once too cold for them. For example, scientists from the University of Helsinki recently discovered a mosquito species in Finland that was previously unrecorded there.

What's being done about mosquito-borne diseases?

The CBS News report on the dengue outbreak recommended that people take preventative actions like rearranging travel to countries with known dengue risk to times of the year when transmission is lower and wearing protective clothing and repellents.

However, local governments are also looking for ways to help decrease the spread of mosquito-borne diseases by culling the population of these blood suckers. For instance, when San Diego County discovered its first-ever locally acquired case of dengue in fall 2024, it quickly sprayed for mosquitoes at about 170 homes. Plus, one neighborhood in the Philippines recently launched a bounty program that is paying residents to bring in mosquitoes, dead or alive.
A heavy police presence remained in the area of the 1500 block of Perry Street/Kirkwood Boulevard at 5:45 p.m. Sunday in Davenport.

(Linda Cook, OurQuadCities.com)

Davenport Police said they responded to a report of gunfire, but there was no victim, and details will be released later.

(Linda Cook, OurQuadCities.com)

Our Quad Cities News crew saw neighbors talk with Davenport Police officers in the area.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, we do not know whether anyone was injured or whether police have any suspects. We will stay in contact with police to provide details as soon as they are available.

(Linda Cook, OurQuadCities.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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order grounding New York Helicopter Charter, Inc. -- the company that operated the Bell 206 helicopter that plummeted into the Hudson River in New York City last week, killing six people, including three children.

The order came after the company voluntarily shut down its operations on Sunday, the FAA said.

"The FAA is taking this action in part because after the companys director of operations voluntarily shut down flights, he was fired," according to a statement from the FAA that accompanied the emergency order on Monday.

PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, first responders are shown at the scene of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, in New York. (WABC)

"The agency also began a comprehensive review of the companys operations," it continued. "The review, known as a Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP), determines whether an operator complies with applicable regulation and effectively manages safety, and identifies hazards and risks so the FAA and operator can mitigate them."

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The FAA had previously said that it will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator's license and its safety record.

MORE: New York City helicopter crash latest: Authorities search for answers after 6 killed

In the wake of the deadly incident, the agency said it is analyzing airplane and helicopter hot spots nationwide and will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks and additional mitigation options.

"Safety is the FAA's number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public," the agency said in a statement on Sunday.

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New York Helicopter can appeal the FAAs emergency order within 10 days of its issuance by filing a notice of appeal with the National Transportation Safety Board's Office of Administrative Law Judges, according to the FAA's emergency order of suspension.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.

PHOTO: First responders walk along Pier 40, on April 10, 2025, in New York, across from where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River in Jersey City, N.J. (Jennifer Peltz/AP)

Its chartered chopper, which was carrying a pilot, and a family visiting from Spain, fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan on April 11.

Agustin Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, both executives from the European automation company Siemens, and their children -- ages 4, 8 and 10 years old -- were killed in the crash along with the pilot, age 36, law enforcement sources told ABC News at the time.

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MORE: Siemens exec and his family identified as victims in deadly Hudson helicopter crash

The crash occurred at 3:17 p.m. off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over 15 minutes after it departed from the Wall St. Heliport. The helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing, officials said during a briefing.

"Our hearts go out to the family and those on board," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said after the incident.

Video from the crash showed the chopper plunging into the water without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade. Officials said it hit the water inverted.

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The NTSB is investigating the incident.

ABC News' Ayesha Ali contributed to this report.

FAA issues emergency order grounding helicopter company after fatal Hudson River crash originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  The helicopter tour company involved in Thursdays deadly Hudson River crash is shutting down operations completely, according to the FAA.

A Bell 206 L-4 helicopter crashed into the Hudson River Thursday just after 3 p.m., according to the officials. Six people died in the crash, including a family visiting from Spain and the pilot, according to officials.

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The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter Charter Inc., according to the National Transit Safety Board. It was the helicopters eighth trip of the day, and it had last been inspected on March 1, according to the NTSB.

The NTSB is investigating, and the FAA on Sunday night said it will also open a review of the companys license.

Additionally, the FAA will be launching an immediate review of the tour operators license and safety record, the FAA said in a statement to X.

On Sunday, Sen. Chuck Schumer raised concerns about Part 91 licenses, the kind used by New York Helicopter Tours. He called on the FAA to revoke the companys license and increase surprise inspections of other tour companies.

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In a statement to Instagram, the company said it is cooperating with the FAA and NTSB investigations.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A helicopter tour company that was involved in last weeks deadly crash on the Hudson River is shutting down its operations.

On Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced that New York Helicopter Tours would be shutting down following a crash that killed six people, including three children, per ABC.

The deaths occurred after the tourist helicopter fell into New York Citys Hudson River last Thursday.

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The FAA announced that it will be reviewing the companys operators license and safety record. The agency added that it is analyzing airplane and helicopter hotspots around the country and will be holding a helicopter safety panel later this month to discuss findings, risk and mitigation options.

Safety is the FAAs No. 1 priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public, the agency said in a statement, per ABC.

Who was on board the helicopter?

There were six people onboard the helicopter when it crashed, a tourist family from Spain and the pilot.

Agustin Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, along with their three children, ages 4, 9 and 11, were visiting New York City and were on the helicopter for a sightseeing tour, according to CNN. Escobar and Camprubi were both executives for Siemens, a European automation company.

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The pilot was 36-year-old Seankese Johnson, a Navy veteran from Chicago.

Johnson enlisted in the Navy in 2006 and served until 2018. After leaving the Navy he earned a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Southern Utah University in 2023, per The New York Times.

He had spent years flying aircraft. After his time in the Navy, he flew helicopter tours in Chicago and recently moved to New York.

What happened in the crash?

According to accounts, after flying past the Statue of Liberty and the George Washington Bridge, Johnson was piloting the helicopter south over the Hudson River when the crash occurred.

Witness accounts and videos show that the helicopter detached from its rotor and the body slammed hard into the river, according to The New York Times.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A Henagar woman was killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon.

The wreck happened at about 5:55 p.m. on Alabama 35 near the 12-mile marker, about six miles north of Gaylesville, in Cherokee County.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, 21-year-old Christina T. Powell was killed when the motorcycle she was driving left the roadway and hit several trees. She was thrown from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Nothing further is available as Troopers with ALEA continue to investigate.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
The crash of a small plane in New York over the weekend killed all six on board  a physician couple and their accomplished children and partners  during a family trip to the Catskills.

It's the latest in a series of aviation disasters at a time of heightened scrutiny of aircraft collisions and near-misses.

The most deadly was the collision of a passenger jet and a military helicopter over the Potomac River that that killed 67 people in January. In February, one airliner clipped another while taxiing at the Seattle airport. In March, an American Airlines plane caught fire after landing in Denver, sending 12 people to the hospital.

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Federal officials have tried to reassure travelers that flying is the safest mode of transportation, and statistics support that. But the cascade of headlines about things going wrong is drawing increasing attention amid declining confidence in air travel and cuts at the Federal Aviation Administration, part of President Donald Trump's efforts to downsize the federal government.

Here is a look at some of the recent aircraft tragedies and mishaps:

Fatal crashes

 The twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B went down shortly after noon Saturday in a muddy field in Copake, New York, near the Massachusetts line, shortly after the pilot radioed air traffic control at Columbia County Airport to say he had missed the initial approach and requested a new landing plan.

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 Six people were killed this month when a sightseeing helicopter broke apart and crashed into the Hudson River. The helicopter lifted off from a New York City heliport, flying north along the Manhattan skyline and then south toward the Statue of Liberty before hitting the water. The pilot was killed along with a family from Spain that was celebrating the ninth birthday of one of their children.

 Three people were killed and one was injured when a small plane crashed Friday morning near an interstate highway and pushed a car onto railroad tracks in Boca Raton, Florida.

 Two small planes collided near an Arizona airport in mid-February. One managed to land uneventfully, but the other hit the ground near a runway and caught fire, killing two people at Marana Regional Airport near Tucson.

 A small commuter plane crashed in western Alaska in early February, killing all 10 people on board. The crash was one of the deadliest in the state in 25 years. Radar data indicated that the plane rapidly lost elevation after an air traffic controller told it to slow down in icy weather so the runway at their destination could be de-iced.

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 A medical transport plane plummeted into a Philadelphia neighborhood after taking off in January, killing all six people on board and one person on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board said its cockpit voice recorder likely hadn't been functioning for years. The crew made no distress calls to air traffic control.

 The collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter above the nation's capital killed everyone aboard both aircraft in late January. It was the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. since Nov. 12, 2001, when a jet slammed into a New York City neighborhood just after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board and five on the ground.

 A jetliner operated by Jeju Air skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in December after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy, killing all but two of the 181 people aboard in one of South Korea's worst aviation disasters.

Incidents with injuries

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 The American Airlines plane that caught fire at Denver International Airport in March had been diverted there because the crew reported engine vibrations. While taxiing to the gate, an engine caught fire, prompting slides to be deployed so that passengers could evacuate quickly. The people taken to hospitals had minor injuries.

 A single-engine plane carrying five people crashed and burst into flames in the parking lot of a retirement community near a small airport outside Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in March. Everyone on board survived. Three people were taken to a burn center.

 A Delta Air Lines jet flipped over while landing at Torontos Pearson Airport in February. All 80 people on board survived, but some people received minor injuries. Witnesses and video from the scene showed the plane landing so hard that its right wing was sheared off. Investigators were examining the weather conditions and the possibility of human error.

Close calls

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 In April, on the same day as the fatal New York helicopter crash, a wing tip of an American Airlines plane struck another plane from the same airline on a taxiway of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. There were no reported injuries. Multiple members of Congress were aboard one of the flights.

 A FedEx cargo plane made an emergency landing at a busy New Jersey airport in March after a bird strike caused an engine fire that could be seen in the morning sky. The plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport. There were no reported injuries.

 Pilots on a Southwest Airlines flight about to land at Chicagos Midway Airport were forced to climb back into the sky to avoid another aircraft crossing the runway in February. Video showed the plane approaching the runway before it abruptly pulled up as a business jet taxied onto the runway without authorization, federal officials said.

 In February, a Japan Airlines plane was taxiing on the tarmac of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when it apparently clipped the tail of a parked Delta plane. There were no injuries reported.

 In January, passengers panicked when a man aboard a JetBlue plane that was taxiing for takeoff from Boston's Logan International Airport opened an exit door over a wing, trigging an emergency slide to inflate. Other passengers quickly restrained the man and the plane didn't take off.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Anyone hoping to eat at Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet on 41st Street in central Sioux Falls will be met with locked doors and a sign saying limited staffing.

But while the doors are closed, a former owner, a former manager and another alleged accomplice are now free to go while they wait for their days in court.

Notice of high-risk offenders release to Huron

A federal judge released Hui Weng, Min Lin and his wife Jin Ju Pan on personal recognizance bonds Monday; they are accused in federal court papers of harboring people who didnt have permission to be in the country. Alleged crimes took place between 2014 and 2023, with court documents accusing the trio of working together to employ foreigners for their alleged financial gain despite knowing these workers didnt have permission to work in the country.

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Court papers say workers were allegedly paid with cash after subtracting the costs of rent and meals in addition to transportation to and from work.

Court documents unsealed Friday say searches on Aug. 8, 2023 turned up two stashes of cash inside the restaurant: one totaling $109,075 and another totaling $12,530.

We noticed out back that there were, oh I think we counted eight black, unmarked vehicles, and somebody was getting out and putting on a police vest, Rod Moeller, owner and general manager at the Re-Bath Store located to the immediate west of Hibachi Grill, told KELOLAND News in August 2023 in a report about an apparent raid at the restaurant.

Court proceedings on Monday revealed that investigators discovered an additional $125,000 at the restaurant in recent days in 2025. Judge Veronica Duffy told the court that all three defendants have been in the area for more than 10 years, with Duffy giving the defendants instructions to follow the law, stay in touch with their lawyers, and not leave South Dakota without permission. Additionally, their passports will go to the clerk of courts.

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There is a fourth defendant in the case, but his or her name is redacted in the indictment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 14Multiple court cases were filed in connection to the death of a Beavercreek Lyft driver in January 2022, including criminal cases involving two teen suspects and a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including Lyft and the two teens.

Brandon Cooper, 35, was shot early Jan. 26, 2022, during an attempted robbery in Dayton after a group of teens reportedly used the Lyft rideshare app to lure Cooper by hiring him for a ride.

Two teen suspects had their cases moved to adult court. Here's where the cases stand and what's next.

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What happened?  Dayton police responded around 2 a.m. Jan. 26, 2022, to Ferguson Avenue after a vehicle's OnStar system reported a possible crash. Officers found Cooper dead inside the vehicle. He reportedly was shot in the back.  Investigators determined the homicide was connected to a robbery earlier that morning after a different Lyft driver reported her cellphone, wallet and car were stolen.  Police found the stolen vehicle around 3 a.m. on Anna Street. When officers approached a house three people refused to come outside, prompting a SWAT standoff. Four juveniles eventually were taken into custody.

Who is facing charges?  Two teen boys were charged in Cooper's death. Both boys, who were 15 at the time of the shooting, initially were charged in juvenile court with aggravated robbery and aggravated murder. The Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office filed a motion in February 2022 for the teens, both from Dayton, to be tried as adults. Two other juveniles charged in the incident were found to be amenable to treatment in the juvenile justice system.  Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge Helen Wallace approved the case of one of the suspects, Da'Trayvon Mitchell, to be transferred to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. A grand jury indicted him Dec. 22, 2022, on charges of murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, grand theft of a motor vehicle and discharge of a firearm on a public road or highway.  Wallace on Sept. 6, 2023, approved for the case against the second teen be transferred to adult court. Tylan Amir Peaks was indicted Sept. 20, 2023, on charges of murder, aggravated robbery, grand theft of a motor vehicle, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.  Mitchell, now 17, pleaded guilty June 25, 2024, to one count each of murder and aggravated robbery. A dozen charges, including murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, tampering with evidence and grand theft (motor vehicle) were dismissed as part of his plea agreement.  Peaks, also now 17, pleaded guilty July 9, 2024, to 17 felony charges: four counts of murder, six counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of felonious assault, one count of tampering with evidence and four counts of grand theft (motor vehicle) for incidents involving a Kia Forte, Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Cruze and Subaru Impreza. No counts were dismissed as part of his plea, records show.  Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Dennis Adkins on July 31, 2024, sentenced Mitchell to 25 years to life and he sentenced Peaks to 27 years to life in prison.

What's happening in the civil lawsuit?  Cooper's family filed a civil suit in December 2022 against Lyft, Mitchell, Peaks and five John and Jane Does who are Lyft employees responsible for the company's protocols and policies.  The lawsuit claims Lyft was negligent and caused Cooper's death and that the company fails to implement effective safety measures to protect drivers. It also argues Lyft didn't use all available safety features, such as forcing users with anonymous payment methods to verify their identity.  In September 2023, Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Mary Wiseman ruled against Lyft's motion to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming in part that the company has no legal duty to protect against third party acts that were not foreseeable. In a memo opposing the motion to dismiss, the legal team for the Cooper family claimed Lyft ignored multiple signs Cooper was in danger and chose to ignore signs that Dayton drivers were in danger. Lyft responded, saying the company offers multiple payment options to support users who may not have access to traditional finance services. It said it cannot tell whether a passenger will commit a crime based on form of payment, and said a string of phone thefts in the Dayton area was not a clear sign the account used in Cooper's death posed a threat.  Judge Mary Wiseman dismissed the lawsuit against Lyft in March 2025. The family's attorney filed a notice to appeal to the Ohio Second District Court of Appeals on April 2, 2025.
Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

A new higher education law set to take effect this summer is causing high school students across the state to think twice about applying to Ohio colleges and universities.

Ohio State University used to be high on N. Mohans list of potential colleges, but not since Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 1 into law at the end of last month.

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Mohan, a junior at a high School in northeast Ohio, wants to be a doctor and no longer has any interest in going to medical school in Ohio.

DEI and medical education has always been really important to having equitable doctors and equitable health care, she said. If thats not the environment that Im going to be in when I get to medical school, I dont want to be here at all in Ohio.

The new law will ban diversity efforts, regulate classroom discussion, prohibit faculty strikes, and regulate classroom discussion of controversial topics, among other things. The law applies to public universities and community colleges and is set to take effect in June.

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Mohan is now looking into applying to Northwestern University and schools in Chicago and New York because they do have more liberal policies, especially with DEI, she said.

Michelle Huang, a junior at Olentangy Liberty High School in Delaware County, still plans on applying to Ohio State, but admits shes less motivated to attend. She is also thinking about applying to the University of Michigan and schools on the East and West coasts.

It is just really daunting to see how much is being done against DEI and being done against systems that are put in place for a reason and that are helping us currently, Huang said. Its just really disheartening to see this happen in Ohio.

She wants to pursue political science and economics in college and eventually go to law school. Huang was one of the more than 1,500 people who submitted opponent testimony against S.B. 1.

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Claire Witalec, a freshman at Laurel School in Cuyahoga County, is curious to see how the new law will have changed higher education in Ohio by the time she starts applying to colleges in a couple of years.

By the time Im attending college, if views are being stifled in Ohio, I would definitely want to think about out-of-state options, but I think it really depends on how this bill evolves over the next few years, she said.

Mayya Sharma, a sophomore at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Summit County, said she is curious to see how universities implement the new law and how restrictive that might be.

Now that this bill is passed, its really pushed me to go to colleges and states that have more, kinder DEI policies, Sharma said.

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John OKeefe, president of Ohio Universitys American Association of University Professors chapter, thinks the new law will give students pause before applying to Ohio universities.

This really sends a message to so many potential students that theyre not welcome and this is not a place for them, he said.

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Nationwide, institutions of higher education are seeing federal funds cut if they fail to abide by directives from the Trump administration. (Photo of UNC-CH by Clayton Henkel/NCNewsline)

With weeks left before the spring commencement season gets underway, UNC System President Peter Hans offered the University of North Carolinas Board of Governors a sobering message at last weeks meeting.

I believe higher education has been and remains an enormous source of strength for our state and nation, Hans said. [But] the public confidence in higher education nationally has fallen, reflecting a broad trend of weakening trust in institutions of all kinds.

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Hans said even with that perception, the system owes it to future generations to fortify North Carolinas critical engines of knowledge, mobility, and culture.

UNC System President Peter Hans addresses the Board of Governors on April 10, 2025. (Screengrab of UNC Board of Governors livestream/PBSNC)

In the long history of American public life, periods of ease and harmony are the exception, not the rule. We need universities built for all seasons ready to thrive and play their part in the grand American experiment, Hans advised.

But being built for all seasons did not perhaps envision an administration in Washington determined to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education while threatening to strip federal funding from all universities that refused to comply with its mandates.

In March, Johns Hopkins University announced plans to slash 2,000 jobs as the Trump administration made deep cuts to international aid programs. Columbia University saw $400 million in grants and contracts cancelled due to the universitys alleged inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students. Cornell University faces the loss of $1 billion in federal funding. And Raleighs News & Observer reports 13 research projects at UNC-Chapel Hill were terminated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Without mentioning the institutions now in the crosshairs, Hans told the Board of Governors that to maintain public trust, it was crucial to stay focused on the core educational mission.

Hans said by following the university systems strategic plan with a focus on affordability and on-time graduation, the system is seeing improvements in the areas that matter to the state.

Weve also taken steps to minimize distractions in this fraught era, again to the focus. Our early adoption of institutional neutrality has allowed campus leaders to focus on their educational roles instead of constantly chasing the news cycle.

Hans made no mention of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but he did not need to. Its been almost a year since the UNC Board of Governors voted to repeal the systems DEI policy.

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Legislation that cleared the state Senate last week would further expand restrictions for DEI on North Carolinas college campuses to include the banning of instruction in divisive concepts.

Im proud to say the UNC system was ahead of the curve on these critical questions that so many other universities across the country are right now struggling with, Hans told his colleagues.

Moving forward, Hans said the university system will need to avoid overreaching its mission, lower administrative spending, and find ways to operate more efficiently.

Standing up to strong forces

Shayna Hill, chair of the UNC System Staff Assembly, used her time before Hans and the governors last Thursday to remind them that there should be space to discuss thorny, complex subjects, even when it can be a messy process.

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Sometimes we get passionate and heated. And sometimes what we advocate for doesnt make it into the work that we do. But we always come to the table with a desire to make our institutions better, she said.

But Hill said that strong forces right now collectively give the staff pause.

Some of us are worried about how we will sustain our research. Some of us are worried if students will still have the same options when it comes to financial aid. Some of us are worried about our funding and staffing levels. Some of us are worried about the rising cost of absolutely everything.

Shayna Hill, chair of the UNC System Staff Assembly (Screengrab of UNC Board of Governors livestream/PBSNC)

Hill said she was personally distressed by news reports that at least two-thirds of the staff of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, or NIOSH, are expected to be laid off.

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I am familiar with the research done to study cancer rates in firefighters as some of this work is done in my own department. This is noble and important research, and I couldnt help but feeling like we were abandoning these brave folks who worked so hard to keep us safe.

It felt like a gut punch. She cried briefly at her desk.

Hill reminded the board that UNC staff and faculty fervently believe in their work, even when strong forces seek to disrupt their mission.

We believe that we can help improve our world through the projects, research and education that takes place in our departments and our institutions. So, when we feel defeated or depressed, we find ways to hold each other up, to elevate each other and to continue to serve the state of North Carolina with love, guts and passion. It is what we are supposed to do.
One major road improvement project in southeast Madera County is coming to a close. But two others are looming, so dont expect the rush hour traffic jams on Highway 41 to end anytime soon.

Caltrans said it has a May completion target for the $31.4 million rehabilitation of Highway 41 between Highway 145 and Avenue 15. But Madera County will be taking the lead on two more projects in the area that are close to starting construction.

One project, the widening of Avenue 12 from Highway 41 to Road 40, is expected to begin in June and could take 18 months to complete. A second project, the widening of Highway 41 from Avenue 10 1/2 to Avenue 15, is expected to begin early 2026 and could take two years to complete.

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Traffic congestion on Highway 41  increased by population growth at the Riverstone and Tesoro Viejo communities  includes tens of thousands of vehicles passing through each day. The stretch of Avenue 12 that approaches Highway 41 from the west has long been called a dangerous road for drivers, and has been the site of numerous deadly crashes in recent years.

The added lanes and traffic control on both projects will enhance safety, shorten delays, and reduce congestion in the (southeast) Madera County area, and lessen the associated air quality impacts and costs to the motoring public, Dominic Tyburski, Madera County Public Works director, said in an email.

Until then, drivers looking forward to the safer flow of vehicles will have to deal with some traffic-slowing measures.

Impact to commuters, neighbors

During construction, Tyburski said, traffic staging should keep the same number of lanes open that exist today. But drivers will encounter traffic controls and road signs that impact through speeds, he said.

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There wont be officially signed detours, but the suggestion to seek alternate routes to avoid congestion is valid, Tyburski said.

Before Caltrans implemented a through-right turn from Avenue 12 onto Highway 41, he said, drivers were already using Road 40 and Business 41 to avoid congestion.

I would expect that could resume, Tyburski said.

He said the Rolling Hills community  immediately west of Highway 41 and south of Riverstone  likely wont be impacted by traffic through the neighborhood. But the community likely will be impacted by congestion around the Avenue 10 and Lanes Bridge intersection, he said.

Traffic crosses through the Highway 41 and Avenue 12 intersection in Madera County on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Both Highway 41 and Avenue 12 will be going under major widening construction projects in the coming months and years.

Avenue 12 improvements

The Avenue 12 project will span the northern boundary of the Riverstone community from Highway 41 to Road 40.

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The improvements will make Avenue 12 into a 6-lane road from Highway 41 to Riverstone Boulevard Southeast. From there, it would transition into a 4-lane road through Road 40.

The entire stretch will receive a raised medium. There will traffic signals placed at Riverstone Boulevard Southeast and Riverstone Boulevard Southwest. Plans also include adding two lanes for drivers to turn right from Avenue 12 onto Highway 41.

District 1 Madera County Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff told The Bee this project is worth a total of about $30 million.

The Riverwalk shopping area at the Riverbend Ranch home development comes into view from Highway 12 in Madera County on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Avenue 12 will be going under a major widening construction project between Highway 41 and Road 40.

Highway 41 improvements

The Highway 41 improvements will turn this major route into a 4-lane highway from Avenue 10 1/2 to Avenue 15, a span of more than four miles.

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At Highway 41s intersection with Avenue 12, there will be two left-turn lanes in all directions, two right-turn lanes for eastbound drivers entering Highway 41 from Avenue 12, and one right-turn lane for all other directions.

At Highway 41s intersection with Avenue 15, there will be two left-turn lanes for northbound, southbound and westbound drivers. For eastbound drivers, there will be one left-turn lane. There will be one right-turn lane for all directions.

Tyburski, the countys public works director, said the construction and right-of-way acquisitions for this project will cost up to an estimated $150 million.
GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The owner of a popular North Carolina restaurant is on the hook for more than $1.5 million after federal officials say he misused pandemic relief funds.

Bobby Gerald Duncan, owner of Hillbillys Barbeque and Steaks, agreed to settle with the government after being accused of wrongfully pocketing $762,000 in COVID-19 aid and using it for personal gain, including buying a FedEx business.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Duncan got money through two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

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Former church financial secretary arrested for allegedly embezzling over $570K

Instead of using the funds to keep his business afloat, he allegedly transferred $100,000 to a personal vacation account and later used $750,000 from the restaurants account to purchase a FedEx business with a longtime friend, federal authorities said.

Authorities said Duncan even added his friend to a bank account to boost his credit score for a separate SBA loan. When that plan didnt work, Duncan just bought the FedEx business outright.

Pandemic relief funds were meant to provide a financial lifeline to small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the unprecedented COVID crisis. Where those funds were misused, we will pursue their return as part of our ongoing effort to curb waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money. U.S. Attorney Ferguson

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HINDOSTAN FALLS The new shelter house at Hindostan Falls is completed and officials are getting ready to cut the ribbon.

Executive Director for the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth Jessica Potts says the ribbon cutting is set for May 1 at 6 p.m.

I am excited to get the ribbon cut and get this out to the public for use. I am already fielding a lot of phone calls from people wanting to reserve it. That is something we are working through with DNR, she said.

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The alliance ran point on a community fund-raising effort that paid for the project.

We fund raised through Creating Places online fund-raising our $40,000 goal plus another $6,000. Our original goal was matched dollar for dollar so the total raised was $86,000, said Potts.

The project also received some support from area schools that constructed things like picnic tables that will be used in the shelter house.

Because the Hindostan Falls Park sits on state land the new shelter house falls under the direction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

With the shelter house completed officials are working on a plan to manage it.

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The Indiana Department of Natural Resources owns the land where the shelter house is located. They say they are good with the county handling the reservations. The county cannot make any money off of the reservations, said Potts. I am working with the county commissioners on exactly how we are going to do that. It might be a tab on the countys website. I just know I have received a lot of requests for all kinds of events including bridal showers, graduation parties, even some veteran events. The local libraries want to hold some events there, which I think is pretty cool.

Currently, no one is able to use the facility. Due to recent flooding, the shelter is in the river.

It is underwater right now, but we hope it wont be by the time we have the ribbon cutting, said Potts. It will get a lot of use once it gets up and running and it is not under water.
FORT SCOTT, Kans.  The Fort Scott community got to explore the 1800s this weekend.

Today was day two of the annual Spring Civil War Encampment at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

The public was invited to experience what southeast Kansas was like during the Civil War.

Guests could learn about infantry troops and see drills first hand, how they lived, and how long it would take to load ammunition for battle.

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They could also attend a presentation from a blacksmith while he forged raw metal into different tools.

Rangers gave tours, sharing stories about the Civil War experience, and talking about the roles of women, medicine and doctors, and all the other people who supported the troops.

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A Hobart man is charged after having sex with an underage teen girl, records allege.

Gabriel Fragoso, Jr., 24, was charged Friday with four counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.

He has not been apprehended. When arrested, he is ordered held on a $7,500 cash bond.

Cedar Lake Police Det. Marcus McDowell wrote that a Hanover Central High School police officer reported that the girl was assaulted by a man, 24.

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Police subpoenaed records from Discord  an online messaging app.

Fragoso agreed to pick up the girl in late November at the Cedar Lake library before they went to Lemon Lake Park. He told the girl his name was Dave.

I had soo much fun tonight, she later messaged.

The girl later told a Special Victims Unit detective they went to Lemon Lake Park and walked around. She got cold, they went to the bathrooms.

When the detective asked what happened, the girl was upset, embarrassed, and didnt want to elaborate. Later in the interview, she appeared to allude to a sex act.

They went to a Jewel parking lot, likely in Crown Point, where they got in the back seat. Fragoso repeated asked her to have sex with him. The girl later said she felt scared and had little choice.

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Later in December, the girl lured Fragoso to her house where her family, at minimum, screamed at him in their garage. The girl wasnt entirely sure what happened.

Fragoso got an lawyer and refused to answer the investigators questions.

mcolias@post-trib.com
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The Republican gatekeeper standing in the way of the Democratic governors nominees to head state departments said this week that those directors need to have a neutral, fair approach to regulation.

But Sen. Jake Hoffman is using the committee to exact political vengeance on Gov. Katie Hobbs by unfairly targeting her nominees, said Christian Slater, the governors chief spokesman. He called Hoffman a liar and a clown who is engaged in a partisan witch hunt.

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And while Hoffman may demand neutrality and fairness from Hobbs picks to head state agencies, the same cant be said of the people who Hobbs office claimed he summoned to testify on April 10 when the Senate Director Nominations Committee met to consider the governors nominee to lead the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

A long line of far-right local Republican Party leaders blasted Barbara Richardson for a supposed anti-business stance and for participating in National Association of Insurance Commissioners special committees on diversity, equity and inclusion and climate resiliency.

Hoffman, in an email to the Arizona Mirror after this story was published, said there is no factual basis for the claim that he invited anyone to testify and said the allegation that he did so is false.

I did not solicit or coordinate any public testimony for or against Ms. Richardson, Hoffman said.

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In a March 27 press statement, Hoffman said that qualified candidates should be free from any partisan political agenda and accused Richardson of having a history of radical leftist ideologies.

Nearly all of the more than a dozen people who asked the committee not to recommend Richardson be confirmed as director were Republican Party activists or their associates. Some of the speakers disclosed their political affiliations, but several did not.

We need a regulator who maintains a neutral, fair approach to regulation, Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, said. I dont believe that Miss Richardson is that regulator.

Richardson previously led insurance regulation departments in multiple states under both Democratic and Republican governors. The committee split along party lines to not recommend her confirmation.

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State law requires the state Senate confirm a governors picks to lead agencies. Without a recommendation from the committee, the full Senate is unlikely to confirm Richardsons appointment to head the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

So far this year, the committee has recommended confirmation of eight of Hobbs department director nominees, and six of them have been confirmed by the Senate.

But in February, Joan Serviss, Hobbs nominee to head the Department of Housing, was dismissed from her position due to pressure from Republicans in the Senate.

When Serviss went before the committee after Hobbs nominated her as director in 2023, Hoffman accused her of plagiarism for copying language in press statements during a previous job. Later, he blamed her for a $2 million wire transfer the department made to scammers who impersonated a nonprofit.

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The Director Nominations Committee, which was created in 2023 specifically to vet Hobbs director nominees, held several contentious and combative nomination hearings that year and refused to confirm most of the governors nominees.

Prior to the creation of that committee, Senate confirmations occurred with little fanfare following brief interviews with relevant legislative committees.

Hobbs attempted to sidestep the Senate approval process by appointing her director nominees as deputy directors, positions that dont require Senate approval. But following a lawsuit from Senate Republicans, a judge ruled that Hobbs had broken the law in circumventing the approval process and ordered her to make new director nominations to be submitted to the Senate.

Richardson originally went before the committee on March 27, but was invited back on April 10 to explain some of her actions that Hoffman said caused him concern. Those included the way that she communicated rules to businesses that the department regulates, which Hoffman claimed went against state statute, as well as longer wait times for licensing.

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Richardson explained that longer wait times were due to staff turnover and a significant increase in licensing renewal applications from around 81,000 in 2019 to nearly 122,000 in 2024.

Former Arizona Republican Party Treasurer Elijah Norton, who owns several businesses regulated by the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, told the committee that his testimony against Richardson came at great risk to his own business. Norton claimed that many other business owners were scared to speak to the committee because they feared retaliation from Richardson.

He accused her of being a wolf in sheeps clothing or a leftist disguising herself as a moderate. Norton said he didnt believe her claims that her involvement in the DEI committee was only for learning purposes and that she did not implement any DEI practices in the department.

Joe Steenbergen, who also harshly criticized Richardson, did not tell the committee members that he works for Veritas Global Protection Services, one of the companies that Norton owns.

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I can say unequivocally that, since Miss Richardson assumed her role as acting director of the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, or DIFI, the department has taken a complete nosedive, he said.

Steenbergen added that the workers there have become apathetic and less business friendly, and he claimed that, if the Senate approved Richardsons nomination, he would likely recommend that his employer leave Arizona for a state thats more business friendly.

Other speakers who recommended against Richardsons confirmation included Shelby Busch, the first vice chairman of the Maricopa County Republican Committee; Debbie Cheatham, an advisory board member for Arizona Right to Life; and Ron Smith, who ran the unsuccessful 2024 campaign for Congress for former Arizona Sen. Anthony Kern, who was one of the states most far-right lawmakers.

Slater said in a written statement that the Republican Party activists who testified had one job: beat up Richardson.

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Jake brought Republican precinct committeemen who dont even know what DIFI stands for, let alone what it does, to engage in a hit job on a career nonpartisan public servant, Slater said. The only people who are harmed because of these political games are the people of Arizona.

Kelsey Lundy, a lobbyist for Compass Strategies, spoke in support of Richardson, saying shes been representing businesses regulated by DIFI for around 20 years and feels Richardson has treated her clients fairly and with no bias.

Chad Heinrich, CEO of Arizonans for Affordable Healthcare, also recommended that the committee approve Richardsons nomination, saying that hed witnessed her deference to state law and lawmakers.

Democratic Sen. Analise Ortiz, of Phoenix, apologized to Richardson for the political hit job we saw today, adding that she was disheartened to hear untrue claims that Richardson is a DEI activist.

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***CORRECTION & UPDATE: This story was corrected to clarify that that Gov. Hobbs office is claiming that the Republican activists who testified against Barbara Richardson were invited to do so by Sen. Jake Hoffman. Additionally, the story was updated to include comments and quotes from Hoffman that were provided in response to this story.

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Former State Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) | Ken Coleman photo

Former State Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) announced on Monday that he would once again seek to represent the states 13th congressional district, throwing down the gauntlet against U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit).

In his announcement, Hollier sharply criticized Thanedar, who is serving his second term in Congress.

From housing to daycare to the rising costs of everything from groceries to the brakes on our cars, were in a real crisis in this country, said Hollier. We need bold solutions and leaders who wont back down in the face of this challenge. The last thing we need are more millionaires and billionaires like Elon Musk and Shri Thanedar who are only in it for themselves.

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Thanedar, who spent $10 million of his own funds seeking the governors seat in 2018, served one term in the Michigan Legislature from 2021 through the end of 2022. He was elected to Congress for the first time that year, winning reelection in 2024.

Hollier served in the state Senate from 2018 through the end of 2022. He served as the Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency from January to October of 2023. Hollier is also a team chief and paratrooper in the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, Army Reserve.

The two previously squared off in the 2022 Democratic primary, with Thanedar receiving 28.3% of the vote and Hollier receiving 23.5% of the vote.

While Hollier sought to unseat Thanedar in 2024, he was disqualified from the primary after Thandedar challenged his petitions to appear on the ballot. In her review, Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett found only 863 of the 1,553 signatures he submitted were valid, leaving Hollier 137 signatures short of the 1,000 needed to qualify for the ballot.

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After he was disqualified from the ballot, Hollier said the circulator hed brought on to collect signatures had let him down, but that as the leadership of the campaign fell to him, he must hold himself to a higher standard.

In announcing his candidacy for 2026, Hollier amplified criticism of Thanedar, pointing to an investigation from the Detroit News which found Thanedar had spent $930,000 in taxpayer funds in 2024 TV, radio, billboards and other advertisements to promote himself as he faced challengers from several other Democrats heading into the primary election last year.

Its absurd. While everyday Michiganders are struggling, Shri Thanedar is spending hundreds of thousands of their hard-earned tax dollars putting up self-portraits of himself all over the district, Hollier said in a statement. Thats something only Donald Trump would be proud of.

Thanedar told the News the ads were unrelated to his reelection campaign and were intended to generate calls from constituents who need help from the federal government.

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On Monday, Thanedar defended his record in a statement to the Michigan Advance.

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Since my election, weve solved over 2800 constituent cases, recovered nearly $3 million for constituents, gotten $30 million approved in community projects, and sponsored and cosponsored 810 different bills. We have world class constituent communication, including a record 11 in-person town halls, Thanedar said before blasting Hollier for his previous failure to qualify for the ballot.

Congressional candidates have the simple task of getting 1,000 qualified signatures to get on the ballot. Voters in the 13th District, 30% of whom are at or below poverty, have serious problems they need addressed. They are looking for someone competent and qualified, not someone who will hire his friends and disastrously fail to accomplish simple tasks, Thanedar said.

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar speaks at his election night party in Detroit on Aug. 6, 2024 | Ken Coleman

In his announcement, Hollier called for aggressive action from the federal and state government to build new affordable housing across the region and crack down on corporations gouging buyers and renters on housing costs.

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He also pledged to fight for investments to lower the costs of childcare and a repeal of President Donald Trumps tariff policies. If elected, Hollier also promised he would work to make it easier for Michiganders to start small businesses and cut taxes on the poor and the middle class.

As one of the two U.S. representatives whose districts encompass Detroit, the race for the 13th District is considered vital for representation of the predominantly Black city. Detroit elected its first Black U.S. representative, Charles Diggs Jr., in 1954, and consistently elected a Black representative up until 2022, when voters elected Thanedar, who immigrated from India, alongside Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), who is Palestinian American, to Michigans 12th Congressional District.

While Hollier, who is Black, did not make the ballot in 2024, Thanedars Democratic challengers included Lawyer Shakira Lynn Hawkins and Detroit City Council Member Mary Waters who are both African American. Republican Martell Bivings, who faced off against Thanedar in 2022 and 2024, is also Black.
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(NewsNation)  This week, Christians all over America and the world will commemorate Holy Week. Its the most sacred time on the Christian calendar, leading up to Easter. Believers mark it through prayer, fasting and reflection on Jesus Christs crucifixion and death.

Palm Sunday

The week begins with Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly to celebrate Passover, according to the four Gospels. The crowds welcomed him with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna, a cry for help and salvation in Hebrew. They believed he was the Messiah and would fulfill the Old Testament prophecies.

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Christians celebrate Palm Sunday in different ways around the world, depending on denomination and local cultures and traditions. Many participate in outdoor processions with palm branches that are blessed and read the Passion, the story of Jesus crucifixion and death on a cross.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, Christians commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his 12 disciples before he was arrested by Roman soldiers, according to the New Testament. Jesus washed the disciples feet to show them how to love and serve each other. Many Christian denominations reenact the washing of the feet during their services on this day.

Blue Origins all-female spaceflight returns to Earth

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For Catholics, Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, the three days that trace the final days of Jesus, including his arrest and condemnation to death by Pontius Pilate, his carrying of the cross, his crucifixion and death, and his resurrection from the dead.

Good Friday

Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and died on Good Friday. It is a solemn day marked by prayer, fasting and reflection. In many parts of the world, public processions are held, and the faithful reflect on scenes from Christs passion. In some traditions, Christians venerate a wooden cross in remembrance of Christs ultimate sacrifice.

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, according to scripture, Jesus body was resting in the tomb after his death and burial. It is a day of silence and waiting as the faithful prepare for Christs resurrection.

Easter Sunday

Easter is the most joyous day on the Christian calendar, when Christians believe Christ rose from the dead after being crucified on the cross. According to all four Gospels, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other women who followed Jesus went to his tomb at dawn and found the stone rolled away. Then, according to Matthews account, an angel told them, Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

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Mother pushes for more organ donors after her son saved lives

Easter is celebrated in different ways, with sunrise services or late-night vigils and decorating Easter eggs, which symbolize the tomb and new life. The tradition of the Easter Bunny is rooted in German folklore and was brought to the United States by German immigrants. As the tradition evolved, the Easter Bunny brought candy and colored eggs to children.

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An immigration attorney was surprised to receive a notice from the Department of Homeland Security instructing an immediate departure from the United States that was addressed to hernot one of her clientsespecially considering the fact that she is a U.S. citizen.

Nicole Micheroni received a notice, which appeared to be delivered by email from a Customs and Border Protection DHS account, alerting her that the DHS is now exercising its discretion to terminate your parole.

Micheroni, who was born in Newton, Massachusetts, is not in the United States on parole.

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If you do not depart the country immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States, the notice warned.

Micheroni told NBC10 Boston that at first I thought it was for a client, but I looked really closely and the only name on the email was mine.

She noted that while the language was very threatening and the email looked kind of like a sketchy spam email, it was the real thing.

It doesnt look like an official government notice, but it is, she said.

Micheroni told The Boston Globe that in the 12 years shed been an immigration attorney, she had never seen immigration parole terminated by email.

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Sarah Sherman-Stokes, associate director of the Immigrants Rights and Human Trafficking Clinic at Boston University, told the Globe that the DHS had recently put out a wave of parole termination notices via email, as part of the Trump administrations efforts to get immigrants to self-deport.

In a statement to NBC10 Boston, the DHS said that CBP used the known email addresses of the alien to send notifications. If a non-personal emailsuch as an American citizen contactwas provided by the alien, notices may have been sent to unintended recipients. CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis.

A senior DHS official said that it was possible that one of her clients had entered Micheronis information by mistake.

I think its really scary this is going on, Micheroni said. I think it says theyre not being careful.

Micheronis fears arent unfounded: Its clear that the Trump administration is not being careful. The Trump administration is attempting to abandon a Maryland man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador last month, due to an administrative error. And on Monday, Donald Trump revealed that hed asked his attorney general to look into implementing his threat to banish U.S. citizens to foreign gulagswhich is entirely illegal.
A number of Idaho homeowners were recently left stunned when their insurance companies dropped them. Why did this happen? Because they're residents of areas prone to wildfires.

What's happening?

According to KTVB7, some insurance companies are ending coverage in high-risk areas, leaving many without coverage as wildfire season approaches.

"We got a letter saying that they were dropping us," Dena Neubaum told the local news outlet. "In three months, we've had three insurance companies."

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Neubaum said she eventually obtained new coverage  but this policy won't address wildfire damage. Agents are reportedly "determining whether certain regions are too risky or unprofitable to insure due to increasing wildfire threats."

Insurance companies can rank areas according to risk based on various factors, including environmental characteristics, and agents may decline to insure residents if risks are deemed too high.

Why is wildfire insurance protection important?

Due to the impacts of planet-warming pollution, wildfires are growing more frequent, severe, and destructive.

Rising global temperatures, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns create ideal conditions for wildfires to spread rapidly, threatening homes and whole communities. That's why comprehensive wildfire insurance is an essential safeguard.

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Without proper coverage, homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas face enormous financial burdens if their properties see damage or destruction. Rebuilding costs, temporary housing expenses, and replacing belongings can leave the uninsured struggling to recover after a disaster. Wildfire coverage can offer some measure of financial protection, helping families rebuild their lives without excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Wildfire insurance is also crucial for maintaining property values and community stability in fire-prone regions. As more carriers limit or drop coverage in high-risk areas  including those susceptible to other extreme weather events, like hurricanes and floods  homeowners without protection may struggle to sell their homes, leading to economic decline in vulnerable neighborhoods.

What's being done to protect Idaho homes from wildfires?

Reporting from KTVB7 suggested that homeowners could strengthen their cases for keeping coverage by making their homes more resilient to fires.

Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

The local outlet later spoke with Zach Mason, whose project Ember Safe helps residents "harden" their homes against wildfires. Mason said that with risk-mitigating upgrades, "some homeowners have gone full coverage again." Such fixes might include spreading gravel around the home's perimeter to block embers, cleaning out gutters, and ensuring wooden fences do not touch the house  or are swapped out for metal fences.

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An agent who spoke with KTVB7 also suggested contacting your own agent if your coverage is cut due to wildfire risk. They may have ideas or advice about how or where to secure another plan.

Idaho does not currently have a Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan like some other states prone to disasters. The Natural Resources Defense Council describes FAIR Plans as state government-operated safety nets "providing insurance to property owners who cannot obtain traditional insurance because they are considered high risk, typically due to factors like location, property age, or construction type."

Meanwhile, the Idaho Department of Insurance has been working on two bills to help residents harden their homes. According to the Idaho Capital Sun, department director Dean Cameron also presented a resolution to the state legislature in early March to "create a legislative committee to study Idaho's property insurance market."

But you don't have to live in Idaho to help fight the growing threat of wildfires worldwide. Consumers living anywhere can modernize the machines and appliances they use every day to save money as well as reduce the heat-trapping pollution that drives rising temperatures. By making your next vehicle an electric one, switching to solar, or installing a heat pump, you can play an important part in combatting increasingly destructive disasters.

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.
Adm. Daryl Caudle  a longtime admiral who has demanded accountability from Americas ailing shipbuilding industry  has emerged as the front-runner for the Navys top officer post, according to five people with knowledge of the process.

The likely selection of Caudle, a four-star admiral who heads the command that trains and equips the Navys sailors, comes just two months after President Donald Trump fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first female in that role. He terminated her in an abrupt purge of top military leaders, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. C.Q. Brown.

A three-decade Navy officer who has commanded submarine fleets, Caudle could prove a fairly safe choice. Unlike Navy Secretary John Phelan, he has significant Pentagon experience. Democrats, who are angry about Franchettis sudden dismissal, may find it harder to oppose a well-regarded career officer.

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Hes a no-nonsense guy, you cant bullshit him, said one former Navy colleague, who like others was granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. He goes and finds problems, he turns over the rock, and whatevers underneath it, he chews it up, spits it out and comes back.

Caudle, if selected, would inherit a fleet that has struggled with embarrassing and costly shipbuilding delays and which is now 14 times smaller than Chinas. He would join as Phelan is examining what to cut in the services contracts and as Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency investigates the Navy's shipbuilding efforts.

The admiral traveled with Phelan in late March off the southeastern coast and to the Connecticut shipyard where the Virginia-class submarine is built. He also has spent the past two weeks visiting senators, two people familiar with the conversations said.

He would replace acting Navy chief of staff Adm. James Kilby, who has been on the job since Franchetti was dismissed.

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U.S. Fleet Forces Command declined to comment. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.

POLITICO previously reported that a number of top military officials were in the running for the post. This included Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo and his predecessor, retired Adm. John Aquilino; Vice Adm. Brad Skillman, who runs the Navys Office of Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources; and retired Rear Adm. Keith Davids, who served as the director of the White House military office during the first Trump administration.

Paparo, who was a leading contender for Navy chief during the Biden administration, took himself out of consideration, according to a person close to the White House. He and Caudle interviewed for the Navys top military post in July 2023 but lost out to Franchetti.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command did not respond to a request for comment.

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Caudle has been unusually blunt in calling out failures in the defense industrial base. I am not forgiving of the fact theyre not delivering the ordnance we need, Caudle said in 2023 when defense contractors were slow to restock the Navys depleted weapons arsenal. He has also criticized the services lack of public shipyards to maintain warships and said the Navy should be embarrassed that it cant develop lasers to provide air defense aboard ships.

He joined the Navy more than three decades ago and commanded nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines before taking over the services submarine fleet in the Atlantic and serving as a vice director on the Joint Staff. He earned the call sign honey badger due to his tenacity and ability to solve hard problems, the former Navy colleague said. He has led the U.S. Fleet Forces Command since 2021.

Caudle has taken on an even more public profile in recent months, praising the Navys efforts to patrol U.S. territorial waters after the Trump administration ordered more military assets to the southern border.

He appeared in a Navy video in March that touted the deployment of guided missile destroyers to waters off the U.S. coast for the border mission. The longtime admiral referred to the location as the Gulf of America, which Trump renamed from the Gulf of Mexico in an executive order.

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Our Navy is answering the call to safeguard Americas southern border, Caudle said after the USS Gravely left Norfolk, Virginia, in a campaign-style video that featured soaring music and stock footage of U.S. warships.

Hes really astute and hes aware of all of those problems, the former Navy colleague said. Hes spread his talent across the entire fleet."

Caudle has had to deal with everything from the high rate of suicide aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the condition of barracks, barges and parking at the old shipyard.

The solutions are out there, weve just got to have open and honest conversations about the problems, Caudle said at the Sea Air Space conference this month. We need to find ways to unite our collective energies behind solving those problems without a Pearl Harbor or a 9/11 event being required to motivate us.

Paul McLeary and Connor OBrien contributed to this report.
HONG KONG (AP)  Hong Kong's government on Monday defended its immigration procedures after a British member of parliament was denied entry to the Chinese city last week, an incident that has prompted concerns among U.K. officials.

Wera Hobhouse, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party representing Bath, on Sunday wrote on the social media platform Bluesky that authorities gave her no explanation for what she described as a cruel and upsetting blow. She noted that she was the first British MP to face such a situation upon arrival in the former British colony since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Hobhouse had told British media that she flew to Hong Kong to visit her newborn grandchild. She is also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China that has scrutinized Beijings human rights record.

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The Hong Kong government, in a statement released late Monday, maintained that its immigration officers are duty-bound to question individuals to ascertain the purpose of any visit.

The person concerned knows best what he or she has done. It will be unhelpful to the persons case if the person refuses to answer questions put to him or her for that purpose, the statement read. The government added that it would not comment on individual cases.

The statement also said that Chief Secretary Eric Chan discussed the matter with the U.K. Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander earlier on Monday during the British official's visit to Hong Kong.

In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that immigration affairs fall within the scope of national sovereignty and the city's government has the right to handle individual immigration cases according to the law.

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The British government also issued a statement on Monday about Hobhouse's entry denial last Thursday. It stated that Alexander had raised its concerns with senior Chinese and Hong Kong counterparts and demanded an explanation during his visit to the city and mainland China.

Unjustified restrictions on the freedom of movement for U.K. citizens into Hong Kong only serves to further undermine Hong Kongs international reputation and the important people-to-people connections between the U.K. and Hong Kong, it said.

It added that the U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy made clear that it would be unacceptable for any member of parliament to be denied entry for simply expressing their views.
Editors Note: The video above first aired in December of 2024, when Rodriguezs father issued a public appeal for help.

BIG SPRING, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Big Spring Police Department said human remains found last month have been identified as Steven Rodriguez, an area veteran who went missing last August.

According to the department, the search for Rodriguez began in December of 2024 when his father filed a missing persons report and noted that Rodriguez, a disabled veteran, had not refilled his prescription medications from the VA hospital and had not withdrawn any money from his bank account since August of 2024. As part of the investigation, the Big Spring PD asked for help from the community through Crime Stoppers but did not receive any credible tips.

Then, on March 17, investigators were called to the intersection of 18th Street and Settles after a shoe containing possible human remains was found in the area. Investigators said the shoe was consistent with the size and color of the shoes Rodriguez was last seen wearing. Although the remains had not been positively identified as Rodriguez, the department investigated as if the identification had already been confirmed and, over the last four weeks, searched more than 60 abandoned structures in the area, but were unable to find additional remains.

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On April 11, Big Spring PD flew a drone south if 19th Street and Settles, in a wooded area, and eventually found more remains which were positively identified as Rodriguez. The remains were sent to Tarant County to be examined by a medical examiner and anthropologist; however, investigators do not believe that Rodriguez met with foul play,

The examination is ongoing.

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Hundreds marched across downtown Nashville to the Tennessee Capitol to protest a bill that would ultimately allow Tennessee public schools to deny undocumented children a free education. The bill has been the most controversial of this legislative session and faces an uncertain path forward.

Several children led the way as the march began in Public Square Park around 12:30 p.m. April 14 carrying a banner that read "education is a right," marked with dozens of handprints in multi-colored paint.

The protesters chanted as they worked their way to the Capitol, flanked by police and guides in neon vests.

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The chants included things like: "Whose kids? Our kids?" and "What do we want? Education! When do we want it? Now!"

Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said she was moved by how many turned out on the 85-degree day. Several advocates from other states also gathered for the rally.

"They recognize that the fight is not just about Tennessee," she said.

Where the bill stands

Top GOP leaders in the Tennessee legislature said the bill is an attempt to challenge a longstanding U.S. Supreme Court decision that requires free and equal education for all students, regardless of immigration status.

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The House signaled Monday the bill could be in trouble.

In a finance subcommittee, the bill was placed "behind the budget," where hundreds of bills a year are moved when they haven't received financial approval in the central budget appropriations.

Moving behind the budget is often a death sentence for a bill. The bill has backing from some of the most powerful Republicans in the chamber, though, and the legislation is still procedurally alive.

Still, the bill may be running out of time. Though leadership says they'll take whatever time they need to wrap up the remainder of legislative session, the general consensus around the Capitol is both chambers hope to conclude by next week as soon as the budget is approved.

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Additionally, the House and Senate versions of the bill remain at odds. The Senate passed its version of the bill on April 10 as protesters filled the gallery and the Capitol halls. But even if the House version survives to a full floor vote, the Senate and House would likely have to go into a negotiation committee to hash out their differences.

To date, neither the Senate nor the House sponsor of the bills have indicated they're willing to compromise on a core tenet of the legislation: whether or not Tennessee schools should be mandated to collect immigration status proof.

'Wedges between people'

Along the way Monday, the group stopped to rally at Beth Harwell Plaza and the steps of the Capitol before marching a few laps around the building as they chanted. Several immigrants, including children, advocates and others, spoke during the rally as it progressed.

Logan Nichols, 8, took a moment to sit in the shade with his mom and younger sister. He lives in the Tusculum neighborhood in Nashville and has friends and neighbors from other countries.

A group of protesters marched from Public Square Park to the Tennessee State Capitol in support of public education access for all students regardless of immigration status on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

"I wanted to come because I didn't like that everyone from other countries couldn't get an education," he said. "It's pretty horrible."

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Elena Roser, an Ashland City resident who retired in 2018 after teaching for 45 years, walked along with the crowd as it snaked its way through town. She said when children are denied an education, the consequences extend far beyond them and into society as a whole.

"I think this issue is really about creating wedges between people and fear," she said. "It really has no basis in reality."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee undocumented students bill: Hundreds protest at Capitol
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  State Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs is continuing her fight following efforts to overturn election results by disenfranchising military and overseas voters.

In front of a large crowd at Raleighs Bicentennial Plaza Monday, Riggs called on support as the battle over the Supreme Court ballot continues.

Riggs opponent, Judge Jefferson Griffin, has contested the results of last Novembers election where Riggs won by more than 700 votes.

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PREVIOUS: North Carolina Supreme Court rules most challenged ballots in Griffin case must stay in election count

The results came out the same even after a recount.

He alleges thousands of ballots were cast by voters with incomplete registrations.

On Friday, the state supreme court ruled most of the more than 60,000 votes contested by Griffin will remain, but should be re-examined.

Those votes include military members and their families as well as other North Carolinians who vote absentee.

Those who raised their hand and get first in line to serve our country should not now be first in line to have their votes tossed, said Riggs.

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Voters like Angela Krause and Helen Tack say theyre frustrated that the election still hasnt been certified.

Allison Riggs has won and we need to move on, said Tack.

Krause agrees, Its just a thing theyre doing where they just push and push and push it but why do the courts allow that? Thats what I dont understand. Why arent they saying no, were not hearing this case. It doesnt make any sense.

Riggs spoke over the weekend at North Carolina Central University saying shes going to fight to make sure every vote counts.

This morning she reiterated that same message.

I stand here today and I promise you, I will not let one single voter slip through the cracks, said Riggs.

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The state board of elections says it is still reviewing the effect of the courts decision.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  People of all abilities got to experience an unforgettable visit to the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center on Monday.

Dialogue Coffee House and the Capper Foundation teamed up to host Dialogue Abilities Day on April 14. Attendees enjoyed up-close animal encounters, had the chance to feel different animal furs, interact with exhibits and explore much more throughout the day.

This years theme was Roaring with Possibilities. The goal was to focus on fostering inclusion within the community.

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Moving this tree in Kansas could get you in trouble starting in 2027, what to know

Chelsea Houston with Dialogue Coffee House shared her favorite part of the day.

Everyones happy; everyones, you know, smiling, Houston said. And just being a part of that, and feeling like you include, is so important in everyones lives.

This was the second year for the event, which managed to gather more than 1,000 people at the zoo. Last years event brought more than 600 people to the zoo.

Ramp closures, reduced lanes for two major Topeka highways

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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In South Carolina, 400 students are on waitlists for 4K programs, despite thousands of empty seats, according to a state report given Monday, April 14, 2025. (File/Lourdes Balduque/Getty Images)

COLUMBIA  Hundreds of 4-year-olds across South Carolina are on waitlists to access state-funded preschool programs, even though there are thousands of open seats, according to a report presented Monday to the state Education Oversight Committee.

The state funds a dual system of full-day kindergarten for 4-year-olds deemed at risk. Students are eligible under state law if they qualify for Medicaid or free or reduced-price meals, or if they are homeless, in foster care or show developmental delays. Many public school districts use local property tax dollars to expand that eligibility.

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The state Department of Education oversees programs in public schools, while First Steps, a separate state agency, oversees state-funded classes in approved private schools and child care centers.

As of November, 400 4-year-olds were waiting for spots to open up to enroll at their local public school. At the same time, First Steps 4K reported more than 2,300 open seats, often in the same counties as the districts with the longest waitlists, according to the report.

Its just a matter of finding an open seat for a child on a waitlist or finding an eligible child for the open seat, said Jenny May, a committee researcher who presented the report.

Because 4K is a one-year program, students who are on the waitlist are unlikely to end up in a preschool program before starting kindergarten. Children need at least 120 days of preschool to prepare, so even if a slot happens to open up toward the end of the school year, they will start kindergarten less ready than other 5-year-olds, according to the study.

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Its not clear why some 4-year-olds are on a waiting list for a public school when vacancies exist in private programs, May said.

In some cases, the issue could be that another preschool program isnt available nearby. The four counties with the longest waitlists  Lexington, Anderson, Berkeley and Newberry  all have at least one First Steps 4K program with availability, according to the report. However, that doesnt account for potential cross-county drives.

Other parents may not know that other options are available, May said. Having a person designated to help direct parents to other preschool options, such as the nearest First Steps 4K program with open seats, could help reduce that waitlist, May said.

Its likely that if we had a more efficient process, we could serve most of the 400 kids on a waitlist on one of the First Steps seats, May said.

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The state already has several websites meant to help parents figure out what programs theyre eligible for and how to enroll. Palmetto Pre-K, launched in 2020, tells parents whether theyre eligible for state-funded preschool programs. First Five SC does the same but includes all early childhood programs with federal or state funding.

But having a person parents can call, or who can reach out to families with children on waitlists, could help reach some parents who might not know about the websites or have other concerns, the study suggests. That person, who the committee dubbed a 4K navigator, could then talk parents through the differences in programs, find available seats and answer any other questions parents might have, researchers said.

First Steps 4K has a similar program, in which applicants are directed to a central phone line or website that helps parents find the right fit for their child. That has helped prevent First Steps from having its own waitlist, May said. The 4K navigators, who the study suggested trying out in areas with the largest waitlists first, would have a broader knowledge of pre-K programs, the report said.

If a school district has a persistent waitlist of more than 20 students, that suggests the population has risen in that area, and state officials should consider giving the district more funding to create enough slots for those students, the report suggested.

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The waitlisted students represent less than 1% of students who are eligible for the program but not enrolled. More than 18,000 4-year-olds, or about 55% of all eligible, are living in poverty but not enrolled in a 4K program, according to the report.

Thats a decrease from the 2022-2024 school year, when 60% of eligible students were not enrolled in districts. Still, its not enough, May said.

Even if every student on a waitlist enrolled in one of the available spots, programs would have space left over to take on at least 1,900 more students, according to the report. That suggests there are barriers other than program space keeping parents from enrolling their students in state-funded preschool, May said.

In many cases, the problem might be that parents dont know about 4K programs or their benefits, May said. The state should put more funding and effort into outreach to help those students, the report suggests.

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Data shows preschool programs are highly beneficial, helping students learn skills in reading, math and socialization, studies have found. According to the report, at-risk students who attended a state-funded pre-K program were more likely to be prepared for school than their counterparts who didnt, according to the report.

So, we want those students who are eligible and not served to be able to access it, and we definitely want those students who are on a waitlist to be able to access the program, said Dana Yow, executive director of the committee.
The Hungarian parliament has enshrined in the country's constitution that a person can only be defined as either a man or a woman.

A total of 140 members of parliament voted in favour of the amendment brought forward by the government led by right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. There were 21 votes against. As expected, the two-thirds majority necessary for a constitutional amendment was achieved.

During the vote, trumpets sounded in the plenary hall in a protest by opponents of the constitutional amendment. Numerous supporters of the opposition demonstrated in front of the parliament building.

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On March 18, Hungary's parliament banned the annual Pride parades, which advocate for trans and sexual minority rights, among other things.

It is the 15th amendment to the Hungarian constitution, based on the ideas of Orban and his political friends introduced in 2011, the preamble of which is titled "National Creed."

Since December 2020, this constitution has also stated that a mother can only be a woman and a father can only be a man.

Since 2020, a law has also been in force in Hungary that makes it impossible for transgender people to officially change their gender.
The Hungarian parliament has enshrined in the country's constitution that a person can only be defined as either a man or a woman.

A total of 140 members of parliament voted in favour of the amendment brought forward by the government led by right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. There were 21 votes against. As expected, the two-thirds majority necessary for a constitutional amendment was achieved.

During the vote, trumpets sounded in the plenary hall in a protest by opponents of the constitutional amendment. Numerous supporters of the opposition demonstrated in front of the parliament building.

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The Momentum opposition party had called for the protests.

On March 18, Hungary's parliament banned the annual Pride parades, which advocate for trans and sexual minority rights, among other things.

The government had justified the ban on pride parades, above all, with the aim of "protecting" children from contact with the topic of homosexuality.

The amendment adopted on Monday states that the protection of the "mental and moral development" of children has the status of a fundamental right that takes precedence over all other fundamental rights, with the exception of the right to life.

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It is the 15th amendment to the Hungarian constitution, based on the ideas of Orban and his political friends introduced in 2011, the preamble of which is titled "National Creed."

Critics of the measure agred on Monday argue that the right to freedom of assembly has been downgraded. Demonstrators outside the the parliament building chanted: "Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right."

Since December 2020, Hungary's constitution has also stated that a mother can only be a woman and a father can only be a man.

Since 2020, a law has also been in force in Hungary that makes it impossible for transgender people to officially change their gender.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add the "Voice of the Nation" poll results.

Hungary should hold a referendum on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, opposition leader Peter Magyar said on April 13, pledging to restore Hungary's credibility within NATO and the EU, Reuters reported.

Magyar, who plans to challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the 2026 elections, said he would initiate a binding referendum on Ukrainian EU membership if elected  when the exact conditions of Kyiv's entry emerge.

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Orban has been broadly seen as the most Moscow-friendly leader in the EU during Russia's all-out war against Ukraine. The Hungarian prime minister has repeatedly blocked or delayed EU aid packages for Kyiv and warned that Ukraine's membership in the bloc would "destroy" Hungary.

Despite the government's resistance, recent polling shows public support for Ukraine's accession. According to the party of Magyar Tisza's "Voice of the Nation" initiative, which received over 1.1 million responses, 58.18% of participants backed Ukraine's EU bid.

A separate April 7 poll by the Republikon Institute also found a narrow majority of Hungarians in favor of Ukraine joining the bloc.

Orban's government nevertheless plans to carry out its own national consultation on the issue. These non-binding opinion surveys, often criticized for biased wording and low turnout, have become a hallmark of Orban's administration.

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A 2023 consultation on migration, for instance, asked voters whether they supported Brussels' alleged plan to create "migrant ghettos" in Hungary. Less than 20% participated, but 99% of respondents voted "no."

Magyar has positioned himself in contrast to Orban's policies, promising to reset Hungary's foreign relations and end what he calls the government's isolation from the West.

"Hungary will again be a proud and reliable NATO ally. Hungary will again be a fully-fledged member of the EU," he told supporters.

Magyar visited Kyiv on July 11, 2024. His party raised about 15 million forints (around $41,000) for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

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Kyiv applied for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate status within months. Accession talks began in June 2024, with EU leaders aiming for potential entry by 2030.

Hungary's veto power as an EU member allows it to unilaterally delay or block further steps in the process.

Read also: Significant progress  Ukraine, US to conclude minerals deal in near future, Deputy PM says

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The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has announced that he will travel to Tehran this week ahead of the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.

According to Iranian media reports, Grossi is expected in Tehran on Wednesday.

"Continued engagement and cooperation with the Agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed," Grossi wrote on X on Monday.

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Tehran's lack of cooperation with IAEA inspectors is a main cause of the growing tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, along with its production of near weapons-grade uranium.

The US government and other Western states, including Israel, want to prevent Iran from developing its own nuclear weapons.

During his first term in office, however, US President Donald Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, which was intended to restrict Iran's nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

After that, Tehran stopped complying with the terms of the agreement.

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Trump recently threatened military action if Iran does not agree to limit its nuclear programme.

On Saturday, the US and Iran began talks in Muscat mediated by Oman on a possible new nuclear agreement.

Both sides described the more than two-hour consultations as respectful and constructive, and agreed to continue them.

The next round of talks is expected to take place in Rome on Saturday.

Iran, the US and Oman made a corresponding request, "and we have given a positive response," said Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, according to the ANSA news agency.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  According to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a long-sought fugitive accused of committing a brutal murder was captured in the Savannah area.

ICE said in a Monday release that it and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents captured Orville Andrew Pernell, 32, on April 4.

Pernell, according to the agency, was originally accused of committing murder in St. Lucia in 2020 and has been a fugitive for several years.

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ICE added that he was arrested in Jamaica in 2021 and escaped from custody there as well. U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Pernell on Dec. 7, 2022, near San Ysidro, Ca., after he reportedly attempted to enter the United States using a fake identity.

He was paroled into the country and given a notice to appear.

In July 2023, Pernell was arrested by the Clayton County Sheriff, for possession of a stolen motorcycle and attempt to evade arrest. During the arrest, police discovered a stolen 9mm handgun also in his possession.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the ATF located and arrested Pernell after their investigation led them to the Savannah area.

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He was then taken into custody without incident. Pernell faces charges for being an alien in possession of weapon and will stand trial for murder upon extradition back to St. Lucia.

ICE HSI Caribbean, Bridgetown and Kingston contributed to the investigation and successful operation.

The public is encouraged to report any information regarding fugitives or illegal activity to the ICE Tip Line by dialing 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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At the next City Council meeting, Corvallis leaders are poised to vote on establishing a task force to review the city's charter, its "constitution" that recently came under fire from a federal judge.

Mayor Charles Maughan has proposed an initial charter review task force  and the possibility of sequential task forces to follow  all part of an effort to comprehensively review the document that outlines the structures and powers of Corvallis government, facets of which date back to 1948. That's when the council-manager form of government was first established in the city.

A common form of government for cities, the council-manager setup has the elected officials legislating and the city manager carrying out the day-to-day functions based on those policy decisions.

If the task force proposes any changes to the current charter, they would need to be put before the voters, who have the final say.

The council's next meeting is April 21.

At this point, elements of the citys charter are outdated and even inconsistent with state law.

Section 23(f), which prohibits the mayor and councilors from "influenc(ing) or coerc(ing) the manager in the making of any appointment or removal of any officer or employee, was recently declared unconstitutional by a U.S. District Judge after it was leveled against Councilor Charlyn Ellis, leading her to sue the city. City leadership had cited that section of the charter in an attempt to oust her from office.

If the city is looking for help from the organizations that usually guide them about best practices for city charters, they may not find it. A spokesperson for the League of Oregon Cities referred a reporter to the National League of Cities, which referred the reporter back to the Oregon association, which serves as the lobbyist on behalf of the state's 241 cities.

At a council work session on Thursday, April 10, Section 23(f) was described as low-hanging fruit for the task forces early work.

So was Section 53, which states that unless mandated by state law, annexation to the city may only be approved by a majority vote of the electorate. That section is now out of alignment with current state law, according to Public Information Officer Patrick Rollens.

The city could aim to get both revisions on the ballot in November  though councilors acknowledged this timeline was a lofty goal and remain flexible.

Other charter-related areas of interest brought forward at the meeting included the length of councilor terms  currently just two years and out of step with much of the state  and establishing an urban renewal district for downtown, which under the current charter must be voter-approved.

The work of the task force(s) will be painstaking and time-consuming. Maughan envisions an initial task force that assembles priorities for the charter overhaul and gets to work on those ultimately deemed the most urgent.

The second task force would focus on second-tier priorities, and the third would focus on third-tier priorities.

That way, ideally, everyone in this room is going to be involved in charter review, Maughan said at the Thursday meeting.

Maughan wants to keep the task force nimble, he said, and envisions sharing it with three councilors and three community numbers, though hes amenable to increasing the number of community members. The same would be true for each iteration.

Which councilors will serve on the first task force is not yet known, though Maughan did express that he hoped Ellis would.

He also expressed a desire to incorporate community members from different demographics, including age and economic status, as well as people who could examine the charter through a variety of lenses, including climate and business.

The charter review would also rely on the help of Corvallis legal counsel from Portland-based law firm Beery, Elsner & Hammond. City Manager Mark Shepard also recommended leaning heavily on the League of Oregon Cities' model charter, a foundational document for Oregon municipalities.

We can get into trouble if we stray too far from model language, Shepard said.

Maughan envisions the first task force working until at least the end of the year. However, nothing is yet set in stone, and the council had robust discussion at the Thursday meeting about some of the finer details of the task forces composition and goals.

The formation of a downtown vitality strategy task force, which would focus on current issues related to downtown, is also in discussion.

Related stories:
News reports of noncitizens unexpectedly being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, have dominated headlines in recent weeks. Those being detained include noncitizens who hold lawful permanent residency status.

One story concerns the March 8, 2025, arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and recent Columbia University graduate, who was initially detained in New Jersey and transported to Louisiana. He remains there while he challenges his detention and the immigration judges April 11 decision that he can be deported

And on March 25, ICE agents arrested Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and doctoral student at Tufts University, while she was walking on the streets of Somerville, Massachusetts. She is currently detained in Louisiana.

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ICE agents have also detained and removed, among other people, hundreds of Venezuelan noncitizens to El Salvador since March, resulting in high-profile legal cases that are making their way through the court system. And the U.S. has revoked the visas of at least 300 foreign students this year.

As a scholar of immigration and citizenship law, I think that it is important to help the public understand the scope and limitations of ICEs authority.

At the most basic level, ICE has broad, sweeping powers to question, arrest, detain and process the deportation any noncitizen. But ICE is still bound by certain constitutional and other legal restrictions, including noncitizens rights to make their case in court to remain in the U.S.

In a photo provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE agents prepare to make arrests in Atlanta on Feb. 9, 2025. Bryan Cox/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images

ICEs mission and work

Created as part of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, ICE is one of the federal agencies responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

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ICEs operating budget from Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025 is approximately US$8 billion, a relatively small portion of Homeland Securitys $107.9 billion total budget for that same time period.

With more than 20,000 immigration enforcement officers stationed across the country, ICEs day-to-day work is divided into three main areas  homeland security investigations, enforcement and removal operations, and legal representation for the government in an immigration court.

The branch focused on homeland security investigations probes transnational crime and terrorism-related activities. ICEs second area of work focuses on apprehending and removing noncitizens who are in violation of immigration laws. Finally, staff at the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor represent the government in immigration hearings, particularly what is called removal proceedings, or deportation.

ICEs power to enforce immigration law is primarily granted through the Immigration and Nationality Act, which Congress passed in 1952 amid the Cold War.

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This act outlines the federal governments authority to regulate immigration and provides immigration agencies, including those established at a later date, like ICE, broad powers to enforce these restrictions. One key part of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows ICE officers to interrogate any individual they believe to be a noncitizen regarding their right to be or remain in the U.S.

The Immigration and Nationality Act also says that any noncitizen can be deported for engaging in activities that the secretary of state believes would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited this provision when he revoked Ozturks visa. Ozturk was co-author on an op-ed in March 2024 calling for Tufts University to recognize genocide against the Palestinian people.

Rubio used the same provision to claim that Khalils involvement in protests at Columbia University had negative U.S. foreign policy consequences.

Detain and arrest

ICE officers have broad power to arrest noncitizens in the U.S.

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With a warrant, they may arrest noncitizens who are in the country without legal permission, including foreign students whose visas are revoked. These warrants are administrative warrants signed by an immigration enforcement supervisor  not a judge.

ICE officers have long been able to carry out these arrests in plain clothes  although using face coverings, as ICE officers who arrested Ozturk and Khalil did, is a new and, I think, startling development.

Still, ICEs powers to interrogate, arrest and detain noncitizens are not absolute.

For one, immigration law requires noncitizens to be notified in writing that they are being processed for a removal proceeding, so they can appear before an immigration judge and have the opportunity to challenge the governments claim that they should be deported.

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Noncitizens have the right to legal representation  albeit not paid for by the U.S. government  in an immigration court. Ultimately, an immigration judge, and not ICE, determines if a noncitizen should be deported.

People take part in a protest on March 27, 2025, in Newark, N.J., against the arrest and threatened deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident. Kena Betancur/VIEWpress/Corbis via Getty Images

The Constitutional limits on ICE

Crucially, ICE is bound by various constitutional provisions that protect individual rights, including the rights of noncitizens who are living in the U.S. without legal authorization.

Three particular constitutional amendments impose different checks on ICEs power.

The First Amendment, for example, protects individuals rights to free speech, assembly and religion. Consequently, ICE cannot target individuals  even if they are noncitizens living in the U.S. without legal permission  for simply participating in peaceful protests or writing something for the public. Rubio has said that he revoked Ozturks visa not because of her writing, but because she participated in activities that are counter to our foreign  policy. He also relied on this provision to support the deportation of Khalil.

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But Ozturk and Khalils lawyers contend that their activities were protected speech. Ultimately, a federal district judge has the power to determine whether ICE targeted them for exercising their First Amendment rights.

The Fourth Amendment safeguards the right of individuals to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. ICE must first obtain a search warrant, signed by a judge, before entering a persons home or private areas of a workplace.

The Fourth Amendments protection against unreasonable searches and seizures also applies in public spaces. So, law enforcement officers must have reasonable suspicion to stop a person  or have probable cause to not have a warrant when they arrest a person they believe is guilty of a crime or in violation of a law and likely to escape. The Immigration and Nationality Act also requires ICE officers to have an arrest warrant unless they have reason to believe that the noncitizen may flee before they get a warrant.

It is not clear whether ICE officers presented Khalil and Ozturk with arrest warrants before they were detained outside their home and on the street, respectively.

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The Fifth Amendment guarantees the right of all individuals against self-incrimination. This means that people detained by ICE have the right to remain silent during interrogations.

It also means that before noncitizens can be deported, they must have the opportunity to go before an immigration judge to challenge the governments plan to remove them, or may file a case before a federal judge to challenge their detention and deportation.

ICEs power is not absolute

Even with an annual budget of approximately $8 billion, ICE does not have the capacity to pursue all immigration law violations.

In this context, recent Trump administration initiatives could significantly increase ICEs reach. For example, an April 2025 memorandum of understanding between the Internal Revenue Service and DHS allows the IRS to share tax information of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal authorization. This could help ICE more easily identify, locate and arrest noncitizens living in the U.S. illegally.

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Despite its considerable power, ICEs authority is not without checks and balances.

But as a longtime scholar of immigration law, I believe ICE officers recent actions raise serious concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of its legal authority and the constitutional limits that are intended to protect individual rights.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Rose Cuison-Villazor, Rutgers University - Newark

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Rose Cuison-Villazor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The public will be able to provide comments regarding Union Healths possible acquisition of Terre Haute Regional Hospital at a town hall hosted by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).

The IDOH says residents of Vigo County and surrounding communities are inviting people to provide comments on the pending Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA).

The town hall will be held on Thursday, May 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Ivy Tech Oakley Auditorium, located at 8000 S. Education Drive, Terre Haute.

Union Health and Regional Hospital public response to FTC report on merger

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A group of 21 attorneys general, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, are warning the Trump administration against stopping new rules for the Affordable Care Act.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a Final Rule that would increase patient access to state and federal exchanges under the ACA. The Trump administration is trying to undo the implementation of that rule.

Measure removing cannabis odor as probable cause for warrantless vehicle search passes Senate

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Officials said the variety of changes will make up to two million Americans lose healthcare coverage in 2026.

These proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act are unnecessary and disturbing, Raoul said in a statement. Everyone in this country deserves access to lifesaving health services and these changes could cause hundreds of thousands of Americans to be uninsured. I will continue to collaborate with other attorneys general to preserve access to care that saves lives, reduces disparities in health care and improves public health in our communities.

One key change under the rule is allowing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients (also called Dreamers) to buy health insurance on ACA exchanges. The attorneys general argue this will cause significant health and economic damage by not providing coverage and in turn, will drive up costs for everyone.

The final rule also restricted health insurance companies from denying enrollment to people who missed a single payment. Companies would be allowed to do this no matter how long ago was the missed payment and insurers would not be required to notify potential consumers the denial is because they owe a past-due premium.

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Illinois AG files lawsuit against Trump admins efforts to reduce federal agencies

The rule will also force states to shorten their open enrollment periods, and exclude coverage for gender-affirming care as an essential health benefit.

The full letter can be found here. Other attorneys general on the letter include the ones representing Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  The Illinois House passed legislation that would ban landlords from charging move-in fees, but property owners are worried the bill, if it becomes law, would create new problems, including higher rent costs.

I mean, okay, so its saying that they cant charge certain fees. Okay. So what theyre going to do then is theyre going to build  it into the rent aspect, said Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park), who opposed the bill. So, the rents are going to go up.

House Bill 3564 amends the Landlords and Tenants Act to prevent landlords from charging for the processing, reviewing, or accepting of an application, or demand any other payment, fee, or charge before or at the beginning of the tenancy.

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I exclusively use a move-in fee instead of a security deposit because my move-in fee is considerably less than an actual security deposit, said Tim Jenkins, organizer for Rockford Real Estate Investors. And Ive noticed that helps a lot of residents. So it really is a cost saving measure for them.

The bill also limits the amount landlords can charge for a late fee, with a $10 maximum for the first $1,000 owed, something Paul Arena, of the Rockford Apartment Association, said he worried could drive up delinquencies.

The majority of rents here are under $1,000, and a 1% late fee is insignificant, he said. It will drive up delinquency and cause more landlords to fail. What theyre effectively saying is the tenant can pay late, and the landlord has to bear the financial penalties for the tenants lateness.

Jenkins added that if the bill does pass in the Senate, it will send ripples throughout the renting community.

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I think youre going to flush out a lot of the established landlords who have decades of experience. Theyre going to say, look, Ive had enough, he said.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT)  A judge is requesting more information before deciding whether or not to grant bond to an Alabama student from Iran who could potentially face deportation after being picked up by immigration officials in Tuscaloosa last month.

Alireza Doroudi was set to have a bond hearing Monday afternoon at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana, where he has been held for over two weeks after ICE agents came to his apartment near the University of Alabama and detained him. At the time, Doroudi was studying for his doctorate degree in mechanical engineering.

According to attorney David Rozas, Judge Maithe Gonzalez requested that both he and the U.S. government provide more information before making a decision on bond. Gonzalez subsequently set another hearing for Thursday afternoon.

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Rozas said Doroudis visa was inexplicably revoked not long after he arrived in the U.S. from Iran in 2023. Rozas claimed, however, that Doroudi SEVIS (student and exchange visitor program) permit was valid, and he was applying for permanent residency at the time of his detainment.

Despite the U.S. Department of Homeland Security claiming that Doroudi posed significant national security concerns, no details have been given on why the 32-year-old doctoral student was a security risk. Outside of a speeding ticket in 2023, Doroudi does not have a criminal record, and his lawyers claim he has no record of supporting terrorist groups or expressing anti-American sentiment.

With the words of his fiance, he is a nerd, Rozas told The Associated Press shortly after Doroudis detention. All he does is study and is literally trying to fulfill his dream, the American dream, of becoming a researcher and professor of mechanical engineering.

Doroudi is staying in the same ICE facility as Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University in New York City who another judge recently ordered to be deported after being the government had labeled him a national security risk for taking part in pro-Palestinian movements. Khalils attorneys are currently appealing the decision.

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A master hearing, where Doroudi and his lawyers will have the opportunity to argue why he should not be removed from the U.S., has not been set yet.

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A woman was arrested Monday on a DUI manslaughter charge after a fiery crash in Tampa that killed her passenger, deputies said.

Deputies on Monday arrested Maria Elena Menjivar, 51, of Tampa hours after the early morning crash that killed Emilio Alfaro-Herrera, 54.

Deputies responded about 2:30 a.m. to 78th Street North under the Selmon Crosstown Expressway after a 911 caller reported that a van had crashed into the median and was on fire, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

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Deputies pulled Menjivar and Alfaro-Herrera from the van. Both were taken to a hospital, where Alfaro-Herrera was pronounced dead.

Menjivar, whose injuries were minor, appeared to be impaired, and her blood alcohol level was 0.20, more than twice the legal limit in Florida of 0.08, according to the sheriffs office.

Records show Menjivar was arrested at Tampa General Hospital. She was being held without bond Monday ahead of her first court appearance.
Designated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that he has always been ready to support the transfer of TAURUS missiles to Ukraine if the decision is coordinated with European partners.

Source: DW, a German international broadcaster and media outlet

Quote: "I have always said that I would do it [agree to supply TAURUS missiles to Ukraine], but only in coordination with European partners."

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Details: Merz expressed his support for supplying Ukraine with German-Swedish long-range TAURUS cruise missiles, on the condition that the decision is agreed with European partners.

He noted that some countries are already supplying Ukraine with cruise missiles.

"The British are doing it, the French are doing it and the Americans are also doing it anyway," Merz said on the Caren Miosga programme on ARD TV channel.

He stresses that Germany must take part in such supplies if the relevant agreement is reached.

In his opinion, the Ukrainian army must move from exclusively defensive actions to more active ones.

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"The Armed Forces of Ukraine have only been reacting for three years. It is time for them to start influencing the course of events," Merz stated.

As an example of the potential use of TAURUS missiles, he mentioned the destruction of land routes between Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea, which are important for the Russian armys logistics.

Background:

Several German media outlets received information from party sources that Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, may officially be announced as the new German chancellor on 6 May.

Merz stated that Ukraine would be able to become a member of the EU or NATO only after the war is over.

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Need an Uber Eats account in Jacksonville, FL ASAP. I have one.

Looking for an Uber eats account to rent in Virginia. Available.

Those exchanges were found on a public Facebook group with more than 22,000 members called UBER ACCOUNT FOR RENT WORLDWIDE. Its just one of 80 Facebook groups where users regularly discuss buying, selling and renting driver accounts for Uber, DoorDash and UK-based Deliveroo that were identified in a new report from the non-profit tech watchdog Tech Transparency Project, which CNN received exclusively ahead of its Monday release.

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These Facebook black market groups could let people bypass those platforms background checks and drivers license requirements to fraudulently pose as a credentialed driver or delivery worker, researchers wrote in the report. And that could create risks for users who rely on safety assurances from apps such as Uber and DoorDash to ride in strangers cars or order deliveries to their homes.

Its incredibly concerning because part of the reason Uber has been such an attractive tool for women, in particular, is because theres some sort of semblance of safety when theres tracking of who this person is  if something were to happen, said Tech Transparency Project Director Katie Paul. If thats not the case, then whats the point of using this platform?

A Meta spokesperson said the company would review the report and remove any content that violated its rules. Five Facebook groups were removed after CNN flagged them to Meta  including UBER ACCOUNT FOR RENT WORLDWIDE  for violating the companys Fraud, Scams and Deceptive Practices policy.

DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said in a statement that the company is hitting account fraudsters hard, from aggressively enforcing our rules to rolling out even more safeguards to shut down unauthorized access.

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Our tough approach is delivering clear results: were deactivating more fraudulent accounts, conducting more real-time identity checks, and preventing more offenders from returning, Crowley said.

An Uber spokesperson said protecting the integrity of our platform is a top priority. Account sharing is never allowed, and we have robust safeguards in place from account creation to trip completion designed to help verify that the person using an account is the rightful owner.

When we determine that an account holder is engaging in account sharing, or other forms of fraud, we ban their account from the platform, the Uber spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the company works with law enforcement when it identifies fraudulent behavior.

A Deliveroo spokesperson said that buying or selling access to a rider account is against our terms of service, and we will offboard any account found to be partaking in this behaviour, adding that the company conducts daily identity verification checks, among other safety measures. We take our responsibilities extremely seriously and will continue to strengthen our controls to prevent misuse of our platform.

An existing safety concern

The issue isnt entirely new. In 2019, Londons transportation regulator attempted to temporarily bar Uber from operating in the city over safety concerns, including that unauthorized drivers had been able to access the app and pick up riders using authorized drivers accounts. Uber at the time called the move extraordinary and wrong and said it didnt reflect safety updates the platform had made.

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Last year, Wired profiled a woman who made thousands of dollars fraudulently renting out Uber and DoorDash accounts before being arrested after Uber tipped off the FBI. Heather Childs, then Ubers trust and safety chief, told Wired the company was committed to constantly improving our detection capabilities to protect against fraudsters ever-evolving schemes. A DoorDash spokesperson said the company had made huge strides on tackling fraud.

In February, police in Wilbraham, Massachusetts arrested a man accused of raping a woman after making an Uber Eats delivery to her home. The alleged victim told police that the app had indicated a woman would be delivering her order, but the man showed up instead, according to a report from the Boston Globe. Uber at the time called the incident horrifying and said it banned the driver account. Lawyers for the accused man said he denied the allegations, the Globe reported.

To sign up to drive or deliver on Uber, DoorDash and Deliveroo, workers must have a valid ID or drivers license and insurance and undergo a background check. Both Uber and DoorDash prohibit sharing driver accounts. Deliveroo allows workers to appoint substitutes to deliver orders for them, but they must also go through an identity check process, and the app bans buying or renting access to accounts.

Still, the Tech Transparency Project report suggests that more must be done to prevent unauthorized drivers from delivering orders or shuttling riders. The group is also urging Facebook-parent Meta to more aggressively enforce its rules against fraud and deceptive practices by cracking down on these black-market groups.

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TTP has previously reported on Facebook groups that enabled unauthorized buying and selling of business manager accounts to run ad campaigns on the site, raising scam and election interference concerns. Meta said it removed those groups when flagged.

Meta needs more reliance on human moderators, in addition to its automated tools, TTPs Paul said. Unfortunately, we have a single researcher looking at this who is able to find this problem very easily, and the platforms failure to invest in human expertise is a major problem.

Uber Delivery Drivers Account for Rent

For the report, Tech Transparency Project said researchers created a new Facebook account and began typing uber account into the platforms search bar. Before the words had been fully typed in, Facebook auto-populated uber account for rent as the first suggested search term.

That led researchers to dozens of Facebook groups where users sought or offered up active Uber, DoorDash or Deliveroo accounts. Users often posted publicly in the groups to advertise or ask for an account. Once they received a response, the requesters often suggested moving the conversation out of public view to direct messages, the report states.

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As of the reports publication, at least 73 of the original 80 Facebook groups that researchers identified were still active, according to Tech Transparency Project.

TTP did not interact with any of the users posting offers for driver accounts and was not able to examine the names, profile photos, or other details of the accounts for sale or rent, the report states. But clearly, they are meant to give people the ability to drive for these services under a false identity.

CNN was able to recreate many of the researchers findings. After one CNN reporter typed uber ac into Facebooks search bar, the platform automatically suggested uber accounts for rent as the first search term. Searches for doordash acc and deliveroo acc returned similar results.

Public and private buying and selling groups, some with tens of thousands of members, are easy to find on Facebook, CNNs review showed.

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A Google search for uber account for rent surfaces the UBER ACCOUNT FOR RENT WORLDWIDE Facebook group as the second result. Google searches for doordash account for rent and deliveroo account for rent also return similar Facebook groups among the results.

While some posts in these groups appear to be spam or scams, others are seemingly genuine offers.

A January post from one group called Uber Delivery Drivers Account for Rent, which was created in 2024 and boasts more than 2,000 members, offered an Uber Eats driver account on rent, according to the report. When a commenter inquired about the cost, the original poster responded, listing the price as $65.

A CNN review of the same group showed that another user posted the following in April: Hi, Im interested in renting a delivery account long-term (London). I kindly ask for and offer seriousness! Another user responded saying, Inbox me.

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The groups pose a challenge for delivery and rideshare platforms, which have attempted to crack down on account sharing or selling.

In December, DoorDash said it would more frequently re-verify Dashers identities with regular, real-time selfie requirements. Each week, the platform requires more than 150,000 Dashers to go through identity verifications, and 15,000 prospective Dashers are prevented from accessing the platform because they failed to meet its criteria. The company also says monthly deactivations of inauthentic accounts doubled from the prior year.

While many of these (Facebook) ads are scams for accounts that dont actually exist, we take all fraud seriously. Our teams actively monitor for suspicious activity  including ads for fraudulent accounts  and take action, DoorDashs Crowley said. Weve reached out to Meta to collaborate in dismantling these groups and stand ready to work with enforcement to hold fraudsters accountable.

In January, Uber published a blog post outlining its efforts to verify drivers identities, including similar live selfie identity checks, consumer reporting tools and automated fraud monitoring software to identify risks such as multiple devices being registered to one account.

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And earlier this year, Deliveroo told UK lawmakers that it had removed 105 delivery workers from the platform since April 2024 because substitute users of the accounts had provided invalid right to work documents.

Tech Transparency Project raised concerns that a recent pullback by Meta on some automatic rules enforcement could make the black markets problem worse. Meta said in January it would update its automated moderation systems to focus only on high-severity rules violations, such as child sexual exploitation, drugs, fraud and scams and that other concerns would have to be reported by users before the company evaluates them. (A Meta spokesperson said this area of enforcement would not be affected by its January policy changes.)

Facebook groups where users can access unauthorized rideshare or delivery driver accounts creates obvious safety risks for Americans and others around the world who use these services, the report states. Until Meta cleans up this problem, it will continue to facilitate fraudulent activity that shadows the entire rideshare industry.

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The Big Apples influential fire officers union threw its support behind Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine for city comptroller Sunday  splitting from another powerful FDNY labor group that has backed his Democratic opponent in the race.

The Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) said Levines experience gave him the edge over Councilman Justin Brannan, leading up to Junes primary between the two.

Mark Levines track record of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and advocacy for first responders makes him uniquely qualified to oversee the citys finances as Comptroller, UFOA president James Brosi, an FDNY deputy chief, said in a statement.

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His deep understanding of the challenges faced by our members and his proven ability to implement effective solutions are exactly what New York City needs in its next fiscal steward.

Mark Levine notched the important endorsement in the NYC comptrollers race over the weekend. Paul Martinka

The support for Levine comes a month after the Uniformed Firefighters Association, which is made up of 20,000 members, endorsed Brannan in the comptrollers race.

The dueling endorsements are critical because the comptrollers office oversees city workers pension funds as part of its role as the Big Apples fiscal watchdog.

Levine, who has been Manhattan borough president since 2022, touted the endorsement in a statement Sunday, saying he was incredibly honored to have the backing of the UFOA, which is made up of more than 7,500 members.

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These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect New Yorkers. As Comptroller, Ill fight just as hard for them as they fight for us  that means standing up for the resources and protections they need to do their jobs safely and effectively, Levine said in a statement to The Post.

James Brosi, President of the Uniformed Fire Fighters Officers Association, said the union he leads is backing Levine. LP Media

Brannan and Levine are each hoping to replace current Comptroller Brad Lander, who is passing up the chance at reelection to instead run for mayor in a crowded primary.

The primary is set for June 24.
Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Conner Patterson was released from Centre County Prison on March 26 before the alleged attempted rape incident on April 11.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ)  A Centre County man was arrested Friday for allegedly trying to rape two nurses at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Conner C. Patterson, 26 (Centre County Prison)

Conner C. Patterson, 26, was charged with two counts of attempted rape and indecent assault and three counts of assault with deadly force. Court documents show his bail was denied citing being homeless and for violent crimes against nursing staff.

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According to the criminal complaint, State College police were called to Mount Nittany on Wellness Way at 9:06 a.m. April 11, in regard to an assault of two nurses. While speaking with one of the victims, police were told Patterson was in a room and made a comment about needing sex.

Roughly 20 minutes later, Patterson left the room, grabbed a nurse by the hair and dragged them back into the room, according to a victims account with police. She went on to say Patterson pushed her against the bed and tried to pull her pants down.

Thwarted State College school attack meant to coincide with Columbine anniversary

Charging documents show that a second nurse heard the first one yelling for Patterson to get off of her and she hit an emergency button to alert security before running into the room to help. The second victim claimed Patterson pushed her against a wall and pulled her pants down. Thats when hospital security showed up to step in.

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The Director of Emergency Services told police that as they tried to subdue Patterson, he pushed them against a wall, causing neck and shoulder pain, the complaint reads.

Ive been in healthcare 12 years and I can certainly say observationally that over the course of time the incidents of violence against healthcare workers, lashing out against healthcare workers, that has definitely increased, Adam Burget, Mount Nittany Chapter of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania said.

Because we have seen a rise in incidents of violence against healthcare workers theres always that thought in the back of your mind when you go to work is the potential that somebody is going to be violent with me today there, it probably is, Burget added.

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Patterson was charged in a robbery case from March when he allegedly tried to steal a $3.50 can of beer from a State College store. He was also allegedly found to have a prescription bottle of Pantoprazole with someone elses name on it. That person told police she didnt know Patterson and she just noticed the bottle missing, a previous complaint reads.

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He was in Centre County Prison for the robbery case but later released on March 26 on $30,000 unsecured bail due to an agreement with the commonwealth, court documents show.

A preliminary hearing on the attempted rape charges is scheduled for April 16.

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(INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS)  This week on Inside California Politics, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra sat down with host Nikki Laurenzo to discuss his campaign for California governor.

As noted last week on the show by Politico reporter Melanie Mason, Becerra highlights his experience in executive government positions as one of his defining attributes as a candidate.

I think right now California wants someone who knows how to deliver results, who can execute, Becerra said. I spent the last eight years executing.

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First as attorney general for our state of California during the first Trump administration where we had to protect many of our interests. I executed every time they challenged what we were doing. Becerra said. As secretary of Health and Human Services, running one of the largest enterprises in the world with a budget four times the size of the state of Californias I dont think anyone can say theyve run an enterprise as big as I have.

Some gubernatorial candidates have suggested that if former Vice President Kamala Harris were to enter the race, they would drop out. Becerra, who succeeded Harris as Attorney General of California in 2017, said her entry would not affect his.

It makes no difference to me who gets in, Becerra said. Im in. Period.

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The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has reported that military counterintelligence detained a "double" Russian agent in Lviv Oblast who was simultaneously working for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and Russian military intelligence.

Source: SSU press service

Details: According to the case file, the Russian agent was an instructor at the Yavoriv training ground.

His task from Russian intelligence was to prepare terrorist attacks against the commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who, together with their units, were undergoing combat training at the local training centre of the defence forces.

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It is documented that the agent received carte blanche from his handler to choose the method for attacking the Ukrainian military.

Thus, according to one of the "scenarios", the agent had to make an improvised explosive device and then covertly plant it in the headquarters or a training building.

The agent was also developing an option to use his colleague, who was not aware of it and was supposed to bring camouflaged explosives to the commanders' training location.

Another method of assassination considered by the agent was a Russian missile strike at the coordinates of the current concentration of Ukrainian defenders at the training ground.

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It is noted that the SSU military counterintelligence exposed Russian intentions in advance, documented them and detained the agent when he was preparing proposals for the attack.

The investigation also revealed the agents contacts with the FSB handler. On his instructions, the agent collected information on the number and specifics of units training at the Yavoriv training ground.

During the searches, the investigators seized three phones with SIM cards, which he used to hide his contacts with the Russians.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators served him with a notice of suspicion of treason committed under martial law.

The offender is in custody without the right to be released on bail. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

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International travel at the worlds busiest airport may show signs of slowing.

According to Data from the National Travel and Tourism Office, the number of foreign arrivals at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport fell by 7% in March compared to last year.

This marks the first time that the month of March has seen a year-over-year decrease in international travel since 2021.

You saw a stark reversal in the number of foreigners looking to visit the United States in the past month or two, Scott Keyes, founder of the travel app Going, said.

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Nationwide, the numbers are even worse. According to the same data, the number of foreign travelers coming to the United States was down nearly 10% in March and has shown decreases year-over-year every month this year.

They are down anywhere from 5% to 35%. Just a dramatic reversal, Keyes said.

Keyes said it is a combination of factors likely impacting foreign travel.

First, the worldwide economy is in a period of uncertainty after President Donald Trump put forth sweeping tariffs.

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One of the first things [people] look to cut back is travel, Keyes said.

Second, President Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a priority.

However, as part of that crackdown, there have been stories about some travelers being detained for hours or being denied entry into the country over messages on travelers cell phones.

Before coming here for this time, I never thought about not being able to enter or having my phone looked at stuff, Kathrin Kinne, a German visiting Atlanta for business, said.

For me, it wasnt really an option to not come, but I could understand those coming for pleasure it would be a tough decision, said Canadian Emily St Cyr, who was in Atlanta to visit her boyfriend.

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Keyes said this may not be a one-month blip either, which could hurt airlines.

This is their black Friday, this is their Super Bowl, and this is when they make the disproportionate amount they will make during the year. In just July and August, Keyes said.

While international travel makes up a small sliver of the total number of people coming in and out of Atlanta, they still bring in millions to the state.

As of 2023, visitors from just five countries have spent more than $500 million.

Canadians alone, who were Georgias most frequent visitors, spent more than $160 million.

The drop in foreign tourism to the United States is having a multimillion-dollar impact in Atlanta and a multi-billion-dollar impact nationwide, Keyes said.
A suspicious person was arrested Monday morning at UnitedHealthcares headquarters in Minnesota, authorities said.

The unidentified persons presence prompted a massive police response at the providers campus in Minnetonka, a southwest Twin Cities suburb, the local police department wrote on social media.

A suspect outside of United Healthcare has been placed into custody without incident, Minnetonka police said Monday afternoon. There is no threat to the public. We are continuing to clear the scene at this time.

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The persons intentions on the campus remained unclear Monday. A spokesperson for Minnetonka told local CBS affiliate WCCO the suspect was an intruder on the campus.

UnitedHealthcare hired Minnetonka police to patrol the companys headquarters daily following CEO Brian Thompsons murder in Manhattan in December, according to local ABC affiliate KTSP.

Luigi Mangione, 26, has been charged with state and federal crimes in connection with Thompsons murder. After a sprawling five-day manhunt, Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pa., on Dec. 9, 2024.

Before his arrest, Mangione allegedly scrawled a handwritten manifesto blasting the American health care system and proclaiming, Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. In part due to widespread anger with the system, Mangione has attracted a loyal following while in jail.
NATCHEZ, Miss. (WJTV)  Adams County deputies are investigating after a man was shot and killed.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said the incident occurred at a home on Hillcrest Drive in the Cloverdale area on Sunday, April 13.

Missing boater found dead in Biloxi Bay

When deputies arrived, they found William Billy Ray, 63, of Adams County, deceased at the scene.

Adam Cade Wheeler (Courtesy: Adams Co. Sheriffs Office)

Patten said Adam Cade Wheeler is a person of interest in the case and is wanted for questioning. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact the Adams County Sheriffs Office at 601-442-2752 or the Crime Stoppers Tipline at 601-442-5000.

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By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Russia this week ahead of a planned second round of talks between Tehran and Washington aimed at resolving Iran's decades-long nuclear stand-off with the West.

Araqchi and U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, held talks in Oman on Saturday, during which Omani envoy Badr al-Busaidi shuttled between the two delegations sitting in different rooms at his palace in Muscat.

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Both sides described the talks in Oman as positive, although a senior Iranian official told Reuters the meeting "was only aimed at setting the terms of possible future negotiations."

The second round of the nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington will be held in Oman's Muscat on Saturday, Iran's state news agency IRNA on Monday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.

Earlier on Monday, Italian news agency ANSA reported that Italy had agreed to host the talks' second round, and Iraq's state news agency said Araqchi told his Iraqi counterpart that talks would be held "soon" in the Italian capital under Omani mediation.

Tehran has approached the talks warily, doubting the likelihood of an agreement and suspicious of Trump, who has threatened to bomb Iran if there is no deal.

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Washington aims to halt Tehran's sensitive uranium enrichment work - regarded by the United States, Israel and European powers as a path to nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for civilian energy production.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Baghaei, said Araqchi will "discuss the latest developments related to the Muscat talks" with Russian officials.

Moscow, a party to Iran's 2015 nuclear pact, has supported Tehran's right to have a civilian nuclear programme.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on vital state matters, distrusts the United States, and Trump in particular.

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But Khamenei has been forced to engage with Washington in search of a nuclear deal due to fears that public anger at home over economic hardship could erupt into mass protests and endanger the existence of the clerical establishment, four Iranian officials told Reuters in March.

Tehran's concerns were exacerbated by Trump's speedy revival of his "maximum pressure" campaign when he returned to the White House in January.

During his first term, Trump ditched Tehran's 2015 nuclear pact with six world powers in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Since 2019, Iran has far surpassed the 2015 deal's limits on uranium enrichment, producing stocks at a high level of fissile purity, well above what Western powers say is justifiable for a civilian energy programme and close to that required for nuclear warheads.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency has raised the alarm regarding Iran's growing stock of 60% enriched uranium, and reported no real progress on resolving long-running issues, including the unexplained presence of uranium traces at undeclared sites.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi will visit Tehran on Wednesday, Iranian media reported, in an attempt to narrow gaps between Tehran and the agency over unresolved issues.

"Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed," Grossi said on X on Monday.

(Reporting Dubai Newsroom, Elwely Elwelly and Menna Alaa El Din, additional reporting by Yomna EhabWriting by Parisa HafeziEditing by Andrew Cawthorne, Giles Elgood and Matthew Lewis)
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Islamabad has sought Tehran's full cooperation over the killing of eight Pakistani nationals in restive southeastern Iran, officials said Monday.

The Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement the killing happened Saturday in Mehrestan County in Sistan and Baluchistan province, about 230 kilometers (142 miles) from the Pakistan-Iran border, urging a thorough investigation.

Pakistans Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir, wrote on X that the eight were laborers and that Islamabad and Tehran were working on facilitating the repatriation of the bodies.

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There has been no immediate claim of responsibility.

The Baluch regions across Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have faced an insurgency by Baluch nationalists seeking independence for more than two decades.

In Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan, the Baloch Liberation Army, designated a terrorist group by the United States in 2019, often targets security forces and civilians.

Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Monday the killings and extended condolences to the Pakistani people and government.

Iran will spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators and masterminds behind this atrocity and ensuring justice is duly served, the ministry said in a statement.

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Esmail Baqaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the killing an act of terrorism and "a criminal act which is fundamentally incompatible with all Islamic principles and legal and humanitarian norms.

HalVash, an advocacy group for the Baluch people of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, reported that unknown gunmen opened fire on eight Pakistani citizens who ran a family auto repair business in the city. This couldnt be independently verified.
Russell Brand appeared in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Florida attracts sleazeballs, creeps, and the criminally-inclined the way cookie crumbs attract roaches.

Its always been like this: Al Capone wintered in Miami Beach; Richard Nixon escaped to his Key Biscayne compound so he could hang out with his mob-affiliated pal Bebe Rebozo; Charles Ponzi made a name for himself for selling Florida swampland  impossible to build on to unsuspecting Yankees.

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More recently, another shady real-estate type, found liable for sexually assaulting journalist E. Jean Carroll and accused of sexual abuse (and worse) by dozens more women, bought a Palm Beach estate and now claims Florida as his home.

So, its hardly surprising influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, British-American brothers facing charges of human trafficking and rape in Romania, flew to Florida the minute their travel restrictions were lifted last month  possibly because Trumps special envoy pressured the Romanian government.

The Tates have fans in TrumpWorld, including lawyer Alina Habba (on the losing side of the E. Jean Carroll case) and Donald Trump Jr., who called their detention absolute insanity.

Elon Musk, too: He says Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer who believes women exist only to serve men, should be U.K. prime minister.

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But in a rare moment of good sense, Gov. Ron DeSantis bucked TrumpWorld and told those stars of the manosphere theyre not welcome in Florida.

Moreover, the state attorney general is investigating certain accusations, including claims they lured a Florida woman to Romania and tried to coerce her into sex work.

Andrew Tate responded by taunting DeSantis on X: Your wife will never win governor unless you arrest me, @GovRonDeSantis, calling the governor a communist and declaring, When Americans who are unfairly imprisoned abroad return home you betray them. You better nail me now.

At least none of our institutions of higher learning have invited the Tates to speak on campus.

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Yet.

Socratic dialog

You might keep an eye on New College, though.

Our once-renowned honors school has not exactly covered itself in glory over the past few years, what with dumping top-tier faculty, tanking in the rankings, admitting low-scoring jocks, mismanaging funds, and grossly over-paying its under-achieving president, but inviting British comedian Russell Brand to appear its Socratic Stage Series adds insult to injury.

Brand was supposed to be in conversation with NCF president Richard Corcoran on April 12.

New College announced the Brand appearance in February. On April 4, the British Crown Prosecution Service charged him with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault.

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In a press release, New College defended bringing in Brand, wrapping itself in the flag of free speech: After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to move forward with Russell Brands scheduled appearance, citing the institutions responsibility to ensure a space where ideas  especially those that invite dialogue such as the topic of cancel culture and free speech, can be explored with respect, critical thought, and intellectual integrity.

Not quite 48 hours later, New College thought better of it, announcing this important and possibly never more relevant conversation would be rescheduled at a later date.

NCF blamed problems with the venue (problems which apparently didnt exist a few days ago) and those pesky journalists: the current media climate is a distraction from the deeper purpose of the event to explore free speech.

Brand has a court date in London on May 2.

Magic amulet

Now, you might be wondering exactly what qualifies Brand to be a guest lecturer for a public college in Florida.

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Hes best known as host of a Big Brother spinoff called Big Brothers Big Mouth, as the star of several films, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, often-fired radio host, and general provocateur.

He used to be a progressive (of sorts), praising Barack Obama, meeting with the Dalai Lama, and saying rude things about George W. Bush, but has lately become a conspiracy theorist who, in 2024, took to selling a $250 magic amulet which supposedly keeps you safe from all sorts of evil energies.

Right.

Theres this thing we do in higher ed called research. Youd think a few minutes perusal of Russell Brands baby talk-titled memoir, My Booky Wook with gleeful accounts of spitting in a womans face and furiously smashing a sex workers phone because it kept ringing while they were in flagrante (a service for which, says Brand, Id paid a lot of money) might suggest perhaps hes not someone likely to enrich the culture.

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None of this proves Brand is a rapist, but its pretty clear hes a misogynist jerk.

Brand insists that while he was once epically promiscuous, all his liaisons were consensual, even the ones with teenagers.

Besides, he says, he has now been washed clean by the Holy Spirit, baptized last year in the River Thames by adventure reality TV star Bear Grylls.

Criminal investigation

Well, the Lord may have forgiven him, but the justice system doesnt work like that: In addition to charges in the U.K., Brand faces a U.S. civil suit and possible criminal investigation into allegations that he exposed himself and assaulted a woman on the set of the film Arthur.

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The question remains: Why is New College spending taxpayer money on this guy?

Other Socratic speakers are (mostly) defensible: Steven Donziger, who famously sued Chevron over oil operations in Ecuador which wreaked monstrous environmental damage. (The oil company accused him of misconduct in the case; he spent three years in home detention for refusing to turn over his phone and trial records; Amnesty International fruitlessly urged former President Joe Biden to issue a pardon.)

Also scheduled for appearances at New College are Judith Butler, the distinguished gender theorist, and Stanley Fish, lawyer and literary scholar, disliked by both the right and the left.

There is also, as youd expect, a bunch of conservatives ranging from the intellectually respectable  Mollie Hemingway, editor of The Federalist  to the anti-vax doctor Scott Atlas.

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But casting Russell Brand as some free speech hero is flat out stupid.

Milton intervention

Its not the first time NCF has embarrassed itself. In 2024 the college invited white supremacist eugenicon Steve Sailer, who says Black men are in thrall to a primal African cult of fertility, to debate Black historian Dr. Marvin Dunn.

As if you can argue both sides on racism. There are not two sides  unless you think the KKK makes a lot of good points.

When Hurricane Milton forced the cancellation of what promised to be a particularly unlovely spectacle, you could almost believe in the wrath of God.

Despite MAGA hissy fit-pitching and anti-DEI squawking over censorship and indoctrination on campus, conservative ideas are not suppressed or censored.

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FSU recently hosted economist and Reagan acolyte Glenn Loury; the University of Floridas Hamilton Center has showcased Republican pollsters and American Enterprise Institute luminaries.

This is as it should be.

But theres a difference between a university fostering honest discussion of academic freedom, ideology, and prejudice, and promoting a man who could soon be convicted of sexual assault.

Scrubbing the record

Floridas Republican junta has convinced itself higher education turns innocent students into tree-hugging transgender Marxists who read nothing but books on critical race theory.

Terrified theyll be penalized financially and every other way, colleges and universities have busied themselves scrubbing websites of incendiary words such as women, Black, institutional and trauma.

FSU has deleted and archived its posts on high-achieving students before 2023, claiming, in fluent bureaucratic nonsense-speak, they did it to get rid of outdated information to enhance user experience and ensuring our webpages load quickly and efficiently on all devices.

In case youre not buying that one, theyre also calling it routine maintenance.

A cynical person might think this is really about obscuring official praise of students who might be queer or working in currently disfavored fields of study.

A cynical person might also wonder if state government wants to use higher education to return us to an imagined past when white Christian men were in charge of everything and everything was absolutely great, especially for white Christian men.

One of the governors picks for the Board of Trustees at University of West Florida, an institution he calls a left-wing college, wanted to take us back to the 1950s.

Scott Yenor, an academic nonentity at Boise State in Idaho, thinks only non-Jewish white men should be in leadership positions.

He says independent women are medicated, meddlesome and quarrelsome and proclaims, If we want a great nation, we should be preparing young women to become mothers, not have successful careers, certainly not in the manly fields of science, medicine, and the law.

Even some of Floridas loudest and proudest reactionaries objected to Yenors weird ideas about women and obvious antisemitism.

Sen. Randy Fine, the states only Jewish Republican legislator (until he was elected to Congress on April 1) raised the alarm.

Back to Idaho

Indeed, Yenor is so out there that several hundred citizens, including students, alumni, former trustees, and donors, held a town hall in Pensacola  deep red Pensacola  urging the Florida Senate to reject his nomination.

Former Republican legislators, business leaders, donors, local officials, and members of the Jewish community expressed dismay. UWF President Emerita Judy Bense urged people to tell the governor this is wrong.

The amazing thing is, they won. Yenor, who had not yet been confirmed by the Senate, withdrew from consideration.

Sen. Don Gaetz, father of the egregious Matt, celebrated Yenors decision: Gentlemen dont go where no one wants them.

Unacquainted with what gentlemen do, the governor is throwing a tantrum, blaming Fine, whom he describes as repellent, snarling, Lets just consider the source. I mean, that same senator called me antisemitic, and accusing others of distorting Yenors record, trying to dredge up statements he calls flimsy.

Booting Yenor back to Idaho is a small victory for UWF and the basic decency we should expect from Floridas state institutions.

Rescheduling Brand is, too, although New College is probably beyond redemption: Opening the campus to white supremacists and accused rapists does not demonstrate a commitment to vigorous examination of social norms and political pieties, or a bold assertion of free speech.

Its evidence of decay.

NCF is now an educational ruin, lovely buildings perched on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, intellectually and morally empty.
Israel early on Monday criticized the German Foreign Office for a social media post questioning the Israeli military's recent airstrike on a hospital building in northern Gaza, saying the statement lacked key facts.

In a post on X, Israel's Foreign Ministry said the attack was a "precise strike" on a single building used by Palestinian militant group Hamas as a command and control centre, and not a general assault on hospital grounds.

It responded to a post shared Sunday by Germany's Foreign Office and outgoing Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, which said: "The cruel Hamas terror must be fought. But international humanitarian law applies  with a special obligation to protect civilian sites. How is a hospital supposed to be evacuated in under 20 minutes?"

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Israel's Foreign Ministry pushed back, saying it expected "a clear and strong condemnation of Hamas's use of hospitals" and "not rhetoric that encourages Hamas's continued abuse of civilian infrastructure."

The ministry added that the German statement lacked "important facts," including that the Israeli military had issued a prior warning and that no civilians were killed in the strike.

The World Health Organization (WHO), however, said the hospital sustained serious damage. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X that, according to the hospital director, a child died after being unable to receive care during the evacuation.

Witnesses told dpa that hospital staff had been instructed to evacuate before the strike, with the Palestinian news agency WAFA reporting that they were given just 18 minutes to do so.
The News

An Israeli air strike destroyed part of Gaza Citys last fully functional hospital.

The Israel Defense Forces said it had targeted Al-Ahli Arab Hospital because it contained a command and control centre used by Hamas.

The Anglican diocese which runs the hospital said a child had died during the evacuation.

European countries are increasingly losing patience with Israels actions: The UK foreign minister called the attacks deplorable, saying a series of strikes had degraded Gazas health care facilities, while the European Union pledged further support for the Palestinian Authority, offering 1.6 billion in funding.

The EU hopes the Palestinian Authority will take over Gaza once the war is over, although Israel has long rejected such a plan.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Indiana State University (ISU), along with Indianapolis-area McDonalds Owners and Operators James and Pam Poore, have announced a partnership that would help provide college education opportunities for employees at McDonalds locations owned by the Poore family.

This is all possible through ISUs Preferred Partners Program, which is a collaborative initiative that aims to make education more affordable, accessible and convenient for those pursuing a new career or advancing an existing one.

Photo of Pam and James Poore. Photo courtesy of ISU.

As a Preferred Partner with ISU, employees at a McDonalds location owned by the Poore family will get a 15% in-state tuition discount, access to various online and hybrid degree options and waived application fees.

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As an Indiana State alumna, I am thrilled to strengthen this connection between McDonalds employees and the University, said Pam Poore. This partnership is a continuation of our commitment to supporting our employees in achieving their goals. We believe that investing in education is investing in the future, and were proud to provide our employees with opportunities that can change their lives.

The Poores will also offer a $1,000 scholarship to select first-generation college students from Indianapolis Public Schools who attend ISU and apply during the scholarship cycle.

Indiana State University prides itself on offering an affordable and accessible pathway to education, and our Preferred Partners program reflects our commitment to providing the State of Indiana with an educated workforce in several in-demand fields. I want to thank James and Pam for this collaborative initiative and their generous scholarship, said Indiana State University President Mike Godard.

The partnership will be celebrated at an event hosted by the Poores, ISU President Mike Godard, elected officials, local high school principals and counselors. The event will be held at the McDonalds located at 6056 W 71st Street in Indianapolis, on Tuesday, April 15, at 1:00 p.m.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have pointed out the need for reliable monitoring mechanisms in the event of a ceasefire or peace agreement in Ukraine, and it is not yet clear what mechanisms for such monitoring the West can offer.

Source: ISW

Details: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the ongoing US-Russian talks are unlikely to yield lightning-fast results despite US President Donald Trump's stated goal of reaching a general ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement in Ukraine in the near future.

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In addition, Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexei Polishchuk said in an interview that Russia is ready to participate in negotiations that supposedly take into account the current realities of the war and address the root causes of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Quote: "Peskov's and Polishchuk's comments also reflect the Kremlin's continued rejection of President Trump's stated approach of first establishing a ceasefire and then negotiating a broader peace agreement and the Kremlin's commitment to war aims that are incompatible with President Trumps goal of achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine."

Details: Analysts noted that any potential ceasefire or peace agreement must include robust monitoring mechanisms, given the Kremlin's continued efforts to portray Ukraine as violating the ceasefire on energy infrastructure without providing evidence of these strikes and despite the lack of public details on the terms of the ceasefire.

Quote: "It remains unclear what monitoring mechanisms the West could leverage to enforce and monitor a future general ceasefire or if the Kremlin would accept any such mechanisms."

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More details: On 13 April, Peskov and Polishchuk reiterated Russia's constant claims that Ukraine had violated the temporary moratorium on long-range strikes on energy infrastructure.

Quote: "Russian officials appear to be weaponising the vague conditions of the ceasefire and exploiting the absence of independent monitoring mechanisms to flood the information space with unsubstantiated claims about supposed Ukrainian ceasefire violations."

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 13 April:

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that ongoing US-Russian negotiations are unlikely to result in "lightning-fast results," contrary to US President Donald Trump's stated objective of achieving a general ceasefire and lasting peace agreement in Ukraine in the near future.

Any future general ceasefire or peace agreement must include robust monitoring mechanisms, given the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to portray Ukraine as violating the long-range energy infrastructure strikes ceasefire without providing evidence of these strikes and despite the lack of public details about the ceasefires terms. It remains unclear what monitoring mechanisms the West could leverage to enforce and monitor a future general ceasefire or if the Kremlin would accept any such mechanisms.

Russian forces conducted a devastating ballistic missile strike against the city of Sumy on 13 April, causing more than 100 casualties.

Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Russian forces recently advanced near Kharkiv, Borova and Chasiv Yar.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
ROME (Reuters) - A second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran will be held in Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was reported as saying on Monday by the country's main news agency ANSA.

Iran and the U.S. said they held "positive" and "constructive" talks in Oman on Saturday and agreed to reconvene this week.

"We received a request from the interested parties and from Oman, which is playing the role of mediator, and we have given a positive response," Tajani was quoted by ANSA as saying at the world Expo exhibition in the Japanese city of Osaka.

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Rome has often hosted these type of talks, Tajani said, and is "prepared to do everything it takes to support all negotiations that can lead to a resolution of the nuclear issue, and to building peace".

Earlier, U.S. news agency Axios, citing two unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter, reported that the second round of the U.S.-Iranian talks would be held in Rome on Saturday.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened military action if no deal is reached on halting Iran's nuclear program, told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that he met with advisers on Iran and expected a quick decision. He gave no further details.

The previous day he had told reporters that the Iran situation was "going pretty good, I think."

(writing by Giulia Segreti, editing by Gavin Jones)
BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WETM)  An Ithaca man will see more than 10 years in prison after he was sentenced on Monday for crimes related to the assault and severe injury of Chemung County Sheriffs Investigator Mike Theetge, according to the Chemung County District Attorneys Office.

Dominick Haley was sentenced Monday, April 14, to 12 years in prison followed by five years of probation for his conviction of assault on a police officer, the DAs office said. Haley will also serve a second sentence at the same time of five years and five years of probation for his conviction of assault in the second degree.

Talk of the Tiers: Chemung County Sheriff Investigator Mike Theetge

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On top of the other charges, the court imposed a one-year sentence of conditional discharge for Haleys petit larceny conviction, recognizing that this would have been his likely sentence had the assault never happened.

Haley was convicted back on March 3 for the events on March 29, 2024, when Haley was caught shoplifting from Target in Big Flats. Haley ran from Theetge in the Target parking lot when he was tackled on top of the getaway vehicle driven by Fatiuana Massaline.

Massaline accelerated and jerked the wheel of the car, causing both men to fall off, with Theetge landing on the pavement, striking his back and head on the ground, leaving him seriously injured.

Haley tried running from the scene but was captured a short distance away, while Massaline fled from the scene in her car and was arrested the following day in Ithaca.

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Massaline was found guilty on her charges related to the incident and is awaiting sentencing.

The entire transcript from Haleys sentencing can be found below:

Dominick-Haley-Sentencing-TranscriptDownload

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two years ago, I walked out of prison, determined to rebuild my life. Since then, Ive testified in front of the Austin City Council, mentored youth and collaborated with nonprofits to strengthen my community. Ive kept my word to society, but the system refuses to honor its word to me.

When I was released on parole, I was expected to prove my trustworthiness. The word parole itself comes from the French phrase meaning to give ones word of honor. Yet, even after proving myself, I am not trusted with the most fundamental right of citizenship: voting.

I keep thinking: "Ive been trusted with liberty. Why not trust me with protecting my liberty? Voting would allow me to do just that. Without it, I am at the mercy of others to make decisions that impact my life, my family and my community.

A "vote" sign welcomes visitors to a voting site in Northwest Austin in 2023. More than 479,000 Texans are not able to vote due to a felony conviction, according to The Sentencing Project.

If I can move freely, work, pay taxes and serve my community, why am I still denied the right to vote? This is what civic death looks like. Even after incarceration, the system continues to punish people like me, stripping us of our voice in our democracy. It sends a clear message: No matter how much you contribute, your life and experiences do not matter.

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My story is not unique. I was incarcerated four times, caught in a web of habitual offender laws that trap hundreds of thousands of people in cycles of extreme sentences  including disenfranchisement  both in Texas and throughout the country. The Sentencing Project recently reported that more than 479,000 Texans cannot vote due to a felony conviction  the second largest disenfranchised population in the country, behind only Florida.

When people reenter their communities, we should encourage their civic participation, not restrict it. Research shows that voting fosters a lasting sense of belonging among justice-impacted citizens, strengthening our connection to the community. Instead, we are disempowered, turning formerly incarcerated individuals into second-class citizens, unable to fully participate in society.

Too often, society objectifies people who are incarcerated as irredeemable figures, rather than recognizing people as individuals with real stories, struggles and contributions. When we talk about justice, we must ask: Who is worthy of respect? Who is worthy of influence? If we believe in democracy, then the answer should be everyone.

Terms like "second chances" and "forgiveness" imply that one has been redeemed or restored back to the community, and is no longer in debt to society. If the time I served has paid my debt, then Im not asking for forgiveness  Im asking for the chance to belong again. To be seen not just for my past, but for my redemption. To be accepted, fully as a citizen with dignity and purpose.

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Denying people the right to vote based on their past involvement in the criminal legal system is not just an injustice  it is a direct contradiction of the very principles this country claims to stand for. If we truly believe in democracy, we must ensure that every citizen has a voice, regardless of their past mistakes.

But my home state of Texas has an important choice to make: uphold democracy or continue a legacy of exclusion. Senate Bill 631/HB 590 would restore voting rights to people on parole, finally ending a practice that disenfranchises thousands of Texans who live, work and contribute to their communities.

The Texas Legislature must act now to pass these measures and put an end to the civic death of more than 327,000 Texans, including myself, who are banned from voting while completing their sentence on felony probation or parole.

The question isnt whether people like me deserve the right to vote. Its whether Texas will uphold the principles of democracy or continue to silence us. It is time for Texas to listen.

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Robert Lilly is a criminal justice organizer with Grassroots Leadership. He lives in Austin.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas should retore voting rights for people released from prison
Now Corporation has announced its intention to appeal against the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) decision not to renew its telecoms licence, a move that has rendered the operator inoperative.

In a stock exchange filing, Now Corporation stated that its operating company, Now Telecom, "vehemently disagrees with the NTC Order and will file a motion for reconsideration based on errors of law and fact, and disregard of due process".

The company also detailed that, due to the lack of a licence, its ability to operate and install a mobile network, offer services, and charge for them has been "deemed inoperative." Additionally, its 20MHz of contiguous spectrum in the 3520-3540 MHz frequency has been recalled by the regulator.

The NTC announced its decision last week, citing Now Corporation's failure to comply with regulations and operational requirements. Specifically, the NTC noted that Now had underused its assigned spectrum and had not paid over US$60 million in regulatory fees.
The Jacksonville Human Rights Commission will host the annual Fair Housing Expo 2025 later in April.

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Themed Housing is a Human Right, attendees will have the chance to participate in panel sessions with local housing experts that address challenges, solutions, and resources applicable to attendees, lunch will be provided, and afternoon workshops will showcase some of the incredible work happening in the city.

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The Jacksonville Human Rights Commission partnered with the following organizations to help run the Expo:

The Expo will be held from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Conference Center at the Main Library on Saturday, April 26.

Registration is required for the event, click HERE to learn more.

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Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, is recovering in intensive care after undergoing a 12-hour intestinal surgery for pain linked to a stab wound from 2018.

The 70-year-old former army captain was admitted to hospital on Sunday for a laparotomy  a procedure involving an incision through the abdominal wall  to treat intestinal adhesions sustained when he was stabbed on the campaign trail seven years ago.

The operation involved reconstitut[ing] the abdominal wall, according to a statement from the DF Star hospital, where Mr Bolsonaro was treated.

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Michelle Bolsonaro, the former leaders wife, said in a social media post on Sunday: Operation finished with success!

A medical bulletin from the hospital said the operation went smoothly and Mr Bolsonaro did not require a blood transfusion.

It also said that he was in a stable condition and in no pain as he began his recovery in an intensive care unit. The operation marked the seventh procedure the former president has undergone to treat pain linked to the stab wound.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the hospital waiting for news on Mr Bolsonaros condition earlier in the day.

Jari Bolsonaro was stabbed by Adelio Bispo de Oliveira a month before his election victory in 2018 - Magnus Nascimento/AFP

The stabbing occurred in Juiz de Fora, 200 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, a month prior to his successful election as president in 2018.

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Mr Bolsonaro was being carried through the crowd on the shoulders of a supporter when attacker Adelio Bispo de Oliveira rushed up to him with a knife.

The perpetrator was taken into custody shortly after the attack and later deemed to be mentally ill.

The far-Right former president is reportedly awake and conscious after the operation, which lasted from 10am to 9.20pm on Sunday. He will also require physiotherapy after the operation.

Mr Bolsonaro was flown to Brasilia for the procedure on a medical plane from the northeastern city of Natal, where he was admitted to hospital on Friday during a tour of the surrounding state of Rio Grande do Norte.

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Doctors in Natal initially said surgery was not necessary, but after further testing in the Brazilian capital, it was concluded that intervention was required to address a persistent intestinal blockage.

Intestinal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between the intestines and the abdominal wall.

Supreme Court case

Mr Bolsonaro said on X that the latest procedure was the most serious situation since the attack that nearly cost my life.

Damares Alves, a senator and former minister in Mr Bolsonaros government, told reporters after the operation that his family always knew that he would never have a normal life again after someone tried to kill him.

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The procedure comes just two weeks after the countrys Supreme Court decided to open a case against Mr Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election defeat to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Separately, he has been declared ineligible to run for office until 2030 for his unproven attacks on the reliability of the countrys electronic voting system.

Mr Bolsonaro has, however, clung to the hope that the judgment might be overturned or the sentence reduced in time to allow him to stand in next years elections.

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Florida Attorney General and Orange County Sheriff John Mina in Orlando on April 14, 2025. (Screenshot from video from James Uthmeier's X account)

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier offered Monday to provide six prosecutors from his office to assist in Floridas Ninth Judicial Circuit, where State Attorney Monique Worrell recently announced new policies to manage a backlog of more than 13,000 cases.

Saying Worrell had refused to prosecute at least 90 cases in the past week, Uthmeier said, Were going to tell her the words that no George Soros prosecutor wants to hear: Were from the Attorney Generals office, and were here to help you.

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So, the calvarys here, he added. Weve got the entire team of prosecutors that were going to be sending to help out. We hope that she will take that help. We want to get rid of that backlog and those thousands of cases that we want to make sure that dangerous people are put behind bars. We want to see bad guys go away.

Worrell did ask Uthmeier last week for funding to bring in 13 more prosecutors to address the backlog of non-arrest cases that is now up to 13,675, according to WFTV in Orlando.

That request followed her announcement of a new policy that requires local law enforcement to make an arrest or issue a notice to appear in court before they submit a case to her office for prosecution  comments Uthmeier criticized as blanket policies that are contrary to the essential duties of a prosecutor.

Worrell, a Democrat, campaigned and won office for the first time in 2020 in part by promising criminal justice reform in her circuit, which encompasses Orange and Osceola Counties. Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended her in August 2023, alleging she had neglected her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction.

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The move outraged Democrats, and Worrell took her case to the Florida Supreme Court, which voted 6-1 to uphold her suspension. However, running in liberal Orange and Osceola, she won a second term in November, beating NPA candidate Andrew Bain (appointed by DeSantis to replace her) by 15 percentage points.

Nick Cox, who serves as statewide prosecutor in the attorney generals office, said during Mondays press conference that if Worrell takes in the state prosecutors, they would act under her authority.

We will try to determine how these cases would typically be handled in the Ninth Circuit but, at the same time, were going to bring to bear our opinions and our judgements on the cases, working with the state attorneys office, he said.

Despite his comment referring to Worrell as being funded by Soros, Uthmeier insisted his actions were not politically motivated.

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Were not running around the state looking for people to remove from office, he said. Were looking for people who arent doing their job. And, as a prosecutor, your job is simple: Put the bad people away and keep Floridians safe. Its that simple.

If youre willing to do that, Ive got no beef with you. I want to help you. I want to help everybody. Democrat, Republican, if you are a prosecutor your job is to put bad people away.

Inaccurate and uninformed

Worrell and Uthmeier have sparred in just the last week.

Speaking at a news conference in Tampa last Monday to announce arrests in a child pornography ring, Uthmeier said that one of the people arrested was on a lighter probation sentence by the state attorney over in Orlando, citing it as an example of a prosecutor who go soft on crime.

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However, the individual to whom he referred, Frankie Pineiro, was prosecuted in a different jurisdiction and before Worrell was elected in 2020.

The Attorney General is once again inaccurate and uninformed, Worrell said in a statement issued last week.

A simple review of public records established that not only was this individual sentenced prior to my election in 2020, but also that this case did not come out of the 9th Judicial Circuit. Since the Attorney General has stated that he will be looking at my conduct going forward to make sure we are enforcing the rule of law, I hope that he will prioritize public safety and also look at my request for additional prosecutors to support our enforcement of the rule of law.

Throughout last year, DeSantis refused to comment about the possibility of suspending Worrell a second time if she won re-election. Speaking Monday in Kissimmee, which is part of Worrells jurisdiction, the governor said he would do so if there was proof that she was neglecting her duties.

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You do not have the ability to pick and choose which laws youre going to enforce, he said. You dont have the ability or the authority to let the inmates run the asylum. So I know the attorney general is keeping a close eye on what shes doing. That could end up on my desk if theres proof that somebody is neglecting their duties or satisfying one or the other provisions of the Florida Constitution, then obviously I could act again.

As of early Monday afternoon, Worrells office had not responded to Uthmeiers offer. We will update this story when and if she does.

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By Leika Kihara and Satoshi Sugiyama

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday his country does not plan to make big concessions and won't rush to reach a deal in upcoming tariff negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.

Japan, a long-time U.S. ally, has been hit with 24% levies on its exports to the United States though these tariffs have, like most of Trump's sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs, been paused for 90 days.

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But a 10% universal rate remains in place as does a 25% duty for cars, which is set to be particularly painful. The U.S. is Japan's biggest export destination and automobile shipments account for roughly 28% of its exports there.

The two countries will begin trade talks on Thursday in Washington that are expected to cover tariffs, non-tariff barriers and exchange rates.

"I'm not of the view that we should make big concessions for the sake of wrapping up negotiations quickly," Ishiba said in parliament, though he ruled out slapping Japanese tariffs on U.S. imports as a countermeasure.

"In negotiating with the United States, we need to understand what's behind Trump's argument both in terms of the logic and the emotional elements behind his views," Ishiba said, noting that U.S. tariffs have the potential to disrupt the global economic order.

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Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda warned of forthcoming pain.

"U.S. tariffs will likely put downward pressure on the global and Japanese economies through various channels," Ueda told the same parliament session.

In addition to its large trade surplus with the U.S., Trump has also accused Japan of intentionally maintaining a weak yen - leading to expectations that Tokyo could come under pressure to strengthen its currency - even though a broad dollar sell-off has pushed up the yen of late.

The slow pace at which the Bank of Japan is raising borrowing costs from ultra-low levels could also come under fire in the talks, sources have previously said.

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Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who will lead Japan's delegation, said any discussion on currency rates will be held between Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

"Both countries share the view that excessive market volatility would have adverse effects on the economy," Kato said.

Any discussion on the yen may spill over to monetary policy and complicate the BOJ's decision on how soon, and by how much, it should raise still-low interest rates.

Akira Otani, a former top central bank economist who is currently managing director at Goldman Sachs Japan, said the BOJ could consider halting interest rate hikes if the yen were to approach 130 to the dollar.

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Conversely, a yen slide below 160 could bring forward or accelerate future rate hikes, he said.

The dollar fell 0.62% to 142.62 yen on Monday.

Japan has historically sought to prevent its currency from rising too much, as a strong yen hurts its export-reliant economy. But a weak yen has become the bigger headache in recent years as it has boosted import costs and hurt consumer spending.

Ruling and opposition party lawmakers have escalated calls for the government to cut tax or offer cash payouts to cushion the economic blow from rising living costs and Trump's tariffs.

Ishiba said the government is not thinking of issuing a supplementary budget now, but stood ready to act in a timely fashion to cushion any economic blow.

(Reporting by Leika Kihara and Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  School district leaders in Jessamine County will be using alternative bus routes to get students to classes on Monday, April 14.

Around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, officials with Jessamine County Schools announced that class would be in session on Monday, noting that while there are still a few areas that are flooded, the county was mostly dry.

If your family is still managing flooding, flood damage, or other hardship from recent weather, please reach out to your childs school, school leaders urged. We want to partner with those families who need support  both in regards to school attendance and other resources.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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District leaders said buses will use alternate routes to avoid standing water in some areas of the county.

JCS wrote that buses may run later than normal because of these modified routes and asked for patience. Anyone with questions can call the district at (859) 885-4179 or contact the bus garage.

Franklin County Schools also posted on social media that classes will be in session on Monday, saying that students who live on roads that would normally be serviced by school bus 30, as well as those displaced by the floods, would be granted excused absences.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Jim Clayton, founder of Clayton Homes responded to the city of Knoxvilles announcement saying that he had withdrawn a donation for a new science museum.

The city of Knoxville told 6 News that Clayton had withdrawn a $150 million donation that would have built a new, privately-owned science museum where the old Knoxville Police headquarters were located. Mayor Indya Kincannon said she was disappointed in the decision. She said she was working with a councilmember to determine what else could go in the space.

A look at what Covenant Health Park could do for Knoxvilles economic future

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However, in a statement to 6 News, Clayton said, Mayor Kincannons media statement is surprising, as I have enjoyed working with the Mayor and her fine staff. This matter can be resolved amicably, and a great science museum is in our future.

Previously, the city expected Jim Clayton to fund the $100 million project then provide a $50 million endowment. With the citys announcement and Claytons response, the future of the museum is uncertain.

Records detail how Snapchat linked suspects to deadly March shooting in Knoxville

Following Claytons statement, the city shared the following response with 6 News.

We are excited to hear of Mr. Claytons commitment to a science museum in Knoxville. We are not aware of the details but look forward to learning more. As we stated last week after receiving an open records request, Mr. Clayton has informed us he no longer plans on building a science museum on the former Safety Building parcels and will be conveying the land back to the City in the very near future. City of Knoxville Spokesperson

The museum was expected to be a state-of-the-art tourist attraction, with exhibits specializing in weather, robotics, jewelry and aviation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
John Oliver ridiculed President Donald Trump's decision last week to pause his reciprocal tariffs after spooking the stock markets, likening the president to a toddler for his impulsiveness.

Speaking on Sundays installment of his HBO show Last Week Tonight, the British satirist described the preceding seven days as an emotional rollercoaster set in motion by Trump with the help of the single dumbest chart in human history.

Recapping the events that led to the commander-in-chiefs decision to reverse his global trade policy, Oliver turned to Trumps attempt to calm investors by warning them against becoming Panicans, which he defined as a new political party for the weak and stupid.

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Id argue the weak and stupid demo is, if anything, way overrepresented in government right now, the host observed, nodding to a photomontage of populist Republicans Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Vice President JD Vance.

When he reached Trumps boast that his fellow world leaders were kissing my a** to make a deal, Oliver said: Im sure some have been pretty nice to him, the same way you try to be nice if you suddenly found yourself in the same room as a monkey with a gun.

John Oliver discusses Donald Trump's tariff rowback on HBO's Last Week Tonight on Sunday April 13 2025 (HBO/YouTube)

Oliver called Trumps conduct, from announcing the tariffs in triumphant fashion to suspending them amid the financial meltdown, total chaos and incredibly stupid and played a clip of CNBC host Jim Cramer explaining the baffling decision to place a 90 percent tariff on the small African nation of Lesotho to illustrate the illogic of it all.

Asking in exasperation what the presidents endgame might be, he observed: The best way to ensure Trump does something is to tell him not to do it.

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Hes like a toddler, both because his brain is unable to grasp negations and also because he has a short torso, huge head, always looks like hes about to fall over and wont let anyone brush his hair.

The comedian went on to mock Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as an uncharismatic Whoville tax accountant and further criticized Vance for unwisely referring to Chinese citizens as peasants.

Vances words were incredibly insulting, especially coming from the man who is next in line to run the country if anything were to happen to Elon Musk, Oliver said.

In a way, I guess its reassuring to know that despite our differences, the American and Chinese people can come together to agree that it is fun to dunk on this cursed Cabbage Patch b****.

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After reflecting grimly on the loss of confidence in America as a world power among its allies since Trump took office, Oliver turned his attention to Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for gloating over the presidents U-turn on social media.

We dodged a bullet, but the monkey still has a gun! he reminded Schumer.
As the U.S. economy continues to reel from Trumps tariffs, CNBCs Jim Cramer offered a pretty concise and accurate explanation for how Americans will suffer because of said tariffs  which sent John Oliver into a small spiral on Sunday night.

In the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, the HBO host wasted no time before diving into his main story surrounding the presidents recent economic decisions. And though there were many incredibly stupid elements of the tariffs, according to Oliver, Cramer managed to explain the dumbest part of the calculations quite well.

In a clip from Cramers CNBC show Mad Money, the host explained that Lesotho was one of the two most highly tariffed nations on Trumps list because the U.S. imported roughly $240 million worth of goods from them last year (mostly apparel or diamonds). But, Lesotho cant afford to buy much from the U.S.

So what happens now? To start, were going to have to pay a lot more for any apparel or diamonds from Lesotho, Cramer detailed. Maybe we can replace the apparel, but diamonds? I mean, thats a lot harder.

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And the only way for Lesotho to get out of this jam is by importing more stuff from America, which it cant do because it doesnt have any money, he continued. So the President has likely just made things more expensive for Americans and not really changed the behavior of our trading partners.

As the clip ended, Oliver seemed visibly stunned.

Hes right. St, Oliver said, dumbfounded. Jim Cramer was right. I think Im going insane!

You can watch John Olivers full story on Trumps tariffs in the video above.

The post John Oliver Has Small Crisis After Jim Cramer Correctly Explains How Trump Tariffs Will Hurt Americans | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI)  The Johnston Police Department has welcomed a new member to its force.

On Monday, the department announced the addition of K-9 Honza, a one-year-old German Shepherd from the Czech Republic. The department said it hasnt had a K-9 unit in 12 years.

ALSO READ: Rain causes Johnston road to flood once again

K-9 Honza (Courtesy of Johnston police)

Honza and his handler, Officer Eli McGuire-Krueger, recently completed an eight-week training program at the Rhode Island K-9 Academy, specializing in detecting narcotics, according to the department.

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McGuire-Krueger has served with Johnson police for four years and was selected for the role following a competitive internal selection process.

The department was able to bring on K-9 Honza through funding from settlements related to the opioid crisis.

This initiative reflects the departments commitment to enhance its capabilities in addressing the opioid crisis by improving our capabilities to detect and remove dangerous drugs from our streets, the department said in a press release.

ALSO READ: Woman dies after consuming fentanyl-laced cannabis in Warwick

K-9 Honza is scheduled to undergo more patrol training in the fall. He will learn how to recover evidence, find missing persons and apprehend dangerous or hidden offenders.

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Community members and their furry friends came together Sunday for a brunch to help raise money for a nonprofit group that provides service dogs to veterans and law enforcement officers with PTSD.

Keith Holland, the CEO and founder of Joint Task Force K9s, said the Bow Wow Brunch held at the Terrazza 19 restaurant in Myrtle Beach is a great way to get the community together and help spread awareness about their cause.

Holland said the inspiration for the organization came after he tried to commit suicide during active duty after serving 18 1/2 years in the U.S. Army and 15 years as a Green Beret.

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I got my dog from three years after that and saved my life, he said. Thats what kind of got me into doing this business here is because somebody reached out and gave me a dog. This is my way of doing Gods work and helping those so they dont have to do or go through what I had to go through. When I got my dog, he got me up and off the couch. He gave me a purpose and a mission.

The organization has provided 17 dogs since it was created in 2022. Hollard said the response from the community has been amazing, especially from those who attended the Bow Wow Brunch to support what they do.

Mary Bair, who brought her 6-year-old dog Buttons to the brunch, said the event was a delight.

[I] think its wonderful, she said. My husband was a veteran, so its like, yes, this is nice, and its nice that everybody has come out to participate. I think its a wonderful charity that is done for the veterans.

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Holland said the Belgian Malinois and Watch Dutch Shepherd mixed breed dogs are specifically good for veterans because they are a working type dog thats similar to what many veterans worked with downrange and on deployments. When veterans leave combat, he said their minds are still wired to be alongside these kinds of dogs.

Theyre trained to prevent PTSD attacks from occurring, and the way I do that is [to] collect cortisol samples from their actual handler and train the puppies like this guy right here, and we train them to recognize the cortisol levels going up, which is hormone for stress, Holland said. As that stress level goes up, the puppies will come in, theyll cause you to pet. Once you pet a dog, it lowers your cortisol levels, and you get a dopamine spike. You cant have a PTSD attack without stress.

Vietnam veteran Ron Thornton, a volunteer with Joint Task Force K9s, said to be able to have the Bow Wow Brunch for friends and their beloved pets is amazing. It also helps other veterans not view post-traumatic stress disorder as a weakness.

People dont realize what youve gone through, he said. You know, you put a facade on, and youre always smiling, but somewhere down inside, you need help. Keith and this organization provide that help for those people that are out there. I urge you, if you do need help, to seek it. there are plenty of organizations out there such as this that will help you.

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Marilyn Got said she was happy to bring her Boxer Sassy and help raise money for the future puppies being given to those in need.

Its a real need, Got said. I think its wonderful that they, you know, provide these free of charge and do a lot of intervention and bring in the vets to meet them and spend time with them.

Holland said he wants to have more events like this one and to keep saving lives one dog at a time.

Once these dogs go to our veterans and our law enforcement, they just work miracles, he said. They let them live again.

* * *

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Spanish telecom company Telefonica has finally confirmed that it has agreed to sell its Peruvian unit, Telefonica del Peru, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection. It will be sold to Argentina's Integra Tec International for about EUR900,000 euros (about US$1.02 million).

Though there appears to be little specific information about the new shareholder, Telefonica says Integra Tec International has extensive experience in Latin America, in the telecommunications, public services, media, energy, chemistry and natural resources industries, as well as in the recovery of companies in financial difficulties and special situations.

Telefonica adds that the objectives of the new shareholder are the maintenance and expansion of the service, the restructuring of the company's debt within the framework of the bankruptcy process and the establishment of a sustainable business plan with a solid capital structure.

It adds that Integra Tec intends to work amicably with creditors, suppliers, workers, the Government of Peru and all parties related to Telefonica del Peru. The deal, says Telefonica, will ensure the continuity of telecommunications services for more than 13 million customers in urban and rural areas of Peru.

Telefonica del Peru, which was 99.3% owned by the Spanish company, said it ran into trouble following tax disputes and administrative decisions that put it "in competitive disadvantage", despite being the largest telecom company in the South American country.

As part of the deal, Integra Tec will assume the EUR1.24 billion (about US$1.4 billion) debt that Telefonica's Peruvian unit owes the local tax agency and bond holders. Integra Tec has also committed to buying the 0.7% of Telefonica del Peru shares held by minority shareholders.

Reuters reports that Telefonica had bought the former state-owned Peruvian telecom monopoly in 1994 for about US$2 billion.

The transaction apparently also involves the indirect transfer of control over the shares that Telefonica del Peru holds in the rural operator Internet para Todos.
BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  Joyce Kale-Pesta, born on July 12, 1948, in Youngstown, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, April 10, 2025. She lived a life filled with love, service and dedication that has left an indelible mark on her community and family.

After graduating from Ursuline High School in 1966, where she embraced her role as a majorette, Joyce continued her education at Youngstown State University, laying the foundation for a remarkable career in public service.

Her professional career began in 1978 as the secretary for the Mahoning County Democratic Party. She would serve various roles in the party before ultimately being elected chairwoman in 2019.In 1988, she began her journey with the Board of Elections, where she was not only hired but later achieved the esteemed positions of Deputy Director, and ultimately Director until her retirement in 2021. Her passionate commitment to elections led her to become a board member, ensuring the integrity of the democratic process. In 2013, she was honored as the Ohio Democratic Election Official of the Year, and in 2016, she proudly joined the League of Women Voters Hall of Fame, followed by her induction into the Democratic Party Hall of Fame in 2017. Joyce was a member of John F. Kennedy Democratic Womens Club and was woman of the year in 1988.

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Joyce was a founding member of the Mahoning Valley St. Patricks Day Parade, demonstrating her dedication to the Irish community. Among her many contributions, she received the Ockerman Award in 2013 and served as the Parade President and was Grand Marshal in 1996. She also played a vital role in the Gathering of the Irish Clans and was an active member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, where she held many leadership positions, including past recording secretary and president. Her impact on the community was recognized through her designation as the Woman of the Year for the organization in 1989.

Known for her generosity and kindness, Joyce cherished significant moments spent with her family. She loved Christmas celebrations, unforgettable trips to Ireland, vacations to Disney World with her grandchildren, and her recent memorable Disney Cruise with her great-grandchild.

Joyce is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas Pesta; her children, Robbie (Linda Wray) Kale, Gregory (Stella) Kale, Geoffrey Kale and Andrea (Nick Moamis) Crook; her sister, Sharon Sabatka; her cherished grandchildren, Patrick, Rory, Ashley (Kevin Lockwood), Brendan, Ryan, Nicholas and Adam; as well as great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Addison and Mason. She also leaves behind her nephews, Devin and Anthony Sabatka.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Steven and Elizabeth Bessie Spangel and her brother, Richard Spangel.

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Her legacy of love, service and passion for the community will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A visitation will be held from 3:00  7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, followed by an LAOH prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

Additional visitation will take place from 10:00  10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at St. Christine Church in Youngstown, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.

Joyce will be dearly missed, but her spirit will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. Memorial contributions can be made to the family for the Robert W. Kale scholarship for the Arts Program at Boardman High School in memory of Joyce.

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Condolences may be sent at www.higgins-reardon.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Kale-Pesta, please visit our flower store.

A television tribute will air Wedneday, April 16 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. 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.
Apr. 14SANTA FE  Juan Sanchez, a Valencia County native and former state Democratic Party official, is the first candidate to enter the race to be New Mexico's next state land commissioner.

Sanchez officially launched his campaign Monday, and said in an interview he felt compelled to run in large part due to what he described as threats to public lands in New Mexico and nationally.

"It just really felt like that now with the current administration in Washington, D.C., our public lands really seem to be under attack at the federal level and I think we need a really strong champion to be stepping up from them at the state level," Sanchez told the Journal.

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Sanchez worked until December as U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich's political director, and Heinrich has endorsed Sanchez's candidacy, saying, "There is no one I trust more than Juan to do this critical job."

Before working for roughly five years for Heinrich, Sanchez worked for the New Mexico Acequia Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a natural resource specialist.

He also served a two-year stint as vice chairman of the state Democratic Party but is making his first bid for a publicly elected office.

New Mexico's 2026 land commissioner race will not feature an incumbent, since current Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term in office.

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Garcia Richard, a Democrat, announced last month she would run for lieutenant governor next year.

The State Land Office oversees more than 9 million acres of state trust land, plus 13 million subsurface acres, for the benefit of public schools and other beneficiaries.

The annual earnings recorded by the office jumped from roughly $1.1 billion during the 2019 budget year to nearly $2.6 billion in the 2024 fiscal year, with more than 90% of that amount coming from oil and natural gas royalties.

"There's no doubt that mineral extraction is a huge part of our economy," Sanchez said.

But he said oil and gas operators should be held accountable for any contamination they cause on state trust land, and indicated he would continue efforts launched by Garcia Richard to plug abandoned oil wells around New Mexico.

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Sanchez, who described himself as a hiker, angler and avid hunter, also said he would pursue opportunities to increase New Mexico's outdoor recreation industry.

He said that could include initiating land swaps to improve access to state trust lands that are currently landlocked, or difficult to access due to surrounding properties.

"We are so rich in our lands and culture here in New Mexico, that I think there are opportunities to develop a little bit more our outdoor economy," Sanchez told the Journal.

Sanchez, who is also a digital creator with more than 100,000 followers, plans to announce his campaign on social media accounts Monday.

New Mexico's primary election for land commissioner and other statewide offices is set for June 2026, with the general election to be held in November 2026.
Jonah Bevin listens to the judge during a hearing in family court in Louisville on March 25, 2025. At left is lawyer Melina Hettiaratchi. (Photo by Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal, via press pool)

A judge has entered a restraining order barring Glenna Bevin from any contact with her adopted son, Jonah Bevin, following his request that his adoptive parents, former Gov. Matt Bevin and Glenna Bevin, be ordered to have no contact with him.

Matt Bevin already is subject to a six-month protective order barring him from any communication or contact with Jonah, who has alleged the Bevins abandoned him at age 17 in a brutally abusive youth facility in Jamaica.

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Now 18, Jonah appeared in court last month, seeking orders to protect him from the Bevins  who are now divorced  alleging they tried to get him out of the country by hastily arranging a trip to Ethiopia where they claimed they had located his birth mother.

Jonah Bevin, left, arrives in family court with lawyer Dawn Post, March 25, 2025. (Photo by Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal, via press pool)

Jonah says in a court filing he believes they were trying to get me to disappear.

Neither Matt nor Glenna Bevin has responded to requests for comment.

Dawn J. Post, a lawyer representing Jonah, said she has been unable to verify the existence of a mother in Ethiopia whom Jonah had been told was dead since his adoption by the Bevins at age 5. He was one of four children the couple adopted from Ethiopia in 2012; they also have five biological children, all adults except one.

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Post said Jonah is eager to learn any information about his mother or other relatives but her independent inquiry has not identified any proof they exist.

We are going to pursue our own search, she said. It is still very important to him.

The protective order issued Monday by Jefferson Circuit Judge Angela Johnson gives the Bevins seven days to provide all information in their possession about Jonahs adoption and his biological family.

Meanwhile, another hearing in the case is scheduled April 21 on whether to seal the Bevins proposed divorce settlement. In a court filing last month, the couple reported to the judge they had reached a settlement but wanted it kept confidential and out of the public record to protect their privacy.

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The Courier Journal and Jonah have both filed motions asking that it remain public. The media company argues the case is of public interest and Jonah argues he needs to know the information to be able to protect his interest, since he has had no support from his adoptive parents.

He also has alleged he experienced abuse and neglect in the Bevins home.

At present, no one who has Jonahs interest is involved in the litigation, said the motion filed by Louisville lawyers John Helmers Jr. and Melina Hettiaratchi. Jonahs best guess is that his parents never revealed their abuse and neglect of him to this court, including their failure to meet his basic needs and to provide a safe home and a complete education as required by law.

Jefferson Circuit Judge Angela J. Johnson issued the restraining order against Glenna Bevin. (Photo by Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal, via press pool)

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The case involving a Tufts University PhD student detained by ICE heads back to court Monday in Vermont.

This is a bit unusual where you have sort of this big battle of the jurisdictions, what state is it going to be in, immigration court or regular United States District Court, said Peter Elikann, a Boston 25 News legal analyst.

Rumeysa Ozturk has been in ICE custody in Louisiana for nearly three weeks after the government revoked her student visa.

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Her attorneys are pushing for her to be released.

They argue a Vermont judge can make that decision.

They are claiming that this is really what we call judge shopping, where theyre pulling all these cases into Louisiana because they think itll be a more sympathetic court there, said Elikann.

Elikann says a lot of immigrants detained by ICE have been sent to Louisiana, where the judges may be more sympathetic to the views of the Trump administration.

Ozturk was arrested by ICE on March 25 in Somerville, MA.

Attorneys for the government confirm she was taken to New Hampshire and then Vermont overnight before she was flown to Louisiana, where she remains in ICE custody.

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Ozturks attorneys filed a petition for her release while she was in Vermont, so theyre hoping the case will continue there.

If the Vermont judge were to say, were keeping jurisdiction and Im going to grant her bail, so Im ordering her release from the Louisiana ICE facility, are the government lawyers going to argue against that and appeal that to the next level? said Elikann.

The Department of Homeland Security has said Ozturk has shown support for a terrorist organization, so her visa was revoked at the discretion of the Secretary of State.

Ozturks lawyers argue shes being targeted for an op-ed piece she co-authored for the student paper at Tufts about the war in Gaza, and that this case is over the right to free speech.

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It is unprecedented that we have people here in the country who are here legally, and yet because their views are not the same as those of the current presidential administration that they can have their legal status revoked, said Elikann.

Oral arguments for Ozturks case will be at 9:30 AM Monday at a court in Burlington, Vermont.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department has charged a man with vandalizing a Tesla dealership in New Mexico and setting fire to the headquarters of the state Republican Party, according to court records unsealed Monday.

A criminal complaint charges Jamison R. Wagner, 40, with federal arson -related crimes in the fire last month and the vandalism in February at a Tesla dealership in Bernalillo, where authorities found two Tesla Model Y vehicles ablaze as well as swastika symbols on windshields and spray-painted graffiti messages including Die Elon" and Die Tesla Nazi.

Elon Musk is the billionaire CEO of Tesla and a close ally of President Donald Trump who has helped engineer a massive downsizing of the federal government and purge of employees.

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The arrest is part of a federal crackdown on what Attorney General Pam Bondi has described as a wave of domestic terrorism against property carrying the logo of Musks electric-car company. Bondi previewed the arrest Thursday during a Cabinet meeting to highlight federal law enforcements' efforts to go after vandals in recent weeks who have been targeting Tesla.

Wagner is also charged in connection with a fire last month at the Albuquerque headquarters of the New Mexico Republican Party. The fire badly burned the entrance and caused extensive smoke damage throughout the office, authorities said. Republican representatives also found spray paint on the side of the building about 50 feet (15 meters) from the entrance, saying ICE=KKK, according to New Mexico Republican Party Chair Amy Barela.

In a statement Monday, Barela thanked federal investigators for the arrest and called the fire "an attack on the democratic process and the values we hold dear. We are relieved that no one was harmed and are committed to ensuring that justice is served.

During a search of Wagners home and garage on Saturday, investigators found eight assembled suspected incendiary devices, black and red spray paint and a cardboard stencil with the phrase ICE=KKK that had red spray paint on it, according to court papers.

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Wagner was ordered to remain detained pending a detention hearing. An attorney for him did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Department has charged four other cases against people accused of using Molotov cocktails to destroy Tesla cars and fire stations. The FBI last month created a task force to coordinate investigate efforts around the attacks with officials at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Bondi has suggested prosecutors will make no plea deals with those charged in the Tesla attacks, telling the president at the White House on Thursday that there will be no negotiations, at your directive.
(NEXSTAR)  Blue Origin successfully launched six women over the Karman line on Monday morning, marking the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet-era cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova flew into space on a solo mission in 1963.

The astronauts  recording artist Katy Perry, journalists Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and movie producer Kerianne Flynn  experienced several minutes of weightlessness during the trip, which touched down about 11 minutes after launch from West Texas.

An image provided by Blue Origin shows Lauren Sanchez and Kerianne Flynn (front, seated) and Amanda Nguyen, Katy Perry, Gayle King and Aisha Bowe (back, left to right) in West Texas. (Blue Origin via AP)

How far up did they travel?

Blue Origins New Shepard rocket propelled the women almost 66 miles into the atmosphere, according to Blue Origin. That means they soared well over the Karman line, a boundary located 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) above the Earth.

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What to know about the all-female Blue Origin space launch

The Karman line is recognized as the boundary between Earths atmosphere and space by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, a Swiss-based governing body and record-keeping organization. For years, Blue Origin has also maintained that the Karman Line is the threshold that separates Earths atmosphere from space.

In 2021, Blue Origin made this opinion known when Virgin Group founder Richard Branson successfully rocketed to an altitude of approximately 282,000 feet, or over 53 miles, on a Virgin Galactic space plane called the VSS Unity. At the time, Blue Origin further suggested that Branson and his fellow astronauts would need asterisks next to their names.

From the beginning, New Shepard was designed to fly above the Karman line so none of our astronauts have an asterisk next to their name, the company wrote on X (then Twitter). For 96% of the worlds population, space begins 100 km up at the internationally recognized Karman line.

Where does space actually begin?

The boundary between Earth and space, meanwhile, is not clearly defined. Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell has proposed the boundary should be lower, at around 80 kilometers up, arguing that satellites can survive certain elliptical orbits that dip to this height. But NASA heliophysicist Doug Rowland said its tough to demarcate where space begins, because Earths atmosphere doesnt necessarily stop at any single point, but instead just gets less and less dense the higher you go.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) further pointed out that a spacecraft would have to travel 600 miles above Earth to escape the planets atmosphere completely  meaning that the International Space Station (orbiting between 205 and 270 miles up) wouldnt even be considered as being in proper space, either.

When you go to where the Space Station is  only a couple hundred miles above the Earth  theres still enough air there to slow the Space Station down. And if you didnt re-boost it with rockets, it would come back to Earth based on the air drag, Rowland said.

Commercial space companies are ready for the next stage of lunar exploration

Never be the same

Terminology aside, Blue Origin and its newest astronauts certainly consider their trip to space (however its defined) a success.

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I will never be the same, crew member and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe said after landing.

I never really thought I could go to space  although I really wanted to go  and today just confirmed that dreams are real, she added.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The bands behind Dust in the Windand Hold On Loosely are joining forces for a summer show at Huber Heights.

The Classic/Prog Rock of Kansas and the Southern Rock of 38 Special will take the stage at Rose Music Center on July 3.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 18, at 10 a.m.

Kansas

According to concert promoter MEMI, Kansas triple-Platinum Dust in the Wind has been played on the radio more than 3 million times. The band hit an even higher peak with Carry On Wayward Son, which MEMI says is one of the five most-played songs on classic rock radio.

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(Younger fans may know Carry On Wayward Son from its status as the unofficial theme song to The CWs long-running Supernatural.)

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA  SEPTEMBER 17: (Exclusive Coverage) (L-R) Richard Williams, Tom Brislin, Phil Ehart, Joe Deninzon, Ronnie Platt, and Billy Greer of Kansas perform on stage at Balboa Theatre on September 17, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

38 Special

Besides Hold On Loosely, 38 Special has a deep bench of songs you may not know when you read their titles, but are nearly instantly recognizable, including Caught Up In You, Second Chance and If Id Been the One.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City Police Department reports a missing 9-year-old boy has been located and is safe.

Pedestrian killed while crossing Interstate 435 Monday morning

According to KCPD, Timmy Cooper was last seen on Saturday just before 10 p.m. in the area of East 38th Street and Wayne Avenue.

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Indias Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reportedly asked all telcos in the country to provide details of Chinese equipment still being used in their networks.

According to a report from ETTelecom on Monday, citing unnamed sources, the government wants to keep tabs on Chinese involvement in Indias telecoms sector to pre-empt potential security threats from likely vulnerabilities in telecom networks.

Chinese telecoms vendors Huawei and ZTE have been effectively shut out of bidding for new telecoms contracts in India since 2021 after tensions escalated between India and China following a border dispute. That year, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) ruled that all vendors must be certified as trusted sources to qualify for new contracts. Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung has received such certification, while Huawei and ZTE have not.

However, according to ETTelecom, Huawei and ZTE gear is still used in 4G networks run by Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, as well as BSNLs 2G network. The vendors are still allowed to service existing equipment, including replacement and upgrades.

The latest missive from the DoT comes amid the ongoing trade war between the US and China, under which President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145% as of last week. On Friday, the Trump administration said some electronics products produced in China would be exempt, but only for 30 days. China has responded with its own tit-for-tat tariff hikes on US imports, which stood at 124% as of Saturday.

With neither side backing down, ETTelecom says, industry experts have speculated whether the trade war would encourage India and China to patch up their differences at least as far as trade is concerned, which might also be good news for Huawei and ZTE. Chinese handset makers Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, who have been accused of alleged tax evasion amid ongoing tensions between India and China, could also potentially benefit from a thawing of relations.

However, that seems unlikely in the short term. According to Reuters, Indias Commerce and Industry minister Shri Piyush Goyal said at an event in Delhi last week that manufacturers in India and the US have suffered from China's unfair trade practices over the years, to include goods dumping.

Also, like most countries, India is also caught up in the US tariff saga, with Trump raising tariffs on India to 26% earlier this month. Last week, Trump paused the tariff hike on some countries, including India, for 90 days.

An Indian government official told Reuters that India is already taking advantage of the tariff pause to negotiate a deal with the US and that a deadline has already been set.
Rep. Suzanne Wikle raised concerns that House Bill 2240 will slow down state agency processes by requiring legislative approval for state assistance changes, among other things. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  A bill barring Kansans who use food benefits from buying soda and candy failed to move forward last week, while another bill passed that opponents said would stall stage agencies ability to react to changes in assistance programs and intellectual or developmental disability services.

Senate Bill 79, which would have stopped anyone using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from purchasing soda and candy, died when the House failed to take up the bill to override Gov. Laura Kellys veto. The Senate voted to overturn the veto, 29  11.

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Both chambers, however, voted along party lines to override the governors veto on House Bill 2240. Opponents expressed concerns that it would create obstacles for state agencies to move quickly in making needed changes in Medicaid, SNAP and other assistance programs. The bill requires legislative approval for any changes expanding eligibility for public assistance programs, increasing state costs or making certain changes for individuals receiving IDD services. If the Legislature isnt in session, decisions will be made by the Legislative Coordinating Council, which has 14 days to act.

Just the Medicaid ones, every single administration that weve had since Ive been an adult has over 100 things that would have had to go before a legislative body, said Rep. Suzanne Wikle, a Lawrence Democrat, during a March debate. I dont think we understand how many things were talking about. This bill requires that all changes  simple, mundane changes that all states make to programs all the time to keep in compliance with federal regs, update certain things for Medicaid, for SNAP, for child care assistance, for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)  those are all going to have to go before some sort of legislative body now.

Sen. Cindy Holscher, a Democrat from Overland Park, echoed those concerns before the Senate override vote last week.

It shifts power away from actual experts in our agencies, and this will hurt our response time for critical programs and cause bottlenecks in our processes, she said, adding that there are appropriate processes in place for oversight of spending.

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Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican, said this bill puts the responsibility for spending where it should be.

The reason for this is that the Legislature, not bureaucrats, should be overseeing the allocation of funds and making those decisions, she said.
Karen Reads own words will be used against her during her second trial, prosecutors confirmed in a Monday court filing.

Almost from the moment he was hired to lead Reads retrial, special prosecutor Hank Brennan began compiling statements Read gave during interviews, including obtaining off-the-record and unaired conversations. Read has given interviews to Vanity Fair, Boston Magazine, Dateline, 20/20, and most recently, Investigation Discovery.

In the filing Monday, Brennan said the statements range from Reads immediate impressions and state of mind in the minutes and hours surrounding John OKeefes death to crafted narrations, sometimes in the presence of counsel that recount for the defendants version or impressions of events months and years after the murder.

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The filing indicates prosecutors intend to introduce Reads statements without a witness or, at times, through witnesses who were not physically present for the interviews.

Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge, said Brennan will be planning to offer the best [statements] independently, and ... will have [them] indexed to cross-examine Ms. Read with, should she take the stand.

Dan Conley, a former Suffolk County district attorney who Brennan worked under before he departed for private practice, said anytime a defendant speaks, it could be considered an admission.

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The jury selection process for Reads second trial is set to enter its 10th day Tuesday, with 16 jurors in place toward a goal of 18.

Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe.

Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed her SUV into OKeefe in a drunken rage amid turmoil in their relationship, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer. But Reads defense has claimed OKeefe was beaten up inside the house, and his body was planted outside to frame Read.

Karen Read murder case
(NewsNation)  A court reduced the bond for a Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing another teenager at a track meet and said he would allow house arrest for the suspect.

Karmelo Anthony, 17, is charged in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf following a verbal dispute at a track meet in Frisco, Texas.

After the verbal dispute, Anthony allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf died in the arms of his twin brother.

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Trump pharma tariff threat raises specter of shortages, price hikes

Anthony was taken into police custody without incident. He reportedly asked officers if the incident could be considered self-defense.

His bond was reduced to $250,000 from $1 million at the request of lawyers hired by his family.

If Anthonys parents post on bond, he will be released on house arrest. Anthony would be required to wear an ankle monitor and only permitted to travel to his attorneys office or meetings at the court.

He would also be required to check in with the court regularly, be supervised by a parent or designated adult at all times and would not be allowed to have contact with Metcalfs family.

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Six female celebs  including pop songstress Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King and Jeff Bezoss fiancee, author Lauren Sanchez  are slated to blast off Monday morning in a Blue Origin rocket headed for the edge of space.

Flying along with the three household names will be former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, activist and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. They comprise the first all-female flight crew since 1963, when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova flew a solo mission.

Those wanting to watch the launch have several options for tuning in, as Space.com notes. Theres Blue Origins website, which will start livestreaming 90 minutes before takeoff, with simulcasts on YouTube and elsewhere on social media. CBS will also broadcast the launch, and it will be streamed on CBS News 24/7 as well as Paramount+, the network said. Blue Origin is the private spaceflight company Bezos owns.

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From meditation to simulations, the crew has been preparing since their adventure was announced in late February. Each feels varying degrees of nervousness, they admitted to Elle.

Perry is following a space aspiration she has carried for nearly two decades, she told Elle. King admitted she first turned down the invite but overcame her trepidation to embrace being terrified and excited at the same time, she told the magazine. Bowe said she feels shes been training for and waiting for this moment my entire life, and Nguyen said her first thought was, About time. Flynn said it evoked a celestial connection to her grandfather and their skygazing days during her childhood.

The launch is scheduled for 8:30 Central Time, which is 9:30 a.m. Eastern, from Launch Site One in western Texas, according to the Blue Origin site. It is the 11th flight in the set of missions dubbed New Shepard, tagged NS-31.

New Shepard astronauts ascend toward space at more than three times the speed of sound, Blue Origin details. They pass the Karman line, the internationally recognized boundary of space 62 miles (100 km) above Earth, before unbuckling to float weightless and gaze at our planet. The crew returns gently under parachutes.

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Its the first all-female crew to fly on the rocket, which has seen numerous luminaries, including Star Trek actor William Shatner, soar beyond the skies for a brief taste of zero-gravity as they gaze at the pale blue dot floating in the void.

The six women have been in Van Horn, Texas, for several days undergoing final training sessions, according to ABC News.
Pop star Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos fiancee Lauren Sanchez and CBS Morning co-anchor Gayle King had the right stuff Monday as they flew to the edge of space and back on a Blue Origin flight.

Amazon founder Bezos Blue Origin spaceflight carried six women on board, including film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe and research scientist Amanda Nguyen. The New Shepard rocket and capsule roared off the pad at 9:31 a.m local time from Blue Origins launch site in Van Horn, Texas.

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The all-women crewed expedition took flight for around 10 minutes and reached above the Karman line, at an altitude of 62 miles, at Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound. Back at the launch pad, Bezos and a host of celebrities, including an emotionally overcome Oprah Winfrey watching her best friend King soar into space, craned their heads to look at the spaceflight high above.

Audio from inside the spacecraft captured the six women cheering and shouting as they soared above the Earth. Look at the moon! one unidentified voice was heard to say.

After the capsule and the rocket separated and the astronauts unbuckled to experience weightlessness in space for a couple minutes, the six women and their capsule returned to earth and landed under parachutes in the Texas desert at 9:42 am.

Congratulations and welcome back to Earth, the Blue Origin mission control told the crew. Once back and out of the capsule, both Perry and King kneeled to kiss the earth before reaching out to friends and family.

Just before takeoff, Winfrey told interviewer Charissa Thompson as part the Blue Origin live stream how excited she was for King, who had overcome her fear of flying to soar into space.

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I think life is about continuing to grow into the best of yourself and the fullest expression of yourself, and I think that this is one of the most fullest expressions you can possibly have I wish I had gone, you know. And I said, theres only one time that going up for the first time. You know, there will be other trips, but theres only one first time. So to be a pioneer, its great, Winfrey said.

Once back on earth, King recounted the peace she felt in space, especially after conquering her fear of flight. Im so proud of me right now. I just cant believe it, she told Thompson during a post-flight interview.

Later, during a press conference, King addressed online questioning on Monday about why she wore a darkly serious facial expression and appeared on the point of tears as she completed the walk up to the spacecraft to get buckled into her seat, while her fellow crew members beamed with pride and anticipation.

At that moment I was so afraid. I just wanted to get into my seat, because I just wanted to let the training kick in. I just wanted to get into the capsule and sit down. So the process of walking up there was a little daunting for me, King revealed. The contrast with how she felt getting out of the spacecraft was obvious as King added: I walked out of there thinking, Gosh, I can do anything.

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Kris Jenner also reacted after the flight and its successful landing. I dont think you think you would be that emotional, but its incredible. It takes your breath away. I feel like I have all this adrenaline, and Im just standing here, she told the Blue Origin livestream.

Once back from the flight, pop star Perry said the experience of flying in space came only second to being a mother. I feel super-connected to love. So connected to love. I think this experience has shown me you never known how much love you have to give and how loved you are, until the day you launch, she told the Blue Origin webcast.

Perry added she will write a song to commemorate her spaceflight, and recalled in space singing What a Wonderful World rather than one of her own songs to her fellow lady astronauts. That is not about me. Its not about singing my songs. Its about a collective energy and a mirror. Its about us. Its about making space for future women and taking up space and belonging, she said.

The Blue Origin flight was the companys 11th human flight and 31st flight overall.

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12:12 p.m. Updated with Gayle King quotes from press conference.

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LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Within the city limits of London, bullying could soon be considered a Class A misdemeanor.

Mayor Randall Weddle said on Monday, April 14, that he will ask the city council to pass ordinance 2025-05 in Mays city council meeting. The ordinance aims to recognize bullying as a punishable crime.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

According to KRS 532.090, a class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 12 months of imprisonment.

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Bullying is more than kids being kids it is a serious, harmful behavior that has devastating consequences for our youth and their families, Weddle wrote. This ordinance is not just about punishment; its about sending a clear message: London stands with our kids and families. We will not tolerate bullying in our community.

Weddle pointed to the following statistics as proof:

Nationally, 1 in 5 middle and high school students report being bullied each year.

In Kentucky, 41% of middle school students have experienced in-person bullying; 29% have been cyberbullied.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents in the U.S.

In Kentucky, 15% of high school and 17.4% of middle school students have seriously considered suicide.

Bullied teens are 2x more likely to consider suicide and 2.5x more likely to attempt it compared to their non-bullied peers.

These arent just numbers. These are lives. Futures lost. Families devastated, he emphasized.

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Weddle urged that passing the ordinance would make London a city that leads with heart, courage, and action.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

With the passage of Ordinance No. 2025-05, we take a bold, compassionate step forward. We give our schools, law enforcement, and families a tool to say, Enough. We show our children that we will fight for them, that their safety matters, and that our city is committed to standing up not standing by, Weddle wrote.

City Council meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. The next London City Council meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on May 5.

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Click here to watch Weddles video on the ordinance.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Thousands of Utahns filled the 15,000-seat Jon M. Huntsman Center at the University of Utah on April 13 to listen to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speak as part of Sanders Fighting Oligarchy tour.

When it comes to standing up to Trumpism there is no such thing as a red state, Sanders posted on social media after the event.

Before starting her speech, Ocasio-Cortez said an estimated 5,000 people who just want to be part of this moment were waiting outside of the venue. Also, outside the venue, a small group of dissenters gathered to.

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If this many people show out in a red state, you can imagine how activated and upset people are across the country, Sebastian Stewart-Johnson, co-founder of the Black Menaces, told ABC4.com.

Here is a brief rundown of what happened at the rally.

What did Sanders speak about?

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan)

I have to thank Trump for educating the American people about what oligarchy is, Sanders said, referring to Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg being present at President Trumps inauguration.

We are living in a moment where a handful of billionaires control our government, Sanders said.

Sanders said he is fighting for a government that represents the American people, not just the one percent. Much of Sanders nearly hour-long speech touched on the actions the countrys wealthiest people, including the actions of Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.

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Sanders called out corruption in both the Republican and Democratic parties. He said criticism is an essential part of democracy and called out the Trump administration for going after judges and universities.

Brothers and sisters, were not just fighting oligarchy, Sanders said. Were fighting a president who undermines our constitution every day.

Sanders also spoke on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war, calling out President Trump for saying Ukraine started the former, and criticizing former President Joe Biden for providing money to Israels government.

Its not AOC, and its not Bernie  it is you, Sanders told the crowd. You dont need leaders, we need a mass movement of millions of people.

What did Ocasio-Cortez say?

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan)

Were here because an extreme concentration of power, greed, and corruption is taking over this country like never before, Ocasio-Cortez said. Oligarchy in America.

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Ocasio-Cortez discussed topics like federal layoffs, LGBTQ+ rights, and the immigration crackdown from the Trump administration. She also called out Republican politicians in Utah, including Sen. John Curtis, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Celeste Maloy, and Rep. Blake Moore.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said the people are the last and strongest defense of our country and our freedoms. She attributed the destruction of rights to the growing and extreme wealth inequality in the country, criticizing Elon Musk.

The New York congresswoman also claimed that President Trumps tariff reversal was a way to manipulate the stock market to quietly enrich his friends. She also called the president a criminal and referred to his 34 felony convictions.

We know that a better world is possible, and we are willing to do something about it, she said.

Who else spoke at the event?

Former Senate candidate Caroline Gleich speaks at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Sarah Buck speaks at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speak at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speak at a rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) An attendee poses for a photo at the Fighting Oligarchy rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2025. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan)

About an hour before speakers took the stage, Sen. Nate Blouin (D-UT) welcomed attendees. The rally featured introductory speakers Sarah Buck, with the organization Salt Lake Indivisible; Mike Alosi, a fired federal worker; Benjamin Jolley, an independent pharmacist; and former Senate candidate Caroline Gleich.

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Our democracy is not for sale, Gleich said, encouraging the crowd to chant with her.

Ocasio-Cortez took the stage at around 6:30 p.m. and spoke for roughly 30 minutes before Sanders walked on stage to John Lennons Power to the People. Sanders spoke for nearly an hour, with the event wrapping up just before 8 p.m.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are headed to Idaho and Montana for the next stops on the Fighting Oligarchy tour.

MJ Jewkes contributed to this report.

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NEW YORK  Two powerful unions whose leadership called on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations are now endorsing Cuomos bid for mayor, giving a boost to his growing lead over competitors in the Democratic primary.

The unions, 32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council  which together represent around 125,000 building and hotel workers  were seen as key to Mayor Eric Adams 2021 victory.

In these challenging times for New Yorkers, it is critical that we have a mayor with a proven history of effective government management to lead us towards a better future, HTC President Rich Maroko said in a statement.

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The leader added that the endorsement comes as the unions citywide hotel contract is up for renegotiation.

As Andrew Cuomo said when he recently addressed our members, when we need him in a fight, he will be in the foxhole with us until the end, Maroko said.

Maroko previously called on Cuomo to resign, calling the allegations of sexual harassment, which Cuomo has denied, deeply disturbing.

The former head of 32BJ, Kyle Bragg, also had called on Cuomo to resign as governor when the allegations came to light in 2021.

These endorsements are just the latest groups to put their weight behind Cuomo after calling for him to step down in 2021. A spokesperson for HTC referred to Marokos statement, saying the union made the decision based on whats best for its members now.

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Manny Pastreich, current President of 32BJ, said in a statement he endorsing the former governor in part because Cuomo would be able to fight back against the presidents offensives on the city.

Andrew Cuomo is equipped to stand up to attacks on our city that threaten our finances, our jobs, our public transportation, our health care, our social security and our rights, Pastreich said.

(T)heir faith in me is a tremendous boost for our campaign and I am proud to have their endorsement, Cuomo said of the unions.

Cuomo has previously won endorsements from unions representing carpenters, electrical workers, EMTs, paramedics and fire inspectors, among others. Many of those unions, as well as others now endorsing Cuomo, also called on the then-governor to resign.

_____
On 13 Oct 1940, a month after Germany had begun the Blitz on British cities, Princess Elizabeth made her first public speech. Aged 14, she shared a message of comfort and hope with the children of Britain and the Commonwealth on the BBCs Childrens Hour. The radio broadcast was intended as a morale boost to the thousands who had been evacuated away from their families to the countryside and even overseas.

My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those you love most of all, she said from the drawing room at Windsor Castle, with 10-year-old Princess Margaret by her side.

Princess Margaret (left) and Princess Elizabeth broadcast their first Childrens Hour from Windsor Castle during the Blitz in Oct 1940 - Getty

Shortly after the broadcast, which was deemed a great success by all  including the Princesses father, King George VI  Alfred Foreman, assistant managing director of Cartier London, sent the King a letter asking if the firm might mark the exceedingly happy occasion by giving Princess Elizabeth a little gold and diamond microphone bracelet charm it had made in the form of a radio mic. This tiny jewel may pale in comparison with the glittering tiaras and historic diamonds that characterise Cartiers enduring relationship with the Royal family, yet it indicates the intimacy that existed between jeweller and client. That relationship threads its way through the new Cartier exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).

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Cartiers records and the Royal Archives at Windsor reveal how royal patronage enabled the French jeweller to weave itself into the fabric of British society and, perhaps even more importantly, spread its reputation around the world.

The Royal family acts as a kind of beacon in our history, says Pierre Rainero, Cartiers director of image, style and heritage. We have held a royal warrant since 1904.

Indeed, in May last year King Charles III became the fifth consecutive crowned British monarch to grant Cartier a royal warrant. We feel immensely privileged to have been granted one at this early stage of the Kings reign, says Laurent Feniou, managing director of Cartier UK and the warrants grantee, just as the Cartier brothers were in 1904.

Cartiers New Bond Street location is a prominent flagship store in London, with a history dating back to 1909 - Alamy

Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847, and King Edward VII became a client when he was still Prince of Wales, naming it the jeweller of kings and king of jewellers. In 1902, the year of his coronation, the Maison opened a boutique in London, its first outside the French capital, to meet the orders flooding in from prominent British families for the occasion.

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Pierre Cartier, the second of the three grandsons of founder Louis-Francois, established a boutique at 4 New Burlington Street in Mayfair, premises that were shared with the couturier Charles Frederick Worth, making it a one-stop shop for all courtly dress needs. At the coronation that August, Winifred, the statuesque, swan-necked Duchess of Portland who was one of Queen Alexandras four canopy bearers, wore a brand-new Cartier tiara, complete with the spectacular Portland diamond.

Pierre Cartier had a special relationship with the royal court, receiving Cartiers first warrant as official supplier to the court of King Edward VII in 1904 - Bettmann

Within a decade of Edward VII granting Cartier its first royal warrant, in 1904, the Maison had amassed warrants from seven royal and imperial courts around the world, including Russia, Thailand and Spain. Edward and Alexandra (who granted Cartier her own warrant in 1905) were not only highly visible as the crowned heads of the worlds greatest global power, but also extremely stylish. Their elegance and glamour set the standard for what to wear at the dizzying array of lavish balls and events that made up Edwardian court life.

In 1904 Queen Alexandra commissioned a collier resille from Cartier, a diaphanous web of diamonds and platinum. This magnificent piece was created in her preferred dog-collar style, which concealed a childhood scar on her neck, and which she made fashionable around the world. The necklace, which originally had a removable fringe of cabochon rubies and emeralds, was later adopted by her daughter-in-law, Queen Mary, who wore it often.

Alexandra of Denmark was a style icon of Edwardian court life, setting the standard for glamour and elegance, circa 1870 - Getty

As well as jewels, Alexandra possessed a menagerie of carved animals, including, from the Maison, a pair of penguins in agate and diamonds, and a gold-legged flamingo in rose quartz. In 1911 she chose a Cartier carriage clock in labradorite and enamel to give to her son, George V, to mark his ascension to the throne. Inscribed on the back was For my darling Georgie on his coronation June 22 1911, from his loving Mother dear. May God lead and protect you.

Queen Mary frequently wore the collier resille, a Cartier diamond and platinum necklace commissioned by Alexandra, 1926 - Royal Collection Trust

Art deco, which owes much of its popularity to Cartiers visionary designs, was all the rage by the time the future George VI, then Duke of York, married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, in April 1923. Early on in their marriage, he gave her a set of five Cartier line bracelets, two set with diamonds, one in emerald and diamond, one in sapphire and diamond, and one in ruby and diamond.

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The young Duchess of York wore them all together on one arm, or as a bandeau worn low on the forehead, using a special mount from Cartier. She later gave the bracelets to her eldest daughter, who wore them throughout her reign in different combinations as bracelets, as does Queen Camilla today.

This generational loyalty is testament, says Rainero, to the pieces sentimental significance as well as to the timelessness of Cartiers designs. When a new generation of a royal family wears a piece, it demonstrates the continuity of what that family means to a country, he says.

Henry Chips Channons garrulous diaries provide a vivid glimpse into London high society during the interwar years. The American-born, London-based diarist and MP embedded himself among the grand and the chic of the earth. He befriended the Bright Young Things, especially Edward, Prince of Wales, and Prince George, Duke of Kent.

The Duke of York gave the Duchess of York five Cartier bracelets, worn on her arm or as a bandeau, 1933 - Alamy /PA

In April 1923 Channon recorded sending a small Cartier lapis and diamond clock to the Duke and Duchess of York as a wedding present. His entries are also peppered with visits to the firms New Bond Street boutique, Cartier Londons location since 1909, with Jacques, the youngest of the Cartier brothers, at the helm. While there, Channon saw fellow society figures such as Lady Granard, who he described as being so heavily bedecked in diamonds that my eyes got bloodshot looking at her jewels, and the Prince of Wales as he shopped for presents for his lovers Freda Dudley Ward and later, Wallis Simpson.

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In 1934 the Duke of Kent was praised by The Guardian for displaying the most modern taste in his choice of both the ring and the setting, with his choice of a Cartier square emerald-cut Kashmir sapphire engagement ring to give the strikingly chic Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. His selection will undoubtedly make sapphires the most popular ring for engagements this year, it continued.

Two years later the new King Edward VIII also proposed with a Cartier ring. He presented Wallis Simpson with a 19.77-carat emerald ring on 27 Oct 1936, inscribed with the words We are ours now. He abdicated just two months later, choosing his bride over his kingdom.

King Edward VIII proposed to Wallis Simpson with a 19.77-carat emerald Cartier ring, inscribed We are ours now - Getty

At their wedding, at the Chateau de Cande in France the following June, the only rings the couple wore were by Cartier. In pictures captured by Cecil Beaton, and alongside Walliss engagement ring, the now Duke of Windsor sported a pair of Cartier Trinity rings on his little finger.

The Depression in America and political unrest in France didnt affect Cartier London, which reached its highest point both creatively and commercially in the 1930s. In Britain lavish jewels, including tiaras, were still very much in demand during the social season.

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In 1937 George VIs coronation was proclaimed by Tatler the crowning jewel of the most brilliant season that London could remember. That year Cartier London sold approximately 30 tiaras.

The Cartier Indian Tiara, which is now owned by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, was bought by Princess Marie Louise, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, just before the coronation. Made in 1923 for Lady Granard, the tiara originally featured pear-cut aquamarines and sapphires, which were replaced with large diamonds for its new owner.

The Cartier Indian Tiara was originally set with aquamarines and sapphires, later replaced with diamonds and worn here by Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester in 1990 - Getty

An unusual tiara of rare black Australian opals was commissioned by Mary Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington. Now in a private collection, it was worn as a necklace by the Marchioness (by then the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire) at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

George VI himself bought two tiaras from Cartier for his wife between 1936 and 1938. A diamond one in the halo style has since been worn by three more generations  Princess Margaret, the Princess Royal, and the Princess of Wales, on her wedding day in April 2011.

George VI bought a diamond halo tiara from Cartier for his wife, worn by the Princess of Wales on her wedding day in 2011 - Getty

The other was the 1937 Pineflower tiara in diamonds and aquamarines, a gemstone that was particularly fashionable in London during this period. It now belongs to the Princess Royal. Aquamarines are also the centre of a 1935 brooch given by George VI while he was still Duke of York to his wife, which will be exhibited for the first time.

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The fact that the Royal family return time and again to their Cartier jewels is testament, says Rainero, to the enduring relationship between the houses of Windsor and Cartier. A royal warrant today has exactly the same meaning as it had when we first received one, he says. It means trust and it means a reward for the quality of our service and the quality of our creations. It is also a stimulus to keep pushing towards the same heights of expectation that such an honour bestows.

Cartier Williamson Diamond brooch

Cartier 19.77-carat emerald ring

Perhaps the most insightful exhibit on show, which reveals much about the trust that can exist between a family jeweller and any of its clients, is a selection of drawings by the long-time Cartier London designer Frederick Mew, which were given to the V&A by his family in 2009. Among them are designs for a 1953 commission Cartier received from the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II for a brooch centring on the exceptional 23.6-carat pink Williamson Diamond, which she had received as a wedding gift in 1947 from John Thoburn Williamson, a staunch Canadian monarchist who had discovered a diamond mine in Tanganyika (Tanzania today) in 1940.

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Mews proposals for variations on a flower brooch display not only Cartiers creativity, but also its responsiveness to, and understanding of, the desires of its clients. The late Queen wore what became known as the Williamson Diamond brooch on significant family occasions during her reign, including the weddings of Princes Charles and Edward. Queen Camilla wears it today: a homage to the timeless design, the beauty of the piece, and jewellerys role in representing continuity generation by generation.

Rachel Garrahan is a curator of the Cartier exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London from 12 April

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The question of whether and how to adjust German contests for the title "wine queen" has roiled rural Germany for several years.

Nationwide, the contest is open to men now too.

But in local communities, several have decided to retain the traditional title, fitting with the annual ceremony of selecting a young woman, clad in traditional dress, to represent the industry.

Others are broadening the contests and the title for greater inclusion and fairness. Here, they celebrate wine envoys, wine kings or other new roles.

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Some areas are still working on it, as passions run high on both sides.

One of Germany's main wine-growing areas, Neustadt/Weinstrae, in the south west, is sticking with tradition. "We are holding on to the title, format, and crown of the Palatinate Wine Queen," Neustadt/Weinstrae Lord Mayor Marc Weigel told dpa.

"In my view, the dispute has been settled."

The Pfalzwein association - the regional wine promotion organization for the nation's second-largest wine-growing region, the Palatinate - also says hopefully that the 2024 solution proved so "viable and good" that it would continue to work in this direction.

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In this area, the debate began after the Pfalzwein association said that after almost 100 years, the title of Palatinate Wine Queen should be changed to Palatinate Wine Ambassador, to allow for the possibility that a man might win the contest.

In a further upset, the organization was considering awarding pins rather than crowns, in a step to overhaul the traditional Palatinate wine region, a move some felt was long overdue.

But not all were pleased in Neustadt, a municipality where the annual coronation of the Palatinate Wine Queen is staged.

"The city of Neustadt was annoyed because it was not considered a partner and an attempt was made to appoint an ambassador instead of a wine queen," says Weigel.

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That planned step has since been abandoned.

"We had a good discussion with Boris Kranz, the chairman of the Palatinate Wine Promotion Organization. Everything has been cleared up in terms of the matter," says Weigel.

Now, he says, the focus needs to be on the future - namely the October election of the next wine royal.

Current planning is guided by the 2024 compromise. If a woman wins the contest, she will be given the title of "Wine Queen" and a crown. If a man wins, he will wear a golden pin that shows he is the "Wine Highness."

Weigel can live with this, but still has reservations about a gender-neutral competition, saying "I think it's inappropriate for the idea of a wine queen."

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On the national level, the situation changed more rapidly with two men in the running for the top post. But he stands by his views.

For now, as Germany sees less frost, vines are beginning to wake and burst forth with new green growth. Vintners are feeding and spraying their vines. Grapes are a while off yet.

Crown-wise, the situation will come to a head around harvest time, when the national German Wine Queen is to be elected a week before the Palatinate Wine Queen.

And for the bigger contest, linguistic changes have been made too.

The German Wine Institute in Bodenheim recently said the traditional election is facing fundamental changes after almost 80 years since its inception.

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The contest - also staged in the Neustadt/Weinstrae area, is set to be christened the "Election of the German Wine Royal" with a gender-neutral formulation.

The two men challenging tradition are Levin McKenzie from Germany's largest wine-growing region, Rheinhessen, and Felix Grun from the Middle Rhine.

Should one of the two win, he would bear the title of German Wine King and receive a chain of office instead of a crown.

That all makes sense, says Charlotte Weihl, 25, a Palatinate local who won the title 76th German Wine Queen. She praises the changes as progress.

The increasing number of male candidates in elections for the wine crown is "encouraging," she says.

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"This shows that the office appeals to all those who are enthusiastic about wine, culture and the representation of our wine-growing regions - regardless of gender," Weihl told dpa.

With male and female candidates, the office is becoming increasingly diverse and modern in line with the German wine scene, she says. "Men and women bring different perspectives and strengths that complement the office in new, enriching ways."

Style too is changing, she says. No longer do wine queens just wear traditional folk clothing but they act as industry ambassadors, often with a presence online.

Weihl is representing the nation's 15,000 winegrowers until the next vote in autumn.

Meanwhile Rheinhessen has already turned a corner. The region crowned a man Wine King last year, a first for Germany's 13 wine-growing regions.

For the first time a man is competing for the title of the top wine ambassador in in the Pflaz region. Before the title was known as Wine Queen, as only women competed, but things have changed. Uwe Anspach/dpa
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Here are the top headlines from this morning.

Local fire crews urge Siouxlanders to keep an eye out for fires.

Woodbury County Emergency Management urges caution as dry, windy conditions continue

Tax Day is tomorrow. Dont be surprised if youre on hold for a long time if you try to call the IRS.

Tomorrow is Tax Day: What to know

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds explained her decision not to run for reelection next year.

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Governor Reynolds not seeking reelection

Check out these headlines and more in the video player above.

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QUITO, Ecuador (AP)  Daniel Noboa stunned voters in 2023 when he won a snap election for a 16-month presidency after only a brief stint as a lawmaker and with no established political machinery.

No longer a political neophyte, the conservative millionaire defeated the protegee of Ecuadors most influential recent president for a second time and earned four years in office with Sunday's election victory.

The new term will allow Noboa, 37 and heir to a fortune built on the banana trade, to continue some of his no-holds-barred crimefighting strategies that part of the electorate finds appealing but which have tested the limits of laws and norms of governing.

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A huge hug to all the Ecuadorians who always believed in this young president, he told supporters after the National Electoral Council said results showed an irreversible trend in his favor. Ecuador wants to be different... it wants to move forward.

Only 16 months in office

Noboa opened an event organizing company when he was 18 and then joined his fathers Noboa Corp., where he held management positions in the shipping, logistics and commercial areas. He began his political career in 2021, when he won a seat in the National Assembly and chaired its Economic Development Commission.

Noboa defeated leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez in the October 2023 runoff of a snap election triggered by the decision of then-President Guillermo Lasso to dissolve the National Assembly and shorten his own mandate as a result. Noboa defeated her again in Sunday's runoff election.

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Figures released by Ecuadors National Electoral Council showed Noboa receiving 55.8% of the vote with more than 92% of ballots counted, while Gonzalez earned 44%. However, Gonzalez, the mentee of former President Rafael Correa, vowed to seek a recount over what she described as grotesque electoral fraud.

Under Noboa's watch, the homicide rate dropped from 46.18 per 100,000 people in 2023, to 38.76 per 100,000 people in 2024. But despite the decrease, the rate remained far higher than the 6.85 homicides per 100,000 people seen in 2019.

During his brief first term, Noboa has sought to establish a friendly relationship with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Grace Jaramillo, an Andean region expert and professor at the University of British Columbia, said these efforts played a role in some voters decisions.

The majority of Ecuadorians have migrant relatives and know well that a scenario with Gonzalez, a leftist, would be terrible for deportations, Jaramillo said. ts an issue that touches every middle- and working-class home... Showing closeness to Trump was crucial for many families.

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Questionable tactics

Noboa's crime-fighting strategies have been questioned inside and outside the South American country.

Ecuador has been under a state of internal armed conflict since he declared it in January 2024 in order to mobilize the military in certain places, including prisons, where organized crime has taken hold. To the shock and bewilderment of world leaders, Noboa also authorized last years police raid on Mexicos embassy in the capital, Quito, to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, a convicted criminal and fugitive who had been living there for months.

Further, he entrusted presidential powers while campaigning earlier this year to a government official, unelected Vice President Veronica Abad, as required by the Ecuadorian Code of Democracy.

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Ahead of February's first-round election, Quito's University of the Americas professor Maria Cristina Bayas said Noboa has not hesitated to use the law and the Constitution to keep things working the way he wants and may continue to do so if reelected.

Noboa and Abad began feuding before taking office. The origins of the dispute are unknown, but shortly after becoming president, Noboa dispatched Abad to serve as ambassador to Israel, effectively isolating her from his administration. She has described her monthslong posting as forced exile.

___

Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.
The Kremlin has reacted negatively to statements by Germanys incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the potential supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Source: Russian outlet Interfax, citing Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In an interview published on 13 April, Merz said he would be willing to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine, provided there was coordination with European partners.

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Peskov claimed that such a move would lead to inevitable escalation.

"Judging by Mr Merzs remarks, he is in favour of strengthening [Ukraines] position and supports actions that will likely  and inevitably  lead only to further escalation of the situation around Ukraine," Peskov said.

He added that Russia sees similar positions in other European capitals.

"Unfortunately, European capitals are not inclined to look for ways to move towards peace negotiations, but rather continue provoking the prolongation of the war," the Kremlin spokesman stated.

Background:

While in opposition, Merz openly supported supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles  a step his predecessor Olaf Scholz consistently ruled out, citing claims that such a move could draw Germany directly into the war.

On 14 April, several senior European diplomats welcomed Merzs statement about the potential delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

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Mondays Top Stories

Mondays Five Facts

[1] New Mexico schools will soon become phone-free  A new law that will declare schools as phone free will soon be taking effect in New Mexico. During this years legislative session, senator Crystal Brantley pushed for a state-wide policy that would incentivize school districts and charter schools to limit the use of mobile devices during instructional hours. The bill made its way to the finish line and was signed into law on the final day of signings. The bill also sets aside $10 million to reimburse schools for phone storage equipment. The new law requires schools to implement the policy no later than August 1.

[2] White House memo allows military buffer zone along US-Mexico border  A new order coming from President Trump is establishing a military buffer zone in multiple states including New Mexico. The president recently issued a memo to allow the military to operate in what is known as the Roosevelt Reservation. Its a 60-foot wide strip of land that spans the border from California to New Mexico. According to the memo from the White House, it does exclude Federal Indian Reservations. The order is also directing its use for border-barrier construction and emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment. The DOD has 45 days to review the first phase of the memo and its implementation.

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[3] Cloudier & cooler in New Mexico & breezier later this week  Spotty sprinkles are possible in the mountains throughout the day as easterly gap winds will temporarily pick up later this morning, but the front will stall along the Central Mountains throughout the day as southwesterly winds from the Metro to the west will lead to above-normal temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

[4] Annual Honor Flight car show held at Veterans Memorial Park  Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico held a car show Sunday, looking to raise funds for their annual flight to the nations capital. Organizers say the car show helps this event get off the ground and lets them treat the vets like royalty. There were giveaways, food trucks, and donations from community partners around the city. The 2025 flights will take off June 11 through June 13, with 31 vets expected to fly.

[5] Duke City Foodie Fest takes over Cliffs Amusement Park  Albuquerque locals got their taste buds sizzling with the Duke City Foodie Fest this weekend. Held at Cliffs Amusement Park on San Mateo, the two-day event featured more than 100 food trucks and vendors, activities for kids, and a food truck throwdown. With most food trucks being small businesses, owners say these events help them stay in business.

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KTLA logo - KTLA

KTLA is under fire after the Nexstar owned station posted a racist slur to its social media accounts and later blamed it on a technical error.

Below is what the station posted. The screen grab is courtesy of our good friend at FTVLive who first told the story.

The screen grab is courtesy of our good friend at FTVLive who first told the story. FTVLive

The Los Angeles station is meeting with the National Association of Black Journalists Board of Directors today to talk about the incident.

KTLA experienced a technical error while adding language filters to our social media accounts, resulting in an offensive word being accidentally shared, the station posted after deleting the original post. We are appalled and apologize that this occurred.

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We have asked Nexstar about it and will update when we hear back.

As NABJ celebrates its 50th anniversary later this year, it is disheartening to see that racism-whether accidental or intentional-continues to surface in our industry, the NABJ wrote. We remain committed to holding news organizations accountable and demand that those who engage with NABJ, and those who may not, demonstrate a genuine commitment to journalistic principles. Fairness and accuracy cannot be achieved without respect for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ukraine has invited top European Union officials to visit Kyiv on May 9 in a symbolic move to counter Russian President Vladimir Putins annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, Politico reported on April 14, citing Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Sybiha extended the invitation during a meeting with EU counterparts in Luxembourg, calling upon them to "show our unity and resolve in the face of the biggest aggression in Europe since the Second World War."

President Volodymyr Zelenskys administration seeks to draw attention away from Moscows annual military display, which comes more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Separately, Sybiha said Zelensky plans to host leaders from the so-called "coalition of the willing" on the same day to discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.

At least 37 countries, including several European, Asian, and Commonwealth nations, have participated in the coalitions discussions. Six are reportedly ready to commit troops so far, while others have been asked to provide intelligence, weapons, or naval support. The United States is not a member of the coalition.

Two undiclosed EU diplomatic sources told Politico that talks are underway regarding a possible early May visit by several leaders, as well as Germanys chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz.

Meanwhile, the Russian state media reported that Putin has invited the leaders of China, Israel, Brazil, Slovakia, and Serbia to attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

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Unlike the more subdued commemorations held across much of Europe on May 8, Russia observes Victory Day with large-scale military parades, patriotic concerts, and public displays of national pride, highlighting military triumph.

While U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are ongoing, Ukrainian officials say Russia continues to push maximalist demands and has shown little willingness to pursue a comprehensive peace deal.

Kyiv maintains it is committed to a full ceasefire if Moscow agrees to reciprocate. Until today, Russia has rejected the 30-day ceasefire suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Read also: Zelensky invites Trump to Ukraine, says Russian narratives are prevailing in US

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider tougher civil penalties for people participating in and watching illegal street takeovers during a meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

The recommendation submitted by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell calls for an increase in misdemeanor fines from $500 to $1,000 for those who organize or knowingly encourage, promote, instigate, assist, facilitate, aid, or abet illegal takeover events, the agenda for the meeting states.

The proposal would also expand the ordinance beyond public highways to include off-street parking areas and facilitate removing posts and demonetizing profiles that promote illegal sideshows on major social media platforms.

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The goal of the proposal is to crack down on dangerous events before they start.

A street takeover is seen in the area of Rosecrans and Atlantic avenues in Compton in 2020. (KTLA) A driver does donuts at Wilmington Avenue and Caldwell Street on Aug. 22, 2022. where speed bumps were recently installed. (OnScene.TV) A car is seen speeding around a Compton intersection during a street takeover on Nov. 4, 2018. (Credit: Onscene.TV) Vehicles take over an intersection on New Years Day in the Vermont Vista neighborhood. (KNN) Drivers performing burnouts and donuts during a street takeover in Anaheim on Nov. 1, 2024. (Southern Counties News) Fans in East L.A. take to the streets to celebrate the Dodgers third straight win over the New York Yankees in the World Series on Oct. 28, 2024. (KNN) Fans in East L.A. take to the streets to celebrate the Dodgers third straight win over the New York Yankees in the World Series on Oct. 28, 2024. (KNN) Skid marks are seen following a street takeover in Downtown Los Angeles on July 1, 2024. (OnScene.TV)

In September, three vehicles trying to start a street takeover crashed into a Metro bus in L.A.s Vermont Vista neighborhood.

The bus was stopped at a red light when the collision occurred. After the crash, all three drivers fled the area.

In July of 2023, a pickup truck drove into a crowd after the driver hit a curb and lost control in the Gramercy Park area of Los Angeles. It was unclear if anyone was injured in the incident.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A Lancaster County man was sentenced to life plus an additional 41 to 85 years in prison this week after being found guilty of murdering his girlfriend and shooting at police.

According to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office, Judge Craig Stedman sentenced 40-year-old Miguel A. Rodriguez, of East Hempfield Township, saying he was an extreme danger to the community and that no amount of incarceration or rehabilitation could reform him.

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Society needs to be protected from you, Judge Stedman said to Rodriguez.

According to the DAs Office, on the morning of September 11, 2022, Rodriguez shot his girlfriend, 33-year-old Nemesis Florentino, in the head in his home in the 2000 block of Swarr Run Road.

The DAs Office says after the shooting, Rodriguez called a friend and showed them a video of the deceased victim, an act which Assistant District Attorney Kyle Linardo Linardo said speaks to a level of despicableness that no sentence can reflect.

The Office says three East Hempfield Township Police officers responded to the scene, attempted to enter Rodriguezs home, and were met with what Linardo described as volleys of bullets.

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About 85 shots were fired both inside and outside Rodriguezs home after officers responded to the scene, preventing first responders from potentially saving the victims life.

Miguel A. Rodriguez, 40, courtesy of the Lancaster County DAs Office

After a five-hour standoff, the DAs Office says Rodriguez exited the residence and pointed a loaded semi-automatic rifle at police, resulting in an officer shooting him in the arm. District Attorney Heather Adams later determined that the officers use of force was justified following an investigation, per the DAs Office.

Rodriguez told the court in a brief statement before being sentenced that he was very remorseful for what happened and asked for forgiveness from the victims family, claiming he was blinded by drugs at the time.

Speaking through an interpreter, Florentinos mother described the endless pain she has endured since her daughters death in a letter she read to the court. The DAs Office mentioned they set the letter aside and asked the court to impose justice for a mother who lost her child.

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The DAs Office said a jury had found Rodriguez guilty of murder in the first degree, two counts of assault of a law enforcement officer with a firearm, five counts of aggravated assault, four counts of recklessly endangering another person, and three counts of obstruction of the administration of law following a five-day trial in February. In addition to the prison time, Judge Stedman sentenced Rodriguez to pay more than $24,000 in restitution for funeral costs.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A hallway at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, Alabama on Tuesday, Sep. 3, 2024. Congress is considering major cuts to Medicaid that could affect health care delivery around the state. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector)

A few weeks ago I started learning Irish via an app.

The lessons progress like any foreign language course. Start with food and water and how to get them. Gloine uisce, le do thoil. A glass of water, please.

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Step outside and describe the weather. Ta se grianmhar. Its sunny. Or Ta se dorcha agus scamallach. Its dark and cloudy.

Then point out buildings. Ca bhfuil an ospideal? Where is the hospital? And languages. Labhraim Bearla. I speak English.

I dont know what drew me to this. My mother grew up in County Mayo in western Ireland, but outside of math she never spoke Irish around me. I doubt Ill use Irish conversationally around the Alabama Statehouse, unless my cousins in Eire get commanded to do some kind of penance on Goat Hill.

But maybe its a feeling that the people in charge speak a patois the rest of us dont.

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Take health care.

Alabama has nation-leading rates of death from heart disease and strokes. More Alabamians die from gunfire each year than in New York State. Infant mortality is about twice as high among Black Alabamians as among whites.

Those are the fruits of poverty and systemic racism. Our ability to cope with all this, never great to begin with, is shrinking. Hospitals are closing. OB-GYNs dont want to come here.

But instead of alleviating this misery, the Legislature seems determined to maintain it. Even exacerbate it.

In the last decade, theyve forced women to travel hundreds of miles for basic health care. Lawmakers made it easier to get killed by a firearm. Theyve cut off life-saving treatments for gender dysphoria, sitting stone-faced amid parents pleas for their children. And their vindictive stubbornness in refusing Medicaid expansion continues to imperil state hospitals.

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Now our elected officials want our kids exposed to preventable diseases, in the name of unverifiable religious belief.

And theyve been rather meek about a looming assault on Alabama health care.

Congress is considering massive cuts to Medicaid  up to $880 billion  to pay for tax cuts for wealthy Americans. If they go through with it, Alabama could lose $824 million in funding for the program.

Thats a tsunami on the horizon.

Medicaid covers over 1 million people in Alabama. It pays for about half the births in the state. Its critical to the functioning of Alabamas hospitals and nursing homes in Alabama, which pay special taxes to the state to keep Medicaid going.

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The program should get over $1 billion in state money next year, but that doesnt come close to covering the costs. The federal government pays for about 73% of Medicaid in Alabama.

And if that funding gets cut? On paper, the state could raise taxes to replace whats lost. But come on. This Legislature will not do that. That leaves one option: cutting Medicaid services.

That will hurt everyone because everyones health care in Alabama depends in some part on Medicaid. More hospitals will close. Pediatricians will scale back or end services.

The least bad outcome would be longer wait times for basic care. The worst outcome, especially in rural areas, is health care vaporizing. More illness; more avoidable death; more misery.

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This ought to enrage our leaders, who lose their minds when a teacher acknowledges the existence of gay people.

But many of them got into government by claiming to hate government. So their vocabulary is an argot with many words for cuts and bureaucracy and none for vital program or public servant. They want a government so small that it cant prevent powerful men from drowning Alabama in a bathtub.

You may remember President Donald Trumps efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017. The bill he backed included an attempt to turn Medicaid into a block grant program. Enacting that would have slashed Alabama Medicaid to ribbons.

Hospitals and health care providers in the state all but screamed about the grave harm that would do to Alabama. The people who could stop the damage couldnt understand. Every single Alabama Republican in Congress  eight of our nine representatives and senators  voted to kill state health care.

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People who understand the importance of these and other public systems  whether trade or education  know that a conservative number-go-down approach to governance is poison to both the economy and the well-being of the governed.

And by and large, theyre ignored. Because those with power dont understand.

Theyre shoving hard-won expertise aside and tearing through fragile systems of public health care. Programs critical to our safety and well-being, erected over decades, are under attack from people who feel zero duty to those who elected them.

Rebuilding these services could take decades. Those who work to keep us healthy understand this. They have explained the dangers of what our decision-makers are doing in plain English.

But all our leaders hear is Ta se dorcha agus scamallach. Ca bhfuil an ospideal?

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  In todays Health headlines, were talking with an infectious diseases doctor for an update on the measles outbreak, what to know about the hantavirus during spring cleaning, and why to get the shingles vaccines if youre eligible.

Dr. Richard Martinello, chief medical officer of Yale Medicine and professor of medicine and pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. to discuss.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
The all-female crew of Blue Origin's flight Monday morning, April 14, from Texas is certified "ready to fly to space."

The group of celebrities includes pop artist Katy Perry and Gayle King, who co-hosts "CBS mornings."

The launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. EDT for Blue Origin's New Shepard, the same vehicle 48 others have ridden to space on 10 previous human spaceflights from the company's west Texas facility.

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New Shepard's maiden voyage was July 2021 with a crew that included billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns the space technology company.

New Shepard is composed of both a rocket and a crew capsule, which is outfitted with large windows for its passengers to gaze out of during the spaceflight.

Here's how you can watch the 11-minute flight.

When is the Blue Origin launch from Texas?

The launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. EDT, according to Blue Origin.

The vehicle will lift off at Launch Site One, a private ranch in rural West Texas more than 140 miles east of El Paso.

How can I watch the Blue Origin flight?

A livestream of the launch will be available to watch via USA TODAY.

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You also can watch:

Katy Perry among 6 women on Blue Origin flight. Who else will be there?

Blue Origin will launch an all-female crew April 14, 2025, from Texas. From left are television personality Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, journalist Lauren Sanchez, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, pop star Katy Perry and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

Six women were selected to be part of the next Blue Origin commercial spaceflight, a mission known as NS-31.

Here's who will be on board:

Blue Origin's NS-31 mission patch reflects crew members

Blue Origin mission patch for NS-31 reflects the all-female crew.

Blue Origin posted a photo of the NS-31 mission patch and explained a few of the key symbols and how they reflect the crew on board Monday's flight:

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The target star symbolizes Aisha Bowes ambition for setting big goals, passion for STEM, and commitment to inspiring future generations.

The scales of justice symbolize Amanda Nguyens efforts to advocate for civil rights, break barriers, and empower everyday people to create change.

The shooting star microphone represents Gayle Kings commitment to sharing important stories with the world.

The firework symbolizes Katy Perrys global influence across music, pop culture, and philanthropy.

The film reel symbolizes Kerianne Flynns passion for filmmaking, storytelling, and crafting beautiful narratives.

Flynn the Fly, the main character in Lauren Sanchezs bestselling childrens book, The Fly Who Flew to Space, is along for the ride. The story is about overcoming adversity, inspiring kids with learning differences to pursue their dreams.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Blue Origin launch: Live stream Katy Perry, Gayle King go to space
Lauren Sanchez's all-female space crew took flight Monday on Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket.

Katy Perry promised to sing on the trip and did so, but it was difficult to hear.

Here's what to know about the flight and crew of the New Shepard 31.

Lauren Sanchez, Katy Perry, and a crew of inspirational women took a trip to space on Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket on Monday.

The women were on Blue Origin's NS-31, the 31st flight of the New Shepard rocket program, which launched from its base in Texas.

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Here's what to know about the flight and the crew.

Blue Origin's NS-31 rocket launched at 8:30 a.m. CT.

The six-person crew includes TV presenter Gayle King. Blue Origin

The rocket traveled to space at up to three times the speed of sound.

About 2 minutes and 40 seconds after launch, the crew capsule separated from the rocket, allowing it to cruise 62 miles above Earth over the Karman line  the internationally recognized boundary separating Earth's atmosphere from space.

Once they were past this line, the crew unbuckled to experience a few minutes of weightlessness before the capsule fell back to Earth.

The capsule landed using parachutes roughly 11 minutes after takeoff.

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Lauren Sanchez handpicked the NS-31 crew

Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sanchez, and Jeff Bezos at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in March. Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The NS-31 crew featured: Sanchez, an Emmy-winning journalist and finance of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos; pop star Perry; Gayle King, the award-winning CBS News anchor; Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist and civil rights activist; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist; and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer.

Not only was Nguyen the first Vietnamese woman in space, but this was the first all-female space crew since 1963, when Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian engineer, crewed a solo flight.

Sanchez told Elle magazine she chose the other crew members because they're all "storytellers in their own right. They're going to go up to space and be able to spread what they felt in different ways."

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Sanchez asked Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, the creative directors of luxury brand Oscar de la Renta and co-founders of their own brand Monse, to make fashionable spacesuits for the crew, she told The New York Times.

The NS-31 crew is certified ready to fly to space by CrewMember 7 Sarah Knights. The launch window opens tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CDT / 13:30 UTC.



You can watch the live webcast here tomorrow at 7 a.m. CDT, hosted by Charissa Thompson, Kristin Fisher, and Ariane Cornell. pic.twitter.com/auKPJvtSl3  Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 14, 2025

Garcia and Kim partnered with Creative Character Engineering, a Hollywood costume company, to create the Monse Blue Origin suits.

On Sunday, Perry posted an Instagram video showing the capsule, explaining that they dubbed their crew "The Taking Up Space Crew" and promising to sing during the flight.

During the flight, she sang as she'd previously promised, but the audio was difficult to hear.

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King said on the Blue Origin livestream that Perry sang "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.

"It's not about me. It's not about singing my songs," Perry said of her song choice. "It's about a collective energy and making space for future women. It's about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth."

Meanwhile, Nguyen said on Instagram she would conduct multiple experiments on women's health and plants during the brief flight.

Blue Origin flight deposits are $150,000

Jeff Bezos founded Amazon and Blue Origin. Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Blue Origin, founded by Bezos, has been offering space tourism flights since 2021.

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The company does not disclose the cost of a space flight, but the website says applicants must pay a $150,000 refundable deposit.

In 2021, Blue Origin auctioned a seat for its maiden flight for $28 million. Tim Chrisman, the cofounder of the Foundation for the Future, told the Observer in 2022 that a board member of the nonprofit paid $1 million for his seat.

Blue Origin has also attracted several celebrities, including William Shatner, the "Star Trek" star.

Read the original article on Business Insider
LAURENS, S.C. (WSPA)The City of Laurens Police Department reported that its dispatch officer has passed away.

The police department said that Angie C. Wallace, who had been working with the department administration since 2017 as a dispatch officer, had passed away.

Beasley Funeral Home is handling arrangements for Wallaces funeral and can be viewed 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 WSPA 7NEWS.
Construction proceeds at a data center in Eagle Mountain, Utah, in 2021. Across the country, some state lawmakers are concerned that the growing data center industry is creating a surge in demand for new electricity and grid infrastructure. (George Frey/Getty Images)

This is the second of two States Newsroom stories examining the implications of the growing need for electricity largely from artificial intelligence and data centers. Read the first here.

For the first time in decades, America needs to produce more electricity.

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In many places, a sharp uptick in power demand has been driven by data centers, the industrial buildings that house huge banks of computer servers and support our increasingly digital society.

State lawmakers have long sought to attract such operations with generous tax breaks and incentives. But now, some are concerned that the infrastructure needed to add all those data centers to the electric grid will drive up residents utility bills. The growing use of artificial intelligence, which requires massive amounts of computing power, has added to that worry.

Were going to have tremendous stress from AI, said New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith, a Democrat who chairs the Environment and Energy Committee. We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens. Why should they bear the rate increases?

Smith has authored a bill that would require new AI data centers in New Jersey to arrange to supply their power from new, clean energy sources, if other states in the region enact similar measures.

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The bill is among roughly a dozen proposals in state legislatures nationwide seeking to ensure that data centers dont result in increased rates for other electric customers, according to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a forum for state lawmakers. Smith and lawmakers in other states with clean energy targets also say the demand for AI could derail their climate goals.

Those goals are also under attack from President Donald Trump, who this week directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to block enforcement of all state climate policies. Trump also issued orders seeking to boost coal production, in part to meet the energy demands from AI operations.

Tech companies note that their data centers are crucial for everything from credit card transactions to remote work to streaming Netflix. And the centers create tax revenue and jobs in the states that host them, the companies argue.

Data centers are just the first wave in a new era of increased electricity demand. Electric vehicles, a growing manufacturing sector and the electrification of household appliances are all expected to use more power in the years to come.

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Industry leaders say its unfair to single out data centers, when more power will be needed for a variety of sectors.

[Targeting data centers] risks creating unjustified distinctions amongst similar customers, said Dan Diorio, senior director of state policy with the Data Center Coalition, a membership association for tech companies.

Ground zero: Virginia

Virginia hosts the worlds largest concentration of data centers, and is at the epicenter of debates over the industrys future.

State lawmakers commissioned a study, published last year, to outline the industrys impacts. Researchers found that data centers are currently paying their fair share for electricity. But the immense energy demands theyre forecasted to create in the coming years will likely increase system costs for all customers, including non-data center customers, the report concluded.

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The study found that unconstrained demand largely from data centers would drive up Virginias energy usage 183% by 2040. With no new data centers, energy use would only grow 15%. In addition to the costs of building more power plants, the report said, utilities will also need to install more substations, transformers and distribution lines.

They sounded an alarm that the steep increase  if this is unchecked  would quickly [raise consumers rates], said state Del. Rip Sullivan, a Democrat who has been at the center of discussions over the industrys future in Virginia.

Sullivan sponsored a bill that would have required data centers to meet energy efficiency standards to qualify for certain tax exemptions, but the measure did not advance this session. Virginia lawmakers passed a measure this session directing state regulators to determine whether utilities should create a special rate that certain customers such as data centers must pay.

Several other states are considering similar bills that aim to put data centers  or large electricity users more generally  in their own rate class. Proponents say that would prevent the costs of generating enough electricity for those centers from being spread to household customers.

Data center proponents have argued that regulators are best suited to set the rules, not lawmakers.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.
Construction proceeds at a data center in Eagle Mountain, Utah, in 2021. Across the country, some state lawmakers are concerned that the growing data center industry is creating a surge in demand for new electricity and grid infrastructure. (George Frey | Getty Images)

This is the second of two States Newsroom stories examining the implications of the growing need for electricity largely from artificial intelligence and data centers. Read the first here.

For the first time in decades, America needs to produce more electricity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Data center proponents have argued that regulators are best suited to set the rules, not lawmakers.

The industry is committed to ensuring it continues to pay its full cost of service to ensure that other customers are protected from any unnecessary costs, said Aaron Tinjum, vice president of energy for the Data Center Coalition.

Sullivan noted that data centers are critical to our digital society, and that the Virginia study found that the industry creates construction jobs and local tax revenue. But Virginia also aims to produce 100% of its electricity from sources without any carbon emissions by 2050  a goal that will become more difficult if power demands skyrocket. The state urgently needs a comprehensive strategy to manage all those interests, Sullivan said.

You get good and bad

For years, states have tried to lure data centers with tax incentives or exemptions. At least 36 states, both conservative and liberal, offer such incentives. But now, some of the states that have been most successful at attracting the industry are having second thoughts.

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Georgia state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a Republican, noted that electric customers in the state have seen six rate increases in less than two years. Data centers, he said, use immense amounts of power and water, while creating few long-term jobs. On the other hand, he noted that they have proven to be a substantial source of property tax revenue.

You get good and bad with the data centers, but I just want to make sure they pay their way, he said.

Hufstetler authored a bill that would have barred regulators from raising rates because of the costs of serving data centers. While the bill did not pass this session, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a new rule with similar protections, forcing data centers to cover those costs.

The move is a good start, Hufstetler said, but legislation is still needed because regulators can quickly roll back their own rules. Meanwhile, Georgia lawmakers passed a measure last year that would have paused the states sales tax exemption for data centers. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed the bill, arguing that an abrupt change would undermine companies planned investments in Georgia.

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Consumer advocates say more states should rescind their incentives.

Many data centers dont bring in enough tax revenue to cover their tax breaks, said Kasia Tarczynska, senior research analyst at Good Jobs First, a policy group that tracks government subsidies related to economic development.

Its not a winning program for state budgets, she said.

Oregon has seen a rapid increase in data centers in the eastern part of the state, said state Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat.

Data center growth is outstripping every other kind of conventional user category, she said. Theres lots of evidence that the demand of those data centers has already been shifted onto residential ratepayers.

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Marsh has sponsored a bill that would require data centers and other large energy users to be assigned to a separate rate class that accounts for the added costs of their power demands.

In a letter to Oregon lawmakers, Amazon Web Services  the computing subsidiary of the retail giant  said it has worked with utilities to ensure its costs arent being passed to other ratepayers. The company noted its commitments to purchase large amounts of renewable energy, and said major grid upgrades are needed to enable more clean power and the deployment of technologies like electric vehicles.

Amazon Web Services did not grant an interview request. Two other industry leaders, Google and OpenAI, did not respond to Stateline inquiries.

Utah enacted a law this year that allows large load customers such as data centers to craft separate contracts with utilities. Its intended to ensure that household ratepayers dont get hit with additional costs to power those facilities. Republican state Sen. Scott Sandall, who sponsored the bill, did not respond to a Stateline interview request.

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This new demand requires billions of dollars of capital investment, said Tyson Slocum, energy program director at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. The normal model is you spread that investment cost across all consumers. Thats not reasonable here.

Slocum said data center users have been shying away from previous commitments to use clean energy sources, at the same time Trump has pushed to increase fossil fuel production.

Some lawmakers have noted that many data centers are being built to meet forecasted demand from AI. They worry that overhyped projections could force utilities to build expensive infrastructure that never gets used.

We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens.

 New Jersey Democratic state Sen. Bob Smith

Industry leaders say the build-out of data centers is driven by consumer demands and note that such facilities have made computing far more efficient.

They also argue that digital infrastructure is important for national security, ensuring that Americans data is not passing through overseas facilities with weak security. And they warn that companies may be wary of investing in states with legislation seen as disruptive.

This is an industry that is trying to build out to meet unprecedented demand, said Diorio, of the Data Center Coalition. [State legislation] can send a market signal that theres going to be friction in that market.

Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

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Construction proceeds at a data center in Eagle Mountain, Utah, in 2021. Across the country, some state lawmakers are concerned that the growing data center industry is creating a surge in demand for new electricity and grid infrastructure. (George Frey/Getty Images)

This is the second of two States Newsroom stories examining the implications of the growing need for electricity largely from artificial intelligence and data centers. Read the first here.

For the first time in decades, America needs to produce more electricity.

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In many places, a sharp uptick in power demand has been driven by data centers, the industrial buildings that house huge banks of computer servers and support our increasingly digital society.

State lawmakers have long sought to attract such operations with generous tax breaks and incentives.

But now, some are concerned that the infrastructure needed to add all those data centers to the electric grid will drive up residents utility bills. The growing use of artificial intelligence, which requires massive amounts of computing power, has added to that worry.

Were going to have tremendous stress from AI, said New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith, a Democrat who chairs the Environment and Energy Committee. We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens. Why should they bear the rate increases?

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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.

In South Carolina, a sweeping energy bill passed by the Senate earlier this month includes limitations on incentives for data centers. Senators inserted the restrictions during floor debate before sending the amended bill back to the House.

Whether those limitations make it into state law depends on whether the House agrees with the changes.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Data center proponents have argued that regulators are best suited to set the rules, not lawmakers.

The industry is committed to ensuring it continues to pay its full cost of service to ensure that other customers are protected from any unnecessary costs, said Aaron Tinjum, vice president of energy for the Data Center Coalition.

In South Carolina, a deal approved by regulators last year allows a Google data center planned near Summerville to pay a special discounted rate thats less than half of what residential customers pay.

Even though theyre paying a rate 60% below, theyre consuming so much power that theyre paying a substantial amount of money to the utility, state Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey told senators during a hearing last fall.

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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.

Advertisement Advertisement

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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.

South Carolinas energy bill, as amended by the Senate, includes language mirroring the Georgia regulation.

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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.

Advertisement Advertisement

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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 that President Donald Trump has pushed to increase fossil fuel production.

Some lawmakers have noted that many data centers are being built to meet forecasted demand from AI. They worry that overhyped projections could force utilities to build expensive infrastructure that never gets used.

We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens.

 New Jersey Democratic state Sen. Bob Smith

Industry leaders say the build-out of data centers is driven by consumer demands and note that such facilities have made computing far more efficient.

They also argue that digital infrastructure is important for national security, ensuring that Americans data is not passing through overseas facilities with weak security. And they warn that companies may be wary of investing in states with legislation seen as disruptive.

This is an industry that is trying to build out to meet unprecedented demand, said Diorio, of the Data Center Coalition. [State legislation] can send a market signal that theres going to be friction in that market.

Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org.

SC Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox contributed to this report.

Like the SC Daily Gazette, 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.
Lawmakers are pushing to meet with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele while hes in Washington amid broader efforts to secure the return of a Maryland man wrongfully deported to a prison in the Central American nation.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to El Salvadors ambassador to the U.S. seeking to arrange a meeting with Bukele, floating plans to visit the prison directly if Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not shortly returned.

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia never should have been abducted and illegally deported, and the courts have made clear: the Administration must bring him home, now. However, since the Trump Administration appears to be ignoring these court mandates, we need to take additional action, Van Hollen said in a statement.

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If Kilmar is not home by midweek  I plan to travel to El Salvador this week to check on his condition and discuss his release.

In a letter to Ambassador Milena Mayorga, Van Hollen pointed to a recent Supreme Court decision that ruled unanimously that Mr. Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported to a prison in El Salvador. He noted however that in court filings over the weekend, the Trump administration did not detail steps that have been taken to facilitate his return.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has also sought to meet with Bukele while he is in Washington.

Espaillat and the caucus have separately called for Abrego Garcias release and have also suggested a trip to El Salvador to verify his well-being.

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Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will never stop the fight in the United States to secure his return, he wrote. I respectfully request that you release Mr. Abrego Garcia from his unlawful detention in CECOT and allow him the space to rejoin his family members in the U.S, Espaillat wrote, referring to the prison in El Salvador.

Additionally, given that his family has not heard from him in nearly 30 days and his well-being remains unknown, I am formally requesting an official visit to CECOT to speak with Mr. Abrego Garcia, he added.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  This crime is the latest act of violence on a political figure across the country and the commonwealth within the last year.

We are still waiting to learn the motive for setting the governors residence on fire.

Its the latest violent act within the last year to take place against a political figure in Pennsylvania.

This type of violence is becoming way too common in our society, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated.

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Governor Shapiro is now the third political target of violent crime within the commonwealth in less than a year.

And I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other directed at one party or another or one person or another, Governor Shapiro said.

That same sentiment is shared on both sides of the political aisle.

Attempting to burn down the Governors mansion isnt going to solve anything, Representative Rob Bresnahan said.

Suspect arrested after arson at Governors House

Just last summer, President Donald Trump was shot during a campaign rally in Butler Township.

Fast forward seven months to a firebombing at the Nanticoke Office of 119th District State Representative Alec Ryncavage.

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Local lawmakers serving in Harrisburg are on high alert.

The political climate right now has been so radicalized on both sides. Its just sad to see. We will work through it. We always do, Senator of Pennsylvanias 22nd Senatorial District Marty Flynn said.

Statements poured in from other politicians, too.

Congressman Dan Meuser stated:

Violence has no place in our politicsnone. Im thankful that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe following last nights terrible incident. No elected official or their loved onesregardless of partyshould ever have their safety threatened for serving the public. We live in a country where we resolve our differences through debate, elections, and the rule of lawnot through fear, intimidation, or violence.

What happened last night was not just an attack on one familyit was an attack on the values we all share as Americans. And it is particularly disgraceful that this occurred on Passovera sacred time of faith, freedom, and reflection.

Im grateful to the Pennsylvania State Police, Capitol Police, and the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire for their swift response and for protecting the Governors family. We owe them our thanks and our full support. We must all stand unitedRepublicans and Democrats alikein condemning these acts and making clear they will never be tolerated in our Commonwealth or our country. I look forward to these dangerous criminals being apprehended, prosecuted, and jailed to the fullest extent of the law. Pennsylvania House Representative of the 9th District Dan Meuser

From the Pennsylvania Supreme Court:

My colleagues and I share the disbelief and outrage felt by all Pennsylvanians following the heinous attack on Governor Shapiros family at his residence last evening.

On behalf of the Supreme Court, I extend my sincere support and concern for the governor and his family and gratitude to the first responders who acted quickly and courageously in the face of violence and hate. This moment calls for unity and resolve in support of those affected by this senseless and disturbing act.

Acts of violence targeting our communities, neighbors, first responders and public officials are a stark reminder of the need for us to come together to reject hate and stand in solidarity and support for the institutions that unite us as Pennsylvanians. Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd

This first thing to realize is that we are all human beings. We are people. We are not operating from a malicious perspective, Representative Bresnahan added.

In a time when political violence may seem divisive, both major parties share common ground when it comes to violence targeting those in public office.

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We all agree. We all agree that this kind of stuff doesnt belong in this arena, Senator Flynn continued.

Balmer will be charged with several counts, including attempted murder, arson, and terrorism.

As state police continue their investigation, 28/22 News will have the latest updates on air and online.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
A lawyer for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man and alleged gang member who was deported in error to El Salvador, said Monday that it might take a contempt order to prompt the U.S. government to return him from that country.

As ordered by a federal judge, U.S. officials over the weekend confirmed in a court filing that Abrego Garcia is being held in the CECOT mega-prison in El Salvador -- but ignored the judge's order to detail what steps the government is taking to facilitate his return.

"At some point, if somebody gets held in contempt, you might see quicker movement there," Benjamin Osorio, an attorney for Abrego Garcia, told ABC News' Start Here.

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MORE: El Salvador's Bukele, meeting with Trump, says he won't return migrant wrongfully deported

The Supreme Court last week unanimously ruled that U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis "properly requires the Government to 'facilitate' Abrego Garcia's release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador."

The high court also said, "The Government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps."

Top U.S. officials Monday indicated that they did not intend to take any steps to retrieve Abrego Garcia from El Salvador.

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"That's up to El Salvador," said Attorney General Pam Bondi in an Oval Office meeting with President Trump and the visiting El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. "If El Salvador ... wanted to return him, we would facilitate it."

PHOTO: This undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025, shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (CASA via AP)

Asked by reporters about Abrego Garcia, President Bukele responded, "I don't have the power to return him to the United States."

"How could I smuggle a terrorist into the United States?" he added, repeating the Trump administration's claim that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13.

Judge Xinis on Friday ordered the Trump administration to provide daily updates on Abrego Garcia's status, after which another attorney for Abrego Garcia said that he would ask the judge to "take appropriate steps" if the administration doesn't make a good-faith effort to respond.

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"Whether it's DOJ or DHS getting held in contempt and the judge taking some move there, we'll see how that plays out," Osorio said Monday. "I imagine if they they stall too much, that's what you're going to see."

The attorney said he was glad to hear from the administration that Abrego Garcia is "alive and well," because, he said, "to my knowledge, nobody, not his wife, not his attorneys, nobody's had contact with him."

In their latest status report to Judge Xinis, the Trump administration said Monday that DHS does not "have the authority to forcibly extract an alien from the domestic custody of a foreign sovereign nation."

PHOTO: Salvadoran prison guards escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the MS-13 gang recently deported by the U.S. government at the CECOT prison, in Tecoluca, El Salvador April 12, 2025. (Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia via Reuters)

"DHS has established processes for taking steps to remove domestic obstacles that would otherwise prevent an alien from lawfully entering the United States," wrote DHS Acting General Counsel Joseph Mazarra. "DHS does not have the authority to forcibly extract an alien from the domestic custody of a foreign sovereign nation."

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Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador whose wife is a U.S. citizen and who has 5-year-old child, was issued a 2019 court order barring his deportation to El Salvador, where his attorneys say he escaped political violence in 2011. Despite the court order, he was deported in March to El Salvador's notorious CECOT mega-prison following what the government said was an "administrative error."

The Trump administration claims Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which his lawyers and his wife deny, and have 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 can they order El Salvador to return him.

Friday's hearing came a day after the U.S. Supreme affirmed Judge Xinis' earlier ruling ordering the Trump administration to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return to the United States.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump, speaking with reporters, said that he wasn't well-versed in the case, but that "if the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court."

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MORE: State Department reveals status of man erroneously deported to El Salvador

On Sunday, however, an ICE official said in court filings that Abrego Garcia's "membership in MS-13" makes him ineligible to be removed from that country.

"I understand that he should not have been removed to El Salvador because the immigration judge had also granted Abrego Garcia withholding of removal," said ICE official Evan Katz. "However, I also understand that Abrego Garcia is no longer eligible of withholding of removal because of his membership in MS-13 which is now a designated foreign terrorist organization."

U.S. officials, however, have publicly provided no evidence that Abrego Garcia is a MS-13 member, and he has not been charged with any crime.

Lawyer for wrongly deported Maryland man says it might take contempt order to get him back originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
ALLEN PARISH, La. (KLFY)  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced it will be establishing a new 426-acre wildlife management area.

The Flatwoods Savanna WMA will be located in southwest Allen Parish between the towns of Reeves and LeBlanc, Louisiana.

Flatwoods Savanna WMA was created in partnership with the Trust for Public Land in part due to funding from the Louisiana Outdoor Forever Fund, a program established in 2022 to provide funding for outdoor conservation projects in the State of Louisiana, according to LDWF Acting Secretary Tyler Bosworth.

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We are proud to add this property to our WMA program while also highlighting the Louisiana Outdoors Forever program and our conservation partners, Bosworth said. This new WMA fulfills LDWFs strategic plan by providing additional WMA recreational opportunities while also conserving one of Louisianas most unique habitats.

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Stacey Shankle, Mid-South Program Director for Trust for Public Land, called the new WMA a major accomplishment.

It is exciting to see the recently created Louisiana Outdoors Forever fund enabling creation of spaces like this for current and future generations of Louisianans to enjoy, Shankle said. Were proud to work together with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to preserve the places that make Louisiana so special.

This WMA includes old-growth longleaf pine savanna and sections suitable for longleaf pine reforestation. This is the only known site of mature longleaf in Southwest Louisiana and the only known site in the state with both mature longleaf pine flatwoods and natural, unmodified flatwood ponds.

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Longleaf pine savannas provide habitat for many rare and globally significant species.

LDWF anticipates that Louisianas 52nd WMA will be open to the public on July 1, officials said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
For aspiring leaders, especially those feeling trapped in traditional career paths, remember this: your most significant contribution might lie outside your comfort zone. Listen to that quiet voice calling you towards something greater. It might just lead you to your lifes most important work

In this weeks edition of Leadership Playbook, we sat down with Diana Horvatovic, CEO of St. Basils NSW/ACT, to hear about her inspiring transition from corporate finance to leading change in aged care.

Her journey reveals a deep commitment to purpose, showing how one persons shift in path can ripple out to touch many lives. Through their conversation, Diana spoke with openness and conviction, sharing lessons that feel both grounded and uplifting. Her reflections offer young readers a window into what it means to lead with heart and make a difference.

Dianas career started in a world of numbers, where success was measured in balance sheets and forecasts. Numbers used to be my world. I was good at what I did, navigating the complex world of corporate finance with precision and skill, she recalled. But beneath the surface, a quiet restlessness was stirring, a longing for something more meaningful. In finance, she built a strong foundation, mastering skills like strategic thinking and problem-solving. Yet, despite her achievements, she sensed something was missing, a gap between her work and the impact she wanted to have.

When asked what led her to aged care, Diana described a search for something deeper than career milestones. For many, career transitions are often prompted by external circumstances such as new opportunities, market shifts, or personal ambitions. My journey was different. It wasnt about climbing up the corporate ladder; it was about finding genuine meaning, she explained. That inner restlessness became a guide, drawing her to a field where she could champion the dignity of older Australians, a cause she felt called to embrace.

Looking back on her finance days, Diana recognized their lasting influence. My professional path began in the fast-paced world of finance. I thrived in that environment, where success was measured in metrics, financial forecasts, and bottom lines. The financial sector equipped me with invaluable skills, including analytical thinking, strategic foresight, and a results driven mindset. These skills later became indispensable in my transition to aged care, she said. But success alone didnt fulfill her. Despite my professional achievements, something felt incomplete. While finance had its impact, it lacked the direct, human-centered purpose I was craving, she admitted, pinpointing the moment she began to seek a new direction.

A calling to care

This wasnt just a career move. It was a calling

The opportunity to work in aged care came at just the right time. I was searching for avenues to create impact when the government first called for passionate individuals to improve aged care, Diana shared. Even before then, I had realised that our elderly deserve more than just care. I have always believed that those who have contributed so much to our society deserve to live with dignity, respect, and joy. The idea of advocating for older Australians resonated with me. My career in aged care started with a single thought: The elderly deserve the best.

As a new mother, the decision carried extra weight. At the time, I was a new mother of twin daughters, and this career move felt personal. Here was a chance to transform not just an organisation, but to fundamentally reimagine how we care for our most vulnerable communities. This wasnt just a career move. It was a calling, she reflected.

Entering aged care was a reality check for Diana. My first role in aged care was as a regulator, working with non-compliant homes to improve standards. It was confronting, she admitted. I saw facilities struggling with governance, staff stretched beyond capacity, and residents not receiving the care they deserved. But I also saw potential, the ability to create better systems, nurture stronger teams, and ensure that aged care homes werent just meeting minimum standards but delivering exceptional care. Her finance background gave her a lens for systems, but her government role reshaped her priorities. Finance gave me the tools to understand complex systems, but my transition into government reshaped my perspective. Working in the Department of Health and Ageing, I saw firsthand how policy decisions impacted individuals in profound ways. It was no longer about financial models. It was about people, their quality of life, and the dignity they deserved in their later years. That was when I realised my true passion lay not in spreadsheets but in ensuring people received the care and support they needed, she explained.

When St. Basils reached out, Diana saw a chance to lead with impact. When I was approached to join St Basils as a consultant, it wasnt about another professional challenge. It was about potential, the potential to create meaningful, lasting change, she said. I knew it would be one of the greatest challenges of my career. The organisation was at a critical juncture, facing significant compliance challenges that required urgent attention. But beyond governance and operations, the real work would be rebuilding trust, trust with residents, families, staff, and regulators. I stepped into this role not just as a CEO, but as a leader determined to restore confidence, compassion, and a sense of purpose within the organisation. Her focus on trust became the heartbeat of her leadership.

Leading with soul

Leadership is more than strategy and decision making; it is about emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to connect with people

For Diana, leading is about more than strategies or checklists. True leadership means being present. I make it a priority to walk through our facilities, engage with residents and staff, and understand their experiences firsthand. Real change doesnt happen from behind a desk, it happens through listening, learning, and acting with purpose, she added.

Leadership is more than strategy and decision making; it is about emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to connect with people. Numbers and compliance matter, but at the heart of transformation are the individuals, staff, residents, and families, whose lives are directly impacted, she emphasized. Staying connected to those she serves is central to her approach.

Dianas vision reaches beyond her organization, aiming to inspire others, particularly women. Beyond driving organisational transformation, I believe in paving the way for future leaders. I want to show my daughters, and aspiring female leaders, that with determination, courage, and hard work, they can break barriers and make a lasting impact, she said.

This is why I continue to advocate for greater female representation in leadership, particularly in industries where it is needed most. She also acknowledges the dynamic nature of her field. Aged care is an industry in constant evolution, with increasing regulatory demands, workforce challenges, and the pressing need for innovation. At St Basils, we are expanding our services, improving dining and community engagement, and ensuring that our care model continues to evolve, she noted.

At its core, Dianas work is driven by a deeper mission. But for me, this journey is about more than strategic growth. It is about making a lasting impact, she reflected. When I first stepped into this sector, I knew that aged care needed more than policies and procedures, it needed leadership driven by purpose. Today, I remain committed to that mission, ensuring that every resident in our care feels valued, respected, and truly at home. Her commitment feels like a promise kept through years of dedication.

As their conversation closed, Diana offered wisdom for those feeling stuck. For aspiring leaders, especially those feeling trapped in traditional career paths, remember this: your most significant contribution might lie outside your comfort zone. Listen to that quiet voice calling you towards something greater. It might just lead you to your lifes most important work, she urged. Her path from finance to aged care stands as a testament to the power of purpose, a story we hope will spark young readers to dream boldly about their own journeys.

ALSO READ: Founders Playbook: Lessons from Biohackhers Azra Alagic

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Columbus police are investigating after one person was injured following a reported shooting near a restaurant on North High Street Sunday night.

According to Columbus police dispatchers, the shooting happened near a Donatos pizza restaurant on the 3400 block of North High Street just before 11 p.m.

One person was taken to a local hospital for treatment; they are currently listed in a stable condition.

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According to police at the scene, the shooting started as a car break-in.

There is no other information available at this time.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanon's president said Monday that the disarmament of the militant group Hezbollah will come through negotiations as part of a national defense strategy and not through force.

The Lebanese government has made a decision that weapons will only be in the hands of the state, but there are discussions around how to implement this decision, President Joseph Aoun said in an interview with Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera.

Those discussions are in the form of a bilateral dialogue between the presidency and Hezbollah, he said.

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Lebanon has been under pressure by the United States to speed up the disarmament of Hezbollah but there are fears within Lebanon that forcing the issue could lead to civil conflict.

Civil peace is a red line for me, Aoun said.

Aoun said the Lebanese army  of which he was formerly commander  is doing its duty in confiscating weapons and dismantling unauthorized military facilities in southern Lebanon, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement that ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in late November, and sometimes in areas farther north.

Lebanon-Syria talks in Damascus

Also on Monday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam led a high-level ministerial delegation to Syria for talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking the most significant diplomatic visit between the two countries since the fall of Bashar Assads government in December.

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"My visit to Damascus today aims to open a new page in the history of relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect, restoring trust, good neighborliness," Salam said in a statement on X.

At the center of discussions was implementing a March 28 agreement signed in Saudi Arabia by the Syrian and Lebanese defense ministers to demarcate land and sea borders and improve coordination on border security issues, Salam said in the statement.

The Lebanese-Syrian border witnessed deadly clashes earlier this year and years of unrest in the frontier regions, which have been plagued by weapons and illicit drug smuggling through illegal crossings.

During Mondays meeting, Salam and Sharaa agreed to form a joint ministerial committee to oversee the implementation of the border agreement, close illegal crossings and suppress smuggling activity along the border.

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The border area has long been a corridor for illicit trade, arms trafficking, and the movement of fighters  including Hezbollah militants who backed the Assad government during Syrias 14-year civil war.

Hezbollah has been significantly weakened in its recent war with Israel and since Assad's ousting, it lost several key smuggling routes it once relied on for weapons transfers.

Seeking clarity on disappeared and imprisoned Lebanese in Syria

Lebanon also pressed Syria to provide clarity on the fate of thousands of Lebanese nationals who were forcibly disappeared or imprisoned in Syrian jails in the 1980s and 1990s, during Syrias nearly 30-year military presence in Lebanon.

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Syrian officials for their part raised the issue of Syrian nationals detained in Lebanese prisons, Salam said. Rights advocates in both countries have criticized the lack of due process in many of these cases and the poor conditions inside detention facilities.

Lebanon pledged to hand over people implicated in crimes committed by the Assad government and security forces, many of whom are believed to have fled to Lebanon after the governments collapse, if found on Lebanese soil, a ministerial source told The Associated Press.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to publicly comment.

In return, Lebanese officials requested the extradition of Syrians wanted in Lebanese courts for high-profile political assassinations, Salam said.

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Lebanon witnessed a series of politically motivated assassinations targeting journalists, politicians and security officials, particularly those opposed to Syrian influence. The 2013 twin bombings of the Al-Taqwa and Al-Salam mosques in Tripoli in northern Lebanon killed more than 40 people and intensified sectarian tensions already heightened by the spillover from the Syrian war.

Syria has never officially acknowledged involvement in any of Lebanons political assassinations.

Salam said he also pushed for renewed cooperation on the return of Syrian refugees.

Lebanese government officials estimate the country hosts about 1.5 million Syrian refugees, of whom about 755,000 are officially registered with the U.N. refugee agency, or UNHCR, making it the country with the highest number of refugees per capita in the world.

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While Lebanese authorities have long urged the international community to support large-scale repatriation efforts, human rights organizations have cautioned against forced returns.

Since the fall of Assad in December, an estimated 400,000 refugees have returned to Syria from neighboring countries, according to UNHCR, with about half of them coming from Lebanon, but many are hesitant to return because of the dire economic situation and fears of continuing instability in Syria.

Syria's ambassador to Russia denies requesting asylum

Also on Monday, Russias state Tass news agency reported that Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Bashar Jaafari has requested asylum in Russia. The report, which wasnt confirmed by the authorities, followed Russian media claims that the interim government had asked Jaafari, a longtime ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, to return to Damascus.

Jaafari later denied asking for asylum in an interview with RIA Novosti, another Russian state news agency.
KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT)  Lenoir County Public Schools is proud to announce that two of its school nutrition professionals have received top honors from the North Carolina School Nutrition Association, marking a rare and outstanding achievement for the district.

Angela Corsaro, of Southeast Elementary School, has been named School Nutrition Assistant of the Year, and Linda Witherspoon, of Pink Hill Elementary School, has been named School Nutrition Manager of the Yearboth at the district and state level. It is exceptionally rare for both honorees from the same district to be selected as state winners in the same year.

Angela Corsaro joined LCPS in 2023 and quickly demonstrated remarkable growth and leadership. Starting as a School Nutrition Assistant at Contentnea-Savannah School, she stepped up mid-year to serve as acting manager at Kinston High School before being promoted to School Nutrition Manager at Southeast Elementary School.

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Linda Witherspoon began her career with LCPS in 2001 and currently manages the cafeteria at Pink Hill Elementary School. Over the years, she has guided multiple school cafeterias through regulatory changes, evolving technology, and transitionsall while maintaining a positive attitude and a commitment to mentoring others.

These recognitions are not only a testament to the individual accomplishments of Corsaro and

Witherspoon, but also a reflection of the dedication and impact of the LCPS Child Nutrition Department as a whole.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
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The mountainous kingdom, surrounded entirely by South Africa, is heavily reliant on exports. | Credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images

"Nobody has ever heard of" Lesotho, Donald Trump said last month with his trademark braggadocio.

That's despite the US' diplomatic mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho, a tiny mountainous enclave surrounded by South Africa. But the US president has since ensured that everyone has heard of Lesotho by imposing a 50% "reciprocal" levy on imports from the impoverished nation: the highest of his so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs.

The 'denim capital of Africa'

If you've ever bought a pair of jeans from an American brand like Levi's, "chances are they were manufactured at a factory" in Lesotho, said The Associated Press. The country's annual GDP relies heavily on exports, and textile manufacturing is one of its "key industries".

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Lesotho, an independent nation of just two million people, is known as the "denim capital of Africa", according to the BBC  but it doesn't just produce jeans. Last year, Lesotho exported $237 million (184 million) worth of clothes and textiles to the US via the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa): about 75% of its textile output.

The continent-wide trade agreement has allowed eligible African nations tariff-free access to the US for "thousands of product types" since 2000, said The Guardian. It has created "a thriving garment industry" in Lesotho, accounting for about 20% of GDP. Now, "all that is at risk". Of Lesotho's 30,000 garment workers, mostly women, 12,000 make clothes for US brands including Calvin Klein and Walmart.

"We need to urgently travel to the US to engage with its executives and plead our case," Lesotho's trade minister Mokhethi Shelile said on Thursday. "My biggest concern was the immediate closure of factories and job losses."

'Lesotho will be dead'

Trump claims Lesotho charges a 99% tariff on US goods, based on a formula the White House used to calculate trade deficits. Lesotho disputes the figure, saying it was unaware of how the US arrived at that number. Many economists have explained that the methodology is flawed, and foreign governments decried the resulting levies as unfair and misrepresentative.

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But the calculation means smaller economies with limited imports from the US, such as Lesotho, were "hit hardest" by Trump's tariffs, said Al Jazeera. That trade surplus is "largely driven by diamond and textile exports". The measure will deliver "a severe blow" to Lesotho's economy. The tariff "is going to kill the textile and apparel sector", according to economic analyst Thabo Qhesi, based in the capital Maseru. "If the closure of factories were to happen, the industry is going to die and there will be multiplier effects," he told Reuters. "So Lesotho will be dead, so to say."

But the tariff also "compounded the pain" of one of Trump's previous moves, said Al Jazeera: cuts to US foreign aid. Lesotho has one of the highest HIV/Aids infection rates in the world, with roughly one in four adults living with the virus, according to government data. Lesotho's health sector was "reliant" on US aid.

Since 2016, Lesotho has received more than $850 million in HIV funding, said Agence France-Presse, via a Bush-era programme called the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief. After a "complete halt" to foreign aid in February, only 28% of that support had resumed in Lesotho by mid-March, according to the UN Aids agency. Many HIV patients in Lesotho have been "cut off from vital medication".
Note: This post is an Op-Ed and shares the author's personal views.

If you want an idea of what performative pop feminism is under Donald Trump, look no further than the all-female Blue Origin flight.

Earlier today, the private space company owned by Jeff Bezos sent a number of women into space  famous faces including his fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, as well as Gayle King and Katy Perry. Depressingly, it's the first all-female space crew since a Russian woman went to space alone 60 years ago. And, oh boy, do they want you to know that.

Justin Hamel / Getty Images

A quick note on the word "crew." It's the word Blue Origin uses in their press material, but to be crystal clear, the New Shepard ship used is "fully autonomous." In their roughly 11-minute trip to the Karman line, none of the women on board were actually operating the ship. "Passengers" is arguably a better word. As such, it's more of an advert for Blue Origin's space tourism for rich people than any kind of scientific feat. Fifty-eight people had already been flown to space on the same ship.

Kevin Mazur/VF25 / WireImage for Vanity Fair

Pre-flight, the ladies all sat down for an Elle interview called "For All Womankind." Here, it's noted that the group was organized by Lauren  the same woman who sat with Jeff near the front of the inauguration of Mr. "Grab-Em-By-The-Pussy." Amanda Nguyen, a domestic violence activist, said in the interview that Blue Origin told her, We want to uplift your womens rights work.

Pool / Getty Images

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But, in December, Amazon rolled back its DEI programs. Conversely, the Elle interview highlights the racial diversity of the crew, with Katy saying that she wants to show her daughter "that any type of person can reach their dreams  no matter your background, your ethnicity, your economic situation, or your education level."

Katy Perry / Via instagram.com

So dream big kid, unless you're a factory worker for Amazon abroad. I don't deny that it does get complicated, as someone like Amanda's work does deserve to be highlighted, but it feels vastly disingenuous when the man behind it all said he was "very optimistic" about a second Trump presidency.

Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

There was also the emphasis of hair and makeup. "If I could take glam up with me, I would do that. We are going to put the 'ass' in astronaut," Katy told Elle, later saying that she hopes "to inspire a whole new generation and make space and science glam." There's plenty of insinuation that the reason women are underrepresented in some STEM fields is because it's not girlypop enough, and not, as Amanda notes for one, "Gender-based violence is a big reason why so many women in STEM dont continue on with their training, and I was one of those women."

In a pre-flight Instagram video, Katy noted that they were called the "Taking Up Space Crew." Again, here is the language of women's liberation, the nodding to the idea that women should be unafraid to be themselves and take up room, but what is behind it? There's no broader initiative beyond "women in space is good" because that would be too much like DEI.

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I know it's annoying to "People are dying, Kim" everything, but honestly, women are literally dying in this country because of a lack of access to abortion care. Go to space, whatever, but must it sound so self-important?

Katy further spoke about "Mother Earth" and said after her flight  where she promoted her upcoming Lifetimes Tour  Its not about me. Its not about singing my songs. Its about a collective energy and making space for future women. Its about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth.

CBS News / Via x.com

Call me a hater but...how???? How much money was spent on this that could have been spent on a million other things??? A few days ago, the administration that Jeff is so fond of proposed slashing NASA's funding. But let's not worry about the decline of actual government-funded research and instead celebrate the profit-hungry private companies. I love you, oligarchs!

Justin Hamel / Getty Images

I guess we now know that space tourism isn't just for the male billionaires hellbent on destroying our planet: Women can do it, too!
The Featured Video may be disturbing to some viewers. The video was released March 20, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A federal lawsuit has been filed against a former Oklahoma City police officer, the City of Oklahoma City and the states Attorney General, alleging excessive force and civil rights violations during an incident in October.

How did we get here?

The lawsuit stems from an October 27 traffic stop involving 71-year-old Lich Vu and former Oklahoma City police Sgt. Joseph Gibson. Body camera video shows an argument over a traffic citation Gibson tried to issue to Vu, escalating. Vu was seen on video telling Gibson to shut up and also touching him, before Gibson proceeded to slam Vu to the ground.

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Lich-Vu-LawsuitDownload

Gibson denied doing so in a police report, saying that Vu fell to the ground. In the report, Gibson says that the angle of the fall caused Vus forehead to hit the ground.

Exclusive: New video shows aftermath of former OKC officer slamming Lich Vu

Vu suffered a brain bleed, broken bones, and had to have surgery as a result of the incident. Court documents said Vu was in poor health at the time of the incident and Gibson was in robust health. In the same documents, police experts in de-escalation said they believed the amount of force Gibson used was not reasonable.

District Attorney Vicki Behenna filed a criminal charge against Gibson as a result of the incident, but Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond disagreed and decided to drop a felony assault and battery charge. Drummond said that Gibson acted within the scope of his training and that Vu shouldnt have put his hands on Gibson.

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The Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Nelson stood by Gibson. One of Gibsons attorney, former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, argues he did nothing wrong.

News 4 was the first media outlet to report in March that Gibson was no longer with the Oklahoma City Police Department. A spokesperson did not verify the nature of his departure, but a statement from Nelson in response said that the local FOP chapter supported Gibsons decision to resign.

After the initial incident, the Oklahoma City Police Department shared an internal investigation was underway and that Gibson had been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome. The department has declined to answer questions regarding if that investigation was completed prior to Gibsons departure. Both Chief of Police Ron Bacy and Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman declined interviews on the topic when asked in March and previously.

Lawsuit background

Prominent civil rights attorney Devon Jacob filed the lawsuit Monday in Oklahomas Western U.S. District Court. Jacob is a former police officer and former Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Hes taken on high-profile civil rights cases, serving on legal teams tied to George Floyd and Tyreek Hill.

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Jacob announced he was representing the Vu family in January, telling News 4 at the time it was too early to say who, outside of Gibson, would be named in the lawsuit. In March, Jacob announced the lawsuit would likely be filed before the end of April; and that multiple defendants outside of Gibson would be named.

Plaintiffs and defendants

Both Lich Vu and his wife Lan Nguyen Vu are named in the lawsuit as plaintiffs, with Lan Nguyen Vu acting as Lich Vus guardian. Joseph Gibson is the first defendant named in the case and is being sued in his individual capacity. The City of Oklahoma City is the second defendant named in the lawsuit. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is the third and final defendant named in the lawsuit and is being sued in his individual capacity.

Allegations: excessive force

The lawsuit begins by recapping and summarizing the October 27 incident. Court documents say Vu speaks Vietnamese and broken English. Vus attorney wrote that Gibson appears to be half of Vus age and appears to be physically strong and in excellent physical condition.

Vus attorney argues that there was a language barrier between Gibson and Vu, and that Vu became frustrated and upset about the traffic citation because he did not understand the factual and legal basis. Court documents accuse Gibson of escalating the incident by threatening to take Vu to jail if he didnt sign the citation.

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Documents highlight the moments the confrontation escalated further as Vu told Gibson to shut up and hit Gibson on the chest with the back of his hand before being slammed to the ground. The lawsuit says Gibson should have understood that those words were coming from a frustrated person of a different culture who is speaking broken English, should not be assumed to be a sign of disrespect but possibly the result of a limited vocabulary coupled with emotional upset.

The lawsuit argues that the method Gibson used to take Vu to the ground deviated from standard law enforcement training regarding controlled take-down techniques. It says that standard techniques are designed to ensure the safety of both the officer and person being detained. It says that no exigency or legitimate law enforcement interest required Gibson to take Lich Vu to the ground in an uncontrolled manner. Documents say that because of the manner of the technique Gibson allegedly used Vu was defenseless and unable to break his fall to protect his face, hear, or neck from injury.

The lawsuit also elaborates further on Gibson threatening to pepper spray Lan Nguyen Vu during the October 27 incident. News 4 shared the confrontation in March, that was captured on Gibsons body worn camera. The footage had not been previously released to the public in its entirety.

Court documents state that Lan Nguyen Vu saw that Lich Vu was suffering from a medical emergency and asked for an ambulance to be called. Once Lan Nguyen Vu confirmed that an ambulance had been called, documents say she tried to take a picture of Lich Vus injuries. Body worn camera video shows Gibson physically touching Lan Nguyen Vu before Gibson tells her to go over to a nearby business, away from her husband. Lan Nguyen Vu tries to return to the same area but Gibson is heard threatening to pepper spray her if she does not move. Court documents say Lan Nguyen Vus attempts to document her husbands injuries did not interfere with Gibsons exercise of his police power, because other than to check for a pulse, Gibson took no action to either assess Lich Vus injuries, to provide him with emergency medical care, or to comfort him.

Allegations: Gibson says Vu fell

Court documents say Gibson did not state what he knew to be true when asked by ambulance personnel what happened, stating that he grabbed ahold of Vu; and that he fell. He hit his head whenever he fell. Pretty hard. Court documents allege Gibson intentionally lifted Vu from his feet and intentionally slammed him headfirst into the pavement.

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The lawsuit accuses Gibson of making other false statements to officers who corroborate Gibsons account that there was a fall despite not being physically present for the initial incident. Gibsons police report states three times that Vu fell while he was attempting to handcuff him.

Allegations: Vus injuries

For the first time, court documents outline the full extent of Vus injuries, which include the following:

A bleed on the brain and significant swelling.

Multiple skull and facial fractures, including around his eye and cheekbone.

A deep head wound and visible bruising and swelling across his face.

Blurred vision and swelling near the eye.

A broken neck, specifically fractures to the uppermost bone of Vus spine.

Blurred vision and swelling near the eye.

Ongoing pain, confusion, disorientation/permanent cognitive decline.

Allegations: Drummonds role

The portion of the lawsuit that mentions Attorney General Gentner Drummond starts by acknowledging that he is the top law enforcement officer for the State of Oklahoma, and is a policymaker for the State of Oklahoma. It says that the State of Oklahoma sets the minimum training curriculum for police officers in Oklahoma and that Drummond had the duty and policymaking authority to ensure that police officers training adhered to state and federal law.

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The lawsuit points out that on October 30, 2024, just days after the Lich Vu incident, Drummond issued Attorney General Opinion 2024-15, discussing that a house bills amendments should not be construed to prohibit the prosecution of peace officers who utilize excessive force. You can read that full opinion below:

Z-35-2024-OK-AG-15Download

The lawsuit points out that, notably, despite explaining in the opinion that under revised Oklahoma law, police officers were to be judged by the same legal standard as all citizens, Drummond carved out an immunity exception for police officers onlyif the police officer was following training that authorized the force used.

The lawsuit argues that Drummonds decision to end the criminal prosecution against Gibson after Drummond decided that Gibsons conduct adhered to his training is clear evidence that he alone-not use of force experts, juries, criminal courts, ort the legislature-is the sole and financial decisionmaker regarding what constitutes excessive force in the State of Oklahoma. The law states that Drummonds declaration that Gibsons use of force adhered to police training, set and ratified the use of force policy and training for the OKCPD.

Allegations: OKCPD & City had notice of department issues

The lawsuit takes aim at the Oklahoma City Police Department and City of Oklahoma City, alleging they had prior knowledge of serious deficiencies in how the departments officers handle use-of-force incidents. The lawsuit specifically highlights the departments treatment towards the elderly or people experiencing medical or mental health issues-as outlined in a U.S. Department of Justice report released earlier this year.

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DOJ finds State of Oklahoma, OKC and OKCPD discriminate against people with behavioral disabilities

The lawsuit further alleges the City of Oklahoma City has failed to meaningfully act after contracting 21CP Solutions, a policing reform group, to review the police department and propose recommended changes around de-escalation policies. The lawsuit says the contracted group urged the City to reorganize its policies and elevate de-escalation to a core department value, making sure that its the focal point of every police interaction.

As a result of the recommendations the City of Oklahoma City established the OKC Public Safety Partnership. That partnership created the Community Public Safety Advisory Board which reviews the complaint investigative process and results of completed departmental investigations involving Oklahoma City Public Safety Officers. You can track the progress of specific recommendations related to the departments training policies here.

Allegations: legal claims

Count 1: Fourth Amendment (Excessive Force).

Against: Joseph Gibson.

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Claim: Gibson used objectively unreasonable and excessive force against Vu, violating his constitutional rights. As a direct result Vu suffered embarrassment, humiliation, physical and psychological harm, pain and suffering, life-threatening injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

Count 2: Fourth Amendment (Supervisor Liability).

Against: Gentner Drummond.

Claim: Drummond, as a policymaker and supervisory figure, failed to ensure lawful training standards and wrongfully ended Gibsons prosecution, effectively authorizing excessive force by law enforcement officers.

Count 3: Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments (Monell).

Against: City of Oklahoma City.

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Claim: The City failed to adequately train or supervise officers on de-escalation and appropriate force, despite clear notice of prior issues. That failure resulted in constitutional rights violations.

Count 4: (Pursuant to Oklahoma Constitution) Excessive Force.

Against: Joseph Gibson.

Claim: The use of force violated Vus right under Oklahomas equivalent of the Fourth Amendment to be free from unreasonable seizures.

Count 5: (Pursuant to Oklahoma Constitution) Excessive Force.

Against: Gentner Drummond.

Claim: Drummonds declaration that Gibsons conduct was lawful and consistent with his training, as well as terminating the criminal case, ratified the excessive force used against Vu, violating state constitutional protections.

Count 6: (Pursuant to Oklahoma State Law) Assault and Battery.

Against: Joseph Gibson.

Claim: They physical takedown of Lich Vu was unlawful, intentional and cannot be justified.

Count 7: (Pursuant to Oklahoma State Law) Intentional Infliction of Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress.

Against: Joseph Gibson.

Claim: Gibsons actions were so extreme and outrageous they caused Lich Vu significant mental anguish and psychological trauma.

Count 8: (Pursuant to Oklahoma State Law) Loss of Consortium.

Against: Joseph Gibson.

Claim: Vus wife, Lan Nguyen Vu, suffered the loss of her husbands companionship, support and presence due to the injuries inflicted.

Count 9: (Pursuant to Oklahoma State Law) Respondeat Superior.

Against: City of Oklahoma City.

Claim: Since Gibson was acting within the scope of his employment and under city-sanctioned training, the City is liable for his actions under Oklahoma law.

Request for relief

Vus legal team is asking for the following:

Declaratory judgement acknowledging that the Defendants violated the Plaintiffs state and federal rights as alleged.

Compensatory damages: including, but not limited to, the monetary value associated with violations of legal rights, embarrassment, humiliation, physical and psychological harm, pain and suffering, life-threatening injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

Punitive damages as permitted by law.

Equitable relief: an admission of the allegations stated in the lawsuit or any amended version of it, in writing, and an oral and written apology for same, in person from the Defendants.

Attorneys fees and costs as permitted by law.

Discretionary damages and relief.

A jury trial.

Reaction from defendants

News 4 has reached out to all parties named as defendants in the lawsuit Monday for comment.

News 4 received the following statement from former Attorney General Mike Hunter, who is on Gibsons legal team:

This lawsuit completely distorts the facts surrounding the incident. Sergeant Gibson reacted to a confrontational and belligerent individual consistent with his training. Im confident the federal court will validate date. Mike Hunter, Joseph Gibsons Attorney

News 4 received the following statement from the Office of the Attorney General:

The Attorney General has been clear that no one has the right to make unwanted physical contact with our police officers. He will always stand with law enforcement when they are performing lawful duties. Office of Attorney General Gentner Drummond

A spokesperson for the City of Oklahoma City said the city isnt able to discuss pending litigation.

This is a developing story, check back here for updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
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Credit: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II attended a plethora of royal weddings throughout her time as monarch, including Kate Middleton and Prince William's fairytale nuptials. The Prince and Princess of Wales tied the knot on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London. But according to a lip reader, the late Queen did make one seemingly "disapproving" comment on the couple's big day.

As reported by CBS News (via the Daily Mail), Deaf forensic lip reader Tina Lannin was able to decipher some of the private conversation the Royal Family had on Kate and William's wedding day. After the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, Queen Elizabeth reportedly said, "I wanted them to take the smaller carriage." According to Lannin, Queen Camilla responded by saying, "It all went very well."

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William and Kate rode in the 1902 State Landau royal carriage, which was also used by Princess Diana and King Charles on their wedding day on July 29, 1981.

Lannin also noted that, at one point, Queen Elizabeth turned to her husband, Prince Philip, and said of the wedding, "It was excellent."

Queen Elizabeth leaves Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding ceremony. | Credit: Getty Images

'The Queen: Her Life'



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Royal biographer Andrew Morton discussed the late Queen's real feelings about Kate and William's union in his book The Queen: Her Life.

"The Queen was positively playful on the day of her grandson's nuptials, 'practically skipping' according to one observer, absolutely thrilled at the way the public had reacted to the royal newlyweds," Morton wrote (via the Mirror). He continued, "She had a sense that the future of the Royal Family, her family, was now secure. The monarchy was once again held in admiration and affection by the masses."

Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on April 29, 2011. | Credit: Getty Images

Whether or not Queen Elizabeth's comment about Kate and William's carriage choice was truly negative remains unclear. If Morton's words are to be believed, the late Queen was incredibly proud of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the delightful reception they received.
Lithuania's Foreign Ministry summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy in Vilnius on April 13 in response to Russia's missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed at least 34 people and injured 117.

"After today's terror attack by Russia against Sumy, we have summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy in Vilnius," the ministry posted on X.

"Those behind this attack will not escape justice. Responsibility is also shared by everyone working for (the) Kremlin's criminal regime, including Russian diplomats."

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The strike, which took place on Palm Sunday  a day widely observed by Christians across Ukraine  was one of the deadliest to hit Sumy since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

European leaders widely condemned the attack. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked those who expressed solidarity but emphasized that condemnation alone is not enough.

"This Friday (April 11) marked exactly one month since Russia spurned the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. They are not afraid," Zelensky said.

The missile strike occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire. Russia has refused to join a U.S.-proposed 30-day full truce and has continued attacks despite partial agreements to limit strikes on infrastructure and the Black Sea.

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Read also: Putin may provoke world war by seizing NATO territory if not stopped in Ukraine, Zelensky warns

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Mamas Delas goal is to prepare children for mainstream school by supporting their emotional, social, interpersonal, and intrapersonal development, ensuring they are equipped to face new challenges ahead

pace.Early childhood education, covering ages 2 to 6, is essential. Just as plants thrive with nurturing, children flourish with proper education. My goal is to prepare them for mainstream school by supporting their emotional, social, interpersonal, and intrapersonal development, ensuring they are equipped to face new challenges.The school provides a playgroup, nursery, LKG, UKG, and daycare services (Monday-Saturday) to support working parents. Unlike other schools, Mamas Dela customizes its curriculum to meet each childs needs. Its Individual Support Program (ISP) features a 10:1 student teacher ratio, allowing the school to give personalized attention and ensure every child leaves with confidence and understanding for the day. At Mamas Dela, discipline is believed to begin with foundational principles, and modeling appropriate behavior is an effective way to enhance learning through observation.Each day commences with the national anthem, followed by yoga and cognitive exercises. The school features a program known as TGIF, which stands for Thank God Its Friday, where students engage in diverse activities, including sports, music, drama, storytelling, and arts and crafts. During the summer, a camp is offered that includes activities such as printing, painting, crafts, physical games, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects.Mamas Dela hosts various events throughout the academic year, such as Sports Day, Annual Day, and Womens Day, alongside celebrations for Fathers Day and Mothers Day, promoting active parental involvement.The institution has two branches in Pai Layout and Munnekollal, Marathahalli. Facilities include dedicated classrooms, an audio-visual room, indoor and outdoor play areas, and a dance area, effectively accommodating student needs. Also, to ensure the safety and well-being of children, Mamas Dela implements comprehensive measures, such as CCTV monitoring and maintaining a supervision ratio of two adults for every ten children. In teacher recruitment, candidates must possess a degree or a Nursery Teacher Training (NTT) certification, exhibit patience, and demonstrate strong communication skills. All educators and support staff must exhibit a genuine love for children and a commitment to their care and development.The school has made sincere efforts in early childhood education, which has led to significant recognitions. In 2022, it was named one of the top 100 preschools in India by Brainfeed magazine, and in 2023, it was recognized as one of the top 10 schools in India by Hindustan Times. Continuing on this successful path and aiming to strengthen the education system in India, Mamas Dela aspires to expand its offerings to include primary school education in the coming years.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Michigan couple is broadcasting an up-close look at a bald eagle family nesting on their property.

Watch now: Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam

Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam is now live around the clock on YouTube, showing two views of the nest near Traverse City.

The homeowners behind Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam told News 8 affiliate UpNorthLive out Traverse City that they bought the 60-acre property three years ago and that a contractor was the first to notice the nest.

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The homeowners named the eagles Harry and Harriet. The pair hatched and raised three eaglets last year. The Great Lakes Bald Eagle cameras were installed in September 2024 and captured two eaglets hatching earlier this month.

Back from the brink: Michigans bald eagle population soaring once again

At any given time, you can check in to see the eaglets and Harry and/or Harriet keeping watch over them. The homeowners expect the eaglets to attempt their first flights sometime in June or July.

The formerly endangered bald eagle is bouncing back across the country, including in Michigan. A 2023 statewide survey by the Department of Natural Resources found approximately 900 breeding pairs in Michigan. That is up from 359 pairs in 2000 and 83 in 1980.

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According to the DNR, Michigan likely didnt have a single pair in the early 1960s. DDT, a chemical compound once commonly used in pesticides, nearly drove the bald eagle to extinction. Researchers found elevated levels of DDT in the bald eagle population. They were able to determine that the compound caused eggshells to become extremely brittle, and they would often break when the mother or father tried to keep the eggs warm.

DNR: 2 bald eagles struck by vehicles in 2 days

In 1963, a national survey found an estimated 417 nesting pairs across the entire continental United States. In 1969, Michigan became the first state to ban the use of DDT. The bald eagle gained national protection when the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was passed. The bird was eventually promoted to threatened in 1995 and removed from the list altogether in 2007.

It is still, however, illegal to hunt bald eagles in the United States.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  What goes into designing one of the most anticipated movies of the year?

WDTN.com spoke with Academy Award-winning Production Designer and Wright State University alum, Hannah Beachler, for the answers.

Centerville native wins Academy Award for work in Black Panther

Beachler served as production designer for Sinners, a film thats been on the minds of movie-goers since it was announced last January.

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Beachler is renowned for her work on Creed, Black Panther, its sequel and two musical films based off Beyonces Lemonade and Renaissance albums. Her process always involves a lot of research and centers around building emotion into a given set that shes working on.

For me, its like, how do you design an emotion? How do you design a feeling, Beachler said. Im not just trying to do brick and mortar, but like, put something into that that is a feeling, in a sense.

Bringing the Mississippi Delta of the 1930s back to life (with a pinch of vision) took a lot of research and an embracing of the regions history.

ICYMI: New Ryan Coogler film debuts first trailer

Recreating the Mississippi Delta of the 20s and 30s

Im always research heavy, like in every movie I do, especially with Ryan [Coogler], Beachler says.

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Beachler traveled to Mississippi in order to experience the area from a first-person perspective.

Spent a few days up in Clarksdale, walking around, talking to people, going to juke joints on the blues trail.

During her time in Mississippi, she not only visited Clarksdale, but also Mound Bayou, the latter being known as the first freed city in the state during the Jim Crow era.

That first-hand research helped her design a set that both paid homage to the Delta and also satisfied the overall story being told in the movie.

It was vast, down to how dimensional wood was cut using rough sawn wood, so it would shrink and seep and age naturally. Making sure that the vernacular was part of what you would find in Mississippi Delta at that time.

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Watch the trailers for Sinners, and youll tell just how important the Delta setting and Blues music are to the films narrative.

The story revolves around twin brothers (played by Michael B. Jordan) who return home to Mississippi after being away for awhile. The brothers return is met by an unwelcome presence.

This work helped inform things for the production as it was shot on location in Louisiana. Shooting the movie in a real location, outside of a sound stage enhanced the work of everyone involved according to Beachler.

With the real life inspiration in place, Beachler took creative inspiration from the shape language found in Tim Burtons filmography while also looking to emulate the sprawling vistas found in the works of Sergio Leone. So she worked to find and design spaces that could match those ideas.

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As a result, there will surely be moments in Sinners, that remind some viewers of classic westerns. Structures with simple geometric shapes juxtaposed with big landscapes and expansive skies.

Im still kind of processing it: Wright State grad talks Seeds, top honor at Sundance

Working with frequent collaborators

Crafting the look of any film takes the efforts of many people. A production designers work to establish a films overall visual aesthetic is only highlighted to its maximum in combination with the efforts of direction, costuming and cinematography.

Pictured from left to right is Production Designer Hannah Beachler, Director of Photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw and Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter (photo courtesy of Warner Brothers).

Beachler is ecstatic about her ongoing partnerships with Coogler, Autumn Durald Arkapaw and Ruth Carter.

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Beachler has worked with Coogler, the films director, on all five of his feature films.

We have such a shorthand at this point in time that we just kind of understand  I understand what he needs and wants to tell the story in the cultural sense, in the thriller sense, in the suspense sense to really round out cohesively me, Autumn and Ruth Carter.

Beachler, Arkapaw and Carter have all worked together previously on Wakanda Forever.

Arkapaw (Palo Alto, Wakanda Forever) served as Director of Photography on Sinners, while Ruth Carter (Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X, Black Panther) was in charge of costuming.

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Beachler says that she loved hiding little nuggets, (unspoken gems) on the set for Arkapaw to find and use in the cinematography.

Ill see her in the morning taking pictures on set, like walking around and its so beautiful and I just love giving her like all of this to imagine with, to push light through, Beachler reminisces.

Meanwhile, Beachler spoke effervescently about Carters stylings of the characters.

Everytime Ruth brings something on set you just faint and you just  its Ruth Carter, right? What are you gonna do?

Area student gets lead role in film alongside The Walking Dead star

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Outside of Cooglers direction, Beachler, Arkapaw and Carter are ultimately why the film looks the way it does (generally speaking).

It wouldnt feel the way it does without those other two women and, of course, Ryan, then directing everything, Beachler says.

Their collaboration can be most felt in the colors of the film. Sometimes the choices made between each of them will purposefully align, while at other points in the film they are the opposite.

When you look at all of these different sets, you will see this thing between me, Ruth and Autumn and how, in a lot of ways, in most ways, the color play comes in. And how then Autumn either treats it with a starkness, a softness, a golden, a blue. And whether thats compliment to what were doing or thats really pushing against it.

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The point is to establish moments of safety (when the colors align) for the viewer or tension (when theres more contrast between these elements), among other emotions.

Everything has a reason in a Ryan Coogler movie. There is not a thing that doesnt mean something. Not a stitch of thread, not a blade of grass, Beachler says.

Sinners, is set to release officially on April 18; however, early screenings are available as well. Click here for more information on the film and its release.

This is a WDTN.com exclusive.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  The bridal industry has not been immune to the Trump administrations economic tariffs, but some local vendors are still able to provide their services with little impact.

First News spoke with vendors Sunday at Waypoint 4180s Spring Bridal Show in Canfield about how those planning a wedding in the next year can best save money.

Long before the walk down the aisle and saying I do, plenty of decisions must be made  flowers, makeup and every bride must choose her dream dress. But with the impact of tariffs and other factors, the dream wedding may feel like a nightmare.

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For Love Conquers All Bridal in Canfield, the price increase hasnt been as impactful, as the shop sells dresses imported from Canada, not China.

There is a slight tariff increase with that, but that hasnt been a huge significance for us. I think its important to shop local for your dress, but the tariffs are going to affect your shopping, and its better to shop now than waiting, said Mary Catherine Butchering with Love Conquers All.

When it comes to decor, some designers continue to make adjustments.

We went through a period where just  believe it or not  just a white rose was very difficult to get supply and demand, said Jenn Fiona with Design House Events in Boardman. This show is going to go on, and were going to figure out ways to still put these events and these weddings and that together. And were going to be creative about it.

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However, some vendors havent seen the same issues.

The beauty of my business is that I deal with silk, and the silk prices havent gone up yet, but were not affected by the tariffs, said Darlene Schaefer with I Do So You Dont Have To in Austintown.

All bridal experts say their most important advice is to plan early.

Were pretty much booked out for 2025. 2026 is booking up quickly, and if youre a 2026 bride, I highly recommend that you get out and get all the selections made that you like, Schaefer said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
The Maryland Food Bank in 2024. (File photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

Jesse Albright, along with his brother and father, has been operating Albright Farms in Baltimore County for decades, producing beef, pork and, more recently, eggs.

But Albright is one of dozens of local farmers who may lose significant business opportunities due to a recent decision to end a federal program that helps food pantries buy locally grown produce for low-income households  which he says would be a blow to farmers and the community.

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I think its great that we can provide local product to our local community, Albright said. It would be a blow to anybody whos been selling through the LFPA program.

Hes talking about the U.S. Department of Agricultures Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, shortened to LFPA, a Biden-era program that gives food banks extra funding to connect with local farmers and use their produce for meal assistance, as local products can be more expensive.

In March, the USDA announced that LFPA program would come to an end in November, withholding millions from Maryland food banks that could affect not only the quality of food provided in meal programs, but also have a financial toll on the dozens of farmers who are part of those agreements.

Meanwhile, more Maryland families are looking to meal assistance programs, according to Meg Kimmel, chief operating officer of the Maryland Food Bank.

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At a time when there is historic levels of need that are not dropping, we cannot have our food distribution totals go backwards, Kimmel said Friday.

The Maryland Food Bank serves as a meal assistance hub for a majority of the state, connecting with local food banks and pantries to expand outreach for families needing extra help putting food on the table. The Maryland Food Bank has LFPA agreements with 44 local Maryland farmers, and receives about $4 million through LFPA every 18 months.

Maryland Food Bank in 2024. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

Without those additional dollars, the Maryland Food Bank will have to try to spread our dollars more broadly, which will likely mean fewer purchases from local growers.

Capitol Area Food Bank is Marylands other food assistance hub, serving Prince Georges and Montgomery counties. The Maryland Food Bank covers the rest of the counties and Baltimore.

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There are 33 local Maryland growers and farmers that work through the LFPA program with the Capitol Area Food Bank, which receives over $5 million from LFPA.

In a written statement Friday, Capital Area Food Bank CEO Radha Muthiah, said that in Maryland alone, the LFPA has so far enabled CAFB to purchase and distribute more than 3 million meals worth of fresh local food, including items that we typically havent been able to offer to our clients due to higher costs.

The program has also been beneficial for farmers, giving them more certainty that they have a market for the foods theyre producing, Muthiah said in the statement.

Albright can attest to that. Albright Farms entered an LFPA agreement with the Maryland Food Bank during the COVID pandemic, providing eggs for the food bank.

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He said that the partnership with food banks through the LFPA program can help small farms, such as his own, build up production because theyre growing product with the intent that theyre going to sell it to the food bank.

Theyre putting an extra field of cabbage or tomatoes or sweet corn  whatever that product might be. Theyre putting in additional acres and additional crop specific for the food banks that theyre selling to, he said. Its no different with us and the chickens  We started small and as theyve asked for more, weve grown our product more.

Kimmel calls the LFPA a win-win for the food bank, families, and the local economy.

We were able to leverage federal dollars to do things that we havent been able to do. We havent been able to buy highly-nutritious local food and pay farmers and producers a fair wage for their work. It was prohibitively expensive for us in the past, she said.

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SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Its an economic stimulus program that has benefited our food system  there is nothing else that I have seen in the many years of being in this work that is remotely close to this, Kimmel said.

If the LFPA program comes to an end on Nov. 30 as currently planned, Kimmel and the food bank will have to make hard decisions on how best to stretch their available funds. She said the first cost-saving action would be to invest in more fresh produce  which would be cheaper than protein, milk and eggs  but their goal is to sustain the number of pounds of food delivered to families. Asking for more donations would be a last resort for them.

Kimmel hopes the Trump administration will reconsider, and restore the program or create a new one that would achieve the same goals as the LFPA.

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Its not just about buying food, its about investing and building in a stronger food system for our tiny little state, which I think is pretty magical, she said.

Albright would also like to see the program continue, but he and his family are already talking about how to adapt if the LFPA agreements fall through.

I think farmers have learned to be adaptive, Albright said. We try to plan  but I cant plan for Mother Nature, so I think weve learned as a whole, farmers have to become adaptive to the ever-changing environment that were operating in.

If we end up in a tight spot, well have to figure it out, he said.
A fisherman fishes off rocks at Sachuest Point in Middletown. An advisory panel of fishermen is set to review SouthCoast Wind's proposal to snake a pair of underwater transmission lines up the Sakonnet River, east of Sachuest Point, then run them underground across the northern tip of Portsmouth and out Mount Hope Bay to make landfall at Brayton Point in Somerset Mass. (Getty image)

When the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) put out a public call for volunteers to revive a state fishing advisory panel, a former panel member warned Jim Riggs against joining.

Riggs, a 75-year-old recreational fisherman and retired electrician who lives in Westerly, applied anyway.

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I feel that in order to have your voice heard when it comes to fisheries management, youre either on the table or on the plate, Riggs said in an interview. I prefer to be at the table.

Jim Riggs is shown in a 2020 photo with his grandson Liam at the Westerly Yacht Club where his boat is docked. (Photo courtesy of Jim Riggs)

His seat at the table is now secured; he is one of nine new members the CRMC named to its Fishermens Advisory Board (FAB) after a single, unanimous vote on April 8. The advisory panel has been inactive since all of its former members resigned together in August 2023 to protest what they viewed as the CRMCs kowtowing to offshore wind project developers at the expense of local fishermen.

Will the same frustrations bubble up? The first test comes this week, as the new panel begins negotiations with SouthCoast Wind, which has applied for a permit to run transmission lines from its wind turbines up the Sakonnet River and out Mount Hope Bay.

Rich Hittinger, a former FAB member who led the mass resignation effort two years ago, isnt optimistic.

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We were asked to review a lot of applications and give input that took a lot of time and effort, but then the council really did not care what our input was, said Hittinger, who is first vice chair of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association.

He had discouraged Riggs from joining the panel.

I think nothing has changed structurally at the CRMC, so I told him that most likely, you will spend a lot of time on these projects and your input will not be considered, Hittinger said.

Marisa Desautel, the attorney hired to represent the fishing advisory panel in prior negotiations with offshore wind developers, felt the same way.

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The process is the same as it was then  theres no policy in place other than the language written in the [CRMC rulebook], Desautel said.

But Desautel said she would be interested in serving as the attorney for the FAB again if she were asked.

Rich Hittinger, first vice chair of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and shown with a summer flounder off Block Island, used to serve on the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Councils Fishermens Advisory Board but led the mass resignation of its volunteer members in 2023. Hes not interested in returning without major changes. (Photo courtesy of Rich Hittinger)

The CRMC through its Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP), created in 2011, requires input from fishing representatives on any large-scale offshore development. The advisory panel is meant to minimize negative impacts to fishing habitats by offering input on project locations, construction schedules, and other details. And, it can request an attempt to negotiate compensation from developers to offset projected losses to commercial and recreational fishermen from their projects.

But federal regulations limit what the state coastal agency, and its advisory bodies, can do about offshore wind. The CRMC can affirm whether or not a federal offshore wind project complies with state regulations, but the real control lies with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which dictates where projects are built, environmental and economic impacts, and construction and operating plans.

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Jeffrey Willis, executive director for the CRMC, acknowledged in an interview that state coastal regulators often had little authority over matters the FAB brought to the council in the past.

Prior interactions between citizen volunteers and deep-pocketed international companies behind wind projects felt off-balance to Jim Boyd, who served 22 years at CRMC before retiring as its deputy director in 2022.

It felt like there was a stacked deck, if you will, Boyd said.

David v. Goliath

Rhode Island coastal regulators cant change federal lease and mitigation policies. But they can reduce friction by having FAB members attend fewer meetings for negotiations on offshore wind projects, Willis said.

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With the old FAB, those guys were super-involved, Willis said. They would come every Thursday night for a couple of hours and put their hearts and souls into it, and in the end, they felt they werent getting their point across, Willis said. We didnt want to repeat that burnout.

Willis acknowledged that this wont fix the difficult-to-calculate financial piece of wind negotiations, which rely on federal fishery landings data that typically does not capture the lived experience of local recreational and commercial fishermen.

Compensation is one of the hardest discussions to have, he said.

The new board members are preparing to wade into that difficult discussion on the SouthCoast Wind project, a 147-turbine wind farm planned off the coast of Marthas Vineyard. The CRMC in December 2023 approved the broad strokes of a plan to run the wind farms power lines through Rhode Island waters to reach land at Brayton Point in Somerset, Massachusetts.

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Cables would extend up the Sakonnet River and out Mount Hope Bay  much closer to local fishing grounds than the turbines off the coast of Marthas Vineyard.

SouthCoast Winds proposal to lay transmission lines up the Sakonnet River would reach land on Island Park Beach in Portsmouth and cross under Park Avenue to Boyds Lane, shown at left, to extend to Mount Hope Bay. (Photo by Jim McGaw/Portsmouth Times)

The former fishing advisory board members had already resigned by the time of its decision, so there was no attempt to determine compensation to offset fishing losses.

The CRMC is now reviewing a separate permit application related to the SouthCoast underwater cable lines. An initial meeting between the project developers, the CRMC and the new FAB members is planned for this week, though no date had been confirmed yet, Willis said.

When the Ocean SAMP was adopted 15 years ago, the whole emphasis was on the offshore impacts, Boyd said. There was no consideration of inshore fisheries because there was so much unknown. But now, we know that the SouthCoast export cables are going to be coming into our waters. We need to have representation for that.

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In a statement, SouthCoast Wind welcomed the restoration of the FAB.

SouthCoast looks forward to meeting with the new FAB members in the coming weeks and continuing to move forward with the Rhode Island CRMC permitting process, Rebecca Ullman, a company spokesperson, said in an email Friday.

Volunteers step up to the plate

Willis originally reached out to two different area fishing groups to see if they were interested in joining FAB. Both declined. A series of emails to industry listservs earlier this year yielded more success  12 applicants, including one proposed alternate.

I was pleasantly surprised, Willis said. I was worried about the possibility that, given the history of what happened with the old FAB, we would have a hard time.

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Unlike fellow recreational fisherman, Riggs sees the benefits to offshore wind development. He claims the underwater foundations and cables for other projects near Block Island have increased his catch.

It creates a structure for fish to congregate to and feed at, Riggs said.

I feel that in order to have your voice heard when it comes to fisheries management, youre either on the table or on the plate. I prefer to be at the table.

 Jim Riggs, 75, a Westerly recreational fisherman and new member of the Rhode Island Fishermens Advisory Board

A self-proclaimed conservationist, Riggs hoped his experience on the water, as well as his avid consumption of news about the wind industry, would help protect Rhode Islands prized ocean ecosystem. Other volunteers who applied to join the advisory panel also expressed their interest in protecting the state coastal environment, according to letters and emails submitted to the CRMC.

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The agencys regulations allow for up to 20 members on the fishing advisory panel, including up to two representatives each for six categories of fishing; up to two representatives of seafood processing facilities; and up to six Massachusetts fishermen who fish in waters subject to Rhode Island coastal regulations.

The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council voted to confirm 11 members, including one alternate, to the volunteer Fishermens Advisory Board (FAB) in a single, unanimous vote on Tuesday, April 8. One withdrew after the vote, leaving nine regular members and one alternate. (Screenshot)

All 12 applicants, including the one alternate, were approved as new members, except for one initial candidate who withdrew his name prior to the confirmation, Laura Dwyer, a CRMC spokesperson said. One of the 11 people confirmed Tuesday, Isaiah Alvarez, subsequently decided not to continue as a board member, he said in a text message Thursday night. Alvarez did not respond to questions about his decision.

Half of the applicants identified as recreational or commercial fishermen, including several with former military experience in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard. Another, Patrick Dowling, managing partner at DAmico Burchfield LLP in Providence, has a bachelors degree in environmental science from the University of Rhode Island and concentrated in environmental law at the Vermont Law School, he said in an email to the council.

Jennifer Scappatura-Harrington, owner of Quonnie Siren Oyster Company in Charlestown, hopes to offer a voice for the states aquaculture industry and women in fishing, she wrote in an email to the council.

Dowling and Scappatura-Harrington did not return calls for comment.

Whos on the FAB?

One of the 10 board members who was confirmed on April 8 dropped out, leaving nine.

Wayne Banks, a recreational fisherman, retired electronics engineer for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, and former member of the Jamestown Harbor Commission Richard Corrente, a recreational fisherman and owner of Portside Tavern in Bristol Patrick Dowling, a recreational fisherman and managing partner at DAmico Burchfield LLP in Providence who has a bachelors degree in environmental science from the University of Rhode Island Jeff Grant, a commercial fisherman and representative of the Rhode Island Shellfishermans Association; Mike McGiveney, association president, will serve as an alternate if needed Steve Langley, a recreational lobster fisherman who served five years in the U.S. Coast Guard James Riggs, a retired electrician and recreational fisherman Jennifer Scappatura-Harrington, an oyster farmer who owns Quonnie Siren Oyster Co. in Charlestown Adam Silkes, co-owner of North Kingstown-based shellfishing company, American Mussel Harvesters John Walker, a native Newport resident and commercial fisherman who formerly served on the Newport Waterfront Commission

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WEATHERSFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  Officers with the Weathersfield Township Police Department were called to a home on Friday in reference to a theft report. When they arrived, a man told police he had been scammed out of $30,000.

Read next: MCCTC student killed in Portage County rollover crash

The man told police it began with an email stating there was an issue with his PayPal account. After receiving the email, the man called the phone number listed within. He was connected to someone who provided him another number to call, claiming it was the number of the Federal Trade Commission.

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When the man called the second number, he was connected to a man who identified himself as an agent with the FTC, the victim told police. The victim said the agent asked him a few questions and then said someone was trying to transfer $30,000 from his bank account to the Philippines. The agent then instructed the man to go to his bank and withdraw the money before it was transferred.

Report state the scam victim was told not to say anything to anyone at the bank, as they might be in on the attempted theft of his money.

The man did as instructed by the agent on the phone, withdrawing $30,000 in cash from his bank account. Next, the caller told the man a courier would come by his house to pick up the money, and instructed him not to hang up the phone, but said he could put the phone down, as it would take time to process the transaction and get the courier to him, reports state.

After what the victim said was several hours total, he was instructed to go to the Dunkin at 58 Warren Road, which was less than a mile from his home.

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Reports state he was given instructions to put the money in a box and given a case number to write on top of it. The caller also provided the scam victim with a code for the courier.

When the victim arrived in the Dunkin parking lot, reports state he was approached by a man who gave him the code number he had been provided with. The victim then handed the man the box containing the $30,000, reports state.

After the exchange, the agent on the phone told the victim he would call him in the morning  a call he never received.

Police are investigating the incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A London man has been arrested after allegedly firing multiple shots inside a home before passing out with a loaded gun on the evening of April 12.

An arrest citation showed that around 4:21 p.m., a woman called the police, claiming she heard several gunshots fired inside a home in the 300 block of Mapleville Road.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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In the citation, the caller claimed Bryant had been drinking all day. The homeowner said that she and Bryant had been sitting in the living room when he fired his gun at an ashtray in front of the couch.

Deputies said that when they entered the home, Bryant was seen lying face down on the ground with the loaded gun underneath him. Further investigation showed that he fired six rounds toward the back of the home before he passed out.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Court records show that Bryant was booked into the Laurel County Correctional Center and was charged with:

First-degree wanton endangerment

First-degree criminal mischief

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Jail records show that Bryant is being held on a $10,000 cash bond.

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Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo, two Chinese citizens taken prisoner by Ukraine, claim they had not expected to end up in a war zone in Ukraine.

Source: Chinese prisoners of war at a press conference in Kyiv (via interpreter)

Details: Wang, speaking through an interpreter, said he had a job in China but "lost it during the COVID-19 pandemic and was looking for another option". At first, he negotiated with a Russian recruiter for a job as a rehabilitation therapist for wounded soldiers, but then, he says, "he ended up in the army and had no choice".

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Wang arrived in Moscow on 5 February 2025, after which he received five days of training. He then waited in Rostov before being sent to the front. He reached a training area on 1 April and entered combat on 4 April.

Quote from Wang: "On Chinese social media, especially TikTok, there are videos showing people in uniform. In China, being in the military is prestigious, but not everyone can become a soldier. So people try to join combat operations elsewhere."

More details: Zhang said he came from a fairly well-off family in China and worked as a firefighter and rescuer. He initially travelled to Russia supposedly as a tourist, then decided to "earn a bit of money". At first, he says, Russians offered him construction work, but "then things changed, and at that point, you cant do anything".

Zhang arrived in Moscow on 20 December 2024, then went to Rostov and then to Russian-occupied Donetsk. He said he spent about a month moving from trench to trench and communicating with Russian soldiers under constant shelling. He was captured on 5 April.

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Quote from Zhang: "China promotes friendly relations with Russia. Perhaps its this kind of advertising campaign [on Chinese social media  ed.] that encourages people to join the war against Ukraine (...) Before I came to Ukraine, all the information [about Ukraine  ed.] I received was about Russias victories  that Russia had seized this or that."

Read more: Zelenskyy posts video of interrogation of Chinese POWs captured in Donetsk Oblast  photos

Background:

On 8 April, Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian troops in Donetsk Oblast had captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting in the ranks of the Russian military. Zelenskyy also noted that he had instructed Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to urgently contact Beijing to determine how China intends to respond.

The two citizens of the People's Republic of China were captured in Donetsk Oblast by soldiers from the 81st Separate Airborne Slobozhanska Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces and the 157th Separate Mechanised Brigade.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine was ready to exchange captured Chinese citizens only for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russian captivity, and the signal was conveyed.

On 11 April, Zelenskyy stated that "at least several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting as part of Russias occupation forces", which means that Russia is trying to prolong the war even at the expense of Chinese lives.

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LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  Sunday was the third annual memorial ride for Sergeant Chris Jenkins who died on duty in February of 2022. Jenkins was hit and killed by a tractor-trailer while attempting to move a ladder from I-75 on duty.

When 6 News spoke with Jenkins daughter today, she described him in one word: selfless. Dozens of people came out on their motorcycles and in their vehicles to honor Jenkins on Sunday.

Second body recovered after police pursuit in Loudon County

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This is how I remember him and try to help the community remember him, because he was such a good man. I am grateful, completely grateful and humbled by the turnout, said Anne Caulfield the Event Coordinator.



This years memorial ride began at the Goodwill on Loudon Highway and wrapped up at the Harley Davidson in Maryville.

As an individual he was a very, very kind person. He was a family man. He loved his family, his canines. He loved his job at the Loudon County Sheriffs Office, Caulfield added.

The ride was donation based, with proceeds going to support the Loudon County Sheriffs Office K-9 unit. Clay Jenkins, the son of sergeant Jenkins, serves as a K-9 handler with the Department. Hes now partnered with his fathers former canine named Deja vu.



The funds actually come from the handler. The department helps with some, but most of the expenses come from the handler. It helps with the purchase of possibly a new canine to replace one thats been retired. It helps with the vet care, the training, the equipment that they need to do their job, explained Caulfield.

Mike Satterfield with United we Ride, said their group showed up to pay tribute to Jenkins, and to remind his loved ones that his legacy lives on.

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Jim Clayton: A great science museum is in our future

Its a great cause. Come out support any of these types of rides, not just this particular one, but any memorial ride that we have in the area. It really feels good giving back to the community and helping, like I said, helping those who help us, said Satterfield.

Caulfield shares that she plans to hold this ride to remember Jenkins for as long as the family would like.

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Staff members put a Chinese sturgeon into a release device in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, April 12, 2025. More than 20,000 second-generation Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River during a release activity here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

This photo taken on April 12, 2025 shows an activity to release Chinese sturgeons into the Yangtze River in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. More than 20,000 second-generation Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River during a release activity here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

This photo taken on April 12, 2025 shows the Chinese sturgeons that are about to be released into the Yangtze River in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. More than 20,000 second-generation Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River during a release activity here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

Staff members prepare to release a Chinese sturgeon in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, April 12, 2025. More than 20,000 second-generation Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River during a release activity here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

A Chinese sturgeon slides into the Yangtze River through a release channel in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, April 12, 2025. More than 20,000 second-generation Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River during a release activity here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

A staff member puts a Chinese sturgeon into a release channel in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, April 12, 2025. More than 20,000 second-generation Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River during a release activity here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

This photo taken on April 12, 2025 shows the Chinese sturgeons that are about to be released into the Yangtze River in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. More than 20,000 second-generation Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River during a release activity here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

Editor: WXY
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Gov. Jeff Landrys address to lawmakers as the legislative session began Monday celebrated accomplishments and touched on his priorities: insurance reform, health and the state budget.

Landry reflected on the three special sessions and one regular session last year that he said reversed decades worth of setbacks to put Louisiana on the path to prosperity. He praised the work done, saying the state is leading the new industrial South.

The governor credits the tax reform legislation and the economic development program for the states improved ranking in economic outlook. Louisiana went up 13 places, now ranking No. 31.

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As a result of all of the hard work last year, we have begun to move Louisiana off the bottom of all of the good lists and off the top of the bad lists, Landry said.

State budget, saving Louisiana taxpayers money

Landry said tax reform efforts last year have helped stabilize the states financial situation after a $558 million deficit was initially anticipated for this years budget. He said the budget doesnt rely on any additional pandemic-related federal funding.

The approach to the budget is changing as certain one-time expenses have been responsibly removed to maintain baseline funding. He said the budget reduces state funding by $1 billion.

This stable budget reflects our commitment to reversing previous trends and curbing growth. We aim to fund as many non-recurring expenses as possible, avoiding the use of one-time funds for ongoing expenses, Landry said.

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He said the implementation of historic tax cuts and work to further reduce personal income tax rates can continue while making investments for roads and bridges.

Louisiana bill would end local sales taxes on groceries, soft drinks and other essentials

Landry touted efforts made to save taxpayers money. A state-level version of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), known as the Fiscal Responsibility Program, was introduced at the end of last year to audit state expenditures and identify areas for financial optimization. In February, Landrys office announced a partnership with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to implement efficiency measures and engage residents in identifying potential cost savings.

Unnecessary spending identified, according to the governor:

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$11 in savings in the Department of Health & Hospitals.

$2.3 million in savings in the Division of Administration.

Over $1 million saved in the Department of Energy & Natural Resources.

$1 million wasted on unused cell phone data plans.

Landry merges homeland security agency with Louisiana National Guard

New jobs created after focus on tax reform

Landry said the state is seeing a historic upsurge in business interest and investment after the tax reform special session. Legislation signed into law included an income tax cut and an increase in sales tax.

He touched on Amendment 2, a proposed constitutional amendment on the March ballot that failed. Landry placed blame on billionaire investor George Soros, left-wing organizations and some teacher unions for the amendment failing.

Amendment 2 aimed to:

Lower the maximum state income tax rate.

Increase tax deductions for residents over 65.

Limit government spending growth and change how certain state funds operate.

Require a portion of the states budget surpluses to address teacher retirement debt, potentially increasing teacher salaries.

Keep property tax exemptions, including the homestead exemption and religious organization exemptions, unchanged.

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Landry tells teachers its back to the drawing board after pay raise plan fails

We shall maintain our commitment to further tax reform in our quest for total elimination of the state income tax and the standard of living for all, Landry said.

Landry celebrates economic development in Louisiana

Businesses are now flocking to Louisiana amidst renewed global interest in America, Landry said regarding the multimillion and multibillion-dollar projects that have been announced recently.

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Our state is experiencing a 450% increase in potential new business capital and a 127% increase in job opportunities across all corners of the state, Landry said.

Louisiana bill would allow abortion exceptions for minors in sex crime cases

Addressing obesity in Louisiana

Landry said a statewide initiative partnered with Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Moms, a group of Louisiana women who promote healthy eating and exercise, aims to get families active, support local farmers and reduce toxins. According to Americas Health Rankings, Louisiana ranks No. 45 for obesity with 39.9% of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher.

In a state known for its culture of cooking, every child should learn to cook with fresh, local shrimp from the Gulf and greens from our farmsinstead of relying on processed meals, Landry said.

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Louisiana bill would ban fluoride in public drinking water, part of national push led by RFK Jr.

Senate Bill 14 has been connected to MAHA, a movement co-founded by Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The bill would require the state Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to submit a waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The waiver would seek permission for Louisiana to prohibit SNAP recipients from purchasing soft drinks, defined in the bill as beverages containing added sweetenersincluding sodas, sports drinks, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Insurance reform plan aims to lower rates

Landry is calling for major reforms to address the insurance crisis impacting residents. He suggests a balanced approach to hold lawyers and insurers accountable. His plan includes expanding the insurance commissioners powers to align with those in Texas, Mississippi and Florida and reining in lawyer advertising.

I travel around Louisiana more than anyone else, and I dont see insurance companies or plaintiff lawyers going broke, Landry said. But I sure do see way too many people and businesses struggling financially because of both.

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Louisiana election-related bills for 2025 legislative session

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
EUNICE, La. (KLFY)  LSU Eunice showed several deficiencies in its accounting procedures, some of them repeated from previous years, in an audit released Monday by the Louisiana Legislative Auditors Office.

The audit covered the period from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024.

For the third consecutive report, auditors noted that LSU Eunice had inadequate controls over student refunds and did not submit past-due student accounts receivable to the Louisiana Attorney General for collection in accordance with state law and the universitys written procedures.

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Refunds for overpayments of tuition and fees are compiled, edited, sent for payment, posted to student accounts, and reconciled by one employee with limited independent review, the audit read. Good internal control requires segregation of duties and shared responsibilities of key processes. Inadequate segregation of duties increases the risk that students are refunded incorrect amounts due to error or fraud.

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In a response letter signed by LSU Eunice Chancellor Nancee Sorenson, the university concurred with the finding and said new software is in place that will remedy the situation.

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Starting in Fall 2025, LSUE will be fully operational in Workday Student, and no longer operating in Jenzabar, Sorenson wrote. With the added functionality, LSUE believes it can implement

proper internal control policies for student refunds.

Also for the third consecutive report, unclassified university employees who earned leave did not certify time and attendance records monthly as required by state law.

Inadequate controls over monthly certifications increases the risk of fraud or error related to time worked going undetected and noncompliance with state laws, the audit read.

Sorenson again concurred with the finding, and said Audwin Donatto, the schools new Associate Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs, would implement an action plan to rectify the shortcomings.

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LSUE scholarship created for those pursuing careers in fire and emergency services

The policy will include disciplinary measures for non-compliance, Sorenson wrote. We have identified that faculty comprise the largest group of employees that are late in certification. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Provost will work in tandem with the Office of Business Affairs to ensure this is completed.

In addition, LSU Eunice did not maintain adequate controls over payroll to ensure payments were properly approved and were in accordance with university policy or applicable laws and regulations.

One employee had a faculty pay increase that was not approved by appropriate personnel, and three other employees were granted one-time payments based solely on years of service already rendered, which may have violated state law.

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We determined this pay increase (to the first employee) was part of an across-the-board faculty increase of 2.5% to 3% during fiscal year 2023 that was granted to 53 employees totaling $85,086 without appropriate approvals, the audit read. We determined these payments (to the other three employees) were part of one-time payments of 4% of base salary for full-time, permanent professional staff employed for at least one year and 7% of base salary for full-time, permanent professional staff employed for two or more years for fiscal year 2024 that were granted to 42 employees totaling $131,410.

Sorenson said Donatto will be responsible for making sure HR will not process any raises without all the required signatures.

This will ensure compliance with LSU Eunice Policy, Sorenson wrote. LSU Eunice with consult with the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General when applicable to ensure there is no possible violation of state law.

Read the full audit below:

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll took a tour of one of the regions must-see sights the Springfield Museums.

Crews put out house fire in Springfields Forest Park

She spent her Sunday afternoon in the heart of Springfield one of many stops on her road trip to celebrate 413 day.



The trip began at 10am in the Berkshires and the lieutenant governor stopped at every county in western Massachusetts including a trip to MassMoCa and a few state parks.



Her stops on 413 day recognize the people, culture and spirit of western Massachusetts.



We really believe that western Mass has a story to tell the cultural richness, the opportunity for a sort of eco-tourism, shared Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.



Lt. Gov Driscoll immersed herself into Van Goghs paintings at the Springfield Museums and even go the chance to take a trip down memory lane at the Dr. Seuss Museum.,



This trip encourages tourism in the area and its part of the Healey administration efforts to invest in each region of the commonwealth.



Weve made it our mission whether its through out rural empowerment council or the ways that were working in western Mass to connect through East-West rail, shared Lt. Governor Driscoll.



Though she says the people in this community are her favorite part about western Massachusetts, Because of some of the rural nature of parts of western Mass you just see a greater neighbor connection.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is seeking to avoid the death penalty by arguing that Attorney General Pamela Bondi's public comments and political framing of the case have violated his right to a fair trial. His legal team claims Bondis statements, which presume Mangiones guilt and promote a political agenda, have prejudiced the jury pool and corrupted the judicial process.

Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York last year, is seeking to avoid the death penalty in the state by saying his case has become politicized.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges after Thompson was gunned down outside a hotel in Manhattan in December. A manhunt for Thompson's killer ensued after the perpetrator fled the scene on a bike and escaped via Central Park.

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An Ivy League graduate and UPenn alumnus, Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania in connection with the case and was subsequently charged.

Thompson's murder sparked a widespread conversation about health care in America, as well as some ugly reactions. Some people have chosen to support Mangione for his alleged action, believing he was challenging the status quo of corporate America.

Despite Mangione amassing supporters, high-profile individuals also called for the heaviest of sentences for the suspect accused of murdering Thompson, a father of two.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi was one of them, saying on April 1: "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.

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Bondi followed up the statement with a shared post on the U.S. Justice Department's Instagram page, which read: "Luigi Mangione's murder of Brian Thompsonan innocent man and father of two young childrenwas a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America."

This statement is highly unusual, as it states that Mangione has committed the crime he is on trial forin direct contradiction of his legal right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Moreover, Bondi's statement presents further legal ramifications for Mangione's right to a fair trial, protected under the Sixth Amendment.

Chief among the issues is that potential jurors for the trialtasked with having no prejudice about the defendant before proceedings beginmay be influenced by Bondi's statement and presume his guilt instead of being convinced by evidence.

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Once again, Mangione's right to an impartial jury is constitutionally protected.

As such, Bondi's statementcomplete with a name-drop for President Trump and implied guilt on the part of a suspect who has yet to go before trialhas been blasted by Mangione's defense team as a "political stunt."

In a filing on Friday seen by Fortune, Mangione's team wrote: "The stakes could not be higher. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stuntthe Attorney Generals 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. Mangiones 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."

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The White House and the Department of Justice have been approached by Fortune for comment.

Avoiding the death sentence

Mangione's team is seeking to avoid the death sentence because of Bondi's actions.

The filing explains: "Because the Attorney Generals direction to the [Southern District of New York] prosecutorsissued publicly, as a press releaseto seek a death sentence for Mr. Mangione is political, arbitrary, capricious, a breach of established death penalty protocol and has now indelibly prejudiced this process, the government should be precluded from seeking the death penalty."

Mangione's lawyers have also demanded a list of actions be taken to ensure their client's right to a fair trial, including screening grand jurors for exposure to Bondi's public statements and "restraining" Bondi from making any further statements.

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They also request that Bondi confirm she has read legal materials outlining a suspect's right to a fair trial.

Moreover, the defense has asked for notes and documents sharing how the Southern District of New York considered a death penalty option, and asked the "government to produceany emails, records, documents, memoranda, and notes of any communication between a government official and anyone advocating for the death sentence."

On day one of her role as attorney general, Bondi penned a note titled "Reviving The Federal Death Penalty and Lifting the Moratorium on Federal Executions."

Representatives for Mangione's lawyers told Fortune they had no further comment.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Todays edition of quick hits.

* Fortunately, a suspect was identified and apprehended quickly: A man is facing charges after allegedly jumping an iron fence into Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros official residence in Harrisburg early Sunday, breaking into his home, and starting multiple fires with Molotov cocktails while the family was inside, officials said.

* Good for Harvard: Harvard University will not accept demands made by President Donald Trumps administration amid threats of funding cuts, according to a statement issued Monday.

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* One of the deadliest single attacks on Ukraine this year: A Russian ballistic missile strike killed at least 31 people and injured more than 80 others in the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking one of the deadliest single attacks on the country this year.

* In Budapest: Hungarys parliament on Monday passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ communities, a decision that legal scholars and critics call another step toward authoritarianism by the populist government.

* No good will come of this: U.S. DOGE Service employees have inserted themselves into the governments long-established process to alert the public about potential federal grants and allow organizations to apply for funds, according to four people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a sensitive situation.

* Will those who cared about Jade Helm care about this? President Trump authorized the U.S. military to take jurisdiction over a strip of public land at the border that spans three states, a key step toward having U.S. troops play a larger role enforcing immigration laws at the southern border. In a presidential memorandum released Friday evening, Trump ordered the Defense Department to have authority over the Roosevelt Reservation, among other public lands. American-Indian reservations are exempt from the order.

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* Theres no good reason to end these protections: The Trump administration will end temporary protections for more than 10,000 people from Afghanistan and Cameroon, putting them on track for deportation in May and June, Department of Homeland Security officials said on Friday. Many of the Afghans affected by the decision had been allowed into the United States after the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from their country in 2021. Now, the Trump administration could send them back to a country under Taliban rule.

* An official with a past related to Jan. 6: Pete Marocco, a State Department official who oversaw the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has left the agency after less than three months, according to a senior Trump administration official.

* The Supreme Court protected affirmative action in the military, but here we are: The Air Force Academy has stopped taking the race, gender or ethnicity of applicants into consideration, the Justice Department stated in a filing Friday responding to a lawsuit that accused the institution of discrimination for making class diversity a factor in its admissions process.

See you tomorrow.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Heading into last week, Donald Trumps unprecedented campaign against the legal profession focused on eight prominent law firms. On Wednesday, the president added a ninth, and while doing so, he noted in passing that his target list included five additional firms, which he did not identify.

The public didnt have to wait too long for an answer to that question. The New York Times reported:

Five more prominent law firms facing potential punitive action by President Trump reached deals on Friday with the White House to provide a total of $600 million in free legal services to causes supported by the president. Four of the firms  Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, A&O Shearman and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett  each agreed to provide $125 million in pro bono or free legal work, according to Mr. Trump. A fifth firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, agreed to provide at least $100 million in pro bono work.

Taken together, several giants from Big Law have committed to nearly $1 billion in free legal services  despite the inconvenient fact that none of the firms has been credibly accused of wrongdoing. In fact, the president has conceded that the firms have done nothing wrong, but hes targeting them anyway as part of a damaging and authoritarian-style attack.

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Other firms appear far less eager to roll over. Indeed, on the same afternoon in which Trump announced deals with five more firms, Susman Godfrey, targeted with an executive order days earlier, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the presidents offensive. The Texas-based firm argued that the Republicans punishments were unconstitutional and a clear and harmful attempt to discourage law firms and their clients from challenging abuses of government power.

In a statement, Susman Godfrey said the firm was duty-bound to push back against presidential abuse.

No administration should be allowed to punish lawyers for simply doing their jobs, protecting Americans and their constitutional right to the legal process, the firm said. But this goes far beyond law firms and lawyers. Today it is our firm under attack, but tomorrow it could be any of us.

As things stand, Trump has targeted 14 firms, four of which have fought back in response to presidential orders. Two firms, meanwhile, struck deals with Trump that led him to rescind the punishments hed already imposed. Another firm that was hit with an order is still weighing its options.

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But as of Friday, the other seven firms  half of the overall total  chose pre-emptive appeasement: Members of this septet learned that the president was likely to punish the firm, prompting it to cave before Trump threw a punch.

In case this werent unsettling enough, The Wall Street Journal reported on a familiar figure the president has reportedly relied on to reach these agreements  and in a weird twist, he doesnt work for the White House or the administration in any formal capacity.

Trumps personal lawyer Boris Epshteyn, who has been indicted in Arizona on charges related to Trumps 2020 election loss, has emerged as the face of the Trump administrations campaign against large law firms that it views as hostile to the president and his causes, according to lawyers at seven of the firms and White House officials. In a series of meetings and phone calls, Epshteyn has extracted large commitments of pro bono work for Trump-supported causes and changes to the law firms hiring practices to Trumps preferences, the lawyers and officials said.

As firms struck deals with the White House, it stood to reason that they were negotiating with White House officials. While The Wall Street Journals report hasnt been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, if its correct, it suggests that those assumptions were, at a minimum, incomplete  and Trump has instead turned to a controversial member of his private legal team to extract concessions.

If thats the case, it raises a variety of other questions. Indeed, Talking Points Memo published an interesting analysis over the weekend, noting that if the president is making these deals in his personal capacity, it creates a qualitatively different kind of controversy.

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The Journals report added that some of the law firms privately worried about negotiating with a lawyer who wasnt employed by the government and didnt have a government email address.

I dont imagine weve heard the last of this.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As Donald Trump welcomed El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to the Oval Office, the Republican whispered to his guest about one of his apparent priorities. The audio is a little difficult to hear, but the Republican clearly said that homegrown criminals are next, adding that El Salvador will have to build about five more places.

Bukele was amenable, telling his host, Yeah, we have space. (It's space Bukele also intends to use to keep Kilmar Abrego Garcia imprisoned, despite the fact that he was sent to El Salvador in error.)

Given the larger context, there was no great mystery as to what the two were discussing: The Trump administration has already sent alleged criminals to a Salvadoran prison called the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), and that total is apparently increasing. It was against this backdrop that Trump said homegrown criminals are next.

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Soon after, with reporters in the room, the American president echoed the sentiment, on camera and unprompted.

After saying the administration intended to obey the laws, Trump added, But we also have homegrown criminals whom he considers absolute monsters. The Republican concluded, Id like to include them in the group of people to get out of the country.

If the rhetoric sounded at all familiar, its because the American president has been leaning into the idea quite a bit lately.

In fact, it was just eight days ago when Trump declared that he would love to send American inmates to El Salvadors mega-prison. Soon after, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said he wasnt kidding, and suggested this was an idea his administration was taking seriously.

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A few weeks earlier, Trump also published an item to his social media platform, musing about sending American citizens to a prison in El Salvador if theyre convicted of vandalizing Tesla vehicles.

In January, roughly a week into his second term, the Republican made related comments, suggesting that the United States might be willing to pay a small fee to foreign countries to imprison American criminals. He repeated the sentiment, using nearly identical phrasing, in early February.

In other words, this was not a passing thought. The incumbent American president appears increasingly fixated on the idea.

For the record, as my MSNBC colleague Jordan Rubin explained, the policy Trump keeps referencing is plainly illegal. Whats more, its entirely unnecessary: There is already a system in place to deal with absolute monsters who commit awful crimes. Its called the criminal justice system. People are charged, tried, convicted and imprisoned by way of this system all the time.

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What Trump apparently prefers is a different kind of model in which American citizens who commit violent crimes are, for all intents and purposes, deported to foreign detention facilities.

The more the president pushes this line, the more it becomes necessary to take the threat seriously.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Five years ago, the University of Virginias Miller Center and the Center for Presidential Transition published a memorable report on the fifth-year curse, which took note of a curious historical phenomenon. While the presidents fifth year should be a symbolic and substantive fresh start, it is often marred by political infighting, major crises, and failed legislative agendas, the report explained.

Way back in 2013, Politico had a related report on the trend.

[T]heres just something about Year Five itself  some immutable law of the American political calendar that condemns our presidents to a miserable time after their second inaugural. Maybe its about presidents and their re-election hangovers, or their opponents renewed determination to thwart the White House agenda, or perhaps its simply the problem of the publics inevitable fatigue.

While theres no reason to take seriously the idea of an actual curse, theres no denying the fact that a great many presidents have struggled in their fifth year in the White House. In 1937, for example, in Franklin Delano Roosevelts fifth year, the legendary Democratic president backed off New Deal spending, which reversed economic progress, and tried to pack the U.S. Supreme Court.

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But thats just the start. The Watergate scandal broke during Richard Nixons fifth year. The Iran-Contra scandal broke during Ronald Reagans fifth year. Bill Clintons relationship with Monica Lewinsky began during his fifth year. George W. Bush tried to privatize Social Security in his fifth year, helping set the stage for Democrats to take back Congress a year later.

Though it pales in comparison to dramatic scandals such as Watergate and Iran-Contra, one of the most notable setbacks of Barack Obamas presidency  the launch of the Affordable Care Acts website, which initially did not work  also came during his fifth year in office.

There are plenty of competing theories to explain why the fifth-year curse endures. Some have attributed this to staffing changes; others have pointed to the hubris that comes with leaders knowing theyll never again have to face the electorate again.

But while Donald Trumps fifth year is just getting started  believe it or not, hes not yet three months into his second term  its hard not to notice that he doesnt appear to be making much of an effort to avoid the so-called curse. On the contrary, the incumbent Republican appears to be rushing headstrong into it.

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Twelve weeks after his second inaugural, Trump is increasingly unpopular, burdened by scandal, generally seen as an international pariah by the United States traditional allies, confronting a series of controversies generated by rampant White House incompetence, suffering a series of setbacks in the courts, pursuing a foolhardy imperialistic agenda, undermining democracy and democratic institutions, and undermining global economic stability for reasons hes struggled to explain.

No one should call a game after the first quarter, but Trump is already on pace to have the worst fifth year in American history  a history that is filled with some catastrophically bad fifth years.

Perhaps hes unconcerned about accountability because a truly pitiful Republican majority exists in both chambers, and it remains wholly indifferent to Congress oversight responsibilities.

Maybe this has something to do with the fact that Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices ruled that presidents can break laws with impunity.

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Its also very easy to believe that while Trump had some officials in his first term who told him inconvenient truths, in his second term, hes taken steps to ensure that hes surrounded exclusively with sycophants who tell him his every whim is worthy of praise and celebration.

Whatever the explanation, those who study the fifth-year curse should prepare for a dramatic new chapter to their work.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The Trump administrations mass deportation agenda is continuing apace, as is the White Houses plans related to self-deportation  in effect, making immigrants lives on American soil so miserable that theyll voluntarily choose to leave the country.

As my MSNBC colleague Jahan Jones explained, this reached a new level last week when Team Trump began cancelling immigrants lawfully obtained Social Security numbers  essentially listing individuals as dead  as a means to impede their ability to make money or access government services and to pressure them to leave the country.

The Washington Post reported that administration officials confronted objections from the Social Security Administration but ignored them while adding thousands of immigrants ranging in age from teenagers to octogenarians to the agencys Death Master File. From the report:

Experts in government, consumer rights and immigration law said the administrations action is illegal. Labeling people dead strips them of the privacy protections granted to living individuals  and knowingly classifying living people as dead counts as falsifying government records, they said. This is in addition to the harm inflicted on those suddenly declared dead, who become unable to legally earn a living wage or draw benefits they may be eligible for. Social Security itself has acknowledged that an incorrect death declaration is a devastating blow.

Devin OConnor, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, told the Post, This is an unprecedented step. The administration seems to basically be saying they have the right to essentially declare people equivalent to dead who have not died. Thats a hard concept to believe, but it brings enormous risks and consequences.

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And if we were to stop here, it would already be a timely reminder of Donald Trumps anti-immigrant radicalism. But his teams legally dubious tactics on self-deportations are just one piece of a larger ugly puzzle.

For example, the U.S. Supreme Court directed the administration to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the White House mistakenly sent to a prison in El Salvador, but Trumps Justice Department declared over the weekend that its not required to work with El Salvadors government to make this happen. As my MSNBC colleague Jordan Rubin explained, its hard to square Team Trumps stance with the justices directive.

Around the same time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the United States has also sent 10 more people to El Salvador, to be housed in a prison called the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). Rubio claimed that the deported people were gang members, but the White House has made related claims before, and to date, the administration has made no meaningful effort to bolster the allegations with evidence.

Or put another way, we dont yet know whether there are any additional gay makeup artists among those sent to CECOT.

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Meanwhile, an American lawyer in Massachusetts named Nicole Micheroni received a message from the government last week, telling her to leave the country, despite the fact that shes an American citizen.

Probably, hopefully, sent to me in error, she told the NBC affiliate in Boston, referring to the notification. But its a little concerning these are going out to U.S. citizens.

Have other Americans received similar notices? Will other Americans receive similar notices? Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A Palestinian checks the damage at a building inside the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 13, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA/JERUSALEM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli airstrike hit the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City early Sunday, damaging key medical infrastructure and forcing the facility to shut down, according to Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted "a Hamas command and control center" located within the hospital compound. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) stated that Hamas operatives have been using the facility to coordinate attacks.

A medical staff member told Xinhua anonymously that the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning shortly before the strike. The attack struck the hospital's surgical operations department and an oxygen generation unit, inflicting severe damage across multiple sections of the facility.

"The two targeted departments were destroyed, and the hospital can no longer operate," the staff member said, adding that the facility had been sheltering patients, injured civilians, and hundreds of displaced residents before the strike.

Munir al-Barsh, director general of Health Services in Gaza, described a chaotic evacuation conducted under ongoing bombardment. He said a child being moved from the premises died during the process. Witnesses reported that the evacuation took place amid smoke, fire, and falling debris.

The Israeli military stated that it employed precision-guided munitions and conducted aerial surveillance ahead of the strike to reduce the risk to civilians and medical staff. It added that prior warnings had been issued in the area.

The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza condemned the strike, calling it a "war crime" and accusing Israel and the United States of bearing responsibility. It claimed the attack was part of a broader campaign against Gaza's healthcare sector. Local health authorities also appealed to international organizations to safeguard medical facilities and personnel.

Meanwhile, the health authorities in Gaza reported on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, has reached 50,944, with 116,156 wounded. They noted 11 deaths and 111 injuries in the past 24 hours, adding that rescue efforts continue to be hampered by ongoing hostilities.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Maine Gov. Janet Mills enters the House of Representatives chamber to deliver her State of the Budget address to a joint House-Senate session on Jan. 28, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Lawmakers in the Maine Legislature are trying to restrict the governors emergency powers.

Republicans proposed limiting the governors ability to convene the Legislature, in response to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills calling lawmakers into a special session after the Democratic majority made the decision to quickly pass a two-year budget that failed to secure two-thirds support.

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Crucial to that plan was the understanding that the Legislature would adjourn, in order to start the clock to release the funding, and immediately get called back by the governor to attend to the remainder of legislative business.

In addition to the Republican proposal, a Democratic lawmaker has suggested an alternative way to reign in executive reach by requiring legislators to be consulted in emergency decisions.

When the lawmakers presented their plans to the State and Local Government Committee on Monday, no one from the public testified for nor against.

Republican proposal

Rep. Joshua Morris (R-Turner) and eight Republican co-sponsors, including House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham of Winter Harbor and Assistant Minority Leader Katrina Smith of Palermo, proposed amending the state constitution so that if the Legislature adjourns sine die, or finally, the governor cant reconvene the body for 90 days.

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Because it proposes a constitutional amendment, LD 1331 has to be passed by two-thirds of the Legislature and then ultimately be decided by Maine voters through a ballot referendum question.

I will not attempt to hide the true motivation behind my proposal, Morris told the committee. The last three sessions have seen a majority budget passed at the end of March with a sine die adjournment, only to see the Legislature called back immediately.

The Maine Constitution establishes an adjournment date for the Legislature for both the first and second regular sessions. The end date for the first regular session of the current 132nd Legislature had been June 18 but the body adjourned just after midnight on March 21 before Mills called a special session. There is no statutory limit on the length of a special session.

The constitution states that the governor may call us back on extraordinary occasions, not just to finish the work we havent gotten to yet, Morris said. For example, calling the Legislature back so we can commemorate official reptiles and amphibians is hardly an extraordinary occasion that cant wait until the second regular session.

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Several of Morris Republican colleagues made similar remarks at the time of those specific votes after the Legislature began its special session on March 25.

Rep. William Tuell of East Machias said on the House floor ahead of the vote one state amphibian that the body should instead be dealing with matters he views as in line with extraordinary occasions, such as high property taxes. The Legislature is considering a number of bills on property taxes carried over into the special session.

During the hearing on Monday, lawmakers discussed the possibility of more specifically defining what constitutes an extraordinary occasion through LD 1331.

Morris also argued his bill would require more bipartisan consensus on a budget or other laws in order to get them passed in a timely manner without deploying the special session maneuver, as it takes 90 days for bills to take effect if they dont secure the two-thirds support needed to pass as an emergency.

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Members of the minority party have been vocal about their opposition to the current special session.

Rep. Shelley Rudnicki (R-Fairfield) has continuously called the session illegal and questioned what extraordinary circumstances warranted it in speeches on the House floor and in meetings of the Taxation Committee.

Rep. Gary Drinkwater (R-Milford) is also leading an effort for a peoples veto of the two-year budget. The referendum needs at least 67,682 signatures from Maine voters by June 18 to put the budget, the funding for which is set to become available at the end of June, on hold until the November election or an earlier statewide special election.

Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released the proposed wording for the question last week, which Drinkwater has said hes disappointed with.

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The proposed question reads: Do you want to stop most state government operations and programs, including new and ongoing state funding for cities, towns, and schools, by rejecting the states two-year budget?

This is not the first time lawmakers have objected to how the governor has exercised emergency power.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mills adjourned the Legislature, prompting lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to call for her to bring the body back, though Republicans wanted to only address pandemic-related issues during the special session while Democrats wanted to address other unfinished business, as well.

The Legislature can call itself into a special session without an action by the governor if the majority of the members in each party consent, which could not be achieved in that case.

Democratic proposal

Executive emergency power is not vested in the governor by the constitution. Rep. Adam Lee (D-Auburn) told the committee that the Legislature, therefore, has and should assert its authority to be more involved in emergency decisions.

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This bill isnt about the present chief executive, nor is it about any former or future chief executive, Lee said. This bill is about this branch of government, the primary policymaking branch of government, the one closest to Maine citizens, modestly reasserting its role in participating in governance of the state in the event of an emergency.

LD 1524 would require the governor to consult directly with the Legislative Council, which is composed of the ten elected leaders of legislative leadership, when acting on emergency powers.

It would also require the executives actions to be narrowly tailored to address the specific public health or safety emergency for which the emergency was declared and require court action if the governors actions dont adhere to that standard.

Specifically, it would provide the Maine Superior Court jurisdiction to issue temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions against executive actions, and in the event one is granted, it gives an expedited appeal to the governor to challenge the injunction to the law court.

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Another way the governor would be required to loop in the Legislative Council would be through a weekly, written briefing detailing all actions taken pursuant to emergency powers and how and whether those actions have helped abate the emergency.

Lastly, the bill would require three-fifths of the Legislature  91 representatives and 21 senators  to extend an emergency beyond 30 days.

While I can understand that in emergency circumstances it is more efficient for a single person advised by talented and intelligent but nevertheless unelected individuals to make decisions for the people, Lee said, that efficiency comes at the expense of having these decisions made by the individuals closest to the people.

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Apr. 14The Maine Maritime Academy in Castine is bringing back a nuclear engineering program that it dissolved in the 1990s as the market for nuclear power changed.

"As nuclear power phased out for a little while, a lot of plants shut down, like Maine Yankee here in the state. The jobs went away, and Maine Maritime followed the trends of the market," said Craig Johnson, the academy's new president, who was appointed to the position in March. "As nuclear is certainly coming back as an option, and the maritime nuclear will be here in a few years ... we need to provide what the market is looking for and stay current on all trends."

The public maritime academy, one of six in the nation, offers several engineering majors, most of them focused on work that happens on ships: marine engineering, marine systems engineering and power engineering. But Johnson says as the country opens itself back up to the possibility of nuclear power, new opportunities will be created both on shore and at sea.

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The college reintroduced a nuclear engineering minor this academic year, and 11 students are expected to graduate with it this spring. The stand-alone major will be available to students next fall.

The program will be supported by a $1.5 million gift from 1979 alumnus Guy Mossman, who made the donation in honor of his father Edward Mossman, a 1950 graduate of Maine Maritime. That endowment will fund a faculty chair position to oversee the department in perpetuity, the college said.

The new program will allow the college to expand its courses in applied nuclear technology development and operations, and reliability engineering, according to a statement about the donation.

"Nuclear and reliability engineering are natural extensions of existing training in marine engineering operations, maintenance, automation and control, and steam generation and systems," the announcement reads. "Training in the aligned disciplines of nuclear and reliability engineering will prepare students for a wide range of careers in the maritime and shoreside power fields."

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Johnson said the academy will bring in a couple of new faculty members for the program, and he hopes the major will attract a new population of students. The academy's nuclear engineering program will be the only one of its kind in Maine and is also unique among maritime academies nationwide.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the school to get back into this field," Johnson said. "It's a growing field, it gives us a competitive advantage, and the reality is it's going to give our students a competitive advantage in seeking employment."

Maine Maritime Academy is also gearing up for the receipt of a new training ship used for educational trips and training. The current training ship, called the State of Maine, took its final voyage last spring and has been returned to the Department of Transportation's maritime division.

The new vessel will arrive in September, and because the academy's pier in Castine is currently under construction, it will dock in Portland and Searsport until the summer of 2026. It could be in Portland from November 2025 to April 2026.

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Johnson said the new ship, which is being built in Philadelphia, has a higher capacity and more training spaces. It carries between 600 and 800 people, and can hold up to 1,000 for specialty missions. Unlike the previous vessel, an oceanographic research vessel, Maine Maritime inherited from the Navy, the incoming ship is custom-built for maritime training.

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KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will meet the head of Myanmar's junta in Bangkok this week to push for the extension of a ceasefire between the military government and rebel groups to help earthquake relief.

As the chair of the regional ASEAN bloc this year, Anwar said the meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday was being held on humanitarian grounds, as there continued to be no formal engagements between Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Myanmar was hit by a devastating earthquake last month that killed thousands and caused significant damage.

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"I thank General Min Aung Hlaing for responding positively to our call... During my meeting with him on April 17, I will push for the ceasefire to be extended," Anwar said on Monday.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021, when the military's overthrow of an elected civilian government sparked a civil war.

The junta and rebel groups have announced unilateral ceasefires to support the quake relief, but have accused each other of violating the agreements.

ASEAN wants Myanmar to implement the bloc's five-point peace plan to halt the fighting, and has barred the ruling generals from attending its meetings over their failure to comply.

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Anwar said Malaysia will continue its humanitarian assistance for the earthquake-hit country through a temporary field hospital run by the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Min Aung Hlaing attended a summit in Bangkok earlier this month, a rare foreign trip for the leader who has been largely shunned internationally since the 2021 coup.

(Reporting by Ashley Tang and Danial Azhar; Editing by John Mair)
A 22-year-old man was stabbed to death in Queens early Monday during an argument over a stolen bike, police said.

Anderson Archila Martinez was stabbed in the abdomen at Junction Blvd. and Roosevelt Ave. near the border of Jackson Heights at about 12:45 a.m., cops said.

Medics rushed Archila Martinez to Elmhurst Hospital Center, but he could not be saved. He lived in Spring Valley, Rockland County, about 22 miles north of Manhattan, according to cops.

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A suspect was arrested in the attack and was being questioned at the 115th Precinct stationhouse with charges pending, police said.

One of the men accused the other of stealing his bicycle, police said.
Apr. 13A man was arrested after allegedly stabbing his wife to death while she was babysitting on Saturday.

Servando Lujan, 47, of Santa Fe, is charged with an open count of murder and child abuse.

He is being held at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center.

At about 4:30 p.m., New Mexico State Police responded to a call of a stabbing death in the 3900 block of Agua Fria Road, near Agua Fria Street.

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Officers learned Minerva Marquez Dominguez, 46, had been stabbed, State Police spokesperson Wilson Silver said in a news release. When officers arrived, they received a clothing description of a possible suspect before finding a man  later identified as Lujan  with blood on his hands, police said.

Emergency medical services personnel tried life-saving measures on Marquez Dominguez, Silver said.

Marquez Dominguez had been babysitting a relative's child when she got into an argument with Lujan who got a knife and stabbed her while the child was in a nearby stroller, police said.

After the incident, Lujan called a family member and told them he killed his wife, Silver said.

"This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau," he said.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  A person of interest in an alleged Washington homicide was arrested in Kentucky.

Dariel Montero is accused of killing Courtney Clinton on Nov. 1 in Vancouver, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Montero was arrested in Montgomery County in connection with an alleged large-scale diesel theft worth more than $18,000, according to previous coverage.

He was found with two other people, reportedly stealing the fuel to support an over-the-road trucking business.

Through further investigation, deputies said they were able to connect Montero to the Washington homicide case. The sheriffs office is working with the Vancouver Police Department as the investigation continues.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA)  A Pasco County man is now the guy behind bars after he allegedly stole $10,000 worth of toy collectibles from his neighbors home, while that neighbor was in jail.

According to an arrest affidavit, Port Richey police responded to a home in reference to a burglary back in September. The victim told officials that while he was incarcerated for the past three months, someone had broken into his home and stolen his approximately $10,000 toy collection.

Polk County woman runs over estranged husbands new girlfriend, deputies say

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The victim said he went on Facebook Marketplace and discovered some of his toy memorabilia being sold by his neighbor, Corey Savage. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement took fingerprints and identified Savage, 40, as the suspect on Jan. 1.

In February, a buyer of some of the stolen items told police he was unaware the items were stolen, but once he found out, he contacted the victim to let him know. The buyer identified the suspect as Savage via his Facebook profile, the affidavit said.

On April 3, the police agency obtained a warrant for Savages Facebook profile, collecting the posts of the stolen memorabilia and his many conversations about selling the toys.

Investigation underway in deadly Spring Hill vehicle vs. house crash: FHP

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A video was also recovered, showing Savage in the victims bedroom where he took the items from, police said. However, according to the affidavit, Savage claimed to have found the toys in the trash.

Savage was arrested for burglary of an unoccupied structure, grand theft of more than $10,000 but less than $20,000, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and dealing in stolen property, Port Richey police said.

WFLA.com has reached out to the Port Richey Police Department for additional information.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Police say a man came to the police station to turn himself in, did not have a warrant out for his arrest, then stole a police truck.

According to the Schuylkill Haven Borough Police Department, Richard Weiss, 49, of Schuylkill Haven, came to the station around 2:20 a.m. Monday morning to turn himself in on a warrant.

Police say there was not a warrant for his arrest, and Weiss was advised to go home.

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Search for missing ATV riders finds two women dead

Later in the morning around 3:40 a.m., the officer on duty was told by county dispatch to check if all the trucks were in the parking lot, and one was missing, according to the affidavit.

Police say the truck was idling with the spare key in the ignition, and the regular key was with the officer on duty.

According to court records, the officer checked the security cameras which showed Weiss entering the vehicle and driving it out of the parking lot.

A be on the lookout (BOLO) was issued for the missing police vehicle.

Around 3:30 a.m., police were contacted by the Bern Township Police Department in Leesport, Berks County, where Weiss allegedly entered a store and told the manager he was an off duty police officer. Weiss left the store before police were able to arrive, according to the affidavit.

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Around 6:00 a.m., they were contacted by Philadelphia Police who told them the Wilmington Amtrak Police Department in Delaware had Weiss and the police vehicle in their custody.

Police also noted that a Benelli semi-automatic shotgun was in the vehicle but it appeared it hadnt been tampered with.

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A man from New Mexico who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a church and preschool while dozens of children were inside has been sentenced to more than four years in prison.

Jonathan Barajas Nava, 37, of Albuquerque pleaded guilty in January to one count of damage to religious property, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

On April 24, 2024, Nava filled a gas can at a Yucaipa gas station and then drove to Retreat Church and Yucaipa Christian Preschool and poured the flammable liquid on the churchs front door.

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He then ignited the gasoline which sparked a blaze that damaged the churchs interior carpet, the door frame seal, and an outdoor mat, all while 48 preschoolers and 14 staff members were inside.

A Yucaipa church that was set on fire on April 24, 2024, is seen in these images provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

A Yucaipa church that was set on fire on April 24, 2024, is seen in these images provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Nava then traveled to a nearby strip mall and set fire to an exterior wall. That fire went out without causing any significant damaged.

He was arrested by authorities later that day, and he was eventually charged federally.

In January, he admitted to attempting to burn down the church for religious reasons.

This arson was planned and targeted, prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. [Nava] did not commit this crime in the heat of passion.

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The case was investigated by the Riverside County Sheriffs Department, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and CAL FIRE.

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Ukraine and the European Union will not return to pre-war agricultural trade conditions after the end of the autonomous trade measures (ATM), but will work out a compromise option for economic cooperation in the near future, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval has said on the air of the single national telethon.

The minister noted that his meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen was constructive and professional, based on the discussion of key problematic issues.

"The interim positive result of the negotiations of the Ukrainian delegation in Brussels last week is that there will definitely be no return to pre-war trade conditions. This will be a compromise option that will be worked out in the near future," he said. Koval added that there is now an order from the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to develop a new interaction algorithm that will take into account the interests of Ukrainian and European farmers, so that trade is predictable, its volumes are controlled, so that Ukrainian agricultural products continue to have access to the European market.

"This is not only about numbers, it is about people. It is important for us to maintain the stability of rural areas. So that Ukrainian farmers in the Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions have access to the European market, because this is a premium market," the minister emphasized.

Koval said 52% of Ukrainian agricultural exports go to European markets. These products, according to him, are of high quality and have means of production from the EU in their cost structure. Therefore, Ukraine has the right to supply already grown products to the EU.

"Today, the main task of the country's government is to prove once again that Ukraine is a partner with which the European Union can become even stronger. We are not a threat to the agricultural policy of European countries. We are part of a complementary economy, and our farmers are the basis of the economic strength of the agricultural European Union," the minister said.
The man charged with setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros residence has been denied bail over concerns for the safety of the suspect and the Harrisburg community.

During an arraignment hearing Monday, Magistrate District Judge Dale Klein recommended that Cody Balmer remain in jail for the time being.

Balmer, 38, faces charges of attempted homicide, aggravated arson, terrorism and other crimes after police say he climbed over a fence, broke into the governors mansion in the early hours of Sunday morning and set the fire with a homemade Molotov cocktail he fashioned from lawnmower gasoline and beer bottles.

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Balmer did not enter a plea on Monday. His attorney, Colton Whitener, told CNN prior to the hearing, We are declining any comments regarding the allegations against Mr. Balmer until more information is learned.

The Harrisburg native turned himself in to police, authorities have said. A preliminary hearing in Balmers case is set for April 23.

Shapiro, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs and another family were forced to evacuate the state-owned Harrisburg residence, which was significantly damaged by the fire, hours after the family hosted a Passover dinner, the governor said. No injuries were reported.

Balmer has admitted to harboring hatred for Shapiro, and said he would have beaten the governor with a hammer if they had encountered one another and knew it was possible the governor was home at the time, he said, and that people could have been hurt, court records allege.

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Authorities are still working to identify a motive and are looking into whether Balmer was motivated by antisemitism, according to Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo.

I cant speak to it directly because its not of record, Chardo told CNN on Monday. Were looking at the possibility that it was geared towards the governors religion and his views on Israel.

A source familiar with the investigation said there was not yet an indication antisemitism was a factor in the incident, but said the investigation into Balmer and his motives remained ongoing.

Investigators believe mental health issues may be a factor, according to a source familiar with the investigation. Officials were struck by how casual and relaxed the suspect was throughout the ordeal, the source said.

Cody Balmer is escorted from court after his arraignment hearing on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. - Mingson Lau/AP

Balmers mother, Christie Balmer, told CBS News her son was mentally ill, went off his meds and this is what happened. The suspects mother said she reached out to multiple police departments last week, in an effort to get him picked up, but she couldnt get anybody to help.

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When asked whether he had a history of mental illness, Balmer told judge Klein, thats the rumor but no. Balmer also denied abusing drugs or alcohol. When asked about medication, he said, medication that led me to different types of behavior, he mumbled.

For the past year, Balmer lived at his parents house and worked as a welder at a local body shop, he said during the hearing.

The case is seemingly the latest instance of violence or threats against an American elected official. A prominent Democrat, the 51-year-old Shapiro was one of several candidates considered for former Vice President Kamala Harris running mate during her 2024 presidential bid. He has also been floated as a potential presidential candidate for 2028.

A surge in violent threats against politicians in recent years has included a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, in 2023 and two assassination attempts against President Donald Trump, a Republican, last year.

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This type of violence is not OK, Shapiro said at a news conference Sunday, his voice rising. We have to be better than this.

Heres what we know about the fire at Shapiros home and the response by officials:

Family woken by pounding on the door

It took Balmer about an hour to walk from his Harrisburg home to the governors residence early Sunday, he told police in an interview outlined in Mondays affidavit.

When he arrived, Balmer hopped the fence surrounding the residence, broke two windows with a hammer, threw an incendiary device through one of the broken windows  starting a fire  and climbed in through the other to enter the home, according to the affidavit, which cited footage captured by security cameras. Inside, Balmer threw a second incendiary device, causing more flames, the affidavit said.

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Balmer then kicked a dining room door down and fled the scene, according to the affidavit.

Balmer was inside the governors residence for less than one minute, and actively evaded troopers who were searching for him at the same time, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said.

He clearly had a plan, Bivens said. He was very methodical in his approach.

The suspect was on the property for several minutes before the fires began, according to the source familiar with the investigation. A member of the governors security team was seen on closed-circuit footage walking not far from him, the source said, but its unclear whether the security officer was responding to a motion sensor or on a routine patrol of the compound.

Cody Balmer. - Dauphin County District Attorney's Office

A caller to emergency services reported a large fire on the first floor of the governors residence, adding they could see fire out the windows, according to audio from the Dauphin County Fire and EMS scanner obtained by CNN.

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Shapiro and his family woke up around 2 a.m. Sunday to loud bangs on the door from one of the state troopers assigned to their detail alerting them to the flames, Shapiro told reporters.

Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded around 2 a.m. and extinguished the flames, according to state police.

A security review is now underway to determine how we can ensure that we dont have a repeat situation like this, Bivens said.

Prior to the incident, the Pennsylvania Capitol Police alerted the governors security detail, which patrols the residence and its grounds, of a possible breach of the fence next to a utility pole on the Geiger Street side of the compound, a law enforcement source told CNN Monday.

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The state police security detail then sent officers onto the grounds to investigate whether someone was inside the perimeter, according to the source.

At that point, a fire was discovered, and the priority shifted to getting the governor, his family and guests out of the residence, the law enforcement source said.

Shapiro has praised law enforcement for its response. Despite that, the incident is seen by many within the Pennsylvania State Police as a failure, and some personnel could face discipline, according to the source familiar with the investigation.

The governors residence has 24/7 security, even when Shapiro is not home, the source said. The property also has numerous security cameras equipped with motion sensor technology that are supposed to be monitored. There have been numerous past instances where the motion sensors were tripped by squirrels and cats, the source said.

The windows and door are damaged after an overnight fire at the governors official residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. - Marc Levy/AP

Suspect turned himself in, authorities say

After Balmer fled the scene, a woman who identified herself as his ex-partner called police to say Balmer had confessed he started the fire, according to the affidavit.

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Balmer then turned himself in to police headquarters, authorities said. Balmer told police he removed gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into beer bottles to make Molotov cocktails, which he threw into the governors home, the affid avit said.

In his interview with police, Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Shapiro, the affidavit said, without elaborating on reasons for those feelings. Balmer also said he knew it was possible Shapiro and others were home when the fire started, the document said.

Balmer was asked specifically what he would have done if Governor Shapiro found him inside of his residence, to which (Balmer) advised he would have beaten him with his hammer, the affidavit reads.

Balmer had expressed disdain for former President Joe Biden, also a Democrat, on social media multiple times since 2021. In one post that January, Balmer wrote in part, Biden supporters shouldnt exist. Where were you his first run? Well aware of the trash he is.

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In September 2021, Balmer posted a meme critical of the Biden administrations handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The meme shows Biden in a car with text that reads, Get in, loser. Were leaving Afghanistan. The next image shows Biden appearing to drive off, with text that says, *Drives off without you*.

Balmer was previously charged on suspicion of assaulting members of his family two years ago after attempting suicide, court records show.

He was arrested and charged with three misdemeanor counts of simple assault in the 2023 case. Available court documents do not indicate whether Balmer entered a plea. The case is pending, and Balmer had a court date for the case scheduled for Wednesday, an administrator with the clerk of Dauphin County told CNN.

Attorney Colton Whitener is also representing Balmer in the 2023 and did not respond to CNNs request for charges regarding the simple assault charges.

In another case, Balmer pleaded guilty in 2016 to forgery and theft by deception charges, court documents show.

Balmer could also face federal charges in Sundays incident, the Dauphin County district attorney said. The FBIs Philadelphia field office is assisting state police in its investigation, the agency told CNN in an email.

This photo released by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania shows damage to the Pennsylvania governor's residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after a fire on Sunday. - Commonwealth Media Services

Fire left historic governors residence significantly damaged

The fire caused significant fire damage to the residences piano room and the dining room, the affidavit said.

Walls and ceilings are torched, with floors covered in ash and furniture destroyed, photos show. There are remnants of the Passover dinner the governor hosted Saturday  including a Passover Crafts sign.

The Pennsylvania governors residence is a 29,000 square foot Georgian-style building on the Susquehanna River, which has been home to eight governors and their families since it was completed in 1968, according to the Pennsylvania government.

The residences first floor houses both temporary and permanent art exhibits.

Shapiro says he refuses to be deterred

In an emotional news conference Sunday, Shapiro said the fire was an attack not just on his family but on the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He expressed gratitude for the messages of support and prayers he and his family have received, including from numerous politicians. Vice President JD Vance, a Republican, called the attack really disgusting violence, and US Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, described it as truly appalling.

I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness we are choosing to see light, Shapiro said, choking up.

Still, Shapiro said he will not be deterred by the alleged attack. If this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was, he said.

The governor also highlighted his pride in his Jewish faith.

If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: we celebrated our faith last night, proudly and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover, he said.

No one will deter me or my family, or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly.

CNNs Ali Main, Zoe Sottile, Josh Campbell, Sara Smart and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report.

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DUPLIN COUNY, N.C. (WNCT)  A man in Duplin County was arrested on charges of assault with a firearm and kidnapping his ex-girlfriend.

On Saturday, Apr. 12, 2025, at around 9 a.m., officials with the Duplin County Sheriffs Office were sent to do a welfare check on a female. Upon arrival at Brown Terrace Circle near Rose Hill, N.C., deputies located an adult female and an adult male sitting in a car arguing.

The female had multiple injuries including a laceration to her face, and a handgun was located in the floorboard of the car with blood on it. Upon investigation, the male was an ex-boyfriend that had broken into the females house and assaulted her with a firearm, stole items from her, and kidnapped her.

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After investigation, Gregory Scott Thomas was arrested and taken to the Duplin County Magistrates Office.

Thomas was charged with:

Felony Possession of Firearm by a Felon.

Felony Breaking or Entering.

Felony Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.

Felony Second Degree Kidnapping.

Misdemeanor Domestic Criminal Trespass.

Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Misdemeanor Assault on a Female.

Misdemeanor Interfere with Emergency Communications.

Misdemeanor Assault by Pointing a Gun.

Thomas was placed in the custody at the Duplin County Jail under no bond due to the seriousness of the charges.

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A 43-year-old man had his bail revoked when he was returned to Massachusetts to face domestic violence charges after being arrested in Georgia, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruzs office said.

The man, James Adams, is charged with assault and battery on a household member, strangulation or suffocation and malicious destruction of property over $1,200 in connection with an incident in November 2018. But, prosecutors say, Adams removed a court-ordered GPS monitor in February 2019 and fled Massachusetts to avoid prosecution.

Adams whereabouts were not known until last month, when he had an interaction with law enforcement in Bibb County, Georgia, on March 11, Cruzs office said in a statement. Law enforcement there arrested Adams and held him on the warrant issued in Plymouth County.

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Last week, Adams appeared before a Plymouth District Court judge, where his bail was revoked.

Violent crimes are prosecuted aggressively in Plymouth County, Cruz said in the statement. Whether it was 6 minutes ago or 6 years ago, the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office and our partners ... will work tirelessly to bring those that commit these crimes to justice.

Adams is next set to appear in court on April 22.

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A 38-year-old man is in custody over suspected arson at the Pennsylvania governors residence, with authorities investigating crimes including terrorism and attempted homicide, officials said Sunday.

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said Sunday during a press conference that 38-year-old Cody Balmer had been arrested over the fire, which Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said woke up his family at 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

The fire did significant damage to a portion of the house.

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Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo also said during the press conference that charges against Balmer will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person.

These are all very serious charges, as with any charges, the defendant is presumed innocent, Chardo added. We will file those charges within the next several hours

Shapiro also spoke during the press conference, saying if this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania.

Shapiro said in a previous post on the social platform X that earlier in the day, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governors Residence in Harrisburg.

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The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police. Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished, the governor added.

Others added their voices to a chorus of condemnation Sunday, including Debra Todd, chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

My colleagues and I share the disbelief and outrage felt by all Pennsylvanians following the heinous attack on Governor Shapiros family at his residence last evening, she said on behalf of the court.

Acts of violence targeting our communities, neighbors, first responders and public officials are a stark reminder of the need for us to come together to reject hate and stand in solidarity and support for the institutions that unite us as Pennsylvanians.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) also issued a statement.

My thoughts and prayers are with Governor Josh Shapiro and his family following the horrific arson attack on their residence, he said.

Political violence of any kind is never acceptable and it is especially unconscionable to attack a Jewish family during the first night of Passover. Everyone responsible must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Attorney General Pam Bondi applauded the arrest in a post on X Sunday evening.

I am deeply relieved that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe, thankful for the first responders who arrived on the scene, and applaud the police work that resulted in an arrest just hours ago, she wrote.

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Updated: 9:01 p.m.

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Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor's Residence.

Police have arrested a Harrisburg man in connection with what they call a targeted attack that caused a fire that heavily damaged the Pennsylvania governors residence early Sunday morning as Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside.

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Chris Paris identified the 38-year-old as Cody Balmer. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said Sunday afternoon that his office was preparing to file charges against Balmer of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person.

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State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer evaded police after entering the residence grounds and setting the fire with homemade incendiary devices. He was arrested Sunday afternoon shortly before the scheduled 4:30 p.m. news conference, police said.

He clearly had a plan. He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry, Biven said When I said that he was in the residence, he was inside for less than a minute. It all happened very quickly and he was back out.

Shapiro announced on social media early Sunday that he and his family had been awakened around 2 a.m. a member of his security detail and directed to evacuate the residence.

Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governors Residence.

In a news conference outside the residence Sunday afternoon, Shapiro appeared briefly overcome with emotion as he spoke about the experience and thanked state police, Harrisburg firefighters and other first responders. The smell of fire lingered in the air around the home, which overlooks the Susquehanna River on Front Street in downtown Harrisburg.

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Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that weve received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States, he said. I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light. We appreciate the light that you have shined upon us.

His tone turned to anger as he addressed what he described as a targeted attack on himself and his family.

We dont know the persons specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not okay, Shapiro said. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society, and I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another, it is not okay, and it has to stop.

Governor Josh Shapiro holds a press conference outside the governors residence on April13, 2025, after a fire led to the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family. It is being investigated as arson. (Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Second, if this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania, Shapiro said.

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He also addressed the possibility that the attack was motivated by his Jewish faith. The fire happened after Shapiro celebrated the first night of Passover at the residence and Shapiro was set to host Seder again Sunday night, he said. Tables with gold and white tablecloths set for the meal could be seen through broken windows in the home.

No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly, Shapiro said.

Large and complex crime scene

The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was instrumental in preventing loss of life, Paris said, noting that the fire is under investigation by a major case team from the state police, Harrisburg police, Capitol police and the FBI. Paris said he has received offers of assistance from federal law enforcement officials including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Investigators are still working to piece together the sequence of events around the fire, but it is being treated as an arson case. While Balmer is expected to be charged with aggravated arson, attempted murder and terrorism, Paris said he does not anticipate conspiracy charges, which indicates investigators believe he acted alone.

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I feel very confident in telling you that it occurred over an extremely brief period of time, several minutes, and the quick action of those troopers last night immediately shifted to the safety of the governor and his family and his extended family, Paris said. Shapiro later declined to say which family members were staying at the governors residence Saturday night.

Outside the governors residence, a section of the perimeter fence had been temporarily repaired with a panel of chainlink fencing. Paris said the breach is where Balmer is suspected to have entered the grounds.

State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer evaded state police who detected the breach and were searching for him.

While they were searching, he attacked the residence  broke in and set the fires. So that was all playing out over a period of several minutes, Bivens said, adding that Balmer used homemade incendiary devices, but declined to elaborate. A review of security measures at the residence is underway, he said

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We look at all aspects, personnel, technical, surveillance equipment, security equipment, all of that will be reviewed, and we will do our best to ensure that the governor and his family are safe in this residence, Bivens said.

Bivens said the investigation is ongoing with searches being conducted throughout the day. A decision will be made whether additional federal charges are warranted, Bivens said.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Tim Lambert for questions: info@penncapital-star.com.
Sanford police are on the lookout for a man who broke into a popular pizzeria near Sanford Middle School.

Detectives reported that the break-in occurred at Hungry Howies on US-17 early last month.

They reported that a man forced open the front door and stole the entire cash register on foot.

Police reported that the man is captured on video wearing a hoodie with a reversible jacket that he flips around.

Anyone who knows him should call Sanford police.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A man accused of stealing over $32 million in tax refunds is facing charges.

Christopher Dowtin, 48, of Georgia, is accused of changing two business accounts to his name and address.

He is also accused of pocketing millions of dollars in tax refunds, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Ohio (SDOH) spokesperson.

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The IRS reportedly processed eight Change of Address or Responsible party-business forms in Dec. 2024 for two companies. When the requests were completed, Dowtin received two tax refund checks for those companies, one for over $32 million and another for over $26,000, SODH said.

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Investigators say Dowtin traveled to Ohio and took the checks to a Morgan Stanley Office in Beavercreek where he attempted to negotiate the funds into a brokerage account in a trust in his name, SODH stated.

The financial advisor verified that the checks were valid U.S. Treasury checks, according to the Department of Justice.

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The affidavit details that Dowtin told the Morgan Stanley financial advisor that the two companies were paying him for illegally using his personhood. He said the payments owed to him had been transferred to him from the IRS. The financial advisor verified that the checks were valid U.S. Treasury checks, said SODH.

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Morgan Stanley contacted the Secret Service and IRS regarding both the suspicious nature of the checks and Dowtins supporting paperwork.

Law enforcement seized the checks, according to SODH.

Dowtin is charged with wire fraud and theft of public money.

Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

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Over 1,560 applications registered for participation in third group of REDpreneurUA program

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

Over 1,560 applications registered for participation in the third group of the REDpreneurUA program.

"The third cohort is designed to support micro and small businesses that are already operating, but need an additional boost to adapt, scale and strengthen resilience in war conditions. This time we are cooperating with School of ME  a school of conscious entrepreneurship that unites a community of active like-minded people," the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) reported on Facebook on Monday.

Program participants will receive comprehensive support: an educational program together with the School of ME, inspirational sessions to develop entrepreneurial thinking, mentoring support during and after training, workshops and master classes from leading experts, networking and new opportunities for partnerships, acceleration to strengthen financial sustainability and growth.

The best businesses will receive grants of EUR7,000 each to develop their business.

The REDpreneurUA program is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in partnership with the Austrian Red Cross and with the support of the Austrian Neighbor in Need foundation.
(KRON)  A man who died in 2022 has been identified as a suspect in a brutal unsolved homicide from 1997, the San Jose Police Department said Monday. It was on July 6, 1997 when SJPD responded to a call for an unconscious man found outside a residence on Boynton Avenue.

The victim was identified as Karen Gevorkov. According to police, Gevorkov had been brutally attacked and died from blunt force trauma.

Police initially said Gevorkov was 34 at the time he was killed. However, SJPD later clarified that he was 28.

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An initial investigation revealed that the victim was last seen alive the prior evening walking with a friend down Starbird Park. The friend, who survived, told police they were approached by three men who attacked them with a bat.

Decapitated animals found on Fremont park bench

The witness was unable to identify the suspects. However, interviews with area residents led investigators to Victor Lamont Ferguson, who was identified as a person of interest.

With the development of advanced DNA testing, investigators were able to match Fergusons DNA to the victims clothing in 2024. This, police said, provided conclusive evidence of his involvement in the crime.

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In 2016, a former inmate had also contacted police, providing information that implicated Ferguson in the killing. Despite this, he was never formally interviewed in the investigation.

Following the incident, Ferguson moved to Kansas and was never held accountable for Gevorkovs killing. According to Kansas death records, Ferguson died in 2022.

While justice may be delayed, the victim is never forgotten, stated Chief of Police Paul Joseph. This breakthrough, made possible through advances in DNA technology, underscores our unwavering commitment to seeking the truth, no matter how many years pass. Though the suspect is no longer here to face accountability, we hope this new evidence provides much-needed closure to Karen Gevorkovs family, and serves as a reminder that we will never stop pursuing justice for those weve lost.

The decades-long investigation into Gevorkovs killing is now closed, police said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Update:

KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Officials with the Kane County Sheriffs Office provided additional details about the man who was found dead at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park on Monday.

Neal Mower, 67, was found dead in the park on April 14 after he purchased a single-day pass on April 10. Officials searched his vehicle and trailer and didnt find anything out of the ordinary, according to the sheriffs office.

Officials spoke to relatives and others close to Mower while attempting to find him. His cell phone data was also tracked, which led search crews to the park.

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Mower was found by a helicopter crew nearly two miles away from his vehicle on Monday. Mowers body was transported to the Utah State Medical Examiners Office in Salt Lake, where officials will investigate the cause of his death.

Kane County Sheriffs Office and Sheriff Glover offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mower, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office also expressed its gratitude to other agencies that assisted in the search for Mower.

Original story:

KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A man was found dead at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Kane County on Monday after a search lasting several days, according to the Kane County Sheriffs Office.

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Neal Mower, 68, was found deceased at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, located in Kane County, at around noon on Monday, April 14, according to Lt. Alan Alldredge, Kane County Sheriffs Office.

A search and rescue helicopter located Mower close to his vehicle.

More details are forthcoming.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Latest headlines:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police are investigating a suspicious death as a homicide after a man was found dead near railroad tracks in the central Las Vegas valley.

According to police, on April 13, at around 7:45 a.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the railroad tracks in the 1500 block of A Street, near West Owens Avenue.

Arriving officers found a deceased man who had apparent burns.

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Due to the suspicious nature of his death, homicide detectives responded and took over the investigation.

The identification of the victim, as well as the cause and manner of death, can be obtained

through the Clark County Coroners Office.

Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide

Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain

anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the Crime Stoppers website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A man who had his car stolen from him in broad daylight by an armed carjacker last week, found his vehicle dumped less than a mile from where it was taken.

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Officers are looking for the suspect theyve identified as a white or light-skinned male in his 20s or 30s with curly brown hair and a thin build. He was seen on doorbell camera footage wearing a pink sweatshirt and black pants at the time of incident.

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RELATED: Do you know him? Police search for suspect in Miami Township carjacking

The suspect had a black semi-automatic gun on him at the time of the crime, according to Miami Township Sergeant Ray Swallen.

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The car owner was sitting in his car Friday morning making phone calls for work when the suspect opened the door and told him to get out, according to his wife, Baylea Flowers.

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He heard the gun click back, Flowers said.

Following the carjackers orders, Flowers husband got out of the car and the thief took off in it. He called the police and then called Flowers to tell her what happened.

I was freaked out, I wasnt home, and neither were my kids. We were worried. My first thing was Oh my gosh. What if my kids were in the back seat of the car? Flowers said.

The stolen vehicle was taken from the area of Eastbrook Drive.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, Flowers husband drove around the area during his lunch break in search of his car. He found it near the apartment complex at Sagebrook Drive, less than a mile away from where the car was stolen.

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Officers believe the suspect may have left the Sagebrook area in a blue Chevy Cruze.

This type of violence happening in broad daylight is rare, according to Swallen.

We dont normally see crimes of violence in mid-day, in broad daylight, I cant remember the last time we had actual carjacking, Swallen said.

Flowers family has lived in the area for three years and said theyve never felt this unsafe.

Weve got two small children and I dont even want them playing outside. If people are going to walk around here with guns, the last thing I want to do is let my kid play at the park, Flowers said.

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GREAT FALLS, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man connected to two separate weekend shootings in the Great Falls area is now in custody after being captured in Charlotte, authorities confirmed.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office confirmed that Ronrico Rico Lamont Mccullough Jr., 18, was taken into custody on Saturday night, just hours after two back-to-back shootings left one person dead and two others injured.

Deputies said the incidents happened within minutes of each other  first on McClinton Road around 6:48 p.m., and then on Ridgeway Road around 7:14 p.m.

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PREVIOUS: Residents troubled by Great Falls shootings that left 1 dead, 2 hurt

According to investigators, one person was shot and injured at the McClinton Road scene and was taken to the hospital. Over on Ridgeway Road, deputies found two more victims, one was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries.

With quick coordination between local and regional law enforcement, Mccullough was identified as the suspect and tracked down across state lines. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police assisted Chester County deputies in locating and arresting him in Charlotte later that evening.

As of now, Mccullough faces at least one charge of attempted murder, but officials said more charges are expected as the investigation unfolds.

Our Office is actively going through the extradition process with North Carolina authorities in an

effort to return Mccullough to Chester County, South Carolina as quickly as possible in order to

face charges related to the multiple crimes he committed on April 12th, 2025. Chester County Sheriffs Office

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Chester County

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Deputies in Brevard County said a man was arrested for threatening employees inside a Subway sandwich shop.

Officials said Edward Cocaine and a friend went to a local Subway for lunch when the altercation occurred.

Deputies said that an argument erupted between Cocaine and the employees before he brandished a knife and threatened them.

Cocaine faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault.

Clearly this guy, Edward Cocaine, (and yes thats his real name) doesnt know that in Brevard County, if you Mess Around youre gonna Find Outthe hard way, said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey on his social media account.

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The Epicenter group of companies plans to open five new Food Market grocery stores in its shopping centers in different regions of Ukraine in 2025, Director of the Food Retail direction of the Epicenter chain Oleh Shkarovsky said.

"In general, five new Food Markets are planned to be opened in different regions of Ukraine by 2025. However, more are possible if the security and economic situation in the country is more favorable," Shkarovsky said in an interview with the Ukrainian Retailers Association.

According to him, today the chain operates 26 Food Market facilities. Last year, three such facilities were opened, and another one has already opened this year in the Epicenter shopping center in Brovary.

Shkarovsky said the company is not yet considering opening individual grocery stores outside shopping centers.

"As of now, the issue of developing the project outside the Epicenter network is not being considered. After all, we still have significant potential for development within our own shopping centers. Especially in cities with a population of more than one million: Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Lviv. However, we plan to open Food Market in small cities as well. For example, this year we plan to open a store in Obukhiv, Kyiv region," he said.

In addition, the chain plans to continue developing the grocery segment in Epicenter Express stores within the shopping center. According to Shkarovsky, the food category in these outlets sometimes reaches 50%.

The Epicenter Group of Companies is an omnichannel ecosystem that unites the Epicenter and Nova Liniya retail chains, the epicentrk.ua online store, the Epicenter-Agro agroholding, Epicenter Ceramic Corporation ceramic tile factories, the Osmoloda woodworking enterprise, and logistics facilities.

Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Epicenter chain united over 80 shopping centers in all regions of the country. The war destroyed seven shopping centers in Mariupol, Nikopol, Bucha, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Kherson (two). Three more facilities (in Melitopol, Kramatorsk and Kharkiv) are not operating due to the occupation of Ukrainian territories, shelling, or proximity to combat zones.

As of the beginning of 2025, the retailer's chain united 71 operating shopping centers in Ukraine. According to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs, the participants of Epicenter K LLC are Oleksandr Hereha (51.3%), Halyna Hereha (47.97%) and Tetiana Surzhyk (0.73%).
(FOX40.COM) A man was sentenced to 16 years in state prison on Friday for sexually assaulting a girl, according to the Sacramento District Attorneys Office.

Video Above: Violent crime statistics

Officials said the man knew the victims family, but the victim had only met the man a few times.

According to the district attorneys office, the man sexually assaulted the girl when she was visiting him and his family in December 2019. The man threatened the victim if she did not comply.

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Northern California teens lead police on 100 mph chase after brazen car burglary

In November of 2024, the man was convicted of rape by force or fear and oral copulation by force or fear. The jury also found that the man took advantage of a position of trust to assault the girl, who was in a vulnerable state, according to officials.

The investigation also revealed the man had previously admitted to drugging a woman and sexually assaulting her while she slept.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who served a federal prison sentence for phoning in a bomb threat to a courthouse is going to state prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to firing a gun in an East Side apartment.

Larese Allen, 31, received a sentence of 7 to 9 years in prison from Judge John Durkin after pleading guilty to a pair of second-degree felonies, felonious assault and improper discharge of a firearm at or into a habitation, along with a firearm specification.

Allen was arrested Oct. 4 after he was accused of firing a shot into an apartment in the 1400 block of Maplewood Court. No one was hurt.

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The shot was fired into the apartment of a woman who was arguing with Allens girlfriend.

In August 2021, Allen was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to calling in a bomb threat in June 2020 to the Youngstown Municipal Court.

Allen admitted when questioned that he called in the threat because he wanted to postpone his preliminary hearing so he could keep his visitation rights with his children.

As part of his sentence, he was placed on federal parole for three years after he was released from prison.

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(WBRE/WYOU)  A man has been sentenced after authorities say he sold a 17-year-old fentanyl laced with cocaine, resulting in their death.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, 30-year-old Federico Rosario of Scranton was sentenced to 24 years for distributing a controlled substance and drug distribution resulting in death.

In July of 2021, officials say Rosario sold small quantities of cocaine to a 17-year-old, and then in August of 2021, Rosario sold the victim .4 grams of a substance represented to be cocaine.

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What to know about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the alleged arson at his residence

30 minutes later, after taking a portion of the substance, the victim sent Rosario a message asking what was in it because it had him spinning as though he was drunk, as stated in the release.

After not receiving a response from Rosario, the victim sent a message eight seconds later. Still, Rosario never responded to or acted on the victims messages, stated Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus.

The next morning, the victim was found dead in his room.

Laboratory analysis of the drug sold to the victim showed it to be a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl. An autopsy confirmed the victim had fentanyl in his system at the time of death.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who pleaded guilty in February to leading city police on a chase was sentenced Friday to 30 months in prison.

Garrett Craig, 32, received the sentence from Judge Maureen Sweeney in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on a charge of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony.

Craig was charged after reports said police tried to pull him over May 14 at Kenmore Avenue and Hillman Street, but instead of pulling over, he drove away at speeds up to 70 miles per hour before stopping at Erie Street and West Midlothian Boulevard.

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Reports said police found cocaine and crack pipes in the car.

Two other charges were dropped in exchange for Craigs plea.

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ST. LOUIS  Homicide detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting in the citys Dutchtown neighborhood.

According to a police alert made on the social media platform X, the shooting took place around 8 p.m. in the 3500 block of Alberta Street.

Police said an adult male died.

This is a developing news story.

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Atlanta police are investigating a deadly shooting at an apartment complex in southwest Atlanta.

Officers responded to 3041 Landrum Street just after 3:30 a.m. When they arrived, they found a male shot to death inside one of the apartments.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Homicide Lt. Andrew Smith told Channel 2s Bryan Mims that four other people were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting and the victim is related to someone who lived there.

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Police have not released the victims name, but confirmed that the victim was 15 years old.

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A man was grazed in the head by a gunshot while driving in North Seattle just after 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

SPD says officers found 9mm shell casings in a parking lot near North 105th Street and Phinney Avenue North but at first did not find any victims or suspects.

A 32-year-old man later walked into Northwest Hospital saying he was shot in the head while driving in the area. SPD says his injuries were minimal and that he is in stable condition.

For any information in this case, SPD asks you to call the Violent Crimes Tip line at 206-233-5000.
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines metro man who shot at eastern Iowa police officers during a February hours-long standoff will spend 50 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Christopher Kern

Christopher Kern was accused of breaking into the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and stealing his dog back in February. Des Moines police learned that he had gone to Cedar Rapids and after police there tried to take him into custody he barricaded himself in an apartment, where officials said he fired on Cedar Rapids Police Department officers and they fired back.

Fire ravages Newtons Moose Lodge

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After a lengthy negotiation, Kern was taken into custody.

Multiple charges were dropped in the case and earlier this month Kern pleaded guilty to three charges of attempted murder of a peace officer. Kern was sentenced last week in the case. The plea deal means he must serve 100% of his 50-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Prior to the plea deal in the shooting, while still in custody in Linn County, Kern also attempted to escape when he was being led back to a vehicle following a dentist appointment. He struck a plea deal in that case as well, pleading guilty to assault on persons engaged in certain occupations. He was sentenced to 10 days in the Linn County Jail in that case.

Iowa news

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A man is facing a murder charge after stabbing his ex-girlfriend and another woman in Broward early Saturday morning, deputies say.

Shortly before 2 a.m., Vital Joseph, 56, stabbed his ex Maguy Pouye at her home on the 1800 block of Runners Way in North Lauderdale, according to the Broward Sheriffs Office. First responders transported Pouye and Isabelle Joseph, who was also found with stab wounds, to a nearby hospital.

Pouye, 52, was already dead. Isabelle Joseph, 35, remains in critical condition.

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Joseph, who used to live at the house, fled the scene, deputies say. He was arrested in Central Florida and remains in the Brevard County Jail on murder, attempted murder and burglary charges.

This report will be updated as more information becomes available
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Just before his case was set to go before a jury, a man with a previous drug trafficking conviction entered a plea deal in his most recent case.

Raymel Adams was originally scheduled for a jury trial Monday, but he entered a plea deal before his case could be heard. Adams entered a guilty plea to an amended indictment on counts of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with a specification of forfeiture, both second-degree felonies.

He was indicted last August by a Trumbull County Grand Jury on two counts of possession of cocaine and two counts of trafficking in cocaine, all first-degree felonies. Reports from the time state he was arrested after an officer recognized him from a previous search warrant execution with the Trumbull Action Group Drug Task Force.

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Court records show Adams was previously sentenced in July 2020 to five years of community control on a fifth-degree felony charge of trafficking in cocaine for an October 2018 incident. In the same case, he was later sentenced in March 2023 to six months in prison on a probation violation.

A presentencing investigation was ordered in the case.

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Negotiations on concluding an agreement on the purchase of equipment for the completion of Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant unites No. 3 and 4 in Bulgaria are still ongoing, in particular, due to the initiative of the Bulgarian side to increase the purchase price, MP Andriy Zhupanyn said, referring to the dialogue with the management of Energoatom during a business trip of members of the Verkhovna Rada Energy Committee to Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant last week.

"Regarding the issue of what is happening now. Negotiations are still underway with the Bulgarian side. The Bulgarians have not yet signed the agreement, and one of the reasons is supposedly that the Bulgarians have decided to reconsider the price. And as we were told [Energoatom representatives during a trip to Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant], the Bulgarian side is coming out with an offer of almost $700 million, although our side insists on $600 million," Zhupanyn said on his YouTube channel in the Energy Everyday Life program on April 12.

According to him, Energoatom also informed the MPs that it is asking the Bulgarian side to postpone the payment, since it does not need all the equipment at once, but needs it in parts.

As Zhupanyn summarized, the final amount of the agreement and the possibility of its postponement are still not agreed upon.

For his part, after a briefing at the Ministry of Energy on April 9, Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin, in a comment to Energoreform, noted that discussions on the terms of the purchase with the Bulgarian side are currently ongoing, including the issue of financing, equipment delivery, and other aspects.

"The Bulgarian side, in turn, is holding consultations with the government and parliament. As soon as all the details are agreed and the necessary procedures are completed, we will proceed to sign the final agreement," Kotin said.

When asked by Energoreform what the current price of the equipment purchase is, the company's CEO replied: "The Bulgarian side conducts a revaluation of this equipment every year. Their parliament has outlined an amount that cannot be less than $600 million. Our position is simple: we propose that this equipment be evaluated by an independent auditor who is among the four largest and best. This will ensure maximum transparency and objectivity."

He also said Sense Bank, with which Energoatom agreed on cooperation on March 26 in organizing financing for the purchase of equipment for the Bulgarian Belene NPP, is continuing to work on creating a banking consortium to attract other banks to provide the entire amount of financing for the purchase.

The Energoatom CEO also said that the company, for its part, is creating an association of Ukrainian enterprises that will be technically interested in the development of nuclear power units.

"This will be the infrastructure that will supply us with Ukrainian-made equipment," Kotin said.

As reported, in accordance with the Law of Ukraine On the acquisition of equipment necessary for the construction of power units No. 3 and No. 4 of the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant No.4231-IX of February 11, 2025, Energoatom is granted permission to conclude an agreement with the state-owned energy company of the Republic of Bulgaria "National Electricity Company EAD," the subject of which will be the acquisition of equipment (nuclear reactor vessels, components for them, other related equipment) necessary for the future construction of power units No. 3 and No. 4 of Khmelnytsky NPP.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  A man wanted in the shooting death of a 10-year-old child is being sought by US marshals.

10-year-old Kaden Coleman was shot in the head while sitting in the back seat of a car on February 7.

Pet food recalled after testing positive for salmonella and listeria: FDA

It happened in the 3000 block of E. 147th St. in Cleveland.

Khalif Muhammed, 32, is wanted on a charge of aggravated murder in connection to the childs death, according to a press release from the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.

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Muhammed is also wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for a parole violation.

Hes known to frequent the Cleveland area, according to a press release.

Fire damages popular Mexican restaurant Kaballos Mexican Kitchen & Bar in Middlefield

Two others have been indicted in the death of Coleman.

Jeffrey L. Grant, 34, of Cleveland, and Lanaemarshe D. Grant, 33, of Brooklyn, were charged with homicide and drug offenses in February.

Jeffrey L. Grant (left) and Lanaemarshe D. Grant (Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office)

Prosecutors said Coleman was in the back seat of a car that was backing out of a driveway when Jeffrey Grant and another man shot the vehicle several times, then fled.

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One of the bullets hit Coleman in the head.

25-year-old man shot to death in Barberton

The child died at the hospital.

If you have any information in reference to Khalif Muhammed, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED. Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Authorities have issued a criminal homicide warrant for a man accused of stabbing his wife to death Monday morning in the parking lot of an elementary school in Madison.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, officers were sent to Chadwell Elementary School at approximately 6 a.m. after a school staff member arrived and found 52-year-old Niurka Alfonso-Acevedo lying in the parking lot.

RELATED: Employee stabbed to death at Chadwell Elementary School in Madison

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Investigators said Alfonso-Acevedos estranged husbandidentified as 54-year-old Candido Raul Rubio-Perezwas waiting for her in the parking lot before the deadly stabbing occurred.

Candido Raul Rubio-Perez (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

School officials said the murder occurred prior to student arrival. Alfonso-Acevedo had reportedly been working as a custodian at Chadwell since last fall.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Anyone with information about Rubio-Perezs whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 in homicide cases.

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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  A man and woman are accused of committing sodomy in Baldwin County, according to court documents.

Saraland man accused of leaving state after unfinished work

News 5 obtained documents within the State of Alabama Unified Judicial System accusing Anthony Leon Bennett, 42, and Scharlene Michelle Prim, 35, of two counts of first-degree sodomy.

Anthony Leon Bennett, left, and Scharlene Michelle Prim, right. (Baldwin County Jail View)

Bennett was arrested on March 29, and Prim was arrested on Sunday, April 13. They both remain in the Baldwin County Jail.

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According to court documents, Bennett allegedly held the victim, who is less than 12 years old, at gunpoint while committing the crime. Prim allegedly subjected the victim to the crime.

Neil Costes contributed to this story.

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In remarks given at the American Dynamism Summit recently, Vice President Vance declared I believe ... were on the cusp of a great American industrial comeback. Comebacks arent necessary unless youve fallen behind, and Vance wasnt shy about terming the four-decade decline of American manufacturing as deindustrialization.

Americas deindustrialization wasnt just coincidence or the confluence of misguided policy and bad luck. It was also a function of Chinas deliberate, patient and ultimately effective strategy of changing the global balance of power. It shifted manufacturing from the west to Chinaincreasing Chinas industrial strength while deindustrializing the rest of the world. Since 1978, China has embarked on an ambitious and sustained industrialization program that leveraged excess labor, monetary policy, and centralized state planning. American corporations, keen to exploit lower labor costs and gain access to billions of new customers, seized upon the opportunity to outsource to China.

The centralized planners of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) incentivized the growing dependence by providing heavy subsidies to their national champions, undercutting global producers to dominate key markets. The United States, Germany and Japan have been Chinas primary targets. Chinas market distorting practices, employed in violation of international rules governed by the WTO (China joined in 2001), helped transform China into an industrial juggernaut. By 2009, it had replaced Germany as the worlds largest exporter. Their trade in manufactured goods with the United States leapt more than five-fold between 2001 and 2019.

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Chinas approach has been deliberate and strategic. The European automotive sector is a case in point. With its huge consumer market, China enticed German auto makers to set up joint ventures with local Chinese companies in order to access that market. The Chinese market has become so important that it is now the top sales market for Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes Benz, but the majority of that manufacturing capacity to make those vehicles is now in China.

As German companies offshore their factories to China, the CCP is driving capital into national champions such as BYD so that they are able to sell Chinese-manufactured cars in European markets at significantly lower costs than if they would be able to if they were not a state-funded entity. With models as low as 22,000, BYD and other producers account for 11% of EV sales in Europe and trending upward rapidly. A 2024 report by CSIS estimated the CCP dumped more than $230 billion into subsidies for its EV makers since 2009 to undercut global competitors and achieve a dominant position.

Financial success of German automakers in China has done little to protect Germanys domestic manufacturing capacity. German car manufacturers are becoming uncompetitive in German markets. Volkswagen is closing three major factories, while Mercedes plans to reduce capacity (read that as cut jobs and hours for auto workers). BMW is shifting to producing EVs and high-end models, but that may only delay inevitable collapse, particularly as cheap Chinese EVs expand penetration in the European market. Remarkably, Germany abstained from an EU vote to erect tariffs against Chinese cars, cowed as they are by its automakers' utter dependence on the Chinese market.

The CCP has run this play repeatedly to undermine global manufacturing competitors and engender dependence on their manufacturing, particularly in tech. In 2019, Huawei, the Chinese national champion in cellular communication technology, was well on its way to the commanding heights of cell infrastructure globally. Its highly subsidized products beat South Korean and Swedish competitors on price point and put them on a path to lock in Europe after having built out most of Africa for cellular in connection with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. Absent sanctions and a diplomatic effort by the United States, Samsung and Ericsson could have been left in the cold for years.

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Drone makers in the west are facing a similar fate. Having introduced a revolution in military drones, the United States has watched incredulously as China secured nearly 80% market share in smaller, civilian drones. Despite the obvious military uses for low-cost attritable drones as well as the intelligence threat posed by ubiquitous Chinese drones crisscrossing the American landscape, U.S. manufacturers have been unable to keep up with Chinas highly subsidized national champion DJI. American manufacturers simply cannot win in a head-to-head competition with a company backed by the full economic support of the Chinese government.

In addition to lost jobs and failed manufacturing businesses, we are losing the ability to make the essential equipment our country needs in both peacetime and wartime. It is no accident that China has focused on winning markets with obvious military applications such as cars, ships, and drones. American policymakers assumed that opening to China (Most Favored Nation status, WTO membership, etc.) would liberalize the Chinese government. Instead, we are now reliant in many cases on a potential adversary thats grown more confident and belligerent as its capabilities grow and others diminish.

The stakes are extremely high. Industrial strength is national strength, and the current status quo is unacceptable. To achieve a result other than the managed decline of Americas relative power  industrial, economic, and militarywe must chart another path.

Bret Boyd is CEO of Sustainment, a technology company dedicated to helping American manufacturers thrive.
April 14 (UPI) -- Mario Vargas Llosa, a prolific Peruvian novelist and essayist who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2010, died Sunday in Lima, his family said. He was 89.

Varga Llosa "passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family," according to a letter signed by his children Alvaro, Gonzalo and Morgana, and poste on X.

"His departure will sadden his relatives, his friends and his readers around the world, but we hope that they will find comfort, as we do, in the fact that he enjoyed a long, adventurous and fruitful life, and leaves behind him a body of work that will outlive him."

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No public ceremony is planned and his remains will be cremated, the family said.

Vargas Llosa, one of the most renowned authors in Spanish, wrote about male violence, societal disruption and authoritarian politics, including long periods of political repression or unrest in Peru, NPR said.

The Nobel Swedish academy in 2010 noted "his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual's resistance, revolt, and defeat."

Vargas Llosa, who unsuccessfully ran for president in Peru, said during his visit to the Noel Museum in Stockholm on May 23, 2014: "I am convinced that, for example, democratic culture, culture based on freedom, on respect of human rights, was something that was possible because we had people that were sensibilized by art, by literature, by culture in general, about the sufferance, the injustices, the inequalities, the abuses who were so extended in real life."

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"So, I think literature is pleasure but it's also a very important instrument to move forward in life."

His books included Conversation in the Cathedral in 1969, The War of the End of the World in 1981 and Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter in 1977, which was adapted for the 1990 feature film Tune in Tomorrow.

He was born in Arequipa, southern Peru, and spent his young years in Cochabamba, Bolivia, where his grandfather was the Peruvian consul. He attended a military school and the National University of San Marcos in Lima.

He was a student at the University of Madrid before moving to Paris.

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In 1952 he published his first work, a play called La guide del Inca.

He published his first novel in 1963, La ciudad y los perros, which in English is The Time of the Hero. Other novels were The Green House in 1966 and Captain Pantoja and the Special Service in 1973.

Later novels were The Feast of the Goat in 2000 and The Bad Girl in 2006.

Vargas Llosa worked as a journalist and broadcaster.

In 1990, Vargas Llosa ran for president of Peru as a classical liberal. He lost to Alberto Fujimori in a second-round landslide

He moved to Spain in 1993, becoming a Spanish citizen

Peru's President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra wrote on X: "His intellectual genius and vast body of work will remain an everlasting legacy for future generations. We express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the world of literature.

"Rest in peace, illustrious Peruvian of all time."
Mark Zuckerberg has appeared on the witness stand in a US court to defend his sprawling tech empire from an attempt by the US government to break it up.

The worlds third richest man gave evidence on the first day of a landmark competition trial in Washington that began on Monday.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has brought a lawsuit against Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, accusing the company of using anti-competitive practices to gain monopoly power in the social media market.

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In opening remarks on Monday, Daniel Matheson, representing the FTC, said: They decided that competition is too hard and it would be easier to buy out their rivals than to compete with them.

Mr Matheson, pointed to Metas $1bn (757m) acquisition of Instagram in 2012 and $19bn takeover of WhatsApp in 2014, which the FTC branded a buy or bury strategy.

Meta lawyer Mark Hansen rejected the claim, arguing that acquisitions to improve and grow an acquired firm are not unlawful in the US.

He accused the FTC of making a grab bag of arguments that were wrong and said the regulator had mistakenly excluded companies such as TikTok and YouTube when assessing the field of Metas rivals.

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This lawsuit, in summary, is misguided, Mr Hansen said, adding: Any way you look at it, consumers have been the big winners.

During early questioning on Monday, Mr Zuckerberg explained the genesis of what was then known as Facebook and said the company was created to facilitate real connections to actual friends.

However, he said the nature of online social media had changed since those early days, suggesting the company was in competition with a greater range of services.

The trial is high-stakes for Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg - Nathan Howard/Reuters

Wearing a dark suit and light blue tie on the witness stand, Mr Zuckerberg said: I think we misunderstood how social engagement online was evolving. People just kept on engaging with more and more stuff that wasnt what their friends were doing.

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The trial is high-stakes for Mr Zuckerberg, whose net worth of $192bn is tied to Meta. If the FTC wins, Meta could be forced to sell off both Instagram and WhatsApp.

Meta has said the lawsuit ignores reality by claiming that the companys only competitors are Snapchat and an app called MeWe, adding that it is confident of winning.

Jennifer Newstead, Metas chief legal officer, wrote in a blog post ahead of the trial: The evidence at trial will show what every 17-year-old in the world knows: Instagram competes with TikTok (and YouTube and X and many other apps).

More than 10 years after the FTC reviewed and cleared our acquisitions, the Commissions action in this case sends the message that no deal is ever truly final.

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Ms Newstead added: Its absurd that the FTC is trying to break up a great American company at the same time the administration is trying to save Chinese-owned TikTok.

And, it makes no sense for regulators to try and weaken US companies right at the moment we most need them to invest in winning the competition with China for leadership in AI.

The start of the trial came despite predictions that the return of Donald Trump to the White House would see the US government let up on the enforcement of competition law against tech giants.

The FTC filed its case during Donald Trumps first administration in 2020. However, the trial has taken on a new political hue following the US Presidents return to the White House.

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Mr Zuckerberg donated $1m to Mr Trump, who he described as badass following last years assassination attempt, and was given a prime seat at his inauguration.

That came just weeks after Meta announced it was scrapping third-party fact checking in a move widely interpreted as an effort to align the tech company with the Presidents politics.

The rapprochement will spark speculation that Mr Zuckerberg could seek support from the President in Metas legal battle against the FTC.

However, any such attempt would be complicated by US District Judge James Boasberg, who is presiding over the case. Judge Boasberg last week threatened to hold Trump administration officials in contempt of court over their rushed efforts to deport hundreds of people to El Salvador.

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In a court filing, Meta has argued that the FTC must prove that Meta has monopoly power in its claimed relevant market now, not at some time in the past.

This, analysts say, could also prove challenging since more competitors have emerged in the social media market in the years since the company bought WhatsApp and Instagram.

The case is expected to last two months, with Mr Zuckerberg likely to give days of evidence.

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URBANA, Md. (DC News Now)  Maryland received some help from its General Assembly last week in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

Paramedics now have a new tool to complement naloxone when tending to anyone experiencing a fentanyl overdose: Buprenorphine.

Buprenorphine helps stabilize potential seizures as an overdose victim is transported to the hospital.

Western Maryland YMCAs busiest season kicks off

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Montgomery County Delegate Joe Vogel (D-MD17) says lawmakers were unanimous in their support for making the medication available to EMTs.

For this to work, we need to create a model where, within 24 hours, someone who has experienced an overdose and has been administered Buprenorphine can get into treatment anywhere in the state, he said.

Vogel says the measure, sent to the governor for his signature last week, will provide training in the administration of the new drug.

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From April 7 to 13, power engineers of the DTEK Grids distribution system operator (DSO) managed to fully or partially restore power supply to 24 settlements and restore electricity to 75,500 households in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

"Last week, enemy attacks on energy infrastructure continued. Similarly, power engineers repeatedly restored grids and equipment damaged by shelling. In particular, in Dnipropetrovsk region, they managed to restore electricity to 58,300 households," the company said in a press release on Monday.

At the same time, in Donetsk region, which remains the region of the most active hostilities, despite all the security challenges, it was possible to restore power to 17,200 households of local residents in a week.

The company said it is becoming increasingly difficult to restore power in Donetsk region, but specialists continue to work where possible.

"Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we have restored power to 18.4 million households in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Donetsk regions and the city of Kyiv. In some settlements close to the combat zone, we have restored power dozens of times," CEO of DTEK Grids Alina Bondarenko said.

DTEK Networks is developing a business in electricity distribution and operation of power grids in the city of Kyiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Odesa regions. The company's DSOs serve 5.5 million households and 158,000 enterprises.
At the State House, a call for justice for the families of unsolved murder victims.

Bostons Louis D. Brown Peace Institute is calling for major changes in the way law enforcement handles cold case investigations.

Soon families will appeal to lawmakers with one simple message: unsolved cases deserve a second chance.

At the State House, the families of murder victims whose cases have gone unsolved, share unbearable pain.

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If I cant have my son back, at least I want it to be solved. And I dont want no one elses family to have to go through this, Relonda Ballard, mother of murder victim David Ballard said.

I lost my only child to gun violence in January 2008, at the age of 18, and his case remains unsolved to this day, 17 years later, Natasha Carrington said.

She is the mother of Boston murder victim Darrion Carrington.

Boston 25 Reporter Bob Ward profiled his case on New Englands Unsolved last September.

Natasha is pushing for passage of a new bill that would keep open the line of communication between families and law enforcement

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For those of us, like me, who never see the inside of a courtroom, or never saw your loved ones case investigated, our grief is heavy, Carrington said.

The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute is behind a bill that calls for the Attorney General, not district attorneys, to review unsolved murder cases after three years.

Alexis Smith lost her son in 2017.

We need that bill because we care about each other. There are so many people impacted by this loss that are struggling with continuing their education, their mental health isnt good, and when we get justice, it begins the healing process, Smith said.

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The bills backers point to research suggesting that homicide cases of black and brown people are more likely to grow cold, than when the murder victims are white.

They believe regular review of cold cases can make a difference for everyone.

Regardless of where you live, regardless where you are from, that your case is met with the same dignity and compassion, Pace McConkie, Policy Director for the Louis D Brown Peace Initiative, said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A North Andover man was sentenced to 63 months, or five years, in prison for possessing over 30 firearms and explosives as a convicted felon, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said.

The sentence of Daniel Medina, 65, will be followed by three years of supervised release, Foleys office said in a statement. Medina pleaded guilty in December 2024 to unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of explosive materials and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

On July 1, 2024, law enforcement learned of a reported explosion in the area of Medinas North Andover home, Foleys office said. Two vehicles were found damaged, along with a piece of mail addressed to Medina. All the debris were consistent with common items used in manufacturing homemade explosive devices, including ball bearings and shrapnel, the statement read.

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Witnesses saw Medina running from the damaged cars after the explosion, the statement read.

Investigators searched Medinas home and found more than 32 firearms, including 12 firfles, 15 pistols, three shotguns and two antique firearms, Foleys office said. Law enforcement also found 9,000 rounds of different types of ammunition manufactured outside Massachusetts, 75 magazines, various gun parts, a Glock switch device, books on how to build guns and explosives, shrapnel accessories, firework containers and containers of powders.

Some of these powders included potassium chlorate and aluminum powder, both of which were found in the explosion outside Medinas home, Foleys office said.

Because Medina was convicted of assault and battery in Lawrence District Court and sentenced to two and a half years in jail in 2002, he was prohibited from owning firearms, ammunition and explosive materials.

More local crime stories
MANCHESTER, N.H. (WWLP)  A Lowell man is facing multiple charges after being arrested on Sunday in New Hampshire while speeding over 130 miles per hour.

New Hampshire State Police said that at approximately 1:35 a.m. on Sunday, a trooper was monitoring traffic on Interstate 293 southbound in Manchester and witnessed a vehicle driving at 135mph in a 50mph zone. The car, a 2025 Cadillac CT5-V, continued speeding over 130mph when passing the State Police cruiser.

Boston man sentenced to prison for illegally trafficking machine gun conversion devices

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The vehicle took the Route 101 westbound ramp into Bedford and sped off the exit toward South River Road. State Police said that the operator then turned left on a red light onto South River Road, pulling into an alley near Woodbury Courts Plaza in Bedford.

Courtesy of New Hampshire State Police.

The New Hampshire State trooper arrested the driver, identified as 27-year-old Gregory White of Lowell, Mass. The trooper observed signs of impairment when speaking to White and it was found that he was intoxicated.

Gregory White was charged with reckless conduct, aggravated DWI (driving while intoxicated), disobeying an officer, and several additional violations. He was released on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Merrimack District Court on May 6.

Local News Headlines

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New Hampshire state troopers arrested a Massachusetts man driving 135 miles per hour in a 50 mph zone on Interstate 293 in Manchester and charged him with aggravated DWI early Sunday morning, State Police said.

Gregory White, 27, of Lowell, was observed driving a silver 2025 Cadillac CT5-V traveling at 135 mph at 1:35 a.m., according to a news release.

Trooper Jonathan Janosz arrested White at the Woodbury Courts Plaza in Bedford. Janosz pursued White as he took the Route 101 west ramp into Bedford, continued at a high rate of speed off the exit toward South River Road, drove through a red light and pulled into an alley, State Police said.

In addition to the charge of aggravated DWI, White was charged with reckless conduct, disobeying an officer and several other violations, police said. He was released and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 6 in Merrimacks district court.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  If youre interested in books and want to know which genre is the most popular amongst those in your state, a study was conducted to reveal that answer.

The software analyzing company, Cloudwards, used Google Trends data from the 12 months to find out which book genres were searched for the most, from romance to poetry. The findings were then broken down by state to help determine which specific genre captivates readers the most.

Why is Easter hardly on the same Sunday?

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Maybe not surprisingly, romance was the most popular genre in a whopping 22 states, followed by a tie with fiction and poetry, which are the top-searched literature genres in nine states. According to Cloudwards data, fantasy books ranked in six states that boast prestigious universities and thriving tech sectors.

Although Massachusetts has over 100 colleges and universities, it was not one of the states that topped the fantasy category. The state stands alone for its love of historical literature. Cloudwards says, Massachusetts readers demonstrate sophisticated literary tastes that embrace context and perspective.

They recommend the book John Adams by historian David McCullough. It tells the biography of the second U.S. president who was born in Massachusetts. In addition, Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution, written by Nathaniel Philbrick that centers on Bostons role in the conflict.

Each states top book genre, according to Google Trends data analyzed by Cloudwards, can be found below:

Top book genres by state (Cloudwards)

Alabama: Fiction

Alaska: Poetry

Arizona: Romance

Arkansas: Fiction

California: Mystery

Colorado: Romance

Connecticut: Romance

Delaware: Fiction

District of Columbia: Fiction

Florida: Romance

Georgia: Romance

Hawaii: Fiction

Idaho: Poetry

Illinois: Romance

Indiana: Romance

Iowa: Family

Kansas: Romance

Kentucky: Romance

Louisiana: Romance

Maine: Poetry

Maryland: Romance

Massachusetts: History

Michigan: Fantasy

Minnesota: Romance

Mississippi: Family

Missouri: Romance

Montana: Fiction

Nebraska: Poetry

Nevada: Romance

New Hampshire: Poetry

New Jersey: Fantasy

New Mexico: Poetry

New York: Romance

North Carolina: Fantasy

North Dakota: Romance

Ohio: Fantasy

Oklahoma: Romance

Oregon: Romance

Pennsylvania: Poetry

Rhode Island: Poetry

South Carolina: Family

South Dakota: Fiction

Tennessee: Romance

Texas: Fantasy

Utah: Romance

Vermont: Poetry

Virginia: Romance

Washington: Fantasy

West Virginia: Fiction

Wisconsin: Romance

Wyoming: Fiction

Local News Headlines

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Mayor Brandon Johnsons plan to create a revolving loan fund to spur affordable housing development has hit a new hitch as it slowly moves forward.

Last Wednesday, aldermen in the City Councils finance and housing committees held off on a vote regarding the so-called green social housing ordinance  a top focus for the mayor  amid calls for more specific language and time to hammer out details.

But a fresh holdup emerged Monday when they met again to discuss updates Johnsons administration made in response to their concerns: the opposition of a key government workers union.

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The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 raised concerns in a Sunday night email that the ordinance could privatize labor it represents by creating a nonprofit organization to administer the fund and potentially further contract out development-related work.

I want to be clear, we plan on meeting with the Mayors team as soon as possible to address this, however, if it comes to the full Council without any guardrails, we will oppose any attempt to privatize AFSCME jobs, the unions intergovernmental affairs director, Adrienne Alexander, told aldermen in the message obtained by the Tribune.

A Monday meeting between AFSCME officials and the mayors administration did not appear to resolve the unions concerns. Aldermen once again failed to take a vote on the measure and made plans to reconvene and potentially vote on it early Wednesday morning.

The ordinance would establish a nonprofit developer arm of the citys Department of Housing to offer developers low-cost loans during construction. The nonprofit would control the revolving loan fund seeded with money from the citys $1.25 billion housing and economic bond, passed last year, to help create mixed-income rental buildings built to stricter environmental standards.

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At least 30% of the units would need to be affordable, and the city would own a majority stake in the buildings, a first-of-its-kind role for Chicago. The loan repayments would be recycled back into the fund for future housing projects.

The new nonprofit would have its own board  a mix of city staffers and outside experts  and, eventually, its own executive director and staff. Administration officials told aldermen Monday that the city is offering a labor peace agreement to AFSCME, promising to not fight any efforts to organize the would-be workers.

Johnsons allies appeared hopeful that a deal could be reached in time for a Wednesday morning committee vote. The quick turnaround would tee the proposal up for final approval when the full City Council meets hours later.

We are really, really close. We want to make sure that we do this with all the feedback, the Housing Committee chair, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, told his colleagues as Mondays meeting ended.

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But aldermanic AFSCME allies said Johnsons labor peace offer was not enough to address concerns that the new nonprofit could pull away work that might otherwise be done by unionized Department of Housing workers.

It doesnt sound like its there yet, said Ald. Michael Rodriguez, 22nd, chair of the City Councils Workforce Development Committee. Sometimes a labor peace agreement is just that  neutrality  whereas specific language guaranteeing that city employment will continue to be unionized, I think, is a bit different.

Several aldermen aired their support for the unions stance during the hearing, including Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd. The downtown aldermen was one of many in the committees who called on Johnsons team to tweak the ordinance during an initial meeting last Wednesday that stretched to four hours.

The plan has potential to be a really good program, Reilly said.

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Theres no rush to approve this right now, we can come back and do this in a week, he added. But the homework is incomplete.

As qualms mounted in that first hearing, Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th, shared hope that the issues then blocking the ordinances passage could be quickly worked out.

I heard some very reasonable questions, and I hope we can get answers on this because the residents of the city of Chicago, we owe this to them, she said.

Johnsons administration offered a new version of the ordinance Monday that responded to several misgivings voiced by committee members. The updated ordinance included a reduction to the terms of the nonprofits board members, a codification of the requirement that the new nonprofit comply with public access laws and a clarification that City Council approval is required for building sales.

The tweaks were enough to move the legislation in a plus category for some concerned aldermen, Rodriguez said.

Tribune reporter Lizzie Kane contributed.
HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT)  Incumbent Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis joined CBS 42 Morning News to discuss why each are running for mayor.

Brocato, a former fire marshal and paramedic, has held the position since 2016 and is running for his third term.

During his 2025 State of the City address, Brocato placed a focus on decreasing crime, improving schools, and growing business within in the city. On Monday, Brocato emphasized the importance of revitalizing businesses in the area, including the Riverchase Galleria.

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Alabama-born actor Michael Rooker stars as villain in final season of The Righteous Gemstones

Brocato also spoke about the creation of Riverwalk Village, a 90-acre mixed-use community that will be located in Riverchase as a key source for business and economic growth.

Police Chief Derzis, who has served as chief since 2005, announced he was running for mayor back in March.

Hoover needs leadership that innovates, not stagnates, Derzis said during his announcement. Leadership that listens, not manipulates; leadership that plans, not reacts.

When asked why he decided to run for mayor, Derzis said Brocato actually approached him to run last year.

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Well, the mayor is the one that brought it to my attention last year. Called me to his office one day to have a conversation and he said You know, have you ever thought about running for mayor? I may not run, and you ought to consider it.'

While Brocato ultimately decided to run for a third term, Derzis said he felt that after nine years it was time for a change in leadership. Derzis cited communication issues between the city council and mayors office and business stagnation as areas he would look to improve on.

With a population of over 92,000 people, Hoover is one of the largest cities in Alabama and was recently named one of the top 25 places in the Southeast to live by Livability.com.

Hoovers municipal election will be held Aug. 26.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Concertgoers traveling to Gillette Stadium this summer wont have to bear the drive down Route 1. Instead, theyll have the option to kick their feet up and ride the rails.

The MBTA announced Monday it will operate special event commuter rail trains for several concerts at Gillette Stadium this summer.

AC/DC Power Up Tour (May 4) *

Service from Boston and Providence

Kendrick Lamar Grand National Tour (May 12)

Service only from Boston

Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour (May 31) *

Service from Boston and Providence

The Weeknd After Hours Til Dawn Tour (June 10 & June 11)

Service only from Boston

George Strait Stadium Tour (June 21) *

Service from Boston and Providence

Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour (July 15 & July 16)

Service only from Boston

Morgan Wallen Im The Problem Tour (Aug. 22 & Aug. 23 * )

Service from Boston and Providence



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The Boston event trains will depart from South Station and make stops at Back Bay and Dedham Corporate Center before arriving at the Foxboro Station. The Providence trains will depart from Providence Station and make stops in Attleboro and Mansfield at Foxboro Station.

Train tickets will go on sale two weeks before each show. Tickets will be sold separately. Regular Commuter Rail tickets will not be accepted.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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In 2024, the Dairy Alliance Group of Companies, one of the leaders in milk processing in Ukraine, supplied its products to 27 countries worldwide, although in the prewar period, the geography of exports included 38 countries, Chairman of the supervisory board of the Group Serhiy Vovchenko said.

"Last year, we exported products for only about UAH 1 billion. This is very little. Despite the fact that we received about UAH 8.6 billion in revenue," he said at the Business Wisdom Summit 2025 on Friday.

Vovchenko said that a food processing enterprise, in order to be competitive, needs to clearly monitor three points: innovation, quality and price.

Speaking about Milk Alliance, he expressed confidence that there are no problems with the innovativeness and quality of its products. However, its cost is currently higher than in many European countries, where producers receive subsidies from the European budget. This makes Ukrainian dairy products uncompetitive in the international arena.

"The cost of raw materials in our dairy processing industry takes up 68-70% [of the entire cost price]. The state, business, associations need to work to ensure that we are competitive in the third component, in price. And then we will be known, much more widely and in demand, and the currency will come to the state. What is UAH 1 billion? It's nothing at all. We used to sell much more, we sold three times more for export. And now, unfortunately," the chairman of the supervisory board of the Milk Alliance Group said.

Vovchenko also said after a series of trips to international congresses, he was convinced of the uncompetitiveness of Ukrainian dairy products on the European market and the biased attitude towards Ukrainian producers on the part of European colleagues. In his opinion, state protectionism can solve this problem.

"The agreement on duty-free trade will end on June 5. And this is a very serious challenge for us. If it is not extended, we will lose. If a duty is added, we will not be competitive at all on the European market," he said and added that the way out of the situation is to increase exports to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
Gov. Bill Lee in McNairy County to survey storm damage and meet with survivors following severe weather and flooding that swept through the state overnight April 2. (Photo Office of Gov. Bill Lee):

The tornado that tore through McNairy County in West Tennessee early this month caused an estimated $30.3 million in damage, according to the countys emergency management agency.

An EF-3 tornado with a 43-mile storm track swept through the county early April 3, killing five people. Wind speeds reached up to 160 miles per hour.

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The storm hit Selmer, the countys largest city and county seat, home to about 4,500 people. Those killed include three Selmer residents on New Bethel Road, one McNairy County resident on New Bethel Road and one McNairy County resident on Friendship Road, according to the Selmer Police Department.

Residents and business owners bore the brunt of property damage, with preliminary assessments totaling $27.6 million, the McNairy County Emergency Management Agency reported Friday.

Flooding caused by the storm system also damaged roads across the county. The local government response and the cost of damage to public property, roads, utilities, and government facilities totals around $2.7 million.

Of the 332 structures impacted by the storm, 108 were destroyed and 70 sustained major damage, McNairy County EMA reported on April 5.

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The preliminary damage assessments will be sent to FEMA, the first step in determining whether McNairy County is eligible for federal assistance with disaster recovery. The Small Business Administration also assessed the damage to determine if the county is eligible for low-interest disaster loans.

A disaster declaration is needed for the county to receive federal aid.

Damage assessments are ongoing.

Tennessee has been under a federal Emergency Declaration since April 2, as severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding slammed West and Middle Tennessee.

Under the declaration, FEMA can provide equipment and resources to support emergency response, and direct federal assistance under the public assistance program will be provided at 75% federal funding, according to the agency.

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In early April 2025, amid rumors that U.S. President Donald Trump was planning a large military parade for the U.S. Army's anniversary, claims circulated online that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency was shutting down Meals on Wheels, a public-private partnership that provides health and nutrition services to older Americans, including home-delivered meals.

(Facebook user Pamela Hollar)

One Facebook user posted a screenshot of a news article about rumors of a military parade with the caption: "Meanwhile, they've cut Meals on Wheels and children's cancer research funding."

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Claims about Meals on Wheels facing funding cuts also circulated on X (archived), Bluesky (archived) and Reddit (archived). Snopes readers also emailed us about the claim.

It was not clear whether Musk or anyone else ordered a shutdown of Meals on Wheels. The claims likely originated from an announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services on March 27, 2025, that it would restructure and "streamline" several bodies, including the Administration for Community Living  which historically administered federal funding to Meals on Wheels.

Snopes has reached out to HHS to clarify its plans for federal funding for Meals on Wheels following the March 27 announcement and we await a reply. We also reached out to DOGE, of which Musk is the public face, to ask whether the billionaire or the department ordered a shutdown of the program. We will update this article if we receive a response.

We also reached out to the bodies that HHS said would "integrate" the functions of the ACL  the Administration for Children and Families, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services  for any information they could provide about the future of Meals on Wheels' federal funding. The ACL and CMS referred us to HHS.

No indication of how HHS restructure affects Meals on Wheels

Some social media users connected the claims of funding cuts to DOGE or Musk. The connection likely came from the first line of the HHS news release announcing a departmental restructuring in line with a Trump executive order, titled "Implementing The President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative."

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DOGE, which has been spearheaded by Musk, has actively promoted its role in cutting government waste and is therefore often held responsible for programs like Meals on Wheels being cut. However, without comment from Musk or DOGE, it was not possible to say whether either of them ordered any such policy. Neither had posted anything about Meals on Wheels on their X accounts as of this writing.

Regardless, the future of federal funding for the Meals on Wheels public-private partnership was uncertain at the time of this writing. Federal funding for Meals on Wheels historically came from an HHS body called the Administration for Community Living, according to a Meals on Wheels spokesperson.

The aforementioned HHS restructure included the integration of "critical programs that support older adults and people with disabilities" under the ACL into other existing HHS bodies, essentially dissolving the ACL.

Meanwhile, numerous news media outlets have reported on the uncertainty surrounding the future of programs like Meals on Wheels following HHS layoffs.

Meals on Wheels' concern for community-level funding

It was unclear from the HHS release whether "critical programs" included Meals on Wheels or what exactly would happen to the program post-restructuring.

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Jenny Young, Meals on Wheels America's chief of staff, said via email on April 2, 2025, that federal funding reached community-level Meals on Wheels organizations as follows:

The federal funding has traditionally flowed from the Administration for Community Living's Administration on Aging (all within the Department of Health & Human Services) to State Units on Aging. From there, states distribute the funding to Area Agencies on Aging before it reaches roughly 5,000 community-based senior nutrition providers in the form of reimbursements for services delivered.

Community-level Meals on Wheels organizations, rather than Meals on Wheels America, actually deliver meals. Meals on Wheels America is the national leadership organization.

The funding that flowed through the ACL prior to the HHS restructure was appropriated by Congress through the Older Americans Act, the "primary federal statute for the delivery of social and nutrition services for older persons." On March 14, 2025, Congress passed a continuing resolution to extend authorities and funding for aging services programs in the act for a full year.

Barring an act of Congress to repeal the continuing resolution, appropriated funding  $1.058 billion in fiscal year 2024 for the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program and, following the resolution, the same in 2025  must be paid out. The OAA Nutrition Program includes funding for senior congregate and home-delivered meal programs as well as the Nutrition Service Incentive Program that helps to cover food purchases. Young confirmed that community-level Meals on Wheels organizations do receive OAA funding.

Funding from the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program  the network's primary source of federal funding  covers 37% of what it takes to collectively serve more than 2 million seniors annually. The exact percentage that a local provider receives varies, as does its sources of federal funding and each state administers a unique funding formula.

Young's 37% estimate is a slight increase from figures published in 2017 that showed that local Meals on Wheels organizations relied on about 35% federal funding.

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Therefore, while Meals on Wheels had received no indication of what the HHS restructure might mean for federal funding at the time of this writing, Young said it was vital that OAA funds are allowed to flow for the program to continue:

We don't yet know where the Administration for Aging (which used to live in ACL) or the administration of the Older Americans Act will land. The significant reduction in workforce is alarming though as we know the regional offices and individuals tasked with administering funds no longer exist. Our biggest priority is that the Older Americans Act stays intact, and that there are no disruptions to the administration or flow of funding. Local Meals on Wheels providers are already operating on razer [sic] thin margins and 1 in 3 already has a waitlist for services. They cannot absorb the blow of not receiving their expected OAA reimbursements on time and in full.

Meals on Wheels said its local community partners serve 251 million meals annually to 2 million seniors across the U.S.

Sources:

Cole, Tom. H.R.1968 - Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. H.R.1968, 15 Mar. 2025, https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1968.

Colello, Kirsten J., and Angela Napili. Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding. Library of Congress, 6 May 2024, https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R43414.

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Hall, J. "Agency for older adults and people with disabilities to be shuttered under HHS cuts." MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/agency-for-older-adults-and-people-with-disabilities-to-be-shuttered-under-hhs-cuts-d0ff3bc2.

"Implementing The President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative." The White House, 11 Feb. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency-workforce-optimization-initiative/.

MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NUTRITION AND AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS RAISE ALARMS ABOUT SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF KNOWLEDGE AND POTENTIAL DISRUPTION OF SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR OLDER AMERICANS DUE TO HHS WORKFORCE REDUCTION. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/learn-more/national/press-room/news/2025/04/02/meals-on-wheels-america-and-the-national-association-of-nutrition-and-aging-services-programs-raise-alarms-about-significant-loss-of-knowledge-and-potential-disruption-of-services-and-support-for-older-americans-due-to-hhs-workforce-reduction. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Miller, Heather. 'HHS Layoffs Spark Concerns for Meals on Wheels, LIHEAP: What to Know'. FOX TV Stations, 2 Apr. 2025, https://www.livenowfox.com/news/hhs-layoffs-workers-meals-on-wheels.

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Shapiro, Joseph. 'HHS Layoffs Hit Meals on Wheels and Other Services for Seniors and Disabled'. NPR, 1 Apr. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/01/g-s1-57716/hhs-layoffs-seniors-disabled-liheap-acl.

STATEMENT CLARIFYING FEDERAL FUNDING TO MEALS ON WHEELS. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/learn-more/national/press-room/news/2017/03/16/statement-clarifying-federal-funding-to-meals-on-wheels. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). "HHS Announces Transformation to Make America Healthy Again." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 27 Mar. 2025, https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/hhs-restructuring-doge.html.

What Meals on Wheels Delivers. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/learn-more/what-we-deliver. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Wrona, Aleksandra. 'What Is DOGE? Exploring the Initiative's Creation, Legality and Purpose'. Snopes, 28 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/03/28/doge-explainer-created-legal/.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Mecklenburg County is warning property owners about a possible fraudulent letter that is demanding payment for delinquent property taxes.

The letter urges the recipient to call a phone number to prevent action.

County officials say the organization demanding payment is NOT affiliated with Mecklenburg County or the Office of the Tax Collector. Mecklenburg County says this communication is suspicious and recommends that residents exercise extreme caution when sharing personal or financial information with any organization.

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Mecklenburg County leaders consider public feedback in 2026 budget proposal

The letter may cite a legitimate property tax delinquency, which is public record. Unpaid property tax bills for 2024 were considered delinquent after Jan. 6. Those unpaid tax bills are listed at Tax.MeckNC.gov.

Mecklenburg County offers the following programs to help homeowners with their property tax bills and other economic assistance.

N.C. Property Tax Relief: Various exemptions are available for senior citizens, disabled residents, veterans, and businesses. Some programs have income requirements. Most applications must be submitted to the Mecklenburg County Assessors Office by June 1.

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HOMES: Helping Out Mecklenburgs homeowners with Economic Support is a seasonal program designed to help residents reduce the annual cost of homeownership. HOMES provides economic assistance grants to qualifying Mecklenburg County residential homeowners. The application period typically begins 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 Queen City News.
Apr. 14Editor's note: Every Sunday Josh Sweigart, editor of investigations and solutions journalism, brings you the top stories from the Dayton Daily News and major stories over the past week you may have missed. Go here to sign up to receive the Weekly Update newsletter and our Morning Briefing delivered to your inbox every morning.

Medicaid provides health care to 26% of Ohioans, according to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. With looming prospects of program changes and federal cuts, reporter Samantha Wildow talked to area residents about how the program has impacted their lives.

Here are 5 key takeaways from our reporting:

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1. State changes: About 61,000 Ohioans could lose their health insurance coverage in 2026 if the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approves Ohio's proposal for work requirements, according to estimates from the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

2. Medicaid expansion: The larger question is whether federal lawmakers and the Trump administration will curtail Medicaid expansion, which covers 770,000 Ohioans. The president and congressional leaders have said Medicaid will be protected, but experts say ambitious federal spending reduction goals are nearly impossible to meet without impacting Medicaid.  The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce has to find a way to cut the deficit by at least $880 billion over the next decade, but, excluding Medicare, Medicaid accounts for 93% of the funds that committee manages, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

3. State budget: Even a modest reduction in federal Medicaid spending could trigger the end of Medicaid expansion in Ohio under a proposal in the draft state budget that would terminate Medicaid expansion in Ohio if federal funding falls under 90% for that program. That measure was in the state budget draft passed by the Ohio House Wednesday.

4. Area residents: "My life was saved by the citizens of Ohio, and my life was saved by an appropriately compassionate structure of governance," said Karen Jeffers-Tracy, of Fairborn, who went on Medicaid after she had a heart attack.

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5. Work requirement: "If we want people to have to earn Medicaid by working, that's only going to work for healthy people," said Bailey Miller, of Middletown, who had to quit working and go on Medicaid on the long journey to diagnose and treat a rare disease.

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One of the most closely watched parts of the GOPs sprawling domestic policy bill could start coming together in less than a month.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee could meet as soon as the week of May 5 to begin marking up its portion of the party-line package central to President Donald Trumps agenda, according to nine people with granted anonymity to describe private deliberations.

The panel is tasked with making $880 billion in spending cuts from the programs under its jurisdiction  including Medicaid, the joint federal-state safety net program for health care.

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The size and shape of those cuts emerged as a major flash point for Republicans as they haggled over the budget framework for the mega bill, which is set to include tax cuts, beefed-up border security, energy policy and more. That blueprint, finalized last week, set a May 9 target for committees to finish their markups, though that is not a binding deadline.

House GOP leaders are also pushing for the Agriculture Committee  which has been ordered to cut $230 billion, likely from the countrys largest food assistance program for low-income Americans  and several other panels to hold their markups the first week of May, according to three other Republicans with direct knowledge of the matter.

Speaker Mike Johnson has said he wants committees to hammer out some details with their Senate counterparts over recess and hold markups when lawmakers return, though some House Republicans are warning that coordinating with the Senate will take more time. The timeline for the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, for instance, remains in flux.

Senior Republicans are also pressing for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to hold its markup April 30, according to a person with direct knowledge of the committees schedule. That panel has a relatively modest role in the overall bill.

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Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie told reporters last week he expects between $500 and $600 billion of the committees total spending cut target could come from health care programs, including Medicaid, with the rest coming from energy and telecommunications policies.

The Kentucky Republican has insisted those cuts would not result in people losing their current benefits, a claim that Democrats and some experts dispute.

Hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts will terminate health insurance for millions of Americans and shutter hospitals, doctors offices and nursing homes, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the ranking members of the Senate Finance and Budget Committees, respectively, wrote in an op-ed in the Portland Tribune Thursday.

Even some Republicans worry Medicaid benefits will take a hit to accommodate demands from GOP fiscal hawks. As Johnson tried to seal his agreement with conservative hard-liners over the budget framework last week, he dashed onto the House floor to reassure a half-dozen moderate Republicans that he would not take away Medicaid benefits.

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We made it very clear once again that we would not vote for anything that takes away benefits from legally eligible recipients, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said.

But Guthrie insists $170 billion alone in savings could come from making sure people receiving Medicaid benefits are actually eligible  kicking only those off the rolls who truly do not qualify. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said during a CNN town hall Thursday night that such policies could include making eligibility checks required every quarter.

More than $200 billion could come from instituting new Medicaid work requirements, according to Guthrie, along with added savings from lowering the share of federal payments for certain beneficiaries in states that have expanded Medicaid.

If the federal government lowers its share of payments, however, states could be forced to cut benefits or raise taxes.

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The House on Thursday approved the Senate-adopted budget blueprint, paving the way for a mad dash to complete the mega bill. Johnson has been pushing for the bill to be on Trumps desk by Memorial Day  an ambitious goal given the major issues across all committees that need to be resolved.

Chris Marquette contributed to this report.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  A citizens group concerned about potential Medicaid cuts is planning a week of Johnstown events to raise awareness about the wide role that the program plays in the region.

Approximately 26% of Cambria Countys residents are covered by Medicaid, as well as 166,191 people across the 13th Congressional District, which also includes a stretch of the state from Northern Cambria and Altoona to Chambersburg, and is represented by U.S. Rep. Dr. John Joyce, R-Blair.

Formed as a nonpartisan group to illustrate just how much Medicaid matters across the region, Locals for Good is planning a town hall, a panel discussion with local experts and a peaceful Central Park rally over the coming days.

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Access to health care deeply impacts our community at every level, and we have urgent concerns about the impact of Medicaid cuts on individuals and families who depend on this funding for medical care, said Ashlee Kiel, who is among the groups organizers.

Ashlee Kiel

Ashlee Kiel

Locals for Good, she said, formed to empower folks to take action to advocate for issues related to civil rights, social welfare and democracy.

Medicaids impact covers a cross-section of Pennsylvanians, with 77% of its spending on senior citizens and people with disabilities. That includes 4,201 children across the 13th District with complex needs and disabilities, the group said.

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But it also supports prenatal and post-partum care for pregnant women, low-wage workers and school-based health services, among others.

Medicaid funding also supports programs cited with helping Cambria County see historic gains in its daunting battle against drug addiction over the past several years  enabling people struggling with substance abuse to receive treatment and support.

Medicaid enables me and others like me to stay well, stay in recovery and contribute to communities, said Jason Rilogio, a former drug user who now works as a certified peer recovery specialist to help other substance abusers rebuild their lives.

Jason Rilogio

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Jason Rilogio

Locals for Good is among a growing number of organizations that mobilized over the past several months, during a time the Trump administrations planned federal spending cuts has generated panic about how Medicaid  among the governments largest budget items  could be impacted.

With certain big-ticket budget categories, such as defense and border security, set to rise under the 2025-26 budget, Medicaid spending comprises 93% of the federal spending categories being eyed for cuts, according to figures from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages on the possibility of how Medicare spending could be cut, although in his most recent interview on the topic he insisted that Americans who rely on the program shouldnt be concerned.

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Ive said it so many times that you shouldnt even be asking me that question, Trump told the media in late February. Were not going to touch it. Now, we are going to look for fraud.

Hes cited benefits received by people no longer entitled to receive benefits, and deceased recipients, among examples.

But the president and House GOP allies have also set a mandate for an $880 billion spending cut over the next 10 years  with critics warning that many of the proposals would either result in sharp cuts to the Medicaid program or enact changes, and modified allocations, that would force states such as Pennsylvania to respond at the state-level.

Insurers, health providers and advocacy groups have been sounding the alarm to raise awareness. The goal is to show members of Congress in both political parties that Medicare should be a priority  during a point when federal budget planning is still a work in progress, local advocates said.

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Town hall

The first event will be held Thursday as a Defend Social Security and Medicaid Town Hall at 106 Fairfield Ave.

Anyone who depends on Medicaid or is concerned about the impact Medicaid cuts will have on their families and community is encouraged to attend, the organization wrote in a release to media.

Attendees will have the chance to share their stories about why the programs are important to them.

Doors to the event open at 5:30 p.m., with the event starting at 6 p.m.

Medicaid Matters forum

Locals for Good, also called LFG, will hold the Medicaid Matters Forum April 21 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in Richland Township.

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The event will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the John P. Murtha Center at 450 Schoolhouse Road.

Pitt-Johnstowns American Democracy Scholar Program and The Tribune- Democrat are partnering on the forum with Locals for Good. As planned, the event will feature panelists from organizations that rely on Medicaid funds to provide local services to Cambria County residents.

That includes Rilogio, a co-chair of the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Planning Council and a voting member of the Cambria County Drug and Alcohol Program, as well as Highlands Health Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko, who is also a Victim Services of Cambria and Somerset counties founder.

Additional panelists are expected.

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The group is hopeful the regions Capitol Hill legislators will also attend.

Joyce and U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and David McCormick have been invited, as well as the areas state lawmakers, the group said.

Park Rally The awareness campaigns final event this month will include an outdoor rally from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at Johnstowns Central Park.

Mirroring Hands Off! events that occurred across the U.S. over the past several weeks  including State College April 5  a Hands Off our Healthcare rally is being billed as a chance for local residents to speak out in a unified voice.

Anyone who is concerned about this issue is invited to come and make their voice heard, Locals for Good wrote.
Representatives of the Russian Federation will not attend the Black Sea security meeting scheduled for 15-16 April in Turkiye.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Turkish media outlet Anadolu

Details: The Turkish Defence Ministry has announced that a meeting will be held in Ankara on 15 and 16 April to discuss the security of the Black Sea after a potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

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The meeting will be held at the naval headquarters. It will be attended by military representatives of foreign countries. The agenda will include naval planning to maintain a peaceful environment in the Black Sea.

The Turkish Defence Ministry did not specify which countries would take part in the meeting but noted that there would be no Russian officials among them.

Earlier, Turkish media quoted sources in the Turkish Defence Ministry as saying that a meeting on security in the Black Sea would be held in Ankara, with Ukrainian and Russian representatives attending.

Background:

Following the talks held in Saudi Arabia from 23 to 25 March, Russia and Ukraine agreed to hold discussions on the security of shipping in the Black Sea.

However, Russia later issued a list of demands, including the easing of several sanctions on its agricultural sector. The United States stated it would consider these demands, while European countries have rejected any easing of sanctions.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has filed a lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court seeking judicial dissolution of Memphis-based National Foundation for Transplants, Inc. (NFT) for misleading patients about donated funds.

The lawsuit follows a months-long investigation into NFTs business practices and its handling of patient donations.

NFT, a nonprofit that fundraised for organ transplant patients, announced in April 2024 that it would cease operations due to financial difficulties. The investigation began after the Attorney Generals Office received 47 complaints from patients and donorsincluding some referred by the Tennessee Secretary of States Division of Business and Charitable Organizationsfollowing NFTs closure announcement.

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Tax deadline extended to November for TN residents affected by severe weather

The organizations dissolution plan also raised concerns about handling donor-restricted funds.

Our investigation revealed troubling discrepancies between how NFT represented its services to vulnerable transplant patients and how it actually managed donations, said Attorney General Skrmetti. When a nonprofit organization solicits charitable contributions by telling donors their money will benefit specific transplant patients, those representations must be truthful and accurate. We are all grateful for the many Tennessee non-profits who serve our communities with selflessness and integrity, but organizations that betray the public trust will be held accountable.

The Secretary of States Division of Business and Charitable Organizations received the first NFT complaint after the organization announced its closure, involving a patients family member concerned about access to restricted transplant funds.

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Enough is enough, Mayor Young releases statement Tom Lee Park fatal shooting

Similar complaints from citizens and communications from the Connecticut Attorney Generals Office were referred to the Tennessee Attorney General.

Although NFT filed a Notice of Intent Not to Solicit in May 2024, it failed to properly file dissolution documents. The division administratively dissolved it in December 2024 for not submitting its 2023 annual report.

The Attorney Generals Office is a great partner in our efforts to protect Tennesseans and their charitable dollars, said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. This important step announced today warns any individual or entity attempting to take advantage of the generosity of donors that their actions will not be tolerated in Tennessee.

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Ill kill you: Man accused of firing shots at 2 sisters

The lawsuit alleges that NFT misrepresented to patients and donors that funds donated in honor of or on behalf of specific patients would be restricted for use by those patients. Instead, NFT later claimed all donations were unrestricted assets held in a general fund.

According to the filing, NFT provided patients with statements resembling bank account reports showing beginning and ending balances of funds donated for their care, creating the impression that these funds were being held specifically for them. When NFT announced its closure, many patients discovered they could no longer access the funds they believed had been raised specifically for their medical needs.

Armed and dangerous teen wanted for murder following fatal shooting in MS

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The lawsuit seeks judicial dissolution under the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation Act, which allows courts to dissolve nonprofits that have acted in a persistently fraudulent manner, abused their authority, or can no longer carry out their charitable purpose. If granted, the court would oversee the proper distribution of NFTs remaining assets to another nonprofit with a similar mission.

The Attorney Generals Office is urging former NFT patients or donors with concerns contact to the Public Interest Division at 615-741-5573 or submit this form.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An elderly aunt of Lyle and Erik Menendez collapsed just hours after seeing grim crime scene photographs from the 1989 murder of the brothers parents, the family says.

The images were displayedallegedly without any warningat a resentencing hearing in Los Angeles on Friday which Terry Baralt, sister of the slain Jose Menendez, was following remotely from New Jersey.

According to reports, Baralt was urgently hospitalized after being found unresponsive in a hotel room shortly after the hearing.

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The 85-year-old is already battling colon cancer and the family fear she may not survive the shock of seeing the crime scene photo.

There was no warning. No humanity. Just pain, the family said in a statement reported by LawyerMonthly. Terry may not recover from what was done to her in that courtroom.

Los Angeles prosecutors apologized to the family for not giving prior warning regarding the use of the grisly crime scene photo, but did not comment on Baralts hospitalization.

Baralt told ABC News in her first interview since the incident that they are like the boys that I didnt have. / ABC

The familys attorney, Bryan Freedman, said showing the photograph was a despicable action [that] was a clear violation of Marsys law which requires absolute empathy toward victims.

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Victims, defined as anyone who suffers harm as a result of a crime, have the right to be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse, throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process, under the 2008 California law.

In a statement to TMZ, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office tried to shift some of the blame, suggesting that Lyle and Erik Menendez fresh bid for clemency meant that the caseand its grisly detailswould need to be re-examined, thus trigger[ing] emotions for all those concerned in a case that had lied dormant legally for over 18 years.

Even still, the office apologized generally to members of the family who witnessed the picture in court. To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo, the office conceded.

Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty, in 1989.

Trial of the Menendez brothers in Los Angeles, 1994. / Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images

Despite opposition from L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, a judge ruled Friday that a re-sentencing hearing can move forward. It is scheduled to begin on Thursday.

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Ahead of last Fridays court date, family members advocated for their release, including their aunt Terry, who broke her silence on the murder case. She told ABC News in her first interview since the incident that they are like the boys that I didnt have.

The statement from the D.A.s office warned that family members should be prepared for some of the difficult details and images surrounding these tragic circumstances to come to the fore during the ongoing case.

The District Attorneys office, Freedman and the brothers attorney Mark Geragos have been contacted by the Daily Beast for comment.
During a hearing on Friday, where Erik and Lyle Menendez awaited to hear whether their re-sentencing hopes would end, a gruesome crime scene photo was on put on display showing their fathers lifeless body after they shot him six times with a shotgun in 1989.

The photo of Jose was shown in a crowded courtroom that had many members of the Menendez family in attendance, including his sister, Terry Baralt. The family received good news at the hearing  the Los Angeles County District Attorneys request to withdraw a motion for the brothers resentencing was denied  but it came at a cost.

2 mornings after the hearing, Baralt was rushed to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition  and the Menendez family says her health deterioration is the DAs fault.

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Baralt, who the family says is battling cancer, is 85 years old.

Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez sit with defense attorney Leslie Abramson, right, in Beverly Hills Municipal Court during a hearing, Nov. 26, 1990. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Without notice, prosecutors chose to show a graphic, unredacted image of Joses dead body directly in front of us, his surviving family. No one prepared us, the family said in a statement sent to KTLA. There was no warning, no humanity  just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief.

The display put on by the DAs office pushed her past the brink, the statement continued.

Jose was shot six times by his sons, including the fatal shot to the back of the head. That fact has never been in dispute  theyve admitted to the shootings several times  but their claim that Jose sexually abused them throughout childhood has led to a reexamination of their life sentences handed out in 1996.

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Now, the family is calling for DA Hochman to be removed from the case.

They claim the display of the gore-ridden photo violated Marsys Law, which was approved by California voters as Proposition 9 in 2008. The law protects victims during due process, saying they should be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse, throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process.

The family says the victim, Jose Menendez, was not protected through the display of the photo.

The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional, the statement reads in part. The District Attorneys Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words.

Supporters hold signs during a press conference regarding developments in the Menendez brothers case Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

During a news conference on Sunday from a group against the Menendez brothers resentencing efforts, advocates said Marsys Law doesnt protect Lyle and Erik.

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Let us be clear: Marsys Law was created to protect crime victimsnot murderers. The Menendez brothers are not victims. They brutally murdered their parents and were rightfully convicted. Any attempt to use Marsys Law to gain their release is a complete distortion of its purpose, said LaWanda Hawkins co-founder of Justice for Murdered Children and one of the original signers of Marsys Law.

Mark Geragos, the attorney representing the brothers, objected to the photo in real time during Fridays hearing according to the family. KTLA was unable to reach him for comment on Sunday.

The family said it seeks to remove Hochman from the case while hoping for good news regarding Baralts health.

Now, let us be crystal clear: our forgiveness for Erik and Lyle does not erase our grief. It does not mean we dont mourn Jose and Kitty. It means we believe that people can grow, the family said. That trauma begets trauma. That cycles of abuse can and must be broken. It is not contradictory to hold love for those who were harmed and for those who caused harm, it is human. And yet this District Attorneys Office seems determined to punish us for that humanity.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

US President Donald Trump responded to the Russian missile strike on Sumy, calling it "horrible" and "a mistake by Russia," CNN has reported.

"And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's terrible. I think the whole war is terrible," the US president said.

When asked what it meant that they "made a mistake," Trump did not answer and asked the journalist to "ask them."

"They made a mistake. Look, ask them. This is Biden's war. This is not my war. I've been here a very short time. This is the war that was under Biden," he added.
Erik and Lyle Menendez's 85-year-old aunt, Terry Baralt, has been hospitalized after prosecutors showed graphic crime scene images at the brothers' hearing, the family said.

The relatives are slamming the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for their "cruel" presentation in court on Friday and said they're taking formal action to demand DA Nathan Hochman's office be removed from the case.

PHOTO: Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez sit in Beverly Hills Municipal Court where their attorneys delayed making pleas on behalf of the brothers who are suspected in the murders of their parents on March 12, 1990. (Nick Ut/AP)

Lyle and Erik Menendez -- who are serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez -- are fighting to be released after 35 years behind bars. Over 20 of their relatives are pushing for their release, arguing they endured horrific abuse, have admitted guilt and apologized, and have used their decades in custody to help others.

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Baralt, who is Jose Menendez's sister, is battling colon cancer. But she traveled from her home in New Jersey to Los Angeles to support her nephews at their hearing, where the family said she was forced to -- without warning -- witness grisly images, including her brother's body.

"No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews," the family said in a statement on Sunday. "But the display put on by the DAs office pushed her past the brink."

PHOTO: Erik and Lyle Menendez's 85-year-old aunt, Terry Baralt, has been hospitalized after prosecutors showed graphic crime scene images at the brothers' hearing, the family said. (ABC News)

MORE: Menendez brothers' resentencing hearing to move forward after judge denies DA's motion

Baralt was found unresponsive on Sunday morning and was hospitalized in critical condition, the family said.

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"We are devastated," the family said.

"Terry may not recover from what was done to her -- and to all of us -- in that courtroom," the family said. "We deserve better. We firmly believe that if the DAs office had shown even an announce of consideration for us, as victims, we would not be hoping for one more day with Terry right now."

The family said the graphic display violated Marsy's Law -- California's bill of rights for victims -- specifically noting it states that a victim is entitled "to be treated with fairness and respect" and be "free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse."

MORE: Menendez brothers case: DA asks court to withdraw resentencing motion, calls self-defense claims 'lies'

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"Being tough on crime is important, it's good," Menendez family attorney Bryan Freedman said. "But that's tough on crime -- not creating fear and pain and trauma in family members."

The DA's office apologized "for not giving prior warning," saying in a statement Sunday, "We never intend to cause distress or pain to individuals who attend a court hearing."

PHOTO: District Attorney Nathan Hochman provides an update on the Lyle and Erik Menendez case, March 10, 2025. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

"However, by design, these hearings are intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light," the DA's office added. "That truth starts with the abject brutality and premeditation of the murders themselves. ... There has never been an objection to describing this highly brutal, murderous conduct in words, nor did anyone object to this office when such crime scene images were recently shown on a Netflix documentary."

"We caution anyone attending a hearing in person to be prepared for some of the difficult details and images surrounding these tragic circumstances," prosecutors added.

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The family initially asked for Hochman's removal from the case last month, calling his behavior "hostile," "patronizing" and "re-traumatizing."

MORE: Menendez brothers timeline: From the 1989 murders to their new fight for freedom

"[The prosecutors] have shown again and again that they are incapable of handling this process with the fairness, care, or neutrality required by law," the family said Sunday.

Friday's hourslong hearing was regarding Hochman's motion to withdraw the brothers' resentencing petition -- submitted under the previous district attorney, George Gascon, who supported the brothers' release. Hochman, who defeated Gascon in the November election, has argued Lyle and Erik Menendez haven't taken responsibility for their actions and he called their claims of self-defense part of a litany of "lies."

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The judge on Friday denied Hochman's motion and said the brothers' official resentencing hearing will proceed as planned on April 17 and 18, bringing them one step closer to potential freedom.

ABC News' Matt Gutman and Lisa Sivertsen contributed to this report.

Menendez brothers' aunt hospitalized after DA shares graphic photos in court: 'We are devastated' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Menendez family is blaming the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office for the hospitalization of Terry Baralt -- Erik and Lyle's aunt ... claiming the graphic crime scene photos they were shown did a number on her health.

In a press release from the Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition -- a collective of family members fighting for the brothers' release -- the group confirmed our story that Baralt had been found unresponsive in her hotel room.

TMZ

The coalition says the D.A.'s office didn't give the family a heads up that they would be presenting photos of the crime scene at Friday's resentencing hearing ... a violation of Marsy's Law, a law designed to protect the victims of crimes.

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The moved showed "no humanity  just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief. Terry, who is battling cancer, came to court to support her family. No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DAs office pushed her past the brink. By early this morning, she was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition."

TMZ

The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition this most recent move was deliberate, completely ignoring Marsy's Law ... and also feeds into a "a disturbing pattern weve come to expect, especially from D.A. Hochman, who has repeatedly spoken to us with aggression and disdain and we will be holding him accountable."

The coalition finished off its statement by adding, "Our family is hurting. Terry may not recover from what was done to her  and to all of us  in that courtroom. We deserve better. We firmly believe that if the DAs office had shown even an announce of consideration for us, as victims, we would not be hoping for one more day with Terry right now.

Erik And Lyle Menendez Together - Click image to open gallery

Bryan Freedman -- a famous attorney who serves as counsel for the victim's family members -- echoed the statement, telling TMZ ... "I was appalled that without so much as a warning to allow them the option to avoid further distress, the D.A. callously decided to re-traumatize the family by needlessly showing insensitive photos on screen in their court presentation.

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"This despicable action was a clear violation of Marsys law which requires absolute empathy toward victims. The D.A.s flashing of the crime scene photos is directly responsible for Aunt Terry being rushed to the ICU. We are all praying for her recovery, she did not deserve this. Shame on those who knowingly engaged in this egregious conduct."

As we told you ... the resentencing hearing is set to take place next week -- with the brothers' attorney Mark Geragos -- who cohosts our "2 Angry Men" podcast -- calling on a judge to change Erik and Lyle's first-degree murder sentence to a manslaughter sentence, for which they've served enough years for immediate release.

To view all content on this page click here.

Gergaos blasted the D.A's use of the graphic crime scene photos Friday too BTW ... calling the choice a "dog-and-pony show" -- and adding they are "being traumatized by the D.A. for political purposes."

We've reached out to the D.A. about the coalition's comments ... so far, no word back.
A lawyer for the family of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are scheduled for a resentencing hearing this week, plans to go after Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman for violating victims' rights law after the brothers' elderly aunt was found unresponsive 30 hours after a deputy prosecutor flashed crime scene photos of her dead brother and best friend, which she had never seen.



Teresita "Terry" Baralt, an 85-year-old cancer survivor who has been pleading with the court to "show leniency" and release her nephews who have spent more than 35 years in prison for the sensational 1989 murders of their parents, was found unresponsive on Sunday. Jose Menendez was Teresita Baralt's older brother and his wife Kitty was her best friend. She has now been hospitalized in Los Angeles.



Her daughter Anamaria Baralt said it was the first time her mother had seen a photo of the bloody carnage, which she called an unnecessary move by the DA's office that only served to traumatize her family. "They kept putting it up. Putting it up. There was no reason for it," she said, adding that: "without warning they kept putting it up."



The photos were not shown during the Menendez brothers' prosecutions, two separate trials for Lyle and Erik in 1995 that ended with a hung jury, and then a retrial in 1996 that led to their conviction on first degree murder and the life sentences they continue to serve in a San Diego state prison.

Anamaria shared an update on TikTok (@/anamariabaralt). While grateful for todays victory, she criticized the prosecution for repeatedly showing graphic crime scene photos, retraumatizing family members like Aunt Terry, who had never seen them. #JusticeForErikAndLyle pic.twitter.com/nAm04b6jlR  Menendez Legacy | Fighting for Justice (@menendez50) April 12, 2025

Bryan Freedman, who represents the extended Menendez family, said he plans to pursue Hochman's office for violating Marsy's Law, which was created to support crime victims. His roughly two dozen clients in the Menendez family have been unyielding in their united argument that the killings of the music executive and his wife in Beverly Hills by the brothers were a trauma response to years of sexual and physical abuse by their parents and that they have served their time.



"As counsel for the victims family members, I was appalled that without so much as a warning to allow them the option to avoid further distress, the DA callously decided to re-traumatize the family by needlessly showing insensitive photos on screen in their court presentation," Freedman said in a statement to Los Angeles. "His despicable action was a clear violation of Marsys law, which requires absolute empathy toward victims. The DA flashing of the crime scene photos is directly responsible for Aunt Terry being rushed to the ICU."

After Friday's hearing, during which Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic rejected Hochman's request to withdraw a resentencing motion filed by the prior administration on behalf of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the family blasted his deputy district attorney Habib Balian for using the crime scene photo repeatedly in his argument that the brothers have no remorse.



At one point Balian also described the shooting in graphic detail, which brought Lyle Menendez - whose presence alongside Erik was broadcast via Webex from prison - to tears.

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The brothers' attorney Mark Geragos called Balian's argument a "dog and pony show" that did not take into consideration the extensive rehabilitative work they have done in prison, which is what was argued in Hochman's predecessor George Gascon's argument filed before losing his seat in last year's election. In it he argued that they should be "eligible for immediate parole." [Geragos is the co-owner of Engine Vision Media, the parent company for Los Angeles.]

Teresita "Terry" Baralt, whose nephew Lyle lived with her in New Jersey while attending Princeton, is fighting for her life. She has steadfastly fought for her nephews' freedom telling the court the Menendez brothers were abusedCourtesy of Baralt family

Gascon held a press conference at his DTLA office in late October - days after meeting dozens of members of the Menendez family who have spent 35 years fighting for their release - to say that he believes they were sexually brutalized by their father, music mogul Jose Menendez. Their mother Kitty, the brothers' and family members testified, knew about the abuse and did nothing. "People get desperate," Gascon said of the brothers. I came to a place where I believe that under the law, resentencing is appropriate...I believe they have paid their debt to society."



The Court will proceed with a resentencing hearing on April 17 and 18 at the Van Nuys Courthouse as Baralt's family and their attorney continue to pray for her recovery at an ICU in Encino. "She did not deserve this," Freedman said. "Shame on those who knowingly engaged in this egregious conduct."

Hochman's office addressed the family's allegation in a statement released Sunday evening. "To the extent that the photographic depiction of [the murder] upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo," the statement sent to Los Angeles read.

Hochman's office also pointed to public documents that say describe in graphic detail "vicious, premeditated conduct of the Menendez brothers." The same crime scene photo was used in a recent Netflix documentary about the case, Hochman's office said.

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After the hearing Friday, Hochman issued a statement saying the Menendez brothers should remain in prison. These murders were calculated, premeditated, cold-blooded killings. Our 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.

Geragos called that statement an outrageous mischaracterization of the men the brothers have become in prison, where corrections officials maintain they have been stellar examples of what it means to change in arduous circumstances. In his office's statement released Sunday night, Hochman repeated a brutal description of how Jose and Kitty Menendez died, and warned that this week's resentencing hearing will likely "trigger emotions for all those concerned" in the case.
Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday said his future government aims to reduce the number of new asylum seekers to below 100,000 per year, citing pressure on the country's institutions and infrastructure.

Speaking on public broadcaster ARD, Merz said: "The strain on our cities, towns, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure has reached a critical point," adding that the annual number should no longer be in the six-digit range.

Merz reaffirmed plans to suspend family reunifications and launch a broad deportation push, as outlined in the coalition agreement between his conservative CDU/CSU bloc - made up of Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) - and the Social Democrats (SPD).

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He also pledged to implement migrant pushbacks at Germany's borders, adding that coordination with neighbouring countries was already in progress. Merz said he expects cooperation, naming Austria as an example.

Germany recorded almost 230,000 first-time asylum applications in 2024  about 100,000 fewer than the year before. Merz has previously said the country can sustainably handle no more than 100,000 asylum seekers annually.
Friedrich Merz, Germanys chancellor-in-waiting, suggested on April 13 that long-range Taurus missiles, if delivered to Ukraine, could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea, including the Kerch Bridge.

The 19-kilometer-long (12-mile) Crimean (Kerch) Bridge, constructed following Russias illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014 and completed in 2018, serves as a vital supply route for Russian forces. The bridge has been targeted by Ukraine multiple times, suffering heavy damage in strikes in October 2022 and July 2023.

In an interview with ARDs Caren Miosga, Merz emphasized the need to support Ukraine in moving from a reactive to a proactive stance on the battlefield, saying Kyiv must be equipped to "shape events" and "get ahead of the situation."

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"If things continue as they are, if, for example, the most important land connection between Russia and Crimea is destroyed, or if something happens on Crimea itself, where most of the Russian military logistics are located, then that would be an opportunity to bring this country strategically back into the picture finally," Merz said.

While outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly blocked the delivery of Taurus missiles over his concerns about escalation, Merz has long criticized that stance.

With Merz poised to take office following his Christian Democrats election win, the decision to supply Taurus missiles could soon return to the political agenda. It remains uncertain whether his future coalition partners from the Social Democrats will back the move.

Merz also clarified that he was not calling for direct German involvement in the war but rather for arming Ukraine with the capability to take the initiative.

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The German politician has previously voiced support for supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, stressing that such a step must be coordinated with European allies.

"Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles," he reiterated on April 13, citing British, French, and U.S. efforts. "If it is coordinated, then Germany should participate in it."

Ukraine has already received U.S.-supplied ATACMS as well as SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles from France and the U.K. Both Washington and London have permitted Kyiv to use these systems to strike targets within Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea.

The previous Biden administration and the U.K. also allowed strikes with long-range missiles against military targets on Russian soil in late 2024, namely in the Russian border regions of Kursk and Bryansk. Incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the move.

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In the interview, Merz condemned a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on April 13, which killed at least 34 civilians and injured more than 100, calling it "a deliberate and intentional serious war crime."

"And I say to all those in Germany who naively call on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to come to the negotiating table  this is the answer," he said. "Thats what Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire."

Merz warned that Moscow interprets calls for peace as a sign of weakness.

"He obviously interprets our willingness to talk not as a serious offer to facilitate peace but as weakness," he said, referring to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans visit to Moscow last year, which was followed days later by a missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv.

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The Western diplomatic isolation imposed on Putin after the outbreak of the full-scale war seems to be unraveling as Trump has resumed direct diplomatic contact with Moscow in an effort to broker a ceasefire.

These efforts have largely stalled, as the Kremlin rejected a proposal by Washington and Kyiv for a full 30-day truce and continued in deadly attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure despite a partial ceasefire agreed upon on March 25.

Read also: A war crime  European leaders react to Russias Palm Sunday attack on Sumy that killed dozens

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  A Mesa County deputy has been recognized for springing into action after some wild weather created an emergency situation.

While traveling with his family near Amarillo, Texas, Deputy Phillip Peterson came upon a terrible traffic crash and took matters into his own hands. WesternSlopeNow is now hearing directly from Deputy Peterson for the first time, along with fellow emergency responders who say his efforts made a big difference.

There goes a saying that not a lot of people can be heroes and without wearing a cape.

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One Grand Junction resident and his family were able to be those heroes for people in the Texas Panhandle.

Zach Ayala, a Canyon Fire Department firefighter, states, He was the MVP of the whole accident without him and as you all, it would have been way worse.

On March 14, Peterson was traveling with his family near Amarillo where a terrible sandstorm caused a 44-car pile-up.

These casualties could have turned into respiratory distress calls and not just injuries. Because you all, in my opinion, really did save lives out there, Ayala states.

Peterson tells WesternSlopeNow he noticed cars piling up and he then pulled off into the median and from there, he and his family sprang into action.

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Were just rotating people in and out as the ambulances, or removing people out and getting them, getting them to the hospitals. As soon as we make room, we bring more people in, Peterson states.

Amarillo Fire Department Battalion Chief-Rescue Adam Perry states, The dust conditions and the blowing dirt conditions were so intense, the guys had sealed goggles that they were wearing to operate in, and just the small gaps around those goggles would allow so much dirt in that they would start filling up.

After rotating patients in and out, Canyon Fire officials say 18 patients were saved that day. Peterson left his belongings without a second thought.

We needed to get them out of it, and U-Haul was the only plausible option at that time. So thats what it became. There wasnt any real thought process behind it, Peterson said.

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Petersons wife and oldest son were taken to the hospital and during that time, his other children stayed to help.

My son went with my wife in the ambulance, apparently, he was super. He was scared during the whole situation. But hes also very, very attached to me and the idea of him leaving me during that storm upset him greatly, Peterson said.

In the aftermath, it was then the fire agencies in the Texas Panhandle worked on a plan to help Peterson and his family. The fire agencies paired up with the American Red Cross and the Canyon Firefighters Association to get Peterson and his family home.

Amarillo Fire Department driver Matt Moss states, And thats whenever it kind of started sitting down with me that, you know, like, man, this guy just just discarded every piece of property that we had in the back of that thing.

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Through a process, the association was able to cover his rental car expenses to get them back home, Dennis Gwyn, Canyon Fire Department fire chief, said.

Peterson states, They met us at the Walmart and they gave us a check for $1,000 to kind of help with getting some things that we had left behind in the storm. And once again, Im extremely grateful to Amarillo Fire and Canyon Fire for stepping up and helping us to get home and everything that they did.

Fire officials from Canyon and Amarillo Fire departments tell WesternSlopeNow, there were a couple of patients who were in critical condition, but no fatalities happened from that 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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
Angelia Solomon has been accused of allegedly plotting to kill her ex-husband - FPD

Theres more drama in the case of former Nashville anchor Aaron Solomon.

Aaron Solomon has been caught up in all sorts of accusations about his behavior towards his wife, daughter and son since leaving WSMV in 2011.

Now, Franklin, Tennessee Police Department has arrested Angelia Solomon, Aarons ex-wife, for allegedly hiring someone to kill him.

Angelia has been charged with solicitation to commit first-degree murder and is being held at the Williamson County Jail on a $500,000 bond

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A video posted to YouTube showed his daughter Gracie claiming Aaron is a monster and alleging her brother died protecting her from him. He denies the accusations and no charges have been filed against Aaron Solomon.

The couples son, Grant Solomon, was a senior in high school when he died in a car accident in July 2020 shortly after he turned 18.
Leader of the CDU/CSU bloc that won the German parliamentary elections and candidate for the post of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Germany should supply long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

"I have always said that I would do this, but only in agreement with European partners," he said on the ARD TV channel.

According to him, "the United States supplies [weapons], France supplies, Great Britain supplies, we should also supply [them]."

The future German Chancellor believes that the supplies should be agreed upon and, if this is done, "Germany should take part in them."

Before the elections on February 23, Merz announced his intention to change Berlin's policy regarding the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The range of the Taurus missiles is about 500 kilometers, under certain conditions.
A Miami University student and his friend have been released from a Danish jail but cannot return home after an Uber ride dispute, according to the student's family.

The family of Owen Ray, a 20-year-old student at Miami, said he was arrested March 31 with his friend during a trip in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, after an argument turned physical with an Uber driver.

Ray's family says the Uber driver threatened Owen and his friend over not paying for a canceled fare. The duo had ordered an Uber to their hotel and realized they selected the wrong hotel once they were in the car. The driver declined to take them to the right hotel and they exited the car, canceling the ride in the app but still paying a fee for the fare, the family said.

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The family says the driver left but returned five minutes later, threatening the students over not being paid. The driver exited his car and then assaulted Owen, causing a scuffle that Owen and his friend fled from, according to Owen's family.

Uber confirmed the students paid for their fare, according to a statement to Enquirer media partner Fox19. The driver reported to Uber that he was assaulted by the two students, not the other way around.

Owen Ray, third from left, and his friends took a trip to Copenhagen. After a dispute with an Uber driver, Ray and one of his friends were arrested and remain stuck in Denmark.

Still, the next morning, Owen and his friend were at the airport to fly back to the United States when they were arrested by Danish authorities, the family said.

They were sent to Vestre Prison, a pre-trial jail in Copenhagen, where they remained in custody for two weeks before they were released Monday. Now, with their passports confiscated, it will take some more time before they're allowed to return home.

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"The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay," said Owen's parents, Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, in a statement.

The U.S. State Department, through an embassy in Copenhagen, is providing consular assistance to the two students, according to a department spokesperson.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Miami student stuck in Denmark after going to jail over Uber ride
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  One person with ties to the Miami Valley has been detained and released in Denmark, but reportedly has to stay in that country.

In a statement from a communications consultant for Copenhagen Police in Denmark, two U.S. citizens were detained in the countrys capital on March 31. The two were reportedly taken to court the same day and reportedly charged with assault, according to police.

A spokesperson for Miami University identified one of the individuals as Owen Ray, an undergraduate student at the school. The university learned of the incident through a media report.

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His professors have been made aware of his delayed return from his personal trip to Europe, said the spokesperson. As they do with all students, professors and Student Life staff will provide support to assist him in completing his coursework upon his return to the university.

Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, parents of Owen Ray, provided Nexstars NewsNation with a statement, saying their son his released, but is not yet cleared to leave the European nation.

We are relieved that Owen has been released from a Danish prison following the unprovoked assault he and his friend suffered at the hands of an Uber driver on March 31. However, we remain deeply concerned that Danish authorities have confiscated his passport and will not allow him to return to the United States  something we understand is unusual in Danish court proceedings. The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay. Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray

The police consultant told WDTN.com that the two have already been sentenced to a 10-day pre-trial detention, and have a verdict extension date of April 24.

NewsNation heard from a family lawyer for Ray, who claims neither Owen nor the other individual has been charged.

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WDTN.com reached out to the U.S. State Department Monday morning for additional information. We have not yet heard back.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at April 13, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 13 drawing

Midday: 9-8-7

Evening: 4-6-4

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 13 drawing

Midday: 8-7-7-7

Evening: 6-4-8-1

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from April 13 drawing

02-29-30-43-45, Lucky Ball: 09

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 13 drawing

AH-7D-3H-4S-8S

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 13 drawing

01-27-35-37-38

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03-04-15-18-35

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 13 drawing

02-03-05-13-16-17-25-28-30-32-33-36-41-43-51-56-62-70-71-76-78-80

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:

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Michigan Lottery

Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

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Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325

Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325

Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325

Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325

Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325

Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.

Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily

Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily

Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily

Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for April 13, 2025
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP)  A Michigan man who was upset that he had to watch pets while his girlfriend's family went on a cruise was sentenced to eight months in prison Monday for making a false bomb threat.

The email forced Carnival Corp. to check more than 1,000 rooms after the ship had departed Miami in January 2024, prosecutors said.

Anyone making a bomb threat should expect to be taken at his word. Fortunately, this particular hoax did not result in physical injury, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said in a court filing.

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Joshua Lowe, 19, was sentenced to prison during an appearance in federal court in Kalamazoo.

FBI agents traced the email address to Lowe, who was living with his girlfriends family, Kessler said. Lowe admitted he sent the message because he was upset that the family went on the cruise, while leaving him behind to care for their pets.

Lowe apologized in a letter to U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney.

This is all my fault and take full responsibility, he said.
Rob Hirst, the drummer of Australian rock veterans Midnight Oil, has revealed he is currently battling pancreatic cancer.

69-year-old Hirst, who co-founded the Sydney rock outfit in the 70s, revealed his diagnosis publicly in an interview with The Australian, explaining that he has been living with the disease for two years. Hirst noted he had received confirmation of his condition about six months after Midnight Oil wrapped up the Australian leg of their farewell tour in October 2023, and hes been receiving constant medical assistance since.

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So its ongoing, Hirst told the publication. Ive had pretty much every treatment known to man  every scan, ultrasound, MRI. Ive kind of had the works.

Hirst explained that he was diagnosed early, with his tumor being caught while at stage three. Upon learning of his condition, Hirst embarked upon months of chemotherapy before an unsuccessful eight-hour Whipple surgery to attempt the removal of the tumor. He has since continued with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Though initially keeping his diagnosis a secret, Hirst has since gone public to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, noting that it hasnt really attracted the attention, for example, of skin cancers or breast cancers or others. According to data from Cancer Australia, the average survival rate of individuals between 2016 and 2020 was 13%, with men given a chance of 12%.

Coming up to two years, I thought I just need to get this, literally, off my chest, Hirst explained. Also, I think that the lesson for me  and maybe why Ive lasted this long  is because, if you do have any of that kind of symptom, where theres something that you feel is wrong, just go and get a simple blood test. It could be life-changing, and life-extending.

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Midnight Oil first formed in Sydney in 1972 as Farm, before adopting their later moniker in 1976. The group initially released eleven albums before splitting in 2002, with their breakthrough coming in 1982 with 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, which hit No. 3 in Australia.

Their following three albums  1984s Red Sails in the Sunset, 1987s Diesel and Dust, and 1990s Blue Sky Mining  all topped the Australian charts, while the latter gave them a peak of No. 20 on the Billboard 200. Their 1987 single Beds Are Burning is often considered a landmark of Australian music, with its message of Indigenous land rights also resonating internationally and peaking at No. 17 on the Hot 100.

While the band would be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, they would reform a decade later in 2016, and following a global reunion tour, they issued The Makarrata Project in 2020 and Resist in 2022. While both albums would reach No. 1 in Australia, the former was released just one week before longtime bassist Bones Hillman passed from cancer at the age of 62.

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In this handout provided by U.S. Central Command Public Affairs, U.S. Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron load passengers aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 24, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/U.S. Air Forces Europe-Africa via Getty Images)

Thousands of migrants to Ohio and and other states found themselves in a dangerous state of limbo last week as their permission to be here was suddenly revoked. Court challenges are being raised, but some are planning to return to their hazardous homelands, advocates said.

Since early 2023, about 900,000 came to the United States in the way that many Americans say they want: They followed the rules and they got in line. Then the Trump administration abruptly changed those rules.

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Amid heavy numbers of border crossings, the Biden administration in January 2023 launched the CBP One app. It allowed people seeking asylum to register outside the country, wait to be admitted, receive work permits and then wait some more while their asylum claims were heard.

But the Department of Homeland Security last week notified many CBP One users that they had to leave the country immediately, but it didnt specify how many received such notices. Many have been told they need be gone by April 24.

The administration stopped taking new registrations through the app as soon as Trump took office in January.

The administration is also trying to revoke the temporary protected status of hundreds of thousands of migrants from 17 troubled countries. And on Thursday, the New York Times reported that it was trying to take Social Security numbers away from migrants with legal status. The goal is to get them to self deport by denying access to basic services such as bank accounts and credit cards, the paper reported.

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The moves are said to be part of a flood-the-zone strategy that has immigrant advocates scrambling.

Fleeing oppression

Christy Staats, an Ohio-based organizer with the National Immigration Forum, estimated that thousands in the Buckeye State are affected by the CBP One revocation in all regions  including Amish country. She said a Nicaraguan family living in a rural part of Ohio called her in a panic.

Staats didnt name the family or say where they lived for fear of arousing the governments attention. She said that as of Thursday, the family was planning to go back to Nicaragua.

They bought a car here, Staats said. They spent all this time waiting and not working until they got their work permit. Theyre working. Theyre paying taxes and all of the sudden their legal status gets ripped out from under them. Its been really, really unsettling.

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Thats especially true given the reason the family sought asylum in the first place.

The longstanding socialist government of Nicaragua has become increasingly oppressive in recent years. The U.S. State Department reported that in 2023 it engaged in arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings; enforced disappearance; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by prison guards and parapolice; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest or detentions; serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; political prisoners 

It added that the Ortega government imposed serious restrictions on free expression and media freedom, including threats of violence against journalists, unjustified arrests and prosecution of journalists, and censorship; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association

That could be a particular problem for the family Staats has been working with.

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They played by the rules, she said. They got in line. Nicaragua has been in a very concerning state for quite a few years with their communist dictator restricting more and more freedoms. They had a couple of run-ins related to free speech. The government was watching them. The husband was pulled in by the police. They were very concerned that something more significant would happen. Theyve been jailing journalists like crazy for quite a few years.

Confusing limbo

Adding to the uncertainty, the Associated Press reported late Thursday that a federal judge in Boston would at least temporarily stop Trump from ending the humanitarian paroles of people from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela.

Meanwhile, people from other countries who received humanitarian parole through the CBP One app were getting vague and threatening letters from the government.

Erin Piper of Detroit has been working for years to get the extended family of friends she made through her children out of Afghanistan. On Friday morning, she said some received letters the previous evening that said Do not attempt to stay in the United States  the federal government will find you.

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If the goal was to frighten them, it succeeded, Piper said.

My friends are all having difficulty reaching their attorneys (who are likely being flooded with calls) to understand if their asylum cases are enough to keep them here without fear of deportation, but they are all incredibly scared, Piper said in a text message. The letter they received has only raised more questions.

In an interview on Thursday, Piper said that the 21 Afghans shes helped have known too much fear as it is.

In 2020, the United States pulled troops out of Afghanistan, leaving the fanatical Taliban in charge. The group is well known for its extreme repression of women and girls, ethnic minorities and anybody who worked with the American armed forces during their 20-year presence in the country.

Profoundly grateful

Pipers kids befriended those of an Afghan family who had immigrated to Michigan before the withdrawal. When Kabul fell, she learned that their extended family was in extreme distress back in Afghanistan.

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For two years she worked with a non-governmental organization to get them visas, first to Pakistan, and then to Brazil.

It was a really huge effort, logistically and financially, Piper said. I was supported a lot by my own local church and a Christian organization. I worked with a military veteran who helped us do a very successful fundraiser with a corporate sponsor. It was definitely a herculean effort logistically, financially and in many other ways.

It was hard to find work in Brazil, so the extended family made its way through the deadly Darien Gap and made the rest of the harrowing trip through Central America and Mexico. Once there, they got in line using the CBP One app.

After getting to Michigan and getting work permits, the adults took unfilled factory jobs, and the kids went to school and learned English. A teenage girl is going to high school  something the Taliban would never allow.

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Theyre barely scraping by, Piper said. But theyre here and thrilled to be here without the fear of persecution because of their ethnicity or their support for democracy. The women have equal rights here. Some have been able to work and support their families. Thats been really exciting for them. Their lives are far from easy, but theyre profoundly grateful to be here.

Staats of the National Immigration Forum said theres something deeply unjust in suddenly telling people who came legally that they have to go back to places they fled.

A lot of Americans want people to play by the rules, she said. Ive heard 10,000 times, I want people to get in line. They should have to wait for their turn. They did. They waited in line until they got their turn. This program was telling asylum seekers not to just come to the border. So they waited  some for a long time. They had a credible-fear interview when they came in at their allocated time.

And now their status is being revoked very suddenly, Staats said. Anybody who wants an immigration system where we know who people are when they come in should be very concerned.

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Seven civilians were injured in an enemy UAV attacks on Odesa, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office has reported.

"According to the investigation, on April 13 from 21:50 to 22:50, the Russian Armed Forces carried out an attack with drones on Odesa. The city's civilian infrastructure was hit. As a result of the attack, seven civilians were injured. They were hospitalized with mine and blast injuries and burns," the Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement on Monday.

It is reported that as a result of the attack, residential buildings, premises of private enterprises, medical institutions, stores, service stations and at least 37 vehicles were damaged.

Also, on the night of April 14, the enemy again attacked the civilian infrastructure of Odesa with attack drones. The full list of destruction and damage is being established.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers announced that he will be running for a seat in the U.S. Senate, seeking the Republican nomination once again.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin defeated Rogers in last years election. Slotkin took the seat vacated when former Sen. Debbie Stabenow retired. Rogers is running to replace Sen. Gary Peters, who is not seeking re-election.

Mike Rogers launches another bid for U.S. Senate

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Rogers spoke with 6 News sister station WOODTV in Grand Rapids on Monday, saying he has some important endorsements and momentum.

We had the majority leader and the chairman of the National Republican Senate Committee endorsed (me) this morning. No. 1, thats huge. Getting good vibes out of the White House: Thats huge. And were getting a huge outpouring across the state, which at the end of the day is more important, Rogers said. And remember, we had a primary not that long ago. It was a four-way primary. They spent millions and millions of dollars attacking me. I took about 65% of that vote, Rogers said WOODTV.

WOODTV reports that Rogers is the first high-profile Republican in the race. He said he is not sure there will be a primary this cycle, though U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Zeeland and former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon have also been mentioned as possible GOP candidates.

Joining the Senate race on the ballot in 2026 are elections for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and every seat in the Michigan Legislature.

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Republican Senate candidate and former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) and U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) (left) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) (right) at a rally in Grand Rapids on Oct. 16, 2024. | Kyle Davidson

Updated 1:55 p.m.

Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers made it official Monday; the Republican is once again a candidate for U.S. Senate.

After narrowly losing the 2024 U.S. Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin, Rogers, 61, released a statement on his campaign website that he was ready to be an ally for President Trump and champion for Michigan.

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President Trump needs strong allies in the Senate to help him deliver on the mandate given by the American people, said Rogers on the social media platform X. That means bringing manufacturing jobs back to Michigan, protecting seniors social security, lowering the costs of gas, groceries & prescription drugs, and setting our kids up for success by improving the quality of their education. Michigan, lets get to work.

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Rogers is the first announced Republican to seek the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township), who said in January he would not seek another term in 2026.

Other potential GOP candidates include U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland), state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater), and former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon.

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On the Democratic side, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) announced earlier this month she was running for Peters seat, while U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) and Abdul El-Sayed, a former gubernatorial candidate who recently stepped down as Wayne Countys health director, are also anticipated to announce candidacies.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) have also been mentioned as possible Democratic candidates.

Rogers, who represented his mid-Michigan district in Congress from 2001 to 2015, rose to become chairman of the powerful House Intelligence Committee. Prior to that he served as a state senator and FBI agent.

After leaving Congress, Rogers moved to Florida and went into the private sector as a cyber security adviser and businessman. His return in 2023 to seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Debbie Stabenow brought with it questions whether or not his official residence was in the White Lake Township home he and wife Kristi had purchased earlier that year.

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That house was eventually torn down and a new one built in its place. A check by Michigan Advance on Sunday indicated the home was completed and appeared to be occupied. Alyssa Brouillet, a campaign spokesperson, confirmed for the Advance that Rogers and his wife were living in White Lake Township home.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) also released a statement Monday, saying Rogers was the conservative leader Michigan needs in the U.S. Senate.

As an Army veteran and former special agent, Mike understands the importance of putting service before self. We need him in the U.S. Senate to help achieve President Trumps America First agenda and to bring manufacturing and good-paying jobs back to Michigan, said Thune.

This story was updated with a comment from the Rogers campaign on his residency.
Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) announced his bid for Senate on Monday, becoming the first major Republican to jump into the race, just months after narrowly losing to Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).

As your next senator, I wont just represent Michigan, Ill fight for it, Rogers said in a launch video, pledging to stand with President Trump.

We will deliver on the mandate given to him by the American people, he said. For me, it will always be America and Michigan first. Rewarding hard work and investing in the skilled trades, cutting wasteful spending, lowering the cost of gas, groceries, and prescription drugs.

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Alongside President Trump, Ill fight to bring good, high-paying manufacturing jobs back to Michigan and I guarantee well protect Social Security for our seniors, he said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) threw their support behind Rogers shortly after his launch.

We need him in the U.S. Senate to help achieve President Trumps America First agenda and to bring manufacturing and good-paying jobs back to Michigan, Thune said in a statement.

Scott said, I know we will add this seat to President Trumps Senate Majority in 2026.

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Rogers lost his bid for former Rep. Debbie Stabenows (D-Mich.) seat by fewer than 20,000 votes last year when he ran against Slotkin, also a former House member. Trump narrowly won the state against former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Rogers was recruited by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) last cycle and received endorsements from high-profile Republicans including Trump.

He represented Michigans 8th Congressional District in the House from 2001 to 2015, serving as chair of the House Intelligence Committee at the end of his tenure.

The race to replace Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) stands to be one of the most competitive races of the cycle, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rating it a toss-up.

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Rogerss announcement comes weeks after Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) announced her bid for the seat. McMorrow cited the fear and anger and uncertainty facing the country as her motivation for launching her Senate bid. McMorrows campaign raised $1 million within 24 hours of her entrance into the race.

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Former Rep. Mike Rogers is launching another bid for U.S. Senate in Michigan.

In his announcement Monday, the former House Intelligence Committee chairs campaign described him as a conservative fighter who would be an ally for President Trump and champion for Michigan.

Rogers had widely been expected to compete for the seat  his second run for U.S. Senate after losing in 2024 to Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat.

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The race to succeed retiring Michigan Sen. Gary Peters is expected to be one of the most contested in 2026. Republicans view the state President Donald Trump narrowly carried last year as a top pickup opportunity. In addition to Rogers, Republican Tudor Dixon is weighing a campaign. On the Democratic side, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow announced her campaign earlier this month, while Pete Buttigieg has taken himself out of contention.

Rogers left Congress in 2015 after serving 14 years in the House, including as chair of the House Intelligence Committee. Over the years Rogers, a former FBI agent and CNN commentator, had at times criticized Trump, but he endorsed Trumps 2024 campaign  and Trump reciprocated, endorsing Rogers bid for the Senate that year.

Rogers campaign said in a statement announcing his run that he will focus on education, lowering costs and countering cybersecurity threats from Russia, China and Iran, among other priorities.
Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, of White Lake, on Monday formally announced his entry into the race for what will be Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat next year.

It comes as no surprise: Rogers, a former state legislator and former FBI agent who from 2001 to 2015 represented what was then Michigan's 8th Congressional District, has said he was "strongly considering" entering the race after sitting Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said in January he would sit out a race for a third six-year term.

Rogers, who had been living in Florida and had lived in Howell when he formerly represented the state in Congress, moved back to Michigan ahead of an achingly close election he lost last year for an open U.S. Senate seat won by Democratic former U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, of Holly. Slotkin won the seat that had previously been held by former U.S. Rep. Debbie Stabenow by about three-tenths of 1 percentage point, or 19,006 votes out of nearly 5.6 million cast.

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In a prepared release announcing his candidacy on Monday morning at 7 a.m., Rogers' campaign said, "'Show up and do the hard work.' That is the lesson that Mikes parents taught him and his four brothers growing up in Livingston County  and it is the same lesson that he will live by as Michigans next U.S. senator. For too long, Michigan has been sold short by politicians who campaign as 'moderates' but govern as radical leftists. That ends today. With Democrats set to pour millions of dollars into Michigan, we know that the road to 2026 starts now. Mike will be an ally for President (Donald) Trump and champion for Michigan."

The campaign also released a 2-minute-long video from Rogers. "I'll stand with President Trump and we will deliver on the mandate given to him by the American people," he said in the video.

Rogers enters the race for the open U.S. Senate seat as a prohibitive favorite to win the Republican nomination, given his showing in last year's race. There are questions for him to answer as well, however. Chief among them is whether his close loss last year  in a year in which President Donald Trump carried Michigan, albeit narrowly  represents the high-water mark for Republicans running for U.S. Senate in a state where they haven't won a Senate seat since Spencer Abraham's single-term in 1994.

Other questions include whether Rogers will again enjoy Trump's endorsement, which helped him greatly in 2024, as Rogers had previously questioned the president's false claims about having won the 2020 election. Trump also won't be a factor in driving Republican turnout, since he won't be on the ticket, and it is far from clear how his policies  especially a series of tariffs on imports that many economists agree will raise prices and increase the risk of recession  will affect his and other Republicans' standing among Michigan voters.

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Mike Rogers has shown Michiganders time and again that he only fights for himself: He abandoned Michigan for a million-dollar mansion in Florida more than a decade ago, walked through the revolving door to get rich and cash out at Michiganders expense, and his threats to Social Security and support for reckless tariffs will spike costs for Michigan families," Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel said. "Michiganders will once again see Rogers for who he is  a self-serving politician who is only ever looking out for himself, and theyll reject him again just like they did in 2024.

Maeve Coyle, spokeswoman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which works to get Democrats elected to the Senate, said, "No Republican has won a Michigan Senate race for more than three decades and Democrats will hold this seat in 2026.

But the seat is coming open at a crucial time, with Democrats in the minority in the Senate and at least three senators from the party  Peters, Minnesota's Tina Smith and New Hampshire's Jeanne Shaheen  stepping down.

Politically speaking, Rogers, who rose to lead the House Intelligence Committee in Congress and following his stint in the U.S. House worked for businesses and as a cable TV commentator on issues of national security and cybersecurity, has always been a staunch conservative, favoring smaller government, less regulation and freer markets. He also consistently supported restrictions on abortion rights but said in the last election he would respect Michigan's decision to enact a referendum protecting rights to reproductive freedom.

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Since he and Trump endorsed one another in the last election, Rogers has been a full-throated supporter of the president's agenda.

He enters a race where the Republican field is uncertain. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, of Holland Township, who has been in Congress since 2011, is looking at a possible run for the seat, as is Tudor Dixon, who won the Republican nomination for governor with Trump's endorsement in 2022 and lost to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, has also been mentioned by pundits as a possible candidate, though a Trump endorsement for Rogers, if it is coming, could potentially clear the field.

Dr. Kent Benham, a dentist in the Deerfield area, has also filed to run as a Republican, as has Fred Heurtebise, of Luther, whose website describes him as a welder and engineer.

On Monday morning, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, of South Dakota, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which works to elect GOP candidates to the Senate, both endorsed Rogers in the race.

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Huizenga, for one, said he's still considering jumping in, even with Rogers' entry.

"After 25 years without a conservative voice in the Senate, Michigan needs someone who can win, in order to fight for our state, fight for small businesses, and fight for President Trumps agenda," he posted on X. "With the filing deadline nearly a year away and Team Huizenga raising more than $925,000, I will continue to talk with voters and ask them who they believe is the best candidate for Republicans to nominate and elect to serve Michigan in the U.S. Senate."

Democrats, meanwhile, will hotly contest the race for the open seat being vacated by Peters. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, of Royal Oak, announced her candidacy for the seat two weeks ago, giving the race its first big-name candidate, and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, of Birmingham, former state House Speaker Joe Tate, of Detroit, and former Wayne County health director Dr. Abdul El-Sayed are considering entering the race. State Attorney General Dana Nessel has been discussed by pundits as a possible entry as well.

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.

This story has been updated with additional information.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mike Rogers enters US Senate race a second time
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Its shaping up to be a great start to the week in western Colorado. Expect sunny skies today with temperatures in the mid seventies. Tonight, temperatures are only expected to drop into the low forties with mostly clear skies. This trend of great, spring-like temperatures will continue until midweek when chances for showers begin to increase slightly.



Showers over the Flat Tops are expected to come to an end over the next couple hours as a cold front moves out of the region. Cooler high temperatures are expected today before a warmup kicks in tomorrow onwards. Active weather picks up again tomorrow and is expected to persist into the weekend.



A stalled cold front continues to linger across the Book Cliffs and Flat Tops, as do some mild snow showers. Due to the dry low-level environment, most lower elevation locations along this band have received virtually no precipitation. This morning and afternoon, we continue to look at dry surface conditions underneath a strengthening ridge with an axis centered across the County Watch Area. While some gusty conditions could be happening near the San Juans tonight, wind gust potential in the valley will remain low today.



Wednesday will possibly see a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. Along with this storm system comes gusty outflow winds and an increase in cloud coverage. However, tomorrow may also be seeing some clouds in the afternoon and evening skies with no precipitation expected to accompany it. As it drops almost due southward, another closed low spinning of the California Coast will eject pieces of energy that may bring a few isolated showers to the areamainly northeast Utah and the northern valleys late Wednesday night.



By Friday morning, the closed low from the north will be settled over Nevada, which may be just close enough for the western slope to feel another round of showers just before the weekend. However, it seems to be a great first half of the week, and April showers to wrap it up!



Overall, expect a beautiful day today!

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
A teen from Milford was killed in an early morning rollover crash in Northbridge Monday,

Police officers responded to a one-car crash on Quaker Street. Responding officers found the vehicle, a 2010 Honda Civic, down an embankment with the driver trapped inside, Northbridge police chief Tim Laabie told Boston 25 News.

Crews were eventually able to pull Maverick Westcott, 18, of Milford out of the heavily damaged Civic but pronounced him deceased at the scene.

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An initial investigation determined that the Civic was traveling south on Quaker Street at a high rate of speed when it lost control, left the roadway, flipped over the guard rail, and struck a tree, crushing the roof.

The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Worcester County District Attorneys office is assisting Northbridge police with the investigation.

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A Milford teenager died after he lost control of his car and drove down an embankment in Northbridge on Monday morning, NBC 10 Boston reported.

Maverick Westcott was pronounced dead at the Quaker Street crash, according to a police statement obtained by the news station.

First responders learned of the crash at around 4:15 a.m., NBC reported.

Westcott drove in his Honda Civic and became trapped inside the car after it was heavily damaged driving down an embankment, police told NBC. After he was taken out of the Honda, he was pronounced dead.

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Westcott drove south on Quaker Street and lost control, with his car flipping over a guardrail and striking a tree, the news station cited investigators.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

MassLive has reached out to the Northbridge Police Department for more information.

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Without US support, it will be difficult to achieve a quick and fair peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"It will be difficult to achieve this goal, the desired goal, to end the war as quickly as possible and have a fair peace. And a quick end and a fair peace will be difficult to achieve without the United States. Without the United States, there will be more losses. This is a fact. Therefore, I would not like to consider this option. But this is our destiny, our land, our life. One way or another, we will end this war," Zelenskyy said in an interview with CBS News, aired on Sunday April 13.

He emphasized that Ukraine would like a stronger position from the United States.

"The United States of America is our partner. We count on the United States. But today the United States has taken the position of a mediator. But I do not know, history will show, the future will show... I want to believe that this position will work for a quick end to the war," the president said.
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner)

Federal layoffs have hampered the city of Milwaukees ability to respond to growing concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) denied the citys requests for assistance after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cut the agencys response team, which would have helped Milwaukee tackle lead contamination in its K-12 schools.

This is a pretty unprecedented scenario to not have somebody to turn to at the CDC, said Mike Totoraitis, commissioner of the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD), during a Monday press conference. Totoraitis learned of the development, which he said left him quite shocked, in an email as the Health Department was planning further responses to lead contamination in MPS. To see that all of our partners at the CDC had been let go was prettypretty difficult, he said.

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Although a local network of partners will continue supporting MHDs efforts, Totoraitis said that the department now has no CDC contacts to consult with on childhood lead poisoning. The commissioner called it a pretty stark moment for us at the department to not have someone to reach out to federally.

In February the Health Department began reaching out to the CDC as staff members realized the scale of the lead problem e in MPS buildings. Totoraitis said the department might have to assess the school districts 68,000 students and over 100 school buildings.

The CDC initially connected the city to specialists at the National Center for Environmental Healths childhood lead prevention program. City health officials had hoped national teams would help investigate potential lead exposure cases and help with evaluating which schools were likely to have the worst problems.

Totoraitis explained that while there are acute exposures to lead  such as ingesting paint chips  chronic exposure from dust was paint degrades over time is also a hazard.

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With closer analysis, the health department would be able to learn more about how children in Milwaukee are getting exposed to lead, including whether theyre exposed at school or at home.

CDC was expected to send three to four people to Milwaukee for up to five weeks, he said, as well as provide technical assistance from individuals advising the department remotely from Atlanta.

Thats why we engaged them right away, said Totoraitis. He described the team as the top experts in the field for lead exposure, with experience dealing with lead hazards at a much wider scale than local experts in Milwaukee.

There was no indication that the CDC teams would be let go, said Totoraitis. So that was pretty startling, he added. Preparation to deploy the teams was underway when the CDC abruptly canceled overnight on April 1.

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So far, nearly 250 MPS students have been tested for lead poisoning and several schools have been shut down as work crews undertake remediation efforts.

In early April, MPS announced that it was separating with its facilities director Sean Kane, whod been with the district for 25 years. Officials said Kane had not allowed health department staff into Golda Meir School to do a full risk assessment and did not disclose that remediation work had been attempted after a student tested positive for lead contamination.

Childhood lead contamination has been linked to cognitive disorders including degraded impulse control, learning disabilities and violent behavior. About 85 MPS schools were built before 1970 and are therefore at high risks of lead contamination.

Totoraitis said that so far, there isnt a timeline on when MPS schools that have been closed due to lead will reopen. Fernwood Montessori School, Starms Early Childhood Center and LaFollette School were closed, while four others that had been closed were re-opened.

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Totoraitis said that remediation work is farthest along at Fernwood, which is beginning its fifth week of closure. Fernwood was significantly worse off than investigators anticipated and required extensive repair work, he said.

As the city works to respond to the lead issue, federal staff and the unpredictability of federal assistance will remain a challenge. Just a couple of weeks ago, the city lost $11 million in COVID-19 grants that were geared towards recovery rather than response, officials said.

The part thats really concerning for us is there hasnt been any communication warning us of these changes and shifts in personnel, said Totoraitis. April 1 is a really stark moment for public health here across the country, and specifically here in Milwaukee, where now we dont know who to call. We dont know how to respond to some of the challenges that were dealing with right now because we dont know if Im reaching out to someone today, if theyre going to be there tomorrow.

Totoraitis said the Health Department and its local partners stand ready to respond, but he questioned what could happen if the department encounters a complex challenge, such as a particularly complicated blood screening data.

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The CDC brings that expertise, that bigger picture, that we just dont have eyes to because were here focused on an issue in Milwaukee, said Totoraitis.

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Minneapolis City Council member Emily Koski announced Monday she's ended her campaign for mayor.

Koski, who represents Ward 11 in south central Minneapolis, is considered one of the council's more moderate Democratic members.

In a statement Monday, Koski said she made the "difficult decision" to end her challenge to Mayor Jacob Frey.

"I see a Minneapolis that is multigenerational, family-friendly and a city where residents feel they always come first," she wrote. "That vision still lives in me. It always will."

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"But Ive come to a hard truth: under the current political climate, I cant be my authentic self and be a candidate in this race the way it demands," she continued. "I tried to balance it allbe a mom, build a great team, serve as a Council Member, raise a million dollars, show up for my kids, show up for every event, all while being a person driven by honesty and integrity."

Emily Koski for Mayor of Minneapolis | Facebook.

Koski has been an outspoken critic on what she describes as "toxicity" within Minneapolis politics  something she has often blamed, in part, on Frey's tenure.

In her statement Monday, Koski said the environment within city politics "punishes integrity, vilifies collaboration, and prioritizes power over people."

"Its a system where doing whats right isnt just difficult, its discouraged at every turn," she wrote.

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Koski said she hoped her campaign could begin to foster "real, systemic, courageous change."

"But instead of spending time with residents and talking about how to fix the real problems facing our neighborhoods, I found myself spending hours and hours fundraising just to stay afloat, working tirelessly to reject lies spread by anonymous donors and political action committees," she wrote. "Thats not the city I want to leador the example I want to set for my children."

Frey said he is seeking reelection to a "final term" as mayor, promising "good thoughtful governance" in a time of political "extremism."

"I have stood up for whats best for our city even when it was not politically expedient to do so. Its time for us to love our city more than our ideology," he stated in a campaign message. "Together, we can make Minneapolis a national model for progressive governance that is laser-focused not on politics, but on delivering for residents."

He faces a challenge from DeWayne Davis, lead minister of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis; Howard Dotson, a pastor at Urban Presbyterian; Sen. Omar Fateh, a democratic socialist who is the first Somali American to serve in the Minnesota Senate; Jazz Hampton, a community advocate, attorney and business owner; and Brenda Short, who became a Minneapolis homeowner and small business owner after experiencing homelessness.
What started as a community event celebrating Easter turned fatal at a Mississippi church. According to authorities, a deacon at the Empowerment Ministries Christian Center (EMCC) stepped in to defend a fellow church goer from an armed man, then tragedy struck.

Lets start from the beginning. Members of EMCC gathered for a family egg hunt on Saturday (April 12). An altercation involving Tyran Deion Gable, 24, and a woman broke out during the festivities, according to WLOX. An initial investigation determined the dispute began over a custody battle.

Thats when Deacon Eddie Shed, 39, stepped in to deescalate the domestic situation, according to WLOX. Its unclear what exactly escalated the disagreement, but at some point, Gable allegedly pulled a gun and began shooting. Shed and a second parishioner, Jimmy Nance, were both hit several times, according to a GoFundMe page. But while Nance was airlifted to a hospital in Mobile, Ala. to treat his severe injuries, Shed was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Now, Members of EMCC are calling Shed a hero after he was killed while trying to protectthe woman. In a GoFundMe page to support his family, YaFrica Edwards wrote the deacon showed selfless courage and bravery that ultimately saved others from harm. He paid the ultimate price for his valor, and we are deeply saddened by this loss. Other members of the church shared similar sentiments.

He died a hero doing what he does best, and thats protecting and thats loving and thats looking out for everyone, fellow church member Alexis Weathersby told WLOX. He was just a wonderful man that was willing to do any and everything for anyone.

Another EMCC member, Taylor Sanders, said Shed was that guy you could always have a laugh with and always count on to be at the church. She continued saying, When the doors opened and when the doors shut, he was just that guy, and were just distraught at this moment.

The alleged suspect, Gable, was also injured during the confrontation, according to the Sun Herald. He was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault. A judge denied Gable bond for the murder charge but awarded a $250,000 bond for the aggravated assault charge.

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WAUKEGAN, Ill.  A Waukegan man has been arrested and charged after the body of a missing Antioch woman was found in a container on his property.

On Sunday, March 9, 37-year-old Megan Bos was reported missing from Antioch. Bos was known to spend time in Waukegan and the Antioch Police Department began their investigation, working with other agencies including the Waukegan Police Department to help find her.

On Thursday, April 10, authorities went to a Waukegan business to question 52-year-old Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, a person of interest who had frequent contacts with Bos. Mendoza-Gonzalez spoke Spanish and a Waukegan police officer provided translation.

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Family, Antioch police seek whereabouts of woman missing nearly a month

During the conversation, Mendoza-Gonzalez started talking about Bos coming to his house on Wednesday, Feb. 19, but he initially said she left after her visit. After talking about her whereabouts and whether or not she was still alive, Mendoza-Gonzalez said he did not want to be arrested at the store but did not say why, according to investigators.

Police said Mendoza-Gonzalez was then taken to the Waukegan Police Department where their conversation continued. He told detectives that Bos was in a container in his yard, located in the 700 block of Yeoman Street in Waukegan. Mendoza-Gonzalezs home was then secured and detectives obtained a search warrant for the property.

(Photo: Waukegan Police Department)

Further into the interview, detectives said Mendoza-Gonzalez told them that Bos came over to his home on Feb. 19 and visited with him. At some point, Bos snorted some drugs, but Mendoza-Gonzalez stated he did not know what type of drug it was.

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Bos then reportedly asked if she could hang out in Mendoza-Gonzalezs basement, which he obliged while he went to another part of the house to fix a leaky pipe. When he returned, he allegedly found Bos dead, believing she had overdosed, according to police.

Mendoza-Gonzalez told detectives he was afraid he was going to be in trouble, so he left her in the basement for a few days before moving her to a container in his yard, where she remained until detectives found her on Thursday, April 10.

According to investigators, Mendoza-Gonzalez said on the night of the alleged overdose, he broke Boss phone and threw it in the trash. When asked what he planned on doing with her, he said he did not know.

Detectives took Boss body to the Lake County Coroners Office where an autopsy was performed on Friday, April 11.

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The coroners office said there were no signs of any trauma to her body, nor were there any signs of a struggle.

Meanwhile, Mendoza-Gonzalez was charged with two counts of concealment of a death, abuse of a corpse and obstructing justice. He appeared in court for the first time on Saturday, April 12.

The investigation remains ongoing and detectives are waiting for further results from the laboratory, including a toxicology report.

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UPDATE (April 14, 8:30 p.m.): The Harrison County Coroners Office has identified the boater who was found dead Sunday in Biloxi Bay.

The boater was identified as Larry Marreel, 84.

PREVIOUS REPORTING:

BILOXI, Miss. (WKRG)  A missing mans body was found in Mississippis Biloxi Bay over the weekend.

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a call about an empty vessel with the motor running Sunday morning.

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A spokesperson with the Coast Guard told News 5 that crews went out around 11 a.m. to search the bay. They later posted on social media asking the public for information about the boat.

Photo Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile is looking for any information on a 17ft Cape Horn vessel, registration number MI0191AZ. The vessel is adrift at the mouth of Biloxi Bay with the motor running and no one on board.  U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Facebook

The boaters body was found around 2:30 p.m. in Biloxi Bay, located between Biloxi and Ocean Springs.

The Coast Guard confirms the boater was a man but are unable to release additional information about his identity.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  A Springfield, Missouri, man has been issued a summons to appear in court next month after driving his truck into a local gas station and convenience store earlier this year.

According to the Springfield Police Departments probable cause statement, the crash happened shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Kum & Go in the 2100 block of South Campbell Avenue.

Police said security video shows Dale W. Hamit, 60, driving his 2012 Dodge Ram into the front of the gas station and breaking two large windows in the process.

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Hamit backed his truck up and left the store without speaking with gas station employees, police said. He then return to the store twice over the next hour and spoke with an employee, but never admitted to being the driver. Hamit even watched the security video of the crash with the employee.

When an officer arrived at the gas station, Hamit denied being the driver and said his truck wasnt the one involved in the crash.

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Police said the officer reviewed footage from the crash and the other two times Hamit came to the gas station and confirmed it was the same truck and that it was Hamit who got out of the vehicle.

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The officer went to Hamits nearby home. When confronted with the evidence, police said Hamit admitted to being the driver. Hamit said he was driving in his Crocs and that they got caught in the gas pedal, causing him to accelerate and crash into the gas station.

Hamit told police he freaked out and left the scene of the crash.

Police said it cost the gas station owners $3,720 to remove and replace the broken windows, according to damage estimates.

The Greene County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Hamit with leaving the scene of an accident  property damage exceeding $1,000. Hamit will make his first appearance in court on Wednesday, May 14.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A 24-year-old man was sentenced on Monday for the killing of a Carthage, Missouri woman in Miami County, Kansas last year.

Miami County Chief Judge Amy Harth sentenced Gavino McJunkins-Macias, of Carthage, to 10 years and three months in prison for the charge of second-degree murder.

Police release photo of ATV driver who ran over KCPD officer

McJunkins-Macias pleaded guilty to the charge back in February, according to court documents.

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Carthage, Missouri police officers found the victim, 24-year-old Kenia Lopez, dead inside a camper on June 13, 2024.

Court documents say McJunkins-Macias was the victims husband.

Investigators believe Lopez was killed in Louisburg, Kansas, on Metcalf Road. Her body and the camper were then driven to Carthage.

McJunkins-Macias was then located and taken into custody in Jasper County, Missouri.

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Court documents say he left the victims body in the camper for about 3 1/2 hours while he met with his family and handled other business.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ukraine is ready to buy 10 Patriot air defense systems for $15 billion, but at least 10 systems are needed to protect some cities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"We are ready to buy one system that costs $1.5 billion, but we need at least 10 systems to close (the air space for) some cities We are ready to pay these $15 billion, we will find this money and pay everything," Zelenskyy said in an interview for CBS News aired on April 13.

According to the president, the second option for protecting Ukraine is licenses for the production of Patriot systems and missiles for them. Zelenskyy said he asked both the Biden and Trump administrations for this.

"We wanted to pay for this, get licenses, and then understand how and in what time frame we can build a full-fledged system to close our skies," Zelenskyy explained.

He added that there are countries where Patriot systems are located, but there are no military operations there. These systems could be transferred to Ukraine.

"We were even ready to receive them (air defense systems) on lease, the president added.
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt speaks to reporters after the Governor's Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia in August 2024 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt is confused about what his job is  or unwilling to do it.

Asked recently about the Trump Administration impounding $8.5 million of Title X funds granted to the Missouri Family Health Council to provide contraception, cancer screenings and STI testing at 52 clinics across the state, Schmitt sought to downplay the panic about Trumps broader impounding of funds.

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Schmitt said he gets asked questions about what Trump might do to us, but says those things never happen. Theres an effort to sort of gin up outrage all the time.

On the withholding of Title X funds specifically, Schmitt said he would be happy to look at it more closely. I just think this idea that somehow everythings in jeopardy, its just not true.

Now do Guatemalan sex changes need to go? Yeah, we dont need to fund that, he continued. Do we need to fund DEI in Burma? No, we dont need to do that. Do we need to fund DEI Sesame Street in Iraq? We dont need to do that, thats part of the problem, though, right? All of this stuff is just going out the door, nobodys looked at it, its been really irresponsible.

Thats a lot of dishonesty to unpack, but the bottom line is that everything is in fact in jeopardy and its Schmitts job to do something about it.

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Forgive my stating the obvious, but we have three branches of government and Schmitt is a member of the legislative branch. Its his job to pass laws and allocate funding. The president doesnt get to ignore the laws that Congress has passed. Yet Schmitt is trying to absolve Trump and Elon Musks illegal withholding of funding by playing dumb about the essential programs that Trumps theft is wrecking.

Congress enacted Title X over 50 years ago to fund necessary reproductive health care for low-income individuals. If Schmitt is genuinely unfamiliar with Title X, that is embarrassing for him and for Missouri. More likely, he is fully aware that increasing numbers of his constituents are scared or angry.

Schmitt is presumably repeating debunked claims about Sesame Street and Guatemalan sex changes to distract from the fact that life saving programs are being gutted.

For example, funding for vaccine outreach is being withheld at a moment when we have a resurgence of measles, including in nearby states, that has killed children. The feds are withholding $255 million intended for public health programs in Missouri, and millions of our medical research dollars.

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But setting aside the relative merits of any particular program  if Congress funded it, Trump doesnt get to just take it away.

Congressional Republicans, rather than demanding Trump execute the laws they have passed, have been lobbying Trump for relief for favored constituents, like farmers, from his impoundments and tariffs.

Begging the king for favors is not how things are supposed to work in our constitutional system.

It isnt legal for Trump to rip up the budget because this is a representative democracy. The budget is the product of negotiations and compromises made by legislators representing the interests of people across the U.S.  not just the presidents favorite people.

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A distaste for taking hard votes and saying hard things is a longstanding problem in Congress that has concentrated too much power in the executive branch. But this is an abdication of Congresss duties like weve never seen before.

Though our representatives have sometimes acknowledged the pain Trump is causing, they have done next to nothing to stop it. Trumps tariffs (which are likely illegal because he is using emergency powers when there is no emergency) could be stopped by Congress.

Instead, House Republicans, including all of Missouris, voted to amend House rules so that they cannot take a vote on removing the tariffs. They know their constituents are in trouble, but they are unwilling to do their jobs representing them if it means risking the wrath of Trump.

In the Senate, four Republicans did vote to end the national emergency supposedly justifying Trumps tariffs on Canada. Missouris senators were not among them.

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Trumps carnival of lawlessness has led to nearly 150 lawsuits seeking to remove tariffs or restore funding, but the courts will not be enough to save us.

If clinics across the state close, kids go hungry, and people die of preventable diseases, our cowardly legislators will be as much to blame as Trump.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A Mobile man was arrested after he allegedly presented himself as a police officer, News 5 has learned.

We would like to be clear: Baldwin County restaurants react to study on locally sourced shrimp

Joshua Hughes was arrested Friday and charged with impersonating a peace officer. (Courtesy of Mobile County Sheriffs Office)

According to a Mobile Police Department news release, at about 11 p.m. Friday, officers were called to the Chevron at 1275 Springhill Ave., in response to a man impersonating a police officer.

LOCATION:

When officers arrived, they spoke to the man, who was wearing a polo shirt with a badge, the release said.

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Upon further investigation, officers discovered the subject was not a sworn officer, the release said.

Missing boater found dead in Biloxi Bay

Joshua Hughes, 42, was arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer, the release said. He was taken to the Mobile Metro Jail.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
SPRINGFIELD  As Illinois closes in on its deadline of being carbon-free by midcentury, even as demands for energy rise, legislators are looking to satisfy both needs through a strategy many so far have tried to avoid: allowing new, large-scale nuclear reactors to be built in the state.

The initiative wending through the General Assembly comes even though Gov. JB Pritzker vetoed and narrowed a similar plan two years ago when he set limits on the size of new nuclear power plants in Illinois. But the governor appeared open to taking a different tack when he said recently hes willing to work with the bipartisan group of lawmakers backing the latest proposal that would permit the construction of nuclear reactors of any size.

Were looking forward to having a bill that comes to my desk that will allow us to expand the options for nuclear in the state of Illinois, Pritzker said last week. But it has to be done in the right way, and I think the legislature and my team are working together to make sure that that happens.

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Illinois has more nuclear reactors than any other state. But supporters of allowing new, large reactors to be constructed in Illinois, including labor and manufacturing advocates, argue that building more nuclear power plants is needed to help answer rising energy demands and the states ambitious clean energy goals, which call for retiring major traditional sources of power such as natural gas-fired energy plants by 2045.

The issue of broadly expanding nuclear power has historically ignited a divide between two core Democratic Party coalitions: labor unions and environmentalists. Unions like the idea because it will create more union jobs, but environmental groups think efforts to create new clean energy should go elsewhere.

Whats more, if Pritzker backs the idea of allowing the construction of nuclear reactors of any size in Illinois, that would be a significant backtrack from his previous positions.

In 2023, just before the General Assembly first attempted to lift the ban, the governor said he wanted to make sure that were not just opening this up to nuclear everywhere or any type of nuclear. Pritzker also told an audience at Harvard Universitys Institute of Politics later that spring that lifting the ban would not include building any major new plants.

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When Pritzker vetoed the 2023 effort, he cited that vague definitions in the bill would open the door to proliferation of large-scale nuclear reactors that are so costly to build that they will cause exorbitant ratepayer-funded bailouts. So when he approved the smaller measure that year ending a nearly four-decade moratorium on the construction of any nuclear plants in Illinois, he set limits on the size of those new plants and focused on small modular reactors, also known as SMRs, that work off new technology.

State Rep. Dave Vella, a Rockford Democrat who is helping spearhead the latest effort, said the political winds have changed, as have the states needs for more power.

Two years ago, we were in different places, Vella said. I was there with (then-state Rep.) Lance Yednock when they ran the first bill, and the governors office was not on board for sure back then. I would say they have not been pushing back on me at all this year.

Vella told the Tribune on Friday that hes aiming to include key language in a legislative package being produced by a House energy working group. The bill could include guidelines allowing for new, large-scale nuclear reactors to be built in the state along with clean-energy initiatives, said state Rep. Ann Williams, a member of the working group.

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Dave had interesting energy ideas, and its a priority for him in his community to make sure we can advance clean energy sources, including nuclear, and so we thought it would make sense to include it, Williams said. Making sure that we have our energy needs met is a priority for all of us, and theres a lot of things evolving in the conversation.

Yet energy legislation in general has historically gotten bogged down in Springfield when lawmakers try to satisfy competing interests. Thats what happened in 2016 and 2021 when negotiations over major climate bills took multiple sessions to finalize. Vella said if that happens, hell push the measure later as an individual bill. The governors interest in the initiative could help move the bill forward, he added.

Williams is hopeful for a compromise by the end of May and said that since the passage of the states 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, state lawmakers have learned a lot about how to put together a package that works for ratepayers, making sure we have enough power on the grid.

Still, there is some opposition.

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A spokesperson for the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club, which is working on other major climate bills around battery storage, said the organization opposes allowing for the construction of large nuclear power plants in Illinois and questioned if nuclear energy is really clean.

Nuclear power is, yes, it is low carbon, but its not totally clean, said Jack Darin, director of the Illinois Sierra Club chapter. There are real impacts associated with the full life cycle of nuclear power, from the mining of uranium to the disposal of waste in Illinois, which is already home to the most nuclear waste of any state in the country.

If the legislation passes, Illinois would join a number of other states that have recently reversed similar bans as policymakers look to nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free alternative to keep up with rising energy demands from data centers, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and more.

Pritzker has welcomed this type of economic development as a priority in his second term, providing significant tax incentives for data centers building in the state.

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The future is electric, and we want to make sure that its as clean as possible, and we dont want to revert back to coal, said state Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat who supports expanding nuclear power plant construction. For data centers or other bigger projects  we need more power. We are in a really interesting time in nuclear power right now. Its very much a boom.

Advocates also include Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association. He said the the organization is worried about the states ability to keep up with this energy boom while also retiring major energy sources, which was called for with the 2021 climate and jobs act. Renewable energy sources arent reliable enough to sustainably support the state, Denzler said.

Nuclear power operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said. When you look at your intermittent sources such as wind and solar, the sun doesnt always shine, the wind doesnt always blow.

The small modular reactors  which can begin being constructed on Jan. 1 according to the narrowed 2023 law  are not enough either, according to Denzler. Under the proposed legislation, both small modular reactors and larger reactors could be built in the state.

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State Sen. Sue Rezin, a Republican from Morris, said loosening restrictions on building large reactors could attract new data center construction from large companies, creating new jobs and tax revenue.

We just want to remove barriers and signal support that if a company chooses to build out nuclear power that Illinois should be considered as theyre considering where to invest, Rezin said.

While the legislation might allow it, its unclear if there are companies actually looking to invest in the states nuclear power industry.

NuScale Power, the only company with a federally approved SMR design, pulled the plug on its first commercial project in 2023 in Utah due to a lack of financing. A spokesperson for Constellation Energy, which operates 11 nuclear reactors in Illinois, said Constellation fully supports the proposed legislation but has no plans to build new nuclear plants in Illinois. Instead, the company is focusing on extending the licenses of existing plants and investing in new equipment to increase their output, according to a statement.

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Construction on nuclear reactors can also be very expensive to both the state and ratepayers, according to Darin, who says cost is the main reason the Illinois Sierra Club opposes the legislation.

Its by far the most expensive form of electricity, Darin said. Its just unwise to move forward with new nuclear energy right now, especially when renewables have reached cost parity with other forms of generation.

Darin is also worried about how tough federal oversight will be on nuclear plants. He noted President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February requiring independent regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to report efficiency and performance standards to ensure the agencies align with the presidents policies.

This comes at a time when the Trump administration is gutting a lot of our nuclear safety bureaucracy so the framework that weve had to date that ensures there are watchdogs watching over these waste sites in our communities, we cant count on them anymore, Darin said.

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Trump also issued an executive order last week pushing back on state policies to regulate energy use that could undermine Illinois transition to renewable energy sources under CEJA. Pritzker said Trumps order interferes with states rights.

They can supersede it if they want to pass a law. But you cant just decide as the executive branch in the federal government to impede a state law, the governor said.

While Vella is hopeful that restrictions are lifted, even if they are, nuclear power plants wont be under construction overnight. It takes eight to 10 years to be approved by the NRC before companies can start construction on nuclear reactors, according to Rezin, and some argue the states energy needs do not demand urgency.

My sense is that Illinois is not currently in a bind as far as power needs are concerned, said Robert Rosner, a theoretical physicist and founding co-director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, adding that data center firms will likely want to build their own power sources.

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And some opponents remember the partial nuclear meltdown in 1979 at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania and worry expanding nuclear energy right now is rash.

David Kraft, co-founder of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, a nonprofit group opposed to nuclear power said the over 10,000 tons of nuclear waste in Illinois, according to NEIS, should be taken care of before more plants are built.

Indeed, nuclear waste was the motivation behind the 1987 ban on nuclear plant construction in Illinois.

This is dangerous turf, Kraft said. Every nuclear reactor in the country, not just Illinois, has no place to dispose of its high-level radioactive waste, and nobody has bothered to really solve the disposal issue in an environmentally responsible way. That was the original purpose of the moratorium  you clean up your mess first before you make more of it.
Kaiden Forman-Webster

ICT + MTFP

A bill to create a sentencing minimum for some fatal DUIs in Montana has cleared the state House by wide margins and is poised to do the same in the Senate after passing an initial vote 45-5.

Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, is sponsoring House Bill 267 to strengthen penalties for DUIs that result in a death by establishing the crime of aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. The new law would only be applicable to alcohol and not other drugs.

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The bill, dubbed Bobbys Law, will impose a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 30 years for someone found guilty of killing a person while in the aggravated state, meaning they have a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.16, or double the legal limit. Mitchell said he brought the bill in honor of Robert Bobby Dewbre, his family friend and neighbor who was hit and killed by a drunken driver on his 21st birthday.

Mitchell said on the House floor during debate Feb. 6 that Montana is among the few states that do not have an aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence provision in state law.

Florida, for example, has a four-year minimum sentence. Other states such as Texas and California also have their own laws regarding aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. Mitchell argued that HB 267 will show Montanas commitment to making roads safer across the state.

There is currently no minimum prison sentence for a person convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence in Montana. The maximum penalty is 30 years and a fine of up to $50,000.

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One of the worst parts about all of this is the person who killed him barely faced any consequences even though he killed someone, Mitchell said of Dewbre. In that case, the drunken driver was sentenced to 18 months in county jail. Mitchell called this sentencing unfathomable.

Mitchell said he worked closely with Dewbres mother and others to create the legislation.

A U.S. Department of Transportation report from 2021 found that 44% of driving fatalities in Montana involved alcohol  the highest rate in the nation. In January, Forbes ranked Montana the worst state for drunken driving.

A judge cant delay or suspend the sentencing with an amendment. The court cannot suspend execution of the first three years of that sentence, Mitchell said of what his bill would accomplish, adding there are exceptions for those who are under 18 or have mental issues."

Mothers Meet

While Native Americans make up 6.7 percent of Montanas population, they account for 17 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in the state each year, according to the state Department of Transportation.

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In her testimony supporting HB 267, Alissa Snow, representing the Blackfeet Tribe, Fort Belknap Indian Community, and the Chippewa Cree Tribe, spoke of Mika Westwolf. Westwolf, 22 and a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation, was killed in a hit-and-run in March 2023. Westwolfs mother is a close friend of Snow and Westwolf was like my niece, Snow said during her testimony.

Mika Westwolf was walking home on Highway 93 north of Arlee and was struck and killed by Sunny White, who did not render aid or call for assistance. She left her on the side of the road, where her body was found almost immediately after. Evidence at the scene showed she had never even attempted to slow down or stop. She was apprehended right away, Snow said. She had her two children with her and was later found to be under the influence.

Snow said Westwolfs family advocated for justice for two years, hosting awareness walks and demanding action. Sunny White was sentenced in February to 10 years in the Montana State Womens Prison for vehicular homicide. White tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine shortly after striking Westwolf and received the maximum sentence. Snow noted in her testimony that not all families see justice in their loved ones deaths.

Westwolfs mother, Carissa Heavy Runner, chose not to testify during a hearing for the bill. Snow spoke on her behalf, allowing Heavy Runner to remain home with family to focus on self-healing, with the two-year mark after Westwolfs death bringing the trauma back into focus.

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The importance of self-care is very new to me. There is no handbook on this type of thing. At the beginning of these things it's the family that is doing the investigation even though you are in a very vulnerable state, when you should be able to just grieve, Heavy Runner told Montana Free Press.

In an interview with MTFP and ICT, Heavy Runner spoke about how she was introduced to Elizabeth McBride, Bobby Dewbres mother.

We met over the Mika Matters website, that is how Beth reached out to me. She asked me if I wanted to testify on Bobbys Law [HB 267]. Beth introduced me to the Montana Bar Fairies and I told her about the MMIP [Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples] movement, Heavy Runner said. Beth asked if I would like to have Mikas picture and her story on the back of the card to help with awareness.

Thats the strategy the Montana Bar Fairies use to advocate for people out drinking to get a sober driver.

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At the crack of dawn on weekend mornings, we patrol the parking lots of local gathering spots and bars, searching for cars left overnight. When we spot a car from the previous night, we discreetly leave a card and a $5 gift card to a local coffee shop as a token of gratitude for choosing not to drive home under the influence, reads the organizations website.

Heavy Runner met McBride in person for the first time at Whites sentencing.

Meeting face-to-face was a very powerful day, with all the supporters being there at the sentencing, we related through the love of our children, Heavy Runner said.

The Montana Bar Fairies is a nonprofit organization that began with family members and now has locations in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Big Fork, as well as a new branch in Missoula.

Bar Fairies pack committee hearing

One of the largest committee rooms inside the Capitol was packed with people who came to testify in support of the bill March 27. Many wore black, long-sleeved crewnecks that read Montana Bar Fairies, a nonprofit created by Dewbres mother and sister to advocate for sober rides and safer roads.

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Dewbres mother was the first proponent to address the committee. She spoke about the tragedy her family faced and said the man who killed her son was sentenced to 18 months in the county jail. The sentencing was Oct. 31, 2023. Unbelievably the man that took my son's life will be released next month. The driver's blood alcohol content was 0.20, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, yet he was charged with merely two misdemeanors, she said.

We are not suggesting that people stop drinking but we are imploring you to send the clear message that getting drunk and then getting behind the wheel will not be tolerated.

Robert Dewbre, Bobby Dewbres father, also spoke in support of the bill. He said he made mistakes in the past and grew up with a culture of drinking and driving, telling the committee hed been charged with two DUIs over a 20-year span.

Drinking and driving was normalized for me at a young age and as an adult I took to it like a fish to water, he said.

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Dewbre told the committee that throughout the 20-year period, he continually drove under the influence.

If I needed to get somewhere, I went regardless. And believe me when I tell you that I was not alone because drinking and driving was and is a part of the culture in the state of Montana. And to be honest I did not worry much about the threat of DUIs either, the fine, the night in jail, Dewbre said.   They all basically amounted to a slap on the wrist. I had to quit drinking completely to break that chain.

Carli Seymour, Bobby Dewbres older sister, said she attended the hearing to speak for the next family that will be affected by drunken driving in Montana.

We have lost too many innocent Montanans and for too long we have neglected their families, she told the committee. We cannot continue to be complacent when the reality is that your constituents are being peeled off the pavement and sent to the morgue with shocking unacceptable regularity.

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Twenty-eight individuals spoke in support of the bill, with many more choosing not to speak but raising their hands to show their support of the bill. No one that attended the packed committee room spoke in opposition.

HB 267 cleared the House last month and on Wednesday it passed a second reading in the Senate with a strong bipartisan vote. The bill saw a technical amendment while in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and has now been referred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.

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This story is co-published by Montana Free Press and ICT, a news partnership that covers the Montana American Indian Caucus during the states 2025 legislative session
A bill to ban polystyrene foam takeout containers has passed the Montana Legislature. (Getty images)

Senator Daniel Zolnikov brought one of lifes biggest dilemmas to the Senate floor over the weekend: When youre microwaving leftovers, how do you determine the perfect amount of time needed to evenly heat your food?

Specifically, how long should you heat up your takeout pork carnitas in its styrofoam container?

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Is it a minute? A minute-and-a-half? The ultimate, ultimate microwave dilemma Zolnikov asked. Better to do it a little longer than have it still be cold in the middle.

However, that decision comes with increased risks

But you microwaved it too long, and the styrofoam has had some small portions that now also melted.

Zolnikov carried House Bill 477 through the Senate, a bill that would ban the use of styrofoam containers in the food industry within five years. He, and other proponents of the legislation, urged lawmakers to consider the known health risks of polystyrene foam, as well as the environmental concerns of using a material that doesnt break down easily.

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But opponents in the Senate, and in prior House debates, decried the legislation as governmental overreach and asked for free-market solutions to handle the problem.

HB 477, introduced by Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula, provides for a phase out of expanded polystyrene foam  commonly called styrofoam  containers used to serve or package food from restaurants and food establishment, including coffee cups, plates, trays, and other food and drink carriers. The law would affect roughly 7,500 establishments in Montana, according to the bills fiscal note.

The bill creates a three-step process for the phaseout beginning in 2028 with the use of styrofoam containers used to serve food consumed on site. The next year it expands to packaging prepared food, and in 2030 will apply to food packagers and include bakery items and other prepared food. The Department of Environmental Quality would be tasked with ensuring compliance with the rule and issuing fines.

House lawmakers passed the bill 56-44 in March, and the Senate on Saturday passed the bill 26-24.

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In Zolnikovs microwave example, he asked lawmakers to contemplate a meal of pork carnitas, ordered as takeout from a favorite restaurant, a delicious dish that is hot, fatty and acidic.

Those three conditions enhance the leaching of chemicals into food, increasing the amount ingested, and contributing to the growing number of microplastics found in all human bodies, including newborn babies.

In addition, styrene and other chemicals found in food packaging have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption and other chronic health conditions.

The thing is, consumers assume our food and food storage products are safe and healthy, and when we realize they arent, we take action, or were supposed to, Zolnikov said.

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The bill applies only to styrofoam in the food service industry  not its use in transportation, construction or health and safety industries. It also exempts raw, uncooked meat, fish, or eggs, where styrofoam is often used as an insulator to keep those items cold, lowering the risk of chemical leaching.

Despite the health concerns  widely agreed on by lawmakers  several Senators opposed the bill for its overreach into peoples lives.

You should not be heating up food in your microwave in a styrofoam container, in a plastic container, on melamine plates, just about anything, except maybe glass. What you should be doing, if youre concerned about your health and your kids health and your grandkids health, heat it up in a frying pan. Not a frying pan with Teflon in it. A good old cast iron frying pan, said Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, adding that he felt such a law should be the role of the federal government. Thats the problem with this bill. There are so many other products out there that are causing harm to our health  I dont like styrofoam either, but this isnt the answer.

Eleven other states have passed similar statewide laws, as have numerous local governments.

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Other opponents raised concerns that the bill might set a precedent to expand to other industries in the future, while proponents expounded on the environmental benefits.

Ive seen them floating in ponds or water. Ive seen fish eating the particles that break up, Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula said. You also will see birds picking up styrofoam, using it in nests and other places eating it as well. And so theres other things that styrofoam is actually impacting, not just on the food service side.

The bill was amended in a Senate committee to extend the phase-out timeframe from five to 10 years, but the Senate body changed the bill back to its original form on the floor.

If all those arguments arent enough to get everybody to vote yes on this, Ive got a few more, said Sen. Bruce Butch Gillespie, R-Ethbridge, who brought the amendment on the floor. He said that businesses in Montana could manufacture biodegradable packaging using sustainable sources such as hemp. Let this be the beginnings of a whole new industry for Montana here.

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HB 477 contains a process for a business to request a waiver if they can show undue hardship, such as finding no suitable alternatives for food packaging. A fiscal note for the bill also shows the state would fund a half-time employee to develop and oversee the exemption program.

We have chemicals in our food, we have chemicals touching our food, we are being poisoned in more ways than we know, Zolnikov said. This is an easy way to say if the feds arent gonna do it, were gonna do it. Were gonna phase it out.
A guard tower at Holman Correctional Facility in 2019. A Montgomery County judge last week allowed a lawsuit alleging that the Alabama Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama System conspired to illegally harvest the organs of deceased prison inmates to move forward. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

A Montgomery County Circuit Court Tuesday allowed lawsuits alleging the Alabama Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama System conspired to illegally harvest their loved ones organs to move forward.

Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge J.R. Gains rejected a motion from the defendants that argued the individuals and entities named in the lawsuit had civil immunity.

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While state officials are immune from certain claims in their official capacities, they are not entitled to sovereign immunity from civil liability in their individual capacities when their actions violate constitutional or statutory provisions, or when they act willfully, maliciously, fraudulently, in bad faith, beyond their authority, or under a mistaken interpretation of law, Gains wrote.

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Attorneys for the plaintiffs and a spokesperson for the University of Alabama Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine declined comment. A message was sent to the Attorney Generals Office seeking comment.

The plaintiffs allege that the state took control of their loved ones bodies after they died in prison and conspired to confiscate the deceaseds organs. The suit also alleges that both ADOC and UAB financially gained from the practice and never got permission from the deceased individuals families.

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In 2018, a group of medical students at UAB noticed that a significant number of the specimens they encountered came from autopsies performed on individuals who died while incarcerated in Alabamas prisons.

After further investigation, the lawsuit alleges, the students learned that 23% of their yearly income comes from Department of Corrections autopsies, and 29% comes from Alabama Department of Forensic Science, according to the plaintiffs lawsuits.

The original lawsuit states that students also learned that the warden has the authority to request autopsies and to set limits on those autopsies, but it was routine for the warden to sign the paperwork indicating that no limit be placed for the autopsies performed.

Representatives of the opposing parties in the case verbally sparred over the motion during a hearing in February.

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Attorneys for ADOC and the university said that their clients had absolute immunity that stems from the Alabama Constitution. They also challenged other aspects of the plaintiffs lawsuits on other grounds that included heightened pleading standards or because facts specific to the case did not apply.

For example, the defense attorneys argued a conversion claim, based on the illegal taking of property, be dismissed because conversion does not apply to organs or human tissues.

The Alabama Constitution states that the State of Alabama shall never be made a defendant in any court of law or equity, attorneys for the defendants wrote. This wall of immunity is absolutely impregnable with regard to the State of Alabama and its agencies, and it may not be waived.

The defendants also argued a two-year statute of limitations on civil action had expired and barred the plaintiffs from proceeding with the case.

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Gains rejected the statute of limitations argument in his Tuesday order, saying the suit was filed within the appropriate time frame.

Gains also said that the families had shown evidence that the states Uniform Anatomical Gift Act had been violated, and that they offered more than mere circumstantial evidence of conspiracy in their complaints.

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Rubio on Sumy attack: This is tragic reminder why Trump wants peace

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Sunday's Russian ballistic missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy is a "tragic reminder" of why President Donald Trump is spending so much time and effort to achieve peace.

"This is a tragic reminder of why President Trump and his Administration are putting so much time and effort into trying to end this war and achieve durable peace," he wrote on social media.

According to him, the United States expresses its deepest condolences to the victims of today's horrific Russian missile attack on Sumy.

As reported, the death toll from the Russian missile attack on Sumy has risen to 34 people, including two children.

Russia struck Sumy with ballistic missiles on Sunday, April 13.
Fewer Republican lawmakers are holding town halls during the two-week congressional recess, weeks after the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman advised them to skip town halls or hold virtual town halls.

During the weeks when lawmakers return to their districts, its common for many to host town halls to connect with constituents and hear which issues are affecting them.

But it seems many Republicans are taking the advice of Richard Hudson, the NRCC chair, and avoiding them entirely  or at least changing their format, NBC News reported on Monday.

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Hudson advised congressional Republicans to do so in March after several lawmakers faced angry constituents, protesters and hecklers at town halls.

Indiana constituents yelled at Rep. Victoria Spartz during a town hall last month (REUTERS)

Republican leaders, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Policy Chairman Kevin Hern, do not have town halls scheduled.

Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Conference Chair Lisa McClain held telephone town halls before the recess.

Of the GOP reps holding town halls during the break, some will be telephone or virtual town halls, while others have restricted in-person access to prevent hecklers and protesters.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is holding an in-person town hall on April 15, but those who wish to attend must pre-register and provide a valid ID. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds is only allowing pre-registered individuals with valid ID proving they live in his district to his town hall on April 21.

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Other reps, such as Tim Burchett and Chip Roy, are holding town halls during the break, but they will be virtual or by telephone.

North Carolina constituents confronted Rep. Chuck Edwards in a fiery town hall last month (Getty Images)

The new precautions are part of efforts to reduce heated town halls where fiery constituents have confronted lawmakers, leading to security concerns.

Last month, Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood was booed and yelled at during a town hall, North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards was heckled by a veteran at his town hall and Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz was met with angry crowds at one of her town halls.

President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders have claimed those causing disruptions at town halls are being paid by Democrats or liberal advocacy groups.

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Theres no evidence those disrupters were paid, but liberal groups have promoted GOP town halls, hoping to encourage constituents to confront their representatives over the administrations agenda.

Democrats have also been holding what they call The Peoples Town Halls in red districts. The events welcome the sitting representative to join other lawmakers and Democrats in discussions about the current administration.

Already, some constituents have attended empty-chair town halls, where they voice their concerns about the government without their representatives present.

Democrats have been hosting The Peoples Town Halls in lieu of some Republican reps (REUTERS)

Many voters have been raising concerns about potential cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as well as Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency making sweeping changes to established agencies and departments.

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While vulnerable Republicans continue to run scared because theyre voting to raise costs, gut Medicaid, and threaten working families livelihoods, were going to make sure voters know they dont have to wait until Election Day to hold them accountable Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the NRCC told NBC News, In a desperate attempt to distract voters from the chaos in their own party, Democrats are resorting to political theater that panders to the far-left radicals instead of addressing the concerns of everyday voters who have already rejected their out-of-touch agenda.
Guest commentary writer Jamie Lackey argues that policies like covering diapers through public assistance programs are needed to help struggling mothers in Georgia. Getty Images

Motherhood is a gift  but lets be clear  its also taxing. And I dont just mean emotionally or physically taxing. I mean financially. Socially. Systemically.

There is a motherhood tax in this country.

And it doesnt show up on your tax return  it shows up in the grocery aisle, in the child care application, in the quiet spaces where a mother chooses to stay home, not because she wants to, but because she cant afford to go to work.

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At Helping Mamas, the nonprofit I founded in Georgia over a decade ago, we see this cost every single day. We see it in the mothers who wait in line for two hours for a single package of diapers. We see it in the parents who tell us theyve used plastic grocery bags or cut-up t-shirts when diapers run out.

These stories dont reflect weakness  they reflect strength.

These women are doing whatever it takes to care for their children. They are creative. Resilient. Resourceful. But the fact that they have to be this resourceful to meet their childrens most basic needs is a policy failure.

Diapers cost an average of $80 to $100 per month per child. There are no federal assistance programs that cover them. And yet, most child care centers require parents to supply diapers in order to enroll. That means if you cant afford diapers, you cant access child care. And if you cant access child care, you cant go to work.

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Its not just a parenting problem. Its an economic justice issue.

Add to that the gender pay gap  women are still paid less than men, and mothers are paid less than non-mothers. Its not uncommon for a woman to lose income, benefits, and long-term financial security the moment she becomes a parent.

This is the motherhood tax. Its the sum of policies and pressures that make raising children harder and more expensive for women  especially low-income mothers and women of color. But the costs arent just financial. The motherhood tax is also social.

Mothers facing diaper need often isolate themselves. They skip doctor appointments, avoid family events, and pull back from their communities out of shame or fear of judgment. And it takes a toll. Diaper need has been directly linked to maternal depression and anxiety. It compounds the already serious crisis in maternal mental health  especially here in Georgia, where we have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.

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The truth is: families need more than praise. They need policies that reflect how much we truly value mothers.

We need elected officials to understand that motherhood isnt just about moms  its about their children, their families, and their communities.

When mothers thrive, families thrive. When families thrive, communities thrive.

We know what the solutions are:

Create an avenue for diapers to be covered through public assistance programs.

Provide tax credits or stipends to cover the cost of essential baby supplies.

Invest in diaper banks and community-based distribution as part of public health

infrastructure.

Eliminate wage penalties for mothers and expand paid family leave and child care

subsidies.

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Helping Mamas distributed over 3.2 million diapers last year across Georgia and Tennessee  and were still not meeting the full need. Were doing what we can. But nonprofits alone cannot solve what policy has ignored for far too long.

Motherhood should be a joy  not a financial penalty.

Lets stop taxing women for raising the next generation. Lets invest in them instead.

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ANTIOCH, Ill.  A motorcyclist was severely injured in a crash involving a garbage truck Monday morning in Antioch.

The Lake County Illinois Sheriffs Office said just before 10:30 a.m., deputies were sent to the intersection of Grass Lake Road and West Park Avenue to investigate reports of a crash involving a motorcycle and a garbage truck. When deputies arrived, they found the motorcyclist unresponsive.

The preliminary investigation revealed the garbage truck, a 2019 Mack, was traveling eastbound on Grass Lake Road just east of the Grass Lake Bridge. The motorcycle, a 2017 Harley-Davidson, was behind the garbage truck and was being driven by a 35-year-old Spring Grove man, according to investigators.

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One US college student released after two detained in Denmark for alleged Uber incident

The sheriffs office said the garbage truck then started slowing down to make a left turn into a parking lot. The motorcyclist then tried to pass the garbage truck on the left and hit the back of the truck as it was completing its turn into the parking lot.

Authorities said the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and sustained life-threatening injuries. Speed on behalf of the motorcycle appears to be a factor in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Nashville motorcyclist died Sunday afternoon following a collision involving a pickup truck along Lebanon Pike.

The incident was reported at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 13 on Lebanon Pike at Wellington Square.

MTSU golfers father, grandparents dead after plane crashes in Cherokee National Forest

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the investigation shows that 27-year-old Tyler S. Davis was riding his Kawasaki ZX6 eastbound at a high rate of speed when he hit the drivers side of a Nissan Frontier that was pulling out of the gym in the 3000 block of Lebanon Pike.

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Authorities said the 26-year-old in the Nissan was driving across the eastbound lanes to turn left and go west. He told law enforcement he didnt see any vehicles approaching.

Motorcyclist killed in Murfreesboro crash

Officials reported the preliminary contributing factor in the crash was Davis speeding, adding that no charges are expected at this time.

No additional details have been released about Sundays deadly collision.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Kansans will need to be careful in the years ahead as a tree quarantine settles into place to curb the growth of a major invasive pest.

Kansas agricultural officials are cracking down on a tree which was first brought to the state for the beauty it added to outdoor spaces. Now, changing opinions has resulted in the tree, callery pears, being labeled an invasive species, resulted in the declaration of a quarantine and more general efforts to remove them from the states soil.

Heather Lansdowne with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) told 27 News that, starting on Jan. 1, 2027, people will no longer be able to move or sell callery pear trees in Kansas. This quarantine, which targets callery pears and its relatives, was made official in February 2024 by KDA Secretary Mike Beam.

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Trees that are already planted are not affected by this quarantine, so anyone who currently has a Callery Pear tree is not required to remove it, Lansdowne said. However, KDA supports efforts by partner agencies that offer replacement trees if Kansans wish to voluntarily replace their Callery Pear trees with a native species, and we encourage Kansans to consider doing so.

What are the pink mystery rocks scattered across northeast Kansas?

Callery pears and their close relatives are considered a nuisance as they break easily during storms, causing property damage, take up space that could be occupied by native trees and cause a disruption in the natural ecosystem. Organizations like the Kansas Forest Service (KFS) and Kansas State University Research and Extension Office have been raising awareness for years now regarding the issues posed by these trees and offer removal tips.

A group of callery pear trees. (Getty Images)

The 2027 quarantine includes several varieties related to the callery pear including trees like the Bradford, Cleveland, select, chanticleer, aristocrat and others. People found to be in violation of the quarantine may face fines for moving or selling these types of trees once 2027 rolls around.

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Lansdowne said the KDA began gathering input from the public in 2023 to find out what people thought about a possible quarantine on the trees. Responses indicated a strong sentiment among the general public in Kansas to tighten up restrictions on the trees.

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We received hundreds of responses from Kansans across the state, and the vast majority of them were supportive of restrictions on the Callery Pear tree due to the invasive nature of this species, Lansdowne said. We were pleased to see this high level of support for this action, and worked with stakeholders to develop a quarantine that allowed reasonable flexibility while eventually resulting in a shift to healthy native tree species across the state.

People looking for help to remove these types of trees from their properties can consult with the KFS by checking out its website. You can stay up to date on upcoming tree buyback programs by signing up to the Kansas Canopy Newsletter.

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Kansas hunting and fishing license bill fails to pass after veto, what that means

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

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police announced Monday that a man was arrested in Maryland in connection to a shooting that left a person injured last month.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that on March 17, around 6:20 p.m., a man had walked into the DC Fire and EMS station on 49th Street with gunshot wounds.

Medics took him to the hospital for treatment.

Woman dies after crashing into pole in Montgomery County

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D.C. detectives later learned that the man was shot in the 4000 block of Clay Place, NE. This is almost a mile away from the fire station.

Nearly one month later, authorities located 31-year-old Mickyel Goodwin in Hyattsville. He was taken into custody on an arrest warrant.

Goodwin was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun).

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Here's the latest news from the university:

Middle Tennessee State University College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten, left, and Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee Department of Economic Development commissioner, inspect the fiber material on the inside of a concrete bowling ball Wednesday, March 26, in an MTSU School of Concrete and Construction Management Building lab on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Students take concrete bowling balls to national competitions.

State economic head impressed by MTSU research, workforce prep

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter recently visited Middle Tennessee State University in one of his ongoing #McWhorterOnTheMove trips across Tennessee.

McWhorter explored MTSUs cutting-edge research and workforce development in quantum science and its national leading Concrete Industry Management program during the commissioners two-hour visit.

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McWhorter has been crisscrossing the state, visiting universities, high schools, industry and more in the quest to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.

Our job in our department is to connect industry with the research and development assets in our state, McWhorter said in a video on the departments Facebook page. Were touring, hearing, listening, learning, and were getting that out to industry not only in the U.S., but globally.

Regarding quantum science, led by faculty member Hanna Terletska, McWhorter said MTSUs doing some fantastic work in quantum. Theyre putting curriculum together with their researchers and faculty and students.

Theyre reaching across the state, working with lots of other partners to further their research (and) further the workforce development capabilities that is really going to be the future. Its not just companies in quantum computing. Its really all industry that is eventually going to be using quantum computing  to better their products and services in their business.

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Concrete Industry Management program director Jon Huddleston and College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten led McWhorter on a brief tour of the 90,000-square-foot, $74.8 million School of Concrete and Construction Management Building.

Joe Bales, vice president for University Advancement, shared that McWhorters visit was designed to provide the commissioner and ECD (Economic and Community Development) staff with a better understanding of the resources available in our education system to assist the state in economic development.

Part of McWhorters visit to MTSU was connected to GovCon25  the Governors Conference on Economic Development  Nov. 4-5 in Murfreesboro, to be hosted by ECD and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and to be held at Embassy Suites by Hilton near The Avenue in Murfreesboro. MTSU may be an event sponsor.

ACE Learning Center to host 'Saddle Up' fundraiser April 19

Dr. Charlotte Scott-Moore

Middle Tennessee State Universitys Ann Campbell Early Learning Center will host the 18th annual Saddle Up fundraiser on Saturday, April 19, again inviting the public to come out for this signature family-friendly event in support of the longtime preschool facility that also serves as a training ground for students.

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The annual event will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 19 at the MTSU Tennessee Livestock Center, at 1720 Greenland Drive. The funds raised will help the learning center maintain the inclusive outdoor playground, hire additional staff, and enhance classroom learning materials.

Tickets are $7 and $30 for groups and can be purchased online or by visiting the center webpage at https://acelearningcenter.mtsu.edu and clicking the link at bottom. Food and snacks will be available throughout the day.

This is a true family event that you don't want to miss! said Charlotte Scott-Moore, the director of the center.

Attendees can enjoy a variety of activities like giant Jenga and a mega egg hunt. Horses will appear with handlers from the Rutherford County 4-H horse club. In addition, the Easter bunny will be handing out golden eggs to the kids. There will also be a silent auction with items for the whole family, including new pieces like gift card collages for restaurants all over town.

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The event will feature children's author and MTSU associate professor of marketing Sherry Roberts to read some of her books.

Located on North Baird Lane on the MTSU campus, the Ann Campbell Early Learning Center is an inclusive preschool serving children from 12 months to kindergarten age. The program provides a developmentally appropriate learning environment. It also serves as a training site for more than 200 college students each year, offering hands-on in-classroom training and observation opportunities.

Those interested in helping the center continue to provide learning opportunities to children can donate or become sponsors through the learning centers website.

The ACE Learning Center is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

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MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: State economic head impressed, learning center to host fundraiser
URCS provides psychological support to victims of Russian missile strike on Sumy

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) continues to provide assistance to victims of the Russian missile strike on Sumy.

"First psychological aid to victims is being provided by specialists of the Sumy regional organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. As of 17:00, more than 150 people, including 14 teenagers, have sought help," the URCS reported on Facebook on Sunday.

Volunteers of the URCSs rapid response team in Sumy region are also distributing building materials to people - waterproof tarpaulins, window film, OSB boards - to temporarily cover damage to homes.

As reported, as of 18:00 in Sumy, 34 people, including 2 children, were killed by the Russian missile strike on Sunday. Some 117 people were injured, including 15 children.
Waco, Tx (FOX 44)  The trial of one of the men charged in the 2022 death of a man whose body was found dumped in a ravine off 9th Street in Waco got underway with jury selection Monday.

James Keylan Willis along with Brandon Xavier Stephens was charged in the death of 59-year-old Stanley Wilcox. Willis was 19 at the time he was arrested in the case. McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens said Stephens is set for trial after Willis.

Brandon Stephens.

Both men have remained in the McLennan County Jail since their arrests with bonds totaling $1.5 million dollars on the murder charge and an additional charge of tampering with physical evidence, a corpse.

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A third man, Alijah Veshawn Benson was named in an aggravated robbery indictment for his alleged part in supplying the weapon used to shoot the victim.

Waco Police received a missing person report for 59-year-old Stanley Wilcox on December 29th, 2022. The next day, a homeless woman found his cell phone and turned it in at a convenience store.

Detectives also discovered that Wilcox had not visited his gym for ten days, which they were told was highly unusual for him even in the middle of the holiday season.

Officers went to Wilcox`s house on Garrett Avenue and spoke with the three people who shared the home with him including Willis, Stephens and Heavyn Hamilton.

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According to an arrest affidavit, Willis told investigators that Wilcox left the home without his car around Christmas Eve. Willis reportedly allowed investigators in the home, and they noticed that Wilcox`s ID and debit card were in the living room.

Investigators also noticed a car spare tire left next to the front porch of the home. According to the affidavit, Willis said he emptied the back of a white 2021 Ford Escape with North Carolina license plates so he could load up camping equipment. Investigators also found tools, a knife, cleaning products and Wilcox`s personal papers outside the vehicle.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Escape, and said they discovered indications that someone tried to clean up a large amount of blood in the trunk area.

During a search of the home on January 6, 2023, detectives interviewed the three people. The affidavit states that Willis and Stephens admitted to shooting Wilcox, cleaning the crime scene, and dropping his body in a ravine near South 9th Street and the Interstate 35 northbound access road.

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According to the affidavit, Willis and Stephens told investigators they got into a confrontation with Wilcox and he was shot. They reportedly told police that they decided to put him out of his misery after the shooting.

Suspect in 2023 Lacy Lakeview stabbing pleas, gets 35 years

Special Crimes Detectives said they believed that the suspects in the murder had gone to the 300 block of West Kiest Boulevard in Dallas around 2:31 a.m. on December 22 and received a handgun from Benson to use in a planned robbery of Wilcox. In exchange for lending the firearm, Benson was to receive financial gain after the robbery was completed.

Police said the handgun was returned to Benson after the murder.

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Heavyn Hamilton admitted to knowing about the murder, but was not placed at the immediate scene or connected to any involvement in clean-up or disposal of the body.

Stephens was tried on the charges in October of 2024, but his trial ended in a mistrial, with the jury later reporting they were deadlocked 11-1. Eleven jurors voted to convict Stephens of Capital Murder, but the 12th opted for a lesser murder charge. They were told to resume deliberating, but remained deadlocked.

Stephens has remained in jail pending his new trial.

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Murfreesboro police continue to investigate a fatal motorcycle crash Thursday night, according to a press release.

Officers responded at approximately 10:30 p.m. to the collision involving a motorcycle and a 2016 Ford Fusion at North Rutherford Boulevard and Greenland Avenue, the press release from Murfreesboro police spokesman Larry Flowers said.

"The motorcyclist was pronounced dead by personnel with Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services," the press release said. "The driver of the car was not hurt."

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2024 homicide of motorcyclist: Murfreesboro police identify victim killed in road rage shooting, charge suspect

The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of a 2016 Ford Fusion was traveling southbound on North Rutherford Boulevard in the left turn lane, according to the press release.

"That driver attempted to make a left turn on a solid green light, failing to yield the right of way, colliding with the bike," the press release said. "The rider of a 2024 Kawasaki EX5 was traveling northbound on North Rutherford Boulevard."

The motorcyclist's identity will be released once out-of-town relatives are notified, the press release noted.

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This is a developing story.

UPDATE: Driver charged in Murfreesboro crash that killed a 5 year old and adult

Officers plan Motorcycle Safety training for public May 17

Murfreesboro police officers responded to a motorcycle fatality around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025, at North Rutherford Boulevard and Greenland Avenue.

The police department's Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT) investigators are trying to determine the cause of the crash, according to the press release.

Considering this fatal crash and other motorcycle crashes in the city, the Murfreesboro police Traffic Unit and members of the Rutherford County Traffic Safety Task Force will hold a Motorcycle Safety training event from 10 a.m. to noon May 17 at Bumpus Harley-Davidson of Murfreesboro on Northwest Broad Street, the press release added.

UPDATE from Nov. 2024 crash fatality: Murfreesboro police identify victim in wreck on South Church Street

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This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Murfreesboro police investigate fatal crash with motorcyclist
Mysterious odor on flight prompts inspection after safe landing in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  First responders met an American Airlines plane at the gate on Monday when an unusual odor was detected in the cabin just before landing in Charlotte.

The flight, which departed from San Francisco, landed safely at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where it was met by first responders as a precaution, AA officials said.

American Airlines flight 1960 taxied to the gate without issue, and all passengers and crew members were able to deplane normally.

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According to a statement from American Airlines, flight attendants were evaluated by medics at the scene and were cleared to continue. No passengers requested medical attention.

The airline confirmed that the aircraft has been removed from service while their maintenance team conducts a full inspection. The exact cause of the odor remains under investigation.

We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience, American Airlines said in a released statement on Monday.

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Charlotte Airport

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An unknown weapon seen being fired from a U.S. Bradley Fighting Vehicles BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher at a major test event earlier this year has now been identified. It is a Raytheon Coyote LE SR uncrewed aerial system, which can be configured for surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and signal relay missions, and as a kamikaze drone. TWZ was first to report on what the Army referred to initially only as a 670.

Raytheon (now formally named RTX) confirmed to TWZ that the picture the Army previously released shows a Bradley launching a Coyote LE SR (Launched Effect, Short-Range) at the Project Convergence-Capstone 5 (PC-C5) event at Fort Irwin, California, back in March 2025. The company also confirmed that the Bradleys TOW launcher did not have to be modified for the demonstration, which the Army funded. Since 2020, the service has been using Project Convergence events to test, integrate, and network together new weapon systems and other capabilities in ever-more operationally relevant scenarios.

The full image of what we now know is a Bradley Fighting Vehicle launching a Coyote LE SR at PC-C5. US Army

In March, Raytheon separately announced a successful aerial test launch of a Coyote LE SR from a Bell 407 helicopter at the privately owned and operated Nine Mile Training Center in Texas. The company has also teased potential naval applications for the newest member of the Coyote family.

A Bell 407 helicopter fires a Coyote LE SR during a test at Nine Mile Training Center in 2025. Raytheon

Originally known as Coyote Block 3, the Coyote LE SR is derived from the combat-proven jet-powered Coyote Block 2 counter-drone interceptor. Both the Coyote LE SR and Coyote Block 2 have more missile-like configurations compared to the original Coyote drone (also now known as the Coyote Block 1) with its pop-out wings and tail fins, as well as its electric motor-driven pusher propeller.

A Coyote Block 1 drone. Raytheon

A Coyote Block 2 counter-drone interceptor. Joseph Trevithick

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Coyote LE SR itself differs notably from the Block 2 design, dispensing with the latters four pop-out tail fins and corresponding strakes along the body in favor of three pop-out grid fins at the rear. None of the pictures to date of the Coyote LE SR show additional control surfaces, but there are open gaps visible toward the front end of the body where pop-out wings could deploy from.

A close-up look at the Coyote LE SR from the Bradley launch picture. US Army

At this time, we cannot provide any specifications on Coyote LE variants outside of the capabilities being platform and payload-agnostic, Raytheon told TWZ when asked for more information about the LE SRs capabilities. The Coyote LE SR supports a variety of missions that include: reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition; electronic warfare, precision strike, [and] communications.

In addition, the Coyote LE SR is recoverable, can be refurbished, and reused, according to Raytheon.

Whether or not Coyote LE SR might also be configurable for anti-air use is unclear. Raytheon had said in the past that it is focusing first on intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) type missions for the Coyote LE SR. What, if any, other Coyote LE-series variants are in development now, or might exist already, is unknown.

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For the Armys Bradley Fighting Vehicles, being able to launch Coyote LE SRs from their TOW launchers offers new indirect fire, electronic warfare, and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, all likely over extended ranges. These would all be major boons for the Armys heavy armored formations.

A Bradley seen firing a TOW missile variant from its launcher. US Army

Leveraging the proven Coyote Block 2 design to produce a more multi-purpose uncrewed aerial system that can perform an array of missions and be fired from a variety of platforms in the air and down below fits into the Armys broader launched effects plan, as well. The service currently uses this term as a catch-all for a planned system of systems consisting of multiple tiers of uncrewed platforms capable of performing ISR and electronic warfare tasks, as well as being employed as decoys and loitering munitions, and that can be employed from aerial, ground, and potentially even maritime platforms.

The Armys goals for its future family of launched effects are to extend the sensor reach of its forces in the air and on ground, as well as the range at which they can provide non-kinetic effects like electronic warfare jamming and launch kinetic attacks, all while reducing vulnerability to the enemy. Groups of launched effects in various configurations, including types configured as signal relays, networked together into a swarm could simultaneously perform an array of missions across a broad area.

The video below offers a very general overview of the Armys vision for its future family of launched effects.

Coyote LE SR, specifically, now brings the significant added advantage of being able to be fired from unmodified TOW launchers. This is something TWZ highlighted could be the case in our initial reporting on the picture of the Bradley launch at PC-C5. In addition to the Bradley, the Army currently has Stryker light armored vehicles and Humvees in service armed with TOW missiles, as well as tripod launchers for use by dismounted units.

An anti-tank variant of the Stryker light armored vehicle fires a TOW missile. US Army

A US Army Humvee fires a TOW missile. US Army

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In recent years, the Army has been exploring options for a next-generation Close Combat Missile System-Heavy (CCMS-H) to succeed the BGM-71 family that offers greater range and speed, as well as new networking capabilities, but in a form factor that can use existing launchers. The Army uses the term CCMS-H to refer to its current TOW missiles, the latest versions of which have already replaced the original wire-guided configuration with a wireless datalink.

In addition, the U.S. Marine Corps has TOW-armed anti-tank versions of the LAV-25 light armored vehicle, along with launchers on Humvees and tripods. The Marines are also now in the process of acquiring their own multi-tiered family of loitering munitions. Variants of the TOW missile are in widespread use globally, arming an array of other armored and unarmored ground vehicles.

A Marine Corps TOW-armed LAV-AT variant of the LAV-25. USMC

TOWs use has been steadily declining as an air-launched weapon for helicopters, but it might be possible to reuse those launchers with Coyote LE SR. The aforementioned Bell 407 helicopter test-fire earlier this year was conducted using a Modular Effects Launcher, a new launch rack the Army has been developing for helicopters to fire launched effects and various missiles.

A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter carrying various missiles and stores using Modular Effects Launcher (painted orange) at the Project Convergence 2021 event. US Army

A Marine AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter with TOW missiles and a seven-shot 70mm rocket pod on its right stub wing seen in 2011. The Marines have since retired their AH-1Ws and no longer employ TOW missiles from aerial platforms. USMC

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The aircraft was less of the focus, and more of being able to use the Modular Effects Launcher, because thats one of the key needs for the [U.S.] Army, Brian Burton, vice president of Precision Fires & Maneuver at Raytheon, told Janes in March. One of the things thats important to us is to be able to launch off of multiple platforms, and be able to [launch from] air, ground, and sea.

Raytheon is already making clear progress in expanding the number of potential launch options for Coyote LE SR, including the Bradley and other platforms with TOW missile launchers. As that testing continues, other details about the newest member of the Coyote family may begin to emerge.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
JAMM AQUINO / 2021 Above, a hydrant pumped ground water into four large filtration tanks in Pearl City in 2021. The Navy, worked with contractors to flush water lines at the Pearl City Peninsula military housing neighborhood.

1 /4 JAMM AQUINO / 2021 Above, a hydrant pumped ground water into four large filtration tanks in Pearl City in 2021. The Navy, worked with contractors to flush water lines at the Pearl City Peninsula military housing neighborhood.

KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Top, members of the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative hold signs outside the Pacific Fleets Headquarters where they called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure the Navy keeps its promise to both shut down and clean up the Red Hill site.

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2 /4 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Top, members of the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative hold signs outside the Pacific Fleets Headquarters where they called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure the Navy keeps its promise to both shut down and clean up the Red Hill site.

STAR-ADVERTISER / 2024 The Board of Water Supply drilled a new well in Halawa last year to monitor the water quality near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility.

3 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER / 2024 The Board of Water Supply drilled a new well in Halawa last year to monitor the water quality near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility.

STAR-ADVERTISER / 2022 The Navy leads a media tour of the Red Hill Shaft in Halawa after jet fuel contaminated water in the shaft.

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4 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER / 2022 The Navy leads a media tour of the Red Hill Shaft in Halawa after jet fuel contaminated water in the shaft.

JAMM AQUINO / 2021 Above, a hydrant pumped ground water into four large filtration tanks in Pearl City in 2021. The Navy, worked with contractors to flush water lines at the Pearl City Peninsula military housing neighborhood.

KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Top, members of the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative hold signs outside the Pacific Fleets Headquarters where they called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure the Navy keeps its promise to both shut down and clean up the Red Hill site.

STAR-ADVERTISER / 2024 The Board of Water Supply drilled a new well in Halawa last year to monitor the water quality near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility.

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STAR-ADVERTISER / 2022 The Navy leads a media tour of the Red Hill Shaft in Halawa after jet fuel contaminated water in the shaft.

More than three years after the Navy shut down two of its Oahu water wells in response to the Red Hill water crisis, the serv ice is now looking to reopen them.

The state Department of Health has given the Navy conditional approval  to work toward reopening its Aiea-Halawa Shaft. The Navy also has released a draft environmental impact statement on the possibility of building water treatment facilities that eventually would allow it to reactivate its fuel-contaminated Red Hill Shaft, and is soliciting public feedback until Sunday.

The Navy is in the process of permanently shutting down the Red Hill facility, which sits just 100 feet above an aquifer most of Honolulu relies on for water.

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In 2021, fuel from the facility tainted the Red Hill Shaft and entered the Navys Oahu water system that serves 93, 000 people, including military families and civilians living in former military housing areas. Thousands of people on the Navy water line reported experiencing ailments ranging from rashes, digestive issues, neurological problems and others.

Representatives of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative have raised concerns about the reactivation plansincluding the degree to which residents on the water line are being informed of plans to reactivate the wells.

The Red Hill CRI is an elected board formed as part of a federal consent decree regarding the closure of the Navys Red Hill fuel facility whose membership includes residents affected by the contamination and local community members. On Tuesday, Mandy Feindta CRI member whose family lived on Ford Island and reported severe symptomsjoined a roundtable event in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill with several veterans discussing the federal governments response to military toxic exposures.

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Feindt told lawmakers this has been going on for a long time, and theres not been a lot of lessons learned.

On May 6, 2021, jet fuel from the Red Hill tanks spilled and some of it entered a drain that was part of the facilitys fire suppression line. It sat there until Nov. 20, 2021, when a worker near the Red Hill water wellwhich is inside the fuel facility as wellaccidentally ruptured the line, spilling the fuel into a tunnel. Navy officers at the facility did not report the spill to regulators or the publicor that the worker had been hospitalizedand hoped that they had contained it.

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But fuel had entered the well and was being pumped into the water system. Within a week, residents began complaining about fuel and chemical odors. On Nov. 28, 2021, the Navy shut down the Red Hill as complaints rolled in, but still did not tell the public. The DOH put out an advisory for the water system, but Navy officials insisted publicly that the water was safe and asked the DOH to rescind the advisory. On Dec. 2, 2021, the Navy acknowledged that its waterline was tainted and also went on to shut down its Aiea-Halawa Shaft after finding traces of contamination.

Ever since, the Navy has depended entirely on its Waiawa Shaft for water as the only source for its water linesomething the DOH has warned likely isnt safe.

But as DOH and Navy move forward, representatives of both the BWS and CRI have expressed concern about how and when information gets released. The DOH granted the Navy conditional approval to pursue reactivating its Aiea-Halawa Shaft in a February letter, but didnt tell the CRI until March and did not put out a media release.

Im very concerned that the Department of Health hasnt let anyone know,  CRI member Ilima DeCosta said at the groups March meeting. So even if the Navy is not going to let it be known, Im concerned that the Department of Health is not letting customers know.

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Joyce Lin, a BWS engineer who attended the meeting, said that while it was sensible that the DOH and Navy want to make sure the system isnt dependent on just the Waiawa Shaft, they should really inform their customers about turning their water back on, specifically from Aiea-Halawa Shaft.

In a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the DOH said that while state law does not require such an announcement, the Department of Health strongly encourages the Navy to share this information with the public.

In an email, Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill told the Star-Advertiser that the task force is working closely with DOH to begin the reactivation process and that it received conditional approval from the regulator on Feb. 10. and that throughout April as part of this conditional approval, NCTF-RH will be undergoing a pilot study of the Granular Activated Carbon treatment system at this site to collect valuable data that will demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment system.

The task force also pledged in its statement that the public would be informed before the Aiea-Halawa Shaft is reconnected to the Navys drinking water system.

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12 conditions needed DOH said in its statement that it had completed a forensic investigation of low-level concentrations total petroleum hydrocarbons  in 2024, including intermittent detections at Navy Aiea-Halawa Shaft, and found that no fuel compounds were associated with the detections.

TPH testing can indicate the presence of petroleum-related substances, but theyre not always directly linked to fuel,  the DOH stated. In this case, the forensic testing was found to be a result of naturally occurring organic compounds in soil or water (like plant resins or humic substances ), which can mimic petroleum hydrocarbons in test results.

But the DOHs conditional approval still requires the Navy to meet 12 conditions before its Aiea-Halawa Shaft can be reactivated as a drinking water source. Among them, the Navy has to report on the effectiveness of sampling results and of efforts to remove Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, contaminants known as forever chemicals  that have been associated with firefighting foam the military uses to put out fuel fires.

The DOH also will require the Navy to report any conditions that could contaminate the well within 24 hours and the Navy must provide at least 10 days notice to DOH of any plans to reactivate it. But the BWS is still concerned about it calls troubling unknowns.

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There is concern from the Board of Water Supply in terms of uncertainty on the impacts of the underground water flow, because (the Navys ) Aiea-Halawa Shaft is to the west of our Board of Water Supply Halawa Shaft (and ) the Red Hill Shaft is actually east of our Halawa Shaft,  Lin said during the March CRI meeting. So in a sense, our Board of Water Supply Halawa Shaft is kind of sandwiched between the two sources. So turning on at Aiea-Halawa Shaft, would it draw contaminants across the valley from the Red Hill Shaft all the way over to Aiea-Halawa Shaft ? Were not sure.

Lin said that she talked to DOH and Navy officials at a recent Red Hill open house who told her they thought that was unlikely, but Lin also told the CRI that she was worried the prospect wasnt ruled out entirely. When asked by the CRI to categorize her concern on a scale of 1 to 10, she replied I would say Im pretty concerned close to 10, if not 10, just because theres so much uncertainty.

In its statement to the Star-Advertiser, the DOH insisted that the Navys groundwater flow model that referenced BWS is flawed. The model has since been retracted by the Navy and has never been accepted by regulatory agencies. While work on a revised groundwater flow model remains ongoing, there appear to be several factors that would naturally or by design prevent water from the vicinity of the Red Hill Shaft.

The DOH argued that when the Aiea-Halawa Shaft is in operation it pulls in saltier water, not fresher water from the Red Hill region,  that rock formations in the area that intrude into the water table form a barrier between the Navy Aiea-Halawa Shaft and the Red Hill region,  and that a draw from the Bulk Fuel facility in the makai direction would pass through Red Hill Shaft where a capture zone through pump and treatment would intercept the contaminant.

The DOH also said that both the Navy and BWS continue to install groundwater monitoring wells between Red Hill and the Navys Aiea-Halawa Shaft and that the monitoring well network will continue to be regularly tested for indications of contaminant migrationwhich have not been observed thus far.

Interim facility More ambitious, but likely much further off, is the Navys plan to put its Red Hill Shaft back into service. Gallons of jet fuel poured into the shaft and Navy divers sent into the well itself reported encountering heavy contamination. The Navy has been using large granular activated carbonor GACfilters to remove contaminated water and dump it into the the nearby Halawa stream for years.

The Navy has said that the water it has discharged is safe for the environment, but it has been unable to find a way to purify the well itself. The draft environmental assessment says that the plan is to construct and operate a new water treatment facility to reconnect water from the Navys Red Hill Shaft to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH ) drinking water system and discontinue the discharge of water into Halawa Stream.

The plan calls for an interim treatment facility, which would filter the water using GAC and is already under construction and expected to be completed in 2026 according to the Navys draft environmental assessment. No timeline was given for the completion of a permanent water treatment plant.

The military is required by the National Environmental Policy Act to conduct an environmental assessment for any major project and to solicit public feedback. If the assessment that determines a project has the potential to significantly impact communities, it then has to craft a formal Environmental Impact Statement laying out those potential impacts and submit to another round of community comments and feedback.

Last year the EPA slapped the Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency with a $5, 000 a fine for violating the federal consent order for not attending the CRIs public December meeting. The military is required to show up at least once a quarter.

But more recently the EPA agreed to rescind the fine if the military agreed to come back to the table with the CRI. The CRI has criticized the decision, asserting that the small fine was mostly symbolic and that rescinding it symbolically absolves military officials who knowingly violated the consent decree.

In March the Trump administrations new EPAs Administrator, Lee Zeldin, toured the Red Hill facility and met with both Navy and DOH officials as part of a trip to Hawaii that also included a stop on Maui to discuss cleanup efforts in Lahaina after the deadly 2023 fire that destroyed the town. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, told the Star-Advertiser that she sees Zeldins visit to Red Hill and meetings with DOH as a positive step.

As we change administration I think its important that we not lose ground, and we understand that this is not just about draining out the fuel,  Tokuda said. This is about everything that is required, to make sure that we are continuously monitoring with fidelity and that were treating and remediating the way the public expects us to.

The Trump administration has vowed to roll back environmental regulations and projects, with the EPA announcing significant cuts. Meanwhile Trumps Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also has promised to shut down as many military environmental programs as possible, arguing they have distracted the military from its warfighting mission. That has led some in Hawaii to wonder what that could mean for Red Hill cleanup and environmental standards.

Here in Congress that there is both awareness, concern and commitment when it comes to Red Hillthis is a bipartisan commitment,  Tokuda said. In order to ensure readiness, we need to make sure that we are literally not poisoning our service members water, right ? Service members and their families were sickened by this.

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTOnline : The draft for the Red Hill shaft treatment plants can be viewed at.Give feedback : Written comments can be mailed to the attention of Red Hill Water Treatment Facility, EA Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaii /EV21, Building 55, 400 Marshall Road, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI 96860-3139, or emailed to RedHillEA @hhf.com. Comments must be received or postmarked by Sunday.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, seen here speaking to reporters as he unveiled his two-year budget proposal on March 19, 2025, says North Carolina will appeal a recent Trump administration decision to reduce federal funding to areas ravaged by Hurricane Helene. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

North Carolina will appeal FEMAs decision to end their 100% cost-share for Hurricane Helene debris cleanup and emergency services, Gov. Josh Stein said Monday.

We were granted 30 days to appeal, which we will surely do, Stein said during a Monday meeting of his advisory committee on western North Carolina.

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All categories of FEMA assistance will return to a 90% cost-share in the state  a 10% decrease for debris cleanup and other emergency work. The governors office estimates that the portion of costs no longer covered by FEMA totals around $200 million, though that figure could change.

A FEMA spokesperson confirmed to NC Newsline on Wednesday that the agencys reimbursement rate now stood at 90%.

The uncertain future of FEMA under the Trump administration, Stein added Monday, combined with the presidents tariffs, would likely further complicate recovery in the mountains.

The only thing we know for sure is the costs of recovery are going to go up, potentially dramatically, said Stein, a Democrat.

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President Donald Trump has put a 90-day pause on the vast majority of planned tariffs that had spurred chaos in the global markets. But he kept a 10% rate on all nations except China, and has floated additional tariffs on specific industries.

The resulting increased costs on materials are likely to be felt in western North Carolina, where rebuilding has already cost billions and is expected to take years.

I continue to urge Congress and the White House to appropriate additional funds at a meaningful level, Stein said.

FEMA: Less cost-sharing, canceled programs and slow-moving cash

FEMAs decision Friday canceled the agencys agreement to reimburse the state for 100% of costs on removing debris and emergency services.

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It is far from a total departure of the agency from western North Carolina  federal money and resources continue to flow into the region. But the ruling does represent yet another Washington-based hurdle for state officials to find a way around as they try to rebuild.

FEMAs recent decision to end a grant program focused on building resilient infrastructure will result in around $184 million in losses for North Carolina. Matt Calabria, who leads the governors task force for Helene recovery, said it ranked eighth among states using the programs money.

Matt Calabria (left), who leads the Governors Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, and Jonathan Krebs, Gov. Josh Steins advisor for western North Carolina, testify for state lawmakers on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts on Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Those are not immediate repairs, Calabria said Monday. And that is an impact for us going forward.

In a statement announcing its shuttering, a FEMA spokesperson called the program wasteful and ineffective, and said it prioritized political agendas. Any unsent money for the program will be clawed back by the federal government.

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Calabria said an additional $150 million in disaster aid had been pledged by FEMA but has yet to be sent.

Reimbursements have been slow to come through, he said.

FEMA and state officials are communicating almost on a daily basis as they work to get money flowing to the region, where local governments are facing fiscal cliffs due to damages and lost revenue.

Since Hurricane Helene hit last fall, FEMA has provided more than $439 million in public assistance to the state, and $422 million has been sent directly to households.
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The Safe to Rebuild initiative officially launched Monday in an effort to deter property theft and support North Carolinians repairing and rebuilding homes and businesses after Hurricane Helene.

Were sending a clear message to North Carolinians  you should feel safe to rebuild in western North Carolina, and our office and law enforcement partners are working to keep it that way. Anyone who tries to steal property, rip off homeowners, or steal from people is going to face the consequences and be brought to justice. Attorney General Jeff Jackson

NCDOJ has heard concerns from small business owners in western North Carolina about fears of potential looting and property theft as they order expensive equipment to rebuild their businesses.

The office has also heard about potential opportunities for contracting and home repair fraud as homeowners repair their homes and properties.

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The Department of Justice says they will be taking a close look at all complaints involving property and contractor fraud in western North Carolina. People can file complaints and learn more about hiring verified and reputable companies at www.ncdoj.gov/safetorebuild.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NC Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs speaks at the In Our Court conference at NCCU (Photo: Lynn Bonner)

The day after the state Supreme Court put conditions on military and overseas votes counting in her race, Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs said she is eager to take the fight over those votes to federal court.

I was elected to keep my seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, and I am committed to fighting tirelessly to ensure that the will of North Carolina voters is respected, Riggs told an audience at NC Central Universitys law school on Saturday. The eyes of the country are on the people of this state, she said. Because we are people of resilience, we are people of community, were going to show the country what it looks like to fight in tough times.

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Riggs was the final speaker at the In Our Court conference, sponsored by Common Cause NC, the American Constitution Society, Emancipate NC, Democracy NC, and about a half dozen other groups.

On Friday, a majority on the state Supreme Court decided that thousands of absentee ballots cast by members of the military and overseas voters should have included their photo IDs. The court said those voters would have 30 days to provide IDs after the state Board of Elections mails notices. People who dont provide ID would have their votes in the state Supreme Court election thrown out.

The court majority decided a few hundred votes from people who live overseas and are connected to the state through their parents should be erased from the Supreme Court race total.

Riggs, the Democratic incumbent, leads Republican challenger Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes. Her lead in last Novembers election has been confirmed in two recounts. In an effort to unseat her, Griffin sued the state Board of Elections to have more than 60,000 votes tossed out. Most of the voter challenges were based on Griffins claims of incomplete registrations.

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A Supreme Courts 4-2 majority reduced the votes in jeopardy to those cast by military and overseas absentee voters.

Riggs immediately asked federal District Judge Richard Myers for a preliminary injunction, basically to freeze action in case.

Myers on Saturday ordered the elections board to follow the state courts instructions for notifying voters what they have to do to have their votes count, but not to certify the election until hearing more from the court.

The board is to tell Myers by Tuesday how many voters could be affected and which counties theyre in. Myers also set a schedule for written arguments.

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The exact number of overseas and military voters affected is unclear. In her dissent, Justice Anita Earls wrote that at least 2,000 to 7,000 military and overseas voters could be affected. Those challenged military and overseas votes could be limited to Guilford County or could include overseas votes from a handful of other heavily Democratic counties Griffin added to his protest.

They may be military members who have been serving on battlefronts in war zones, Riggs said Saturday. They are foreign service officers who are working to make this whole entire world a safer place to live, she said.

The states military and overseas voting law is modeled after a federal law meant to encourage service people to vote. These voters were told they did not need to include photo ID with their ballots. Most use an electronic portal that does not allow voters to submit a photo. The majority on the Supreme Court said the state Board should have required overseas voters to supply photo ID.

In Our Court poster (Photo: Lynn Bonner)

While Riggs has focused her comments on military voters who may be disenfranchised, the challenged group also includes a high proportion of college-aged voters.

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Griffin has included in his challenge overseas voters from Durham, Forsyth, Buncombe, and Guilford  all counties with significant student populations. The challenged overseas voters in these are five times more likely to be Democrats, said Gunther Peck, founder and co-director of the Student Voting Rights Lab at Duke and NC Central universities. The labs analysis found that challenged voters in this group are 4.6 times more likely to be between the ages of 18 and 25 than over the age of 65.

More than 260 Duke students living abroad and voted absentee had their votes challenged, Peck said.

Ann Webb, Common Cause NC policy director, said there are still questions the federal court can decide. A big one is whether its fair to single out military and overseas voters from a select group of counties.

The gaping question of which counties are supposed to be included needs to be resolved, Webb said, and may end up back in state court.
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.
ROME (AP)  Talks between Iran and the United States over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear program appeared ready to leave the Middle East on Monday, as an Italian source and others said the next round of negotiations would take place in Rome. But early Tuesday, Iran insisted the next round would again be held in Oman.

It wasn't immediately clear where the negotiations would be held after Tehran's overnight announcement. American officials have not said where the talks would be held. President Donald Trump separately complained Monday about the pace of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran as the two countries start a new round of pivotal negotiations.

I think theyre tapping us along, he said in the Oval Office during a meeting with El Salvador's president.

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The next meeting had been expected to take place on Saturday in Rome, according to a source in the Italian government who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also signaled the talks would take place there.

We received the request from the interested parties, from Oman, which plays the role of mediator and we gave a positive response, Tajani told reporters during a trip to Osaka, Japan. We are ready to welcome, as always, meetings that can bring positive results, in this case on the nuclear issue.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, speaking at a meeting in Luxembourg, also said the coming talks would be in Rome. And Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly said Monday the talks would happen in Rome while speaking to his Iraqi counterpart on Monday, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency.

Then early Tuesday, the state-run IRNA news agency quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying the talks would be back in Oman, without elaborating on the reason. Easter Sunday will be this coming weekend, a major holiday in Rome, which surrounds Vatican City, the home of the Roman Catholic church.

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The first round of talks over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear program took place over the past weekend in Oman.

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.

Speaking of Iran, Trump said I want them to be a rich, great nation. However, he said these are radicalized people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon."

Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog separately confirmed he would be taking a trip to Iran later in the week, possibly to discuss ways to improve access for his inspectors to Tehran's program.

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IAEA chief to head to Iran ahead of talks

The talks will follow a visit by Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency to Iran later this week.

The IAEA played a key role in verifying Iran's compliance with its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and has continued to work in the Islamic Republic, even as the country's theocracy slowly peeled away its access after Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

Continued engagement and cooperation with the Agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed, Grossi wrote on X.

Grossi will arrive in Iran on Wednesday night and will meet with Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, the state-run IRNA news agency reported, quoting Kazem Gharibabadi, a deputy foreign minister.

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Sanctions relief and enrichment remain top issues

The 2015 nuclear deal saw Iran agree to drastically reduce its stockpile of uranium and only enrich up to 3.67%  enough for its nuclear power plant at Bushehr. Today, Iran enriches up to 60%, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels and has enough stockpile for multiple nuclear bombs, should it choose to build them.

The deal lifted economic sanctions on Iran and unfroze assets around the world. The deal's collapse refroze those funds and limited Iran's ability to sell crude oil abroad  though it still sells to China, likely at a sharp discount.

While the U.S. can offer sanctions relief for Irans beleaguered economy, it remains unclear just how much Iran will be willing to concede. Judging from negotiations since 2018, Iran will likely ask to keep enriching uranium up to at least 20%. However, neither side has offered any public statements about what it is specifically seeking in the talks.

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There must definitely be guarantees in place regarding the fulfillment of commitments," Baghaei said Monday. "The issue of guarantees is especially important given the history of broken promises in the past. God willing, the negotiating team will continue its work with all these factors and points in mind.

He added: As long as the language of sanctions, pressure, threats, and intimidation continues, direct negotiations will not take place.

However, Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff did meet and speak face to face after some two hours of indirect talks mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.

Speaking to journalists on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he met with Witkoff and that his envoy had very good meetings on the Middle East.

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Well be making a decision on Iran very quickly," Trump said, without elaborating.

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Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Megerian reported from Washington. Associated Press writers David Biller and Giada Zampano in Rome, Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Molly Quell at The Hague, Netherlands, contributed to this report.

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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/
NHS patients will be able to take part in a revolutionary skin cancer vaccine trial, the health service has announced.

The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) was unveiled last year with the aim of accelerating access to mRNA vaccine clinical trials for different forms of cancer.

Hundreds of people with bowel cancer have already received personalised vaccines and the programme is now extending to those with advanced skin cancer, otherwise known as melanoma.

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The NHS plans to provide up to 10,000 patients in England with personalised, ground-breaking cancer treatments in the UK by 2030 through this programme.

The melanoma vaccine, known as iSCIB1+ (Immunobody), helps the immune system recognise cancer cells and better respond to existing immunotherapy treatment.

By working to help the body recognise, attack and remember cancer cells, it can help stop the disease returning.

About half of melanoma patients respond to immunotherapy, but those who do not are at higher risk of their cancer getting worse.

The vaccine is being trialled by needle-free injection into the skin or muscle and the NHS, working with UK life sciences company Scancell, said it will begin next month with dozens taking part by October.

The programme is called the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad and will use a match-making service to partner eligible cancer patients with appropriate trials at nearby hospitals

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said he was taking steps to fast-track clinical trials and cut red tape for researchers.

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He said: This kind of innovation is nothing short of life-saving and I want to see more of these world-leading treatments being developed in the UK.

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, accounting for around four per cent of all new cancer cases.

Prof Peter Johnson, the NHS national cancer director, said: Cancer vaccines have the potential to revolutionise cancer care for patients in this country and across the world  and to save more lives.

Its incredibly exciting that the NHS is expanding its world-leading programme so more patients with different types of cancer could benefit from the development of new vaccines that could stop their cancer coming back.

I feel so lucky

Paul Thomas, 63, from New Milton, Hampshire, was first diagnosed with advanced skin cancer in 2017 and the disease kept returning following treatment.

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Last year, the grandfather of four and window cleaning business owner, was given the opportunity to be part of the SCOPE study skin cancer vaccine trial, which is now part of the CVLP so that more patients can take part at NHS sites across the country.

He said: I feel so lucky to be put on the trial. Thankfully I was still quite fit and since Ive been on it, my tumours have all shrunk. Every time I go for a scan they seem to be shrinking, which is really exciting.

Im really hoping for total eradication of my cancer, as opposed to being put in remission, and Im feeling optimistic/

Dr Nermeen Varawalla, the chief medical officer at Scancell, said: Cancer vaccines have the potential to transform immunotherapy, redefine treatment options and ultimately save lives.

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Recent clinical data has demonstrated that our potent, tumour-targeted off-the-shelf cancer vaccine delivers strong efficacy, with the potential for meaningful long-term survival benefits in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma.

Susanna Daniels, the chief executive of the charity Melanoma Focus, said cases of skin cancer in the UK were on the rise and so they would be encouraging eligible patients to take part in these ground-breaking trials.

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Gov. Lujan Grisham left New Mexico April 12 for a two-week trip to Asia to promote the state's energy economy, among other topics, her office said.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will be in Asia for approximately two weeks, her office announced on Friday. The governor, who departed Saturday, is leading an economic delegation to Singapore and Japan, according to a news release, with an eye toward strengthening business relationships; highlighting New Mexicos leadership in advanced energy technologies and computing; and exploring natural gas export opportunities.

This mission represents a tremendous opportunity to showcase New Mexicos energy innovation and advanced technology sectors to key international partners, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. Were focusing on creating jobs and attracting investment to our state while strengthening relationships with companies already doing business in New Mexico.

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The governors itinerary includes:

 meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to discuss economic partnerships and opportunities for foreign direct investment in New Mexico.

 meeting with the chair of Temasek Holdings, which has investments in New Mexicos border region.

 an energy roundtable in Singapore and tour of innovative infrastructure projects

 meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Japan to discuss energy and technology partnerships

 a briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Japan, as well as a reception for Lujan Grisham

 a technology and energy roundtable and meetings with Japans premier energy policy experts.

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In addition to the governor, New Mexico Economic Development Director Rob Black and Caroline Buerkle, deputy chief operating officer in the Office of the Governor, will be on the trip, which is being paid for by The New Mexico Partnership.

Lujan Grisham leaves Asia on April 29, joins the New Mexico Amigos for meetings in Los Angeles and then returns New Mexico.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell and Hatem Khaled

CAIRO/JERUSALEM/GAZA (Reuters) - The latest round of talks in Cairo to restore the defunct Gaza ceasefire and free Israeli hostages ended with no apparent breakthrough, Palestinian and Egyptian sources said on Monday.

The sources said Hamas had stuck to its position that any agreement must lead to an end to the war in Gaza.

Israel, which restarted its military campaign in Gaza last month after a ceasefire agreed in January unravelled, has said it will not end the war until Hamas is stamped out. The militant group has ruled out any proposal that it lay down its arms.

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But despite that fundamental disagreement, the sources said a Hamas delegation led by the group's Gaza Chief Khalil Al-Hayya had shown some flexibility over how many hostages it could free in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel should a truce be extended.

An Egyptian source told Reuters the latest proposal to extend the truce would see Hamas free an increased number of hostages. Israeli minister Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, told Army Radio on Monday that Israel was seeking the release of around 10 hostages, raised from previous Hamas consent to free five.

Hamas has asked for more time to respond to the latest proposal, the Egyptian source said.

"Hamas has no problem, but it wants guarantees Israel agrees to begin the talks on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement" leading to an end to the war, the Egyptian source said.

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AIRSTRIKES

Hamas militants freed 33 Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire which began in January. But the second phase, which was meant to begin at the start of March and lead to the end of the war, was never launched.

Since restarting their military campaign last month, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,500 Palestinians, many of them civilians, and uprooted hundreds of thousands, seizing swathes of territory and imposing a total blockade on all supplies to the entire enclave.

Meanwhile, 59 Israeli hostages remain in the hands of the militants. Israel believes up to 24 of them are alive.

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Palestinians say the wave of Israeli attacks since the collapse of the ceasefire has been among the deadliest and most intense of the war, hitting an exhausted population surviving in the enclave's ruins.

In Jabalia, a community on Gaza's northern edge, rescue workers in orange vests were trying to smash through concrete with a sledgehammer to recover bodies buried underneath a building that collapsed in an Israeli strike.

Feet and a hand of one person could be seen under a concrete slab. Men carried a body wrapped in a blanket. Workers at the scene said as many as 25 people had been killed.

The Israeli military said it had struck there against militants planning an ambush.

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In Khan Younis in the south, a camp of makeshift tents had been shredded into piles of debris by an airstrike. Families had returned to poke through the rubbish in search of belongings.

"We used to live in houses. They were destroyed. Now, our tents have been destroyed too. We don't know where to stay," said Ismail al-Raqab, who returned to the area after his family fled the raid before dawn.

EGYPT'S SISI MEETS QATARI EMIR

The leaders of the two Arab countries that have led the ceasefire mediation efforts, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, met in Doha on Sunday. The Egyptian source said Sisi had called for additional international guarantees for a truce agreement, beyond those provided by Egypt and Qatar themselves.

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U.S. President Donald Trump, who has backed Israel's decision to resume its campaign and called for the Palestinian population of Gaza to leave the territory, said last week that progress was being made in returning the hostages.

The war was triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 50,900 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities.

(Additional reporting by Ahmed Shalaby in Cairo, Mahmoud Issa and Hatem Khaled in Gaza; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by James Mackenzie and Peter Graff)
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY)  After filing a report last week regarding an investigation into Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang, troopers now say that no charges will be filed against him in this case.

Andy Lang

According to West Virginia State Police Sgt. Glaspell, after consulting with the Harrison County Prosecutors Office, investigators determined that no charges will be filed against Lang because there was not enough evidence with statements given. He added that this officially concludes the criminal investigation into Lang.

Lang was the subject of a battery complaint that was filed on March 31, alleging that a verbal and physical incidentofficially reported as unwanted touchingoccurred between him and a city employee.

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Lang has previously told 12 News that he was the one who called for state police to investigate.

City of Bridgeport says tension at April 3 meeting was caused by misinformed individuals

12 News has reached out to Lang after learning the result of the investigation, but he chose to offer no comment.

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Photo: https://t.me/dsns_telegram/41113

As a result of the Russian missile strikes on Sumy on Sunday, 34 people were killed and about 40 are in hospital. Some 11 of them are in serious condition, wounded by the high-explosive fragmentation warhead of the missile upon contact with the surface, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said.

"At the moment, 34 people have died, including two children born in 2008 and 2013. Some 119 were injured and about 40 people are in hospital, 11 of them are in critical condition," Klymenko said on the National Telethon on Monday.

The minister recalled that the enemy launched two strikes on Sumy with an interval of between two and two and a half minutes.

"It was a strike on the city center. The missiles used were high-explosive fragmentation Iskander M missiles," Klymenko said.

According to him, the speed of this type missile is more than two kilometers per second.

"It flies 100 km in less than 45 seconds," he added.

Klymenko specified that the missile strikes were on the educational building of the local university and a trolleybus.

Answering the question of whether there is confirmation that the second missile was filled with fragmentation elements and exploded in the air, the minister said: "The examination is still ongoing. I would not like to say 100% ahead of time what kind of missile it was. Preliminary information - what forensic experts, experts, the Security Service say - is that it was a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The explosions occurred precisely upon impact with a hard surface. In the first case, it was a road, in the second, a building."

"Unfortunately, there are more and more attacks on border areas, including on the city of Sumy, a regional center," the minister added.
Last year, University of Washington School of Medicine professor of biochemistry David Baker won the Nobel Prize for his work on designing proteins that can be used in drugs, vaccines, materials, and sensors.

But now that the Trump administration has begun to diminish the role of research and gut scientific funding, around 15 of Baker's graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are looking to leave the US, NBC News reports.

A major funding squeeze is forcing Baker and his colleagues at the Institute for Protein Design to reevaluate and cut back.

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"Theres so many amazing people who want to come in, and we cant take them," he told NBC. "The Nobel Prize was just a little blip. But things have gotten quite bleak."

Trump's war on science in the US has sparked concerns over a major brain drain, with a Nature poll of more than 1,200 scientists finding that a startling 75 percent are now considering leaving the country.

The Trump administration has gutted federal agencies, with the National Institutes of Health ringing the alarm bells following massive layoffs and budget cuts. Billions of dollars worth of contracts have been ordered to be canceled by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

"Right now, due to the funding cuts, we are unable to enroll any more participants into federally funded studies, or start new studies, or do really any new work," UW Medicine infectious disease researcher Rachel Bender Ignacio, who cut her own salary to distribute money to the rest of other staffers, told NBC.

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Even politically uncontroversial lines of research, including Alzheimer's and cancer, have been swept up in a major shrinking of funding, which could lead to significant slowdowns in progress toward treatments, cures, and other interventions.

"Weve gone through a bunch of contingency planning," University of Washingtons Alzheimers Disease Research Center director Thomas Grabowski told NBC, referring to grant decisions slowing to a crawl. "When it starts to look like multiple, multiple, multiple months, then theres not a good answer to your question."

The university received about 1,2200 grants from the NIH, worth around $648 million, last year. This year that approval process ground to a halt, and more than 600 grants are still in limbo.

Scientists are now in the dark, awaiting some much-needed clarity from the agency, which has spent much of its resources pointlessly chasing after president Donald Trump's number-one bogeyman: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

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"The fact that theyre cutting these things or putting them in limbo is really upsetting, and you know, I feel like theyre doing surgery with a chainsaw at the federal level," retired attorney Andrea Gilbert, who had undergone treatment for Alzheimer's disease under Grabowski's care, told NBC News.

More on the NIH: Trump Administration Throws Cancer Research Into Turmoil
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blasted Bostons mayor about sanctuary city policies after ICE arrested an accused child rapist from Ecuador in Lawrence who is charged with more than 20 sex crimes against a Massachusetts child.

Does Bostons Mayor Michelle Wu think these pedophiles are above the law? Imagine what our ICE officers could do without Sanctuary City policies that protect illegal alien criminals including child predators, murders, and rapists, Noem said in a recent post on X. Boston 25 has reached out to Wus office for comment.

Noems post came after ICE Boston officers arrested Gilberto Avila-Jara, 64, of Ecuador, who is in the United States illegally, in Lawrence, more than four years after a local court released him on bail despite authorities lodging an immigration detainer, federal officials said.

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Avila-Jara was arrested in Lawrence on April 1, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said in a statement on Friday. Officers with ICE Boston and agents from DEA New England and ATF Boston made the arrest.

ICE Boston has arrested an illegal Ecuadoran national charged with more than 20 sex crimes against a MINOR.



Does Bostons Mayor Michelle Wu think these pedophiles are above the law? Imagine what our ICE officers could do without Sanctuary City policies that protect illegal pic.twitter.com/eHtOIWqgMz  Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) April 11, 2025

There are no appropriate words to describe the amount of damage Gilberto Avila-Jara has allegedly done to our Massachusetts community, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde said in a statement. Children are the most precious and most vulnerable members of our communities, and we will do everything in our power to protect them from illegal sex offenders.

On Dec. 18, 2020, Avila-Jara was arraigned in Lawrence District Court for more than 20 offenses including indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, rape of a child with force and aggravated statutory rape of a child, Hyde said.

Later that day, ICE Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Avila-Jara with Lawrence Police.

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However, the Lawrence District Court refused to honor the ICE detainer and released Avila-Jara on bail on March 17, 2021, Hyde said.

Massachusetts Court officials do not have the authority to hold an individual in custody solely on the basis of a Federal Civil Immigration Detainer, Massachusetts Trial Courts spokesperson Jennifer Donahue said in a statement on Monday, when contacted about Avila-Jaras release.

In order to comply with Massachusetts law, court officers are prohibited from assisting or interfering with ICE agents in executing their obligations under Federal law, Donahue said. That means that a court officer will not interfere with ICE arresting an individual who has been released. On the other hand, court officers are prohibited from keeping a released individual in custody awaiting an ICE agent.

On April 22, 2021, the Essex County Superior Court arraigned Avila-Jara for six counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, eight counts of rape of a child with force and eight counts of aggravated statutory rape of a child.

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Avila-Jara illegally entered the United States near San Ysidro, California on Feb. 10, 1996, without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official, Hyde said.

Officers with the Immigration and Naturalization Service apprehended Avila-Jara on March 2, 1996 at the Los Angeles International Airport.

On March 11, 1996, a Justice Department immigration judge ordered Avila-Jara removed from the United States back to Ecuador.

Immigration and Naturalization Service removed Avila-Jara from the United States to Ecuador on July 2, 1996, Hyde said.

Avila-Jara then illegally reentered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location and without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official, Hyde said.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolina trial judges heard arguments Monday from attorneys for Republican legislative leaders who insist their latest method to attempt to wrest control of the State Board of Elections from a Democratic governor is lawful  this time giving the job of appointing members to the GOP state auditor.

But lawyers for Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who sued to stop the changes approved late last year by the General Assembly and begin in earnest next month, contend the alteration suffers constitutional flaws similar to those that caused courts to strike down previous GOP attempts.

The General Assembly is on a mission to both enact and execute the states elections, Stein attorney Jim Phillips said while urging Superior Court Judges Edwin Wilson, Andrew Womble and Lori Hamilton to strike down the latest law. The judges didnt immediately rule after a 2 1/2-hour hearing but have signaled they would act before the chief change starts May 1.

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For nearly a decade, the Republican-dominated legislature has sought to erode or eliminate a governor's authority to appoint the board that administers elections. It's a practice set in state law over a century ago and results in members of the governor's party holding three of the five seats. Appointments are made from options provided by the two major political parties.

Republicans have complained that a governor has too much control over elections in the ninth-largest state, resulting in one-party decision-making and a lack of voter confidence. Democrats say the laws are a GOP power grab designed to give Republicans an unfair advantage in elections in the battleground state. The board's importance has been apparent in the still-unresolved election for a state Supreme Court seat.

Judges have blocked at least four alterations to the boards composition contained in laws approved by GOP lawmakers since 2016 and successfully challenged by Stein's predecessor, fellow Democrat Roy Cooper. In addition, voters rejected a 2018 constitutional amendment that would have forced the governor to appoint members recommended by legislative leaders from both parties.

In March 2024, the same three judges  two registered Republicans and a Democrat  struck down the 2023 version of the law that would have moved board appointment authority from the governor to the General Assembly itself.

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The fifth attempt to change the law  the subject of Monday's hearing  moves appointment duties to Republican Dave Boliek, who defeated a Democrat in November to become auditor. The auditor's position has had nothing to do with elections  it's best known for issuing reports uncovering waste and fraud in state government.

Steins attorneys said the latest law also should be struck down because it interferes with the governors ability to carry out his responsibility in the North Carolina Constitution to take care" that laws are faithfully executed through an executive-branch agency like the board.

But an attorney for Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall said shifting the job to a comparatively low-key position like auditor is different. The entire board will continue to be appointed by an executive branch official, and the state constitution says the auditors duties are determined by the General Assembly, the legislators' attorneys wrote in a legal memorandum.

The peoples representatives have made the policy call, Matthew Tilley, a lawyer for the legislators, said of shifting the duty to the auditor. That may result in more fair elections. It may take some of the partisan pressure off the Board of Elections."

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Hamilton, a Republican, said under the lawmakers' arguments, all gubernatorial powers not specifically named in the constitution could be moved by the General Assembly to other officials.

If it's not just a barefaced power grab, why now? Why is this necessary?  she asked Tilley. If the General Assembly starts stacking up powers and duties under the auditors umbrella, its going to become very, very public and very, very contested very, very quickly.

Cooper and Stein sued GOP legislative leaders in late December over the new law, which also includes changes to how the 100 county elections boards are chosen, which also with Boliek's involvement, would likely have Republican majorities, too. The county board changes begin in June. Cooper left office at the start of this year.

Boliek, who previously said he didnt seek the election board appointment duties, joined the lawsuit and sided with GOP lawmakers. His attorneys also argued in court Monday. The judges' decision will assuredly be appealed.

Stein, the former attorney general, is also suing lawmakers over additional provisions in the wide-ranging law that weaken more powers of the governor and other Democratic officials.
ORANGE CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Northwestern Colleges worship team has released its first album.

According to a release from Northwestern College, the worship teams first album, Agape, is available on all major streaming platforms.

LifeServe partnering with local firefighters for blood drives

The album was recorded during a worship night at Northwesterns campus and features eight songs and two passages. The full service can also be viewed on YouTube.

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This year, weve spent a lot of time as worship leaders praying that this campus would experience the love of God in a new and deeper way, Northwesterns director of worship Josh Kuipers said. A lot of hard work was figuring out how to do it. We had a really great time working on the album and have already seen how it has blessed people, so I definitely think well do it again.

Students at Northwestern were invited to participate in the production of the album, and students and recent graduates contributed to the filming and video editing.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks out against violence after overnight arson at his official residence in Harrisburg. "I don't give a damn if it's coming from one particular side or the other... It is not OK and it has to stop," the governor said. @CapehartJ reports the latest.
The Trump administration on Friday announced it would pull all federal education funding from Maine after state officials said they would not comply with demands from the administration to ban transgender athletes from participation in womens sports. Also, a federal judge then ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze funds intended for a Maine child nutrition program that were suspended amid a disagreement between the state and the president over transgender athletes. Gov. Janet Mills, D-
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  The South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC) is warning the public of a violent offender that will be released from prison soon.

In a news release, DOC said Moises Aguilar-Hernandez, 47, will be released April 17. Aguilar-Hernandez served a 15-year sentence at the state prison for sexual contact with a minor under 16. The offense happened in Beadle County.

Crash leaves one girl dead, other critically injured

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DOC Secretary Kellie Wasko said in the news release that Aguilar-Hernandezs criminal history of sex offenses and other institutional assessments indicate a high risk for him to reoffend.

Aguilar-Hernandez is being released in Huron. He is 511 tall and has black hair and brown eyes. The DOC news release said since 2011, there have been 16 notices of pending high risk offenders.

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Russian diplomats will also be held accountable for working for the criminal Russian regime, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said after the Russian missile strike on Sumy and summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy in Lithuania in connection with it.

"Following today's terrorist attack committed by Russia in Sumy, we have summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy in Vilnius. Those behind this attack will not escape justice. Everyone who works for the criminal regime of the Kremlin, including Russian diplomats, will also be held accountable," the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on the X social network on Sunday evening.

On Monday morning, the Foreign Ministry said that it had lowered the flags outside the Lithuanian Embassy in Ukraine, "mourning the victims of the terrorist attack committed by Russia in Sumy on Palm Sunday."

"This terrible attack is yet another reminder of the evil we are dealing with. The Russian regime is responsible and will not escape justice," the statement said.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Budrys Kestutis called the Russian attack on Sumy "another war crime by Putin" and "an insult to the efforts to negotiate a ceasefire."

"Russia is acting like a terrorist, even while discussing a ceasefire," he wrote on X. The minister also said that he called on the European Union to respond to this attack with the 17th package of sanctions against Russia - "against LNG, Rosatom, the shadow fleet and individuals." "We must increase pressure on Putin to stop this aggression," Kestutis wrote.
As of the morning of 14 April, the number of people injured in the Russian missile strike on Sumy has risen to 119, including 15 children. Thirty-four people have been killed, including two children.

Source: Oleh Strilka, spokesperson for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy Oblast, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "A total of 119 people have been injured, including 15 children. As for the fatalities, the figure remains unchanged  34 people, including seven children."

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Update: Later, Strilka said in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda that he mistakenly mentioned the wrong number of children who were killed in one of the interviews he gave.

Quote: "There were many media outlets there and I gave various interviews. In one of them, I made a mistake and said the number seven; I apologised and asked to correct it. It was rewritten, but for some reason, it was aired as it was. That is, with the wrong number. As of now, two children were killed in that attack."

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that 34 people had been killed and another 117 people injured in the Russian attack on Sumy.

The high number of fatalities and casualties in the missile attack was caused by a second Russian ballistic strike.

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First time caller, long time fraud.

A local radio host running for City Council admitted he was duped into helping a romance scam artist get out of prison only for the ex-con to show he was anything but reformed once he was set free.

Frank Morano, the host of 770 WABC The Other Side of Midnight, said in a resurfaced clip from his Jan. 6 episode that he wrote a really good letter to the state Parole Board to help get felon Robert Giuliano, 49, sprung from prison.

Frank Morano admitted he was duped into helping a romance scam artist get out of prison. 77 WABC Radio/Youtube

Morano, who is running in an April 29 special election for a vacant council seat on the south shore of Staten Island, said he helped out after a friend told him Giuliano  who he didnt mention by name  listens to him every day and loves the show.

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I am persuaded that his whole incarceration was largely a misunderstanding, the candidate  whose radio program is broadcast in 30 markets across the country  told the Parole Board after a call with the con, who had been behind bars for six years.

But as soon as he was out there were red flags, Morano said.

I invited him to an outing with some of my friends, Morano said. But then he starts messaging some of my friends. Can they each give him some money to take 30 orphans to an MMA fight,? And hed be all over social media, traveling all over the place, taking photographs with beautiful women.

Giuliano  who was released on June 4 of last year, according to state records  had allegedly scammed thousands of dollars from travelers by promising to book them into luxury hotels and to score hot tickets to exclusive events through his bogus company Giuliano Group Concierge.

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Hed pocket the cash or check into the swanky hotels himself and let his victims pick up the tab, according to the accusations.

Giuliano was convicted of identity theft, falsifying business records and fraud.

Morano said the ex-con, once free, even changed his phone number several times.

Robert Giuliano had allegedly scammed thousands of dollars from travelers through his bogus company. Obtained by NY Post

As it turned out, Giuliano was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona last December after local authorities said they got a tip about his felony warrant out of New York.

He was on the New York Department of Corrections Most Wanted Fugitive list for forgery, grand larceny and identity theft.

The website also said Giuliano is a multi-state offender and is known for targeting women in romance scams. He was extradited from Arizona to New York.

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Hes arrested again. If you put his name in any of the search engines all testimonials pop up of women that were scammed by him or that he tried to scam, he said on his show.

You do all these bad things. You make these women fall in love with you and then you use them for money.

Morano admitted he was duped by flattery.

Giuliano was on the New York Department of Corrections Most Wanted Fugitive list for forgery, grand larceny and identity theft. Steven Hirsch

But he vowed to never help a prisoner again after getting duped and scammed by a professional con artist.

Contacted by The Post Sunday, Morano claimed the clip has resurfaced as part of a smear attack by his opponent Griffin Fossella, the son of Borough President Vito Fossella. The two are competing to replace former Councilman Joseph Borelli, who stepped down.

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I think people will see this for what it is  a political smear attack by my flailing opponent, who refuses to even show up for the people he wants to represent, Morano said.

I will continue to focus on the issues that matter to the residents of the South Shore, like reducing crime and protecting the quality of life. Happy to debate this and all these issues when Griffin finally comes out of the candidate protection program.

Morano added that he has the backing of the lions share of law enforcement unions.

David Catalfamo, a spokesman for Fossella, shot back.

Morano helped spring one of New Yorks Most Wantedhe belongs on Hochuls Parole Board, not representing Staten Island, the spokesman said.
Big Apple mayoral candidate Jim Walden, a former federal prosecutor and prominent lawyer, has vowed to fight the New York City Council from handcuffing the NYPD if he is elected.

Politicians should generally stay out of the business of policing. The New York City Charter does not give the Council the power to micromanage police operations, Walden, who is running as an independent, told The Post.

As mayor, I will call a voter referendum to limit the City Councils power to micromanage NYPD operations. Public safety should be managed by capable experts, not by political winds.

Jim Walden has vowed to fight the New York City Council from handcuffing the NYPD if he is elected. James Messerschmidt

However, to get the initiative on the ballot, Walden and supporters would have to collect roughly 50,000 voter signatures, which is only doable with vast resources.

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The voter referendum envisioned by Walen would:

Extend the time of mayoral review for any proposed legislation related to police operations

Require the City Council to hold public hearings with policing experts, including those called by the mayor, to fairly evaluate the legislation and its specific effects on policing

Give the mayor the option to declare the bill damaging to policing and require a two-thirds majority for passage

Require a supermajority of three-fourths to override any mayoral veto

Walden and supporters would have to collect roughly 50,000 voter signatures, which is only doable with vast resources. Christopher Sadowski

Over the years, the Council has passed bills over the mayors objections dictating operations at the NYPD  most recently the How Many Stops Act, which requires officers to file reports on even minor interactions with members of the public.

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I am in favor of smart policing. I am in favor of clamping down on discriminatory practices by NYPD officers or other public servants. But I am against politicianspandering to special interestsusing limited examples of alleged police misconduct to increase bureaucracy on cops, taking them away from the critical mission of policing, Walden said.

Or, worse, telling them how to police.

The referendum would limit the City Councils power to micromanage NYPD operations, Walden told The Post. Aristide Economopoulos

Cosmetics billionaire Ronald Lauder successfully bankrolled a campaign in the 1990s to get voters to support a two-term limit for citywide officeholders and the Council.

Walden would have to collect two or three times the required number of voter signatures for a ballot initiative to survive a legal challenge.

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It would be a herculean task. You would need a lot of resources, said an election lawyer who requested anonymity.

Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams recently announced that he will not run in a Democratic primary  and like Walden, will seek re-election in a long-shot bid under his own independent ballot line.
When Jeremy* put an underperforming employee at his accountancy firm on special measures, he was secretly hoping to find a way to let her go. Instead, a week later he was informed that she was suffering from a rare mental-health disorder that affects memory.

Jeremy had to stop the performance review immediately and was forced to pay a third-party company to decide whether the employee would benefit from fewer working hours and fewer tasks for the same pay, or even from retraining. Whatever they propose, we have to implement, says Jeremy, 55. We have no choice.

The woman had been working at the company  which Jeremy only bought recently  for 17 years but had never mentioned a diagnosis or any symptoms before. Once we were close to being able to [let her go], it was raised, he says. Its so bad for business. If you have one person who is not performing that you also cant manage or hold accountable to some degree, then it has a major impact on other employees and on morale.

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Now, company founders around Britain have their heads in their hands over Angela Rayners Employment Rights Bill, which is in its final stages of debate in Parliament, and which many believe will make Britain even more unproductive than it currently is.

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, has insisted her workers rights package would boost the economy - Ian Forsyth/Getty

Among a number of other updates to employment law, workers will have full rights from day one, including maternity and paternity leave, sick pay and protection from dismissal. Rayner hails it as a new dawn for employees, but many managers see it as a slackers charter that will lead to a proliferation of lazy and underhand workplace behaviour.

David Walsh, 50, who owns an estate agency in the UK and has also worked in management consultancy in the United States for decades, has seen first-hand the difference that generous employment law can make. He says that in the US, where tax rates are lower and people can be fired more easily, employees are  in general  far more diligent and hungrier for promotion.

Americans dont get so bent out of shape about when and where theyre working, he says. They are happy to take a call in the evening or early in the morning, or answer an email on holiday. Here, people clock-watch and only work at certain hours. Its a little thing, but in the US someone starting at 9am will almost always arrive at 8.50am so theyre ready to work at 9. Here, that rarely happens.

American employees are far more diligent than their British counterparts, says David Walsh, who has worked in both countries

For Jonathan*, the managing director of a manufacturing firm, tardiness is the least of his worries. Jonathan  who, like the majority of those I interview about their colleagues, has opted to use a pseudonym to avoid reprisals  tells me about a man he hired who was incompetent from the start. After a matter of weeks, Jonathan decided to let him go, but immediately afterwards received a legal letter saying he had been bullied by the company.

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It was obvious that he was looking for a payout, says Jonathan. Hed only been with us a few weeks and it felt like a matter of principle.

When Jonathan went to the appeal hearing, he was delighted that the judge threw it out  but worries that the changes to employment law mean this would no longer be the case. Back then, he couldnt accuse us of unfair dismissal as he had been with the company for less than two years, so he went for discrimination, which he couldnt prove, he says. But now hed have full rights from day one.

Like nearly everyone I speak to, Jonathan is worried that changes to the law will embolden people to break the rules. He tells me about a worker he caught stealing from his warehouse. We had him on CCTV so thought we could fire him pretty easily, but he knew someone who worked in employment law, so he took a claim against the company, saying we hadnt been fair.

Jonathan decided that taking this worker to court would be too difficult and expensive, so ended up giving him thousands of pounds to drop his case. I feel physically sick at some of the legal advice I get, he says. I hate having to pay out company money to people who are cheating us.

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Similarly, a member of staff who had only recently taken the job claimed he needed months of paid compassionate leave because of a family bereavement. Later, Jonathan discovered he was travelling abroad, but instead of immediately firing this employee, he had to pay him to terminate the contract early.

I think this sort of behaviour has got worse since Covid, he says. People are really taking the mick.

Shoddy behaviour

And while nearly all these anecdotes involve middle-aged people, it is members of Generation Z who have gained the worst reputation for shoddy workplace behaviour  perhaps because they are notoriously open about putting their own health and happiness above company needs.

Look, I admire them for refusing to be consumed with work, says Jemima*, a 42-year-old digital marketing director from London. But they also get on my nerves. She tells me about younger employees taking endless sick days and then swanning back into the office radiating health while older colleagues battle through the 9-5 with streaming colds or bedridden children behind them on Zoom.

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They also insist on having an hour off for lunch when the team is frantic with a looming deadline. Whats happened to a Pret at your desk? Its like being in France, she adds. Oh, and the irony of one of my juniors asking for a morning in lieu for answering a couple of urgent emails at 7pm when she is never not on social media at her desk.

Daniel*, a television producer in his 40s, cant believe how much workplace culture has changed over the course of his adult life. Getting started in this industry means sometimes getting up at 4am to be first on set and working as hard as you can to get to the point where youre no longer the dogsbody  but young people now wont do that because its not specifically stated in their contract or because its bad for their health not to sleep a full eight hours, he says. But if I ask them to do the work they actually want to do, like anything creative, they just run it through ChatGPT.

And then there is the fact that, under changes introduced last year by the Conservatives, employees now have the right to request flexible working from day one. Dont get me started on working from home, says Jemima. The mothers are actually the worst for this  I get that they have busy lives, but I have seen one woman on my team about four times this year, and she lives three miles from the office.

Parental leave

The question of parental leave in particular is a thorny one. Julia*, the founder of a PR firm in London, tells me about a woman she hired who was secretly pregnant throughout the entire interview process. A few weeks into the job  by which point this new employee had been introduced to clients and taken control of an entire department  she finally mentioned that she was having a baby.

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I have children of my own, says Julia. And so I very much understand not wanting to say anything at first  but by the time she was signing her contract she was well over 12 weeks. She wasnt showing much and wore a lot of baggy clothes, so I couldnt tell, but I think she owed me the courtesy of the truth before she swanned off for a year with a guaranteed job and statutory pay.

Under Labours Employment Rights Bill, of course, Julia would be in an even more difficult position because shed owe full maternity pay. It was hard enough finding cover then for a woman whose bum had barely warmed the seat, but now Id be so out of pocket I dont think Id be able to, she says.

The truth, perhaps, is that we seem to have collectively forgotten that aspects of professional life are often stressful or even unfair  but that this usually propels us towards something better. In the past, the solution to a difficult situation was to work even harder to change it, says Walsh. But now, the Government seems to think we can legislate our way to a perfect world, when all were actually doing is killing ambition and productivity.

*Names have been changed

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A metro Atlanta sheriffs office is left with heavy and broken hearts after one of its officers died.

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Ofc. Braydon Butler died from injuries sustained in an off-duty accident, the Barrow County Sheriffs Office announced.

At just 14 years old, Butler began his law enforcement career through the sheriffs office with its High School Explorers program.

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Officials said thats where Butler found his passion to serve others.

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The BCSO said Butler was hired as a detention officer and was on a path to becoming a deputy sheriff.

Braydon worked hard and was only four weeks away from graduating the Northeast Georgia Police Academy along with several other Cadets but tragically his life ended, the BCSO said.

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The sheriffs office said anyone who encountered Butler knew he loved to serve God and others first.

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All he ever wanted to do was use his servants heart to be a light to others as he was anytime you were around him. Although our hearts are broken, we know Braydon was welcomed into the arms of our Lord, the BCSO said.

The Butler family requests donations in memory of Braydon to be made to the Barrow County Sheriffs Office employee fund. Click here to donate.
New Zealand relies on hydro lakes for much of its electricity, so it was a relief when the rain finally came after the driest start to the year on record.

According to The Press, wet and windy weather in mid-March topped up Lake Pukaki by almost 12 centimeters. The last time rain topped the country's largest hydro storage lake was in late 2024.

As the United States Department of Energy (DOE) observed, hydro storage lakes can also be called pumped storage hydropower. When there is a high supply of electricity or low demand, the water "is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir." When there is high demand or low electricity, "water from the upper reservoir is released to the lower reservoir, generating electricity as it moves down through a turbine."

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According to The Press, "60% of New Zealand's electricity comes from hydro generation."

Meridian general manager wholesale Chris Ewers told the publication that the company's lake storage is the equivalent of 15 weeks of average electricity generation.

The Waiau catchment saw almost 300 millimeters of rain, while the Waitaki catchment saw less than that. However, it equals three weeks of storage for the town of Manapouri.

Ewers said, "It buys us time," but he added, "We do need more rain to fall over the next couple of months to support us over winter, but it was still very welcome."

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According to the DOE, "hydropower provides low-cost electricity and durability over time compared to other sources of energy."

It provides other benefits like clean drinking water, irrigation support, and flood control.

Hydropower is also a booming industry, employing 65,000 people in the U.S. The DOE said it "could grow to 120,000 jobs by 2030 and 158,000 by 2050."

Besides being a cheap energy source and a growing industry, hydropower creates renewable energy. It's fueled by water that propels a turbine, which means it doesn't rely on dirty energy sources. Therefore, it doesn't release polluting gases into the atmosphere or diminish air quality.

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According to the International Hydropower Association, hydroelectricity was first used to power a lamp in a "country house in Northumberland, England, in 1878." Four years later, the first U.S. hydropower plant was opened in Wisconsin.

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A pedestrian was struck and killed by a train in East Haven over the weekend.

The collision was reported Saturday shortly before 6:30 p.m. when Amtrak Police contacted the East Haven Public Safety Dispatch Center to report that a pedestrian had been struck and killed by a passing train, according to Capt. Joseph M. Murgo of the East Haven Police Department. Murgo said the collision occurred in the area of Saltonstall Parkway and Forbes Place.

East Haven police responded to assist Amtrak investigators, according to Murgo.

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A spokesperson for Amtrak identified the victim as 52-year-old Carlos Brizuela Yera.

According to Amtrak and Murgo, the train involved was a Connecticut Department of Transportation local train owned by CTrail Shore Line East. CTrail did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine/posts/pfbid03VV3HgQDhCoRrVvvuzaPXbXPtcvVZTABSkWkQSzjnPbXPxB23ZuQ1hnbRfJ5T87Wl

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has provided first psychological assistance to those affected by the Russian attack by UAV attack on Odesa.

"The rapid response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the Odessa region worked at the scene. Volunteers were on duty at the scene to quickly provide first aid, provided first psychological assistance to the victims and also supported the work of the rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine," the UCRS said on Facebook on Monday.

According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, seven people were injured as a result of the Russian attack by attack UAVs on Odesa on the evening of April 13. Civilian infrastructure facilities, a warehouse, a service station, a medical facility and cars were damaged.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Former Ohio inmates and equality advocates are pushing for a bill that would require correctional institutions to provide free feminine hygiene products.

House Bill 29 would require all jails and prisons in the state that house women to provide an adequate supply of free pads and tampons in a variety of sizes. Sponsored by Reps. Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) and Marilyn John (R-Richland County), the bill also would require facilities to allow at least one shower a day for inmates who are menstruating.

The absence of a formal policy leaves decisions to the discretion of prison staff, creating inconsistencies and opportunities for abuse, Humphrey said at the bills first hearing. Some inmates receive hygiene products without issue, while others must beg or face punishment.

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The bipartisan legislation, introduced in February, would also ban prisons from denying an inmate feminine hygiene products and require facilities to implement formal policies surrounding the distribution of the products.

Humphrey introduced a similar bill in the last legislative session that passed the House unanimously but stalled in the Senate. The bill did not receive any opponent testimony. Kayelin Tiggs, who has led research projects for the U.S. Military, voiced her support for the legislation.

Can you imagine having to use loose paper, dirty socks, cleaning rags, mattress padding, torn sheets or makeshift pads to prevent accidents, all because you are denied an adequate number of products, Tiggs said in 2023 testimony. This is the reality for thousands of women across the state.

The current bill had its second hearing last week, where a dozen people conveyed their approval of the legislation. Ainslee Johnson-Brown, a representative with the nonprofit Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, expressed similar concerns about what items inmates may turn to when left without products.

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Lack of access to the necessary products forces menstruating individuals to resort to unhygienic alternatives  leading to infections, discomfort and worse, Johnson-Brown said. Access to menstrual products is a direct extension of Ohios obligation to maintain humane conditions within its correctional facilities.

Throughout testimony for both the current and former bill, multiple former female inmates detailed how they were often denied products, forced to use makeshift pads and how male guards would humiliate them or request favors when they asked for feminine products.

Currently, there is no Ohio law requiring jails and prisons to provide feminine hygiene products. In 2022, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction issued policy to ensure women receive free, unlimited feminine hygiene products. However, during testimony, multiple people claimed access is not always reliable. Humphrey additionally pointed out that a policy is not permanent, and can be rescinded at any time.

HB30 ensures these protections remain law, safeguarding the dignity and health of incarcerated women regardless of future administrative changes, Humphrey said.

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If the legislation were to pass, Ohio would join 25 other states that have laws protecting menstrual products in correctional facilities, according to The Prison Flow Project. The bill awaits possible opponent testimony in the Houses Government Oversight Committee.

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A student at an Ohio college who was detained for weeks in Denmark after his parents said he had a ride with an Uber driver went wrong has been released.

Authorities told CBS News that he was forced to forfeit his passport and remain in Denmark.

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Owen Ray, 20, and a friend were visiting friends for spring break in Denmark, CBS News reported.

Ray is a student at Miami University.

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Their parents said they got an Uber, realized they had put in the wrong address, and asked to get out.

What happened next is why they have been in prison for nearly two weeks, they said.

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Approximately five minutes later, the Uber driver circled back around and found them walking and started yelling at them, Sara Buchen-Ray, Owens mother, told CBS.

Buchen-Ray said this is according to a video played in a Danish court hearing.

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The Uber driver accused Ray and his friend of not paying for the ride, but receipts show they did.

The Uber driver first says, Im going to call the police, and you can hear them saying, Weve done nothing wrong. Call the police, his mother said.

While they were waiting at the gates to board their planes to go home, they were arrested by the Danish police, said Buchen-Rays attorney in Chicago, Jordan Finfer.

Finfer said Ray was arrested at the airport. He has not been charged or convicted, but Finfer said he was detained due to flight risk.

Now, they are waiting for a trial that should take place this month, but its the years to come she is the most worried about for Ray.

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That trial should take place this month. However, there is a five-day court holiday for Easter, which could push it back.

We will continue to follow this story.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Almost 200 Ohio State students are adjusting their living arrangements for the upcoming school year after their anticipated apartment buildings were repurposed as dorm rooms.

Off-campus student housing company StateHouse Columbus entered a partnership with Ohio State this month allowing the university to use two apartment buildings as residence halls next school year. StateHouses Lane and Norwich buildings are being repurposed, altering housing plans for around 175 students who had signed leases to live in those properties.

Sheriff speaks about finding dead dogs at Madison County home

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Ohio State and StateHouse Columbus signed an agreement this month to lease the building for the next school year. Dave Isaacs, communications and media relations manager for OSUs Office of Student Life, said the 2024-2025 freshman class was the largest in OSU history. Ohio State requires students to live in on-campus housing for their first two years, so OSU needed more residential space to accommodate its many undergraduate students.

Although it was set to house 175 students as an apartment complex, Isaacs said the buildings will be able to accommodate 500 students as dorm rooms. The apartment chains Director of Operations London Hazuka said reassigning residents is allowed under their leases, but the company is offering options to ensure residents are comfortable.

Everyone who wants to be assigned to a sister property will be, and we are doing everything we can to accommodate their needs and make it as easy as possible for them to stay with us, Hazuka said.

Hazuka said residents had the option to relocate to another StateHouse building with added benefits or terminate their leases. StateHouse Columbus is offering students comparable units at a newer building near campus at their same lease price. Students who choose to move will receive earlier move-ins, up to a $750 rent credit and a promise they will stay with the same roommates. Hazuka said they do not yet have a final count of how many students chose to relocate or terminate their leases.

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Despite StateHouse efforts, some parents and students were still frustrated with the change. One parent told NBC4 their daughter had planned a year in advance to live in the building, and they are now left scrambling to find housing.

Some Ohioans say proposed ban of phones in schools violates parents rights

Isaacs said all affected students were given options and said entering leases with nearby apartments when needed is standard practice. Dorm rooms at the StateHouse locations will use OSUs standard Rate 1 residence hall pricing at $5,045 per semester. Isaacs said OSU is working to make these buildings true to the dorm experience.

Student Life is providing the same support in these properties that is offered to others living in on-campus housing, Isaacs said. This includes all utilities and internet service provided as part of their contract.

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The on-campus housing process begins this month, with self-selection for dorm rooms closing in mid-April.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Gov. Mike DeWine called for a full cellphone ban in schools last week, but some parents say the move defies his record of supporting parents decision-making in their childrens education.

Thats something I really like about Ohio, and our governor has been very supportive about our rights to choose our childs education, so Im really surprised that the governor would not be supporting us in this case, parent Berit Mann said. If Im honest, its a little hypocritical of the governor to not be supportive of individual freedom for parents in this situation.

Mann has two children, and her son is a first grader in Dublin City Schools. Dublin Superintendent John Marschhausen has been the face of DeWines phone ban, with DeWine signing a bill requiring all districts to implement a cellphone policy at a Dublin school. Now, DeWine is supporting legislation calling for a full ban to minimize distractions and protect student wellbeing.

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Annual Buckeye pinwheel planting celebrates, brings awareness to organ donations

State Sen. Jane Timken (R-Stark County) sponsored Senate Bill 158, which would ban cellphones and other personal electronic devices in schools during the school day. Exceptions could be made for students who need a personal device for specific learning or medical reasons. Marschhausen joined Timken and DeWine at their news conference and spoke in favor of the bill.

As we went through this process in Dublin City Schools, we had near unanimous support from parents for banning cellphones from our schools, Marschhausen said. We are home to more than 90,000 residents and Ive received one complaint.

However, more than one Dublin parent told NBC4 they did not support the states ban, echoing Manns perspective but requesting not to be named in print. Dublins policy only allows students to use personal devices with teacher permission, but parents said they are still able to communicate with their students when they equip them with devices.

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Mann sends her first grader to his Dublin school with an Apple watch so he can communicate with his parents, something shes done since preschool. Mann works in technology and said it was important for her to ensure her kids have a responsible relationship with tech. Without it, she said she would worry about his safety.

Sheriff speaks about finding dead dogs at Madison County home

A lot of crazy things happen in this world. Adults cant always be trusted just because of their job title, and kids should have the freedom to double check, because we all know the world is not always a perfectly trustworthy place, unfortunately, Mann said. So I genuinely find it creepy that the government on a state level, is trying to micromanage a parents right to access their children.

Mann is not alone in fearing for students safety without phone access. However, National School Safety and Security Services said phones can negatively affect school safety. The organization said phones can distract students from emergency response directions. Students calling and texting their parents in an emergency can also accelerate citizens arriving at the scene, which can place them in dangerous situations or impede emergency responses.

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DeWine said phones contribute to bullying and worsen mental health, raising safety concerns when students have phone access. DeWine said removing phones during the entire school day, including lunch and free periods, benefits students. He said students interact more without phones, lunch rooms get louder and kids become better at socialization.

A 2024 Pew Research study found that 68% of Americans support a ban on phones in class, but 53% oppose bans for the entire school day. After DeWine signed the bill requiring phone policies in schools, many central Ohio schools have joined Dublin in implementing phone bans during class time.

Marschhausen went a step further and said what they do in school isnt enough. He said Dublin schools are working with parents to minimize technology use at home and during the summer months, too.

Athens County school district placed in fiscal emergency after $3M deficit

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Mann said she has nothing but love and respect for her sons teachers and school staff and would respect if they enacted a phone ban. However, she feels a complete ban  especially at the state level  infringes on her rights as a parent.

I dont know the superintendent. I know my sons principal, and I know my sons teacher, and I know myself, and I know my husband, and those are the people who know my son. So those are the people whose perspectives Im interested in involving, Mann said.

School Choice Ohio, a group that works to further parents rights to have a choice in their childrens education options, did not feel the ban hurts parents rights.

School Choice Ohio supports all policies that empower parents in finding the best educational environment for their children. We support Governor DeWines continued pursuit of high quality options and educational policies, School Choice Ohio Director of Media and Communications Beth Lawson said.

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Mann said if the government can dictate whether students can access their parents, she worries other school choice options like state-sponsored school vouchers or homeschooling could also be removed.

As Big Lots stores relaunch, when will Ohio locations open?

If ending any of those things is considered a giant government overstep, then I can absolutely decide if my child can wear an Apple Watch to school, Mann said. This is hypocrisy, and I think this is really disappointing for a lot of the people who had positive feelings towards Governor DeWine. It feels like a betrayal and it feels like hypocrisy.

Senate Bill 158 had its first hearing on April 8 and is set to continue in Education Committee hearings.

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Robin Robinson, director of McClain-Grady County EMS, demonstrates removing a gurney from an ambulance outside the Oklahoma Capitol on Monday. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A bill set to be considered Tuesday could force rural emergency service providers to shut down by reducing a needed source of funding, a leader of the states Ambulance Association said Monday.

But a Senate lawmaker said the proposed reimbursement rate cut to Oklahomas ambulance providers could save Oklahomans on their health insurance plan costs.

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Senate Bill 1067, which is scheduled to be heard in the House Rules Committee, would authorize local government entities or ambulance service providers to submit ambulance service rates to the Oklahoma Insurance Department to create a public database. It would also cut the minimum amount that out-of-network ambulance providers can be reimbursed.

Robin Robinson, vice president of the Oklahoma Ambulance Association and director of McClain-Grady County EMS, said she was at the Oklahoma Capitol Monday to encourage lawmakers to vote no on the bill.

She said it strips local control from municipalities and county governments and would limit the amount her agency collects. She said it comes just months after a state law took effect that allowed ambulance providers to charge more. Robinson said if the new bill became law, the financial difference could equate to the salary of a full time paramedic.

With the bill that was passed last year, I was hoping that we could add another paramedic to staff full time, she said. My call volume is increasing, and thats not going to change, but the money to be able to staff isnt there. And so if this bill passes, Im not going to be able to add that full time, permanent position.

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The average salary for a paramedic in Oklahoma is $48,640, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Robinson said salaries vary around the state depending on location and demand.

Instead of letting local governments set reimbursement rates based on whats needed to keep EMS providers in business, the bill creates a cap all the way across the board, Robinson said.

If I cant staff the extra ambulances during the times that I need, we have to call in mutual aid ambulances, and thats going to be anywhere from 15, 20, 25 minutes to get there, she said. This could hurt Oklahomans. You know, we have ambulance services that are further out than I am, more rural. It could hurt them worse, they may have to shut down.

Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, the House author, was not available for comment Monday.

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But Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, the Senate author of the bill, said the new law, which took effect in January, could increase the cost of Oklahomans health plans by $3 to $5 per month.

He said it does not prevent local governments from setting ambulance service rates and only affects out-of-network providers. He said the measure drops reimbursement rates by 50%, from 325% of the Medicare or Medicaid rate to 275%, to help alleviate strains on health care plan costs

Thats a massive, massive thing on the people of Oklahoma and their health plans, he said. We do know that ambulance people need a bump, so we just dropped it. The insurance people didnt want it to be up more than 150%. Ambulance people, of course, want it to stay at 325% because if it stays the same, they keep getting paid. All Im saying is, Hey, lets drop it 50 percentage points, and then you still get a raise and the people of Oklahomas health plan doesnt come up. 

He said the public database would let insurance companies know what local reimbursement rates are set at.

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The bill, which has already cleared the state Senate, would be eligible to be heard on the House floor if it passes committee Tuesday.

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A packet of birth control pills is pictured. (Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

A tip of the hat to Oklahomas state senators who managed to do some good governing that, for once, actually would help improve womens health.

These brave lawmakers voted to allow women to access six monthss worth of birth control at a time. That would make life infinitely easier for tens of thousands of Oklahomans who rely on contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies or to treat other medical problems such as acne, irregular periods or endometriosis.

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Any legislation aimed at safely blocking unplanned pregnancies should be an easy win for lawmakers who have all but banned abortions and who abhor the idea of women traveling out of state or taking medicine to end pregnancies.

But apparently even the idea of easing womens access to birth control was still a bridge too far for a 13-member bloc of Republicans who spent considerable time fearmongering and bashing their constituents who utilize safe sex practices.

In their minds, men and women who rely on extremely safe and common contraceptives are murderers because theyre preventing the fertilization of a human embryo.

Ive been called a lot of things in my life, but I think thats the first time Ive been accused of murder.

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This is a good reminder that legislators should really think before they speak. KFF reported that last year, 82% of reproductive-aged women used a contraceptive. Oral birth control and condoms were the most common.

At one time, I utilized oral contraceptives for family planning purposes. My doctor and I  not my elected representatives  determined daily medication was the best option for me. The oral birth control pills my doctor prescribed required that I take them at the same time each day for them to be effective.

At the end of each month, I would cringe because I had to make a special trip to the pharmacy to refill the prescription. Anybody who has ventured to a pharmacy knows it can be an arduous process.

There was a period of time when my insurance company allowed me to get a two-month supply at once, which was a small miracle. But at some point that benefit vanished.

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Thats one reason I was so thrilled to hear that lawmakers were considering legislation that would enshrine that convenience into law threefold.

But rather than focusing on the good that it would do, some of our lawmakers focused on insulting not only womens honor by accusing them of murder, but their intelligence.

They railed about how very dangerous contraceptives are.

Republican Sen. Dusty Deevers went so far as to insist that women on birth control have smaller-than-normal brains and increased rates of depression, anger and suicide. He also said birth control pills cause womens sex drives to decrease, leading to less intercourse. And he warned of increased rates of blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and cervical cancer.

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Using contraception is a choice. And it should always remain an accessible choice  for both men and women who want to lower their chances of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or becoming a parent.

Contraception is not for everyone. I respect the decision of women who choose not to use it for whatever reason just as I respect the decision of women who need access to it.

And yes, there are very low risks to using contraceptives  just like there are with any medication. But as it turns out, women face higher risks of blood clots and stroke while pregnant compared with being on birth control. I wonder why lawmakers conveniently forgot to mention that little nugget.

I took acetaminophen while writing this column because legislators arguments were making my small brain hurt. Out of curiosity I decided to read about the possible side effects of generic Tylenol. It turns out that it can cause bloody stool, produce sores on the lips, or make eyes or skin turn yellow.

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And since men in the Oklahoma Legislature feel the need to focus on medication that primarily affects women, I decided to look into one for them. Complications of a popular mens drug to treat erectile dysfunction include risks such as vision changes and hearing loss.

Theres a risk to everything in life. Some are greater than others. But thats why medications are prescribed in consultation with our trusted physicians, and each medication comes with a disclaimer.

Oftentimes the benefits outweigh the risks.

Most rational people understand that you cant murder what doesnt exist, and just because someone is engaged in sexual intercourse doesnt mean theyre automatically going to fertilize an embryo. Just ask the families who are struggling to conceive. Experts place the odds of becoming pregnant at around 15% to 25% each month though things like age and sexual frequency could impact that.

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Luckily, a bipartisan coalition of Republicans and Democrats saw through the charade, because there was a brief moment when I thought the Democrat-proposed bill would meet a terrible demise.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Now we must wait and see if our House legislators and governor can match that intestinal fortitude.

We women are watching.

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said that the Russian attack on Sumy runs counter to US President Donald Trump's efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and that efforts to stop Russia's aggression against Ukraine will continue.

"On this holy day of Palm Sunday, Russia has carried out another horrific and vile attack in Sumy, which has once again claimed the lives of innocent civilians, including, unfortunately, children. I strongly condemn these unacceptable acts of violence, which run counter to any real efforts for peace promoted by President Trump and which Italy strongly supports, together with Europe and other international partners," Meloni said in a statement published on the Italian government's website.

She expressed condolences to the victims, their families, and the entire Ukrainian people. "We will continue to work to stop this barbarity," the head of the Italian government added.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani, in response to the Russian strike on Sumy, declared his support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity.

"I pray for the victims and the wounded in Sumy. A serious attack on civilians on Palm Sunday. We strongly reaffirm our support for Ukraine in defending its people from Russian attacks and its territorial integrity. The government seeks a just peace and an end to this violence," Tajani wrote on social media.

As reported, as a result of the strike by Russian ballistic missiles on the center of Sumy, 34 people were killed, including two children, and 119 were injured, about 40 people are in hospital, 11 of whom are in serious condition. The strikes targeted the educational building of the local university and a trolleybus.
POTSDAM, N.Y. (WWTI)  ONNYs says their forthcoming spring concert, Delights and Dances, will feature four musicians demonstrating their abilities in a new modern work by composer Michael Abels.

According to ONNY, Delights and Dances is orchestrated for string quartet and orchestra. The piece moves between diverse styles, from relaxing dancing music to blues to a rigorous hoedown. The four soloists will deliver virtuosic cadenzas and technically challenging solos throughout the composition.

Liesl Schoenberger Doty is an artist, recitalist and chamber musician. She is now an Associate Professor of Violin at the Crane School of Music. Doty is the new ONNY concertmaster.

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Dr. Timothy Yip is a violinist and educator in Potsdam. Yip has formerly taught in Indiana University Bloomingtons pre-college program and is currently on faculty at the Crane School of Music, where he teaches violin and music business. He has adjudicated competitions organized by MTNA and the Crane School of Music.

Dr. Shelly Tramposh is the Professor of Viola at SUNY Potsdams Crane School of Music, where she also teaches Irish fiddling and the Crane Mariachi ensemble. She has previously served on the executive board of the American Viola Society. Shelly is the current principal violist with the Orchestra of Northern New York.

Dr. Marie-Elaine Gagnon is a French-Canadian cellist who is also an educator. Gagnon has won first place in various music competitions and is an avid participant in music festivals. She is the current principal cellist for the Orchestra of Northern New York.

Music Director Colonel Michael J. Colburn (USMC, Ret.) will lead the spring concert, Delights and Dances. It will be held on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at SUNY Potsdams Hosmer Hall and April 27 at 3 p.m. in Watertowns Trinity Episcopal Church. Tickets can be purchased online on ONNYs website or by phone at 315-212-3440.

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Residents are calling on city officials to put an end to a years-long trend of dangerous driving in an Ontario neighborhood that has led to many serious crashes  at least one fatal.

According to neighbors living along 6th Street, reckless driving and speeding have caused countless accidents around their homes  drivers oftentimes crash into their parked cars, leaving them totaled.

Just last summer, a driver crashed into several parked cars along 6th Street, killing two people and injuring another two.

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They crashed my neighbors three times, my son-in-law, my daughter and my grandson, local resident Teresa Velasquez told KTLAs Angeli Kakade.

Velasquez has been living on 6th Street for 30 years and said the stretch between Benson and Mountain Avenues has been a growing problem with navigating systems offering up the residential road as an alternative to the 10 Freeway.

Residents said this creates a problem for the neighborhoods safety because the re-routed travelers dont usually adhere to the 35 miles-per-hour speed limit.

Velasquez said its not rare to see drivers going 50-60 mph, and, according to these neighbors, speed isnt always the only factor in the dangerous driving.

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On this particular stretch of 6th Street, residents said little islands were installed to help calm traffic  but instead, they created an opportunity for more hazards.

It just turns out to be a slalom course for the kids, said resident Guy Scalise.

Several islands along 6th Avenue are often missed by drivers who, when speeding, try to swerve around them. Instead, they lose control and end up crashing into parked cars.

There was a tree there with a light on it, but that got run over twice, said Scalise.

With the latest crash as recently as two days ago, neighbors said theyve had it. Scalise said he started installing cameras as a good deed to help his neighbors with insurance claims.

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Theyll send a motorcycle cop out for like two days for a couple of hours in the middle of the afternoon, not morning rush hour, not evening rush hour, not late at night when the kids are going really fast, said Scalise.

Velasquez said that after dozens of calls to city hall, more action needs to be taken.

Why dont they care about us? Why dont they care about the people having accidents? questioned Velasquez.

KTLA reached out to city officials, who said they are looking into the issue.

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The Supreme Court last week upheld a lower courts order, directing the Trump administration to facilitate the return to the U.S. of a Salvadoran national whom it admits to having illegally deported to El Salvadors infamous CECOT prison last month.

In an Oval Office meeting Monday, El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele said he wont return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S., which is hardly a surprise, as he is reportedly getting paid $6 million per year to keep him and the others. Make no mistake: Trump, not Bukele, is in charge.

The high courts unanimous decision has been called excellent news for the rule of law and a loss for Trump in that he failed to evade judicial review. But its a bit of an underwhelming win that the courts right-wing majority declined to endorse wholeheartedly Trumps renditioning of an innocent man to a foreign gulag with no constitutional process whatsoever.

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The justices should have shouted from the rooftops that this practice must stop immediately. On Saturday, the U.S. government sent 10 more people to the notoriously brutal prison, where they might never again see the light of day.

In its terse ruling, the justices instead gave Trump an out, of which he is taking full advantage.

The district court had ruled that Abrego Garcias continued presence in El Salvador, for obvious reasons, constitutes irreparable harm, and ordered that the government restore him to the status quo and facilitate and effectuate his return before midnight on Apr. 7. Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily stayed the order, which the full court later upheld to the extent, in the courts words, that it properly requires the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador.

The kicker is this caveat: The intended scope of the term effectuate  is, however, unclear, and may exceed the District Courts authority. The District Court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the executive branch in the conduct of foreign affairs.

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The Supreme Court made two giant constitutional leaps here. The first was distinguishing between facilitate and effectuate. The second was suggesting that the presidents power over foreign affairs trumps (pun intended) an individuals right to rudimentary due process before being wrongly imprisoned in a foreign country.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to facilitate is to help bring something about, whereas to effectuate is to cause or bring about something. In other words, its the difference between trying and doing.

The Supreme Court told Trump to try to get El Salvador to release Abrego Garcia back to U.S. custody, but made clear that Trump doesnt actually have to if he doesnt want to, so long as he cites foreign affairs as an excuse.

In that circumstance, Abrego Garcia could be out of luck, even if El Salvador tortures him, imprisons him in CECOT for life or executes him. Under the Supreme Courts reasoning, for a court to attempt meaningful oversight on Abrego Garcias behalf could exceed its constitutional authority.

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Trump has taken the Supreme Courts cue. On Friday, the district judge issued another order finding that the Trump administration had failed to comply with even the facilitate part of its order. On Sunday, the government responded defiantly with language straight out of the Supreme Courts ruling: The relief sought by plaintiffs is inconsistent with the Supreme Courts instruction requiring this court to respect the presidents Article II authority to manage foreign policy. What facilitate refers to, according to Trump, is domestic obstacles that would otherwise impede [his] ability to return here.

The administrations position implies that the court cannot order the government to send a plane to El Salvador to pick up Abrego Garcia, for example, or withhold the $6 million in federal taxpayer dollars being paid to imprison him and hundreds of others at Trumps behest, were El Salvador to refuse to release him. The only thing the district court can conceivably do, according to the Trump team, is ask for daily status reports on Abrego Garcias whereabouts  but even that, it notes, might be challenged later. For now, the court must sit tight with the knowledge that Abrego Garcia is alive and secure.

The government also bluntly refused in writing to comply with the district courts order to produce documents regarding the arrangement with the supermax prison.

It is undisputed that Abrego Garcia was entitled to notice of his alleged offense  so far there is no alleged offense  and an opportunity to plead his case before his liberty was taken away. Those rights are plainly set forth in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which all nine justices vowed to uphold.

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In contrast, the Constitution contains no mention of the presidents foreign affairs power  or, for that matter, his authority over immigration. Article II gives the president the executive Power, the commander-in-chief authority and the ability to negotiate treaties and appoint ambassadors and other public Ministers and counsels with the advice and consent of the Senate. In contrast, Article I gives Congress the power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, impose taxes and import tariffs for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States, to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and to declare war, among many other things.

James Madison called it an absurdity  in practice a tyranny to pretend that presidential power to make war and peace appears from any direct position to be found in the instrument of the actual Constitution.

Nonetheless, the Supreme Court has since declared that the president has plenary and exclusive power  as the sole organ of the federal government in the field of international relations. But the presidents foreign affairs power remains an implied prerogative  its not in the Constitutions text. Weighed against Abrego Garcias explicit right to due process, one would expect the so-called conservative justices to acknowledge their own limitations in continuing to allow blatant abuses of individual constitutional rights.

Justice Sonia Sotomayors accompanying statement, which was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, voiced this inescapable truth. To this day, she wrote, the Government has cited no basis in law for Abrego Garcias warrantless arrest, his removal to El Salvador, or his confinement in a Salvadoran prison. Nor could it.  The only argument the government offers in support of its request [is] that United States courts cannot grant relief once a deportee crosses the border, which is plainly wrong.

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Sotomayor writes, That means the government must comply with its obligation to provide Abrego Garcia with due process of law.

The Supreme Courts cagey language in Abrego Garcias case is serious business. His best hope for freedom now? Trump could change his mind.

Kimberly Wehle is author of the book Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works  and Why.

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We come from different corners of the legal world: one of us a trial lawyer in Los Angeles, the other a federal judge in New Jersey. But weve both reached the same conclusion: The legal system in the United States is under attack, literally and figuratively. And if we dont speak out now, we may lose the very institution that holds democracy together.

Thats why we created Speak Up for Justice, a national forum taking place Tuesday. Its not a conference. Its a line in the sand.

Political violence has becoming alarmingly frequent in recent years, with the arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros residence this weekend just the latest example. The legal system has not been spared. For years, weve watched as threats against judges and attorneys became more common and more dangerous. Court rulings are dismissed as partisan. Law firms are harassed for doing their jobs. Judges are vilified and, in some cases, targeted with violence. We have both experienced the fear and vulnerability that comes with doing our work in this increasingly hostile climate.

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In 2020, Esthers son, Daniel, was murdered by a man who came to their home with a gun, looking for her. The killer was enraged by the idea that judges could rule independently and wanted to send a message. That message cost Daniel his life.

We wish we could say that was the last time judges were personally threatened. But it wasnt.

Just this month, pizzas have been sent to judges homes across the country with the message I know where you live. Some recipients were the children of judges. In a horrifying twist, some of these deliveries were ordered using Daniels name. Its not just cruelty, but its also calculated intimidation.

These are not isolated events. They are part of a broader pattern of fear-based tactics aimed at silencing legal professionals and undermining the independence of the courts. And theyre working: many in the legal community are afraid to speak up.

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We understand that fear. Weve lived it. But if we let it silence us, we risk losing far more than our voices  we risk losing the very foundation of justice in this country.

Speak Up for Justice was born from that urgency. We wanted to create a space in which judges, lawyers, advocates and everyday citizens could come together and say: Enough. Enough with the threats. Enough with the harassment. Enough with letting fear dictate how justice is carried out. The rule of law still matters.

We know the legal system isnt perfect. We both work inside it every day and weve seen its flaws. But weve also seen the good it can do. When it functions freely and fairly, the legal system protects the most vulnerable, resolves disputes peacefully and keeps power in check. That only works if people believe that the courts are independent and that legal professionals can do their jobs without fearing for their lives  or their childrens lives.

Were not asking for praise. Were asking for protection. Were asking for acknowledgment that legal professionals shouldnt be collateral damage in ideological or political battles.

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Most of all, were asking for people to care.

This is not just about judges and lawyers. Its about whether we as a nation still believe in justice  not as a buzzword, but as a process that must be defended and made accessible to all.

If you care about democracy, if you care about fairness, if you care about the kind of country were leaving for the next generation  then we ask you to stand with us. Share our message. And commit to pushing back against the normalization of intimidation and violence in our legal system.

We didnt want to create this event. We needed to. And we need you, too.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As Congress threatens to defund public broadcasting, the defenders of PBS and NPR keep defending themselves by pointing to the importance of their longstanding signature program: Sesame Street.

At a recent fiery House Oversight hearing, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green denounced public media as radical left-wing echo chambers. The response by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) was to urge his colleagues to fire Elon Musk, save Elmo, while displaying a full-sized image of the iconic puppet.

But making Sesame Street the foundation of their defense is a dated and suspect tactic for the defenders of public broadcasting  and not only because Bert and Ernies home has long since migrated to HBO, nor even because newer, commercially produced childrens programming such as the Octonauts (ecology and sea life) and Bluey (creative solutions to problems) clearly have educational dimensions once confined to Sesame Street.

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The limits of using Sesame Street as the justification for public broadcasting goes back further. It can be found in the single best (and under-appreciated) evaluation of the programs impact on young children, a 2015 National Economics Journal paper by economist Melissa Kearney and Philip Levine, Early Childhood Education by Television: Lessons from Sesame Street.

In a clever analysis reminiscent of Freakonomics, Kearney and Levine examined the effect of this show in its early days by using a long-forgotten aspect of television technology. Since many households were unable to receive PBS if they lacked Ultra High Frequency (UHF) televisions in the pre-cable era, it was possible to compare education effects in areas where Sesame Street was available and where it was not. It was what the economists call a natural experiment.

On one level, the impact of the program was strikingly positive. It did a good job of preparing young children to be ready for school and to start their education at grade-level. According to Kearney and Levine, exposure to Sesame Street in the early 1970s led to positive impacts on the educational performance of the generation of children who experienced their preschool years when Sesame Street was introduced in areas with greater broadcast coverage.

Thats exactly the sort of finding PBS likes to promote. But the Kearney-Levine paper also reached a less positive conclusion: that the positive impact of Sesame Street was not sustained.

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Indeed, the data can be interpreted, they say, to conclude that any effect of the show on either academic achievement or socio-emotional development had completely faded by the time a child reached the latter stages of his or her high school career. No one who has followed the decline of student proficiency in recent years should be surprised by that result.

Nor can we even be certain that Sesame Street caused the positive results in the analysis. Numerous studies have found that parental involvement with children, whether through shared activities, reading aloud or homework help, is the secret sauce in promoting success in school. A Journal of Educational Psychology study concludes that family involvement in school should be a central aim of practice and policy solutions to the achievement gap between lower and higher income children. A study in the journal Family Issues found that parental involvement led to positive growth in childrens attention, persistence, motivation to learn, and receptive vocabulary; and decreased problem behaviors.

Even a more recent study done for PBS made clear that the goal of a math education through family engagement was key to any positive impact.

Sesame Street was a bona fide phenomenon when it was introduced in 1969. There is every reason to believe that parents were inspired to watch it with their kids  in other words, it sparked parental involvement. Indeed, it may be that watching almost any age-appropriate program with an involved adult would be a boost. For example, my wife and I found that explaining the cultural references in The Simpsons was a great way to teach American history at home.

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In that context, its worth noting that Kearney, the MIT-trained economist who co-authored the Sesame Street study, has attracted far more attention of late for her new book. In it she writes that the decline in marriage and the corresponding rise in one-parent homes has widened the gap in opportunities and outcomes for children of different backgrounds and today poses economic and social challenges we cannot afford to ignore. Parental involvement is inevitably less likely when there is only one parent at home.

This is not a Sesame Street message, it is worth noting. A segment titled, It Takes a Street features a video montage of various types of families, with a background song proclaiming that people living together, loving each other, thats what makes a family.

There may be reasons not to defund PBS and NPR. But Sesame Street is not one of them.

Howard Husock is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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Apr. 13Attendance review board can be useful

This is in reference to the column by Edmund Perea, "There is hope, addressing youth crime." I was raised in New Mexico, lived in California 30 years. I was a juvenile probation officer and spent years assigned as a school probation officer. Schools in California had student attendance review boards. The boards were made up of school administrators, prosecutors, nurses, counselors, pastors, probation officers and resource officers. Hearings were held for parents and students to meet with the board and explain absences. The families were placed on a contract and offered many resources. Why don't New Mexico schools have these boards to hold families accountable? A prosecutor or district attorney could explain to parents how they could receive fines if their children are not in school. It is sad to see poor attendance and no action. When kids aren't in school, they are busy committing crimes.

Thank you, it does take a community.

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Ross Sarmiento

Placitas

Tariffs were done haphazardly

In an effort to grow the American economy, President Donald Trump has instituted huge tariffs on everything we import.

While I can understand the possibility of forcing steel, car and other companies to build factories here, I have a hard time with some of the other products Trump has started to tariff.

In an effort to help American farmers, there are now tariffs on all sorts of produce like bananas, coffee and avocados. However, these tariffs will only hurt consumers with higher prices because we don't have the climate to grow these products.

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The same is true of his effort to help American miners. Many of the minerals we import do not exist here. Again, consumers will pay higher prices and there still won't be more miners finding jobs.

Placing tariffs on countries that are only inhabited by penguins doesn't help any American industries at all because we don't consume penguins.

Tariffs can be an effective tool in building or protecting American industries. However, the shotgun, haphazard way with which the president has applied these tariffs does not instill a great deal of confidence in his ability to guide our economy through its challenges.

Arthur Flicker

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Albuquerque

UNM should hold fast on affirmative action

I write as graduate of the University of New Mexico, and a retired member of its faculty. UNM is proposing changing its affirmative action hiring policies in response to threats from the federal government to cut off funding unless it does so. The changes are a needless surrender to the president's bullying tactics, and history teaches us that surrendering to bullies never works. The time to stop these attacks on academic freedom, and the civil rights of all Americans, is now.

These policies were necessary and legal when they were adopted. All that has changed is the administration is making extortionate threats against universities around the country, using the "big stick" of federal money to beat them into adopting policies it likes. These threats are not law. If the federal government takes legal action, or cuts off funds, if these changes are not made, fight those actions in court. The university must believe the current policies are lawful; they remain so until a court says otherwise. Congress appropriates federal grant money, and the president does not have the authority to stop it because the university has policies he does not like.

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The worst that happens is that a court holds, however mistakenly, that the current policies violate the law, and that the administration is justified in cutting off funds if they are not changed. But then the change would be a result of a lawful court order rather than the demands of a would-be autocrat.

Yes, this might cause the university serious financial problems. But appeasement has incalculable costs. A president who can coerce a university into doing his lawless bidding on hiring policies will not hesitate to coerce its course offerings, its teaching, its research, its very soul. The time to fight a bully is the first time he swings at you.

Peter Kierst

Furlong, Pennsylvania

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Homelessness needs a new approach

With all due respect to those who desire to help the homeless, the new "safe spaces" are just an extension of the sanctuary city status. This will only exasperate the problem for Albuquerque. Since the current administration declared the city a sanctuary, homelessness and crime have risen dramatically. There is a connection there. Truth be told, most citizens disapprove of the homeless living on the streets, polluting our pubic spaces and placing a drain on public services. Yet, the issue is real and will not go away until we make the determined effort to make it so.

Homelessness, despite what those who desire to help say, is really not complicated. There are those who are homeless through no fault of their own and will do whatever is needed to get back into becoming a productive member of society. We need to identify these and do what we can to help them achieve success.

On the other hand, there are those who enjoy the freedom of not having to be responsible with their lives or the property of others. Not being a responsible party to society means being free from the duty of citizenship. Being a good steward of myself, my family and what has been placed in my care, is the hallmark of good citizenry. We, as a society, need to do what is needed for these by declaring that they can no longer live like that within the city limits. It is the most loving thing we can do for them. Consequences should be designed to cause change in those in whom it affects.

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The citizens and elected officials of Albuquerque need to do the loving thing and make a decision. These issues will not solve themselves. Are we going to exasperate the problem or solve it?

Gary Hays

Bernalillo

A suggestion for DOGE pronunciation

Dear Editor,

I am a retired linguist and dialectologist writing to point out and solve a linguistic problem.

Every time Americans try to pronounce the abbreviation for Department of Government Efficiency, they falter.

Speakers of American English hesitate pronouncing DOGE [doewdj] because the sound [owdje] doesn't exist in American English. It is a sound from French (Limoge pottery is an example).

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If one were so inclined, one could argue that [oewdj] is an un-American sound.

I suggest that you and your readers start pronouncing DOGE in an American way. The American way to pronounce it is "doggie."

I suggest it be written DOG-E to assist people making this correction.

Here is a linguistic three for: 1. Correct American English pronunciation; 2. Patriotic pronunciation; 3. Pronunciation which injects levity where it is sorely needed.

Rita Getty

Albuquerque
Agents from Ukraines State Security Service (SBU) have detained an employee of one of the largest thermal power plants in Ukraine in Kharkiv. The suspect was preparing Russian air attacks on the power facility where he worked.

The suspect was trying to find gaps in the local air defense system. The enemy was most interested in the locations of the bases and routes of the mobile fire teams that protect the airspace in the area of the thermal power plant. To obtain the coordinates, the suspect walked around the area near the power facility and recorded on his mobile phone camera the likely locations of the Ukrainian defenders. At the same time, the agent was collecting information for Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) about the consequences of previous attacks on the thermal power plant and the results of restoration work," the SBU Telegram channel reported on Monday.

SBU officers exposed the attacker, documented his crimes and detained him when he was spying in the technological rooms of the thermal power plant. According to the investigation, he came to the attention of the Russian special service while publishing anti-Ukrainian comments in Telegram channels.

Based on the evidence collected, investigators informed him of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).
Attorney General Pam Bondi offered a rosy assessment of the Justice Departments court record during last weeks Cabinet meeting at the White House, telling President Donald Trump, Weve had some great wins in the last few days. While the department has successfully fended off attacks on several administration policies, there have been as many (or more) high-profile face-plants from federal lawyers, with dozens of other cases still waiting adjudication. Bondi needs all the help she can get if she hopes to stave off more defeats  but her ironfisted demand for total loyalty to Trump, and the punishments shes doling out to dissenters, doesnt seem to be making her job any easier.

Upon taking office in February, Bondi made clear that there was no room for dissent among the Justice Departments lawyers. In a memo issued on her first day, federal lawyers were warned they are expected to zealously advance, protect, and defend their clients interests  those being Trumps interests, of course, not the American peoples. Bondi has applied her maxim extremely literally, reportedly punishing government lawyers for being insufficiently full-throated in their support of Trump policies, either in court or behind closed doors, as the onetime firewall between the attorney general and White House collapses.

Earlier this month, the department placed Erez Reuveni, the acting deputy director of the departments immigration litigation division, on indefinite leave. The letter from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, which The New York Times obtained, said it was for failing to follow a directive from your superiors and engaging in conduct prejudicial to your client. The department confirmed his suspension to NBC News in a statement from Bondi, in which she stated, At my direction, every Department of Justice attorney is required to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States. Any attorney who fails to abide by this direction will face consequences.

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But the only thing that Reuveni, who had only been promoted to his role recently, had done to earn this punishment was to tell the truth in court. Reuveni found himself unable to give U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis a reason why the administration had deported a Maryland resident, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to El Salvador despite his being legally in the country. Reuveni admitted to Xinis that Abrego Garcia should not have been removed, adding that he was also frustrated that I also have no answers for you on a lot of these questions. (The Times also reported that another lawyer working on the Abrego Garcia case, August Flentje, was placed on administrative leave for failing to supervise a subordinate.)

The answers Xinis wanted still havent been properly provided to the court, despite the Supreme Court ruling last week that the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the states. It appears that those answers are also being withheld from the Justice Departments lawyers. In another tense hearing on Friday, federal attorney Drew Ensign said his clients hadnt provided any information about where Abrego Garcia actually is. (It was only on Saturday, minutes after a deadline that Xinis had imposed, that the government acknowledged in a court filing that Abrego Garcia is alive and detained in El Salvador.)Ensigns struggles and Reuvenis punishment highlight the struggle that career lawyers are facing under Bondi. Dozens of federal attorneys have been fired, demoted, forced to resign, placed on leave or otherwise retaliated against for reasons as varied and capricious as working on cases against Trump under special counsel Jack Smith and not being quick enough to remove Biden administration portraits from the walls at the DOJs headquarters. Meanwhile, were seeing more and more situations in which lawyers are sent to defend policies they cant explain, while attempting to dodge the threat of sanctions from annoyed judges.

As I wrote last month, the department has been frantically trying to replace the lawyers who have left or been reassigned to other Trump administration priorities  but the caseload just keeps on growing. Things are bad enough that Blanche, along with other senior leaders like his main adviser, Emil Bove, and Bondis chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, have been taking on tasks that would normally be done by staff attorneys. As more of the administrations slapdash policies and strong-arm tactics draw court challenges, the pace will only get faster, with fewer hands to do the work, leading in short order to burnout, abuse or an even more frenetic flailing in federal courtrooms.

In ruling with all the grace of a dictator over demoralized, overextended lawyers, Bondi is making it harder to notch the wins in court that she so desperately needs to report back to the White House. If she cant put up a good defense, shell likely be expected to shift gears toward actively investigating, and potentially prosecuting, Trumps purported enemies. But if finding lawyers to defend the government in civil suits is already a challenge, finding prosecutors who will put their career on the line under the intense scrutiny of the criminal courts is going to be even harder. At that point, it may be Bondi herself whos forced to schlep to court daily when nobody else is left to do the job.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador is visiting President Trump at the White House today. Major topics on the agenda could include migration, security, Bitcoin and even a big announcement regarding nuclear power generation.

The timing couldnt be better, coming just after the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the decision to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This colossal victory for Trumps immigration policy would not have been possible without the unconditional support of El Salvadors president.

Bukele changed the narrative, flipped the script, altered the order of things and set a new precedent. This small Central American country extended its hand to the U.S. not to ask for help, but to help address the national emergency caused by illegal migration. Bukele offered Trump El Salvadors Center for the Confinement of Terrorism prison as an alternative to receive members of the Tren de Aragua cartel of Venezuela and other highly dangerous criminals.

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Bukele is not just offering a mega-prison. El Salvador is offering a successful security model that has sparked U.S. interest due to its massive results turning one of the most dangerous countries in the world into the safest nation in the Western hemisphere. The peace and tranquility felt in El Salvador surpasses that of many cities in the U.S. and around the world. A heavy-handed model that contrasts with humanist laws that do not punish theft, drug use or even trespassing.

Bukeles visit could bring important announcements regarding the fight against illegal immigration, drug trafficking, the deportation of MS-13 gang members, greater cooperation in the use of new technologies and biometric analysis, among others.

The second major topic on the agenda could be linked to the use of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. In 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. In recent days, Trump expressed interest in continuing to facilitate the use of cryptocurrencies, promoting deregulation and even creating a digital asset reserve.

Investments in El Salvador could be another important topic. El Salvador, whose economy has historically depended on remittances from citizens living abroad  totaling $8.4 billion in 2024  is seeking to pivot under Bukeles leadership, promoting technology companies, industry and particularly tourism. In this regard, El Salvador knows that job creation is key to reducing migration and generating prosperity.

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Renewable energy and nuclear power are also key issues. During Secretary of State Marco Rubios visit, the U.S. expressed interest in cooperating for the development of nuclear energy in El Salvador. The country also has significant potential for generating geothermal energy from the heat of volcanoes, an issue that has been one of the hallmarks of the Bukele administration.

Bukeles visit also marks an important shift by the U.S. toward its backyard, with a clear focus on security. A few days ago, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth traveled to Panama, where he participated in the Central America Security Conference, highlighting the importance of reactivating American military bases in Panama and eliminating Chinese influence. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem recently traveled to Mexico, El Salvador and Colombia, addressing migration, transnational crime and drug trafficking.

The Trump administration is resetting and reestablishing its leadership in Latin America as a priority for foreign policy and national security. It is establishing alliances and ensuring a strong presence, power and partnerships to curb Chinas unchecked advance in the region.

The U.S. is back, and this means security, stability and prosperity for America and the entire continent.

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Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the Organization of American States, and a former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. He is an alumnus of the National Defense Universitys Security and Defense Seminar and the Harvard Leadership course.

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President Trump, who has been described by one federal judge as a mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process, recently ordered his attorney general to seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States.

Any such review would reveal that one of the most prolifically frivolous litigants in the nation is Trump himself.

In the last three decades, Trump has been involved in over 4,000 legal actions in federal and state courts, including a lawsuit filed against comedian Bill Maher demanding $5 million based on a joke Maher made about the color of Trumps hair.

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More recently, Trump and his lawyer, Alina Habba, were ordered to pay almost $1 million for another lawsuit they filed against Hillary Clinton and others. In his decision sanctioning Trump and his attorney, one federal judge described Trumps lawsuit as one that should never have been filed, which was completely frivolous, both factually and legally, and which was brought in bad faith for an improper purpose.

Politicians can say whatever they like, and Trump has shown a willingness to endorse whatever unsubstantiated conspiracy theory he thinks will help him acquire more power. But when a lawyer files a lawsuit or makes an argument in court, it must be based on the facts and the law.

Lawyers who regard loyalty to Trump over legal ethics pay a steep price. One need only look at the lawyers who pressed Trumps false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

Rudy Giuliani, who led Trumps efforts to overturn the election, has been disbarred and declared bankruptcy after being ordered to pay $146 million in damages in a defamation case. Lawyers John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro, Sydney Powell and Jenna Ellis  who argued in support of the Trump campaigns fake electors scheme  have all faced criminal charges and had their licenses to practice law suspended.

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Not only is Trumps directive to root out frivolous lawsuits hypocritical, it is also unnecessary.

Judges typically take it upon themselves to address conduct that is frivolous. It is usually obvious when a lawyer is making claims with no basis in law or fact, and by doing so, they reveal that their motive is to harass or embarrass the opposing side.

Judges can impose financial penalties on lawyers who abuse the legal process in this way, and frivolous conduct can subject a lawyer to professional discipline, including disbarment. A lawyer who engages in frivolous conduct is not likely to remain a lawyer for very long.

Despite that fact, Trump has directed his attorney general to go looking for instances of frivolous conduct that somehow escaped the notice of the federal judiciary. And while one party can ask a judge to sanction the other if they have a reasonable basis to believe that they have engaged in frivolous conduct, it is worth noting that doing so without a reasonable basis would itself be frivolous since it would be done solely for the purpose of harassment.

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Trumps directive also overstates the role the attorney general has in regulating the behavior of lawyers in our nations courts. The power to regulate the conduct of lawyers is reserved for the judiciary. Judges, not prosecutors, decide when a lawyers conduct is frivolous and deserves to be punished.

Nor do prosecutors have the power to decide who can file a lawsuit and who can appear in court. Once again, that power resides with judges as well as the federal and state bar associations, which regulate admission to the bar and are responsible for lawyer discipline.

The real reason Trump ordered Pam Bondi to look for instances of frivolous claims in federal court is because he wants to discourage lawyers from representing people he dislikes. It is also the reason Trump has targeted Big Law firms including Paul Weiss.

It wasnt just that they had previously represented Democratic causes; Trump wanted to make sure they stayed out of his way in court. Which is why the price Weiss paid to avoid a protracted legal battle was $40 million in free legal services to support Trumps policies.

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Trump wants to wield executive power without judicial oversight, and that is much easier to do when only the government is represented by lawyers. Simply put, Trump wants to get rid of his adversaries in our adversarial system of justice.

John Gross is a clinical associate professor of law at the University of Wisconsin Law School and director of the Public Defender Project.

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Inside the Beltway, deep staters are suffering from a severe case of shell shock. Never before in modern history has an incoming administration conducted such a successful offensive against the uniparty oligarchy that has seized control of our nations democratic institutions over the last half century.

Unused to having their authority challenged, they are now lashing out to attack the most populist president of our lifetimes as an authoritarian who threatens democratic norms.

The irony is overwhelming.

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The new narrative was perhaps best seen in a long CNN hit piece ominously headlined Trump is using the power of government to punish opponents. The lengthy article claims that the unprecedented actions taken by Trump against his perceived political and ideological opponents display a stunning willingness to test the limits of his powers. President Trumps actions, the article solemnly intones, are paralyzing institutions that stand as pillars of Americas independent civic society.

Holy civil liberties, Batman! Is Trump using lawfare to prosecute and incarcerate his political opponents? Is he threatening academic freedom? Is he imperiling freedom of the press? Is he posing some sort of hazard to the independence of the judiciary?

Well  no. Upon examining the details of the exhaustive case that Trump poses a fascist-like threat to American democratic norms  worked up by an entire bevy of CNN reporters  we find that he is doing just the opposite. He is liberating all of our major national institutions by going after members of the elite uniparty oligarchy that captured them over the last half-century.

One of Trumps sins against democracy, it turns out, is that he is terminating federal contracts and revoking longstanding security clearances of law firms that engaged in harassment lawsuits and unfounded lawfare prosecutions against Trump over the last four years.

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Remember, they tried to keep him off the ballot last November. They tried to put him in prison for the rest of his life before the voters could put him back in the White House. It is richly ironic that groups specifically engaged in the anti-democratic project of denying voters a choice at the polls are now citing Trumps pushback against their project as the real threat to democracy.

The evidence of their flagrant abuse of the legal system was so overwhelming that a number of firms decided to reach multi-million dollar settlements in pro-bono legal services to the Trump administration in order to avoid negative consequences.

Another example cited of Trumps supposed danger to the civil order is his threat of action against Columbia University and other elite Ivy League institutions that failed to control disruptive anti-Israel protests, encampments, and harassment and intimidation of Jewish students on their campuses. With the looming threat of the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants, Columbia caved to policy changes demanded by Trump. These included stricter rules for protests, banning masks, announcing a plan to hold student groups accountable for violence and disruption, empowering law enforcement, and reviewing its Middle East studies programs and admissions. This, former Columbia President Lee Bollinger complains to CNN, constitutes the most serious intrusion into academic freedom and autonomy he can remember.

Far from viewing disruption of U.S. college campuses as a matter of academic freedom, most Americans would agree with Secretary of State Marco Rubios assessment that America grants visas to foreign students to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses.

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The desperate attempt to portray President Trumps shock-and-awe campaign against the entrenched Washington oligarchy as an attack on democratic institutions continues with another laughable claim  that his battle against the legacy news media cartel imperils the freedom of the press.

Trump took the long-overdue step of relegating dying, untrustworthy and untrusted mainstream media organs to a back seat in White House press briefings, while giving the alternative media a position in the press pool justified by their newly robust influence.

As Trump piles up wins against the administrative state and its Beltway dependents, the last refuge of establishment scoundrels is to depict his spate of executive orders and his ferreting out of administrative waste and fraud as an unconstitutional assault on legislative authority.

Even though Trump explicitly campaigned on the promise of having Elon Musk run a Department of Government Efficiency to discover waste and abuse in executive branch agencies, that popular effort is now being challenged in court by the bureaucracy and characterized as an attempt to bend U.S. institutions to his will. In other words, he is attempting to ensure that employees of the executive branch, who work at will of the president, carry out the will of the executive.

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The deep state obviously became complacent about its ability to call the shots in Washington. Otherwise, its critique of the first serious assault on its heretofore unchallenged power wouldnt be so transparently ridiculous.

Rob Wasinger is co-founder of The Ragnar Group. He was director of Senate relations for the Trump transition team in 2016 and the first White House liaison at the State Department during the Trump administration.

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For the second summer in a row, pelicans are dying off by the dozens in Southern California, with much still to be learned about the cause.

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach has taken in more than 160 animals in the past week, bringing its total number of patients from 492 to 659, the organization said in a news release.

More than 50 of those animals are brown pelicans, many of whom are suffering from domoic-acid poisoning stemming from algal blooms.

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Something else is at play, however, as the WWCC pointed out that the birds are also coming in emaciated and starving, the cause of which has yet to be determined.

Stress is high as we care for over 52 pelicans, many of whom are not yet eating on their own, with no clear sign of slowing down soon, the WWCC release said.

This mirrors the mass-stranding event of last summer.

As a result of the uptick in patients and intensive care required, help is needed, the WWCC explained.

We require financial support to purchase fish and other necessary feed for our 659 patients in care. We need bath-sized towels and flat bed sheets, the org said.

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The public can purchase needed items at wwccoc.org/wish-list.html or donate money at wwccoc.org/donate.html.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A group of Oregon Democratic lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to declare a fishery disaster in the state after a drop in the salmon population.

In an April 11 letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the lawmakers asked the administration to approve Governor Tina Koteks disaster declaration request after Oregons troll salmon fishery struggled from the worsening effects of climate change in 2024  from increased drought to shifting ocean conditions and to other impacts leading to poor salmon returns.

Struggling fisheries pose an economic and cultural threat to Oregon, the lawmakers said, noting the states commercial fishing industry garners more than $640 million in economic activity every year.

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PCC considering 14 programs on chopping block as part of its fiscal sustainability initiative

This declaration is critical to provide economic relief to Oregons fisheries and coastal communities in addition to protecting the sustainability of wild salmon populations, the lawmakers wrote to Secretary Lutnick. Despite best efforts from our local fishermen and state and local partners, the economic consequences of this crisis threaten both salmon fishermen and the broader economy of Oregons coastal communities which rely on the fishery.

The delegation pointed to a February report from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, estimating the 2024 Chinook salmon population levels were below forecasts and say the 2025 levels are not high enough to allow for target summer Chinook fisheries.

The 2025 upriver spring Chinook run (i.e., Chinook destined to pass upstream of Bonneville Dam) is expected to be 122,500 adult fish which is like the 2024 forecast but would be slightly higher than the estimated 2024 return (it is still well below the 10-year average), ODFW said. The 2024 upriver summer Chinook return came in below last years forecast, and the 2025 forecasted abundance of 38,000 is probably not high enough to allow for target summer Chinook fisheries in the mainstem Columbia downstream of Priest Rapids Dam in 2025.

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President Trump says CBS and 60 Minutes should pay a big price for going after him

The letter was sent by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) along with Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Andrea Salinas (OR-06).

KOIN 6 News reached out to Oregon Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz, who did not sign the letter. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

The disaster declaration would provide the state funding to help fisheries recover and implement measures to avoid future disasters.

This disaster declaration request comes after Oregon previously received $7 million for the fishery disaster declared for 2018, 2019 and 2020 Oregon Chinook salmon ocean commercial fisheries.

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Residents of Hayes Township in Otsego County have filed a complaint seeking to block the development of a nearby solar energy plant, arguing the county failed to comply with changes to the states clean energy zoning process.

In 2023, Michigan Democrats passed a number of clean energy laws, including requiring energy companies to meet a 100% clean energy standard by 2040, and granting the states energy regulator the authority to approve permits for large-scale renewable energy and battery storage projects, which was previously exclusive to local governments.

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Under the law, which took effect on Nov. 29, 2024, developers are required to work with municipalities whose permitting process mirrors the new requirements, giving the two parties 120 days to reach an agreement. The parties can also apply for a 120 day extension.

However, if the municipality fails to approve or deny the application within a timely manner, if the local zoning board adopts standards stricter than the health and safety standards outlined in the law, or if the local zoning board denies an application that complies with the standards outlined in the law, the developer can submit a permitting application to the Michigan Public Service Commission, or MPSC, which regulates Michigans energy utilities.

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According to the complaint, Otsego County failed to adopt a renewable energy ordinance that complies with the requirements of the state law. Additionally, the plaintiffs argue that because the exceptions for submitting an application to MPSC do not apply, RWE Solar Development LLC, the developer for the project, cannot move forward with construction of its 45th Parallel Solar project until any challenges to the permit are resolved.

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Earlier this year, the project faced backlash from 50 Republican House Representatives and Democratic State Rep. Karen Whitsett of Detroit, over an effort to lease more than 420 acres of state-managed land for the project from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

However, Patricia Kakridas, senior manager for media and public relations for RWE Clean Energy, told the Michigan Advance in January that the project would be developed on land leased from two private landowners and does not include state land in its footprint.

Kakridas also indicated the decision not to lease state land was not a recent determination, telling the Advance We did not just make that determination. We started working with two private landowners in 2019 and during the development process, we conducted outreach to all landowners adjacent to the project location, including DNR. Ultimately, we decided to move forward with leasing property from the two private landowners for this particular project.

David Delaney, who represents the plaintiffs challenging the project, told the Michigan Advance that the plaintiffs include individuals whose property adjoin the site for the solar development, alongside residents living nearby and residents of Otsego County who expect the county to comply with the law. He expects many other residents will join the case.

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Alongside challenging the permit for the project, the complaint also raises concerns with the state law, arguing its standards for dark sky-friendly lighting solutions and dark sky-friendly lighting technology are unconstitutionally broad. It also asks the court to declare the energy zoning laws ban on localities adopting zoning standards that are stricter than those outlined within the legislation, an invalid exercise of state legislative authority.

Additionally the complaint argues the zoning law violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan state constitution, pointing to an Oct. 10 order from the Michigan Public Service Commissions which the plaintiffs say redefines terms and procedures within the state law.

[The law] confers broad sweeping authority to the MPSC. [It] provides no standards to channel the scope of the MPSCs broad authority. [It] provides the MPSC with indefinite powers, the complaint reads, asking the court to declare both the law and the MPSCs order unconstitutional.

The Michigan Public Service Commission is in the executive branch under the governor, and so in their order from 2024 they started to rewrite the Act 233 legislation. And that certainly isnt their bailiwick, thats what the House and Senate do. They write the law, Delaney said.

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So [the MPSC] made an adjustment there to say, You know what, if you didnt adopt a CREO  thats the compatible renewable energy ordinance  its okay. You can have your own zoning ordinance, or you can draft a new one, or use the one that you already have in place. The problem with that is, is that the state law doesnt provide for that, Delaney said.

While nearly 80 municipalities have already filed a suit with the Michigan Court of Appeals challenging the MPSCs order, Delaney said his clients concern is that it does not address the state law.

If the Court of Appeals sided with the counties and the townships, the MPSC would just draft another order and another order and another order. So youre kind of going around the tree, if you will, when youre not getting to the heart of the issue, Delaney said.

In an email, Kakridas told the Advance that RWE does not comment on ongoing litigation.

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We look forward to delivering electricity and substantial economic benefits and tax revenue to Otsego County from our investment in the 45th Parallel project. Kakridas said.

Otsego County Administrator Matt Barresi did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
CHICAGO  Multiple vehicles caught fire overnight at an auto shop in Cottage Grove Heights on the citys Far South Side, according to Chicago police.

Police say when officers responded to a call of a fire an auto shop in the 1200 block of East 95th Street around 12:30 a.m. Monday, the Chicago Fire Department was already on scene extinguishing a fire on multiple vehicles.

2 wounded in shooting on Chicagos North Side near Loyola University campus

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Arriving firefighters found as many as eight vehicles on fire at the location, home to Rays Auto Sales & Service.

Officials with the Office of Fire Investigation also arrived to the scene, but police or fire officials have not yet issued any confirmation as to whether this is an arson investigation. No injuries were reported.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Additionally, the vehicles that caught fire were located in what appeared to be a storage yard. There didnt appear to be any damage to the office or repair shop of the business.

There are also several homes located next to the storage yard, one about five feet away, but no damage was observed to the properties around the business.

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Germany must accept fewer than 100,000 asylum seekers a year because its public services are overwhelmed by immigrants, the incoming chancellor has said.

Friedrich Merz, due to be sworn in as leader next month, said German schools, hospitals and towns had been unable to deal with a huge increase in refugees caused by wars in Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan.

Speaking on Caren Miosga, a German talk show, the head of the centre-Right Christian Democrats (CDU) said: Our position is that these figures need to significantly come down.

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It can no longer be a six-digit figure  towns, communities, schools, hospitals and infrastructure are overwhelmed.

The number of asylum seekers entering Germany has already fallen by 30 per cent, according to government statistics for 2024.

But Mr Merz is under intense pressure to adopt a tougher stance on mass migration after the far-Right anti-migrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) came second in Februarys elections.

Tensions over migration also rose following a series of terror attacks committed by asylum seekers and other migrants in the run-up to the elections. The Telegraph revealed last month that German investigators suspect the attacks may have been orchestrated by Russia to boost support for the AfD.

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Federal statistics show that around 229,000 asylum claims were filed in Germany last year, compared to 329,000 in 2023. Mr Merzs latest comments suggest he aims to cut the overall rate of asylum applications in Germany by more than 50 per cent before the end of the year.



Mr Merz, a 69-year-old former BlackRock executive, comfortably won Februarys elections and has since struck a coalition deal with the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD).



As part of that deal, he said Germany would start turning away asylum seekers from its land borders in order to ease the pressure on public services and bring down migration figures. But the text of the deal says this will need to be carried out in coordination with neighbouring EU countries such as Austria, which has flatly rejected the proposal.



The so-called grand coalition, or GroKo, consisting of the CDU and SPD, also plans to mount a repatriation offensive against illegal immigrants as part of a new course on migration policy.



Alice Weidel, the AfD leader, has described the coalition deal a capitulation document and accused Mr Merz of reneging on campaign promises, such as his vow not to ease debt limits in order to fund the rearmament of the German army.

Capacities are exhausted

Speaking to the Telegraph last week, a CDU MP who negotiated the coalition deal said Germany may resort to triggering Article 72, an emergency clause, to turn back refugees from land borders.



More than four million asylum seekers and war refugees came to Germany in the last decade. Our capacities to integrate so many people into our society are exhausted, our public order and internal security severely affected, said Gunter Krings.



Olaf Scholz, the outgoing chancellor, used Article 72 to justify passport checks at German land borders, Mr Krings noted, adding that it can also be used to generally reject asylum seekers without a proper visa.



Germany recorded a net migration rate of around 400,000 people last year, and is focused on attracting skilled workers, such as IT professionals from Asia, while simultaneously turning away refugees.



The outgoing government struggled to retain Indian science graduates from German universities as they were lured to Britain and other European countries by better job offers.

Also on Monday, Jens Spahn, a senior CDU MP, said his party needed to deal with the AfD ... like any other opposition party after it became the de facto opposition in Germany.

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Since the beginning of April, Russia has dropped 2,800 aerial bombs, launched more than 1,400 attack drones and about 60 missiles against Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Every day and every night, Russian terror continues. Since the beginning of April alone, the Russian army has used almost 2,800 aerial bombs, more than 1,400 attack drones, most of them Shaheds, as well as about 60 missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday.

Zelenskyy said that after yesterday's Russian missile strike, 38 people remain in hospitals in Sumy, including nine children, 11 people are in serious condition, including three children.

"Everything is being done to help as much as possible. Only from yesterday's strike, 34 people were killed, 119 were wounded. Unfortunately, two children were killed, another 15 were wounded," the President wrote.

In addition, seven people were injured in Odessa during the Shahed strikes at night. The Russians also shelled Slavyansk, Uman, Kharkiv and other cities and villages that night.

"Only real pressure on Russia can stop this. We need tangible sanctions against those sectors that finance the Russian killing machine. Those who brought the war must stop and answer for what they did - that is exactly what is fair," the president said.
A portion of Southern California's Pacific Coast Highway that's been open only to locals since January's firestorm could reopen to the public just in time for summer, the governor's office announced.

One lane in each direction on PCH in Pacific Palisades should be opened to drivers by the end of May, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement.

We understand how essential this route is for daily life and local businesses, Newsom said in his announcement. Reopening PCH is a top priority, and we are going all-in to get this done."

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On Jan. 7, a fire broke out in the Palisades amid extreme Santa Ana winds and burned from Malibu to the ocean, destroying more than 6,800 homes and buildings and killing 12 people. The firestorm was soon followed by rain, which triggered mud and debris flows that washed out the highway and even pushed a Fire Department official's vehicle into the ocean.

More than 100 trucks and excavators and other equipment are working on the highway and more than 1,200 truckloads of debris are being carried away per day, Newsom's office said.

Currently, PCH is open only to those who live in the Palisades burn area. The Governors Office of Emergency Services is working with the California Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear destroyed homes, remove toxic ash and soot, and repair the roadway.

The security checkpoints at both ends of the closure will be removed when the highway reopens to the public. Law enforcement from state and local agencies will remain in the area.

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Additional information on the status of wildfire recovery can be found at www.ca.gov/LAfires.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PARIS (AP)  Algeria on Monday announced the expulsion of 12 French officials, shattering recent hopes of a diplomatic thaw and plunging relations between the two nations to a new low.

The country's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement that French consular agents had been given 48 hours to leave the country.

The statement, which was read on Algerian public television, confirmed French officials' suspicion that the expulsions were a response to the arrest of an Algerian consular official in France. It said the arrest aimed to humiliate Algeria, with no consideration for the consular status of this agent, disregarding all diplomatic customs and practices, and in flagrant violation of the relevant conventions and treaties.

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French counterterrorism prosecutors said three Algerians were arrested Friday and handed preliminary charges of kidnapping or arbitrary detention  in connection with a terrorist undertaking. An Algerian consular official was among the three arrested, according to French media.

The group is allegedly involved in the April 2024 kidnapping of an Algerian influencer, Amir Boukhors, or Amir DZ, a known critic of the Algerian government with 1.1 million followers on TikTok.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called on Algerian authorities to abandon measures to expel the French officials who have no connection with the current legal proceedings, in a written statement.

If the decision to send back our officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately, Barrot said.

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In an interview with French national news broadcaster France Television, Boukhors said he was abducted in April 2024 in a Paris suburb and released 27 hours later.

He said he saw a car in front of his home, with four people he said were acting like false police officers. Some wore police armbands and put him in handcuffs. They brought him to a remote place in the Paris region. That's when I felt and confirmed that they were kidnappers. I had fallen into the trap, he said.

He was told he would be meeting an Algerian official, which never happened, and was later released, the influencer said.

According to French media, Boukhors has lived in France since 2016 and was granted the status of political refugee in 2023.

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Relations between France and Algeria sharply deteriorated last summer when France shifted its position to support Moroccos autonomy plan for Western Sahara  a disputed territory claimed by the pro-independence Polisario Front, which receives support from Algiers and is based in refugee camps in southeastern Algeria.

Tensions further peaked after Algeria arrested French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who is an outspoken critic of Islamism and the Algerian regime, in November. He has since been sentenced to five years in prison  a verdict he subsequently appealed.

However, tensions started easing in the past two weeks, following a phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune during which they agreed to revive bilateral relations, according to a statement by the Elysee Palace.

Barrot traveled to Algeria earlier this month, a visit meant to show the diplomatic rapprochement between the two countries.

__

Sam Metz contributed reporting from Rabat, Morocco.
ALABAMA (WDHN)  The Alabama Houses version of Parkers law, where nursing mothers can be exempt from jury duty for up to two years, can hit Governor Iveys desk as early as tomorrow.

The House version is approved by the House and Senate Committee on Judiciary, and it only requires the approval of the full Senate before hitting Iveys desk.

The bill will establish an administrative order by the Alabama Supreme Court that said a nursing mother of an infant child qualifies for the excuse from jury service.

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The bill adds that after the two years are up, the mother may be called to reappear for jury duty.

The voting on this legislation, comes after several Alabama mothers were being harassed by Jefferson County judges for bringing breastfeeding babies to jury duty.

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The FAA is proposing an airworthiness directive for thousands of Boeing 737s.

The cost of replacing latches on bathroom doors could reach $3.4 million.

The move comes after a passenger was trapped in a bathroom, leading to a flight diversion.

Thousands of Boeing 737 planes may need modification after a flight was diverted when a passenger got stuck in a bathroom.

The Federal Aviation Administration published a notice on Friday proposing an airworthiness directive for 2,612 Boeing aircraft registered in the US.

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The FAA said it received a report that a passenger was trapped in a bathroom during a flight because the door had a broken latch and they couldn't open the door.

Flight attendants also couldn't open the bifold door, so the pilots had to make an "unscheduled landing," the FAA said.

If a passenger is trapped in a bathroom, the FAA said they could be at risk of serious injury in an "otherwise survivable emergency event" such as severe turbulence or a medical emergency.

The agency identified door latches with four different part numbers that it said should be replaced.

The FAA estimated that could cost airlines and other operators up to $3.4 million  including labor and new latches worth up to $481 each. Some or all of the costs could be covered under warranty.

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Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The FAA's notice applies to certain 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 737-900ER, 737 Max 8, and 737 Max 9 aircraft.

Boeing's website says that 3,461 of those planes have been delivered to US customers. The FAA's directive suggests that up to three-quarters of those planes have potentially problematic latches.

The FAA has given stakeholders until May 27 to respond to the proposed directive.

While the agency didn't provide details about the flight that prompted the notice, it wouldn't be the first time that bathroom issues have caused a diversion.

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Last month, Air India passengers endured a nine-hour flight to nowhere. The New Delhi-bound plane turned back to Chicago because most of its toilets stopped working after a passenger tried to flush bags, rags, and clothes.

And in February 2024, eight of the nine bathrooms on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles stopped working  forcing the plane to make a U-turn over the Atlantic Ocean.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Synehubov has said there are civilian casualties as a result of shelling by Russian armed forces.

"Kupyansk. As a result of artillery shelling, a 68-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman were killed. Shevchenkove. As a result of shelling from multiple rocket launchers, a 77-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man received injuries incompatible with life," he wrote on his Telegram channel.
Singed

This morning, a crew of six women  including pop star Katy Perry, CBS News broadcast journalist and TV personality Gayle King, and Blue Origin CEO Jeff Bezos' fiance Lauren Sanchez  rocketed to an altitude of 66 miles, just past the internationally agreed-upon edge of space.

The 11-minute journey on board Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket appeared to have left a lasting impression on Perry, who was emotionally stirred by the experience.

During the trip, she reportedly broke into song, singing "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, which was originally conceived in the 1960s to bring a fractured nation together following the Kennedy assassination, the beginning of the Vietnam War, and widespread racial injustice.

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The other passengers, though? They encouraged Perry to sing one of her own hits instead.

After all, what better time to advertise your own work than during an ultra-expensive and vacuous PR stunt that nobody but the participants have anything to gain from?

Making Space

Perry said that the choice was inspired by some new-age mumbo jumbo.

"Ive covered that song in the past and obviously my higher self is always steering the ship," she rambled, "because I had no idea that one day Id be singing that song in space."

After touching down, Perry got on her knees to kiss the dirt below her in a symbolic gesture.

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Not long after, the performer had an eye-roll-inducing answer when prompted why she chose to sing Armstrong's classic instead, arguing that wealthy one-percenters going for a thrill ride to space was somehow about female empowerment.

"It's not about singing my songs," she said during an interview following the launch. "It's about a collective energy and making space for future women. It's about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it."

"This is all for the benefit of Earth," she added.

But how exactly a brief trip to the edge of space is of any benefit to the planet remains to be seen.

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Unfortunately, while she didn't opt for her own work during the launch, Perry did promise to write an entire song inspired by her seemingly life-changing trip  an homage we could probably do without.

More on the launch: Chat Relentlessly Mocks Katy Perry's "Space Trip"
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB)  On Sunday, in a Facebook post, Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez addressed spring breakers and his plans moving forward to keep the community safe during this time of year.

The full statement reads:

To the future doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and leaders who came here for a break, youre appreciated. You made memories, enjoyed the beach, and showed respect. Most of you went home without problems, and thats exactly how it should be.

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Now to the others, the ones who came here to bring trouble.

If you came with guns, bad intentions, and no respect for this city, we saw you. You thought you could blend in and get away with it. You were wrong. Our officers were ready, and many of you ended up in handcuffs.

Some of you fired shots over petty arguments and social media drama. And when the cuffs went on, the tough act disappeared. Our officers didnt see hardened criminals. They saw scared kids crying in the interview room. TikTok doesnt show that part, but our body cameras do.

To our communityheres where I stand.

Panama City Beach can no longer be a Spring Break town. That time is over. Every year, we try to manage it, and every year, it brings more challenges. Im not willing to risk the safety of our city to hold onto something that no longer works.

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And let me be clear, our law enforcement officers should not be expected to shoulder the burden of an event that no longer aligns with the values or vision of this community. Its unfair to continue placing that weight on the backs of the men and women who serve and protect this city every day.

In the coming weeks, we will be having serious discussions with stakeholders and city leadership about the future of the Spring Break season. Im confident they share this same concern. No plan will fix this overnight, but we have to start somewhere. And we have to start now.

Panama City Beach is a safe, family-focused community. Weve worked too hard to build that, and I wont let a group of criminals destroy it.

To the good visitors, youll always be welcome.

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To the idiots, go somewhere else.

-Chief J.R Talamantez

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Police are investigating a Grand Rapids shooting that sent a man to the hospital Sunday.

Around 6:45 p.m., the Grand Rapids Police Department was called to a shooting on Batchawana Street SE near Englewood Avenue off of 28th Street for a report of a shooting. Officers found a man who was taken to the hospital.

At last report, the victim is in critical condition, GRPD said around 11:15 p.m. Sunday night.

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Its not clear what led up to the shooting. No suspect information was released by GRPD.

GRPDs Major Case Team is investigating. Anyone with information should contact GRPD at 616.456.3380 or Silent Observer.

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UPDATE: The Pella Police Department provided an update just before 8:30 a.m. Monday that both girls have been found safe. PPD thanked everyone who helped in locating them.

No other details were released.

ORIGINAL STORY:

DES MOINES, Iowa  The Pella Police Department is asking for help from the public to find two missing juveniles.



The two girls, 13-year-old Caitlin and 12-year-old Luthian were reported missing around 6:45 Sunday evening. They were last seen near Pella Middle School. Police believe they are together.

Caitlin was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and green pants, and Luthian was last seen in a black shirt with yellow print and blue jeans.



If you see them or have any information on their whereabouts, call the Pella Police Department at 641-628-4921.

Iowa news

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(WHTM)  The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a lawmakers bill to ban the unauthorized tracking of victims using AirTags.

House Bill 407, introduced by State Rep. Lindsay Powell (D-Allegheny), aims to ban the use of AirTags and other similar technology for stalking or tracking someone without their consent. While some individuals have been charged after committing such acts in the past, Pennsylvania has yet to outline penalties for abusing this technology.

In July 2024, a Lancaster County constable was charged after stalking a fellow constable via an Apple AirTag that was found inside the victims vehicle.

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My bill not only gives neighbors their peace of mind and privacy back, but it would protect them from those seeking to do them harm, Powell said. Its crucial that the legislature stays proactive when it comes to preventing bad actors from misusing this technology. Thank you to my House colleagues for voting to keep Pennsylvanians safe.

According to Powell, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple in December 2022 for remote stalking.

The bill, known as House Bill 416 last year, once again passed in the house with a near unanimous vote, per Powell.

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The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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Ukrainian Air Force: 40 enemy UAVs shot down last night, 11 imitators fail to reach their targets

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

Last night, the Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down 40 enemy UAVs out of 62 that attacked Ukrainian territory, and 11 drone imitators were lost, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU Air Force) reported.

"On the night of April 14 (from 20:30 on April 13), the enemy attacked with 62 Shahed-type strike UAVs and various types of drone imitators from the following directions: Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk of the Russian Federation, Chauda - Crimea," the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Monday.

It is reported that as of 9:00, 40 Shahed-type attack UAVs (and other types of drones) have been confirmed shot down in the east and south of the country. Eleven enemy drone imitators have been lost (without negative consequences).

It is noted that the air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

As a result of the enemy attack, Odesa, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions suffered.
Imagine nearly every seat in Philadelphias Wells Fargo Center  over 20,000 seats  are empty. Thats the scale of Pennsylvanias projected shortfall of registered nurses by 2026, according to the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

Hospitals in the state report an average 14% vacancy rate for registered nurses. In rural areas it is much higher.

This shortage, of course, is not just in hospitals. It also affects long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics and home health agencies, which compete with hospitals for a limited pool of registered nurses, licensed nursing professionals and nursing support staff.

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We are a senior associate dean of nursing and clinical professor of nursing at Drexel Universitys College of Nursing and Health Professions in Philadelphia, and a dean and professor of nursing at Duquesne Universitys School of Nursing in Pittsburgh.

We know that the nursing shortage in Pennsylvania, while not the worst in the U.S., is severe and jeopardizes the health care that patients receive.

What caused the shortage?

Pennsylvanias nursing shortage is the result of long-standing issues in education, workforce retention and health care delivery.

Education bottlenecks: Nursing schools in Pennsylvania and nationwide turn away thousands of qualified applicants each year due to faculty shortages, limited classroom space and scarce clinical placements. More than 65,000 qualified applications were turned away from U.S. nursing programs in 2023 alone, according to a report from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

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A key issue is the lack of preceptors. Preceptors are experienced nurses who teach students in real-world settings. A shortage of preceptors directly limits how many students can complete their education.

Aging workforce: More than a third of Pennsylvanias registered nurses are 55 or older. This demographic reality means many are nearing retirement.

Burnout and attrition: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened already high levels of stress, burnout and mental health strain for nurses. Many left the profession early due to emotional exhaustion, family and personal health concerns, unsafe staffing ratios, moral injury and lack of institutional support.

Uneven distribution: While Pennsylvania may have a sufficient number of licensed nurses on paper, those nurses dont all still work in the profession. And among those that do, they are not evenly spread across roles or locations. Rural hospitals, long-term care centers, behavioral health settings and maternal-child health units are experiencing acute shortages.

Cost to patients

For patients and their families, the consequences of the nursing shortage are delayed care, fewer interactions with providers and less time for compassionate, personalized support. Overextended nurses face increased workloads, raising the likelihood of delayed interventions, medication errors and inadequate patient education. These factors undermine quality of care.

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Limited access to nursing care can increase hospital deaths, infections and readmissions, reduce early detection of health issues, and slow the response to life-threatening conditions such as stroke, sepsis and cardiac arrest.

In Pennsylvania, patients may experience longer emergency room wait times, delayed discharges or transfers to nursing homes or rehabilitation centers, and service disruptions in rural and underserved areas.

Effect on nurses

Over 600,000 registered nurses across the U.S. plan to leave the workforce by 2027, according to a 2023 analysis by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Many cite stress as their reason for leaving the profession. New graduates often leave within their first two years, feeling unprepared for the emotional and operational realities of practice.

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In Pennsylvania, the shortage has created a feedback loop. Understaffing increases pressure on those who remain. A 2023 National Council of State Boards of Nursing survey found that 41% of nurses under age 35 reported feeling emotionally drained.

Meanwhile, some experienced nurses choose to retire early or shift into nonclinical roles for better schedules, slower pace and improved quality of life.

This turnover erodes institutional knowledge, increases costs for onboarding and overtime, and limits the capacity to mentor incoming staff.

Whats being done

To help address the problem, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in March 2025 proposed a US$5 million Nurse Shortage Assistance Program. If approved by the General Assembly, the program would cover tuition costs for nursing students who commit to working in Pennsylvania hospitals for three years after graduation.

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HB 390 is also currently under review in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It aims to establish a $1,000 tax deduction for licensed nurses who serve as clinical preceptors.

To meet the growing demand for nurses, Pennsylvania hospitals are partnering with colleges and universities to expand clinical training capacity, streamline pathways into nursing and develop innovative education models such as hybrid and accelerated programs.

Hospitals statewide are also offering substantial sign-on bonuses, loan forgiveness programs, housing stipends and flexible scheduling to attract nurses.

To improve nurse retention, health care organizations have introduced structured residency programs, mentorship networks and clear career advancement pathways designed to reduce burnout and enhance professional satisfaction.

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They are also increasingly using virtual nursing, telehealth services and AI-driven administrative tools to reduce nurses workloads, enhance patient interactions and address staffing gaps.

And some Philadelphia and Pennsylvania colleges offer refresher and license reactivation programs for retired or inactive nurses who want to rejoin the workforce. Duquesne offers a nurse faculty residency to increase the number of high-quality nursing faculty.

What more could be done?

Continuing Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs are another solution. These federal grants, reauthorized under the March 2020 CARES Act, help fund nursing pathways and the availability of high-quality nursing care for patients nationwide.

On April 1, 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to restructure the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the future status of these programs is not yet known.

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Research consistently demonstrates that care provided by nurses who have earned a bachelors degree or higher directly leads to better patient outcomes, improved safety and overall health. A commitment to shoring up the nurse pipeline in Pennsylvania is a commitment to improving the well-being of individuals and communities across the state.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kymberlee Montgomery, Drexel University and Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow, Duquesne University

Read more:



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Board Member for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The views, analyses, and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or positions of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Kymberlee Montgomery does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania State Police say they found a man who was reported missing out of Chester County.

According to PSP, 73-year-old Thomas English was found and he is safe.

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When Nabi Yisrael left his Hyde Park apartment last year after his rent increased, he had to put most of his belongings into storage. The 51-year-old, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a power wheelchair to get around, didnt have a home anymore.

For nearly six months since then, Yisrael bounced around between his friends and families apartments, carrying the necessities in a travel case  two pairs of jeans, a few pairs of shoes and five shirts, he said. For someone who prides himself on his fashion sense, it was a difficult transition.

Ive been wearing the same clothes since October, Yisrael said in a recent interview. Since October.

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About three months into essentially being homeless  for the first time in his life  Yisrael came to another difficult conclusion. Despite the horror stories he heard from friends about the conditions inside Chicagos homeless shelters, particularly for people with disabilities, he decided he had no other choice but to seek placement at one. He needed a place to stay, and he needed it quickly, he said.

Yisrael contacted the Salvation Army in January and was told there were no available cots for him, he said. Two months later, when he called 311 for help finding an accessible shelter, he said the response was similar.

A fox got its den. A bird got a nest, he said, paraphrasing a Bible verse. But a son of man got nowhere to lay his head.

Disability and homeless advocates say Yisraels story  and that of another elderly couple living in their car  represents the nearly insurmountable challenges the citys sizable homeless disabled population faces when trying to find shelter space, a problem they believe is getting worse.

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The Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing has a lawsuit against the city winding its way through federal court alleging the city doesnt operate or design the emergency shelter program in a manner that would provide equivalent services to individuals with mobility disabilities.

Were talking about people with kind of common mobility challenges, and theyre being kept out of this system at this point, said Charles Petrof, an attorney with the disability rights group Access Living, which is part of the lawsuit.

In response, a city spokesperson said the Department of Family and Support Services funds 11 shelters that are accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act  and said all DFSS-funded shelters must offer reasonable accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Expanding accessibility is a long-standing goal for the department and the city, the spokesperson said, adding that the department used federal money from the American Rescue Plan to improve shelter facilities, including ADA accessibility.

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About 19% of Chicagos adult homeless population  excluding migrants  reported having a physical disability, a 4% decrease compared with a year earlier, according to a 2024 report from the DFSS.

In that report, the city acknowledged that theres varied experiences for those in shelter versus on the street. For example, 33.5% of people  excluding migrants  experience homelessness for a year or more if they are in a shelter. That percentage increased substantially to 67.8% for those not in a shelter.

Ive been operating at 60%

At the Hyde Park apartment Yisrael had lived in for about five years, he had a number of accessibility features that made life a bit easier  an elevator, a large bedroom and restroom and an outlet for his electric wheelchair, he said.

Access Living helped him find and move into this apartment using a housing voucher, a form of rental subsidy, in 2019. By that time his multiple sclerosis  a disease that affects the central nervous system  had progressed and he needed a home that was wheelchair accessible. Before, he was forced to bump (himself) up the stairs.

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He had to leave, however, in October when his rent increased beyond the limits of his housing voucher, provided by the public housing authority. Finding another accessible apartment with a voucher is terrible, he said.

Its horrible. You got a voucher with my skin tone, in a wheelchair, it gives you like three strikes, said Yisrael, who is Black.

Others have also reported difficulties finding places to live with housing vouchers. The Chicago Housing Authority has seen 61% to 77% of its voucher recipients able to lease a unit from 2019 to 2022. The rates are lower for 2023 and 2024  45% and 31%, respectively, but CHA said thats because some of those recipients are still searching for units to rent, the Tribune reported last month.

After losing that apartment, Yisrael primarily stayed with a few family and friends, who couldnt let him stay long-term due to their rental agreements and because their apartments arent accessible. In a pinch, he will spend his limited monthly income for a hotel stay.

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A friends home that he lived in last month was particularly challenging to navigate, he said. Its quite small, he said, and his friend had to physically pick him up out of his bed and put him in his wheelchair.

Twice, when he wasnt sure hed have anywhere else to go, he attempted to find space in a homeless shelter  once in January through the Salvation Army and once in March through 311. Both times, he said, he was told there wasnt acceptable space for him after he explained his situation.

My bodys shut down, he said. Ive been operating at 60%  60% Nabi.

According to the citys 311 service request database, Yisrael submitted a shelter request on March 6. It was closed on April 2. Fortunately, two days later, he signed a lease and received keys for a new apartment using his housing voucher. Hes hoping to move his belongings in soon after he deals with some health issues, he said.

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The Salvation Army partners with the city to match individuals and families to shelter, said organization spokesperson Brian Duewel. He said there are limited beds for singles in the shelter system and that its very likely Yisrael wasnt placed when he made the request.

When a client calls and states they need an accessible shelter placement, we contact the accessible shelters and, most times, the beds are full, he said.

Despite the difficult circumstances from the past six months, Yisrael said he tries to keep a positive outlook. After being diagnosed with MS in 2009, it took him almost a decade to accept his disability and the whole new world he entered, he said.

Yisrael enjoys reading and listening to motivational quotes on YouTube, including one by Martin Luther King Jr.  If you cant fly, then run. If you cant run, then walk. If you cant walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.

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Yisrael also expresses himself through fashion  he wore a brown jacket, slacks and a bowler hat at a recent interview  and through writing. One day, he said he hopes to turn his life story into a play.

People just need to spend a week in a chair, just one week, he said. I bet their perception will change.

Lawsuit against city

Petrof, the attorney at Access Living, helped file a lawsuit about five years ago against the city on behalf of Gloria Carter, alleging she was denied access to the citys emergency shelter program because her disability prevented her from climbing stairs and into vans. Carter, who has osteoarthritis, uses a walker to move around, the suit said.

A similar lawsuit filed in 2019 also accused Chicagos shelter system of failing to provide accommodations mandated by federal law.

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Petrof also said people in shelters tend to have a better shot at getting into the citys housing assistance programs. Being cut off from the first rung of the ladder will prohibit or slow down their road to being rehoused, he said.

Bridget Hayman, the communication director at Access Living, added that true accessibility at shelters involves both its physical structure and the way it operates. For example, someone like Yisrael would need his personal care assistant to be allowed in a shelter, she said.

There are people that can walk in the door and still not get the full care they need and deserve, she said.

High-risk situation

In Monica Dillons experience, its fairly common for people with disabilities to seek help accessing a shelter. The first thought that runs through her mind when she meets them, the nurse and volunteer with Northwest Side Homeless Outreach said, is: Oh my heavens, where are we going to get shelter?

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In December, Dillon received a referral to help out a couple, a 78-year-old woman and a man in his 60s who had been living in a truck after they were unexpectedly evicted from their apartment, at which point she said she emailed DFSS officials about the high-risk situation. About 7% of the homeless population, excluding migrants, in Chicago is 65 and older, according to the 2024 report.

The woman, who asked that her name not be shared for privacy and health concerns, said she prayed every day that the truck wouldnt break down, because theyd have nowhere else to go.

Im an old lady. Never in my life did I expect something quite like this to happen, she told the Tribune in February.

When the woman learned in December that there were open slots at the citys new shelter placement and resource center, she agreed to try it out, even though she had some worries about her safety.

At the shelter, she said she was separated from her partner, who helps her move around along with a wheelchair and other mobility aids. The only beds available, she said, were cots a few inches off the ground. Worried that she wouldnt be able to stand back up with her bad legs, she decided to sit and sleep in a folding chair.

The woman said she had no choice but to leave the next morning and return to the truck, where she then waited more than 50 days for an accessible shelter bed. When one didnt become available, outreach workers raised money for a week-long temporary motel stay.

Every morning, I say, Thank you, Jesus, were still here and lets hope for better things to come, she said. I say a little prayer.

After their one-night stay at SPARC didnt work out, Dillon put in a 311 request for shelter, which she said was closed all of a sudden a couple of weeks later.

She didnt receive any phone calls, letting her know that there was no shelter available, or that her service request was closed, Dillon said.

A city spokesperson said SPARC, a 200-bed facility in Pilsen that opened late last year after the city closed its migrant landing zone, has ADA-compliant accommodations in its daytime lounge area, showers and bathroom. The facility connects single adults to available beds throughout the shelter system and isnt intended to be a long-term placement, the spokesperson added.

However, if someone isnt placed in a shelter by late in the evening, the facility offers overflow beds through cots, the spokesperson said. The city, including the Mayors Office of People with Disabilities, is working with delegate agencies at the facility to provide access to ADA-accessible cots, which must have a height of 17 to 19 inches, the spokesperson said.

DFSS is committed to ensuring that homeless services are accessible to all people experiencing homelessness, the spokesperson said.

Multiple subsequent 311 requests for shelter beds went unanswered, Dillon said. The most recent request, submitted on Jan. 31, remained open until March 3, according to the citys 311 service request database. She began telling the womans story publicly at a City Council meeting in February and in a letter to the editor in the Sun-Times, hoping to find a solution as temperatures dropped.

It started to impact both of their health. Its very difficult to live in a truck, especially as you get older, Dillon said. It impairs circulation, leaves them at higher risk for clots  because they cant really move around and elevate their feet.

About six weeks ago, the woman and her partner were able to move into a medical respite in the suburbs, Dillon said. This facility, Dillon said, is a better fit. A nurse comes in multiple days per week and theres more support for her mobility disabilities, she said.

The program will also allow her to stay for around two years, Dillon said. However, the arduous steps to find this housing is still mind-boggling to Dillon, and she said she hopes there are solutions moving forward.

Shes in shelter, and that were grateful for, Dillon said. But she really does need accessibility to deeply affordable housing.
People protest in solidarity with Canada amid uncertainty over tariffs, near the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Buffalo, New York, on April 2, 2025.
A person with a gun who police say was trying to get attention was apprehended late Monday morning on UnitedHealthcares campus in Minnesota.

No one was hurt at the health insurance company's headquarters in Minnetonka, and the man, who had parked his vehicle near a loading dock, surrendered after about an hour of negotiations, Minnetonka police spokeswoman Jessica Case said.

The incident happened more than four months after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in New York City in an ambush killing that police said was targeted.

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The man arrested Monday said he went near UnitedHealthcare and called in only because he thought it would get attention and maybe help him with his past criminal cases, Case said.

The FBI said the man called the agency's Minneapolis field office around 10:45 a.m. "and issued threats of violence directed at the United Healthcare facility if specific demands were not met."

"While the investigation is still in its early stages, there is currently no indication that the individual had specific grievances against United Healthcare," the FBI said in a statement.

A UnitedHealth Group spokesperson also said there were no demands against it in the incident. "The safety and security of our colleagues is our top priority," the company statement said, and it thanked law enforcement.

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The Minnetonka Police Department on Tuesday identified the suspect as Ian Wagner, 26.

He is charged with two counts of possession of ammunition/firearm and two counts of threats of violence, according to a criminal complaint. His bail was set at $300,000, the complaint indicates.

City spokesman Andy Wittenborg said the man has a history with Minnetonka police and is known to them. A gun was found in the passenger seat, he said.

A search of Wagner's vehicle turned up a .38-caliber revolver with five live rounds in the chamber, as well as a baggie with 16 additional rounds, according to the complaint.

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Investigators also discovered a recorded 911 call from Monday morning in which Wagner allegedly told a dispatcher that he would shoot into the UnitedHealthcare building if criminal charges against him weren't dropped, the complaint said. According to the document, Wagner had an open felony case and an open misdemeanor case at the time.

Wagner has prior convictions for making violent threats and is therefore barred from possessing a gun and ammunition, the complaint said.

It was unclear wether Wagner had retained an attorney for the latest charges.

Thompson's slaying on Dec. 4 sparked a nationwide manhunt that ended five days later when Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, police said.

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The slaying near the Hilton New York Midtown spurred a massive amount of online support for Mangione, who has been charged on state and federal counts.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty, which defense lawyers called a political stunt.

Hours after the Dec. 4 shooting in New York, Thompsons wife, Paulette Thompson, said her husband had been receiving threats.

"There had been some threats," she said. "Basically, I dont know, a lack of coverage? I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."

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In an unrelated matter, Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., lashed out at UnitedHealthcare on Monday afternoon for aggressively recouping loans it gave out to health care providers affected by a cyberattack last year.

The breach slowed or stopped payments to thousands of front-line medical providers.

The company had helped many of those providers with interest-free loans until the mess could be hashed out. But now UnitedHealthcare is going after borrowers, demanding they immediately repay their outstanding balances, according to documents viewed by CNBC.

Imagine UnitedHealthcare going back on their word, after a payment crisis they were responsible for, with predatory practices on those who actually care for patients, Murphy, a physician, said in a statement Monday. They continue to double down on destroying their reputation.





This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines voiced concerns on the South China Sea, including incidents that endangered its vessels and personnel, during negotiations between ASEAN and China for a code of conduct in those waters, its foreign ministry said on Monday.

The Philippines, which hosted the latest round of talks last week, also reiterated its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and pursuing constructive diplomatic approaches in managing differences at sea, the ministry said in a statement.

The South China Sea remains a source of tension between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours, with ties between Beijing and U.S. ally Manila at their worst in years amid frequent confrontations that have sparked concerns they could spiral into conflict.

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In February, the Philippines coast guard accused the Chinese navy of performing dangerous flight manoeuvres near a government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, an account Beijing disputed.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China pledged in 2002 to create a code of conduct, but it took 15 years to start discussions, and progress has been slow.

During the negotiations from April 9-11, the countries also tackled so-called "milestone issues," the Philippines' foreign ministry said. These issues refer to critical points, including the code's scope and whether it can be legally binding.

Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, which it asserts through a fleet of coast guard and fishing militia that some neighbours accuse of aggression and of disrupting fishing and energy activities in their exclusive economic zones.

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China insists it operates lawfully in its territory and does not recognise a 2016 arbitration ruling that said its claim has no basis under international law.

"The meeting was an opportunity for the Philippines to strongly call for the need to adhere to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award," the ministry said.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by John Mair and Gerry Doyle)
Although some compelling evidence exists to support the idea that a repulsive force similar to dark energy exists, it has yet to be directly observed or measured.

To circumvent this uncomfortable missing piece of the cosmological puzzle, physicists have developed alternative theories explaining the acceleration of universal expansion that dont rely on dark energy.

A new theory, posited by a physicist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, suggests that multiple singularities blinking in and out of existence could provide the energy and matter seen in decades of observations.

In 1998, two independent projectsthe Supernova Cosmology Project and the High-Z Supernova Search Teamconfirmed that the expansion of the universe was accelerating. But there was a problem: our current understanding of physics couldnt explain this phenomenon. Scientists hypothesized that there must be some unknown dark energy in the universe that propels the universe ever outward, but as theoretical cosmologist Katie Mack states: We cant see it, we dont know what it is, and were not even sure how it can exist at all.

In the decades following this discovery, independent pieces of evidence have supported the idea, but this elusive form of energyestimated to make up 70 percent of the universehas still never been directly observed or measured. Because science abhors an epistemological vacuum, alternative theories of this universal acceleration have emerged in an attempt to circumvent this dark energy conundrum with names like Modified Newtonian Dynamics (or MOND) and  timescape cosmology , the latter of which essentially attributes dark energy to a misunderstanding of kinetic energy expansion at universal scales.

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Now, Richard Lieu, a physicist from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, has a new approach to explaining the universe that has no need for dark energyor even the Big Bang. The results of the study were published in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity .

Lieu isnt a stranger to out-of-the-box cosmological thinking, grabbing headlines just last year for intimating that gravity can exist without mass (though, the idea relied on negative mass, which is as hypothetical as dark energy). This new study builds a cosmological model around the central idea being that universal acceleration is caused by multiple singularities blinking in and out of existence. And as Lieu notes, this concept doesnt rely on negative mass or negative density to work.

The new model can account for both structure formation and stability, and the key observational properties of the expansion of the universe at large, by enlisting density singularities in time that uniformly affect all space to replace conventional dark matter and dark energy, Lieu said in a press statement.

These transient temporal singularities, as Lieu calls them, create step-like bursts that periodically flood the universe with matter and energy. The kicker is that because they happen so quickly, theyre nearly impossible to observe before they disappear entirely. Lieu isnt the first to propose the idea that the universe creates energy over timefrom the 40s to and 60s, a hypothesis known as the steady-state theory was the main rival of the Big Bang theory. Lieu claims his theory fixes one of steady-state theorys biggest shortfalls.

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[The steady-state] hypothesis violates the law of mass-energy conservation, Lieu said in a press statement. In the current theory, the conjecture is for matter and energy to appear and disappear in sudden bursts and, interestingly enough, there is no violation of conservation laws []. The origin of these temporal singularities is unknownsafe to say that the same is true of the moment of the Big Bang itself.

Like every other alternative theory that forgoes dark energy, this model has no empirical data to back up its claims. Thankfully, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (which launches in 2027) is purpose-built to explore the cosmos for evidence of dark energy. For now, cosmologists postulate different methods for explaining the observational acceleration of universal expansion. But it will require cold, hard data to prove whether dark energyor some other alternative, like multiple singularitiesis the long-sought-after energy force behind the unexplainable.



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Photo: https://x.com/DefensieMin/status/1911788514322047057

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans reported on a meeting with ambassadors from the Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, where they discussed, in particular, assistance to Ukraine and strengthening the defense industry.

"The Netherlands works closely with the Nordic countries on our security. We had a good discussion with the ambassadors in The Hague on supporting Ukraine, the NATO summit and a strong defense industry. We can also learn from these countries in increasing our resilience!" Brekelmans wrote on social media X on Monday.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof reportedly said Sunday's Russian ballistic missile attack on Sumy once again demonstrates the need to continue increasing pressure on Russia and support Ukraine, including by providing air defense assets.
Ever since she made her return to Instagram, Meghan Markle's 2.7 million followers have been loving getting a better look at the Duchess of Sussex's home life  from learning about her favourite recipes to getting a glimpse at her family life with, Prince Harry, and their two children, Lilibet and Archie.

Now, royal fans are loving seeing the special gift that Harry presented his family with after a poignant trip to Ukraine, to meet with members of the Superhumans Center clinic in Lviv (which supports adult and children who need prosthetics following an amputation as a result of war). The clinic's work chimes strongly with the work Harry has done with servicemen and women through his Invictus Games events, offering injured, sick and wounded military personnel the chance to compete in sporting competitions.

After making his surprise trip to Ukraine, which is currently in its third year of war following a full-scale Russian invasion on February 2022, Prince Harry returned home with a special, traditional cake for the children. And as per Meghan's stories, Lilibet in particular couldn't wait to try it.

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The Duchess captioned the sweet family moment with a quote from Lili: A special gift papa brought back from Ukraine, followed by a pink hearts emoji.

Meghan Markle via Instagram





Given the atrocities of the war in Ukraine right now, it sounds like connecting with royal family member Prince Harry was an emotional experience for some, including Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

Following Harry's visit, she shared on Twitter/X: "The whole team is just crying, because a pastry made by grandmothers from Sumy region made from flour from de-mined fields is now on the table of Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their family."

   ,                 ,     .           pic.twitter.com/xT3rtlh28Q  Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) April 12, 2025

Very sadly, just a day after Meghan posted her Story of Lili enjoying the cake from the Sumy region of Ukraine, the area was hit by a Russian missile attack killing 34 people, including two children, and injuring 117 (according to a BBC report). Earlier today, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, urged President Trump  a leading figure in the Ukrainian-Russian ceasefire negotiations, and a man who once boasted he could "end the war in 24 hours"to visit Ukraine himself to see the destruction that Russia has bought about.

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Elsewhere, Meghan has been busy following up the launch of her Netflix lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, with a new podcast focusing on female entrepreneurs.

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PALM HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA)  A 3-year-old boy was found dead in a pond Sunday evening after wandering away from his familys apartment complex in Pinellas County, the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office reported.

According to Chief Deputy David Danzig, at approximately 4:25 p.m., a man called 911 from his home on Lancaster Court to report that he had not seen his son for about an hour.

The man told authorities that he believed the child had left the apartment on foot.

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Deputies were able to obtain Ring doorbell video showing the child walking out of the apartment and heading south through the complex.

The sheriffs office deployed helicopters and bloodhounds to search the area and a community alert was also issued to help locate the missing child.

According to Chief Deputy Danzig, the boys body was found in a pond located close to the apartment.

A sheriffs office dive team recovered the body, and authorities believe the child to have drowned.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office, the boy was autistic and nonverbal. His parents, who are hearing impaired, were home at the time and watching television when he wandered off.

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Its a tragic accident. But I wish I had better news tonight to share with you all. Anytime a child loses their life under circumstances like this, its a terrible night for everybody up here, Deputy Danzig said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the young boys family.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
PINEVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Pineville homeowner reportedly found two people hiding in his Bell County home after it was ransacked overnight.

Early Sunday morning, April 13, Bell County sheriffs deputies and Pineville officers received reports of a possible burglary. Authorities said that, around 1 a.m., they responded to the Stoney Fork Road home off Highway 221 to find the home had been ransacked.

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When they arrived, deputies encountered 50-year-old Charles Jason Hoskins, reportedly standing in the back door. But the homeowner said he didnt know who Hoskins was.

According to the sheriffs office, Hoskins told authorities that a man and a woman paid him $50 to give them a ride to a Stoney Fork Road home. However, the pair was nowhere to be found.

Hoskins was arrested and taken to the Bell County Detention Center.

The homeowner remained at the residence after the authorities left. According to authorities, he said he was sitting in the recliner when he heard something moving in the childrens room. Thats when he found 47-year-old Angela Caldwell and 40-year-old Lester Smith hiding inside a cupboard in a pile of clothes.

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Read more of the latest Kentucky news

The homeowner reportedly held the pair at gunpoint, called 911, and waited for officers to return. They were later identified as the pair Hoskins gave a ride to.

Caldwell and Smith were also booked in the Bell County Detention Center.

All three were charged with engaging in organized crime and second-degree burglary. Smith was additionally charged with three failure-to-appear warrants, possession of methamphetamine, and first-degree promoting contraband.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said Hungary opposes European Union military missions in Ukraine and will block the introduction of new sanctions against Russia and Ukraine's accession to the EU.

"For us, this is a red line and in no case can this be implemented on the territory of Ukraine, and we do not want the European Union to send military instructors or military advisers to Kyiv, because this carries a serious risk of further escalation of the war towards Europe," Szijjarto said at a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.

The minister stressed that Hungary will also block new sanctions on energy purchases and the Russian nuclear industry, proposed by Ukraine.

"We will not support this because the European Union is several hours behind, and the Americans are holding direct negotiations with the Russians, the US president and the Russian president are talking to each other on the phone, their top representatives are traveling to each other's capitals," Szijjarto said.

"We will not support this because the European Union is several hours behind, and the Americans are holding direct negotiations with the Russians, the US president and the Russian president are talking to each other on the phone, their top representatives are traveling to each other's capitals," Szijjarto said.

"We will not allow the European and Hungarian agricultural market to be filled with low-quality crops from Ukraine contaminated with GMOs, we will not allow Hungarian companies to destroy Hungarian service providers with low-quality services from Ukraine," he said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reportedly said on April 11 that Ukraine's membership in the European Union would have negative consequences for Hungarian interests.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor's Residence.

A Harrisburg man charged with what police said was a targeted attack on Gov. Josh Shapiros official residence admitted hatred toward Shapiro and planned to beat him with a hammer if he encountered Shapiro inside the home.

Police on Sunday arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer in connection with the firebombing that heavily damaged the Pennsylvania governors residence early Sunday morning as Shapiro and his family slept inside. The Dauphin County district attorneys office filed charges early Monday morning against Balmer of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, burglary and related offenses.

The booking photo of Cody Balmer, who has been arrested for arson and attempted murder of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat.

A criminal complaint filed in district court in Harrisburg says Balmers ex-girlfriend called state police to say he was responsible for the fire and that Balmer had asked her to turn him in. A short time later, Balmer approached a member of the state police outside the agencys Harrisburg headquarters to surrender. In an interview with police, Balmer admitted feeling hatred toward Shapiro and that he used Molotov cocktails made from empty beer bottles to start the blaze, according to the complaint.

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He also told investigators he was aware that it was a possibility that Shapiro was in the residence when he set the fire and people could be injured because of his actions. The complaint doesnt elaborate on the reason for Balmers hatred for Shapiro. Public records show a Harrisburg property Balmer owned was recently subject to foreclosure proceedings and Balmer faced simple assault charges that were pending in Dauphin County court.

He clearly had a plan. He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry, State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. When I said that he was in the residence, he was inside for less than a minute. It all happened very quickly and he was back out.

State police said Monday morning Balmer had suffered a medical event unrelated to the fire or his arrest and was transferred to a Harrisburg-area hospital. His arraignment on the charges was postponed, a court spokesperson said.

Shapiro announced on social media early Sunday that he and his family had been awakened around 2 a.m., by a member of his security detail and directed to evacuate the residence.

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In a news conference outside the residence Sunday afternoon, Shapiro appeared briefly overcome with emotion as he spoke about the experience and thanked state police, Harrisburg firefighters and other first responders. The smell of fire lingered in the air around the home, which overlooks the Susquehanna River on Front Street in downtown Harrisburg.

Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that weve received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States, he said. I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light. We appreciate the light that you have shined upon us.

His tone turned to anger as he addressed what he described as a targeted attack on himself and his family.

We dont know the persons specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not okay, Shapiro said. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society, and I dont give a damn if its coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another, it is not OK, and it has to stop.

overnor Josh Shapiro holds a press conference outside the governors residence on April13, 2025, after a fire led to the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family. It is being investigated as arson. (Ian Karbal/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Second, if this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania.

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He also addressed the possibility that the attack was motivated by his Jewish faith. The fire happened after Shapiro celebrated the first night of Passover at the residence and Shapiro was set to host Seder again Sunday night, he said. Tables with gold and white tablecloths set for the meal could be seen through broken windows in the home.

No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly, Shapiro said.

Large and complex crime scene

The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was instrumental in preventing loss of life, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Chris Paris said, noting that the fire is under investigation by a major case team from the state police, Harrisburg police, Capitol police and the FBI. Paris said he has received offers of assistance from federal law enforcement officials including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Investigators are still working to piece together the sequence of events around the fire, but it is being treated as an arson case. While Balmer is expected to be charged with aggravated arson, attempted murder and terrorism, Paris said he does not anticipate conspiracy charges, which indicates investigators believe he acted alone.

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I feel very confident in telling you that it occurred over an extremely brief period of time, several minutes, and the quick action of those troopers last night immediately shifted to the safety of the governor and his family and his extended family, Paris said. Shapiro later declined to say which family members were staying at the governors residence Saturday night.

Outside the governors residence, a section of the perimeter fence had been temporarily repaired with a panel of chainlink fencing. Paris said the breach is where Balmer is suspected to have entered the grounds.

State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer evaded state police who detected the breach and were searching for him.

A Facebook posting on the homepage of Cody Balmer, the Pennsylvania man accused of arson and attempted murder.

While they were searching, he attacked the residence  broke in and set the fires. So that was all playing out over a period of several minutes, Bivens said, adding that Balmer used homemade incendiary devices, but declined to elaborate. A review of security measures at the residence is underway, he said

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We look at all aspects, personnel, technical, surveillance equipment, security equipment, all of that will be reviewed, and we will do our best to ensure that the governor and his family are safe in this residence, Bivens said.

According to the court document filed Monday morning, security video showed Balmer gained entry to the residence grounds by climbing over the fence. He was wearing a black Snap-on Tools jacket, black boots and was carrying a bag, which were later recovered at Balmers home along with a small sledgehammer.

Balmer approached the residence and broke an exterior window to the piano room, through which he threw a Molotov cocktail. He then entered the home by breaking a second window and used another firebomb to set the dining room alight. Before he left through the dining room exit, video footage showed he was wearing two different colored gloves  one orange and one yellow  that were later found in a trash can along Balmers escape route.

A Facebook account that matched Balmers name and personal details showed he had worked as an auto mechanic and included postings expressing dissatisfaction with government generally, President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden. Public records show Balmer last voted in 2022 and had no party affiliation.

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The Facebook account, which has since been removed, also included a meme of a needlepoint hoop depicting a Molotov cocktail and the words, Be the light you want to see in the world.

Bivens said the investigation is ongoing. A decision will be made whether additional federal charges are warranted, Bivens said.

This story was originally produced by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA)  A man has been arrested after police said he shot someones car and then attempted to rob another person.

Related video: What are the most reported crimes in America?

According to Asheville Police Department, officers were called to a business on South Bear Creek Road on Saturday for a reported shooting. The victim told police she was attempting to back up her vehicle when it was hit twice by projectiles.

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When the victim stopped to check on her vehicle, she reportedly found bullet holes and then left the area to call police.

When they arrived at the scene, officers said they learned in addition to the shooting a suspect, later identified as Marcus Jordan McMillan, 25, also allegedly attempted to rob a different individual before leaving the area.

Officers later located and arrested McMillan on charges of attempted common law robbery, discharging a weapon at occupied property and discharging a firearm in city limits.

He was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $30,000 bond.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
UPDATE: The family has been notified and police have named the individual who died at the LaGrange County Jail over the weekend. William Howard Ellis, 37, Sherwood Michigan, has been named.

The investigation is ongoing through Steuben County Sheriffs Office.

ORIGINAL: The death of a 37-year-old man at the LaGrange County Jail is being investigated.

The man was found unresponsive in a cell at the jail at 2:28 p.m. Saturday.

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A report from the department said life-saving measures were taken, but the inmate died.

The death is being investigated by the Steuben County Sheriffs Office.

House fire extinguished

Elkhart firefighters extinguished a blaze that started in the kitchen of a two-story, single-family home at 220 Crescent St. at 6:01 a.m. Saturday.

According to a report from the fire department, all of the family members were out of the home when firefighters arrived. The report stated there was light smoke coming from the rear of the home and after meeting with the homeowners and determining everyone was out of the home, firefighters entered and quickly extinguished the fire.

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No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross was called for assistance.

Damage was estimated at $20,000 for the structure and $15,000 for the contents.

ARRESTS

 A 49-year-old Coatsville, Indiana, woman and a 65-year-old Goshen woman were arrested by Goshen police at 5:25 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of illegal narcotics following a traffic stop in the 1000 block of West Wilden Avenue. Both were taken to the Elkhart County Jail.

 A 39-year-old Kenansville, North Carolina, woman was arrested by Goshen police at 7:33 p.m. Saturday on charges of shoplifting and providing a false identity at Walmart, 2304 Lincolnway East. She was taken to the Elkhart County Jail.

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 A domestic fight led to the arrest of a 34-year-old Goshen man in the 600 block of South Sixth Street at 10:14 p.m. Saturday. The woman involved in the fight was issued a request summons, police reported. Both had minor injuries but did not require medical care, police reported.

 A 17-year-old boy was arrested and released to his parents on a written promise to appear in court on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia at 3:10 a.m. Sunday following a traffic stop near Clinton Street and Remington Lane.
Police are investigating the death of a 52-year-old woman in the parking lot of Chadwell Elementary School in Madison.

Officers were dispatched to 321 Port Drive, the school's address at 5:57 a.m., 321 for the report of a cutting or stabbing in progress.

Police say the woman arrived for work Monday and was attacked in what they said is a domestic violence incident.

Police said in a social media post they are searching for the woman's estranged husband.

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Metro Nashville Public Schools spokesperson Sean Braisted said in an emailed statement that the school is an active crime scene as the investigation remains ongoing.

Detectives are investigating this mornings apparent DV related fatal stabbing of a 52 yr old woman outside Chadwell Elementary in Madison. She had arrived for her work as a custodian when she was attacked. Officers are working to locate her estranged husband for questioning. pic.twitter.com/7Tpv7R5Aue  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 14, 2025

School operations are being relocated to Gra-Mar Middle School at 575 Joyce Lane, a three miles from Chadwell Elementary.

"Students who ride the bus will be transported directly to the new location, and families of car riders are encouraged to drop their students off at Gra-Mar. For students who typically walk to school, MNPS transportation will have buses stationed near Chadwell to provide transportation to the temporary site," Braisted said in a statement via email.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Adult woman found fatally stabbed at Madison elementary school
CHENGDU, April 10 (Xinhua) -- In a bustling exhibition hall in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Gregory Cattin, a French beverage industry veteran, savored a cup of osmanthus-scented oolong, his expression shifting from curiosity to delight.

"This is not just tea; it's an evolution," he said. Having traversed global markets for over three decades, Cattin is now among the numerous international buyers captivated by a new wave of Chinese tea culture.

He traveled from Hong Kong to Chengdu to attend the 112th China Food and Drinks Fair held in late March. "I came specifically to seek out good brands and products, hoping to establish partnerships and bring some high-quality products abroad," he said.

From creamy black sugar bubble tea tailored for the Southeast Asian market to zero-sugar fruit infusions appealing to European palates, Chinese tea drink brands are redefining global beverage trends. Once confined to traditional ceremonies, Chinese tea is now a canvas for innovation, blending millennia-old heritage with cosmopolitan flair.

Cattin's journey mirrors a broader shift. As Chinese chains expand globally, like ChaPanda in Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona, and HEYTEA in London, Melbourne and New York, they're not just selling drinks -- they're shaping cultural conversations through modern tea experiences.

ChaPanda has sold over 140,000 cups of its sought-after drink "Yangzhiganlu" (mango pomelo sago) overseas, while Grass Jelly & Tea stores in the North American market have seen their daily revenue reach as high as north of 50,000 yuan (about 7,000 U.S. dollars).

The key lies in hyper-localized innovation. In Barcelona, ChaPanda's matcha brown sugar pearl milk tea became an instant hit, while in Kuala Lumpur, rich milky flavors cater to local preferences.

"It's about honoring regional tastes while keeping our Chinese soul," said Wang Huan, head of ChaPanda's global operations.

Behind the scenes, robust logistics networks fuel this expansion. Brands like Grass Jelly & Tea have established overseas hubs in Vietnam and Indonesia, integrating localized sourcing with cross-border delivery of core ingredients -- a hybrid model ensuring both freshness and authenticity.

The revolution extends beyond taste buds. HEYTEA's New York Lab store merges bamboo-weave walls with meditation spaces, transforming stores into cultural pop-ups. Limited-edition drinks wrapped in Peking opera motifs or inspired by ancient Chinese legends turn each order into a storytelling session.

Even store formats adapt philosophically: ChaPanda's spacious Seoul outlet, mirroring the "third space" culture in the Republic of Korea, invites customers to linger -- a deliberate contrast to grab-and-go norms.

As Cattin negotiated partnerships to bring these blends to Europe, he reflected that "China didn't just invent tea; they've reimagined it for the world."

With the global new-style tea market soaring past 350 billion yuan, up 6.4 percent year on year, and brands expanding their overseas footprints, the leaves of change are steeping worldwide. From Parisian patisseries to Bangkok street markets, the ancient art of Chinese tea has never tasted better.
Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak has held a video conference with national security advisers to the leaders of the G7 countries and called on the G7 countries to increase pressure on the Russian Federation.

According to the presidential press service, deputy head of the Presidents Office Ihor Zhovkva and adviser to the head of the President;s Office Daria Zarivna also took part in the conversation.

"To achieve a real ceasefire and lasting peace, we need to force them, not ask them. There is one way - more destructive sanctions against Russia, increased political pressure, more defense aid to Ukraine and its rapid accession to the EU. Other ways will give Russia the opportunity to imitate the peace process, dragging out the war," Yermak said.

He also informed the participants of the conversation about the consequences of the Russian missile strike on Sumy on April 13.

"They [the Russians] use terror as a message. It is clear that they want to continue this war. It does not matter what they tell you. They will try to conquer Ukraine again and again. And there will be more such terrorist attempts. When dealing with the Russians, we must remember that they are ruthless. Do not look for good will - you will not find it," Yermak emphasized.

In turn, representatives of the G7 countries agreed on the need to put pressure on Russia, in particular sanctions, a complete ceasefire and the implementation of humanitarian steps: the release of military and civilian prisoners and the return of illegally deported children.
The Chicago Police Department is seeking the publics assistance in finding a violin worth $10,000 that was stolen on a CTA Blue Line train in the Loop.

The violin was taken on Friday, April 11, around 9 p.m. at the Clark and Lake station. The instrument was inside a black case and has a distinctive wood grain finish on the back. It does not have a serial number because it was custom-made, police said.

It is not the first time the theft of a rare violin has made the news in Chicago. In 2022, three instruments, including a violin from the 1700s, were stolen from a town home in the South Loop neighborhood. Minghuan Xu, who was using the violin on loan, previously told the Tribune that she was devastated by the theft. The violin was returned to her after a monthlong search, thanks to the Chicago Police Department.

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Im just so, so happy its back, Xu told the Tribune then.

In a similar case, a 1986 Armin Barnett viola stolen in 1999 was reunited with its owner after nearly 20 years. The owner, Robin Horsemann, found the instrument at a violin store in Cleveland through a Google search and after a long dispute with the music store owner, Horsemann finally got her viola back. Horsemann described her reunion with the viola as if it were a baby returning home after being gone to school.

Anyone with information about the stolen violin can contact the police at 312-745-4447 or can submit an anonymous tip to CPDTip.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Police surrounded a home in Grand Rapids Baxter neighborhood for hours Sunday night after they say a 15-year-old was shot earlier in the day.

Around 4:30 p.m., the Grand Rapids Police Department was called to Bates Street between Eastern Avenue and Dolbee Avenue for a report of shots fired. Officers did not find any victims.

About an hour later, a 15-year-old boy showed up at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg that was not life-threatening, GRPD confirmed. Its not clear what led up to the shooting.

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Before 9 p.m., police surrounded a home in the same area that officers said may have had suspects inside.

A News 8 crew saw GRPD vehicles at the scene that were there until 11:15 p.m. Its not clear if anyone came out of the home.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  On Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a measure called Prohibit New Liquor-Licensed Drug Stores, the latest upset in Colorados changing liquor laws.

The new measure will prevent local and state authorities from issuing new liquor-licensed drugstore licenses. According to the city and county of Denvers website, these licenses are provided to businesses to sell beer, wine and liquor in sealed containers for off-premise consumption, among some other restrictions.

Related coverage: To-go cocktails now permanent under Colorado law

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In March 2023, Colorados grocery stores were allowed to sell wine after Coloradans voted in favor of a ballot measure expanding grocery liquor licenses. That measure is built on another measure approved by lawmakers in 2016 that allowed grocery and convenience stores to sell full-strength beer.

The new law will go into effect on Wednesday, Aug. 6, which is 91 days after the general assembly adjourns. It wont impact grocery stores with pharmacies that already sell hard liquor or wine but will prevent new grocery store locations from receiving such a license.

Allowing grocery stores to sell wine, liquor and full-strength beer has been a sticking point with Colorados alcohol industry. Since 2023, wine and liquor store owners have noted declining sales because of the convenience for shoppers to pick up their libations at the grocery store.

Thirty-six grocery or convenience stores in Colorado have licenses to sell hard liquor, and the measure signed by Polis on Thursday would make that cap permanent. The measure earned overwhelming support in the House and Senate: In the House, 55 representatives voted in favor, with just eight voting against it and in the Senate, 28 voted in favor with five voting against the measure.

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However, Polis seemed unsure that making the bill a law was the best course of action. He relayed his concerns about the measure in a signing statement provided to the Senate after he signed the bill.

I believe this legislation could take Colorado in the wrong direction and I would have preferred an approach that did not eliminate an entire liquor license type going forward, or limit consumer choice and market access, Polis wrote. However, given the overwhelming support of the bill from members of the General Assembly and small business entities, today I signed Senate Bill 25-033 into law. I look forward to collaborating further with the General Assembly to modernize our liquor laws, and appreciate their passion for this topic.

Coloradans For Consumer Choice Coalition has been vocally against the bill and said its members were disappointed in Polis for signing the measure when the current system balances consumer choice, business sustainability, and safety, according to a statement by Ray Rivera, executive director of the coalition.

Governor signs bill requiring training for semiautomatic guns, banning rapid-fire conversion devices

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Polis seemed to voice similar concerns in his signing statement.

While the pro free market and pro-consumer evolution over recent years might have been a burden on small, independently run liquor stores, a permanent freeze on the LLDS license type puts the state government in the position of picking winners and losers in an anticompetitive manner that prioritizes existing businesses and deprioritizes Colorado consumers, Polis wrote. To that end, I hope both sides are willing to work together to find a more lasting compromise putting the consumer first.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has stated that Hungary lacks "moral clarity" regarding Russian aggression against Ukraine, calling it the only country in the EU with such a stance.

Source: Sikorskis remarks to reporters after the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 14 April, as reported by European Pravda citing PAP

Details: Sikorski noted that the foreign ministers of EU member states had discussed the need for additional sanctions on Russia following its recent attacks on Ukraine.

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He said many ministers raised the issue of the EUs upcoming 17th package of sanctions against the Kremlin.

Quote: "But we know we have one country  Hungary  that lacks the moral clarity we have in light of Putins attacks. He [Putin] talks about peace while bombing civilians and killing children.

The victim agrees to a ceasefire, and he [Putin] either worsens the conditions or intensifies attacks. That gives us moral clarity  but apparently not all countries operate with those principles."

More details: The Polish foreign minister also reiterated his call for Hungary to lift its veto on mobilising nearly 7 billion from the European Peace Facility and opening the first negotiation cluster for Ukraines EU accession.

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"But its like talking to a brick wall," he admitted.

Background:

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had stated that he would not support any initiatives in favour of Ukraine except "efforts aimed at achieving peace".

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas estimated that the 17th package of EU sanctions against Russia will be ready ahead of the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting in May 2025.

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Politicians, police chiefs and social workers could be prosecuted over their failure to tackle grooming gangs under plans by a police whistleblower and victims of child sexual abuse.

Maggie Oliver, the Greater Manchester detective who exposed the Rochdale grooming scandal, and the victims are launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise 125,000 to investigate police forces, local councils and individuals who they believe turned a blind eye and failed to act over child sexual exploitation.

Working with a specialist legal team who are offering their services pro bono, they aim to amass evidence that could support private prosecutions, civil claims or other legal proceedings against individuals for their failings.

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Launching the bid on Monday, former police detective-turned-whistleblower Ms Oliver said misconduct in public office could be one of the offences being looked at to hold to account senior officials who knowingly failed in their duty to protect children against gangs or other cases of sex abuse.

She told The Telegraph: I have no doubt that chief constables were fully aware of this because I notified them of what was going on. Senior social workers turned a blind eye to children on child protection registers, knowing they were being abused, but it was easier to do nothing about it.

We have to take control and decision making out of their hands and put it into the hands of lawyers, barristers and experts who have no vested interest in covering up the truth. My only interest is to make sure that children are being protected in the future from abuse.

I want the message to go out very clearly to senior public servants today, whether thats chief constables, heads of social services, heads of councils, politicians, that if they fail to act or to do their duty to protect children, that they can be held legally accountable in the future.

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Thats the only way that I believe that we will see real, meaningful change.

The country is demanding action

Ms Oliver, who resigned from Greater Manchester Police in 2012, said successive governments could not be trusted to bring real change, leaving campaigners to take matters into their own hands.

I think the country is demanding action be taken, she said.

In January, Ms Oliver threatened that she would take Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to court unless she made urgent steps to allay widespread public concern over gangs sexually exploiting children.

The charity founder described last weeks update from ministers on progress as empty words and more empty promises.

In January, Ms Oliver threatened that she would take Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to court - Carl Court/Getty Images

Recommendations from a review into child sexual abuse hit the headlines in January after Elon Musk, the billionaire X owner, criticised Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, and Jess Phillips, the Home Office minister, over the UKs handling of child grooming scandals.

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The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) led by Prof Alexis Jay has found institutional failings and thousands of victims across England and Wales.

The seven-year investigation made 20 recommendations in the final report published in 2022, as it described child sexual abuse as an epidemic across the two nations.

The Government has vowed to carry out recommendations, including to make it a criminal offence to obstruct someone reporting abuse, and creating a new child protection authority to improve safeguarding.

The Home Secretary has also insisted that local inquiries into grooming gangs in five towns, and possibly more, will be going ahead with a 5 million funding pot after accusations that the plans were being watered down.

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A rapid national audit led by Baroness Casey, looking at the scale of grooming gangs across the country, is also expected to report back after Easter.

But Ms Oliver said that while the new offence on reporting abuse will go some way to ensure exploitation in Rochdale, Rotherham, Telford and elsewhere will not be repeated, it will do nothing to right historical wrongs and hold those whove already failed to account.

Action for Accountability, a non-profit organisation that has launched the bid, will be working with Devonshires Solicitors to investigate claims and will bring proceedings if it finds misconduct.

Samantha Smith, a survivor of abuse in Telford, Shropshire, said I will never forget how those in power turned a blind eye - Andrew Fox

Samantha Smith, a survivor of abuse in Telford, Shropshire, who is among those leading the campaign, said: I will never forget how those in power turned a blind eye while I was being groomed and abused. I was a child begging for help.

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An inquiry into abuse in Telford reported findings in 2022 that more than a thousand children were sexually exploited over at least 30 years amid shocking police and council failings.

Ms Smith added: We must demand better from those who claim to protect victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse. And there must be consequences for inaction.

The #TheyKnew fundraiser is being launched on CrowdJustice to cover evidence gathering, legal advice, investigators, experts and other associated costs. Any remaining funds will be returned to donors or donated to charity.

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 song "+57," from the Colombian musicians Karol G, J Balvin, and several others, violates the rights of children, a Colombian court has ruled. The Associated Press reports that the court has ordered the artists "to refrain from publishing music that violates the rights of children and teenagers."

How can a song violate someone's rights, let alone the rights of multiple people? Unless we're talking about copyrights, it makes little sense. And no, the court isn't saying that kids of Colombia have a collective copyright claim to "+57."

The issue is lyrics in the song that could be read as sexualizing a teen girl. The court claims these lyrics represent a violation of children's rights.

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"Sexualizing minors reduces them to becoming objects of desire, and exposes them to risks that can affect their development," the 14-page ruling says.

A Blow to Artistic FreedomAnd Feminist Protest?

"+57" is about someone who goes out partying after telling her boyfriend she is going to sleep. The contested lyricssung in Spanishcall someone "a hot mama since she was 14" and say "although that baby has an owner, she goes out whenever she wants," according to a Billboard translation of the lyrics.

Some Columbians argue that the backlash against the song represents class bias, moral panic, and a distaste for reggaeton music, according to a New York Times piece last fall on the controversy. It's hard to look at those lyrics and not get the feeling they're right.

These are not graphic lyrics. The outrage over them isn't about preventing a patently offensive and obscene depiction from reaching people's ears, or stopping some pedophilic exploiters from airing fantasies.

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These are lyrics that tell a narrative about a particular fictional character. It is a story, albeit a pretty light onemost of the song is just about drinking and dancing and partying behind the boyfriend's back. The character is clearly meant to be young, though nothing indicates she's still under age 18. Nor is there reason to believe that the song's creators are celebrating the idea of her having been a "mamacita" from a young age.

In any event, declaring these lyrics a rights violation obviously won't stop any actual sexual harm against children. All it does is stop people from singing about it.

It's hard to imagine who might be helped at all by a ruling against lyrics like these. But it's easy to see how the situation is an affront to artistic freedomand how it could curb people's ability to speak out against the sexualization of minors and sexual exploitation.

For what it's worth, the musicians changed the lyrics last fall to "since she was 18," and Karol G, known as a champion for women's causes, apologized but also said people were taking the lyrics out of context and in the wrong way.

It Can't Happen Here?

The idea that song lyrics sexualizing minors should be criminal seems far removed from U.S. conceptions of free speech and artistic freedom. But is it?

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A number of Republican-controlled states and GOP lawmakers have been trying to toughen rules against performances, books, and other artworks that they deem "harmful to minors." The particulars of these efforts differ slightly, but at the heart of all of them is an effort to go beyond just restricting and criminalizing things that could be considered "obscene" (itself an imperfect and subjective standard, despite the Miller test) and instead creating even more broad and subjective rules.

These efforts are steeped in the language of protecting "children" from sexualization, but often fail to distinguish between age groups (as if what's inappropriate for a 6-year-old is necessarily inappropriate for a 16-year-old as well) and take a highly conservative view of what is OK even for older kids. They also tend to come down hard on LGBTQ content.

State proposals to limit material "harmful to minors" often hinge on the idea that it will be developmentally dangerous for young people to encounter said material, not that the mere existence of such material violates their rights. But it doesn't seem like a huge leap from some of these efforts to declaring sexual song lyricsor stories, or anything elsea rights violation.

Would the First Amendment allow this? It shouldn't, of course.

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But even if Colombian-style efforts in the U.S. would eventually get struck down, they could still do damage. After all, the effect of all these "harmful to minors" measures we're currently seeing isn't limited to banning existing works of art. Even vague and unenforced rules can have a chilling effect, making institutions more reticent in what they feature in the first place. They can also create new avenues for government coercion, allowing the authorities to threaten action on "harm to minors" grounds in order to get groups to do what they want more broadly.

The idea that a pop song can violate children's rights in the way the Colombian courts suggest is silly. But the idea that panic about pop songs could cause violations of free speech rights seems all too clear.

More Sex & Tech News

 Meta goes to court today over antitrust claims. The New York Times reports:

On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission will face off with Meta in court over claims that the social media giant snuffed out nascent competitors when it bought Instagram and WhatsApp. And on April 21, the Justice Department will argue that a federal judge should force Google to sell its Chrome web browser to limit the power of its search monopoly. Both cases, which helped set into motion a new era of antitrust scrutiny, were filed during President Trump's first term in office. They were advanced by the Biden administration, which also filed monopoly lawsuits against Amazon, Apple and Google's ad technology business. Investors in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street hoped that Mr. Trump might show technology companies more deference during his second term, as he promised to deregulate industries. Some legal experts think the administration could still take a lighter hand on blocking mergers and setting proactive regulations for tech. But so far, Mr. Trump's appointees have promised to continue much of the scrutiny of the biggest tech companies, despite the industry's hopes.

See also: "Silicon Valley's gamble on Trump isn't paying off."

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 "A recently created Department of Homeland Security task force is using data analytic tools to scour the social media histories of the estimated 1.5 million foreign students studying in the United States for potential grounds to revoke their visas," reports NBC. "The data analytic tools now being used to scour social media were enhanced during the Biden administration, a former Biden administration DHS official said."

 Space miso!

 "Michigan has now officially decriminalized surrogacy contracts, becoming the last state in the country to do so," ABC 12 News reports.

 Economist Emily Oster talks with Yascha Mounk about kids and screens (as part of a longer conversation about parenting):

Oster: The data that people bring to bear on questions like the impact of screen time on the development of two-year-olds is really bad. It is far worse in terms of the correlation versus causation problem, than the breastfeeding evidence. In some ways, it should be very easy for people to understand this. Take one example: studies comparing kids under one who watch more than four hours of screens a day to those who watch none. Then they look at developmental measuressay, test scoreswhen those kids are five or six. But if you ask someone to imagine a household where a one-year-old is watching four to six hours of TV a day, and another where the one-year-old watches nonedo you think those households are otherwise similar? I think it's hard to imagine they would be. And in fact, the data shows they're not. But they're not just different in obvious waysthey differ in all kinds of ways, many of which we can't measure. So maybe those kids are different for reasons unrelated to screen time. It's very hard to say, definitively, that screens are the cause. When I talk to parents about this, I try to frame it as: screens aren't inherently bad or inherently good. Screens are really just something that displaces other activities. So rather than treating them like a boogeyman, it helps to think in terms of opportunity cost. It's probably better for your kid to be reading a book, spending time with family, or sleepingactivities we know have clear benefits. Screens are more neutral. The question is: what are they replacing? But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do any screens. If they have an hour of screen time while you're cooking dinner so that they can then be ready to have that nice family dinner and be in a good place, that's fine. And there isn't anything in the data that would say that it's not. I think this is an area where it helps to structure the choice, set boundaries, and avoid having screens everywhere all the time. But at the same time, it is not helpful to assume that any amount of screen time is terrible, because that is just not supported by the data.

The post Can a Pop Song Violate Children's Rights? appeared first on Reason.com.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on his re-election.

Ukraine values its friendship with Ecuador and looks forward to taking our relations to a new level. We are working on opening the Embassy of Ukraine in Ecuador  a step towards closer cooperation and shared prosperity for our peoples, Zelenskyy said on X Monday.

He wished Noboa continued success during his new term in office.
Prince Harry has reportedly left the royal family on high alert over fears that he could write another book after his bombshell memoir, "Spare."

According to sources, the new book would likely center around his downgraded security in the UK following his and his wife, Meghan Markle's exit from royal life.

This comes after Prince Harry shared that his "worst fears" were confirmed regarding why his security was cut.

Royal Family 'Worried' Prince Harry Could Write A 'Spare' Sequel Blasting Them About His Security Struggles

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

The Duke of Sussex was left in disbelief when his security was stripped from him following his and Meghan's decision to step down as working royals and relocate to the US.

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This move by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) prompted Harry to sue the Home Office, which has legal responsibilities for the committee's decisions.

After attending court proceedings in the UK last week over the security issue, Harry said that his protection was downgraded in an attempt to "trap" him and his wife in the royal family.

He further noted that "people would be shocked by what's being held back" regarding evidence that had been heard in court.

Now, according to The Sun, a Buckingham Palace insider revealed: "There's a lot of worry that Harry could tell all in a book deal or even follow Meghan's lead and make a podcast."

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"He's hinted he has discovered secrets during the hearings, particularly regarding the treatment of him and Meghan, that would shock us all," the insider continued. "It is a veiled threat essentially that he will tell all if it doesn't go the way he wants it to."

The Duke Feels 'Exhausted And Overwhelmed' By The Legal Process

MEGA

The Duke of Sussex has been appealing the government's decision to strip him of security after he and Meghan quit their roles as working royals in 2020.

Harry has consistently argued that the lack of adequate security provided by the UK government puts his family at risk.

According to People Magazine, Harry was "exhausted and overwhelmed" as he left court on April 9, saying that his "worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case  and that's really sad."

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Harry has done quite a lot to plead his case, including learning about RAVEC, the body responsible for the decision-making.

The news outlet noted that Harry believes the decision to strip him and Meghan of their security was a calculated plot to control them and force them back into the royal fold.

However, rather than force him to reconsider his choice to leave the monarchy, this move opened his eyes to just how far his family was willing to go, a realization that "was difficult to swallow."

Prince Harry Believes He Was 'Singled Out' For 'Inferior' Treatment

MEGA

Harry attended a 2-day court session in London's Royal Court of Justice where his legal team argued he had been "singled out" for "unjustified and inferior treatment."

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During Monday's hearing, his attorney, Barrister Shaheed Fatima KC, proposed a close door session to explore sensitive comparisons between Harry and others, potentially members of the royal family or other high-profile individuals.

The Duke was seen taking notes in a small spiral-bound notebook and sending out messages on his phone from time to time.

In their written arguments, Harry's lawyers stated that he and Meghan "felt forced to step back from their roles as full-time official working members of the Royal Family as they considered they were not being protected by the institution."

The lawyers outlined how Harry and Meghan had "wished to continue their duties in support of the late Queen [Elizabeth] as privately funded members of the Royal Family."

The Duke's Lawyers Slammed RAVEC For Seemingly Failing To Carry Out An Analysis Of Risks Harry Could Face

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Elsewhere during the session, Harry's lawyers claimed RAVEC didn't undergo an expert assessment of any threats to his life before pulling the plugs on his taxpayer-funded security.

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Fatima argued that RAVEC did not use the specialist body, the Risk Management Board (RMB), to carry out an analysis of the security risk Harry faced. Therefore, they "diverted" from its terms of reference, adding that the assessment "is a key and crucial feature" of the RAVEC process.

She claimed the organization did not have "the expert analysis" that it needed to consider whether or not Harry should be treated in the same way as those in what she called "the Other VIP Category," arguing that Harry's position is "analogous" to those in that category.

She pointed out that the committee created a unique arrangement for Harry and added that his "bespoke" arrangement is "not applied [to] anyone else."

Fatima explained that Harry "does not accept that bespoke means better." She added, "In his submission, he has been singled out for different, unjustified, and inferior treatment. Not only does this 'bespoke' process not involve an RMB  it also involves RAVEC considering the reason why [Harry] is attending a particular event: even though that is plainly irrelevant to the question of security."

RAVEC Denies Prince Harry Was 'Singled Out'

James Whatling / MEGA

Meanwhile, RAVEC has denied that the Duke was being targeted unfairly in their decision to withdraw his security, adding that the bespoke approach was carefully considered and tailored for his unique circumstances.

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The lawyer representing the Home Secretary, Sir James Eadie KC, denied Harry was "singled out," saying the flexible setup had "positive advantages" and reflected his decision to step back from royal duties and live abroad.

Eadie added that RAVEC's chairman at the time, Sir Richard Mottram, had final responsibility for the decision and that RAVEC had the expertise to act without a formal risk report in this case.


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Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie made a brief cameo on Duchess Meghans Instagram Story this past weekend.

With Meghan returning from her glamorous trip to New York City and Prince Harry coming home after a few days in London, the Sussexes reunited for a special Saturday morning breakfast at their Montecito mansion with their kids.

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Meghan first shared a video of the delectable breakfast spread, with one of her kids spinning the array of goods on a wooden tray. The spread included a plate of fresh pancakes and bacon, fried eggs, and a platter of cut-up oranges, strawberries, melon, and dragonfruit.

In another clip, three-year-old Lili, dressed in a red floral pajama top, was filmed cutting a frosted pastry loaf and offering a slice to Harry, who replied with a giggle and a polite Thank you. Lilis blazing red curls could briefly be seen in the corner. Off to the side was another pair of small hands, presumably belonging to five-year-old Archie. A special gift papa brought back from Ukraine, Meghan wrote over the video.

Instagram

After traveling to London to participate in court hearings regarding his ongoing appeal for security in the U.K., Harry stopped by the Ukrainian city of Lviv to meet with wounded military personnel and civilians.

Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraines minister of economy, later reposted the clips on her X account. The whole team is just crying, because a pastry made by grandmothers from Sumy region made from flour from demined fields is now on the table of Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their family. And next to it is a pysanka from Oksana Tsybukh in memory of Ira, Svyrydenko wrote.

Instagram

Instagram

Alongside a photo of the bakers proudly holding up their pastries, Svyrydenko wrote a message of thanks to the Duke of Sussex. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for everything that your family is doing for Ukraine, and for helping us draw the world's attention to humanitarian demining in Ukraine, she said. Demining will allow millions of displaced Ukrainians to return home, and allow thousands of children to go to school without fear. This means so very much to all of us!

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She added, A remarkable group of women who live in the border region of Sumy, an area affected by landmines, have prepared this Easter bread for you and your family. Today, they, along with all of us, are deeply moved, knowing that this symbolic offering - Easter bread, made from flour harvested from demined fields - will be on your table.Thank you, from all Ukrainians, for your kindness and good-heartedness!

Meghan later reposted Svyrydenkos message and photos to her Instagram Story.

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NEW YORK  Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian activist with a green card at Columbia University, was detained by federal immigration authorities on Monday when he went in for a U.S. citizenship test in Vermont, his lawyers said.

Mahdawi co-founded the official Palestinian student club on Columbias campus, known as DAR, with Mahmoud Khalil  another legal permanent resident targeted by ICE over his student activism.

Mahdawis lawyer Luna Droubi told the Daily News he planned to return for a masters degree at Columbia.

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People ask me why I would want to become a citizen of a country committing genocide, Mahdawi told The Intercept of the possibility of becoming a U.S. citizen in an interview just prior to his arrest.

I have faith in the people living in this country. The government is not the people.

Mahdawi, who has lived in the country for the past decade, sat for a lengthy interview with reporter Akela Lacy on Sunday night, saying he feared his naturalization interview the next day could be a trap. The Intercept, which was first to report Mahdawis arrest, said he sheltered in place for more than three weeks after Khalil was arrested on March 8.

Mahdawi has not been accused of any specific crimes. Instead, the federal government has relied on a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act to deport individuals who allegedly harm U.S. foreign policy interests. The same clause was used against Khalil, who was found by an immigration judge to be removable from the country on Friday.

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Attorneys for Mahdawi will challenge his detention in Vermont federal court, filing a habeas corpus petition shortly after his arrest that accused the Trump administration of violating his free speech rights. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately return a request for comment.

Mahdawi was born and raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank, where his family still lives, according to court documents obtained by The News. He enrolled in Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, then transferred to Columbia in 2021.

There, he helped organized student protests at Columbia until March 2024, before activists launched a tent demonstration on the campus lawns and occupied an academic building, the petition said. He gave speeches at the rallies and appeared on CBSs 60 Minutes, where he said that as a child he witnessed an Israeli soldier fatally shoot his best friend.

At a campus demonstrations at the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Mahdawi had to get personally involved when another protester shouted antisemitic and racist profanities: Shame on the person who called (for) death to Jews,' Mahdawi said through a megaphone, according to student newspaper Columbia Spectator.

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The Columbia chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace were later suspended in connection with the Nov. 9, 2023 protest.

He finished his philosophy credits last year and was expected to graduate next month, before starting in the fall at Columbias international affairs school. Columbia declined to comment, citing federal student privacy laws.

Mahdawi had been repeatedly targeted on social media by the militant Zionist group Betar, which has claimed to have a deport list of pro-Palestinian student activists that it shares with the Trump administration.

With his arrest, Mahdawi became at least the third Columbia student with a green card to face arrest or be detained for their pro-Palestinian activism, including Khalil and undergraduate Yunseo Chung. Several more have had their student visas revoked for reasons that as of Monday remained unclear.

_____
Ukraine invites high-ranking EU officials, leaders of Coalition of the Willing to Kyiv on May 9 as counter to Moscow parade  media

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government invited top European officials on May 9 to Kyiv as a show of diplomatic force against Russian President Vladimir Putins annual military parade in Moscow the same day, Politico said Monday.

According to the ezine, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on Monday extended the invitation to his European Union peers during a gathering in Luxembourg, urging them to show our unity and resolve in the face of the biggest aggression in Europe since the Second World War.

In addition, according to him, Zelenskyy would like to host leaders on May 9 from the coalition of the willing to determine security guarantees for Ukraine once a possible ceasefire with Russia has been agreed.

The publication, citing its own sources, reports that discussions are already ongoing regarding a possible visit to Ukraine in early May by heads of state, including future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

According to Russian media reports, Vladimir Putin has invited the leaders of Israel, China, Brazil, Slovakia and Serbia to join him in Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, but has not invited representatives of the United States and most EU member states.

As reported, on March 27, a summit of the Coalition of the Willing was held in Paris at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron. About 30 countries were represented at it, discussing security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war. The possible deployment of an international peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine was also discussed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The "Surakhani" tanker-museum, operated by Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC (ASCO), has been accepted as a member of the International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM), ASCO told Trend.

This membership makes the museum not only the first of its kind in Azerbaijan but also the first in the entire Caucasus region to be represented in this prestigious organization.

This membership enables the museum to participate in international projects, exchange experiences, and be represented in thematic exhibitions. Moreover, through this platform, Azerbaijan's ancient maritime history and heritage will be presented to a wider audience.

Originally serving as a tanker in the Caspian Sea for many years, "Surakhani" was transformed into a museum in 2021. It now stands as the worlds first and only tanker-museum, continuing to operate successfully.

The museum offers locals and tourists an opportunity to explore the history of maritime activity in Azerbaijan, the oil production in Absheron, and the heroic deeds of Azerbaijani sailors.

Founded in 1972, the International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM) has nearly 150 members from over 40 countries. The organization holds an international congress every two years to strengthen cooperation among member museums, promote the preservation and presentation of maritime heritage, and facilitate the exchange of expertise. The next ICMM Congress will take place from September 13-18, 2026, in Sydney, Australia, at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Before Health First Indiana only 39% of counties had programs focused on improving birth outcomes. Now, 84% of counties have such programs, with expectations of reaching 100% by the end of 2025. (Getty Images)

As the CEO of the Indiana Public Health Association (IPHA), I want to emphasize the importance of stable and flexible Health First Indiana (HFI) funding. HFI was established to strengthen public health services across all 92 counties, allowing local communities to address critical health issues such as infant and maternal mortality, smoking cessation, lead poisoning prevention, and chronic disease management. Discussions of cutting funds or adding restrictions to spending raises significant concerns about the future of public health in Indiana.

Historically, Indiana has ranked near the bottom nationally in key public health indicators. Before HFI, many counties lacked the resources to implement comprehensive, evidence-based programs to improve community health. In fact, according to State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, only 39% of counties had programs focused on improving birth outcomes before these funds were made available. Now, 84% of counties have such programs, with expectations of reaching 100% by the end of 2025. This progress is at risk if funding restrictions are imposed, preventing local health departments from using resources where they are needed most.

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A fundamental strength of HFI is its local approach. Each county in Indiana has unique public health challenges, and a one-size-fits-all mandate on how funds are spent could severely limit the effectiveness of health interventions. A rural county may need to focus on expanding access to maternal care, while an urban area may prioritize addressing youth mental health and substance use disorder prevention. The ability to tailor interventions to community-specific needs is key to achieving long-term improvements in health outcomes.

Moreover, investing in public health has clear economic benefits. When communities are healthier, health care costs decrease, workforce productivity increases, and overall quality of life improves. Chronic diseases, many of which are preventable with strong public health initiatives, are among the leading drivers of health care costs. Ensuring counties can invest in prevention programs  whether thats providing vaccinations, addressing food insecurity, or improving access to mental health services ultimately saves taxpayer dollars in the long run. The Indiana University Indianapolis Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health released a preliminary report exploring cost savings from just three core service areasprenatal care, blood pressure screenings, and fall prevention services  and estimate over $141 million in direct and indirect cost savings from the first year of HFI implementation alone.

We encourage policymakers to continue supporting local decision-making and evidence-based programming. HFI was designed with built-in reporting and accountability measures to ensure transparency and effectiveness  you can learn how your countys HFI funds are being spent online here. Rather than restricting how funds are used, lets focus on expanding successful initiatives and reinforcing local public health infrastructure.

The Indiana Public Health Association urges lawmakers to honor the significant impact HFI has already had in improving public health across the state. We must allow local public health officials to continue their work without unnecessary limitations that could hinder progress. Through stable and flexible funding, we can build healthier communities, reduce long-term health care costs, and achieve greater health equity for all Hoosiers.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin may attempt to seize NATO territory and trigger a global conflict if not stopped in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in an April 13 interview with CBS News.

"If we do not stand firm, he will advance further," Zelensky said, calling the threat "real."

The Ukrainian president warned that Putin's long-term objective is to restore a Russian empire that would include parts of NATO member states.

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"Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war," he said.

Zelensky previously raised alarm at the Munich Security Conference in February, saying Russian troop buildup in Belarus could be aimed not only at Ukraine but also at Poland or the Baltic states.

According to Ukrainian estimates, Russia is preparing to field 15 divisions  up to 150,000 troops  in the region.

NATO leaders have echoed the warnings. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Feb. 12 that any Russian attack on NATO would be met with a "devastating" response.

"If Putin attacks NATO, the reaction will be devastating. He will lose," Rutte said.

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U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has sought to keep diplomatic channels open with Russia, claiming in a March 23 Fox News interview that Putin "wants peace."

When asked about Putin's territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, Witkoff responded: "I simply have said that I just don't see that he wants to take all of Europe."

Zelensky's warnings come as Russia continues to reject U.S.-proposed ceasefire terms and steps up its offensive across Ukraine.

Tensions between NATO and Russia have risen following Moscow's all-out attack against Ukraine. Western leaders and intelligence agencies have warned of a potential large-scale war in Europe within the next five years, citing Russia's increasingly aggressive posture.

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Read also: Russian attacks kill 40, injure 141 across Ukraine in deadliest day in months

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Monday he hoped U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration would see that Vladimir Putin was "mocking their goodwill" following Moscow's deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy.

"Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russia's mocking answer," Sikorski said on arrival at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

"I hope that President Trump and the U.S. administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken."

(Reporting by Andrew Gray and Bart Meijer; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
DAVIS W.Va. (WBOY)  More than 200 people attended a Davis town hall meeting Sunday afternoon to discuss a proposed power plant in the Davis and Thomas area.

Davis town hall meeting on April 13, 2025 (WBOY image)

The sentiment of the proposed 500-acre facility was largely negative, with residents and non-residents citing concerns over pollution, water usage, health risks, noise pollution and light pollution.

However, one of the biggest sticking points is the apparent secrecy around the project. Both residents and officials were caught off guard by the power plant. Davis Mayor Alan Tomson said he and county officials learned about the project just 10 days before the meeting.

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What we know about the proposed power plant in Tucker County

Davis, W.Va. mayor Alan Tomson addresses attendees at a town hall meeting to discuss a proposed power plant in the area. April 13, 2025 (WBOY image)

Several pieces of information in an air quality permit application, like how much fuel the turbines at the plant would use and projected amounts of pollutants they would create, were redacted. Fundamental Data, the company behind the power plant, also has no internet presence and is essentially a complete unknown.

It is part of the plan and part of the design that we dont have answers to fundamental questions, one person said during the town hall. Otherwise, there would not be wholesale redactions.

An attendee at a Davis town hall meeting to discuss a proposed power plants holds up a sign saying Hands off our water! April 13, 2025 (WBOY image)

The application for the power plant was filed the same day that House Bill 2014 was introduced to the West Virginia House of Delegates. The bill explicitly prohibits any county or municipality from enacting rules, laws or ordinances that limit, in any way, the creation of, [] and operation of any certified microgrid district or certified high impact data center project.

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HB 2014 was signed into law on Saturday, the day before Davis town hall took place.

Now, Davis, Thomas, and any other community in West Virginia will find their ability to fight or prevent other microgrids severely restricted.

I want to ask [state legislators] if they have so little disregard for local opinion. That people, local leaders were not involved in the process whatsoever, Mayor Tomson told 12 News in an interview. To be able to take all control and authority away from the local leadership when you have really impactful projects that are going into those local areas.

12 News recorded the entire two and a half hour meeting; youll be able to find that recording at the bottom of this story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Quinnipiac hosts Intertribal Powwow for the first time

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH)  The traditional Native American experience was honored at Quinnipiac during their Intertribal Powwow Sunday afternoon.

This was the first time the university hosted the Powwow, highlighting the importance of indigenous representation on their campus.

I can always remember my parents and my grandpa bringing me down to Powwow every year, so having that here is so huge to me because Quinnipiac didnt have a lot of representation for Native culture, President of the universitys Indigenous Student Union Aiyana Baker said. This was like a huge dream of ours, and especially for me, to make it happen before I graduated from the university.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
BALTIMORE  Lawyers defending Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, the man accused of killing Rachel Morin, rested their case after calling one witness, Megan Waltimyer  the digital forensic scientist who rebuilt Morins phone.

Waltimyer is on recall as she testified earlier in the case for the prosecution.

The defense questioned Waltimyer about the recent Safari internet searches on Morins phone. There were six queries typed into her phone; a time and day were not given.

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Two of the queries were how to tell if my partners relationship status is hidden from others on Facebook and If I hide my relationship status on Facebook, will others see it.This is after Morin and her boyfriend, Richard Tobin, made their relationship Facebook official days before she was killed.

Closing arguments in the case are about to begin.

Martinez-Hernandez, a Salvadorian native who illegally entered the United States in 2023, is charged with first-degree pre-meditated murder, first-degree felony murder, second-degree murder, first-degree rape, second-degree rape, third-degree sex offense and kidnapping.

He declined to testify on his own behalf Monday morning.

Prosecutors rested their case last week following eight days of testimony.

A verdict could come later today.

---------------
BELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  A person on a disabled boat in Lake Belton has been rescued with the help of Morgans Point Resort Fire  Rescues (MPRFR) modern technology!

MPRFR was dispatched to the disabled boat at approximately 11:15 p.m. Sunday. The caller indicated that the boat owner was last heard from more than an hour prior while trying to place the boat back on the trailer.

Family members on scene said the boat motor was malfunctioning and drifted away from the loading ramp with one person on board.

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MPRFR found and assisted the disabled boat back to a ramp at Temple Lake Park. Radar and forward looking infrared helped to find the boat approximately 450 meters off shore. It has been confirmed the individual was in no medical distress.

(Courtesy: Morgans Point Resort Fire-Rescue) (Courtesy: Morgans Point Resort Fire-Rescue) (Courtesy: Morgans Point Resort Fire-Rescue) (Courtesy: Morgans Point Resort Fire-Rescue)

No injuries have been reported. The scene was clear by 12:16 a.m. 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 KWKT - FOX 44.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on measures for the capital repair of the Sarhadabad-Aliabad-Zahmatabad-Soltankend highway in Jalilabad district, Trend reports.

According to the decree, for capital repair of the Sarhadabad-Aliabad-Zakhmetabad-Soltankend highway connecting 9 settlements with a population of seven thousand people, the State Roads Agency of Azerbaijan was initially allocated 1.5 million manat ($880,000) from the amount specified in subparagraph 1.19.21 of the Distribution of funds envisaged for state-financed investments (investment expenditures) in the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025 approved by the decree of the State Roads Agency of Azerbaijan.

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan must provide financing in the amount specified in this decree, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan must include in the distribution of expenditures on state capital investments in the draft state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026 the financial means necessary to continue the capital repair of the highway specified in this decree, and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan must solve the issues arising from this decree.
Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.) has opposed the TikTok ban since it caught on in Congress. In January, sensing a congressional attitude shift after President Donald Trump came to the app's defense, Paul introduced the Repeal the TikTok Ban Act. The bill is part of Paul's broader project of trying to keep alive a "consistently free trade and free markets" wing within the Republican Party. Reason's Elizabeth Nolan Brown spoke with the senator in January about TikTok, the trouble with isolating ourselves from China, and the divisions between conservatives and libertarians on speech.

Q: What would your Repeal the TikTok Ban Act do, and why is it necessary?

A: I've been fighting against the TikTok ban since the idea came around. I think it's part of an overall hysteria on the Hill about China, and also a misguided approach. I think the more you ban trade, the more you ban things like TikTok, the worse relations get.

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I think the [Supreme] Court got it wrong [when it upheld Congress' forced sale of TikTok]. I don't think there's a national security exception to the First Amendment. I think [the Court] said, "Oh, well, if Congress says there's a safety concern, we'll listen to Congress." But I don't buy that, nor do I think they proved their case.

Many of the people who voted for this, now that Trump has changed his mind, they all seem to be changing their mind, too. There actually is a possibility that something like a repeal could pass. If you're on TikTok, it's at least something to rally around to try to support.

Q: What is your take on Trump's executive order extending the TikTok sale deadline?

A: I don't think the law allows him to do it. But also, I don't want to spend a lot of my time blasting the president for doing something that the end result's probably going to be good. I don't know what to think about the extension.

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With this thing on TikTok, it's not isolated. Every day I confront a bill that wants to ban another Chinese company. I look at it from the perspective not only of freedom of trade, but also from the prosperity argumentthat it makes us all richer in America to trade with countries, even ones we don't like. There are companies in my state that employ thousands of workers and are actually owned by Chinese businessmen. I have 1,000 Kentuckians working for a company with good wages, and people are always trying to shut them down. They think they're punishing China, but they're really punishing Americans.

I'm very frustrated at how few principled people are in favor of trade anymore. It used to be a pretty easy, bipartisan dominance of the idea that trade made us all richer.

Q: Are you on TikTok?

A: We joined it on the last day [before the ban was supposed to take effect]. I said now that they're banning it, I want to join, just because they're telling me I can't. I am enough of a contrarian to say if you tell me I can't do something, then I want to do it.

Q: Is there anything else people should know about your TikTok bill?

A: We want to try to motivate people to have a public movement for free trade, so there's still a free trade movement within the Republican Party, that there are still people who don't believe we should break up big business just because they're big.

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I think one of the real divisions between conservatives and libertarians on speech is that conservatives get mad if Google or YouTube doesn't host speech and want to make them host our speech. They want to mandate it. I'm absolutely opposed to that. I don't think government should be trying to influence speech, but neither do I want to tell TikTok that they have to host me.

There aren't many on the Republican side, as far as consistently free trade and free markets. But I don't want that part of the party to die and us just to become the nationalist, populist party.

This interview has been condensed and edited for style and clarity.

The post Rand Paul on China, Free Speech, and Banning TikTok appeared first on Reason.com.
Tay-K has been convicted of murder for the second time. The 24-year-old was sentenced in 2019 to 55 years in prison in connection to a murder committed during a botched home invasion. Now, he has been sentenced to 80 years in prison after being found guilty for shooting and killing a photographer while fleeing authorities after the initial murder.

In 2017, an arrest warrant was issued for Tay-K, born Taymor McIntyre, in Bexar County, Texas. The document alleged that McIntyre was part of a group who picked up Mark Anthony Saldivar, a 23-year-old photographer in San Antonio, for a photo shoot that was supposed to take place at a nearby mall. While in the car, Saldivar is said to have been robbed at gunpoint for his camera equipment and fatally shot following the altercation, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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McIntyre was found guilty of murder, but not guilty of capital murder, which would have carried a mandatory life sentence. I do realize that while this is a lot of time, youre still alive. You can still better yourself, Judge Stephanie Boyd said at the sentencing, according to San Antonios KENS 5. But the complainant in this case is deceased, and you need to internalize that the complainant in this case is deceased. Youre going to have to make changes.

When McIntyre was previously convicted of murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Ethan Walker in Tarrant County, Texas, a judge also ruled that he would concurrently serve a 30-year prison sentence for the first of three counts of aggravated robbery and 13 years each for the remaining two counts from the same robbery.

He was 17 years old at the time, and he went viral after releasing the video for his single The Race  partially inspired by a real life event  in June 2017. After cutting off his ankle bracelet, he fled house arrest ahead of a court hearing for his part in the 2016 home invasion, which occurred when he was 16. It wasnt part of the plan. The plan was robbery. Not killing, Jeff Kearney, one of McIntyres defense attorneys, told the jury in 2019.

This article was updated on April 16 at 8:35 a.m. EST to include Tay-Ks sentencing for the 2017 murder of Mark Anthony Saldivar.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been granted the authority to oversee the establishment of agroparks and regulate their operations, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed a relevant decree in this regard.
The Virginia House of Delegates during its reconvened session on April 2, 2025. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

As Virginia barrels toward a high-stakes House of Delegates election in November, a dozen Republican incumbents are quietly banding together in what theyre calling the Purple Caucus  an informal alliance of lawmakers fighting for political survival in the increasingly competitive terrain of suburban and swing districts.

Its a defensive maneuver born out of shifting political dynamics and the lingering effects of the states 2021 redistricting, which redrew the legislative map in ways that now expose more Republican-held districts to Democratic threats.

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Adding fuel to the fire is the broader national climate, driven by the economic turbulence under President Donald Trumps second term that has become a backdrop Democrats are weaponizing on the campaign trail.

In February, Virginia Democrats launched a pointed ad campaign zeroing in on GOP incumbents in vulnerable seats.

The digital spots sought to link Republicans to tech billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As a photo of Trump and Musk flashes on the screen, the narrator accuses, Virginia Republicans are following the leader  cutting taxes for them. Leaving us to foot the bill.

Even in a tough political year for Democrats, Kamala Harris in November carried 59 of the states 100 House districts, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project.

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Meanwhile, Republicans are holding several seats where Trump either lost outright or failed to clear a majority  and even more where his margin hovered just above 50%. These figures suggest the GOP is defending ground it once considered safe.

By contrast, Democrats are on steadier footing: none of their legislators represent districts that Trump carried, and only a handful are in districts where Harris margin of victory was below 55%.

One of the Republicans feeling that pressure is Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City County. Her redrawn District 71  encompassing Williamsburg and parts of James City and New Kent counties  has trended blue in recent cycles. In 2024, Harris edged Trump there by nearly five points, and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., defeated Republican challenger Hung Cao by a similar margin.

Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City County. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

Batten has taken the lead in organizing the group of Republicans in competitive districts, saying the idea came about in part because Democrats seemed to single them out in early attacks.

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We kind of came up with it based on the composition of our districts, she said, but after the legislative session, the Democrat caucus did some hit pieces with YouTube ads targeting 12 members of our caucus.

She described the Purple Caucus as informal  more like a support network than a strategic war room.

We dont have actual caucus meetings where we get together or anything like that, Batten said. We chit-chat back and forth, but thats about it.

Still, members share tactics and tips. Many are new to office, and Batten said the group provides a venue for swapping campaign insights.

If any of us find some best practices or have some good ideas that we think would be useful, she added, then we try to share those and collaborate with each other.

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In her own race, Batten has worked closely with Richmond-based consultant Brett Feinstein  but noted shes also looped him in to help other Purple Caucus members.

Obviously Im in a competitive district, and he does some work for me, she explained. And anything that I think would be useful to other members in competitive districts, I share that with him, too.

House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, acknowledged the groups existence but described it in minimalist terms.

Its an informal gathering of members who may be more vulnerable than others and find themselves in swing districts or suburban districts, he said. Theres nothing magical about it  just people who have a common interest in, of course, winning reelection and representing their districts.

Swing district pressure mounts

Besides Batten, other Republicans in districts Trump lost include Del. David Owen, R-Henrico (House District 57); Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield (HD75); Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg (HD82); Del. Baxter Ennis, R-Chesapeake (HD89); Del. A.C. Cordoza, R-Hampton (HD86); Del. Mark Earley, R-Chesterfield (HD73); and Del. Ian Lovejoy, R-Prince William (HD22).

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Several others represent districts Trump won with razor-thin margins, including Del. Geary Higgins, R-Loudoun (HD30), and Del. Chad Green, R-York (HD69). Also on the watchlist are Delegates Paul Milde (HD64), Bobby Orrock (HD66), Anne Ferrell Tata (HD99), Rob Bloxom (HD100), and Tony Wilt (HD34)  all representing areas where Trump carried between 52% and 55%.

Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington sees this as part of a larger trend. He said when parties become more ideologically rigid, lawmakers from swing districts can start to feel squeezed.

This is a constant problem, Farnsworth said. For years, Congress had what they called the Blue Dog Caucus, where more moderate Democrats tried to chart a different course than the party leadership.

He added that as Virginia politics more closely mimic the hyper-partisan combat of Washington, it makes sense that centrist Republicans are looking for ways to stay afloat.

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It behooves any political party to make people feel welcome if at all possible, Farnsworth said. An open split within the party would not be helpful for the partys fortunes in November.

But signs of strain are already surfacing. Batten said her relationship with Gilbert, the caucus leader, is distant  and that shes felt a lack of support.

I dont really have any communication with Todd, he does not communicate with me, she said. Though she sees him during every legislative session, she added, outside of that, I honestly couldnt begin to tell you the last time we had a one-on-one conversation.

Batten, pointing to what she described as Gilberts growing detachment during the 2024 legislative session, said he seems very much like he has a foot out of the door.

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She noted that his disengagement has been especially evident in recent months  a period during which Gilbert also submitted his name for consideration to become the next U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia.

As the leader, he sort of drives the train when it comes to fundraising and all of that, Batten added. And that can be challenging.

GOP leadership tensions surface

Gilbert pushed back on the idea that hes not doing enough for swing-district Republicans.

Thats certainly not my perception, he said. I think I have always been hyper-aware of the fact that our fortunes lie in these purple swing districts.

House Minority Leader Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

His broader concern, Gilbert said, has been reminding colleagues from deep-red districts that winning back the GOPs legislative majority hinges on what happens in marginal seats.

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But there are not just purple districts on one side, he said. There are people that are also vulnerable in the Democratic offices.

Gilbert also rejected any notion that hes disengaged from his role as minority leader, insisting he remains fully committed.

I absolutely have not checked out, he said. There are certainly people who fancy themselves the leader who dont have that responsibility and who choose to act out in other ways, and criticizing me is one way of doing that.

Del. Chris Obenshain, R-Montgomery, a member of the Purple Caucus, said he has no complaints about Gilberts leadership or his engagement with members in competitive districts.

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Members of the caucus support each other, he said. We recognize that everybody comes from a different district and everybody has to run in their community, and thats been very well supported.

When he was first elected to the House in 2023, Obenshain narrowly defeated Democrat Lily Franklin with just 50.31% of the vote  despite Trump and the ultimately unsuccessful Cao carrying the district.

Obenshain is slated for a rematch with Franklin in November. He said the GOP caucus has long understood that lawmakers from different parts of the state cant all run the same playbook.

The concerns in my district are different from the ones in Tidewater or Northern Virginia, he said. But we all support each other.

And while he acknowledged the Purple Caucus exists, Obenshain dismissed the idea that its anything out of the ordinary.

I dont think theres anything really unusual or unique about it, he said. When you have things in common with folks in other districts, you kind of talk about that.

Unlike their Republican counterparts, House Democrats have not formed a similar coalition.

House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said the first he heard of the Purple Caucus was when asked about it for this story  and he didnt mince words.

There is a Purple Caucus? They arent red and they arent blue? he said, chuckling. And Delegate Batten is supposed to be moderate now? Thats funny, because shes not moderate. Shes as extreme as everybody else.

Scott said Republicans creating new caucuses shows internal disarray.

Theyre wrong on the issues, he said, and they probably need to create another caucus  a common sense caucus  because right now theyre too terrified of Trump to do anything to change course.

Ken Nunnenkamp, executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia, offered a more pragmatic view. He said groups like the Purple Caucus are normal in a campaign cycle and dont indicate disunity.

I think the word caucus is always an interesting term, because people start to use a caucus for anything, he said. But I dont think theres anything strange about legislators grouping to talk about campaign strategies.

Nunnenkamp emphasized that the most competitive districts  the very ones where many Purple Caucus members are running  were also the most expensive races in 2023, and he expects the same in 2025.

But with Republicans now unified behind Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears as the partys gubernatorial nominee, Nunnenkamp said the party has sharpened its focus.

Now that we have a nominee for governor, everyone is now rowing in the same direction, he said, trying to win back the House of Delegates, and that does involve holding all of our competitive seats and picking up a couple of new seats.

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When a pregnant woman had her blood sampled back in 1972, doctors discovered it was mysteriously missing a surface molecule found on all other known red blood cells at the time.

After 50 years, this strange molecular absence finally led to researchers from the UK and Israel describing a new blood group system in humans. In 2024, the team published their paper on the discovery.

"It represents a huge achievement, and the culmination of a long team effort, to finally establish this new blood group system and be able to offer the best care to rare, but important, patients," UK National Health Service hematologist Louise Tilley said last September, after nearly 20 years of personally researching this bloody quirk.

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While we're all more familiar with the ABO blood group system and the Rh factor (that's the plus or minus part), humans actually have many different blood group systems based on the wide variety of cell-surface proteins and sugars that coat our blood cells.

Our bodies use these antigen molecules, amongst their other purposes, as identification markers to separate 'self' from potentially harmful not-selves.

( InvictaHOG/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons ) Blood type (or blood group) is determined, in part, by the ABO blood group antigens present on red blood cells. Antibodies in our blood plasma detect when a foreign antigen marker is present.

If these markers do not match up when receiving a blood transfusion, this life-saving tactic can cause reactions or even end up being fatal.

Most major blood groups were identified early in the 20th century. Many discovered since, like the Er blood system first described by researchers in 2022, only impact a small number of people. This is also the case for the new blood group.

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"The work was difficult because the genetic cases are very rare," explained Tilley.

Transfusion reactions can be severe. ( Africa images/Canva

Previous research found more than 99.9 percent of people have the AnWj antigen that was missing from the 1972 patient's blood. This antigen lives on a myelin and lymphocyte protein, leading the researchers to call the newly described system the MAL blood group.

When someone has a mutated version of both copies of their MAL genes, they end up with an AnWj-negative blood type, like the pregnant patient. Tilley and team identified three patients with the rare blood type that didn't have this mutation, suggesting that sometimes blood disorders can also cause the antigen to be suppressed.

"MAL is a very small protein with some interesting properties which made it difficult to identify and meant we needed to pursue multiple lines of investigation to accumulate the proof we needed to establish this blood group system," explained University of the West of England cell biologist Tim Satchwell.

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To determine they had the correct gene, after decades of research, the team inserted the normal MAL gene into blood cells that were AnWj-negative. This effectively delivered the AnWj antigen to those cells.

The MAL protein is known to play a vital role in keeping cell membranes stable and aiding in cell transport. What's more, previous research found that the AnWj isn't actually present in newborn babies but appears soon after birth.

Interestingly, all the AnWj-negative patients included in the study shared the same mutation. However, no other cell abnormalities or diseases were found to be associated with this mutation.

Now that the researchers have identified the genetic markers behind the MAL mutation, patients can be tested to see if their negative MAL blood type is inherited or due to suppression, which could be a sign of another underlying medical problem.

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These rare blood quirks can have devastating impacts on patients, so the more of them we can understand, the more lives can be saved.

This research was published in Blood.

An earlier version of this article was published in September 2024.

Related News
Police in Daytona Beach are investigating a deadly shooting from over the weekend.

11:40 a.m. Monday update:

Daytona Beach police have identified the victim who was shot to death as Andre Lamar Smiley.

No other details were released by law enforcement.

Original report:

Residents at a Daytona Beach apartment complex reported being awakened by the sound of gunfire just feet from their doorsteps early Sunday morning.

Its not normal. Its not normal, said resident Sonia Irizarry.

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Police are currently searching for answers regarding a deadly shooting that occurred just after 3:00 a.m. on Ontario Court at the Lakeview Village Apartments in Daytona Beach.

Irizarry stated that she wasnt sure why the shooting started, but she reported hearing about five gunshots, which prompted her to duck for cover.

I got out of the shower. I heard boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, said Irizarry.

Irizarry stated that just before the shooting, she observed around six or seven people standing in front of the leasing office, pacing back and forth.

In a release, Daytona Beach Police stated they received multiple calls reporting a shooting. Upon arrival around 3:30 a.m., officers found one person who had been struck by a bullet. The department indicated that life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and that individual died.

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Shortly after, police reported that three additional victims checked themselves into a local hospital, all experiencing gunshot wounds. Two remain in critical condition, while one has since been released from the hospital.

With one life lost, others clinging to survival, and no suspect in sight, the community is left shaken and desperate for answers.

Daytona Beach police said they have no leads on who pulled the triggeror why. No arrests have been made, and investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward by contacting Detective Edwin Soto at (386) 671-5420 or via email at SotoEdwin@DBPD.us.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Mircea Abrudean, Acting President of the Romanian Senate, visited Victory Park in the capital Baku on April 14 during his official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

A ceremonial guard was arranged in honor of the distinguished guest.

The Romanian Senate representative placed a wreath in front of the Victory monument.

Following the visit, the guest was given detailed information about the Victory Park, which was created to commemorate the unparalleled heroism of the Azerbaijani people during the Patriotic War and to immortalize the memory of the martyrs.

The park, covering an area of nearly 10 hectares, features a Victory Arch symbolizing the 44-day Patriotic War, standing 44 meters tall and 22 meters wide, with 44 columns.

On November 8, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their son Heydar Aliyev attended the opening of Victory Park in Baku.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  The Roanoke County School Board met Thursday night to discuss the districts anti-bullying policy, after 10-year-old student Autumn Bushman died by suicide in March.

As a school board, we are heartbroken over the death of one of our students, said school board chair Shelley Clemons on Thursday. Losing a student with their whole life in front of them is gut-wrenching. And the tragic circumstances of Autumns death make it even more difficult.

Bushmans family, who attended Thursdays meeting, say their daughter was bullied by classmates at her Roanoke County school.

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During the meeting, Summer Bushman, Autumns mother, said that she was never notified by the school of bullying incidents involving her daughter, which is required by Virginia state law.

Due to federal law, Roanoke County Schools was not able to respond to those comments, as they are not allowed to discuss any specific situations involving a student.

In addition to the Bushmans, dozens more parents, students, and community members turned out to voice their concerns with the districts current policy.

Im hoping that you all will vote no tonight and that you consider professionals in this field, stakeholders such as the children, such as me as a parent, such as other professionals, in creating a better policy, said Winnie Vickers, one parent in attendance.

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Bullying starts with our policies at the top and trickles down to our students, said Dr. Ryan White, a physician specializing in childrens mental health. Lets choose to lead by courage and ensure our schools are places where kindness is expected, safety is non-negotiable, and bullying in any form and any name is never tolerated.

Family, friends remember the life of Autumn Bushman

Despite those comments, the school board ultimately decided to keep the current policy in place for the time being.

But school board members reiterated that the conversation is not over.

Were not tone deaf up here, said David Linden, school board representative for the Hollins district. If theres a better policy, well find a way to put it in place.

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Even though the existing bullying policy was kept last night, the board can change that policy at any point that it feels it needs to, said Roanoke County Public Schools director of community relations Chuck Lionberger in a follow-up statement to WFXR on Friday. It can change as often as it needs to change.

The community is still pushing for that change to take place, with one parent starting a petition calling for the implementation of stricter measures and punishments that has already received around 3,000 signatures.

At its core, the measurements sought by that petition are as follows:

We feel the procedure and consequence for bullying should be as follows: when a child is reported for bullying, the parents/guardian of the child will be made aware of the situation and it will be clearly explained that no further chances will be given. If the child is reported for bullying a second time, the child will be expelled from the school and will not be allowed to enroll at another school in the district. It will be the responsibility of that childs parent/guardian to find an alternative education solution.

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Roanoke County Schools has established a survey for people to weigh in on the current policy.

Although we passed a policy today, that doesnt mean this is the end, said Clemons. Thats why this survey is out there, to hear from people.

That survey can be found on the RCPS website.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A family of three is without a home after officials said a fire broke out in their attached garage.

The Rockford Fire Department was dispatched to 3827 Modesto Drive for a structure fire around 5:10am Sunday morning.

Upon arrival, crews said they found an attached garage fire and quickly began suppression efforts.

Officials said firefighters were able to rescue a small dog from the residence during the process.

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The pet was then transported by the owners to a local veterinary clinic for emergency treatment.

Authorities said no injuries were reported and the estimated loss is around $80,000.

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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
The head of the Royal Ballet School (RBS) has backed plus-sized primas after a former student alleged that teachers had body-shamed pupils.

Iain Mackay, the prestigious London institutions artistic director, also said that same-sex dancer partnerships were the future of ballet.

His remarks came months after the school reached a financial settlement with former student Ellen Elphick, who said she developed an eating disorder after being criticised for her weight as a student between 2009 and 2012.

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Mr Mackay said that ballet studios were now moving away from the historical norm of slim female dancers.

Audiences want dancers they can relate to, he told The Times.

When asked about plus-sized ballerinas, he continued: Absolutely... I think this is already happening. They have been required to be more physical than ever before. Dancers that can tell a story, but dancers that are incredibly capable technically.

Body dysmorphia

Ms Elphick brought legal action against the RBS, alleging body-shaming by several teachers in breach of the schools duty of care. The school reached a settlement with her without admitting liability.

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Ms Elphick, who attended the school from the age of 16 until she was 19, developed an eating disorder resulting in anorexia which she believes was the result of body-shaming she received during training.

She claimed this included being made to stand in front of a mirror while a teacher pointed out the parts of Ms Elphicks body she was disgusted by and would cut off because of their size, as well as being poked in the buttocks and thighs without her giving permission.

The former dancer continues to have body dysmorphia and was unable to pursue a career in dance after the treatment she received, her lawyers added.

It saddens me so much when I hear about people having a poor experience or an unhappy experience with either our school or the wider art form, Mr Mackay said.

New works being created

Mr Mackay also said ballet was embracing same-sex dance partnerships as a way to create new audiences.

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Absolutely same-sex partnering: male, male; female, female, he said. And it is an opportunity to create new audiences.

The classics are beautiful; you ask a lot of our young dancers and a lot of them would say: I would love to do the lead in Swan Lake.

But there are all these new works being created and we have to prepare our dancers to go into organisations around the world.

Mr Mackay became head of the RBS in September last year, having attended the school at the age of 16 in the 1990s.

He kept his attendance of dance classes secret from his friends when he was growing up, and ballet continues to be much more popular with girls than boys.

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I took my son along to ballet when he was seven or eight and it was just a sea of pink, he said. And he said no. I said why. He says: Im the only boy. There is that stigma, that barrier.

I noticed that when I went to childrens parties when the music starts the boys aged four to six were always first up, jumping up saying look at me. And then all of a sudden  they dont dance any more. Why is that?

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that another 10 people have been sent to El Salvador amid the Trump administrations immigration crackdown.

Last night, another 10 criminals from the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua Foreign Terrorist Organizations arrived in El Salvador. The alliance between @POTUS and President @nayibbukele has become an example for security and prosperity in our hemisphere, Rubio said in a post on the social platform X.

El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele is going to the White House on Monday for an official working visit, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said. In the first few months of the second Trump presidency, the United States has sent deported migrants they have said are gang members to a large prison in El Salvador.

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Looking forward to seeing President Bukele, of El Salvador, on Monday! Our Nations are working closely together to eradicate terrorist organizations, and build a future of Prosperity. 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, President Trump said in a Truth Social post on Saturday.

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. They will never threaten or menace our Citizens again! the president added.

Also on Saturday, the Trump administration gave a wellness report for a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador in an update mandated by a court order. A federal judge ordered the White House on Friday to document reports on Kilmar Abrego Garcias status in an attempt to find out if the administration is complying with her order to facilitate the mans return to the U.S.

He is alive and secure in that facility. He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador, Michael Kozak, a State Department official, said in a Saturday filing. On Sunday, the Trump administration said in a filing that it had no updates for the judge on efforts to facilitate Garcias return.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
CARTERVILLE, Ill.  Southwest suburban Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten acknowledged he wasnt sure what to expect when he accepted an invitation by the states Democratic county chairs to host a town hall Sunday in the ruby red southern Illinois home of the states most Republican congressional district.

In addition to speaking more than 300 miles from his Downers Grove home, the four-term lawmakers trip to six-term Republican Rep. Mike Bosts 12th Congressional District also meant traversing the sharp cultural divide between a growing upstate Democratic suburban base and the rural religious fundamentalist conservatism that predominates within the 34-county district that makes up the southern third of Illinois.

Castens trip, along with a visit a day earlier to Dixon, the boyhood home of the late President Ronald Reagan in the 16th Congressional District of GOP Rep. Darin LaHood, is in line with national Democratic efforts to host town halls in Republican districts. Democrats are using them as a rallying point over the chaotic early months of Donald Trumps second presidency.

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Its also poking at the advice that the head of the GOPs congressional campaign committee, North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, gave to his Republican colleagues that they stop holding in-person town hall meetings because of anti-Trump protesters.

But unlike higher-profile events featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Castens southern Illinois appearance was in rock-solid GOP territory, where Trump won 71% of the vote in November and where 70.5% of the districts voters backed Trump in 2020.

When I see my Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle ducking all of these events and saying one thing out of one side of their mouth and then voting the other way and then not having the courage to stand up, I sort of feel like, if you love democracy and if you stand up, your job is to make sure the voters are informed, Casten said.

Im not going to run against Mike Bost, he said of the GOP congressman who won 74% of the vote in November as the Trump-endorsed candidate. But I would like to believe that when people vote down there, when they engage, they are informed.

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But on Sunday, where Casten played host at a town hall before more than 120 people at John A. Logan College in Carterville, halfway between Marion and Carbondale, it was a question from a revered local Democrat  not a Republican  that brought to the fore the partys current internal strife.

I represent 34 counties in this state, which is one-third of the entire state geographically, said Glenn Poshard, who represents the 12th Congressional District on the Democratic Partys state central committee. Poshard, a former Southern Illinois University president, was a congressman for a decade before making an unsuccessful bid for Illinois governor in 1998.

Ill tell you what I hear going around that district, which is predominantly rural. OK, they tell me, What are you guys talking about? All were hearing is cultural issues coming out of the Democratic Party, Poshard said, citing the lack of child care, health care and grocery stores in rural areas.

Why isnt the Democratic Party talking about those issues again, which we used to address? But now weve become so urban-centric that the Democratic Party has forgotten rural America? he asked. Now, Im just telling you what these folks are telling me. I know we havent. But they know that Mike Bost is not going to speak to those issues. And, if we dont speak to them, whos going to solve these problems?

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I dont know that I have a good answer, and maybe this is a longer conversation for you and I to have over a drink or two at some point, Casten responded.

If we are to be the United States of America, we have to be committed to the idea that were all Americans, he continued. I think all of us have to try to find a way to do that, especially in this Trump era when were all tempted to say, Im going to judge you based on the yard sign you had two months ago.

The exchange between Poshard and Casten highlighted the decades-long cultural and ideological shift in southern Illinois, largely due to a loss of union coal mining and manufacturing jobs. During his time in Congress and as a leading Illinois Democrat, Poshard was a pro-union fiscal moderate and social conservative who opposed abortion, gay rights and gun control.

As Poshard bemoaned a lack of attention from Democratic presidential contenders to the region compared with Trump making several appearances here in his three White House runs, Casten sought to point to the political illogic of a candidate on a limited time schedule going to an area where there were few votes to be won.

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Later, Casten said Republicans had used culture war issues, such as transgender rights, to provoke rural voters and that in areas where Democrats are outnumbered, such as the 12th Congressional District, the megaphone to focus on kitchen table issues had shrunk.

Unspoken was the fact that it was Democrats in Springfield, in their zeal to maximize representation in Washington, who drew the 12th Congressional District to be overtly Republican. Illinois 17-member House delegation is made up of 14 Democrats and three Republicans.

In his 90-minute session, Casten fielded more than a dozen questions from audience members. Most were focused on presidential executive orders and the Trump administrations withholding of federal funding as well as the potential for cuts in Medicaid and veterans care in the recent House GOP-passed budget.

I cant sugarcoat this. We are deep in a constitutional crisis, Casten said of White House moves involving federal dollars that were not authorized by Congress and the refusal of the GOP-controlled legislative branch to hold the executive branch accountable. The rule of law doesnt actually get enforced if you dont have virtuous people in those jobs because the person whos enforcing the law, if they decide not to enforce it, there is no check that exists in that system.

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Two women in the crowd sporting red Trump caps appeared to be outnumbered by audience members who took a more favorable stance toward Casten and the Democrats.

One of the Trump backers, Laura Reece, spoke generally positively about Castens appearance despite having a different political worldview.

It took guts to come down here. And I thought he did a really good job, said Reece, whose Trump cap is signed by Darren Bailey, a far-right former state senator who ran unsuccessfully for governor and Congress. I didnt totally agree with him. But I think he did a good job on explaining things.

Reece, who said shes a bus driver from the Carterville area, told Casten during the event that she sees what kids are being taught, what they are not being taught, how kids are dropping out of the public school system to be homeschooled and that school choice is an excellent idea. She asked Castens view on the issue and he replied how its difficult for him to support school choice if theres an expectation by its backers that they dont need to pay taxes to fund public education.

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Asked about Castens response to her question afterward, Reece said, We just got to do something to get these schools to wake up and realize our kids need a better education.

Reece said she didnt care about showing up to the event sporting Trump swag.

Im a stubborn person. It didnt bother me a bit. I thought it was kinda funny, all the stares I was getting, Reece said. When I walked in, people were giving me dirty looks. Im a Southern woman. I can take it.

But her friend Sandra, who was also at the event, disagreed with how they felt when they arrived.

We were scared. We were frightened, she said, declining to disclose her last name for privacy reasons. It did turn out well.

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While she gave Casten credit for appearing, Sandra said that with Illinois so blue, Republicans dont have much power and it seems as if theyre not allowed to have representation in the Illinois state legislature.

Were not his constituents, Sandra said of Casten. I dont know why (Democratic Gov. JB) Pritzker couldnt come. He probably wouldve gotten a lot more interesting questions that pertain to this area.

To be sure, even in the heavily Republican region, Castens event was held in the islands of blue in this sea of red thats generally here, said John Jackson, a veteran political studies expert and visiting professor at the Paul Simon Policy Institute at nearby Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Western Williamson County, where Casten appeared, shares some of the political ideology of neighboring Jackson County, the home of SIUC, where President Joe Biden defeated Trump 49% to 48% in 2020 and Trump lost to Vice President Kamala Harris 50.5% to 47% last year.

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Jackson said that for Democratic voters who have seen listless party leadership since the November election, the Casten event and similar efforts are showing them that Democratic leaders are doing something to show the flag and rally the faithful  and right now, the faithful are about all the Democrats have.

But will such efforts reach anyone outside the Democratic faithful?

Thats the question on which the 26 midterms hang, Jackson said. Right now, the rational voter, it seems to me, would look at the possibility they made some mistakes in choosing a guy that upset the worlds economic order and military order that had lasted 80 years, just to advance his image of being the master negotiator and the art of the deal.

Its not going to get rid of Mike Bost. Nothing will do that until he decides to retire, Jackson said. But Democrats have got to start working on those independents and maybe old-time Republicans around here who werent really MAGA types.

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Bost held a small constituent meeting in the northwestern part of his district on March 22 regarding the need for oversight of solar panel installations on farmland. But it was interrupted by at least one protester.

Youre yellow, the protester told Bost. This Marine aint yellow, buddy, Bost, a military veteran, responded before the protester was removed.

That same thing is happening all over the United States, and its very well organized by the way, Bost said of town hall protests on KMOV-TV in St. Louis. When I talk to my constituents, I want to do it in a way thats civil. We actually kept this one pretty civil.

Bost narrowly defeated Bailey in last years Republican congressional primary in a contest of which candidate was a bigger Trump acolyte.

Bosts political team belittled Castens visit.

What could the Trump-hating, Ivy League-educated Chicagoland liberals possibly learn about southern Illinois values from a one-hour media stunt? asked Bost campaign manager Myles Nelson in a statement.

The vast majority of us are anti-woke, anti-big government, pro-family and pro-Second Amendment, Nelson said. Congressman Bosts record is much more aligned with his constituents than the outsiders parachuting in to score points with the press.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Jeyhun Bayramov, met with the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Aleksandr Zuev, on April 14, 2025, Trend reports via the MFA.

The meeting encompassed a range of topics regarding Azerbaijan's collaboration with the UN, alongside pertinent regional and global matters.

The long-standing mutually beneficial collaboration between Azerbaijan and the UN since the country's membership in the organization was highlighted, along with Azerbaijan's active participation in the UN's activities and its contributions to the UN's peacekeeping operations. Future perspectives in this regard were also considered.

The meeting also acknowledged the well-established cooperation with the UN in organizing the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held under Azerbaijan's presidency. The importance of significant decisions made during the session, including the adoption of the Baku Financial Goal, was emphasized.

The discussions also underscored the importance of collaboration and support in combating the threat of landmines, which endanger the lives and health of citizens, hinder their dignified return to their homeland, and pose risks to the country's peace and reconstruction efforts. The significance of humanitarian mine clearance efforts was also emphasized.

Furthermore, various topics of shared relevance were deliberated upon during the meeting.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Following a ballistic missile strike on the city centre of Sumy on 13 April, which killed dozens of civilians, Russias Defence Ministry cynically claimed that the attack had targeted a so-called "military meeting" and that civilians had been used as "human shields".

Source: Russian media outlets Interfax, RIA Novosti and Meduza

Details: Russias Defence Ministry confirmed that two Iskander missiles were launched on Sumy, allegedly targeting a meeting of the command staff of the Ukrainian Siversk Operational Tactical Group.

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The Russian military claimed that the attack killed over 60 Ukrainian servicemen. No official confirmation of this claim exists.

At the same time, the ministry dismissed the deaths of dozens of civilians, absurdly stating that they were supposedly used as "human shields" in the city centre.

Background:

On the morning of 13 April, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the centre of Sumy. The State Emergency Service reported that 34 people had been killed, including 2 children. As of the morning of 14 April, the number of casualties had risen to 119, including 15 children.

US President Donald Trump stated that he was told Russia "made a mistake" by striking Sumy on Palm Sunday, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited President Trump to visit Ukraine before making any decisions or plans concerning ceasefire negotiations.

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An investigation by Ukrainska Pravda (UP) has revealed that since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant has been supplying products to Russian defense companies that produce missiles, air defense systems, drones and other weapons. The owner of the NLMK group, Russian oligarch Vladimir Lisin, has not been sanctioned yet. His plants continue to operate in Belgium, Denmark and Italy. To keep these plants running, the EU continues to import Russian metal, which is also not sanctioned, during the three years of full-scale invasion.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

[BANNER1]

An indispensable supplier

Ukrainska Pravda, has gained access to classified data from the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant's VAT declaration database. According to the data, the plant has been cooperating with the main Russian defense companies for all three years of the full-scale invasion. The publication says that NLMK is Russia's only producer of electrical steel. This is an essential element in the production of components for ballistic and cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missile systems, drones and other types of weapons. Without such steel, it would be impossible to manufacture power systems for dozens of types of military equipment.

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From the beginning of 2022 to the end of 2024, NLMK supplied electrical steel to twenty-two enterprises of Russia's military-industrial complex for a total amount of at least 130 million rubles ($1.5 million). UP journalists have obtained a full list of these companies.

22 enterprises of Russia's military-industrial complex for a total amount of at least 130 million rubles ($1.5 million).

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Production of ballistic and cruise missiles:

JSC Production Association Strela - produces Oniks and Malakhit missiles, which are actively used by the Russian armed forces against Ukraine

Kaluga-based Instrument-Making Plant Typhoon JSC

JSC Moscow Machine Building Plant "Avangard" - produces missiles for the S-400 air defense missile systems used by the Russian army to attack ground targets in Ukraine.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

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Production of UAVs:

OJSC Concern KEMZ

OJSC Kazan Plant Electro Device - participates in the production of the most common Russian reconnaissance drone Orlan-10

JSC Izumrud

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Production of combat aircraft:

JSC Ufa Aggregate Production Association

JSC Omsk Scientific-Research Institute of Instrument Engineering JSC

Production of anti-aircraft missile systems:

JSC NPO PRZ

JSC Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol

JSC RATEP

Lipetsk Mechanical Plant LLC - produces TOR air defense systems

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Production of radar and electronic warfare equipment:

JSC Ural Production Enterprise Vector

JSC Vladimir Plant "Elektropribor"

JSC Mariyskiy Machine-Building Plant

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Nuclear weapons-related enterprises:

Zababakhin All-Russian Research Institute of Technical Physics

JSC Production Association "Sever"

JSC Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Production Association

Siberian Chemical Plant

Production of other types of weapons:

JSC Barnaul Cartridge Plant

JSC Uralelement

JSC Elektromashina

According to Ukrainska Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach, almost all of the 22 companies of the Russian military-industrial complex are under European Union sanctions. After all, almost all of them are being used to kill Ukrainians and occupy the territory of a sovereign state following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian steel in the heart of Europe

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

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[BANNER2]

At the same time, the plants owned by Vladimir Lisin continue to operate in Europe. The NLMK group includes NLMK DanSteel (Denmark), NLMK Verona (Italy) and two plants in Belgium - NLMK La Louviere and NLMK Clabecq. Ukrainska Pravda visited two of the Russian oligarch's Belgian plants and confirmed that they are indeed operating at full capacity.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

"It is hard to believe, but 40 minutes from the Brussels headquarters of the European Commission there are two steel plants owned by one of Russia's richest oligarchs. It's hard to believe, but these plants are still in operation today. And it seems quite unbelievable that Vladimir Lisin is simultaneously producing steel here, in the heart of the EU, and there, for the Russian military," says Mykhailo Tkach.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

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To produce steel in Europe, Lisin uses Russian semi-finished products, slabs. Their supply is still not subject to sanctions. According to Eurostat, NLMK supplied slabs worth more than half a billion euros to Belgium last year alone. Ships loaded with Russian metal regularly arrive in the Belgian port of Ghent from St Petersburg.

[BANNER3]

Ukrainska Pravda sources have spotted another batch of slabs in the port, waiting to be shipped to production.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

But NLMK is not the only Russian company freely shipping its metal to Europe. On the evening of 17 March, Ukrainska Pravda managed to record the arrival and subsequent unloading of the bulk carrier KYALAMI in the Polish port of Gdansk. It had also arrived from St Petersburg, bringing tens of thousands of tonnes of Russian slabs to the EU.

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Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

[BANNER4]

"However, these slabs did not come from Vladimir Lisin's plant, but from the Nizhny Tagil Iron and Steel Works, owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is under sanctions. Unlike Lisin, he is under European Union sanctions, but his Russian metal is not. Because the metal that Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Lisin are flooding Europe with has a price below the market price," says Mykhailo Tkach.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

[BANNER5]

In total, according to Eurostat, Russia has shipped more than 9.5 million tonnes of non-sanctioned slabs to the EU in the three years since the invasion began in earnest. In monetary terms, this amounts to at least 5 billion.

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"European officials seem to be less interested in the price Ukraine is paying every day for Russia's full-scale invasion. After all, there are no public explanations as to why Vladimir Lisin and his factories are still not under sanctions and why Russian metal is still being shipped from Russia to Europe," says Mykhailo Tkach.

Watch the video of investigation by Mykhailo Tkach:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. France's supply of lethal weapons to Armenia and long-lasting anti-Azerbaijani position not serving peace contradicts Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's expressed concern over regional tensions, Spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"This duality exposes France's hypocrisy. While the finalization of work on the draft peace treaty is an important development, signing a peace agreement and lasting stability require addressing core issues, notably Armenia's constitutional territorial claims, and halting destabilizing foreign interventions, including by France.

Moreover, obstructing judicial processes for individuals accused of crimes against humanity not only interferes in domestic affairs but also undermines accountability for such crimes," the spokesperson said.

To note, France has been significantly involved in Armenia's military expansion since 2020. Beginning in November 2023, France commenced the provision of military equipment to Armenia, encompassing more than 21 units of Bastion multi-purpose armored personnel carriers and components from the French ARQUUS brand. The "Mistral" short-range surface-to-air missiles and three radar systems are allegedly included in the export inventory. Reports indicate that approximately 50 units of the "VAB MK3" medium-weight, combat-tested armored vehicles may also be included in the contracts. Plus, in June 2024, Yerevan and Paris formalized an agreement for the provision of French-manufactured Caesar self-propelled howitzers to the Armenian military.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Three years after a federal judge and jury ruled that the New York Times didnt defame Sarah Palin, the former GOP vice-presidential nominee is going to get another crack at the Grey Lady as jury selection is set to begin Monday in a retrial of her defamation lawsuit.

While the facts of Palins case  which centers on a 2017 Times editorial that wrongly suggested a political ad of hers inspired a mass shooting  havent changed, the media and political landscape since she lost her initial suit has completely shifted.

With Donald Trump and his administration threatening news organizations and pulling in preemptive settlements, all while other media companies have lost their defamation cases in court in recent years, what looked like an uphill battle for Palin could help set the stage for conservatives to challenge press freedom and the medias ability to report on public figures.

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The case is, in many respects, an old-school media libel action resurrected into a newly complicated defamation landscape, University of Utah law professor RonNell Andersen Jones told the New York Times. It may prove to be a real barometer of the changing public attitude about the press and the changing appetite for American press freedom.

Palin is getting another shot at the Times largely due to a misstep made by U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who will also be presiding over the new trial in a Manhattan courthouse.

Sarah Palin is getting another shot at the New York Times in a defamation lawsuit. (AP)

Palins odds of winning seemed slim through the 2022 trial, largely because of the protections afforded the Times from the landmark 1964 Supreme Court case NYT v. Sullivan that puts the onus on public figures to prove media outlets acted with actual malice and published material with a reckless disregard for the truth.

In the 2017 column that is at the heart of Palins complaint, the Times issued a correction the following morning that acknowledged there was no connection between the 2011 shooting of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) and an ad Palin ran that included crosshairs. The Times attorneys argued that the error was an honest mistake, and Rakoff initially dismissed the lawsuit before it reached trial. However, a federal appeals court revived it in 2019, claiming the judge reached his decision improperly.

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When the trial began three years later, the Times' then-editorial page editor James Bennet testified that he had inserted the passage about the Palin ad into the column but claimed he didnt mean to imply she had directly incited the Giffords shooting.

While the jury deliberated, however, Rakoff decided to issue his own separate ruling against the former Alaska governor, stating that her case consisted either of gross supposition or of evidence so weak that, even together, these items cannot support the high degree of particularized proof" to win.

Rakoff announced his ruling in court and out of hearing of the jury, claiming he would wait until after they announced their verdict before issuing his. After the jury came back with a unanimous ruling against Palin, however, several jurors acknowledged to the court clerk that they had received push alerts on their phones about Rakoffs ruling.

Palin appealed the verdict, citing both Rakoffs in-court announcement and the exclusion of certain evidence, and a three-judge panel on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to be re-tried. The appellate judges stated that Rakoff had not followed proper procedure throughout the original trial.

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The panel added that they had no difficulty concluding that an average jury's verdict would be affected if several jurors knew that the judge had already ruled for one of the parties on the very claims the jurors were charged with deciding. Still, the panel did reject Panlins request to have Rakoff removed from the case.

After the appeal courts decision, the legal teams for the Times and Palin held talks about settling the case. The discussions reportedly broke down, though, when the paper made it clear that they would not give the Republican firebrand monetary damages.

A win for Palin would not only be trumpeted by Trump and his MAGA allies as yet another rebuke of the legacy media amid dwindling public trust in the press, but Palins lawyers have made it clear theyd use a victory to get the Supreme Court to reconsider NYT v. Sullivan and potentially unravel protections for the media.

At the same time, though, the case is taking place in New York after the state passed a lawstrengthening and expanding press freedoms.
Satellite images captured this month appear to show North Korea's new warship.

Analysts identified the vessel as a guided missile frigate and said it's the country's largest warship.

Its development comes as Kim Jong Un looks to modernize his naval fleet.

Newly captured satellite images obtained by Business Insider show North Korea's ongoing work on what analysts assess is its largest warship. The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has made modernizing the navy a priority.

Maxar Technologies, a US commercial satellite imaging company, captured photos on April 6 of the Nampo Shipyard Complex along North Korea's west coast. The new ship was visible and positioned pierside alongside construction equipment.

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Analysts with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank that first published the images, identified the warship as a guided missile frigate sitting in a floating dry dock. Two cranes, parts, equipment, and supplies can be seen next to the boat.

An overview of North Korea's new frigate at the Nampo shipyard earlier this month. Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies.

A close-up of the new frigate. Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies

Joseph Bermudez Jr. and Jennifer Jun, two CSIS analysts, wrote in their Beyond the Parallel blog post last week that the frigate was going through a "fitting out" process. Internal construction is completed during this phase, and equipment is installed before the warship is handed over to North Korea's navy.

The analysts said that the frigate is covered with netting to limit overhead observation; North Korea has long been sensitive to foreign reconnaissance and surveillance.

The netting over the new frigate prevents detailed measuring; however, the analysts assessed the warship is around 140 meters (460 feet) long, "making it the largest warship manufactured in North Korea." It is around 40 feet shorter than the US Navy's Constellation-class frigates, the first of which is under construction.

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Other analysts have said the frigate, reportedly one of two in the class that are under construction, seems capable of carrying a vertical launch system, a collection of tubes that hold missiles. This would be a new attribute for North Korean ships, giving the warships the power to fire anti-ship, land-attack, or surface-to-air missiles.

VLS cells are capabilities available in more modern navies. For instance, American Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers are equipped with up to 96 launching tubes, lending them more firepower on the move. US cruisers hold even more.

Another April 6 satellite image, captured by Planet Labs and obtained by BI, shows the frigate from a different angle. The new satellite images come several months after North Korean state media outlet KCTV published photos of the North Korean leader inspecting a vessel under construction in December. Kim has visited the Nampo shipyard several more times since then. It is unclear how far away the frigate is from becoming fully operational.

Another view of the frigate at the Nampo shipyard. Planet

Kim Jong Un touring the Nampo shipyard in February 2024. KCNA/via REUTERS

In recent years, North Korea has been looking to build up its military and modernize its navy, especially its submarine force. The country's navy unveiled a new missile submarine two years ago.

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According to a 2021 US Defense Intelligence Agency report, North Korea's navy is a 60,000-person force that consists of around 400 patrol ships, 260 amphibious landing craft, 70 diesel-electric submarines, and 20 minelaying vessels.

The DIA classifies North Korea's large but dated navy as "primarily a coastal force" that is unable to operate at long distances beyond the peninsula or project power outside of the region. The report said Pyongyang has naval shipyards on both coasts, but these facilities do not produce very often due to insufficient resources.

CNN, which also reported the satellite images, noted that the new frigate appears to be more than twice the size of anything else in the North Korean fleet.

Joseph Dempsey, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a UK think tank, said that North Korean officials have placed more emphasis on growing the shipbuilding industry while strengthening the country's navy.

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While there is a clear need to modernize the navy, Dempsey wrote in a January blog post, "the rationale for investing in large surface combatants is more questionable, as North Korea demonstrates little requirement or ambition for naval power projection or the creation of a credible blue-water capability."

Read the original article on Business Insider
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijans Foreign Minister, met with Alexander Zuev, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the discussions focused on various aspects of Azerbaijan-UN cooperation, as well as the regional and international situation.

The sides commended Azerbaijans mutually beneficial cooperation with the Organization since the countrys accession to the UN, its active participation in UN initiatives, and its contributions to the Organization's peacekeeping operations. They also reviewed prospects for further cooperation in this area.

Hailing the excellent collaboration with the Organization in the high-level organization of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted and chaired by Azerbaijan, the parties acknowledged the importance of the crucial decisions adopted during the session, including the Baku Financial Goal.

The sides emphasized the importance of continued interaction and support in humanitarian demining efforts, addressing the landmine threatwhich endangers the lives and health of Azerbaijani citizensthe process of dignified return to their homelands, and the countrys peace and reconstruction efforts.

The meeting also addressed other issues of mutual interest.
Russian forces launched several missile strikes on the centre of the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday 13 April. Two ballistic missiles killed at least 34 people, including 2 children. More than 119 civilians were injured.

Source: the memorial project They Were Killed by Russia; Suspilne.Sumy, the Sumy branch of the Ukrainian public broadcaster

Details: Documenting information about those who were killed has started.

People who were killed in the strike on Sumy:

Maksym Martynenko, 11, a Year 6 pupil. He was killed together with his mother and father.

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Nataliia Martynenko (Krasnoshchok), 49, a consultant for the French cosmetics and perfume brand Lambre.

Mykola Martynenko, who worked in sewage installation and earthworks.

Olena Kohut  a lecturer at the Bortnianskyi Sumy Professional College of Arts and Culture, a solo organist at the Sumy Oblast Philharmonic and a member of the orchestra at the Sumy National Theatre named after Mykhailo Shchepkin.

Liudmyla Vashchenko  private notary and former head of the Sumy Oblast Department of Justice.

"A true leader, a professional and a person of high moral principles  this is how Liudmyla Volodymyrivna will always be remembered by all who knew her," the Ministry of Justice wrote.

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Liudmyla Hordiienko  deputy head of the department for inspections in the field of material production of the tax audit department of the Main Directorate of the State Tax Service in Sumy Oblast.

Maryna Chudesa  biology and health teacher at Sumy School No. 2. She was killed along with her mother when they stopped to help victims after the first strike.

"Chudesa Maryna Oleksandrivna was killed in the ballistic attack; [she was] a bright, kind, joyful person who was always ready to help. She died with her mother while trying to save others," the school wrote.

Liudmyla Serhiienko  mother of Maryna Chudesa.

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Anatolii Nelin, 73.

"Thanks to all the friends who helped us find him. We searched all day," wrote his daughter, Sumy City Council deputy Iryna Rybalchenko.

Anzhelika Sadovska.

"A bright and cheerful person. A caring daughter, loving mother and devoted woman," wrote her friend Svitlana Fatnytska.

Mykola Romanenko  a driver travelling on a bus with his wife. She survived and is in hospital.

Mykola Leon  driver of a bus, which caught fire as a result of the strike. He was killed along with most passengers.

Oleksandr Sybilov.

"The life of my childs godfather was cut short  a kind, cheerful man always ready to help," Yevhen Rudniev wrote.

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Tetiana Kvasha, 65.

"After the first strike, mum was still in touch... The connection was lost after the second strike  just like my life," her daughter wrote.

Olena Obravit  employee of a catering establishment on Teatralna Street.

Alina Hrechanichenko (Lysenko), 34. Survived by her husband and son.

Vladyslav Tararum. Survived by his wife and son.

Yurii Yula  colonel, commander of the 27th Rocket Artillery Brigade named after Ataman Petro Kalnyshevskyi. He was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, II and III class.

"Yurii Yula was a true combat commander, a true professional and a role model," wrote the Berdychiv District Administration.

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Svitlana Shtepa and Dariia Loboda, both 19  students of the Educational and Scientific Medical Institute of Sumy State University.

Dariia was the head of the student council. They both did volunteer work and were good students.

Yuliia Yelshanska, 30  mother of two children.

This story is developing, we'll bring you the latest updates as they happen.

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As these final weeks of school approach, students across Florida are powering through finals and lingering homework assignments while fantasizing about their plans for their summer vacation.

So obviously the last thing anyone wants to think about is when you go back to school, right?

However, Florida students will soon get to sleep in a little bit later after lawmakers in 2023 approved later school start times. Will these requirements begin this upcoming school year?

Are later start times coming to Florida schools this year?

Not yet! The later start times will be required by the 2026-2027 school year, according to legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis back in May 2023.

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DeSantis's law would require a later start time for middle and high schools throughout Florida. The law gave school districts three years to develop plans to implement the changes to the earlier times.

The law prevents middle schools from beginning the instructional day earlier than 8 a.m., while high schools will be barred from starting the school day before 8:30 a.m.

Read HB733 in its entirety before 2026

Could later school times in Florida be reversed?

Florida senators last month started moving forward with a bill to repeal requirements aimed at later daily start times in many high schools, citing districts claiming they are struggling to comply as deadline approached.

Bill sponsor Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said the 2023 law was very well-intentioned and it sought to ensure that our high-school students were well-rested.

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To date, school districts across the state have begun their analysis of the impact of these required start times for the 2026 school year, and the feedback is overwhelming: A state mandate on school start times would present incredible challenges, financially and otherwise, Bradley said before the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee voted 5-1 to approve the bill (SB 296).

As of March 27, the bill has been sent to the Florida House of Representatives for consideration.

When is the earliest date Florida schools can start for the year?

HB733 stated the opening day of schools may not be any earlier than Sunday, Aug. 10.

When does school start in Florida for the 2025-2026 school year?

While some schedules are still being finalized, almost every Florida school is proposed to start the 2025-2026 school year on the first possible date  Monday, Aug. 11  after Aug. 10.

Here's when most counties go back to school:

How many days of school are required in Florida?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the minimum amount of instruction time for Florida students is 180 days.

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That amount of time is typical across the country, although there are a few states requiring slightly fewer or more days.

Florida requires children in kindergarten through grade 3 to have instructional time of 720 hours. That time increases to 900 hours for students in grades 4 through 12, although school districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per school year or days per school year.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida schools later start times: When they will go into effect
The helicopter tour company whose sightseeing chopper plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday must stop operations immediately, the Federal Aviation Administration said Monday.

The suspension of the air carrier certificate comes after an employee at the company who voluntarily agreed to stop flights was fired, according to a letter from the Chief Counsel of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Sunday, the Director of Operations for New York Helicopter, Jason Costello, agreed in a phone call and email to cease flights until the investigation was complete, the letter states.

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But minutes later, it says, the companys CEO Michael Roth sent an email to the FAA saying Costello didnt have authority to do that and he was no longer an employee of NY Helicopter.

The immediate firing of the Director of Operations raises serious safety concerns because it appears Mr. Roth retaliated against Mr. Costello for making the safety decision to cease operations during the investigations, the FAA said in the letter.

US Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York Sunday urged federal authorities to revoke the companys operating certificate following the crash, which killed everyone on board, including three children.

We know there is one thing for sure about New York Citys helicopter tour companies: they have a deadly track record  and it is usually the companies, not the pilots, that are openly manipulating (FAA) rules, cutting corners and could well be putting profits over people, Schumer said.

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One of the things we can do to honor those lives and try and save others is to make sure it doesnt happen again, he said.

New York Helicopter Tours was previously involved in two safety incidents investigated by federal aviation authorities. Michael Roth, the companys CEO, has not yet responded to CNNs request for comment regarding Schumers calls for their flights to be suspended.

On Monday, the NTSB said the helicopters main rotor system, including the transmission, the roof beam and the tail rotor system were recovered.

The evidence will be taken to a secure location for further examination, the NTSB said. Recovery efforts are now finished.

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The helicopter was carrying six people, including Agustin Escobar, 49; his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal; and their three children  two sons, ages 4 and 11, and a daughter who was to turn 9 on Friday.

New York Mayor Eric Adams said the family was visiting from Spain, and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said in a social media post the family was in New York to celebrate Camprubis 40th birthday. The helicopter crashed off the New Jersey shoreline of the Hudson.

The pilot, a former Navy SEAL, was identified as 36-year-old Seankese Johnson, according to city officials. He was certified to fly commercial helicopters since August 2023, according to FAA records, and the NTSB noted he had completed 788 hours in the air.

Between 1977 and 2019, helicopter accidents in New York City killed at least 32 people, according to The Associated Press. A 2018 crash that killed five people in a doors-off aerial tour after the passengers drowned, unable to free themselves from their safety harnesses after the helicopter plunged into the water, prompted tighter regulations on such flights from the FAA.

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Along with pausing the helicopter flights, Schumer pushed for the FAA to increase ramp inspections  surprise inspections that ensure the companies and helicopters are complying with safety regulations  at other helicopter tour companies in the city.

New York City Councilwoman Amanda Farias, chair of the councils Committee on Economic Development, on Friday called for a serious reevaluation of current policies and urged the city to consider an immediate moratorium on non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned heliports while investigations are ongoing.

The Eastern Region Helicopter Council, a trade group that represents helicopter operators, says a ban would not be the right solution.

The helicopter community is in shock and mourning after the tragic and horrific events, chairman Jeff Smith said in an earlier statement. Unfortunately, some well-meaning but misguided leaders are using this tragedy to exploit and push their decades-old agenda to ban all helicopters. Before taking legislative action, we need to learn more from the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing

In 2013, one of the companys pilots flying a helicopter carrying four passengers heard a bang followed by the Engine Out warning horn. Forced to land on the water near Manhattan, the pilot inflated the helicopters floats and got the passengers to safety on a boat.

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In 2015, a pilot for the New York Helicopter Charter company was forced to land in New Jersey after hovering 20 feet in the air for a short time. An initial inspection showed there may have been corrosion removed from sections of the helicopter and that some of the helicopters component parts may have been deformed to an extent to be considered unairworthy, according to an FAA inspector at the time. The same helicopter was previously involved in a crash in Chile in 2010.

The only thing I can tell you is that we are devastated, Roth previously told CNN about Thursdays deadly accident. Im a father, a grandfather.

When asked about the maintenance of the helicopter that crashed Thursday, Roth said at the time, Thats something my director of maintenance handles. The director of maintenance declined to comment.

Maintenance records are not publicly accessible, and the NTSB restricts what companies can disclose during an ongoing investigation.

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey, on Thursday. - Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Both the FAA and the NTSB are investigating the crash. The NTSB has dispatched a go-team to the site to examine the wreckage and review maintenance records, it said on social media, and is asking the public to submit any additional video or photos they may have.

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The helicopter was not equipped with any flight data recorders, including video or camera recorders, and none of its avionics onboard recorded information that could be used for the investigation, the NTSB said Saturday. The helicopters last major inspection was on March 1, and it had completed seven tour flights before the accident, according to the NTSB.

CNNs Pete Muntean, Alexandra Skores, Hanna Park, John Miller, Taylor Romine, Aaron Cooper, Jeff Winter and Bob Ortega contributed to this report.

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According to experts, worrying developments in the Arctic are being compounded by current domestic and geopolitical events. Arctic sea ice levels are at record lows, and some areas will soon be ice-free entirely in the summer months.

What's happening?

The Arctic is in terminal decline, and the loss of sea ice and thawing permafrost will have global consequences. Permafrost acts like a giant freezer for organic matter, including dead plants and animals. When it thaws, it releases harmful greenhouse gases instead of trapping them.

The loss of sea ice is a death knell for the Arctic's wildlife and the 400,000 Indigenous people who call the Arctic home. Current events will make monitoring and mitigating this terminal decline far more difficult.

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The United States' position as a global leader in environmental science has been facing governmental cuts on the heels of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which monitors conditions in the Arctic, has been ordered to cut 10% of its workforce.

Russia has almost half of the Arctic's landmass, but because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia is currently a pariah state in the global community. This diplomatic isolation means that vital Arctic research is essentially on pause until hostilities cease.

As Kim Holmen, a climate and environment scientist at UiT the Arctic University of Norway, told Scientific American: "The lack of Russian data is a great loss for humankind and our ability to discover change and, in extension, build knowledge that allows robust prediction of future change."

Why is the Arctic sea ice important?

Twila Moon, deputy lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, describes the Arctic as "our planetary air conditioning system." The Arctic's sea ice acts as a mirror, reflecting the sun's energy away from the Earth. Without it, more energy is absorbed by the world's oceans, making climate conditions much worse.

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"There's just an overwhelming amount of change happening in the Arctic right now," Moon told CNN.

One of the last bastions of Arctic sea ice will be an area covering parts of Greenland and Canada. The "Last Ice Area" will be the final refuge for several Arctic species, such as polar bears and walruses. Once it goes, scientists say, so will they.

What can be done about the decline of the Arctic?

The long-term solution is to curb harmful pollution and replace fossil fuels with clean renewable energy. A bilateral agreement between Canada and Denmark (which oversees Greenland's foreign policy) to protect the Arctic would be another good step forward.

Understanding the problem is key to solving it, and though current conditions may make that difficult, there's still plenty that can be done at the local level. Additionally, contacting your local representative about the cuts to research can lead to positive change. There are some useful online tools to help with this.

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.










Key Points

Scientists studied miso fermentation on the ISS versus Earth to understand how space conditions affect flavor, texture, and microbial composition.

Space-fermented miso developed a darker color and a nutty and roasted flavor, likely due to higher temperatures and increased pyrazine levels.

The research highlights how microbes adapt in space and raises ethical questions about relocating Earth-based life, while also suggesting new culinary possibilities for long-term space missions.









Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) do a lot of important work to help advance science, including experiments and research to support humanity's potential future as outer space explorers. And that extends to researching how to make food taste better on both long-haul space missions and down here on Earth.

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In April, researchers published the findings of their study titled "Food Fermentation in Space" in the open access journal iScience, highlighting the differences in taste between miso fermented on Earth  specifically in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Copenhagen, Denmark  versus miso fermented in the ISS.

If you're unfamiliar with miso, this fermented soybean paste is a powerhouse of flavor. It's a staple in Japanese cooking, and the umami-packed paste can be used for everything from classic miso soup to marinades, salad dressings, and so much more. There are many different varieties of miso and variables that can influence its flavor. But one factor that hadn't been tested until now? Space.

Related: 16 Robust, Complex Miso Recipes, From Pasta to Dessert

For the first stage of this experiment, the scientists made three batches of miso starter and sent it off to the three locations. The misos on board the ISS and in Cambridge were each placed inside an environmental sensing box to carefully monitor variables like temperature, humidity, and radiation levels. The one in Copenhagen was left in a standard container to act as a control group to see if it was the box or space that made changes to the miso.

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After a 30-day wait, the miso onboard the ISS was sent back to Earth for analysis against the two already on terra firma, where scientists could measure its texture, color, microbial population, and flavor profiles.

The researchers found that the miso fermented in space had higher levels of certain microbes  microscopic organisms that are crucial to the fermentation process  which they note could be because of the warmer temperatures aboard the ISS.

"While the ISS is often seen as a sterile environment, our research shows that microbes and non-human life have agency in space, raising significant bioethical questions about removing plants and microbes from their home planet and introducing them to extraterrestrial environments," Maggie Coblentz, an industrial design scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, explains in a statement.

The flavor of the three miso pastes also differed. The researchers found that the space miso exhibited a darker color along with a "nutty" and "roasted" taste, which could be attributed to an increased production of pyrazines  an organic compound that the report says displays "baked, roasted, and nutty flavor characteristics"  in the space miso due to the higher temperatures.

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Related: Foods Like Kimchi and Miso May Have Major Mental Health Benefits, New Study Suggests

"By bringing together microbiology, flavor chemistry, sensory science, and larger social and cultural considerations, our study opens up new directions to explore how life changes when it travels to new environments like space," Joshua Evans, a food scientist at the Technical University of Denmark, details.

What does this mean for the future? According to Evans, these learnings "could enhance astronaut well-being and performance, especially on future long-term space missions. More broadly, it could invite new forms of culinary expression, expanding and diversifying culinary and cultural representation in space exploration as the field grows."



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Vietnam's first urban light rail! Experience the 23-minute traffic-free commute

07:50, April 13, 2025 By Sheng Chuyi, Zhang Wenjie, Yu Liang ( People's Daily Online

In 2023, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned in his signed article published in Vietnamese media that Chinese enterprises built the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line, which is Vietnam's first urban light rail project. It has carried nearly 20 million passenger trips in total, facilitating public transport for local residents.

As of April 2025, the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line has serviced around 35 million passenger trips, making a significant contribution to easing local traffic congestion and reducing urban pollution.

China and Vietnam are connected by mountains and rivers, enjoy cultural proximity, cherish the same ideals, and have a shared future. In December 2024, China and Vietnam announced the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on the cross-border standard-gauge railway cooperation project. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Vietnam diplomatic relations and has been dubbed the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges. The two countries will continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and the two peoples can look forward to a future filled with more possibilities, expectations, and benefits.

(Zhang Heyun and Chen Yongjia, as interns, also contributed to this video.)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Wu Chengliang)
KUNMING/HANOI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Nguyen Thuy Van, a florist from Lao Cai province in Vietnam, has been engaged in the flower industry for 14 years. She has been selling Yunnan flowers to Vietnam since 2018. Nowadays, upon the development of online sales platforms, both purchasing and logistics can be done online. Through the convenient logistics network, roses, lilies and other main varieties of flowers can arrive from the fields in China's Yunnan Province to the flower markets in Hanoi in the next day.

At present, Nguyen Thuy Van takes a bullet train to Kunming every month to purchase flowers, and her company transports high-quality Yunnan flowers to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese cities through Lao Cai port.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Artur Abramyan, an Armenian-origin witness, testified Monday at the court hearings continued at the Baku Military Court.

Vusal Aliyev, senior assistant to the Prosecutor General, who also represents public prosecution, said that on September 19, 1988, a criminal case was launched by Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General of the USSR, State Counselor of Justice of the 2nd degree A.I. Nikolayev, under the relevant article of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan SSR, regarding the facts of mass riots in Khojaly, Shusha and Khankendi, and the investigation group of the USSR Prosecutor's Office was entrusted with conducting the preliminary investigation.

Abramyan, serving as Murad Petrosyans driver at the time, stated that Petrosyan had met with Robert Kocharyan at the Khankendi City Council. According to him, Kocharyan served as a right-hand man to Maksim Babayan, Chairman of the Khankendi City Council, while Henrik Pogosyan, Chairman of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO), spearheaded the entire national Armenian movement.

He added that Vazgen Sargsyan, commander in chief of the Armenian army, had provided the arms supply from Yerevan to the Azerbaijani territories. He added that the weaponry had been sent from Armenia to Asgaran by helicopter and further distributed to other big cities in the region. The arms were then received by the heads of the Armenian armed detachments and distributed among the detachments members.

The trial continues for Armenian nationals accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, including war crimes, acts of terrorism, waging and preparing an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, the forcible seizure and retention of power, and financing terrorism, among other offenses related to Armenias military aggression.
Iowa lawmakers are trying again pass legislation designating how to spend money from the state's Opioid Settlement Fund. (Photo by Darwin Brandis/iStock Getty Images Plus)

A Senate subcommittee moved forward a bill Monday allocating $42 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to combat the impacts of the opioid crisis.

Senate Study Bill 1226 would provide a $12 million grant for Community and Family Resources, an addiction recovery and treatment center in Fort Dodge and $30 million to Iowa HHS for efforts to abate the opioid crisis in the state, taking into account recommendations from the seven district behavioral health advisory councils throughout the state.

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Moving forward, the bill states 75% of unobligated money from the settlement fund will go to HHS and 25% will go to the Attorney Generals office, to be disbursed in accordance with the requirements of the master settlement agreements. Each year, the two entities will have to submit their recommendations on appropriating the funds for the next fiscal year to lawmakers as a bill, again with consideration for regional behavioral health advisory council recommendations.

Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, left, spoke as he headed a subcommittee meeting on the distributing money from the states Opioid Settlement Fund. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, said this bill will not necessarily be the final version of the legislation, but that he wanted to get the conversation started early to ensure that opioid settlement funding is distributed.

Weve been in negotiations a little bit with the House, Kraayenbrink said. And I just think, rather than holding on and waiting for additional negotiations, we need to get a bill (moved)  and hopefully come to a resolution on whats going to happen.

There is currently more than $56 million in Iowas Opioid Settlement Fund, received as settlement in lawsuits brought by states against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies for their roles in the opioid epidemic. Iowa will receive more than $325 million from these settlements between fiscal years 2021 through 2039, according to the AGs office. The funds are split, with half going to local governments and half to the state  with both levels of government obligated to use at least 85% of the funds received for opioid addiction treatment and prevention services.

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Lawmakers set up the Opioid Settlement Fund in 2022 to collect and distribute this money given to the state. However, the Legislature has not dispersed any of the funds money in the past two sessions  disagreements between the House and Senate on how to allocate these funds were not resolved before the session ended in 2024.

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The House had moved in 2024 to designate money to go to specific nonprofits  $3 million to Youth and Shelter Services and $8 million to Community and Family Resources. In the Senate proposal this year, $12 million was allocated for Community and Family Resources. Executive Director Michelle De La Riva told lawmakers at the subcommittee meeting the funding would go toward a new campus providing resources like a detox program and adolescent residential program.

When asked if other programs could be given direct funding in the 2025 bill, Kraayenbrink said more allocations could be made as negotiations occur between the two chambers.

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I dont know if I really see it being exactly like this when its done, but this is just to get the momentum going, he said.

Amy Campbell with the Iowa Behavioral Health Association praised the measure for including input from the district behavioral health advisory councils in the distribution of the funds. She said these councils will be able to see funding needs in their communities as disbursement begins from local governments and through the state.

We think one of the good parts of this bill is actually getting that local input from the regional advisory board, since they will be on the ground and theyre going to start seeing the gaps as the new system kind of comes online, Campbell said. And I think theyre in a good spot to be able to provide advice on that.

The House had offered an amendment creating a grant program for settlement funds through HHS in addition to establishing an advisory council to oversee and make recommendations about funding these grants each year. The advisory council was not approved by the Senate, leaving the settlement funds undistributed last year. Kraayenbrink said he was not sure if House members would pursue this oversight component again, but said he wanted to ensure that negotiations begin on the Opioid Settlement Fund.

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I just felt, from a prudent standpoint of the Senate, is that I just cant sit and watch nothing happen again, Kraayenbrink said. Its time that we at least move, and kind of force the conversation to be had.

Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said she supported starting the conversation on the settlement fund.

Im glad to see that we have this bill before us, because Iowans have been waiting too long with this money stuck in the freezer, Petersen said.  These dollars need to be getting out the door to help Iowans. We lost over 1,000 Iowans in the past five years, and we know people are struggling.

The bill moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

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Photo illustration by Getty Images.

Legislation aimed at making schools and other buildings safer during emergency events, like active shooters, passed through the Senate on Monday.

House Bill 651, sponsored by Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, creates an exemption in state fire code for temporary door locks in public buildings.

Temporary door locks can help save lives, according to a study published in the Journal of Mass Violence Research. In fact, the Sandy Hook Commission, a report by the federal government, found in 2015 that there has never been an active shooter event where the shooter breached a locked door.

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Currently, our fire code is fairly direct and provides no exceptions, Regier said during the bills hearing on March 21 before the Senate State Administration Committee. It states it is unlawful to obstruct a fire exit or any hallway corridor or entrance way leading to a fire exit. Yet in an active shooter emergency, one of the first steps that is recommended to protect potential victims is to secure the door.

A code official, or whomever has jurisdiction of a building, would have to approve of the use of temporary locks, and they could only be used in a shelter-in-place or emergency lockdown situation.

The bill had several proponents during the hearing, including from the Montana Police Protective Association and the Montana Professional Firefighters.

Both said the door locks Regiers legislation permits would not be a barrier for emergency access to buildings.

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I think this is a good idea, Carter Marsh, representing Montana Professional Firefighters, said. I think it can keep our kids safe, and I think that we should take any step we can, and it still allows for local control to have that ultimate say.

A company, Nightlock, also spoke in favor of the legislation. That company sells locks that can quickly be put in place during an active shooter situation. They are stored near a rooms entrance and are physically taken and put under the door.

The House voted 97-3 to approve the legislation, while the Senate voted 49-1 during the bills second reading. It will still need one more procedural vote by the Senate to reach the Governors desk.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The information disseminated by Armenia that the Azerbaijan Army Units allegedly opened fire in the direction of the Khanazakh settlement, resulting in damage to the cultural center, is baseless, false and complete disinformation, said the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan Army Units did not open fire in the mentioned direction.

We reiterate that the the Azerbaijan Army Units never open fire on civilian population and facilities.

Azerbaijan Army takes adequate retaliatory measures only in response to provocations committed by the Armenian armed forces through firing on our positions.The opposite side attempts to form a false opinion in the international community by spreading such disinformation that does not reflect reality, while concealing their recent provocations, including regular firing of Azerbaijan Army positions from various directions," the statement reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Julius Pranevicius, on April 14, 2025, Trend reports via the MFA press service.

The meeting focused on bilateral and multilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania, as well as the regional and international situation.

Both sides acknowledged the significant potential for cooperation in sectors such as economy, trade, energy security, and humanitarian fields. They emphasized the importance of political consultations as a mechanism for addressing related issues. The necessity of enhancing cooperation within multilateral platforms was also highlighted.

Minister Bayramov provided a detailed update on the current situation and realities in the region post-conflict, including efforts to combat the threat of landmines, as well as the ongoing process of normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He discussed the challenges in advancing peace and normalization, including territorial claims against Azerbaijan in Armenias constitution and other legislative acts, Armenias rapid rearmament, and the continued existence of the OSCE Minsk Group and other related structures.

In the course of the meeting, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

On the same day, political consultations were held between the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and Lithuania. Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister, Fariz Rzayev, and Lithuanias Deputy Foreign Minister, Julius Pranevicius, led the consultations.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Flagler Beach Fire Department has released information on an apparent shrimp boat that washed ashore on Sunday evening.

Fire crews were dispatched to 2480 N. Oceanshore Blvd. and attempted to contact the boats crew.

They received no response and searched the vessel but found nobody aboard.

After contact with the United States Coast Guard, officials said the entire crew was accounted for.

The investigation was turned over to local law enforcement, who will wait for findings from the FWC.

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ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  An investigation is underway in Rowan County after a hiker and his son found skeletal remains Sunday evening.

In a Facebook post, the Rowan County Coroners Office said the remains were found around 7 p.m. on Trent Ridge.

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Kentucky State Police, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office, and the coroners office canvassed the area for additional evidence, according to the post.

Coroner John Northcutt confirmed the remains were human, and they have been sent to the State Medical Examiners Office to be identified.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  On April second almost 3 dozen well-organized volunteers from around the country traveled to Sioux Falls. They came to help Call to Freedom prepare their new headquarters

So down here is just cosmetic paint that has to be done and then the carpet, said Colleen Fabling.

Guilty verdict in Pine Ridge stabbing

Fabling and other volunteers are part of a ministry called 8 Days of Hope, she is the ministrys Safe House Director.

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So we come in for 14 days and from April 2nd to April 16th, it will be a complete renovation of this space which used to be a data center and now its going to serve survivors of human trafficking, said Colleen Fabling.

The volunteers work long days and work on the weekends too. Some of them take vacation time to be here. Many are highly trained in construction, from electricians to plumbers to painters.

Ive got 50 years of construction experience this year, said Harold Dawson of Ohio. So me I can walk into a building and I can just see what we need to do and what order it needs to go in.

Dawson says hearing the personal stories of human trafficking victims inspired him to take on projects like this one.

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Ive always heard if you really want to be passionate about something let the lord break your heart, she broke my heart, she did it last night too. It just breaks your heart to hear that stuff of you cant behind something like this, you are not a human being, you are not what you are supposed to be, said Dawson.

Call to Freedom is one of 13 shelters supported by 8 Days of Hope.

We love the work that we do, we know that they are on the front lines of fighting against human trafficking and we are just grateful that we get to be here to hold their arms up and encourage them, said Fabling.

So, basically, we have one organization that helps people helping another organization that helps people.

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We are going to be able to service more victims of human trafficking and have them walk through the doors and we want to make sure they feel safe, said Call to Freedom CEO and founder Becky Rasmussen. That they have every opportunity to get out of those horrific situations and this allows us to be able to equip our services to be able to do that.

This group of volunteers is doing about a quarter of a million dollars worth of work. Rasmussen says that savings can be put to good.

It also allows us to build these amazing relationships to be able to have people from all over the United States that have a heart for this issue and want to come and be a part of the solution, thats a movement and we have always said this needs to be a movement across the United States to make a difference and with our partnership with 8 days of Hope we are seeing that, said Rasmussen.

8 Days of Hope was founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

They continue to respond to disasters and have helped rebuild 44 hundred homes. Links to both non profits are available below.

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To see the Eight Days of Hope website, click here. To see the Call to Freedom website, 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 KELOLAND.com.
The City of Providence wants to investigate consolidating certain data sources across municipal and school district networks when its schools return from state to local control. The district superintendent is concerned about the plans finer points when it comes to data sharing. (Photo illustration by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Some systems get too complex. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley thinks that has happened with overlapping information technology (IT) and data systems across the citys government and public schools, which have been under state control since 2019.

We should all want the best resources, the best experts, working together, Smiley said at the Zuccolo Recreation Center on Federal Hill during the April 10 release of Providences Plan for Our Schools: Building a Brighter Future.

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The report is the citys first concerted effort to describe how it will resume and maintain control of its schools when the state takeover ends sometime in the next two years. Five of its 63 pages are dedicated to recommendations on how the city thinks IT and data practices should be structured after local control returns.

Smiley wants to align the city and district more closely, and to eliminate redundant software or data collection. These are opportunities for both efficiency and higher quality services, he said Thursday.

Among the more ambitious ideas is to broaden the kinds of student data shared between district, city and third-parties to improve city offerings at recreation centers.

Schools and rec centers serve the same youth and provide interconnected services, but they frequently use different data collection platforms to track student attendance, the report notes. The City will explore where it may merge Recreation Department and PPSD [Providence Public School District] platforms to reduce the number of duplicative systems and improve communication.

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Also on the citys wish list for local control: A more streamlined model for IT management, with the report stating it wants to investigate which roles and functions or contractsmay be duplicative between city and district.

All of us are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Its a global trend, as you well know, Smiley told reporters Thursday. The citys IT department will help the school departments team and vice versa, so we can better protect our students data, our employees data.

The mayors report notes that PPSDs IT department is currently understaffed[and] no PPSD employee directly oversees the network, and the work has been outsourced to consultants. An interim IT director has been in place since July 2024, according to a district contract. But the most recent PPSD organizational chart, created after that contract, still shows the top IT position as vacant.

The district also had IT troubles in September 2024, when a ransomware attack on PPSDs internal systems exposed about 200 gigabytes of district files, including confidential and personal information of staff and students.

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Now the city wants to enhance long-term sustainability and data security, according to its new report. This reliance on external contractors presents risks, including reduced control over internal processes, potential delays in addressing technical issues, and a lack of institutional knowledge of IT systems within PPSD.

Mayor Brett Smiley stands at the Zuccolo Recreation Center on Friday, April 10, 2025, shortly before speaking at the release of Providences plan to retake control of its public school system. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Privacy concerns

Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green expressed concern that the citys plan as-is might violate state law. PPSD Superintendent Javier Montanez is concerned the data sharing aspects may violate federal law, too.

The report suggests sharing of student and family data with city structures that would conflict with federal privacy laws, Montanez wrote in an April 10 letter to the Providence schools community.

The current plan needs greater specificity, more detailed action steps, and accountable timelines and individuals, Montanez wrote, and dubbed the report itself an exercise in redundancy, as it proposes even more City control in day-to-day operations of the District, not less.

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Privacy concerns would fall under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which mandates that schools cant usually share minor students personal information without written consent from parents or guardians.

The citys proposal explicitly states that any new data sharing efforts will comply with relevant federal education data laws, including FERPA and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).

A cheat sheet from the U.S. Department of Education notes the four most common exceptions to written consent for students personal data. It can be collected in a database if proper safeguards are in place, and researchers and auditors can access student data in certain contexts.

School officials can access students personal information as long as there is legitimate educational interest involved, FERPA dictates. And an outside party can be considered a school official if it performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use employees. PPSD uses similar language in its 2024 template for data sharing contracts.

The Providence Public School District headquarters is seen on Westminster Street. City officials hope to strengthen the districts internal IT capacity and security following a 2024 ransomware attack. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

California is trying

Providence is not the first city or state to attempt integrating select data between municipal and district powers. Theres much guidance on how to construct data sharing agreements. Scale can complicate speed, as has been the case in California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigned in 2019 and 2022 for a statewide educational data system that would track students progress from preschool through employment. CalMatters reported that as of March 2025, the system is still not ready for public consumption, with one expert citing an abundance of caution regarding students privacy as a major reason for the delay.

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But Providence operates at a much smaller scale than the Golden State, and the citys local control report gives one case study of how the district and a third-party entity successfully cooperated to share necessary data. In 2024, the city received $200,000 from the state education department to team up with the Providence After School Alliance and deliver out-of-school programming at two underperforming PPSD middle schools, as part of Gov. Dan McKees Learn365 initiative.

The alliance entered into a data-sharing agreement with the district for information regarding demographics like multilingual learners and free and reduced lunch recipients who participate in the after-school programming. The idea is to implement a targeted and responsive program that aligns with PPSDs district-wide prioritiesas well as help inform future after-school programming that integrates both academic learning and enrichment, according to the city report.

Its also not the first data agreement the alliance and the district have shared. According to a 2012 brief from The Wallace Foundation on Data-Sharing Strategies That Work, PPSD and the after school alliance took seven years to forge a different agreement. The brief notes that by making the alliance a quasi-district entity thats providing a servicethat the district would provide itself but cant, the arrangement was able to satisfy FERPA requirements.

The city and district already use the same public records request software, NextRequest. People seeking information on PPSD send a request through the citys portal, and the citys clerical staff satisfy the request.

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Smiley and his office have stressed that the report is not final or prescriptive. Spokespeople for both PPSD and the Mayors office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.

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RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  Wow Bao, an Asian street foods company selling frozen bao, potstickers and dumplings has selected Forest City to be the home of its newest manufacturing facility.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced Wow Bao will invest $6.45 million to open its first company-operated manufacturing facility in Forest City.

North Carolina welcomes Wow Bao to our state where businesses find a strong infrastructure and ready workforce, said Stein in a news release. Wow Baos decision to expand here strengthens our states vibrant food industry and brings new opportunities and jobs to Rutherford County.

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Founded in 2003 as a fast casual restaurant brand, Wow Bao became known for its Asian-inspired menu and its items have been found in multiple restaurants, airports, delivery-only kitchens and in the frozen food aisles of grocery stores for years.

The new facility in Forest City will be the first company-operated manufacturing facility.

The new plant will create 88 new jobs, including maintenance engineers, production supervisors, sanitation associates, and other personnel. While wages vary by position, annual salaries for the new positions will average $49,648, according to a news release.

Wow Bao is thrilled to bring our operations to Forest City, said Matt Fallon, CFO of Wow Bao. With a world-class workforce and vibrant food and beverage industry, it became clear that Forest City and the State of North Carolina were the perfect home for this exciting phase of Wow Baos expansion. We are excited to begin cooking up Americas Number One Bao in Forest City and shipping it out to the rest of the country. Were grateful for the support of Governor Stein, and our many partners throughout North Carolina, and we look forward to joining the community and catapulting this great brand forward.

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) has begun shifting all its public communication to the platform X, owned by Elon Musk, following internal restructuring and staffing reductions. Traditional forms of communication like press releases and dear colleague letters are being phased out. In a meeting with managers, SSA regional commissioner Linda Kerr-Davis confirmed that X will now serve as the agencys primary channel for public updates.

This change coincides with workforce cuts across the agency. The SSA is reducing its staff from about 57,000 to 50,000 and restructuring from 10 regions to four. The agency described its current regional and headquarters structure as outdated and inefficient. In total, about 7,000 jobs have already been cut, with regional office staffwho handled IT, labor, policy, and communicationsreduced from around 700 to fewer than 550. After further cuts, only about 70 employees are expected to remain in regional offices.

SSA employees have raised concerns about the effects of this shift. Government computers require special clearance to access social media, and most staff, including managers, are not on X. Some employees worry that the move could prevent the public, especially seniors who rely on physical communication, from receiving vital updates. This will ensure that the public does not get the information they need, one employee said. Another questioned whether the agency expected older citizens to adopt a new platform just to stay informed.

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The letters being discontinued were not only used to notify the public about changes but also served as internal communication tools. They previously included updates on identity verification and corrections to Social Security death records. One letter clarified that fewer than 0.33% of reported deaths are incorrect, contradicting claims made by Musk.

The restructuring comes amid increased scrutiny from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an unofficial body led by Elon Musk. DOGE is tasked with identifying inefficient government operations and recommending spending and personnel cuts. Musk, with backing from the White House, accused the SSA of distributing billions in incorrect payments. The White House confirmed changes to SSA staffing but said they involved reallocating personnel rather than outright cuts.

DOGE has also moved into other agencies, including the SEC and the IRS. At the IRS, a 20% workforce cutimpacting nearly 6,800 employeesis being considered, with implementation set for mid-May. Musk has proposed putting the entire federal budget on blockchain to increase transparency and reduce waste.

SSA officials have acknowledged that the changes will disrupt internal operations and services. Things are going to break, and theyre going to break fast, Kerr-Davis told staff. We are in different times now.
The man accused of using two gasoline-filled beer bottles to set the Pennsylvania Governors Residence on fire Sunday has been hospitalized, police announced Monday.

Cody Balmer, 38, was hospitalized due to a medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest, Pennsylvania State Police said in a short news release Monday morning.

Police said he will remain under their under supervision and be taken to Dauphin County Prison for arraignment after he is released from the hospital. The extent of the medical event and his current condition are unknown.

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Balmer was supposed to be arraigned Monday morning by a Harrisburg magisterial district judge but it was canceled. An arraignment court hearing is where a defendant is formally informed of the charges against them and asked to enter a plea. Court officials said he was not expected to be arraigned Monday.

Balmer is charged with seven felonies, including attempted murder and arson in connection to a fire around 2 a.m. at the Governors Residence at 2035 Front St. in Harrisburg.

An affidavit of probable cause said Balmer was seen on surveillance cameras around 2 a.m. climbing over an exterior perimeter fence along Geiger Street, which borders Front Street.

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Balmer admitted to harboring hatred toward Governor Josh Shapiro and said he knew it was a possibility the Shapiros would be home at the time of the fire, according to court documents.

The governor, his wife and houseguests were evacuated without injury.

The affidavit said Balmer told state police he removed gasoline from his lawn mower and poured it into the beer bottles, then walked for an hour to the Governors Residence with the intention of setting it ablaze.

Balmer said he used a sledgehammer to break the mansions windows and would have beaten Shapiro with the hammer if hed encountered him during the fire, according to the affidavit.

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Police said they found the sledgehammer and the clothing Balmer was wearing during the fire inside his Boas Street home.

Gubernatorial security knew that there had been a breach on the property and we were searching to determine what had occurred, said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens.

State police said on Sunday that Balmer evaded state police who were searching for him after he climbed the fence and was able to set the fires in the meantime.

Dressed in black clothing and carrying a bag, Balmer approached the piano room windows on the south side of the property and threw a homemade flammable device through a window, court documents said.

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Flames were seen inside the mansion soon afterward. According to the affidavit, Balmer went to another window, broke the glass and went inside the home.

Balmer threw another homemade device inside the mansions dining room that ignited other parts of the house, court documents said.

The Governors Residence is a 29,000-square-foot complex built in 1968. The room that Balmer allegedly set afire was a reception room and banquet hall that houses artwork and historical exhibits. The governors personal living quarters are elsewhere in the mansion.

The affidavit said Balmer kicked the dining room door open and left the mansion. Surveillance footage showed he was wearing two different colored gloves, one orange and one yellow.

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Surveillance cameras showed Balmer leaving the property by climbing over the Geiger Street fence and running through a nearby parking lot and toward Peffer Street, according to the affidavit.

The footage showed the man discarding his gloves, and court documents said two gasoline-covered gloves were later found in a trash can on Peffer Street.

State police said the fire caused extensive damage to the dining and piano rooms.

Bivens said Balmer was relatively meticulous in his approach, although it is unclear how well-versed he was in the layout of the property.

He clearly had a plan, Bivens said. He was very methodical in his approach and moved through it without a lot of hurry.

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State police said they were contacted Sunday by a woman who said Balmer, her ex-boyfriend, was responsible for the fire, the affidavit said. Balmer surrendered to police later that day.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova met with a delegation led by Mircea Abrudean, the Acting President of the Senate of the Parliament of Romania, during their visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports, citing the parliamentary press service .

Gafarova warmly welcomed the guest and expressed her confidence that the visit would contribute to further enhancing cooperation between the two countries and their parliaments. She reminded the guest that Romania was the second country in the world and the first EU state to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the high level of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Romania and highlighted the importance of high-level visits in strengthening bilateral relations.

The parties also discussed the prospects for inter-parliamentary cooperation, the significant role of friendship groups, and the importance of establishing direct connections between parliamentary committees. Gafarova also noted the productive cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania in international organizations.

Speaker Gafarova briefed the guests on the current situation in the region following the Patriotic War, Azerbaijans struggle against pressure and intentional disinformation from some European countries, and the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. She noted that the text of a peace agreement between the two countries has already been agreed upon. However, as she observed, two obstacles remain for its signing: territorial claims to Azerbaijan in the preamble of Armenia's Constitution and the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), whose activities are no longer necessary after resolving the conflict. Once these issues are resolved, there will be no further obstacles to signing the peace agreement.

The discussion also touched upon the reconstruction and restoration work carried out by Azerbaijan in its liberated territories, the "Smart City" and "Smart Village" projects, the return of residents to their homeland, and the restoration of the rights of Western Azerbaijanis.

In turn, Abrudean expressed gratitude for the warm reception and noted the significant potential for further development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania in various areas.

He reaffirmed Romania's commitment to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, its support in international organizations, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and its support for the peace plan regarding Armenia. He expressed confidence in the swift signing of the peace agreement and its potential to provide a bright future for the region.

Abrudean also highlighted successful cooperation in energy, transportation, and other fields, mentioning the memorandum of understanding on the application of the "Asan Xidmet" experience in Romania.

The meeting also included discussions on other matters of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, met with the Acting Chairman of the Senate of the Romanian Parliament, Mircea Abrudean, on April 14, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers.

The meeting underscored the synergistic evolution of Azerbaijan-Romania bilateral relations, anchored in a framework of strategic partnership.



The elevated tier of diplomatic discourse between the two nations was underscored, alongside the significance of reciprocal engagements at the executive and ancillary strata for the enhancement of bilateral relations. The effective collaboration and synergistic engagement among global entities were also deliberated.



The significance of inter-parliamentary collaboration was underscored, emphasizing reciprocal engagements at the legislative tier and the operational dynamics of bilateral friendship committees within the parliamentary frameworks of both nations.

The expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania in areas such as trade and economics, investment, oil and gas, green energy, transport, public services, humanitarian issues, and other fields was noted with satisfaction.

Furthermore, a multitude of domains exhibiting reciprocal relevance for enhanced synergy were deliberated upon.

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Spectrum donated $2,500 to Green Bay First through the companys employee-driven grants program on Monday.

Green Bay First offers a food pantry three times per week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. It also provides three meals every Sunday to combat food insecurity and foster fellowship. Outside of meal services, Green Bay First offers a health clinic, clothing closet, and youth programming.

Wisconsin clerk who failed to count almost 200 ballots in resigns amid internal investigation

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Mayor Eric Genrich and State Sen. Jamie Wall joined Spectrum on Monday morning to present a $2,500 check and see first-hand the effort that goes into the food pantry.

Food insecurity hurts families and kids, said State Sen. Jamie Wall. With this grant, Green Bay First and Spectrum are helping those in need right here in Green Bay and Brown County.

Im proud to serve a community that comes together to help those in need, said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich. Green Bay First does incredible work not only with providing food and clothing to community members, but transportation, health services and so much more. This grant from Spectrum expands the organizations reach to support even more of the Green Bay community.

Launched in 2019, Spectrum Employee Community Grants support nonprofits nominated by employees with a personal connection to the organization through at least one year of their own volunteer work, including $125,000 in grants in Wisconsin to date.

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Spectrum has committed to award $2.5 million over the next five years to local nonprofits through Spectrum Employee Community Grants. Charter pledges to support a minimum of 500 nonprofit organizations across its 41-state service area, impacting more than 70,000 community members, through 2028.

More Green Bay road closures begin as NFL Draft site build enters its next phase

Spectrum Employee Community Grants support local nonprofits that hold a meaningful connection to the Spectrum employees who nominate them, and to the communities they serve, said Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact at Charter. Looking forward to the next five years, were increasing our investment in the program, in support of our employees dedication to volunteer work and vital community organizations that enhance the lives of local residents.

Recipients deliver a broad range of critical social services to underserved community members, including food pantries, homeless shelters, clothing distribution,

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The adoption of the Republicans budget bill has thrown a spotlight onto the hot-button issue that could make or break President Trumps domestic agenda: Medicaid.

The massive government health care program is at the heart of the GOPs plan to slash federal spending in order to trim deficits and make budget space for Trumps new tax cuts. But the topic is dividing Republicans both within and between the chambers of Congress, where conservatives favor steep cuts to Medicaid, centrists say theyll oppose any erosion of health benefits for their constituents, and GOP leaders are left straddling the gap in search of a compromise that can appease both camps.

They have their work cut out for them.

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The 70-page budget plan approved by Republicans in both chambers contains few policy details, and it mentions Medicaid only once. But it instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicaid, to locate $880 billion in spending cuts over the next decade. Thats mathematically impossible, the Congressional Budget Office says, without cutting Medicaid, which provides health coverage to more than 70 million people.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other GOP leaders maintain they can reach that number by weeding out waste, fraud and abuse in the program. But Democrats and many health care advocates disagree. And now that the GOP budget has been adopted, the opposition party is vowing to take the Medicaid fight directly to voters  particularly in battleground GOP districts with high numbers of Medicaid patients.

Republicans can run from their proposal, which is the largest Medicaid cut in American history, but we will never allow them to hide, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters in the Capitol shortly after lower-chamber Republicans passed the budget bill.

Now that the committee process has been set in motion, he continued, they will have to spell out the very cuts to Medicaid and other programs that we have been making clear for weeks now they are determined to visit on the American people.

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As part of that effort, Democrats are hoping to exploit the sharp GOP divisions over the value of Medicaid and how deeply Republicans should cut its funding. That disagreement extends beyond the House to the Senate, where a handful of Republicans  including Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine) and Josh Hawley (Mo.)  have warned that they wont accept any Medicaid cuts as part of Trumps tax cut package.

The prickly nature of the Republicans Medicaid debate was evident on the House floor in the midst of Thursdays vote on the Senate-crafted budget blueprint thats designed to guide Trumps domestic priorities  not only tax cuts, but also an expansion of energy production and a crackdown on immigration  through Congress and on to the presidents desk later this year.

While most of the attention throughout the debate was on conservative spending hawks, who had publicly threatened to kill the resolution over concerns that it doesnt cut spending deeply enough, moderates were more quietly sounding alarms from the center, warning party leaders that theyre prepared to oppose any final package that curtails Medicaid benefits in their districts.

On the House floor during that vote, Johnson huddled in a lengthy discussion with some of those moderates in an effort to assure them that Medicaid benefits were not on the chopping block as GOP leaders move ahead with Trumps one big, beautiful bill.

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Those voices want the final package to hew closer to the $4 billion in cuts the budget mandates for the Senate, and not the $1.5 trillion the same plan requires of the House.

After the vote, some of those centrists said they were encouraged by comments delivered by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) just a few hours earlier, when he declined to commit the upper chamber to the $1.5 trillion figure. But the moderates also emphasized that their vote for the final bill would hinge on Johnsons ability to keep his word about leaving Medicaid benefits untouched.

We made very clear, we wont vote for something that takes away benefits from seniors, disabled and vulnerable people that we represent who rely on Medicaid, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said.

We want to cut the fraud, waste and abuse, [and] I think theres significant savings there we could achieve in this final bill [through] work requirements and taking illegal immigrants off of the rolls and cutting back on the actual abuse that were seeing, she continued. We will not do anything thatll [erode] benefits. And the Speakers made that very clear, and the presidents made it very clear, that they agree with us.

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Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), another GOP centrist, delivered a similar warning, saying he wont support any legislation that cuts benefits under Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security.

I have been in constant communication with House leadership and the Speaker, making it clear that any bill that threatens these critical programs will not get my support, he said after Thursdays vote.

On the other side of the ideological spectrum, however, conservatives interpreted Thunes comments very differently, saying they were newly convinced that the House and Senate were, for the first time, on the same page in seeking $1.5 trillion in cuts. Hitting that figure would rely deeply on the $880 billion charged to the Energy and Commerce Committee, which means Medicaid would necessarily be affected.

Conservatives have, for decades, gone after Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, hammering the services provided by major entitlement programs as bloated and inefficient  and better left to the private sector.

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Those sentiments are spilling into the current debate over Medicaid, as some conservatives are unapologetic about going after the program  despite leaderships claims to the contrary  and urging their colleagues to extend the effort beyond the hunt for waste, fraud and abuse.

Some Republicans are afraid of something that has 80 percent support, which is [a] work requirement for able-bodied individuals who dont have children. Why cant those people go to work? The American people support that, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of just two Republicans who opposed the GOP budget, said after the resolution passed.

The liberals are calling that: Oh, youre cutting Medicaid, he added. But our [Republican] colleagues really arent even doing that. And they should be.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The visiting parliamentary delegation, headed by Acting Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Romania Mircea Abrudean, paid a visit today to the park that bears the name of the brilliant Romanian composer George Enescu, nestled in Baku's Binagadi district, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani parliament.

The members of the Romanian parliamentary delegation engaged in a ceremonial visitation to the monument commemorating the composer, where they performed a floral tribute and observed a moment of reverence in memoriam.

To recall, on 11 October 2006, a monument was inaugurated in the Binagadi district of Baku to honor George Enescu, the founder of the contemporary Romanian national composers school, symbolizing the intergovernmental relations between Azerbaijan and Romania.

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New Mexico State Police have arrested Servando Castillo Lujan, 47, in connection with a stabbing Saturday afternoon in Santa Fe.

Police were dispatched to a trailer park off Agua Fria Street around 4:30 p.m. Saturday following reports a woman had been stabbed, state police announced Sunday afternoon in a Facebook post.

The woman, who police identified as 46-year-old Minerva Marquez Dominguez and Castillo Lujan's wife, died at the scene from her injuries.

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In the Facebook post, New Mexico State Police indicated Marquez Dominguez was babysitting a family member's child when the couple got into an argument. Castillo Lujan is accused of stabbing Marquez Dominguez while the child was in a stroller nearby.

Following the incident, state police officers found and arrested a man matching Castillo Lujan's description who had blood on his hands,

Castillo Lujan has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of child abuse, online filings for Santa Fe County Magistrate Court show, though documents providing more information about the incident were not available Sunday.

The incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau, the Facebook post stated.
PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN)  Titania. Explore the future of life on Titan. I want to explore Saturns largest moon, Titan, in case a huge comet could crash into Earth, read Anika Lal, a Pflugerville third-grader, from her recent essay.

Anika Lal wants to work for NASA and be an astronaut when she grows up. (Todd Bailey/KXAN)

Lal is one of two semifinalists from the region in the Future Engineers fourth annual Power to Explore Challenge. Her essay explores a proposed trip to Saturns moon Titan and includes a design for a spacecraft she designed called Titania.

When I found out that its about moons, then I wanted to do it a lot, because I didnt just want to know about the moon for Earth. I wanted to know about other moons. I wanted to learn about more moons, Lal said.

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The program is one of several funded by Future Engineers in partnership with NASA.

Its just exposing kids to the possibility that you could actually do this, and we would like them to come join us someday to help solve our problems and make the world a better place, said Kristin Jansen, a public affairs officer with NASA.

Budget cuts and space

These programs are just one of the many parts of the space administration facing cuts. On Friday April 11, science news site Ars Technica reported that a draft copy of President Trumps proposed NASA budget saw 20% of the space administrations funding cut. Science programs could see up to 50% budget cuts.

Rock crusher near youth camp could be crushed by new legislation

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In a report by The Hill, President Trumps advisor, Elon Musk, called the news troubling. The proposed budget must undergo review before it is approved.

Anika Lal explains the space craft she designed, Titania. (Todd Bailey/KXAN)

The total budget sits around $25 billion, while the STEM outreach 2025 budget accounts for $143.5 million dollars.

Weve been able to actually decrease costs by using this particular contract to do some of this work for us, Jansen said. She also said that NASA is looking to have more contracts with outside partners to further expand STEM outreach. This will mean reduced costs on NASAs end.

We want them to start thinking about, what else do they want to learn? What else could we discover? Jansen said.

Young minds

I believe my super powers imagination. I can bring new ideas for designing the Titania basic prototype, like a mini drone that can fly with the camera to take pictures, and a parachute to land safely on methane lakes, Lal read from the last few lines of her essay.

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Atomic age goes smaller: Austin company unveils next-generation nuclear power plant

Finalists for the program will be announced on April 23. Winners will be announced on May 7. If Lal wins, she will get a trip to NASAs Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller went on an Oval Office tirade about why a father who was wrongly deported to El Salvador should not be returned to the United States.

Invited to talk by Donald Trump, Miller launched into an attack on the American media, saying it was arrogant to claim the administration should tell El Salvador how to treat its own citizens.

He insisted that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, still languishing in a grim top security prison in the Central American country, was a proven member of MS-13, the feared El Salvadorean criminal gang.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, sit nearby as U.S. President Donald Trump meets with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in the Oval Office of the White House. / Win McNamee/Getty Images

Under our law, hes not even allowed to be present in the United States, and had to be returned because of the foreign terrorist designation, he said on Monday.

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Although the Justice Department has acknowledged a mistake in rounding up Garcia, his hopes of being allowed back to his home in Maryland suffered a huge blow.

First, Miller insisted America had no say in Garcias plight.

And then El Salvador President Nayib Bukele claimed it was preposterous to consider sending the father of a young child back to the U.S. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Of course Im not going to do it, he said, adding: Were not very fond of releasing terrorists.

Miller said a district court judge, Judge Paula Xinis, wanted the administration to kidnap Garcia and bring him back to the U.S.

The Trump administration has ignored judges orders to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who was deported to El Salvador on March 15, to the United States. / Abrego Garcia Family/Handout via Reuters

He added that the Supreme Court reversed that decision by a unanimous 9-0 majority, stating clearly that neither the Secretary of State nor the President could be compelled by anybody to forcibly retrieve a citizen of El Salvador from El Salvador who, again, is a member of MS-13, which, as Im sure you understand, rapes little girls, murders women, murders children and engages in the most nefarious activities in the world.

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And I can promise you, if he was your neighbor, you would move away.

President Donald Trump meets with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in the Oval Office. / Win McNamee/Getty Images

Miller claimed that if El Salvador sent Garcia back, he could be deported a second time.

That is a the president of El Salvador, added Miller, pointing at Bukele sitting on a chair next to Trump and saying that any further questions on Garcias fate should be directed at him.

According to court filings, Garcia has never been charged criminally in the U.S. or El Salvador and Justice Department officials have acknowledged the existence of an immigration order barring him from being deported to El Salvador.

While an immigration judge found in 2019 that Garcia was a member of MS-13, he denies the charge, saying it was based on one unsubstantiated claim that involved him wearing a Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie. He came illegally into the country 15 years ago but was granted protection from being deported for his own safety.

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The Supreme Court found the deportation was illegal and ordered the administration to effectuate his return, but Trumps advisors have repeatedly said it is not in their jurisdiction.

Right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk called Millers rant a masterclass, adding: Everyone needs to watch Stephen Millers real-time factcheck on the truth about the MS-13 illegal gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia that was deported to El Salvador.

Masterclass. Everyone needs to watch Stephen Miller's real-time factcheck on the truth about the MS-13 illegal gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia that was deported to El Salvador.  pic.twitter.com/KrPBBmlSdv  Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 14, 2025

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he planned to travel to El Salvador if Garcia is not returned.

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia never should have been abducted and illegally deported, and the courts have made clear: the Administration must bring him home, now. However, since the Trump Administration appears to be ignoring these court mandates, we need to take additional action, he said in a statement.

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After Miller spoke, Secretary of State Marco Rubio added: I dont understand what the confusion is. He claimed the countrys foreign policy should be conducted by the president of the United States, not by a court.

Trump said he planned to deport as many as possible to El Salvador. He said that could include home-grown criminals and he told Bukele the president has gotta build about 5 more places in addition to his maximum security terrorist prison.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said on Sunday that President Trumps recent steps on tariffs are preventing China from achieving complete economic domination on the world stage.

History will record that the actions President Trump has taken in recent days were the beginning of saving the West from complete economic domination by another power, Miller said in an interview on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures, referring to China.

Miller said its shameful that the United States has allowed core elements of the countrys critical supply chains to be based in China, saying to give China the ability to exert that kind of control over the rest of the world through these illicit means? Thats unthinkable.

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Earlier this month, the White House announced a 10 percent baseline tariff on foreign imports, as well as steeper reciprocal tariffs on dozens of other countries, including many key trading partners. Trump later announced the steeper tariffs would be reduced to 10 percent for 90 days on imports from all nations, except China.

Trump has ratcheted up reciprocal tariffs on China to 125 percent on top of 20 percent levies, leading to a proportionate response from Beijing. That has escalated fears of a massive trade war between the worlds two largest economies.

Miller, in the interview, touted Trumps approach to tariffs, saying the Trump administration is spotlighting how China has distorted the entire global trading system through decades of intellectual property theft, trademark theft, copyright theft, industrial espionage, currency manipulation, illegal subsidization of critical industries, targeted dumping to destroy core manufacturing capacity in other countries, so that they cannot protect and defend themselves in a time of national emergency.

These are state-led policies from China that require redress. And the only scandal is that it took so long for us to finally have a president in Donald Trump who will protect and defend America from these abuses, while every other president, Democrat and Republican, allowed China to plunder us to a degree that was so savage and so total, it honestly eclipses the imagination, Miller added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov has met with a delegation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) headed by Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, the country's Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

The meeting expressed profound gratitude for the sustained and impactful collaborative synergy between Azerbaijan and the International Labour Organization.



The enhancement of societal welfare metrics has been underscored as a paramount objective within the framework of state policy initiatives.



Within the paradigm of four comprehensive social reform initiatives executed in the recent timeframe, substantial milestones have been attained in the facilitation of social assistance to a multitude of individuals.

It was reported that the fifth tranche of social reform initiatives, which commenced implementation in January of the current fiscal year, encompasses a demographic cohort of three million individuals.



Data was disseminated regarding the ongoing systemic transformations in Azerbaijan designed to enhance labor productivity metrics, optimize the labor rights framework in alignment with avant-garde international benchmarks, mitigate informal employment dynamics, and broaden the scope of employment initiatives.



The assembly conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the agenda items pertaining to the collaborative framework between Azerbaijan and the ILO while also deliberating on the potential trajectories for enhanced synergies moving forward.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A high school substitute teacher suspected in a murder-for-hire plot has been indicted by a grand jury in Franklin County.

According to court records, 44-year-old Stephanie Demetrius has been charged with one count of conspiracy, a first-degree felony, and one count of violating a protection order, a third-degree offense. The charges stem from allegations that she agreed to pay a high school student $2,000 to kill her husband, with whom she is separated.

Adam Coys attorneys and prosecution argue new trial motion in death of Andre Hill

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Demetrius was a substitute teacher at Urban Scholars High School, a charter school on East Broad Street, where she allegedly approached the student and solicited him by initially giving him a $250 down payment. Police said additional digital information was collected, including a recording of a phone conversation between Demetrius and the student.

During the phone call, Demetrius reportedly agreed to sending the rest of the payment, and that she owed an additional 15. She also noted her husband worked from home and what times the kids would be out of the house.

Police said that when the student asked if the neighbors would hear gunfire, Demetrius allegedly said that they dont care about the neighbors. For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

CPD Sgt. James Fuqua told NBC4 that the mother of the student had checked his phone and discovered messages between him and Demetrius. The mother and son then came forward to police. Though the extent Demetrius relationship with the student is unknown, Fuqua said there appeared to be prior history between the two.

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According to reports with the Columbus Division of Police, Demetrius has twice violated an order of protection filed by her husband. In the report the complainant alleged Demetrius, who reportedly still has a key to her former residence in Dublin, let his dog out and turned on the gas to the outdoor patio, started a fire in the basement, and another time arrived to pick up clothing, but left without officers escorting her.

Central Ohio home health care owner imprisoned for Medicaid fraud

Court documents also stated that Demetrius, who was issued a $150,000 bond in municipal court, has also tried to stab and run over her husband, and attempt to set his house on fire.

Demetrius was a registered substitute teacher according to the states board of education database. No charges have been filed against the teenaged student.

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KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, April 14. The preliminary investigation into criminal cases involving 16 individuals accused of war crimes has been concluded in Azerbaijan, said the country's Prosecutor General, Kamran Aliyev, Trend reports.

Speaking during a conference in Khankendi on "Heydar Aliyev and Sovereign Azerbaijan," Aliyev confirmed that the investigation was finished concerning charges related to crimes against humanity, war crimes, and offenses committed by the Armenian military and its illegal armed formations, including the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic," established by Armenia on Azerbaijans occupied territories. These cases have now been forwarded to the Baku Military Court for further judicial proceedings.

"These criminal cases have been forwarded to the Baku Military Court for examination on the merits, and the trial is currently underway," he said.

Aliyev emphasized that holding the event in Khankendi, a city that had been under occupation for decades, at the newly opened Karabakh University reflects the political competence and resolute will of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, as well as the courage of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

"We are confident that the cooperation between the General Prosecutors Office and Garabagh University will develop, and mutual collaboration will continue successfully. The historic victory achieved in the 44-day Second Karabakh War, which began in 2020 with a counteroffensive by the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, led to the liberation of our territories that had been under occupation for nearly three decades, and the full restoration of our states territorial integrity," he added.

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CAIRO (Reuters) - Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed land and sea border demarcation and security coordination on Monday, weeks after the two countries agreed on a ceasefire that ended cross-border clashes.

"This visit will open a new page in the course of relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and restoration of trust and good neighborliness," Salam said in a statement released by his office.

The mountainous frontier has been a flashpoint in the months since Islamist rebels toppled Syria's Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Tehran and Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, and installed their own institutions and army.

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The latest round of clashes was in March when Syrian troops exchanged fire with Lebanese soldiers and armed groups in northeast Lebanon. Syria accused Hezbollah of crossing into Syrian territory and kidnapping and killing three members of Syria's army.

Hezbollah, however, denied any involvement. A Lebanese security source told Reuters the three Syrian soldiers had crossed into Lebanon first and were killed by armed members of a tribe who feared their town was under attack.

The two countries' delegations also discussed the fate of missing and detained Lebanese people in Syria, an issue that came under the spotlight after the toppling of Assad, which led to the opening of prisons and the discovery of collective graves in Syria.

Lebanon says more than 700 Lebanese were detained in Syrian prisons due to the Syrian influence in Lebanon during the Lebanese civil war from 1975 to 1990.

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For much of the Assad family's five decades in power, Syria held significant influence over Lebanon, maintaining a military presence there for 29 years until 2005 despite widespread opposition from many Lebanese.

The Lebanese and Syrian leaders also agreed to cooperate in the economic field and agreed on creating a ministerial committee to follow up with issues of common interest, the Lebanese prime minister's office said.

(Reporting by Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan hosted a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Azerbaijan Mohammed Hamad Saad Al Fuhaid Al Hajri, Trend reports citing the ministry.

Health Minister Teymur Musayev welcomed the guests and highlighted the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Qatar. He emphasized the significant role of high-level mutual visits in expanding ties between the two countries.

During his speech, Musayev also pointed out the vast potential for further collaboration between Azerbaijan and Qatar in the field of healthcare.

He stated that there are favorable conditions for exchanging modern methodologies and scientific-practical information regarding continuous professional development for medical specialists.

In conclusion, Minister Musayev expressed hope for continued fruitful cooperation between the two nations in the healthcare sector.

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Wetlands at Nashville's Shelby Bottoms. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Wetlands? Who needs em? They arent soaring mountain peaks offering panoramic views. They arent ancient trees older than the nation we live in. Yet wetlands are important. Many would say they suffer from ugly duckling syndrome compared to other natural features, but as this former farm boy will tell you, the ugliest hogs always taste the best, and things that arent much to look at often have the most value.

Tennessee wetlands for sale? How we got here.

The U.S. Supreme Courts 2023 ruling in Sackett v. EPA stripped federal protection from so-called isolated wetlands, or wetlands that lack a surface connection to other bodies of water. In addition to removing federal protections for half of the 118 million wetland acres in the U.S., the ruling set the stage for state legislatures to drastically reshape environmental policy.

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Around the same time SCOTUS announced their ruling, Collierville Republican Rep. Kevin Vaughan put forth a bill that would limit state oversight on 432,850 wetland acres. Thats more than half of Tennessees 787,000 acres of critical wetland ecosystems. The bill targets isolated wetlands as identified in the SCOTUS ruling, even though such wetlands are not truly isolated, as they often share groundwater connections with essential waterways and aquifers.

Though he didnt disclose it in the bill, Vaughan is a real estate developer who stands to benefit from reduced wetland regulation. Hes butted heads before with the states wetland regulating agency  the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and he was associated with a development project in 2019 that illegally drained and filled a wetland.

Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville, a developer, is sponsoring a bill to withdraw protections from about 80% of Tennessees wetlands. (Photo: John Partipilo)

In addition to TDEC voicing concerns about the bill, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) cautioned the bill could lead to an increase in flooding and that the state has suffered its wettest years in history since 2019 with flood events that caused loss of life and billions of dollars in property damage.

Wetlands are essential to Tennessee communities

Wetlands provide a bulwark against droughts and flooding. They replenish aquifers, filter groundwater, and recharge streams, rivers, and lakes. Given their biological makeup, wetlands maintain critical biodiversity and provide essential habitat for organisms that higher orders of life depend on.

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Vaughans bill received enough pushback in 2024 to send it to a legislative summer study session. But now the bill is back, edited with a few revisions that environmental advocates say dont pass muster. The amended bill now proposes deregulating wetlands that are less than two acres in size, which would still mean putting most of the states wetlands at risk.

All of Tennessees wetlands are essential, regardless of their size. According to George Nolan, Director of the Southern Environmental Law Centers Tennessee office, An acre of wetlands can hold more than a million gallons of water. The proposed legislation favors the interests of developers over the safety of future flood victims and pocketbooks of Tennessee taxpayers. This is no time to repeal laws that have protected our wetlands for the last 50 years.

Other opposition groups include the Memphis advocacy organization Protect Our Aquifers and the Maryville-based Tennessee Stormwater Association (TNSA).

There is little debate in the stormwater community about the value of wetlands as key instruments of maintaining water quality and mitigating flooding, said Aaron Rogge, TNSA president. This will be a major change to how the state manages its water resources, and likely one that well look back on as a product of our current political climate.

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Middle Tennessees Harpeth Conservancy also voiced opposition by drawing up an analysis of how wetlands benefit communities. Examining just one region, the Harpeth Conservancy outlined 16,000 at-risk wetlands along Middle Tennessees Duck River, the states longest river and the most biodiverse waterway in North America. The Duck River (which 250,000 Tennesseans depend on for drinking water) relies on nearby wetlands for drought and flood mitigation. If those wetlands were destroyed, the resulting droughts and floods could devastate communities throughout the Duck River watershed.

Republican legislators are willing to risk future prosperity for short-term gain

Under Tennessees current regulatory framework, a developer must pay hefty mitigation fees to obtain a permit to destroy wetlands in a projected build site. The fees are then used to restore wetlands in other parts of the state, thus balancing out what is lost by a single construction project.

Though imperfect, the current model works. Development corporations operate exclusively to maximize profits and return on investment to shareholders  concerns like the health of the environment and the safety of communities are invisible on a corporations balance sheet. However, being required to pay hefty mitigation fees does matter, as it reduces incentives for developers to build on wetlands.

If Vaughans amended bill passes, it will gut wetland regulations and remove those essential financial disincentives.

Protect wetlands today, elect new leaders tomorrow

Wetlands do something even the greatest engineers could never hope to accomplish with all the tools of mankind at their disposal. They absorb flood waters at a scale thats difficult to fathom, something all Tennesseans should care about as the state continues to experience year after year of heavy rainfall. Destroying wetlands for development may make some individuals a lot of money in the short term, but the loss of these essential lands will be felt during the rainy seasons to come.

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President Theodore Roosevelt once said, To waste and destroy natural resources is to skin and exhaust the land and undermine the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to our children. Vaughan and his co-sponsors may care more about short-term profits than long-term prosperity, but Tennesseans of all political stripes should stand in bipartisan opposition to the piecemeal commodification of wetlands that, though some may refer to them as the metaphorical ugly hog in the barn, nevertheless provide us with as much value as the most breathtaking Tennessee landscapes.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The Azerbaijani diaspora active in European countries has not remained indifferent to the mine explosions that occurred on April 6 and 7 in Azerbaijan's Aghdam and Jabrayil districts, Trend reports via the State Committee on Work with Diaspora.

The committee reported that as a result of these tragic incidents, one serviceman of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces was killed, and four civilians, including underage children, were injured to varying degrees.

The diaspora sent letters of protest to a number of international organizations, including the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its representation in the United States, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the European office of Human Rights Watch, the German branch of Amnesty International, and media organizations such as BBC News, Deutsche Welle, France 24, Al Jazeera English, and The Guardian.

The letters emphasized that the mine threat on the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation has still not been eliminated, and the lives of innocent people remain under constant threat. The refusal to provide maps of minefields planted by Armenia, which continue to cause tragedies, was strongly condemned. Since the end of the Second Karabakh War in November 2020, 392 people have been killed or injured as a result of mine explosions.

Besides, the letters called for urgent attention to the humanitarian situation in areas contaminated by Armenian mines, as well as holding Armenia accountable under international law, which remain key responsibilities of international institutions.

The diaspora called on the international community to pay attention to Armenias ongoing military provocations and mine terrorism and to take decisive action to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

Particularly active in the protest actions against mine terrorism were: the Prague House of Azerbaijani Culture, the Hungarian House of Azerbaijan, the Society of Azerbaijanis of Barcelona, the Bremen House of Azerbaijani Culture, the European Azerbaijani Center, the Public Union for Promoting Azerbaijani-Bulgarian Friendship, the Association of Azerbaijani-Turkic Culture, the European Azerbaijani Women Union Ana Vatan ("Motherland"), the Coordinating Council of Azerbaijanis of the Netherlands-Belgium, the Coordinating Council of Azerbaijanis of France, the "MADANI-Azerbaijani Platform for Culture, Sports, Thought, Solidarity and Future Opportunities", the Swedish-Azerbaijani Cultural Association, the "Khari-Bulbul" World Azerbaijanis Cultural Association, and the Gala Greek-Azerbaijani Friendship Society.

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NANKANA SAHIB, Pakistan (AP)  Thousands of Sikhs were in Pakistan on Monday to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India.

Pakistani authorities this year granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years. Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship.

The main Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak, was born.

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Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is located some 75 kilometers (46 miles) west of Lahore.

Rinko Kaur traveled from Indias western Gujarat state, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She said she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan.

My family warned me about going ... and said I should be with a group to be safe, Kaur said.

But she said the people have been welcoming.

I saw people coming out of their houses, waving as a welcome gesture. We feel as if we are celebrities, said Kaur, who plans to visit other Sikh holy sites in Pakistan in the coming days.

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Many Sikh holy sites are located in Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into separate nations in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Vaisakhi was a time of great joy for farmers." The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites communities, Sharif added.
HANOI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam should uphold their traditional friendship featuring "camaraderie plus brotherhood" and join hands to tackle global challenges, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei has said. Such a bond is the most vivid reflection of the traditional friendship between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), and between the two countries, the ambassador told Xinhua in an interview ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Vietnam from Monday to Tuesday. Standing at a new historical starting point, China and Vietnam should follow the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, and strengthen the foundation of their bilateral relations with high-level political mutual trust, high-quality practical cooperation and in-depth people-to-people exchanges, so as to inject more positive energy into regional and global peace, stability and development, he said. The ambassador said the two countries' traditional friendship has laid a solid foundation for their struggles for national independence and liberation, and has also injected strong momentum into consolidating and deepening their comprehensive strategic cooperation, assuring the stability for both countries in responding to a complex and volatile international landscape. He noted that the top leaders of the two parties have in recent years maintained frequent interactions, charting the course for China-Vietnam relations. This has played a strategic role in advancing the relations between the two parties and the two countries, he added. Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, paid a historic visit to Vietnam in December 2023, during which the two sides announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, marking a new stage in their bilateral relations. To Lam, general secretary of the CPV Central Committee, visited China in his first overseas trip after taking office, further strengthening bilateral ties. The Chinese ambassador noted that China and Vietnam, as partners treading the path of reform and of modernization, view each other's development as a significant opportunity. With both countries jointly embarking on the new journey to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, their practical cooperation has also entered a fast track focusing on quality improvement and upgrading, He said. He pointed out that China was Vietnam's largest trading partner in over 20 consecutive years, and for years Vietnam has been China's largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Take agricultural products. The ambassador said that high-quality Vietnamese products such as coffee and fresh coconuts are highly popular among Chinese consumers, and over 90 percent of Vietnam's durian exports go to China. Last year, China led in the number of newly registered investment projects in Vietnam, He said, noting that the Chinese-built Cat Linh-Ha Dong Line, Vietnam's first urban light rail line, has provided convenience for local commuters, and the Chinese-invested Soc Son waste-to-energy plant processes 60 percent of Hanoi's daily household waste. Emphasizing the people-to-people bond and strong cultural links between the two countries, He said leaders of the two parties agreed on making this year the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges to mark the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, reflecting their deep commitment and high expectations for reinforcing the foundation of public support in both countries. Through a series of activities, the bond between the two peoples will become even closer, and the public support for bilateral relations will become increasingly robust, said the ambassador. As the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and is entering a new period of turbulence, the United States, in particular, has recently dealt a heavy blow to global and regional economic order by weaponizing tariffs to exert maximum pressure, He said. In the face of these challenges, the ambassador said China and Vietnam should deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperation and inject more certainty and stability into the region. This is not only an essential aspect of building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance but also a necessary step to promote regional cooperation and development, He said.
KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, April 14. A delegation from the Republic of Turkiye, including representatives from the city of Kayseri, mayors, university rectors, leaders of political party branches, and members of the Turkish Parliament elected from Kayseri, is currently on a visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

As part of their visit, the delegation toured the city of Khankendi, Karabakh University, and the Khojaly district.

Upon arrival in Khankendi, the guests were welcomed by representatives of the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan located in the city.

From Victory Square, delegation members observed the ongoing reconstruction works in Khankendi and later held a meeting with students and faculty at Karabakh University.

The delegation also visited the Khojaly district to view the progress of construction and restoration activities underway in the region.

A sister city agreement has been signed between Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, and Kayseri, one of Turkiyes oldest cities.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The Tri-States Remarkable Woman winner is in Los Angeles to meet other remarkable women from around the country.

Casey Depriest is being recognized for her work with children and adults with autism.

DePriest can be found at Optimal ACCESS Academy in Newburgh, working with some of the most vulnerable in the community. Our world needs everybody. Everybody was created for a purpose. Casey says.

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One woman will then be named a national remarkable woman.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. In accordance with the Azerbaijan Naval Forces training plan approved for 2025, classes in the specialty of search-and-rescue and diving operations are ongoing as part of the training-methodical session with the diving crew, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Defense.

Divers who underwent medical examination by the medical personnel were allowed to accomplish the assigned tasks. The diving crew's ability to communicate and operate using signals was assessed as satisfactory. At the current stage, practical tasks on searching, detecting, and lifting a sunken object to the surface using underwater propulsion devices and other search methods were completed.

Moreover, during the session, theoretical and practical classes on human body adaptation to high pressure in a hyperbaric chamber, as well as on providing first aid to the injured diver, were conducted. The crew carried out underwater diving using the surface-supplied method, applying their theoretical knowledge in practice.

It should be noted that the main objective of the session is to improve the professional skill of the diving crew, as well as to enhance knowledge and abilities.

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Donald Trumps administration does not appear to possess any evidence backing up claims of antisemitism and support for a terrorist organization to justify the arrest of a Tufts University doctoral student who was grabbed off the streets by masked federal agents and jailed in a Louisiana detention center.

Lawyers for Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk told a federal judge in Vermont on Monday that the government is in possession of at least one memo that says Secretary of State Marco Rubio does not have sufficient grounds to revoke her visa and order her removal.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly suggested that the Trump administration based removal proceedings against Rumeysa Ozturk on more than an op-ed, but memos indicate there is no other evidence (AFP via Getty Images)

Last year, Ozturk co-authored an op-ed in a student newspaper calling on the university to divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel in an effort to hold Israel accountable for clear violations of international law for its campaign in Gaza.

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A memo from Homeland Security officials to the State Department and first reported by The Washington Post claims Ozturk engaged in anti-Israel activism in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israelis on October 7, 2023.

That language is identical to a description of Ozturk on a website run by pro-Israel activists who are identifying students and activists who oppose Israels war in Gaza for law enforcement. That group later appeared to take credit for her arrest.

Specifically, Ozturk co-authored an op-ed article that called for Tufts to disclose its investments and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel, the memo said.

Another memo from the State Department asserts that Homeland Security investigators and searches of government databases have not produced any evidence that Ozturk engaged in antisemitic activity or made public statements in support of any terrorist organization.

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Trump administration officials argue Ozturk can be deported under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows for a foreigners removal if the secretary of state has reasonable grounds to believe the persons presence or activities has adverse foreign policy consequences.

The Department of Justice has not shared the memos with Ozturks lawyers, according to Jessie Rossman, who is among the ACLU attorneys representing Ozturk in courtrooms to challenge her arrest and removal.

Judge Sessions had also questioned attorneys on whether the government has supplied any evidence to back up its allegations.

The administration is relying on the unlawful use of immigration law as a cudgel to punish activists and send a clear message to other noncitizens that if you express opinions the government disagrees with you will also be punished, Rossman told District Judge William K. Sessions III on Monday.

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Guilt by association by trying to tie Ozturk to other activist groups draws an eerie comparison to what the government was trying to do during the Red Scare in the 1950s, Rossman said.

Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University in Somerville, Massachusetts, poses in an undated photograph provided by her family and obtained by Reuters on March 29 (via REUTERS)

Attorneys for Ozturk argue her arrest and detention are violations of her First and Fifth Amendment rights and are seeking her release, among a wave of challenges to similar arrests targeting international students for pro-Palestinian advocacy.

Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me from my commitment to advocate for the rights of youth and children, Ozturk said in a recent statement through her attorneys

Judge Sessions suggested he could order Ozturk to be moved to Vermont from the Louisiana detention center where she has been jailed since last month, after plain-clothes federal agents approached her on the street near her apartment and transferred her to a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.

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The judge is likely to hold another hearing in May.

Ozturk is working towards her doctorate at the Eliot-Pearson Child Study and Human Development at Tufts Universitys Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She received her masters degree in developmental psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University, where she was a Fulbright scholar.

She has remained inside the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile despite a court order following her arrest that she cannot be moved outside the state without at least 48 hours of advance notice to the court.

Ozturk, 30, has repeatedly experienced asthma attacks inside the facility. She wasnt allowed to go outside during her first week at the facility, she wrote in a sworn statement to the court.

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She shares a cell with 23 others, and the conditions are unsanitary, unsafe, and inhumane, and doctors and nurses are rude and uncaring, she wrote. A nurse removed her hijab without asking, she wrote.

I pray everyday for my release so I can go back to my home and community, she wrote. I want to return to Tufts to resume all of my cherished work.
KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, April 14. Turkiye's Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tuzcu and the delegation led by him have visited Azerbaijan's Khojaly district and inquired about the construction and installation work being carried out there, the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in Khankendi city, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts told Trend.

The attendees were apprised of the current operational specifics.

Next, the delegation got familiarized with the Garabagh University in Khankendi. Employees of the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan in the Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts informed about the current number of university students and the current and forthcoming work. The guests also visited Victory Square in Khankendi and inquired about the ongoing construction and installation work, as well as new projects taking place there.

Welcoming the delegation, Sabuhi Gahramanov, the deputy special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, informed them that immediately after the liberation of Khankendi from Armenian occupation, large-scale construction work began in the city.

Tuzcu articulated that Turkiye will persist in its engagement in the revitalization of Azerbaijani territories that have been liberated, and as he mentioned, the support Turkish companies provide in this matter is not limited to trade and economic activities.

This is also a responsibility for us. We'll do everything we can as a brotherly state and nation, he said.

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US President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his predecessor Joe Biden of being responsible for the war in Ukraine.

Trump criticized Zelensky for wanting US missiles, stating: "Listen, when you start a war, you got to know that you can win the war, right? You don't start a war against somebody that's 20 times your size. And then hope that people give you some missiles."

Trump had earlier expressed a different view during a reception for Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele at the White House, acknowledging that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not without fault. He stated that Zelensky, Biden and Putin all share blame for the conflict. "Everybody's is to blame," Trump remarked.

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Trump's focus was primarily on Zelensky, whom he had met at the White House in late February, where he publicly reprimanded him alongside Vice President JD Vance.

Reflecting on the meeting, Trump said, "We had a rough session with this guy over here. He just kept asking for more and more."

Prior to the meeting, Trump had already accused Zelensky and Biden on the Truth Social platform of failing to prevent the war in Ukraine, writing, "President Zelensky and the corrupt Joe Biden did an absolutely terrible job in allowing this farce to begin."

Putin had ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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Trump is advocating for an end to the war and maintains close contact with the Kremlin through his special envoy Steve Witkoff.

His administration envisions a deal to end the war that aligns with Moscow's interests, suggesting that Ukraine should abandon its pursuit of NATO membership and that US soldiers should not be part of a potential peacekeeping force.

Zelensky recently commented that the Russian perspective on the war has strongly influenced the US government.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 14. In the course of his working visit to Shymkent, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev toured the "Tassai" industrial zone, Trend reports.



At the industrial zone, which houses 33 companies with a total investment of 44.5 billion tenge (approximately $84.5 million), Tokayev was briefed on the ongoing projects. These include nine investment initiatives that have created approximately 800 new jobs.



The president visited an exhibition showcasing products from various sectors, including light industry, machine engineering, construction, and furniture manufacturing.

He was also updated on the development of the Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S. combined-cycle power plant, which has an investment value of 350 billion tenge (approximately $665 million).



Furthermore, Tokayev visited the production line at Asia Trafo, a factory that produces autotransformers, power oil transformers, and reactors, which are exported to CIS countries.


ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 14. To date, as many as 158 Kazakhstani citizens have been serving in peacekeeping forces in Africa and the Middle East, and we plan to participate in other UN missions in the future, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with the servicemen of the National Peacekeeping Contingent successfully serving in the National Peacekeeping Forces, Trend reports.

In his speech, Tokayev emphasized that the peacekeepers had performed the responsible mission assigned to Kazakhstan at a high level.

"To be a peacekeeper means to be an envoy of peace. This is a great honor and a high responsibility. The task that only truly brave warriors can accomplish. I express my sincere gratitude to all of you. You know that the current situation in the world is very complicated. Various conflicts are taking place. Unfortunately, not everything can be resolved through negotiations. In such conditions, the role of peacekeeping forces becomes especially important. Kazakhstan is a peaceful country. We support all initiatives aimed at ensuring global stability," said the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Kazakhstan.

The President reminded that since 2014, the armed forces of Kazakhstan have participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

"Eight of our citizens have participated in several missions as military observers and staff officers. About 700 military personnel have been involved in special UN operations," said the President of Kazakhstan.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that not all countries manage to become participants in peacekeeping forces. He pointed out that this opportunity allowed Kazakhstans army to take another historical step last year.

"For the first time, Kazakhstan independently carried out peacekeeping missions. Thanks to the operation on the Golan Heights, our interaction with the UN has reached a qualitatively new level. Kazakhstan has become one of the countries with a full-fledged peacekeeping contingent. We are one of the countries in Central Asia with extensive experience in this field," he said.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Kazakhstan noted that the task of preparing military personnel to carry out important missions deserves special attention. According to him, within a short period, quality work was done to train soldiers and equip them with gear that meets international standards.

"This is a sign of readiness, showing that the Kazakh army is capable of performing the most complex tasks. At the critical moment of the Syrian conflict, you acted pragmatically and decisively, thus confirming the high level of professionalism of the Kazakh army. At that time, the entire world community witnessed the high spirit and courage of the Kazakh soldier. You served in hot spots, showed great courage, and gained invaluable experience. Now, it is important to pass on your knowledge to other military personnel. It is crucial to integrate the new skills gained from peacekeeping missions into the national military training system," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The Kazakh leader emphasized that the state is making every effort to make Kazakhstan a territory of comfortable and safe living.

"Law and Order, patriotism, and responsibility are fundamental values not only for those in uniform but for all our citizens. It is important that these constructive principles are deeply rooted in society on the path to building a Just, Safe, and Strong Kazakhstan," the President concluded.

In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked the meeting participants for their impeccable fulfillment of their military duty and expressed gratitude to their families and loved ones for their support. The President of Kazakhstan then awarded state honors to the military personnel for exemplary service, courage, and selflessness displayed during the UN peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 14. Kazakhstans Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a discussion on the results of the Framework Program for Cooperation on Sustainable Development between Kazakhstan and the United Nations for 2024, Trend reports.

Moreover, the key aspects of the new cooperation program for 2026-2030 were introduced, including the opening of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development in Almaty, which will serve Central Asian countries and Afghanistan.

The program will focus on key areas such as empowering people and strengthening institutions, fostering a sustainable and inclusive economy, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing social cohesion, stated Kazakhstans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussion was attended by the UN country team, government representatives, and non-governmental organizations.

The Framework Program for Cooperation on Sustainable Development between Kazakhstan and the United Nations for 2021-2025 was signed on August 12, 2020. The agreement was signed by the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and the UN Resident Coordinator in the country.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 14. Alibek Bakayev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with Nauman Bashir Bhatti, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Trend reports via Kazakhstans MFA.

In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed in detail the current state and prospects of the Kazakh-Pakistani partnership. They also exchanged views on key international issues.

"Attention was focused on the schedule for upcoming bilateral visits and events at various levels this year. The positive momentum in high-level contacts was also noted," the information notes.

The Ministry also highlighted the importance of the upcoming meeting of the Kazakh-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic, Scientific-Technical, and Cultural Cooperation, which is expected to advance the partnership across all areas of bilateral cooperation.

Both sides emphasized the need to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in energy, trade, economic, and transit sectors.

In recent years, trade between Kazakhstan and Pakistan has shown steady growth. By the end of 2024, trade volume is expected to double compared to the previous year, reaching around $100 million.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council and the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council, held in Baku on April 4, once again highlighted Azerbaijans growing role as a reliable and strategically important partner in Europes energy security.

These high-level gatherings served as key platforms for discussing current and future cooperation in both traditional and renewable energy, with a particular focus on Azerbaijans contribution to diversifying energy sources and supply routes to Europe.

European officials attending the meetings expressed strong interest in increasing imports of Azerbaijani natural gas. The rising demand reflects Azerbaijans solid track record as a trustworthy supplier and its ability to respond swiftly to shifting market dynamics.

Azerbaijan, for its part, reiterated its readiness to expand gas exports, while emphasizing the importance of long-term contracts as the foundation for stable and mutually beneficial partnerships. Participants also reaffirmed the Southern Gas Corridors continued importance as a vital route for Europes energy diversification. At the same time, Azerbaijans role in the regions green energy transition is steadily gaining momentum.

Speaking at the event, President Ilham Aliyev underlined the growing link between energy and national security, stating: "It is clear today, more than ever before, that energy security is an integral part of the national security of countries".

"I would also say that today we can also talk about industrial security, because in order to develop industries, we need energy resources, we need petrochemicals, we need fertilizers. And Azerbaijan is a producer and exporter of crude oil, natural gas, oil products, petrochemicals, and fertilizers.

And our energy company, SOCAR, is involved in upstream, downstream, and midstream activities in Azerbaijan and outside our boundaries. Azerbaijan, for many years, was and will be a reliable partner. And as high representatives of the European Commission noted, Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in the field of energy and a pan-European gas supplier. This is true. The geography of our gas supply is growing. Since our last meeting here in Baku, at the 10th Advisory Council, five more countries have become recipients of our natural gas," the head of state stated.

President Ilham Aliyev pointed out that the process of signing long-term contracts is also important.

"Because we all know that energy projects  oil and gas  need a lot of investments, and you recover investments over many years. By the way, until today, what we invested in the Southern Gas Corridor as a country has still not been recovered. We still have not reached the zero balance. Therefore, we must be sure that our gas will be needed in Europe, which is our main market, for many more years. If we dont have this guarantee, investors will not invest, and the country will not invest. So there will be a big shortage of natural gas. Our reserves are known.

We expect new production from new fields this year  primarily from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli Deep Gas Structure. And also, we are, I think, in the final stage of reaching an agreement about the expansion of production from the Absheron Field, moving to Phase 2, which will add a minimum of 3 BCM to the existing 1.5," said President Ilham Aliyev.

As European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jrgensen said in an exclusive interview with Trend, Azerbaijan and the EU remain key energy partners for each other.

"In 2024, the EU imported around 11.7 bcm from Azerbaijan through the Southern Gas Corridor, 44% more than in 2021. Azerbaijani gas is reaching more and more customers across South Eastern Europe. One of our main priorities is to continue to implement the Strategic Energy Partnership with Azerbaijan. We are facilitating discussions on the gas supply outlook, market demand, and key gas infrastructure upgrades necessary, while, at the same time, advancing the clean energy transition," he said.

Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, in turn, said that his country is actively working on developing infrastructure to receive additional volumes of gas from Azerbaijan.

He emphasized that Bulgaria has repeatedly expressed its interest in increasing the volumes of natural gas supplied from Azerbaijan.

"This is a leading factor for ensuring energy security not only in Bulgaria but in the whole region of South-Eastern Europe. In the context of the hostilities in Ukraine and the volatility of energy prices, opportunities for new quantities from a strategic partner like Azerbaijan become even more important. Therefore, we will continue to work to secure supplies that will guarantee us security and competitive gas prices," noted Stankov.

The minister added that Azerbaijan plays a key role as a source of natural gas supply diversification and in strengthening the energy security of both Bulgaria and the broader Southeast European region.

Moldovan Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu, for his part, said that Moldova is working to strengthen its energy independence by expanding access to alternative supply routes, including through partnerships promoted under the Southern Gas Corridor.

Junghietu noted that Moldova was the first country to make commercial use of the GreeceBulgaria Interconnector and among the first to benefit from the initial LNG delivery via the Alexandroupolis terminal in Greece.

"Natural gas will continue to play a crucial role in Moldovas energy mix. It is necessary for local generation and balancing capacity for renewables. This is why we are particularly focused on the vertical corridor as a key project for Moldovas energy future. The continued diversification of supply sources, including eventual imports from Azerbaijan, will be critical in securing our energy needs. Moldova appreciates Azerbaijans role as a reliable energy partner and looks forward to strengthening bilateral energy cooperation, as the relations between our countries are excellent," the minister said.

North Macedonia also emphasizes Azerbaijans increasing role in ensuring reliable gas supplies to Europe.

Sanja Bozinovska, the countrys Minister of Energy, Mining, and Minerals, stated that North Macedonia sees the Southern Gas Corridor as a strategically important project for diversifying natural gas supplies, enhancing energy security, and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

"North Macedonia is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Azerbaijan and other partners in the Southern Gas Corridor and to take concrete steps to ensure energy stability both at the national and regional levels," she said.

The minister highlighted that North Macedonia is firmly committed to diversifying its gas supply sources, with Azerbaijan playing a key role as a reliable supplier.

Boglarka Illes, Hungary's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade, also emphasized that Azerbaijan is a vital energy partner for her country.

"In 2023, Hungary gained access to 100 million cubic meters of Azerbaijani natural gas, with the potential for further increases in imports. From a corporate standpoint, we support and encourage further strengthening of cooperation between SOCAR and MVM," she said.

Meanwhile, Luca Schieppati, Managing Director of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium, shared that the necessary work for the first phase of TAP's expansion is progressing without delays.

Schieppati believes TAP can further enhance Europes energy security and contribute to decarbonization by gradually expanding its current capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year.

He explained that the initial long-term capacity of TAP, which stands at 10 billion cubic meters annually, was allocated to shippers based on long-term transportation contracts signed in 2013 for 25 years, ensuring investment in the project.

"However, TAP can make an even greater contribution to Europes energy security and decarbonization goals by gradually increasing the pipeline's capacity. Additional TAP capacity is being offered to the market as part of regular market tests held every two years, provided theres interest from the market. In the 2021 market test, completed in January 2024, binding requests were received that will allow the pipelines capacity to be increased by 1.2 billion cubic meters per year by early 2026. The necessary work for the first phase of the expansion is moving forward on schedule," Schieppati noted.

He added that the first phase of expansion could lay the foundation for further capacity increases, which could occur gradually through participation in future market tests.

In this way, Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its position in the European energy market as a reliable, predictable, and long-term partner. As global instability rises and the need for supply diversification grows, European countries are increasingly turning to Azerbaijan as a stable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial energy source.

Azerbaijan's commitment to energy solidarity is evident in its efforts to expand export routes, modernize infrastructure, and increase supply volumes. The countrys growing energy dialogue with Europe reflects both bilateral and multilateral cooperation, contributing to the development of a collective energy security framework.

Moreover, Azerbaijan is not limited to traditional energy sources. The transition to a "green" economy has become a national priority. Through active partnerships in renewable energy and large-scale solar and wind projects, Azerbaijan is showcasing its commitment to sustainable development and playing a key role in the global fight against climate change.

This balanced approach  combining traditional energy with investments in green transformation  makes Azerbaijan a crucial component in the European energy landscape, both now and in the future.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 14. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Michael Wirth, Chairman of the Board of Chevron Corporation, and discussed the current status and future outlook of the strategic partnership, Trend reports.

The meeting focused in particular on the continued development of major investment projects, including initiatives in gas production and petrochemical manufacturing," the press service of Kazakhstans President stated.

President Tokayev underscored Chevrons vital role in the sustainable growth of Kazakhstans energy sector and congratulated Wirth on the successful completion of the Tengiz field expansion.



He also emphasized the importance of increasing the participation of domestic companies in the oil and gas industry and expressed Kazakhstans commitment to strengthening its collaboration with Chevron on a long-term, mutually beneficial basis.

In his turn, Michael Wirth reaffirmed Chevrons view of Kazakhstan as a reliable and strategic partner. He noted that from 1993 to 2024, the Tengizchevroil joint venture has made significant investments into the countrys economy.

Chevron, one of the worlds largest oil and gas corporations, is headquartered in the United States. It has operated in Kazakhstan since the early 1990s and remains a leading foreign investor in the nations energy sector.












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On April 13th, the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "Expo") commenced in Hainan Province. Anhui's trade delegation, comprising 20 meticulously selected companies, made a group appearance to showcase Anhui's distinctive consumer goods and innovative achievements, aiming to propel more culturally rich and innovative "Anhui-branded" products onto the international stage.

It is understood that the exhibits brought by Anhui enterprises cover multiple fields including intelligent manufacturing, green food, household items, and cultural and creative products. These exhibits range from century-old "time-honored brands" to cutting-edge "black technology", not only demonstrating the robust strength of "Anhui manufacturing" but also highlighting the soft power of traditional culture. iFLYTEK made its debut at the Expo as an independent exhibitor for the first time, creating a new digital exhibition experience; Chery Automobile, the "China Time-Honored Brand" Gujing Liquor, Huizhou specialty cuisine, and intangible cultural heritage copper crafts formed a "quartet".

The participation of Anhui enterprises in this exhibition aims to leverage the Expo, a national-level platform, to deeply implement the "Anhui Going Global" initiative and vigorously boost consumption. This effort supports Anhui enterprises in exploring new markets and enhancing the recognition of Anhui's domestically produced trendy products.

As the largest consumer goods exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region, the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo will run from April 13 to April 18. This edition of the Expo features over 71 countries and regions, more than 1,700 consumer enterprises, and over 4,100 brands. It concentrates on showcasing new and premium products in emerging consumption sectors such as fashion, technology, health, and services. The proactive participation of Anhui enterprises will offer global consumers a multitude of exquisite choices from Anhui.





Source: anhuinews.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed two green loans with Iberdrola, totaling 108 million euros, to enhance the pumping capacity of Spain's Valdecanas hydroelectric complex, Trend reports.

The loans include 50 million euros from the EIBs own funds and 58 million euros from the Regional Resilience Fund (FRA).

The funding will support improvements at the Valdecanas and Torrejon power plants, increasing their energy storage and enabling better integration of renewable energy. The upgraded facility will feature a total installed capacity of 225 MW, with a 15 MW hybrid battery and 7.5 MWh of stored energy.

The combined capacity of the battery and hydroelectric units will boost the plants pumping capacity to 313 MW and increase the storage capacity of the Tajo system to 210 GWh. The works will utilize the existing infrastructure, minimizing environmental impact.

Once operational, the complex is expected to reduce CO2 emissions and create approximately 165 direct jobs, with an additional 500 indirect jobs. The project will also contribute to economic and social cohesion in a region with below-average per capita income.

The investment is part of Spain's Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and aligns with the EIBs commitment to enhancing energy security within the EU. The Valdecanas project also supports the REPowerEU initiative, aiming to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

The Valdecanas hydroelectric complex operates as a reversible pumping plant, allowing for efficient electricity generation and storage. This system stabilizes the electricity grid by storing excess energy and releasing it when demand rises.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Masdar, the UAEs clean energy leader, has signed two agreements with Indonesias state-owned electricity company PT PLN (Persero) to advance floating solar projects in Indonesia, Trend reports.

The first agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), covers the development of a floating solar power plant at the Jatigede Dam reservoir in West Java, with work set to begin this year and completion expected by 2027. The second agreement explores expanding Masdars Cirata Floating Photovoltaic Power Plant, which started operations in November 2023.

The agreements, signed during Indonesian President H.E. Prabowo Subiantos state visit to the UAE, align with Indonesias goal to add over 75GW of renewable energy by 2038 as part of its low-carbon transition.

Masdars Cirata project currently powers 50,000 homes and reduces carbon emissions by 214,000 tonnes annually. The company is also exploring the expansion of Ciratas capacity after regulatory changes allowed more water coverage for renewable energy use.

Indonesias numerous natural reservoirs make it an ideal location for floating solar power. Masdar has increased its global renewable energy portfolio and aims to reach 100GW by 2030 while becoming a major green hydrogen producer.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The International Air Transport Associations (IATA) Aviation Energy Forum 2025 will be held in Baku on May 1315, 2025, President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) Samir Rzayev posted on Facebook, Trend reports.

"Within the framework of the forum, the industrys most pressing priorities will be discussed, and exchanges of ideas will take place to enhance efficiency in the aviation sector, promote innovations, and achieve the Net Zero Emissions by 2050.

This notable event, supported by AZAL, will bring together:

Representatives from 50+ countries

60+ airlines

550+ registered participants

As Azerbaijan and AZAL, we take pride in hosting the Aviation Energy Forum, contributing to the global aviation agenda, expanding international partnerships, and strengthening our country's position as the region's aviation hub," his post reads.

To note, IATA was established in Havana, Cuba, on April 19, 1945. It serves as the principal mechanism for inter-airline collaboration in advancing safe, dependable, secure, and cost-effective air services for the benefit of global consumers. Championing the interests of airlines worldwide, it contests unjust regulations and fees, holds regulators and governments accountable, and endeavors for rational regulation. For more than 70 years, IATA has established worldwide commercial standards that underpin the air transport industry. It enables airlines to function safely, securely, efficiently, and affordably under well-defined regulations.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Eni and Argentinas state energy company YPF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evaluate Enis potential participation in the Argentina LNG project, an integrated gas development initiative led by YPF, Trend reports.

The project aims to develop gas resources from Argentinas Vaca Muerta shale formation and reach export capacity of up to 30 million tons per year (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of the decade. The MoU covers the development of upstream, transportation, and gas liquefaction infrastructure through two floating LNG units, each with a capacity of 6 MTPA, totaling 12 MTPA.

According to Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi, YPFs interest in partnering with Eni is based on its experience with floating LNG (FLNG) projects in Congo and Mozambique. YPF President and CEO Horacio Daniel Marin said the agreement could help accelerate the project timeline, noting growing international interest in gas from Vaca Muerta.

The MoU aligns with Enis broader strategy to support the energy transition, expand gas production, reduce emissions, and strengthen energy supply security and competitiveness.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Market participants in Azerbaijans financial sector are no longer operating separately but as part of a cohesive team, while still maintaining competition among themselves, said Taleh Kazimov, Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), Trend reports.

Speaking at an event dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA) and the 25th anniversary of its subsidiary, the Azerbaijan Banking and Financial Training Center, Kazimov emphasized that the strategic policies initiated by national leader Heydar Aliyev and continued under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev have led to significant development and strong momentum across all sectors of independent Azerbaijan, including banking.

He noted that under the current administration, the banking sector has seen considerable progress in strengthening resilience against potential risks and expanding access to financial resources for economic actors.

Regarding financial inclusion, Kazimov highlighted the crucial role of the ABA in promoting initiatives in this area. He also underlined that the collaboration between the Central Bank and the ABA has helped modernize the sector and broaden innovation efforts.

"The fact that market participants now operate as a large team rather than individually  while still preserving a competitive spirit  is a testament to this synergy. I want to express my gratitude to the ABA leadership and bank executives for making this possible," he said.

Kazimov also expressed appreciation to President Ilham Aliyev for creating a supportive environment for sustainable development in the financial sector.

The event opened with remarks by Natig Amirov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Economic Policy and Industrial Affairs within the Presidential Administration; Alpaslan Cakar, Chairman of the Board of the Banks Association of Turkiye; and Zakir Nuriyev, President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA). Speakers reflected on the milestones and achievements of the banking and financial sector over the years.

Additionally, the event spotlighted the evolution of the Training Center  now operating as the Azerbaijan Bank and Financial Training Center  emphasizing its role in the professional development of financial sector personnel and the enhancement of industry-wide expertise.

The event, significant for the countrys financial sector, was attended by senior government officials, financial industry leaders, and representatives from foreign associations and organizations collaborating with the ABA.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 14. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Endo Toshiaki, Chairman of the JapanTurkmen Interparliamentary Friendship Group, during his official visit to Japan on April 14, Trend reports.

During the talks, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further developing the partnership between Turkmenistan and Japan across political, economic, and cultural-humanitarian areas.

Particular attention was given to the importance of interparliamentary cooperation, which was highlighted as a key instrument for deepening mutual understanding and strengthening trust between the peoples of the two nations.

President Berdimuhamedov praised the role of the friendship group in fostering bilateral relations and emphasized its contribution to the ongoing development of cooperation between the two countries.

The Turkmen leader arrived in Japan to participate in the upcoming international exhibition EXPO 2025 in Osaka.

Meanwhile, Japans exports to Turkmenistan in January 2025 totaled 360.78 million yen ($2.4 million), reflecting a notable decline from previous months. For comparison, exports in December 2024 amounted to 437.64 million yen ($3.3 million), while November exports were recorded at 708.18 million yen ($5.3 million). The highest export volume in 2024 was recorded in May, reaching 770.25 million yen ($5.8 million).
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 14. Turkmenistan is planning to hold an exhibition of its products in the Iranian city of Gorgan this May, said Deputy Prime Minister Noker Atagulyyev during a government meeting, Trend reports.

The event is set to open new doors for trade between the two friendly nations, giving Iranian businesspeople and consumers a chance to dip their toes into Turkmenistan's export potential. The exhibition will feature export-oriented products from various sectors of the national economy, as well as goods produced by members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has approved the proposal for the exhibition and instructed the vice prime minister to carry out the necessary preparatory work. The President emphasized that Turkmenistan is consistently strengthening its trade and economic relations with neighboring countries and highlighted that Iran is one of Turkmenistan's close partners.

This exhibition will be a significant leap in putting Turkmen goods on the map and tightening the economic bonds between the two nations.

To note, in the immediate horizon, the strategic objective delineated between Iran and Turkmenistan is to augment the throughput of transit and freight logistics via rail infrastructure, targeting a throughput of 10 million tons by the conclusion of 2027.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. In January-March, approximately 3 billion cubic meters of gas were exported to Europe, Azerbaijans Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports.

"In January-March, approximately 3 billion cubic meters of gas were exported to Europe, 2.3 billion cubic meters to Turkiye, and 0.7 billion cubic meters to Georgia. During this period, 1.4 billion cubic meters of gas were transported to Turkiye via TANAP," the post read.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 14. The United Nations has unanimously adopted a resolution to hold the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3) in Turkmenistan, Trend reports.

The event will take place from August 5 through 8, 2025, at the National Tourist Zone "Avaza" on the Caspian Sea coast.

In connection with this, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, sent a congratulatory letter to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, expressing his sincere congratulations and best wishes. The letter emphasized the significance of this decision for strengthening Turkmenistan's position on the international stage.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that 32 landlocked developing countries, home to over 500 million people, face common challenges related to their geographical location, which significantly affects their economic development and complicates their trade connections with the rest of the world.

The LLDC 3 conference in Turkmenistan will serve as an important platform for discussing strategies and measures to address these challenges and deepen international cooperation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Azerbaijan will participate in the "ITB China 2025" international tourism exhibition, which will be held in Shanghai, China, from May 27-29, 2025, Trend reports.

The State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan has already initiated the necessary preparations for the event.

The agency is currently seeking a company to set up the exhibition stand using a turnkey approach. Additionally, the agency is ready to pay 219,300 manat ($129,000) for the required services.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 14. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has officially delivered a diplomatic note to the Russian side in response to the mass detention of Kyrgyz citizens at the "Bodrost" bathhouse in Moscow on April 11, 2025, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz MFA.

The note was handed over during a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Almaz Imangaziev and Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Sergey Vakunov.

The Kyrgyz side requested detailed information regarding the grounds for the operation conducted by Russian law enforcement authorities, particularly the use of force against Kyrgyz nationals. The note also called for appropriate measures to be taken against Moscow law enforcement personnel, should the use of force be found unjustified.

Kyrgyzstan urged the Russian side to take effective steps to safeguard the rights of Kyrgyz citizens and prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing that such actions risk undermining the allied and strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Yakima County Jail is where Hien Trung Hua died. Hua was pepper sprayed, tackled, shackled and struck by guards in the minutes leading up to his death. (Emree Weaver / The Yakima Herald-Republic, 2023)
Prisoners wait handcuffed outside their cell at maximum security penitentiary CECOT (Center for the Compulsory Housing of Terrorism) on April 4 in Tecoluca, San Vicente, El Salvador.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 14. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have held high-level talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, with a special focus on the reconnection with the Central Asia Unified Energy System , Trend reports via Tajikistans Minister of Energy and Water Resources.

Tajikistans Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Daler Juma, held a virtual meeting with Uzbekistans Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, during which the parties discussed key aspects of regional energy integration.

The officials drove home the point that the energy reconnection project is a golden opportunity to shore up energy security, smooth out electricity distribution, and foster regional cooperation across Central Asia. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the initiative and coordinating efforts for its successful implementation.

In addition to energy collaboration, the ministers also exchanged views on the work of the Intergovernmental Commission between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on trade and economic cooperation. They reviewed preparations for the upcoming session of the commission, which is set to take place in the coming days.

The Central Asia Unified Energy System was established in the 1960s1970s as a single power grid that connected the electricity networks of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and five southern regions of Kazakhstan. This integrated system enabled efficient electricity distribution across the region, helping to balance seasonal supply and demand.

Tajikistans power grid has been flying solo from the regional network since 2009. In 2024, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources announced that Tajikistan had reconnected to the Central Asian power system.

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Stamping in India has long been a crucial part of legal documentation, serving as evidence of duty paid to the government. Traditionally, obtaining stamp paper involved physical visits to vendors, manual documentation, and extended timelines, causing inefficiencies for businesses. With the advent of digital transformation, e-stamping emerged as a viable solution. Among the frontrunners is eDrafter.in, a platform revolutionizing the e-stamping process by integrating digital signatures and electronic stamping for seamless business operations.

Why do businesses need stamp paper?

Stamp paper is essential for various legal and financial transactions that ensure the enforceability and legality of agreements. Businesses require stamp paper to comply with regulatory standards and safeguard their interests in the following areas:

Contracts and Agreements: These include employment contracts, lease agreements, partnership deeds, and other formal arrangements where legal enforceability is crucial.

These include employment contracts, lease agreements, partnership deeds, and other formal arrangements where legal enforceability is crucial. Affidavits and Declarations: Legal statements made under oath, required in various official procedures.

Legal statements made under oath, required in various official procedures. Property Transactions: Sale deeds, mortgage agreements, power of attorney, and other property-related documentation necessitate stamp paper to validate ownership and transfer processes.

Sale deeds, mortgage agreements, power of attorney, and other property-related documentation necessitate stamp paper to validate ownership and transfer processes. Financial Instruments: Instruments like bonds, promissory notes, indemnity bonds, and other financial agreements use stamp paper to authenticate and formalize the transaction.

How edrafter is helping businesses?

eDrafter.in addresses the complexities of traditional stamping by providing a streamlined digital solution. It addresses the inefficiencies of the offline stamping process, where obtaining legal documents is time-consuming and often frustrating. The platform simplifies legal documentation by providing easy online access without the need to stand in queues. Digitization offers an efficient solution to overcome the limitations of the traditional system.

Why edrafter?

eDrafter offers a wide suite of features tailored to meet modern business needs. It addresses the legal and operational challenges of traditional stamping with innovative digital solutions.

Features:

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Fully adheres to the IT Act, 2000, and other applicable government regulations, ensuring that all e-stamping and digital signing processes meet legal standards. Secure & Tamper-Proof: It implements advanced security protocols, including encryption and secure servers, to maintain document integrity and prevent unauthorized alterations, ensuring 100% security.

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It is Designed with an intuitive interface that simplifies the process of obtaining e-stamp paper and digitally signing documents, making it accessible even for those with minimal technical expertise. Scalable for Businesses: Caters to organizations of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, providing flexibility to handle bulk stamping and signing needs efficiently.

Caters to organizations of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, providing flexibility to handle bulk stamping and signing needs efficiently. End-to-End Automation: Reduces human intervention by integrating automation into the stamping and signing process, minimizing errors and ensuring consistency.

Reduces human intervention by integrating automation into the stamping and signing process, minimizing errors and ensuring consistency. Compliance Tracking: Offers real-time status updates and audit trails, helping businesses track compliance and maintain records for legal and regulatory purposes.

Coverage

eDrafter.in offers services in more than 22 states in India, including Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and other states. This extensive coverage allows businesses to operate easily across regions.

Other Features:

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The system achieves an 80% cost reduction by lowering operational costs, eliminating hidden charges, offering bulk discounts, and enhancing paperless efficiency, which results in significant time savings. It eliminates the travel and manual labour costs associated with traditional stamping. Market Centralization: eDrafter centralizes 89% of the market by serving as a one-stop solution with a standardized process, seamless integration, and coverage across 20+ states. Provides a one-stop solution for multiple stamping and signing needs.

What type of solutions do they provide for businesses?

eDrafter offers a range of tailored solutions designed to provide to various business needs, including:

API-Based Solution: This is ideal for those who have a portal. With API integration, digital stamping and signatures can be managed directly on the platform. Full technical setup is provided for a setup without hurdles.

This is ideal for those who have a portal. With API integration, digital stamping and signatures can be managed directly on the platform. Full technical setup is provided for a setup without hurdles. Customized Dashboard Solution: This is perfect for those without a portal. A user-friendly dashboard allows uploading documents, selecting the required stamp paper, and sending them for digital signature, all in a few clicks.

This is perfect for those without a portal. A user-friendly dashboard allows uploading documents, selecting the required stamp paper, and sending them for digital signature, all in a few clicks. Digital Stamping Solution: Designed for those who only need a stamping service. A simple, affordable solution with PAN India coverage which ensures quick and hassle-free document stamping.

By transforming traditional processes into efficient digital workflows, eDrafter.in is not just enhancing the convenience of e-stamping but also empowering businesses with faster, secure, and cost-effective solutions.

Disclaimer-(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 14. Uzbekistan and Iran have agreed to hold the 16th meeting of the UzbekistanIran joint intergovernmental commission in May 2025 in Tehran, Trend reports.

The news follows a meeting between the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, with Deputy First Vice President of Iran for International Affairs and Regional Cooperation Ali Najafi.

The high-level event will be accompanied by a joint business forum and the Made in Uzbekistan exhibition, aimed at showcasing Uzbekistan's export potential and deepening trade ties between the two nations.

In the course of the talks, the sides reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and identified key areas for enhanced collaboration in trade, economic development, investment, and transport. Emphasis was placed on implementing joint measures to ensure sustainable and balanced growth in mutual trade volumes.

The upcoming intergovernmental commission meeting is expected to serve as a significant platform for expanding cooperation and facilitating new commercial and infrastructure projects between Uzbekistan and Iran.
Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated every year on April 14 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He was one of Indias greatest social reformers, the main writer of the Indian Constitution, and a strong voice for equality. Born in 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, he overcame the caste system and became a respected scholar, economist, and leader for the underprivileged. On this day, people across India pay tribute through rallies, speeches, and events. Many visit his memorials like Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai and Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur. Schools, government offices, and institutions also hold programs to remember his work and ideals.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar worked hard all his life to end caste discrimination and build a society based on freedom, equality, and brotherhood. His work greatly helped improve the lives of people from weaker sections. Ambedkar Jayanti is not just about remembering a great leader  it also reminds us to follow his values of education, empowerment, and unity in society.

On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, here are some heartfelt wishes to honor the values of equality and justice that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stood for, reminding us to work toward a more inclusive society.

Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Wishes and messages to share

Saluting the architect of our Constitution on Ambedkar Jayanti. Jai Bhim! Celebrate equality, dignity, and justice-Happy Ambedkar Jayanti! Let us remember the man who gave us the power to dream big. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar lives on through the ideals he gave us. Be educated, be organized, and be agitated. Dr. Ambedkar On this day, we honor the voice of the voiceless. His pen shaped the soul of modern India. Happy Ambedkar Jayanti! Rise above caste, rise above hate-embrace Ambedkar's vision. Remembering Babasaheb: the icon of cocial justice and equality Lets honour Ambedkars tireless fight for justice with our actions and words.

Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Inspirational quotes

I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity.

Political tyranny is nothing compared to social tyranny and a reformer, who defies society is a more courageous man than a politician who defies government.

So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.

Men are mortal. So are ideas. An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering otherwise both will wither and die.

I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.

If you believe in living a respectable life, you believe in self-help which is the best help.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the youngest of 14 children born to Ramji Maloji Sakpal. Coming from a Dalit and economically disadvantaged background, he personally experienced the discrimination faced by his community. Throughout his life, Babasaheb actively fought for Dalit rights and social justice. One of his major contributions was the Poona Pact of 1932, which ensured legislative representation for Dalits.

Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated as a public holiday in many Indian states, with people organizing processions, seminars, and cultural programs to honor his legacy.
Pohela Boishakh, also known as Bengali New Year or Noboborsho, is a vibrant and culturally significant festival celebrated by Bengalis worldwide. In 2025, Pohela Boishakh falls on Tuesday, April 15, in India, and Monday, April 14, in Bangladesh. This day marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar year and is celebrated with enthusiasm and traditional customs.

Date of Pohela Boishakh 2025

India (West Bengal, Tripura, Assam): Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Bangladesh: Monday, April 14, 2025

The difference in dates arises due to variations in the regional observance of the Bengali calendar. In India, the festival is celebrated on April 15, while in Bangladesh, it is observed on April 14. 

History and Significance

The origins of Pohela Boishakh date back to the Mughal era. Emperor Akbar introduced the Bengali solar calendar in the 16th century to standardize tax collection, aligning it with the agricultural cycle. This calendar begins with the month of Boishakh, making Pohela Boishakh the first day of the new year.

Over time, Pohela Boishakh evolved from a fiscal reform into a cultural and social celebration. It symbolizes renewal, prosperity, and the rich cultural heritage of the Bengali people. 

How Pohela Boishakh is Celebrated

1. Traditional Rituals

Morning Prayers: Devotees visit temples to offer prayers for prosperity and well-being.

Halkhata Ceremony: Traders open new account books and invite customers with sweets, symbolizing a fresh start.

2. Cultural Festivities

Mangal Shobhajatra: In Dhaka, a grand procession featuring colorful masks and floats takes place, showcasing the vibrant culture of Bangladesh. 

Prabhat Pheri: In West Bengal, early morning processions with music and dance celebrate the arrival of the new year.

3. Traditional Cuisine

Bengali Delicacies: Families prepare and share traditional dishes like panta bhat (fermented rice), hilsa fish, and sweets such as roshogolla and chomchom.

4. Festive Attire

New Clothes: People wear new clothes, often in bright colors, to symbolize a fresh beginning.

Regional Celebrations

Bangladesh: The day begins with cultural performances at Ramna Park in Dhaka, where artists sing traditional songs to welcome the new year. 

India: In West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam, the festival is marked by fairs, traditional dances, and community gatherings.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
As the Tamil community welcomes Puthandu 2025also known as Tamil New Year or Varusha Pirappuits the perfect time to embrace fresh beginnings, express gratitude, and connect with loved ones. More than just a change in date, this joyous occasion marks the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai, symbolizing hope, prosperity, and spiritual renewal.

Here are 30 wishes, messages, quotes, and image ideas you can share with your family and friends:-

Happy Tamil New Year 2025 Wishes

1. Wishing you a prosperous and joyful Tamil New Year! May Chithirai bring you happiness and harmony.

2. Let this Puthandu be the start of a year full of success and spiritual growth.

3. Iniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal! May this New Year bring peace, good health, and wealth.

4. New beginnings, new hopes, and a new spirit. Happy Tamil New Year 2025!

5. Celebrate tradition, embrace joy, and welcome Puthandu with open arms.

Messages to Send to Family and Friends

6. On this sacred day, I wish you a life filled with love, laughter, and endless blessings.

7. May the divine light of Tamil New Year guide your path to success and serenity.

8. Lets celebrate Puthandu with love in our hearts and positivity in our thoughts.

9. As the Sun enters Mesha Rasi, may your life be filled with sunshine and success.

10. This Puthandu, may your days be bright, your sorrows light, and your future just right.

Quotes for Tamil New Year Greetings

11. Let this New Year be a canvas for all your dreams to take shape.

12. Puthandu is not just a beginningits a celebration of life, love, and legacy.

13. A new chapter, a fresh pagewrite your story with purpose and passion.

14. May the six flavors of Tamil New Year meal remind you that life is a balance of all emotions.

15. Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.

Short Wishes for WhatsApp or Instagram Stories

16. Wishing you a Chithirai filled with love!

17. New Year, New LightHappy Puthandu!

18. Lets welcome 2025 with Tamil pride and joy.

19. Sowing love and reaping blessings this Tamil New Year.

20. Happy Varusha Pirappu to you and your family!

Ideas for Tamil New Year Images to Share

More Wishes and Status Lines

26. A year of love, laughter, and light begins today. Wishing you a Happy Tamil New Year.

27. With every Kolam and every Pongal, let tradition lead us to joy.

28. May your year be as vibrant as the Kolam outside your home.

29. Sending warm Puthandu greetings your way.

30. Lets welcome the Tamil New Year with gratitude and joy.

Puthandu 2025 is not just a moment on the calendarits a celebration of life, culture, and the promise of new beginnings. As you decorate your homes, wear new clothes, and enjoy delicious feasts, dont forget to share your love and best wishes with others.
UBSE Class 10th, 12th Result 2025: The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) has officially announced that they will release the Class 10 and 12 Board Exam Result 2025 on 19th April, 2025 at 11:00 AM. All the students who have appeared for the UBSE Matric and Inter Examination will be able to access their result from the official website, i.e. ubse.uk.gov.in after the release by entering their roll number, date of birth, application number, and registration number.

The provisional mark sheets will be available on the official website, students can download it and keep a copy for future reference but students should note that original mark sheets will be given by their respective schools later.

The official websites where students can download their score cards from are, ubse.uk.gov.in and uaresults.nic.in. The result can also be viewed from an SMS application and DigiLocker. In 2024, the Uttarakhand Board released the class 10 and 12 results on April 30, 2024. In 2024, a total of 1,16,379 students appeared for the exam, out of which 89.14 percent passed the examination. And the overall pass percentage of class 12th in 2024 was 82.63 percent while 96,768 students sat for the exam.
Manabadi TS Inter 1st, 2nd Year Result 2025: The Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) is expected to announce the Intermediate Public Examination (IPE) 2025 results soon. While the exact date and time have not been confirmed yet, the results for both 1st and 2nd-year students are likely to be declared this month. TSBIE usually announces the results for both years on the same day. Last year, the results were released on April 24, while in 2023, they were declared in May. Going through the past trends, the TS Inter Results 2025 is expected in the last week of April or the first week of May. The TS Inter 1st-year exams (Class 11) were conducted from March 5 to March 24, 2025, and the 2nd-year exams (Class 12) were held from March 6 to March 25, 2025.

TS Inter Result 2025: Websites to check result

tsbie.cgg.gov.in results.cgg.gov.in

Manabadi TS Inter Result 2025: Steps to check scorecard here

Step 1: Go to the official website of TSBIE  tsbie.cgg.gov.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the link that says TSBIE Second Year Result 2025.

Step 3: Enter your hall ticket number, date of birth, and any other required information.

Step 4: Click on the submit button to view your result.

Step 5: Download your marksheet and take a printout for future use.

Manabadi TS Inter Result 2025: Past year trends

Around 9.81 lakh students appeared for the Telangana Board IPE exams in 2024. The overall pass percentage was 60.01 percent for 1st-year students and 64.19% for 2nd-year students. In both years, girls performed better than boys.

In the 1st year, 68.35 percent of girls passed compared to 51.50 percent of boys. In the 2nd year, 72.53 percent of girls cleared the exam, while only 56.1 percent of boys did. The 1st-year pass rate dropped slightly from 61.68 percent in 2023, while the 2nd-year pass rate increased from 63.49 percent.
Mehul Choksi Arrest: Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, arrested in Belgium, is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings with assured access to his legal counsel, the Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice said on Monday. India has requested the extradition of Choksi, who was arrested last week on Saturday, the department further stated.

"Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, April 12, 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured. The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi," news agency ANI quoted the Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice as saying.

Choksi was among those booked by the CBI and the ED in 2018 for perpetrating the alleged loan fraud at the Brady House branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Mumbai.

It was alleged that Choksi, his firm Gitanjali Gems, and others "committed the offence of cheating against PNB in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the LOUs (letters of undertaking) issued and getting the FLCs (foreign letters of credit) enhanced without following prescribed procedure and causing a wrongful loss to the bank."

Here Are Top Updates

1. Choksi has been arrested in Belgium following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies for his involvement in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB bank loan "fraud" case, PTI reported, citing official sources on Monday.

2. The action against the second "prime suspect" in this case, after Choksi's nephew, diamantaire Nirav Modi, was taken on Saturday based on an extradition request moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

3. Choksi, 65, was located in Belgium last year when he went there on the grounds of getting medical treatment. He had been staying in Antigua since 2018 after leaving India.

4. Sources told PTI that the Interpol Red Notice against him for arrest was "deleted" sometime back by the global police body, and the Indian agencies were pursuing him via the extradition route since then.

5. At least two open-ended arrest warrants, issued by a special court in Mumbai in 2018 and 2021, have been shared by the Indian agencies with their Belgian counterparts as part of the extradition request, the sources said.

6. Formal paperwork is being done following the arrest/detention. Choksi may seek bail on health grounds, they said. Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Agarwal, said his client was taken into custody by the Belgian police on Saturday (April 12).

7. "At the moment, he is in prison, and there (Belgium), the procedure is not to apply for bail but to file an appeal. During that appeal, a request is made that he should not be kept in detention and he should be permitted to defend himself and oppose the extradition request while not being in custody," Agarwal told reporters. He said the "obvious" grounds for the appeal would be that Choksi is "not a flight risk, is extremely sick, and undergoing treatment for cancer." He said their legal defense would be that this is a "political case and the human condition (in Indian prisons) was not good."

8. Choksi, Modi, their family members and employees, bank officials, and others were booked by the CBI and the ED in 2018 for perpetrating the alleged loan fraud at the Brady House branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Mumbai.

9. It was alleged that Choksi, his firm Gitanjali Gems, and others "committed the offence of cheating against PNB in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the LOUs (letters of undertaking) issued and getting the FLCs (foreign letter of credit) enhanced without following prescribed procedure and causing a wrongful loss to the bank."

(With agencies Inputs)
Murshidabad Violence: Fresh details have emerged from West Bengal's Murshidabad, where violence over the Waqf (Amendment) law has led to over 200 arrests, a senior state police official said on Monday. In the meantime, tension surfaced at the minority-dominated Bhangar Assembly constituency in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Monday afternoon.

Nilotpal Kumar Pandey, Deputy Inspector General and PRO of the Border Security Force (BSF) for the South Bengal frontier, on Monday said that the protestors attacked the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel with stones and burning bottles in Murshidabad. He mentioned that the CAPF personnel are working in close coordination with the police to keep the situation in Murshidabad under control.

Several areas in the district witnessed violent protests over the newly-promulgated Waqf (Amendment) Act last week, with Hindus being subjected to targeted violence in particular.

Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked various parts of the state, particularly Murshidabad, during protests over the new legislation on Friday. Some flare-ups were also reported on Saturday.

Here Are Top Updates

1. Confirming that the arrests on this count have crossed 200, Additional Director General (Law and Order) of State Police Javed Shamim said the situation in the troubled pockets in both Murshidabad and Malda districts is more or less normal now.

2. The route marches in the troubled areas are being conducted continuously. Senior police officials are there at the spot. The situation is fast becoming normal. The shops and establishments have started opening, news agency IANS quoted Shamim as saying.

3. However, he added that there are attempts to spread rumours about the situation by some vested interests from other states, and to prevent that spreading of rumours, Internet services have been suspended for the time being in certain areas. He also said that the process of ensuring the return of the displaced persons to their homes has already started.

4. Detailing the events, DIG Pandey told IANS that on Friday, two BSF companies were deployed after the initial reports of the situation turning tense. "On Friday, when the situation worsened, at the request of the administration, we immediately deployed the BSF. Wherever we could, we mobilised our troops from the nearest location. On Friday, we provided approximately two companies and were deployed to areas experiencing tension and disturbance," he said. He added that as the violence escalated, the force was compelled to increase its presence with a deployment of nine companies in the violence-hit areas.

5. Clashes broke out between the cops and the supporters of the All India Secular Front (AISF) from Bhangar after the latter were stopped from approaching the venue of their protests in Kolkata against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

6. The AISF supporters blocked the Basanti Highway in protest, following which the traffic movement there got heavily disrupted. The AISF activists refused to refrain from blocking the highways despite repeated requests from the police.

7. The AISF legislator from Bhangar, Nausad Siddique, who is his partys lone representative in the state Assembly, said the police are mainly responsible for spreading tension over the Waqf issue. This is just to divert attention from the public unrest over the recent cancellation of 25,753 school jobs following an order of the Supreme Court. We were stopped unnecessarily, and the police deliberately did it to create tension. We will go the legal way in the matter, he said.

(With IANS Inputs)
In a jolt to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar ahead of assembly polls, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) chief and former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras announced his partys exit from the ruling alliance.

The announcement was made by Paras on Monday during a function in Patna commemorating Ambedkar Jayanti. I was in alliance with the BJP and NDA since 2014. But from today, there will be no relation with NDA, he said.

The RLJP chief further stated that his party will contest all 243 assembly seats in Bihar independently, marking a bold move aimed at establishing RLJP as a key player in state politics. During the function, Paras claimed that he already visited 22 districts as part of grassroots mobilisation and will visit the remaining 16 districts in the coming days. The people of Bihar have made up their minds to change the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar, Paras said.

Slamming CM Nitish Kumar, Paras accused him of being anti-Dalit and mentally ill, citing rising crimes against Dalits. He also referred to recent incidents in Aurangabad and Rohtas, including the case of Komal Paswan and Ranjit Paswan, alleging inaction by the state government.

On the day of Holi, on March 14, in the Aurangabad district of Bihar, Komal Paswan was playing Holi with her friends, and a son of Lok Janshakti Party leader Ramvilas allegedly mowed her down using his bike. She eventually succumbed due to the injuries. Shockingly, the Nitish Kumar government has not taken any action against him, Paras said.

He also highlighted the incident in Rohtas district when Ranjit Paswan was gunned down by a police officer, and the Nitish Kumar government had not taken any action against the culprits. Paras also urged the central government to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously to Ramvilas Paswan, calling him the second Ambedkar. Ramvilas Paswan fought his entire life for Dalit rights. He deserves the countrys highest civilian honour, he said.

(With agency Inputs)
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Monday that fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium following India's extradition request. According to reports, Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country and preparations were being made for his extradition to India.

Choksi left India in January 2018, shortly before the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam was exposed. He is currently facing serious allegations from both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged role in a 13,850 crore fraud associated with PNB.

According to a report by The Economic Times, police arrested Choksi based on two open-ended arrest warrants issued by a Mumbai court, dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021. However, Choksi is likely to apply for bail, citing health concerns and other personal grounds to request his immediate release.

Reacting to the arrest, MoS Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary says "PM Modi had already said that the ones who have looted the money of the poor will have to return it. Action is being taken against a lot of people in the country. Mehul Choksi has been arrested, it is a very big achievement..."

Earlier, it was reported that Choksi was living with his wife Preeti Choksi in Belgium's Antwerp. His wife is a citizen of Belgium and the Indian authorities are aware of his whereabouts, reported the Associates Times.

Choksi had secured Belgium's 'F residency card' on November 15, 2023. Reports indicate that he obtained this status with assistance from his Belgian national wife. This residency permit allows non-EU nationals legally staying in Belgium to have their spouse accompany or join them under specific conditions. The report claimed that Choksi allegedly used forged papers to gain the Belgian residency.

Choksi had earlier escaped to Antigua and Barbuda from India, where he holds citizenship. However, he later traveled abroad for medical treatment while retaining his Antiguan citizenship. On March 19, Antigua and Barbudas foreign minister, EP Chet Greene, confirmed this development to news agency ANI.

In December 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed parliament that assets worth Rs 22,280 crore had been recovered or sold to repay the debts of fugitives, including Choksi.
Communal clashes have been reported from Jharkhand's Hazaribagh after a religious procession was stone-pelted near a mosque. Tensions flared in Barkatha on Sunday after a confrontation broke out between two communities during a 'yagya' ceremony and procession near a mosque. The incident led to stone-pelting and the burning of straw stacks, causing the situation to deteriorate rapidly. In response, authorities heightened security in the region. Police have since stated that the situation has been brought under control.

SP Arvind Kumar Singh said that a 'yagya' was happening, and a procession was being taken out when the incident happened. "During that, a clash erupted between two communities near a Mosque, stones were pelted, and then some people set straw piles on fire. Right now, the situation is under control. FIR will be registered," said SP Singh.

In a recent development, Head Constable, Kodarma Fire Station, SK Singh said, "We saw that 4-5 rooms caught fire. We have extinguished the fire. Now the situation is under control."

On March 26, a scuffle and stone pelting had taken place between two groups during Mangla Julus (procession) as part of the Ram Navami celebration at Jhanda Chowk of Jharkhand's Hazaribagh, as per officials.

Nancy Sahay, Deputy Commissioner, Hazaribagh, earlier said, "One group was playing some songs during the procession, which was objected to by the second group, resulting in a scuffle and stone pelting. But it did not escalate as the forces deployed there took control of the situation. As of now, the situation is peaceful and under control."

On February 26, a scuffle broke out in Hazaribagh's Ichak area over the use of a sound system. The situation escalated into stone pelting, but authorities quickly stepped in. (With ANI inputs)
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 14. Uzbekistan and METRO Russia discussed the organization of regular shipments of Uzbek products to Russian retail chains, Trend reports.

The news follows a meeting between a delegation from METRO Russia and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade.

During negotiations, the parties chewed the fat over ways to broaden their trade horizons, touching on the supply of hot-ticket items and fine-tuning transport and logistics routes to ensure smooth sailing for deliveries.

The visit took place within the broader efforts of Uzbekistans Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade to foster stronger engagement between Uzbek producers and international partners and to promote the countrys exports.

METRO is a major international wholesale company specializing in serving the HoReCa sector and independent retailers. The company operates in 34 countries and employs more than 97,000 people worldwide. In Russia, METRO has been present since 2000 and currently manages 93 shopping centers across 51 regions, with a workforce of about 11,000 employees

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel.
West Bengal Violence: Days after unrest in West Bengals Murshidabad over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, fresh violence erupted in the state after supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) on Monday clashed with the police at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, leaving several people injured. Multiple police vehicles were torched amid the violence.

The clash erupted when police stopped ISF supporters from heading towards Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata to attend an anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act rally addressed by party leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique.

Videos of the violence-hit area shared by news agency PTI showed police motorbikes set on fire and an overturned police bus with its windshield ripped out. In the video, a large contingent of police was also seen on the streets.

VIDEO | West Bengal: Tension in South 24 Parganas' Bhangar as Indian Secular Front (ISF) workers clashed with city police. They also set a van ablaze. More details awaited.



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bnF8OnGu37) pic.twitter.com/fk17Jufpl3  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 14, 2025

The rallyists were stopped near Bhojerhat on the Basanti Highway, where a large number of ISF workers had gathered from Bhangar as well as neighbouring areas such as Minakhan and Sandeshkhali, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.

Tension escalated when the crowd attempted to break through police barricades, leading to a clash between the two sides. "Some police vehicles were set on fire by the protesters, and a few police personnel were injured when the agitators attacked the law enforcers," a senior police officer said.

Cops Resort To Lathi-Charge

Eyewitnesses said police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters, as the rally at Ramlila Ground didn't have proper police permission, leading to at least one ISF worker sustaining a head injury. The situation spiralled quickly, prompting ISF activists to stage a sit-in protest on the highway, leading to long traffic snarls along the stretch.

A large police force, including senior officers, was deployed to bring the situation under control. A high alert was sounded in the nearby areas. The protesters were later dispersed. ISF also accused the BJP of trying to incite communal tension and the ruling Trinamool Congress of suppressing opposition protests.

"The chief minister has said the new Waqf law will not be implemented in West Bengal. We welcome that. But then why are police stopping our workers from attending a peaceful rally? Does the right to protest belong only to the Trinamool Congress?" he asked.

Communal violence took place in parts of Murshidabad, including Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur, on Friday and Saturday during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. At least three people were killed and several others injured in the violence.

Visuals from the affected areas showed charred remains of shops, homes, and hotels. In a bid to calm tempers, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that her government would not implement the Waqf Act in the state.

Acting on a petition filed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday directed the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the violence-hit areas to maintain law and order.

(With PTI Inputs)
Indias largest airline IndiGo on Monday announced that starting Tuesday (April 15), all its flights that were operating from Terminal 2 (T2) of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi will now operate from Terminal 1 (T1).

With this change, IndiGo flights will be handled from both T1 and Terminal 3 (T3), the airline confirmed.

With implementation of this change, IndiGo will now operate from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, the airline said in a statement.

This move comes after Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) decided to shut Terminal 2 for major maintenance and runway upgrade work.

As part of an infrastructure revamp plan, T2 will remain non-operational for the next four to six months. During this period, airlines have been asked to shift their operations to T1 and T3.

The airport authority had earlier said the work is likely to be completed by the September quarter of the next financial year.

To minimise disruption and confusion, IndiGo has issued an advisory for all passengers. The airline said it is proactively informing customers and travel agents through SMS, phone calls, and emails.

It has also urged travellers to retrieve their PNR on the IndiGo website or mobile app to check the latest terminal and flight status before heading to the airport.

In view of a planned maintenance activity, flights previously scheduled from Delhi Terminal 2 have now been reassigned to Terminal 1 starting April 15, 2025, IndiGo said.

We kindly request you to check the terminal details and your flight status on our website before heading to the airport, as there may be changes to flight schedules as well," it added.

IndiGo also reiterated its commitment to providing a seamless travel experience, assuring passengers of affordable, on-time, and hassle-free service across its network.

For queries or support, travellers can reach IndiGo's customer care or use the '6E Skai' chatbot on its website.
Mehul Choksi Arrested: As fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium on India's request, talks are gaining momentum about his possible extradition. However, the Punjab National Bank scam whistleblower said that the process is not going to be smooth for India as Choksi not only has a lot of money but also a fleet of good lawyers. Hariprasad SV, who blew the lid off the PNB scam involving Choksi and Nirav Modi, said that it may take a lot of time before India could get them back.

"We have to follow a process when we are dealing with a foreign country depending on the country that we are dealing with. The laws and the legal systems are going to take place. It takes a lot of time, but I hope they can get him back. That's only hope because he's not going to take it easy. It's only in 2016 that he stashed away at least two billion dollars. I don't know how much he must have multiplied that...," said Hariprasad SV.

The whistle-blower further said that the extradition is not going to be an easy task. "His wallet is full, and he will employ the best advocates in Europe, as Vijay Mallya has been doing. It is not easy for India to get him back... Even though he was caught in Antigua, he managed to get out of it as he had a fleet of lawyers. It's not going to be so easy for the government of India, but I hope the government succeeds this time," he said.

"It's really great news. We are very glad for all those people who were cheated by Mehul Choksi in India. It's unbelievable how he got caught in Belgium... It's also important that we not only get him back to India but also get back the money he looted, that is what India needs...," he said.

On the other hand, Choksi's lawyer in India said that the extradition is not going to be easy for India. "If a country makes a request to another country, then the process is that first the person is arrested and then he is granted bail and then his extradition is contested. It has become very difficult for India after losing the case of Sanjiv Bhandari. I don't think extradition can be done so easily, moreover after Bhandari's judgement," said Advocate Vijay Aggarwal.

Aggarwal said that Choksi was in Belgium for cancer treatment. "Non-bailable warrants have been issued against him since 2018. It is a prerequisite for extradition that there has to be an open-ended non-bailable warrant. Earlier, they tried to pick him up from Dominica where they failed. So then by the Dominican court order, my client was getting his treatment in Antigua. For his medical treatment, he had to go to Belgium and he has been there getting his treatment for the cancer. Arrest is a process. Whenever for any country, there is an extradition request made by another country wherein they have a treaty. First of all, the person has to be arrested, then the person has to show that he's got community ties, and then we have to show that he is not a flight risk and that there is a medical condition. So that's the only ground..." he said.

The lawyer added that they are going to start the process of filing an appeal against Choksi's arrest. "We will be requesting that he be pulled out of prison. The major ground for the plea is his ill health and that he is undergoing cancer treatment...," he said.
In a fresh development following the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium, his legal team has announced plans to challenge his detention. Choksis lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, confirmed on Monday that an appeal will be filed seeking his release from custody on medical grounds, citing his poor health and ongoing cancer treatment. Choksi was apprehended by Belgian authorities on Saturday after his presence in the country was officially verified. Sources indicate that Indian officials are now preparing to initiate extradition proceedings to bring him back to face charges.

Meanwhile, Choksi's legal team is gearing up for a courtroom battle, aiming to secure his bail and stall the extradition process. Following the arrest of Choksi, his lawyer stated that Choksi's "human rights" will be "greatly affected" if he is extradited back to the country. During a press conference on Monday, Aggarwal stated that the defence team would challenge the extradition on two primary grounds: the political nature of the case and concerns about the proper treatment for Choksi's health condition in India.

"His human rights will be greatly affected," Aggarwal said when asked if Choksi would not get any proper treatment and would be harassed by political parties after he is extradited back to India.

"That's a procedure. Basically, we will be defending it on two grounds. It is a political case and, secondly, because of the human condition in India," Aggarwal added.

He further claimed that Choksi had not been declared a fugitive because he had remained cooperative with Indian probing agencies. He further added that a case on this matter has been going in for years.

"We have always maintained in the entire court that he is ready to join, but because of his medical condition, he cannot travel. That is why we initially maintained that the Indian agency can investigate, and he will join on VC (video conference). That is why, to date, everyone has been declared a fugitive, but Mehul Choksi is not a fugitive... Our case has been going on for years now," Aggarwal said.

He added that several applications had been filed requesting virtual cooperation with the investigation due to Choksi's health concerns. "He did not come to India because of health reasons; he is ready to join the investigation anytime. On VC, they can ask him anything; he is ready to join. Number of times we have moved applications here; that is why he has not been cleared yet," Aggarwal said.

The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other Punjab National Bank (PNB) officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. (With ANI inputs)
Mumbai: Mumbai Customs seized 785 grams of cocaine worth about Rs 7.85 crore from a Ugandan passenger at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, an official said on Monday. The passenger had concealed the contraband in his stomach by ingesting it during the journey, he said.

"Based on suspicion, the passenger was intercepted by Mumbai Customs on the night of April 9. During interrogation, the accused was found to be restless and anxious. He then admitted he had swallowed a large number of yellow tablets. A medical examination showed the tablets in the stomach weighed 785 grams," the official said.

The tablets contained a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine, he added. "The ingested drug, valued at Rs 7.85 crore, was recovered following a medical examination on Sunday. The Ugandan national has been arrested under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further probe into the case is underway," he said.
Mumbai Water Crisis: Amid worsening summer heat and escalating water shortages across Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invoked the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to ensure a steady supply of water to residents. The civic authority took this step after multiple failed attempts to persuade the Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) to end its ongoing indefinite strike, which began on April 10.

Amid the growing water crisis in Mumbai, representatives of the Water Tanker Association have sought a meeting with the BMC Commissioner to discuss the issue and find possible solutions. Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar said that he is in contact with all stakeholders and protestors for the past few days. "I have held hours-long discussions with them.... The delegation also met the Union Minister, and the legal hurdles arising due to Supreme Court directives regarding permission were also addressed to ensure speedy resolution. Despite these efforts, if Mumbaikars are still facing difficulties, the BMC has now decided to bring all wells, reservoirs, and alternative drinking water sources under emergency management..." he said.

In a statement released on Sunday evening, the BMC declared its decision to use the provisions of Sections 34(a) and 65(1) of the Act, enabling the requisition of private water tankers, borewells, and wells. This emergency move is being carried out with the cooperation of the Mumbai Police and the Maharashtra Transport Department to safeguard essential water services during the peak summer period.

To better manage the crisis, the municipal body has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline water distribution to residential societies and other vital sectors. These operations will be supervised at the ward level by joint teams comprising personnel from departments such as water works, pest control, public health, accounting, the RTO, and local law enforcement.

The civic administrations legal and disaster management teams are also preparing formal notification orders to commandeer tankers, along with their drivers, helpers, and support staff. Once these requisitions are made, the vehicles and their crews will be officially mobilized by the Transport Commissioners office.

Despite intervention by senior leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil, the tanker association has not backed down. The BMC had previously suspended notices served to well and borewell owners until June 15, following Fadnaviss mediation.

CM Fadnavis said on X that issue of water shortage has arisen in some places and added that he had directed the municipal commissioner to find 'an immediate solution' by resolving the converns.

During a meeting held at Bandra Kurla Complex last Friday, Minister Paatil directed the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to simplify its Bhu-Neer online portal to make the process of obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) more accessible for tanker operators.

Still, the MWTA remains firm in its opposition, citing objections to the revised CGWA regulations. These rules demand operators meet strict requirements, including proof of ownership or lease of a 200-square-metre plot, installation of digital water flow meters, compliance with BIS standards, daily water extraction reporting, and securing an NOC from the CGWA.

With around 1,800 licensed tankers delivering approximately 350 million litres of water daily, the strike has significantly impacted supply to residential complexes, railway facilities, and construction projects throughout the city.
The West Bengal police said on Monday that the situation in the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district's Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and Jangipur is peaceful and under control. Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force in the violence-hit pockets. The roads continued to wear a deserted look and shops downed their shutters fearing clashes. Due to the violence, the internet remains suspended in the affected areas while security forces are conducting checks on vehicles along the main roads.

Three people have died and several others have been injured in the violence that has erupted since Friday afternoon across Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj, and Jangipur. However, no fresh incidents have been reported from any part of the district. So far, a total of 180 individuals have been arrested in connection with the unrest, which followed protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

A political blame game continues over the issue with the Congress, BJP and the ruling TMC locked in a verbal battle. Reacting to the violence, former Congress MP from Murshidabad's Berhampore, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that both the BJP and the TMC will benefit from the violence. "We all know that the BJP will do communal polarisation. The West Bengal chief minister is doing drama, she pretends to be secular. The Bengal government is giving the BJP an opportunity to call common Muslims jihadis and who benefits from this? The TMC and the BJP benefit from this. I believe riots happen where the government wants. Once it happened in Godhra because the government wanted it. It is happening in Bengal too because the government wants it..," he said.

Reacting to the Central forces' deployment, the BJP said that the violence had Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's backing. "Just 24 hours of central forcesand Murshidabad goes from a warzone to silence. Not a single riot. Why? Because the moment Mamatas state-sponsored goons lose police cover, they crawl back into the gutter. Lets call it what it is: * The violence had Mamata Banerjees full blessing. * West Bengal Police were not inactivethey were complicit. * TMCs Lungi Vahini isnt a grassroots forceits a cowardly mob of jihadi thugs, protected and unleashed by the regime. * The Waqf drama is just a maskthe real mission is ethnic cleansing through Hindu persecution. Murshidabad didnt just burnit was allowed to burn. And the blood is on TMCs hands," said the BJP.

On the other hand, the ruling TMC accused the BJP of fuelling the violence. "The State Administration is working on a war footing to restore peace. Over 150 arrests have already been made. But BJP is working overtime to sabotage these efforts, circulating fake videos and unrelated images online to mislead the public and trigger violence," said the Trinamool Congress.

Meanwhile, the local administration has arranged for accommodation and food for the fleeing riot-hit families and sheltered them in schools, while deploying volunteers at the river bank to assist those arriving in boats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an all-out attack against the Congress party amid the ongoing debates surrounding the Waqf Amendment Act as well as the Constitution. Addressing a public rally in Haryana's Hisar, PM Modi questioned Congress for double standards when it comes to the constitution and Muslims. PM Modi said that Congress made the Constitution a tool for grabbing power. The Prime Minister also questioned Congress for not making any Muslim leader its party president and asked why the grand old party does not reserve 50 per cent of its election tickets for Muslim candidates.

"Congress made the Constitution a tool for gaining power. During the Emergency, the spirit of the Constitution was killed to retain power. The Constitution talks about a secular civil code, but Congress never implemented it. Today, a uniform civil code has been implemented in Uttarakhand. Unfortunately, the Congress is opposing this. Congress never bothered to check if the benefits of reservation reached SC/ST and OBC communities...," said PM Modi.

Hitting out at the Congress government for implementing religion-based reservation in Karnataka, PM Modi said, "To play politics, Congress brought a law to give reservation on the basis of religion in government tenders. This is when Baba Saheb Ambedkar, in the Constitution, said that there should be no place for reservation on the basis of religion."

PM Modi also accused Congress of changing Waqf rules for its own benefit. "There are lakhs of hectares of land in the name of Waqf. If benefits from Waqf properties had been given to the needy, it would have benefitted them. But on land mafia benefitted from these properties ...The loot of the poor will stop with this amended Waqf law. Under the new Waqf law, land or property belonging to any Adivasi cannot be touched by the Waqf Board...Poor Muslims and Pasmanda Muslims will get their rights. This is real social justice," said PM Modi.

The BJP leader further said that the NDA government is putting emphasis on connectivity, ensuring social justice and the welfare of the poor which was Ambedkar's dream. April 14 is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti as Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar was born on this day.

"Before 2014, there were 74 airports in the country, but today there are over 150 airports...Imagine 74 airports in 70 years?... Every year, there are record airline passengers in the country. The airline companies have placed orders for 2000 new aircraft. On one the hand, our government is working on connectivity, and on the other hand, ensuring the welfare of the poor and social justice," said the PM.
Mumbai: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan revealed the special gift his actor-son Abhishek Bachchan gave him and shared why it was a thoughtful present.

Amitabh took to his blog, where he first shared a photograph of an old Reader's Digest, a general-interest family magazine, featuring the thespian on the cover.

He wrote: A dear friend sent me this.... old times reminded it used to be a constant in the home .. now in a smaller size and being brought out in retrospective .. generous words .. not deserving but grateful and obliged (sic)

The cine icon then went on to talk about how the art of handwriting is replaced by typing on digital devices.

The age of handwriting has been overtaken by the punches on the black square .. and the generation of the young now in their curriculum are giving their work here on this medium .. and no one writes, he added.

The octogenarian revealed that his son Abhishek gave him a special pen honouring his father's love for writing by hand on paper.

But in the generosity of Abhishek, he gave me a pen , as a gesture that acknowledged that his father still often prefers to use his hands in the usage of the ink .. often enough ..(sic).

Talking about why the pen is special, Big B wrote: And also did you know , another factor that Abhishek picked up from the store he picked the pen, that the nibs of pens are designed separately for the left handed, and the right handed(sic).

The thespian then shared a few pictures of his every-Sunday meet-up with fans at the gates of his home in Mumbai.

Generosity ... as is the generosity of them the young and the old and the well wishers at the Sunday meetings, he wrote.

The legendary actor also expressed his gratitude for seeking blessings at Siddhivinayak and Babulnath temples by a sacred offering draped over his shoulder.

... Blessed this morning by the Lord Ganesha at Siddhivinayak , by presenting to me the blessings draped over my shoulder .. and the blessings at the mandir at Babulnath .. Keep well .. keep connected and remain ever in prayers, he wrote.
Mumbai: Apoorva Mukhija aka Rebel Kids comeback has become the hottest topic on the internet. The social media star dropped a fiery video on YouTube recently in which she addressed the threats and backlash that followed her Indias Got Latent controversy. In the video, Apoorva also revealed that a friend apparently did black magic on her.

Despite the Nadaniyaan actress not naming anyone, the internet exploded with accusations against influencer Rida Tharana for being the friend in question and for not voicing public support when Apoorva was going through a difficult phase.

After massive backlash against Rida, Apoorva finally broke her silence, saying she has only love for Rida.

In her Instagram stories, Apoorva asked her followers not to jump to conclusions or spread negativity.

After my video, there have been a lot of assumptions and a lot of hate going around, and as much as I appreciate you guys having my backthis is the last thing I wanted. I wanted to share my story and my feelingsnothing more. So lets please not jump to conclusions or spread negativity, her story read.

The popular influencer also posted a picture with Rida, showing the best friends hugging each other, with the caption: Only love for @rida.tharana (red heart emoji).

Rida Tharana Responds to Backlash

Rida took to Instagram as well to respond to the negativity. She revealed that she has been taking care of her ill mother and supporting her parents since last year.

I dont want to give endless justifications. Its Apoorvas time to shine, and I wont be a shadow to it. I see every little thing Ive done taken out of context and blown out of proportion! Everything is up for misinterpretation. And Ive said this before and Ill say it again: people hate women. Women surviving, living, laughing, existing, and just being.

The influencer shared that the past two months were tough on her too.

If I ever wanted to fake anything, I had 100 easier ways to do it. If you think I did that for 2 years, trust me, 2 months wouldnt have been hard. So no Im not going to explain myself anymore. To the ones who want to stay, thank you. To the ones who dont see me for who I am, feel free to unfollow. Im not here to be perfect. Im not chasing fame! Im grateful for the love I already have. All Ive ever wanted is to earn enough to take care of my people, to travel, and to live a quiet life surrounded by love. Thats it. So God! Put me through everything you want to put me throughbut also give me the strength to overcome it. Im exhausted, but Im still here. Only love, she added.

Also!! I dont walk into fire knowing itll burn. But sometimes, I stumble into it!! And when I do, it burns me. As much as Ive tried to stay away from all the negativity, some things still find a way to reach meand I wont lie, a few of them have truly broken me. Being in a different country, all by myself, it hasnt been easy. The anxiety has been bad. But whats been holding me together is hearing how some of you still have my back. I wasnt expecting that. So to those who stayed, who believed, who chose empathy over judgment thank you. Truly, she concluded her note.

Apoorva Mukhija faced severe criticism after her comments on the show Indias Got Latent. Apoorva, along with other panel members on the show, is facing multiple FIRs for their remarks.
Mumbai: Govinda's better half, Sunita Ahuja recently praised his fashion sense during the Bombay Times Fashion Week.

Terming his fashion sense as both classy and massy, Sunita pointed out during an exclusive interaction with IANS that even now, many young actors like Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh follow in his footsteps.

Asked about Govinda's fashion sense, Sunita told IANS, "Whatever trend is initiated by the stars, it is followed by the people. Back in the day, whatever Govinda used to wear, it used to suit him. Even now, young actors such as Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh are following in his footsteps when it comes to fashion. Govinda is a class hero."

During an earlier interaction with IANS, Sunita stressed the importance of being financially independent.

Speaking of new beginnings, Sunita revealed that she has been praying for a lot of work this year and that she become completely independent, as both her kids- Tina and Yashvardhan have grown up.

Sunita shared, "I have asked for work, name, fame, and respect from Mata Rani this Navratri."

She added that it is a totally blessed feeling to have your own work and make your own money.

If the reports are to be believed, Sunita is in talks for the next season of the popular reality show, "Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives".

According to the sources, "We heard Sunita Ahuja is going to be considered for the upcoming season of The Fabulous Housewives. She has been someone the audiences have truly loved, and her fan following has increased by the day." However, an official confirmation is still awaited.

On another note, Govinda and Sunita's son, Yashvardan Ahuja will soon be stepping into Bollywood with National Award-winning director Sai Rajesh's next. The film is also expected to feature Babil Khan, the son of the late actor Irrfan Khan in a crucial role. Prior to this, Yashvardan has also worked as an assistant director on films such as Dishoom, Baaghi, and Kick 2.
Chennai: The makers of director Sailesh Kolanus much-awaited film, Hit: The Third Case, featuring actor Nani in the lead, on Monday released an action-packed trailer of the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

Actor Nani, who shared the link to the trailer on his social media handles, said, Lets meet on May 1st at our favourite place. Theatres.

The gripping trailer has further raised expectations from the film.

It begins with Nani explaining to his superiors about how he thinks criminals should be handled.

Criminals belong in a 10-feet lock up or deep inside a six-feet hole. No criminal should be free to walk around until they've faced real behavioural correction. You don't have to be personally affected to feel that way. Just being a police officer is enough, he says in a grim tone, giving an indication of what is to come.

The trailer then has a woman who is scared stiff for her nine-month-old baby that has been abducted. What will they do to her? He is 5'9 or 5'10''. He has a few strands of white hair on his beard, she is heard explaining to the police officer about the man who has abducted her child.

There is another shot of a shopkeeper explaining about a soldier who fearlessly walks into a ring to defend those at risk.

Only he knows how many nights and days he has worked tirelessly to save one life, the shopkeeper explains. The final portion which gives a better understanding of Arjun (Nani)s character revolves around a brief conversation that Arjun has with his lady love.

When she asks him whether she should call him Arjun or Sarkaar, he replies saying, "When I am in the midst of people, call me Arjun, when I am in the midst of criminals, I am Sarkaar.

It may be recalled that the makers of the film had, several days ago, released a teaser of the film which gave away the fact that Nani plays the role of a tough cop called Arjun Sarkaar in the film.

A series of scenes in the teaser showed Arjun Sarkaar putting his laathi skills to good use. At the same time, the teaser showed that Arjun Sarkaar looked for patterns in crimes and used them to establish motive. The teaser ended with a voice over saying, I have had my doubts about you from the first day itself. Are you really a police officer? Arjun Sarkaar replies to this question saying, People have believed this lie for far too long. I will show you the original.

Watch The Trailer Here:

The film, which is the third instalment from the HIT universe, has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs. It is to hit screens worldwide on May 1 this year.

Directed by Dr. Sailesh Kolanu and produced by Prashanthi Tipirneni, the film will feature Nani and Srinidhi Shetty in the lead. Music for the film is by Mickey J Meyer and cinematography is by Sanu John Varghese. The films editing has been taken care of by Karthika Srinivas R.
The doorbell, which once was a matter of just a simple chime, has evolved with time to become a sophisticated home security hub and very much a center of convenience. The one problem is truly going through all the features. There are wireless, video, and hey-smart integrations. The choices are endless. Once, browsing through the millions of options available from a site like Amazon became an information overload for the prospecting user. The goal of this buying guide is to demystify the features of these devices by using some clear terms so you will make a reasonable buying decision. We will summarize what basic functions there are, what their benefits are, and how you can choose based on your specific needs to ensure your choice of doorbell will work with you for safety and convenience.

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The Anchor by Panasonic Wireless Doorbell is a sleek and functional solution for those seeking a modern, easy-to-install doorbell system.

Key Features:

Wireless Operation: No need for messy wiresflexible placement anywhere.

45 Melodies: A Wide selection of chimes to suit personal taste or seasonal themes.

120-Meter Range: Strong signal transmission across multiple rooms or floors.

No Camera or Intercom: Lacks advanced security features like visual or audio communication.

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The COSTAR Pebble T301 Wireless Doorbell combines modern design, powerful performance, and user-friendly features to offer a premium alert system for homes, offices, schools, and more.

Key Features:

Ultra-Long Range: 300m (1000ft) open area operating rangeideal for large homes or commercial spaces.

32 Ringtones: Wide variety of chimes to suit different preferences and occasions.

5 Volume Levels: Adjustable sound levels up to 115dB for optimal audibility in various environments.

Single Receiver: Only one receiver includedmay be insufficient for very large homes unless additional units are purchased.

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The UN1QUE Wireless Door Bell is a smart and efficient calling solution for home, office, or commercial environments. Offering a 1000ft (300m) range, 36 customizable chimes, and a 100dB maximum volume, this doorbell is built for convenience and clarity.

Key Features:

Long Operating Range: Reliable 300m (1000ft) signal coverage in open spaces.

36 Ringtones: A rich selection of tones to personalize your entry alerts.

Adjustable Volume: 4 levels ranging from 20dB to 100dB to suit different ambient noise levels.

Weather Resistant: IP44 waterproof design for safe outdoor use.

No Smart Home Integration: It does not support connectivity with apps or smart devices.

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The Himster Wireless Doorbell offers a powerful combination of modern design, high functionality, and weather resistance, making it a reliable choice for homes, offices, schools, and more.

Key Features:

IP55 Waterproof & Dustproof: Built to resist water, dust, and harsh weather, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

56 Melodies: It offers a wide variety of tones, including traditional chimes, fun melodies, and soft alerts.

7-Level Adjustable Volume (0115dB): Volume can be fine-tuned to your environment, including a mute mode for silent notifications.

No Smart Features: No app or WiFi connectivity for remote management.

Thus, the selection of the best wireless doorbell should be based on personal preferences of the main features required- be it range, volume options, or any other additional characteristics such as melodies or rain-proofing. With its simple, sleek design and easy installation, Panasonics Anchor lives up to its brand name. With better reception and multiple volume options, COSTAR Pebble T301 makes a great deal in terms of purchase. UN1QUE, on the other hand, earns a lot of respect through the customizable ringtones it offers along with an info board built in, whereas Himster provides a huge assortment of tones and adjustable levels when it comes to durability. You'll find that by checking through the critical aspects mentioned in this guide, you can confidently select the most appropriate model for your home or office from an online store like Amazon.

Disclaimer: At IDPL, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. It should not be construed as an endorsement to buy. IDPL may make a very small commission from its sale if one chooses to buy the product from any of the links in this article.
LONDON: Labour Party MP Tulip Siddiq, the niece of Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has denied any wrongdoing after reports emerged of an arrest warrant issued by Dhaka's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Siddiq resigned as UK treasury minister in January this year, saying her family connections were becoming a distraction for the work of Prime Minister Keir Starmer-led government.

Her spokesperson in a statement over the weekend said the allegations of corruption against Siddiq were completely false and her lawyers had dealt with that. The ACC has made various allegations against Ms Siddiq through the media in the last few months. The allegations are completely false and have been dealt with in writing by Ms Siddiq's lawyers, the spokesperson said.

The ACC has not responded to Ms Siddiq or put any allegations to her directly or through her lawyers. Ms Siddiq knows nothing about a hearing in Dhaka relating to her and has no knowledge of any arrest warrant that is said to have been issued, the statement said. Addressing the specific claims, the spokesperson stressed there was no basis at all for any charges to be made against London-based Siddiq, and there was "absolutely no truth" in any allegation that she received a plot of land in Dhaka through illegal means.

"She has never had a plot of land in Bangladesh and has never influenced any allocation of plots of land to her family members or anyone else. No evidence has been provided by the ACC to support this or any other allegation made against Ms Siddiq. It is clear to us that the charges are politically motivated," the spokesperson said.

The 42-year-old Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate in north London attempted to distance herself from the flurry of allegations emanating from Bangladesh and reiterated in her resignation letter that her family connections are a matter of public record. In the letter released by 10 Downing Street back in January, Siddiq pointed out that Starmer's independent adviser on ministers' interests had not found her in breach of the ministerial code and asserted that she had not acted improperly.

In response, Starmer praised her role in spearheading the rollout of Banking Hubs and leading the government's thinking on financial inclusion in her junior ministerial role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury. As there is no formal extradition treaty between the UK and Bangladesh, further steps following reports of the Bangladeshi arrest warrant remain unclear.
In a scathing attack on the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the systematic erasure of the countrys freedom movement history and the disrespect towards Mukti Joddhas (freedom fighters).

"All signs of Bangladesh's freedom movement are being removed. Mukti Joddhas (freedom fighters) are being insulted. We had built Mukti Joddha Complexes in all districts to keep their memories alive, but those are being burnt down. Will Dr Yunus be able to justify this?" she said, ANI reported.

She questioned whether Yunus was over the destruction of Mukti Joddha Complexes and said, "If you play with fire, it will burn you too."

"If you play with fire, it will burn you too," she added.

Hasina, who fled to India last August for her life, recently there a possibility of her to return back to Bangladesh, saying it was Allahs will that she remained alive for this purpose.
TEHRAN: Iran said that its indirect negotiations with the United States held in Oman were focused solely on Tehran's nuclear program and the removal of US sanctions, ruling out any discussion of other issues. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television that Iran's stance in the talks remained unchanged, centering on lifting sanctions and preserving its nuclear rights.

The talks, held on Saturday between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, were conducted through intermediaries, Xinhua news agency reported. Baghaei added that Iran remained committed to preserving its nuclear infrastructure and achievements, while also demonstrating its willingness to engage in dialogue to assure the international community of the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

"Iran considers itself obligated to use all legal and diplomatic tools to safeguard its legitimate rights as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a signatory to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards agreements," he said. Speaking to reporters in Muscat after the meeting, Araghchi described the first round of talks as "constructive" and held in a "calm and respectful atmosphere."

"No inappropriate language was used, and both sides showed commitment to pursuing the negotiations from an equal footing toward a mutually beneficial agreement," he said. He added that a second round of talks was scheduled for the following Saturday, likely at a different venue. The Muscat discussions followed US President Donald Trump's announcement in March that he had sent a letter to Iranian leaders via the United Arab Emirates proposing nuclear talks.

Iran later confirmed receiving the letter and expressed openness to indirect engagement. Iran signed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with six world powers, namely, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Washington unilaterally withdrew from the pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Tehran to scale back its nuclear commitments.

Efforts to revive the deal have so far failed to make significant progress.
Recently, Rippling co-founder Prasanna Sankar accused his wife of infidelity. Following these allegations, his wife, Divya Sashidhar, has come forward with serious counterclaims in court. She alleges that Prasanna himself was involved in extramarital relationships and pressured her into accepting an "open marriage", reported Zee News Hindi. However, the allegations have been rejected by Prasanna.

According to a report by the San Francisco Standard, Divya claims that Prasanna forced himself on her, engaged in relationships with sex workers, spied on her, and even recorded her daily activities, including in private areas like the bathroom. She also alleged that Prasanna frequently moved her and their son between countries to avoid paying taxes on his substantial wealth.

Divya further stated that Prasanna demanded sex even after she gave birth, despite her being in significant physical pain. Prasanna would say sex is a basic need for him. No matter how much pain I was in, I had to complyor else he would go to someone else, she testified.

"It might be pertinent to note here that not a single charge against me has been upheld by any court anywhere in the world so far. All my wifes false complaints have been dismissed thus far. The courts have granted me interim custody of the child now," said Prasanna, reacting to the allegations.

Earlier, Prasanna had publicly claimed that he and Divya had been married for 10 years and shared a 9-year-old son. He had accused her of having an affair with another man, sharing screenshots of messages and hotel bookings to support his claims. He named the other man as Anup.

In a December 2019 email, Prasanna reportedly admitted to contacting multiple escorts and inquiring about their photos and rates. He later expressed regret over his actions, writing, I deeply regret the impact this has had on our relationship. I promise it wont happen again.
Beijing/Hanoi: Visiting Vietnam to enhance political and trade ties amid a major tariff row with the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping Monday said that China will ensure continuity and stability in its neighbourhood diplomacy and jointly advance the modernisation of Asia.

Xi arrived in Hanoi on his first visit abroad after US President Donald Trump slapped steep tariffs against China while pausing levies on a host of other countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia - the three countries on the Chinese president's current itinerary.

In an article published in Vietnams Nhan Dan newspaper ahead of his visit, Xi said China would deepen friendly cooperation with neighbouring countries by ensuring continuity and stability of its neighbourhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness," he wrote. "We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbours," he added.

Xi, who is under pressure after Trumps unprecedented 145 per cent tariffs against Chinese exports to the US which amounted to over USD 438 billion last year, spoke of focussing on joint modernisation of Asia along with Chinas neighbours as part of its new policy to reduce trade dependence on the US and the EU.

While Beijing hit back with 125 per cent tariffs against US goods in tit-for-tat retaliation, foreign trade-dependent China looks to fast-paced diversion of its commerce to make up the losses. Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development. At a new starting point toward revitalisation of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges, Xi said.

Amid the tariff war with the US, Xi is visiting the three Southeast Asian countries which are part of the ASEAN bloc with which Beijing has its largest foreign trade, totalling over USD 962 billion. The ASEAN countries, Vietnam in particular also faced a major crisis as the US tariffs targeted the country which prospered by reshoring Chinese industries and products and exporting them to the US, benefiting from Trumps tariffs against China in his previous term.

Vietnam became the biggest beneficiary of the China Plus One strategy of several multinational firms like Apple besides Chinese companies moving their investments there to escape the US tariffs, becoming one of the key trade routes for exports to America.

Last year alone, Vietnams exports to the US amounted to over USD 142 billion. Trump last week hit Vietnam with 46 per cent tariffs, one of the highest besides China, in an apparent bid to target Hanois reshoring policy. After fervent appeals from Vietnam, Trump agreed to negotiate a new tariff deal during the 90-day pause in the levies on many countries except China.

Before the key visit to three Southeast nations, Xi pledged to strengthen strategic bonds with neighbouring nations by appropriately managing differences and enhanced supply chain ties as the tariff war with the US escalated.

In his first public speech after Trumps tariffs, Xi called for breaking new ground for China's neighbourhood diplomacy at a meeting of the ruling Communist Party of China in Beijing on April 9. China sought to improve ties with several countries in its fraught neighbourhood.

Beijing in recent months winded down border tensions with India and sought to improve its relations with other major neighbours like Japan and South Korea, bracing for tough times under the Trump presidency on trade and strategic fronts.

The India-China relations, which remained frozen for over four years over the Eastern Ladakh military standoff, showed signs of improvement after the meeting between Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kazan in Russia last October.

Recently, China held trade talks with South Korea and Japan, the first economic dialogue between the three countries in five years, to discuss regional trade facilitation. China is also ramping up trade relations with several other countries in the neighbourhood under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The contradictory statements of U.S. officials are the main reason for Iran's indirect negotiations with the US, said Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports.

According to him, the U.S. side should take appropriate steps to resolve this contradiction. At the same time, it is impossible to be in a state of debate and pursue a policy of pressure, sanctions and threats at the same time. This strategy is never accepted by Iran and Iran has also openly stated its position.

Baghaei pointed out that in a dialog conducted in this form (indirectly), the parties usually declare their framework and principled position. Of course, Iran's position has been repeatedly declared transparently.

Iran's nuclear program was an excuse to create a crisis that was unnecessary for the past 20 years, and Iran's nuclear program has a peaceful purpose. The International Atomic Energy Agency has also repeatedly confirmed this issue in its reports. No deviations have been observed in Iran's peaceful nuclear program, he noted.

The Iranian minister stressed that Iran's main goal in negotiations with the US is the lifting of illegally imposed sanctions.

The other day (April 12), indirect talks between Iran and the US on the Iranian nuclear program, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and US Special Representative for Near Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff, were held in the capital of Oman, Muscat. The discussions were reportedly constructive and based on mutual respect. The next round of talks is scheduled for April 19.

In November 2018, the US imposed new sanctions against Iran over Iran's nuclear program. Since then, the sanctions have affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals.

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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Iran has the potential to gain significant opportunities across various sectors through negotiations with the US, said Masoumeh Aghapour Alishahi, the president's advisor on economic cooperation, Trend reports.

In an interview with local media, Aghapour Alishahi stated that the primary objectives of the ongoing discussions with the US are to secure the release of Iranian funds blocked in foreign countries and to lift the sanctions imposed on Iran.

She emphasized that the unfreezing of these funds could play a key role in advancing the country's infrastructure development under current conditions. Furthermore, lifting the sanctions would improve the overall situation for Iran, potentially accelerating its development pace in the short term.

Currently, Iran and the US are at a stage where both sides are engaging in dialogue with respect and logic. This is crucial as dialogue cannot take place in a tense environment. This, in itself, can be considered one of Irans greatest achievements, Aghapur Alishahi added.

On April 12, indirect talks between Iran and the US on Irans nuclear program were held in Muscat, Oman. The discussions, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Steve Winkoff, were described as constructive and based on mutual respect. The next round of talks is scheduled for April 19.

In addition, the US imposed new sanctions on Iran in November 2018 in relation to Irans nuclear program. These sanctions have affected Iran's oil exports and have included more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals.

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.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has conducted phone discussions with representatives from neighboring countries regarding the recent Iran-US talks in Muscat, said Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, Trend reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei noted that these conversations included ministers from Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait.

The spokesperson emphasized that Iran welcomes the positive and constructive strategies of all its neighboring countries. He stated, "We consider the security of our neighbors to be a part of our own security."

Baghaei further noted that over the past six months, positive agreements have been reached with neighboring countries within the framework of Irans neighborhood policy.

On April 12, indirect talks between Iran and the US on Irans nuclear program were held in Muscat, Oman. The discussions, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Steve Winkoff, were described as constructive and based on mutual respect. The next round of talks is scheduled for April 19.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Iran has condemned the European Unions new sanctions against the country, calling them unconstructive and illegal, said the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, Trend reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran today, Baghaei emphasized that it is unacceptable to create issues that would confront Irans judicial structures with an unknown situation.

Baghaei said that the European parties claim the right to analyze human rights differently and impose sanctions based on their interpretation of others actions.

Today, foreign ministers of the European Union member states imposed sanctions on two Iranian institutions and seven individuals. These sanctions are reportedly linked to the imprisonment of European citizens in Iran.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Iran's economic development will further accelerate with the expansion of international ties, the Iranian Vice President Mohammad-Jafar Ghaempanah said in a meeting with businessmen in Kermanshah province in western Iran on April 14, Trend reports.

According to him, the current Iranian government is taking effective steps for the development of the country.

"To eliminate the existing problem in Iran's foreign policy, our side is holding coherent talks with the US. Iran will succeed in the field of diplomacy very shortly," he noted.

On April 12, indirect talks between Iran and the US on Irans nuclear program were held in Muscat, Oman. The discussions, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Steve Winkoff, were described as constructive and based on mutual respect. The next round of talks is scheduled for April 19.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, will visit Tehran on April 16, Iran's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, told reporters, Trend reports.

Speaking to local media, Gharibabadi stated that Grossi's visit is part of ongoing efforts to continue bilateral cooperation and agreements between Iran and the IAEA.

During his visit, Grossi is expected to meet with Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, and the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, for discussions.

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.

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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The European Council has announced new sanctions targeting seven individuals and two entities in Iran, Trend reports.

"The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional seven individuals and two entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran, including for the use of the judiciary as a tool for arbitrary detention," the statement reads.

As part of the latest sanctions, the EU has targeted the Shiraz Central Prison in Fars Province and the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz. Measures have also been imposed on key judicial figures, including Farzadi Hedayatollah, head of Evin Prison, and Mehdi Nemati, head of the Fars Prisons Protection and Intelligence Department.

With this update, the EU sanctions now affect a total of 232 individuals and 44 entities. The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans to the EU, and a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to those listed. Additionally, the EU has imposed a ban on the export of equipment that could be used for internal repression or for monitoring telecommunications.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Iran and Iraq have signed new documents aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of energy and oil during a meeting held in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on April 14, Trend reports via Iraqs Ministry of Oil.

The documents were signed following discussions between Iraqs Minister of Oil Hayyan Abdulghani and Irans Minister of Oil Mohsen Paknejad.

The statement emphasized that both sides explored mechanisms for cooperation across the entire energy sector and underlined the importance of knowledge-sharing and joint initiatives.

During the meeting, Abdulghani stated that Iraq offers promising opportunities for investment in the gas sector and is working toward achieving full self-sufficiency in the production of oil products.

The Iranian oil minister made it clear that nurturing the blossoming relationship between Iran and Iraq in every nook and cranny is a top-notch priority that holds strategic weight.

To note, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad departed for Iraq today, April 14, for a two-day visit. As part of the trip, he is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Electricity.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. A decision will soon be made regarding the location for the next round of discussions between Iran and the US concerning Iran's nuclear program, said the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, Trend reports.

Speaking today during a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei stated that the mediator, Oman, would take the necessary steps to determine the location of the talks. Once Omans official stance is declared, the venue for the discussions will be decided. Negotiations between Iran and the US will continue under the mediation of Oman.

The Spokesperson further emphasized that direct talks between Iran and the US are not being held and that this indirect approach has proven to be ineffective and inefficient. He mentioned that decisions will be made regarding the format for the upcoming round of discussions.

On April 12, indirect talks between Iran and the US on Irans nuclear program were held in Muscat, Oman. The discussions, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Steve Winkoff, were described as constructive and based on mutual respect. The next round of talks is scheduled for April 19.

In addition, the US imposed new sanctions on Iran in November 2018 in relation to Irans nuclear program. These sanctions have affected Iran's oil exports and have included more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals.

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.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi will visit Tehran this week, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, said during a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports.

According to Baghaei, an agreement has been reached for Grossi's visit to Tehran, and the details of the visit, the agenda, and meetings are currently being finalized.

The Spokesperson also noted that decisions regarding several logistical matters for the visit will be made in the coming days.

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.

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.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia is expected to receive swift approval from the Iranian parliament, said the Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, Trend reports.

Speaking during a press conference held today in Tehran, Baghaei stated that the approval and implementation of the agreement by the Iranian parliament is one of the Ministry's priorities.

The agreement, which was prepared by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been sent to the Cabinet.

Baghaei added that once the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement is approved by the parliament, it will be forwarded to the Guardian Council for review.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will visit Russia later this week, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, said during a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports.

According to Baghaei, the visit has been planned in advance and is not related to any recent developments.

The spokesperson also emphasized that discussions will take place regarding the ongoing talks and processes in Moscow.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that just the day before, on April 12, indirect talks between Iran and the United States regarding Irans nuclear program were held in Muscat, Oman. These discussions were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and the U.S. Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff. Reports suggest that the negotiations were conducted in a constructive and mutually respectful manner, with the next round of talks scheduled for April 19.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. News agencies play an essential role in upholding democratic societies, said Alexandru Ion Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), in an interview with ANA-MPAwebTV, Trend reports.

News agencies protect democracies through their activity. They don't need to do anything else than be ethical, follow the principles of journalism, and provide trustworthy and accurate news, he noted. Misinformation is that thing that disallows us from taking the best decisions for ourselves, said Giboi, addressing the growing threat of false or misleading content in the digital space. It makes it difficult for people to decide for themselves for the better.

Giboi emphasized the need for media consumers to take a proactive role in verifying the information they consume. What we need to do is look for trustworthy news. We need to verify. We need to have a critical eye. We have to be able to interpret what we read. That's very complicated, at least from the public side, he noted.

At the heart of EANAs mission is the creation of a sustainable environment for news agencies to operate across the continent. Our goal is to allow news agencies in Europe to function in a healthy business environment, Giboi explained. By that, I mean allowing them access to knowledge, allowing them an interface with the European institutions, a voice at the European level, and, you know, sharing best practices.

He also stressed that the work of professional news agencies is fundamental to preserving Europes core democratic values. Free media, free journalism, freedom of speech are at the basis of the European values, said Giboi. And this is what news agencies, professional, trustworthy news agencies, are doing.

EANA, which brings together leading news agencies across the continent, has been advocating for stronger collaboration among media institutions, as well as deeper engagement with European policymakers to ensure that journalism remains resilient and independent in the face of economic and political pressures.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The Algerian government has made the decision to expel 12 French diplomats from the country, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot said, Trend reports.

Algeria has requested our 12 employees to leave the country within 48 hours, the minister said.

According to the information, the diplomats are administrative and diplomatic staff affiliated with the French Ministry of Interior. The Foreign Ministry announced that Algeria was expelling the diplomats in response to France's detention of three Algerian nationals suspected of breaking the law on its territory. According to the data, the individuals were detained on April 11.

Barrot warned that Algeria's actions would not go unanswered.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. The US is ready to take tough measures against Iran if necessary, US President Donald Trump said, Trend reports.

Trump noted that Iran is close to obtaining nuclear weapons, but will not get them. According to him, the Iranian authorities should hurry in negotiations with the United States.

"And if we have to take tough measures, we will," the US President added.

He was asked whether those measures included strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. "Of course," he replied.
A Widely Praised Edition

Interviewed the day after the Geneva show wrapped up, about a dozen CEOs and brand figuresfrom maisons both big and smallshared their thoughts on how the event went overall, and especially how it was organized.

All Pulling in the Same Direction, With a Close Eye on Budgets

The healthy competitive spirit between brands at this years edition was on everyones lipsstarting with Juliette North, Director of Communications and Strategy at Hermes, who said: First and foremost, a real sense of satisfaction with the warm welcome from the wide variety of audiencesboth regarding our products and our scenography. Then, the joy of belonging to an industry thats increasingly radiant and united in voice. The presence of new brands, a growing openness to the public, and the active involvement of the press, influencers and clientsboth retailers and end consumersare all undoubtedly contributing to this momentum. And of course, the In the City initiative makes this a truly Geneva-wide event.

A similar tone comes from Vacheron Constantin, where Sandrine Donguy, Director of Product Marketing and Design, was delighted with an outstanding edition, marked by unity, openness, and sharing across the entire watchmaking community, in an incredible atmosphere. Its also a moment of pride for the Vacheron Constantin teams, who are celebrating the Maisons 270th anniversary with a range of pieces showcasing its craftsmanship.

Hermes, Watches and Wonders  Hermes

As Zenith celebrates its 160th anniversary, CEO Benoit de Clerck echoed the sentiment: I felt a remarkable sense of collective energy. The 2025 edition was rich, well-paced, and focused on the essentials: horological excellence, strong product launches, and a spotlight on craftsmanship.

Still within the LVMH familybut this time on TAG Heuers spectacular stand, flanked by Formula 1 visuals and its new slogan Designed to WinCEO Antoine Pin described a truly dynamic moment, far from gloomy, despite some earlier concerns about declining export trends in the watch industry. He highlighted an expanded space with excellent organization that enabled us to welcome a growing number of visitors in a smooth and seamless way, and noted plenty of new releases, as every year, but perhaps with a broader price range and a particular focus on entry-level offerings.

TAG Heuer, Watches and Wonders  Watches and Wonders

The importance of making new pieces accessible was a recurring theme among executives, including those at Baume & Mercier, Eberhard, and Frederique Constant. Mario Peserico (General Manager of Eberhard) described a generally positive edition despite the political and economic climate, and praised the reception of the new Contodat collection, which he attributed to efforts to offer excellent value for money and a vintage-inspired lookan essential approach in todays context.

Contodat Chronographe  Eberhard & Co.

New CEO of Baume & Mercier, Michael Guenoun, applauded the resilience and irresistible appeal of Swiss watchmaking, as demonstrated by the strong turnout at the show. He was excited by the industrys capacity to innovate and attract a younger customer base, which remains passionate about timepieces. He also echoed retailers calls for commercially viable products at the right price, with fewer SKUs but more identity, balanced between mens and womens watches, and with a touch of retro flair.

Riviera  Baume & Mercier

A veteran of the industry, long familiar with Baselworld and the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve scene, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (co-president of Chopard) summed up the general feeling this way: 2025 was a beautiful edition, benefiting from an overall positive atmosphere despite the world we live in, showcasing high-quality new pieces, growing public interest, and an even better-integrated city center.

Flawless OrganizationBut Have We Reached the Limits for Accomodation?

Among the standout smaller maisons, Frederique Constants CEO Niels Eggerding noted major improvements in the shows organization. He praised the redesigned areas Le Carre des Horlogers and La Place (dedicated to smaller maisons), and how well they coexisted with giants like Rolex, Tudor, and Chanel. He even went so far as to say it was their best edition since joining Watches & Wonders (formerly Baselworld).

Even more enthusiastic, Michael Guenoun (Baume & Mercier) called the organization flawless, expressed great appreciation for the three public dayswhich brought in clients from around the world, many of whom bought watches on the spot for the first time (far more than expected)and also welcomed the opportunity for suppliers to showcase their skills and help explain the watchmaking ecosystem.

Chopard  WorldTempus

Joining the chorus of praise, Benoit de Clerck (Zenith) praised an exemplary organization, designed to highlight the maisons creativity and smooth out the visitor experience. His counterpart at TAG Heuer, Antoine Pin, said the organization was frankly excellent. I didnt hear a single complaint. The logistics were outstanding, providing a real comfort of work for both maisons and partnersmedia, retailers alike. That said, are we reaching our limits when it comes to accommodation? That was also the view of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (Chopard), especially considering some hotels were under renovation.

For Juliette North (Hermes), Despite the growing number of maisons and increasing public access, the show remains a high-quality experience for both visitors and exhibitors. Wed like to thank the WWG team for this beautiful edition and for helping make this event both unique and cohesive. This feeling was echoed by Christian Selmoni (Heritage Director at Vacheron Constantin): By bringing the entire watchmaking family together for a week in a truly exceptional setting, WWG allowed us to offer the best possible experience to all our audiencesprofessionals, clients, press, enthusiasts, and collectorsthanks to an organization like no other.

Time To Watches Steps Out of the Shadows

Unlike previous years, the spotlight also shone on Time To Watchesthe parallel show hosting 70 exhibitors, some of them very small, and for the first time located at Villa Sarasin (just a stones throw from Palexpo; see our show recap here).

On the ground floor, Loriges co-founder and CEO Clement Etienvre summed up the general mood: A very strong edition of TimeToWatches, well organized, with lots of foot traffic and a great mix of brands. The proximity to Watches & Wonders allowed key retailers to make the trip here and discover smaller independents after going from meeting to meeting with the industrys big players at Palexpo.

Villa Sarasin  Time to Watches

What could be improved? Maybe more networking opportunities, to encourage exchanges between the different exhibitors.

A few remaining maisons still scattered around the city are now asking the question with growing insistence: should they apply to exhibit at WWGand will their applications be accepted? Answers coming in 2026.
Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa died this Sunday in Lima, his children Alvaro, Gonzalo and Morgana announced in a statement. Born in Arequipa on March 28, 1936, the 2010 Nobel Prize winner for Literature had just turned 89. Author of seminal works such as Conversation in the Cathedral, The City and the Dogs, and The Feast of the Goat, he was one of the most important writers of contemporary literature in any language. A novelist, essayist, polemicist, columnist, and academic, Vargas Llosa will go down in history as an extraordinary storyteller and an influential intellectual in the old-fashioned sensethat is, before social media.

His departure will sadden his relatives, his friends and his readers, but we hope they will find comfort, as we do, in the fact that he enjoyed a long, multifaceted and fruitful life, and leaves behind him a body of work that will outlive him. We will proceed in the coming hours and days in accordance with his instructions, the statement from his children said. No public ceremony will take place. Our mother, our children and ourselves trust that we will have the space and privacy to bid him farewell as a family and in the company of close friends. His remains, as he wished, will be cremated, they add.

In October 2023, he published his last novel, I Give You My Silence, which concluded with a brief announcement of his farewell to fiction. Two months later, he also said goodbye to journalistic columnism, that is, to the column he had published fortnightly in EL PAIS since 1990. These articles demonstrated his inexhaustible intellectual curiosity and his eagerness to intervene in all current social and political debates. In them, as in some of his essays, the morally progressive but economically neoliberal Vargas Llosa emerged, baffling (and even irritating) the thousands of admirers of his novels.

It was his conservative political commitment that was invoked for years to explain the delay in receiving an award for which he seemed predestined: the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 2010, just as he had disappeared from the bookies odds, the Swedish Academy woke him up in the middle of the night in New York he was a visiting professor at Princeton to announce that he had finally been awarded the most coveted medal in universal literature. The reason? For his cartography of power structures and his sharp images of resistance, rebellion, and the defeat of the individual. He was 74 years old and had just sent to the printer a novel about savage colonialism associated with rubber exploitation: The Dream of the Celt.

Since he debuted at the age of 23 with a volume of short stories The Chiefs (1959) he didnt stop writing and publishing. However, at the time of his Nobel Prize, one had to go back a decade, to The Feast of the Goat (2000), to find one of his great pieces. In a way, that novel based on real events about the tyranny of Dominican dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo was his belated contribution to the unofficial conspiracy of Latin American authors to portray the subcontinents dictatorships. Gabriel Garcia Marquez (The Autumn of the Patriarch), Miguel Angel Asturias (Mr. President), and Augusto Rosa Bastos (I, the Supreme) preceded him in the task.

Vargas Llosa was a fundamental part of the global explosion the famous boom of Latin American literature since 1963, when, as a mere twenty-something, he won another prize with The City and the Dogs, the Biblioteca Breve, organized by the Barcelona publishing house Seix Barral. His inspiration came from his own past: his adolescence at the Leoncio Prado Military School in Lima, a sordid place where his father sent him to remove him from the docile orbit of his maternal family.

In fact, the reappearance of his choleric father, whom he believed dead for years, marked the traumatic end to a peaceful childhood spent in Cochabamba (Bolivia) and Piura, in northern Peru. Not surprisingly, the moment of his fathers resurrection was the one the writer chose to open his memoirs, A Fish in the Water, with. He published them in 1993, three years after Alberto Fujimori defeated him in the Peruvian presidential elections.

That political frustration occupies the even-numbered chapters of a long narrative, which is completed in the odd-numbered chapters with the authors literary and sentimental education: from his first trip to Paris in 1957 thanks to a short story contest to the day he went to a kennel to rescue Batuque, a mutt he had been given. There, he witnessed a scene of animal brutality from which he had to recover in the first coffee shop he found: La Catedral (The Cathedral). In 1969, that episode would open Conversation in The Cathedral, whose first sentence instantly became part of literary history.

That novel was the first he wrote as a professional writer thanks to a decisive figure in his literary career: Carmen Balcells. While living in London since 1966, the novelist and his family scraped by thanks to the literature classes he taught at Queen Mary College when the literary agent offered him a salary from the royalties for that masterpiece in progress. On one condition: that he settle in Barcelona and devote himself exclusively to writing. This is what he did between 1970 and 1974, a period in which he coincided in the Catalan capital with another future Nobel Prize winner, Garcia Marquez, about whom he wrote a landmark study Story of a Deicide and with whom he formed a close friendship that was ultimately broken by an unexplained incident that ended with Vargas Llosa giving his colleague a black eye.

Lima, Madrid, Paris, London, and Barcelona form the life map of a man to whom the label of universal writer was suited perfectly. He drew from all sources and participated in all debates. If his literary mentor was Flaubert from whom he learned that where talent doesnt get you, effort will his first ideological reference was Jean-Paul Sartre. In time, he would joke about his youthful nickname the brave little Sartre but for years he believed blindly in the writers commitment in the manner theorized by the French philosopher. Death has cut short his last literary project: an essay on his work.

In 1971, following the Padilla case, he broke with the Cuban revolution another of his ardors and with communism. From then on, his influences blew from the opposite shore: a political liberalism forged by thinkers such as Karl Popper, Isaiah Berlin, and Raymond Aron, which, economically, translated into the neoliberalism of Margaret Thatcher, the figurehead of the conservative revolution that triumphed in the 1980s and had its iconic moment in the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Vargas Llosa recalled more than once, with his characteristic underhanded irony, that in his childhood home, his grandmother Carmen had defined a liberal: Someone who doesnt go to mass and who gets divorced. In one of his last television interviews, recorded for his friend Mercedes Milas program, the Peruvian Nobel laureate explained that family was for him a symbol of order, and that his passion was always adventure. Indeed, his love life was marked by great passions that developed against all bourgeois conventions: with his aunt Julia, 10 years his senior; with his cousin Patricia, the mother of his three children (Alvaro, Gonzalo, and Morgana); and with Isabel Preysler, whom he married in 2015, when he was 79 years old. They broke up, amid some scandal, in December 2022.

Having won every award possible (from the Cervantes to the Nobel Prize, including the Princess of Asturias, the Romulo Gallegos, and even the Planeta), Mario Vargas Llosa was a member of the Royal Spanish Academy (seat L), which he joined in 1996 with a speech on Azorin, to which Camilo Jose Cela responded. In November 2021, he also became one of the immortals of the Academie Francaise despite not having written a single line in the language of Moliere. I secretly aspired to be a French writer, he said in February 2023 at the beginning of his induction speech at a ceremony attended by King Juan Carlos.

Accustomed from a young age to accumulating awards, he always said his main goal was not to become a statue. In 2019, when it seemed he would no longer write anything worthy of his great novels, he published the superb Harsh Times, based on the CIAs intervention to overthrow in 1954 and under false accusations of radical communism the lukewarm social democratic government of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala. The work closes with a paragraph in which Vargas Llosa, a staunch anti-Castro activist, demonstrated that rather than being an enemy of Fidel Castro, he was a friend of the truth. The Guatemalan lesson, he acknowledged, led revolutionary Cuba to ally itself with the Soviet Union to shield itself against pressure, boycotts, and possible aggression from the United States. In his opinion, Cubas history could have been different if the United States had earlier accepted the modernization and democratization of Guatemala pioneered by Arbenz. This recognition was one of the last intellectual lessons of an undeniable writer who loved to debate. And who always approached ideological debate without a trace of cynicism.

For him, writing and politics were always two sides of the same coin: that of individual freedom. Even at the expense of social justice. Thats why he concluded his Nobel Prize speech by recalling that the lies of literature become truths through us, the transformed readers, contaminated by yearnings and, because of fiction, in permanent conflict with mediocre reality. Reading, he added, instills rebellion in the human spirit: Thats why we must continue dreaming, reading, and writing, the most effective way we have found to alleviate our perishable condition, to defeat the ravages of time, and to make the impossible possible. And in his case, something more: to be immortal for his readers.
We have never known as well as we do now what towering figures two dozen writers from multiple Latin American countries were, more than half a century ago now. There was barely any similarity between them, even though they were all heirs and intellectual offspring of a handful of earlier names with not particularly fertile ties to Spain (with the exception perhaps of three poets, Ruben Dario, Pablo Neruda and Cesar Vallejo, and a precocious short story writer, Jorge Luis Borges, who had few Spanish memories, none of them particularly good). The phenomenon was unusual even for a medium as fond of offering unusual things as the novel: theres something dreamlike about the informal and capricious inventory of titles that even today remain glued to the hands of readers, unaffected by time, if more so by fashion.

The advantage (or perhaps the disadvantage) for contemporary readers who pick up Conversation in the Cathedral, or The Lost Steps, or Tres Tristes Tigres, or One Hundred Years of Solitude, or The Pursuer, or Pedro Paramo, is that they will have access to a wealth of endless information about authors that Spaniards during the waning Franco era and the hesitant transition to democracy began to read without having any idea about anything, neither where these writers came from nor who they were in their respective countries. Reading the work of a Colombian writer dressed in a mechanics jumpsuit ceased to be an extravagance and became instead a pleasurable obligation, just as taking in the lilting Peruvian language of Vargas Llosa became a happy ritual that anyone could intertwine with the nasal voice of Cortazar and his labyrinths of wit and tenderness without fear of losing their sense of purpose amidst the lusty language used by Cabrera Infante.

That thunderous wave of literary talent reached the publishing houses of a country, Spain, suffocated by protocols and deceitful formalities, unfathomable hypocrisies, and pandemic-era fears, all of which were justified: these works swept them all away, cleaning up the troubled intimacy of countless Spaniards who, from then on, better understood where power and imagination truly lay. With them came the hyperbolic freedom of unlimited fiction, furiously aware of its own ability to change the world with words and with the courage of inventiveness: without preaching, without lessons in morality. And they made money, a lot of it, and perhaps thats why they also changed the rules of the entire literary market at the time, as well as writers contractual relationships with publishers (with the necessary and unruly support of Carmen Balcells literary agency).

Today they are all ours, truly ours  also Adolfo Bioy Casares, Alfredo Bryce Echenique, Manuel Puig, or Manuel Scorza: it truly is an endless list of towering figures, a vital heritage of a language and its readers, with its turns of phrase, its idioms, its enigmas, and its obsessions. Making the literature of a multitude of Spanish-speaking countries our own is the unprecedented privilege experienced by Spanish indigenism, so jealous of its essentialist identity, so suspicious then of a foreignness that hundreds of thousands of readers denied. And many of them went to Spain, of course: the great political novelist Vargas Llosa was unreservedly intimate in Barcelona with the organized and sensual delirium of Garcia Marquez, while the erotic sentimental humor of the magician Cortazar did not feel out of place there either, nor of course did Jose Donoso lose value for having lost his seat in the restricted club of a brand, the [Latin American literary] boom, that worked as an advertising catalyst for other writers of lesser stature but nevertheless quite respectable such as Mauricio Wacquez or Severo Sarduy, Copi or Cristina Peri Rossi.

Their unpublished books, their private letters, their manuscripts and their masterpieces live off the privilege of the internet age. The youths who today incredulously discover the stories of Cortazar or the novels of Vargas Llosa, the fabulous diaries and short stories of Julio Ramon Ribeyro, the ruffled nightmares of Jose Donoso, or the agonizing ruminations of Ernesto Sabato, will be captivated by an addiction with no humanly possible escape. I know them, and I know that the tyranny of great literature works exactly the same with Instagram open on our phones as without it: to trivialize the power of fiction is to begin to lose our sense of reality, because literature is more powerful than Instagram and TikTok combined, even though so many of us have forgotten the furious passion that those books sowed in our heads and the way the narcotic works when our skin is still sensitive and our eyes read with reading eyes, as a friend of mine says, because its the only way to read, dying of pleasure and without the energy to quell our voracity. Its happening now, even if we dont see or hear it: that is the greatest cause of the civil gratitude that Spain owes to a literature it could neither emulate nor avoid. Only the massive mobilization of readers, and not any marketing or propaganda campaign or any other of the often-mentioned nonsense, is the real reason for the invasion of the Latin American barbarians, almost instantly transformed into walking icons of an irresistible world.

No melancholy or nostalgia, then, assails us after the passing of one of the greats of a world that no longer exists, because the gift of resurrection is instantaneous and accessible at a click or a subway ride to the bookstore. Today is rather a day for celebrating the exceptional novelistic talent spread across multiple Argentine or Cuban, Colombian or Mexican, Chilean or Nicaraguan accents, with no female writers comparable to the titular barbarians. The worst thing some might think to say today  and that would indeed be a bubbling source of melancholy  is that almost all of them were too manly, ultra-manly, mega-manly without any complexes or apprehension about being so. The reproach will be fair, anachronistic, and conscientiously irrelevant. Or, better yet, ask the incredulous youth captivated by their work.

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During the Covid pandemic, the U.S. government offered financial relief through three rounds of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). One of these was provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the American Recovery Plan, which gave up to $1,400 to eligible individuals or $2,800 for married couples, and offered payments of $1,400 for all qualifying dependents in a family, not just children under 17. There is now less than a week left for those who have not received the money to claim it.

The Recovery Refund Credit is, as the name implies, a refundable credit intended for individuals who did not receive one or more Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), also known as stimulus checks. In December 2024, the IRS began issuing payments to those who were eligible, but did not claim this credit on their 2021 tax return. All payments should have been received by the end of January 2025, without taxpayers having to take any additional action to obtain them.

The 2021 stimulus payments are still worth up to $1,400 per individual or $2,800 for a married couple. A family with two eligible dependents could receive up to $5,600. Those who have not received the money will be able to claim the catch-up refund credit on their 2021 federal return.

What is the deadline?

April 15 is the deadline to file your 2021 tax return and receive the IRS stimulus check that was offered during the pandemic. Those who do not file their 2021 return by that date may miss out on other benefits such as the earned income tax credit. After that day, the money can no longer be claimed, as there is a three-year period for claiming refunds.

In some cases, the 2021 return will no longer be available electronically, so it must be sent via certified mail, which will serve as proof that it was sent before the April 15 deadline. If it is not sent in certified form, it could be rejected.

Who is eligible?

A person is eligible to receive the full amount of the Recovery Refund Credit if his or her adjusted gross income (AGI) was up to $75,000 if he or she filed as a single person, or up to $150,000 if he or she filed jointly with a spouse. However, if income exceeded those limits, the amount of the credit begins to phase out. Once AGI reaches $80,000 for single filers or $160,000 for couples filing jointly, you are no longer eligible to receive the credit.

If you have applied for the 2021 stimulus check, you can check your status in your IRS account. In that system, it is possible to view key data from your last tax return, and access transcripts or a tax compliance report. You can also view and make payments, or set up preferences, among other tax actions. If you do not know if you have already filed your 2021 return, the system has a record to confirm it.

According to IRS estimates, there are currently more than $1 billion in unclaimed 2021 returns, representing more than 1.1 million taxpayers and an average return of $781, not including applicable credits.

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A ghost from the past has resurfaced between Mexico and the United States. Amid a severe drought, a trade war, and the tariffs Donald Trump has threatened to impose, the 1944 Water Treaty is the new point of tension between the two nations.

Last Thursday, the U.S. president threatened to impose taxes and perhaps even sanctions until Mexico complies with an ancient water treaty dating back to 1944. Mexico owes Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water, the Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.

Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas farmers [...] Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty. We will keep escalating consequences, including tariffs and maybe even sanctions, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and gives Texas the water they are owed! he added.

The 1944 Water Treaty Trump is referring to establishes that both nations must share the water from the rivers that flow along their borders. The agreement dictates that the countries must divide the resource equitably according to their needs: the United States must deliver 1.85 billion cubic meters of water to Mexico each year, while Mexico must send approximately 2.158 billion cubic meters in five-year cycles.

The next cycle will end on October 24, 2025. Mexico must comply with the water volume corresponding to the current cycle, plus a debt carried over from the previous five-year period.

The treaty establishes and delimits the rights of Mexico and the United States over the international Tijuana, Colorado, and Bravo rivers  or the Rio Grande  and assigns each country a certain amount of water. The treaty stipulates that of the total water in the Rio Grande basin, only 432 million cubic meters are for the United States, with the remainder for the benefit of Mexico.

However, when the treaty was signed 80 years ago, it did not take into account the problems of drought and the increasing population on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

President Claudia Sheinbaum has asserted that Mexico is complying with the water treaty and has highlighted the severe drought affecting various regions of the country, which has prevented it from fully adhering to its part of the treaty.

"It's been three years of drought, and to the extent water is available, Mexico has been complying. The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) has continued working to identify solutions that are favorable to both countries," Sheinbaum remarked.

The National Water Commission notes that the treaty is flexible regarding the delivery of water by both nations, and that Mexico has the option of compensating for any shortfall in the next cycle, although noncompliance in two consecutive periods is prohibited.

This is not the only tension that has arisen between Mexico and the United States over water. In 2020, the situation escalated into violence when Chihuahuan farmers affected by the intense drought took control of the La Boquilla dam in the border area in an attempt to stop the flow of water into the U.S.

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The shortcomings of the judicial election evaluation committees continue to leave  at the very beginning of the campaign  a trail of candidates marked by controversial pasts. In a complete about-face, for example, Silvia Delgado has gone from being part of the legal defense team for Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, in 2016 to becoming a candidate for criminal justice judge in the state of Chihuahua. In a documentary made by the German broadcaster DW about lawyers for drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia, Delgado argues that the trial of the kingpin, sentenced to life in prison in the United States for at least 10 crimes, was a farce. It was a tribute to Donald Trump, a tribute to the king [...] The law was violated in its fullest sense here, she alleges, later concluding: What Mr. Guzman always asked for, because he told me so, was simply to be treated like the other inmates. He didnt receive a fair trial.

The judicial candidate, who has no prior experience in the judiciary, not only does not consider this background a conflict of interest with the position she aspires to hold, but rather believes it is a virtue. All my clients are equally important; there was no need to single any out. However, this shows that I have the character and composure needed to judge, she stated in a Facebook post in which she shared a note highlighting her relationship with El Chapo.

This is not the only high-risk candidacy that Defensorxs, a legal platform advocating for human rights, has observed in recent weeks. The civil organization has taken on the task of identifying unsuitable candidates to become magistrates or judges, who will be elected by popular vote for the first time in history on June 1. Their investigations continue to reveal the inclusion on the lists of individuals with controversial episodes in their backgrounds, at best, or with ties to organized crime at worst. This latter scenario includes the candidacy of Francisco Herrera Franco for district criminal judge in Michoacan, a former regional state prosecutor accused of alleged involvement in the murder of two journalists from the Monitor Michoacan website: Roberto Toledo, in January 2022, and Armando Linares, the outlets director, two months later. Both had received threats over their investigations into the prosecutors corruption.

A joint statement signed by eight organizations, including Article 19, denounces that Herrera Franco, nicknamed the terror prosecutor, has a history of human rights violations, institutional co-optation, and alleged pacts with criminal groups. The latter came to light most notably after the leak of a recording in which he is allegedly heard collaborating with an organized crime leader in the eastern part of the state, Edwin Rivera Padilla, known as El Barbas. Herrero Blanco has denied the accusations and also denied that he is the person heard in the audio. They attributed the voice to me. We all know that these days any voice can be simulated. There is artificial intelligence that has been proven to be able to modify that voice. Its not me, he explained in an interview with W Radio last week.

The newspaper archives, however, continue to point the finger at the former prosecutor. In a video posted on Facebook and picked up by the press in 2021, a representative of the regions Mazahua communities is seen accusing him of pressuring his community to join one of the cartels operating in the area. We just learned that you are on the side of a cartel, and that you go so far as to instruct our people to join a faction. Mr. Prosecutor, assume your responsibility as a public official, he says, adding a warning: I hope that what happened to the people of Ayotzinapa doesnt happen to us because we spoke out here. You cant speak out anymore, because then the official who is supposed to protect you is the one who orders you to disappear. We tell you to your face: if youre not going to work, resign.

This is one of the cases that most concerns civil society organizations, as it not only involves a conflict of interest when making judicial decisions, but they also consider Herrero Blanco a danger to journalists and human rights defenders. In the statement, the organizations demand that the National Electoral Institute (INE) and the Electoral Tribunal review the candidacy and ask the Federal Attorney Generals Office and the National Human Rights Commission to take over investigations related to the murders of the two journalists. We are not only upset but also concerned about the work we are doing. The authorities failed to do so, and now they are passing this work on to us, putting us at risk, says Miguel Meza, founder of Defensorxs.

The underlying problem, experts have warned, lies in evaluation systems that were poorly designed from the outset and then irresponsibly executed. The only committee among the three branches of government that had clearer and more defined guidelines was the Judiciary, but after a back-and-forth that resulted in its work being halted by order of a Michoacan court, it was ultimately the Senate that replaced it in preparing its list, before the committee had even finished screening. The haste with which this was done and the lack of prior investigations continue to produce a trickle of cases that question the suitability of some candidates and cast doubt on the work of the committees.

We have challenged these candidacies, says Meza, but the Electoral Tribunal said it was not the time. We interpret this as them simply following a political instruction not to invalidate the candidacies, because if they open that door, they will have to invalidate many more. It is no longer just a legal issue, but a political one, and that is why we want to take it to the president.

Among the other controversial cases observed by the association, there are at least two involving sexual crimes. Francisco Martin Hernandez Zaragoza, a candidate for circuit magistrate in criminal matters in Jalisco, was removed from his position as a state criminal judge in 2015 following a complaint of sexual abuse and harassment filed in 2013 by a judicial employee. The Federal Judicial Council initiated disciplinary proceedings based on the complaint, which included recorded evidence, and ultimately removed him from his position. However, he could now return to a similar office.

Something similar happened with Edgar Rodriguez Beiza, although for him the outcome was more fortunate. Like Hernandez Zaragoza a candidate for criminal magistrate in Jalisco, in Beizas case for the First Circuit, the judge was accused of sexual abuse in 2017 by a student at the Center for Advanced Studies in Legal and Criminological Sciences. In 2018, he was charged, but in 2019, the victim granted him a pardon, closing the case without resolving the merits, according to the press archives.

A few years later, in 2023, the legal defense of rape victim Amarande Riojas requested the recusal of Rodriguez Beiza as the judge overseeing her case, as he had previously stated that he would not prosecute the accused, according to the victims testimony collected by Defensorxs. The incident also reached then-president Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors morning press conference, through a journalist who thanked former security minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez for her help with the case.

The latest findings add to nearly a dozen previously reported cases. There are at least four candidates linked to the Light of the World evangelical church, whose leader, Naason Joaquin, has been convicted in the United States of child sexual abuse. Weeks earlier, the inclusion of other problematic candidates was discovered, such as the former coordinator of Sonora prisons, Nicollino Cangiamilla, with serious negligence on his record, or one of the lawyers linked to the defense of Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, Z-40, the leader of Los Zetas who was recently extradited to the United States. Less than two months before the election, with nearly 900 judicial positions up for grabs and time running out to scrutinize each candidate, civil organizations remain vigilant.

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Don Neto called his room in Guadalupe Victoria prison, a penitentiary surrounded by a plain of farmland halfway between Durango and Torreon, the forgotten cell. In 2011, after two decades in the Altiplano prison, the health problems that afflicted him at 81 years of age precipitated his transfer. The aging Sinaloa drug lord thought his days of starvation, eating a pittance of cactus every morning for breakfast, and not getting medication for his numerous ailments were behind him. His calculations were wrong, and the warden of his new home forbade him from going out into the yard for fear of being attacked by other inmates. His daughter Esther protested: Since he arrived, he doesnt know if its day or night, because he remains immersed in darkness. They dont even let him read the Bible.

Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo always displayed old-school discretion. He let his partners, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo the Boss of Bosses and Rafael Caro Quintero, the Narco of Narcos, co-founders of the Guadalajara Cartel, the Sinaloans who rewrote the rules of drug smuggling, hog the spotlight. During his four decades in prison, he hasnt spoken a word. Last Saturday, having served his entire sentence, he regained his freedom for the first time since April 1985. Then, his final minutes as a free man were spent in a mansion on the Puerto Vallarta coast, owned by the head of security in the Jalisco city of Ameca. It was already obvious that his days were numbered, and he retreated to the Pacific to say goodbye. There, the army arrested him for the kidnapping and murder of DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena and Mexican pilot Alfredo Zavala. Freedom has found him again at the age of 95, in another luxury home, this time many miles from the sea, on a hill in Atizapan de Zaragoza, in the State of Mexico.

The little that is known about Don Netos life comes from his daughters and police investigations. His daughter Esther was interviewed by Ricardo Ravelo in 2011 for the magazine Proceso, shortly after he had secured a transfer to Guadalupe. That year, he was sentenced to 40 years after 26 years of incarceration without a conviction. By then, the drug lord was already an ailing old man begging the Mexican government for mercy. Esther complained to Ravelo about her fathers poor health and how the prison wouldnt allow him to go out for surgery. She said he was a very hard-working and responsible man, that he denied killing Camarena  and she believed him  and that he was just a rancher whom the prison system had deprived of even the most worldly pleasures.

Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena. DEA

A decade ago, Julio Scherer crossed paths with Fonseca Carrillo in the Altiplano. Don Neto, the oldest inmate and the oldest man in Almoloya, offers the image of a man who is leaving. His dull eyes resemble his listless voice. He looks at me, and I dont know if hes looking at me, the dean of Mexican journalism later wrote. Scherer, who was in the prison interviewing some of its most notorious inmates for his book Maximum Security (2001), asked him to talk. Don Neto responded, monosyllabically:

 No.

Scherer got a lucky break. The Sinaloa drug lord refused, but he found his daughter, Ofelia, also locked up for drug trafficking. She told him about an absent father who, during her years of freedom, she saw once or twice a year, on vacation. They had more contact when Fonseca Carrillo was imprisoned in Altiplano. I would tell him, laughing, Now you cant tell me youre not here or that youre busy or that you dont want to see me. He would tell me, laughing too: Now you can come whenever you want, Ofelia recalled.

In both interviews, 10 years apart, the two women portrayed a reserved, distant, and unloving man  Now that Im here, the last time I saw him, all he gave me was a hug without the slightest affection, Ofelia said, resigned. She didnt even complain. She didnt like to talk about her life, and at most, occasionally, shed let slip an anecdote from her youth in the mountains of Sinaloa. Ravelo asked Esther:

 Has your father spoken to you about death?

 No, he hardly ever talks about it.

Veteran before the Guadalajara Cartel

Esther denied that the family was wealthy  our life is modest  and claimed they hadnt inherited the fortune their father amassed during his years as a drug lord. In 2016, Fonseca Carrillo was transferred to the home of one of his brothers to serve out his sentence under house arrest, in a luxury residence in a residential neighborhood in Atizapan where the average price of a property exceeds $1 million.

Half an hour from Mexico City, you can spot it from afar: among bare hills, the Hacienda de Valle Escondido is dotted with trees as a status symbol. Its one of those neighborhoods with security at the gate, where any visitor is considered suspect until proven otherwise, and without an invitation from its residents, you arent allowed in. Don Netos house is under federal guard.

Gateway to the municipality of Badiraguato. SAUL RUIZ

Fonseca Carrillo was born in 1930 in Santiago de los Caballeros, a mountain town in the municipality of Badiraguato, with a larger population in the cemetery than above ground. Badiraguato witnessed the birth of the generation of smugglers who would change the rules of the business and cement the laws of modern drug trafficking: in addition to Don Neto and Caro Quintero, Juan Jose Esparragoza El Azul, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, and the Beltran Leyva brothers. The Sinaloa drug trafficking family tree has short branches: Fonseca Carrillo is also the uncle of Amado and Vicente Carrillo, Sinaloans who would later become leaders of the Juarez Cartel. Some versions say it was Don Neto who sent them north to take over the organization.

In the Golden Triangle  the mountains of Sinaloa, Durango, and Chihuahua  marijuana and poppy cultivation have always existed. They provided the livelihood of many ranches. And where there are crops, there is smuggling. At 20, Don Neto was already making his way in the rudimentary business as the right-hand man of Pedro Aviles, The Lion of the Sierra. With the ravages of Operation Condor, which led the army to burn entire crops and imprison farmers, the younger smugglers moved to Guadalajara. There, Don Neto, Caro Quintero, and Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo would found what history knows as the Guadalajara Cartel.

They modernized their processes, established ties with Colombian cartels to transport their cocaine from South America to the United States, diversified their investments, and became respectable businessmen. They left the ranch behind and crashed the private party of the Guadalajara bourgeoisie. For a few years, their alliances with high-profile politicians and police officers made them untouchable. The DEA, however, was on their trail.

An agent, Kiki Camarena, infiltrated the organization. He discovered El Bufalo, a ranch spanning thousands of acres in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert planted with 8,000 tons of a new type of marijuana. The Mexican authorities knew: it was impossible for a crop of that size to go undetected, but cartel bribes lubricated the state machinery. With the help of pilot Alfredo Zavala, Camarena photographed the plantation from the air. Faced with the evidence, captured by a foreign agent, the government had to intervene. The army burned the entire marijuana crop in November 1984.

Less than four months later, the Guadalajara Cartel kidnapped Camarena and Zavala. They were brutally tortured and mutilated for weeks. A doctor kept them alive to prolong the interrogation. A month later, their bodies were dumped in a ditch around 100 miles from Guadalajara. It was the final nail in the coffin. First, Caro Quintero, whom the DEA considered the mastermind, was arrested in April 1985. A few days later, Don Neto. Finally, in 1989, Felix Gallardo. The organization splintered, and others, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, emerged from its ranks.

Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo. Telemundo

Don Neto was 55 at the time, much older than his companions. He was already a veteran when they joined forces. When he was first arrested in Mexicali in 1955 for trafficking opium gum, Felix Gallardo hadnt even turned 10, and Caro Quintero was around three. Now, hes the only one of the three at liberty. Felix Gallardo, wheelchair-bound, nearly deaf, and blind in one eye, will complete his sentence in 2029 in Mexico. Caro Quintero, extradited to the United States, spends his days in a Brooklyn prison, uncertain whether the Prosecutors Office will seek the death penalty.

Although President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that there is no extradition order against Fonseca Carrillo, the DEA still has him on its fugitive list. His file, over a grainy, opaque black-and-white photograph, reads: Armed and dangerous. It seems a bit outdated. Don Neto, today, is a mass of illnesses: blind, deaf, a survivor of several heart attacks, among a host of other ailments. One wonders if his luxurious residence still has the Bible he was denied in prison. A huge mausoleum he commissioned has been waiting for him for years in the Santiago de los Caballeros cemetery: a copy of the Parthenon in Athens, in a village in the Golden Triangle.

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France has become increasingly unstable, and the political life expectancy of a prime minister may no longer exceed three months. This is what happened to Michel Barnier, 74, who held office from September to December 2024. The list grows longer if you look back. Even so, its still unusual for two of them to meet by chance in a restaurant. How are you? Everything okay? Ill call you one of these days, Barnier says, seated at a table in a central Parisian restaurant, to fellow former prime minister Francois Fillon. I lasted a little less than him, he jokes in an interview with journalists from the European alliance Lena, which includes EL PAIS.

Barnier  a former minister, European commissioner, but known above all as the famed EU chief negotiator of the Brexit agreement  was also the oldest politician to occupy the Hotel Matignon, official residence of Frances prime minister. He holds the record for being the occupant who lasted the shortest amount of time there. He also has enough irony to accept this fact and calmly reflect on the causes that led to it, closely linked to a certain end of an era in French politics. His downfall was the result of the chaos sown by President Emmanuel Macron after the dissolution of Parliament in June 2024. But it was also because the political left, he notes, failed to accept that it lacked a majority. Today, from a calmer perspective yet without concealing his ambition to become president of the Republic if he has enough support, Barnier reflects on the trade war with the United States and the EUs new rapprochement with the United Kingdom following the divorce he himself helped to certify.

Question: Why do you think Trumps America is taking such a hostile stance toward the EU?

Answer: Trump is surrounded by billionaires and speculators who dont like Europe because we are a union of 450 million people based on principles of regulation, governance and stability. We have an independent central bank, rules, banking supervision, and control mechanisms. Trump would like to make separate deals with each country, to divide and conquer. On the other hand, [Vladimir] Putin doesnt like us either. He knows that the EU is a force of democratic attraction.

Q. You believe that the response to the international crisis must be European. Why?

A. These days, we must learn how to adapt, to react quickly, but above all, to defend our interests in an unstable world. The first lesson of our time is that we must be European. I have always been patrioticI admit itbut also deeply European. It is precisely in times of crisis that the need to react together is truly felt. If anyone today is looking for a reason to be European, it is there: in our collective capacity to face challenges. To do so, we must rely on our greatest asset, whether we are French, Polish, German, Italian, or Spanish.

Q. What is that common asset?

A. The single market. During the Brexit negotiations, I firmly defended it, even against those who wanted, as they say in Germany, to dance at two weddings at once: to take advantage of the benefits without accepting the obligations. But the single market is immutable. Its not just a free trade area; its much more. Its an ecosystem with common rules, standards, shared regulations, coordinated oversight, and a common jurisdiction. Its what gives us strength in global economic competition. And in a world of trade wars and geopolitical instability, its our greatest asset.

Q. You insist on the need for unity. Is it really possible today?

A. European unity doesnt just fall from the sky. As a Brexit negotiator, I can say that its cultivated. It requires constant political effort. And its that unity that brings us respect, even in the face of powers like the U.S., China and Russia. Im convinced that Donald Trump will end up respecting Europe. For now, he respects almost no one, judging by his words and methods. But they will respect us because we are the single market, the largest and wealthiest in the world. And you only enter it by respecting its rules.

Q. How can we defend European interests?

A. Methodically. European unity isnt decreed, its built as we did during Brexit. It would require a clearly identified figure who speaks on behalf of the three EU institutionsthe Commission, the Council and Parliamentwho is accountable to everyone and takes the time to explain and convince.

Q. Should we be prepared to adopt more trade sanctions against the U.S.?

A. Yes, we must prepare. There is, for example, the European Anti-Coercion Instrument, which would allow us to temporarily close our market to certain American products. Its an extreme measure, but it must remain on the table. We mustnt announce it too soon, but we must prepare it seriously. We must avoid hasty or disorderly responses. Dont give in too quickly. And above all, dont be fazed.

Q. What do you think about Marine Le Pens provisional disqualification from running for political office?

A. Im clear on one point: there was embezzlement. Four and a half million euros were stolen, and there must be sanctions. Theres no room for debate about that. And I recommend not questioning the independence of the judiciary. However, the general framework can be questioned: the law provides that a disqualification ruling can be enforced before all appeals have been exhausted. This is an important institutional issue that deserves serious debate in Parliament, and not fast-tracked to resolve a particular candidates situation.

Q. Should this provision be reviewed?

A. Perhaps. Not for Le Pen, but for the future. Im against circumstantial laws. But is it fair that a defendant, whoever they may be, can be hit with a disqualification sentence before the end of the proceedings?

Q. What are the main lessons you have learned from your time at Matignon?

A. First, the fragmentation of the parties: today there is no longer a stable majority, as there was during the Fourth Republic, but there is also no spirit of compromise. The Socialist Party (PS) refused any discussion from the start. They told me: Well vote for the motion of no confidence because youre not left-wing. Second lesson: how difficult it is to reactivate the state in France when it has come to a standstill.

Q. Dont you have the feeling that the Fifth Republic is exhausted, with a president who has lost some of his power?

A. No, I dont think the Fifth Republic is dead. It works, but we need to return to its original spirit: a president who presides and a government that governs.

Q. What were the reasons for your short-lived tenure?

A. There was no majority. I knew I could fall at any moment. Thats why I didnt move to Matignon with my wife. I was cautious. The Socialist Party had no real reason to censure me, except for its commitment to [La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc] Melenchon: to vote against any prime minister who wasnt left-wing. It was an ideological position.

Q. Wasnt that a mistake on President Macrons part? Should he have appointed someone from the left?

A. He should have tried a coalition with the Republicans (LR) much earlier. He appointed me at the last minute, against the ropes.

Q. Is there a real rapprochement between the EU and the UK?

A. There are signs of that, and its as much in their interest as it is in ours. Ive always considered Brexit a grave mistake, contrary to the British national interest. I dont know of any other nation, in peacetime, that decided to abandon the single market and the customs union. They could have left the EU and stayed in the single market, like Norway. But they quit everything, solely for ideological reasons and political rhetoric. And today they are paying the price.

Q. What specific areas of cooperation do you see with London today?

A. At least five or six: European security, the fight against terrorism, defense organization and financing, foreign policy, cooperation in Africa. To this I add two more with an economic dimension: energy and artificial intelligence.

Q. Could the UK then participate in the major European investment plans, especially in defense?

A. Of course. Several companies are already Franco-British or Euro-British. Its in our interest to cooperate in armament, industrial capacities and research. The United Kingdom already participates in certain European research programs. And I think that, given the Ukrainian crisis and the new U.S. attitude, its time to organize this cooperation politically.

Q. What do you propose?

A. I propose the creation of a European Security Council. An intergovernmental body, outside the European Unions institutions, that would include the United Kingdom and, for example, Norway. This Council would coordinate our common security and defense policy. It could bring together countries that so wish, starting with those that contribute the most to the European budget: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain.

Q. Is U.K. reintegration a medium-term option?

A. Its their decision. The door remains open. They can return to the customs union, to the single market, or even to full membership in the European Union. But they know the conditions. The further they move away from European rules in time and form, the harder it will be to return. Because you dont return to the Union without accepting its rules.

Q. Do you want to play a role in the future presidential campaign?

A. Im not going to tell you I dont have the ambition. When youve been prime minister, youre always ready to serve.

Q. Within the European Peoples Party (EPP) family, there are two visions of the far right. There are countries like Spain, where the traditional right makes deals with the ultranationalist party Vox. This is also the case in Italy.

A. You cant build a European coalition with extremes. In some countries, there may be local, temporary alliances, but at the European level, it would be a strategic and moral error. The values of the EPP are not compatible with those of Vox or the National Rally. A self-respecting right cannot ally itself with those who deny the rule of law, reject Europe, or sympathize with [Vladimir] Putin. This isnt a tactical debate; its a question of political identity.

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TOKYO - The population of Japanese nationals stood at 120.3 million as of October 2024, down a record 898,000 from a year earlier, a government estimate showed Monday, amid the graying of society and a declining birthrate.

The total population in Japan, including foreign residents, also fell 550,000 to 123.8 million as of Oct. 1 last year, marking the 14th consecutive year of decline, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.

The sharpest drop in Japanese nationals since comparable data became available in 1950 comes as the number of people aged at 14 and below dropped by 343,000 to 13.83 million, accounting for a record low of 11.2 percent of the total population. In contrast, the population of those aged 65 and over rose by 17,000 to 36.24 million, reaching a record high of 29.3 percent.

The working-age population, or people between 15 and 64, fell 224,000 to 73.73 million, accounting for 59.6 percent, the estimate showed.

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OSAKA - Around 119,000 people visited the World Exposition in Osaka on its opening day Sunday, the organizer said, with long lines forming in the rain at pavilions admitting only a limited number of guests without reservations.

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition said that more than 140,000 people had made reservations to visit the site on Sunday, but over 20,000 appear to have changed their dates to avoid bad weather.

On Monday, the first weekday since the opening, people lined up in front of the east gate near Yumeshima Station, which is directly connected to the expo site, in a scene reminiscent of the previous day. Entry, however, was smoother than on Sunday.

Inside the venue, a demonstration flight of a pilot-only flying car was held, reaching a height of about 10 meters and flying for around seven minutes as the audience cheered. The event had to be canceled on Sunday due to bad weather.

Later Monday, access to the top of the Grand Ring -- a 2-kilometer-long structure recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest wooden building -- was restricted due to concerns about lightning near the venue.

Opening day was not without hiccups, as internet connection issues caused headaches for some participants. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, the top government spokesman, told reporters, "We would like to increase visitor satisfaction through continuous improvements."

The expo will run through Oct. 13 on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, with 158 countries and regions participating. Around 28.2 million visitors are expected, according to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition.

The expo kicked off with a bang on Sunday, but soaring hotel prices and a shortage of rooms near the venue are casting a shadow over hopes of attracting more visitors and fueling concerns about the impact of overtourism, locals said.

The new hotels that have opened recently are mostly high-end, catering to wealthy travelers. The surge in foreign visitors has tightened supply and demand, driving up accommodation prices.

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HIROSHIMA - A court on Monday sentenced a man to one year in prison, suspended for three years, for abusing rabbits on an island in western Japan.

Riku Hotta, 25, killed or injured seven rabbits on Okuno Island, also known as "Rabbit Island," in Hiroshima Prefecture by kicking them or sticking scissor blades into their mouths, according to the ruling at the Kure branch of the Hiroshima District Court.

The judge, Wataru Shimazaki, condemned the assault as malicious but said the defendant admitted to the charges and reflected on the act.

Hotta was arrested on suspicion of animal abuse in January after being seen kicking a rabbit, which later died, on a street on Okuno Island, which is home to about 500 semi-wild rabbits.

The Environment Ministry is considering installing additional surveillance cameras on the island in response to the incident.

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TOKYO - If humans eventually colonize the Moon, the early settlers might toast their success with a bottle of sake, realizing the dream of brewer Asahi Shuzo Co.

Yamaguchi-based Asahi Shuzo, known for its Dassai sake brand, in February took a leap forward, unveiling at an event in Tokyo a bottle of high-end sake that it will attempt to brew in space.

The price for the 100-milliliter bottle of Dassai Moon is 110 million yen ($738,000) -- the going rate for an alcoholic beverage produced in space given that it will be the first of its kind.

Inspired by the U.S.-led Artemis Moon exploration program and other efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, Asahi Shuzo is serious about wanting the eventual inhabitants to be able to enjoy a low-gravity tipple.

"It's not a case of trying it out once for the sake of publicity but rather starting with the Moon and moving on to other possibilities," Asahi Shuzo President and CEO Kazuhiro Sakurai told Kyodo News.

Before any lunar endeavor, Asahi Shuzo will attempt to brew sake on the International Space Station where equipment will recreate the gravity of the Moon's surface. The specialized brewing equipment and ingredients could be launched into orbit as early as September.

Speaking at the event in Tokyo, Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi said that he and other astronauts are excited by the project, especially as brewing sake on the Moon would be a step beyond what has been achieved in space so far.

"Until now, we were just taking something into space. Now they are actually going to make sake in space, which is a huge undertaking," Noguchi said.

Asahi Shuzo has made a habit of looking far beyond its base in the mountains of Iwakuni to seek new undertakings and new markets for its Dassai brand.

In early December, when much of the industry was congratulating itself after the traditional knowledge and skills used in sake-brewing were added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Asahi Shuzo was sending out updates about its aim to brew sake on the Moon.

While Sakurai recognizes the UNESCO listing as a potential boon for sake, he is wary of complacency.

"I believe that sake can and must evolve," he said. "There's a significant risk of becoming fixated on the history when, with a higher quality of sake, there is potential to reach bigger markets."

The bold ambitions of Asahi Shuzo came from a basic need to survive. When Sakurai's father took over the family business in 1984, Asahi Shuzo was selling directly to local stores with a consumer base confined to a radius of around five kilometers.

Across the sake industry, sales were in decline following the oil crisis of the early 1970s, a trend that would extend to the local population in the decades to come.

The new president decided to break out of Yamaguchi, and Asahi Shuzo took its sake to Tokyo, in the form of the high-end "junmai daiginjo" choice brew.

That year, the company recorded sales of around 100 million yen. Between October 2023 and November 2024, sales reached 19.5 billion yen (around $130 million), with 45 percent coming from exports.

Eyeing the world stage, in January, Asahi Shuzo announced more developments. From June, it will change its name to Dassai Inc. to strengthen its brand globally.

After the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles on March 2, Dassai was served to Hollywood's elite at the Governors Ball afterparty -- the first time for a Japanese sake brand to feature on the cocktail menu as an event sponsor.

Despite the glamor and the globetrotting, the company maintains its roots at its headquarters in a remote corner of western Japan. The approach follows mountain roads through a landscape of farms and quiet villages.

Until, that is, the main brewery building comes into view. At 12-stories, it would not look out of place in central Tokyo. The on-site store has the interior of a boutique.

Inside, there is no veteran "toji," or master brewer. Instead, Asahi Shuzo employs a young crew of brewers, largely focused on making junmai daiginjo sake.

Speaking in the brewery's analysis room in February, Sakurai was clad in an immaculate suit befitting his surroundings.

"I think it is important not to make sake the same way it was a hundred years ago," he said. "For us, making good sake means going beyond tradition. It means innovating and taking on new challenges."

Behind Sakurai, staff in lab coats carried out tests and analyzed data. At one end of the room, charts covered the wall, each one detailing the alcohol content and temperature, among other conditions in tanks containing fermenting sake mash.

"It allows us to see what's going on in each tank at a glance," Soya Uetsuki, chief of innovation and research, said. With around 200 tanks to be monitored each day, that is 200 graphs to take in.

Even with all the data and innovation, there are elements of sake-brewing at Asahi Shuzo that still demand the human touch.

Inside the koji muro, the room where koji mold is added to steamed rice, the work of separating rice grains is hot, sweaty and hands-on. In the fermentation room, staff plunge poles deep into tanks to stir the sake mash within, and in doing so release fruity aromas.

At the end of the brewing process, the president and others gather to sample the pressed sake. Objectivity is key. "This is not a discussion about how delicious it is, it's about judging whether or not it can be shipped," Uetsugi said.

As for where Dassai will be shipped next and in what surroundings it will be served, there appears to be no limits. New York, Hollywood. The Moon.

"It's so interesting to see how our sake can go out into the world and interact with the cultures and people of other countries to create something new," Sakurai said.

This is the first of a three-part series on Japan's sake brewers.
This photo taken on April 13, 2025 shows a view of the wall of victims' names at the Rebero Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda. Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to politicians who were killed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi for opposing discrimination, divisive ideology, and the genocide plan, as the country concluded its national commemoration week. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

KIGALI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwandans on Saturday paid tribute to politicians killed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi after they opposed the genocide plan, as the 30th national commemoration week came to a close.

The event took place at the Rebero Memorial site in the capital of Kigali, where more than 14,400 victims of the genocide are interred. It was marked by a presentation on the life and struggle of the 21 fallen politicians.

Senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, families of the fallen politicians and representatives of survivors' associations attended the event and laid wreaths at the graves in honor of the victims.

Senate President Francois Xavier Kalinda, who presided over the ceremony, urged Rwandan political parties and politicians to "foster unity among Rwandans and avoid divisive politics" so as not to drag the country back to its dark past.

Abbas Mukama, spokesperson for the National Forum of Political Parties, said the politicians were killed because they stood against genocide, hatred, dictatorship and segregation.

As politicians, "we have the duty to continue to educate our party faithful and all Rwandans about peaceful co-existence, upholding unity, being exemplary and working toward good governance," he said.

The commemoration week began on April 7 under the theme "Remember-Unite-Renew," during which various commemorative activities were held throughout the country, including a "Walk to Remember" march in Kigali and night vigils.

The commemorative activities will continue until July 4, marking the 100-day calamity when about 1 million people, mostly of the Tutsi community and moderate Hutus, were killed in the genocide by Hutu extremists. 

Families of the victims who were killed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi lay wreaths at the Rebero Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda, April 13, 2025. Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to politicians who were killed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi for opposing discrimination, divisive ideology, and the genocide plan, as the country concluded its national commemoration week. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Families of the victims who were killed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi lay wreaths at the Rebero Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda, April 13, 2025. Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to politicians who were killed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi for opposing discrimination, divisive ideology, and the genocide plan, as the country concluded its national commemoration week. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)




* Amid global headwinds against globalization, the Hainan FTP stands as China's testament to unwavering openness.

* Hainan has adopted a variety of measures to optimize its business environment to facilitate free and convenient trade and investment.

* By the end of this year, the free trade port will officially begin independent customs operations.

HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- At the Yiling Life Care Center in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, patients are seen undergoing rehabilitation exercises under the guidance of therapists in a spacious, bright hall.

In an equipment room, Damien Meunier, from France, is intently calibrating a therapy device, adjusting parameters and components with focused precision.

Meunier first visited China in 2019 as a tourist and was soon drawn to the unique opportunities emerging in Hainan's healthcare sector amid the rapidly developing Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). In 2021, he joined Yiling Life Care Center as a medical equipment engineer, based in Boao Township in south China's Hainan Province.

"The Hainan FTP is the ideal place for my career development," said Meunier. "It combines opening-up policies, innovation, and exceptional life quality."

As China's only "medical special zone," the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, established in 2013, was granted special policy support that allow eligible pharmaceuticals and medical devices, licensed abroad but not yet available domestically, to be used for patients through streamlined procedures.

An aerial drone photo taken on April 3, 2020 shows a view of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

The pilot zone is the epitome of Hainan's role as a gateway for global openness.

In April 2018, China announced a decision to develop Hainan into a pilot free trade zone while gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of an FTP with Chinese characteristics. In June 2020, a master plan was rolled out to build the island into a globally influential and high-level FTP by the middle of the century.

Seven years on, Hainan has built a policy framework centered on "free and convenient trade, investment, cross-border capital flows, personnel mobility and transportation, and the safe and orderly flow of data," and an FTP system underpinned by features like zero tariffs, low tax rates, and simplified tax systems.

Amid global headwinds against globalization, the Hainan FTP stands as China's testament to unwavering openness.

Official statistics show that by the end of 2024, the province was home to 9,979 foreign-funded enterprises, with 77.3 percent established after June 2020. The number of countries and regions investing in Hainan has jumped from 43 in 2018 to 174 today.

As an important part of the Hainan FTP construction, Hainan has adopted a variety of measures to optimize its business environment to facilitate free and convenient trade and investment.

An inbound aircraft is under maintenance at a one-stop aircraft maintenance base in Hainan Free Trade Port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

"In alignment with the world's highest standards of openness, Hainan has formulated and implemented a series of opening-up measures to create a 'foreign investor-friendly' business environment," said Wang Xuehao, deputy head of the Hainan Provincial Department of Business Environment Development. "The measures include expanding the scale of innovative development in trade of goods, promoting two-way investment, and fostering cross-border industrial chain cooperation."

In the Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Hainan GoldMax Dairy Co., Ltd. has established an industrial park spanning over 50,000 square meters, integrating offshore duty-free retail, e-commerce, general trade and cross-border supplied materials processing, reflecting the company's strong confidence in the potential of the Hainan FTP.

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2024 shows a view of the Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Chengmai County, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

"The Hainan Free Trade Port has provided us with vast development space and opportunities and helped us bring high-quality products to China and beyond," said Wu Suguo, CEO of the dairy company.

By the end of this year, the free trade port will officially begin independent customs operations, which will be "a form of openness on a larger scale," said Zhao Jinping, a member of the Expert Advisory Committee for the Construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. "It means the connectivity between the Hainan Free Trade Port and the rest of the world will become even smoother."

Currently, all 31 port infrastructure projects needed for independent customs operations have been completed, laying a solid foundation for efficient flow and supervision of goods and personnel.

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 11, 2025 shows a view of the Yangpu International Container Port in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Meanwhile, as the Hainan FTP begins independent customs operations by the year end, its preferential policies such as "zero tariffs, low tax rates, and simplified tax systems" will be implemented more comprehensively and meticulously. A series of core free trade port policies are also expected to be accelerated for full implementation.

According to Meunier, once the Hainan FTP begins independent customs operations, the advantages will become more evident in areas such as imported equipment, cutting-edge technologies, and international tourism. "I look forward to the future of the Hainan FTP."

(Reporting by Zhong Qun, Wu Maohui, Qiang Lijing; video reporters: Li Duojiang, Guo Liangchuan, Liu Yutian; video editors: Hong Ling, Zhao Xiaoqing, Zheng Qingbin, Wu Yao)
MACAO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai delivered the 2025 fiscal year policy address on Monday, outlining the overall policy direction, enhancing diversification, improving people's livelihood, strengthening governance, and integrating into national development.

Sam delivered his first policy address at the Legislative Assembly. He stated that the new SAR government will work closely with all sectors of society and the public to pursue innovative development and usher in a new chapter for Macao.

He noted strengthening coordination mechanisms as a key initiative in the government's effort to reform administration and improve governance capacity, elaborating that the government has established six leadership groups and working groups to coordinate the advancement of major cross-sectoral affairs.

Sam also pointed out that Hengqin is key to unlocking Macao's appropriate economic diversification, and the SAR government regards the high-quality achievement of the second-stage development goals of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin as a significant task.

In his address, Sam set forth the government's primary expectations for 2025: to consolidate economic recovery, improve employment conditions, deepen administrative reform, and pursue deeper integration into national development.

He said that infrastructure connectivity within the Greater Bay Area will be further enhanced, and Macao will further enrich its role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Sam said the SAR government will move forward with several major infrastructure projects, including an international education (university) city, the Macao international integrated tourism and cultural zone, an international aviation hub along the Pearl River, and a science and technology R&D industrial park. 
SANAA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday claimed responsibility for three airstrikes on Israeli targets, according to a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said his group launched two missiles toward central Israel on Sunday, one on the Sdot Micha military base and the other on the Ben Gurion airport.

Sarea added the group also carried out a drone strike against a "vital target" in the Ashkelon area, southern Israel, not specifying the target.

Earlier in the day, Israel's military said that a missile launched from Yemen was "likely intercepted" by its air defense systems before entering Israeli airspace.

The launch triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, sending millions of residents to shelters. No injuries or damage were reported, according to Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom.

The Houthis, who control vast areas of northern Yemen, have been attacking Israeli targets since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Yemen-based militia claims that it will stop operations if Israel ends the ongoing war in Gaza and allows essential food and medicine into the strip. 
GUANGZHOU, April 14 (Xinhua) -- At a terminal in the port of Guangzhou in Guangdong, south China, the future has arrived: AI-powered cranes automatically unload cargo ships while driverless vehicles navigate docks with clockwork precision.

This is China's automated port revolution in action. The Nansha Phase IV terminal in Guangzhou, completed in November 2024, is among the country's 52 fully automated ports as of late 2024, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The 52 ports span China's coast line, from Bohai Bay to the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, forming a network leading in scale, efficiency and technology worldwide.

"Previously, crane operators worked in 40-meter high cabins, straining to see containers below," said Yang Xuan, a veteran operator at Guangzhou Port. "Now we operate in the intelligent control room hundreds of meters away from the ship, with much higher efficiency and safety."

The terminal integrates cutting-edge technologies including BeiDou navigation, 5G communications, automated driving and AI. Its intelligent guided vehicles automatically calculate optimal routes, while smart algorithms coordinate all loading equipment.

The advancement is rewriting the rules of productivity. In east China's Shandong Province, the automated terminal of Qingdao port set its 11th world record for loading speed in December last year, with each crane handling 60.6 containers per hour on average, more than double that of traditional docks (around 25 to 28 containers per hour).

Collaboration between automated ports has greatly improved the efficiency of shipping. The "FAST" shopping route between Shanghai and Guangzhou has slashed logistics costs by 65 percent compared to road transport.

Behind the scenes, China's port automation surge relies on domestically developed systems. According to a report on 2024 global automated container terminals, Chinese terminal operating systems have matured since 1997, when the first domestic version was introduced.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's n-TOS system optimizes operations through intelligent bay planning and automatic stowage, while Shanghai Port's iTOS system streamlines vessel operations. These innovations have enabled major ports to complete comprehensive automation upgrades.

Ports across China are also increasingly integrating AI solutions. In March this year, Sinotrans South China Co., Ltd. launched an AI assistant powered by DeepSeek's language models, allowing clients to run queries on their shipment status in plain language.

"Whether inquiring about berth plans, container movements or loading progress, customers get instant, accurate responses through simple commands," said Ye Zengjian, a support engineer at the company. 
Pavithra Ramadas (2nd R), a Malaysian travel blogger, tries on Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) at Gansu Silk Road International Tourism Conference 2025 in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, April 7, 2025. (Xinhua)

LANZHOU, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Unlike most first-time foreign tourists to China, who flock to popular destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, Zachary Iziah Smith took a different path by exploring the vast and historic landscapes of Gansu Province in northwest China.

"I want to record and showcase the transformation along the ancient Silk Road through my lens," said the 32-year-old American travel blogger.

From the local Sanpaotai (covered-bowl tea) to the strikingly colorful Danxia landforms, the unique charm of the Hexi Corridor made Smith's first visit to China an experience filled with vivid impressions.

Smith was among approximately 140 guests from over 20 countries and regions who attended the 2025 Gansu Silk Road International Tourism Conference held last week. They included officials from international tourism organizations, representatives from travel agencies and social media influencers.

Participants explored the cultural and natural splendor of the Hexi Corridor, a key artery of the ancient Silk Road, which continues to inspire the development of Silk Road tourism today.

Malaysian travel blogger Pavithra Ramadas immersed herself in traditional Chinese culture by trying hand-pulled noodles, dressing in Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), and visiting the famed Mogao Grottoes.

"Silk Road travel has delivered countless surprises to me," she said. Her real-time updates on social media sparked enthusiastic responses from her followers.

Thanks to expanded visa-free policies, China has experienced a travel boom, with a surge in international visitors exploring both iconic landmarks and lesser-known destinations across the country.

China has established comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 25 countries, implemented unilateral visa-free policies for 38 countries, and extended the transit visa-free period to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries. Malaysia has emerged as one of Gansu's most important inbound tourism markets.

The visa exemption policy between China and Malaysia has significantly boosted tourism promotion and bilateral exchanges, said Law Wai Hong, chairman of Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association, adding the association will further promote Silk Road-related tourism to allow more travelers to experience its rich historical and cultural charm.

"The Silk Road is increasingly becoming a top choice for international travelers seeking a deeper understanding of China," said Xu Peng, vice chairman of the World Tourism Alliance. "The natural scenery and cultural heritage draw a steady flow of international visitors, making the region a core hub for inbound tourism growth."

Marcel Leijzer, deputy director of International Development and Cooperation Department, UN Tourism, said that countries and regions along the Silk Road are increasingly recognizing tourism's role in preserving cultural heritage, enhancing regional cohesion, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. He emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation among countries to advance Silk Road tourism.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of China's release of the Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. As Silk Road-themed tourism products and routes continue to evolve, the sector is gaining renewed vitality and growing global appeal.

As a key region along the ancient Silk Road, Gansu Province has seen remarkable growth in tourism. Official data shows that the province welcomed 247,900 overseas tourists in 2024, marking a 137 percent year-on-year increase.

"These figures underscore the thriving development of Silk Road inbound tourism," said He Xiaozu, director of the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, adding that the province will deepen partnerships with global travel agencies to co-develop Silk Road itineraries and boost the global tourism industry. 

Zachary Iziah Smith, an American travel blogger, poses for a photo at Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua)
BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday released new guidelines aimed at enhancing the country's high-skilled workforce in the civil affairs services sector.

The document -- the first jointly issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security -- sets out a comprehensive framework to improve talent development, evaluation, and utilization, in addition to incentive mechanisms for individuals working in civil affairs-related fields.

By 2030, the policy envisions a more capable, better-structured workforce in the sector with significantly enhanced qualifications, stable income growth, and greater public recognition.

It also seeks to foster a more supportive policy environment and strengthen societal respect for careers in civil affairs services.

In a related policy released the same day, the two ministries announced plans to accelerate skill certification for eldercare workers.

The goal is to significantly expand the number of credentialed eldercare professionals in China by 2030, with over 80 percent of caregivers for seniors expected to hold professional certifications. 
SYDNEY, April 14 (Xinhua) -- One woman has died and 10 more people have been hospitalized following a major three-vehicle crash in the northern suburbs of Brisbane in the Australian state of Queensland.

The police said on Monday that a van appeared to have crashed into two stationary vehicles in Bald Hills, 18 km north of central Brisbane, at about 9:40 p.m. local time on Sunday.

A woman who was in one of the stationary vehicles died at the scene and 10 people were taken to the hospital with various injuries, according to a police statement.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that three men suffered life-threatening injuries, with two sustaining head and limb injuries.

The remaining seven people who were injured were hospitalized in a stable condition.

The police said that forensic crash unit investigations into the incident were continuing. 
BAGHDAD, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Three Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in an airstrike in Iraq's Salahuddin province, and three others were arrested in separate counter-terrorism operations, a security source and the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) said on Sunday.

Iraqi security forces carried out an airstrike on two IS hideouts in Salahuddin, killing those inside and destroying their equipment, logistical materials, and communication devices, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

Mohammed Khalil al-Bazi from Salahuddin provincial police command told Xinhua that the airstrike was conducted on Sunday evening and killed three IS militants.

In addition, the CTS announced the arrest of three more IS militants in separate counter-terrorism operations.

Based on accurate intelligence information, one was arrested in the capital Baghdad, while the other two were captured in the northern Nineveh province, the CTS said in a statement.

CTS forces also destroyed six IS hideouts, six mud houses, a pick-up truck, and a cave containing explosive materials in Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, it added.

While Iraq declared victory over the IS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to carry out attacks against security forces and civilians in urban areas, deserts, and remote regions. 
by Xinhua writers Shi Yu, Zheng Yangzi

LIBREVILLE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The presidential election Saturday in Gabon came as the central African country was "at a decisive turning point and has the opportunity to put in place solid institutions," a senior United Nations official has said.

The election was "a crucial step as it will help bring the country back to constitutional order," Abdou Abarry, special representative of the UN secretary-general for Central Africa and head of the regional UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, on the eve of the polls.

On Sunday, Gabon's Interior Ministry announced that transitional leader Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema won the election, securing 90.35 percent of the total votes cast.

Nguema has served as Gabon's interim president since leading a 2023 coup that ousted former President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

A REGION LEARNING FROM ITSELF

Reflecting on transitions elsewhere in the region, Abarry highlighted the parallels between Gabon's process and that of Chad. The latter successfully concluded its post-crisis roadmap with senatorial elections earlier in 2025, following the death of President Idriss Deby Itno in April 2021.

Abarry congratulated the Chadian authorities for meeting their commitments despite significant challenges, including the impact of the crisis in neighboring Sudan.

He noted that, like Gabon's, Chad's transition had been relatively brief. "This transition, like that of Gabon, was not long, although in this matter, many observers believe there is no ideal duration."

Abarry said that more important was the fact that countries undergoing such processes act in full sovereignty, in accordance with their own political, social, cultural, and institutional contexts.

He underlined the importance of regional and international cooperation in supporting democratic transitions, citing coordination between actors such as the Economic Community of Central African States, the African Union, and the United Nations in their crucial role in accompanying Gabon's electoral process.

A CONTINENT SEEKING PEACE

Looking beyond Gabon, Abarry's outlook for Central Africa remains cautious yet hopeful.

He highlighted the deep-rooted causes of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where conflicts involving armed groups, including the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, have displaced millions.

"The current crisis in eastern DRC is part of a long-standing pattern of conflict, fueled by ethnic tensions, political rivalries, weak governance, and the struggle to control the region's abundant natural resources," Abarry said.

He stressed that a political resolution remains the only viable path forward, and ongoing regional peace efforts, such as the Luanda and Nairobi processes, present genuine opportunities for durable peace.

Abarry called for enhanced cooperation between the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, and neighboring states to promote inclusive dialogue and de-escalation.

This, he said, should include stronger regional coordination mechanisms and joint diplomatic initiatives.

"For the United Nations, peaceful resolution is the only path to ending conflict," he said.

Abarry said the UN system has been actively coordinating efforts to help end the conflict in the DRC with the guiding principle of respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"There is an urgent need to silence the guns and stop the escalation of violence to prevent the regionalization of the conflict and the worsening of the humanitarian crisis," he said.

"ENDOGENOUS INITIATIVES"

Abarry acknowledged the challenge of keeping African crises visible on the international agenda, particularly amid competing global emergencies.

"It is difficult to capture the attention of the international community given the many crises today, especially since the stakes and interests are not the same," he said.

"One way to do this is to speak with one voice," Abarry said. "The other is to give voice to those directly affected by conflict."

He called for greater international recognition of the broader transformation underway across the African continent.

In his view, Africa's growing assertiveness on the global stage does not reflect a retreat from engagement, but rather a desire to build more equitable and respectful partnerships with the rest of the world.

He emphasized that the fundamental aspirations of people in the Global South, like those in the North, remain universal in nature: peace, security, dignity, and the pursuit of socioeconomic and cultural fulfillment.

Limiting the global narrative about Africa to its challenges alone is reductive and misleading, Abarry said.

Instead, more attention should be paid to "endogenous initiatives, local innovations, and African solutions" that are actively emerging in response to today's most pressing issues.

"This evolution does not reflect a retreat, but a desire to co-construct more balanced partnerships, where African priorities are fully considered, in respect of local specificities," Abarry said. 
BAGHDAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani met with his Iranian counterpart Mohsen Paknejad here on Monday to discuss prospects for cooperation between the two countries, the Iraqi Oil Ministry said in a statement.

The meeting concluded with the signing of memorandums of understanding and agreements focused on the exchange of expertise and cooperation in the interest of both countries, according to the statement.

During the discussions, Abdul Ghani highlighted Iraq's promising gas investment projects and ongoing efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in oil derivatives, it said.

For his part, the Iranian minister underscored the deep-rooted ties between the two neighboring countries, emphasizing the importance of sustained engagement across all fields of mutual interest, the statement added.

In March, the United States rescinded Baghdad's waiver to purchase electricity from Iran as part of its "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran.

Decades of conflict have left Iraq struggling with chronic electricity shortages. Despite its oil wealth, the country remains heavily dependent on gas imports from Iran to power its grid. 
JERUSALEM, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the family of a hostage held in Gaza that Israel is negotiating a ceasefire proposal that could secure the release of 10 captives, a hostage family group said on Monday.

The Tikva Forum, representing families of some hostages, said Netanyahu spoke by phone with Tzvika and Efrat Mor, parents of 23-year-old hostage Eitan Mor, and told them there had been "progress" in talks to free 10 living hostages.

Netanyahu's office confirmed the call, stating he had "updated the family on the efforts to return the hostages and said that the efforts are ongoing even at this very moment," without elaborating.

Meanwhile, Beirut-based Al Mayadeen TV reported on Monday, citing a senior Hamas official, that Israel's latest proposal includes a 45-day ceasefire, increased aid deliveries to Gaza, and the release of nine hostages, including Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander.

A second phase would involve negotiations on a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, disarming Hamas's military wing, and determining Gaza's post-war governance. The official said Hamas was still reviewing the plan.

Hamas has repeatedly said it will only free hostages as part of a deal ending the war. Israel insists military pressure is vital to secure releases.

According to Israeli figures, 59 hostages remain in Gaza out of the 251 people abducted during Hamas's Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people.

Hamas released 33 hostages under a ceasefire agreement that took effect on Jan. 19. The truce collapsed on March 18 when Israel resumed its ground and air operations in Gaza, effectively halting further prisoner exchanges.

Since the resumption of Israeli attacks in March, at least 1,613 Palestinians have been killed and 4,233 wounded, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed since the start of the conflict to 50,983, with 116,274 wounded, the health authorities in Gaza said on Monday.

Israeli strikes have left large parts of the Gaza Strip in ruins, with thousands of homes, hospitals, and infrastructure destroyed. 
Hoang Minh Hiep, a patient from Mong Cai of Vietnam, is hospitalized at the Dongxing Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Feng)

by Xinhua writer Zhang Feng

NANNING, China, April 14 (Xinhua) -- It was a typical day in Dongxing when I arrived late last month. At noon, temperatures lingered near 30 degrees Celsius in this border city in South China, drying parts of the riverbed beneath the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge. A white-red boundary line marked the middle, where travelers gathered for selfies.

As I pushed through the crowd for a glimpse of the neighboring Vietnamese city of Mong Cai, two ambulances suddenly blocked my view. An agonized middle-aged man on a stretcher was transferred from a Vietnamese ambulance across the borderline into a Chinese one, which then sped off, leaving me stunned.

A worried bystander told me the man was probably headed to the Dongxing Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, just a kilometer away. I ran straight into the 16-story facility.

The patient was a Chinese traveler who fell sick while visiting Mong Cai, said Li Xiangtong, a doctor at the emergency department of the hospital who helped with the rescue. "He is the tenth patient this year to be transported through the '1369 Life Express,' the cross-border channel to transport patients in acute conditions, be it Chinese travelers or Vietnamese citizens," said Li.

RACE AGAINST TIME

In medical first aid, every second counts -- especially for cross-border cases, where delays can stem from paperwork, language barriers, security checks and nightly checkpoint closures. Launched in 2016, the "1369 Life Express" tackles these issues by synchronizing checkpoint and medical teams on both sides (Dongxing and Mong Cai), ensuring that critically ill patients can receive swift care, even overnight.

Named after a nearby boundary marker, the "1369 Life Express" service is the first China-Vietnam medical aid provider at the border. It "offers first aid to medical emergencies, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Liu Bin, the hospital's vice president.

Among the some 650 patients treated over nine years under the partnership, many were Vietnamese with severe conditions like brainstem strokes and epidural hematomas. The youngest was a 9-year-old boy who fell from a second-floor balcony in 2019, arriving in a coma with critical brain injuries via the "1369 Life Express." Surgeons performed a craniotomy to remove blood clots and repair his skull. After regaining consciousness two days later, he received further treatment in the intensive care unit before recovering and returning to Mong Cai.

Language was initially a hurdle. "Many of them do not speak Mandarin, and only a few of the doctors speak Vietnamese fluently," said Liu. The hospital then recruited eight Vietnamese-speaking staff members as translators. "China-Vietnam Friendship Wards" were also created on upper floors, complete with bilingual signage to make Vietnamese patients feel at home.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Over the decades, the Dongxing Branch has long witnessed China-Vietnam medical exchanges. It has drawn many Vietnamese and Chinese patients from Mong Cai, laying the groundwork for the current much-acclaimed medical lifeline.

In recent years, the two cities have developed a closer relationship, now hosting joint first-aid training sessions twice a year. In late 2023, Mong Cai's health delegation visited Dongxing as a pair of hospitals -- the Dongxing Branch and Mong Cai City Medical Center -- were designated as training hubs. They agreed to collaborate on programs ranging from infectious disease control to emergency response. Dongxing reciprocated with its own delegation to Mong Cai in August 2024.

As the city's top hospital, the Dongxing Branch has a renowned neurology department specializing in cerebrovascular diseases, and advanced imaging equipment enables precision treatment for epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

Despite offering a variety of medical treatments, the hospital must seek help elsewhere for more specialized needs.

On Dec. 25, 2024, Mong Cai City Medical Center urgently contacted the Dongxing Branch regarding a critical aortic dissection patient. The "1369 Life Express" was activated immediately. The 55-year-old was rushed to the hospital, where specialists determined his condition required transfer to the branch's headquarters, 180 kilometers away in Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, for specialized surgery.

The patient was escorted there in short order as surgeons prepared simultaneously. The Vietnamese emerged safe from a seven-hour operation and was discharged on Jan. 6, 2025.

Once linking just two cities, the lifeline now stretches from Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, to Mong Cai and Dongxing, and all the way to Nanning, the city where I'm now based. The downtown headquarters leads in cardiovascular care, known for its treatment of thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, with stem cell transplants, which has helped over 1,000 patients. During last year's exchange, Vietnamese with severe thalassemia were welcomed for treatment via the "1369 Life Express." "We wish our neighbors good health," said Liu Bin.

BOND BEYOND BORDERS

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, as well as the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchange. The relationship, often hailed as "camaraderie plus brotherhood," is clearly seen in the bond between Dongxing and Mong Cai.

Earlier this month, I returned to Dongxing. This time, it was cooler, and I decided to take my time to feel the pulse of the city. Roadside vendors hawked Vietnamese imports -- durian-shaped slippers, Saigon coffee and tropical fruits. Seafood restaurants and travel agencies lined winding lanes. Vietnamese tourists in green hats mingled with locals.

I went back to the Dongxing Branch. "We often receive patients from Mong Cai. I don't speak Vietnamese, but the translators can offer me a helping hand," said Ruan Junming, a neurologist at the hospital. "Meanwhile, I have AI tools at my disposal that could do real-time translation."

Using both human translators and AI tools, doctors treated Hoang Minh Hiep, a Mong Cai patient rushed to the hospital last month with a brainstem hemorrhage, severe hypertension and diabetes. "In the first few days here, it was a struggle for him even to speak, sometimes only with slurred speech," said Ding Daqiang, his attending physician. "He can now talk to us and walk along the wall. I'm so glad he recovers so quickly."

Recalling the two-week-long treatment here, including the novel experience of acupuncture, the 34-year-old Vietnamese repeatedly expressed his gratitude to all the health workers in the hospital.

As night fell, I walked to the bridge as the checkpoint prepared to close. Crowds gathered -- including daily commuters who can speak Mandarin. They make a living in Dongxing's burgeoning commerce and live within walking distance in Mong Cai.

The bridge is a good point to see Dongxing Branch's illuminated sign at night. Millions of people traversed the 111-meter-long bridge last year, making Dongxing one of the busiest land ports along China's border. Erected near the beginning of the bridge is a more than two-decade-old boundary marker that bears the familiar number -- 1369, a symbol that resonates deeply with people on both sides.

Editor's note: Zhang Feng is a Xinhua reporter currently working at the Guangxi branch of Xinhua News Agency.

An ambulance transfers a Chinese traveler who fell sick while visiting Mong Cai in Vietnam to Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Feng)

This photo taken from the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge on April 5, 2025 shows a view of the Dongxing Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Feng)

A boundary marker with the number 1369 on it is seen near the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Feng)
HOUSTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Six people were injured and at least 24 homes damaged after a two-story house exploded on Sunday in Austin, the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, authorities said.

When firefighters arrived at the neighborhood in northwest Austin, they found the house was leveled to the ground and a neighboring house suffered "severe collapse damage," said Wayne Parrish, division chief of Austin Fire Department.

Among the injured, two are in critical condition, while two firefighters were treated for minor injuries, said Captain Shannon Koesterer of Austin-Travis County EMS.

The cause of the blast remains unknown. Although the neighborhood lacks underground gas lines, the newly constructed home that exploded did have propane tanks, local media reported.

An investigation is underway. 
Daniel Noboa (2nd L), the incumbent president and candidate of the National Democratic Action, reacts after voting at a polling station in Olon, Santa Elena, Ecuador, April 13, 2025.

Daniel Noboa, the incumbent president of Ecuador, was re-elected in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday for a four-year term, according to the initial results released by the National Electoral Council. (Ecuadorian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

QUITO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Daniel Noboa, the incumbent president of Ecuador, was re-elected in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday for a four-year term, according to the initial results released by the National Electoral Council (CNE).

Noboa, 37, gained 55.92 percent of the vote with 92.64 percent of ballots counted, while his opponent, the leftist Luisa Gonzalez earned 44.08 percent.

While congratulating Noboa on his victory, Diana Atamaint, president of the CNE, said "an irreversible trend" is marked in the results of the second presidential round, which "are the faithful reflection of the popular will expressed at the polls."

The elections took place in an environment of peace, security and trust with a participation of 83.76 percent of the more than 13.7 million eligible voters, she added.

After learning the results, Noboa thanked supporters in a statement from his residence in the western province of Santa Elena. "This victory has been historic, a victory of more than 10 points, where there is no doubt about who the winner is," he said.

"Ecuador is changing, Ecuador has already chosen a different path and that path is going to be for future generations to have a fairer life (...) and with progress," Noboa added.

In a speech delivered in the north of the capital Quito, Gonzalez said she does not recognize Noboa's electoral victory.

"We do not recognize the results presented by the CNE. We are going to ask for a recount and for the polls to be opened," she said. 

Daniel Noboa, the incumbent president and candidate of the National Democratic Action, prepares to cast his ballot at a polling station in Olon, Santa Elena, Ecuador, April 13, 2025.

Daniel Noboa, the incumbent president of Ecuador, was re-elected in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday for a four-year term, according to the initial results released by the National Electoral Council. (Ecuadorian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

A voter is seen at a polling station in Otavalo, Imbabura, Ecuador, April 13, 2025.

Daniel Noboa, the incumbent president of Ecuador, was re-elected in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday for a four-year term, according to the initial results released by the National Electoral Council. (Photo by Ricardo Landeta/Xinhua)

Voters line up to cast their ballots at a polling station in Otavalo, Imbabura, Ecuador, April 13, 2025.

Daniel Noboa, the incumbent president of Ecuador, was re-elected in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday for a four-year term, according to the initial results released by the National Electoral Council. (Photo by Ricardo Landeta/Xinhua)
JUBA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) announced Monday that it has supported the deployment of judges, prosecutors, and investigators to Leer County to deliver formal justice through a mobile court.

Leer County, located in the Unity State, Greater Upper Nile region, is among the areas hardest hit by conflict and has lacked access to formal justice mechanisms for over a decade.

The initiative, a joint effort by the Judiciary of South Sudan, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Unity State government, is set to begin Tuesday and will run through May 9.

"Mobile courts, while not a substitute for formal justice structures, play a vital and innovative role in restoring public faith in South Sudan's rule of law architecture," Guang Cong, deputy special representative of the Secretary-General (Political) for South Sudan and deputy head of UNMISS, said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

According to the statement, the Leer mobile court will focus on adjudicating serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and forced or early marriage.

The deployment follows the recent training of 20 new investigators in southern Unity State, with specialized instruction on handling SGBV and CRSV cases.

On March 28, UNMISS facilitated the early deployment of prosecutors and investigators to begin receiving and processing criminal complaints. More than 60 cases were reported prior to the court's arrival, with additional filings expected in the coming days. The court is set to handle both criminal and civil cases.

Judges withdrew from Unity State in 2013 due to ongoing conflict and insecurity, leaving residents to rely exclusively on customary courts, even for serious crimes outside their jurisdiction.

These mobile courts, which have been previously deployed in Unity, Western Bahr El Ghazal, and Warrap states in 2024 and 2023, are transforming justice delivery, changing attitudes towards sexual violence and children's rights, and instilling hope in communities that fair trials are possible and perpetrators face justice. 
TEHRAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will travel to Russia later this week for talks on recent developments in indirect negotiations with the United States, Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that Tehran remains committed to consultations with all signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing that maintaining such interactions is "beneficial."

Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed the visit, saying Araghchi will meet with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other senior officials during his trip.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff held "indirect" talks centered on Tehran's nuclear issue and sanctions relief on Saturday in the Omani capital of Muscat in a "constructive" atmosphere, and the two countries will hold the second round of negotiations on April 19 outside Oman, though the structure and mediation of the negotiations will remain unchanged.

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 program 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. 
Sam Hou Fai, chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), delivers the 2025 fiscal year policy address in Macao, south China, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

MACAO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai delivered the 2025 fiscal year policy address on Monday, stressing innovation for development and forging ahead into a new era.

The address, which is Sam's first policy speech since he took office, emphasized that in the face of longstanding issues and emerging challenges, it is essential to accurately understand changes, respond to them scientifically, and proactively seek transformation.

Solutions must be grounded in Macao's realities, stabilizing the economic fundamentals, invigorating economic vitality, strengthening expectation management, and expanding new development space, Sam said.

The report underscored the need to enhance coordination mechanisms and open a new chapter in the SAR's development. It set the integration of Macao and Hengqin as a goal, with efforts to advance the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

The policy address defined the overall direction for governance in 2025 as enhancing diversification, improving livelihoods, strengthening governance, and integrating into national development. It also laid out the SAR's primary development targets and outlined five key policy priority areas. 

Sam Hou Fai, chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), delivers the 2025 fiscal year policy address in Macao, south China, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
This year's water-splashing festival was staged in China's Yunnan. It is regarded as one of the most important festivals of ethnic groups in southwest China, during which people splash water on one another, wishing happiness and good fortune. #ChinaTravel #WaterSplashingFestival
JERUSALEM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 250 former officials of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency have signed a letter urging the government to immediately end the war in the Gaza Strip and bring about the release of the Israeli hostages still held there, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported on Sunday.

According to the report, the signatories include three former Mossad chiefs: Danny Yatom, Efraim Halevy, and Tamir Pardo, as well as dozens of other veteran officials in the service.

The ex-Mossad members said, "Continued fighting endangers the lives of the hostages and our soldiers, and every possibility must be exhausted to reach an agreement that will end the suffering. We call on the government to make courageous decisions and act responsibly for the country's security."

They expressed support for hundreds of military aircrew members, in reserve or retired, who signed a similar letter, calling for a cessation of hostilities and the return of the hostages.

Following the publication of the aircrew members' letter on Thursday, Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar decided to terminate the service of active reservists among the signatories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the dismissal decision and lashed out at such letters, calling the signatories "an extremist fringe group" attempting to "break Israeli society from within."

Also on Sunday, about 200 Israeli military doctors signed a petition with the same demand for stopping the fighting and bringing home the hostages, according to several media outlets that published a copy of the letter.

"The continued fighting in Gaza is primarily intended to serve political and personal interests, without any security purpose, and endangers the lives of soldiers and hostages," it said.

Hamas took 251 hostages to Gaza during its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. Currently, 59 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 of them still believed to be alive.

Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase, ceasefire-for-hostages deal in January. However, negotiations on the second phase face an impasse after the first six-week phase expired on March 1. Israel then resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18 amid the ceasefire deadlock. 
Actors perform during a prayer ceremony in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on April 14, 2025. Cambodia on Monday held a prayer ceremony for the kingdom's prosperity in front of the renowned Angkor Wat Temple here. The elaborate religious ceremony was held as Cambodia began to celebrate its three-day Lunar New Year -- the Year of the Snake. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Monday began to celebrate its three-day Lunar New Year -- the Year of the Snake.

In a New Year message to the compatriots, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his best wishes to all Cambodians, reaffirming the government's commitment to further boosting economic growth and national development.

He highlighted the kingdom's significant achievements last year in the areas of economy, trade, investment, agriculture, foreign affairs, social affairs, public works and transport, energy, tourism, culture, religious affairs, and telecommunications, among others.

He vowed to continue safeguarding peace and to bring further socio-economic development to the kingdom in the new year.

"In 2025, the Royal Government of Cambodia will continue to vigorously implement its historic mission with a strong, relentless and energetic commitment to deeper and broader reforms in all areas," Hun Manet said.

The traditional New Year is the largest holiday in the Southeast Asian country.

On occasion, people prepare food, fruits, and soft drinks on altars, as well as light candles and incense sticks, in order to greet the New Year's angel.

Besides, they bring food, cash gifts, and praying stuff to offer to Buddhist monks at pagodas in order to dedicate to their ancestors and pray for longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in the New Year.

The traditional New Year is also the time for young girls and boys to gather and play various games, dancing and singing in the vicinity of pagodas and tourist resorts throughout the kingdom. 

Actors perform during a prayer ceremony in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on April 14, 2025.

Cambodia on Monday held a prayer ceremony for the kingdom's prosperity in front of the renowned Angkor Wat Temple here. The elaborate religious ceremony was held as Cambodia began to celebrate its three-day Lunar New Year -- the Year of the Snake. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)
GAZA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed on Sunday that its fighters killed and wounded several Israeli soldiers in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

In a press statement, Al-Qassam said that its fighters detonated a house rigged with explosives, targeting an Israeli special forces unit that had infiltrated the Abu al-Rus area east of Rafah.

The brigades did not disclose the number of casualties, and the Israeli army has not issued a response regarding the claim.

Meanwhile, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a press statement that the army's 252nd Division continues to operate in northern Gaza.

According to Adraee, the forces destroyed an underground tunnel route measuring approximately 1.2 kilometers in length and 20 meters in depth. A weapons depot was found near the tunnel, containing about 20 improvised explosive devices, an anti-tank missile launcher, and other combat equipment.

He added that during the operation, a military drone identified several individuals planting an explosive device near Israeli forces. The Air Force then launched a strike, reportedly killing the individuals. 
"Mutual benefit and win-win." The manager of a German livestock farming company has expressed confidence in deepening cooperation with China in the poultry industry, which benefits the two countries and beyond. #GLOBALink
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, inspect the guard of honor during a grand welcome ceremony held by Lam in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

HANOI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, attended here on Monday a welcome ceremony held by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee.

Xi arrived earlier in the day for a state visit. 

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, greet the crowd after a grand welcome ceremony as they walk to the CPV Central Committee headquarters for talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, poses for photos with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, during a grand welcome ceremony held by Lam in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, greet the crowd after a grand welcome ceremony as they walk to the CPV Central Committee headquarters for talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday to pay a state visit to Vietnam. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, attends a welcome ceremony held by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Yijun)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, attends a welcome ceremony held by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, attends a welcome ceremony held by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, attends a welcome ceremony held by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, attends a welcome ceremony held by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zheng Kaijun)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, attends a welcome ceremony held by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
DHAKA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladesh people in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country on Monday celebrated the Bengali New Year 1432 with colorful rallies, traditional delicious food and gorgeous cultural and musical events.

Celebrations of the Bengali New Year began at the sunrise when people wearing new dresses gathered in several major venues around Dhaka University, featuring musical events, rural games and clay dolls, jute crafts and handmade items.

With the day's first rays of the sun visible at dawn, Chhayanaut, an institution devoted to Bengali culture, started staging musical performance in presence of thousands of people to welcome the new year.

In Dhaka, thousands of people wearing masks and traditional dresses, mostly students of colleges and universities joined a colorful procession to welcome the new year with good spirits on Monday morning.

As always they carried large symbolic figures of birds and animals all made of bamboo during the procession, ushering in the Bengali New Year which is now a symbol of cultural unity in Bangladesh without distinction between class or religious affiliations.

The procession for the first time featured people of 28 ethnic groups, different government and private educational institutions, and social and cultural organizations, alongside foreigners in the celebration rally.

In Bangladesh, Pohela Boishakh, or the first day of the New Year, is a national holiday.

During the New Year, Bengalis usually start the day with the traditional simple breakfast of panta-bhat (leftover rice soaked in water) and fried hilsa fish.

Dhaka's fashion houses and boutiques were abuzz with shoppers who bought traditional dresses not only for their families but also for their relatives and friends, a traditional activity during the celebrations of the new year.

Boishakhi Fairs are organized in many parts of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. The lifestyle of rural Bengal is showcased in almost all these fairs which also stage traditional folk songs and plays. 
HOUSTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- An arson suspect was arrested on Sunday afternoon, hours after the Pennsylvania governor's official residence was blazed and partly damaged in the state's capital city of Harrisburg, said Pennsylvania State Police.

The suspect was identified as Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris told a press conference.

The suspect hopped over a fence around the governor's residence and forcibly entered the building before setting it on fire early Sunday morning, according to the state police.

The attack was "targeted" but its specific motive is still unknown, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said at the conference.

Shapiro said that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family that had celebrated Passover on Saturday were inside the home when they "woke up to bangs on the door from Pennsylvania State Police" around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Sunday.

Balmer will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism, arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person, said Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo at the press conference.

No one was injured by the fire, but parts of the residence sustained a "significant amount of damage", said the state police in a statement earlier on Sunday.

Shapiro, 51, a Democrat, is considered a potential contender in the 2028 U.S. presidential race. 
SANAA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from fresh U.S. airstrikes on the western outskirts of Yemen's capital Sanaa has risen to six, with 13 others injured, Houthi-run health authorities said in an updated statement on Sunday.

The strikes targeted a ceramic factory in the Bani Matar district, said residents and the health authorities. The roar of fighter jets was reportedly heard across Sanaa before and after the airstrikes.

Separately, U.S. warplanes carried out two additional strikes in the northern provinces of Marib and Al-Jawf, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. It noted that the latest air raids have brought the total number of U.S. airstrikes across northern Yemen throughout the day to 25.

Hours earlier, the Houthi group claimed responsibility for three airstrikes on Israeli targets, including the Sdot Micha military base and the Ben Gurion airport in central Israel, as well as an unspecified "vital target" in the Ashkelon area, southern Israel.

Earlier in the day, Israel's military said that a missile launched from Yemen was "likely intercepted" by its air defense systems before entering Israeli airspace.

Tensions have escalated between the Houthi group and the United States, as well as its ally Israel, in recent weeks, particularly since the U.S. military resumed airstrikes on March 15 against Houthi targets to deter the group from attacking Israeli and U.S. interests in the region.

However, the U.S. strikes have failed to deter the militia. In a recent development, the Houthi group issued on Saturday a warning against any potential U.S.-led ground operations in Yemen, vowing to respond with "hell."

The threats come amid circulating reports in local Yemeni media suggesting that the United States may be preparing to support the Yemeni government forces in a ground campaign to retake Sanaa and other northern areas currently under Houthi control.

The Houthis, who control vast areas of northern Yemen, have been attacking Israeli targets since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Yemen-based militia claims that it will stop operations if Israel ends the ongoing war in Gaza and allows essential food and medicine into the strip. 
BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with the international community, including the EU, to defend international trade rules, fairness and justice, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to share more information on the communication and coordination between China and the EU on additional U.S. tariffs.

The U.S. uses tariff as a weapon to exert maximum pressure and seek selfish gains, and puts its own interests over the public good of the international community, Lin said, noting that this is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, which severely hurts the interests of China, the EU and the rest of the world.

Lin said that as the second and third largest economies, China and the EU collectively account for over one third of the global economy and more than a quarter of global trade, adding that both sides are advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, and firm defenders and supporters of the WTO.

"The head of the EU underscored the vital importance of stability and certainty for a sound global economy. China and the EU are committed to a fair, free and WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and the sound and steady development of global trade and economic relations, which is in the interest of both sides and the rest of the world," Lin said.

As a responsible major country, China has already taken resolute measures and will continue to do so to safeguard its legitimate interests, Lin said.

"China stands ready to work with the international community, including the EU, to step up communication and coordination, share development opportunities, expand opening up and cooperation, and achieve mutual benefits. We will not only safeguard respective interests, but also defend international trade rules, fairness and justice," Lin said. 
BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- China's cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries aims to provide mutual support and is never driven by geopolitical calculations, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a daily news briefing on Monday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks in response to the "China threat" narrative being pushed by certain U.S. officials. He said that their remarks are steeped in ideological bias and the result of a Cold War mentality, and that they contain not a single word of truth.

"Who sees Latin America and the Caribbean as a backyard and forces the 'Neo-Monroe Doctrine' on them? Who keeps pointing fingers at the domestic affairs of these countries? Who has been coercing them with tariff threats? Who has engaged in massive global surveillance? Who has military bases all over the Western Hemisphere? Who is letting small arms, light weapons and ammunition flow into Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace?" Lin asked, noting that the world knows "full well" the answers to these questions.

Lin said that China is committed to equality and mutual benefits in engaging with these countries, and never seeks to gain a sphere of influence or target any third party.

The United States continues to vilify China and peddle the so-called China threat in order to create a pretext to justify their actions to control countries in this region, yet this will never succeed, Lin added. 
RAMALLAH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call on Monday to address the escalating situation in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian presidency said in a statement.

According to the WAFA news agency, Abbas stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and a firm stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.

Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza since March 2. On March 18, it ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas and resumed intensive air and ground assaults on the enclave.

Gaza health authorities reported Monday that the renewed Israeli attacks have killed 1,613 Palestinians and wounded 4,233 others.

Since the conflict began in October 2023, the total death toll in Gaza has reached 50,983, with 116,274 people injured. In the past 24 hours alone, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 38 people and injured 118 others, the authorities added.

During their conversation, Abbas and Macron also emphasized the importance of enabling the Palestinian Authority to resume governance and security responsibilities in Gaza while pushing forward reconstruction efforts in line with the Arab Peace Initiative, according to WAFA.

Abbas praised France's opposition to forced displacement and its support for a two-state solution based on international law and United Nations resolutions. He reiterated his rejection of any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, describing such actions as clear violations of international norms.

In an interview with France 5 television on Wednesday, Macron said France could formally recognize the State of Palestine in June. 
People fly Kongming lanterns, a kind of small hot-air paper balloon, by the Lancang River in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

People fly a Kongming lantern, a kind of small hot-air paper balloon, by the Lancang River in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

People fly a Kongming lantern, a kind of small hot-air paper balloon, by the Lancang River in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Actors perform on the gala celebrating the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 12, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

A visitor takes a photo of Kongming lanterns, a kind of small hot-air paper balloon, by the Lancang River in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

A girl flies a Kongming lantern, a kind of small hot-air paper balloon, by the Lancang River in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

People take part in a traditional dragon boat race in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Actors perform during the celebration of the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Actors perform on the gala celebrating the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 12, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

People take part in a traditional dragon boat race in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2025. A variety of folk cultural activities were held in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group, which is also called the water-splashing festival. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)
SANAA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group announced Sunday that it had shot down another U.S. MQ-9 drone, the 19th it has downed since November 2023.

"A U.S. MQ-9 drone was shot down while carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Hajjah province" in northwestern Yemen, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

Sarea added that the drone was downed by a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile, stressing "the ongoing U.S. aggression" has not crippled the group's military capabilities.

The statement affirmed the group's support for the Palestinian people, saying its operations will continue "until the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and the siege on it is lifted."

The United States resumed its air campaign against Houthi forces on March 15, stating that its strikes were aimed at deterring the group from launching attacks against Israeli and U.S. naval assets in the Red Sea.

The Houthis, who control vast areas of northern Yemen, have been attacking Israeli targets since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. 
VIENTIANE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Lao New Year began with cherished traditions and heartfelt reunions as families and friends came together to celebrate with joy, embracing precious moments with loved ones and taking pride in preserving the rich heritage of the festival.

The Lao New Year is the most important festival in the Lao calendar. This year's holiday will be observed from Monday to Wednesday.

The festival is also synonymous with family reunions, as they make long journeys to return home and share meals, laughter, and precious moments with loved ones.

A 20-year-old student, who has been studying abroad, returned to her hometown in Savannakhet province to celebrate the new year with her family. She expressed to Xinhua her immense happiness about reuniting with her loved ones after being away for her studies.

"Family gatherings, traditional meals, and the water-pouring ceremony are some of the most anticipated activities of the year that I look forward to," she added.

"For me, the Lao New Year is a time to reconnect with family and a reminder to start fresh. It also reminds me of the beauty of Lao culture, and I am happy to see younger generations actively participating in traditional activities, hoping they will continue these customs and pass them on to future generations," said Sompasong, a Vientiane resident.

The Lao New Year is a time of joy, with a festive atmosphere everywhere as both kids and adults engage in playful water fights. At the same time, traditions are preserved, such as pouring water over elders for blessings and good wishes, visiting temples to welcome good fortune, and immersing oneself in the beauty of Laos' rich culture.

"The most exciting part of the festival is probably the water fights! It's a fun tradition where everyone, young and old, gets involved. We throw water at each other in the streets, smiling and enjoying the fun. But we never forget to show respect when pouring water over our elders or bathing the Buddha," Nokkeo, a 29-year-old vendor, told Xinhua.

The Lao government has issued guidelines for the 2025 Lao New Year celebrations, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation and safety throughout the festivities. The government encouraged all celebrations in the country to follow traditional practices. 
President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with Jean-Luc Breysse, deputy general manager of Figaro Group, in Beijing, capital of China, April 14, 2025. The two sides applauded the good cooperation between the two institutions, and said they would continue to advance cooperation to help the Chinese and French people understand each other better and deepen their friendship. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua)-- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with Jean-Luc Breysse, deputy general manager of Figaro Group, in Beijing on Monday.

The two sides applauded the good cooperation between the two institutions, and said they would continue to advance cooperation to help the Chinese and French people understand each other better and deepen their friendship.

The two sides expressed willingness to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence to empower news gathering and editing, enhance personnel exchanges, and strengthen communication and coordination under the mechanism of the World Media Summit. 
Three key messages on Xi's upcoming visits to Southeast Asian countries

People's Daily Online) 09:40, April 13, 2025

From April 14 to 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. This marks the first overseas trip by the Chinese head of state this year, and his first visit to neighboring countries following the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries.

Amid global turbulence and transformation, Xis visits to these countries have once again drawn worldwide attention.

One guiding philosophy: "Fostering amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness"

As a Chinese saying goes, "A close neighbor is better than a distant relative." Throughout history, China has always valued harmony with its neighbors and embraced a philosophy of good-neighborliness and friendliness.

In recent years, China and neighboring countries have grown increasingly close, like relatives visiting each other frequently.

To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee made his first overseas visit to China after taking office; Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has visited China three times since assuming office just over two years ago; Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet chose China as the destination for his first official overseas visit after taking office.

In October 2013, at the first-ever conference on China's neighborhood diplomacy since the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xi proposed the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy.

Today, China has reached a consensus with 17 neighboring countries on building a community with a shared future and has become the largest trading partner of 18 countries in the region.

As the saying goes, "Close ties bring mutual affinity." As Xi embarks once again on a tour to Southeast Asia, the world is watching closely to see how this important philosophy continues to be enriched and deepened.

One shared aspiration: "Delivering more benefits of China's development to neighboring countries"

In response to the strong desire of neighboring countries to seize development opportunities and pursue common prosperity, Xi has repeatedly stressed that China welcomes its neighbors to "board the express train" and share the dividends of China's development.

In the autumn of 2013, Xi proposed the Belt and Road Initiative during visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia. The initiative, originating from China, has expanded beyond just benefiting neighboring countries and has now blossomed globally. Over the past decade, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighboring countries.

The China-Laos Railway has helped transform Laos from a landlocked to a land-linked country. The Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway has powered economic growth in Indonesia. The "Two Countries, Twin Parks" initiative between China and Malaysia has pioneered a new model of industrial cooperation. Numerous projects are delivering real benefits to local communities and improving people's lives.

On the bilateral front, China and Vietnam are building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance; China and Malaysia are working to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership and jointly build a China-Malaysia community with a shared future; the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new era of high quality, high level and high standard.

At the regional level, Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN FTA is expected to be signed this year; digital transformation and green development are enabling ASEAN countries' economic transitions; China and relevant countries are building a community with a shared future in "two clusters" in the Indochina Peninsula and Central Asia respectively.

Amid mounting headwinds against globalization, the world is watching how China and neighboring countries can set new examples of cooperation and how the building of a neighborhood community with a shared future can be further deepened and substantiated.

One concrete action: "Jointly building open regionalism"

34 years ago, China and ASEAN formally launched their dialogue relations. China was the first among ASEAN's dialogue partners to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the first to begin free trade area negotiations, and the first to establish a strategic partnership with ASEAN.

With China-ASEAN relations advancing rapidly, other countries have also expanded their engagement with ASEAN, contributing to the robust development of East Asian cooperation.

At the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations in 2021, Xi highlighted the shared experiences gained by both sides, saying the two sides have upheld inclusiveness and mutual learning and jointly contributed to open regionalism.

As the world once again stands at a crossroads in history, will countries provoke division and confrontation, or will they champion openness and win-win cooperation? Will they pursue extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, or hegemonic practices marked by coercion and bullying? These two choices  and the paths they lead to  bear on the common interests of all humanity and test the wisdom of all nations.

Together, China and ASEAN account for about a quarter of the world's population and are the second- and fifth-largest economies, respectively. A closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future conforms to the trend of the times, featuring peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit. It also aligns with the shared interests of countries in Asia and beyond, offering broad development prospects and enormous potential.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
HAIKOU, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), held on the tropical island province of Hainan, has reaffirmed the country's position as a vital marketplace for global enterprises.

This year's expo has drawn record participation from over 4,100 brands across 71 countries and regions, reflecting the expanding international appetite for engagement with China's vast consumer market and its evolving landscape.

The UK, this year's guest country of honor, brought 27 companies spanning fashion, beauty, and other fields. Flagship brands like Burberry and Bentley showcased their latest offerings, with a strong emphasis on green technology and sustainable development.

"I have seen the tremendous innovation and growth taking place within China's economy in recent years, not least in digital technologies, life sciences and green energy," said Douglas Alexander, minister of state of the UK's Department for Business and Trade.

These areas present significant opportunities for both economies, he said, emphasizing the UK's commitment to deepening economic ties with China.

Burberry Greater China President Josie Zhang noted the value of the expo in facilitating foreign firms to engage with local partners. "By deepening cooperation with various stakeholders, we aim to explore new market opportunities and achieve mutual growth," she said in a written interview with Xinhua.

Slovakia also made a notable debut with its first-ever national pavilion. Andrea Jancekova, CEO of Slovak brand Truscada, praised the expo's global reach. "You can have a good connection also with people from all over the world."

Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Denisa Sakova highlighted the expanding trade ties between the two countries. "China is one of our most important trading partners outside the European Union," she said. "The growing volume of trade is a testament to the strength and dynamism of our economic relationship."

Among the newcomers was Japan's Eda Livestock Co., Ltd., known for its premium Wagyu beef. "We plan to establish a foreign trade company in Hainan as our strategic entry point into the Chinese market," said Rei Tanaka, the firm's chief operating officer, who participated in the CICPE for the first time.

This year's expo also gathered an array of top-tier global luxury brands. Richemont's TimeVallee debuted as an independent exhibitor, while LVMH and Kering Group brands made notable appearances, reflecting confidence in China's premium consumption growth.

"Luxury consumers in China are significantly younger than those in many overseas markets, and that presents a major opportunity for us," said Nancy Liu, president of luxury travel retailer DFS China. The company has introduced tailored services to cater to the expectations of these emerging consumer groups.

Beyond luxury, sectors like automotive and technology are repositioning China from being a mere sales destination to a research and innovation hub.

Amid China's technological innovation momentum, this year's expo for the first time introduced dedicated zones for artificial intelligence and the low-altitude economy, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and products from leading tech companies around the world.

"Since 2020, Volkswagen has invested over 10 billion euros in China. In particular, we have established a research and development center in China in 2023, the largest outside Germany," said Su Bahong, vice president of Volkswagen Group China. "This shows the trend where China is becoming the global technological innovation hub." 
BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Monday pledged efforts to fully support the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in achieving new progress in its high-quality development.

The spokesperson made the remarks following a speech that Sam Hou Fai, the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR, delivered on Monday, which was Sam's first policy speech since taking office.

Noting that the chief executive's speech fully demonstrated the reform-minded, innovative, responsible and enterprising spirit of the SAR's new-term government, the spokesperson said that the central government will spare no effort in backing the SAR government and various sectors of Macao to complete the significant mission of advancing the "one country, two systems" practice.

The speech outlined a vision for -- as well as pathways to build -- a Macao that is ruled by law, and that is dynamic and brimming with culture and happiness. It also highlighted issues and challenges facing the SAR, and put forward a raft of new approaches and response measures to tackle them, the spokesperson said.

With the strong support of the central government and the mainland, the Macao SAR government and all sectors of Macao's society will surely give full play to the advantages of the "one country, two systems" policy, proactively seize opportunities, and continuously create new achievements, the spokesperson said.

Thus they will also make new and greater contributions to building a great modern socialist country and achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by pursuing Chinese modernization, the spokesperson added. 
ROME, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A new round of talks between the United States and Iran on Tehran's nuclear program will be held in Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday.

He noted that Italy agreed to host the meeting following requests from the negotiating parties and Oman, which is serving as a mediator. Tajani made the remarks while visiting the Italian pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Ansa news agency reported.

He added that the Italian government is "prepared to do everything necessary to support negotiations that could lead to resolving the nuclear issue and building peace."

A first round of indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian officials was held in Oman on April 12.

These were the first such discussions since the United States withdrew in 2018 from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was signed in 2015. 
KHARTOUM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 56 people were killed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) between Friday and Saturday in Umm Kadada city in North Darfur State, western Sudan, volunteer groups reported Sunday.

These people were "executed on an ethnic basis" after the RSF took control of the city on Thursday, the Coordination of Resistance Committees in the state's capital El Fasher said, identifying all the victims as civilians.

The local volunteer group accused in a statement the militia of "committing widespread violations, forcibly displacing residents, and shutting down all communication networks."

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Emergency Lawyers Initiative, another volunteer group, confirmed in a statement that the RSF killed 52 civilians, burned residential homes, and looted properties in two days after entering Umm Kadada.

"The RSF also stormed the local hospital, assaulted patients, and executed four medical staff members, including the hospital's director," it added.

There has been no comment from the RSF regarding the claims.

Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which has claimed more than 29,600 lives, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a crisis monitoring group cited by the United Nations. 
CANBERRA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Rising temperatures could increase the burden of mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) in Australia by nearly 50 percent by 2050, the University of Adelaide said on Monday.

The research from the University of Adelaide urges immediate action to protect mental health as the climate crisis deepens.

Extreme heat already contributes to the annual loss of 8,458 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) -- one DALY represents one year of healthy life lost -- making up 1.8 percent of the country's total MBD burden, the study warns.

Young Australians aged 15 to 44 are particularly affected by it, mainly driven by ongoing mental health conditions, said the study published in Nature Climate Change.

MBDs cover a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

"From mild distress to serious conditions like schizophrenia, rising temperatures are making things harder for millions," said lead author Bi Peng from the University of Adelaide's School of Public Health.

The study, using data from the Australian Burden of Disease database, found the Northern Territory faces the highest risk, while South Australia and Victoria see the greatest burden attributable to heat.

"Young people, who often face these issues early in life, are especially at risk as the climate crisis worsens," said the study's first author Liu Jingwen.

The researchers urge policymakers to implement targeted, people-centered strategies, including heat-health action plans, expanded mental health services, and community-based initiatives such as green spaces and local support programs. 
TOKYO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- About 84.2 percent of Japanese respondents feared that higher U.S. tariffs would negatively affect their livelihoods, a Kyodo News survey has revealed.

While 73.9 percent considered the U.S. tariff policy unjustified, only 18.3 percent supported retaliatory tariffs by Japan, according to the survey conducted for two days through Sunday.

The poll also found that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's approval rating rose slightly to 32.6 percent after hitting a low of 27.6 percent following a gift certificate scandal.

Support for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party dropped to 25.8 percent, while opposition parties, including the Democratic Party for the People, gained modest ground.

The nationwide survey called 477 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 3,284 mobile phone numbers. It yielded responses from 425 household members and 626 mobile phone users. 
LANZHOU, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Five workers were killed and nine others injured in a carbon dioxide outburst accident that occurred on Sunday at a coal mine in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, according to local authorities.

The accident took place while the workers were on an excavation platform in the coal mine.

The injured are currently receiving emergency medical treatment. 
GABORONE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Monday dismissed claims that its regional force deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is conducting joint military operations with Congolese troops.

In a statement issued by its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, the 16-member bloc rejected allegations made by the March 23 Movement (M23) in a communique dated April 12, calling them "inaccurate and misleading."

"SADC firmly refutes these allegations. These assertions are both inaccurate and misleading," the bloc said, adding that the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) has not participated in any joint operations as claimed.

SADC noted that SAMIDRC is currently implementing a structured and coordinated withdrawal from the DRC in line with directives from the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government. The bloc had announced the end of the deployment in March.

SADC also reaffirmed its commitment to the outcomes of a consultative meeting held on March 28, 2025, in Goma, eastern DRC, between SADC representatives and M23 leadership.

The statement said that SADC remains dedicated to supporting peaceful and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting stability in eastern DRC. All parties have been urged by the SADC secretariat to act responsibly, refrain from the spread of misinformation, and work collectively to de-escalate tensions and restore peace in the region.

Eastern DRC has endured decades of conflict, with armed groups including M23 vying for control of the mineral-rich region. The violence has displaced millions and deepened an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

SAMIDRC, which includes troops from Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania, was deployed in December 2023 as part of regional efforts to support peace processes and bolster security in collaboration with Congolese authorities. 
CAPE TOWN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa, in its role as the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), kicked off the second Development Working Group (DWG) meeting on Monday in Somerset West, Western Cape Province.

The three-day meeting, which will end on Wednesday, brings together delegates from G20 member states, invited countries and international organizations to deliberate on policies that foster inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

According to South Africa's Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, the meeting will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions on key development challenges and cooperative solutions.

"In alignment with the theme of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, the discussions will focus on three high-level priorities; high-level principles on global public goods and global public investment; mobilizing financial resources and means of implementation; and building resilience through universal social protection floors," the department said.

The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries, which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues. Together, the G20 members represent around 85 percent of the global gross domestic product, over 75 percent of global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.

This week's discussions aim to promote more inclusive and sustainable international development frameworks, with particular emphasis on the needs and priorities of developing nations.

"The G20 DWG plays a pivotal role in shaping global development priorities, focusing on reducing inequalities, promoting sustainable growth and strengthening international partnerships," the department said.

South Africa assumed the G20 presidency on Dec. 1, 2024, with the term running until Nov. 30, 2025. 
LMATY, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Kazakhstan-United Nations (UN) Cooperation Program for 2026-2030 was presented at a meeting hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the Ministry's press service reported on Monday.

The meeting also reviewed the results of the 2024 Framework Cooperation Program for Sustainable Development between Kazakhstan and the UN.

During the meeting, key parameters of the new cooperation program for 2026-2030 were outlined, with consideration given to the upcoming launch of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.

According to the Ministry, the program will focus on several priority areas, including empowering people, strengthening institutions, promoting a sustainable and inclusive economy, protecting the environment, and enhancing social cohesion.

The meeting was attended by members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), representatives of government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. 
by Sanaa Kamal

GAZA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said Monday evening that it is reviewing Israel's new Gaza ceasefire proposal delivered by Egypt and Qatar, while Palestinian sources said the prospect of achieving any tangible breakthrough is slim as differences remain between Hamas and Israel.

Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel reported, quoting high-ranking Egyptian sources, that Egypt and Qatar have delivered the Israeli proposal to Hamas and are awaiting its response as soon as possible.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an informed source of Hamas told Xinhua that the proposal included a 45-day temporary ceasefire, during which Hamas would release half of the Israeli hostages it holds.

The source said the Hamas delegation, headed by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, expressed surprise at the inclusion of a clause related to the movement's disarmament, which it categorically rejected.

"Disarmament is not on the table and will not be discussed, now or in the future," the source said, adding that any agreement must begin with "a cessation of the Israeli aggression and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip."

According to the source, Hamas informed the mediators that it was prepared to release nine Israeli hostages in an initial phase, but only under the condition of a comprehensive halt to hostilities, a demand that Israel has not accepted.

On Sunday, the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo at the invitation of Egyptian officials to participate in the talks.

Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 11 reported that Israel is ready to compromise on specific issues but will not accept any agreement that undermines its war objectives.

According to the channel, an Israeli official said that Israel will not abandon its position on restricting Hamas's military capabilities and ensuring that any truce leads toward a process of disarmament.

According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation Kan, Israel proposed, via mediators, the release of hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, in return for U.S. guarantees to proceed with the next phase of ceasefire discussions.

The Israeli proposal also includes a 45-day pause in fighting, the entry of conditional humanitarian aid, and the redeployment of Israeli forces to positions held before March 2.

Despite ongoing mediation by Egypt and Qatar, sources close to Hamas said "significant gaps" remain between the parties. Efforts by Egypt and Qatar to bridge the divide between Hamas and Israel continue, but no clear path to a truce has yet emerged, according to a source of Hamas.

In the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate amid continued military operations. Security sources in Gaza said that Israeli airstrikes targeted several areas across Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Younis.

Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, announced that its fighters engaged in an armed clash with Israeli forces east of the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, claiming to have inflicted casualties.

While the Israeli army did not issue an official statement on the incident, Hebrew media reported that two Israeli soldiers were seriously injured and evacuated by helicopter for treatment.

However, civilians in Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. Nader Abdul Karim, a displaced resident from Gaza City now living in a UNRWA shelter in Deir al-Balah, told Xinhua, "We had hoped this round of talks would result in a truce, but our hopes are fading."

"Every day, we fear becoming part of the rising death toll," he lamented.

Salha Abu Rahmi, a displaced woman from Beit Hanoun, said, "The negotiations are happening far from us, and every time they fail, we face more bombing. We are the ones paying the price."

In Khan Younis, resident Oday Abu Zeid echoed similar concerns. "If this war does not end soon, more families will be wiped out. Every failed round of talks means more suffering," he said. 
BEIRUT, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A Lebanese soldier was killed and three others moderately injured on Monday following the explosion of a suspicious object in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army's Directorate of Guidance said in a statement.

It stated that the explosion occurred "while a specialized army unit was conducting an engineering sweep at a location in the Wadi Al-Aziya area south of Tyre city."

A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the number of Lebanese army personnel killed since the start of the cross-border conflict between Lebanon and Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, has risen to 46.

Meanwhile, the official National News Agency reported that "despite risks and threats from Israel, the surveying team assigned by the Council for South Lebanon continues its inspections of fully or partially destroyed buildings and land boundaries in the town of Naqoura and the village of Chamaa" in southern Lebanon.

"The team narrowly escaped a booby trap set by Israel inside a house in Chamaa," it said, adding that "an engineering team from the army is expected to arrive to inspect and dismantle the trap."

Despite a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire agreement effective since Nov. 27, 2024, Israeli forces have carried out intermittent strikes inside Lebanon, claiming that the operations target Hezbollah "threats." Some of the strikes have resulted in casualties, according to official Lebanese reports.

Although the agreement stipulated the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, Israel has maintained a presence on five hilltops along the Lebanese border. 
BEIRUT, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday reaffirmed that the Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties in areas vacated by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

Aoun made the remarks during his meeting with Paul Grove, senior staff at the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, according to a presidential statement.

"The Lebanese army is fully engaged in the villages and towns from which Israeli forces have withdrawn, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701," Aoun said. He added that the army is actively confiscating all types of weapons and ammunition -- "a clear indication of its capacity to ensure citizens' safety."

Resolution 1701, passed in 2006, ended a 33-day war between Hezbollah and Israel, and called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, the deployment of the Lebanese army along the southern border, and a ban on weapons and armed groups south of the Litani River.

Aoun also thanked the United States for "its continued assistance to the Lebanese army and various public institutions," and urged the U.S. Senate to "respond to Lebanon's needs in general, and to those of the army and security forces in particular."

For his part, Grove reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting Lebanon and providing aid across various sectors, including military, educational, and social fields.

On April 7, a delegation from the "American Task Force for Lebanon," headed by Edward Gabriel, informed Aoun that it carried a message from Washington emphasizing the need to disarm Hezbollah and implement essential reforms for Lebanon to receive financial assistance.

Similarly, U.S. Deputy Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus reiterated the importance of disarming Hezbollah and enacting reforms during a recent visit to Beirut.

Since Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and France has been in effect between Hezbollah and Israel, bringing an end to more than a year of clashes triggered by the conflict in Gaza.

Despite the truce, the Israeli army continues to carry out near-daily strikes in Lebanon, claiming to be targeting "threats" from Hezbollah. It has also maintained its presence on five hilltops along the Lebanese border, in violation of the agreement. 
Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Tran Cam Tu, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) and permanent member of the Secretariat of the CPVCC, in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

HANOI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Cai Qi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met on Monday with Tran Cam Tu, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) and permanent member of the Secretariat of the CPVCC.

Cai, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized efforts to promote the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future with high level, quality and standards.

He called for a higher level of political mutual trust, jointly safeguarding security and development interests, advancing pragmatic cooperation and accelerating a new model of cooperation in industrial and supply chains.

Facing the changing and turbulent international situation, China and Vietnam should strengthen bilateral and multilateral strategic coordination, cope with division and decoupling with unity and cooperation, and jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, he added.

Tran Cam Tu said developing a long-term and lasting comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, continuously consolidating political mutual trust and expanding practical cooperation are the objective needs, strategic choices and top priorities of Vietnam's foreign policy.

Vietnam is willing to work with China to strengthen mutual learning on theories and practices of party and state governance, consolidate the social foundation of friendship and deepen cooperation in international and regional affairs, he said. 
JOHANNESBURG, April 14 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced the appointment of former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas as his special envoy to the United States.

The appointment came as the relations between the two countries continued souring since U.S. President Donald Trump came into office in 2025. The soured relationship resulted in the recent expulsion of South Africa's ambassador to the United States and the signing of an executive order granting refugee status to Afrikaners.

In a statement issued by the presidency on Monday, Ramaphosa stated that as a special envoy, Jonas is entrusted with "the responsibility to advance South Africa's diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities."

"He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with U.S. government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation's interests," said Ramaphosa.

The president reaffirmed his commitment to "rebuilding" the relationship between South Africa and the United States based on mutual respect, recognition of each other's sovereignty and benefits for the peoples of both nations.

Jonas currently serves as independent non-executive chairman of the telecom operator MTN Group, a role he will retain alongside his responsibilities as envoy, according to the statement.

Jonas said he would do his best to promote "healthy relations" between the two countries, adding that there are no quick fixes in the current complex situation.

In February, Trump signed an executive order to cut financial assistance to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and accusing the country of "seizing ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property."

South Africa rejected the claims in the executive order, describing it as being "riddled with misinformation."

"The executive order lacks factual accuracy and is rooted in misinformation and falsehood aimed at misrepresenting the actual purpose of the law and sowing racial divisions in our nation," a South African Cabinet statement said.

"This law is not unique to South Africa, as many countries around the world have always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners," the statement said.

Trump, in a post last Friday on his Truth Social platform, threatened not to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit scheduled for November in South Africa. 
A teacher guides participants in guessing the meaning of oracle bone scripts at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts sing a Chinese song together at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts experience Chinese tea art at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts make printing blocks for calligraphy rubbing at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

This photo taken on April 12, 2025 shows a display of calligraphy rubbings at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II, in Soa, Cameroon.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

Local students and Chinese language enthusiasts experience Chinese paper cutting at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, April 12, 2025.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II hosted a vibrant Chinese culture fair on Saturday to mark the upcoming United Nations Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

The event drew local students and language enthusiasts with immersive activities, including Chinese tea tasting, calligraphy rubbing, shadow play performances, oracle bone script games, and Chinese character puzzles. (Xinhua/Kepseu)
LUSAKA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's wildlife agency has arrested six people who were found in possession of 72 pieces of elephant ivory weighing more than 500 kg, state media reported on Monday.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife said the suspects were arrested along a main highway on the outskirts of Lusaka, the country's capital, following a tip-off from the public.

Dominic Chiinda, the agency's director, said the arrest of the suspects marks a significant step in the fight against wildlife crimes.

"We commend the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and conservation organizations in making this operation a success. We urge anyone with information about wildlife trafficking to come forward and cooperate with our efforts," he was quoted as saying by the Zambia Daily Mail.

He said the suspects, among whom is a foreign national from a neighboring country, will face multiple charges, including unlawful possession of prescribed trophies and hunting or dealing with elephants or rhinos.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to establish the origin and intended destination of the ivory, with preliminary indications suggesting that Zambia is being used as a transit route for smuggled wildlife products.

Zambia has witnessed an increase in poaching incidents involving endangered species. In March, suspected poachers killed and dehorned a three-year-old white rhino in a national park located in the southern part of the country. 
ADDIS ABABA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has announced the repatriation of more than 15,680 nationals stranded in difficult conditions abroad over the past month.

In a statement issued late Sunday, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs said the returnees were brought home as part of a renewed national initiative to assist Ethiopians facing hardship overseas. A total of 15,684 citizens were repatriated during the one-month period.

The East African country launched the latest round of repatriation on March 12, aiming to return home over 50,000 nationals, primarily those trapped in difficult circumstances across various Middle Eastern countries.

Most of the returnees were undocumented migrants living illegally in foreign countries, the ministry said. Over the past week alone, more than 3,360 Ethiopians were repatriated from Saudi Arabia on nine separate flights. Among them were minors under the age of 18.

In recent years, Ethiopia has stepped up its efforts to repatriate citizens stranded abroad, particularly in the Middle East. Beyond repatriation, the government is focusing on preventive strategies, including cracking down on human trafficking networks and expanding domestic economic opportunities. Many low-income Ethiopians risk illegal migration in search of better livelihoods overseas. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Local sources reported more than 300 civilians were killed in attacks on Sudan's famine-distressed Zamzam displacement camp, UN humanitarians said on Monday.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it is gravely concerned by reports of mass casualties and large-scale displacement following intense fighting on Friday and Saturday in and around Zamzam and Abu Shouk displacement camps and the town of El Fasher in North Darfur.

"Preliminary figures from local sources indicate that more than 300 civilians have been killed, including 10 humanitarian personnel from the NGO Relief International who lost their lives while operating one of the last functioning health centers in Zamzam camp," OCHA said.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said at least 23 children were killed in the attacks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killings, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Monday.

"Our Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, also condemned the violence in the strongest terms and called for an immediate end to the hostilities and the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers," said Dujarric. "The perpetrators of these attacks must be brought to justice."

The sprawling Zamzam camp is about 15 km south of El Fasher, North Darfur state's capital and economic hub. Abu Shouk camp is on the edge of the city. In February, the United Nations said famine existed in Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said at least 16,000 people were displaced from the Zamzam camp, with many fleeing to El Fasher and, to the west, Tawila.

However, OCHA said local partners reported that the humanitarian and security situation in El Fasher is rapidly deteriorating due to continued violence and a growing influx of displaced people.

IOM said that east of El Fasher in the town of Um Kadadah in North Darfur, local sources reported more than 50 people killed and 900 homes destroyed in recent fighting. The agency estimated that about 19,000 people had been displaced from the area since Thursday.

OCHA said residents and displaced people in Zamzam and El Fasher face severe shortages of essential supplies, including food, fuel and health items. Diesel fuel prices surged fivefold in the past three months, significantly limiting access to safe drinking water and forcing the suspension of some water trucking services.

OCHA said some relief supplies were pre-positioned in nearby locations such as Tawila and Al Kuma. Humanitarian partners mobilized additional relief items, including 1,800 metric tons of food assistance, to Tawila to help meet the urgent needs of displaced families.

The World Health Organization said there have been about 160 attacks on healthcare since the onset of the conflict two years ago, resulting in more than 300 deaths. One-third of hospitals are non-functional, and recent funding cuts forced health partners to scale down support to more than 300 health facilities nationwide.

Civil war erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, with attacks by the Rapid Support Forces militia on the capital of Khartoum. 
ALGIERS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Algeria on Monday ordered 12 French diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, declaring them "personae non gratae" in a move that marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions with France.

The expulsion follows the arrest of an Algerian consular official by French authorities -- an action Algiers described as a blatant violation of diplomatic immunity.

France confirmed receiving the expulsion notice of the 12 embassy officials, including personnel from the French Interior Ministry.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged Algeria to "abandon" the expulsions and said France was ready to "respond immediately" if they went ahead, according to French media reports.

The expulsion follows Algeria's summoning of French Ambassador Stephane Romatet on Saturday to protest the arrest of its consular official.

The detained diplomat was reportedly questioned over alleged links to the 2024 abduction of Amir Boukhras, an Algerian activist based in Paris known on social media as "AmirDZ."

Algeria dismissed the case against its consular official as baseless, noting that the only evidence cited by French authorities was his phone being detected near Boukhors' residence.

It demanded the diplomat's immediate release, calling the arrest a "fabricated pretext" that undermines recent efforts to restore Franco-Algerian ties.

Algiers warned that any further infringement on its sovereignty would trigger a firm response based on reciprocity.

The confrontation marks the most serious diplomatic rupture between the two countries in years, straining a relationship still shaped by colonial-era grievances and modern disputes, including immigration and France's backing of Morocco in disputes over Western Sahara. 
CCTV: The world is closely following the devastating impact of the Trump administrations tariff hikes on other countries. As two major economies in the world, China and the EU have recently had quite a lot of high-level exchanges. Could you share with us the communication and coordination between China and the EU on additional U.S. tariffs?

Lin Jian: The U.S. uses tariff as a weapon to exert maximum pressure and seek selfish gains, and puts its own interests over the public good of the international community. This is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, which severely hurts the interests of China, the EU and the rest of the world.

As the second and third largest economies, China and the EU collectively account for over one third of the global economy and more than a quarter of global trade. Both sides are advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, and firm defenders and supporters of the WTO. The head of the EU underscored the vital importance of stability and certainty for a sound global economy. China and the EU are committed to a fair, free and WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and the sound and steady development of global trade and economic relations, which is in the interest of both sides and the rest of the world.

As a responsible major country, China has already taken resolute measures and will continue to do so to safeguard its legitimate interests. China stands ready to work with the international community, including the EU, to step up communication and coordination, share development opportunities, expand opening up and cooperation, and achieve mutual benefits. We will not only safeguard respective interests, but also defend international trade rules, fairness and justice.

China-Arab TV: The U.S. kept changing its tariffs policy and for now granted exemption on part of Chinese imports. Whats Chinas view? Will China cut tariffs correspondingly?

Lin Jian: The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce has made clear Chinas view on this. Facts have shown and will continue to show that there are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war and protectionism will lead nowhere. The tariff tsunami hurts the U.S. itself as well as other countries. We urge the U.S. to quit maximum pressure and resolve issues through dialogue on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

China News Service: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson recently said China will take firm countermeasures against the U.S.s additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials determined to be substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan Areas. Could you share more details on these countermeasures?

Lin Jian: Xizang affairs are purely Chinas internal affairs. The U.S.s arbitrary visa restrictions on Chinese officials under the pretext of the Xizang-related issues violate international law and basic norms governing international relations. In accordance with the Law on Foreign Relations of the Peoples Republic of China and the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the Peoples Republic of China, China decided to impose visa restrictions on U.S. personnel who have acted egregiously on the Xizang-related issues.

Xizang is an open region. We welcome friends from foreign countries to visit, travel and do business in Chinas Xizang region. At the same time, we oppose any country or individual using human rights, religion and culture as a false pretext to meddle in Xizang affairs. We oppose interference and sabotage by people with ill motives who would use visits to Xizang as an opportunity to engage in such activities.

Antara: Indonesia and China celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations yesterday on April 13th. In his exchange of congratulatory messages with President Prabowo Subianto, the Chinese leader stated that we should enrich the China-Indonesia community with a shared future and it serves as a model of solidarity between major developing countries. My question is, amid the current complex and turbulent international landscape, what opportunities can be further explored to deepen cooperation between the two countries?

Lin Jian: Yesterday marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Indonesia. President Xi Jinping and President Prabowo Subianto exchanged congratulatory messages, spoke highly the development of bilateral ties, and stressed that they will firmly support each others national development outlook, jointly advance along our respective modernization path, and lead the relationship to new heights. We have full confidence in a better future of the growth of China-Indonesia relations.

Both China and Indonesia are major developing countries and important forces in the Global South. The cooperation between the two countries has strategic significance and global influence. Amid increasing turbulence in the international landscape, the all-round strategic cooperation between China and Indonesia is all the more important. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, China stands ready to work with Indonesia to jointly uphold regional development, prosperity and stability, work for closer coordination between major countries in response to global challenges, keep the multilateral trading system and industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and demonstrate the influence of China-Indonesia community with a shared future in the region and the world at large.

China Daily: In his remarks at the 2025 Central American Security Conference in Panama City, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blatantly peddled the China threat narrative and made aggressive remarks on Chinas military and companies. He said the U.S. must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring Chinas threats in the Western Hemisphere. Deputy Secretary Landau made clear to El Salvador the importance of collaboration on 5G, cybersecurity, and AI, and stressed the need to prevent China from accessing it by only allowing trusted vendors. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: The remarks of relevant U.S. officials are steeped in ideological bias and the Cold War mentality. There is not a single word of truth in them. Who sees Latin America and the Caribbean as a backyard and forces the Neo-Monroe Doctrine on them? Who keeps pointing fingers at the domestic affairs of these countries? Whos been coercing them with tariff threats? Whos engaged in massive global surveillance? Whos got military bases all over the Western Hemisphere? Whos letting small arms and light weapons and ammunition flow into Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace? The world knows full well the answer to these questions.

Chinas cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries is South-South cooperation. It is always aimed at giving each other support and never driven by geopolitical calculations. China is committed to equality and mutual benefit in engaging with these countries and never seeks sphere of influence or targets any third party. The U.S. keeps vilifying China and peddling the so-called China threat in order to cook up a pretext to justify their action to control countries in this region, yet they will never succeed.

AFP: Russia launched a missile attack against the Sumy region in Ukraine yesterday. U.S. President Donald Trump called it terrible while other leaders have also condemned that. Whats Chinas response?

Lin Jian: Chinas stance on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Dialogue and negotiation is the only way out of the crisis.

AFP: The UK government this weekend said that it was taking control of British Steel from the Chinese company Jingye. The UKs Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also said that it was naive for Britain to allow the steel industry to fall into Chinese hands. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on the takeover and then also on the Business Secretarys comments on the deal?

Lin Jian: As I understand, the Jingye Group you mentioned is a private Chinese enterprise that has business cooperation with the UK side on the basis of market principles. As for the current difficulties arising in the operation of British Steel, the two sides should resolve them through consultations in the principle of mutual benefit. We hope that the British government will treat Chinese companies investing and operating in the UK in a fair and just manner, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and refrain from turning economic and trade cooperation into political and security issues lest it should undermine the confidence of Chinese companies in their normal investment and operation in the UK.

Shenzhen TV: Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited China, which received extensive and close attention. When speaking to the press during the trip, he noted that the aim of the visit is to consolidate Spains relations with China and enhance dialogue and cooperation with China. He also stressed that Spain and the EU support free trade and stand ready to work with China to address global challenges. Whats your comment on the visit by Prime Minister Sanchez?

Lin Jian: This is Prime Minister Sanchezs third visit to China within three years. The visit is a great success and demonstrates the firm willingness and determination of China and Spain to further grow the bilateral ties. During the visit, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Sanchez and Premier Li Qiang had talks with him. Leaders of the two countries had friendly and in-depth exchanges of views. The two sides jointly issued the Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and proposed to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership, to better serve the well-being of both peoples, inject impetus into China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability, and development.

Leaders of the two countries had in-depth and strategic communication on the growth of bilateral relations. They agreed to continue to respect and support each other. Spain reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle. They stressed the importance of leveraging their complementarity in cooperation, strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and other traditional areas, and tapping the potential in emerging areas like new energy, artificial intelligence and digital economy. They underscored the need to explore the rich historical heritage of the two ancient civilizations, give a stronger boost to cooperation in such areas as culture, education, youth exchange and tourism, and carry forward the deep bond between the two peoples fostered through the Olympics and panda cooperation.

They also exchanged views on China-EU relations, and international and regional issues of mutual interest. They stressed the need to boost the steady development of China-EU relations, and stay committed as each others partner for mutually beneficial cooperation. Both China and Spain are positive supporters of multilateralism and open cooperation. It is important for the two sides to uphold free trade and steady global economic order.

President Xi Jinping noted that as the international situation gets more complex and volatile, it is increasingly important for China and Spain to develop sound and stable relations. China stands ready to work with the international community, including Spain, to firmly stand on the right side of history, be a firm defender of multilateralism, international order and rules, firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, jointly pursue openness and cooperation, defend the common interests of the international community and provide more confidence and driving force for world development and prosperity.

AFP: The UKs Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that he was deeply concerned after a British Member of Parliament was denied entry to Hong Kong last week. He said he would raise the issue with the Chinese authorities. I just wonder if the Foreign Ministry could say why this MP was denied entry or provide any more details. And also whats the Ministrys response to the UK Foreign Secretarys concerns?

Lin Jian: The Hong Kong SAR government has stated its position on that. Let me stress that border entry is a matter within a countrys sovereignty. The Hong Kong SAR government has the authority to handle individual cases of entry in accordance with relevant laws and policies.
TOKYO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan's total population, including foreign residents, amounted to 123.802 million as of Oct. 1, 2024, data from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed Monday.

The data, down by 550,000 from the previous year, marked the 14th straight year of population decline.

Among Japan's 47 prefectures, 45 experienced population declines, with only Tokyo and Saitama showing increases.

The number of people aged 75 and over rose by 700,000 to 20.777 million, now accounting for around 17 percent of the total population.

When excluding foreign residents, the Japanese population stood at 120.296 million, a decrease of 898,000 from a year earlier, the largest drop ever recorded, the data showed.

Reflecting the population shrinkage, labor shortages are becoming more severe in the country. The working-age population (ages 15-64) dropped by 224,000 to 73.728 million, making up 59.6 percent of the total population, remaining below 60 percent since 2018.

In contrast, the number of foreign residents has surged. Their population grew by over 350,000 year-on-year to a record 3.506 million, the data showed. 
SYDNEY, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A mysterious neurological condition causing paralysis in Australian magpies is under investigation by researchers at Murdoch University recently.

The syndrome, which has affected magpies across Perth and the southwest since 2018, is now spreading more rapidly, prompting concern among scientists and wildlife carers.

According to Bethany Jackson from Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute, afflicted birds exhibit symptoms ranging from weakness and impaired coordination to, in severe cases, the inability to lift their heads or breathe.

While some early cases were suspected to be caused by botulism, the current outbreak displays atypical characteristics, Jackson said, adding they were working closely with wildlife centers, veterinarians, and Wildlife Health Australia to gather data and conduct a range of diagnostic tests.

The research spans from microscopic analysis of tissues and cells to broader data collection, as researchers piece together clues to identify the cause of this condition, she said.

The exact cause remains unknown, underscoring the complexities of diagnosing novel wildlife diseases and the challenges posed by limited resources and high diagnostic costs.

Jackson urged the public to report sightings of affected magpies to local wildlife authorities or veterinarians, to support ongoing efforts to understand and contain the outbreak. 
COLOMBO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed while around 20 others were injured when three vehicles collided with each other in Trincomalee district in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province on Monday, police said.

The accident involved a passenger bus, a lorry and a double cab. The driver of the bus died at the scene, while the injured were transported to nearby regional hospitals for treatment.

Police said the crash was caused by reckless driving on the part of the bus driver.

Road accidents are frequent in Sri Lanka, with buses often involved, official data showed.

A total of 592 Sri Lankans have died in 565 fatal road accidents as of April 2 this year, police said earlier, adding that April tends to record a higher number of fatal road accidents due to multiple nationwide celebrations. 
KIEV, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy has risen to 34, while 117 people were injured, according to a statement from Ukraine's State Service for Emergencies.

Two children were among the dead, and 15 other children were wounded in the attack, the statement said.

According to Sumy regional governor Volodymyr Artyukh, most of the deaths occurred in a trolleybus that was hit by the strike. The attack also caused damage to the local university and nearby apartment buildings.

Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, said Russian forces launched two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles at Sumy from Russia's Kursk and Voronezh regions on Sunday morning. 
ATHENS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Greek group claimed responsibility on Sunday for a bomb attack on the offices of Hellenic Train, Greece's railway operator on Friday, and a similar attack outside the Labor Ministry in central Athens in February 2024.

Both attacks caused only material damage and no injuries, as warning calls were made and police had evacuated the areas.

In a declaration sent to a local anarchist website, the group calling itself "Revolutionary Class Self-Defense" stated that the attacks were carried out in response to several work-related fatal accidents in recent years, including the 2023 Tempi train disaster.

On Feb. 28, 2023, a head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train in Tempi, central Greece, claimed 57 lives. It was Greece's deadliest train crash.

Officials from the railway company, which was acquired by the Italian national railway company under a privatization program eight years ago, have been charged.

Moreover, survivors, families of the victims, and opposition parties accuse the government of institutional failures and of attempting to evade responsibility, a claim also cited by the group as a motive for Friday's attack, according to their statement. 
MOSCOW, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Defense Ministry said Monday that a strike on Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy on Sunday targeted military command staff at a meeting, while Kiev previously noted civilian casualties.

The ministry said that Russian forces launched a strike with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at the meeting location, killing more than 60 Ukrainian servicemen.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's State Service for Emergencies said earlier that the death toll from the missile attack reached 34, including two children, while 117 people were injured.

Sumy regional governor Volodymyr Artyukh said that most of the deaths occurred in a trolleybus that was hit by the strike. The attack also caused damage to the local university and nearby apartment buildings. 
This photo taken on April 13, 2025 shows Chinese bamboo weaving designs at an exhibition of Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

By Xinhua Writer Ren Yaoting

MILAN, Italy, April 14 (Xinhua) -- As one of the most anticipated fixtures in the global design calendar, the 2025 Milan Design Week, which closed on Sunday, brought a vibrant burst of color and creativity, drawing designers and enthusiasts from around the world.

Among the kaleidoscope of international exhibits, a splash of Chinese red has stood out, symbolizing the rising global presence of Chinese design.

CHINA WEEK OF CREATIVITY

On April 7, the second edition of the China and Design exhibition opened in Milan's Paolo Sarpi district - often dubbed the city's Chinatown. Known as "China Week," the event features dozens of exhibitions and activities focused on industrial cooperation, brand localization, and community integration, aiming at fostering deeper cultural exchange and helping Chinese design concepts take root and flourish overseas.

At the heart of China Week is the Chinese cultural and creative design exhibition, which showcases a range of creative works, including a limited-edition "Snake Dwen Dwen" mascot for the Year of the Snake (a spin-off of the beloved Beijing Winter Olympics figure), a specially crafted bronze wine vessel inspired by the ancient Sanxingdui archaeological site in southwest China, and an intricately carved statue of the legendary "Monkey King" from Journey to the West. These exhibits have captivated large crowds of international visitors.

To complement the main displays, the streets of the Paolo Sarpi district have been transformed into a festive cultural landscape. Arches themed around the Year of the Snake - decorated with traditional symbols such as dragons, dumplings, and serpentine patterns - have been erected along the streets.

"Through both its immersive exhibits and the festive street atmosphere, China Week brought Chinese design vividly to life in Milan - not only as a showcase of creativity but as a celebration of cultural dialogue, urban engagement, and global visibility," said Michele Brunello, director of the China Design Centre in Milan.

China Week has hosted a series of high-level dialogues featuring professors and scholars from top Chinese institutions and Italian design leaders to explore the localization of Chinese design in international markets.

Lin Cunzhen, curator of the exhibition, described the event as a bridge connecting Eastern and Western design philosophies. "On the other side of the bridge stands a new generation of Chinese designers - confident, open and globally minded."

INNOVATION ON WHEELS

During the opening ceremony of China Week, the Turin Automotive Design Award was launched for the first time. Jointly initiated by the Turin Auto Show and the China Design Centre in Milan, the award aims to spotlight outstanding Chinese automotive designs already present in the European market. The winners will be announced in September at the Turin Auto Show.

"We hope this award will strengthen cooperation between the European and Chinese automotive industries and foster cross-cultural synergy," said Barbara Santise, press officer for the Turin Auto Show.

Santise added that Chinese vehicles are not only technically advanced but also competitively priced, making them strong contenders in the European market.

Just a few kilometers away, in Milan's Brera district, the Z9GT, a flagship luxury electric sedan by Chinese automaker DENZA under BYD, made its European debut. With flowing curves inspired by Eastern aesthetics, the vehicle stood in poetic harmony with the surrounding Baroque architecture. Lines of international visitors queued for test drives, offering enthusiastic praise.

Across Milan, Chinese auto brands such as XPeng, GAC, and Geely have launched their own showcases, drawing attention from passersby. Once the stronghold of Western luxury brands, the high-end auto market is undergoing a transformation - one where Chinese firms are competing not on cost, but with cutting-edge design, innovation, and bold vision.

DESIGN AS CULTURAL FUSION

Chinese design also found an artistic expression at the University of Milan. In the university's central courtyard, a circular mirror installation titled Gift, created by Hangzhou-based designer Chen Yaoguang, reflected the surrounding Renaissance architecture like a shimmering slice of modernity. The sculpture bore the word "Gift" in Latin, Italian, and Chinese-symbolizing the fusion of two rich cultures.

"It looks like a pizza sliced from above. It's really fun," said an Italian visitor who only gave his first name as Stefano. "It blends perfectly into the environment. I'm truly impressed by the level of Chinese design." 

People visit exhibits of Chinese KUKA Design at an exhibition of Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 12, 2025. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

People visit "Drifting Yao," an exhibit of Milan Design Week by Chinese designer Wu Bin, at the University of Milan, in Milan, Italy, April 11, 2025. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

People visit "Drifting Yao," an exhibit of Milan Design Week by Chinese designer Wu Bin, at the University of Milan, in Milan, Italy, April 11, 2025. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

People try a BYD Denza Z9GT vehicle at an exhibition of Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 11, 2025. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A staff member displays a China-designed wearable fan at an exhibition of Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 13, 2025. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Visitors view "The Gift," a light mix design of Milan Design Week by Chinese designer Chen Yaoguang, at the University of Milan, in Milan, Italy, April 11, 2025. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

This photo taken on April 11, 2025 shows "The Gift," a light mix design of Milan Design Week by Chinese designer Chen Yaoguang, at the University of Milan, in Milan, Italy. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Models perform at "The Gift," a light mix design of Milan Design Week by Chinese designer Chen Yaoguang, at the University of Milan, in Milan, Italy, April 11, 2025. The week-long Milan Design Week concluded here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A Chinese designer (3rd R) introduces design concepts to tourists at the "Chinese Cultural and Creative Design Exhibition" during the Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 7, 2025. (Xinhua)

Local visitors pose for a photo in front of a cultural installation during the Milan Design Week in the Paolo Sarpi district of Milan, Italy, April 7, 2025. (Xinhua)

Specially designed wine vessels inspired by the Sanxingdui Ruins are exhibited at the "Chinese Cultural and Creative Design Exhibition" during the Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 7, 2025. (Xinhua)

Snake toys are exhibited at the "Chinese Cultural and Creative Design Exhibition" during the Milan Design Week in Milan, Italy, April 7, 2025. (Xinhua)
Description

2025 marks the centennial of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. As the Great Neck Library continues its celebration this month, we invite you to learn about his wife Zelda, a writer and artist known for personifying the carefree ideals of the 1920s flapper.



Kelly McMasters is an essayist, professor, mother, and former bookshop owner. She is the author of the Zibby Book Club pick The Leaving Season: A Memoir-in-Essays (WW Norton) and co-editor of the ABA national bestseller Wanting: Women Writing About Desire (Catapult). Her first book, Welcome to Shirley: A Memoir from an Atomic Town, was listed as one of Oprah's top 5 summer memoirs and is the basis for the documentary film The Atomic States of America, a 2012 Sundance selection, and the anthology she co-edited with Margot Kahn, This Is the Place: Women Writing About Home (Seal Press, 2017), was a New York Times Editors Choice. Her essays, reviews, and articles have appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Paris Review Daily, The American Scholar, Literary Hub, Newsday, River Teeth: A Journal of Narrative Nonfiction, Romper, and The Rumpus, among others.



She holds a BA from Vassar College and an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia's School of the Arts and is the recipient of a Pushcart nomination and an Orion Book Award nomination. Kelly has spoken about creative nonfiction at TEDx, authors@google, and more, and has taught at mediabistro.com, Franklin & Marshall College, and in the undergraduate writing program and Journalism Graduate School at Columbia University, among others. She is currently an Associate Professor of English and Director of Publishing Studies at Hofstra University in NY.



The lecture will be at the Main Library, 159 Bayview Avenue, Great Neck, on Monday, April 14, at 12:00 p.m. Registration is not required. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.
The markets received good news when it was announced that President Donald Trump would pause reciprocal tariffs on most countries for 90 days and is opting to implement a base 10% tariff on most goods. Automakers, however, didn't catch a break as the pause didn't extend to the 25% duty on vehicle imports.

Worse yet, the automotive industry is expected to get slapped with an additional 25% tariff on automotive parts next month. The problem for General Motors (NYSE: GM) investors is that this could force the company to change one thing it's done really well recently: buying back shares.

Share buybacks

When it comes to share buybacks, General Motors has been in overdrive, eating up shares in recent years. Between 2023 and 2025, GM announced $16 billion in share buybacks, and it's had a significant impact on how the stock has traded. That's a huge amount when you consider that the Detroit automaker has a market capitalization of $45 billion. As GM started buying back large amounts of shares, you can see the impact on the stock price.

GM data by YCharts

The trend continues as GM just announced recently it approved a $0.03 per share increase to the dividend, or a 25% hike, and also a new $6 billion share repurchase authorization. Further, the automaker began an accelerated share repurchase program to execute $2 billion of the authorization in the near term.

Turbulent tariffs

Unfortunately, General Motors is perhaps the worst of its domestic peers to get hit by Trump's tariff plan. While it was recently announced that the reciprocal tariffs would be paused for most countries for 90 days, in favor of a base 10% tariff on most goods, the automotive tariffs were not included in that pause.

The reason behind GM's looming tariff pain is that while the company produces more than half of the vehicles that it sells in the U.S. domestically, only about a third of its vehicles are produced using American parts. That might not sound like a big deal, but take it from JPMorgan analyst Ryan Brinkman:

We estimate GM imports ~$56 billion of vehicles annually from Mexico and Canada, which after adjusting for content originating in the U.S. may amount to ~$38 billion--subject to a ~$10 billion tariff under a 25% rate .... For parts, we estimate GM's share of the ~$92 billion imported by the industry may be ~$4 billion, implying a total tariff exposure of ~$14 billion before coping mechanisms.

GM's larger reliance on imports and parts created significant downside, causing Brinkman to lower his GM price target by $11, down to $53 per share. GM was trading at roughly $44 Thursday morning.
Presidential Message on Holy Week, 2025

NEWS PROVIDED BY

The White House

April 14, 2025

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ -- The White House releases the following statement from President Donald J. Trump:

This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christthe living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity.

Beginning with Christs triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and culminating in the Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lords Supper, followed by Good Friday, and reaching its pinnacle in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. This week is a time of reflection for Christians to memorialize Jesus crucifixionand to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for His miraculous Resurrection from the dead.

During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation. Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins. Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darknesssignaling that death does not have the final word.

This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square.

As we focus on Christs redeeming sacrifice, we look to His love, humility, and obedienceeven in lifes most difficult and uncertain moments. This week, we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation. We pray that America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world, and we pray to achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christs eternal kingdom in Heaven.

May God bless you and your family during this special time of year and may He continue to bless the United States of America.

SOURCE The White House

CONTACT: www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, has signed co-badging agreements with global card schemes, including Discover, Mastercard, UnionPay, and Visa.

These partnerships aim to enhance Jaywan, the UAEs Domestic Card Scheme, by enabling international transactions while maintaining an efficient domestic payment network.

The agreements will allow Jaywan cardholders to transact worldwide, tapping into the networks of these international payment providers.

Within the UAE, transactions will continue to be processed through UAESWITCH.

Jaywan will introduce debit and prepaid co-badged cards, which will be used for everyday transactions, salary disbursements, and cross-border payments.

UAE financial institutions are expected to start issuing these co-badged cards from the second half of 2025.

The co-badge cards will offer international acceptance, allowing cardholders to use their cards abroad for cross-border payments.

The move is expected to enhance Jaywan's usability by extending its reach to international merchants, ATMs, and online payment platforms.

Al Etihad Payments chairman Saif Al Dhaheri said: Jaywan is a key step toward strengthening the UAEs financial infrastructure, offering a locally rooted payment solution that supports economic growth and digital transformation."

Last month, Al Etihad also entered agreement with UnionPay International to introduce co-badge cards in the UAE that feature the logos of both Jaywan and UnionPay.

These cards will operate on Jaywans domestic payment network for local transactions while providing access to UnionPay's global network, which spans over 180 countries and regions.

"Al Etihad Payments enters co-badging agreements on card schemes " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Rolf Vennenbernd / picture alliance / Getty Images





Key Takeaways

Netflix is scheduled to report first-quarter results after the market closes Thursday.

Analysts expect the streaming giant to report rising revenue and profit.

The majority of firms tracked by Visible Alpha have a "buy" or equivalent rating on Netflix stock.







Netflix (NFLX) is scheduled to report first-quarter results after the closing bell Thursday, with analysts suggesting the streaming giant could be well-positioned to weather an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

In a recent note to clients, JPMorgan called Netflix the most resilient company it tracks, given the streamer's strong subscriber base, with members watching an average of two hours of content per day. The bank holds an overweight rating and $1,025 price target for the stock.

Morgan Stanley also named Netflix a "top pick," expecting the company could demonstrate relative resilience in a weaker global macro. The analysts called the pullback in Netflix shares in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariff announcement on April 2 a buying opportunity for investors.

Most Netflix Analysts Rate Stock a 'Buy'

All told, 14 of the 18 analysts covering Netflix tracked by Visible Alpha have "buy" or equivalent ratings for the stock, with the remainder issuing a "hold" rating. Their consensus price target of about $1,097 would suggest nearly 20% upside from Fridays close.

Netflix is expected to report revenue of $10.5 billion, up 12% year-over-year, and net income of $2.48 billion, or $5.69 per share, rising from $2.33 billion, or $5.28 per share, a year earlier.

Netflix shares have risen nearly 50% over the past 12 months, at $918.29 as of Friday's close.



Read the original article on Investopedia
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's grain industry welcomed an exchange-rate overhaul on Monday, though the new measures will likely not translate into immediate sales as the harvest remains behind schedule, experts said.

Late on Friday, Argentina's central bank loosened foreign-exchange controls, a long-awaited measure twinned with billions of dollars to be disbursed by development banks including the International Monetary Fund.

Lifting of the controls is also meant to speed up agricultural sales, a prime source of cash from abroad.

Despite that, soy and corn sales should remain slow this week, with Easter holidays cutting trading short and exporters still unsure of where the peso currency will settle. The soybean harvest has also fallen behind due to heavy rainfall.

"Producers are more focused on harvesting than on the exchange rate, which they already know will be above Friday's 1,129 pesos per dollar," said analyst Lorena D'Angelo, based in grains hub Rosario.

With the capital controls lifted on Monday, the peso was allowed to float freely within a moving band between 1,000 and 1,400 pesos per dollar. By midday, it was trading around 1,190 pesos per greenback.

Farmers are now rushing to bring in the soy crop amid a break in rains. More precipitation could cause fungus and infection, hitting the harvest's yield.

"We're harvesting as much as we can," said Noelia Castagnini, a farmer near Venado Tuerto in grain province Santa Fe. "Right now, all my machines are covered in mud, but we'll worry about the fields later."

President Javier Milei, in an interview on Monday with local radio El Observador, pushed for farmers to speed up their sales.

"Tell the farmers that if they need to sell, they need to do it now," he said.

Argentina currently taxes soy exports at 26% and shipments of derived oil and meal at 24.5%. Milei hinted that a temporary tax break, set to expire at the end of June, would not be extended.

WAIT AND SEE

"We'll have to wait today and maybe tomorrow to see where the market settles," said Federico Zerboni, head of corn association MAIZAR, when asked if the weakened peso would further slow grains sales. "Today, it's hard to evaluate the new measures without that information."

Grain prices were not available by midday, D'Angelo said.

"The government clearly made a positive, favorable decision to normalize the foreign-exchange market," said Gustavo Idigoras, head of the grains export and processing chamber. "In any case, the harvest is delayed, so we're not expecting a quick market reaction."
According to research by The European Commission that sets EU forecasts for various agricultural sectors out to 2035, the consumption of dairy products in the bloc is projected to remain flat (it forecasts a 0.1% annual decline out to 2035), with, for example, falling consumption of drinking milk but opportunities in areas like cheese, whey and functional dairy ingredients.

In the last decade and more, Arla has been involved in transactions in European markets including the UK , Belgium and Germany . DMK itself was born in 2011 when two of Germanys largest dairy processors, Nordmilch and Humana Milchindustrie, combined . Five years later, DMK struck a notable merger with Netherlands-based DOC Kaas.

Sluggish consumption in the EU has been a factor in the consolidation seen in the regions dairy sector for the last couple of decades  including in deals that have already involved both Arla and DMK.

Unless we have these kinds of consolidation initiatives, I think theres a decent chance that we will see capacity reductions. If everyones doing that all by themselves, I think its a less efficient process than when its carried out by two companies combined.

I think the current situation in the EU calls for combining strength, lets put it that way, Mark Voorbergen, a Netherlands-based dairy industry consultant and partner at Claassen, Moolenbeek & Partners, says.

The maturing of Europes dairy market into a low-growth industry makes deals like this understandable  even if it coming so soon after FrieslandCampina and Milcobel announced their plans might have raised some eyebrows.

By uniting resources, we enhance our product portfolio and expand globally, reaching over 160 markets to ensure stable food production. This synergy strengthens our investment and innovation capabilities, driving new technologies and sustainable practices, Tuborgh said .

And, Peder Tuborgh, the Arla CEO who is set to be the chief executive of the larger business (which will carry the Arla name) sought to outline other positives.

The two cooperatives, who have worked together in the past in areas like whey processing, believe the merger will provide resilience amid an anticipated decline in the overall European milk pool.

The new co-op is to have more than 12,000 farmers across seven countries and a pro-forma revenue of 19bn ($20.75bn).

On Tuesday, Denmark-based Arla Foods and Germanys DMK outlined a deal they said would create the largest dairy cooperative in Europe.

Not even four months after FrieslandCampina and Milcobel set out plans to merge, another pair of European dairy groups have announced they are to join forces  and they are unlikely to be the last.

Story Continues

Meanwhile, Brussels says expectations for stricter EU and national environmental policies will likely lead to the blocs dairy herd to shrinking by 13% by 2035 compared with the 2021-2023 average.

Milk production could decline by 0.2% per year on average between up to 2035, the Commission says, although output is forecast to grow in areas like cheese, whey and skimmed milk powder albeit more slowly than in the past. Cheese and whey could absorb 36% of the EU milk pool by 2035, it notes.

Voorbergen sees cheese and whey as two opportunities for the new, larger Arla. The two cooperatives have worked together in the past, including on the ArNoCo joint venture to process whey from DMKs cheese production into whey protein concentrate and lactose for Arlas global ingredients business.

Assuming there wont be any remedies, which is not a given, I would say, particularly not in the German market, but, assuming they can keep both companies intact, then I think theres quite a strong cheese and whey combination to be made, Voorbergen tells Just Food.

Cheese, of course, still being the main driver of consumption growth in the European market  and probably outside the European market as well. And whey, I think, has only become more attractive over the last decade with all the positivity surrounding [consuming] the right proteins.

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The Commissions 2035 outlook report suggests the EUs dairy sector is likely to face increased competition to supply markets outside the bloc. The EUs dairy industry has benefited from growing demand for dairy in the worlds emerging markets but Brussels sees some regions stepping up efforts to become more self-sufficient.

South East Asian and north African countries are expected to increase their milk production by around 3 % per year by 2035, the Commission notes.

Nevertheless, the report says there will still be a need for imports to meet the expected continued increase in domestic demand, with the EU and NZ set to remain the worlds top two exporters of dairy products with each accounting for around 24%.

The product portfolio of EU dairy exports will also need to adapt to changing demand in trading partners, favouring dairy products of greater added value, the Commissions report reads.

Both Arla and DMK do business outside the EU, of course. The majority of Arlas sales remain generated in Europe but it does sell packaged products and dairy ingredients outside the region. It is also looking at further expansion via M&A in the Middle East and north Africa, with an ongoing interest in the dairy assets of Egypts Arabian Food Industries. DMK, Voorbergen notes, has an interesting business selling cheese in the former Soviet states of central Asia.

I think thats maybe something where DMK can add to Arla Foods, he adds. However, with a smile, Voorbergen suggests the current volatility in global trade means it might be a little early to suggest when the enlarged Arla could best prosper internationally. I must say, if you talk about emerging markets against the backdrop of whats happening recently, anything is in the open, he says. It doesn't really make sense to say where the opportunities are because they can be different in two months time.

One topic on which Voorbergen is more certain is the prospect of further consolidation in Europes dairy industry. Two major proposed deals may have been announced in four months but he sees more transactions on the horizon.

I think, looking at it from a helicopter view, I would actually welcome it. In a market where milk production continues to grow and you can grow no matter what, either through exports or locally, I think you can still have a lot of companies carving out their own little product market combination, he says. I think in a market where both consumption is kind of stagnant, but now also production, I think that creates the kind of environment where you bound to see more consolidation.

"Arla and DMK unlikely to be last big deal in Europes stagnant dairy market" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




Arla Foods has expressed its interest in the dairy assets held by Arabian Food Industries, which plans to split into two entities.

A non-binding offer from Arla for a majority stake in Arabian Food Industries, also known as Domty, is off after the Egyptian group decided to separate in two.

However, the Danish dairy giant said today (14 April) it would hold talks with Domty over its dairy assets.

In October, Arla put forward a proposed bid to buy a majority stake in Domty.

At the time, the Lurpak owner said the offer was non-binding with the company underling it was looking at the details before deciding whether to proceed with a firm bid.

However, Arla said today Domtys decision had changed its position.

"At the expiration of the due diligence period, Arabian Food Industries Company has announced its plan to separate the company into two entities. Arla Foods now withdraws the non-binding offer made for the share majority of the entire business and instead explores a potential deal for the entity that owns the dairy business once Domty has successfully completed the demerger, Kim Villadsen, the SVP for Arlas business in the Middle East and north Africa, said. Both companies have agreed to continue the positive and constructive dialogue we have had so far while this process takes place.

As well as dairy products, Domty markets juices and bakery items.

In 2024, the company generated sales of E9.2bn ($180.4m), up from E7.5bn a year earlier. Its net profit after tax stood at E501.2m, versus E454.4m in 2023.

Domty issued correspondence from Arla that said the Castello cheese owner had not completed its due diligence on the entire business and would not be able to finish the work now the company had announced its proposed demerger.

Arla still has the desire to explore a potential entry to the promising Egyptian market, the letter to Domty MD Mohamed Omar El Damaty read. Accordingly, Arla intends to continue interactions with Domty and its major shareholders and to monitor the developments of the demerger process and its due diligence requirements to evaluate the feasibility of a potential acquisition of the entity that would own the dairy business.

Last week, Arla announced plans to merge with German dairy cooperative DMK Group, forming an entity of more than 12,000 farmers across seven countries.

The pair said in a joint statement the deal will create the largest dairy cooperative in Europe, with members in Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The merger is subject to regulatory approval and the backing of the board of representatives in both cooperatives in June.
Critics and industry analysts, however, arent so sure. S&P Global Mobility automotive analyst Stephanie Brinley reported that tariffs will not bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. overnight.

Stellantis COO Antonio Filosa said in an email to employees that the layoffs and production pauses "are necessary given the current market dynamics." However, the Trump administration maintains that tariffs on foreign imports will boost the American economy and increase the manufacture of domestic vehicles.

The automaker Stellantis has already halted production at plants in Mexico and Canada, and has announced further temporary layoffs at factories in Michigan and Indiana. Stellantis manufactures a number of popular U.S. brands, including Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler.

The import tax on cars has already had a major impact on the auto industry across North America.

"The cost of repair is going to go up, which means the premiums are going to probably start going up for the consumers as well. So, obviously, it's a snowball effect for all these things."

"I know parts will be going up. I'm not sure to what degree yet. A lot of unknowns here, said Gottfred.

In an interview with CBS News , Jay Gottfred, third-generation owner of the Erie-LaSalle Body Shop, noted that the future is full of uncertainty for the industry and consumers.

The current tariffs on imported cars will be expanded in May to include imported car parts. With the cost of steel and aluminum from Canada also set to rise with additional tariffs on those imports, many mechanics are worried about the future for their customers, and how higher prices will impact their businesses.

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Trump recently initiated a 90-day pause on most of his global tariffs, but those levied against Canada and Mexico reportedly remain in effect.

Though only a week has gone by since President Trump moved forward with 25% tariffs on imported cars, the lack of clarity on how the tariffs will be implemented has auto makers, mechanics, industry experts and consumers feeling uneasy about the future.

Story Continues

There is no quick solution, and increasing manufacturing in the U.S., particularly based on an artificial economic condition, will be costly and is likely to create a more expensive manufacturing environment, Brinley shared in an article on S&P Global's website.

Retaliatory actions are just beginning to surface; those actions will add another layer of complexity to the situation.

A tight-knit system

Auto industry experts also note that the industry in North America has a highly-integrated supply chain, and it may be nearly impossible to accurately label both finished cars and auto parts as imports vs. domestic products.

Flavio Volpe, CEO of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, has been sounding the alarm for months on tariffs, warning that the manufacture of parts is dependent on cooperation across borders, and that the industry could shut down or collapse without it.

In an interview with the CBC, Jeff Rightmer  an automotive supply chain expert at Wayne State University in Detroit  said, "The problem becomes, you have certain parts that could go back and forth across the border seven or eight times" before a vehicle's final assembly. Is that tariff going to be applied each time it comes back and forth?

"Those are the things that really start to make this whole thing complicated.

While White House officials maintain that foreign companies will be responsible for the costs of tariffs, the National Bureau of Economic Research reported that in Trump's first term, added costs were mostly passed on to American businesses and consumers.

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

Tips for prospective buyers and car owners

American auto analyst Mel Yu shared in an interview with Reuters that even domestic cars rely heavily on imports. "No matter where they are made, car prices will go up," she said. "The impact of the parts tariffs will be pretty quick."

Imported car parts make up as much as 80% of cars that are manufactured in the U.S. These parts also account for up to 40% of the retail price.

In anticipation of the jacked-up prices, some drivers have been rushing to the dealerships. But what can you do if prices do rise before you have the chance to buy?

Discounts and rebates

One option is to explore discounts and rebates. American manufacturers and dealerships occasionally offer discounts that can lower the price of a new car purchase.

Special lease rates, low-interest financing and flat-cash discounts are among the incentives that car buyers can explore. However, these offers are often time-sensitive, which means car buyers need to be diligent and try to take advantage of these promotions before they expire.

Keep your old clunker

In an article from Consumer Reports, auto experts Keith Barry and Jeff S. Bartlett recommended hanging onto your existing car for as long as possible and keeping it well maintained.

Consider finding a trusted independent repair shop, rather than going to your local dealership. Our survey results show that consumers are more satisfied with the cost of getting a repair at an independent shop. They may have more expertise at fixing older cars as well.

Consumer Reports notes that staying on top of maintenance and repairs will help prevent large bills from your mechanic down the road. Whats more, your car might be worth more once the effects of the tariffs kick in.

Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reportss Auto Test Center, said, If new car prices go up, your used car will be worth more.

We saw this happen during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when sellers got record-high prices for their used cars, said Barry and Bartlett. If you get more for trading in or selling your used car, it could help offset tariff-related price increases on the next car you purchase.

No matter what, it pays to find a mechanic you trust and to set a strict budget if youre in the market for a new car. Moreover, shopping around for a better deal on your insurance can help you find some additional wiggle room in your budget that you can set aside to cover future repairs and maintenance.

Speaking of setting money aside, if you dont have an emergency fund set up, now might be the time to get one started. Life happens, and surprise expenditures such as emergency car repairs can pop up at any time. And since the cost of car repairs is likely to rise in the near future, an emergency fund can potentially keep you from using credit cards and taking on debt.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
One Ohio couple was nearly tricked out of $17,000  before a Chase Bank manager in Westlake stepped in and foiled the scammers plan.

The bank manager became suspicious and alerted police when the couple tried to withdraw the cash to pay for what they thought was a warrant from the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office.

Don't miss

The customers did figure out they were going to be scammed if they took this money out and bought gift cards or put it into a crypto ATM, Captain Jerry Vogel of the Westlake Police Department told News 5 Cleveland in a story published March 28.

It seems this type of scam isnt a rare occurrence. The local broadcaster reports two more instances of fraud involving cryptocurrency machines have occurred recently in Westlake. Victims in those cases lost more than $25,000.

Heres what happened, along with steps to protect yourself from being victimized.

How local residents are getting scammed

In one incident, the scammer posed as a Microsoft customer support representative after the victim called a phone number she found while doing a Google search. This is referred to as search engine poisoning, where cybercriminals manipulate search engine results so a malicious website (which looks legitimate) appears at the top of the page.

Vogel says the victim was tricked into giving the fake employee access to her computer and was scared into thinking she had visited illegal websites that were trying to steal her money. She was instructed to withdraw $40,000 from her bank and deposit it into a gas station Bitcoin ATM to protect her funds. An attendant took notice and warned her it was a scam, according to News 5, but not before she lost $20,000.

In another incident, police say the victim got a call from what he thought was the Social Security Administration directing him to deposit $5,500 in a Bitcoin ATM at a convenience store. The owner of the shop told News 5 they planned to remove the machine.

I just advise you to be very wary of anything that directs you to buy gift cards or put cash into an ATM, Vogel said. Especially the cryptocurrency ATMs.

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
When a loved one is in need, lending a helping hand can feel like second nature  even with a price tag.

On a recent episode of his new Netflix talk show, Everybodys Live With John Mulaney, the comedian explores what it really means to help someone  and the consequences that can follow.

Don't miss

Hes joined by actor Michael Keaton and Jessica Roy, a personal finance columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Their first caller was Dylan from Montville, New Jersey, who borrowed $20,000 from his brother to attend law school. But instead of cracking open textbooks, Dylan bought a car. Then he crashed it. After selling the wreck for scrap, only $1,200 of the original $20,000 remained.

Now, Dylan finds himself in a bind: no money, no law degree, a totaled car and a $20,000 lie he has to repay.

Its a cautionary tale and one that might hit closer to home than youd expect. Whether youve loaned money to a loved one or considered asking for help yourself, navigating finances within personal relationships can be tricky.

Being a good friend

When money enters the mix between friends and family, the emotional toll can often outweigh the financial loss. A LendingTree survey found that 31% of Americans are owed money by a loved one  with friends and siblings being the most common borrowers.

The top reason? Covering debt payments and everyday expenses like meals and gas. But personal lending often comes with strings attached: nearly half of the respondents said they regretted lending money to someone close, and one in six admitted it had damaged a relationship.

In the episode, Roy emphasized that lending money to someone you care about requires a mental shift.

Any money you loan someone you need to be psychologically detached from it, she explained. Its a gift and Im not going to get it back.

Its a mindset that protects more than just your wallet  it safeguards your relationships, too. When lending to friends and family, boundaries are just as valuable as budgets.

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
We came across a bullish thesis on Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO) on Substack by Bulls On Parade. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on BRO. Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO)'s share was trading at $118.86 as of April 11th. BROs trailing and forward P/E were 34.35 and 28.01 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

A successful independent agent or broker discussing the benefits of life and health insurance with a customer.

Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO) may not be flashy, but its quietly become one of the most consistent compounders in the insurance space. Founded in 1939 in Daytona Beach, Florida, the company has grown from a small-town agency into a $31 billion market cap powerhouse with a presence across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Still led by the Brown familyHyatt Brown as Chairman and Powell Brown as CEOBRO has maintained its focused, independent, and pragmatic culture while methodically scaling its brokerage platform. Its business model is straightforward yet durable: as an insurance broker, not an insurer, it connects clients with carriers through four key segmentsRetail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services. The Retail business remains its core driver, generating the majority of revenues by serving businesses of all sizes with property, casualty, and employee benefits coverage.

The company thrives by leveraging its independence to offer clients more choice and better pricing than tied agents. Its real advantage, though, lies in relationshipswith clients, carriers, and acquired partners. Brown & Brown has executed over 500 acquisitions since the 1990s, steadily rolling up smaller brokers while preserving their local autonomy. This disciplined acquisition strategy, combined with consistent 910% organic revenue growth, has created a resilient, decentralized, and highly profitable operation. Capital allocation is a strength: the company prioritizes organic growth first, then uses excess cash for acquisitions15 deals closed in 2024 alone with $311 million in annualized revenue addedwhile keeping debt modest at 1.5x EBITDA. Dividends are paid, but growth remains the priority, with 31 straight years of dividend increases underscoring the companys consistency.

Recent performance reinforces its momentum. In Q4 2024, revenue rose 11% to $1.19 billion, driven by 9.5% organic growth and a 14.8% organic surge in Retail. EPS beat estimates at $0.86, thanks to higher commissions, rising fees, and growing investment income. Operating cash flow reached $1.2 billion, and margins expanded to 34.3%, demonstrating scalable profitability. Despite a premium valuation at ~29x trailing earnings, analysts expect 10.5% EPS growth and 910% revenue growth over the next few years. While the stock isnt cheap, it offers a rare blend of quality, efficiency, and long-term compounding power. For investors willing to pay up for consistency, operational discipline, and a long-term mindset, BRO presents a compelling case as a quiet empire-builder that delivers steady returns with minimal drama.
Why is CEE such a desirable location for investments in AI? Why are international investors turning their focus here more and more? Let's dissect it.

Quick development and sturdiness of the CEE AI environment

AI investment in the CEE region has increased rapidly because of a robust ecosystem that endures in the face of challenging global economic conditions. Over 850m was raised by AI startups in 2023, while an additional 593m was raised in the first eight months of 2024. Poland, Greece, and Croatia are at the forefront thanks to big rounds from well-known companies like Croatia's Verne and Poland's ElevenLabs (74m Series B round).

Due to strong international interest, Poland led the region in fundraising, with firms raising 171m in 2024 alone. The area's entrepreneurial spirit, technical and technological prowess, and quickly evolving digital infrastructure particularly appeal to investors.

CEE has shown its capacity to draw in capital despite global economic downturns and tighter investment conditions, exhibiting resilience that is frequently absent in other areas. The area's resilience in the face of economic upheaval emphasizes its developing reputation as a centre for AI innovation.

The Principal Industries Influencing AI Investment

Investors are focusing on particular high-impact industries where CEE businesses are succeeding rather than simply placing bets on AI in general.

Biotech and healthcare are major drivers, with businesses like Causaly in Greece getting a sizeable round of capital (55m) to use AI-powered analytics to revolutionise the life sciences. In general, financing for healthcare AI was comparable to that for media-focused AI, but it was split across about 40 early-stage businesses.

Fintech and Digital Banking : equally important; Romanian leader FintechOS raised 55m, demonstrating the region's strength in financial services and digital banking.

Industrial Automation & Manufacturing : Robotics startups, such as the Croatian company Gideon, which is currently supported by Toyota, are promoting automation and efficiency in a variety of industries.

Cybersecurity: AI-powered security solutions are drawing significant investments as cyber threats get more complex; the Hungarian startup SEON was able to secure 87m.

The growth of vertical AI solutions that are suited to the demands of particular industries is another significant factor driving investment. Instead of creating generic AI platforms, CEE startups are succeeding in specialised applications like AI-driven video production, where businesses like Creatopy (which raised more than 120m in 2024), ElevenLabs, and Colossyan are revolutionising content creation. By providing highly specialised solutions, CEE companies can compete globally thanks to their strategic focus on vertical AI.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a law approving the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement between the Governments of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States [OTS].

The document ratifies the agreement that was signed on November 6, 2024, in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek.
(Reuters) - Australia's competition regulator said on Monday Clorox's local unit had been fined A$8.25 million ($5.19 million) by the Federal Court over falsely claiming its GLAD kitchen and garbage bags were partially made from recycled ocean plastic.

The Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the U.S.-based cleaning products maker admitted to breaching the Australian Consumer Law from June 2021 to July 2023 by falsely claiming on its "GLAD" kitchen and garbage bags that these were made of at least half recycled oceanic plastic waste.

In reality, over 2.2 million of these bags were made of approximately 50% plastic waste collected from Indonesian communities without formal waste management systems, and up to 50 kilometers from any shoreline, ACCC added.

"The ACCC and the Court recognised that Glad did not intend to mislead consumers, we respect this outcome and see this as an opportunity to further enhance our practices," Clorox said in emailed statement.

The court ruling comes amid a broader societal focus on environmental impact and sustainability, with misleading 'green' claims potentially eroding consumer trust and creating unfair market conditions.

The court noted that claims of environmental friendliness were crucial in assessing the violating conduct.

Clorox was also directed to establish an Australian Consumer Law compliance program, publish a corrective notice on its website, and bear a portion of the ACCC's legal costs, according to the regulator's statement.

The company ceased the production of the products in question in July 2023 after the ACCC initiated its investigation.

($1 = 1.5903 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Adwitiya Srivastava and Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Tasim Zahid)
Recent market turmoil sees value-based investments in dividend-yielding equities becoming a compelling alternative to growth stocks investing among institutional players. Multiple strategists covered by CNBC noted portfolio managers pulling their investments from speculative names and diverting into more fundamentally grounded positions to overcome the unpredictable policy actions and inflation volatility.

In this regard, safe dividend stocks provide income without compromising their defensiveness  qualities that are becoming harder to ignore in todays time. Investments in dividend stocks are not just about cushioning against losses but also about long-term compounding and shareholder rewards. Investors prioritize dividends for the sake of sustainable yield that builds wealth gradually. Companies with strong dividend track records have historically stood against worse market conditions more effectively than their non-dividend counterparts. These stocks have safely harbored elevated capital inflow at times of increased volatility, indicating their trust in the broader market.

President Trump made a recent announcement, an update to the new tariff policies, whereby a whopping 145% rate is slapped on Chinese imports while maintaining a 10% baseline for other countries for 90 days. Negotiations are expected between the U.S. and other countries during this period, which, if they do not go well, will bring back the reciprocal tariffs originally announced on April 2, 2025. The announcement sent ripples once again across the global trade. All the major indices are struggling to find equilibrium in the middle of the uncertainty. The situation further raises the importance of stabilized equities that could remain immune to the market whiplash up to some level.

With fresh trade tensions arising from unprecedented policy revisions from Washington, price appreciation alone may not be a dependable strategy for investors. Income-focused portfolios are becoming more than just a hedge. They are a necessity.

The stock market has become increasingly volatile, constantly causing investors to look for stability. But few instruments offer stability as much as dividend-paying stocks.

Today, in this article, we will be looking at the 10 safest dividend stocks you might be interested in adding to your portfolio.

We recently published a list of 10 Safest Dividend Stocks to Buy Now . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) stands against other safest dividend stocks to buy now.

Story Continues

But which dividend stocks to pick? Investors are facing not only economic cycles in todays market environment but also political cycles. Trade, taxation, and regulation are politicized so that the markets are exposed to a profoundly impactful risk that cannot be quantified. It calls for a revisal of a portfolio that includes equities rooted in strong fundamentals and offers high yields.

With this in mind, our article will explore the 10 safest stocks investors could buy now to add resilience to their portfolios. Our curated selection is designed to offer consistent payouts and protect capital from the tremors induced by policies today. You might want to safeguard your capital, generate passive income, or just sleep better at night. Our picks in this article offer you all these in a market that is anything but predictable.

Our Methodology

When assembling our list, we followed a few criteria to optimize our picks for the investors. Primarily, we included those stocks with a minimum market cap of $2 billion to ensure the financial soundness of the companies. We also aimed for those stocks that have outperformed the benchmark, so we excluded those below the 52-week market performance of 3%.

Since we want our article to benefit income-seeking investors, we placed a dividend yield limit of a minimum of 2%. Above all, we included only those stocks with a beta of 0.5 or less. A higher beta suggests higher volatility in market events, which increases the potential risks. All the data in the article was taken from financial databases and analyst reports, with all information updated as of April 11, 2025. The stocks are ranked according to their dividend yield. We have also looked into the hedge fund backing the stock to estimate the institutional interests.

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).

Is Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) the Safest Dividend Stock to Buy Now?

Aerial view of transmission and distribution substations providing electricity to residential and commercial customers.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED)

Beta: 0.28

Dividend Yield: 3.08%

No. of Hedge Funds: 44

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) is a major investor-owned energy company serving over 10 million people across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Operating from New York through subsidiaries like Con Edison and Orange & Rockland, the company offers electric, gas, and steam services. The focus of the company is heavily laid on increasing urban energy resilience and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, which gains its competitive advantage used for supporting the companys long-term sustainability.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) offers a classic example of safe investing by providing a 52-week performance that exceeds the markets 3%. The adjusted earnings for Q4 2024 increased to $5.40 per share, up from $5.07 during the same period the previous year. Generating a net income of $190 million, the company has also announced a dividend of $0.79 per share. Based on its investment plans, the company will make a capital investment of $5.12 billion in 2025 and $8.07 billion in 2026, adding value to its stocks. As per their 2025 guidance, a 6% to 7% growth rate is anticipated with respect to adjusted EPS.

The beta of 0.28 exhibits remarkable stability against the changing market environment. Its 3.08% dividend yield further boosts its credibility. Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) has attracted 44 hedge funds, as per Insider Monkeys Q4 2024 database, making it an appealing candidate for the safest stocks to buy in a volatile economic environment.

Overall, ED ranks 4th on our list of safest dividend stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential of ED as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued dividend stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued dividend stock that is more promising than ED but that trades at 10 times its earnings and grows its earnings at double digit rates annually, check out our report about the dirt cheap dividend 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.
Recent market turmoil sees value-based investments in dividend-yielding equities becoming a compelling alternative to growth stocks investing among institutional players. Multiple strategists covered by CNBC noted portfolio managers pulling their investments from speculative names and diverting into more fundamentally grounded positions to overcome the unpredictable policy actions and inflation volatility.

In this regard, safe dividend stocks provide income without compromising their defensiveness  qualities that are becoming harder to ignore in todays time. Investments in dividend stocks are not just about cushioning against losses but also about long-term compounding and shareholder rewards. Investors prioritize dividends for the sake of sustainable yield that builds wealth gradually. Companies with strong dividend track records have historically stood against worse market conditions more effectively than their non-dividend counterparts. These stocks have safely harbored elevated capital inflow at times of increased volatility, indicating their trust in the broader market.

President Trump made a recent announcement, an update to the new tariff policies, whereby a whopping 145% rate is slapped on Chinese imports while maintaining a 10% baseline for other countries for 90 days. Negotiations are expected between the U.S. and other countries during this period, which, if they do not go well, will bring back the reciprocal tariffs originally announced on April 2, 2025. The announcement sent ripples once again across the global trade. All the major indices are struggling to find equilibrium in the middle of the uncertainty. The situation further raises the importance of stabilized equities that could remain immune to the market whiplash up to some level.

With fresh trade tensions arising from unprecedented policy revisions from Washington, price appreciation alone may not be a dependable strategy for investors. Income-focused portfolios are becoming more than just a hedge. They are a necessity.

The stock market has become increasingly volatile, constantly causing investors to look for stability. But few instruments offer stability as much as dividend-paying stocks.

Today, in this article, we will be looking at the 10 safest dividend stocks you might be interested in adding to your portfolio.

We recently published a list of 10 Safest Dividend Stocks to Buy Now . In this article, we are going to take a look at where DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) stands against other safest dividend stocks to buy now.

Story Continues

But which dividend stocks to pick? Investors are facing not only economic cycles in todays market environment but also political cycles. Trade, taxation, and regulation are politicized so that the markets are exposed to a profoundly impactful risk that cannot be quantified. It calls for a revisal of a portfolio that includes equities rooted in strong fundamentals and offers high yields.

With this in mind, our article will explore the 10 safest stocks investors could buy now to add resilience to their portfolios. Our curated selection is designed to offer consistent payouts and protect capital from the tremors induced by policies today. You might want to safeguard your capital, generate passive income, or just sleep better at night. Our picks in this article offer you all these in a market that is anything but predictable.

Our Methodology

When assembling our list, we followed a few criteria to optimize our picks for the investors. Primarily, we included those stocks with a minimum market cap of $2 billion to ensure the financial soundness of the companies. We also aimed for those stocks that have outperformed the benchmark, so we excluded those below the 52-week market performance of 3%.

Since we want our article to benefit income-seeking investors, we placed a dividend yield limit of a minimum of 2%. Above all, we included only those stocks with a beta of 0.5 or less. A higher beta suggests higher volatility in market events, which increases the potential risks. All the data in the article was taken from financial databases and analyst reports, with all information updated as of April 11, 2025. The stocks are ranked according to their dividend yield. We have also looked into the hedge fund backing the stock to estimate the institutional interests.

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).

Is DTE Energy Company (DTE) the Safest Dividend Stock to Buy Now?

An aerial view of a power plant surrounded by majestic rolling hills.

DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE)

Beta: 0.50

Dividend Yield: 3.28%

No. of Hedge Funds: 35

A Michigan-based company, DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) provides electric and gas utility services to approximately three million customers in Michigan. The business operations include regulated utility businesses and non-utility energy infrastructure investments. Incorporating carbon emissions reductions, renewable energy investments, and grid modernization into its long-term plans, the company has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable energy in the Midwest despite tough competition from its peers like FirstEnergy and CMS Energy.

DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) has quietly delivered a 52-week performance of 21.18% annual return  nearly seven times the market index. The company offered the high end of its EPS guidance in 2024, reaching a value of $6.83 in 2024. It has also announced an EPS guidance of $7.09  $7.23 for 2025, a 7% increase compared to the 2024 guidance midpoint. DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) further has detailed its next 5-year investment plan of $30 billion, which is $5 billion up from its previous 5-year plan. The plan is expected to increase reliability and transition to a cleaner generation.

DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE)s beta of 0.50, the highest on our list of safe dividend stocks, suggests some level of control over volatility. A high dividend yield of 3.28% increases the investor appeal. Backed by 35 hedge funds at the end of Q4 2024, institutional confidence in the stock remains high in the utility sector.

Overall, DTE ranks 2nd on our list of safest dividend stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential of DTE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued dividend stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued dividend stock that is more promising than DTE but that trades at 10 times its earnings and grows its earnings at double digit rates annually, check out our report about the dirt cheap dividend 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.
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) will release its first-quarter financial results before the opening bell on Tuesday, April 15.

Analysts expect the bank to report quarterly earnings at 82 cents per share, up from 76 cents per share in the year-ago period. Bank of America projects quarterly revenue of $26.91 billion, compared to $25.82 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

On April 7, Morgan Stanley analyst Betsy Graseck upgraded Bank of America from Equal-Weight to Overweight but lowered the price target from $56 to $47.

With the recent buzz around Bank of America, some investors may be eyeing potential gains from the company's dividends too. As of now, Bank of America offers an annual dividend yield of 2.89%. Thats a quarterly dividend amount of 26 cents per share ($1.04 a year).

To figure out how to earn $500 monthly from Bank of America, we start with the yearly target of $6,000 ($500 x 12 months).

Next, we take this amount and divide it by Bank of America's $1.04 dividend: $6,000 / $1.04 = 5,769 shares.

So, an investor would need to own approximately $207,396 worth of Bank of America, or 5,769 shares to generate a monthly dividend income of $500.

Assuming a more conservative goal of $100 monthly ($1,200 annually), we do the same calculation: $1,200 / $1.04 = 1,154 shares, or $41,486 to generate a monthly dividend income of $100.

View more earnings on BAC

Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis. The dividend payment and the stock price both fluctuate over time.

The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the current stock price. As the stock price changes, the dividend yield will also change.

For example, if a stock pays an annual dividend of $2 and its current price is $50. That means its dividend yield would be 4%. However, if the stock price increases to $60, the dividend yield would decrease to 3.33% ($2/$60).

Conversely, if the stock price decreases to $40, the dividend yield would increase to 5% ($2/$40).

Further, the dividend payment itself can also change over time, which can also impact the dividend yield. If a company increases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will increase even if the stock price remains the same. Similarly, if a company decreases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will decrease.

BAC Price Action: Shares of Bank of America gained by 0.3% to close at $35.95 on Friday.





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Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the worlds richest individual, has recently experienced a significant decline in his net worth. This downturn is primarily attributed to a substantial drop in Teslas stock value, influenced by ongoing boycotts and broader market dynamics.

Read Next: Elon Musk Asks for Reason US Cant Afford Healthcare  Mark Cuban Gives 7 (and a Solution)

Find Out: Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025

Financial Impact on Musks Wealth

As of April 11, 2025, Musks net worth has fallen to about $311 billion, a notable decrease from his peak of over $400 billion in December 2024. This decline is largely due to a 33% drop in Teslas stock price since the beginning of the year, which has significantly impacted the value of Musks holdings in the company.

Learn More: Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Bought Over $73 Million in Shares of This Tech Company  Heres Why

Factors Contributing to the Decline

Several elements have contributed to this financial setback:

Tesla Boycotts : Public protests and boycotts against Tesla have intensified, leading to a 45.3% plunge in the companys stock and a $79.4 billion reduction in the value of Musks Tesla shares as of April 8, MarketWatch reported.

Market Volatility : The implementation of sweeping global tariffs has caused significant turmoil in international financial markets, resulting in substantial losses for major tech companies, including Tesla.

Political Associations: Musks involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his advisory role to President Donald Trump have made Tesla a political flashpoint, affecting investor sentiment and consumer behavior.

Current Financial Standing

Despite these losses, Musk maintains a substantial fortune. His net worth is bolstered by his stakes in other ventures, notably SpaceX, which remains a highly valuable private company.

Nevertheless, the recent decline underscores the volatility of his wealth, heavily tied to the performance of Teslas stock.

Potential Future Implications

The continuation of the Tesla boycott and associated market challenges could have several implications:
Breaking with presidential tradition, President Donald Trump refused to release his personal tax returns to the public. That sparked a bitter legal debate a few years ago, eventually resulting in him being forced to do so.

Read More: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes: Heres What That Would Mean for the Economy and Your Wallet

Find Out: Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025

It quickly became clear why President Trump didnt want to share them. In some years, he paid no federal income taxes at all, and Bloomberg reported that the highest effective tax rate he paid during the published years was just 4.1%.

How did he pay so little in taxes despite having significant income and wealth? More importantly, how can you pull the same maneuvers? Here are seven tax loopholes President Trump used that might benefit your tax filings, too.

Depreciation From Real Estate

Real estate investors can deduct the value of the building itself, spread out over time.

Depreciation is one of the biggest tax advantages in real estate, said Austin Glanzer, owner of 717HomeBuyers. It allows investors to deduct the wear and tear on a property, even if its actually going up in value. Its a strategy used by major investors like Trump, but everyday Americans can use it too.

This deduction offsets their rental income and other investment income, such as dividends or capital gains.

Residential real estate investors divide the value of the building by 27.5 and can deduct that each year for the first 27.5 years of ownership. Commercial investors must spread the depreciation over 39 years.

That said, real estate investors can accelerate that depreciation through techniques such as cost segregation. Many parts of the building, such as appliances, can be depreciated much faster. That lets investors take a larger deduction in the first few years of ownership.

You dont have to go out and become a landlord, either. By investing passively in real estate syndications, you get all the tax benefits without the headaches. Consider joining a real estate co-investing club to go in on these with other investors.

Discover Next: American Opportunity Tax Credit: What Is It and Who Qualifies?

1031 Exchanges

The tax code allows real estate investors to swap a lower-cost investment property for a more expensive one, deferring capital gains taxes until they sell the new one.

These come with some hoops to jump through, however. Investors have to hire a qualified intermediary to handle their proceeds and file the legal paperwork, identify a new property to purchase within 45 days of selling the old one and close on the new one within 180 days.
By Carolina Mandl

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hedge fund Qube Research & Technologies disclosed a roughly $105 million short position in Trump Media & Technology Group on Monday, according to a filing with Germany's federal Gazette Bundesanzeiger.

Qube's disclosed position in Trump Media, which was first reported by research firm Breakout Point, equates to 2.53% of the total free float of Trump Media, which is 53% owned by President Donald Trump and is the parent company of the Truth Social platform.

Trump Media did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment about the short position. Qube declined to comment, but said in an e-mail that its positions are driven by a quantitative model and "do not reflect a specific view on the fundamental of the company."

Investors who take a short position in a company's stock are betting that the share price will decline. In a short sale, investors borrow shares and then sell them, betting that the share price will fall so that the shares can be bought back at a lower price to repay the loan, allowing the investor to pocket the difference.

Breakout Point said the Qube filing marked the first regulatory short disclosure in Trump Media by any entity, and said that it ranks as Qube's biggest short position in percentage terms after B Riley Financial.

A popular stock among retail investors, shares in Trump Media are down 44% this year after roughly doubling in value last year. The short interest in the company, which has a market value of $4.2 billion, is at 4.9%, according to LSEG.

Earlier this month, Trump Media's shares plunged after the company filed papers that would allow the president's trust to sell a large number of shares.

Trump Media shares on Monday were last up 1.6%.

(Reporting by Carolina Mandl in New York; Editing by Joe Bavier and Leslie Adler)
Muller has struck a deal to acquire UK kefir products firm Biotiful Gut Health to expand into the functional health dairy business.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Founded in 2012, Biotiful produces a range of kefir and other natural gut health products, Muller said.

Natasha Bowes, Biotiful's founder and CEO, will support the company in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition, the German dairy giant added.

On LinkedIn, Bowes wrote: Letting go of your 13-year-old baby that you have given all you had is a rather bittersweet moment This relentlessly ambitious Biotiful teenager will now be in the most fertile ecosystem of Muller family, with its immense resources and burning desire to create the strongest possible natural health platform, to work alongside its traditionally fun and engaging brands. The opportunity to accelerate this now across categories and markets is a founders dream.

In a separate statement, Muller, one of the largest dairy companies in the UK, said the acquisition will help the company to serve more consumer needs across the category.

As awareness of the benefits of natural gut health continue to accelerate, the acquisition allows Muller to realise its ambition to expand into the growing functional health yogurt and drinks segment, the statement added.

Muller Yogurts & Desserts CEO Richard Williams described Biotiful as a business which fits really well within our existing portfolio of brands".

He added: "We are already growing and optimising our range of health and nutrition products and Biotiful Gut Health will really help us expand into new growth areas to meet changing consumer needs.

Mullers operations in the UK and Ireland include Muller Yogurt & Desserts and Muller Milk & Ingredients, which markets products including fresh milk, powdered milk, cream and butter.

In October, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) approved Mullers acquisition of Yew Tree Dairy, a Lancashire-based family-owned dairy company.

"Muller to buy UK kefir business Biotiful Gut Health" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




Finnish company Metso has inaugurated its new Dewatering Development Hub in Irapuato, Mexico.

Construction at the site commenced in September 2023.

The facility, which represents an investment of approximately 45m ($51m), spans an area exceeding 18,000m, with more than 8,500m dedicated to production and warehouse space.

The Dewatering Development Hub is expected to meet the diverse dewatering needs of Metso's customers, with reduced response times, environmental benefits, and improved delivery reliability.

Metso claims its operational model and the layout of the new centre are designed to uphold safety standards for workers.

The planning of the facility's operations and energy use has integrated environmental considerations, with solar power capacity installed as permitted by law. This initiative supports Metso's goal to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions for its operations by 2030.

Metso North and Central America president Giuseppe Campanelli said: Our new hub in Mexico marks a major milestone in enhancing our customer service capabilities. It strengthens our commitment to innovation and excellence and to providing tailored solutions that drive success and sustainability in our customers' operations.

"With the capacity to support the entire filter portfolio for mining and other process industries, the hub leverages Metso's unmatched expertise in dewatering technology.

Metso's latest hub is equipped to manufacture polymer filter plates for both subassemblies and new equipment from the company and other suppliers, bolstering product development capabilities.

The hub's location allows it to serve the Americas and also other markets, including Asia-Pacific and Africa.

The company's development efforts are concentrated on enhancing product features and incorporating the use of alternative and recycled materials.

The Irapuato facility is part of Metso's broader expansion in the region, which includes rubber, Poly-Met, and screening media factories. Moreover, Metso is increasing its distribution capacity by opening a new distribution centre in the same area.

Metso operates additional filtration technology centres in Finland and China, a dewatering technology centre, and a ceramics filter plate factory in Finland.

The company's filtration portfolio comprises 15 different filter types and services for various applications, with more than 80% of Metso filters being part of the company's Metso Plus portfolio.

In June 2024, Metso awarded a contract to construction company Skanska for building the first phase of its Lokomotion Technology Centre in Tampere, Finland.
Molson Coors Beverage Co. president and CEO Gavin Hattersley plans to leave the US beer major by the end the year.

Hattersley, who has headed the Carling brewer since 2019, will leave both the business and its board by 31 December, a group statement said today (14 April).

Molson Coors said it was starting a search for a new CEO, with internal and external applicants being considered for the post.

The next chief executive will be required "to build on" Hattersley's so-called revitalisation and acceleration plans, through which Molson Coors is looking to continue to "strengthen" its "core brands", "premiumise" the portfolio and "expand beyond beer".

Board chair Geoff Molson said: Gavin has been a steady hand at the wheel as CEO, navigating through incredible challenges that no one could ever have predicted while guiding our company to growth, strengthening our foundation, and setting us up for an even brighter future to come.

Our business today stands on the shoulders of the many generations of the Molson and Coors families who have come before us. Gavin has lived up to their rich legacy, and he will retire having left an indelible mark on our business and the global beer industry.

Hattersley has worked in the beer industry for almost three decades, entering the sector in 1997 at South African Breweries. He also held leadership positions at SABMiller, MillerCoors and Molson Coors.

While working for the Coors Light producer, he was "heavily involved" in developing the MillerCoors US joint venture in 2008 with SABMiller, Molson Coors said, acting as the first CFO of the business and later becoming CEO.

The Madri owner bought SABMiller's stake in the JV in 2015 or $12bn.

In its statement, the company said it achieved "its two highest years of annual net sales revenue and its two highest years of underlying income before income taxes", in the six years Hattersley was at the helm. It said it had also reduced its net debt by 40% in the period.

Under Hattersley, Molson Coors has looked to broaden the range of it drinks it owns and reshaped its existing beer business. At the start of 2020, the company changed its name from Molson Coors Brewing Company to Molson Coors Beverage Company.

The group ventured out into categories, including hard seltzers, spirits and energy drinks. In 2023, Molson Coors snapped up US distiller Blue Run Spirits. Last November, it bought a majority stake in US energy-drinks business Zoa Energy, a firm in which it had first invested in 2021.
French President Emmanuel Macron decided to impress the world with his deep diplomacy by raising the possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a terrible mistake and reminded Macron that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has condemned the October 7 massacre.

Yair Netanyahu, the Israeli prime ministers son, responded to Macrons remarks on Twitter/X with a blunt message: Screw you.

Although Benjamin Netanyahu said he did not approve of the tone, he supported the essence of his son's message.

The irony is that Macron, while advocating for Palestinian independence, is in no hurry to grant the same freedom to Corsica, New Caledonia, or French Guiana. How convenient it is to be a humanist  but only outside your own country.

With each such statement, Macron loses more and more credibility as a peacemaker and increasingly resembles an outside commentator who should have focused on solving his countrys internal problems long ago.
Kevin Carter / Getty Images





Key Takeaways

Beer maker Molson Coors on Monday said CEO Gavin Hattersley plans to retire by the end of 2025.

The company said it is launching a search for a new chief executive, and is considering both internal and external candidates.

Hattersley has served as Molson Coors' CEO for six years.







Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP) on Monday announced that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gavin Hattersley plans to retire by the end of the year after a six-year stint at the helm of the beer giant.

Molson Coors, which will report fiscal first-quarter results on May 8, said it is launching a search for a replacement, and is considering both internal and external candidates.

"Gavin has been a steady hand at the wheel as CEO, navigating through incredible challenges that no one could ever have predicted while guiding our Company to growth, strengthening our foundation, and setting us up for an even brighter future to come," board chair Geoff Molson said.

Shares of Molson Coors edged higher as markets opened Monday. They entered the day up down about 9% over the last 12 months.

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In a heartbreaking scam thats left a Naples couple reeling, two fraudsters tricked the 72-year-old couple into handing over more than $2 million worth of gold.

The ordeal has left the elderly couple shattered. The gold is nearly impossible to trace, making it unlikely they will get their stolen assets back.

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They took money from their accounts and purchased gold, Lt. Bryan McGinn of the Naples Police Department explained to Gulfcoast News Now, Once they had the gold, the fraudsters sent a courier to pick it up, telling the victims that the gold would be safely stored and eventually returned to them.

For several months, the couple was under the impression that the gold was being safely held and stored. Later, they discovered they had been duped and contacted local authorities for help. By then, the fraudsters had vanished with their precious assets.

Couple duped into believing gold was safely stored

According to McGinn, the scam began when the couple was contacted multiple times by the fraudsters.

The scammers claimed they had a warrant for the couples arrest and threatened they would be detained unless they purchased gold and handed it over. They were instructed to buy gold in coins or small bars, with the promise that it would be safely stored and returned later.

Authorities intercepted Soyeb Rana, one of the suspects, as he arrived to pick up gold from the couple. He faces several charges, including conspiracy, scheme to defraud, fleeing and eluding, and possession of marijuana.

This is a sad situation, McGinn said, offering advice to others who might find themselves in similar circumstances. Law enforcement is never going to request money. There's never going to be an exchange of assets for your freedom or anything like that in this country. Just take a second, take a breath, contact local law enforcement. And we dont mind figuring out together whether something is legitimate or not.

The arrest is a step forward in the case, but the recovery of the gold remains unlikely.

With precious metals frauds like this on the rise, here are some tips to keep your assets protected.
Norne Thorning Storage, a Fidelis New Energy company, has been granted an exploration licence for the Thorning structure by the Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities.

The company will soon initiate exploration work programme to assess the structure's suitability for safe and permanent CO storage, potentially enabling storage before 2030.

Norne will operate the Thorning exploration licence in partnership with Nordsfonden, representing the Danish state.

If data confirms the structure's suitability, Norne and Nordsfonden will have the exclusive right to apply for a CO storage licence, pending approval from the Danish Energy Agency (DEA).

Environmental permits and safety requirements must be met before establishing any storage facility.

Norne Climate Impact president Lars Bo Christiansen said: "The exploration work programme has been carefully designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the deep geological structures and their ability to safely and permanently store CO.

"Ross, Norne's Exclusive Subsurface and Wells Partner and their long experience with the subsoil of Denmark has been instrumental in planning the work programme, which includes extensive seismic sensors aerial surveys with minimal environmental impacts, extensive 3D seismic surveys, and exploration and appraisal wells.

The award of the Thorning exploration licence marks a significant milestone for Norne, which has been sponsored by Fidelis New Energy since 2021 and designated as an EU Project of Common Interest by the European Commission in 2023.

This development aligns with the decarbonisation goals of both Denmark and the EU, offering industries a solution to reduce CO emissions.

Exploring and potentially developing geological CO storage is crucial for Denmark's carbon reduction targets for 2030 and beyond.

Norne's discussions with Danish and EU industry players have led to a concept that reduces costs and environmental impact by utilising facilities for both Danish and EU emitters.

The company facilitates multiple CO delivery modes to Thorning, with a receiving terminal at the Port of Aalborg enabling CO reception from Danish, Baltic and European emitters.

Fidelis New Energy co-founder and president Bengt Jarlsjo said: "We look forward to working alongside the DEA and collaborating with Nordsfonden to explore the CO storage potential of the Danish subsoil, with the hope of establishing Thorning as a safe site for CO storage.

"This license award highlights Denmark's leadership in decarbonisation once again, aiding both Danish and European industries in their pursuit of significant carbon emission reductions. Since 2021, we have engaged actively with the Danish Government, local authorities, Port of Aalborg, and industry partners throughout Denmark and Europe.
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images





Key Takeaways

Nvidia on Monday announced plans to build supercomputers entirely in the U.S., with the chipmaker and its partners set to invest up to $500 billion in American AI infrastructure.

The company's supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas, being built in partnership with Foxconn and Wistron, are set to ramp production in the next 12 to 15 months.

Nvidia said its Blackwell chips have already started production at TSMC's Arizona factories.







Nvidia (NVDA) on Monday announced plans to build supercomputers entirely in the U.S., with the chipmaker and its partners set to invest up to $500 billion in American AI infrastructure over the next four years.

The engines of the worlds AI infrastructure are being built in the United States for the first time, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in a release, adding "American manufacturing helps us better meet the incredible and growing demand for AI chips and supercomputers, strengthens our supply chain and boosts our resiliency.

Nvidia said its supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas, being built in partnership with Foxconn and Wistron, are set to ramp production in the next 12 to 15 months.

The chipmaker said its Blackwell chips have already started production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSM) facilities in Arizona.

Nvidia shares were about 1% lower in recent trading, and have fallen about 18% since the start of the year, as concerns about tariffs and other factors have weighed on tech giants.



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President Trump's wish to bring down oil prices has so far gone his way, with crude oil futures hovering near four-year lows.

And some on Wall Street think prices have a lot further to fall before the administration would be motivated to step in to support oil markets the way cascading bond prices may have been the catalyst for a 'Trump put' in the form of a pause on tariffs.

"The price floor is now much lower," wrote JPMorgan head of global commodities strategy Natasha Kaneva and her team on Monday.

"Unlike the Biden administration, which limited downside risk by guiding the refill of the US SPR [Strategic Petroleum Reserve] when WTI prices fell below $70, the Trump administration is actively pursuing lower oil prices, with intervention unlikely unless price drops to $50."

That would imply about a 20% drop in oil prices from current levels, as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices, the US benchmark, hovered near $61 per barrel on Monday. Brent (BZ=F) crude oil, the international benchmark, sat just below $65 a barrel.

Both gauges were down over 14% so far this year as of Monday afternoon.

Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs

Though President Trump said in February the US will fill up the strategic reserve  a move that would increase demand and, in theory, support prices  no specific timeline has been given.

Wall Street analysts have been lowering their price target for crude in recent weeks as demand fears grew out of an escalating trade war sparked by Trump's tariff policy. Prices were also weighed down by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, voting to increase output next month.

On Monday, JPMorgan lowered its year-end average price forecast for Brent to $66 per barrel and WTI to $62. The firm also predicted WTI will dip below $60 a barrel on a monthly average basis starting this August, closing the year at $55.

"US shale producers will bear the brunt of these developments," Kaneva wrote, forecasting a contraction in production in 2026.

President Trump speaks to the reporters on board Air Force One on the way to Miami on April 12, 2025. (Pool via AP)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Industry insiders have also highlighted that the rising cost of drilling is already causing production to plateau after the US produced record amounts of oil last year.

Rig count data for the week ending April 11 showed 567 rigs operating versus 598 in 2024, according to Bake Hughes data.

"Drill, baby, drill ... cannot happen with prices below $70 per barrel simply because US oil patch can't afford that," Ed Hirs, senior fellow at the University of Houston, told Yahoo Finance on Monday.
Its no surprise, then, that dividends have become a central theme in many investors strategies. According to Brian Bollinger, founder of Simply Safe Dividends, focusing on companies that regularly pay dividends can offer a sense of reassurance. He further noted that younger investors, in particular, have the opportunity to build long-term dividend growth portfolios aimed at maximizing total return and capital appreciation over time.

According to S&P Global, companies in the S&P index now contribute roughly 85% of the total dividends paid across the marketup from 82% in 2024. This increase includes 2.7% of the total dividend pool coming from firms that only recently began issuing dividends. The top 29 companies in the index alone are responsible for 40% of all dividends paid by the indexs constituents and 35% of the total dividends across the entire US equity market. Under the current base-case forecast, these leading firms are expected to distribute a combined $280 billion in dividends. In a more optimistic (upside) scenario, that figure could climb by 2.75% to $288 billion, with major large cap companies projected to deliver the most significant gains by weighted average. If the most favorable (bull-case) conditions materialize, these 29 companies could boost total dividend payouts by an estimated 4.5%, contributing an additional 1% themselves.

This outlook seems reasonable, especially when considering how crucial cash flow has become in todays economic environment. Investors continue to favor income-generating assets, and dividends remain one of the most reliable ways to deliver that income. Reflecting this trend, several companies within the market have recently introduced dividend payments.

Dividend-paying stocks have consistently attracted investor interest due to their long-term value. CNBC highlights this by examining the historical performance of the broader market. Between 1960 and 2024, a $10,000 investment in the index would have grown to over $982,000 purely from stock price appreciation, based on data from FactSet and NYU Stern. However, many companies in the index also returned capital to shareholders through dividends. Had an investor reinvested those dividends over the years, the investment would have ballooned to approximately $6.42 million by the beginning of 2025.

We recently published a list of the 11 Best Dividend Paying Stocks According to Hedge Funds . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) stands against other best dividend-paying stocks.

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According to Nuveen, companies that focus on dividend growth tend to possess strong long-term fundamentals and may deliver relatively attractive performance in the year ahead. Historically, firms that consistently increased or initiated dividend payments have produced higher annualized returns and exhibited lower volatility compared to the broader equity market. While such companies may not lead in every market environment, their favorable risk-adjusted returns over extended periods make them a solid foundation for equity portfolios.

Nuveen also suggested that many firms remain in a strong position to continue raising dividends over time. In the US, corporate balance sheets are generally healthy, consumer spending remains steady, and earnings growth is projected to pick up pace in 2025. Data from FactSet shows that dividends per share for the S&P index rose by 7.6% in 2024, with consensus forecasts pointing to a further 4.2% increase in 2025. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Oracle Corporation (ORCL): Among the Best Dividend Paying Stocks According to Hedge Funds

A team of IT professionals meticulously crafting a large-scale enterprise performance management system.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we scanned Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds, as of the close of Q4 2024. From the top 60 companies, we selected 11 dividend stocks with yields of at least 1% as of April 12. These companies show strong financial performance and have solid records of paying dividends. The stocks are ranked according to the number of hedge funds having stakes in them.

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).

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 105

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) ranks fifth on our list of the best dividend-paying stocks according to hedge funds. The Texas-based multinational computer technology company develops and markets software applications, including its flagship Oracle Database. In fiscal Q3 2025, the company posted a revenue of $14.13 billion, marking a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Its cloud business, which includes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), brought in $6.2 billionup 23% year-over-year in US dollars. Notably, IaaS revenue alone surged 49% to $2.7 billion.

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) has formed cloud partnerships with top tech names like OpenAI, xAI, Meta, NVIDIA, and AMD. Backed by a hefty $130 billion sales backlog, Oracle expects to achieve 15% total revenue growth in the upcoming fiscal year starting June.

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) also delivered strong cash generation, reporting $20.7 billion in operating cash flow and $5.8 billion in free cash flow over the past 12 months. It finished the quarter with $17.4 billion in cash and equivalents. On March 10, the company announced a 25% increase to its quarterly dividend, raising it to $0.50 per share. Having consistently paid dividends since 2009, Oracle continues to rank among the most reliable dividend stocks. The stock supports a dividend yield of 1.51%, as of April 12.

Overall, ORCL ranks 5th on our list of the best dividend paying stocks according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of ORCL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued dividend stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued dividend stock that is more promising than ORCL but that trades at 10 times its earnings and grows its earnings at double digit rates annually, check out our report about the dirt cheap dividend 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.
These discussions exclude the executive management team but encompass all other personnel at the company.

Initial projections from Spinnova suggest that the outcomes of these talks could result in a reshuffling of teams and roles, alongside potential temporary and permanent staff reductions, with an estimated maximum of 35 employees affected.

Currently, Spinnova maintains a workforce of 56 permanent members.

The company projects that the proposed restructuring could yield annual savings of around 2.6m ($2.95m). The finer details regarding the scale and focus of the possible job cuts will be determined throughout the negotiation process.

The negotiation process is scheduled to commence on 23 April 2025, with expectations to reach a conclusion by no earlier than 4 June.

Following the decision-making process, any resulting actions are anticipated to be enacted at the earliest opportunity, but no later than 31 December 2025.

On 28 February, Spinnova launched a strategic evaluation which is expected to be finalised within the upcoming months. The company intends to communicate updates to the market, including any revisions to financial guidance, at an appropriate time.

This initiation of change negotiations follows a recent decision by Spinnova's board of directors to appoint Janne Poranen, the company founder and existing board chair, as chief executive officer (CEO).

Poranen is given the role to oversee all operations within the Spinnova Group and lead the management team while maintaining his position as board chair.

Earlier in the month, Spinnova announced its intention to begin negotiations with all employees at Woodspin, a joint venture it equally owned with Suzano.

"Spinnova aims 35 job cuts for 2.6m annual savings in organisational review" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




Wednesday, April 9, 2025, will go down in stock market history. With a 9.5% rise, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) posted its third-best day ever going back to the index's inception in 1957, putting one year's worth of gains into a single trading session. Stocks soared after the Trump administration backed down from aggressive tariffs against every country except China (although tariffs on imports from China are now a whopping 145%).

But the S&P 500 dropped the following day, and was up slightly on Friday. No one knows what the next few weeks will look like -- and the past doesn't predict the future -- but my bet is that the volatile markets will continue.

While you might have cheered the massive up day in your portfolio, history says that more bleak days may be ahead. Here's why huge one-day rallies actually tend to be bearish indicators, not bullish, for the stock market.

Historical record on bear market rallies

Looking at the top 10 up days for the S&P 500, you'll notice they happened in 1987, 2008, and 2020. These massive up days all occurred in years with vicious bear markets. These are known as bear market rallies, and are a consistent theme throughout any stock market drawdown. Although we are not officially in a bear market for the S&P 500 as of this writing, the S&P 500 is close to hitting the 20% drop from a recent high that would trigger an official declaration. Violent upswings combined with big down days add up to stressful volatility -- the CBOE Volatility Index (VOLATILITYINDICES: ^VIX) is up 150% year to date in 2025 -- and can cause irrational decision-making.

While some bear market rallies signal the end of pain, most of the time it means we're in the middle of the whipsaw. A bear market lasts, on average, a little less than a year. I can't say for certain whether the market will hit new lows in 2025, but with the stock market drawdown beginning barely over a month ago, it looks more likely than not that more pain is ahead for the S&P 500 in 2025.

Why bear markets have huge up days

Now we know that bear markets have some of the biggest one-day rallies in market history. But why? Understanding this can help us all better manage our portfolios through market cycles, and know what's normal market behavior.

Bear market rallies come back to the reason a bear market starts in the first place: panic. Stocks usually don't fall for no reason. A narrative may start to build up on Wall Street, or a catalyst may arrive -- such as the Trump administration's tariff proposals on imports to the United States -- that will cause sharp cost increases for many publicly listed companies. Aggressive traders pounce on this narrative and start short-selling. If you are short a stock, you can make money if its price falls.
We recently published a list of Top 10 Stocks in Ken Griffins Portfolio to Buy According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) stands against other top stocks in Ken Griffins portfolio to buy according to analysts.

Ken Griffin is one billionaire investor wary of the negative impact of US President Donald Trumps combative approach to trade policy. Aggressive trade tariffs in the push to try and settle trade imbalances between the US and other nations have sent shockwaves in the equity markets. Likewise, Griffin believes the damage has already been done, given that the broader equity market has already pulled back significantly since Trump assumed office on January 20, 2025.

From my vantage point, the bombastic rhetoric, the damage has already been done, Griffin said Tuesday at the UBS Financial Services Conference in Key Biscayne, Florida. Its a huge mistake to resort to this form of rhetoric when youre trying to drive a bargain because  it tears into the minds of CEOs, policymakers that we cant depend upon America, as our trading partner.

The billionaire hedge fund managers remarks followed Trumps signing of an order imposing 25% import duties on steel and aluminum. According to Ken Griffin, Trumps trade policies have the potential to affect long-term investments for multinational companies. Companies are increasingly slowing down their investments, especially abroad, worried about the long-term impact of trade tariffs.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Growth Stocks in David Teppers Portfolio and Billionaire Ken Fishers Top 13 Growth Stock Picks.

It makes it difficult for multinationals, in particular, to think about how to plan for the next five, 10, 15, 20 years, particularly when it comes to long lead time capital investments that could be adversely impacted by a degradation of the current terms of engagement as amongst the leading Western countries when it comes to terms and trade, he said.

The remarks come on the Fed opting to go slow on interest rate cuts for the second straight meeting after conducting three consecutive rate reductions beginning September 2024. The central bank opted to maintain the benchmark rate at 4.5%, wary of inflation ticking higher amid the ongoing trade war between the US and other countries.

According to the US central bank, GDP growth will slow in 2025, and core inflation will be higher. This partially reflects the anticipated effects of the retaliatory actions and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. The US central bank is going slow on interest rate cuts, and the warning of a potential economic growth slowdown has rattled the equity markets.
Fitch Ratings has warned that a potential increase in US tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, the European Union and China would place downward pressure on revenue growth and profitability across multiple sectors, with the global automotive industry among the most exposed.

According to Fitch, the impact of the proposed tariffs will depend primarily on the level of direct trade exposure, though second-order effects  particularly a slowdown in global economic growth  will also weigh on sector performance.

Automotive manufacturers and suppliers are expected to face significant disruption due to cross-border production networks and trade dependencies. US and European carmakers rely heavily on components and finished vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico.

Increased tariffs would expose them to higher input costs and operational delays. Fitch has revised its 2025 forecast for light vehicle sales downward by 300,000 units each for the US and Europe, citing the anticipated economic headwinds.

Picture Credit: Fitch Ratings

Asian manufacturers, particularly from Japan and South Korea, will also be affected due to their dependence on US vehicle sales and their limited manufacturing presence in the country.

In contrast, Chinese automakers are expected to face a smaller direct impact given their minimal export volumes to the US market. However, supply chain disruptions across the sector will still be widespread.

Mexican auto suppliers and industrial firms are particularly vulnerable due to their high level of integration with US manufacturing operations. The imposition of new tariffs would lead to increased production costs and pressure on margins.

Broader sector risks extend to technology hardware and chemicals, which, like automotive, are deeply reliant on global supply chains. Fitch noted that European and Asian technology hardware firms export a significant share of their output to the US.

The imposition of tariffs would make it difficult to reallocate supply to alternative markets and would likely raise costs for US-based production as firms seek to offset the effects of the trade measures.

While a full decoupling of US-China trade in high-tech sectors is viewed as unlikely, given Chinas role in the supply of components such as circuit boards, displays and rare earths, any shift in trade policy would still disrupt nearshoring efforts and increase costs for companies operating in Mexico.

For chemicals, European and Chinese producers stand to lose from diminished access to the US market and limited alternative demand, particularly in China, where growth in domestic consumption remains weak. Specialty chemical supply chains, which often depend on Chinese producers for critical raw materials and intermediates, are especially exposed.
Eight Pakistani nationals were brutally murdered in Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province, allegedly by an anti-Pakistan terrorist group, reports said Saturday.

According to reports, all eight Pakistani nationals were killed this morning in the village of Hazabad, located in the Mehrstan district of Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province, approximately 100 kilometers from the Pakistan-Iran border, deep inside Iranian territory.

Sources said the victims were residents of Bhawalpur district in southern Punjab. The incident took place in the village of Hasabad Payin in the Iranian district of Mehrestan of the Iranian province of Balochistan and Sistan. The unknown attackers who were more than a dozen managed to escape from the scene after the attack.
(Reuters) - India and the United States have finalised the terms of reference for the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement to be concluded late this year, with a view to reaching bilateral trade worth $500 billion by 2030.

Virtual and in-person trade talks are set to continue over coming weeks and months, with India's restrictions on farm goods one of the thorny areas. Here are some of the issues at the heart of negotiations between New Delhi and Washington.

CONCERNS OVER STAPLES

India is resisting U.S. pressure to lower tariffs on staples like rice and wheat, while signalling its willingness to cut tariffs on other farm goods such as almonds, cranberries, quinoa, oatmeal, pistachio, and walnuts.

Still, corn and soybeans are expected to feature in the negotiations, with the United States eager to sell these two agricultural products to India.

India needs corn to boost ethanol production, but its regulations prohibit ethanol made from imported grains. Additionally, while India does not allow genetically modified (GM) food crops, and the U.S. primarily grows GM corn.

The U.S. is trying to push India to import corn, arguing that ethanol made from it would be used only for blending with gasoline, without seeping into Indian agriculture.

India imports small quantities of non-GM soybeans, and the United States wants New Delhi to permit imports of American soybeans.

The United States is also keen to export animal feed to India.

TARIFF BARRIERS

Washington has raised concerns about India's average applied tariff rate of 39% on farm goods, with duties as high as 45% on vegetables oils and around 50% on apples and corn.

The United States believes India's high tariff rates are a major trade barrier for U.S. agricultural and processed food exports such as poultry, potatoes, citrus, almonds, pecans, apples, grapes, canned peaches, chocolate, cookies and frozen French fries.

In 2024, U.S. exports of farm and allied goods to India totalled nearly $2 billion, while India's farm exports to the United States were worth around $5.5 billion.

India's food and beverage market, growing at an average annual rate of around 10%, is expected to reach nearly $550 billion by 2028, attracting increased interest from U.S. companies.

NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

Washington has urged India to remove non-tariff barriers such as quantitative restrictions on imports of protein-rich pulse varieties, import licence requirements and overall regulations on imports. It also expressed concerns about India's sanitary and phytosanitary rules for food imports.
UK-based spirits business Distil has agreed a new partnership with distributor Aiko Importers to relaunch Blavod Black Vodka in the US.

The deal marks its re-entry into the US market.

Blavod was first sold in the US "in the early 2000s" through a joint venture with Extreme Spirits, executive chairman Don Goulding told Just Drinks.

Distribution then switched to Kanetz Alcohol Imports Company, operating as Drink Dogg, around 2015. The group distributed the Blavod brand in the US until the Covid pandemic, when it itself stopped trading.

Distil was unable to confirm when exactly during the pandemic that Blavod left the US market.

Distribution of Blavod to the US should start before the end of the company's first quarter, which runs to the end of June.

The brand will be sold mostly in the off-trade sector to begin with, "before moving into the on-trade", Goulding said.

When asked why Distil had decided to re-enter the US with Blavod now, Goulding said the size of the vodka category in the country "represents a big opportunity for the brand".

He added: "Having previously had success in the market, we receive regular requests from consumers seeking it out and so have been seeking the right distributor to re-establish and grow the brand in the right places, and in the right way.

"We view this as a good time to re-enter the market as, while lots of brands are affected by the uncertainty, we have a clear proposition and support behind the brand to make an impact."

Commenting on the potential impact of US tariffs on its business in the US, Goulding said Distil was "assuming that the tariffs will remain in place for the foreseeable future".

He added: "Current levels are manageable, with a benefit across the supply chain should they be lifted."

The London-headquartered group, which also produces RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin, does not sell its other brands in the US, but Goulding said the business had "ambitions to expand in this market, particularly with the likes of our Blackwoods Scottish gin and vodka range".

In a trading update filed on the London Stock Exchange last month, Distil pointed to focusing on exports over the next three years, and "opening new markets" such as the US and key emerging markets for core brands.

Within the same filing, Distil announced plans to launch a strategic review of the company in order "to stabilise the business and drive long-term shareholder value.

Considerations in the process could involve exit options for non-core brands and the potential sale of unused intellectual property, as well as looking for near-term funding, Distil said at the time in the trading update.
Luxury watches retailer Watches of Switzerland has announced the impending closure of 16 of its showrooms in the UK, placing several positions in jeopardy, according to a report from the BBC.

Watches of Switzerland is giving staff assurances that it will reassign them wherever feasible within the organisation, which currently employs 709 people in support service roles.

The company has expressed its commitment to its workforce, stating: "...our priority [is] to support all affected colleagues."

In the most recent financial year, the group expanded with 22 new showrooms, renovated 15 and acquired a further 15 through the acquisition of jeweller Ernest Jones.

A Watches of Switzerland statement was quoted by the BBC: "We continually assess our operations to remain as efficient and productive as possible. Whilst we intend to continue growing our showroom estate organically and by acquisition, following a recent review, we have regrettably made the difficult decision to close 16 showrooms in the UK.

We have also reviewed our support services to ensure we are operating in the most efficient and productive way to power our retail growth and are regrettably proposing that circa 40 roles will be at risk of redundancy."

The specific locations of the showrooms affected have not been disclosed.

The development follows the opening of a new flagship Rolex boutique by the retailer on Old Bond Street in Mayfair, London in March 2025.

Watches of Switzerland is headquartered at Carlton Park in King Edward Avenue, Leicestershire and operates 155 UK showrooms.

As of 26 January 2025, the retailer operated a total of 217 showrooms across the UK, the US and Europe, including 95 mono-brand boutiques dedicated to specific brands.

The companys latest trading update in February 2025 revealed satisfactory performance during the holiday season in both the UK and US markets. This performance contributed to a third-quarter fiscal year 2025 outcome that met expectations.

Watches of Switzerland Group maintains confidence in achieving its financial targets for the fiscal year 2025.

"Watches of Switzerland to shut 16 UK stores, risking 40 jobs" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




After Palantir (PLTR) announced on March 25 that it had made a deal to provide NATO with an AI system meant to boost the alliance's fighting prowess, Wedbush's Dan Ives believes that the news is meaningfully positive for PLTR stock.

The prominent analyst kept a $120 price target and an Outperform rating on the shares.

Why Ives Is Excited About the Deal

The analyst thinks that the agreement, which will enhance NATO's data management, intelligence usage, and decision making, is a major achievement for the company, as it suggests that the firm continues to be viewed positively by Washington. In particular, PLTR's prowess in AI continues to be appreciated by the U.S. government, according to Ives.

Moreover, PLTR is executing well and is likely to benefit from strong demand for help in implementing AI systems, the analyst contended.

Indeed, Ives expects PLTR to get a significant lift from "a tidal wave" of federal expenditures on AI.

The Recent Price Action of PLTR Stock

In the last month, the shares have climbed 6%, while they have surged 43% in the last three months and 323% in the last 12 months.

While we acknowledge the potential of PLTR, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. 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 PLTR 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.
Chinas suspension of critical rare earth minerals exports to the US could become a major headache for US companies, particularly automakers like Tesla (TSLA), GM (GM), and Rivian (RIVN).

Per the New York Times and Reuters, China ordered restrictions on exports of six rare earth metals that are only refined within the country on April 4. The metals, along with rare earth magnets, are used in everything from autos to aerospace products, with rare earth metals in particular used in magnets for EV motors. The suspension comes after President Trump ratcheted up his trade war with China with enhanced tariffs on April 2.

Many of the metal shipments are stuck at ports in China, awaiting new instructions from the Chinese government on the special export permit process needed to ship the materials out. Currently no guidance is in place, per the reports.

Rare earth mine in Baiyun'ebo or Bayan Obo, a mining town in Inner Mongolia in China. The mines north of town are one the largest deposits of rare earth metals found in the world. (Bert van Dijk via Getty Images)  Bert van Dijk via Getty Images

China produces 99% of the worlds supply of rare earth minerals and 90% of the rare earth magnets.

It is important to be aware that there is a big difference between China requiring export licenses as compared to a ban on exports. China has announced export license requirements on critical minerals before but in many cases there werent any actual signs of declining import volumes, countered Daniel Pickard, chair of the International Trade practice at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, to Yahoo Finance. Pickard is also chair of the critical minerals advisory committee for the Office of the US Trade Representative.

Pickard also believes China's move is more of a "political message" and that exports may not actually decrease.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents several automakers on trade and industry-related issues, did not immediately respond for comment.

Chinas ban on rare earth exports to the US slows access to a number of minerals crucial to modern vehicle production, said manufacturing expert Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to Yahoo Finance. Minerals such as yttrium and dysprosium are important for electric vehicle manufacturing as key ingredients for batteries and motors. Other minerals could slow production of smaller motors, speakers, camera lenses, and LEDs, which are used in auto production as well.

Reuters reported that several Chinese rare earth sellers have declared force majeure (a legal term that means "superior force") on their contracts with overseas buyers, meaning they claim they cannot fulfill their commitments due to forces outside their control.

Top US EV manufacturers like Tesla, GM, Rivian, and Ford (F) are deeply exposed, as they assemble many motors for their vehicles in the US. Conversely, rivals like European, Japanese, and, to a lesser extent, Chinese manufacturers will benefit from their access to these important resources only available from China.
A state program, known as the Great Colorado Payback, aims to reunite people with lost items. From gold bars to expensive jewels - the Colorado State Treasurer keeps the items safe, and has reunited over $675 million in valuables with their rightful owners.
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The bill that backers hope will kickstart affordable condominium construction in Colorado passed its first major test on Tuesday, with strong bipartisan support from the House Transportation, Local Government, and Housing Committee.
A group of Greek naval cadets has been disciplined following an internal investigation into their chanting of anti-Turkiye slogans during Greeces March 25 Independence Day parade in Athens. The inquiry, which lasted three weeks, concluded with disciplinary actions against those involved, according to Greek media reports.

While no cadets were expelled, those found most responsible received 20-day detention sentences, and others were given lighter punishments.

The incident, involving naval trainees shouting offensive slogans against Turkiye during the national celebration, provoked a strong reaction from Ankara.

Officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the chants, calling them unacceptable and accusing them of undermining efforts to normalize Turkish-Greek relations. They described the slogans as impertinent and confirmed that a formal explanation was requested from Greek authorities.

Meanwhile, Greek government officials sought to distance themselves from the incident. One unnamed official stated that "strength is not demonstrated through slogans," signaling disapproval of the cadets' actions.
The Colorado Supreme Court last week adopted new rules for applicants to receive disability-based accommodations when taking the standardized test to become an attorney or legal paraprofessional, but advocates for revamping the process remained concerned about the hurdles to doing so.
American authorities returned a decorated Fort Carson Army veteran and also a convicted felon to Colorado this weekend, the latest stop on the former soldier's criss-crossed deportation trail.

Jose Barco's arrival to Auroras U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center on Sunday afternoon put yet another question mark on nearly three months of uncertainty for the ex-soldier, during which ICE transferred him eight times across three states.

An immigration attorney working pro bono has filed a motion in U.S. Immigration Court on Friday afternoon to ask that an immigration judge review his case.

Barco was taken into custody in January after being released on parole after 15 years for good behavior from a 40-year prison sentence  he had been convicted for shooting into a crowd and hitting a pregnant woman.

His wife, Tia Barco, who in 12 weeks has become somewhat of an expert in immigration law, was afraid to feel any emotion "after the constant chaos" of the last 80-plus days, she said.

"I'm just numb," she told The Denver Gazette in a text.

Ironically, it was not politicians or news stories or even his family's intervention that put the reins on Barco's deportation. It was the Venezuelan immigration agents  apparently, they didn't want him in their country.

Thinking he had stood on U.S. soil for the last time, Barco was flown from the Harlingen, Texas airport on April 3 to Honduras with a group of around 30 Venezuelans, he told his wife.

There, a plane stood by to take them to the city of Maiquetia in central Venezuela.

However, Venezuelan officials wanted nothing to do with Barco and turned him away, suspicious of his Cuban dialect, Barco told his wife. They also questioned his birth certificate as possibly fake.

According to his family, Barco  with only the clothes on his back and a few pieces of ICE-issued underwear in a plastic bag  was sent through the line and rejected at least three times. In the end, he was flown back to Harlingen.

It's unclear what the United States will do next to the man who served time for a violent felony conviction and, thus, subject to deportation but who also earned a Purple Heart while serving his country.

Barco was born in Venezuela to Cuban parents fleeing the Castro regime. When the Barco family was given asylum in Miami, their youngest child, Jose, was four years old.

Tia Barco described it best.

He is an orphaned man, she said.

Barco told her that when Venezuelan officials found out that he had no family or friends in Venezuela, they laughed and said he definitely didnt want to end up there.

After the rejection by Venezuela, Barco was sent to the El Valle Detention Center in Raymondville, Texas. A week later, he spent the night in Alexandria, Louisiana, and on Sunday was flown back to the Aurora ICE detention facility, the same place ICE agents dropped him off nearly three months ago after picking him up from the Colorado Department of Corrections prison.

Barco was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 50-plus years for firing into a crowd and hitting a pregnant woman.

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He is not an American citizen, though he applied for citizenship right after Independence Day in 2006, according to recently unearthed information from a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services report.

On July 6, 2006, Mr. Barco filed an Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services," the report said.

Its unclear if his paperwork was processed or approved, but he was told by the Army while he was in Baghdad where he served during the "surge" that his application was lost. Instead of giving the oath he prepared for, he could only watch as another soldier was sworn in as an American citizen to the applause and back-claps of his comrades.

His family hopes that a motion filed Friday afternoon in U.S. immigration court is the reason he has been returned to Colorado. The motion is a request to reopen an immigration judges jurisdiction to make a decision on his removal or release.

Barco decided to waive his appeal on Feb. 12 and a Colorado immigration judge ordered him deported. The former gunners family believes that an untreated traumatic brain injury has left him incapable of making important decisions. He still has migraines and sensitivity to light and sound, and he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, which was also never medically treated.

Barcos is one of several high-profile cases tied to President Donald Trumps plan to implement mass deportations that have woven through the federal courts.

As of March 13, nearly 33,000 people had been arrested since Trump took office, according to the Department of Homeland Security's website.

Of those, more than 14,000 were convicted criminals, nearly 1,000 have pending charges, and only two, including Barco, are veterans with criminal backgrounds. Both men have not yet been deported.

Additionally, two veterans currently on humanitarian parole have received notices of parole revocation, according to Danitza James, an Iraq combat veteran who is president of Repatriate Our Patriots and chair of the League of Latin American Citizens Subcommittee on Deported Veterans.

For Jose, going from place-to-place without real answers has been not just destabilizing, its been heartbreaking, said James. He was a man without a country for most of his life until the day he joined the U.S. Army.

Barco, who signed up for service at the age of 17 at the beginning of the Iraq War, was a private with the Charlie Company of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Division  a group of 500 soldiers who were the subjects of a documentary that detailed the trauma of the war-affected returning soldiers.

The battalion accounted for half of Fort Carsons combat losses.

Barco earned a Purple Heart for lifting a suicide vehicle, which exploded off of two men before he realized he was on fire himself. He eventually earned the rank of sergeant. Barco was honorably discharged in 2008 and was diagnosed with PTSD and a Traumatic Brain Injury after two tours during some of the most violent battles of the Iraq War.

After he returned to Fort Carson, he was on half-a-dozen medications plus alcohol. He shot into a crowd hitting a pregnant woman in the leg during a party in Colorado Springs and was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to more than 50 years. The sentence was later amended to 40 years.

Barco spent 15 years in prison, where he taught Math and English to other inmates and was paroled early for good behavior. The parol board noted that his crime was tied to his war experience.

He served his country and he served his time, but for James and a group of family and friends, this latest U-turn to Colorado could mean weeks more of waiting for inevitable deportation or freedom.

"It's like a form of double jeopardy," James said. "He wore our uniform, fought our wars and yet when he stumbled, like many do, he was cast out instead of helped up."
Jim Romanello, who served on Monuments Town Council since 2018, died Saturday, Mayor Mitch LaKind said Sunday. Romanello was 60 years old.

The cause of death was not immediately released.

Over the years, I came to deeply respect his commitment to public service, his thoughtful leadership, and his unwavering dedication to the people of Monument, LaKind posted on social media.

Romanello celebrated his birthday a few weeks ago and was feted by more than 100 friends and family members, a testament to the impact he had on so many lives, LaKind wrote.

All flags at municipal buildings will be lowered to half-staff through Thursday in honor of Romanellos life and service, officials said.

Jim will be missed, not only as a council member but as a friend, LaKind wrote.

Romanello worked as a financial adviser and was a small business owner. During the pandemic, he served as the towns liaison to the county government to help bring economic assistance to Monuments small businesses. In 2022, he ran unsuccessfully for mayor.

Jim was a valued colleague, a dedicated public servant, and a committed member of our community who brought passion and thoughtfulness to his role on the Town Council, town officials said in a news release.

On behalf of the entire Town Council and staff, we extend our deepest condolences to Jims loved ones. His contributions to Monument will not be forgotten, and we join our community in mourning his loss.
New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, has emphasized the importance of the United States maintaining an active role in the Indo-Pacific region. During a visit to Hawaii, Peters described the relationship between New Zealand and the US as a strategic partnership built on mutual respect for each nation's independent foreign policy and national interests.

In remarks released by the New Zealand government, Peters noted that both countries are committed to promoting prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He reaffirmed New Zealands intention to continue collaborating closely with Washington and expressed readiness to work with the incoming Trump administration.

New Zealand not only welcomes but depends on a committed and constructive US presence in the Indo-Pacific, Peters stated.

He also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 18. Following the meeting, Peters remarked that the USNew Zealand relationship remains solid and resilient.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold visits with attendees at the state Democratic Partys annual fundraising dinner on April 1, 2023, in Denver. Griswold announced on April 7 that she was running for the partys 2026 nomination for attorney general.
News agencies play an essential role in upholding democratic societies, said Alexandru Ion Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), in an interview with ANA-MPAwebTV, Azernews reports.

News agencies protect democracies through their activity. They don't need to do anything else than be ethical, follow the principles of journalism, and provide trustworthy and accurate news, he noted. Misinformation is that thing that disallows us from taking the best decisions for ourselves, said Giboi, addressing the growing threat of false or misleading content in the digital space. It makes it difficult for people to decide for themselves for the better.

Giboi emphasized the need for media consumers to take a proactive role in verifying the information they consume. What we need to do is look for trustworthy news. We need to verify. We need to have a critical eye. We have to be able to interpret what we read. That's very complicated, at least from the public side, he noted.

At the heart of EANAs mission is the creation of a sustainable environment for news agencies to operate across the continent. Our goal is to allow news agencies in Europe to function in a healthy business environment, Giboi explained. By that, I mean allowing them access to knowledge, allowing them an interface with the European institutions, a voice at the European level, and, you know, sharing best practices.

He also stressed that the work of professional news agencies is fundamental to preserving Europes core democratic values. Free media, free journalism, freedom of speech are at the basis of the European values, said Giboi. And this is what news agencies, professional, trustworthy news agencies, are doing.

EANA, which brings together leading news agencies across the continent, has been advocating for stronger collaboration among media institutions, as well as deeper engagement with European policymakers to ensure that journalism remains resilient and independent in the face of economic and political pressures.
A graduate student at Montana State University was set to defend her final research paper in four days and graduate from her master's program in early May. Now shes suing the federal government to allow her to complete the final days of her studies.

This student is one of two graduate students at MSU who filed a lawsuit Monday after they had their F-1 student visas revoked by the federal government last week. The other is a Ph.D. candidate in electrical engineering and physics who has been working towards his advanced degree for six years and is set to graduate in December.

These students, who remain anonymous in court filings, are two of the hundreds of students nationwide who had their visas revoked in recent weeks as part of an immigration crackdown by the Trump Administration.

Without proper visas, international students become undocumented and are required to leave the United States or face arrest or deportation. The federal government is also encouraging some students to self-deport instead of challenging these decisions in court.

The two Bozeman-based plaintiffs are being represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) of Montana, and they are suing Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.

In the complaint, the attorneys claim the federal government violated the students constitutional right to due process and a federal law that governs how government agencies conduct their business. Attorneys are requesting a pause in the immigration proceedings for the time being and are asking the court to reinstate the students visa status.

Because both students work jobs tied to their studies, the visa revocation also makes them ineligible to receive income from those jobs.

The requested emergency relief would restore Plaintiffs ability to safely remain in the United States so that they can complete their degreessomething they have spent years working towardsand any associated employment and training programs a necessity in supporting their livelihoods, the complaint reads. By contrast, Defendants can advance no substantial interest in terminating Plaintiffs F-1 student status.

There were also two other students  one at University of Montana and another at MSU  who had their F-1 visas revoked last week. While the Trump Administration is cracking down on immigration and rescinding hundreds of student visas nationwide, they appear to be the first Montana-based students to have had their visas nixed.

Interim Deputy Director of the ACLU of Montana, Alex Rate, explained the ACLU is representing these two students because they reached out to the organization about legal representation.

The F-1 visa allows noncitizens to enter the United States as full-time students at certain approved education institutions. In order to qualify, applicants must fulfill certain criteria, including English proficiency (or be taking courses to that effect), and get approval from ICE, among other requirements.

It remains unclear why these four students were chosen to have their status rescinded, and the federal government offered little in explanation. In other states, some have been targeted because of criminal offenses or participation in protests.

Dan Carter, the director of communications for Montana State University Billings, said none of their 58 international students this semester, who come from 28 different countries, have had their visas revoked.

Spokespersons for Carroll College, Montana Western and Montana Tech did not immediately respond to questions Monday about whether any of their students had visas revoked in recent weeks.

As for the two plaintiffs, the ACLU said they have no criminal convictions and have never participated in any protest in the United States or elsewhere.

The physics Ph.D. student, who is referred to as John Roe in the court filing, is a citizen of Iran. Roe was granted his visa in 2016; it is not set to expire until August 2026, according to the filing. The other plaintiff, a citizen of Turkey who is referred to as Jane Doe in the court documents, is days away from defending her masters thesis and graduating from the program after more than three years of graduate studies.

Following the revocation of their visas, both are no longer eligible to work their university jobs, stripping them both of their only sources of income, the court filing explained. Whats more, Roes sister is a student in Colorado also relies on him for financial assistance.

This sudden disruption has made him feel vulnerable and anxious, not only about his immediate situation but also about the stability and direction of his life in the years to come, the complaint reads. Roes entire academic and professional identity is rooted in the path he built in the United States, and the possibility of losing that is devastating.

The ACLU suit referenced a case out of New Hampshire in which a Ph. D. candidate at Dartmouth had his student visa revoked without a clear explanation. He also sued the federal government, similarly claiming a lack of due process. A judge recently granted a stay in the case, allowing the student to continue his studies for the time being.

Montana State News Bureau Reporter Carly Graf contributed to this report.
DECATUR  Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.

Claire Tozer, a former scout from Decatur Troop 3274, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts, for her mural in a local pre-school and two little free libraries she made and supplied.

Now in college at the Western Illinois University, Tozer credits the scouts for her current success.

Its an amazing experience, the college freshman said. It gave me so many tools, and so many friends that honestly helped me throughout middle, high school, and even through some of college.

Tozer is one of six scouts to earn the 2025 Gold Award from Girl Scouts in Central Illinois. Together, these young women have devoted over 500 hours of service to causes they are passionate about, proving they are committed to making their communities  and the world  a better place, Katrina Steubinger, marketing manager for Girls Scouts of Central Illinois, said in a news release.

According to Steubinger, to earn the award high school-aged girls demonstrate their leadership and create a significant and sustainable positive change in a community.

Gold Award Girl Scouts address the root cause of a problem, plan and implement innovative solutions to drive lasting change, and lead a team of people to success, she said. All while learning essential skills that prepare them for all aspects of life.

Tozer said she learned she could become an effective leader when it is necessary.

I am usually too nervous to step up and take the reins on any project, but I learned that as long as I can muster up the courage to do it, leading is almost natural to me, she said.

Tozers mural took approximately two years to complete, from the planning stages to the finished result. I finished it right before I went off to college, Tozer said.

#TogetherDecatur Do you know a person or of a story that exemplifies the best of Decatur? Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983 or dbeckett@herald-review.com.

Images on the mural include pairs of animals walking to Noahs Ark. The name of each animal is painted near the pair. They can learn to associate words with pictures, Tozer said.

Tozer became a Girl Scout in third grade. Im still friends with the majority of the girls I grew up in scouts with, she said.

She participated in a similar community project as a Girl Scout in middle school. We did a stuffed toy drive for dogs and donated them to shelters, Tozer said.

The project earned the scout a Bronze award.

Director Jamie Stanzioni and the rest of St. Pauls Early Learning Center staff enjoy the colorful mural almost as much as the children. Its right at the kids level, she said. The kids talk about them all the time.

The mural is another opportunity to learn colors, letters and animals. You can tell them to line up next to the pink flamingo or the tall giraffe, Stanzioni said. Its a great learning experience.

Tozers second project, the little free libraries, were built by the scout and a group of volunteers. The wooden boxes hold donated books that are free for children to take home.

The ideas for both projects came from her love of reading and art. A big part of my project was being able to give children access to books they didnt need to pay for, and being able to learn how to read in a fun kind of way, Tozer said. I cant imagine any kids not having those resources.

The little libraries are located at the St. Pauls Early Learning Center and the Unity Christian School. The schools have instructions on the importance of how to fill the little libraries.

The little libraries are filled with donated books as well as books Tozer received through a book drive she hosted at her school.

Tozer learned early in the process the mural was going to be popular among the kids. While she was painting, Tozer would be approached by the smiling children. Their faces would just light up, she said. All I would be doing is just writing on the walls.

Creating both the mural and the libraries helped develop leadership, the college student pointed out. She had several people help with the projects, including those with carpentry skills and others who could paint the large animals.

The Gold Award has motivated Tozer to continue what she has learned from her scouting experience. It empowered me to do something, whether its about a problem or an issue, that I really took to heart, she said.
Coffee economy thrives in SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 09:40, April 14, 2025

By the end of 2024, the coffee plantations in southwest China's Yunnan Province covered over 1.26 million mu (84,000 hectares), with output of coffee beans exceeding 140,000 tonnesaccounting for over 98 percent of the country's total coffee production.

Livestreamers promote products of Shicheng Coffee, a coffee brand of a company in southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Cai Shujing)

The province exported coffee to 29 countries and regions, including the United States, the Netherlands, and Vietnam.

"We receive orders almost every minute," said Duan Jiexiang, general manager of Yunnan Time Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., which sells its own coffee brand, Shicheng Coffee, through livestream sessions held in the Kunming economic and technological development zone in Kunming, capital of Yunnan.

The company's coffee processing factory in Kunming operates at full capacity, focusing on the deep processing of green coffee beans.

"Last year, the business volume of our company's Kunming factory reached nearly 5,000 tonnes, with sales totaling about 180 million yuan ($24.53 million)," she said.

Photo shows a view of Yunnan Coffee Factory located in the Kunming economic and technological development zone in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Cai Shujing)

With Yunnan being the most important coffee-growing region in China, the Kunming development zone supports the deep processing of coffee beans, operations of cafes, and the integrated development of the coffee industry and tourism.

China's first modern coffee processing plantYunnan Coffee Factoryis located in the Kunming development zone.

"More than 100 years ago, the French planted China's first coffee tree in Yunnan. Since then, coffee has taken root and flourished in this traditionally tea-drinking region," said Zhang Jiwei, deputy general manager of Yunnan Coffee Factory Co., Ltd.

Capitalizing on its favorable natural conditions, the province has consistently worked to optimize coffee varieties and processing techniques, improving the overall quality of Yunnan coffee.

Photo shows coffee beans on display in Yunnan Coffee Factory in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Cai Shujing)

Yunnan has rolled out measures to promote the coffee industry, offering policy guidance in areas such as variety improvement, fresh fruit processing, deep processing, coffee estate development, and brand building.

The Yunnan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has designated 1.05 million mu of land as optimal growing zones for specialty coffee, promoting the cultivation of premium varieties such as Geisha and Typica. By the end of 2024, the specialty coffee ratio in Yunnan had risen from 8 percent in 2021 to 31.6 percent, while the deep processing rate for coffee beans had surged from 20 percent in 2021 to 80 percent.

Photo shows a view of the processing factory of Shicheng Coffee located in the Kunming economic and technological development zone in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Cai Shujing)

By the end of 2024, the prices of green coffee beans and specialty coffee beans averaged 41 yuan and over 67 yuan per kilogram, respectively.

The booming coffee economy in Yunnan has led to an average per capita income increase of more than 5,000 yuan for nearly 1 million coffee farmers across the province.

China's coffee market is expanding rapidly. By 2023, the country had about 160,000 coffee shops, with Shanghai ranking as the city with the most coffee shops in the world.

Liu Yingzhen, general manager of the internet marketing center at Yunnan Zhongfei Food Co., Ltd., now often travels to other provinces for business.

"We can clearly see the rising popularity of Yunnan coffee very directly. A cup of pour-over coffee made with premium Yunnan coffee beans even fetch a higher price than imported beans," Liu said.

"Although the freshly ground coffee market is thriving, the instant coffee market remains substantial. Based on our research, we've developed star coffee products with high repeat purchase rates," Liu added.

Liu also noted that the company has partnered with Yunnan Agricultural University to develop coffee with new flavors.

Photo shows an automated production line of instant coffee in the Kunming economic and technological development zone in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Cai Shujing)

Photo shows star coffee products of Yunnan Zhongfei Food Co., Ltd. (People's Daily Online/Cai Shujing)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
By Akbar Novruz



Algeria ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country within 48 hours on Monday, escalating a growing diplomatic dispute with France. The move comes in response to the recent arrest of three Algerian nationals in France, including a consular official, suspected of involvement in the abduction of exiled Algerian influencer Amir Boukhors, known online as Amir DZ, Azernews reports via TurkiyeToday.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the expulsions on Monday, calling the decision unjustified and urging Algeria to reverse the order. He warned that France would respond immediately if the expulsions proceed.

Fragile relations between Algeria and France continue

The incident has intensified already fragile relations between the two countries. French authorities charged the three Algerians last week in connection with Boukhors brief kidnapping in a Paris suburb in April 2024. Boukhors, a vocal critic of the Algerian government with over a million followers on TikTok, was granted political asylum in France in 2023.

Algiers has condemned the arrest of its consular official, arguing it violated diplomatic immunity and standard bilateral procedures. Algerian officials claim the arrest was politically motivated and aimed at undermining efforts to rebuild ties, including recent diplomatic outreach between Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Emmanuel Macron.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry has demanded the release of the detained diplomat and criticized France for ignoring multiple extradition requests for Boukhors, whom Algeria accuses of fraud and terrorism. The ministry warned that continued tensions could cause severe damage to bilateral relations.
GUEST INTERVIEW: With this weeks announcement by Riverbed of a number of significant updates to its observability platform, ITWire spoke with Phil Lenton, the companys Head of Product Management for SaaS services and AIOPs, to unpack the new solutions.

GT: There is a lot of news in the recent announcement  perhaps we can start with the AI updates.

PL: The leap forward in AI is very exciting. We are very much focused on real-world use cases, so it is not just like, Oh, nice in theory. It must have a clear ROI for our customers. We have had AI on our platform for many years with machine learning around spotting incidents and highlighting issues that seem out of the ordinary, and identifying them as potential incidents.

But now it is different. We sometimes liken it to needles in a haystack because now we have a pure stream of needles coming out of the haystack.



And all this new precise information  these needles - is far more useful to run through our predictive AI, for example, because you do not have to filter out all the noise that can send predictive AI charts false positives or false messages about how load balances might increase over the coming three months, for example. You only have clean data coming into that, and you get much better predictions as a consequence.

The AI also helps you understand whether your problem is with the network, the endpoint, or the application. We found almost right away there were just crazy levels of accuracy because we were feeding refined data into the model. So, part of our excitement is about how well we are seeing AI progressing.

GT: So, are customers already using it?

PL: We have extensive use of our IQ Assist, which uses generative AI to deliver instant insights about the root causes of issues and gives suggestions to solve them.

Customers are also using the predictive AI called IQ Ops that discovers potential problems before they happen and acts as an early warning system. They are also using and piloting the possibility of building AI agents easily, without coding, to further automation.

One customer, a major high street bank, went over 10 million automation processes in March using our systems. We have 38 or 39 customers with a volume of more than 10,000 automated processes or running 10,000 automated remediations every month through the platform. The large majority of those clients are leveraging our AI insights and our predictive AI.

GT: To gauge the importance of the updates, are they a quantum leap for you guys or is it more just incremental?



PL: When you have worked in product management for a long time, you know that many companies overpromise and underdeliver.

With generative AI, our experience has been that we are delivering it sooner than expected. When we first started playing around with gen AI, we thought we would have something that would land in Q3 of this year. We have actually delivered four different gen AI capabilities now, and they do more than expected.

For example, as part of our use cases, we built an entirely customisable generative AI node that our customers can use in any of their automation and intelligence service implementations.

They can use the generative AI node when they want to understand an issue in human-readable language or ask the AI to suggest solution sequences to solve a problem and rank them in order of probability of success.

It is exciting because this delivers meaningful value from generative AI in our field in the same way it is happening in many other industries. We are now bringing this to the network observability industry.

And it is still so early in this story. We are excited about the potential for where this can go, but we want to keep our feet on the ground. We want to take our customers with us and be very measured about how we roll things out and implement them.

GT: So, who is driving the innovation  is it your own team or the customers?

PL: Usually, we see a customer and show them the advances we have made. We show them our IQ assist buttons and where we can use them. We show the examples we have built using our own gen AI node and how It can help solve issues.

Once we kickstart the conversation, the customers are full of ideas, which triggers the process. We are looking to take the customer with us, so it is a genuine two-way conversation.

GT: Are there any particular sectors taking to this more than others?



PL: I would say it is being heavily pushed by banking, travel and healthcare.

GT: Any insights from an APAC or Australian perspective?

PL: We have several customers in Australia, and there is also strong government interest as well in the region.



While governments can have issues around data and APIs, in particular, I think there is a realisation that these technologies are so game-changing that you can't just sit on the sidelines and ignore them.

GT: There was also an update in the release on Smart OTelTM. Can you go through that?

PL: The challenge very large companies have is they are generating literally petabytes of telemetry data a day - added to the data they have acquired over decades. And time and again, we hear customers wanting to free their data. They have realised that you have all this incredibly valuable data that is not being used as they could.

They want to see the most critical insights and alerts, and they want to also power their own AI off all this data that they have access to and then realise that all of this data is being collected, but they don't actually have easy access to all of it.

At the same time, the OpenTelemetry standard is really well established in the networking observability space, and customers have been talking about it for the last nine to 12 months and insisting that they can capture data from every device using it.

The problem with telemetry, even if you have standardised data, is that if you dont have a way to shift through this information meaningfully, all you end up with is petabytes of raw data you cant use.



Our Smart OTelTM solution enables the customer to define specific types of data, alerts, and insights they are interested in and then capture only that kind of data.



It also allows the client to convert third-party data into the OpenTelemetry standard and then use our tools to process the data and find what is really relevant.



GT: And lastly, your NPM+ Solution. There have been upgrades there, too, right?

PL: NPM+ is a new solution for network visibility when you don't own the network. NPM+ works by installing an agent on the individual endpoints and monitoring network traffic from there. We introduced that last year. The upgrades we are now announcing are, firstly, a Unified Communications module for that agent.

For the first time, our customers can inspect in real time. They can see traffic on Teams, Webex, Google Meet, etc.



They can see the ingoing and outgoing streams, video streams, and audio streams, they get a real-time per-minute feed of the packet drop rate, the MOS score, and the jitter, basically getting a performance in real-time of how these calls are happening. More importantly, if suddenly you have video dropout, you have screen dropout.

They can diagnose the problem in real-time and transmit that back up to our PM plus.

And coming out in the next quarter is our packet collection module. This will be the ultimate tool for network experts who have exhausted every other means of diagnosing network issues. It is also incredibly useful in a federal government sense for audit purposes or for detailed analysis of exactly what happened in real time over the network.

Again, this sits on individual computers and can harvest however many packets are needed, say in the last hour or the last 12 hours and send them to a secure location that is set up previously by the customer. They can then review that packet information  the ultimate drill down into what is going on at a networking level. This addresses blind spots in non-company-owned networks.

Please find the link from a previous article that you might be interested to read: htmlhttps://itwire.com/guest-articles/company-news/riverbed-unveils-next-generation-aiops,-adding-predictive,-agentic-and-generative-ai-to-the-riverbed-platform-112973.html
GUEST RESEARCH: The PC has long been one of the most significant tools for personal productivity. But what happens when we merge it with artificial intelligence (AI), one of the most powerful technological innovations of our time? The result is simple yet revolutionary  an AI-driven transformation that is reshaping the way we work and live.

For IT-decision makers, this evolution presents both opportunities and challenges. The task is to understand how AI can streamline workflows, boost productivity and enabling meaningful business outcomes.

Angela Fox, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, ANZ for Dell Technologies, highlighted these opportunities during her keynote at the Dell Technologies Solution Show in Sydney. In the past two years, weve gone through the experimentation era of AI, which IDC has aptly named the GenAI scramble, she explained. Experimentation with AI adoption, particularly GenAI, was often siloed and not always aligned to the broader business goals.

This year and next, in contrast, is shaping up to be time of the AI Pivot, as AI deployments focus on business outcomes. Organisations need to effectively set priorities, making decisions and addressing barriers to success, Angela said.

But 2027 and beyond is where AI will accelerate to the point where organisations can become an AI-Fuelled Business. Here, organisations will shift into integrating AI into every aspect of their operations and building ecosystems designed for transformation.

Entering the new era

While the AI revolution holds immense promise, many businesses in Australia and New Zealand are just beginning their implementation journeys. According to *IDC's research, 31% of ANZ organizations remain in the early stages of AI adoption.

Another 46% are transitioning from isolated use cases to measurable improvements, but theyre not yet adopting AI at an enterprise level. Only 20% are progressing a systematic adoption across multiple functions or place their capabilities as core to their competitive strategy.

Where we sit is indicative of a strategic but cautious approach as we enter this new AI era. The main motivation for investing in AI is for organisations to increase the quality of their offerings  from better products and services to optimised supply chains. Its a sign of how much AI will become deeply integrated into core business objectives in 2025.

Becoming an AI powerhouse

The question remains: So how do you go about building an AI-powered organisation? By focusing on two key elements - powering the business and empowering end users.

A year ago, Dell introduced the Dell AI Factory, a framework to help accelerate AI innovation in organisations of all sizes.

It combines cutting-edge technology, a portfolio of products, solutions and services optimised for AI workloads, together with an open ecosystem of partners, validated and integrated solutions, expert services, and best practices to help customers achieve AI outcomes faster.

In her session on navigating the AI PC landscape, Jacinta Quah Vice President, Client Solutions Group & Modern Workplace, Asia Pacific, Japan & Greater China explained that the purpose of the Dell AI Factory is to provide targeted and repeatable success for deploying AI, making it easier to put AI at the core of your business.

Bringing AI to the PC and the people

Over the years, weve moved from AI models running exclusively in data centres to cloud-powered AI solutions. Now, were at the next evolution, which puts AI on-devices.

Why this shift? Jacinta argued that businesses are facing mounting pressure to deliver fast, high-performing solutions while managing costs, all without compromising security and privacy.

Then theres the concern over rising infrastructure costs, especially as cloud services scale with use. And finally, data privacy and compliance remain crucial.

These challenges demand a new approach. On-device AI brings the power of intelligence directly to the end pointdrastically reducing latency, addressing privacy concerns, and optimising costs.

Its predicted that by 2028, nearly 98% of all new personal computers will be equipped with AI capabilities. This isnt just about staying ahead; its about redefining efficiency and collaboration in every task we undertake.

Making the right decisions about PC investments has never been more important. With the wide array of processors available todayincluding CPUs, GPUs, DPUs, and NPUsIT professionals can now customise purchases to align precisely with their organisations unique requirements. Whether you need exceptional memory capacity, high performance, or AI-ready systems, theres a processor designed to meet your specific goals and operational needs.

AI demand is coming from the ground up

But heres where the AI PC gets even more fascinating according to Jacinta  employees arent just passively waiting for organisational changes; theyre actively integrating AI into their work routines. In fact, according to Microsoft Work Trend Index Report, three out of every four employees are already using AI at work.

Some are even bringing personal innovation into professional environments, with a staggering 78% of users are introducing their own AI tools to their workplace  a trend were calling Bring Your Own AI.

This initiative spans across generations with Gen Z leading at 85%, followed closely by Millennials at 78%, Gen X at 74%, and Boomers adapting as well at an impressive rate of 73%.

These statistics not only highlight a shift towards more autonomous and empowered ways of working. but also underscore the importance for organisations to support this transformation to gain an advantage.

Given how far AI has come in the past few years, it can be hard to imagine that so much of the journey still lies ahead. But as ANZ shifts from the AI scramble to the AI pivot, its important to build the right framework to empower it from desktop to data centre to cloud to edge.
DXC Technology has officially appointed Michelle Bendschneider as Industry General Manager, Banking & Financial Services for Australia and New Zealand.

Based in Melbourne, Michelle will oversee DXCs banking and financial services portfolio across ANZ, helping shape strategic initiatives and support clients as they navigate sector-wide digital transformation.

With over 25 years of industry experience, Michelle has extensive leadership experience across the technology sector, covering Enterprise Software solutions to Cloud, Data, AI, Cyber and Privacy. She has led complex projects and teams, and held leadership positions in Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Telstra Corporation, IBM, Boston Consulting Group, Connetico Group and PaperCut Software.

Michelle is well-connected to key stakeholders and partners in the technology industry. She has a history of leading technology transformations, professional services consulting practices, product teams, and holding general management positions with full P&L accountability across organisations.

With a passion for customer centricity, Michelle has served organisations across large enterprise, government, mid-market, and consumer markets - communicating with clarity to diverse stakeholders including boards, media, industry analysts, and investors.

"Excited to embark on this new chapter at DXC Technology, working with a world class team to drive innovation, deliver exceptional value to our customers and shape the future of financial technology together." Michelle Bendschneider said.
HPs ZBook Ultra G1a 14 is a lightweight but highly capable ultraportable workstation aimed at mobile professionals working with Ai, CAD and other performance-heavy applications.

It's powered by AMDs Ryzen Ai MAX PRO 390 processor and features integrated Radeon 8050S graphics. It also uses (up to) 128GB of unified LPDDR5x RAM of which (up to) 96GB can be reserved for dedicated VRAM. Its announcement made big waves around the internet and it costs a pretty penny, but just how good is it and who should buy it?

The ZBook's 'Meteor Grey' chassis is made of very sturdy aluminium which is corporate-smart and won't draw too-much attention to itself. It's also excellent at repelling fingerprints.

Our review unit's 60Hz, 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, IPS display provided accceptable multimedia performance but you can find better contrast, colour vibrancy and refresh rates elsewhere. We're told that a fster, higher resolution, OLED-sporting variant will become available but this will likely cost more. The high-end, professional market will be mainly using the G1a when docked anyway.

The keyboard is comfortable and accurate (except for the squished arrow keys) and it's got one of the best trackpads on the market.

Audio from the four speakers is loud and clear at high frequencies but it noticeably lacks bass. The 1,440p webcam is impressive and bolstered by numberous Ai enhancements from the Poly Camera Pro app. The dual-array microphones capture crisp and clear audio in even noisy environments.

Connectivity is impressive, featuring HDMI 2.1, USB-C and USB-A ports, plus Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. It's also the first AMD-based laptop we've seen to support Thunderbolt 4.

Under load, the ZBook Ultra runs impressively cool and quiet thanks to impressive vapour chamber-based cooling tech. It stayed thermally consistent even during long Cinebench R23 tests, with no signs of throttling.

Our battery benchmarks ran for more-than 15 hours, which is middling for an ultraportable of this size but very impressive for a laptop with such powerful internals.

Performance benchmarks were impressive across the board, scoring highly for general computing scores and processor-based rendering. Its NPU delivered the highest score ever seen in Procyons Ai Inference benchmark, making it an appealing choice for Ai engineers. Integrated GPU scores could rival (throttled) results we've seen from laptops with Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics, which is extraordinary in such a thin and light machine. Indeed the 19mm-thick laptop only weighs 1.55KG and the power supply and cables add only another 523g.

While it's no gaming laptop, it could still play games. At the launch event we saw it effortlessly powering an entire sim-racing rig while in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 benchmark it reached 170fps at native resolution!

Of course, being a workstation means that it comes at a hefty premium owing to both hardware ISV certifications. There are many variants with low-end SKU's starting at $3,000 and top-end models pushing past $6,000, based upon pricing we've seen in New Zealand. Still, for the target market, the price will be borderline irrelevant as this is a professional tool that will open the door to new kinds of high-end workloads while on the move.

Other notable features include Windows CoPilot+ compatibility, a local ChatGPT variant called HP Ai Companion plus HP's Wolf Security features.

Ultimately, both HP and AMD have achieved a major feat of engineering with the ZBook Ultra G1a 14. The price and certifications make it overkill for most users, but for Ai, LLM and CAD professionals who need a compact powerhouse, its a landmark device.

Click here for the full, in-depth review.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist announced Monday that Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag plans to retire at years end after more than eight years as its chief executive.

When Freischlag steps down at age 70, she will have completed a pivotal role as a bridge between executive management eras at Baptist, as well as cap off a more than 38-year medical career as a vascular surgeon.

Baptist said Freischlag will begin transitioning her academic executive duties to L. Ebony Boulware, dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, while Baptist president Dr. David Zaas will take over her clinical operational duties upon Freischlags retirement.

Freischlag becomes the second top Triad healthcare executive to announce departure plans this year.

On March 19, Cone Health president and chief executive Dr. Mary Jo Cagle announced plans to step down on May 31 to address what the system calls a serious family health matter. Bernie Sherry, who has served as Cones interim chief operating officer since December, will take over as interim chief executive on June 1.

When Freischlag agreed in February 2017 to a five-year contract as the chief executive post, coming from the University of California-Davis, she said she was following her mantra of staying young at heart and being open to change.

Its against my nature to slow down, but this is the right time for me, Freischlag said in a statement. While I will greatly miss this organization, I look forward to spending more time with my family and my grandchildren, traveling and staying busy with the many hobbies I enjoy.

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has a bright future ahead, and I cant wait to see what the team accomplishes together.

Freischlag will enter retirement with a healthcare resume with few peers.

Freischlag not only serves as Baptists chief executive, but also as interim and full-time dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine for 5 years before relinquishing those duties to Boulware in January 2023 while retaining her role as chief academic officer.

Her role as chief executive also included being in charge of Wake Forest Innovations, Wake Forest Innovation Quarter and a network of hospitals, physician practices and medical-surgical services.

Beyond Baptist, she is chief academic officer of Advocate Health and executive vice president of health affairs at Wake Forest University.

Freischlag has been the public face of Baptist during several monumental changes, such as guiding the system through the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing High Point and Wilkes medical centers under the not-for-profits umbrella, the opening of the hospitals Birth Center and the acquisition of Baptist by Atrium Health and then by Advocate Health.

As such, Freischlag kept a steady hand on the helm of northwest North Carolinas largest employer at more than 22,000 workers systemwide  up more than 7,000, or by one-third, during her tenure.

Leading Wake Forest Baptist has been the most fulfilling and rewarding role in my medical career, Freischlag said.

Freischlag said that while serving in two prominent executive roles can be tiresome, her career has taught her to be deliberate in delegating decisions where appropriate and to make sure to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.

I have been inspired and energized every day by the dedication of our teams to our patients and the communities we serve and am incredibly proud of our growing commitment as an academic learning health system to teach, train and discover, she said.

Freischlag received a 48.1% increase  to $5.8 million  in total compensation for fiscal 2022 that was reported in May 2024. Baptists executive compensation disclosures typically are at least 17 months old when released by the hospital. They are based on Form 990 filings to the Internal Revenue Service.

The compensation included a 20% jump in her base salary to $2.28 million following a 30.5% raise in 2021 and 5.6% raise in 2020.

Freischlags bonus and incentive pay of $2.29 million slightly exceeded her base salary. The bonus and incentive pay was up significantly from $1.004 million in 2021.

Freischlag praise

Freischlags retirement announcement drew praise from the top officials of both Advocate and Wake Forest University.

I cannot overstate the impact of Dr. Freischlags career  as dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, as chief executive of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and across her career as a pioneering vascular surgeon, Wake Forest president Susan Wente said.

Her work as a clinician, researcher, teacher and executive has saved countless lives, improved surgical techniques, increased clinical efficacy and paved the way for generations of physicians.

The medical community  and our community here in Winston-Salem  is better, safer, and healthier thanks to her work.

Advocate chief executive Eugene Woods credited Freischlag for having had such a profound and positive impact on individual patients, academic medicine as a field, and a national health system.

She has imbued Advocate Health with a commitment to academic excellence, groundbreaking research, compassionate care, and a belief in the next generation of clinicians.

While I will still call upon her wisdom in the years ahead, I wish her a retirement filled with joy, family and some well-deserved rest.

Before her arrival at Baptist, Freischlag was vice chancellor for human health sciences and dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine. For more than 15 years, she led education and training programs at top medical schools in her role as professor and chair of surgery and vascular surgery departments.

Freischlag also has more than 30 years of experience leading patient care services as chief of surgery or vascular surgery at nationally ranked hospitals. She served as professor, chair of the surgery department and surgeon-in-chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Freischlag specializes in the treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome, which can require a specialized surgical procedure. She has received numerous teaching and achievement awards, including the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Vascular Surgery, an achievement award from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Trailblazer Award from the Society of University Surgeons.

She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2015 and inducted into the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators in 2021.

Freischlag has held numerous national leadership roles, including serving as the 2021-2022 president of the American College of Surgeons. She is the chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges board of directors.

Julie has been a trailblazer her entire life, and her visionary leadership over the past eight years will leave a lasting legacy on our health system, our medical school and the communities we serve, said Bill Warden, chairman of Baptists board of directors.

She led us through an era of unprecedented growth and innovation, and now as part of Advocate Health, the nations third-largest nonprofit health system, Julies guidance has positioned us to have an even larger impact on shaping the future of health across our nation.

Don Martin, chairman of Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, credit Freischlag's "successfully assisting in the transition from Baptist Hospital to Atrium to Advocate. "

"She has maintained stability here locally during these transitions. I wish her well."

Mark Owens, president and chief executive of Greater Winston-Salem Inc., cited Freischlag's "exceptional career that through her visionary leadership at Baptist and across Advocate Health.

'She has championed groundbreaking research and academic excellence while attracting and retaining top talent. Her work has helped to further advance Winston-Salem and Forsyth County as the national hub of medicine, research and innovation that it is.

"Her impactful work has set Baptist on a growth trajectory that will continue to impact the organization and our community for years to come."
The relationship between Kayseri and Shusha is a source of pride for us. Shusha is not only a symbol for Azerbaijan, but also a flag and emblem for the entire Turkic world.









Azernews reports that this was stated by Hulusi Akar, Chairman of the National Defense Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, during an interview with journalists in Shusha.









Hulusi Akar expressed pride in the reconstruction and development being carried out in the liberated territories:









"We felt great pride both during our journey here and upon seeing Shusha. We have witnessed truly significant development. Thanks to the determination of President Ilham Aliyev, rapid progress is taking place here. All the work is being implemented in a planned and purposeful manner."
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Child psychiatrist Ellen K. Feldman discusses her article How social media is shaping teen mental health and what we can do about it, highlighting the growing concerns about social medias impact on adolescents. She emphasizes the importance of monitoring social media usage, setting screen time limits, and teaching digital literacy to help young people protect themselves from harmful content. Ellen also stresses the value of in-person socialization to counteract social medias isolating effects, especially for teens struggling with anxiety or depression. She offers actionable strategies for parents and clinicians to support teens in developing healthy digital habits and foster emotional resilience.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Ellen K. Feldman. She is a child psychiatrist, and todays Kevin MD article is How social media is shaping teen mental health and what we could do about it. Ellen, welcome to the show.

Ellen K. Feldman: Thank you so much for having me here today.

Kevin Pho: All right, so just briefly tell us a little bit about yourself and then move on to the article that you shared on Kevin MD for those who did not get a chance to read it.

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Ellen K. Feldman: I am a child psychiatristactually, I practice general psychiatry out of North Dakota. We cover a pretty wide range in terms of North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. An interesting thing about me is the way I came to psychiatry was somewhat roundabout, through an experience I had as a teen myself. As a somewhat rebellious teen, I was facing a summer at a camp where I had gone for years. I got in trouble and was asked to leave. Having nothing else to do for the summer and being told I needed to find a job, I ended up working at a state psychiatric facility. Mm-hmm. That really shaped a lot of my thinking about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, which at that point was writing. It gave me an experience of seeingI do not know, this is certainly not about the article itself, but it gave me a lot of empathy for teenagers and the way they can turn their lives around and shape their lives through different experiences.

Kevin Pho: All right. Inspiring story, of course. Now, you said that your background gave you insight into the article that you shared on Kevin MD: How social media is shaping teen mental health and what we could do about it. Tell us about the article.

Ellen K. Feldman: I would say the article came about because I had noticed over the yearspre-pandemic, I would saythat as I worked with kids, I was hearing more and more questions. My typical way of working with kids is: I will have the parents and the kids together at first, ask the parents or guardians to leave, see the teen by themselves (or the young child by themselves, depending on age), and then bring the parents back in to answer any questions and present a plan. I started noticing that almost every session, when I would say, What questions do you have remaining? they would say, What do we do about social media? or What do we do about our kid who is in their room all the time on their device? I realized at that point, first, I did not have time to answer that question at the end of the session, so I started putting that into my repertoire earlier on and discussing it. But I also realized I did not have a lot of answers. It occurred to me that parents were bringing up a problem that maybe had not quite hit science or medical research yet. We were starting to see articles looking at this, but we had not quite caught up to what parents were seeing, which is that they really felt this was a problem and were not sure what to do about it.

So that spurred my interest in examining what the research tells us about social media and how we can help kids who are having difficulties managing their time or reacting and responding to social media. Another factor that spurred my interest is seeing a lot of kids, including young adults at a university, in our inpatient unit who have a very hard time giving up their phones when they come in. That can be harder than saying goodbye to their parents.

The article starts out by looking at what we do know about social media and then at what we can do. Really, what we do know is limited by the research, and the research is behind because social media keeps evolving. Research published now may have looked at Facebook, which is not the same as TikTok or the 24/7 access that many kids have today. It is very interesting to think about what can be done. One point I raise in the article is to think about putting in controls, respect, and safety measures early onbefore your child has free accessso you have some management techniques in place that you can model and present to them.

Kevin Pho: Before we talk about some of the data, tell me about some of the stories that parents are telling you about the effects social media has on their kids.

Ellen K. Feldman: I do not know if it is fair to say parents specifically tell me about the effect social media has. I think they are talking about seeing their children withdraw more and spend a lot of time on social mediathere are many forms of it. In general, parents see it as a divisive experience, not an inclusive one, and it worries them, especially when they have a kid with mental health problems. They are not sure if it is a healthy way for them to get support or if they are hearing troubling things that increase their worries.

I had a very interesting group of parents who got together and ended up doing a kind of quasi-experiment with their kids. They had social media dinners where, as a family, they would say, We are not going to talk. We are just going to communicate through text during this dinner, or use some sort of instant messenger account. Afterwards, they used the time to ask, What did you think I was actually saying to you? What was my intention? Did I seem angry? Was I happy? Then each person explained what they heard. A lot of the kids thought it was great because it taught them some things, and they felt their parents learned some things too. They saw it as a way for parents to reach out, to say, What do you like about this and what do you see as dangerous about this?almost like meeting kids where they are.

I worked in a residential treatment facility for many years for teens. They would be there for months, no phones. The staff there used to have the kids journal, which is a classic intervention. The staff developed a text journal technique for kids who could not journal, where they would write back and forth on paper as if texting, and that seemed to work very well too.

Kevin Pho: I have seen articles in the New York Times and other lay press about the connection between behavioral health problems and social mediaspecifically anxiety. Tell us about what the data says regarding a connection between behavioral health issues and social media exposure.

Ellen K. Feldman: It is actually very interesting. There was a study that came out at the end of March from the University of South Florida, looking at about 1,500 kids. They wanted a naturalistic study, not a controlled one, because we are not taking social media away from some kids and leaving it for others. They said they had to start at age 11, because by older ages, 95 percent of kids have cell phones. They wanted to compare kids with and without phones, so they chose 11 to 13 for about 1,300 kids. They found that owning a cell phone, controlled for socioeconomic status and so forth, did not lead to any problems. In fact, the kids who had cell phones looked maybe a little better in terms of mental health compared to those who did not. That surprised them.

However, they also found that public posting on social media was associated with more anxiety and depressive symptoms in kidsagain, symptoms, not necessarily a formal diagnosis. Very strongly associated in that study was any cyberbullying reported by the kids. That linked strongly with decreased self-esteem, among other issues. It is a fascinating study, but what they do not know is whether the kids without cell phones were different to begin with. Maybe parents had noticed something else and said, You are not ready for a cell phone yet. That group is continuing a 25-year study now, expanding it to 8,000 kids, and will be reporting findings every six months. All the studies we have so far are like thatobservational, not controlled. We do see an association between more social media use (especially public posting) and more depression and anxiety, but it could be that those kids also have less supervision or other factors.

What I tell the parents I work with is, if you can build something in early onwhether it is how you yourself use social media or how you talk about itand really model that you are not overly invested in what other people say about you or in how many people like your post, that helps kids see how to build in safety techniques and strategies moving forward.

Kevin Pho: Now, whenever you see kids in your office for depression and anxiety, does the topic of social media come up? If so, how is that broached in the exam room?

Ellen K. Feldman: As I said earlier, it used to come up at the end when I would ask, Any remaining questions? and parents would mention it then. Now, I bring it up early on. Usually, kids will roll their eyes and say, I know all that. I know not to post. I know whatever I put online stays forever. We hear all this in school. But I certainly have kids who will come in and say, I just deleted my contacts because I do not have the bandwidth to handle the interaction that I am getting. What I work on with kids is self-awareness: thinking about what social media gives you and what it takes away. Does it give you satisfaction? Is it a stress reliever? Is it more helpful than other things you could be doing? Often, you need parents or guardians in that discussion because, depending on a childs age, it may not be something they can manage well on their own. Kids want to feel better, and so do adults. Sometimes they do not have the ability to wait for a healthier way to cope.

Kevin Pho: You mentioned that the best approach is really to address social media before a child is fully exposed to it. When you talk about limits, what exactly do you mean? Strict time limits, supervised activitywhat are some examples?

Ellen K. Feldman: I wish I could say science tells us exactly what to doX, Y, and Z. I go back to thinking about cars. When you take your child home from the hospital, they must be in a car seat. In the late 70s or early 80s, a pediatrician in Tennessee said too many kids were dying in car crashes; we need car seats. He and his wife helped advocate for the first car seat law in Tennessee, and that law cut childrens deaths in half. Then other states followed suit. We could say there were cars around well before the 70s and 80s, but once the cars got faster and more ubiquitous, we realized we needed regulations and safety measures. It is similar to the internet.

Yes, I think the industry will eventually catch up, but until then, parents cannot wait for that. Part of being a physician is thinking about prevention. We do not know social media is causing anything; we only see a correlation. But why not do what we can to prevent potential harm?

I cannot dictate precisely how much time a child should or should not have. Sometimes school is online. Look at what happened during the pandemic. Instead, parents should teach self-awareness: show kids the good and the bad, model how you yourself use social media, and show that you do not base your self-worth on likes or comments. Even exaggerate that if necessary, depending on whether your child responds better to words or actions. All the literature consistently advises that kids understand the permanence of what they post, learn how to critically examine incoming information, understand the impact on themselves, and recognize that immediate impulseslike posting a heated replyare not always wise. Finally, consider postponing public posting until later adolescence.

Kevin Pho: What about the child who is already experiencing behavioral health effects from spending too much time on social mediaone who cannot simply self-regulate and quit when it becomes harmful? How would you approach that scenario?

Ellen K. Feldman: I often tell parentsand the kidsif you cannot handle it, you need to shrink your world a bit. The first skill you need is emotional regulation. It may be that social media is age-appropriate in general, but if your child cannot handle it well right now, focus on self-control first. Reintroduce it gradually when they have learned some regulation skills.

Kevin Pho: One point you mention in your article is how in-person socialization can sometimes counterbalance negative effects of social media. Talk more about that connection.

Ellen K. Feldman: I am not sure I would say it counters the effects, but we do know that balance is important. Going back to that South Florida study, they noticed that the kids who had cell phonesand were doing wellgot together in person with friends more often. Does that link to mental health? We do not know. It is just an association. Social media might be a proxy for something else. But we do know from our own experience that there are different skills involved in face-to-face conversation compared to screen-based interaction. Kids need both. Like anything else, too much of even a good thing may become detrimental.

Kevin Pho: One question I often hear is about the responsibility of social media companies themselves. Their products can be addictive, and there is research linking them to behavioral health issues. How much responsibility should they take?

Ellen K. Feldman: That is a tough question. It may be akin to holding car manufacturers responsible for seat belts or airbags, or the ratings system for movies. Yes, social media companies should absolutely take responsibility if they are aware their platforms are addictive. But I would not wait for that. We can focus on what we can control: physicians learning from patients, parents advocating for safety controls, and kids speaking up if they want changes.

Kevin Pho: We are talking to Ellen Feldman. She is a child psychiatrist. Todays Kevin MD article is How social media is shaping teen mental health and what we could do about it. Ellen, let us finish up by asking: what are some take-home messages you would like to leave with the Kevin MD audience?

Ellen K. Feldman: I would say exactly what you just said: learn from patient experiences, listen to them, and it is fine to generalize and say, I am seeing a trendwhat do I do about it? Then think about how to incorporate that into your daily practice or how to help other patients. And for parents, have the courage and be empowered to control what you can to shape how social media is used in your household. Ideally, your kids will carry that awareness and self-regulation with them as they grow into more independence.

Kevin Pho: Ellen, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight, and thanks again for coming on the show.

Ellen K. Feldman: All right, Kevin, thank you very much for having me.
By Akbar Novruz



A meeting was held at the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar, Mohammed Hamad Saad Al-Fuhayd Al-Hajri, to discuss the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in healthcare.

Minister of Health Teymur Musayev welcomed the Qatari delegation and highlighted the ongoing success of Azerbaijan-Qatar relations across multiple sectors. He stressed the value of high-level reciprocal visits in deepening intergovernmental ties and pointed to the strong potential for enhanced cooperation in the health sector.

There are all opportunities for the exchange of modern methodological and scientific-practical experience in the field of continuing professional education of higher medical specialists of our countries, Minister Musayev noted.

The Qatari ambassador praised the historic and friendly ties between the two nations and expressed his country's keen interest in expanding collaboration in the fields of healthcare and medical science.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on medical education, the training of professional personnel, and other areas of mutual interest. The Azerbaijani side expressed confidence that cooperation would continue to strengthen in the coming years.
23:48 Meiteis abort plans to reach sacred hill as Kukis object Image only for representation Following the advice of community elders, a large number of Meiteis on Monday aborted their plans to go to the sacred Thangjing hills in Manipur's Churachandpur district and returned home from Moirang, as the Kuki-Zo members are against the pilgrims crossing the 'buffer zone'.The distance between... Read more >

23:38 TN Guv 'pained over plight' of Dalits, DMK hits back Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Monday expressed pain over the 'plight' of Dalits in the state and said some of the instances of discrimination against them are 'heart breaking.'Ravi made these comments at an event to commemorate the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar at the Raj Bhavan in... Read more >

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22:09 6 arrested after burqa-clad woman assaulted in UP Six men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman and forcibly stripping her of her burqa after she was seen with a non-Muslim man in Muzaffarnagar's Khalapar area, police said on Monday.The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the woman, who works for a finance company, was... Read more >

22:07 States cannot refuse to implement Waqf law, says BJP States cannot refuse to implement the Waqf Amendment Act, the Bharatiya Janata Party asserted on Monday citing constitutional provisions, and slammed the Congress and other Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance bloc constituents over their continued opposition to the law.The assertions... Read more >

21:16 Right to protest, but...: Mamata on Bengal violence In the backdrop of the violence during anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act protests in various places of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said everybody has the right to demonstrate peacefully, but none should take the law into their hands.While inaugurating a skywalk close to the Kali... Read more >

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21:04 China imposes tit-for-tat visa curbs on US officials K J M Varma, PTIChina on Monday slapped visa restrictions against United States personnel who have acted 'egregiously' on Tibet-related issues in retaliation to additional visa curbs imposed by Washington on Chinese officials.Tibet affairs are purely China's internal affairs, Chinese Foreign... Read more >

19:55 Senior BSF officials visit violence-hit areas of Murshidabad Senior Border Security Force (BSF) officials visited the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district in West Bengal on Monday, assuring residents of necessary assistance to restore peace and ensure their safety.A BSF delegation led by Additional Director General (East) Ravi Gandhi visited Suti,... Read more >

18:54 More violence in Bengal during Waqf protest; several injured Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) on Monday clashed with the police at Bhangar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to several injuries and torching of multiple police vehicles.The clash erupted when police stopped ISF... Read more >

18:33 India-born doctor, family dies in New York plane crash Yoshita Singh, PTIAn India-born doctor and members of her family died in a plane crash in upstate New York over the weekend while heading to the Catskills Mountains for a birthday celebration.Dr Joy Saini, a renowned urogynecologist, her husband Dr Michael Groff, a neuroscientist, their... Read more >

18:05 Ambedkar dedicated his life to unite Hindus: Mohan Bhagwat Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday praised Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar for his 'lifelong efforts to unite Hindus', saying despite facing hardships since childhood, he remained committed to social harmony and national development.Speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed... Read more >

17:36 Court directs Tahawwur Rana be given medical care The Delhi Court, while granting the remand of Pakistani-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), observed that the evidence presented indicates the alleged conspiracy extends beyond India's borders. Multiple locations across various cities, including the... Read more >

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17:01 Security tightened outside Salman's house after fresh threats Security was heightened outside actor Salman Khan's residence after a death threat against him. According to Mumbai Police, the threat to kill Salman Khan and blow up his vehicle was sent via WhatsApp to the Worli Transport Department's official number. A case has been registered at the... Read more >

16:50 India has asked for Choksi's extradition, Belgium confirms The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice on Monday confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced the request for his extradition.The Belgian federal public service... Read more >

16:43 Where You Walk in Dr Ambedkar's Footsteps On Dr B R Ambedkar's 134 birthday anniversary, view the historic sites associated with the great man who wrote our Constitution. Take a look Read more >

16:28 'I Am Dying For My Country' It took Udham Singh 21 years to avenge the massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. And 24 years for the hero's remains to return to India after his execution in a British prison. Read Archana Masih's column here. Read more >

16:14 Investor wealth eroded by Rs 11.30L cr since tariffs Trump has paused reciprocal tariffs for 90 days Investors' wealth eroded by Rs 11.30 lakh crore since early this month, where the BSE benchmark Sensex tumbled nearly 2 per cent, as stock markets experienced turbulence in recent times initially due to US President Donald Trump unveiling a massive tariff plan, followed by growing concerns of a... Read more >

16:02 The house where Dr Ambedkar drafted the Constitution Kanika House. Pic courtesy: @decoindelhi An iconic art deco bungalow in the heart of Delhi, which was originally made for the erstwhile princely state in Odisha, was the abode of Babasaheb B R Ambedkar when he served as India's first law minister and worked on drafting of the Constitution. The historic building -- Kanika House --... Read more >

15:31 'Bengal polls must be held under President's Rule' Bengal polls were held in 2021 during peak Covid Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday demanded that the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections be conducted under President's Rule, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order following the recent violence in Murshidabad district. Adhikari said the ongoing unrest in parts of... Read more >

15:11 What Malaika's Week Has Been Like Malaika Arora is in the mood to share. After giving us a peek into her favourite things, Malaika shows us what her week was like. And it starts with 'Sabr Shukr', the Arabic words that mean Patience and Gratitude. Take a look Read more >

15:01 How long will it take to extradite Choksi? Read this... Former diplomat KP Fabian on Monday said that the extradition of Indian businessman Mehul Choksi would be a great decision, but it may take a long time.Giving an example of the recent extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana from the US, Fabian said that it took 17 years for him... Read more >

14:48 How cops cracked woman doc's murder: Husband was.... Representational image Police have solved the murder case of a woman doctor in Nagpur by arresting her husband, also a doctor, and her brother-in-law who had tried to pass off the incident as a robbery-related crime, an official said on Monday. The crime stemmed from suspicions over the character of the deceased... Read more >

14:34 Robert Vadra: I will enter politics if... Businessman Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, expressed his willingness to join politics, saying that if the Congress party feels he should take that step, he would do so with the blessings of his family.Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview on Monday, Vadra... Read more >

14:19 Royal diamond 'Golconda Blue' is being auctioned for... Representational image A rare piece of India's royal heritage, 'The Golconda Blue' -- a historic diamond once owned by the Maharajas of Indore and Baroda -- is set to make its auction debut at the Christie's Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on May 14. The 23.24-carat vivid blue diamond, mounted in a striking... Read more >

13:24 Vote bank ka virus: PM attacks Cong for opposing Waqf Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress party of spreading vote bank ka virus for opposing the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Prime Minister also accused the Opposition party of treating the SC and ST community as second-class citizens.Congress has become the... Read more >

12:56 10 Horror Titles To Watch On OTT The horror genre has been working at the box office but OTT has seen its fair share too. With Chhorii 2 adding to the horror-verse, Deepa Gahlot looks at 10 films and shows on OTT which will give you the chills. Take a look Read more >

12:54 'Choksi's human rights will be affected if extradited' Following the arrest of Indian businessman Mehul Choksi by the law enforcement authorities in Belgium, his lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, stated that Choksi's human rights will be greatly affected if he is extradited back to the country.During a press conference on Monday, Aggarwal stated that the... Read more >

12:46 The 10 Best Places To Work, According To LinkedIn LinkedIn has released its annual list of Top 25 companies that encourage their employees' career growth. It evaluates large companies with more than 5,000 global employees on various elements of career progression -- eg, how employees are upskilling, getting promoted, etc. Send your... Read more >

12:45 40,000 tonnes of shrimp from India heading to US after tariff pause India's seafood exporters are preparing to ship 35,000-40,000 tonnes of shrimp to the United States with orders remaining stable after US President Donald Trump paused a planned 26 per cent reciprocal tariff, reducing the duty to 10 per cent, industry officials said on Monday. There is a... Read more >

12:14 UP horror: Woman stripped of burqa, Hindu man beaten In a shocking incident from Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar on Sunday, six men attacked a Muslim girl and a Hindu boy after seeing them together. After the video went viral, the police immediately swung into action and arrested the six accused, reports the Free Press Journal. According to... Read more >

11:49 The visionary who wanted states divided in 1955 B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of India's Constitution, believed that large states posed serious challenges to governance and democratic accountability while smaller states are more manageable and can ensure equitable development.In his 1955 book Thoughts on Linguistic States, he strongly... Read more >

11:33 Singapore downgrades GDP growth forecast to 0-2% Singapore has downgraded its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025 to 0-2 per cent, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Monday (Apr 14), citing the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs on global trade. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the de... Read more >

11:22 History in Minutes: When Dr Ambedkar Was Denied Water On the 134th birth anniversary of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Utkarsh Mishra revisits three incidents from Dr B R Ambedkar's life that lay bare the deeply entrenched nature of caste prejudice.Read the column here. Read more >

11:15 All money must be recovered: Whistle-blower on Choksi Former Managing Director of Gitanjali Gems, Santosh Srivastava, has welcomed the fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's arrest in Belgium. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Srivastava urged the government to ensure Choksi's swift extradition and complete recovery of the defrauded funds.It's great news... Read more >

10:52 Soon, Drones To Deliver Packages In Delhi-NCR Residents of the national capital region (Delhi-NCR) will soon have drones delivering their packages.Skye Air, a company that uses drones to deliver ecommerce and quick-commerce packages, plans to expand operations to Delhi-NCR this year. The company currently delivers packages via drones in... Read more >

10:49 Salman gets threats again, car bomb, house attack Bollywood actor Salman Khan has received another death threat on Monday, this time through a WhatsApp message sent to Mumbai's Transport Department in Worli, reports ANI. The threatening message warns of killing Khan by entering his house at Galaxy Apartments and blowing up his car with... Read more >

10:30 Arrest is a process, says Choksi's lawyer On Indian agencies push for extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi, his advocate Vijay Aggarwal says, There is no push. It is a process. Non-bailable warrants have been issued against him since 2018. It is a prerequisite for extradition that there has to be an open-ended non-bailable warrant.... Read more >

10:21 President, Veep, PM pay tributes to Ambedkar on birth anniversary President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid floral tributes at the statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar in the Parliament House Complex on Monday, marking his birth anniversary. Senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi,... Read more >

10:14 Choksi undergoing cancer treatment, says lawyer On fugitive Mehul Choksi's arrest in Belgium, his advocate Vijay Aggarwal says, My client Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium and at the moment, he is in custody. We will be starting the process of filing an appeal against this, and then, as a process of appeal, we will be requesting that... Read more >

09:48 'Choksi will hire best lawyers, extradition difficult' After the arrest of fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium, Punjab National Bank Scam whistle-blower Hariprasad SV said that it will be very difficult for India to get Choksi back home as he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process.Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad... Read more >

09:37 Curfew remains in violence-hit areas of Murshidabad The situation in violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district, mainly Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and Jangipur was peaceful and under control on Monday, a senior police officer said.Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force in the... Read more >

09:26 Govt Hopes To Surpass RE For Capex In FY25 The government is confident of surpassing the revised estimates (RE) for capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 10.18 trillion for FY25 based on the advance numbers, two top government officials said. The numbers we have received so far, even though not for the full financial year, indicate that... Read more >

09:13 Rs 1,800 cr drugs dumped in sea seized off Gujarat Representative image The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad and the Indian Coast Guard have seized 300 kg of drugs valued at Rs 1,800 crore which were dumped into the Arabian Sea by smugglers before fleeing, officials said on Monday. The seized contraband is suspected to be methamphetamine and has been handed over to... Read more >

08:45 If Shinde has to say something...: Ajit amid rift buzz Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has dismissed the speculation of a rift within the Mahayuti and said everything is hunky-dory in the ruling alliance. The issues, if any, will be sorted out through discussions, Shinde told reporters on Sunday. ... Read more >
23:55 JNUSU polls: 48 in fray for president, 165 battle for central panel posts The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) elections are set for a charged contest, with 165 nominations filed for the four central panel posts. According to the election committee, the post of President attracted the highest number of candidates, 48, followed by 42 for... Read more >

23:47 6 BJP-ruled states move SC to support new Waqf law In a significant development, six BJP-ruled states including Madhya Pradesh and Assam have approached the Supreme Court to support the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan... Read more >

23:38 'Motivated, baseless': India rejects Pak comments on Waqf Act File image India on Tuesday strongly rejected Pakistan's criticism of the Waqf Amendment Act and said Islamabad should look into its own abysmal record in protecting the rights of minorities instead of preaching to others. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Pakistan's... Read more >

23:08 Malayalam actress refuses to work with drug users File image Malayalam actress Vincy Aloshious has announced that she would not act with any artist who consumes drugs. Speaking at a recent event, she said she would refuse roles in films if she knew any co-actor was involved in drug use. Aloshious said the decision stemmed from a troubling... Read more >

22:57 Kidnapped baby boy of visually impaired beggar rescued, one arrested The Odisha police on Tuesday rescued the kidnapped one-and-half-year-old boy of a visually impaired beggar in Bhubaneswar and arrested one person in this regard, an officer said. The baby boy was handed over to the mother after medical examination at the Capital Hospital in Bubaneswar,... Read more >

22:44 TN village on edge after mosque-dargah's waqf claim File image Residents of a village near here on Tuesday claimed that they have received notice from authorities administering a local mosque-dargah declaring their land to be waqf property. The notice has asked them to pay rent/fee or vacate, they alleged and said that they have petitioned Vellore... Read more >

22:24 BSF takes stock of vigil along India-Bangladesh border in Bengal's Malda File image In a bid to strengthen border management and security, BSF additional director general, East, Ravi Gandhi and other senior officers on Tuesday took stock of infrastructure and vigil along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Malda district, an official statement said. In view of the... Read more >

22:02 At 30.4 deg C, Srinagar witnesses hottest April day in nearly 8 decades File image The city on Tuesday recorded the hottest April day in nearly eight decades at 30.4 degrees Celsius which was 10.2 degrees above normal for this time of the season, officials said. The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest ever maximum temperature of 31.1 degrees Celsius on... Read more >

21:45 Maldives bans Israeli passport holders in solidarity with Palestine Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu The Maldives on Tuesday ratified the Third Amendment to its Immigration Act, prohibiting individuals with Israeli passports from entering the country. According to the Maldives president's office statement, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Third Amendment to the... Read more >

21:24 B'deshi radicals involved in Murshidabad violence: Intel report Bangladeshi radicals, allegedly aided by local leaders of a political party, were involved in the recent violence triggered by anti-Waqf law agitations in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, sources said.Quoting an intelligence report, sources said members of two Bangladesh-based radical outfits... Read more >

21:04 Lil Nas X hospitalised after he 'lost control' of the right side of his face Rapper Lil Nas X/Courtesy Instagram/ANI Photo Rapper Lil Nas X has revealed that he's suffering from a mysterious case of partial facial paralysis. On Monday, he took to Instagram and shared a series of videos from the hospital and opened up about his health, as per CNN. In one video, Lil Nas X attempts to smile from... Read more >

20:37 Rupee surges 30 paise to 85.80 against US dollar Rising for the second straight session, the rupee jumped 30 paise to end at 85.80 against the US dollar on Tuesday due to a sharp rise in equity markets and continuing weakness in the American currency amid global uncertainties. Besides, lower global crude prices, favourable domestic... Read more >

20:06 Haryana horror: Air hostess on ventilator sexually assaulted An air hostess was allegedly sexually assaulted in a renowned private hospital in Gurugram by a staff member while she was on the ventilator in the ICU, the police said on Tuesday. The police said they are examining CCTV footage of the hospital to identify the perpetrator. According to... Read more >

19:40 KL Rahul, Suniel Shetty acquire 7-acre land near Mumbai for Rs 10 cr Cricketer KL Rahul and Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty have jointly bought a land parcel near Mumbai for Rs 9.85 crore, according to Square Yards. In a statement on Tuesday, real estate consultant Square Yards said that Rahul and Shetty have acquired 7 acres of undivided land within a larger... Read more >

19:27 Only 15 judges per million population in the country: Report There are only 15 judges per million population in the country, a far cry from the Law Commission's recommendation of 50 judges per million population, a 2025 report on India's judicial system released on Tuesday said. In contrast, the USA has 150 judges per million population, according to... Read more >

19:04 Digvijaya seeks FIR for Ramdev's sharbat jihad remark Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday approached police for registration of an FIR against Yoga guru Ramdev, accusing him of spreading religious hatred through his purported statement on sharbat jihad. A police officer said the complaint submitted by Singh will be investigated.... Read more >

18:50 HC upholds life to 2 Chhota Rajan gang members for double murder Chhota Rajan The Bombay high court on Tuesday upheld the conviction and life sentence of two members of the Chhota Rajan gang in a 2010 double murder case, stating that the trial court's judgment was 'well-reasoned and legally sound.' A court here in August 2022 convicted Mohammed Ali Shaikh and Pranay... Read more >

18:32 ED attaches Aamby Valley in Lonavala in case against Sahara Group File image The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday said it has attached the 707-acre luxurious Aamby Valley City and its picturesque surroundings in Maharashtra's Lonavala, worth Rs 1,460 crore, as part of a money laundering investigation against the Sahara Group. The residential and entertainment city... Read more >

18:15 Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi CM attend special screening of 'Kesari Chapter 2' Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday attended a special screening of Akshay Kumar-starrer Kesari Chapter 2 in New Delhi, praising the historical drama movie for highlighting an overlooked chapter from Indian history. Kesari Chapter 2, which... Read more >

17:54 ED files chargesheet against Sonia, Rahul in National Herald case The Enforcement Directorate has filed a prosecution complaint in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court against Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda in the alleged National Herald money laundering case. The chargesheet names Suman Dubey and others. The... Read more >

17:52 And the answer is... The answer to the question we asked you at 12:30 pm, 'what is the ambassador of Japan eating and in which state' is ... read what the ambassador wrote: Namaste, Bihar! Finally had the chance to try the world-famous Litti Chokha -- Gajab Swad Ba!In the picture alongside, ambassador Ono Keiichi... Read more >

17:15 Tariff war: China stops taking deliveries of Boeing jets China has ordered its airlines not to take any further deliveries of Boeing jets, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.This comes amid the face-off between the United States and China following the Donald Trump administration's imposition of 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods, with Beijing hitting... Read more >

17:09 The top gainers today IndusInd Bank was the lead gainer among Sensex shares, surging by 6.84 per cent. Tata Motors rallied 4.50 per cent. Larsen & Toubro, Axis Bank, Adani Ports, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and HCL Tech were also among the gainers. ITC and Hindustan Unilever were the only laggards. Read more >

16:50 Retail inflation dips marginally Retail inflation dipped marginally to a nearly six-year low of 3.34 per cent in March due to a decline in prices of vegetables and protein-rich items. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation was 3.61 per cent in February and 4.85 per cent in March last year. The inflation rate in March... Read more >

16:49 Statue of Biju Patnaik set on fire in Odisha's Bolangir Biju Patnaik with Indira Gandhi A statue of former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik was on Tuesday set ablaze at Patnagarh town in Bolangir district, police said. The BJD, CPI and other Left parties condemned the incident. IGP (North Range) Himansu Kumar Lal said one man has been detained in the statue burning case. The... Read more >

16:37 Neither optimistic, nor pessimistic: Iran on US talks Iran's supreme leader said that the first round of talks with the United States went well, in what is his first public comment on the negotiations, Iran state television reported. The comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei represented his endorsement of the talks so far. We... Read more >

16:27 Markets surged over 2% today because of... Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty surged over 2 per cent on Tuesday, tracking a rally in global markets after US President Donald Trump relaxed some of the tariffs on electronics products and hinted at duty revision for automobiles. Rallying for the second straight session, the... Read more >

16:01 Nitish Kumar's son on Bihar's CM face: It will be... With speculation rife over ruling NDA's chief ministerial face for the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, Nishant Kumar, the son of chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Tuesday that there is in fact no confusion. His father, Nitish Kumar, will be the next CM of the state.CM face ko lekar NDA mein koi... Read more >

15:54 Wholesale inflation eases to 6-month low Wholesale price inflation declined to a 6-month low of 2.05 per cent in March as prices of vegetables, potato and other food items eased, government data showed on Tuesday.Wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation was 2.38 per cent in February. It was 0.26 per cent in March last year. Positive... Read more >

15:40 Danda only treatment for rioters: Yogi slams Mamata Launching a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee over the violence in West Bengal over the Waqf law, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said Bengal is burning, but its chief minister is silent and even calling the rioters messengers of peace. Adityanath also said that... Read more >

15:29 Utility vehicle demand drives PV dispatches to record high Passenger vehicle dispatches in India from factories to dealers rose to record levels at over 43 lakh units in FY25, with utility vehicles accounting for 65 per cent of the total sales in the segment, industry body SIAM said on Tuesday. Read more >

15:26 Wholesale inflation eases to 2.05% in March Wholesale price inflation eased to 2.05 per cent in March, as against 2.38 per cent in February, government data showed on Tuesday. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation, however, rose year-on-year. It was 0.26 per cent in March 2024.Positive rate of inflation in March, 2025 is... Read more >

15:18 7 Iconic Kolkata Backdrops In Cinema. The heroes or heroines of these films may have been Om Puri, Jennifer Kendal or Ashok Kumar. But unquestionably the real star was Calcutta. Supriya Newar on the 7 props or backdrops repeatedly used in Indian cinema that are distinctly and uniquely Kolkata. Take a look Read more >

15:07 'Mamata inciting violence by refusal to implement Waqf' West Bengal CM is inciting violence by asking people to protest and saying she will not implement law passed by Parliament, says Union minister Kiren Rijiju.Tension flared up in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Saturday morning after fresh protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned... Read more >

14:35 Kasganj rape: Woman testifies, DNA test of accused begin The 16-year-old gangrape survivor in Kasganj district on Tuesday recorded her statement before the magistrate in court, a police official said. So far, eight men have been arrested in connection with the case. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rajesh Kumar Bharti said that the two... Read more >

14:13 Amended Waqf Act not against Muslims, assures Rijiju Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that the amendments in the Waqf Act were not targeted at the Muslim community and instead were meant to correct past mistakes. The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, speaking at a press conference here, said that the intention of the Union... Read more >

14:05 13-year-old rapes 3-year-old neighbour A teenage boy allegedly raped a three-year-old girl residing in his neighbourhood in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, police said on Tuesday. The 13-year-old accused was detained following the incident which took place on Monday in Pandri police station area, an official said.The girl went to the... Read more >

13:30 Change is certain in Bihar: Kharge meets Tejashwi Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday emphasized that in the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls, the state will be freed from the BJP and its opportunist alliance.In a post on X, Kharge posted a video of meeting Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and others in New Delhi to... Read more >

13:09 8th Pay Commission: State Govts Want Talks Before Final Report States have told the Union finance ministry that the 8th Pay Commission, once constituted, should consult them before finalising its recommendations as they will also be impacted, a senior government official said.The Cabinet cleared a proposal to constitute the 8th Pay Commission in January.... Read more >

13:06 Mamata creating Bangladesh here: BJP on Murshidabad BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government is creating a Bangladesh-like situation in the state following recent incidents of violence in Murshidabad. Ghosh further alleged that the West Bengal Chief Minister was creating a conspiracy to... Read more >

12:30 What's the Japanese ambassador to India eating? Ambassador of Japan, ONO Keiichi, shares this image enjoying Indian food of a state that resonates with the Japanese. What is the state and what is he eating? You get one answer, you'll get the other. Read more >

12:26 Stalin forms high-level panel for Tamil Nadu's autonomy Alleging that state's rights were gradually being snatched by the Centre, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday announced the constitution of a panel under a retired Supreme Court judge on state autonomy. The high-level committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph... Read more >

12:04 Govt May Launch Revamped PM Internship Scheme By Sept The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) is likely to launch the full-fledged version of the PM Internship Scheme by September this year, after incorporating the learnings from the ongoing pilot programme, according to a senior government official. In another five to six months, we should see... Read more >

12:02 Case mein kuch nahin hai yaar: Vadra on ED summons After reaching the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Gurugram land case in the national capital on Tuesday, Businessman Robert Vadra expressed his discontent over the matter, stating that there was nothing in the case and hoped for a conclusion in the invstgation.Case mein kuch... Read more >

11:51 New York City declares April 14 as Dr BR Ambedkar Day New York City Mayor Eric Adams has proclaimed April 14, 2025 as Dr B R Ambedkar Day in New York City, with its 8.5 million residents celebrating the day, a top official in the mayor's office said.Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs Dilip Chauhan made... Read more >

11:41 Hydrate and Glow: 7 Summer Fruits That Nourish Your Skin Tucking into plenty of summer fruits is a treat for your skin. Hydrating and nutrient-packed, many of them are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and support healthy, glowing skin, explains Healthline. Some you can even apply to your face too for great results. Take a look Read more >

11:39 Centre Receives Demand For 15,000 Electric Buses Under the PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) scheme, three states, namely Gujarat, Telangana and Karnataka, have placed requests with the Centre for 15,000 electric buses (e-buses) at a subsidised price.India aims to deploy 50,000 e-buses by 2030, with a focus on nine major cities and... Read more >

11:37 The Joy of Buttermilk: 7 Refreshing Recipes The most popular and typical antidote to India's brutal summer heat is buttermilk. And the cool drink takes many delicious forms across India. Some more spicy. Some extra tangy. Some a tad sweet. Go ahead and whip up any from this selection of recipes, that not only cool your body but also... Read more >

11:32 Broken seat, no wheelchair, no help: Vir Das on AI ordeal Comedian Vir Das shares this post on X which will make you pause when you book Air India. Das wrote, Dear @airindia Please reclaim your wheelchair. I'm a lifetime loyalist. I believe you've got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write. My wife and I book Pranaam and a... Read more >

11:17 HC directs Google India, executives to furnish 50% of FEMA penalties as bank guarantee The Karnataka High Court has directed Google India and three of its senior executives to deposit 50 per cent of the penalties imposed, for alleged Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations, as bank guarantees. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier levied a penalty of Rs 5... Read more >

11:15 Oppn slams PM for 'Muslims repair punctures' remark The Opposition has reacted sharply to a remark by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that young Muslims wouldn't need to repair punctures for a livelihood if Waqf properties - or properties meant for charitable or religious purposes under Islamic law - had been used honestly.Addressing the inauguration... Read more >

11:00 Mumbai-Goa highway to be completed by June: Gadkari Union minister Gadkari has said the long-delayed Mumbai-Goa highway will be completed by June this year, which is expected to bring relief to daily commuters and Konkan-bound travellers who have endured years of pothole-ridden roads. Speaking at an event on Monday, the road transport and... Read more >

10:58 Volkswagen May Drive More Global Models Into India European car major Volkswagen on Monday launched its most expensive offering in India -- the Tiguan R-Line starting at 48.99 lakh (ex-showroom) -- and is also aiming to bring in more global models in the coming year.This comes as the global auto major is trying to position itself as a premium... Read more >

10:41 The Top 10 MFs By AUM... The mutual fund industry's 25 per cent asset growth in the last one year was supported by a sharp rise in the assets under management (AUM) of select mutual funds across the size spectrum. Among the top 10 fund houses by AUM, Nippon India MF registered the highest asset growth at 29 per cent... Read more >

10:40 Extradition from EU toughest: Ex CBI chief on Choksi Stressing that the extradition of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi from Europe is the toughest, former CBI Director AP Singh said that the Indian authorities are now tasked with presenting concrete evidence and ensuring that Belgian courts are satisfied with India's prison conditions and... Read more >

10:37 ED summons Robert Vadra for questioning in land deal case The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Robert Vadra, businessman and brother-in-law of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, for questioning on Tuesday in a land deal-linked money laundering case, official sources said. Vadra, 56, was first summoned in this case on April 8... Read more >

10:30 Sensex surges after tariffs on electronics relaxed Benchmark equity indices surged in early trade on Tuesday tracking a rally in global markets as investors sentiment became buoyant after US President Donald Trump relaxed some of the tariffs on electronics for now. The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex jumped 1,750.37 points to 76,907.63 in... Read more >

10:18 Tata Sons To Utilise Hefty TCS Dividend For... Tata Sons is set to receive its highest-ever dividend of 32,722 crore (327.22 billion) in FY25 from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and plans to deploy the funds for its emerging ventures like semiconductors, electronics manufacturing and aviation. In March, Tata Sons invested in the rights... Read more >

10:15 Five day banking week unlikely In FY26 The Union finance ministry has indicated that the proposed policy of a five-day banking week will not be implemented in 2025-2026 (FY26), citing potential disruptions to banking operations, according to sources.A senior government official said: While discussions with the Indian Banking... Read more >

09:45 Will EPS accommodate TTV, OPS in BJP-AIADMK alliance? Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran has said the question of allotting seats to allies Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam led by TTV Dinakaran and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) for the 2026 assembly polls, would be addressed together by the leadership of the AIADMK and his... Read more >

09:38 Dalit groom prays at temple near Ambedkar's birthplace A groom from the Dalit community had to offer prayers at a Lord Ram temple, located near Dr B R Ambedkar's birthplace, in police presence after an argument between two groups in a village in Indore.The incident took place on Monday, when the country celebrated the birth anniversary of the... Read more >

09:00 Woman's body with gunshot injuries found in Delhi A woman's body with gunshot injuries was found in the GTB Enclave of Delhi's Shahdara, police said on Tuesday. Police said they received a PCR call late on Monday night that a woman had been shot and was lying unconscious.A police team from GTB Enclave station rushed to the spot and found... Read more >

08:45 Xi Jinping removes top Chinese general in latest purge China's President Xi Jinping has recently booted yet another prominent figure out of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This time, it is none other than the number two behind Xi in the largest military organisation in the world -- General He Weidong, the second of two vice-chairs of the... Read more >
Iranian Muslim leader Ayatollah Khomeini has issued a death threat against British author Salman Rushdie and his publishers over the book Satanic Verses.

Scotland Yard is providing the author with specialist protection and advice and all 11,000 staff at publishers Viking have received internal memos about the potential danger.

Security has been increased at offices, bookshops and distribution depots.

Mr Rushdies editorial director has said a promotional tour of America may have to be cancelled.

The Ayatollah  as Imam, or chief spiritual guide, of Shia Muslims across the world  broadcast a fatwa (edict) on Tehran Radio to eliminate the writer and declared the rest of the day should be one of mourning.

His message said: I inform the proud Muslim people of the world that the author of the Satanic Verses book, which is against Islam, the Prophet and the Koran, and all those involved in its publication who are aware of its content are sentenced to death.

Mr Rushdie, 42, responded hours later. I am very sad it should have happened, he said. It is not true this book is a blasphemy against Islam.

I doubt very much Khomeini or anyone else in Iran has read this book or anything more than selected extracts taken out of context.

He explained the Satanic Verses attempts to investigate conflicts between religious and secular viewpoints.

Published last September, the Satanic Verses has sold 100,000 hardback copies in the UK and US and was runner up for the Booker and Whitbread literary awards.

Already banned in five countries, the first demonstrations against the book took place in Bradford, West Yorkshire, where a copy was publicly burned.

Politicians in Westminster have expressed outrage at the threat and have called on the government to complain formally to Iran.

The Iranian Prime Minister Hussain Mousavi has sanctioned Hezbollah groups to take the necessary action against the author.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Protests against the Satanic Verses took place across the world and several individuals were assaulted in connection with it.

Salman Rushdie spent the next nine years living in 30 secret locations across the UK.

He denied reports that police protection cost up to 11m a year.

In September 1998, the new Iranian President Mohammed Khatami publicly declared the state would not support the fatwa.

Mr Rushdie was able to make more public appearances, including a cameo in the film Bridget Jones Diary.

However Islamic hardliners continue to uphold the death sentence and one Iranian foundation has put a $2.8m bounty on the authors life.

Technically a fatwa cannot be revoked and only dies with the person it is directed against.
Business leaders across the city are voicing hopes for a bold, forward-looking strategy to reinvigorate the economy, accelerate diversification, and strengthen Macaus regional and global position.

This comes as Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai prepares to deliver his 2025 Policy Address this afternoon at the Legislative Assembly.

To the Times, Rutger Verschuren, chairman of the France Macau Chamber of Commerce (FMCC), expressed confidence that the address will signal a further step toward a more diversified and resilient economy that will uplift the welfare of our society.

He emphasized the importance of a long-term vision aligned with the 1+4 economic diversification framework, which covers finance, high-tech, healthcare, and the cultural and MICE industries.

We hope each sector will receive structural government support, Verschuren noted, including faster licensing processes, regulatory adaptation, and better talent management strategies.

He also underscored the need for clearer support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through digital transformation and a large businesses leading small businesses model that fosters mentoring and ecosystem growth.

Additionally, the business community expects a renewed focus on workforce readiness, with investments in vocational training and international exchange programs to support Macaus economic diversification.

In terms of integration, the FMCC is hopeful that the Chief Executive will announce more tangible incentives to strengthen cooperation between Macau and Hengqin.

We may see a move toward what I call Two Regions  One Destination to give a clear signal that Macau is serious about Hengqin integration, Verschuren said.

He called for transparent cross-border policies, improved logistics, and aligned services to attract international and Macau-based professionals and businesses to Hengqin.

Verschuren also emphasized Macaus potential as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. This platform role opens doors for trade, cultural exchange, and investment, and provides new business opportunities for both local and international players, he said, adding that the FMCC is committed to deepening France-Macau cooperation in that space.

Meanwhile, the British Chamber of Commerce in Macau echoed many of these priorities, adding key expectations centered around infrastructure and urban redevelopment.

Keith Buckley, vice-chairman of the chamber, emphasized the need for clear, targeted initiatives to boost Macaus competitiveness.

We expect to hear about the establishment of task forces to formulate strategies and oversee the implementation of the diversification program, said Buckley.

The task forces should include public and private sector representatives and specialist consultants, he added.

The chamber also called on the government to revitalize the Macau Jockey Club land, roll out detailed plans for the urban renewal of older districts, and expand critical infrastructure, while also calling for the expansion of the Light Railway on the Macau Peninsula.

To maintain long-term economic momentum, the chamber highlighted the importance of improving the talent attraction scheme and rolling out updated employment development strategies that reflect the evolving needs of industries and the workforce.

Both chambers emphasized that improving public sector efficiency and governance will be essential for success.

Verschuren stressed that business licensing and approvals must be streamlined and that he hopes for real progress in e-government adoption and stronger public-private collaboration to make Macau more agile and investor-friendly.

We hope that each sector will receive structural government support, such as fast-tracking business licensing, reviewing and tailoring regulations for the four sectors, and implementing effective talent management, he said.

He added that while prioritizing local employment, the city should also look at attracting skilled talent from the mainland and abroad through streamlined visa and residency procedures in high-demand sectors.

The FMCC also anticipates alignment with central government directives  particularly in reinforcing the citys role within the Greater Bay Area, ensuring national security, and accelerating economic diversification.

We welcome initiatives that foster a sustainable business environment, strengthen regional and international cooperation, and enable businesses to contribute meaningfully to Macaus future, Verschuren concluded.
In light of the detection of substances such as etomidate, medetomidate, propylparaben, and isopropylparaben in drug offenses in Macau, the Office of the Secretary for Security stated that the refinement of the relevant draft bill is nearly complete, with efforts to finalize the legislative process within this year.

This announcement follows a written inquiry from lawmaker Ella Lei, who requested a timeline for legislation to regulate vaping substances, including space oil, which contains etomidate, along with other emerging drugs.

The Office reported that the government has already enacted seven legislative amendments concerning the classification of new drugs, leading to the inclusion of over 70 substances and precursors in the regulated list.

The Office noted that, while mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have enacted legislation to regulate such substances, etomidate is not yet controlled by international conventions.

However, the office committed to submitting the draft bill for scrutiny by the Executive Council in due course.

Additionally, between January and November last year, the Macau Customs Service (SA) seized 269 electronic cigarettes and 22,121 cartridges and vape oils. The Judiciary Police (PJ) have launched investigations into four cases involving etomidate.

Furthermore, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) launched in 2023 a Pilot Programme for the Detection of New Drugs to assess the risk of abuse of substances not yet under international control in Macau. Preliminary data from 2024 indicate that etomidate accounted for 3.4% of all positive urinalysis tests.

The office emphasized its commitment to monitoring the risk of abuse of new drugs, including etomidate, and to timely legislative amendments to align Macaus regulations with international standards and those of neighboring regions.
Against the backdrop of rising global uncertainties, including aggressive unilateralism and protectionism, Chinas continuing advocacy for a shared future with neighboring countries demonstrates its unwavering support for multilateralism and economic globalization. At a recent central conference on work related to neighborhood diplomacy, President Xi Jinping outlined Chinas approach to fostering ties with its neighbors based on the Asian values of peace, cooperation and openness. Emphasizing the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusivity, he reiterated Chinas commitment to cultivating a community with a shared future among neighboring nations.

President Xis state visits to three ASEAN nations from Monday to Friday highlights Chinas commitment to constructive engagement with neighboring countries and underscores the paramount importance China places on fostering strong ties with them. As Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, said, the visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia, hold profound significance not just for the advancement of Chinas relations with the three nations themselves, but also with the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations community.

Xis milestone visit to Vietnam from Monday to Tuesday marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam. Since 2004, China has been Vietnams largest trading partner, a relationship that culminated in 2016 when Vietnam emerged as Chinas foremost trading partner within ASEAN. The bilateral trade volume between the two nations had surged to a historical high of over $260 billion in 2024, and China has become Vietnams first trading partner with whom its volume of trade has surpassed $200 billion.

Both socialist nations, China and Vietnam are actively engaged in reform and opening-up initiatives tailored to their unique circumstances. President Xis previous state visit to Vietnam in late 2023 laid the groundwork for a strategic partnership aimed at building a shared future between the two nations, heralding a new chapter in their bilateral relations.

Xis visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Cambodia, are indicative of the strong emphasis China puts on fostering positive relationships with its neighbors, a commitment that is reflected in tangible actions and collaborations to translate the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness into meaningful cooperation.

It is acknowledged that disagreements between some of the ASEAN members and China do exist, and that addressing historical issues and immediate conflicting interests requires careful handling. But what is also acknowledged is the principle of harmony is essential for nurturing a cohesive and prosperous regional family. By steadfastly upholding the vision of a shared home, adhering to the objective of fostering a community with a shared future, and practicing equal-footed consultation alongside mutual understanding and accommodation, China and ASEAN are making the resolution of differences and the pursuit of mutually beneficial outcomes achievable goals.

Upholding ASEANs status as a zone of peace, freedom, and neutrality, respecting established regional agreements such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and supporting an open and inclusive regional framework centered on ASEAN are crucial steps. As are strengthening mutual trust through dialogue and fostering security through collaboration.

Since President Xi initiated Chinas neighborhood diplomacy based on amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, collaborative efforts with neighboring nations have opened new avenues for neighborly relations and friendship, showcasing distinctively Asian approaches to harmonious coexistence. China remains committed to being ASEANs steadfast and dependable long-term strategic partner.

[Abridged]

Editorial, China Daily
Deb Kabler had just moved to Madison when she walked into a music store on Odana Road and asked a question that would have a big impact on her life: Was there a community band in town she could join?

A trumpet player since sixth grade, Kabler came to the Midwest in 1988 to pursue a masters degree in library science at UW-Madison. She was a long way from her hometown of Coeur dAlene, Idaho. But as soon as she joined the Madison VFW Band under the baton of longtime music director Jim Latimer, she said, she felt a sense of community.

The VFW Band, with which Kabler still plays the trumpet and occasionally the euphonium, an instrument that resembles a small tuba, will perform a free community concert April 21 to celebrate the groups 75th anniversary. The one-hour concert, directed by conductor Dave Pedracine and designed for all ages, will feature a wide variety of band music and starts at 7 p.m. at VFW Post 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Road.

Well start with a march, then theres an overture, a show tune, sometimes a polka, Kabler said. It is definitely a variety. And its just fun.

Founded by the late musician and VFW member Elmer Ziegler in 1950 (Latimer took over in 1981), the VFW Band is composed of about 50 volunteer musicians who get together September through May. Each of those months the band rehearses twice and also holds two free concerts, usually at assisted living facilities for seniors. The audiences always give the band a warm and grateful reception, Kabler said.

It feels good to play, she said, but it feels great to play and bring joy to someone else.

The VFW Band also participates in a special concert and Memorial Day ceremony each year at Forest Hill Cemetery and another for Veterans Day at the state Capitol. Kabler is frequently the soloist who plays taps on the bugle at those ceremonies. She also serves as the substitute bugler for the honor guard, performing taps at military funerals about six times a year in a sharp uniform and white gloves. The bugle she plays belonged to her uncle.

Now retired from a long library career, Kabler served as a school librarian in Rio, Oregon and Mount Horeb. For several years she was the public library director in Barneveld. During the summer, she volunteers as a photographer and videographer with the Capitol City Band, also directed by Latimer, which performs weekly at Rennebohm Park.

Kabler and her husband have two grown daughters who play the clarinet and French horn and sit in for a session now and then with the VFW Band.

Are you a veteran yourself?

I am not, but I was raised in the VFW. All of the men in my family served, and my mom was part of the VFW Auxiliary. For me, part of growing up was to be involved in that. So Ive been around the VFW since I was tiny.

When you perform taps solo at an important ceremony, what is that like?

Besides nerve-racking? Its a huge honor. And Im so grateful to be able to honor the veterans, playing an instrument that represents my family. It can be a lot. I usually step out from the band about halfway through the concert just to catch my breath and take a minute. So its really special to me. Every time I do it I call my mom afterwards and tell her and she says, Im so proud of you. Because it was her brothers bugle.

If you go What: VFW Band 75th anniversary community concert When: 7 p.m. Monday, April 21 Where: VFW Post 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Road Admission: Free.

What got you into music and why did you stick with it?

In high school I was in band twice a day, in pep band and symphonic band. There were a lot of times in my life that music got me through things. I was really shy as a kid, really shy. So having band gave me a group of friends, it gave me a sense of belonging, of community. It gave me a way to express myself where I didnt have to stand up and speak to anyone. I just played my instrument and was still part of something bigger. And people always want to be part of something.

When I moved to Madison, I didnt know anyone, and finding this community band with people who said Welcome, join us, was like finding family. Once a week, I could go and be with people doing something I believed in, which is playing music not only for ourselves, but for this other community out there, the audience.

And that (creates) yet another sense of community. Were all there together in the end, just being together because of music. It really joins us all together.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14  Former law minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz has reportedly criticised Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mats recent call to remove the prime ministers role in judicial appointments, describing her remarks as improper.

According to Free Malaysia Today, Nazri defended the current system, saying it follows long-established British conventions and was enhanced with the 2009 creation of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), which he tabled in Parliament.

If Anwar interfered, Najib wouldnt be in jail. The court sentenced him. The pardons board reviewed his case. Where is the interference? he was quoted as saying, seemingly referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He also reportedly urged the authorities to investigate whether Tengku Maimun's comments were unfounded.

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Nazri was responding to Tengku Maimuns comments at a legal conference in Malta last week, where she said removing the prime minister from the process would help reinforce the perception of judicial impartiality and restore public confidence in the institution.

He also reportedly questioned why Tengku Maimun was criticising the process only now, despite being appointed under the same framework during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamads second term as prime minister.
Singapore slashes 2025 growth forecast to as low as 0pc amid US-China tariff war and global slowdown fears

SINGAPORE, April 14  Singapores Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has today revised its 2025 economic growth forecast downward to between 0.0 and 2.0 per cent, citing escalating global trade tensions and the impact of new tariffs imposed by the United States and China.

The Straits Times reported that this marks a downgrade from the previous forecast range of 1.0 to 3.0 per cent, as Singapore braces for a potential slowdown in global economic activity triggered by the ongoing US-China tariff war.

MTIs assessment is that the external demand outlook for Singapore for the rest of the year has weakened significantly.

This has led to a deterioration in the outlook of outward-oriented sectors in Singapore. In particular, the manufacturing sector is likely to be negatively affected by weaker global demand, the ministry said in a statement.

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It added that softer global trade would also dampen the wholesale trade and transportation and storage sectors, reducing demand for shipping and air cargo services.

The finance and insurance sector is expected to experience reduced trading activity due to heightened market uncertainty, affecting revenues in banking, fund management, forex, and securities dealing.

Weaker business sentiment and consumer spending are also likely to constrain capital investment and credit activity, with payment firms projected to see slower growth as a result.

The decision to lower the gross domestic product (GDP) forecast was also based on the economys performance in the first quarter of 2025, which saw a 3.8 per cent year-on-year increase  below market expectations.

On April 8, Singapore Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong acknowledged the uncertainty ahead, stating that while a recession is not guaranteed, Singapores growth will be significantly influenced by global conditions.

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He warned that external demand for Singapores goods and services would likely decline in the near term, impacting export-reliant sectors such as manufacturing, wholesale trade, and transport.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced a broad 10 per cent tariff on imports, including those from Singapore, although implementation was delayed by 90 days.

Most countries are now subject to a 10 per cent US tariff, while China faces a 145 per cent rate, prompting it to retaliate with 125 per cent tariffs on US goods from April 12.
A national voter registration campaign was officially launched in Mogadishu on Sunday, April 13, marking a historic step towards Somalias return to direct electoral democracy.

The initiative, considered a cornerstone of upcoming local elections scheduled for late June, was announced by Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, chairperson of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Citizens have been instructed to report to registration centres from Tuesday, in what will be the first time in nearly fifty years that Mogadishu residents participate in such a democratic process.

Two electoral reform bills aimed at transitioning the country from its traditional clan-based system to a one-person, one-vote model have already been approved by the cabinet. A direct presidential election has been scheduled for 2026 under this new system. The reform, which had been pledged by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in 2023, is being viewed as a significant move towards inclusive governance. However, it has also been met with resistance. The governments plans have been rejected by key opposition figures, including former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who have accused the administration of acting unilaterally and have threatened to organise a parallel vote.

Despite the criticism, the voter registration drive is being hailed by supporters as a turning point in Somalias democratic evolution. The previous election in 2022 was conducted under the controversial 4.5 clan-based formula, a system which has long been criticised for marginalising minority voices. The return to direct votinglast practised in 1967is being championed by reform advocates as a vital step toward national unity and political legitimacy, even as political tensions remain heightened.
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe has been appointed officially by the African Union as the mediator in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The role, previously held by Angolas President Joao Lourenco until last month, has now been passed on to President Gnassingbe, with the intention that he will guide efforts to restore peace in the troubled Great Lakes region.

Gratitude for the nomination has been expressed on April 13 by Togos Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, who conveyed appreciation to the AU member States for the trust placed in President Gnassingbe. It was emphasized that an active contribution to achieving lasting peace in the region would be made by the new mediator.

However, the appointment has not gone unchallenged. Criticism has been voiced by over a dozen Togolese civil society organisations, with accusations of democratic failings and rights violations being levelled against their president. Louis Rodolphe Attiogbe, of Novation Internationale, stated that shock had been felt at the appointment of someone who violates all citizens rights in his own country.

A difficult task lies ahead for the Togolese leader. His predecessor faced multiple diplomatic setbacks, as numerous ceasefires declared since 2021 have been quickly broken. One of the first priorities will be the unification and alignment of the Luanda and Nairobi mediation processes, in order to prevent fragmentation in peace efforts. Added to this is the parallel, discreet facilitation process being led by Qatar in Doha. It was in this setting, unexpectedly, that Rwandan and Congolese presidents agreed to meet in late March, following several failed attempts by the African Union. President Gnassingbes mediation will therefore be undertaken in an already complex and crowded diplomatic environment.
At least 52 people were reported killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo over the weekend, as a series of violent attacks intensified the long-running conflict in the region.

The violence was experienced in and around Goma and Bukavu, two strategic cities that have been brought under the control of the M23 rebel group. Responsibility for the bloodshed has been hotly disputed, with the Congolese government attributing the deaths to M23, while the rebels accused Congolese forces and allied militias of initiating the assaults.

Throughout the weekend, heavy gunfire and explosions were heard, prompting civilians to seek shelter in their homes. Residents, including Amboma Safari from Goma, described harrowing nights spent in fear as corpses were seen on the streets. The deteriorating security situation has raised concerns about the collapse of ongoing peace efforts being facilitated by Qatar and African regional bodies. A brief mobilisation by the Wazalendo militia group in Bukavu, followed by a declared ceasefire, was observed but has done little to ease tensions.

The renewed violence has been described as the most serious threat to peace since M23 seized Goma in January and Bukavu in February. Over 3,000 people have been killed since the start of the latest escalation, and the humanitarian crisis has been worsened, with nearly 7 million now displaced. In official statements, both sides have blamed one another, and accusations have been traded while calls for dialogue continue to be issued. With the region on edge, fears are mounting that the fragile situation could spiral into broader conflict if international mediation fails.
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A simple question would have made a world of difference for this routine pediatrician's visit, had it been asked: "What can we do to make this visit easier for you?" Lauren Schiff, MD, a gynecologic surgeon at the UNC School of Medicine, had brought her then-4-year-old autistic son in for a routine pediatric visit, but her son was having a tough time adjusting to the medical environment.

Schiff's son was in an unfamiliar place, asked to speak to unfamiliar people, and do new and uncomfortable tasks: stand on a cold scale, have a tight blood pressure cuff squeeze his arm, climb onto an exam table nearly double his height.

To a neurotypical person, these would have been simple requests. But for Dr. Schiff's son, these were a series of unpredictable and overwhelming tasks; he shut down, seeking safety in the corner of the room. This is just one of many examples of how medical encounters are not designed with neurodivergent people in mind. But what if doctors were more flexible, more accommodating?

Schiff specializes in fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic pain, and complex benign gynecologic surgery. Because of the sensitive nature of gynecologic care, Schiff is always concerned with ensuring her patients' comfort. However, Schiff realizes that she needs to be doing more for her patients with autism.

A call to action

According to estimates from CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, 1 in 36 people are autistic. To Schiff, this is a large patient population, particularly one that is not receiving skilled medical care.

"I think, as providers, it's easy to get pretty rigid in some of our own routines, and not even realize it," said Schiff, who is also the associate chief medical officer for quality & patient safety at UNC Hospitals.

"Through my experiences with my son, it has become very apparent to me that we are set up in ways that make it very challenging for autistic patients to feel comfortable and to be able to engage in their care in meaningful ways."

In 2023, Schiff did a deep dive into medical programs and professional organizations, both big and small, across the United States to see if there are official medical guidelines on how to properly provide medical care for patients with autism. Schiff found none. She took things into her own hands, giving didactic sessions to residents in her own Department and speaking regionally at Grand Rounds.

But she needed to address this issue on a broader scale. Schiff connected with Ashley Hester, Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the UNC School of Medicine and staff psychologist at UNC's TEACCH, and Teal Benevides, Ph.D., an occupational therapist and autism researcher at Augusta University, to write a perspective piece addressing this lack of medical training and guidelines.

Their article titled, "Providing Effective Medical Care to Autistic People," was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December 2024, garnering worldwide attention from medical professionals across medical specialties and parents of autistic children.

A simple question

Schiff and Hester say that simply asking a patient what could make their visit easier can open a whole new dialogue between patient and doctor. Because autism exists on a spectrum, there is no one right way to accommodate a patient's needs. For this reason, understanding a patient's individual needs and being flexible is key.

"[Autistic people's] brains process information and sensory input differently," explains Hester. "For example, it's not just that someone dislikes how part of an examination feels or prefers not to make eye contact. Undergoing a physical exam or making eye contact with their provider might be physically painful or emotionally overwhelming. That's not necessarily something that someone can control, but we, as providers, can attempt to decrease that discomfort."

Perhaps they need a printed-out agenda of the visit to decrease their fear of the unknown, or verbal cues before physical touch to reduce pain or discomfort. Either way, Schiff says that quick interventions, prompted by asking one simple question, can vastly improve patient comfort and trust, and keeps them coming back for important medical care.

"Many autistic people do not go get their preventative care because of the difficulties accessing health care," said Schiff. "In fact, autistic people have higher numbers of comorbidities, and so they should be interacting with the medical system more than the average person. And yet, they're interacting with it less because the environment doesn't accommodate for their needs."

Autism-friendly accommodations and strategies benefit a wide array of patients. Many people with other neurodivergences [e.g., Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)], anxiety disorders, trauma histories, and those from marginalized populations, have similar challenges in medical settings.

People in general may be more likely to engage in their health care if visits are tailored to their needs, and communication and learning styles. Ultimately, Schiff, Hester, and Benevides argue in their article that meeting each individual patient where they are and addressing their unique needs is just good patient care. Thoughtful care and accommodations can improve health care for all, not just those with autism.

What's next for Schiff and Hester

To accomplish widespread integration of accommodation strategies in medical care, Schiff and Hester emphasize that physicians and educators need to go back to the drawing board, starting with medical education.

"If we start now setting standards and expectations for medical school and residency, then we will have a medical community in the future who has a much better understanding of autism and how to provide accommodations to autistic people, so they can actually get the care they deserve," said Schiff.

Schiff urges medical schools and residency programs to start providing comprehensive education on providing care for neurodivergent people, to guarantee that everyone, regardless of medical specialty, can provide medical care to these populations.

Hester hopes to leverage her resources at UNC TEACCH to provide further resources and support to this new educational initiative. UNC's TEACCH is the preeminent center for autism research and clinical work in the world. The Center operates seven outpatient clinics across North Carolina and offers comprehensive trainings to professionals around the world.

However, the increased demand for autism-related services in recent years has significantly outpaced TEACCH's ability to grow, complicating their vision of applying more knowledge and awareness to other programs, medical professionals, and hospital systems.

In the meantime, Schiff and Hester are working together once again, this time on a grant proposal to develop guidelines on how to make clinics more neurodivergent-friendly. Their goal is to publish a reproducible pathway for health care environments to easily incorporate accommodations into their busy workflows.

The two are hoping to provide education about this important topic to larger audiences, furthering their mission of raising awareness among medical professionals and helping autistic people feel heard and supported.

"This is something that is so important to get out to the medical community, but also to the lay community," said Schiff. "As a parent of an autistic child, it would be like a dream come true, if, at least, I could go into a medical environment and the nurses, physicians, or other professionals could provide my son with the medical care he deserves."

More information: Lauren D. Schiff et al, Providing Effective Medical Care to Autistic People, New England Journal of Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2407467 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine
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Robots are roaming the hallways at El Camino Health, helping to deliver medications and take samples to the laboratory. They are among the new technologies implemented to improve efficiency while allowing clinicians to focus on patient care.

These technologies, which include artificial intelligence, are designed to help staff with menial tasks. El Camino Health operates hospitals in Los Gatos and Mountain View, California, as well as several urgent care clinics throughout Santa Clara County.

Chief information officer Deb Muro said AI has been assisting nurses and physicians with their tasks throughout the hospital for anywhere from a few months to a couple of years.

"Whenever you implement AI, you're implementing a model, and sometimes you need to train the model over time with more and more data," Muro said. "You implement them, you pilot them, you try them out, you keep adjusting them, and you see the AI gets better and better because it learns from the data."

One AI device is a deterioration index, which monitors a patient's vital signs like temperature, blood pressure and respiratory rate, and predicts when a patient's condition changes and notifies staff to send someone to check on them. Muro said its implementation has led to a drop in the percentage of events where patients need resuscitation.

"It has prevented and reduced the number of cases that have code blues," she added. A code blue is called when a patient is in cardiac or respiratory arrest or has a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate attention.

El Camino also implemented AI to assess a patient's fall risk. An algorithm predicts which patients are most at risk for falling, allowing nurses to intervene with those patients to prevent falls or reduce them from happening.

The radiology department also received a technological boost in the last year. Muro said AI is being used to analyze X-rays with an initial reading to help physicians prioritize patients. The AI can also pick up on incidental findings, other conditions that might not be easily visible.

Muro said the AI has detected incidental findings in 166 people, allowing them to be treated. The technology has also helped physicians to save an hour of work per shift.

Throughout El Camino's hospitals and clinics, physicians can also have AI assist them with taking notes after a patient visit. Muro said physicians tend to write up their notes when they get home instead of spending time with their families. She said they are implementing AI to help keep doctors from having to do this work at home.

This ambient listening program takes notes during and after appointments. The doctor then reviews the note and can sign off on it. Muro said it is helpful for doctors because it saves time and improves accuracy, instead of forcing doctors to rely on their memory of the visit hours after it happened.

AI is also being used to help doctors draft messages to patients who send them questions. The questions might be about prescription refills or their condition. Muro said the AI will look through the chart and the doctor's notes and draft a response for the doctor, which they can edit. She said this program has saved doctors time in writing responses and enabled them to answer their patients' questions more quickly.

"Those two things are helping our physicians with becoming more efficient, and it also helps with the quality of the data, the information, because it helps bring that to the physicians' view so they can then sign off on it," Muro said.

El Camino Health has also implemented technology that keeps track of employees' informationlike how many hours they might have worked, if they worked any consecutive shifts or if their birthday is coming upand alerts managers about any employees that may need extra attention. Muro said this has improved employee engagement , especially for nurses, based on surveys taken by staff.

Muro said El Camino Health is looking to implement AI in its call centers using virtual agents that can respond faster and improve employee efficiency.

2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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All full-time employees in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 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 agency's outbreak response on cruise ships was also 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.

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 ship's 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 Kennedy's 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.

CBS reported that only one epidemiologist remains on the Vessel Sanitation Program's 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 Floridahome to seven major cruise portsshow high levels of norovirus as of April 7. Verily's 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, we've seen persistently high levels of Norovirus GII since November/December 2024," said Amy Lockwood, Verily's 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."

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.

2025 South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Amid all the claims by celebrities, sportspeople and influencers about deliberate cold-water immersion, there is one undeniable truth: it is not a pleasant experience.

First-timers gasp, swear, squeal and grit their teeth. Some even panic.

"It's quite stressful," says Kevin Kemp-Smith, an Assistant Professor at Bond University who still struggles with his own ice bath routine.

The chilling jolt got Dr. Kemp-Smith and his colleague Dr. Mathew Ono thinking.

What drives a healthy person to inflict such discomfort upon themselves? What do they get out of it?

To find out, the pair and their team conducted a scoping review that examined 13 international studies into cold water immersion (CWI). The findings are published in the International Journal of Wellbeing.

They identified four themes.

Physical and psychological benefits: Many of the studies found CWI can improve mood, reduce stress and have anti-depressant effects. It also helps people become more mindful and aware of their bodies, which can boost overall well-being.

Sense of connectedness: CWI often involves social activities such as group swims, which help people feel more connected to others. This can enhance feelings of support and happiness, which are important for mental health.

Personal growth: The discomfort of cold water can help people build resilience and self-regulation skills, contributing to personal growth. This can improve the ability to handle stress and adversity.

Connection with nature: CWI, particularly in natural environments such as lakes or seas, fosters a strong connection with nature which is associated with positive well-being.

The average temperature the participants in the studies were exposed to was 13.78C, with the coldest being 4C and the warmest 19.9C.

They were participating in CWI 2.58.5 days per month, with durations from 5 to 20 minutes.

Celebrities including Usher, Mark Wahlberg and Harry Styles have praised CWI.

Lady Gaga says it is part of her post-performance routine while big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton uses CWI to increase his resilience.

Dr. Kemp-Smith says the physiological effects observed in the research echoed his personal experience.

"I do get that buzz afterwards. I really like that postout of the pool feeling," he says.

"You get a dopamine release and it flows on for hours and hours afterwards.

"It's definitely addictive."

At its most basic, trying CWI at home is as simple as a few bags of ice from your local servo dumped in a bathtub.

Portable ice tubs are available for a little more than $100, while more expensive models with filtration and bacteria-killing ozone generators cost thousands of dollars.

The cheapest way to experience CWI is in nature.

That can be challenging on the Gold Coast where the ocean temperature only drops to about 21C in winter, which is more accurately described as barely-cool water immersion.

In contrast, waters off Sydney get down to 16.9C, while Melbourne reaches 11C.

Hobart is the natural environment for cold-water swimmers year-round, with ocean temperatures ranging from 9C17C.

Anyone planning to try CWI for the first time should talk to their doctor first, because of risks ranging from bacterial infection from dirty water to heart attack.

The shock of entering cold water can cause hyperventilation, increased heart rate and blood pressure and loss of breathing control.

It's also important not to overdo it, as hypothermia can set in during extended exposure to cold water.

People with very low body fat are particularly susceptible to hypothermia.

Dr. Kemp-Smith says CWI newbies should undertake no more than 23 sessions of 15 minutes per week, totaling no more than 10 to 15 minutes at a temperate they can tolerate.

More information: Matthew Ono et al, Cold water immersion: Exploring the effects on well-being  scoping review, International Journal of Wellbeing (2025). DOI: 10.5502/ijw.v15i1.3981
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An Edith Cowan University (ECU) study published in BMC Pediatrics has found children born to mothers who experienced gestational diabetes (GDM) during pregnancy are more likely to develop attention-deficient hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and externalizing behavior.

The research by ECU Honorary researcher Dr. Rachelle Pretorius and Professor Rae-Chi Huang examined data from 200,000 mother-child pairs across Europe and Australia, and found that in children aged 7 to 10, those born to mothers with gestational diabetes had consistently higher ADHD symptoms.

Children aged 4 to 6 years born to mothers with gestational diabetes consistently exhibited more externalizing problems than those born who didn't.

"Externalizing symptoms are behaviors directed outward. Instead of experiencing depression or anxiety, these children often display hyperactivity, impulsivity, defiance, or aggression," Dr. Pretorius explained.

"Externalizing problems frequently coexist with ADHD symptoms and tend to emerge before medical intervention, especially during the early school years, she added.

"At younger ages, children may exhibit more externalizing problems and as the child matures, symptoms or behavior related to ADHD may become more apparent. ADHD does not have biological markers for diagnosis, making ADHD a disorder that is difficult to detect before symptoms manifest," Professor Huang said.

It is still unclear why children exposed to gestational diabetes retained more externalizing problems and ADHD symptoms respectively after adjustments.

"However, our findings suggest that these externalizing behaviors may decrease over time but could extend into other domains such as neurodevelopment outcomes such as ADHD symptoms."

Dr. Pretorius noted that while the exact mechanics of gestational diabetes's influence on child development is still unclear, it is believed that acute and chronic maternal inflammation during pregnancy may influence certain pathways in a child's brain programming in-utero and contribute to neurodevelopment, cognitive and behavior outcomes later in life.

"Several studies suggest that the severity of maternal diabetes, associated with maternal obesity, chronic inflammation have a joint impact on the development of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in children, which is greater than the impact of either condition alone."

More information: Rachelle A. Pretorius et al, Is maternal diabetes during pregnancy associated with neurodevelopmental, cognitive and behavioural outcomes in children? Insights from individual participant data meta-analysis in ten birth cohorts, BMC Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-05365-y Journal information: BMC Pediatrics
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Cesar Acevedo, left, holds his infant son, Adriel Acevedo, as as nurse Tracey McElroy, right, prepares to give him a vaccination that included a polio dose at the Dallas County Health and Human Services immunization clinic in Dallas, Friday, April 4, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/LM Otero

The measles outbreak in West Texas didn't happen just by chance.

The easily preventable disease, declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, ripped through communities sprawling across more than 20 Texas counties in part because health departments were starved of the funding needed to run vaccine programs, officials say.

"We haven't had a strong immunization program that can really do a lot of boots-on-the-ground work for years," said Katherine Wells, the health director in Lubbock, a 90-minute drive from the outbreak's epicenter.

Immunization programs nationwide have been left brittle by years of stagnant funding by federal, state and local governments. In Texas and elsewhere, this helped set the stage for the measles outbreak and fueled its spread. Now cuts to federal funding threaten efforts to prevent more cases and outbreaks.

Health departments got an influx of cash to deal with COVID-19, but it wasn't enough to make up for years of neglect. On top of that, trust in vaccines has eroded. Health officials warn the situation is primed to get worse.

Recent cuts by the Trump administration have pulled billions of dollars in COVID-19 related funding$2 billion of it slated for immunization programs for various diseases. Overseeing the cuts is Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who rose to prominence leading an anti-vaccine movement. While Kennedy has said he wants his agency to prevent future outbreaks, he's also declined to deliver a consistent and forceful message that would help do soencouraging people to vaccinate their children against measles while reminding them it is safe.

At the same time, lawmakers in Texas and about two-thirds of states have introduced legislation this year that would make it easier to opt out of vaccines or otherwise put up barriers to ensuring more people get shots, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. That further undercuts efforts to keep infectious diseases at bay, health officials said.

The more than 700 measles cases reported this year in the U.S. have already surpassed last year's total. The vast majoritymore than 540are in Texas, but cases have popped up in 23 other states. Two Texas children have died. A 6-year-old girl from Gaines County, the center of the outbreak, died in February, the first measles death in the U.S. in a decade. An 8-year-old girl from the same town, Seminole, died earlier this month.

Children in the U.S. are generally required to be vaccinated to go to school, which in the past ensured vaccination rates stayed high enough to prevent infectious diseases like measles from spreading. But a growing number of parents have been skipping the shots for their kids. The share of children exempted from vaccine requirements has reached an all-time high, and just 92.7% of kindergartners got their required shots in 2023. That's well below the 95% coverage level that keeps diseases at bay.

Keeping vaccination rates high requires vigilance, commitment and money.

Though the outbreak in Texas started in Mennonite communities that have been resistant to vaccines and distrustful of government intervention, it quickly jumped to other places with low vaccination rates. There are similar under-vaccinated pockets across the country that could provide the tinder that sparks another outbreak.

"It's like a hurricane over warm water in the Caribbean," said Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development in Houston. "As long as there's warm water, the hurricane will continue to accelerate. In this case, the warm water is the unvaccinated kids."

The Gaines County line is seen along Route 180 Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lamesa, Texas. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File

Flatlined vaccine funding in Texas

Lubbock receives a $254,000 immunization grant from the state annually that can be used for staff, outreach, advertising, education and other elements of a vaccine program. That hasn't increased in at least 15 years as the population grew.

It used to be enough for three nurses, an administrative assistant, advertising and even goodies to give out at health fairs, Wells said. "Now it covers a nurse, a quarter of a nurse, a little bit of an admin assistant, and basically nothing else."

Texas has among the lowest per capita state funding for public health in the nation, just $17 per person in 2023, according to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center.

Vaccines are among the most successful tools in public health's arsenal, preventing debilitating illnesses and lowering the need for expensive medical care. Childhood vaccines prevent 4 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says the measles vaccine will save some 19 million lives by 2030.

U.S. immunization programs are funded by a variable mix of federal, state and local money. Federal money is sent to every state, which then decides how much to send to local health departments.

The stagnant immunization grant funding in Texas has made it harder for local health departments to keep their programs going. Lubbock's health department, for example, doesn't have the money to pay for targeted Facebook ads to encourage vaccinations or do robust community outreach to build trust.

In Andrews County, which borders Gaines County, the biggest cost of its immunization program is personnel. But while everything has gotten more expensive, the grant hasn't changed, Health Director Gordon Mattimoe said. That shifts the burden to county governments. Some kick in more money, some don't. His did.

The problem: keeping people safe from outbreaks requires high vaccination rates across a broad region, and germs don't stop at county borders.

Andrews County, population 18,000, offers a walk-in vaccine clinic Monday through Friday, but other West Texas communities don't. More than half the people who come to the clinic travel from other counties, Mattimoe said, including much larger places and Gaines County.

Some had to drive an hour or more. They did so because they had trouble getting shots in their home county due to long waits, lack of providers and other issues, Mattimoe said.

"They're unable to obtain it in the place that they live. ... People are overflowing, over to here," Mattimoe said. "There's an access issue."

That makes it more likely people won't get their shots.

In Gaines County just 82% of kindergartners were vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella. Even in Andrews County, where, at 97%, the vaccination rate is above the 95% threshold for preventing outbreaks, it has slipped two percentage points since 2020.

Anna Hicks places the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in a refrigerator at the Andrews County Health Department's measles clinic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. Credit: AP Photo/Annie Rice

Vaccine funding crises aren't only in Texas

The health departments millions of Americans depend on for their shots largely rely on two federal programs: Vaccines for Children and Section 317 of the Public Health Services Act. Vaccines for Children mostly provides the actual vaccines. Section 317 provides grants for vaccines but also to run programs and get shots into arms.

About half of kids qualify for Vaccines for Children, a safety-net program created in response to a 1989-1991 measles epidemic that sickened 55,000 people and killed 123. Section 317 money sent to state and local health departments pays for vaccines as well as nurses, outreach and advertising.

Health departments generally use the programs in tandem, and since the pandemic they've often been allowed to supplement it with COVID-19 funds.

The 317 funds have been flat for years, even as costs of everything from salaries to vaccines went up. A 2023 CDC report to Congress estimated $1.6 billion was needed to fully fund a comprehensive 317 vaccine program. Last year, Congress approved less than half that: $682 million.

This, along with insufficient state and local funding, forces hard choices. Dr. Kelly Moore, a preventive medicine specialist, said she faced this dilemma when directing Tennessee's immunization program from 2004 to 2018.

"What diseases can we afford to prevent and how many people can we afford to protect? Those decisions have to be made every year by every state," said Moore, who now runs the advocacy group Immunize.org.

A rural clinic may have to be closed, or evening and weekend hours eliminated, she said. "It becomes difficult for them to staff the clinics they have and difficult for the people in those communities to access them, especially if they're the working poor."

At the same time, health officials say more funding is needed to fight misinformation and mistrust about vaccines. In a 2023 survey by the National Association of County and City Health Officials, 80% of local health departments reported vaccine hesitancy among patients or their parents in the previous year, up from 56% in 2017.

"If we don't invest in education, it becomes even more difficult to get these diseases under control," Moore said.

An unclear future given continuing cuts and hesitancy

Facing these headwinds, things got much worse in March when Kennedy's health department canceled billions of dollars in state and local funding. After 23 states sued, a judge put a hold on the cuts for now in those states but not in Texas or other states that didn't join the lawsuit.

But local health departments are not taking chances and are moving to cut services.

Health department staff members enter the Andrews County Health Department measles clinic carrying doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. Credit: AP Photo/Annie Rice

HHS said the money, allocated through COVID-19 initiatives, was cut because the pandemic was over. But CDC had allowed the money to be used to shore up public health infrastructure generally, including immunization programs.

Before he was confirmed as health secretary, Kennedy vowed not to take vaccines away. But in Texas, his department's cuts mean state and local health departments are losing $125 million in immunization-related federal funding as they deal with the measles outbreak. A spokesperson for the federal health department did not respond to an AP request for comment.

Dallas County, 350 miles from where the outbreak began, had to cancel more than 50 immunization clinics, including at schools with low measles vaccination rates, said Dr. Philip Huang, the county's health director.

Near the center of the outbreak, Lubbock's health department said seven jobs are on the line because they were paid by those grants. Included in the affected work are immunizations.

Across the border in New Mexico, where the outbreak has spread, the state lost grants that funded vaccine education.

Kennedy's cuts also hit vaccination programs in other states

It's still unclear how the recently announced $2 billion in cuts will affect immunization programs across the country, but details are starting to trickle out from some states.

Washington state, for example, would lose about $20 million in vaccination-related funding. Officials were forced to pause mobile vaccine efforts on their "Care-A-Van," which has administered more than 6,800 COVID-19 vaccines, 3,900 flu vaccines and 5,700 childhood vaccines since July. The state also had to cancel more than 100 vaccine clinics scheduled through June, including more than 35 at schools.

Connecticut health officials estimate if the cuts stand, they will lose $26 million for immunization. Among other reductions, this means canceling 43 contracts with local health departments to increase vaccination rates and raise confidence in vaccines, losing vaccination clinics and mobile outreach in underserved neighborhoods, and stopping the distribution of vaccine-related educational materials.

Several of the 23 states suing the federal government, including Minnesota, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, cite losses to vaccine programs.

As the cuts further cripple already struggling health departments, alongside increasingly prominent and powerful anti-vaccine voices, doctors worry that vaccine hesitancy will keep spreading. And measles and other viruses will too.

"My whole life's purpose is to keep people from suffering. And vaccines are a tremendous way to do that," Moore said. "But if we don't invest in them to get them in arms, then we don't see their benefits."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Researchers from the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGIN) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have completed a comprehensive natural history study of SCN8A-related disorders, which represent a spectrum of neurological symptoms.

The study, using retrospective clinical information analyzed through novel data analysis methods, revealed a range of seizure types and neurodevelopmental features, and identified potential targets for future clinical trials. The findings are published in Neurology.

Engin evaluates and cares for children with difficult-to-treat or unexplained epilepsies, genetic epilepsy syndromes and other genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. Variants in certain genes have been linked to epilepsy syndromes and other disorders. Pathogenic variants in the SCN8A gene cause a spectrum of neurological conditions, including epilepsy ranging in severity from mild to severe seizures, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and movement disorders.

SCN8A-related disorders are among the most common genetic epilepsies and treatment of children with these conditions is challenging due to the lack of precision treatments and because the overall history of these conditions across the lifespan is poorly understood. In particular, the time course of clinical symptoms, or phenotypes, associated with these disorders remain largely uncharacterized because of the wide range of variability and limited population sizes previously studied.

"Since the initial discovery in 2012, SCN8A-related disorders have received significant attention given the frequency of the condition and because SCN8A represents a potential therapeutic target," said senior study author Jillian McKee, MD, PhD, an ENGIN Epileptologist specialized in neurogenetic disorders at CHOP.

"However, in order to move toward our goal of launching clinical trials for these patients, an understanding of the natural history of these disorders is critical for developing outcome measures and identifying the key time periods for intervention."

In this study, researchers utilized electronic medical record data from 82 patients with SCN8A-related disorders and compared that information to a cohort of 2,833 patients with other genetic epilepsies. To help standardize clinical information across electronic medical records, the researchers employed the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), a dictionary of more than 15,000 terms, to help standardize how clinical information can be analyzed, accelerating the integration of precision medicine into clinical practice.

The study found that patients with SCN8A-related disorders had more than 10-fold risk of developing bilateral tonic-clonic seizures as early as one year old, a fact that was previously not appreciated. Gain-of-function SCN8A variants, which increase the activity of the sodium channel, lead to an increased risk of seizures as early as 6 months old and global developmental delay as early as 3 months old when compared to the broader cohort of SCN8A patients.

Patients with loss-of-function variants, on the other hand, were more likely to have atypical absence seizures, which involve instances of "blanking out," at around four years old.

In later childhood, patients with the recurrent p.Arg1617Gln variant of SCN8A were more likely to have focal seizures, whereas patients with the p.Asn1877Ser variant were more likely to experience generalized-onset seizures. An understanding of these genotype-phenotype correlations will be critical when designing outcome measures and selecting participants for future clinical trials.

Additionally, using sodium channel blockers to help manage SCN8A epilepsy was more effective in patients with gain-of-function variants as well as patients whose variants were not yet functionally characterized, suggesting that some of these variants may also be gain-of-function variants.

"Our analysis found that there is a significant developmental burden in SCN8A-related disorders with unique features that set these conditions apart from other epilepsies," McKee said. "Knowing how unique features of SCN8A-related disorders develop over time is the first step towards readiness for clinical trials, so we can help our patients with these severe conditions."

More information: Jan H. Magielski et al, Deciphering the natural history of SCN8A-related disorders, Neurology (2025). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213533 Journal information: Neurology
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Measles is one of the most challenging diseases to control. It requires a sustained uptake of well over 90% of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine such as MMR. But since the COVID pandemic, there has been a decline in the uptake of routine vaccines in many countries, including the US, Canada and Europe, resulting in outbreaks of the disease.

For instance, despite eliminating measles in 2000, the US experienced an outbreak in April 2025. In Texas, the center of this outbreak, 57 people were hospitalized and two unvaccinated school-aged children died.

Canada has also experienced its largest measles outbreak in 14 years, while last year, England experienced an outbreak of almost 3,000 confirmed cases and one death.

Before the measles vaccine was introduced in the UK in 1968, virtually every child caught the highly infectious disease and hundreds of thousands of cases were reported each year. In a peak year, there were over 100 measles-related deaths.

Twenty years after the introduction of a measles-only vaccine, it was replaced with the combination vaccine MMR, which also gives protection against mumps and rubella. The aim of this vaccine is to eliminate all three infections. There has been varying success in achieving this aim.

Rubellaalso known as German measlesis a very mild infection, but can be devastating if caught in the early stages of pregnancy. Fortunately, it is now a rare condition in the UK thanks to MMR.

In rare cases, mumps can cause complications such as meningitis and hearing lossbut it too is now much less common than pre-MMR vaccine.

Measles can be fatal and is highly contagious, so it's much more difficult to control than most other infections. It has a high rate of complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.

One vaccine dose gives about 95% protection against infection. But, because measles is so contagious, 95% uptake of two doses is needed to prevent outbreaks. Achieving such high uptake in all communitiesand importantly, sustaining this high uptake once reachedis challenging.

Vaccine hesitancy

In 1998, research published in the medical journal The Lancet implied a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. This received intense media coverage and, not surprisingly, many parents decided not to have their children vaccinated.

The research was subsequently discredited and the study formally retracted by The Lancet in 2010. Since then, many studies have found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, but for some parents, these fears persist.

Currently in England, vaccine uptake rates are too low. Only 89% of two-year-old children have had their first dose of MMR vaccine, and 83.9% have had two doses by the age of five. This means large numbers of unvaccinated children: more than 10% of children in each year group remain unprotected.

Vaccine uptake varies widely around the country. In some parts of London, as many as half the children starting school at five years of age have not had the two doses of vaccine needed for best protection.

Not only are current vaccine uptakes too low to prevent outbreaks of measles, but many years of less-than-optimal vaccine uptakeincluding among young adults who weren't vaccinated as infants because of the autism scarehas resulted in a large number of unprotected people. The impact of COVID also resulted in many young children missing their vaccines.

Many factors affect whether people are vaccinated or not, including how, where and when vaccination services are provided, as well as behavioral and social factors. For example, vaccine hesitancy, defined by the World Health Organization as a "delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services," is frequently blamed for people not getting vaccinated. Research suggests that vaccine hesitancy has increased since the COVID pandemiceven for vaccines such as MMR that have led to the near-eradication of some infectious diseases.

In England, surveys are conducted regularly to investigate the views of parents of young children regarding vaccination. The most recent survey, conducted in 2023, showed that 84% of parents reported they considered vaccines to be safea [reduction from the previous year].

These findings are reflected in other studies. Since COVID, some parents have reported that the pandemic has affected their views, either making them keener to have their children vaccinated or increasing their concerns about vaccination.

Given the intense scrutiny and widespread discussion about vaccination that took place during the pandemic, this is not surprising. Unfortunately, due to pressures on general practice and other health servicesresulting in a 40% reduction in the number of health visitors in England since 2015these trusted sources of advice about vaccination have become less easily available. In this context, people may turn to other sources of less reliable information, such as social media.

Although there is no robust evidence to show that health misinformation would stop a parent who was going to have their child vaccinated from doing so, it can be influential for people with existing concerns.

Accessing services

A large study using vaccination records of over  million children born between 2000 and 2020 found that children born in the UK's most deprived areas were less likely to receive the MMR vaccine. Parents also report having difficulty making or attending appointments as a barrier to vaccination.

Addressing these obstacles requires a multi-pronged approach, ensuring parents are sent vaccination reminders and are able to attend appointments at suitable times and locations. This may mean holding vaccination clinics at places other than the general practice and at weekends and evenings.

Work should be done with local communities to establish what works best for them to improve access to immunization. Opportunistic immunization is also important: when attending health services for another reason, unvaccinated children could be offered vaccines on the spot.

Urgent action is needed to improve vaccine uptakeand it requires sustained commitment and increased funding.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Opioid settlements with companies like Purdue Pharma, Walmart, and Johnson & Johnson have led to headline-grabbing multibillion-dollar payouts, but most of the windfall is flowing to state and local governments, not directly to victims of the crisis.

Only a handful of companiesthose that filed for bankruptcy, including Purdue Pharma, Mallinckrodt, Endo, and Rite Aidhave set aside payouts for individuals.

To qualify, people must have filed claims within a certain window and provided documents proving they were prescribed painkillers from that company. Even then, many victims will receive just a few thousand dollars, lawyers and advocates estimate. Most of these companies have not started paying yet, so victims might have to wait months or years more before seeing the cash.

In contrast, state and local governments have already received settlement money. To understand the size of those payouts, KFF Health News in January downloaded data from BrownGreer, the court-appointed firm administering many national opioid settlements, and used it to update a searchable database that allows users to determine how much their city, county, or state has received or expects to receive each year.

Governments are receiving that money because attorneys general argued that their states' public safety, health, and social service systems were harmed by the opioid crisis. Jurisdictions are supposed to spend settlement money on addiction treatment, recovery, and prevention programs. But many affected individuals and families say governments have failed to adhere to that mission.

"At the very minimum, they could spend these dollars right to prevent the future loss of life," said Ryan Hampton, a national recovery advocate and previous co-chair of a committee in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case, where he represented victims. "That is the opposite of what we've seen to date."

In Pennsylvania, a group of bereaved family members raised similar concerns to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who finalized opioid settlements when he was attorney general.

"Instead of directing funds toward evidence-based solutions, you and your administration have allowed counties to divert these resources into law enforcement, ineffective programs, and initiatives that already have other funding streams availabledisrespecting both our families and the lives lost," they wrote in a letter dated Feb. 14. "Meanwhile, bereaved familiesmany of whom have lost everythinghave no financial relief."

'Governments were way more powerful'

To be sure, many governments have spent millions of settlement dollars on treatment programs, recovery support, distribution of overdose reversal medications, and other efforts. Some officials in charge of the money say those services, which reach many residents, can have a greater impact than individual payouts.

Will Simons, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania governor, said in a statement that the Shapiro administration has invested nearly $90 million of settlement funds into treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and prevention initiatives, including prevention programs for youths, a drug and alcohol call center, and loan repayment programs aimed at retaining workers in the addiction treatment and recovery field.

Many of the awarded organizations "support families who have lost loved ones to this crisis, providing counseling and other family supports," Simons said.

A few jurisdictions have created fairly modest funds directed at individuals, such as one in Boston to aid families who have lost loved ones to addiction, and a fund in Alabama for grandparents having to raise children because of parental substance use.

But nationwide, there's little that resembles the widespread cash payments that many advocates, like Hampton, originally envisioned.

In the mid-2010s, Hampton said, he and other advocates considered filing class action lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies but realized they didn't have the resources.

A few years later, when state attorneys general began pursuing cases against those companies, victims were thrilled, thinking they would finally get compensation alongside their governments. Hampton and other advocates held rallies, shared their stories publicly, and galvanized support for the states' lawsuits.

In 2019, when Hampton became co-chair of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy and arrived at the negotiating table with state attorneys general and other entities, he thought "everybody was there to take on the big bad pharmaceutical company and to put victims' interests first," he said.

But as the negotiation proceeded among various creditors vying for the company's assets, he said, "governments were way more powerful than victims and believed that they were more harmed than victims in terms of cost."

Details of the Purdue settlement are still being finalized, and payments are unlikely to start until next year, but estimates suggest state and local governments will receive the lion's share, while more than 100,000 victims will split a fraction of the bankruptcy payout.

Mallinckrodt, a manufacturer of generic opioids, is the only company that had begun paying victims as of early 2025, said Frank Younes, a partner at the Nebraska-based law firm High & Younes, which is representing personal injury claimants in several opioid bankruptcies.

After paying roughly 25% in administrative fees to the national trust overseeing the bankruptcy and an additional 40% in attorney fees, some of his clients have received between $400 and $700, Younes said.

He expects payouts from two other companiesEndo and Rite Aid"will be even lower."

But many victims won't receive anything. Some didn't know they could file claims until it was too late. Others struggled to obtain medical records from shuttered doctors' offices or pharmacies that didn't retain older documents.

Out of nearly 20,000 people who contacted Younes' firm to participate in the various opioid bankruptcies, he said, only about 3,500 were able to file.

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Cardiovascular disease is by far the most common cause of death worldwide, and myocardial infarction is the most common acute event. For those who survive a myocardial infarction, the risk of a new heart attack is greatest in the first year after the initial event because the blood vessels are more sensitive, making it easier for blood clots to develop.

Reducing the "bad" cholesterol in the blood stabilizes changes in the vessels, decreasing the risk of new events. The current established routine treatment is to treat with high-potency statins, immediately after the infarction. However, the majority of patients do not reach their treatment goals using only this medication. They need an add-on treatment in order to get down to the recommended cholesterol levels.

"Today's guidelines recommend stepwise addition of lipid-lowering treatment. But it's often the case that this escalation takes too long, it's ineffective and patients are lost to follow-up," says Margret Leosdottir, Associate Professor at Lund University and senior cardiology consultant at Skane University Hospital in Malmo, Sweden.

In the study in question, she examined the prognosis of patients if the add-on therapy ezetimibe is applied early(within 12 weeks after myocardial infarction), late (between 13 weeks and 16 months) or not at all. The findings are published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology .

Based on Swedish registry data from 36,000 patients who had a myocardial infarction between 2015 and 2022, Margret Leosdottir's research group has used advanced statistical models to emulate a clinical trial.

The results show that patients who received a combination treatment of statins and ezetimibe within 12 weeks after the infarction and were able to lower cholesterol to the target level early, had a better prognosis and less risk of new cardiovascular events and death than those who received the add-on treatment late or never. Based on the results, many new heart attacks, strokes and deaths could be prevented every year if the treatment strategy would be changed.

"Combination therapy is not applied up-front for two main reasons. General recommendations are not included in today's guidelines and a precautionary principle is applied to avoid side effects and overmedication. However, there are positive effects from applying both medicines as soon after the infarction as possible. Not doing this entails an increased risk. In addition, the drug we have examined in the study causes few side effects and is readily available and inexpensive in many countries."

Margret Leosdottir hopes that the research results will in time provide support for changes in the recommendations. A treatment algorithm has already been introduced at her hospital in Sweden to help doctors to prescribe appropriate lipid-lowering treatment for patients who have had a myocardial infarction. It has been noted that patients achieve their treatment goals earlier and two months after the infarction, twice as many patients have reduced their bad cholesterol to the target level, compared with previously.

"Several other hospitals in Sweden have also adopted the algorithm and there are similar examples from other countries that have produced as good results. My hope is that even more will review their procedures, so that more patients will get the right treatment in time, and we can thereby prevent unnecessary suffering and save lives."

More information: Early Ezetimibe Initiation After Myocardial Infarction Protects Against Later Cardiovascular Outcomes in the SWEDEHEART Registry, Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2025.02.007 Journal information: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Ashish Anup Nigam, former executive director (ED) of Axis Capital Ltd and his associate Nehal Milan Mehta paid Rs1.50 crore and accepted a six months voluntary ban to resolve allegations of insider trading with market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The case concerns trading in the shares of BF Investment Ltd during a period when unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) was available regarding the companys planned delisting.

SEBI's investigation, which covered the period from 4 September 2022 to 20 March 2023, focused on whether Mr Mehta had traded in BF Investment shares while in possession of UPSI.

The sensitive information stemmed from an initial public announcement made on 30 December 2022 by Axis Capital, acting on behalf of the promoter group of BF Investment. The announcement expressed the group intent to acquire all public shares and voluntarily delist the company from both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). SEBI determined that the UPSI period lasted from 4 December to 30 December 2022.

According to SEBI's findings, Mr Nigam, who had access to the UPSI due to his role at Axis Capital, passed this information to Mr Mehta. On 29 December 2022, Mr Mehta, following a phone call with Mr Nigam, placed buy orders for BF Investment shares. He later sold them after the public announcement, benefiting from a sharp rise in share price.

The stock price jumped from Rs292.10 on 30 December 2022 to Rs458.35 on 4 January 2023, allowing Mr Mehta to earn unlawful gains amounting to Rs30.47 lakh. Notably, Mr Mehta had not traded in any shares between 4th September and 3 December 2022. During the UPSI period, he traded only in BF Investment and even afterward, 92.10% of his trading activity was concentrated in the same stock.

SEBI concluded that the trading pattern strongly suggested insider trading. As a result, the regulator alleged that both Mr Nigam and Mr Mehta had violated several provisions of the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, and the SEBI Act, 1992.

Both individuals were served a show-cause notice (SCN) on 11 September 2024. Following this, they applied for settlement under SEBIs Settlement Proceedings Regulations, 2018. Without admitting or denying the allegations, they proposed revised terms for settlement which were reviewed by SEBI internal committee (IC) and the high-powered advisory committee (HPAC).

On 20 February 2025, SEBIs Panel of whole-time members (WTM) approved the settlement. Mr Mehta paid Rs57.20 lakh in settlement charges, along with Rs30.47 lakh in disgorgement and Rs6.81 lakh in interest. He also accepted a voluntary six-month ban from the securities market. Mr Nigam paid Rs55.90 lakh and agreed to the same period of market debarment.

Both payments were completed by early April 2025 and SEBI formally confirmed the settlement on 9 April 2025. While the proceedings have been closed, SEBI has reserved the right to reopen the case if any false representations are discovered or if the settlement terms are breached in the future.
The central bureau of investigation (CBI) has arrested two individuals, Pushpajit Purkayastha, a former branch manager of Axis Bank, and Sandeep Gupta, in connection with the Rs400-crore DB Stock Consultancy investment scam. The arrests were made in Guwahati following revelations of their significant roles in the fraudulent scheme operated by alleged mastermind Deepankar Barman.

According to CBI, Mr Purkayastha, who formerly served as the branch manager at Axis Banks Rehbari Branch in Guwahati, colluded with DB Stock Consultancy to collect public deposits under the guise of high and assured returns. Investigators allege that Mr Purkayastha, in conspiracy with Mr Barman, misused his position in the bank to lure customers and investors from Guwahati and Mumbai into the fraudulent investment scheme. In return, he is believed to have received substantial illegal commissions.

Sandeep Gupta, described by officials as the principal agent and aggregator for DB Stock Consultancy, also played a crucial role in the scam. CBI alleges that Mr Gupta referred over 350 clients, primarily from Dibrugarh, convincing them to invest their money based on false promises of guaranteed high returns. He too is accused of earning large commissions from the scam proceeds.

CBI has already filed a charge-sheet against the prime accused, Mr Barman, along with his fiancee Monalisha Das, his parents Chabin Barman and Deepali Barman and chartered accountant (CA) Mukesh Agarwal. Deepankar Barman, who owned and operated DB Stock, is accused of orchestrating a nationwide Ponzi-style scam, defrauding over 10,000 individuals of more than Rs400 crore. He allegedly promised investors fixed high returns through an unregulated deposit scheme before defaulting on payments.

Last year in August, Ms Das was apprehended by Pan Bazar police while attempting to evade arrest in Guwahati's Khaghuli area.

The principal figure behind the firm, Deepankar Barman, is accused of orchestrating a scam that extended beyond Indian borders, affecting investors in Australia as well.

However, according to the report, Mr Barman has fled the country, leaving behind thousands of distraught investors. DB Stock Broking, which began operations in 2018, had built a large clientele over the years, promising lucrative returns through investments made on Angel One, a popular stock market platform. However, these promises of high returns are now suspected to have been part of a massive fraudulent scheme, the report says.
In a major development, the Lodha brothersAbhishek Lodha and Abhinandan Lodhahave amicably resolved all outstanding disputes through a family-guided mediation process.

The resolution, reached under the guidance of their parents and facilitated by members of the legal community, brings clarity to the ownership and use of their respective brand names and businesses.

As part of the agreement:

 Macrotech Developers Ltd (MDL), led by Abhishek Lodha, retains sole ownership and exclusive rights to the brand names Lodha and Lodha group.

 Abhinandan Lodha holds full ownership and exclusive rights to the brand name House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL).

 It has been jointly affirmed that Lodha group and House of Abhinandan Lodha are entirely separate entities with no affiliation. Both companies will be communicating this distinction publicly.

 Each brother has relinquished any claims over the others businesses. Abhinandan has no stake or rights in Lodha group, MDL, or any of Abhisheks ventures, and Abhishek has no claims in HoABL or any of Abhinandans enterprises.

Both brothers expressed deep gratitude to justice RV Raveendran (retd) for his guidance during the mediation process. The family also acknowledged justice Arif Doctor for encouraging the pursuit of mediation.

The Lodha family decided not to make any further comments on the matter.

In 2015, the sons of Maharashtra minister and senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mangal Prabhat Lodha agreed on a family settlement. Abhinandan parted ways from Lodha group and started House of Abhinandan Lodha Estate Holdings Pvt Ltd. The separation in the Lodha family was formalised in 2017 through a family settlement agreement.

In January this year, Macrotech Developers and Digirealty Technologies Pvt Ltd initiated a trademark infringement suit to restrain HoABL of Abhinandan Lodha from using the 'Lodha' trademark in any form. It contended that due to non-compliance with the 2017 agreement, the new agreement was signed between the two parties in December 2023, which expressly prohibited Abhinandan (Lodha) from using a name similar to 'Lodha'.

During a hearing on 28 January 2025, the Bombay High Court suggested that the Lodha brothers, who are embroiled in a long-standing trademark dispute, consider mediation to resolve the matter.
Madhur Bajaj, former vice-chairman of Bajaj Auto and a prominent figure in India's industrial landscape, passed away on Friday morning at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital following a brief illness. He was 73 years old.

According to company sources, Mr Bajaj had been hospitalised due to health issues and suffered a stroke two days before his death. He breathed his last around 5am on Friday, with funeral rites performed later that afternoon at the Worli crematorium in Mumbai.

Born on 19 August, 1952, Madhur Bajaj was a third-generation member of the industrialist family founded by Jamnalal Bajaj. He received his education at the prestigious Doon School in Dehradun, followed by a BCom degree from Mumbai's Sydenham College in 1973 and an MBA from the International Institute of Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1979.

Mr Bajaj had recently stepped down from his position as vice-chairman of Bajaj Auto in January 2024 due to health concerns. In addition to his role at Bajaj Auto, he served as a director for several companies within the Bajaj group, including Bajaj Finserv Limited and Bajaj Electricals Limited, and was chairman of Maharashtra Scooters Limited.

His contributions to India's automobile industry were significant, having served as president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) from 2005 to 2007. SIAM president Shailesh Chandra highlighted Bajaj's instrumental role in developing the first automotive Mission Plan for 2006-16, which strengthened India's automotive sector. Mr Bajaj also held leadership positions in other industrial bodies, including serving as president of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA).

Saddened by the demise of Shri. Madhur Bajaj ji, former Vice-Chairman of Bajaj Auto Ltd.



He will be remembered for his exemplary leadership, which not only propelled the Bajaj Group to greater heights but also contributed to the India story.



My deepest condolences to his pic.twitter.com/pMVAwC2JMY  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 11, 2025

Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal expressed his condolences, noting that Mr Bajaj "will be remembered for his exemplary leadership, which not only propelled the Bajaj Group to greater heights but also contributed to the India story."

Sanjay Kirloskar, president of MCCIA, praised Bajaj's visionary leadership during his tenure as the organisation's president from 2006 to 2008, highlighting initiatives such as signing an MoU (memoradum of understanding) with UNIDO to help MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) meet global standards and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.

The India's International Movement to Unite Nations also mourned Mr Bajaj's passing, remembering him as "a man whose humility, wisdom, and quiet leadership left an indelible mark on all who knew him."

Madhur Bajaj was a recipient of the 'Vikas Rattan' Award from the International Friendship Society of India for his outstanding achievements and contributions to enriching human life. He is survived by his wife Kumud and two daughters, Neelima and Nimisha.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the certificate of registration (CoR) of Maharashtra-based Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank Ltd due to inadequate capital and the lender's poor earning prospects. RBI has asked Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank to stop banking business from 11 April 2025.

RBI says Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects and has failed to comply with the requirements of the Banking Regulation Act.

The continuance of Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors. With its present financial position, it would be unable to pay its present depositors in full. The public interest would be adversely affected if the Bank is allowed to carry on its banking business any further, RBI says.

Due to the cancellation of its licence, Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank is prohibited from conducting business, including accepting fresh and repaying deposits.

According to RBI, on liquidation, every depositor of Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank is entitled to receive a deposit insurance claim amount of his or her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs5 lakh from deposit insurance and credit guarantee corporation (DICGC).

As per the data submitted by Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank, 99.72% of the depositors are entitled to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC. As of 31 August 2025, DICGC has already paid Rs47.89 crore of the total insured deposits based on the willingness received from the concerned depositors of the Maharashtra-based lender.
Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has urged Kenyas political leaders to respond to criticism with humility and meaningful dialogue, not aggression. His comments come in the wake of the heated backlash sparked by Echoes of War, a stage play performed by Butere Girls High School that highlighted deep-rooted national issues.

Delivering his sermon during Palm Sunday service, Archbishop Sapit called on leaders to prioritize the interests of the nation over personal pride. He warned that rising political tensions, if unchecked, could deepen societal divisions and provoke unrest.

Let us reason with the Savior, not from personal interest, Sapit stated. What kind of weakness is it when we use schools and the spaces of our young children to hurl insults and weaponize words?

He questioned the governments harsh reactions to student expression and urged leaders to consider the impact on the younger generation.

When we respond with force, our children are branded rebelsyet all theyre doing is asking us, Where is our future? What answer can we give them as a people? he asked.

The Archbishop emphasized that political leaders must be symbols of hope and integrity, serving as moral compasses for society. He warned that irresponsible behavior among leaders could trickle down and harm the countrys progress.

Archbishop Sapit also encouraged the government to listen to citizens concerns and view criticismespecially from youthnot as threats but as reflections of real national frustrations.

If you look at the theme of the drama festivals, it is the same across the board. Butere Girls was not an exception. They simply highlighted the themes that are affecting Kenya today, he explained.

Sapit challenged leaders to reflect on the rising public anger across the country.

We need to ask ourselves: why is the nation angry? Why does any slight provocation trigger such outrage? he posed.

As the country approaches the Easter season, the Archbishop called for humility, reminding leaders of the example Jesus set when He entered Jerusalem in peace.

He encouraged political figures to lead with the same spirit of humility and compassion, especially during this emotionally charged period.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and several other political leaders found themselves in an awkward spot on Sunday, April 13, when a senior clergyman at PCEA Githaithi Church in Githunguri denied them a chance to speak during a high-profile fundraiser.

The event, which aimed to raise funds for the construction of a new church building, drew notable political figures and was expected to include brief remarks from some of them. However, Bishop Peter Kinyanjui made it clear from the outset: there would be no political speeches at the pulpit.

As you have seen in the country in recent months, the PCEA Church was in fact among the first to say that politicians should not speak at the pulpit, Bishop Kinyanjui told congregants, firmly standing his ground.

The bishops directive underscored a growing movement within religious institutions to safeguard the sanctity of worship spaces by keeping politics at bayespecially during increasingly charged times in the countrys political landscape.

Bishop Kinyanjui didnt mince his words as he used Oscar Sudi as a real-time example to illustrate his point. He warned that inviting politicians to speak often opens the door to off-topic discussions that overshadow the spiritual message.

Why? Because politicians will bring other agendas. For example, if I bring out Sudi, he will speak on other issues, and the church sermon will be forgotten, the bishop explained.

He also urged politicians to keep their donations discreet and refrain from turning generosity into political theater.

Sudi Admits Politicians Ruined Pulpits with Politics

Despite the initial resistance, Sudi was later seen leaning in to speak quietly with the bishopseemingly requesting a chance to address the congregation. After some back-and-forth, the bishop allowed him a brief moment at the microphone.

In a surprising turn, Sudi used the opportunity not to defend himself, but to agree with the churchs position.

Bishop, youve enforced what Ive been thinking all along, Sudi said. It is us politicians who have spoilt it for ourselves because we talk politics in church.

He went on to reaffirm his Christian values and express support for the clergys decision. Maybe the bishop does not know me, but I am a Christian. What you have done is right. It is us politicians who ruined everything by speaking politics in church.

Sudi also disclosed that the politicians in attendance had earlier agreed not to introduce politics during the service.

Interestingly, after his conciliatory remarks, the church did go on to announce donation pledges from various leaders.
President William Ruto announced on Sunday, April 13, that the government has released Ksh60 billion to contractors, primarily Chinese nationals, who had abandoned infrastructure projects due to delayed payments.

Speaking at the Interdenominational Church Service in Kapngetik, Elgeyo Marakwet County, the president confirmed that the government had settled the long-standing arrears, clearing the way for stalled roadworks to resume.

Ruto explained that the financial challenges, both locally and globally, had delayed the payments, but the issue has now been resolved.

The problems weve had are due to financial struggles in the country and globally. For the past two years, weve been addressing that. In the last two weeks, weve paid contractors Ksh60 billion. Many of them had left their projects unfinished, but starting next week, you will note that they will return to work, he said.

The National Treasury shared that the Ksh60 billion was secured through a consortium of banks, with the Trade and Development Bank leading the group. The loan will be repaid using proceeds from the road maintenance levy, a fuel tax designed to fund road infrastructure. This could lead to a rise in fuel prices for Kenyans in the coming months.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi explained that the decision was driven by mounting pressure from stalled projects, increasing debt, and concerns over the delivery of public services. The road maintenance levy will serve as collateral for the loan, allowing the government to tap into future revenue to repay it.
President William Ruto has trivialized the viral Ruto Must Go chants, describing them as a recurring part of Kenyas political history that does not faze him.

Speaking in Siaya County during the burial of George Odour, the late bodyguard of ODM leader Raila Odinga, Ruto downplayed the significance of the slogans. He reminded Kenyans that such slogans are nothing new.

Kulikuwa na Moi must go, kulikuwa na mwingine must go na mwingine tena must go hii tu ni wimbo ya kawaida, there is no problem, he said  translating to, There was Moi must go, then someone else must go, and another one again this is just an ordinary song, there is no problem.

Ruto made it clear that he does not lose sleep over political chants or trending songs on social media. Instead, he called on Kenyans to shift their attention from political sideshows and focus on building the nation.

Brushing off personal criticism, the president said he remains unmoved by the nicknames critics often hurl at him.

Mara wananiita Zakayo, mara Kasongo, mara nini. I am not bothered. I am focused, Ruto said, meaning, Sometimes they call me Zakayo, sometimes Kasongo, sometimes other names. I am not bothered.

He emphasised that his mission is to fix critical sectors in Kenya, including education, infrastructure, electrification, and devolution.

We must get our education right; we must get our electrification right; we must get our infrastructure right; and we must handle devolution properly so that we can all move the country forward, he added.

Ruto also welcomed contributions from all leaders, regardless of political affiliation, saying his goal is to unite the country and drive it toward prosperity.

He urged both leaders and citizens to remain focused on what truly matters  transforming lives and building a stronger Kenya.

I am very proud of what we have achieved so far, he said, reaffirming his administrations development agenda.
Urinetown cast members rehearse ahead of April 24-27 performances in SIU Carbondales McLeod Theater. (Photo by Amihere Benson)

SIUs School of Theater and Dance ends season with Urinetown: The Musical

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  A satirical musical that touches on topics including the legal system, capitalism and privatization of resources, all wrapped around the use of toilets, comes to Southern Illinois University Carbondales McLeod Theater, April 24-27.

The Tony Award-winning Urinetown: The Musical, closes out the 2024-2025 season and showcases the talents of 20 students in the School of Theater and Dance and the School of Music.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 24-26, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 27.

An irreverent, dark comedy

Matthew C. Williams, an assistant professor of performance and movement, calls Urinetown one of the most intelligently written and genuinely hilarious pieces of American musical theater.

The production, which survived on Broadway opening just two weeks after 9/11, earned 2002 Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Score and Best Directing.

Urinetown has been praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, said Williams, who before coming to SIU Carbondale in 2021, spent 20 years working in New York City and on Broadway.

The story focuses on a city's water shortage caused by a 20-year drought that has resulted in a government-enforced ban on the use of private toilets, unless youre rich and powerful or politically connected. Ordinary residents must use public restrooms and must pay a charge. A rebellion ensues.

The production represents a fun and unique challenge for our students, said Angela C. Shultz, an assistant professor of practice in the School of Music and director of the Bachelor of Fine Arts musical theater program.

Its extremely satirical and comic but also has a political side thats good for students to explore. On top of that, its musically diverse in that it borrows from many styles, including classical, 1920s German cabaret, folk dances and gospel.

Rehearsals began in early March

Williams said that rehearsals are going very well, and hes using his experience to bring the most entertaining and compelling staging and choreography to this incredible cast of actors.

The production playbill with student cast and crew is available.

The students have clung to this material and have fully embraced its style of comedy, he said. These student actors are as good as any seasoned professional company I've seen of this musical. They have come to the table with immense creativity, humor and skill. They are dancing and singing up a virtuosic storm of funny.

In noting the School of Musics vital role in the production, Williams also praised the orchestras work, many of whom are students in the School of Music, SIU students in other programs and the community. The School of Music is also responsible for the incredible musical training of most of these student performers.

There are five musicians in the orchestra pit, including four who are School of Music students.

Shultz said shes very excited for our students to work the show.

Its difficult singing with huge choral sections and also jazz influence at times  then they turn around and sing like theyre in a gospel choir or on a 1920s dancehall stage, Shultz said. Its so much fun for them to play with their creativity in how to blend these wacky characters with their vocal technique.

The set by MK Hughes, assistant professor in scenic design, will transport audiences into a dystopian fantasy world as they enter the theater, with lighting design by award-winning Jaemin Park, an assistant professor of lighting and sound design. Aleka Fischer, a third-year Master of Fine Arts theater student who will receive her degree in May, is the costume coordinator. The technical director is Matthew Logan, an assistant instructor in the School of Theater and Dance, and Brandyn McGhee, the lighting designer for the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, is the sound designer.

Audiences should be aware the production uses haze and fog effects and strobe lights.

I am very excited for audiences to see this timely and fun show, said H.D. Motyl, School of Theater and Dance director. But there is a bittersweet edge to this production. Because of the expected Communications Building renovations, this will be the last performance of a musical in McLeod Theater until early 2028.

The musicals will be moved to Shryock Auditorium until renovations are complete, he said.

Ticket information

Tickets are available online and at the McLeod Theater Box Office. Individual tickets are $25 for adults age 21-54, $20 for senior citizens age 55 and older, $10 for students age 13-21 and $8 for children age 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 618-453-5741 or in person on the night of the performance. The McLeod Theater Box Office will be open 10 days before a show from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before each performance.

Beer and wine (cash only) will be served in the lobby before performances and during intermission.
OP Jindal University Sonipat (Haryana) [India], April 14: "Dr B.R. Ambedkar was not merely a person who drafted the Constitution with certain ideas borrowed from elsewhere, but who wanted to bring into the Constitution certain visions and understanding which today permeate the Constitution and make its working different from ideologies and is premised on equality, justice, fraternity and governance, said R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India at the inaugural address of the National Convention on "Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Legacy: Advancing Rights, Justice & Constitutional Governance" held at O.P. Jindal Global University. He also pointed out that despite the achievements of India in the social, economic and the political (fields) there is a grammar of anarchy! "All struggles towards equality and non-discrimination, aspirations towards the egalitarian society will have to necessarily occur within the framework of the Constitution as it is the most powerful document - beyond faith and prescription - to ensure that. Educational institutions can be a great bridge between governmental institutions, political parties, and social awareness. We have a long journey ahead and we need greater encouragement and engagement for equality. Dr Ambedkar had an extraordinary vision with his understanding of philosophy, religion and economics to reach a social order when each one of us will have equal status and equal regard, beyond economic reordering." In Celebration of the 134th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, O.P. Jindal Global University has organised a three-day national convention on a discourse on Dr Ambedkar's enduring legacy. The National Convention is being held from 12-14 April at the university in the presence of leading academics, law experts, jurists, judges, eminent lawyers and national leaders. The National Convention was also addressed by Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, and Ms. Manjula Pradeep, National Convenor, National Council of Women Leaders, among other dignitaries. Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University said, "Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stands as one of India's most formidable scholars and revolutionary leaders of the 20th century. A visionary advocate for rights and a just society, particularly of and for marginalised communities, his ideas and practice made some of the most important and foundational structures of India possible, including the Indian Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar continues to inspire movements for justice and emancipation worldwide. To appreciate his enduring legacy, we want to facilitate, support and host some conversations - enlivening his life with our learnings and his remarkable scholarship with what concerns us today. This National Convention will prove to be a leading intellectual discourse enabling a contemporary understanding of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in modern India." Professor (Dr.) Dipika Jain Executive Dean Jindal Global Law School said, "The discussions, panels and keynote addresses over the three-day of the national convention will help us to better understand the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It addresses how the Indian Constitution has been an enduring document which has helped India committed to its democratic roots and has ensured the rights of the individual. Various sessions during the convention will delve into these themes which also include an incisive debate on the foresight of Dr Ambedkar in shaping India's political ideas as well as economic thought." Multiple sessions are focused on pertinent issues like: Dialogues of Dissent on Dr. Ambedkar, Sociology & the Construction of the Other, Dr. Ambedkar and Global Human Rights, Dr. Ambedkar and the Women's Question, Reservation and It's Futures, Religious Pluralism & Dr. Ambedkar's Embrace of Buddhism, Dalit Feminist Theory: Critique, Power and Revolutionising Feminist Thought, The Legal & the Ethical in Ambedkar's Conception of Emancipation and contemporary questions like Constitutional Moralities and Decriminalising Same-Sex Relations: A Critical Conversation, Digital India and the Question of Caste, Role of Media in Advancing Dr Ambedkar's Legacy and more. Leading and illustrious participants include Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Government of Haryana, Justice K. Chandru, Former Judge Madras High Court, Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha, Manjula Pradeep, National Convenor National Council of Women Leaders, Angellica Aribam Founder & Chief Executive Officer Femme First Foundation, Beena Pallical, General Secretary National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, Rituparna Borah, Co-founder Nazariya, Abirami Jotheeswaran, General Secretary All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch- NCDHR, Mr. Apar Gupta, Advocate and Co-founder Internet Freedom Foundation, Dr. Riya Singh, Founder Dalit Women Fight, Nikita Sonavane, Co-Founder Criminal Justice and Police Accountability Project, Meena Kotwal, Founder The Mooknayak, Sudipto Mondal, Executive Editor The News Minute along with renowned academics from leading universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University, NALSAR University of Law, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, University of Hyderabad, Indira Gandhi National Open University, University of Delhi and others. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by OP Jindal University. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Faridabad (Haryana) [India], April 14: In a significant step towards community welfare, BPTP, a leading NCR-based realty developer, is donating state-of-the-art Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances to Amrita Hospital, Sector 88, Faridabad. The initiative underscores BPTP's commitment to community welfare and enhanced healthcare accessibility in the region. As part of the Drug-Free Haryana campaign, a Cyclothon event was held in Faridabad to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and to promote a healthy lifestyle. Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini flagged off the race, showing the government's support for the cause. The Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances donated by BPTP were also showcased at the event, highlighting the importance of accessible emergency healthcare in the locality. Equipped with an inbuilt advanced life support system, the ambulances (Make - Force; T1 AMB 3350 FM2.6CR BSVI.2 10+P AC PS ABS AIS125 TYPE-D) are designed to provide immediate medical assistance during critical emergencies, accidents, and severe health conditions. As part of the MoU, Amrita Hospital will manage and operate these ambulances around the clock, ensuring 24/7 availability for emergency patient transportation. Commenting on the initiative, Sudhanshu Tripathi, Whole-Time Director, BPTP said, "At BPTP, we believe in giving back to the community and ensuring the well-being of our residents. Donating these ambulances to Amrita Hospital is a testament of our commitment to social responsibility. With this initiative, we aim to enhance emergency healthcare services in Faridabad and provide timely medical assistance to those in need. We are confident that this collaboration with Amrita Hospital will make a meaningful impact on the lives of people in the region." This partnership underscores a long-term commitment to strengthening healthcare accessibility in the region. Through this initiative, BPTP continues to contribute to society by fostering meaningful partnerships that enhance healthcare accessibility and emergency response capabilities. (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 Durg (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 14: KK Modi University proudly hosted its inaugural convocation ceremony, honoring its first batch of graduates. The event, held at Hotel Roman Park, Durg, marked a turning point in the university's journey to become India's premier career-focused university. The ceremony was graced by Hon'ble Governor, His Excellency, Shri Ramen Deka, Dr. Bina Modi, Ms. Charu Modi, and Dr. Monika Sethi Sharma. KKMU graduates secured placements in leading companies such as GPI, Indofil, Aug Tech, Colorbar, Thomson Reuters, Zomato, Berger Paints, HDFC and Logy AI--reflecting the university's dedication to job-readiness and practical learning. Delivering his address on this occasion, Honorable Governor of Chhattisgarh, His Excellency, Shri 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 2020 KKMU 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 2021 My MODICARE internship strengthened my managerial abilities. KKMU's guidance helped me land a role as Assistant Manager at GPI Delhi. Vedant Wagh MBA Batch 2021 An 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 2021 KKMU'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. 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)
VMPL Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India]/Singapore, April 14: NAMTECH (New Age Makers' Institute of Technology), Gandhinagar and Technical University of Munich (TUM) Asia, celebrated a key milestone in their graduation ceremony of the first cohort of joint International Professional Master's Program (iPMP) in Smart Manufacturing, in a recently held ceremony. The iPMP in Smart Manufacturing is a fully residential,1-year accelerated Master's Program offered by NAMTECH in collaboration with TUM Asia, the only overseas campus of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. The course builds on the foundation provided by a B.E. / B.Tech degree, offering a uniquely designed curriculum for Industry 4.0 environment. It equips learners with future-ready skills in automation, IIoT, Digital Twin, Industrial and Collaborative Robotics, and advanced production techniques. The Program's strong industry alignment and experiential learning approach prepares these graduates to contribute effectively to India's fast-evolving manufacturing landscape. As a next step, NAMTECH and TUM Asia are now jointly exploring the three new one-year International Professional Master's Programs, commencing from August 2025: iPMP in Sustainability Engineering & Management iPMP in Semiconductor Manufacturing iPMP in Advanced Robotics Technology These Programs adopt an experiential learning, industry-aligned approach to ensure the students develop expertise in global manufacturing techniques in emerging technologies. Through hands-on modules, and direct engagement with industry leaders, graduates will gain the technical and leadership skills required to excel in high-tech industries. Strengthening a Strategic Partnership for Industry Impact The NAMTECH-TUM Asia partnership reflects a shared commitment to bridging the skills gap in India's advanced manufacturing sector. By combining TUM's globally recognised technical education model with NAMTECH's deep industry connections, the institutions aim to produce highly skilled professionals ready to meet industry demands in India. "The graduation of our first cohort is a testament to the strength of this collaboration," said Dr. Markus Wachter, Managing Director at TUM Asia. "As we introduce new Programs, we continue our mission of equipping students with world-class expertise and real-world experience, enabling them to thrive in the global manufacturing landscape." "NAMTECH is one of the leading institutions in India in space in Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology (MET), that bridges global academia and industry. It is being developed as a platform institution for experiential learning. We are determined to create world-class engineering professionals through innovative, modular programs. We are confident that together with TUM, we will be achieving more milestones in fostering the future ready technologist in India", said ArunKumar Pillai, Director General, NAMTECH. About TUM Asia TUM Asia, established in 2002 as the only overseas campus of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), brings German academic excellence to Asia. As a leading research-intensive university, TUM is ranked #28 globally (QS 2025) and has produced 19 Nobel laureates. TUM Asia offers Bachelor's and Master's Programs in fields such as Sustainable Food, Urban Transport, Logistics, Aerospace, Chemistry, and Electronics, in collaboration with top Singaporean universities. With over 3,000 graduates from 45 countries, TUM Asia provides a global launchpad for careers. It also offers lifelong learning courses in sustainable food, rail transport, and logistics through stackable certificates, enabling professionals to upskill towards graduate diplomas and master's degrees. About NAMTECH NAMTECH (New Age Makers' Institute of Technology) is a global, pioneering institution catalyzing Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology (MET) space of the country. NAMTECH's transformative journey empowers enterprising young minds to be conscious technologists. Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology (MET) is an innovation-driven ecosystem of manufacturing and engineering industries that are being transformed through emerging cutting-edge digital technologies like AI, IIot, Robotics, Smart Manufacturing etc. to create impact at scale. The MET ecosystem fosters collaboration between academia, industry and society - shaping the makers of today into the leaders of tomorrow. For more information, please visit WWW.NAMTECH.AC For media enquiries, please contact, Susim Mohanty on SUSIM.MOHANTY@NAMTECH.AC / 9825413030 (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)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], April 14: Bharat Digital Healthcare Summit 2025 was just an event; it's a beacon guiding India's healthcare evolution. Crafted meticulously to ignite and turbo charge India's regional Digital Health ecosystem, the summit catalyzed India's digital health transformation. In a landmark gathering of healthcare leaders, policymakers, and technology pioneers, the Bharat Digital Healthcare Summit 2025 took place on April 12, 2025 spotlighting the digital revolution reshaping India's healthcare ecosystem. Focused on innovation, accessibility, and the power of technology to bridge healthcare gaps, the summit served as a catalyst for nationwide collaboration and next-gen digital health solutions. We believe that the realization of digital health transformation hinges on the widespread adoption of digital technologies by healthcare organizations nationwide. It was the pivotal platform to catalyze and fortify the regional ecosystem, ultimately leading to a nationwide metamorphosis of Digital Health. We meticulously prepared the summit to be captivated by an exceptional lineup of global leaders. Our esteemed speakers represented the pinnacle of healthcare excellence, bringing invaluable insights and experiences to the forefront of innovation. From visionary CEOs/CIOs to distinguished C-suite executives, each speaker was a trailblazer in their respective fields, poised to inspire and enlighten attendees with their expertise. After the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, Shashi Dharan, MD, Bharat Exhibitions in his welcome speech said, "Digital health is not merely a concept; it is a catalyst for positive change. AI will replace doctors and teachers within a decade. From telemedicine bridging the gap in access to healthcare, to wearable devices empowering individuals to monitor their well-being, to artificial intelligence assisting in diagnosis and treatment--we are part of a movement that is redefining healthcare. India highlights its strides in digital health through initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which has created over 76 crore health accounts and linked 52 crore health records." Chief Guest, Dr. R.S. Sharma, Former CEO, National Health Authority (NHA) gave an inspiring speech. He was heard quoting, "The National Health Authority (NHA) is at the forefront of India's digital health transformation. It oversees initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a unified digital health ecosystem. Authentication in digital health is crucial for ensuring secure access to sensitive health data and maintaining patient privacy. It involves verifying the identity of users, such as patients, healthcare providers, and administrators, before granting access to digital health systems like electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, and mobile health apps. Innovative technologies like block chain are being used to enhance authentication in digital health. Our country is now hyper connected, so it's fantastic for implementation purposes now. 2.4 billion records are now with us with the CoWin platform. He also added that AI helps create tailored treatment for each individual making healthcare precisive." Guest of Honour, Shri A. Robert J. Ravi, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited in his speech said, "BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) plays a vital role in advancing digital health in India by providing robust connectivity solutions. Through initiatives like BharatNet, BSNL extends high-speed internet to rural areas, enabling telemedicine, e-health services, and online education. For example, BSNL's fiber network has connected over 30,000 Gram Panchayats, improving access to healthcare and other digital services. AI based healthcare systems are transparent, unbiased and ethically designed fostering healthcare solutions. AI's role in mental health support is growing, with virtual therapists providing accessible emotional care. It even assists in global health initiatives, addressing challenges like disease prevention and healthcare accessibility. BSNL's integration of AI in healthcare has the potential to revolutionize access to quality medical services across India." Dr. D. K. Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, Felix Hospital said. "Telemedicine and digital health are transforming healthcare by making it more accessible, efficient, and personalized. Telemedicine allows patients to consult doctors remotely, reducing the need for physical visits and bridging gaps in healthcare access, especially in rural or underserved areas. It encompasses virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and even AI-driven diagnostics. Patients will visit hospitals only for emergencies, rest everything will be at their door step, this is the future we are all looking ahead." Speaking during the Summit, Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India was heard quoting, "The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) plays a significant role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital health. It supports startups through initiatives like the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS), which provides funding, mentorship, and resources to health-tech startups. For example, STPI's MedTech Center of Excellence (CoE) has launched programs to empower startups working on healthcare technologies. We are investing hugely in startups and targeting a tenfold increase in GDP and unless we are not good at health, it all becomes vain. Same is the case in national health of the country. We need to capitalize on the evolving technology and applications for securing future healthcare in India." Rev. Fr. Isidore D'Souza, Vice President, RUPCHA & Director, Nazareth Hospital Allahabad said in his speech, "Today, we are at the crossroads of healthcare and technology--a meeting point that has never been more crucial. Digital health is not just an innovation; it is a revolution. It's about empowering patients through wearable devices, enabling doctors with AI-driven diagnostics, and strengthening public health with data-driven strategies. However, as exciting as these advancements are, challenges remain--ethical concerns, accessibility gaps, and the adaptation to new systems. Together, we can ensure digital health becomes an inclusive tool that delivers care efficiently, ethically, and equitably. Let's make this transformation one that truly benefits humanity." In her special address, Dr. Upasana Arora, Managing Director, Yashoda Super Specialty Hospitals, GZB said, "Digital health and the human touch are two sides of the same coin in modern healthcare. While technology like AI, telemedicine, and wearable devices enhances efficiency and accessibility, the human touch ensures empathy, trust, and emotional support remains integral to patient care. Go digital but let there be love, care, support which makes healthcare more and more humane". Eminent speakers during the Summit included, Sumit Puri, CEO, Prana Wellness, Praveen Bist, CIO, Amrita Hospitals, Pankaj Gulati, Vice President - IT, Calibrated Healthcare, Ms. Noor Fatma, Chief Technology Officer, Easiofy Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Vishal Gandhi, Founder & CEO, BIORx Venture Advisors Pvt. Ltd., Shyam Kumar, Chief Operating Officer, STPI-MedTech CoE, Dr. Amitabh Yaduvanshi, Coordinator and Head of Cardiology, Holy Family Hospital, Prashant Oberoi, Director - Global Business (Data Centre & Intelligent Cabling), Norden Communication, Wasim Ahmad, Associate Vice President - Sales (India), MeetMonk, Dr. Vishal Arora, Chief of Business Transformation & Operational Excellence, Artemis Hospitals, Dr. P.N. Singh, Clinician In-charge & Senior Consultant, Holy Family Hospital, Dr. Samir Singh, VP Clinical Services, CK Birla Healthcare, Amit Singh, Founder & CEO, Logicboots Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Gautam Singal, Associate Professor & Medical Incharge Cath Lab, DMC&H Ludhiana, Dr. Sunil Khetarpal, Director, Association of Healthcare Providers (India) - AHPI, Dr. Sumit Ray, Medical Director, Holy Family Hospital, Cdr. Navneet Bali, Chief Executive Officer, ClearMedi Healthcare, Dr. Archana Atreja, Medical Superintendent, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Dr. Sunil Sumbli, Head of Medical Services & Medical Superintendent, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute. The summit was partnered and supported by STPI, MedTech, Norden Communication, Holy Family Hospital, Stemz Healthcare, DeAsh Trade Net, Techspire Services, LMES iConnectWe, MeetMonk, RUPCHA, Medical Buyer, The Marcom Avenue and Broadband India Forum. (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 14: Care Oxy is a Delhi-based healthcare provider that offers quality medical services at home for patients and elderly people, and related medical equipment that is available on rent and delivered to your home. Established in 2019, Care Oxy in Delhi NCR provides appropriate healthcare to the required customers at their place. Under the leadership of Naresh Singh Dhakad, Director of the company, we and our Medical Staff at Home have created a niche in this industry. Our main aim is to provide quality healthcare services and trained medical staff near your doorstep. We are equipped with trained staff, well-trained medical caregivers, and healthcare professionals and nurses who stay updated with the latest technology to provide medical equipment and care to our customers in the comfort of their homes. We also provide job opportunities for Medical Caretakers. Our specialized care unit strives to provide a competitive experience in healthcare by providing highly effective medical equipment and home healthcare to all patients at home and always takes care to provide a satisfactory service that helps them to be healthy and happy again with fewer hospital visits. Careoxy healthcare services include: Home Nursing Services - Nurse at Home Now Available with Careoxy In today's busy life, it can be difficult to find reliable and caring medical help at home. That's why CareOxy is here - to provide you with qualified nurses at home so that you can receive proper medical care without having to visit a hospital. Whether it's after surgery, managing a long-term illness, or helping an elderly family member, CareOxy ensures that you get the right care at home, comfortably and safely. Nursing care services at home are becoming the preferred choice for families due to their convenience, affordability, and the comfort they offer to patients. At home, surrounded by loved ones, patients recover faster and feel more emotionally supported. CareOxy's in-home nursing services are designed to needed for patient care while maintaining the warmth of a home environment. Nurses are ready to provide 24/7 care at home with male and female facilities. The goal of the nurse is to provide the best possible care to the patient that can speed up recovery. This is why families choose nurses for patient care at home. Nursing special care for home patient: paralysis patient care, Parkinson's disease care, stroke rehabilitation care, dementia and Alzheimer's care, elderly care, bedridden patient care and many more, they are ready to take care of them at home. Home Attendant Services - Personal Care at Your Doorstep Having a trained attendant at home ensures that patients receive 24/7 assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility assistance, medication reminders, maintaining hygiene, and emotional health. Families are relieved to know that a skilled caregiver is taking care of their loved ones. At home, patients recover faster and feel emotionally stronger when surrounded by loved ones. These services are especially beneficial for elderly individuals, post-surgery patients, people suffering from chronic illnesses, or those who require long-term care at home. Caring for an ill or elderly loved one at home can be emotionally and physically challenging. This is where home caretaker attendant services come in - providing much-needed support and professional assistance to ensure that patients receive proper care in the comfort of their own homes. Hence, CareOxy trained attendants to provide tailored care while maintaining the warmth of home. The biggest advantage of hiring an attendant to care for a patient or elderly at home is that they can continue recovery or daily life in a familiar environment. Patients feel more relaxed and motivated when they are with their family members, which can significantly improve their overall health. It also reduces the need for frequent hospital visits, making it a more affordable and convenient option. Medical Equipment on Rent - You want to make patient care at home easier, use it with affordable service, rent it. Caring for a patient at home can be challenging, but having the right medical equipment on rent makes it simple, safe, and affordable. If your home patient needs temporary assistance or long-term care, Careoxy provides you with the appropriate equipment to suit their condition. Medical Equipments: Oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, bipap machines, DVT pumps, suction machines, ICU monitors, patient beds, recliner beds and wheelchairs, etc., are used for the patient, and which equipment is required depends on the condition of the patient. Some patients only need basic assistance, while other patients need a complete ICU setup at home. Doctors recommend the best equipment based on the patient's condition. One-Day Nursing Visit Services At Home For patients who do not require full-time care but need occasional medical attention, CareOxy offers one-day home visit services by experienced nurses: 1. Changing Ryle's Tube 2. Changing Tracheostomy 3. Wound Dressing 4. Inserting/Removing Urinary Catheter 5. Injection Service 6. Cannulation Service For one-day nursing visits at home, nurses are always available for emergencies. Award Winning Company for Your Care at Home CareOxy has won several awards in the healthcare profession, which are for the best service provider. There are several awards for CareOxy - International Fame Award 2021 by Sonu Sood, Global Excellence Award 2022 by Anupam Kher, Global Healthcare Achievement Award 2023 by Hema Malini and Tajurba Award 2024 by Suresh Mansharamani. These awards show that CareOxy has received several awards recognizing its contribution to home healthcare services. At CareOxy, the caregiver's aim is that your patient receives proper care in the safest and most familiar environment. Don't compromise on healthcare. Visit Here for Services: https://www.careoxy.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)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], April 14: The event took place on the evening of April 12, 2025, and Directors Ritika Vinay and Capt Vinay Yadawa, alongside Bollywood actor Aman Verma Crowned the winners, Dr. Anupama Kunjur from London was crowned Mrs. India 2025 Queen of Substance in the Emerald category, while Jyothi Lekshmi from Canada in Sapphire, and Saronita Roy from Bangalore in Ruby & Debjani Guha from Kolkata honored in the Ms. category, as selected by a distinguished jury. The visionaries behind the concept of "Beauty with a Cause" are the dynamic duo, Mrs. Ritika Vinay and Capt Vinay Yadawa, who serve as the Founder and Director of the Mrs. India Queen of Substance Pageant. This event celebrates married women by showcasing their beauty, talent, intelligence, and compassion. A total of 34 exceptionally beautiful contestants from India and various countries, including the UK, US, Canada, and UAE, participated in this grand occasion. The finale featured numerous esteemed guests, including Sonia Goenka, Woman of Universe 2024; Anushka Dani Dhingra, Mrs. South Pacific Universe 2025; Ashia Sahota, Mrs. Universe 2023; Mrs. Rita Gangwani, mentor to Miss World Manushi Chhillar; Mrs. Neha Chhabra, Director of Keywest Makeup & Hair Academy; Pammy Kaul, Director of Headmasters; Dr. Sagar Abichandani, Founder of Dental Hub Mumbai; Dr. Prerna Taneja, Director of Clinic Eximus; Sudarshan Chetlur, Branding & Communication Expert; and many others. The primary aim of the pageant is to empower married women and to identify outstanding representatives for the Mrs. Universe and Mrs. Earth pageants, as well as other international competitions. Additionally, the focus is on cultivating ambassadors for various causes, individuals who possess the skills, talents, and personalities necessary to promote their respective states and countries in tourism, international goodwill, and cultural harmony. The pageant has positively impacted over 2,000 direct beneficiaries through community initiatives led by all participants. The registrations are open for the 15th Season. Website - https://www.mrsindiaqueen.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mrsindia.official (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 14: WSFx Global Pay Limited ("Global Pay"), formerly known as Wall Street Finance Ltd. (BSE: 511147), a pioneer in India's B2B forex ecosystem, has officially entered the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) space with the launch of the Global Pay Lifestyle Travel Card - a next-generation travel essential designed to simplify and elevate the international travel experience for every Indian explorer. With over three decades of expertise in forex business and having served 5 Mn+ customers served till date with annual gross transaction value of 6000+ Crores, with an AD II license from the Reserve Bank of India, a pan-India network of 21 branches, and trusted relationships with over 700 corporates, and 550+ B2B partners, Global Pay now extends its legacy of trust, innovation, and compliance to India's growing retail travel market. India is experiencing an unprecedented surge in outbound travel, with more than 38 million Indians Indians expected to travel internationally by 2028 for leisure, education, and business. Global Pay aims to serve this rising demographic with a smart, secure, and all-in-one travel product tailored for the digitally savvy Indian traveller. Introducing the Global Pay Lifestyle Travel Card, curated especially for the modern global explorer, the card combines cutting-edge technology with convenience and control. Travellers can manage their card entirely through the Global Pay app, enjoying features such as zero hidden charges, accepted worldwide, app-powered convenience, multi-trip ready and above all, it's smart, secure, and seamless. This smart card offers complete financial control through the Global Pay app, allowing users to set card limits, PIN settings, and manage both e-commerce and POS transactions with ease. Designed for convenience and security, the card also comes with an international travel eSIM ensuring seamless connectivity abroad. It offers concierge services for domestic and international lounges. This will be your go-to card for seamless travel, start to finish. Global Pay Lifestyle Travel Essential Product is backed by a robust ecosystem of trusted partners, enhancing every aspect of the travel experience. Visa serves as the network partner, M2P as the technology partner, Zetexa as the travel SIM partner, Asego as the travel insurance partner, DreamFolks as lounge access partner, EaseMyTrip as the travel partner, Zaggle as the business partner, and Tag 8 as the tracking partner to ensure security and tracking. Whether it's a student traveling for education, a business traveler managing international payments, or a leisure traveler headed for a vacation, Global Pay offers personalized solutions to cater to every segment's needs -- all within one intuitive digital ecosystem. Users earn Global Pay Rewards - a simple, transparent point-based system on every transaction done via the platform, making every journey more rewarding. Srikrishna Narasimhan, Whole-Time Director and CEO, Global Pay said, "The Lifestyle Travel Essential Card is more than just a forex card. It's a complete travel and payment ecosystem designed around the evolving needs of the Indian traveller. With features like exclusive travel card, currency home delivered, app-based control, travel eSIM, insurance, concierge access, and zero hidden fees, we're raising the bar for convenience, security, and global access." Dilip Modi, Chairman, Spice Connect added, "This product reflects our long-term vision of integrating lifestyle services into financial products. The Lifestyle Travel Card combines everything a traveller needs--connectivity, protection, rewards, and payments--into one sleek solution. It's a game changer in the travel fintech space." Global Pay by WSFx, a BSE-listed company, is a trusted leader in foreign exchange, forex cards, and cross-border payment solutions. With a strong emphasis on innovation, compliance, and customer-centricity, Global Pay is committed to delivering secure, efficient, and transparent financial products to empower individuals and businesses alike. For more information, visit www.wsfx.in. Spice Connect is an Indian conglomerate, boasting a robust 25-year legacy in the Telecom & Technology sector. In response to a discerning analysis of the evolving future, Spice Connect strategically shifted focus to the fintech sector, spotlighting its two flagship entities: Spice Money and WSFx Global Pay Limited. At the core of Spice Connect's mission lies the unwavering commitment to connect people, improve lives, and position technology at the forefront of transformative solutions. For more information, visit spice-connect.com. (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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 14: The Mumbai Chapter of the Alumni Association, N.C.E. Bengal and Jadavpur University, one of India's oldest and most vibrant alumni bodies, is set to host a grand cultural event celebrating the centennial of legendary composer, poet, and visionary Salil Chowdhury. Titled Prithibir Gaadi Ta Thamao, this special tribute will bring together artists, musicians, and admirers from across Mumbai for an evening of live performances on May 10, 2025, at the Maratha Sahitya Mandir Auditorium in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, honouring Chowdhury's enduring legacy and timeless contributions to Indian music and culture. More than a stage show, this vibrant project is a journey through Salil Chowdhury's life and legacy-told through storytelling, songs, poems, visuals, and rare video interviews with his family and associates from India and abroad. Over the past 10 weeks, more than 20 artists and musicians have been passionately preparing for this unique tribute under the banner of Jadavpur Alumni, Mumbai. While the narration will be in Bengali, the performances will feature a rich tapestry of Bengali, Hindi, and Malayalam songs, reflecting the multilingual brilliance of Chowdhury's musical journey. Salil Chowdhury's Bengali song "Prithibir Gaadi Ta Thamao" translates to "Stop the Train of the World" or, more poetically, "Halt the Journey of the Earth." At its core, the song is a poetic and poignant plea -an appeal to pause the relentless pace of the world and reflect on the suffering, injustice, and chaos that often go unnoticed in the rush of life. It captures Salil Chowdhury's deep social consciousness and empathy for the marginalised and oppressed. The lyrics, filled with symbolic imagery, talk about a world moving too fast, indifferent to pain and inequality. Chowdhury believed there is an urgent need to stop, take stock, and notice the cries of the voiceless. Thus, this masterpiece critiques blind progress at the cost of humanity and compassion. Salil Chowdhury (19 November 1925 - 5 September 1995) was renowned for blending Indian classical traditions with Western harmonies and folk elements. Chowdhury's work transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on music, cinema, and literature. Commenting on the event, Dibyendu Chakraborty, Jadavpur University Mumbai Alumni and former Alumni Association President, said, "As we mark the 100th year of Salil Chowdhury, this project is much more than a tribute. It is a heartfelt journey through the life of a visionary whose music transcended language, region, and era. It serves as a poignant reminder that his melodies, rich with emotion and meaning, still have the power to connect people across time and space, resonating as deeply today as they did decades ago." Those interested in attending the event can register or find more details by visiting: www.juaam.com/event_detail/31. The Jadavpur University Alumni Association Mumbai branch has been organising various cultural events over the years. In March 2010, it organised Heritage of Indian Classical Music at Rabindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Mumbai. Featuring the performance of doyen Hindustani classical music Late Ustad Rashid Khan, the program aimed to foster connections among the general public and alumni while promoting the rich legacy of Indian classical music. Evoking the nostalgia of Jadavpur University's annual cultural events, where music once filled the air into the early hours, the evening was a heartfelt attempt to revive those cherished memories within the vibrant yet stressful pace of Mumbai life. The Mumbai Branch of the Alumni Association of N.C.E Bengal and Jadavpur University was established in 1956 to provide an umbrella for alumni to meet, interact, and socialise. In the years that followed, the objective was expanded to include knowledge sharing and charitable activities to benefit society as a whole. More than 350 active members in the Mumbai branch are connected to various core and knowledge-based industries, professional organisations, and Government agencies. Jadavpur University, Kolkata, is one of India's most prestigious public research institutions. It is renowned for its academic excellence, progressive ethos, and commitment to intellectual freedom. Established in 1955, the University traces its origins to the National Council of Education (NCE), which was founded in 1906 as part of India's Swadeshi movement to promote indigenous education. Over the decades, it has evolved into a globally recognised centre for higher learning, research, and innovation, consistently ranking among the country's top universities. In 1921, former students of the university initiated a movement to establish the National Council of Education Alumni Association (NCE Alumni Association). When the university moved to its present campus in 1924, the NCE Alumni Association moved along. The Association celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021, marking a significant milestone for its alumni around the globe. (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)
After actress Aimee Lou Wood called out Saturday Night Live (SNL) star Sarah Sherman's "mean and unfunny" impression of her character on this weekend's episode, the actress shared that she has received an apology from SNL, reported Deadline. Wood initially called out the comedy show for impersonating her in a mean and funny way. She took her Instagram handle to share her perspective on the story. In this weekend's sketch 'The White POTUS', the cast used a parody of the recent Thailand-set Season 3 to make a few swipes at the Trumps, while also poking fun at Wood's character Chelsea with Sherman in a pair of buck teeth. The impression comes after Wood expressed how exhausted she was of talking about her teeth, reported Deadline. "But whilst in honest mode - I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny xo," wrote Wood on her Instagram Story while explaining recent comments that she felt ugly, " as quoted by Deadline In a barrage of callouts, the 'Sex Education' actress Wood on Sunday wrote, "At least get the accent right seriously, I respect accuracy even if it's mean." While concluding her rant, she wrote, "@hbo - kind and supportive and never wronged me so leave them alone. @nbcsnl - mean," wrote Wood as quoted by Deadline. The Sex Education alum has since received "thousands of messages" of support in response to her callout. Due to this, the SNL may have felt pressured and apparently apologised to her, as per Wood's story. "I've had apologies from SNL," she concluded the saga through her Instagram story. Wood played the role of Chelsea in the drama series The White Lotus Season 3. (ANI)
Competition highlights include 'Left-Handed Girl', the solo directorial debut of Taiwanese filmmaker Shih-Ching Tsou, known for her long-standing collaboration with 'Anora' director Sean Baker.

Baker co-wrote and edited the Taipei-set urban melodrama, which centers on a single mother and her two daughters navigating life on the margins of the Taiwanese capital, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

European features in competition include Pauline Loques' Nino, starring fast-rising Quebecois actor Theodore Pellerin (Lurker) as a young man adrift in the city after losing his apartment keys; Sleepless City from Spanish director Guillermo Galoe, which follows two close friends facing separation when one is forced to move away; and Kika from Belgian filmmaker Alexe Poukine, starring Manon Clavel as a social worker confronting an unplanned pregnancy shortly after her partner's death, as per the outlet.

Belgian director Laura Wandel will open the 64th Cannes Critics' Week, out of competition in a special screening, with her child custody drama Adam's Interest. Closing the section, also out of competition, is Dandelion's Odyssey, the first animated feature from Japanese director Momoko Seto, as per the outlet.

Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen, who is joined by Oscar-winning British actor Daniel Kaluuya, Moroccan journalist Jihane Bougrine, French-Canadian cinematographer Josee Deshaies, and Indonesian producer Yulia Evina Bhara, heads up the jury for the 64th edition of Critics' Week, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Critics' Week runs May 14-22 alongside the main Cannes Film Festival. (ANI)
The temple, which was inaugurated a few months ago, features a 300 kg idol of the actor and stands as a testament to Karthik's devotion.

Karthik, who regards Rajinikanth as a God, celebrated the Tamil New Year festival with his family members in the temple. The space has become a shrine dedicated to the actor, highlighting the massive admiration and love Rajinikanth commands across the country.

Rajinikanth is one of the most versatile actors in India. He has a massive following all over the country. Karthik built a temple for Rajinikanth at his house in Madurai. The actor's fan, Karthi, converted a part of his house into a temple for Rajinikanth and dedicated it to the actor. The temple has Rajinikanth's idol, weighing 300 kg.

Puthandu, commonly known as Tamil New Year, is being celebrated on April 14, 2025.

"A few months ago, Rajinikanth invited us, and we had the opportunity to meet him in person. He gave us many gifts.We will continue to worship him," he said. (ANI)
Actor and producer Matt Damon is happy taking a break from shooting 'The Odyssey'. He was seen enjoying some time off on a yacht off the coast of Italy and showing off a notably ripped physique roughly two months after Christopher Nolan's upcoming movie released its first image of Damon as the Greek mythical hero Odysseus. Damon was previously spotted on the film's set on March 25, when he filmed scenes shirtless and showed off his impressive abs on set in Favignana, Italy. His costar Zendaya was also seen in costume and on location that day as the pair filmed scenes for The Odyssey, based on the Ancient Greek epic poem attributed to the poet Homer, reported People. Damon appears alongside Tom Holland, Mia Goth, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo. Holland, 28, was photographed on the movie's set on March 26. He wore a full chest plate and metal armor over his body as he and other crew members stood near what appeared to be an antiquity-style Greek trireme sitting in the water. Holland's appearance on the movie's set came just one day after Damon and Zendaya were last photographed filming on location, as reported by People. "The Odyssey" follows the Greek champion Odysseus on his tumultuous journey home after the Trojan War. The story was first scribed by the ancient Greek poet Homer over 2,000 years ago and is one of the oldest stories still enjoyed by modern readers. Nolan penned the script and serves as director and producer. His wife, Emma Thomas, will also produce under the pair's Syncopy banner. "The Odyssey" marks Nolan and Damon's third collaboration. Damon has appeared in movies like Drive-Away Dolls, IF, and The Instigators. The Odyssey is set for release in theaters on July 17, 2026, as reported by People. (ANI)
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honouring lawyer-nationalist C Sankaran Nair's legacy during a public gathering in Haryana. Akshay took to Instagram and shared a video of PM Modi remembering Nair's brave fight against Britishers after Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIbescpT2O8/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=2dcda5dc-1843-41f4-bc12-fa55e1e79b3b "Thank you Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for remembering the great Chettur Sankaran Nair ji and his contribution to our freedom struggle. It is so important that we as a nation, especially the younger generation values the great women and men who fought valiantly to ensure that we breathe in a free country! Our Kesari Chapter 2, is a humble effort to remind everyone that we must never take our freedom for granted," Akshay wrote. In his speech, PM recalled Nair's heroism in standing up against the British empire after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where British troops fired on unarmed civilians in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, fuelling national outrage and galvanising the fight for independence. "He could have enjoyed all the luxuries, but inspired by Jallianwalah Bagh, he raised his voice against British atrocities. He was removed from his post. He was from Kerala and the incident took place in Punjab. Sankaran Nair ensured that the British government was brought to the court of law. He showed what unity and humanity actually mean. We should definitely learn from Sankaran Nair," PM said. PM Modi also urged public to remember Nair's contributions and learn valuable lessons from his life. "The people of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh should know about Sankaran Nair. Every adult and child should be aware of his contributions. He is a great inspiration," he added. Notably, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is coming up with the film 'Kesari 2', in which he will be seen essaying the role of Sankaran Nair. On Monday, Akshay visited Amritsar and promoted his film with full enthusiasm. He even offered prayers at the Golden Temple with his co-stars Ananya Panday and R Madhavan. (ANI)
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) initiated trial runs between New Ashok Nagar and Sarai Kale Khan Namo Bharat stations on Saturday night, according to a statement. This marks a significant milestone in the effort to operationalise the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. The NCRTC team brought the Namo Bharat train from New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan on the downline at a minimal speed. As part of the trial, the Namo Bharat train was operated manually to test the compatibility of the signalling system. As the trials progress, NCRTC will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess the train's integration and coordination with various subsystems, including the track, platform screen doors (PSDs), and the overhead power supply system. In the coming days, extensive trial runs featuring high-speed tests will also be carried out. During this trial, the Namo Bharat train crossed the Yamuna River for the first time, continuing its journey over the Barapullah flyover and the Ring Road before entering Sarai Kale Khan station. Constructing this 1.3 km long bridge over the Yamuna River to enable this crossing was a complex and challenging task, but NCRTC overcame all challenges and completed the construction of this bridge as per the scheduled timelines. Supported by 32 pillars, about 626 metres of this bridge lies directly over the Yamuna River and the remaining portion extends into the floodplain areas on both sides. This bridge has been built parallel to the existing DND Yamuna Bridge. Similarly, reaching Sarai Kale Khan station required the construction of a viaduct over the congested Barapullah flyover and Ring Road, another complex task successfully completed by NCRTC. The section between New Ashok Nagar and Sarai Kale Khan spans approximately 4.5 kilometres. Once operational, this stretch will enable comfortable, reliable and fully air-conditioned Namo Bharat train service from Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut, offering seamless connectivity for commuters traveling to and from Meerut city. Recently, Overhead Equipment (OHE) was energised for the section between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar stations. Sarai Kale Khan station is the originating point of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor. Work on the station's facade, including the roof structure, is progressing rapidly. To facilitate commuter movement from the concourse to the platform levels, 12 escalators and four lifts have been installed and are ready for operation. Additionally, finishing work is also being carried out for the station's five entry-exit points, where escalators and lifts have also been installed and are ready for operation. Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) have been installed on all platforms at this station. Sarai Kale Khan Namo Bharat station is expected to be one of the busiest commuter transit hubs along the corridor. As an intersection of multiple public transport modes, it experiences high commuter footfall. NCRTC is ensuring the seamless integration of the station with the already existing modes of public transport here to enhance convenience and accessibility for commuters, making it a benchmark in multi-modal connectivity. The station will offer seamless connectivity to the Delhi Metro's Pink Line, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Veer Haqiqat Rai ISBT, and the Ring Road Bus Stand under the multi-modal integration plan. The Delhi section of the corridor spans a total length of 14 kilometres and includes three Namo Bharat stations: Anand Vihar (underground), New Ashok Nagar, and Sarai Kale Khan. Among these, Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar stations are already operational, while Sarai Kale Khan station is now progressing toward operations. Currently, Namo Bharat services are operational on a 55 kilometre stretch between New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and Meerut South. This operational section includes 11 stations: New Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar (underground), Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar, Modi Nagar South, Modi Nagar North, and Meerut South. With the upcoming extension from Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut, the operational section of Namo Bharat trains will expand even further. NCRTC teams are persevering to meet the target of making the entire 82-kilometre-long Delhi-Meerut corridor operational this year. Once fully operational, the travel time from Sarai Kale Khan to Modipuram in Meerut will be reduced to even less than an hour. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Sunday claimed that violence in Murshidabad district may be part of a larger conspiracy involving select elements from Central agencies, a section of the Border Security Force (BSF), and some political parties. Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "We are receiving some inputs that there was a larger conspiracy behind those incidents (Murshidabad violence). Some sections of Central agencies, a section of BSF and a section of two or three political parties were involved in this conspiracy. With the help of a part of BSF, there was a gap in the border. He further added," Some miscreants entered, created chaos and were given safe passage to return. I use the words 'border' and 'with the help of a section of BSF'; whether it is true or not, there is a need for proper investigation. The local people are not finding any known faces. Who are the masterminds? Police are taking some steps against some people. But from where did the main masterminds come from and where did they go?" "There is an allegation that with the help of BSF, there is a deep-rooted conspiracy to malign West Bengal and create some sins in those areas. So that the BJP and the Opposition can use those sins for their political gains. BJP has no issue here. You see in the post of BJP, they have used some pictures. We have pointed out most of the pictures are from other states, and they are using it as Murshidabad," he asserted. TMC leader further asserted, "They are trying their best to provoke the people of Bengal, but under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, our state government and our party are trying our best to fight out the conspiracy and keep it normal." Meanwhile, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the recent violence in the Murshidabad district, saying that if the BJP forms the government in the state, strict action will be taken against the perpetrators. He acknowledged the special bench of the Calcutta High Court for ordering the deployment of Central forces in Murshidabad, which he said helped bring the situation under some control. He also urged the Hindu community to unite and fight democratically in the upcoming Assembly elections to prevent West Bengal from becoming "like Bangladesh." Three people were killed in the Murshidabad district in violence during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the police said on Saturday. West Bengal Police have arrested 150 individuals in connection with the Murshidabad violence. According to a police statement, adequate police forces have been deployed in Samserganj, Dhuliyan, Suti, and other affected areas to maintain order. (ANI)
Punjab National Bank Scam whistle-blower Hariprasad SV has hailed the arrest of fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi by Belgium's Law Enforcement authorities, acting on the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad termed it as "great news" not only for India but for all those who were cheated by him. "Wow, Mehul Choksi getting arrested in Belgium is great news not only for India but also for all those who got cheated by him. The government must bring him back to India as soon as possible, and justice must be delivered," he said. "Apart from bringing him back, the most important thing is to get back all those billions of dollars he looted from India and stashed anywhere in the world. Hopefully, the Government of India will succeed this time. Great news," Hariprasad said. On July 26, 2016, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Hari Prasad had written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), raising concerns about a potential large-scale scam. In his communication, Prasad pointed out that the balance sheets contained clear indicators that something was amiss. Meanwhile, sources say Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. Sources further stated that preparations were being made for his extradition to India. However, Choksi is currently preparing for a legal battle. His defence team plans to move for bail, claiming that it will oppose his extradition. The legal team states that Choksi has strong reasons to challenge the extradition request, citing his health condition, among other arguments. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. He fled India, initially travelling to the United States before settling in Antigua. Before leaving India, Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua in 2017 and was later arrested in Dominica, allegedly trying to flee to Cuba, although his counsel had claimed that he had been kidnapped from Antigua. Dominica deported him back to Antigua despite India making a representation for extradition in the court. He left Dominica, reportedly to seek treatment for Cancer in Belgium. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other Punjab National Bank (PNB) officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. (ANI)
After the arrest of fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium, Punjab National Bank Scam whistle-blower Hariprasad SV said that it will be very difficult for India to get Choksi back home as he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process. Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad recalled the time when Choksi succeeded in evading the process when he was caught in Dominica. "Extradition is not an easy task. Choksi's wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Maliya has been doing. I don't think it is going to be easy for India to get him back," he said. "When he was caught in Antigua (Dominica) and other islands, he could manage to get out of it because he has a fleet of lawyers. But I wish and hope that this time, the Indian government will succeed," Hariprasad said. He also mentioned that at least 100 franchises were cheated by Choksi, and most of them filed cases in different cities in India. "Even I got his arrest warrant from Bangalore police, but nothing really happened as he was smart enough to get away from the clutches of law," the PNB Scam whistle-blower said. "The legal system in India is undoubtedly very great, but the extradition process depends on the country we are dealing with. This case is not going to be easy, as he has so much money," Hariprasad said. On July 26, 2016, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Hari Prasad had written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), raising concerns about a potential large-scale scam. In his communication, Prasad pointed out that the balance sheets contained clear indicators that something was amiss. Meanwhile, sources say Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. Sources further stated that preparations were being made for his extradition to India. However, Choksi is currently preparing for a legal battle. His defence team plans to move for bail, claiming that it will oppose his extradition. The legal team states that Choksi has strong reasons to challenge the extradition request, citing his health condition, among other arguments. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday reaffirmed the party's commitment to protecting "constitutional values" and "democracy" as he paid tribute to the Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar, on the occasion of his 135th birth anniversary. Taking to the social media platform X, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha highlighted Ambedkar's contribution to shaping the democratic framework of India based on "justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity", noting that these were the "most powerful tools" for "social justice and inclusive development". He added that Ambedkar had described inclusiveness as his ultimate duty for the country's unity and progress while also emphasising the importance of protecting the rights of all. "Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar gave us the countrymen the Constitution of India - based on the democratic values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity - which is the most powerful tool for social justice and inclusive development. He described inclusiveness as his ultimate duty for the progress and unity of the country and strongly stressed on protecting the rights of all. On his 135th birth anniversary, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to his ideas of social change and social justice. The Congress Party takes this oath that we will always remain committed to the protection of constitutional values and the protection of democracy," Kharge said. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb', Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister in independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. He was a part of active movements since 1927 against untouchability. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)
Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has been arrested by law enforcement authorities in Belgium. Choksi, who is wanted in India in connection with the multi-billion dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has been evading authorities since 2018. Here is the timeline of the events that led to the arrest of Choksi. Mehul Choksi fled India in 2018, initially travelling to the United States before settling in Antigua. A year prior, in 2017, he had acquired Antiguan nationality. Choksi's nephew, Nirav Modi, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London in May 2019. Although he has exhausted all legal avenues for extradition, he continues to be under arrest in the United Kingdom. In March 2023, Interpol revoked the red notice against Mehul Choksi. In 2024, Choksi and his wife reportedly relocated from Antigua to Belgium. Reports from Antiguan media suggested that Mehul and Preeti Choksi are considering settling in Geneva. Earlier this year, Choksi's legal counsel informed a special court in Mumbai that he is currently in Antwerp, Belgium, undergoing treatment for blood cancer. Two weeks ago, Mehul Choksi and his wife, Preeti, obtained F-Residency cards in Belgium. Preeti, a Belgian citizen, has family ties in the country, as does Choksi's extended family. Meanwhile, according to sources, Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. Sources further stated that preparations were being made for his extradition to India. However, Choksi is currently preparing for a legal battle. His defence team plans to move for bail, claiming that it will oppose his extradition. The legal team states that Choksi has strong reasons to challenge the extradition request, citing his health condition, among other arguments. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates & Bank officials of Punjab National Bank (PNB) during the period from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently issued Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 Crore to PNB. He had also taken a loan from ICICI Bank and had defaulted on that loan, too. During the investigation, the ED conducted searches at more than 136 locations all over India and seized valuables/jewellery worth Rs. 597.75 Crore pertaining to the Gitanjali Group of Mehul Choksi. Further, immovable/movable assets worth Rs. 1968.15 Crore of Mehul Choksi/Gitanjali Group were attached, which included immovable properties in India and overseas, vehicles, bank accounts, factories, shares of listed companies, and jewellery, among others. In aggregate, assets worth Rs. 2565.90 Crore were attached or seized in this case, and three Prosecution Complaints have been filed. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary on Monday. In a post on X, Banerjee wrote, "Solemnly remembering the Father of the Constitution of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, on his birth anniversary." https://x.com/MamataOfficial/status/1911585195108753760 Fondly known as 'Babasaheb', Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister of independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, emphasising that it is due to his inspiration that the country continues to strive towards realising the dream of social justice today. In a post on X, PM Modi asserted that Ambedkar's principles and ideals would strengthen and accelerate the creation of a self-reliant and developed India. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realising the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an 'Atmanirbhar' and 'Viksit' India," the Prime Minister said. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, PM Modi will launch several development projects in Haryana today. According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will travel to Hisar, where, at around 10:15 AM, he will flag off a commercial flight from Hisar to Ayodhya and lay the foundation stone of the new terminal building. He will also address a public meeting. At around 12:30 PM, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects in Yamuna Nagar and address the gathering on the occasion. (ANI)
19 college students got food poisoning in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, after eating food served during a party at their college hostel, according to doctors at Sharda hospital. Umesh Sharda, the owner of the hospital where students of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) were admitted, told ANI that the students complained of vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever. The 19 students had consumed food from the hostel, where a party was hosted. "Everyone had the same complaint of vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. Around 19 children have come and all were suffering from the same disease. It seems to be a case of food poisoning. There was a party in their college, so the food they ate there caused this," Sharda told ANI on Sunday. The hospital owner said the condition of the students has improved, and they have been discharged after getting treatment. One of the admitted students, while speaking to ANI, said that they had fallen ill on Friday afternoon, with symptoms of stomach pain and vomiting. Yug Bharadwaj "We had eaten these pulses, rice, and so on last night. Lentil rice and potato curry were prepared. Since eating it, the health of the children started getting worse from yesterday afternoon. I also had severe stomach pain, and people were getting fever and vomiting," the student, Yug Bharadwaj, told ANI. While demanding further action be taken to ensure that the mistake is not repeated, he said that only one person from the hospital admin came in to check on them. "I demand that such a serious mistake does not happen again...but for now no one has talked to us, just yesterday a person from the hostel came, and only friends have come in," he added. According to the students, around 285 students live in the hostel where the incident occurred. Another student, Siddharth Dohre, said that this was the first such incident of food poisoning which has happened in the hostel. "This has happened for the first time. Till now I have not complained about the bad food...but I demand that the quality of the food be improved. The hygiene which is followed for making the food is not good," he told ANI. He said that the cause of his sickness could be the aloo parantha which was served in the hostel, adding, "I study in MANIT, I am studying BTech, I had eaten Aloo Paratha on Saturday morning. This happened because of that. All the children stay in the hostel. Many people have been admitted, some were not admitted, but they got stomach pain and vomited." (ANI)
The Delhi Crime Branch exchanged fire with wanted criminals in the Chhawla area, resulting in two of them being shot in the leg during the encounter on late Sunday night. Acting on a tip-off, the Crime Branch had set up a trap after receiving information that some criminals would be arriving in the area. When the criminals showed up last night, the police asked them to surrender. However, instead of giving up, the criminals opened fire on the police team. In response, the police fired back and shot two of them in the legs. The injured criminals were then arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment. They have been identified as Deepak Haddi and Kailash. According to police, these two had shot and injured a policeman on March 27. Since then, the police had been looking for them. The Crime Branch is continuing its investigation. Further information on the incident is still awaited. Earlier on Sunday, Delhi Police arrested three members of an inter-state human trafficking syndicate and rescued a newborn baby boy aged 3-4 days. The gang was involved in bringing infants from Gujarat and Rajasthan and supplying them to families in Delhi NCR. The arrested individuals have been identified as Yashmin (30), the wife of Md. Nadeem; Anjali (36), wife of Nitin Kumar; and Jitender (47), son of Late Dhanna Lal. Police said Anjali had been previously involved in a similar case. The team of Special Staff, Dwarka, received input about a human trafficking network and developed the information further. Call detail records of more than 20 suspected numbers were examined, and a watch was kept on the suspects for about 20 days. In another operation, the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested a desperate gangster of the notorious Manjit Mahal gang, officials said on Sunday. According to officials, the accused, identified as Dinesh alias Rajesh alias Mogli, a resident of Dariyapur Khurd village under Jaffarpur Kalan police station limits, was caught following a targeted operation based on secret information. A cache of illegal arms was recovered from his possession, including a 9mm Beretta pistol, one CMP (Carbine Machine Pistol), 13 live rounds, and three empty cartridges. According to Delhi Police Crime Branch officials, Manjit Mahal is an arch-rival of the UK-based gangster Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu. In the wake of recent firing incidents in West Delhi, the movements of various gang members, particularly from the Manjit Mahal gang, had triggered heightened surveillance by the police. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary at Prerna Sthal in Parliament premises. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers --- JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Piyush Goyal, also arrived at the Prerna Sthal to pay homage to Dr BR Abmedkar. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and other leaders were also present on the occasion of Dr BR Abmedkar's birth anniversary. Earlier today, while paying tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar, PM Modi emphasised that it is due to his inspiration that the country continues to strive towards realizing the dream of social justice. In a post on X, PM Modi asserted that Ambedkar's principles and ideals would strengthen and accelerate the creation of a self-reliant and developed India. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realizing the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an 'Atmnirbhar' and 'Viksit' India," the Prime Minister said. Babasaheb's birth anniversary is a public holiday across the country, where schools, banks and some public sector organisations remain closed. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb,' Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. 'Ambedkar was also the first Law and Justice minister of Independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. Meanwhile, PM Modi is also set to visit Haryana today to launch various developmental projects. According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will travel to Hisar, where, at around 10:15 AM, he will flag off a commercial flight from Hisar to Ayodhya and lay the foundation stone of the new terminal building. He will also address a public meeting. At around 12:30 PM, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects in Yamuna Nagar and address the gathering on the occasion. (ANI)
After the arrest of fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium, his lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, said on Monday that they will be filing an appeal to release the businessman from custody, citing his ill health and ongoing cancer treatments. Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. Sources said that preparations were being made for his extradition to India. However, Choksi has started preparing for a legal battle, with lawyers looking to secure bail. "My client, Mehul Choksi, has been arrested in Belgium, and at the moment, he is in custody. We will be starting the process of filing an appeal against this, and then, as a process of appeal, we will be requesting that he be pulled out of prison. The major ground for the plea is his ill health and that he is undergoing cancer treatment, and ofcourse, he is not a flight risk at all," Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, told ANI in Delhi. The legal team states that Choksi has strong reasons to challenge the extradition request, citing his health condition, among other arguments. "There is no push. It is a process. Non-bailable warrants have been issued against him since 2018. It is a prerequisite for extradition that there has to be an open-ended, non-bailable warrant. Earlier, they tried to pick him up from Dominica, where they failed. So then, by the Dominican court order, my client was getting his treatment in Antigua. For his medical treatment, he had to go to Belgium, and he has been there getting his treatment for the cancer. Arrest is a process. Whenever for any country, there is an extradition request made by another country wherein they have a treaty. First of all, the person has to be arrested, then the person has to show that he's got community ties, and then we have to show that he is not a flight risk and that there is a medical condition. So that's the only ground," Aggarwal stated. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. After the arrest, Punjab National Bank Scam whistle-blower Hariprasad SV said that it would be very difficult for India to get Choksi back home as he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process. Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad recalled the time when Choksi succeeded in evading the process when he was caught in Dominica. "Extradition is not an easy task. Choksi's wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Maliya has been doing. I don't think it is going to be easy for India to get him back," he said. He also mentioned that Choksi cheated at least 100 franchises, and most of them filed cases in different cities in India. Hariprasad said, "The legal system in India is undoubtedly very great, but the extradition process depends on the country we are dealing with. This case is not going to be easy, as he has so much money" (ANI)
Former Managing Director of Gitanjali Gems, Santosh Srivastava, has welcomed the fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's arrest in Belgium. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Srivastava urged the government to ensure Choksi's swift extradition and complete recovery of the defrauded funds. "It's great news that Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium. As a whistle-blower in this case, who risked my life to try and expose it, I hope that the government brings him back to the country as soon as possible. Every bit of the money involved should be recovered," he said. Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. Sources said that preparations were being made for his extradition to India. However, Choksi has started preparing for a legal battle, with lawyers looking to secure bail. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, said on Monday that they will be filing an appeal to release the businessman from custody, citing his ill health and ongoing cancer treatments. "My client, Mehul Choksi, has been arrested in Belgium, and at the moment, he is in custody. We will be starting the process of filing an appeal against this, and then, as a process of appeal, we will be requesting that he be pulled out of prison. The major ground for the plea is his ill health and that he is undergoing cancer treatment, and ofcourse, he is not a flight risk at all," Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, told ANI in Delhi. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. After the arrest, Punjab National Bank Scam whistle-blower Hariprasad SV said that it would be very difficult for India to get Choksi back home as he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process. Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad recalled the time when Choksi succeeded in evading the process when he was caught in Dominica. "Extradition is not an easy task. Choksi's wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Maliya has been doing. I don't think it is going to be easy for India to get him back," he said. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary on Monday. Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said that Ambedkar's fight to ensure equal rights for every Indian serves as a guiding force in their fight to protect the Constitution. In a post on X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "Tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, on his birth anniversary." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1911635800640389321 "His struggle and contribution for strengthening the democracy of the country, for equal rights of every Indian, for participation of every section, will always guide us in the fight to protect the Constitution," he added. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb', Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. BR Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister of independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, emphasising that it is due to his inspiration that the country continues to strive towards realising the dream of social justice today. In a post on X, PM Modi asserted that Ambedkar's principles and ideals would strengthen and accelerate the creation of a self-reliant and developed India. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realising the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an 'Atmanirbhar' and 'Viksit' India," the Prime Minister said. Babasaheb's birth anniversary is a public holiday across the country, where schools, banks and some public sector organisations remain closed. (ANI)
Xi urges China, Vietnam to deepen building of community with a shared future

Xinhua) 08:03, April 14, 2025

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China and Vietnam should strengthen their efforts on all fronts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article titled "Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals." The article was published on Monday by the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam ahead of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Xi said building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of the two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond.

He called for deepening strategic mutual trust and advancing the socialist cause, continuing win-win cooperation and delivering more benefit to the two peoples, strengthening people-to-people exchanges and forging a closer bond between the two peoples, as well as enhancing multilateral collaboration and promoting Asia's prosperity and revitalization.

The Chinese leader warned that trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.

"Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment," he added.

"We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region," Xi said.

"The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Monday paid their tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. BR Ambedkar, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, while recalling his contribution towards social justice and equality. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a post on social media platform X, said, "Tribute to 'Bharat Ratna' Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar ji on his birth anniversary, who paved the way for providing justice, rights and respect to the deprived and the exploited; a strong supporter of an inclusive and equality-based society; a great social reformer; and the architect of the Constitution." He added that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the government is committed to building a society based on social harmony, equality, and justice by following Dr. Ambedkar's path. "Under the able leadership of respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, our double-engine government is committed to building a society of social harmony, equality and justice by following the path shown by Baba Saheb," Dhami added. https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1911606817718743165 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also posted on X, stating, "Tribute to the pioneer of social justice, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Bharat Ratna awardee, revered Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar ji on his birth anniversary." "Your invaluable contribution towards the upliftment of the oppressed, the deprived and the neglected and towards nation building is a great inspiration for all of us," he added. https://x.com/BhajanlalBjp/status/1911606662525337769 Fondly known as 'Babasaheb', Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister of independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai on Monday hit back at Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi after he asked students to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' during an event in Madurai. Speaking to ANI, Annadurai said the Governor's actions reflect "majoritarian muscle-flexing" that undermines the country's secular fabric. "The governor has gone beyond his stay in Tamil Nadu. If he had some shame left in him, he would have resigned from the Governor's post. He is trying to stroke controversy one after the other. Imagine if there was a governor from the Muslim Community who asked students to chant Allahu Akbar. What kind of uproar it would have created?" Annadurai said. "You go to a religious gathering and do whatever you want to do, nobody will question you. But in a college, there are students of every faith. This is flexing the majoritarian muscle. That does not work well for our democracy and secular fabric of the country," he said. Calling him a "Hindutva fanatic," the DMK leader asserted that such behaviour is unacceptable in Tamil Nadu. "The governor is a constitutional functionary, and we expect him to uphold the Constitutional values. But what he has done here, he has trampled upon them. We never expected that the Governor would stoop so low. He is like a Hindutva fanatic. This is not acceptable in Tamil Nadu," Saravanan said. At an event held at a private engineering college in Madurai on Saturday, Governor Ravi, who was the chief guest, at the end of his address, asked students to chant 'Jai Shri Ram ' after him. Congress MLA JMH Hassan Maulaana said the Governor's remarks were highly condemnable, stating that the latter was speaking the language of the RSS and the BJP. He said that such remarks did not behoove the constitutional post occupied by R N Ravi. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Hisar "historic" as PM Modi flagged off a direct commercial flight from Maharaja Agrasen International Airport to Ayodhya's Maharishi Valmiki Airport in Uttar Pradesh. The inauguration of direct flight to Ayodhya marked the beginning of Maharaja Agrasen Airport's operations. Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building of Hisar Airport. On the occasion, Chief Minister Saini said that from now onwards, people here can easily take darshan of Lord Ram. "PM Modi, with your blessings, our fields are not only filled with crops but with our hopes. With your arrival, this historic moment has been placed on the fast track of development. This day is a historic day for us all. Direct flight services will be launched from Maharaja Agrasen International Airport to Ayodhya's Maharishi Valmiki Airport. Also, the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Haryana's first airport terminal will be done. PM Modi, on the occasion of Ram Navami, you took darshan of Ram Setu..." Haryana CM Saini said. "From today, under your leadership, people can go from Hisar to Ayodhya and take darshan of Lord Ram," CM Saini said. Before PM's visit, the Prime Minister's Office had stated that there would be scheduled flights from Hisar to Ayodhya (twice weekly) and three flights a week to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh. Chief Minister Saini also paid tributes to Dr. BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Abmedkar's legacy. He asserted that it was the ideals of Ambedkar which have strengthened and accelerated the creation of a self-reliant and developed India. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realizing the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an 'Atmnirbhar' and 'Viksit' India," the Prime Minister said. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb,' Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. 'Ambedkar was also the first Law and Justice minister of Independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)
After the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium, former Managing Director of Gitanjali Gems, Santosh Srivastava emphasized the need to recover defrauded taxpayer money and highlighted the broader impact of the scam on the jewellery industry, which he said has faced severe funding challenges since the incident. Speaking to ANI, Srivastava welcomed the development and urged the Indian government to ensure his swift extradition. "I was the whistle-blower who complained about a suspected fraud in the company. This is very good news that he is detained or arrested in Belgium. I would like to request our government and agencies that he should be brought to India as soon as possible and put through the process of law, and whatever is the taxpayer's money which he defrauded should be recovered from him," Santosh Srivastava said. "I would also like to add that post his incident, the funding in the jewellery industry has become very difficult. You cannot judge an entire orchid by an apple. So the government should also work on easing the funding norms for the jewellery industry so that it can create employment for the people," he said. The former MD of Gitanjali Gems also called on authorities to be better prepared this time, recalling how Choksi had previously escaped legal action in Dominica. "I heard that he was arrested in Dominica but fled from there using the process of law. I hope this time, the government and agencies are well prepared. Some recent instances are giving some encouragement where culprits of terror attacks are brought to India," he said. Meanwhile, Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, stated that his "human rights" will be "greatly affected" if he is extradited back to the country. During a press conference on Monday, Aggarwal stated that the defence team would challenge the extradition on two primary grounds: the political nature of the case and concerns about the proper treatment for Choksi's health condition in India. Earlier, Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other Punjab National Bank (PNB) officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, praising his vision and contributions to the nation. Speaking to the media, Gupta said that the Constitution crafted by Dr Ambedkar serves the best interests of the people and will continue to guide India's progress. "The way Dr BR Ambedkar guided the country and gave the constitution - whatever is there in the Constitution is in the better interest of the people of the country, and India will continue to move ahead," CM Gupta said. Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta also extended wishes to the people on Ambedkar Jayanti. "I extend my best wishes to all the countrymen on the occasion of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's birth anniversary today. Today is a very happy day that we have paid floral tribute to Baba Saheb's statue on the premises of the Assembly," Gupta said. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, emphasizing that it is due to his inspiration that the country continues to strive towards realizing the dream of social justice today. In a post on X, PM Modi asserted that Ambedkar's principles and ideals would strengthen and accelerate the creation of a self-reliant and developed India. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realizing the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an 'Atmnirbhar' and 'Viksit' India," the Prime Minister said. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb,' Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. 'Ambedkar was also the first Law and Justice minister of Independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. He was a part of active movements since 1927 against untouchability. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)
According to police, Pandey was waiting for an auto-rickshaw when Raja and Raza, who were driving a TSR, approached him. Raza allegedly threatened Pandey with a knife and snatched his wallet containing important documents and Rs 1,500.

The police registered a case under sections 309(4)/3(5) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at Police Station Mandir Marg.

The police analysed the CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas and identified Raja's TSR as suspicious.

The driver of the TSR, Akhtar Raja (41 years), residing in Aram Bagh, Delhi, was apprehended. On sustained interrogation, he confessed to conspiring with an associate, Ghulam Raza, to rob the complainant. He admitted to following the complainant from a bar in Paharganj and subsequently dropping off Ghulam Raza near the RK Ashram Marg traffic signal, where Ghulam Raza then robbed the complainant using a knife. Ghulam Raza (25 years), residing in Nand Nagri, Delhi, was subsequently apprehended and admitted to his involvement in the crime.

The police recovered the stolen wallet, containing Pandey's Aadhaar card, credit card, voter ID card, and Rs 725, as well as the knife used in the commission of the crime and the TSR used in the robbery.

Both accused, originally from Bihar's Kishanganj district, are currently residing in Delhi and working as TSR drivers. Further investigation is underway.

Further information on the case is still awaited.

Earlier, Delhi Police on Sunday arrested three members of an inter-state human trafficking syndicate and rescued a newborn baby boy aged 3-4 days. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav paid tribute to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary in Vijayawada on Monday. Speaking on the occasion in Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, Satya Kumar Yadav said that Ambedkar contributed to eliminating social ills from the society. "I pay tribute to the social reformer and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr Ambedkar, on his 135th anniversary. The Constitution of India was built on three principles-equality, freedom and justice. PM Narendra Modi has developed places related to Dr BR Ambedkar-his birthplace (Mhow in Madhya Pradesh), the place where he studied in London, the place where he took deeksha for Buddhism in Nagpur, his cremation place in Bombay, and where he took his last breath in Delhi," Yadav said. He further said that everyone should take inspiration from Ambedkar and work hard in alignment with his principles. "Ambedkar's contribution to economic and social development is unforgettable. Everyone must join hands in achieving the aspirations of Babasaheb, who paved the way for freedom," Andhra Pradesh minister said. Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on April 14 every year to remember Dr. Ambedkar's contributions to the country. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb', Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. BR Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister of independent India. He was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. Later, Ambedkar was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Dr. BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, emphasising that it is due to his inspiration that the country continues to strive towards realising the dream of social justice today. In a post on X, PM Modi remarked that Ambedkar's principles and ideals would strengthen and accelerate the creation of a self-reliant and developed India. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realising the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an 'Atmanirbhar' and 'Viksit' India," the Prime Minister wrote. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary at Babasaheb's birthplace memorial located in Mhow, Indore district, on Monday. CM Yadav also participated in a program organised here on the occasion. Earlier, the Chief Minister remembered Babasaheb's contribution to the nation and said that his thoughts would continue to inspire everyone in making a developed and self-reliant India. "I pay my tribute to the architect of the Constitution, Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, on his birth anniversary. You strengthened the foundation of India's reconstruction with the values of equality, freedom and social justice. Your thoughts, struggle, and leadership are a symbol of pride for all Indians, which will continue to inspire us to build a developed and self-reliant India," CM Yadav posted on X. A large number of people gathered at Babasaheb's birthplace and paid floral tribute to him on his 135th birth anniversary. Babasaheb's birth anniversary is a public holiday across the country, where schools, banks and some public sector organisations remain closed. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb,' Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar was also the first Law and Justice minister of Independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society and was later revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions to their rights. According to an official release, the Madhya Pradesh government is promoting the Pancha Tirth--five sacred sites associated with Dr Ambedkar's life and legacy. Under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Scheme, these sites Mhow (Birthplace), Nagpur (Diksha Bhoomi), Delhi (Mahaparinirvan Sthal), Mumbai (Chaitya Bhoomi, and London (Residence during education) are being promoted as national and international centers of inspiration and pride. In remembrance of Babasaheb's commitment to environmental preservation, a 250 sq km forest area in the Sagar district has been declared Madhya Pradesh's 25th wildlife sanctuary, named after Dr Ambedkar. This sanctuary will promote biodiversity, strengthen the ecosystem's food chain, enhance tourism, and generate local employment. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday highlighted the transformative steps being taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership to modernize India's criminal justice system. Speaking at the All India Forensic Summit, Shah underlined the importance of timely justice, the rising role of forensic science in countering terrorism, and the significance of the three newly introduced criminal laws, calling them the "biggest reform of the 21st century". "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are striving to ensure that those who seek justice receive it promptly and that the outcome is satisfying. Our main goal is to build a secure, capable, and empowered India," Home Minister Shah said. "The Government of India has introduced three new laws aimed at strengthening the criminal justice system. This summit has been organized to discuss two key aspects: the effective implementation of these new laws and the future role of forensic science in countering terrorism," Shah added. Further, the Union Home Minister emphasized that in today's world, timely justice and improving the conviction rate are impossible without the support of forensic science. "The nature of crime has changed significantly -- criminals are now using technology and modern communication tools, making crime borderless. Earlier, crimes were mostly confined to districts, cities, or countries, but now, they have no boundaries. That's why the importance of forensic science has increased," Amit Shah said. "Prime Minister Modi had recognized this early on. In 2009, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he proposed in the cabinet the creation of a Forensic Science University in Gujarat -- a foundation that would support the country's criminal justice system for the next 50 years," he highlighted. Shah also mentioned that PM Modi's vision has transformed the landscape of India's criminal justice system. "If we are to ensure that even those accused do not face injustice, while also protecting the rights of victims, then forensic science must become an integral part of the criminal justice system," he said. Union Home Minister also mentioned that laws which are not updated fail to fulfill their purpose. "The three old laws were not made to deliver justice to citizens but to maintain the rule of the British government. The three new laws introduced by Prime Minister Modi are made by the citizens, for the citizens, and to protect their rights. This is the biggest reform of the 21st century," Shah emphasized. On the occasion, the Union Home Minister also paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary. He emphasized Dr. Ambedkar's commitment to education, equality, and justice and his significant role in shaping modern India. "Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, who laid the foundation of social revolution through education, equality, and justice, remained committed throughout his life to securing the rights of the deprived," Shah said, adding that Ambedkar's thoughts continue to inspire people today in building a just and egalitarian society. (ANI)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday said many more people (fugitives) are still at large hours after fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi was arrested by law enforcement authorities in Belgium. Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium earlier today. The RJD leader also raised questions about who made the arrest, referring to which law enforcement agencies arrested Choksi. He added that he would comment on the development after confirmation. "I do not have information. If he has been arrested..... How many people are remaining (fugitives to be arrested? Who has arrested (Choksi? Let me first see the news. Untill I do not see myself or get it confirmed, till then how will I comment? You are also not certain. I am asking you who made the arrest," Yadav told reporters, raising questions on the arrest of Choksi. The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice on Monday confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced the request for his extradition. "The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," the Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI. They also confirmed that Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi."Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage," they said. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who fled India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other PNB officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. Earlier in the day, following Choksi's arrest his lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, stated that his "human rights" will be "greatly affected" if he is extradited back to the country. During a press conference on Monday, Aggarwal stated that the defence team would challenge the extradition on two primary grounds: the political nature of the case and concerns about the proper treatment for Choksi's health condition in India."His human rights will be greatly affected," Aggarwal said when asked if Choksi would not get any proper treatment and would be harassed by political parties after he is extradited back to India. "That's a procedure. Basically, we will be defending it on two grounds. It is a political case and, secondly, because of the human condition in India," Aggarwal added. He further claimed that Choksi had not been declared a fugitive because he had remained cooperative with Indian probing agencies. He further added that a case on this matter has been going in for years. (ANI)
On the occasion of the 135th anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, Goa CM Pramod Sawant allocated Rs 10 crores for the construction of Ambedkar Bhawan near Panjim. "Today, we have allocated 2,500 square meters of land for the construction of Ambedkar Bhawan near Panjim. Rs 10 crores have been allocated for the same. The work will start within 6 months and conclude within 2 years," Sawant said in an event held in Panjim. Sawant also paid a floral tribute to Dr Ambedkar. His X post read, "Paid heartfelt tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Panjim. His vision for social justice and equality continues to guide us as we build an inclusive and empowered Goa. Felicitated students and recipients of the Dr. Ambedkar Samman Murti Puraskar. I am pleased to announce that we are constructing Ambedkar Bhavan in the state." The Goa CM praised Dr Ambedkar for envisioning a nation free from inequality and discrimination. "Dr Ambedkar envisioned a nation free from inequality and discrimination. Let us all contribute to Swayampurna Goa and take his legacy forward as we march towards 100 years of independence with pride and purpose," added the post. Celebrated every year on April 14, Babasaheb's birth anniversary is a public holiday across the country, where schools, banks and some public sector organisations remain closed. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb,' Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister of independent India. Babasaheb was born to an impoverished Dalit Mahar family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society and was later revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions to their rights. According to an official release, the Madhya Pradesh government is promoting the Pancha Tirth-five sacred sites associated with Dr Ambedkar's life and legacy. Under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Scheme, these sites Mhow (Birthplace), Nagpur (Diksha Bhoomi), Delhi (Mahaparinirvan Sthal), Mumbai (Chaitya Bhoomi, and London (Residence during education) are being promoted as national and international centers of inspiration and pride. In remembrance of Babasaheb's commitment to environmental preservation, a 250 sq km forest area in the Sagar district has been declared Madhya Pradesh's 25th wildlife sanctuary, named after Dr Ambedkar. This sanctuary will promote biodiversity, strengthen the ecosystem's food chain, enhance tourism, and generate local employment. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday lauded the Congress' efforts for upholding the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution, highlighting the party's leadership in safeguarding the nation's founding principles. Speaking to the media on the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar, Shivakumar emphasised that the Congress party had been instrumental in the formation of the Constitution under Ambedkar's leadership. He reiterated the Congress Party's long-standing commitment to maintaining social justice. "The Congress party has given the Constitution to the country through the leadership of Baba Saheb Ambedkar... Congress has protected the values of the Constitution. Our leaders, from day one, have been fighting to protect the Constitution," Shivkumar stated. Earlier today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reaffirmed the party's commitment to protecting "constitutional values" and "democracy" as he paid tribute to the Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar, on the occasion of his 135th birth anniversary. Taking to X, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha highlighted Ambedkar's contribution to shaping the democratic framework of India based on "justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity", noting that these were the "most powerful tools" for "social justice and inclusive development". He added that Ambedkar had described inclusiveness as his ultimate duty for the country's unity and progress while also emphasising the importance of protecting the rights of all. April 14, 2025, marks the 135th birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Fondly known as 'Babsaheb', he was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister of independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)
West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday demanded that elections be held under President's Rule in areas where Hindus are in the minority, citing concerns over voting rights after the Murshidabad violence. He also called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the violence, labeling it as "anti-national activities." Adhikari has petitioned the Calcutta High Court, seeking the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad due to escalating violence. The violence erupted over protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries. Speaking to ANI, he said, "I have this in my petition that after such explosions and firing incidents, the NIA should investigate (in Murshidabad) as these are anti-national activities... Wherever Hindus are in the minority, they don't let Hindus vote, and hence, the Elections must be held under president rule for the sake of democracy..." The BJP accuses the TMC government of inaction and appeasement, while the TMC accuses the BJP of stoking communal tension. Earlier today, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government and stated that once the BJP forms the government in the state, strict actions will be taken against the perpetrators of the Murshidabad violence. "The situation has improved a bit (in Murshidabad) after the deployment of central forces, but the situation is still not such that Hindus can live freely with their heads held high. People who fled from the Murshidabad district and went to Malda as refugees are still not ready to return," Majumdar said. He further said that West Bengal has become a lighter version of "Bangladesh". "Hindus of Bengal have understood that Mamata Banerjee has succeeded in making West Bengal a light version of Bangladesh," he said. West Bengal Police have arrested 150 individuals in connection with the Murshidabad violence. According to a police statement, adequate police forces have been deployed in Samserganj, Dhuliyan, Suti, and other affected areas to maintain order. BJP MP from Purulia Jyotirmay Singh Mahato has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal, citing a deteriorating security situation and alleging targeted violence against the Hindu community. On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in 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. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that a special cabinet meeting has been called on April 17 to discuss the Caste Census report. Siddaramaiah also told mediapersons that their government will work hard to "build the kind of society that Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted to build." "Our government will work hard to build the kind of society that Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted to build...A special cabinet meeting has been called to discuss the Caste Census report on 17th April. It will be a single-subject discussion," Siddaramaiah said. Yesterday, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused Siddaramaiah of using the caste census as a political gimmick to divert public attention from the Congress government's failures. Speaking to mediapersons near Freedom Park, Kumaraswamy said, "There is no meaning to the caste census report that is now being brandished. The Kantharaj Commission's report was prepared a decade ago. Why wasn't it implemented all this while? Now, with the public outrage over failed guarantees, rampant corruption, and price hikes reaching a boiling point, the government is trying to mislead people with the drama of the caste census." "If you truly want a caste census, then conduct a fresh survey and submit a new report. The last 10 years have brought significant demographic changes," Kumaraswamy stated. He accused the Congress of exploiting caste for political gain, warning that this divisive agenda could create social unrest. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), calling its members "stooges of RSS" in reference to their stance on minority rights and caste-based allocation, following a report on the state's caste census. He accused the BJP leaders of not understanding the Constitution and aligning with the RSS ideology, which he claimed does not prioritise equality. Speaking to mediapersons, Kharge said, "Muslims are minorities as per the Constitution. They (BJP) don't understand the Constitution... The Parliament has already declared Muslims as minorities. The problem lies with CT Ravi and the BJP -- they don't understand or want to read the Constitution properly." The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has submitted the caste census (socio, economic, and educational survey) report to the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet. If released, the caste census report will be the second by a Congress-ruled state after Telangana. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Monday attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement on the Waqf Amendment Act and said that the state is moving towards anarchy under the TMC chief's rule. "Under the constitutional system of India, will Mamata Banerjee allow that a district panchayat does not follow the law of the West Bengal Assembly? Then how can a state not follow the law of the central government? This clearly shows that the Constitution is not important to the INDI alliance and Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal is moving towards anarchy under the rule of Mamata Banerjee at the hands of the miscreants," Trivedi said in the national capital. Earlier on April 9, Mamata Banerjee said that there will be "no divide and rule" in the State under her watch. She added that people from the Muslim community are "pained" by the Waqf Amendment Act, but she appealed to them not to be swayed by the political provocation. "I want to tell the people from the minority community that I know that you are pained by the Waqf Amendment Act but have faith that there will be no divide and rule in Bengal. You should give the message of live and let live," Mamata Banerjee said while speaking at the 'Navkar Mahamantra Divas' program. "It is our work to give protection to those who are living in Bengal. I appeal to you all that if anyone provokes you politically to assemble, then please don't do it. Please remember that Didi will protect you and your property. If we stay together, then we can conquer the world," she added. She said that some people are attempting to defame Bengal. "Our aim is to unite, not divide. When we stay united, the country will progress. Our policy is to live and let live peacefully. Some people are defaming Bengal, saying that I don't give protection to the Hindu religion in the state. Then who gives protection to all? I must give credit to the minorities in Bengal who also celebrate Hindu festivals in the state. I am proud to say this is Bengal," she said. 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. The opposition is hitting out at the implementation of the act, and several petitions filed in the Supreme Court have challenged the same. (ANI)
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday said that the Waqf Amendment Act is a "surgical strike" on a "devious discount on legion of loot". Speaking to reporters on the Waqf Amendment Act, the BJP leader said that while those who had been engaged in systematic plundering are being knocked out, those "adept in appeasement" are crying. "The protests by 'legends of loot' against 'blockade of burgle' is proof that 'not something is fishy, but the entire thing is fishy' regarding the current Waqf system. Cleaning up this filth is good for the country and religion," he said. Naqvi further stated that the Waqf Amendment Act is for the protection of faith and reform of the Waqf system. "This Act is not for any religion but for the country. It does not harm any religion or any religious place," he stated. "Some people are roaming around with putting 'gun of guile' and 'crate of communal conspiracy' on the shoulders of ordinary people only to 'weave a web of fear and confusion' in the society. We need to cure this communal infection being spread by the 'sinister syndicate', who wants to put a shutter of trust on the gutter of confusion," the former Union Minister said. Emphasizing the benefits of the Waqf Act, Naqvi said that the Waqf Amendment Act will establish "the rule of law and eliminate the race of loot." It will correct the confusion, contradictions, and conflict of the current Waqf system and pave the way for reform and empowerment. In a veiled attack on the opposition for protesting against the Waqf Act, the BJP leader said that those people who were struggling with "absence of arguments, lack of logic and famine of facts" during the discussion on the Waqf amendment in the Parliament are now creating ruckus on the streets, adding that these people have launched a "communal attack" on Constitutional reform. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress party of spreading "votebank ka virus" for opposing the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Prime Minister also accused the Opposition party of treating the SC and ST community as "second-class citizens." He further said that there were "lakhs of hectares of land" which is under the Waqf board, but the properties and assets have not been used properly to help the poor and the needy. "There are lakhs of hectares of land in the name of Waqf. If benefits from Waqf properties had been given to the needy, it would have benefitted them. But on land mafia benefitted from these properties," the prime minister said. He stated that the change in the Waqf law will also stop the "loot of land" under the new amendments: "The loot of the poor will stop with this amended Waqf law. Under the new Waqf law, land or property belonging to any Adivasi cannot be touched by the Waqf Board...Poor Muslims and Pasmanda Muslims will get their rights. This is real social justice." The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8. After a 12-hour discussion, the Rajya Sabha 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)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is implementing many of Dr BR Ambedkar's ideas, the architect of the Indian Constitution, while giving the example of the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state. Speaking at the 'Uniform Civil Code' gratitude conference organised by Dr BR Ambedkar Mahamanch at Kendriya Vidyalaya, BHEL Ground, Ranipur, Haridwar, the Uttarakhand CM said, "First of all, I wish everyone on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and extend my best wishes. He gave the country a constitution in which every individual has the right to live with dignity and equality. Many of the ideas that Baba Saheb had, and which he incorporated into the Indian Constitution, are being realized today under the leadership of our respected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi." He also said that implementing the UCC in Uttarakhand under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution was a true tribute to Baba Saheb. "The thinking of Baba Saheb about uplifting the poor, Dalits, and marginalized people is being carried forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Today, the right to equality is being granted. In Uttarakhand, the provision of a Uniform Civil Code has been initiated, and this is a true tribute to Baba Saheb," Dhami added. In response to questions regarding the violence in West Bengal over the Waqf Act, CM Dhami condemned the actions. "This is outright hooliganism, and it should be condemned. The land that was looted in the name of Waqf, which was occupied by land mafia and criminals, is now being reclaimed. This is why such actions are taking place," he stated. West Bengal Police have arrested 150 individuals in connection with the Murshidabad violence. According to a police statement, adequate police forces have been deployed in Samserganj, Dhuliyan, Suti, and other affected areas to maintain order. "The people of the country will not tolerate this under any circumstances, and the condemnation of such actions is not enough. Strict action should be taken against these people because the Waqf Act is being brought in the interest of the country. The land, which was previously being illegally occupied, will now be freed, and it will be reclaimed," Dhami emphasized. On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in 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. (ANI)
The Southern Range of the Crime Branch, Malviya Nagar, has arrested a wanted criminal involved in an attempt to murder case in South Delhi's Tigri area. The accused, identified as Mohd Asif alias Hakla (28), is a known member of the notorious Deepak Pandit Gang, a release said. According to Crime Branch, the incident happened on the intervening night of April 9-10 in Tigri. Asif and his associates were allegedly caught attempting to siphon petrol from a parked motorcycle near Chhoti Masjid. When Mohd Shaan, a local, confronted them, the accused allegedly poured petrol on Shaan and set him on fire. A local, Salman, who tried to call the police, was then allegedly shot in the neck by the group. Both victims were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Salman remains in a coma. A case was registered at Tigri police station, the release added. Following the incident, Aditya Gautam, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), Delhi, said that a team was formed to trace the accused. Using technical surveillance, intelligence gathering, and field investigation, the team zeroed in on Asif's movements and tracked him to the Prahlad Pur-Surajkund border near Faridabad. He was apprehended during an operation. During interrogation, Asif confessed to his role in the attack and named his associates Faizan, Bhuri, and Arman as co-conspirators. He was arrested under appropriate sections of law, and further investigation is underway, the DCP of Crime Branch added. Police revealed that Asif had a history of criminal behavior and had become a habitual offender after associating with the Deepak Pandit Gang. He began with petty crimes and was previously involved in two other cases registered at PS Tigri--one for robbery and another for attempt to murder. Authorities have been notified of his arrest. Efforts to apprehend his associates are ongoing. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called a meeting of Vokkaliga MLAs of Congress on Tuesday at his residence to discuss the caste census. Earlier on Sunday, Shivakumar said that said that communities were trying to protect their interests in view of the caste census, and there was nothing wrong with that. "Veerashaiva Mahasabha is trying to protect its community's interests, why should we criticise them? They can put forward their stand as per the Constitutional provisions," he said while referring to the criticism of the caste census by Shamanur Shivashankarappa. He was replying to a question on Veerashaiva Mahasabha forming an experts' committee to study the caste census. "The Chief Minister has informed that a discussion would be allowed on the caste census in the Legislative Assembly. It is very transparent; what else can be done?" Asked about his statement before the election backing the Vokkaliga community with respect to the caste census, he said, "I am the President of the KPCC now; it is my responsibility to ensure justice for everyone." When asked about the caste census, which has put the number of Vokkaligas at 61 lakh, he said, "I am just the President of the KPCC." "Bengaluru Karaga is a symbol of communal harmony, there is a visit to Dargha also during the Karaga procession. Politics should not be done in the name of religion and temples. There are regulations for Karaga releasing grants. It can't be just handed over to anyone and everyone. The responsibility lies with the DC, and he will allocate the funds accordingly," he said. Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that a special cabinet meeting has been called on April 17 to discuss the Caste Census report. Siddaramaiah also told mediapersons that their government will work hard to "build the kind of society that Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted to build." "Our government will work hard to build the kind of society that Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted to build...A special cabinet meeting has been called to discuss the Caste Census report on 17th April. It will be a single-subject discussion," Siddaramaiah said. The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has submitted the caste census (socio, economic, and educational survey) report to the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet. If released, the caste census report will be the second by a Congress-ruled state after Telangana. (ANI)
The Delhi Police busted an organized interstate gang which was involved in the theft and illegal trade of critical telecom infrastructure. The Central Range of the Crime Branch, Delhi Police, has busted a sophisticated racket operating across states. The operation, a result of continuous surveillance and covert ground intelligence, led to the arrest of four accused, including a key receiver, and the recovery of 12 high-value RRUs, tools and equipment used for the thefts, and a taxi used for transportation. A Remote Radio Unit (RRU), commonly referred to as a Remote Radio Head (RRH), is a transceiver installed on wireless base stations or mobile Towers. These transceivers connect wireless devices with wireless networks, making it possible to send and receive text messages, among other things. A Base Band Unit (BBU) receives a signal from Mobile users via an Antenna, which transfers the signal to RRUs for further processing of voice calls and data services like internet, etc. Any site going down due to the theft of RRU or BBU impacts the nearby Mobile users' services, including emergency services like 112, 102, etc. As a result, customers suffer both when making calls and when using Internet services. Once RRU and BBU are stolen, the Mobile Operator has to reinstall this equipment to resume services, and a huge loss is incurred. These articles are vital components required for a mobile network tower. Delhi being a transit/storage location for stolen RRUs/BBUs, it was a great challenge for Delhi Police to apprehend these receivers/middlemen, as these gang members never used to stay in one place and also changed their locations and storage facilities frequently. To unearth the syndicates involved, various teams from the Crime Branch were deployed. Many operations were carried out by various teams of Crime Branch throughout the country, and huge success was accomplished. It is pertinent to mention that earlier, teams from ISC, CR, Cyber Cell, and ER-I, ER-II Crime Branch, Delhi, successfully apprehended a total of 52 individuals involved in various interstate gangs specializing in the theft of RRUs (Remote Radio Units) and other related equipment from mobile towers located across Delhi/NCR and other parts of the country. As a result of their operations, 524 RRUs, 110 BBUs, 161 JIO batteries, and one RRU Testing Machine--installed by multiple telecommunication companies at mobile towers in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal, and other states--were recovered. The total value of the recovered items is approximately 10 crores. The crackdown had a strong deterrent effect, leading to a significant decline in the theft and black-market sale of RRUs in the following months, as confirmed by telecom industry sources and local intelligence inputs. The ongoing operations build upon that success by targeting both the suppliers and receivers involved in this organized interstate racket Speaking to ANI DCP Crime, Vikram Singh Said The team camped for several days in densely populated and communally sensitive areas of North-East Delhi, including Seelampur, Welcome, and Gonda, known for their narrow lanes, strong local resistance, and logistical challenges. These localities are often used as safe havens by organized criminals, and even identifying the suspects was a huge task due to frequent changes in hideouts, coded communications, and stolen property being moved in disguised forms. Despite the risk of unrest and operational threats, the Crime Branch team carried out multiple stakeouts, blending into the neighbourhood to gather actionable intelligence. The breakthrough came after painstaking groundwork, coordination with informers, and round-the-clock technical monitoring. Four accused were arrested, namely Samiruddin, Mohd. Zaheem alias Zaim, Zaid and Mohd. Sultan alias Shobi were arrested into the matter by the police officials. 12 RRUs worth approx. Rs 48 Lakhs, Specialized tools & software used to dismantle RRUs, Bulk scrap of telecom components, Cases Solved 08 cases of RRU theft from Delhi. The remaining RRUs are being verified with the nodal officers of telecom companies to trace the exact theft locations. A forensic examination of tools and digital devices is underway. Efforts on to identify additional gang members, including interstate handlers and scrap market dealers, possible links to international resale markets also under probe. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday accused the AAP government in Punjab of "resorting to intimidation, smear and threats" after Leader of Opposition in the state's assembly Pratap Singh Bajwa's "50 bombs" remark. Lashing out at the government after a Punjab Police counter-intelligence team questioned Bajwa at his residence yesterday, Ramesh called Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann "a bundle of insecurity and incompetence" and said that the AAP "leadership is rattled." "Instead of taking the warning seriously, the Chief Minister of Punjab accused Mr. Bajwa - who has lost family to terrorism - of links with terrorist groups. A counter-intelligence team was sent to Mr. Bajwa's residence, and cases have now been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023," Jairam Ramesh wrote on X. "Clearly, the Punjab Chief Minister - a bundle of insecurity and incompetence- and the corrupt AAP leadership is rattled and is resorting to intimidation, smear and threats. It will not work," he added. https://x.com/jairam_ramesh/status/1911719464669737121?s=46&t=nilsG_0xE8cTogroY-U8_g Lashing out at AAP, Ramesh said that governance in Punjab has "completely collapsed" and added that "Congress will not be silenced." "Governance in Punjab has completely collapsed. The Indian National Congress will not be silenced and will continue to raise the concerns of the people forcefully," Ramesh wrote on X. Ramesh's outrageous criticism of the Punjab government came after A team of Punjab Police's Counterintelligence officers questioned Partap Singh Bajwa at his residence on the latter's statement about grenades and bombs coming into the state. Bajwa has come under fire for his remarks, where he said that 50 bombs have reached Punjab and 18 of them have already exploded, while the 32 bombs are yet to go off. "I gave a statement to a TV channel that my sources have warned me that several bombs have come to Punjab. 18 bombs have exploded, and 30-32 bombs are to be used. My source told me that I am in an important position, so I should stay aware since my family has already been a victim of terrorism," Bajwa told reporters (ANI)
The Delhi Court, while granting the remand of Pakistani-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), observed that the evidence presented indicates the alleged conspiracy extends beyond India's borders. Multiple locations across various cities, including the national capital, were reportedly identified as potential targets. Emphasizing the gravity of the case, the court underscored the seriousness of the allegations, highlighting their direct implications for national security. The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the plot and its broader ramifications. Court underscored the severity of the evidence, emphasizing that the allegations pose a direct threat to national security. Furthermore, the court stated that the necessity of confronting the accused with key witnesses, forensic evidence, and confiscated documents--particularly those related to reconnaissance visits conducted by him and his associates. This process reinforces the need for thorough interrogation, providing investigators ample time to construct a comprehensive case. Recognizing the gravity of the matter, the court authorized 18 days of police custody while mandating strict adherence to legal protocols, including medical examinations every 48 hours. Considering the accused's reported health concerns and sovereign assurances provided during extradition proceedings, the court also directed that he receive appropriate medical care in accordance with established guidelines. The allegations against Rana involve conspiring to commit terrorist acts across multiple cities. He has been extradited for charges including conspiracy to wage war (Section 120-B read with Section 121 IPC), conspiracy to commit murder (Section 120-B read with Section 302 IPC), conspiracy to commit forgery for the purpose of cheating (Section 120-B read with Section 468 IPC), conspiracy to use a forged document as genuine (Section 120-B read with Section 471 IPC), and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act (Section 120-B read with Section 16 UAPA). Additional charges include the commission of a terrorist act (Section 16 UAPA), waging war (Section 121 IPC), murder (Section 302 IPC), and conspiracy to wage war (Section 121A IPC). Legal precedent establishes that once an accused has been extradited under a mutual treaty, he can be prosecuted for the specific offenses for which extradition was granted. Accordingly, the application for police custody remand must be assessed within the scope of these charges. Moreover, as the charges include offenses punishable under Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, the court noted that the modified provisions outlined in Section 43-D of the UAPA apply. While the erstwhile CrPC limited police custody to a maximum of 15 days post-arrest, the UAPA allows for an extended police custody period of up to 30 days when terrorism-related charges are involved. (ANI)
Ever since a clash broke out between two communities during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district on April 12, the police have been on alert mode, an official said on Monday. The police also carried out drone surveillance as a precaution after tensions prevailed during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in the city. In a recent development, members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal submitted a memorandum demanding the arrest of the people involved in the incident. During the demonstration, the protestors demanded that they be allowed to protest in the area where the stone pelting incident took place on April 12; however, police stopped them from doing so. Police also used mild lathicharge to disperse protestors. Guna SDM Shivani Pandey told ANI, "A procession was held on April 12 and there was some stone pelting incident that happened during it. Since then the police are on alert. Today, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal wanted to give a memorandum, but they started entering the streets before that. The SP and the collector controlled the situation and took the memorandum." "As they (protestors) entered some streets, some Muslim women came demanding protection. We assured them that they were absolutely safe. They were sent home in a police vehicle," She added. It is worth noting that a clash broke out during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in the Guna district of Madhya Pradesh on April 12, when the procession was passing near Colonelganj Mosque. According to the police, stone-pelting occurred following the exchange of slogans between members of two communities. SP Sanjeev Kumar Sinha then said that a few people were injured in the incident and the situation was under control. "The procession was passing near Colonelganj Mosque, during which slogans were raised among the two communities. We got to know that stone pelting also took place, in which some people have been injured. Force was immediately sent as soon as the information was received. The situation was brought under control within 15-20 minutes," Sinha told ANI on April 12. (ANI)
Following the arrest of fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that all this means nothing till people's money is not returned. Refferring to Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, and Vinay Mittal, she questioned how such financial fugitives escaped from under PM Modi's nose after 2014. "The reality is that attempts were made earlier also to bring people back... A plane was sent to Dominic to bring Mehul Choksi back and Rs 44 crores were spent. Whether it is Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vinay Mittal or Vijay Mallya, all such people who looted lakhs and crores of rupees and left, have not been brought back," Shrinate said. "The way financial fugitives have escaped from under PM Modi's nose after 2014, there should be accountability for that. All of this means nothing till people's money is not returned," Shrinate told ANI. The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice have confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced the request for his extradition. "The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," the Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI. They also confirmed that Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi. "Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi.As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage," they said. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who fled India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other PNB officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Monday that flood protective work on the River Pindar will be done from Saraswati Shishu Mandir to the market in Karnaprayag. Addressing the Baisakhi Religious Tourism, Cultural and Development Fair-2025, which was organized at Karnaprayag (Chamoli) through a virtual medium from the Chief Minister's Office, Dehradun, CM Dhami said that a parking lot will be constructed near the market in Karnaprayag. "In view of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, a multi-storey parking will be constructed near the Kankhul taxi stand. A parking lot will be constructed near the motor bridge in Shimli. A road will be constructed from Government Inter College to Sankrisera, Palethi and Padli." CM Dhami said. While extending his best wishes on Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti and the Vaisakhi festival, the Chief Minister said that he wanted to be present among everyone and witness this special fair, but due to pre-scheduled government engagements, he is joining through virtual medium only. He said that such fairs strengthen the region's economy and preserve ancient cultural heritage. Fairs not only connect our society but also provide a respected platform for folk artists. The Chief Minister said that the state government is standing with the disaster-affected families at every step and that strict instructions have been given to the officials for their rehabilitation. CM Dhami said that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is continuously working for the state's overall development. "Works like Chardham road project, connecting various hill towns with heli service, introduction of government heli ambulance, and infrastructure related to education, health, road and drinking water in every corner of the state have progressed rapidly," he added. He said that with the completion of the Rishikesh Karnaprayag rail line project, the dream of bringing rail to the mountains will also be realized. "Due to which immense employment opportunities will increase in the entire region, including Karnaprayag," CM Dhami said. The Chief Minister said that the state government is working towards preserving the cultural heritage of the state along with development works. "Redevelopment work is being done on a large scale at Kedarnath Dham at a cost of crores. Development work is being done under the master plan at Badrinath Dham at a cost of Rs 424 crore. The Government of India has also approved the construction of a ropeway for Baba Kedarnath Dham and Hemkund Sahib," he said. The Chief Minister said that next year, the Raj Jat Yatra of Maa Nanda Devi will start from Nauti village of Karnaprayag, for which the state government has already started preparations. He said that this time, we will all celebrate the Raj Jat Yatra together in a grander and more divine form. Work is also in progress on many important schemes to stop migration from the mountains and strengthen the local economy. "Work is going on to make the women of the state economically strong and self-reliant through Ek Janpad-Do Utpad Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana," CM Dhami said. He said that employment opportunities are increasing in the state, and doors of new possibilities are opening in the tourism and agriculture sectors as well. (ANI)
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks criticising the quota for minority contractors, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday defended the state government's reservation policy and said that they are also giving reservations to Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs). "We are also giving reservation to SC/ST, our aim is to uplift those who are not financially capable and bring them into the mainstream, this is our intention. Congress party is paying attention to every section of the society, Congress government is also paying attention to every section of the society," Shivakumar told reporters. Earlier today in Hisar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Congress and said that his government is focusing on connectivity while ensuring welfare for the poor and social justice, fulfilling the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the aspirations of the Constitution's framers. He criticized the Congress party for its treatment of Babasaheb Ambedkar, stating that while he was alive, they insulted him, orchestrated his electoral defeats twice, and conspired to exclude him from the system. He remarked that after Babasaheb's passing, the party also attempted to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas. He highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, whereas they became its destroyer. He stated that while Dr. Ambedkar aimed to bring equality, Congress spread the virus of vote-bank politics in the country. "Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned a life of dignity for every poor and marginalized individual, enabling them to dream and fulfill their aspirations. The previous government treated SC, ST, and OBC communities as second-class citizens during its long tenure. Even after 70 years of independence, only 16% of rural households had tap water connections, disproportionately affecting SC, ST, and OBC communities. He shared that in the past 6-7 years, their government has provided tap water connections to over 12 crore rural households, raising the coverage to 80% of rural homes," he added. He expressed confidence that, with Babasaheb's blessings, tap water will reach every household. He also addressed the lack of toilets, which severely impacted SC, ST, and OBC communities and highlighted the government's efforts in constructing over 11 crore toilets, ensuring a life of dignity for the underprivileged. Criticising the previous dispensation's rule, during which the SC, ST, and OBC communities faced significant barriers, with even access to banks being a distant dream, the Prime Minister said that insurance, loans, and financial assistance were mere aspirations for them. He highlighted that under their government, the largest beneficiaries of Jan Dhan accounts are from SC, ST, and OBC communities. PM Modi criticised the Congress party for turning the sacred Constitution into a mere tool for gaining power and remarked that whenever they faced a crisis of power, it crushed the Constitution. He highlighted the Emergency period, during which the then Government undermined the spirit of the Constitution to retain power. PM Modi emphasized that the essence of the Constitution is to ensure a uniform civil code for all, but the then Government never implemented it and pointed out the opposition to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand, despite its alignment with the Constitution's principles. "The Constitution provided for reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities, but Congress turned it into a tool for appeasement. The recent reports of the present government in Karnataka granting reservations in government tenders based on religion, despite the Constitution not allowing such provisions. The appeasement policies have significantly harmed the Muslim community, benefiting only a few extremists while leaving the rest of the society neglected, uneducated, and impoverished," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister pointed to the Waqf Act as the biggest evidence of the previous Government's flawed policies and criticised the Congress for claiming to work for the welfare of Muslims while failing to take meaningful actions. "In 2013, just months before elections, Congress amended the Waqf Act to appease its vote bank, elevating it above several constitutional provisions. "If the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50 per cent of their tickets to Muslim candidates, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature.," PM Modi said. The Karnataka State Cabinet earlier on March 14 approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four percent reservation in tenders to minority contractors. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the Murshidabad violence. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has called it "a state-sponsored, state-protected, state-encouraged" attack on the Hindu community. Speaking exclusively to ANI, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, "The West Bengal violence is a state-sponsored, state-protected, state-encouraged, targeted anti-Hindu violence. Instead of taking action, Mamata Banerjee and her government are not only shielding the rioters but also humiliating the victims from the Hindu community." He also accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh of giving a clean chit to rioters, TMC minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury and TMC MP Bapi Halder of issuing threats. "Kunal Ghosh says that the BSF is responsible for the violence--this effectively gives a clean chit to the rioters. Siddiqullah Chowdhury and Bapi Haldar issued threats. Firhad Hakim says this is not migration, that they are just moving from one place to another... This shows that the violence in West Bengal in the name of Waqf had state support," added the BJP spokesperson. The BJP leader slammed the West Bengal CM for instigating rioters and appealing to her vote bank to agitate over the Waqf Act that has been constitutionally passed by Parliament. "Mamata Banerjee's statement from 18th February 2025 is also out, where she herself is seen instigating rioters and appealing to her vote bank to agitate over something that has been constitutionally passed by Parliament. This shows that the sentiments of Mamata Banerjee and her government lie only with the rioters," said Poonawalla. On 12th April (Saturday), three people were killed in the Murshidabad district during violence amid protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the police said. Consequently, the West Bengal Police have arrested 150 individuals in connection with the Murshidabad violence. According to a police statement, adequate forces have been deployed in Samserganj, Dhuliyan, Suti, and other affected areas to maintain order. BJP MP from Purulia, Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal, citing a deteriorating security situation and alleging targeted violence against the Hindu community. On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which has resulted in three deaths so far. (ANI)
Union Minister Jitendra Singh met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Monday. Both the leaders inaugurated the newly constructed office building of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) of Lucknow Bench. Meanwhile, Union MoS Singh also visited and offered prayers at the Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. https://x.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/1911702025995534816 Upon his visit to the temple, Singh expressed happiness, stating that his mind became blissful after seeing Lord Ram once again. In a post on X, the Union MoS wrote, "Ram is not just history, he is culture. Not only dignity, but also inspiration. #Ayodhya My mind became blissful after seeing Lord Shri Ram Lala once again." Earlier, addressing the event, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of tribunals, stating that the role of CAT is to provide a platform to the officers and employees associated with government whose matters are pending in courts from long time and provide justice to them timely. CM Yogi said, "Today is very important for us, because today is the birth anniversary of the architect of the Constitution BR Ambedkar... The government always had clear objective behind tribunals. The cases in our courts are pending for a long time. In order to not to waste courts' necessary time on these long pending cases, these cases were being heard by tribunals. The government's aim is that these tribunals should be able to provide justice to the concerned parties on the basis of merit in a proper manner. With this clear intention, tribunals have started working in different parts of the country." "The role of CAT is to provide a platform for the problems of officers and employees associated with various government works and social system related to the central government, who felt that justice was not being done to them at any level and to provide them timely justice through this platform," he added. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday announced that the 'Zero Poverty' Mission in Uttar Pradesh will be named after Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. The Chief Minister stated that this initiative, set to launch later this month, aims to lift every underprivileged and deprived individual above the poverty line. "Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, the Zero Poverty program aims to ensure that no underprivileged person is left without access to basic amenities and government welfare schemes," said CM Yogi while addressing a gathering organized by the Ambedkar Mahasabha, marking Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary. On this occasion, he also released a commemorative souvenir. The Chief Minister said, "Over the past eight years, extensive efforts have been made to saturate benefits among marginalized communities such as the Musahar, Tharu, Vantangiya, Kol, Buksa, Chero, Gond, and Sahariya. Every deserving individual has been connected with government schemes to improve their quality of life." CM Yogi asserted that 14-15 lakh families would be identified and connected with the mission in its first phase. Each Gram Panchayat will include 20-25 families without full government benefits access. The double-engine government at the state and centre will work together to provide them with the necessary support. He added, "The scheme is being named after Babasaheb as a tribute to his educational, social, and economic empowerment philosophy. Uttar Pradesh will become the first state in India to take decisive steps toward Zero Poverty." Reflecting on Dr Ambedkar's life, the Chief Minister recalled, "Despite numerous challenges, his extraordinary intellect and unwavering determination led him to pursue higher education in England, supported by a scholarship from the Maharaja of Baroda. After earning one of the highest academic degrees in the world, he returned to India with a singular mission -- to secure rights and dignity for the crores of deprived and marginalized citizens. He championed the cause of the Dalits and actively participated in the country's freedom movement." Chief Minister Adityanath noted that the Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946. Dr. Ambedkar served as the Law Minister in the first organized government and as the Chairman of the Constitution's drafting committee. He said, "Today, the Indian Constitution binds every citizen with a sense of unity and shared purpose." He emphasized that while many doubted India's ability to remain united after independence, their fears were proved wrong. "Thanks to the guiding principles of the Constitution, India today stands strong as the world's largest and most vibrant democracy, with 140 crore citizens bound together from north to south and east to west," he remarked. CM Yogi emphasized that the journey to realize Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's vision began under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and has gained renewed strength and direction under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whether in education, the economy, or social upliftment, the pursuit of holistic development is now being carried forward with unparalleled dedication and resolve. He said, "PM Modi has advanced this mission and ensured that even during a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, India remained the only country that guaranteed every citizen their rights and access to essential welfare." The Chief Minister also highlighted various schemes implemented by the central and state governments to empower the poor and marginalized. Recalling his visit in 2017 on the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Chief Minister shared a personal anecdote: "When I called Nirmal ji that year, he expressed happiness, saying that the previous Chief Minister had never attended such events. I assured him then that I would come." During that visit, the Chief Minister made a pivotal announcement--wherever the poor resided, they would be granted land rights and provided permanent housing. Since then, under the PM Swamitva Yojana, Uttar Pradesh has issued 'Gharaunis' to over one crore poor and Dalit families, ensuring legal ownership of their land. In addition, housing has been provided to 56 lakh underprivileged families through various government schemes, marking a significant step toward inclusive development. The Chief Minister highlighted the CM Yuva Udyami Abhiyan, describing it as a transformative initiative tailored for youth from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Extremely Backward Classes. "This program is designed to empower young entrepreneurs by providing interest-free, collateral-free bank loans," he stated. So far, over 30,000 youth have benefited from the scheme, and the government now aims to connect one lakh aspiring entrepreneurs each year. Those interested in starting their own ventures can enrol for training and join the program. The Chief Minister also announced that Gram Panchayat committees managing community toilets will be provided a monthly honorarium, ensuring continued maintenance and dignity for sanitation workers. Reflecting on Babasaheb and Jogendra Nath Mandal's lives, the Chief Minister emphasized that history offers important lessons. "Many tried to sway Babasaheb from his ideals, but he stood firm. Declaring, "I am an Indian from beginning to end," he endured personal humiliation but never allowed the dignity of the nation to be compromised. Because of this unwavering commitment, independent India continues to honor and express gratitude to him. However, the Chief Minister lamented that while Babasaheb is widely revered, Jogendra Nath Mandal remains a forgotten figure despite his contributions. "History's mistakes are harsh and unforgiving. We must never allow anything that weakens our society or nation. Our very existence is tied to the strength and unity of our country. Today, there are forces at work that aim to weaken the nation -- we must remain vigilant and united," he stated further. The Chief Minister remarked that the situations in Pakistan and Bangladesh serve as important lessons for India. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving dignity and respect to Dalits and the marginalized. He added, "Whether it was the development of Baba Saheb's Panch Teerths or providing refuge to persecuted communities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, India stood as a protector of humanity. In contrast, some groups attempted to destabilize the system through agitations. " He accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party of consistently disrespecting Baba Saheb. "While he was alive, they insulted him, and even after his death, they tried to suppress his values and ideals," the Chief Minister said. He pointed out that the Congress party blocked the construction of Dr. Ambedkar's memorial in Delhi. At the same time, the SP openly stated that if such a memorial were built, they would demolish it. "But today," the CM added, "Babasaheb is being honored nationwide. His ideals are being embraced, and the entire country is paying tribute to his vision and values." The Chief Minister called for everyone to stay committed to Baba Saheb's principles. He reiterated Ambedkar's powerful message: "Be educated because only education can keep you from being misled." He urged citizens to take full advantage of government welfare schemes, educate their children, and unite to uplift the underprivileged and Dalits. "Economic empowerment is only possible through education. If we walk the path Babasaheb shows, we can secure a brighter future for the next generation," he said. He added that a true tribute to Babasaheb lies in raising a united voice against injustice, oppression, and corruption. Ambedkar Mahasabha President and Legislative Council Member Lalji Prasad Nirmal welcomed the guests to the event. Earlier in the morning, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid floral tribute to the statue of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar in Hazratganj. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal, MLAs Yogesh Shukla and OP Srivastava, and Legislative Council Members Mukesh Sharma and Pawan Singh Chauhan, among others. (ANI)
In a significant development, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday conducted the Kalash Puja ceremony at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. The ritual commenced at 9.15 am atop the main Shikhara of the Garbha Gurha, following which the Kalash (sacred pot) was installed atop the main Shikhara of the sanctum sanctorum of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple at 10.15 am. Taking to social media post on X, the official handle of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra said that the Kalash was installed after the Kalash Puja, which was held today on the occasion of Vaishakh Krishna Pratipada. "Today, on Vaishakh Krishna Pratipada, i.e. April 14, 2025, the Kalash Puja commenced at 9:15 AM atop the main Shikhara of the Garbha Gurha of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, after which the Kalash was installed at 10:15 AM," Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra posted on X. https://x.com/ShriRamTeerth/status/1911682241639436790 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed happiness over the installation of the Kalash at the main peak of the Ram Janmbhoomi temple. Expressing happiness over this achievement, the Chief Minister said that the construction of the Ram Temple is a symbol of not only spiritual but also cultural and social unity. He said that the construction of a grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya is the result of the faith and resolve of the countrymen. This will further strengthen the Sanatan culture of India on the world stage. CM Yogi praised the trust and all the people associated with the construction work and called it an important step towards 'New India. ' He said that the state government is making every effort to make Ayodhya a world-class pilgrimage site. Along with road, rail and air connectivity, facilities for tourists and devotees are being expanded. Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said that this work was completed on the auspicious occasion of Vaisakhi and Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar's birth anniversary. Now the process of installing the flag pole on the main peak of the temple will begin. Temple construction is in progress. Pran Pratishtha will be done in temples soon Rai further informed that the construction machines would now be removed from the temple premises. The consecration of idols in the temples of Raja Ram, Parakota, and Saptarishis on the first floor will also start soon. The temple's construction work is progressing on time, which has enthused the devotees. Today was the third day of the meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Building Construction Committee. The meeting focused on providing updates on the progress of the temple's construction, including new security measures, the installation of a statue, and developments in the surrounding areas. Chairman of the Building Construction Committee Nripendra Mishra said, "The boundary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple will be higher than the boundary of the jail. From the point of view of security, the temple boundary will be sensor-free. The statue of Goswami Tulsidas ji has been installed inside the temple; devotees will now be able to see him, too." The temple's boundary wall will be built higher than that of a jail for added security. To ensure safety, the temple boundary will be "sensor-free," meaning no electronic sensors will be used. This security measure is part of a broader plan to make the entire complex safe for devotees. "All the statues of the Sapta Mandal temples reached Ayodhya yesterday. All of them have reached their respective temples. The statues have been delivered to all seven temples. These statues came from Jaipur and have reached inside. A review was done in yesterday's meeting. The work of temple construction is on the way to completion in the next six months," Mishra said. "The second biggest work is the construction of a devotee facility centre. The trust which has bought the land here will have about 62 to 65 counters, shoe racks and miscellaneous racks on the land so that the devotees can easily deposit and take their belongings while coming and going. The third decision for which the work has been started, this week 10 acres of land has been acquired which was a part of 71 acres. Most of it was forest. It should be cleaned, and the plants should not be harmed in any way. But this 10-acre land will have a place of worship for the devotees named Panchvati, a kind of park, Mishra said. He further said, "But no one should consider this park as a picnic. For the devotees who want to sit in the direction of their spiritual goal, want to meditate, want to do worship and other types of prayers about Lord Ram, a park will also be built for them." (ANI)
The Prime Minister on Monday met Rampal Kashyap from Kaithal, who had vowed 14 years back not to wear footwear until Narendra Modi takes over as PM. The Prime Minister made him wear footwear. During the brief conversation, PM Modi told him not to make such a vow again. "Aaj hum tumko joota pehna rahe hai par baad mai aaisa kuch karna nhi, kahbhi nahi. (I am making you wear shoes, but do not do it again). You should work, why you have done such a thing..giving yourself pain," PM Modi said. Rampal Kashyap expressed his happiness on meeting the Prime Minister. PM Modi also referred to meeting Kashyap in a post on X and said while he accepts such affection, focus should be on working on matters linked to social work and nation building. "At today's public meeting in Yamunanagar, I met Shri Rampal Kashyap Ji from Kaithal. He had taken a vow 14 years ago- that he will only wear footwear after I became PM and he got to meet me. I am humbled by people like Rampal Ji and also accept their affection but I want to request everyone who takes up such vows - I cherish your love...please focus on something that is linked to social work and nation building!" PM Modi said in a post on X. The post also had a video of the meeting. PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana on Monday. He laid the foundation stone of the 800 MW modern thermal power unit of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant and a Compressed Biogas Plant at Yamuna Nagar. Earlier, PM Modi laid 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. Flights began from Hisar to Ayodhya on Monday. Addressing the gathering in Hisar, PM Modi extended his greetings to the people of Haryana, acknowledging their strength, sportsmanship, and brotherhood as the defining traits of the state. He expressed his gratitude to the large gathering for their blessings during this busy harvest season. The Prime Minister paid respectful homage to Guru Jambheshwar, Maharaja Agrasen, and the sacred Agroha Dham. He shared his fond memories of Haryana, particularly Hisar, recalling his time working closely with many colleagues when he was entrusted with the responsibility of the state by his party. He highlighted the dedication and efforts of these colleagues in strengthening the party's foundation in Haryana. He expressed pride in his party's commitment to the goal of a developed Haryana and a developed India, working with utmost seriousness toward this vision. PM Modi visited Haryana on Ambedkar Jayanti and said Babasaheb's life, struggles, and message have been the cornerstone of the government's 11-year journey. He emphasized that every decision, every policy, and every day of the government has been dedicated to Babasaheb's vision. He reiterated the government's commitment to improving the lives and fulfilling the dreams of the underprivileged, oppressed, exploited, poor, tribal communities, and women. PM Modi said that continuous and rapid development has been the mantra of their government to achieve these goals. (ANI)
Security was tightened, and a heavy police force was also deployed after minorities blocked roads over their protests on the Waqf Amendment Act in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. On Monday, members of the Indian Secular Front held a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act in Sealdah and demanded its repeal. Meanwhile, security personnel conducted a flag march in the violence-hit Dhuliyan town in the Jangipur division of the Murshidabad district. A heavy police force has been deployed in the region from days after the violence. ADG Eastern Command of BSF Ravi Kumar Gandhi visited the violence-hit areas in West Bengal on Monday and said that the situation is getting normal. He stated that the BSF has been working closely with the state police, and the CRPF has also joined the operations. Gandhi added that on Sunday, the situation was peaceful. "The situation is getting normal now. Since last Friday, we, the BSF, have been working closely with the local police and doing whatever is required to normalise the situation. Now, the CRPF has also come. Yesterday also, the situation was relatively very peaceful, and wherever we are getting any input about any tension or trouble, we are responding effectively. So I am very sure that soon the situation will get normal and we are working closely with the local police and other sister agencies", he told ANI. Addressing the issue of the India-Bangladesh border, the security forces have very effective systems of domination and electronic surveillance on the border. Gandhi stated that with the cooperation of sister agencies, we are guarding the border very effectively and under the Integrated Border Management Plan. "We have very effective systems of dominations on the border and we have electronic surveillance also. We have a very effective water wing and we work closely with the local border population which is very important for us. With the cooperation of sister agencies, we are guarding the border very effectively and under the Integrated Border Management Plan, we have very effective cooperation with Border Guard Bangladesh. We have a lot of joint operational activities...", he said. (ANI)
Former Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Karnal Singh said that the arrest of fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium is a great success for India and Indian agencies. "This is a great success for both the Indian government and Indian agencies- Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate. This is an extradition process and in any country, it can be said that it happens in two stages. The first stage is to accept the extradition request politically and bureaucratically. His arrest means they have accepted that they have to execute this extradition request," Singh told ANI. Speaking about the judicial proceeding, Karnal Singh said that CBI and ED have "good" evidence on Choksi and will succeed in judicial process. "Now in the court, the Belgian government will fight on our behalf to bring him to India. So this is a big success for India. We have a lot of evidence and we will succeed in the judicial process and he will come to India... The CBI and ED have good evidence. The Enforcement Director has evidence of how he withdrew money from the bank, how he diverted it, how he used it for personal use. So we will succeed in the judicial process as well," Singh said. The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice have confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced the request for his extradition. "The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," the Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI. They also confirmed that Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi. "Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage," they said. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who fled India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud.Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other PNB officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. (ANI)
After fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium, Karnataka Mahila Congress President Sowmya Reddy questioned the return of another fugitive, Vijay Mallya. Speaking with ANI, Sowmya Reddy questioned, "What about Vijay Mallya? When is he going to come back?" "Prime Minister promising that they are going to bring back the black money, what really happened to that? I really want to see that happen as well," she said. Liquor baron Vijay Mallya is accused in a bank loan default case of over Rs 9,000 crore. Meanwhile, The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice has confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced the request for his extradition. "The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," the Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI. They also confirmed that Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi. "Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage," they said. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who fled India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other PNB officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. (ANI)
Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Monday expressed concern over the tense situation in Murshidabad, stating that the deployment of central forces, such as the CRPF, could help improve the situation. Majumdar also urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to request central assistance to maintain peace and normalcy. "The situation is very tense and bad. The situation can be improved by keeping the central force here for a long time. I will request the Chief Minister to take the initiative and ask the Center to deploy CRPF here and the central force should stay here until the situation becomes normal... Our demand is that peace should be established, the state government should take action for this...," Majumdar told ANI. The violence in Murshidabad was sparked by protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, which has been a contentious issue in the region. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of three people, injuries to several others, and widespread property damage. The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of supporting the protests and criticized TMC MP Bapi Halder for making threatening remarks against those protesting Waqf properties. Majumdar condemned Halder's comments, saying they incited violence and questioned the state police's inaction against the MP. Earlier today, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday demanded that elections be held under President's Rule in areas where Hindus are in the minority, citing concerns over voting rights after the Murshidabad violence. He also called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the violence, labeling it as "anti-national activities." Adhikari has petitioned the Calcutta High Court, seeking the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad due to escalating violence. The violence erupted over protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries. Speaking to ANI, he said, "I have this in my petition that after such explosions and firing incidents, the NIA should investigate (in Murshidabad) as these are anti-national activities... Wherever Hindus are in the minority, they don't let Hindus vote, and hence, the Elections must be held under president rule for the sake of democracy..." On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in 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. (ANI)
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday called upon the youth to do further research and study the works of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar for his invaluable contributions, sacrifice and painstaking effort in shaping the modern day democracy of the Republic of India. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sonowal, attended a commemorative program to mark the 135th Birth Anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, in Dibrugarh. Speaking on the occasion, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar ji's tireless efforts to build an egalitarian society based on law laid the very foundation of modern India. His vision of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity continues to guide our collective journey towards Viksit Bharat. Dr. Ambedkar ji did not merely draft a Constitution--he gave us a blueprint for an inclusive, empowered nation where every citizen has dignity and opportunity. The vision of Dr B R Ambedkar shaped the constitution of India which reflects the soul of Bharat. Ambedkar ji's mantra of social harmony and constitutional morality remains our compass in shaping a just and developed India." Dignitaries and speakers present on the occasion paid tribute to the unparalleled contributions of Dr Ambedkar and remembered his legacy. Emphasizing his vision for a just, progressive, and inclusive India, they urged everyone to actively participate in building a developed and equitable nation. The message of equality, fraternity, and justice that Dr Ambedkar championed was reiterated as the guiding path for a stronger society. "During the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the profound legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has received the recognition it truly deserves. On this Ambedkar Jayanti, I urge the youth of our nation to reflect upon Babasaheb's monumental role in shaping the Indian Constitution -- a document rooted in equality, justice, and the rule of law. His ideals continue to guide us in building an inclusive and egalitarian society, which forms the cornerstone of a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat," Sonowal said. The event was jointly hosted by Dibrugarh District Scheduled Caste Council, All Assam Ravidas Youth Students Union, Dibrugarh District Committee and the Harijan Branch Committee. Rituparna Baruah, Chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC); Saikat Patra, Mayor of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC); Ujjal Phukan, Deputy Mayor of DMC; Asim Hazarika, Chairman of Dibrugarh Development Authority (DDA); and Dulal Bora, President of BJP Dibrugarh District, among other notable figures were present on the occasion. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Kalighat skywalk at Kalighat in Kolkata on Monday. Banerjee thanked those who were involved in building the Kalighat skywalk in a short span of time and said that she had taken a pledge that when the skywalk at Dakshineswar is built, it will be built in Kalighat as well. Furthermore, she stated that the government had to speak with the hawkers frequently and that they would be shifted to Hazra Park. Banerjee asserted that the Reliance group helped the state government restore the Kalighat temple. "Thank you for making this skywalk in such a short span of time. We had to speak with hawkers a lot. I had taken a pledge when the Dakshineswar Skywalk was built that a skywalk would be built at Kalighat. Hawkers would be shifted to Hazra Park. Reliance helped us in restoration (of Kalighat temple) because they were doing something for religion. State Govt too spent a lot for restoration...", Mamata Banerjee said during her address at the event. Speaking on the construction of a skywalk in Tarapih, Mamata Banerjee said that the project is not going through due to the narrow road and added that a Gurudwara is in progress in Bhawanipur. "Construction of skywalk at Tarapith is not going through because the road there is narrow. There was development in Furfura Sharif, a Gurudwara is being built in Bhawanipur. Religions can be different but celebrations are for everyone. But why is my name and caste changed whenever I visit some place?...", West Bengal CM said. The politics in West Bengal has intensified due to the violence which occurred in Murshidabad because of the Waqf Amendment Act protests. At present, the central forces have been deployed in the violence-hit areas after the order of the Calcutta High Court on Saturday. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Chandrakant Patil on Monday slammed Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut for criticising Union Home Minister Amit Shah after he reportedly called Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by a single name and allegedly referred to Aurangzeb's tomb as a "samadhi" (memorial). Defending Shah, BJP leader Patil stated that Amit Shah is the first Union Home Minister to visit Raigad, adding that he is a devotee of Shivaji Maharaj and has written a 500-page book on him, which will soon be published in Pune or Delhi. Speaking to reporters, Patil said, "I also want to talk about Sanjay Raut, who puts on his show every morning. The country's Home Minister, Amit Shah, visited the memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his death anniversary at Raigad. It was the 100th anniversary of the memorial's restoration, which is why he went there. He also visited Jijamata's memorial and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's throne. Instead of welcoming these gestures, Sanjay Raut has been talking non-stop for three days, but no one is paying attention to him." Taking a dig at the Shiv Sena UBT, the BJP leader claimed that Sena UBT wants to be inducted in power, but Mahayuti is not inducting them. "Sanjay Raut Ji, political rivalry is fine, but this is a moment when the country's Home Minister visited Raigad for the first time. I know that Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru have also visited, but this is the first time the Home Minister has come. Amit Bhai Shah is a devotee of Shivaji Maharaj and has written a 500-page book on him. He has studied Shivaji Maharaj extensively. The only thing left is to release the book in Delhi or Pune. Despite this, you commented on Amit Shah. You are not in power, you want to come to power but (we are) not taking you in power," he added. On Sunday, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut accused Home Minister Shah of disrespecting Shivaji Maharaj by not addressing him with due honour. He also criticized the supposed reference to Aurangzeb's tomb as a "samadhi." Raut had said, "The thing is that for the last 3 months, these people have taken up the program of digging up Aurangzeb's grave. They will dig it up, they will not keep the grave. This word is Shivaji Maharaj was a warrior, this grave is a living example of his war, but these people did nothing. Yesterday, he was given the status of Samadhi, which we call a grave. Yesterday, he was given the status of Samadhi by the country's Home Minister Amit Shah. This is Aurangzeb's Samadhi. Why are you creating riots in the country? If this is Samadhi, then it is Aurangzeb's Samadhi. What has started in Maharashtra for the last 3 months? You are the people who are creating riots in Maharashtra. The most mess has happened in Maharashtra and the Chief Minister and Home Ministry have been the biggest support to those who are creating riots. And secondly, if you watch Amit Shah's speech, then every time he says Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But yesterday, in the entire speech, he addressed him as Shivaji only. This is an insult. A case should be filed against him for this insult. Devendra Ji should order Raigad Police Station to do so." Patil further alleged that Sena UBT is facing defections, claiming that several leaders are leaving their party, and in the upcoming days, they might even lack candidates, not just in Mumbai but also in other cities. "People from your party are leaving every day. By the time the municipal elections come, you'll have to go door-to-door asking people to become candidates. Your leaders are leaving the party. Five corporators from Pune have joined the BJP. In Mumbai, 57 sitting corporators have left you and joined Eknath Shinde. Instead of focusing on these issues, you're paying attention to what Amit Bhai said about the memorial. If Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena do not convince Devendra Ji, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, along with the higher leadership (whether to take them or not is not my subject), then in the upcoming municipal elections, they won't even have candidates left in Mumbai. Does this mean they are after us, or do we not want to take them? I'm just stating my opinion and making a prediction. Leaders from their party will keep leaving daily. Forget Pune and Kolhapur; they'll even struggle to find candidates in Mumbai." Patil further denied any rifts in the ruling Mahayuti, stating that there are no disturbances in the alliance. He said, "Even in a family of four people with the same blood, conflicts arise. Here, we have people from different backgrounds--Ajit Pawar comes from one background, Eknath Shinde from another, and Devendra Ji from yet another. Despite this, if there are no disturbances, you might need to check if they're alive or not. If there's a sound, it means they're alive and expressing themselves. If they don't express themselves, they might fall ill, so they have to express." Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Raigad on Saturday. He 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. Shah also paid humble tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his 345th death anniversary. His visit also comes during the centenary celebration of the renovation of the Shivajiraje's mausoleum. (ANI)
Considering the ongoing strike by tanker drivers in Mumbai and in the interest of the general public, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) administration invoked the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and decided to requisition wells, borewells, and private water supply tankers across the city. In response, representatives of the Mumbai Water Tanker Association met with Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani on Monday to present their case, according to a release. A constructive discussion took place during the meeting, after which the tanker drivers announced at a press conference that they were calling off the strike. Consequently, the MCGM administration will no longer need to requisition private wells, borewells, and tankers. Present at the meeting were Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, Executive Health Officer Daksha Shah, Insecticide Officer Chetan Chaubal, and from the Mumbai Water Tanker Association: Secretary Rajesh Thakur, Vice President Harbans Singh, Jeetu Shah, Treasurer Amol Mandhare, and other office-bearers and members. The representatives of the tanker driver association presented their side and requested that their demands be conveyed to the central government. They also asked the MCGM administration to assist in presenting their case to the Central Ground Water Authority. According to the release, a detailed memorandum of their demands was submitted to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. After hearing the association's points, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani stated that in view of compliance with the rules of the Central Ground Water Authority, the notices issued by the MCGM have been stayed until 15 June 2025. Furthermore, it has been decided to withdraw notices regarding the cancellation of approvals for well and borewell owners who were noncompliant. However, those who have not yet obtained approval must do so. He also assured that the MCGM will provide administrative support to the association in forwarding their demands and related issues to the appropriate authorities at the central level. However, technical matters fall under the jurisdiction of the central government and cannot be interfered with by the MCGM administration, the release stated. He emphasised that, following directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of Jal Shakti CR Patil, the MCGM has already taken a cooperative stance. Therefore, Gagrani stated during the meeting that the tanker drivers' association should also take a considered and reasonable approach. Following this detailed and positive discussion, the representatives of the Mumbai Water Tanker Association requested a few hours to hold an internal meeting. They had stated their position would be announced soon and would likely be a positive one. Subsequently, the association officially informed via a press conference that they are withdrawing the strike, the release added. (ANI)
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Monday condemned the violence in West Bengal and said that the state government has completely failed in safeguarding "Hindus". According to VHP Organising General Secretary Milind Parande, the state government is for all communities, and it is not unfortunate if "thousands of people have to leave their homes." "The violence taking place in Bengal is condemnable. The State Government has completely failed in safeguarding Hindus. State Government is for all communities, the entire state. But I feel they are oblivious to this. If thousands of people have to leave their home, there is nothing more unfortunate than this", he told ANI. Parande further mentioned that he can see how the state government is failing in its duty and is doing very little to protect society. He stated that a few people on Monday announced that they would organise a protest march in several parts of the state but questioned what it had to do with the attack on the Hindus happening in the state. "We can see that the State Government is working so little towards protecting society and is failing in its duty. So, Hindu community should think about it...A few people announced today that they would take out a protest march today at several places in the state. But what does that have to do with the attack on Hindus? If you want to protest, do it. But there is no logic in attacking Hindus", he said. He further questioned that if someone has to say anything against Waqf, then where does it have any connection with attacking "Hindus"? Parade said that all of it is pre-planned and state government should ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the state. "So, this should be deliberated on very seriously...If someone has to say anything against Waqf, what has it got to do with attacks on Hindus? There seems to be just anti-Hindu action. This seems pre-planned. So, the Government should ensure that such incidents are not repeated anywhere in West Bengal. Violence to show one's dissent has no meaning. It has no place in any civilised society. So, State Government should put an end to this responsibly", Parande said. The violence in Murshidabad was sparked by protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, which has been a contentious issue in the region. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of three people, injuries to several others, and widespread property damage. (ANI)
The Chief Minister landed at the Dharwas helipad, where locals dressed in traditional attire greeted him enthusiastically. Representatives from various Panchayats honored him at the helipad and brought their concerns to his attention.

The Chief Minister assured the people of prompt redressal of their issues and said that the state government was committed to the development of tribal areas.

He announced Rs 25 lakh each for the construction of Mahila Mandal Bhawans (women's community centers) in Dharwas and Lunj.

Additionally, he declared Rs 10 lakh for the completion of another Mahila Mandal Bhawan in Lunj and Rs 1 lakh each for three Mahila Mandals for purchasing necessary equipment.

Encouraging residents to establish solar power plants on private land, Chief Minister Sukhu said, "The state government will offer a 5 percent interest subsidy for setting up solar energy projects ranging from 250 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas. Whereas, in non-tribal regions, projects between 250 KW and 1 MW will receive a 4 percent interest subsidy, while larger projects exceeding 1 MW will be eligible for a 3 percent interest subsidy."

The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister will stay overnight in Killar and preside over the state-level Himachal Day celebrations on Tuesday.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, MLA Sunder Thakur, Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Chairman Devender Shyam, CM's OSD Ritesh Capret, APMC Chamba Chairman Lalit Thakur, Congress leader Surjit Bharmauri, along with representatives of various Panchayats, Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal, SP Abhishek Yadav and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday announced digital services in Panchayats, highlighted rural employment schemes, and appealed to Naxalites to join the development mainstream. Marking the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, the Chief Minister extended greetings to the people of the state. "Today, 14 April is the birth anniversary of the father of our Constitution, Baba Saheb Ambedkar. First of all, congratulations and best wishes to the people of Chhattisgarh on Ambedkar Jayanti," he said. Highlighting his government's focus, CM Sai said, "We have already fulfilled many promises like Mahtari Vandana for women, pilgrimage schemes, etc. Today was also the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Board... Khadi and Village Industries Board is a powerful medium for 'vocal for local' and self-reliant India and providing rural employment." He announced that the government is initiating digital service centres in village panchayats. "Today, we are fulfilling another promise--to ensure every panchayat gets complete facilities. We are signing an MoU for Atal Panchayat Digital Service Centers. This will start in 1,460 village panchayats from April 24, on Panchayat Day. People will begin to receive all kinds of services in the panchayats," he said. Speaking about water concerns and housing, he added, "We also need to focus on water harvesting, as the water level is continuously dropping--we must address that concern too. Our government is also going to provide 3.5 lakh homes. The Awas Plus scheme has already been launched. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also discussed this with the Panchayat Minister." Reaffirming the government's stance against Naxalism, the CM said, "Ever since we have come to power, we have been fighting strongly against Naxalism. We appeal to you to leave the path of violence and join the mainstream of development. The government is doing justice with those who are surrendering." (ANI)
This comes after his party's poor performance in the recent J-K assembly elections. The party fielded 23 candidates in the 90-member assembly but performed poorly, with candidates in at least six seats securing fewer votes than NOTA. One such seat was Doda West in Doda, which is the home district of DPAP leader Azad.

"Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad. Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party has dissolved all the party units, including the State, Provincial, Zonal, District, and Block-Level Committees, including the Chief Spokesperson and other spokespersons. These Committees will be reconstituted in due course. This issue requires the chairman's approval," said Bashir Aarif, Secretary to DPAP chairman in a press release.

Ghulam Nabi floated the party in 2022 after severing his ties with Congress. The party also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on three seats but failed to secure significant votes. (ANI)
Reacting to Karnataka Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan's "we will not implement Waqf Amendment Act in Karnataka" statement, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said that for the sake of the vote bank, these people try to fool people. "The 2013 Act was also an Act by the Parliament. So was the 1995 Act. This (2025 Act) is also by the Parliament...For the sake of the vote bank, these people try to fool people. But people are quite intelligent and I have repeatedly said, and Prime Minister and Home Minister, in their tweets have cleared that it is not against Muslims. It is to protect the property, earn more revenue and serve the poor Muslims," Joshi told ANI. Earlier on Sunday, the Karnataka Minister voiced strong opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act, saying that the Karnataka government has decided not to implement this law in the state. "Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM, Kerala and Karnataka government have made a decision regarding the Waqf Amendment Act that it is not acceptable to us. This bill should not have passed, but it has passed. But we will solve the problem through the court. I am sure we will get justice in the court... We will not implement in Karnataka," Khan said. 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 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. The opposition is hitting out at the implementation of the act, and several petitions filed in the Supreme Court have challenged the same. (ANI)
Communist Party of India (M) State Secretary of West Bengal, Mohammad Salim on Monday said that he was able to enter the ground zero, where the violence took place after a lot of trouble. He alleged the police of allowing the rioters to continue their mayhem despite the requests by the local villagers. He further alleged that the whole village was burned, destructed and looted but there was no police or fire brigade. "After a lot of trouble, I could enter this place, the ground zero, where all the violence took place and people were killed. Police were not present. Despite repeated requests from the villagers, the police allowed the rioters to continue with this mayhem. The whole village was burned, destructed and looted, and there was no police or fire brigade. The villagers themselves doused the fire...", Salim said. Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Monday expressed concern over the tense situation in Murshidabad, stating that the deployment of central forces, such as the CRPF, could help improve the situation. Majumdar also urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to request central assistance to maintain peace and normalcy. "The situation is very tense and bad. The situation can be improved by keeping the central force here for a long time. I will request the Chief Minister to take the initiative and ask the Center to deploy CRPF here and the central force should stay here until the situation becomes normal... Our demand is that peace should be established, the state government should take action for this...," Majumdar told ANI. The violence in Murshidabad was sparked by protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, which has been a contentious issue in the region. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of three people, injuries to several others, and widespread property damage. The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of supporting the protests and criticized TMC MP Bapi Halder for making threatening remarks against those protesting Waqf properties. Majumdar condemned Halder's comments, saying they incited violence and questioned the state police's inaction against the MP. (ANI)
The West Bengal police on Monday said that the situation in the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad is normal, urging people not to believe any rumours. Speaking over the current situation, ADG, South Bengal Police, Supratim Sarkar said, "The situation is normal now. Everyone is safe. The CRPF and state police and joint forces are deployed. The DGP of West Bengal police himself was present at the Samsherganj police station. We request everyone not to go through rumours. We opened a control room. Anyone facing any issue can contact us at any time." The violence in Murshidabad was sparked by protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, which has been a contentious issue in the region. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of three people, injuries to several others, and widespread property damage. Meanwhile, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Monday expressed concern over the tense situation in Murshidabad, stating that the deployment of central forces, such as the CRPF, could help improve the situation. Majumdar also urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to request central assistance to maintain peace and normalcy. "The situation is very tense and bad. The situation can be improved by keeping the central force here for a long time. I will request the Chief Minister to take the initiative and ask the Center to deploy CRPF here and the central force should stay here until the situation becomes normal... Our demand is that peace should be established, the state government should take action for this...," Majumdar told ANI. On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in 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. (ANI)
The Calcutta High Court expressed full satisfaction with the processes adopted by the Election Commission and dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought implementation of a new citizenship verification process ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. In its ruling, the court stated that such legislative measures fall outside its jurisdiction and properly belong under the purview of the Election Commission. The court observed that the existing verification mechanisms are adequate and added that citizens retain the right to raise objections regarding candidate nominations through established legal channels. On March 14, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation led by Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar met with the Election Commission in Delhi to file a complaint on the alleged fake voter issue. The BJP in Charge of West Bengal, Amit Malviya, who was part of the delegation, said the leaders emphasized the need for an audit and voter roll revision. Speaking to mediapersons, he said that the delegation pointed out to the Election Commission that there are about 8,415 voters with similar EPIC numbers. "Today, a delegation of BJP West Bengal met the Election Commission. We emphasized the need for an audit and voter roll revision. We have apprised the Election Commission that there are more than 13 lakh duplicate voters in Bengal," Malviya said. This comes amid the opposition parties questioning the electoral process and voter list manipulation. On March 6, a delegation of the Trinamool Congress met Election Commission officials in Kolkata regarding their complaints about the same Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number. Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee formed a committee to check the alleged irregularities in the voters' list in every district of West Bengal. She alleged that the BJP had added fake voters to the voters' list to manipulate elections in Maharashtra and Delhi, and they were trying the same trick in West Bengal. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged citizens to maintain peace and harmony amidst rising tensions and violent protests in some parts of the state, particularly in Murshidabad, over the Waqf Amendment Act. Banerjee emphasised the right to protest but stressed that no one should take the law into their own hands. "We live once and die once. So, why is there a riot? Every caste and religion has the right to protest, but do not take the law into your hands... Some people are trying to mislead you; do not pay attention to them," Banerjee said, emphasising the importance of non-violent demonstrations while inaugurating the Kalighat skywalk at Kalighat in Kolkata. The Waqf Amendment Act has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing it undermines the autonomy of Muslim religious endowments. The protests have turned violent in some areas, resulting in casualties and injuries. Banerjee assured that the law wouldn't be implemented in West Bengal, but the Calcutta High Court intervened, directing the deployment of central forces to restore order. Mamata Banerjee said that no one should play irreligious games with religion and stated that "dharma means devotion, affection, humanity, peace, amity, culture, harmony, and unity." "One shouldn't play irreligious games with religion. Dharma means devotion, affection, humanity, peace, amity, culture, harmony, and unity. Loving human beings is one of the highest expressions of any religion. We are born alone and we die alone; so why the fight? Why the riots, war, or unrest?", Mamata Banerjee said. She said that anyone can win anything if we love people; however, "if we isolate ourselves, we won't be able to win anyone." "Remember, one can win everything if we love people. But if we isolate ourselves, we won't be able to win anyone. If someone is attacked - whether they are ignored, oppressed, deprived, marginalised, or from any religion - we stand by everyone", West Bengal CM said. "We have custodians of the law; we do not need those who operate outside it. This is why I request that when someone tries to incite you, do not fall for the trap. Those who keep their mind calm amid all provocation are the real winners. That is real victory", she added. The situation in Murshidabad remains tense. On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court 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. West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday demanded that elections be held under President's Rule in areas where Hindus are in the minority, citing concerns over voting rights after the Murshidabad violence. He also called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the violence, labeling it as "anti-national activities."Adhikari has petitioned the Calcutta High Court, seeking the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad due to escalating violence. The violence erupted over protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries. Speaking to ANI, he said, "I have this in my petition that after such explosions and firing incidents, the NIA should investigate (in Murshidabad) as these are anti-national activities... Wherever Hindus are in the minority, they don't let Hindus vote, and hence, the Elections must be held under president rule for the sake of democracy..." On Monday, security was heightened in the South 24 Parganas region when protestors blocked roads, protesting the Waqf Amendment Act. Meanwhile, security personnel conducted a flag march in the violence-hit Dhuliyan town in the Jangipur division of the Murshidabad district. A heavy police force has been deployed in the region from days after the violence ADG Eastern Command of BSF Ravi Kumar Gandhi visited the violence-hit areas in West Bengal on Monday and said that the situation is getting normal. He stated that the BSF has been working closely with the state police, and the CRPF has also joined the operations. Gandhi added that on Sunday, the situation was peaceful. "The situation is getting normal now. Since last Friday, we, the BSF, have been working closely with the local police and doing whatever is required to normalise the situation. Now, the CRPF has also come. Yesterday also, the situation was relatively very peaceful, and wherever we are getting any input about any tension or trouble, we are responding effectively. So I am very sure that soon the situation will get normal and we are working closely with the local police and other sister agencies", he told ANI. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana is effectively fulfilling its responsibility of serving the common man while also implementing the public welfare schemes of the Central Government. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Haryana is progressing steadily as a partner in development, empowered by the strength of a triple engine government, a release said. The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering at the 'Sankalp Ki Udaan' ceremony, held to mark the inauguration of air services from Maharaja Agrasen Airport and the foundation stone laying of Terminal-2, on the auspicious occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Bhimrao Ambedkar in Hisar on Monday. Describing the day as historic, the Chief Minister said, "Today, on April 14, we are witnessing a significant milestone as air services commence from the newly constructed Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar to the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, the city of Lord Shri Rama. Along with this, the foundation stone laying of the second terminal of Haryana's first airport marks another leap in the direction of development." He said that this event has sparked a wave of enthusiasm across the entire state ushering in a new era, a new direction, and a new momentum in Haryana's growth journey. The Chief Minister reiterated Prime Minister Modi's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, affirming that Haryana will play a significant role in realizing this dream. Nayab Singh Saini apprised the Prime Minister that this is the same Hisar whose soil carries the fragrance of hard work, where the prosperity of livestock is celebrated, and where our brave soldiers have always served the nation with pride and sacrifice. Today, the light of education is reaching every home here. From Rakhi Garhi, which echoes the grandeur of our ancient civilization, to Agroha, which tells the tale of Maharaja Agrasen's legacy of commerce and social harmony, this land is rich with heritage. Chief Minister emphasized the deep bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of Haryana. Recalling the Prime Minister's visit to Hisar on September 28, 2024, during the assembly elections, he said, "From this very land, the Prime Minister had sought a pledge from the people to elect a BJP government for the third consecutive term. Today, I feel proud to say that the people of Haryana have fulfilled that pledge. This victory is a testament to the trust, intent, policies, and leadership of the Central Government, he added. He said that within the first 100 days of the BJP's third term, 19 promises from the party's Sankalp Patra have been fulfilled, work has commenced on 90 others, and significant progress is being made on the rest. He said that Haryana's double engine government has now transformed into a triple engine government, accelerating the pace of development threefold. The Chief Minister highlighted the launch of the Lado Laxmi Yojana, aimed at empowering women, for which a provision of Rs 5,000 crore has been made in the state's first budget of the new term. Reflecting on the transformation in air travel accessibility, he said that for many years post-independence, air travel remained a distant dream for the common citizen due to lack of connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned this dream into reality through the UDAN scheme. He said that the Prime Minister has also laid the foundation stone of the second terminal building of the airport and continuous flights to Ayodhya, Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh have also started from here. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday chaired a virtual meeting with the Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to discuss measures to protect the integrity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The meeting came after a discreet inquiry by the Assam Police suspected some students were securing abnormally high marks in private exam centers, the CM said in a post on X. The Chief Minister stated that to ensure the exam's integrity, the Assam Government has proposed the several measures including, all NEET exam centers will be located in government or government-aided colleges, safeguards will be implemented for the movement, distribution, and storage of examination materials. Furthermore, there would be Aadhaar-based or biometric verification of candidates at exam centers with addition to CCTV surveillance at all exam centers. A detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be implemented for frisking at all centers. Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police will personally visit each exam center before the exam to ensure sanitation and security. Senior civil services and police officers will be deployed to review and monitor exam preparation and conduct. Additionally, close coordination will be maintained between the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and the Director General of NTA for meticulous planning. There will be zero tolerance for any malpractice, with strict legal action taken against those attempting to cheat. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1911747523884077171 In a social media post on X, CM Sarma wrote, "Today, along with my senior officials, I chaired a VC with the Director General of @NTA_Exams and his team. We sought this meeting following a discreet inquiry by @assampolice where it was suspected that some students clearing NEET in private exam centres in the state were securing abnormally high marks. In order to protect the integrity of NEET, Assam Government has proposed the following- 1. "All examination centres would be in Government or Govt Aided colleges only 2. Several safeguards related to the examination material movement, distribution and storage 3. Aadhar based/Biometric Verification of the candidates at the examination centres 4. CCTV coverage of the exam at all the centres 5. Detailed SOP for frisking at all centres. 6. Personal visit of DC and SP to each examination centre before the exam, and sanitation of the centres. 7. Deputing Senior Civil Services and Police officers for reviewing and monitoring the preparation and conduct of the exam. 8. Close coordination between the @CSAssam_@DGPAssamPolice and the Director General, National Testing Agency for meticulous planning 9. Zero tolerance for any malpractice and strict legal action against anyone trying anything illegal. We are committed to holding every exam with the highest level of transparency and NEET being a very important exam, we are deploying all assets to ensure its fair and smooth conduct." (ANI)
Press Release

April 13, 2025 Pimentel files bill to revive PH Shoe Industry To revive the Philippine shoe industry, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III has filed a bill seeking to establish modern Shoe Manufacturing Hubs across the country, with Marikina City--dubbed the Shoe Capital of the Philippines--set to host the pilot facility. Under the proposed measure, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with local government units, will be tasked to identify strategic locations nationwide for the establishment of these hubs. "The goal is to bolster the country's footwear industry by supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through access to shared service facilities and modern infrastructure," said Pimentel, who is running for congressman of Marikina's first congressional district. Filed as Senate Bill No. 2994, the proposed legislation is titled "An Act Strengthening the Philippine Shoe Industry Providing Incentives to Local Manufacturers and For Other Purposes." Pimentel highlighted that the country's once-vibrant footwear sector has struggled in recent decades due to modernization gaps, foreign competition, and minimal government backing. "The Philippine shoe industry, once a vibrant and globally-recognized sector, has suffered a significant decline over the past decades," Pimentel said. Under the bill, a Shoe Industry Development Program will be created, to be led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The program will focus on research and development in shoe design and production technologies, skills training and certification, promotion of local brands in both domestic and international markets, and the implementation of quality assurance and standardization systems. The measure also grants various incentives to local shoe manufacturers. These include subsidies and grants for capital investments, machinery upgrades, and R&D activities. Local manufacturers will have preferential access to low-interest loans through government financial institutions, and benefit from marketing support such as participation in fairs and government-run retail channels. Government agencies will be mandated to procure locally-made shoes, supporting domestic producers. Tax incentives are also included, such as a 50 percent additional income tax deduction on training and R&D expenses, and import duty exemptions for equipment and raw materials used in shoe production. Manufacturers will also be entitled to tax credits on VAT paid for local raw materials and supplies. To stimulate innovation and increase production capacity, the bill calls for the establishment of Shoe Manufacturing Hubs across the country. These hubs, beginning with at least one in Marikina City, will serve as dedicated innovation, training, and manufacturing centers equipped with shared service facilities and modern infrastructure. A nationwide "Buy Local, Wear Local" campaign will also be implemented under the Consumer Awareness Program to promote Filipino-made footwear and encourage public support. The bill also creates a Shoe Industry Development Fund (SIDF), which will be sourced from 100 percent of tariffs and duties collected on imported shoes. This fund will ensure the long-term sustainability of all programs and initiatives under the proposed law and will remain in effect for ten years. "This bill seeks to revitalize the Philippine shoe industry by instituting a comprehensive framework to enhance its competitiveness in both domestic and international markets," Pimentel explained in his explanatory note. The DTI, in coordination with the DOST, DOF, DILG, TESDA and other relevant agencies, is tasked to formulate the implementing rules and regulations within 60 days from the law's effectivity to ensure smooth execution. "Given the Filipinos' resilience, hard work and creativity, there remains strong potential to reclaim the country's foothold in the shoe industry," Pimentel said. In line with his advocacy for local shoemakers, Pimentel has vowed to push for the BTS Program or Baha, Trabaho, at Sapatos, which aims to prioritize the welfare of Marikina's shoe industry workers and strengthen the city's position as the country's footwear capital.
Attorney General of India R Venkataramani on Monday highlighted that the implementation of new laws would require a broader regulatory framework that will advise judges at the highest level. R Venkataramani said, "The implementation of law probably would require a broader regulatory framework which will advise judges at the higher stage and it will also contain some broad interpretation principles of forensic sciences. But doubts may arise, I suppose this regulatory framework can emerge out of judicial debates or even by executive deliberations." Further speaking about digitisation provided under new criminal laws, Venkataramani said that a lot of efforts have been made, adding that in another couple of years, the inclusion and engagement of forensic science tools will make trials more relevant, rational, and scientific. "A lot of efforts have been made; in fact, a lot of systems are in position now. I think that in another couple of years, when the inclusion and engagement of forensic science tools make trials more relevant, rational, and scientific, new issues will arise. Probably in another 5-6 years, we will know what kind of issues will arise in the engagement of the upcoming forensic science advancements. I am sure some issues may certainly aris,e and my hope is that the University set up in Gandhinagar will address all the kinds of concerns and issues and will be able to help in a big way," R Venkataramani said. The Indian government has introduced new criminal laws: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSS), 2023, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSSS), 2023, replacing colonial-era laws. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday highlighted the transformative steps being taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership to modernize India's criminal justice system. Speaking at the All India Forensic Summit, Shah underlined the importance of timely justice, the rising role of forensic science in countering terrorism, and the significance of the three newly introduced criminal laws, calling them the "biggest reform of the 21st century". "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are striving to ensure that those who seek justice receive it promptly and that the outcome is satisfying. Our main goal is to build a secure, capable, and empowered India," Home Minister Shah said. (ANI)
Hitting out over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attack on the Congress government in Karnataka over minority reservation, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Monday said that the reservation for backward classes has been continuing in the southern state since 1977 and the backward community among Muslims is included in this category. In a long post on X, Surjewala, who is AICC incharge of Karnataka, said PM Modi was in Haryana but attacked the Congress government in the southern state. "The reason, the Congress government in Karnataka is the only government in the country which is depositing Rs 58,000 crores annually in the accounts of SC, ST, backward class, women and general category poor. The social justice dream of Baba Sahab Ambedkar has been fulfilled by the Congress government in Karnataka. It is not like your Nayab Singh Saini government which has backed out of all promises," he said. The Congress leader said "wrong facts stated by PM Modi" on Ambdedkar's birth anniversary is against the "political correctness". "The reservation system for backward classes in Karnataka has been in place since 1977. It also includes backward classes of Muslim society," he said. Surjewala said that the reservation was classified based on the reports of four different commissions. He also elucidated different categories of reservation for backward classes in Karnataka. He said there have been three BJP governments in Karnataka since 1977 and asked if the classification of reservation was wrong, why was it not scrapped. He said Modi-led BJP government had also not taken any such step. "Is it not a proof of your and BJP's opportunism," he asked. Surjewala said in July 2023, the Congress government of Karnataka increased this limit of reservation for SC-ST community in government contracts from Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 1 crore. "In March 2025, the Congress government of Karnataka gave reservation in government contracts to SC, ST as well as backward classes and increased the price of reserved contracts from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore. Due to this reservation given to the backward class, the Muslim backward class coming under category 2B has also got 4 per cent reservation. This is based on the classification of backward class, not on the basis of religion," Surjewala said. He said in Haryana too, blacksmiths and some other weaker sections from the Muslim community get reservations in the backward category. "The same situation prevails in the rest of the country. So why have you and the BJP governments not rejected it till date? Raising questions and casting doubts on reservation for backward classes on Baba Saheb's birth anniversary is against Baba Saheb's concept of social justice. It is also anti-backward class, Surjewala said. He said the "orchestrated attacks" by BJP concerning reservation for Dalits and backwards should be stopped. In his speeches in Haryana on Monday, PM Modi launched a scathing attack on Congress. In his speech in Hisar, PM Modi remarked that the Constitution provides for reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities, but Congress turned it "into a tool for appeasement". PM Modi referred to the Karnataka government providing reservations to Muslims in public contracts. In his speech in Yamuna Nagar, PM Modi attacked Congress governments in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka over "price rise". (ANI)
According to the release, the incident took place on April 9 and 10. On April 9, a foreign passenger who arrived in Mumbai was intercepted by the Customs Officers at CSMI airport based on spot profiling.

Upon questioning, the passenger exhibited signs of nervousness and uneasiness. Further examination and medical investigation revealed that the passenger had swallowed multiple yellow-coloured pellets, which were later found to contain white coloured crumbled substance purported to be Cocaine, the release added.

It said that customs officers, under medical supervision on April 13, recovered contraband purported to be cocaine having a net weight of 785 grams approximately valued at Rs 7,85,00,000.

The said passenger was placed under arrest under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigation is going on, it said. (ANI)
Fugitive Indian Businessman Mehul Choksi's flat maintenance at Gokul Apartments in Malabar Hill in Mumbai has dues around Rs 63 lakh rupees, a society member said on Monday. Speaking with ANI, he informed that Choski owns three units on 9th, 10th and 11th floors in at Gokul Apartments in Malabar Hill and has not paid maintenance for over seven years. "He has seven years of maintenance due. He has three units- 9th, 10th and 11th floors. The 11th floor is a terrace, he has illegally occupied it. There is maintenance dues of around Rs 63 lakh without interest. In 2020, our condominium had renovation work done, the cost per unit came to Rs 30-35 lakh, so if you add the cost of three units, it will be around Rs 95 lakh," a society member told ANI. "Big trees have started growing in the flat and the roots will definitely damage the structural integrity of the building. This is an additional burden that we have to bear without any fault of ours. We have faith in the legal system of India, ED officials, and we hope we will get the dues," he added. The property was attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice on Monday confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced a request for his extradition. "The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," the Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI. They also confirmed that Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi. "Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi.As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage," they said. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who fled India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other PNB officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. (ANI)
During her visit, the Minister will hold a review meeting with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, focusing on Central government-sponsored schemes and programmes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

She will also meet the Governor of Meghalaya in a courtesy call and conduct a detailed district-level review in East Khasi Hills as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

On April 16, the Minister will visit key institutions and welfare centres in Shillong, including the One Stop Center at Ganesh Das Hospital, Shakti Sadan at Mawroh, and a Child Care Institution in Mawkasiang.

As per the statement, she will then visit the Community Health Center, Anganwadi Centre at Mawsmai, and inspection of development projects under MGNREGA and PMAY(G) and also visit the Aqua Park cum Visitor Information Centre at Khliehshnong and inspect PMGSY roads in the area. (ANI)
The Nagar Yatra, organised by Dr. Ambedkar Gaurav Nagar Yatra Mahotsav Samiti in the Rakhial area, was formally commenced by the Chief Minister with a ceremonial flag-off.

The Chief Minister offered floral tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, paying homage to the Bharat Ratna awardee and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

As per the CMO statement, the CM received greetings from the people participating in the Nagar Yatra, the youth presenting tableaux, and the children dressed in various costumes. On this occasion, several dignitaries, including City Mayor Smt. Pratibhaben Jain, MLAs Amit Shah and Dinesh Kushwaha, MP Dinesh Makwana, and BJP State Vice President Gordhan Zadafia.

On Monday, while paying tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described Babasaheb's life as a lasting source of inspiration marked by perseverance and achievement.

In this context, the Chief Minister further stated that Dr Babasaheb's life had exemplified the significance of diligent study, deep reflection, and social consciousness in securing one's rights.

A programme was organised on the 135th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar to offer floral tributes at his statue, attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shankarbhai Chaudhary, and Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Bhanuben Babariya.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, "This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution--an enduring legacy shaped by Dr Ambedkar's tireless efforts making this year's Ambedkar Jayanti even more special occasion."He further added that Babasaheb played a pivotal role in crafting India's Constitution, grounded in equality, justice, and modernity for all sections of society

CM also said that a state-wide campaign to honor Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar would take place from April 14 to April 24. (ANI)
Baloch human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee alleged on Sunday that Pakistani intelligence authorities are harassing their leadership who are currently held at Hudda Jail in Quetta. In a post on X BYC said, "Over the past two days, a team from Pakistani intelligence agencies--operating under the guise of local police--has been relentlessly harassing BYC organiser Dr Mahrang Baloch, senior leaders Bebagr Baloch and Shah Jee Baloch, and our activists Gulzadi Baloch and Beboow Baloch, who are currently incarcerated in Hudda Jail, Quetta." BYC noted that on Friday, the investigative team attempted to interrogate the BYC leaders individually, to which the activists refused to engage without legal representation. "After consulting with their legal team the following day, they agreed to meet with the investigators. However, instead of adhering to lawful and professional standards, the interrogation was marked by continuous harassment and lasted for over five hours," the post noted. It further observed that throughout this process, the Deputy Commissioner of Quetta and local police "actively collaborated with the intelligence agencies and were complicit in the misconduct. The investigative team--composed primarily of intelligence officials--arrived with outdated FIRs and used the pretext of investigation to pose intrusive and irrelevant personal questions" BYC noted that these included inquiries about close friends, family members, daily routines, social interactions, and financial details such as bank accounts. BYC announced that after the interrogation, the team presented a bail agreement with 13 conditions, and called several of them to be "excessively restrictive". These include bans on visiting hotels, cinemas, parks, restaurants, clubs, and other public spaces; restricted access to airports, railway stations, and bus terminals; and mandatory prior police approval for attending public events, entering media outlets, changing residence, or traveling outside the city. BYC noted that Mahrang Baloch and the other detained BYC activists refused to sign the document. "Later that night, around midnight, a second intelligence team returned to the jail in an attempt to pressure the detainees into signing--but once again, they firmly declined", the post noted. In its concluding remarks, it gave a call to all human rights organisations to take immediate notice of this unlawful behaviour and to intervene to halt the continued harassment of the leaders in custody. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1911455337917411398 Earlier on Sunday, BYC held protests and demonstrations across several places in Balochistan to express its anguish over the arrest of its leadership and raised voice against the ongoing state violence. Balochistan region remains plagued by a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances, with some victims eventually released, while others endure long-term detention or fall prey to targeted killings. These violations of fundamental rights have fuelled growing insecurity and mistrust among locals. The persistent fear of arbitrary arrests and the absence of accountability continue to destabilise Balochistan, undermining efforts to restore peace, justice, and public confidence in state institutions. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, attended the cultural programme of the AIKEYME exercise in Tanzania. AIKEYME (Africa India Key Maritime Engagement) is a multilateral exercise for maritime progress and security that brings together 10 countries, including India, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa. While attending the cultural programme, he met several people from the Indian community who have been in Tanzania for over decades. Sameer Gupta, Managing Director of Kamal Group in Tanzania told ANI that his group has been present in Tanzania since the last 20 years and has been successfully conducting its business across various sectors. "Today, it was a great opportunity to be a part of this very big event where the ships arrived for strengthening the relationship between India and Tanzania. I got this opportunity to meet the State Minister of Defence, so it was indeed a great pleasure attending this event. It is really a matter of pride that India and Tanzania's relationship is getting stronger," he told ANI. Professor Kaushik Ramaiah, senior physician and endocrinologist in Tanzania told ANI, "I was born in Tanzania and I have been working for last forty-three years. I was invited to this august gathering by the Indian High Commissioner to come and see the inauguration of this exercise, which is being done in the East African sector, and it has been a privilege to meet the Indian High Commissioner but at the same time, the Minister of State for Defense. It is a pleasure, and it makes us all proud to see what India is doing, I wish them the best." Earlier, MoS Seth highlighted the significance of the AIKEYME naval exercise and said that the participation of India's three major ships and four Tanzanian vessels, along with a Defence Expo showcased efforts in strengthening maritime security. Speaking with ANI, Seth said, "Today, a naval exercise of 10 countries was held here, along with a Defence Expo where we had three big ships of India and four small ships of Tanzania. The AIKEYME, a joint effort of 10 countries for the security of the Indian Ocean, was also inaugurated. The naval exercise will run for six days: three days in Dar es Salaam and three days in the sea. This exercise is happening for the first time in a country like Africa. We also gave parachutes, simulators, and books worth Rs 80 lakhs to the Defence Department of Tanzania." The inaugural edition of AIKEYME, which means 'Unity' in Sanskrit, began on April 13 and will run till April 18. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of promoting Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR). (ANI)
The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) said that two missiles were launched at the country and that both were shot down.

There were no casualties. (ANI/ TPS)
Taiwan recorded six sorties of PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels operating around its territory on Monday, as shared by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND). In a post on X, MND observed that these were detected up until 6 AM (UTC+8) on Monday. It further noted that two of the six sorties crossed the median line and entered into Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. "6 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 6 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded", MND wrote on X. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1911585216780734900 Earlier on Sunday, MND reported the detection of six People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around the island as of 6 am (UTC+8). In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry said, "6 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 am (UTC+8) today. Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe." These frequent incursions and maritime operations reflect rising tensions between Taiwan and China, a relationship long fraught with geopolitical strain. Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), governs itself independently with its own political and economic systems. However, China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory under the "One China" principle, insisting there is only one China with its capital in Beijing. The dispute's roots trace back to the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, when the ROC government fled to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China. Since then, Beijing has maintained its goal of reunification, using military, diplomatic, and economic means to apply pressure on Taiwan and diminish its international space. Despite these efforts, Taiwan maintains its de facto independence with strong public support and continues to assert its sovereignty amid ongoing external pressures. The MND regularly monitors and publicly reports such military movements to ensure transparency and national security awareness. (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has outlined a new policy for meetings with former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in a prison, The Express Tribune reported. In a statement issued following a political committee meeting, PTI said that a five-member committee would be set up to manage and approve the list of people allowed to meet Khan. The list will be finalised each Tuesday and Thursday and provided to prison authorities through one of three designated focal persons: Salman Akram Raja, Gohar Ali Khan or Intizar Panjhotha, The Express Tribune reported. The PTI warned that no person outside the approved list would be allowed to meet the PTI founder. Any member who violates this rule will be considered to be breaching the party discipline. If prison officials do not allow any approved visitors, the remaining committee members will protest by meeting Khan collectively. In such cases, the Imran Khan-founded party announced it would file a contempt petition against the officials, The Express Tribune reported. The PTI further said that government officials from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be exempt from this rule and they can visit Khan at any time without approval of the committee. The PTI's decision comes after a rift emerged within the party leadership over access to party founder Imran Khan, after his sisters were barred from visiting him at Adiala Jail on Tuesday while a group of lawyers was allowed to proceed with a scheduled meeting, Dawn reported. According to party sources, the jail administration stopped Aleema Khan and other family members from meeting the former prime minister on April 8. However, five lawyers -- including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar -- were allowed to meet Imran Khan in jail. This move drew strong criticism from PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who was also not allowed to meet Khan. The PTI had submitted a list of six lawyers for the meeting in line with the Islamabad High Court's orders permitting two visits per week, but Raja's name was removed from the final list approved by jail staff. The Islamabad High Court had directed that Khan be allowed meetings every Tuesday and Thursday and assigned coordination responsibility to Salman Akram Raja. After being denied access, Raja stated on Tuesday night that those not on the approved list should not meet Khan and that "as long as Imran Khan's sisters were not being allowed to meet him, other leaders should also refrain from meeting the former prime minister." (ANI)
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly disapproved of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its 'unproven disruptive actions' and 'baseless claims' during a media briefing in London, ARY News reported. He ruled out any possibility of deals with PTI, which, according to him, is undermining national constancy, as per ARY News. Dar disapproved of PTI's narrative surrounding the May 9 incidents, declaring that those responsible for the turbulence through a transparent judicial process are facing penalties. He stated, "The government has nothing to do with these proceedings in any way. Justice is being served based on clues and evidence." He further accused PTI of propagating wrong information to spoil the reputation of Pakistani institutions. "Spending millions of dollars abroad to defame our institutions is disgraceful," Dar said, as per ARY News. He requested PTI leaders to give up dialogue and concentrate on positive politics within Pakistan. Meanwhile, Dawn reported on Sunday that the PTI decided to form a five-member committee to oversee which party workers would meet Imran Khan at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. Imran Khan was arrested in August 2023 in a series of legal cases that he claims were "politically motivated." Initially kept at Attock Jail, he has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since September 26, 2023, as per Dawn. The decision comes amid several fissures within the PTI on various matters -- including meetings with Imran Khan, awarding of party tickets, internal accountability, and a proposed legislation over mines and minerals. https://x.com/SheikhWaqqas/status/1911312877027291566 "It was unanimously decided in the meeting that a five-member committee would be formed over [the matter of] meeting [PTI] chairman Imran Khan," Akram stated. According to a statement posted by PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram on X, the party's political committee met on Saturday to discuss several important matters, including the country's overall situation. Dawn reported that last month, the Islamabad High Court reinstated Imran's twice-a-week meeting schedule while restricting media interactions following these meetings. Earlier, on May 9, 2023, Imran Khan was arrested in a corruption case while making a court appearance in Islamabad, triggering nationwide protests by his supporters, who blame the military for orchestrating the arrest. The military has consistently denied any role in Khan's legal or political troubles, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
IdeaForge, Zen Technologies Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and other Indian industries participated in the Mini Defexpo in Tanzania's Dar es Salaam on April 13. Speaking to ANI, Vishal, Lead Business Development for IdeaForge, said that his company had come to participate in the defence expo with two flagship products--Switch and Netra. He said that IdeaForge's platforms have completed over 6,50,000 missions and have about 50 patents. On participation in Mini Defexpo, Vishal said, "We've come here to Tanzania, you know, with our two flagship products, which are Switch and Netra. These are kind of very, very widely adopted systems, both by the armed forces, by the paramilitary forces, and also there are a number of civilian use cases which these platforms are being used for, including the flagship project of the honorable prime minister, which is the Swamitva Yojana. Now, as a company, our platforms have completed about 6,50,000 missions plus. We've got about 50 patents." "We are ranked third globally for dual use UAVs. We've interacted with a lot of dignitaries from the Tanzanian armed forces, as well as we told the minister, the honorable minister, that we wanted to present a country transformation plan for Tanzania using UAV as a technology because we see what's happening in the world, people are creating digital. In India, a lot of work is happening, you know right from property cars being getting distributed to digital twins to you know transmission lines inspection to military use cases, we can transform in a country such as Tanzania with our technology," he added. The Department of Defence Production, the Ministry of Defence and the Federation of Indian Chambers & Commerce Industry (FICCI) jointly facilitated the Indian Mini Defexpo and Industry interaction in Tanzania on April 13. K Ramesh, General Manager, Helicopter MRO Divison, said that his company, along with 22 Indian industries, participated in the Mini Defence Expo. He stated that people have expressed interest in knowing about maritime role machines. He said, "We have come here for participating in the Mini Defence Expo. That's the third Mini Defexpo where we had an Indian naval exhibition here also. So it's a very overwhelming program going on here. So, we participated with the 22 Indian industries coming over here and a of other Tanzanian military people that visited us, Air Force had visited, Army has visited, so they are very much interested. We have got a complete...of products like the fixed wing, where we have got LCA, and we have got helicopters of maritime roles of Indian, which we used in the Indian Navy, the Mar-3 MR. We have got a Dornier, which is for the offshore shoreline operations. We have got other surveillance operations of the Dornier, what we have. So we have got all different varieties of the components which have been placed here. We have got a three-ton class helicopter, the LUH, which flies at the altitude of six kilometers and we have got the LCH also, is called as a Prachand, which we have supplied to the Indian military forces, our air force and army." "People have come, they wanted to have more information about the maritime role machines. So we have expressed them that we have got Dornier as well as we have got Mark 3 MR Navy helicopters, which has been used in Coast Guard also. It's very apt for them to use for the marital reconnaissance purposes, which is very useful for them. So they said they're very much interested and they'll be coming back to us," he added. Captain Sanjay Kumar, GM exports for Zen Technologies Limited, said that simulators for the armed forces training is the main product of his company. He also spoke about some other products of Zen Technologies Limited, like the anti-drone system. He said, "Zen Technologies Limited is a premium defense manufacturer in the country, we make simulation. Our main product is the simulators for the armed forces training. The simulators range from virtual simulators and go on to live simulation as well. We also make live fire ranges. They're containerized and they're very, rugged in nature. We have some other products like which we have the operational products that we have are the anti-drone system. This anti-drone system is one of the best systems which has been deployed in Indian Armed Forces as well as globally." "It has a range of sensors like the radar, the RF detector, and the camera, and they're all integrated in a common operational picture. And we can take down the drones in the soft kill as well as hard kill measure. So we have various sorts of various hard kill measures to take down the anti-drone systems. We also have some thermal cameras, the optical sensors we have and we have the remote control weapon systems as well. So this is the complete range of products as far as the technology is concerned," he added. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, along with Tanzania's Defence Minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax, inaugurated the defence expo. In a post on X, Sanjay Seth said, "Historic moment in defence cooperation between India and Tanzania! Today inaugurated the 3rd edition of "Defence Expo" along with Defence Minister of Tanzania Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax. Got the opportunity to visit various stalls related to defence sector set up at Defence Expo." https://x.com/SethSanjayMP/status/1911470062436753817 "A total of 22 companies from India are participating in this Defence Expo. In which India's self-reliance in defense production, high-level technology and manufacturing capability was showcased. This expo is going to showcase India's growing capability in the defense sector on the global platform," he added. (ANI)
As many as 1,458 Afghan nationals holding citizen cards were repatriated from Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Afghanistan through the Torkham border, ARY News reported, citing the home ministry. According to Pakistan's Interior Ministry, 2,656 undocumented Afghan migrants were also deported. The Afghan citizens also include 1,245 individuals who returned voluntarily and 213 who were deported. Repatriations were conducted from other regions, including Islamabad, where 15 card-holding and 92 undocumented Afghans were sent back, 198 card-holders and 451 undocumented individuals were repatriated from Punjab, and 195 Afghan migrant cardholders were deported from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, 44 undocumented Afghans were deported from Sindh. Since September 2023, 527,705 undocumented Afghan migrants have been deported to Afghanistan, ARY News reported. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that Afghan refugees will not be forced to leave or thrown on the border. He expressed opposition to government policy to tackle people who resorted to arms. Gandapur said, "We have to see, why they have taken arms. They are our own people, we have to own them," Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's CM here said. "We have solution of terrorism," ARY News reported. On deportation of Afghan refugees to their homeland, Gandapur said, "We could not throw them back on the border". "We will not send Afghan migrants back until the Afghan government consents to accept them." He stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will not force any Afghan refugee to return. He said, "We have to move ahead to negotiate with Afghanistan." (ANI)
Protests erupted across Pakistan on Sunday against corporate farming, the construction of six canals on Indus River, the absence of a minimum support price (MSP) for wheat, and the proposed privatisation of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO), Dawn reported. The Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC) led demonstrations in over 30 towns and cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, Jhang, Kacha Khu, Bhakkar, Jatoi, Shikarpur, Larkana, Sukkur, Badin, Mardan, Dir, Malakand, and Lakki Marwat. The PKRC launched its campaign to resist what it termed a corporate takeover of agriculture and the marginalisation of small farmers, Dawn reported. Addressing a protest in Kacha Khu, PKRC Secretary General Farooq Tariq criticised the government for leasing out 1.7 million acres of farmland to corporate entities. He said the move aimed to displace small-scale farmers, undermine local food systems, and prioritise profits over sustainability and social justice. Tariq demanded comprehensive agrarian reforms, including legislation on land ownership and redistribution, aligned with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants. PKRC women's leader Riffat Maqsood stressed the importance of setting a wheat MSP of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 4,000 per 40 kg and maintaining public grain procurement. She said MSP helps shield farmers from market volatility and ensures fair competition. Farooq Ahmad and Razia Khan opposed the government's proposal in Bahawalpur to build six canals across the Indus River for corporate agriculture in Cholistan. Pakistan's farmers face deteriorating conditions due to rising input costs, lack of government support, and climate-related challenges. As per reports, corporate farming initiatives and land leases to private entities threaten to displace smallholders. Water shortages, erratic rainfall, and floods caused by climate change further damage crops. Media reports suggest that the proposed privatisation undermines public grain procurement, leaving farmers vulnerable. Without urgent reforms, rural livelihoods, food security, and the future of small-scale farming remain at serious risk. (ANI)
National Party Senator Jan Mohammad Buledi has criticised the federal government's attitude towards Balochistan issues, describing it as "negative and non-serious," Dawn reported. He stated that the federal government has made no serious efforts to defuse the grave situation in the province. In his remarks at a seminar on the Balochistan issue at the Lahore Press Club, Buledi said the province has been the recipient of apathy and an unjust attitude from the federal government since the very beginning, escalating the sense of deprivation among its people. Jan Mohammad Buledi said the federal government has adopted a colonial approach to deal with Balochistan's people and their rights since the creation of Pakistan despite the political, national and economic rights of the people of Balochistan being guaranteed by the constitution. He said, "Over the past 77 years, instead of addressing these issues, the rights of the people of Balochistan have been consistently ignored, and the colonial mindset continues to this day." Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Imtiaz Alam and others also expressed their views on the Balochistan issues, Dawn reported. The NP leader noted that the issues of Balochistan had become complex over the years. However, the rulers were not willing to recognise the national and political rights of the people of Balochistan. He said that Pakistan's rulers speak about Balochistan's resources during conferences held in Islamabad to sell the minerals of the province at throwaway prices in the global market without consulting Baloch people and their leadership and ignoring their economic interests, Dawn reported. The NP leader said, "Islamabad is interested only in Balochistan's resources, but it has no concern or interest for the impoverished people of the province." He further said that the results of the digital census in Balochistan were rejected as the population was falsely recorded as eight million. He said the government was not ready to accept the population of half of Pakistan, fearing it would raise Balochistan's representation and share in different institutions. He said, "Pakistan's major political parties and the powerful establishment have learned nothing from past mistakes. Major political parties of the country constantly make compromises on the rights of the people for the sake of getting power, sidelining national and public interests to accept temporary perks and privileges." (ANI)
The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) expressed its support for the motion regarding East Turkistan introduced by Dutch MP Stephan Van Baarle on April 9 in the Netherlands' House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer), according to an ETGE release. He urged the Dutch government to refer to the region currently labeled by China as "Xinjiang" by its rightful name: East Turkistan, the ETGE release noted. The motion correctly designates "Xinjiang" as a colonial term imposed by Beijing to undermine the true national identity of the Uyghur and other Turkic communities. It acknowledges that the majority of the native population rejects this designation. This represents a significant and necessary move to challenge China's colonial narrative and to uphold the national identity of East Turkistan, as the ETGE release highlighted. The ETGE praises MP Van Baarle's principled stance and urges the Dutch Parliament to quickly approve the motion on East Turkistan. This issue transcends symbolism; it is fundamentally about truth, justice, and historical integrity, as stated in the release. "The Dutch Parliament has shown moral clarity and political bravery during a period when much of the world remains inactive," said Dr. Mamtimin Ala, President of the East Turkistan Government in Exile. This is a significant acknowledgment not merely of a name, but of a people, a nation, and their right to exist. Every government that purports to uphold justice must now take similar action," as indicated in the ETGE release. The ongoing genocide against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic peoples, including mass internment, forced sterilizations, slave labor, the destruction of religious sites, and mass organ harvesting, arises directly from China's unlawful occupation of East Turkistan, according to the ETGE release. The East Turkistan Government in Exile is urging all democratic nations, international organizations, and institutions to take prompt and decisive measures. (ANI)
India's defence technology sector has taken centre stage at the Mini Defexpo being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. One of the companies participating in Tonbo Imaging, which produces advanced electro-optics and imaging systems. While speaking to ANI, Lt Commander Rajinder Kumar, Vice President of Tonbo Imaging, said that the company has exported good volumes of goods to Morocco and is in advanced-level talks with Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. "Here we are at Mini-Defence Expo at Tanzania. Our company is based out of Bangalore, India, although we have a global presence in about 30 plus countries. We make advanced electro-optics and imaging systems, starting from the one which goes on the handled weapons like, INSAR 7.62, SIG, all these weapons, and followed by handled surveillance systems, then the systems going on land platforms like for driver vision site, panoramic imaging system, gunner site and fire control systems. Then we have a similar portfolio for naval ships and also a larger EO part for aircrafts," he said. Lieutenant Commander Kumar further said that the company has been in talks with the Tanzanian Army and has a good presence in Africa as well. "So today we are here with presence for Army, Navy, Air Force. We have got all the imaging systems. In fact, you can see in the background that we already have been talking with the Tanzanian Army when they visited India. Along with this, we have a good presence in Africa. Like we are already, I've supplied good volumes to Morocco, followed by in advanced level talks with Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya," he said. Pawan Bagga, who represented ARI Simulation, the Naval Simulation Arm of Zen Technologies, told ANI that they already have large-scale simulator installations at institutes like the Dar-e-Salam Maritime Institute and the Bhandari College. "We are attending this FICCI-sponsored mini-Defence Expo at Dar-e-Salaam. We have offered our integrated simulation complex, which includes a full mission bridge simulator, a full mission machinery simulator, and all kinds of sensors and weapon systems and communication systems. We can also offer these in an integrated complex or a part-task configuration. We already have large-scale simulator installations at institutes like the Dar-e-Salam Maritime Institute and the Bhandari College. We have had a successful association with the Tanzanian authorities in the past. And we hope to continue that well in the future," he said. Abhay Inge, representing Goa Shipyard Limited, Ministry of Defence Organisation, said that they were building ships for the Indian Navy and covering varying ranges. "We are building ships for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. We have specialisation in OPV class of vessels, FPV class of vessels. We have a whole lot of range, right from 5 meters to 125 meters, 5 meters to 30 meters in the GRP range, and 30 to 60 in the fast petrol vessel range, wherein we have delivered almost 28 OPVs to the Indian Navy. Similarly, OPV class of vessels right from 60 meters to 115 meters. We are indigenously designing," he said. He added that they were also exporting to Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Oman Navy. "Also, we are executing OPV class of vessels, seven NGOPVs, next generation OPV class of vessels for Indian Navy. Presently we are also exporting. We are the biggest exporter in the shipbuilding segment. We have exported to the Oman Navy. We have exported to the Sri Lankan Navy. We have exported to the Sri Lankan Navy. That is the OPV class of vessel again. And the Mauritius Navy. Basically, this is the model which we have displayed here, two vessels we have given, valiant and Victory," he said. He added that they are here to support the Tanzanian Navy as they are interested in their ingenious designs. "So we are here to support the Tanzanian Navy, and basically, the Tanzanian Navy is interested in this class of vessels, the FPV class of vessels and the OPV class of vessels. We have already briefed them about our capabilities, indigenous design. Also we are delivering timely, that is our forte basically. We have delivered almost all the vessels on time. So this is our specialization. And indigenous capability, timely delivery is our motto," he said. (ANI)
The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice on Monday confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced the request for his extradition. "The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," the Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI. They also confirmed that Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi. "Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi.As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage," they said. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who fled India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. Choksi allegedly connived with his associates and other PNB officials from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs. 6097.63 crore to PNB. Earlier in the day, following Choksi's arrest his lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, stated that his "human rights" will be "greatly affected" if he is extradited back to the country. During a press conference on Monday, Aggarwal stated that the defence team would challenge the extradition on two primary grounds: the political nature of the case and concerns about the proper treatment for Choksi's health condition in India."His human rights will be greatly affected," Aggarwal said when asked if Choksi would not get any proper treatment and would be harassed by political parties after he is extradited back to India. "That's a procedure. Basically, we will be defending it on two grounds. It is a political case and, secondly, because of the human condition in India," Aggarwal added. He further claimed that Choksi had not been declared a fugitive because he had remained cooperative with Indian probing agencies. He further added that a case on this matter has been going in for years. (ANI)
Students at Bolan Medical College (BMC) in Quetta have announced a major protest movement due to the extended closure of their institution, which has jeopardised the academic year of countless medical students, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). The college, the largest medical facility in Balochistan, was shut down six months ago by the authorities following a minor administrative issue. According to students, the local police, acting on government orders, closed the campus and hostels, and the reopening has been postponed multiple times under various justifications, such as "repair and allotment issues," TBP reported. Students assert that the Balochistan Health Department has kept the college closed indefinitely "without clear justification," putting their futures in serious jeopardy. They further claimed that many students hail from remote regions and lack political support, which they believe is the reason why the government is not addressing the matter with urgency. "As the government finds no political advantage in reopening the college, it continues to disregard our education," TBP reported. In a previous incident, the college's vice principal was detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law for publicly opposing the prolonged closure. Students have now launched a four-step protest campaign, commencing with a social media initiative to raise awareness. This will be succeeded by demonstrations at press clubs across different districts in Balochistan, TBP reported. Following that, a sit-in protest was planned in front of Bolan Medical College in Quetta, after which students vowed to resume classes independently, without official approval, through "self-help measures," TBP noted. "We urge all students, regardless of their background, to recognise this as our collective educational emergency," stated a student spokesperson, calling for participation beyond ethnic and political divisions. They also appealed to political parties, civil society organisations, and social groups to "end their silence" and assist in the students' efforts to safeguard their academic year, according to TBP. (ANI)
Students in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) have taken to the streets after their registration forms for upcoming board examinations were cancelled just a month ahead of the scheduled tests. The last-minute invalidation has left hundreds in academic limbo, sparking widespread frustration and protests in the region, TNN Stories reported. According to reports, around 700 students gathered outside the Gilgit Press Club to voice their concerns and condemn the mismanagement by local authorities and private educational institutions. Many of the protestors expressed anger over what they described as years of systemic neglect and exploitation. One student, visibly distressed, said, "We paid fees until March, only to be informed our forms were rejected. If we had been informed about these problems beforehand, we would have searched for other solutions. Now that only a month remains before the exams, we have a significant setback." The cancellations appear to be the latest fallout from a long-standing educational crisis. After completing matriculation from local high schools, many students were unable to secure spots in government colleges and were forced to enrol in private institutions. However, these private colleges have also failed to provide clarity, largely due to inconsistent communication from education boards, reported TNN Stories. Adding to the confusion, another student explained, "The Federal Board says we're part of the Science group, while the KPK Board categorises us as Arts students. This discrepancy has led to the cancellation of our registrations for three years." Students also accused private colleges of exploiting the situation for financial gain, charging substantial fees while failing to provide solutions to their ongoing academic difficulties. With board examinations just weeks away, the students of PoGB now face uncertainty about their academic future. The protests continue, as demonstrators call for justice and immediate government intervention to resolve the crisis and prevent further harm, TNN Stories reported. The broader education system in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including PoGB, has long struggled with serious issues: a chronic shortage of trained and adequately paid teachers, outdated curricula, political interference in academic administration, and ineffective teaching practices. These factors have contributed to the erosion of educational standards and a widespread lack of critical thinking skills among students. (ANI)
The project brought together 48 pupils from across Russia as part of a national initiative led by the Ministry of Education and Science. The programme aims to foster innovation, practical experience, and STEM skills among young learners.

Participants were involved in the complete development cycle, from planning to the launch itself, gaining valuable insight into aerospace engineering and scientific research.

At the heart of the mission was a fully functional satellite designed and assembled by students from Yakutia. The satellite was equipped with a range of instruments, including a camera, Geiger counter, infrared sensors, air quality sensors, and spectral analysis tools.

These instruments allowed the satellite to gather vital environmental and atmospheric data during its flight, providing a practical learning experience and contributing to scientific monitoring efforts, TV BRICS reported.

The probe is expected to reach a target altitude of 30 kilometres before descending to a predetermined landing zone. The mission also supports preparations for the launch of Yakutia's first miniaturised spacecraft, planned for 31 July 2025.

The current launch acts as both a trial and an educational step forward for future space initiatives involving students.

In an earlier development, students from Yakutia and China had successfully launched a similar stratospheric probe in spring 2024. That joint mission reached 31.5 kilometres and landed on the right bank of the Lena River, further showcasing growing international student collaboration in space research. (ANI)
At the latest round of ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations in Manila, the Philippines strongly urged strict adherence to international law, particularly the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. On July 12, 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal, constituted under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), made a unanimous, clear, and binding ruling in the South China Sea arbitration between the Philippines and China. It found that China's claims to historic rights in maritime areas within its dashed line had no legal basis. It also found that China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights under UNCLOS and that its vessels had unlawfully created risks of collision and danger. The Philippines also voiced deep concerns over the escalating situation in the West Philippine Sea, highlighting recent incidents that have put its vessels and personnel at risk. The Philippine's Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Monday said, "The Philippines hosted last week the latest round of negotiations to conclude an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. The meeting of the Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC), which is tasked with undertaking the COC negotiations, was held in Manila on April 09-11, 2025. The JWG-DOC is co-chaired by Malaysia and China." It added, "The negotiations continued to tackle the paragraphs of the Draft COC, including the so-called milestone issues, in line with the commitment of ASEAN and China to conclude a substantive and effective COC in an early fashion." The statement further stated that the meeting was an opportunity for the Philippines to strongly advocate adhering to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. "The Philippines voiced its concerns on the situation in the West Philippine Sea, especially with regard to recent incidents that posed risks to Philippine vessels and personnel, and actions by other countries that infringed on the Philippines' sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction. The Philippines also reiterated its commitment to resolve disputes peacefully and to pursue constructive diplomatic approaches in managing differences at sea," the statement further said. The Philippines has been at the forefront of China's growing aggressiveness in Asia. Beijing aims to enforce its claim over most of the South China Sea, despite an international ruling that rejects its sovereignty over the area. China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific region has escalated in recent years, marked by territorial disputes, military expansion, and assertive claims over the South China Sea. Its actions challenge international law, destabilizing regional security and provoking concerns from neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Japan, and the United States. (ANI)
A high-speed dumper truck ploughed into nearly 20 vehicles near the Lyari Expressway toll plaza on Monday morning, causing widespread panic and damage in a disturbing traffic safety lapse. Commuters described the scene as chaotic, with several vehicles crushed and passengers narrowly escaping serious injuries, the Express Tribune reported. According to initial accounts, the concrete-laden dumper reportedly lost control due to a brake failure and rammed into a long queue of vehicles waiting at the toll booth. While no casualties were reported, multiple cars sustained major damage. Eyewitnesses noted that the incident created a sense of fear among drivers at the scene, many of whom scrambled to avoid further collisions. Authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the crash. Earlier in the day, police confirmed the arrest of a dumper truck driver who had endangered public safety during a separate incident on Sharea Faisal. The truck, which evaded Karachi traffic police, was caught on video ramming into a police vehicle and fleeing the scene. The footage sparked widespread outrage on social media and led to a renewed crackdown on heavy transport vehicles operating within city limits, reported the Express Tribune. According to police, the driver who surrendered claimed he was being chased by motorcyclists and feared his vehicle would be set ablaze -- a fear driven by recent acts of mob violence following fatal road accidents involving dumpers. One such case occurred near North Karachi Power House, where a dumper injured three motorcyclists. In response, furious protesters set fire to five dumpers, a water tanker, and a truck at various locations, according to Express News. Rescue teams immediately shifted the injured to the hospital, the Express Tribune reported. Last month, a tragic accident took place near Malir Halt Flyover in Model Colony when a speeding water bowser ran over a motorcycle, killing Abdul Qayum and his pregnant wife, Zainab. Witnesses said Zainab, gravely injured, gave birth in her final moments. The newborn also died shortly after, leaving behind a scene described as horrifying. (ANI)
The European Union on Monday announced a comprehensive multiannual support programme for Palestine, committing up to Euro 1.6 billion to bolster Palestinian recovery. The initiative, launched during the first-ever High-Level Political Dialogue between the EU and the Palestinian Authority, spans the period from 2025 to 2027. The programme is structured around three key pillars. The European Commission in a press release on Monday stated, "Today, at the occasion of the first-ever High-Level Political Dialogue between the European Union and the Palestinian Authority, the Commission is proposing a multiannual Comprehensive Support Programme worth up to EUR1.6 billion to foster Palestinian recovery and resilience. With this Programme, the EU reiterates its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the Two-State solution." The statement added, "It will cover the period from 2025 to 2027 and is structured around three pillars. The first pillar includes support to services for Palestinian people with around EUR620 million in grants of direct assistance to the budget of the Palestinian Authority (PA). It will support the PA to address the most urgent needs of the public administration. The funds will also help the Palestinian Authority to continue delivering services to its people. Most EU disbursements will be linked to the Palestinian Authority's progress on key reforms in fiscal sustainability, democratic governance, private sector development, and public infrastructure and services, contributing to sustainable state-building across Palestinian territories." For support to recovery and stabilisation of the West Bank and in Gaza, around EUR576 million in grants are proposed to support concrete projects on the ground to foster economic recovery and resilience in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and in Gaza, once the situation on the ground allows. "As part of this pillar to increase resilience, we are proposing to allocate EUR82 million per year to provide services to Palestine refugees via the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), both in the occupied Palestinian territories and the wider region. This will enable UNRWA to continue playing its crucial role both as a humanitarian and a development actor," the European Commission said. Also, as part of the Multiannual Comprehensive Programme for Palestine 2025-2027, the Commission will support with loans for up to EUR400 million by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to new finance to the Palestinian private sector, subject to the approval of EIB's Governing Bodies. The European Commission further stated that the Commission will launch a dedicated Palestine Donor Platform. "The Platform will offer a forum for the Palestinian Authority to present the implementation of its Reform Agenda and will ensure full transparency in the implementation of the Programme. This Platform will also allow for discussions on key elements for future engagement on Gaza and coordinate international efforts for its recovery and reconstruction, once conditions allow," the statement said. (ANI)
Since 2021, China's government has escalated its crackdown on Tibetans, arresting dozens for politically motivated offenses related to phone and internet use, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The arrests often target Tibetans accused of storing "banned content" on their phones, contacting people abroad, or engaging in activities deemed politically sensitive by Chinese authorities. In a report published on Sunday, the HRW said, "China's government has arrested dozens of people in Tibetan areas since 2021 for politically motived phone and internet-related offenses. Tibetan journalists in exile report that these arrests typically target Tibetans accused of keeping "banned content" on their phone or contacting people outside China, including relatives." It further said that the full scale of such arrests and prosecutions is unknown, as Chinese authorities do not disclose official data for political offenses. More than 60 reported cases appear to be related to an increase in government surveillance during this period, including mass phone searches and the use of mandatory phone apps with built-in government surveillance, as well as a tightened regulatory regime on data and religion. "For Tibetans, simply using a cellphone has become dangerous, and everyday activities like posting a humorous video or contacting loved ones abroad can bring arrest, detention, and torture," said Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch. "Tibetans, particularly those living in remote areas, once celebrated the arrival of cellphones so they could stay in touch with friends and family, but their phones have effectively become government tracking devices," Wang added. Human Rights Watch reviewed relevant cases reported by Tibetan exile media, including Radio Free Asia and the Tibet Times, general media outlets, and official Chinese government sources, since 2021. It also interviewed residents of Tibetan areas and a retired official with direct knowledge of the situation. The HRW reported that in many cases, those arrested were accused of keeping "banned content" on their phones or sharing it online. Such "banned content" typically includes references to Tibetan religious figures, particularly the exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and expressions of pro-Tibetan sentiment. Tibetans have also been arrested for posting content online that the police deem to be promoting the use of Tibetan language and opposing the Chinese government's language policy in primary schools, which replaces Tibetan with Mandarin Chinese as the medium of instruction. Chinese authorities have also arrested Tibetans for using their electronic devices to contact people outside China and for sharing information about Tibet abroad. Those arrested have been prosecuted and received lengthy prison sentences for such activities. In 2021, HRW documented the arrest of four monks in southwest Tibet who were sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for contacting Tibetan monks of the same monastic order living in Nepal. (ANI)
Pete Marocco, who played a key role in overseeing the drastic reduction of foreign aid and the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Donald Trump administration, has departed from the State Department, officials said on Monday, The New York Times reported. His sudden exit comes as the department works to integrate the remnants of USAID into the State Department by mid-August. Marocco had been serving as the acting head of foreign aid, overseeing the agency's operations. Sources indicate that Marocco is expected to take on a new role within the administration, although the State Department has not officially commented on his departure. The State Department did not provide an official comment on Marocco's departure. However, a statement from the department's press office that was attributed to a "senior administration official" praised Marocco for finding "egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars" during his tenure. The statement provided no examples of such abuses, The New York Times reported. Marocco had joined the State Department in late January to oversee foreign aid and was later appointed as the acting deputy of USAID by Marco Rubio, the acting administrator, in February. Rubio has publicly justified the reduction in foreign aid, stating it was essential to curb the excessive use of such funds. The New York Times further reported that Marocco left the deputy role last month, and his duties were taken over by Jeremy Lewin, a 28-year-old employee of the government-cutting task force headed by Elon Musk, the billionaire adviser to Trump. Marocco and members of Musk's team entered the headquarters of USAID in late January to dismantle the agency's technical infrastructure, and Musk later called it a "criminal organisation" on social media. Marocco's departure was first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday. He had a brief tenure at USAID during Trump's first term and has also worked at the State Department and the Pentagon. In 2020, employees at USAID filed a memo accusing Marocco of mismanagement, urging immediate intervention. Morocco had also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for African Affairs. In this capacity, he led US defence policy across Africa, and served as the senior defence official charged with countering the continent's transnational threats to American citizens, the US homeland, and US allies and partners. He was responsible for strengthening partner capacity, enhancing cooperation, and working with the United States Africa Command on national security priorities. (ANI)
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations marked Dr BR Ambedkar's 135th birth anniversary with a special commemorative event at the UN headquarters in New York, attended by global leaders. During the ceremony, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, highlighted Dr Ambedkar's contributions as a key figure in India's freedom struggle and as the architect of its Constitution. The event centered around the theme "The timeless appeal of Dr Ambedkar's vision within the UN and beyond," underscoring his influence on both India and the global community. "It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the commemorative event to mark the 135th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar. Dr Ambedkar was a leading figure in India's freedom struggle and the architect of India's constitution. The one who dedicated his life to laying the foundation of our modern republic. The topic of today's discussion, 'The timeless appeal of Dr Ambedkar's vision within the UN and beyond,' is very apt as we celebrate this year 80 years of the establishment of the UN." Harish added, "He had unique academic credentials among Indian leaders of having pursued much of his Western education in the US at Columbia University... He infused a pragmatic and rational approach to policy making and political activism. Dr Ambedkar was unique among the political leaders of his time in that he devoted his attention to mainstreaming fraternity as a core principle of nation-building and ordering the relations not only between citizens but also between nations. In his view, fraternity was another name for democracy. It was primarily a mode of associatied living and communicated experience. In the Preamble to the Indian Constitution, Dr Ambedkar Indians to promote fraternity among all citizens, with a specific focus on assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation." Fondly known as 'Babasaheb,' Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. 'Ambedkar was also the first Law and Justice minister of Independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. He was a part of active movements since 1927 against untouchability. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations marked Dr BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary with a special commemorative event at the UN headquarters in New York, attended by global leaders. Speaking at the event, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said, "Today, the permanent mission of India in New York organised this important function. We are celebrating the birth anniversary of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Not only all over India, but many countries are celebrating." He conveyed appreciation to India's Permanent Mission to the UN for its "steadfast commitment towards international dialogue, social justice and inclusion." Deelip Mhaske, president of the Foundation for Human Horizon proposed making Dr Ambedkar's legacy to become one like Nelson Mandela. He thanked the Mayor for the support. Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs, said during the event, "Dr. Ambedkar was more than the principal architect of the Indian Constitution--he was a visionary thinker, a tireless reformer, and an advocate for the marginalised. His ideals go beyond borders and time, finding strong connections in the halls of the United Nations and in a city like New York--a city built by immigrants, energised by its diversity, and united by its shared belief in opportunity and inclusion." He further added, "Dr. Ambedkar showed us that inclusion is not a favour but a fundamental right. He taught us to confront injustice not with silence but with solidarity. His legacy compels us to build bridges across cultures, amplify the voices of the oppressed, and challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality, wherever they may be." In his concluding remarks, he said, "As we gather today, let us recommit ourselves to the values Dr. Ambedkar lived and died for--liberty, equality, fraternity, and dignity for every human being." During the ceremony, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, also highlighted Dr Ambedkar's contributions as a key figure in India's freedom struggle and as the architect of its Constitution. Previously, while speaking to ANI, Athawale had said, "In Maharashtra, Babasaheb Ambedkar worked very hard", he highlighted how the world knows Dr Ambedkar's name and his philosophy. Athawale noted that in the intellectual sphere also many people are supporting Ambedkar's philosophy. He highlighted how Dr Ambedkar was a great student and would spend hours studying at the Library in Columbia University, which now houses his statue. Athawale highlighted, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very strongly supporting Baba Saheb Ambedkar's philosophy." He said that when he became the Prime Minister, he started the celebration of November 26 as Constitution Day which is now celebrated all across India: "The government is fully supporting Baba Saheb Ambedkar's philosophy." Deelip Mhaske, President of Foundation For Human Horizon told ANI that throughout the US, work is being done with the local governments, county governments, as well as the governor's office to proclaim Ambedkar's Day as an Equality Day. New York City has proclaimed April 14 as "Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day," recognising the principal architect of India's Constitution on what would be his 134th birth anniversary. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth paid tributes to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his anniversary at the Indian High Commission in Tanzania on Monday. Speaking to ANI, MoS Seth said, "We bow down to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. We all paid tribute to him at the High Commission of India here in Tanzania." Floral tributes were paid to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his anniversary. Earlier, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations marked Dr BR Ambedkar's 135th birth anniversary with a special commemorative event at the UN headquarters in New York, attended by global leaders During the ceremony, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, highlighted Dr Ambedkar's contributions as a key figure in India's freedom struggle and as the architect of its Constitution. The event centred around the theme "The timeless appeal of Dr Ambedkar's vision within the UN and beyond," underscoring his influence on both India and the global community. Fondly known as 'Babasaheb,' Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. Ambedkar was also the first Law and Justice minister of Independent India. Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. He was a part of active movements since 1927 against untouchability. Later, he was revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary at Prerna Sthal in Parliament premises. In a post on X, PM Modi asserted that Ambedkar's principles and ideals would strengthen and accelerate the creation of a self-reliant and developed India. "On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realizing the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an 'Atmnirbhar' and 'Viksit' India," the Prime Minister said. (ANI)
HYOGO, Apr 14 (News On Japan) - Prime Minister Ishiba met with top executives from companies affected by U.S. tariff measures, including the president of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and emphasized the governments commitment to negotiations and domestic support measures.

During a roundtable held in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Ishiba sat down with the president of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and other business leaders to discuss the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Ishiba said: "I will return from todays discussion with valuable insights that will help us build a strong case in negotiations with the United States."

While noting that the removal of the tariffs "will take some time," Ishiba stressed the importance of reflecting on-the-ground concerns, stating, "We intend to respond appropriately as a government, particularly regarding cash flow and employment at affected companies."

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Apr 15 (News On Japan) - Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has released its latest population estimate, showing that Japan's total population, including foreign residents, stood at 123,802,000 as of October 1st last year, a decrease of 550,000 from the previous year. This marks the 14th consecutive year of population decline.

The number of Japanese nationals alone fell by 898,000 to 120,296,000, the largest annual drop since statistics began in 1950.

Japans modern population history is marked by a dramatic rise in the postwar period followed by a prolonged and accelerating decline in recent decades. After World War II, Japan experienced a population boom, driven by a postwar baby boom, rapid improvements in healthcare, and rising life expectancy. In 1950, Japans population was around 83 million, and this number continued to grow steadily over the next few decades as the country rebuilt and modernized. Urbanization, industrial expansion, and economic prosperity during the 1950s to 1970s provided the social and economic foundation for a growing population. During this time, Japan transformed into one of the worlds leading economies, and its population growth reflected this upward trajectory.

By the 1980s, however, the fertility rate had begun to decline significantly. Changes in lifestyle, the growing presence of women in the workforce, delayed marriage, and urban housing constraints contributed to smaller family sizes. Despite the falling birth rate, Japans population continued to grow slowly, reaching a peak of around 128 million in 2008. This plateau marked the beginning of a new demographic era. The aging of the baby boomer generation also began to exert pressure on the labor force and social welfare systems, as the number of elderly people started to rise sharply.

Since 2008, Japans population has been on a continuous downward trajectory. Natural population declinewhere deaths outnumber birthshas become the norm. Each year, Japan loses hundreds of thousands of people due to this demographic imbalance. Immigration has not been sufficient to offset the decline, as Japan has traditionally maintained strict immigration policies. In recent years, while more foreign workers and residents have been allowed entry, their numbers remain relatively small compared to the scale of overall population loss.

Today, Japan faces a complex demographic challenge marked by a shrinking and aging population. The birth rate remains well below the replacement level of 2.1, hovering around 1.3. Life expectancy continues to rise, contributing to one of the highest median ages in the world. This shift affects nearly every aspect of Japanese societyfrom labor shortages and economic stagnation to pension sustainability and rural depopulation. While the government has introduced policies to encourage childbirth, improve childcare access, and attract foreign labor, the structural nature of the decline makes rapid reversal unlikely. The demographic trends Japan is experiencing today are seen as a possible preview of what many developed nations may face in the coming decades.

Source: TBS
Yellowbud hickory trees are abundant in Iowas forests, yet few make use of the trees bitter-tasting nuts.

Levi Geyer, owner of Fancy Twig Farm, is one of a small handful of producers in the country foraging, crushing and extruding oil from the nuts as a sustainable, locally sourced cooking oil option.

Geyer said modern farming is eroding the soil, polluting water, contributing to a lack of biodiversity and is not environmentally sustainable. But hickory trees can be grown in ways that are compatible with sustainable landscape, Geyer said. Im harvesting these nuts from forests  theres no inputs, theres no tillage, so far theres no fertilizer.

Geyers process to make yellowbud hickory oil is labor intensive.

From foraging the nuts to putting the caps on the bottles, he estimates 8-10 hours of labor go into each gallon. Plus, Geyer has spent years scouting out good nut-bearing trees and forming relationships with folks who dont mind the occasional scavenger.

On a recent sunny Saturday afternoon, Geyer hosted an open house to thank the area landowners who allow him to forage for nuts on their properties.

One of those landowners, Clarice Faber, said she is amazed that Geyer is willing to work so hard for a new product.

As evidence, her husband, Bob Faber, pulled up his phone with a video of Geyer during hickory harvest season, high up in a yellowbud hickory, shaking the tree limbs to encourage the nuts to drop.

Geyer has had some success using a tractor-attached tree shaker, but said it really only works under perfect circumstances where a tree is isolated enough that a tractor can fit in next to the tree.

The same goes for more traditional nut rakes  they dont really work to gather nuts in a wild, unkempt area, which is mostly where he forages. Geyers harvesting tools consist of his hands and a low crouch to gather the felled nuts into buckets and plastic totes.

Once the nuts are gathered and sorted, Geyer runs them through a machine to remove the outer, green husks. Geyer built the husker out of a barrel, rubber fingers from a chicken plucker and some screws in the bottom that crack through the husks.

Then the nuts move into a grain bin to dry out.

This is another innovation by Geyer who said the small group of hickory oil producers across the country share knowledge with one another as they develop the trade. He said others use drying racks for this process, but now a couple of them hope to try out his grain-bin method.

Once the nuts have dried, he crushes them, checks again for any bad nuts, and then sends them through the oil press.

The bitternuts, as they are often called, are the only hickory variety that Geyer said can easily be cracked with your teeth. The thinner shell can also go through the oil press, which saves Geyer the tedious labor of shelling the nuts.

Other native hickory varieties, like shagbark and shellbark, are tasty to eat, but have much thicker shells and dont carry nearly as much oil.

With his current setup, Geyer said he gets one gallon of oil for every 15 gallons of nuts.

The final step before bottling is a centrifuge process to help remove any impurities in the oil.

This is the freshest, highest quality oil youll ever get, Geyer said.

He described the hickory oil flavor as rich and delicate at the same time.

There is little research on the health benefits of hickory oil, although early settlers believed it could cure rheumatism.

Geyer said this is his first big year. He gathered and pressed enough nuts to make 76 gallons of oil, which he plans to sell at farmers markets in Iowa City and Kalona.

As a farmer, I see my role as supplying staple foods to people in urban areas, Geyer said.

He hopes to grow the business, but not just in terms of what he can bottle. Geyer said he sees hickory oil as a way for consumers to become part of the local food system.

Another problem we have is people being disconnected from their food, Geyer said. The other part of the vision I have is for people to go out, harvest their own nuts and bring them to me and Ill press them.

He said this would make the product, currently sold at a premium, more accessible for lower-income families.

I want hickory oil to be something that people can access and use for their main food source, Geyer said. You take your family out and you harvest nuts for a day or two and then thats all the oil you need for the year.

Yellowbud hickories are most easily identified by their fancy twigs, tipped with bright yellow buds.

The trees are found in the eastern half of the country, including most of Iowa. The best time to collect is from September through November, when the trees start to drop the nuts.

Geyer said he forages on about 10 different properties and several public land areas where he has scouted for the yellowbuds.

Anytime I go to a wooded area I find at least a couple, he said. Theyre very common.

Geyer has also learned about the nut trade from Kathy Dice and Tom Wahl at Red Fern Farm in Wapello. He has worked at the duos u-pick chestnut, persimmon and paw paw farm for several years.

Dice said in his off time Geyer would search for the yellowbuds on neighboring public lands and forage what he could. Were so impressed with the work hes doing, Dice said.

Geyer wants Fancy Twig to be as sustainable as possible.

His long term goal is to run the operation without any fossil fuels. Hes also in talks with a tannery to see if the byproduct of the pressed nuts, which is full of bitter tasting tannins, could be useful in tanning hides.

Geyer recently received a grant from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, or SARE, to explore different forest management techniques. Over the next year he plans to thin and clear certain forest areas of non-native brush and overgrowth through grazing, controlled burns and mowing, all of which will benefit the forest and nut production.

He hopes to one day have a farm to plant yellowbud hickories and other species, but he still enjoys what he can produce as a forager.

For now, I havent reached the limits of what I can just find, Geyer said. And Im still developing the processes.
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.

Trump announced that the U.S. would be placing what he called "reciprocal tariffs" on dozens of countries, before putting a 90-day pause on most of them after stocks tumbled and global markets went into shock. The tariffs were on top other previously announced taxes, 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. 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."
Iowas U.S. House delegation all voted last week in favor of legislation requiring states to obtain U.S. citizenship proof from people registering to vote in federal elections.

Also last week, an Iowa senator advanced a proposal aimed at enforcement of antitrust laws in the meatpacking industry.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act passed the House last Thursday on a 220-208 vote, largely along party lines, with four Democrats supporting the measure.

Iowas four U.S. representatives, all Republicans, voted in support of the measure that would require people present proof of their U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Accepted documents would include photo IDs issued by federal, state or tribal governments that show a person was born in the U.S. like U.S. passports, or documents like a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization.

Voting in U.S. elections is already illegal for those who are not U.S. citizens. But members of Iowas federal delegation said the measure will prevent noncitizens from participating in elections  a common talking point for conservatives, including President Donald Trump, when questioning the integrity of American elections. The bill was passed weeks after Trump signed an executive order requiring citizenship proof for voter registration.

Rep. Randy Feenstra released a statement saying the SAVE Act would help ensure election integrity.

Only American citizens should be allowed to vote in American elections. Its why I voted to ban illegal immigrants from voting in our elections and ensure that liberal states like California clean their voter rolls of noncitizens, Feenstra said. Keeping noncitizens and illegal immigrants from unlawfully voting is the least we can do to secure our elections.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who cosponsored the earlier version of the bill passed by the House in 2024, said in a news release that the bill guarantees American elections should be decided by American citizens.

The SAVE Act is a commonsense measure that ensures proof of citizenship is required to register for federal elections and gives states the tools they need to keep non-citizens off the voter rolls, Miller-Meeks said in a statement. Im proud to lead on this issue and help restore confidence in our elections.

The federal legislation comes as Iowa state lawmakers sent a bill to the governor allowing the Secretary of States office to contract with federal and state agencies, as well as private entities, to confirm U.S. citizenship status of people on Iowas voter rolls, and that would allow voters to be challenged at the polls on their citizenship status.

Democrats have criticized the measure, stating that instances of noncitizens illegally voting in U.S. elections are rare, but that the proof of citizenship requirements will cause problems for many legal U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote  including married women who have changed their last name but not yet updated their name on legal documents.

Rep. Joe Morelle, D-New York, said in a statement that the bill was one of the most damaging voter suppression bills in modern history.

Theres no doubt that women, military members, and people of color will be disproportionately impacted, Morelle said. The fight to stop this bill  to protect Americans sacred right to vote  is not over. I will do everything in my power to ensure every eligible American has access to the ballot box.

The measure must pass the U.S. Senate before heading to Trump.

Grassley legislation focuses on meatpacking industry competition

Sen. Chuck Grassley introduced legislation Wednesday to increase enforcement of antitrust laws in the meatpacking industry, a step he said would help bring down the price of meat.

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act would establish a team of investigators in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tasked with ensuring compliance with existing federal laws banning anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry. The investigators, working with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, would have subpoena power and be able to bring court action against meatpackers and poultry dealers for violations of Packers and Stockyards Act.

A news release from Grassleys office stated the measure was needed considering the substantial consolidation of the meatpacking industry in recent decades. Four companies currently control 85% of the beef market and 67% of the pork market, compared to controlling 36% and 34% of the markets respectively in 1980, according to Grassleys office. Having four companies with such a large portion of control in the industry has created a distorted marketplace through anticompetitive practices at the expense of livestock and poultry producers, the news release stated.

Grassley said the bill, endorsed by the National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemens Association, will help Iowa livestock farmers while bringing down grocery store prices.

For decades, Americas Big Four meatpackers anticompetitive practices have made it harder for Iowa cattle producers to receive a fair price, Grassley said in a statement. Our bill empowers USDA, in coordination with the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission, to crack down on bad actors, ensuring a fair and functional marketplace that supports everyone who produces and enjoys quality American meat.
Never let the guy with the broom decide how many elephants can be in the parade. Even if I was the guy with the broom, Id have 10 elephants. Youve got to love a parade, and if you or your kids or your grandkids havent already done so, this is the year to be part of the walking party cal
Amid deteriorating financial and economic stability in Tunisia, President Kais Saied has opted to deepen his countrys alignment with isolated Algeria, signaling an unprecedented diplomatic subservience in Tunisian history.

Algerias foreign minister has visited Tunis complaining of tough times in the region requiring closer alliance with Tunisia.

The visit came in a context marked by tense ties between Algeria and all its neighbors to the exception of Tunisia.

The Tunisian case shows that to have normal ties with Algeria, neighboring states should accept to be vassalized, support the Polisario, and serve Algerias regional hegemonic agenda.

That is what Tunisias Kais Saied accepted, while Mali, Niger, Mauritania and eastern Libyan authorities refused.

As Morocco wins the support of global powers including the US and France for its sovereignty over the Sahara, Algeria braces for the worst: designating the Polisario as a terrorist organization.

In such a context, the alliance with Tunisia is used by the Algerian regime to sedate the Algerian people and distract their attention from the diplomatic setbacks in the region.

As Tunisia heads to default with the suspension of ties with the IMF, does Algeria have the means to continue subsidizing Tunisia?

With the drop in the price of the barrel below $60, Algerias capacity to buy Tunisian diplomatic support diminishes, leaving both countries facing dim foreign policy and economic prospects.
Africans in Algeria, who have often been stigmatized, fear heightened racism amid tensions between the Algerian regime and its Sahel neighbors.

Algerias social media is awash with Afrophobia and anti-migrant sentiment with a surge in calls for hostile acts against Sub-Saharans, who already suffer from degrading treatment in Algeria.

Anti-migrant sentiment was stoked when Algeria targeted a Malian drone outside its borders, leading Mali and its Sahel allies- Niger and Burkina Faso- to recall ambassadors. Mali accused Algeria of using and backing terrorism to advance its regional agenda. The tension culminated in Algeria closing its airspace to Mali, which responded with a similar move.

The ill-treatment of African migrants in Algeria is set to add more fuel to the fire. Algeria is notorious for its media blackout preventing independent journalists from investigating migrants living conditions in the country.

Niger and Mali have often complained against the persecution of migrants by the Algerian authorities, notably in their inhumane practice of bussing and abandoning thousands of Sub-Saharans on the desert border in harsh conditions, often leading to the deaths of many.

Last April, angry Malians protested in Bamako against Algerias hostile acts, citing in particular the mistreatment of Sub-Saharans.

Reports of migrants stranded without food and water in extreme heat on the border with Niger have often triggered concern from the IOM, Human Rights Watch and other rights watchdogs.
A devastating wave of attacks by Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on famine-stricken displacement camps in Darfur has left more than 100 civilians dead, according to the United Nations.

Survivors describe a scene of horror as the RSF intensified its campaign to seize control of the last army-held city in the region, El-Fasher. The assaults, which began Friday (11 April) and continued into Sunday, targeted Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps  home to over 700,000 internally displaced people. Among the dead are at least 20 children and nine humanitarian workers, including doctors and aid drivers. Residents say the camps are encircled, escape routes blocked, and medical supplies depleted. People are wounded, and there is no medicine or hospital to save them. They are dying from bleeding, said one resident of Zamzam camp, in a voice message to the BBC. Death is everywhere.

The RSF claims it has liberated Zamzam from Sudans army, which it accuses of using civilians as human shields. However, survivors and international observers allege the attacks were deliberate and targeted health facilities. Relief International, the last provider of healthcare in Zamzam, confirmed the killings of its staff, calling it a targeted attack on all health infrastructure in the region. The violence comes as Sudan nears the two-year mark of a brutal civil war that has displaced over 12 million people and plunged an estimated 25 million people  or nearly half of the countrys population  into extreme hunger. The UN has labeled it the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.
The Washington Post has confirmed the alarming ties existing between the Algerian regime and Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, which has trained Polisario militias to guerrilla tactics in order to undermine Moroccos stability and territorial integrity.

In a story titled: Syria seeks to sever Iran-linked networks for smuggling arms and cash, the prestigious American newspaper said after ousting Assad dictatorship, Syrias new rulers have been stamping out the land bridge that Iran used to project regional power by arming Hezbollah and other allies.

Over the years, Iran has fostered a wide array of proxy groups to advance its interests, said the Post, quoting credible sources affirming that Iran trained fighters from the Algeria-based Polisario Front that are now detained by Syrias new security forces.

Following the collapse of Assad regime, Syrian TV and international news outlet Monte Carlo said Syrias new ruler Ahmed Al-Sharaa declined Algerias request to release some 500 soldiers including a senior official and members of the Polisario separatist militias captured in Syria as they were fighting with Bachar Assad troops against Syrian rebels.

Al-Sharaa said the detained fighters will stand trial with other armed men who backed Bashars bloody war against the Syrian people. Algeria has been a fervent supporter of Bashar in international and Arab fora as well as on the ground sending soldiers and arms.

In 2018, Rabat severed its diplomatic ties with Teheran over the military support provided by Iran and its Hezbollah proxy for the Algeria-backed Polisario separatists.

The U.S. State Department denounces the destabilizing activities led by Iran, including its support for the Lebanese Chiite Hezbollah movement and other terrorist groups. Iran has been designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the United States since 1984. Hezbollah is also labelled terrorist organization. Teherans use of proxy groups has fueled conflicts, and posed a serious challenge to global peace and security.
The American Jewish Committee has affirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump is determined to bring final closure to the Sahara issue in favor of Morocco on the basis of the autonomy plan as the ONLY solution of this regional conflict.

In an interview published Monday by Arabic Assabah daily, Jason Isaacson, Chief Political Officer of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), said: the world, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East, is rocked by instability, unrest, and wars, noting that in this region, the United States has a strong ally and longstanding strategic partner.

Although the previous Biden Administration has maintained U.S. recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara, it did not move this issue forward but the current Trump administration is determined to move towards resolving definitely this issue in favor of Morocco, said Jason Isaacson, affirming that the American Jewish Committee supports Trumps firm determination to put an end to this conflict threatening regional peace and stability.

Commenting the recent visit of Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to Washington, Mr. Jason Isaacson said Moroccos top diplomat was the first foreign minister from the Arab world, North African, and African continent to visit the United States and meet with the new U.S. administration.

This sends a strong message to the region, said the AJC official, hailing the strong ties existing between Morocco and the United States to celebrate in 2027 the 250th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

He also lauded the statements made during this visit, reaffirming U.S. steadfast support for Moroccos autonomy plan under the Kingdoms sovereignty as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the Sahara dispute.

The AJC remarks come ahead of the Security Council closed consultations on the MINURSO. Members of the Council are expected to receive a briefings from MINURSO Chief Alexander Ivanko, and UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura.

According to intelligence reports, the Algeria-backed armed militias of polisario attacked on April 6th a MINURSO patrolling unit in a deliberate act of escalation seeking to destabilize the region. The Security Council should respond with firmness to this provocative aggression, carried out by the Polisario in connivance with Algerian junta, and hold them accountable for their hostile acts.

In an Op-Ed published lately by the American Enterprise Institute, Michael Rubin called for eliminating failed peacekeeping missions such as the MINURSO, established in 1991.

The U.S. recognizes the Moroccanness of the Sahara and subsidizing that organization represents a betrayal of the Abraham Accords, he stressed, noting that after 34 years and billions of dollars spent, no progress has been made and the UN-led political process is stalled due to the disengagement and procrastination of Algeria and the Polisario.
Morocco and France share the same resolve to bolster their partnership in matters of security and migration and envision the establishment of a new, comprehensive framework for this partnership, as this collaboration, based on close coordination and intelligence sharing, has led to the containment of terrorist threats and the dismantling of terrorist and criminal networks.

This was stressed at a meeting held in Rabat this Monday between the Moroccan and French Ministers of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit and Bruno Retailleau.

The meeting, attended by high officials from both countries, reviewed issues of mutual interest as well as the prospects of reinforcing bilateral cooperation, in line with the Declaration of Reinforced Exceptional Partnership, signed by King Mohammed VI and President Emmanuel Macron, during the latters State visit to the Kingdom in October 2024, the Ministry of the Interior said in a press release.

The two parties welcomed the solid foundation that security and migration issues represent in their bilateral relationship, which both parties said is set to grow stronger in light of Frances reaffirmation that the present and future of the Sahara lie fully within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.

The Interior Ministers highlighted that cooperation in security and migration is part of a dynamic of excellence, rooted in mutual trust, shared challenges, a common understanding of the regional and international context, and aligned views on key strategic issues.

In this connection, and with the aim of further consolidating this dynamic by constructively addressing evolving circumstances, Moroccos Minister of the Interior proposed the establishment of a new, comprehensive framework for partnership and cooperation. This new framework would involve a revision of all existing agreements between the two ministries, with the goal of transforming them into tools that match the scale of their shared ambitions.

Therefore, the adoption of a Morocco-France roadmap for cooperation between the two Interior ministries marks an important milestone, the press release said.

On the security front, the ministers praised the effective cooperation between their respective security services. This collaboration, based on close coordination and intelligence sharing, has led to the containment of terrorist threats and several significant achievements, including the dismantling of terrorist and criminal networks.

Laftit recalled Moroccos holistic and human-centered approach to migration governance, in accordance with the Kings guidelines.

He emphasized the vital role of the Permanent Joint Migration Group between Morocco and France, which serves as a key mechanism for addressing operational issues efficiently. He also reaffirmed Moroccos full commitment to working toward the development of a common frameworkboth in procedural terms and in reporting practices.

The two ministers also agreed on the importance of expanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of civil protection and the management of major events.
Xi, Indonesian President Prabowo exchange congratulations over 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 08:04, April 14, 2025

BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday exchanged congratulations with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto over the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In a congratulatory message, Xi said that as close neighbors across the sea and good partners sharing a common future, China and Indonesia have stood together through thick and thin and engaged in sincere cooperation over the past 75 years, achieving remarkable progress in bilateral relations and fostering deep-rooted friendship between the two peoples.

The Chinese president recalled his two meetings with Prabowo last year, during which the two sides agreed to firmly support each other's development visions, jointly advance their respective paths to modernization and build a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global influence so as to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.

Both as major developing countries and important members of the Global South, the cooperation between China and Indonesia carries strategic significance and global influence, he said.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Indonesia relations, voicing readiness to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties as an opportunity to work together with President Prabowo to further deepen bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation, strengthen multilateral strategic coordination, keep enriching the dimensions of the China-Indonesia community with a shared future with the features of the new era, and set an example of solidarity and mutual trust between major developing countries, a model of common development and a vanguard of South-South cooperation, so as to make joint contributions to the cause of human progress.

For his part, Prabowo, on behalf of the Indonesian government and people, extended sincere congratulations to Xi and the Chinese people on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic ties.

Indonesia and China enjoy a time-honored friendship and a strong and dynamic partnership, and have made rapid progress in bilateral cooperation in the "five pillars" of politics, economy, people-to-people and cultural exchange, maritime affairs and security, he said.

Prabowo expressed the hope that both sides will continue to deepen cooperation and cement the friendship between the two peoples so as to make positive contributions to world peace and stability.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The brutal civil war in Sudan has taken an even darker turn as sustained attacks on displacement camps continue into a third day, leaving over 100 civilians dead, including at least 20 children and medical personnel.

Witness accounts from Zamzam camp near El-Fasher, a city in western Darfur, paint a harrowing picture of families trapped under siege, medical workers targeted, and humanitarian services obliterated. While the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) deny responsibility, both eyewitness reports and satellite evidence strongly suggest deliberate assaults on civilian infrastructure.

What is unfolding in Darfur represents not just a tragedy for those immediately affected, but a dire escalation that endangers millions more. With roads cut off and shelling ongoing, families are unable to escape, and food and medical supplies are running critically low. International aid workers, including doctors and logistical staff, have been executed in cold blood, according to survivors. Entire sections of camps such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk have been burned, and those attempting to flee face violence or starvation. The RSFs actionsdescribed by aid agencies as targeted efforts to dismantle health infrastructureare further intensifying the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

The war, now in its second year, has displaced more than 12 million people, creating what the UN calls the worlds largest humanitarian disaster. With el-Fasherthe last major Darfur city under army controlunder siege, fears are mounting that further massacres are imminent. International voices, including the UK Foreign Secretary and the US State Department, have condemned the attacks, but the scale of suffering continues to rise. As peace efforts remain stalled, the unchecked violence threatens not only the survival of those in displacement camps but the stability of the region as a whole.
An agricultural partnership between Moroccan and Mauritanian private producers is yielding significant benefits for consumers in Nouakchott, as locally grown Moroccan watermelons flood the market at dramatically reduced prices.

The cooperation, established during the joint commission meeting between the two countries in February 2024, has enabled Moroccan watermelon varieties to be cultivated in Mauritanias Rosso region along the river valley in the southwest. The result has been a 50% price reduction for consumers in the capital city.

Watermelon prices have fallen to 8-12 ouguiyas per kilogram, compared to the previous 18-20 ouguiyas, according to local merchants. The price drop is largely attributed to the elimination of customs duties on locally produced crops, combined with reduced transportation costs and maintained quality standards, reports correspondent in Nouakchott of le360 news outlet.

We appreciate the new arrangement that allows us to produce Moroccan watermelon in the river region. This has a positive impact on our activities, Moustapha Jaudar, a Moroccan wholesaler operating in Mauritania, told the correspondent, highlighting the logistical advantages of sourcing high-quality produce from nearby growing areas.

Mauritanian wholesaler Sidi Moctar confirmed the market impact, saying the Moroccan watermelon produced in the river valley has a positive effect on the market. Prices drop significantly due to the absence of customs duties.

For retailers, the price reduction has created new profit opportunities. We appreciate the lower prices of Moroccan watermelon produced in Rosso, with wholesale prices at 8-10 ouguiyas per kilogram. This allows us to resell the same product for 15-20 ouguiyas, generating substantial profit, explained Fatimata Kante, a local retailer.

Consumers are equally enthusiastic about the collaborations results. Houssein Abdel Kadr noted that the Moroccan watermelons produced in Rosso are of excellent quality and that the price reduction represents a positive development thanks to the elimination of customs duties on locally grown produce.

The successful agricultural partnership showcases how regional cooperation can simultaneously benefit producers, merchants, and consumers while strengthening food security and economic ties between neighboring countries.
Lawmakers Respond to Delay in Enforcement of Silica Rule for Coal Miners

Senators Warner, Kaine, and Fetterman urge timely enforcement of new health and safety rule for coal miners.

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia, along with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, criticized the Department of Labor on Friday for delaying enforcement of a new federal rule designed to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), a division of the Labor Department, announced it would pause enforcement of its final rule aimed at reducing silica-related health hazards in mines.

Coal miners deserve to go to work every day and come back healthy, and the recent decision by the Mine Safety and Health Administration delaying enforcement of their landmark rule to better protect miners from silica dust is an alarming abdication of responsibility, the senators said in a joint statement. Silica dust has caused severe black lung disease in young coal miners, and as the Trump administration continues to cause chaos through their indiscriminate funding cuts and firings, its our miners who are being left behind. We expect the Mine Safety and Health Administration to begin enforcement of this rule no later than their August 18, 2025 deadline.

The senators had previously praised the Labor Departments move to strengthen outdated silica standards, following years of advocacy to improve protections for workers exposed to toxic substances on the job.
Calls have been made for an immediate halt to the dam's construction and a suspension of funding until a comprehensive and transparent investigation is conducted.

Environmental organizations and concerned citizens argue that the Rogun Dam poses a significant threat to regional stability and water resources, particularly the Amu Darya River.

The World Bank is facing a formal complaint regarding its financing of the Rogun Dam project in Tajikistan, with allegations of inadequate assessment of environmental and socio-economic risks.

The World Bank is under fire over allegations of impropriety in financing the Rogun Dam project in Tajikistan. Specifically, bank officials are facing accusations that they failed to comply with procedures to account for potential environmental and socio-economic harms associated with the project.

A statement issued April 8 by the World Banks Inspection Panel, an independent investigative body, announced the registration of a formal Request for Inspection, in effect a complaint, concerning the banks involvement in the Rogun hydropower project (HPP). Bank officials now have three weeks to respond to the allegations raised in the complaint. At that point, the Inspection Panel will decide whether or not to conduct a formal investigation.

The complaint was initiated in February by two concerned citizens in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with the assistance of a Kazakhstan-based environmental organization, Rivers without Boundaries.

The Rogun HPP project in its current, unfinished form poses a colossal threat to environmental stability and the well-being of millions of people in Central Asia, said a statement issued by Rivers without Boundaries. The applicants argue that the decision to finance the construction of the Rogun HPP was made by the World Bank's Board of Directors despite an incomplete and outdated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which does not adequately reflect the transboundary risks and cumulative impacts of the project on vulnerable ecosystems and people in the Amu Darya River basin.

The complaint characterized the Rogun project, which currently has a price tag exceeding $8 billion, as among the most expensive and time-consuming false solutions to address electricity shortages in Tajikistan and reduce carbon emissions. A study published by Rivers without Boundaries in late 2024 alleged that Rogun is a white elephant in the making, and is likely to be outmoded as an efficient and profitable generator of electricity before it becomes fully operational.

The World Bank approved a $350 million grant in December to be used to help complete the dams first phase of construction. If built to its present specifications, Rogun would be the worlds tallest dam, capable of producing 3,600 megawatts of power per year. Bank officials have described the project as a transformative clean energy project that will improve domestic and regional welfare and contribute to the decarbonization of regional power grids in Central Asia.

Initial due diligence conducted by the Inspection Panel found that the complaint was not frivolous, absurd, or anonymous.

The complaint alleges that World Bank officials relied on faulty and outdated data to evaluate the environmental impact of the dams operation. It goes on to assert the reservoir needed to generate electricity would reduce the flow of the already-stressed Amu Darya River by at least 25 percent, causing a progressive catastrophe adversely impacting the lives of up to 10 million people living downstream.

Perhaps the harshest allegation leveled against the World Banks approval process is that the Projects safeguard documents were not disclosed to impacted persons and communities in Tajikistan and in the riparian countries [Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan] and that meaningful consultations were not held, according to the Inspection Panel statement.

Even before the Inspection Panel makes a determination on whether to proceed with a full investigation, environmental activists are seeking an immediate halt to Roguns construction.

The Rivers without Borders statement calls on the World Bank and other financial institutions involved in the Rogun HPP construction project in Tajikistan to suspend funding until a comprehensive, independent and transparent investigation of all issues raised in the request is conducted, and adequate measures are developed to prevent and mitigate the negative consequences of the project.

By Eurasianet.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Iran faces internal and external pressures, including economic sanctions and potential military action, which may influence their willingness to reach an agreement on their nuclear program.

While progress has been slight, there is growing optimism that diplomacy can ease tensions between the two nations, though analysts caution against overanalyzing initial outcomes.

The United States and Iran have agreed to hold further talks regarding Iran's nuclear program, with the next meeting potentially taking place in Europe.

Nuclear talks in Oman marked the first formal engagement between Iran and the United States in years, and though progress may have been slight, it was enough to signal a willingness to temper tensions through diplomacy rather than military action.

Iranian and US negotiators agreed on April 12 to continue their high-level talks over Tehran's nuclear program on April 19, with the venue likely moving to Europe from the Middle East.

Axios on April 13 cited sources as saying the second round would likely be in Rome, but there has been no official comment on the potential site.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late on April 13, US President Donald Trump said he had met with advisers and that "we'll be making a decision on Iran very quickly," without being specific.

Going into the high-stakes meeting in Oman, Washington had insisted the talks would be direct, while Tehran maintained otherwise.

In the end, there was a bit of both.

The talks were largely held indirectly, with Omani diplomats shuttling between rooms. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff briefly met at the conclusion of the talks.

"So, both sides came out with their basic requirements met," Gregory Brew, a senior Iran analyst at the New York-based Eurasia Group, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

However, he warned against overanalyzing the outcomes of the meeting, adding, "It's still not entirely clear what was achieved beyond simply establishing a basis for further discussions."

Araqchi called the brief words he had with Witkoff "diplomatic courtesy." That was enough to bring a palpable optimism to the region, already on edge with the conflict in Gaza and a regime change in Syria.

Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, which was skeptical of the 2015 nuclear deal and hailed Trump for abrogating it in 2018, has welcomed the Oman talks. Bahrain and Qatar followed suit with their own statements of encouragement.

Tough Calls Necessary

Analysts say a deal on Iran's nuclear program is possible -- if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is willing to make difficult decisions.

Despite constitutionally holding ultimate authority over all state matters, Khamenei has developed a reputation for avoiding direct accountability.

"Khamenei still appears to be unwilling to take responsibility, as seen in his recent public comments in which he says he against talks and that negotiations can be held but he won't take responsibility for the outcomes," Fereshteh Pezeshk, an international relations analyst based in Washington, told Radio Farda.

Iran is in a precarious position. Its network of regional proxies is at its weakest, and its economy is reeling under US sanctions, with the cost of living rising and purchasing power declining.

"The domestic situation in Iran is also slightly increasing the odds of a deal," Pezeshk said.

Adding to the pressure are threats of military action from Trump if no agreement is reached. While Iranian officials publicly dismiss the possibility of war, analysts say Tehran takes the threat seriously.

The Road Ahead

Mehrzad Boroujerdi, a professor of political science at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, described the Oman meeting as "warm-up talks" during which critical topics were left untouched.

"They likely agreed on a timetable and general topics of discussion, but the important issues will come up in future talks," he told Radio Farda.

Boroujerdi added that both Tehran and Washington appeared to have "pulled back from their maximalist demands", paving the way for a workable deal.

The format of the next round of talks has not been disclosed, but critics of indirect negotiations argue that Washington must insist on direct engagement, citing previous failures of indirect diplomacy.

"The US should be making clear: if there are no direct, substantive talks in the next round, there will be no negotiation," Jason Brodsky, policy director at the nonprofit United Against Nuclear Iran, wrote on X. "This is how Tehran stalls and strings things out."

Another unresolved question is whether Trump seeks to curb Iran's nuclear program or dismantle it entirely. Tehran has firmly opposed shutting down its nuclear program but has repeatedly insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons and is willing to offer assurances.

Still, there seems to be a real willingness to strike a deal, and Iran arguably needs it more than the United States.

Reaching an agreement, however, depends on whether Iranian decision-makers "show wisdom and courage," Pezeshk said.

For now, both sides seem prepared to keep talking, but there is only so much time left.

By RFE/RL

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Oil prices began the day with gains as US stock markets opened, driven by eased trade tensions and strong Chinese import data.

OPEC revised its 2025 and 2026 global oil demand growth forecasts downward, citing uncertainties related to the ongoing trade war.
Is the Iraq-Turkiye Cooperation Set to Skyrocket?

Iraqs struggling oil and gas sectors may be on the verge of a breakthrough as cooperation between Baghdad and Ankara intensifies. According to Turkish media, Turkiye is advancing plans to expand its energy collaboration with Iraq significantly. Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, recently announced that proposals are underway to construct new oil and natural gas pipelines stretching from Basra to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan.

In tandem, Ankara and Baghdad are exploring increased volumes of natural gas trade and enhanced electricity cooperation. Despite Iraq's ramping domestic gas production and pushing toward a zero-flaring strategy, the country remains reliant on imported gasespecially in light of potential reductions in Iranian supplies critical for its power sector. Bayraktar revealed that both countries have reached a preliminary agreement involving crude oil and gas pipelines, interim Turkish gas deliveries to Iraq, and a cross-border electricity transmission line.

Meanwhile, the two nations are progressing on the ambitious Development Road projecta significant logistics initiative to connect Asia and Europe. This infrastructure corridor will run through Iraq and link directly to Turkiye, with Ankara pledging a $17.9 billion investment. Turkiyes strategic objective is clear: Strengthen its role as a regional hub by integrating ports, railways, energy, and logistics into one cohesive infrastructure strategy.

The Development Road, stretching from Basra in southern Iraq to Haditha in the north and connecting to Silopi in southeastern Turkiye, offers significant mutual benefits. The route bypasses the politically sensitive Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) areas, ensuring more stable energy transport. From Silopi, resources would be piped to Ceyhan, Turkiyes central oil and gas export terminal. Turkiye aims to incorporate additional barrels from Basra to increase pipeline capacity. The Basra-Haditha pipeline agreement signed in January 2025 envisions a 2.25 million barrels per day (bpd) capacity, marking a significant step forward in regional energy flows.

Bayraktar also noted that Turkiyes current gas infrastructure could deliver around 5 billion cubic meters to Iraq. Initially, this supply will focus on meeting Iraqs power sector demands, but longer-term plans include reversing the flow to bring Iraqi natural gas to Turkiye and beyond. To facilitate this, discussions are underway on building a supplementary gas pipeline from Silopi to Ceyhan.

Energy isnt the only area of expanding cooperation. Ankara has also announced plans to double electricity exports to Iraq, backed by constructing a new transmission line. This comes at a critical time for Iraq, which has faced mounting energy shortfalls following the lifting of U.S. sanctions that had previously allowed the import of Iranian electricity.

While both countries appear aligned on their strategic goals, several challenges persist. Chief among them is the unresolved dispute over the IraqTurkiye Pipeline (ITP), which has halted Iraqi oil exports to Turkiye for over two years due to diplomatic and financial disagreements. The ongoing dispute between Baghdad and the KRG over revenue sharing and control of oil resources adds further complexity. International oil and gas companies operating in the KRG region also withhold cooperation until outstanding fiscal and contractual issues are addressed.

Since March 2023, exports via the ITP have been suspended following a Paris arbitration court ruling in favor of Baghdad. The court found that Turkiye had breached a 1973 agreement by permitting the KRG to export oil independently in 2014. This ruling has intensified calls for a reassessment of Turkish-Kurdish relations. KRG President Nechirvan Barzani recently met with Turkish Defense Minister Ya?ar Guler during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum to discuss PKK-related tensions and regional developments. There are indications that the KRG may support efforts to dismantle PKK bases in Iraq in exchange for broader economic cooperation with Turkiye.

Meanwhile, Iraq is actively working to boost its export infrastructure. The Iraqi Oil Ministry has announced a new subsea oil pipeline deal with Italian offshore contractor Micoperi and Turkish firm Esta. This pipeline, with a capacity of 2.4 million bpd, will support increased exports from Iraqs southern ports.

However, Iraq faces significant headwinds. Trump-era tariffs, global recession fears, and rising OPEC+ production exert downward pressure on oil prices. These developments come at a precarious time for Iraqs rentier economy, which relies on hydrocarbons for over 90% of its revenue.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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Russia expects its natural gas exports, including via pipeline and LNG, to jump twofold by 2030 and threefold to 2050 under its new long-term energy strategy approved by the government on Monday.

Russia sees its pipeline and LNG overseas deliveries surge from 146 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023 to 293 bcm in 2030, and further up to 438 bcm by 2050.

Crude oil and condensate production is targeted to increase from 531 million metric tons per year, or 10.66 million barrels per day (bpd), in 2023 to 540 million tons, or 10.8 million bpd, by 2050.

However, oil exports are expected to remain flat throughout 2050, at around 235 million tons per year, or about 4.7 million bpd.

The new strategy, whose update was ordered by Vladimir Putin, includes measures to accelerate the development of oil and gas processing, expand the regional gas infrastructure development program, and ensure sufficient petroleum product supply on the domestic market at affordable prices.

Under the strategy, Russia will also continue to redirect oil and gas exports to new markets in friendly countries, to which Moscow has been exporting since the invasion of Ukraine and the Western embargoes and sanctions imposed in 2022.

Russia also aims to boost oil transshipment capacity in its Arctic and Far Eastern ports and actively utilize the Northern Sea Route's potentialthese are key to delivering oil and LNG from its Arctic projects to markets in Asia.

While updating its long-term energy strategy, Russia faces lower oil and gas revenues in the short term.

For Russia, the oil market meltdown in recent days could pose risks to the economy, Russias Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said last week.

If the escalation of the tariff wars continues, this usually leads to a decline in global trade and the global economy and, possibly, demand for our energy resources. Therefore, there are risks here, Nabiullina was quoted as saying by Russias TASS news agency.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Weak demand and domestic prices at four-year lows led to a 6% annual decline in Chinese coal imports in March, according to official data.

Last month, China imported a total of 38.73 million metric tons of coal, compared to 41.38 million tons in imports in the same month of 2024, per data from the General Administration of Customs cited by Reuters on Monday.

The domestic Bohai-Rim Bay thermal coal price index indicated that the domestic price for medium-grade coal slipped at the end of last week to its lowest level since March 2021, according to estimates by Reuters.

Chinas combined January-February coal imports  reported together to smooth out Lunar New Year effects  had increased by 2% from the same period of 2024.

But the dip in March means that Chinese coal imports for the first three months of 2025 were 0.9% lower than in the first quarter of last year.

In view of the low domestic coal prices, weaker demand, and high coal inventories at ports, Chinas import decline in March wasnt a surprise, and analysts will not be surprised if the trend of lower coal imports continues for the next few months.

Globally, China is the leader in renewable energy capacity installations, but it is also a leader in coal-fired power and continues to be the key driver of record-high global coal demand.

Thermal power generation, which is overwhelmingly dominated by coal, rose by 1.5% in 2024 from a year earlier, to a record high of 6.34 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh), data from Chinas National Bureau of Statistics showed.

The persistent growth in Chinese coal demand, including for power generation, goes to show that coal remains the baseload of Chinas power system to back up the surge in renewables and will stay such for years to come as power demand jumps with the increasing electrification of homes and transport.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Chinese crude oil imports topped 12 million barrels per day (bpd) in March, the highest volume since August 2023, as flows of Iranian and Russian crude rebounded from the lows seen early this year with the U.S. sanctions.

China imported a total of 51.41 million metric tons of crude oil in March, data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs showed on Monday.

Thats equivalent to 12.1 million bpd in crude arrivals last month, per Reuters calculations. The import volumes in March were the highest since August 2023 and were much higher than the 10.38 million bpd in crude imports in January-February 2025 or the 11.55 million bpd crude imported in March 2024.

Chinas crude oil imports over the first two months of the year fell by 5% compared to the same period of 2024 as the farewell round of sanctions that the Biden administration imposed on Russian energy affected international flows.

However, a massive reshuffling of tankers following the sanctions on Russia and Iran has allowed non-sanctioned vessels to pick up trade with Russian and Iranian oil. This was widely expected to result in a rebound in Chinas imports of cheaper crude from the two producers in March, from a two-year low in February.

About a dozen tankers that have not been sanctioned by the U.S. have recently joined the oil delivery route from Russia to China, including tankers that have previously carried Russian oil to India.

Chinas seaborne crude imports rebounded to 10.6 million bpd in Marchthe highest since October 2023, driven largely by record Iranian crude arrivals into the Shandong region, home to the independent refiners, Emma Li, senior market analyst at Vortexa, wrote in an analysis last week.

Iranian crude imports into China surged to a record 1.8 million bpd in March, with Shandong alone absorbing more than 1.5 million bpd and marking a nearly 50% jump from the 2024 average, according to Vortexa.

Russian crude is also on the rebound in China, with many cargoes on sanctioned tankers finding buyers in Shandong. Moreover, stranded Russian Arctic cargoes are now targeting Chinese teapot buyers via ship-to-ship (STS) transfers using the dark fleet, Vortexa noted.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The European Union is considering offering a specific deal to the United States to buy American LNG to address President Trumps grievances against the U.S. trade deficit with Europe, POLITICO reported on Monday, quoting anonymous European officials familiar with internal EU discussions.

The EU is weighing aggregating LNG demand across its members to place a large bulk-buy offer. Still, the EU would be ideally looking to buy the American LNG at competitive prices, according to POLITICOs sources.

Last week, Lithuanias Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas told Reuters that the bloc could consider aggregating the countries LNG demand to buy LNG from the United States.

I think that would be one of the potential future talks, about the demand and the potential managing of the demand in the regions, or in the entire EU, Vaiciunas told Reuters, commenting on how the EU could approach the talks with the U.S. while the tariffs are frozen, for now.

Last week, President Trump aired the idea that the European Union should pledge to buy $350 billion worth of energy from the United States if it wants tariff relief.

One of the ways that that can disappear easily and quickly is they're going to have to buy our energy from us ... they can buy it, we can knock off $350 billion in one week. They have to buy and commit to buy a like amount of energy, President Trump said.

The European Union is ready to commit to buying more liquefied natural gas from the United States if that would appease President Trump and make him reconsider tariffs, the EUs energy commissioner Dan Jrgensen said later in the week.

However, $350 billion worth of LNG is roughly equal to some 40 million tons of the super-chilled fuel. Thats more than half of the EUs total LNG imports last year of some 75 million tons, much of which came from America anyway, per the blocs statistics agency, Eurostat.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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G7 and the UK are discussing a reduction of the price cap they imposed on Russian oil exports in a bid to hurt the countrys oil revenues. The cap has become meaningless in the current international oil price context, The Guardian reported, citing unnamed experts.

The G7 imposed the cap back in 2022, tying it to Western insurance and tankers. If Russian oil exporters wanted to have such insurance and transport their crude on Western tankers, they had to agree not to sell the crude at prices above $60 per barrel. Yet Trumps tariff wars have prompted a slump in oil prices and, according to the Guardian experts, it has made the price cap pointless  even though Russias flagship Urals blend is trading at over $60 per barrel right now.

The cap is currently meaningless, Clayton Seigle, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, told The Guardian. There might be a willingness within the G7 to do this to punish Moscow, especially because there are no real fears about leaving the oil market under-supplied, Seigle added.

The effectiveness of a lower price cap, however, would be about the same as the effectiveness of the original one. It was not too great because Russia simply dropped Western insurance and Western tankers in favor of domestic and Asian insurers and shipping operators.

Its time to revisit the whole way in which we try to restrict Russias income from hydrocarbons. Whatever anyone might say, it doesnt really seem to be working, Tom Keatinge, director at security think tank the Royal United Services Institute, told The Guardian.

Meanwhile, the price cap has brought some Russian crude below $60, and exporters have taken to using Western tankers and insurers to carry it abroad, Bloomberg reported last week. For this month alone, 43% of the tankers that will carry Russian crude overseas will be Western-owned or Western-insured.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Goldman Sachs has reduced its outlook for oil prices for the third time since the start of April, now expecting Brent crude to average $63 this year and $58 in 2026. The bank sees WTI at an average of $59 per barrel this year, falling to $55 in 2026, Reuters reported.

The update follows one from April 4, when Goldman slashed its 2025 outlook for Brent and WTI by 5.5% and 4.3%, respectively, to $69 for a barrel of Brent crude and $66 for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate. Then, on April 6, the bank cut its 2026 outlook for the oil benchmarks.

Oil prices would likely exceed our forecast if the Administration were to reverse tariffs sharply and deliver a reassuring message to markets, consumers, and businesses, Goldman analysts said in their note.

In its latest price update, Goldman predicted weaker-than-expected oil demand growth this year, at a modest 300,000 barrels daily this year. Goldman also revised down its demand forecast for the end of 2026, slashing the figure by 900,000 bpd for the final quarter, Reuters also noted in its report.

Prices could fall a lot further, too, Goldman said, in case OPEC+ decided to remove the production caps it adopted in 2023. In such a scenario prices could fall to the $40s for Brent crude, the banks analysts estimated, adding the global benchmark could even fall below $40 per barrel in an extreme combined scenario.

The risks to our reduced oil price forecast are to the downside, especially for 2026, given growing risks of recession and to a lesser extent of higher OPEC+ supply, Godman said in one of its earlier April notes, referring to the most expected outcome of the tariff war that President Trump started in early April. However, there is a good chance the war will end before it start hitting the global economy, eliminating the biggest risks as defined by Goldman Sachs and thus reducing the danger of a more serious oil price decline.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The Keystone oil pipeline, which was shut last week after a leak, is expected to resume service by Tuesday, April 15, or at least this is the targeted start date announced by pipeline operator South Bow.

The Keystone pipeline, with a capacity to carry more than 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Alberta, Canada, to the United States, was shut last week following an oil leak near Fort Ransom, North Dakota.

Last Wednesday, South Bow said that the affected segment was isolated, and the release was contained. The estimated release volume is approximately 3,500 barrels.

Since then, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a Corrective Action Order (CAO) requiring South Bow to undertake certain corrective actions in response to the incident.

Keystone is targeting the restoration of service and energy deliveries by Tuesday, April 15, 2025, under the requirements of the CAO. South Bow will require approval from PHMSA prior to restarting the pipeline, the operator said.

The CAO includes South Bow to undertake the following actions: shutdown of the accident segment until PHMSA authorizes restart; operating pressure restriction; review of prior in-line inspection results; mechanical and metallurgical testing; root cause failure analysis; special permit evaluation; and remedial work plan.

The Keystone pipeline was built to the specifications of a special permit that allows the line to operate at higher-than-normal pressures. PHMSA ordered the maximum operating pressure to be reduced following a crude oil leak in December 2022 in Washington County, Kansas. The CAO requires an evaluation of the special permit to determine if additional or modified conditions are necessary to prevent similar incidents.

The 2,687-mile Keystone Pipeline System plays a key role in connecting Albertas crude oil supplies to U.S. refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas, as well as connecting U.S. crude oil supplies from the Cushing, Oklahoma hub to refining markets on the U.S. Gulf Coast through the Marketlink Pipeline System.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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You are here: Business

The third edition of InnoEX, a four-day innovation and technology expo, kicked off in Hong Kong on Sunday, spotlighting cutting-edge advancements in AI, robotics, low-altitude economy, cybersecurity, and smart mobility.

Co-organized by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event aims to foster global collaboration in tech innovation, focusing on the theme of "Innovate, Automate and Elevate".

Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said the expo brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders worldwide through exhibitions, networking sessions, and seminars, creating opportunities for international partnerships.

HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said this year's InnoEX features over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, including first-time participants such as Australia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside expanded showcases from Japan, Thailand, and the UK.

Running concurrently, the 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) focuses on smart home solutions, health tech, and wearable devices.

As core events of Hong Kong's International I&T Business Week 2025, the twin expos have drawn more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions.

Ida Liu, marketing director of Seagull (Suzhou) Flying Car Limited, said in an interview that the company is leveraging Hong Kong's global connectivity to expand its international presence and explore partnerships.

Derek Chim, head of Startup Ecosystem and Development at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), said the InnoEX has become a flagship innovation and technology exhibition in Asia, attracting industry experts, investors and buyers from around the world.

"We will seize this opportunity to accelerate the expansion of tech enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region and global markets," he added.

The expo also features four themed days, each hosting forums on trending tech topics, further enriching the exchange of ideas.
LINCOLN  Andrea Norris was on her way to a friends concert to record a video for social media, as shes done hundreds of times in recent years as a content creator who highlights creative people, fun events and small businesses in Nebraska.

Before she got out of her Jeep, she decided to turn the camera on herself.

I have a question for the rest of America, she said, sitting in her drivers seat before heading to the pop-up performance in Lincolns Wilderness Park. Does anyone even care about Nebraska?

She was feeling sassy and thought the TikTok video might get some sassy responses about Nebraska being boring or a flyover state. After all, she thought, why would other states be thinking about Nebraska? And why would people not in Nebraska care about her hyper-local content?

It definitely took a different turn, she said.

The video she posted in February took off after a few days and became a place for people to unload grievances about the presidential administration. They launched political discourse about Nebraska voters, immigration, agriculture and the states budget. A lot of the responses were angry, and a lot of the information that spread wasnt accurate.

Norris video has garnered more than 1.6 million views and more than 36,000 comments. Her longer video explaining her thoughts making the video and reaction to its virality garnered almost a quarter million views and about 1,600 comments. Norris, who has built a follower count of 109,000, typically gets several thousand views per video. High-performing posts about restaurants and other types of small business get up to and beyond 100,000 views.

On her viral post, most of the top responses broadly charged that red-state Nebraskans are paying the price for voting for President Donald Trump. A smaller number of commenters defensively identify themselves as blue voters or living in the Blue Dot, Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District encompassing Omaha and nearby areas that often vote for Democratic presidential candidates.

Things snowballed from there.

In video responses and stitches, other creators speculated that the state has lost its agriculture labor force because of immigration policy.

Federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants have caused concern and fears in Nebraska  even misinformation about raids in Schuyler that put the community on edge  but to date there have not been reports of large scale arrests in the state. Farmers and agriculture groups have criticized U.S. Department of Agriculture decisions, like a prior freeze on Biden administration grants and the slashing of staff in the department. Those actions caused problems for farmers, but the department did unfreeze those funds, and a federal judge ordered reinstatement of USDA employees. Policies such as tariffs and antagonizing trade partners have torpedoed financial markets, but those were not yet top of mind as Norris post took off.

Some creators described farmers crying on their own videos because of struggles on their farms, but video evidence of crying Nebraska farmers is scant. Norris said she had no idea how farmers became part of the conversation after her video. One popular creator who typically shares content working on farm equipment asked, How do you know who I voted for? in response to criticisms he received through the trend.

The discourse on farmers made way for speculation that agriculture is failing, leading to financial troubles with the state budget. Recent concerns over the states budget shortfall fueled the spiraling narrative that Nebraska is going broke or bankrupt.

That budget gap and the inevitable cuts that come with it puts the people and agencies who rely on state dollars in a precarious situation, but the state is not bankrupt. And state budget makers and experts told The World-Herald causes for money woes include drying up federal funds, investment in major construction projects and tax cuts. They didnt identify private businesses facing adversity or a struggling agriculture sector since Trump took office as culprits.

State Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Omaha area referenced discourse on the budget shortfall apparently buzzing about on social media during a March Revenue Committee hearing.

If no action were taken by this Legislature ... it is projected we would be short by $292 million in the upcoming biennium, said von Gillern, the Revenue Committee chair. Our current budget is fully-funded, and we have substantial reserves. So no, in case youre wondering, the state is not broke.

Nebraska senators have seven weeks to send a balanced budget to the governor.

Norris said the commentary online became an echo chamber, fueling misinformation and dog-piling on Nebraska. Responses that seemed to wish harm or financial ruin on the state took her aback and made her consider taking the video down. She decided against it because she still saw some value in the conversation and more constructive comments.

She didnt dwell on the negativity and was soon back to her usual content. Two videos from her friends concert were among her best-performing of the month.

And back to the original question: Does anyone even care about Nebraska?

Among the audience for that video, Norris knows the answer is probably no. And thats fine, she said. She cares, and she sees people in the community care for each other, like a recent outpouring of support she saw for a local shelter ahead of a snowstorm.

Norris poured her energy into making videos after getting laid off from her marketing job. Shes a bona fide, full-time creator now, but even as her profile grows her content remains largely unpaid and largely unchanged: I do this out of a love for sharing Nebraska businesses, places to go and cool, fun things that make Nebraska interesting.
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

A report by the Wallamette Week and the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles revealed that 118 non-citizens were registered to vote, with 13 confirmed to have cast ballots. This information surfaced after the Oregon DMV stated it had cleaned up the voter rolls and resumed automatic voter registration. Additionally, the new disclosure indicates a significantly higher percentage of illegal votes than what officials had previously identified.

This discovery comes at a challenging time for the Oregon DMV, as the U.S. House of Representatives has just passed the SAVE Act, which will require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. In Oregon, Republicans are advocating for the return of in-person voting, arguing that it is the most secure method for casting a ballot. This situation raises important questions about election integrity and whether the federal government will compel Salem to implement proof of citizenship requirements in Oregon elections.

 Was this helpful? Please contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).
By John A. Charles, Jr.

A decade ago, 21 youth plaintiffs in Oregon filed a lawsuit asserting that the government had violated their due process rights of life, liberty, and property by encouraging and permitting the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels such as oil and gas.

The plaintiffs were represented by Our Childrens Trust, a litigation firm based in Eugene.

The case, known as Juliana v. United States, was dismissed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2020 for lack of standing and upheld in February 2021. An amended suit was dismissed by the Ninth Circuit in May 2024 again over lack of standing, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case in March 2025.

The proponents are now attempting to put their hydrocarbon paranoia into the Oregon Constitution. On March 26 the state legislature held a hearing on SJR 28, which would add the following language to the Constitution:

All people, including children and future generations, have the fundamental right to a clean, safe and healthy environment.

This is just performative politics. Hydrocarbons power the modern world; but if lawmakers think the public wants to return to the 18th century, they should vote to outlaw fossil fuels right now and run for re-election on that record.

John A. Charles, Jr. is President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization.

Did you like this article? Contribute to Oregons premier public policy research organization online at CascadePolicy.org. Donations to Cascade Policy Institute are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
The U.S. side should completely cancel the wrong practice of "reciprocal tariffs" and return to the right path of resolving differences through mutual respect and equal dialogue, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday.

The U.S. side has released a memorandum exempting certain products such as computers, smartphones, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and integrated circuits from "reciprocal tariffs." China is assessing the related impact of this move, a spokesperson with the ministry said.

It should be noted that this is a small step for the U.S. side to correct its wrong practice of unilateral "reciprocal tariffs," which hasn't solved the United States' problems but seriously undermined the international economic and trade order, disrupted the normal production and operation of enterprises, and affected people's daily consumption, the spokesperson said.

China's position on China-U.S. economic and trade relations is consistent, the spokesperson said, adding that there is no winner in a trade war and no way out for protectionism.

China urges the U.S. side to take seriously the rational voices of the international community and domestic parties, and take a big step forward in correcting wrongdoings, the spokesperson said.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The morphology changes as stem cells progress to cancer cells. Credit: ACS Nano (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c14837

The powerful potential of nanotechnologies and AI to detect oral cancer earlier and more accurately has been revealed by a University of OtagoOtakou Whakaihu Waka study published in ACS Nano.

Researchers from the Faculty of Dentistry combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect changes in cancer cells at a very small scale.

Senior author Associate Professor Peter Mei says the pioneering method is a substantial advancement in cancer diagnostics.

"Combining the two technologies enabled us to detect nanoscale changes on the surface of cancer cells that may not be visible using traditional methods.

"This enhances the accuracy and reliability of cancer diagnosis, potentially enabling earlier detection, which is critical for improving patient treatment outcomes and advancing precision medicine."

Fluorescence images of normal and cancer cells (H400, SCC25, SCC4) (Blue: DAPI; Red: Actin; Green: Vimentin; Orange: Beta tubulin). Credit: ACS Nano (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c14837

The World Cancer Research Fund reported about 390,000 new cases of mouth and oral cancer globally, resulting in more than 188,000 deaths, in 2022. Lead author Dr. Simon Guan hopes to see more widespread use of this diagnostic method, which could become a key tool for doctors in the future.

"We would like to see efforts to make AFM technology more suitable for routine clinical testing. We hope it will lead to quicker, more accurate cancer diagnoses for a variety of cancers and better treatment options for patients.

"Furthermore, our findings may pave the way for a new cancer therapy based on the nano-physical properties of cancer cells," he says.

Associate Professor Mei says the study highlights the importance of innovation and collaboration across different fields, including dentistry, nanoscience, and AI. "Bringing together expertise from various disciplines can lead to groundbreaking discoveries that can improve health outcomes for people worldwide.

"This research shows how innovation in science can lead to better health care, particularly for detecting and treating cancer more effectively."

More information: Guangzhao Guan et al, Atomic Force Microscopy for Revealing Oncological Nanomechanobiology and Thermodynamics, ACS Nano (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c14837 Journal information: ACS Nano
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

Conservative people in America appear to distrust science more broadly than previously thought. Not only do they distrust science that does not correspond to their worldview, but also, compared to liberal Americans, their trust is also lower in fields that contribute to economic growth and productivity. Short interventions aimed at strengthening trust have little effect. This is apparent from new research by social psychologists at the University of Amsterdam, which has now been published in Nature Human Behavior.

Science helps solve major societal problems, such as pandemics and climate change. But if people do not trust scientists, they will be less likely to accept scientific solutions. "In America, but also in other countries, conservatives generally have lower trust in science," says one of the researchers involved, Bastiaan Rutjens. "Since the 1980s, trust of science among conservatives in America has even been plummeting."

Part of the explanation is that scientific findings do not align with conservatives' political or economic beliefs. "But science is also increasingly dismissed in some circles as a "leftist hobby," and universities as strongholds of the leftist establishment," Rutjens adds. The researchers wanted to gain more insight into how trust varies across scientific fields and whether short interventions could strengthen trust.

The researchers asked 7,800 Americans about their views on 35 different scientific professions, ranging from anthropologists to biologists and atomic physicists. They examined the differences between people who identified as conservative or liberal.

They then tested five interventions aimed at increasing trust in scientists specifically among conservatives. These interventions addressed the reasons why people may distrust science: its perceived misalignment with moral values or the idea that scientists are not part of their in-group. The interventions highlighted how scientific results were actually in line with conservative beliefs or showcased conservative scientists.

Less trust across all fields

Liberals were found to have more trust than conservatives in all 35 scientific professions that were examinednot just in fields that align with their priorities, such as climate change or inclusion, but also in areas focused on industry. However, the differences in levels of trust were not entirely uniform, with levels varying depending on the scientific field.

The gap was particularly large for climate scientists, medical researchers and social scientists. "This is likely because findings in these fields often conflict with conservative beliefs, such as a free-market economy or conservative social policies," Rutjens explains.

The trust gap was smaller in technical and applied disciplines, such as industrial chemistry. "These fields are more focused on economic growth and productivity," Rutjens adds. "But it remains striking that even here, conservatives show lower trust. Their distrust extends across science as a whole."

Another striking finding was that none of the five interventions succeeded in increasing conservatives' trust in scientists. Even when the message was well-aligned with their values, their attitude hardly changed. "This suggests that their distrust is deeply-rooted and not easily changed," says Rutjens.

Stronger interventions needed

Rutjens finds it difficult to predict how scientific distrust will evolve. "Extreme things are happening in America right now. But even here in the Netherlands we are seeing unprecedented discussions being held around science, sometimes accompanied by significant distrust."

As the new research shows, it is difficult to strengthen trust in science using quick interventions. "This does not mean it is impossible, but these short interventions do not work to make science more transparent and reliable for certain groups," Rutjens explains. "We need stronger interventions that make science truly personal. What can science contribute to your life, here and now?"

More information: Vukasin Gligoric et al, Political ideology and trust in scientists in the USA, Nature Human Behaviour (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02147-z Journal information: Nature Human Behaviour
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Romulus and Remus are the genetically modified gray wolves that Colossal Biosciences endowed with traits of the extinct dire wolf. Credit: Colossal Biosciences

Last week, Colossal Biosciences made global headlines when they announced that they had successfully brought the dire wolf back from extinction, or at least a version of one. Colossal's team used pieces of the genetic code they uncovered in ancient dire wolf DNA samples to alter the genome of a common gray wolf to resemble that of its long-extinct cousin. The resulting pups are not exact replicas of their ancestors, but have many of their most distinctive traits.

Beth Shapiro, who wrote the book on de-extinction while she was a professor at UC Santa Cruz and is currently serving as Colossal's Chief Science Officer, helped lead this milestone accomplishment.

"Ancient DNA is notoriously difficult to work with because it is often fragile and degraded, but paleogenomics has made tremendous leaps forward in the past 20 years, leading to the recent groundbreaking achievement of the world's first de-extinction with the birth of Colossal's dire wolves," Shapiro said.

"This amazing feat was possible because of Colossal's strong partnerships with academic institutions, like UC Santa Cruz, that have pioneered work in this field."

On April 11, a team of researchers from Colossal, UC Santa Cruz, Form Bio, and academic collaborators from around the globe, released a preprint on bioRxiv of some of the research that the team conducted on ancient dire wolf genomes. The new study introduces an improved method for reconstructing ancient genomes, using the Minigraph-Cactus pipeline and Giraffe tool developed at the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute. This new method allowed the team to discover a surprising ancestry.

Researchers knew from fossil remains that dire wolves were larger than modern gray wolves, with stronger jaw muscles that likely helped them specialize as hunters of large Ice Age mammals. The new study reveals that these distinct features come from a surprising mix of two ancient canid groups.

Roughly two-thirds of the dire wolf genome seems to originate from an ancestor of wolves and coyotes, while the remaining third comes from an ancient lineage related to South American dogs. This finding suggests that the dire wolf arose through interbreeding between distantly related lineages approximately 4 to 5 million years ago.

Interbreeding between species to create an entirely new species is known as "hybrid speciation," and scientists believed it to be an extremely rare way for evolution to work. These new findings about the ancestry of the dire wolf, combined with an earlier finding co-authored by UC Santa Cruz about the evolutionary origins of the Columbian mammoth, suggest that it might be more common than we thought.

Understanding the dire wolf's evolutionary history contributes to our knowledge of the factors that may have contributed to their eventual extinction, which could have benefits for conservation. Shapiro and Colossal's CEO, Ben Lamm, have argued that the technologies they are developing in the process of de-extinction will help rescue endangered plants and animals from a global extinction crisis that threatens to wipe away 3050% of the world's species in the next 25 years.

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The advanced paleogenomic techniques employed in this study also provide a roadmap for future research on other extinct species that will offer insights into broader patterns of evolution on Earth.

"Our newest paper builds on decades of ancient DNA research to present an improved method for reconstructing ancient genomes, which allowed us to discover a surprising evolutionary history hidden in dire wolf DNA," Shapiro said. "I'm excited to see what else it will allow us to discover in the future, and how this new knowledge will help us to conserve Earth's amazing biodiversity."

The UC Santa Cruz Paleogenomics Lab, a dedicated ancient DNA lab established by Shapiro and Bioengineering Professor Ed Green as part of the Genomics Institute, conducted all of the careful early work to set up the samples for the study, including preparing an ancient dire wolf incisor tooth and skull from two separate specimens, extracting the DNA, constructing genomics libraries, and conducting quality-control sequencing. This delicate work required the skilled attention of a team of UC Santa Cruz researchers, including Jonas Oppenheimer, Molly Cassatt-Johnstone, and William Seligmann.

"It is exciting to see how Colossal has made use of tools Beth Shapiro and others at UC Santa Cruz have been developing to study ancient DNA to accomplish a truly remarkable feat of genetic engineering," said Genomics Institute Executive Director Lauren Linton.

"It shows the incredible power that can result from collaborations between industry and academia, and I know that Beth is working hard to harness that power to benefit our planet at a time when it is in desperate need of that help. With the rate at which the field is advancing, I am sure that Colossal's dire wolves are only the beginning."

More information: Gregory Gedman et al, On the ancestry and evolution of the extinct dire wolf, bioRxiv (2025). DOI: 10.1101/2025.04.09.647074 Journal information: bioRxiv
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A study led by Professor Dan Lawrence, of Durham University in the UK, found that across 10 millennia, more unequal distributions of wealth correlated with longer-term human settlement. However, the team are keen to stress that one factor is not causally dependent on the other, giving hope that humankind's survival is not linked to ever-increasing inequality.

The research is part of a Special Feature of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, titled "Global Dynamics of Wealth Inequality."

Sustainability is defined by the UN as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The study investigated the relationship between the two key aspects of this definition: continuity and equality.

The team used data on house size from across the world, covering the last 10,000 years, analyzing records of over 47,500 homes across over 2,990 archaeological sites.

Differences in house size were used as a measure of inequality during different time periods. This data was then analyzed alongside information on the duration of occupation. In simple terms, how long people lived in a settlement before it was abandoned.

The findings revealed a correlation between the two measures  with more unequal settlements (as measured through house sizes) tending to persist for longer. However, this relationship was not found to be causal, and instead both factors rose with the increased scale and complexity of human systems.

The research team believe the findings could help inform interventions to improve future sustainability.

Speaking about the research, Professor Dan Lawrence, Department of Archaeology at Durham University said, "The UN definition of sustainability references our societies not only continuing to exist but becoming more equal.

"We wanted to understand the relationship between those two aspects and ask whether equality or inequality is historically more sustainable.

"What we found is that, as humankind's systems become larger and more complex, inequality has tended to increase alongside longer persistence. But the two are not mutually dependent, showing that humankind might be able to achieve sustainable persistence without the need for increased inequality.

"It is not the case that inequality is simply a necessary by-product of building complex, sustainable societies.

"We need to be aware of, and attentive to, the historical interplay between inequality and sustainability.

"At a time of ever-increasing wealth inequality and sustainability challenges, including climate change, the lessons from the past 10,000 years could be invaluable for helping us to achieve a more equal, truly sustainable future."

The study was authored by researchers from across Europe and the U.S., drawing on a database collected by archaeologists from across the world. It was published as part of a special feature which has examined the origins and drivers of inequality from multiple angles.

Each of the studies has utilized a specially compiled data set on house sizes across the world from the last 10,000 years, as well as information on societies across time, such as structures, hierarchies, agriculture etc.

Professor Dan Lawrence, Department of Archaeology, Durham, has also been co-author on eight other papers as part of this special feature.
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A farmer tending to a field of cabbages. A seed project is helping farmers in Rwanda adapt to challenges such as climate change and land constraints. Credit: Henry Joel / ISF

Small-scale farmers in Rwanda are enjoying bumper harvests of fruit and vegetables after trying out climate-proof seeds, according to project leaders.

The Seed Resilience Project, launched in 2023 by the International Seed Federation alongside the farming non-profit Fair Planet, Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture, and local seed companies, aims to enhance access to climate-resilient seeds and improve agricultural productivity.

Tomato production has risen to eight times the national average since farmers started testing adapted seeds, according to field trials data collected by Fair Planet in Rwanda.

Smallholder farmers are also benefiting from climate-resilient varieties of cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and peppers, which are being sold in local markets and exported.

Alon Haberfeld, technology and operations manager at Fair Planet, told SciDev.Net that the initiative is about selecting the best-performing seeds while refining agronomic practices to boost productivity.

"If the seed performs well, eventually other things can do well," said Haberfeld.

Seed data

Aphrodis Zirimwabagabo, an agronomist and extension officer with Fair Planet, says the project begins with nursery preparation, where researchers track germination rates and seedling performance.

The collected data is shared with seed companies to refine and improve seed quality.

According to Zirimwabagabo, farmers have tested more than 60 hybrid varietieswhere two or more plants have been bred to improve harvests or disease resistanceresulting in yields of up to five times higher than open-pollinated varieties (produced through natural cross-pollination or self-pollination with seeds of the same variety).

Michael Keller, secretary general of the International Seed Federation, told SciDev.Net that access to quality seeds remains a challenge due to inconsistent policies and the prevalence of counterfeit and uncertified seeds.

Speaking during a visit to smallholder farmers in southern Rwanda on the sidelines of the African Seed Trade Association congress in Kigali last month, he emphasized the importance of locally adapted seeds for improving yields.

"Without good quality seeds, you are doomed to fail," Keller said.

Haberfeld says the Seed Resilience Project builds on Fair Planet's earlier work in Ethiopia, where 75,000 farmers increased their vegetable yields.

In Rwanda, trials conducted in May 2024 showed significant improvements.

Cabbage yields increased from 1,400 kg to 7,000 kg per 0.1 hectare, while tomato yields rose more than eight times the national average, according to Fair Planet.

Keller told SciDev.Net that access to high-quality vegetable seeds can help address both food and nutrition insecurity.

However, with only 15 integrated seed companies in Africa running proper breeding programs, the availability of improved seeds remains limited.

"What we are starting here in Rwanda with our seed resilience initiative is about building partnerships and an enabling environment for seed testing, quality certification, and registering varieties," Keller added.

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'Reaping the fruits'

Uwamahoro Merceline, a smallholder farmer in eastern Rwanda, has embraced vegetable farming with the new varieties.

"With the training we get, we are now becoming more professional on our farms  and the yields are good," she said.

"Farming is my full-time job and it is encouraging when I see my crops do well.

"I am reaping the fruits and I can get enough money not just to feed and educate my children but also to save in our farmers' cooperative and I have even insured my crops."

The project helps farmers adapt to challenges including climate change and land constraints.

Felix Bonake, who grows tomatoes and French beans in a greenhouse, says he is no longer worried about droughts and the pressure on land as the population increases.

"The biggest challenge has been accessing good quality seeds but we are now getting them close here in our local agrovets," he said.

Keller stressed that vegetable farming provides opportunities for year-round cultivation, boosting farmers' incomes. But he says more investment is needed to support farmers in adopting improved seeds and agricultural techniques.

"This takes time," he told SciDev.Net. "It's about knowledge transfer, building a whole network, and ensuring quality control.

"Farmers who have never used improved seeds need to understand the added value and how to cultivate these varieties."

Provided by SciDev.Net
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As the federal government moves to eliminate U.S. climate rules, companies still face pressure to be better stewards of the planet from their customers, investors, employees, local communities, lenders, insurers, global trading partners and many states.

Each of those groups knows it will face increasing costs from rising temperatures and extreme weather if corporations don't rein in their greenhouse gas emissions.

Many companies will find that returning to past polluting ways isn't in their best interest. Over 60% of chief financial officers surveyed by global management firm Kearney in December 2024 signaled that they intended to invest at least 2% of their revenue in sustainability in 2025.

These companies may maintain a low profile about climate change while the Trump administration is in power, but they have strong financial incentives to continue to reduce their emissions and their own climate risks.

We study private environmental governancethe ways companies and organizations work outside government to improve the nation's sustainability and reduce environmental damage. Our work finds that, in this polarized era, addressing climate and sustainability challenges is not just a matter of government action. That's because a lot of climate and sustainability progress is underway in the private sector.

Sustainability matters to companies' bottom lines

Businesses have used climate and sustainability initiatives for years to make their operations and supply chains more efficient and to reduce their long-term costs.

When McDonald's faced public pressure to reduce waste in the late 1980s, the company teamed up with the Environmental Defense Fund to analyze the problem. It was able to reduce its waste by 30% over the following decade, saving the company US$6 million a year. This early risk-taking by McDonald's opened the door for other environmental groups to help businesses understand how to reduce their environmental impact, including emissions, while boosting the companies' profitability.

Maersk, the logistics giant responsible for nearly a quarter of global shipping, has responded to pressure from its corporate customers with a plan to reduce carbon emissions by one-third from 2022 to 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2045. It expects the combination of low-emissions vessels and a more efficient delivery network with hubs and shuttles to help meet its climate goals while increasing productivity.

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Companies have also helped drive the expansion of renewable energy, motivated by the competitive economics of renewables and business opportunities. Facebook's parent company Meta and Google invested nearly $2 billion in projects to provide renewable energy in the Tennessee Valley Authority service area, even though no government required them to do so. And major companies continued signing renewable energy power purchase agreements in 2025.

Microsoft and Amazon are responding to massive new power demand by trying to locate data centers near existing nuclear power plants for cleaner energy supplies.

Thousands of companies report emissions via private systems

Another sign of companies' continuing commitment to sustainability is how many of them measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions even when governments do not require them to do so.

Nearly 25,000 companies representing two-thirds of total global market capitalization and 85% of the S&P 500 report their emissions to the nonprofit CDP. Disclosing emissions is like keeping a fitness journal with a personal trainer. It helps a company track its progress and plan for future financial and environmental risks. More than 12,500 small- and medium-size companies also disclosed emissions to CDP in 2024.

Many of these companies were initially motivated by pressure from environmental groups or corporate customers. Today, they have more reason to continue paying attention to emissions.

California has its own formal reporting requirements designed to encourage companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. And other states are considering setting climate disclosure rules. The Trump administration has promised to challenge them, and announced that it also plans to cut federal greenhouse gas reporting standards, but companies will likely still face reporting rules in the future. The European Union also has reporting requirements. It delayed their start date in April 2025 to give companies more time to comply.

Cleaner supply chains can also be more efficient

Managing supply chains with climate and environmental risks in mind can also help businesses increase their efficiency and reduce the risk that climate change will disrupt their operations.

The supply chain is the largest source of the average company's emissions and may be particularly vulnerable to climate shocks. A storm can easily disrupt vital production or shipping, and droughts or heat waves can damage crops, stop work and increase costs. Companies estimate climate-related supply chain risks at $162 billion, nearly three times the cost of mitigating those risks. Many companies therefore have incentives to reduce emissions and their exposure to related hazards.

Nearly 80% of the largest companies across seven global economic sectors had set environmental requirements for suppliers within their value chains as of 2023. These requirements include reporting carbon emissions, reducing emissions and using sustainable forestry practices.

Walmart eliminated 1 billion tons of carbon emissions from its supply chain in less than seven years by sharing its expertise with suppliers and working with them to reduce their emissions. Walmart's global director of sustainable retail noted in 2024 that the effort made its suppliers more efficient, too.

Keeping employees and customers happy

Companies also face pressure from average peopleboth employees and customers.

More than two-thirds of Americans support action to address climate change. Even companies that are not consumer-facing need retail customer and employee support. Pro-climate actions have been found to improve employee and customer loyalty.

The outdoor clothing company Patagonia ranked third out of over 300 brands in a 2024 customer experience survey, in part because of its reputation for sustainable practices. Many of the over 10,000 respondents cited the company's sustainable practices as the leading reason for their support.

Many companies also face pressure from lenders and insurers who want to reduce climate risks to their own bottom lines. Dozens of insurers have committed to ending or restricting underwriting for new fossil fuel projects. Others use incentives, such as lower premiums for companies that reduce emissions or invest in climate adaptation.

Climate change may accelerate the current 5% to 7% annual increase in insured losses, according to estimates from insurer Swiss Re. That has led some insurance leaders to recommend insurance companies take bigger steps to reduce emissions through their investments and policy underwriting.

Private climate governance can help buy time

Media attention and interest group advocacy are often focused on government actions, but decisions made in boardrooms and through initiatives with nonprofits have created an important kind of private climate governance.

As companies respond to their own economic risks and incentives, they help buy time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change until the political system recognizes the financial risks posed to the entire country.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Ibn-al-shatir's lunar model from which Copernicus is reported to have borrowed in composing his cosmological model. Credit: This work is in the public domain in the United States. Source: https://www.ccvalg.pt/astronomia/historia/idade_media.htm (Wikipedia).

New research has revealed that the cosmological model developed by Nicolaus Copernicus, the renowned European Renaissance polymath, bears striking resemblance to the one designed by an Arab Muslim astronomer nearly two centuries earlier.

Copernicus, a Polish astronomer who lived in the 16th century, is believed to be one of the early European scientists to have put forward the theoretical model that the sun was the center of the solar system, defying the church and the accepted wisdom that the Earth was the center of the universe.

Copernicus's model is called sun-centered or heliocentric. In it, he challenges centuries-old science based on the teachings of Aristotle and Ptolemy, who thought the Earth was at rest at the center of the universe with other planets, including the sun, in its orbit.

The research conducted at the University of Sharjah is a comparative and analytical study which examines in parallel the writings of Copernicus in correlation with the works of the 14th century Muslim astronomer Ibn al-Shatir.

A recently completed Ph.D. thesis posted to the Sharjah University Library website, the research textually and critically analyzes the contributions of the two scientists to see where they concur or diverge in presenting their theories despite a historical gap of more than 200 years between them.

Dr. Salama Al-Mansouri, the research's author, places Ibn al-Shatir's cosmological model at the forefront of astronomical achievements in the Islamic scientific tradition. "Ibn al-Shatir was the first astronomer to have successfully challenged the Ptolemaic cosmological system of planets revolving around Earth and corrected the theory's inaccuracies about two centuries before Copernicus," says Dr. Salama.

The fact that Copernicus borrows from works of scientists and astronomers who preceded him is not new. However, the study highlights the significant similarities between Copernicus and Ibn al-Shatir, an engineer, mathematician and astronomer who was the timekeeper for the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria.

Table of geographical longitude and latitude in (a later reworking of) the astronomical handbook of Ulugh Beg, reputed as the legendary Islamic astronomer. Credit: Leiden University Libraries.

Correlating the two cosmological models, the study suggests Copernicus was heavily influenced by Ibn al-Shatir's astronomy and his ideas that the Earth and other solar planets orbit the sun.

"Ibn al-Shatir's astronomical manuscripts, particularly his work in Nihayat al-Sul, demonstrate planetary models that predate and closely mirror those later proposed by Copernicus, indicating a shared mathematical lineage," says Mesut Idriz, University of Sharjah's professor of history and Islamic civilization and one of the study's supervisors.

Nihayat al-sul fi tashih al-usul or "The Final Quest Concerning the Rectification of Principles" is Ibn al-Shatir's most influential and important astronomical treatise in which, according to the study, the Muslim scientist corrects and refines many of the Ptolemaic models of the sun, moon, and planets.

Prof. Idriz acknowledges the complexity of studies based on "historical astronomical manuscripts" as they need to combine a "unique intersection of expertiseastronomy, manuscript studies, and historiography. Muslim manuscript-based research is an intricate process that requires fluency in Arabic and Persian, the medium of writing for Muslim scientists."

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Interpreting medieval astronomical manuscripts is not an easy job as it demands methodological precision, tracing textual transmission, comparing mathematical formulations, and evaluating observational data. To surmount such a sophisticated multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Salama sought advice and assistance from the community of academics at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST), which has become a hub for renowned Arab and Muslim astronomers and scientists.

Dr. Salama conducts a critical textual analysis between Copernicus's most famous work De revolutionibus orbium coelestium or On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheresa landmark in the history of science, which triggered the so-called Copernican Revolutionand the astronomical manuscripts of Ibn al-Shatir, particularly his Nihayat al-sul fi tashih al-usul.

The study reveals compelling correlations, underscoring the pivotal role of manuscript translation and transmission in the evolution of heliocentric theory and the assessment of the role the unraveling of Muslim manuscripts can play in rectifying historical inaccuracies about the history of science.

A manuscript of Ibn al-Shatir (in Arabic) with tables showing movements of starts per years, months and days. Credit: The Leiden University Libraries.

On the importance of the correlations between the work of Copernicus and that of Ibn al-Shatir, Mashhoor Al-Wardat, professor of astrophysics at SAASST, says, "The striking similarity between the planetary models developed by Ibn al-Shatir and Copernicus, particularly those concerning the orbits of Mercury and the moon, provides clear evidence of Copernicus's reliance on Ibn al-Shatir's work This raises profound questions about the transmission of knowledge from Islamic civilization to Europe and about the roots of modern astronomy."

Dr. Salama provides an overview of Arabic manuscripts and their Latin translations in European archives in Krakow in Poland, and the Vatican, where Copernicus made his most outstanding contribution to astronomy. She finds that Ibn al-Shatir's treatise Nihayat al-sul fi tashih al-usul was among the archives. She goes on, "Though in its original Arabic version, the manuscript could not have escaped the attention of a scholar like Copernicus."

The study provides no definitive proof that Copernicus had read Iban al-Shatir's works as there were no Latin translations of Ibn al-Shatir's writings accessible to the researcher. However, the research posits that the Polish astronomer most probably had access to Ibn al-Shatir's ideas through "intermediary channels" given the strong resemblance between their interpretations and mathematical calculations of planets orbiting the sun.

The textual parallels between the two astronomers, according to the study, are most noticeable in "the identical calculations and results  imply(ing) that Copernicus may have adapted Ibn al-Shatir's techniques" in developing "his philosophical shift to heliocentrism" a model which the study admits was Copernicus's own invention.

However, the study sheds light on areas where Copernicus's theory draws directly on Ibn al-Shatir. It mentions the lunar model in which the Muslim astronomer used epicycles to correct Ptolemy's exaggerated lunar distance variations.

"This is nearly identical to Copernicus's lunar model in De Revolutionibus," the study notes. "Both reduced the lunar distance fluctuation from Ptolemy's factor of two to a more accurate range, relying on similar geometric constructions.

"For Mercury and the inner planets, Copernicus's use of secondary epicycles and the Tusi-couple-like mechanism echoes Ibn al-Shatir's approach. Ibn al-Shatir's Mercury model, with its multiplication of epicycles to eliminate eccentrics, reappears in Copernicus's work."

A page from Nihayat al-sul fi tashih al-usul or "The Final Quest Concerning the Rectification of Principles" which Ibn al-Shatir's most influential and important astronomical treatise. Credit: The Leiden University Libraries.

Ibn al-Shatir is also celebrated for his Tusi-couple, a mathematical technique and an innovative mathematical device in which he employs additional epicycles to eliminate the equanta problematic feature of Ptolemy's system.

The Tusi-couple derives its name from Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, a 13th century Muslim polymath whose writings show the most accurate tables in antiquity of planetary motions, an updated planetary model, as well as penetrating critiques of Ptolemaic astronomy.

Ibn al-Shatir's use of the Tusi-couple to simulate linear motion influenced Copernicus, who produced similar adjustments, though Copernicus applied them within a heliocentric framework, the study notes.

Writes the study's author, "Both astronomers (Copernicus and Ibn al-Shatir) replaced Ptolemy's equant with additional circular motions, achieving uniform motion without an artificial reference point.

"Ibn al-Shatir's solar model, with a new eccentricity and epicycles yielding a maximum solar equation of 2;2,6, parallels Copernicus's solar calculations. This suggests Copernicus may have adopted Ibn al-Shatir's numerical tables or methods, adapting them to his sun-centered system."

Asked whether she thinks Copernicus loaned at least parts of his theory from Ibn al-Shatir, Dr. Salama adds, "Our analysis reveals that Ibn al-Shatir's treatise, though geocentric in intent, produced results so aligned with heliocentrism that Copernicus's debt to him is undeniabletwo centuries of separation could not erase this intellectual kinship."

The research findings apparently seek to rectify what the author perceives as a historical oversight by Western scholars, who are frequently alleged in current Arab and Muslim science literature to have mostly Eurocentric tendencies, marginalizing the contributions of Muslim astronomers like Ibn al-Shatir in favor of European figures like Copernicus.

Kitab al-tafhom li-awaill sinaat al-tanjim or Comprehensive introduction to the principles of astrology, a question-and-answer format about astrologer: geometry, arithmetic, and number theory, by the famous Islamic astronomer Biruni. Reference: Or 8349. Credit: Public domain, Qatar Digital Library: https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100022596633.0x000001/manifest

The study is of significant implications to the history of science in the Middle Ages and the European Renaissance. By demonstrating parallels between Ibn al-Shatir's and Copernicus's work, the study challenges this Eurocentric narrative that the heliocentric revolution was a solely European achievement.

In the meantime, it underscores the Islamic Golden Age's role in laying mathematical and observational foundations, prompting historians to reconsider the global flow of scientific knowledge.

The research goes as far as highlighting the need to update science curricula to reflect a more inclusive history, acknowledging contributions from non-Western scholars.

Of the significance of the study, Prof. Hamid al-Naimiy, a renowned astronomer and the research's main supervisor, said, "This study is a clarion call to rewrite the history of astronomy, ensuring that the brilliance of Muslim scholars like Ibn al-Shatir stands alongside Copernicus in our collective narrative of scientific progress."

Asked about his opinion of Ibn al-Shatir's cosmological model, Prof al-Naimiy, who is also Sharjah University's Chancellor and SAASST's director, said the Muslim astronomer was a pioneer in Islamic scientific tradition and his treatise "shows that he dismantled the Ptolemaic model and corrected its flaws two centuries before Copernicus. This work emphasizes the significant contributions of our heritage to global astronomy."

Dr. Salama says, "Ibn al-Shatir's empirical refinements within a geocentric framework, paralleled by Copernicus's adaptation, illustrate how incremental improvements can precede paradigm shifts," adding that her research "offers a model for modern science, where foundational work in one context can catalyze breakthroughs in another."

More information: Salama, Al-Mansouri. The Latest on the heliocentric theory as explained by Ibn al-Shater and Copernicus: a comparative analytical study (2025). Dissertation: library.sharjah.ac.ae/record=b1762931
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Concept illustration of a classroom in the Philippines. Credit: Nicole Smith, made with Midjourney

A major policy change in early education in the Philippines led to an unexpected drop in test scores and academic achievementrevealing the challenges that even well-intentioned reforms can have and the importance of wisely investing in the first years of learning.

The "natural experiment" came about in 2012, when the Philippine government introduced the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education program, which required public schools to teach kindergarten through Grade 3 students in a native language chosen from a list of 19 languages spoken across the country.

While the policy was well-intentioned, seeking to expand the use of local languages, it unexpectedly led to a decline in the overall quality of education across the country, a new University of Michigan study finds.

The study, available as a working paper by Dean Yang, professor of public policy and economics, and Thomas Lloyd, doctoral student in economics, explores the longer-term effects of this policy. They found switching the curriculum's language of instruction was associated with gaps in teacher preparation and available materials, which significantly affected students' test scores and overall longer-term academic outcomes.

Yang and Lloyd leveraged the natural experiment created by the new policy: Unlike most studies focused on targeted preschool interventions, they were able to examine how a large-scale, nationwide change in education quality during the early years of mainstream schooling plays out.

The researchers exploited the linguistic composition of schools' student bodies before the policy was implemented to predict which schools were most affected and to isolate the effect of the policy from potential selection bias.

Although the Philippines has 184 distinct spoken languages, Tagalog and English were the primary languages of instruction. When the policy rolled out, some schools chose to stick with Tagalog, forming the control group for the study. Other schools, however, switched to a language other than Tagalog, making them the treatment group.

Specifically, they found students in treatment schools experienced significant declines in their Grade 6 test scores across all subjects, and by 2020eight years after the policy was implementedcompleted one-third fewer years of schooling as compared to students who continued to receive education in Tagalog.

Students who attended schools with instruction in a new language experienced worse educational outcomes than their peers in schools with instruction in Tagalog. To explain this decline, the researchers point to the fact that, before the policy, teachers were trained in Tagalog and English, and classrooms were well-equipped with resources in those languages.

The switch to a new language of instruction created disruption and was associated with implementation challenges, such as gaps in teacher preparation and available learning materials. That ultimately affected students' success.

The work, the researchers say, highlights the importance of evaluating policies, particularly in early education. They add the findings serve as a cautionary tale applicable beyond the Philippines.

"From a policy standpoint, our study highlights the critical importance of maintaining and improving the quality of early education," Yang and Lloyd wrote in the study. "The substantial long-term costs associated with even temporary declines in educational quality suggest that policymakers should exercise extreme caution when implementing reforms that could potentially disrupt early learning environments."

More information: Thomas Lloyd et al, The Long Shadow of Early Education: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in the Philippines (2025). DOI: 10.3386/w33600
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

When West Virginia recently banned seven artificial food dyes in products to be sold within their borders, they joined an increasing number of individual U.S. states issuing their own regulations about food manufacturing practices, allowable ingredients, or product labeling. Consequently, food manufacturers must decide how to deal with different requirements in multiple markets.

A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines the various ways manufacturers respond to state regulations and what drives their choices.

"States have a lot of power constitutionally to protect the health and well-being of their citizens. However, a state-level food regulation approach can lead to a complex patchwork of regulations. That creates challenges for food manufacturers that sell their products across state lines. We wanted to examine how firms adhere to different rules across markets," said Maria Kalaitzandonakes, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE), part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois.

Kalaitzandonakes and co-author William Ridley, assistant professor in ACE, developed a modeling framework outlining potential responses, then consulted with food manufacturers to ensure their model aligned with actions producers were actually taking to address policy changes.

"Food manufacturing is an important industry in Illinois and across the country," Ridley said. "After developing our model, we asked several food manufacturers about how they were responding to a variety of state laws, and we were excited to see that our model did a good job explaining firm strategies."

The researchers identified four options food manufacturers selected in response to state food regulations: First, manufacturers can update their product to comply with the strictest standards and sell the new version across markets. Second, they can maintain two separate versions of the productone sold to the regulated state or region and one for the rest of the country. Third, they can remove their product from the stricter market altogether and sell their original product in the remaining states. Finally, they may ignore the regulations and continue selling the original product with the potential for legal consequences.

Which response a firm chooses will depend on a number of factors, including the cost of compliance, the size of the market of the regulating state, the cost and likelihood of penalties, and consequences for consumer demand. The researchers applied their model to three different case studies, examining manufacturers' responses in each scenario.

In 2014, Vermont implemented a law that required mandatory labeling of genetically modified ingredients. Most firms created one version of their product, which met Vermont's requirements, to be sold across the country. However, because Vermont is a smaller market, some producers chose to exit the state temporarily, until they had made production changes to comply with the law.

In 2019, Illinois enacted a law requiring allergen labeling for products containing sesame. Because the consequences of non-compliance with the law were minimal, some firms ignored the requirement.

The third case study addressed California's recent ban on four food additives, which was enacted in 2023 and will take full effect in 2027. California's market size makes stopping sales to the state unlikely for most firms. Keeping separate production and distribution lines would be complicated and costly.

For most firms, reformulating products to comply with the law and selling the new products nationwide was the optimal course of action. However, this strategy becomes more complex as more state regulation on food additivesincluding West Virginia's recent expansion on food dyesproliferates, the researchers note.

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"When multiple states legislate on a similar issue but the rules are not harmonized, the complexity is likely to increase dramatically. When state laws differfor example in the ingredients covered, the exemptions, and the timelinesthis can create additional hurdles and uncertainty for firms trying to comply with the rules," Ridley said.

Sometimes, state regulation leads to eventual federal government involvement. For example, Congress passed both a national mandate to label genetically modified ingredients in food and expanded allergen labeling regulations to include sesame. This is an expected outcome, as the federal government is tasked with easing interstate commerce.

"State regulation can be a powerful motivator for federal regulation. We're increasingly seeing advocacy for changes to food regulation at the state level, both to change firm behavior and to drive changes to national regulation," Kalaitzandonakes said.

More information: Maria Kalaitzandonakes et al, Food Manufacturers' Decision Making Under Varying State Regulation, Journal of Food Distribution Research (2025)
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New dinosaur footprints dubbed Ruopodosaurus clava were made by armored ankylosaurid dinosaurs. While the exact species that made these footprints is unknown, it was likely similar to Gobisaurus or Jinyunpelta, both known from China. Credit: Sydney Mohr.

For the first time, footprints of armored dinosaurs with tail clubs have been identified, following discoveries made in the Canadian Rockies. The 100-million-year-old fossilized footprints were found at sites at both Tumbler Ridge, BC, and northwestern Alberta.

There are two main groups of ankylosaurs. Nodosaurid ankylosaurs have a flexible tail and four toes, while ankylosaurid ankylosaurs have a sledgehammer-like tail club, and only three toes on their feet.

Unlike the well-known ankylosaur footprints called Tetrapodosaurus borealis found across North America, which have four toes, these new tracks have only threemaking them the first known examples of ankylosaurid ankylosaur footprints anywhere in the world. The expert team named the new species of this ankylosaurid ankylosaur Ruopodosaurus clava.

It means "the tumbled-down lizard with a club/mace," referencing both the mountainous location in which these tracks were discovered and the distinctive tail clubs of these dinosaurs.

A research team including Dr. Victoria Arbour, the curator of paleontology at the Royal BC Museum, alongside researchers from the Tumbler Ridge Museum and the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark, report their findings in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Ruopodosaurus hand and footprints from Tumbler Ridge: Ruopodosaurus footprints from Tumbler Ridge. Credit: V. Arbour/C. Helm.

"While we don't know exactly what the dinosaur that made Ruopodosaurus footprints looked like, we know that it would have been about 5-6 meters long, spiky and armored, and with a stiff tail or a full tail club," says Arbour, an evolutionary biologist and vertebrate paleontologist who specializes in the study on ankylosaurs.

"Ankylosaurs are my favorite group of dinosaurs to work on, so being able to identify new examples of these dinosaurs in British Columbia is really exciting for me."

Dr. Charles Helm, scientific advisor at the Tumbler Ridge Museum, had noted the presence of several of these three-toed ankylosaur trackways around Tumbler Ridge for several years, and invited Arbour to work together to identify and interpret them during a visit in 2023.

Eamon Drysdale, curator at the Tumbler Ridge Museum, Roy Rule, geoscientist at the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark, and the late Martin Lockley, formerly of the University of Colorado, contributed to the study.

The tracks date back to the middle of the Cretaceous period, about 100 to 94 million years ago. No bones from ankylosaurids have been found in North America from about 100 to 84 million years ago, leading to some speculation that ankylosaurids had disappeared from North America during this time.

Calla Scott and Teague Dickson consolidating the Ruopodosaurus holotype before molding in August 2024: Royal BC Museum fossil preparator Calla Scott and former University of Victoria MSc student Teague Dickson apply consolidants to the type specimen of Ruopodosaurus before making a silicone mold in August 2024. Credit: RBCM

Paleontologists from the Tumbler Ridge Museum and Royal BC Museum created a silicone mold of the type specimen of Ruopodosaurus in August 2024. From left to right, Eamon Drysdale (Tumbler Ridge Museum curator). Credit: Royal BC Museum

Victoria Arbour with Ruopodosaurus holotype in the field in August 2023: Victoria Arbour (Royal BC Museum) with the type specimen of Ruopodosaurus still in the field at Wolverine River in August 2023. Credit: Royal BC Museum

These footprints show that tail-clubbed ankylosaurs were alive and well in North America during this gap in the skeletal fossil record. The discovery also shows that the two main types of ankylosaursnodosaurids and ankylosaurids, including this new three-toed speciescoexisted in the same region during this time.

"Ever since two young boys discovered an ankylosaur trackway close to Tumbler Ridge in the year 2000, ankylosaurs and Tumbler Ridge have been synonymous. It is really exciting to now know through this research that there are two types of ankylosaurs that called this region home, and that Ruopodosaurus has only been identified in this part of Canada," says Helm.

"This study also highlights how important the Peace Region of northeastern BC is for understanding the evolution of dinosaurs in North Americathere's still lots more to be discovered," says Arbour.

This find gives us a new piece of the puzzle about the ancient creatures that once roamed what is now Canada.

More information: A new thyreophoran ichnotaxon from British Columbia, Canada confirms the presence of ankylosaurid dinosaurs in the mid Cretaceous of North America, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2025). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2451319 Journal information: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
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China's total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year, official data showed on Monday.

According to the General Administration of Customs, China's exports during the period rose 6.9 percent to 6.13 trillion yuan (about 850.1 billion U.S. dollars) while imports fell 6 percent to 4.17 trillion yuan.
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Built at the DOE SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), the world's largest digital camera is now installed on NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Simonyi Survey Telescope and is nearly ready to capture the greatest astronomical movie ever made. Credit: RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA/F. Munoz

High up on the top of Cerro Pachon in northern Chile, NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is nearing completion. At the heart of the facility, a pivotal moment in the project's scientific adventure is unfolding. After more than 20 years of meticulous research and development, and weeks of testing, the LSST Camera has been successfully installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope.

The teams breathe a collective sigh of relief. The world's largest digital camera, built at the DOE SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), is now in place, and the anticipation of capturing the first images for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) is palpable. The greatest astronomical movie ever made is about to begin.

Well, almost.

Starting up such a sophisticated camera is far more complicated than pressing a simple "on/off" button. Creating the greatest astronomical film in history takes time, patience, and a commitment to precision. Every detail must be double-checked, and every system must meet its exact specifications before proceeding.

Unlike in the past stages of construction, the camera team now operates five meters (16.4 feet) above the ground, securely harnessed to a small platform that supports no more than 125 kilograms (275 pounds). Their movements are limited by the camera's rotation and the telescope's mirrors, positioned just inches away. What might seem like a simple hose connection becomes an entirely new challenge under these conditions.

The LSST Camera is about to undergo a series of critical steps. The first one is to create a vacuum inside the cryostat, a container designed to maintain extremely low temperatures, positioned in the middle of the camera. The cryostat houses the camera's complex electronic systems and its mosaic of 189 charge-coupled device (CCD) science sensors. These sensors are designed to capture images of the night sky with exceptional precision, with each image made up of 3,200 megapixels.

With his hands inside the camera, working to connect the vacuum system, Stuart Marshall, camera operations scientist and staff scientist at SLAC, explains, "The vacuum is crucial to insulate the camera's electronics from temperature changes. Once we've ensured a stable vacuum, we'll activate the refrigeration system which will cool the cryostat to very low temperatures."

The electronics generate about 1 kilowatt of heat during operation, roughly equivalent to the output of a small electric heater. This heat must be removed from the vacuum chamber to prevent overheating. "We want the camera's electronics to be between -20C and -5C (-4F and 23F) to maintain a safe operating temperature. So we need to pull that heat out. And we do it by pumping a fluid at -50C (-58F) through the cooling system."

On a small platform five meters (16.4 feet) above the ground, wedged between the LSST camera and the telescope, Stuart Marshall, camera operations scientist and staff scientist at SLAC, is working to connect the LSST camera's vacuum system. Credit: RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA/Y. Utsumi

Meanwhile, the CCDs themselves must be cooled to -100C (-148F). This temperature ensures optimal performance and helps prevent unwanted heat from interfering with the sensitive electronics and degrading the quality of the images. These sensors have their own dedicated cooling system, which will only be activated once the electronic cooling system is stable.

Once these critical steps are completed, the teams will power on the CCDs and test the control and data acquisition systems to ensure the camera communicates properly with the computers. The camera will then be fully operational.

"Building the camera was never routine and we still have new challenges and problems to solve," explains Marshall. "But now, as we're getting ready for the first images, we are transferring the knowledge to the observing specialists and commissioning scientists who shadow our work and often drive the start-up, with supervision. It's really exciting!"

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A few meters away, on the scaffold next to the camera, Yijung Kang, observing specialist and postdoctoral researcher at SLAC, is ready to operate the vacuum system. "All the observing team is really excited to prepare for operations. We are now working closely with the other teams, preparing tests and procedures to ensure the successful launch of our decade-long science mission."

The work is methodical and demanding, and involves interconnected systems that require a comprehensive understanding of the entire camera. Experts in vacuum systems, cooling, and electronics play a critical role in the process. It is not enough to be an expert in one specific areaone must have a deep, holistic knowledge of the camera. Every system, every component, every adjustment must be carefully anticipated to ensure perfect operation.

Yousuke Utsumi, camera operations scientist and associate professor at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, knows the team is up to the challenge. "The work on the camera is progressing well, and we are confident that any issues that come up, even the most unexpected ones, will be resolved."

In just a few weeks, once these critical steps are completed and the CCDs are activated, another breathtaking moment will come: The camera's lens cap will be removed. "It is just like any standard camera lens cap, but this one is five and a half feet wide, and we will use a crane to lift it," says Utsumi. Then starlight will pour into the LSST Camera for the very first time.

At this point, the observing specialists will take control. They will select the portion of the sky to observe, point the telescope, and run the computer program that will capture the first photons. Shortly after, the first images of the sky will be displayed on three giant screens in the control room, marking the beginning of an extraordinary cinematic adventure.

Just like a director meticulously fine-tuning the first shots of a film, the teams will spend a few more weeks refining the telescope and the camera, perfecting focus and optical alignment, capturing calibration images, ensuring smooth and stable operation, and preparing for any potential technical issues. Only then will the greatest astronomical film ever made officially begin.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A little over 5 million years ago, water from the Atlantic Ocean found a way through the present-day Strait of Gibraltar. According to this theory, oceanic water rushed faster than a speeding car down a kilometer-high slope towards the empty Mediterranean Sea, excavating a skyscraper-deep trough on its way.

The Med was, at the time, a largely dry and salty basin, but so much water poured in that it filled up in just a couple of yearsmaybe even just a few months. At its peak, the flood discharged about 1,000 times the water of the modern-day Amazon river.

At least, that's the thesis one of us put forward in a 2009 study of an underwater canyon excavated along the Strait of Gibraltar, which he presumed to have been carved out by this massive flood. If correct, (and some scientists do dispute the theory), the so-called Zanclean megaflood would be the largest single flood recorded on Earth.

But extraordinary claims like this require extraordinarily solid evidence. Our latest research investigates sedimentary rock from the Zanclean era that seems to record how the water surged through a gap between modern-day Sicily and mainland Africa to refill the eastern half of the Mediterranean.

How scientists tracked down the megaflood

Our finding is the latest twist in a story that began in the late 19th century. That's when geologists studying salt-rich rock outcrops around the Mediterranean became increasingly aware that something unusual had happened between roughly 5 and 6 million years ago, well before the glaciations of recent ice ages: the sea had dried up. They named that age "Messinian" and the drying up eventually became known as the Messinian salinity crisis.

In the 1970s, scientists for the first time drilled deep below the Mediterranean into sedimentary rocks from the Messinian age. They made three surprising discoveries. First, they found a massive layer of saltkilometers thickbelow much of the seafloor. This confirmed that a vast environmental change had happened about 6 million years ago, just when tectonic plates shifted and the sea became largely isolated from the Atlantic Ocean.

Second, right above this salt layer, they found sediment with fossils from shallow, low-salt lakes. This suggested that the Mediterranean Sea dropped to more than a kilometer below today's level, and as most of the water evaporated, salt was left behind. A series of lakes would have remained in the lowest parts of the basin, refreshed and kept relatively salt-free by streams. This interpretation was also supported by seismic surveys of the seabed which revealed rivers once cut through a dry landscape.

And third, the rocky layers above the salt abruptly shifted back to more typical deep sea sediment. (We now know that less than 11% of Mediterranean marine species survived the crisis, showing just how big and lasting the impact was on life in the sea). The term Zanclean Flood was coined in the 1970s to refer to the end of the crisis, without scientists really knowing what it consisted of or the timescale taken to refill the dry Mediterranean basin.

Events proposed to have occurred in the Mediterranean between 6 and 5.3 million years ago.

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A cataclysmic refill

The next breakthrough came in 2009, when geophysical data for the planned Africa-Europe tunnel through Gibraltar suggested that a huge underwater trench between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea must have been created by a sudden and cataclysmic flood.

Our latest research backs up this hypothesis. As part of a team led by Maltese seabed scientist Aaron Micallef, we explored the region where the flood water filling the western basin of the Mediterranean should have run into a ridge of higher land connecting modern-day Africa and Italy, known as the Sicily Sill. Was there any evidence, we wondered, of a second megaflood as the eastern Mediterranean filled up?

Piecing together the puzzle

Giovanni Barreca, one of our co-authors on the recent paper, grew up in southern Sicily. He long ago realized that the low hills near the coast are an extension of the Sicily Sill over which the megaflood must have progressed from west to east. The area, he thought, might contain clues.

Our team visited this part of Sicily and noticed that the hills were indeed unusual. Their aligned and streamlined shapes separated by deeply eroded depressions are very similar to streamlined hills in Washington state in the US. Those Washington hills were carved out by a megaflood at the end of the last ice age when the vast Lake Missoula dammed up behind a glacier and emptied catastrophically.

If those hills and depressions in Sicily were also shaped by a huge flood, then rock debris eroded from the base of the depressions should be found dumped on top of the hills, more than 5 million years later.

Sure enough, we did find jumbled and contorted rock debris up to boulder size along the crest of the hills. They were the same types of rock found within the depressions as well as further inland.

To double check our work, we developed a computer simulation (or "model") of how flood waters might have crossed one part of the Sicily Sill. It showed that the flood flow would indeed mimic the direction of the streamlined hills.

In fact, the model showed that the hills would have been carved out by water 40 meters or more deep, traveling at 115 kilometers per hour (71mph). In the one area we modeled, 13 million cubic meters of water per second would have flooded into the eastern Mediterranean basin (for reference: the Amazon today is about 200,000 cubic meters per second). Remarkably, this is still only a fraction of the water that first flowed through Gibraltar and then into the eastern Mediterranean basin near Sicily.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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NASAs IMAP mission was loaded into NASA Marshalls XRCF thermal vacuum chamber where the spacecraft will undergo testing such as dramatic temperature changes to simulate the harsh environment of space. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

On March 18, NASA's IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) arrived at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for thermal vacuum testing at the X-ray and Cryogenic Facility, which simulates the harsh conditions of space.

The IMAP mission is a modern-day celestial cartographer that will map the solar system by studying the heliosphere, a giant bubble created by the sun's solar wind that surrounds our solar system and protects it from harmful interstellar radiation.

Testing performed in the X-ray and Cryogenic Facility will help to assess the spacecraft before its journey toward the sun. The IMAP mission will orbit the sun at a location called Lagrange Point 1 (L1), which is about 1 million miles from Earth toward the sun.

From this location, IMAP can measure the local solar wind and scan the distant heliosphere without background from planets and their magnetic fields. The mission will use its suite of 10 instruments to map the boundary of the heliosphere, analyze the composition of interstellar particles that make it through, and investigate how particles change as they move through the solar system.

Furthermore, IMAP will maintain a continuous broadcast of near-real-time space weather data from five instruments aboard IMAP that will be used to test new space weather prediction models and improve our understanding of effects impacting our human exploration of space.

While inside the Marshall facility, the spacecraft will undergo dramatic temperature changes to simulate the environment during launch, on the journey toward the sun, and at its final orbiting point.

The testing facility has multiple capabilities including a large thermal vacuum chamber which simulates the harsh conditions of space such as extreme temperatures and the near-total absence of an atmosphere. Simulating these conditions before launch allows scientists and engineers to identify successes and potential failures in the design of the spacecraft.

"The X-ray and Cryogenic Facility was an ideal testing location for IMAP given the chamber's size, availability, and ability to meet or exceed the required test parameters including strict contamination control, shroud temperature, and vacuum level," said Jeff Kegley, chief of Marshall's Science Test Branch.

The facility's main chamber is 20 feet in diameter and 60 feet long, making it the 5th largest thermal vacuum chamber at NASA. It's the only chamber that is adjoined to an ISO 6 cleanrooma controlled environment that limits the number and size of airborne particles to minimize contamination.

The IMAP mission will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, no earlier than September.

Provided by NASA
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Cut through a protein: Look inside the HilD Regulator and the binding site for the pathoblocker. The discovered substance C26 (blue) bound to the HilD regulator and acting as pathoblocker. Credit: Leon Kokkoliadis/CMFI, University of Tubingen

Pathogenic Salmonella injects effector proteins into the cells of the gastrointestinal tract to penetrate and multiply within them. The bacteria are usually ingested with contaminated food. They can cause serious gastrointestinal inflammation and even systemic infections.

Now, an international research team led by Professor Samuel Wagner of the University of Tubingen Cluster of Excellence Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) has discovered a substance that can stop the process of infection early on.

The synthetic substance C26 inhibits the injection of effector proteins, and it could be developed into a drug for combating Salmonella infections in humans and animals. The discovery has been published in the journal Science Advances.

Salmonella has developed multiple resistance mechanisms to antibiotics that inhibit its growth or kill the bacteria. As a result, alternative treatment is urgently needed. Pathoblockers present such an alternative. The discovered substance acts early, before the bacteria penetrate the tissues, by specifically targeting and disrupting the infectious mechanisms of the pathogen.

"As a medication, it has a very specific and targeted effect against Salmonella. According to today's knowledge, the probability would therefore be much lower that Salmonella would acquire resistance against these substances from other bacteria," says Wagner.

A detailed view of the interior of a protein. The identified pathoblocker C26 (blue) has been shown to bind to the HilD-Regulator. The figure also illustrates the protein structure as predicted by AlphaFold (black). Credit: Leon Kokkoliadis/CMFI, University of Tubingen

Targeting the central regulator

While attacking their target tissue in the gastrointestinal tract, Salmonella set in motion secretion systems that rely on several (transcriptional) regulators.

"Among these regulators, one named HilD has a central role in the entry of Salmonella into the host cell. We were able to find a suitable target within the structure of HilD to identify new drug candidates," says Dr. Abdelhakim Boudrioua of the CMFI Cluster of Excellence and first author of the study.

In order to transmit signals for protein synthesis, the regulators must bind highly specifically to other regulators and DNA and trigger further reactions. It turns out that HilD has a druggable pocket. On a molecular level, it can be imagined as an intricately shaped, three-dimensional pocket.

The researcher explains that the discovered substances fit precisely in this pocket, and as a result, disrupt the function of the regulator. In this way, the process of infection can be stopped, he continues.

The research team screened large compound libraries for potential candidates.

"We were able to identify C26 as a promising substance. We then proceeded with an extensive analysis of its mode of action and its precise binding site on the structure of HilD," says Boudrioua.

Numerous tests of the efficiency of C26 in disrupting infection followed; for example, by proving that the inhibitor interferes with the pathogenicity of bacteria hiding inside macrophagesthe cells of the immune system of the host.

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"According to our results, C26 could stop the process of Salmonella infection early on at the central regulator HilD. It seems to have a specific effect on the pathogen and does not disturb the beneficial human microbiome," says Boudrioua. "We now have a suitable precursor for further drug development."

"The discovery impressively underlines how our excellent basic research at the University of Tubingen produces innovative solutions for urgent medical problems," adds Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. (Doshisha) Karla Pollmann, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tubingen.

Still, Wagner says the route to treating Salmonella infections with pathoblockers such as HilD inhibitors is long. Aside from human use, these treatments could also be developed for veterinary medicine, particularly for poultry. The efforts could be worth it. Unlike antibiotics, which also damage the patients' useful intestinal bacteria in many ways, Wagner says specific pathoblockers are not expected to have any negative effects on the body and its own microbiome.

More information: Abdelhakim Boudrioua et al, Discovery of synthetic small molecules targeting the central regulator of Salmonella pathogenicity, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adr5235 Journal information: Science Advances
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In Antalya, Turkey, in the early hours of March 27, 2025, Pikachu was spotted fleeing the police, making a getaway as fast as his short yellow legs could waddle.

The person dressed as the popular Pokemon character had been objecting to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, whose political party later posted on X, "Pepper spray, which even affects Pikachu, won't do anything to you or me! #ResistPikachu."

At the same time, the internet was having a field day with another stalwart of Japanese anime, deploying generative AI to infuse famous memes, family portraits and movie scenes with a patina of cuteness by recasting them in the style of the Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli.

Never mind that Studio Ghibli director and founder Hayao Miyazaki famously denounced AI-generated art as "an insult to life itself." Both the Pikachu protester and the viral Studio Ghibli-esque animations demonstrate the global appeal of cuteness.

But to me, there's more to cute than its ability to go viral.

Cuteness can be used politically. It can highlight injustices against the vulnerable, and it can boost support of the underdog.

It's a form of soft power in the truest sense of the term.

Asia embraces the cute

As a Taiwanese American, I've been a lifelong fan of the cuteness that's part of East Asian cultures: cute cartoon characters, cute stationery and even cute-looking food.

Now I study cuteness: what makes something "cute," and how it operates in culture and politics.

Many well-known, cute, pop culture characters and products can be traced to Japan, particularly after World War II, when Japanese animationknown as animeand a style of Japanese comics called manga became popular.

Their narratives and aesthetics spoke to a country still reeling from devastation wrought by the atomic bombs and the humiliation of U.S. occupation.

Anime and manga imagined both dystopian and utopian futures, using stories that were nostalgic, upsetting, or a blend of both to process collective trauma.

In many cases, cute characters guided viewers and readers through grief, guilt and loss. For example, the manga "Barefoot Gen" details the adventures of 6-year-old Gen after he survives the bombing of Hiroshima. Likewise, Studio Ghibli's "Grave of the Fireflies" tells the story of two young siblings, Seita and Setsuko, who face starvation after the bombing of Kobe in the waning days of World War II. They're drawn with large eyes and expressive faces, evoking innocence and powerlessness.

Both Studio Ghibli and the Pokemon franchise emerged in the latter half of the 20th century, along with other titans of cuteness, such as Hello Kittyshe just celebrated her 50th birthdayDoraemon, and popular Nintendo characters Kirby and Yoshi.

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Cuteness now dominates East Asian cultures.

Cute mascots such as Tencent's QQ Penguin hawk products in China; popular cartoon characters plaster the sides of Japanese trains; and Taipei's subway cards come in the shape of pink bunnies and miniature rice cookers.

In Japan, the term "kawaii" refers to the lovable and cute. This includes not only cartoon characters and plush dolls, but also clothing and even speech, such as talking with a pout or in a childlike voice.

Across Asia, you can see cuteness celebrated in the way people flash heart symbols with their fingersa gesture originating in South Koreaand you can hear it in the way celebrities sometimes speak with a baby voice, puff out their cheeks or bat their eyelashes.

Characters often express themselves in cute ways on television shows in Korea, where its called aegyo.

Softening the blows

Cuteness has a place in American culture. But it has nowhere near the cultural cachet that it has in Asia.

Yet to me, the Studio Ghibli memes that swept American social media platforms revealed a widespread longing for tenderness at a time when the world seems particularly harsh, violent and unpredictable.

Theorist Sianne Ngai has argued that cuteness is usually based on the power differential between the observer and the cute object: A small kitten, a stuffed animal or a cooing baby are cute, in part, because they're so vulnerable.

I think that's why the White House's efforts to join in on the Ghibli memes fell flat. Its X account posted a Ghibli-esque image of a Dominican woman crying while being handcuffed by an ICE agent. The depiction generated outrage.

The cartoon imagines that the audience would revel in punching down. It's a perversion of how cuteness works, celebrating the powerfulthe ICE agent and the U.S. governmentand not the powerless. Contrast the White House's image with the "Grave of the Fireflies," which highlighted the vulnerability of children during war.

Rallying around cuteness

Yet the powerlessness of cute characters can also, paradoxically, be powerful: Most onlookers can't help but cheer for a furry, yellow cartoon animal fleeing from riot police. A cute character can look helpless, but it can rally support for the underdog.

Perhaps that's why Pikachu again popped up at two other protests: at an anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Israel on April 5, 2025, and at an anti-Trump rally in Washington, D.C. that same day.

Cuteness, perhaps not surprisingly, has been used as a political tool in Asia. The Milk Tea Alliance, which formed in 2020, is a pan-Asian, pro-democracy movement that unites communities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar and beyond.

Organizers pointedly emphasize the effectiveness of cuteness and humor as a tool to condemn violence and denounce authoritarianism. Online images shared by the movement include anime-style drawings of young student protestors and cartoons of anthropomorphized cups of Taiwan bubble tea, Thai cha and Hong Kong milk tea holding hands.

Comedy can be subversive. Political cartoons and comedians, of course, have long tapped into this dynamic.

But cuteness adds a touch of whimsical absurdity that further defangs the power hungry. Is it any wonder Chinese officials banned the release of a Winnie-the-Pooh movie after memes comparing Xi Jinping to the beloved stuffed bear went viral?

Despite its cuddly, quaint and charming exterior, cuteness contains hidden superpowers: It celebrates the vulnerable, while sapping authoritarians of gravitas they seek to project.

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A male gray wolf collared by Colorado Parks and Wildlife was reported dead in Wyoming this week, according to the agency, which did not comment on the circumstances of the animal's death.

The wolf was one of 15 relocated from Canada to Colorado in January and is the second of that group to die recently in Wyoming. Four weeks ago, federal authorities shot and killed a wolf that was suspected to have preyed on five sheep in north-central Wyoming.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife wrote in a news release Friday that it became aware of the latest death Wednesday and worked with Wyoming Game and Fish to retrieve the wolf's tracking collar.

CPW spokesperson Travis Duncan referred questions about the incident to Wyoming Game and Fish, which could not be reached for comment Saturday. In its news release, the Colorado agency wrote that "Wyoming state law prevents further detail from being shared."

"Wolves are known to travel long distances to find food or mates, including into other states," the agency wrote. "CPW does not comment on wildlife movements, operations or regulations in other states."

2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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This undated photo provided by Colossal Biosciences shows two pups that were genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. Credit: Colossal Biosciences via AP

When news broke that scientists in Texas had successfully reintroduced the long-extinct dire wolf to the modern world, more people than just "Game of Thrones" fans took notice.

Researchers at the Natural History Museum's La Brea Tar Pits, where a wall is decorated with hundreds of dire wolf skulls, had questions.

Namely, are they really dire wolves? Turns out, it depends on how you define it.

"What they have created is basically a genetically engineered gray wolf that has been given genetic traits so they can express morphological or physical traits that more resemble dire wolves," said Kayce Bell, a terrestrial mammal curator at the Natural History Museum.

"The technology and the tools that they are developing with this work are incredible and very powerful, but the terms that are being used to discuss it, I think, are misleading."

Earlier this week, biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences in Dallas announced they had "de-extincted" the dire wolf, sharing the news of the births of three healthy pups. Over 18 months, experts there extracted and sequenced ancient DNA from two dire wolf fossilsa 13,000-year-old tooth from Sheridan Pit, Ohio, and a 72,000-year-old inner ear bone from American Falls, Idaho.

With that ancient DNA, scientists identified gene variants specific to dire wolves and then performed multiplex gene editing with a genome from the gray wolf, dire wolves' closest living relatives. They used domestic dogs as surrogate mothers to birth the three pups.

Colossal's chief science officer, Beth Shapiro, said she understands the scientific skepticism that came with the announcement.

"I get it," she said. "It's frustrating when you work in paleontology and you feel like it's not effective science communication, and I wish I'd done a bit better."

Though Southern California has a jackpot of dire wolf fossils relative to other sites, extracting DNA from the local samples is difficult. Shapiro said she's been trying and unable to collect DNA from local samples for 20 years. Among the reasons it's challenging to collect, experts say, is that L.A.'s urban landscape bakes in the sun, heating up the asphalt, which could degrade ancient DNA buried underneath.

La Brea Tar Pits has the highest concentration of dire wolf fossils in the world, with remains from over 4,000 dire wolves found at the site. They lived in the region for at least 50,000 years, disappearing about 13,000 years ago.

"There's no other site on Earth that even comes close to that," said Emily Lindsey, the associate curator and excavation site director at La Brea Tar Pits.

Dire wolves, native to Southern California but not limited to the region, were highly adaptable and had a very wide range of environmental tolerances before the species went extinct about 10,000 years ago, Lindsey said.

The three pupsRomulus and Remus, who were born in October, and Khaleesi, born in Januarynow live on an ecological preserve at an undisclosed location that spans over 2,000 acres and hosts 10 full-time staff members who care for and observe them. The preserve is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Depending on how you look at it, that could be dire wolf territory now.

In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature published a report that focused on de-extinction and defined it as "bringing back a proxy of an extinct species that resembles it in some way, phenotypically, physiologically, ecologically," Shapiro said.

But in the end, she said she's not really hung up on what the animals are called beyond their names, inspired by founders of Rome and the "Game of Thrones" show.

"Call it a de-extinct dire wolf that abides by the definition that the scientific community agreed on 10 years ago. Call it Colossal's dire wolf. Call it a gray wolf with 20 edits that looks and acts like a dire wolf and is a functional replacement for a dire wolf," Shapiro said.

Part of Colossal's announcement this week included news that they had also successfully created four clones of the endangered red wolf using a new noninvasive cloning technology. Both Lindsey and Bell said they appreciated Colossal's work on conserving endangered species, but think that focusing on conservation is a more productive use of resources.

"There are potentially useful applications of some of these technologies, particularly for preventing highly endangered species from going extinct. I think that would be a far more efficient application of these technologies than trying to bring something resembling an extinct species back to life," Lindsey said. "I'd hate to have to be trying to de-extinct wolves once they go extinct, right?"

Colossal's Chief Executive Ben Lamm said the company wants to pair their "de-extinction events" with work they're doing to protect critically endangered species. The company's other de-extinction hopes include reviving the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger. To Lamm and Shapiro, de-extinction and conservation can work in tandem.

"Conservation and de-extinction are not at odds with each other. The de-extinction toolkit should be part of the increasing number of ways that we have at our fingertips to be able to help endangered species survive," Shapiro said.

Lamm, who held up drawings of dodos and other extinct animals children had sent to the Colossal team during a Zoom interview with The Times, said he thinks the milestone could also inspire more people to pursue careers in related fields.

"The world needs a little hope right now, and I think the world needs more science. Hopefully, we're providing a little bit of both," he said.

And yes, of course, "Jurassic Park" quotes and references are tossed Lamm and Shapiro's way with stunning frequency.

"People actually say to us, 'Don't you know what happened in Jurassic Park?,' equating it to, like, Chernobyl," Lamm said. "Didn't you see what happened there?' Not, 'Didn't you watch the movie and learn anything about human hubris from the movie?' They don't say that."

Shapiro added, "People are yelling at us that these aren't real dire wolves. But no one has ever questioned whether the dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park' are real dinosaurs."

While the debate is still open, Lindsey said she invites anyone curious about the creatures to visit La Brea Tar Pits to see some of the "real dire wolves" that they have excavated at the site.

"It's a really cool opportunityone that you don't get in almost any other city in the worldto come and really see the incredible diversity of large animals that lived here until very recently," Lindsey said.

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The Whirlpool Galaxy, M51, is a spiral galaxy located 31 million light-years away. Credit: NASA

A new study in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society by researchers including Istvan Szapudi of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Institute for Astronomy suggests the universe may rotatejust extremely slowly. The finding could help solve one of astronomy's biggest puzzles.

"To paraphrase the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, who famously said 'panta rhei' (everything moves), we thought that perhaps panta kykloutaieverything turns," said Szapudi.

Current models say the universe expands evenly in all directions, with no sign of rotation. This idea fits most of what astronomers observe. But it doesn't explain the so-called Hubble tensiona long-standing disagreement between two ways of measuring how fast the universe is expanding.

Supernovae, Big Bang

One method looks at distant exploding stars or supernovae, to measure the distances to galaxies, and gives an expansion rate for the universe throughout the past few billion years. The other method uses the relic radiation from the Big Bang and gives the expansion rate of the very early universe, about 13 billion years ago. Each gives a different value for the expansion rate.

Szapudi's team developed a mathematical model of the universe. First, it followed standard rules. Then they added a tiny amount of rotation. That small change made a big difference.

"Much to our surprise, we found that our model with rotation resolves the paradox without contradicting current astronomical measurements. Even better, it is compatible with other models that assume rotation. Therefore, perhaps, everything really does turn. Or, panta kykloutai," noted Szapudi.

Their model suggests the universe could rotate once every 500 billion yearstoo slow to detect easily, but enough to affect how space expands over time.

The idea doesn't break any known laws of physics. It might also explain why measurements of the universe's growth don't quite agree.

The next step is turning the theory into a full computer modeland finding ways to spot signs of this slow cosmic spin.

More information: Balazs Endre Szigeti et al, Can rotation solve the Hubble Puzzle?, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf446 Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Francisco Ruiz Palomo, president of La Loperana olive oil producers' cooperative, poses in his olive grove in Lopera on March 24, 2025.

At his farm in southern Spain, Francisco Campos looked worriedly at a green sea of centuries-old olive trees that he fears will face the ax to make way for a proposed solar park.

"Cutting down olive trees to install solar panels is a crime," the 64-year-old farmer told AFP in Lopera, a town of whitewashed buildings with 3,600 residents in the sunny southern region of Andalusia, Spain's olive-growing heartland.

Spain is the world's top producer of olive oil, but the fertile agricultural land long used by olive producers is now in high demand from power firms looking to install solar farms.

And with nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, Andalusia is one of the Spanish regions with the highest number of solar panels as a renewables boom makes the country a European leader in green energy.

Renewable energy firms such as Greenalia and FRV Arroyadas have requested permission to build multiple solar farms near Lopera, which farmers say will affect up to 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of property.

The businesses negotiated agreements to lease the bulk of the land required for their projects but encountered significant opposition from hundreds of small landowners.

This prompted the regional government of Andalusia to announce it will expropriate some land needed for the plants, declaring them to be in "the public interest".

"Is it in the public interest for them to take my land and give it to a company so that the company can profit? This has no benefit for us," said Campos.

"Our way of life is going to be destroyed," he added.

In support of landowners impacted by expropriations, dozens of farmers on tractors protested on a recent morning outside Lopera.

'From our ancestors'

Campaigners predict that the eight solar projects planned for the area will require the removal of nearly 100,000 olive trees.

The regional government puts the figure significantly lower, at 13,000.

Local residents anticipated power companies would seek to install solar panels in the area, but they never imagined "they would come and take away your property," said Rafael Alcala, a spokesman for a platform that represents the solar plants' opponents.

In support of landowners impacted by the latest round of expropriations, dozens of farmers on tractorssome holding signs that read "We don't want solar plants"gathered on a recent morning outside Lopera.

"These lands come from our ancestors. What am I going to leave to my children now?" Maria Josefa Palomo, a 67-year-old pensioner, said at the protest.

Losing 500 hectares of olive groves would wipe out more than two million euros ($2.3 million) in annual revenues, according to local olive oil cooperative La Loperana.

Campaigners say 5,000 olive trees have already been uprooted from land belonging to a farmer in Lopera who signed an agreement with one of the firms behind a solar park. More could follow.

In an effort to stop the projects, opponents have filed lawsuits against the regional government and the companies involved.

An olive tree stump is pictured in Lopera on March 24, 2025 amid a project to install solar plants.

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'Until the end'

Spain generated a record 56.8% of its electricity last year from renewable sources such as wind and solar, according to grid operator Red Electrica.

Leveraging on its sunny plains, windy hillsides and fast-flowing rivers, Spain intends to raise the share of renewable-generated electricity to 81% of the total by 2030 as part of efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

The regional government has defended the renewables projects, saying less than 1% of the land they use in the region had to be expropriated from reluctant landowners.

Spanish solar industry group UNEF, which represents more than 800 companies, says the projects boost tax revenues in rural communities.

They generate "significant amounts" that can be used to improve public services, said UNEF head Jose Donoso.

Solar park opponents in Lopera disagree and vow to continue their fight.

"Until the end. Nobody is going to take what is ours away from us," said Juan Cantera, a 28-year-old farmer.

"Olive oil is everything in Lopera".

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Pursuing a Ph.D. can empower women by advancing their careers and driving social change. Doctoral studies also provide a space for them to reach their potential and follow their passion for academic work.

However, the 2022 study by Ph.D. Mama Indonesia revealed that Ph.D. moms often juggle academic responsibilities and household duties, such as childcare and domestic work. Without support, this double burden can lead to mental exhaustion, significantly affecting their academic productivity.

Just like many other mothers who have done a Ph.D., I too have felt the emotional strain of trying to balance both roles.

Ph.D. and the risk of depression

Ph.D. degree aims to create new knowledge through in-depth research that benefits society. But the journey is long and uncertain.

Ph.D. students often deal with challenges like failed research, harsh feedback from supervisors, constant revisions, and publication pressures.

Unsurprisingly, Ph.D. students are six times more likely to experience depression than the general population. They're also more likely to go through emotional and physical stress compared to those who do not pursue a doctorate.

Women face even higher risks. Studies show that women pursuing a Ph.D. deal with greater stress than their male peers.

Ph.D. moms' struggles

The dual burden that Ph.D. moms face often creates tension between professional and domestic roles. As a result, many deal with ongoing conflicts around decision-making and managing the workload.

During my third year as a Ph.D. student at Monash University, Australia, I had to navigate a long-distance marriage after my husband returned to Indonesia upon completing his own Ph.D. During that time, I looked after our children on my own in Melbourne while continuing my research.

Academically, I struggled to grasp new theories and methods I hadn't studied before. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic made me feel isolated and mentally drained. These two things made it harder for me to write my dissertation and added to my stress, especially as my research progress slowed.

Hani Yulindrasari's experience was different, but equally challenging. Alongside her coursework and household duties, the University of Melbourne alumna had to deal with funding problemsher scholarship only covered three years, but her research took longer than that.

Hani eventually applied for an extension, but the uncertainty around the process led her to depression. Without the extra funding, she wouldn't be able to finish her studies in Australia.

Financial struggles also affected Frida (not her real name), a Ph.D. mom at a top university in Indonesia. There were unclear funding policies from her scholarship provider, so she had to keep working full-time while raising her childrenmaking her Ph.D. a secondary priority.

Doing a Ph.D. puts student-moms under constant pressure. They have to handle academic demands, financial challenges, and emotional strain all at once. In many cases, these pressures wear them down physically and mentally, raising the risk of chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.

Sadly, these challenges are often ignored or dismissedespecially in academic environments that are not fully supportive to women's dual roles.

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The importance of social support

Ph.D. students who experience severe depression are three to five times more likely to drop out than those with mild symptoms. Support from family, academic supervisors, and peers play a key role in helping Ph.D. moms manage their emotional burden. The following types of support are particularly essential:

1. Shared responsibilities with family

Damba Bestari, a psychiatrist and lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine Airlangga University, highlights the importance of shared responsibilities between Ph.D. moms and their spouses or family members to reduce emotional strain.

"Family support can take many formsfrom financial help to practical assistance, like childcare or setting aside time so mothers can focus on their studies," she explains.

For example, Hani's husband worked in Australia to help cover her study expenses. This allowed her to concentrate on her research. Meanwhile, Frida's family supported her by avoiding pressure about academic achievements and taking care of her child when she felt overwhelmed by coursework.

2. Inclusive academic environment

Universities in Indonesia need to actively create an academic environment that's inclusive and free from mental health stigma, especially for student moms.

Although public awareness of mental health has improved, many people still don't see mental health issues as medical conditions. Instead, they tend to frame them as laziness or poor time management.

To shift this mindset, supervisors and advisors should give constructive feedbacknot discouraging or harsh comments, and maintain supportive and open communication between Ph.D. students and their mentors is key.

While not a mom, Aretha (not her real name), was a Ph.D. student in the United States (US). She was able to get through her depression with help from a supportive advisor, along with encouragement from friends and family. Her story shows the importance of having an understanding and empathetic supervisor. Every Ph.D. student can benefit from a support system like this.

Universities should also provide free counseling services for students who need professional support.

In supporting Ph.D. moms, universities should provide additional services such as on-campus childcare. The Ph.D. Mama Indonesia even recommends providing childcare subsidies, regardless of their scholarship type.

3. Social interaction

One of my biggest regrets during my Ph.D. journey was the lack of social interaction with other doctoral students. Between parenting and dissertation writing, I just didn't have time to meet my peers and build social relationships outside my family. I felt lonely at times, and the isolation during the pandemic made it even worse.

Building social connections requires initiative from Ph.D. students, but universities can play a part too. For example, setting up a peer support group can help students feel less lonely since they can share their experiences in a supportive environment.

4. Professional help

Ph.D. students also need to build mental health awareness so they can recognize early signs of distress. Research shows that people who understand mental health issues are more likely to seek help and manage stress effectively before things get worse.

In Hani's and Aretha's cases, they were able to complete their Ph.D.s because they understood the importance of mental health and weren't afraid to seek professional help, like therapy or psychiatric support, when needed.

Being a Ph.D. mom is a huge challengebut it's not impossible. Support from family, universities, and peers can make it easier to balance motherhood and Ph.D. life. With a more inclusive and understanding academic culture, Ph.D. moms don't have to feel like they're going through it all by themselves.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 22, 2025 shows the central Tai Chi Plaza of Tekes County in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Chen Wenqing has urged full and sound implementation of the Party's policies for the governance of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the new era.

Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an investigation and research tour in Xinjiang between Thursday and Sunday.

During the tour, Chen learned about local efforts to counter and prevent terrorism and maintain stability, among others.

He stressed the importance of advancing such efforts on a regular basis to ensure zero violent terrorist crime cases in the region and rooting out the breeding ground for religious extremism in accordance with the law.

He also urged efforts to guarantee sound employment for relevant groups, strengthen border management and control, and guide people from various ethnic groups to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, among other efforts.
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On Oct. 17, 2024, NOAA shared initial imagery from the GOES-19 lightning mapper showing lightning activity in two extremely hazardous hurricanesHelene and Miltonon Sept. 24. Credit: GOES-19/NOAA

In August 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report confirmed that the climate is warming and the impacts will be widespread and more intense than anticipated.

In 2023, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the Weather, Water, and Climate Strategy (202327) for the United States and around the world.

The strategy addresses the risks to lives, property, economies and ecosystems that are increasing at an alarming rate due to the warming planet. It highlights that U.S. citizens are in harm's way, infrastructure is increasingly outdated and at risk and, in many places, not designed for new environmental realities and extreme weather events.

In February 2025, Donald Trump's administration reduced the government's size. The NOAA was severely affected, experiencing budget cuts and the termination of about 800 employees' positions. NOAA is a critically important government organization, and includes the National Weather Service (NWS).

Recent developments regarding science and scholarship in the U.S., including major reductions in federal research funding and censorship around topics such as climate change and gender, are forcing many U.S. science agencies and research organizations to abruptly suspend normal operations.

As former assistant deputy minister of the Meteorological Service of Environment Canada between 1994 and 2000, I regularly met with my colleagues at the NWS and other weather agencies. We worked together to share information to provide the best weather services possible in our countries.

Climate and misinformation

In January of this year, the World Economic Forum released its Global Risks Report. This ranked the global risks that could have major impacts on the global population, GDP or natural resources in the short term (two years) and long term (10 years).

For the short term, the top risk identified is "misinformation and disinformation," with "extreme weather events" being the second-highest risk. Extreme weather events include storms, floods, wildfires, heat and others, with a warming climate leading to more severity and impacts. By geography, extreme weather events are ranked as the highest risk for Northern America and most other regions.

The risks due to misinformation and extreme weather events are interconnected. If an extreme weather event is about to occur and people are not informed, or are misinformed, about the occurrence and risks, they do not take actions to reduce exposure and vulnerability, resulting in higher impacts.

Impacts of layoffs

Because of the importance of the NOAA, NWS and other climate research bodies, many have spoken out about the negative impacts of these job terminations and budget reductions.

The NWS has developed leading weather forecast models by working with the academic and global science communities, and partners with others beyond national borders to share their data. The multi-year development and implementation of these weather systems has led to high-quality and reliable information for weather, climate and ocean situations.

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One example is science journalist Andy Revkin, who referred to Trump's actions as "The Dangerous Trump Purge of Weather and Climate Expertise." In his Substack, Revkin writes:

"There's an enormous and justified surge of criticism from private-sector and academic meteorologists from across the political spectrum over the purge of expertise and supporting staff under way at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service."

Meteorologists Jeff Masters and Bob Henson wrote that "cuts to U.S. weather and climate research could put public safety at risk and slow emergency disaster response and weaken resilience efforts."

Ilan Kelman, professor of disasters and health at University College London, stated that the "mass job termination" will have major negative impacts across the U.S. and nearby countries, such as Canada. This will be due to reduced aviation and shipping safety; lack of information for communities to respond to severe weather; safety assessments for search-and-rescue; and other concerns.

Alarming increases

With a warming climate, the impacts of extreme weather events are rising around most of the world. The year 2024, the warmest on record, was also the single-most expensive year on record in terms of Canadian insurance payouts of C$8.5 billion, with the number of catastrophe claims exceeding 273,000. Disaster costs in the U.S. also increased with many billion-dollar events.

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused 228 deaths and economic losses assessed at US$78.7 billion. In advance of Helene's landfall, states of emergency in Florida and Georgia were declared by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The U.S. Air Force Weather Reconnaissance Squadron provided information for the NHC to upgrade the storm to Tropical Storm Helene. Follow-up research by the World Weather Attribution concluded with "high confidence" that Helene was made worse by climate change.

Reliance on observation and collaboration

Forecasting extreme weather events relies on observational systems that provide weather information over a significant area which extends beyond a country. In North America, the U.S. weather forecasts rely on information from Canada, Mexico and countries across the Gulf of Mexico, and vice versa.

The World Meteorological Organization, the UN's lead agency on weather and climate, coordinates international cooperation for the free and unrestricted exchange of data and information, products and services in real time. This is critical for the safety and security of society, economic welfare and protection of the environment.

With the NOAA's reductions in resources, there will be negative impacts across all services in the U.S. and on the effective sharing of data between internationally collaborating weather services.

These cuts to NOAA also relate to broad concern about impacts on science. The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities has expressed grave concern over the escalating threats to academic freedom, both in the U.S. and beyond.

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Scenes of flooding caused by so-called 'kallakkadal' events, triggered by swelling ocean waves. Credit: Sanjay Balachandran

Since December, Raphel Abraham has been struggling to cope with life in his flooded home on the banks of Vembanad Lake, in Edakochi, southern India.

He is one of thousands of people faced with severe waterlogging around India's longest lake because of seawater intrusion caused by a phenomenon locally called "kallakkadal," meaning "sea that arrives like a thief."

"The past four months have been  a hell-like situation for us," Abraham told SciDev.Net.

After the formal approval by UNESCO in 2012, kallakkadal, a term used by fisherfolk in Kerala, has now been adopted for scientific use.

Researchers define kallakkadal as flooding during the pre-monsoon (AprilMay) season caused by swelling waves originating thousands of kilometers away in the Indian Ocean. They say the swell waves can reach 2 to 6 meters in height.

However, the current water level in Vembanad Lake has remained high since last December, long before the supposed kallakkadal season.

Another local resident, Rajendran Thavanakkadavu, says that people living in hamlets on the banks of the lake were forced to abandon their homes and shift to rented accommodation elsewhere due to the flooding.

Abraham believes the government's offer of temporary shelter for affected communities will only worsen their situation, due to a lack of adequate facilities.

"We want a permanent solution," he says.

In response to local protests, state government officials held a meeting to discuss the implementation of short-term and long-term projects to avoid waterlogging. During the meeting, local officials and experts agreed to highlight waterlogging as a fallout of climate change.

However, according to experts, it is hard to predict the arrival of swell waves.

M. Balakrishnan Nair, director of the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services, at the Ministry of Earth Sciences, says researchers only recently found that swells are reaching Indian coasts from distant points as far away as the Atlantic.

"Ocean swells are not caused by local winds, but by distant weather systems such as storms, hurricanes, or prolonged periods of strong gale-force winds," explained Sanjay Balachandran, a researcher at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies.

"During these storms, there is a significant transfer of energy from the atmosphere to the ocean, which generates large waves."

The waves can travel thousands of kilometers before reaching the Kerala coast, impacting its shorelines long after the storm has passed, added Balachandran.

Waters rising

Previously, scientists believed that kallakkadal was confined to the KeralaTamilnadu coast. But now they find that it is happening in different places on the eastern and western coasts. It is also being reported in Bangladesh.

N. Sanjeevan, former director of the Center for Marine Living Resources and Ecology at India's Ministry of Earth Sciences, says swell waves caused by ocean currents, rising sea temperatures and thermal expansion of water in the Arabian Sea due to rising temperatures are contributing to the rise in sea water levels in Vembanad Lake.

"[The] water level in Vembanad Lake remains high as it is not draining into the sea," he explained.

"The tidal amplitude, or difference in high tide and low tide levels, which stood at one meter in coastal areas, has risen to 1.6 meters, resulting in waterlogging around the lake," Sanjeevan added.

According to the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, around 400 million cubic meters of silt had accumulated in Vembanad Lake, significantly reducing its water storage capacity from 2,678 cubic meters in 1930 to 385 cubic meters in 2020.

The lake, which covered an area of 365 square kilometers in 1900, has shrunk to 206.4 square kilometers. Its average depth also dropped from eight meters to less than three meters.

Disappearing beaches

Forecasting the coming of swell surge in the Indian Ocean is "laborious work," researchers said in a study published in 2021. They found that implementing altimeter data assimilation on a regional wave forecasting system significantly improved the swell forecast.

However, measures to mitigate the damage are urgently needed.

Sanjeevan says he doesn't think removing silt from the lake is a solution as it would lead to higher intrusion of sea water.

K.V. Thomas, former head of the marine sciences division at the National Center for Earth Science Studies, was the first to report the phenomenon of kallakkadal, in 1984.

"The disappearance of beaches has played havoc on the coasts, resulting in kallakkadal, flash floods and intrusion of sea water into the lake," Thomas told SciDev.Net.

"Recreating natural beaches and constructing sand dunes are among [the] solutions to be considered."

Provided by SciDev.Net
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

California's national forests are on the chopping blockliterallyin 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.

"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."

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 Donald 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 the costs of construction and energy."

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 agency-wide 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 movecoupled with mass firings, budget cuts, and environmental rollbackswill 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.

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.

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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.

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 interfaceor the area where human development meets the natural landscapeis 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.

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."

"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."

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new law which requires voters to show ID at polling stations in the U.K. may "significantly reduce" turnout, according to a new analysis published in Political Science Research and Methods authored by Dr. Tom Barton, a postdoctoral researcher with the Department of Political Economy at King's.

A study focused on a local election in Bromley, London, which piloted voter ID in 2018, estimates that turnout was reduced by between 4% and 5%, with as many as 10,000 people eligible to vote put off from doing so.

The results of the study will be of interest to policymakers as, since October 2023, a new law means all elections in the U.K. now require voters to show ID.

Dr. Barton's research focused on an election held in the London Borough of Bromley in 2018, which was among a handful of local authorities in the U.K. that volunteered to pilot voter ID requirements and the only council in London.

Under the requirements, voters needed to show one piece of photo ID or two pieces of non-photo ID in order to receive their ballot paper. Under normal conditions, voters were only required to provide their name and address.

Dr. Barton's study focused on ward-level voting data from 2002 to 2018, comparing the average voter turnout over time in Bromley with turnout data from wards across London in the same period.

Dr. Barton said, "I found that the pilot scheme did significantly reduce turnout in Bromley, compared to a synthetic counterfactual. The effect estimated implies that of the 240,249 people registered to vote in 2018 in Bromley, 10,571 did not vote who would have otherwise done.

"The number of people turned away and not then returning estimated by the Electoral Commission in Bromley was 154. This large difference between the two figures implies that voter ID laws reduce turnout by deterring people who lack ID rather than catching them unaware."

More information: Tom Barton, Understanding the impact of the 2018 voter ID pilots on turnout at the London local elections: A synthetic difference-in-difference approach, Political Science Research and Methods (2025). DOI: 10.1017/psrm.2025.7
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Aname scutitheca, new species female with mites on carapace. Credit: Queensland Museum

A two-year study into the Australian wishbone spiders by experts from Queensland Museum, Western Australian Museum and the University of Western Australia has resulted in the description of 55 species new to science, making this one of the most diverse and widely distributed groups of spiders in the country.

The study on the Aname genus of wishbone spiders, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy, includes a comprehensive taxonomic revision covering the subtropical and tropical regions of eastern Australia, from northern New South Wales to Cape York Peninsula.

The genus Aname contains spider species that are often strikingly beautiful, with iridescent bronze, gold, or silver hairs covering parts of their body. They make silk-lined burrows in the ground that can be quite deep, and that often have a hidden secondary entrance that probably functions as an "escape chute" to help them avoid predators and other threats.

Wishbone spiders are "mygalomorph spiders," a group that also includes trapdoor spiders, tarantulas, and funnel-web spiders. Wishbone spiders are found across mainland Australia, and there are an estimated 300 species in total, making Aname possibly the most diverse mygalomorph spider genus in the world.

Lead author Dr. Jeremy Wilson, who completed the study as part of a Postdoctoral Fellowship, spent the first 12 months of the project based at Queensland Museum. For the final two years of the Fellowship, he has been based at the Western Australian Museum and The University of Western Australia.

As part of the Fellowship, he has worked with colleagues across these institutions to write scientific papers describing a total of 84 species of wishbone spiders, all new to science, over the past 2.5 years.

Dr. Wilson said that despite this high number, approximately 60% of Aname species remain undescribed, with many of these located in remote or arid regions of the country.

"With this study, we're not only revealing the immense diversity of wishbone spiders, but we're also shedding light on the incredible biodiversity of Australia's more remote ecosystems," Dr. Wilson said.

"We made some amazing observations about the burrowing behavior of these secretive spiders on two major field trips in Queensland. Then, in the lab we were able to identify differences in their physical appearance and even in their DNA. We studied all of these lines of evidence to identify which species were new to science.

"This work is just another contribution towards mapping the amazing richness of Australia's arachnid fauna."

Aname barakula (new species) from Barakula State Forest. Credit: Queensland Museum

Queensland Museum Principal Scientist and Curator of Arachnology Dr. Michael Rix is a Joint Investigator within the project and co-author of the paper. He said the study, which represents the first in a series of major revisions, brings together a wide range of scientific techniques, including detailed morphological analysis, live habitus observations, burrowing biology, and molecular phylogenetics.

"By combining traditional morphological studies using museum collections with cutting-edge molecular techniques and extensive field work, we are able to uncover the true extent of the diversity in this unique group of spiders," Dr. Rix said.

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"The description of 55 species which are new to science is a testament to the richness of Australia's arachnid fauna and underscores the importance of continued fieldwork and research in these often-overlooked regions."

Queensland Museum CEO Dr. Jim Thompson said studies like this were crucial for expanding our understanding of Australia's unique biodiversity.

"Hosting Dr. Jeremy Wilson at Queensland Museum for the first year of this vital three-year project has been a privilege," Dr. Thompson said.

"His research has not only added new specimens to the State Collection, but also resulted in the sorting and description of parts of our museum collections going back decades, providing valuable resources for researchers for years to come.

"This work is a reminder of how much there is still to learn about our unique biodiversity, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the incredible diversity of life that calls Australia home."

This research has also contributed 131 new barcode (COI) sequences from Aname species found in eastern Australia, significantly expanding the molecular phylogeny of the genus.

In the study, 55 species of Aname new to science are formally described, including A. mulgana, which occurs throughout the Mulga Lands of south-western Queensland, A. eddieorum, named after the Eddie family who run the ecological consulting company "Boobook," and A. lawrenceae named after Melinda Lawrence who passionately supported this and other research projects in her role as Project Manager. In addition, 10 previously described species are redescribed and clarified, including A. barrema, A. blackdownensis, and A. camara.

More information: Jeremy D. Wilson et al, An integrative systematic revision of the wishbone spiders (Araneae: Anamidae: Aname L. Koch, 1873) of subtropical and tropical eastern Australia, with the description of 55 new species, European Journal of Taxonomy (2025). DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.985.2845

Provided by Queensland Museum
OCEAN CITY  The citys dedicated pickleball players showed their burgeoning influence last week, successfully lobbying to ease an increase in fees charged at the citys courts.

The fees will still increase, but not as much as originally proposed. The changes were included in an extensive update to fees in the city, along with setting a new cost for ambulance transport.

I can remember the first time that we heard about pickleball, said Dottie McCrosson, the city attorney, during Thursdays City Council meeting. Nobody had ever heard of it.

A resident told the city about a game that had grown into a craze in Florida.

That was a long time ago. Now its part of the vernacular. Everybody you know plays pickleball or knows someone who does, McCrosson said, describing the pickleball players as an important part of the community.

Since council introduced the fee ordinance in March, those players reached out to members of council and to the administration to oppose the fee increase.

Mayor Jay Gillian recommended that council reduce the fees for pickleball from what was included when council introduced the ordinance in March.

This year, the city has created indoor pickleball courts at the civic center on Sixth Street.

More soundproofing for pickleball courts in Ocean City OCEAN CITY  City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a contract with Acoustiblock Inc.

An annual pickleball pass was set to cost $225 for use of the indoor and outdoor courts. Gillian recommended, and council ultimately approved, setting that at $100 a year.

The indoor-only pass was going to be $100 and is now $25, and the outdoor-only pass came in at $90, down from the $150 proposed.

As Council member Dave Winslow pointed out, the changes were not consistent.

I would have been more comfortable with a percentage change, he said.

McCrosson said council could approve the ordinance so that the other fee changes would be approved and then take another look at pickleball.

You could come back next week and we can tweak it again, she said. McCrosson said council had multiple options, including to table the ordinance, vote it down or reintroduce it with further changes. The administration had recommended amending those fees, which in McCrossons opinion would not be a significant enough change to require the ordinance be advertised again.

The ordinance includes fees for the use of the airport, boat ramps and other city facilities, parking passes and the cost of a pool party at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, which is $250 for a party of less than 20.

Officials said the ambulance fees, set at $850 along with some additional costs, remained competitive with other communities.

Council President Pete Madden described the fee increases as unfortunate but necessary.

Ultimately I think we have to change our fees in order to keep up with changing times, he said.

Council member Keith Hartzell voted no. He said pickleball fans had a right to ask for a change, but he did not know whether the other fees would also be objectionable to the residents and visitors who use the services.

I have zero confidence that any of the other fees make sense, Hartzell said.

Council members had already tinkered extensively with the fee ordinance before introduction, administration officials said. Ordinances are often routine matters, McCrosson said, what she often describes as housekeeping votes.

This is not one of those ordinances, she said at the meeting. You guys rolled up your sleeves and you worked with senior staff and you went over every fee on this multipage document. You changed fees, you argued about fees and you came to an agreement with respect to fees.

No one from the public commented on the ordinance during the public hearing, but many pickleball players crowded the meeting room at City Hall, as evidenced by the number of people who left immediately after the vote took place.

Ocean City may not have heard of pickleball a few years ago, but it has become prevalent, with sizable lines for the courts at 18th Street each summer.

Back and forth in Ocean City on where additional pickleball courts belong OCEAN CITY  Despite $18.5 million for numerous projects being up for a vote, it seemed peop

Gillian said the city spent $1 million on 12 new courts there, and he hopes to get county open space funding for five more at the 34th Street playground, where officials plan extensive renovations.

All told, the city plans to have 33 pickleball courts available when projects are completed.

Gillian said the players are passionate about the sport and that the city is listening.

Its only going to get better, Gillian said.
The number and proportion of Chinese students studying in the United States continue to decline as rising geopolitical tensions and safety concerns weigh heavily on families' decisions, according to official reports and education experts.

The 2024 Blue Paper for Chinese Overseas Students Returning to China for Employment, recently released by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under the Ministry of Education, shows that while the U.S. remains a key destination for Chinese students, its dominance is fading.

In 2023, only 14.54 percent of Chinese returnees with doctoral degrees studied in the U.S., down from 25 percent in 2020  a decline of more than 10 percentage points over four years, according to the blue paper.

Among returnees from the top three study destinations  the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Australia  51.5 percent had studied in those countries, marking a decrease of approximately 3 percentage points from the previous year, driven primarily by the drop in the number of U.S.-based graduates, it added.

The decline comes as more Chinese families are rethinking their higher education plans in light of worsening bilateral relations and growing concerns over safety abroad.

The Ministry of Education last week warned Chinese students to make security assessments if choosing to study in certain U.S. states, citing a bill passed in the U.S. state of Ohio that contains negative provisions related to China. It imposes restrictions on education exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and U.S. higher education institutions.

"Geopolitical tensions inevitably affect the international flow of students," said Chen Zhiwen, a member of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy.

"The U.S. has increasingly restricted China in areas such as trade, technology and talent, making the study environment more hostile. Over the past four years, the number of Chinese students in the U.S. has dropped by 100,000," Chen said, urging Chinese parents to carefully evaluate study-abroad destinations.

According to data from the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, produced in part by the U.S. Department of State, China was surpassed by India as the largest source of international students in the U.S. for the 2023-24 academic year. There were 277,398 students from the Chinese mainland enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions during that period, a figure that has been dropping annually since peaking at 372,532 in the 2019-20 academic year.

Chinese parents are increasingly factoring in national relations and domestic stability when considering where to send their children.

Kendy Jia, the mother of a secondary school student in Beijing, said she had been planning to send her child abroad for high school just a few years ago.

"Now, that plan is on hold," she said at the 2025 China International Education Exhibition Tour in Beijing on Friday.

"With the current international situation, we're leaning toward waiting until after high school," Jia said. "We might still consider sending him abroad for university, but not necessarily to the U.S. As parents, we first consider the country's relationship with China, because political stability is very important and affects our child's personal safety overseas," she said, adding that worsening international relations might also add to the cost of overseas study.

A survey by consultancy EIC Education released last month found that safety and financial support have become top concerns for prospective Chinese students during the 2024-25 academic year. The local security environment ranks fourth among factors influencing study-abroad decisions, it said.

Hannah Song, secretary-general of the America-China Education Foundation Greater China, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, said many Chinese parents have expressed concerns about whether bilateral relations might pose safety risks for students studying in the country.

"Parents don't need to be overly worried," she said. "Most U.S. states and universities focused on educational exchange rather than politics. For the majority of American institutions, the impact is minimal," she said.

Despite current geopolitical tensions, Song said the U.S. remains a top choice for many Chinese families in terms of undergraduate education.

According to the blue paper, the U.S. kept attracting Chinese students in certain academic fields. Economics and mathematics remain the top choices for undergraduates from 2022 to 2024, while computer science and finance dominate among graduate applicants in 2024.
The Quad-Cities' two congressional representatives, split by state and by party, are taking opposing stances on the House Republicans' budget targets, which lawmakers passed this week.

The budget targets, which Iowa's U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican, supported and Illinois' U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat, opposed, would extend the 2017 tax cuts, authorize new spending on border security and defense, and outline a target to further reduce taxes.

Legislative leaders say they also intend to cut federal spending by at least $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, despite there not being requirements on paper to do so.

A previous budget passed in February required $2 trillion in cuts. Of those, the Energy and Commerce Committee, which Miller-Meeks serves on and that oversees Medicaid, the medical insurance program for low-income Americans, was tasked with reducing $880 billion in federal spending on programs under its purview over the next 10 years.

Congress still needs to write more specific legislation that follows the general spending targets.

Sorensen, along with other Democrats, says it will be impossible to meet reduced spending goals without cuts to social service programs such as Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The budget House Republicans passed today would rip health care coverage away from neighbors with disabilities, women receiving breast cancer treatments and postpartum moms to fund massive tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations, Sorensen said Thursday.

The February budget resolution called for $880 billion in reduced spending to programs under the Energy and Commerce Committees jurisdiction.

Democrats point to a Congressional Budget Office letter that outlines how, setting aside Medicare, spending on Medicaid makes up about 93%, or $8.2 trillion of $8.6 trillion in mandatory spending under the committee's jurisdiction.

Similarly, the February budget resolution called for $230 billion in cuts to programs in the Agriculture Committee's jurisdiction, which oversees SNAP benefits.

Miller-Meeks, who is one of 30 House members on the Energy and Commerce Committee, said Republicans will not reduce core benefits and instead are looking at additional work requirements and tightening eligibility to reduce costs of Medicaid.

"There is not $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid. That's a lie. It's a falsehood that was perpetuated," Miller-Meeks said.

Instead, she said, Republicans are looking at implementing work requirements for able-bodied people ages 18 to 55, removing people who are ineligible, reversing Biden-era policies that made it easier to stay enrolled in Medicaid after the pandemic and "removing illegal aliens that were permitted on to Medicaid during the Biden administration."

People in the country illegally generally do not have access to federal benefits, with some exceptions, such as Medicaid coverage for emergency services. The Biden White House expanded access to health insurance from the Affordable Care Act to people who were brought to the country illegally as children.

The Government Accountability Office issued a report in March that stated in 2024, 16 federal agencies reported a total estimated $162 billion in improper payments across 68 programs, about 84% of which were the result of overpayments. That included $31.1 billion in Medicaid.

"We're not cutting anything to children and disabled people, mentally ill or seniors that are dual eligible and both on Medicaid and Medicare," Miller-Meeks said.

Protest

About 50-70 protesters gathered outside the Rhythm City Casino on Friday midday, where Miller-Meeks was expected to be for an Iowa Federation of Republican Women event.

Organized by the Quad Cities National Organization for Women, protesters held signs protesting the Trump administration and urging Miller-Meeks to hold a public town hall to speak with constituents.

Leslie DuPree organized the protest. She said it was because Miller-Meeks had been invited to town halls and forums by constituents and she hasn't shown up.

Top House Republicans advised members in March not to hold in-person town halls after contentious events and confrontations with constituents and hecklers went viral. "Empty chair" or "People's Town Halls" have been popping up in public spaces and congressional offices across the country, including in Iowa's 1st Congressional District that Miller-Meeks represents, to call attention to congressmembers' absence and protest actions by the Trump administration and cuts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Another protest is scheduled for Monday at the Outing Club, where Miller-Meeks is expected to be.

DuPree said Miller-Meeks and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst have been invited to a Quad City Federation of Labor Town Hall April 22, and they want her to come.

"This is all about letting her know that all of her constituents want to talk to her, not just the Republicans," DuPree said.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, both Republicans, have continued to hold in-person town halls.

A spokesperson from Miller-Meeks' office, Anthony Cruz, wrote in an email: "Every term in Congress, she has held town halls. And her plan is to hold such events or listening posts in every county each term, with appropriate security measures due to credible threats."

Cruz pointed to a tele town hall Miller-Meeks held with 12,000 Iowans in February, "reaching more constituents than these political stunts."

"We get numerous requests to attend events and try to accommodate as many as possible throughout our large 20-county district," Cruz wrote.
A new safety initiative, Barn Burner, is fighting back against drink spiking and date rape. Deadwood is the first community in the Black Hills to launch this campaign to keep locals and visitors safer when theyre out for a night on the town.

Residents and tourists will see posters in bars throughout Deadwood that list red flags that a woman has had her drink spiked. Those warning signs include becoming intoxicated too quickly, appearing confused or emotionless, or leaning on others. Instead of placing the burden of safety solely on bar staff or on women, Western-themed posters are being placed in restrooms and gathering areas that are easily visible to all bar patrons.

The campaigns creator, filmmaker and author Sean Covel of Deadwood, said its a proactive measure to empower bar patrons, especially men, to spot the warning signs of drink spiking and intervene. In fact, the posters with messaging aimed at men clearly state: Real men protect women.

The signs are always the same, and the number one thing you hear from women is I know myself. I only had one drink or I only had two drinks and suddenly I felt so dizzy, and I dont remember the rest of the night, Covel said.

One (anecdote) that was really common that surprised me when you talk to somebody (whose drink had been spiked), you learn that several times theyve been out with a group of their girlfriends, and more than one in the group had that experience, he said.

If someone is showing signs that their drink has been spiked, the Barn Burner posters give a direct action step: Say Barn Burner to any bartender or bouncer and they will have your back right now.

A bar patron or a concerned friend or family member can say angel shot to bar or restaurant staff to discreetly signal that they need help or feel unsafe.

Support from Deadwoods new mayor

Covel partnered with Deadwoods newly-elected mayor, Charlie Struble-Mook, to implement the Barn Burner initiative.

I thought Barn Burner was a great idea, Struble-Mook said. I want people to feel safe in Deadwood  especially girls on a girls trip or a mother-daughter vacation. They should feel welcome and safe in our town.

Struble-Mook is the manager of Saloon No. 10, which members of her family own. Shes a third-generation Deadwood resident whose family has been there since the 1950s. Before being elected mayor, Struble-Mook served on the Public Safety Commission.

Working as a bartender for over 20 years, I thought it was a great opportunity to have awareness about drink spiking and to get the word out there, Struble-Mook said.

Struble-Mook helped Covel take the Barn Burner campaign door-to-door, introducing it to other bar owners. Business owners unanimously gave it their full support. Barn Burners posters began going up in bars this month.

Because everybody knows and trusts Charlie, every place we visited said 'yes' on the spot, said Covel. It was amazing to see.

Though Deadwood is a small town, it attracts 3.5 million visitors every year. Struble-Mook said putting the Barn Burner initiative in place is a way to let locals and guests know businesses care about their well-being and will be watching out for their safety.

This is not saying we have a problem (with drink spiking) by any means. Its being proactive in a situation and bringing awareness of what to look for, she said.

Small towns take care of their own, and thats hugely true for South Dakota, Covel said.

More than a dozen of Deadwoods best-known bars have joined the movement, including Saloon No. 10, The Bodega, Oyster Bay, The Silverado, and Deadwood Mountain Grand.

I think this sends a powerful message, Struble-Mook said. Were watching. We protect our guests. And this gives men a way to show theyre the good guys. Its time to get past the rowdy, bad-reputation thing and show what kind of town we really are.

Stunned by how many women are affected

Launching the Barn Burner campaign isnt a response to specific local incidents, Covel said. The idea for the Barn Burner campaign was sparked after a friend told him her drink had been spiked at a festival and shed been sexually assaulted.

Nobody is more than one degree separated from somebody whos had their drink tampered with, Covel said. Its just not talked about.

Date rape drugs cause sedation and amnesia to the extent that their victims cannot resist or may not be aware of a sexual assault, according to the National Library of Medicine. The Office on Womens Health shows nearly 11 million women in the United States have been raped while drunk, drugged, or high.

Covel said a 2002 study of more than 6,000 U.S. college students found that 10% of female participants reported drink spiking, yet only 7.2% of suspected incidents were reported to authorities. Data gathered by Brigham Young University indicates women ages 18 to 24 are three times more likely to experience sexual violence than women of any other age group.

When I started asking around, I was stunned by how many women had experiences with drink spiking. And I realized that, as a man, Id never been taught how to spot the signs or what to do. It seems like responsibly for a girls safety is placed solely on the girl. This project is about changing that, Covel said. This innate desire to protect that I think a lot of men have just lit up, but I didnt know what I could do.

Covel, who grew up in Edgemont, said the Barn Burner campaign builds on the strength of small-town values.

In South Dakota, we take care of our own. When you show people a problem and give them a way to help, they make it happen, he said.

Covel said the owner of businesses in Rapid City and Sioux Falls has agreed to use the Barn Burner posters, and Covel hopes Barn Barner spreads through the Black Hills and to other states.

With its simple tools and clear call to action, the Barn Burner initiative offers a model other communities can adopt. In fact, Covel said the woman who designed the Barn Burner posters, who lives in England, said its a campaign that would benefit her community.

Its a local solution to a national problem. Starting in a small town gives the campaign room to evolve and build real stories of impact  then it can grow from there, Covel said. If you can figure out how to solve it on a local level, you can build something scalable  and thats why I chose Deadwood. Everybody knows everybody.

Covel has seen the impact of local projects scaling firsthand. In 2015, he founded The 12 Days of Pizza project that began by supporting 12 food-insecure families and quickly grew nationally to feed more than 50,000 people nationwide. That local initiative started by partnering with Pizza Ranch and Black Hills Community Bank.

Covel has launched a nonprofit organization, The Connective Collective, and through it he builds storytelling-driven projects including the Barn Burner campaign that create lasting social impact.
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota reintroduced legislation to eliminate the federal Department of Education last week. On Monday he took time to explain his reasoning and why he feels the move will benefit all students.

"One size does not do the job of fitting everybody," Rounds told reporters on Monday at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, where he'd spoken to local Americans for Prosperity members. "Let's allow the states to come up with new ideas, be the laboratories then share it among the states as to what works the best. The focus should be back on the kids and not on the bureaucrats in Washington, DC."

Critics of the bill have pointed out that dismantling the DOE would give states free reign in terms of education and potentially slash access to necessary programs like Title I, which provides financial assistance to low-income students. Without the rule, states are in full control of education policy. There would be no standardized testing or overarching standards for teachers. In decrying the legislation, the National Education Association  the country's largest teachers union  said, "Civil rights protections against discrimination based on race, gender, and disability would also be gutted."

However, Rounds said most critics haven't read the bill.

"Nothing in this bill will take money away from states, nothing in this bill will take money away from special, important programs," Rounds said.

Eliminating the Department of Education will save taxpayers over $2 billion without impacting necessary programs, by eliminated bureaucracy, Rounds said.

All programs and functions in the DOE would be returned to where they originally were housed before the department's creation in 1980.

The U.S. Department of Education was created by an act of Congress in 1979 and enacted in 1980 to ensure funds, services and opportunities were evenly distributed to all schools, not just a handful.

"This is being driven by bureaucrats in Washington right now," Rounds said. "We want states and local units of government to make the decisions about how to properly take care of their students at the local level, one size does not fit all, and what we've seen our educational outcomes have failed to be improved even though we're spending $16,000 more per student under the federal Department of Education."

Rounds said part of the bill is aimed at eliminating the strings attached to funds from the Department of Education to ensure streamlined access for state organizations.

A significant number of schools in the Rapid City Area School District benefit from Title I funding  nine of the district's 14 schools, according to a report from the South Dakota Department of Education.

Rounds said funding for programs like Title I would be given to the states as "Block Grants" which are a grant-in-aid of a specified amount from a larger government to a smaller regional government body. The funding would go to states directly under Rounds' plan.

Schools themselves are currently given money for Title I programming and allowed to decide how they use that funding, whether it's for new curriculum, technology or other categories.

"There's no cut in it, but there is a savings to the taxpayer," Rounds said.

Another important factor for RCAS is Title VI, which oversees Indian Education. Title VI was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and guarantees that no student is discriminated against based on race or national origin.

Formal education is a right guaranteed to the Oceti Sakowin through the Treaty of Fort Laramie and the Indian Education Act of 1972.

The Indian Education Act specifically provides funding to any school district with over 10 Native American students, according to Ira Taken Alive, the Title VI director for Rapid City Area Schools.

Earlier this year, nearly 1,000 IHS employees were laid off by cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency. The cuts would have been detrimental to rural Native communities and a violation of various treaty agreements, leading Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy to step in and rescind the cuts shortly after they were announced.

Taken Alive said he feels that if Title VI were subject to any cuts, those cuts would be immediately overturned.

Even if the federal Department of Education were to end, Taken Alive said he feels South Dakota's Department of Education will step up.

"School districts see the benefit of incorporating Lakota, Dakota, Nakoda history into daily curriculum," Taken Alive said. "Not just to Native students, because South Dakota history is Lakota, Dakota, Nakoda history. I don't see any reason for the state to end that."

Rounds said Monday that he has personally met and spoken with leaders from all nine South Dakota tribes and other tribes nationwide about potential changes to ensure treaty rights are protected and tribes are informed.

"They're very open about their concerns and about making sure that we do things that are in consultation with them," Rounds said.

No money to tribes would be affected, Rounds said. Funds would be moved out of the Department of Education, but wouldn't be lost or eliminated.

For Native children specifically, three programs currently under the Department of Ed would be moved into the Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Those include the Indian Education Formula Grants and National Activities, Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program and Special Programs for Indian Children.

Ultimately, an act of Congress is needed to eliminate the department. It's unclear when the body will take up Rounds' legislation.
BOX ELDER, S.D.  Col. Brian Buschur is excited about the arrival of the B-21 bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The 28th Operations Group commander at the base told a crowd at the Black Hills Defense and Industry Symposium on Wednesday in Box Elder, "I've seen the aircraft, I've touched it, I've talked to the hundreds of people, to the engineers, that have designed it, that have led over this program. I am inspired, and I'm absolutely sure that we've got it right. This program will ensure our safety and it will also ensure the (Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's) top priority, which is deterrence."

"This plane is bad ass, and it will deter our adversaries and reassure our allies," Buschur said.

When will it arrive?

"The answer is mid-2020s. That's the answer. It's 2025, right? So any day now," he said to chuckles from the crowd at they symposium, held at The Box events center. "The point being is we cannot rush this, folks. We can't. So the jet is undergoing research and development flights as we speak, the operational test program is taking the jet through its paces, and we need to make sure that we get it right, not get it fast."

The B-21 Raider will be able to transport conventional bombs while also being nuclear-capable, with the greatest speed, range and largest payload capability of "any bomber in our inventory," Buschur told the Journal. The B-21 can, "project long range power across the globe at a moment's notice. So to deter our enemies and to assure our allies is what the B-21 brings to the fight."

The U.S. Air Force and defense contractor Northrop Grumman say it's the worlds first "sixth-generation" aircraft.

In her speech at the symposium, Nikki Kodama, Northrop Grumman's vice president of the B-21 production program called the B-21 a "digital platform." Kodama said the B-21 will be "open architecture," meaning it can be upgraded as technology advances and needs arise.

"Now we can do capability upgrades, and whether that's new weapons or software upgrades, that will allow us to really evolve with the evolving threat," she told the Journal, noting the low observability (stealth) capabilities are the sum of years of research. "And when we talk about L.O., this is our ability to bring our 40 years of experience to our L.O. processes, not only from performance, but also from maintenance. And so it's going to be much easier and much less costly to maintain this L.O. platform."

Previously, largescale "block" upgrades were done on aircraft, "so that's where you're waiting for all of the technology, and then doing a big one bank insertion at one period of time," Kodama said.

Think upgrades on an iPhone vs. getting a new iPhone.

"The idea here is that we are going to be adaptable and flexible in the future, so that we can do continuous upgrades throughout the life cycle of upgrading," she said.

The billion-plus dollar project has involved Northrop Grumman working with 400 suppliers in 40 states, according to Kodama. According to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet, the average price per aircraft unit was set to $550 million in 2010, which was updated to $692 million in 2022 dollars. The Air Force noted the "average unit procurement cost" is "the total costs of all procurement funding to include, aircraft flyaway costs, support equipment, training, spares, and engineering change orders divided by a minimum of 100 aircraft." According to Northrop Grumman, the cost is for the first 21 aircraft with subsequent aircraft subject to negotiation.

Preparation on base

To get ready for the B-21's arrival, Ellsworth is in the middle of an extensive construction project on the base. That includes a $130 million runway renovation project that's on budget, Buschur said, noting the work includes replacing the center keel  "spine"  of the runway, "a 75-foot swath down the entire length." In all, there are 45 construction projects planned at the base, with 15 currently ongoing, in preparation for the B-21 program  work to accommodate the plane and the roughly 4,000 people it'll bring to base, counting Air Force personnel and their families.

Some of them are already here.

"New people are trickling in literally every assignment cycle," Buschur told the Journal. "The important thing is that as we transition from a conventional-only enterprise to a nuke enterprise that we're bringing in the right expertise to build the policies, to build the procedures, to endure long-term to ensure that nuke surety is met."

The 2023 National Defense Authorization Act set aside millions in funding for the B-21 Raider mission, including $335 million for construction projects at Ellsworth, $3.1 billion for the B-21s development, and $15 million to assist schools projecting a substantial increase following Department of Defense decisions. Rounds, who authored 47 individual pieces of legislation in the NDAA, postulated Ellsworth would be at the top of the list for education funding.

The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act allocated $269,000 for a trio of B-21-related construction projects at the base. The base was allotted a total of $235 million in the bill.

The B-1 program

During his speech, Buschur touched briefly on the January 2024 B-1 bomber crash at Ellsworth that resulted in $456.2 million in losses, saying afterward "we could have taken a knee. We could have felt sorry for ourselves, but we didn't. We laced up our bootstraps and we went to work."

"Anytime there is a mishap, the whole goal is to get to the root cause, to understand what happened, to ensure it never happens again. And we did that, and we implemented change, with policies, with procedures, with how we conduct our business, with how we conduct our training, to include real world and sim training," Buschur said in an interview. "So we made giant leaps forward. And as an organization, we've moved forward. We've realized that, you know, mistakes were made. We've learned from that, and now we're moving on."

As previously reported, a Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board report said the aircraft touched down 100 feet short of the runway, with the rear radome hitting the ground and the landing gear striking the approach lighting. The four-person crew was able to eject successfully, with two airmen reportedly injured as a result. The B-1 then slid around 5,000 feet, eventually catching fire and coming to rest between two taxiways. The aircraft was a total loss.

As for the B-1 fleet, the program was moved from Ellsworth to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota to accommodate the construction at Ellsworth. The move was a large, complex undertaking, Buschur said in his speech, but didn't affect the 28th Bomb Wing's capabilities. He highlighted a mission to Iraq and Syria in response to an attack in Jordan in February 2024, along with work in Sweden and Guam and a local training exercise. Other operations include retaliatory strikes on Iranian-backed targets, a deployment to the Indian Ocean and trips to Japan and the United Kingdom.

"The collaboration that took place between us and and Grand Forks was astonishing. They welcomed us with open arms," Buschur said in an interview, noting the program was stationed there in the 1990s. "So the local populace there was just as excited as Box Elder and Rapid City are to have the B-21. So it was a partnership that was almost seamless."

The exact future of the B-1 program is unclear, Buschur said, with decisions being made above his rank.

"Weighing heavy on my heart is the B-1 divestment. That plane represents a lot to me, it represents a tenacious community that has always found a way to say 'yes. I have bled with my brothers and sisters overseas in that plane, and it hurts to think that its time may be up" he told the crowd. "So the wing is in this unique spot. We have two different missions. One, it is to provide a proper sunset to a legacy aircraft that has served this nation well. Our second mission is to ensure that Ellsworth is prepared for the B 21 bed-down. So we're sort of at this crossroads between legacy and the future."
About 45 years have passed since a U.S. state last eliminated its income tax on wages and salaries. But with recent actions in Mississippi and Kentucky, two states now are on a path to do so, if their economies keep growing.

The push to zero out the income tax is perhaps the most aggressive example of a tax-cutting trend that swept across states as they rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic with surging revenues and historic surpluses.

But it comes during a time of greater uncertainty for states, as they wait to see whether President Donald Trump's cost cutting and tariffs lead to a reduction in federal funding for states and a downturn in the overall economy.

Some fiscal analysts also warn the repeal of income taxes could leave states reliant on other levies, such as sales taxes, that disproportionately affect the poor.

The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to levy income taxes. It was ratified by states in 1913. Since then, most states have adopted their own income taxes.

Eight states currently charge no personal income tax: Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. A ninth state, Washington, charges no personal income tax on wages and salaries but does tax certain capital gains income over $270,000.

When Alaska repealed its personal income tax in 1980, it did so because state coffers were overflowing with billions of dollars in oil money.

Though income tax eliminations have been proposed elsewhere, they have not been successful.

Its a lot easier to go without an individual income tax if youve never levied one," said Katherine Loughead, a senior analyst and research manager at the nonprofit Tax Foundation. "But once you become dependent on that revenue, it is a lot more difficult to phase out or eliminate that tax.

Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves recently signed a law gradually reducing the state's income tax rate from 4% to 3% by 2030 and setting state revenue growth benchmarks that could trigger additional incremental cuts until the tax is eliminated. The law also reduces the sales tax on groceries and raises the gasoline tax.

If cash reserves are fully funded and revenue triggers are met each year, Mississippi's income tax could be gone by 2040.

Supporters of an income tax repeal hope it will attract both businesses and residents, elevating the states economy to the likes of Florida, Tennessee and Texas. Their theory is that when people pay less in income taxes, they have more money to spend, thus boosting sales tax collections.

The tax repeal puts us in a rare class of elite, competitive states, Reeves said in a statement. He added, Mississippi has the potential to be a magnet for opportunity, for investment, for talent  and for families looking to build a better life.

Mississippi is among the most impoverished states and relies heavily on federal funding. Democratic lawmakers warned the state could face a financial crisis if cuts in federal funding come at the same time as state income tax reductions.

The income tax provides a huge percentage of what the state brings in to fund things like schools and health care and services that everybody relies on, said Neva Butkus, senior analyst at the nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

A 2022 Kentucky law reduced the state's income tax rate and set a series of revenue-based triggers that could gradually lower the tax to zero. But unlike in Mississippi, the triggers aren't automatic. Rather, the Kentucky General Assembly must approve each additional decrease in the tax rate.

That has led to a series of tax-cutting measures, including two new laws this year. One implements the next tax rate reduction from 4% to 3.5% starting in 2026. The second makes it easier to continue cutting the tax rate in the future by allowing smaller incremental reductions if revenue growth isn't sufficient to trigger a 0.5 percentage point reduction.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed the legislation for next year's tax cut but let the other measure passed by the Republican-led legislature become law without his signature. Beshear called it a bait-and-switch bill, contending lawmakers had assured the guardrails for income tax reductions would remain in place while pushing for the 2026 tax cut, then later in the session altered the triggers for future years.

New Hampshire and Tennessee already did not tax income from wages and salaries, but both states had taxed certain types of income.

In 2021, Tennessee ended an income tax on interest from bonds and stock dividends that had been levied since 1929.

New Hampshire halted its tax on interest and dividends at the start of this year.

Some other states also are pushing to repeal income taxes. The Oklahoma House passed legislation in March that would gradually cut the personal income tax rate to zero if revenue growth benchmarks are met. That bill now is in the Senate.

New Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, also wants to phase out the income tax. The House and Senate have advanced legislation that would take an incremental step by exempting capital gains income from taxes.
You are here: China

A medical worker measures blood pressure for an elder at Shenyang Haiman Specialist Care Retirement Home in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China on Monday released new guidelines aimed at enhancing the country's high-skilled workforce in the civil affairs services sector.

The document -- the first jointly issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security -- sets out a comprehensive framework to improve talent development, evaluation, and utilization, in addition to incentive mechanisms for individuals working in civil affairs-related fields.

By 2030, the policy envisions a more capable, better-structured workforce in the sector with significantly enhanced qualifications, stable income growth, and greater public recognition.

It also seeks to foster a more supportive policy environment and strengthen societal respect for careers in civil affairs services.

In a related policy released the same day, the two ministries announced plans to accelerate skill certification for eldercare workers.

The goal is to significantly expand the number of credentialed eldercare professionals in China by 2030, with over 80 percent of caregivers for seniors expected to hold professional certifications.
Built on the grassy plateau atop the once-vacant Shockoe Hill, Gilpin Court became Richmonds first public housing development in 1942.

According to a Dec. 9, 1942, story in The Times-Dispatch, the wartime construction was authorized upon the condition that tenants exclusively be Black war workers. Civilian workers at facilities such as the Richmond Army Air Base and the Richmond Quartermasters Depot were given preference.

More than 80 years later, the neighborhoods 781 affordable housing units are home to thousands of low-income families and individuals  making it both the oldest and largest public housing project in the city.

That could soon change, if Steven Nesmith, chief executive officer of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, succeeds in his attempt to transfer the neighborhood to the Richmond Development Corporation  a private subsidiary of the RRHA.

During a Feb. 25 meeting of RRHAs Board of Commissioners, Nesmith said privatizing the project would mean more and better financing options. But not all board members were convinced.

Barrett Hardiman, whose term began in 2024, said that, if privatization is not done correctly, it could come with potential drawbacks that eventually make Gilpin Court a market-rate housing neighborhood. That would be a devastating outcome amid the rising costs of housing and a climate of economic uncertainty.

We are charged with protecting the tenants in Gilpin, Hardiman said during the February meeting. We are not ready to transfer Gilpin. We dont know whats going to happen once we do that.

Its been several years since housing officials first said they would seek to redevelop Gilpin Courts aging rows of austere red brick buildings, cut off from the rest of Jackson Ward by Interstate 95 and Chamberlayne Avenue. While the RRHA has sought community feedback on the $400 million project, no master plan yet exists for it.

Reached by The Times-Dispatch, Hardiman declined to comment, citing RRHA policy requiring public statements be made by the CEO.

A spokesperson for Nesmith also declined to comment, citing ongoing deliberation over the issue. Nesmiths resolution was tabled for further discussion after Hardiman raised his concerns, and is still pending.

Why privatize?

Nesmith argued that transferring ownership of the land from the RRHA to RDC would make the redevelopment more competitive for both private equity and public funding sources  such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant.

In 2024, HUD awarded a $50 million CNI grant to a public-private partnership in Syracuse, New York. The grant went toward the construction of a 1,400-unit affordable housing development in the upstate city.

During a March 11 meeting, real estate and affordable housing attorney Mike Syme, speaking at Nesmiths invitation, cited Syracuse as a role model, and said going after the grant for Gilpin Court would be brilliant.

I dont really see a downside for the authority, but I see a lot of upside, Syme said.

Syme noted that the second the RRHA petitions HUD for the transfer of Gilpin Court on the grounds that the neighborhood is obsolete, the federal agency will issue tenant protection vouchers  a type of Section 8 voucher  to current residents who have lived there for at least two years.

The residents will not be affected at all, Syme said. They will not pay any more rent than they do today. And (RRHA) will not lose money, because the authority will be getting payments through the Section 8 program.

So, while a privatized Gilpin Court would lose millions of direct HUD and capital funding dollars, it would recuperate much of that funding through the Section 8 program, Syme said.

Just one problem: landlords all over the city accept Section 8 vouchers, meaning theres nothing to ensure the money stays in Gilpin Court, Barrett pointed out.

With Creighton (Court), we had like over 70% of people who wanted to leave and take the tenant protection vouchers with them, he said, referring to the redevelopment of the citys second-largest public housing project. And Im assuming that Gilpin will be similar.

On top of that, Barrett said HUD regulations would require the RRHA to stop accepting new tenants while federal officials reviewed the transfer application. That would mean that, if current residents with Section 8 vouchers did move out, theyd be leaving behind empty apartments the authority could not fill.

That could create a scenario in which RDC assumes control of a partially vacant project thats had its direct federal dollars cut off  potentially forcing rent increases to keep up with maintenance and improvement costs.

I think were putting the cart way before the horse here, Hardiman said.

Real estate taxes, oversight also questioned

Hardiman ultimately seemed to question whether Gilpin Court stands to lose more from the transfer than it would gain.

In addition to losing federal funding, the transfer away from a tax-exempt public body would result in a significant real estate tax burden, he said. Its not clear what the exact cost of that would be, although Richmonds real estate tax rate  $1.20 per $100 of assessed value  is the highest among localities in the region.

Hardiman also expressed concern that the RRHA would lose oversight of Gilpin Court, despite the fact that RDC is a subsidiary of the housing authority.

Syme called RDC an instrumentality of the authority, meaning the authority controls RDC through the board.

The current RDC board, appointed by the RRHA, consists entirely of members of the housing authority. So, if Gilpin is transferred to RDC, the authority doesnt really lose control, Syme said.

Hardiman didnt accept that explanation.

We dont know  that the next people that are in these jobs are going to agree that this board has control of RDC, other than to hire and fire the CEO and to dissolve RDC itself, he said. Future members of both boards could alter the nature of their relationship  or even sever it entirely.

I cannot in good faith vote in favor of transferring Gilpin, he said. It is our biggest property, and really central to our city.

Im not convinced that we are anywhere close to being prepared to do that, he concluded.

We dont have to do this until were ready, Syme said in response to Hardimans objections.

What are others saying?

The RRHA is a largely independent body under state law, and functions as a local division of HUD. While Richmonds City Council appoints and can recall board members, thats the extent of their control under the city charter.

Andreas Addison, former 1st District City Councilman, said that regardless of the funding structure that sees Gilpin Court rebuilt, the RRHA should commit to one-to-one public housing replacement. That would mean that, for every unit of public housing that is torn down, a new one would be built to replace it.

Investing in Richmonds public housing communities represents one of the most critical opportunities to foster a future that is both thriving and inclusive, said Addison, who previously chaired City Councils land use and housing committee and was a member of Richmonds Planning Commission.

The vision must ... minimize displacement, he added.

Tom Fitzpatrick, executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal in Virginia, agreed.

RRHA would do well to ... clearly explain tenant protections that ought to remain in place, and guarantee Gilpin Courts residents that they will not lose those safeguards, Fitzpatrick said.
Autumn Bushmans Celebration of Life, held at Berglund Center on Sunday, drew in hundreds of community members who wished to support her family and take a stance against bullying.

Autumn, a 10-year-old student at Mountain View Elementary School in Roanoke County, died by suicide March 21. Since her death, her family has been trying to spread her story to raise awareness about bullying and to call for change, both locally and nationally.

Booths for face painting, bracelet making and spreading information about bullying and mental health were set up in the Berglund Centers lobby. The service took place in the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre.

Mark Bushman, Autumns dad, said that his daughter was a giver. She loved making little handmade gifts, like bracelets, and would radiate with joy when she could give someone a gift, he said. He brought some bracelets that shed made, along with other objects from her room like Polaroid pictures shed taken. He also brought the card he gave her for Valentines Day this year, which shed kept in her drawer.

Autumns favorite thing to do, probably first and foremost, was to give, he said. Give bracelets, give compliments, give hugs. She wanted you to know you were loved and cared about. She wanted you to remember that.

Mark Bushman also reflected on Autumns confidence and faith. Through this situation, he said that he has gathered strength from his faith.

Autumn knew who she was, he said. She knew that God does not make mistakes, that she was beautiful and unique, as we all are.

Mark Bushman closed by reading A Child of Mine, a poem by Edgar Albert Guest that someone from Michigan sent to Autumns family.

Autumns mother, Summer Bushman, created a GoFundMe on April 1. As of Sunday, it had raised $7,020 of its $10,000 goal.

She took her own life in my home and Im in desperate need of a fresh start for my family. Please help me raise funds in order to move and make new memories, Summer Bushman wrote in the fundraiser description.

Kathleen Thorell, executive director of Tudor House, spoke during Autumns Celebration of Life about mental health and suicide prevention. Tudor House is a local nonprofit focusing on suicide prevention, education and support.

Thorell brought three members of the Teen Ambassador Program along to answer a few questions about mental health among adolescents. Tudor House has 24 teen ambassadors across 14 high schools in the Roanoke Valley, all trained to provide peer-to-peer support.

Tudor House has helped me become so much more aware of the people in my community that are here and want to support me, Landrie Bell, a student at Salem High School, said.

People can text or call 988 to connect with the suicide and crisis lifeline, but people dont have to be in immediate danger to utilize it, Thorell said. Additionally, the lifeline is meant to be used by anyone who is trying to support someone who is struggling.

The biggest myth Thorell often hears is that talking about suicide will put the idea in someones head and somehow make it happen, she said. In reality, research shows that talking about suicide with someone who may be considering it can bring them relief and hope, she said.

If they are thinking about it, the research shows that they feel relief, they feel comfort, that someone is aware of them, that someone sees them, and someone cares enough to ask that really difficult question, Thorell said. If they arent thinking about it, all those things still apply.

Thomas McCracken, senior pastor of CommUNITY Church in Salem, was invited to speak at the event. As an educator, and as someone who was bullied as a child, hes become passionate about the issue.

I cant see another kid suffer, hurt themselves or die  I sort of feel like this is my watch now, McCracken said in an interview on Tuesday. I didnt go through all that I went through, experientially or educationally, to sit on the sidelines for this to happen ever again.

In 2022, McCracken received his doctorate in education from Liberty University. He used a local school as a case study for his dissertation, which focused on peer intervention in bullying incidents.

We know that 60% of bullying incidents would stop within 10 seconds if someone just spoke up and said stop, he said. Peer intervention is the key, and were not really doing that.

While researching, McCracken said he found that nationwide, an estimated 160,000 students stay out of school each day because theyre being bullied. Autumn was one of those students, her parents said.

Educators and other staff are well-intentioned, but the issue lies in a disconnect between policy and practice in schools, McCracken said.

During an emotional meeting Thursday, the Roanoke County School Board unanimously voted to approve its bullying policy. Minor changes, like correcting a grammatical error, were made to the policy.

Im starting to get frustrated and angry that were going in the same circles, seeing the same results, and were not seeing change and reform in our policy and in our practice, McCracken said Tuesday.

Jamie Soltis, deputy superintendent for Roanoke County Public Schools, said during the meeting Thursday that the policy can be changed at any time. He encouraged parents to provide feedback on their bullying policy and procedures through a one-question survey.

In order to be able to use a local school for his research, McCracken agreed to keep his dissertation private. Now, however, he hopes the school system will allow him to make it public if he redacts the schools name. He feels like the data he collected isnt doing anyone any good if they cant see it.

I feel like I have a fire hose, and houses are burning down all around me, and Im not allowed to turn the hose on, he said.

Like Autumns family, McCracken hopes that some good can come out of this tragedy. Theres currently no federal law that directly addresses bullying, but hes working with an attorney and a senator in the hopes to change that, he said.

I do not want this to be a flash in the pan moment where everybodys emotional, everybodys upset, everybodys angry, and then one year from now, were back to discussing SOLs.

Editors note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
" " Glowing eyes peeking out of a dark forest? No thank you. Nicole Antonio / DALL-E

Solomon Island Giants: Are they ancient myths or a hidden piece of human evolution? Stories of the Solomon Island Giants have been passed down for generations among Solomon Islanders, describing enormous, human-like creatures lurking in the dense rainforests. These mysterious creatures have captured the imagination of locals and researchers alike, fueling debates about their existence.

Legends of ancient giants are found across the world, from Greek mythology to Norse mythology, and the Solomon Islands are no exception. Some believe these beings are a lost branch of human evolution, similar to Homo erectus, but scientists have found no trace of any distinct hominin species in the Solomon Islands.

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The Solomon Islands Giants are simply folklore  but could these giant myths hold a kernel of truth, or are they simply part of the rich tapestry of Solomon Island mysteries?
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Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China and Vietnam should strengthen their efforts on all fronts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article titled "Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals." The article was published on Monday by the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam ahead of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Xi said building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of the two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond.

He called for deepening strategic mutual trust and advancing the socialist cause, continuing win-win cooperation and delivering more benefit to the two peoples, strengthening people-to-people exchanges and forging a closer bond between the two peoples, as well as enhancing multilateral collaboration and promoting Asia's prosperity and revitalization.

The Chinese leader warned that trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.

"Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment," he added.

"We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region," Xi said.

"The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation."
Teen suspected of murdering parents now tied to cult and conspiracy to kill Trump to spark a political revolution

Teen suspected of murdering parents now tied to cult and conspiracy to kill Trump to spark a political revolution

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.
EGU2025 - Picking and chosing sessions to attend on site in Vienna

Posted on 14 April 2025 by BaerbelW

This year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will take place as a fully hybrid conference in both Vienna and online from April 27 to May 2. This year, I'll join the event on site in Vienna for the full week and I've already picked several sessions I plan to attend. Among them are two sessions, I'll be presenting in. This blog post provides an overview of my itinerary.

Monday

To start my week at EGU25, I plan to attend a Union Symposia (US5) at 8:30am: Bridging Policy and Science for EU Disaster Preparedness

One of the greatest risks to our security is the impact of climate change. Extreme weather continues to ravage ever greater areas of Europe through floods, fires and droughts, throughout the year and across the European Union. The EU's new strategic agenda for 2024-2029 states that it will strengthen its resilience, preparedness, crisis prevention and response capacities in an all-hazards and whole-of-society approach to protect its citizens and societies against different crises, including disasters. The EU funds research & innovation through Horizon Europe projects but also with multiple other instruments and channels. The needs of the EU, reflecting those of its Member States, for scientific output to address and support disaster risk reduction policy, prevention & preparedness capacity-building, and emergency operations are continuous. These gaps are reflected in policy or operational documentation, such as the political guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029 and the Union's Disaster Resilience Goals. Among others, we should look at all facets of crisis and disaster management, along community resilience building. This session aims to create a dialogue between EU-wide policy-based scientific needs for Disaster Resilience and the scientific community of the EGU. It will inform the scientific community how to interpret the latest policy documentation in orienting their research and funnel their planning and output back to the EU's needs to have an impact and added value for society. The European Commission will be represented by the DG for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations as well as DG Joint Research Centre.

After US5 and the coffee break, I plan to join EOS2.1 at 10:45am: Open session on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education which might provide some wide-ranging food for thought about how to effectively communicate science topics.

In this session we encourage contributions of general interest within the Higher Education community which are not covered by other sessions. The session is open to all areas involving the teaching of geoscience and related fields in higher education with a particular interest in current innovations and trends in geoscience education research. Examples might include describing a new resource available to the community, presenting a solution to a teaching challenge, pros and cons of a new educational technique/technology e.g. generative AI and chat bots, linking science content to societally relevant challenges/issues, developing critical thinking skills through the curriculum and effective strategies for online/remote instruction and/or hybrid/blended learning. Our intent with this session is to foster international discourse on common challenges and strategies for educators within the broader field of Earth Sciences - let's share, discuss and develop effective practice.

My afternoon will be filled with two short courses. The first one will be SC1.5 Your guide to science diplomacy at 14:00pm.

Global challenges, such as climate change and natural hazards, are becoming increasingly complex and interdependent, and solutions have to be global in scope and based on a firm scientific understanding of the challenges we face. At the same time, Science and technology are playing an increasingly important role in a complex geopolitical landscape. In this difficult setting, scientific collaboration can not only be used to help address global challenges but also to foster international relations and build bridges across geopolitical divisions. Science diplomacy is a broad term used both to describe the various roles that science and researchers play in bridging geopolitical gaps and finding solutions to international issues, and also the study of how science intertwines with diplomacy in pursuing these goals. During this Short Course, experts will introduce key science diplomacy concepts and outline the skills that are required to effectively engage in science diplomacy. They will also provide practical insights on how researchers can actively participate in science diplomacy, explore real-life examples of science diplomacy, and highlight resources where participants can learn more about science diplomacy moving forward.

The second short course on my list is SC3.8 Maintaining your literature review: tools, tips, and discussions to help keep up with evolving research. Given the interactive nature of most of these short courses, I may even be able to plug our weekly New Research articles published on Thursdays by Doug and Marc!

Staying up-to-date with the latest research in your field can be challenging, with new scientific papers, news articles, and regulations constantly emerging. Fortunately, there are ways to stay informed. In this session, we offer practical advice on maintaining an up-to-date literature review over the long term. We'll cover essential tools and strategies for identifying relevant works, organizing them, and referring back to them as your field evolves. Join us for an engaging conversation where participants can exchange insights and learn from each other's experiences in navigating their literature review.

Turns out that most of the sessions I picked - apart from US5 - have rooms assigned in the "-2 basement" level which sounds as if it's underground. Luckily enough, that's not the case and that level even features two outside terraces which - weather permitting - might be nice spots to join sessions virtually should the assigned rooms be overcrowded!

Figure 1: Floor plan Level -2 Basement at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV) where the EGU meetings are held each year. The full floor plan is available here if you'd like to get an impression of the venue's size.

Tuesday

I may start day 2 at EGU with short course SC2.14 Contributing to best-practice in geoscience communication by publishing  A drop-in clinic, with the Geoscience Communication editors as we have been working on a drafted paper for just that journal last year.

Your geoscience is important, and it can make a difference to the world! But, you need to communicate this! Our journals mission is to publish the research on best practice, so we all learn how to be the best communicators we can. This session is to help you publish about the tools, tips and techniques you use to create impact in your educational, outreach, or engagement (e.g. with government, industry) work. The session is a drop-in clinic with the journal editors, so bring your initial ideas, stupid questions, research plans, or even draft papers! Questions might include: How do I get started? - Ive got a great outreach idea, but how do I use and contribute to best practice?

How do I collect evidence / data?  The guts e.g. methods & statistics

What does robust research about communication look like? i.e. what a paper needs. The session will consist of roughly 10 mins of us talking, followed by small group or 1-to-1 discussion with a Geoscience Communication editor, sitting around 3-4 tables.

It doesnt matter if you know very little already. No question is too basic. Or, youre an experienced geoscience communication practitioner; then, we can help you get the reputational benefit comes with publication.

Another option in the same timeslot in the morning is the oral session ITS3.2/EOS1.9 Citizen Science and Co-creating with Communities. But if I don't manage to go there, I'll have the corresponding poster session as an alternative.

Knowledge co-creation is key for participatory and transdisciplinary research and is often described as science with society, rather than science for society. Co-creation, co-production, and co-design refer to methods of participatory collaborative research, with adjacent terms including public engagement, or community-led". All these methods are becoming increasingly recognised as necessary for solving complex societal and sustainability problems and challenges such as climate change, with joint efforts required from academia, enterprises, governments, and local/indigenous communities. Another advantage of co-creating with communities is that collaboratively designed solutions are more likely to be implemented and sustained long-term. There are a wide variety of co-creation methodologies, including citizen science methods, which differ in levels of community collaboration depending on the question and goals of knowledge production. This session welcomes topics and case studies of co-creation from all disciplines and levels of participation of non-academic actors, from community consultation during the planning phases of the project goals to citizen scientists as data crowdsourcing. The idea is to not only highlight best practice, but also identify challenges associated with community co-creation. By sharing major learnings, best practices, and strategies, the session aims to promote increased participatory methods in mainstream science activities. Those participating in the session may also choose to submit a full paper in a special issue of Geoscience Communication (an EGU journal that covers outreach, public engagement, widening participation, and knowledge exchange in the geosciences), which will be based on the contributions of this session. This session is a call for researchers to recognise that they are more than mere observers, and that non-academia actors are more than those observed. By enabling discussions and knowledge production on equal basis, transdisciplinary co-creation can empower communities, especially underrepresented communities who are often not heard.

Another short course offered in the afternoon piqued my interest, especially in light of what is currently happening in the U.S. where this type of research is getting suppressed by all means possible: SC1.4 Climate change, morals and how people understand the politics of climate change.

How can scientists and governments ensure that their communication resonates more deeply with citizens without resorting to the manipulative tactics used by those who seek to undermine liberal democracy? How can scientific and government actors ensure their communications are equally meaningful and ethical? This Short Course will combine insights from state-of-the-art scientific knowledge, novel empirical research on values-targeted communication strategies, and a deep understanding of practitioners and citizens attitudes on these topics. Examples from the European Commissions Joint Research Centre will be used to share practical guidance for scientists who need to successfully navigate the policy world.

For the final slot of the day, I'll need to make a decision - again - between two sessions I'm interested in. EOS4.2 Bridging the gap between geosciences and legal practice: informing laws and litigation which is a PICO session with a whirlwind of 2-minute long elevator pitches followed by an hour talking with the authors at their assigned large screens.

Climate change represents one of the defining societal challenges of the 21st century. However, the response to this challenge remains largely inadequate across the board. Both in terms of mitigation and adaptation, measures currently taken by countries or companies fall short of what is required to ensure a safe and healthy life for populations around the globe, both today and in the future. The past and continued failure to address climate change results in extreme weather events causing damages and losses, as well as the prospect of further worsening impacts. Insufficient emission reductions exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and lead to increasingly unsafe living conditions in the future. The shortfall in climate action has led citizens to take up legal action to either receive compensation for suffered climate damages or force decision makers to commit to the necessary emissions reductions. In this session, we invite contributions that help bridge the gap between the legal practice of climate litigation and the geosciences. This can include new scientific methods that can support legal efforts, and inter- and transdisciplinary perspectives on how to integrate geoscience insights in litigation, and how to communicate scientific findings to legal practitioners and society at large, in light of legal and ethical aspects of climate change. We also welcome contributions assessing questions of climate change and impact attribution, responsibility, human rights, burden sharing of efforts, translation between science and law, and communication of scientific findings, that link beyond disciplinary boundaries.

Or short course SC1.6 Science for Policy 101, a session I already joined a few times in the past and which has always been interesting.

Science for policy is the practice of integrating scientific knowledge into policymaking to ensure that scientific evidence is available for policymakers when making decisions. There are some basic considerations for engaging in science for policy that can help get you started, from considering how you frame your message, looking for windows of opportunity, and more. This session will start by diving into some of the basics of policy, enabling participants to understand what science for policy is and how they can start engaging with it. The tips for engaging are relevant to all career stages and will also help you understand the different paths available depending on the level of engagement you are interested in. The session will then introduce experts working on the science for policy interface to highlight specific skills that researchers can develop to increase their policy impact and provide some practical examples.

Wednesday

Wednesday looks to be a "slow" day for me with not (yet!) a lot of sessions to attend. It'll kick off with a short course in the morning slot

SC2.5 Transferable skills: what are they and do I have them?

Anyone entering the job market or looking for a new job after academia will confront the phrase transferable skills. PhD candidates and scientists are advised to highlight their transferable skills when applying for non-academic jobs, but it can be hard to know what these skills are. Similarly, for those looking to change scientific research areas or take a leap into a new field for their PhD, it is important to highlight your transferable skills. Big data analysis, communicating your findings, supervising, teaching, project management and budgeting are skills you might have from your research/science career. But there are many more. In this interactive workshop, we will start your journey of identifying your transferable skills and highlighting careers where these will be necessary!

After the coffee break, I plan to join my first Great Debate of the week with GDB5 How to translate fundamental research into societal and policy impact.

Research fundings enable Europe to drive innovation, address societal challenges, and maintain global competitiveness. While the value and benefit of applied research is relatively easy to understand for policymakers and the public, the link between fundamental research and societal value is less evident for them. As a consequence, it is increasingly clear that Europe lags behind other major powers in terms of investment in transformative frontier research and that this threatens its future. [...] This Great Debate will explore the procedures to bring research results closer to policy, economy and society. Involvement of researchers in policymaking and other societal actions appears to be limited, often not well recognised, and not easily accessible. In addition, the interest in specific projects usually fades away after their termination whereas the repercussion of obtained results may only arrive later. Knowledge hub, government Scientific Advisory Boards or Science Advice Mechanisms are not systematically in place across Europe. During this session, panellists from European research funding, scientific, and policy communities will debate: How can individual researchers contribute effectively in societal and policy actions? Which mechanisms should be created to facilitate the harnessing of research results? Should the use of research results be left in the hands of dedicated professionals (e.g., officers at the research institutions)? What is the role of Scientific Advisory Boards? And where is research budget best invested?

In the afternoon I'll most likely first peruse the posters and then listen to the orals for EOS1.3 Games for Geoscience. This is always a fun session to join due to the creativity involved in combining science and playing games.

Games have the power to ignite imaginations and place you in someone elses shoes or situation, often forcing you into making decisions from perspectives other than your own. This makes them powerful tools for communication, through use in outreach, disseminating research, in education and teaching at all levels, and as a method to train the public, practitioners, and decision-makers in order to build environmental resilience. Games can also inspire innovative and fun approaches to learning. Gamification and game-based approaches add an extra spark of engagement and interaction with a topic. Gaming technology (e.g. virtual reality) can transport and immerse people into new worlds providing fascinating and otherwise impossible experiences for learners. In this session we welcome contributions from anyone who has used games, gaming technology, and/or game-based approaches in their research, their teaching, or public engagement activities. Visit https://www.games4geoscience.wordpress.com to learn more about the session.

Thursday

Not sure if attending a PICO-session at 8:30 in the morning is a good way to properly wake up but I'll have a chance to find out with EOS1.6 How to communicate uncertainty to non-expert audiences.

All science has uncertainty. Global challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change illustrate that an effective dialogue between science and society requires clear communication of uncertainty. Responsible science communication conveys the challenges of managing uncertainty that is inherent in data, models and predictions, facilitating the society to understand the contexts where uncertainty emerges and enabling active participation in discussions. This session invites presentations by individuals and teams on communicating scientific uncertainty to non-expert audiences, addressing topics such as: (1) Innovative and practical tools (e.g. from social or statistical research) for communicating uncertainty

(2) Pitfalls, challenges and solutions to communicating uncertainty with non-experts

(3) Communicating uncertainty in risk and crisis situations (e.g., natural hazards, climate change, public health crises)

Examples of research fitting into the categories above include a) new, creative ways to visualize different aspects of uncertainty, b) new frameworks to communicate the level of confidence associated with research, c) testing the effectiveness of existing tools and frameworks, such as the categories of confidence used in expert reports (e.g., IPCC), or d) research addressing the challenges of communicating high-uncertainty high-impact events. This session encourages you to share your work and join a community of practice to inform and advance the effective communication of uncertainty in earth and space science.

The next session will include the first of my presentations this year at EGU. EOS1.1 Science and Society: Science Communication Practice, Research, and Reflection.

Science communication includes the efforts of natural, physical and social scientists, communications professionals, and teams that communicate the process and values of science and scientific findings to non-specialist audiences outside of formal educational settings. The goals of science communication can include enhanced dialogue, understanding, awareness, enthusiasm, improving decision making, or influencing behaviors. Channels can include in-person interaction, online, social media, mass media, or other methods. This session invites presentations by individuals and teams on science communication practice, research, and reflection, addressing questions like: What kind of communication efforts are you engaging in and how you are doing it?

How is social science informing understandings of audiences, strategies, or effects?

What are lessons learned from long-term communication efforts? This session invites you to share your work and join a community of practice to inform and advance the effective communication of earth and space science.

My oral slot is scheduled for (high) noon and I'll have ~8 minutes to talk about Collaborations between Skeptical Science and other groups to spread fact-based information. And while I only mention two collaboration projects in my abstract, I'll actually present a few more in the time available.

Skeptical Science is a volunteer-run website publishing refutations of climate misinformation. Some members of the Skeptical Science team actively research best-practices refutation techniques while other team members use these findings to share debunking techniques effectively either in writing or through presentations. During 2024, our team collaborated with other groups specializing in fact checking and countering misinformation about the climate crisis. With this submission we highlight two of these collaborations: Creating fact briefs in collaboration with Gigafact

Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer yes/no answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact  a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. Turning a PDF-based report refuting 33 climate solutions myths into stand-alone rebuttals

In early 2024 we spotted an impressive report addressing climate solutions misinformation, "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles," written by members of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. We collaborated with the authors to create 33 stand-alone rebuttals based on the report's content to make it possible to link to each of the rebuttals directly. Both of these collaborations help with sharing fact-based information in order to counter mis- and disinformation spread online.

Here is a sneak peak of my drafted presentation:

In the afternoon, I have the choice between listening to many more presentations in EOS1.1 or join one or two Great Debates. GDB3 The Role of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Transforming Geosciences: Friend, Foe, or Fad?

Large Language Models (LLMs) and other advanced AI tools are reshaping how researchers and practitioners approach data analysis, synthesis, and communication across Geosciences. This Great Debate at the EGU General Assembly 2025 aims to critically examine the impact of LLMs in fields such as Seismology, Atmospheric Sciences, and Earth and Space Science Informatics. As these models grow increasingly capable of interpreting complex datasets, generating predictive models, and even drafting research manuscripts, they raise profound questions about their role and limitations in scientific workflows. The discussion will address key issues, such as the potential of LLMs to accelerate discovery through data-driven insights, their capacity to support real-time decision-making during natural hazards, and the ethical considerations of AI-generated content in peer-reviewed publications. Are LLMs a transformative tool that can bridge knowledge gaps and facilitate interdisciplinary research, or do they risk introducing bias, reducing transparency, and undermining traditional scientific rigour? The panel will provide diverse perspectives on these questions. We will also address the need for proper training, education, and guidelines to avoid misuse.

The Great Debate GDB7 Science and Activism  Compatible or Antithetical? might spark quite some discussions between the panelists and audience!

Many of the challenges of today raise difficult questions about what the role of scientists should be in relation to issues from climate change and Net Zero policies to implementation of nature-based solutions to reduce risk of flooding, drought and diffuse pollution. Scientists working in such areas are understandably passionate about their areas of research and practice and there is a strong temptation to be active in promoting certain policies and action. However, there is a real tension between the need for objectivity as a scientist and pursuing an activist agenda. Is it possible to do both without compromising our integrity as scientists? This debate will explore this tension in conversation between the audience and an expert panel. Come along, hear the arguments and have your say!

Friday

The last day of EGU25 starts with the session I'll have my 2nd presentation in EOS4.3 Geoethics and Global Anthropogenic Change: Geoscience for Policy, Action and Education in Addressing the Climate and Ecological Crises.

Geoethics is essential for addressing global crises such as climate change, ecological degradation, and resource overexploitation. The integration of ethical principles at the heart of geoscience allows us to make more sustainable, equitable, and informed decisions. Geoscientists play a key role in providing accurate and unbiased data to policymakers, and in helping to ensure that decisions reflect the full range of environmental, social, and economic impacts. Their responsibility however extends beyond the sole providing of information: They can actively engage with policymakers and the public to tackle critical challenges, including climate change, ocean degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution and the conflicts driven by fossil fuel dependency. Despite increasing advocacy for transformative solutions, global efforts remain insufficient to address the climate and ecological crises. As global warming nears the 1.5C threshold (WMO), the primary obstacle to climate action is not as much a lack of awareness, than resistance and denial from powerful vested interests. In the meantime, many institutions, including universities and research centres, tend to reinforce the status quo instead of driving necessary change. [...] This session seeks to inspire dialogue, showcase innovative practices and explore the evolving role of geoscience in cultural, policymaking, and societal change.

My presentation is scheduled for 8:50 so I hope to be "wide awake" then in order to tell participants about Making climate science more easily accessible by providing translations on Skeptical Science.

Skeptical Science is a volunteer-run website publishing refutations of climate misinformation. Some members of the Skeptical Science team actively research best-practices refutation techniques while other team members use these findings to share debunking techniques effectively either in writing or through presentations. Skeptical Science is published in English but translation capabilities were added in 2009. Many volunteer translators have taken advantage of this functionality to create content in their native language. With this submission we highlight what is already available and what the challenges are for such a volunteer-based effort. Many of the rebuttals to climate myths have been translated into 1 to 28 languages thus far but there's a large variety in how many translations exist for one rebuttal. In addition, many rebuttals have seen updates in their English version which haven't yet found their way into already existing translations. In addition to providing translations for selected content published as rebuttals or blog posts on Skeptical Science, we also coordinate translations for publications like The Debunking Handbook, The Conspiracy Theory Handbook and the Cranky Uncle game which are then made readily available on our website.

Here is a sneak peak of my drafted presentation:

In the afternoon, I can either stick with EOS4.3 or join EOS4.1 Strengthening Policy Through Science: Insights from the Interface which - unfortunately runs in parallel to the morning session I'll be presenting in.

Evidence-based policymaking aims to ground public policies in the best available research and data, ensuring that decisions are informed by robust evidence rather than by ideology, assumptions, or political considerations. To support and inform policy, stakeholders need to engage in a way that addresses needs and develops solutions. To ensure this engagement is effective, it is important to identify the most effective formats for engagement to ensure re-searchers contributions enrich and strengthen local, national or international policy. This session aims to show how research activities and outputs may impact society and policy beyond the academic world. It will highlight stories of success and failure from scientists who have engaged in policy or other activities that made critical societal impacts  either on an international, European, national, or local level  across different geoscience disciplines. Equally important, the session will also present the role of those working from within political institutions who have facilitated successful science-society-policy-dialogues. It will also aim to examine the various challenges that researchers face when engaging on the science-society-policy interface and various strategies that others have taken to manage and overcome them.

Both of these EOS-sessions also have Poster presentations in addition to the Orals, so will provide an opportunity to stroll through the poster hall(s) for a while.

Summary

Just like in previous years, I'm expecting quite a busy week, so will most likely not be twiddling my thumbs much! In addition to attending the sessions above, I also plan to offer Networking Pop-Up Events to talk about our resources and projects if people are interested to learn more. These events can be scheduled to happen in designated on-site areas in the ACV and one of them is Terrace G in the basement level where most of the sessions I picked are taking place.



Like in previous years, I intend to write up my take on the sessions attended - we'll then see how much of the week goes as planned!
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A transportation nightmare is looming over Chicago, where a $730 million hole in the regional mass transit budget could force the city to cut bus and train service nearly in half.

That could shutter some train stations and leave the countrys third-largest city with fewer bus routes than Madison, Wisconsin. Many of the systems 1.2 million daily rides would shift to cars, clogging the streets, and the system would enter the transit death spiral, in which service cuts beget ridership declines until transit is the option of last resort.

Its the latest city to face a fiscal cliff in mass transit funding as COVID relief money fades away, leaving behind budgets eviscerated by declining ridership, reduced fares, and higher costs. California legislators have proposed a sales tax measure to help BART, the train network that connects San Francisco and Oakland. New York has generated money for mass transit with congestion pricing. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has directed $153 million in highway money toward shoring up SEPTA, which runs the trains and buses in Philadelphia (though a long-term solution is urgently required).

Now its Chicagos turn, and the state is using the opportunity to dream big. As former Mayor Rahm Emanuel might have said: Never let a good crisis go to waste. There will be no funding without reform, is the refrain in Springfield, where legislators are trying to act on years of studies that have come to basically the same conclusion about Chicagolands mass transit: Its no way to run a railroad. To hear Chicagos civic watchdogs tell it, dysfunctional governancefour separate agencies, running three separate serviceshas left the countrys third-largest city with subpar options for getting around without a car. (Those agencies are: the CTA, which runs buses and the L in Chicago; Metra, which runs commuter rail; Pace, which runs suburban buses; and the RTA, which supervises the other three.)

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But who should run trains and buses in and around Chicago? The city, the suburbs, the state? In cities where suburban interests dominate transit planning, like New York and Boston, money and service flows accordingly. On the other hand, in a metro area of almost 10 million people, does it make sense to have four separate boards composed of 47 different people, managing different ticketing systems, schedules, maps, unions, and infrastructure?

With weeks to go until agencies start planning how theyll hack away at jobs and schedules, there are two separate proposals to rethink the system, as well as a separate list of demands from Illinois state Rep. Marty Moylan, a powerful suburban Democrat who runs the states transportation committee and is concerned about how much overtime pay transit workers take home. What there is not, so far, is a check to shore up Chicagos mass transit before the death spiral begins.

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The current blueprint for reform comes from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, which was directed by the state to produce a 134-page study in 2023 that anticipated the arrival of the fiscal cliff. The report outlined a few ideas that everyone likes in principle: coordinated fares and schedules, faster buses, a link between transit provision and land use planning, steady funding support to replace an atypical reliance on fares, increased accessibility, and renewed public confidence in the safety of riding the El.

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Erin Aleman, the executive director of CMAP, told me that many of these ideas have been floating around for years, but the post-pandemic change in travel patternsfewer everyday commuters, growing ridership on middays and weekendshas supplied the urgency to make a big change.

The result of these recommendations is a 500-page bill called the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, which has the support of CMAP and a variety of Chicagos civic stewards. The MMA would resolve what advocates say is the fatal flaw of the regions buses and trains, by replacing the four regional boards with one unified body.

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Kam Buckner, a state representative from Chicago and self-proclaimed transit geek who has sponsored the bill in the House, told me its both a good policy and a necessary show of intent. Good policy because the agencies arent currently working together (the city and the suburbs are developing two separate fleets of electric buses, he said). Necessary because, We need folks to wrap their arms around this and say, Were satisfied. People do not want to be throwing good money after bad.

Theyre competing with each other rather than working together, Audrey Wennink, who leads transportation policy efforts at Chicagos Metropolitan Planning Council, told me of the current four regional boards. Since agencies are fighting for fare dollars, she said, they have little incentive to work with their rivals on comprehensive service. We need unification of our regional planning functions. Its more than the fiscal crisis we need to deal with to make transit competitive and attractive. In December, Wennink traveled with Illinois lawmakers seeking inspiration to Berlin and Munich, where different transit operators are part of a single, seamless verkehrsverbunde, or transit association. Its an appealing model to imagine in Chicago.

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And now for the counterproposal. A union-supported group called the Labor Alliance for Public Transit has put forward a plan called United We Move. The labor proposal also draws on the CMAP blueprint for reform, but with a crucial difference: It maintains the four governing bodies and suggests giving a stronger hand to the supervisory RTA.

There is a certain amount of self-interest here, since a proposal closer to the status quo would avoid a messy combination of the various union contracts and pension plans. But that gets at a larger issue, opponents of the consolidation plan say. If we were designing it from scratch, we might not design it the way we have it now, Kate Lowe, a planning professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, told me. But that doesnt mean consolidation is a silver bullet. Creating one body to govern all the trains and buses would also require combining debt, bonding authority, assets, property, staff, and contracts.

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That might not actually thin the administrative overhead, the bus network guru Jarrett Walker argued in a post last year. Walker acknowledged a conflict of interesthe is working for the CTA and Pacebut pointed out that the benefits of mergers decrease with organizations of this size and complexity: There arent that many economies of scale that arise from consolidating agencies as large as CTA and Pace, he wrote, adding that the agency would be huge and mired in bureaucratic inertia.

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I called Jim Aloisi, a former Massachusetts secretary of transportation who watched a similar reform before revenue reorganization take place at the MBTA, which runs buses and trains in and around Boston. Legislators typically dont have a sense that when you reform governance structure you create a massive amount of disruption and layer on new costs, he explained. Its not like turning an on-and-off switch. If the state wants reforms, he said, they can mandate that the different agencies enact them.

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He raised another cautionary lesson from Boston, where the mayor appoints just one member to the board of the MBTA. From the city of Chicagos perspective, a reorganization to remove city primacy over the board is not a good idea. Chicagos mayor-run system carries some 85 percent of the areas transit tripsbut would lose control under a regional reorganization to suburban and state appointees, disenfranchising the citys Black and Latino communities. A better model, he said, could be found in San Francisco, where local transit is combined with the citys department of transportation, putting street design, traffic rules, transit operations, and parking policy under a single authority. (London operates a similar model.)

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The irony is, everyone agrees that Chicagos CTA has been terribly run in recent years under the tenure of a president who spent more time flying abroad than riding the El, using his transit card on just 12 days over two years. But at least voters knew who to blame.

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You can make up your own mind about which of these arguments carries more water. (Here is a thoughtful, detailed argument from the Chicago newsletter A City That Works.) What makes this situation unusual, perhaps, is the confidence that the state will ultimately come to the aid of its largest city. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said last month, Its something I think we all understand is necessary soon. Cities and states havent always seen eye-to-eye about the value of urban mass transit, with its majority-minority ridership and powerful unions. The head of the U.S. Department of Transportation recently called the New York City subway a shithole and claimed riders were forced to use it.

But what Illinois has in common with California and New Yorkto take two other states actively working to shore up struggling urban transit systemsis a Democratic trifecta in the statehouse. The old city-suburb political distinctions arent what they used to be. Big cities are still subjects of the state, but no longer are they surrounded by conservatives who wish them ill. After all, it was the Illinois General Assembly that commissioned the report on fixing Chicago transit in the first place.

So if things seem touch-and-go in Illinois, at least its not Pennsylvania. On Thursday, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a Republican state senator, Frank Farry, to urge the Pennsylvania senate to fund Phillys SEPTA. The plan has passed the Pennsylvania House three timeswhere Democrats have a one-seat majority. In the Senate? Republicans have a five-seat cushion. It will be up to them to stop a 45-percent service cut that would close scores of train stations around Philadelphia. If you dont have a car, youd rather be in Chicago.
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The Trump administration escalated its defiance of federal court orders over the weekend, adamantly refusing to reverse its illegal deportation of a Maryland father, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to an El Salvador prison. Across multiple filings, Justice Department lawyers flouted a judges directive to explain how the government intended to bring back Abrego Garciaand denied that it had a duty to return him to the United States at all. Instead, the administration disclaimed any real responsibility to help the man, impudently misconstruing a Supreme Court decision compelling it to do just that. The government capped off this aggressive disobedience by submitting what appears to be a brazen lie to the court, claimingimplausibly and without evidencethat it had retroactively made Abrego Garcias deportation lawful. And it refused to turn over information that could allegedly bolster its dubious allegations on the grounds that it is all classified.

On Monday morning, top officials backed up the Justice Departments startling claims during a White House visit by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that he could disregard court orders directing the return of Abrego Garcia. Attorney General Pam Bondi said it was not up to us whether he is brought home. Bukele then announced that he would not send Abrego Garcia back to the U.S., saying: Of course Im not going to do it.

This sneering resistance to the judiciarys intervention was both entirely predictable and profoundly ominous. From the start, the U.S. governments behavior in this case has been a conscience-shocking breach of both laws and norms that once stood as a firewall to safeguard all of our civil liberties. And it is now spiraling out of control. In a matter of days, Justice Department lawyers and administration officials have burned through basic legal duties in defense of a hideously unlawful scheme that seeks to permanently render innocent people to a black site. They have torched their credibility by violating the most fundamental obligations of candor to a courtnot hesitantly, but proudly so, with undisguised disdain toward judges attempting to salvage whatever remains of the rule of law.

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Calling this a constitutional crisis undersells the catastrophic implications of the emergency. This administration is rapidly constructing a legal framework that would allow it to abruptly disappear anyone, including natural-born U.S. citizens, to a foreign prison forever, for any reason it chooses, or no reason at all. Indeed, Trump teased this possibility on Monday, floating the deportation of homegrown criminals to El Salvador next. The stakes of the battle over Abrego Garcias fate could not be more evident: If the government succeeds in thwarting judicial repudiation of his deportation, it will mark the end of constitutional freedoms as we know them.

The outline of Kilmar Abrego Garcias story is itself an indictment of this administrations utter disregard for the rights and humanity of those it seeks to banish. A native of El Salvador, Abrego Garcia came to the U.S. in 2011 fleeing gang violence. An immigration judge granted him protected status in 2019, forbidding his removal to El Salvador due to the persecution he faced there. He is now married to a U.S. citizen, with whom he has a 5-year-old son, and he has never been accused of breaking any laws. In March, immigration officials nonetheless arrested Abrego Garcia, falsely accusing him of affiliation with a gang and claiming, incorrectly, that he had lost his protected status. Before he had any real opportunity to contest his detention, the government swiftly deported him to the notorious CECOT mega-prison in El Salvador. It then admitted that officials deported him by mistake but claimed it had no power or obligation to bring him back. U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis rejected these arguments, directing the government to facilitate and effectuate his return. The Justice Department asked SCOTUS to halt Xinis order.

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On Thursday, the Supreme Court delivered a mixed decision. It ordered the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias return from El Salvador, acknowledging that his expulsion there was illegal. And it instructed the government to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps to bring him home. But it also declared that the judiciary could not force the government to effectuate his return out of due regard for the deference owed to the executive branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. This formalist compromise was seemingly intended to save face for the Trump administration and prevent the district court from superintending negotiations over Abrego Garcia while still mandating his return.

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Predictably, however, the Justice Department has not interpreted the Supreme Courts decision that way. Instead, it has read the order in extreme bad faith. Hours after SCOTUS ruled, Xinis ordered the government to provide an update on its efforts to facilitate Abrego Garcias immediate return. Justice Department attorneys Yaakov Roth and Drew Ensign refused to comply on Friday, demanding an extension instead. Xinis extended the deadline and gave them another chance. Roth and Ensign once again refused to comply, crudely stonewalling her demand for information. Xinis ruled that the Justice Department had defied her order and demanded daily status updates in the case; she insisted upon a declaration made by an individual with personal knowledge about the governments efforts to bring him home.

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Over the weekend, Roth and Ensign continued to flout Xinis directives. A Saturday status report failed to explain what steps the government was taking to return Abrego Garciawith the implication that it was doing nothing at all. A Sunday status report did the same, with a perverse addition: The Justice Department abruptly claimed that it had somehow revoked Abrego Garcias protected status by accusing him of membership in MS-13 and designating the gang a foreign terrorist organization. In reality, immigration officials cannot unilaterally revoke this status; they must go through a legal process that has, by all appearances, not been undertaken here. So there is every reason to believe this claim is a lie. (Moreover, neither declaration appears to have been filed by an individual with personal knowledge of Abrego Garcias situation, as required by Xinis.)

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In an accompanying filing, Roth and Ensign took their defiance one step further: They announced that, in the Justice Departments view, the government has no affirmative obligation to return Abrego Garcia. Its duty to facilitate his return, they wrote, simply means that it must not stop him from coming back to the United States. The Supreme Courts order, they continued, is thus best read as requiring the government to remove any domestic obstacles that would otherwise impede his ability to return here. SCOTUSs order, according to Roth and Ensign, does not compel the government to take any active steps to ensure that Abrego Garcia comes back. No other reading of facilitate is tenableor constitutionalhere, they concluded.

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At the same time, Roth and Ensign rejected a request from Abrego Garcias lawyers to review the legal agreement that allows the U.S. to use CECOT as a black site for immigrants. This agreement, of course, could shine light on the U.S. governments authority to seek the return of individuals imprisoned there. But Roth and Ensign refused to let the court or the plaintiffs lawyers see it. Any such agreement, they wrote, is classified, and likely subject to the protections of attorney-client privilege and the State Secrets privilege. So neither Xinis nor Abrego Garcias legal team can learn anything about the arrangement beyond what the government volunteers.

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The Justice Departments interpretation of the Supreme Courts decision would be laughable if it werent so chilling. Although the court used regrettably antiseptic language, the thrust of its ruling was clear: The government must take further steps to facilitate Abrego Garcias return, and ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. Yes, the court added the caveat that Xinis could not personally supervise negotiations with a foreign sovereign. But this language cannot plausibly be read to absolve the government of the central duty imposed upon it by the Supreme Court: to get Abrego Garcia out of CECOT. The Justice Departments inane interpretation of SCOTUSs order would render it incoherent, contradictory, and self-defeatinga mandate for the government to do, quite literally, nothing at all. No ethical attorney would affix their name to this duplicitous filing. And no amount of perfidious wordplay can obscure the fact the Trump administration now stands in open defiance of a Supreme Court order.

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Xinis has not responded to the Justice Departments weekend antics. But she now faces an unenviable set of options. The judge has every right and reason to threaten contempt of court for DOJ lawyers and administration officials for disobedience. But it appears that they are taking their orders from the top: On Monday morning, deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller boasted that the administration has no intention of bringing back Abrego Garcia, claiming this was the right person sent to the right place. And on Saturday, Donald Trump himself posted that immigrants imprisoned at CECOT are in the sole custody of a sovereign nation, with their future entirely dependent on El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Trump and Miller seem to be signaling that, in their view, they need notin fact, cannotorder Abrego Garcias return; his fate lies entirely in the hands of Bukele. (Trump hosted Bukele at the White House on Monday, a photo op that gives the lie to any claim that Abrego Garcias fate is out of his hands.)

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It is critical to remember that although the Trump administration is testing out this legal strategy on an immigrant, there is no legal principle that restricts the plan to noncitizens. The Justice Departments current position, if ratified by the courts, would allow the government to send any American citizen to CECOT, then refuse to help bring them home. According to the DOJ, the Constitution does not protect anybody, citizen or not, from rendition to a foreign black site. To the contrary, the Constitution prohibits federal courts from demanding the return of a person deported to an overseas prison. In the Justice Departments view, the executive branch has absolute, unreviewable authority to leave them there forever, even if they were expelled unlawfully, and remain subject to ongoing, unlawful banishment, torture, and potentially death. Put simply, this administration is creating a blueprint for the permanent disappearance of anyone, for any reason, with no legal recourse whatsoever.

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It is telling that the Justice Department has suspended the attorneys originally assigned to Abrego Garcias case, reportedly for admitting that the government made a mistake in deporting him. In Roth and Ensign, it found two Trump-aligned mercenaries willing to sacrifice their credibility for the sake of the presidents autocratic ambitions. These attorneys deserve to be held in contempt of court for their disgraceful deception and subject to severe sanctions for besmirching the legal profession. While sanctions may help combat the rot within the DOJ, though, they will not solve the deeper problem here. Trump and his allies are obviously directing this reprehensible campaign, and if anything can stop them, it will be an emphatic rebuke from the Supreme Court. Until a majority of the justices find enough courage to unambiguously reject this plot, the administration will continue to steamroll lower courts that stand in its way.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250414/civilian-casualties-in-sumy-strike-were-caused-by-ukrainian-militarys-callousness-1121872571.html

Civilian Casualties in Sumy Strike Were Caused by Ukrainian Military's Callousness

Civilian Casualties in Sumy Strike Were Caused by Ukrainian Military's Callousness

Sputnik International

The fact that the Sumy missile strike targeted a building that hosted a gathering of Ukrainian military personnel has been acknowledged by the Ukrainian side, Paolo Raffone, a strategic analyst and director of the CIPI Foundation in Brussels, tells Sputnik.

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He further notes a fact inconvenient to the Ukrainian leadership: that this military gathering was deliberately held near a civilian area that features a church.The analyst also warned about efforts by various power players and interest groups in the US and in Europe to prolong the Ukrainian conflict.Only a surprise snap agreement between US and Russia will put all those supporting the war out of business, he says.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250414/russia-has--evidence-sumy-strike-targeted-ukrainian-troops-and-foreign-mercs--lavrov-1121870601.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250414/fsb-detains-ukrainian-spy-who-planned-terrorist-acts-in-russia--1121868444.html

FSB Detains Ukrainian Spy Who Planned Terrorist Acts in Russia

FSB Detains Ukrainian Spy Who Planned Terrorist Acts in Russia

Sputnik International

Moldovan citizen Marius Prunyanu previously fought on the side of Ukraine near the city of Artemovsk in the Donetsk Peoples Republic, the Russian Federal Security Service informed.

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ukrainian crisis

russian federal security service (fsb)

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Prunyanu arrived in Russia on the instructions of the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) to organize acts of sabotage and terrorism. Before leaving the Moldovan capital of Chisinau for Russia , Prunyanu received money from a Ukrainian handler to purchase a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vehicle with Moldovan license plates. The SUV was equipped with a cache, which was disguised as a battery and which stored three 1.6-kilogram explosive devices made of the C-4 plastic explosive, according to FSB.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250113/ukraine-hunts-down-russian-journalists-for-exposing-its-terrorist-nature---moscow-1121421890.html

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Gabon's Interior Minister Hermann Immongault declares the results of Gabon's 2025 presidential election during a press conference in Libreville, Gabon, April 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Gabon's transitional leader Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been elected president following Saturday's vote, the Interior Ministry announced on Sunday.



Nguema secured 90.35 percent of the total votes cast in the election, Interior Minister Hermann Immongault said.

Nguema has served as Gabon's transitional president since leading the 2023 coup that ousted former President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

His main challenger, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, former prime minister under the Ondimba administration, came in second with about 3.02 percent of the vote, according to the minister.

A total of 920,200 voters were registered, including more than 28,000 abroad. The voter turnout stood at 70.4 percent, said the minister.

Saturday's vote marked Gabon's first presidential election since the coup, signaling the final stage of the country's political transition and anticipated return to constitutional order.

Nguema resigned from his military post in accordance with Gabon's Electoral Code to contest the election.

Other candidates included 2023 presidential contenders Axel Stophene Ibinga Ibinga and Thierry Yvon Michel Ngoma, both businessmen. The sole female candidate, businesswoman Zenaba Gninga Chaning, campaigned on a platform promoting population growth and the revival of traditional practices.

Speaking on public television channel Gabon 24 late Saturday, Jean Eric Nziengui Mangala, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, noted the high voter turnout and said the election had taken place in a "calm and peaceful atmosphere."

According to a report released late Saturday by the Citizen Observers Network, a Gabonese civil society platform that oversaw the vote, 74 percent of observed polling stations opened on time, while 99 percent were properly equipped with voting materials.

A total of 48 national and international observer missions, comprising about 2,450 observers, were accredited to oversee the electoral process, according to the ministry.

Gabon's new constitution, approved in a referendum in November 2024, sets the presidential term at seven years, renewable only once.

Under the new electoral provisions, the president is elected through a two-round system. A candidate must secure an absolute majority of valid votes in the first round to win outright. If no candidate meets that threshold, a runoff is held between the top two contenders.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250414/hungary-draws-red-line-against-eu-sending-military-advisers-to-ukraine-1121868749.html

Hungary Draws 'Red Line' Against EU Sending Military Advisers to Ukraine

Hungary Draws 'Red Line' Against EU Sending Military Advisers to Ukraine

Sputnik International

The European Union wants to send military advisers to Ukraine and transfer the training mission of the Ukrainian armed forces to the country, but Hungary considers this a "red line" and opposes it, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday.

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"The EU wants to send military advisers to Kiev as part of a mission to train soldiers in Ukraine. Hungary has distanced itself from this mission, but our main condition was that such a mission can only operate outside the territory of Ukraine," Szijjarto told Hungarian reporters, adding that the appearance of European military instructors on the territory of Ukraine was a "red line" for Hungary.

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"International humanitarian law categorically prohibits the placement of military facilities and weapons around civilian objects. Since the first days of the [Ukraine] crisis, and earlier, even during the Minsk agreements ... there have been a million cases of artillery and air defense systems being placed in city blocks near kindergartens. How many videos are posted online of Ukrainian women shouting for the military to get away from stores and playgrounds? But this practice continues. We have facts about who was at the facility that was hit in Sumy. There was another 'gathering' of Ukrainian military commanders with their Western colleagues, who were disguised either as mercenaries or I do not know who," Lavrov told Russian newspaper Kommersant.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250414/ukrainians-blame-zelensky-for-sumy-strike-1121872077.html

Ukrainians Blame Zelensky for Sumy Strike

Ukrainians Blame Zelensky for Sumy Strike

Sputnik International

Russia struck a site in Sumy where Ukrainian military commanders were gathered, killing over 60 soldiers. Volodymyr Zelensky claimed civilians were targeted, but the Russian Ministry of Defense argued military objects were placed in civilian areas.

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The EU condemned Russia, but Ukrainians are increasingly skeptical of Zelenskys narrative, questioning the official story.In social media comments, they don't hide their anger."Do you think holding award ceremonies near concerts is OK? I have nothing against the military, but such events shouldn't be held near children," says Svetlana Bilous, a resident of Sumy."There was no children's exhibition, it was a military awards ceremony," clarifies Yana.Locals are asking questions to both city and central authorities. "Write down how many people died in the congress center!" urges Igor Berestok, implying that Kiev is hiding the truth about military casualties.Sumy residents are also calling for the arrest of the head of the military administration, Volodymyr Artyukh: there are no promised air defense systems or fortifications, corruption is thriving, and infrastructure is poorly managed.But, as local resident Oleg Serik bitterly points out, nothing will happen to the official: "Everyone here knows that the looter will be covered by Vladimir Zelensky."

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Southern Ohio regular Cameron McCown entered the weekend just two wins shy of the 1,000-win milestoneand he made it count on Sunday, April 13, at MGM Northfield Park.

Joined by his wife Jessica, the pair made a special trip to the track, where McCown reached the coveted milestone aboard Rock With JK.

A native of Washington Court House, Ohio, McCown began his driving career in 2014 at the Putnam County Fair. He began driving more regularly the following year, scoring his first victory with Count On Anna at the Crawford County Fair in 2015.

Fittingly, Cameron and Jessica teamed up for both milestone-securing wins. The first came with Heerz Popeye (Bit Of A LegendElm Grove Inarush), who went gate-to-wire to close out the early daily double.

Win No. 1,000 came later in the card with Rock With JK (JK EndofaneraRock With Delight), though it didnt come easy. McCown had to work for it as Dragthechipsmyway (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) and Lake Charles (Justin Irvine) battled for early position. Irvine and Lake Charles, parked through a taxing :27.4 opening quarter, eventually cleared to the lead entering the first turn and slowed the pace to a :56.4 half.

As the field approached three-quarters in 1:25.3, Silver Bentley (Kurt Sugg) launched a first-over move, forcing McCown to stay patient in the pocket. Turning for home, McCown guided Rock With JK into the passing lane, surging by Lake Charles in the final strides to win by half a length in 1:54.

Its extremely exciting to get my 1,000th career victory. It has only taken me a month and a half since Brad Conrad took my photo at Miami Valley in preparation for this victory, Im just glad to have gotten the win, laughed McCown.

His wife Jessica echoed Camerons sentiments, I am very happy for Cam, he started driving for my dad and Chris Beaver and has come a long way. I admire him, and his ability to get up and go each day.

Live racing resumes at MGM Northfield Park on Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m.

(With files from Northfield Park)